Paddy plantation down by 12.62 per cent

Kathmandu, July 7

The paddy plantation has declined by 12.62 per cent this year. It was 45 per cent paddy plantation by this time last year, while this year record stands at 32.38 per cent across the country. Till Monday, the country recorded paddy plantation in 443,595 hectares of land, according to Prakash Kumar Sanjel, director general at the Agriculture Department.

The country has 1.3 million-plus hectares of land suitable for paddy cultivation. Sudurpaschim Province experienced 57.9 per cent plantation, while Gandaki Province 41 per cent, Karnali Province 40.5 per cent, Lumbini Province 37.3 per cent, Bagmati Province 33.2 percent, Koshi Province 31.5 percent and Madhes Province 15 percent, according to the Department. Director General Sanjel said climate change impacted the entry and spread of monsoon this year, causing delayed planting.

Once the rainfall spreads across the country, remaining parts will cultivate the land for major crops. Madhes Province has witnessed only 15.6 per cent cultivation, though it is the most suitable place for rice production. It has caused projections of declined production of rice this year. The southern plains make up nearly 70 per cent of total rice production, while the hilly region bears 30 per cent.