Agricultural Sector Incurs Loss over Rs One Billion from Rasuwa Flood

The agricultural sector incurred a significant loss from the recent flash floods that struck the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system on August 26.

According to a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report jointly prepared by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the disaster had its significant implications on crops and vegetables especially on paddy, vegetables and livestock.

The available details suggest that paddy farming stretching to 1,669 hectares area was damaged by the flood, causing the loss for the production of 5,843 tonnes of rice. Total agricultural crop damage is estimated at 1.09 billion (USD 7.22 million).

The assessment includes standing-crop damage and estimates of subsequent-season production effects within this amount. Towards, vegetable farming, some 1,843 tonnes of produce were lost as 137 hectares of land were affected by the disaster.

Towards geographic distribution, the affected local levels include Bidur, Likhu, and Belkotgadhi in Nuwakot; Benighat Rorang, Gajuri, Siddhalek, and Galchhi in Dhading; and Gandaki and Shahid Lakhan in Gorkha.

A total of 700 hectares of paddy-producing land affected in Bidur of Nuwakot alone, causing a potential loss of 2,450 tonnes of paddy. In Likhu, 230 hectares of land was affected, causing a loss of 805 tonnes of paddy, while in Belkotgadhi, 200 hectares of land was affected, resulting in a loss of 700 tonnes of paddy. Paddy farming has been affected across 25 hectares in Benighat Rorang, 75 hectares in Gajuri, 58 hectares in Siddhalek, and 87 hectares in Galchhi of Dhading).

Reports indicate that 140 hectares of paddy fields in Gosaikunda and 143 hectares in Uttargaya in Rasuwa have also been impacted. Regarding vegetable farming, Bidur in Nuwakot is the most severely affected area; 98 hectares of vegetable crops were impacted there, resulting in an estimated potential loss of 1,323 tonnes.

Vegetable farming areas affected in Dhading include nine hectares in Benighat Rorang, seven hectares in Gajuri, two hectares in Siddhalek, and 14 hectares in Galchhi. Livestock sector incurs losses worth Rs 1.11 billion The livestock and poultry sector has been severely hit by the floods, causing substantial losses to farmers.

According to available data, a total of 252,445 animals and birds have been affected, with the estimated financial loss standing at Rs 1.11 billion. Poultry accounts for the largest share in terms of the number of animals and birds affected, with around 214,827 birds affected.

Although, poultry makes up 85.1 percent of the total number of affected animals and birds, the financial loss from poultry accounts for only 4.8 percent of the total loss. The loss is heavier on larger livestock.

Losses involving 4,572 buffaloes is have been estimated at Rs 457.2 million, accounting for 41 percent of the total livestock losses. Similarly, losses of goats and mountain goats (chyangra) amount to Rs 391.3 million or 35.1 percent of the total, while losses involving cows and oxen stand at Rs 179.2 million or 16.1 percent.

Data also shows that losses of Rs 10.4 million involving other animals, Rs 19.6 million involving pigs and wild boars, Rs 2.5 million involving sheep, Rs 53.7 million in poultry losses, and around Rs 100,000 involving other birds. Together, buffaloes, goats and mountain goats, and cows and oxen account for 92.3 percent of the total livestock losses. (RSS)