Lumpy skin outbreak affects paddy transplant

Kathmandu: A total of 53 per cent of the paddy transplantation has been done so far in the country. Paddy seedlings plantation got delayed in the country due to scanty rain in this monsoon, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development said.

The paddy plantation rate was 65 per cent in the country until Asar 29. Compared to the last year, paddy plantation rate is around 12 per cent less this year, Ministry’s Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Prakash Kumar Sanjel said.

He said that paddy plantation was affected due to delayed monsoon rain in Madhes, Koshi and Bagmati provinces while it is affected in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces due to outbreak of lumpy skin on livestock.

The Ministry has expected that the paddy transplant will be expedited with the active monsoon, assurance of chemical fertilizer and reduction in the lumpy skin disease.