SANGAM

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