Agroinsurance

Ukraine - U.S. worsens forecast for wheat harvest

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in July lowered the forecast for wheat, maize and rye production in Ukraine in the 2018/2019 marketing year. The forecast was made in the July report of the department. Wheat production in Ukraine in the current season is projected at 25.5 million tonnes, which is a million tonnes less than predicted last month and 1.5 million tonnes less than last year. At the same time, the drop in wheat exports in the 2018/2019 marketing year is estimated at 0.5 million tonnes. Source - http://www.blackseagrain.net

Hungary - Greenyard under fire after listeria contamination

On Friday, it was announced that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had linked the deaths of nine Europeans to the listeria contamination in one of Greenyard's Hungarian factories. At 12.43 on that day, the trading in Greenyard shares was halted by the financial watchdog, FSMA. This was in anticipation of a press release from the company. At the time of the halted trade, the Greenyard shares reported a loss of 9,5%. By Monday, 16 July, the shares had fallen a further 30%, to €7,92. The first official report from Greenyard about the listeria contamination and the recall of products was on 4 July. Over the past few days, Greenyard has recalled even more frozen products. In total, the number of recalled products stands at 40. The NVMA expects more products to follow. The EFSA had communicated about the listeria-related deaths on 3 July already. It was, however, the Flemish newspaper, De Tijd, that linked the deaths to Greenyard's recall campaign. As a reaction to the media attention, Greenyard issued their own statement on Friday. Greenyard was told about the contamination at their plant by the Hungarian authorities on 29 June. Production in Hungaria was halted, and various products recalled. Greenyard's Hungarian branch has an annual turnover of €24 million. Greenyard's total revenue for 2017 was €4,2 billion. According to financial analysts, Sips and Vandenberghe, the shutdown of their Hungarian factory is sure to have a financial impact on Greenyard. When the link between Greenyard and the deaths is confirmed, the impact will be even greater. The company's reputation will also be damaged. As a result of the listeria contamination, 47 people fell ill. Nine of these people died. The deaths were in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The recalled products were produced between 13 August 2016 and 20 June 2018. This concerns a specific type of listeria which can cause health risks when the frozen vegetables are not prepared in the right way. The group at highest risk are the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people with a compromised immune system. Greenyard top man, Hein Deprez, debunked the rumours in De Tijd by saying there was no proven causal link between Greenyard and the people who died. "The EFSA is investigating whether there is a link. The recall action is a precaution. We are taking this issue and the public's health very seriously." In this matter, Greenyard is supported by experts, academia, and colleagues at the EFSA. The company is also in direct contact with the European and Hungarian Food Safety Authorities. "Greenyard immediately took all the necessary steps after the listeria contamination was found", says Nancy Goovaerts of Greenyards Corporate Communications. "When the EFSA announced that the same strain of listeria was found in the sick people, and in our frozen vegetables, we published this message on our website." It is still difficult for Greenyard to estimate the long-term effects. "Our priority is to ensure food safety and the tests in our factory in Baja. These are needed to be able to safely start production again." Greenyard is working with local food safety agencies and retailers in 80 different countries. The products involved have been communicated to them. "We are insured for the recall action and possible damages. Food safety is, however, our number one priority now. We are doing extensive investigations into finding the cause of this outbreak in Hungaria. We would like to emphasise that these products pose no risk if consumers correctly prepare them", concludes Nancy. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com

Europe - Every lemon is literally waited

Lemons are the only silver lining to a season in which other citrus from South Africa have had a hard time of it in a full European summer market, says Snyman Kritzinger, managing director of Grown4U in Kirkwood, Sundays River Valley. “Europe is literally waiting for every single lemon, and the lemon season has been a bit of a surprise. Prices aren’t at 2015/2016 levels but demand certainly is and prices have been on the up for the last while, yielding a good return, around 20 euros for nice sizes.” The pull from Europe is raising prices in the Middle East too. Complicating factors to the Argentine lemon season, like excessive rain and strikes, as well as a focus on the US market, coupled with a drop in Spanish Verna lemon supplies, have contributed to the market’s receptiveness. Fruit size is expected to be smaller towards the end of the season, with a 138 peak. Furthermore, Snyman states that lemon volumes are fewer than originally expected, for no particular reason other than that making crop estimates is not an exact science. “I think we’re going to see a very short tail end to the season. I took a walk in the orchards yesterday and it looks like after this harvest, there are very few lemons left on the trees.” Usually they pack lemons for Europe until week 33, those fruit arriving just as the Turkish lemon season starts. He expects a smoother overlap between the last South African lemons and the first Turkish Interdonato lemons than over the past two years. The navel estimate for the Sundays River area, originally at 6 million 15kg cartons, have just been reduced with a million cartons, the result of a combination of factors: the recent two week-strike led to navels hanging longer than it should have, an increased incidence of navel creasing and lower packouts. “Our company is basically finished with navels, just a few Lane Lates still to pack, and we’re at least 10% down.” By the end of week 27, the entire industry had shipped 13.9 million 15kg cartons of navels, slightly above last year’s YTD figures. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com

Canada - Farmers worried about this year's crop

Several weeks of intense, hot weather and little rain has Ottawa-area farmers worried about lower yields for this farming season. Rob Parks, 44, says the growing season on his farm at Fallowfield and Eagleson roads began "spectacularly" with good seeding in ideal conditions and much less mud than last year. But, with virtually no rain so far in the month of July and recent daytime temperatures in the 30s, it's been downhill ever since for the corn and soybean farmer. "The damage is done," said Parks. "Even if we did get a rain, it's not really going to change things around." Parks, who took over the family farm at 18, can't remember a summer with more frustrating or misleading weather forecasting. "Every time they call chance of rain, there's still more of a chance it's not going to rain," he said. Parks admits he's grown pessimistic about the chances his 360 hectares will rebound from the heatwave. According to Parks, this week is a critical time — especially for the corn plants that are now developing cobs. He said of his 180 hectares planted with corn, about half are entering the pollination cycle, meaning the silky tassels of the plants will soon appear. "That's a critical time for moisture," said Parks. "And that will affect the cob size." A harvest of small cobs will mean less overall tonnage to sell at harvest time. Parks said he could lose up to 30 per cent of his profits because of small, drought-affected cobs and his 180 hectares of soybeans aren't in much better shape. His concern is that the string of dry days may cause the plants to stop flowering, and not develop into a soybean pod at all. In ideal conditions, a plant will produce three or four bean pods. But in a drought, that number can drop to one or even none. "It's to the point now where it's starting to make or break the crop in eastern Ontario," said Parks. One farmer who isn't complaining is Peter Rofner at Richmond Nursery. Rofner credits his father's irrigation pond for his ability to keep the strawberry picking fields open to customers after many of his competitors have closed for the season. "It's engineered to hold enough rain water to put an inch of water on this entire field," said Rofner. He said strawberries need that much water each week to develop properly and avoid sun damage. Rofner walks hundreds of metres each day through sprawling fields, and keeps to a precise schedule in order to make sure the right water valves are opened at the right time so that none of the plants go thirsty. "If you miss it, then you could lose it all," he explained. When watered, strawberry leaves stand up and give shade to the developing berries. "You keep the plants happy, you get happy fruit — that's my theory anyway," laughed Rofner. Source - https://www.cbc.ca

USA - WSU researchers test nanocrystals to prevent frost damage in tree fruits

Groundbreaking nanotechnology designed to protect cherries, apples and other popular fruits from frost damage is showing positive results in tests by Washington State University researchers. The research team recently received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop plant-based nanocrystals that coat and protect fruit buds during cold spells in the spring, when temperatures rise and fall unpredictably. The unique nanocrystal solution was formulated by Xiao Zhang, associate professor at WSU Tri-Cities’ Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, and a team of collaborators representing multiple disciplines. “Frost damage happens in spring, as the flowers open and the sensitive tissues in the plant are exposed,” said Matthew Whiting, scientist and professor of horticulture at WSU’s Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center. “If we get a warm week, it signals to the plant that it needs to wake up. “But plants lose their tolerance to the cold quite quickly, and that’s when we see frost damage,” Whiting added. “You see a lot of crop damage as a result.” Positive results with preliminary trials The team, led by Professor Qin Zhang, director of WSU’s Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, also includes Xiao Zhang, Matthew Whiting, and Changki Mo, WSU Tri-Cities associate professor of mechanical engineering. Together they conducted their first field trial with the nanocrystals this spring. It showed positive results. The team will continue the trials over the next three years, seeking to perfect the dosage and application strategy, in addition to the nanocrystal technology. “We will explore thermal properties of the nanocrystal spray, and focus on fully understanding the mechanism of nanocrystals in frost damage reduction,” Mo said. If it proves feasible, the technology could have a large impact on the agriculture industry. “Our preliminary results show the technology to be very promising, even better than we were expecting,” Qin Zhang said. “If we prove that the technology works, and if the method of application is perfected, it will not only have applications in tree fruit, but in many other crops, and beyond. The potential for this technology is huge.” Unique and renewable characteristics Since the nanocrystals are made from plant-based material, they represent a more environmentally friendly method for controlling temperatures for crops than current techniques. Currently, growers use methods such as wind turbines to circulate air and raise the temperature of cold pockets in orchards. Or, they use heaters that cost upwards of thousands of dollars per night, which also give off significant pollution. “With these unique structural characteristics and physical properties, and the fact that the nanocrystals are all made out of biobased materials and are considered renewable, we are identifying a high-value niche application for tree fruit and frost prevention and protection,” Xiao Zhang said. Cross disciplines for the future of fruit protection Researchers from across several disciplines at WSU are working to perfect the nanocrystal method, ensuring a quality product built for industry use, Qin Zhang said. “No single person who works in chemical engineering and nanocrystal technology, horticulture, mechanical engineering or precision agriculture has complete knowledge on the subject,” Qin Zhang said. “It is truly a transdisciplinary team. Everyone provides expertise in their particular field. This integrated team is covering all knowledge to conduct this research.” Source - http://www.freshplaza.com

USA - Drought conditions worsen across the area

Parts of the area have been upgraded to an Extreme Drought in the latest Drought Monitor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The worst conditions are over DeKalb, Gentry, and Clinton counties and to the east. The rest of the area is in at least a Moderate to Severe Drought. According to the National Weather Service, St. Joseph has received 10.23 inches of rain up to July 13th, which is 8.87 inches below normal. Compare that to last year when St. Joseph had picked up 15.86 inches to date. The extreme heat and lack of rain has led to poor crop conditions and low water levels for area farmers. Hay production has been severely reduced this year as well as corn and soybeans. The Farm Service Agency in Andrew and Buchanan counties is already applying for federal disaster relief programs that could provide assistance for area farmers. Stay with KQ2 for more updates on how the drought is impacting the area. Source - http://www.kq2.com

UK - Carrot 'crisis' likely to continue for up to 11 months

British carrot growers are advising that recent adverse weather conditions will lead to the lowest yields for decades and the highest levels of imports. According to Rodger Hobson, Chairman of the British Carrot Growers Association, the carrot ‘crisis’ is likely to continue for anything up to 11 months. He says: “The UK is traditionally self-sufficient in carrots with around 97 per cent being supplied by British growers. In fact, the British carrot growing industry is respected worldwide for its ability to produce ‘fresh from the field’ carrots 52 weeks of the year. However, we have suffered the ‘perfect storm’ of poor conditions this year. “Firstly, we had the ‘Beast from the East’ which produced excess rain throughout the spring, delaying planting by a month, and reducing the growing season by around 18 per cent. Then we have had the hottest summer since 1976. Carrots grow best at temperatures around 15 to 18 degrees C, this summer we’ve had daily averages of 25 to 32C and the carrots have just stopped growing and are wilting in the fields. This weather has hit all the major growing areas of Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Fife.” Rodger points out that while some imports may be available, mainland Europe has also suffered from similar weather conditions and carrots are not plentiful there either. The situation is compounded by Water Restrictions that are ‘turning off the tap’ on irrigation systems that are vital to the crop. The UK’s leading carrot agronomist, Howard Hinds (pictured above) says that he estimates that the crops he manages will yield 30 to 40 per cent less than last year. Rodger Hobson says: “I have spoken to all the major carrot growers this week and they unanimously agree that the poor yields will massively push up UK production costs and that substantial imports will be required this season. Carrots are undoubtedly the ‘nation’s favourite vegetable’ and will still remain great value in terms of the nutrition and health benefits they provide. However, it is almost inevitable that the price in the shops will go up.” Source - http://www.freshplaza.com

India - After crop loss due to drought, spectre of floods haunts farmers

After farmers suffered crop loss from drought over the past three years, they are now worried that they may face more losses from floods. Despite the good news of filled reservoirs, heavy downpour has caught farmers by surprise resulting in damage to crops in both Malnad region and in a few districts in the plains of Karnataka. However, farmers in irrigated areas are also hopeful that the embargo on cultivation of water-intensive crops will be lifted during the year. Speaking to The New India Express, agriculture expert B C Nanjappa said that the unexpected rainfall in south-interior Karnataka region has hit maize and other summer crops cultivated from April-May. “Except paddy, almost all other crops have been affected as farmers were not prepared for such heavy rainfall,” he said.Plantation crops have been worst hit in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts. Coffee beans will fall off the plants if rainfall continues at this pace, from a condition called ‘Wet Foot’. Pepper and other cash crops have also been affected, he said. Some farmers who were waiting for ginger prices to rise during the first few weeks of July to harvest and sell have also been caught off guard by the torrential downpour. Kodihalli Chandrashekar, president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, said that though rainfall has been widespread in Southern parts of the State, distribution of rainfall was skewed and it has not been adequate in Northern districts. “If rainfall does not fall on time in districts such as Gadag and Haveri and rainfed regions of Bagalkot and Vijayapura, farmers will suffer crop loss,” he said. To a question, he said that following good rainfall it was likely that the State would lift the embargo against cultivation of water-intensive crops in irrigated regions. However, Nanjappa suspected that Cauvery Water Management Authority could intervene and impose restrictions, so that water stored could be distributed as per SC 0rder. Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com

India - Cotton farmers in H.D. Kote stare at crop loss

Excessive rainfall marooned large swathes of land and cotton yield in the taluk may again be affected. Having suffered water stress and drought during the last three years that depleted crop yield and negatively affected income, a section of cotton cultivators in H.D. Kote in Mysuru district are staring at a new crisis that is unfolding this year. Excessive rainfall has marooned large swathes of agricultural land and may once again affect cotton yield. The taluk has received 344.7 mm of rainfall against a normal of 233.4 mm from June 1 to July 13 and the forecast is of more rains. Cotton is the main commercial crop in H.D. Kote and almost 90% of the farmers cultivate it. The bulk of this is under rain-fed condition. Over the last few years, the indigenous variety of cotton has yielded space to transgenic Bt cotton and though the crop is water-intensive, it is the timing that matters. Vivek Cariappa, an organic farmer from Sargur in H.D. Kote, told The Hindu that the recent and continuing rainfall may benefit a few other crops but will not augur well for cotton as stagnant water has led to wilting of crops. “Excessive moisture without adequate sun has stunted the growth of cotton. Though there is good foliage, the yield will decline,” he said. Atihalli Devaraj, of Federation of Farmers’ Association, says, “Many cotton farmers in H.D. Kote belt have complained of flooding by incessant rains that has impacted the crop. The association plans to encourage farmers to opt for crop insurance to bail out of the crisis,” he said. The area of cotton cultivation in Mysuru district is around 45,750 hectares, most of which takes place in H.D. Kote, besides parts of Mysuru and Nanjangud taluks. “But there is no widespread damage to the crop as of now as per our assessment,” Somasundar, Joint Director of Agriculture, said. There may be a few localised instances of crop damage but by and large the situation is normal, he claimed while expressing confidence of a good harvest this year. Notwithstanding the official’s claim of near-normalcy, farmers aver that the yield was bound to decline as the weather conditions had turned extreme – from severe drought which affects the crop growth, to excessive moisture that was equally bad for the crop. Hence, they are already counting their losses. “The cost of cotton cultivation ranges anywhere between ₹20,000 to ₹22,000 per acre and if the yield is good the rates drop and farmers barely manage to break even. But when the yield is low or the crop is damaged, then farmers get enmeshed in a fresh cycle of financial crisis,” explained Mr. Cariappa. The yield per acre depends on various factors and under normal times of ideal weather conditions – which is very rare — about 6 to 8 quintals of cotton can be cultivated per acre. There is another factor that compounds the natural crisis. H.D. Kote and surrounding areas have predominantly black soil which has a high high moisture retention capacity. “Excessive rains tend to make the soil sticky. However, it becomes hard and dry during drought both of which affects the crop. H.D. Kote, Antharsanthe and Sargur are in the black soil belt,” he said. Cotton in the present scenario is being perceived as a loss making crop. It appears as if the crisis that has engulfed sugarcane cultivators has come to haunt cotton farmers as well. Source - https://www.thehindu.com

Canada - Severe storms bring rain, high winds and hail to central Alberta

Severe thunderstorms moved through parts of Alberta on Friday bringing, rain, strong winds and hail in many areas. Environment Canada Meteorologist Heather Pimiskern says these storms were produced along a cold front and generally moved eastward in the region between Edmonton and Calgary. “Some of them were quite severe, we had hail reports in a number of regions,” says Pimiskern. “The largest size of hail that we received was baseball to softball in Ponoka around 6:00 p.m. last evening. But the size of hail ranged anywhere from nickel up to the baseball – softball sized.” Other communities reporting hail on Friday included Crestomere with loonie sized hail, Alix - golf ball to tennis ball sized, Stettler – ping pong ball sized, Vermillion – golf ball sized, Bowden – golf ball sized, Trochu – walnut sized and nickel sized hail found in Olds. Pimiskern says the series of storms that passed through also produced very potent wind gusts. “That gust front stretched all the way from the storm which was centred in and around the Red Deer region, southward,” she explains. “That actually caused some high winds to be experienced through southern Alberta last evening. The highest wind gusts we saw was near Bellshill, around 105 km/hr and Calgary International Airport also saw winds above 90 km/hr last evening.” Other communities that experienced severe winds also included Beiseker – 93 km/hr, Crestomere – 91 km/hr and Strathmore which saw winds gust up to 80 km/hr. The highest rainfall amounts on Friday fell near Crestomere though according to Pimiskern. “That was about 34 mm of rain over the last 24 hours,” she states. “That would possibly include the storm system that moved through central regions early Friday morning.” Pimiskern reminds Albertans they’re always looking for weather reports, saying there are a number of ways people can report weather to Environment Canada. Source - https://rdnewsnow.com

Australia - Dry weather affecting wheat crop

Hot conditions and low rainfall amounts continue to take their toll on the wheat crop in eastern Australia as the country’s 2018-19 wheat production is forecast at 21 million tonnes, about 12% below the previous estimate, according to a July 10 Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA said the wheat harvested area is expected to fall slightly to 12 million hectares. “Moderate rainfall since May has improved soil moisture for the winter wheat crop, but continued rainfall is essential during the planting window across many regions, especially eastern Australia,” the USDA said. Wheat is the major winter crop in Australia, with sowing starting between April and July. The crop is harvested between August and January. If the forecast holds, the size of this year’s crop would be similar to the 2017-18 harvest of 21.2 million tonnes. Australian wheat exports in 2018-19 are also forecast to remain unchanged at 16,000 tonnes. “Australia is the world’s third largest wheat exporter, but its exports are expected to face stronger competition from Black Sea wheat traders, especially for feed wheat,” the USDA said. Barley production is forecast to rise to 9.5 million tonnes in 2018-19 from 8.9 million tonnes the prior season. “Relatively high prices and stronger Chinese demand are expected to encourage increased plantings and production in 2018-19,” the USDA said. Source - http://www.blackseagrain.net

Ukraine - Heavy rains expected in most regions

On July 12, heavy rains, thunderstorms and squalls of 15-20 m/s are expected in most regions of Ukraine. This was reported by the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. "On July 12, heavy rains, thunderstorms and squalls up to 15-20 m/s are expected in Zakarpattia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Volyn, Ternopil, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the statement reads. Source - http://www.blackseagrain.net/

Ireland - Harvest at crisis point as moisture levels plummet

Variable yields and very low moistures are being reported by growers as harvest activity has spread north over the last few days. Although crops of winter barley have yielded up to 4t/ac in the south, poor grain fill has seen yields dip as low as 2.5-2.7t/ac in some instances. The best of the yields to date appear to be in the south, with growers in Tipperary reporting that two-row varieties of winter barley are yielding 3.6-3.7t/ac at around 14-15pc moisture, and bushelling in the region of 60-64kph. Yields in the Laois/south Kildare area have not been as strong, according to Bobby Miller of the Irish Grain Growers Group. He said crops in the area were averaging 3-3.2t/ac. The harvest started over the weekend in Wexford. The early indications are that crops are generally doing around 3.5-4t/ac, with moistures at around 15pc. North Kildare grower Helen Harris said that the harvest had just kicked off locally over the weekend. She said it was too early to give accurate estimates of the yields but moisture content was low at 13-15pc. On a positive note, Ms Harris predicted that straw yields could be better than expected. Source - https://www.independent.ie

USA - Excessive rain results in crop losses

The old saying “rain makes grain” may hold true in many instances, but excessive rainfall early in this growing season has caused extensive crop loss in some areas. Large portions of southwest and south-central Minnesota, along with adjoining areas of northern Iowa, and eastern South Dakota, have been impacted by severe storms and excessive rainfall during the last half of June. There are considerable drown-out areas in fields, as well as crop damage to the remaining crop in many fields. As of June 29, many southern Minnesota rivers were above flood stage, closing roads and flooding farm fields. Most of the affected region received 150 to 200 percent, or more, of the normal rainfall for June, with most of it coming in the latter part of the month. Some locations received 10 to 15 inches of rain, nearly doubling what they had received since Jan. 1. In some areas of extreme southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, farm operators had not completed their corn and soybean planting before the heavy rain began. A major concern now is the loss or lack of available nitrogen for the growing corn. Much of the nitrogen fertilizer for corn was applied last fall or early this spring. Soil nitrogen losses increase substantially during heavy rainfalls. Many corn plants have developed very shallow root systems, which have not been able to access the nitrogen that is deeper in the soil. In some cases, farmers planned to side dress the nitrogen after planting, but have been unable to do so because of the continually saturated field conditions. Some growers may need to consider supplemental nitrogen applications to maintain normal crop development. Another concern is timely herbicide applications for weed control. Producers who were relying on post-emergence herbicides for weed control have had difficulty getting these products applied in a timely fashion, which is resulting in strong weed pressure in some fields. We have already passed the time window for dicamba herbicide in soybeans, as well as for some other post-emergence herbicides used in corn and soybeans. Producers should contact their agronomist or crop consultant for further considerations regarding additional nitrogen for the 2018 corn crop, as well as for late season post-emergence herbicide options for this year’s crop. June also had normal or above normal temperatures, allowing rapid development of corn and soybeans. As of June 27, the accumulated growing degree units (GDU’s) at Waseca since May 1 was 997, about 23 percent ahead of normal. The weekly USDA Crop Condition Report on June 25 listed 84 percent of Minnesota’s corn crop and 79 percent of the soybeans as “good to excellent.” That rating has since declined. Source - http://www.postbulletin.com

Nepal - Agro sector witnesses loss of almost Rs 11bn

Owing to various catastrophes, the country’s agriculture sector witnessed loss amounting to Rs 10.89 billion in the ongoing fiscal year, according to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives (MoALMC). This accounts for the loss that the sector faced from floods and landslides triggered by the heavy monsoon rains, hailstorms and storms in the current fiscal 2017-18. As per MoALMC, various catastrophes had adverse impact on plantation and production of vegetables, paddy, maize, pulses, millets, bananas, oil seeds, ground nuts and fishery in the ongoing fiscal year, which might affect the agricultural output during the year. Other than standing crops, the statistics also include the impact on agricultural products and food that were in warehouses of the government and farmers. “The ongoing fiscal year was not too generous for the agriculture sector as the floods between July and September across the country swept away planted crops worth billions of rupees,” said Yogendra Kumar Karki, spokesperson for MoALMC. As these losses that the farmers across the country faced during the year have to be compensated through some means and MoALMC lacks financial resources, Karki informed that the ministry has forwarded the loss assessment to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) seeking reimbursement. If MoF reimburses the claim, MoALMC plans to compensate farmers through various subsidy packages on seeds and agricultural equipment, including loans and loan waiver facilities. According to the statistics of MoALMC, eastern development region topped the chart in terms of agricultural loss in 2017-18, with Rs 6.20 billion. While central development region saw Rs 3.76 billion agricultural loss during the year, far-western development region witnessed Rs 0.56 billion in loss. Likewise, the western development region and mid-western development regions witnessed agriculture losses amounting to Rs 0.27 billion and Rs 0.08 billion, respectively. In an optimistic note, Karki informed that MoALMC has not received any information regarding the destruction on agriculture by the ongoing monsoon in the Tarai. “With timely onset of monsoon, paddy plantation is being carried out uninterruptedly across the country. We expect the monsoon to be favourable this year,” added Karki. MoALMC statistics show that paddy plantation has already been carried out on 45 per cent of arable land across the country till date. Plantation of the cereal crop had been completed on only 36 per cent of cultivable land until mid-July last year, as per Karki. Source - https://thehimalayantimes.com