Nile struggle

[20080604 (LA/A3) — KEY CROP: Farmers in Egypt’s Nile Delta plant rice. Delegates to an emergency U.N. summit in Rome were warned of the potential for political turmoil and urged to eliminate trade barriers, expand biotechnology research and boost food production. — PHOTOGRAPHER: Khaled el-Fiqi  European Pressphoto Agency] *** [epa01367490 Egyptian farmers plant rice seedlings in Egypt’s fertile Delta in Abu Rayea, north of Kafr Al-Sheikh, 140 km from Cairo, 03 June 2008. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in an address on the opening session of the 3-day UN Food Summit in Rome, said that world food production would have to rise 50 percent by 2030 in order to meet the earth’s increasing food needs. Egypt, the largest rice producer in the Near East and a major rice exporter has decided to extend the ban on rice exports until the end of April 2009, beyond the previously announced October 2008. The government will also start in June disbursing the additional rations of sugar, rice and edible oils to around 40 million citizens as a means to help the poor with the rising costs of stable food prices. World rice costs have risen 70 percent over the last year. EPA/KHALED EL-FIQI] **Usable by LA and CT only, CT pays per usage**