Vietnam's government has urged its traders to ensure there is enough domestic supply. Demand for rice is increasing, but yields are stagnating in large parts of the world. Climate change and more frequent extreme events such as floods are reducing productivity of rice farms. Rice is an important source of sustenance for so many millions of people around the world. The more its supply is threatened, the stronger the temptation from governments to ban its exports.
The country is not new to seclusion, but under the aegis of the pandemic, Kim Jong Un tightened borders even more. His regime has enjoyed the extra control, but are things finally opening up? The world’s biggest rice exporter is banning rice exports and the developing world is going to feel the heat (10:13). And, a new approach to dairy – without cows (14:39).
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