15th October,2018 daily global rice e-newsletter

15th October,2018 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter www.riceplusmgazine.blogspot.com

Climate of Change: Six-part multimedia special on global warming in Asia and around the world

A mostly dead patch of coral seen in one of the outer reefs on the outskirts of Port Douglas in Queensland, on May 8, 2018. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG OCT 14, 2018, 10:00 AM SGT

Climate change is here and now. It is killing coral reefs, devouring crops, drying up water supplies, spreading disease and wreaking havoc on the weather.

On the heels of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and Sunday's Insight, The Sunday Times is running a series of six

multimedia packages each week on global warming around the world, with a special focus on Asia.

Here is a look at what to expect from next week: 1. A REEF IN PERIL

Coral reefs are among the most diverse, complex and vital ecosystems on the planet, and they‘re in big trouble, according to the first package in the series.

Take the Great Barrier Reef. It is struggling to cope with seas that are getting warmer and more acidic.

Its plight is cause for everyone to sit up and take notice, as it is the world‘s largest living structure - and hence, its sensitivity to environmental changes is a warning of how other creatures and habitats are being damaged.

Some scientists say that if we are not already in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, it is coming. But declines can be reversed, as research into coral bleaching – when corals evict the algae that help them survive – shows.

2. WHEN TAPS RUN DRY

Countries around the world are bracing themselves for water shortages, as the rise in freak weather conditions leads to more droughts. Nowhere is this more apparent than in South Africa‘s Cape Town, where citizens made drastic changes to their lifestyle and water usage habits to push back ―Day Zero‖, when the city ―will have to turn off all taps‖.

People gueueing to get their water rations from the spring water collection point at Newlands swimming pool in Cape Town, on June 4, 2018. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The water crisis is a wake-up call for all, though. Over in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru, for instance, efforts are being made to transform it from a city dependent on others for its water into a supply hub for surrounding districts.

This involves laying water and sewage networks and building sewage treatment plants to tackle pollution of water sources such as the city‘s lakes.

3. CLIMATE REFUGEES

Fisherman Thet Naing Tun walks on the shore in Thingangyi village in Myanmar as gathering storm clouds roll across the horizon. ST PHOTO: TAN HUI YEE Every night, Indonesian housewife Karnah is terrified she will be swept out to sea. Many of her neighbours fled when rising seas engulfed their homes and fish ponds in Pantai Bahagia village just outside Jakarta.

Over in the Thingangyi village on the Myanmar coast, fisherman Thet Naing Tun‘s bamboo home has already been moved inland twice – once when the sand under it disappeared into the sea, and the second time when the storms got so strong they threatened to destroy the hut.

Countries are facing increased risks as the sea-level rise accelerates. And nowhere is the threat more evident than South-east Asia, where densely populated and low-lying coastal plains make millions vulnerable to storm surges, coastal erosion and flooding.

4. BREAKING RICE BOWLS

Mr Bernado Pelayo, a farmer in Layong Mabilog village, Maragondon muncipality, Cavite province, of the Philippines, stands in his rice field. ST PHOTO: TAN HUI YEE Asia is the world‘s rice bowl, but increasingly unpredictable weather is choking a once-bountiful harvest. With the staple that feeds more than half the world under threat, farmers are forced to adapt.

Farmer Bernado Pelayo, for one, who grows rice in the village of Maragondon in the Philippines, is experimenting with seven varieties of rice, as well as other produce like cassava, banana and coconut, in the hope he won‘t go hungry if one crop fails.

Meanwhile, scientists have ambitious plans to produce super rice. At the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna, Philippines, experiments on rice varieties and traits hope to produce crops able to withstand environmental stresses – like high heat, flood and drought – and still be able to maintain high enough yields.

5. MOZZIE ATTACK

Aedes mosquitoes. PHOTO: ST FILE The world‘s deadliest creature is getting deadlier. Places once devoid of mosquitoes have seen the appearance of the blood-sucking insects as the planet warms, spreading deadly infectious diseases such as dengue and malaria. But researchers are bringing the fight back to the mosquito.

As an alternative to traditional control measures such as fogging, for instance, they have transferred the bacteria Wolbachia into the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is then released into wild populations, where it can block the transmission of dengue and Zika viruses.

6. GREEN VS BLACK

Indonesia's first wind farm in Sidrap, South Sulawesi. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Mrs Nguyen Thi Thu lives in Vietnam‘s Tra Vinh province, and her house is opposite a coal-fired power plant. In the windy season, ash, coal slag and dust fill the air, she laments. But across the region, a shift is slowly being made towards green energy.

In Indonesia, for instance, coal has been a major focus, but geothermal, hydro and, more recently, wind and solar projects have been built as well. At Parepare, a sleepy fishing town in South Sulawesi province, the nation‘s first wind farm has been supplying energy to homes and industries for some months, and there are plans to expand.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/climate-of-change-six-part-multimedia-special-onglobal-warming-in-asia-and

Cereal killers: puffed rice yields insight into geophysical collapses What do breakfast and ice sheet destruction have in common? Lots, it turns out. Lauren Fuge reports.

Puffed rice cereal isn't just for breakfast, after all. It's all good for modelling dam collapses.

VIKIF/GETTY IMAGES

Want to better understand collapsing ice sheets? Then pay attention to the snap, crackle and pop of your breakfast cereal, Australian scientists say.

Researchers have long known that porous materials can crumble under pressure or be dissolved by fluids over lengthy timescales. But in many natural systems — such as ice sheets, rockfill dams or sinkholes — these materials are exposed to both liquid and high pressures at the same time, meaning that collapse events can get a little more complicated.

It is, of course, difficult to keep tabs on a natural system for a million years or recreate massive pressures in the lab, so scientists don‘t yet fully understand how these materials move and deform.

Now, in a study published in the journal Science Advances, researchers at the University of Sydney have scaled the problem down to fit into their morning bowl of cereal, using puffed rice to model these processes.

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G EOSCIENCE

Highly-porous, brittle and soft, puffed cereal grains share similar properties to rocks and ice. ―All of these tend to crush upon interaction with chemically active fluid — puffed grains with milk, rock grains with underground water, and ice with meltwater,‖ explains lead researcher and civil engineer Itai Einav.

While the problem of soaking puffed rice in milk is not as life-threatening as the collapse of a dam, it can be observed in just minutes — and unlike a dam, a cereal bowl can fit in a lab.

Along with co-author François Guillard, Einav placed a sample of the rice in a vertical cylinder and applied constant pressure from the top down. Then fluid was injected into the lower part of the cylinder to soak the sample. The researchers noticed a sudden drop of stress in the system, accompanied by clicking sounds caused by the micropores of the cereal being crushed. ―A whole layer of such micropores seemed to crush all at once,‖ says Einav. ―Their synchronised sound could be heard all around our laboratory.‖ These events were dubbed ‗ricequakes‘, caused by the dry pack collapsing into the wet. The abrupt collapses kept occurring incrementally, with the delay between quakes increasing as time went on.

A simple physics-based mathematical model was then developed to explain the quakes. It linked them to the flow of liquid into the tiny pores of the puffed rice, making them soggier and weaker over time.

By scaling the model up to deal with timescales of years rather than seconds, the researchers believe it may help understand more significant collapse events, such as in dams and ice sheets. ―Fascinatingly, the recurring ricequakes we model in cereal appear reminiscent of recurring tidal icequakes in Antarctica — twice daily!‖ Einav says. ―In that sense, our modelled experiments can help to reinterpret such global phenomena.‖ It‘s important to note, however, that such a simple model may not be accurate for all systems, some of which might be dominated by other physical stresses. Icequakes, for example, might also be affected by the frictional force as ice slides along its rocky foundations.

But Einav and Guillard have high hopes for the future of breakfast-related research, and are keen to explore the existence and dynamics of ricequakes in other materials. ―I believe puffed rice offers a real opportunity into studying the new and rich physics of brittle porous materials,‖ Einav says. https://cosmosmagazine.com/geoscience/cereal-killers-puffed-rice-yields-insight-into-geophysicalcollapses

Supor Spherical Rice Cooker draws raves from Japanese consumers at exhibition in Tokyo PRESS RELEASE PR Newswire Oct. 14, 2018, 08:01 PM

TOKYO, Oct. 15, 2018 /PR Newswire/ -- In October 2018, an exhibition highlighting Chinese craftmanship held at Tsutaya Book Store in Tokyoattracted visitors from all walks of life across Japan who were unanimous in agreeing that the rice cooked in the Chinese-made rice cookers on display tasted just as good as rice prepared in their Japanese counterparts.

What kind of rice cookers can receive such recognition from Japanese consumers known for their fastidiousness, and what kind of unique features can enable the rice cookers to win the hearts of all the visitors at the event?

Behind this mysterious veil is leading Chinese rice cooker maker Supor.

The rice cooker showcased at the exhibition is called the Supor IH Steam Spherical Rice Cooker. The spherical cauldron used in the rice cooker is based on China's traditional large iron pot, while the innovative, first-of-itskind wide-mouth and shallow-bottom profile increases the heating area of the inner liner by 30% compared with ordinary rice cookers, allowing the rice to be brought to a higher temperature and, at the same time, be more evenly heated, while absorbing more moisture, tasting more authentic, and fully releasing the original flavor.

For more than 20 years, Supor has been committed to perfecting the inner liners of rice cookers, and to exploring and preserving the authentic flavor of Chinese rice cooked the traditional way. The research and development team put the grains of rice under a microscope to fully understand the microcosm, and researched the gastronomic and dietary traditions behind the grain, then combined the results with previous experience and modern craftsmanship to design the new rice cooker. The team behind its creation are not just researchers of tasty rice, but explorers and pioneers.

The exhibition has proven itself an excellent venue for demonstrating the ability of Chinese-produced rice cookers to stand side by side with world's best among its peers. Supor serves as a showcase for the reputation of Chinese craftsmen while providing new impetus for an interest among shoppers and consumers worldwide in products made in China.

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181011/2264981-1 https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/supor-spherical-rice-cooker-draws-raves-from-japaneseconsumers-at-exhibition-in-tokyo-1027614622

Replacing Potatoes And Rice With Lentils Oct 14, 2018, 10 p.m.

Health is influenced heavily by diet: eating healthy foods increases the likelihood to be and stay healthy as unhealthy foods are associated with being more prone to sickness and diseases; many studies have shown how food affects one‘s health.

Lentils have been shown by 2 separate studies in replacement of starchy carbohydrates such as rice and potatoes to help lower blood sugar levels, and fight cancer such as researchers from the University of Guelph showing that eating legumes instead of rice or potatoes can reduce blood sugar levels by over 20%.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition involving 24 healthy adults that were fed 4 dishes: white rice only; half white rice with half large green lentils; lahe white rice with half small green lentils; and half white rice with half split red lentils; then repeating the process with potatoes and lentils showed the substitution of half a serving of rice white lentils led to up to 20% decreases in blood sugar; and replacing potatoes with lentils resulted with a 35% decrease. The reductions were explained to be result of lentils slowing digestion and release of starchy foods helping to prevent blood sugar spikes which is helping in those with diabetes.

Along with lowering the risks for diabetes lentils also help to reduce risks for cancer according to another study published in the International Journal of Cancer which examined over 90,000 premenopausal women and found consumption of legumes at least twice a week cut the risks of breast cancer by 24%.

A Norwegian study showed that those that consume lentils on a regular basis experience 37% lower risk of cancers of the upper digestive tract, and nearly 50% decreased risk of colon cancer.

Lentils are edible seeds from the legume family that are low in calories and great sources of iron, zinc, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, fiber, and protein. Consumption of lentils on a regular basis may help to prevent need for certain medications as they nourish blood vessels, and improve blood pressure, flow, and circulation.

Lentils come in many types such as beluga lentils which are small and black that make good bases for warm salads. Brown lentils are the most common and are good in stews with an earthy flavor.

Green lentils which vary in size and shape. Puy lentils are smaller than green lentils and have a peppery taste.

Lentils are easy to cook unlike other legumes as they do not need to be soaked before cooking, however they still need to be rinsed before hand to remove impurities. Most can be boiled in a pot of water with a dash of salt, then simmered uncovered for 15-20 minutes. Some lentils such as orange lentils will split and only take 5 minutes to cook. Once cooked most lentils can last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator if stored properly.

Materials provided by: Note: Content may be edited for style and length https://www.naturalnews.com/2018-10-12-replacing-rice-potatoes-with-lentils-decrease-riskof-cancer.html https://www.naturalhealth365.com/lentils-food-news-2634.html https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-06-lentils-significantly-blood-glucose-reveals.html https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lentils http://www.brudirect.com/news.php?id=56098

The World's Rice Bowl: Protected in Perpetuity - Crop Trust

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has set a funding pact with nonprofit organization Crop Trust to conserve and secure the world‘s largest rice collection. The agreement guarantees US$ 1.4 million per year for IRRI‘s rice genebank in Los Baños, Laguna. The facility, which houses 136,000 varieties of rice, has been called the world‘s ―largest rice bowl.‖ At present, an estimated three billion people all over the world consume rice every day, 515 million of whom hail from Asia. Experts project annual global rice consumption to rise from 450 million to 525 million tons by 2050.

Rice breakthroughs at IRRI Scientists from both IRRI and across the globe use the samples in the genebank to develop more robust and resilient varieties of rice. To combat the impact of climate change in key rice-producing regions such as India, China, and the Philippines, researchers have been working on improved rice varieties that can withstand severe flooding and drought.

SUPER BOWL. IRRI’s Los Baños rice genebank houses numerous varieties of the staple crop.

(Image: IRRI)

For instance, approximately 20 million hectares of rice land in Asia frequently suffers from flooding. Most rice varieties can only survive submergence for a few days. However, the IRRI-developed ―scuba rice‖ can survive up to two weeks of flooding. Approximately five million farmers in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Laos, the Philippines and Indonesia are already utilizing this variant.

Meanwhile, researchers are adapting it for Africa, where rice demand grows at an annual rate of about 7%.

Also included in the IRRI collection are a number of wild rice species.

Researchers studied these wild species to develop heat-tolerant, pest-resistant, and disease-resistant rice. They even formulated a variety that resists iron toxicity, which typically affects flooded, lowland rice areas.

Moreover, the IRRI genebank functions as a historical repository. Samples of IR8, the world‘s first high-yielding rice, are kept there, as well as its ancestors and subsequent variants. Nicknamed ―miracle rice‖ due to the role it played in

saving Asia from famine in the 1960s and 1970s, IR8 was the fruit of IRRI researchers‘ efforts to improve rice production in developing countries, including the Philippines.

To 2023 and beyond Established in 2004, Crop Trust‘s endowment fund provides ―sustainable, longterm financial support to the world‘s most important food and agriculture genebanks.‖ Via this fund, the agreement will cover the genebank‘s integral operations from 2019 to 2023. Then, a second five-year period will take effect, factoring in any revisions in the genebank‘s operational costs and overall business plans. Afterwards, renewal of the agreement will continue every five years.

Meanwhile, IRRI will assist five national genebanks in crop conservation by providing expert advice and guidance. The Los Baños genebank is one of 11 genebanks under CGIAR. Formerly known as the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, CGIAR is a research partnership focused on global food security. The CGIAR genebanks house millions of crop seeds from all over the world. Additionally, they distribute over 100,000 rice samples to farmers and researchers per year.

RAINING GRAINS. The funding pact between IRRI and Crop Trust will secure the future of rice research for the entire world. (Photo: IRRI)

The agreement will be inked on World Food Day, October 16, at the 5th International Rice Congress in Singapore https://www.flipscience.ph/news/irri-los-banos-rice-genebank-funding/

From food security to nutrition security Biotechnology can be a game-changer in the battle against malnutrition in much the same way that the Green Revolution was in ensuring self sufficiency.

Written by Ashok Gulati , Ritika Juneja | Updated: October 15, 2018 5:39:57 am

https://industrynewsupdates.com/46576/global-calrose-rice-market-2018-california-family-foodsamerican-commodity-company-farmers-rice-cooperative/

From food security to nutrition security Innovations in biofortified food can alleviate malnutrition only when they are scaled up with supporting policies. (Illustration: Suvajit Dey)

October 16 is observed as the World Food Day to mark the creation of the United Nation‘s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 1945. The world body envisions a ―zero hunger world‖ by 2030. Perhaps, the occasion is incomplete without remembering Nobel Peace laureate Norman E Borlaug, whose ―miracle seeds‖ of wheat saved over a billion people from starvation.

Borlaug also instituted the World Food Prize in 1986, which is sometimes described as the Nobel Prize in agriculture. It‘s important to understand the role of science and technology in ushering the Green Revolution, which ensured food security in India. Today, similar innovations in biotechnology hold the promise to provide nutrition security.

In 1943, the Bengal Famine claimed 1.5 to 3 million lives. After independence, India faced the challenge of feeding 330 million people. The situation became grim when the country was hit by back-to-back droughts in the mid-1960s. Grain production plummeted from 89.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 1964-65 to 72.4 MMT in 1965-66. India became heavily dependent on the PL 480 food aid from the US. Self-sufficiency in foodgrains became the country‘s top policy priority.

In the early 1960s, India imported 18,000 tonnes of the semi-dwarf high yielding (HY) wheat variety, Lerma Rojo and Sonora 64. Developed by Borlaug and his team at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, these wheat varieties proved to be the harbinger of the Green Revolution. Indian scientists adapted the imported germplasm to create indigenous varieties: Kalyan developed by D S Athwal and Sona created by M S Swaminathan. Around the same time, the HY miracle rice, IR8 — developed by Peter Jennings and Henry M Beachell of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) — was imported.

About a decade later, an improved variety, IR36 — developed by IRRI‘s Gurdev Khush — made its presence felt in the country‘s fields. The breeding programme under the All India Coordinated

Research Project (AICRP) produced Padma and Jaya, the first indigenous HY rice varieties.

These became the centrepiece of India‘s rice revolution.

Breakthroughs in Basmati rice came with the development of Pusa Basmati 1121 and 1509 from 2005 to 2013. These rice varieties were developed by teams led by V P Singh, A K Singh and K V Prabhu at the Indian Agriculture Research Institute. Pusa Basmati gave Indian rice more value with less water and 50 per cent higher yields compared to the traditional basmati. V Singh et al estimate that the cumulative earnings through exports of Pusa Basmati 1121 between 2008 and 2016 and the sale of the rice variety in the domestic market in the same period to be about $20.8 billion.

Where does India stand today in terms of wheat and rice? While the country‘s population has grown by more than four times, from 330 million in 1947 to 1.35 billion in 2018, India‘s wheat production has increased by over 15 times in roughly the same period — from about 6.5 MMT in 1950-51 to 99.7 MMT in 2017-18. India contributes about 13 per cent of the world wheat production, next only to China whose share is about 17 per cent. Rice production has shot up by about 5.5 times — from 20.6 MMT in 1950-51 to 112.9 MMT in 2017-18. India has a 23 per cent share in world rice production, next only to China whose share is about 29 per cent. India is also the largest exporter of rice in the world with about 12.7 MMT, valued at $7.7 billion (Basmati at $4.17 billion and Non-Basmati at $3.56 billion) during 2017-18.

Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Agricultural Processing and Export Development Authority (APEDA), Government of India.

Notwithstanding its foodgrain surpluses, the country faces a complex challenge of nutritional security. FAO‘s recent publication, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2018 estimates that about 15 per cent of the Indian population is undernourished. More than 38 per cent of Indian children aged below five years are stunted and 21 per cent suffer from wasting.

Several factors ranging from poor diet, unsafe drinking water, poor hygiene and sanitation, low levels of immunisation and education, especially that of women, contribute to this dismal situation. But latest innovations in biotechnology that fortify major staples with micro nutrients like vitamin A, zinc and iron can be game changers.

Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Agricultural Processing and Export Development Authority (APEDA), Government of India.

Globally, the HarvestPlus programme of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is doing lot of work in this direction. In India, the group has released the iron-rich pearl millet. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has independently released zinc and iron rich wheat (WB 02 and HPWB 01), rice (DRR Dhan 45), and pearl millet (HHB 299 and AHB 1200) in 2016-17. This could possibly lead to the next breakthrough in staples, making them more nutritious. A research team led by Monika Garg at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute in Mohali has innovated biofortified coloured wheat (black, blue, purple) through crosses between HY Indian cultivars (PBW550, PBW621, HD2967) and coloured wheat from Japan and America. These are rich in anthocyanins (antioxidants such those found in blueberries) and zinc (40 ppm compared to 5 ppm in white wheat). Farmers of the Borlaug Farmers Association from Punjab and Haryana have been roped in to multiply production of this wheat variety. This seems to be the beginning of a new journey, from food security to nutritional security. The best is yet to come. But innovations in biofortified food can alleviate malnutrition only when they are scaled up with supporting policies. This would require increasing expenditure on agri-R&D and incentivising farmers by linking their produce to lucrative markets. Can the Modi government do it? Only time can tell. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/from-food-security-to-nutrition-security-5401826/

Gov’t vows steady rice supply Importation to continue to keep sufficient stockpiles of main staple food Updated October 13, 2018, 12:24 AM

By Genalyn Kabiling The country will continue to import rice to help prevent the people from going hungry, President Duterte admitted Friday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joins other leaders from the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the ASEAN Leaders‘ Gathering held at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia on October 11, 2018. Also in the photo is Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‗Bong‘ Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. (ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

The President acknowledged that the ―stomach comes first‖ as he pressed the need to keep sufficient government stockpiles to ensure that affordable rice remain available to families. ―The policy of the government is to keep the people, not from – keep them away from hunger so we have to import whether we like it or not and we have to plan,‖Duterte pointed out during a press conference in Davao City airport Friday morning upon his arrival from Indonesia.

Self sufficient As he tackled rice importation, Duterte reiterated that the country was unlikely to become self-sufficient in rice production amid the shrinking farmlands.

He said agricultural lands have been used to plant cash crops instead of food crops. ―Frankly, I do not think that we will be rice sufficient. I don‘t know if – in the years to come,‖ he said.

In the previous administration, then Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala had declared that the Philippines will become 98 percent rice self-sufficient by the end of 2014. But this was never even after previous administration ended in 2016.

Balanced formula

Duterte said he expects Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to craft a formula to balance the issues and concerns on rice importation and the welfare of local rice farmers.

He noted that rice importation must be scheduled during the lean months. ―Maybe, during harvest time or a later period after that. There must be space for the local products to be consumed – bought and consumed. Then after comes the lean months which we have also to consider,‖ he said.

Duterte said when the country was confronted with rice supply problems, he immediately ordered the importation of rice despite differing views from some Cabinet members.

He said he wanted government warehouses to be filled to the ceiling with rice. ―As I have said in the Cabinet meeting, I thought that problem would never confront me. So that early on I appointed people, precisely to meet the challenges of rice shortage.

But would you believe it or not, it really happened and – I was the first one who ordered the importation.

Merong gusto, meronghindi,‖ he said.

Tough times ahead As this developed, President Duterte warned of tough times ahead as the sharp surge in oil costs continue to affect local consumer prices.

The President asked the public to brace for economic hardship during his term, saying the country was not a rich oil-producing nation and continues to rely on imported fuel. ―Sabihin nila, ‗Ano ‗to siDuterte?Bakit ‗yung pandesal niya kasinglaki na lang ng monggo?‘ Ano bang magawa ko? Walangatayong oil,. eh [They say, ‗What‘s with Duterte? Why is the bread as small as a bean?

What can I do? We have no oil],‖Duterte said during a press conference in Davao City. ―This is not the end of the story, guys. Sabihinninyopanahonkotalagangmaghirap [You say we will suffer during my time]. If things will move forward in accordance with the present calculations now, talagang sa panahon ko maghirap tayo. Kung mag-wala kayo, ‗di lahat na tayo. Mag-wala na tayong lahat kasi ako apektador in. Iyan ang problema ngayon [we will really suffer under my term. If you lose it, we‘ll all lose it because I am also affected. That‘s the problem today],‖ he said.

The President lamented that the Philippines was not one of the fortunate nations given with oil resources. He noted that the country largely depends on imported oil, whose rising prices have driven the soaring inflation. ―The problem now is… Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei… maybe good fortunes have oil, but we have none,‖ he said. ―Maramisilang oil.Hindi sila dependent.Tayo, sabi ng Pilipino, inflation. Correct. There is inflation,‖ he said.

Duterte admitted that there would be inflation spike if oil prices will continue to escalate. ―I must give you the warning now. ‗Pagmagtaas ‗yang oil, you can be sure next week mag-announce na naman ng price increases. Because oil is everything. The world cannot move. There‘s not enough solar power to run this country,‖ he said.

The President had earlier raised the possibility of the government suspending the fuel excise taxes to tame the country‘s rising inflation. ―Maybe,‖Duterte said during press conference in Malacañang last Tuesday, when asked if the government would suspend the excise taxes on petroleum products.

He noted that Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III would look into the possible P2 reduction of the fuel excise taxes.

Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, the government could suspend the next increase in fuel excise taxes if Dubai crude hits $80 per barrel for a period of three months.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/12/govt-vows-steady-rice-supply/

Indonesia asked to setup JVs for palm oil production in Pakistan

Online 4:35 PM | October 13, 2018

Pakistan, a major importer of palm oil to meet its domestic needs while Indonesia, the world‘s largest producer of palm oil and its investors should set up joint ventures in Pakistan for production and processing of palm oil that would help in reducing our import bill.

Ahmed Hassan Mughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said this while exchanging views with WisnuSuryoHutomo, Head of Economic & Commercial Department, Embassy of Indonesia during his visit to Chamber House.

ICCI President said that Pakistan‘s palm oil import witnessed a 23 per cent increase during the first half of 2017-18 and stressed that Indonesia should cooperate with Pakistan in enhancing local production of this commodity.

Speaking on the occasion, WisnuSuryoHutomo, Minister Counsellor of Indonesian Embassy said that Indonesia was ready to cooperate with Pakistan in the cultivation of high-yielding palm plants in addition to establishing palm oil refineries in Pakistan for meeting its domestic needs.

He said that his country was also willing to set up joint ventures in the production and processing of palm oil along with manufacturing of high-value palm oil products in Pakistan.

Pakistan was exporting rice while there was a huge demand for Pakistani Kinnow and mangoes in Indonesia which should be exploited, he told.

He said both countries should focus on the regular exchange of trade delegations to further strengthen bilateral trade relations.

https://nation.com.pk/13-Oct-2018/indonesia-asked-to-setup-jvs-for-palm-oil-production-inpakistan?show=preview

Prices Of Imported Rice Soar

By Iseghe Ajayi October 14, 2018

Imported Rice Owing to the implementation of stiff disciplinary measures against smugglers of imported rice and other banned items by the Nigerian Customs Service, bringing the commodity into the Nigerian market has become a very dangerous venture for smugglers. This made supply of the commodity limited.

The Customs personnel are waging serious battle against rice smuggling such that the smugglers that ran out of luck, do not only get their goods seized, but are also arrested.

The situation has discouraged some of the smugglers to continue with the business. But the ones that are still in the business are left with no option than to inflate the prices of the commodity, after taking cognisance of the high cost of logistics.

The ban on the commodity by the Federal Government without providing alternative for the masses has continued to have an adverse effect on the price, making it beyond the reach of many.

Even prices of the locally produced rice that is expected to be an alternative to imported smuggled rice are not favourable and has not helped the consumers either.

Findings from a market survey across some states by the Business and Market Intelligence Unit of DAILY INDEPENDENT indicated that prices of the commodity which was previously at a downward trend soared by over 5 and 10 per cent in few markets between August and October 11, 2018.

Reasons for the hike as indicated by the survey results were due to high foreign exchange rate, unavailability, weakening value of Naira and closure of the borders.

Checks at the Ogbeogologo and Igbudu Markets in Delta State showed that prices of a 50kg bag of imported rice witnessed an upswing, ranging currently from N17,500 to N18,000 as against N16,500 sold initially, signifying a 6 or 8 per cent rise.

That of the local rice was also on the high side, attracting between N14,500 and N15,000 up from N14,000 it attracted earlier.

Mr. Lawrence Ibeh, who trades in the commodity at the Ogbeogolo Market, Asaba, linked the hike to scarcity caused by the Federal Government‘s ban.

He, however, attributed that of local rice to the weakening value of the Naira and high cost of processing the commodity.

The same could be said of Nkwo Nnewi Market, Anambra State, especially with the current prices of a 50kg bag of the commodity going for between N17,500 and N17,800 as against N17,000 previously sold.

At the Oba Market, Benin City, the trend was not different, although prices of imported rice were somewhat lower when compared with that of Asaba and Anambra.

For example, a 50kg bag of imported smuggled rice which was previously selling for between N15,000 and N15,500 rose by 6 per cent to between N16,000 and N16,500 depending on the brand and the haggling power of the customer.

That of Dawanau Market, Kano, also witnessed a slight increase as a 50kg bag of imported smuggled rice formerly sold for between N13,500 and N14,000 grew by 7 percent to N14,500 during the week.

Many of the traders in a chat with DAILY INDEPENDENT linked the situation to shortfall in supply.

Likewise, that of the Kaduna Central Market, Kaduna, went up to N15,500 from N14,500 sold previously.

At the Gombe Main market, Gombe State, the price of a 50kg bag of the commodity currently goes for between N16,500 and N17,000 up from N16,000 sold before.

A man named Friday Enebeli, who deals with all kinds of grains at the Gombe Main Market, connected the situation to high cost of transportation and foreign exchange rate.

Visit to Lafenwa Market, Ogun State, revealed that prices of the commodity were at an upward trend; with a 50kg bag of imported rice currently going for between N15,000 and N15,300 as against N14,500 sold initially of which many of the traders interviewed ascribed to inadequate supply arising from scarcity.

That of Bodija Market, Ibadan, was not different, snowballing to between N16,000 and N16,500 from N14,500 sold formerly. This, however, depends on the quality and negotiating power of the buyer.

Alhaja Sadiat Mumuni, who trades in all kinds of grains at the Bodija, market, Ibadan, blamed the increase on shortfall in supply due to closure of Seme-border by the Nigerian Customs.

For that of Itam Market, Uyo, prices of a 50kg bag of imported rice experienced an increase of 6 percent, currently selling for N17,500 as against N16,500 earlier sold.

A lady who simply identified herself as Lizzy connected the hike to scarcity caused by few traders besieging Cotonou for the commodity. This is just, as Chuks Emmanuel of same market shared similar view but linked the principal cause to the ban, leading to closure of the borders.

For that of Lagos, visits to popular markets such as Daleko, Iddo and Mile 12 showed that prices of the commodity skyrocketed, particularly with few number of shops having the product on display.

Prices of the commodity soared by over 10 percent as a 50kg bag that was previously sold for between N13,000 and N13,500 currently goes for between N14,500 and N14,700, a situation many traders attributed to unavailability and high cost of logistics.

The worst hit, however, were consumers who procured the commodity in smaller measures as the impact of the increase reflected greatly on their purchases.

For instance, prices of a paint bucket measurement that previously went for between N1,200 and N1,500 depending on the quality, currently goes for between N1,500 and N1,800. https://www.independent.ng/prices-of-imported-rice-soar/

Unimpeded rice imports may hold back inflation Updated October 14, 2018, 9:35 AM

After nine straight months of rising prices, the government took its first big step to stop the rise last Tuesday.

It removed all restrictions on rice importations. Since food prices make up the biggest part of inflation figures and rice is the principal food item of Filipinos, unimpeded rice importation should have an impact on the whole market situation in the country.

For years, rice imports had been controlled and limited, with each trader needing to apply and obtain an accreditation permit from the National Food Authority (NFA), then an order from the NFA Council on the volume of rice to be imported. With this system, the government has sought to help Filipino farmers have a market for their harvests.

A bill has been filed in Congress to replace this system of restrictions with a tariff of 35 percent on imports from Southeast Asia and 180 percent on imports from elsewhere. But with the worsening price situation in the nation‘s markets, President Duterte said there is no need for the importers to wait for the new law as long as they pay the tariffs.

We will now watch the markets to see whether the announcement of ―free-for-all‖ rice importations will have the desired effect of stropping the rising inflation rate which had already reached 6.7 percent last September.

There was more bad news from abroad last week. World oil prices continued to rise as Iran faced restrictions on its oil exports with the United States withdrawal from Iran‘s agreement with Western nations. As a result, oil firms in the Philippines raised their prices anew, with diesel up by another P1.45 per liter last Monday.

The higher fuel price will be reflected in even higher food market prices, since it now costs more to transport food products from the farms to city markets.

The decision to allow unimpeded rice importation is the first important government move to stop rising inflation. Other moves have been proposed by various quarters, including suspension of the 2 percent TRAIN excise tax on diesel which started in January. There is also a proposal to suspend the Value-Added Tax (VAT) which has been in place for years.

For now, we await the effects of the new policy of unimpeded rice imports. We hope it will help stop the unabated rise in prices in these final weeks of the year which also happen to be our traditionally blessed Christmas season.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/14/unimpeded-rice-imports-may-hold-back-inflation/

Open rice importation favors big firms Published October 13, 2018, 10:00 PM

By Madelaine B. Miraflor The ―unimpeded‖ rice importation order of President Rodrigo Duterte did not only prompt an altercation between Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol but also fueled concerns that it could negatively impact local farmers and the country‘s domestic output.

MB file

Such order, a couple of non-government organizations (NGOs) agreed, will only benefit companies like San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI), which have openly expressed their interest to import rice.

In a statement, the National Movement for Food Sovereignty (NMFS) and the Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) raised concern over Duterte‘s sudden proclamation on allowing free importation of rice despite the fact that the bill allowing the tariffication of rice is still pending in the Senate.

During a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Duterte ordered to put an end to restrictions on rice imports supposedly as a measure to ease the soaring inflation, which recently surged to its fastest level in nearly a decade.

NMFS and IRDF said in a joint statement that Duterte‘s recent directive spells doom for more than three million rice farmers, while it supports the plan of big companies such as SMC and rice cartels to conduct ―mega rice import transactions.‖ The groups have claimed that rice farmers are already suffering from higher production costs due to Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and the rising fuel cost.

In 2017, a data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that net returns from palay farming stand only at only P25,193 and P21,743 during the dry and wet season respectively or a total of P46,936.00 annually.

This could be further lowered once the country liberalized rice importation through the passage of Agriculture Tariffication Act. Based on the projection of Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the impact of rice tariffication could reduce a farmer‘s annual rice income to P33,325.00. ―The proposed scheme for cash transfer/decoupled payment to farmers in the event of tariffication of P9,500 per hectare will not even compensate for this loss,‖ the joint statement reads.

Right now, since most farmers are highly indebted and are dependent on traders and financiers for their production capital, further reduction in their incomes would result to increased indebtedness that could lead to mortgaging, selling, and conversion of farmlands. ―Most of our farmers are ageing and lack the skills and education that could enable them to shift easily from farming to other occupation. The President‘s call for free importation thus spells death to the livelihoods of already impoverished small-scale rice farmers,‖ NMFS and IRDF further said.

On the longer term, it is also feared that rice tariffication may induce reduction in domestic rice output that could trigger further rice price increases, especially when supply tightens. ―Our country could not rely on the international market for our food security, since international rice trade accounts for only 5 percent-6 percent of global rice production.

Moreover, international rice prices have been increasing steadily in recent years suggesting that factors such as speculation that led to the unprecedented food price increases in 2008 to 2009 still persist,‖ NMFS and IRDF further said.

Food and Agriculture Organization rice price update shows that international rice prices from 2017 (January to September) to 2018 (January to September) jumped from $366 per metric ton (MT) to $417 per MT for Vietnam‘s five percent broken rice, suggesting a 13.7 percent increase.

The statement of NMFS and IRDF are in line with the stand of Piñol, who thinks the country can‘t rely on importation to supply the growing demand for rice.

For his part, Dominguez said that rice tariffication and reforms in food policy are needed to address the repeated rice supply problems.

The rice tariffication bill, once passed into law, is expected to liberalize the importation of rice in the country by imposing a corresponding tariff rate of 35 percent.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/10/13/open-rice-importation-favors-big-firms/

Rice starts to stabilize Gov’t allocates P6.7 B to buy palay from local farmers Published October 14, 2018, 12:03 AM

By Madelaine Miraflor The Philippines may no longer need an ―unimpeded rice importation‖ this year as the supply of rice has started to stabilize ahead of the peak of the harvest season.

END OF SHORTA GE — A vendor arranges rice varieties on retail at his store at Paco Market in Manila, as the government reports that the supply of the country‘s staple food has started to stabilize ahead of the peak of the harvest season. (Ali Vicoy/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Right now, the country is anticipating the delivery 750,000 metric tons (MT) of imported rice to be procured by the National Food Authority (NFA). Apart from this, major retailers have been authorized to directly purchase 350,000 MT of rice as part of the Department of Trade and Industry‘s (DTI) proposal.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol also revealed that the government has allocated an initial fund of P6.7 billion for the aggressive local palay procurement program.

NFA Deputy Administrator Tomas R. Escarez, who now serves as the agency‘s officer-in-charge, said that with the palay procurement fund he is optimistic that the agency could procure 2.6 million bags of palay.

If successful, this could help fill the agency‘s buffer stock with sufficient amount of rice without resorting to importation, Escarez said.

President Duterte recently authorized the ―unimpeded importation‖ of rice to boost local supply and lower prices in the market.

The President acknowledged that the ―stomach comes first‖ as he underscored the need to continue importing rice to keep sufficient government stockpiles and ensure the availability of affordable rice to families.

These additional imports were supposed to help temper the non-stop increase in the price of local rice as well as replenish the stocks of NFA. The original plan of NFA is to squeeze in three bidding process in the span of more than a month to cover the importation of the 750,000 MT of rice.

But NFA spokesperson Angel Imperial said it may not necessarily happen anymore.

NFA already conducted last week the pre-bid conference for the purchase and supply of the first 250,000 MT of imported rice, which will be done through an open tender scheme. The supply contracts are expected to be awarded next week.

After that, Imperial said the NFA will not immediately conduct another importation and would instead check if there‘s still a need for it. ―For the next 250,000 MT of rice, it has already been approved but we will still look at it. We will look at the market, the supply and demand, and then we will again make recommendations to the NFA Council,‖ Imperial said in a phone interview.

With all the pending rice importation, the farm-gate price of palay continues to drop during the last week of September, while the cost of well- and regular-milled price were also mostly down.

A data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that farm-gate price of palay continues to decline by 2.05 percent to P22.41 per kilogram (/kg) week-on-week. Compared to the average price in the same period of the previous year, it rose by 16.54 percent.

At the wholesale trade, the wholesale price of well milled rice fell by 0.20 percent to P45.95/kg, while at the retail trade, the average price is lower by 0.14 percent to P49.30/kg on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile, compared to previous week‘s level, the average wholesale price of regular-milled rice at P43.08/kg went down by 0.09 percent, while the average retail price of regular milled rice inched up by 0.46 percent to P46.04/kg. ―We can see through our gradual monitoring that the prices are going down. We are situational. Sizable volume from the existing importation program are still being delivered,‖ Imperial said.

As of now, the country‘s total rice inventory stands at 1.18 million MT. Of this, 128,000 MT is held by NFA. Meanwhile, the NFA launched on Friday its national local paddy rice procurement program in San Jose, Mindoro Occidental by offering an additional incentive of P3 per kilo, on top of the P17.70 per kilo buying price, for clean and dry paddy rice.

The P3 additional incentive per kilo marks the first time that the NFA provided a higher payment for the farmers‘ produce since 2008 when the buying price of palay was increased from P11 to P17.

The local procurement program with the added incentive is also aimed at establishing a support price for farmers who may be affected by the lifting of the Quantitative Restrictions (QR) on imported rice.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/14/rice-starts-to-stabilize/

NFA rice in Cebu still not available in groceries Problem solved? President Rodrigo Duterte‘s order to make National Food Authority (NFA) rice more accessible to the public should help consumers in Cebu, where majority of the rice is sourced outside the province, cope with rising prices. Implementation of the order, though, seems to have stalled. (SunStar Foto / Alex Badayos)

Local stocks. Of the first batch of national rice imports totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), the National Food Authority 7 got 49,000 MT. Some 30,000 MT more is expected to arrive in the last quarter. (SunStar File)

Problem solved? President Rodrigo Duterte‘s order to make National Food Authority (NFA) rice more accessible to the public should help consumers in Cebu, where majority of the rice is sourced outside the province, cope with rising prices. Implementation of the order, though, seems to have stalled. (SunStar Foto / Alex Badayos)

Local stocks. Of the first batch of national rice imports totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), the National Food Authority 7 got 49,000 MT. Some 30,000 MT more is expected to arrive in the last quarter. (SunStar File)

Problem solved? President Rodrigo Duterte‘s order to make National Food Authority (NFA) rice more accessible to the public should help consumers in Cebu, where majority of the rice is sourced outside the province, cope with rising prices. Implementation of the order, though, seems to have stalled. (SunStar Foto / Alex Badayos)

Local stocks. Of the first batch of national rice imports totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), the National Food Authority 7 got 49,000 MT. Some 30,000 MT more is expected to arrive in the last quarter. (SunStar File) RONA JOYCE T. FERNANDEZ October 13, 2018

TESS (not her real name) stared at the selection of commercial rice sold at the produce section of a grocery store in Cebu City for nearly five minutes.

When she first arrived in Cebu to study almost four years ago, her parents bought her a small rice cooker since she'd be staying in a boarding house.

Since then, the 20-year-old college student has been buying five kilos of rice monthly, which she said has helped her save.

"I only have to think about the meat. But because I'm graduating soon, I have been stress-eating a lot. My supply runs out even before the month ends, so I have to buy again," she told SunStar Cebu in Cebuano.

Tess only has P500 in her pocket until her parents in Bohol can send her money.

She usually buys Ganador, one of the well-known variants of commercial rice. Its price, though, has increased from P53 per kilo to P56.

"It's getting expensive, but I really need it. That's why I take time to decide what to buy. I'm supposed to be a Math major, but all these numbers on the price tags are making me dizzy," Tess said.

With commercial rice continuously increasing in price, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered more National Food Authority (NFA) rice to be made available nationwide, particularly in supermarkets.

But how come we don't see that yet?

According to NFA 7 Director Fernando NuĂąez, their central office is waiting for the transfer of project funds by the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (Pagasa) directly to any NFA branch on cash basis.

"This is in accordance with the tripartite memorandum of agreement among NFA, Pagasa and the Department of Trade and Industry," he said.

The NFA is a government office tasked to ensure national food security, and to stabilize supply and prices of staple cereals both in the farm and consumer levels.

It sets a uniform buying price of rice based on various standards to give farmers return of their investment, and puts in the market accessible, safe and affordable NFA rice at fixed prices.

Around 20 percent of the total rice consumed in Cebu annually is NFA rice.

Contrary to popular belief that only poor families are qualified to buy NFA rice, any consumer is actually eligible to buy the low-priced rice, as evidenced by a certification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

At present, there are 410 NFA rice retailers in major and minor markets in Cebu.

Recently, Prince Warehouse Club Inc. announced that it is in the process of complying with the requirements to sell rice from the NFA. Each supermarket is allotted 50 bags of NFA rice sold at either P27 or P32 per kilo. The supermarket owners go to the nearest NFA branch to pay for their stocks.

After this, they will proceed to the designated NFA warehouse to withdraw their allocation similar to what regular NFA-accredited retailers are currently doing.

Consumers will be allowed to buy NFA rice at supermarkets in two-kilo packs.

The NFA, though, is still looking for more accredited retailers to make low-priced rice accessible to more consumers.

"NFA Cebu determines the need to open and/or accredit more outlets in specific areas in accordance with its matrix of rice consumption requirement by municipality versus number of existing NFA-accredited outlets in said place," NuĂąez said.

An interested sole proprietor will have to submit two copies of passport-sized pictures, photocopies of their business permit and a sketch of their store's location.

Corporations, partnerships and cooperatives, on the other hand, are required to submit two copies of their board resolution authorizing the representative to sign for and in behalf of the entity; passport-sized photos of the representative; articles of incorporation and bylaws; and a certificate of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or certificate of cooperation with the Cooperative Development Authority.

NuĂąez, though, stressed that the lack of cheap rice is not necessarily caused by lack of retailers and vice versa.

It can be attributed instead to agricultural damage caused by natural calamities, among others.

Because of this, commercial rice continues to be abundant in the market, but their prices are high.

The NFA 7 buffer buildup comes from rice procurement from local farmers, local rice influx from other regions and rice procurement from imports.

"NFA 7 can buy a very minimal volume from Cebu farmers since the province's rice production is meager compared to the burgeoning population or consumption. Cebu does not have big rice millers," NuĂąez said.

The region's imported rice allocation depends on the national import volume.

Of the first batch of national imports this year totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), NFA 7 got 9.8 percent, or 49,000 MT. An additional allocation of 30,000 MT is expected to arrive in the last quarter and will represent four percent of the next batch of 750,000 MT national imports.

NFA 7 relies heavily on international rice supply through importation usually from Vietnam and Thailand. The source of local rice, on the other hand, was the milled output of rice procured from local farmers.

Around 99.8 percent of NFA 7 rice distribution in the last four years was imported rice and a measly 0.2 percent was local rice.

NuĂąez said this is because farmers in Central Visayas not only produce inadequate supply, they also don't sell their products to the government because the NFA buying price for clean and dry rice is only P17 per kilo.

"NFA wants to buy from local farmers, but its buying price, since its effectivity in February 2009, cannot compete with the prices of traders and millers," he continued.

Farm gate prices of freshly harvested rice has already soared to as high as P29 per kilo.

Aside from this, Cebu's mountainous terrain is not ideal for rice production. There is also the conversion of farm lands into industrial and residential areas.

Small farm areas in the provinces are only 0.5 hectares per farmer and there is the lack of continuous water supply, especially during the summer. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1769092

IRRI, Crop Trust agree to share rice varieties

By Vincent A. Yusuf | Published Date Oct 13, 2018 0:53 AM

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Crop Trust have signed an agreement to fund the world‘s largest rice collection for the conservation and sharing of 136,000 varieties of the crop.

IRRI in a press statement yesterday said the agreement guarantees funding worth US$1.4 million a year, in perpetuity, will be signed on World Food Day, October 16 at the 5th International Rice Congress in Singapore.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The amount will be paid from the Crop Trust‘s endowment fund which was established in 2004 to provide sustainable, long-term financial support to the world‘s most important food and agriculture genebanks.

The Director General of IRRI, Matthew Morell, in the statement said ―this is fantastic news for the future of rice research,‖ adding that ―half of the world‘s population-around 3.5 billion people-eats rice every day and the IRRI genebank is fundamental to global efforts to make the rice sector more resilient, sustainable and equitable.By 2050, annual global rice consumption is estimated to rise from 450 million to 525 million tonnes. Asians eat more than 90 per cent of this rice; the region‘s 515 million hungry are particularly dependent on the crop. This is in addition to the demand for rice in Africa growing at almost 7 per cent, per year. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/irri-crop-trust-agree-to-share-rice-varieties.html

Snap, Crackle, Pop: What Rice Cereal Can Tell Us About Collapsing Ice Shelves New research reveals how wet porous materials collapse under pressure.

Image credits:

Francois Guillard and Itai Einav PHYSICS

Friday, October 12, 2018 - 14:00 Charles Q. Choi, Contributor

(Inside Science) -- The crackle of wet rice puffs is more than snappy advertising strategy: Pouring milk into a bowl of cereal might help shed light on the collapse of ice shelves and dams of compacted earth, a new study finds.

Brittle, porous materials are prone to suddenly crumbling when they encounter high pressure or are soaked in liquids, an effect linked with the collapse of rockfill dams and the formation of sinkholes. However, it was uncertain what happens when such materials are subjected to both pressure and liquid at the same time, as might happen at the base of giant ice shelves.

Experimenting with an ice shelf or a rockfill dam can prove difficult and dangerous. Instead, scientists have conducted research on how porous materials behave using puffed rice.

In the new study, the researchers filled a vertical cylinder with puffed rice, applied constant pressure on top, and then injected milk into the lower part of the cylinder. The fluid naturally got pulled upward through microscopic pores in each puffed rice grain, the same effect that helps draw water up inside trees.

They found that the cereal experienced repeated incremental collapses, as well as loud clicks from abrupt collapses of wet puffed rice, which they dubbed "ricequakes." The delays between these clicks slowly lengthened over time.

The scientists developed a "crushing wave model" they suggested could explain the delays between collapses in the dry regions after fluid injection. This model could help analyze the effects of pressures in the Earth's crust and at the bottom of massive ice sheets over time, they noted.

Researchers Itai Einav and François Guillard at the University of Sydney in Australia detailed their findings online Oct. 12 in the journal Science Advances. https://www.insidescience.org/news/snap-crackle-pop-what-rice-cereal-can-tell-us-about-collapsing-iceshelves

Almost all known varieties of rice crops to be saved, forever The world‘s largest rice collection to receive permanent funding for the conservation and sharing of 136,000 varieties of the staple crop that feeds more than three billion people worldwide.

The world‘s largest rice collection is to receive permanent funding for the conservation and sharing of 136,000 varieties of the staple crop that feeds more than three billion people worldwide. The agreement between the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Crop Trust, which guarantees funding worth US$1.4 million a year, in perpetuity, will be signed on World Food Day, 16 October, during the 5th International Rice Congress in Singapore.

Scientists worldwide use the seeds stored at IRRI‘s high-tech facility in Los Baños, Philippines to develop improved rice varieties that can withstand climate change impacts—such as severe flooding and drought—while keeping pace with the growing world population and changing consumer

preferences. By 2050, annual global rice consumption is estimated to rise from 450 million to 525 million tons.

Asians eat more than 90 percent of this rice; the region‘s 515 million hungry are particularly dependent on the staple. This is in addition to demand for rice in Africa growing at almost 7 percent per year.

Scientists at IRRI have used the rice samples stored in the bank to develop rice breakthroughs tailored to climate extremes like drought and flooding which are already threatening production in key rice-producing regions, including India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

One major innovation is set to benefit farmers tending to some 20 million hectares of rice land across Asia regularly hit by flooding. Whereas most rice dies within days of submergence under water, ―scuba rice‖ withstands flooding for up to two weeks. This rice is currently grown by five million farmers in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Laos, the Philippines and Indonesia. Researchers are now adapting the rice for Africa.

The IRRI genebank is one of 11 genebanks of CGIAR, a global research partnership dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. The CGIAR genebanks conserve millions of crop seeds, distributing more than 100,000 samples to researchers and farmers around the world every year. https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/75052/worlds-largest-rice-collection-to-receive-permanentfunding/

NFA rice in Cebu still not available in groceries Problem solved? President Rodrigo Duterte‘s order to make National Food Authority (NFA) rice more accessible to the public should help consumers in Cebu, where majority of the rice is sourced outside the province, cope with rising prices. Implementation of the order, though, seems to have stalled. (SunStar Foto / Alex Badayos)

Local stocks. Of the first batch of national rice imports totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), the National Food Authority 7 got 49,000 MT. Some 30,000 MT more is expected to arrive in the last quarter. (SunStar File)

Problem solved? President Rodrigo Duterte‘s order to make National Food Authority (NFA) rice more accessible to the public should help consumers in Cebu, where majority of the rice is sourced outside the province, cope with rising prices. Implementation of the order, though, seems to have stalled. (SunStar Foto / Alex Badayos)

Local stocks. Of the first batch of national rice imports totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), the National Food Authority 7 got 49,000 MT. Some 30,000 MT more is expected to arrive in the last quarter. (SunStar File)

Problem solved? President Rodrigo Duterte‘s order to make National Food Authority (NFA) rice more accessible to the public should help consumers in Cebu, where majority of the rice is sourced outside the province, cope with rising prices. Implementation of the order, though, seems to have stalled. (SunStar Foto / Alex Badayos)

Local stocks. Of the first batch of national rice imports totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), the National Food Authority 7 got 49,000 MT. Some 30,000 MT more is expected to arrive in the last quarter. (SunStar File) RONA JOYCE T. FERNANDEZ October 13, 2018

TESS (not her real name) stared at the selection of commercial rice sold at the produce section of a grocery store in Cebu City for nearly five minutes.

When she first arrived in Cebu to study almost four years ago, her parents bought her a small rice cooker since she'd be staying in a boarding house.

Since then, the 20-year-old college student has been buying five kilos of rice monthly, which she said has helped her save.

"I only have to think about the meat. But because I'm graduating soon, I have been stress-eating a lot. My supply runs out even before the month ends, so I have to buy again," she told SunStar Cebu in Cebuano.

Tess only has P500 in her pocket until her parents in Bohol can send her money.

She usually buys Ganador, one of the well-known variants of commercial rice. Its price, though, has increased from P53 per kilo to P56.

"It's getting expensive, but I really need it. That's why I take time to decide what to buy. I'm supposed to be a Math major, but all these numbers on the price tags are making me dizzy," Tess said.

With commercial rice continuously increasing in price, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered more National Food Authority (NFA) rice to be made available nationwide, particularly in supermarkets.

But how come we don't see that yet?

According to NFA 7 Director Fernando NuĂąez, their central office is waiting for the transfer of project funds by the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (Pagasa) directly to any NFA branch on cash basis.

"This is in accordance with the tripartite memorandum of agreement among NFA, Pagasa and the Department of Trade and Industry," he said.

The NFA is a government office tasked to ensure national food security, and to stabilize supply and prices of staple cereals both in the farm and consumer levels.

It sets a uniform buying price of rice based on various standards to give farmers return of their investment, and puts in the market accessible, safe and affordable NFA rice at fixed prices.

Around 20 percent of the total rice consumed in Cebu annually is NFA rice.

Contrary to popular belief that only poor families are qualified to buy NFA rice, any consumer is actually eligible to buy the low-priced rice, as evidenced by a certification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

At present, there are 410 NFA rice retailers in major and minor markets in Cebu.

Recently, Prince Warehouse Club Inc. announced that it is in the process of complying with the requirements to sell rice from the NFA.

Each supermarket is allotted 50 bags of NFA rice sold at either P27 or P32 per kilo. The supermarket owners go to the nearest NFA branch to pay for their stocks.

After this, they will proceed to the designated NFA warehouse to withdraw their allocation similar to what regular NFA-accredited retailers are currently doing.

Consumers will be allowed to buy NFA rice at supermarkets in two-kilo packs.

The NFA, though, is still looking for more accredited retailers to make low-priced rice accessible to more consumers.

"NFA Cebu determines the need to open and/or accredit more outlets in specific areas in accordance with its matrix of rice consumption requirement by municipality versus number of existing NFA-accredited outlets in said place," NuĂąez said.

An interested sole proprietor will have to submit two copies of passport-sized pictures, photocopies of their business permit and a sketch of their store's location.

Corporations, partnerships and cooperatives, on the other hand, are required to submit two copies of their board resolution authorizing the representative to sign for and in behalf of the entity; passport-sized photos of the representative; articles of incorporation and bylaws; and a certificate of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or certificate of cooperation with the Cooperative Development Authority.

NuĂąez, though, stressed that the lack of cheap rice is not necessarily caused by lack of retailers and vice versa.

It can be attributed instead to agricultural damage caused by natural calamities, among others.

Because of this, commercial rice continues to be abundant in the market, but their prices are high.

The NFA 7 buffer buildup comes from rice procurement from local farmers, local rice influx from other regions and rice procurement from imports.

"NFA 7 can buy a very minimal volume from Cebu farmers since the province's rice production is meager compared to the burgeoning population or consumption. Cebu does not have big rice millers," NuĂąez said.

The region's imported rice allocation depends on the national import volume.

Of the first batch of national imports this year totaling 500,000 metric tons (MT), NFA 7 got 9.8 percent, or 49,000 MT. An additional allocation of 30,000 MT is expected to arrive in the last quarter and will represent four percent of the next batch of 750,000 MT national imports.

NFA 7 relies heavily on international rice supply through importation usually from Vietnam and Thailand. The source of local rice, on the other hand, was the milled output of rice procured from local farmers.

Around 99.8 percent of NFA 7 rice distribution in the last four years was imported rice and a measly 0.2 percent was local rice.

NuĂąez said this is because farmers in Central Visayas not only produce inadequate supply, they also don't sell their products to the government because the NFA buying price for clean and dry rice is only P17 per kilo.

"NFA wants to buy from local farmers, but its buying price, since its effectivity in February 2009, cannot compete with the prices of traders and millers," he continued.

Farm gate prices of freshly harvested rice has already soared to as high as P29 per kilo.

Aside from this, Cebu's mountainous terrain is not ideal for rice production. There is also the conversion of farm lands into industrial and residential areas.

Small farm areas in the provinces are only 0.5 hectares per farmer and there is the lack of continuous water supply, especially during the summer. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1769092

WORLD'S LARGEST RICE GENE BANK SECURES FUNDING TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE 10/15/2018

By Michael Taylor KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The world's largest collection of rice varieties has secured indefinite funding in what officials say will be crucial for the development of seeds resilient to the effects of climate change.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will sign an agreement with Bonn-based non-profit the Crop Trust on Tuesday in Singapore to secure $1.4 million per year to fund IRRI's rice gene bank in Los BaĂąos, the Philippines.

"It is really important to the future of food security," said Matthew Morell, director general at IRRI.

"Within those rice varieties are genetics that will allow us to preserve the ability to produce rice in the face of climate change," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

About 3 billion people - mostly in Asia - depend on rice as a staple. But as the world's population increases, farmers are struggling to meet rising demand, while crops suffer from extreme weather conditions linked to climate change.

By 2050, annual global rice consumption is projected by IRRI to rise from 450 million tonnes to 525 million tonnes.

The Philippines-based IRRI was established in 1960 and one of its first activities was to collect rice varieties from around Southeast Asia and South Asia.

The IRRI conserves and shares 136,000 rice varieties with farmers, breeders and scientists, said Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust.

The Crop Trust is building an endowment fund, currently at $300 million, and hopes to eventually secure $850 million to provide permanent funding for the IRRI's rice bank, one of the most important agricultural gene banks in the world, Haga said.

Most of the Crop Trust's funding comes from governments, and as the endowment fund grows, it will increase the number of crop collections it funds.

"The most important threat to food security is that the climate changes faster than plants are able to adapt," Haga told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"That's why we need to help them and we can do that by natural breeding."

Scientists at IRRI have used rice stored in the bank to develop varieties that can withstand drought and flooding, which are already threatening production in countries like India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Morell said that a main focus is developing varieties that are more resistant to high temperatures, and more frequent droughts and floods from rain as well as the ocean.

"In Asia we have areas which grow rice along coastal zones, where typhoons bring sea water into the rice fields, so those genetics for salinity resistance is important," he said.

(Reporting by Michael Taylor @MickSTaylor; Editing by Jared Ferrie. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/worlds-largest-rice-gene-bank-secures-funding-to-fightclimate-change

IRRI to get permanent funding; international rice conference kicks off Tarra Quismundo, ABS-CBN News Posted at Oct

15 2018 11:26 AM | Updated as of Oct 15 2018 04:23 PM

SINGAPORE - The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the world‘s premier rice science organization, is set to receive permanent funding to support its initiatives towards ending world hunger.

IRRI, based in Los Baños, Laguna, is set to sign an agreement with Germany-based non-profit the Crop Trust for a guaranteed annual funding of $1.4 million on Tuesday, World Food Day, also the second day of the 5th International Rice Congress (IRC) here. ―This is fantastic news for the future of rice research,‖ said IRRI Director General Matthew Morell in a statement. ―The Crop Trust funding enables IRRI to focus on using its large and diverse rice collection to benefit the world,‖ he said.

The funding will come from Crop Trust‘s endowment fund, established in 2004 ―to provide sustainable, long-term financial support to the world‘s most important food and agriculture gene banks.‖ ―This is a landmark moment for IRRI and for the Crop Trust. At a time when many donors have increasingly complex demands on their resources, it‘s important that the world‘s crop collections are safe, secure and the gene banks functioning effectively,‖ said Marie Haga, Crop Trust Executive Director.

The funding will initially cover ―essential‖ IRRI gene bank operations from 2019 to 2023, ―including conservation, regeneration and distribution of its cultivated and wild seed collections‖ IRRI said.

Under the agreement, IRRI will also ―provide expert advice to five national gene banks to help their crop conservation efforts.‖

The pact will be renewed every five years ―into the future,‖ IRRI said.

The Crop Trust is hoping that IRRI will be just the first of many significant global gene banks to receive perpetual funding from the organization.

IRRI has the world‘s largest rice collection, with 136,000 varieties of the staple consumed by more than 3 billion people around the world. It has been at the forefront of rice research, including the development of high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties such as ―scuba rice,‖ which can withstand submergence in floods for up to two weeks.

At the opening of the IRC here Monday, officials from global agriculture and research organizations, as well as host Singapore, reaffirmed their commitment to ending world hunger in symbolic rites where they pressed the ―sustainability button.‖

ABS-CBN News ✔@ABSCBNNews

Replying to @ABSCBNNews

Representatives from IRRI, FAO, IFAO, and host Singapore push ―sustainability button‖ to renew commitment to end global hunger at Int‘l Rice Congress opening | via @TarraQuismundo 6:25 AM - Oct 15, 2018

Some 1,500 participants, including public and private sector representatives from 40 countries, turned up for what is considered ―the Olympics of rice science,‖ where participants will engage in three days of discussions on innovations in rice production and trade, and other developments in agriculture.

In opening the conference, Morell emphasized the need for governments, the academe, research institutions, and the public and private sectors to work together towards addressing the threat of climate change to food security.

He cited the need to ―recognize that transformation of the rice sector cannot be accomplished by any one rice research organization or the public or private sector alone.‖ Morell added that IRRI continues to engage in ―catalytic‖ activities that could lead to the ―discovery, validation and implementation‖ of rice innovation to benefit farmers and consumers, as population increase continues to strain the world‘s food resources.

In his speech, Gilbert Houngbo, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, called for investment in rural transformation as a means to address the risk of extreme hunger in impoverished parts of the world.

He cited the threat of droughts, floods and pest diseases to crops, further aggravated by climate change. ―Climate change is now magnifying these risks. The impact on small farmers, who often have no resources with which to cope, could be severe unless they are able to adapt,‖ he said.

He said it was ―essential‖ to help small farmers double their agriculture production and, hence, their income by 2030, as envisioned under the United Nations‘ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ―If we are to achieve SDGs, if we are to end poverty and double small holders‘ production and income by 2030, we need not only to innovate but for our ideas to be implemented and to be scaled up,‖ he said. ―To feed the world sustainably, we need rural areas to become places where new ideas are incubated and grown. Only the new and innovative approach with small holders at the center can deliver the rural transformation we are looking for,‖ he said. https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/10/15/18/irri-to-get-permanent-funding-international-rice-conferencekicks-off

World's largest rice science conference opens in Singapore, to discuss challenges facing rice production

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Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong giving his opening address at the 5th International Rice Congress at Marina Bay Sands, on Oct 15, 2018.ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO

Jose Hong

SINGAPORE - The production of rice, one of the world‘s most important crops, is facing major problems, such as slow growth and climate change, which could increase its price by more than 30 per cent by 2050. ―We need major changes to our rice and food production systems, to make them more resilient to weather disruptions, and also the reduce their emissions and their impact on the environment,‖ said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong on Monday (Oct 15).

Speaking at the opening of the International Rice Congress, Mr Wong said although Singapore is a rice consumer instead of a producer, the country has turned its limited land space to experiment with more productive farming methods. ―After all, necessity is the mother of invention,‖ said Mr Wong, who is also Second Minister for Finance, citing examples of urban farming that produce more rice with less land.

The congress, also called the ―Olympics of Rice Science‖, is the world‘s largest scientific conference on rice. It is held every four years, and is in Singapore for the first time.

This year‘s conference, organised by the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) and Agri-food and Veterinary Authority, brings together 1,500 participants from 40 countries including scientists, government officials and representatives from international organisations like the United Nations‘ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Among the announcements on Monday was a four-year partnership between Irri and Corteva Agriscience, the agricultural arm of chemical giant DowDuPont, which aims to improve global rice production and quality.

According to the two bodies, rice production needs to dramatically increase by 25 per cent over the next 25 years to meet the growing demands of the world‘s population.

Both organisations will draw on each other‘s scientific strengths to breed rice that will overcome looming challenges of climate change and decreased rice productivity.

Corteva, for instance, has access to seven million farmers throughout South and South-east Asia through its educational and outreach programmes, while Irri has expertise in rice genetics.

Mr Peter Ford, president of Corteva Agriscience (Asia-Pacific), said: ―Our shared goal for this partnership is to help rice farmers to become more productive and sustainable.‖

Irri director-general Matthew Morell said Singapore‘s importance to international trade made it a natural choice for this year‘s conference: ―While agriculture plays a limited role in the economy of Singapore, the country is a significant logistics and shipping hub for rice trade. In addition, its robust financial market and reputation for regulatory rigour positions it as an ideal location for a rice futures market that can help ensure the availability and affordability of rice worldwide. ―The International Rice Congress 2018 in Singapore provides a springboard for meaningful discussions on the policies, innovations and partnerships that can drive the growth of an equitable global rice sector.‖ Ms Kundhavi Kadiresan, FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for Asia and the Pacific, said: ―The world is changing rapidly, and the future world rice economy will look much different than it does today. ―Diets are changing towards fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, although rice will remain the foundation of Asian diets, especially for the poor.‖ Mr Wong said that everyone needs to come together to overcome the vast challenges facing rice‘s future. ―Agriculture can and must be part of the solution to tackling climate change. We must intensify our research, enterprise and collaboration efforts to transform rice and agricultural production methods,‖ he said.

The congress, held at Marina Bay Sands, runs until Wednesday. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/worlds-largest-rice-science-conference-opens-in-singapore-todiscuss-challenges-facing

Consumers Aren't Confused By Plant-Based Milks, New Research Shows Oct 14, 2018, 09:17am

Jenny SplitterContributori

Food & DrinkI cover the intersection of technology, farming and food.

Woman standing in front of fridge and taking milk. CREDIT: Getty Royalty Free The FDA is taking a closer look at milk. As the Food and Drug Administration reviews whether the word ―milk‖ should be used by plant-based milk makers, it‘s taking public comments to get a handle on just how that term is perceived. But how many consumers are in fact confused? Does anyone actually think plants have suddenly found the ability to lactate?

It turns out there‘s some data on that. The International Food Information Council Foundation, a non-profit whose stakeholders include food companies, surveyed one thousand American consumers about their understanding of plant-based milks, and found that, for the most part, the public does indeed understand that plant-based milks aren‘t dairy milks.

Research often paints a picture of a public that‘s conflicted and confused about food, believing scientific tinkering with nature is evil while at the same time eagerly buying transgenic GloFish in the pet store, for example, but in the case of milk, the public actually seems quite clear.

Alexandra Lewin-Zwerdling, one of the researchers conducting the study, which was funded in part by Danone North America, says that the survey reveals most people aren‘t confused about the terminology. When asked about a number of plant-based milks, including almond, soy and

rice milks, Lewin-Zwerdling says ―a significant majority...between 72 and 75%‖ did correctly answer that these milks do not contain any dairy milk.

Most consumers seem to understand then that almond milk doesn‘t come from lactating almonds. The beverage produced from juicing these nuts just happens to look and taste more like milk than juice.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE That‘s also how the dictionary definition reads. As reported by Kate Yoder for Grist, language researchers say the word milk has long been understood to have a dual meaning: dairy milk and plant-based beverages that look like milk. Yoder interviewed lexicographer Kory Stamper, who said: ―The FDA can decide whatever they want, but in terms of common usage, that use of milk is not going anywhere…[i]t‘s 600 years old.‖ It‘s worth pointing out that not every survey participant got it right. ―Nearly 20%...say they don‘t know,‖ points out Lewin-Zwerdling, with around less than 10% answering that plant-based milks do contain cow‘s milk. ―So the majority of the population is clear, but it‘s important to capture those consumers who might not be correct.‖ Of the one thousand consumers surveyed, 62% purchase dairy milk exclusively over the plantbased alternatives, whereas 38% purchase non-dairy beverages. Groups who tend to opt for nondairy milks include women, consumers residing in the western U.S. and consumers who are younger than 45.

Over the years, the U.S. per capita consumption of dairy milk has sharply declined, from a glass per day in 1970 to around half that in 2013. Milk was even once touted as the perfect health food, as a combination of increased production capacity and decreased contamination risk (thanks to pasteurization) led to a huge U.S. milk boom. But these days, it‘s cheese and yogurt sales that are booming and not dairy milk. The industry has had to make an effort to diversify, often making efforts to sell the appeal of milk-drinking to other parts of the world.

Soybeans and soy milk. CREDIT: Getty Royalty Free It makes sense that dairy producers want to jealously guard the term these days, but the FDA is concerned with more than just basic understanding of the word. It‘s also concerned that consumers might not understand nutritional differences between plant milks and dairy milks, pointing in its press release to a case of rickets and another of malnutrition, both in children, where the parents substituted rice and soy milk, respectively.

Dr. Lua Wilkinson, a registered dietitian and expert in childhood nutrition, believes it‘s important for the FDA to make these nutrient differences clear:

Cow‘s milk is high in certain nutrients [like] protein [and] calcium, and has been fortified with others (such as vitamin D, which lack of can lead to rickets). The real risk comes when very young children — think 12 months, or babies just weaned from breast milk [or] formula and parents begin to substitute this with milk — [they‘re] using low-calorie plant milks as their main source of calories. The caloric content of some of these milks is so low, it‘s almost water.

Of course, there are other reasons consumers might opt for plant-based milks beyond nutrition.

Some consumers are allergic to dairy. Others choose plant-based foods for animal welfare reasons. Still others believe plant-based diets are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than dairy milk production.

In that case, not all plant-based milks are created equal. Almond milk requires a large amount of water and energy to grow and produce, whereas oat milk (not included in the IFIC research) relies on a crop that is highly sustainable and nutrient-dense. So even though consumers may grasp the basic definition of milk, they could still benefit from a deeper understanding of the differences between dairy milks and various plant milks. Whether that can be achieved by changes to FDA regulation, however, is far less clear.

I‘m a food, science and health writer whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Slate, Mental Floss, SELF and the Breakthrough Journal. Since 2015, I‘ve been fascinated by the intersection of technology and food, from cutting edge cattle feedlots to https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennysplitter/2018/10/14/consumers-arent-confused-by-plant-based-milksnew-research-shows/#5f6677c35f26

More nutrition in wheat, rice: Is Modi govt up to biofortification to move from food to nutritional security?

Grain production plummeted from 89.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 1964-65 to 72.4 MMT in 1965-66. India became heavily dependent on PL 480 food aid from US and underwent a ‗ship-to-mouth‘ crisis.

By: Ashok Gulati | New Delhi | Updated: October 15, 2018 1:27 AM

More nutrition in wheat

October 16 is celebrated as ‗World Food Day‘ to mark the creation of United Nation‘s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. It envisions zero world hunger by 2030. Perhaps the occasion is incomplete without remembering Nobel Peace laureate Norman E Borlaug, whose ‗miracle seeds‘ of wheat saved over a billion lives from starvation, and who also instituted the ‗World Food Prize‘ in 1986, somewhat akin to a Nobel Prize in agriculture. Peeping into the past is important to realise the role of science and technology that paved the way for the ‗Green Revolution‘, ensuring food security.

Similar innovations in bio-technologies today hold promise to give nutritional security.

Rewind history and recollect that the Bengal Famine (1943) is said to have claimed 1.5 million to 3 million lives due to sheer starvation. India got independence in 1947 with a challenge to feed 330 million people. Situation became grim when India was hit by back

to back droughts during the mid-1960s. Grain production plummeted from 89.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 1964-65 to 72.4 MMT in 1965-66. India became heavily dependent on PL 480 food aid from US and underwent a ‗ship-to-mouth‘ crisis. No wonder, then, that self-sufficiency in food grains became top priority. India imported 18,000 tonnes of semi-dwarf high yielding (HY) wheat—Lerma Rojo and Sonora 64, developed by Borlaug and his team at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, that ushered in the Green Revolution in India. Adaptation of imported germplasm to innovate indigenous varieties—like Kalyan, by DS Athwal and Sona by MS Swaminathan—aided the spread of this revolution. Around the same time, HY miracle rice—IR8—developed by Peter Jennings and Henry M Beachell of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was imported.

About a decade later, improved variety IR36 by Gurdev Khush from IRRI also made inroads into Indian fields. In-house crash breeding programme under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) produced Padma and Jaya, the first indigenous HY rice varieties that formed the backbone of India‘s revolution in rice. Later on, breakthrough in basmati rice came through Pusa Basmati 1121 and 1509 in 2005 through 2013, developed by teams led by VP Singh, AK Singh and KV Prabhu at Indian Agricultural Research Institute. This gave Indian rice more value with less water and 50% higher yields compared to traditional basmati. Singh et al. 2018, estimate the

cumulative earnings through exports of Pusa Basmati 1121 and its share of the domestic market to be about $20.8 billion between 2008-2016.

Where does India stand today in terms of wheat and rice? While India‘s population has grown by more than four times, from 330 million in 1947 to 1.35 billion in 2018, our wheat production increased by over 15 times (from about 6.5 MMT in 1950-51 to 99.7 MMT in 2017-18). India contributes about 13% to the world wheat production, next only to China with about 17% share. Rice production shot up by about 5.5 times (from 20.6 MMT in 1950-51 to 112.9 MMT in 2017-18), accounting for about 23% share in world rice production, next only to China with about 29% share. India is also the largest exporter of rice in the world with about 12.7 MMT (where Basmati is 4.06 MMT and Non-Basmati is 8.65 MMT), valued at $7.7 billion.

Notwithstanding foodgrain surpluses, India faces a complex challenge of nutritional security. FAO‘s recent publication, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018, estimates that about 15% of the Indian population is undernourished.

Further, ironically, 38.4% of Indian children aged below five years are stunted, while 21% suffer from wasting. That is, one in every four children is malnourished. Several factors ranging from poor diets, unsafe drinking water, poor hygiene and sanitation, low levels of immunisation and education, especially that of women, contribute to this dismal situation. But latest innovations in bio-technologies towards bio-fortification of major staples with micro nutrients like vitamin A, zinc, iron, etc. can be game changers.

Globally, the HarvestPlus program of Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is already doing lot of work in that direction. In India, they have released iron rich pearl millet. But Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), independently, has released zinc and iron rich wheat (WB 02 and HPWB 01), rice (DRR Dhan 45), pearl millet (HHB 299 and AHB 1200), etc. in 2016-17. This could possibly lead to the next breakthrough in staples, making them more nutritious. Recently, a research team, led by Monika Garg, at National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohalia, pushed frontiers and innovated bio-fortified coloured wheat (black,

blue, purple) through crosses between HY Indian cultivars (PBW550, PBW621, HD2967) and coloured wheat from Japan and America, rich in anthocyanins (antioxidants found in, say, blueberries) and zinc (40 ppm compared to 5 ppm in white wheat). For multiplying its production and evaluating its impact on health and nutrition, farmers of Borlaug Farmers Association from Punjab and Haryana have been roped in.

This seems to be only the beginning of a new journey, from food security to nutritional security, and the best is yet to come.

But innovations in bio-fortified foods can alleviate malnutrition only when they are scaled up with supporting policies. This would require augmented expenditure on agriR&D and incentivising farmers by linking their produce to lucrative markets. Can the Modi government do it? Only time will tell.

By- Ashok Gulati & Ritika Juneja. Gulati is Infosys chair professor for agriculture and Juneja is research assistant at ICRIER https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/more-nutrition-in-wheat-rice-is-modi-govt-up-to-biofortification-to-move-from-food-to-nutritional-security/1349198/

Exports of rice fall in first nine months Cheng Sokhorng | Publication date 15 October 2018 | 10:29 ICT

A worker carries a bag of rice inside a rice mill in Phnom Penh. Heng Chivoan

Casmbodian rice exports fell 8.4 per cent from 421,966 tonnes in the first nine months of last year to 389,264 tonnes in the same period this year, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries‘ General Directorate of Agriculture.

Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) vice-president Hun Lak said the decrease is due to the shortage of paddy to supply the industry.

The claim conflicts with government records which show national paddy surpluses of up to more than three million tonnes a year. ―The world rice market this year is good, so there are many brokers to buy the paddy directly from farmers, while our storage [facilities are not yet] ready." ―So the trend of rice exports this year has decreased. Even though we have buyers, we do not have paddy on hand to mill for exports,‖ Lak said.

Lak said considering the fact that Cambodian rice has been acclaimed as among three of the world‘s best at the 2018 World Rice Conference, exports are projected to increase by the next harvesting season. ―The award is a chance to build our trademark. It will raise the passion to our farmers and rice millers to speed up quality production,‖ he said.

The CRF is now discussing the issue of the EU‘s possible withdrawal of the Everything But Arms (EBA) preferential tax scheme to find a solution if the measure is taken, said Lak. ―We‘ve also set up a meeting to discuss the issue with members. It is still hard to say [how we will proceed], as [the withdrawal process] still has a long way to go and we do not expect that it will impact the agriculture industry which has a lot of potential for development,‖ he said.

Amru Rice Co Ltd CEO Song Saran said Cambodia should not focus primarily on the sale of premium rice. ―We are now focusing on fragrant rice exports while [lower-quality] white rice has decreased, so the trend of exports [has begun] to decrease and will impact the rice industry,‖ Amru Rice Co Ltd CEO Song Saran said. ―Our buyers are still on contract and the rice market is still stable for us, so it would bring a better deal for the rice industry while maintaining our quality and improving the market." ―Being acclaimed among the world‘s best rice is evidence of this,‖ he said. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/exports-rice-fall-first-nine-months

PH might have ‘oversupply’ after importation of more rice — Piñol Published October 15, 2018, 5:14 PM

By Genalyn Kabiling The country might have an ―oversupply of rice‖ after the government has authorized the importation of additional rice, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Monday.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol (Mark Balmores|Manila Bulletin File Photo)

―Today, the NFA (National Food Authority) has approved 750,000 metric tons additional importation,‖ Piñol said during a press conference in Malacañang. ―By the end of this year, will have a buffer stock good for 134 days coming into 2019 so there is a danger actually that we may have an oversupply of rice,‖ he added.

To protect Filipino farmers from the plummeting cost of rice, Piñol said the government has launched a local rice procurement program. He said rice bought from local farmers would form part of the county‘s buffer stocks for 2019. ―The NFA last Tuesday launched a buffer stocking program in Mindoro and we will start buying farmers‘ produce to protect them from plummeting prices of palay,‖ he said.

Piñol said he received complaints from Nueva Ecija that palay prices have gone down to P16 from a high of P25. ―To protect the farmers, the NFA will be starting the local procurement program. We will focus on the local procurement program now since sufficient na naman ang ating importation,‖ he said.

Piñol acknowledged that rice prices in the market were ―starting‖ to stabilize. He said in his visit to Iloilo last week, millers were selling rice at P36 per kilo.

Before the end of the month, he said they intend to institute reforms in the local rice marketing sector. He said rice varieties would be clearly identified as Philippine rice and imported rice starting next week. ―Imported rice is being passed off as fancy so binebenta ng mahal [it‘s being sold at high cost],‖ he added.

He said the government would also do away with the ―deception‖ about the marking of rice in the market, insisting there were no such thing as Sinandomeng, Dinorado, Angelica, and Yummy varieties.

Names of rice products will be simplified as regular milled, well-milled, premium rice and special rice, according to Piñol.

He said regular milled rice would be sold at P38 per kilo, well-milled rice between P40 and P42 per kilo, and premium rice at P44 per kilo.

Piñol said the rice stakeholders are expected to meet on October 18 to finalize the suggested retail price of the commodity. ―There was never any instance that we run out of rice. There was never any rice shortage,‖ the agriculture chief assured.

He said there was only an ―abnormal‖ rice situation due to two factors, namely: the issue of seasonality and delay in the NFA and NFA council‘s decision on the mode of rice importation.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/15/ph-might-have-oversupply-after-importation-of-more-rice-pinol/