Experts urge faster farm mechanization to further boost paddy yields

KATHMANDU: Paddy production increased this year describe damage to paddy crops in different parts of the country due to floods in the last week of September.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), paddy production increased by 4.04% to 5.955 million tons in the current fiscal year. Over the past seven years, annual paddy production has averaged 5.41 million metric tons. Paddy was planted on an average of 1.45 million hectares during the period.

The ministry had estimated that floods in the last week of September completely damaged paddy crops on 58,476 hectares, resulting in losses worth Rs 3.50 billion. Despite this, paddy production increased by 333,000 tons this year compared to the previous fiscal year, according to Dr Matina Joshi Vaidya, the spokesperson for the ministry.

According to Joshi, paddy production was expected to drop in the current fiscal year due to low paddy transplantation rates and damage inflicted by the September floods. “However, production increased. Paddy production set a record this year. If we can increase production by 500,000-700,000 tons annually, we can become self-sufficient in rice,” she added.

Joshi attributed the increase in production to the availability of chemical fertilizers and improved paddy varieties, along with increasing mechanization in the agriculture sector and favorable weather conditions. Vaidya also cited the availability of improved seeds and the absence of pest infestations as other contributing factors.

Total paddy production stood at 5.621 million tons in the previous fiscal year.

Stakeholders say mechanization in paddy farming has not expanded as expected. Many farmers are still using traditional methods which affects productivity.

Jagannath Tiwari, the spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, acknowledged the slow adoption of technology in paddy farming. “While improved seeds are easily available, farming practices still remain traditional in many parts of the country. The government should invest in modernizing farming techniques to achieve self-sufficiency in rice,” he added.

Agriculture expert Hari Dahal explained that increased paddy production boosts the overall economic growth of the country. He criticized the government’s slow efforts in farm mechanization despite the growing importance of paddy in the Nepali economy. “Paddy production has increased this year despite a decline in cultivated area,” he said. “Adoption of new farming technologies can increase production further.”

Data provided by the ministry shows paddy production increased in four out of seven provinces. The highest growth was observed in Madhes Province, where production rose by 10.7% to 1.48 million tons. In Sudurpashchim Province, production increased by 6.11% to 636,212 tons, while Lumbini Province saw a growth of 4.06% to 1.36 million tons. Koshi Province also recorded a 2.16% increase, reaching 1.46 million tons.

However, production declined in three other provinces. Karnali Province experienced the sharpest drop of 10.3% to 305,191 tons. Similarly, Gandaki and Bagmati provinces recorded declines of 3.22% and 1.13%, with production falling to 379,032 tons and 498,662 tons, respectively.