Rautahat Banana Growers Suffer Massive Losses Amid Storm and No Crop Insurance
Kathmandu — A powerful storm on Monday evening wreaked havoc on banana farms across Rautahat, leaving many farmers struggling financially due to the absence of crop insurance.
The storm caused significant damage in Chandrapur Municipality, particularly in Ward No. 3, where banana crops valued at around NPR 15 million were completely destroyed. Other affected areas include Paurai (Ward 1), Judibela (Ward 2), Gaidatar (Ward 3), and Chandranigahpur (Ward 4). Gaidatar is known as a major hub for commercial banana production, and most farmers in the area rely on it for their livelihood.
Local farmer Deepak Gautam described the scene as devastating. “Thousands of banana plants were knocked down in minutes, destroying a year’s worth of work,” he said. With investments, labor, and time all lost, many farmers now face severe financial hardship.
Banana growers in the region regularly contend with storms, diseases, and even wildlife attacks. However, without insurance, they must bear all the losses themselves. Gautam said farmers have repeatedly urged the municipality to provide crop insurance for bananas, but their appeals have gone unheard.
He also expressed frustration that requests to Mayor Sanjay Kumar Kafle and various insurance companies were ignored. Gautam cultivates bananas on about 7 bighas of land. Across Rautahat, banana farming spans more than 400 bighas, and preliminary estimates suggest the recent storm caused losses exceeding NPR 30 million.
Another farmer, Ramesh Ghimire from Chandrapur–3, stressed the importance of insurance in protecting farmers’ investments. “Crop insurance is no longer optional—it’s essential,” he said. However, insurance companies have been hesitant to cover banana farming due to the high risk, leaving farmers exposed to annual natural disasters.
Mayor Sanjay Kumar Kafle assured that the municipality is ready to support farmers in obtaining crop insurance. “Insurance is critical for agriculture, and we are prepared to provide any necessary assistance,” he said.