Kathmandu, June 26: The government has set ‘Intensity in Rice Cultivation: Food Security and Self-reliance’ as the slogan for the National Paddy Day this year.
This slogan has been set to increase rice production for food security. The Department of Agriculture is organizing various programmes on the occasion of the 22nd National Paddy Day and Paddy Plantation Festival, which will be celebrated on June 29 this year, focusing on research on climate-resilient technologies and increasing the rice production.
In this connection, an interaction programme with experts on the protection of indigenous crops, promotion of technology and minimizing the impact of climate change in this region, is scheduled to be organized at Khumaltar. A paddy planting festival cum honouring farmers will also be held on the occasion.
The Director General of the Department, Prakash Sanjel, said that there is a plan to increase rice production and productivity, and to raise awareness among farmers regarding food security.
Rice is the main food crop which has direct bearing on the economic development, and is linked with social, cultural and religious traditions of the country. It is the staple crop of Nepal.
Director General Sanjel stated that in view of the importance of rice, the National Paddy Day and Transplanting Festival have been celebrated every year since June 29, 2004, with the aim of promoting paddy production, modernization and commercialization.
In the fiscal year 2023-24, the production of rice was 5 million 724 thousand 234 metric tonnes, while in the year 2024-25, the production increased to 5 million 955 thousand 476 metric tonnes. In the year 2023-24, rice was planted on 1 million 438 thousand 989 hectares, and in the year 2024-25, rice was planted on 1 million 420 thousand 636 hectares.
Despite a general decrease in the area under rice crop, the increase in productivity has led to an overall rise in rice production, according to Mahananda Joshi, an information officer at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
He said the production of rice has increased due to use of chemical fertilizers, improved seed varieties and the timely rainfall.
