Self-Reliance in Rice Cultivation Contrasted with Dependency on Imported Seeds

In the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Nepal has imported 2,993 tons of rice seeds valued at NPR 129.94 crore. Due to insufficient development and production of indigenous hybrid rice varieties, farmers are compelled to rely heavily on foreign hybrid seeds. Although the government promotes self-reliance in rice seed production, imports continue to rise because of shortages in hybrid seeds and a weak formal seed production system. Today, 15 Asar marks the 23rd National Rice Day in Kathmandu. This year, the government is celebrating Rice Day under the theme “Climate-Friendly Technology, Self-Reliance in Rice, and Prosperity.” However, despite the slogan of “self-reliance and prosperity in rice,” more than NPR 100 crore worth of seeds are imported annually to meet farmers’ needs. While the government claims that rice seed production within Nepal is sufficient to satisfy domestic demand, the growing preference among farmers for advanced, particularly hybrid (Varnashankar) varieties, highlights the country’s continued full dependence on imported seeds.

According to the Department of Customs, rice seed imports increased by 11.42% compared to last year. During the first 11 months of fiscal year 2082/83 (from Saun to Jestha), rice seed imports amounted to NPR 129.94 crore, whereas in the same period last fiscal year, imports were NPR 116.63 crore. In monetary terms, this represents an increase of approximately NPR 13.32 crore year-over-year. In quantity terms, imports also rose—from 2,570 tons last year in the same period to 2,993 tons in the current fiscal year. More than 99% of Nepal’s imported rice seeds come from neighboring countries India and China.

Within the 11-month timeframe, Nepal imported 2,669 tons of rice seeds valued at NPR 114.25 crore from India alone. From China, 324 tons worth NPR 15.67 crore were imported. Additionally, negligible quantities of rice seed were imported from third countries primarily for trial or other purposes: 148 kilograms from Vietnam; 12 kilograms from the United Kingdom; 5 kilograms each from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE); and 3 kilograms from Saudi Arabia. This stark contrast between the government’s claims of growing seed self-reliance and the consistent annual importation exceeding NPR 125 crore exposes a significant gap between Nepal’s agricultural research efforts and the needs of its farmers.