The production of millet, maize and potato has decreased in the district this year. Harinarayan Rai, Head of Agricultural Knowledge Center Khotang, informed that the production decreased when the weather was favorable. According to him, millet production has decreased by 1,599 metric tons this year compared to the previous year. Rai said that 21 thousand 897 metric tons of millet was produced this year while 23 thousand five hundred and 97 metric tons were produced last year.
Rai said that the production of millet decreased due to heavy rains during flowering. Millet is cultivated on 13,332 hectares in
district. In the district, more millet is consumed in domestic alcohol production than as food.
Similarly, there has been a decrease in corn production. Rai said that compared to last year, 7,100 metric tons of maize production has decreased this year. Last year 39 thousand 919 metric tons of corn was produced, this year 32 thousand seven hundred 36 metric tons were produced. Rai said there was a decrease in maize production due to drought, rain and wind. Maize is cultivated in 21 thousand 814 hectares in the district.
Winter potato production has declined since then. Rai said that the production was 4,267 metric tons less than last year. Last year, 23,135 metric tons of potatoes were produced, but this year, only 18,868 were produced. Potatoes are cultivated in 25 thousand 70 hectares in the district. Agricultural Knowledge Center reported that after the decrease in potato production, the price has increased and there is also a shortage of seeds. "Due to the lack of favorable weather, the production of maize, millet and potato has decreased in the district," said Rai. According to him, 2,535 metric tons more rice has been produced this year compared to last year. 21 thousand one hundred and 88 metric tons of rice was produced last year, this year 23 thousand seven hundred and 23 metric tons of rice were produced. In
district, rice is cultivated on 9,377 hectares. Rai says that although the flood has damaged the paddy crop planted on 40 hectares this year, the production has not decreased. "Though this flood caused damage to the rice crop planted in 40 hectares, rice production increased," said Rai, "this year's weather was favorable for rice."
Kiwi production has also increased this year. Last year's production of kiwi planted on 573 hectares was 493 metric tons, this year 500 metric tons have been produced. The increase in production is due to the fact that the kiwi plant is becoming an adult, and the farmers' attraction towards kiwi is increasing. "This year, kiwi production has increased by seven metric tons," said Rai, "next year it is expected to increase even more."
