Grain output drops by 4.33 percent

SANGAM PRASAIN

KATHMANDU, MAY 13 - The country's overall grain production (paddy, wheat, maize, barley and millet) has declined by 4.33 percent in the current fiscal year compared to the last fiscal year.

A production report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives revealed that this fiscal year overall grain production dropped to 7.76 million tons. In the last fiscal year, overall grain output was recorded at 8.11 million tons.

Paddy production declined by about 11 percent to 4.02 million tons. Last year, paddy production was 4.52 million tons.

Similarly, output of maize, the second staple food item after paddy, has declined by 4 percent compared to the last fiscal year. This year, maize production has been recorded at 1.85 million tons compared to 1.93 million tons last year.

Wheat, the third major crop, has increased by 16 percent this year compared to last year. This year, wheat production has been estimated at 1.56 million tons compared to 1.34 million tons last year.

"The abundant rain and snow witnessed this year has helped to increase wheat production," said Hari Dahal, spokesperson at the Agriculture Ministry.

Likewise, production of millet has increased by 2 percent. Millet production has been estimated at 300,000 tons this year compared to 293,000 tons last year. Barley production is estimated to increase by 19 percent this year with the increased production area. Production is estimated at 27,500 tons this year compared to 23,000 tons last year. This year, the share of paddy production in the total grain output was 45 percent followed by wheat (24 percent), maize (26 percent), millet (5 percent) and barley (1 percent).

Food availability this year in line with the increasing population and production ratio is likely to see a shortfall of 316,465 tons. Last year, the estimated food deficit was 132,914 tons.

With the estimated deficit, over 1.6 million people will face food unavailability this year, the ministry said. The fall in the grain production this year has been attributed to lack of modern irrigation facilities, increasing plotting of productive land for housing construction and traditional agricultural methods, Dahal said.

According to him, the food deficit will be further aggravated this year. The Mid and Far Western regions could be more affected by the shortage, he added.

The break-up

Over 1.6 million people will face food unavailability

Overall grain production dropped to 7.76 million tons

There will be a shortfall of 316,465 tons grains

Food deficit will be further aggravated this year

The Mid and Far Western regions could be more affected

80 Himalayan expeditions receive permits for spring

SANGAM PRASAIN

KATHMANDU, APR 20 - Eighty mountaineering expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on different Himalayan peaks during the current spring season compared to 99 teams last year.

According to the Industrial Department of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, 661 applicants (577 males and 84 females) have received climbing permits for this spring. Last year, there were 804 hopeful mountaineers (720 males and 84 females). The government has collected Rs. 194.3 million as royalty from 77 expeditions

so far. Officials said that three expeditions were yet to receive their permits.

Among the applicants, 232 mountaineers of 25 expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on Everest. Last year, 27 expeditions had applied for Everest. Officials at the department said that permits had been given to 278 applicants for Everest last spring among whom 178 including 28 women succeeded in summiting the peak.

Indra Kumar Maharjan, an official at the department, said that Everest expeditions were likely to start from May 20. However, if the weather was favourable, they could begin earlier.

Tourism entrepreneurs said that the number of climbers attempting the Nepal Himalaya had been declining every

year because of the more convenient transportation facilities provided by the Chinese government and the smaller royalty charged there.

“The cost of climbing Everest from the Tibetan side is less as there is motor transportation up to the base camp,” Maharjan said. However, mounting an ascent from the Nepal side is less risky as climbers can get acclimatized at various places on the way to the base camp. Maharjan added that starting climbing right away after reaching the base camp as happens on the Tibetan side was hazardous.

The government has offered a discount of 50 percent on the royalty in the winter and summer seasons and 75 percent in the autumn season. The royalty for the spring season is higher. No climbing royalty is charged

for mountains in the Mid-Western and Far Western development regions.

The royalty for peaks higher than 6,500 m ranges from US$ 1,000 to US$ 25,000 depending on the route and elevation. For mountains of less than 6,500 m in height, each climber is charged US$ 400.

International airfares down 30pc

SANGAM PRASAIN

KATHMANDU, MAY 12 - With the number of airlines connecting Nepal to different global destinations increasing, airfares have dropped by more than 30-35 percent in a year.

Travel agencies said that the growing number of airlines and travellers and increased flight frequency had triggered a massive price war.

Similarly, the airfare gap between class and budget airlines has also come down significantly.

Dipendra Kumar Sharma, managing director of DK Travel and Tour, said that competition between

airlines and their increased flight frequency had ultimately benefited Nepali passengers.

He added that class airlines operating in the Middle East had slashed the price of their tickets from Rs. 25,000-30,000 just one year ago to Rs. 16,000-18,000.

Similarly, airfares of budget airlines connecting Nepal and the Middle East have come down from Rs. 18,000-20,000 to Rs. 13,000-15,000

Sharma said that Qatar Airways had upped its weekly frequency from 11 flights to 21 flights.

Bahrain Air has increased its three weekly flights to seven. Air Arabia now flies 11 times a week compared to thrice previously, and Gulf Air operates 13 weekly flights against nine weekly flights before.

Etihad Airways has increased its flight frequency to seven per week from four. Likewise, other airlines have started adding flights with the ongoing competition.

Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Bahrain Air, Kingfisher Airlines and GMG Airlines started operations in Nepal a few years ago.

However, airfares to Toronto (Canada) have increased by more than 15 to 20 percent in the past six months. Tickets now cost Rs. 107,000 compared to Rs. 92,000 one year ago.

Shyam Raj Thapaliya, managing director of Osho World Travel Nepal, said that airfares to the US, Europe and China have also dropped significantly.

“However, the small number of passengers and airlines flying to Canada has increased the airfare compared to one year ago,” Thapaliya said.

Travel traders said that competition had compelled airlines to reduce fares. Similarly, new carriers are selling their tickets cheap to gain an entry into the market.

They added that airfares on the Kathmandu-Delhi sector had fallen significantly.

However, low aircraft movement on the Kathmandu-Mumbai sector has kept fares high despite a mar-ginal drop.

Currently, there are 25 airlines connecting Nepal with different worldwide destinations.