Farmers Busy With Paddy Plantation in Nuwakot and Dhading

Nuwakot. Farmers are busy with paddy plantation in the Gangate area between Nuwakot and Dhading after the monsoon became active. With sufficient rainfall, farmers are planting paddy in the traditional style. With the hustle and bustle of farmers planting in the mud, agricultural activities have significantly increased in the rural settlements these days.

According to locals, although the plantation started a bit late due to less rain in the initial phase, it has gained momentum in recent days with regular rainfall. Currently, plantation is in full swing in most of the fields with the help of family members, neighbors, and daily wage laborers.

With the monsoon entering Nepal on time this year, paddy plantation has been gradually increasing across the country. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, more than 60-70 percent of the paddy plantation area across the country has been completed so far. Plantation is in the final stage in most of the Terai districts, while it is still ongoing in some areas of the mid-hill and high-hill regions.

According to the ministry, due to sufficient rainfall, the condition of this year's plantation has improved compared to last year in most districts. However, plantation has been partially affected in some places due to excessive rainfall, floods, landslides, and lack of initial rainfall in some areas.

Paddy is cultivated in about 1.4 million hectares of land in Nepal. Paddy is the main food grain of the country, accounting for the largest share of total food grain production. Paddy also contributes significantly to the total gross domestic product (GDP) of the agricultural sector, and the livelihood of millions of farmers depends on it.

The government has set a goal to increase paddy production by expanding access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. Agricultural experts expect satisfactory production in areas where plantation is completed on time, provided the weather remains favorable. Photos: Suryansh Upreti/Nepal Photo Library