Ministry of Agriculture Launches Food Security Information System

The Ministry of Agricultural Development has launched the Food Security Information System together with United Nations World Food Programme(WFP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development(ICIMOD), reports The Kathmandu Post.

This food security information system will be used to map and visualize patterns of food security, poverty, and malnutrition in Nepal.

The system is an update on the 2010 food security atlas. It contains easy to read data and interactive graphics on regular food security indicators, monthly food market prices, and levels of food security down to the sub-district level.

In a press statement, the Ministry said that this system will allow policymakers, government agencies, and relevant stakeholders to gain a better understanding of where issues of hunger and food insecurity are most severe and aid in identifying the potential underlying factors.

Ishwar Prasad Rijal, joint secretary of the ministry said, “Our newly developed food security information system will help us compile, analyze and disseminate important food security information, and assist local authorities to identify, prepare and provide aid to vulnerable people in a timely manner.”

He said that this system would also help them formulate policies and relief efforts based on reliable and current data in the long run.

Pippa Bradford, WFP Representative and Country Director in Nepal said that the collaboration between the ministry, WFP, and ICIMOD was instrumental in building this new online mapping platform.

He hopes that this system will provide a foundation for developing comprehensive food security plans.

David Molden, Director General at ICIMOD said, “The system is a good example of interagency cooperation towards achieving Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals, and will contribute significantly towards making food security information easily accessible.”

This system has been developed under the SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya(SERVIR-HKH) initiative at ICIMOD. And it is supported by the United States Agency for International Development(USAID) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA).

Editor’s Recommendations

• Government to Install Water Disasters Warning Systems
• KMC to Introduce Paperless Governance System

Read all latest tech news on TechLekh. Stay updated!