Rice import is increasing exponentially in Kailali

Dhangadhi: Rice import is increasing in Kailali every year. Rice imports have skyrocketed in the current fiscal year compared to the past. Compared to the last Fiscal Year 2076/07, rice import from Kailali Customs Office has increased by 38% in the current Fiscal Year 2077/07.

According to Phanindra Khatiwada, customs officer at the Kailali Customs Office, 27 million 55 thousand 499 quintals of rice worth Rs 1.19 billion has been imported till mid-June of the current fiscal year. Khatiwada said that more than 142.259 million revenue has been collected. In the last Fiscal Year 2076/07, 13.35 million 277 quintals of rice was imported and in the Fiscal Year 2075/76, 25.12 million 780 quintals of rice was imported. Similarly, rice worth Rs. 693.17 million was imported through FY 2071/72, Rs. 787 million in FY 2072/73 and Rs. 817.4 million in FY 2073/74 through Kailali customs. Like every year, this year too, while the Paddy Day is being celebrated with grandeur, the import of rice is increasing. Although Kailali and Kanchanpur are seen as storage facilities for paddy production, their dependence on India remains. Rice imported from India to Kailali is also sold in other districts of the Far-West. There are complaints that the Far-Western state government has not been able to take initiative to increase production in the state even though Indian imports are increasing every year. However, Yagya Raj Joshi, director of the Far-Western Agriculture Directorate, said there was a plan to reduce Indian imports by increasing production. "Coarse paddy is being cultivated in our area," he said, "but the demand for fine and medium fine rice is high here." Therefore, imports from India are also increasing. But there are plans to reduce imports through fine and fragrant paddy farming expansion programs.