Chitwan. CHITWAN: Paddy production has increased in Chitwan district this year. This year, 21,480 metric tonnes more paddy was produced this year as compared to the previous year.

Agriculture Development Office, Chitwan’s officer Nirmal Poudel said paddy was planted in 27,324.9 hectares of land this year. This year, rice productivity is 4.967 metric tonnes per hectare, he said.

A total of 135,725.06 metric tonnes of rice was produced in the district. Paddy cultivated in 30 hectares of land was damaged due to unseasonal rains. He said that 149.01 metric tonnes of paddy was damaged.

Last year, the district produced 114,244.2 metric tonnes of rice. Paddy crops like Hardinath 6, Gorakhnath, Mukabala, Savitri, Ramdhan and Gangotri were planted in the district. He said that paddy production has increased this year due to timely water and less pest infestation.