Kathmandu: Experts and stakeholders have expressed concern over the increasing challenges exacerbated by climate change on food security. At the third panel discussion on the topic ‘food security and climate-resilient agriculture’ under the third parallel session of the much-awaited Sagarmatha Dialogue beginning today, they warned of dire consequences of the challenges surfaced in food security.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Executive Director of the International Water Management Institute, Dr. Mark Smith, highlighted that the world is currently grappling with a significant water crisis, experiencing an unprecedented imbalance in the water cycle in human history. This situation poses a serious threat not only to long-term sustainability for future generations but also to equality. He indicated that this crisis is largely related to climate change, with global and continental land use changes and the destruction of ecological systems being major contributing factors. Dr. Smith further explained that starvation, poverty, exclusion, ecosystem crises, and potential water and weather-related risks are worsening climate challenges in hilly areas.
Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Nepal and Bhutan, Ken Shimizu, echoed these concerns, pointing out the socio-economic challenges emerging due to climate change effects. He mentioned that easing access to necessary financing, technology, and support has become an additional challenge.
Also speaking on the occasion, former Secretary Ganesh Raj Joshi emphasized the need to strengthen climate adaptation programs in agriculture to address the challenges posed to food security by climate change impacts. Qatar’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Executive Director of the Global Dryland Alliance (GDA), Bader Omar Al Dafa, stressed the necessity of ensuring food security in nations with dry lands, contributing to global stability and peace.
Former member of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Usha Jha, warned that delays in taking precautions would further worsen the food security situation in the future, potentially leading to a rise in hunger and poverty.