For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
The 38th World Food Day with a slogan “A #ZeroHunger world by 2030 is possible” was celebrated on 31st October this year in Nepal. On this occasion ForestAction Nepal, secretariat of Alliance of Agriculture for Food, in joint collaboration with World Food Day Committee Nepal organized an event namely “Raithane Khadya Sanjh” on the premises of Department of Agriculture, Hariharbhawan, Lalitpur. The event was organized with the motive of strengthening the concerns of food and agriculture with conservation of highly nutritious indigenous crops varieties which are still not valued at the policy levels. The major guests of this event were Hon. Minister Chakra Pani Khanal and Hon. State Minister Ram Kumari Chaudhary from Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), Hon. Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet from Ministry of Forests and Environment and Hon. Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel from Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Similarly, Secretory of MoALD, Directorate General of Department of Agriculture (DoA), present and former members of National Planning Commission (NPC), parliamentary members, other officials from MoALD and DoA, representatives from FAO, I/NGos, farmers network, media and other people concerned with food and agriculture attended the event.
The program had two main sessions. In the first session, few short presentations were delivered. Mr. JeewanShahi talked about Slow Food Movement, Mr. TeekaBhattarai shared some insights from Cuba Visit, Mr. Uddhav Adhikari talked about the need of Organic farming in Nepal and Dr. Ganga DattaAcharya shared the story of organic state – Sikkim. The major attraction of the program was the second session – the dinner session where the different local food items of Karnali region were served. During the event the local and indigenous products of Karnali region were also displayed. Around 300 people visited the stalls and enjoyed the food made by using the products from Karnali such as Chino/Prosomillet and Kaguno/Foxtailmillet, Jumli Beans, Jumlirajma Beans, Jumli Potatoes, Timur and bakery products such as Apple pie and Apple strudel. This initiative was well appreciated by our guests.