Rice yields in Nepal: Is the 4-tons per hectare yield goal attainable?

Abstract

In recent years, rice production in Nepal has not kept pace with the population growth. As a result, the government of Nepal has called for a rice yield goal of 4-tons per hectare. This is about double the current average yield for the country. In this study, we attempt to determine whether the 4-tons per hectare yield goal is attainable. The inputs required to achieve higher rice yields were estimated from the coefficients of a production function fitted to farm level data collected from two villages, located in the Rupandehi district of western Nepal. The results suggest that the 4-tons per hectare yield is economically feasible in the areas that are 100 percent irrigated. However, it would not be realistic to expect this yield in the areas where irrigated land approaches the national average of only 23 percent. Nevertheless, it should be possible for Nepal to achieve a rice yield increase sufficient to meet the increase in domestic demand in the foreseeable future. ( JEL O13)