Financial Tribune - Domestic rice production is expected to reach 2.5 million tons by the end of the current Iranian year (March 19, 2020), the director general of the Agriculture Ministry's Grains and Essential Goods Department said.

Faramak Aziz Karimi added that rice cultivation is now restricted to the two northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran, Mehr News Agency reported.

The decision has been made by the Cabinet and conveyed to all provinces for implementation.

"Rice cultivation will first be restricted for three years, as farmers will receive no facilities or support from the government in provinces other than Gilan and Mazandaran during the period,� deputy minister of agriculture in water and soil affairs, Alimorad Akbari, said.