• Nearly half the world's 6.6 billion population eat rice as part of their staple diet and demand is expected to grow by 50 per cent by 2030.

• World rice production in 2007 was approximately 645 million tonnes with over 114 countries growing rice.

• Asian farmers produce about 90% of the total, with two countries, China and India, growing more than half the total crop.

• There are more than 40,000 different varieties of rice.

• However, only around 10% are grown commercially.

• Most of the world's rice is consumed in the area in which it is grown, just 6% is traded internationally.

• The average person in the UK eats just 4.4kg of rice each year compared with 40-60kg in some parts of Asia.