KATHMANDU: The country achieved approximately 98 percent paddy plantation this year, covering nearly 1.3 million hectares of land, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
This marks an 8 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year, when only 90 percent of the paddy fields were planted by mid-August.
The increase in paddy plantation is attributed to adequate rainfall across the country. Mahanand Joshi, an Information Officer at the Ministry, stated that rice production is also expected to rise this year as a result.
Sudurpaschim Province achieved 100 percent paddy plantation, while Koshi Province recorded less than 95 percent.
Last fiscal year, Sudurpaschim reached 99 percent, while Madhes Province saw only 60 percent planting.
In the fiscal year 2080/81, the import of paddy and rice amounted to Rs 21.34 billion, a significant decrease from Rs 35.90 billion in the previous fiscal year 2079/80.
Joshi further noted that rice production is expected to increase by nearly six percent this year, which could help reduce rice imports.
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