The MoAC is releasing Rs 50 million from the budget allocated for subsidized chemical fertilizers and demanding an additional budget of Rs 176 million from the Finance Ministry to launch relief programs.
The amount will be used to launch alternative crop program, provide relief to farmers in winter crops, milk production in Tarai districts and meat production in mid-hill districts and for the transportation of relief materials to the affected areas.
"The proposal has been forwarded to the cabinet for approval," said Hem Raj Regmi, under-secretary of the MoAC, told myrepublica.com. "We will implement the programs once the cabinet approves the proposal."
The programs will focus on rising production and productivity of winter crops and boosting the stocks of improved seeds, besides mid-term alternative income generation programs for the affected farmers through dairy and meat production, officials said.
Devastating flood and landslide triggered by heavy downfall in the first week of October had caused inundation and river bank erosion besides depositing sand in arable land in 16 districts in mid and far-western regions. Farmlands in Bardiya, Dang, Tanahun, Baglung, Kapilvastu, Nawalparasi, Rasuwa and Lamjung were badly affected. Floods and landslides also washed away crops in over 19,528 hectares.
Under the special relief program, the MoAC targets to launch different crop production in 60,000 hectares of the affected areas. Of the total production area, wheat and maize will be produced in 50,000 hectares and 6,000 hectares respectively. The government also aims to cultivate vegetables, lentil and mustard in 2,000 hectares, 400 hectares and 250 hectares respectively.
According to the MoAC´s latest report, paddy crop in a total of 16,406 hectares was destroyed. The disaster also devastated 1,754 hectares of maize field, 343 hectares of vegetable farms and 645 hectares of fruit garden. Likewise, a total of 945 fowl and animals --158 goats, 36 pigs and 747 fowl were killed.
The floods and landslides also caused erosion in 212 places in 14 districts, according to the MoAC. The ministry estimates the repair cost to stand at Rs 858 million. Likewise, the floods also damaged 195 irrigation projects in 20 districts and the ministry has put the repair cost of 82 projects at Rs 137 million. The ministry is assessing the cost for the repair of remaining 113 projects.
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