Nepal, Sept. 2 -- Remote districts of Sudurpaschim Province, including Bajhang, have long reeled under an acute food crisis. For instance, Saipal, one of the most food-insecure rural municipalities of the district, has around 2,800 people who must rely solely on government-supplied food subsidies; the food they produce cannot sustain them throughout the year. Villagers have to trek for three long days to get to the district headquarters, Chainpur, just to buy food items. Some households in lower villages manage to bring food and related items from Talkot Rural Municipality with the help of porters and pack animals, but even this is a risky venture for many other settlements.

The problems don't end here. Monsoons and related disasters oft...