Tropical agriculture
Rising sea levels mean trouble for Vietnam’s rice farmers
If you find yourself buying rice anywhere in the world, there’s a good chance that what’s in your cart came from Vietnam. The small country cranks out a fifth of the world’s rice exports each year. But oceans are expanding — right up into some of Vietnam’s richest rice-growing areas — which is bad news for farmers.
Researcher says rising corn prices could spark global food riots
The United States is the largest producer of one of the most world’s important crops: corn. We use it to feed people, livestock and, when it’s turned into ethanol, cars. But as the country faces the worst drought in more than 50 years, some experts say the U.S. can no longer afford to turn that food into fuel.
Experts say effects of U.S. drought likely to ripple across the globe
The effect of this summer’s drought in the United States may well be felt around the world soon. That’s because the U.S. is the world’s biggest corn exporter. As harvests fall and prices rise, many of world’s poor will feel the squeeze.
Farmers struggle as historic draught diminishes crop yields
More than half of the United States is in one of the worst droughts to hit America in recorded history. Farmers are among those who have suffered the most so far. But fewer crops means higher food prices for all Americans in the months ahead.
Invasive citrus disease found in California for the first time
A citrus disease that devastated the Florida citrus industry has been found in California for the first time. State and federal officials are reacting quickly to try and contain it before it does to California what it did in Florida, where it caused $4 billion in damage and 6600 jobs.
