Rice is the second largest staple food crop in Pakistan and is also a major export item. It accounts for 6.6 percent in value added in agriculture and 1.6 percent in GDP.

Production of rice during 2000-01 is provisionally estimated at 4803 thousand tonnes, which is 6.8 percent lower than last year. The decline in rice production is mainly, but the attack of insects, pests / diseases, on the crop during the year are also responsible.

It was cultivated on an area of 2377 thousand hectares, which was 5.5 percent lower than last year.