Farmers of Mahottari could not get chemical fertilizer in the market and agricultural cooperatives even after waiting for a long time. However, they have started planting paddy saying that they will not let the rainwater go to waste.
Farmers are worried that planting will be completed soon. “There is no fertilizer in the market but seeds were sown due to incessent rains,” said Indris Rai of Bhangaha Municipality-4, Ramnagar. Farmers have become active after it started raining in all parts of the district. Mansul Raine of Balwa Municipality says that the first seedling of paddy will be completed by mid-July.
"Paddy can be planted at the right time if the weather is appropriate," he said. He is sad that he did not get manure. In the Middle Eastern Terai including Mahottari, it is a good time to keep winter rice seeds till June 7, sow seeds within the third week of July and sow kharuwan (first sown seedlings after germination).
Farmers say that they have not been able to plant seedlings on time due to a lack of paddy seeds this time. As they were not able to get seeds from cooperatives, farmers started plantations with seeds they had at home. The seeds of the seedlings are sown after 15 days. Due to continuous rain, the fields are flooded. Farmers are busy plowing, weeding, and sowing.
The total cultivable land in the district is 70,000 hectares. Only 10 percent of these canals run dry. Most of the farming here has to be done with rain water. According to Bishwanath Singh of Bardibas Municipality-12, Bijalpura, it was difficult to get seeds, fertilizer and manpower on time. Out of the total cultivable land, 50,000 hectare area is considered suitable for paddy cultivation.
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