| By :
Shane Hester
The growing international trade of rice has been ongoing and greatly marks in the market. This is true most especially to leading countries with rice as their major source for trade. As we may know, more than half of the world's population has rice for their staple food. Asia is the continent who is the major leading rice producer in the world, with China as its top producer among all the countries in Asia. It is China who produces about 30% of the overall quantity that the whole Asia can collectively put up. So how did it come to be? First, one may consider that its population or the size of its people as an influence for making this possible. True that the strength of a nation comes from its people, but we should not also discount the fact how well-blessed China is for its natural resources. They are blessed with wide and long rivers and a vast land. Centuries ago, during the 3rd century BC, China was starting to take advantage with the natural resources they have on rivers and abundance of water from the mountains. They built the Dujiangyan irrigation systems. Instead it capitalizes on the Min Yan River that centuries back has caused flooding to the plains of Chengdu. It was the flooding in Chengdu plains that caused Li Bing (local official in Sichuan Province) and his son to construct irrigation systems, which prevent floods and supply water to locals in the province. The Dujiangyan project was the oldest and dam less irrigation systems that survived for so many years up to now and has been honored as the Treasure of Sichuan. It is responsible for irrigating many farm lands that has continually supplied abundant water resource to 50 cities in China. Thus, the irrigation systems in Min Yan River are instrumental for China's reign as the top producer in Asia and the world. Good irrigation systems are the key to a sustainable and productive trade for rice and other farm crops. Amazing how China and its' people conceptualized such project even way back, when civilization was low and technology wasn't even heard of. The maximization of its natural resources was a major role in placing China on top of the list. An indicator of their greatness as a nation as they continue to soar amidst difficult times. And living on a fairy tale-like story of rags to riches and a reality of how rice can bring riches.
|
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesbacklink.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
