STAFF REPORT ISB: The SUPARCO says that rice production in Pakistan is likely to reach around 7 million tons in 2013-14 because of higher than expected rabi season rice production this year.
Rice is grown in the Sindh, Balochistan and Southern Punjab regions during the rabi season.
The data shows the rice planting had started in November and reached active vegetative growth stage at the end of January. According to the agencys SPOT VGT satellite data at the end of January, the Normalized Differential Vegetative Index profiles of all provinces started to reach their peak stage due to active growth of different crops.
SUPARCO says that the current Rabi season received less rain than last season and the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts considerably less rains also in March based on regional models, which is likely to help rice harvest.
Balochistan has received more cumulative rain among the rice growing areas. The relative humidity in the current rabi season is about 20 per cent higher in the mornings and 10 per cent higher in the evenings compared to relative humidity levels in the last rabi season.