Unseasonal rains cause over Rs. 6.6 billion worth of losses to agriculture

Kathmandu, Dec. 3: Unseasonal rains in October and November have caused agricultural losses of more than Rs. 6.6 billion across the country, severely affecting rice, vegetables, sugarcane, fruits and other major crops, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Rains from November 1–3 alone resulted in nearly Rs. 3 billion in damages. 

According to a recent damage report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the unseasonal rains from November 1–3 caused the most damage to the paddy crop and vegetables. 

It is estimated that the total area affected by unseasonal rains in the five provinces will be 21,189 hectares, resulting in a reduction of about 84,802 tonnes in the production of various agricultural products, especially rice, vegetables, potatoes, bananas, millet, pulses, and oilseeds.

According to the damage data received from the provincial Ministry of Agriculture and its subordinate bodies, the ministry said that a total of Rs. 2.91 billion worth of damage has been caused to agricultural crops.

The rains affected 20,000 hectares of paddy fields in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.

The ministry's report states that about 75,674 tonnes of paddy, worth Rs. 2.66 billion, were destroyed in these five provinces. 

The most damage occurred in Koshi Province, where paddy crops on 12,432 hectares across 14 districts were affected. Of this, around 4,364 hectares in Jhapa and 3,421 hectares in Morang were destroyed.

The ministry said that paddy crops planted on 6,066 hectares in Bagmati Province, 896 hectares in Lumbini, 416 hectares in Madhes and 191 hectares in Gandaki Province have been destroyed.

In terms of economic loss, rice production worth Rs. 2 billion was damaged in Koshi Province, Rs. 453 million in Bagmati, Rs. 136 million in Lumbini, Rs. 41.3 million in Madhes, and Rs. 18 million in Gandaki, said the ministry.

Agricultural losses due to unseasonal rains are highest in rice and vegetable crops, accounting for 99 per cent of the overall economic losses.

Similarly, unseasonal rains destroyed 6,836 tonnes of vegetables from 586 hectares of land, worth Rs. 222.3 million.  

Around 2,000 tonnes of vegetables produced in 200 hecatres of land worth Rs. 40 million were damaged in Sunsari of Koshi Province. Likewise, rains damaged 4836 tonnes of vegetables produced in 386 hectares of land worth Rs. 182 million in Madhes Province. Other crops such as banana, millet, pulses, and oilseeds suffered relatively less damage.

In terms of agricultural losses due to unseasonal rains, rice and vegetable crops have been the most affected, accounting for 99 per cent of the overall economic losses.

According to the ministry, around 132 tonnes of produce worth Rs. 1 million were destroyed in the banana sector and 1,949 tonnes worth Rs. 19.744 million in the potato sector and 45 tonnes worth Rs. 229,000 in the millet sector.

Similarly, around 162 tonnes worth Rs. 1.388 million in the pulses sector and 2 metric tonnes worth Rs. 2.820 million in the oilseed sector were damaged.

Around 162 tonens of pulses worth Rs. 1.3 million were destroyed while 2.35 tonnes of oilseeds worth Rs. 2.8 million were destroyed.

Meanwhile, unseasonal rains in October 3-5 affected 15,499 hectares, and it is estimated that the production of various agricultural products, especially rice, sugarcane, vegetables and fruits, will decrease by about 127,383 tonnes.

Agriculture sector has incurred a loss of Rs. 3.71 billion from rains in October.

This damage is estimated to have caused an economic loss of about Rs. 3.546 billion to crops (including seeds), of which the highest economic loss of Rs. 3.224 billion appears to have occurred in Madhes Province.

According to the data received, around 3.546 billion was lost to crops, Rs. 161.54 million to livestock, fisheries and grass farming due to the rains.

Similarly, around Rs. 16.252 million was damaged to agriculture and livestock infrastructure, Rs. 5.8 million to government offices, Rs. 37.1 million to land erosion and Rs. 28.14 million to seeds, according to the ministry.

Due to unseasonal rains, the highest damage was recorded to vegetables at Rs. 1.25 billion, which is 35.45 per cent of the total loss.