The Surkhet branch of NFC put the current rice stock in Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Dolpa and Kalikot districts at 2,600 quintals but expressed inability to transport rice to the districts despite pressing scarcity. [break]
“The food for Karnali region is languishing here in lack of budget,” NFC Chief in Surkhet Mohan Prakash Chand said. “Initially, the government had slashed Rs 110 million from the allotted transportation subsidy. The decision was reversed later but we have not received the amount yet,” Chand added.
The government, which had spent Rs 800 million for food transportation last year, had decided to send Rs 370 million for transportation subsidy this year despite allotting Rs 480 million at first. They later reversed the decision but Chand said just Rs 50 million has been received till date, hitting the distribution of food to the districts.
“We would not have space to store more food if the situation continues. We need not have to store such a large quantity of food here had the center released the budget in time,” Chand said revealing that the depot currently held 16,900 quintals of rice.
Officials said the possibility of transporting food to the districts is getting slim with Karnali Highway obstructed at different places following persistent rains. There has been some relief with private airlines agreeing to carry food to Humla at the rate fixed for land transportation but even the airlines need to be paid.
Government had supplied 66,000 quintals of rice to Karnali last year after increasing transportation subsidy to Rs 800 million from Rs 450 million.
Meanwhile, over ten quintals of food grains kept at seed bank have started to decay after not being sold, reports Barun Paneru from Dadeldhura. The seed bank, established in Dadeldhura for easy supply of quality seeds to farmers currently has eight quintals of maize seeds alone, according to Khadak Bohara, chairman of Pokhara Community Seed Bank in the district.
“The sowing season has ended but seeds of maize, wheat and soyabean worth over Rs 800,000 have been languishing in our godown,” Bohara said.
The seed bank, established three years ago, catered to the needs of farmers in Dadeldhura, Doti, Bajhang, Achham, Darchula and Baitadi districts, and had contributed to a rise in yield.
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