KATHMANDU: The Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, supported by GIZ Nepal, hosted the third session of its Global Talk Series under the GRAPE Project on Wednesday. The theme of the session was “Policies for Progress: Enabling Environments for Sustainable Agriculture.”

The keynote speaker for the event was Vanshica Kant, a climate, social, and human development expert from the Asian Development Bank’s Delhi Office, reads a statement issued by the Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub. Her presentation focused on the critical need for sustainable agriculture, citing that 25-30% of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from this sector and that one-third of food produced worldwide is wasted.

According to the organisers of the event, the session featured a panel discussion titled “Strategic Pathways for Achieving Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal: Policy, Implementation, and Collaboration.” The diverse panel included Brinda Kathayat, member of the Federal Parliament; Ashmita Gautam from the FAO; Sunita Nhempahuki, founder of R&D Innovative Solution; and Dr Krishna P Poudel, an agricultural policy analyst and activist.

Kant advocated for innovative financing and cooperative models to transition towards sustainable, inclusive, and equitable agriculture. “We must establish innovative financing and co-operation models for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable agriculture to facilitate this transition,” she said.

In her remarks, MP Kathayat stressed the importance of sustainable agriculture for Nepal and called for greater attention and sectoral collaboration. “There hasn’t been adequate attention given to this sector. That must change for this sector to thrive and be an economic driver,” Kathayat emphasized.

The Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, was established in 2012. It currently engages over 30 active shapers across five projects focusing on mental health, climate change, heritage promotion, and political leadership.