Optimal Timing and Protective Measures for Rice Harvesting Amid Forecast of Heavy Rainfall

With the likelihood of heavy rainfall during the mid-season rice harvesting period, the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) has advised farmers to complete harvesting by Tuesday or to wait until the rainfall subsides before harvesting. NARC recommends that farmers should only cut rice if they can dry it under the sun or store it safely after threshing.

Although this year’s El Niño weather system is expected to bring less rainfall, rice production is anticipated to increase slightly compared to last year. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued warnings for widespread rainfall across Nepal starting Wednesday for four days due to a developing system in the Bay of Bengal. Meteorologists have also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in some districts and significant snowfall in mountainous areas.

NARC has urged all farmers not to begin rice harvesting from Thursday onwards. In cases where harvesting cannot be completed by Tuesday, farmers are requested to commence harvesting only after the rainfall stops. NARC’s Executive Director Mr. Shremat Shrestha stated, “If you can complete harvesting by tomorrow (Tuesday), please do so, but if not, we advise waiting until the rain stops before harvesting.”

Former Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Hari Dahal, also recommended refraining from harvesting in the current weather conditions and advised farmers to thresh and store rice safely if rainfall occurs after harvesting. He emphasized, “Farmers should make decisions based on local conditions and weather forecasts, choosing whether to harvest accordingly.” Taking into account the projected El Niño system and its effects, the Ministry of Agriculture has worked with NARC to prepare well in advance of the rice planting season.