Monsoon rain delayed in Morang

By Hari Prasad Koirala,Urlabari, July 3: Although there was a forecast that this year would see above-average rainfall, the rain has not occurred where it is most needed, the fields ready for paddy planting. Due to the lack of rain, farmers in Morang have been unable to plant paddy. According to Bhawani Basnet, Horticulture Development Officer at the Koshi Province Agriculture Development Directorate, paddy planting across the 14 districts of Koshi Province had reached 13.71 per cent by this time last year (mid-Asar). 

This year, as of June 2, it stands at 14.25 per cent. While the overall figure for the province appears satisfactory, the situation in Morang district remains disappointing. The Directorate reported that only 15 per cent of paddy planting has been completed in Morang, compared to 18 per cent during the same period last year.

Deepa Dev, Chief of the Morang Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said, “Paddy planting could increase significantly within a week. The growth rate was good during the first week of June but slowed in the second week. Overall, if we reach 18 to 20 per cent in Morang, it can still be considered satisfactory.” However, farmers said that due to the lack of rain, they have not been able to start planting.

Fields in Rangeli, Sunbarshi, Ratuwamai municipalities and Kanepokhari, Dhanpal, Jahada and Katahari rural municipalities of southern Morang remain barren. Although the fields have been prepared for ploughing by cutting irrigation channels, there has not been enough water to make the soil suitable for planting. Hemchandra Bhandari of Kanepokhari-3 said, “By this time last year, I had already planted half my fields (two bighas). This year, I have not even been able to start. My eyes are tired of looking at the sky, waiting for rain.”

Despite Kanepokhari and Belbari fields usually receiving water from the Keroun canal of the Sunsari-Morang Irrigation Project, the water has not reached the area so far. 

Khaglal Sah, Secretary of the Central Water Users' Committee of the Chatara Main Canal under the same project, said, “Normally, we should receive one cusec of water during June/July (Asar), but currently, only 10 cm is flowing. With this, it is impossible to take turns ploughing the fields.”

Similarly, Karilal Mandal of Sunbarshi-5 said, “Neither rain falls from the sky, nor does water come from the canals. Even the electricity voltage is quite low.” Farmers are unable to irrigate using underground water because the motors are not working properly. Farmers said they are being forced to draw groundwater to plant paddy in the first week of July. Many worry that without timely rain, their paddy seedling will be ruined. 

Khadga Darji of Ratuwamai-9 said, “I managed to buy fertiliser with a great difficulty, but there is no water to prepare the fields. It is also hard to set up motors for the small fields. Neighbours won’t share water until they finish planting their own fields. I am now worried my seeds will go to waste.”