26 may 2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter by DAILY RICE NEWS LETTER

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News Detailâ&#x20AC;Ś 26th May,2018 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com

USA Rice CFO Linda Sieh Retires By Lisa Gargano WASHINGTON, DC -- Wednesday evening, USA Rice staff and members celebrated Linda Sieh, who retired from USA Rice as its CFO on April 30, after 16 years of service. Sieh began her career at USA Rice as the Director, Human Resources and Administration, and two years

later, moved into the VP, Finance and Administration position. She has been the CFO of USA

Rice since 2014. USA Rice member Keith Glover, president & CEO of Producers Rice Mill and also a CPA, noted that Sieh was consistently awarded clean, unqualified audits during her tenure at USA Rice which solidified members' assurance in her behind-the-scenes ability to manage USA Rice's finances. One of Linda's USA Rice claims to fame was as the much-anticipated headliner at the July Annual Business Meeting general session. When it was her turn to present the financials, Linda parsed accounting humor that was received in a way that surprised even her. As Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of marketing and communications, said the first time he witnessed Linda on stage: "She's killing it, and now I have to follow behind her presentation and try to keep the momentum going. Next year, I'm going first!" "Linda's ability to cut through the details and present a big picture that everyone could understand was one of her greatest assets," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. Linda also mentored more than one staff member on accounting and finances, all of whom have acknowledged their appreciation for her ability to teach accounting to non-accountants in a way that helped them perform their jobs better at USA Rice. In her remarks to the reception attendees, Sieh said that, "for people who do accounting, they can do it in just about any organization, but what makes it different is the people you interact with on a daily basis and the organization you work for, and I am really proud to be associated with all of you." Finally, Linda shared that her GPS told her it would only take 45 minutes to get from her home to the reception, so she left an hour and a half early...and it took her two hours to get there. The one thing she won't miss in retirement is driving in DC rush hour traffic! USA RICE DAILY

CRISPR gene-editing could help feed future generations By Dyllan Furness — Posted on May 25, 2018 - 12:34PM

Experts predict that another two billion people will inhabit the Earth by 2050, bringing the global population to 9.7 billion. That‘s a lot of mouths to feed. Current food production systems can‘t keep up with today‘s demand — more than ten percent of the world is undernourished — so how the hell are we going to feed our future? The answer will likely lie in technology. And one of the most promising contributions comes from a gene-editing tool called CRISPR, which scientists can use to create crops that are more resilient to climate change and have higher yields.

A team of researchers from Purdue University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently demonstrated the potential of CRISPR in an intriguing new study. By making mutations in 13 genes, the scientists produced a crop of rice with 25-31 percent high yield. Without the aid of CRISPR, the crop would‘ve required trial and error with millions of plants to reach a similar goal, according to the researchers. To create the crop, the researchers used CRISPR to precisely snip out undesired genes that play a double role, increasing stress tolerance and suppressing growth. So although the crop had a higher yield, it was less resilient to environmental stress. Still, in field tests in Shanghai and on Hainan Island, China, the researchers found little impact to stress tolerance but significant gains in grain production. ―An important fact concerning CRISPR technology is its immediate applicability to agricultural problems,‖ Jian-Kang Zhu, a plant biologist at Purdue who led the study, told Digital Trends. Although much of the attention and investment surrounding CRISPR has been in medical research, Zhu pointed out that ―the successful applicability of this incredible technology to medicine is much farther in the future.‖ After all, plants and microbes aren‘t entangled with the same bioethical concerns that keep scientists from performing certain animal studies. ―We can make genetic crosses and clones with plants and we can discard our mistakes,‖ Zhu said. ―Obviously [those are] not ethical pursuits in human biology.‖ Moving forward, Zhu and his colleagues will use this same tool on ―elite‖ strains of rice, with the hope that the production boosts transfer over. They also plan to apply their approach to different crops. A paper detailing the study was published this month in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/crispr-rice-crop-yield/

British government sparks new green revolution with £100m investment in 'super-crops' A Zambian farmer holds maize enriched with vitamin A and drought tolerant CREDIT: LIBBY EDWARDS/HARVESTPLUS Charles Hymas 25 MAY 2018 • 5:51PM

Britain is helping breed a new generation of ―super-crops‖ not only resistant to climate change, pests and disease but also fortified with vital vitamins and minerals.

The initiative could save the lives of hundreds of thousands of children who die each year from poor nutrition in developing countries as well as supplementing diets in the west. The Department for International Development (Dfid) has quietly invested more than £100m into breeding the new generation of super-crops which now stand poised to create what experts are calling a ―second green revolution‖. The crops include iron-rich beans that can withstand a 4 degree Celsius jump in temperature, ―scuba‖ rice that comes back to life after two weeks underwater in flooded fields and droughttolerant maize rich in vitamin A. The first green revolution reached at least 1bn people and was a huge success. If we can reach our target of 1bn, then potentially it is the next biggest thingHowarth Bouis, a US economist

Importantly, they have been created through traditional breeding techniques rather than being genetically modified which means they can be planted without waiting for regulatory approval. ―The first green revolution reached at least one billion people and was a huge success. If we can reach our target of one billion, then potentially it is the next biggest thing,‖ said Howarth Bouis, a US economist whose organisation HarvestPlus has received £87.4m from Dfid to breed and distribute crop varieties fortified with Vitamin A, Iron and Zinc. About 30 million people – around six million households – have so far benefited from the new crops, primarily in Africa, but the aim is to reach one billion by 2030. A further six million farmers in Asia are using scuba rice but the aim is 18 million by 2028.

Scientists believe that if they achieve the one billion target they will effectively halve the world‘s estimated two billion suffering from what is known as ―hidden hunger‖ or micronutrient malnutrition. The first green revolution, which occurred in the early to mid 1900s, won its instigator Norman Borlaug a Nobel Peace Prize and spawned disease-resistant, high-yielding wheat strains which are credited with saving 250 million lives worldwide. Agricultural breakthroughs trump medical innovations such as antibiotics and vaccinations for lives saved historically because food is so central to life. It is estimated one million children a year die from micronutrient malnutrition which leaves them prone to stunted growth, poor vision and illnesses and diseases that have the potential to become worldwide epidemics. Agronomist Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 in recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply CREDIT: MICHELINE

PELLETIER/SYGMA VIA GETTY IMAGES

The new super-crops not only replicate the traits of the first green revolution in having higher yields but also have been – or are being – cross-bred further to incorporate genes that protect from disease, pests, floods, drought and heat. ―Our centres are developing climate adaptive crops. Farmers like them not only because they are climate tolerant but also high yielding. We just need to get them into mainstream markets and piggy back on them with our vitamin strains,‖ said Bouis. For the ―heat-beater‖ beans, a staple in Rwanda where the fortified varieties provide up to half a person‘s recommended daily intake of iron, scientists in Colombia trawled a gene bank of 36,000

samples to find a Mexican strain capable of withstanding temperature rises expected over the next century due to climate change. It will not only safeguard the 50 per cent of land that would have been lost to farmers due to higher temperatures but could also open up new markets in tropical areas for the beans. ―Even if they can only handle a three-degree rise, that would still limit the land lost to climate change to about 5 per cent,‖ said Steve Beebe, head of bean breeding for the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture. Scuba rice was created after scientists tracked down an Indian rice variety with a gene, SUB1A, which was activated when the plant was submerged. It was crossed with India‘s top-selling, high-yielding Swarni rice to counter the annual loss of 4m tonnes of rice to flooding in India and Bangladesh, enough to feed 30m people. Dr Uma Shankar Singh, a director of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), said: ―Sustaining productivity is the most important factor and we now have six million farmers cultivating 3 million hectares. At minimum it is adding 3 million tonnes of rice. We have also developed SUB1 varieties with salt, drought and stagnant flooding tolerance.‖

Biofortified beans in Rwanda CREDIT: HARVESTPLUS

Dfid is now the biggest funder of HarvestPlus, whose work into fortified crops was started in 2003. Nottingham University professor Martin Broadley, a research fellow with Dfid, said the genesis of the programme came from research showing how expensive and inefficient it was to deliver supplements or fortified processed foods like bread to rural areas.

―Upfront investment in breeding iron, vitamin A and zinc dense crops is the most cost-effective way to improve nutrition compared with other approaches,‖ he said. According to the World Health Organization, every $10-$15 invested in, for example, the vitamin A rich orange sweet potato produces one extra year of good quality life per individual. Upfront investment in breeding iron, vitamin A and zinc dense crops is the most cost-effective way to improve nutrition compared with other approachesProfessor Martin Broadley, Nottingham University

HarvestPlus deliberately spurned genetic modification in favour of natural methods. ―If we‘d invested our money in GM, they could have been left sitting on the shelf. Conventional breeding is not as powerful a science but at least we can do a lot of good with it without the blockages you have with transgenics,‖ said Bouis. Government agriculture centres and NGOs are supporting the distribution of the seeds. As it seeks to reach 1 billion, Dfid has put in an extra £4 million to get private seed producers to take up the ―super-crops‖ and achieve the necessary increase in uptake. The roll-out of the seeds has been supported by promotions including a radio soap opera, My Children, in Uganda to advance the orange sweet potato, a rap song by Rwandan musicians to encourage use of iron-rich beans and Yellow Cassava, a Nollywood (Nigerian Hollywood) film highlighting the nutritional benefits of the vitamin A rich crop.

Women clear wet mud alongside the bank of the river in Satkhira, Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the continental countries most vulnerable to climate change. CREDIT: ZAKIR/HOSSAIN CHOWDHURY/BARCROFT

At least 14 studies are being carried out to establish whether eating the fortified crops improve the health of the communities consuming them. The early results are encouraging. In Uganda, the orange sweet potato, taken up by 60 per cent of farms in the area studied, saw a significant increase in vitamin A uptake among families, a 9 per cent fall in those with low vitamin A and a drop of up to 19 per cent in diarrhoea among children. Children eating orange maize in Zambia saw improvements in their sight through increased vitamin A. Women given fortified beans in Rwanda reversed their iron deficiency, reducing anaemia. College students in Rwanda aged 17 to 25 who ate the beans scored significantly better in cognitive tests of memory and speed after just 18 weeks.

Studies into whether eating fortified crops improves the health of the communities have yielded promising results CREDIT: HOWARD BURDITT /REUTERS

A Dfid spokesman said: ―Biofortification is highly cost-effective as it provides a single intervention which benefits both this generation and future generations to come. By providing farmers with seeds and planting material, they and their households can grow, sell and consume foods that are already vitamin-rich, with no need for additional supplements. ―The crops remain high yielding and vitamin rich for future harvests. This compares with supplements which need to be repeated, or fortification which needs to be continuously added to food products.‖ More controversially, Dfid is backing one of a potential new generation of GM crops now closing in on market readiness. It is funding work on modifying plants‘ photosynthetic efficiency so their water use is cut by 25 per cent by changing the expression of a single gene.

A potential breakthrough has also emerged in Mozambique‘s field trials of more water-efficient GM maize (WEMA). Early results suggest it is not only resistant to drought but also the devastating stem borer and fall army worm pests. Ohio State University scientists are working to create a GM ―golden potato‖, which would provide 42 per cent of a child‘s daily vitamin A.

By providing farmers with seeds and planting material, they and their households can grow, sell and consume foods that are vitamin-rich CREDIT: BLOOMBERG

Uganda is trialling a ―golden banana‖ high in vitamin A created by Australia‘s Queensland University of Technology by inserting a gene from a Papua New Guinea banana into the commercially-successful Cavendish banana. It is named after William Cavendish, the sixth Duke of Devonshire, a passionate horticulturalist who developed it on his Derbyshire estate in the 19th century. Public and political scepticism, however, remains a major hurdle for GM. The salutary lesson on this is ―golden rice‖, a GM strain engineered to boost vitamin A. More than a decade after it was hailed as a potential game-changer, its progress to farmers‘ fields has stalled in a blizzard of regulation and public opposition. If the next green revolution is to come, harnessing nature rather than genetically modifying it may prove to be quickest and most efficient route.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/05/25/british-government-sparks-newgreen-revolution-100m-investment/ 10

Science For The Win: Golden Rice Gets The Nod From FDA By ACSH Staff â&#x20AC;&#x201D; May 25, 2018 In an official responsefrom the U.S. Food and Safety Administration, GR2E Golden Rice, a provitamin-A biofortified rice variety, managed by the International Rice Research Institute(IRRI), received a positive food safety evaluation regarding its safety and nutrition. GR2E Golden Rice is the first nutritionally enhanced genetically modified rice to receive regulatory approval for use in food.

Since Golden Rice does not have a corporate owner with a phalanx of attorneys to wend its way through government regulatory approval, environmental lawyers from organizations like Greenpeace, with the support of anti-science activists like Center for Science in the Public Interest, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Union of Concerned Scientists, have been able to prevent its approval in numerous countries. Yet in developed nations they have had less success blocking progress. The FDA follows Canada and New Zealand in validating its safety and benefits. With enough thought leaders on its side, this will be approved in countries that need it most, and the peril of Vitamin A deficiency, a pervasive public health problem worldwide which afflicts an estimated 250 million preschoolage children, will be eliminated. Because rice is already widely grown and eaten, bio-fortified rice varieties like Golden Rice can easily provide 30-50% of the estimated average requirement for Vitamin A of women and children. IRRI is also working with national research partners to create healthier rice varieties with more iron, zinc, and beta-carotene content to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable populations with limited access to diverse diets. https://www.acsh.org/news/2018/05/25/science-win-golden-rice-gets-nod-fda-13018

A Warming Planet Could Zap Nutrition From Rice That Feeds The World May 24, 20184:04 PM ET ANGUS CHEN Scientists find that rice grown under elevated carbon conditions loses substantial amounts of protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins, depending on the variety. Maximilian Stock, Ltd./Getty Images/Passage

Grains are the bedrock of civilization. They led humans from hunting and gathering to citybuilding. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the fruits of three grasses provide the world with 60 percent of its total food: corn, wheat and rice. Aside from energy-rich carbohydrates, grains feed us protein, zinc, iron and essential B vitamins.

But rice as we know it is at risk. As humans expel billions of metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere and raze vast swaths of forests, the concentration of carbon dioxide in our air hurries ever higher. That has the potential to severely diminish the nutritional value of rice, according to a new study published on Wednesday in Science Advances. For people who depend heavily on rice as a staple in their diets, such a nutritional loss would be devastating, says Kristie Ebi, a professor at the University of Washington and an author on the study. "When you look at a country like Bangladesh, three out of every four calories comes from rice. Obviously, that means any decline in nutritional value is very significant."

To study how rice responds to different concentrations of carbon dioxide, the researchers grew several varieties of rice in experimental fields in Japan and China. For each variety, they set aside one rice paddy as a control, and one neighboring enclosed rice paddy with tubing running through the field.

They blew carbon dioxide out of the tubing, raising the ambient carbon dioxide inside the enclosure to some 580 parts per million, the expected carbon dioxide concentration in the next half century if there are no further attempt to curb emissions or deforestation. "The fields have the same sunshine, same water, same characteristics," Ebi says. "So the experiment sees what happens to the same rice under different carbon dioxide concentrations." Ebi says that the rice grown under the elevated carbon scenario lost substantial amounts of protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins per grain. Iron, zinc and protein losses ranged from 5 percent to 20 percent. Vitamins B1 and B5 dropped up to 30 percent, depending on the variety. "Folate [vitamin B9] declines across the nine rice varieties ranged from 10 percent to 45 percent. So, it's a lot," she says.

Of course, many foods can be a rich source of these essential nutrients, but Ebi says food other than rice is not always available to people. Among the poorest in the world, the grain can make up an overwhelming portion of their diet, Ebi says. "In the paper, we looked at the most ricedependent countries in Asia. Using a weighting scheme focusing on those with the fewest resources, we estimate this decline in nutrient quality will affect about 600 million people."

A mass deficiency in vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid, would have particularly severe public health consequences. The nutrient is critical to fetus development, and a lack of vitamin B9 can result in defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord at birth. "It can be a catastrophic birth anomaly," Ebi says. The study's finding is disheartening, if not surprising, to researchers in the field. Scientists already knew that higher carbon dioxide concentrations can decrease protein, zinc and iron levels in important crops, and this study shows a similar effect for B vitamins, says Camilo Mora, a climate change scientist at the University of Hawaii Manoa who was not involved with the new work. "It's just another piece of evidence to show how bad climate change is," he says.

For non-experts, the phenomenon may seem a little odd, considering carbon dioxide is food for plants. Plants that share the same photosynthesis pathway as rice and wheat do indeed grow larger and produce greater yields in higher carbon dioxide concentrations by creating more carbohydrates, says Lisa Ainsworth, a biologist at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign and the U.S. Department of. Agriculture who did not work on the study. But they don't increase the amount of other nutrients in their grains relative to that yield gain. "They're basically getting a dilution effect of the nutrients in the grains," she says. Some varieties of rice may not experience as severe of a nutrient loss as carbon dioxide levels go up. For instance, the rice variety Liang You 84 (a hybrid style grown in China) lost around 45 percent of its vitamin B9 content whereas the Koshihikari rice (a short-grained sushi rice from Japan) lost roughly 30 percent of its B9 content in the elevated carbon scenarios. That knowledge gives researchers an opportunity, given enough funding, to breed climate change-resistant strains of rice. But getting people to switch to new grains is not always easy, Ainsworth says. "I think culturally it is difficult. People eat different rice for different meals and events." Other strategies are available, too. Investing in ways to increase access to different kinds of food beyond rice would help, for instance, she points out. Or, Mora says, humanity could always work together to mitigate climate change and carbon emissions so the problem doesn't arise in the first place. Angus Chen is a journalist in New York. He's on Twitter @angrchen. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/05/24/613939464/as-the-planet-warms-well-behaving-rice-with-a-side-of-co2

Meetings with USDA, FAS Focus on Trade, Compliance By Jesica Kincaid WASHINGTON, DC -- Yesterday, USA Rice held its tri-annual World Market Price Subcommittee meeting with members from across the country gathered here to participate in a series of sessions focused on rice stocks, trade issues, and the global rice outlook. In a meeting with representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), subcommittee members compared USDA projected numbers with their own planting and production projections. Overall, the numbers of actual acres planted estimated by members were higher than what NASS published in the March Prospective Plantings report, particularly in California that could come in as much as 50,000 acres above initial estimates. The newly installed Administrator at USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), Ken Isley, and several of his staff joined the meetings for discussions of critical trade issues including several ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) cases, a country-by-country overview of rice imports, exports, and

consumption, and a robust discussion of the impacts of Brexit on U.S.-EU-UK trade.

FAS reported that two rice-related WTO cases are proceeding on schedule. One deals with a U.S. challenge to the level of China's support to corn, wheat, and rice producers. USA Rice was a driving force behind this case because China is subsidizing growers of these crops well in excess of what is allowed by WTO rules. A decision by the WTO is expected in early 2019. The other case is newer, and challenges the way China administers the allocation of import licenses for wheat, rice, and corn under the country's tariff rate quotas. Earlier this month, the United States filed a first-of-its-kind "counter notification" in the WTO that listed India's support for rice and wheat producers. This counter notification demonstrated that support from the Indian government makes up about three quarters of the value of India's rice production. India's allowable level of support within the WTO is 10 percent and it has been surmised that this is the explanation for India suddenly jumping up to be the world's number one exporter of rice. On Brexit, FAS staff explained that negotiations are expected between the United States and the European Union over the allocation of exiting EU tariff rate quotas, including for U.S. rice. At this time, the EU is seeking to allocate a portion of each TRQ to the departing UK and retain the remainder of the TRQs with the EU. USA Rice joins the U.S. government and many other WTO members in arguing that all exiting TRQs should remain with the EU, but especially the rice TRQ that was established in 1995 when Sweden, Finland, and Austria joined the EU and has nothing to do with the UK. Finally, serious concerns were raised over insufficient reporting of exports and sales to FAS's Export Sales reporting system. Subcommittee members emphasized support for compliance with this reporting

requirement. FAS representatives stressed significant work was being done to minimize inadequate reporting and welcomed support from the industry. "The World Market Price Subcommittee meetings provided a great forum to cover a broad range of domestic and policy issues with key officials from USDA, including Administrator Isley," said Bob Cummings, USA Rice COO. "Having producer, miller, and merchant leadership in town also complements USA Rice's PAC and outreach efforts on Capitol Hill."

Rice: Recorded May 24 MISSISSIPPI CROP SITUATION

Thursday, May 24, 2018 - 10:30am Dr. Bobby Golden, Extension rice and soil fertility agronomist, and Dr. Jason Bond, weed scientist with the MSU Delta Research and Extension Center, discuss flooding rice fields. Recorded May 24, 2018 http://extension.msstate.edu/mississippi-crop-situation/audio/2018/rice-recorded-may-24

Indonesian diaspora professors in the US invent protein-rich rice Jakarta | Fri, May 25, 2018 | 08:25 am Cahokia white rice (Courtesy of/cahokiarice.com)

Two Indonesian diaspora professors living in the United States have invented a protein-rich rice variety they call Cahokia.The rice contains about 50 percent more protein than common rice.

Herry Utomo and Ida Utomo, who are professors at Louisiana State University, said their creation is expected to reduce malnutrition across the world. ―There are millions of people whose lives rely on rice. They have meals three times days, but they do not consume enough protein because they cannot afford to buy meat,‖ Ida said in a statement issued on Thursday. ―I think, by increasing the protein content of rice, we can address serious malnutrition cases.‖ One portion of rice, she explained, normally consists of 4 grams of protein, while the same amount of Cahokia rice has 6 grams of protein. Cahokia rice has been patented and is now being sold in US supermarkets. Blake Gerard, a farmer who has been cultivating rice for 18 years, said he had harvested the new rice variety five times, adding that the protein content was consistent and the yield was also good. The rice is also safe for diabetics because it has a lower glycemic index, which means a slower conversion process from carbohydrate into glucose, Ida said. Herry assured that Cahokia rice did not require additional costs in the planting and harvesting process. Each hectare can produce up to 150 kilograms of additional pure protein, which is equal to 550 kg of meat and 4,500 liters of milk. The US, which has 1.8 million hectares of rice fields, could potentially produce 0.23 million tons of additional protein, he said. ―If it is planted in Indonesia, which has four-and-a-half times more rice fields than the US, the additional pure protein [they produce] can reach 1 million tons or equal to 3.6 million tons of meat,‖ Herry added. (bbn)

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/05/24/indonesian-diaspora-professorsin-the-us-invent-protein-rich-rice.html

Bangladesh‟s summer rice output may hit 19.7mt Reuters . Dhaka | Update: 12:29, May 25, 2018

Bangladesh‘s rice output from the summer crop is likely to hit 19.7 million tonnes, exceeding the target of 19 million tonnes, as farmers raised acreage to cash in on higher prices, a government official said on Thursday. The South Asian country emerged as a major rice importer in 2017 after floods damaged its crops, sending domestic prices to record highs.

Despite some losses due to heavy pre-monsoon rains, the summer crop will surpass the target, based on information from the fields, Mohammad Mohsin, director general of Department of Agriculture Extension, told Reuters.

The summer-sown crop, also known as ‗Boro‘, usually contributes more than half of Bangladesh‘s typical annual rice production of around 35 million tonnes. Rice prices in Bangladesh jumped around 40 per cent last year due to depleting inventory, forcing the government to seek supplies from Asian countries like India, Thailand and Vietnam. The price increase prompted farmers to expand areas under Boro to more than 4.9 million hectares, exceeding the target of 4.7 million hectares, Mohsin said. ―Farmers didn‘t leave any land unplanted this season due to higher prices,‖ he added. Last year, the country‘s Boro rice crop fell about 5 per cent from a year earlier to 18 million tonnes, the lowest in seven years. Rice is a staple food for Bangladesh‘s 160 million people and high prices pose a problem for the government which faces a national election this year. In April, industry officials said Bangladesh‘s rice imports could plunge 66 percent from a year ago to 1.2 million tonnes in 2018/19 on expectations of a bigger summer crop.

In August, the government cut an import duty on rice for the second time in two months. The lower duty has prompted purchases by private dealers, with most of the deals struck with neighbouring India. Bangladesh imported a record of more than 3.7 million tonnes of rice in the July-April period, data from the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s food ministry showed.

http://en.prothomalo.com/economy/news/176266/Bangladeshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-summer-riceoutput-may-hit-19.7mt

Monsoon enters parts of Bay of Bengal, South Andaman Sea; seen advancing further VINSON KURIANT+ T-

Satellite image as of 1.30 pm IST.

'Mekunu' is now an extremely severe cyclone; landfall advanced THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 25 The monsoon has entered parts of South-East Bay of Bengal, South Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands this afternoon, India Met Department (IMD) has announced. Conditions are favourable for its further advance into South Arabian Sea, Comorin-Maldives, more parts of South Bay, Andaman Sea, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands in two days.

Arabian Sea 'Arm' The monsoon is likely to advance into more parts of of South Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, South Kerala, South Tamil Nadu during the subsequent two days. This is even as a very severe cyclonic storm â&#x20AC;&#x2014;Mekunuâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; over West-Central Arabian Sea intensified into a extremely severe cyclone ahead of landfall midnight tonight. IMD located it at 180 km South-Southeast of Salalah. It is likely to cross South Oman-Southeast Yemen coasts close to south of Salalah, around midnight. Earlier this morning, IMD had advanced the landfall, with the US Joint Typhoon Warning Centre in agreement. This had prompted IMD to shorten the window for the likely onset of monsoon over South Andaman Sea, its first port of call in the Indian territory, anytime during today. 'Extremely severe' Meanwhile, an extremely severe cyclone is the penultimate class in IMD's protocol of assessing storms in terms of strength and intensity, topped off by a super cyclone. The Oman Directorate-General of Meteorology said this morning that 'Mekunu' is located 200 km away off Salalah city, with the main convective band only 50 km away. Surface winds speeds had risen to 130-148 km/hr. The main convective band would approach the Dhofar coast later this morning accompanied by gale-force winds and rain. The rainfall could range from 20-30 cm and set off flash floods. Sea waves along the Al-Wusta coasts could range from a phenomenal 26- to 39 feet in height. This is the outlook for the last full day of the cyclone's active life over the waters, after it blasted into the island feature of Socotra, off South Yemen, last night and picked up speed. Past cyclone tracks According to the UK Met Office, cyclones of the strength of 'Mekunu' have made landfall over the Arabian Peninsula in the recent past. In 2015, cyclone 'Chapala' brought flash flooding as it came ashore over Yemen. Cyclone 'Phet' brought strong winds and heavy rain to North Oman when it made landfall in 2010. The strongest on record to make landfall over the Arabian Peninsula was super cyclone 'Gonu' in 2007 which hit North-East Oman with highest wind speeds recorded at 270 km/hr. In contrast,

'Mekunu' is much smaller, impacting the central part of the Arabian Peninsula close to the border between Oman and Yemen. The historical record reveals that strong cyclones over this part of the peninsula are relatively rare. The most recent to make landfall close to the city of Salalah occurred in 1963 and 1959. The former produced over 20 cm of rain and caused severe sandstorms. The latter caused flooding and severe damage to buildings, the UK Met Office said. Monsoon build-up Even as 'Mekunu' has spun away its compliment of incoming monsoon flows and moisture, the other end of the Arabian Sea (off India's coast) has been witnessing cloud build-up. Satellite pictures this morning showed the islands of Lakshadweep, Maldives, and Sri Lanka along with India's SouthWest coast (Kerala) masked by thunderclouds rising into the heights. The clouding now extends fully into the adjoining Bay of Bengal, starting off from the Tamil Nadu coast, the South-West and adjoining West-Central Bay and the Andaman Sea. This is where IMD expects the Bay 'arm' of the monsoon precipitating either today or tomorrow, with the Arabian Sea 'arm' likely materialising over the Bay early next week. It has warned fishermen from venturing into South-East Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep and off Kerala from tomorrow in view of likely strengthening of winds in the region.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-enterssouth-andaman-sea-seen-advancing-further/article23987997.ece

Tanzania: Relief As Rice Prices Decrease By Halili Letea

Dar es Salaam â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rice prices, both retail and wholesale, have started to fall in various markets in the city, this is thanks to ongoing harvests of the commodity in different parts of the country.A random survey by The Citizen in different markets in the city this week has shown that there has been an increase in the supply of the commodity.The survey found that the wholesale prices for a 100-kilo bag of rice has gone down to Sh160,000 as of May 16 from Sh220,000 recorded on April 16, this year. This has resulted in the decrease of the average retail prices to around Sh2,000 per kilo from around Sh3,000 per kilo recorded in April this year.

Mr Peter Kato, a retailer and wholesaler of grains, including rice at Temeke-Double Cabin Market in Dar es Salam told The Citizen that the volume of rice he received over the past two weeks has increased.

"I current receive up to 300 bags of rice a day compared to less than 150 bags during the past months," Mr Kato, who manages 41 stores of grain in Temeke, said. Tandika-Market chairman Mohamed Mwekya said the fall of pries happens between May and July every year, but price harvested last year continue to remain high. "People (hotel and small restaurant owners) prefer old rice than the new one that is why sellers raise prices for them," he said. "Most of our rice in the city originates from upcountry, especially Kyela District, Mbeya Region, Morogoro and Shinyanga," he said. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) monthly economic Review for April showed that prices of rice decreased by 0.4 per cent in March to Sh185,735 per 100 kilos from Sh186,509 recorded in February this year. However, on annual basis, the commodity price increased by 8.1 per cent in March from Sh171,760 recorded in March 2017.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201805250743.html

Rice Production In Maine „Growing Exponentially' Amid Increasing Demand By ABIGAIL CURTIS - BANGOR DAILY NEWS

Rice transplanting line at Wild Folk Farm in Benton.

Maine might seem to be an unusual place to grow rice, but for the last six years, Ben Rooney from Wild Folk Farm in Benton has shown it can be done. He‘s also found that Mainers are hungry for locally-grown rice, with demand far outpacing the amount of the grain that the small paddy system on his farm — the only Maine farm commercially growing rice — can supply. ―The demand for rice seems to be growing exponentially,‖ Rooney said. ―People want rice here.‖

That‘s why he is particularly excited that the Maine Rice Project, a non-profit he helped start which has a goal of getting more people to grow and eat sustainably grown rice and grain throughout Maine, is expanding. A $25,000 grant the project recently received from the Maine Technology Institute is helping Rooney and others to search for new sites to grow rice in Maine.

They are hoping to partner with existing farms where farmers would like to incorporate rice paddies into their business plan. They are also interested in leasing farmland that would be good for growing rice. ―There‘s a lot of people who have locations that are good for rice paddies,‖ Rooney said. A good site for a rice paddy will have clay soil, an uphill pond with good capacity, a slight slope for water management and be identified in the United States Department of Agriculture‘s plant hardiness map as in Zone 4b or warmer. For farmers who can and want to grow rice on their farms, Rooney and others from the Maine Rice Projectwill work with them to design and build paddy systems based on individual site characteristics. Some of the knowledge of how to build paddies on Maine farms came from his own years of trial and error at Wild Folk Farm, where rice growing began somewhat experimentally.

―I got into rice because I got interested in small-scale grain growing and human-powered grain growing,‖ Rooney said. ―I tried most of the normal [grains] and the only one that did well on the farm was rice.‖ That was in 2012, when he planted a few grains of rice seed obtained through the USDA. Since then, his rice-growing abilities have grown a lot. Last summer, using the one-acre paddy system constructed at Wild Folk Farm, he grew between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of rice, and sold about 2,000 pounds of rice as food. Bags of rice from Wild Folk Farm can be found at locations around the state, including Good Tern Natural Foods in Rockland, the Portland Food Co-op, Morning Glory in Brunswick, Meridians in Fairfield, Rising Tide in Damariscotta, 47 Daisies in Vassalboro, the Blue Hill Co-op and the Belfast Co-op. But he also has learned that Wild Folk Farm is not, in fact, ideal for growing rice. ―There are two problems,‖ Rooney said. ―One is that we have an amazing bobolink population. Their name means ‗grass eater.‘ We start growing rice and they eat it.‖

Ducks in the rice paddies at Wild Folk Farm in Benton. CREDIT COURTESY OF WILD FOLK FARM / VIA BANGOR DAILY NEWS The other problem is that the uphill pond is not big enough to give a sufficient amount of water to the rice paddies. ―The farm should be growing half the amount of rice it‘s growing,‖ he said. ―So we‘re downscaling. We‘re growing less rice in the paddies than we used to and more upland rice in our garden plots. The reason for the expansion [of the Maine Rice Project] is that there‘s a lot more people who want rice, and Wild Folk can‘t be supplying more. I‘m trying to find some places that are more favorable for growing rice. Places that are warmer, with a good watershed and a nice pond.‖

So far, he‘s scoped out about a dozen prospective sites, and would like to look at one or two dozen more before settling on the right farms. Once the farms are chosen, site work on the one to four acre paddy systems should begin in the spring of 2019. For paddy construction, they‘re looking for places where ponds can be built uphill so that gravity can bring the water down to the paddies. And as for the varieties of rice that can grow in Maine rice paddies, there are a lot. Even though most Maine grocery stores carry just a handful of types, more than 40,000 varieties of cultivated rice are said to exist. At Wild Folk Farm, is growing around a dozen different varieties right now, and selling eight of them. They include a red rice from Uzbekistan, a risotto-type rice from Italy and a couple of light-brown, short-grain varieties from Japan. ―Rice grows in all these places that have a similar climate to Maine,‖ Rooney said. The grant should take the Maine Rice Project through the winter and the completion of three or four paddy designs with participating farmers. He hopes that will just be the beginning of the rice expansion here. If farmers see that they can recoup the cost of constructing a paddy in just two or three years, it‘s possible that more farmers will decide to grow rice, he said. ―My goal all along has been to have more paddies in Maine,‖ he said. This story appears through a media sharing agreement with Bangor Daily News. http://mainepublic.org/post/rice-production-maine-growing-exponentially-amid-increasingdemand#stream/0

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 25, 2018 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-May 25, 2018 MAY 25, 2018 / 1:03 PM Nagpur, May 25 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on poor buying support from local millers amid good supply from producing regions. High moisture content arrival, easy condition in Madhya Pradesh pulses and release of stock from stockists also pushed down prices. About 5,000 bags of gram and 1,500 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according

to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Desi gram moved down in open market here in absence of buyers amid increased supply from producing belts. TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. * Batri dal reported higher in open market here on good demand from local traders amid weak supply from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,400-4,450, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,000-6,300, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,000-8,000, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,200-8,100, Gram – 3,600-3,700, Gram Super best – 4,600-4,800 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity. Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,050-3,330 3,100-3,370 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,450-3,970 3,500-4,050 Moong Auction n.a. 3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,600-1,726 1,600-1,750 Gram Super Best Bold 5,000-5,200 5,000-5,200 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 4,500-4,800 4,500-4,800 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,450-3,500 3,450-3,550 Desi gram Raw 3,450-3,525 3,500-3,575 Gram Kabuli 9,000-12,000 9,000-12,000 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,700-5,900 5,700-5,900 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,200-5,600 5,200-5,600 Tuar Gavarani New 4,150-4,250 4,150-4,250 Tuar Karnataka 4,450-4,550 4,450-4,550 Masoor dal best 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000 Masoor dal medium 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,300 7,500-8,300 Moong Mogar Medium 6,700-7,200 6,700-7,200 Moong dal Chilka 6,000-7,000 6,000-7,000 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,500-6,500 5,500-6,500 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,700-6,000 5,700-6,000 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,150-5,550 5,100-5,500 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,700-2,800 2,700-2,800 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,000 3,800-4,000 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 5,300-5,600 5,300-5,600 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,050 1,950-2,050 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,400 2,250-2,400 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,450 2,300-2,450 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,250 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-4,000 3,200-4,000 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,400-2,800 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,800 3,200-3,800 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,900 2,700-2,900 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,900 2,900-2,900 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,600 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,600 4,200-4,600 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,000 3,800-4,000 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,300-5,800 5,300-5,800 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,100 4,600-5,100 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,500-14,000 9,500-14,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,200-6,500 6,200-6,500 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,100

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

1,800-2,000

1,700-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 44.7 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 27.5 degree Celsius Rainfall : nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 45 and 27 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices) REUTERS

Rice Prices as on : 25-05-2018 02:53:52 PM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market. Arrivals Current

Price % change

Season cumulative

Modal

Prev. Modal

Prev.Yr %change

Rice Bangalore(Kar)

2536.00

9.08

39463.00

4250

1.19

Burdwan(WB)

394.00

3.41

1908.00

2400

14.29

Varanasi(Grain)(UP)

300.00

1.69

8513.00

2290

2285

-0.43

Guskara(Burdwan)(WB)

205.00

1.49

866.00

2500

8.70

Bahraich(UP)

197.50

-6.62

5110.60

2250

2200

0.90

Bindki(UP)

180.00

18.42

24530.00

2240

Siliguri(WB)

168.00

1.82

6000.00

2700

Shahjahanpur(UP)

140.00

-3.78

2388.40

2350

2345

Gondal(UP)

135.00

7.14

7529.50

2165

2.12

Sainthia(WB)

133.00

-2.21

666.00

2480

2460

12.22

Gorakhpur(UP)

130.00

-10.34

3100.00

2145

2135

2.14

Agra(UP)

128.00

2.4

2208.00

2550

2570

-3.77

Katwa(WB)

115.00

1.77

643.00

2500

8.70

Lucknow(UP)

96.00

1570.00

2300

6.98

Kalipur(WB)

86.00

2.38

1644.00

2600

13.04

Allahabad(UP)

85.00

13.33

4278.50

2485

13.99

Pilibhit(UP)

80.00

-4.76

2944.00

2445

2440

9.15

Chandabali(Ori)

79.50

477.00

1600

-33.33

Kasimbazar(WB)

78.00

2099.50

2780

2750

12.10

Aligarh(UP)

75.00

-6.25

1515.00

2520

2500

-1.56

Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB)

75.00

-6.25

2025.00

2750

7.84

Kopaganj(UP)

70.00

12.9

1821.00

2145

2150

-0.69

Basti(UP)

67.50

31.07

2454.00

2150

1.65

Bazpur(Utr)

65.50

69.25

1623.70

2205

1875

-10.00

P.O. Uparhali Guwahati(ASM)

60.00

-35.83

453.00

2400

7.62

Ghaziabad(UP)

60.00

-25

2855.00

2665

2660

11.04

Faizabad(UP)

57.50

-8.73

998.50

2200

2175

-2.22

Gauripur(ASM)

50.00

1556.00

4500

Chintamani(Kar)

47.00

291.67

281.00

2000

-4.76

Jorhat(ASM)

41.00

49.09

419.00

3200

14.29

Bareilly(UP)

41.00

70.83

710.40

2400

2375

Cachar(ASM)

40.00

1740.00

2400

9.09

Teliamura(Tri)

40.00

140.00

3100

Etawah(UP)

40.00

-13.04

1603.00

2390

2385

5.52

Hapur(UP)

40.00

-20

1605.00

2670

17.11

Dadri(UP)

40.00

-11.11

609.00

2650

2645

11.58

Naanpara(UP)

40.00

-25.23

1008.80

2190

2180

-1.13

Akbarpur(UP)

40.00

14.29

3247.50

2160

2175

-1.37

Karimpur(WB)

40.00

14.29

360.00

3700

3600

17.46

Sahiyapur(UP)

39.00

-12.36

1880.50

2155

2150

Kolar(Kar)

36.00

-62.5

199.00

1318

1270

-22.47

Jayas(UP)

36.00

28.57

1246.00

2110

8.21

Junagarh(Ori)

35.41

15.57

516.49

2200

4.76

Gajol(WB)

35.10

1078.10

3550

22.41

Mathura(UP)

34.00

3.03

464.00

2540

2545

0.79

Muzzafarnagar(UP)

29.00

20.83

1214.50

2670

2665

Jhargram(WB)

29.00

-3.33

190.00

3050

3000

27.08

Kalahandi(Dharamagarh)(Ori)

28.72

-27.69

531.68

2200

4.76

Sitapur(UP)

28.00

7.69

526.00

2210

2220

Gazipur(UP)

28.00

7.69

816.00

2280

7.29

Safdarganj(UP)

28.00

766.00

2200

2225

2.33

Puranpur(UP)

26.00

-29.73

1736.20

2370

2365

Auraiya(UP)

25.00

4.17

809.70

2450

2490

11.36

Partaval(UP)

25.00

-20.63

286.00

2135

2140

3.14

Tamkuhi Road(UP)

25.00

38.89

736.00

2150

Nadia(WB)

25.00

259.00

3700

3900

Rampur(UP)

24.00

300.50

2380

Lakhimpur(UP)

24.00

-22.58

121.00

2270

2185

4.61

Saharanpur(UP)

23.00

9.52

835.50

2670

12.90

Jangipura(UP)

22.00

-54.17

868.00

2230

Robertsganj(UP)

21.50

16.22

417.30

2270

2275

14.94

Balrampur(UP)

20.00

11.11

204.00

2125

2350

1.19

Mainpuri(UP)

20.00

1079.00

2720

2740

Chorichora(UP)

20.00

495.50

2140

2145

Alipurduar(WB)

20.00

560.00

2800

21.74

Jaunpur(UP)

19.00

11.76

1136.70

2200

4.76

Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)

19.00

5.56

296.00

2800

2850

21.74

Bharthna(UP)

18.00

-10

6132.00

2400

Purulia(WB)

18.00

-10

254.00

2920

24.26

Champadanga(WB)

18.00

28.57

293.00

3250

3300

18.18

Kolaghat(WB)

18.00

5.88

283.00

2800

2850

21.74

Banda(UP)

17.00

21.43

507.00

2215

2230

Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB)

16.50

3.12

490.90

3000

11.11

Dhekiajuli(ASM)

16.00

-15.79

164.00

2300

2350

Giridih(Jha)

15.64

-22.38

331.73

3500

Badayoun(UP)

15.00

-11.76

431.00

2375

2365

Jasra(UP)

15.00

890.50

2350

2300

Madhoganj(UP)

14.00

33.33

2190.00

2240

2230

4.67

Ghatal(WB)

14.00

7.69

169.50

2600

6.12

Udala(Ori)

13.00

44.44

69.00

2650

-1.85

Kayamganj(UP)

13.00

-7.14

452.00

2280

2270

Islampur(WB)

13.00

611.50

3300

46.67

Raiganj(WB)

13.00

700.00

3200

26.73

Jhansi(UP)

12.00

2245

Pukhrayan(UP)

12.00

-36.84

403.00

2120

2140

Karvi(UP)

11.50

-8

178.00

2220

2210

-0.45

Fatehpur(UP)

11.00

-26.67

1161.10

2240

2245

1.82

Khurja(UP)

11.00

583.50

2590

Nagpur(Mah)

10.00

2425

Khair(UP)

10.00

1145.00

2550

2600

9.20

-10.68

315.70

2150

2160

Mahoba(UP)

Deogarh(Ori)

9.00

385.00

2500

Dibrugarh(ASM)

7.20

33.33

396.50

2920

29.78

Bolangir(Ori)

7.00

191.00

2800

16.67

Baberu(UP)

7.00

366.67

26.50

2175

2150

Kannauj(UP)

6.80

4.62

137.20

2230

2240

1.36

Muradabad(UP)

6.50

-18.75

257.50

2475

2450

Maudaha(UP)

6.50

-7.14

183.90

2260

2250

7.62

Mirzapur(UP)

6.00

-20

498.50

2210

2215

Kosikalan(UP)

5.50

83.33

70.00

2520

2515

Raibareilly(UP)

5.00

-87.65

210.00

2150

1.42

Buland Shahr(UP)

5.00

-16.67

107.00

2650

2630

13.25

Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP)

5.00

299.50

2240

2250

Farukhabad(UP)

4.50

7.14

181.50

2375

2380

7.47

Shikohabad(UP)

4.00

-20

122.00

2880

2860

8.68

Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)

3.80

-49.33

97.30

3000

15.38

Kalyani(WB)

3.50

-66.67

100.40

3400

Kasganj(UP)

2.20

-15.38

45.30

2650

2660

Chandausi(UP)

2.00

-16.67

90.90

2245

2250

-7.42

Shamli(UP)

2.00

-20

22.50

2680

2670

Bangarmau(UP)

1.60

33.33

32.00

2175

2150

6.10

Kalimpong(WB)

1.60

6.67

10.60

4300

4200

65.38

Tundla(UP)

1.20

100.10

2560

2580

Fatehpur Sikri(UP)

0.80

-11.11

24.60

2550

2540

0.79

Khairagarh(UP)

0.80

73.10

2550

1.19

Published on May 25, 2018

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/riceprices/article23987757.ece

The carbon dioxide we pump into the atmosphere is making our food less nutritious A less nutritious rice. (Reuters/Kham) WRITTEN BY Chase Purdy May 24, 2018 The carbon dioxide humans pump into Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s atmosphere is doing more damage to the global food system than once thought. Beyond physically changing weather conditions and the land on which farmers grow crops, new evidence shows excess carbon dioxide is deteriorating the nutritional quality of some food plants. A study published this week in the journal Science Advances specifically focuses on rice, which under higher carbon dioxide concentrations experiences a reduction in iron, zinc, protein, and vitamins B1, B2, B5, and B9.

There isn‘t a deep body of evidence yet on the topic of how carbon dioxide changes nutritional profiles, even though the effects of such a phenomenon could dramatically impact the lives of hundreds of millions—particularly those in less developed countries that rely on grains as a major source for calories. As part of their research, the scientists specifically focused on countries where more than half of the average person‘s calories come from rice. The rate of impact is still unclear. ―It‘s something that we need to be aware of and it‘s something that we need to evaluate,‖ says Lewis Ziska, a US Department of Agriculture plant physiologist who is on the research team. ―The risk is going to be especially egregious for the poorest people in the world.‖ In wealthier societies with access to more diverse diets, people are less likely to feel the impact as acutely. Still, Ziska cautions that every living thing has the potential of being affected. More research needs to take place, but Ziska wonders how the plant-

effects of rising carbon dioxide levels might impact bees, or species that already have a limited number of food sources. Pandas, for instance, eat only bamboo, and koala bears munch mostly on eucalyptus tree leaves.

As part of their research, the scientists grew 18 varieties of rice at sites in China and Japan. At each site they also built a 17-meter-wide (56 feet) plastic piping system placed about 30 centimeters (1 foot) above the tops of the plants. The pipes would release carbon dioxide into the environment, which was measured by a network of sensors and monitors. ―This technique allows us to test the effects of higher carbon dioxide concentrations on plants growing in the same conditions that farmers really will grow them some decades later in this century,‖ says Kazuhiko Kobayashi, a co-author of the study from the University of Tokyo, in a press release. The study made a point to specifically mention the more than 600 million people living in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People‘s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Madagascar as being particularly at the greatest risk if the quality of their primary food plummets. https://qz.com/1288303/climate-change-is-making-plants-like-rice-less-nutritious/

Latest research aims to strengthen Thai reputation as world rice leader By The Nation MAY 24, 2018 5:50 PM Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Wednesday presided over the opening ceremony of the Fifth National Rice Academic Conference 2018 which was held in Bangkok under the banner of “Thai Rice Research Moves Towards Thailand 4.0”. Nine agencies involved in studying rice collaborated on the conference themes focused on strengthening the rice sector in Thailand, by improving productivity and processing from upstream to downstream to add value to the nation‘s foremost crop and its position as the world‘s foremost rice trader. Presenters from government and private agencies discussed their research and shared new knowledge, joined by specialists in local communities throughout the Kingdom, said Agriculture Minister Krisada Boonraj. The Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA) was this year‘s major conference host, and its director, Phanpimol Chanyanuwat explained the agricultural research funding agency‘s role, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives – improving the quality of life of farmers, especially Thai rice farmers, through earning a stable income.

The agency was ready to work with research agencies, and other agencies, to create knowledge, enhance Thai rice competitiveness through technology and innovation, while also helping Thai farmers reduce production cost, and ensure quality production, she added. Thai farmers should not only be able to sell their paddy rice or milled rice, but also process rice into other high value-added products and create more effective distribution channels for farmers, Phanpimol said.Farmers should be able to grow rice without

the environment, so that producers and consumers have high quality lives, while also helping Thailand maintain its position as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s major exporter of sustainably harvested rice, she added. The May 23-24 conference also featured two major exhibitions at a hotel in the government complex, in Chaengwattana, Bangkok. The first exhibition honoured the Royal Institute to commemorate the resolutions of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The second exhibition featured the nine allied agencies under the major theme of presenting research and innovation on rice. It highlighted research that was consistent with goals of national development. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30346191

Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; KRBL Limited, Amira Nature Foods, LT Foods, Best Foods, Kohinoor Rice kyongpitzer A comprehensive analysis of Basmati Rice Market explores the essential factors such as industry situations, market demands, market players adopted business strategies and their growth scenario. The Basmati Rice market report offers a forecast of revenue, CAGR, and cumulative revenue (covering USA, EU, China, Japan, India and etc). The gathered information holds important information which has been shared in a precise and structured manner using a number of monographs, tables, pie charts and bar-graphs. This report studies Basmati Rice in global market with production, revenue, consumption, sales, import and export, market share and growth rate of forecast period 2018-2023. The Global Basmati Rice market is segregated on the basis of product type, applications/end user, key players, and geographical regions.This predominant information gives executives and other key people an accurate picture of overall Global Basmati Rice market scenario, major challenges, upcoming market movement, and opportunities.The report covers the manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; data, including shipment, price, revenue, gross profit, interview record, business, and distribution. These data will help the consumer know about the competitors better. It also incorporate details regarding the supply chain, manufacturers, and distributors. Request for Sample Report @ www.marketresearchstore.com/report/global-basmati-riceindustry-depth-research-report-2018-244765#RequestSample The study on Basmati Rice Market provides analysis industry trends, recent developments in the market and competitive landscape. Competitive analysis includes competitive information of leading players in market, the list of key players are listed here : KRBL Limited, Amira Nature Foods, LT Foods, Best Foods, Kohinoor Rice, Aeroplane Rice, Tilda Basmati Rice, Matco Foods, Amar Singh Chawal Wala, Hanuman Rice Mills, Adani Wilmar, HAS Rice Pakistan, Galaxy Rice Mill, Dunar Foods, Sungold. In addition, report also provides upstream raw material analysis and downstream demand analysis along with the key development trends and sales channel analysis. Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of in these regions, from

2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific etc and its Share and CAGR(%) for the forecasted period 2018 to 2023. Basmati Rice Market provides the Production (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Types Indian Basmati Rice, Pakistani Basmati Rice, Kenya Basmati Rice, Other Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Direct Edible, Deep Processing The research report will enrich your decision-making capability by helping you to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1) Design and improve your product development and sales strategies and enhancing your marketing activities 2) Develop business strategies by understanding the market dynamics and market developments driving factors 3) Develop market-entry strategies and effective ways to sustain competition 4) Create merger and acquisition opportunities by identifying the market players with the most innovative pipelines 5) Report and evaluation of recent industrial developments 6) Historical, present, and prospective size of the market from the perspective of both value and volume 7) Take more informed business decisions by relying on the insightful opinions from industry experts Inquiry for Buying Report @ www.marketresearchstore.com/report/global-basmati-riceindustry-depth-research-report-2018-244765#InquiryForBuying The report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.The Basmati Rice report is the believable source for gaining the market research, focusing opportunities, up-to-date Basmati Rice market information helps to monitor performance and make the critical decision for growth and profitability. http://brooksinbeta.com/6435/global-basmati-rice-market-2018-krbl-limited-amira-nature-foodslt-foods-best-foods-kohinoor-rice/

Organic Rice Syrup Market 2018: Analysis by Production, Sales, Supply, Demand, Key Players & Forecast May 24, 2018 - by info@htfmarketreport.com Latest research study from HTF MI with title Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023. The Research report presents a complete

assessment of the market and contains Future trend, Current Growth Factors, attentive opinions, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry validated market data. The study is segmented by products type, application/end-users. The research study provides estimates for Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Forecast till 2023. If you are involved in the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup industry or intend to be, then this study will provide you comprehensive outlook. It’s vital you keep your market knowledge up to date segmented by Applications Baking, Confectionery, Beverages, Processed Foods & Dairy Products, Product Types such as [Brown Rice & White Rice] and some major players in the industry. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization according to your requirement.

Request Sample of Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Market Research Report 2018 @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1167933-pakistan-organic-rice-syrup-market Key Companies/players: Suzanne‘s Specialties, Nature‘s One, Wuhu Deli Foods, Axiom Foods, California Natural products (CNP), ABF Ingredients, Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland, Wuhu Haoyikuai Food & Gulshan Polyols.

Application: Baking, Confectionery, Beverages, Processed Foods & Dairy Products, Product Type: Brown Rice & White Rice.

The research covers the current & Future market size of the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data. It also covers various types of segmentation such as by geography []. The market competition is constantly growing higher with the rise in technological innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Moreover, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. On the basis of attributes such as company overview, recent developments, strategies adopted by the market leaders to ensure growth, sustainability, financial overview and recent developments.

Stay up-to-date with Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup market research offered by HTF MI. Check how key trends and emerging drivers are shaping this industry growth as the study avails you with market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional breakdowns, competitive landscape, shares, trend and strategies for this market. In the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Market Analysis & Forecast 2018-2023, the revenue is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2018 and 2023. The production is estimated at XX million in 2017 and is forecasted to reach XX million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2018 and 2023.

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1167933-pakistan-organic-rice-syrup-market Key questions answered in this report â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Market Research Report 2018

What will the market size be in 2023 and what will the growth rate be What are the key market trends What is driving Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Market space? What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Market ? What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup market? Get in-depth details about factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA? Enquire for customization in Report @https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-beforebuy/1167933-pakistan-organic-rice-syrup-market

There are 15 Chapters to display the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup market.

Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup, Applications of Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup, Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;

Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, Export & Import, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes , Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Segment Market Analysis (by Application [Baking, Confectionery, Beverages, Processed Foods & Dairy Products]) Major Manufacturers Analysis; Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Brown Rice & White Rice], Market Trend by Application [Baking, Confectionery, Beverages, Processed Foods & Dairy Products]; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup by region, type and application ; Chapter 12, to describe Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source; Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Pakistan Organic Rice Syrup sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Buy this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buynow?format=1&report=1167933 Reasons for Buying this Report

This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth

It provides a 5-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. About Author: HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the ―Accurate Forecast‖ in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their ―Goals & Objectives‖. Contact US : Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA – 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@htfmarketreport.com Connect with us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/13388569/ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Htfmarketreportinsights https://www.facebook.com/htfmarketintelligence https://twitter.com/htfmarketreport https://businessservices24.com/1080612/organic-rice-syrup-market-2018-analysis-by-production-sales-supply-demand-key-playersforecast/

Global Basmati Rice Market Outlook 2018: Top Companies, Types & Applications NANCY PALMA ON MAY 24, 2018 The Report based on Global Basmati Rice Market is the most recent expansion to the gigantic database of Marketdesk.org. This research inspects based on applications, innovation,

geography, and types. The Report gives a definite Global Basmati Rice Market review alongside the examination of industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s gross margin, cost structure, utilization value, and sale cost. The main corporation of the Basmati Rice Market, producers, and merchants are profiled in the report alongside the most recent Industry improvement present and future patterns. To Inquire Complete Report Click Here: http://marketdesk.org/report/global-basmati-ricemarket-2018-hc/8112/#inquiry The Global Basmati Rice Market report includes production data, data usage, and revenue information across the globe. The Basmati Rice Market offer and development rate are likewise specified for all the significant regions. Significant Basmati Rice Market players/producers are additionally mentioned in the report. The production information, costing, revenue information and their Market share is exclusively examined hence, giving the total knowledge of the competitive scene of the business. The discoveries of the Basmati Rice Market report aid the profound comprehension of the Basmati Rice Market trends alongside aiding basic leadership as for geological growth, limit extensions or recognizing the new development openings. KRBL Limited Amira Nature Foods LT Foods Best Foods Kohinoor Rice Aeroplane Rice Tilda Basmati Rice Matco Foods Amar Singh Chawal Wala Hanuman Rice Mills Adani Wilmar HAS Rice Pakistan Galaxy Rice Mill Dunar Foods Sungold At that point, the Global Basmati Rice Market report centers around worldwide outstanding leading industry players with information, for eg: organization description, product summary and determinations, creation, a piece of the overall industry and contact data. Likewise, the Basmati Rice industry improvement patterns and promoting channels are divided. This report also focuses on various types. In addition, it also gives you a thorough information about Applications and regions. Basmati Rice Market Segment by Regions, this report splits global into major key regions, with use, income, market share, and development rate of Basmati Rice in these regions.

Basmati Rice Market Includes North America (Canada, Mexico, and the USA), Europe (Germany, France, Russia, UK, and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, South Korea, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan), South America (Argentina and Brazil), The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Nigeria). To Access The Complete Report Click Here: http://marketdesk.org/report/global-basmati-ricemarket-2018-hc/8112/#requestForSample Split By Product Type, With Production, Income, Value, Market Share, And Development Rate Of Each Kind Can Be Partitioned Into: Indian Basmati Rice Pakistani Basmati Rice Kenya Basmati Rice Other Split By Application, This Report Centers Around Utilization, Market Share And Development Rate In Every Application, Can Be Categorized Into: Direct Edible Deep Processing Basmati Rice Market Size, Status and Forecast 2023 1 Industry Overview of Basmati Rice 2 Global Basmati Rice Competition Analysis by Players 3 Basmati Rice Company Profiles 4 Global Basmati Rice Market Size by Type and Application (2018-2023) 5 United States Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook 6 EU Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook 7 Japan Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook 8 China Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook 9 India Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook 10 Southeast Asia Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook 11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type, and Application (2018-2023) 12 Basmati Rice Market Dynamics 13 Market Effect Factors Analysis 14 Research Finding/Conclusion 15 Appendix For More Detail, TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts, and Companies Content Click Here: http://marketdesk.org/report/global-basmati-rice-market-2018-hc/8112/#toc http://worldobserver24.com/global-basmati-rice-market-outlook-2018-top-companies-types-applications/

Worries pile up for border farmers, paddy season on, but wheat not sold Villagers distressed as harvested rabi crop lies dumped in deserted shelling-hit villages

People move to safer areas after heavy shelling at Jora Farm along the International Border in Jammu. Tribune

Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Arnia, May 24

The recurrent Pakistan shelling and firing on Indian villages along the 198-kmlong International Border (IB) have left the entire farming community in despair as farmers have been not able to carry out normal agricultural activities in their fields. During the last one week, thousands of farmers from border villages have fled their homes and taken refuge at relief camps following intense shelling on the entire border belt from Paharpur on the Kathua-Punjab border to the Chickenâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Neck area of Akhnoor in Jammu district. The agricultural land within the radius of five kilometres from the IB, measuring about 1.25 lakh hectares, falls under the firing and shelling range.

The rabi crops, especially wheat, have been lying unattended in deserted houses, even as the farmers‘ concern about the next paddy crop is mounting. The villagers are unable to get their fields ready to raise seedlings prior to the transplantation of paddy. Another worry is the non-availability of labour from outside the state. Labourers, particularly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are not ready to work in fields under the present hostile border conditions. ―We had a bumper crop of wheat this year but it is now lying unattended at our homes in Treva, a village close to the IB which has been heavily shelled by Pakistan. The situation turned volatile on the border just after we harvested wheat crop. We did not get the time to sell our produce in the market. We don‘t have any other source of income, how will we sustain our families?‖ asked Rattan Lal, a 58-year-old farmer staying at a relief camp in Government Higher Secondary School, Salehar, Jammu. Choudhary Dev Raj, president of the RS Pura Basmati Rice Growers Association, claimed that nearly 1 lakh to 1.25 lakh hectares in the border area, known for its world-class basmati, was directly affected by Pakistan shelling. ―This is the most suitable time for border farmers to start the preparation for the paddy crop. A delay of even 15 days will lead to either a low yield or just no crop. Farmers do not want much from the government, all that they seek is peace on the border,‖ said Raj. The rice association president said: ―We had been demanding a special budget for border farmers as they come in direct line of enemy shelling. They have been facing losses for the last three years due to the shelling, but no compensation has been paid to them so far‖. Ganshyam Sharma, president, Border Kissan Welfare Union, Kathua, said: ―Farmers in our areas are totally dependent on rain as there is no irrigation facility. They have migrated to safer places without any source of livelihood and if this situation continues, our worries are what will they eat?‖ http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/worries-pile-up-for-border-farmers-paddy-season-on-but-wheat-notsold/594320.html

Study claims climate change is having a 'devastating' effect on the nutrition of rice

LAURA BREHAUT Published:May 24, 2018 May 24, 2018 9:58 AM PDT A decrease in the nutritional value of rice could have a severe effect on human health. Getty Images New research suggests that rice grown in higher carbon dioxide environments is less nutritious Rice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the staple food of billions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will become less nutritious as carbon dioxide (CO2) levels increase, a new study suggests. Through cultivating the grain in the high CO2 environments projected for the second half of the century, researchers found a drop in essential nutrients such as protein, zinc, iron, and various B vitamins.

A finding that could have ―devastating effects‖ on health, particularly in Southeast Asia where roughly 600 million people rely on rice for at least 50 per cent of their daily calories and protein requirements, according to the study in Science Advances.―Rice is not just a major source of calories, but also proteins and vitamins for many people in developing countries and for poorer communities within developed countries,‖ said study co-author Kazuhiko Kobayashi of the University of Tokyo. Nutritional deficiencies, the researchers note, ―can directly (cognitive development, metabolism, and immune system) and indirectly (obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus) affect human health on a panoptic scale.‖ The researchers chose to examine the effect of heightened CO2 levels on rice because of the fact that more than two billion people worldwide depend on it as a primary food. According to Ricepedia, 90 per cent of the world‘s rice is eaten in Asia, where demand for the grain continues to grow. ―Anything that impacts rice in terms of its nutritional quality is going to have an impact,‖ Lewis H. Ziska, study co-author and plant physiologist at the United States Department of Agriculture, told The Guardian. Researchers used an ―open-field method‖ to simulate real-world growing conditions. Dr. Toshihiro Hasegawa / National Agriculture and Food Research Organization of Japan Researchers used an ―open-field method‖ in paddy fields in China and Japan to analyze the impact of climate change on 18 different varieties of rice. Octagonal piping systems were installed above the plants, which were equipped with sensors and monitors to measure wind speed and CO2 levels. Regardless of rice paddy location, all crops grown in higher CO2 environments were less nutritious: ―containing about 10 per cent less protein, 8 per cent less iron and 5 per cent less zinc than rice grown under current levels of carbon dioxide,‖ The Guardian reports. All varieties also

showed a drop in vitamins B1, B2, B5 and B9, and contained more vitamin E than the rice of today. Previous studies have linked soaring levels of CO2 in the atmosphere to reduced protein and increased carbohydrates in crops such as barley, potatoes, rice and wheat – something ―math biologist‖ Irakli Loladze dubbed the ―junk-food effect.‖ ―We still don‘t understand why some plant genotypes show a bigger response to higher levels of carbon dioxide,‖ Andrew Leakey, a crop biologist who was not involved in the new study, told The New York Times. ―And that‘s important if we want to move from understanding the problem to solving it.‖ http://www.editiontruth.com/rice-transplanter-machine-market-rising-awareness-among-farmers-smart-farming-driving-factor/

NFA-Region 8 eyes 240,000 bags rice shipment By Sarwell Meniano May 25, 2018, 6:08 pm TACLOBAN CITY -- The National Food Authority (NFA) in Eastern Visayas is expecting to receive 12,000 metric tons (MT) of imported rice from Vietnam and Thailand to arrive in the country starting June.NFA Regional Director Henry Tristeza said the allocation will be coming from the 250,000 MT of rice purchased through government-to-government scheme. The 12,000 MT of rice is equivalent to 240,000 bags.―The new shipment will ensure us enough rice supply for at least six days if NFA will be the only source of staple food. That is not the case because we have enough stocks from commercial traders and households,‖ Tristeza said on Friday. The volume is only a small fraction of the 60-day buffer stocks target as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. The incoming stocks is expected to bring down the price of commercial rice in the market with the availability of NFA rice at only PHP27 and PHP32 per kilogram (kg), said Tristeza. The NFA regional chief admitted the absence of NFA rice in the market contributed to the increase in the price of commercial rice in the region from an average of PHP40 per kg to PHP45 per kg. For Rebecca Sulibaga, 44, from Lunang village in the island town of Almagro, Samar, the higher prices of rice makes life difficult for their family of six supported by her husband‘s PHP300 daily income from fishing. ―Now that rice is expensive, we have no choice, but to cut our budget for other food items, education, and fare. Another option is to borrow money from our friends and relatives,‖ Sulibaga said. Pedicab driver Raul Piga, 35, from Youngfield village in this city said their hand-to-mouth existence has worsened as prices of basic food items such as rice went up.

―A big chunk of our budget goes to buying rice. Most of the time, our side dish is just lawlaw,‖ Piga said. Lawlaw is a kind of tiny sardine buried and preserved in salt, commonly eaten by impoverished families who have no other alternative to enhance the taste of rice. The NFA has stopped selling rice in the six Eastern Visayas provinces last February due to dwindling stocks. For the second batch of 250,000 MT of imported rice which was bid out through government-to-private (G2P) scheme this week, will bring another 12,000 mt of rice to the region. NFA will announce winning bidder before end of May. The government attempted to replenish stocks through the import of 250,000 MT but bidding failed in the last week of April. The country reopened offers from the governments of Vietnam and Thailand early of May. The NFA is sticking to its target of having the rice imports in the country within June. (With reports from Princess Rosette Cabonegro and Chanda Mae Dialino, OJTs/PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1036405 More senators want excise tax on fuel suspended Sen. Grace Poe said she is inclined to recommend the suspension of the increase in excise tax on fuel to ease the plight of consumers who have been reeling from the continued increase in the prices of goods. Miguel De Guzman Lawrence Agcaoili, Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) - May 26, 2018 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — As oil prices are seen to hit record highs, putting further pressure on inflation, more senators have joined calls for the suspension of a provision in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law that raised the excise tax on fuel. Sen. Grace Poe said she is inclined to recommend the suspension of the increase in excise tax on fuel to ease the plight of consumers who have been reeling from the continued increase in the prices of goods. Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, conducted a public hearing in Iloilo City yesterday on the impact of the TRAIN.

“We will ask the Department of Finance and other government agencies to carefully study the suspension of excise taxes on fuel because of the continued increase in the price of petroleum products,” Poe said. But the DOF said a provision in the TRAIN law or Republic Act 10963 already allows the suspension of the increase in excise tax if and when the Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel. At the hearing, Poe and fellow senators Joseph Victor Ejercito and Nancy Binay were told that pump prices in the Panay region have already increased by 30 percent or at least P10 for diesel and gasoline since December last year. Consequently, prices of rice, pork and fish have also gone up in the region at P5, P15, and P20 per kilogram respectively. They were also told that farmers now spend an additional P2,600 a month while workers need to cough up P3,640 more for their basic needs due to spikes in prices. Poe said the DOF should take into serious consideration the sentiments of consumers, particularly the poor.

Ejercito said the interests of consumers should take preeminence in the implementation of laws, “I urge government to implement the TRAIN Law provision that provided for the suspension of fuel excise tax increase when the average Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore for three months prior to the scheduled increase of the month reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel,” he said.

Ejercito noted that inflation was up by 4.5 percent in April and the price of crude oil is nearing $80 per barrel in the world market. “While we understand the need of government to increase revenues, we need to prioritize the protection of the public who are bearing the brunt of these high prices which is negating the increase in take home pay brought about by lower income taxes,” Ejercito said. “It is precisely the protection of the public, especially the poor that led the Senate to approve a version of the TRAIN Law that has lower excise taxes at P1.75 and a safeguard that suspends the excise taxes when inflation breaches four percent. This safeguard, however, was taken out in the bicameral conference committee version,” he added. Under the TRAIN law, the excise tax on fuel products including the P2.50 per liter on diesel and bunker fuel as well as P7 per liter on gasoline took effect last Jan.1. The excise tax on diesel and bunker fuel would go up to P4.50 next year and P6 in 2020, while that for gasoline would rise to P9 next year and to P10 in 2020. The DOF stressed it is mandated by the TRAIN law to perform an annual review of the implementation of the excise tax on fuel and may recommend suspension.

Salary hike Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, meanwhile, said in a television interview that he had directed the regional wage board directors to begin proceedings for a possible increase in wages. Three labor organizations have joined the calls for wage increase citing the staggering increases in the cost of fuel and basic goods. In separate statements, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said more Filipinos are getting mired in poverty because of the effects of TRAIN. PM chair Renato Magtubo said a “supervening event from the sharp inflation impact of the TRAIN law is enough reason for the regional wage boards to conduct summary proceeding on wake hike.” He noted that the wage boards need not wait for wage petitions to be filed before initiating discussions on adjusting salaries. “Evidently, the effect of TRAIN law on inflation is fast and furious nationwide hence, the regional wage boards need not wait a year to lapse from their last issued wage orders before they can conduct public hearings on wage petitions,” he added. KMU chairman Elmer Labog said an increase in inflation due to TRAIN has made wage hike “all the more necessary.” “The state of wages even before the TRAIN implementation was already insufficient to cope with the prices of goods and services,” he said.

PM’s and KMU’s call for wage hike came after the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) sought adjustment in salaries last Thursday. Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the TRAIN law is not to blame for inflation’s fresh five-year high of 4.5 percent in April from 4.3 percent in March. “Inflation rose mainly because of local and global factors. TRAIN accounted for only 0.4 percentage points of the 4.5 percent. In other words, if you could buy items for P100 last year, you need to spend P104.5 now for them and of that increase, only 40 centavos was due to TRAIN,” Chua said. He pointed out it is convenient to blame the tax reform package and ask for its suspension. “We have to match the proposed solutions to issues we want to address, and TRAIN is not the main reason for inflation,” he added. The government has already transferred the National Food Authority (NFA) to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for better coordination, but rice prices could be up to P7 per kilo lower if imports are allowed freely but subject to tariff. Right now, the government imposes a quota restriction on rice imports requiring importers to apply for a license, constricting supply in the process. “Allowing the private sector to import rice but with tariffs will improve the supply response of the grain in the market and bring down rice prices. This will benefit the poor the most as rice accounts for 20 percent of their consumption,” Chua said. – With Sheila Crisostomo

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/26/1818796/more-senators-want-excise-tax-fuelsuspended

Global Warming Grows Less Nutritious Rice Global warming could bring a serious problem for the two billion people on the planet who depend on one grain for their staple diet: less nutritious rice to sustain them. Scientists have found that rice grown at higher levels of carbon dioxide has an overall lower nutritional value. The grain contains lower levels of protein, and iron and zinc – metals vital for health in trace form – and also consistent declines in vitamin B. This finding is not based on computer simulation of a plant‘s response to notionally higher atmospheric levels of the greenhouse gas CO2, nor on laboratory studies under glass and in artificial conditions. It is based on open air field trials.

That is, extra carbon dioxide is piped to the plants to mimic the ratios expected at the end of the century as ever more people burn ever greater quantities of fossil fuels. And it has been tested in many locations in rice-growing countries over many years. The finding remains true – although at different levels of impact – for the 18 varieties or hybrids of rice tested so far. Ten nations depend upon rice for daily food supplies. The people most likely to feel the consequences of reduced nutritional support – and these include impaired cognitive development, a feebler immune system, obesity and diabetes – are likely to be those who are poorest. The researchers estimate that 600 million people for whom rice provides more than half their daily diet could be affected. Scientists from China, Japan, the US and Australia report in the journal Science Advances that they began their research, using what they call the technique of free air carbon dioxide enrichment, in 1998, to recreate what they expect to be the conditions under which farmers will grow crops a few decades from now. They found on average that the test rice had 10% less protein, 8% less iron and 5.1% less zinc compared with rice grown by farmers under existing conditions. There were also declines of 17% in the vitamins B1 (thiamine) and of more than 16% in vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid levels, were down more than 12%. Folate or vitamin B9 levels were down 30%. ―People say more CO2 is more plant food – and it is. But how plants respond to that sudden increase in food will impact human health as well, from nutritional deficits, to ethnopharmacology, to seasonal pollen allergies – in ways we don‘t yet understand,‖ said Lewis Ziska, a plant physiologist with the US Department of Agriculture research service, one of the authors. Hungry billion Up to a billion people in the world are what bureaucrats politely call ―food insecure.‖ There has already been concern about the impact of higher levels of carbon dioxide on protein in potatoes, maize and other cereals. As global temperatures rise in response to ever greater levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, harvests of all the staple cereals could in any case decline – sometimes as a response to ever wilder extremes of heat, rain and windstorm – by between 20 and 40%. But so far, there has been little research on the impact of climate change on the nutritional qualities of each staple.

The study puts the case more coolly: ―For those populations that are highly rice-dependent, any CO2-induced change in the integrated nutritional value of rice grains could disproportionately affect human health.‖ And the scientists end their study by saying: ―Overall, these results indicate that the role of rising CO2 on reducing rice quality may represent a fundamental, but under-appreciated, human health effect associated with anthropogenic climate change.‖ https://www.truthdig.com/articles/global-warming-grows-less-nutritious-rice/

Rice exporters buoyed by bagging lion‘s share of Philippine imports Economy May 26, 2018 01:00 By THE NATION

FOUR Thai exporters have won contracts to supply 212,500 tonnes of rice to the Philippines in a sales coup that makes up 85 per cent of that country‟s imports of that rice type in the latest round of government to government (G2G) bidding. Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said the Philippines‘ National Food Agency (NFA) had invited bidding on 250,000 tonnes of the variety – white rice graded at 25 per cent. The balance of the rice will be provided by Singapore as a result of the city state‘s trading in the commodity. Delivery of the rice is scheduled for July and August. The four export deals follow the country‘s success in winning a bid from the Philippine food agency for 120,000 tonnes of the same grade of rice on the G2G basis. Delivery from that deal is for this month and June. The latest round of bidding success will help boost Thai export and maintain the country‘s share of the rice market in the Philippines, which is the world‘s biggest rice importer, the Ministry of Commerce said. It would also help to stabilise prices for Thai rice. By May 22, rice exports this year totalled 4.276 million tonnes, up 2.64 per cent year on year – by 4.166 million tonnes. By value, the gain was 23.26 per cent, to US$2.182 billion. The main destinations for Thai rice are China, South Africa, Indonesia and the Philippines. This year, shipments of rice are expected to achieve the sales target of 10 million tonnes.

Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), said the global prices for rice are expected to remain high - especially for the Hom Mali variety - in the third quarter of this year. Hom Mali rice is trading at around US$1,225 per tonne, compared with $1,300 per tonne in 2008. White rice of 5 per cent grade is priced at $451 per tonne. Demand for rice remains high in several countries, including Indonesia, Adul said. Earlier, Indonesia purchased 1.3 million tonnes of Thai rice and is expected to buy more, given that an election next year is likely to stoke demand for rice. For an upcoming sale of 43,700 tonnes of rice for the home market, the bids submitted will be presented to a government subcommittee on Monday for consideration before they are forwarded to the National Rice Policy Committee. Nine producers placed bids. An anonymous source from the DFT said that the department planned to meet exporters, rice traders and rice millers to devise a management plan for off-season rice in 2018 and inseason rice in the 2018-19 production year. This would see the rice reach the market in September and October this year. Neighbouring countries such as Cambodia have had low export prices. â&#x20AC;&#x2022;The rice industry has been concerned over high the high levels production, with the adequate water available for rice fields and this year being the 10th in the Thai rice cycle when price prices usually peak, as in 200809,â&#x20AC;&#x2013; the source said.

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