TANAHUN: The Agriculture Production Collection Centre at Yampa in Bandipur-8 Tanahun came to a halt after people stopped visiting the centre to sell their agricultural products after the hailstorms damaged vegetables, fruits and grains in the vicinity of the centre.

The collection centre has been quiet after the hailstorms destroyed vegetables, fruits and grains of nearly 150 farmers in the adjoining area on March 29, 30 and 31.

The contractors hailing from Pokhara, Damauli, Besisahar, Gorkha, Narayangarh and Butwal would always make the collection centre crowed. But, even the vegetable buyers are obliged to return empty-handed due to the lack of vegetables at present. Bhanubhakta Bhattarai, a social worker and farmer, informed that hailstorms had destroyed his vegetables, fruits and grains planted over 70 hectares.

Krishna Prasad Ghimire, a farmer of Bandipur-8, said that the hailstorm had incurred a loss of Rs 350,000 when it destroyed cucumber, bitter guard, pumpkin etc. planted over 9 ropanis of land.

Another farmer Kasinath Bhattarai complained that he has been helpless after the hailstorm completely damaged the vegetables cultivated in two ropanis of land as it was the only source of income.

The farmers claimed that hailstorm caused loss around 10 crores in Yampa and ward no 1, 2, and 3 of Aanbukhaireni vicinity. The hailstorm victim farmers have tendered application in District Agriculture Office and District Administration Office demanding compensation. Last year too, the hailstorm had destroyed the vegetables worth 6 crores in the same area. Following the destruction of

vegetables by the nature’s fury, the victim farmers are readying to plant maize in the field.