BANKE, June 23: Paddy transplantation has gained momentum across various parts of Banke after water from the Sikta Irrigation Project began flowing through canals, despite insufficient rainfall. With irrigation water readily available, farmers have started planting rice without waiting for monsoon rains.
Melina Chaudhary of Nawalpur, Ward No. 3 of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, began transplanting paddy on Monday using canal water supplied by the project. She has already planted rice on four katthas of land and plans to complete transplantation on the remaining nine katthas today.
With the assistance of 13 members of the Jaljala Women's Group, Chaudhary hired laborers at a rate of Rs 120 per person per hour. "After Sikta released water into the canal, we could start planting without worrying about rainfall. Canal irrigation has made farming much easier," she said.
Mansara Dangi, another farmer from the same village who was helping with the transplantation, said Sikta's water supply has eased farming activities. She plans to transplant rice on her 14 katthas of land today.
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"Earlier, uncertainty over water availability delayed planting decisions. Now that water is flowing in the canals, we can farm on time. I will start planting in my own field today," she said.
Local farmers rushed to their fields after the Sikta Irrigation Project released water into the Nawalpur area on Sunday. Chandrabahadur Thapa became the first farmer in the area to transplant rice this season, completing planting on five katthas and 14 dhurs of land during the first week of Asar.
"The availability of Sikta water has removed fears of leaving fields uncultivated. We have been able to plant earlier than in previous years, and we expect better yields this season," Thapa said.
According to farmers, the irrigation project has reduced dependence on rainfall and improved agricultural productivity. Regular water supply through the canal network has accelerated paddy transplantation across Banke.
The Sikta Irrigation Project says it currently provides irrigation facilities to around 22,000 hectares of farmland in the district. Once the under-construction Dudhuwa Branch Canal is completed, the irrigated area is expected to expand to between 30,000 and 32,000 hectares.
Project engineer Bikash Bista said water is being supplied through both the eastern and western main canals from the project's 317-meter-long headworks dam. Water is currently flowing to several branch canals and traditional irrigation channels in Fattepur on the eastern side, while western branch canals serving Siddhaniya, Akkalgharwa, Gohawa, Pidari, Parsenipur and Guruwagaun are also receiving water.
"We are currently supplying irrigation water to 22,000 hectares out of the roughly 43,000 hectares targeted under the project. Canal construction is ongoing for the 16,000-hectare area that will be served by the Dudhuwa Branch," Bista said.
The project aims to complete the Dudhuwa canal system within three years. One year of construction has already been completed, and the remaining works, including the Dudhuwa, Khajura and Manpur branches, are expected to be finished within the next two years.
According to Bista, completion of the Dudhuwa Branch Canal will bring irrigation facilities to an additional 16,000 hectares. If construction continues as planned, the project aims to deliver irrigation water to the entire targeted area of 43,675 hectares in Banke within three years.
Although rainfall has remained below normal this year, irrigation water released from the Sikta system has enabled farmers to begin paddy transplantation in several areas of the district. Planting has already started in wards of Kohalpur Municipality, Janaki Rural Municipality, Baijanath Rural Municipality, Duduwa Rural Municipality and Khajura Rural Municipality.
Farmers in multiple wards of Rapti Sonari and Narainapur rural municipalities have also begun planting rice using water from the Sikta canal system. With water reaching branch canals in Siddhaniya, Akkalgharwa, Gohawa, Pidari, Parsenipur and Guruwagaun, farmers across these areas are now busy with paddy transplantation.
