MoALD reports paddy seedling transplantation at 79 pc nationwide

KATHMANDU: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) has reported that, by Sunday, almost 79% of paddy seedling transplantation had been completed nationwide. This compares with 92.6% achieved by the same time last year.

MoALD figures collected on Sunday indicate that planting remains underway in some areas.

Among the seven provinces, Sudurpashchim leads with 98.94% of its target met. Karnali follows on 91.38%, Lumbini on 92%, Bagmati on 87.19%, Gandaki on 85.3% and Koshi on 80.39%.

Madhesh Province, the country’s main paddy-producing region, has managed just 51.83% of its planting target, owing to a prolonged drought this year.

The fertile Tarai region accounts for around 70% of Nepal’s total paddy output, with the remaining 30% grown in the hills.

In the fiscal year 2024/25, national rice production reached 5.724 million metric tonnes. Unfavourable weather, natural disasters, heavy rainfall and droughts have disrupted transplantation and delayed schedules in several districts.

According to MoALD estimates, 10% fluctuation in rice production can translate into a roughly 1% change in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

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