Availability of quality planting materials on time is the most important starting point for a successful horticultural enterprise. In Nepal, horticulture resource centers under federal and provincial governments; horticulture research stations, commodity research programs and the provincial research directorates under Nepal Agricultural Research Council work on horticultural research, variety development and maintenance, adaptation trials, and planting materials production in different ecological zones. These provide about 20% of the basic planting source materials such as seeds, seedlings, saplings, tubers, and propagules for multiplication to private nurseries, seed producer groups, cooperatives, and companies. Private sectors fulfill about 80% of the total demand for horticultural planting materials. Nepal has been importing hybrid seeds of flowers and vegetables for decades. Recently, there is an increasing trend of import of hybrid seeds of flowers and vegetables, grafted saplings of apple (high density), and walnut, which must be regulated to prevent the import of disease, pests, or other unforeseen risks. The government gives top priority to capacity building of government resource centers and private nurseries to produce seeds and saplings of standard quality to meet the demanded quantity for sustainable and holistic development of the horticulture sector. Varietal characterization, development of superior varieties, maintenance of genetically pure mother stocks of each variety for production of quality planting materials, certification of nurseries, and planting materials are other important areas to focus. Horticulture Nursery Policy, Act and Regulation Guideline are being formulated to monitor, regulate, and ensure the quality for both internal production and import/export if required.
