Surkhet, July 30

Though incessant rainfall across the country has contributed to minimize the effect of locust swarms that entered Nepal from India of late, farmers at Bheriganga Municipality-13 in the district are worried after it destroyed the crops in the wake of harvesting season.

They have predicted that they may face food shortage this year as about 40 per cent crops destroyed by the locusts recently. Mostly, Ramghat areas in the Municipality, Birendranagar municipality and Chingad rural municipality are adversely affected by the locusts.

A local farmer Kamal Bishwakarma shared that his maize crops planted in six ropanis of land is destroyed by locust. Similarly, dozens of farmers have such bitter experience which is panicking them. Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Bimala KC at the Karnali State has carried out field inspection in the affected areas and committed to provide reliefs to the affected families.

A preliminary report shares that different crops planted in about 100 hectares of land in Surkhet district is found destroyed by locust. Similarly, the State authority has shared that of 10 districts in the State, only Mugu is found not being affected by locust.

Along with Surkhet, Salyan, Jajarkot, Jumla, Kalikot are adversely affected by the locust.