Increase Rice Production Solution to the Global Food
Increase Rice Production Solution to the Global Food Crisis Jirawut Wuthi-Arporn - Kasetsart University
Contents § § § § Background Rice Importance Rice and Food Security World Rice Problems Governments Policies Student Actions New theory agriculture
Causes of Global Food Crisis § The causes of the food crisis including: § § § Demand for biofuels Climate change Unfair trade rules and policies Foods supply and demand High fertilizer price High transportation cost
Causes of Global Food Crisis High demand, Low supply Lack of food Governments ban or restrict food exports Less amount of food available / Food prices go up Poor people face poverty and malnutrition
The solution is … e c i Rice Ric e “Increase Rice Production” Rice e c i R Rice
Question Why RICE should be the best choice?
Rice Importance § Staple food of more than three billion people all around the world. § At least 114 countries grow rice and more than 50 have an annual production of 100, 000 tons or more. § Main food for most countries in Asia, while some countries in Africa and South America consume rice in comparable quantity as wheat and corn. § The most important grain with regards to human nutrition and caloric intake.
Rice Consumption Figure 1: Rice as a percentage of total caloric intake by region (2000)
Rice Consumption Figure 2: Rice as a percentage of total caloric intake (top 15 countries)
World Rice Problems § Rice yields have been increasing since the 1960 s, but since the 1990 s, growth in rice production has been slower than population growth. § Climate change, especially access to water, soil erosion and other problems threaten rice yields. § Global demand growth for rice may exceed the expansion in output this year as the recession forces people to eat more grains in place of meat.
World Rice Problems § It is anticipated that rice production will need to increase by 30% by 2025 in order to sustain those who need it for sustenance.
Question How have Governments and NGOs reacted to the crisis?
ASEAN Rice Policy § The governments of the ASEAN countries have been providing a wide range of assistance, financial and technical, to increase the production of rice. § Production inputs support in the form of fertilizer subsidies and the provision of high yielding varieties. § Providing rice production assistance through the provision of irrigation and credit facilities.
CRS Case Study § Catholic Relief Services is carrying out a CRS Rice Initiative response to the global food crisis, which will provide smallscale rice farmers with access to: § improved seed varieties § high-quality nitrogen fertilizer § provide support to farmers in preventing post-harvest loss § support farmers in marketing their crops § This response helps small-scale farmers in Africa to boost local rice production, increasing their incomes and putting more food on the market, which should lower prices for all.
Question How can students participate in “increase rice production” idea?
Kasetsart University § § § Agricultural online database Agricultural library Seminar and workshops for farmers Extension programs Research and Technological Transfer Thai International AGRIS Center
Students Group /Association Technological Assistance Minimize Losses Economic Skills Assistance Maximize Production Rice Farmers
Maximize Production § Improved high-yield varieties § Nerica - High yields Asian rice x African rice resisted to local pests and diseases § Super rice - yield increase 20% but more nutrient needs
Maximize Production § § § Appropriate fertilizer application Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Appropriate chemical uses Good irrigation system Appropriate cultural practices
Minimize Losses § Post-harvest technologies - minimize output losses, maintain quality § § § § Threshing Cleaning Drying Storing Milling Packaging Transportation
Economic Skills Assistance § Accounting § Making balance of payment § Establish local cooperative § Marketing § § Value added - GABA rice, herbal rice Pricing strategy Find distribution channels for rice products Sales promotions/advertising/PR
New Theory Agriculture § The “New Theory” agriculture is the practice that could help farmers to live on the basis of sustainable life. § This theory divided the land by the 30 -30 -30 -10 formula: § 30% of the total farm area is reserved for water reservoir. § 30% for paddy rice field § 30% for field crops or fruit trees depending on the condition of land market. § 10% will be used as residential area, roads, dikes, draining canals, as well as for family gardening and animal husbandry.
30% rice field 30% water reservoir 30% field crops or fruit trees 10% residential area and animal husbandry
Conclusion § Increase rice production will increase rice supply to meets the global needs and for food security. § Students have to give an assistance to rice farmers in both production and economic skills, to improve rice yields and farmers living conditions. § Increase rice production is surely not our only option. There are still so many solutions but the keys to the success is all nations and their people have to join hands and support each other.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
- Slides: 25