21st july,2016 daily global,regional and local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

July 21,2016 Vol 7 , Issue VII

Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Today Rice News Headlines...               

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Pakistan eyes $2 billion through rice exports Insolvency Looms in Rice Sector Asia Rice-Prices up in India, near 5-mnth low in Vietnam PH must achieve rice sufficiency – Sec. Piñol Pangilinan pushes for calamity-ready rice reserve Rice exports plunge 40 percent in June New technologies boost rice production India's monsoon cheer forecast to continue as La Nina kicks in Thai farmers urged to embrace innovation India's monsoon cheer forecast to continue as La Nina kicks in Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-21 July,2016 07/20/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report National Rice RCPP Project Goes Live in California APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1519 This Summer Think Water Smart -15% Off Dehraduni Basmati Rice * MPCA issues latest revisions to proposed wild rice standards Opposition to GM food is killing poor people Chinese Scientists Push for Wider GMO Use Amid Protests Global Rice Seed Market 2016- Dupont, Bayer, NUZIVEEDU , Kaveri, Mahyco, RiceTec, Krishidhan, Rasi Seeds, JK seeds, Syngenta, Research finds super cap criticism is ‗misinformed‘ Minnesota mines and environmentalists face off over rice

Editorial Board Chief Editor

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Hamlik

Managing Editor

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Abdul Sattar Shah Rahmat Ullah Rozeen Shaukat

English Editor

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Maryam Editor Legal Advisor Advocate Zaheer Minhas

Editorial Associates

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Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid Javed Islam Agha Ch.Hamid Malhi Dr.Akhtar Hussain Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF) Islam Akhtar Khan

Editorial Advisory Board

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Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim

Assistant Professor, Gomal University DIK

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Dr.Hasina Gul

Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK

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Dr.Hidayat Ullah Assistant Professor, University of

News Detail...

Pakistan eyes $2 billion through rice exports

Swabi

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Assistant Professor, University of Swabi

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By Javed Mirza July 21, 2016

Dr.Abdul Basir

Zahid Mehmood PSO,NIFA Peshawar

KARACHI: Pakistan is estimated to export 4.5 million tons of rice, fetching approximately $2.0 billion for the year 2016/17 as experts pin hopes on higher hybrid production as well as pro-agriculture and proexport measures announced by the government.

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Falak Naz Shah

Head Food Science & Technology 2 ART, Peshawar

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

The office of Global Analysis USDA has raised Pakistan‘s exports forecast by 0.1 million tons to 4.5 million tons on a stronger pace of trade.

USDA projects around 20 percent larger purchases by Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan from Pakistan. Reportedly, Saudi Arabia would import around 1.6 million tons of rice during the period.

Global Analysis USDA maintains Pakistan‘s rice export quotes at $410/ton. Arif Mahesar, an office bearer of Pakistan Rice Growers Association, said hybrid varieties were being grown in many areas and production would be better. ―Pakistan‘s rice exports have crossed 4.0 million ton mark in the past, and there is sufficient demand in the international market.‖ ―If the country‘s production during the year comes to 7.0 million tons, rice exports will surely surge to 4.5 million tons.‖ Mahesar, however is wary of the lower commodity prices, which are compelling the growers to opt for alternate crops. ―A number of rice growers in Sindh have already switched to sugarcane due to low rice prices. But, the hybrid seed is available in the local market, which enables higher yields on smaller land.‖

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Mahesar said that there were some concerns pertaining to hybrid produce, ―but the positive point is that China, which is a big market, likes hybrid produce.‖ According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country exported 3.946 million tons of rice fetching $1.7 billion during JulyMay 2015-16.

For 2016/17, USDA Grain Report forecasts global production at a new record, primarily due to a larger crop in the United States, while global trade is forecast lower, with reduced imports and consumption in Bangladesh, Iran, and Nigeria.

Ahsan Mehanti, Director at Arif Habib Commodities, said government had announced several incentives for the promotion of agriculture as well as exports, which would be reflected in overall agro-based production. ―However, the higher production of any commodity cannot guarantee higher exports. If rice production numbers grow northwards globally, and competitors offer better rates, Pakistan‘s exports might take a hit.‖ Mehanti said Middle East and Africa were the primary markets for Pakistani rice, and Thailand, Vietnam, and India were competing producers. ―India‘s rice export quotes were lower than Pakistan last year, and concerned authorities should focus on better marketing also,‖ Mehanti noted https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/136327-Pakistan-eyes-2-billion-through-rice-exports

Insolvency Looms in Rice Sector The specter of insolvency looms large over the businesses of rice millers in the Kingdom as the government drags its foot in providing emergency loans to bail out the sector, currently reeling from the aftereffects of a severe drought and facing stiff competition from low-grade rice flowing into the country from Vietnam.To further add salt to their wounds, two visiting European Commission delegations hinted last week that the European Union (EU) could limit rice imports from Cambodia as it moves from a low-income country to a lower-middle-income nation.

Late last month, the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) announced that the government agreed to make out loans of between $20 million and $30 million to help rice millers purchase rice from farmers after the harvest this November to store in warehouses and process them for export.The loans were to be made to CRF, with the foundation acting as guarantor. The CRF in turn will screen all applicants and hand out the money to deserving rice millers and exporters, said Hun Lak, CRF‘s vice president.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter But close to a month later none of the loans have been made and rice millers are becoming very anxious.Many millers, exporters and farmers are in financial doldrums due to a severe drought early this year that saw rice production fall drastically.Chray Son, a rice miller and director of the newly established Capital Food in Battambang, told Khmer Times that close to 90 percent of rice millers in the province are facing severe shortage of funds to buy harvested rice from farmers to be milled for export. ―In the next three months if we still cannot afford to buy rice from farmers our businesses will go under and we would have to declare bankruptcy,‖ said Mr. Son.He added that rice millers found it very difficult to get loans from banks and he was disappointed with the limited assistance offered by the government.Though Mr. Son welcomed the emergency loans of $20 million to $30 million offered by the government, he said the repayment period was too short.

―The period of disbursement and payback don‘t make sense. The loans need to be repaid by the end of the year to the government but the bulk of the money is needed for the peak of the harvesting season between November and early January,‖ he said.Mr. Son also said he was worried by remarks made by two visiting European Commission Directorate-General delegations last week that hinted Cambodia would have to share its rice export quotas to the EU with Myanmar.A EU source told Khmer Times that Cambodia could have its quota slashed under the tariff-free entry of rice exports to the EU in the ―Everything but Arms‖ trade concessions to about 300,000 to 350,000 tons a year, and would have to share it with Myanmar. The source said calls were made to cut Cambodia‘s EU tariff-free quotas as the World Bank reclassifies the country‘s status from a low-income country to a lower-middle-income nation.

Last year Cambodia exported 538,396 tons of rice, according to the CRF, 43 percent of which were for the EU markets.―These remarks made by the EU are just worrying and it just adds on to our problems. They seem to be coming one after another,‖ said Mr. Son. On Tuesday, an alarming Facebook post was made by Kao Thach, the director general of the Rural Development Bank, who said rice millers nationwide could be facing bankruptcy unless the government stepped in fast to save them.In his post, he said, 50 rice millers from four provinces ‒ Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Siem Reap and Pursat ‒ had come together in an emergency to discuss the future of the rice milling industry in the country.

Mr. Thach, however, could not be reached for further comments.Chan Sokheang, chairman of rice export company Signature of Asia, said rice millers had to have the promised government emergency loans disbursed to them soon before the harvest season in November so that they can make plans to earmark purchases from farmers in the short harvest time.―There is only a short three or four-week window of opportunity to buy rice from farmers for milling in November. If this is missed, the harvested rice will be sold by farmers to rice millers in neighboring countries,‖ he pointed out.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter In March, rice millers and exporters wrote to the government urging intervention to prevent Vietnamese companies from snapping up high-quality Cambodian rice and flooding the Cambodian market with low-grade grain.Mr. Lak of the CRF, said that the government‘s emergency loans were already in place and urged rice millers to be patient. ―The main point is that borrowers have to lodge loan applications through the Rural Development Bank and then their loans would be considered if they meet the requisite criteria.

These loans have to be paid back and they are not grants,‖ he said.

But Mr. Lak admitted that $20 million to $30 million was still insufficient to solve the current problems of rice millers that at present seem insurmountable. http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/27470/insolvency-looms-in-rice-sector/

Asia Rice-Prices up in India, near 5-mnth low in Vietnam 7/20/2016 * India rice prices gain on higher demand * Vietnam's 5 pct broken prices ease to $357-$365/T * World rice trade seen down at 43.9 mln T in 2016 - FAO * China's 2016 rice imports seen lower at 6.8 mln T - FAO

By Ho Binh Minh HANOI, July 20 (Reuters) - Asian rice export prices were mixed on Wednesday, with prices in top exporter India edging up on higher demand and lower supplies, while Vietnamese prices fell to near the lowest in five months on a lack of buying interest, traders said.

India's 5 percent broken parboiled rice <RI-INBKN5-P1> rose by $4 a tonne this week to $382-$392 a tonne, free on board (FOB), on higher demand and dwindling supplies.

"Demand is improving. Prices could rise by another $15 (per tonne) in the next few weeks," said M. Adishankar, executive

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter director at Sri Lalitha, a leading rice exporter based in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

India's rice exports this year are forecast to fall 9.7 percent from 2015 to 10 million tonnes, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a report on Monday.

Overall, the FAO forecast world rice trade to drop 1.5 percent from 2015 to 43.9 million tonnes, revising down from 44.9 million tonnes in its April forecast.

The lower projection reflected import reductions by buyers such as Bangladesh, China, the Philippines and Sri Lanka due to ample stocks or tightened border protection, the FAO said.

Rice imports this year by China, the world's top importer of the grain, are forecast to ease 4 percent from 2015 to 6.8 million tonnes, as "heightened border surveillance has slowed inflows from Myanmar and Vietnam", the FAO said.

In Vietnam, the world's third-largest exporter after India and Thailand, prices for its 5 percent broken rice for summer-autumn grain widened to $357-$365 a tonne on Wednesday, FOB basis, from $360-$365 a week ago, traders said.

The variety stood at $355 a tonne on Monday, on par with prices on Feb. 24, 2016, based on Thomson Reuters data.

"Rice quality is not good so nobody is buying," a Vietnamese trader in Ho Chi Minh City said, referring to newly harvested grain from Mekong Delta's summer-autumn crop.

Traders said most African buyers have now turned to Thailand, while top importer China has not returned for new purchases.

The Thai rice market is closed on Wednesday for a holiday.

Its 5-percent broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> stood unchanged at $420-$435 a tonne, FOB basis, for all of last week.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter India, Thailand and Vietnam together account for around 60 percent of global rice trade.

(Reporting by Ho Binh Minh; Additional reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in MUMBAI; Editing by Tom Hogue) http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

PH must achieve rice sufficiency – Sec. Piñol 

July 20, 2016

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 20 (PIA) -- Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the Philippines should be rice self-sufficient in the next two years to withstand the adverse effects of climate change. ―We need to attain rice sufficiency in the next two years and attain rice buffer stock six months before the Duterte administration ends,‖ Piñol emphasized as he addressed South Cotabateños gathered at the South Cotabato Sports Complex on Monday.

Sec. Piñol was here as one of the three guests of honor at the province 50th Foundation Anniversary and 17th Tnalak Festival culmination program.

Other guests were Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno and National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Piñol emphasized, Philippines would be left without adequate rice supply if El Nino if its sources of imported rice such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia are affected by El Niño phenomenon.

To boost rice sufficiency, the official said, the country must have enough buffer stocks of food and that the DA under his watch will provide necessary assistance to the farmers in producing food for the Filipino people. ―We will support the farmers by providing free seeds and free fertilizers for the next cropping terms on condition that these farmers deposit in a bank an amount equal to the amount of the production inputs given to them by DA so that they have available money to buy seeds and fertilizers of the next cropping,‖ he said. Free seeds and fertilizers will be released in 2017, he said.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Regarding this, he urged the local government units to identify their rice production areas and possible rice expansion areas to help DA allocate adequate amount production inputs. ―If we need to put up a communal irrigation project there, we will do that. If you need water pumps as well as pre and postharvest machines, we will give you that,‖ he continued.

Under his management, he added, DA will veer away from building huge irrigation projects that take years and billions of pesos to construct and cause detrimental effects to the environment.

Meantime, he said that the provision of free production inputs to the farmers and fisherfolks is just part of the priority agenda of the DA as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte. ―When President Duterte appointed me as his Agriculture Secretary, he has only two mandates.

First, to stop corruption in the agency and ensure that there is affordable and available food for every Filipino.‖If there‘s no corruption in the DA, Piñol stressed, there will be enough funds for everybody since the agency is one of the departments given with huge budget allocation annually. (LMSalvo-DA RAFIS 12/DEDoguiles-PIA 12) http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1611468986660/ph-must-achieve-rice-sufficiency-sec-pi-ol

Pangilinan pushes for calamity-ready rice reserve By: Maila Ager INQUIRER.net 11:18 AM July 20th, 2016

Senator Francis ―Kiko‖ Pangilinan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE To mitigate the crippling effects of a possible La Niña, Senator Francis ―Kiko‖ Pangilinan is proposing a measure that would establish a strategic rice reserve to help ensure food security in times of calamity. ―Rice is a staple food of the Filipinos. As preparation for the rainy season, we must ensure that there is enough supply that is easily accessible and affordable especially during the aftermath of calamities,‖ Pangilinan said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

He said his bill known as ―The Strategic Food Security Rice Reserve Act of 2016‖ will ensure a steady and ample supply of rice year round, which is equivalent to 15 days national rice consumption, at affordable prices. ―This will be controlled by the government through the National Food Authority (NFA), and released to the market as soon as the President declares a State of Calamity through the recommendation of the Agriculture Secretary,‖ said Pangilinan, who chaired the NFA council during his stint as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

The stock, he said, will be procured from small farmers and farmers‘ cooperatives to strengthen their grains marketing activities. ―This is consistent with our mandate to help ensure that our agricultural programs are prioritizing the increase in income of our farmers,‖ said the senator.

His proposal came amid the weather state bureau‘s prediction that there is a 55-60% probability of a weak La Niña forming this year.

If La Niña occurs, Pangilinan said, farmers and the agriculture sector would bear the brunt and would suffer more as they are still recovering from El Niño.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter ―Our farmers are doubly affected whenever disaster strikes. Their produce are hindered by flooding and, at the same time, depresses their income,‖ he said.

Pangilinan pointed out that the recently concluded El Niño resulted in more than P4 billion worth of agricultural damages as of February 2016. IDL

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/797438/pangilinan-pushes-for-calamity-ready-rice-reserve#ixzz4F1bXnaF5

Rice exports plunge 40 percent in June July 20, 2016 by talkvietnam Vietnam exported only 380,000 tons of rice in June, down nearly 40 percent over the same period last year, reported the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).

Export rice bags are loaded on the boat in the Hau River, the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP)

The export volume reached 2.66 million tons worth US$1.20 billion in the first six months of 2016, a year on year reduction of 11 percent in volume and 6.9 percent in value.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter China which is the largest rice export market of Vietnam posted a significant reduction to 912,076 tons worth US$420 million, falling 13.1 percent in volume and 11 percent in value.

Similarly, the export volume to the Philippines dropped 45 percent to 193,435 tons.

Rice export has been reduced in recent months because of drought and salt intrusion and severer competition in the world market.

The down trend is forecast to continue in the upcoming time as the Thai Ministry of Commerce will open for sale 3.7 million tons of rice in stock on July 25 while Vietnam‘s large markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines have announced no hurry to import rice.

The above difficulties have forced VFA to lower the rice export target of 2016 to 5.65 million tons from 6.5 million tons https://www.talkvietnam.com/2016/07/rice-exports-plunge-40-percent-in-june/

New technologies boost rice production File photo: Farmers working on a rice field New technologies introduced to dry season rice farmers at the Daffiama and Sankana irrigation dams in the Upper West Region have boosted rice production.

The adoptation of the ―Feed the Future Ghana Agricultural Technology Transfer (ATT) project‘s‖ Urea Deep Placement (UDP), rice transplanting, the provision certified rice seeds, free fertilizers and planting on rolls technologies had helped increased production compared to the indigenous broadcasting system known to the farmers.

The interventions also allowed more rice to be planted and made weeding and harvesting easier and faster as well as helped to reduce cost and promote maximum utilisation of fertilizer than the traditional broadcasting system.

A plant could develop about 25 to 30 tillers as compared to the traditional method of broadcasting, which produced about 14 tillers.

The project‘s goal is to increase the availability of appropriate and affordable technologies to sustainably improve the competitiveness of maize, rice, and soybean value chains in Northern Ghana.

It focused on integrated soil fertility management, seed sector promotion and upscaling of high quality seeds, capacity building in research.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

At â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Farmers Field Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; at Daffiama in the Daffiama, Bussie, Issa District to evaluate production levels, and benefits of the technologies, the farmers said they were happy with the new innovations introduced to them.

The Field Day brought a number of farmers in the communities to the field to witness the harvesting of the rice, and they expressed interest to participate in the project.

Some of the farmers who interacted with journalists said they were happy with the vigour of the crops and expressed surprise with the high yields.

The farmers promised to put all the 20 hectares irrigable land area into rice cultivation using the technologies.

They however expressed that livestock are destroying the rice and appealed to community members to control the movement of the animals.

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The farmers also asked the sponsors of the project to consider fencing the fields to stop stray animals from destroying the crops.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Madam Mabel Bogtege, a rice farmer said at first it was difficult to transplant the rice as that caused her waist pains, but now all had turned to be joy because the quality and quantity of rice on stock is good and beyond her expectation. ―I am going to sell some, keep some as seed and eat the rest‖, she said.Mr Samuel Ayamga Atia, Regional Technical Manager of the ATT, said the project has been introduced in Tono and Vea in the Upper East Region and Bontanga and Golinga in the Northern Region, which yielded positive results.

Farmers implementing the technology are realising rice yields from 24 to 28 bags per an acre of land as compared to the traditional system of broadcasting, which gave them from three to five bags.

He said the project acquired four briquettes machines to produce fertilizers for rice farmers in the Upper East and Northern Regions and that had helped increased rice production to more than 300 per cent.

He said apart from the Daffiama and Sankana communities, 10 other communities have been identified in the region to benefit from the project next season.

The ATT in collaboration with Ghana Irrigation Development Authority had established ―Learning Centres‖ on the fields for rice farmers to see all the best practices that were associated with the technologies.

Mr Tia said the farmers were involved in the training on all the practices such as nursery, transplanting and UDP application, which involved placing urea briquettes at a depth of seven and 10 cm between four rice plants seven to 14 days after transplanting to improve nitrogen fertilization in irrigation rice systems. ―This one time application of the urea significantly reduces the recommended rates of urea while increasing the yields of paddy rice by an average of 15 and 30 per cent,‖ he explained.

The technology helps to reduce nitrogen losses through run-off, and leaching volatilisation and enhances the availability of nitrogen for the crops, he added.

It also suppress weeds growth thereby reducing cost of weeding while increase yields and reduce cost of fertilizer.

Dr Boubakary Cisse, Rice Seed Expert, USAID Seed Scaling Project said the project‘s goal was to stimulate the development of a sustainable rice seed system in Northern Ghana.

He said the project would help improve seed planning and connecting actors along the rice seed

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter value chain, strengthen capacity of rice seed value chain actors and facilitate access to adapted equipment from seed production to conditioning and storage.

He said the project would facilitate access to quality breeder seed for private sector companies intending to produce foundation seed and facilitating access to quality foundation seed for outgrowers intending to produce certified seed both at the commercial and informal sectors.

Dr. Cisse announced that the project would produce 6,000 tonnes of certified and quality seed to farmers in the north before it folds up USAID-Ghana is funding the five years project to increase the competitiveness of rice, maize and soybean value chains, fostering broad-based and sustained economic growth through the increase availability of agricultural technologies and increasing productivity in northern Ghana.

The project focuses on Ghanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Feed the Future intervention zone covering the Savannah ecological zones of Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.

The International Fertilizer Development Centre has been the lead implementer of the ATT project. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/New-technologies-boost-rice-production455933

India's monsoon cheer forecast to continue as La Nina kicks in NEW DELHI | By Sankalp Phartiyal

The El Nino weather pattern is likely to dissipate by early August, giving way to La Nina, two top officials of the Indian weather office said on Tuesday, swelling already bountiful monsoon rains that are crucial for India's farm sector.

India is almost halfway through its four-month monsoon season and plentiful rains so far have lifted farmers' hopes of a revival in output and incomes after the El Nino weather phenomenon led to two straight years of drought.

El Nino is a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, causing dry weather in some parts of the world and floods in others.

A weakening El Nino is likely to give way to La Nina, characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, the two officials said.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter "Global factors of monsoon variability are set to confirm our prediction of above-average rains," one of the Indian Meteorological Department officials said, adding that La Nina could develop early next month.

A U.S. government weather forecaster said last week that the La Nina weather phenomenon is favored to develop during August through October.

Rains covered the whole of India on July 13 and are 2 percent above average since June 1, helping the steady planting of summer-sown crops such as sugarcane, cotton, rice and lentils.

India's forecast of above-average rainfall needs to come to fruition if the country of 1.3 billion is to tame inflation and remain a net exporter of food products this year.

The country's rain-fed farms account for nearly 15 percent of its $2 trillion economy and more than three fifths of the people making a living from agriculture.

(Editing by David Goodman) http://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-monsoon-idUSKCN0ZZ25U

Thai farmers urged to embrace innovation PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI THE NATION July 20, 2016 1:00 am A rice farmer in Japan has adopted modern technology and innovation to increase rice quality and minimise impacts from natural disasters.A JAPANESE RICE farmer must be the envy of his Thai counterparts, earning Bt50,000 or more per rai, five times what they gain from their hard work.

According to Tsutomu Miyakoshi, former general manager of the Research Institute of Agricultural Economics under the Niigata prefectural government, Thai farmers could also enjoy such a high income if greater focus were placed on innovation.

During a briefing in Bangkok last week, Miyakoshi attributed Japanese farmers' high incomes to their focus on production quality, which could be achieved through innovative solutions for rice farming as well as innovative ideas on adding value to the farms' output.

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As a major rice producer, Thailand could maintain such a position if farming were possible even during a natural disaster. Meanwhile, Thailand may need to diversify its focus, from merely producing rice as a main staple to producing rice products with added value, he said.

In Japan, the help starts from the government. When there is a risk of storms with strong winds, farmers are told to deepen their rice fields so that they can hold more water and allow the rice to grow without interruption. Japanese farmers also coat rice seeds with iron powder to add weight.

This will also help protect the seeds from birds.

Once output becomes steady, they pay attention to rice packaging and design. Thanks to this creativity, one brand of Japanese rice can sell its product for 2,000 yen (about Bt660) per kilogram.

Some Japanese farmers have also diversified into rice-based products such as snacks and cosmetics. This helps increase their incomes and creates sustainable development for the rice industry, Miyakoshi said.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter "When rice is turned into products, the value tends to increase three- to fivefold," he said.

Miyakoshi is ready to share these experiences with Thai farmers.As agricultural-solutions adviser to Siam Kubota Corp, he is working on solutions to develop the Thai rice industry, embracing innovation. The objective is to reduce farmers' reliance on the mercy of nature or government subsidies.The solutions should be ready within one year and Siam Kubota may seek help from government agencies in implementing them.

While waiting for the right solutions, Miyakoshi urges farmers, which normally cultivate 5-10 rai (8,000-16,000 square metres) per household, to integrate their rice fields to increase bargaining power when purchasing agricultural machinery and equipment.

India's monsoon cheer forecast to continue as La Nina kicks in NEW DELHI | By Sankalp Phartiyal

The El Nino weather pattern is likely to dissipate by early August, giving way to La Nina, two top officials of the Indian weather office said on Tuesday, swelling already bountiful monsoon rains that are crucial for India's farm sector.

India is almost halfway through its four-month monsoon season and plentiful rains so far have lifted farmers' hopes of a revival in output and incomes after the El Nino weather phenomenon led to two straight years of drought.

El Nino is a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, causing dry weather in some parts of the world and floods in others.

A weakening El Nino is likely to give way to La Nina, characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, the two officials said.

"Global factors of monsoon variability are set to confirm our prediction of above-average rains," one of the Indian Meteorological Department officials said, adding that La Nina could develop early next month.

A U.S. government weather forecaster said last week that the La Nina weather phenomenon is favored to develop during August through October.

Rains covered the whole of India on July 13 and are 2 percent above average since June 1, helping the steady planting of summer-sown crops such as sugarcane, cotton, rice and lentils.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter India's forecast of above-average rainfall needs to come to fruition if the country of 1.3 billion is to tame inflation and remain a net exporter of food products this year.

The country's rain-fed farms account for nearly 15 percent of its $2 trillion economy and more than three fifths of the people making a living from agriculture.

(Editing by David Goodman)

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-21 July,2016 Nagpur, July 21 Desi gram reported down in open market here on lack of demand from local millers amid good supply from producing regions. Easy condition in Madhya Pradesh gram prices also affected sentiment in weak trading activity, according to sources. *

*

*

*

FOODGRAINS & PULSES * Wheat mill quality reported higher in open market on renewed demand from local traders amid weak supply from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana. * In Akola, Tuar New - 8,500-8,700, Tuar dal New - 12,800-13,100, Udid 12,500-13,000, Udid Mogar (clean) - 16,200-17,100, Moong 8,200-8,400, Moong Mogar (clean) 9,200-9,500, Gram - 7,700-8,000, Gram Super best bold - 9,500-9,900 for 100 kg. * Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals, settled at last levels.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction n.a.

8,030-8,890 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction n.a.

7,800-8,800 Moong Auction n.a.

6,400-6,600 Udid Auction n.a.

4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a.

2,600-2,800 Gram Super Best Bold 10,000-10,300 10,000-10,300 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,800 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Gram Mill Quality 8,500-8,700 8,500-8,700 Desi gram Raw 7,950-8,250 8,000-8,300 Gram Yellow 9,500-9,700 9,500-9,700 Gram Kabuli 8,900-10,900 8,900-10,900 Gram Pink 9,300-9,600 9,300-9,600 Tuar Fataka Best-New 13,100-13,500 13,100-13,500 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 12,500-12,800 12,500-12,800 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 12,200-12,500 12,200-12,500 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 11,300-11,800 11,300-11,800 Tuar Gavarani New 8,700-8,900 8,700-8,900 Tuar Karnataka 8,800-9,200 8,800-9,200 Tuar Black 12,200-13,000 12,200-13,000 Masoor dal best 7,500-7,700 7,500-7,700 Masoor dal medium 6,600-7,100 6,600-7,100 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 8,500-9,000 8,500-9,000 Moong Mogar Medium 8,000-8,400 8,000-8,400 Moong dal Chilka 6,800-7,200 6,800-7,200 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 8,100-8,500 8,100-8,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 16,000-17,000 16,000-17,000 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 13,500-15,000 13,500-15,000 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 9,000-9,200 9,000-9,200 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 6,400-6,800 6,400-6,800 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,200 4,100-4,200 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,000 3,800-4,000 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,300-4,800 4,300-4,800 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,850-1,950 1,850-1,950 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,050 1,950-2,000 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,750-1,950 1,750-1,950 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,400 2,250-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,200 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,800 3,200-3,800 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,000 2,900-3,000 Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500 3,000-3,500 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,900 2,600-2,900 Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,500 2,250-2,400 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100 Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,000 3,700-4,000

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,300 3,000-3,230 Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG) 4,700-5,000 4,700-5,000 Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG) 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,500 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,500-14,000 9,700-14,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,000-8,000 7,000-8,000 Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,400 5,200-5,400 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,850 1,700-1,850 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 32.0 degree Celsius (89.6 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

25.7 degree Celsius (78.3 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : 25.0 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunders-showers very likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 30 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

Attn : Nagpur APMC soyabean and foodgrain traders today continued their strike in protest against Maharashtra government decision to impose commission on them. Some traders are ready to participate in the auctions. Final decision will be taken in second session today, according to sources. http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL4N1A72UY

07/20/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report Rice High Low Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Futures:

ROUGH RICE High Low

Last Change

Sep '16 1088.0 1077.5 1081.0 +2.5 Nov '16 1114.5 1104.5 1108.0 +2.5 Jan '17

1132.5 +2.5

Mar '17

1152.5 +2.0

May '17

1171.5 +2.0

Jul '17

1185.5 +2.0

Sep '17

1185.5 +2.0

Rice Comment The rice market continues to track mostly sideways on extremely light volume. The WASDE report showed mostly offsetting changes, but 16-17 ending stocks are projected at their highest level since 85-86 thanks to large increases in California medium grain stocks. The all rice on farm average price was lowered, again a result of lower prices in California. November has resistance at $11.17.

National Rice RCPP Project Goes Live in California

By Peter Bachmann

22

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

DAVIS, CA -- Yesterday, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) rolled out the National Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project here, organized and implemented by USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited through their Stewardship Partnership.

The portion of the project, Sustaining the Future of Rice, released is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up. The practices available solely for rice farmers within the program focus on reduction of on-farm water usage and give priority to those seeking to install irrigation tailwater recovery systems and improve the efficiency of irrigation pipelines.

California rice grower and member of the Stewardship Partnership, Leo LaGrande, said he's "excited that the RCPP project is finally kicking off in California, there's definitely a need here for conservation financial assistance."

LaGrande added, "It is common knowledge that we're ranching out here in the West in difficult but efficient environments because of our lack of water. That's why it was important to us when putting together the EQIP ranking criteria that we prioritized water-saving practices to further incentivize innovative irrigation methods."

Rice growers are eligible to submit EQIP applications at their local NRCS offices no later than August 19 in the following counties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba. To learn more about the National Rice RCPP project in California, visit the project's state NRCS page.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The application period for the Conservation Stewardship Program will be announced late this fall across all six rice-growing states

USA Rice Daily

National Rice RCPP Project Goes Live in California

By Peter Bachmann DAVIS, CA -- Yesterday, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) rolled out the National Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project here, organized and implemented by USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited through their Stewardship Partnership.

24

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The portion of the project, Sustaining the Future of Rice, released is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up. The practices available solely for rice farmers within the program focus on reduction of on-farm water usage and give priority to those seeking to install irrigation tailwater recovery systems and improve the efficiency of irrigation pipelines.

California rice grower and member of the Stewardship Partnership, Leo LaGrande, said he's "excited that the RCPP project is finally kicking off in California, there's definitely a need here for conservation financial assistance."

LaGrande added, "It is common knowledge that we're ranching out here in the West in difficult but efficient environments because of our lack of water. That's why it was important to us when putting together the EQIP ranking criteria that we prioritized water-saving practices to further incentivize innovative irrigation methods."

Rice growers are eligible to submit EQIP applications at their local NRCS offices no later than August 19 in the following counties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba. To learn more about the National Rice RCPP project in California, visit the project's state NRCS page. The application period for the Conservation Stewardship Program will be announced late this fall across all six rice-growing states

APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1519 International Benchmark Price Price on: 19-07-2016

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

1

Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

4125

2

Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

3375

3

Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)

3125

1

Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t)

2969

2

South African Orange River, CIF UK (USD/t)

2889

Apricots

Sultanas

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter 3

Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t)

1700

1

CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)

879

2

Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)

691

3

Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)

639

White Sugar

Source: oryza, agra-net

For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 19-07-2016 Domestic Prices Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

1

Haveri (Karnataka)

Local

1300

1300

2

Talod (Gujarat)

Other

2000

2175

3

Parbhani (Maharashtra)

Other

1600

1800

1

Dhekiajuli (Assam)

Other

1400

1500

2

Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh)

Other

1400

1775

3

Kota (Rajasthan)

Other

1535

1622

1

Sirhind (Punjab)

Other

1300

1300

2

Yawal (Maharashtra)

Other

675

1093

3

Mechua (West Bengal)

Other

1600

1700

Jowar(Sorghum)

Maize

Banana

Cabbage

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26

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter 1

Manjeri (Kerala)

Other

2200

2400

2

Shillong (Meghalaya)

Other

1100

1300

3

Barnala (Punjab)

Other

1600

1800

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

For more info

Floriculture

Unit Price : US$ per package Price on 12-07-2016

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Rose Flower

Package: bunched 10s

1

Boston

Ethiopia

Assorted Colors

12.50

Orchid Flower 1

12.50 Package: bunched 10s

Boston

Thailand

Dendrobium

16

Lilies Flower 1

High

16 Package: per bunch

Boston

Canada

Asiatic Type

13.50

13.50

Sunflower 1

Package: per stem Boston

California

Large Head

1.50

1.75

Source:USDA

This Summer Think Water Smart -15% Off Dehraduni Basmati Rice * Use Offer Code: BASMATI15 Taste some of the best basmati rice ever and save precious resources—your time, your wallet and water—when you stock up on our 25-lb bag of authentic Dehraduni basmati. Direct from organic farms in Uttarakhand, India, we work exclusively with families using More Crop Per Drop™ practices that are Water Smart and Women Strong. That means they use a lot less water on their

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter fields and women's workload is lightened. Today through July 29, receive a 15% INTRODUCTORY DISCOUNT and FREE SHIPPING off our whole grain and milled white Dehraduni Basmati Rice.Simply fill your cart and enter offer code BASMATI15 at check out to receive your discount!

MPCA issues latest revisions to proposed wild rice standards STEVE KARNOWSKI, Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Minnesota regulators on Tuesday unveiled the latest refinements to their proposal for revising the state's water quality standards for protecting wild rice from sulfate pollution.The draft document released Tuesday by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency builds on more than 600 comments submitted last fall about the agency's original proposal.

The state's existing standard limits sulfate discharges into wild rice waters to a flat 10 parts per million. The 1970s-era rule went largely unenforced until recently when the debate heated up over proposed copper-nickel mining and pollution from existing iron mines. Mining interests and their legislative allies then complained that the standard was too restrictive. So the MPCA is developing a new approach, using a complicated formula for setting limits for individual waters.

That approach is based on the interplay among sulfates, sulfides, iron and organic carbon in sediments where wild rice grows. Research shows that sulfates in the water aren't directly toxic to wild rice, but they become toxic when bacteria convert them to sulfides in the sediments where the plants take root. Carbon in sediment provides food for the bacteria and boosts sulfide production.

The MPCA is taking feedback through Sept. 6, and citizens can formally comment on the updated proposal during the rulemaking process next year.

"This isn't a decision yet. It's the next step in the process," said Shannon Lotthammer, director of the MPCA's unit that develops water quality standards.

The revisions announced Tuesday fall into four main areas, Lotthammer told reporters. They lower the original proposed limit for sulfide concentrations in sediment. MPCA scientists also refined their equation for determining how this happens. The agency also added more specifics about how data will be collected from individual waters. The fourth area affects how wild rice waters are defined.

Lotthammer acknowledged that the changes are "very technical," but said that the MPCA wanted to be transparent and "show our work" to people who are interested in wild rice. That includes

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter American Indian tribes that consider wild rice to be a sacred food source and an integral part of their culture.

The revisions drew criticism from John Pastor, an expert on wild rice biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He said his research undercuts the MPCA's theory that higher concentrations of iron in water protect wild rice because they reduce sulfides. He said he's found that much of the iron sulfide that precipitates out of the water forms plaques on the roots of wild rice plants that hamper their ability to produce seeds.

Pastor said the MPCA's data on the relationships among sulfides, iron and organic matter don't completely match what his researchers are seeing in their experiments. So he said it's premature for the MPCA to conclude that its model for the role of iron is correct. Established science shows that the existing 10 parts-per-million sulfate standard protects wild rice, he said, so the safest course is to stick with that.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency must approve any change to the standard. Paula Maccabee, an attorney for the environmental group WaterLegacy, said she hopes the EPA's review will focus on science, not political pressures. And she said the MPCA needs to take a closer look at Pastor's research.

Lotthammer said her agency is aware of Pastor's work. But she said the MPCA is confident its approach is grounded in sound science http://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/mpca-issues-latest-revisions-to-proposed-wild-ricestandards/article_ce71eeef-7b43-5268-bc32-f70aad838724.html

Opposition to GM food is killing poor people Golden rice could save lives in developing countries, but activists continue to resist it in the face of the evidence Hungarian Greenpeace activists demonstrate against genetically modified organism food. Photograph: Ferenc Isza/AFP/Getty Images

Nongovernmental environmental organisations, principally Greenpeace, have long been vocal in their opposition to genetically modified food. Their opposition contradicts the findings of mainstream science, but unfortunately science is not nearly as effective as Greenpeace at getting its message across to the general public. However, science has now launched a major counteroffensive: 110 Nobel laureates (mostly in physics, chemistry and medicine, and six in economics) signed an open letter in June 2016 to Greenpeace, the United Nations and

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter governments around the world, supporting genetic modification technology in agriculture. The letter calls on Greenpeace to abandon its campaign against GMF in general, and ―golden rice‖ in particular, and calls on governments to reject the Greenpeace campaign.

The open letter quotes the UN prediction that world production of food, feed and fibre will need to double by 2050 to meet global population demands, but points out that Greenpeace-led opposition to modern plant-breeding has ―repeatedly denied these facts and opposed biotechnological innovations in agriculture‖ necessary to boost food production. ―They [Greenpeace and others] have misrepresented their [GMF] risks, benefits and impacts, and supported the criminal destruction of approved field trials and research projects‖.

Scientific academies worldwide (for example, the Royal Society of London, Royal Society of Medicine, World Health Organisation and the US National Academy of Sciences) have consistently found that genetically modified crops and foods are at least as safe as those derived from any other production method.

―There has never been a single confirmed case of a negative health outcome for humans or animals from their [GMF] consumption,‖ the open letter states. Neither do genetically modified organisms damage the environment. The latest study, Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects, carried out by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Medicine (2016) confirms these points but advises caution when making generalisations about this relatively new technology. Nevertheless Greenpeace continues to oppose GMF and is particularly distrustful of giant seed corporations such as Monsanto.

Desirable traits Genetic modification is used to introduce desirable new characteristics into plants. One important application uses the technology to make plants more nutritious (biofortification). One third of the world‘s population, while not faring too badly on calorie intake, do not get enough nutrients in their diet: vitamins, minerals and so on. In richer countries, staple foods are artificially fortified with vitamins and minerals, which is relatively inexpensive, but in poor countries such food fortification is expensive and difficult to sustain. In these latter cases, biofortification of staple foods by genetic modification is a particularly useful intervention.

Rice, the staple food for half the world, doesn‘t naturally produce beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the human body, and vitamin A deficiency is endemic. Vitamin A deficiency compromises the immune system: between 1.3 and 2.5 million deaths per year among infants and preschool children would be prevented if they got enough vitamin A. It is also the leading cause of blindness globally, affecting 250,000- 500,000 children annually. Half the children die within a year of losing their sight.

Vitamin A deficiency has a simple solution: golden rice. Scientists have genetically engineered golden rice to produce beta carotene by introducing three genes into ordinary rice. Unfortunately the golden rice project has languished in research institutes since 2000 because environmental activists have persuaded farmers and governments to reject golden rice.Greenpeace promotes other worthy causes, such as mitigation of global warming, but the public assumes all their campaigns are worthy. However, the Nobel laureates‘ letter charges that environmental activist opposition to GMF ―based on emotion and dogma and contradicted by data‖, according to the letter, is frustrating initiatives that could prevent needless suffering. The letter ends with a striking question: ―How many poor people in the world must die before we consider this [opposition to genetically engineered biofortification of food] as a ‗crime against humanity‘? http://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/opposition-to-gm-food-is-killing-poor-people-1.2719412

Chinese Scientists Push for Wider GMO Use Amid Protests 31

Alvin Ybanez | Jul 20, 2016 10:20 PM EDT

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

A Chinese farmer works at a hybrid rice field on June 20, 2006, in Changsha City, Hunan Province of China. (Photo : Getty Images) Chinese scientists are urging for wider acceptance of genetically modified foods, with many saying that GMOs (genetically modified organisms) may be the key to addressing China's limited farmland and scarce water resources.

While China has a sufficient crop supply to meet the country's current needs, the changing Chinese diet, which is shifting further towards meat and animal products, adds to food security concerns, Wang Dayuan, former dean of the Department of Biological Engineering at China National Rice Research Institute, said in his remarks during a seminar in Beijing on Sunday.

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"The rice and flour supply per capita is about 30.2 jin [approximately 15 kilograms] per month.

China is not in a food crisis if we just consider crop supply," Wang acknowledged, adding that the rising demand for meat necessitates more reliance on animal feed, which itself is dependent on imports overseas.

"China imported some 820 million tons of soybeans in 2015, which comes out to 500 million mu [330,000 square kilometers] of soybean farmland in China. But this is impossible," Wang said,

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32

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter explaining that the limited availability of both farmland and water have stymied the agriculture industry in the country.

Wang argued that the worry over the safety of GMO foods is meaningless. All GMO foods that enter the Chinese market undergo an rigorous safety assessment which ensures these foods comply with similar standards as that of non-GMO products, according to the state-owned Global Times newspaper citing agriculture ministry officials.

GMO food has long been a controversial issue in China, with many opposing it for fear that it will jeopardize human health, farmland, or both. The seminar was even interrupted by an antiGMO protester who handed out flyers and shouted anti-GMO slogans. Several protesters were also found rallying outside the venue.

"Chinese farmers are often neglected in modern society, but they communicate their needs through their choices about GMO technology and organic farming," said Wu Kongming, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences told the Global Times in an interview. Wu, who has conducted research on insect-resistant cotton for over 10 years, said in his findings that GMO cotton could cut insecticide use by at least half.

China's fertilizer use is around five times the world average, while the country's yields are below that of GMO corn, Wang said.

Jiang Tao, a senior engineer the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Development Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also noted that GMO technology is a type of molecular breeding. Jiang said that stubbornly insisting on traditional methods will only hinder scientific development and threaten public wellbeing. http://en.yibada.com/articles/143326/20160720/chinese-scientists-push-wider-gmo-use-amid-protests.htm

Global Rice Seed Market 2016- Dupont, Bayer, NUZIVEEDU , Kaveri, Mahyco, RiceTec, Krishidhan, Rasi Seeds, JK seeds, Syngenta, Press release from: Market.Biz The Global Rice Seed Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Rice Seed industry.

33

Major Manufacturers Analysis of Rice Seed :Dupont,

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Bayer, NUZIVEEDU , Kaveri, Mahyco, RiceTec, Krishidhan, Rasi Seeds, JK seeds, Syngenta, Longping High-tech, China Seed, Grand Agriseeds, DBN, Fengle, WIN-ALL , Dunhuang Seed, DONGYA SEED, KEEPLONG SEEDS, HENGMAO, OPULENT Technology, Zhongnongfa, 34

Anhui Nongken, Beijing Doneed,

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Origin Seed, Hefei Fengbao, CHENGDU JINZHU, All above Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue, Contact Information covered in Rice Seed market report.

Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report Here: www.goo.gl/gVUMqc Firstly, Rice Seed Market report provides a basic overview of the Rice Seed industry including definitions, classifications, applications and Rice Seed industry chain structure. Global Rice Seed Market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, Rice Seed industry competitive landscape analysis, and major regions? development status on Rice Seed Market scenario.

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Research finds super cap criticism is ‘misinformed’ Criticism of the government‘s proposed $1.6 million superannuation cap is ―misinformed‖, according to research modelling by Rice Warner.

Staff Reporter

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter July 21, 2016

According to the firm's Insights blog, criticism of the government‘s proposals to impose a $500,000 indexed lifetime cap on non-concessional contributions to super and to cut the annual cap on concessional contributions to a flat $25,000 is misguided. ―There is much misinformed comment that two of the federal budget‘s core superannuation proposals will significantly hamper the ability to save in super,‖ the blog said. ―It has been stated that fund members who can afford to make large contributions will not be able to reach the new pension cap of $1.6 million. ―However, modelling by Rice Warner gives a different impression.‖ Rice Warner‘s modelling involved eight case studies of fund members aged 40 and intending to retire at 67 – four currently earning $100,000 a year, with the other four earning $250,000 a year.

The study found that each of the fund members can save at least $1.6 million in super. ―Five of the eight fund members in the case will reach at least $1.6 million without having to make any more non-concessional contributions,‖ the blog said. ―Significantly, the remaining three will need to make only modest annual non-concessional contributions. http://www.ifa.com.au/news/16569-research-finds-super-cap-criticism-misinformed

Minnesota mines and environmentalists face off over rice

Minnesota mines that deposit their byproducts in lakes where wild rice grows are chafing against a flat limit on pollution, urging the state to create individualized, lake-by-lake standards.

By Joseph Dussault, Staff writer July 20, 2016 Save for later 37

Can case-by-case rules settle a debate between miners and environmentalists?

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Last fall, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) proposed new limits on sulfate pollution in wild rice lakes. The agency amended its proposal on Tuesday, this time advocating for an individualized approach to pollution control. ―This isn‘t a decision yet. It‘s the next step in the process,‖ Shannon Lotthammer, director of the MPCA‘s water quality standards unit, told the Associated Press.

Minnesota is home to 11,842 lakes, earning it the nickname "Land of 10,000 Lakes." Wild rice grows naturally in over 1,000 of those lakes. Boreal forest lakes make ideal homes for rice patches, which can survive flooded conditions that would drown competing weeds. The grain holds cultural significance for indigenous people and is valued commercially for its nutritional content.

In Pictures Water: a vital resource in crisis

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Photos of the Day Photos of the day 07/20

Research has shown that sulfate and iron levels in lakes can affect the growth of wild rice. Minnesota encompasses part of the Iron Range, a cluster of facilities that mine and process taconite iron ore. These mines produce sulfur compounds called sulfates as a byproduct, depositing them into nearby waters. Bacteria convert sulfates into sulfides, which settle into lake sediment. Sulfides are thought to suppress nutrient uptake by wild rice, essentially choking them at the root.

In the 1970s, Minnesota's legislature established a flat limit on sulfate in wild rice lakes: 10 parts per million. Mining interests have argued that the standard is too restrictive, so the MPCA has recently developed a formula that sets limits on a case-by-case basis. The formula considers iron, carbon, sulfate, and sulfide levels to make threshold recommendations in each of Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s rice lakes.

In-house research by the MPCA suggests that iron can reduce sulfate-to-sulfide conversion rates by bonding with sulfur to form a solid. An increase in iron concentration, the agency says, would allow continued sulfate production without impacting wild rice.

But not everyone agrees with the new approach. Paula Maccabee, attorney for an environmental group called WaterLegacy, told the Duluth News Tribune that the MPCA has ignored contradictory findings. She cited new research conducted by John Pastor, a professor of biology at the University of Duluth, which suggests that iron may not reduce sulfate conversion at all.

Rather, Dr. Pastor has argued that precipitating iron sulfide can form a plaque on wild rice roots, hindering seed production.

"We already know that the existing sulfate limit is effective and reasonable. But PCA, ignoring evidence that the equation they are developing is flawed, continues down this path and away from protecting wild rice," Maccabee said. "They are developing this very complex and flawed process based on pressure from the mining industry and Iron Range lawmakers when their primary concern should be protecting wild rice."

The MPCA will accept feedback on the proposal through Sept. 6, after which time the rulemaking process will begin. Any changes in pollutant standards must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/0720/Minnesota-mines-and-environmentalists-face-off-over

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