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Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

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AFGHANISTAN is a landlocked country surrounded by Iran, Pakistan, and <strong>the</strong> Centr<strong>al</strong> Asian<br />

Republics. It consists of highland plains separated by mountains. Afghanistan is largely dry<br />

and rocky, with some fertile lowlands where rice and o<strong>the</strong>r grains, as well as cotton and<br />

fruits, are grown. Agricultur<strong>al</strong> activities make up more than h<strong>al</strong>f <strong>the</strong> GDP, <strong>al</strong>though only about<br />

12% of <strong>the</strong> country is arable. De<strong>for</strong>estation has increased rapidly, leading to desertification;<br />

potable water is scarce. The main population centers are in eastern v<strong>al</strong>leys.<br />

Gener<strong>al</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

• Main food consumed: wheat, maize, rice, oil<br />

and fat, and meat<br />

• <strong>Rice</strong> consumption, 1999: 16.7 kg milled rice<br />

per person per year<br />

Production season<br />

Planting Harvesting<br />

Main season Apr-Jun Oct-Nov<br />

Production constraints<br />

<strong>Rice</strong> production in <strong>the</strong> country has suffered from<br />

<strong>the</strong> unstable security conditions. <strong>Rice</strong> yields are<br />

still low. If security conditions improve, rice<br />

production could be substanti<strong>al</strong>ly increased by<br />

• Introducing/developing and adopting highyielding<br />

vari<strong>et</strong>ies, which are tolerant of low<br />

temperature and blast<br />

• Improving input and credit supply systems<br />

• Streng<strong>the</strong>ning research and extension<br />

services<br />

128 <strong>Rice</strong> <strong>al</strong>manac

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