Gap Widens in Agricultural Target

The holistic development of Agriculture sector is national need in the context of role of agriculture sector, mostly in providing employment to rural farmers, providing food security to nation and make agriculture sector able to compete with promotion of agri-business and take advantage of diversified and comparative advantages of the agricultural products. Agriculture sector has been given high priority since fifth five year long plan of the Government of Nepal. The main role of Ministry of Agricultural Development is to develop and implement agricultural policies and programmes and ensure effective implementation of those through regular monitoring and evaluation. The major result of which is visible through agricultural production status of the nation. Thus, agricultural production target and its achievement has important role in defining the progress of nation in agricultural sector. All the activities of ministry are targeted for increased production, improved food security status and improved livelihood status of people.

Agriculture and Food Security is one of the prioritized sectors of government in Nepal.  Two third of nationals in Nepal are in farming profession, as a result of which one third of national GDP and about equal amount of household income comes from agriculture sector. Instead of its high priority, agricultural development is not at a satisfactory level required for feeding growing population and stopping huge amount of national economy to depart from country.  The poor achievements on target set for twelve three year plan 2010/11 to 2011/12 justifies this.

All together twenty agricultural products were used as measuring rod for quantitative achievement in agricultural sector. Among these 20 indicators, just 6 indicators qualify on target set for the final year of plan. This indicates great disparity in our target and achievement. Not only this, some of the products was produced less than the base year production of the plan. This signifies, great loophole either in our target setting procedure or poor implementation of the programs.

Government of Nepal has highly prioritized in cereal crops production, which is justified by subsidized fertilizer supply, subsidized seed supply and larger irrigation projects targeted to cereals crops. However, production of cereals does not justify this. Similarly, cash crops like potato, sugarcane and oilseeds are also not in position to meet the target set.

Major deviations are also visible on spices crops like garlic, ginger and turmeric. Likewise, as government has prioritized in Tea and Coffee and which also do have high export potentials, growth in Tea and Coffee is also in negative ratio. The vegetable growth is found to have satisfactory in recent days; however, the growth is not sufficient to meet the target set.

Similarly, milk and meat production has sufficient growth to meet the target set, however egg production is laging behind the target set. Categorically , these achievements can be divided in to three group; first having achievement gained higher than both base year and three year plan, second higher than base year but lower than target plan and third, lower than both base year and target of the plan.

Products Higher than Base year and Target of Plan	Products Higher than Base year but lower than Target of Plan	Products Lower than both Base year and Target of the Plan
6 products-Pulses, Fruits, Ginger, Honey, Meat and Fish	9 Products- Cereals, Potato, Sugarcane, Oilseeds, Cardamom Chilli and Vegetables, Milk  and Egg	5 Products- Garlic, Turmeric, Tea, Coffee and Cocoon

Table : Targets and Achievements of 12^th  Three Year Plan

SN	Agriculture and Livestock Production	2009/10	Targets of Three Year Plan	Achievements
1	Cereal Crops ( '000 MT)	7762	9561	8738
2	Pulses ( '000 MT)	262	277	356
3	Cash Crops ( '000 MT)
	Potato	2517	2755	2690
	Sugarcance	2592	3238	2930
	Oilseeds	150	190	175
4	Fruits, Spices Tea ( '000 MT)
	Fruits	706	775	938
	Cardamom	5.23	8	6.02
	Garlic	57	57	41
	Ginger	210	228	255
	Turmeric	38	49	35
	Chilli	26	31	27
	Tea	18.75	25	18.72
5	Vegetables ( '000 MT)	3004	3601	3298
6	Coffee ( MT)	554	1200	366
7	Honey ( MT)	1100	1300	1625
8	Cocoon ( MT)	40	60	37.6
9	Livestock Products
	Milk ( '000 MT)	1496	1774	1680
	Meat ( '000 MT)	248	287	295
	Egg ( Caror Number)	64	93	88
10	Fish ( '000 MT)	50	56	57

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Food Security Vs Food Sovereignty

Food Security and Food Sovereignty is differentiated here-under using basic high school method . Yes, simple differentiation from this method is never complete and can't depict the concept clearly. Nevertheless, it is useful for initial learning. I have taken help of many literature's to conclude this. Therefore, my sincere thanks goes to those who worked seriously in this matter. My special thanks goes to Dr Richard Lee ( Senior Research Associate ) of University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. 

S.N.	Particulars	Food Security	Food Sovereignty
1	Concept	Technical Concept	Political  Concept
2	Definition	Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”  -World Food Summit (October 1996)	"Food sovereignty is the right of each nation to maintain and develop its own capacity to produce its basic foods respecting cultural and productive diversity. We have the right to  produce our own food in our own territory. Food sovereignty is a precondition to genuine food security." - (Via Campesina, 1996: 1)
3	Pillars / dimensions	Food Security Comprises of four dimensions: Food Availability, Food Access, Food Utilization and Stability.	Food sovereignty comprises four priority areas, or pillars: the right to  food; access to productive resources; mainstreaming of agro-ecological production; and  trade and local markets.
4	Model of  Agricultural production	Productivist / Industrial	Agro-Ecological
5	Model of Agricultural Trade	Liberalized	Protectionist
6	Lead Organization	WTO	Via Campensia
7	Instruments	AoA, TRIPS, SPS	IPC
8	Approach to Plant Genetic Resources	Private Property Right	Anti-Patent, Communal
9	Environmental Discourse	Economic Rationalism	Green Rationalism
10	Emphasis	Reliance on global economy based on liberalized agriculture markets	Local control and self sufficiency

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Food Sovereignty as a precondition for Food Security

Ensuring Food Security is ultimate aim of any agricultural system. But, Food Security should not compromise the food sovereignty. These two terms Food Security and Sovereignty looks like identical, even some people use as synonyms, however has great differences. Food security  in one hand is a technical concept , whereas sovereignty is political. 

As according to World Food Summit (October 1996) ,Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”  It has four pillars or dimensions : Food availability, Food Access, Food Utilization and Stability. 

Similarly, Food sovereignty is the right of each nation to maintain and develop its own capacity to produce its basic foods respecting cultural and productive diversity. We have the right to  produce our own food in our own territory. Food sovereignty is a precondition to genuine food security." - (Via Campesina, 1996: 1). It comprises four priority areas(pillars): the right to  food; access to productive resources; mainstreaming of agro-ecological production; and  trade and local markets.

Economic and political structure has lot to do with overall development framework of nation. Agriculture development is not an exception. The objective of any agricultural program is food security. Food security of individuals, households, communities, regions and nation as a whole. Then, does food security means agricultural development? no off-course not. Because food security aims to fulfill the food and dietary need of people from any sources available, it does not emphasis on own production and sustainability, whereas sovereignty does so. Then least developed and developing countries has to be awake and keep in mind, food security if does not ensure food sovereignty should not be only aim of the national agriculture.

Lot of controversies and debates are there to establish their own verse among advocates of food security and food sovereignty.  Country like Nepal is never part of such discussion. We are actually follower of power. Who virtually wins and establishes the own definition, Nepal would be the supporter of them. 

The debate on either food security or sovereignty is not new, however the sprouting of the sovereignty concept took place after  establishment of Via Campesina  in 1992 by international Farming and Peasant Movement. The advocacy for food security is doing through concept of World Trade Organization (WTO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nation's (FAO). Whereas, International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignity( IPC) comprising  of NGO's and social movements,  is advocating for food sovereignty. 

Now it's a time to think of these things seriously, either Nepal would prefer to be a food secure country at any cost or maintain food sovereignty. Interim constitution of Nepal 2007 has stated food sovereignty as liability of nation. In contrast to this, relevant ministries and agencies are wholeheartedly working for food security at any cost. If government is not serious at this time, culture of food dependency, which is promoting nowadays would increase more in days to come, making nation food insecure chronically.

FAO itself has questioned on maintaining food security through liberalized economy. It means the culture of economic rationalism is questionable on its sustainability, rather we need green rationalism, which is only possible from food sovereignty. 

Therefore, let's work together, make our nation food secure through food sovereignty. Protect and promote our farmers and agriculture and develop our nation economically and socially in a sustainable way.

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Status of Food Insecurity in Nepal

Nepal is one of the least developed nation. Agriculture is  means of  livelihood for the majority of the people, as two third of the people's main profession is agriculture. However, status of  food security  is not at satisfactory level in Nepal. Latest Agriculture Sample Survey claims 60 percent of the farmer's have insufficient food to fulfill their family need from their own production. Therefore, huge number of smallholder farmer's are doing agriculture profession just because they don't have another option.

Food security status of people measured by four dimensions i.e. Food Availability, Food Access, Food Utilization and Stability if observed in Nepal since long, is improving. However, it doesn't have reached to a satisfactory level. Here under tried to compile some of the available indicators of Food Security Situation in Nepal based on the formal sources of information.

Among many governing factors for poor performance of agriculture and high food insecurity situation, one is low level of investment in agriculture sector. Likewise insufficient and poorly coordinated food security programs are also visible. Not only economic access but physical access ( remoteness) is also barrier to improving food security situation of people. Market network and other infrastructure development are minimal in Nepal, which ultimately affects on price of food and people's purchasing capacity.

Outcome of food security programs is indicated by nutrition status of people. However, nutrition condition is very poor in Nepal. Many nutrition programs has not produced results as per expectations.  On the top of these factors, lack of planned food and nutrition security programs is major which is insufficient to cope the food insecurity situation in Nepal.Therefore, these all situation demands a focused and effective program for food and nutrition security. As a result of which Nepal would be a food secure country.

Food Availability
FBS= 33 Districts Food Deficit ( 2012/13, MoAD)

Food Access
Poverty = 25.6 % ( CBS,2011)
Food Poverty =26 % ( NTRFSN,2013)
Household with more than 75 % of share of expenditure on food = 22 % ( NTRFSN, 2013)

Food Utilization
Undernutrition = 46 % ( NTRFSN, 2013)
Underweight = 29 % (NDHS,2011)
Stunting = 41 % ( NDHS,2011)
Wasting = 11 % ( NDHS,2011)
HH with low Dietary Diversity Score = 9 % ( NTRFSN, 2013)
Inadequate Food Consumption Score = 42 % ( NTRFSN, 2013)
Food Energy Deficit ( 2536 Kcal) = 38 % ( NTRFSN, 2013)

Stability
Regular Strike/Bandha
Blockade due to landslide, flood, other disaster, vehicle syndicate etc.

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Few Observations From Karnali Visit

Karnali region always remains in center of discussion with respect to development, food security and livelihood status of people in Nepal. May be due to such reasons, every-time I visit to Karnali it comes with some sort of  new impression. Access to Karnali is not so easy, only three out of five district got road network connected to national road system; still Humla and Dolpa are deprived off road network.  My visit to two of the Karnali districts Kalikot and Jumla was slight different compared to last visit, as I reached there by Jeep(Van) this time.I hadn't traveled by road in Kalikot to Jumla sector of Karnali Highway earlier.

Kalikot was not so different when I went there after three years gap. Only change I could feel was construction of some new buildings at headquarter and bridges on the way. No good hotel in district, no electricity since last few months and scarcity of drinking and daily use water was prominent glimpse there in Kalikot. Snow covered hills were beautiful but were unable to cover the poor livelihood status of people. Ironically, District Council at Kalikot was cancelled due to fight among political cadre.

On the way to Jumla from Kalikot, some flocks of sheep,goat, buffalo and cattle were visible . Some were to load in truck for slaughter, some to pasture and some were newly brought from plain areas. We could meet road construction workers and back hoe and excavators on the way. Still road is not so easy to travel, if any vehicle slips from the narrow road, chance to be alive is very scanty.  Jumla is a unique mountain district. Many valleys, small mountains and every place reachable in a day from headquarter are typical characteristics of Jumla. Many small wooden bridges and sculptures of human,king, queen, animals and other structures were common over Tila river.

Meeting with Local Development Officer Mr Arjun B Thapa was short but sweet. Some development concepts like making view tower, para gliding,  settlement of population in patches mostly in valley areas were interesting and are matter to discuss seriously. Five Gulmeli family, five Newar family and five Thakali family if could be established in Jumla, it would be initiation of rapid development as of Mr Thapa verse. He intended Gulmeli for social harmony and development, Newar for establishing good market network and Thakali for better hotel and food facilities to attract the tourist.  Strong blow of wind and whirl of  soil particles with it made us to think of wind electricity. Some version were there to oppose it, as it  would be too expensive to construct and maintenance in Nepal. Cold water Fish (Asla) was also available in river bank of Tila like Nagma area. Mountain Potato with delicious taste is one of the identity of mountain region of Nepal, then how Jumla could be exception.

Local production of Jumla like Apple, Dry apple ( processed), Apple Brandy( processed), Phaseolus Bean, Mouth broken walnut, Jumli Marshi Rice are of high quality and taste, which are demanding attention from government. Jumli Marshi is Rice cultivated in highest altitute in Nepal ( about 2350 M above mean sea level). If these could be promoted, the economic status of people could be improved. Dolpali Silajit is one of the high value low volume product in the region. Due to many medicinal values, whoever comes Jumla don't forget to get Silajit with them.

We had a chance to meet Dr Kal Bahadur Rokaya (Chief of  Karnali Development Council). Some development prospects and  some livelihood prospects were discussed with him. He sorrily explaining the latest Nepal Airline's plane crash  and huge loss of high profile figures of Jumla. However, he was blaming  the syndicate system of ticket distribution in NA for loss of those people.

In one hand, prominent beautiful valley and beautiful people of Jumla always remains in mind, however in another hand, some bitter impression are also there. Poor hygiene, water and sanitation situation , mostly due to poor know how status and poor economic status of people could be easily felt in the area. Likewise,  poor food security status mostly governed by  high food price food and  lack of own production coupled with poor food utilization knowledge is also prominent in the region.

Hence, many opportunities are there to promote agriculture, food security and overall livelihood status of people. Investment till the date are either insufficient or misused . If government and all relevant stakeholders are serious enough to promote Karnali, it would be a region of high economic potentiality in coming days. People like us, who are working for food security of the area do not have to bother about Karnali and would not give example of Karnali every-time when we have to focus on high food insecurity situation.

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Is Ministry of Agriculture Really Needed?

One of the responsible authority of Nepal government claims, if we stop the function of Ministry of Agriculture for a year or two, there would be no differences. If we articulate our guesstimate on his verse, it means, either farmer are capable of do everything from their own side, or the assistance provided by Ministry has no value to track upon the developmental activities of the agricultural sector. First verse, in this case is less tried to focus by the claimer, I think. Then, the seriousness of the issue goes up to the mark, created by second verse.

Is it really true, Ministry of Agricultural Development doing nothing? Some sorts of discussion were there among the bureaucrats of ministry. The result was against the claimer. Ministry does not mean, the building stand inside Singhdurbar premises, rather it reaches to the villages through its widely established network of more than 13000 of its staff. The services provided by field level staffs, mostly technical services are of such an importance that, if that service were not provided for a season, there would be huge food scarcity, let alone for the year.

How far can an organization, mostly government one, can drag the society for improvements or betterment?  Off-course, it depends upon the nature, functions and importance of the organization.  Here, the concern is for Ministry of Agricultural Development. If  Ministry of Agricultural Development, could not make any differences in society, as claimed by the critics, pheasants  and lastly government staffs itself, there is time to rethink on its structure, its staffing, institutional arrangement and overall functioning of the Ministry. Establishment, if can't justify its importance, there is useless to be keep such structure. Let's think of this.

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A Case of Wheat Seed in Saptari

It had been about two years when I rejoined Saptari in 5^th December 2013. Saptari District is one of the eastern Terai district of Nepal, which is food basket area of Nepal. Nevertheless, persistent drought since last four year has resulted this district as a food deficit district, in spite of its good soil and accessibility of other production inputs.  Saptari district is always at center of attraction in Nepal, either in case of administrative or political issues.  Some sort of disfunctioning of administrative works and low social development in last many years back , although repeatedly leaders from the districts are at ministerial position since long back are major considerable points in scenario of Saptari.

We were in crop assessment mission, which is operating twice a year by ministry of agricultural development in close collaboration with UN WFP and UN FAO. This time we had also worked together with IRRI and CYMMIT. 5^th December Morning at 10.30 AM when we reached at District Agriculture Development Office, the gate of office was covered with bicycles and motorcycles of farmers. More than thirty people were there, in front open space of the office. As we step up to Senior Agriculture Development Officer (SADO) chamber, we could feel the numbers of farmer's were increasing and their noise was louder than earlier.

With greetings and short introduction with each other, we started our discussion on mission objectives. Meanwhile a group of farmers entered the office room of SADO. A louder voice was prominent there in Maithili Language, which I could understand partly of it. The issue was with wheat seed.  However, my browsing to language power and analysis could not understand the problem as clearly as I wanted. Then SADO tried his best to convince them.  I don't know how much they convinced, however, as a result of that, they left the chamber.

After they gone, SADO was telling us "National Seed Company had given the quota of 125 Mt wheat seed to Saptari District, however, no seed has been delivered to Saptari yet. The mode of distribution was through dealers of National Seed Company, for which 21 dealers were chosen in district." Now, I was asking myself if seed has not come yet, why farmers' are assembled there. Why so hue and cry at farmer's outside DADO office. Obviously, there was reason. SADO was continuing that one dealer was distributing 100 of Kg of seed to his nearby farmers, when DADO had given quota limit of 20 Kg per farmer.  This was because NSC had quota of 125 Mt of Seed for Saptari district (which is subsidized seed) whereas another 75 MT of unsubsidized seed was also given to dealer. Therefore, in spite of bringing and selling subsidized seed, they bought and sold the unsubsidized seed. Even the information about unsubsidized seed was not provided to DADO office. The 35% of price was subsidized in wheat seed resulting Rs 36.5 per Kg, whereas remaining 75 Mt had to be paid full price of the seed.

Further Consultation with Staffs at DADO office we had a very interesting but shocking fact came later on that Indian farmers are very attracted to wheat seed of NSC, which is NL 257 variety. This means that has resulted higher yield in India. Therefore they come to Nepali dealer and pay more than Nepalese farmers can pay resulting shortage of seed to Nepali farmers.  Thus, the blaming was also for those standing in front of DADO office. According to them, they will take subsidized seed in their name and own family members and sell it to Indian farmer's at higher rate. So that, they were like middle man intended to earn from seed transaction rather than farming.

That was really shocking news to us. I was asking myself "what the hell is going on? People are not having seed to plant here in Nepal and all of us are standing with excitement to take and deliver improved subsidized seed from government of Nepal to Indian farmers. "This shows what track our agriculture taking for and how we are going to revolutionize in our agriculture sector in Nepal.

Photo1 : Farmer writing their name with address to claim wheat seed from dealer in DADO Office Premises.

Photo 2 : Common Means of transportation- bicycle of farmer's in DADO Office open space, farmer's waiting seed

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