KATHMANDU, Aug 20: Rice production worth over Rs 15 billion is expected to decline this year. The drop is attributed to a reduced area under rice cultivation due to irrigation shortages, delayed transplanting and insufficient supply of chemical fertilizers.
Due to delayed rainfall, only 86.5 percent of the area in Madhesh Province, considered a granary, has been planted. Nationwide, only 94.15 percent of the planned rice area has been cultivated. While 1,376,466 hectares were expected to be sown, only 1,295,887 hectares have been planted.
The delayed rains forced farmers to plant late, and they could not access adequate chemical fertilizers during the crucial tillering stage. Compared to last year, rice cultivation decreased by 80,579 hectares. Last year, rice yield averaged 4.19 metric tons per hectare. Based on last year’s yield, the reduction in cultivated area alone is expected to reduce production by 337,626 metric tons, equivalent to 33.76 million quintals.
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For the current Fiscal Year (FY), the minimum support price for medium-quality rice has been set at Rs 3,628 per quintal. Considering this, the decline in cultivated area alone could result in a loss of Rs 12.25 billion in rice production. Particularly in Madhesh, rice cultivation has fallen by about 10 percent due to delayed sowing. Crops in the fields have also suffered from inadequate water supply. Insufficient water, lack of fertilizers, and late planting have further affected production.
According to former Agriculture Secretary Dr. Yogendra Kumar Karki, productivity may drop by around 10 percent this year due to delayed transplanting, stunted paddy, and fertilizer shortages. “On one hand, the rice cultivation area has declined,” he said. “On the other hand, other factors are also expected to reduce productivity.” Preliminary estimates suggest that the reduction in cultivated area could cause a loss of about Rs 12.25 billion, and other factors may contribute another Rs 3 billion, totaling around Rs 15 billion in reduced rice production. Barren land may need to be used for other crops, he added.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DoA), rice transplantation this year reached 94.42% in Koshi, 86.35% in Madhesh, 97.27% in Bagmati, 94.83% in Gandaki, 98.07% in Lumbini, 99.34% in Karnali, and 99.15% in Sudurpaschim. DoA Director General Prakash Kumar Sanjel noted that production will be affected on about 80,000 hectares with reduced planting, while the impact of other factors remains uncertain. “Reduced planting area affects production,” he said. “Using new hybrid seeds may increase productivity. If no other technical problems arise, productivity may not decline further.”
In the previous FY 2081/82 BS, rice was cultivated over a total area of 1,420,636 hectares across both monsoon and spring seasons, producing 5,955,476 metric tons. Nepal requires about 7 million metric tons of rice annually. As production is expected to decline further compared to last year, rice imports are likely to increase.
Last FY, Nepal imported over 850,000 metric tons of rice, paddy seeds, and milled rice, costing more than Rs 4.1 billion. With this year’s expected production drop, rice imports are likely to rise further.
Despite government efforts to increase rice production and productivity, challenges persist. Programs have been launched to expand spring rice cultivation and increase monsoon rice productivity. DG Sanjel stated that initiatives are underway to supply farmers with fertilizers, quality seeds, and modern technologies developed through research.
This year, the government will implement the spring rice promotion program in 58 municipalities across 18 districts through federally conditional financial transfers. Additionally, under the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Project, programs are being conducted across 21 zones and five super zones to develop the entire rice value chain for both monsoon and spring seasons.
