Sikta Irrigation Project transforms agriculture in Banke; 24,000 hectares irrigated, triple cropping expands

KATHMANDU: The Sikta Irrigation Project has significantly boosted agricultural productivity in Banke District, with irrigation now reaching around 24,000 hectares of farmland, enabling farmers to shift from subsistence to commercial multi-cropping practices.

With reliable irrigation replacing dependence on erratic monsoon rainfall, farmers in the region are increasingly adopting three-crop cycles annually, marking a structural shift in Nepal’s agriculture economy and rural income patterns.

From Barren Fields to Year-Round Cultivation

Previously, large swathes of farmland in Banke remained fallow after the monsoon paddy harvest due to lack of irrigation. That constraint has now largely been eliminated.

According to Agriculture Knowledge Center Banke, farmers are now cultivating paddy during the monsoon, followed by potato or mustard in winter, and then spring maize—effectively utilizing land throughout the year.

Senior Horticulture Development Officer Santosh Pathak stated that irrigation access has directly increased farmers’ interest in intensive farming.

“With irrigation in place, farmers are shifting toward triple cropping. Potato and spring maize, in particular, are generating strong cash income,” Pathak said.

He added that while wheat farmers typically remain limited to two crop cycles, those opting for faster-growing crops like mustard or potato can fit in an additional maize harvest within the same year.

Government Support Driving Crop Intensification

The Agriculture Knowledge Center has been actively promoting crop diversification and intensification under targeted programs. Farmers practicing triple cropping are being supported with improved seeds and technical assistance, particularly for spring maize cultivation.

The region’s current cropping distribution reflects this transition:

• Paddy: 33,780 hectares
• Wheat: 20,895 hectares
• Spring maize: 3,500 hectares
• Potato: 3,250 hectares
• Mustard: 6,530 hectares
• Winter maize: 135 hectares

This diversification is gradually enhancing both productivity and resilience in the local agricultural system.

Irrigation Expansion and Infrastructure Progress

The Sikta project, which sources water from the Rapti River at Agaiya in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, aims to irrigate a total of 42,766 hectares in Banke.

Project Director Raju Acharya confirmed that as of the end of the current fiscal period (Chaitra 2082/83), irrigation has already been extended to 24,000 hectares.

“We ensure water supply through canals during critical farming periods so that farmers do not face irrigation shortages,” Acharya said.

For areas still beyond canal reach, the government has supplemented irrigation access by distributing borewells to farmer groups and cooperatives with a 50 percent subsidy.

Economic Impact and Rural Prosperity

Local farmer leaders say the transformation is already visible. All Nepal Peasants Federation Banke Chair Krishna Bikram KC noted that consistent irrigation could unlock the full agricultural potential of the district.

“If irrigation becomes fully reliable, farmers can sustainably produce three crops a year, significantly boosting income and contributing to rural prosperity,” KC said.

Broader Implications

The expansion of irrigation infrastructure in Banke aligns with Nepal’s broader goals of improving agricultural productivity, reducing import dependency, and strengthening food security.

The success of the Sikta Irrigation Project is increasingly being viewed as a model for irrigation-led agricultural transformation—with implications not just for Lumbini Province but for Nepal’s national agri-economy and rural development strategy.