The impact of inconsistent monsoon on paddy farming in Nepal is becoming increasingly evident in 2025. Each year, the arrival of the monsoon is a lifeline for agricultural economy, especially for paddy farming in Nepal in the fertile plains of Terai Madhesh. However, this year, the seasonal rains arrived earlier than expected but have been inconsistent and largely ineffective in delivering widespread precipitation. This unusual monsoon pattern has deeply affected paddy farming in Nepal, particularly in the Terai Madhesh region, often referred to as the country’s grain storehouse.
Farmers who eagerly awaited timely rains to sow rice are now dealing with drought-like conditions in some areas and flooding in others. The combination of insufficient rain, over-reliance on groundwater, and the high cost of alternative irrigation has pushed many into a precarious situation. Let’s explore the extent of the crisis and its implications for food security and agriculture in Nepal.
A Delayed and Disrupted Monsoon Season
Although the monsoon entered Nepal slightly earlier this year, it failed to activate uniformly across the country. The irregular distribution of rainfall has meant that some regions experienced torrential rains, while others suffered from prolonged dry spells. This inconsistency is particularly damaging for paddy farming in Nepal, which depends on consistent rainfall during the early sowing and transplantation phases.
The Terai Madhesh region has been especially hard-hit. Known as the “grain basket” of Nepal, this area contributes significantly to the country’s overall rice production. Unfortunately, farmers here are now facing a severe shortfall in water availability at a critical time.
The Struggles in Terai Madhesh: A Ground Report
Paddy cultivation in Terai Madhesh has been delayed significantly. According to the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Dhanusha, only 17% of rice planting has been completed out of the district’s 43,700 hectares of cultivable land. This is a sharp drop from the 60–65% planted by this time last year.
In neighboring Saptari district, only 30% of rice fields have been sown, while in Bara, approximately 65% has been planted thanks to groundwater-based irrigation. Yet, even in these areas, rice plants are showing signs of stress due to insufficient follow-up rain.
Ganesh Mahara, an agricultural expert in the region, still hopes that planting targets can be met by the second week of Shrawan (mid-July to early August), but the window for effective sowing is rapidly closing. If rains do not resume in a timely manner, much of the crop may be lost or result in drastically reduced yields.
Groundwater Irrigation: A Temporary Relief with Long-Term Risks
Farmers in districts like Bara have turned to borewell irrigation to compensate for the lack of rain. This has allowed them to plant a majority of their crop, but at a high cost. Operating diesel pumps for underground water extraction is expensive, and not all farmers have access to this technology.
Moreover, over-reliance on groundwater poses long-term sustainability risks. Excessive withdrawal of groundwater can lead to aquifer depletion, soil degradation, and ultimately a more severe agricultural crisis in the future.
Western Terai and the Threat of Crop Failure
In western Terai districts such as Banke, approximately 70% of the paddy farming. However, the planted crops are already under stress. Fields without irrigation facilities have dried up, and paddy plants have begun to wilt and crack due to lack of moisture.
Shakil Ahmed, the head of the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Banke, estimates that paddy planting will reach about 70% completion by mid-July. But this optimism is laced with uncertainty, as continued dry conditions could destroy existing seedlings and prevent further transplantation.
The economic toll is also increasing. Farmers report having to resort to alternative irrigation methods that are financially unsustainable, increasing their production costs without guaranteeing a return on investment.
Rainfall Extremes: Flooding in the Midst of Drought
Ironically, while some areas are suffering from drought, others are facing the opposite problem—flooding. In the hilly regions of Nepal, torrential rainfall has swollen rivers, and some of this excess water has made its way to the Terai, inundating fields and settlements.
This duality—flood in one area and drought in another—illustrates the unpredictable nature of this year’s monsoon, which experts attribute to broader climate change patterns. For farmers already struggling with an inconsistent monsoon, this additional threat of flooding makes agricultural planning nearly impossible.
Climate Change: A Growing Threat to Food Security
What we are witnessing in Nepal’s rice belt is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a changing climate. As global temperatures rise, traditional weather patterns are becoming increasingly erratic. The once-reliable monsoon season is now unpredictable in timing, intensity, and distribution.
These changes are particularly dangerous for Nepal, where agriculture employs about 65% of the population and contributes roughly one-third to the national GDP. A failed or underperforming rice season can have cascading effects—not just on food availability but also on employment, income levels, and national economic stability.
Government Support and the Way Forward
There is an urgent need for the Nepalese government and international aid organizations to step up support for farmers in affected areas. Short-term relief in the form of subsidized irrigation equipment, drought-resistant seed varieties, and crop insurance can help mitigate immediate losses.
In the long term, investment in sustainable water management, climate-smart agriculture, and better weather forecasting infrastructure will be essential. Building more resilient agricultural systems is the only way to protect the livelihoods of millions who depend on farming.
The Road Ahead for Nepalese Farmers
The current state of rice farming in Nepal’s Terai Madhesh region is a sobering indicator of how vulnerable traditional agricultural systems are to climate variability. With only a fraction of the fields planted and many existing crops under threat, farmers are staring at potential losses that could ripple across the country’s food supply chain.
The monsoon, once a predictable friend, has now become a source of anxiety. As farmers look to the skies with hope, it’s clear that a strategic, climate-resilient agricultural policy is no longer optional—it is essential for Nepal’s future.
Read also: Monsoon Mayhem: Why Nepal’s Roads Keep Failing Every Rainy Season
