The 26th Academic Assembly of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) held under the chairmanship of Chancellor of the Academy, Prime Minister of Nepal on Friday, 23 November 2007 declared to award Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) with the "Science and Technology Promotion Award 2007".
This is a national award in the institutional category awarded each year by NAST to organisations for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of science and technology for the benefit of the people in Nepal.
LI-BIRD received this award for its outstanding research and development work in the field of Community-based Biodiversity Management for on-farm conservation and utilization of agricultural biodiversity, Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB), and contribution in the formulation of associated national policy and strategies. Other works of LI-BIRD, such as development and promotion of conservation technologies for soil and water conservation for enhanced production and income; creating livelihood options for small, landless socially vulnerable farmers; and for empowering and strengthening capacity farmers, farmers' organization and local institutions also played important role in the decision.
The award is very special to LI-BIRD for many reasons. First, for the first time the award has been given to a non-government organization (NGO) for its contribution to science and Technology through research and development in the field of agriculture and natural resource management. It has formally recognized LI-BIRD as a research NGO devoted for development-oriented research in agriculture and natural resource management. Second, it has recognized their pioneering and innovative participatory approaches, especially in promoting on-farm management of genetic resources and PPB.
Third, it confirmed LI-BIRD's firm belief that working with farmers and stakeholders, building on their knowledge and innovation and creating opportunities for collaboration and joint action always generate synergy for producing outputs for the benefit of the resource poor farmers.
Fourth, it is a great recognition of the hard work put up by LI-BIRD's professionals and staffs. This will create further trust for LI-BIRD and recognize LI-BIRD as a partner of choice.
LI-BIRD would like to take this opportunity to thank all current and past staff members of LI-BIRD for their hard work; to Executive Board members, Founder members, General members, Professional members and well-wishers of LI-BIRD for their continued support and encouragement; to all partner organizations and donors for their kind support and believing in us; and most importantly to all farmers and farming communities for their active and inspiring engagement with us.
For more information on LI-BIRD, please contact:
Pratap K. Shrestha, PhD
Executive Director
Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD)
P.O. Box 324
Pokhara, Kaski
Nepal
Tel: +977-61-526834/ 530497/ 535357
Fax: +977-61-539956
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.libird.org
