Udaypur farmers had sown Maize crop during March-April but the district was hit by the drought for two months straight from then. This was exactly the time when the crop required maximum water to grow. At present, the crop seems to have dried from its root and is therefore not able to grow corncobs. The farmers are deeply worried as the crop has failed to show any sign of revival even after the continuous monsoon rain for couple of days now."We had received small amount of rainfall at the end of April but it was hardly sufficient for the crop because the crop needs need plenty of water from the moment seeds are sown," said Prem Bahadur Rai, a local farmer. "Maize plants should be at least 10 feet tall by this time. However, lack of water has hindered their growth and restricted the plants height to around just three feet," he added.
On top of that, there are areas in the district, where monsoon rain is yet to reach. Locals inform that the monsoon rainfall is presently more centered on the district headquarters and is yet to fully reach the hilly areas of the district. Maize is the staple foods of many hilly areas of the district, including Jante, Balamta, Laphagaun, Aaptar, Pokhari, Bhuttar, Nametar, Tamlichha, Baraha, Basabote, Iname, Lekhgaun, Khanbu, Saune, Chaudandi, Babala, Mainamaini, Siddhipur, Thanagaun, Rupatar, Okhale, Rauta, Chilauney, Bhalayadada,Panchawati, Dumre, Barre, among other VDCs.
"Maize crops are the staple food of a majority of the population living in the hilly region. Its lower production in those areas can possibly trigger famine this year," said Netra Rai, a farmer from Laphagaun. Rai, is not the only one to have such fears. Many farmers in these areas are worried and left disheartened by the late monsoon rain. Apart from maize, other staple foods in those areas include millet and wheat.
District Agriculture Development Office (DADO), Udaypur also seconded the farmer's fear on reduced maize production this fiscal year. "There will be significant decrease in the annual maize production of the district this year, though we cannot exactly estimate the figures," said Nathu Ram Chaudhary, technical assistant at DADO. Maize farming is done in around 17,379 hector land of the district that produces approximately 30,000 to 40,000 metric tons of maize annually. During the last fiscal year, the district had produced a total of 34,657 metric tons of maize, DADO informed.
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