Monday, February 18, 2019

More budget needed to achieve 'Zero hunger'

National Planning Commission (NPC) today launched 'Towards Zero Hunger in Nepal: A Strategic Review of Food Security and Nutrition', making a strong case for increased attention and investment in food security and nutrition.
The Strategic Review Report – released by deputy prime minister and health minister Upendra Yadav and NPC Dr Krishna Prasad Oli – was produced following an independent study under the supervision of an inter-ministerial advisory group led by the planning commission. It provides a consolidated picture of the food security and nutrition status, challenges, opportunities and recommendations towards achieving 'Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger in Nepal by 2030'. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with FAO and UNICEF, provided technical support for the strategic review process.
In Constitution of Nepal enshrined the 'right to food' of all citizens, and subsequently the government commitment to this is elaborated in the Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Act endorsed in 2018. As part of the government's continued commitment, the report will be a key tool to support execution of this Act, with a specific action plan to achieve SDG2 targets to ensure that 'no-one is left behind'.
Yadav releasing the report said that the review results are vital to promote access and availability to safe, nutritious and affordable food, which we strive to have locally produced. "By ensuring a holistic approach to increase local production that combines traditional food varieties with modern agricultural technologies, we now have the opportunity to improve the way we work together, so that every citizen has access to locally available, affordable and nutritious food and we achieve a nation free of hunger," he added.
Speaking on the importance of the Zero Hunger in Nepal: A Strategic Review (ZHSR), Oli said that the government now has the opportunity to strengthen political commitment both at the centre and the periphery, by including SDG2 and recommendations from the ZHSR in all national policies, plans, strategies and budgets at provincial and local levels.

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