Sat,2 September 2023
LDCs Continue to Grapple with Food Insecurity, States Prime Minister Prachanda
Kathmandu, July 25:
Highlighting the profound challenges faced by the world's Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' addressed the Food Systems Summit + 2 Stocktaking Moment in Italy as the Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Least Developed Countries. In his impassioned speech on Monday, Prime Minister Prachanda attributed food insecurity in these nations to an array of factors, including extreme weather events, economic shocks, and various threats to human, animal, and crop health.
The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on livelihoods, incomes, and food prices further exacerbated the situation, leaving LDCs as the hotspots of food insecurity. The Prime Minister underscored the commitment to Agenda 2030, which envisions a world where food is not only sufficient, but also safe, affordable, and nutritious, aiming to eradicate hunger, ensure food security, enhance nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
"In order to realize this vision, we must double agricultural productivity, establish sustainable food production systems, adopt resilient agricultural practices to preserve ecosystems, strengthen capacity for climate change adaptation, and increase investments in agriculture within the least developed countries," stated Prime Minister Prachanda.
Acknowledging the disparity between needs and capacities within these countries, he emphasized the pressing need to confront escalating food insecurity and nutritional crises. The Prime Minister called for collective commitment to instill hope among the people living in LDCs. Together, he stressed, nations must focus on bolstering emergency response capabilities and investing in early warning systems to identify areas where food insecurity is likely to escalate.
Prime Minister Prachanda emphasized the importance of implementing cash transfers and food-for-work programs, prioritizing investments in vulnerable communities, and leveraging accurate and up-to-date data and information for effective interventions. To build resilience and enhance productivity amid climate change challenges, he advocated for facilitating smallholder farmers' access to technology, fertilizers, markets, crop diversification, finance, and resilient infrastructure.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister called for safeguarding the most vulnerable populations from the threats of food insecurity, malnutrition, and related health implications. Addressing these issues, he asserted, demands unwavering commitment and collaboration on a global scale.
As the world listens attentively to the urgent plea of Prime Minister Prachanda, the focus remains on devising concrete strategies to combat food insecurity and pave the way towards a more sustainable and food-secure future for the world's most vulnerable populations.
