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The spread of lumpy skin diseases in cattle has hit farmers across the country. They are facing a triple whammy as the dairy production has decreased, fields remain unploughed and paddy transplantation has not taken place due to widespread infection. 

Lumpy skin disease is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus, which belongs to the genus capripoxvirus, a part of the poxviridae family (smallpox and monkeypox viruses are also part of the same family). It is a contagious vector-borne disease spread by mosquitoes, flies, and ticks.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), infected animals shed the virus through oral and nasal secretions which may contaminate common feeding and water troughs. Thus, the disease can either spread through direct contact with the vectors or through contaminated fodder and water.

The incubation period or the time between infection and symptoms is about 28 days, per the FAO. Per some other estimates, the incubation period is 4 to 14 days. 

Some of the symptoms of the disease are nasal and ocular discharge, discharge of mucopurulent (containing mucus and pus) with progression of the disease, fever, swelling of joints, swollen superficial lymph nodes, sharp reduction in milk production and formation of skin nodules all over the body. Damaged skin and hides, fertility problems and death are some of the impacts of the disease along with increased treatment costs.

Morbidity rate of the infection is usually 5–45 percent and mortality rate is usually less than 10 percent, according to the Central Veterinary Laboratory.

Many farmers have complained that the government has not taken effective measures to control the disease.

“I have just returned after burying an ox from one of my relatives because one of my oxen is sick and struggling for life. There is no vaccine at the municipal veterinary,” says Surya Thapa Magar, a farmer from Aiselukharka, Khotang. 

It is a distressing situation for farmers like Magar. At Aiselukharka, there is no household where the cattle infection has not spread. In fact, the disease has reached all 77 districts of the country, infecting around 555,000 and killing at least 21,000 cattle so far, according to the Animal Service Department.

The infection is particularly high in mid-hill and hill regions of Karnali, Lumbini and Koshi provinces. 

The spread of the disease can lead to substantial and severe economic losses, particularly in the dairy industry. The disease leads to reduced milk production as animals become weak as they lose appetite due to mouth ulceration. 

The annual total milk production in Nepal is 2,301,000 metric tonnes. About 40 percent of milk production is contributed by cows and the remaining 60 percent by buffalo. There are about more than 500,000 dairy farmers and 1,700 dairy cooperatives involved in the dairy sector in the country.

A risk assessment study conducted by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) based on information available from 2019 to October 2020 revealed that the economic impact of the disease for South, East and Southeast Asian countries “was estimated to be up to $1.45bn in direct losses of livestock and production”.

According to Nepal Veterinary Council, the mortality rate of the infections in animals is 3.8 percent and there is a loss of Rs 49,135 per animal in the country. Animal deaths resulting from this disease have already caused a loss of NRs 27.22bn.

In the absence of timely treatment, the disease could spread in over 2.5m animals, resulting in the death of 100,000 cows and buffalos, causing a total loss of Rs 1.26trn, per the council. There are over 7.4m cows and more than 5m buffalos in the country.

“It’s a huge economic loss for us. We haven’t been able to plough the field as tractor costs Rs 2,000 per hour, which we cannot afford. On top of that, the production of milk has also decreased,” says Chiranjibi Poudel, a farmer from Halesi, Khotang. 

While the government has expressed its commitment to providing all resources required for the prevention and control of the disease, many farmers say the help has not arrived. In Baitadi district, for instance, vaccines are not available so far. Farmers say they feel helpless watching their cattle die a slow, painful death. 

“The cases of lumpy skin infection are increasing by the day but the district lacks vaccines. We have written to the federal and provincial governments requesting vaccines,” Dr Bishal Pathak, livestock development officer at the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Center. 

Officials, however, claim that the government has imported 737,000 doses of vaccine and supplied them to all seven provinces. The government has allowed importers to import Neethling strains vaccine, which can be administered to pregnant cows and buffaloes. 

Veterinarians say as the disease can easily transmit from one animal to the other, the infected animal should be kept separate from healthy animals. They suggest vector population control, hygienic measures in the farms, awareness campaigns and vaccination as preventive and control measures.

The vaccines are not produced in Nepal; they are imported. The government has allowed importers to import Neethling strains vaccine. The vaccine can also be administered to pregnant cows and buffaloes. The calves born will be resistant to the virus for three months. 

The infected animals should not be administered vaccines. They should only be given vaccines a year after they have been infected with the disease. As the anti-virus resistance is formed in the cattle it is not necessary to vaccinate them immediately after their recovery.

The farmers demand the vaccines be made easily available to prevent infection spread in the healthy cattle. 

It is safe to consume milk from cattle infected by Lumpy Skin Disease, as it is a non-zoonotic disease. 

FAO says that a large portion of the milk in Asia is processed after collection and is either pasteurized or boiled or dried in order to make powdered milk. It ensures that the virus is inactivated or destroyed.

“It is safe to consume milk from the infected cattle but it will be beneficial to drink milk after boiling. However, if the cattle is given antibiotics then the milk should not be consumed from the day when the antibiotic was started and after a week from the day when the antibiotic was stopped in the animal,” the Department of Livestock Services said. 

Symptoms

• Nasal and ocular discharge
• Discharge of mucus and pus with progression of the disease
• Fever
• Swollen joints and superficial lymph nodes
• Sharp reduction in milk production
• Formation of skin nodules all over the body

The entrenched issue of political fragmentation and instability in Nepal are two deep-rooted problems. Over the years, the country has witnessed the emergence of several political parties, many of which have divergent ideologies and national objectives. Due to the difficulty in forming stable, efficient governments as a result of this fragmentation, coalition politics and frequent changes in the political leadership have hampered the creation and implementation of long-term policies.

Political parties have also failed to adequately address the nation’s socio economic problems, such as poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure deficiencies. Because the political system has failed to address these critical concerns, social discontent, and dissatisfaction have grown, which has weakened support for major parties and increased the need for alternative political options.

Leadership questions

Any political party can face serious leadership challenges with an adverse effect on their performance. The characteristics and behaviors of the party’s senior leaders frequently play a role in leadership issues in the context of political parties. The ability of a leader to effectively articulate the concerned party’s vision, objectives, and policies to party members and the general public can be impeded by a lack of strong communication skills. At the same time, a lack of vision among leaders makes it difficult to establish strategic priorities and make wise choices, which undermines the party unity and a sense of direction. A party’s capacity to put on a united face and successfully rule can be undermined by internal rivalries, leadership conflicts, and a lack of cooperation among party members. Certain parties may occasionally be ruled by political dynasties, in which positions of power are passed down within families. This could impede the formation of new, competent leaders and help explain why there is a dearth of creativity and diversity.

Corruption and governance challenges

Nepal has long struggled with issues of corruption and poor governance, which have hampered the nation’s growth and political stability. The several types of corruption include low-level bribery, elites’ embezzlement, and nepotism. Public faith in political institutions is damaged by widespread corruption. A major issue in Nepal has been a lack of accountability in governance. When corruption and the abuse of authority are frequently left unchecked, a culture of impunity takes root. The ineffectiveness, excessive paperwork, and opaqueness of Nepal's bureaucracy have been criticized. Administrative procedures that are too onerous might make it easier for corruption to flourish and delay timely implementation of plans and initiatives. Political parties stifle public institutions’ independence and objectivity by influencing administrative decisions. Political meddling in governmental affairs can result in bias, compromise merit-based hiring decisions, and jeopardize public services. When it comes to delivering justice on time and handling cases of corruption, Nepal's court has experienced difficulties. This could deter people from bringing up corruption and seeking judicial redress, continuing the cycle of impunity.

Institutional feebleness

Political parties in Nepal have had a lot of difficulties due to institutional inadequacies. These flaws affect a number of political institutions, including the legislature, the judiciary, the electoral system, and other governmental organizations. Weak institutions may make it more difficult for political parties and their leaders to be effectively checked and balanced. This may lead to a concentration of power in a small number of people, opening the door for possible abuse of power and compromising democratic ideals.

Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson’s book “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty” makes the argument that institutions are vital in determining a country's success or failure. The laws, customs, and groups that make up a society’s political, economic, and social interactions are referred to as institutions. When a strong elite controls the government, they frequently create extractive institutions in order to preserve their privilege and stifle opposition to their rule. In the case of Nepal, leaders’ poor judgment and shortsightedness in constructing extractive institutions caused the failure of the nation’s overall development.

The public’s trust in institutions has been further eroded because political parties are taking advantage of this circumstance to advance their agendas without being held responsible for their activities. Because of institutional flaws, Nepal has frequently changed governments and coalitions. Weak institutions make it difficult to establish stable governments, which leads to frequent changes in leadership and the direction of policy, which is having an impact on the development and progress of the nation. Because some groups may feel excluded from or underrepresented in the political process, weak institutions can increase ethnic and regional tensions. Political parties in Nepal are taking advantage of these splits to win quick supporters, thus solidifying social and political divides.

In “Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World,” another intriguing book by Ashraf Ghani and Clare Lockhart, the authors argue that states fail because they lack a flexible framework that can map what voters want and create the means for change. Leaders must also be prepared to make difficult choices in order to address the underlying causes of state failure and be dedicated to prioritizing national interests over personal or factional interests. But we observe in the context of Nepal that leaders are driven to satisfy their objectives through institutional manipulation. Recent instances of manipulation can be seen in the Lalita Niwas controversy, gold smuggling and the episode involving the phony Bhutanese refugee.

External influence

An important feature of Nepal’s political environment has been the involvement of outside parties. Due to its geographic location and historical ties to its neighbors, Nepal is vulnerable to outside interests. India and China have attempted to impose their will on Nepal’s politics and policy choices, frequently resulting in diplomatic wranglings and conflicting interests. Nepal has received support and foreign aid from a number of nations and international agencies. Although financial help is essential for humanitarian relief and development programs, it can also lead to a degree of economic dependency, which may have an impact on policy decisions. To advance their objectives in Nepal, external actors may ally themselves with particular political parties or leaders. These coalitions and political dynamics may be impacted by these alliances, which may result in changes in the balance of power and the direction of policy.

Nepal’s internal politics may reflect India and China’s geopolitical competition. It's possible for these two nations to try to acquire leverage by backing various political groups or adopting various positions on crucial topics, complicating Nepal’s international relations. The involvement of external entities in Nepal’s infrastructure and connectivity projects may have effects on the country’s economy and geopolitics. The country’s economic development and regional connectivity, for instance, may be influenced by projects supported by China’s Belt and Road Initiative or India’s connectivity initiatives. Particularly in relation to cross-border security challenges, external actors may have an impact on Nepal’s security dynamics. External participation in Nepal’s security matters may have an impact on regional stability.

Economic and social challenges

Nepal is dealing with a number of social and economic issues that may affect its growth and people’s well-being. The country has a high rate of poverty, especially in the countryside. Widespread unemployment and underemployment, particularly among young people, are caused by a lack of employment opportunities and limited economic alternatives. For the nation, overcoming poverty and establishing stable livelihoods remain major obstacles. A majority of people in Nepal depend on agriculture for their livelihood. However, the expansion and sustainability of the business are hampered by low productivity, conventional farming methods, and vulnerability to climate change. All across the nation, access to high-quality education and healthcare is still unequal. There are discrepancies in educational and health outcomes because many rural communities lack adequate schools and healthcare services.

Numerous Nepali residents go for employment overseas for want of economic prospects at home. Remittances support the economy, but they can also cause social problems like family dissolution and reliance on outside income sources. Gender discrepancies still exist in Nepal’s political representation, job, and educational opportunities. Girls and women frequently experience societal prejudice as well as restricted access to opportunities and resources. Nepal is also prone to natural calamities like landslides, floods, and earthquakes. Strong disaster management and climate resilience initiatives are required because these calamities represent considerable hazards to infrastructure, property, and human life.

The solution

Political parties must deal with these fundamental problems and seek to create a stable and accountable political system that can successfully address the nation’s difficulties and meet the goals so as to restore public trust and confidence. They must accord top priority to leadership development and foster an environment of accountability and openness in order to overcome leadership challenges. Effective leaders, who can inspire confidence, put forth a compelling vision, and rally party members around shared objectives can be molded by building a collaborative environment, encouraging open communication, and supporting leadership development programs. Ultimately, for the parties to succeed and successfully advance the interests of the people they represent, strong and effective leadership is crucial. Prioritizing equitable economic growth, infrastructural development, bettering access to healthcare and education, and enhancing climate resilience are all necessary in Nepal. Building a more wealthy and equitable society in Nepal also requires advancing gender equality, social inclusion, and political stability.

The author is a doctoral fellow of IR in China

The government has fixed the minimum support price of paddy for fiscal year 2023/24 much earlier this year compared to last year. 

The cabinet meeting held on July 11 fixed the minimum support price. The minimum support price of paddy has been set at Rs 3,198 per quintal for thick rice, which is Rs 231 higher than the previous fiscal year. Similarly, the minimum support price of medium rice has been fixed at Rs 3,362 per quintal, which is Rs 262 more than the previous fiscal year. 

Last year, the government had fixed the minimum support price for paddy in October. This delay compelled farmers to sell paddy at lower prices. As a result, many farmers couldn’t even recover their cost of production. Since government agencies such as the Food Management and Trading Company Ltd and the Farm Modernization Project also delayed paddy procurement, farmers were left with no option but to accept whatever prices the traders offered. 

As per the standard, the government should fix the minimum support price before the seedbed is prepared. Although the government fixed the support price during the paddy transplantation season, agriculture expert Krishna Prasad Poudel said it was still late. “The government should fix the minimum support price before the seedbed is prepared. Since spring paddy is transplanted in March, the price should be fixed a month before that,” Poudel said. “This would enable farmers to compare their cost of production with the prices offered and decide whether to cultivate paddy. If the returns are high, they would cultivate it in more areas.”

Prem Dangal, chairman of the National Farmers’ Commission, said the minimum support price would mean nothing until the government agrees to buy all the paddy that farmers grow. “The government agencies procured only 31,000 tons of paddy last year, although 2m tons of paddy are sold in the market every year,” Dangal added. “The government should make necessary preparations to procure all the paddy that farmers intend to sell. Otherwise, there is no point in fixing a minimum support price.” 

However, as the minimum support price fixed by the government is higher than the market price, government agencies have been facing difficulty in selling paddy procured from farmers. As a result, they procured paddy at a much later date last year.

Sharmila Neupane Subedi, the spokesperson for the Food Management and Trading Company Ltd, said they would soon issue a circular to all their subordinate offices to make necessary preparations for paddy procurement.

Japan has provided mammography equipment to Nepal Cancer Care Foundation, a specialized medical organization focused largely on women’s cancer screening.

A handover ceremony was held at the foundation’s office in Satdobato, Lalitpur, on Monday. On the occasion Ambassador of Japan Kikuta Yutaka praised the foundation for its works in the field of cancer treatment. 

“The Embassy of Japan hopes that this initiative will further contribute to strengthening medical services and foster deeper friendship and cooperation between the people of Japan and Nepal,” he said.

The mammography equipment was provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GPP). Since the start of GGP in 1991, it has successfully completed over 200 projects in Nepal. 

Ambassador Yutaka expressed optimism that the sophisticated mammography technology would result in early detection, thereby enhancing the health and quality of life for people, families, and communities throughout Nepal.

“Nepal Cancer Care Foundation has already conducted breast cancer screening for more than 500 women using the equipment provided by GGP, showcasing the immediate impact of the project on enhancing medical services,” said Yutaka.

The foundation was established in 2011 with the goal of  reducing the cancer burden through screening and counseling services, particularly for breast and cervical cancers. Its services are provided at their diagnostic center in Lalitpur, as well as through screening health camps in rural areas across the country.

“We are sincerely thankful to everyone who has contributed to the success and growth of this foundation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Japanese Embassy for their generous donation of a mammography machine, a significant contribution that will undoubtedly improve the lives of thousands of Nepali women, enabling them to lead healthier and better lives,”  general secretary of the foundation Dr Sarita Ghimire.