The ministry had proposed to introduce programs worth Rs 3 billion for compensating farmers for the loss of livestock and fowls in the earthquake. It had also proposed to distribute improved seeds and super grain bags for storing food grains.
But MoAD could distribute only 423 tons of paddy seeds and 1,000 super grain bags in 14 quake-affected districts with its regular budget. Officials say the support is insufficient compared to the scale of loss.
Other relief programs prepared by the ministry following direction of National Planning Commission (NPC) were confined to papers due to due to lack of budget, according to officials of MoAD.MoAD had even prepared mid-term and long-term programs with funding of additional Rs 5 billion.
The Agriculture and Water Resources Committee of legislature-parliament had even directed the finance ministry and NPC to release required budget to MoAD. But the finance ministry has yet to release budget for the purpose.
The devastating earthquake is estimated to have inflicted loss of Rs 28 billion on agriculture sector, according to Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) Report prepared by NPC. The report says Rs 15 billion would be needed for rehabilitation of agriculture sector.
Experts say loss suffered by the agriculture sector will be reflected in the economic growth as agriculture contributes one-third of country's GDP.
"We had prepared a detailed program for rehabilitation of agriculture sector and affected farmers. But our programs have been confined to paper due to lack of budget," Shankar Sapkota, deputy spokesperson of MoAD, told Republica.
With the Rs 25 million provided by Central Disaster Relief Committee, MoAD treated some injured cattle, managed carcasses of cattle and launched some relief programs in quake-hit districts.
"As we were waiting for resources to implement our programs, NPC started preparation of PDNA report and now preparation of budget for the new fiscal year has put our programs in the backburner," added Sapkota.
Officials say the finance ministry had given its consent to programs prepared by MoAD and assured to release fund by transferring unspent budget from other fiscal programs. "MoAD does not have required financial resources to implement the program. Though we tried to bring back budget sent to districts, it could not be possible as our offices at local level had already started implementing their programs," Uday Chandra Thakur, spokesperson of MoAD, told Republica.
Bhairab Raj Kaini, former director general of Department of Agriculture (DoA), said many farmers in quake-hit districts are unable to arrange a square meal for their families as they have lost their source of livelihood. He urged the government to provide alternatives to farmers who have become helpless after cracks developed in their farmland. "The government should suggest alternative crops in farmlands where cracks have appeared," added Kaini.
MoAD officials say they will include the same rehabilitation programs in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year if they are asked to address woes of quake-hit farmers. Thakur said they have included relief programs in the regular budgetary program for the next fiscal year.
Though the government has already prepared legal basis to set up National Reconstruction Authority, officials say it will take months for the authority to starts its works.
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