Editorial photo #13902811 Economy, Business and Finance
Nepal Celebrates Paddy Day With Traditional Rice Transplantation
Women plant rice seedlings in waterlogged paddy fields during the observance of National Paddy Day (Asar 15) on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on June 29, 2026. Celebrated annually at the onset of the monsoon season, the day marks the beginning of rice transplantation across the country. Farmers and local communities participate in traditional mud-field planting, accompanied by folk songs and festive gatherings, and share Dahi Chiura--a customary meal of beaten rice and yogurt believed to bring prosperity for the agricultural season. Rice is Nepal's staple crop, with the agriculture sector contributing around 24 percent to the national GDP and supporting more than 60 percent of the population. (Photo by Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto)
