August 2, 2023

 

Nepal to offer relief packages to farmers affected by lumpy skin disease outbreak

The Nepal government will provide relief packages to farmers who have suffered losses due to the recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease among cattle, The Himalayan reported.

 

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has announced the impending announcement of these relief packages in the upcoming cabinet meeting.

 

During a meeting with Bedu Ram Bhusal, Nepal's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and other stakeholders at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar, the Prime Minister directed minister Bhusal to prepare for providing relief to farmers who have experienced significant losses due to the viral disease outbreak.

 

Prime Minister Dahal expressed concern over the lack of public awareness about the government's meetings with the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Finance aimed at containing the spread of the disease. He admitted that while lumpy skin disease had been detected in neighbouring India and China two years ago, Nepal had not taken timely preventive measures against the infection.

 

The outbreak has impacted over 1.1 million cattle across Nepal, with approximately 867,000 animals recovering from the disease, while 48,000 have unfortunately succumbed to it, resulting in a financial loss exceeding NPR 30 billion. Currently, around 181,000 cattle are still infected with lumpy skin disease in the country.

 

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of proactive preparedness for impending epidemics, urging early preventive efforts and the provision of relief packages for farmers grappling with cattle losses. He noted that based on practices and research conducted in India and China, the goat pox vaccine appears to be an appropriate solution for lumpy skin disease. Dahal recommended that the vaccine should be provided free of charge and administered through coordinated efforts among federal, provincial, and local levels.

 

Furthermore, the Prime Minister stressed the need to raise awareness among farmers about the vaccine and proper animal feed practices. He suggested that a bird pox vaccine called would also be provided to farmers after being recommended by veterinary experts and gaining approval from the World Health Organisation.

 

Minister Bhusal revealed that approval for the bird pox vaccine was in the process of being issued. The impact of the viral infection on animals has led to repercussions such as disrupted paddy plantation in various districts and decreased milk production.

 

Officials, including Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Min Bahadur Shrestha, Vice-president of the National Planning Commission, and Yek Narayan Aryal, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, stressed the urgency of providing immediate relief packages and free vaccines for affected farmers.

 

-      The Himalayan