21st july,2017 daily global,regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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July 21,2017 Vol 8 Issue VII

Today Rice News Headlines...             

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Bangladesh Bank: Rice imports require no credit till December Solons buck proposed season-based rice tariffs CPEC to change fate of Pakistan: Envoy US rice to be exported to china for first time U.S. rice to be exported to USDA lowers B‘desh rice yield forecast Rice production forecast lowered for Bangladesh China to allow imports of U.S. rice for first time U.S., China Sign Historic Rice Protocol China Focus: China's wealthiest village returns to rice farming Growing organic rice for market niche not simple US-China export agreement could boost Louisiana rice industry U.S., China ink historic milled rice import agreement that could provide big opportunity for Louisiana mills, farmers USRPA: USDA Confirms China has Signed the Rice Protocol Placement of secondary students should be put in hands of regional education officials Kerala keen on buying 72,000 tonnes of Jaya rice from Andhra Pradesh 'Khichuri': An Ancient Indian Comfort Dish With A Global Influence Rice basmati falls on reduced offtake Indonesia's rice production cost much higher: KTNA Govt to import another 50,000 tons of rice ASIA RICE-BANGLADESH RELUCTANT ON INDIAN DEALS, SET TO BUY FROM THAILAND Agriculture minister says no to FTA changes on rice imports Solons buck proposed season-based rice tariffs

By Jovee Marie de la Cruz Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUL 20, 2017 WORLDWIDE America Will Start Selling Rice In China, For Some Reason NRRI comes up with 2 protein-rich rice variety U.S., China sign historic rice protocol Global Basmati Rice Market Research Report 2016 - REI Agro Ltd, KRBL Ltd, LT Foods Ltd, Lakshmi Group, Kohinoor Foods, DUNAR Transplanting Machines Market by Regional Production, Consumption, Revenue, Growth and Advancements Till 2022 OnlineRate Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 Bangladesh Bank relaxes deferred payment rules to boost rice import www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com Monitor Latest Updates on www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

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Bangladesh Bank: Rice imports require no credit till December Shariful Islam Published at 10:50 PM July 20, 2017 Last updated at 10:51 PM July 20, 2017

File photo: Imported rice at a wholesaler's outlet in DhakaDhaka Tribune

The rice market has become unstable and dramatically increased the price of the staple food item The central bank has issued a directive allowing the import rice without credit for a maximum of three months, due to the shortage of rice stocks following recent flooding in the haor region.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) announced the directive through a circular on Thursday, issued to all managing directors and CEOs of commercial banks.

The notice stated that, due to recent flooding in the haor region, heavy rainfall and other natural disasters across the country, the rice market had become unstable and dramatically increased the price of the staple food item.

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―Because of the current circumstances, businesses will get the facility to import rice without any credit for a maximum of three months, till December of this year.‖ Usually, importers have to pay a fee in the opening Letter of Credit (LC) for the import of products such as rice, lentils, chilli and salt.

Earlier on June 19, BB directed banks to allow businesses to open LCs for rice imports with zero balance in the importers‘ accounts. http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/commerce/2017/07/20/rice-imports-no-credit/

Solons buck proposed season-based rice tariffs

By Jovee Marie de la Cruz JULY 20, 2017 The Cabinet proposal to impose season-based tariffs on rice in lieu of the quantitative restriction (QR) scheme faces rough sailing in Congress, as lawmakers already voiced their concerns over the proposal, particularly for being prone to manipulation by unscrupulous traders.

For one, House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairman and Party-list Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. of Anac-IP said replacing the QR on rice with season-based tariffs could become an avenue for smuggling. ―If I were to decide, seasonal tariff will not be effective as compared to straight tariff because of unscrupulous importers who tend to withhold importation on lean months, just like what they did to garlic,‖ Panganiban told the BusinessMirror. ―Also, seasonal tariffication will be easier to manipulate,‖ he added.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III was the first to float the idea of imposing a tariff of 35 percent during the lean months and 50 percent during harvest season to protect local farmers from import surge, while shielding consumers from price spikes.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol later said the proposal of Dominguez is consistent with President Duterte‘s order to discourage imports during harvest season.

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Panganiban said the proposal of the finance secretary will be discussed in the ongoing technical working group (TWG) meetings to consolidate all the bills amending Republic Act (RA) 8178, as well as the positions of the stakeholders.

The Philippines‘s waiver on the special treatment for rice has already lapsed. However, the country in April informed the WTO it was not able to convert its QR on rice into tariff, citing delays in the amendment of RA 8178, or the Agricultural Tarrification Act. Amending RA 8178 is needed to scrap the QR and convert it into tariffs.

Without the amendment, the Philippines needs to enforce reduced rates on agricultural goods covered by the Philippines‘s tariff commitments to the WTO. ―Of course, that will be one of the inputs that will be discussed in the TWG, if it would be the official position of the finance department or the economic team of the government,‖ Panganiban added.

The TWG, he said, has not received ―the DOF official position paper on the matter‖.

Partly-list Rep. Tom Villarin of Akbayan also expressed reservations on the proposal of the DOF secretary. ―Seasonal rice tariffs mean that we can accurately predict the weather and its impact on rice production. With climate change disturbing cropping cycles and the thinness of global rice production and supply, we cannot sacrifice rice self-sufficiency and making rice tariffication weather-dependent,‖ he said. ―If we impose [seasonal rice] tariffs, it should be to boost local productions as priority, thus it should be at its allowable maximum.‖ Panganiban said the TWG will finish and submit the consolidated draft bill amending RA 8178

by August. ―The TWG will finish [consolidating the filed bills and positions of stakeholders] by August.‖

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Earlier Panganiban said the leadership of the 17th Congress has agreed to include in its priority bills measures replacing quantitative import restriction on rice with tariffs.

Panganiban‘s House Bill (HB) 5433 also seeks the creation of the rice competitivenessenhancement fund.

The bill said, ―In lieu of the QR, the maximum bound rates committed under the Uruguay Round Final Act shall be imposed on the agricultural products whose quantitative restrictions are repealed by this Act, as amended.‖ It also said in case of shortages or abnormal price increases in agricultural products, whose QRs are lifted, the President may propose to Congress revisions, modifications or adjustments of the Minimum Access Volume (MAV); ―provided, however, that in the event Congress fails to act after 15 days from receipt of the proposal, the same shall be deemed approved‖.

The bill also said in lieu of the QR on rice, the maximum bond rate shall be as notified by the Philippines to the World Trade Organization.The measure also seek the creation of the rice competitiveness-enhancement fund for rice.The rice fund shall consist of all duties collected from the importation of the staple under this act, as well as revenues from MAV mechanism for five years from the start of the effectivity of the bill.

Besides Panganiban‘s HB 5433, Party-list Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga and House Committee on Economic Affairs Chairman Arthur Yap of Bohol have also filed two separate bills seeking to place safety nets for Filipino rice producers by imposing tariffs in lieu of QRs on rice imports and to amend the RA 8178, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act. In HBs 5023 and 4904, Arroyo and Yap want to direct tariff collections from rice imports to projects and programs that enhance rice productivity and increase farmers‘ incomes. http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/solons-buck-proposed-season-based-rice-tariffs/

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CPEC to change fate of Pakistan: Envoy FA W A D M A Q SO O D

J U L 2 0 T H, 2 0 1 7 0 1 :1 1

LAHORE: Denmark Ambassador to Pakistan Ole Thonke said on Wednesday that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would change the fate of the country.

Addressing a press conference at local press club, he said the project would help in strengthening the Pakistan's economy and attract international traders in the country as well.

There were chances for the promotion of trade between Pakistan and Denmark, he said and added that already different projects related to development work, education sector, human rights and media were being carried out with the cooperation of Denmark in the country.

The ambassador said that during last few years, Pakistan had made economic development,

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adding that rice produced in Pakistan was of very good quality and it needs to be introduced in the world. Ole Thonke said that security situation in Pakistan had improved a lot and he appreciated the government's efforts in this regard. He further said that Denmark wanted to set up cement plant in Pakistan. Office bearers of Lahore Press Club were present on the occasion http://www.brecorder.com/2017/07/20/360210/cpec-to-change-fate-of-pakistan-envoy/

US rice to be exported to china for first time

U.S. rice China fortofirst be exported time to

In this Aug. 18, 2016, photo, grain elevators ready for last year's rice harvest tower above Lonoke, Ark. AP PHOTO/KELLY P. KISSEL For the first time, U.S. rice farmers will now be able to export rice to China, according to a new agreement announced today by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

The agreement comes after more than a decade of negotiations between U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and the Chinese government.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue called this agreement "an exceptional opportunity" with "enormous potential for growth" in a press release.

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China is the largest consumer, producer, and importer of rice, as the nation eats the equivalent of the entire U.S. rice crop in under two weeks, according to USA Rice, an industry association.

Each year China fills its plate with almost 5 million tons of imported rice, according to the USDA. When China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, U.S. rice imports were barred due to strict pest and pathogen protocols between the two countries, according to USA Rice spokesman Michael Klein.

However, a decade of negotiation has left American rice industry leaders confident. "We have high food quality standards in the U.S. and this is something the Chinese are very interested in," Klein said. USA Rice worked with USDA on this agreement and Klein noted that it will likely be months before rice is shipped due to final required inspections.

Rice is typically grown in six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.

One farmer, Chris Crutchfield, 42, is a third-generation rice miller in California and called the closed Chinese market "frustrating," and that he is "very appreciative" of Secretary Perdue for pursuing this agreement.

This rice decision comes two weeks after the announcement that U.S. beef would again be allowed in China. To celebrate the beef agreement, Secretary Perdue joined U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad in Beijing and sliced a thick cut of Nebraska prime rib to celebrate.

For American rice farmers, Crutchfield said that any celebration will likely be subdued as many in the U.S. rice market try to respect the crop and its cultural relationship to Asian history.

However, Crutchfield added, "I imagine that some farmers in the States will say a toast tonight at dinner, over rice. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-rice-to-be-exported-to-china-for-first-time/

USDA lowers B’desh rice yield forecast Staff Correspondent | Published: 22:38, Jul 20,2017

A file photo shows a farmer showing stacks of paddy damaged by flash flood at a field in Sylhet. The US Department of Agriculture has revised down its post rice production forecast for Bangladesh in the marketing year 2017-18 to 3.42 crore tonnes from 3.47 crore tonnes it had projected in April. — Focusbangla photo

The US Department of Agriculture has revised down its post rice production forecast for Bangladesh in the marketing year 2017-18 to 3.42 crore tonnes from 3.47 crore tonnes it had projected in April.

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The Grain and Feed Update report of USDA Foreign Agricultural Service forecasted import of rice at 12 lakh tonnes due to significant reduction in domestic production due to unfavourable weather in Boro rice season.

According to the report, the Boro rice production estimate was lowered to 1.71 crore tonnes on crop losses caused by neck blast disease as well as adverse weather, including hailstorms and repeated flash floods, during an unusually heavy pre-monsoon rain 20 days before harvest.

The flash flood damaged over 10 lakh tonnes of Boro rice crop across 4 lakh hectares of wetlands (in Haor) and lowlands in nine districts.

Report said that to resolve the rice shortage, the government entered the market for the first time in five years and reduced 15 per cent duty on rice import on the expectation of robust consumer demand, expanding food safety net programme, lower public stocks, and relaxed trade and financial policy impact.

A lower tariff at 10 per cent stimulated imports from India, Myanmar and Thailand and within one week of reducing the tariff a total of 22,280 MT of rice was imported from India that declined the price of rice by Tk 3 per kg, the report said.

The lower yield of boro rice and weak supplies had put pressure on domestic prices of rice and the retail price of coarse rice in Dhaka and Gazipur was Tk 46 a kg, which was 56 per cent higher year on year in recent months, the report said.

It also said that medium and finer quality rice varieties registered more modest retail price increases, at 20 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.

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As of 30 June 2017, the rice stocks at public granaries were at 1.5 lakh tonnes which was lowest level in last six years, according to the report.

Although the government raised its rice procurement target in the financial year 2017-18 to 12 lakh tonnes up from 10 lakh tonnes in FY 2016-17, the budget of FY 18 will increase distributions of subsidised rice by 8.5 lakh tonnes, which will largely offset the increased procurement and leave stocks dangerously low, the report observed. ‗One additional solution being considered is to give cash transfers to allow consumers to purchase alternative grains such as wheat at public markets,‘ it said. www.newagebd.net/article/20185/usda-lowers-b%25E2%2580%2599desh-rice-yield-

Rice production forecast lowered for Bangladesh July 20, 2017 - by Eric Schroeder

Rice production forecast lowered for Bangladesh July 20, 2017 - by Eric Schroeder WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — An expected smaller harvest of Boro rice has led to a lowering in the rice production forecast for Bangladesh, according to a July 13 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Rice production in Bangladesh for the 2017-18 marketing year was forecast at 34.18 million tonnes, down from 34.578 million tonnes in 2016-17 and compared with 34.5 million tonnes in 2015-16. ―The Boro rice production estimate is lowered to 17.8 million tonnes on crop losses caused by neck blast disease as well as adverse weather, including hailstorms and repeated flash floods, during an unusually heavy pre-monsoon rain 20 days before harvest: heavy rainfall fell from late March to the middle of May,‖ the USDA noted in the report. ―The flooding damaged over 1 million tonnes of Boro rice crop across 400,000 hectares of wetlands (in Haor) and lowlands in nine districts.‖ The USDA noted that rainfall in Bangladesh during April was the highest in 35 years, and the crop loss was aggravated by a fungi attack on a limited area of Boro rice crop at several northern and southern districts of the country.

The forecast for rice imports in 2017-18 was raised to 1.2 million tonnes, reflecting expectations of ―robust consumer demand, expanding food safety net program, lower public stocks, and relaxed trade and financial policy impact,‖ the USDA said.

The USDA noted that 2016-17 wheat production is forecast to be 3% lower at 1.2 million tonnes on reduced cultivation area as some farmers sought to avoid risk of a recurrence of wheat blast.

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Meanwhile, the 2017-18 wheat production forecast held steady at 1.3 million tonnes, assuming normal weather conditions, according to the USDA. The forecast for wheat imports in 2017-18 was raised to 6 million tonnes on ―expected resilient domestic demand and lower international prices,‖ the USDA said.

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — An expected smaller harvest of Boro rice has led to a lowering in the rice production forecast for Bangladesh, according to a July 13 Global Agricultural Information Network repo http://www.worldgrain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2017/07/Rice_production_forecast_lower.aspx?ID={ 0B4B11F9-E131-472F-9C4C-8BC31BC7C2B5}

China to allow imports of U.S. rice for first time 2017-07-21 15:46CGTNEditor: Gu Liping

China has agreed on a protocol to allow imports of U.S. rice, according to a statement released on Thursday by a Chinese delegate to the first China-U.S. Comprehensive Economic Dialogue (CED) in Washington, D.C..

The U.S. can begin shipping rice to China for the first time, after China completes an audit of U.S. rice facilities, the US Department of Agriculture announced.

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The move would give U.S. farmers access to the world's largest consumer market and importer of rice following over a decade trade talks between the two countries.

China has a growing appetite for rice imports, with the number dramatically up in the past decade and reaching 3.4 million metric tons in 2015. However, U.S. farmers will have to compete with those in Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan, the biggest rice The rice agreement is a sign of strengthening China-U.S. relations on agriculture trade. It comes just a month after China resumed imports of U.S. beef.

During the CED, China and the U.S. reached agreements on agricultural cooperation, and both sides exchanged views on exports of China's dairy products and aquatic products to the U.S..

The CED was one of the four major dialogue mechanisms established by the two countries in April when Chinese President Xi Jinping met US President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida. http://www.ecns.cn/business/2017/07-21/266285.shtml

U.S., China Sign Historic Rice Protocol Bob Cummings WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and China's Vice Premier Wang Yang have signed a long-stalled phytosanitary protocol that will permit the import of U.S. milled rice into China.

"This is a tremendous leap towards selling U.S. rice in China," said USA Rice Chairman Brian King. "Today's signing caps a decade of effort by the rice industry and the U.S. government to open access to the world's largest rice importer. President Trump's focus on reducing trade deficits with big

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"The President and Secretary Perdue have opened the door; now it's time to move to our technical to-do list so that rice shipments can occur," said Carl Brothers, chairman of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee. "We know China wants to send a team here to inspect mills and facilities certified to ship to China, and we are working with USDA to make that happen in the quickest and most efficient way."

The protocol, that is the most complex rice phytosanitary agreement the U.S. has ever entered in to, contains an operational workplan that spells out the responsibilities of companies wishing to export in order to protect against the introduction of certain pests into China. USA Rice led efforts over the past two years to assemble a list of interested exporters, and with USDA to certify compliance with the workplan.

"The focus of our work is now on supporting a successful visit by China's inspectors," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "We waited a decade for the protocol to be signed and our members are anxious to meet the demand of China's consumers for safe, high-quality U.S. rice."

Ward said China consumes the equivalent of the entire U.S. rice crop every 13 days and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects China to import 4.8 million metric tons of milled rice in 2017/2018, by far the world's largest import market. Imports have surged since the beginning of this decade, and have recently been between 4.5 million and 5 million metric tons annually. China opened its rice market when the country joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, but U.S. rice was barred from the market because of the lack of a phytosanitary protocol between the two governments. Southeast Asia supplies much of China's import demand; a situation that will likely continue.

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Demand for U.S. milled rice, at least initially, is expected to be strongest in coastal areas among higher income consumers and in the hotel and restaurant trade. "Food safety is a major issue for China's consumers, and U.S. rice is well positioned as a safe, high quality food," according to Chris Crutchfield, chairman of the USA Rice Asia/Turkey Promotion Subcommittee. "We have promotion programs up and running in China in anticipation of today's signing and exports to come. We'll tailor our promotion activities going forward to include large trade seminars here and in China to educate Chinese consumers about the types and qualities of U.S. rice. We will also focus on quality and the capabilities of our industry in our stepped up trade servicing activities." (see "USA Rice Meets with China's Largest Rice Importer at HOFEX 2017," USA Rice Daily, June 29, 2017 and accompanying video.)

"Today's news is a shot in the arm for our industry and couldn't come at a better time. The President and Secretary Perdue's leadership was critical, and we thank them and their team again. We know that market access in China is difficult, and rice shipments will not happen tomorrow, but we are much closer to a meeting China's market demand with U.S. rice," concluded Ward

USA Rice Daily

China Focus: China's wealthiest village returns to rice farming Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-05 16:52:34|Editor: Yang Yi

NANJING, July 5 (Xinhua) -- After walking out of his spacious villa, Mei Zhenhua drives his Audi 6 to the rice farm in Huaxi village, known as China's wealthiest village.

The 34-year-old former metallurgy engineer has lived the agricultural life for a year and a half, as one of the seven "young smart intellectuals" selected by villagers to grow rice.

Huaxi in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, about 130 km away from Shanghai, has been urbanized. With skyscrapers and a village-run aviation firm, Huaxi has accumulated wealth through the development of industries ranging from steel and chemical fiber, to banking, new energy, logistics and marine transport.

However, villagers are no longer satisfied with the wealth generated from industrial development, even feeling embarrassed that agriculture has nearly died out. Nobody wants to eat produce from the village's 80 hectares of farmland, as it does not taste good.

In a decision agreed by 2,600 villagers in 2016, they gave 16 hectares of farmland to seven young people, college graduates aged 30 on average, to grow high-quality rice.

They were first sent to Asahi Noyu Farm in Japan to study how to grow high-quality rice, as none of them had farming experience.

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"There is no secret in Japanese rice farming, only an artisan spirit in pursuit of perfection in each step of rice cultivation," said Mei, a graduate from China's prestigious Harbin Institute of Technology.

He said the problem of Chinese rice was a long-term focus on yield rather than taste and quality.

Pollution in China due to years of industrial production has also damaged farmland.

Returning from Japan, the seven young farmers started growing rice in Huaxi in May 2016, starting by leveling soil, selecting seed and growing seedling.

Mei said they were strict in each process, using traditional manual selection for good seed.

To ensure the water was clean, they dug a small reservoir near the field, where water is treated through three filtration procedures before irrigating the farm.

The experimental field yielded only 60 tonnes of rice last year, with a per-unit output only half of a normal Chinese rice field. However, the rice won the gold award at Jiangsu provincial rice appraisal and was soon sold out.

The village committee decided this year to give all of the village's 80 hectares of farmland to the seven farmers.

"Huaxi is after all a village. We cannot give up our agricultural roots," said Wu Xie'en, Party chief of Huaxi.

Industrialization and urbanization had been seen as a measure of development for a rural town.

But people are now worried that without agriculture, the village may lose its nature, according to Wu. The village committee has spent 50 million yuan (7.3 million U.S. dollars) on the good rice cultivation program. In the next five years, it will continue to send young people to study rice farming in partnership with the Japanese farm.

Huaxi village has given Shimizu Toyoyuki, owner of the Asahi Noyu Farm, the right to choose young candidates from the village to study in his farm.

Toyoyuki said although he was initially surprised to see China's wealthiest village send people to study rice growing, he understood that China and Japan had the same problem in that most young workers were no longer interested in farming.

Cui Jingbin, one of the seven Huaxi farmers, studied in the Nishinippon Institute of Technology in Japan.

He said one thing he had learnt from the farming internship in Japan was that farming was intensive work, with every step interlinked.

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"Food safety and health are new pursuits for Chinese people. With the rice program, we neither want to earn big money, nor make an attraction, but explore a modern agricultural production system to grow high-quality rice," Wu said.

The village's current annual per capita income is over 15,000 U.S dollars, with each household having a villa and private cars. Villagers also enjoy subsidized health care, and the village hosts over 2 million tourists every year. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-07/05/c_136419885.htm

Growing organic rice for market niche not simple July 20, 2017 by Kathleen Phillips

Rice scientists are conducting a three-year, multi-state, $1 million project exploring which rice varieties will yield best in an environment with no chemical treatments against diseases, weeds or insects. This field is at Beaumont, Texas.

A market niche for organic rice has a potential to yield premium prices for farmers, but it's more involved than simply planting the seed and forgetting it until harvest time.

That was the message from a team of researchers at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center-Beaumont during a recent field day at which experimental plots were showcased for area growers.

Rice scientists are conducting a three-year, multi-state, $1 million project exploring which rice varieties will yield best in an environment with no chemical treatments against diseases, weeds or insects. The idea is to be able to give farmers a "recipe" for growing rice organically,

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according to Dr. Shane Zhou, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathologist in Beaumont and project leader.

"Currently, less than 2 percent of the total U.S. rice crop is organically produced," Zhou said.

"And most of that is grown in California and Texas."

Six acres at the Beaumont facility are planted with rice varieties commonly grown in Texas.

They've been subjected to a variety of treatments to determine how best to establish, grow and yield suitable harvests. Initially, the project started with 20 varieties in the tests. Half of those have since been cut from the project for not performing well enough.

This year, 10 varieties are showing varied quality of growth in experimental plots. Early indications show that cover crops of white clover, crimson clover and annual ryegrass performed best in Texas. Some of the varieties received a biocontrol seed treatment prior to planting to help control disease potential. The team is also exploring how much seed is needed for planting to establish an optimal stand.

"The higher the seed rate, the lower the weed count in the field," said Dr. Fugen Dou, AgriLife Research integrated cropping systems nutrient management scientist, Beaumont. "Weeds are a major challenge because the grower can't use any herbicides. There are also problems with seed rot and seedling diseases, and the grower can not use any seed treatment fungicides."

For example, brown spot, a fungal disease, can occur on organic rice plants, due to a lack of nitrogen, which cannot be applied in its chemical form, Dou said."We have very limited options for providing enough nitrogen compared to conventional rice farming," Dou said. "The soil typically does not have enough nitrogen to support the rice reaching its yield potential." That's why nitrogen-containing cover crops, also referred to as "green manure," like clover can be a boost, he said.

Winning the battle against weeds has focused on flooding the rice fields at certain times as the most important tool, according to Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist, College Station. He found that applying 3 inches of water to the test plots reduced germination of the most common species of weeds.

The worst insect pest for organic operations is the rice water weevil, according to Dr. Mo Way, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Beaumont."It lays its eggs underwater, then the eggs hatch and the larvae move down to the roots, where they feed," Way explained. "The larval stage can do a lot of damage. When water is applied much earlier on organic rice to control weeds, that means the rice is much smaller and it only takes a few larvae to do a lot of damage."

Way and his team have taken soil core samples from each of the variety plots, washed the roots over a fine mesh and counted the number of larvae present. This data will be analyzed to help determine control methods in organic production.

Bagavathiannan said finding the best practices for growing organic rice could pay off for farmers, because though the yields are usually much lower than conventionally grown rice, the price is often double.

https://phys.org/news/2017-07-rice-niche-simple.html

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US-China export agreement could boost Louisiana rice industry Friday, July 21st 2017, 2:28 am PKTFriday, July 21st 2017, 4:33 am PKT Posted By Josh White, Digital Content Producer

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA (KPLC) For the first time ever, the United States will be able to export rice to China, the world's largest rice consumer. A trade agreement between the two nations could provide a boost to U.S. rice growers and millers, including those here in Southwest Louisiana.On Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that China and the U.S. had reached agreement on the final details for implementing a trade deal that allows U.S. milled rice into the Chinese market, a deal that was reached in January 2016. "I think it's a boost for rice producers and millers in the state," said Michael Deliberto, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at LSU. Deliberto says that although one can't immediately gauge the impact the agreement will have on prices for Louisiana-produced rice, there's a great opportunity to break into a lucrative market, now that the trade deal is finalized.

And getting even a small percentage of market share of the rice imported to China - most of which now comes from Southeast Asia - could benefit U.S. rice growers, said Deliberto.

Once the deal is fully implemented, the U.S. rice industry will have access to the world‘s largest producer and consumer of rice. Since 2013, China also has also been the largest importer, with imports reaching nearly 5 million tons last year, according to a statement released by the White House. ―This is another great day for U.S. agriculture and, in particular, for our rice growers and millers, who can now look forward to gaining access to the Chinese market. This market represents an exceptional opportunity today, with enormous potential for growth in the future,‖ Perdue said in a statement. ―The agreement with China has been in the works for more than a decade and I‘m pleased to see it finally come to fruition, especially knowing how greatly it will benefit our growers and industry."

U.S. rice exports to China can begin after an audit of U.S. rice facilities by Chinese government inspectors, according to the White House http://www.kplctv.com/story/35935020/us-china-export-agreement-could-boost-louisiana-rice-industry

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U.S., China ink historic milled rice import agreement that could provide big opportunity for Louisiana mills, farmers

BY TED GRIGGS | TGRIGGS@THEADVOCATE.COM JUL 20, 2017 - 11:28 AM

A combine offloads harvested rice on a farm near Crowley Thursday. A trade agreement with China that will allow exports of milled rice from the U.S. provides a big opportunity for Louisiana rice mills and farmers.

A historic trade agreement with China will allow exports of milled rice from the United States, providing a big opportunity for Louisiana rice mills and farmers, agriculture officials said Thursday.

"This is a, I don't want to say a saving grace, but it's definitely a huge accomplishment for the rice industry as a whole," said Glenden Marceaux, a rice farmer and president of the Louisiana Independent Rice Producers Association.

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China consumes the equivalent of the entire U.S. rice crop every 13 days, according to USA Rice, a global advocate for the U.S. rice industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects China to import 5.3 million tons of milled rice in 2017-18.

Agriculture officials are hopeful the milled rice exports can lead to shipments of rough rice harvested from the field.

Louisiana is the United States' third-largest rice producer, trailing only Arkansas and California, LSU AgCenter economist Michael A. Deliberto said. The state produced 1.4 million tons of rice in 2016 on 420,821 acres. The crop, after value-added activities, was worth $407.2 million.

Louisiana already exports well over 60 percent of the rice it produces, Marceaux said.

"With this protocol, the U.S. has the opportunity to gain a new rice export customer, and that customer is the largest in the world," Deliberto said. "That is encouraging news to rice producers who have been facing lower commodity prices over the past couple of years."

The U.S. is projected to produce 6.9 million tons of rice in 2017-18. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that China will produce 159.5 million tons of rice and will import 5.5 million tons in 2017-18.

China opened its rice market when the country joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, but U.S. rice was barred from the market because the two countries lacked a protocol to protect against the introduction of certain pests into China.

Rice mills will be inspected by Chinese sanitation officials before exports can begin, so shipments of U.S.-milled rice to China could be several months away.

The state's two major rice mills have agreed to the protocol, and the agreement will boost packaged products Louisiana sells overseas, Marceaux said.

Demand for U.S.-milled rice, at least initially, is expected to be strongest in coastal areas of China among higher-income consumers and in the hotel and restaurant trade.

"Food safety is a major issue for China's consumers, and U.S. rice is well positioned as a safe, high quality food," Chris Crutchfield, chairman of the USA Rice Asia/Turkey Promotion Subcommittee told The Associated Press. "We have promotion programs up and running in China in anticipation of today's signing and exports to come. We'll tailor our promotion activities going forward to include large trade seminars here and in China to educate Chinese consumers about the types and qualities of U.S. rice."

The China deal also could help strengthen rice prices, which have been low for some time, and would help farmers, Deliberto said. Futures prices are hovering around $12 per 100 pounds.

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That's up from around $10 a year ago, mainly because flooding in Arkansas and Missouri are expected to reduce production.

Deliberto said Louisiana's rice acreage typically ranges between 410,000 and 490,000 acres, with about 70 percent of the crop produced in southwest Louisiana.

The crop has to be irrigated so it requires a higher degree of management than corn or soybeans, he said. Rice prices will have to increase significantly to take acreage from other crops.

Marceaux said rice acreage has shrunk the past couple of years for economic reasons. No one wants to overproduce something they can't sell, he added.

Rough rice exports — the rice harvested from the field — have been steady to Central and South America, he said. Otherwise, Louisiana's producers would be in a bind.

Louisiana's exports of rough rice — also including shipments originated in other inland states and exported through New Orleans — were valued at $444 million in 2016, while milled rice exports were valued at $252 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The milled rice that China wants will help replace a void left by Iraq, once one of the biggest markets for long-grain rice, he said.

"It's going to be a big economic upturn, I think," Marceaux said. "It may take a little while to get fully engaged in that market with the exports, but I see nothing but a plus."

The agreement is a tremendous leap towards selling U.S. rice in China and caps a decade of effort by the rice industry and U.S. government to open access to the world's largest rice importer, said USA Rice Chairman Brian King. http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/business/article_6a6bd496-6d68-11e7-be6567ace5ecebbc.html

USRPA: USDA Confirms China has Signed the Rice Protocol NEWS PROVIDED BY US Rice Producers Association

Jul 20, 2017, 12:13 ET HOUSTON, July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After years of delays, the agreement permitting US rice exports to China has been signed. USDA announced this morning that the protocol was signed yesterday (July 19) during bi-lateral trade meetings being held this week in Washington DC.

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As we understand, the next step will be an inspection of US rice mills and packaging facilities by the Chinese phytosanitary authorities. This process will delay the first exports to China for several months, but the agreement is likely to provide a boost to new crop sales.

We are reminded that this process began in 2006 when USRPA applied for funding under the Department's Emerging Markets Program. The majority of the industry ranked the possibility of US rice exports to China very low, but the grant from USDA allowed USRPA to travel to China and determine that in fact there was a market for US rice in China. In the intervening years, USRPA conducted additional consumer sampling and research, accompanied Chinese food inspection officials on a tour of U.S. rice farms and mills, and hosted large supermarket buyers in the US in preparation for this day.

This is an example of tax payer money spent wisely. The return on investment will be huge.

Opening meaningful access for U.S. rice to China dates back to the original Nixon-era trade negotiations with China. USRPA is pleased that the hard work and persistence of USDA and USTR have paid off.

Access to the Chinese market will provide relief to U.S. rice producers facing historically low commodity prices. USRPA applauds this development and looks forward to working with U.S. rice producers and the respective government authorities in preparation for selling rice to China.

The US Rice Producers Association, representing rice producers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouriand Texas, is the only national rice producers' organization comprised by producers, elected by producers and representing producers in all six rice-producing states.

SOURCE US Rice Producers Association http://www.usriceproducers.com http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usrpa-usda-confirms-china-has-signed-the-rice-protocol300491674.html

Placement of secondary students should be put in hands of regional education officials

By STAFF WRITER July 21, 2017

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Dear Editor, Now that the results of the National Grade Six Assessment are out, students with the guidance of their parents are busy trying to gain admission to the secondary school of their choice. Placement is usually made centrally in Georgetown by ministry officials based on marks and location.

However, many officials in the city are not au fait with the geography of the various regions.

Thus, they misplace students based on their knowledge or lack thereof. Would they know where Jib or Fear Not is? How would they know then of the catchment areas for the various secondary schools? Placement of pros-pective students should be decentralized and placed in the hands of regional education officials. Also, schools should have their own application forms and admit students according to the marks secured, their acceptable range of marks with its cut-off point.

Then prospective students can apply to several schools and attend the one that admits them.

Editor, more importantly, affluent persons ‒ business persons like supermarket owners, rice millers, miners, other business owners and rich individuals ‒ companies such as GWI, GPL, Courts, banks, insurance companies, etc, should offer scholarships to meritorious and needy students. High-achieving and poor students deserve to be given a chance to pursue their ambitions and follow their dreams.

These rich persons and companies have succeeded because they have been patronized over the years by the less fortunate masses without whom they cannot stay afloat, much less succeed.

Many of them send their profits overseas to foreign bank accounts and put back little or nothing into the communities on which they have piggy-backed to the reach their heights. They do not support sports teams and recreational activities, assist in installing street lights, fund school feeding programmes or offer free Wi-Fi or make a donation to a hospital or school.

The mindset of the rich getting richer at the expense of the have-nots, and that governments should provide all services should be changed. It is high time that our wealthy citizens give back to their regions. Are benevolent and philanthropic persons only found abroad? In Belize there is a national holiday called National Heroes and Bene-factors Day in honour of people who built hospitals, institutes and other structures and made large donations to the country. Also, companies sponsor scholarships.

Where are our Guyanese benefactors?

Yours faithfully, Karan Chand Member of the Region Two Education Committeehttps://www.stabroeknews.com/2017/opinion/letters/07/21/placement-ofsecondary-students-should-be-put-in-hands-of-regional-education-officials/

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Kerala keen on buying 72,000 tonnes of Jaya rice from Andhra Pradesh

By Express News Service | Published: 21st July 2017 08:04 AM | Last Updated: 21st July 2017 08:15 AM | | VIJAYAWADA: The Kerala Government has expressed its willingness to purchase 72,000 tonnes of Jaya variety rice from the AP government. However, both the governments are yet to strike a deal as price negotiations are still going on. Ahead of Onam celebrations, Kerala Civil Supplies Minister P Thilothaman came to the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi on Thursday and met Revenue Minister K E Krishna Murthy and Civil Supplies Minister P Pulla Rao and sought the AP government to supply the rice to Kerala.

Saying that Kerala with thick population has its own limitations to set apart more land for paddy cultivation and is depending largely on allocation from the Central pool, Thilothaman urged the AP government to supply Jaya variety rice being produced in Twin Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts of AP to Kerala. Thilothaman said that as there is no tie-up between government of Kerala and government of AP in the matter, private individuals, mainly the rice merchants, are taking undue advantage of the situation and selling rice at exorbitant prices after paying less money to farmers in AP. He underscored the need to have a government-to-government communication to supply rice to Kerala.

Krishna Murthy and Pulla Rao said that the Kerala government sought AP to supply Jaya variety rice at Rs35 per kg.

However, with rice millers citing that the cost of each kg will be around Rs 44 per kg, the price sought by Kerala government is not viable and the ministers decided to conduct another meeting to take a final call over the issue. The ministers of AP and Kerala opined that an understanding between the Civil Supplies Corporation of both the states regarding the supply of rice will help elimination of middlemen and ensure benefit the farmers of AP. The Kerala Minister, though, initially sought AP to supply 6,500 tonnes of rice ahead of Onam festival, however, said that they will purchase 72,000 metric tonnes of rice per year after striking a deal. http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2017/jul/21/kerala-keen-on-buying-72000-tonnesof-jaya-rice-from-andhra-pradesh-1631519.html

'Khichuri': An Ancient Indian Comfort Dish With A Global Influence July 20, 20176:00 AM ET

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RHITU CHATTERJEE NPR YouTube My memories of eating khichuri go back to the monsoon seasons of my childhood, when billowy thunder clouds rolled in and soaked us and the parched earth with relentless rains. The monsoons are beloved across India – they are a much-awaited reprieve from several months of unbearable heat. But it can get chilly and damp sometimes – the kind of weather when you crave something warm and filling, like khichuri.

To make this flavorful, mushy, one-pot dish, my mother would dry roast moong dal (yellow split mung beans), then throw it in a pressure cooker, with some rice, a couple of veggies and some spices. Lo and behold, 15-20 minutes later, we had hot, steaming khichuri. Ma would serve it with a dollop of ghee (clarified butter) on top, and some spicy mango pickle and sweet potato fries (my favorite!) on the side. Sometimes, my father would make deem bhaja (a simple omelet with onions and green chilies) to go with the meal. And occasionally, if we were lucky, there would be a hot, crispy piece of fried fish.

Article continues after sponsorship Jump to the recipe I am originally from the state of West Bengal in eastern India, where khichuri is a staple during the monsoons. My friends from Bangladesh (just across the border from my home state), who speak the same language (Bengali), tell me they, too, associate this beloved dish with the monsoons.

But across South Asia, khichri (or khichdi), as it's more commonly known, is a beloved comfort food for all seasons. It is "pretty close to [being] a universal dish" on the subcontinent, says Colleen Taylor Sen, author of several books on Indian food culture and history.

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THE SALT In Southern India, The Spirit Of Ramadan Is Served In A Bowl Of Porridge That became obvious to me recently when I asked people on my Facebook page to share their khichri story. I got a flood of responses.

"It's a regular on my menu, usually [at] dinner time," wrote Anjana Gupta, a childhood friend who lives in the southern city of Mysore, where we grew up. She makes a gingery khichri with moong dal and rice, and she likes eating it with yogurt and pickles.

A simpler form of the dish is a favorite in the western state of Gujarat, especially among the elderly, wrote Ananya Bhattacharya, an Indian journalist currently based in Washington, D .C. Called sukhpawani, which literally means something that brings comfort and pleasure, the dish she described is made by boiling together rice, split mung bean, turmeric and salt till the consistency is porridge-like. Bhattacharya's grandfather ate this dish every day for dinner. "He ate this with a lot of ghee," she said. "He'd also eat this with milk and bhurra (very fine sugar)."

In northern India, a bland version of khichri – no veggies, no fragrant spices – is comfort food for many. "In my family, it is associated with sickness or upset stomach or when you just want to eat something light," my friend Niraj Kumar wrote from New York. Down south in the state of Karnataka, a tangy, spicier version called bisi bele bath (which translates to hot lentil rice) is a popular dish, even at parties and celebrations. And in the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, a rice and lentil dish called nombu kanji is a staple during Ramadan.

"There's an incredible variety of khichri," says Sen, who owns scores of regional Indian cook books. "And almost all of them have recipes for khichri," she says.

The different versions vary in consistency – some are dry, while others are watery or porridgelike, she says. There are savory and sweet khichris. While the vegetarian versions are more common, there are khichris with meat, too. For example, a dish called khichrahas five different kinds of lentils, rice and lamb, says Sen. Most khichris, however, have two common ingredients – rice and lentils. "Rice and lentils have been a part of Indian cuisine since time immemorial," says Sen. Archaeological records suggest people on the subcontinent were eating rice and legumes (chick pea, peas, pigeon peas and red lentils) as far back as 1200 B.C., she says.

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GOATS AND SODA The African Roots Of A Classic Southern Dish The Indian philosopher and statesman Chanukya (also called Kautilya), from 300 B.C., wrote that the balanced meal for a gentleman should consist of one prastha(about 1.4 pounds) of rice, quarter prastha of lentils, 1/62 prastha of salt, and 1/16 prastha of ghee or oil. "That's kind of a khichri, isn't it?" says Sen. In 14th century A.D., the renowned Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta wrote about people in South Asia – especially the poor – eating khichri made with rice, mung bean and butter.

The power of khichri is its adaptability to different tastes and needs. "It's probably the most adaptable dish [on the subcontinent]," says Sen. "It can be a very simple dish that poor people eat ... or it can be very elaborate." Elaborate enough to be fit for kings, or in this case, emperors.

A recipe from the court of Akbar, the 16th century Mughal emperor, calls for equal parts of lentils, rice and ghee, says Sen. "Very rich!"

A sweet khichri recipe she found in a book on the famously elaborate cuisine from the kingdom of Awadh, in northern India, included sugar, khoya (dry, thickened milk), cardamom, cinnamon, clove and saffron – one of the most expensive spices.

Like all good ideas, khichri, too, seems to have spread to other parts of the world. The British liked it so much that they took it back home and created their own version – kedgeree, the popular breakfast dish made with rice, boiled egg and haddock. "The Indian khichri becomes the Anglo-Indian kedgeree ... in the 17th century," says Clifford Wright, an American food writer and author of several cookbooks. (Lentils were omitted as the British were known to dislike them.)

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"Then it jumps across the Atlantic to New England, where it's made with rice, curry powder, and fresh cod," he says.

THE SALT Egypt's Beloved Koshary Is A Modern Mystery In An Ancient Cuisine Khichri is also thought to be the ancestor of Egypt's national dish, koshary, which is made with rice, lentils and macaroni. "There's no doubt that the Egyptian koshary's ancestor is in fact the Indian khichri," says Wright. The name and the ingredients are similar, he says. And khichri "is similar to mujaddara (another Middle Eastern comfort dish with rice and lentils), which can be traced back to the 10th century." Although it's likely that koshary got its macaroni much later, from the Italians, he adds.

Until I began researching this piece, my world of khichri had been small, with only three variations – my mother's khichuri, another version of it called bhog-er khichuri that is served at religious festivals in my home state, and my favorite, bisi bele baath, from southern India.

Little did I know that a dish so simple had such a rich history, with its journey beginning far back in time and going on to traverse distant parts of the globe. This story tells me of a past that was more globalized than we realize. And it leaves me hungry for a whole new world of khichris.

A Taste Of 'Khichuri' Almost all the Bengali dishes I cook these days are dishes my mother taught me over the phone after I moved to the United States. She was an exquisite cook. But I never had the chance to ask her for her khichuri recipe. Ma passed away before I decided to try making this beloved

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monsoon dish. So the recipe below is one I cobbled together and improvised after poring over recipes from friends, food blogs and cooking shows on YouTube.

Ingredients: ½ cup white rice (I use Basmati. But any other non-sticky white rice or even brown rice should work.) ½ cup moong dal (split yellow mung bean) Half of a small cauliflower, cut into about 10 florets (not so small that they will melt) 2 or 3 small potatoes, peeled and cut in half, or 1 medium potato cut into 4-6 pieces. (Although potatoes are traditionally used, I rarely use them.)

1 big carrot cut into inch-long pieces or 6-8 baby carrots, each sliced lengthwise. (Traditionalists may disapprove, but I like adding carrots to my khichuri. They make it colorful and healthier.)

1/3 cup of frozen peas 1 bay leaf 2 green cardamom 2-3 cloves 1 thin sticks of cinnamon 1 or 2 dry red chili (I often use green chili instead) ½ teaspoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon grated ginger Ghee (clarified butter) Turmeric and salt as needed THE SALT #NPRHotPot: Share Your Food Memories With Us Dry roast the moong dal on medium flame till lentil starts to brown and you can smell its nutty aroma. Stop when about half the lentil seeds have become light brown in color, then set aside in a bowl with 2 cups of warm water in it.

Into a pan add a tablespoon of ghee (I sometimes use mustard oil or vegetable oil instead) and heat on high or medium till the ghee looks hot.

Throw in the bay leaf. As it starts to brown, lower the flame to medium and add the cardamom pods, clove and cinnamon. Stir with a spoon. Then add the cumin seeds and the chilies. Once the cumin seeds start to sputter, throw in the grated ginger, and stir.

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Now add the potato, carrots and cauliflower. Sprinkle some turmeric till veggies turn light yellow. Stir fry for a few minutes.

At this stage, add the lentil with the water and salt to taste. Cover the pot and cook till water starts to boil.Cook for 4 more minutes so that the lentil, which takes longer to cook, starts to soften.

At this point, you can transfer everything to a pressure cooker, add the frozen peas, rice and one more cup of water and cook it using the rice setting. (If you're using a stove top pressure cooker, wait for two whistles before you switch off of the stove.)

Or if not using a pressure cooker, add the rice and two more cups of water to the pot once the lentils start to soften. Cook with a lid on medium or low with occasional stirring to make sure rice and lentil don't stick to the bottom of the pan. Frozen peas will cook quickly, so I add them 5-10 minutes after I've added the rice. Add more water along the way if it starts to look too dry.

Consistency should be like that of a thick porridge, although some people like it drier.Cook till rice, lentils and vegetables look cooked, but not too mushy. Serve with a teaspoon of ghee on top, mango or lime pickle on the side.

This goes very well with papad or papadum, which are flat, round, tortilla shaped crispy snacks that are usually deep fried or roasted over the fire.

Other foods that go well with khichuri: Fried eggplant or fried fish http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/07/20/527945413/khichuri-an-ancient-indian-comfort-dishwith-a-global-influence

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Rice basmati falls on reduced offtake PTI | Jul 19, 2017, 12:13 PM IST New Delhi, Jul 18 () Prices of rice basmati fell by Rs 200 per quintal at wholesale grains market today due to reduced offtake by stockists following drop in demand.

Wheat and barley, however, edged up on scattered demand.

Traders said besides weak domestic and exports demand, adequate stocks mainly put pressure on rice basmati prices.

In the national capital, rice basmati common and Pusa- 1121 variety drifted lower by Rs 200 each to Rs 6,600-6,900 and Rs 5,300-5,350 per quintal, respectively.

On the other hand, wheat dara (for mills) inched up by Rs 10 to Rs 1,770-1,775 per quintal. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded higher by a similar margin to Rs 1,7751,780 per 90 kg.

Barley also went up by Rs 50 to Rs 1,500-1,510 per quintal.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,100-2,345, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,770-1,775, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,775-1,780, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 975-980 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,010-1,020 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,035-1,040 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 6,600-6,900, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,300-5,350, Permal raw Rs 2,2252,250, Permal wand Rs 2,275-2,300, Sela Rs 2,500-2,600 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,850-1,900, Bajra Rs 1,190-1,200, Jowar yellow Rs 1,450-1,500, white Rs 2,900-3,100, Maize Rs 1,340-1,345, Barley Rs 1,500-1,510. SUN KPS ADI MR

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rice-basmati-falls-onreduced-offtake/articleshow/59662319.cms

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Indonesia's rice production cost much higher: KTNA Karawang, W Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesias rice production cost is the highest in Asia, the Indonesian Association of Farmers and Fishermen (KTNA) has said. KTNA chairman Winarno Tohir said here on Thursday based on data at the International Rice Research Institute, Indonesias rice production cost in 2016-2017 is more expensive than the cost paid by farmers in Thailand, Vietnam, India and China.

"Rice production cost in Indonesia is 2.5 times higher than in Vietnam," Winarno said on the sidelines of a seminar on "boosting paddy productivity" in PT Pupuk Kujang, Cikampek, Karawang.Paddy production cost in Indonesia is Rp4,079 per kilogram much higher than only Rp1,619 per kilogram in Vietnam, Rp2,291 in Thailand, Rp2,306 in India and Rp3,661 in China.

Winarno said the government needs to seriously address the problem over the high production cost. "If Indonesia could not cut the production cost, the domestic market could be flooded with imported rice," he said. Vietnamese rice once flooded the domestic market legally and illegally as Vietnamese rice is much cheaper, he said. Indonesian farmers need to be taught modern farming which is effective and efficient, he said.

Based on a research by KTNA, the factors causing the high production cost in rice farming in Indonesia was related to the use pesticides and irrigation system.The farmers should not stop the common practice of excessive watering of rice fields, he said, citing, in Japan, rice fields use only little water.

"Inundating rice field with too much water cost much especially in dry season. Pumping water to rice field cost money," he said.Another cause of the high production cost is the use of chemicals to eradicate pests, he said.

Winarno suggested the use of refugia technology to eradicate pests by growing colorful flowers to attract predators and pests in the rice field. http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/111944/indonesias-rice-production-cost-much-higher-ktna

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Govt to import another 50,000 tons of rice Asif Showkat Kallol 10:25 AM July 20, 2017 Last updated at 05:35 PM July 20, 2017

The decision to import the rice was taken after the recent floods which affected the crop production and reservesThe government has decided to procure another 50,000 tons of rice to improve Bangladesh’s food stock.

In a meeting on Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee approved a proposal by the Ministry of Food to procure the rice through the Dubai-based firm M/S Phoenix Global DMCC.The decision to import rice was taken after recent floods which affected the crop production and reserves.

Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division Mostafizur Rahman said the rice will be procured at a cost of Tk178.54 crore. The price will range from $472 to $499.80 a ton and all of the rice will be imported.

According to the Directorate of Food, the stock of Bangladesh‘s staple food stood at 1,62,000 tons on July 12, which later increased to 1,77,000 tons on July 17.

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The government wants to keep the stock above 180,000 tons to keep the prices stable in the local retail market.The government already moved to import 2,50,000 tons of rice from Vietnam, and the Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement allowed the import without any tender.

After the decision, the rice import duty was cut to 10% from 28%.Bangladesh is to import 250,000 tons of rice from Vietnam. The cost of 50,000 tons will be Tk195.5 crore at a rate $470 per ton and the remaining 200,000 tons will be bought at a total cost of Tk713.88 crore, at rate of $430 per ton.Of the amount, a total of 47,000 tons of rice already reached Bangladesh in two shipments, while the government expects the third shipment to reach on July 22

http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/commerce/2017/07/20/govt-import-another-50000-tons-rice/

ASIA RICE-BANGLADESH RELUCTANT ON INDIAN DEALS, SET TO BUY FROM THAILAND 7/20/2017

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Ruma Paul BANGKOK/DHAKA, July 20 (Reuters) - Bangladesh could suspenda plan to import rice from India due to high prices, thecountry's food ministry said on Thursday, while a deal withThailand edged closer.

Bangladesh, the world's fourth-biggest rice producer, hasemerged as a major importer of rice this year due to depletedstocks and record local prices following flash floods.It could import as much as 1.2 million tonnes this year, andhas so far struck deals with Vietnam and expressed interest inThai and Indian rice.But it now said deals with the world's biggest riceexporter, India, might not happen."Chances are very thin as their offer seems high," BadrulHasan, the head of Bangladesh's state grain buyer told Reuters.

India's 5 percent broken parboiled rice prices<RI-INBKN5-P1> fell by $6 to $405-$408 per tonne this week on sluggish demand.Hasan said Bangladesh could reconsider if India could assurean immediate delivery, but it is already looking to Cambodia toreplenish stocks.A Bangladeshi delegation, led by Food Minister Kamrul Islam,will visit Cambodia early next month to sign a memorandum toimport rice, two food ministry officials said.Its deal with Thailand is also making progress. A Thaidelegation is due to visit Dhaka next week to finalise agovernment-to-government rice deal of up to 200,000 tonnes, Hasan said.The Thai Rice Exporters Association told Reuters last weekthe process could take a month and a half.Thai private traders also hoped to secure deals withBangladesh, saying weak demand from abroad has led to a constantdecline in rice prices since they reached the highest level inalmost four years at a market average of $455 per tonne on June22.Thailand's benchmark 5-percent broken rice <RITHBKN5-P1> was quoted at $395-$405, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, onThursday.Thailand's commerce ministry said there was a significantinterest from Sri Lanka, but it has yet to strike anything withthe would-be first-time

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35 buyer of Thai rice.Vietnam, the world's third biggest rice exporter, isobserving a slow trade. The country's benchmark 5-percent brokenrice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> dipped to $400-$405 a tonne, FOB Saigon, from $405-$410 last week.Vietnamese traders are currently eyeing deals with thePhilippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers.On July 25, the country will open a tender for 250,000 tonnes of rice to boost its thinning stockpile ahead of thetyphoon season later this year.Traders from Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore are expected tosubmit bids.Bangladesh will also open its fifth tender since May to buy50,000 tonnes of rice on July 27.(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK and Ruma Paulin DHAKA; Additional reporting by My Pham in HANOI, RajendraJadhav in MUMBAI and Panu Wongcha-um in BANGKOK; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp http://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/asia-rice-bangladesh-reluctant-on-indian-deals-set-to-buyfrom-thailand

Agriculture minister says no to FTA changes on rice imports

by Julie Jackson SEOUL (The Korea Herald/ANN) - US' hopes for revision to the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement will most likely face challenges as South Korean Minster of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Yung-rok refuses to agree to any demand concerning rice imports.

South Korean Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Yung-rok said Thursday he would not concede to any demand for an increase in rice imports from the US when talks begin regarding modifications to the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement.

The agriculture minister said the country‘s farming industry has been struggling since KORUS FTA came into effect five years ago, as Korea‘s rice prices continue to plunge, with farmers putting the blame on rice imports. ―It is not a simple task, but I will do what I can to reduce the amount of rice imports,‖ Kim said, during an interview with Yonhap News Agency. ―The farming industry has already been damaged by US imports of fruits and other products, so it is not logical for the US to put pressure on our agricultural sector to further open up.‖ Amid increased production coupled with falling consumption, the Korea Rural Economic Institute predicts the country‘s per capita rice consumption will hit a new low of 59.6 kilograms this year. This would mark the first time Korea‘s per capita rice consumption falls below 60 kilograms. Korean‘s annual rice consumption has halved over the past three decades.

At the beginning of this year, the country‘s rice inventory reached 1.83 million tons, far exceeding the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization recommended 800,000 tons.

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36

―On the contrary, I will try to find out if there is anything that we can demand from the US,‖ Kim said, adding that rice represents a cultural identity and sense of pride for Korea and therefore should not be seen as a trade bargaining tool.

US President Donald Trump has blamed the KORUS FTA for the US‘ deepening trade deficit and vowed to modify or terminate the trade deal under his ―America First‖ policy.

US Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer recently sent Korea‘s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy a formal request to hold a joint meeting to begin discussions on revising the KORUS FTA within 30 days. The Korean government responded by saying the timeline may not be realistically possible, as the country has not yet appointed its new trade minister. An official date for the pending FTA revision meeting has not been set. http://annx.asianews.network/content/agriculture-minister-says-no-fta-changes-rice-imports51144

Solons buck proposed season-based rice tariffs

By Jovee Marie de la Cruz JULY 20, 2017 The Cabinet proposal to impose season-based tariffs on rice in lieu of the quantitative restriction (QR) scheme faces rough sailing in Congress, as lawmakers already voiced their concerns over the proposal, particularly for being prone to manipulation by unscrupulous traders.

For one, House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairman and Party-list Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. of Anac-IP said replacing the QR on rice with season-based tariffs could become an avenue for smuggling.―If I were to decide, seasonal tariff will not be effective as compared to straight tariff because of unscrupulous importers who tend to withhold importation on lean months, just like what they did to garlic,‖ Panganiban told the BusinessMirror.―Also, seasonal tariffication will be easier to manipulate,‖ he added.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III was the first to float the idea of imposing a tariff of 35 percent during the lean months and 50 percent during harvest season to protect local farmers from import surge, while shielding consumers from price spikes.

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37

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol later said the proposal of Dominguez is consistent with President Duterte‘s order to discourage imports during harvest season.

Panganiban said the proposal of the finance secretary will be discussed in the ongoing technical working group (TWG) meetings to consolidate all the bills amending Republic Act (RA) 8178, as well as the positions of the stakeholders.

The Philippines‘s waiver on the special treatment for rice has already lapsed. However, the country in April informed the WTO it was not able to convert its QR on rice into tariff, citing delays in the amendment of RA 8178, or the Agricultural Tarrification Act. Amending RA 8178 is needed to scrap the QR and convert it into tariffs.Without the amendment, the Philippines needs to enforce reduced rates on agricultural goods covered by the Philippines‘s tariff commitments to the WTO. ―Of course, that will be one of the inputs that will be discussed in the TWG, if it would be the official position of the finance department or the economic team of the government,‖ Panganiban added.

The TWG, he said, has not received ―the DOF official position paper on the matter‖.

Partly-list Rep. Tom Villarin of Akbayan also expressed reservations on the proposal of the DOF secretary. ―Seasonal rice tariffs mean that we can accurately predict the weather and its impact on rice production. With climate change disturbing cropping cycles and the thinness of global rice production and supply, we cannot sacrifice rice self-sufficiency and making rice tariffication weather-dependent,‖ he said. ―If we impose [seasonal rice] tariffs, it should be to boost local productions as priority, thus it should be at its allowable maximum.‖Panganiban said the TWG will finish and submit the consolidated draft bill amending RA 8178 by August. ―The TWG will finish [consolidating the filed bills and positions of stakeholders] by August.‖

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Earlier Panganiban said the leadership of the 17th Congress has agreed to include in its priority bills measures replacing quantitative import restriction on rice with tariffs.

Panganiban‘s House Bill (HB) 5433 also seeks the creation of the rice competitivenessenhancement fund.

The bill said, ―In lieu of the QR, the maximum bound rates committed under the Uruguay Round Final Act shall be imposed on the agricultural products whose quantitative restrictions are repealed by this Act, as amended.‖ It also said in case of shortages or abnormal price increases in agricultural products, whose QRs are lifted, the President may propose to Congress revisions, modifications or adjustments of the Minimum Access Volume (MAV); ―provided, however, that in the event Congress fails to act after 15 days from receipt of the proposal, the same shall be deemed approved‖.

The bill also said in lieu of the QR on rice, the maximum bond rate shall be as notified by the Philippines to the World Trade Organization.The measure also seek the creation of the rice competitiveness-enhancement fund for rice.The rice fund shall consist of all duties collected from the importation of the staple under this act, as well as revenues from MAV mechanism for five years from the start of the effectivity of the bill.

Besides Panganiban‘s HB 5433, Party-list Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga and House Committee on Economic Affairs Chairman Arthur Yap of Bohol have also filed two separate bills seeking to place safety nets for Filipino rice producers by imposing tariffs in lieu of QRs on rice imports and to amend the RA 8178, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act. In HBs 5023 and 4904, Arroyo and Yap want to direct tariff collections from rice imports to projects and programs that enhance rice productivity and increase farmers‘ incomes.

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39

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUL 20, 2017 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-July 20 Nagpur, July 20 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices moved down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on lack of demand from local millers amid high moisture content arrival. Easy condition on NCDEX, downward trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses and reports about good monsoon in the state also pulled down prices.

About 1,600 of gram and 400 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM * Desi gram raw reported weak in open market on poor demand from local traders.

TUAR

* Tuar Karnataka declined in open market on lack of demand from local traders amid good supply from producing belts.

* Moong dal chilka showed weak tendency in open market here on poor demand from local traders amid good supply from producing regions.

* In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-3,975, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,500-5,700, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,200-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,500-7,200, Gram – 5,300-5,450, Gram Super best – 7,200-8,000

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40

* Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity.

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

Available prices

Gram Auction

4,600-5,250

Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction

n.a.

Udid Auction

2,100-2,600 3,450-3,810

n.a. n.a.

Masoor Auction

3,900-4,200 4,300-4,500

n.a.

Wheat Mill quality Auction

2,600-2,800 1,550-1,690

Gram Super Best Bold Gram Super Best

4,600-5,280

3,330-3,700

Moong Auction

1,550-1,674

7,500-8,000 n.a.

Gram Medium Best

Previous close

7,500-8,000

n.a.

6,700-7,000

6,700-7,000

Gram Dal Medium

n.a.

n.a

Gram Mill Quality

5,300-5,400

5,300-5,400

Desi gram Raw

5,450-5,550

5,500-5,600

Gram Yellow

7,100-8,100

Gram Kabuli

12,300-13,400

Tuar Fataka Best-New

5,800-6,000

5,400-5,600

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New

5,400-5,600

5,200-5,500

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New

Tuar Karnataka

12,300-13,400

5,800-6,000

Tuar Fataka Medium-New

Tuar Gavarani New

7,100-8,100

5,200-5,500

4,800-5,100

3,900-4,000 3,950-4,050

4,800-5,100

3,900-4,000 4,000-4,100

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41 Masoor dal best

4,800-5,000

Masoor dal medium Masoor

4,800-5,000

4,600-4,700

n.a.

4,600-4,700

n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New)

6,800-7,500

Moong Mogar Medium

6,200-6,500

Moong dal Chilka

5,400-6,200

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

5,500-6,300

Moong Mill quality

n.a.

n.a.

Moong Chamki best

6,500-7,500

6,500-7,500

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,500

7,500-8,500

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)

6,800-7,200

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

6,800-7,200

4,400-4,900

4,500-5,000

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)

4,400-4,900

4,500-5,000

2,850-3,050

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)

2,850-3,050

2,850-3,000

2,850-2,950

Watana White (100 INR/KG)

3,500-3,700

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)

4,100-4,600

Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)

1,900-2,000

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

3,500-3,700 4,100-4,600

1,900-2,000

1,750-1,850

1,750-1,850

2,100-2,300

2,100-2,300

Wheat Lokwan new (100 INR/KG)

1,900-2,100

1,900-2,100

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)

2,100-2,350

2,100-2,350

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,050 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG)

2,200-2,700

2,700-3,300

1,900-2,050

3,000-3,600 2,200-2,700 2,800-3,400

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42 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)

3,300-3,500

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)

3,000-3,100

2,500-2,800

Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)

2,300-2,400

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)

2,500-2,650

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

3,300-3,500 3,000-3,100

2,500-2,800 2,300-2,400 2,500-2,650

2,300-2,400

3,600-4,000

Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)

2,300-2,400 3,600-4,000

4,500-5,000

4,500-5,000

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)

4,100-4,300

4,100-4,300

Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG)

4,800-5,500

4,800-5,500

Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-6,800

6,500-6,800

Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)

5,800-6,200

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)

10,000-13,500

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG)

4,600-5,000

Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

10,000-13,500

5,000-7,500

Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,000

Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)

5,800-6,200

4,600-5,000 5,800-6,000

5,400-5,600

1,900-2,200 1,800-1,900

5,000-7,500

5,400-5,600 1,900-2,200

1,800-1,900

WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 31.6 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 24.7 degree Celsius Rainfall : 13.9 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with few spells of rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 31 and 23 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices) http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N1KB3HL

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WORLDWIDE America Will Start Selling Rice In China, For Some Reason

Dwayne Harmon21 July 2017, 12:28 FacebookTwitterGoogle+EmailApp.net On Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that China and the USA had reached agreement on the final details for implementing a trade deal that allows US milled rice into the Chinese market, a deal that was reached in January 2016. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of rice. Since 2013, China also has also been the largest importer, with imports reaching almost 5 million tons previous year, according to a statement released by the White House.

US rice exports to China can begin after an audit of USA rice facilities by Chinese government inspectors, according to the White House. The US Rice Producers Association, representing rice producers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas, is the only national rice producers' organization comprised by producers, elected by producers and representing producers in all six rice-producing states. A deal to open Chinese markets to rice grown in the US has been in the works for more than a decade, but agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says it's finally coming to fruition. In the intervening years, USRPA conducted additional consumer sampling and research, accompanied Chinese food inspection officials on a tour of USA rice farms and mills, and hosted large supermarket buyers in the United States in preparation for this day.

"We waited a decade for the protocol to be signed and our members are anxious to meet the demand of China's consumers for safe, high-quality U.S. rice", USA Rice President Betsy Ward said in a statement, adding that China consumes the equivalent of the entire U.S. rice crop every 13 days. Most of California's rice is grown in the Sacramento Valley. U.S. rice exports can begin following the completion of an audit of USA rice facilities by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and

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44 Quarantine. Newburgh Gazette http://newburghgazette.com/2017/07/21/america-will-start-selling-rice-inchina-for-some-reason/ Newburgh Gazette http://newburghgazette.com/2017/07/21/america-will-start-selling-rice-in-china-for-some-reason/

NRRI comes up with 2 protein-rich rice variety Binita Jaiswal| TNN | Jul 21, 2017, 11:38 AM IST CUTTACK: The National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) has decided to encourage farmers to grow two protein-rich rice varieties - CR Dhan-310 and CR Dhan-311 developed by it - on a large scale.The two rice varieties were released by Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh on July 16 . "Now our focus is to create awareness among farmers about these two varieties and encourage them to grow it. It will not only help reduce malnourishment but farmers will also earn well from it," said director of NRRI Himanshu Pathak.

Pathak said so far three to four quintals of the new variety has been distributed among farmers by NRRI to promote cultivation of the new varieties. "In the days to come, more seeds will be distributed. We will also organise workshops and seminars to educate farmers about the benefits of the two rice varieties. We have also moved state governments of eastern states to promoting the rice variety," added Pathak.While CR Dhan-310 contains 10.2% of protein, the CR Dhan-311 variety has a protein content of 10.1%. In conventional rice varieties, the protein content is 6%.

Besides, the rice variety produces a yield of 4.5 tonne per hectare. The two rice varieties have moderate content of zinc also making it healthier.

In CR Dhan-311, the zinc content is 20ppm while in CR Dhan-310 the zinc content is 15ppm.

Both the rice grains are slender and of good quality. Even the varieties are tolerant to diseases like leaf blast, brown spot and bacterial leaf blight and the crop matures in just 120 to 125 days like any other variety. There is no need of any special technique to grow these varieties.

"The protein rich varieties yield potential is better than many of the hybrids available in the market," added Pathak. Besides, there is a benefit for the farmers that they can save their own seeds for next crop season instead of buying it every year. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/cuttack/nrri-comes-up-with-2-protein-rich-ricevariety/articleshow/59695376.cms

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45

U.S., China sign historic rice protocol

Long-stalled phytosanitary protocol will permit the import of U.S. milled rice into China.

Bob Cummings | Jul 20, 2017 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and China‘s Vice Premier Wang Yang have signed a long-stalled phytosanitary protocol that will permit the import of U.S. milled rice into China.―This is a tremendous leap towards selling U.S. rice in China,‖ said USA Rice Chairman Brian King. ―Today‘s signing caps a decade of effort by the rice industry and the U.S. government to open access to the world‘s largest rice importer. President Trump‘s focus on reducing trade deficits with big partners like China put the spotlight on rice, and Secretary Perdue told us he would get this done, and he did. We‘re thankful for the administration‘s commitment - from the President on down — to U.S. rice farmers and marketers.‖

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46

―The President and Secretary Perdue have opened the door; now it‘s time to move to our technical to-do list so that rice shipments can occur,‖ said Carl Brothers, chairman of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee. ―We know China wants to send a team here to inspect mills and facilities certified to ship to China, and we are working with USDA to make that happen in the quickest and most efficient way.‖ The protocol, that is the most complex rice phytosanitary agreement the U.S. has ever entered in to, contains an operational work plan that spells out the responsibilities of companies wishing to export in order to protect against the introduction of certain pests into China. USA Rice led efforts over the past two years to assemble a list of interested exporters, and with USDA to certify compliance with the workplan. ―The focus of our work is now on supporting a successful visit by China‘s inspectors,‖ said USA Rice president and CEO Betsy Ward. ―We waited a decade for the protocol to be signed and our members are anxious to meet the demand of China‘s consumers for safe, high-quality U.S. rice.‖ Ward said China consumes the equivalent of the entire U.S. rice crop every 13 days and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects China to import 4.8 million metric tons of milled rice in 2017/2018, by far the world‘s largest import market.Imports have surged since the beginning of this decade, and have recently been between 4.5 million and 5 million metric tons annually.

Phytosanitary protocol China opened its rice market when the country joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, but U.S. rice was barred from the market because of the lack of a phytosanitary protocol between the two governments. Southeast Asia supplies much of China‘s import demand; a situation that will likely continue.

Demand for U.S. milled rice, at least initially, is expected to be strongest in coastal areas among higher income consumers and in the hotel and restaurant trade.―Food safety is a major issue for

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47

China‘s consumers, and U.S. rice is well-positioned as a safe, high-quality food,‖ according to Chris Crutchfield, chairman of the USA Rice Asia/Turkey Promotion Subcommittee. ―We have promotion programs up and running in China in anticipation of today‘s signing and exports to come. We‘ll tailor our promotion activities going forward to include large trade seminars here and in China to educate Chinese consumers about the types and qualities of U.S. rice. We will also focus on quality and the capabilities of our industry in our stepped up trade servicing activities.‖ ―Today‘s news is a shot in the arm for our industry and couldn‘t come at a better time. The president and Secretary Perdue‘s leadership was critical, and we thank them and their team again. We know that market access in China is difficult, and rice shipments will not happen tomorrow, but we are much closer to a meeting China‘s market demand with U.S. rice,‖ concluded Ward. http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/us-china-sign-historic-rice-protocol

Global Basmati Rice Market Research Report 2016 - REI Agro Ltd, KRBL Ltd, LT Foods Ltd, Lakshmi Group, Kohinoor Foods, DUNAR 07-20-2017 02:42 PM CET - Energy & Environment Press release from: QYresearchreports This report studies Basmati Rice in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering REI Agro Ltd KRBL Ltd LT Foods Ltd Kohinoor Foods Ltd Lakshmi Group Pari India

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48 DUNAR Amar Singh Chawalwala Golden Foods R.S.Mills

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List of Tables and Figures Figure Picture of Basmati Rice Figure Global Production Market Share of Basmati Rice by Type in 2015 Figure Product Picture of Indian varieties

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49 Table Major Manufacturers of Indian varieties Figure Product Picture of Pakistani varieties Table Major Manufacturers of Pakistani varieties Figure Product Picture of Kenyan variety Table Major Manufacturers of Kenyan variety Figure Product Picture of American varieties Table Major Manufacturers of American varieties Table of Contents 1 Basmati Rice Market Overview 1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Basmati Rice 1.2 Basmati Rice Segment by Type 1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Basmati Rice by Type in 2015 1.2.2 Indian varieties 1.2.3 Pakistani varieties 1.2.4 Kenyan variety 1.2.5 American varieties 1.3 Basmati Rice Segment by Application 1.4 Basmati Rice Market by Region 1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Basmati Rice (2011-2021) QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital

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50 background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations QYResearchReports 1820 Avenue M Suite #1047 Brooklyn, NY 11230 United States Toll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA) Tel: +1-518-618-1030 Web: www.qyresearchreports.com Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com This release was published on openPR http://www.openpr.com/news/634330/Global-Basmati-Rice-Market-Research-Report-2016-REI-AgroLtd-KRBL-Ltd-LT-Foods-Ltd-Lakshmi-Group-Kohinoor-Foods-DUNAR.html

Transplanting Machines Market by Regional Production, Consumption, Revenue, Growth Rate and Advancements Till 2022

By Isobel Watts

July 20, 2017

Global Transplanting Machines Market Research Report 2017 to 2022 provides a unique tool for evaluating the market, highlighting opportunities, and supporting strategic and tactical decision-making. This report recognizes that in this rapidly-evolving and competitive environment, up-to-date marketing information is essential to monitor performance and make critical decisions for growth and profitability. It provides information on trends and developments, and focuses on markets and materials, capacities and technologies, and on the changing structure of the Transplanting Machines Market.

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Companies Mentioned are John Deere, Great Plains, Kubota, Mechanical Transplanter, Ackerman, Holland Transplanter, Kennco Manufacturing, Big John Manufacturing, Whitfield Forestry Equipment, Yanmar, Checchi & Magli, Kukje Machinery, Egedal, Zhongji Southern Machinery.

The global Transplanting Machines Market consists of different international, regional, and local vendors. The market competition is foreseen to grow higher with the rise in technological innovation and M&A activities in the future. Moreover, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new vendor entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.

This report segments the global Transplanting Machines Market on the basis of types, Riding Type, Walking Type and Tractor Mounted. On the basis of application, the global Transplanting Machines Market is segmented into Rice Transplant, Vegetable Transplant, Tree Transplant, Tobacco Transplant, Fruit Transplant.

Sample/Inquire at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/07202719/globaltransplanting-machines-market-research-report-2017/inquiry The research study focuses on Global Transplanting Machines Market major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information.

Essential points covered in Global Transplanting Machines Market 2017 Research are:      

What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2022?

What are the key factors driving the global Transplanting Machines Market?

What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the global Transplanting Machines Market?

What are the challenges to market growth?

Who are the key vendors in the global Transplanting Machines Market?

What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Transplanting Machines Market?

Trending factors influencing the market shares.

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What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global Transplanting Machines Market?

Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Transplanting Machines Market in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India.

Transplanting Machines Market, the report gives you a visual, one-stop breakdown of the leading products, submarkets and market leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s market revenue forecasts as well as analysis to 2022.

The report provides a basic overview of the Transplanting Machines Market industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. And development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures.

Browse Full Report at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/07202719/globaltransplanting-machines-market-research-report-2017 Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s more, the Transplanting Machines Market industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.

The research includes historic data from 2012 to 2016 and forecasts until 2022 which makes the reports an invaluable resource for industry executives, marketing, sales and product managers, consultants, analysts, and other people looking for key industry data in readily accessible documents with clearly presented tables and graphs. The report will make detailed analysis mainly on above questions and in-depth research on the development environment, market size, development trend, operation situation and future development trend of Transplanting Machines Market on the basis of stating current situation of the industry in 2017 so as to make comprehensive organization and judgment on the competition situation and investment organization to better grasp the development course of Transplanting Machines Market.

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.

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There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Transplanting Machines Market.

Chapter 1, to describe Transplanting Machines Market Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force; Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue, in 2016 and 2017; Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017; Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share, for each region, from 2012 to 2017; Chapter 5, 6, 7,8and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions; Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017; Chapter 12, Transplanting Machines Market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022; Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Transplanting Machines Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source http://newsbytes.co/transplanting-machines-market/

Bangladesh Bank relaxes deferred payment rules to boost rice import Staff Correspondent, bdnews24.com

2017-07-21 00:35:57.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-21 00:35:57.0 BdST In another step to increase supply in the market and curb prices, Bangladesh Bank has relaxed the foreign exchange transactions rules for traders by allowing them to open Letter of Credit (LC) against deferred or usance basis or under buyer's credit to import rice.

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In a notice issued on Thursday, it notified the chief executives of all banks about the latest decision.It said LCs against deferred or usance basis or under buyer's credit up to 90 days‘ term for import of rice might be issued until Dec 31 this year.About the circular, a central bank official of the relevant department, seeking anonymity, told bdnews24.com that fertilisers, capital machinery and raw industrial materials are beingimported using that same facility.―Traders can import them against deferred payment or buyer‘s credit taken from a bank of that country. The interest rate of that 90-day credit is maximum 6 percent.‖ The official said Bangladesh Bank decided to extend the same facility to the traders to encourage them because they have to pay 9-15 percent interest against the credit taken from local banks for importing goods.It also aims to control the prices of rice in local markets, the official added.

On Jun 19, the central bank also instructed all banks to allow private traders to import rice without any deposit against LC margin.

The new rules allowed the traders to import rice first and make the payments afterwards.

The LC margin varies from bank to bank depending on relations between bankers and customers.

The next day, import duty on rice was slashed to 10 percent, from the existing 25 percent, to encourage traders to purchase more from abroad.The moves later appeared to have somewhat worked as rice prices went down in the past few weeks, but are still over Tk 40 per kg of any kind. http://bdnews24.com/business/2017/07/21/bangladesh-bank-relaxes-deferred-payment-rules-toboost-rice-import

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