• Leads to a population boom
• A labor-intensive crop

New developments in rice cultivation, especially the introduction of new strains from what is now Central Vietnam, spectacularly increased rice yields.

As a result the population, which had never before exceeded 60 million, grew to 100 million by 1127.

The population continued to increase until it reached perhaps 120 million in the 13th century. The highest concentrations of people were in the rice-lands of the south, which was to remain China's economic heartland, linked to the North by the Grand Canal.

Rice supports population increase because it yields more nutrition per land unit than any other grain. Rice was used primarily as food but was also used to brew the wine consumed in homes and taverns.

Related Web Link
Ancient Chinese Rice Archeological Project This is an invaluable site for information on early rice culture in China. Scroll to the bottom to get to the Photo Galleries; Research Resources; and Paper Database sections, each of which includes excellent resource materials for teachers and students.