Dhanushadham. Around 77 per cent paddy has been sown so far in eight districts of Madhes province affected by drought. According to Jitendra Yadav, director of the Directorate of Agriculture Development, bara has the highest planting at 95 per cent, while Mahottari has the lowest at 61 per cent. 5 percent planting has been done.

Of the total 542,581 hectares of cultivable area in the state, paddy is sown in 372,645 hectares of land, out of which 285,335 hectares have been sown so far.

According to him, although there is not enough rainfall, the area of planting has increased through boring. Farmers from Gandak canal in Bara and Parsa, Koshi in Saptari, Bagmati in Sarlahi and Rautahat have made it easier to sow paddy. However, there is a problem due to the drying up of the Kamala River in Dhanusha.

It is estimated that up to 80 percent sowing will be done in the state this year. Director Yadav said that the production of paddy is expected to decrease by about 27 percent due to delayed sowing.

As many as 22,052 farmers across the state have applied after the state government announced immediate relief to farmers under the Underground Irrigation Management Support Programme for drought and drought-affected areas.

Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh said the Madhes state government was awaiting the decision of the federal government for irrigation management support. He said the state government had allocated Rs 180 million for the assistance to the farmers, but it was not enough.