Government Emergency Response to Disaster in Agri_Sector

1. Government Emergency Response to Disaster in Agri_Sector Shree Ram Ghimire, Ph.D. Under Secretary Ministry of Agricultural Development

2. Discussion Outline • Background Information • Losses due to the Earthquake in Agri_Sector • Role of MoAD in DRR • Immediate Relief, Recovery and Preparedness Programs • Various Legal Regimes related to DRM • Major Impact of Disaster in Agri_sector • Conclusion

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Preparedness and DRMPrograms in Agri-Sector • 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

11. 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

12. Preparedness and DRM Programs 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

13. Disaster Related Legal Provisions a) Domestic Laws • Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020 • Disaster Relief Act, 2039 • Buffer zone Management Regulation, 2052 • Local Self Governance Act, 2055 and Regulation, 2056 • Building Act, 2055 and Building Code, 2063 • Prime minister Assistance Fund Operating Regulation, 2059 • Prime minister Disaster Relief Fund Operating Regulation, 2063 • Bird flu Control Order, 2064 (Revised 2067) • National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (NSDRM), 2066

14. Disaster Related Legal Provisions • Domestic Laws contd… • Disaster Preparedness and Relief Plan Formulation Directives, 2067 • Local Disaster and Risk Management Plan (LDRMP) Formulation Directives, 2068 • Post disaster Carcass Management Directives, 2068 • District Disaster Management Plan Formulation Directives, 2069 • National Disaster Response Framework (NDRF), 2070

15. b) International Contractsand Agreements • Hyugo Framework for Action, 2005 • UN Convention on Custom Declaration, • Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC), 2011 (2069) • The Five Flagships • School and Hospital Safety • Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity • Flood Management (Koshi flood) • Integrated Community Based DRR • Policy and Institutional Support

16. c) Institutional Arrangements • Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) • Central Disaster Relief Committee (CDRC), MoHA • Disaster Management and Relief Section, MoAD • Regional Disaster Relief Committee (RDRC), MoHA • National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), MoHA • District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), MoHA • District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC), MoHA • Disaster Management Section / Desks in other line Ministries

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Impact of Disaster in Agriculture 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. Effect of Drought on Paddy Some Glimpses of Disasters in Agri-sector

25. The Drought at Newly Transplanted Paddy Field

26. The Hailstorm

27. Recovery and Relief

28. Thank You for Your Attention