Paddy sowing declines by 12.62 percent compared to last year amid unfavorable weather

Kathmandu: Paddy sowing across the country has declined by 12.62 percent compared to last year due to adverse weather conditions. While 45 percent of paddy had been sown by this time last year, only 32.38 percent has been completed this year.

According to Prakash Kumar Sanjel, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, paddy has been sown on 443,595 hectares of land across the country as of Monday. The department has estimated the total area for paddy cultivation at 1,370,062 hectares.

The Department of Agriculture stated that paddy sowing has reached 57.9 percent in Sudurpaschim Province, 41 percent in Gandaki Province, 40.5 percent in Karnali Province, 37.3 percent in Lumbini Province, 33.2 percent in Bagmati Province, 31.5 percent in Koshi Province and 15.6 percent in Madhesh Province.

Director General Sanjel said that paddy sowing has decreased due to the lack of monsoon activity in most parts of the country, but the situation is expected to improve after rainfall in most areas.

Although the Terai region is considered favorable in terms of paddy production and cultivated area, Sanjel said that rice production is likely to decline as only 15.6 percent of paddy has been sown in Madhesh Province. He added that paddy productivity in the region is higher and contributes 70 percent of the country’s total rice production, while the hilly region contributes 30 percent.