Japan To Boost Rice Production

According to a senior official at the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan, the world's largest grain importer, plans to boost production of rice for feed and flour, as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on overseas supplies.

The area planted to feed-use rice in Japan will rise to 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) this year from 286 hectares last year and the government aims for production of 3.5 million MT from 400,000 hectares

Japan, self-sufficient in rice, imports more than 60 percent of its food requirements, the highest level among developed countries. Reduced overseas purchases of corn and wheat may help damp prices for the grains, which soared to records on rising global demand for food and bio fuels. The increases spurred food inflation and caused riots in developing countries.