Kathmandu, Nov. 28 -- The sharp rise in imports of both rice and paddy, which increased by 46 percent in just four months, signals a serious problem. This is not merely the result of a poor monsoon season but the combined impact of climate fluctuations, floods, and a lack of preparedness, which have left Nepal's food sector highly vulnerable. The country is now more reliant on imports than ever before, highlighting the urgent need for a transformation in agricultural policy. Chronic underinvestment in irrigation, post-harvest handling, and timely policy interventions has left farmers regularly facing losses, with government action often coming only after the damage has occurred. Between mid-July and mid-November, Nepal imported rice and p...