Gulmi, October 8
A windstorm accompanied by rainfall has damaged tomato farms in Thulolumphek of Satyawati Rural Municipality-3, Gulmi.
Of around 400 commercial plastic tunnels built in the area, 80 were damaged by the strong winds.
According to Ward Chairperson Jit Bahadur Tramu Magar, the tomato crops were damaged after the plastic coverings of the tunnels were torn by the wind.
Farmers grow tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, cucumber, bell peppers and bitter gourd in the tunnels. Farmers said each tunnel produces around 400 to 500 kilograms of tomatoes. The damage to the plastic coverings has affected tomatoes as well as other vegetables.
The area is known for its high tomato production, and vegetables produced in Thulolumphek are sold in local markets as well as transported to Butwal.
Magar said more than Rs 800,000 worth of tomatoes were damaged by the windstorm. Tomatoes are sold for Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kilogram in local markets and Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kilogram at wholesale.
Farmers including Indra Bishwakarma, Lils Rahadi, Hemraj Thapa, Motiprasad Shris and Chetman Rahadi are engaged in commercial vegetable farming in the area.
Road disruptions during the monsoon have also made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets. They currently have to use an alternative road for about an hour to reach the collection centre.
Satyawati Rural Municipality has rented a shop at the Agricultural Produce and Vegetable Wholesale Market in Butwal to help farmers market their produce. Rural Municipality Chairperson Tikaram Pandey said the local government has been paying the shop rent and facilitating vegetable sales for the past three years.
He said the municipality also provides production-based subsidies to promote self-reliance among farmers, including Rs 2 per kilogram to farmers and Rs 20 per quintal to groups involved in managing the produce.
—RSS
