To sustain the demands of the Gen Z, Nepal could develop a comprehensive Agri-Food Systems National Framework that incorporates transparency and good governance measures
The social media crackdown by the erstwhile government triggered a nationwide uproar, a dissatisfaction that galvanised Gen Z in unison to oppose systemic corruption, economic exclusion, and governance failures. As a result, Nepal witnessed an unprecedented Gen Z youth-led uprising, a revolution that will be forever etched in the history of Nepal. The protest, marked by the arson of Singha Durbar, open defiance of the curfews, was not limited to political betrayal as pronounced by the Gen Z leaders; however, a clarion call for the systematic reformation of the pillars of Nepal's development, including in Nepal's food system. Despite directly engaging over 60% of the nation's population, Nepal's inadequate food production and 20% Gen Z unemployment drive rural exodus that induces youth uprising, reflecting deep discontent with the system. In view of this, Gen Z demands a resilient, equitable, and transparent food system, where they play a decisive role in driving the food future of the country.
The persistent inefficiency in the distribution of quality seeds and fertilizers is the critical pain point of the farmers, including their youth Gen Z successors. Effective resource management and allocation are therefore imperative for Nepal's smallholder farmers to create an equitable and secure food future. The Gen Z protest underscored the need for an improved system to support agriculture, with youth highlighting accountable governance. To rightfully address this, Nepal could adopt digital platforms to track subsidy flows, ensuring the disadvantaged ones who require it the most are benefited with this egalitarian scheme. Engagement of the youths in monitoring initiatives, utilising advanced digital tools to promote transparency and trust, would build on the protest momentum for inclusivity in terms of governance in the food system. Furthermore, regular audits and stocktaking of the agricultural programmes and disclosing them to the public would ensure that the resources reach marginalised farmers, addressing the Gen Z vision for a fair and effective support system that will safeguard the foundation of food and nutritional security in Nepal.
The impact of climate change is palpable, and Gen Z is at its core to absorb patterns of delayed monsoons and drought, which will reduce agricultural yields by 20-30% by 2050, further exacerbating Nepal's food insecurity. The protests implicitly highlighted youth awareness of these vulnerabilities, where the participants linked the ongoing rural economic struggles with the evolving environmental scenarios.
Gen Z envisions a vivid, local, green, and circular economy, and a resilient food system rooted in agroecological, regenerative practices and indigenous knowledge. Investing in community-led watershed management, early warning systems, and localised supply chains, with solar drying and decentralised cold storage, can cut post-harvest losses drastically, enhancing income and securing food access, aligning with youth calls for dignified rural livelihoods.
Deep-rooted structural inequalities based on ethnicity, caste, and gender perpetuate the issues related to food security. About 25% of the children's growth is stunted, and rural households' reliance on imported food products is an alarming concern. Land reformation policies prioritising women, who perform 66% of agricultural labour but own less than 10% of land, are imperative. Youth-led forums should address discriminatory market practices, while school feeding programmes should use local produce to reduce disparities and support farmers. Voices of youths in designing inclusive credit schemes and financial products should be heard, to retain youths, empower their engagement in agriculture, provide green jobs, and counter migration issues fueled by economic exclusion.
Nepal's food supply chains face vulnerabilities characterised by geographical and logistical challenges. Gen Z envisions a stronger infrastructure for resilience, advocating public-private partnerships to upgrade rural roads and implement transparency within the supply chain to reduce power imbalances and economic injustice within the supply chains. Youth demand management and planning of food reserves for food sovereignty, connecting farmers to consumers, reducing waste, and creating jobs for a secure future.
Like other sectors, Gen Z calls for credible representation as citizen representatives in the governance of Nepal's agri-food future. They call for youth consultations to realise their vision of the food future, and inclusion on agriculture policy boards to exchange their perspectives, driving decision-making. Apart from this, ag-tech incubators are increasingly being demanded by youth, supported by government initiatives and subsidies aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities. Youths call for inclusion in training and participatory policy advocacy to leverage innovation.
To sustain these efforts from the Gen Z demonstration, Nepal could develop a comprehensive Agri-Food Systems National Framework that incorporates transparency and good governance measures. Youth-led monitoring systems, tracking key indicators such as nutrition, emissions, and sustainability, would promote accountability. Expanding localisation initiatives across provinces, supported by international partnerships that emphasise youth engagement, can help realise Gen Z's aspirations for an inclusive agri-food sector. Additionally, integrating youth priorities into policy agendas will build long-term momentum, fostering collaborative governance and empowering young people to contribute to a resilient agri-food future.
The 2025 protests signaled Gen Z's power and frustration, but also, at the same time, potential to drive transformative change. Nepal's food system, crippled by corruption, inequality, and vulnerability, must evolve to reflect its demands for justice and resilience. Through transparent governance, climate-smart practices, equitable access, youth-led policymaking, and innovation, Nepal can convert the protest fervour into a sustainable agri-food future.
Mainali is a value chain specialist at FAO Nepal
