Could Japonica Rice Be an Alternative Variety for Increased Global Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation?

Daniel Dooyum Uyeh,Yushin Ha,Kyungmin Kim,Seungmin Woo,Senorpe Asem-Hiablie,Alexey Mikhaylov,Tusan Park

doi:10.3390/foods10081869

Abstract

The growing importance of rice globally over the past three decades is evident in its strategic place in many countries’ food security planning policies. Still, its cultivation emits substantial greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Indica and Japonica sub-species of Oryza sativa L. are mainly grown, with Indica holding the largest market share. The awareness, economics, and acceptability of Japonica rice in a food-insecure Indica rice-consuming population were surveyed. The impact of parboiling on Japonica rice was studied and the factors which most impacted stickiness were investigated through sensory and statistical analyses. A comparison of the growing climate and greenhouse gas emissions of Japonica and Indica rice was carried out by reviewing previous studies. Survey results indicated that non-adhesiveness and pleasant aroma were the most preferred properties. Parboiling treatment altered Japonica rice’s physical and chemical properties, introducing gelatinization of starch and reducing adhesiveness while retaining micronutrient concentrations. Regions with high food insecurity and high consumption of Indica rice were found to have suitable climatic conditions for growing Japonica rice. Adopting the higher-yielding, nutritious Japonica rice whose cultivation emits less GHG in these regions could help strengthen food security while reducing GHGs in global rice cultivation.

Highlights

Recent World Bank reports show that half of the world’s poorest people are in just five countries on two continents [1]
As reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the initial focus was on the volume and stability of food supplies
Parboiling retained the micronutrient profile of the treated Japonica rice, indicating that it could be a potential solution to hidden hunger in rice-consuming countries

Summary

Introduction

Recent World Bank reports show that half of the world’s poorest people are in just five countries on two continents [1] These are India and Bangladesh in South Asia, and Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia in Sub-Saharan Africa. As reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the initial focus was on the volume and stability of food supplies This definition has evolved into “when all people always have physical, social and economic access to enough, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (FAO, 2019) [5]. Serious health outcomes of hidden hunger have been recorded in most developing countries [8,9] and have been predicted to grow exponentially in Africa at a rate of 18% annually [10]

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