Gorkha District BBB Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan 2073/74–2082/2083 CHAPTER 5 RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL ECONOMY 5.1 Introduction Recovery of the agricultural sector is mainly composed of the reconstruction of agriculture related facilities such as warehouses and food processing facilities, and the improvement of farming such as improved seed and vegetable growing . The livestock industry was also damaged due to the collapse of sheds because of the earthquake and landslides. Since livestock is a major asset for farmers in the district, compensation of the loss of assets is also a priority of the economic development sector. The Gorkha District has various tourism sources such as cultural heritages and trekking routes with beautiful landscapes. Transportation to these sites and trekking trails were damaged by the earthquake and landslides including Manaslu circuit. After the urgent recovery, integrated tourism planning is essential for future economic growth. People engaging in cottage the industry lost their source of livelihood because their workplaces were at their homes which were built using low masonry structures. Providing new employment opportunities to the affected population should be prioritized. Summary: Policies for Recovery and Development of Regional Economy Policy Programme Project Recovery and Recovery and Promotion of Agricultural buildings and infrastructure recovery Development Agriculture Revitalization of agricultural activities of Regional Agricultural training for farmers Economy Agricultural logistics and supply chain development Recovery and Promotion of Tourism infrastructure rehabilitation and Tourism development Revitalize Community Based Tourism Tourism resources development HRD for tourism sector Recovery of Trade and Other Recovery and Promotion of Small industry Industry HRD and job creation on small and cottage Industry 5.2 Recovery and Promotion of Agriculture The damage to agriculture deprived a majority of the population of an income source. Women mainly engage in agriculture, and female headed households are socially disadvantaged compared to male headed households. Recovering agricultural buildings, facilities and infrastructures, supporting agricultural activities, developing productivity, and improving agricultural distribution system and supply chain shall be promoted. The following policies and actions should be promoted for the recovery and promotion of agriculture. 64 Gorkha District BBB Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan 2073/74–2082/2083 5.2.1 Recovery of Agricultural Buildings, Facilities and Infrastructures Agricultural buildings, facilities and infrastructures shall be recovered at the early stage of the recovery period to function as supporting facilities for farmers, a majority of the population. (1) Implementation of Surveys on the Damage by the Earthquake in Each Affected Area Field surveys and workshops with farmers for identifying the issues of the affected areas should be implemented to prioritize the facility rehabilitation. The report should be prepared from the collected information for further planning purposes. (2) Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Agricultural Buildings and Facilities Based on the fact finding survey, the following work items are identified as the urgent projects for rehabilitation and reconstruction: Damage investigation of agricultural and forestry services (agriculture, livestock and forestry service offices). Reconstruction of the damaged buildings and facilities (agriculture, livestock and forestry service offices) Maintenance and retrofitting of partially damaged agriculture, livestock and forestry services building facilities Retrofitting and Strengthening of intact agriculture/ livestock and forest services/ building facilities. Retrofitting and strengthening of partially damaged agriculture, livestock and forestry services building facilities Rehabilitation and reconstruction support for collection centres (agriculture and milk). (3) Recovery of Damaged Irrigation Facilities Since the earthquake caused the damage of irrigation facilities and thus water resource deficiency, the immediate recovery of irrigation facilities is essential. The maintenance, retrofitting and improvement of irrigation facilities should also be implemented in the early stage of recovery. (4) Recovery of Damaged Community Buildings of Farmers First, damage investigation of farmers’ damaged community buildings should be implemented and support for damaged buildings (agriculture cooperatives/community forest buildings, etc.) is related to the recovery. (5) Support to Developing New Agricultural Sites for Farmers Affected by Landslides Farmers living in landslide prone areas either voluntarily or involuntarily relocated to avoid the damage caused by landslides. Since the farmers lost their source of income, it is essential to secure arable lands in the new settlement and to give material and financial support to resume their agriculture practice is required. If the agricultural land damaged by the landslides is regarded as low risk by the hazard map, recovery of the agricultural land should be considered. (6) Development of Farmers' Awareness for Landslide Hazardous Areas Community workshop for learning about landslide hazards (in the leadership of DDRC, each LDRMC shall initiate awareness on the VDC/ward and community level) should be implemented to keep farmers away from the high risk areas. 65 Gorkha District BBB Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan 2073/74–2082/2083 5.2.2 Supporting Revitalization of Agricultural Activities Revitalization activities of agriculture shall be supported by introducing the high productivity products for the benefit of farmers. (1) Establishment of a Support Scheme for Affected Farmers Arrangement and provision of the seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs to farmers at a cheaper price is the priority financial support for the farmers to recover their production. (2) Financial Support to Revitalize Agriculture Activities (3) Financial Support to Purchase Agricultural Equipment Cash transfer to purchase the livestock, seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment should be implemented for the farmers who lost their assets because of the earthquake. 5.2.3 Capacity Development for Farmers to Improve Agricultural Technique and Productivity Agricultural techniques and improvement of productivity shall be developed, and capacity building of farmers regarding agricultural techniques shall be promoted. (1) Development and Capacity Building of Farmers for Cultivation Technique Participants of the cluster workshop raised the issue that farmers are engaging in agriculture using primitive methods with low productivity. In order to increase the income of the farmers, DADO recognized the following measures are effective and should be implemented: Investigating the current cultivation techniques and breeding practices Training for improved vegetable/horticulture farming including potatoes, tomatoes, green vegetables, etc. and commercial farming techniques Introducing new techniques and devices Training for improved cereal crop farming including rice, maize, wheat, millet etc. Introducing the new techniques and devices Training for improved animal husbandry (including poultry, fish farming, goat/sheep, cows/buffalo rearing etc.) Training for advance horticulture including fruit farming (mango, pomegranate, plums, pears, guava, etc.) Training and technology transfer on improved/quality seed production Establishment of Custom Hiring Center (as envisioned by Prime Ministers Agriculture Modernization Program). (2) Introduction of Value Added Agricultural techniques In order to promote agriculture as the major source of economic development, new products which meet the needs of the market should be introduced. In order to introduce the new products the following steps are necessary: Soil survey/cultivation survey for identifying suitable crops for specific areas. Exhibitions and expos focusing on the best agricultural practices. Support in shifting cropping practices (traditional practices to value adding new crops). Introduction of post-harvesting techniques (grading, processing, packaging and labelling). Training and technology transfer. Establishment of a Custom Hiring Centre (as envisioned by Prime Ministers Agriculture Modernization Programme) 66 Gorkha District BBB Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan 2073/74–2082/2083 Source: JICA RRNE Project QIPs Picture 5.1 Training on Vegetable Production Skills in Gorkha District Source: JICA RRNE Project QIPs Picture 5.2 Training on Meize Farming Practice and Maize Farming Manual Figure. 5.1 Examples of Agricultural Training Procedures for Farmers 5.2.4 Improvement of Agricultural Distribution System and Supply Chain One of the bottlenecks of the agricultural development in the Gorkha District is an immature agricultural distribution system and supply chain which shouldl be improved in order to be price competitive. 67 Gorkha District BBB Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan 2073/74–2082/2083 (1) Promotion of Expanding Sales Channel by Partnership with Public Sector and Private Sector (2) Improvement of Supply Chain of Agricultural Products Improvement of sales channel can be achieved by logistic network improvement and demand-oriented production. In order to expand the market, the following measures should be taken: Investigating current issues of the agricultural distribution system and studying the supply and demand of agricultural products Investigating needs