Floods damage ready-to-harvest paddy worth Rs 8.21 billion

Farmers lost an estimated Rs 8.21 billion worth paddy due to floods triggered by the torrential rain after monsoon last week.

A preliminary study report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) has estimated some 269,842 tonnes of paddy across the country. According to the ministry, the 19 districts of six provinces lost their produce.

According to the ministry, Lumbini Province suffered the largest amount of loss by the disaster as it lost 161,223 tonnes of ready to harvest paddy that is worth Rs 4.51 billion. Likewise, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts of the Sudurpaschim Province also lost an estimated Rs 1.91 billion worth paddy. "The flood damaged 68,400 tonnes of paddy in the province," according to the ministry.

Province 1 also suffered a damage of some 28,469 tonnes of the paddy as the farmers in Morang, Jhapa and Sunsari districts of the province were hit hard by the disaster. "These three districts lost an estimated Rs 800 million worth paddy crop," the ministry confirmed, adding that the Province 2 lost Rs 560 million worth paddy, whereas Gandagi and Karnali province each lost Rs 130 million worth paddy crop.