The results of the assessment and participatory consultations suggest that Nepal’s transition to a sustainable food system will need to address multiple issues, including low productivity, low competitiveness of the food trade system, inadequate infrastructure, labour migration, insufficient services, gender inequity and persistent nutrition problems.

These indicate broad areas for potential action to address the challenges and opportunities highlighted in the assessment. 

The main levers identified during consultations with stakeholders were: 

1. Improving the efficiency of value chains to enhance distribution of quality food and limit post-harvest losses, by optimizing processing, storage and marketing practices and strategies;

2. implementing livelihood support strategies for the poorest (social protection, cash transfer, employment schemes); 

3. reinforcing the legal framework and capacities of local authorities during federalization;

4. improving land-use planning to strengthen supply chains and food security;

5. promoting small-scale mechanization in order to support women in rural areas to keep cultivating and prevent land being left fallow;

6. improving capacity of storage and processing to raise competitiveness of local products compared to those from India.