Should we eat less rice? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of *6 Minute English*, Neil and Beth discuss rice as a global staple food and its increasing demand, especially in Asia, Africa, and Europe. They highlight the challenges of growing rice due to its high water needs and climate change. The episode introduces the technique of alternate wet drying (AWD), which helps save water and reduce methane emissions in rice cultivation. Jean-Philippe Laborde, from Tilda, shares his experience with Indian farmers in adopting AWD, which not only saves resources but also improves yields. Key vocabulary terms include 'commodity', 'varieties', and 'tangible'.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rice is the staple food for over half of the world's population, especially in Asia.
• 🌍 Climate change is causing problems for rice farming due to droughts and floods.
• 💧 Rice requires a significant amount of water to grow, with 3,000 to 5,000 liters needed for just 1 kilogram.
• 🌾 New farming techniques like Alternate Wet Drying (AWD) are being developed to help farmers conserve water and reduce methane emissions.
• 🌱 AWD reduces the number of water cycles needed for rice cultivation, from 25 to 20, saving resources.
• 🔬 Research is being done to create rice varieties that can thrive in different environmental conditions.
• 💡 There is a growing demand for rice worldwide, including in Africa and Europe.
• 🤝 Farmers in India participated in experiments with AWD to reduce methane emissions and improve yield.
• 💪 The new AWD technique showed tangible results, including lower water usage and increased rice production.
• 📚 Key vocabulary from the program includes: commodity (buy/sell product), appetite (strong desire), get on board (agree and participate), and tangible (real and measurable).

Q & A

What is a staple food, and can you give an example?

A staple food is a basic food that is regularly eaten by many people and forms a large part of their diet. An example of a staple food in Britain is bread, while in many parts of the world, rice is the number one staple.

Why is rice considered a thirsty crop?

Rice is considered a thirsty crop because it requires a large amount of water to grow. This need for water is becoming problematic due to the increasing occurrence of droughts and flooding caused by climate change.

How much water is needed to grow one kilogram of rice?

It takes between 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water to grow one kilogram of rice.

What is the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and what is its role?

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is based in the Philippines and conducts research to create new varieties of rice that can adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as too much or too little water.

What are some examples of different varieties of rice?

Examples of different rice varieties include brown rice, long-grained rice, and basmati rice.

What is the new rice growing technique discussed in the program, and how does it work?

The new technique is called alternate wet drying (AWD). It involves placing measuring pipes underground to check water levels in the field. This technique reduces the number of flooding cycles from 25 to 20, saving water and reducing methane emissions.

What are the benefits of using the AWD technique?

Using the AWD technique helps save water, reduce methane emissions, and increase rice yields. It also reduces the electricity required for rice cultivation.

How did Jean-Philippe Laborde convince Indian farmers to adopt the AWD technique?

Jean-Philippe Laborde convinced Indian farmers by showing them the tangible results of the AWD technique. Although initially hesitant due to concerns over potential revenue loss, farmers saw measurable improvements in water usage, methane emissions, and rice yield.

What does it mean to 'get on board' with something?

To 'get on board' with something means to agree to a plan or action and actively participate in it.

What does the term 'tangible' mean in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'tangible' refers to results or benefits that are real, measurable, and can be observed or quantified.