Across Asia, restrictions on the export of rice have helped increase its cost on world markets by about 75%.

ECONOMIST: Export restrictions

Thomas, in an interview, said the government was taking steps to reduce stockpiles, including allowing traders last year to export wheat and rice surpluses and increasing food allocations for poor people.

WSJ: Indian Grain May Rot After Bumper Harvest

Farmers' unions say Indian rice fetches a good price in the export market.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | India warned over GM rice crops

Ample supplies of wheat and rice helped to keep the index, which tracks export prices, 10% below its peak in February 2011.

ECONOMIST: Business this week

But in democracies that bent can lead to silly policies such as the new government of Thailand's subsidized rice price, designed to aid farmers but imperiling a huge export market with artificially high supply costs.

FORBES: Side Lines

The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices.

FORBES: Guyana

He is growing rice, corn and other staples on thousands of acres, for the home market as well as for export to Saudi Arabia.

FORBES: Mohammed Al Amoudi