Agriculture research works hit

KATHMANDU, Dec 6: Research works in almost a dozen research centers of Nepal Agriculture Research Center (NARC) have been affected, as physical infrastructures in many such centers were destroyed by the Maoists during insurgency and many such centers are still under the control of state´s security organs. [break]



Officials of NARC - the state-owned agriculture research body - said destruction of infrastructures, including building and research labs, during insurgency by the Maoists and the construction of camps by security agencies and cantonments for Maoist fighters have severely affected research works.“



"Research programs have been affected due to the presence of security posts in research farms and delay in reconstruction of research facilities destroyed during insurgency," said Bharatendu Mishra, executive director of NARC, told myrepublica.com.



According to NARC, Maoists had destroyed fish farms in Trishuli of Nuwakot; Goat and Sheep Research Center at Guthi Chaur, Horticulture Farm of Rajikot and Crop Research Center of Khalanga, Jumla; Hill Crops Research Center at Kabre in Dolakha and Crop and Horticulture Research Center in Dailekh during insurgency.



Similarly, Armed Police Force has captured over 35 ropanis of land in Malepatan Research Center in Pokhara and Nepal Army (NA) has set up a camp in around 12 bighas of land and occupied about a dozen buildings in Nawalpur Research Center in Sarlahi.



The NA has also seized around 10 bighas of land of Sugarcane Research Center at Jitpur in Bara. A large portion of Crop and Horticulture Research Center at Dasharathpur, Surkhet, has been used as cantonment for the Maoist fighters.



"The establishment of camps and destruction of physical facilities have not only displaced technical staff but have also affected local farmers who were benefiting from such centers through technical inputs and advices from technicians," Mishra informed.



The reconstruction works of destroyed infrastructures have yet to gain momentum due to lack of funds.



Hira Kaji Manandhar, senior scientist at NARC, said around Rs 5 million has so far been spent for the repair works of research centers in Jumla, Dolakha, Dailekh, Nuwakot and Bara. The Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction has also initiated reconstruction of buildings in Guthi Chaur, Khalanga, Nawalpur and Jitpur.“



"It will be hard to bring the research works back on track despite efforts from NARC and Peace Ministry for the reconstruction of damaged facilities as our farm land are still under the control of security agencies or UCPN (Maoist)," Manandhar said.

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