Iran: Rice Self-Sufficiency This Year

Iran is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production in the current fiscal year (ending March 2020).
It is estimated that rice production will increase 42% this year to reach between 2.9 million and 3 million tons. This volume will meet the entire domestic demand and there will be no need for imports, according to deputy agriculture minister for planning and economic affairs.
“Due to good climatic conditions this year, land under rice cultivation was increased from more than 600,000 hectares to around 830,000 hectares, marking a 38.33% growth,” Abdolmehdi Bakhshandeh was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
Abundant rainfall at the beginning of the current fiscal year (started March 21) has led to increased crop yields.