date:Feb 18, 2014
r, indicate that 472 483 have been planted under rice crop, some 4.6 per cent below the area planted at the same period in 2013.
The decrease in planted area is mainly a result of below average rains in December 2013. Official reports indicate adequate provision of seeds and yield promoting inputs which are expected to assist crop productivity.
The aggregate 2013/14 rice output, including the ongoing main and secondary seasons, is officially forecast at a record level of 9.3 million tonnes, sl