Rice export contributes $ 1.53bn in nine months

ISLAMABAD: The rice export has fetched foreign exchange of US $ 1.53 billion during three quarters of previous fiscal year.

During the period, rice - the second largest staple food crop and also an exportable item - was sown on an area of 28,91000 hectares showing an increase of 3.6 percent over last year area of 27,89,000 hectares.

Sources at the Agriculture Division on Tuesday said the rice accounts for 3.2 percent in value added in agriculture and 0.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Rice recorded highest ever production at 70,05,000 tonnes, showing a growth of 3 percent over corresponding period of last year production which was 67,98,000 tonnes.

The sources said rice production increased due to more area brought under cultivation, timely availability of irrigation water and more acreage under high yielding Hybrid rice varieties.