KARNALI: The ‘Global Hunger Index–2025’ report has been unveiled in Karnali. Binod Kumar Shah, the Minister for Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives of the Karnali Province, released the report.

During the 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, requires enhancements.

He noted that the Karnali government has developed several initiatives, including the Food Sovereignty Act, Organic Agriculture Act, Agricultural Business Promotion Act, agricultural strategy, and a draft of the 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 limited land available.” He referenced a public report, indicating that the insights provided would aid the Karnali provincial government in formulating policies, which would be especially beneficial for agricultural workers and farmers. He stressed that the subjects 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, highlighting 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 accordance 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.”