Kathmandu, April 4, 2025 – Nepal has taken a significant step towards achieving food security and climate resilience by launching the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 in collaboration with Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) and Welthungerhilfe Nepal. The report highlights Nepal’s steady progress in combating hunger, shifting its status from "alarming" to "moderate" on the global scale. However, experts and policymakers stress that deeper structural issues—particularly gender inequality and climate vulnerability—must be addressed for sustainable progress.
The event saw a strong commitment from the government to Nepal’s National Agroecology Roadmap, which aims to transform agriculture into a climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable system. Hon. Minister Ram Nath Adhikari, along with Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha and Dr. Hari Bahadur KC from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), reaffirmed their dedication to formalizing this roadmap as a national strategy.
A Roadmap for Sustainable Agriculture
The National Agroecology Roadmap integrates multiple pillars crucial for a just and resilient food system, including:
✔️ Gender justice – Ensuring equal opportunities for women in agriculture
✔️ Climate resilience – Promoting sustainable farming techniques adaptable to changing weather patterns
✔️ Food and nutrition security – Enhancing local food systems to reduce reliance on imports
✔️ Indigenous knowledge and agroecological practices – Revitalizing traditional farming methods for sustainability
The Role of Women in Climate-Resilient Agriculture
One of the core themes of the GHI 2024 launch was how gender justice can advance climate resilience and zero hunger. Women farmers, who form a significant portion of Nepal’s agricultural workforce, play a crucial role in food production and biodiversity conservation. However, they often face barriers in accessing land, credit, and technology. Policy experts emphasized that empowering women in agriculture is essential for achieving long-term food security and climate resilience.
A Call for Action
During the discussions, speakers from various sectors—including policymakers, grassroots farmers, and international organizations—echoed a common sentiment: agroecology is the future. They called for stronger collaboration, youth engagement, and systemic changes to promote sustainable farming practices.
The launch of the GHI 2024 and Nepal’s commitment to agroecology signal a crucial moment in the country’s fight against hunger and climate change. As Nepal continues on its path towards food sovereignty, experts urge that efforts must remain inclusive, science-driven, and responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
