August 22: The country has recorded 92 percent paddy plantation as of August 18 this year.    
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock informed that paddy plantation has covered 1.48 million hectares of land across the country.    
Joint Spokesperson at the ministry, Tapendra Bahadur Bohara, said Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province each witnessed 99 percent paddy plantation followed by Koshi Province (97 percent), Lumbini Province (95 percent), Gandaki Province (94 percent), Bagamti Province (93 percent) and Madhes Province (82 percent).    
In the same period last year, paddy plantation was 95 percent, which declined to 92 percent due to delayed rainfall this year.    
Stakeholders have expressed concerns that Madhes Province, which has fertile land for cultivation, recorded least paddy plantation this year. -- RSS