Rice feeds more than two billion people worldwide and
is the number one staple food in Asia, where it provides
40–70% of the total food calories consumed. Rice is
also used for animal feed and provides the major source
of income for rural people; high-quality rice brings in
additional income. Due to the Green Revolution, a
quantum leap in rice yield took place over the past three
decades, although increased food production did not
eliminate poverty and hunger. The yield increase did
help to avert famine and prevent a greater disruption of
the food supply in Asia—unlike in some countries of
Africa, where a lack of infrastructure and political will
resulted in the failure to take advantage of Green Revolution
techniques