>>1666381>>1666465I'm reading this book about the history of southeast asia and why rice is such a good crop to grow. Basically, in the big river valleys of southeast asia (Red River, Mekong, Chao Praya, Salween, Irrawady) rice is a lot of calories for not a lot of work, comparated to other grain crops like corn or potatoes. Paddy rice growing needs a lot of land and water but its a pretty good return on investment, labour wise. However, you are correct in saying that its mostly empty calories; but you do need a lot of carbs, especially if youre working on a farm all day. The problem is, as was said, the fact that there arent many nutrients in rice other than pure carbs (although thats not to be underestimated in itself-if it didnt make sense to grow it, valley rice agriculture would have never been as widespread as it was) and the fact that it takes a LOT of land and water. if you had 100 acres instead of 1, rice in perhaps a quarter of it, assuming you can properly irrigate, would be a good idea, because you need carbs. but you're right, in a single acre it doesnt make sense, especially in korea, which isnt as wet as SE asia.
