Aagya Khabar
Bardibas

Even after the third week of the month of Saun (mid-July), paddy transplantation in Mahottari is significantly delayed. Although the monsoon season has begun, farmers here are still struggling with old problems such as water shortages and seed scarcity.

The paddy that should have been transplanted in Ashar (June–July) has still not been planted; most fields remain barren, and farmers are worried. “These days, there isn’t even enough water to wet the fields,” said Ramprasad Yadav, a farmer from Bardibas Municipality-9. “This year, it’s not just about transplanting paddy; the fields have dried up and are deserted.”

Officials from the Agricultural Knowledge Center of Mahottari stated that even by the third week of Saun, less than half of the transplantation has been completed. They also noted that no concrete measures have been taken to resolve the problems. Farmers are deeply disappointed due to a lack of seeds and fertilizer, and drought and water shortages have further reduced transplantation.

“There is a schedule to keep beds for winter paddy by the end of Jestha (mid-June) and transplant Kharun (summer paddy) by the end of Saun, but now that entire schedule has collapsed,” said agriculture expert Manisha Yadav.

Due to water shortages and untimely seed availability, farmers have suffered significant financial losses in paddy cultivation. “Every year, the expectations are high, but this year it looks like production will sharply decline,” local farmer Dhanesh Sah expressed his concern.

If the rainfall does not improve and transplantation continues to be delayed like this, the future of the farmers looks bleak.