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2.112m tonnes rice production expected in Sindh

RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD: Rice production in Sindh expected to touch 2.112 million tonnes during the 1999-2000 season, according to the second estimate prepared by the Sindh Agriculture Extension Department.

This shows an increase of 9.42 percent against last year's production of 1.930 million tonnes.

The increase in production has been attributed to favorable climate conditions, control of pests and diseases and adequate supplies of inputs, except irrigation water, and adoption of improved technologies.

The area under rice cultivation during the current year has been assessed at 690,429 hectares, against 704,111 hectares of last year.

The ban imposed by revenue officials on the cultivation of paddy on the left bank of River Indus, the cyclone and rainfall during May 1999, in Lower Sindh and shortage of irrigation in Upper Sindh had affected the areas under rice cultivation.