1. 1. Background

Biodiversity has an important role for the continuation of the human race on earth. Agricultural biodiversity, which is an integral part of biological diversity, is indispensable for the basic food security and livelihood of mankind. Our ancestors have been doing conservation, enhancement and development of agricultural biological diversity. Although the integral parts of agricultural biodiversity are available in sufficient quantity in Nepal, the fact that the local agricultural genetic resources are disappearing in the course of time has been clarified by the study and research. It is a national responsibility to protect, enhance and sustainably use important agricultural biodiversity, which is the cornerstone of sustainable development of the agricultural sector, food security and poverty alleviation in agricultural countries. In order to achieve economic achievements and maintain environmental balance, it is very necessary to protect agricultural biodiversity, which includes the most used species of biodiversity. Keeping in mind the above-mentioned requirements, this policy has been implemented in accordance with the purpose of "National Agricultural Policy 2061" to protect, promote and utilize biological diversity, in view of the International Convention on Biological Diversity 1992, which Nepal is a party to, and the common understanding and the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy 2059. p>