Among the key paddy producing districts, Mahottari is the worst hit. As of Sunday, only 15 per cent of its land had been cultivated. Officials at the ministry said only about 60 per cent of arable land across the country had been cultivated. Experts warn this could pose the risk of an imminent food crisis in the country this year.
According to the MoAC, of the total 319,973 hectares (Ha) of arable land, farmers had only managed to cultivate 122,099 Ha in the central Tarai till Sunday.
In Sarlahi and Rautahat, only 35 per cent land has been cultivated. While in Dhanusha farmers have only managed to plant paddy in 20 per cent of arable land. In Parsa and Chitwan, plantation has been recorded only in 40 per cent and 45 per cent of land.
The central region is the second worst affected region due to delayed monsoon. The data shows that only 49 per cent of its land has been cultivated.
In the hills and mountains, 78 per cent and 85 per cent of land has been cultivated respectively.
As of Sunday, farmers across the country have cultivated 922,980 Ha, which is 60 per cent of the arable land across the country. Plantation in the central and eastern region stands at 49 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.
Similarly, the Western Region and Mid-Western Region have recorded 63 per cent and 68 per cent cultivation respectively. However, paddy plantation in the Far Western Region, which is the highest in the country, stands at 93 per cent.
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