Acknowledging that Costa Rica's dependence on imports is partly to blame for rising prices here, Agricultural Minister Javier Flores said the government would substantially increase local production of rice, beans and white corn by offering credit, insurance and technical assistance to Tico farmers.

Flores wants Costa Rica to produce 80% of the rice it consumes within two years, up from 50% today. Within three years, he said, Tico farmers should be growing 70% of the beans and white corn eaten here, up from 25% today. 

Surging food prices worldwide – driven by high gas prices, demand in China and India, and the biofuel craze in the United States – have emptied some Costa Rican bellies. The price of the basic food basket – a measure of 10 items that commonly comprise local meals (such as rice, beans, eggs and vegetables) – rose 13.3% here in the first quarter of 2008.  

Increasing national production would help protect Costa Rica from instability on the world market. Flores said he would give more details on the plan next week.