A roaring dust storm which struck banana plantations in Chitwan, Nepal on March 28, has caused devastation, with local farmers estimating over Rs 10 million in losses.
“I planted banana plants on about nine bighas of land (1 bigha=about 6,772 m²), but the storm destroyed around 50 per cent of the plants. Similarly, farmers in places like Ratnanagar, Chainpur, Pithuwa and Padampur have also incurred huge losses due to the storm,” said Chitwan Banana Producers’ Association Chairperson Bishnuhari Pant.
He added, “Around 15,000 to 20,000 banana plants have fallen due to the powerful storm in the district.” He said around Rs 600 million was invested in banana plantations in the district.
“There are around 600 farmers involved in banana growing in the district.
Among them, 170 had insured their plantations, which makes them eligible to claim damages in case of disaster,” said Pant.
The government has been promoting banana plantation in Chitwan for the past six years as per its ‘One Village One Product’ programme.
Banana plantations occupy around 2,500 bigha of land in the district and are sent to Kathmandu, Butwal and Pokhara.
(1 Indian Rupee=0.015 USD)
Source: thehimalayantimes.com
