PM announces relief package for farmers affected by lumpy skin disease

KATHMANDU, Aug 1: The government is preparing to dole out relief packages to those farmers whose cattles died due to a lumpy skin outbreak in recent months.

Preparations are afoot to announce the relief packages from the upcoming cabinet meeting, according to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

In a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Bedu Ram Bhusal and other stakeholders at the official residence of Prime Minister at Baluwatar on Monday, PM Dahal instructed Minister Bhusal to do necessary homework to provide relief packages to the farmers bearing the brunt of loss of cattle to the viral diseases.

While expressing seriousness of the government towards controlling the lumpy skin rapidly spreading in the country, PM Dahal rued that there was no publicity about the meetings spree with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Ministry of Finance regarding containing the viral disease.

Stating that the lumpy skin was detected in India and China some two years ago, he admitted that it was a weakness on the part of Nepal for failing to exercise timely preventive measures against the infection.

Over 1.1 million cattle across the country are estimated to have contracted lumpy disease. Among them, 867,000 have been recovered while 48,000 have succumbed to the viral disease incurring losses over Rs 30 billion.

At present, a total of 181,000 cattle are infected with lumpy skin in the country, it was shared.

On the occasion, PM Dahal drew the attention of the Ministry, and Department of Livestock Service towards early preparedness for the epidemic like lumpy skin in coming days.

"Let's work towards preventive efforts and relief packages for the farmers bearing the loss of cattle. Let's put plans in places for early preparedness," the PM urged.

According to him, going by the practices and research conducted in India and China, the Goat Pox vaccine seem to appear as an appropriate antidote to lumpy skin. Considering this, the use of this vaccine should be made free and the vaccine should be administered to animals in coordinated efforts among the federal, provincial and local levels.

Acknowledging the economic loss borne by the owners due to death of their cattle, PM Prachanda pitched for providing relief packages to the farmers.

Furthermore, the Goat Pox vaccine should be provided to farmers for free apart from relief packages, he said, instructing the concerned ministry to make arrangements for the same.

To control lumpy skin, the PM also spoke of the need to spread awareness among the farmers about the vaccine and the right kind of animal feeds.

Furthermore, a vaccine named 'Bird Pox' is going to be provided to the farmers after the recommendation of the veterinary experts and approval from the World Health Organization.

Minister Bhusal shared that approval for the use of 'Bird Pox' vaccine is going to be issued.

Paddy plantation in various districts has been affected due to the death of animals used in farming. The viral infection in the animal has also led to reduced milk production.

Dr Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, highlighted the need for an immediate relief package for the affected farmers.

National Planning Commission Vice-President Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha viewed that the government should immediately decide on the relief packages and free vaccines for the affected farmers.

Similarly, Yek Narayan Aryal, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers called for arrangements for relief packages for the affected farmers.

(RSS)