Key Takeaways:

• 682,000 hectares planted, about 50% of target
• Progress slower than last year due to weak early monsoon
• Sudurpashchim leads with 87% plantation; Koshi lowest at 32%

KATHMANDU, JULY 15 Paddy plantation has been completed on about half of Nepal's targeted farmland this season, with delayed monsoon rains slowing progress compared to last year, the Department of Agriculture said. So far, paddy has been transplanted on 682,000 hectares, around 50 percent of the targeted 1.37 million hectares. Director General Rajendra Koirala noted that plantation had reached 60 percent by the same period last year, underscoring weaker rainfall during the early planting period. Sudurpashchim Province has recorded the highest plantation rate at 87 percent, followed by Gandaki at 65.9 percent, Karnali at 60 percent, Lumbini at 59 percent, and Bagmati at 57.1 percent. Plantation remains lowest in Koshi Province at 32 percent, while Madhesh Province has completed 32.7 percent of its paddy transplantation. With rainfall now occurring in many parts of the country, the department expects plantation to accelerate over the coming week. Officials said progress is likely to improve further if there are no major disruptions from floods, landslides, or other natural disasters.