Only 32.38% of Paddy Transplantation Completed Nationwide, Madhesh’s Condition Alarming

June 6, Kathmandu – As the third week of Ashar passes this year, paddy transplantation across the country has not progressed at the expected pace. According to the latest data from the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment, only 32.38 percent of the total paddy cultivation has been completed nationwide. Out of the total 1,370,062 hectares designated for rice farming in Nepal, paddy has been transplanted in only 443,595 hectares so far. At the same time last year, 45 percent of the transplantation had been completed nationwide.

Examining the provincial data reveals that Sudurpashchim Province has the most satisfactory transplantation status. According to the details, out of the total 154,950 hectares of rice farming land in Sudurpashchim Province, transplantation has been completed on 89,742 hectares, representing 57.9 percent of the total area. At this time last year, transplantation there had reached 82.8 percent. Following Sudurpashchim, Gandaki Province has completed 41 percent of its paddy transplantation. In Gandaki, out of 93,606 hectares of rice farming land, paddy has been transplanted in 38,389 hectares.

Similarly, in Karnali Province, out of 43,290 hectares of rice cultivation land, paddy transplantation has been completed on 17,549 hectares, which is 40.5 percent. Last year at this time, Gandaki had 55.6 percent and Karnali had 71.7 percent transplantation completed. Lumbini Province has 301,372 hectares suitable for paddy farming, of which only 112,509 hectares, or 37.3 percent, have been transplanted so far. This is significantly lower than last year’s 52.1 percent.

Bagmati Province has also seen a decline in transplantation compared to last year’s 51.9 percent; this year, only 33.2 percent of the total 114,524 hectares have been transplanted. According to the data, in Koshi Province, out of 276,387 hectares, 87,033 hectares or 31.5 percent transplantation has been completed. At the same time last year, only 29.5 percent had been transplanted in Koshi.

The situation in Madhesh Province, a major paddy production hub, remains particularly disappointing this year as well. With the highest rice farming area in the country, 385,933 hectares, only 60,346 hectares or 15.6 percent have been transplanted as of the third week of Ashar. This is the lowest percentage among all provinces. At the same time last year, Madhesh had completed 25.1 percent of paddy transplantation.