This is Sajhabahadur from Nepal, again.



Earlier in Message 65, I have discussed the failure of biotechnology in Nepal

mainly due to lack of scholarship for the motivated candidates. However, in

this message, I will present the problems associated while doing

biotechnology in Nepal.



Nepal's population is heavily based on agriculture. Only 20% are employed in

academics and research. The system in Nepal to encourage young Nepalese

biotechnologists who come out from this small segment of (20%) population has

not been taken seriously. It is due to the reason that the allocation of

budget by government for development of science is not satisfactory. As the

result of which, the government is not in a position to hire more research

scholars and offer projects which are signature for contributing to

development of science (in particular biotechnology).



Another associated problem is that shifting from traditional occupation of

farming to the modern technology needs time to adopt. On the other hand,

testing of any product that is suitable in one country doesn't necessarily

mean that it will fit in each and every context. For example, the diversity

of land in Nepal (ranges from 500m above sea level to 5555 m) needs obviously

broad research and versatility of biotechnology services depending on context

of climate.



Unfortunately, towards this end, there has not been any establishment of

industry which can produce simply the chemicals/reagents needed for

development of biotechnology. It means that investment in these sectors in

Nepal is still in a rudimentary state. As a result of which, research in

biotechnology has to pay a high price if one desires to give a start kick.