29% paddy plantation done in Koshi Province

By Hari Prasad Koirala,Urlabari, July 10: Due to below-average rainfall until the final week of Ashar (second week of July), only 29 per cent of paddy plantation has been completed in Koshi Province this year.

According to Bhawani Basnet, Horticulture Development Officer at the Directorate of Agricultural Development in Koshi, 34.43 per cent of paddy plantation has been done across the 14 districts of the province by the end of the third week of Ashar last year. 

Although official data suggests only a 5 per cent decline compared to the same period last year, farmers on the ground claim that the actual plantation is much lower.

The Directorate has reported about 31.50 per cent plantation in Morang district, whereas nearly 60 per cent had been completed there by this time last year. Most of the fields in the municipalities - Rangeli, Sunbarshi, Ratuwamai - and the rural municipalities - Kanepokhari, Dhanpal, Jahada, and Katahari - in Morang remain fallow. These areas are known for intensive paddy cultivation.

Among the districts in Koshi, Panchthar has recorded the highest rate of plantation, with 59 per cent already completed, according to the Directorate. Bhojpur and Khotang follow with 58 per cent and 57 per cent respectively. However, these hill districts have very limited cultivable land for paddy. 

Paddy is grown on 5,848 hectares in Panchthar, 12,050 hectares in Bhojpur, and 10,018 hectares in Khotang.

In contrast, Jhapa—Nepal's top paddy-producing district—has recorded only 21 per cent plantation so far. Paddy is usually cultivated on 75,559 hectares in Jhapa, and on 69,817 hectares in Morang.

Sunsari has also experienced a delay in paddy plantation this year. Of the 48,009 hectares of land typically used for paddy cultivation in the district, only 24 per cent has been planted so far.

Khagendra Lal Sah, Secretary of the Chatara Main Canal under the Sunsari-Morang Irrigation Project, said that the delay is due to the canal’s inability to supply adequate water when needed.