Hand In Hand Initiative

The Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative supports the implementation of nationally led, ambitious programmes to accelerate agrifood systems transformations by eradicating poverty (SDG1), ending hunger and malnutrition (SDG2), and reducing inequalities (SDG10). It uses advanced geospatial modeling and analytics, as well as a robust partnership-building approach to accelerate the market-based transformation of agrifood systems.

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Nepal Food Forum 2025

Welcome to the Nepal Food Forum 2025, second edition of the landmark event taking place in Kathmandu, Nepal. To promote a resilient and prosperous agrifood system, the Nepal Food Forum 2025 aims to accelerate investment, empower youth, and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders by integrating science, innovation, and indigenous knowledge.

10 September 2025

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Hand-in-Hand Investment

The Investment Forum aims to cultivate strategic partnerships and investments in Nepal's agriculture sector for a food-secure future.

National Youth Action

National Youth Action empowers youth to drive innovation and address food security.

Science and Innovation

Science and Innovation Forum will explore the application of innovative solutions to build resilience in Nepal’s agro-food landscape.

Hand In Hand Initiative

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative supports Nepal in transforming agri-food systems to boost food security, sustainability, and rural development. Investments focus on Large Cardamom, Timur, Highland Potato, and Pangasius Fish to enhance livelihoods, reduce poverty, and improve environmental sustainability

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Hand-In-Hand Commodities

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Pangasius Fish

Highlights

Time	Activities
8:00 - 9:00	Registration and Breakfast
9:00 - 9:10	Guest on Dias: Chair of the Program: Hon’ble Ramnath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) Chief Guest: Right Hon’ble Ramchandra Paudel, President of Nepal Guest of Honour: Hon'ble Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forests and Environment (MoFE) Guest of Honour: Hon'ble Kusum Devi Thapa, Chair, Agriculture, Cooperative and Natural Resources, Parliamentary Committee Guest of Honour: Madam Hanaa Singer Hamdy, UN Resident Coordinator of Nepal
9:10 - 9:15	National Anthem
9:15 - 9:25	Welcome Remarks: Dr Deepak Kumar Kharal, Secretary, MoALD
9:25 - 9:35	Inaugural of Program
9:35 - 9:45	Sharing of NFF Objectives: Mr Ken Shimizu, FAOR for Bhutan and Nepal
9:45 - 9:55	Video Showcasing on FAO 80th Anniversary
9:55 - 10:20	Announcements: Investment Announcement Launch of GIAHS Platform Launch of SDG Card: Localizing the Four Betters Launch of Churiya Knowledge Centre (CKC) Announcement 80 lakhs (8 million) trees plantation campaign marking 80th Anniversary
10:20 - 10:50	Remarks from Dignitaries: Guest of Honour: Madam Hanaa Singer Hamdy, UN Resident Coordinator of Nepal Guest of Honour: Mr Kazuki Kitaoka, Director, Office of Youth and Women (OYW), FAO HQ Guest of Honour: Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari, Vice Chair, National Planning Commission Guest of Honour: Hon'ble Kusum Devi Thapa, Chair, Agriculture, Cooperative and Natural Resources, Parliamentary Committee Guest of Honour: Hon’ble Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forests and Environment (MoFE)
10:50 - 11:00	Chief Guest: Right Hon'ble Ramchandra Paudel, President of Nepal
11:00 - 11:10	Closing Remarks: Hon’ble Ramnath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD)
11:10 - 11:15	Group Photo
11:15 - 11:30	Visit of Right Honorable President and Dignitaries to the Exhibition Stalls
PLENARY SESSION I: Women Parliamentarian Forum - Gender & Youth Mainstreaming in Agri Food System
11:15 - 12:15	Women Parliamentarian Forum - Gender & Youth Mainstreaming in Agri Food System
PLENARY SESSION II: Artificial Intelligence: Driving Investment and Future of Farming
12:15 - 13:15	Artificial Intelligence: Driving Investment and Future of Farming
13:15 - 14:00	Lunch

Time Slot	Plenary Hall: Ball Room A & B	Time Slot	Science and Innovation: Godawari Hall	Time Slot	Nepal Youth Action: Kirtipur Hall	Time Slot	Hand in Hand Investment: Ball Room C
14:00 - 15:00	Five Innovators in AI: Five AI Prototype and Pitching Special Remarks by Kazuki Youth Investment Pitch- Youth Food Lab Initiatives	14:00 - 15:00	Digital Innovation: Optimizing Efficiency in DRR through frontier technologies. ELEVATE FAO Geo-spatial Platform Session on WaPOR	14:00 - 15:00	Agriculture Cooperative for Resilient and Inclusive Societies Cooperatives Landscape for Agri value chain Exemplifying Model of Cooperatives	14:00 - 15:00	Mayor’s Forum on Partnership of OCOP Keynote by OCOP Project Coordinator Recognition of Top 3 posters Open discussion with 10 Mayors Cardamom Interventions and Future pathways Large Cardamom Sector Learnings
15:00 - 16:00	Strengthening the Potato Value Chain: A Multi-Stakeholder Round Table	15:00 - 16:00	Sustainable and Climate-Smart Solutions Blockchain in agrifood systems (Anvesh Tech) DMRV in Forest Biomass GIES	15:00 - 16:00	SDG Card Game: Localizing Four Betters Mind Mapping Exercise	15:00 - 16:00	Special Session Investment in Agrifood System; Financial Landscape Nepal Bankers Association FNCCI Nepal Rastra Bank Bima Samiti ADBL
16:00 - 17:00	Agri-Food Systems and the Path to Smooth Graduation for LDCs Lens of Agri-food System investment in Nepal Moderator – Sawtee NPC IIDS MoALD FNCCI	16:00 - 17:00	Livestock and Modernization Smart Livestock Farms From Tradition to Technology: The Journey of Poultry Modernization Digitalizing Forest Management NFF Talk Soil Health and Pesticides Management Mechanization Post Harvest Loss - Innovation and Management Climate Smart Agriculture SFM and NTFP	16:00 - 17:00	Youth Voices, Greener Pastures: Road to International Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists 2026 DLS ICIMOD Yak and Chauri Farmers’ Federation	16:00 - 17:00	Export Promotion and Facilitation Clinic - MoICS/ Private Sector CFRD MoICS MoALD Farmers N-Agro
17:00 - 18:00	Special Session: Redefining Indigenous Agri-Food System Landscape: Leaving No One Behind	17:00 - 18:00	Presentation on Climate Resilience from Above: Harnessing Cloud Seeding & Hydrology for Food Security Dept of Hydrology and Meteorology Presentation on Cloud Seeding and Forecasting ICIMOD	17:00 - 18:00	Implication of One Health and AMR - Drama Drama - NYMAT	17:00 - 18:00	Investment Plan Presentation - Accelerating Investments for Resilient, Green, and Inclusive Economies in Nepal and Beyond ADB GGGI ICIMOD UNEP MOFE
18:00 - 18:30	Celebrating Nepal's Cultural Diversity - Song and Dance
Nagarkot Hall:Investment Matchmaking / Bilateral Sessions

Hand In Hand Initiative

Nepal Food Forum 2025

Hand-in-Hand Investment

National Youth Action

Science and Innovation

Hand In Hand Initiative

Hand-In-Hand Commodities

Large Cardamom

Timur(Sichuan Pepper)

Highland Potato

Pangasius Fish

Highlights

FAO and AFU signed MoU to strengthen agriculture research and development

International Conference on Agrobiodiversity

FAO Delegation Led by Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu Concludes Three-Day Visit, Support Seven Decades Long Partnership with Nepal

11 January 2024

UN FAO Delegation Led by Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu embarks on Three-Day Visit to Nepal

FAO Nepal unveils Country Programming Framework 2023-2027: A Landmark Initiative to Revolutionize Agricultural Food Systems

Nepal workers look to Gulf to escape forced-labour system

The US, climate change and the farmers of Nepal

Nepal economy hit as global warming bares snow-covered peaks

Feasts and festivities as Nepal celebrates rice planting festival

Nepal economy shifts away from farming

Save farms, empower farmers, Nepal citizens’ appeal

Nepal’s agriculture, water resources under climate threat

China, Nepal to speed up agricultural cooperation as fastest path to real gains

Agriculture Act to be brought soon: Minister Bhusal

Nepali farmers diversify their income streams amidst climate crisis

वनमन्त्री शाही र एफएओका नेपाल प्रतिनिधि केन सिमिजुबिच शिष्टाचार भेटवार्ता

FAO urges immediate action as new variants of avian influenza threaten Asia and the Pacific

National Agri-Innovation Challenge concludes with three startups reaching final

Our Speakers and Panelists of NFF 2025

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Programme Schedule

Parallel Sessions

Nagarkot Hall:Investment Matchmaking / Bilateral Sessions

Our Partners