Gorgan, Golestan Prov, June 1, IRNA -- High cost of rice cultivation
in Iran compared to the world average standard is an impediment to
the country's accession to the World Trade Organization.
Secretary of national Rice Headquarters Jameel Alizadeh Shayeq
told IRNA on Tuesday that mechanized rice farming, lesser waste of the
crop, optimal water consumption and improvement of paddy fields are
the prerequisites to the WTO accession.
He said Iran's rice harvest from 620,000 hectares of paddy fields
stood at 2,200,000 tons last year.
Iran ranks 23 in terms of rice production and 26 in terms of the
areas under the crop's cultivation, said the official, adding that
Iran is among the top 10 states for average rice output
He said Iran is now suffering from about 400,000 tons of rice
shortage, which is met from other states.
