rice = luxury?

The issue on the ricing price of rice becomes a hot topic nowadays.
Recently, I found an interesting international research on the web about this topic.
rising price of rice by Mong Palatino


The entry shows a wide spectrum of opinions from different countries in terms of the soaring prices and the problem of rice shortage. Most people see it as a threat to the economy, and the poor in specifically. Top rice importers such as Indonesia and the Philippines pay much attention to the population that remains under the poverty line. Since rice is a vital commodity that feeds a lot of people in the world, especially the poor, the incredibly high cost and shortage of rice supply will definitely hurt the majority worldwide. On the other hand, a higher price on rice will only cause a pricier inconvenience to the rich. Unfortunately, the less harmed only takes up a fraction of the world's population. There are still many people can only afford an amount of rice for a day's need, or in many cases, a meal's need. Over time, if the price kept on soaring till it is no longer affordable, this imposes a potential prelude of a devastating famine.

It is interesting that the author not only addresses the different political and economic views of the issue, but also the nature of rice, in which he believes it gives an impact on the crippling effect. I totally agree that, to many countries, rice is not just "a food that fulfills hunger"(Mong article). It is spiritual commodity that people eat for health and custom. Eating rice is a respect to the effort paid by the farmers. Rice almost symbolizes a culture, a respect and a satisfaction. Just like Mong mentioned in the entry that "In Vietnamese it is polite to say ‘please eat rice’ (mơi ăn cơm) before every meal – even if the meal is noodles"(Mong). We can tell there is a vast proportion of the world's population cannot live without eating rice.

In order to prevent the dooms day ever happen, the author also proposes that the government should take action in order to suppress the price back to a balancing point. For instance, imposing subsidies on these important staple foods helps ensuring "supply security locally and to support farmers that remain on the poverty line"(Mong). Backup policies in helping the poor to get through difficulties in higher cost of living, help lessen the potential spread of poverty. Keeping domestic or imported stocks in case of an acute rice shortage will ease the potential threats in the future, etc.

After all, the rice issue is definitely a global problem that requires countries to hold hand in hand. Ideally, countries are willing to assist each other, then the problem will ease off before it hits the boiling point.