Summary
- Farmers in Mahottari feel hopeful as rain over Friday and Saturday has improved agricultural conditions.
- The recent rain revitalized vegetables that had withered due to dry conditions, providing relief to farmer Shubhnarayan Thakur.
- Only 20 percent of the district’s 71,000 hectares of cultivable land are irrigated; the rest depends on rainfall.
March 22, Mahottari — Farmers in Mahottari, who had been disheartened by the lack of rainfall during winter, are now experiencing relief.
The rain that fell on Friday and Saturday has sufficiently moistened the soil, renewing hope for the progress of agricultural activities.
Local farmer Shubhnarayan Thakur shared that the recent rain worked like a blessing on crops that had been turning yellow due to water shortage. “The land was drying out, and it was impossible to till it; the shoots and plants of Baishakhi vegetables were wilting,” said the 60-year-old Thakur, “the recent rainfall has brought great relief.”
Crops that had been wilting before the rain showed improvement within a day, and with clear weather on Sunday, farmers found it easier to carry out agricultural tasks.
The rain provided ample moisture for the crops in the fields, allowing farmers to start preparing the soil for upcoming planting of monsoon rice and other crops.
“Sugarcane plants were drying out due to lack of water, but after the rain, we have felt significant relief,” said 30-year-old farmer Nirbahadur Khatri from Bardibas-7, Manharipur. “We will now begin soil preparation for planting crops such as monsoon rice, maize, millet, and joonelo.”
The recent rain also benefited summer fruits such as mangoes, lychees, and Kathemar trees.
Hotaraj Ghimire, a 70-year-old fruit farmer from Bardibas-5 Cheru, explained that by washing away powdery mildew, the rain facilitated effective treatment of the disease on flowers and pods.
Farmers have noticed that adequate soil moisture promotes fruit-bearing plants while reducing the spread of diseases.
The strong winds that occurred on Friday evening caused minor damage to the crops.
Specifically, the wind toppled maize stalks with ears and broke some shoots of Baishakhi vegetables in certain areas.
However, the cessation of strong winds coinciding with the onset of rainfall prevented major damage, according to farmers. The rain from Friday evening through Saturday is expected to maintain moisture in the fields for some time.
This recent rainfall reduced the intense heat that had risen due to the lack of water in winter. With favorable conditions for crops and cooler weather, farmers find it easier to resume their work.
With several months of busy agricultural activities ahead, farmers hope for occasional favorable rains. “Good rainfall will lead to better yields,” said 65-year-old Raghu Kafle from Bardibas-6, Krishnapur.
Although Mahottari has a total of 71,000 hectares of cultivable land, only about 10 percent has access to irrigation. Most investors and farmers depend on wells, shallow tube wells, and boreholes for watering their fields.
Prolonged drought causes these alternative irrigation sources to dry up quickly, creating challenges for farmers. According to the Agricultural Knowledge Center of Mahottari, approximately 20 percent of the land is irrigated, while the remaining 80 percent relies on rainfall.
Therefore, farmers remain dependent on rain to plant and protect their crops.
