Lalitpur: Paddy transplantation across Nepal has reached only 50 percent of the targeted area so far this planting season, with below-normal rainfall slowing agricultural activities in many parts of the country.

According to the Department of Agriculture, rice cultivation is planned on 1.37 million hectares of land this year. However, transplantation has so far been completed on only 682,000 hectares.

Director General Rajendra Koirala said the progress is significantly behind last year's pace, when nearly 60 percent of paddy planting had been completed by the same period.

Far West Leads Plantation Progress
Among the provinces, Sudurpaschim Province has recorded the highest transplantation rate at 87 percent.
It is followed by:
-Gandaki Province: 65.9%
-Karnali Province: 60%
-Lumbini Province: 59%
-Bagmati Province: 57.1%

Plantation remains slowest in the eastern plains, with Koshi Province recording 32 percent completion and Madhesh Province 32.7 percent.

Insufficient Rainfall Blamed for Slow Progress
The department attributed the slower pace of plantation primarily to below-average monsoon rainfall, which has delayed field preparation and transplanting in many agricultural districts.

Officials said the monsoon has yet to spread evenly across the country, leaving farmers in several regions waiting for adequate rainfall before planting.

Hope for Faster Planting Next Week
With rainfall beginning to increase in many areas, the Department of Agriculture expects paddy transplantation to accelerate over the coming week.

The department added that if the country avoids major floods, landslides and other weather-related disasters, farmers should be able to intensify plantation activities and make up much of the current delay.