Only 55% paddy plantation completes in Gandaki Province

By Santosh Subedi, Kaski, July 14: Only 55 per cent paddy plantation has been completed in Gandaki Province so far.

According to Basudev Regmi, Director of Agricultural Development Directorate, Gandaki Province, paddy plantation has been completed in around 45,609 hectares out of total paddy field in the district.

Out of the 11 districts of Gandaki Province, rice is cultivated only in nine districts.

Director Regmi informed that paddy was cultivated in an area of 104,623 hectares last year, and this time, it is estimated that paddy will be planted in around 97,851 hectares of land.

Out of 11,266 hectares of paddy field in Gorkha, paddy has been planted in only 2,380 hectares.

Similarly, paddy plantation has been done in 3,965 hectares in Lamjung, 5,665 hectares in Tanahun, 10,351 hectares in Kaski, 4,670 hectares in Parbat, 3,787 hectares in Syangja, 583 hectares in Myagdi, 2,059 hectares in Baglung.

Director Regmi informed that paddy has been planted in 11,289 hectares in Nawalparasi.

In terms of area, Baglung is large, but paddy is being planted in around 5,883 hectares out of total productive land of 46,148 hectares.

He said that the planting of paddy was delayed because of the late and weak monsoon.

Paddy was planted in around 65 per cent of total paddy field during the same period last year.

"Now planting is late. Planting is almost finished in places with irrigation facilities, but in other places there is still some left,'' he said.

According to him, there are no irrigation facilities everywhere in the hilly areas; so, the water spring would come up for planting the paddy.

However, there is still not enough rain in the hilly areas.

"There was a shortage of chemical fertilisers at this time of planting last year, rather, there was no shortage of water, but this time there is no shortage of chemical fertilisers, there is a shortage of water. That is why planting has been affected," he said.

According to him, it is estimated that about 300,000 tonnes of paddy will grow in Gandaki this year.

He said that although the land is suitable for rice cultivation, paddy production has reduced due to various reasons, such as an increasing area of uncultivated land.

However, about 60 per cent paddy plantation has been done within Pokhara Metropolitan City.

According to Manohar Kadariya, head of the Agriculture Division of the Municipality, planting has been completed in most areas where irrigation facilities are available within the metropolis.