Crop yields to ‘dip’ over the next few decades

 KATHMANDU, OCT 17 - There will be a massive drop in crop yields in the next few decades especially in the South Asian Region which will affect mostly the poor, according to a study of the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE). The growing food insecurity has been blamed to climate change.

SAWTEE Executive Chairman Posh Raj Pandey called for broad discussion and initiatives to avert any possible crisis. “The issue of climate change must be tackled through all national and regional initiatives, including policy measures,” he said at a programme here on Thursday.

The national stakeholder’s dialogue on the “Upcoming 18th SAARC Summit: Nepal’s perspectives on climate change, agriculture, food security and disaster risk reduction” was organised by SAWTEE in collaboration with Oxfam Nepal.

Bimal Gadal, programme manager at Oxfam Nepal, said there has been low investment in disaster preparedness and management in the country. Citing a World Bank report, he said Nepal could minimise the post-disaster cost by up to 15 times if risk management is planned earlier.

Surya Narayan Shrestha, deputy executive director at National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal, underscored the need for sector-wise preparation. “As a disaster affects the entire social sector, trade and commerce along with daily activities, all the major issues have to be considered separately,” he said.  SAWTEE Executive Director Hiramani Ghimire said climate change, agriculture, food security and disaster risk reduction are closely interrelated. “There is a need for comprehensive effort to address the problem,” he said.

Source: The Kathmandu Post