Rice production in Syangja district has increased this year compared to last year. According to the District Agriculture Development Office, rice output has risen by 13.8% year-on-year.
Last year, the district produced 36,560 metric tons of rice, while production reached 41,640 metric tons this year, informed agricultural economist Narayan Pathak. Rice was cultivated on 9,072 hectares of land this year. Although the total area under rice cultivation has been gradually declining, overall production has continued to increase, the office stated.
“The use of improved seed varieties, modern machinery, and advanced agricultural technologies has increased in recent years,” said Pathak. “Along with technological advancement, favorable climatic conditions have also contributed to higher productivity.” He added that while unseasonal rainfall during the harvesting period caused damage to rice crops in several parts of the country, Syangja did not suffer significant losses, helping maintain production levels.
Approximately 40% of the total rice-cultivated area in the district uses hybrid and improved seed varieties. Rice productivity this year stood at 4.59 metric tons per hectare, compared to 4.3 metric tons per hectare last year. In the previous year, 306 metric tons of spring rice were produced on 67 hectares of land.
The river basins along Aandhikhola, Jagdikhola, Daraukhola, and the Kaligandaki River are identified as rice pocket areas in the district. Rice is produced both for household consumption and seed purposes.
Farmers in Syangja earned nearly NPR 10 million last year from the sale of rice seeds alone. The District Agriculture Development Office reported that farmers continue to generate income through the sale of government-recommended improved rice seed varieties.
Rice seeds produced by Syangja farmers are being sold both within and outside the district through the government’s Digital Seed Management System (DESIS). Commonly cultivated rice varieties include Ramdhan, Sabitri, Sawa Mansuli, Hardinath, and other improved as well as local varieties.
