KATHMANDU: Although the monsoon arrived on time this year, only 17.2 percent of paddy planting has been completed nationwide so far, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Sudurpaschim Province leads in planting progress, with 40 percent of its paddy fields already planted. In Karnali Province, 23.9 percent of the planting has been completed. Surprisingly, Madhesh Province—considered Nepal’s rice basket—has recorded the lowest planting rate to date.
In other provinces, 13.7 percent of the planting has been completed in Koshi, 19.6 percent in Bagmati, 18.5 percent in Lumbini, and 12.4 percent in Gandaki.
The government has facilitated access to chemical fertilizers and improved seeds as part of its broader goal to achieve self-sufficiency in paddy production.
With timely monsoon rains and improved agricultural inputs, this year’s paddy cultivation is expected to show encouraging results.
Paddy is cultivated across more than 1.4 million hectares in Nepal, spanning 75 of the country’s 77 districts. It is estimated that paddy is grown on about 50 percent of Nepal’s total cultivable land, underscoring its importance in the national agriculture sector.
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