24th February, 2025
Highspeed Media
Farmers in Rukum West Struggling Amid Climate Change and Water Shortages
Farmers in Rukum West are facing severe challenges due to the increasing impacts of climate change, which has led to erratic weather patterns and a lack of timely rainfall. Gauri Giri, a 67-year-old farmer from Gujoldanga, shared her struggles with the changing climate, highlighting how her winter crops have dried up due to a lack of rainfall since August. “I don’t know what to eat or how to survive,” Giri said, reflecting the growing despair among farmers in the region.
Similarly, Tilka Bahadur Shahi, a 71-year-old farmer from Kot, Aathbiskot Municipality, recalled how regular rainfall used to nourish crops in the past, but now the fields have turned barren. “The fields are no longer green, and it’s difficult to save crops without water and fertilizer,” he said.
The lack of snowfall and winter rainfall this season has worsened the situation, threatening food security in the region. Data from the District Agriculture Development Office reveals that only 4,882 hectares out of the 16,841 hectares of cultivated land in Rukum West have access to irrigation, while the rest rely on precipitation. Despite having numerous rivers and water resources, poor implementation of irrigation projects has left many fields dry, reducing soil fertility.
The mental health of farmers is also being affected, with the constant battle against unpredictable weather patterns and pests leading to stress and uncertainty. Krishna Bahadur Khadka, a farmer from Musikot, explained how crops on sloped land cannot grow without water, and even irrigated fields are showing declining vegetable yields.
Bharat Bahadur Basnet, deputy chief of the Agriculture Development Office, acknowledged the need for expanded irrigation systems but stressed that significant investment is required. Local governments, such as Musikot Municipality, are struggling to implement climate adaptation plans due to limited funding. Mayor Mahendra KC emphasized that while municipalities have Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA), they cannot be fully realized without proper budgets.
Experts suggest that returning to traditional farming practices, such as cultivating drought-resistant crops like millet, buckwheat, and barley, could help mitigate the effects of climate change. Basnet urged farmers to adapt and diversify crops that require less water and fertilizer to better cope with the changing climate.
With marginalized communities hit hardest by climate change, there is a growing call for coordinated efforts between the provincial and federal governments to support farmers in these challenging times. However, without adequate funding, the future of agriculture in Rukum West remains uncertain.
Source: The Kathmadu Post
तपाईको प्रतिक्रिया