Rice is not a major food crop in Europe; nevertheless, rice consumption slowly but steadily increased from 1992 to 2001. The total quantity of rice consumed as food in Europe rose from about 4.15 million tonnes of paddy equivalent in 1992 to about 4.77 million tonnes in 2001. The quantity of rice consumed in the Russian Federation in 2001 was 0.96 million tonnes, followed by Spain (0.52 million), Italy (0.48 million), Germany (0.46 million), France (0.44 million) and Portugal (0.27 million) (FAO, 2003). Rice was introduced into Europe during the fifteenth century and - despite the low rate of rice consumption and a number of unfavourable economic and social factors - production continued. Given the relatively high production costs in Europe, it is hard to compete with imported rice. In addition, the population expresses increasing concern about the possible negative effects of rice production on the environment and on biodiversity. However, the existing rice-based production systems present a number of opportunities for sustainable development. This paper provides a brief description of the rice production systems in Europe and discusses the agronomic constraints of and opportunities for the sustainable development of rice-based systems.
The sustainable development of rice-based production systems in Europe
FERRERO, Aldo
2004-01-01
Abstract
Rice is not a major food crop in Europe; nevertheless, rice consumption slowly but steadily increased from 1992 to 2001. The total quantity of rice consumed as food in Europe rose from about 4.15 million tonnes of paddy equivalent in 1992 to about 4.77 million tonnes in 2001. The quantity of rice consumed in the Russian Federation in 2001 was 0.96 million tonnes, followed by Spain (0.52 million), Italy (0.48 million), Germany (0.46 million), France (0.44 million) and Portugal (0.27 million) (FAO, 2003). Rice was introduced into Europe during the fifteenth century and - despite the low rate of rice consumption and a number of unfavourable economic and social factors - production continued. Given the relatively high production costs in Europe, it is hard to compete with imported rice. In addition, the population expresses increasing concern about the possible negative effects of rice production on the environment and on biodiversity. However, the existing rice-based production systems present a number of opportunities for sustainable development. This paper provides a brief description of the rice production systems in Europe and discusses the agronomic constraints of and opportunities for the sustainable development of rice-based systems.
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