JANAKPURDHAM: Around 77 percent of paddy plantation has been completed in the eight drought-affected districts of Madhes Province.
According to Jitendra Yadav, Director at the Directorate of Agricultural Development, the highest plantation rate has been recorded in Bara at 95 percent, while the lowest is in Mahottari at 61.5 percent.
Of the total 542,581 hectares of cultivable land in the province, paddy is cultivated on 372,645 hectares. So far, plantation has been carried out on 285,335 hectares.
Despite inadequate rainfall, plantation has increased through the use of underground water. Farmers have managed to plant paddy using irrigation from the Gandak Canal in Bara and Parsa, the Koshi River in Saptari, and the Bagmati River in Sarlahi and Rautahat. However, the drying of the Kamala River in Dhanusha has posed challenges.
This year, the province is expected to reach a maximum of 80 percent plantation. Director Yadav stated that due to delayed plantation, total paddy production could decline by about 27 percent.
Following the provincial government’s announcement of immediate relief under its underground irrigation management support program for drought-affected areas, a total of 22,052 farmers across the province have applied for assistance.
Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh said the provincial government is awaiting a decision from the federal government regarding irrigation support.
He added that while Rs 180 million has been allocated for the program, the amount is insufficient to meet the needs of all affected farmers.
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