Planting has been affected this year due to lack of sufficient rainfall. According to Krishi Gyan Kendra Gorkha, only 85 percent of the area has been planted till the third week of July.

Suman Bhattarai, the information officer of Krishi Gyan Kendra Gorkha, informed that the planting of the field, which is done under sky water, has been affected. Last year, 95 percent of the dry paddy cultivation area was planted. He said that compared to last year, 10 percent of the area was not planted this year.

"The seeds of the paddy field have also spread, if there is not enough rain on time, it is almost certain that 15 percent of the area will not be planted," he said. Last year, planting was completed within the second week of July. This year, the farmers are preparing for sowing till the third week of July in the hope of getting enough rain. Barkhe paddy has been cultivated in an area of 10,140 hectares of

district. He said that only 8,619 hectares of land has been planted so far. He said that about 50 percent of the area of Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality and 35 percent of the area of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality have not been planted. "There is no source of water, the fields that are planted with water from the sky have not been able to be planted," he said.

Bhattarai said that farmers have been advised to plant alternative crops in the fields where the sowing could not be done. The Knowledge Center has suggested farmers to cultivate alternative crops such as corn or millet. Last year, 39,900 metric tons of rice was produced. It is estimated that rice production will also decrease due to drought during the planting season this year.