The Indian ban on non-basmati white rice aims to protect domestic supplies and calm rising prices, but it has added to global food supply shortages. India is the largest rice exporter, accounting for around 40% of global exports; officials imposed the ban in July and added a 20% additional duty on basmati rice in August to prevent disguised exports.
Economist David Dawe says the ban will push a lot of emphasis on becoming self-sufficient and that countries must invest in agricultural research to raise farmers competitiveness and productivity. Many experts point to hybrid rice as a key option and call for investments in irrigation, research and extension, postharvest facilities and organic fertilisers.
Chinese researchers announced a new giant hybrid that gives more than 30% higher yields, rising from nine to 12 metric tonnes per hectare. The giant hybrid was developed from work by the late Yuan Longping, but Jauhar Ali of the International Rice Research Institute warns the research is still early and that many countries need shorter-duration hybrids that use nutrients efficiently.
In the Philippines, Flordeliza Bordey of PhilRice says the national rice programme will supply hybrid seed and fertiliser to irrigated farms, boost dry-season production and use digital tools for climate adaptation. The programme will run with or without the export ban.
Difficult words
- ban — official rule stopping a product sale
- export — goods sold to other countriesexports
- duty — tax on imported or exported goods
- self-sufficient — able to meet needs without imports
- hybrid — plant bred from two different varietieshybrid rice, giant hybrid, hybrids, hybrid seed
- irrigation — artificial watering of land for crops
- yield — amount of crop produced per areayields
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Discussion questions
- Do you think the export ban will help people who need rice in India? Why or why not?
- How could investment in irrigation and agricultural research change farmers' lives in your area?
- What concerns might farmers or consumers have about using hybrid rice?
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