NewBiz Report
KATHMANDU, July 30: Nepali farmers have transplanted paddy in around 14% more areas available for paddy cultivation this year in comparison to last year.

Until July 28, the transplantation was completed in 92.41 percent of the available land across the country this year while 78.1 percent transplantation had completed in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Of the 1.398 million hectares designated for paddy cultivation, transplantation has been completed in 1.29 million hectares.  

Government officials attributed the progress to sufficient rainfall and availability of chemical fertilisers.

“Monsoon arrived earlier this year leading to consistent rainfall,” said Hari Bahadur KC, spokesperson at the ministry. “And the availability of chemical fertilisers led to timely transplantation.”

Farmers could not prepare rice saplings on time last year due to delayed rainfall, which negatively impacted transplantation, KC added, estimating paddy transplantation to increase to 98% of the available area this year. 

While the transplantation nears completion in Sudurpaschim Province, nearly 9 percent transplantation is yet to be completed in Koshi, according to the ministry. 

Spokesperson KC said the transplantation may have been delayed due to less rain in the east compared to the west this season.

Similarly, paddy transplantation has completed in 96.9 percent of available land in Karnali.

With the surge in transplantation, paddy harvest is projected to rise this year.

Paddy harvest had increased last year as well, which the government attributed to the growing use of technology. 

Nepali farmers had harvested 5.7 million tonnes of paddy in the last fiscal year, 2023/24, a 4.33% increase from the previous year.