Published On: April 3, 2020 10:20 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal
KATHMNADU, April 3: Experts and activists on Friday drew the attention of the government over the adverse effect on the agriculture sector in the country due to nationwide lockdown imposed to stem the novel coronavirus.
Issuing a statement on Friday, a group of nine professionals from various sectors urged the government of all three tiers to introduce special relief packages to farmers and take effective measures to overcome the new challenges in the agriculture sector due to the lockdown.
Signatories of the statement include agricultural scientist Dr Ram Prakash Yadav, National Assembly member Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, former secretary Rameshwor Khanal, human right activists Dr Renu Adhikari and Sushil Pyakurel, agro development expert Yamuna Ghale, writer Tika Dhakal and journalist duo Rajendra Dahal and Kanak Mani Dixit.
In the statement, they also stressed for the need of reforming and redefining agriculture through the use of new knowledge and advanced technology.
“At the time of this lockdown, farmers tend either to stop their routine works due to lockdown restrictions or to destroy their products due to lack of market and proper supply mechanisms. Since this sector is the backbone of Nepal's economy, it’s an urgent need to save it from the negative impact of this lockdown orders and establish it as a dignified and productive occupation with a long term vision, policies and programs,” the statement reads.
They also asked the government to encourage farmers to carry out agricultural activities by adopting proper safety precautions during this period so that supply of necessary goods would not be affected. In addition, they also expected the government to introduce necessary policies and programs to attract youths to this sector.
In this time of crisis, many youths working as migrant laborers abroad tend to return and remain jobless. Therefore, the government of all three levels should foresee the situation and make the necessary plans, according to them.
They suggested the government introducing plans to encourage the farmers for commercial and extensive practice through various incentives, training, agricultural tools and market.
Here is the full text of the appeal:
Citizens’ Appeal
Amidst the Covid-19 crisis: Save the Farm, Empower Farmers, Enhance Agriculture
The entire world has been affected by the Coronavirus, Nepal being no exception. The lockdown is an effective measure to secure population from the virus, and the citizenry is required to observe the strictures.
The lockdown has particularly affected activities which require physical participation of individuals. Farming is one such activity, and it is linked to the life and livelihood of a overwhelming proportion of the country’s population. The Coronavirus lockdown’s impact on agricultural activity and its domino effect on the economy and people’s livelihood is bound to be deep and into the long term, yet there has been scarce discussion in the public sphere about the challenges faced at this time by the farming sector.
It is imperative that the federal, provincial and local governments as well as civil society countrywide focus on protecting the farming sector and improving agricultural activities using innovation and new knowledge. The insecurity that has overwhelmed our agriculturalists must be addressed even as plans are made for revival. Even as we tackle various fears and uncertainties, we cannot forget the peasantry and the rural economy, which are so central to the nation's present and future.
Over the past two weeks of lockdown, farm produce such as vegetables, milk and eggs have got wasted due to absence of market, while consumers have been deprived of essential foods. The wheat crop is ready for harvest, but the widespread understanding that one cannot work in the fields is leading to wastage of farmers’ effort. This is the time to plant corn in the midhills, but farmers are in two minds about visiting the terraces. Spring rice planting has also been hit by the lockdown, and everywhere livestock is going hungry.
It is a sad reality that agriculture has been progressively sidelined over the decades in the governmental as well as popular imagination, whereas this is the sector which holds the promise of productive employment and prosperity for the people. We have a duty to save farming from the impact of the Coronavirus, with a clear perspective on the present challenge while working to revive farming as a long term, profitable and dignified occupation and an attractive alternative to foreign employment.
We signatories see the need for immediate steps to support farming activity during the lockdown, while instituting long term plans and policies. Recognising the programmes already put in place by the Federal Government as well as its Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, we make the following appeal:
Signatories:
1. Dr. Ram Prakash Yadav, Agricultural Scientist
2. Dr. Bimala Rai Poudyal, Member, National Assembly
3. Rameshore Khanal, Former Finance Secretary
4. Dr. Renu Adhikari, Rights Activist
5. Yamuna Ghale, Agriculture Development Expert
6. Sushil Pyakurel, Rights Activist
7. Rajendra Dahal, Journalist
8. Tika Dhakal, Writer
9. Kanak Mani Dixit, Journalist
3 April 2020
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