Columbia College GEOG 100 Essay: Impacts of Rice Production in China

This research paper examines the negative environmental and social impacts of rice production by COFCO Grains and Cereals Corporation in China. The essay details the rice production process, from land preparation and planting to processing and distribution. It highlights the significant environmental concerns, including excessive water usage, greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide and methane), and the use of pesticides, which contaminate water sources. The essay also addresses the social impacts, such as reduced income for farmers due to crop diversification, increased insecurity due to robberies, and the spread of diseases, such as malaria, due to the ecological conditions created by rice farming. The conclusion summarizes these negative impacts, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices in rice production. The essay cites multiple sources to support its findings.

(Insert Username) 1
Name of Student
Name of Instructor
Course Title
Date
Global Commodity Chain/Food Supply Chain
This research paper illustrates the negative environmental and negative social impacts of rice
production by COFCO Grains and Cereals Corporation in China. The only raw materials
required during rice production is rice seedling and also fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
The manufacturing process of rice involves soil or land preparation, planting, harvesting, drying,
hulling, milling, and enriching (Anonymous). The processes of land preparation, planting,
harvesting, and drying are generally performed by the framers in the fields after which they send
the dried rice to COFCO Grains and Cereals who are involved in the final processing of the rice
and also involved in price regulation and paying of farmers.
The processed rice is there distributed to various retail outlets or even exported to oversee
markets by the corporation. Once the rice has been distributed to the retailers such as Waltair
Exports, Nagendra Traders, and Skmi Rice Bazaar Wholesaler, they stock the rice in their
warehouses and sell the rice products to consumers around the country at an acceptable price
(Anonymous).
Rice is cultivated in rice paddies in China by farmers which involve the use of high inputs of
water more than any other grain. Rice planting requires triple or double the amount of water as
the other cereal crops to cultivate the same dry weight. Diverting freshwater in regions such as

(Insert Username) 2
along the Yangtze River to irrigate rice paddies results in the reduction of water stress especially
during seasons of short rains (Zee).
The rice farming is also known to affect the atmospheric greenhouse gas levels as a result of
emission from rice farming especially nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide lasts longer in the atmosphere
compared to other greenhouse gases emitted such as methane and then traps more heat after
sometimes (Harvey). Both nitrous oxide and methane are released during rice farming especially
during flooding resulting in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which causes
global warming and is the present environmental concern.
The use of pesticides in rice fields can improve the rice yields significantly but can result in
serious environmental problems, plant and pest disease outbreaks, poisonings, and contamination
of water sources. The use of pesticides contaminates water sources especially during flooding
resulting in poisoning of water sources (Davis). When animals and humans use water from such
sources, they are exposed to harmful pesticides and chemicals that can cause cancer.
Some of the negative social effects of rice production in China include reduced income due to
diversification, insecurity issues, and diseases. The population of China is keen on diversification
of crops to ensure a balanced diet and healthy living. This has forced the farmers to lower the
cost of rice to meet the low demand for their produce (Yong). The reduced income has resulted
in low standards of living among some farmers as they struggle to make a profit despite the high
cost of rice production.
The irrigation schemes and wetland rice culture in China have promoted ecological conditions
that favor the propagation of diseases whose vectors need aquatic environments at either certain
stages of their life cycles or permanently. Mosquito abundance and reproduction are affected by

(Insert Username) 3
environmental conditions, soil, water depth, and plant height. Research shows that rice
production promotes the transmission of malaria in the rice fields of China (Chinadaily). The
drainage ditches and irrigation areas for rice production are the major breeding grounds for
mosquitoes and snails. There is evidence that intensified rice production may increase the
incidence of vector-borne disease especially in rice fields of Tongshan County.
Some regions known for rice production in China have in the past faced increased insecurity
among farmers especially after the farmers have sold their produce and have been paid. There are
cases of armed robbery among farmers after being paid by the processing companies
(Chinadaily).
CONCLUSION
The negative environmental impacts of rice production in China excessive water usage, use of
pesticides, and greenhouse gases emission. Some of the negative social effects of rice production
in China include reduced income due to diversification, insecurity issues, and diseases.

(Insert Username) 4
WORK CITED
Anonymous. "Rice Culture of China." China.org.cn (2020):
http://www.china.org.cn/english/2002/Oct/44854.htm.
Chinadaily. "Mitigating climate threat to China's food security - Opinion - Chinadaily.com.cn."
Chinadaily.com.cn (2020):
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2017-07/28/content_30275360.htm.
Davis, Nicola. "Climate change 'will make rice less nutritious'." the Guardian (2020):
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/23/climate-change-will-make-rice-less-
nutritious.
Harvey, Fiona. "Global warming will cut wheat yields, research shows." the Guardian (2020):
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/dec/23/global-warming-cut-wheat-yields-
research-shows.
Yong, E. "The Very Hot, Very Hungry Caterpillar." The Atlantic (2020):
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/08/climate-change-insects-crops/568978/.
Zee, Bibi. "Why factory farming is not just cruel – but also a threat to all life on the planet." the Guardian
(2020): https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/04/factory-farming-destructive-
wasteful-cruel-says-philip-lymbery-farmageddon-author.