Food security situation remains stable

The food security situation across most of the country remained stable between January and March due to a good summer crop harvest that took place mostly in October-December 2010, according to a report.
However, in some localised areas where the summer crop was impaired, the situation has deteriorated, said the monthly report prepared byWorld Food Programme (WFP) but currently being institutionalised by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and National Planning Commission.
Far Western Hill and Mountain districts were particularly affected by crop losses and multiple districts are experiencing a high level of food insecurity.
"Surkhet, Dailekh, Doti, Dadeldhura and Bajura are of particular concern, where multiple VDCs experienced average summer crop losses that exceeded 30 per cent due to late and insufficient rainfall and in some areas hailstorm damage," it said, adding that Nepal Food Security Monitoring System District Food Security Networks identified some 45 VDCs that are 'highly food insecure', where people are coping by consuming less preferred food, reducing the size of meals and selling household assets as the household food stock is sufficient for one to two months only, and local employment opportunities have generally decreased by 10-30 per cent.
In the Karnali region, the WFP food assistance has stabilised the food security situation, it claimed, adding, "due to WFP’s food assistance and the work of other development agencies, household food stock has recovered and for most households should last until the winter harvest."
However, it has showed serious concern over rising food prices.
According to Nepal Rastra Bank, the consumer price index increased by 11.3 per cent -- in mid-January 2011 compared to the 10.7 per cent in mid-January a year ago -- largely driven by the food and beverage price index that rose by 17.6 per cent.
The Nepal Food Security Monitoring System collects, analyses and presents information on household food security, emerging crises, markets and nutrition from across Nepal.
Similarly, District Food Security Networks in each district of the country validate, exchange and generate up-to-date food security information.
These networks prepare quarterly District Food Security Bulletins, food security phase classification maps and provide an food security outlook based on the latest information locally available.