KHUJAND, August 26, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Rice growers in Sughd province have expanded areas under rice to take advantage of increasing price of rice and increasing demand for it, according to the Sughd agriculture directorate.

This year, Sughd farmers have planted rice on 7,387, which is 987 hectares more than it was originally planned.

Boobjonghafurov has expanded areas under rice by 192 hectares, Spitamen district has expanded rice plantations by 403 hectares, Zafarobod district by 169 hectares, and Konibodom district by 111 hectares, the source said.

According to him, local farmers are expected to produce 22,000 tons of rice this year, which is 2,000 tons more than it was originally planned.

Last year, Sughd province produced 20,585 tons of rice.

The price of one kilogram of rice at Khujand’s bazaars now fluctuates from 4.00 to 6.00 somoni, depending on it kind.

Sughd province is the main rice producer in Tajikistan.  More than 45 percent of the rice harvest comes from Zarafshon and Ferghana valley in Sughd.