HISTORY OF RICE

TRACING THE RICE JOURNEY

The term rice (Oryza spp) is not a far fetched word in our daily lives, as it is a term used for one of world's most common food and a staple dish in some regions of the world.Rice as been known for richness in carbohydrate, versatility in dishes and and unique method of cultivation. Let's explore how rice or should I say rice cultivation came to be.

WHERE IT BEGAN

Just like most other crops, the origin of rice is not 100% certain, but archaeological evidence points to the middle Yangtze and upper Huai rivers of China as the two earliest places of Oryza sativa cultivation in the country. Rice and farming implements dating back at least 8,000 years have been found. Cultivation spread down these rivers over the following 2,000 years, Though this fact has been verified, countries still lay claims of the origin of rice and with their proofs of course.

HOW IT MOVED

Rice could be taken to many parts of the world due to its versatility. It is able to grow in the desert conditions of Saudi Arabia, in the wetland deltas of Southeast Asia in the flooded rice plains which we are most familiar with.

Beginning in China and the surrounding areas, its cultivation spread throughout Sri Lanka, and India. It was then passed onto Greece and areas of the Mediterranean. Rice spread throughout Southern Europe and to some of North Africa. From Europe rice was brought to the New World. From Portugal it was brought into Brazil and from Spain to Central and South America.

In Nigeria, the writings of Leo Africanus, who travelled through this region in the 1560s noted the practice of sowing rice 'on the waters' in the area of modern-day Sokoto in northwestern Nigeria, a technique still used today. Rice has since being cultivated in different part o nigeria, but still mostly in the north.

WHERE IT IS TODAY.

It is in different countries, gracing their dishes and not planning to leave anytime soon. It is there in the Chinese fried rice, American jambalaya, Nigerians jollof rice and other great dishes that has rice in them. The fact that rice is rich in carbohydrate and has very less fat, easy to cook and can be infused into many dishes makes it a staple food in many homes and knock out of world hunger.

REFERENCES

Recipedia.org The history of Rice cultivation.