Nepal, home to the grand Himalayan landscape, is coping with several aspects of the climate crisis, mostly agriculture and food security. During the glacier melt, the weather does not follow its regular pattern and gradually becomes more terrifying.
The outcome for the farming community is appalling, alarming the livelihood and making the worst impact on food security across the whole nation.
Vanishing ice: A heavy price
The glacier system of the Himalayas, essential for Nepal’s waterways, is receding at a disturbing rate. recent research and studies show, that Nepal has lost about 40% mass of the ice since the 1970s due to continuous increases in temperature, which have raised by 1.8°C during this period.
This damage notably impacts the water availability for irrigation, a heart for the agrarian economy. According to the National Climate Change Survey 2022, approximately 78.3% of households have reported a decline in local water sources, which is having a direct impact on agricultural productivity.
Unstable skies disturbing farmers’ sighs
In addition to abating water resources, the agricultural community look out on shifting weather tendency that hinders traditional farming operations. As of late September 2024 scenario has declined. Economic Survey 2023-24 indicates that the harsh weather conditions and declining water level have kept on with the impact of fatalism in agricultural yield.
Food inflation has strong matches, with the Consumer Food Price Index increasing from 3.8% in FY22 to 7.5% in FY24, handled by worse conditions affecting the main crops like vegetables and pulses. On top of that, husked rice prices have increased by 20% compared to last year, adding to the strain on food security.
Over and above that nearly 50% of households have reported new crop disease and pest infestation. over the last 25 years showcasing the ongoing scenario with climate change. These developments emphasize the urgent necessity for adaptive strategies and investments in sustainable agricultural practices to alleviate the effects of climate change on Nepal’s crucial agricultural sector.
Effects on agricultural yield
Crop output has a direct impact from the climate shift, which is very relevant to increasing temperature and unpredictability in rainfall which has led to a disapproving impact in key crops. For example, in the Terai region, the production of maize is decreasing due to excess heat and changes in the precipitation patterns.
Moreover from the recent rural household studies and reports it is declared that climate change is responsible for out bursting of pests and diseases has increased by about 55.9% over the past two decades.
Responsive methods: A path ahead
In reciprocation to these hurdles that faced by farmers now are reviewing their practices. They are using innovative technologies such as crop diversification, adopting a new way of planting the seasonal crops based on the seasonal forecast and techniques such as rainwater harvesting, mulching, and planting the drought resistant plants in practice. However, these adaptations require substantial support from government policies and resources should be made accessible to many farmers who are deprived of.
The Government of Nepal has validated the need for a well-planned endeavour to address the issues through the initiatives like Kathmandu Declaration on Green Resilient Inclusive Development (GRID) which was endorsed in September 2021. This framework aims to address the social vulnerabilities caused by climate change.
The soul of media and public preparedness
Food security has been threatened by climate change in Nepal, and the role of media increasingly playing an important role in addressing the climate crisis. A recent study has declared that media could be the key agent in escalating awareness related to climatic issues and shaping policy decisions.
The consequences of climate change in Nepal are deep and varied, extremely concerning agriculture and food security. As the glacier continues defrosting and the weather becomes unpredictable, instant actions should be taken to safeguard food security while addressing climate resilience.
By investing in sustainable agriculture practices and effective adaptation approaches. Nepal can strive for a more secure future for its farming communities in the face of changing climate change.
