Direct seeded rice in Nepal: Major prospects and constraints

Bibas Chaulagai; Bishwash Dhungel; Isha Nepal; Saroj Yadav; Promise Shrestha

doi:10.53663/turjfas.1685471

Direct seeded rice in Nepal: Major prospects and constraints

Abstract

Rice is a fundamental component of food security in Nepal, yet conventional seedling transplanted rice systems face mounting pressures from labor shortages, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. This study critically examines the prospects and constraints of both dry and wet direct seeded rice (DSR) as a sustainable alternative for Nepalese agriculture. Synthesizing current research, the analysis reveals that direct seeding significantly reduces water and labor inputs, shortens crop duration, improves soil health, and enhances profitability through lower production costs, while maintaining comparable yields under optimized management. Furthermore, it offers important environmental benefits by reducing methane emissions and conserving soil structure. However, successful adoption requires overcoming challenges such as severe weed infestation, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and potential yield loses, if management practices are inadequate. Key interventions, including the selection of vigorous cultivars, precise water and nutrient management, integrated weed control, seed priming, and mulching, are critical to maximizing the system's potential. Despite inherent challenges, the strategic implementation of direct-seeded rice could play a transformative role in enhancing national rice self-sufficiency, increasing resilience against aberrant climate change, and promoting resource-efficient farming. The study concludes that with supportive policies, farmer training, and adaptive research, direct-seeded rice presents a viable pathway toward more sustainable, profitable, and climate-resilient rice production in Nepal.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors didn’t receive any direct funding from individuals or institutions for preparing this manuscript.

Ethical Statement

Not applicable.

Thanks

The authors extend their sincere gratitude to the colleagues and teachers for encouraging and continuously helping us by reviewing it and giving us genuine feedbacks.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Agronomy , Cereals and Legumes

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Bibas Chaulagai ^*
0009-0005-4929-7049
Nepal

Bishwash Dhungel This is me
0009-0002-5195-1458
Nepal

Isha Nepal
0009-0007-4608-136X
Nepal

Saroj Yadav
0009-0007-5355-6634
Nepal

Promise Shrestha
0009-0007-6215-8398
Nepal

Publication Date

February 8, 2026

Submission Date

April 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1685471

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA72MD38BC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Chaulagai, B., Dhungel, B., Nepal, I., Yadav, S., & Shrestha, P. (2026). Direct seeded rice in Nepal: Major prospects and constraints. Turkish Journal of Food and Agriculture Sciences, 8(1), 1685471. https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1685471