Statement — The world will have to feed more than a billion additional people in the next century, about half of whom will be in Asia and will eat rice as their staple food.\nCourses of Action:\nI. Allocate more funds immediately for rice research to ensure adequate supplies.\nII. Encourage people in Asia to change their food habits.\nIII. Grow more rice in countries outside Asia to meet the demand.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Both I and III follow

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Projected population growth implies rising demand for staple foods, notably rice in Asia. Suitable courses of action should secure supply through productivity, resilience, and geographic diversification rather than attempting to alter entrenched dietary preferences.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Future global population increase → higher rice demand, especially in Asia.
  • I: Increase funding for rice research (yields, water efficiency, resilience).
  • II: Encourage Asians to change staple food habits.
  • III: Expand rice production outside Asia to diversify supply sources.


Concept / Approach:
Sustainable food security rests on raising productivity (R&D), reducing risk (diversified production), and improving value chains. Coercive or culturally insensitive attempts to change staple diets are unrealistic and may fail.


Step-by-Step Solution:
I follows: Research in breeding, agronomy, water-use efficiency, and climate resilience directly increases supply and stability.III follows: Producing rice beyond Asia hedges against regional shocks, supports global availability, and leverages comparative advantages.II does not follow: Staple dietary patterns are deeply rooted; large-scale habit change is impractical as a near-term course of action.


Verification / Alternative check:
Historical gains in food security (e.g., Green Revolution) came from R&D and expanded production zones, not from mass dietary engineering.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Both I and II / All follow / Both II and III: include II, which is unrealistic. Neither: ignores valid supply-side measures.


Common Pitfalls:
Underestimating cultural persistence of staple foods; overreliance on behavioral change vs. technological and production measures.


Final Answer:
Both I and III follow.

More Questions from Course of Action

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