Paddy down

A deficient monsoon has meant only 26.71% of paddy fields have been planted so far this year, against 40% last year. The monsoon has been late in Madhes, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. Paddy is cultivated in 1,357,816 hectares and planting is expected to be complete by the next two weeks. The Madhes is the worst hit with only 9.5% of farms planted with rice.