Kanchanpur records under 50 pc paddy plantation

MAHENDRANAGAR: Kanchanpur district has completed paddy plantation on less than half of its arable land as the monsoon has so far failed to bring normal rainfall.

The District Agriculture Knowledge Centre reported 45% cultivation for the summer rice crop this season, down from more than 65% at the same time last year. The centre's chief Dharma Saud said the district has 48,496 hectares suitable for summer crops, largely paddy.

Only 39 hectares of that land have irrigation facilities, leaving most fields dependent on rainfall. Saud said delayed planting and drying soils have caused transplanted seedlings to wilt under scorching heat.

“Water table is depleting, causing sheer hindrance to annual agricultural works,” he said, noting that farmers are struggling to pump groundwater as the water table sinks further.

The Mahakali Irrigation Project Phase I and II currently provide irrigation to 11,600 hectares in Bhimdatta Municipality, Bedkot Municipality, Beldandi Rural Municipality and Belauri Municipality. The third phase of the project, under construction as a national pride project, aims to irrigate an additional 33,000 hectares.