Kathmandu,
Jan. 25: A recent assessment of Nepal’s food security and nutrition strategy
has suggested creating a robust online database on agricultural information for
the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and climate smart
planning and implementation.
“Create a
searchable online database that includes information about different species
and varieties harmonize policies, strategies and acts related to biodiversity
to fit with the spirit of the current consultation and roles and
responsibilities delegated to the different levels of the government,” said the
assessment report.
It has
also recommended creating agro-biodiversity profiles, identify high yielding
and nutritious genotypes for each 753 local levels within a given time period,
and disseminate and utilise the rapidly vanishing traditional indigenous
knowledge on food production, utilisation and post-harvest management.
Likewise,
the report demanded developing database management system in relation to
climate through increased coordination with the Department of Hydrology and
Metrology to ensure timely data sharing to undertake smart, adaptive and
disaster responsive planning and implementation.
The
government should also need to increase funding in agriculture for poverty
reduction and food security, said Team leader of the Assessment Programme
Dr.GanaPati Ojha at a ‘National level consultative and validation workshop’ of
the report.
The assessment
has asked for subsidies for agriculture inputs, increased access to
agricultural insurance and loans, expansion of irrigation facilities, scaled-up
mechanisation, improvement in women’s empowerment and mitigation of
post-harvest loss.
Similarly,
to ensure sustainable food systems and climate resiliency, the assessment
recommended expanding extension services to provide training on sustainable
agriculture, improving early warning system and promoting Local Adaptation Plan
of Action (LAPA).
Presenting
its recommendations across the five targets of the 'Sustainable Development
Goal (SDG) 2: End Hunger', the review of the national food security and
nutrition status suggested ensuring multi-sectoral approach to reduce under
nutrition, and addressing wasting and stunting through food-based approaches.
Minister
for Agricultural Development Ram Krishna Yadav said that the issue of food
security and nutrition was a cross-cutting issue that needed coordination among
the multiple government and non-governmental agencies.
“But to
achieve progress in terms of food security, we need to modernise and
commercialise agriculture and diversify agro-products,” said Minister Yadav.
Member of
the National Planning Commission Dr.PrabhuBudhathoki pointed towards the need of
nutrition equality.
He
suggested that the whole agricultural value chain should be developed with
newer approaches in order to increase the productivity.
“As the
report suggests, the government should work to increase the access to food for
the poor and expand education on nutritional diet for the middle class and rich
people,” he said.
The
programme was organised by the National Planning Commission and the World Food
Programme (WFP).
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