NEPAL NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY PORTAL

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD)

Website : https://moald.gov.np/

Agriculture sector still has got a prime role to play in Nepalese economy. This sector has offered employment to 66 per cent of the economically active population, 39 percent contribution is made to the GDP with 13 percent of the total foreign trade of the country. The Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD) bears the overall responsibility for growth and development of agriculture sector. The Ministry implements programmes to achieve food security as well as nutrition sensitive interventions in Nepal. It focuses on providing agriculture extension services and targets to increase production, market access and technical support for the farmer. The major regular nutrition and food security related programmes are: 

• Department of Agriculture (DoA) bears the overall responsibility enhancing agricultural growth and overall development of agriculture sector. Therefore DoA has identified broad objective to facilitate transformation of agriculture through diversification and commercialization, thereby achieve food security and poverty alleviation targets. Specific objectives are focused on enhancing production and productivity of farm outputs, value-chain development, supporting employment-based agricultural development, and, natural resources conservation. (For more information: http://www.doanepal.gov.np/ )
• Department of Livestock Services (DLS) is responsible for enhancing livestock production and overall development of livestock sector in the country. The DLS is attempting this through enhancing production and productivity of livestock sector through improved nutrition and breeding management; improving marketing of livestock produce; capacitating stakeholders through training and extension; and, enhancing animal health services. (For more information: http://www.dls.gov.np )
• Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) is the mandated agency for food standards, food safety and quality control. (For more information:http://www.dftqc.gov.np )

• Nutrition and food security related projects that are implemented through and/or in close coordination with the MoALD are: 

           KISAN project

           AFSP project  

Ministry of Education (MoE)

Ministry of Education (MoE) is responsible for the overall development of education in the country including formulating educational policies and plans, managing and implementing them through the institutions under it. This Ministry implements both nutrition specific as well as nutrition and food security sensitive interventions. The major regular nutrition and food security related programmes are: School Meals Programme is implemented with the objective of increasing school enrolment and attendance of children, particularly girls, by providing a nutritious mid-day meal. The program is implemented focusing in 34 food insecure districts. School Health and Nutrition interventions are implemented together with the Ministry of Health and Population based on a joint strategy and joint action plan Parenting Education classes are conducted with the objective of improving parenting knowledge, skills and practices related to children’s overall development. Early Childhood Development (ECD) program focuses on physical, cognitive and emotional development of preschool aged children between 3 to 5 years where children get an opportunity to learn in early learning system through interactive play, music, game and dance in homely environment by trained facilitators in ECD centers. Nutrition and food security topics are reflected in formal school curriculums.

Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD)

Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) has the responsibility of policymaking, overall guidance, capacity building, monitoring and coordination in matters of local governance. It is one of the few ministries that have a widespread network up to grass-root level and promotes participatory development by espousing the principles of equity and social justice. The MoFALD by itself or in collaboration with development partners implements social safety net programmes along with decentralized local governance and rural infrastructure development activities. Although all of the interventions of local government bodies are not geared to specific nutritional for food security outcomes, they directly or indirectly contribute towards improving nutrition and food security status in Nepal. The major nutrition and food security related activities implemented through MoFAD are: Coordination of MSNP implementation at district and below level through the allocated fund Rural Community Infrastructure Works Sunaula Haza Din Project – hyperlink to project description

Ministry of Finance (MoF)

Ministry of Finance (MoF) is charged with the responsibilities for maintaining both micro and macro economic stability in the country. Its role includes rationale allocation of resources; better management of public expenditure; enhanced mobilization of both internal and external resources; greater performance in public investments and strengthening of public enterprises productive capacity; open and simple foreign exchange policies and regulation, and prudent fiscal and monetary policies.

Ministry of Health (MoH)

The MoHP has a leading role in improving the health of the people including mental, physical and social well being, for overall national development. The Ministry is also responsible to make necessary arrangements and formulate policies for effective delivery of curative services, disease prevention, health promotive activities and establishment of a primary health care system. The nutrition specific interventions are implemented by the MoHP in Nepal. A Nutrition Section within Child Health Division under Department of Health Services oversees the national programmes. The major regular nutrition specific and related programmes are: Growth monitoring and promotion and nutrition education through health facilities Distribution of vitamin A and deworming at national level: for 6 – 59 months old children twice a year through female community health volunteers (FCHV) Integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI): distribution of Oral Rehydration Salt packets, and education on nutrition, pneumonia and diarrhea through FCHV and GoN Distribution of Iron-Folic tablets for pregnant and postpartum mother through FCHV Distribution of Vitamin A and Iron tablets for postpartum mother through FCHV Distribution of Multiple Micronutrient Powder (branded as Baal Vita) to children ages 6 – 23 months Celebration of breast feeding week from 1-7 August Distribution of fortified blended flour to children aged 6-23 months in highly food insecure areas In addition, the MoHP also supports the health sector activities outlined in the MSNP. Other departments, divisions, centers and sections are coordinating for the nutrition sensitive interventions under MoHP that contribute to the reduction of malnutrition in Nepal.

Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC)

Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD)

Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW)

National Planning Commission (NPC)

United Children Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

World Food Program (WFP)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

World Health Organisation

European Union

Website: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/nepal_en?s=237

Baliyo Nepal Nutrition Initiatives

Website: https://www.baliyonepal.com/en/