Food sovereignty

President Paudel expressed concern over Nepal’s increasing reliance on imported rice and paddy. He underscored the importance of adopting climate-smart technologies and making use of domestic human resources to foster self-reliance in agriculture.

From green energy projects imposed without consent to policy decisions made in rooms where Indigenous voices are absent, these communities are too often excluded from climate solutions, displaced by them, and denied the resources to lead the way.

India faces a significant challenge in foodgrain storage, with a substantial gap between production and storage capacity, leading to potential losses and impacting food security.

The minister said that the Farmers Distress Inde is designed to develop a forewarning system to take preventive measures to identify farmer distress, providing alerts three months in advance.

Hydroponics uses less water and is more productive than soil-based agriculture and can be carried out all year round. Though hydroponics can be expensive and difficult to install, all it requires at its most basic level is the plants, water, a container and a source of light.

Case studies from Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Netherlands highlight how targeted actions, informed by robust governance and a focus on resilience, can catalyse broader progress.

A disconnect between production and distribution has led to a shortage in markets, raising questions about inefficiencies in storage, transport, and market regulation.

The conference highlighted the need for digital integration in crop surveys and the alignment of state land records with the Agristack to streamline operations under PM KISAN.