Keene Equinox

Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Opinions

Media Credit: The Fresh Prints

I really like rice, especially in the stir-fry in the Zorn Dining Commons.

There is always a hefty sized pan of the white stuff sitting at the end of the line, just waiting to be slathered in garlic butter, sweet and sour sauce, hot sauce or (if you're me) teriyaki. Most evenings it doesn't matter if the rice pan is empty. By the time your delicious veggies and chicken are done sizzling, there are plenty of back up pans, full of rice and ready to go. There might be less rice being distributed than before however, because the dining commons may have to cut back on how much rice they get due to a slew of agricultural and economical problems with the crop.

Rice is facing what many products are facing in the global economy right now: inflation. Due to the loss of available farming land to urbanization, drought, a Vietnamese viral plant strain and rising population numbers, the scarcity of rice is increasing and therefore, the price of the product has risen worldwide.

Because of this, some countries have recently limited their exportation of the crop. This, coupled with the steep rise of prices and high demand, keeps prices at a steadily climbing rate.

As one can imagine, inflation of prices worldwide will have a universally damaging effect, but the severity can vary from region to region. Sub-Saharan African countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Botswana and Zimbabwe are expected to suffer the worst results from this rise in prices and scarcity of rice. Rice is a staple in the diets of many African and Eastern societies and if that is taken away from the already impoverished areas, civil unrest may occur.

A March 29, New York Times article noted that scuffles broke out between Somalian soldiers and Islamist insurgents when the soldiers held local merchants at gunpoint and stole sacks of grain. The fight escalated to an all out conflict. The article went on to describe how Somalia's government's could potentially collapse from all the civil dissent stemming from this single incident.

China and India have already limited the amounts of rice being sold in their countries in order to try and curb the crisis. Perhaps the United States should follow suit.

Although we may not have the overpopulation or dependency on rice those other countries have, we could cut our rice distribution down and perhaps assist poorer and developing countries by sending rice their way to try and stabilize any unrest that may occur, such as Somalia.

It would be much easier to limit our own use to save regions from falling into complete collapse than to later expend more troops and billions in funds trying to rebuild a ravaged Africa or Asia.

There is no telling if the U.S. would be willing to make this sort of move without facing mixed reactions from the public. This could potentially delay action to a point where the damage in the developing countries has already been done.

What do we do as a society, as simple college students halfway around the world? The only solution I could urge anyone to attempt is to limit their intake of foods that are experiencing major inflation.

Don't buy as much rice from the grocery store, or buy in bulk to try and save money that way.

In any event, we may have to put up with alternative forms of "stir-fry fixings" for a while, but it helps to remember that it would be a necessary measure to ensuring the livelihoods of millions of starving and poor people.

Keep that in mind and the other meal lines may begin to look more appealing.



Corey Smith is a freshman majoring in journalism. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Equinox.

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