The projects will be implemented in the west, mid-west, and far-west regions of the country. The projects have the budget of 20.4 million dollars.The KISAN is USAID’s five-year programme, under the Feed for Future. [break]
The project will help improve food security, increase income, and diversify diets for 160,000 disadvantaged rural households, for about one million rural Nepalis, across 20 districts through integrated agriculture and nutrition activities.
The AFSP is a five-year project which will be implemented by the concerned ministers of the Government of Nepal. The project has the aim to improve food security situation of 150,000 households of poor and marginal groups by increasing agricultural production, increasing livelihood options and household income, and improving utilization of food.
Initiating the programmes at a function held in the capital on Tuesday, Chair of the program, Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Rabindra Kumar Shakya mentioned that the recently approved Multi Sector Nutrition Plan and recently prepared Agriculture Development Strategy will guide the future direction of agriculture, food and nutrition security of Nepal.
He also emphasized on the need for increased investment and improved coordination for the optimum development of these sectors.
Similarly, Dr. Praveen Mishra, Secretary for Ministry of Health and Population and Mr. Jaya Mukunda Khanal, Secretary for Ministry of Agricultural Development, expressed their commitment to coordinate and provide the necessary support for the implementation of these projects.
On the occasion, U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Peter Bodde, said that both projects reflect the U.S. Government’s commitment to food security through President Obama’s Feed the Future and Global Health Initiatives.
Bodde said that instead of simply delivering food aid, these initiatives place Nepal and other countries in the lead to promote inclusive agricultural growth and improve the nutrition of women and children.
He said "I applaud the Government of Nepal for identifying their priorities and devising their own plans, which both projects will support.”
Similarly, Ms. Tahseen Sayed, Country Manager of the World Bank for Nepal, reiterated the need for cooperation between the two ministries for the success of the projects and AFSP’s alignment with Government of Nepal´s priorities.
The event was attended by representatives from various GoN line agencies, including the NPC, and development partners, private sector, and media. The two projects are part of larger global initiatives and are unique in that both feature integrated agriculture and nutrition approaches to combat food insecurity and chronic malnutrition.
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