Annual Area for Spring Rice Planting Declines in Gulmi District

March 31, Gulmi – The area dedicated to planting spring rice (Chaitte rice) in Gulmi district has been steadily declining each year. Analysis of data over the past three years shows a continuous decrease in the annual area used for Chaitte rice cultivation. In the fiscal year 2023/24 (080/081 BS), rice was produced on 319 hectares, yielding 1,286 metric tons.

In 2022/23 (079/080 BS), 341 hectares were cultivated, producing 1,581 metric tons of rice. Similarly, 350 hectares were used in 2021/22 (078/079 BS), and 352 hectares in 2020/21 (077/078 BS).

The Agriculture Knowledge Center anticipates the area for Chaitte rice cultivation will shrink again this year. Recent data confirms the ongoing downward trend in production area.

Local rice varieties like Marsi CH 45 Chaitte and Hardinath 1 are the primary types planted in the spring. The Agriculture Knowledge Center of Gulmi attributes the decrease in cultivated area to out-migration and a resulting shortage of labor available for farming.

Additionally, a lack of rainfall during winter in recent years has caused difficulties in farming. Currently, farmers across the district have started planting rice in the month of Chait (March-April).

Rice planting typically begins in the first week of Chait and continues until the last week. Rice planted in Chait ripens by the first week of Shrawan (July-August). There is also a common practice of planting monsoon rice in the areas where Chaitte rice is cultivated.

Hybrid rice varieties like Shankar, Upaj, Champion, and US 312 are also cultivated. Local varieties grown in Gulmi include Hansraj, Aapjhot, Jhopri, Kathe, Jinuwa, Sano Bhatte, Thulo Bhatte, Kode, Badiyare, Lahare Badiyare, Thapchini, Guduro, Dhalloi, Pakhe, Red Marsi, and Marsi.

Although local varieties yield less, some farmers continue growing them due to their distinct qualities favored by the local population. These qualities, absent in improved and hybrid varieties, include less hunger pangs after consumption and a pleasant aroma.

In the district, Chaitte rice is grown in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality regions such as Arveni, Kanouta, Chapchaur, Shatyawati Rural Municipality areas like Limgha, Asleva, Johangkhaireini, Sahaghat, Chyami Phant, and Chandrakot Rural Municipality areas including Majuwa, Rupakot, and Shantipur.

Similarly, in Musikot Municipality, areas like Tallaphant, Indragouda, Bhuvachidi, Wamitaksar, Paudi Arewa, Bhramachaur, and around Badighat river see Chaitte rice cultivation. Malik Rural Municipality areas such as Simaltari, Phulbari, and Shiladi also engage in this farming.

In Madane Rural Municipality, regions including Sirseni Sim, Aglung Phedi, Bhanbhane lower areas, Dhrukot Rural Municipality near Panaha Khola and Chaldi, Ishma Rural Municipality’s Chaurasi Phant, Hulak, and areas near Chaldi and Nisti rivers also grow Chaitte rice.

Gulmi Darwar Rural Municipality regions such as Garmatari, Kharjen, Ghodahaphant, Tari Phant, Chhatrakot Rural Municipality’s Kharjyang, Manbag, Anga, Ullikhola, Boa Phant, and Ruru Rural Municipality areas like Tahatim, Ghiubesi, Chhamdi, and around Kaligandaki river are also known for Chaitte rice cultivation.

Currently, there is irrigation available year-round over 3,626 hectares used for winter and monsoon rice cultivation in the district. Partial irrigation facilities cover 6,690 hectares.

Due to insufficient irrigation across many areas, farmers remain dependent on rainfall. Furthermore, large-scale migration from rural areas has led to increasing fallow land and a shortage of people to work the fields.