In the eight drought-affected districts of Madhesh Province, around 77 percent of paddy plantation has been completed so far. According to Jitendra Yadav, Director of the Agriculture Development Directorate, Baraa has the highest plantation rate at 95 percent, while Mahottari has the lowest at 61.5 percent.
Out of the province’s total cultivable area of 542,581 hectares, paddy is usually planted on 372,645 hectares. This year, plantation has been completed on 285,335 hectares so far.
Yadav stated that despite insufficient rainfall, the use of boring (tube wells) has helped increase the plantation area. In Baraa and Parsa, farmers have used water from the Gandak Canal; in Saptari, from the Koshi River; and in Sarlahi and Rautahat, from the Bagmati River, making plantation somewhat easier. However, in Dhanusha, the drying up of the Kamala River has caused problems. It is estimated that only up to 80 percent of plantation will be completed in the province this year, with a potential 27 percent drop in total paddy production due to late planting.
Following the provincial government’s announcement of immediate relief under the Underground Irrigation Management Assistance Program for drought and dry spell-affected areas, 22,052 farmers across the province have applied. Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh said the provincial government is awaiting a decision from the federal government on irrigation support. Although the provincial government has allocated a budget of NPR 180 million for the assistance, he noted that it is insufficient.
