The year 2004 was declared theInternational Year of Rice by theUnited Nations, noting thatrice is a staple food for more than half the world's population, and affirming the need to heighten awareness of the role of rice in alleviating poverty andmalnutrition.[1]
This is one of manyInternational observances declared for specific days, months and years. The year 2008 was declared theInternational Year of the Potato.