Morang has overtaken Jhapa as the largest paddy producing district in terms of area for the first time, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Agricultural Development. Paddy was planted on 88,000 hectares in this fiscal year to knock Jhapa down into second place.

Jhapa district paddy producing area amounted to 87,500 hectares. Likewise, Kapilvastu, Kailali, Rupandehi, Dhanusha, Bara, Sunsari, Saptari and Siraha were the top paddy producing districts in terms of area.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to launch a super zone programme in Jhapa on Tuesday. As per the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project, the government will create 2,100 pocket areas of 10 hectares each, 150 blocks of 100 hectares each, 30 zones of 500 hectares each and seven super zones of 1,000 hectares each. 

Under the super zone programme, Jhapa will be promoted for paddy, Bara for fish, Kaski for vegetables, Kavrepalanchok for potato, Dang for maize, Jumla for apple and Kailali for wheat. The government plans to spend Rs5.78 billion to adopt modern farming practices in the first year of the 10-year scheme. The plan envisages making the country self-reliant in farm products by promoting mechanization, technology and proper and efficient use of seeds and fertilizers to increase productivity.