Rice is a semiaquatic cereal grown throughout the tropics and subtropics that is a staple for nearly half the world's population and plays a central role in global food security. It is a culturally valued part of Asian societies and is a political commodity for many governments. Globally per capita demand remains stable at about 65 kg, while in Africa demand is growing rapidly. Genetic improvements through plant breeding and associated crop management practices led to more than doubling of rice yields over the last 50 years. Most gains have been in intensive, irrigated systems while only recently has progress been made in developing rice varieties that tolerate drought, floods, and soil toxicities. Rice production faces pressure from changing land and water use patterns and most likely the effects of climate change. The current international trade of rice (