Irrigated area in Madhesh Province decreases by 4.34 percent, report shows

Janakpurdham – The irrigated area in Madhesh Province, known as the grain basket, has decreased. According to a report released by Nepal Rastra Bank, the total irrigated area in Madhesh Province has decreased by 4.34 percent, reaching 319,080 hectares. Last year, the irrigated area had increased by 2.41 percent, but this year it has declined.

The semi-annual economic activity study report for fiscal year 2082/83 by the bank indicates that the area irrigated by wells decreased by 5.67 percent to 107,234 hectares, the area irrigated by canals decreased by 0.97 percent to 165,124 hectares, and the area irrigated by boring decreased by 9 percent to 41,586 hectares.

The reduction in irrigated area in Madhesh has also led to a decrease in agricultural production. According to the central bank, the total agricultural output in the province has decreased by 10.59 percent, limiting production to 4,252,199 metric tons. During the same period last fiscal year, total production had increased by 1.17 percent.

As per the data up to the end of Poush of the current fiscal year, rice production in Madhesh Province has decreased by 13.48 percent. Similarly, maize production has decreased by 34.09 percent, wheat by 22.44 percent, millet by 69.05 percent, barley by 3.56 percent, potato by 57.97 percent, jute by 75.94 percent, and pulses by 20.86 percent.

In the same period last year, there was an increase in the production of rice, maize, wheat, and oilseeds. This year, there has been an increase in the production of sugarcane, tobacco, and oilseeds. Sugarcane production increased by 0.77 percent, tobacco by 15.63 percent, and oilseed production by 7.19 percent.

Last year, sugarcane production had decreased by 16.82 percent and pulse production by 41.39 percent.