Food Security Essential For Prosperity

National security means complete safeguarding of a country in geographical, social, economic and political perspectives. In today’s interconnected world, the concept of national security is not only its traditional focus on military strength and defense infrastructure. For a country like Nepal, where agriculture is the primary livelihood for over 60 per cent of the population, and where geographic and climatic challenges frequently threaten food systems, food security must be recognised as a critical pillar of national security. Ensuring reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food is not just a matter of overcoming hunger, public health or economic stability; it is essential for political and social stability. 

There have emerged problems on the food supply side due to international, regional and local conflicts, climate change and supply chain disruption, causing global food prices to constantly rise, and poorer households are facing unmet dietary needs in recent years. The Nepal government has formulated the Security Policy 2016, which has dimly incorporated the issues of food security in national security. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) defines food security as a condition in which “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” 

Severe food insecurity

According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022, thirteen per cent of the household population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. In case of food utilisation, 15.6 per cent of households did not consume an adequate diet and over 36 per cent of children aged 6-23 months and 20 per cent of women in reproductive age did not meet the minimum recommended dietary diversity. Moreover, 56 per cent of women aged 15–49 consume meals with a minimum dietary diversity. 

The availability of food has improved in recent years with the increased crop production, expansion of road network and other infrastructure; however, the areas where poverty persists, food security is challenged because of the limited access. The other key challenges include: (a) low agricultural productivity due to small landholdings, fragmented farms, limited irrigation and other production inputs and low level of technology adoption; (b) climate change impacts, such as erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, and landslides that threaten crop yields; (c) labour outmigration and repulsion of youths from agriculture, which reduces the agricultural workforce; (d) Poor infrastructure, limited market access and price vulnerability and (e) policy instability that hinders long-term planning and implementation. 

The result is a gap between food production and demand, the country’s reliance on food imports and making Nepal vulnerable to global market fluctuations. The global food market has become unstable and uncertain due to the regional and international conflicts and food price instability is quite common, pushing food security into question. Food insecurity has been a historical driver of conflict and unrest. In many parts of the world, there are cases of food insecurity linked with the situation of unrest and discomfort in the nation.  In Nepal, regions with food shortages often face higher rates of poverty, malnutrition, and discontent. Ensuring food availability and affordability helps maintain social harmony, reduces grievances, and supports inclusive development, which helps for peace and political stability.

Agriculture contributes around one-fourth of Nepal’s GDP. A secure agricultural production and strengthened food system boosts food security, increases rural incomes, supports livelihoods, reduces trade deficits, and strengthens the national economy. Domestic food production will not only produce food items, it initiates the whole chain of the agribusiness supporting the market, industry, trade and other service sectors, supporting the economic resilience. The late King Prithvi Narayan Shah has said Prajamotabhaya durbar/desh baliyo rahanchha, meaning that for a strong nation, the people should be strong enough. Food insecurity undermines physical and mental development, particularly among children and pregnant women. A well-nourished, healthy population is foundational to a strong and secure nation.

Strengthening food security should be the national agenda. This requires encouraging the local crops, seeds, and sustainable farming practices to adapt to climate change and increase food production at the local level. Localised food governance under federalism offers an opportunity for more localised, responsive planning and action. Nepal’s vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change is a very sensitive issue; thus, enhancing food system resilience is crucial. Promoting climate-smart agriculture technologies, improving storage and distribution at the local level, and supporting indigenous crop production and local seed systems all help buffer the nation against shocks. 

It is necessary to protect productive land for crop production through implementing the land use policy and legal framework correctly. Land consolidation for large-scale production is another important issue to be considered. Modernise farming practices, improve irrigation facilities, promote mechanisation, and support agro-industries. Better roads, food storage and cold storage facilities, and market infrastructure and linkages can reduce post-harvest losses, improve income for farmers and enhance food security.

Support 

Support farmers' groups, agri-cooperatives, farmers associations, agro-vets, and marginalised farming communities with regular training and capacity building. National security policy and strategies should explicitly include food systems resilience, emergency preparedness, and nutrition as integral components. It demands the revision of the current National Security Policy. Other sectoral policies of land management, health, education, natural resources, irrigation and others should have food security at the centre. Increase access to finance, insurance facilities, markets, and create a mechanism to protect farmers from price volatility in the market. 

Collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society can bring innovation and investment to strengthen the food system. Coordination among the three tiers of governments and among different ministries and stakeholders on creating the enabling environment for achieving food security in the country is inevitable. Food security is a matter of national survival and sovereignty. Food security safeguards political and social stability, supports economic growth, and strengthens human capital. A food-secure Nepal is not just a goal; it is the foundation of a stable, sovereign, and thriving nation. Thus, by framing food systems within the broader lens of national security, we can build a more resilient, equitable, and self-reliant economy.

 (The author is the Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal.)