Animal Husbandry At Risk 

In the last two years, more than 50,000 pigs reared by marginal farmers died of a disease called "African Swine Fever." This disease, which was an epidemic last year, has not yet been brought under control. This year, more than 1100 pigs have died, according to the Department of Livestock report. The outbreak of this disease has now spread to Bagmati, Gandaki, and Sudurpaschim provinces. Farmers in Lalitpur are suffering the most damage this year. After it was confirmed, infection appeared in different places in 28 country districts during two years. After getting this disease, pigs get high fever, do not eat, and die quickly. African swine fever is the most rapidly spreading infectious disease, with the highest mortality rate. A reliable vaccine has not yet been developed for this disease, which has spread from Africa to Europe and Asia. 

The World Animal Health Organisation has recommended paying special attention to biological security to control this disease. This means that when going to a firm that keeps animals, it is said to adopt special protection. However, Nepal's small and marginal farmers are unaware of biological security issues. For some years, pig farming had increased in the outer areas more than in the dense settlements around Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. The business was gaining momentum due to increased food consumption and market access in hotels and restaurants. The share of pigs in the total meat production is about 7 per cent. The young people who were doing well in this business before the disease came have now reached the point of fleeing. A farmer from Chunikhel in Lalitpur complained to this scribe that he was under not only financial but also mental stress after the pigs that were prepared for meat died of disease.

To prevent the spread of the disease, even though strict measures should be taken, disease control has become a challenge due to a lack of priority in our administrative system. Many farmers in India suffered substantial economic losses last year due to such illegal trading. Although the bacterium of this disease is not contagious to humans, the disease is easily spread by animals and meat. 

On the other hand, small farmers are ignorant about livestock insurance and have suffered more losses. The government has asked to insure livestock. However, in such epidemics, the insurance companies have avoided saying there is no insurance scope. On the other hand, insurance companies have also not preferred to go into agriculture. Similarly, the three levels of the government have not been able to provide the rehabilitation package despite the financial loss.

Lumpy skin

A study by the Nepal Veterinary Council has shown that the direct economic loss from lumpy skin disease is one billion. Lumpy Skin Disease has spread to 76 districts in Nepal and is now almost under control. It is estimated that milk production decreased due to disease. A lot of cows were suffering from bloat. Not only that, in the financial years 2079 and 2080, when the bulls died in the eastern hilly district, paddy and maize plantations were affected. The majority of Nepali farmers are using indigenous technology for farming.  Such indirect damages have not yet been fully accounted for. Livestock insurance is used in Terai districts, but the farmers suffered substantial economic losses due to the lack of expansion of the insurance programme in hilly districts. So far, there has been no rehabilitation programme. Farmers have also given up hope. In developed countries, when farmers suffer from epidemics, even though they try to rehabilitate farmers with cash or some other programme, our government has not implemented that practice. Also, agricultural businesses have been placed on the list of companies protected by the state in the world.

Opportunities

We import a lot of food but export little. But in the field of livestock, we import less but export more. Last year, animal skin worth 500 million was exported. From America to Europe, the export of dog chews is more than 3 billion. This export is increasing every year. There is a high possibility of the export of goats to the Gulf countries as soon as the disease is eradicated from Nepal. During Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's visit to China, the agreement to export buffalo meat from Nepal revealed much potential in animal husbandry. Businessmen have been saying there is no difficulty in fulfilling the conditions received from China for meat export. Nepali farmers and businesspeople are excited by the latest agreement. The government has projected that it can export 300,000 tonnes of meat annually. However, there is a demand for well over 3 million tonnes of beef in China.

China's demand for meat cannot be met even if we export all the available buffalo meat. Therefore, it is crucial to implement a commercial production programme to meet China's growing demand for meat. In addition to buffalo meat, China has also requested pork exports. Once buffalo meat exports are underway, it will likely open the door for exporting other meat products. As such, if the government at all levels prioritises animal husbandry, it could help address the issue of unemployment in our region. To achieve this, it is essential to conduct programmes that encourage and rehabilitate farmers.

(The author is a media professional.)