Nepal Faces Rice Production Challenges Amidst Declining Output
Nepal’s rice production fell 4.2% to 5.71 million tonnes in FY 2082/083, as cultivated area and productivity declined. The National Rice Research Program has recommended around 99 varieties, including flood- and drought-tolerant options, but limited seed availability and promotion hinder adoption and higher yields.
While Nepal used to export rice and paddy in the past, the country now has to import a large quantity as domestic production is insufficient to meet demand. In recent years, a decrease in the area under paddy cultivation, as well as in production and productivity, has added to the significant challenge of becoming self-sufficient in rice.
With the aim of increasing rice production and productivity, the National Rice Research Program at Saphai, Dhanusha, has been studying and researching various varieties and cultivation techniques. The National Rice Research Program is also developing, testing, and recommending new rice varieties suitable for the needs of farmers, and the diverse geography and climate of Nepal, in a timely manner.
Although the Madhesh region is considered an important area for rice production, in recent years, irrigation conditions, monsoons, timely transplanting, availability of quality seeds, fertilizers, and the use of modern farming techniques have directly impacted production. Researchers say that changing weather patterns and climate change have also created further challenges for rice production.
The National Rice Research Program, under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), is involved in the development and testing of new rice varieties and cultivation techniques, as well as in the production of source seeds and disseminating technology to farmers. According to Rabindra Prasad Sah, spokesperson and senior technician at the Research Program, research is advanced based on problems reported by farmers and stakeholders, and national priorities.
‘Hardinath has been recommending rice varieties suitable for various geographical and production conditions,’ Sah said. ‘After testing, farmers can cultivate recommended varieties such as Ramdhan, Hardinath-1, Hardinath-6, Bahuguni-2, Chaite-5, Samba Mansuli Sub-1, and Hardinath Hybrid-1.’
According to the research program, Hardinath-1 is an early-maturing variety. It matures in about 110 to 115 days and has a yield potential of about 4.03 metric tons per hectare. Similarly, Chaite-5 is a variety that matures in about 120 to 125 days and has a yield potential of about 4.6 metric tons per hectare. Hardinath-6 is recommended as a variety that matures in about 135 days and has a yield potential of about 5.21 metric tons per hectare.
However, the research program states that the promotion of such varieties recommended through research and farmers’ access to seeds have not been as expected. According to the program chief, Mathura Yadav, the lack of adequate promotion of recommended varieties and the unavailability of improved seeds are causing problems in achieving the expected results from research. ‘Hardinath-6 matures in about 135 days and gives good yield, but due to insufficient promotion, farmers are not seen to be cultivating it as expected,’ Yadav said. ‘When farmers do not use varieties recommended after years of research, the investment in research does not yield the expected returns.’
Researchers say that varieties like Bahuguni-2 can be useful for farmers amidst increasing risks of both floods and droughts. Bahuguni-2 is a variety that matures in about 142 days and has a yield potential of about 5.8 metric tons per hectare. It is recommended as a variety that can tolerate floods and drought during the reproductive stage. Similarly, Hardinath Hybrid-1 matures in about 121 days and has a yield potential of up to 6.47 metric tons per hectare. NARC mentions it as Nepal’s first Nepali hybrid rice.
Spokesperson Sah says that due to changing weather, the need for varieties that mature early, give high yields, and tolerate floods and droughts is increasing, but farmers’ attention has not been adequately drawn to such varieties. According to him, the National Rice Research Program has recommended about 99 rice varieties so far. These include CH-45, Radha-4, Radha-12, Radha-14, Savitri, Ramdhan, Bahuguni, Samba Mansuli Sub-1, Hardinath-5, and Hardinath-6. The program also recommends new varieties from time to time based on needs and research results.
Sah advises that since the yield capacity of all varieties is not the same, farmers should choose varieties according to their needs and the market. According to him, although rice varieties like Basmati, Lalka Basmati, and Kalanmak are in demand in the market for their long, fine, and flavorful grains, their production is comparatively low. ‘The yield of varieties like Basmati, Lalka Basmati, and Kalanmak can be only about one ton per hectare, but by cultivating high-yielding varieties, production of five to six tons can be obtained from the same area,’ Sah said.
According to him, expanding the area under cultivation alone is not enough to increase rice production in Nepal. To get more production from limited agricultural land, it is necessary to increase access to improved seeds, irrigation, balanced fertilizers, mechanization, pest and disease management, and appropriate technology for farmers. Sah said, ‘For areas where water accumulates and floods, varieties like Gangasagar-1 and Gangasagar-2 are suitable. For the Chaite season, Hardinath-1 and Chaite-5 are useful. Hybrid varieties can be planted in both seasons, but there is not enough information about these varieties reaching farmers. If farmers have the right information, they can increase production by planting suitable varieties according to time and place.’
The National Rice Research Program is testing and researching various rice varieties on about 15 bighas of its approximately 65 bighas of land within the office premises. The program stated that suitable varieties are recommended only after testing production, quality, and other aspects at the research center and then conducting trials on farmers’ fields.
According to the center chief Yadav, the actual results cannot be obtained until the varieties and technologies developed through research reach the farmers’ fields. ‘It is necessary to have quality source seeds available, timely distribution of seeds, technical consultation, and the ability to choose suitable varieties according to local conditions,’ Yadav said. ‘If farmers’ access to technology is weak, the achievements of research will not be reflected in production. Therefore, the government’s special attention is now needed on promotion and easy availability of seeds.’
Seven scientists are involved in research, study, and experimental work related to rice at the National Rice Research Program. They are searching for and testing new high-yielding varieties and technologies. Scientists say that the impact of climate change on rice production is also becoming an important research subject. They state that rice production is affected by reasons such as lack of adequate rainfall during the transplanting season, prolonged drought, excessive rainfall at once, floods, and abnormal temperature increases.
Therefore, scientists are focusing their research on developing varieties that are high-yielding as well as tolerant to floods, droughts, high temperatures, and other weather-related risks in the coming days, the center stated.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, in the fiscal year 2082/083, rice was cultivated on 1,376,872 hectares of land in Nepal, producing 5,705,126 metric tons. In the preceding fiscal year 2081/082, rice was cultivated on 1,420,636 hectares, producing 5,955,476 metric tons. Thus, rice production decreased by 250,350 metric tons in one year. In percentage terms, production decreased by 4.20 percent, while the area decreased by 43,764 hectares. Productivity also decreased from 4.19 metric tons per hectare to 4.14 metric tons.
With declining rice production, developing new varieties and ensuring that developed varieties reach farmers has become a major challenge for the National Rice Research Program. Farmers emphasize the need to prioritize the development and expansion of varieties and technologies that give high yields from small areas, can be produced with less water, tolerate floods and droughts, and reduce farmers’ production costs. Agricultural experts say that the actual results of the varieties and technologies developed by the research center over the years will be reflected in production only when they reach the farmers’ fields, and therefore, along with research, the center should also prioritize the easy availability of seeds, effective promotion, and providing technical information to farmers.
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Source : Ratopati
