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Facts
- The International Year of Rice 2004, aims to promote improved production
and access to this vital food crop, which feeds half of the world's
population.
- More than 90%of the world's rice is grown and consumed in Asia, where
people typically eat rice two or three times a day.
- Rice makes up nearly 75% of calorie consumption in Bangladesh and
Cambodia while it is only about 3% in Australia.
- It takes 3-6 months for a rice plant to reach maturity, depending
on the variety and where it is grown, and an average of 5,000 litres
of water to produce each kilogram.
- Scientists believe there are roughly 140,000 varieties of cultivated
rice.
- In 2003 the four major rice exporters were Thailand, 8 million tonnes,
Vietnam, 4 million tonnes, India 3 million tonnes and USA, 2.9 million
tonnes.
- Australia produces roughly 1.3 million tonnes of rice a year and exports
rice to over 70 countries.
- In 2003 Australia had the highest yield with over 10 tonnes of rice
per hectare. The world average for irrigated rice is about 5 tonnes
per hectare.
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Background
International Year of Rice
The declaration of 2004 as the International Year of Rice reflects the importance
of rice in global concerns regarding food security, poverty alleviation, preserving
cultural heritage and sustainable development. This is the first time an international
year has been focused on one crop. The theme of "Rice is life" is
a sign of the importance of rice as a primary food and income source especially
in many developing countries. Focusing on rice internationally provides an opportunity
for the global community to work toward achieving the internationally agreed
Millennium Development Goals which call for the reduction of poverty and hunger.
Rice production
Rice is the world's third largest crop, behind maize and wheat, both of which
have significant uses outside of human nutrition. There are an estimated 140,000
varieties of cultivated rice which indicates the wide variety environmental
conditions where it is grown and the associated cultural preferences and practices.
Grains vary in size and stickiness from the long and fragrant Indian basmati
and Thai jasmine rice to the short sticky Japanese sushi and Italian aborio
rice. The colours may be brown, black, red, green, white or the Vitamin A fortified
golden rice. The environments where rice is grown range from intricately irrigated
terraced hills to rainfed lowlands. In the 'rice bowls' of Asia 2-3 crops per
year might be grown. Fish or frogs may also be farmed in the water and provide
a source of protein.
The small rice fields in many parts of Asia mean that rice growing is very
labour intensive. Sometimes water buffalo or small machines are used. The three
to six month cycle of field preparation, planting out seedlings, managing pests,
harvesting, threshing, milling, drying, storing and processing all take many
hours of hard work. Rice is cooked and eaten in many ways. It may be used as
the grain or processed into flour and noodles. Apart from food, rice and its
by-products (straw, husks and bran) are used for making many items including:
rope, paper, wine, beer, cosmetics, packing material, paper, sandals and hats
as well as being used for fuel and fertiliser or ceremonial activities.
Rice as food
Rice is the significant food consumed by many people throughout the world.
In Asia more than 2 billion people obtain 60 to 70% of their energy intake from
rice and rice products. In Africa, it is the most rapidly growing food source.
However rice does not contain all human nutrient needs and many people who depend
so heavily on rice suffer malnutrition. Most people have a preference for white,
milled rice because it is tasty, it cooks quickly and stores well, but it less
nutritious. There is current research into the nutritional value of different
types of rice to help reduce malnutrition.
Rice and income generation
Nearly 1 billion people, predominantly in Asia, work as small scale rice farmers.
Many others earn a living from threshing, milling, processing, transporting
and the cooking of rice. Others earn a living from producing, servicing and
maintaining tools, implements and equipment for rice cultivation and post-harvest
operations.
Over the last twenty years the introduction of new high yielding rice varieties
has meant that rice production has increased faster than population demands
but it has also reduced the price farmers receive for their rice. This is good
for those living in cities, particularly the poor, but a problem for farmers
and countries dependent on rice exports for their income. Decreasing returns
for rice has led many men to move to the cities in search of work. With less
labour force the women try to minimise work load which sometimes leads to lower
yields. Improving access to a fair price for rice and support for the use of
appropriate technologies to reduce workloads and free up time for other income
generating activities are important to address poverty and food security.
Rice and culture
Every culture has its own particular set of preferences regarding the texture,
taste, colour and stickiness of rice. Almost every culture has its own way of
harvesting, processing and eating rice. Many festivals and community interactions
are centre around the rice production calendar and changes to rice production
lead to changes in social and cultural interactions. The IYR will raise awareness
of the importance of the biological diversity, knowledge of farmers and the
rich cultural heritage of rice-based systems.
Rice and environment
As cities expand over productive land more pressure is placed on remaining
land to increase production. The development of modern rice varieties with high
yields, pest resistance and improved nutrition has been achieved through irrigation
and increased use of pesticides and fertilisers which has caused many environmental
problems. Further improvements need to include agricultural management techniques
to avoid further environmental damage. In water scarce areas this may mean growing
other crops.
Many poor farmers plant seeds specialised to their environment that they have
developed over many generations. IYR will highlight this bio-diversity and recognise
the specialised knowledge of these indigenous farmers.
Australia's responses
The Australian Government's overseas aid program aims to help developing countries
in its region to reduce poverty and address food security by promoting trade
liberalisation, peace and stability, good governance, security of land tenure,
rural development and agricultural research.
Specific programs to improve food security especially in relation to rice include:
- research into improved farm management and farmer education
- constructing food stores and improving roads so that food can be moved to
where is it needed, or where it can be sold
- encouraging national and international trade so that food can be more easily
bought and sold
- improving the status of women and girls so it is easier for them to play
a more productive role
In 2004 Adam Barclay, Australian Youth Ambassador for Development, is working
as a communications officer at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
in the Philippines. Australia is one of the donors for IRRI which is dedicated
to helping farmers in developing countries produce more food sustainably on
limited land using less water, less labour, and fewer chemical inputs, without
harming the environment.
Adam will help raise public awareness of and financial support for rice research
and production, particularly in relation to alleviating poverty and protecting
the environment.
The global agenda
There are a growing number of global initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable
development, including rice production. These initiatives recognize that it
is essential that efforts are coordinated, responsibilities shared and participation
included at all levels, from the local to the international.
These include international agreements such as:
- Agenda 21 (Rio Summit, 1992) particularly the chapter on Sustainable Agriculture
and Rural Development.
- Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action
(1996)
- United Nations Millennium Declaration (2000)
- World Conference on Sustainable Development (2002)
Intergovernmental regulatory instruments related to: food quality; climate
change; trade, and non-tariff trade barriers; biological diversity and the safe
movement of modified living organisms; and ensuring equal access to and benefit
sharing from plant genetic resources.
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