Despite Fertilizer Shortage, 96% of Paddy Transplanting Completed Nationwide

According to data from the Department of Agriculture, approximately 95.5 percent of paddy transplanting has been completed across the country. Sudurpashchim Province has achieved 100 percent completion, while Madhesh Province has shown significant progress compared to last year. Despite fertilizer shortages, transplanting has been completed on 1,308,383 hectares, the department reported. Kathmandu, 24 Shrawan – As in previous years, farmers have faced challenges such as lack of chemical fertilizers and various other issues this season. The government’s failure to supply fertilizer on time led to disappointment among farmers during the critical planting period. However, even without adequate fertilizer, paddy transplanting nationwide is now nearing its final stage.

According to the Department of Agriculture, as of 22 Shrawan, about 96 percent of transplanting has been completed nationwide. By the same time last year, only 91.31 percent was completed. This year, 95.5 percent of the area designated for paddy cultivation has been transplanted. Out of a total 1,370,062 hectares of suitable paddy land, transplanting has been accomplished on 1,308,383 hectares so far.

Provincially, Sudurpashchim has achieved transplanting on 154,150 hectares, equating to 100 percent completion. Bagmati Province follows with 97.82 percent, Karnali Province with 96.82 percent, Gandaki Province with 95.57 percent, and Lumbini Province with 94.83 percent transplanting completed. Koshi Province lags slightly behind with 93.69 percent transplanted area compared to other provinces.

Madhesh Province, regarded as the country’s main grain basket, has demonstrated clear and positive improvement this year. Due to irrigation shortages and delayed monsoon, only 76.54 percent of the area was transplanted by 25 Shrawan last year. However, this year 94.65 percent of the area, totaling 364,291 hectares, has been transplanted in Madhesh Province.