13th october,2017 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

Daily Rice E-Newsletter

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October 13,2017 Vol X ,Issuu 9

Golarchi area: new hybrid rice cultivation increases per acre yield of paddy Govt committed to enhance rice production: Bosan Global Basmati Rice Market is projected to reach US$17.74 bn by 2022 Transparency Market Research Rice basmati extends losses on low demand Bangladesh to import 1 lakh tonnes of rice from Myanmar Only 270 plant varieties legally protected in VN in 13 years Illegal paddy exports putting rice mills out of business Piñol backs P3 hike in palay buying price Bill setting high rice tariffs vice QR advances in House UPDATE 1-Bangladesh approves purchase of rice from Myanmar Bangladesh to import 1 lakh tonnes of rice from Myanmar Piñol backs P3 hike in palay buying price Farm-gate price of palay still above P19/kg–PSA RiceBran Technologies Set To Turn Lowly Rice Bran Into High Tech Growth Sector aT Introduced Korea's 'Functional Rice' that Became Real Food to Meet the World Market Arkansas Goes to Town Bill setting high rice tariffs vice QR advances in House Cabinet approves import of rice from Myanmar Bangladesh to import 1 lakh tonnes of rice from Myanmar UPDATE 1-Bangladesh approves purchase of rice from Myanmar Processing facility in the US Thousands evacuated in Vietnam as floods, landslides kill 46 'Giant rice' explodes expected crop yields Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- October 12, 2017 Bangladesh to buy rice from Thailand, India Remedy in sight to end straw burning in northern India?

RARS completing 90 years 1

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News Detail...

Golarchi area: new hybrid rice cultivation increases per acre yield of paddy ZAHID BAIG OCT 12TH, 2017 LAHORE Successful cultivation of new hybrid rice developed by the Guard Agricultural Research & Services Limited and Yuan Longping High Tech Agriculture (China) has not only increased the per acre yield of paddy in Golarchi area of Sindh province but will also place Pakistan on the map of hybrid rice seed exporters.

"Sown on area of around 450,000 acres of land in Golarchi and other areas of Badin district, hybrid rice had pushed the per acre yield to double. While the new variety has taken the per acre yield to around 120 maund per acre and in some cases to over 140 maund per acre," said the agricultural experts and representative of both Pakistani and Chinese companies while talking to a media team, which visited the rice producing district of Badin the other day.

Guard Agricultural Research & Services Limited arranged a "farmers' field day" at Golarchi where media was also invited besides a large number of growers to showcase the demonstration plots of Hybrid 53 and Hybrid 403.

Guard's Executive Seed Division, Shah Rukh Malik said they are expecting to export 100 metric tons of Hybrid 403 seed to Philippines besides promoting coarse hybrid rice varieties in Punjab too. "We will be starting sale of this seed to growers of Central and South Punjab this season so they can also reap the benefits of higher yields. These seeds have more resistance against diseases and also heat tolerant," he added.

He said they were no more concentrating on profit but working to make Pakistan hub for seed export to whole of South Asia including Vietnam, Philippines, India and China. "We wanted to play our role for strengthening the national economy and bringing precious foreign exchange to the national kitty by export rice seed," he said, and added that they wanted to spread the area under hybrid rice production to the whole country.

Sain Daud Shah, an elderly rice grower, speaking at the ceremony said that this area of Sindh was producing rice since ages but the production was very low. Now they were having per acre yield of around 100 or 110 maund from the previous 40 to 50 maund per acre. He appreciated the 2

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com role of Guard group for introducing hybrid rice in this area. He regretted that the awareness which should have been created by the government was delivered by the private sector.

It had increased the income of the farmers and brought prosperity to their home. Another farmer Mama Abdus Sattar complained that the area gets water once in a year due to which they were growing only one crop. He appealed the government to pay attention to it to promote agriculture.

He also paid tribute to the Pakistani and Chinese companies for producing a strong hybrid seed which boosted the yield in this area despite shortage of water.

Arif Bilal, another grower among the audience, told this scribe that hybrid rice had increased the yield bringing prosperity to their homes. While number of rice mills had increased to around 100 besides entry of 40 companies in hybrid rice seed business creating job opportunities. However, he said that only those companies were leading who really had good seed, he added.

Representatives of the Chinese company speaking to the growers said that the new variety has potential of producing more than the previous hybrid varieties besides having resistance against heat and diseases. They said they were paying special attention towards producing quality seed so it should create a win-win situation for both the companies and growers. They said that Prof Yuan Longping came into rice research and creating a hybrid rice variety with higher yield to tackle the issue of hunger. They said their technology was aimed at helping the whole world.

https://fp.brecorder.com/2017/10/20171012225564/

Govt committed to enhance rice production: Bosan ISLAMABAD (APP): Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan has said that the government was fully focused on enhancing yield per acre of rice to boost exports of the commodity from the country. Addressing closing ceremony of "Training Course on Hybrid Rice Technology 2017", the minister said that new rice varieties would help Pakistani farmers to significantly increase per acre yield and hence the country would be able to export more rice to other countries.

For the purpose, he said good quality seed is pre-requisite for high productivity; this will raise the rice crop per acre yield, said a statement issued here on Thursday. The minister further said that Pakistan would continue encouragement to private sector in agriculture research. He said rice is among the major crops of the country having a big share in exports; therefore, the government would continue making all-out efforts to increase its production.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com A joint event of ―2017 Training Course on Hybrid Rice Technology in Pakistan‖ was initiated during mid of September by Pakistan and China to work together on awareness programme for adoption of hybrid rice for productivity enhancement, profitability and extra surpluses for increasing exports. The rice seed has been developed by the Chinese researchers.

Accordingly, a travelling seminar was arranged by PARC and China High-tech Agriculture Co, Ltd in all the four ecological zones of the country in Khyber Pukhtunkhawa, Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. The purpose of the seminar was to understand exact hybrid seed requirements of Pakistan for different regions and showcase the hybrid rice varieties. A high-level Chinese team was also the part of this travelling seminar.

Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) Chairman Dr Yusuf Zafar expressed that cooperation between Pakistan and China under CPEC has enabled Pakistan to export hybrid rice seeds for the first time in the country’s agriculture history. The varieties of rice being produced in Pakistan are known best for their moisture and heat tolerance qualities and high yields.

The chairman appreciated role of the stakeholders for taking interest in rice research and development and working in close collaboration with the public sector. Speaking at the occasion, Dr Yusuf highlighted the farmer’s friendly initiatives of the government and appreciated Chinese support to improve rice productivity in Pakistan.

http://nation.com.pk/business/13-Oct-2017/newsbrief

Global Basmati Rice Market is projected to reach US$17.74 bn by 2022 - Transparency Market Research Global Basmati Rice Market: Players to Focus on Regional Expansion ALBANY, New York, Oct. 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global basmati rice market is undergoing a phase of significant improvement, thanks to steady rise in the demand from people across the world, states a new research study by Transparency Market Research (TMR).

Since rice is the most prominent staple food for more than half of the world’s population, the leading payers in this market, such as McCormick & Co., LT Foods, Hain Celestial, East End Foods, Rice 'n Spice, Amira Nature Foods, and REI Agro, have ample opportunities for the growth of their businesses.

These participants are expected to increase their focus on expanding in various regional markets across the world, for which, they are engaging into strategic partnerships. This, as a result, is 4

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com anticipated to intensify the competition within the market in the years to come, notes the research study.

Global Basmati Rice Market to Report 11.0% CAGR between 2017 and 2022 Rice is one of the most crucial food crop and a staple for more than half of the population across the world. Owing to its fine quality, fragrance, and taste, basmati rice has gained a premium status among all the type of rice available, globally. ―Thanks to the premium position basmati rice enjoys in the global rice market, the worldwide basmati rice market has been proliferating substantially,‖ says a TMR analyst. Nearly 90% of the production as well as consumption of basmati rice is centered in Asia, with China and India being the most prominent producers, as well as consumer of this type of rice.

Get PDF Sample for this Research Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=31745 The opportunity in the worldwide market for basmati rice is anticipated to reach US$10.51 bn by 2017. Proliferating at a robust CAGR of 11.0% over the period from 2017 to 2022, the market is expected to rise further to US$17.74 bn by the end of the period of the forecast. The increasing price of paddy crop and the declining inventory prices in Asian Countries are likely to reflect positively on the global market for the basmati rice in the years to come, states the research report.

Demand for Basmati Rice to Remain High in APEJ The research report presents a comprehensive analysis of the global basmati rice market on the basis of a number of important market parameters. In terms of the geography, the report classifies this market into Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), Japan, and Latin America. Among these, APEJ has surfaced the leading regional market for basmati rice. By 2017, the APEJ basmati rice market is expected to hold more than 46% of the overall market and is predicted to continue on the leading position throughout the forecast period.

Download Report TOC at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/31745 Majorly, three types of basmati rice is consumed across the world: Raw, parboiled, and steamed.

Among these, raw basmati registers a much greater demand than parboiled and steamed basmati rice, thanks to its superior quality, fragrance, and taste. With a CAGR of 12.90%, raw basmati rice is expected to remain to most preferred product in this market during the period of the forecast, reports the research study.

The review is based on a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), titled ―Basmati Rice Market (Type - Raw, Steamed, and Parboiled; Species - White and Brown; Application - Food and Cosmetic and Personal Care; Sales Channel - HORECA, Modern Trade, Convenience Store, Online Store, and Traditional Grocery Stores) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2022.‖

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TMR’s data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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Rice basmati extends losses on low demand PTI | Oct 12, 2017, 14:27 IST New Delhi, Oct 12 () Rice basmati prices fell further by Rs 300 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today owing to muted demand against sufficient stocks position.Wheat also eased on reduced offtake by flour mills.Traders said fall in demand against ample stocks position on increased supplies from producing belts mainly kept pressure on rice basmati prices.In the national capital, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety declined by Rs 300 each to Rs 7,000-7,100 and Rs 5,700-5,800 per quintal respectively.

Wheat dara (for mills) also slipped by Rs 20 to Rs 1,790-1,795 per quintal. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by Rs 15 to Rs 1,800-1,805 per 90 kg.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,100-2,350, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,790-1,795, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,800-1,805, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 980-990 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,000-1,010 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,060-1,080 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,000-7,100, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,700-5,800, Permal raw Rs 2,2002,225, Permal wand Rs 2,250-2,275, Sela Rs 2,300-2,400 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,850-1,875, Bajra Rs 1,180-1,185, Jowar yellow Rs 1,400-1,450, white Rs 2,800-2,900, Maize Rs 1,270- 1,275, Barley Rs 1,435-1,445. SUN KPS ADI MKJ

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rice-basmati-extends-losses-on-lowdemand/articleshow/61050823.cms

Bangladesh to import 1 lakh tonnes of rice from Myanmar Rejaul Karim Byron

12:00 AM, October 12, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 11:48 AM, October 12, 2017 The government will import 1 lakh tonnes of white rice from Myanmar at a price which is $15 more per tonne than the price it is paying to buy parboiled rice.The government is also buying 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, which is more in demand, at $427 per tonne.In Myanmar, rice is priced at $442 per tonne.The cabinet committee yesterday approved the state-to-state arrangement with Myanmar and awarded the work to the lowest bidder M/s Md Rabiul Islam of Pabna.

It also agreed to import about 51 lakh tonnes of fuel oil in 15 years at a premium of $5.92 per barrel. The oil will be brought from Shiliguri's Numaligarh Refinery to Parbatipur using the Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline.

With more than 5.2 lakh Rohingyas crossing over since August 25 amidst a military crackdown, Food Minister Qamrul Islam went to Myanmar in September to discuss about the import.Although the initial plan was to import 10 lakh tonnes of rice in one year, a team which came over from the neighbouring country on a follow-up visit did not lower prices that much, prompting the government to settle on 1 lakh tonnes.In June, the government decided to import, 7

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com also under state-to-state arrangement, 2 lakh tonnes of white rice from Vietnam at a price which is $12 less per tonne than the Myanmar rate.

However, the cabinet committee approved a proposal on August 30 to purchase 2.5 lakh tonnes of white rice from Cambodia which will require $11 more per tonne.Under similar arrangements, 1.5 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice will be imported from Thailand at $465 per tonne and 1 lakh tonne from India at $455 a tonne, said a food ministry official.

Prices under state-to-state arrangements are usually high but the government opts for it as supply and better quality are ensured, said the official, adding that international market prices do fluctuate.The purchases aim to raise food grain stocks which fell below 2 lakh tonnes following the loss of 20 lakh tonnes of the staple in flash floods in six northeastern haor districts and fungal attacks (rice blast) in 19 districts during the boro season.Thanks to recent government initiatives, rice stocks as of October 5 stood at 3.66 lakh tonnes.

Initially, the government decision was to import 9 lakh tonnes of foodgrains this fiscal year but it was later increased to 20 lakh tonnes -- 15 lakh tonnes of rice and 5 lakh tonnes of wheat.The shortage has triggered rice imports both at government and private levels.From July 1 to October 4, 10.78 lakh tonnes of rice was imported, with the government accounting for 2.94 lakh tonnes. http://www.thedailystar.net/business/bangladesh-import-15-lakh-tonnes-rice-myanmar1475257

Only 270 plant varieties legally protected in VN in 13 years 12/10/2017

VietNamNet Bridge - Only in 2004 did Vietnam began implementing legal action to protect plant varieties.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com By 2017, the Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) had granted protection titles to 453 varieties, including 270 varieties of domestic subjects.Meanwhile, Vietnam has up to 35,000 plant variety specimens kept at the national plantation gene bank.A PVPO report showed that to date the office has received 1,000 applications for protection titles from both domestic and foreign subjects. Of these, the applications for protecting rice varieties accounts for the largest proportion, followed by maize, vegetables and flowers. Of the plant varieties on the protection list, 120 are rice varieties. However, the figure is too small compared with 7,000 rice varieties being kept at the national plant gene bank, which just accounts for 1.7 percent. And if comparing the number of protected plant varieties (270) with 35,000 plant varieties kept at the bank, the proportion would be 0.8 percent only.

However, according to PVPO Chief Secretariat Nguyen Thanh Minh, the demand for having plant varieties protected has been increasing in recent years. Since 2004, the office has received 74.4 applications every year.In 2016 alone, the office received 185 applications and the same number of applications came in just the first seven months of 2017. ―We expect to receive 300 applications this year,‖ he said. ―The number of applications is on the rise which shows that Vietnamese enterprises have realized the benefits of having plant varieties protected,‖ he explained, adding that his office received 644 applications from domestic subjects in 2016.With protection titles, inventors’ benefits can be protected by law. Hoang Hau Dragon Fruit Company Ltd has to pay VND2 billion for the right to use the LD5 dragon fruit invented by the Southern Horticultural Reserach Institute. A series of rice varieties have been transferred at high prices, which has changed scientists’ thoughts.Dinh Thi Dinh from the Fruit & Vegetable Research Institute said she is going to apply for the protection title of some flower varieties.

Of the plant varieties on the protection list, 120 are rice varieties. However, the figure is too small compared with 7,000 rice varieties being kept at the national plant gene bank, which just accounts for 1.7 percent.

―In the past, our products were only enough to provide to the domestic easy-to-please market, therefore, we did not care about the variety protection. But now, our products have higher quality and we have begun thinking of exporting them,‖ she explained.However, analysts said that the majority of varieties’ owners don’t intend to get protection titles for their varieties. The high cost and long time for procedures are the two reasons that made them hesitate.Prof Vu Van Liet, director of the Institute of Crops Research and Development, the inventor of 2 protected rice and 1 maize variety, said it cost several billions of dong to get a protection title http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/science-it/188010/only-270-plant-varieties-legally-protected-invn-in-13-years.html

Illegal paddy exports putting rice mills out of business A worker at a rice mill in Egypt. Illegal exports by Chinese traders are putting rice mills in Mandalay out of business. Photo: EPA 9

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In Mandalay Region, which is one of the main paddy producers of Myanmar, almost every rice mill has shuttered due to illegal direct paddy exports, according to the regional Rice Millers Association.In Myanmar, direct paddy exports are not permitted. However, Chinese traders have been exporting paddy directly to China after buying the crops from farmers at good prices.

As a result, local rice millers have had trouble obtaining sufficient paddy for processing. That has resulted in losses and forced them to halt operations, the association’s chair, U Ngwe Aung, said on October 11. Livestock owners are also feeling the squeeze. As Chinese traders snap large volumes of paddy, there is less available to be processed into animal feed. ―The Chinese traders export paddy directly to their country. As a result, our mills have been forced out of business. As far as we know, direct paddy export is never allowed in Myanmar.

But Chinese traders are now ferrying the crop to their country by the truckload. Everyone knows about it but no action has been taken,‖ said U Ngwe Aung. He said the association has already informed the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce Department, to no avail. ―If this situation continues, the public will also be affected as this will result in a loss of tax revenue for the government. We can’t know how many tonnes of paddy were taken out from the country. They bought paddy from all the farms last year. This year, I think things may worsen,‖ 10

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com said U Ngwe Aung. While the rice mills have suffered from the illegal exports, farmers, on the other hand, are gaining from the rising demand.

U Myint Aung, a paddy farmer from Patheingyi township said paddy prices were good during the previous year’s rainy harvest season and prices are still good even before harvest season this year. ―We got good paddy prices last year. Prices are also good even before harvest season this year. So it is good for farmers. Now paddy price is about K550,000 for 100 baskets. When it comes to harvest season, paddy brokers come to paddy fields and offer good prices,‖ he said.

Still, despite good prices for farmers, if such illegal paddy exports continue, the risk is paddy shortages in the domestic market and an accompanying surge in price, said Mandalay Region Rice and Paddy Traders Association’s general secretary U Sai Kyaw. If the government wants to allow direct paddy exports, it should make it official with strict supervision, he added. ―Illegal paddy export to China has risen the most in Mandalay Region. Like last year, if it continues happen this year, both livestock farms and millers will have difficulties. Rice traders associated with them may also be affected. This is akin to smuggling as the country also can’t earn tax revenue. The government should manage properly if it is necessary. We want the authorities to do so in this year’s harvest season,‖ said U Sai Kyaw. Currently, rainy season paddies have started harvesting in Singaing township and rainy paddies will be harvesting in Ayeyarwady, Sagaing and Bago regions in coming November and December. ―In years when we had good cash flows we used to stockpile as much paddy as we could buy.

But we can’t buy this year because paddy prices are too high. Now rice mills have stopped so mill workers are now jobless,‖ said a rice mill owner Ko Bo Bo from Patheingyi township. https://www.mmtimes.com/news/illegal-paddy-exports-putting-rice-mills-out-business.html

Piñol backs P3 hike in palay buying price

By Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star) | Updated October 12, 2017 - 12:00am

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said he recently talked to NFA administrator Jason Aquino and suggested that the latter should push through with its proposal to increase prices, but only by P3 following the council’s denial of NFA’s proposed P5 price hike. File MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is backing the state-run National Food Authority (NFA)’s proposal to increase its buying price for unmilled rice or palay.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said he recently talked to NFA administrator Jason Aquino and suggested that the latter should push through with its proposal to increase prices, but only by P3 following the council’s denial of NFA’s proposed P5 price hike.

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―NFA should stop acting like an agency which is only involved in the procurement of rice, it should broaden its scope beyond just importing rice for the country,‖ Piñol said.

The buying price remains at P17 per kilogram for clean and dry. It gives an additional incentive of P0.20 to P0.50 per kilogram for delivery, P0.20 per kg for drying and P0.30 for cooperative development incentive fund for farmers’ organizations. ―Increase in production of rice is giving the farmers the right motivation to produce more, which is better price. Instead of focusing all of its resources on importation, NFA should prioritize local procurement of rice at a higher price,‖ Piñol said.

The agri chief has been pushing for the department’s inclusion in the NFA Council to be able to voice out its side on the issue of rice production and importation. ― We manifested the desire of DA to join, but no response yet,‖ he said.

Apart from this, Piñol is urging local businessmen and establishments to prioritize the buying of local produce to help the countryside and address poverty at the same time.―It is high time for Filipino businessmen to be patriotic and they can do that by limiting their importation of basic agricultural products,‖ he said.The DA is set to sign a memorandum of agreement with NFA for the establishment of drying facilities within the latter’s compounds. ―Even if NFA is not under us, we will coordinate with them for the drying facilities which farmers can use. That is also one of the problems of NFA, they could not buy that much because 12

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com they lack the facilities,‖ Pinol said.The NFA targets to procure 4.6 million bags or about 230,000 metric tons of palay from local farmers nationwide until yearend to boost buffer stock and rice distribution requirements. http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/10/12/1747785/pinol-backs-p3-hike-palay-buyingprice

Bill setting high rice tariffs vice QR advances in House

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas October 12, 2017 The Philippines is inching closer to finally scrapping the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice after a substitute bill mandating its abolition has been approved by a technical working group (TWG) in the House of Representatives.The TWG created by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food approved on Wednesday the substitute bill that would amend Republic Act (RA) 8178, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the law which enabled the government to impose the rice QR since 1996.

Under the substitute bill, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror, the Philippines will impose a 400-percent bound tariff rate on imported rice once the QR on the staple is abolished.―In lieu of the QR on rice, the maximum bound rate shall be as notified by the Philippines to the [World Trade Organization, or WTO],‖ the substitute bill read.The House Committee on Agriculture and Food will deliberate over the substitute bill once Congress resumes session after its Halloween break.

Once the substitute bill is enacted into law, the country’s minimum access volume (MAV) for rice shall revert to its 2012 level at 350,000 metric tons (MT), from the current 805,000 MT.―Upon the effectivity of this act, the MAV will revert to its 2012 level at 350,000 MT, as indicated in the Philippines’s commitment to the WTO,‖ the substitute bill read.

Under the bill, the Philippines will impose a bound tariff rate of 35 percent for rice originating from the Asean region, regardless of its volume. Manila would also impose a 40-percent bound tariff most-favored nation (MFN) rate for in-quota rice imports from countries that do not belong to the Asean.A 400-percent bound tariff MFN rate shall apply for rice imports outside the MAV of 350,000 MT sourced from non-Asean member-countries, according to the bill.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Notably, the substitute bill indicates that the National Food Authority (NFA) will be allowed to import rice without having to secure certification from the NFA Council. However, the NFA shall only import rice for the sole purpose of securing its buffer stock.―The [NFA] shall only undertake the direct importation of rice for the purpose of ensuring fod security and maintaining sufficient national buffer stocks,‖ the bill read.

Furthermore, the substitute bill stipulated that the private sector can import rice, provided that they would comply with the NFA’s rules and regulations.―For importation other than maintaining buffer stock, the [NFA] shall allocate import quotas among certified and licensed importers,‖ it read.

The President is vested with the power to modify the tariff rates imposed on the country’s rice imports, upon the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the NFA Council.

The President, through an executive order, can adjust the applied tariff rates on rice only when Congress is not in session.

Also, the President is allowed to immediately reduce rice tariffs in times of ―imminent or forecasted shortage‖. ―In the event of any imminent or forecast shortage, or such other situation requiring government intervention, the President is empowered for a limited period of time and/or a specified volume, to allow the importation of rice at a lower applied tariff rate, to address the situation,‖ the bill read. ―Such order shall take effect immediately, and can be issued even when Congress is in session.‖ The President is also empowered to restrict the entry of imported rice to protect the local sector from sudden or extreme price fluctuations due to unexpected surges of imports.―The President may, following a recommendation from the DA and the NFA Council, impose temporary regulations or restrictions on the volume of imports of rice for a temporary period through the imposition of a rice safeguard tariff sufficient in level to address the situation,‖ the bill read.

The bill stipulated that the DA and the NFA Council shall craft the rules and regulations governing the special safeguard on rice.House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Partylist Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. of Anac-IP earlier told the BusinessMirror that they plan to approve the bill on third and final reading before the end of the year.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com The authority to set bound tariffs is vested in Congress. But, under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the President, upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority, has the power to modify the tariffs applied on Philippine imports.

The Philippines is under pressure to convert its QR on rice into ordinary customs duties after its waiver on the special treatment on rice expired on June 30. The WTO General Council approved the waiver, which allowed Manila to keep its rice QR until June 30, on the condition that the Philippines will subject its rice imports to ordinary custom duties by July 1.

In March the Philippines informed WTO members that it is facing delays in converting the QR because it has not amended RA 8178, which imposed the import caps on rice indefinitely. As a sign of ―goodwill‖ to its trading partners, President Duterte signed Executive Order 23 in July to extend the concessions made by the Philippines in securing the waiver in 2014. https://businessmirror.com.ph/bill-setting-high-rice-tariffs-vice-qr-advances-in-house/

UPDATE 1-Bangladesh approves purchase of rice from Myanmar OCTOBER 11, 2017 / 6:32 PM /

By Ruma Paul DHAKA, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Bangladesh approved on Wednesday the purchase of 100,000 tonnes of white rice from Myanmar, putting aside worsening relations over the Rohingya refugee crisis, as the government seeks to address a shortage of the staple.Traditionally the world’s fourth-biggest rice producer, Bangladesh has emerged as a major importer of the grain this year after floods damaged its crops and sent domestic prices to record highs.

Bangladesh’s cabinet purchase committee approved the purchase on Wednesday, its food minister, Qamrul Islam, told reporters.The rice is being purchased at $442 a tonne, including shipping, insurance and discharge costs.The transaction with Myanmar is the first state-to-state rice deal between the two countries and comes amid increasingly strained relations.Myanmar’s security forces have driven out half a million Muslim Rohingya from northern Rakhine state, torching their homes, crops and villages to prevent them from returning, the U.N. human rights office said on Wednesday.

Bangladesh is also set to import a total of 250,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand and India in state-to-state deals to shore up depleted stocks and combat high prices of the staple food.The government has already secured deals with Vietnam and Cambodia while issuing a series of tenders as it looks to import a total of 1.5 million tonnes of rice in the year to June.High demand from Bangladesh helped push Asian rice prices to multi-year highs in June.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com In August, Bangladesh cut a duty on rice imports for the second time in two months. The lower import duty has prompted purchases by private dealers, with most of the deals being struck with neighbouring India.Bangladesh produces around 34 million tonnes of rice annually but uses almost all its production to feed its 160 million people. It often requires imports to cope with shortages caused by floods or droughts. https://www.reuters.com/article/bangladesh-rice-myanmar/update-1-bangladesh-approves-purchase-ofrice-from-myanmar-idUSL4N1MM47D

Bangladesh to import 1 lakh tonnes of rice from Myanmar Rejaul Karim Byron

12:00 AM, October 12, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 11:48 AM, October 12, 2017 The government will import 1 lakh tonnes of white rice from Myanmar at a price which is $15 more per tonne than the price it is paying to buy parboiled rice.The government is also buying 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, which is more in demand, at $427 per tonne.In Myanmar, rice is priced at $442 per tonne.The cabinet committee yesterday approved the state-to-state arrangement with Myanmar and awarded the work to the lowest bidder M/s Md Rabiul Islam of Pabna.It also agreed to import about 51 lakh tonnes of fuel oil in 15 years at a premium of $5.92 per barrel.

The oil will be brought from Shiliguri's Numaligarh Refinery to Parbatipur using the IndoBangla Friendship Pipeline.

With more than 5.2 lakh Rohingyas crossing over since August 25 amidst a military crackdown, Food Minister Qamrul Islam went to Myanmar in September to discuss about the import.Although the initial plan was to import 10 lakh tonnes of rice in one year, a team which came over from the neighbouring country on a follow-up visit did not lower prices that much, prompting the government to settle on 1 lakh tonnes.In June, the government decided to import, also under state-to-state arrangement, 2 lakh tonnes of white rice from Vietnam at a price which is $12 less per tonne than the Myanmar rate.

However, the cabinet committee approved a proposal on August 30 to purchase 2.5 lakh tonnes of white rice from Cambodia which will require $11 more per tonne.Under similar arrangements, 1.5 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice will be imported from Thailand at $465 per tonne and 1 lakh tonne from India at $455 a tonne, said a food ministry official.Prices under state-to-state arrangements are usually high but the government opts for it as supply and better quality are ensured, said the official, adding that international market prices do fluctuate.

The purchases aim to raise food grain stocks which fell below 2 lakh tonnes following the loss of 20 lakh tonnes of the staple in flash floods in six northeastern haor districts and fungal attacks 16

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com (rice blast) in 19 districts during the boro season.Thanks to recent government initiatives, rice stocks as of October 5 stood at 3.66 lakh tonnes.

Initially, the government decision was to import 9 lakh tonnes of foodgrains this fiscal year but it was later increased to 20 lakh tonnes -- 15 lakh tonnes of rice and 5 lakh tonnes of wheat.The shortage has triggered rice imports both at government and private levels.From July 1 to October 4, 10.78 lakh tonnes of rice was imported, with the government accounting for 2.94 lakh tonnes. http://www.thedailystar.net/business/bangladesh-import-15-lakh-tonnes-rice-myanmar-1475257

Farm-gate price of palay still above P19/kg–PSA

By Jasper Y. Arcalas October 12, 2017

The average farm-gate price of unmilled rice rose by nearly 5 percent to P19.33 per kilogram in the fourth week of September, from P18.45 per kg a year ago, according to the latest report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).Data from the PSA also showed that the average farmgate price of paddy rice had remained above P19 per kg during the lean months, when rice harvest goes down significantly.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com On a weekly basis, however, farm-gate price was slightly lower than the previous week’s record of P19.46 per kg, according to the PSA report titled, ―Updates on Palay Price and Corn Prices‖.

Data from the PSA showed that the average retail price of regular milled rice during the period also went up by 1.52 percent to P38.05 per kg, from P37.47 per kg a year ago. ―The average wholesale price of regular milled rice this week was pegged at P35.55 per kg. This was cheaper than previous week’s level by 0.26 percent. Likewise, the average retail price of regular milled rice at P38.05 per kg declined by 0.05 percent during the week,‖ the report read.

On an annual basis, the PSA noted that the average wholesale and retail prices of well-milled rice went up.―The average wholesale price of well-milled rice at P39.31 per kg posted a growth of 1.66 percent, from a year ago level of P38.67 per kg. At the retail trade, the average price of P42.27 per kg gained by 1.19 percent compared to the same period in the previous year,‖ the report read.

On a weekly basis, the average wholesale price of well-milled rice went down by 0.21 percent, from P39.40 per kg in the third week of September. Retail price was also lower by 0.14 percent.Data from the PSA also showed that the average farm-gate price of yellow corn in the fourth week of September rose by 1.45 percent to P11.49 per kg, from P11.33 per kg a year ago.

On a weekly basis, the price was higher by 0.53 According to the same PSA report, the average farm-gate price of yellow corn in the fourth week of September gained a 0.53-percent increment on a weekly basis. ―Price increments of 0.67 percent from previous week’s level and 22.73 percent from a year- ago quotation were registered for white corn grain during the week. The average farm-gate price this week was posted at P14.51 per kg,‖ the PSA said.The country’s rice supply is expected to get a boost, as harvest will start this month, and imports have started arriving. As of October 4 the National Food Authority (NFA) said a total of 178,392 metric tons (MT), or 82.16 percent, of the 250,000 MT contracted by the food agency, were already delivered to various ports in the country.

The remaining volume of about 65,600 MT, or 15.44 percent, were either in transit or at laycan, while 6,000 MT have yet to be shipped from Vietnam, according to the NFA. 18

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com ―While there is a slight delay in the arrival of part of the rice imports, the NFA has enough stocks to supply the needs of relief-giving agencies and local government units should such need arise,‖ NFA Administrator Jason Laureano Y. Aquino said.

As of September 28 the NFA said it has procured a total of 299,506 bags of palay under its regular procurement program and Farmers Option to Buy Back.The NFA buys clean and dry palay at P17 per kg, with additional incentives totaling to P0.70 to P1 per kg for delivery (P0.20 to P0.50 per kg), drying (P0.20 per kg) and cooperative incentive fee (P0.30 per kg). https://businessmirror.com.ph/farm-gate-price-of-palay-still-above-p19kg-psa/

RiceBran Technologies Set To Turn Lowly Rice Bran Into High Tech Growth Sector Bruce Rogers , FORBES STAFF I'm Forbes' Chief Insights Officer & write about thought leadership.

RiceBran Technologies Robert Smith, CEO, RiceBran Technologies A Series of Profiles of Thought Leaders Changing the Business Landscape: Robert Smith, CEO, RiceBran Technologies To understand what Robert Smith is up to at RiceBran Technologies, one must know a bit about rice bran. The world will produce about 480 million metric tons of rice in 2017. Much of this rice will be milled to remove the outer bran layers from the whole grain to produce white rice, which is how most of the world consumes rice. In all, some 40 million metric tons of bran is produced as a byproduct. Much of it is sold as a low value animal feed or discarded, despite the fact that rice bran is high in protein, healthy fats, dietary fiber and vitamins. RiceBran Technologies wants to change that. ―Today, less than one percent of the rice bran produced globally is marketed as a food ingredient.

At RiceBran Technologies, we aim to increase that percentage significantly by marketing the nutritional, functional and health benefits of stabilized rice bran,‖ says RiceBran Technologies CEO Robert Smith. ―The outside layers of brown rice represent only about 10 percent by weight of a grain of brown rice but contain much of the nutritional value. However, because the bran turns rancid within hours of being milled, due to oil degrading enzymes that occur naturally in the grain, the bran is unpalatable and not suitable for manufacturing food products that require longer shelf-lives. Our Company uses its proprietary technology to stabilize the bran within minutes after it is milled.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com

It’s then sold as a value-added, nutritious, clean-label ingredient for the food, companion pet and animal nutrition markets. This also benefits rice mills by providing additional outlets and premium value for their co-product.‖ ―RiceBran Technologies has opened up a large opportunity to transform a commodity co-product into a value added ingredient for food companies that are seeking to adopt novel ingredients to address consumer demands for minimally processed and ―better-for-you‖ foods. Considered a clean-label ingredient—non-GMO and free of all major allergens — stabilized rice bran offers food companies a naturally abundant and wholesome ingredient that can help reduce highly processed or synthetic ingredients.‖ Part of RiceBran Technologies’ challenge is not only solving that technological barrier, but also educating consumers and food companies about rice bran’s availability and nutritional benefits.

That’s where Smith’s science background has proved valuable. He is a scientist by training with a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and cell biology. ―I'm not your traditional CEO,‖ says Smith with a laugh. ―And I certainly did not approach it from the business world. I came at it from science and from overseeing operations. I'm really more of an ag/biotech person, more academic in that sense than a business-track CEO.

‖ https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucerogers/2017/10/12/ricebran-technologies-set-to-turnlowly-rice-bran-into-high-tech-growth-sector/#116bbfa86cd8

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aT Introduced Korea's 'Functional Rice' that Became Real Food to Meet the World Market ByPublished: Oct 12, 2017 9:31 a.m. ET SEOUL, South Korea, Oct 12, 2017 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) -- - The method to take care of your health without any medications, the functional rice!- Relieving anxiety, controlling blood sugar, preventing dementia, and proving diverse effects!

- Food buyers around the world, sudden increase of functional rice consumption! High satisfaction towards the nutrition, taste and flavor SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- aT (Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp.) introduced Korea's functional rice on arirang TV in 1st of October. aT is a professional association to satisfy overseas customers's expectation on Korean agricultural products.

Photo https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/582181/aT__functional_rice.jpg[https://mma.prnewswire.c om/media/582181/aT__functional_rice.jpg] Germany's philosopher, Ludwig Feuerbach, said, "What you eat, what you are". It means that the 'food' affects significant influence to people's life, and that it also could replace those people.

Currently in 2017, the general food buyers contracts the news on 'bad food' frequently through TV, internet and various medias.

Beyond the one-dimensional food concept that has fulfilled only its stomach, the whole world is paying attention to foods that can catch two rabbits of taste and health. As for the super food, that charges energy and increase the immunity, blueberries, chestnuts, salmon, broccoli, tomatoes, paprika and spinach have been well known.

Recently, there has been a renewed rise in the number of food items that are becoming more and more popular with superb food such as 'super food,' 'well-being food,' and 'real food.' It is the 'Functional rice' that is being produced in Korea. This functional rice mans whether it contains multiple times nutrition of existing rice or is the food that contains the nutrition that wasn't in the rice. Korean farmers, research institutes, and other stakeholders are constantly researching rice and developing and launching a variety of varieties.

Functional rice, which has undergone a process of sincerity, is not raised only at the table of Korea's own people. With increasing interest in 'health food' around the world, it is distributing Korean rice in various countries. It has become common to shop for functional rice offline or through online channels through word of mouth in Korean ethnic as well as ethnic communities.

There are as many different types of rice distributed in the Korean Mart in California. Among them, "GABA RICE" has gained popularity in the American community through word of mouth and is receiving high popularity among consumers. In the case of GABA rice, it is cultivated with the 'Pond-snail Farming Method', which is developed by Uesung in Gyeongbuk, Korea, and is named as environmentally friendly organic rice. Especially, 'GABA RICE' contains a lot of GABA ingredients.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com GABA is an abbreviation for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. This material is deeply related to 'stability'. By increasing the oxygen supply of the brain, it promotes brain cell metabolism function and performs functions such as nerve stability, relaxation of anxiety, relieving anxiety. In addition to improving memory, blood pressure control, blood sugar control, prevention of dementia, and also has the efficacy of diet. Although the common rice gruel contains GABA, the GABA rice is 8 times more GABA than brown rice.

In particular, it is interesting to note that when the rice is cooked enough in water, the content of the GABA is further increased. After soaking in water, it increases 8 times in 12 hours, and 15 times in 36 hours. During the germination of rice, a lipid component that stabilizes insulin secretion is generated, nutrients are maximized, and the texture even better.

In addition to 'GABA RICE', functional rice in Korea is made up of local specialties such as rice, green tea, kelp rice, and shoji rice. These foods are a mixture of rice flour and related functional foods. They are able to ingest the nutritional ingredients of the special products themselves while maintaining the nutrition and texture of rice. In addition to this, functional rice of various varieties is commercialized and circulated in Korea, so that any consumer can choose healthy rice by choosing the rice they want.

Rice made from functional rice is superior in nutrition, texture and flavor and can produce various recipes. In the conventional traditional rice culture, it has been passed down like a traditional Korean dish, but it has developed into a culture that takes 'taste' and 'fun' as a distinctive recipe in modern times.

As functional rice becomes more and more popular, consumption and export volume of functional rice are increasing every year and it is remarkable that it is active in the world, especially in the US niche market. Food industry officials are paying attention to the continued growth of functional rice. The world's real food, 'functional rice' is the focus of attention.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/irpKTxUkuS8 [https://youtu.be/irpKTxUkuS8] http://www.marketwatch.com/story/at-introduced-koreas-functional-rice-that-became-real-food-to-meetthe-world-market-2017-10-12

Arkansas Goes to Town

By Emily Woodall LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Progress is being made on a rice mural that will stand tall on a downtown building here by the end of the month. The mural project was coordinated by the Arkansas Rice Federation and Downtown Little Rock Partnership, and is one of multiple efforts by the two organizations working to bring the country and the city together. Artist Matt McLeod is painting the mural depicting combines in the field on the exterior wall of Besser Ace Hardware on Main Street. The mural's downtown location was chosen specifically to highlight the impact rice has on the state and give urban Arkansans a glimpse of life on the farm.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Many Arkansans don't realize that their state produces almost 50 percent of the rice grown in the U.S. To attract onlookers and invite them to stop by, the mural states "I love AR rice" and passersby can stand in as the "I" in the word rice and share their photo on social media. "The accessibility and prominence of the mural will allow us to share the story of Arkansas rice with folks in town who have never experienced a turnrow during rice harvest," said Lauren Waldrip Ward, executive director of the Arkansas Rice Federation. "Our hope is that the engagement component of the mural will increase our exposure by giving consumers a way to interact and help us educate Arkansans about this locally grown crop."Consumers can follow the mural as it develops on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. A public media event will be held upon completion to unveil the final product.

Bill setting high rice tariffs vice QR advances in House

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

The Philippines is inching closer to finally scrapping the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice after a substitute bill mandating its abolition has been approved by a technical working group (TWG) in the House of Representatives.

The TWG created by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food approved on Wednesday the substitute bill that would amend Republic Act (RA) 8178, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the law which enabled the government to impose the rice QR since 1996.

Under the substitute bill, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror, the Philippines will impose a 400-percent bound tariff rate on imported rice once the QR on the staple is abolished. ―In lieu of the QR on rice, the maximum bound rate shall be as notified by the Philippines to the [World Trade Organization, or WTO],‖ the substitute bill read.The House Committee on Agriculture and Food will deliberate over the substitute bill once Congress resumes session after its Halloween break.

Once the substitute bill is enacted into law, the country’s minimum access volume (MAV) for rice shall revert to its 2012 level at 350,000 metric tons (MT), from the current 805,000 MT.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com ―Upon the effectivity of this act, the MAV will revert to its 2012 level at 350,000 MT, as indicated in the Philippines’s commitment to the WTO,‖ the substitute bill read.

Under the bill, the Philippines will impose a bound tariff rate of 35 percent for rice originating from the Asean region, regardless of its volume. Manila would also impose a 40-percent bound tariff most-favored nation (MFN) rate for in-quota rice imports from countries that do not belong to the Asean.

A 400-percent bound tariff MFN rate shall apply for rice imports outside the MAV of 350,000 MT sourced from non-Asean member-countries, according to the bill.

Notably, the substitute bill indicates that the National Food Authority (NFA) will be allowed to import rice without having to secure certification from the NFA Council. However, the NFA shall only import rice for the sole purpose of securing its buffer stock.―The [NFA] shall only undertake the direct importation of rice for the purpose of ensuring fod security and maintaining sufficient national buffer stocks,‖ the bill read.

Furthermore, the substitute bill stipulated that the private sector can import rice, provided that they would comply with the NFA’s rules and regulations.―For importation other than maintaining buffer stock, the [NFA] shall allocate import quotas among certified and licensed importers,‖ it read.

The President is vested with the power to modify the tariff rates imposed on the country’s rice imports, upon the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the NFA Council.

The President, through an executive order, can adjust the applied tariff rates on rice only when Congress is not in session.

Also, the President is allowed to immediately reduce rice tariffs in times of ―imminent or forecasted shortage‖.―In the event of any imminent or forecast shortage, or such other situation requiring government intervention, the President is empowered for a limited period of time and/or a specified volume, to allow the importation of rice at a lower applied tariff rate, to address the situation,‖ the bill read. ―Such order shall take effect immediately, and can be issued even when Congress is in session.‖

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com The President is also empowered to restrict the entry of imported rice to protect the local sector from sudden or extreme price fluctuations due to unexpected surges of imports. ―The President may, following a recommendation from the DA and the NFA Council, impose temporary regulations or restrictions on the volume of imports of rice for a temporary period through the imposition of a rice safeguard tariff sufficient in level to address the situation,‖ the bill read.The bill stipulated that the DA and the NFA Council shall craft the rules and regulations governing the special safeguard on rice.

House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Party-list Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. of AnacIP earlier told the BusinessMirror that they plan to approve the bill on third and final reading before the end of the year.

The authority to set bound tariffs is vested in Congress. But, under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the President, upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority, has the power to modify the tariffs applied on Philippine imports.The Philippines is under pressure to convert its QR on rice into ordinary customs duties after its waiver on the special treatment on rice expired on June 30. The WTO General Council approved the waiver, which allowed Manila to keep its rice QR until June 30, on the condition that the Philippines will subject its rice imports to ordinary custom duties by July 1.

In March the Philippines informed WTO members that it is facing delays in converting the QR because it has not amended RA 8178, which imposed the import caps on rice indefinitely. As a sign of ―goodwill‖ to its trading partners, President Duterte signed Executive Order 23 in July to extend the concessions made by the Philippines in securing the waiver in 2014 https://businessmirror.com.ph/bill-setting-high-rice-tariffs-vice-qr-advances-in-house/

Cabinet approves import of rice from Myanmar 12.10.2017 | UkrAgroConsult

Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Wednesday said the government approved a proposal to import 100,000 tons of rice from Myanmar.Emerging from a cabinet committee meeting on public purchase and economic affairs, he said: ―The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase gave a nod of approval to import 100,000 tons rice from Myanmar.‖ 25

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com In reply to reporters’ query about whether the government will further purchase rice from the neighbouring country, he said: ―We did not talk about this.‖During his recent visit to Naypyidaw, the minister signed a deal with his Myanmar counterpart on importing 350,000 tons of rice from the country in the next three years.Additional Cabinet Secretary Mustafiur Rahman said the 100,000 tons of white rice would be imported under a G2G contact at a cost of Tk366.86cr.He said: ―Rice will be purchased at $442 per ton. Price per kg of rice will be Tk36.69. When the rice will be brought in depends on shipment from Myanmar. ‖He, however, added that the shipping process would not take over a week.Mustafiur also said the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase approved another proposal of the Food Ministry to purchase 50,000 tons of parboiled rice from global suppliers at a cost of Tk177.34cr.Per ton of parboiled rice will be purchased at $427.

M/S Mohammad Rabiul Islam Sonapotti Pabna is the lowest bidder for importing rice from the international market, he added.―Bangladesh is facing a shortfall of 1.5 million tons of rice this year as crops were severely damaged by floods in recent months. As of September 5, the stock of rice stood at 366,000 tons,‖ the Food Ministry proposal reads.Bangladesh has so far purchased around 150,000 tons of rice from individual suppliers this fiscal year.The ministry will hold a meeting on October 15 to decide on costs and timeframe for importing rice from India. Sources said that no tender would be floated for importing rice from the country, as it would be purchased on a G2G basis.

Rice price Food Ministry sources said rice price has shot up by 39% in the last nine months in local markets, but in global markets, it rose by only 6%.According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, per kg of coarse rice is selling at Tk46-50 in Dhaka. Last month, the price rose to Tk54. This same rice was sold at Tk38 at the beginning of this year.Price of fine rice rise, too, rocketed to Tk 70 in the local market. http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/cabinet-approves-import-of-rice-from-myanmar

Bangladesh to import 1 lakh tonnes of rice from Myanmar The government will import 1 lakh tonnes of white rice from Myanmar at a price which is $15 more per tonne than the price it is paying to buy parboiled rice. The government is also buying 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, which is more in demand, at $427 per tonne. In Myanmar, rice is priced at $442 per tonne.

The cabinet committee yesterday approved the state-to-state arrangement with Myanmar and awarded the work to the lowest bidder M/s Md Rabiul Islam of Pabna. It also agreed to import about 51 lakh tonnes of fuel oil in 15 years at a premium of $5.92 per barrel.

The oil will be brought from Shiliguri's Numaligarh Refinery to Parbatipur using the IndoBangla Friendship Pipeline. With more than 5.2 lakh Rohingyas crossing over since August 25 26

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com amidst a military crackdown, Food Minister Qamrul Islam went to Myanmar in September to discuss about the import. Although the initial plan was to import 10 lakh tonnes of rice in one year, a team which came over from the neighbouring country on a follow-up visit did not lower prices that much, prompting the government to settle on 1 lakh tonnes. In June, the government decided to import, also under state-to-state arrangement, 2 lakh tonnes of white rice from Vietnam at a price which is $12 less per tonne than the Myanmar rate.

However, the cabinet committee approved a proposal on August 30 to purchase 2.5 lakh tonnes of white rice from Cambodia which will require $11 more per tonne. Under similar arrangements, 1.5 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice will be imported from Thailand at $465 per tonne and 1 lakh tonne from India at $455 a tonne, said a food ministry official. Prices under state-tostate arrangements are usually high but the government opts for it as supply and better quality are ensured, said the official, adding that international market prices do fluctuate.

The purchases aim to raise food grain stocks which fell below 2 lakh tonnes following the loss of 20 lakh tonnes of the staple in flash floods in six northeastern haor districts and fungal attacks (rice blast) in 19 districts during the boro season. Thanks to recent government initiatives, rice stocks as of October 5 stood at 3.66 lakh tonnes. Initially, the government decision was to import 9 lakh tonnes of foodgrains this fiscal year but it was later increased to 20 lakh tonnes -- 15 lakh tonnes of rice and 5 lakh tonnes of wheat. The shortage has triggered rice imports both at government and private levels. From July 1 to October 4, 10.78 lakh tonnes of rice was imported, with the government accounting for 2.94 lakh tonnes. http://www.thedailystar.net/business/bangladesh-import-15-lakh-tonnes-rice-myanmar-1475257

UPDATE 1-Bangladesh approves purchase of rice from Myanmar Date: 12-Oct-2017

By Ruma Paul DHAKA, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Bangladesh approved on Wednesday the purchase of 100,000 tonnes of white rice from Myanmar, putting aside worsening relations over the Rohingya refugee crisis, as the government seeks to address a shortage of the staple.Traditionally the world’s fourth-biggest rice producer, Bangladesh has emerged as a major importer of the grain this year after floods damaged its crops and sent domestic prices to record highs.

Bangladesh’s cabinet purchase committee approved the purchase on Wednesday, its food minister, Qamrul Islam, told reporters.The rice is being purchased at $442 a tonne, including 27

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com shipping, insurance and discharge costs.The transaction with Myanmar is the first state-to-state rice deal between the two countries and comes amid increasingly strained relations.

Myanmar’s security forces have driven out half a million Muslim Rohingya from northern Rakhine state, torching their homes, crops and villages to prevent them from returning, the U.N. human rights office said on Wednesday.Bangladesh is also set to import a total of 250,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand and India in state-to-state deals to shore up depleted stocks and combat high prices of the staple food.

The government has already secured deals with Vietnam and Cambodia while issuing a series of tenders as it looks to import a total of 1.5 million tonnes of rice in the year to June.

High demand from Bangladesh helped push Asian rice prices to multi-year highs in June.In August, Bangladesh cut a duty on rice imports for the second time in two months. The lower import duty has prompted purchases by private dealers, with most of the deals being struck with neighbouring India.

Bangladesh produces around 34 million tonnes of rice annually but uses almost all its production to feed its 160 million people. It often requires imports to cope with shortages caused by floods or droughts. https://www.reuters.com/article/bangladesh-rice-myanmar/update-1-bangladesh-approves-purchase-ofrice-from-myanmar-idUSL4N1MM47D

Processing facility in the US

By Andy Coyne | 12 October 2017

LT Foods - sees an opportunity in the US ready to heat rice market.LT Foods, the Indian company behind the Daawat and Royal brands of basmati rice, has revealed it is to open a rice product facility in the US.In a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange, LT Foods said it is inaugurating a facility in Houston in Teaxs to manufacture ready-to-heat rice products.The "rationale for setting the facility is to diversify and take {the} lead in this growing segment", the filing said.LT Foods mills, processes and markets branded and non-branded basmati rice, as well as manufactures rice-based products, in its domestic market and for overseas. Its US subsidiary, LT Foods Americas, located in Cypress, California, was established 28

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com in 1992 and imports basmati rice along with Thai Hom Mali Jasmine rice from Thailand, grape seed oil from Spain, and tea from Sri Lanka.

In June, LT Foods launched a rice processing facility in The Netherlands.just-food contacted LT Foods for more information about its Houston project but had not received a response at the time of writing. https://www.just-food.com/news/indias-lt-foods-to-open-rice-product-processing-facility-in-theus_id137936.aspx

Thousands evacuated in Vietnam as floods, landslides kill 46 Mai Nguyen OCTOBER 12, 2017 / 11:24 AM / UPDATED 21 HOURS AGO

HANOI (Reuters) - Heavy rain in northern and central Vietnam triggered floods and landslides that killed 46 people and 33 people were missing in the worst such disaster in years, the search and rescue committee said on Thursday.People watch as Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant opens the flood gates after a heavy rainfall caused by a tropical depression in Hoa Binh province, outside Hanoi, Vietnam October 12, 2017. REUTERS/Kham Vietnam often suffers destructive storms and floods due to its long coastline. More than 200 people were killed in storms last year. ―In the past 10 years, we haven’t suffered from such severe and intense floods,‖ state-run Vietnam Television quoted agriculture minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong as saying.

A typhoon tore a destructive path across central Vietnam just last month, flooding and damaging homes and knocking out power lines.The latest floods hit Vietnam on Monday.―Our entire village has had sleepless nights...it’s impossible to fight against this water, it’s the strongest in years,‖ a resident in northwestern Hoa Binh province was quoted by VTV as saying.

Vietnam’s Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control said authorities were discharging water from dams to control water levels.

Some 317 homes had collapsed, while more than 34,000 other houses were submerged or had been damaged.People watch as Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant opens the flood gates after a heavy rainfall caused by a tropical depression in Hoa Binh province, outside Hanoi, Vietnam October 12, 2017. REUTERS/Kham

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Earlier reports said more than 8,000 hectares (19,800 acres) of rice had been damaged and around 40,000 animals were killed or washed away.

Hoa Binh province in the northwest declared a state of emergency and opened eight gates to discharge water at Hoa Binh dam, Vietnam’s largest hydroelectric dam, the first time it has done so in years, VTV reported.

Slideshow (5 Images) Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited northern Ninh Binh province where water levels in the Hoang Long river are their highest since 1985.

Rising sea levels are also threatening Vietnam’s more than 3,260 km (2,000 mile) coastline, resulting in increased flooding of low lying coastal regions, erosion and salt water intrusion.Floods have also affected seven of 77 provinces in Thailand, Vietnam’s neighbor to the west, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Thursday. More than 480,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) of agricultural land have been hit, the department said.

Thailand is the world’s second-biggest exporter of rice.―It is still too soon to tell whether there will be damage to rice crops because most of the rice has already been harvested,‖ Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters.In 2011, Thailand was hit by its worst flooding in half a century. The floods killed hundreds and crippled industry, including the country’s key automotive sector https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vietnam-floods/thousands-evacuated-in-vietnam-as-floods-landslideskill-46-idUSKBN1CH0CA

'Giant rice' explodes expected crop yields 2017-10-12 15:49chinadaily.com.cnEditor: Wang Zihao

Xia Xinjie, chief researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stands beside the experimental rice field. (Photo/ cnhubei.com) The yield of rice is expected to surpass 15,000 kg per hectare as "giant rice" ripens in the experimental field in Hunan province, according to Changsha Evening News.Xia Xinjie, chief researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was gratified as he stood in the experimental field in Changsha county, near the capital of Hunan, Changsha.The 1.75-meter-tall researcher was glad to see the "giant rice" outgrew him by 40 centimeters. The grain giants and the aquatic products in their shade made for a perfectly harmonious ecosystem, he said.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com "Compared with common rice, 'giant rice' enjoys a 15 to 20 percent yield increase," the researcher was quoted

by Changsha Evening News as saying.According to Xia, the "giant rice" — 1 centimeter in diameter — developed a strong capacity to resist disease.

The shade created by the giants also provides a welcome habitat for aquatic products."Frogs feed upon the parasites on the rice. The excrements of fish, mud fish and frogs provide perfect fertilizer.

The life cycle of the aquatic products coincide with the rice, so they can be managed together and reduce human labor," Xia said to Changsha Evening News.

Xia predicted that the rice output alone could bring in an economic gain of 300,000 yuan per hectare, and the frogs and mud fish could generate around 750,000 yuan per hectare.The "giant rice" has been planted in Shaoyang, Changde, Zhuzhou and Changsha in Hunan http://www.ecns.cn/2017/10-12/276815.shtml

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- October 12, 2017 Reuters Staff OCTOBER 12, 2017 / 1:33 PM / A DAY AGO Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-October 12 Nagpur, Oct 12 (Reuters) – Gram prices reported down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on lack of demand from local millers. Sharp fall on NCDEX, weak trend in 31

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com other foodgrain mandis and release of stock from stockists also pushed down prices. About 500 of gram bags and 200 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM * Desi gram prices moved down in open market in absence of buyers amid increased arrival from producing belts.

TUAR * Tuar gavarani showed weak tendency in open market on lack of demand from local traders amid good supply from producing belts.

* Major rice varieties firmed up in open market on increased festival season demand from local traders amid tight supply from producing regions.

* In Akola, Tuar New – 3,850-3,925, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,900-6,200, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,800-8,500, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,900-7,200, Gram – 5,000-5,025, Gram Super best – 7,800-8,300 * Wheat and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak deals.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Gram Auction

Available prices 4,300-5,350

Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction Moong Auction Udid Auction Masoor Auction

n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Previous close

4,300-5,400

2,100-2,600 3,400-3,940 3,900-4,200 4,300-4,500 2,600-2,800 32

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Wheat Mill quality Auction

1,586-1,664

Gram Super Best Bold

1,590-1,675

8,000-8,500

Gram Super Best

n.a.

Gram Medium Best

8,000-8,500

n.a.

7,000-7,500

7,000-7,500

Gram Dal Medium

n.a.

Gram Mill Quality

5,200-5,400

5,200-5,400

Desi gram Raw

5,000-5,100

5,100-5,200

Gram Kabuli

n.a

12,500-13,200

Tuar Fataka Best-New

12,500-13,200

6,100-6,300

Tuar Fataka Medium-New

6,100-6,300

5,700-6,000

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New

5,700-6,000

5,600-5,800

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New Tuar Gavarani New

5,600-5,800

5,200-5,400

3,800-3,900

5,200-5,400

3,900-4,000

Tuar Karnataka

4,300-4,600

4,300-4,600

Masoor dal best

5,200-5,400

5,200-5,400

Masoor dal medium Masoor

4,800-5,000

n.a.

4,800-5,000

n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New)

7,000-7,500

Moong Mogar Medium

6,200-6,800

Moong dal Chilka

5,500-6,100

7,000-7,500 6,200-6,800

5,500-6,100

Moong Mill quality

n.a.

n.a.

Moong Chamki best

7,000-7,500

7,000-7,500

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,700

8,000-8,700

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)

6,500-7,500

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) Batri dal (100 INR/KG)

6,500-7,500

5,600-6,600

5,000-5,500

5,600-6,600

5,000-5,500

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)

2,800-3,000

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)

2,900-3,100

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)

2,800-3,000

3,800-4,400

1,900-2,000

Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)

2,900-3,100 3,800-4,400

1,900-2,000

1,700-1,850

1,700-1,850

2,100-2,300

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)

2,100-2,300

2,200-2,400

2,200-2,400

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)

Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)

3,100-3,600

2,200-2,700

3,000-3,500

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)

2,200-2,700 3,000-3,500

2,800-2,900

2,200-2,400

2,800-2,900

2,200-2,400

2,500-2,600

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)

2,400-2,500

2,300-2,400

3,600-4,000

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)

1,900-2,100

2,200-2,300 3,500-4,000

3,250-3,600

3,250-3,500

Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)

4,600-5,000

4,600-4,800

Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)

4,200-4,500

4,200-4,400

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-14,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)

5,000-7,500

Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 4,700-4,900 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

9,500-13,500

4,500-4,900

4,400-4,600

2,000-2,100 1,700-2,000

5,000-7,400

4,200-4,400 2,000-2,100

1,700-2,000

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 31.4 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 23.5 degree Celsius Rainfall : 0.6 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rains or thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 34 and 23 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices) https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-october-12-2017idINL4N1MN35I

Bangladesh to buy rice from Thailand, India

•

•

WRITER: REUTERS

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Bangladeshi workers dry rice at a rice-processing mill in Muktarpur, on the outskirt of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec 29, 2016. (Reuters photo)

DHAKA: Bangladesh is set to import a total of 250,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand and India in intergovernmental deals to shore up depleted stocks of the staple, head of the state grain buyer said on Monday.

Bangladesh, normally the world’s fourth-biggest rice producer, has emerged as a major importer of the grain this year after floods damaged its crops and sent domestic prices of the staple to record highs. ―We will buy 150,000 tonnes of parboiled rice from Thailand at $465 a tonne and another 100,000 tonnes from India’s PEC at $455 a tonne,‖ Badrul Hasan of the Directorate General of Food, Bangladesh’s procurement agency, told Reuters.The prices agreed include shipping, insurance and discharge costs. ―We have almost finalised all the deals to fulfil our target,‖ said Mr Hasan, adding that the state grains buyer aims to import 1.5 million tonnes of rice in the year to June 2018.The latest purchases from Thailand and India followed a government buy of 100,000 tonnes of white rice from Myanmar, a deal that put aside the worsening relations between Dhaka and Naypyidaw over the Rohingya refugee crisis.The deals with Thailand and India were finalised after a second round of talks with the two top rice exporting countries after Bangladesh’s initial efforts suffered a setback due to high prices.

High demand from Bangladesh helped push Asian rice prices to multi-year highs in June.Bangladesh also struck a deal to buy 250,000 tonnes of white rice at $453 a tonne from Cambodia, after earlier making a cheaper deal with Vietnam.Rice is a staple food for Bangladesh’s 160 million people and high prices pose a problem for the government, which faces a national election next year.In August, Bangladesh cut a duty on rice imports for the second time in two months. The lower import duty has prompted purchases by private dealers, with most of the deals being struck with neighbouring India.

The state grains buyer also issued a series of tenders to import rice. Mr Hasan, however, said: ―No more tenders for rice will be issued.‖A team from India’s National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) is to visit Dhaka next week to hold talks to sell rice to Bangladesh, a food ministry official said. ―But there is no room for any more deals unless they come up with a very lucrative offer,‖ Mr Hasan said.Bangladesh produces around 34 million tonnes of rice annually but uses almost all its production to feed its population. It often requires imports to cope with shortages caused by floods or droughts.

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Remedy in sight to end straw burning in northern India?

Oct 13, 2017, 12.42 PM IST Bengaluru, Oct 13 (IANS) A joint effort is under way by Indian and US scientists to end the harmful practice of rice and wheat straw burning in Punjab and convert the crop residue into a product of value to benefit the farmers. Ever since machines replaced manual harvesting in the late 1980s, rice farmers in Punjab and Haryana have been burning the left-over stalks to quickly ready the fields for the next planting. About 35 million tonnes of rice straw are burned in Punjab and Haryana each season, with Punjab contributing 55 per cent.

This extensive crop residue burning -- lasting for more than three weeks every year during October and November -- has been contributing to atmospheric pollution over the entire IndoGangetic plains with implications for global warming and the health of people in the adjacent National Capital Region. Punjab's farmers, already burdened with burgeoning debts, are now threatened with fines and possibly prison sentences for rice straw burning.

The Indo-US team expects to simultaneously address the farmers' agony and environmentalists' concern by introducing a century-old thermo-chemical process called "torrefaction." This is a low-cost process that turns organic waste into "biochar", a kind of charcoal from biomass. The process requires no external energy and consumes all the smoke-causing emissions from the agricultural residue.

MIT scientists Ahmed Ghoniem, Alexander Slocum, and Kevin Kung have successfully built and validated a laboratory-scale torrefaction reactor and are currently working on scaling it up to a pre-commercial prototype capable of processing 20 kg of biowaste per hour. Once the prototype is validated at MIT, it will be tested in India using locally available feedstock such as rice straw, Chandra Prakash, a biotechnologist and one of the Indian promoters of this project, told this correspondent in an email.

The joint project, which is supported by the Tata Trusts and the MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design, seeks to specifically design the technology to be deployable in the Indian context.

"This technology therefore has the potential to reduce the contribution of rice straw burning to smog formation in cities, at the same time turning the agricultural waste valuable as a solid fuel (as a charcoal or coal substitute) that can increase farmers' income," Prakash said, adding that the technology would eventually be deployed in Haryana too and would also be employed to check the scourge of farmers in the two states burning the residue of the wheat crop.

The Punjab-based institutions involved in the joint venture are the Centre of Innovative & Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB) -- under the central government's Department of Biotechnology 37

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com (DBT); Sangha Innovation Centre (SIC), a start-up of the Sangha group of companies that grow rice, potatoes and maize in 5,500 acres in the Jalandhar area and will soon have its research centre in CIAB's Mohali premises; and the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

While MIT will conduct the research, design and prototype implementation, local support and expertise will come -- besides Prakash -- from Jaswant Raj Mathur, an agronomist at SIC; Sudesh Kumar, a biochemist and biotechnologist at CIAB; and Mahesh Kumar, an agriculture engineer at PAU. Existing technologies to convert agricultural residue into useful products through incinerators, gasifiers, and anaerobic digesters are big-sized, centralised and complex to operate. The MIT prototype, being portable, can be effectively deployed in rural areas where a centralised processing unit is difficult and capital-intensive.

"A mobile torrefaction reactor, similar to a harvester combine, can go from farm to farm rather than farmers carrying their straw to a centralised location," Prakash said. He said that ideally, multiple low-cost locally-made torrefaction units could be deployed in a decentralised manner and the biochar aggregated for marketing to run the operation in a profitable and sustainable mode without government subsidies.

When this solution is widely scaled, it is expected to contribute to a reduction in urban smog by lowering emission sources in the rural agricultural areas. "In addition, this process is expected to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and so help India meet its low-carbon goals."

Among the beneficiaries are Punjab farmers who can potentially get Rs 6,000 ($92) additional income per acre through selling the straw. If all goes as planned, adoption of MIT's innovation in torrefaction to prevent paddy straw residue burning in Punjab will become a reality "hopefully by the next crop season", Prakash said. For the reccord, the Haryana government announced on Thursday it will spend Rs 12 crore for the management of the paddy and wheat crop residue in the state to prevent farmers from burning the stubble. (K.S. Jayaraman is a senior journalist who writes on scientific issues.

He can be contacted at killugudi@hotmail.com) --IANS

RARS completing 90 years K.A. Shaji

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Renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan at RARS, Pattambi. | Photo Credit: spl;spl -

The rice research centre is contributing significantly to food security One among the top paddy breeding centres in the entire Asia, the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) here will complete 90 years of contributing significantly to the country’s food security on Saturday.

Started during the British era, the rice research centre has so far brought out 60 unique rice varieties and these include the first high-yielding hybrid derivative variety rice of Southeast Asia named Annapoorna.

The research institution, which brought out highyielding Supriya and Akashaya rice varieties during last month, has now 39

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resolved to dedicate the coming 10 years for developing rice varieties which can withstand challenges of climate change. ―The coming 10 years till the RARS celebrating its centenary will witness a research series titled Annam Aishwaryam. We are committed to developing varieties which can ensure high yield even while resisting all common diseases. Because of the decreasing water level in rivers and ponds along with the scarcity of rain, our focus is on rice varieties which can grow in backwater and Kole Wetlands resisting salinity of water,‖ said M.C. Narayanan Kutti, associate director of the station.

Minister to inaugurate Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar will inaugurate the Navathi celebrations of the centre on Saturday in the presence of a number of rice experts from across India. The Navathi is being observed at a time when the State government is considering a proposal to convert RARS as a Centre of Excellence in rice research and seed generation activities.

Other than developing new varieties, the centre was able to preserve 34 traditional rice varieties.

―Our attempt is to increase rice production in the State by providing timely and authentic expert guidance to farmers. Paddy cultivation is in a sharp decline all over the State and the traditional rice bowls of Palakkad and Kuttanad are no exception,‖ said Mr. Narayanan Kutti.

During the next 10 years, it aims at developing seeds that can generate 10 tonnes of rice in an acre of land. It has also plans to train farmers in costeffective rice cultivation in eco-friendly and pesticide-free methods. As Kerala produces hardly 14% of its total requirement of rice, the research centre is aiming at doubling the production. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/rars-to-complete-90-years/article1984

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