Tim Blair

umm... you know, while I'd like that to be true...

But what about quinoa? Or barley? Or millet? This is rank favoritism!

Wouldn't 2008 be more appropriate?

this can't be right because anti-GM crop Luddites say we have plenty of rice and don't need to try hard anymore to make better crops, .....or maybe they are wrong and the UN is right?

Who said the UN was good for nothing?

Rice is the one crop that contributes most to global warming. Who'da thought the UN would support a Kyoto-busting crop?

Oh, and Rice University in Houston - home to one of the coolest North American radio stations - will also be ecstatic.

Are you sure it wasn't meant to be the International Year of Rice-A-Roni? That is "the San Francisco treat" after all which is probably the only city in America where the majority of the population still has the warm and fuzzies for the UN. Jerry Rice also played football there for the 49ers for many years. Coincidence? I think not.

NO NO NO

You have it wrong.

It is the International Year of Rice University.

Yes, but rice is so high in carbs. Dr. Atkins must be spinning in his grave.

Rather, it's clear that this is the International Year of Maidjaluk. Blairingly clear.

As someone who uses the name of an exotic grain as my blogging handle, I take an inordinate interest in the final outcome of this matter.

Put 'em all on a western diet of wheat, I say. Uses less water, and is just as (or more) healthy.

Put 'em all on a western diet of wheat, I say. Uses less water, and is just as (or more) healthy.

Wheat is not particularly western.

China is the world's largest consumer and largest producer of wheat.

China produces around 110 millions tons a year,
India is second, 70 million tons,
USA is third, 62 million tons.

Wheat is China's number 2 crop, with rice as number 1.

Wheat and rice require different climates.
And wheat is not necessarily healthier.
Many people cannot eat wheat because they are sensitive to the protein (gluten) in wheat.
Such people can eat rice.

triticale, someone put the tribbles in the quatro....uh you.

I think it is funny that they had to specify how much a billion was. Apparently most people missed that day in third grade where this was gone over and the kid in the ack of the room asked where a zillion fit in. No, i was not that kid.
tommy.