PATNA, Aug. 25 -- Despite 40% less rainfall than normal this monsoon, the paddy transplantation has reached 96% coverage out of set target of 3.794 million hectares for this kharif season, officials in the state agriculture department said. The high paddy sowing followed both the farmers and agriculture officials fretting over deficit in rainfall that could not only hamper the transplantation on time, it could also make the crop vulnerable to insect infection for want of proper watering. There are still concerns. Agriculturists feel that there is a possibility that the paddy production in itself and the quality of paddy could be affected, if the rainfall deficit, especially in September, is higher. "We are keeping a close watch on the growth of the paddy crops in all districts. So far, the coverage is good despite the deficit rainfall as farmers have been using water pumps to irrigate the fields. Government has been providing power from 6 am to 6 pm in rural areas, which has helped in running pumps to irrigate fields," said an agriculture department official. In Bihar, the official data suggests that the rainfall from June 1 to August 23 stands at 414.1 mm as against normal rainfall of 710.9 mm , which is a deficit of 41.7%. Last year in the corresponding period, the deficit was only 25.9% with the state having experienced 526.5 mm rainfall as against normal rainfall of 710.9 mm. As per the paddy transplantation, the figures almost are similar to the corresponding period last year. Official data shows that the state has recorded paddy transplantation in 3.652 million hectares as against the targeted area of 3.794 million hectares, which is 96.25% of the total target. Last year, the paddy transplantation in the same period ( till Aug 25, 2025) the state had achieved 98.88% coverage against the total target, officials said. Agriculture officials said that the department had issued directives to all field officers to monitor the paddy coverage and keep tab on the growth of the paddy in the fields through regular field reports so that any problems related to the crop like influence of insects could be tackled immediately. "There are concerns that paddy crops get infested by insects if there are long dry spells during the rainy season. We are keeping a close watch on the paddy crop and also related aspects," said another agriculture official. Incidentally, agriculture officials are not certain whether the deficit rainfall this year would adversely affect the paddy production or not or whether the quality of paddy would be affected. Anil Kumar Singh, director, Reserch , Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour said that the quality of paddy would much depend on how much rains the state receives during the next one month as in next few weeks, the crop would start maturing. "If there is sufficient rains in the next few weeks, there will be enough water for the paddy fields and it would be beneficial for the crop . If the deficit is higher, it may affect the crop in some places," Singh said, adding that the quality of the paddy crop could be checked only after the harvesting season. Senior officials of the agriculture department could not be reached for comments....