Bihar is grappling with a significant slowdown in paddy transplantation this year due to a weak monsoon. According to figures released by the state's agriculture department, only 22% of the targeted paddy transplantation has been completed so far. Typically, by the second week of July, paddy planting gains momentum, but the lack of adequate rainfall this season has left fields dry, preventing farmers from proceeding with sowing.

An official from the agriculture department stated that the total target for paddy cultivation in the state is approximately 36 lakh hectares. However, only about 8 lakh hectares have been transplanted to date. This figure is considerably lower than last year, when nearly 40-50% of transplantation was completed by the same period. The situation is particularly dire in several districts within the Magadh, Shahabad, and Patna divisions, where the deficit in rainfall is most pronounced.

Farmers express deep concern, stating that if significant rainfall does not occur in the coming days, the paddy crop could face a severe crisis. Many farmers rely on pump sets and canal water, but canals also lack sufficient water. The rising costs of diesel and electricity make operating pump sets prohibitively expensive. This delay in paddy sowing directly impacts crop yields, threatening food security and farmers' incomes.

While the meteorological department has predicted light to moderate rainfall in some parts of the state over the next few days, it remains uncertain whether this will be sufficient. There is an urgent need for the government to seriously consider this situation and provide immediate assistance to farmers to help them cope with this crisis and salvage the upcoming crop cycle.