CHITWAN: Paddy production in Chitwan’s designated rice zone is projected to rise by 5,000 metric tonnes this fiscal year 2026/27, reaching an estimated 50,000 tonnes, as crop assessments point to higher output.

The rice zone produced 45,000 metric tonnes of paddy last fiscal year from 8,500 hectares of land, according to Sauraj Bishwakarma, Information Officer at the National Agriculture Modernization Programme Implementation Unit in Bharatpur.

”Production in the rice zone has increased. Based on crop-cutting assessments, we estimate that output will reach 50,000 metric tonnes this year,” Bishwakarma projected.

The designated rice zone covers parts of three municipalities in eastern Chitwan: Ratnanagar, Khairahani and Rapti.

Farmers in the area cultivate several rice varieties, including Hardinath, Sawa Mansuli, Jhurre Sawa, Gorakhnath, Radhachar and Sabitri.

The programme covers paddy-growing areas in wards 5-7 and 9-13 of Khairahani, wards 1-4 and 6 of Rapti, and wards 3-9 of Ratnanagar.

Agricultural groups and farms are also involved in the programme. Meanwhile, an assessment of paddy production across Chitwan district is still underway.

Nirmal Poudel, an agricultural economist at the Agriculture Development Office in Chitwan, said crop-cutting assessments were being conducted to determine the district’s overall rice output.

Published Date: October 28, 2026