Shahin Vatani
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What is the staple source for carbohydrates in the middle east? It surely can't be rice since paddy requires a lot of water. I am aware of couscous being used in North Africa which is based on wheat but then again the climate in North Africa is quiet different to the middle east.
In the rest of the middle east bread is the staple. In Iran I would say rice is the staple, although bread is still important.
Iran has many paddy fields in the northern regions. The plan of the government is to increase the paddy fields and become totally self sufficient in rice production within the next couple of years.
Iran's rice production was 2.4 million tons in 2011, up from 2.3 million tons in 2010 and 2.2 million tons in 2008. Whilst Iran consumes on average 3 million tons of rice in 2008. So we are slowly closing the required gap.
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