Golden rice fields of Nepal's Terai region symbolize agricultural abundance.

Sowing the Seeds of the Future: How Improved Rice Varieties Are Feeding Nepal's Terai Region

Mira Elwood in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the latest breakthroughs in rice cultivation that are boosting yields and improving livelihoods in eastern Nepal."

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is a staple crop in Nepal, central to both the nation's diet and economy. Covering 42.72% of the total cereal cultivation area—approximately 1.49 million hectares—rice accounts for about 53% of the country’s total cereal production. In Nepal's eastern Terai region, the average rice productivity stands at 3586 kg/ha, exceeding the national average of 3394 kg/ha, making the area agriculturally significant.

The Terai region dominates Nepal's rice cultivation, contributing approximately 68% of the cultivated area and 70% of the country's rice production. With about 70% of the rice produced dedicated to household consumption, ensuring high yields and robust harvests is vital for local food security and economic stability.

Globally, rice cultivation spans from 35°S to 50°N latitude and from sea level up to 3000 meters, adapting to both temperate and tropical climates. In Nepal, rice is grown in diverse ecosystems including irrigated lands (51%), uplands (9%), rainfed lowlands (37%), and areas prone to flash floods and deep water (3%).

Enhancing Rice Productivity: The Varietal Improvement Approach

Golden rice fields of Nepal's Terai region symbolize agricultural abundance.

Recognizing the critical role of rice, coordinated efforts have focused on developing high-yielding varieties suited to Nepal’s irrigated ecosystems. From 1967 to 2011, 50 varieties were released, showcasing ongoing advancements in agricultural research and development.

In 2014 and 2015, coordinated and regional varietal trials were conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) in Tarahara, Nepal, to identify promising rice genotypes. These trials assessed various genotypes under normal season irrigated conditions to determine their yield potential and adaptability.

Coordinated Varietal Trial (CVT): This trial identified NR 2157-166-1-3-5-1, Cieharang sub-1, and NR 2157-166-2-1-1-1 as promising, with grain yields of 4313 kg/ha, 4290 kg/ha, and 4239 kg/ha, respectively. These genotypes showed a 25-27% higher grain yield than the national average and a 4-6% increase over the check variety, Sabitri.
Regional Varietal Trial (RVT): The RVT highlighted KARAJAT-3 and NR 1190-24-4-2-2-2-3-2 as promising genotypes, yielding 4897 kg/ha and 4861 kg/ha, respectively. These varieties demonstrated a 43% and 8% increase in grain yield compared to the national average and the check variety, Sabitri.

These results underscore the potential of targeted breeding programs to significantly enhance rice productivity in the Terai region. The identified genotypes not only offer higher yields but also maintain significant grain quality, crucial for meeting local consumption needs.

The Path Forward: Ensuring Sustainable Rice Production

The varietal improvements in rice cultivation mark a significant step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in Nepal's Terai region. By adopting these high-yielding genotypes and integrating advanced agricultural practices, local farmers can improve their livelihoods and contribute to the nation’s overall food supply. Continued research and development, coupled with effective agricultural extension services, will be essential in sustaining these gains and addressing future challenges in rice production.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3126/ijasbt.v4i4.16255, Alternate LINK

Title: Varietal Improvement Of Normal Season Irrigated Rice For Eastern Terai Region Of Nepal

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

Publisher: Nepal Journals Online (JOL)

Authors: Hari Kumar Prasai, Rudra Bhattarai, Jiban Shrestha

Published: 2017-01-06

Everything You Need To Know

Why is rice cultivation so important in Nepal, especially in the Terai region?

Rice is a cornerstone of Nepal's diet and economy. It covers 42.72% of the total cereal cultivation area and accounts for about 53% of the country’s total cereal production. The Terai region is particularly significant as it contributes approximately 68% of the cultivated area and 70% of Nepal's rice production. Ensuring high rice yields in this region is vital for local food security and economic stability, especially since about 70% of the rice produced is for household consumption.

What are some of the high-yielding rice varieties identified in the Coordinated Varietal Trial (CVT) and what advantages do they offer over existing varieties such as Sabitri?

The Coordinated Varietal Trial (CVT) identified NR 2157-166-1-3-5-1, Cieharang sub-1, and NR 2157-166-2-1-1-1 as promising rice genotypes. These varieties showed a 25-27% higher grain yield than the national average and a 4-6% increase over the check variety, Sabitri. These improvements mean that farmers can potentially harvest significantly more rice per hectare, boosting both food availability and income. However, the document does not specify the disease resistance, drought tolerance, or cooking qualities of each variety, all of which are critical factors for farmers.

What were the key findings from the Regional Varietal Trial (RVT) regarding new rice genotypes?

The Regional Varietal Trial (RVT) highlighted KARAJAT-3 and NR 1190-24-4-2-2-2-3-2 as promising genotypes. These varieties demonstrated a 43% and 8% increase in grain yield compared to the national average and the check variety, Sabitri, respectively. These results suggest a substantial increase in productivity is possible with these genotypes. Details about the specific characteristics like disease resistance, water requirements, or grain quality of KARAJAT-3 and NR 1190-24-4-2-2-2-3-2 are not mentioned.

How do these varietal improvements aim to ensure sustainable rice production in the Terai region, and what further steps are necessary?

The varietal improvements, specifically the adoption of high-yielding genotypes identified in the Coordinated Varietal Trial (CVT) and Regional Varietal Trial (RVT), represent a move towards enhanced agricultural productivity and food security in Nepal's Terai region. For sustainable rice production, continued research and development are crucial, alongside effective agricultural extension services to disseminate knowledge and best practices. The long-term sustainability also depends on factors not detailed, such as soil health management, integrated pest management, and climate resilience strategies. Without these, the yield gains might not be sustainable.

What role does agricultural research play in enhancing rice productivity in Nepal, and how do coordinated trials contribute to this process?

Agricultural research is vital for enhancing rice productivity in Nepal by developing high-yielding varieties adapted to local ecosystems. Coordinated trials, like the Coordinated Varietal Trial (CVT) and Regional Varietal Trial (RVT), are essential because they systematically evaluate various rice genotypes under normal season irrigated conditions to determine their yield potential and adaptability. These trials allow researchers to identify superior varieties, such as NR 2157-166-1-3-5-1 and KARAJAT-3, which outperform existing ones like Sabitri. However, the impact of agricultural research extends beyond yield, and may also consider factors such as input requirements, environmental impacts, and socio-economic considerations for farmers, which are not described.