SIRAHA: Most fields in Siraha remain dry even as the monsoon month of Ashad nears its end.
Farmers are struggling to start rice planting due to insufficient rainfall and a shortage of chemical fertilizers. Although the fields are plowed and seeds are ready, the lack of water and fertilizers is delaying planting.
Ramkumar Yadav, a farmer from Lahan Municipality-23, says, “Without timely rain, we cannot begin planting. We have prepared the fields and seeds, but there is no water or fertilizer yet. We can only move forward once it rains.”
Farmers in the region mostly rely on rainwater since reliable irrigation facilities are not available. Pradeep Yadav from Lahan-19 complains, “Earlier, we used to get rain early in Ashad, but now the timing is uncertain.”
According to Kiran Bishwakarma, Information Officer at the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Siraha, only 18 percent of the total 54,000 hectares suitable for rice cultivation has been planted so far. Most of this planting has been possible due to groundwater irrigation. Experts warn that if the rains don’t come soon, delayed planting could reduce crop yields.
Besides water, the shortage of fertilizers is another major problem. Deepak Paudel, Manager at Agricultural Materials Company Limited in Lahan, says that only 825 metric tons of the required 5,000 metric tons of DAP fertilizer have been supplied so far this year. The delay is due to rising international prices and tender issues.
Paudel urges the Agriculture Ministry to find alternative ways to supply fertilizers quickly. While there is enough urea and potash fertilizer available, the shortage of DAP is affecting planting.
Pradeep Singh Danuwar, President of the Nepal National Farmers Group in Siraha, says timely planting will positively affect other crops like wheat, mustard, and vegetables. However, he warns that without proper fertilizer supply and long-term irrigation solutions, farmers risk losing their year-round hard work.
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