Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
INDIA
India is the second largest rice grower in the world behind China. With rice the staple food for 65% of the country's one billion plus people, much is consumed domestically.
But prices have been soaring - a shopkeeper in Delhi told the BBC that the cost of one variety had increased from 12 rupees (29 US cents) per kilogram to 16 rupees (39 cents) in the last two months.
India rice crisis?
Rice prices in the capital rose by 20% last year.
The government has announced a total ban on exports of non-basmati rice, in a bit to curb rising food prices, which have helped push inflation to a 13-month high.
The price for basmati rice, meanwhile, has been raised to $1,200 per tonne to discourage exports.
Officials say as yet there is no crisis - India has more than enough reserves to feed its population.
They also say India will honour its commitments to export rice to neighbouring Bangladesh.
But the International Rice Research Institute says that the sustainability of rice farming in India and beyond is threatened by overuse of fertilisers and soil health.
Stocks have come down over the last three years as agricultural growth has failed to match the rest of the economy.
And because of the low purchasing power of India's poor, even a small increase in prices can cause a sharp fall in real incomes.
The price for basmati rice, meanwhile, has been raised to $1,200 per tonne to discourage exports.
Officials say as yet there is no crisis - India has more than enough reserves to feed its population.
They also say India will honour its commitments to export rice to neighbouring Bangladesh.
But the International Rice Research Institute says that the sustainability of rice farming in India and beyond is threatened by overuse of fertilisers and soil health.
Stocks have come down over the last three years as agricultural growth has failed to match the rest of the economy.
And because of the low purchasing power of India's poor, even a small increase in prices can cause a sharp fall in real incomes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7324596.stm
India is the second largest rice grower in the world behind China. With rice the staple food for 65% of the country's one billion plus people, much is consumed domestically.
But prices have been soaring - a shopkeeper in Delhi told the BBC that the cost of one variety had increased from 12 rupees (29 US cents) per kilogram to 16 rupees (39 cents) in the last two months.
India rice crisis?
Rice prices in the capital rose by 20% last year.
The government has announced a total ban on exports of non-basmati rice, in a bit to curb rising food prices, which have helped push inflation to a 13-month high.
The price for basmati rice, meanwhile, has been raised to $1,200 per tonne to discourage exports.
Officials say as yet there is no crisis - India has more than enough reserves to feed its population.
They also say India will honour its commitments to export rice to neighbouring Bangladesh.
But the International Rice Research Institute says that the sustainability of rice farming in India and beyond is threatened by overuse of fertilisers and soil health.
Stocks have come down over the last three years as agricultural growth has failed to match the rest of the economy.
And because of the low purchasing power of India's poor, even a small increase in prices can cause a sharp fall in real incomes.
The price for basmati rice, meanwhile, has been raised to $1,200 per tonne to discourage exports.
Officials say as yet there is no crisis - India has more than enough reserves to feed its population.
They also say India will honour its commitments to export rice to neighbouring Bangladesh.
But the International Rice Research Institute says that the sustainability of rice farming in India and beyond is threatened by overuse of fertilisers and soil health.
Stocks have come down over the last three years as agricultural growth has failed to match the rest of the economy.
And because of the low purchasing power of India's poor, even a small increase in prices can cause a sharp fall in real incomes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7324596.stm