Paddy plantation limited to 72% with rain deficit in Tarai belt

By Laxman Kafle,Kathmandu, July 21: Madhes Province has reported the lowest paddy plantation progress among all provinces in the country as of July 20, this year.

According to the paddy plantation statistics made public by Centre for Crop Development and Agro-Biodiversity Conservation under the Department of Agriculture on Sunday, plantation has been completed only in 46.83 per cent of its total paddy fields so far thanks to the long spell of drought. 

Out of 372,645 hectares of paddy cultivable land in the province, plantation has been completed in just 174,508 hectares, significantly lagging behind the national average of 72 per cent. 

Director General of the Department of Agriculture Dr. Prakash Kumar Sanjel attributed this sharp decline in paddy plantation due to lack of rainfall, which has severely affected timely planting in the region.

Compared to the same period last year, the plantation in Madhes Province has dropped by over 34 per cent, raising concerns among farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers about potential impacts on food security and farmer incomes

Last year, by July 20, plantation had been completed in around 80.6 per cent of paddy fields, marking this year’s figure as a drastic drop in productivity.

“The inadequate and delayed monsoon rains have hit our farmers hard. Irrigation systems are limited, and many rely heavily on rainfall. Without timely water, transplanting becomes nearly impossible,” said Sanjel.

In response to the situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has dispatched four teams of agricultural technicians to the eight districts of Madhes Province, he said. 

These teams will assess the current plantation status and explore possible irrigation management options.

"It is a serious concern for us," Dr. Sanjel told The Rising Nepal. "The monitoring team will not only monitor the paddy plantation situation but also evaluate irrigation needs and suggest alternative crops where necessary."

According to the report, paddy plantation has been completed in 72 per cent of total paddy fields across the country by Sunday (July 20, 2025).

 The plantation has been completed in 998,228 hectares of the country’s total 1.38 million hectares of paddy fields. The paddy plantation has been 12.46 per cent lower by July 20 this year compared with the same period last year.  

Paddy plantation had been completed in around 84.6 per cent of total paddy fields by July 22, 2024.

The highest paddy plantation has been completed in Sudurpashchim Province followed by Karnali and Lumbini Province.

According to report, paddy has been planted in almost 97 per cent (170,843 hectares) of the total paddy fields in Sudurpashchim Province as of Sunday. Paddy is cultivated in around 176,151 hectares in the Sudurpashchim Province.

Similarly, paddy has been planted in 87.93 per cent (35,948 hectares) fields in Karnali Province and 87.93 per cent (266,369 hectares) in Lumbini Province. The paddy is cultivated in 40,884 hectares in Karnali and 302,939 hectares in Lumbini Province.

Likewise, 87.19 per cent (105,103 hectares) paddy plantation has been completed in Bagmati Province so far and 79.28 per cent (74,664 hectares) in Gandaki Province.

The paddy is cultivated in 120545.25 hectares in Bagmati and 94,182 hectares in Gandaki Province. 

The paddy plantation has been completed in around 61.79 per cent (170,790 hectares) of the paddy fields in Koshi Province. Paddy is cultivated in around 276,387 hectares in Koshi Province. 

According to the Centre, paddy plantation progress has decreased in Karnali, Gandaki, Koshi, and Madhes provinces. However, Sudurpashchim, Lumbini, and Bagmati have seen improvements over last year.

As of July 20 last year, 96.3 per cent of paddy plantations had been completed in Sudurpaschim Province, 93 per cent in Karnali, 83.4 per cent in Lumbini, 84.3 per cent in Gandaki, 85.5 per cent in Bagmati, 80.6 per cent in Madhes and 82.7 per cent in Koshi Province.