Agricultural support is urgently needed to restore food production in Myanmar's the cyclone-hit rice bowl, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.
Currently, 75 percent of farmers in Myanmar main food producing region lack sufficient seed, with little time left before the end of the planting season in August. FAO is appealing for 33.5 million U.S. dollars to help cyclone-affected households restore their livelihoods and resume food production during this crucial period.
Overall needs for relief and recovery activities in farming, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry over the next 12 months total 51 million dollars under the revised appeal for Cyclone Nargis response for Myanmar launched last week, which called for a total of 303 million dollars for all sectors including agriculture. As the lead agency for the agriculture sector, FAO is playing a key role in coordinating the efforts of humanitarian partners active in the sector.
Over 783,000 hectares of rice paddy fields - 63 percent of the paddy land in affected areas - were submerged and up to 85 percent of seed stocks destroyed when Cyclone Nargis struck in May, according to recent assessments led by FAO and the Government. Present yield rates, coupled with the loss of draught animals and power tillers, indicate a reduction of 550,000 tons in the paddy rice harvest, or 32 percent of production in the most-affected areas, the UN agency said.
More than 100,000 fishers have also been affected, with significant losses of boats and fishing gear and more than 21,000 hectares of aquaculture ponds destroyed. Fish and rice constitute the key components of the Myanmar diet.
FAO established an Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordination Unit in Myanmar soon after the cyclone and is currently implementing a livelihood recovery program covering the crop, fisheries, aquaculture and livestock sectors.
FAO assessments identified emergency and rehabilitation needs for farming, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and coordination. Vulnerable groups requiring immediate assistance include over 50,000 small-scale farming households and 99,000 landless rural households.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article