Imports of rice, maize and mustard in the Far West decreased, wheat increased threefold

According to Kailali Customs Office, rice import has been going down for the last three years. In 078/79, 23 thousand 615 tons of rice worth 1 billion 656 million 46 thousand were imported. In 079/80, 8,729 tons of rice worth 491,198,000 were imported. In 080/81, only 610 tons of rice worth 50 million 93 lakh 88 thousand were imported.

The information officer of the customs office, Pavitra Kumar Khadka, said that the rice imported in the last two years was not a commercial product, but a world food program. "After India banned the export, the import of rice from Kailali Customs has been almost zero in two years," he said.

According to Harishankar Thakur, a rice trader from Dhangadhi, after India banned exports, although imports from Kailali and Far-West customs checkpoints have been stopped, rice illegally imported from other states' borders is meeting the needs of the Far-West.

It is not possible without rice coming from India. But the work is going on with the rice brought from other provinces through stolen channels. He said that the price of rice has also skyrocketed. "Two years ago, the price of coarse rice was Rs 44 per kg, now it has reached Rs 58," said Thakur. According to some consumers, after the increase in price, those who eat fine rice have reached the state of consuming coarse rice produced in the country.

The import of maize has also decreased by half compared to the previous year . In 079/80, 9,163 tons of corn worth 33,93,29,000 were imported through this port, while in 080/81, 4,728 tons worth 183,838,68,000 were imported.

The import of mustard seeds from India through this channel has also decreased. In 079/80, 3 thousand 256 tons of mustard seeds worth 2692 million 16 thousand were imported. In 080/81, Kailali Customs Office has informed that 263 tons of mustard seeds worth 1 crore 91 lakh 81 thousand were imported.

While the import of rice, corn and mustard seeds is decreasing, the import of wheat has increased threefold . In 079/80, 2 thousand 383 tons of wheat worth 105 million 46 thousand were imported. In 080/81, there is a data of 6377 tons of wheat worth 263735000. Compared to the previous year, 3 thousand 994 tons more wheat has been imported in the last financial year.

According to Khadka, information officer of the customs office, 4 lakh 55 thousand revenue has been collected from rice import in the financial year 080/81. In the previous year 079/80, 3 crore 41 lakh 92 thousand was collected . 080/81 94 lakh 83 thousand revenue has been collected from the import of corn.

1 crore 70 lakh 20 thousand was collected in 079/80 . Similarly, when the import of mustard seed has decreased, the revenue collection from it has also decreased . According to the customs office, in 079/80, 4 crore 19 lakh 65 thousand revenue was collected from the import of mustard seeds, and last year 080/81, 45 lakh 13 thousand revenue was collected.

Laxman Pant, the former president of the grocery business association Kailali, said that the price of milled rice has increased greatly. According to him, two years ago, the price of a bag of 20 kg of milled rice was 1,600 rupees, but now it has exceeded 2,200 rupees.