Rice consumption is concentrated in tropical countries of the region, which have a total population of 320 million. Tropical Latin Americans consume an average of 37 kg milled rice yearly - equal to about 1.3 cups of cooked rice daily. Massive resulting social benefits went to the urban poor.
Rice is particularly important from the stand points of growth and equity.
Rice is preferred by the poor because it is cheap, nutritious, appealing, easy to prepare and easy to store and transport. Most live in urban areas. Their well being is therefore affected by the amount, quality, security of supply, and price of the rice they eat. Pushed by large debt burdens, fiscal and trade imbalances, and high inflation rates during the 1970s and 1980s, most of the region's countries have developed self-sufficient policies for rice production to maintain low and stable prices for urban consumers. Source of agricultural development Traditionally, rice is a leading pioneer crop for area expansion and colonization in tropical Latin America and the Caribbean.