Nepal celebrating 21st National Paddy Day today: President Poudel Urges to Minimize climate change impact on rice production

Kathmandu: Today, the entire nation joins together in celebrating the 21st National Paddy Day, a cherished occasion deeply rooted in Nepali culture.

Designated as Ashad (Asar) 15 in the Nepali calendar, this day holds special significance as both National Paddy Day and Paddy Cultivation Festival since its establishment in 2004 (2061 BS) by the government.

Throughout the country, people engage in diverse activities to mark this joyous occasion. From the traditional act of rice plantation to relishing delectable treats like curd and beaten rice, the festivities encompass an array of cultural programs.

Singing, mud-throwing, and merrymaking bring communities closer, encapsulating the spirit of this special day. Notably, paddy cultivation occupies a prominent position not only in Nepal but across South Asia, reflecting its vital role in the region’s agricultural landscape.

Guided by the vision of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production, the government has adopted several measures. These include the conservation of land for paddy cultivation, the promotion of clean and healthy seeds, the expansion of irrigation facilities, and the development of hybrid and disease-resistant varieties. With paddy covering 47% of Nepal’s cultivable land, these initiatives hold immense significance for the nation’s agricultural progress.

President Ramchandra Paudel in his message of best wishes on the occasion of the 21st National Paddy Day today has said it is imperative to make the government, farmers and stakeholders concerned aware and active to increase rice production and productivity.

The President underlined the need to minimise climate change’s impact on rice farming.

In his message of best wishes on the occasion of the 21st National Paddy Day today, the President pressed an idea for implementing climate-friendly technologies in rice farming to increase production, replace rice imports and achieve food security and food sufficiency.

“May this Day inspire all of us to advance towards this end,” he said. The President reminded of the constitutional guarantee of the right to food as the fundamental right of the citizens.

He reiterated that the State’s entire attention should be focused on improving irrigation facilities in the country and modernizing the agricultural sector.