Direct seeded rice in Nepal: Major prospects and constraints

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.