Kathmandu, Nov. 27 -- Nepal's import of paddy and rice soared more than 46 percent due to impacts of floods triggered by the incessant rains and uneven rainfall that took place during monsoon season this year.The records with the Department of Customs (DoC) show that Nepal imported paddy and rice worth Rs 10.18 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year (FY), which was 46.26 percent more than the amount imported in the same period of the last FY. During mid-July and mid-November of FY 2024/25, the country's import of the cereal stood at Rs 6.96 billion.

In terms of quantity, there was an increase of 57.51 percent in imports of paddy and rice. Compared to import of 117,578 tons of the agro product in the review period las...