An argument that has recently arisen is that rice is wasting large amounts of water, and that with water saving issues, it is just not sustainable to grow rice.
While it may appear that rice does use up excessive amounts of water, rice plants have to be one of top water saving grains. The rice plant grows in the water, therefore meaning that really, it is only ever 'watered' once in its lifetime. This is quite different to something such as corn, that needs to be regularly watered in order to not dry out.
In countries such as our own, Australia, though, we simply do not have enough water to begin the rice process properly at all. In an attempt to stop the argument that rice is water wasting in 2003, the rice industry launched a new breed of rice that is designed to reduce water use by a further 10%. Now further water efficient varieties are constantly under development.
While it may appear that rice does use up excessive amounts of water, rice plants have to be one of top water saving grains. The rice plant grows in the water, therefore meaning that really, it is only ever 'watered' once in its lifetime. This is quite different to something such as corn, that needs to be regularly watered in order to not dry out.
In countries such as our own, Australia, though, we simply do not have enough water to begin the rice process properly at all. In an attempt to stop the argument that rice is water wasting in 2003, the rice industry launched a new breed of rice that is designed to reduce water use by a further 10%. Now further water efficient varieties are constantly under development.