The most over populated nation and the most rapidly growing economic in Asia may face shortage of rice in the forthcoming months as the Chinese media reveals that south China are suffering from serious drought. The water levels on two major rivers in Jiangxi and Hunan, the two rice-growing provinces has dropped to historic lows leaving almost no water for agriculture. Most of the popular rivers like Gan, Xiang, and Yangtze had seen their lowest water levels in history. Posted by: Mandira S, Nov 20 2007

Contact: Tara Shyam
t.shyam@irri.org
656-773-0801
International Rice Research Institute Singapore: Singaporeans consume around 275,000 tons of rice each year, which requires 688 billion liters of water to be produced – 2.5 times Singapore’s annual domestic water use. Competition for water is getting fiercer and water supplies are dwindling, yet Singapore can contribute to securing its rice supply by joining the global community in helping farmers become water-wise. This is the key message from Dr. Bas Bouman of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), who will present “Preparing Rice for the Global Water Crisis” as part of the Environment and Climate Change Seminar Series of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore. “To produce one bowl of rice it takes about 500 liters of water,” said Dr. Bouman. “For a city like Singapore, the question is whether the 688 billion liters of water needed to produce the country’s rice will remain available.” Worldwide, water for agriculture is becoming increasingly scarce as groundwater reserves drop, water quality declines because of pollution, irrigation systems malfunction, and competition from urban and industrial users increases. Climate change will also reduce water availability in large parts of the world. And, by 2025, 15-20 million hectares of irrigated rice will suffer some degree of water scarcity. …

Whetting Singapore’s thirst for rice