POSTED ON AUGUST 12, 2024
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National paddy day is celebrated on 15th Ashad every year across Nepal with various events, that marks the beginning of the paddy growing season. This month holds special values among Nepalese farmers to “sow mano and grow muri”, serving as a time to express gratitude for the life-sustaining power of nature.
In Surkhet, 21st National Paddy Day was celebrated at Janajyoti secondary school in Baddichaur on 15th Ashad 2081 (29 June, 2024) with the theme “Climate-Friendly Agriculture, Increase in Rice Production,”. The event was organized by the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative (MoLMAC), Karnali Province in collaboration with development partners (ASDP, SAVE the children, LI-BIRD, SAHAS, BNA, WFP, GIZ, DoAR, Janajyoti S. School etc).
There was a lively and exciting environment participated by over 400 people. The chief, representatives from subordinate offices, development partners, local government, cooperatives, students, and farmers, participated in a lively rally from Baddichaur bazar to the program site. The rally featured cultural tableaus and slogans on sustainable paddy farming practices, aiming to raise awareness about climate resilient agriculture.
The event was chaired by Mr. Tika Ram Thapa, Secretary of MoLMAC, and honored by the presence of Honorable Agriculture Minister Mr. Binod Kumar Shah as the chief guest.
During the event, distinguished guests expressed their views on the importance of paddy and the importance of day celebrated. Mr. Dhan Bahadur Kathayat, the ministry’s spokesperson, reported that about 47% of paddy had been transplanted in Karnali Province so far.
Mr. Chitra Bahadur Rokaya, Director of the Directorate of Agriculture Development (DoAD), emphasized climate-friendly paddy farming practices to reduce methane emissions and promote efficient water use, minimal pesticide uses and climate-resilient paddy varieties. Mr. Bhim Bahadur Bhandari, Chairperson of Barahatal Rural Municipality, highlighted the potential for paddy production in Barahataal and requested provincial government to support on development of irrigation facilities.
The hon. Minister, in his remarks, highlighted the need of collaboration to enhance the rice production and productivity so that we can only able to reduce imports. He further added, ministry should focus on designing farmers friendly program, mechanization and irrigation structures in its programmes and plans in coming days.
Secretary, Mr. Thapa in his closing remarks emphasized the role of agriculture in development of Karnali. He enforced on need based planning and production-based subsidy support with the promotion of climate resilient and gender friendly farming practices and tool, equipment’s and quality inputs for ensuring sustainable growth of agriculture sector in Karnali.
LI-BIRD, in collaboration with farmers’ groups, demonstrated twelve rice-based food recipes (rice, beaten rice, puffed rice, porridge, latte, sel roti, kasar, sweet rice, siraula, khatte etc.), to attract visitors. Also, a diversity block with 24 local paddy varieties was established in collaboration with the DoAD and Janajyoti Secondary School showcasing the region’s rich agriculture heritage. The honorable minister took it as evidence of the rich agricultural heritage in the region and thanked LI-BIRD for the ongoing efforts to preserve these local rice landraces.
All the participants along with students actively took part in transplanting rice seedlings. This wasn’t just a practical demonstration, but was also a chance to the participants to connect with the land, feel the earth beneath their hands, and share a sense of purpose with the community. The playful tradition of splashing mud added joy and fun to the experience.
In conclusion, the program was able to raise awareness on the importance of rice and significance of the National Paddy Day among the participants.
