Agri losses from China earthquake amount to USD 6 bn: UN
The massive earthquake that struck China last month, has resulted in an estimated loss of USD 6 bn to the region's agricultural sector, severely affecting over 30 mn people.
By PTI |
NEW YORK: The massive earthquake that struck the Sichuan province of China last month, has resulted in an estimated loss of USD 6 bn to the region's agricultural sector, severely affecting over 30 mn people, the United Nations has said.
The 7.9-magnitude temblor that hit on May 12 devastated the mountainous Sichuan province, killing an estimated 69,000 people and causing extensive damage to property.
A recent assessment mission by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to the area found that more than 30 mn rural inhabitants have lost most of their assets.
In addition, thousands of hectares of farmland were destroyed, millions of farm animals died, houses and grain stores collapsed and thousands of pieces of agricultural machinery were damaged.
Besides the human tragedy caused by the disaster mainly the loss of family members many rural communities in Sichuan province have lost their means to produce food and create income, said Rajendra Aryal, FAO Senior Regional Emergency Coordinator.
"People in villages have demonstrated great resilience and have expressed their strong willingness to return to their fields and resume farming and food production. But it will probably take three to five years to rebuild the agricultural sector in Sichuan," he added.
Most of the wheat crops could not be harvested after the earthquake due to the lack of labour as a result of deaths and injuries in farming families.
The 7.9-magnitude temblor that hit on May 12 devastated the mountainous Sichuan province, killing an estimated 69,000 people and causing extensive damage to property.
A recent assessment mission by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to the area found that more than 30 mn rural inhabitants have lost most of their assets.
In addition, thousands of hectares of farmland were destroyed, millions of farm animals died, houses and grain stores collapsed and thousands of pieces of agricultural machinery were damaged.
Besides the human tragedy caused by the disaster mainly the loss of family members many rural communities in Sichuan province have lost their means to produce food and create income, said Rajendra Aryal, FAO Senior Regional Emergency Coordinator.
"People in villages have demonstrated great resilience and have expressed their strong willingness to return to their fields and resume farming and food production. But it will probably take three to five years to rebuild the agricultural sector in Sichuan," he added.
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Most of the wheat crops could not be harvested after the earthquake due to the lack of labour as a result of deaths and injuries in farming families.
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