Let Them Eat Golf Balls

Tourists love Bali for its picturesque rice paddy views.

But they also love it for a more modern attraction that’s threatening Asia’s food security and replacing paddys in countries throughout Asia — golf courses.

Reuters reports that surging Asian economies, rising living standards, and a younger generation that prefers less labor-intensive resort and golf course employment have hurt Asian rice production.

The Filipino government has ordered a halt to the conversion of farmland — which developers recently challenged — and Beijing added golf courses to its list of banned land usages.

But will the U.S.’s retiring baby boomers, and steady supply of younger golfers strengthen the push for more greens — and less rice — in tourist favorites like Bali?