National Paddy Day marked

Kathmandu: National Paddy Day has been marked in the country today. Nepal has been marking the National paddy day since 2005.

Addressing a programme on the occasion organized by Madam Bhandari Foundation at Sheetal Niwas on Wednesday, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari expressed her concerns regarding the increasing trade deficit.

In the interaction with agro-experts, president Bhandari stressed commercialization and mechanization of the agricultural sector to reduce the trade deficit by displacing the import of food grains.

Likewise, a rice plantation programme was organized by the National Crops Research Centre at its farm in Khumaltar, Lalitpur on Wednesday itself.

Taking part in the event, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Mahindra Raya Yadav stressed replacing rice imports by increasing rice production.

Likewise, Pokhara Tourism Council provided joyful moments for the foreign tourists to participate in paddy seedling plantation by organising a plantation festival.

This year Nepal has marked the national paddy day with the slogan of Utility of rice in biodiversity, support in import substitution.”