CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED POLICY
ENVIRONMENT IN AGRICULTURE
AND FOOD SECURITY IN NEPAL
AND FOOD SECURITY IN NEPAL
S. B. Thakur[1]
ABSTRACT
Agriculture is the
main stay of Nepal's economy. This provides about one-third of national GDP and
two-third of national employment. Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate
change due to more marginal farmers with small landholding, limited irrigation,
low income level, limited institutional capacity, and greater dependency on
climate-sensitive natural resources. The adverse effect of climate change on
agriculture impacts on farm revenue, employment, income and GDP. Policy
formulation in agriculture and food security sector concerning to climate
change has become an imperative for poverty reduction, livelihood improvement
and economic development. Compliance with global and national agreement, review
of existing policy will provide an essential foundation to policy makers,
planners and development workers to reform process. This paper intended to find
the strength and weaknesses of existing plans, policies, strategies, acts which
will support stakeholders in agricultural development.
INTRODUCTION
Agriculture
is major economic sector in Nepal, it contributes about one-third of the
national gross domestic product (GDP), represents 13% of total foreign trade
and two-third of the employment to economically active population (CBS 2012).
About21% of the land is cultivated, of which 54 % has irrigation facilities and
land holding size is only 0.68 ha per household. Over 50% of farmers are small
holders cultivating land usually less than 0.5 ha. Agriculture in Nepal is
mostly rain-fed and which is climate sensitive.
Nepal
is the fourth most vulnerable country after Bangladesh, India and Madagascar
(Maplecroft, 2012). The countries with the most risk are characterized by high
levels of poverty, dense populations, exposure to climate-related events; and
their reliance on flood and drought prone agricultural land in Nepal is highly
vulnerable to climate change due to its rugged terrain with steep topography,
tectonically active geology and related risks of the natural disasters. On
contrary, some experiments have shown opposite results, increasing crop yield
particularly rice and wheat with increase in climate variables (Malla, 2008).
Large proportion of marginal farmers with small landholding, limited
irrigation, low income level, limited institutional capacity, and greater
dependency of agriculture on climate-sensitive natural resources increase the
degree of vulnerability (Regmi and Adhikari, 2007; World Bank, 2008).
In
general, a policy is principle, rule, and guideline formulated and adopted to
reach long-term goals to influence and determine all major decisions and
actions, and all activities take place by the governing institutions.
It is a deliberate system of principles to
guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes, which is implemented as a
procedure or protocol. There are many plans, policies and strategies developed
by government of Nepal for agriculture and food security related to climate
change. The strength and weakness of the plans, policies and strategies need to
be studied for long-term planning to address climate change and environment
issues.
In
this regard, this paper tries to communicate the strength of agriculture and
food security related current legal documents, plans, policies, strategies and
programmes to insight the policymakers, development workers, climate change
advocates and producers for addressing the adverse effects of climate change.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This
paper is based on review of various national documents of agricultural and
livestock sectors. The national legal documents, plans, policies, strategies,
programmes and projects related to agriculture and food security were collected
from concern ministry, departments, directorates and offices of programme and
projects.
Scanning
and skimming, and positive sorting was adopted during reviewing. Climate change
and environment related important matter were marked and drawn for the study
from the Nepal's plans, policies, strategies and programmes. The current plans,
policies, strategies, acts, regulations and institutional policy documents were
also studied and deliberated briefly.
DISCUSSIONS
Based
on the review of current legal documents, plans, policies, strategies, acts,
regulations and institutional documents, the following keen points were drawn
which are very much related to climate change in agriculture and food security.
LEGAL PROVISIONS
NEPAL CONSTITUTION 2072 BS
Nepal's
constitution strongly focused on food sovereignty and Article (36) Right
relating to food explained that every citizen shall have the right relating to
food, the right to be safe from the state of being in danger of life from the
scarcity of food and the right to food sovereignty in accordance with law.
Article
51 (e) Policies relating to agriculture and land reforms stated, inter alia,to
make land management and commercialization, industrialization, diversification
and modernization of agriculture, by pursuing land use policies to enhance
agriculture product and productivity, while protecting and promoting the rights
and interests of the farmers, to make proper use of lands, while regulating and
managing lands on the basis of productivity, nature of lands and ecological
balance; and to provide for the farmers' access to agricultural inputs, agro
products at fair price and market.
Under
article 51 (h), Policies relating to basic needs of the citizens: point (12)
provisioned to provide for sustainable production, supplies, storage, security,
and easy and effective distribution of foods by encouraging food production in
tune with climate and soil, in consonance with the concept of food sovereignty,
while enhancing investment in the agriculture sector.
Article
(30) Right to clean environment stated in point (1) every citizen shall have
the right to live in a clean and healthy environment, (2) the victim shall have
the right to obtain compensation, inaccordance with law, for any injury caused
from environmental pollution or degradation, and (3) The Article shall not be
deemed to prevent the making of necessarylegal provisions for a proper balance
between the environment and development,in development works of the nation.
Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG), 2016-30
Nepal
has agreed to the commitment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) in UN Summit on September 25, 2015. Among 17 Goals, goal two focused on
"End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture". And Goal thirteenth on "Take urgent action
to combat Climate change and its impact".
National Development Plan
Goal
of the thirteenth plan was up scaling of Nepal from least developed country to
the level of developed country by 2022, and climate change is considered one of
the challenges to overcome barriers to reaching to the goal. Including natural
resource and environment conservation, agriculture was one of the important
priorities among 7 priorities of the plan. There was mandatory of implementing
climate change adaptive development initiatives keeping current and future
negative impact of climate change in mind.
Priority of 14th Plan
(approach paper)
The
Fourteenth Plan stated that in spite of increasing the production and
productivity of agriculture for supply of increasing population food and other
basic needs, Nepal is importing agriculture commodity every year. It clearly
stated that agriculture system has likely to failed completely due to youth
migration for employment, poor supply of agriculture inputs, loss of soil
fertility, high cost of production, competition with import products,
stratified agriculture land and change in land utilization, variation in
weather because of climate change, So, it is urgent need to result oriented
actions with effective agricultural plans for future commercial agriculture.
Fourteenth
Plan specified as challenge of transformation of subsistence agriculture in
competitive and commercial for industrial development and climate change
adaptation action to reduce energy crisis and possible disaster for
socio-economic development efforts. Since large number of small and medium
farmers in agriculture, it has challenge to build adaptive capacity to climate
change and various natural disasters. This plan has taken strategy to develop
and disseminate climate smart agriculture technology for reducing the negative
effect of climate change and disaster.
Strategies and visions
AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGY (ADS) 2015
ADS
has vision of agricultural sector growth through four strategic components
including governance, productivity, profitable commercialization, and
competitiveness. The acceleration of inclusive, sustainable,
multi-sector, and connectivity-based growth is expected to result in increased
food and nutrition security, poverty reduction, agricultural trade
competitiveness, higher and more equitable income of rural households, and
strengthened farmers’ rights. All outcomes, outputs, and activities of the ADS
will contribute to improve food and nutrition security either directly or
indirectly.
Among
four components, Component two of the ADS focused on productivity for food and
nutrition security by (i) increasing the volume of food production in Nepal in
a sustainable way through higher productivity and sustainable use of natural
resources; and (ii) reducing vulnerability of farmers through improved
food/feed/seed reserves, improved preparedness and response to emergencies, and
climate smart agricultural practices.
ADS's Climate Change and Natural
Resource Management:
Available
evidence on climate change in Nepal indicates increasing temperatures and
different patterns of monsoon precipitations. The impact of climate change on
agriculture in Nepal is currently studied, but even the preliminary evidence
suggests the need of introducing appropriate adaptation mechanisms to increase
resilience of farmers to climate change. At the same time it is important to
understand the feasibility of mitigation mechanisms including clean development
mechanisms and disaster risk reduction that could be beneficial to farmers. The
issue is how to ensure sustainable modernization of agriculture and
commercialization while strengthening resilience to climate change.
Improved
productivity of land and labor is at the cornerstone of the ADS. Agricultural
productivity requires the adoption of appropriate technologies and know-how to
increase efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production consistently
with market demand and food security needs of subsistent farmers. Among four
measures to raise agricultural productivity efficient and sustainable practices
and use of natural resources (land, water, soils, and forests); and increased
resilience to climate change and disasters are climate change related.
Though,
the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Progress Report 2010 stated that the
decreased poverty rate and reduction in the population suffering chronic food
insecurity. The report also focused that greater attention to environmental
conservation and adaptation to climate change.
SEED VISION 2013-25
The
Seed Vision aims to increase crop productivity, raise income and generate
employment opportunities through self-sufficiency, import substitution and
export promotion of quality seeds. Seed visioning assignment was implemented
for the many reasons, inadequate location specific varietal choices and limited
number of crop varieties mostly due to climate change is a major one.
Among
four major significant direct and indirect impacts the two impacts i.e.
ensuring food security and reducing poverty, and contributing in biodiversity
conservation and adapting to adverse impact of climate change which is related
to climate change.
Biodiversity conservation and climate
change
The
chapter includes the context of changing climate scenario in Nepal, it also
focused particularly in developing and promoting climate resilient crop
varieties (drought, flood and heat tolerant, etc.) using rich biodiversity. The
promotion of climate resilient seed varieties will sensitize farming
communities on climate change and allows for climate adaptation options in
terms of food production. This will have impact on stabilizing food production
and reducing risks of farming communities, resulting in increased livelihood
options and strengthened capacity to adapt adverse effect of climate change.
NARC
strategic vision 2011-30
The
vision of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) is to tap
institutional, human, and financial resources from the government and a wider
spectrum of stakeholders—civil society, research centers, donors, and
ultimately the private sector—to move the system from agricultural research and
development to agricultural research for development.
NARC
has given future research priorities will be based on creating and scaling up
technologies for environmental sustainability including food security, poverty
reduction, value addition, export promotion and cost effectiveness.ox 1. Research
Areas of NARC
NARC's Natural Resource Management and
Climate Change Thematic Area
Environment
problems such as deforestation, nutrient mining, soil erosion and land
degradation, eutrophication of surface water, increased encroachment of
marginal lands for cropping, degradation of range and pasture lands and reduced
level of agro-biodiversity are directly related to increased pressure on land
and water. There is need to maintain long-term balance between sustainable
agriculture, natural resources, and ecological security which is possible
through continuous research and development in the sectors. In spite of all
those, NARC also needs to further refine its policy
on conservation of agro-biodiversity and agricultural genetic resources through
in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies.
It also focused on agro-ecological diversity and
environmental sustainability, due consideration has given in creating and
adjusting the technologies (Indigenous knowledge, traditional practices and
local resources) to exploit benefits arising and counter any negative effect
brought out by climate change.
POLICIES
NATIONAL AGRO-BIODIVERSITY POLICY 2007 (2063
BS)
This
policy vision is to conserve and sustainable use of agricultural genetic
resources / materials and associated traditional knowledge with the
participation of concerned stakeholders for present and future generations. In
national and international level, effort has been made to conserve biological
diversity. The policy intends to recognize agro-biodiversity as an integral
component of biodiversity based on the spirit of international treaties/
agreements and national initiatives in order to ensure social, economic and
environmental benefits to the Nepalese people.
The objectives focused, inter alia, to enhance agricultural
growth and ensure food security by conserving, promoting and sustainably using
agro-biodiversity; to create effective management, commercialization and use of
agricultural genetic resources in the present context of exploiting local
national and international markets and in international regulations on trade;
to contribute in maintaining sustainable ecological balances(ecosystems
services) over time, and to promote the conservation and use of
agro-biodiversity in the contexts of national seed, food quality and safety,
and product marketing regulations.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE POLICY, 2004 (2061)
The objective of this policy is to create an enabling environment
for agriculture-led rural development. It emphasizes competitiveness of
agriculture sector encouraging farmers to go for commercial production. The
policy aims at increasing productivity and promoting natural resources to
utilize them in the interest of farmers. The long-term vision of the
agriculture sector is to bring improvement in the living standards through
sustainable agricultural development by transforming subsistence agricultural
system into a commercial and competitive agricultural system. The policy
emphasizes on increased agricultural production and productivity, making
agriculture competitive in regional and world markets with commercial
agriculture system, and conserving, promoting and utilizing natural resources,
environment and bio-diversity.
NATIONAL SEED POLICY, 2000 (2056 B.S.)
The main aim of formulating this policy is to effectively manage
production, processing and testing of high quality seeds and their timely
availability to the farmers. The Seed Act of 2045 B.S. and Seed Regulation,
2054 B.S. signifies contribution of the quality seeds in agricultural
production. The objectives ensure the availability of quality seeds of different
crops in a required quantity, production of quality seeds and promotion of
export, and conservation of genetic characteristics of the indigenous seeds and
maintain patent right. The main feature of the policy which is directly and
indirectly related to climate change; it has focused on conservation of
agro-biodiversity and establishment of breeders rights over new variety of
seeds. It proposed for conducting ‘research’ (which may also be construed as
risk assessment) on GMO seeds.
NATIONAL FERTILIZER POLICY, 2002 (2058 B.S.)
This policy was formulated
to support agricultural production by ensuring supply (production, import and
distribution) of good quality fertilizer. This Fertilizer Policy is
sub-component of the Government’s broad National Agriculture Policy as set out
in the Agriculture Perspective Plan (1995-2015). The aim of this policy is to
enhance agricultural productivity through improvement in soil fertility and
thereby contribute to the national goal of poverty alleviation. Specifically,
this policy emphasizes on the provision of conditions (policy and
infrastructure management) for enhancing fertilizer consumption; and promotion
of integrated plant nutrients management system for efficient and balanced use
of fertilizer. The policy adopts the strategy which relates climate change for
sustainable use of manures among other strategies to achieve its objectives
i.e. to manage Integrated Plant Nutrients System.
The use of chemical fertilizers causes GHG emission. The policy
need to focus on alternate of chemical fertilizers with discouraging
strategies.
IRRIGATION POLICY, 2014 (2070 B.S.)
There are many climate
related risks associated with the irrigation infrastructure and their
utilization. The water resources management and variability of water supply is
the major issue related to the irrigation sector. Drought conditions reduce the
effectiveness of irrigation systems and can cause long term damage to
infrastructure and losses in crop production. Similarly, flooding causes direct
destruction of infrastructure and sedimentation within irrigation systems. The
vision of this policy is to avail the sustainable and reliable year round
irrigation facilities to all the agricultural lands so as to contribute to
agricultural productivity. Extension of irrigation services is important in the
context of meeting the objectives of increasing agricultural production and
reduction of poverty.
This demands promotion of conjunctive use of ground and surface
water based irrigation systems along with new/non-conventional irrigation
systems such as rain water harvest, pond irrigation; sprinkler irrigation, drip
irrigation and treadle pump irrigation. In the country, the irrigation systems
developed so far are limited to run-off the river system. To make the system
good for round the irrigation, it is necessary to develop storage so that the
problem of low flow of rivers during the winter season can be mitigated to some
extent. The policy emphasizes implementing reservoir-based and inter-basin
water transfer types of water sector strategy development and integrated water
resources management. The policy aims to develop irrigation facility for the
achievement of the objectives related to the climate change, to avail round the
year irrigation facility through effective management of existing water
resources; develop institutional capacity of water users for sustainable
management of existing systems; and enhance knowledge, skills and institutional
working capability of technical human resources, water users and NGOs relating
to development of irrigation sector.
RANGELAND POLICY, 2012(2068)
In high hill and mid-hills region, livestock farming is the main
source of livelihood of people and rangeland is the major basis for livestock
production. Rangeland management is expected to contribute to livelihood
improvement and food security of the people, reduce internal migration and
minimize the effects of climate change. For providing clear direction for
managing uncontrolled extraction or harvesting of rangeland resources like
herbs and NTFPs, preventing the declining rangeland productivity and
biodiversity due to uncontrolled grazing, minimizing the effects of climate
change and environmental degradation, evaluating their roles in carbon
sequestration, and promoting indigenous knowledge, skills, technologies, this
policy was formulated and implemented, inter alia, recognizes the
Department of Livestock Services as the lead agency for rangeland management,
considers rangelands as under constant and serious threats, which require
urgent attention, envisages sustainable use and development of natural
rangeland with a view to support livelihood of the local people and also about
the development of livestock sector through sustained feed supply and grazing
management.
NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, 2012 (2069 B.S.)
This policy was formulated
considering the growing concerns about increasing fragmentation of fertile land
and unplanned urbanization. The policy, inter alia: to ensure optimum
use of land and control land fragmentation; help establish a link between
agricultural with industrial sectors, and encourage optimal use of land for
agriculture; categorize for the first time in the country, land into seven
categories — agricultural, forest, residential, commercial, public, industrial,
and others; to make sure that fertile land is used for farming only, and bar
dealings in land allocated for agriculture; and establish the Land Use
Management Department, which will have experts from agriculture, irrigation,
environment, urban development and management sector.
LAND USE POLICY, 2015
This policy was formulation to
manage the settlements safely from the natural disaster, after the devastating
earth quake in April 2015. This realized the problems, inter
alia, adverse condition of food security due to reduction of
agriculture production and productivity because of increased use of fertile
land in unproductive purposes, most of land under fallow and uncontrolled
fragmentation. Soil erosion, floods landslides and desertification due
environmental pollution and climate change causing to loss of natural resources
like environmental degradation and loss of bio-diversity and forests. Ensure
food security increasing agricultural production and productivity through
conservation and best utilization of agricultural land, and reducing climate
change impacts, natural disaster, biodiversity and environmental conservation
are major challenge. These things are strongly considered in objectives,
sectoral policies and strategies of the policy.
AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION PROMOTION POLICY, 2014
Labor shortage has become a
challenging issue in recent years for agriculture development due to migration
of young farmers from the rural areas of Nepal. Thousands of youths have
out-migrated for finding employment (in the urban centers and abroad). To
address this challenging issue and modernize agriculture, agricultural
mechanization policy has been formulated. Agricultural mechanization involves
use of different types of power: human, animal, mechanical and electrical. It
helps to achieve timeliness in field operations, increased productivity and
reduced cost of production, and minimized farm drudgery. It also imparts
dignity to farm work and makes farming attractive to educated rural youth. The
policy’s salient features includes, inter alia,
increasing competitiveness, modernizing and commercializing Nepalese
agriculture through appropriate mechanization, and focusing on environment,
women and youth farmer-friendly agricultural mechanization.
BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY, 2006 (2063B.S.)
In
order to address the existing challenges of a developing country like ours, this
policy formulated to obtain the potentials opened up by biotechnology. The
implementation of this policy may assist in increasing the production of food
grains through biotechnology, developing a new technology of medical treatment,
controlling environmental pollution and promoting various industrial sectors.
The vision of this policy is to
increase production and productivity by means of research and development of
biotechnology as well as transfer of technology, and improve the living
standard of Nepali people by achieving a significant progress in the field of
public health and environment.
The overall objective of this policy
is to make contribution to the reduction of poverty by developing and expanding
biotechnology with its use in the sectors of comparative benefit and its
application as a basis of key substitute for the development of the country as
well as environment protection and public welfare. The salient features
includes, inter alia, fulfill a minimal need of food grains and
nutritious food for growing population, thereby assisting in the reduction of
poverty, and encourage research and development of biotechnology contributing
for developing the forests, agriculture and food sectors in an internationally
competitive and environmentally sustainable manner.
CLIMATE CHANGE
POLICY, 2011 (2067 B.S.)
Nepal
formulated targets-based Climate Change Policy in 2011 to address climate
change impacts, and help develop people's coping capacities. The main goal of
this policy is to improve the livelihood by mitigating the adverse impacts of
climate change, adapting to it, adopting low carbon emission socio-economic
development path and promoting the support and cooperation as per the
commitments at the national and international mechanism related to climate
change. Main features of the policy, inter alia,
consider the importance of the sectors that are vulnerable to climate change;
enhance the climate adaptation and resilience capacity of local communities for
optimum utilization of natural resources and their efficient management; adopt
the low carbon development path by making socio-economic development climate
change friendly and resilient; allocate at least 80 percent of the total budget
directly at program implementation level/areas; establish a semi-autonomous
climate change center to coordinate the programs and projects; develop the
capacity for identifying the present and future impacts of climate change,
quantifying the impacts, adopting adaptation measures to be safe from the risks
and adverse impacts of climate change; and establish a separate Climate Change
Fund for implementing programs related to climate adaptation and resilience,
and low-carbon development, identifying risks, carrying out studies and
research and developing and utilizing technologies.
PLANS AND PROGRAMMES
PLANS
AGRICULTURE
PERSPECTIVE PLAN (APP)
Government of Nepal has been implementing a 20-year Agriculture
Perspective Plan (APP) since 1997 with a view to commercialize agriculture,
develop overall economy and alleviate poverty. This plan has identified
priority inputs and outputs for consolidated investment in order to
commercialize agriculture sector. High value horticultural commodities and
agriculture business are priority outputs of APP. It has also proposed to
establish strong forward and backward linkages of agricultural production. As
focused by the APP, commercialization of agriculture and thereby increasing
production and income of farmers is the main strategy of Three Year Plan
(2011-2013).
APP design gave priority to certain key inputs (i.e. irrigation,
fertilizer, technology, roads and power, and financial credit for agriculture),
and key outputs (i.e. livestock, high value crops, agribusiness, and forestry),
that were envisaged to deliver the policy’s expected social, economic and environmental impacts. These
priorities remain relevant to in the present context, in addition to current
and emerging issues though the period of the plan was completed. The ADS 2015
has been developed following the National Agriculture Policy 2004.
Zero Hunger Challenge National Action
Plan (2016 - 2025)
The
country adopted ZHC initiative as a national agenda holding the vision for
preparing a National Action Plan to eradicate hunger by 2025. To move ahead
with this process, a roadmap was prepared by MoAD to launch the ZHC initiative
and then formulate the National Action Plan covering a period of ten years
starting from 2016 till 2025. The objective is to ensure “rights to food” by
improving food and nutrition security of people to achieve a society free of
hunger and malnutrition by 2025. In this regard, it emphasizes on fostering
right based access to food and its proper utilization. Its specific objectives
are, inter alia, strengthen sustainable production
process for accelerated growth of the agriculture sector; improve food and
nutritional status of all people in the country; and improve social protection
system for the poor suffering from hunger, poverty and malnutrition.
NATIONAL
BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2014-2020
The description and analysis of past efforts and achievements, and
formulation of strategies and actions are focused around six thematic areas:
(a) Protected Areas, (b) Forests outside Protected Areas, (c) Rangelands,
(d)Wetlands, (e) Agriculture, and (f)Mountains.
In
Nepal, biodiversity is closely linked to the livelihoods and economic
well-being of most people. The subject touches upon almost every aspects of
Nepalese life, including agricultural productivity, food security, climate, water
resources and aesthetic value for society. Agro-biodiversity is the backbone
for sustainable development of agriculture, food security and poverty
alleviation as it provides both the immediate needs and long-term sustenance of
the country’s farming communities. Diversity of crops and animals is
particularly vital to the country’s marginalized communities for maintaining
their food security.
PROGRAMMES
Programmes and projects will be real image of the policies and
plans of any sectors. A national flagship program (FANUSEP) that includes
subprograms on Nepal Agricultural and Food Security Project (NAFSP), Food and
Nutrition Security Plan of Action (FNSP), and a new comprehensive program on
food and nutrition security that will be developed and started over the course
of the first 5-year period of the ADS.
Nepal has implemented Pilot Program on Climate Resilience (PPCR)
has been implemented among 9 countries in year 2009 with support of climate
investment fund, World Bank and Asian development bank. Building Resilience to
Climate-related hazards project is one among 5 projects which was initiated by
Government of Nepal in coordination with Ministry of Population and Environment
(MoPE).
CONCLUSION
Nepal’s main economic sector, agriculture is adversely impacting
due to climate change. Climate change has negative impacts on crop and
livestock production and productivity, pest and disease infestation, land degradation,
soil fertility, animal fertility and behavior, quality and quantity of food,
feeds and fodder, biodiversity, gene pool and others. The adverse effect in
food security and livelihoods at national, household and individual level
affects farm revenue, employment, income and finally on GDP. Study of existing
state of the policy documents are required to capitalize to policy maker,
researchers, academia and development workers on existing provision for
addressing climate change and environmental issues in the agriculture and food
security. The studied plans, policies and guidelines have played an important
role in order to adapt and minimize the impacts of climate change regarding
agriculture and food security in Nepal. It has helped to reduce the hunger,
increase sustainable products, end poverty, malnutrition, control land
fragmentation and building resilience against climate change hazards, support
research in terms of agriculture, food production and forestry.
Nepal Constitution 2072, Sustainable Development Goals,
Agriculture Development Strategy, National Agriculture Policy, Climate Change
Policy, Agriculture Prospective Plan, Zero hunger challenge and National Action
Plan has helped directly for the formation of climate change related policies
for agriculture and food security whereas, National Seed Policy, National
Agro-biodiversity Policy, Irrigation Policy, Rangeland policy, National Land
use Policy, Biotechnology Policy, Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Policy
has indirectly helped in the formation of climate change policies related
to agriculture and food security. Policies and plans formulated before climate
change policy 2011, has very less consideration of climate change and
environment aspects and the policies and plans after 2011, have gradually
included and addressed climate change aspects in form of mitigation or
adaptation.
There
is adequate space in existing policy, plans and strategies for integrating the
medium and long term adaptation measures to reduce vulnerability to the impacts
of climate change in agriculture and food security.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We
would like to express our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Population and
Environment (MoPE), and UK Aid, Act on Climate Today, Oxford Policy Management
and Practical Action for providing the opportunity in NAP formulation process
for this study. We also thank to Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD),
Ministry of Livestock Development (MoLD) and NAP team for their sincere help
and cooperation.
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