In the past 4 years, WFP has implemented the field surveillance project funded by DFID with the aim to providing field based information regarding household food security across 32 districts of Nepal. The surveillance system is currently being strengthened to include macro, micro and sectoral level analysis; baseline surveys and assessments; and the monitoring of food security, crop, nutrition and market conditions.
This May-June monitoring cycle marks late harvesting of wheat, barley and potato, and planting of paddy, maize, and millet. Reports from survey districts confirm the early assessments reporte in Bulletin 13; wheat and barley harvests are significantly lower than last year due to the winter drought, particularly in areas without irrigation facilities. People in the hills and mountains of Mid and Far-Western regions are worst affected with crop losses from 20 – 100%.
This monitoring cycle marks the harvesting season of wheat, barely and potato. As anticipated in Bulletin 12, there has been a decrease in wheat and barley production this year, particularly in areas without irrigation facilities. Inadequate rain and snowfall during the planting and growth stages, in addition to localized hailstorms in some areas, have contributed to 20-100% crop losses.
This monitoring cycle is the traditional lean season in agricultural Nepal, with participants to the WFP/VAM survey reporting limited food stocks (ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months) and an increase in their engagement in alternative livelihood sources. As before, a range of livelihood strategies have been reported, including wage labour, the sale of fuel wood, bamboo crafts and milk, the collection of forest products, and road construction.