MAHOTTARI, July 30: Light rainfall on Friday evening has finally brought some relief to the farmers looking for a good paddy plantation season.
The rainfall took place mostly around the East-West Highway in Mahottari, Dhanusha and Sarlahi districts.
Heavy rain likely at some places of five provinces
The farmers in Mahottari complained that even though the rain was not enough for paddy plantation it saved the previously planted saplings from dying. Farmer Rambinod Mahato of Pashupatinagar in Bardibas-9 said that the recent rains have given relief to the plants of sugarcane, vegetables and fruits planted this season.
In Mahottari, farmers have not been able to plant paddy as expected due to lack of good rain since mid-June. Out of the total cultivable land in the district of about 70,000 hectares, only about 50,000 hectares are considered suitable for paddy cultivation.
According to the Agriculture Knowledge Center in Jaleswar, Mahottari, a little more than 50 percent planting has been completed in the district so far.
Dr. Ramchandra Yadav, Senior Agricultural Development Officer at the Center, said that even now if there is good rain, transplantation of paddy saplings can be done throughout the next two weeks. As only 10 percent of the total arable land in the district is irrigated, farming here is dependent on rainfall.
(RSS)
