Kathmandu: Rice production in Nepal is expected to drop this year due to unfavorable weather conditions during the harvest season. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development reported that heavy rains on September 27-28 severely impacted rice fields across several provinces, especially in Madhesh and Bagamati.

Mahanand Joshi, an official from the ministry, stated that continued light to moderate rains further complicated harvesting efforts, with Madhesh Province alone seeing crop damage across 57,000 hectares. Soil erosion in districts like Siraha and Saptari has worsened the situation, causing earth deposits in paddy fields.

Early estimates suggest a potential two percent decline in rice production. Dr. Mathura Yadav, National Rice Research Programme Coordinator, emphasized the need for accessible weather forecasts to help farmers plan their harvest times more effectively.

To assess the overall impact, the ministry will hold a provincial seminar in the second week of December, with officials from relevant provincial ministries attending. The seminar will compile data to provide a national overview of agricultural losses from this year’s monsoon-related disasters.