Education Pack 3 | Rice

rice

RLF presents a fact file about RICE

RLF plays an important part in the production of food crops in many parts of the world.

It is a major contributor to plant health and nutrition, and has developed new and exciting technologies to advance crop quality and yield. It’s ‘Integrated Fertiliser Approach’ has a positive influence on achieving the increased crop yields necessary as demand for food grows.

RLF is committed to its role of providing the best possible outcomes and products for agriculture and is a proud partner to farmers and growers throughout the world.

The Fast Facts about World Trade in Rice

  • China is the world’s biggest producer of rice, growing one-third of Asia’s total on 29 million ha, closely followed by India who produces nearly one-quarter of Asia’s needs on 43 million ha.
  • Less than 8% of all the rice produced in the world is traded internationally.
  • Because many countries regard rice as a strategic food staple, some governments subject its trade to a range of controls and policy interventions.
  • Developing countries are the main world rice traders – whilst many countries import only five countries export – they are Thailand, Vietnam, China, USA and India.
  • The following world map shows the world’s top ten rice producing countries.

The Historical Perspective

  • The origins of domesticated rice have been debated for decades, however it is generally accepted that all forms of Asian rice come from a single domestication of the wild rice that occurred in the Pearl River valley region of China more than 8,000 years ago.
  • From East Asia rice then spread to Southern and South-Eastern Asia and archaeological evidence has been uncovered in many different countries throughout this region to support its existence and importance to the populations.

The Fast Facts about Production and Consumption

  • Rice is the main staple food in Asia, where approximately 90% of the world’s rice is produced and consumed.
  • The following graph gives and indication of the level of production amongst the top ten rice producing countries.
  • If the demand for world food is to be met, rice production will need to become more efficient.
  • About 75% of the global rice production comes from irrigated rice systems because most rice varieties express their full yield potential when water supply is adequate.

The Farming Techniques and Agronomy

  • A rice plant can grow from 1m – 1.8m tall, depending on the variety and soil fertility. The grass has long, slender leaves 50cm – 100cm long and 2cm – 2.5cm wide. The small wind-pollinated flowers are produced in a branched arching to pendulous inflorescence 30cm – 50cm long. The edible seed is a grain 5cm – 12mm long and 2cm – 3mm thick.
  • There are four main types of rice – Indica, Japonica, aromatic and glutinous.
  • There is substantial scope to increase current rice yields, as on average, farmers only achieve about 60% of their yield potential.
  • Better crop, seed and soil nutrition, along with other important agricultural practices are needed if rice production is to be profitable for growers, and for the needs of a hungry world to be met.
  • In most Asian countries traditional hand methods of cultivating and harvesting rice are still practised. The fields are allowed to drain before cutting and manual harvesting involves the use of sharp knives or sickles and traditional threshing tools. Animals are often used for trampling.

The Way Forward for Rice Growers using RLF Products

The Growth Cycle graphic of rice provides a clear view of when and how RLF products can be used to enable the rice crop to establish, grow and develop to its fullest yield potential. It also recommends the range of specialised RLF Products to be used to achieve outstanding yield potential for rice. These additional pages will provide a significant amount more information about the food crop RICE.

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