Key Takeaways:

• Paddy output in Chitwan rice zone projected to reach 50,000 tonnes
• Production expected to increase by 5,000 tonnes from last year
• Rice zone covers key farming areas in Ratnanagar Khairahani and Rapti
• District-wide crop assessments are still underway

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 28 Paddy production in Chitwan's designated rice zone is expected to rise by 5,000 metric tonnes this year, with preliminary assessments projecting total output of 50,000 metric tonnes, highlighting a strong harvest outlook in one of the district's key agricultural areas. The rice zone produced 45,000 metric tonnes of paddy from 8,500 hectares during the previous fiscal year. Officials say this year's preliminary estimates point to higher production as harvesting progresses across the region. The designated rice zone covers major paddy-growing areas in Ratnanagar, Khairahani and Rapti municipalities, where farmers cultivate popular varieties including Hardinath, Sawa Mansuli, Jhurre Sawa, Gorakhnath, Radhachar and Sabitri. The programme includes wards 5–7 and 9–13 of Khairahani, wards 1–4 and 6 of Rapti, and wards 3–9 of Ratnanagar, alongside participating farms and agricultural groups. While the rice zone assessment indicates a stronger harvest, officials are still calculating overall paddy production across Chitwan district. Crop-cutting surveys are currently underway to determine the district's final output for the season.