House Session
Deadlock Once Again

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE same types of events have unfolded in the House that made the 19th session come to an inconclusive end or rather it ended without doing any business. The Bill session that it was dubbed did not see any Bills being presented just because of the simple fact that the main Opposition party Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) did not allow the House to go ahead with the proceedings. Their main demand was the resignation of the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Whether their demand by not letting the House go ahead with its normal functions was justified is there for everyone to understand.

Unfortunate

The task of holding the House of "ransom" until their demands were fulfilled is hard to understand and there had been much criticism about it at that time. Yet the House seemingly ran for almost 57 days with a lot of sloganeering and surrounding of the well. It was, unfortunate, that the many important Bills remained pending just because the proceedings could not move ahead as per schedule.

The later events are there before us to analyse. The abduction of about 69 police personnel in Rolpa by the Maoists, the deployment of the army and the resignation of Koirala gave a unique twist to the sequence of events. The appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba to the highest executive post suddenly set the ball rolling. He announced the cessation of all actions against the Maoists and called on the Maoists to come out for talks by ending their spree of violence.

So far it was a well-designed and welcome move. But the announcement of the various measures to spruce up the socio-economic scenario, howsoever welcome it was did not find everyone subscribing to it in the full. The main opposition party which had been at the forefront of "stall the House proceedings" in the last parliamentary session suddenly went docile. The reasons are not clear as to why they are so quiet these days. May be they have some more tricks up their sleeves. It’s the calm that announces the approach of a storm, as the saying goes. It could be that they find a reflection in this particular announcement especially related to land reforms (land holding ceiling) of their own drive. Or there is something else it is not clear as yet.

Though UML has remained quiet, the third largest party in the Lower House, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) legislators have picked where the UML left. This is to say that now RPP and NSP lawmakers out to disrupt House proceedings. Their main demand is for a ceiling on property. This is a unique demand in the light of the fact this is not seen in any part of the world nor is it feasible. When the main question of corruption is still looming large on our heads to go for something impossible is ridiculous. If there were precedents from anywhere in the world, it could be given a try but that is not the case.

There is, of course, wealth tax that takes away a chunk of the income of the high income bracked taxpayers. But that is found everywhere in the world. But here it is not a demand to this but that of clamping down on property. It is like trying to convey the idea that people should not earn very much but remain satisfied by little. If this were to be the case no big industries or business ventures would come up. It would also be like reverting to the primitive times with leading a hand to mouth existence.

The RPP and NSP lawmakers’ unusual demand cannot be justified in any light except for being an issue to stall the House. And, in this direction they have been quite successful. It is already five days and the House proceedings have not been able to move ahead with its business. It is a misfortune that the House has been stalled in such a manner. The MPs ought to remember that the House meetings are meant to discuss and find means and ways to look into the problems of the people and their grievances. But instead of shouldering this onerous task, the agitating lawmakers are functioning in the same way that the UML had adopted in the 19th session.

Are they concerned about the welfare of the nation? The answer may vary according to the political leaning of a citizen. The deadlock in the House once again will affect the passage of a number of Bills that are waiting to be discussed and passed. We are now witness to the same scene as if the same play has been staged though with a new cast shouting slogans and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Deuba.

The conspiracy theory does not work here as all are loyal to the country. The only possible reason may be that they want to make their voice heard though for a cause that has no validity. Wealth declaration and taking action against those who had income in excess of their known sources would have been a more reasonable demand. But asking for a ceiling on property which includes even the legal earnings does not make sense even to a layman.

Losers

It is high time that the MPs make reasonable demands and protest in the House. There has to be patience and sincerity to purpose for the right things but not disruption of the House for the sake of stalling the proceedings. If such uncalled for events take place with regularity, then the House cannot function smoothly and it is the people in general who will be the ultimate sufferers.

Vegetable Marketing In Kathmandu Valley

By Indira Shrestha

NEPAL is an agricultural country. Out of total population of 23.2 million about 85 per cent of the population live in the rural areas and about 81% of the population are engaged in agriculture. But the agricultural land in Nepal is very limited. Out of 147,181 Sq.K.M. total area, about 18% of land area is under cultivation. Agriculture accounts for 40% of the GDP. From the First Five Year Plan (1956) to the present Ninth Plan, agriculture has received proper attention from the Government. In spite of high priority. Given to agriculture development, this sector has not been able to meet the desired goal. The average agricultural growth in the decade of the nineties was only about 2.3 per annum which is nearly the some as the rate of population growth i.e. 2.26%. Keeping in view the important contribution of agriculture and its lead role in boasting national income and generating employment, Nepal formulated an Agricultural Perspective Plan (APP) for 20 years (1995/96 – 2014/15) with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank.

In commercialising the agriculture sector, vegetable farming has played a vital role contributing to the upliftment of the economic life of the small farmers of the hills and the terai. It has been providing regular employment and income to the marginal farmers.

Vegetable farming is a very old form of occupation in Nepal. But its commercial importance as well as development has been considered or realised during the last three decades only. The total production of vegetables in 2031/32 BS was 410,000 mt. and the productivity per hectare was 5 mt. The total production has increased to 1342,567 mt. and the productivity per hectare also increased to 9.6 mt. in 2055/56 BS. Due to the improvement in transport facilities, development in market system, easy availability of improved seeds, high rate of return in comparison to other crops, farmers are attracted more towards vegetable farming.

Kathmandu Valley is a densely populated area of the country. It is due to the heavy influx of migrant population from within and outside Nepal. The valley population has been rapidly increasing since the 1960’s and the total estimated population presently is around 1.4 million, which has directly been affecting the food demand. The average consumption of vegetable, fruits and spices is 80.5 kg. per capita per annum or 220.5 grams per capita per day in the whole Kathmandu Valley.

Out of the study area of 61,513 hectares, the total vegetable growing areas in the valley is 2,943 hectares, of which 1492.8 is in Kathmandu, 456.8 in Lalitpur, and 993.3 in Bhaktapur 3. Only 45% of total is vegetable growing area is under agricultural use. Hence production of vegetable, in the Kathmandu Valley is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the valley itself. So vegetables are being imported from Indian and from other parts of Nepal.

Though markets are considered as transit places, it is very difficult to choose the location of such places or new market. In the Kathmandu Valley, the vegetable marketing facilities are very limited. In old days direct marketing relation between farmers and consumers was established. Farmers brought their vegetables from different parts of the country and sold it to the consumer directly. We can find this type of marketing channel even today in the rural areas. But on the other hand, new form of market channels have been developing very fast. Frames can supply their products to collection agents, local assembly market and to urban wholesales, which play an important role in linking producers, wholesalers and retailers. The largest systematic wholesale market in Nepal is Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Wholesale Market. It was established in 1987 by the Department of Food and Agricultural Marketing Services with the funding of UNCDF. For its good operation and management, the market has been supported under the project of ‘’Support to a new Kalimati Market’’ implemented by FAO.

Kalimati wholesale market has been developed today as a typical wholesale market of fruits and vegetables. The agents of this market collect their fruits and vegetable from different areas. They are Thimi, Bhaktapur, Panchkhal, Kavre, Dhading, Makwanpur, Bara, Sarlahi, Chitwan and even form Indian wholesalers, who are considered as the major supply sources of vegetables and fruits for Kathmandu. In Kalimati wholesale market, there are about 295 wholesalers, 90 retailers and 75-120 farmers selling vegetable and fruit production.

In Kathmandu, there is another wholesale market known as Kishan Bazar Sewa. This is Semiwholesale market located at Exhibition Road, Tukucha, which was established in 1998. In this market there are about 175 permanent traders, who bring vegetables from Kalimati Wholesale Market and also collect some green vegetables from traditional local farmers of the valley. Similarly, the other most popular market in Kathmandu City is Anam Nagar Market. This is also a semi-wholesale market, where the traders bring vegetables especially from Sanothimi, Thimi, Bhaktpaur, Lalitpur, Kathmandu and also from outside the valley. This market is operated by ‘’Hariyo Tarkari Bikreta Sangh’’ (Green Vegetable Trading Association) where the permanent traders are about 150 and are busy selling vegetables from 5 AM to 9 AM.

Apart from these markets there are number of other big retail markets, known as New Baneshwor Tarkari Bazaar, Chabahil Ganeshthan, Bhedasingh Market, Maitidevi, Gangabu etc. In Kathmandu city area Lagankhel Market, Jawalakhel Market, Daubahal Market etc. are in Lalitpur and Sukuldhoka Market is in Bhaktapur. These markets are not sufficient to fulfill the demand of the consumers.

Therefore, in every locality (tole) and street the small vegetable market and hawkers are providing door to door service to fulfill the personal demand. In most of all these vegetable markets there is the involvement of women. They are attracted to sell vegetables in order to make their active economic life which has resulted good profit with easy and safe job.

The vegetable marketing facilities in Kathmandu are not yet sufficient, Markets of street, road and hawkers are selling vegetables in a haphazard manner. The major problems are: lack of trained manpower in market management, lack of consumer education, lack of production inputs, lack of consciousness of farmers for the preservation of product, poor drainage and water supply system in the market area. Poor planning for the improvement of traditional marketing system, is also one of the major problems for improvement of vegetable market. Pricing system is not found appropriate, quality control and standardisation of weight are not properly taken care of.

Nepal being an agricultural country, agro based products including fruits and vegetable would play a vital role in uplifting the economic status of the farmer. It is needed to encourage the farmers that they can get appropriate return from vegetable farming.

As the vegetable market indicated that its turnover will increase the planner should plan for: the quantity of vegetable required, number of people engaged in it, products required most, market channels. Information on the market situation should be communicated to the stakeholders to motivate them: so that they can get proper return.

Vegetables can be cultivated by small farmers, it provides employment to the farmers and his/her family members throughout the year thereby bringing economic gains. Large quantity of vegetable supply to the urban consumers would help to improve their nutrition status with small expenses. Thus every effort should be made to develop it to alleviate poverty both at the level of the producers and consumers.

Biodiversity Conservation For Sustainable Agriculture

By Rukmagat Aryal (Avay)

THE degree of difference between the components of a system is diversity whereas the diversity of genes, species and ecosystems, and their interrelations, is termed as biodiversity. It refers to all the aspects of biological variations, including species, ecosystem and genetic heterogeneity in a given area. The rich biodiversity is reflected by the number of species, genera and ecosystem present at each level. The term ‘life of the earth’ is equally used to describe the number of variety and variability of living organisms.

Fluctuating attitude and topography produce countless microclimatic variations which form the basis of biodiversity, including agrobiodiversity. Regarding agrobiodiversity, Nepal is a cradle of diversity of the world is over 500 found species of which 200 are cultivated. Nepal constitutes only 0.1 per cent of the total land area of the world but harbours a high share of biodiversity. About 6500 species of vascular plants, 630 species of medicinal plants, 370 species of flowering plants, 175 species of mammals, 858 species of birds, 635 species of butterflies, 50 species of moths, 180 species of dragonflies, 687 species of algae, 185 species of fishes, 5059 species of insects, 144 species of spiders 1882 species of fungi and many other plant and animal species are recorded to be found in Nepal. Nepal lies in 25th position in biodiversity in the world.

There have been concerns over the loss of biodiversity and of species due to human activities like agriculture, deforestation, industrialisation and other development activities that caused the loss of habitat, polluted environment and created an imbalance in ecosystem. Concerns for environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity are more real now than ever before. The loss of biodiversity and natural resources is occurring at an alarming rate. It is well understood that in todays world, biodiversity is degrading much faster than it would through natural processes alone. It is estimated that about 75 per cent of the genetic diversity of the most important crops have disappeared from farms during the last century. Similarly, it is estimated that since 1600 AD about 500 animal species and more than 600 plant species have become extinct as a result of human interference. Many more are on the verge of extinction as their habitats are disturbed, isolated or destroyed. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, about 34 per cent of all fishes, 25 per cent of mammals, 25 per cent of amphibians, 20 per cent of reptiles and 11 per cent of birds are currently threatened with extinction. Today, all over the world rural people keep about 4500 breeds of domestic animals of more than forty species. Nearly one third of the worlds livestock breeds are currently at risk of disappearing, and the extinction rate now stands at about six breeds per month. Many of the wildlife have already become extinct and many are at the edge of extinction. In Nepal also, if she were to loose her remaining humid tropical forest, ten species of timber plants, six species of fibre plants, six species of edible fruits, four species of traditional medicinal plants, fifty other tree and shrub species, twenty-six species of mammals, nine species of birds and three species of reptiles would be lost forever.

Biodiversity has decreased in agricultural farms over the past four decades. This loss in genetic diversity has increased vulnerability to crop diseases and reduced the essential variety of diets of rural people. This loss of biodiversity in food crops is the greatest threat to food security. Today, there is an alarmingly narrow genetic variation among the plants, fishes and livestock that make up the world’s food basket. In the name of development the diverse agriculture landscapes have been transformed into a monotonous environment in many parts of the world. All over the world, the Green Revolution has replaced numerous species and varieties of crops, plants and trees with monocultures that are vulnerable to pests and diseases.