Ashad 15: National Paddy Day Being Observed

The 20th National Paddy Day is being observed today across the country. The government decided in 2061 BS to commemorate Ashad 15 of the Nepali calendar every year as National Paddy Day and Paddy Cultivation Festival.

Rice plantation, enjoying delicacies like curd and beaten rice, and participating in traditional cultural programs such as singing, mud throwing, and merriment are the main highlights of the day. Paddy is a major crop not only in Nepal but also in the entire South Asia region.

The government aims to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by preserving land for paddy cultivation, promoting clean and healthy seeds, expanding irrigation facilities, and developing hybrid and disease-resistant varieties. Paddy is cultivated on 47 percent of the total cultivable land in Nepal.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has extended his best wishes to everyone on this day. He stated that the government has been implementing various programs, including the expansion of irrigation supply, grants for chemical fertilizers and seeds, the adoption of modern technology, and research and development, among others, to increase paddy production.

The Prime Minister also cautioned that the target of paddy production could be affected by the impacts of climate change, such as drought, heavy rain, insufficient rainfall, natural disasters, and the spread of diseases, which could pose challenges to our food security.

Given this backdrop, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to develop climate-resilient species of paddy and new technologies to increase paddy production, reduce the need for rice and paddy imports, and ensure self-reliance in the country.

via RSS