The Rice Riddle: Why Did a Nation Import Grains from a Desert Oasis Instead of Its Neighbor?

Imagine your country needs food, and you have a reliable, affordable supplier right next door. Sounds simple, right? But what if a prominent personality makes a decision that leaves everyone scratching their heads, importing the very same goods from a distant, arid land at potentially a higher cost? Get ready for a bewildering tale of international trade, curious choices, and a mystery that has an entire nation talking!