Damak, July 29:

Jhapa district may face a food shortage this year, as plantation of paddy has been delayed due to a prolonged drought, chief of the District Agriculture Development Office, Jhapa, Shankar Lal Shakya, said today. Paddy has been planted in 28,000 hectares (40 per cent of total agricultural land) till now, he said, adding this could result in reduction of production by 66,000 metric tonnes. “If the drought continues for one more week, the district will certainly face a food shortage.” Of total of 89,000 hectares of agricultural land, paddy is planted in 50,000 hectares only if rain falls in adequate amount. Farmers said paddy has started wilting in many places due to the drought.