Rice is seriously misunderstood in the West. For a start, we tend to think it's all the same, whereas it's not. The type of rice which is a staple diet in Cambodia would not be tolerated in Japan, for example, who prefer the Koshihikari type.
We grow rice in Australia for the Japanese market (amongst others), this makes us all rice experts. In Australian pubs rice discussions can turn violent. There are signs on the walls which say "No religion. No Politics. No Rice"