Rice production in the Far West: Area decreased, productivity increased

Kanchanpur. Paddy productivity has increased in recent years in Sudurpaschim Province. The Agriculture Development Directorate Sudurpaschim has said that the rice production has increased after the farmers started to become professional by improving the farming method. According to the directorate, 687 thousand 877 metric tons of rice have been produced this year. Last year, 636,296 metric tons of paddy was produced in Far West.

In the financial year 2080-81, 6 lakh 72 thousand 928 metric tons of rice was produced, while in the financial year 2079-80, 6 lakh 48 942 metric tons of rice was produced. In the Far West, rice is being produced in an area of one lakh 77 thousand 230 hectares. Keshavraj Pandey, information officer of the directorate, said that there is an increase in rice production in the Far West. "In the far west, Kailali and Kanchanpur produce a lot of rice," he said.

In recent times, the government has been giving seeds of advanced varieties to the farmers with 50% subsidy. Besides, the use of organic fertilizers by farmers, availability of irrigation and government subsidies and technical assistance have increased the production.

"Advanced varieties of seeds increase production by 10 to 15 percent," said information officer Pandey. In Kanchanpur it is 4.6 per hectare and in Kailali it is 4.5 per hectare.

Dharma Bahadur Saund, information officer of Krishi Gyan Kendra Kanchanpur, said that the increase in production was due to sowing of advanced varieties and irrigation facilities. He said that the Krishi Gyan Kendra also installs small irrigation facilities in places where irrigation facilities are not available to the farmers.