KATHMANDU, June 5: Despite years of investment in irrigation infrastructure and ambitious plans to modernize agriculture, more than half of Nepal’s arable land remains beyond the reach of irrigation facilities, leaving millions of farmers dependent on increasingly unpredictable rainfall.
Data from the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation shows that irrigation coverage has reached only 44.63 percent of the country’s cultivable land, while the remaining 56 percent still relies largely on monsoon rains.
Out of Nepal’s 3.557 million hectares of agricultural land, only 44.63 percent had access to irrigation facilities as of mid-March, according to the ministry.
The shortfall continues to weigh heavily on agricultural productivity, food security, and farmers’ incomes. In many parts of the country, delayed or insufficient rainfall can postpone planting, reduce yields, and, in extreme cases, destroy crops altogether. The impact is particularly pronounced in the cultivation of paddy, wheat, maize, vegetables, and fruits.
While farmers in irrigated areas can harvest two or even three crops annually, those in rain-fed regions are often limited to a single cropping cycle. The lack of reliable water supply not only lowers land productivity but also reduces the effectiveness of improved seeds, fertilisers, and modern farming technologies.
The irrigation gap has also contributed to Nepal’s growing dependence on imported food. Billions of rupees leave the country each year to pay for rice, vegetables, and other agricultural products, while fertile land in many regions remains underutilised or uncultivated due to water shortages.
Damage to irrigation amounts to Rs 2.42 billion
Although the government has repeatedly identified irrigation expansion as a key pillar of food security, agricultural modernisation, and increased farm productivity, significant challenges remain.
To address the issue, the government has set a target of expanding irrigation coverage to an additional 15,800 hectares during fiscal year 2026/27, with the goal of raising overall coverage to 64 percent.
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has prioritised irrigation infrastructure, river control, and major national irrigation projects in the upcoming budget. The government has also announced plans to build 70 kilometres of embankments and reclaim 210 hectares of land next year.
Several large-scale projects have been earmarked for funding. Under the Babai Irrigation Project, irrigation facilities will be extended to an additional 1,066 hectares. The Rajapur Irrigation Project is set for restoration, while construction of headworks under the Bheri–Babai Diversion Project is expected to be completed. Together, these projects have received Rs 5.63 billion in funding.
The Sikta Irrigation Project will expand irrigation services to an additional 5,000 hectares in eastern and western Banke, backed by an allocation of Rs 2.55 billion.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited Sunkoshi–Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project will move forward with a new tender process for dam and powerhouse construction. The government aims to complete the project within four years and has allocated Rs 2.98 billion for the initiative.
Authorities also plan to upgrade the Bagmati Irrigation Project and use water diverted from the Sunkoshi–Marin system to irrigate around 122,000 hectares of farmland in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, and Dhanusha districts. The programme has been allocated Rs 530 million.
In Sudurpaschim Province, the command area of the Mahakali Irrigation Project will be expanded, while infrastructure development under the Rani–Jamara–Kulariya Irrigation Project will be accelerated. Together, these projects have received Rs 5.13 billion.
Additional funding has been earmarked for the Bhadrapur Valley Irrigation Project and the Praganna–Badkapath Irrigation Project, which are expected to bring another 2,380 hectares under irrigation.
The government also plans to complete preparatory work for the Naumure Multipurpose Irrigation Project and rehabilitate the Banganga and Narayani irrigation systems. Maintenance and upgrading of major irrigation networks—including Sunsari–Morang, Chandra Canal, Kamala, Narayani Gandak, and Koshi Pump systems—will be carried out with an allocation of Rs 440 million.
Groundwater irrigation has also been prioritised in the Terai-Madhesh region, where an additional 3,980 hectares are expected to receive irrigation services under a Rs 1.83 billion programme. Smart groundwater irrigation systems are planned for Sarlahi and Dhanusha districts.
In the hills and mountains, the government plans to expand lift irrigation systems to support terraced farming. The initiative has been allocated Rs 800 million and is expected to bring an additional 2,230 hectares under irrigation.
Funding has also been allocated for river management and flood-control programmes along major rivers, including the Mahakali, Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi. These projects aim to reduce riverbank erosion, strengthen embankments, and protect both farmland and settlements from flood risks.
The government views irrigation expansion as central to boosting agricultural production, strengthening food security, and commercialising the farm sector. If implemented effectively, the planned projects could bring year-round irrigation to thousands of hectares and help narrow one of the biggest constraints facing Nepal’s agriculture.
