International Potato Center (CIP) and ICIMOD Join Forces to Strengthen Mountain Economies and Ecosystems
The International Potato Center (CIP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are forging a strategic collaboration to bolster mountain economies and ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. This partnership aims to leverage the potential of potato and sweetpotato cultivation to enhance food security, income opportunities, and environmental sustainability in mountain communities.
Potato cultivation plays a pivotal role in the livelihoods of mountain communities in the Himalayas, serving as both a crucial food crop and a source of income. With seven of the eleven improved potato varieties in Nepal originating from CIP breeding lines, the collaboration between CIP and ICIMOD holds immense promise for advancing potato agriculture in the region.
In addition to potatoes, sweetpotato cultivation is gaining momentum in mountain agro-ecosystems. Nepal’s recent release of two biofortified sweetpotato varieties developed from CIP lines underscores the potential for diversifying food systems and harnessing agrobiodiversity to enhance resilience and sustainability in mountain regions.
As part of this collaboration, CIP will actively contribute to ICIMOD’s livelihood programs in key focus locations such as Lamdan and Godavari. By integrating expertise and resources, both organizations aim to promote innovative agricultural practices, empower local communities, and safeguard mountain ecosystems.
