79% of Paddy Transplantation Completed Nationwide

The country has recorded nearly 79 percent of paddy transplantation as of Sunday, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. During the same period last year, the figure stood at 92.6 percent.

The ministry said paddy transplantation is still ongoing in some parts of the country. Among the provinces, Sudurpaschim leads with 98.94 percent of its target achieved, followed by Karnali at 91.38 percent. Koshi Province has completed 80.39 percent, Bagmati 87.19 percent, Gandaki 85.3 percent, and Lumbini 92 percent.

Madhes Province, the country’s key paddy-producing region, has recorded only 51.83 percent of its target so far due to a prolonged drought. The Tarai region, which produces about 70 percent of Nepal’s total paddy, has been particularly affected, while the hill regions contribute the remaining 30 percent.

In Fiscal Year 2024/25, Nepal produced 5.724 million metric tonnes of rice. The ministry noted that adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, excessive rainfall, and droughts often disrupt the transplantation schedule in several areas.

A 10 percent fluctuation in rice production can result in about a 1 percent change in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the ministry added. -- RSS