Of around 1.425 million hectare of land suitable for paddy cultivation in the country, rice has been planted only on eight per cent of it as of today, Shankar Prasad Sapkota of the Ministry of Agricultural Development said.

Rice is the staple crop of Nepal and an increase in its production boosts the Gross Domestic Product whereas a decrease in the production leads to a slump in the economic condition. Nepal in the past used to export rice, but for many years now, the country imports it. Nepal imports around one million metric tonnes of rice annually. This year, the country imported rice worth approximately Rs 14 billion from India, said Minister for Agriculture Hari Prasad Parajuli. But picture is not that bleak, according Adhikari, who said Nepal will be self sufficient in rice in coming three years.