December 7: Production of paddy and millet has declined in Myagdi this year. Compared to last year, the production of paddy and millet has dropped by 11.50 per cent and 6.87 per cent respectively in the district.

According to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, Myagdi, productivity of paddy and millet has shrunk by 0.3 and 0.1 ton per hectare respectively. Drought during the time of plantation and seed-bearing affected paddy and millet production, said Agriculture Knowledge Center Myagdi’s Chief Kiran Sigdel.

Sigdel said that delayed cultivation and shade from the increasing nearby forests had also led to the drop in production.

Myagdi had produced 13,480 tons of paddy and 3,490 tons of millet last year. This year, the paddy production stood at 11,929 tons while the millet production was 3,250 tons.

The agro center had conducted the study on the status of millet and paddy production using crop cutting methodology in various places of the district. As per the study, paddy production has declined from 3.4 tons to 3.1 tons per hectare while the productivity of millet has contracted to 1.27 tons per hectare from 1.28 tons.

Agriculture technicians had used crop cutting methodology in various parts to identify productivity of millet and paddy in the district. Paddy and millet are cultivated in 2,750 hectares and 3, 890 hectares of the land respectively in the district.