- Rice has a long history and it is mentioned in the Vedas.
- Rice is grown in Asia, Africa, South America, and some parts of North America.
- There are many folk lore, culture and tradition related with the rice cultivation.
- It is main staple food of about 2.5 billion people.
- More than 90% of rice is consumed in Asia.
- Most of the rice is consumed where it is produced like India, China, Japan. Only some countries like Thailand, Vietnam and USA export rice to other countries.
- There are 140,000 varieties of cultivated rice. Basmati rice is famous for its sweet flavor.
- Rice is water intensive farming. For each kilo of rice production 5,000 liter of water is needed.
- Rice production (in million metric tons)
- World 476
- Asia-430
- India and China -215
- Nepal-4
Regarding rice farming in Nepal it is one of the oldest agricultural practices. There are about 3000 varieties of rice in Nepal.Out of 75 districts in Nepal only 3 districts are without rice farming.Rice is grown in 1.4 million hectare of land producing about 4 million metric ton. Chandannath rice is grown in Jumla and it is the highest rice planting area in the world(about 3000m above sea level).
Rice is one of the most important food and has the great influence in the economic sector (25% of GDP). This is the reason why the Nepal government has started commemorating Asar 15 (June/July) as the National Rice Festival for last 7 years. It is to be noted that Asar 15 is also celebrated as the Dahi Chiura Khane (Curd and beaten flake rice eating ) festival and traditionally rice plantation festival.This year rice production is expected to be of 90 billion rupees.
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