11.   And specifically, the patent clearly acknowledges that this rice has characteristics similar or superior to those of good quality basmati rice.

12.   Impoverished traders in the steamy hillside capital say they are poorer than ever before, and do not have enough rice to eat.

13.   Thai rice however has strong potential for exporting.

14.   The genome mapping suggests rice may have more genes than humans.

15.   The people do not mind this - rice usually has a cultural and religious significance beyond its value as a food item.

16.   But Vietnamese rice has a high quantity of broken grains and is poorly processed.