79% paddy transplantation completed so far this year

Kathmandu, July 28: The country recorded almost 79 per cent of paddy seedlings transplantation until Sunday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development shared. Last year, paddy seedlings transplantation was done in 92.6 per cent during the same period.  

As per the reports collected by the Ministry on Sunday, paddy transplantation is still taking place in some parts of the country. 

Among the provinces, Sudurpaschim is leading with 98.94 percent of its target already completed, while paddy transplantation is completed in 91.38 percent of the target in the Karnali Province, according to the Ministry.

Paddy transplantation is completed in 80.39 per cent in the Koshi Province, 87.19 per cent in the Bagmati Province, 85.3 per cent in the Gandaki Province and 92 per cent in the Lumbini Province.     

However, the Madhes Province, the key area for paddy production in the country, recorded just 51.83 per cent of its target in the paddy seedlings transplantation due to the longstanding drought this year.   

Tarai region is the most fertile and produces about 70 per cent of the country’s total paddy, while the hilly regions contribute the remaining 30 per cent.

During the previous Fiscal Year 2081/82, the country had witnessed a total rice production of 5.724 million metric tonnes. Unfavorable weather conditions, natural disasters, excessive rainfall, and droughts create adversities for paddy seedlings transplantation, deferring the schedule in some areas.

According to the ministry, a 10 percent change in rice production can lead to about a 1 percent change in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). (RSS)