Export of rice from Pakistan decreased from US $2.18 billion in 2009-10 to US $1.92 billion in 2012-13, thus showing decline of 19%. Pakistan mainly exports rice to UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Afghanistan. In Pakistan rice is an important cash crop of the country and the overall national economy.
Rice accounts 2.7% of the value added in agriculture and 0.6% of GDP. Rice ranks as second amongst the staple food grain crop in Pakistan and it has been a major source of foreign exchange earnings in recent years. Rice provides 21% of global human per capita energy and 15% of per capita protein. Although rice protein ranks high in nutritional quality among cereals, protein content is modest. Rice also provides minerals, vitamins, and fiber, although all constituents except carbohydrates are reduced by milling. On the other hand rice contains no additives or preservatives, making it an excellent inclusion in a healthy and balanced diet. Rice also contains resistant starch, which is the starch that reaches the bowel undigested. This encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria, keeping the bowel healthy. Rice Production Pakistan is the world's largest producer of rice.
Each year, it produces an average of 6 million tonnes and together with the rest of the South Asia; the country is responsible for supplying 25% of the world's paddy rice output. Most of these crops are grown in the fertile Sindh and Punjab region with millions of farmers relying on rice cultivation as their major source of employment. Among the most famous varieties grown in Pakistan include the Basmati, known for its flavour and quality. Rice production comprises 40% of Basmati (Fine) type and 60% of coarse types.
Modern rice varieties
In Pakistan, modern rice varieties were adopted rather rapidly after Irri rice was introduced in 1968. The rice variety Irri was reportedly successful in Pakistan because of high solar radiation and abundant irrigation water. When properly managed, Irri yielded three to four times as much as local varieties and enabled the country to increase its rice production substantially.