BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 28. Kyrgyzstan's rice cultivation area has expanded fivefold over the past 30 years, reaching 12,200 hectares in 2024, Trend reports.
According to the country's Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, the total rice production volume has also seen a dramatic increase, rising 24 times to an estimated 47,500 to 48,000 tonnes in 2024.
The area of rice cultivation increased from 11,787 hectares in 2023 to 12,200 hectares in 2024, a 419 hectare increase. Despite the increase in area, the average yield remained at 38 quintals per hectare.
The ministry further noted that annual rice production in Kyrgyzstan has grown from 41,000 tonnes in 2019 to the current range of 47,000 to 48,000 tonnes in 2024. At the same time, annual rice exports do not exceed 600 tonnes.
Meanwhile. Kyrgyzstan's total agricultural, forest, and fishing production amounted to 344.091 billion soms ($3.9 billion) in January–October 2024, which is a 6.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan.