The impact of the recent earthquake on food security and agricultural livelihood is vast. Farmers are going to miss plantation season of rice—the country's staple food—that normally starts in late May. Although maize, the second staple crop for mid-hill districts, has been planted in quake affected districts, the production will also be affected as farmers are busy arranging for shelter.
Thus disruption of planting and cultivation may severely reduce planting area ultimately, resulting in less production. This, together with likely losses of food stocks, would severely limit food supplies and incomes in affected areas, where around two-thirds rely on agriculture for their livelihood. Further, such crop damage and livestock loss, and farmer's inability to have good harvest in coming seasons are likely to reduce agricultural production.
The agriculture sector employs 70 percent of quake affected population, and accounts for more than 35 percent of national GDP. The total rice cultivated area of quake affected districts (15) is 126,605 hectare, or 8.9 percent of total rice area in the country. The share of rice production of these 15 districts is about 9.3 percent of national output. In the case of maize, the total maize cultivated area of the quake affected districts is 153,689 hectare or 18.1 percent of total maize area in the country. The share of maize production of these 15 districts is 18.6 percent of national output.
Although assessment of damage to agriculture sector has not been made, there has been significant loss of stored food stock and livestock. At the same time, the disaster has also destroyed market and infrastructure, including roads and crucial irrigation and drainage canals. In some districts, such as Gorkha, Dhading, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Sidhupalchowk and Dolakha, more than 80 percent houses have been completely destroyed and recovery of food stock from such damaged houses is impossible. Further, many domesticated animals and birds have also died. There is also loss of fodder trees and forage. Landslides have blocked transportation and taken away fertile soil.
All this will have a huge impact on the country's ability to grow and transport fresh food and could slow the production process. Moreover, the Monsoon season is coming, so between the earthquakes and the rain there will be more landslides. This could result in sweeping away of entire terraces and cutting off of roads. Food shortages will be challenging to people of quake affected districts due to widespread loss of stored food stock.
Food and Agriculture Organization has called for US $8 million to help disaster-struck farmers recover lost agricultural inputs and resume preparations for paddy-sowing. The government should immediately arrange for rice seeds for earthquake affected areas. In this context development partners are expected to support the government in preventing further loss and planning future programs. Timely agricultural interventions are essential to build resilience of affected farming families.
There is a need of assessment and response planning for post-earthquake interventions. For this, a Rapid Impact Assessment needs to be conducted to study the earthquake's impact on agriculture and uses the findings to design future projects. We need a national livelihood rehabilitation strategy for affected areas, including distribution of seeds, tools and fertilizers in those areas. For this also, the government may need technical expertise of other countries. In this context, FAO can help the Ministry of Agriculture Development develop an investment plan for sustainable agriculture.
What is missing in budget for agriculture?
Poor, vulnerable, agriculture-dependent communities have suffered the most from the quake. Agriculture has a critical role to play not only in eliminating hunger and malnutrition, but also in boosting rural incomes, reversing environmental degradation and increasing resilience to future threats. Assisting small farmer associations in rice, maize and bean seed production will increase production and improve livelihood in the long run. Irrigation may be a significant issue as rice planting season is coming. Additionally, natural resource and watershed management activities need to go hand in hand with measures to improve agricultural productivity. This can be done by improving access to land, inputs, water and markets.
To create a solid link between short and long-term emergency responses, the government should initiate sustainable agricultural activities such as seed multiplication, sustainable watershed management, water and soil conservation, food processing and farmer field approach. These activities help create sustainable livelihoods for farmers and make them resilient for future emergencies.
Lack of funding for agriculture and inadequate manpower may hamper efforts to provide immediate support to affected populations. The government as well as international community should give equal priority rural and urban areas. More investment in agriculture and creation of jobs in rural areas are urgent priorities.
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