Policy Review of Paddy Production in Nepal

Despite the planned development efforts in agriculture for decades, tangible achievements in paddy growth rate for production and productivities have not been achieved. The production target of paddy production in periodic plans was not achieved except for the first, the second and the sixth plan. The policy documents, however, have given due emphasis on cereal crops including promotion of paddy. Specifi c programs for promotion of paddy production were rarely stated in most of the mid and long term periodic plans until thirteenth plan. APP and ADS are the major long term strategic documents that have focused in promotion of cereals and paddy in Nepal. National Seed Vision (2013-2025) has been formulated and executed to guide overall seed sector of the country focused on increasing productivity of paddy. Recently, government has been implementing specific rice promotion programs like fine and aromatic rice production, mega rice production, community seed banks and PMAMP. Inconsistencies in policies regarding price regulation, inadequate investment in research and extension, loose commitments rather than effective implementation of rice related programs, inadequate specific programs on promotion of rice production in Nepal are some of the bottlenecks for paddy production in the country. This paper makes an attempt to review rice related policies by the Government of Nepal and their implementation status.