Jumla's Marsi Rice Fields Turn Golden as Harvest Season Approaches
Summary
Jumla’s Marsi rice fields are turning golden as harvest season nears, with the indigenous crop remaining central to local food security and farmers’ incomes. UNDP-backed support is helping improve irrigation, processing, storage, and market access for the high-altitude rice.
Key Points
- Marsi rice fields across Jumla, especially along the Tila and Hima river areas, are nearing harvest and creating a golden landscape.
- The indigenous crop covers about 1,068 hectares, or 37 percent of Jumla’s rice land, and is a key part of local livelihoods and food security.
- Jumla produced about 3,000 metric tons of Marsi rice in fiscal year 2080/81, with around 175 metric tons sold outside the district in recent months.
- UNDP’s RERAS project is supporting irrigation, processing, storage, packaging, and market access for indigenous crops like Marsi.
