KATHMANDU, March 29 -- The government has fixed the minimum support price of pre-monsoon paddy (Chaite dhaan) for the fiscal year 2024/25.

A Cabinet meeting held on Thursday decided to fix the floor price of the Chaite dhaan with up to moisture content of 18 percent at Rs 2,707.28 per quintal. If the moisture content is more than 18 percent, the floor price will be maintained by reducing the weight of paddy equivalent to 1,200 grams per quintal for every one percent of the moisture.

At a time, when the production of the pre-monsoon paddy is in declining trend, the government has implemented the minimum support price in the segment. The production of this type of paddy is mainly hit by the lack of irrigation facilities.

According to the...