Indiaęs decision to ban exports of non-basmati white rice is intended to protect domestic supplies and ease rising local prices, but it has already tightened global food stocks. India accounted for around 40% of global rice exports and imposed the ban in July; in August the government added a 20% additional duty on basmati rice to deter illegal shipments disguised as basmati. Authorities have not set a date to lift the ban, and some experts say it could last until May next year because of general elections, though officials call such timelines speculative.
Economists and researchers say the ban will increase emphasis on self-sufficiency. David Dawe says countries must invest in agricultural research to improve farmer productivity. Jauhar Ali of the International Rice Research Institute recommends hybrid rice and stresses support for irrigation, research and extension services, postharvest facilities and organic fertilisers to enable adoption.
Chinese researchers recently announced a giant hybrid that is about twice as tall as standard varieties and delivers more than 30% higher yields, rising from nine to 12 metric tonnes per hectare. The variety traces to the work of the late Yuan Longping, who sought to raise plant biomass and grain conversion. Ali cautions the work is at an early stage and says many countries need high-yielding hybrids with shorter durations (under 120 days) that use nutrients efficiently and meet market needs.
Africa and other rice-importing regions are also responding. IFPRI notes that 42 countries get more than half their rice imports from India, and Africa imports about a third of global rice, with more than 35 million smallholder farmers growing rice in roughly 40 of 54 African countries. AfricaRice recommends several steps to reduce import dependence:
- Buy climate-resilient seeds and varieties.
- Invest in irrigation and water management.
- Encourage regional fertiliser manufacturing.
In Asia, the Philippines plans to support about 842,000 hectares of irrigated land with hybrid seed and fertiliser under a national rice programme that aims to increase dry-season production and use digital tools for climate adaptation. PhilRice says the programme will continue whether or not the Indian export ban remains in place.
Difficult words
- ban — official rule stopping sale or export of something
- duty — a tax or charge on imported goods
- self-sufficiency — ability to meet needs within a country
- hybrid — a plant produced from two different parent varieties
- yield — amount of crop produced per unit areayields
- biomass — total mass of living plant material
- postharvest — activities and processes after crop harvest
- irrigation — artificial watering of land for crop growing
- import dependence — reliance on buying goods from other countries
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might the Indian export ban affect rice-importing countries' decisions about farming and food security? Give reasons from the article.
- Do you think adopting hybrid rice is a practical way for smallholder farmers to increase production? Why or why not?
- Which of AfricaRice's recommended steps (climate-resilient seeds, irrigation investment, regional fertiliser manufacturing) would be easiest or hardest to implement in your region, and why?
