Nepal, China and FAO Launch Agrifood Systems Strengthening Project
Dragon Media News Desk
The Government of Nepal, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of China have formally launched the Agrifood Systems Strengthening Project in Nepal.
The 24-month project, financed by China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture, improve rural livelihoods and strengthen food and nutrition security in Nepal’s hill and mountain regions.
Developed at the request of the Government of Nepal, the project will support local institutional capacity, climate-smart agricultural practices, improved nutrition, environmental sustainability, digital innovation and inclusive rural development.
Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary expressed confidence that the project would make an important contribution to climate-resilient agriculture, food and nutrition security, market access and stronger local institutions.
She said the initiative would support Nepal’s national goals for food security, rural prosperity and sustainable development by helping build a more resilient, competitive and sustainable agrifood system.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming reaffirmed China’s continued support for Nepal’s agricultural modernisation and the transformation of its agrifood system.
He said the project would help improve agricultural productivity, climate resilience and food security through South-South cooperation, technology transfer, capacity development and knowledge exchange.
Hua Yang, Director of FAO’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division and Deputy Director of the Office of the Director-General, said the project would advance FAO’s vision of better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.
She stressed that local ownership, effective partnerships and tangible improvements in farmers’ lives were essential for sustainable agrifood-system development, expressing confidence that the project could become a successful model of South-South cooperation for Asia and other regions.
The project will be implemented in Mandandeupur and Panchkhal municipalities of Kavrepalanchok and in Rong Rural Municipality and Ilam Municipality of Ilam district.
It will strengthen the capacity of local governments, cooperatives, farmers’ groups, agricultural extension providers and other local institutions. The project will also support higher agricultural production, livelihood diversification, market linkages, natural-resource management and improved local service delivery.
Through digital agricultural extension services, farmers will receive timely technical advice, weather information, access to financial services, agricultural insurance and market information.
The initiative aims to improve the competitiveness of smallholder farmers, reduce climate-related risks and support evidence-based decision-making at the local level.
It will also promote greater participation by women, young people and marginalised communities, helping make local agrifood systems more inclusive and resilient.
Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Nepal and Bhutan, said the project reflected the shared commitment of Nepal, China and FAO to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems through partnership, innovation and local leadership.
The project is expected to support the long-term transformation of Nepal’s agrifood system by linking international technical knowledge and development experience with local institutions and capacities.
