Source: www.onu.org

The United Nations has declared the year 2004 as the International Year of Rice. At the presentation of this initiative, the Director general of the Organization of United Nations for Food and Agriculture Jacques Diouf,emphasised that"rice is the basic nourishment of more than half of the world's population" but "its production faces serious obstacles."

With the motto "Rice for Life", it is intended to highlight not only the symbolic value of rice as a cultural bridge and as a union among peoples,(with reference to religious precepts, festivals,traditions and customs involving rice), but also it's indispensable character linked to the struggle against hunger and poverty. Out of the 840 millions of people in the world who suffer chronic hunger, more than 50% live in the zone that depends on the production of rice for their nourishment, income and employment.

In spite of its importance at this precise moment, whilst the world population continues to increase, the land and water designated for the production of rice, diminishes."The time has come "said Diouf, " for the International community to unite it's efforts to augment the production of rice to a susutainable form so that it yields benefits to the farmers, to women and children especially to the poorest. Over the years, many countries have set up world-wide initiatives, designed to promote the development of sustainable farming. The International Year of Rice will represent a first class opportunity for the International community to put these initiatives into practice.