Nepal, China, and FAO Launch Tripartite ‘Strengthening Agrifood Systems’ Project

The tripartite partnership between Nepal, China, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) officially launched the ‘Strengthening Agrifood Systems in Nepal’ project on July 20. This project, set to run for the next 24 months, aims to develop climate-appropriate agricultural systems in Nepal’s hilly and mountainous districts, enhance rural livelihoods, and strengthen food and nutrition security. Funded by the Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund established by the Chinese government, the project will also focus on building the capacity of local institutions.

The inauguration event was attended by Nepal’s Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment, Gita Chaudhary, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Maoming Zhang, and Ken Shimizu, FAO’s representative in Nepal. Minister Chaudhary expressed confidence that this initiative would play a crucial role in achieving food security, rural prosperity, and sustainable development goals. Ambassador Zhang reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s agricultural modernization and sustainable development objectives.

Under this project, a ‘Digital Agricultural Extension Service’ will provide farmers with technical advice, weather updates, financial services, agricultural insurance, and market information. The initiative aims to particularly increase the participation of women, youth, and marginalized communities while further strengthening the climate adaptation capacity of local organizations. This collaboration is expected to facilitate the exchange of international technical expertise and experiences, significantly contributing to the long-term transformation of Nepal’s agricultural and food systems under local leadership.