Rice production in paddy fields

Rice is one of the most important and basic staple foods for about half of the world s population and provides over 20% of the global calorie intake. World rice production is projected to expand by 1.4% per year to 424 million tonnes by 2005, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). 

In key rice-producing regions in Asia, rice production is performed mostly in paddy fields where crop production has been highly sustainable owing to  

avoidance of soil-borne disease so that the production can be repeated every year on the same field, in some cases for more than 1000 years 

avoidance of soil erosion, enabling fertile surface soil to be conserved 

substantial additional benefits in flood control and groundwater conservation. 

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