“Australian rice farmers are the most efficient in the world” - Douglas

Editor,

I watched with dismay when I saw our fellow human beings in Somalia dying of starvation, picking at small bowls of rice which, for many, is their only food source. My emotions turned to anger when I thought about our federal government’s proposal to take more water from food production, which will not only increase our own cost of living, but also reduce the amount of food we could potentially grow to help ease this Somalian crisis.

Australian rice farmers are among the most efficient in the world, and only grow this staple crop on suitable land. The largest rice mill in the southern hemisphere, at Deniliquin, has the capacity to produce enough rice to feed 20 million people worldwide every day … yes, every day!

Our rice industry and the mill may not survive Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s next round of water buybacks, and if not Australia will lose yet another manufacturer; this time one that puts food on Australian tables and also into the mouths of the starving.

We used to be the lucky country. We’re becoming the stupid country.

Yours faithfully,

Don Douglas, Barham, NSW