In Gandaki province, it has been found that the area of ​​dry paddy is decreasing. In the financial year 2079/080, 97 thousand 769 hectares of rice were cultivated, but last year the area of ​​planting decreased to 96 thousand 53 hectares. This year, the Provincial Agriculture Development Directorate estimates that rice will be planted in 94 thousand 182 hectares.

According to the directorate, paddy cultivation is decreasing due to destruction of cultivated areas by house-hunting, fragmentation of land, barrenness of land, and rapid expansion of settlements. Although the planted area has decreased, it has been found that the productivity of rice has increased.

Two years ago, 3.6 metric tons of rice was produced per hectare, but last year it increased to 3.73 metric tons of rice per hectare. Manoj Paudel, an agricultural economics expert of the directorate, said that due to favorable climate, availability of chemical fertilizers, absence of epidemic diseases in rice, irrigation facilities, advanced sowing etc., the productivity of rice is increasing. Apart from Mustang and Manang, Barkhe and Chaitai rice has been cultivated in nine districts of the province. 

Out of the total four lakh 79 thousand 617 hectares of arable land of the province, paddy cultivation is done on nearly one lakh hectares of Barkhe and Chaite. Nawalpur, Kaski, Syangja, Tanahun and other districts are more rice crops. Chewetar, Palungtar, Arughat, Siranchok, Lamjungma Dhamilikuwa, Harrabot, Bhorletar, Karaputar, Chundiphant, Satrasaya Fant, Kalestiphant, Kaski Maikhola, Handikhola, Pame and Lekhnath is a paddy pocket area.

Phalebas, Jaljala, Syangja's Putlibazar, Andihola, Galyang, Myagdi's Bhagwati, Piple, Ghatan, Baglung's Badigad, Galkot, Jaimini and Nawalpur's Kawasoti, Gandakot and others have been assigned rice pocket areas. Savitri, Ramdhaan, Jethobudho, Khumal, Sukkha, Akle, Pahele, Gauria, Manusali, Sunaulu Sunandh and other varieties of paddy are cultivated in Gandaki.

Till June 15, 26,562 hectares have been planted in the province. Which is 28.20 percent. 45 percent in Baglung, 43 in Kaski, 34 in Myagdi, 34 in Lamjung, 29 in Nawalpur, 25 in Parbat, 18 in Tanahun, 18 in Syangja and 10 percent in Gorkha.

Paudel, an agricultural economics expert of the directorate, said that due to the lack of rain and the lack of water sources, planting could not be done as expected. "Looking at the situation up to June 15, it seems that less planting has been done than last year," he said, "planting has been done in places with twelve-month irrigation facilities, expected in places that have to rely on rainwater." Planting is delayed due to lack of rain.'