LALITPUR:

Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Chhabi Lal Bishwokarma laid the foundation stone for a gene bank.

The government plans to build the bank within three years.

Speaking at the function, Bishwokarma said Nepal is rich in flora and fauna. “Preservation of genes of local varieties is the responsibility of the present generation.”

Farmers should also be informed about the plan to build the gene bank, minister Bishwokarma said, adding that help should be sought from them to collect and preserve genetic resources.