Collaboration of irrigation, agricultural sectors stressed for sustainability of food security

Kathmandu, May 15: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has said access to water is crucial for transformations in the agricultural and food system.     

He said so while addressing the Irrigation Seminar 2025 themed "Water for Agri-Food System Transformation" organised by the Department of Water Resources, ICID (International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage), International Water Management Institute and CGIAR among others here today.     

Water is the need not only for drinking and sanitation purposes, but also for improving the people's living standard by strengthening agricultural extension services.     

Underlining the need for agri-food system transformation in Nepal, he said drought, floods and increased risk of climate change have significantly damaged the country's agricultural and irrigation sector.     

As he said, a transformational shift in irrigation and water management will assist farmers for increasing production and in the use of advanced technology in agricultural activities.     

The Minister went on to say that the Irrigation Policy -2080 BS is about the promotion of the use of appropriate technology in irrigation, ensuring the round-the-year water supply and the coordinated efforts in partnership with the locals.     

Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Sarita Dawadi, was of the view collaboration between irrigation and agricultural sectors would be helpful in assessing the significance of water in the agri-food system transformations.     

Describing agriculture as the base for national development, the secretary insisted on proper utilisation of water for the development of this sector.     

Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Gobinda Prasad Sharma called for additional collaborations among the authorities concerned to find and implement strategies for increasing agricultural productivity through the proper utilizations of water.     

Soil with suitability for irrigation be used and promoted for agricultural activities, he said.     

Chairing the opening session, Sanjeev Baral, the Director General of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation said the seminar will hold necessary discussions on the achievement of economic prosperity through the stability of food security and effective utilization of water resources in collaboration of the irrigation and agriculture.     

Deputy General Director at the Department, Mitra Baral, said the discussions will be held in policies and practices interconnecting water, agricultural production and food security, determining an action plan by collaborating the government's agriculture and irrigation strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2 and 6.     

He promised to implement the conclusions of the event.     

Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission, Prof Dr Shivaraj Adhikari presented a working paper on " lost opportunities in economic growth with agricultural sector performance: areas of consideration for sectoral irrigation" pressed the need to strengthen the irrigation sector for securing agricultural productivity.     

Dr Marco Arcieri, President of ICID gave a presentation on " how the challenges of coherent interventions of agriculture and irrigation sectors can be translated into opportunities based on leanings from various regions across the globe'.     

Through the presentation, he said the agricultural sector is hit by direct impacts of climate change.     

International Water Management Institute's Director General Dr Mark Smith presented a working paper on " how can water systems facilitate agri-food system transformations: experiences from research for development''.     

The seminar aims to explore the critical role of water ensuring sustainable agricultural growth, food security and equitable development. It will bring together policy makers, researchers, practitioners, civil society organizations and stakeholders to discuss opportunities and strategies for improving irrigation access, efficiency and fostering synergies between agriculture and irrigation for agri-food system transformation, contributing to food security and economic prosperity, it has been said.(RSS)