Afghanistan produce 447,000MT of rice this year

KABUL (Pajhwok): The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) says that 447,000 metric tons of rice were produced across Afghanistan in the current solar year 1404, representing a two per cent increase compared to the previous year.

In a statement, the NSIA said that it used remote sensing technology and satellite imagery interpretation to identify and confirm rice cultivation areas during 1404. The data indicate that nationwide rice production reached 447,000 metric tons, marking a two per cent rise over last year.

According to the NSIA, rice was cultivated on 135,000 hectares of land in 18 provinces this year, reflecting a 4.6 per cent increase in cultivated area compared to 1403.

Kunduz province recorded the largest rice cultivation area with 41,000 hectares, while Sar-i-Pul had the smallest at 138 hectares.

The statement highlighted that Kunduz and Takhar provinces each produced 116,000 metric tons of rice, followed by Baghlan with more than 64,000 metric tons, Nangarhar with over 40,000 metric tons, Balkh with 24,000 metric tons, and Kunar with more than 23,000 metric tons, making them the country’s leading rice-producing provinces.

This comes as Afghanistan’s total rice requirement this year—including food consumption, seed needs, and losses—stands at 720,000 metric tons.

The NSIA compiles and presents rice production data by analysing satellite imagery from planting through harvest within a geographic information system (GIS).

hz/sa