Financial Tribune - Due to good climatic conditions, it is estimated that rice production will increase 42% this year to reach between 2.9 million and 3 million tons, which will meet the entire domestic demand and there will be no need for imports

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.