Nepalis, mainly the the poor and vulnerable populations in mid- and far-west regions, are presently exposed to serious threats of food scarcity due mainly to commodity shortages and high food prices.
“More than eight million people, including more than three million children, are facing emergency-like conditions in Nepal, where food is scarce and few resources are available to rebuild or improve their livelihoods,” according to UN World Food Program (WFP).
While destruction of basic infrastructure and other adverse impacts of 11-year conflict and frequent natural disasters have only compounded their problems, WFP has urged all stakeholders to take strong measures to fight off hunger and prevent malnutrition among children.
It has cautioned that stunting and other problems seen among children could give rise to a grave situation in the country.
To deal with the problem, it has recommended the government to increase agricultural productions. It has also called for subsidy in fertilizers and seeds and promotion of commercial farming.
“Unless year-round food sufficiency is ensured, the problem of malnutrition cannot be addressed,” says WFP in its report.
Rise in production alone will not help the country to do away with the problem though. The WFP has also recommended the government to pursue effective market management and strengthen distribution mechanism.
Owing to weak market operations and poor distribution mechanism, producers are presently getting less for their produces, whereas consumers are forced to pay more for the same. To correct this situation, WFP has pushed for developing a well-managed market system and creating equal income opportunities for all.
If the government is to implement the recommendations of WFP, it will have to sharply raise the investments in agriculture sector. Contrarily, the government´s investment in the sector has been going down over the past few decades.
During 1980s, the government was investing as much as 30 percent of annual budget in the agriculture sector. In 1990s, the investment had dropped to 20 percent, while in 2008 it has gone down to as low as 5 percent of the budget, shows government statistics.
Related story
KOICA contributes to WFP project for Zero Hunger in Nepal
