20th october,2017 daily global rice e newsletter by DAILY RICE NEWS LETTER

MP’s inclusion in Basmati area will spell doom for Punjab farmers’ — By From Our Bureau | Oct 19, 2017 12:16 am

New Delhi : The Punjab Government has opposed inclusion of Madhya Pradesh in the areas earmarked for growing the basmati rice, asserting that it would spell doom for the farmers in Punjab and other approved states by way of drop in the Basmati prices that have just increased by 50% over last year. Its protest comes even as the GI (Geographical Indication) registry is expected to include Madhya Pradesh in the list of the Basmati growing areas by this month end. It has already asked the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to include rice from Madhya Pradesh for GI tagging for the purpose of exports. Madhya Pradesh had sought inclusion of its 13 districts in the GI area for basmati.

The Punjab Government has, however, written to APEDA not to accept rice from Madhya Pradesh as the basmati variety. Basmati rice is produced even in some districts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat, but the Agriculture Ministry last month decided to allow the GI certification right to grow this rice variety to only seven states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Western UP and two districts of Jammu and Kashmir, all lying in the Indo-Gangetic plains. The All India Rice Exporters Association has also approached APEDA in support of Punjab‘s claim. Its President Vijay Kumar Setia has warned that once India expands the GI area by including Madhya Pradesh, other rice growing states will also start demanding that their rice too be recognised as basmati rice. He warned that Pakistan may also follow suit by declaring more area in the country as basmati producing area. He said a judicial order favouring expansion of GI area will also mean that China, Ethiopia and Philippines, which have been claiming to grow basmati, will get precedence as they too will start selling their paddy as Basmati. His worry is that diluting the basmati tag will hit exports badly, specially at a time when exports are already down.

http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/mpsinclusion-in-basmati-area-will-spell-doomfor-punjab-farmers/1155976

EU SET TO BAN INDIAN BASMATI October 18, 2017

Basmati rice could be banned in the new year by LAUREN CODLING BASMATI rice could be banned in the UK from the new year if a resolution is not found over the use of a pesticide used by farmers in India. Conservative MEP Syed Kamall warned last Sunday (15) of a price rise as well as a â&#x20AC;&#x2022;disastrousâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; impact on basmati farmers in India if the matter was not sorted out soon. The controversy is over the use of tricyclazole pesticide after the EU commission ordered manufacturers to reduce the amount being used. The limit is due to be slashed from one milligram to 0.01 milligram per kilo, a hundredth of its current legal level.

India produces 60 per cent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s basmati rice and accounts for 80 per cent of the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s imports, Kamall said. Approximately 360,000 tons of the fragrant rice are imported each year by the EU, 150,000 of which come to Britain.

The fragrant rice could be banned in the UK if a resolution is not found (Pic: DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images) Earlier this summer, Indian government officials said they needed at least two crop cycles to adopt the new EU guidelines on tricyclazole. However, if no resolution is found in the next few weeks, basmati from India could be banned in this country from as early as January 2018.

Kamall said: ―You don‘t need a PhD in business and economics to realise that if you ban imports from a country that grows 60 per cent of the world‘s basmati rice, the price will go up.

Conservative MEP Syed Kamall ―This could have a disastrous effect on farmers‘ livelihoods in India – and at the same time we in Britain will end up paying more for our favourite rice.‖ A spokesperson for one of Britain‘s leading rice brands told Eastern Eye on Tuesday (17) that the import of the distinctive long-grained fragrant rice was going to be ―tricky‖ in three months‘ time. ―We have known about this issue for a long time and we have taken action accordingly,‖ the spokesperson said. ―The imports from India are going to be quite tricky from January 2018 and it‘ll be very difficult to import basmati rice from India because of tricyclazole concerns.‖

The spokesperson added that there was uncertainty about revising the limits, although there was an expectation that the evaluation process by the EU commission and Food Safety Agency (FSA) could take up to 18 months. ―We are expecting the limits to be revised down in June 2019. That is a huge amount of issue for the trade because you have to either import basmati rice from India now or you can‘t supply any basmati and you have to go depend on Pakistan – which increases the price for the product,‖ the spokesperson explained. The spokesperson also confirmed that prices of rice would increase due to the interest and storage cost of reimporting the product from India in 2017 to then supply it in 2018 and 2019. India is arguing that the new restrictions for the use of the pesticide, used to combat rice blast disease, are ―drastic‖ in contrast to other markets. In the US and Japan, the limits are 3mg/kg compared to the EU restrictions of 1mg/kg. The Indian government said the limited time in which rules have been implemented is not enough for farmers to adapt their procedures. Kamall called on the EU commission to delay the regulations, in order to make sure Indian farmers had time to make their crops conform, ―especially since no-one is seriously claiming that Indian basmati rice had suddenly become unsafe to eat‖. Baroness Sheehan, a spokesperson on international development for the Liberal Democrats, said if the review concluded the measure should still be executed, enough time should be given to allow adaptation by Indian farmers.

She added that while the UK is still a member of the EU, asserting influence on the commission would be viable. However, she went on: ―Once we leave, there will be very little we can do to support Indian farmers and ensure this is done properly‖ The Indian High Commission in London did not respond for a comment as Eastern Eye went to press. Muneer Ahmad, first secretary from the Pakistan High Commission, confirmed to Eastern Eye that Pakistan exports of basmati rice are expected to increase in the EU markets. Alex Waugh, the association secretary for UK Rice Association, said the issue has been under discussion for ―quite a long time‖. ―The government in India has been working hard to educate farmers and there has been quite a discussion over here on how to manage things,‖ he said. A spokesperson at Indo European Foods Ltd confirmed that the company is taking necessary steps to ensure the product – Kohinoor basmati – they offer is ―compliant‖ with EU standards. ―The issue will not affect our company adversely,‖ the spokesperson said. ―We have always sourced basmati from both India and Pakistan and offer different products under different brands/labels in our portfolio. This strategy will continue.‖

Surya Foods managing director Harry Dulai said the news was ―great‖ as it ensured more diligence and care within the supply chain, as well as commenting consumers would not be subjected to high levels of pesticides. Dulai also confirmed the pending EU regulation changes would have no bearing on the food chain. ―We fully endorse these changes for improvement on farming methods and a credible sustainability path across the supply chain for the safety of our customers,‖ he added. In the summer, Indian grain exporters had previously raised concerns about the EU regulations and said the trade could shift to Pakistan. Earlier this year, Gurnam Arora, Kohinoor Foods Joint managing director, was quoted in Indian media reports as saying that the EU norms are ―unjust, one-sided and not in the interest of farmers,‖ and raised concerns the trade would shift over to Pakistan, which does not use the pesticide on its rice supplies. A joint statement from the European Commission following the 14th India-EU Summit in New Delhi on October 6 said: ―With regard to import tolerance level of tricyclazole in rice (Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/983) the relevant plant protection companies will be invited to present new scientific data in order for the European Food Safety Authority to carry out an additional risk assessment without delay. ―On this basis, the European Commission would expeditiously consider whether to review the above mentioned regulation.‖

Kamall said: ―Like most Brits I love a curry – and I like it with basmati rice. Nothing else is as aromatic and tasty. I don‘t really think we need the EU banning imports because of scientific measurements rather than any overnight health concerns.‖

https://www.easterneye.eu/eu-set-ban-indianbasmati/ Pakistan offers lowest bid for Iraq‘s rice tender 18.10.2017 | UkrAgroConsult The lowest price offer in the tender from Iraq‘s state grains buyer to purchase at least 30,000 tonnes of rice was $427 a tonne c&f free out for rice to be sourced from Pakistan, traders said on Tuesday. No decision about a purchase was believed to have been made in the tender, which closed on Tuesday with offers remaining valid up to Oct 22. The offer was made for 40,000 tonnes from Pakistan, they said. No other offers from Pakistan were reported. This was followed by an offer of 40,000 tonnes rice from Thailand at $432 a tonne c&f. Other offers for Thai rice were made at prices between $447 to $485 a tonne c&f free out. The lowest offer for rice from the United States was around $653.5 a tonne for 30,000 tonnes. Another offer of US rice was made at $658 a tonne c&f. Indian

rice

was

offered

$543

tonne

c&f

free

out

with

only

one

offer

made.

Rice optionally from Argentina or Uruguay was offered at $572 a tonne. The lowest offer from Argentina only was $579 a tonne c&f and lowest from Uruguay only was $584 a tonne c&f. Volumes in Iraq‘s tenders are nominal and the country can buy more than requested in the tender. In its last report tender on Aug 31, Iraq purchased a total of around 60,000 tonnes to be sourced from Pakistan and Uruguay.

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/pakista n-offers-lowest-bid-for-iraq2019s-rice-tender    

RECIPES CULTURE RES T AU R AN TS B AS I C AL LY

HE AL TH YI SH BES T NEW RES T AU R AN T S Stay in touch with Bon Appétit SIGN UP Privacy and user agreement

 

   

PROMOTIONS L O G I N SU BSC RIBE Facebook Pinterest Twitter Email Basically

What Is Basmati Rice? And How Do I Buy It? OCTOBER 2017 By Alex Delany

You've heard of it. You've eaten it. But do you really, truly know it? What is basmati rice, really? And what do you need to know to buy the good stuff? Most people know that basmati rice is different. That, somehow, it's fancier than the stuff you're used to. Or maybe rarer? More exclusive? But what is basmati rice, really? Why do we love it with curries and pilafsand braised meats? All right, enough questions. This is what you need to know:

First of All, There Are Different Kinds of Rice

Rice is not a one-size-fits-all scenario, because rice is actually classified in different groups, by size. There‘s long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain rice, and yeah, the names kind of tell you what each of them are. Long-grain rice is long and skinny, and it includes our beloved basmati, as well as rice like jasmine and American long-grain. Medium-grain falls in the middle of both length and width (medium, duh) and includes varieties like Valencia or Arborio (great for paella, risotto, or just straight-up with a bit of butter, salt, and chopped herbs). And short-grain varieties, like sushi rice or American brown rice, are short, squat, and produce a stickier finished product.

Where Does Basmati Rice Come From? There are many countries that grow basmati rice domestically, but it was originally cultivated and grown in India and Pakistan. Of the two, India accounts for about two-thirds of the global supply. This origin is the strong link to basmati rice and its identity to a side for your favorite curry dish.

Christopher Baker Pilaf is where basmati rice feels at home.

How Does It Smell? What Does It Taste Like? What’s It Good For? Basmati comes from the Hindi word for ―fragrant,‖ and fittingly so. Basmati rice is all about the flavor and aroma, which is intensely spicy, nutty, and floral (compared to other rice that is, not hot sauce or cashews or like, actual flowers). The textural value lies in the fact that the long grains remain individual, non-sticky grains, allowing curry and other sauces to coat each grain for maximum flavor. And yeah, like we said, long-grain rice is perfect as sides for saucy dishes or the base of a pilaf.

How Do I Buy the Good Stuff? What Do I Look For?

Packaging: Good basmati doesn‘t come in a plastic bag. Look for cloth packaging, labeled with ―extra-long grain,‖ for that high-quality grain action. Shape: The longer the basmati grain, the better it is. Another important sign is a slightly tapered end of the grain. Basmati grains should never be flat along the sides. Color: The best basmati rice isn‘t pearly white—the grains will have a slightly golden hue, but shouldn‘t be gray. That's because quality basmati rice is actually aged, sometimes for as much as a few years, which helps to dry the rice fully and keep those grains fluffy and separated in a pilaf.

And once you buy that good-good? Make some damn pilaf. Perfect Rice Pilaf with Curry and Peas G ET TH E M AGAZI N E SU BSC RI BE G ET TH E N EW SL ETTER

Learn to cook with Basically SIGN UP Will be used in accordance with our user agreement and privacy policy Explore Bon Appétit

BasicallyRiceCurryIndian Food MORE FROM BASIC ALLY

RECIPESThe Grain Bowl Blueprint

RECIPESHow to Add Coconut Oil to Everything You Cook—And We Mean Everything

CULTUREThere Are 5 New Bowl Cookbooks—So Which One Is the Bowliest?     

SU BSC RI PTI ON SERVIC E S  C O N TAC T BON APPÉTI T  R EPR IN TS/ PER M I SSIO N S  N EW SL ETTER SI G N U P  AC C ESSI BIL I TY H EL P  R SS FEED S  SI TE M AP  M AG AZI N E ARC H I VE C O N D É N AST STO R E  C AR EER S BO N APPÉTI T M ED IA KI T

 

Condé Nast

Food Innovation Group: Bon Appétit and Epicurious © 2017 Condé Nast. All rights reserved Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 1/2/2014) and Privacy Policy (effective 1/2/2014). Bon Appétit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our affiliate partnerships with retailers. Your California Privacy Rights The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-isbasmati-rice-and-how-do-i-buy-it

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Nepal By Kathmandu Tribune October 18, 2017 42 0 Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter

ď&#x201A;ˇ ď&#x201A;ˇ

Nepalese Rice Sector In Nepal, Rice accounts for about 44% of the total food grain production and holds about 20% share in national GDP. Rice is grown on about 1.42 million ha, producing 4.8 million tons with an average productivity of 3.38 ton/ha. Of the total rice area, more than 70% is grown under the rainfed condition, 9% under upland and 21% under partially or fully irrigated conditions. One-fourth of the population in Nepal lives below the poverty line and is food insecure. There is vast regional variation in agriculture production and food balance.

The Terai has food surplus while hill and mountain regions are in a severe food deficit situation. Out of Nepalâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s 75 districts, 38 suffer from food deficiency. Nepal imported 47323 mt-milled rice from India in fiscal year 2014/15. Nepal was once a grain exporting country. Slow agricultural development, land shortages and population growth have been pushing more and more families into a vulnerable situation regarding food security. Land and water resources will become scarce for rice production in Asia in the next 30 years or so, mainly because of urbanization, industrialization, and increased population. Nepal is no exception. Rice yield in Nepal was reduced by about 5% in 2015 than of 2014 at national basis due to drought. Irrigated rice production is the largest consumer of water in the agricultural sector, and its sustainability is threatened by increasing water shortages. Such water scarcity necessitates the development of alternative systems of irrigation that require less water than traditional flooded rice. Additional rice will have to be produced on less land with less water, less labor and fewer chemicals. Promising technologies generated by research can play a pivotal role in increasing productivity and thus Nepalâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s food security. The system of rice intensification (SRI) can be a suitable methodology in this regard.

System of Rice Intensification French Jesuit Fr Henri de Laulanie in Madagascar invented SRI in 1983 after 30 years of research. It is based on some new insights into how rice can be grown best, translated into certain principles and practices. Today it is used in 30 countries including China, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia, where research has shown yield increases of 30-50% using half the amount of water. China, in particular, is leading the way, using SRI in conjunction with hybrid seeds. India has adopted SRI as one of the components of its food security program and is promoting the method in 39 districts and is planning to convert 5 million hectares of land into SRI plots in the next five years. In Nepal, SRI was pioneered by Rajendra Uprety when he was District Agriculture Extension Officer in Morang. He read about it in an agriculture journal and decided to give it a try. Today there are SRI tests and demonstrations being carried out in 35 districts across the country. Morang district farmers repeatedly reported two things. First, their SRI crops, in addition to giving often doubled yield, are maturing 2, 3, even 4 weeks sooner than when the same variety is grown with â&#x20AC;&#x2014;normalâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; methods. This saves water, reduces the risks of crop loss, and makes land available for other crop production. Second, once farmers have acquired experience and skill with SRI methods, the new system of crop management is labor-saving rather than labor-intensive. Saving labor as well as seeds, water and costs of production makes SRI increasingly attractive to farmers. World Neighbors and SRI World Neighbors works in Mahadevsthan Village, Kavre with small landholders, most of whom are women. The experience to date is farmers using SRI are experiencing an average yield 30% higher than farmers using standard practices. Yield increases have been as high as 62%. Based on this success, WN is also now working to introduce SRI to farmers in Udaypur.

https://kathmandutribune.com/system -rice-intensification-sri-nepal/

Mining supporters will push back against proposed wild rice rule 

19 hrs ago

        

A large group of mining supporters will gather in Virginia Thursday to voice concerns about how a proposed rule affecting the wild rice habitat may affect the mineral industry and residents. The issue puts two industries at odds. Ojibwe and Dakota people consider wild rice particularly important to protect for economic, cultural and spiritual reasons. Mining, which produces water effluent that allegedly harms wild rice growth, supports thousands of Iron Range jobs and residents. The rule also could affect community water treatment plants. The dispute involves the interaction between sulfide and sulfate how they affect discharged water. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency researchers have discovered the complicated process varies among water bodies.

An existing rule limits sulfate to 10 milligrams per liter in wild rice waters. New MPCA research suggests that sulfide in the sediment in which wild rice grows is a concern. The proposed rules are designed to limit sulfide to 120 micrograms per liter. One microgram is one thousandth of a milligram. In a Tuesday statement, the Iron Mining Association believes the proposed standard "could have devastating economic implications for communities in Northeast Minnesota that discharge into wild rice waters – including municipal wastewater treatment facilities and the iron mines," said Kelsey Johnson, president. The association contends the standard may have no impact on protecting wild rice. The IMA represents Minnesota’s iron mines and 150 companies that supply goods and services to the mines. It will be joined at a Thursday press conference by the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, the Iron Ore Alliance, the United Steelworkers Union, local chambers of commerce, Jobs for Minnesotans, Better in our Backyard area legislators and local elected officials. ―We believe the changes we’re proposing are an innovative and precise approach to protecting wild rice,‖ MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine said in August. ―The proposal also allows for flexibility in permitting for facilities that discharge to wild rice waters.‖ Click here for more information about the IMA's position.

    

Sponsored Content 

Kylie Jenner, 19, Buys Fourth California Mansion at $12MMansion Global 

The Top 5 Free Most Trusted Antivirus 2017myantivirusreview.com 

Property Wars: Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West Vs. Taylor SwiftMansion Global 

Lee Majors: I Spent Nine Years With Her, She Was The Love Of My Life …OMG! 

Meet Blinkist, The Learning App That All The CEOs LoveBlinkist Magazine 

El nuevo estilo de reloj de nylon que cualquier caballero puede llevar sin…tommystyles Recommended by

Sponsored Content      

    



Duluth Chamber's annual meeting scheduled Thursday Recommended by

Latest News        

Latest e-Edition

BusinessNorth - Sept 2016 ď&#x201A;ˇ

To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left.



http://www.businessnorth.com/daily_briefing/mining-supporters-will-push-back-againstproposed-wild-rice-rule/article_cbb51c42-b41e-11e7-aa46-a7edcdc3437b.html Viet Nam

News



image: http://vietnamnews.vn//Images/arrow-breakcrump.png



Society

Int’l farming support key: official Update: October, 19/2017 - 10:17

image: http://vietnamnews.vn//images/icon/icon_fb.gif

image: http://vietnamnews.vn//images/icon/icon_tw.gif

image: http://vietnamnews.vn//images/icon/icon_google.gif | image: http://vietnamnews.vn//images/icon/icon_print.gif

image: http://vietnamnews.vn//images/icon/icon_letter.gif

image: http://image.vietnamnews.vn//uploadvnnews//Article/Thanh_Hai/2017/10/18/c12a5678-

1507952772839-1.jpg

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Quốc Doanh on Wednesday hailed international scientific research organisations for their contributions to Việt Nam‘s agriculture development, in the context of devastating natural disasters due to climate changes.— Photo VGP

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Quốc Doanh on Wednesday hailed international scientific research organisations for their contributions to Việt Nam‘s agriculture development, in the context of devastating natural disasters due to climate changes. Speaking at a meeting with representatives from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research on Wednesday in Hà Nội, the deputy minister recognised the support from organisations including Worldfish, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in helping the agriculture sector implement projects in fishery breeding, rice cultivation and production, and reduce the environmental risks in livestock breeding. ―One of the key solutions for the successful implementation of the agricultural sector‘s restructuring goals is the application of science and technology, so the strengthening of co-operation in the field of scientific and technological research with international organisations always attracts attention from the Government and agricultural agencies,‖ said Doanh. Research needs to be reformed in line with technological process and with cooperation between national and international agencies, according to the deputy minister. Dr Bjorn Ole Sander from the IRRI said the organisation, one of Việt Nam‘s most active agricultural international supporters since 1963, pledged to assist Vietnamese partners in increasing productivity, reducing inputs such as pesticides, fertilisers, water, labour and seeds and improving the quality of rice. The scientist revealed the IRRI bank of rice genes had preserved a rich collection of natural genes, an important resources for research on rice adaptable to climate change in Việt Nam. He also said IRRI research could help both reduce post-harvest losses and optimise supply and product quality.

Meanwhile, Dr Nguyễn Việt Hùng, Chief Representative of the ILRI in East and Southeast Asia, said the ILRI had been working with Việt Nam since 2007 in areas including mitigating risks resulting from agricultural systematic changes, developing science and technology in animal husbandry as well as solutions for the development of animal husbandry in connection with markets. Hùng said currently, ILRI research was being expanded to ensure husbandry development integrated with environmental protection. In the last few years, Doanh said, particularly last year and the first nine months of this year, the country had been suffering from continuous natural disasters including the most recent tropical depression, which caused huge damage to national agricultural production. Floods due to heavy rains hit many regions in the north and the centre of the country. The deputy minister cited northern Hòa Bình and Nam Định povinces as typical examples of losses caused by floods, with Nam Đinh bearing the loss of a total of 50,000ha or a reduction by 100,000 tonnes of rice this year. Despite such hardships due to impacts from natural disasters, Doanh confirmed the agricultural sector‘s restructuring was moving in the right direction, reflected in its growth, added value and particularly through its export turnover. It is estimated that the sector will reach total turnover worth US$35 billion this year, up $3 billion over the last year. It is also expect to supply jobs for about 10 million farmer households or more than 68 per cent of the population, contributing about 22 per cent of GDP to the national economy and 35 per cent to the national export value. — VNS Read more at http://vietnamnews.vn/society/405883/intl-farming-support-keyofficial.html#mGyzq6mplG0KHT77.99

Expanding Epicurean relocates to Superior

Epicurean, a manufacturer of kitchen cutting boards and kitc… NEXT UP

Jobs for Minnesotans condemns 'extremist behavior' by Line 3 protesters Jobs for Minnesotans on Thursday issued a statement condemning behavior by oppon…

Evidence said lacking on MPCA's proposed 'wild rice' rule 

By RON BROCHU/BusinessNorth



Oct 19, 2017 Updated 13 hrs ago

   

The ramifications of doing the wrong thing would be devastating to the region, Hoyt Lakes Mayor Mark Skelton told a news conference Thursday. BusinessNorth photo

    

A proposed state rule that would vastly increase the cost of treating water should be withdrawn from consideration until more detailed scientific information is obtained, Iron Range representatives said Thursday. The rule, designed to protect waters in which wild rice grows, would affect the treatment of water discharged from wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, including taconite mines. The Wild Rice rule, proposed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, would be an ―onerous standard that has been on the books since 1973 but has never been enforced,‖ State Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, said at a news conference in Virginia. And the standard, which limits sulfide discharges, does not need to be enforced, he added.

―The WLSSD has said it could potentially cost half a billion dollars to comply with this standard. That‘s just in Duluth. Between operations at Minntac and Keetac, it could also cost half a billion dollars for them,‖ Tomassoni said. Forty-four years ago, Minnesota instituted a water quality standard to protect wild rice from elevated levels of sulfate. It was based on observations that wild rice grew in waters with lower sulfate levels, and didn‘t in waters with elevated sulfate. The existing rule limits sulfate to 10 milligrams per liter in water. The MPCA‘s new research indicates that sulfide contained in sediment, rather than sulfate, is the pollutant of concern. The proposed rules are designed to limit sulfide to 120 micrograms per liter. One microgram is one thousandth of a milligram.

―This would not only kill jobs, but it could impact industry in such a way that it might not ever be able to recover,‖ said the Chisholm lawmaker. Tomassoni said the MPCA has not conducted research to determine the costs to industry. ―I think we need to slow this down or even stop it. It has been proven this is not necessary,‖ he said. ―We don‘t know, and MPCA cannot say, that if we actually initiate a standard that it will make a difference for wild rice.‖ The MPCA is soliciting public comments on the proposed rules now. Public hearings are scheduled between Oct. 23 and Nov. 2. Lacking the cost of treatment data, it‘s too early to hold hearings, said Steve Giorgi, executive director of the Range Area Municipalities and Schools. Hoyt Lakes has suffered the impact of a mine closure, said Mayor Mark Skelton. After the LTV mine closed, residents regained some hope for the future through the development of nonferrous mining. During the past 11 years, he explained, numerous public hearings have been held and hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent toward that goal, and new regulatory obstacles have continually been erected. He said the sulfide/sulfate matter ―could be the issue that breaks the camel‘s back.‖ It would cost $5 million to bring the city‘s sewage treatment plant up to the new standard. ―The ramifications of doing the wrong thing would be devastating to our region,‖ he said. ―If that should happen, we won‘t have to worry about sewer plants because there‘s not going to be anybody left to use the sewer plant. I'm told it would also affect six of our taconite plants. Then we could say we are truly a mining region without a mine.‖ State Rep. Jason Metsa, DFL-Virginia, said it‘s irresponsible for the MPCA to move forward with a rule-making process when there‘s no evidence it will improve the wild rice crop. He intends to introduce legislation that would instruct the MPCA to stop advancing the rule. Taxpayers, he added, are tired of funding expensive mandates that don‘t solve problems.

Iron Mining Association President Kelsey Johnson said the MPCA‘s own peer review panel admits the possibility of error in its recommendation is 20 percent, which is high for such research. ―We‘re opposed to this rule because it‘s based on bad research. It‘s unacceptable for the MPCA to expect regulated entities in private industry to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in treatment technology based on an equation with such a high error rate,‖ she said. The only known method to reach the proposed standard involves reverse osmosis filtration. That process not only removes sulfates, but also the good nutrients needed to grow wild rice, she explained. The remaining effluent can only be disposed of in deep water wells, and that is illegal in Minnesota, Giorgi added. Further, ongoing treatment costs would be in the millions each year, noted Hibbing Chamber President and CEO Lori Fedo. Businesses and municipalities would have to pay that cost. ―I‘d like to see some common sense go along with the science,‖ said Jason George, political director of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49. The MPCA plan, he said, is missing input from the Iron Range residents. ―Communities up here are not being listened to. Their voices are not being heard.‖ Jobs for Minnesotans Director Nancy Norr told attendees not to be disheartened. ―Don‘t give up on taking the high road. Don‘t give up on staying engaged and being willing to participate in this process. Don‘t give up on holding our agencies accountable, however, for continuing to base this regulatory process on science and fact and not emotion,‖ Norr said. http://www.businessnorth.com/daily_briefing/evidence-said-lacking-on-mpca-s-proposed-wildrice-rule/article_c408173e-b51c-11e7-a80c-7be1d8a45f49.html

APAC Dominates the Rice Transplanter Machine Market | Technavio

Technavio has published a new report on the global rice transplanter machine market from 20172021. (Graphic: Business Wire)



 October 19, 2017 03:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global rice transplanter machine market is expected to grow at an impressive CAGR of over 9% during the forecast period, according to Technavio’s latest market research.

Global rice transplanter machine market is set to grow at an impressive CAGR of over 9% from 2017-2021. @Technavio Tweet this In this market research report, Technavio covers the market outlook and growth prospects of the global rice transplanter machine market for 2017-2021. The market is further categorized into two distribution channel segments, including online and offline. Technavio’s research analysts segment the global rice transplanter machine market into the following regions: 

Americas



APAC



EMEA Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio’s sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

APAC: largest rice transplanter machine market The rising population in APAC is inducing a high demand for food in the region, in turn, increasing the requirement for better machinery. The global rice transplanter machine market in APAC accounted for more than 46% of the total market share in 2016. The global demand for rice transplanter machines will be primarily driven by the sales gains in rapidly developing nations, such as China, India, and Indonesia, which continue to mechanize their agricultural sectors. “Around 60% of the population in China consume rice. The country also exports rice to other Asian countries. India stands second in terms of rice production, indicating that the demand for rice transplanter machines is quite high in China and India compared to other Asian countries,” says Shikha Kaushik, a lead agricultural equipment research expert from Technavio. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. Rice transplanter machine market in EMEA Despite the moderate demand in Europe, the region occupies the second largest position in rice transplanting as this food grain is considered the most important staple of human consumption. According to the Rice Association of the UK, there are over 40 thousand varieties of cultivated rice. Therefore, the usage of agricultural machinery is most prevalent in Europe. However, Africa remains the most stimulating region for mechanization. In this region, over half of farm power is still provided by human resources, mostly from women, elderly, and children. Farm mechanization did not have a high penetration in Africa. However, the region is currently showing considerable growth. Rice transplanter machine market in the Americas The Americas has a varied level of agricultural mechanization across countries. This farming process is a major driver of the overall development in the Americas. The rice transplanter machine market helps in generating higher wages as it requires more skilled labor and can create and strengthen linkages with other service sectors such as input suppliers, repair shops, and machinery parts suppliers. The market in the Americas is expected to post a parallel yearly growth rate during the forecast period. “Brazil is one of the leading producers of rice in the Americas and is expected to exhibit a high demand for rice transplanter machines during the forecast period. This is mainly due to improved crop yield and government support in the form of subsidy,” says Shikha. The top vendors in the global rice transplanter machine market as highlighted in this market research analysis are: 

Kubota



Iseki



Yanmar Browse Related Reports:



Global Subsoiler Market 2017-2021



Global Agricultural Biologicals Market 2017-2021



Global Combine Harvester Market 2017-2021 About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio’s report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio’s comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 www.technavio.com

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201 71019005971/en/APAC-Dominates-RiceTransplanter-Machine-Market-Technavio

Global Organic Rice Protein Market 2017 Industry Research Report | Qualitative Analysis By

Jesse Woodson October 19, 2017 0 Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter

Global Organic Rice Protein Market 2017 Industry Research Report offered by Questale contains a market overview of the industry which talks about market size, product scope, market revenue, growth opportunities, sales volumes and figures, growth estimation in coming years, current industry leaders and their sales/revenue metrics. You can request the FREE sample report from here:: https://questale.com/report/global-organic-rice-protein-market-2017industry-research-report/20557 This report studies the Organic Rice Protein market status and outlook of global and major regions, from angles of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries; this report analyzes the top manufacturers in global and major regions, and splits the Organic Rice Protein market by product type and applications/end industries. The major players in global Organic Rice Protein market include Axiom Foods Shafi Gluco Chem AIDP Jiangxi Yiwanjia Organic Agricultural

OPW Ingredients Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Organic Rice Protein in these regions, from 2012 to 2023 (forecast), covering USA China South Asia Europe Others On the basis of product, the Organic Rice Protein market is primarily split into Organic Rice Protein Isolate Organic Rice Protein Concentrate Others On the basis on the end users/applications, this report covers Healthcare Food Sports Nutrition

Beverage Others Ask for the same report here: :: https://questale.com/report/global-organic-riceprotein-market-2017-industry-research-report/20557 Our expert research analysts team has been trained to provide in-depth market research report from every individual sector which will be helpful to understand the industry data in the most precise way.

About Questale Questale is an individual market research report distribution company based out of San Francisco. We publish thousands of market research reports from industries like aerospace, medical, instruments, food, and beverages, constructions, automotive every day. Email: contact@questale.com Website: https://questale.com https://www.newsient.com/global-organic-rice-protein-market-2017-industry-research-reportqualitative-analysis-2/14086

China exports drought-resistant rice farming technique Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-20 15:54:33|Editor: An

HEFEI, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- A China-developed drought-resistant rice breed and its farming method have been introduced to nine countries, mainly in southeast Asia and Africa, according to an agricultural academy in east China's Anhui Province. Dr. Wang Shimei, of the Rice Research Institute of the Anhui Agricultural Academy, said the plantation area of the Lyuhan No. 1 (Green Drought) rice breed had reached 2.3 million hectares in China. Wang said the breed was first exported in 2009 to Angola. Plantation has reached 10,000 hectares in the country since then. The rice has also been planted in countries such as the Philippines, Cambodia, Pakistanand Cameroon. In Cameroon, the rice yield reached just over 29 kg per hectare this year, as compared with about an average 4.5 kg per hectare of other rice breeds in the country. Wang said agricultural experts from 10 countries, including Egypt and Uganda, came to China in June to study the rice growing technique, hoping it could help improve the yield in their countries, which face severe drought. She said the rice breed has also proved to have a steady yield in saline-alkali soil in the Philippines, where fields suffer from monsoon flooding.

Vietnam masters rice-seed production technology 19.10.2017 | UkrAgroConsult Vietnam can control up to 70.5 percent of seed production technology, with 90 percent for purebred rice and 66 percent for hybrid rice. The figures were released by Pham Ngoc Ly, deputy general director of Vinaseed (Vietnam National Seed Corporation), who presided over the research project which assessed the current situation, technological capability and demand for technology renovation in hybrid rice breeding in the north and central coastal areas. The project is part of the national program on technology renovation by 2020, one of the science & technology programs implemented by the Ministry of Science & Technology (MST). â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Vietnam can master the rice seed production technology. However, while the production of purebred seeds can satisfy domestic demand, the production of hybrid seeds can meet only 33 percent of the demand. The other 67 percent must be fed by imports from China and India,â&#x20AC;&#x2013; Ly said. A survey of 17 companies in the north and the central coastal provinces found that only Vinaseed and Thai Binh Seed have modern drying, processing and packaging systems. Vinaseed can produce 30,000 tons of rice

seeds The

a high

year, quality

while machines

Thai are

Binh

imported

Seeds

from

Germany

15,000 and

tons. Denmark.

Vietnam can control up to 70.5 percent of seed production technology, with 90 percent for purebred rice and 66 percent for hybrid rice. The majority of other companies run with simple drying, processing and packaging system, churning out 5,000-7,000 tons a year. At the meeting with agricultural scientists held recently by the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD), Prof Tran Dinh Long, chair of the Vietnam Seed Association, said Vietnamese are proud to be a big exporter of 12 farm produce items. However, Vietnamese can only pocket a modest amount of money. ―The export turnover is about $3 billion a year, while the cost is up to $2.9 billion,‖ he said, adding that the money is spent on pesticides, fertilizers and seeds. Scientists have urged acceleration of the protection of plant varieties, considering this an important solution to help develop new varieties. According to MARD, vegetable & fruit exports brought $1.7 billion in the first six months of 2017, making up 18.6 percent of total value of major farm export items, surpassing rice to become the second largest farm export item, just behind coffee. However, according to the Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO), in 2004-2016, the number of applications for plant protection titles in the sector just accounted for 13.7 percent of total applications, including the applications from foreign subjects. The

same

situation

can

seen

the

coffee

industry.

PVPO said there have been only 15 applications for protection for plant varieties which do not belong to the group including rice, maize, short-term industrial crops, vegetables, flowers and fruit

Vietnam masters rice-seed production technology 19.10.2017 | UkrAgroConsult Vietnam can control up to 70.5 percent of seed production technology, with 90 percent for purebred rice and 66 percent for hybrid rice. The figures were released by Pham Ngoc Ly, deputy general director of Vinaseed (Vietnam National Seed Corporation), who presided over the research project which assessed the current situation, technological capability and demand for technology renovation in hybrid rice breeding in the north and central coastal areas. The project is part of the national program on technology renovation by 2020, one of the science & technology programs implemented by the Ministry of Science & Technology (MST). ―Vietnam can master the rice seed production technology. However, while the production of purebred seeds can satisfy domestic demand, the production of hybrid seeds can meet only 33 percent of the demand. The other 67 percent must be fed by imports from China and India,‖ Ly said. A survey of 17 companies in the north and the central coastal provinces found that only Vinaseed and Thai

Binh Seed have modern drying, processing and packaging systems. Vinaseed can produce 30,000 tons of rice seeds a year, while Thai Binh Seeds 15,000 tons. The

high

quality

machines

are

imported

from

Germany

and

Denmark.

Vietnam can control up to 70.5 percent of seed production technology, with 90 percent for purebred rice and 66 percent for hybrid rice. The majority of other companies run with simple drying, processing and packaging system, churning out 5,000-7,000 tons a year. At the meeting with agricultural scientists held recently by the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD), Prof Tran Dinh Long, chair of the Vietnam Seed Association, said Vietnamese are proud to be a big exporter of 12 farm produce items. However, Vietnamese can only pocket a modest amount of money. â&#x20AC;&#x2022;The export turnover is about $3 billion a year, while the cost is up to $2.9 billion,â&#x20AC;&#x2013; he said, adding that the money is spent on pesticides, fertilizers and seeds. Scientists have urged acceleration of the protection of plant varieties, considering this an important solution to help develop new varieties. According to MARD, vegetable & fruit exports brought $1.7 billion in the first six months of 2017, making up 18.6 percent of total value of major farm export items, surpassing rice to become the second largest farm export item, just behind coffee. However, according to the Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO), in 2004-2016, the number of applications for plant protection titles in the sector just accounted for 13.7 percent of total applications, including the applications from foreign subjects. The

same

situation

can

seen

the

coffee

industry.

PVPO said there have been only 15 applications for protection for plant varieties which do not belong to the group including rice, maize, short-term industrial crops, vegetables, flowers and fruit

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/vietnam-masters-rice-seed-production-technology

Unprecedented rice output surprises Iranians 19 October 2017 14:52 (UTC+04:00)

Access to paid information is limited

News on the website Trend.az marked as , is available ONLY to subscribers of TREND International News Agency.

People believing in agripreneurship 0

BY DR. WILLIAM DAR ON OCTOBER 20, 2017BUSINESS COLUMNS

DR. WILLIAM DAR

(Second of three parts) Inclusiveness is totally useless if it does not take into account smallholders, or turning them into agripreneurs. Just look at most rice Filipino farmers who are at the mercy of traders and millers who are the ones raking in big profits because they can control the prices and have better access to the markets. Advertisements While it is impossible to create thousands of millionaires from the ranks of rice farmers, I do not see any reason why they should be denied a better chance to earn by including them in the value chain. And it can be done! One very good model for rice farmers to earn more was presented by Song Saran, founder and chief executive officer of Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co. Ltd., during the recent Asean Agricultural Summit 2017. Amru Rice was registered with Cambodiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Ministry of Commerce in 2011 and undertook gradual vertical integration by establishing its semi-processing facilities and integrating farmer cooperatives in specific provinces, paving the way for agripreneurship to flourish among smallholders. At present, the Cambodian company has 250 employees, and its products include rice, organic rice and rice paper. More importantly, it has involved through contract growing thousands of smallholder farmers. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s organic rice production covers 10,000 hectares in Preah Vihear, Ratakiri, Odor Meanchey and Siem Reap involving 4,000 smallholder farmer families. Its fragrant rice production are in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Pursat covering 3,000 hectares with 1,000 smallholder farmer families, while its white rice production are in Kampong Cham,

Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, and Kampong Chhnang covering 3,500 hectares with 1,500 smallholder farmer families. From its three rice milling plants, Amru Rice can produce annually 80,000 tons of rice and 1,000 tons of rice paper and rice noodles. Also, the company produced 4,500 tons of organic milled rice that were all exported. Amru Rice is able to export its organic rice because its manufacturing facilities have ISO 22000, HACCP and GMP certifications and is in the process of obtaining BRC Certification. Saran also said Amru Rice works closely with various agriculture cooperatives in Cambodia with which it has ―carefully crafted contract farming format‖ so smallholder farmers can have a better source of livelihood along the supply chain. Besides its 250 employees, Amru Rice‘s activities have created 400 part-time jobs for training and internal control quality/system. The company also forged partnerships with various local and international organizations such as GIZ, IFC, World Bank, responsibility, Oxfam, AFD, among others.

Lessons from Indonesia’s coconut industry For solutions to help develop the Philippine coconut industry to also benefit smallholders, Hengky Novarianto of Indonesia made a very good presentation during the summit. Novarianto, who represented three Indonesian agencies—Indonesian Palma Crops Research Institute (IPCRI), Indonesian Center of Estate Crops and Research Development (ICERD), and Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD)— said there should be a ―mutually beneficial cooperation between coconut farmers and the industries.‖ That is self explanatory. Indonesia currently has 3.6 million hectares of land planted to coconut with 98 percent belonging to smallholders, which is very much like the situation in the Philippines. Novarianto enumerated the problems plaguing Indonesia‘s coconut industry: low quality of manpower; small or fragmented land holdings; old and senile trees; pests and diseases; low productivity; and copra still the main product. Clearly, those are the same problems that the Philippine coconut industry currently faces which I already discussed in one of my past column-series in The Manila Times Agribusiness page (‗State of the PH coconut industry and what must be done‘ published on August 25, 2017, and ‗Intercropping in coconut farms‘ published on September 1). Novarianto also explained that coco coir, which is made from discarded coconut husks, has great export potential with India and Sri Lanka still the world leaders supplying China, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, which is the fastest growing market for cocopith, a product made from coco coir and coco dust.

Like in the Philippines, the coconut farms in Indonesia suffer from ―poor maintenance,‖ which results in poor yield and earnings for smallholders. Because of that, according to Novarianto, many coconut processing companies in Indonesia have difficulty getting the raw materials, while small and fragmented farms increase transport costs. However, even with numerous problems confronting its coconut industry, Indonesia is making great progress in value adding and including smallholders in the value chain. Novarianto also identified coco sugar as one of the most promising export products for his country‘s coconut industry. He added coco sugar‘s economic value is five times compared to copra, which demonstrates the power of value adding. Indonesia currently produces about 300,000 tons of coco sugar every year but demand is increasing for the export market. According to Novarianto, coco sugar exports from his country topped 28,775 tons in 2016, which was more than double the 14,095 tons in 2012. The major export markets for Indonesian coco sugar are the US (68 percent), the Netherlands (7 percent), South Korea (5 percent), Malaysia (4 percent), Malaysia (4 percent), Australia (3 percent) and Singapore (3 percent). In Indonesia, according to Novarianto, each farming family can produce 20 to 30 kilograms of coco sugar from 120 to 180 liters of sap harvested per day, and there are efforts to introduce high-yielding dwarf varieties so Indonesia can cash in on the growing demand for coco sugar worldwide. Novarianto said there is also one big industry initiative in his country of which the objective is to increase ―kecap‖ or sweet soy sauce production from coco sugar. This involves the planting of coconut dwarf varieties to achieve a production of 300 to 400 liters of sap per day, which is easily a 100-percent increase from the current level.

Coco pith production efforts Indonesia is also ramping up efforts to export more products made from coco coir. Novarianto said three areas are being developed in Aceh, West Sumatra and Lampung with a production target of 400 to 500 tons a month for coco fiber and 1,000 to 1,500 tons of coco dust a month, both raw materials for coco pith. Another 12 locations are being eyed for coco pith production to produce 3,000 tons of coco fiber and 10,000 tons of coco dust per month. And finally, PT Pulau Sambu has expanded its production to produce nata de coco, virgin coconut oil, charcoal, coconut water under the brand name of Kara. According to Novarianto, about 400,000 households of coconut farmers are currently affiliated with the Sambu Group. Saran and Novarianto‘s presentations show us clear examples on how to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem for smallholders with the support of the agro-industrial complex.

It is also worth recognizing the extra efforts and contributions of the Secretariat of the Asean Agriculture Summit 2017 led by Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar assisted by Giliza Gonzalez, Jas Nito and others, for the successful conduct of said summit.

First parts http://www.manilatimes.net/people-believing-agripreneurship/356184/ http://www.manilatimes.net/people-believing-agripreneurship-2/357576/

Senegal Presidency Targets 'Fake News' 

October 19, 2017 10:25 AM Sofia Christensen

FILE - Senegalese President Macky Sall, front left, responds to journalists' questions during a press conference.

Share     

DAKAR — Senegal’s presidency is getting into the fact-checking business.

―Fake news is flourishing. It is something people cannot control and that can end up affecting politics, society and the way people behave," says the Special Advisor to President Macky Sall, Ousmane Thiongane. It is a concern being raised around the continent, and around the world for that matter. A recent study of the Kenyan electoral campaign released in July found that 90 percent of Kenyans had ―seen or heard false news‖ about the election, much of it shared via Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp. Thiongane recalls how the Senegalese government had to intervene earlier this year amid panic over false rumors about "plastic rice" imported from China. Senegalese authorities publicly tested rice imports and broadcast interviews with scientists to dispel the myth that had spread in several African countries via social media. The presidency launched its new initiative on October 12, inviting social media users to flag questionable posts regarding the presidency using its youth-oriented social media account Generation Senegal and the hashtag #STOPFAKENEWS. The initiative’s first, and only, post went up that same day, seeking to debunk criticism of Senegal’s healthcare system, though the post did not specify the source of the claim. Senegal is known to have a relatively vibrant and open media, however the quality of information online can be uneven. One reporter for a popular local news outlet told VOA ―there are tons of news sites in Senegal, and many only exist to take advantage of press subsidies. It would be good to regulate all this, as long as both the media and government respect each other.‖

FILE - Macky Sall, the president of Senegal.

In Senegal, diffusing false information, defamation and insulting the head of state are all criminal offenses punishable by jail time and fines. The presidency’s new initiative has some rights groups wary. Fatou Jagne Senghor is the West Africa regional director for Article 19, which defends freedom of expression and information. She says tracking social media can be ―intimidating‖ to the public and a waste of government time. Senghor says ―it will create self-censorship, and it can lead to abuses if it is not well managed because certain people and social groups will be targeted.‖ Senegal is one of several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Uganda, that have used existing laws to detain or prosecute individuals over social media posts in the past two years. In August, Senegalese singer Amy Collé Dieng was charged with ―offending the head of state‖ and ―broadcasting fake news‖ over a WhatsApp recording in which she allegedly refers to President Macky Sall as a ―lizard‖ and a ―sai-sai,‖ a term in Wolof that could be translated as ―scoundrel.‖ She was released on bail. Dieng’s case followed the detention of a local journalist and three friends for sharing a satirical photomontage of President Sall on WhatsApp in May. The four were charged for ―diffusing immoral images‖ and released on bail. The presidency told VOA the government’s response to Dieng’s case was exceptional because she is such a well-known public figure, and the goal of the fake news campaign is to verify information for the public

https://www.voanews.com/a/senegal-fake-news/4077478.html Singapore asked to increase its imports Sum Manet / Khmer Times Share:

The Foreign Minister asked Singapore to buy more Cambodian pepper and other goods. KT/Mai Vireak

Cambodia has asked Singapore to consider buying more Cambodian agricultural products, particularly rice, pepper and mango. The request was made during a meeting on Tuesday between Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan. ―To further increase bilateral trade, the Cambodian Minister requested Singapore to consider importing agricultural products, namely rice, peppers, and mangoes,‖ the official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reads. ―The two foreign ministers frankly discussed and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in many fields, including trade and investment, education and human resource development, tourism, culture, labour, air connectivity and healthcare. ―They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interests.‖

―Singapore is a consumer country. They need food products from countries like Cambodia, and we have the resources to supply them,‖ said Ministry of Commerce spokeswoman Seung Sophari. ―We have to showcase products with high quality and good prices so that they will be interested in them,‖ she added. ―Singapore has invested heavily in the kingdom.‖ In May, more than 40 business delegates from the Singapore-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry met with the secretary-general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia to seek local business partners and investment opportunities. Delegates led by chamber president Roland Ng, the chairman of Tat Hong Holdings, came from various sectors, including construction, engineering, energy, tourism, manufacturing, professional services, logistics, trade and healthcare. ―Singapore has immense experience in overseas investments and I do hope they can transfer this knowledge to Cambodia,‖ Mr Ng said. The Singapore-China Chamber of Commerce has 4,000 members and 150 trade associations representing more than 40,000 companies. Singapore is one of Cambodia‘s key trading partners, with bilateral trade worth $1.1 billion in 2015. It is the kingdom‘s third largest investor

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5087075/sing apore-asked-increase-imports/ The rice that

could reduce world hunger: Scientists take a major step towards creating a 'supercharged' grain that is 50% more productive   

Researchers introduced a gene into rice to change its photosynthesis pathway This is the first of three steps needed to create 'supercharged' rice While research is still in early stages, if the rice can be created, it could help to feed people around the world By SHIVALI BEST FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 17:02 BST, 19 October 2017 | UPDATED: 17:25 BST, 19 October 2017



   

e-mail



77 View comments

In the hopes of meeting the food needs of billions of people around the world, scientists have taken a major step towards creating a 'supercharged' strain of rice. The rice has been genetically modified to be more effective at photosynthesis – the process used by plants in which energy from sunlight converts carbon dioxide and water into molecules needed for growth. While the research is still in the early stages, researchers hope that the new rice could be 50 per cent more productive, and help to feed people around the world. Scroll down for video

+3 ď&#x201A;ˇ

In the hopes of meeting the food needs of billions of people around the world, scientists have taken a major step towards creating a 'supercharged' strain of rice (stock image)

C3 VERSUS C4 PHOTOSYNTHESIS Rice normally uses a photosynthetic pathway called C3, which in hot and dry environments is much less efficient than the C4 pathway using by other plants. But if rice could be 'switched' to use C4 photosynthesis, it could increase productivity by 50 per cent. In most C4 plants, photosynthetic reactions happen in two cell types arranged in 'wreaths' around closely spaced veins, in an arrangement known as 'Kranz anatomy.' One of the major challenges the researchers faced was converting the rice leaf anatomy to this structure. In this study, the researchers were able to complete the first of three steps to convert rice to C4 photosynthesis.

To do this, the team introduced a single maize gene called GOLDEN2-LIKE to the rice plant. This increased the volume of chloroplasts (structures where photosynthesis takes place) and mitochondria (structures that provide energy) in the sheath cells surrounding leaf veins.

Researchers from Oxford University have taken an important step in a long-term project aimed at improving photosynthesis in rice. In their study, the team introduced a single maize gene to the plant to make it more efficient at photosynthesis. Rice normally uses a photosynthetic pathway called C3, which in hot and dry environments is much less efficient than the C4 pathway using by other plants. But if rice could be 'switched' to use C4 photosynthesis, it could increase productivity by 50 per cent. Professor Jane Langdale, lead author of the study, said: 'Over three billion people depend on rice for survival, and, owing to predicted population increases and a general trend towards urbanisation, land that provided enough rice to feed 27 people in 2010 will need to support 43 by 2050. 'In this context, rice yields need to increase substantially over the next 35 years. 'Given that traditional breeding programmes currently achieve around a one per cent increase in yield per annum, this is not a trivial endeavour.' Despite only being used by three per cent of plant species, the C4 pathway accounts for around a quarter of productivity on Earth. In most C4 plants, photosynthetic reactions happen in two cell types arranged in 'wreaths' around closely spaced veins, in an arrangement known as 'Kranz anatomy.' One of the major challenges the researchers faced was converting the rice leaf anatomy to this structure.