Kathmandu: Paddy transplantation has decreased this year owing to unfavorable weather conditions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The Department of Agriculture under the Ministry reported that as of last Sunday, paddy transplantation has decreased by 3.65 percent compared to the same time last year.
According to National News Agency Nepal, last year at this time, around 98.54 percent of paddy transplantation was completed across the country. However, this year only 94.9 percent of the transplantation has been completed. Of the total 1,376,466 hectares of land used for paddy cultivation, transplantation has been completed in 1,306,293 hectares, accounting for 93.3 percent of the total area.
Province-wise, Koshi Province completed 100 percent paddy transplantation last year, but this year it stands at 97.24 percent. In Madhesh Province, paddy transplantation decreased significantly from 97 percent last year to just 83.35 percent due to prolonged drought. Bagmati Province saw a decline from 99 percent last year to 97.27 percent this year. Gandaki Province’s paddy transplantation decreased from 98 percent last year to 96.63 percent this year.
Lumbini Province recorded a slight increase in transplantation at 98.37 percent compared to last year’s 98 percent. Similarly, Karnali Province reported a rise from 99 percent last year to 99.72 percent this year. Sudurpaschim Province, which had 100 percent paddy transplantation last year, recorded 99.72 percent this year.
Department’s Director Prakash Kumar Sanjel indicated that the delay in rainfall this year resulted in reduced paddy transplantation. He explained that the delay was more pronounced in Madhesh Province due to inadequate rainfall. He further noted that the already transplanted paddy saplings are not receiving proper irrigation due to insufficient rain, which could adversely impact paddy production this year. Last year, over 5,955,476 metric tonnes of rice were produced, marking a 4.04 percent increase in production compared to the previous year.