Paddy plantation reaches 59 pc nationwide: MoALD

KATHMANDU: Around 59% of this season’s paddy plantation has been completed across the country, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD).

As of 13 July, rice has been planted on approximately 816,405 hectares of land—around 8% less than during the same period last year.

Sudurpaschim Province has achieved 93% of its target, covering 164,000 hectares. In Karnali, plantation has reached 83% of the target, with 64,000 hectares planted. Lumbini has reported 73% completion, covering 223,000 hectares.

By this point last year, national paddy plantation stood at roughly 67%. The planting process remains ongoing in many regions and is projected to reach around 98% by mid-August.

MoALD spokesperson Mahananda Joshi said the Tarai region, Nepal’s most fertile area, produces about 70% of the country’s total rice output, with the remaining 30% coming from the hilly regions.

In the previous fiscal year 2023/24, rice production totalled 5.724 million metric tonnes. Delays in plantation were caused by unfavourable weather conditions, natural disasters, heavy rainfall and drought.

Paddy is typically cultivated on approximately 1.4 million hectares across Nepal. With the application of enhanced knowledge, modern technologies and improved seed varieties, overall rice production is expected to increase in the coming years.

MoALD estimates that a 10% change in rice production may result in about a 1% shift in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This year’s harvest is expected to yield 6 million metric tonnes of rice, including around 3.5 million metric tonnes of edible rice.

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