Rainfall a boon for winter crops‚ says MoAD

KATHMANDU:

The incessant drizzle may be a nuisance for many, but production of winter crops and vegetables is expected to increase along with the continuous rainfall of last two days as it increases the moisture content in the soil, as per the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD).

“Since winter crops have low weightage on total agricultural production, increase in production will, however, contribute little in agriculture gross domestic product,” said Udaya Chandra Thakur, spokesperson for MoAD. Winter crops contribute 25 per cent to total agricultural output.

As per Thakur, rainfall all over country and snowfall on mountain region is highly favourable for winter crops, mainly wheat, winter maize and mustard and this is right time to sow red lentils also. Dang, Banke, Bardiya, among other districts of western Tarai are popular for red lentils.

The government has recently revised its economic growth target to five per cent from six per cent due to the fall in production of summer crops this year, which recorded negative growth of 4.32 per cent. Among the summer crops, major crops like rice and maize are projected to decline by five per cent to 4.79 million tonnes and six per cent to 2.15 tonnes, respectively.

Veggie prices soar

KATHMANDU: The rainfall in last two days has caused vegetable prices to soar in Kathmandu Valley. Due to reduced supply, price of green vegetables went up heavily, as per Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board. The price of cabbage went up to Rs 23 per kg on Monday from Rs 19 per kg on Saturday. Likewise, price of cauliflower soared by Rs 10 per kg to Rs 28, French bean by Rs 17 to Rs 75. Mushroom price was sold at Rs 145 per kg on Monday compared to Rs 95 on Saturday. — HNS

Source: THT