Asian farmers till about 89 percent of the world's harvested rice area, accounting for 91 percent of global rice production. In Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, rice provides 56 to 80 percent of the total calories consumed. In most of Africa and Latin America, rice is less important. Rice and poverty Rice production and consumption are often associated with low income and poverty. In most of the rice world, rice is not only the staple food, but also a major economic activity and hence the source of employment and income for the rural population.
Rice is one of the cheapest sources of food energy and protein.
By 2025, more than 5 billion of the world's anticipated 10billion people will depend on rice as their principal food. Recent projections indicate that the world will need about 880 million tons of rice in 2025. 92 percent more rice than was consumed in 1992. In South Asia where poverty is extensive, the food need for rice is expected to double over the next 40 years. Production needs will be even higher, in order to provide stocks and seeds, and for other non-food uses.