More than $20m needed in donations to help Nepal’s farmers recover

So far, only 13% of the estimated US$23.4m Nepal needs in emergency agricultural assistance has been received.

Two separate earthquakes and a series of aftershocks struck in April and May killing more than 8,000 people and devastating large parts of the country.

In Nepal's six hardest-hit districts, half of all farming households lost nearly all of their stored crops of rice, maize, wheat and millet, the FAO found.

In addition, the earthquakes destroyed farming tools, kitchen gardens and supplies of fertiliser and caused significant damage to small-scale irrigation.

Some 16% of cattle and 36% of poultry were lost in the disaster with detrimental effects on rural household consumption and income.

"Agriculture is a critical priority because two-thirds of Nepalis depend on farming for their livelihoods​," said Somsak Pipoppinyo, the FAO’s representative in Nepal.

"We only have a limited window to act​," he added, pointing out that rice seeds must be distributed before the start of the heavy monsoon rains, which are expect to arrive in the coming days.

Farm support key to relief effort 

Nepal most needs seeds and fertilisers, followed by irrigation, tools and technical support. The repair and functioning of irrigation systems will be critical for the winter cropping season, as well as barley and wheat seeds.

The FAO has received around $3 million for emergency relief so far, thanks to contributions from Belgium, Italy and Norway.