Status of the world rice market in 2002

摘要

Rice is a major food staple and a mainstay for the rural population and their food security. It is mainly cultivated by small farmers in holdings of less than 1 ha. Rice is also a "wage" commodity for workers in the cash crop or non-agricultural sectors. This duality has given rise to conflicting policy objectives, with policy-makers intervening to save farmers when prices drop, or to defend consumer purchasing power when there are sudden price increases.