Commission Statement of the 3rd Asia Pacific Youth parliament for Water (APYPW) Water for Food.

         

Commission Statement of the 3^rd Asia Pacific Youth parliament for Water (APYPW)

<Commission 3>

 

“Water for Food”

 

Introduction

The statement of commission three on theme ‘Water for Food’, illustrates the close nexus between agriculture and food, centered on water resource scarcity. As the Asian Pacific Youth Parliament for Water, being active youths working in the water and environmental sector, we place particular emphasis on solution based on the ability of the youths to be enablers in creating change in the agricultural sector. The commission has made a clear position on capacity building and we hope to tap on the energy of youths to develop the abilities of the grassroots people to achieve measurable and sustainable results for intensification of agriculture for production of food.

 

Background

According to the Millenium Assessment 2005, by the year 2050 it is projected that population shall increase to 9 billion people in our planet earth. This implies that cereal production has to increased by 60 % over 2005. This will equal to a $4 trillion investment in agriculture to be introduced until 2050. Governments worldwide are challenged to provide for their citizens, boost rural incomes, while maintaining the sustainability.  This is in the backdrop of reduction of arable land, changes in food consumption patterns and a plethora of environment problems associated with terra-forming for agricultural purposes.

 

Commission 3 of the 3^rd Asia Pacific Youth Parliament for Water has identified three principal causes leading to the insecurity in water-food nexus:

        i.            Urbanisation has led to increasing migration of young people to the cities. This has led to the gradual demission of the importance of agriculture to the human civilization. The close held intimate link to farmland is gradually reducing, insulated by the abundance of food in cities and urban environment. Coupled with a 2.5 billion outflow of people in labour from the rural area to the cities by 2050, it represents an unprecedented challenge to food security, which is already been plagued by an already stressed industry facing problems of water use and management and drop in investment in irrigation and drainage.

      ii.            The rainfall of the Asia-Pacific region has now become highly erratic which means that can be serious lack of water. If such dependency is overlooked and the supply of water is mismanaged it has a longer term impact on the food production process. Moreover, agriculture sector has a high rate of consumption providing us increasing onus for the proper management of water.

 

    iii.            Climate change has led to extreme weather events such as flash floods and droughts. The changing rainfall patterns has also led to negative impacts on food production, amidst changes in global temperature and rising sea levels.  Without proper countermeasures to prepare the agricultural community for mitigating these climate variables, it may lead increasing risk exposure to this vulnerable group of people.

 The role of youth can be of enablers and a conduit for messages and information to be carried to the target groups and that of whom are able to act critically and learn from malpractices of previous generation. In the below commission statement, we will illustrate the pressing issues that are faced in thematic of “Water for Food” and the possible solutions, where youths act as catalyst for change.

 

ISSUES and SOLUTIONS

 Issue 1: Water Management

Sub-issue: Effective use of water by farmers

Target: Reduce poverty by improving access to agricultural water and its judicious usage.

Target group : Farmers and other stakeholders concerned for sustainable use of water for agricultural purpose.

Solution: To assist better water efficiency for farming, youth can develop method and educate the farmer in better water usage for their crops. Youth can research and assess the farm water usage, and create a water consumption data for the specific farm, so to better secure constant required supply of water and store the water properly. The data collectecd can be used for the recommendation on developing the crops that are resistant to climate change, disaster and use water efficiently.

Youth can help to bring in agricultural technology professional and assist in the introduction and application of new technologies used in the farms. Youth can pioneer the coalition of key stakeholders in agriculture development, so the farmers, agronomist, scientist, engineers and industries can converge. This can provide them with opportunities to work together, towards innovative solutions and make water more efficient and agriculture productivity to meet the growing needs. With a motion like this, youth can play an important role to encourage stakeholders to pursue policies to achieve long term sustainability goals through this movement.

 Action plan: Our commission emphasizes importance and possible ways of problem solving and start of new initiative to integrate key stakeholders that can be catalyzed by youths. The commission identifies water and management of its resources that are key aspects in today’s food production issues, in relations of water wastage and efficiency in farming. To be specific, we are going to make a team which will conduct research on appropriate technology for better understanding of proper technology of irrigation in rural area. After that, we are going to ask to get sponsorship and financial aid from organization working closely with agriculture for eg. USAID by proposing our project. At the same time, with our project we will educate farmer in cooperation with NGO, local government, and civil society. With the commission theme “water for food” in mind, we derived an action plan to target current water inefficiency in farming, a major obstacle that prevents farmers from growing enough food to feed the population.

 

Issue 2: Population Management

Sub-issue: The contaminated ion of water by enormous food waste from increased population of urban area.

Target: Reducing the food waste which is caused by inefficient food distribution system.

Target group: General Public residing in the urban areas.

Solution: We believe that inefficient food distribution structures makes enormous food waste because of expiration date labelled in the food. The food supply chain has to be closely monitored to reduce the food waste that can be used to feed the people in hunger in other countries or own. The commission proposes to reengineer the distribution process and check the food supply chain to ensure less food wastage takes place.

 Action plan: To serve this purpose, the Commission 3 will create online materials about efficient food distribution system and promote it by using social network service. Members will post contents every month on Facebook and web page which are managed by the Commission 3 of the 3^rd Asia Pacific Youth Parliament for Water. In additions, youths will be engaged in constant blogging of the related issues and even publish articles in the daily newspaper to sensitize the mass number of people. Since 11 July 2014, today is World Population Day, we would also track ourselves in next July 2015 to check the achievement done in one year and similarly would continue until the problem is solved.

 

Issue 3: Climate Change

Target: Preparing Food Production system climate resilient of the vulnerable communities.

Target Group: Farmers and Research Organization on Climate Change

Sub-issue: Climate change is a pressing issue which is affecting the global water resources and hence the food production by change in temperature, change in rainfall pattern and rise in sea level.

Solution: The Commission 3 of the 3^rd APYPW for Water emphasizes on the need of making the process and resources for food production with a reduction of vulnerable to climate change. The commission proposes to build capacity of the farmers for making their fields more resilient to the adverse impacts of climate change.

Action plan: To serve this purpose, the youth volunteers from the commission will visit the farmers and educate them about the wise selection of crops, keeping in view the available water resources and the scenario of climate change through the help of the experts of the NGOs and academia.

 Conclusion

The water resources available for food production in the world, especially in the Asia Pacific region are under great stress due to increased food demands, climate change and poor water management. The commission concludes that there is an urgent need for diffusing the traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge by improving the in-efficient practices with sustainable ones, in order to ensure the food availability, accessibility and affordability for inter and intra generations. The targets devised by this commission are expected to contribute towards the improvement in situation and the members of the commission pledge to contribute in solving the problems and issues from their level in achieving the target.

Compiled Country reports can be accessed from here:

  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vSpL7vKmsVJiyrbPax1y8JojhoI_BM6r?usp=sharing

Water for Food

         

 

Research report

 

 

 

Commission theme:

Water for food

 

 

 

 

 

Country: nepal

 

                                         

 

 

Writing team:

Ranjan aryal

Sanjeev poudel

Suman timilsina

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

July 2014

Background

 

With around 27 million populace inhabited on an area of 140,800 sq. km, Nepal is a land locked and mountainous country. A division per capita would make 5.1 sq. m for resident apiece and in another term more than 190 people per square sq km. The majority of the population is reliant upon agriculture. It has been reported that cultivation is declining in terms of farmer’s contribution and production. 50% of the children under five years old are malnourished, a quarter of the people live under poverty line that makes their income to be less than a dollar a day and finally out of 182 countries list Nepal is ranked 144 in terms of human development Index (UNDP 2009). Therefore Nepal has been declared to be a food deficit country that needs unleashing policies to increase food sufficiency on food production.

 

Nepal is considered as agrarian economy where fragmented plots of lands are cultivated by marginal land holders particularly in hilly regions. Agriculture is major occupation in Nepal. Out of 5,427,302 household in Nepal 3,831,000 families are farmers which make it around 70.58% households as farmers[1] (CBS, 2011). The economy is merely based on natural resources in which agricultural land is the major determinant of economic activities and it provides employment opportunities to 66 percent of the total population and contributes about 36 percent in the GDP^[2]. Poverty is rampant in rural areas (35%) compared to urban areas (10%) out of which 76% of the population being small land holders are dependent in agriculture for their livelihood (CBS, 2004). In Nepal almost 66% of the population highly depends on agriculture on which the allocated budget for agriculture and food security does not suffice the contribution. The allocated budget for the food security would have to be reconsidered as agriculture contributes 36% of the GDP. 

 

The nature of a land locked state dictates to invest in proper water management, facilities and to engage effectively in constructive and productive agriculture initiatives. This is to; make sure it, at least, rely on domestic food production when there is a crisis. It is called self-sufficiency. However, as far as Nepal matters, research shows that the level of engagement in agricultural work is decreasing drastically. It seems that the strength and faith of the farmers on land and water are fading at an unprecedented manner. The fact of the matter is that 50% of the farmers in Nepal are living under the poverty line. World Trade Organization (WTO) liberalization market policies for agricultural commodities leave the door open for import. Yet that may not fulfill the “food at all times” component of the food security especially in a situation of trade halt like war or natural disaster. It also adversely impacts the motive of the domestic food supplier especially the poor farmers. The farmers in Nepal are moving toward other means of income generating business that leaves the country with self-relied food scarcity. It could be inferred that under the circumstances, not only the people but also the livestock which can be a source of nutrition is adversely affected. Gradual decrease of agriculture practices lead to a fast increase of unaffordable market prices. That is the primary reason for threat of food security of the country Nepal as majority of the population are very much vulnerable.

 

The Physiographic region[3] of Nepal is categorized in three major regions, The Himalayas, in North, Hills in mid hill range and Terai in South. Demographic status of Nepal shows that 50.27% of population lives in southern Terai, 43.01% people live in mid-hills and only 6.73% live in Himalayas. Thus the population settlement shows that people mostly reside where farming is easy and water is easily available also accessible.

 

Food Security Status in Nepal

 

Food security exists when all the people of Nepal, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. The term sufficient is a very key issue as part of the food security definition. The term refers to the food amount as much as needed to feed all the population at all times with granting their preferences. According to the reports by WFP, it shows that both supply reduction and sharp price increases for basic foods and related commodities. For instance, that in the six months to April 2008, supply of coarse rice fell by 30%, while its price rose by the same proportion; supply of cooking oil fell by 20 % and its price rose by 23 %. Such developments have led to people buying smaller quantities and cheaper food items and buying more on credit, reduced food intake, particularly by groups defined as poor and extreme poor (WFP 2008). This is due to problem of economic access (income, price of agro-input and, food production, government policies, trade agreements and disaster) and physical access (access to road and market and barrier to them). A 2008 WFP’s study shows that 75 % of surveyed households did not have sufficient access to food, and more than 95 % of very poor households had insufficient access to food.

 The concept of food security is composed of four pillars (availability, accessibility, utilization and stability). The issue of food security is multidimensional, that varies across countries, social groups and time. These factors can be grouped in three groups, 1) overall socio-economic, political and natural environment, 2) performance of the food economy, and 3) household level food security influenced by livelihood assets and activities, care practices, and health and sanitation conditions (FAO Framework). Bishnu Raj Upreti (2012) claims that "water scarcity and food insecurity in Nepal are not only politicized but also marginalized in policy and practice, which are two issues that are a perennial source of sociopolitical tension and conflict in Nepal" (Upreti, 2012).

  Food Availability

The issue of food availability is directly dealing with consumers. Majority of the people live in local areas which is hard to reach. Therefore one can say that the situation of food availability and access are very unevenly distributed over the country, and areas with the lowest production and greatest deficit per capita also tend to be the ones with low incomes, highest rates of poverty and malnutrition, and they are often the most remote and inaccessible. Situation of food since 1990, at national level, overall food production is deficit and Nepal has been a net cereal importer for most years during the last two decades (FAO, 2008).

 Food Utilization

 Proper food utilization requires proper food handling, adequate education on health and nutrition, child care, hygiene and sanitation, health care, etc. In case of Nepal, according to (OCHA, 2008) a total of 55% to 85% of drinking water sources are micro-biologically contaminated. It is primarily hampered by the high prevalence of seasonal (anaemia, diarrhoea, ARI, malaria) and poor quantity, quality and variety of the diet, especially for children. A number of issues are emerging on the food utilization, particularly that of HIV/AIDS that affects the body's ability to utilize food.

 

Stability/Vulnerability to Food

Households and individuals must have access to food at all times, either fresh or processed. However, sometimes they can be affected by external shocks (droughts, floods, conflict, and poor Political and economic governance and climatic crisis or seasonal food insecurity) and internal shocks (loss of income, illness).

 

There has been continuous effort in nation from both governmental and private sectors to strengthen farming occupation. Agricultural perspective plan (APP) was initiated by the Government five decades earlier with an aim to enhance GDP 5% each year from agricultural sectors. Since then, APP has been actively distributing shallow tube wells (Stws) in Terai districts. Recently, electric Stws are being replaced by solar powered Stws.  The figure 3 shows an electric powered Stw constructed in maize field in Dang district in mid-western region of Nepal.

 

Water for food in Nepal

As discussed in earlier section, production of food is determined by water in Nepal. Most of food comes from farmland irrigation system is vital. In hilly region, flat plains along the bank of river are used as Paddy field because of convenient availability of water for irrigation while in southern Terai, under-ground water sustains farming. Paddy, main food in Nepal requires larger volume of water in compare to other foods. Paddy fields are often supported by monsoon rain (June-August).

  

Depletion of water source is already a problem in Nepal. Pollution of available water is another major problem. Bagmati River, which originates in Kathmandu and passes by temple of lost Pashupatinath is invaded with sewer as it travels along the capital city. Pristine Bagmati River is not seen any more while it leaves valley. This river is source of irrigation in downstream

Communities. Mixing of human sewer has destroyed entire of aquatic ecology in this river excluding some pathogenic microbes. As a result, farmers depending on Bagmati for irrigation are losing their yield each year.

 

Climate change has already shown its impact in Nepal as well. It started with change in rainfall pattern, disturbance in intensity and irregularity in distribution as a result farmer can’t rely on rain for farming.  From official records, June 10 starts monsoon in Nepal and June 12 in Kathmandu valley. This year, it delayed by two week as a result; rice saplings are starving in dry fields (Figure 7).

 

Conclusion/Discussion

Given the fact that due to its vast water resources, Nepal is an agricultural country, it needs to put full strength in water management. The government must take the role of facilitator for the farmers to be able to compete in the market with fair price. The green box defined by the World Trade Organization should be supported continuously under a proper monitoring and evaluation mechanism. Provision of watershed management can facilitate the process of securing water flow and avoiding wastage. It will also help to keep the nutritious surface soil where it is and helps farmers to produce off and on the season. In this way their production will double in size and they can have a firm grasp of both national and to an extent international market. Cooperative societies of farmers can hunt down the benefits that could be turned down by retailers and wholesalers. A country with strong farmers in real terms will be a food secure country. 

 

References:

Upreti B. R. (2012). Water and Food Insecurity: Non traditional Security Challenges for Nepal. The National Bureau of Asian Research. NBR Special Report #36. January 2012.

 

FAO 2010

UNDP 2009

WFP 2009

OCHA 2008

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[1] http://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/summary-of-agriculture-census-2011.pdf.

[2] Retrieved from http://www.moad.gov.np/ Accessed on 2^nd November 2013

[3] http://www.dwidp.gov.np/uploads/document/file/review_20120213035717.pdf