According to the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Chitwan, it is predicted that there will be a 30% decrease in maize production in the district this year. The main reasons for this decline are the long-lasting dry spells and high temperatures.
The maize plants have dried up because there hasn’t been enough water for irrigation. The center’s head, Meen Bahadur Pun, mentioned that maize had been cultivated in an area covering 7,030 hectares in the district. The lack of proper irrigation systems and the effects of the hot weather have contributed to the reduced harvest.
In the previous year, the district produced 26,474 metric tons of maize, but this year the center estimates that the production will be limited to 18,531 metric tons.
The district focuses on cultivating maize varieties, such as Ramnagar Composite, CIP, and Shrestha. Suitable areas for maize farming are in the western region of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Kalika Municipality, Ratnanagar Municipality, and Madhyapur Thimi Municipality.
