17th October,2018 daily global regional local rice news e-letter by DAILY RICE NEWS LETTER

October 17 ,2018 Vol 9 ,Issue 10

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World Food Day and food hunger in Pakistan DNA 10:23 PM | October 16, 2018

Human body needs proper food to sustain. Without food, no one can survive. Our body cannot persist without food for more than three weeks. Today marks the World Food Day and the theme of this year is ―Our actions are our future. A zero hunger world by 2030 is possible.‖ Sadly, around 820 million people around the world are undernourished. United Nations‘ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) attributes the reason for this hunger to growing number of conflicts, economic meltdown and extreme climate variations. Though these are people who are unable to arrange food, there are others who are victim of unbalanced diet. 1.3 billion people nearly are overweight, a prime cause of various diseases. Equal distribution of food is necessitated like never before. There is sufficient supply of eatables being produced nation-wide but distribution is distorted and victim of political pressure and corporate sector‘s recklessness. In this World Food Day 2018, it is time not only government but also people pledge to fill the hunger of every Pakistani.

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The case of Pakistan; produces enough food still hunger is at large griculture is a main source of income for Pakistan, and its share to GDP is 25 per cent, but millions of people go to bed without eating proper food. The country stands in the ranks of African countries where drought-like situation prevails throughout the year. Sugar mafia is way too strong to tackle by the federal and provincial governments; the state has surrendered to them. Imran Khan before becoming PM stated multiple times that millions of children in Pakistan are facing stunted growth issues, now that people voted him graciously; it is time to pay them back. Pakistan is the third highest global producer and exporter of chickpea; fourth highest of rice, and mango; fifth highest of milk, sugarcane, and date palm; sixth highest of apricot and citrus; and seventh highest of wheat and onion, but how fatless people of Pakistan are. In spite of all these blessings, Pakistan stands at 106 out of 119 developing countries in Global Hunger Index. Either eatables are not available or if they are, they are quite expensive that most of the people cannot buy. Agriculture reforms are need of hour. The production of wheat and rice is in profusion but where does it go? Who store them? Of course these are mafias or pressure groups. The mafia of landlords need to be reined in now. Equal distribution of food is necessitated like never before.There is sufficient supply of eatables being produced nation-wide but distribution is distorted and victim of political pressure and corporate sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s recklessness. In this World Food Day 2018, it is time not only government but also people pledge to fill the hunger of every Pakistani. https://nation.com.pk/16-Oct-2018/world-food-day-and-food-hunger-in-pakistan

136,000 Varieties of Rice Are Now Protected in Perpetuity An annual $1.4 million funding grant will allow the International Rice Research Institute to help develop drought, heat- and flood-resistant rice varieties By Jason Daley SMITHSONIAN.COM OCTOBER 15, 2018

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According to some estimates, half the world depends on rice as its staple food. But as the climate changes, rice cultivation is increasingly under threat by record-breaking temperatures, drought and flooding. That‘s why, as Michael Taylor at Reuters reports, a group called the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has collected and conserved 136,000 varieties of rice and recently received a commitment of $1.4 million in annual funding to maintain the collection. Keeping an inventory of all those rice varieties isn‘t just an academic exercise. While gene editing and synthetic biology get a lot of attention for their potential to develop more nutritious and resilient crops, the IRRI says the traits needed to survive a changing climate are already present in the seed bank. ―It is really important to the future of food security,‖ Matthew Morell, IRRI‘s director general tells Reuters. ―Within those rice varieties are genetics that will allow us to preserve the ability to produce rice in the face of climate change.‖ The new funding comes from an endowment fund set up by an organization called The Crop Trust, which was established in 2004 to provide ongoing support to the 11 genebanks of CGIAR, an international organization dedicated to food security and poverty reduction, which preserves 1 million varieties of food crops. ―Today‘s announcement validates 20 years of work and 50 years of thinking on how the international community can safeguard crops used for food and agriculture,‖ Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust, says in a press release. Researchers have already used rice held at the genebank to develop specialized varieties of the grain. One new variety, dubbed ―scuba rice,‖ has food scientists particularly excited. Currently, about 49 million acres of rice fields in Asia are susceptible to flooding. If rice is flooded at the wrong time of year, however, it will not survive more than a few days. The new variety can withstand floodwaters for two weeks and is already being grown by 5 million farmers in Asia. A variety suited for Africa is currently under development. Taylor at Reuters reports that researchers are also investigating the rice genebank to find varieties that can withstand salt water. ―In Asia we have areas which grow rice along coastal zones, where typhoons bring sea water into the rice fields,‖ Morell says. ―So those genetics for salinity resistance is important.‖ Helen Briggs at the BBC reports that rice seeds can last for hundreds of years in storage, as long as they are properly packaged and stored at low temperatures. But maintaining those conditions

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takes resources and money. The funding for IRRI will begin will allow the seed bank to cover operating expenses and regenerate some of the rice varieties held in its collection as well as develop robotic techniques to manage and sort their huge collection.

Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/136000-rice-varieties-are-now-protectedperpetuity-180970552/#RIkWi86bFSo94Y40.99 Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/136000-rice-varieties-are-now-protected-perpetuity180970552/

Getting to the root of wild rice October 15, 2018 In northern Minnesota‘s Big Rice Lake, the pickerel weed is doing fine. And it‘s choking out the wild rice, relegating it to thin, scattered stands. This bodes poorly for efforts to restore the lake‘s rice beds. Yet in other lakes, restoration efforts go beautifully. Why the difference? Plant ecologist Carol Reschke and environmental engineer Chanlan Chun, both researchers at the University of Minnesota Duluth‘s Natural Resources Research Institute, want to find out. In Big Rice Lake, ―I assume the water level has been altered at some point, giving the pickerel weed an opportunity to get established,‖ says Reschke. Also, ―wild rice has to produce seeds and start over each year, while the weeds have big root systems and just grow back.‖ All lakes aren’t alike Reschke and Chun are part of a team that‘s in the second year of a three-year study at six sites—some with healthy wild rice stands, some with sparse. Graduate student Tyler Untiedt‘s job (see video) is to gather sediment around root systems of both the competing

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plants and the wild rice plants at each site. The study will compare data on sediment chemistry, water quality, and microbial and plant life in lakes with sparse versus dense wild rice stands and share it with wild rice managers, state agencies, and the public. ―Wild rice is culturally significant, it‘s Minnesota‘s state grain, but it‘s also ecologically important as food for wildlife and habitat,‖ says Chun. ―We hope to find out why some of the restoration efforts worked, while others didn‘t. https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/getting-root-wild-rice-0

Rice terraces in Yunnan, China. (Wikimedia Commons) By Jason Daley SMITHSONIAN.COM OCTOBER 15, 2018

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IRRI‘s director general tells Reuters. ―Within those rice varieties are genetics that will allow us to preserve the ability to produce rice in the face of climate change.‖ The new funding comes from an endowment fund set up by an organization called The Crop Trust, which was established in 2004 to provide ongoing support to the 11 genebanks of CGIAR, an international organization dedicated to food security and poverty reduction, which preserves 1 million varieties of food crops. ―Today‘s announcement validates 20 years of work and 50 years of thinking on how the international community can safeguard crops used for food and agriculture,‖ Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust, says in a press release. Researchers have already used rice held at the genebank to develop specialized varieties of the grain. One new variety, dubbed ―scuba rice,‖ has food scientists particularly excited. Currently, about 49 million acres of rice fields in Asia are susceptible to flooding. If rice is flooded at the wrong time of year, however, it will not survive more than a few days. The new variety can withstand floodwaters for two weeks and is already being grown by 5 million farmers in Asia. A variety suited for Africa is currently under development. Taylor at Reuters reports that researchers are also investigating the rice genebank to find varieties that can withstand salt water. ―In Asia we have areas which grow rice along coastal zones, where typhoons bring sea water into the rice fields,‖ Morell says. ―So those genetics for salinity resistance is important.‖ Helen Briggs at the BBC reports that rice seeds can last for hundreds of years in storage, as long as they are properly packaged and stored at low temperatures. But maintaining those conditions takes resources and money. The funding for IRRI will begin will allow the seed bank to cover operating expenses and regenerate some of the rice varieties held in its collection as well as develop robotic techniques to manage and sort their huge collection. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/136000-rice-varieties-are-now-protected-perpetuity180970552/

Loss of a microRNA molecule boosts rice production Loss of a microRNA molecule has striking effects on several yield-related traits in indica rice The wild rice consumed by our Neolithic ancestors was very different from the domesticated rice eaten today. Although it is unclear when humans first started farming rice, the oldest paddy

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fields--in the lower Yangzi River Valley--date back to 4000 BC. During its long history of cultivation, rice plants with traits that reduce yield or impede harvest (e.g., grain shattering) were weeded out, whereas those with traits that increase yield (e.g., highly branched flowering structures) were selected and propagated. Although the resulting rice plants are super-producers that feed much of the world's population, they rely on human assistance and cannot withstand harsh environmental conditions. Scientists can examine the genetic basis for some of the changes that took place during rice domestication by comparing genes in cultivated rice plants with those in their wild rice relatives. Using this approach, several key genes that were altered during domestication, such as those affecting grain shattering, have been identified and studied. Most of these genes encode transcription factors that bind to other genes and regulate their activity. A team of researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India led by Dr. P.V. Shivaprasad wondered whether another type of molecular regulator, named microRNAs, also contributed to the domestication of rice. MicroRNAs regulate specific target genes by binding to RNA copies of the gene and, together with other molecules, blocking their activity or chopping them into tiny fragments. In special cases, the resulting RNA fragments trigger a silencing cascade, shutting down the activity of genes that are similar to the initial target gene. The researchers compared the microRNA populations of high-yielding indica rice lines with those of wild rice and several traditional rice varieties. One microRNA species stood out: miR397 accumulated to high levels in the flag leaves of wild rice, but was barely detectable in the other plants analyzed. The scientists showed that miR397 silenced several members of the laccase gene family via a silencing cascade. Laccase genes, of which there are 30 in the rice genome, encode proteins that promote woody tissue formation, thereby providing mechanical strength. By silencing a subset of these genes, miR397 greatly reduced the formation of woody tissue. Furthermore, when the scientists transgenically expressed the gene encoding miR397 in domesticated rice, the resulting plants were more similar to wild rice plants than to domesticated ones, with long, spindly stems; narrow, short leaves; few flowering structures; and hardly any rice grains. In effect, the team partially de-domesticated rice by increasing the levels of a single microRNA species. These findings raise intriguing questions. If silencing several laccase genes by increasing miR397 levels negatively affects yield, would upregulating the expression of this same set of laccase genes boost grain production? In addition, would reducing the levels of miR397 in wild rice plants, and thereby lifting the repression of the laccase genes, improve yields, while

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retaining the traits that allow wild plants to thrive in harsh environments? "miR397 and laccase genes overlap with unknown genomic regions predicted to be involved in rice yield. Modifying their expression in wild species and cultivated rice would be useful in improving yield and other beneficial characters. We hope that our finding promotes future research to identify other changes associated with domestication of plants, spearheading further improvement in crops for the future," states Dr. Shivaprasad. ### Author:Kathleen L. Farquharson, PhD kfarquharson@aspb.org Science Editor, The Plant Cell http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8032-0041 https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/asop-loa101218.php

Agreement to preserve world's largest rice collection signed in Singapore

The fifth International Rice Congress at Marina Bay Sands. Crop Trust signed an agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) during the congress on Oct 16, 2018, to fund Irri to the tune of US$1.4 million (S$1.9 million) a year.ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO

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PUBLISHED OCT 16, 2018, 3:30 PM SGT

Jose Hong

SINGAPORE - The grain that feeds half the world has been given a boost to ensure it never dies out. Almost $2 million each year will be pumped into a rice repository - a genetic treasure trove of 136,000 rice varieties - to conserve and distribute them to the countries that depend on rice. At a time when harvests have plateaued and there are more mouths than ever to feed, research into the different grains could produce super rice which can thrive in the harsher weather brought about by climate change. Crop Trust, the Germany-based international organisation whose mission is to ensure the survival of plants the world feeds on, will fund the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) to the tune of US$1.4 million (S$1.9 million) a year. While funding goals will be revised every five years, Crop Trust has said it will permanently bankroll the endeavour. Irri is an international organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science. It holds the genes of 136,000 types of rice in Los Banos in the Philippines. The two bodies met at Marina Bay Sands to sign the agreement on World Food Day on Tuesday (Oct 16) during the 5th International Rice Congress. From 2019 to 2023, Crop Trust's funding will be used to cover the rice institute's essential operations, including the conservation, regeneration and distribution of its cultivated and wild seed collections. Crop Trust executive director Marie Haga said: "This is a landmark moment for Irri and for 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."

The issue of climate change and its impact on rice is evident, say experts. In order to avoid catastrophes including falling crop yields, deadlier weather extremes, habitat loss and ever higher sea levels, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that deep emission cuts are needed before 2030.

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On Oct 8, the United Nations' climate panel released a report pointing out that the world needs to lower its global warming limit from 2 deg C to 1.5 deg C. One of its coordinating lead authors argued that the effects of climate change would be "exponentially more dramatic" above 1.5 deg C. Scientists worldwide have been using the seeds stored at the rice institute's high-tech facility in Los Banos to develop improved rice varieties that can withstand the impact of climate change while keeping pace with the growing world population. The institute's scientists have already used rice samples in the bank to develop varieties capable of handling drought and flooding, which are already threatening production in key riceproducing regions in Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and China. A particularly exciting variety is called "scuba rice". It can withstand flooding for up to two weeks, compared to most rice varieties which die within days of being submerged under water. This scuba rice variety is currently being grown by five million farmers in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Laos. Researchers are presently adapting scuba rice for Africa as well. Evolutionary biologist Ruaraidh Sackville-Hamilton, who manages the rice institute's gene bank, said: "Everyone in South-east Asia will benefit from this, as it ensures that rice can continue to be improved and adapted to meet local nutritional needs of our growing population despite the challenges of climate change. "With this collection safely conserved, we can continue to use it to develop improved rice varieties that farmers can use to respond to the challenges in rice production, and to adapt to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers everywhere." https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/agreement-to-preserve-worlds-largest-rice-collection-signed-insingapore

Deal inked to secure world's rice crops Evolutionary biologist Ruaraidh Sackville-Hamilton, who manages the gene bank of the International Rice Research Institute, checking samples of rice stored in packets at the gene-bank facility in Los Banos in the Philippines.PHOTO: INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OCT 17, 2018, 5:00 AM SGT

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Crop Trust to pump $1.9m a year into repository of 136,000 varieties of the grain Jose Hong

The grain that feeds half the world has been given a boost to ensure it never dies out.Almost $2 million each year will be pumped into a rice repository - a genetic treasure trove of 136,000 rice varieties - to conserve and distribute them to the countries that depend on rice. At a time when harvests have plateaued and there are more mouths than ever to feed, research into the different grains could produce super rice which can thrive in the harsher weather brought about by climate change. Crop Trust, the Germany-based international organisation whose mission is to ensure the survival of plants the world feeds on, will fund the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) to the tune of US$1.4 million (S$1.9 million) a year. While funding goals will be revised every five years, Crop Trust has said it will permanently bankroll the endeavour. Irri is an international organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science. It holds the genes of 136,000 types of rice in Los Banos in the Philippines.

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The two bodies met at Marina Bay Sands to sign the agreement on World Food Day yesterday, during the 5th International Rice Congress. From next year to 2023, Crop Trust's funding will be used to cover the rice institute's essential operations, including the conservation, regeneration and distribution of its cultivated and wild seed collections. Crop Trust executive director Marie Haga said: "This is a landmark moment for Irri and for 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." The issue of climate change and its impact on rice is evident, say experts. In order to prevent catastrophes, including falling crop yields, deadlier weather extremes, habitat loss and ever higher sea levels, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that deep emission cuts are needed before 2030. On Oct 8, the United Nations' climate panel released a report pointing out that the world needs to lower its global warming limit from 2 deg C to 1.5 deg C. One of its coordinating lead authors argued that the effects of climate change would be exponentially more dramatic above 1.5 deg C. Scientists worldwide have been using the seeds stored at the rice institute's high-tech facility in Los Banos to develop improved rice varieties that can withstand the impact of climate change while keeping pace with the growing world population. The institute's scientists have already used rice samples in the bank to develop varieties capable of handling drought and flooding, which are threatening production in key rice-producing regions in Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and China. A particularly exciting variety is called "scuba rice". It can withstand flooding for up to two weeks, unlike most rice varieties which die within days of being submerged under water. This scuba rice variety is currently being grown by five million farmers in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Laos. Researchers are adapting scuba rice for Africa as well. Evolutionary biologist Ruaraidh Sackville-Hamilton, who manages the rice institute's gene bank, said: "Everyone in South-east Asia will benefit from this, as it ensures that rice can continue to be improved and adapted to meet local nutritional needs of our growing population, despite the challenges of climate change. "With this collection safely conserved, we can continue to use it to develop improved rice varieties that farmers can use to respond to the challenges in rice production, and to adapt to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers everywhere." https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/deal-inked-to-secure-worlds-rice-crops

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Cutting rice greenhouse gas emissions: Olam calls for international cooperation 16 Oct 2018 --- Olam is calling for urgent action by the agrisector including brands, retailers, financial institutions, scientists and governments to implement solutions to limit methane emissions from rice production while improving farmer livelihoods and food security. According to the company, it is essential to consider that many rice consumers are unable to pay more for rice production and the industry should react now. At the 5th International Rice Congress in Singapore this week, Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Olam, one of the world‘s largest rice traders, will call on all stakeholders to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Standard which promotes climate-smart practices. To achieve real scale, a raft of additional measures such as financial market support, reduced tariffs and freeing up capital by promoting the benefits of sustainable rice to more affluent consumers, are required. Verghese explains: ―Rice production emits the same level of CO2 equivalent as Germany through methane emissions. But climate change mitigation cannot be a trade-off that hurts the farmers and communities who depend on rice for income and sustenance. This is especially so when rice is the largest staple crop in the world, feeding half of humanity. We must reimagine the whole supply chain if the world is to become carbon neutral by 2050.‖ Global Head of Rice at Olam, Devashish Chaubey, says: ―Our programs with the Thai Rice Department, development agency GIZ and others prove that the SRP Standard works. Together, we are aiming to reach 150,000 farmers by 2023 in Asia and Africa. This represents a mere 0.1 percent of total global rice farming households. Greater scale requires more impactful action by the whole of the rice sector.‖ Olam Spokesperson Nikki Barber, tells FoodIngredientsFirst: ―Rice feeds half of humanity: it is the largest staple crop in the world feeding more than 50 percent of the global population. With its size and cultural appeal, rice is not substitutable. Due to the quicker pace of population growth in major rice consuming regions of Asia and Africa; rice demand outpaces global population growth.‖

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―It‘s the production methods rather than the crop itself that contributes to climate change, for example, over-use of fertilizer, land conversion or, for rice – the rotting vegetation. Livestock production is also a major contributor, particularly through enteric fermentation,‖ she explains. ―Climate change impacts are already being felt across many crops. In rice, for example, the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam, where much rice is grown, is particularly vulnerable to sea level rises, flooding and therefore increased salinity in the soil.‖ ―We urge everyone involved in the rice value chain to focus on sustainable rice because it really can help move the needle when it comes to emissions, for methane and for nitrous oxide. As a food staple, rather than ‗luxury ingredient‘ like coffee and cocoa, rice can‘t command much of a sustainability premium, so more than anything it requires support from multiple parties from brands to retailers, financiers to governments, to achieve scale,‖ Barber notes. The Sustainable Rice Platform has defined the performance indicators and the clear metrics which is the first hurdle, now it‘s all about implementation. ―We hope this will gather momentum as word of mouth among the farmers evidences the benefits of SRP – around 20 percent better yields, with 20 percent lower costs for the farmer and yet around 50 percent lower methane emissions and water consumption,‖ she adds. What’s wrong with rice? Rice is one of Southeast Asia‘s most significant crops and the financial backbone for millions of farmers across the region. As highlighted by the recent IPCC global warming report, the yields and nutritional value of rice face net reductions should temperatures rise. Consequently, this will impact millions of farmers and families, particularly those on low incomes. Rice is also a leading cause of climate change. Methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) which is up to 34 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is emitted as a result of rotting vegetation in the water-soaked paddy fields, also impacting on water security. Climate-smart agri-practices such as the removal of rice straw can reduce methane emissions by 70 percent, but farmers need training and support from the market. Who can help and how? Brands and Retailers: Commit to promoting and selling sustainable rice Developed countries consume 23 million metric tons (MMT) of rice every year. Major brands and retailers can catalyze change by choosing the SRP as a procurement standard and promoting

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awareness of better rice production systems to consumers. Developed by multiple parties, SRP is a simple ―plug and play‖ approach. Financial Institutions: Reduce interest cost for sustainable rice farmers More resilient production systems from sustainable projects would reduce variance in production – and thereby prices – and offset risk. Financial institutions should reflect this in lower interest rates for farmers who commit to sustainable rice production. A 0.25 percent reduction in interest rates can potentially translate to US$500 million in cost savings per year for participants higher up in the rice supply chain, which could, in turn, be passed down to farmers to incentivize the switch to SRP rice. Insurers: Reduce premiums for more resilient sustainable rice producers The lack of risk management tools in the market is a hindrance for farmers‘ income and disruptive to long-term engagement. Improving insurance offerings are a necessary first step to better credit offerings at farm-level. Agronomists and scientists: Focus on field-level improvements to improve resiliency and clarify GHG reduction methods Despite a great deal of work, there are emerging new findings suggesting that the methane problem is compounded by nitrous oxide releases (298 times more potent than carbon dioxide) and outdated farm practices. Understanding the practical solutions that can be delivered to the farmers quickly and providing better tools to measure the GHG impacts of these choices is imperative. Governments: Reduce tariffs and taxes for sustainable rice The 2017 global duty for rice (weighted by volume) is 32 percent. A 1 percent reduction in tariffs for sustainable rice would be worth more than US$150 million per annum in savings for exporters, which could, in turn, be passed down to farmers to incentivize the switch to SRP rice. By Elizabeth Green To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/olam-calls-for-international-cooperation-to-reducegreenhouse-footprint-of-rice-production.html

Make rice production more resilient to climate change: Lawrence Wong 16 | w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o g s p o t . c o m mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com

(From left) United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation assistant director-general Kundhavi Kadiresan, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, International Rice Research Institute director-general Matthew Morell and International Fund for Agricultural Development president Gilbert Houngbo at the opening of the International Rice Congress at Marina Bay Sands yesterday.ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO OCT 16, 2018, 5:00 AM SGT Jose Hong

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 to reduce their emissions and their impact on the environment," Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said yesterday. Speaking at the opening of the International Rice Congress, he said that although Singapore is a rice consumer instead of a producer, the country has turned its limited land space to its advantage by experimenting 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 producing more rice with less land.

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The congress, also called the "Olympics of Rice Science", is the world's largest scientific conference on rice. Held every four years, it is in Singapore for the first time. This year's conference, organised by the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) and AgriFood and Veterinary Authority, brings together 1,500 participants from 40 countries, including scientists, government officials and representatives from international bodies like the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Among the announcements yesterday 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 in South and South-east Asia through its educational and outreach schemes, 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

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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." 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 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."The congress, held at Marina Bay Sands, runs until tomorrow. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/make-rice-production-more-resilient-to-climate-changelawrence-wong

International Rice Congress considers how to increase yields, food security Rice is a crop of global significance and a vehicle for economic prosperity and climate change adaptation and mitigation, delegates heard at the 2018 International Rice Congress, which opened in Singapore yesterday.

The multi-year framework agreement on collaborative rice research was signed between IRRI and the US-based Corteva Agriscience. â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Singapore is not a nation producing rice but a big importer,â&#x20AC;&#x2013; Singaporean Minister of National Development Lawrence Wong said in his opening speech.

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―Technology and science are very important to shape the world‘s rice industry and to cope with climate change. I hope we can witness big progess at the congress.‖ The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations renewed their commitment to direct efforts and resources to achieving global food and nutrition security. Dr Matthew Morell, director general of the IRRI, said: ―IRC 2018 is a call to galvanise organisations towards more cohesive and sustainable approaches to address these critical socioeconomic and environmental issues. ―We face significant challenges if we care to deliver food and nutritional security for all people. Together, with a host of like-minded organisations, we can translate sound scientific research into innovative solutions for the world‘s smallest farmers. ―Understanding the current and future needs of our rice stakeholders allows us to target our work towards the most effective solutions. With our partners, we can put in place concrete steps to bring about significant changes in the global agri-food system.‖ 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. Global rice trade is increasing, and climate change is affecting rice production. ―Our objective is to make smallholder farmers more resilient and competitive so that they can achieve prosperity and provide poor consumers with affordable rice in a sustainable manner. That‘s a win-win the world needs to see.‖ Half of the world‘s population, around 3.5 billion people, eat rice daily. By 2050 annual global rice consumption is estimated to rise from 450 million tonnes to 525 million tonnes. While more than 90 per cent of this rice is eaten in Asia, including the region‘s 515 million people still affected by hunger, the demand for rice in Africa is growing at 7 per cent a year. More importantly, of the 667 million children under the age of five world-wide, nearly 151 million are stunted as a result of malnutrition. The three-day congress has gathered 1,500 thought leaders, scientists, policymakers, agriculture experts, investors, private sector actors, and technology providers from 40 nations around the world. It includes the following themes for discussion: systems physiology, genetic improvement, disruptive technologies and innovations, sustainable and equitable farming systems, climate change and environmental sustainability, pathways to health and nutrition, social inclusion and gender equality, and food systems for the future. During the event, a multi-year framework agreement on collaborative rice research, deployment of new breeding technologies and development of breeding programme was signed between IRRI and the US-based Corteva Agriscience, the agriculture division of DowDuPont. ―Our shared goal for this partnership is to help rice farmers become more roductive and sustainable‖ Peter Ford, Corteva Agriscience‘s president, Asia Pacific, said. ―Our collaboration will allow us to offer farmers a broader suite of high-performing products and effective science-based innovations that will optimise yield and crop quality,‖ he added.

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The agreement provides both parties with access to advanced technologies like the IRRI‘s germplasm, hybrid and inbred rice programme and Corteva Agriscience‘s precision breeding technologies. The partnership seeks to improve the genetic outcomes of breeding programmes, encourage sustainable rice cultivation and develop new rice varieties with higher yields and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. ―The IRRI is committed to harnessing the best of agriculture innovations to build a sustainable and equitable global rice sector,‖ Jacqueline Hughes, deputy director general for research at the institute, said. The conference celebrated the World Food Day, which falls today, with an interactive global discussion on the role of youth in achieving zero hunger. Held every four years, it provides a venue for all players in the rice industry to meet, share and learn about the latest innovations, cutting-edge technologies and crucial policies shaping the future of the globe‘s most important staple crop. Viet Nam organised the third IRC in 2010. Despite its rapid industrialisation and modernisation, rice fields now account for around 60 per cent of Viet Nam‘s total arable area, and production is essential for the livelihoods of nearly nine million farming households in the country. Last year, Viet Nam was one of the three largest rice exporters in the world, shipping nearly six million tonnes to 150 nations and territories for US$2.6 billion. – VNS https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/210331/international-rice-congress-considers-how-to-increaseyields--food-security.html

Fazilka farmers allege harassment by millers Say paddy rejected on pretext of high moisture content

Farmers on dharna in the Fazilka grain market on Monday. Tribune photo Our Correspondent Fazilka, October 15 Hundreds of farmers held a protest at the local grain market on Monday, alleging harassment by rice millers. The farmers claimed that the millers had formed a cartel and had been dictating terms for buying paddy instead of following the government norms. Zila parishad member Sidharth Rinwa, who led the protest, alleged that a large quantity of parmal variety of paddy procured by the government agencies with approved moisture content of 17 per cent had been returned by some millers on the pretext of high moisture content. He alleged that the millers in connivance with agency officials had tampered with moisture meters to show faulty reading. Harjinder Singh of Kamalwala village alleged that his produce

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was rejected thrice in a week on the pretext of high moisture content.

The farmers also held a protest outside the office of Gurpreet Singh Lovely Kathpal, president of the Arhtiya Association, for not supporting them. Arun Dhuria, general secretary, Rice Millers Association, said they had not returned paddy having moisture content within the permissible limit of 17 per cent. He alleged that the farmers were pressuring them to buy produce with high moisture. Deputy Commissioner Manpreet Singh said the procurement agencies had been buying paddy as per the government specifications. He said he had sought permission to allow rice millers from other districts to buy paddy from Fazilka to prevent harassment of the farmers. Release dues, association tell agencies Fatehgarh Sahib: The Rice Millersâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Association has demanded immediate release of payment against their paddy shelling bills for 2017-18 to help them procure paddy. Nakesh Jindal, press

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secretary of the association, said the procurement agencies had not yet cleared their shelling bills despite having got the money from the FCI. He said crores of rupees of rice millers were stuck with agencies and they were suffering financial loss. He said the procurement of paddy for 201819 had started, but the millers were awaiting dues of last year. He urged the Food and Civil Supplies Minister to intervene and direct the agencies to release the payment. OC https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/fazilka-farmers-allege-harassment-bymillers/668797.html

Price and subsidies cast a shadow over rice policy Economy October 16, 2018 01:00 By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT THE NATION, SINGAPORE PRICE STABILITY and government subsidies are two key challenges facing international rice trade, experts say. ―On the issue of how much countries can rely on imports of rice alone to sustain their population, I would say that large countries like India need to achieve self-sufficiency,‖ said Ashok Gulati, former chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Price, at the 5th International Rice Congress yesterday during a panel discussion. The Congress is the biggest gathering of leaders, scientists, policymakers, agriculture experts and technology providers in the rice sector. It is organised by the International Rice Research Institute and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore. It provides panel discussions and a venue for all players in the rice industry to meet, share and learn about the latest policies and technological innovations shaping the future of the world‘s most important staple crop. The congress is held once every four years. Despite continuous growth in the volume of international rice trade, reliance on rice imports is still questionable for large countries like India, Gulati said. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30356484

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

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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

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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

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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/

Suds shortage? Warming climate threatens world's beer supply Doyle Rice, USA TODAYPublished 12:22 p.m. ET Oct. 15, 2018 | Updated 4:51 p.m. ET Oct. 15, 2018 Experts now say that extreme weather brought on by a changing climate could put beer on the endangered species list. Buzz60's Tony Spitz has the details. Buzz60 (Photo:

Getty Images) CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE Now this is getting serious. Worldwide, over the next few decades, beer could become more scarce and thus more expensive because of human-caused global warming, a study reported Monday. The production of barley, the main ingredient in beer, is likely to drop substantially because severe droughts and heat extremes will become more frequent as the climate changes, the study says. "Average yield losses (of barley) range from 3 percent to 17 percent, depending on the severity of the conditions," the study says.

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In the USA, beer shortages could reduce the amount Americans consume each year by as much as 900 million gallons. That's (gulp) about 9 billion bottles of beer. "Future climate and pricing conditions could put beer out of reach for hundreds of millions of people around the world," said study co-author Nathan Mueller of the University of California-Irvine. This is the first study to quantify the effect of climate change on beer, the world's most popular alcoholic beverage. "While the effects on beer may seem modest in comparison to many of the other impacts of climate change, there is nonetheless something fundamental in the crosscultural appreciation of beer," said study lead author Dabo Guan of the U.K.'s University of East Anglia. Researchers used computer models to predict the possible effects of extreme climates on barley yields in 34 regions around the world. They examined the effects of the resulting barley supply shock on the supply and price of beer in each region under several climate scenarios.

A farmer harvests barley at a field in the administrative city of Sejong, South Korea. (Photo: YONHAP, EPA-EFE) On average, beer prices are likely to double as less barley becomes available, according to the study. One of the most affected countries would be Ireland – where beer prices could increase by as much as 338 percent by 2099 under the most severe scenario. As for consumption, the global amount of beer consumed could fall by as much as 16 percent. In the worst-case climate scenario, parts of the world where barley is grown – including the northern Great Plains, Canadian prairies, Europe, Australia and the Asian steppe – were projected to experience more frequent droughts and heat waves. ―Current levels of fossil-fuel consumption and carbon dioxide pollution – business as usual – will result in this worst-case scenario, with more weather extremes negatively impacting the world‘s beer basket,‖ Mueller said. ―Our study showed that even modest warming will lead to increases in drought and excessive heat events in barley-growing areas.‖

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The likelihood of weather conditions hurting barley production would increase from about once a decade before 2050 to once every other year by the end of the century, the research showed. Scientists have long known that barley ―is one of the most heat-sensitive crops globally,‖ but the new study connects that to something that people care about – the price of beer – so it‘s valuable, said David Lobell, a Stanford University agriculture ecologist who was not involved in the study. "Increasingly, research has begun to project the impacts of climate change on world food production, focusing on staple crops such as wheat, maize, soybean and rice," study lead author Guan said. "However, if adaptation efforts prioritize necessities, climate change may undermine the availability, stability and access to 'luxury' goods to a greater extent than staple foods." The study was published in the peer-reviewed British journal Nature Plants. Contributing: The Associated Press https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/science/2018/10/15/beer-shortage-worlds-beer-supplythreatened-global-warming/1645874002/

Corteva Agriscience and IRRI announce rice tech partnership Economy October 15, 2018 17:51 By The Nation-Corteva Agriscience – the agriculture division of US giant DowDuPont – and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on Monday announced a multi-year framework agreement on collaborative rice research, deployment of new breeding technologies and the development of breeding programmes. Rice is the world‘s most important staple food, directly feeding more people than any other crop. To meet the demand of a growing global population, rice production needs to dramatically increase by 25 per cent over the next 25 years, the partners said. Yet increased competition for dwindling resources such as land and water, unpredictable climates, farm-labour shortages and lack of technical expertise are some of the issues threatening the future of rice. The agreement between DowDuPont and the IRRI provides both parties with access to advanced technologies, including IRRI‘s germplasm, hybrid and inbred rice programmes and Corteva Agriscience‘s precision breeding technologies.

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The partnership seeks to improve the genetic outcomes of breeding programmes, encourage sustainable rice cultivation, and develop new rice varieties which deliver higher yields and are more resilient against biotic and abiotic stresses, Corteva Agriscience said in a release. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30356473

Price and subsidies cast a shadow over rice policy Economy October 16, 2018 01:00 By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT THE NATION, SINGAPORE

PRICE STABILITY and government subsidies are two key challenges facing international rice trade, experts say. ―On the issue of how much countries can rely on imports of rice alone to sustain their population, I would say that large countries like India need to achieve self-sufficiency,‖ said Ashok Gulati, former chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Price, at the 5th International Rice Congress yesterday during a panel discussion. The Congress is the biggest gathering of leaders, scientists, policymakers, agriculture experts and technology providers in the rice sector. It is organised by the International Rice Research Institute and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore. It provides panel discussions and a venue for all players in the rice industry to meet, share and learn about the latest policies and technological innovations shaping the future of the world‘s most important staple crop. The congress is held once every four years. Despite continuous growth in the volume of international rice trade, reliance on rice imports is still questionable for large countries like India, Gulati said. ―There can be tectonic shifts in the price of rice, as seen from the 2007-8 crisis when the price of rice in India more than doubled. Despite these crises, India is still the largest exporter of rice in the world. Last year, India‘s rice exports were valued at $7.7 billion,‖ he said. However, when the price of rice spikes, large countries will struggle to feed their populations if they rely only on rice imports. Hence, instead of relying heavily on rice imports, large countries also have to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production and strike a correct balance on the volume of buffer stocks they hold, he suggested. The second challenge to international rice trade is government subsidies to local smallholdings farmers. Subsidies not only hinder international trade, but also discourage efficiency, leading to slower adoption of new agricultural technology, according to Gulati. Instead of giving free subsidies, governments need to change their policy in order to incentivise farmers to use new technology and save energy. This is equivalent to rewarding farmers who adopt new agricultural technology to improve production efficiency, he says.

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From January to August, Thailand exported a total of Bt115.71 billion worth of rice globally, growing by 5.05 per cent compared to the same period last year. Despite the growing export value, the growth rate has fallen. From January to August 2017, the total value of rice exports from the Kingdom were worth Bt110.15 billion, up 14.15 per cent compared to the same period in 2016, according to the Information and Communication Technology Centre with cooperation from the Customs Department. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30356484

Rice Has Got It Going On! By Kane Webb Image: Getting an assist on dogged persistence RACELAND, LA -- You may have heard the #2 Georgia Bulldogs made a visit to Louisiana this past weekend, and it was a memorable one for Louisiana State University football fans, but it was the other Georgia Bulldog visit that took place south of Tiger Stadium that was even sweeter. Raceland Sugar Mill opened up its facility to host a tour and meeting for members of Louisiana commodities from across the state, including: forestry, poultry, dairy, cotton, soybeans, cattle, sugar, and rice. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, who played football as a walk on for the University of Georgia, was there, along with Congressmen Ralph Abraham and Garrett Graves, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Mike Strain, and State Senator and sugar producer Brett Alain. Louisiana rice growers Richard Fontenot, Jackie Loewer, and John Owen joined the group representing rice. Loewer, a grower from Acadia Parish, said, "One of our goals was to thank Secretary Perdue for being involved in last year's signing of the China protocol, and along with Congressman Abraham, his support that resulted in the recent sale of 90,000 metric tons of U.S. rice to Iraq." USA Rice members pointed out that the rice industry didn't receive assistance through the Administration's Market Facilitation Program that was recently rolled out to mitigate losses resulting from retaliatory tariffs and reminded the Secretary that the industry was still suffering.

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Perdue was questioned on the status of USDA's plans to purchase an additional $48M of rice through the Domestic Food and Distribution Program as well as the timeline for allocation of funds for USA Rice through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program to develop markets. While he didn't go into detail on the current state of play for rice in the context of these

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programs, Perdue did acknowledge the usefulness and value of rice in feeding programs here in the U.S. and around the world. Also raised was the fact that China's medium grain rice exports to Puerto Rico are undercutting domestic rice sales to the U.S. territory. This is especially insulting since China has imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported U.S. rice, and continues to block the importation of U.S. rice after agreeing to allow access more than a decade ago and signing the rice protocol more than a year ago. Perdue was surprised that China could undercut U.S. sales to our island territory and pledged to look further into this issue. USA Rice members also discussed the importance of free trade with Mexico and Canada, and lauded the Administration for their work on the recent modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Secretary reiterated the importance of trade with our neighboring markets, as well as the need for Congress to act expeditiously to ratify the new trade pact. Fontenot, a rice farmer from Evangeline Parish, brought up the importance of the H2A and H2B programs in terms of rice, but also the significant role those programs play in the Louisiana crawfish industry, including the need to keep crawfish imports limited. As USA Rice members were concluding their remarks, Secretary Perdue said, "Man, let me tell you guys, rice has got it going on! You plant your crop and harvest it, have your crawfish growing in it that you will sell the next year. Then you hold the water and hunt in it over the winter months, and then you have birders from around the world come to check out all the waterfowl that's in your fields. I mean, man, you got it going!"Thank you, Mr. Secretary, we couldn't agree more.

USA Rice Daily

Japan's China-bound rice exports set to soar Newly authorized milling plants increase access to world's largest consumer HISAO KODACHI, Nikkei staff writerOctober 16, 2018 13:45 JST Japan's rice wholesalers are looking to pitch high-end brands such as Yumepirika to Chinese consumers.

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TOKYO -- Japan's rice exports to China are set to soar as an agreement regarding processing facilities begins to take effect.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-s-China-bound-rice-exports-set-to-soar

Rice self-sufficiency insufficient: In search of a better food security policy for Asia By East Asia Forum on October 16, 2018

Three processes drive modernisation: a structural transformation of the economy with agriculture playing a lesser role as the country gets richer; an agricultural transformation that raises the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s productivity and produces a more diversified output; and a dietary transformation that occurs when consumers become richer and can afford to choose from a greater variety of foods. That these three transformations are linked through economic, political, and cultural forces complicates the task of designing sensible food policies for emerging economies. The structural transformation of poor, agrarian economies into rich, industrial- and service-based economies is arguably the only sustainable path out of poverty. Surplus labour from agricultural households migrates to more productive employment found off the farm, generating a process of economic growth. However, productivity growth in the agricultural sector is also needed to feed workers in the cities and keep productivity in agriculture from falling too far behind productivity in urban areas. A large gap in productivity and incomes between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors can create severe political tensions.

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Agriculture productivity decline Two variables drive this structural transformation: the share of agriculture in GDP and the equivalent share of the agricultural labour force in total employment. The difference between these two shares measures the gap in labour productivity between the agricultural and nonagricultural sectors. In East and Southeast Asian countries such as China, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, both agricultural sectoral employment and contribution to GDP declined relatively smoothly from 2000 to 2016. The countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; gaps in labour productivity between the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors also declined during this period, but even in the most advanced countries labour productivity in agriculture remains lower than in non-agriculture. Malaysia and China have been star performers, reducing their gaps in agricultural and nonagricultural productivity by more than two-thirds between 2000 and 2016. The Philippines is the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s laggard, only reducing its gap by a quarter. Labour productivity in agriculture has two components: the physical yield of commodities and the value of that output in home consumption or in the market. Agricultural labour productivity and incomes can be raised by policies affecting output prices, as well as by investments that raise physical yields of crops and livestock. Of course, markets also affect agricultural commodity prices. For instance, an unusual upwards movement in agricultural contribution to GDP in Malaysia and Thailand in 2010 reflected higher world prices for palm oil and rice at that time. The future of agriculture in Asia A traditional farmer hangs onto some of his old ways as the world modernises around him for both transportation and marketing. For tradeable commodities such as rice it is much easier for policy to affect the price than the farm yield, but price interventions can be costly to consumers, taxpayers and economic efficiency. Despite this, interventions to encourage domestic rice self-sufficiency by taxing and increasing the price of rice imports are widespread throughout Asia. The future of agriculture in Asia depends on two quite separate forces: the dynamics of the development of specific commodity systems and the drivers of dietary demand for specific foods and nutrients. The agricultural sector is key to linking these supply and demand drivers. The challenge is to mesh agricultural transformation with the on-going dietary transformation in each country within the macro framework of a successful structural transformation.

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Maintaining international trade as an efficient balancing wheel can keep the cost of domestic food security at reasonable levels, although countries do worry about importing the instability of world markets into their own economies. Food security in most of Asia depends on a competitive and profitable agricultural sector connected to modern supply chains, efficient agro-processing, and competitive retail outlets. However, food security no longer depends on the degree of rice self-sufficiency in a country. Indeed, more nutritious foods — vegetables, fruits, animal proteins, and fish products — have greater value added at the farm level, as well as along the entire domestic food supply chain. These foods will play a much more important role in the future in ensuring food security throughout the region. The health consequences of Asia‘s rapidly changing dietary patterns are poorly understood, but are certainly implicated in the region‘s obesity and diabetes epidemics. A nutrition-oriented food policy is badly needed going forward in all countries. It needs to be consistent with consumer preferences, market forces and public health realities. Such a food policy will need to be designed and implemented by individual countries, but greater emphasis on high-quality nutrition, education, taxes on ‗empty calories‘ such as those found in sweetened soft drinks and greater access to preventive medical care are likely to be in the policy mix. This article was written by Peter Timmer, Thomas D Cabot Emeritus Professor of Development Studies at Harvard University. This article first appeared on East Asia Forumunder a Creative Commons License and is reproduced here with its permission https://aecnewstoday.com/2018/rice-self-sufficiency-insufficient-in-search-of-a-better-foodsecurity-policy-for-asia/

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Cambodia Rice Exports Fell 8.4 Percent in Jan-Sept By Reuters October 16, 2018 Phnom Penh – Cambodia exported 389,264 tonnes of rice in the first nine months of the year, a fall of 8.4 percent compared with the same period last year, official data showed on Monday. Exports to China, Cambodia‘s top export market, accounted for 96,714 tonnes, data from the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export Formality, a joint private-government working group on rice, showed. https://www.cambodiadaily.com/business/cambodia-rice-exports-fell-8-4-percent-in-jan-sept141437/

Retailers to be allowed to directly import rice October 16, 2018, 10:00 PM

By Madelaine B. Miraflor

For the first time ever, the government will allow grains retailers to directly import rice, which could effectively reduce the cost of rice to be sold in the local markets.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol

This was according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who dismissed the possibility that more imports could further dampen the price of locally produced rice.―You have to understand that the President has directive to have a 60-day buffer stock. If the imported supply enters the country, let it be. We will not forget about the farmers. We will still buy their produce. We have the budget for it,‖ Piñol said on Tuesday.The suggestion to allow grains retailers to directly import rice was brought up by Piñol during his meeting with the members of the Grains Retailers Confederation (GRECON) the other day.

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The grains retailers were particularly asked to group themselves and directly import rice, which they could sell at a lower price in the market. Piñol said there would be no cap as to how much a retailer could import. But since the country is also anticipating the importation of additional 1.1 million metric tons (MT) of rice — which will be conducted separately by National Food Authority (NFA) and retailers that will be accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) — the ideal amount that GRECON members can import would be around 50,000 MT to 100,000 MT of rice. Right now, the government is determined to procure more ―palay‖ from local farmers, allotting an additional budget of nearly P7 billion to buy more than 2 million bags of palay in the span of two months. A latest data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that palay production for July to September 2018 may fall to 3.25 million MT, 2.3 percent below the July 2018 round estimate of 3.32 million MT and 4.2 percent lower than the previous year‘s output of 3.39 million MT. Harvest area may also decline by 3.4 percent from 852.63 thousand hectares level in 2017, while yield per hectare may fall to 3.94 MT from 3.98 MT. ―The effect of southwest monsoon or ‗Habagat‘ in July, enhanced by typhoons ‗Henry‘, ‗Inday‘ and ‗Josie‘ during the reproductive and maturing stages of the crop may cause the probable drop in palay production in most provinces of Northern Luzon. Bulk of the decrement may come from Nueva Ecija,‖ PSA said.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/10/16/retailers-to-be-allowed-to-directly-importrice/

Experts say rice tariffication OK but tradeoffs inevitable Tarra Quismundo, ABS-CBN News

Oct 16 2018 04:05 PM SINGAPORE - The Philippines‘ plan to impose rice tariffs and lift import quotas require a delicate balance, as liberalizing rice importation may address inflation in the short term but endanger the livelihood of local farmers and later drive up prices, international experts said here. In separate interviews, agricultural economists Jean Balié and Ashok Gulati gave parallel views on the Philippine government‘s move to implement rice tariffication after doing away with quantitative restrictions, citing its immediate impact and risks in the long run. Balié, head of the International Rice Research Institute‘s (IRRI) Agri-food Policy Platform, said rice tariffication is a ―good idea‖ but has to be gradually implemented to prepare farmers for such reform. ―Allowing more imports will bring the price [of rice] down. Therefore, consumers will purchase rice at a much lower price. And that will bring inflation down. So, in the short run, it‘s good. But at the same time in the medium, long run, you will have effects about the supply side, how many farmers

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are we going to keep in business,‖ he told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the 5th International Rice Congress here Tuesday. ―The tariff should be set at a sufficiently low level to allow for imports to come and compete with domestic production. So that farmers will be incentivized to actually invest in farming and to be competitive, to transform the sector,‖ he said. Gulati, former chair of India‘s Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices, said opening the Philippine market to more rice imports by lifting current quotas may readily address inflation, but that the positive impact may be short-lived. He said tariffs have to be at lower levels to avoid further raising prices. ―If inflation is a concern and if you can get from outside some quantities which are cheaper, it can bring it down. Raising the tariff will raise the inflation even more,‖ he said in a separate interview Monday. He said it is up to policy-makers to make the delicate balance between the interests of consumers and producers. ―That‘s always a tradeoff between the consumer and the producer. [The] producer always wants a higher price and [the] consumer always wants a lower price. So how do you balance, and that‘s the balance of the political masters, how to balance interests between producers and consumers,‖ he said.

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Balié also pointed out such price dilemma: ―Should I favor consumers? If I bring the price down, it‘s good for the consumer, bad for the producer. If I let the price increase, it‘s good for the producer because he‘s selling at a high price, but it‘s bad for the consumer.‖ ―It‘s not easy to be in government because you really need to pilot the economy. I think we need to acknowledge that,‖ he added. RICE TARIFFICATION AND INFLATION President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month certified the rice tariffication bill as urgent in a bid to arrest the increase in rice prices, a key driver of inflation. This as inflation reached new highs this year, largely felt in higher food and gas prices. Consumer prices rose to 6.7 percent last month, slightly below forecasts, and the country‘s economic managers cited signs that inflation was starting to ease. A Standard Chartered Bank economist, meanwhile, forecast that inflation may hit at least 7 percent in December given the impact of recent typhoons on food supply. In a letter to the Senate, Duterte said lifting the long-standing import quota and instead imposing tariffs on rice imports would ―address the urgent need to improve availability of rice in the country, prevent artificial rice shortage, reduce the prices of rice in the market, and curtail the prevalence of corruption and cartel domination in the rice industry.‖ The country‘s quantitative restrictions on rice imports have been in place since 1996, part of a preferential trade deal the Philippines received from the World Trade Organization upon membership in 1995, to protect local farmers from foreign competition. PREPARING LOCAL FARMERS In removing such restriction, the government must prepare local rice producers so that they could either compete with rice imports or move to other crops, if not transition to another industry altogether, said Balié.―You don‘t reform the sector for free. There is a cost,‖ he said. ―We need to go for policy reforms, we need to gradually increase the level of the competitiveness of the sector, but gradually, and make sure that we have a kind of very clear scenario in mind and help the farmers to adjust,‖ he said. He cited the need ―to anticipate and prepare‖ local rice farmers to the impact of tariffication on their livelihood, as it is inevitable that ―a number of farmers will have to exit the sector.‖ ―Give options for those who cannot survive,‖ Balié said. ―Be transparent, be clear about what you say, be participatory, make sure you involve the rural sector, and monitor what you do, the progress you‘re making towards your objectives,‖ he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/10/16/18/experts-say-rice-tariffication-ok-buttradeoffs-inevitable

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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

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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

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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 201718), 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,

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making them more nutritious. Recently, a research team, led by Monika Garg, at National AgriFood 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 agri-R&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/ https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/worlds-largest-rice-genebank-secures-funding-to-fight-climate-change/articleshow/66228015.cms

Agreement to preserve world's largest rice collection signed in Singapore The fifth International Rice Congress at Marina Bay Sands. Crop Trust signed an agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) during the congress on Oct 16, 2018, to fund Irri to the tune of US$1.4 million (S$1.9 million) a year.ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO PUBLISHED OCT 16, 2018, 3:30 PM SGT

Jose Hong

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From 2019 to 2023, Crop Trust's funding will be used to cover the rice institute's essential operations, including the conservation, regeneration and distribution of its cultivated and wild seed collections. Crop Trust executive director Marie Haga said: "This is a landmark moment for Irri and for 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." The issue of climate change and its impact on rice is evident, say experts. In order to avoid catastrophes including falling crop yields, deadlier weather extremes, habitat loss and ever higher sea levels, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that deep emission cuts are needed before 2030. On Oct 8, the United Nations' climate panel released a report pointing out that the world needs to lower its global warming limit from 2 deg C to 1.5 deg C. One of its coordinating lead authors argued that the effects of climate change would be "exponentially more dramatic" above 1.5 deg C. Scientists worldwide have been using the seeds stored at the rice institute's high-tech facility in Los Banos to develop improved rice varieties that can withstand the impact of climate change while keeping pace with the growing world population. The institute's scientists have already used rice samples in the bank to develop varieties capable of handling drought and flooding, which are already threatening production in key riceproducing regions in Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and China. A particularly exciting variety is called "scuba rice". It can withstand flooding for up to two weeks, compared to most rice varieties which die within days of being submerged under water. This scuba rice variety is currently being grown by five million farmers in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Laos. Researchers are presently adapting scuba rice for Africa as well. Evolutionary biologist Ruaraidh Sackville-Hamilton, who manages the rice institute's gene bank, said: "Everyone in South-east Asia will benefit from this, as it ensures that rice can continue to be improved and adapted to meet local nutritional needs of our growing population despite the challenges of climate change. "With this collection safely conserved, we can continue to use it to develop improved rice varieties that farmers can use to respond to the challenges in rice production, and to adapt to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers everywhere."

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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/agreement-to-preserve-worlds-largest-rice-collectionsigned-in-singapore

Brazil’s next big grain? Researchers propose pearl millet as an alternative to rice and maize By Adi Menayang 16-Oct-2018 - Last updated on 16-Oct-2018 at 16:10 GMT 2 Getty Images / mirzamlk

RELATED TAGS: Grain, Probiotic, Agriculture Brazilian researchers found that pearl millet has higher protein and fiber than rice, and isolated bacterial strains from the fermented bran may have probiotic potential.

Researchers from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil argued that pearl millet has ―great potential as food” and “non-dairy probiotic drinks.” They explored the nutritive properties of pearl millet, one of the basic cereals of several African and Asian countries. Although it has been cultivated in Brazil for at least 50 years, it has mostly been used as cover crop and animal feed, the authors wrote. “Climate change can cause an increase in arid soils, warmer weather, and reduce water availability, which in turn can directly affect food security. This increases food prices and reduces the availability of food,” they wrote in their report, published in Food Research International this summer. “Therefore, knowledge concerning the nutritional and technological potential of non-traditional crops and their resistance to heat and drought is very interesting.” The researchers looked at published studies surrounding pearl millet‘s nutritive characteristics and use as a human food. “Pearl millet grains can be considered a possible alternative for food diversification because they have the fibers, minerals, proteins and antioxidants with similar or even higher levels than those found in traditional grains such as rice and maize,” they wrote, citing studies published in 2003 and 2016. Average carbohydrate content of pearl millet is 72.2% compared to rice‘s 84.9% and maize‘s 78.1%. Additionally, it has higher average protein content at 11.8% compared to maize at 9.2% and rice at 8.6%.

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A 2013 study published in Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research found that, on a petri dish, pearl millet grains imparted a prebiotic effect, which means it ‗fed‘ and stimulated the growth of known probiotic cultures such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidus. When fermented, bacterial strains isolated from pearl millet were linked to probiotic effects. They cited a 2015 study, in which researchers “reported that Lactobacillus fermentum strains isolated from fermented pearl millet grains presented antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.” “This cereal has significant relevance for food safety as well as being a viable alternative for consumers seeking low priced, nutritious and sustainable food products,” they added. Source: Food Research International Published online ahead of print, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.04.023 “Potential use of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucam (L.) R. Br.) in Brazil: Food security, processing, health benefits and nutritional products” Authors: Amanda M. Dias-Martins, et al. https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2018/10/16/Brazil-s-next-big-grain-Researcherspropose-pearl-millet-as-an-alternative-to-rice-and-maize

Governments, experts seek more rice with less resources Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star) - October 17, 2018 - 12:00am SINGAPORE – As the world‘s need for food is projected to grow by about 70 percent in 2050, governments and agriculture-related experts are working hard to help farmers produce more rice with less resources. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in its determination to find solutions to agriculture problems especially in rice production, partnered with Corteva Agriscience, the agriculture division of DowDuPont, in Singapore yesterday where the 5th International Rice Congress (IRC) is being held. Both entities signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a multi-year framework agreement on collaborative rice research, deployment of new breeding technologies and development of breeding programs. ―Our shared goal for this partnership is to help rice farmers to become more productive and sustainable… (this partnership) will allow us to offer farmers a broader suite of high-performing products and effective science-based innovations that will optimize yield and crop quality,‖ said Peter Ford, Corteva Agriscience president for Asia-Pacific.

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His company noted that rice production needs to dramatically increase by 25 percent over the next 25 years if the world‘s growing demand is to be met.

It also pointed to the increased competition for dwindling resources such as land and water, unpredictable climate, farm labor shortages and lack of technical expertise as among the issues threatening the future of rice. The partnership would allow both IRRI and Corteva to advance technologies including germplasm, hybrid and inbred rice programs, and agriscience precision breeding technologies. IRRI deputy director general for research Jacqueline Hughes said the partnership with Corteva Agriscience ―means we can anticipate greater innovations in our hybrid and inbred programs. We are excited about making these innovations available to smallholder farmers through our extensive national networks.‖ International observers remain optimistic that with proper tools and guidance, the Philippines, despite the challenges being faced by its rice farmers and other crop growers, will achieve selfsufficiency and food security in the future. ―I think that given the focus that the Philippines has on agriculture, the willingness to use the right technology, the openness for education and sharing best practices across growers, I am very optimistic that Philippines is going to get to a point that they are going to be self-sufficient when it comes to food supply and is actually going to be one of the countries which we can point to in

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Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific to say ‗that‘s an example of how you can overcome some of these challenges‘,‖ said Rajan Gajaria, Corteva Agriscience executive vice president for business platforms. He stressed during an interview with The STAR on the sidelines of the IRC that his company is working with IRRI to improve the lives of Filipino farmers. Asked about the rice supply problems in the Philippines, Gajaria pointed out that ―just because you have the land does not always mean that you get the yield.‖ ―But from my perception, Philippines is actually progressive when it comes to production of technology. Philippine growers are usually very positive towards how best we can work on it,‖ he added. Corteva, he said, will help address the issues on fertilizers, suitability of seeds to particular farm fields and the type of crop protection products

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/17/1860693/governments-experts-seekmore-rice-less-resources

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Reschke and Chun are part of a team that‘s in the second year of a three-year study at six sites—some with healthy wild rice stands, some with sparse. Graduate student Tyler Untiedt‘s job (see video) is to gather sediment around root systems of both the competing plants and the wild rice plants at each site. The study will compare data on sediment chemistry, water quality, and microbial and plant life in lakes with sparse versus dense wild rice stands and share it with wild rice managers, state agencies, and the public. ―Wild rice is culturally significant, it‘s Minnesota‘s state grain, but it‘s also e cologically important as food for wildlife and habitat,‖ says Chun. ―We hope to find out why some of the restoration efforts worked, while others didn‘t.‖ https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/getting-root-wild-rice-0

Why Scientists Are Studying ‘Ricequakes’ in a Tube of Rice Krispies They even resemble Antarctica‘s mysterious icequakes. BY ABBEY PERREAULT OCTOBER 16, 2018 0 Science can happen in a bowl of cereal. AMY/CC BY 2.0 I N Y O U R A V E R A G E L A B , P O U R I N G a bowl of cereal may be a violation of protocol. But at the University of Sydney, researchers Itai Einav and François Guillard have found good reason to bring breakfast fare to the lab bench. Studying or simulating natural phenomena from within a laboratory can be difficult. ―We don‘t have room for a 100-meter dam in our laboratories,‖ says Dr. Einav, a professor of geomechanics. Instead, the researchers use puffed rice cereal as a surrogate material for naturally-occurring dry snow and rocks—all of which fall under the category of brittle, porous media.―That‘s the scientific name,‖ says Dr. Einav, ―but I call it crunchy material.‖ Puffed rice is a good stand-in, since, like snow and rock, cereal breaks under pressure and degrades in fluid.

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This isn‘t the scientists‘ first rodeo with Rice Krispies, which, if you didn‘t know, are called Rice Bubbles in Australia. (During a previous study, Dr. Einav tells me, he referred to his American colleague as Mr. Rice Krispies, who reciprocated by calling him Mr. Rice Bubbles.) But until this point, the researchers had worked primarily with dry cereal, which is helpful when it comes to modeling dry snow or rock crumbling under pressure. But some collapse events involve water—such as those that occur in ice shelves, sinkholes, and rockfill dams when they‘re exposed to large amounts of liquid and high pressure. Studying these is challenging, because they happen incredibly slowly and at such large scale. That‘s where the milk comes in. Adding it to cereal, the researchers found, could simulate these collapses in a sped-up, scaled-down way.To create the collapse, the researchers poured the cereal into a vertical tube perched atop a granular filter. They applied a constant amount of pressure at

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the top of the tube, and added milk to the bottom. What happened next was a series of snaps, crackles, and collapses, which the researchers charmingly dubbed ―ricequakes.‖

During each milk-and-pressure induced reaction, the researchers witnessed several quakes, with the delay before each one growing longer over time. They also noted that each tiny quake was accompanied by an audible popping noise, which, according to Dr. Einav, aurally resembles ―a slowing metronome.‖ According to Dr. Einav, what‘s happening can be explained quite simply. He compares the Krispies apparatus to a train, situated vertically, that comes into contact with liquid at the bottom. The first car that hits the liquid degrades quickly, and crashes. Once it does, the liquid rises upward, weakening the next train car or cereal layer, eventually causing it to collapse under the pressure at the top (albeit more slowly than the first). Eventually, Dr. Einav says, many trains sitting above the liquid base will crash—with each collapse taking progressively longer.

From this simulation, the scientists have been able to create a mathematical equation that can explain when, and why, the ricequakes happen. Though Dr. Einav is quick to say that using models to make real-world predictions is risky, he‘s speculated that it might (at least partially) explain some natural phenomena, such as the recurring tidal icequakes of Antarctica. ―There are about two daily, each with a magnitude of 7.0, but they‘ve slowed down over the years,‖ he says. ―People have explained this in many other ways, many of them likely correct, but they look a lot like the ricequake phenomenon.‖ ―The way I see it, we now understand the physics. Now other people can use it.‖

In part, those other people will be geologists or engineers, who may develop technologies that can, for instance, predict dam collapses. But the other people who can use this research, Dr. Einav points out, could be anyone. This incredibly complex mathematical modeling was mapped out through a five-dollar experiment (excluding the cost of the optic microscope, which,

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according to Dr. Einav, is among the most expensive microscopes in the world). ―We should be giving this to kids to replicate at home,‖ he says.

Sure, physics can be obscure at times. But Dr. Einav and Dr. Guillard remind us that it can also be extremely accessible. Perhaps all it takes is good, crunchy material to make something like the physics behind icequakes—and ricequakes—a little easier to digest. Gastro Obscura covers the world’s most wondrous food and drink. Sign up for our email, delivered twice a week. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/rice-krispies-science

Additional rice imports set for retailers ―I asked them why are they not importing when they are the ones who are actually selling? Right now, traders are the ones importing and then pass it to retailers,‖ Piñol told reporters yesterday.

Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star) - October 17, 2018 - 12:00am

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MANILA, Philippines — As the government plans to flood the market with rice, the Department of Agriculture targets to allow grain retailers to import up to 100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to further help stabilize prices. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol recently met with the Grains Retailers‘ Confederation of the Philippines Inc. and discussed the possibility of allowing retailers to directly import rice. ―I asked them why are they not importing when they are the ones who are actually selling? Right now, traders are the ones importing and then pass it to retailers,‖ Piñol told reporters yesterday. ―This is the reason why prices of rice are increasing because of additional layers,‖ he added. The plan, however, will still be discussed among members of the interagency National Food Authority (NFA) Council that Piñol currently chairs. Piñol‘s proposal is to allow retailers to import from 50,000 to 100,000 MT of rice, which is outside the minimum access volume. ―The specific volume will be up to them. But once supply is finally stable and we are able to achieve the directive of the President to flood the market with rice, we will make a recommendation (if we will still continue that),‖ Piñol said. ―We cannot also hurt our local farmers with too much importation,‖ he added. Last week, the NFA Council gave the green light for the procurement of additional 350,000 MT of rice to be sold exclusively to various supermarkets. If the additional imports for retailers will be approved, total imports for the year will reach 1.7 million MT. This includes the earlier 500,000 MT and the 750,000 MT yet to be auctioned. Lower palay output The country‘s production of palay (unhusked rice) and corn will continue to incur setbacks in the third quarter of the year due to delayed plantings and effects of recent weather disturbances. Based on the latest crops outlook of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), palay production from July to September might reach 3.25 million MT, down 4.2 percent from the 3.39 million MT output in the same period last year. Harvest area may shrink 3.4 percent and yield may also fall to 3.94 MT per hectare from the previous year‘s level of 3.98 MT.

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―The effect of the southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoons during the reproductive and maturing stages of the crop may cause the probable drop in palay production in most provinces of Northern Luzon. Bulk of the decrement may come from Nueva Ecija,‖ PSA said. Meanwhile, corn production from July to September is expected to post a 16 percent drop to 2.18 million MT from 2.59 million MT in 2017. Harvest may also contract to 784,000 hectares and yield might decline to 2.78 MT per hectare from 2.93 MT per hectare last year. ―The effects of the southwest monsoon which cut down the yield in Negros Oriental, South Cotabato and Sarangani may contribute to the decline in production. Yield in Cebu may decline due to insufficient soil moisture during vegetative stage,‖ PSA said. Meanwhile, the Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives (FFFC) is calling on the Senate to rethink its proposed version of the rice tariffication bill, which is to be finalized soon after President Duterte certified the bill as a priority measure. FFFC board member Dioscoro Granada said the Senate version would basically remove any form of government influence over rice imports, consumer prices and palay farm gate prices. ―Flooding the market with imported rice and allowing traders to import rice without limits even during harvest time may indeed bring down prices in the short term. But as with TRAIN I, there seems to be very little study on the long-term effects of this policy on farmers and rural economies and the spill-over impacts on urban areas as displaced farmers are forced to migrate to the cities,‖ he said. The group also lamented the lack of substantive consultations with stakeholders in the crafting of the bill, saying the Senate version was actually drafted by the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Finance, which have been pushing aggressively for full liberalization of the rice trade. The FFFC maintained that it is important to preserve the authority of the NFA to license importers and equip government with tools to respond effectively during market failures and emergencies. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/17/1860707/additional-rice-imports-set-retailers

NFA to control rice imports Private importers still need to get permits By: Karl R. Ocampo - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:35 AM October 17, 2018 55 | w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o g s p o t . c o m mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com

Despite the latest pronouncement of President Duterte to liberalize the importation of rice, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said prospective importers still needed to secure the necessary permits from the National Food Authority (NFA). Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the official said that while the NFA Council has already allowed rice retailers to directly import the staple, they would still have to go through the NFA process of accreditation and licensing. This ran counter to the statement of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who said that the President authorized the ―unimpeded‖ importation of rice. ―The President never used the words ‗unimpeded importation.‘ He said ‗let‘s flood the market with rice,‘‖ Piñol said. He added that the government would only import what it needed to ensure that local farmers would not be on the losing end. ―The intention of the President is to just stabilize the supply and price in the market. The President also understands that we would only need to import what we need to ensure that the farmers would not suffer,‖ Piñol said. This means rice imports would still be controlled by the grains agency through the issuance of import permits and the NFA would still have the final say as to which entities could bring in rice to the country. The NFA Council, which is headed by Piñol, has already allowed retailers to import as much as 100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice so long as they secure the necessary permits. If this pushes through, government-approved imports this year would reach 2.5 million tons—the highest on record since 2008. It was during the Arroyo administration that the Philippines imported about 2.34 million tons of rice to address a shortfall. The NFA has already approved the importation of 1.25 million tons of rice this year, 500,000 MT of which have already arrived in the country.

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Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry has acquired some 350,000 MT of rice to be distributed under its ―Suki Store‖ program, where consumers may avail themselves of affordable rice at P38 a kilo. The country has also used up its minimum access volume (MAV) allocation for rice this year of 805,000 MT. The MAV is the allowed amount of imports that can enter the country at a lower import duty under an agreement with the World Trade Organization. On top of these imports are the expected shipments from the private sector of at least 100,000MT. In total, the country would be importing about 2.5 million tons of rice. As of the last week of September, rice prices in the market have yet to go down despite cuts in wholesale prices. Piñol said he was informed by rice retailers in a conference this week that they were expecting retail prices to go down by the last week of October, or when their old rice stocks have been sold out.

https://business.inquirer.net/259070/nfa-control-rice-imports#ixzz5UBoHAseF

Now, Piñol warns of rice glut as imports to arrive at harvest By Bernadette D. Nicolas & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas October 16, 2018

In Photo: Newly harvested rice grains are unloaded to be sold to traders in Pampanga province in this file photo. Reports said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol assured the public that the depletion of the National Food Authority stockpile would not happen again in 2019, as he is optimistic that the agency would be able to hit its palay procurement target. AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said on Monday that the country may have to grapple with an oversupply of rice, as the schedule of arrival of additional rice imports coincided with the harvest season, which started in late September. In compliance with the President‘s directive to ―flood the market with rice,‖ the National Food Authority Council had approved the importation of 750,000 metric tons [MT] of rice to beef up its stockpile.

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―By the end of this year, we will have a buffer stock good for 134 days. So, there is a danger actually that we may have an oversupply of rice,‖ Piñol, who is also NFAC chairman, told reporters in a news briefing in Malacañang on Monday. ―That [danger of oversupply] is precisely the reason why the National Food Authority [NFA] last Tuesday launched a buffer stocking program in Mindoro and we will start buying farmers‘ produce to protect them from plummeting palay prices,‖ he added. Piñol added that he received complaints from Nueva Ecija farmers that the average farm-gate prices of rice have gone down to as low as P16 per kilogram (kg), from as high as P25 per kg. ―We will focus on local procurement now since we have sufficient imports. The locally procured palay will form part of our buffer stocks for 2019,‖ he said.

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The 750,000 MT that the government will purchase will be shipped in tranches, with the first 250,000 MT arriving in November. This was earlier purchased via open tender by the government. The remaining 500,000 MT would also most likely be procured via open tender. The government will also hold an auction for 250,000 MT of rice imports on October 18. ―The traders bought palay at a high price to be able to exploit the situation to the point that the only way we could stabilize the rice situation was to bring in imported rice,‖ he said. Apart from the increase in imports, the NFAC chief said he expects rice prices to stabilize in the last week of October as the government will institute reforms in the local grains industry and set suggested retail prices (SRPs) for rice varieties. Piñol said he will meet with rice farmers and other stakeholders on October 18 to determine the SRPs for regular-milled rice, well-milled rice, long grain head rice and special rice. ―Starting next week, [consumers] will immediately see in wet markets that a variety is local or imported. We will do away with deception in the marketing of rice,‖ he said. ―We will simplify the identification of rice according to their broken percentage: regular-milled rice, well-milled rice, premium rice and special rice,‖ Piñol added.

Assurance The agriculture chief also made an assurance that rice sold by the NFA will no longer go missing next year as he is confident that the NFA would have ample buffer stock. Piñol is banking on the grant of additional incentives to shore up the palay procurement program of the state-run food agency. ―The government is determined to buy more. We expect to procure a huge volume,‖ he said.

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In a separate statement on Monday, NFA OIC Administrator Tomas Escarez said the food agency may even be able to exceed its 2018 procurement target of 2.6 million bags this year due to the additional incentives. ―With the approval of the guidelines, NFA‘s 279 buying stations nationwide will now start accepting palay deliveries from farmers with the new price incentive,‖ the NFA said. The NFA is now buying palay at P17 per kilogram support price, with a P0.70 incentive for delivery and cooperative fee plus P3 per kilogram as ―buffer stocking incentive.‖ Piñol also disclosed that the DA is now formulating guidelines to provide more incentives to farmers selling palay to the government. ―During the next harvest season, the government will provide seed incentives. If a farmer will deliver palay to the NFA, he will be given good-quality seeds, either inbred or hybrid, which will cover 1 hectare,‖ he said. Piñol said the impending suspension of the second tranche of the fuel excise tax hike next year would help boost farmers‘ production. He said this would stabilize production cost and food prices. ―In the case of captured fisheries for example, 60 percent of their total expense is in fuel. So, it is a significant thing if the excise tax on fuel would be suspended,‖ he said. https://businessmirror.com.ph/now-pinol-warns-of-rice-glut-as-imports-to-arrive-at-harvest/

UPDATE 1-EGYPT STUDYING WHEAT HEDGING, STILL BUYING SPOT 10/15/2018

(Adds quotes, details) CAIRO, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer, is studying the possibility of hedging against the rise in global prices of the grain, Supply Minister Ali Moselhy said on Monday.

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"Until now we are buying spot ... there is a working group formed within the finance ministry to study this (hedging) ... but to this moment no decision has been taken," Moselhy told a news conference in Cairo. A government source earlier told Reuters Egypt was in the "early stages" of talks with banks over the scheme. Moselhy also said Egypt would need around 400,000 to 500,000 tonnes of rice imports but that the ministry was still evaluating its needs and would not import from only one origin. "We are going to pick the right time to start building reserves ... we are still studying," he said. Local press reports in September had stated Egypt would import its rice from Vietnam. "It will not be from one origin only," Moselhy said, adding China and India were countries of interest for rice imports. Egypt has over four months of strategic wheat stocks, 5.6 months of sugar and 3.2 months of vegetable oils, Moselhy said. Cairo spends around $1.5 billion annually on wheat imports for a sprawling bread subsidy programme relied on by tens of millions of Egyptians. (Reporting by Nadine Awadalla; Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Mark Potter) https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/update-1-egypt-studying-wheat-hedging-stillbuying-spot

Commodities Buzz: Gold Imports Jump 70%, Rice Exports Tumble 23.40% In September 2018 Commodities Buzz: Gold Imports Jump 70%, Rice Exports Tumble 23.40% In September 2018 October 16, 2018 14:21 IST | capital market

Indias imports of Petroleum, Crude & products stood at Rs 78811.17 crore in September 2018, recording a surge of nearly 50% over year. Gold imports were at Rs 18731 crore, up nearly 70% over year while Silver imports edged up 4.13% to Rs 2133 crore. Import of Pulses stood at Rs 834.70 crore, down around 51%. The

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Gems & Jewellery exports stood at Rs 27080 crore, dropping 12.20% over year. Spices exports came in at Rs 1794 crore, up 4.15% while Rice exports fell 23.40% to Rs 3138 crore. https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/capital-market-commodity-futures-mid-sessioncommentary/commodities-buzz-gold-imports-jump-70-rice-exports-tumble-23-40-in-september2018-118101600426_1.html

No ‘unimpeded’ rice importation, says Agriculture chief Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol yesterday disputed former presidential spokesman Harry Roque‘s statement that President Duterte had ordered the ―unimpeded importation of rice,‖ saying such a policy is an ―injustice‖ to Filipinos.

Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) - October 16, 2018 - 12:00am

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MANILA, Philippines — What unimpeded importation of rice? Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol yesterday disputed former presidential spokesman Harry Roque‘s statement that President Duterte had ordered the ―unimpeded importation of rice,‖ saying such a policy is an ―injustice‖ to Filipinos. Piñol said Duterte never used the phrase ―unimpeded importation of rice‖ to refer to his policy of liberalizing the importation of the staple and ensuring enough supply. ―You know, I do not want to discredit the statement of Secretary Roque, because I think it was Secretary Roque who used the words unimpeded importation... The President never used the term ‗unimpeded importation,‘‖ Piñol said in a press briefing at Malacañang. ―Indeed, he said let‘s flood the market with rice. But to say that importation will be unimpeded would mean like throwing away all of the rules in the book and allowing everybody to load rice in the boat and bring it to the Philippines,‖ he added. Roque announced that Duterte had ordered the unimpeded importation of rice in a press briefing on Oct. 9. Piñol said the pronouncement that the government has allowed the unimpeded importation of rice made farmers nervous. ―The President never used the word ‗unimpeded importation‘ because that would be a disservice and injustice to the Filipino people,‖ he said. Piñol clarified that groups who want to import rice still need to get clearance from the National Food Authority (NFA). ―You cannot just say that the NFA will have no more role in the importation because that would effectively throw away the mandate of the NFA into the wastebasket. We will just liberalize the importation but we will still follow processes,‖ he said. Piñol said under the law, the NFA is responsible for accrediting importers. ―Full liberalization means you allow importation to come in but still based on guidelines prescribed by law.Duterte has certified as urgent the passage of the rice tariffication bill, which aims to lift the quantitative restriction on rice and replace it with a tariff.Supporters of the measure claimed it would solve artificial rice shortages, ensure enough supply and cut rice prices

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/16/1860491/no-unimpeded-riceimportation-says-agriculture-chief

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Pres. Weah Issues Executive Order No. 93 Extending Tariff Suspension on Rice By Webmaster Admin October 17, 2018 In a bid to keep the nation‘s staple, rice, affordable on the Liberian market, President George Manneh Weah has issued Executive Order #93, which takes immediate effect. Released Tuesday, October 16, 2018, Executive Order No. 93, is an extension of Executive Order No. 87 earlier promulgated by Government to suspend the import tariff on rice in order to alleviate unnecessary burden on ordinary Liberians, the Executive Mansion said in a release Tuesday afternoon. The issuance of the Executive Order followed an assessment and evaluation by Government to determine the causes of increases in the price of various essential commodities and to initiate measures to ameliorate the situation, the release said. ―Now therefore,‖ the Executive Order asserts, ―the Government of Liberia, in its desire to continue to bring relief to the public, hereby issues Executive Order No. 93, suspending the import tariff on rice as classified under tariff Nos. 1006.30.00 (in packing of more than 5kg or in bulk); 1006.30.00 (in packing of at least 5kg); and 1006.40.00 (broken rice) under the Revenue Code of Liberia Act 2000 with immediate effect.‖ President Weah used the Executive Order to stress the need for exigent measures to ease economic burdens on Liberian citizens and residents, enabling them to access the staple food at all times and with ease. These measures follow former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf‘s Executive Orders Nos. 11, 19, 45, 61, 70, 80 and 87 suspending import tariffs on rice in the interest of the public.

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In early February 2018, President Weah met with the Rice Importers Associationand expressed his determination to ensure that something was immediately done to reduce the price of rice and make it affordable and available to average Liberians. At the end of the February negotiations, which lasted two days, officials of the association through the chair, John Bestman, consented to effect a reduction in the price of the 25Kg bag of rice by US$2, while the price of a 50kg bag of rice would be reduced by US$4 with immediate effect. https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/pres-weah-issues-executive-order-no-93-extendingtariff-suspension-on-rice/

Inflation likely peaked in October, says Monetary Board’s Medalla Published October 16, 2018 3:53pm By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News Inflation likely peaked this October and would start slowing in November, Monetary Board Member Felipe Medalla said Tuesday. In a press conference in Manila City, Medalla told reporters the rice tariffication bill is a big factor and will likely get congressional approval before the year is out—taking of the sting off from inflationary pressures. Inflation accelerated to a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in September, largely driven by higher prices of food, fuel, and non-alcoholic beverages. ―If you look at the increase from one month to the next ... in all likelihood, at the latest, peaked already by this month and start going down starting November,‖ Medalla said. Inflation is likely to decelerate in the latter part of the year, given the expected passage of the rice tarrffication law, the Monetary Board member noted.

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The Monetary Board is the policy-setting body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The proposed rice tariffication law seeks to remove quantitative restrictions (QRs) on rice imports, and allow private firms to import rice. The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier this month said the contribution of rice to inflation multiplied by 10 times to 1 percentage point in September. ―In all likelihood, without rice tariffication, average inflation year-on-year next year will be at 4 percent,‖ Medalla said. The Bangko Sentral has yet to release its inflation forecast for October, and the Philippine Statistics Authority is expected to release the inflation data on November 6. —VDS, GMA News http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/671418/inflation-likely-peaked-in-octobersays-monetary-board-s-medalla/story/

Customs Impounds N35m Rice, Sugar, Others from Smugglers in Kano, Jigawa October 16, 2018 4:52 pm

By Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command on Tuesday impounded 1,200 bags of foreign rice, 300 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil, 100 bags of foreign sugar and 200 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at over N35 million within three weeks of intensive operations. The Comptroller in-charge of the Command, Mr. Nasir Ahmad, explained that the seizures were made at various times by the patrol team along Daura Road, Katsina Road, Gwarzo Road in Kano, and Babura border in Jigawa State.―We have a total of 1,200 bags of foreign rice worth N27 million; 300 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil worth over N3.5 million; 100 bags of foreign sugar worth over N2million; and 200 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth over N500,000.

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―We also impounded 14 vehicles used in conveying the smuggled contraband. Now, what we are trying to say is this, as long as they won‘t stop smuggling, we won‘t stop seizing them,‖ he said.

Ahmed said that five suspects were also arrested in connection to the seizures. According to him, ―We have five suspects arrested so far and they would be prosecuted according the provision of the law. We have our legal department and they are handling it accordingly. ―It is in their own interest to stop smuggling and help the economy of the nation. It is in their own interest to stop smuggling and help the economy of the North, because the North is the major producers of rice, apart from Ebonyi State. Other states producing rice are domiciled in the 19 northern states. Now, why are they killing the business? ―Like I said earlier on, Customs is not here to kill businesses. Customs is here to promote genuine and legitimate trade and that is what we keep doing. If you are in legitimate business, we won‘t come after you, we will encourage you and we will be with you; and that is why we have incentives for those that are in genuine businesses and we provide fast-track for them to use.

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―But as long as you want to engage in the act of smuggling, you will never be our friend and we will never be your friend. Now, to those that think they can just come after officers, we will come after you. You cannot kill our officers; you cannot maim our officers and go scot free. ―Anybody that does that, we will come right after you because this is not a personal job we are doing, this is a federal government job, and it is for the promotion of the economy of the nation.‖ https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/customs-impounds-n35m-rice-sugar-othersfrom-smugglers-in-kano-jigawa/

DA chief clarifies NFA role in rice importation By Azer Parrocha October 15, 2018, 8:09 pm MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel ―Manny‖ Piñol said Monday the National Food Authority (NFA) will relax rules on rice importation, but clarified that this did not mean that licensing and accreditation will no longer apply. Piñol said the NFA‘s policy-making body, NFA Council, will soon come out with guidelines on importation as directed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, based on what is legal and prescribed by the law. ―You cannot just say that NFA will have no more role in the importation because that would effectively throw away the mandate of NFA into the wastebasket,‖ Piñol said in a Palace briefing. ―Luluwagan namin yung importation pero meron pa ring mga prosesong susundin (We will relax importation but there is still a process that needs to be followed),‖ he added. Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the NFA will no longer have to accredit rice dealers or determine how much rice to import. Piñol, however, clarified that the process of licensing and accreditation of rice imports still stands. ―That cannot be because under the law it‘s still NFA that will accredit the importers,‖ Piñol said. ―Full liberalization means you allow importation to come in but still based on guidelines as prescribed by law."

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Piñol said he did not want to ―discredit‖ Roque‘s statement but noted that ―the President never used the words unimpeded importation.‖ ―Indeed he said ‗let‘s flood the market with rice‘ but to say that importation will be unimpeded would mean throwing away all of the rules in the book and allowing just about everybody to load rice to the boat and bring rice to the Philippines,‖ Piñol said. He added that though the words ―unimpeded importation‖ was never used by the President, the Chief Executive directed them to make sure that there would be sufficient rice supply. Last month, Duterte signed Administrative Order (AO) 13 to streamline procedures on the importation of agricultural products, including rice. Alongside this order, Memorandum Order (MO) Nos. 26, 27, and 28, were also signed to stabilize the prices of basic agricultural commodities at reasonable levels and maintain their sufficient supply in the domestic market. Piñol said Duterte‘s statement to flood markets with rice was simply a ―reiteration‖ of AO 13. Meanwhile, Piñol emphasized anew that there was never an instance of a rice shortage in the country, however admitted that there were indeed rising prices of rice set by traders. ―There was never any instance that we ran out of rice. Ang problema is naging abnormal ang presyo sa merkado(The problem is the prices of rice became abnormal),‖ he added. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051145

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