Nepal’s own food safety journey provides a unique vantage point. Long before the United Nations General Assembly officially declared World Food Safety Day in 2018, Nepal had already institutionalized National Food Safety Day in 2009. This early leadership was backed by strong advocacy from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) and professional institutions such as NEFOSTA, who long recognized the urgent need to modernize food governance. Today, Nepal’s progress is visible but far from complete.

The endorsement of the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2081 (2024) marks a major shift from reactive food control to a modern, science-based regulatory approach. This Act draws from Codex Alimentarius principles, which emphasize hazard analysis, risk assessment, and the importance of science in standard-setting and enforcement. It introduces key tools—traceability, risk-based inspection, and multi-tiered oversight—across the food value chain. The pending Food Safety and Quality Rules are expected to further operationalize these concepts.

Science-based decision-making has already delivered results. DFTQC has expanded laboratory capacity, introduced digital systems like NeFFILS and LIMS, and gained international recognition of its lab reports for trade. The use of mobile food testing labs by municipalities like Kathmandu Metropolitan City illustrates how scientific tools are reaching the last mile.

But we must not overlook the persistent challenges. More than 6% of sampled food products still fail safety checks. Many provincial laboratories remain under-resourced and unaccredited. Local governments lack the vehicles and human resources needed for routine inspections. Despite increasing digitalization, surveillance systems remain fragmented and underutilized for policy feedback.

This year, to commemorate World Food Safety Day 2025, Nepal observed an entire Food Safety Week, engaging a wide range of stakeholders. A national oratory competition among university students sparked youth debate on safe food practices. Awareness campaigns were organized in schools across several provinces. A Safe4Food Hackathon brought together young technologists to develop digital solutions for food system challenges. Within the same week, a national-level food safety system dialogue was held with participation from policymakers, experts, and private sector actors. The dialogue identified critical barriers such as policy implementation gaps, limited institutional capacity and training, and low public awareness.

The week culminated in a massive public rally in Kathmandu followed by a formal national event chaired by the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development. This concluding ceremony reinforced the message that safe food saves lives, while spotlighting the indispensable roles of food scientists and technologists in building a safer, healthier food system for Nepal.

To move from intent to impact, five strategic shifts are needed:

First, the government must formally enact and implement the FSQ Rules, backed by clear guidelines, standard operating procedures, and provincial capacity-building.

Second, our laboratory infrastructure must be upgraded, not just in hardware but in staff skills and accreditation to ISO 17025 standards.

Third, research institutions and the National Food Research Center must be enabled to produce actionable data, in partnership with academia and international bodies like FAO and WHO.

Fourth, the private sector must be actively engaged—through incentives, regulation, and technical support—to adopt systems like HACCP and ISO 22000.

Fifth, institutions like NEFOSTA must continue to serve as bridges between science and policy, advocating for risk communication, education, and consumer empowerment.

This year’s World Food Safety Day also comes at a time when Nepal is making long-term nutrition and food system commitments, including through the UN Food Systems Summit and the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan III (MSNP III). Both frameworks recognize that unsafe food undermines not only health, but also agriculture, tourism, and trade.

Food safety is not a technical afterthought—it is a strategic investment in human development, market access, and national integrity. It is time to treat food safety as a shared responsibility, anchored in science but implemented through collaboration across ministries, private enterprises, municipalities, and communities.

On this World Food Safety Day, let us recognize that “science in action” is more than a theme. It is a call to embed science in every inspection, every regulation, every classroom, and every kitchen. Let us act—so that every meal in Nepal is not just filling, but safe, nutritious, and trusted.

Dr. Atul Upadhyay

Nepal Food Scientists and Technologists Association & Idea2Impact

Worldwide, 2603 students from 137 countries have been awarded scholarships this year for Erasmus Mundus Joint master’s degrees. These Masters degrees are study programmes delivered jointly by several European Universities, offering students the chance to learn and live in several European countries in their pursuit of a prestigious degree. In addition, the students receiving a scholarship are fully funded, including tuition, travel from their home country, and a monthly allowance.

2024 also marks the 20th anniversary of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme, a milestone that underscores the programme’s positive impact on students, higher education institutions, and countries beyond the EU. These scholarships, awarded by the European Union, exemplify the EU’s ongoing commitment to fostering educational opportunities and international collaboration.

The Erasmus+ program is a flagship initiative of the European Union, designed to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe and beyond. By enabling students from diverse backgrounds to experience high-quality education in a multicultural environment, the program contributes significantly to personal development, academic excellence, and the building of lifelong international networks.

The European Union is the largest global donor in education with its Erasmus+ program.  The new Erasmus programme’s budget for 2021-2027 totals 26.2 billion euros, compared with 14.7 billion euros for the previous seven-year cycle of 2014-2020. With this substantially increased budget, Erasmus+ will be even more inclusive, more digital, and more green!

The Delegation of the European Union to Nepal together with the Erasmus Mundus Association Nepal organized a Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) for the new scholarship recipients on 7 August.  The students received essential information about living and studying in Europe, cultural integration, and the academic expectations of their respective institutions.

Alumni of the Erasmus+ program shared their experiences and insights, providing valuable guidance to the new scholars. This peer-to-peer interaction is expected to inspire and motivate the scholars as they embark on their educational journey.

The main subject areas of their choice are Plant Breeding, Decentralized Smart Energy System, Smart Cities & Communities, International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering, Agriculture, Environment and Society, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Geo-Information, Waves Acoustics Vibrations Engineering Sound, Transition, Innovation and Sustainability Environments.

Welcoming the awardees, EU Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Veronique LORENZO, said, “”The Erasmus+ scholarships not only offer Nepalese students a chance to gain world-class education but also strengthen the educational ties between the EU and Nepal.”

“This initiative reflects the European Union’s broader commitment to supporting the education sector in Nepal, contributing to the nation’s development through knowledge exchange and capacity building, and lifelong people to people friendships” she added.

She said the Erasmus scholarship is unique in that it allows for degree mobility and recognition of joint or multiple diplomas in the EU and beyond. She wished the scholarship holders all the luck and professional and personal growth in their exciting academic journey and hoped to see them returning to Nepal to contribute to bridge the human resource gap.

The Erasmus+ scholarships also provide opportunities for Europeans to undertake short-term studies and teaching in various universities across Nepal.

Sristi KC completed her Erasmus Masters in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage, between  2015 to 2017. She founded the organisation ‘Blind Rocks’ upon returning home after her studies abroad and says her experience and study in Europe has helped her  to manage her organisation efficiently. “I am immensely grateful for the Erasmus scholarship, which has helped me transform daily and continues to do so. Today, I am proud and honored to serve as the Vice President of the Erasmus Nepal Chapter, allowing me to grow, learn, and share my experiences with others, “Shristi says.

Representatives of the EU Member State Embassies based in Kathmandu and New Delhi also participated both in person and online in the programme and answered the queries of students. Those present were– Ms Shweta Kapoor, representative of the New Delhi based Embassy of Czech Republic,  Mr. João Marques Mendes, representative from Portuguese Embassy, Riina Riika Heikka Finnish Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Lesecq, chargé d’affaires a.i. at the French Embassy in Kathmandu, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Lesecq, H.E. Ms. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, Greek Ambassador to India, Ms Marie Bruckmayer, First Secretary at the New Delhi based Austrian Embassy and Mr. Prabin Rana from Campus France.

In addition, the Erasmus National focal points and representatives from the Tribhuvan University, Purwanchal University, Lumbini University and Pokhara University also attended the PDO this year.

The European Union has been supporting the education sector of Nepal for more than 20 years and supporting access to quality education is one of the EU’s core commitments. The EU’s current contribution of over 53 million Euros to ‘Quality Education for All’ will support the implementation of the government’s School Education Sector Plan (2022 – 2032) which has as an overall objective to contribute to a well-educated and skilled society in Nepal, able to play an active role in the social and economic development of the country. Moreover, improving girls’ education is another priority for the EU as the impact of educating girls extends far beyond literacy. Educated women are key to breaking the cycle of poverty, contributing to better health, reduced fertility rates, and overall community development.

To accommodate those who did not pass the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), the Board is conducting the grade increment exams from Wednesday.

The examination will commence at 11 a.m.

Nandalal Paudel, Controller of Examinations (Grade 10) of the Board, has announced that 210,000 examinees will participate in the grade increment exams.

A total of 550 centers have been designated nationwide for this purpose.

Students who received ‘NG’ (No Grade) or were absent during the regular examination will have the opportunity to take this supplementary exam.

This initiative is being undertaken for the first time, thanks to the special effort of former Education Minister Sumana Shrestha.

The Board is providing an opportunity for all failed students to improve their grades.

Previously, only candidates with NG in a maximum of two subjects were allowed to appear for grade enhancement exams.

The School of Management of KU is running classes in Aviation Management under the partnership of Simrik Venture and Siddhartha Banasthali School. This will be the first of its course at the university in Nepal.

It is shared that 33 students will be enrolled in the first year of the Bachelor’s Level this year.

The four-year programme is aimed at providing knowledge and skills on aviation operation and effective management of airlines and airports, Venture’s Chairman Rameshwor Thapa shared.

The curriculum of the programme will include aviation laws, aviation security, airport planning and management, aviation marketing, airline operations, aviation and economics, the importance of tourism and human resource management and other related topics.

“These courses will provide practical training on management of aviation activities,” Thapa argued.

The Vice Chancellor of KU, Dr Bhola Thapa, said that the Bachelor’s Level course on Aviation Management is aimed at producing skilled human resource in the country. “This is the first attempt in Nepal. We are confident in producing skilled human resources in Nepal in this subject,” Vice Chancellor Dr Bhola Thapa added.

The benefits extend beyond children. Doctors highlight that longer durations of breastfeeding offer mother’s significant health advantages, including a reduced risk of developing certain breast and ovarian cancers, as well as diabetes.

While the Breast Feeding Week is being celebrated worldwide, the breastfeeding trend in Nepal is steadily declining. Research from Nepal’s tertiary level hospitals reveals that a significant number of mothers were not practicing exclusive breastfeeding because of limited time due to job commitments and other personal ans social reasons. A decade ago Nepal was sought to be very near to achieving its target in breastfeeding, but today the percentage depicts a different story. Instakhabar.com reached out to Mr. Lila Bikram Thapa, Chief of the Nutrition Section at the Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services regarding the scenario of Breastfeeding in Nepal. He states that In Nepal, in 2016 and now in 2022, the ratio of breastfeeding by pregnant mothers has reduced from 65% to 55%. In 2016, about 55 out of 100 babies were breastfed within an hour of birth. Because of this, bottle feeding is prevalent – it is a terrible situation in terms of nutrition, infant health and maternal health, and the government is trying to improve it. The government is now conducting a campaign to sensitize those who work in private public hospitals like service providers, together with them government is also spreading awareness. The government is also conducting an awareness campaign through suppliers, producers and media and is preparing to expand the campaign widely. He further stated that The government has also provided BMS training to 753 local level heads this year. As there is a risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women due to failure to breastfeed, the government has been taking initiatives to make everyone aware of this. The campaign started by the government in 2079 with the establishment of Amrit fund for charitable maternity homes, was started from Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital and this year the government is in the final stage of establishing this fund at BP Koirala Memorial Hospital in Dharan. Next year, breast milk management units in nine hospitals is being set up. This year, the government has done the work of awareness campaign and breast milk promotion by keeping two staff nurses each in 18 hospitals and this work will be continued with new addition every year. Apart from this, the government is planning to conduct counseling training for the nursing staff in hospitals all over Nepal.”  As per Thapa – In spite of all the efforts made by the government now, it does not mean that the positive results will be seen tomorrow, it does not mean that bottle feeding will decrease from tomorrow, it is a long process. There will definitely be an improvement in the decrease seen now, it can be improved through the medium of counseling. It is a fact that there is a decrease in infant breastfeeding in Nepal even as the distribution of products such as baby food and especially milk is easily available in the market in a country like ours.  The government is now making arrangements to manage it legally, for this the government is preparing to reduce its burden by activating the non-active aspects of the existing law. Now the government is trying to create an environment where such baby food and especially milk can be sold and distributed only on the basis of doctor’s prescription only in special medical conditions. The government of Nepal has been coordinating the programs very well with the organizations and other organizations on infant breastfeeding. The support of UNICEF USAID’s ‘Path’ organization ‘HKI’ and various other organizations is continuing and now we are intensifying the work of wide awareness and promotion through various mediums of social media including mobile app ” Mero Poshan Saathi” and digital library.” 

Notable thing is that the government of Nepal spends more than Rs10 million to establish breastfeeding corners at government offices every year. It also conducts costly awareness drives on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Despite efforts from the government, Breastfeeding rates in Nepal has been on a downward trend for decades. While nearly all Nepali babies are breastfed, there’s a significant gap in early initiation. While around 55 % of babies are breastfed within the first 24 hours, earlier initiation is vital for optimal infant health. Nepal is one of the thirty-four countries that account for 90% of the world’s child malnutrition incidences. 36%of children are stunted, 10% are wasted, and 27% are underweight, according to NDHS.

Nepal had committed to increasing the exclusive breastfeeding rate to more than 90 percent by 2030, but the rate declined from 70 percent in 2011 to around 66 percent in 2016 and to 56 percent in 2022. This alarming trend has sparked concerns among public health professionals and other stakeholders.

Nepal government had enforced the Mother’s Milk Substitute (Control of Sales and Distribution) Act 1992 and Regulation-1994, some three decades ago but the effective enforcement of this law is far in the horizon.

The alarming fact is that more educated and well-off mothers are less likely to exclusively breastfeed their babies, as shown by different studies.

Key Challenges:

• Declining Breastfeeding Rates: Despite nearly universal initiation, exclusive breastfeeding rates within the crucial first six months are on the decline. This trend is particularly pronounced among educated and affluent mothers.
• Early Introduction of Complementary Foods: Many mothers introduce complementary foods too early, interfering with the establishment of exclusive breastfeeding.
• Lack of Support: Mothers often lack adequate support from healthcare providers, family, and communities, hindering their breastfeeding journey.
• Sociocultural Factors: Traditional beliefs and practices, coupled with modern influences, create a complex environment for breastfeeding mothers.
• Commercial Influences: Aggressive marketing of infant formula and artificial feeding products can undermine breastfeeding practices.

World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year, supported by WHO, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners. The theme for 2024 is Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.

Breastfeeding – World Scenario

A staggering 4.5 billion people worldwide – over half the global population – lack access to essential healthcare services. This critical gap in care significantly impacts women’s ability to breastfeed their babies optimally. Many mothers are deprived of the vital support they need, including expert guidance and compassionate counseling, throughout their breastfeeding journey.

Over the past 12 years, there’s been a significant increase in the number of babies exclusively breastfed for their first six months, with a global rise of over 10%. This means almost half of all infants worldwide are now receiving this crucial, life-saving nourishment. Hundreds of thousands of young lives have been saved thanks to this positive trend.

Supporting mothers to breastfeed benefits everyone. Research shows that increasing breastfeeding rates could save over 820,000 young lives annually.

Key Stats – Breastfeeding

• Every $1 invested in breastfeeding interventions yields ~$35 in economic gains

• Suboptimal breastfeeding is associated with economic losses of about $302 billion each year, or 0.49 percent of world gross national income

• Breastfeeding duration is associated with higher IQ and income as well as greater educational attainment

• Scaling up global breastfeeding practices could prevent the deaths of 823,000 children under 5-years-old and 20,000women annually

Prakash Luhar, the headmaster of Shiddeshwar Secondary, Melchora, Patan Municipality-1 of the district, has resigned.

According to school sources, the resignation of Luhar, who submitted his resignation to the chair of the school management committee, Hikmat Sinharawal, was accepted on Sunday itself.

A total of 47,519 individuals will participate in the first phase of the examination, which will run until Chaitra 24 (April 6), as announced by Maiyan Kandel, Director of the EPS Korea Branch.

In the subsequent shifts, 79,937 and 36,179 candidates will undergo examination from Baisakh 31 (May 13) to Shrawan 16 (July 31), 2081, and from Kartik 26 (Nov 11) to Poush 2 (Dec 17), 2081, respectively.

EPS Korea branch received applications from 163,635 individuals for employment in the manufacturing sector of Korea for the year 2023.

The examination is being conducted at the National Vocational Training Institute in Bhainsepati, with arrangements made for five shifts per day and 1,000 individuals starting the examination.

Director Kandel emphasized that counseling will precede the exam by an hour and attendance at the scheduled time is mandatory, with strict regulations against electronic devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches during the examination.

Branch Officer Kamal Shrestha highlighted the biometric registration process conducted at the EPS branch office in Gwarko before the exam day, followed by biometric verification at the exam center in Bhainsepati.

Any form of cheating or undesirable activities during the examination will result in cancellation and a ban of up to four years from future participation, stated the EPS office.

Atul Upadhyay, PhD, MBA

President – Nepal Food Scientists and Technologists Association

Chairperson – Vertex Special Technology

In Nepal, where agriculture contributes to about 27% of the GDP and employs a majority of the population, the challenges of food loss and traceability are not just logistical or economic issues; they are urgent social and scientific concerns. These challenges also directly impact Nepal’s progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) – ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture. While the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer promising solutions deeply rooted in the principles of food science, it’s crucial to acknowledge the complexities and challenges involved. This article aims to explore how IoT, complemented by AI, can revolutionize Nepal’s food supply chain from a food science perspective, address local challenges, deliver significant economic benefits, and contribute to the achievement of SDG 2, all while considering the practical challenges and solutions.

General Measures through IoT

IoT can be used to preserve food through real-time monitoring. Temperature plays a crucial role in microbial growth rates. IoT sensors can monitor temperature in real-time, allowing us to understand and control the microbial ecology of stored food, thereby extending its shelf life. Similarly, optimal humidity is essential to maintain food quality. Since different foods have different water activity requirements, IoT humidity sensors can help maintain the optimal water activity levels, preserving the texture and quality of food. Thus, using sensors to monitor temperature and humidity in food storage facilities can help to prevent food spoilage and ensure that food is stored at the correct temperature, thereby extending its shelf life.

While IoT excels at collecting real-time data essential for monitoring food quality, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can take this a step further. Leveraging principles of food science, AI algorithms can analyze the complex data sets generated by IoT to predict spoilage rates, optimize storage conditions, and even recommend adjustments in food processing techniques. This symbiotic relationship between IoT and AI not only enhances the efficiency of the food supply chain but also opens new avenues for food science research and innovation.

Smart Inventory Management

Smart inventory management is yet another potential application of IoT in the food industry. The principle of using older stock before newer stock is rooted in food chemistry. AI can further optimize this by predicting which items are likely to spoil first, allowing for even more efficient stock rotation. As food ages, chemical reactions like oxidation can degrade its quality. IoT can automate the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) strategy, ensuring that food is consumed in a state that retains most of its nutritional value. Moreover, certain foods are prone to enzymatic browning or spoilage. IoT, combined with AI and predictive analysis, can forecast these changes, allowing for timely interventions like adding preservatives or adjusting storage conditions.

Traceability and Food Safety

Perhaps one of the most important uses of IoT in Nepal is for maintaining traceability and food safety. IoT can help in identifying the source of foodborne pathogens more quickly than traditional methods, which is crucial for public health. IoT devices can also track and record the nutritional content of food as it moves through the supply chain, providing consumers with more accurate information. Additionally, by integrating biochemical data into a blockchain, we can create an immutable record of a food item’s nutritional and safety profile, from farm to table.

Addressing Local Challenges in Nepal

Lack of Cold Storage Facilities: One of the most pressing challenges in Nepal is the lack of cold storage facilities. According to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 20-25% of fruits and vegetables produced in Nepal are lost due to inadequate storage. IoT could be a game-changer here. AI can help optimize the use of available cold storage space by analyzing various factors like temperature, humidity, and the type of food being stored. Sensors can monitor the temperature of food in transit and alert farmers and distributors if the temperature rises above safe levels, thereby preventing spoilage and reducing post-harvest losses.

Unreliable Electricity: Nepal faces frequent power outages, with rural areas experiencing up to 14 hours of load-shedding per day according to the Nepal Electricity Authority. This makes it difficult to maintain the cold chain for perishable goods. IoT can help develop solar-powered cold storage solutions that are not dependent on the grid. These solutions would be more affordable and sustainable, ensuring that food remains fresh even during power outages.

Challenging Terrain: Nepal’s mountainous terrain makes transportation a logistical nightmare. According to the World Bank, only about 65% of the rural population has access to all-weather roads. IoT can help here by tracking vehicles in real-time and providing alerts if there are delays or disruptions due to weather or road conditions. This can ensure that food reaches its destination in the best possible condition, reducing the risk of spoilage and waste.

Economic Benefits of IoT and AI in the Food Supply Chain

As mentioned earlier, approximately 20-25% of fruits and vegetables are lost due to inadequate storage in Nepal. By reducing this loss through IoT monitoring, farmers and distributors can significantly increase their revenue. Even a 10% reduction in food loss can translate into millions of dollars in additional revenue annually. IoT can automate various aspects of the food supply chain, from inventory management to temperature control. This automation can significantly reduce labor costs and improve efficiency. Real-time tracking and traceability can open doors to markets that have stringent food safety and quality requirements. AI can analyze market trends and consumer preferences, helping producers target the right markets for their products.

IoT can also enable new business models such as subscription-based monitoring services for farmers or pay-as-you-go cold storage solutions. The adoption of IoT will necessitate skilled labor which can lead to job creation, particularly in rural areas. Finally, a technologically advanced and efficient food supply chain can attract both domestic and foreign investment.

Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2)

The integration of IoT into Nepal’s food supply chain is not just a technological advancement; it’s a step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) – to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. By reducing food loss through real-time monitoring and enhancing food safety through traceability, we are directly contributing to improved food security. Moreover, the economic benefits, such as reduced operational costs and increased revenue, can empower farmers and other stakeholders, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture. In this way, IoT serves as a tool that can help Nepal make significant strides in achieving SDG 2.

Global Examples of IoT and AI in the Food Industry

Several multinational companies have been successfully using IoT in the food industry. For example, Walmart has collaborated with IBM for blockchain technology to effectively trace a contaminated batch of lettuce back to its source within seconds. Maersk also collaborated with IBM in using blockchain technology to ensure that seafood is sustainably sourced and stored under optimal conditions. Dole Food Company uses IoT sensors to monitor conditions of its products during transit, providing unprecedented transparency. Tyson Foods and FoodLogiQ’s IoT sensors track the condition and location of food products from farm to retail, ensuring quality and safety. Lineage Logistics has IoT-enabled smart refrigeration that significantly reduce energy cost and food spoilage.

Similarly, several other companies also use AI for various reasons. General Electric uses AI algorithm for predictive maintenance reducing the downtime in food processing plants, thereby preventing food spoilage. Siemens employs AI to predict machinery failure in food processing, allowing for timely maintenance and operational efficiency. TOMRA utilizes AI-powered optical sorting that ensures high-quality produce reaches the market while reducing food waste. Blue River Company uses AI to analyze visual data of crops, allowing for more precise application of fertilizers and pesticides, which leads to increased yields and sustainability.

Challenges and Food Science Solutions

While the advantages of incorporating IoT into Nepal’s food logistics are significant, it’s vital to recognize the inherent challenges and intricacies. First, the extensive data produced by IoT devices demands specialized skills for insightful analysis. Food scientists can fill this void by crafting algorithms that factor in elements like pH balance and microbial activity, facilitating immediate decisions on food quality and safety. Second, the upfront costs of IoT technology can be a barrier for small-scale farmers, making it essential to create budget-friendly sensors and explore government financial support. Third, the precision of sensor calibration is crucial; food scientists can create uniform guidelines based on the unique properties of different foods to guarantee reliable data. Lastly, the growing volume of data collection heightens the risk of security breaches, necessitating stringent cybersecurity protocols. Additionally, while AI offers valuable support in data interpretation, it brings its own set of challenges, including data security and ethical dilemmas. By actively tackling these issues, we set the stage for a more efficient and ethical application of IoT in Nepal’s food supply chain.

Conclusion

The integration of IoT – and to some extent, AI – into Nepal’s food supply chain presents an unprecedented opportunity to address a host of challenges, from extending the shelf life of perishable goods to opening up new markets through enhanced traceability. However, the journey is not without its hurdles. Issues ranging from data interpretation to cost-effectiveness and data security need to be carefully navigated. Fortunately, food science offers a wealth of solutions to these challenges, from developing low-cost sensors to creating secure data storage protocols. Beyond these operational and scientific advantages lie significant economic benefits and alignment with global sustainability goals, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 2. The synergistic application of IoT and AI not only promises a technological revolution but also opens new avenues for food science research and innovation. Imagine a Nepal where farmers in Terai can get real-time data on soil moisture, or where consumers in Kathmandu can trace the origins of their organic vegetables. Similarly, in neighboring India, IoT is already being used to monitor the cold chain for dairy products, ensuring that millions receive fresh milk daily. This is not just a technological revolution; it’s a multi-faceted transformation that encompasses food science, logistics, economics, and sustainable development. By embracing IoT and AI, we’re not just adopting new technology; we’re paving the way for a safer, more efficient, and more prosperous food supply chain in Nepal, contributing to the global effort to achieve SDG 2