KATHMANDU, July 12: Paddy transplantation in eastern tarai districts is lower this season compared to other parts of the country.
A report prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives shows that paddy has been transplanted on only 22 percent of total rice fields in eastern region. Paddy transplantation has been done on only 73,240 hectares of total 336,075 hectares of rice fields in eastern tarai districts, shows the report.
According to the report, paddy transplantation has been done on 30,625 hectares of land in Jhapa, 13,200 hectares in Morang, 11,000 hectares in Sunsari, 8,100 hectares in Saptari and 10,145 hectares in Siraha so far.
Paddy production projected to drop to 5.15 million tons
Paddy transplantation rate is relatively higher in western parts of the country as monsoon was active in the west in the beginning, officials of the ministry say. “However, there is nothing to worry as monsoon is gradually becoming active in the eastern region,” Shankar Sapkota, a joint spokesperson for the ministry, told Republica. “This is a normal phenomenon.”
Citing favorable monsoon, the ministry expects transplantation to be completed on 97 percent of the total rice fields in the country by July, 2018.
The report compiled by the ministry shows transplantation has been completed on 671,914 hectares, or 43.28 percent, of 1.5 million hectares of rice fields across the country. Region-wise, paddy transplantation has been completed on 46.66 percent, or 27,137 hectares, in hilly region, and 48.48 percent or 193,750 hectares in mid-hills. Similarly, transplantation in tarai region, the granary of the country, has been completed on 41.20 percent or 451,027 hectares of rice fields in the region till Monday.
“Paddy transplantation was completed on only 28 percent of total paddy fields across the country at this time last year. Paddy transplantation scenario is satisfying this year compared to last year,” added Sapkota.
Late monsoon and flooding later on had affected paddy production last year. “As paddy transplantation is going smoothly this year, we are estimating 97 percent paddy transplantation this year,” Sapkota told Republica.
According to the report, paddy transplantation has been completed on 445,938 hectares of paddy fields in eastern region, 439,328 hectares in central region and 312,547 hectares in western development region. Similarly, transplantation has been completed on 178,096 hectares and 120,196 hectares, respectively, in mid and far western regions.
