Nepal rice planting season starts

epa03760817 An elderly Nepalese farmer wearing ‘ghoom’, a traditional umbrella while heading towards a paddy field at the beginning of the monsoon season in Jitpur village, on the outskirts of capital Kathmandu, Nepal, 26 June 2013. Nepal will be celebrating National Paddy Day on 29 June 2013. On this day, known as Asar Pandra, farmers begin the annual rice planting season and mark the day with various festivities such as preparing rice meals with muddy water, mud being a symbol for a prosperous season. The agricultural sector contributes about 60 per cent to Nepal’s gross domestic product. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA