Kathmandu, Aug. 12 -- The heavy downpour last week has raised renewed hopes for a significant recovery in paddy harvests in Madhesh and Koshi provinces, Nepal's top food-producing regions.

These two provinces, Nepal's largest food baskets, had been reeling under a prolonged drought for weeks following an intense pre-monsoon period.

According to the data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development published on Monday, paddy transplantation across Nepal, as of August 10, has reached 91 percent.

In Madhesh, it has crossed 76 percent, while Koshi stands at 94.42 percent.

The revised data by Madhesh Province's Agriculture Ministry said paddy transplantation has crossed 80 percent in Madhesh, though lowest among all provinces....