Posted on 04/06/2008 1:29:02 PM PDT by FreeInWV
Shortages of the staple crop of half the world's people could bring unrest across Asia and Africa, reports foreign affairs editor Peter Beaumont A global rice shortage that has seen prices of one of the world's most important staple foods increase by 50 per cent in the past two weeks alone is triggering an international crisis, with countries banning export and threatening serious punishment for hoarders.... The impact will be felt most keenly by the world's poorest populations, who have become increasingly dependent on the crop as the prices of other grains have become too costly.
The sharp rise in rice prices has been driven by many factors, not least by a race between African and South-east Asian countries to secure sufficient stocks to head off the risk of food riots and social unrest. Fears over the potential impact of the rice crisis has been heightened by estimates by both the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation - which has predicted the 3.5 per cent shortfall - and comments from the World Bank president, Robert Zoellick, on the organisation's website, estimating that '33 countries around the world face potential social unrest because of the acute hike in food and energy prices'. According to the World Bank's figures, the real price of rice rose to a 19-year high last month, while the real price of wheat has hit a 28-year high. Analysts have cited many factors for the rises, including rising fuel and fertiliser expenses, as well as climate change. But while drought is one factor, another is the switch from food to biofuel production in large areas of the world, in particular to fulfil the US energy demands. p>
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Piper waters my monkey grass, and it dies.
Wow. I guess “in before the first biofuels nonsequitur” isn’t going to work.
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“Leave A Yeller Ribbon ‘Round The Old Oak Tree”
Piper must pick a few favorite “watering holes”!
Cattle, horses, hogs, not much problem on a large pasture
Dogs can be a problemo!
Tex used to go up in the woods - never near the house or our lawns
Cats (kittens esp.!) seem to leave some fragrant messages on carpeting
Yes, Piper is a problem when it’s rainy weather. The edge of the patio is as far as he will go.
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Piper is a “lowdown” dog
He does not appreciate the thrill of sudden cold wet grass on.....
With 4 inch high legs he doesn’t like the cold wet monkey grass, you got it!!
Heading on up to bed, hope you had a happy day!!
commodities are on the rise again today. The world will not be as it is supposed to be for a long time to come.
Keep your knees loose.
But truly irrelevant if there isn't enough food to supply the demand. If you're assuming that that can't happen, the awakening will be truly rude when the time comes. Despite all the rukus about "Global Warming," the reality is unstoppable global cooling that will soon have its day on the farm. Who will be 'riding shotgun' over your vegeies? ;o)
Hey there, watch your language, I’m a lady!!
An image pops into the mind of this old Alaskan which might not be the intended image.
Lol, it was funny!!
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080407/peak-oil-review-april-7th-2008.htm
Rice, Inflation and Oil
Rice prices increased by 50 percent in the last two weeks to an all-time high as importing countries scrambled to hold off social unrest by securing supplies from the few exporters still willing to sell. As the staple food for 3 illion people, 33 countries are facing unrest as the price of food and energy becomes unaffordable.
There are multiple reasons behind the sudden price increase ranging from weather-related poor harvests, hoarding, and world-wide inflationary pressures resulting from high energy costs to the financial crisis. Major rice exporters such as India, China, and Vietnam have already curtailed or stopped exports to hold down domestic prices.
Among the hardest hit countries so far have been Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Pakistan where millions now face seriously restricted diets.
Even rich oil states are facing problems. Nigeria is one of the worlds largest importers of rice and Kuwait is now shut off from the Indian rice that is the staple food for most of the 1.3 million foreigners working in the country. Even the Saudis have removed the import duties on imported food. In Pakistan 80 million people are estimated to be at risk of not receiving sufficient food.
This situation is too complex to foresee future developments. If it gets worse, widespread food riots could topple governments. If millions are faced with starvation, pressure to stop production of biofuels will increase. Leverage of food exporting nations in world affairs will increase.
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