Evidence-based Initiatives of FIAN Nepal on Right to Food Policies, Programmes & Practices in Nepal Editors: Prof. Dr. Keshab Khadka Basant Adhikari Nirmal Gadal Buddhi Ram Chaudhary Mabin Ghale Food-first Information and Action Network (FIAN) Nepal © FIAN Nepal, 2014 Published by: Food-first Information and Action Network (FIAN) Nepal Kupondole, Lalitpur, P.O. Box: 11363 Tel.: +977-1-5011609, 5527152, 5527650 Fax: +977-1-5527834 Website: http://www.fiannepal.org Email: [email protected] Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the research studies are entirely of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the official views and opinions of FIAN Nepal to which the writers are affiliated. Acknowledgement FIAN Nepal has identified six thematic areas towards strengthening right to food movement in Nepal. They are: 1. food and access to natural resource and services, 2. right to water (inclusive of access to irrigation, water privatization distortions and access to safe drinking water), 3. agricultural inputs (i.e., seeds, fertilizers, government services, resource mobilization), 4. women/marginalized sections/Dalits, 5. extra territorial obligations, and 6 . food aid and labour (farm labour and diaspora). Since its establishment, FIAN Nepal is exploring these thematic areas and advocating for the protection and promotion of human right to food, with specific focus on vulnerable people and communities of Nepal. In this process, FIAN Nepal has pursued evidence- based analyses on the above thematic areas either by making use of case studies or researches, the results of which are compiled here - as research works on Food Aid, Access to Natural Resources, Seed Policy, and Climate Change. These reports are FIAN Nepal’s initiatives to explore the situation as it is, identify the gaps and make appropriate recommendations therein. Several experts and individuals have supported to bring this report in this form. Particularly, the contributors for research work, Ms. Basudha Gurung, National Program Advisor and Mr. Ganga Acharya, Program Coordinator deserve great appreciation for initiating these studies and for her contribution to finalize these studies. Mr. Somat Ghimire, Mr Jailab Kumar Rai, Dr. Krishna Prasad Poudel, Dr. Laya Prasad Upreti, Mr. Basudev Regmi, Mr. Madan Thapa, and Ms. Prakriti Kasyap have played instrumental roles in this regard. Hence, they deserve special thanks from FIAN Nepal. These research reports went through extensive editing and formatting for publication in this form. It has been possible through the collective efforts of the editorial team, FIAN Nepal's members and staffs. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to bring this publication at its present format without the painstaking support of all the above members in such a short time frame. Therefore, I would like to thank them who extensively contributed to hatch this maiden volume of research reports. Ms. Sabine Pabst, Dr. Ana María Suárez Franco of FIAN International also deserve special thanks for supporting us in different ways shaping the research study and improving the report. The financial support from our partners, the EED/Bread for the World and Misereor Germany are highly appreciated in this regard. Finally, FIAN Nepal acknowledges the dedication and contributions of all involved in the course of this noble task. Hope to receive your constructive suggestions to improve our future publications. Thank you, Dr. Sarba Raj Khadka Chairperson Foreword Right to Food was buzz word in Nepal amongst human rights activists during early 1990s as ensuing aurora of new found democracy ushered with Government’s commitment to International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966. The then Prime Minister Mr. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai had courageously ratified the ICESCR on 14 May 1991 (31 Baisakh 2048) amidst wide disagreement and tense debate that whether it was advisable to add “extra burden on fledgling democracy". Of course, this noble event proved seminal to invoke series of new initiatives on promoting and protecting right to food that culminated the surging tide of civil society protest during World Food Summits in 1996 itself against food security approach based on profit hungry markets, more pronouncedly in 2002 at WFS +5. Actually, the commitments of MDGs to halve the hunger toll populace across the globe by 2015 (now a mockery!) dazzled the human right to adequate food activists in those last years of 20th century promoting both national and international interests . Taking into account of Nepal's committment to international human rights norms and standards, FIAN Nepal has commissioned research studies on four issues that contribute the realization of human right to food in Nepal. The four studies on Food Aid, Access to Natural Resources, Seed Policy, and Climate Change presented here cover thematic concerns having direct bearing on hunger and food and as diverse as the legal and delivery mechanisms, the food aid, access to natural resources, seed and breed perspectives, and climate change. These topical issues are extensively explored in the emerging socio-political contexts of Nepal and Nepalese society in a much disaggregated manner focusing on innocent yet affected people, the ultimate right holders. At a time when zero-hunger/zero-poverty agenda finds all pervading features of Post- MDGs framework, these Nepalese replica may showcase some examples to generalize broader development agenda across poor and low-performing developing world. FIAN Nepal nurtures a conviction that zero-hunger world requires fundamental paradigm shift: poor and disgraced as right- holders and the state as well as the political stalwarts as duty-bearers. The required shift in value system and principles thereof include rights, equality, justice, peace, sustainability and partnership for development not in the lip-service fashion but through increased responsibility. It has already been high time to delve in general value premises: freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility. Truly, the justice delivery needs definite targets and measurable and verifiable indicators, both outcome indicators and process indicators. FIAN Nepal will feel highly encouraged if this maiden effort goes serviceable, however, insignificant it may be, in this process. We humbly welcome and are committed to remain grateful to our valued readership for comments and suggestions for our guidance. – the editors Table of Content 1. Impact of Food-Aid on Livelihoods and Food Security: A Human Right to Food Perspective 3-31 2. Forest and Water Policy Frameworks and its Practices in Nepal: A Right to Food Perspective 37-109 3. Seed Policies, IPRs and Right to Adequate Food in Nepal 113-142 4. Perceptions of Rural Terai Communities on Effects of Climate Change in Human Right to Food Perspective 145-176 Assessing the Impact of Food-Aid on Livelihoods and Food Security in the Western Hills of Nepal: From a Human Right to Food Perspective Impact of Food-Aid on Livelihoods and Food Security: A Human Right to Food Perspective 1 Assessing the Impact of Food-Aid on Livelihoods and Food Security in the Western Hills of Nepal: From a Human Right to Food Perspective Content 1. Introduction 3 2. International Food Aid 6 3. Types of Food Aid 7 3.1 Program Food Aid 7 3.2 Project Food Aid 7 3.3 Emergency or Humanitarian Food Aid 8 4. Food Aid and the Right to Food: Framing the Debate 8 5. Overview of Food and Nutrition Security in Nepal 10 6. Food Aid: In Response to Food Insecurity 12 6.1 Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) 14 6.2 World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations 17 7. Key Findings : Food Aid and its Implication 20 7.1 Agriculture and Rural Development Agenda Marginalized 20 7.2 Food Aid Right Based Approach 22 7.3 Food aid has Increased Dependency on Aid Resources 24 7.4 Food Aid has Limited Success in Stimulating a Sustainable Foundation of Food Security 25 7.5 Food Aid is not a Safety Net for Vulnerable Groups 25 7.6 Food aid Exists in the Interests of the Powerful 26 8. Conclusion 27 9. Ways Forward 28 9.1 The Purpose of Food Aid Should Largely be Limited to Protect Right to Food in Emergencies 28 9.2 Food Aid Should be a Part of the Broader Development Agenda with Right Based Approach 29 9.3 Food Aid Should Contribute to Fighting the Underlying Causes of Poverty and Hunger 29 Bibliography 30 2 Assessing the Impact of Food-Aid on Livelihoods and Food Security in the Western Hills of Nepal: From a Human Right to Food Perspective Impact of Food-Aid on Livelihoods and Food Security: A Human Right to Food Perspective Abstract Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world and has been receiving food aid for several decades. The impact, performance and effectiveness of food aid schemes in Nepal have been continuously under debate among development planners, political actors and social activists. There is no doubt that food aid, if placed adequately, can clearly impact the right to food in at least during emergency situations. It will enable state to fulfill obligations to fulfill right to adequate food. However, food aid in western hill district has been criticized as it has increased dependency syndrome on food. This study conducted by Mr. Somat Ghimire has reviewed existing food aid programs implemented by government of Nepal through Nepal Food Corporation, Program implemented by World Food Program and other International food aid agencies and tried to examine existing food aid programme in the right to food perspectives. The study was conducted through field observation, focus group discussion and interview of key informants. This study has reveled realistic picture of impact of food aid and also identified several points for improvement on existing food aid related program modalities, approaches and strategies of food aid program to contribute for sustainability of local agricultural system. We hope, summery of the study published as this article will be interesting and useful for the readers.