AVA - Herat Rice Production Up 25% This Year: Officials

Rice production has increased by 25 percent in Herat province and farmers are expected to harvest over 60,000 metric tons, the Herat Agriculture Department said on Monday.

A number of farmers in the province have said that sufficient water and reduced pest problems are among the two key factors which have helped the farmers harvest a good crop.
“By the grace of Allah, the crops are good now after the establishment of Salma Dam. Along with wheat, we also grow rice, we have achieved good results with it,” said Ghulam Nabi, a farmer in Herat.

“This year there is sufficient water and there are good crops,” said Abdul Sattar, a farmer in Herat.
“This year’s rice has brought good results. In previous years, crops were being burned because of the lack of water, but this year the crop is good,” said Mohammad, a farmer.
“Our estimate is that around 60,000 tons will be produced in Herat province. Last year, the figure was around 45,000 tons. Overall, rice is being grown over 11,000 hectors of lands,” said Abdul Saboor Rahmani, the head of Herat's agriculture department.
“Local rice saves its natural taste compared to imported rice,” said Jawed Ghafoori, an agricultural expert.

Herat’s rice fields are located mostly along the Harirod river which passes through Herat’s Anjel, Woba, Guzra, and Pashtun Zarghon districts.