Background:
The recent appraisal “Agricultural Livelihood Impact Appraisal in Six Most Affected Districts” Published by Nepal Food Security Cluster provides following key information to proceed on for humanitarian assistance on relief and rehabilitation program in Sindhupalchok district.
Sindhupalchok holds 77% households engaged in agriculture counting total of 58995 HHs in the district. In the past, the district is self-sufficiency in cereal food production and consumption with surplus of 21,325mt/year and ranked 19 over 75 districts. The District contributed to national cereals production to 6.9% (21,019mt), 2.5% (52,199mt), 0.7% (27,805mt) and 0.5% (8,592mt and 171mt) producing millet, maize, rice, wheat and barley respectively . Similarly per capita production of Potato, Spices, Milk and Meat in the district is higher than national average, signifying the importance of the commodities both on-farm and off-farm economic activities and livelihood support.
Agricultural activities form a key part of the Sindhupalchok population’s livelihood strategy. The top 3 livelihood activities prior to the earthquake are related to the agricultural sector including casual agricultural labor, livestock sales and agricultural sales.
The appraisal confirms that agricultural livelihoods in Sindhupalchok suffered particularly high levels of damage, and therefore support to livelihoods in these districts should be prioritized in agricultural recovery programs. The appraisal also indicates the Earthquake impacts on crops and Livestock sub-sector with key messages;
Crop sub-sector
• Impact on stored crops is very significant, particularly for rice maize and millet.
• Impact on standing crop is much lower, but can be expected to increase
• Impact on seed availability very significant for rice and millet, posing a real threat to household food security from October onwards.
Livestock sub-sector
• Livestock ownership is a major contribution to agricultural livelihoods and widespread with 80% of households owning some animal but in limited numbers.
• Animal losses due to the earthquake are significant with 20% for cattle and 42% for poultry and more injured and sick animals, and animal health is at risk due to lack of shelter and feed and limited access to veterinary services.
• Production of animal products has been reduced due to stress syndromes, lack of feed and deteriorated health conditions. This affects households both for own consumption and income earning.