But such spending on imported rice is a scandal, because, with the help of wise policies, African farmers could grow much more rice, perhaps enough to eliminate virtually all imports. Much of the rice grown in Pakistan, Vietnam, and especially America is stimulated by subsidies, and then dumped into African markets at low prices – sometimes below the cost of production.
随着非洲人向城市迁移，他们需要食用大米，因其便于储藏且烹饪时间也短。但在进口大米上的如此花费是种耻辱，因为在英明政策的帮助下，非洲农民可以种植更多的稻米，很可能多到完全不需进口。在巴基斯坦、越南和（特别是）美国种植的稻米是补贴刺激的结果。这些大米又以低价向非洲市场倾销—有时甚至低于生产成本。这些大米出口国，包括美国在内，还维持着坚挺的进口关税，从而保护本国农民不受全球竞争的影响。