Paddy, the major crop of the country, witnessed a significant rise in production by 29.6 per cent this season.

The total production reached 5.23 million metric ton this season against 4.29 metric ton last season. In terms of total production, this is the highest so far.

The nationwide rise in production is a result of the significant rise in production especially in Jhapa, Dhanusa, Mahottari, Siraha, Saptari, Morang and Rautahat districts.

The rise in paddy production is significant as it leads to a rise in the gross domestic production as well. The contribution of the agriculture sector is 33 per cent to the GDP, which includes 20 per cent from paddy alone.

Joint-secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture Development Yogendra Kumar Karki attributes the rise in paddy production to timely rainfall and availability of chemical fertilizers and seeds. Used of developed seeds and species also led to the increase in production.

Paddy was cultivated in 189,000 hectares of land, which is itself an increased by around 14 per cent compared to the previous season. Growing paddy in 10 million hectares of land could make Nepal self-reliant in paddy, said statistician at the Agriculture Development Ministry, Ram Krishna Regmi.

Nepal currently imports rice worth Rs one billion every month, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies. RSS