With only a few days left until the end of July, planting has not been done in 1.5 million hectares. Even though the monsoon is active, due to lack of good rain in Madhesh, there is a problem in planting. Planting could not be done on time due to lack of irrigation. Along with Madhesh, there has been a decrease in planting due to water problems in Koshi. Since planting is less in these two provinces, the progress of planting in the country as a whole is seen to be less.

Barkhe paddy is planted in 13 lakh 78 thousand 966 hectares across the country. Till July 25, only 12 lakh 54 thousand 886 hectares (91 percent) have been planted. In other words, more than 124,000 hectares have yet to be planted, according to the Center for Crop Development and Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation. While 2081 July 27  98.19 percent planting had been done. 

Most of the plantations are yet to be done in Madhesh. Barkhe paddy is planted here on 372 thousand 645 hectares. Of this, only 285,234 hectares (76.54 percent) have been planted till July 25. 87 thousand 411 hectares are yet to be planted. At the same time last year, 97 percent of planting in Madhesh had been done. Due to the drought, the government has already declared Madhesh as a crisis. Due to the recent rains in Madhesh, planting has intensified. But experts say that there is a doubt that the seeds that have been sprinkled will give a good yield. 

In the beginning, the planting could not be done due to the dry drought. The seed has reached the stage of germination. Even though it is late, the planting is going on in full swing after the rains," Sushilraj Subedi, rice scientist of the Agricultural Research Council (NARC), said, "Due to the rains, the planting is about the same as last year. But there is doubt as to how the product will be. Aged seeds naturally reduce production.

Scientist Subedi says that 20 to 22-day-old seeds are considered good. But after the delay in sowing due to lack of water, the farmers have planted the seeds that were scattered. "If it is a fast-ripening rice variety, it is better to plant it as early as possible. In the case of late-ripening varieties, it does not matter if it is delayed," Subedi said. In Koshi, paddy is planted in 276 thousand 386 hectares. Of this, 260,964 hectares (94.42 percent) have been planted. During the same period last year, 98 percent planting was done in Koshi. Keshav Devkota, head of the center, said that due to lack of irrigation, there was less planting in Koshi. 

"Planting is being done in Sunsari and Jhapa areas without water for planting, in the east, planting has decreased due to lack of water," Chief Devkota said, "Planting is done till July." Despite the delay, it seems that the entire planting will take place. When the seeds are too old, the production may decrease.

This year, due to the monsoon-based farming system, the planting has been delayed. According to Devkota, there is a custom of planting seeds late in Madhesh. 7,448 hectares are yet to be planted in Bagmati. 1 lakh 15 thousand 621 hectares are planted in this province. Planting has been done in 1 lakh 8 thousand 173 hectares (93.56 percent) till July 25. Last year, during this period, 99 percent planting was done. 

In Gandaki, 6,807 hectares are yet to be planted. 94 thousand 182 hectares are planted in this province. Planting has been done in 97 thousand 375 hectares till July 25. 5 thousand 836 hectares are yet to be planted in Lumbini. 3 lakh 2 thousand 939 hectares are planted in this province. 41 thousand 42 hectares are planted in Karnali. Of this, 659 hectares are yet to be planted. In Far West, 176 thousand 151 hectares are planted. Of this, 499 hectares are left to be planted. 

Area to be planted (in hectares) 

Koshi: 15 thousand 422