KATHMANDU: Ninety-one percent of paddy plantation has been completed across the country, which is eight percent higher than during the same period last year.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, paddy has been planted on approximately 1.254 million hectares of land out of the 1.4 million hectares suitable for cultivation nationwide.
The highest rate of plantation has been recorded in the Far West Province at 99.7 percent, followed by Karnali and Lumbini provinces at 98 percent, informed Mahananda Joshi, Information Officer at the Ministry. He added that paddy plantation is expected to reach 98 percent nationwide by the second week of Bhadra.
Madhes Province reported the lowest plantation rate at 76 percent, compared to 97 percent during the same period last year. Joshi explained that the delay in monsoon rains led to a slower start to the plantation season in the region.
He also noted that the Terai region is considered the most favorable for rice cultivation, contributing around 70 percent of the country’s total rice production, while the hilly region contributes 30 percent.
In the fiscal year 2024/25, a total of 5.72 million metric tons of rice were produced. Of the estimated 600,000 metric tons of rice to be produced domestically this year, approximately 350,000 metric tons are expected to be edible rice.
Joshi stated that adverse weather conditions—such as natural disasters, heavy rains, and drought—have delayed plantation in some areas. However, he expressed optimism that rice production will increase due to the adoption of improved seeds, farming technology, and agricultural knowledge.
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