Paddy is sown in about 90% of the total cultivated area. Due to the fact that Nepal's farming system is based on monsoon rains and the onset of monsoon has been delayed in recent years due to climate change, the planting time has also been delayed. Considering that this has negatively affected the production of paddy as well as the overall cropping system, the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) has developed young paddy farming technology as an alternative. This technology can be used to reduce the production cost of paddy by reducing the production cost of the young paddy cultivation tools (Zero Till Seed drill), weed management, improved varieties, suitable planting time, manure etc.
Benefits of young paddy farming technology:
Compared to paddy cultivation, 25-30% less labor is required.
Since the soil does not need to be shaken, about 20% of the water should be saved and irrigation should be reduced.
Using a seed drill machine, seeds can be sown in 1 hectare of land in about 4-5 hours.
The adverse effects on women by planting them in the mud for a long time can be minimized.
Sprouted paddy matures 7-10 days faster than sown paddy.
Time and method of sowing:
In the middle hills, in the first week of June, 30-35 kg of seed per hectare can be sown directly on the land with sufficient moisture in the plow, behind the plow or with a seed drill machine. It is easy to cultivate the paddy sown from the back of the plow or from the side drill. Seeds should be sown in soil 2-3 cm deep. If an empty space is seen within 2-3 weeks of sowing the paddy, it can be removed from the thick young plants and moved to the empty space.
Fertilizer management:
Depending on the soil fertility and variety, the seedlings should be treated with 100-120 kg nitrogen, 40 kg phosphorus and 30 kg potassium per hectare i.e. 10-13 kg urea, 4 kg DAP and 2.5 kg potash per hectare. All other fertilizers except urea should be applied at the time of sowing. Urea manure should be applied in three parts at the beginning of the application of marijuana, before flowering and during flowering.
Types:
Khumal-4, Khumal-8 and Khumal-10 in the hills for dry paddy farming technology and dry paddy-1, dry paddy-2, dry paddy-2, dry paddy-3, Tarhara-1, Hardinath-2, Ghaiya-2, Radha-4 and Bindeshwari is appropriate for Terai.
Weed management:
Weed management is the biggest challenge for the successful production of young paddy. If weed control is not controlled in time due to the high incidence of weed infestation in paddy, it has been found that up to 100 percent of damage has been caused to paddy production. Dubo, Banso Sama, Kode, Ghodebanso, Mothe, Jhiruwa, Suire etc. When it is not possible to manage weeds through weeding, weeds can be controlled by using pesticides. It is very important to manage the following weeds in the paddy field in time.
Weed management method:
1) If weed seeds are mixed in the paddy, take them out before sowing.
2) It is suitable to do the first tillage within 25-30 days after sowing of paddy and the second tillage if weeds are seen more.
3) After the sowing of paddy, use the straw as a cover to reduce the weeds that come at the beginning and the soil retains moisture.
4) In the case of mixed cultivation of young paddy and dhaincha, weed outbreak is reduced and in 35-40 days, when weedicide 2, 4-D is applied, other weeds die along with dhaincha and the dhaincha also acts as manure.
5) Within 2-3 days of sowing of paddy or before germination of paddy and weeds, pendimethalin 1.0 kg active pesticide (AI at the rate of per hectare in solution in 350-400 liters of water and sprayed. In case of an outbreak, spray Bispyribac at the rate of 25 g AI per hectare 20 days after sowing of paddy.