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 per cent compared to the same time last year.
Last year as of this time, around 98.54 per cent paddy transplantation was completed across the country. However, this year only 94.9 per cent of the transplantation has been completed.
Of the total 1,376,466 hectares of land being used for paddy cultivation across the country, transplantation has been completed in 1,306,293 hectares, which accounts for 93.3 per cent of the total area where paddy is cultivated.
Province-wise, cent per cent paddy transplantation was completed in Koshi Province last year. This year transplantation stood at 97.24 per cent.
In Madhesh Province, paddy transplantation decreased significantly from 97 per cent last year to just 83.35 per cent due to prolonged drought.
Likewise, Bagmati Province had recorded 99 per cent transplantation last year. This year the paddy transplantation has declined to 97.27 per cent. Gandaki Province’s paddy transplantation also decreased from 98 per cent last year to 96.63 per cent this year.
Lumbini Province, however, recorded a slight increase in the transplantation at 98.37 per cent against last year’s 98 per cent.
Similarly, Karnali Province reported a rise in paddy transplantation this year from 99 per cent last year to 99.72 per cent this year.
Sudurpaschim Province, which had witnessed cent per cent paddy transplantation last year, recorded only 99.72 per cent transplantation this year.
Department’s Director Prakash Kumar Sanjel said that delay in rainfall this year resulted in reduced paddy transplantation.
He explained, “Transplantation was even more delayed in Madhesh Province due to inadequate rainfall.”
He further added that the already transplanted paddy saplings are also not receiving proper irrigation due to insufficient rain which, he mentioned, is likely to adversely impact the paddy production this year.
Last year, over 5,955,476 metric tonnes of rice was produced, a 4.04 per cent increase in production compared to the previous year.