Plantation has been completed in 68 percent of the total paddy across the country by Friday. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development published today, paddy plantation has been completed in 927,233 hectares out of 1.357 million hectares of paddy fields.

According to the Ministry, owing to weak and late monsoon, the paddy plantation has reduced by 20 per cent during the review period as compared to same period last year. Paddy plantation was completed at around 88 per cent during the same period last year.

By now, paddy plantation has completed in the largest area of paddy field in Sudurpashchim Province followed by Karnali and Lumbini Province. 

In Sudurpashchim Province, paddy plantation was completed in 98 per cent while 76 per cent in Karnali and 74 in Lumbini Province by Friday. Paddy plantation has been completed in about 168,046 hectares out of 171,476 paddy field in Sudurpashchim Province. 

Similarly, paddy plantation has been completed in 29,433 hectares out of total 38,727 hectares of paddy field in Karnali Province and 222,290 hectares out of 300,392 hectares in Lumbini Province.

Similarly, paddy plantation has completed in 73 percent (200,847 hectares) of the total paddy fields in Koshi Province, 67 per cent (70,097 hectares) in Gandaki and 65 per cent (73,504 hectares) in Bagmati Province till date. Likewise, the lowest paddy plantation has been done in Madhes Province where plantation has completed only in 46 per cent (163,016 hectares) of the total paddy fields of 354,383 hectares.

The Ministry expected that the pace of paddy planting would gradually increase as the monsoon becomes more active, the availability of chemical fertilisers is ensured and the effect of lumpy skin disease is reduced.