Kathmandu- The preliminary estimate for total paddy production in the current fiscal year is 5.955 million metric tons, representing a 4.04 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year.
According to projections from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, despite a slight decrease in the area cultivated with paddy, the overall increase in productivity has contributed to the growth in total production.
The report reveals that the summer and winter paddy crops have been planted across 1.42 million hectares this fiscal year, a 1.28 percent decrease compared to last year. However, the average productivity has reached a record high of 4.19 metric tons per hectare.
Both summer and winter paddy production and productivity have shown improvements compared to the previous year.
The district-level rice production projections were made with technical assistance from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), based on data from regional agricultural ministries.
The Ministry noted that the monsoon began three days earlier than usual, with rainfall levels exceeding the average of the previous fiscal year, benefiting the summer paddy crop.
Regionally, rice production has increased in the provinces of Koshi, Madhesh, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim, while it has decreased in the remaining three provinces.
In Karnali Province, a reduction in rice cultivation in Rukum (West) has led to lower overall production. Similarly, in some parts of Nawalparasi (East), problems with the winter paddy crop resulted in decreased yields. In Lamjung, adjustments in paddy cultivation area slightly reduced overall production.
As in previous years, winter paddy productivity continues to outpace that of the summer crop.
