According to 2006 UNDP Human Development Report, Nepal ranks 138 among 177 nations in terms of the Human Development Index, and 156 in terms of GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Parity. Both indicators rank Nepal at the lowest among neighbours. Nepal experienced turbulent socio-economic situation during 11year insurgency, which cost an estimated 13000 lives and inflicted physical, psychological, social and economic damage. Agriculture is mainstay of economy, providing livelihood for more than 80% of population and accounting for some 40% of GDP. Industrial activities are dominated by processing of agricultural products including jute, sugarcane, tobacco and grains. Nepal is vulnerable to several types of natural disasters such as droughts, floods, landslides, windstorms, hailstorms, cold waves, disease epidemics, glacial lake outburst flood, fires and earthquakes. Drought, hailstorms, floods and landslides are by far the most serious ones and the most recurrent natural disasters, annually causing significant material and human losses. However, drought conditions and hailstorms have badly affected production in several areas in the Far-and Mid-Western Hills and Mountains. The total food aid requirement is estimated at 114400 tonnes, including 1400 tonnes in Western Mountains, 19200 tonnes in Mid-Western Mountains, 31 000 tonnes in Far-Western Mountains, and 62800 tonnes in Far- Western Hills. Of the uncovered deficit of 114 400 tonnes, WFP is expected to provide 8 864 tonnes under its emergency operations, 33517 tonnes under its country programme and 39405 tonnes for food assistance to conflict-affected populations. NFC provided 38000 tonnes in 2006, and subsidized distributions in 2007 are projected at around 20000 tonnes. On a per capita basis, food grain deficit areas are concentrated in Far-Western Hills(142 kg/person), Far-West Mountains(143 kg/person), Mid-Western Mountains (158 kg/person), and Western Mountains (165 kg/person). Imports of food grains to these areas are mostly limited to subsidized rice distributions through NFC, food aid and small quantities carried by returning migrant workers. Local food production is therefore a key factor to achieving food security in these areas. Local crop failures due to drought, hailstorms or landslides can seriously affect food availability and cause acute food crises. A total of 42 out of the 75 districts in Nepal are estimated to be food-deficit in 2006/07. Of these, there are 13 districts with per capita cereal production of less than 150 kg. There are a further 14 districts with per capita cereal production of between 150 kg to 180 kg, which is well below the national average and minimum requirement. Rural poverty is a key factor affecting food security in rural Mid-Western and rural Far-Western regions. An FAO report(2004) on vulnerable groups in Nepal identified a total vulnerable population of more than 9 million people based on their livelihood.
|
Publisher:
FAO, WFP
,
(2007
) |
Type / Script:
Progress Report
in English
|
Keywords:
FOOD SECURITY, POVERTY, RURAL POVERTY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING, CROP DIVERSIFICATION, LOW PRODUCTIVITY, CALORIC INTAKE, AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD MARKET, FOOD ACCESS, MARKET PRICE, UNDERNOURISHMENT, MIGRANT WORKERS, FOOD AID, EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY, RICE GRAINS, NATURAL DISASTERS, FOOD DEFICIT, CEREAL PRODUCTION, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, MARGINAL FARM HOUSEHOLDS
|
Thematic Group:
FAO
:
Food and Agriculture Organization
|
Thesaurus:
10.01.00
- Food And Nutrition
|
Reference Link:
|
|
|
** This document has been:
1280
times viewed
13
times downloaded. Feeder:
DEEPIKA DHAKAL
, Editor:
ALISHA THAPALIYA
, Auditor:
View Document History
|
|
|
|
|