National Paddy Day observed with high-level calls for modernization and climate resilience

June 29, Kathmandu: The 23rd National Paddy Day and Paddy Plantation Festival is being observed across the country today under the official slogan ‘Climate Friendly Technology, Self-Reliance in Paddy, and Prosperity.’

 Celebrated annually on Asar 15 as per the Nepali calendar, the day marks a significant cultural and agricultural event in Nepal, with farmers gathering in the fields to plant monsoon rice while singing traditional Asare folk songs and consuming yogurt and beaten rice, known locally as Dahi Chiura, to regain their strength.

Yogurt holds a prominent place in Nepali culture, utilized both in auspicious rituals and recognized for its digestive health benefits under Ayurvedic practices, with historical references even suggesting that Guru Gorakhnath prophesied the strength of Nepal’s unifier, Prithvi Narayan Shah, would be enhanced by its consumption.

On the occasion, President Ramchandra Paudel extended his best wishes to the farming community while underscoring the critical need for urgent agricultural modernization to address the increasing issue of uncultivated, fallow land across the country.

The Head of State emphasized that transforming agriculture from a basic means of survival into an attractive commercial opportunity is vital for retaining the domestic workforce and curbing foreign migration. Noting the constitutional guarantee of the right to food for all citizens, President Paudel called for an increased awareness among stakeholders to enhance productivity, secure fair pricing, and achieve self-sufficiency to reduce the national dependency on imported rice.

Simultaneously, Minister for Agriculture, Forests, and Environment Geeta Chaudhary issued a message highlighting that advanced research, modern technology, and deep multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential to face the growing challenges of climate change.

 Minister Chaudhary noted that while rice remains a vital staple crop deeply connected to Nepal’s religious and cultural traditions, long-term food security relies heavily on conserving and developing local and wild climate-resilient rice varieties.

The Agriculture Minister suggested expanding cultivation areas for both monsoon and spring paddy, accelerating technology transfer, expanding national irrigation facilities, and ensuring easy access to production inputs to systematically reduce paddy imports and elevate national prosperity.