Kathmandu, June 14: Food and other crop production has declined by 6.76 per cent in the first six months of fiscal year 2025/26, reversing the 1.77 per cent growth recorded in the same period last year.
According to a semi-annual report Economic Activity Study (Integrated) for the current fiscal year 2025/26 published by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), paddy remains the dominant cereal crop, contributing 37.46 per cent of total food and other crop production.
Maize and wheat account for 20.43 per cent and 10.75 per cent respectively. The report shows that vegetable and horticulture production increased slightly by 1.02 per cent during the review period, although this growth was significantly lower compared to a 3.66 per cent rise in the same period last year.
Fruit crop production showed a stronger performance, rising by 6.51 per cent. In contrast, spice crop production declined by 5.70 per cent, although this was an improvement compared to a sharper 17.94 per cent decline in the previous year. During the review period, production of food grains and other crops decreased in all provinces except Karnali Province.
Likewise, vegetable and horticulture production increased in Madhes, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces, while it declined in all other provinces. Fruit crop production increased in Madhes, Gandaki, and Sudurpaschim provinces, whereas it decreased in Koshi, Bagmati, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces. Similarly, spice production increased in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, while it declined in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces.
In terms of total rice production, Koshi Province accounted for the largest share at 25.76 per cent, while Karnali Province had the smallest share at 2.54 per cent.
Cultivated area shrinks
The report shows that the cultivated area under food and other crops also shrank by 4.21 per cent during the review period, compared to a 2.92 per cent decline in the same period last year. The paddy continues to occupy the largest share of cultivated land at 36.82 per cent. Among other major crops, maize accounts for 23.46 per cent of the cultivated area, while wheat covers 14.22 per cent. Of the total cultivated area, millet and barley account for 5.58 per cent and 0.39 per cent respectively.
However, vegetable and horticulture cultivation area expanded by 9.10 per cent, a significant rise compared to just 0.41 per cent growth in the previous year. Fruit cultivation area also increased slightly by 0.79 per cent, though this is lower than the 1.38 per cent growth recorded last year.
Meanwhile, the area under spice crops contracted by 6.66 per cent, compared to a 5.82 per cent increase in the same period last year. The share of area covered by food grains and other crops is highest in Koshi Province at 24.08 per cent and lowest in Karnali Province at 7.45 per cent.
In terms of area covered by vegetables and horticultural crops, Madhes Province has the highest share at 32.24 per cent, while Gandaki Province has the lowest share at 7.18 per cent. For fruit, Madhes Province accounts for the highest share of cultivated area at 32.59 per cent, whereas Bagmati Province has the lowest share at 7.50 per cent.
Similarly, for spice crops, Koshi Province has the highest share of area at 40.13 per cent, while Bagmati Province has the lowest share at 7.56 per cent.
Under livestock production, milk production has decreased by 25.97 per cent, while meat production has increased by 7.37 per cent. Similarly, during the review period, egg production increased by 6.73 per cent.
Under forest-based production, firewood production decreased by 19.80 per cent and timber production declined by 2.90 per cent. During the review period, fish production increased by 6.64 per cent. In the same period last year, fish production had decreased by 4.62 per cent. #nepal
