Nepal ranks at the bottom of almost all the indices published annually by various bodies and research institutes around the world. That is why I have wondered whether it is necessary to devote an entire article to such regularly published indices.

But the latest report is linked to hunger and since we are an agrarian economy, some basic questions remain unanswered on this subject. In this article, I have tried to highlight those questions.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025 – with the aim of measuring the state of hunger globally and stimulating action to address the existing hunger problem – made waves in South Asia. India in particular opposed it by questioning the study methodology and data used to prepare the report. In this context, India has said that the report has not been able to reflect the state of food security and depict the existing hunger situation in a reasonable way using accurate data. But in the case of Nepal, concerns have been expressed that hunger has increased in the country. In this context, we need to find answers to the questions of who is hungry, what is the economics of it, and why Nepal has been stuck in this problem for decades.

Hunger is not just a problem of food production. It is deeply intertwined with political, economic, social and environmental crises. Amartya Sen's 1981 book 'Poverty and Hunger: An Essay on Rights and Deprivation' introduced a new approach to the study of famine. He analyzed the causes of famine not only in terms of food supply but also in terms of political and economic structures. In his study of the Bengal famine of 1943, Sen challenged the 'food supply fluctuation' theory, which considered food shortages to be the main cause of famine. According to Sen's research, in 1943, the food supply in Bengal was higher than in 1941, but some groups, including rural labourers, lost their 'rights'—the ability to buy or exchange food. Wartime inflation and economic growth in urban areas pushed food prices beyond the reach of workers.

Sen has also given special importance to the role of democracy. According to him, ‘There is never famine in a living democracy.’ In a democracy, a free press provides early warning of famine and the government is forced to address the problem quickly under pressure from the citizens. To win elections, leaders must be responsive to the demands of the people, which motivates the government to take quick action. Sen gives the example of the lack of a free press during China’s ‘Great Leap Forward’ (1958–1961) that led to the concealment of millions of deaths and the democratic pressure that prevented a major famine in independent India.

However, Sen admits that while democracy can prevent sudden famines, it is a challenge to solve long-term famines. Therefore, not only food supply, but also rights, information and accountable governance are extremely important to solve hunger. For this work, economist Sen received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1998.

Based on the perspective put forward by Sen, we need to understand our economic, social and political structure and landscape. I think that almost all Nepalis understand the political, economic and social landscape of Nepal. Let us not enter into the discussion now whether that understanding is wrong or right. Who is suffering from hunger in the political, economic and social structure of Nepal that all Nepalis understand? What efforts is the state making to solve this problem? Why does the risk of hunger persist?

Nepal's Constitution 2017 has guaranteed food security, but if we go into the essence, this work has not been done. Nepal is ranked 72nd in the GHI this year, while 20 years ago in 2006, when the index (GHI) was first launched, Nepal was ranked 57th. At that time, Nepal's GHI score was 20.6, while now its score is 14.8. This shows that Nepal has not made any significant progress in the last 20 years.

The Global Hunger Index was launched on the premise and belief that progress in the fight against hunger is possible when knowledge, political will, and action are combined. While that has been proven true for other countries around the world, we have not been able to achieve much in Nepal. That is because a GHI score of 0 (zero) is the best or zero hunger, while 100 (one hundred) is the worst. Nepal has only reduced its GHI score by a total of 5.8 in the last two decades. That is very negligible progress. The question is how Nepal can make up for the progress it has not made in the last two decades despite adequate foreign aid and support. Concerns about food security are growing globally and in some regions. Financial resources for development are under immense pressure, not only in Nepal but all over the world.

According to the Global Hunger Index-2025, many of the world's least developed countries are facing serious hunger problems. This index measures the current hunger situation in various countries based on indicators such as malnutrition, child mortality, child malnutrition and stunting. According to the 2025 report, although some countries in the world have seen improvements, South Asian countries, especially Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and some countries in Africa, are still at high risk.

Although Nepal has made some improvements in food security in the past few years, residents of rural and remote areas are still deprived of access to adequate nutritious food. Food insecurity is increasing in Nepal due to climate change, natural disasters, unequal distribution system and poverty. But the main question is why Nepal, despite being an agricultural country, has not been able to guarantee food security.

When the United Nations announced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the second goal was 'zero hunger'. That goal gave us all a common dream—a world where no one goes hungry and everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food. But, looking back at today’s reality, that dream is still a long way off. The picture presented by the 2025 Global Hunger Index is even more dire. According to the GHI-2025, the world’s average hunger score is 18.3, which falls in the ‘moderate’ category. In 2015, the score was 19.1, indicating that progress has been very slow in the last decade. Out of the 121 countries in the world covered by the report, 44 countries have GHI scores in the ‘serious’ or ‘very serious’ category. Hunger is still serious in Africa, South Asia, and conflict-affected regions. According to the 2025 report, 735 million people worldwide (9.2 percent of the world’s population) are malnourished. 14.5 percent of children under five are malnourished, 6.8 percent are severely malnourished, and 4.5 percent are dying. These figures tell us that our efforts are not enough.

The GHI – 2025 points to conflict, climate change, and economic crises as the main causes of hunger worldwide. Conflict, political instability, climate change, and economic crises are posing challenges to food security in countries such as Sudan, Gaza, Myanmar, Nigeria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, Chad, Congo, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Sudan experienced a famine in 2024, leaving half of the country’s population facing severe food insecurity. Famine is spreading in Gaza. Disruptions to aid delivery are exposing populations to hunger and violence. These events confirm that hunger is not just a problem of food production. It is deeply intertwined with political, economic, social and environmental crises.

In the context of Nepal, food insecurity and malnutrition still remain serious challenges. According to 2024 data, 16.5 percent of the total population in Nepal is at high risk of food insecurity. Residents of rural and remote areas are still deprived of access to adequate nutritious food. 22 out of 77 districts in Nepal are at high risk of food insecurity. There is a large difference in nutrition and food access between the Madhesh, Terai, hill and Himalayan regions. Food insecurity is more prevalent in the Madhesh and Terai, which have social, economic and geographical reasons.

Regional, ethnic and social disparities in food insecurity and nutrition are evident in Nepal. The economically weaker sections, women, children and the elderly are at higher risk. According to the latest data, more than 20 percent of households in rural areas face food shortages at some point in the year. Food insecurity is not only a matter of physical deprivation, but also of social, economic and cultural aspects. Economic inequality, lack of education, lack of access to health services and cultural discrimination have deepened food insecurity.

A large proportion of farmers in Nepal are small farmers, who use limited resources and technology. Small farmers own 68 percent of the total arable land. However, their production capacity is low. Disasters such as climate change, floods, landslides, and droughts affect food production. Food shortages are seen in many areas due to weaknesses in the food supply and distribution system.

Nepal has implemented two major strategies for the long-term improvement of its agricultural sector. The Agricultural Perspective Plan (APP) and the Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS). The APP was implemented for 20 years from 1995 to 2015. Its main objectives were to accelerate agricultural growth, alleviate poverty, create employment, and make the agricultural sector self-reliant and commercial.

Learning from the experience of APP, Nepal has implemented the Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS) for 2015-2035. The objective of the ADS is to make the agricultural sector self-reliant, competitive, sustainable and inclusive, contributing to economic growth, improved living standards and food and nutrition security. It emphasizes the overall transformation of the agricultural system through modernization, commercialization, industrialization and diversification. In addition, a strategy has been adopted to improve good governance, productivity and profitability.

The government has been implementing various policies and programs to improve food security and nutrition. The National Nutrition Strategy, the Right to Food Act and social protection programs have been implemented. However, adequate budget, coordination and monitoring are required for these programs to be effective. In particular, targeted nutrition programs are needed for pregnant women, postpartum women, children and the elderly. School nutrition programs, maternal health services and nutrition education programs should be made effective.

All these figures and facts raise serious questions for us – why are millions of people still hungry after decades of efforts? Are our policies, programs and approaches sufficient? How do we address economic, social and cultural disparities? Climate change has made the lives of farmers more vulnerable. How will we balance modern technology and local knowledge? Government policies and programs are in place, but their effectiveness and coordination need to be improved. How will we extend social protection and nutrition programs to everyone? Food insecurity is not just a problem of production, it is a question of distribution, access, social justice and human rights. When a child goes to bed hungry, it is not just a family problem, it is a failure of our society.

Ultimately, our journey to end hunger is not just about figures and policies, it is a reflection of our human sensitivity and shared responsibility. We must build a society that includes everyone, listens to everyone, and ensures justice for all. To fulfill our common dream that no one should ever go hungry, it is necessary to make structural reforms in the country's economic and political policies. Along with structural reforms, changes in thinking, attitudes, and working styles must be brought about.

Policies, programs, technology, and social justice must be advanced together to end hunger. Only if we can protect the rights and dignity of every citizen will the dream of zero hunger be realized. The government, civil society, the private sector, the international community, and every citizen have a role to play in this journey. We must make the campaign to end hunger a success with shared responsibility. Because, the most fundamental thing for the civilization and progress of any society is that no one should go hungry.