Aagya Khabar
Sindhuli
Greenery is spreading across the farmlands of Sindhuli. As of the first week of the Nepali month of Shrawan, 77 percent of the district’s total paddy plantation has been completed. According to the Agriculture Development Office, the remaining 23 percent is expected to be completed by the first week of Bhadra, depending on weather conditions, water availability, and geographical variations.
Agricultural Extension Officer Uma Devi Shrestha stated that this year’s plantation is expected to meet the 100 percent target. However, last year it had reached only 97 percent.
Plantation Progress Varies by Region
Among the nine local levels within the district, paddy plantation progress varies. Based on data from the first week of Shrawan, Sunkoshi Rural Municipality leads the district with 87 percent completion. It is followed by Ghyanglekh (98,550), Kamalamai (98,550), Tinpatan (98,250), Golanjor (98,050), Marin (97,950), Hariharpurgadhi (97,750), and Phikkal (97,050) Rural Municipalities.
Dudhauli Municipality lags behind, with only 62 percent of its plantation completed so far.
An Ironic Reality: Highest Yielding Area with Least Plantation
A unique aspect of Sindhuli’s agricultural landscape is that Dudhauli Municipality is known for its high paddy yield. Ironically, it currently has the lowest plantation progress. The main reason is a lack of irrigation. Due to inadequate irrigation facilities, farmers have been unable to carry out timely planting.
Tinpatan and Marin are also considered high-yielding areas due to fertile soil and sufficient irrigation. On the other hand, Golanjor Rural Municipality remains one of the least productive in terms of paddy yield in the district.
Reliance on Irrigation and the Wait for Rain
Areas with proper irrigation have witnessed faster completion of plantation, while regions dependent on rainfall are still waiting for more rain. This reliance on monsoon has pushed the plantation schedule into the month of Bhadra for some farmers.
Paddy Varieties and Arable Land
Sindhuli district has a total of 69,253 hectares of arable land. Out of this, approximately 11,188 hectares are deemed suitable for seasonal paddy cultivation. Common varieties grown include Makwanpur-1, Ramdhan, Sabitri, Katarny, and several hybrid types.
