He said this while responding to journalists' questions after the meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) at the Secretariat on Sunday.
Explaining why the price of fragrant rice is high in the market, the state minister said that the areas producing fragrant rice are gradually decreasing. As a result, in some cases there is a shortage of this rice. However, the government is not exporting fragrant rice on a large scale; although it was exported for a short period, it is currently stopped.
He said the Ministry of Land is conducting a survey across the country to determine which crops grow well in which regions of the country and which crops are more suitable for the weather and climate of the respective areas. The Ministry of Agriculture is also working on this matter.
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The three-member committee formed to find ways to increase fragrant rice production will work at the field level. Committee members will inspect fragrant rice-producing areas on the spot. Special importance will be given to areas where this rice is still being produced and farmers are interested in continuing cultivation. Initiatives will be taken to increase fragrant rice cultivation by giving additional incentives to farmers in these areas.