Chaite paddy cultivation in Lumbini is decreasing every year

Last year, 3 thousand 38 hectares of area was cultivated, but this year, only 2 thousand 677 hectares of rice were planted. This year, 411 hectares of cultivation has decreased. The largest number of chaite rice cultivation in Lumbini province was in Bardia last year at 1,450 hectares, but this year it has decreased to only 1,201 hectares.

In Palpa last year it was 700 hectares, this year it is 630 hectares, in Gulmi it has decreased from 340 hectares to 319 hectares In Arghakhanchi, 200 hectares last year, 170 hectares this year, 60 hectares last year in Rupandehi and now 54 hectares. Chaite paddy has been planted in an area of ​​5 hectares this year, compared to 10 hectares last year in Kapilvastu.

In Pyuthan, last year it was 40 hectares, this year it was 55 hectares, in Nawalparasi, it was 5 hectares last year, this year it was 7 hectares, in Dang, it was 198 hectares last year, this year it was 200 hectares, and in Banke, it was cultivated in 35 hectares this year. Provincial Directorate of Agricultural Development has informed.

In 10 districts of Lumbini, from the first and second week of Chait month, Chaite two, Chaite five, Chaite six and Hardinath variety of paddy are cultivated. It is not to be attracted,' said Ram Prasad Pandey, head of the office of Lumbini Province Agricultural Development Directorate. In Palpa, Gulmi, Arghakhanchima, Pyuthan, Kaligandaki, Barikhola, Ridi Khola, Mathura, etc., there is extensive cultivation, but due to lack of young manpower, they did not cultivate.'

In the hills, now the young manpower from the village outside the country and the country is also facing the city have been He said that young people are gradually giving up farming because they get attractive income from other professions than from agriculture.

"During my grandfather's time, he had 20 ropanis, after farming he would get income," he said, "During my grandfather's time, it dropped to 10 ropanis". When it comes to sons and grandsons, 4/5 has fallen to plantations. Pandey said that the provincial government is conducting a program to attract attention to the production after the Chaite paddy cultivation is decreasing.

This year in Palpa and Rupandehi, Chaite paddy will be shown on 12/15 Katha, he said. Pandey said that a little more program will be conducted next year.

Another reason for the decline in rice planting is the lack of sufficient irrigation. After the irrigation scheme is damaged, the consumers cannot do the maintenance to irrigate the farm and There is a problem because it is expensive to draw water with electricity.

Pandey said that preparations are being made to create a program that will increase production in areas with surface irrigation. Due to climate change, there is also a problem of rain falling from the sky when rice is ripe and rotting.

"Though the area of ​​paddy cultivation in the fields has decreased, the number of people cultivating winter maize is increasing recently," said Pandey, "Maize production is increasing more than paddy in Tarai. After the double income of the investment by selling the corn cobs, corn is being cultivated in the Terai near the city leaving the rice fields.'