KARNALI: The Global Hunger Index–2025 report has been unveiled in Karnali Province. Binod Kumar Shah, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives of Karnali Province, released the report during an event held in Birendranagar, Surkhet.
The program was organized by the Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) with support from Welthungerhilfe.
Speaking at the event, Minister Shah said the report serves as a crucial tool for identifying areas where Nepal — particularly Karnali — needs improvement. He noted that the provincial government has already introduced several key measures, including the Food Sovereignty Act, Organic Agriculture Act, Agricultural Business Promotion Act, agricultural strategy, and a draft Pollination Strategy, all designed to advance the Zero Hunger campaign.
“Karnali has limited arable land. Nevertheless, the government is working to produce high-value crops from the land available,” Minister Shah remarked, adding that the findings from the report would guide policy formulation, especially benefiting farmers and agricultural workers.
He also emphasized that the report’s insights should be made compulsory reading for local government representatives, provincial secretaries, and agricultural experts.
Laxman Khatri, Programme Head at LI-BIRD, shared that the organization has been publishing the Hunger Index report in Nepal for the past seven years. He observed that while stunting remains a persistent challenge, there has been progress in reducing wasting and child mortality rates.
Khatri further stated that if multi-dimensional nutrition initiatives are implemented in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, hunger could potentially be eradicated.
“All three tiers of government must prioritize this effort,” he said, adding that LI-BIRD is currently implementing agriculture and nutrition programs in Karnali and Sudurpaschim to strengthen food security.
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