Increasing Food Security in Banke

Nepal is an underdeveloped country with high levels of poverty and modest economic growth rates. Approximately 66 percent of the households in Nepal experience food shortages every year. In Banke district, most are unable to produce enough food to last more than eight months. In the words of Ratiram Kumar, a farmer from Banke, “Due to production that lasted only for six months, I could hardly afford to feed my family, let alone send my children to school.” Another farmer, Ajay Kumar Moriya, was in the same situation, producing just about enough food to last for eight months.

USAID, through its Nepal Economic, Agriculture, and Trade (NEAT) program enhances food security by increasing agricultural productivity in food insecure areas through sustainable farming practices, more productive and diversified farming systems, and improved post-harvest management and marketing. As a consequence, farmers like Ratiram and Ajay are increasing their production as well as income.