Climate change takes toll on food security

Kathmandu, May 16: Experts and stakeholders have expressed concern over the increasing challenges exacerbated by climate change on food security.     

At the third panel discussion on the topic 'food security and climate-resilient agriculture' under the third parallel session of the much-awaited Sagarmatha Dialogue beginning today, they warned of dire consequences of the challenges surfaced in food security.     

Executive Director of the International Water Management Institute, Dr Mark Smith said the world now is grappling with grave water crisis, experiencing unprecedented imbalance in the water cycle in the human history that has consequently posed serious threat to the long-term sustainability for future generations but also to equality.     

"This is largely related to the climate change. Besides, the global and continental land use changes and the destruction of ecological systems are also the causes. Scientists have considered this a threat to humanity".     

He further explained that starvation, poverty, exclusion, ecosystem crisis, and potential water and weather related risks and vulnerabilities are aggravating climate challenges in the hilly areas.     

Country Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Nepal and Bhutan, Ken Shimizu echoed that several socio-economic challenges have emerged due to climate change effects. "It is a further challenge to ease access to necessary financing, technology and support".     

Also speaking on the occasion, former Former Secretary Ganesh Raj Joshi emphasized the need to strengthen climate adaptation programmes in agriculture to address the challenges posed to food security due to the impacts of climate change.     

Qatar's Special Envoy for Climate Change and Executive Director of the Global Dryland Alliance (GDA), Bader Omar Al Dafa, stressed the necessity to ensure food security in the countries with dry lands and thereby contribute to stability and peace in the world.     

Former member of the National Planning Commission Dr. Usha Jha warned that delay in precautions would further worsen food security situation in the future, leading to a rise in hunger and poverty.(RSS)