INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF RICE 2004

The United Nations proclaimed 2004 International Year of Rice (IYR) at the Fifty-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly noting that rice is the staple food of more than half the world's population.

This is the first time any food or agricultural commodity has been declared as an international year and reflects the growing importance of this staple food to our nations.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (Rome, Italy) is responsible for facilitating the year and has developed the following mission statement:

The International Year of Rice promotes the awareness of, and guidance for, sustainable development of this staple food for more than half the world's population. Through increased awareness of the rice system, food and agricultural policy as well as technical, economic, social and development goals will be better focused by all stakeholders involved in the sustainability of food systems.

The Australian rice industry will play an active role in promoting the event nationally as well as contribute to the international effort.

AUSTRALIAN IYR LAUNCH

24th March 2004
Parliament House, Canberra

A rice sculpture in the form of Parliament House was unveiled at the official launch of the 2004 International Year of Rice by Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable John Anderson at Parliament House in Canberra.

The following speeches were made at the launch.

 Gerry Lawson, Chairman, SunRice
 Laurie Arthur, President, Ricegrowers' Association of Australia
 The Hon John Anderson, Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the Nationals

WORLD'S BIGGEST RISOTTO

WORLD RECORD ACHIEVED FOR AUSTRALIAN RICE INDUSTRY

Click here for more information about the World's Biggest Risotto

The Australian Rice Industry achieved a Guinness World Record by cooking the World’s Biggest Risotto at Circular Quay, Sydney on Friday 26 November 2004.

The record breaking event was witnessed by over 5,000 Sydney-siders who gave up their usual lunch to taste a sample of the pea and saffron risotto cooked by leading Australian celebrity chefs. The pea and saffron risotto weighed 7510 kilograms in total and toppled the current world record for risotto of 440 kilograms held in Italy earlier this year.

Guinness World Record representative, Mr Chris Sheedy, attended the event and gave strong accolades to the Australian rice industry for setting this new Guinness World Record.

The aim of the event was to commemorate the United Nations 2004 International Year of Rice and to raise money for CARE Australia to combat world hunger.

The Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir, officially opened the event and noted the importance of rice as the staple food of more than half the world’s population.

This Australian achievement made international headlines with countries all over the world reporting on this mammoth dish.

The Australian rice industry would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters and volunteers who assisted in ensuring the event was a success and for the hard work and dedication that was demonstrated by all those involved.

Click here to get the recipe for the World's Biggest Risotto
Click here for more pictures from the World's Biggest Risotto

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF RICE
 IYR 2004
 Australian IYR Launch
 World's Biggest Risotto
 Media Resources
 Rice Calendar

© Copyright Ricegrowers' Association of Australia
rga@rga.org.au
Privacy Policy