Addis ababa: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the right to food as a fundamental right, aligning with Nepal’s welfare state objectives. Addressing the inaugural session and ministerial roundtable of the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Minister Adhikari highlighted the constitutional enshrinement of this right in Nepal.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Minister informed the summit delegates about the Food Rights and Sovereignty Act and related regulations issued by the government of Nepal to enforce the Right to Food. He stressed that this is not only a legal duty but also a political and ethical responsibility guiding national efforts.
Minister Adhikari underscored the necessity for Nepal’s small economy to develop and strengthen local food systems to address challenges from climate-related vulnerabilities, fragile mountainous terrain, degraded ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and rising imports of food and agriculture products. He pointed out that there is an increasing consumption of unhealthy foods that also needs to be addressed.
Elaborating on government initiatives aimed at empowering local farmers, women, and youth, the Minister mentioned prioritizing the production of nutritious local and indigenous crops and developing value chains. He also highlighted the incorporation of locally produced food in school midday meals, contributing to reducing malnutrition among school children and enhancing their learning outcomes.
The Minister shared insights on sustainable and resilient agricultural practices promoted in Nepal, including environment-friendly agriculture, organic farming, climate-friendly agriculture, agricultural biodiversity, and agroforestry systems. He noted Nepal’s limitations as a low-income country in transforming its food system into a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive one to improve food security and nutrition.
Minister Adhikari concluded by highlighting the growing challenges posed by climate change to food production and security systems, appealing for international support to address these critical issues.