Paddy Plantation Progress Report: 38.6% Completion Amid Recent Rainfall

KATHMANDU: As of Sunday, paddy plantation has been completed on 38.6 percent of rice fields across the country, spurred by recent rainfall. The Department of Agriculture reports that 539,766 hectares have been planted out of the total 1,398,273 hectares designated for paddy cultivation. This marks a slight decrease from the same period last year, which saw 42.9 percent completion.

Tilak Raj Chaulagain, the department’s information officer, highlighted that Sudurpashchim Province leads with 54.2 percent of its paddy fields planted. In contrast, Madhesh Province lags with only 25.5 percent completion.

Here is a breakdown of the progress by province:
– Sudurpashchim Province: 54.2%
– Gandaki Province: 49.7%
– Karnali Province: 47.5%
– Lumbini Province: 44.4%
– Bagmati Province: 40.2%
– Koshi Province: 34.4%
– Madhesh Province: 25.5%

Madhesh Province, despite having the largest area suitable for paddy production at 383,150 hectares, has completed the least amount of planting. Conversely, Karnali Province has the smallest area suitable for paddy cultivation, with 41,904 hectares.

The country typically produces an average of 5.7 million tons of paddy annually, against a total demand of 6.2 million tons. This season’s paddy production is anticipated to align with the national average.

Paddy planting is primarily conducted after the onset of the monsoon, which began on June 10 this year. The monsoon rains are expected to continue until the end of September.