Why can food shortages occur in Nepal's mountain regions despite grain surpluses in the Tarai?

Food shortages in Nepal's mountain regions persist despite grain surpluses in the Tarai primarily due to a lack of adequate transportation infrastructure. This logistical barrier prevents surplus grain from being moved northward into the food-deficit areas of the mid-mountain region.1

Furthermore, the country faces significant dislocations in supply and demand. While mountain areas experience shortages between harvests, substantial amounts of grain are exported from the Tarai to India. Additionally, some grain is moved northward from the Tarai and mountain regions into Tibet, further exacerbating local shortages. These challenges are compounded by the fact that Nepal is a landlocked nation with an inadequate transportation network, which hampers overall economic development and the efficient distribution of essential commodities.12