The Ministry of Agricultural Development with the support of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), has launched a new online Food Security Information System to map and visualise patterns of food security, poverty and malnutrition in Nepal.

This new system is an update to the 2010 food security atlas. This latest online system includes easy-to-read data regarding regular food security indicators, monthly food market prices, and interactive graphics that indicate levels of food security down to the sub-district level.

The online 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, said the press statement issued by the ministry.  

“The government of Nepal recognises food security as a fundamental human right,” said Ishwar Prasad Rijal, joint secretary of the ministry. “Our newly developed food security information system will help us compile, analyse 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.

“In the long run, this system will help us formulate policies and relief efforts based on reliable and current data. This system is a positive step forward to mitigate the adverse effects of hunger and food insecurity in Nepal.”

The collaboration between the ministry, WFP and ICIMOD was instrumental in building this new online mapping platform, according to Pippa Bradford, WFP Representative and Country Director in Nepal. “We hope it will provide a foundation for developing comprehensive food security plans.”

David Molden, Director General at ICIMOD, noted that the system will have particular importance for mountain communities where food insecurity is acute. “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.” 

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