Farmers Busy with Rice Planting as National Rice Day Observed

Today, on 15th Asar, National Rice Day is being celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm under the theme ‘Climate-Friendly Technology, Self-Reliance, and Prosperity in Rice.’ According to data from the Department of Agriculture, out of 4.13 million households in Nepal, 2.76 million are engaged in rice farming. However, due to insufficient rainfall by mid-Asar and a shortage of chemical fertilizers, many farmers have been unable to carry out planting on time.

In the Tokha area of Kathmandu, farmers are actively engaged in rice planting. Students from various schools have also been brought to the fields to participate in planting activities. The students are enjoying themselves by planting rice seedlings and playing around in the fields. To date, more than 140 varieties of rice have been developed in Nepal.

According to the Department of Agriculture, rice cultivation occupies 54 percent of the total arable land. In the fiscal year 2078/79, rice was cultivated on 1.42 million hectares, producing 5.955 million metric tons of rice. However, this year, due to the lack of rainfall by mid-Asar, rice planting has not been completed in many areas. The shortage of both rainfall and chemical fertilizers has posed significant challenges for farmers, impacting their economic stability and the agricultural sector.