From January 29th to February 2nd, the Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses (SDPU) program supported the Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) in hosting a series of meetings in Kathmandu, Nepal, featuring experts from government, academic and research communities, and the private sector. The goal of these meetings was to gather information, build connections, and lay the groundwork for a feasibility study for the use of electron beam technology to improve food safety and security in Nepal. Nepalese stakeholders, alongside visiting experts, also explored the application of ionizing technology to reduce post-harvest loss and facilitate exports.
NDRI facilitated meetings between the SDPU team and a broad spectrum of Nepalese institutions, including Nepal’s Federal Parliament; Food Science and Technology Association; Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center; Ministry of Health and Populations; Agricultural Research Council; Department of Food Technology and Quality Control; Academy of Science and Technology; Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry; and Tribhuvan University.
The Consultative Visit and Pre-Feasibility Study for Ionizing Radiation Technology for Food Security and Other Applications in Nepal was the latest engagement under the SDPU focused on SDG2 (Zero Hunger). The follow-on feasibility study will aim to assess the technical viability and economic case for construction of an ionizing technology facility in Nepal.
This engagement and the SDPU program are implemented by CRDF Global and are jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For more information about this event and the SDPU, go to www.sustaineddialogue.com.
