Agriculture Ministry estimates 5.9 million metric tonnes rice yield

KATHMANDU, JANUARY 5: According to preliminary estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the country's rice production is projected to reach 5.955 million metric tonnes in the current fiscal year.

Ministry spokesperson Dr. Matina Joshi Baidya stated that this year's rice yield is expected to be 4.04% higher than last fiscal year's production.

"It is estimated that rice, planted during the spring and monsoon seasons, was cultivated on a total of 1.42 million hectares of land this fiscal year. This represents a 1.28% decline compared to the total area under rice cultivation last year," she explained.

Despite the reduced cultivation area, the average productivity has reached 4.19 metric tonnes per hectare—the highest level recorded to date.

Province-wise, rice yields have increased in Koshi, Madhes, and Sudurpaschim provinces, while decreases have been observed in Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces.