KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Geeta Chaudhary has said the government has adopted various policies, laws and plans to eliminate hunger and ensure sustainable food security, thereby upholding the constitutionally guaranteed right to food.
She said the government’s efforts were guided by the Agricultural Development Strategy, the Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Act, the 16th Plan and strategies aimed at transforming the country’s food system.
In a message marking the 46th World Food Day on Thursday, Minister Chaudhary extended her greetings and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing, commercializing and diversifying agriculture. She said innovative approaches, research and the development and expansion of technology were essential to increasing agricultural production and productivity.
She also emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring food security for all citizens and providing future generations with adequate and nutritious food.
World Food Day is observed globally on October 16 every year. This year, the day is being marked in Nepal under the national slogan, “Innovation in Agriculture for Nutritional Security.”
Although Nepal ranks 72nd on the Global Hunger Index, with a score of 14.8, the fact that around 26 percent of children under five are stunted highlights continuing challenges in improving nutrition.
Minister Chaudhary said climate change, natural disasters such as flash floods, the degradation of agricultural land and changing import trends had created significant challenges to the country’s food security and sovereignty.
Describing food security as a key national security concern, she said the government had prioritized climate-adaptive technologies, the conservation of local and traditional crops, digital agriculture and modern innovations to address these challenges.
She also highlighted the roles of federal, provincial and local governments, the private sector, cooperatives, development partners and farmers in building a sustainable food system and ensuring food security.
The minister called on all stakeholders to observe World Food Day collectively and contribute meaningfully to sustainable food and nutrition security.
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