Globally, rice is grown in more than a hundred countries with a total harvested area of nearly 160-million hectares, producing more than 700-million tons every year. One fifth of the world's population depends on rice cultivation for their livelihoods. "This is an amazing project and a very exciting prospect for South African agriculture," says local businessman Hennie Kruger, who is spearheading a rice cultivation project in South Africa. He adds that the South African economy and agricultural sector can benefit significantly from introducing another grain crop, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com reports.
Kruger says that as rice is a cereal grain summer crop, many grain farmers would be interested in growing rice as a means to diversify their farming operations. Local production will also reduce the country's reliance on rice imports. South Africa imports two-million tons of the staple each year.
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