KATHMANDU: This year’s paddy plantation has begun in the Sokhel area of Dakshinkali Municipality-3, located on the southern border of the Kathmandu Valley.

With pre-monsoon rains providing additional relief to fields that already have proper irrigation systems, farmers have started planting through hired labor and the traditional Parma (mutual labor exchange) system.

Currently, farmers in the Sokhel plains can be seen busy preparing their fields, puddling the mud, and planting paddy seedlings.

Local farmers state that adequate irrigation and water availability have made the plantation work much easier. According to them, the rainfall that started at the end of mid-June has brought ease to irrigation. The plantation has progressed rapidly, especially in areas with access to canals and other water sources.

Paddy is one of Nepal’s major food crops. According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s statistics, paddy is cultivated on a total of 1,420,636 hectares of land in Nepal, which includes both summer and spring paddy.

Paddy production has been making a significant contribution to the country’s food security.