Nepali farmers are projected to achieve a record-breaking harvest of 5.95 million tonnes of paddy this fiscal year, according to preliminary estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.  

Despite a 1.28% reduction in the area under paddy cultivation, the ministry reports a 4.04% year-on-year increase in production for fiscal year 2024/25. Paddy, the country’s staple crop, was planted on approximately 1.42 million hectares this fiscal year, down from 1.44 million hectares in the previous fiscal year.  

Mahanand Joshi, Senior Agricultural Economist and Information Officer at the ministry, confirmed the estimates for both production and productivity are the highest on record.  

Last fiscal year, farmers harvested 5.72 million tonnes of paddy, with an average yield of 3.98 tonnes per hectare. This year, productivity is expected to rise to 4.19 tonnes per hectare, also a record high.

The ministry attributes the anticipated surge in production to favorable weather conditions, including an early and robust monsoon, increased availability of chemical fertilizers, and the use of improved seed varieties. The 2024 monsoon arrived three days earlier than usual, bringing above-average rainfall.  

“The production and productivity of both spring and monsoon paddy are expected to surpass last year’s figures,” stated the ministry in its statement.  

Provincial data indicate significant growth in paddy production in Koshi, Madhesh, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim. However, other provinces experienced declines due to reduced transplantation areas and inadequate irrigation infrastructure.  

Madhesh Province recorded the highest growth in paddy production at 10.7%, while Karnali experienced a decline of 10.25%.  

Similarly, paddy production surged by 6.11% in Sudurpaschim, 4.06% in Lumbini, and 2.16% in Koshi.  

In contrast, harvests in Gandaki and Bagmati fell by 3.22% and 1.13%, respectively.