Dhanushadham. Only about 77 percent paddy has been sown in the eight districts of Madhes affected by drought so far. According to Jitendra Yadav, Director of the Directorate of Agricultural Development, the highest sowing has been in Bara at 95 percent. The lowest sowing has been in Mahottari at 61.5 percent.

Out of the total 542,581 hectares of cultivable area in the province, paddy is sown in 372,645 hectares, of which 285,335 hectares have been sown so far.

Despite insufficient rainfall, sowing has been done through boring. Farmers have been able to sow paddy using irrigation from the Gandak Canal in Bara and Parsa, Koshi in Saptari, Bagmati in Sarlahi and Rautahat. However, problems have arisen in Dhanusha when the Kamala River dries up.

This year, the province is expected to have a maximum of 80 percent planting. Director Yadav said that the total paddy production is expected to decrease by about 27 percent due to late planting.

After the provincial government announced immediate relief to farmers under the underground irrigation management support program for dry and drought-affected areas, 22,052 farmers across the province have applied.

Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh said that the Madhesh provincial government is waiting for the federal government’s decision for irrigation management support. He said that even though the provincial government has allocated a budget of 180 million rupees to support farmers, it is not enough. (RSS)