Government statistics show that Karnali Province faces a significant food shortage every year. According to food data prepared by the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, the province has an annual food deficit of 19,116 metric tons.
Low agricultural production, a declining use of indigenous crops, and the lack of balanced dietary practices have further worsened food insecurity and malnutrition in Karnali Province.
According to the data, only a few areas of Surkhet, Dailekh, Salyan, and Western Rukum among the 79 local levels in Karnali are self-sufficient or have surplus food production. In most mountainous and remote local levels, locally produced food is insufficient to meet annual household needs.
Along with food shortages, a high poverty rate has also weakened food security. According to a World Bank study, the poverty rate in some local levels of Karnali has reached up to 72 percent. In particular, local levels in Kalikot, Humla, Jumla, and Dolpa have been found to face more severe poverty and food insecurity challenges.
According to the “Healthy Diet” booklet published by the Provincial Planning Commission, low agricultural productivity in mountainous districts, limited income opportunities, lack of nutritional awareness, and sanitation challenges are major causes of food insecurity. The Ministry of Agriculture states that 28 percent of households in the province do not have adequate food consumption, while 8 percent depend on extremely low levels of food intake. This has a direct impact on the health of children, women, and marginalized communities.
Due to the lack of nutritious food, malnutrition is also highly prevalent in Karnali. The province records 36 percent stunting among children, 18 percent underweight, and 4 percent wasting. In Mugu, Dolpa, Jumla, Humla, and Kalikot, the stunting rate has reached 56 to 60 percent. Similarly, around 40 percent of children under five are affected by anemia.
Although the provincial government claims improvements through road expansion, agricultural development, and increased food access, stakeholders argue that the absence of regular and scientific monitoring of food security makes it difficult to fully assess the actual situation.
According to the World Health Organization, around 600 million people worldwide fall ill every year due to contaminated food and water, and approximately 420,000 people die annually from foodborne diseases.
Experts state that only by ensuring compliance with food safety standards at all stages, from production to consumption, can food-related risks be reduced. They emphasize that ensuring food security requires shared responsibility and collaboration among the government, private sector, and consumers.