Empowering Agriculture with Renewable Energy for Sustainable Irrigation and Inclusive Policies on April 22, 2024 at ICIMOD. Photo: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (April 23, 2024) – Harnessing renewable energy could revolutionize food security in the mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, according to a conference co-hosted by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Rising temperatures are compounding the risks to food security in the mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalayas. Traditional irrigation methods and limited access to energy are hindering agricultural productivity in these high-altitude regions.

Clean energy – hydro, solar, biomass and wind – is abundant in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. With rising temperatures compounding the risks to food security  experts argue that it’s crucial agriculture, which provides one fifth of the region’s gross domestic product,  embrace renewables’ potential to transform yields, food security, and to transition away from polluting energy sources.

The upcoming conference, titled “Advancing Productive Uses of Renewable Energy in Agriculture in the Hindu Kush Himalaya,” will explore the potential of renewable energy sources to transform mountain farming. Scheduled for April 23rd, the event will bring together stakeholders to discuss strategies for scaling up these solutions for mountain communities in the HKH.

Key Issues on the Agenda:

• Addressing Irrigation Challenges: With 87% of Nepal’s cultivable land in the hills and mountains lacking year-round irrigation, the conference will explore how renewables can address this critical need and boost food security.
• Unlocking Renewable Potential: Participants will delve into how renewable energy can be used to transform mountain agriculture and irrigation practices, leading to increased productivity and resilience.
• Fostering Collaboration: A key focus will be on fostering collaboration among stakeholders to facilitate the wider adoption of renewable energy solutions in mountain communities.

Statement from experts:

“Renewable energy solutions are key to tackling challenges and enhancing the resilience of mountain agriculture. We have the potential demand of 1300 megawatts of renewal energy for irrigation,”
stated Nawa Raj Dhakal, Executive Director of AEPC, Nepal.

“It’s time to harness clean energy to secure food security and sovereignty,”
emphasized Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director General of ICIMOD.

The conference is expected to pave the way for wider adoption of renewable energy solutions in mountain agriculture, ultimately contributing to a more secure food supply and a sustainable future for these vulnerable communities.

For More Information visit the conference website: https://www.icimod.org/renewable-energy-agriculture/

About ICIMOD

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), is a regional knowledge development and learning centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – and based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Globalisation and climate change have an increasing influence on the stability of fragile mountain ecosystems and the livelihoods of mountain people. ICIMOD aims to assist mountain people to understand these changes, adapt to them, and make the most of new opportunities, while addressing upstream-downstream issues. We support regional transboundary programmes through partnership with regional partner institutions, facilitate the exchange of experience, and serve as a regional knowledge hub. We strengthen networking among regional and global centres of excellence. Overall, we are working to develop an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem to improve the living standards of mountain populations and to sustain vital ecosystem services for the billions of people living downstream – now, and for the future.​​

For media inquiries, please contact:
Raz Tuladhar, Media Officer
Email: media@icimod.org

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