KABUL, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan recorded a notable increase in rice production during the current Persian calendar year of 1404, with total output reaching 447,000 metric tons, according to the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA).
The figure represents a 2 percent increase compared to the previous year, reflecting steady progress in the country's agricultural sector. The NSIA report stated that rice was cultivated on approximately 135,000 hectares of land across 18 provinces, marking a 4.6 percent rise in the area dedicated to rice farming.
Rice, along with wheat flour, remains a staple food source for the Afghan population.
Despite the gains, domestic rice production continues to fall short of national demand, which is estimated at around 720,000 metric tons annually. As a result, Afghanistan still depends on rice imports from neighboring countries to bridge the supply gap. ■
