Easing and de-risking transition to climate resilient food production for enhanced self-reliance in humanitarian contexts [SAFE]

Nepal faces significant challenges due to climate-related hazards, including floods, landslides, and droughts. Despite the country’s leadership in adaptation planning, there are persistent gaps in addressing the risk of food insecurity resulting from these climate shocks, particularly in local food and market systems. Barbardiya Municipality in Bardiya district is particularly vulnerable, with part of its population (especially Free bonded labors, marginalized and indigenous populations) experiencing food insecurity for different parts of year.

Despite high potential for food production, the municipality is affected by the increasing frequency and severity of droughts and floods in the Babai River basin, Consequently, there’s a heightened reliance on emergency cash and food support, to address the chronic food insecurity among indigenous and ethnic minorities. Observations reveal significant disruptions, including crop damage, erosion of fertile soils, reduced yields, and damage to critical infrastructure such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks. As climate-related shocks are anticipated to worsen, there’s a pressing need for a robust system providing drought and flood forecasts and loss and damage scenarios to aid local authorities, businesses, and communities in proactive disaster preparedness and response.

To counteract these challenges, DCA Nepal, NAXA and LI-BIRD, are implementing a project that aims to strengthen the evidence base and develop concrete models for transitioning to sustainable, climate-resilient agroecology-based food production. By protecting local food and market systems, food security and self-reliance are boosted. Through collaboration with local partners and stakeholders, the project fosters resilience and sustainability in local food system. 

The project is expected to analyze the agroecology based local food system; modelling and scenario analysis of impact posed by flood and drought on the system; and develop and test model for anticipatory action for flood and drought. Assessment of the local food system, operationalization of agro-met advisory services and risk communication, demonstration through transition to agroecology farmers field school and development of locally led early actions protocol and mechanisms (SoP) are the key components of the project.

Project Details

Countries

Nepal

Province

Lumbini

Working district

Bardiya

Municipality

Barbardiya Municipality in Bardiya District, Nepal 

Duration

February 2024 -  February 2026

Partners

NAXA Nepal

Funded by

NOVO Nordisk Foundation and managed by DCA Nepal

Household coverage

15000 benefitted from agro-Met Advisory, Direct beneficiary 150

 

Contact Person

Pratik Adhikari
E-mail:  pratik.adhikari@libird.org

Related Publications

Related News And Stories