SANGAM

Farm relief package likely to be delayed
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JUN 01 - The relief package that was promised to the farmers of five Tarai districts who lost their maize crop due to bad hybrid seeds is likely to be delayed.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Coope-ratives had pledged to provide compensation to the suffering farmers in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Parsa and Nawalparasi before the paddy-sowing season.
The government had approved a relief package worth Rs. 200 million on March 30, but it was held up due to disagreement between the Agriculture Ministry and the Finance Ministry on how it should be distributed.
"We are not sure when, but we will be able to release the package on time," said Hari Dahal, spokesperson of the Agriculture Ministry.
He added that the ministry would start work as soon as the Finance Ministry approves the budget for the relief programme.
Bijay Kumar Mallik, director general of the Department of Agriculture, said it would be good to provide the relief package to the farmers before the paddy sowing season. The Agriculture Ministry had proposed a relief package that included cash incentives, waiver of land tax and free packets of vegetable and crop seeds. After the Finance Ministry refused to provide cash as compensation, the proposal was amended and re-sent to the cabinet.
Bodh Raj Niroula, joint secretary at the Finance Ministry's Budget Division, said that they have issued a notice to the Agriculture Ministry to use its unspent budget (not exceeding Rs. 200 million) for the purpose.
"Farmers in Bara will get 80 percent compensation as production dropped by 80 percent there. They should manage the rest," Mallik said. The same formula will be applied in the other districts.
Production dropped by 80 percent in Bara, 55 percent in Rautahat, 40 percent in Sarlahi, 70 percent in Parsa and 20 percent in Nawalparasi.
As per the new proposal, Rs. 170 million has been allocated for nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, seeds and transportation, Rs. 25.6 million for vegetable seeds and Rs 1.9 million for waiver of land tax.