Drought-affected farmers seek relief

Kavre, August 4:

Affected by drought, farmers of Bhakunde and adjoining areas have appealed to the government to provide relief. Around 400 peasants of nine VDCs met on Saturday to appeal the government for help. The meeting also formed a committee to pressure the government to meet the farmers’ demand.

Bhakunde has over 10,000 ropani of cultivable land. Farmers from Fulbari, Debbhoomi Baluwa, Kanpur, Methinkot, Katunje, Khanalthok, Daraune Pokhari, Chhatrebanjh, Purana Gaon and Shyampati VDCs own land here. Farmers have to depend on rain for cultivation because no river flows near Bhakunde.

The meeting also decided to demand chemical fertilisers, seeds, pesticides and loan at low interest rate and urge the government to build irrigation canals. Yesterday, the affected farmers handed over a memorandum to the Home Ministry through the District Administration Office.

Paddy crop is planted in Bhakunde only during the rainy season.

The committee formed to secure relief estimated that the drought might have cost farmers of Bhakunde eight million rupees.