Rice production target of 6.5 million tons achieved

SLAMABAD, Jan 08 : Despite shortage of water and unfavourable weather conditions, the country achieved rice production of target of 6.5 million tons.

Officials in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said though the production target for rice was achieved but it was 500,000 tons less than preceding year’s record production of seven million tons.

They said the country is expected to export about four million tons of rice and 2.5 million tons would be enough to meet domestic demands. Last year the country exported 4.2 million tons of rice. They said rice prices which went up last year have shown down ward trend in the local markets this year.

The officials hoped that the cotton production from the last crop would touch 12.7 million bales. INP