KATHMANDU, Oct 16: Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Geeta Chaudhary said the government has adopted various laws, strategies and plans to end hunger and ensure sustainable food security.
In a message marking the 46th World Food Day on Thursday, Chaudhary said the policies include the Agricultural Development Strategy, the Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Act, the 16th Plan and initiatives to transform the food system.
Related story
Eating junk food is bad for health!
She said the government was committed to modernizing, commercializing and diversifying agriculture through research, technological innovation and improved productivity to ensure sufficient and nutritious food for current and future generations.
This year's World Food Day is being observed under the national slogan “Innovation in Agriculture for Nutritional Security.” Nepal's food security faces challenges from climate change, natural disasters, agricultural land degradation and changing import trends.
Citing Nepal's Global Hunger Index score of 14.8 and the fact that around 26 percent of children under five are stunted, Chaudhary stressed the need to strengthen nutrition security.
She said the government had prioritized climate-adaptive technologies, the preservation of traditional crops, digital agriculture and modern innovations. She also called on all three tiers of government, the private sector, cooperatives, development partners and farmers to work together to build a sustainable food system.