June 17,�The Iran Project � Head of the International Center for Central and West Asia�s Rice says Iran produces 61 percent of this area�s rice, stressing that 54 percent of the total rice-rich area in this region belongs to the Islamic Republic.

Saying that Central and West Asia region is increasingly demanding more rice, Abbas Shahdi Kumleh�added we have to increase rice production by 25% by 2035 to meet the increased demand �and reduce poverty.

He went on to say that the since 1980, rice consumption in Central and West Asian countries has been 3 times, explaining that as �the International�Rice�Research Institute (IRRI) expected, the area�s rice consumption will be increased from 9 million tons to 16.5 million tons in 2035.

The establishment of the International Center for Central and West Asia Rice aimed at cooperation and coordination between the member states, Abbas Shahdi Kumleh stressed, adding that the center is also helping the member countries to have research and scientific cooperation with the global rice community to achieve new scientific advances and increase production performance.

He also noted that Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iraq, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are now covered by the International Center for Central and West Asia rice.