The better-than-expected monsoon is expected to increase paddy production by 10 to 15 percent in 14 districts of Province 1 this year.

According to paddy experts in the districts, paddy production is expected to increase by 1.25 million tonnes at the rate of 3.75 tonnes per hectare this year. Paddy production has increased by 120,790.44 tonnes in comparison to last year.

“Sufficient rainfall has kept the land wet and suitable weather has increased paddy production significantly,” said Ramdev Singh, agricultural extension officer, in Jahada village municipality.

The production of different types of paddy has also increased this year, in comparison to last year, he said, adding that the seasonal paddy that is being prepared for harvest is also in good condition due to which paddy production is expected to increase this year. Ram Pukar Mandal, a farmer of Jahada village, produced four mann of paddy per kattha from 15 kattha of land while he produced three and half mann of paddy per kattha last year.

Rajendra Uprety, a paddy expert, said that paddy production has increased this year despite some scarcity of urea fertiliser. Paddy plantation was done in more than 13,690 hectares of land in comparison to last year, said Manoj Yadav, head of agriculture department of Province 1. And production is expected to increase at least by 10 percent.

“More than four tonnes of paddy will be produced per hectare in Morang, Sunsari, Jhapa and Udayepur of Province 1,” he said. The production of the country will be an average of 3.75 tonnes per hectare, he said, adding that paddy production will be five tonnes per hectare in different districts in Tarai this year.

Paddy plantation was done on 24,113 hectares of land in three districts of the mountain region, 90,916 hectares of land in eight districts of the hilly region and 220,500 hectares of land in three districts of the Tarai region. Meanwhile, Province 5 led in terms of paddy production this year. Paddy production is expected to increase by 12 percent this year if there is suitable weather.

Sufficient rainfall, availability of chemical fertiliser and irrigation facility is expected to increase production by 80,000 tonnes, said the agricultural extension officer. Among six Tarai districts of the province, paddy production is highest in Rupandehi.

While the area for paddy production in the district has been decreasing in the last ten years, the production has increased by five to seven percent, shows statistics. The district produced 342,176 tonnes of paddy last year, and production is expected to increase by 11 percent this year.

Similarly, paddy production in Dang has increased by three to four tonnes Paddy production in Banke is expected to increase by 10 to 15 percent this year in comparison to last year. The district produced 136,648 tonnes of paddy last year. Bardiya too is expected to increase paddy production by 15 percent, with the district producing 210,682 tonnes of paddy last year. The district is expected to produce 242,285 tonnes of paddy this year.

Meanwhile, paddy production in Kapilvastu has decreased this year. Less rainfall at the time of milking stage of paddy is expected to decrease production by 12 percent this year. Paddy plantation was done in 72,000 hectares of land and is expected to produce 211,211 tonnes of paddy. A scarcity of chemical fertiliser also caused less production this year, said farmers.