Farming Woes by Madhuri Mahato

Photo: Madhuri Mahato/photo.circle

With the onset of monsoon, paddy farmers Tayyab Dewan, Samsul Dewan, Farul Mia Ansari, and Saibun Nesha in Gamhariya, Parsa were beginning to gear up for the planting season. However, the border between Nepal and India remains close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has meant that the farmers have not been able to get seeds and fertilizers they need to start their work.⁣
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Each year the farmers in Parsa wait for the rain, as irrigation systems are not developed, and rain is the only source of irrigation. In recent years, the farmers have seen droughts, but this year the monsoon arrived early with plenty of rain. “Monsoon this year has been good, so we have plenty of water, but no seeds and fertilizers,” says Samsul Dewan. He asks, “We depend on agriculture, it is our main source of income, why aren’t the local and state governments paying attention to this issue?”⁣
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To curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Nepal sealed its open border with India on 23 March prohibiting the movement of people and goods. Recent data from the government shows there are 3,200 people infected with the COVID-19 virus in the province. According to the Ministry of Social Development of Province 2, there are 9,105 people in quarantine and 15,454 in-home quarantine at present.⁣
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Photo/Text: Madhuri Mahato⁣ @mmhisimmy
Text Edit: Mallika Aryal @mikaness⁣
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