‘Global Hunger Index–2025’ Report released

Karnali, Nov 10: The Global Hunger Index–2025 report was unveiled in Karnali.

Binod Kumar Shah, the Minister for Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives of Karnali Province, released the report during an event held in Surkhet, Birendranagar, organized by Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LIBIRD) with support from Welthungerhilfe. Minister Shah emphasized that the report serves as a guide for identifying areas where Nepal, particularly Karnali, needs improvement.

He noted that the Karnali government has developed several initiatives—including the Food Sovereignty Act, Organic Agriculture Act, Agricultural Business Promotion Act, an agricultural strategy, and a draft Pollination Strategy—all aimed at bolstering the Zero Hunger campaign. Minister Shah remarked, “Karnali has limited arable land. Nevertheless, the government is striving to cultivate high-value products from the land available.”

He referenced a public report, stating that the insights provided would help the Karnali provincial government formulate policies, which would be especially beneficial for agricultural workers and farmers. He stressed that the topics outlined in this report should be mandatory study material for local government representatives, provincial secretaries, and agricultural specialists.

Laxman Khatri, the programme head of LIBIRD, pointed out that for the past seven years, LIBIRD has been releasing the Hunger Index report in Nepal. He highlighted that while stunting remains a challenge, there have been positive trends in reducing wasting and child mortality rates. He asserted that if multi-dimensional, nutrition-related initiatives are executed in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, hunger could potentially be eradicated.

“All three tiers of government must prioritize this effort,” he stated. “We are implementing agriculture and nutrition programmes in Karnali and Sudurpaschim to enhance food security.”