New Delhi, February 7 — Nepal underscored its commitment to climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable landscapes at TREESCAPES 2026 – 1st South Asian Agroforestry and Trees Outside Forests Congress, with active participation from Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar, Honorable Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Speaking during the Ministerial Hour at the congress, held in New Delhi, Dr. Pariyar emphasized climate change as one of the most pressing threats to global food systems. He highlighted the vital role of agroforestry and Trees Outside Forests (TOF) in strengthening livelihoods, noting that these systems support more than 80 percent of Nepal’s rural households.
The Minister outlined Nepal’s progressive policy environment, drawing attention to the Forest Act 2019, which promotes integrated land-use approaches and community participation. He reaffirmed Nepal’s dedication to scaling up nature-based solutions that enhance farm productivity while conserving ecosystems.
Beyond the ministerial segment, Dr. Pariyar participated in thematic sessions, high-level discussions, bilateral meetings, and technical excursions, sharing Nepal’s experiences and learning from regional best practices. He called for stronger South Asian collaboration to accelerate climate-smart farming, restore degraded landscapes, and advance shared prosperity.
TREESCAPES 2026 brought together policymakers, scientists, practitioners, and development partners from across South Asia to chart a collective pathway for agroforestry and TOF as pillars of resilient food systems in a changing climate
