Gulmi sees only 11% paddy transplantation amid rainfall shortage
The agricultural sector in Gulmi district is facing significant challenges as delayed monsoon rains and irrigation constraints have limited paddy transplantation to just 11% of the target area.
The agricultural season in Gulmi district is under threat due to a critical shortage of rainfall. According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Gulmi, paddy transplantation has been completed on only 719.51 hectares so far, which accounts for approximately 11% of the targeted 6,541 hectares. The situation has caused significant concern among local authorities and the farming community.
Information Officer at the center, Tikakam Nyaupane, noted that a large portion of farmlands remain unplanted as farmers are forced to wait for adequate rainfall to initiate large-scale operations. Centre Chief Naresh Dhital emphasized that the lack of sufficient moisture is directly impacting the pace of the planting season across the district. He indicated that operations are expected to accelerate only once weather conditions improve and rainfall increases.
A difficult situation is being observed in key agricultural pockets, such as the large Chaurasi Faat in Isma Rural Municipality-6. Local farmer Krishna Ghimire reported that while nearly 80% of transplantation was completed by the 15th of Asar last year, the progress this year has barely reached 15%. In addition to water shortages, farmers are reporting significant struggles with a lack of irrigation infrastructure and limited access to chemical fertilizers.
Another farmer, Meghnath Aryal from Dhurkot Rural Municipality-6, confirmed that the lack of water has been the primary obstacle delaying work. In the absence of alternative irrigation sources, most of the fields in Gulmi are entirely dependent on the monsoon season. Agricultural officials have warned that these continued delays could negatively affect the overall volume of rice production in the region for the current year.
The major rice-producing areas in the district include Bhadigad Faat, Chaurasi Faat, Chhaldi, Nisti, Panaaha, Sudi, Khaireni, Khajryang, Shantipur, and Majuwa. Currently, all these regions are facing significant difficulties with sowing due to the abnormally dry climate at the start of the season, which creates risks for lower agricultural productivity in the current production year.