ROME:
World rice production is expected to rise to 480 million tons in 2011, three per cent higher than a year earlier, due to improved weather conditions, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Monday.
In a report, FAO gave what it called a very preliminary estimate on global rice paddy output, on a milled basis, saying the effects of the La Nina weather phenomenon looked set to dissipate in the next few months.
FAO said output in Asia was forecast to record a three per cent growth to 434 million tons, boosted by sizeable increases in China and India and a recovery in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2011.