Quake causes widespread damage to agri sector
By Tariq Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD—The devastating earthquake of October 8 caused damaged to about $500 million (Rs 30 billion) covering crops, livestock and irrigation infrastructure of agriculture sector in NWFP.
Major damage struck to the livestock and livestock housing, crops and stores and irrigation in the affected areas of NWFP and AJK. The total population in the affected areas was estimated about 5 million people. First assessments have estimated that about 2.7 million people (390 000 households) have been affected by the earthquake, of which 1.4 million are located in AJK and 1.3 million in NWFP.
Latest reports indicate that the death toll exceeds 73 000 people and more than 69 000 people are injured.
The quake-affected water management structure both on and off-farm, village tracks and roads, fruit orchards and farm-machinery. According to official sources the Agricultural assets, such as seeds, fertilizer, tolls are completely lost and critical infrastructure, such as farm-to- market roads and agro-processing facilities have been destroyed to a large extent.
The earthquake caused widespread damage to life, buildings, roads and public utilities such as electricity and telecommunications. Many of the sheep and goat were on their way back from Alpine pastures when the earthquake struck. These comprised stocks owned by local people, as well as large flocks belonging to transhumants (Gujars). The land and rock slides caused by the earthquake caused a large number of deaths and injuries among these livestock.
Buffaloes, cattle and poultry which are usually kept in covered pens next to the houses suffered even more severe losses as structures collapsed on top of them.
A second wave of livestock deaths is presently occurring as animals abandoned by affected families are dying or are being slaughtered in anticipation of winter and lack of feed and housing. Feed, fodder and medicine stocks have been either buried under debris or been damaged by the heavy rains following the days after the earthquake.
Maize is the main cereal crop in the area and the harvest was underway. The slides, collapse of stores, and the subsequent rains caused widespread direct damage. If not buried under debris, existing stocks have started rotting due to the rains. The crops that are still in the field are unlikely to be harvested due to abandonment by farmers.
Stocks of seeds and fertilizer for the upcoming Rabi season have been lost due to collapse of houses and stores.
These include seeds for wheat and for winter vegetable such as turnips, onions, radish and cabbage, which were to be planted in the coming weeks.
On-farm structure such as terraces, bunds, and irrigation and drainage channels have been severely damaged. In some of the hardest hit areas, entire fields have been lost due to slides.
The area has a complex system of intakes and channels-both for irrigation and drainage. These have been directly damaged by the earthquake. It also appears that in some areas the land has titled and the water distribution systems will have to be completely re-aligned.
In many areas, water in the irrigation system is also used for flour milling and for electricity generation. These facilities have been destroyed or damaged by the collapse of the structure in which they were housed. Damage has also been done to farm-to- market roads and village paths and tracks. Agriculture support facilities such as training centers, extension centers and animal health facilities (Veterinary station and clinics) have been damaged.
Stocks of medicines and other stores have also been destroyed due to collapse of structures as well as the electricity cut which lasted for several days after the earthquake.