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Facts
- The International Year of Rice in 2004 aimed 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 800- 5,000 litres of water to produce each kilogram of rice.
- Scientists believe there are roughly 140,000 varieties of cultivated rice.
- In 2007 the four major rice producers were China, 185 million tonnes, India 141 million tonnes, Indonesia 57 million tonnes and Vietnam 35 million tonnes.
- Australia produces roughly 1 to 1.7million tonnes of rice a year and exports rice to over 70 countries.
In 2007 Australia had the second highest yield with 8.15 tonnes of rice per hectare behind Egypt with 9.97 tonnes per hectare. The world average for irrigated rice is about 4.15 tonnes per hectare.
Sources: http://www.irri.org
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Background
International Year of Rice
The International Year of Rice reflected the importance of rice in global concerns regarding food security, poverty alleviation, preserving cultural heritage and sustainable development. This was the first time an international year had focused on one crop and reflected the importance of rice as a primary food and income source 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 and improve environmental sustainability..
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. 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. Rice is cooked and eaten in many ways. It may be used as the grain or processed into flour and noodles. 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 is less nutritious. There is current research into improving the nutritional value 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 centre around the rice production calendar and changes to rice production lead to changes in social and cultural interactions. The IYR raised 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 agricultural land more pressure is placed on remaining land to become more productive. 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 highlighted 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 addition, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) works closely with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, including in the Asia-Pacific region the International Rice Research Institute and the International Water Management Institute.
Research focuses on 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.
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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