Paddy transplantation progress at 77%

KATHMANDU: The overall progress in paddy transplantation across the country as of July 28 stands at 77%.

According to the Agriculture Information and Training Center, progress in paddy transplantation in the same period last year was 90%. Out of 1.35 million hectares of paddy fields across the country, transplantation has been completed on 1.05 million hectares, the center added.

Paddy is Nepal’s largest crop and contributes around 7% to the national gross domestic product. Paddy production increased by 6.94% to 5.48 million tons in 2022/23 compared to 5.13 million tons in 2021/22.

Koshi Province has achieved 84% progress in paddy transplantation. In the same period last year, paddy had already been transplanted in 88% of the paddy fields. Paddy is cultivated on 275,133 hectares of land in the province. Transplantation has been completed on 231,112 hectares, according to the center.

Similarly, paddy transplantation has been completed on 59% of the paddy fields in Madhesh Province so far. At the same time last year, transplantation had been completed on 89% of the paddy fields. Madhesh Province grows paddy on 354,383 hectares. According to the center, paddy transplantation has been done on only 209,086 hectares in the province so far.

Bagmati Province is also behind in paddy transplantation compared to last year. The province has achieved 72% progress in transplantation this year compared to 93% in the same period last year. Out of 113,083 hectares of paddy fields in the province, transplantation has been completed on only 81,420 hectares so far.

According to the center, transplantation has been completed on 82% of paddy fields in Gandaki, down from 96% in the same period last year. Out of 104,622 hectares of paddy fields in Gandaki, transplantation has been completed on 85,790 hectares only.

Transplantation progress fell short of expectations in Lumbini Province as well. Progress in the province this year stands at 81%, compared to 85% last year. Paddy has been transplanted on 243,318 hectares out of 300,392 hectares of paddy fields in the province.

Out of seven provinces in the country, only Karnali has made higher progress compared to last year. The province has achieved 85% progress in transplantation this year, compared to 79% last year. Out of 38,727 hectares of paddy fields in Karnali, transplantation has been completed on 32,218 hectares so far.

Sudurpashchim Province, on the other hand, is about to achieve 100% progress in paddy transplantation. Transplantation has already been completed on about 99% of paddy fields in the province, which is the same as last year. Out of 171,476 hectares of paddy fields in the province, transplantation has already been completed on 169,761 hectares.