Government Emergency Response to Disaster in Agri_Sector

Shree Ram Ghimire, Ph.D.Under Secretary

Ministry of Agricultural Development

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Discussion Outline

1.Background Information

2.Losses due to the Earthquake in Agri_Sector

3.Role of MoAD in DRR

4.Immediate Relief, Recovery and Preparedness

Programs

5.Various Legal Regimes related to DRM

6.Major Impact of Disaster in Agri_sector

7.Conclusion 

Introductory Background

Nepalese Agri_ Farming Highly dependent on weather Devastating occurrence of disasters frequently DRR Preparedness – weak and less effective The great earthquake with 7.8 magnitude on Baisakh 12 and 6.9

magnitude on 29 Baisakh struck Nepal Colossal destruction and loss of lives  Over 8 million people - affected in 40 districts About 3.5 million people needed food assistance with 1.4

considered most vulnerable Impact on agriculture based livelihoods was extremely high 14 districts - most affected and additional 10 - affected Agri_sector PDNA conducted to cover 24 affected districts

Introductory Background cont…Among the disasters; droughts erratic rain /floods landslides hot/cold wave insect/pest infestation erosion soil pH distortion, windstorm/hailstorms fatal/contagious disease earthquake , fire and adverse effect by micro climate change

Losses in Agri_sectorfrom April Earthquake

• Food – 135000 Mt

• Livestock – 56000

• Birds – 500000

• Office buildings – 600

• In PDNA Final Report– Total loss in Rs – 28.36 Arab– Reconstruction Needs – Rs. 15.5 Arab

Role of MoAD in DRR Rural and poor agri_Communities more vulnerable (harvests losses,

destroyed plantations, high threats of disease / pests etc.)

The vulnerable communities – foundation of whole agri-farming

business

Sensitization and awareness making on hazard threats - aware about

their risk and explore their role to reduce the exposure on the impacts

of hazards thus creating hazard resilient farming community.

Tie up the agri-programs with lowering the risk and potential natural

hazards, i.e. farming drought resistant varieties, early warning to

diseases pests attack, plantation of wind breaks around the fruit

orchard

Disaster Relief Programs • FY 2071/72 –

– Regular - Rs 3,60,00000– Special release – Rs.34,5600000

• FY 2072/73 – – Rs 3,00,00000– Special release from CDRC – Rs. 2,5000000

(Implemented through DOLS)

• Proposed Relief Programs submitted to NPC - Rs. 8 Arab 16 Corer but not entertained

• Seed distribution – 423 Mt in 14 districts

Disaster Relief Programs

• Relief Assistance from Development partners

– Food items – 11,000 Mt. (Ashar, 072)

– Upto December – 18394 Mt (Poush, 072)

• Some Relief Programs tied up with Regular

Programs in FY 072/73

• CIMMYT and DFID helping in cattle shed –

1000, Grain Storage – 40, Storage bags –

50,000, Minitillers- 400 etc.

Preparedness and DRMPrograms in Agri-Sector

Awareness Raising Programs on Disaster Management

Through FGs trainings, posters, pamphletes

Other social mobilization programs like farmers’ tours, visits, agri fair

Disaster Relief Programs for Victimized Farmers

The total Amount of Rs 3.0 corer in the FY 072/73 has been allocated

and will be distributed three times to the victimized farming households

Crop and Livestock Insurance Program

Facilitation program for Insuring crop and livestock

Government pays 75% of total premium

Providing secretarial support service as necessary

Tying up the agri-programs - lowering the risk on hazards:

The Rural and poor agri_Communities are more vulnerable – but they are

foundation of whole agri-farming business

Optimum use of Irrigation water ( drop, sprinkler)

Use of drop irrigation and sprinkler on water scarce farms

Use of plastic ponds for harvesting rain water

Regulation on Pesticides Import and Use

Import permit and awareness raising on residual effect of pesticides

On the spot Quality testing program for vegetables and fruits

Plantation of Suitable Varieties by location

Use of drought tolerant, disease tolerant, flood tolerant varieties

Preparedness and DRMPrograms in Agri-Sector

Wind breaks Plantation and hedges in Fruit Orchard

Plantation of tall trees around the compound of banana orchard and other

fruit orchard

Bushy hedges plantation in the same parallel line

Use of best cultural practices for the particular areas

Adoption of zero / minimum tillage as resource conservation practice, i.e.

wheat plantation on flooded and wet/ marshy land

Soil Testing and Quality control of its fertility

Soil testing campaign in various regions

Use of agri-lime, green manuring and organic manures

Plantation of legumes in mixed crop pattern

Preparedness and DRMPrograms in Agri-Sector

Adoption of Precautionary/ Information Delivery System

Basically information on long period fog, heavy rain and droughts

Winter Off season vegetable farming in Plastic / green house

Information about niche markets potential for niche agri-products

Emergency Response Mechanism in sharp food deficit

With the help of International Development Partners like FAO,WFP,

UNDP, the funds collected and utilized

Coordination program with Research and Academic Institutes

For developing new varieties as demand by farmers

Develop and modify curricula as Nepalese geo-socio- cultural needs

Preparedness and DRM Programs in Agri-Sector

Disaster Related Legal Provisionsa) Domestic Laws

1. Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020

2. Disaster Relief Act, 2039

3. Buffer zone Management Regulation, 2052

4. Local Self Governance Act, 2055 and Regulation, 2056

5. Building Act, 2055 and Building Code, 2063

6. Prime minister Assistance Fund Operating Regulation, 2059

7. Prime minister Disaster Relief Fund Operating Regulation, 2063

8. Bird flu Control Order, 2064 (Revised 2067)

9. National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (NSDRM), 2066

a) Domestic Laws contd…

10. Disaster Preparedness and Relief Plan Formulation Directives,

2067

11. Local Disaster and Risk Management Plan (LDRMP) Formulation

Directives, 2068

12. Post disaster Carcass Management Directives, 2068

13. District Disaster Management Plan Formulation Directives, 2069

14. National Disaster Response Framework (NDRF), 2070

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Disaster Related Legal Provisions

b) International Contractsand Agreements

1. Hyugo Framework for Action, 2005

2. UN Convention on Custom Declaration,

3. Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC), 2011 (2069)

4. The Five Flagships1. School and Hospital Safety

2. Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity

3. Flood Management (Koshi flood)

4. Integrated Community Based DRR

5. Policy and Institutional Support 15

c) Institutional Arrangements1. Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA)

2. Central Disaster Relief Committee (CDRC), MoHA

3. Disaster Management and Relief Section, MoAD

4. Regional Disaster Relief Committee (RDRC), MoHA

5. National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), MoHA

6. District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), MoHA

7. District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC), MoHA

8. Disaster Management Section / Desks in other line Ministries16

Disaster Management in Agri-Sector contd…

Carcass Management Response Framework

Carcass Management and Action Plan for Risk Management in

Livestock Sector 2071 has been prepared by MoAD as per the

directives of National Disaster Response Framework (NDRF),

2066 and Disaster Relief Act, 2039

Impact of Disaster in Agriculture• Direct impacts

– Loss of crops, livestock, fisheries and other agri_businesses

– Loss of Agri_development infrastructures

– Loss of fertile soil and its fertility

– Loss in production and productivity

• Indirect impacts– Weakens the farming employment

– Lowers food saving leading food insecurity

– Lowers the farmers' income

– Weakens the multiplier effect to other sector and thus to economy

• Impacts can also be classified as tangible or intangible.

Effects on Infrastructures and Physical Assets Cracks in the main field both upland and irrigated, and

pasture land. Small irrigation systems - damaged disrupting supply of

irrigation water to the spring rice. Several infrastructure related to service delivery in

agriculture are destroyed and damaged. Some farm machinery, equipments (e.g., water pumps,

generator), milking vat, mills, bee hives and equipment and machinery for fish production were reported to be damaged by the earthquake.

Many Poly houses used for vegetable and mushroom production were destroyed.

Impact of Disaster in Agriculture

Effects on Production Flows

Crop production decline and decline in livestock products. Higher production costs also occurred due to replanting crops

that were lost. Disrupted market system, lack of labor in the villages, lack of

food and cash in the families, desperate situation of the Inability to come out of the state of shock exacerbated by the

frequent aftershocks and other urgent family priorities significantly affect the production flows.

The earthquake damaged stored seeds A part of the standing spring rice and maize crops Damages to livestock shelters, death and injury of livestock,

and malnutrition and the risk of communicable diseases and insufficient feed and fodder

Effects on Access and Availability of Services Since many of the district and rural service centres

are damaged, access to crop and livestock extension services is challenging.

Such situation causing decreased access to agricultural extension and veterinary services

Effects on Environment Damages to farm land due to landslides Cracks on the ground further exposed to landslide

risks during monsoon due to seepage of water. Recent incident of huge landslide and damming of

Kaligandaki River is a warning signal for similar situation in other parts

Effects on Governance

Agricultural and livestock service delivery is affected by death and injury of technicians

Damage of office buildings and service delivery stations Operating out of tents or temporary sheds - hampering

the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil servants DADO and DLSO are over stretched from every corner

having to attend district level meetings called by higher District officials need to deal with emergency operations,

however they are compelled to use the same old long bureaucratic procedure as there is no ‘fast track approach’ to deal with such a crisis.

Lack of operational flexibility was impeding their capacity to cope with the emergency situation.

Conclusion

• Disaster management in Agri-sector- one of the big challenges

• Nepal, one of LLDC, having difficult terrain geography needs to

pay special attention towards timely due precautionary

measures against various kinds of disasters

• MoAD with the assistance of different development partners

launching various programs for disaster preparedness

• Necessary legal regimes and policies needs to be effectively

implemented.

Effect of Drought on PaddySome Glimpses of Disasters in Agri-sector

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The Drought at Newly Transplanted Paddy Field

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The Hailstorm

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Thank Youfor Your Attention