Farmers in Dhanusha district, Madhesh Province, are concerned about a significant drop in paddy production this year as various diseases have infected more than 10% of the cultivated rice fields. This year, paddy was planted on 40,515 hectares, a reduction from the usual 43,700 hectares.
Pradip Yadav, chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Dhanusha, confirmed the presence of ‘rice blast’, ‘brown leaf spot’, and ‘sheath blight’ in paddy fields across the district. He estimates that the widespread disease could lead to a decrease in overall production.
Mithilesh Sah, a crop development officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Dhanusha, stated that while 95% of the district’s paddy fields were planted this year, the increased incidence of pests and diseases poses a significant challenge. He noted that production could have been good without the severe outbreaks.
Unregistered Rice Variety Exacerbates Problem
According to Rabindra Prasad Sah, information officer at the National Paddy Crop Research Program, Hardinath, the ‘Sona Mansuli’ variety of paddy is widely cultivated in Madhesh Province. This variety, however, is not registered in Nepal and is often brought in from India and border areas, making it more susceptible to diseases.
In India, the ‘Sona Mansuli’ variety was declared unsuitable for cultivation 15 years ago after it was found to harbor ‘Rhizoctonia’, a fungus causing ‘sheath blight’.
The Agriculture Knowledge Centre has urged farmers to regularly monitor their fields and consult agricultural technicians immediately upon observing disease symptoms. They recommend using ‘Cartap Hydrochloride’ pesticide as advised by technicians, emphasizing that the choice, quantity, and method of application may vary depending on the specific disease.
Madhesh Province Faces Broader Challenges
Across the eight districts of Madhesh Province, approximately 77% of paddy transplantation had been completed as of August 11, 2025. However, delayed planting is projected to reduce total paddy production by about 27%.
While farmers in Bara and Parsa have benefited from irrigation through the Gandak Canal, Saptari from the Koshi River, and Sarlahi and Rautahat from the Bagmati River, Dhanusha has faced difficulties due to the drying up of the Kamala River.
The Madhesh Province government announced immediate relief for drought-affected areas under the underground irrigation management support program on August 11, 2025, allocating Rs 180 million. However, Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh stated on August 13, 2025, that this budget is insufficient. The provincial government is awaiting a decision from the federal government regarding further irrigation support.
