5th april,2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter by DAILY RICE NEWS LETTER

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Analyze This: Climate change could make food less healthy How coconut, black seed, rice water, tomato, others promote hair growth ‘Golden rice’ will not address Vitamin A deficiency, hunger—anti-GMO coalition Rice Figures Prominently in Craft Beer Council scrambles to beef up rice stock of food agency Procurement: Govt clears transport bar ‘Vanishing’ PDS rice leaves Hyderabad cops puzzled 2018 Division of Ag contest to find rice, row crop producer who can get the ‘most crop per drop’ Rice grain can be a historian too, shows IISc study Webinar: Writing the Next Farm Bill and Ongoing Trade Issues, April 12 NFA buffer stock good for less than a day Philippines cannot be rice self-sufficient, says Duterte Council scrambles to beef up rice stock of food agency Duterte to meet big rice traders amid NFA shortage An Giang earns over 41 million USD from rice exports Import demand continues boosting Vietnam’s rice export Angola re-launches agricultural rice production complex Early planting surges ahead, even as rain makes for slow work in some parts of state Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- April 05, 2018 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- April 04, 2018 Monsoon likely to be normal this year: Skymet US-China trade aggression threatens rice deal Chinese scientist gets 10 years in US prison for stealing engineered rice from research facility Zhang Weiqiang was a rice breeder for Ventria Bioscience in Junction City, Kansas, which developed genetically engineered rice for therapeutic and medical fields The search is on for who can get the most crop per drop Danforth Center Announces New Executive Director of the Institute for International Crop Improvement Chinese scientist sentenced to prison in theft of engineered rice Antipoverty agency: No to golden rice

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Chinese scientist gets 10 years in U.S. prison over theft of GMO rice

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Rice Transplanter Machine Market to Grow at CAGR of 9.35%: Global In-Depth Market Analysis with Inputs from Industry Experts

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www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Eastern District of Missouri corrects settlement amounts in genetically modified rice case mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 0321 3692874 Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market Analysis by Product Type & Applications, Key Players and

News Detail… Analyze This: Climate change could make food less healthy Levels of nutrients fell as plants breathed in more carbon dioxide ALLIE WILKINSON APR 4, 2018 — 6:30 AM EST

More carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may lead to wheat and other major crops becoming less healthful. KTTRAINER/PIXABAY (CC0) As levels of carbon dioxide — CO2 — in the atmosphere have been rising in recent decades, Earth has been warming. That‘s because as a greenhouse gas, CO2 traps heat in Earth‘s atmosphere. That warming is one symptom of climate change. And it has the potential to affect food in many ways. Rising temperatures and the changes in rainfall that it will bring should impact how much and where crops grow. Data now show that rising levels of CO2 also can affect how nutritious a crop will be. Some of those data were reported last year in Annual Review of Public Health. Indeed, it noted that several studies have come to this conclusion. Samuel Myers is an environmental health scientist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. He was part of a team that has studied the potential effects of climate change on nutrition. In one 2014 study, his group looked at six major food crops: wheat, rice, field peas, soybeans, maize (corn) and sorghum. They exposed plants to different amounts of CO2. Some got levels of

between 363 and 386 parts per million (ppm). Such concentrations were typical at that time. (CO2 levels have since risen.) Other plants were exposed to more of that greenhouse gas as they grew â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 546 to 586 ppm. Such levels are expected to develop within the next 50 years or so. After harvesting the plants, the researchers measured their levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. And plants grown with more CO2 were less nutritious. For instance, wheat and rice had lower protein levels. They also had less zinc and iron, as did the peas and soybeans. Some two billion people worldwide already donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t get enough of these minerals. Most people depend on cereal crops, such as wheat and rice, to meet their dietary needs for both zinc and iron. If crop levels of such nutrients fall, people may face an even greater risk of falling ill. People who substitute sugars and starches for protein face a greater risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, U.S. studies have shown. Scientists donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t yet know why CO2 impacts levels of these nutrients. But the new findings suggest scientists may want to try breeding new varieties of crops that are less affected by CO2. That way people will still get the most benefits from their greens and grains.

Crops grown in test plots and exposed to extra CO2 showed changes in their nutrient levels. Wheat, rice and soybeans all had less zinc, iron and protein when exposed to more of the greenhouse gas. Source: S.S. Myers et al/Nature 2014 Data Dive: Analyze the graph and answer the questions below:

1. A scatter plot is a set of data points plotted along vertical and horizontal axes. Does this graph count as a scatter plot? Why or why not? What is another type of graph that could be used to display these data? Explain your answers. 2. Analyze the variables represented on the x-axis and y-axis in the graph. o Name the dependent and independent variables. o What do the negative numbers on the y-axis represent? o How much higher were zinc levels in wheat exposed to elevated CO2 levels? What is the approximate percent change in zinc content for wheat? What is the difference in protein between plants that were exposed to normal levels of CO2 and those exposed to elevated levels? What is the approximate percent change in protein for soybeans? o Consider the data represented on the graph: Why are both positive and negative numbers included on the y-axis? o If you excluded soybean data from the graph, how could you change the range of values and the description of the trends seen on the y-axis? 3. The lines above and below each point on the graph are known as error bars. Because no experiment will ever be perfect, an error bar is a line through a point on a graph which shows the degree of uncertainty or variation in findings. Error bars help to represent the overall range of data. The error bars on this graph represent 95 percent confidence intervals. Each confidence interval covers a range of values. The true value — how much nutrition is really in the crop — is likely to be within that range. When a confidence interval is described as ―95 percent,‖ it means that 95 out of 100 times, the data that a scientist collected would fall between the bars. So the error bars on this graph represent what scientists could expect to find 95 times out of every 100 times that they measured the nutrients o In rice, compare the percent change in zinc, iron and protein between plants grown in normal and in elevated levels of CO2. For which nutrient are the error bars on the graph greatest? For which nutrient are they smallest? o Imagine you were to run another trial for the iron and protein levels in rice exposed to elevated CO2. Would you expect the average values that you measured to lie between the error bars on the graph for each nutrient? Or would you expect it to lie outside of the error bars? Explain your answer. o What does each point on the graph represent? Based on the graphed data, what is the approximate percent change in zinc content for wheat? How about for rice and soybeans? Can you say with confidence that the percent difference in zinc for wheat is larger than its percent difference in soybeans? Explain. Can you confidently say that the percent difference for zinc in wheat is larger than its percent decrease in rice? Explain. Analyze This! explores science through data, graphs, visualizations and more. Have a comment or a suggestion for a future post? Send an email to sns@sciencenews.org. Power Words (for more about Power Words, click here)

carbon dioxide (or CO2) A colorless, odorless gas produced by all animals when the oxygen they inhale reacts with the carbon-rich foods that they‘ve eaten. Carbon dioxide also is released when organic matter burns (including fossil fuels like oil or gas). Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat in Earth‘s atmosphere. Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen during photosynthesis, the process they use to make their own food. cereal grain A plant in the grass family that provides an edible seed, which serves as a food staple (such as wheat, barley, corn, oat and rice). climate period.

The weather conditions that typically exist in one area, in general, or over a long

climate change Long-term, significant change in the climate of Earth. It can happen naturally or in response to human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests. concentration (in chemistry) A measurement of how much of one substance has been dissolved into another. confidence interval An estimated range of values — derived from a set of data — that are likely to contain the real value. This range is used to understand the amount of uncertainty in a sample of data. Confidence intervals are usually expressed as a percentage. For example, a 95 percent confidence interval means that in 95 tests out of 100, the result a scientist obtained would likely fall within that range. dependent variable A variable that changes during a scientific experiment based on other factors in the experiment. A researcher does not control it. For example, a test score is a dependent variable. It depends on how much someone studied, how difficult the test is and even how much sleep a student got the night before. error bar A line (it can be vertical or horizontal) drawn through a point or a bar on a graph. The distance from one end of the line to the other represents how precise a measurement is, or how far the real value of something might fall from the data point reported in the experiment. environment The sum of all of the things that exist around some organism or the process and the condition those things create. Environment may refer to the weather and ecosystem in which some animal lives, or, perhaps, the temperature and humidity (or even the placement of components in some electronics system or product). greenhouse gas A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing heat. Carbon dioxide is one example of a greenhouse gas.

independent variable A variable that changes during a scientific experiment but that is not changed by the other variables that are being measured. It is controlled by the scientist. Note: The independent variable doesn‘t always change. For example, age or sex (male or female) may be an independent variable. iron A metallic element that is common within minerals in Earth‘s crust and in its hot core. This metal also is found in cosmic dust and in many meteorites. journal (in science) A publication in which scientists share their research findings with experts (and sometimes even the public). Some journals publish papers from all fields of science, technology, engineering and math, while others are specific to a single subject. The best journals are peer-reviewed: They send all submitted articles to outside experts to be read and critiqued. The goal, here, is to prevent the publication of mistakes, fraud or sloppy work. mean One of several measures of the ―average size‖ of a data set. Most commonly used is the arithmetic mean, obtained by adding the data and dividing by the number of data points. mineral Crystal-forming substances that make up rock, such as quartz, apatite or various carbonates. Most rocks contain several different minerals mish-mashed together. A mineral usually is solid and stable at room temperatures and has a specific formula, or recipe (with atoms occurring in certain proportions) and a specific crystalline structure (meaning that its atoms are organized in regular three-dimensional patterns). (in physiology) The same chemicals that are needed by the body to make and feed tissues to maintain health. nutrition (adj. nutritious) The healthful components (nutrients) in the diet — such as proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals — that the body uses to grow and to fuel its processes. A scientist who works in this field is known as a nutritionist. protein A compound made from one or more long chains of amino acids. Proteins are an essential part of all living organisms. They form the basis of living cells, muscle and tissues; they also do the work inside of cells. Among the better-known, stand-alone proteins are the hemoglobin (in blood) and the antibodies (also in blood) that attempt to fight infections. Medicines frequently work by latching onto proteins. scatter plot (or scatter diagram) A graph in which values for two variables are plotted as dots along horizontal and vertical axes. starch A soft white chemical made by all green plants. It‘s a relatively long molecule made from linking together a lot of smaller, identical building blocks — all of them glucose, a simple sugar. Plants and animals use glucose as an energy source. Plants store that glucose, in the form

of starch, as a reserve supply of energy. Animals that consume starch can break down the starch into glucose molecules to extract the useful energy. variable (in math or research) (in mathematics) A letter used in a mathematical expression that may take on different values. (in experiments) A factor that can be changed, especially one allowed to change in a scientific experiment. For instance, when researchers measure how much insecticide it might take to kill a fly, they might change the dose or the age at which the insect is exposed. Both the dose and age would be variables in this experiment. x axis (in mathematics) The horizontal line at the bottom of a graph, which can be labeled to give information about what the graph represents. y axis (in mathematics) The vertical line to the left or right of a graph, which can be labeled to give information about what the graph represents. zinc A metallic element that in its pure form is ductile (easily deformed) and that is an essential micronutrient in plants and animals https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/blog/analyze/analyze-climate-change-could-make-foodless-healthy

How coconut, black seed, rice water, tomato, others promote hair growth By Chukwuma Muanya, Assistant Editor 05 April 2018 | 3:38 am Are you going bald? Is your hair falling off or turning gray? Not to worry. Scientists have validated rice water, tomato, and a mixture of coconut oil and black seed to promote hair growth. CHUKWUMA MUANYA, Assistant Editor, writes. Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss in both men and women. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; shape.

Studies have shown that baldness or androgenetic alopecia directly distresses self-confidence affecting the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s quality of life and hair loss is therefore a significant psychosocial manifestation that worth much expense on treatment. Although minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride including other synthetic therapeutic agents are mostly used for alopecia treatment, their adverse effects encourage sorting of alternative efficient treatment agent with a limited side effect particularly herbs.

Earlier studies had demonstrated how a combination of local herbs including onions, garlic, guava, Shea butter, Aloe vera, neem oil, olive oil and coconut oil could provide the next best medicine for hair loss, dandruff, baldness and premature graying of hair.The use Shea butter, pawpaw (Carica papaya) and polysaccharide mixture to enhance hair growth and hair restoration for damaged hair had received a United States (US) patent: US 20050053564 A1.But recent researches have re-validated the folklore use rice water, tomato, and a mixture of coconut oil and black seed to promote hair growth.

Coconut oil and black seed The Malaysian researchers have demonstrated that a mixture of coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) and black seed (Nigella sativa) is very effective in promoting hair growth.The study published in the International Journal of Ethics in Engineering & Management Education is titled ―The effectiveness of coconut oil mixed with herbs to promote hair growth.‖ The researchers concluded: ―The mixture among coconut oil and Nigella sativa is the most effective to promote hair growth than others, thus it has potential as alternative way to be used for hair treatment in the future. Further study is suggested to identify the effectiveness of coconut oil and olive oil with Nigella sativa extracts in promoting hair growth.‖ According to the scientists, Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) consists of lauric acid, which has high affinity and low molecular weight that are able to penetrate into hair shaft and promote hair growth. They noted: ―In this project, the main objective is to study the potential of coconut oil towards hair growth. In addition, the coconut oil was mixed with two herbs, Nigella sativa and Aleurites moluccana (candlenut) to identify their potential in contributing hair growth. Nigella sativa, that contain high nutrient of linoleic acid (a short chain fatty acid), are very important in blood circulation. While, Aleurites moluccana is traditionally used to promote hair growth. In this experiment, 1L of the fresh coconut milk was heated at 60ºC for 15 minutes and cooled at 4ºC for 24 hours. The low molecular weight of the substance was separated and mixed with grinned herbs, Nigella sativa and Aleurites molucana. The mixture was left for 72 hours to make a homogenous component and then, was filtered two times to get pure oil. ―The coconut oil, coconut and Nigella sativa oil, coconut and Aleurites moluccana oil and coconut with mixed herbs were applied on shaven scalp three times per day. The threevolunteered respondent was used and the effectiveness of these solutions was evaluated by measuring the length of hair. Hence, the most effective solution was coconut oil mixed with Nigella sativa.‖ Coconut oil has been used long time ago to enhance a healthy looking hair. However, undesirable properties such as strongly odour make less of people using it as a treatment. The triglyceride component in coconut oil is lauric acid, short chain fatty acids that has a high affinity and its low molecular weight with a straight linear chain, make them easily to absorb and is able to penetrate into hair shaft. A study on several types of oil to prevent hair damage, coconut oil is the most effective oil like sunflower that has those properties, which are able to penetrate easily.Nigella sativa provides a rich supply of short chain fatty acids. According to Matthaus and Ozcan, Nigella sativa contains significant proportions of protein, carbohydrates and essential unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid (omega3 and 6). These ingredients play a key role in blood circulation, consequently promotes hair growth. The fatty acid compositional analysis of the Nigella sativa seeds oil revealed the content of linoleic acid to be the highest. This chemical can help people which facing hair loss problem and premature graying.

According to Kalonji, regular application of black seed oil to the hair scalp and repeat for one week, the loss of hair will stop completely. It also stops falling of hair, and gives a new life to dry, damage, dull unmanageable hairs and prevent premature graying of hair. Nigella sativa also contain short chain of fatty acid and low molecular weight that able to penetrate into the hair root and leading to hair growth. It can be explained when the essential oils, that is, low molecular weight combined with lipophilic, allow them to penetrate into cell membrane more quickly than other substances. Rice bran water Women in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia have used rice water as a hair treatment for centuries. But does rice water have any scientifically proven beauty benefits?A recent study has demonstrated how rice bran promotes hair growth.The study published in Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin is titled ―In vivo hair growth-promoting effect of rice bran extract prepared by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid.‖ The Korean researchers evaluated the potential hair growth-promoting activity of rice bran supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extract (RB-SCE) and major components of RB-SCE, linoleic acid, policosanol, γ-oryzanol, and γ-tocotrienol, with the histological morphology and mRNA expression levels of cell growth factors using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in C57BL/6 mice. RB-SCE showed hair growth promoting potential to a similar extent as three per cent minoxidil, showing that the hair follicles were induced to be in the anagen stage. The numbers of the hair follicles were significantly increased. In addition, mRNA expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) were also significantly increased and that of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) decreased in RB-SCE-treated groups. Among the major components of RB-SCE, linoleic acid and γ-oryzanol induced the formation of hair follicles according to examination of histological morphology and mRNA expression levels of cell growth factors.The researchers concluded: ―In conclusion, our results demonstrate that RB-SCE, particularly linoleic acid and γ-oryzanol, promotes hair growth and suggests RB-SCE can be applied as hair loss treatment.‖ Rice water is the starchy water left over after rice is cooked or left to soak. It is thought to make the hair smooth and shiny, as well as help it grow faster.A report published in Medical News Today looks at the beauty benefits of rice water hair treatments and whether scientific research backs up the purported results. Rice grains contain 75–80 percent starch. Rice water is the starchy water that remains after soaking or cooking rice. Rice water is thought to contain many of the vitamins and minerals contained in rice. These include: amino acid, B vitamins, vitamin E, minerals, and antioxidants.According to researchers,

women in the Heian period (794 to 1185 CE) in Japan had floor-length hair they kept healthy by bathing it in rice water. A modern-day equivalent of this story can be found in China. The Yao women, who live in a village called Huangluo in China, are famed for having hair that averages six feet long.In addition to its incredible length, the Yao womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s hair is said to keep its color for longer, as they do not begin to get gray hair until they reach their 80s. The Yao women credit the length and color of their hair to the fact they bathe it in rice water.In recent years, beauty advice websites and product developers have caught on to this tradition. Now, the rice water trend is spreading.Advocates of using rice water for hair believe it: detangles the hair; makes hair smoother; increases shine; makes hair stronger; and helps hair grow long.As the popularity of using rice water for hair increases, there is growing anecdotal evidence about its benefits. But are the claims scientifically proven? At first glance, a 2010 paper suggests they may be. The authors note that rice water may reduce surface friction and increase hair elasticity. However, the study relies on historical examples to draw unsupported conclusions. Elsewhere, a research facility in Japan has developed an imaging technique that visualizes the strengthening effect of inositol on hair. Inositol is contained in rice water.How to make rice water? There are several different ways to make rice water; including soaking, washing rice in the sink, and rinsing rice thoroughly is part of the soaking process. Soaking is the quickest way to make rice water.To use this method: take half cup of uncooked rice, rinse thoroughly, place rice in a bowl with two to three cups of water, leave to soak for 30 minutes, and strain the rice water into a clean bowl.Some rice water advocates claim fermented rice water has more benefits than plain rice water. According to a 2012 study, fermented substances have a higher amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants may combat hair and skin cell damage, which is why they are typical ingredients in beauty products.To ferment rice water, follow steps one to four of the soaking method. Before straining, leave the rice water to stand at room temperature for up to two days, allowing it to ferment. Strain the rice water into a clean bowl before use. Another way to make rice water is by boiling the rice. Cover half cup of rice with double the water typically used for cooking. Cook the rice in boiling water and strain the rice water into a clean bowl before use. How to use rice water? Rice water can be used in place of a commercial conditioner. To do this, a person should: wash hair with shampoo; rinse thoroughly with water from the tap; pour rice water onto their hair; massage the rice water into the hair and scalp; leave on for up to 20 minutes; and rinse hair thoroughly using warm water from the tap.

In addition to its potential beauty benefits for the hair, rice water may also benefit the skin.A 2002 study found that the starch in rice water helped damaged skin heal for people with dermatitis.Rinsing hair in rice water is a traditional beauty treatment popular in many regions in Asia.Many people find rice water to be a beneficial hair treatment. Historical examples and anecdotal evidence suggest rice water may improve the strength, texture, and growth of hair. Tomato extract Also, a recent study published in International Journal of Cosmetic Science has demonstrated the effects of Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) extract on hair growth and alopecia prevention.The researchers evaluated the potential hair growth-promoting activity and the expression of cell growth factors of Lycopersicon esculentum extracts, each three per cent (w/w) of ethyl acetate extract (EAE), and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extract (SCE) of L. esculentum and isolated lycopene Tween 80 solution (LTS) and test hair tonic (THT) containing LTS were applied on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice, once a day for four weeks. At week four, LTS and THT exhibited hair growth-promoting potential similar to that of three per cent minoxidil as a positive control (PC). Further, in the LTS group, a significant increase of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), keratinocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was observed than PC, as well as the negative control (NC). In the THT group, increases in IGF-1 and decrease in VEGF and transforming growth factor-β expression were significant over the NC. In a histological examination in the THT group, the induction of anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of NC. In the Draize skin irritation study for THT, no observable edema or erythema was observed on all four sectors in the back skin after exposure for 24 or 72 h for any rabbit. The researchers concluded: ―Therefore, this study provides reasonable evidence that L. esculentum extracts promote hair growth and suggests that applications could be found in hair loss treatments without skin irritation at moderate doses.‖

Can herbal mixture made predominantly with black seed (Nigella sativa) and honey provide the much sought after cure for the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)? https://guardian.ng/features/health/how-coconut-black-seed-rice-water-tomato-others-promote-hairgrowth/

‘Golden rice’ will not address Vitamin A deficiency, hunger—anti-GMO coalition By: Karl R. Ocampo - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:25 PM April 04, 2018

The genetically-modified organism (GMO) known as ―golden rice‖ will not significantly address hunger or Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in the country, according to a government agency. NAPC facilitated the dialogue among a regional coalition of farmers, consumers, environmental activists and other related government agencies from different countries in rejecting the impending commercialization of golden rice in the Philippines. The groups opposed the use of genetic modification, which generally meant altering the natural gene pool, until there are enough studies that could disprove its risks to human safety and biodiversity. ―There was no comparative studies between GR2E (golden rice) and other varieties to see if it can lessen Vitamin A deficiency, the reason why the golden rice variety was made,‖ NAPC secretariat Liza Maza said.

Based on reports collated by the agency in a dialogue with basic sectors, it showed that the controversial crop ―poses health risks and threatens the livelihood of peasant communities.‖ According to Cris Panerio, national coordinator for Magsasaka At Siyentipiko para sa Agrikultura (MASIPAG), there were neither any comprehensive consultations or convincing preliminary scientific research that proves that golden rice is safe or that it can significantly address hunger or VAD. ―Golden rice is fraught with inherent problems, one of which is the low yield resulting to the disruption of the native structure of the rice plant,‖ Panerio said. Panerio is referring to the recent study made by scientists from India wherein golden rice produced abnormality and poor yield performance. Local farmers are worried that this can transfer to other rice varieties as well through crosscontamination once the open field testing is approved by the Department of Agriculture (DA). To recall, the crop‘s initial field testing in 2013 was turned into a fiasco after farmer groups forced their way into DA‘s experiment plot and uprooted the crops that were being tested. In a separate statement released by the SGRN, it pointed out that policy loopholes in the Philippines would allow the distribution of the GMO here despite ―insufficient safety studies.‖ The policy indicates that once a GMO has been circulated abroad and approved by international regulatory bodies, it can enter the country despite national opposition.Golden rice was recently approved in Canada. Aside from the application to field test golden rice, the Philippine Rice Research Institute has also applied to feed test the rice variant here. Details of the said feeding trials are yet to be disclosed. /jpv

http://business.inquirer.net/248584/golden-rice-will-not-address-vitamin-deficiency-hunger-anti-gmocoalition-gmo-napc-rice-hunger-food-security

Rice Figures Prominently in Craft Beer By Jennifer L. Blanck Special to the USA Rice Daily ARLINGTON, VA -- In late March, the Brewers Association released its 2018 Beer Style Guidelines, with rice specifically noted as a typical or recommended ingredient in seven styles: American-style lager and light lager; American-style amber light lager; American-style pilsener; contemporary American-style pilsener; international-style pilsener; and Australasian, Latin American or tropical-style light lager. Wild rice is also noted as a potential ingredient in the "specialty beer" category. In the beer world, rice is considered an "adjunct," or a non-malt source of fermentable sugar, and an effective ingredient to boost the alcohol in a beer while keeping it light on the palate. Adjuncts can also be added for flavor and are any items incorporated beyond the core blend of malt, hops, water, and yeast.

"Rice has traditionally been a source of fermentable sugar. In recent years, it's been employed as part of a flavor focus," said Andy Sparhawk, the Brewers Association craft beer program web manager and Style Guidelines committee member. Sparhawk, a Certified CiceroneÂŽ (the industry designation for a beer sommelier), cites Michigan-based Kuhnhenn Brewing Company's DRIPA (Double Rice India Pale Ale) made with U.S. long grain rice as a game changer for riceflavored beers.

Sparhawk noted that rice has been listed as an ingredient since the Guidelines were created in 1979 to establish an archive for classical styles and identify evolving ones. He added, "Just because rice isn't mentioned, doesn't mean it's not included." The Brewers Association represents more than 4,000 small and independent U.S. brewers and supports the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Beer Style Guidelines are developed by the Brewers Association with input from industry experts and beer analyses, and include details on color; clarity; perceived aroma, flavor, and bitterness; fermentation characteristics; and body. They serve as a reference for brewers and beer competitions, including the preeminent World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival.

When it comes to using rice in beer production, however, there is definitely a "king of beers," namely, Anheuser-Busch, the largest single buyer of rice in the United States. USA RICE DAILY

Council scrambles to beef up rice stock of food agency By Butch Fernandez & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas April 4, 2018

In Photo: A man arranges what is left of the rice stockpile of the National Food Authority in Quezon City.

The National Food Authority Council (NFAC) vowed to prevent the total wipeout of the rice stockpile of the National Food Authority (NFA), which plunged to a four-decade low of 200,000 50-kilogram (kg) bags.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco Jr., who is also NFAC chairman, said on Wednesday that the rice stockpile of the state-run food agency, at 10,000 metric tons (MT), is equivalent to less than a day of the total national daily rice requirement. The country‘s current daily consumption requirement is 32,013 MT, or 640,260 50-kg bags, according to the NFA. ―We have to proactively think about it. In fact, I have to meet the council members about this because this is a new development,‖ Evasco said in a news briefing on Wednesday. ―We will be asking the police to [determine] whether it is true or not.‖ Evasco said he has asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit of the palay procurement and rice distribution measures undertaken by the current management of the NFA. He added that he has ordered his undersecretaries and assistant secretaries to go to the COA on April 5, to discuss the timeframe and the details of the special audit. Evasco disclosed that the meeting between President Duterte and rice traders scheduled on the same day will push through. Evasco also disclosed that the NFAC has thumbed down the NFA‘s management proposed amendments to the terms of reference (TOR) for the importation of 250,000 MT of rice via the government-to-private scheme for ―security reasons.‖ He said the NFA management wanted to allow winning foreign bidders to enter the grains agency‘s warehouses. At present, winning bidders can only deliver the imported rice up to the gate of NFA warehouses, where NFA employees would check whether the delivery is in accordance with the TOR. Evasco disclosed that on April 2, his office received a communication from the NFA management that the latter would conduct a referendum among the members of the NFAC to determine if they agree with the proposed amendment or not. ―We do not want to succumb to such position because it has security implications. How will we know the new stocks and old stocks will not be mixed?‖ he said. ―We do not have control over that. That is why the council members rejected this position.‖

Evasco said the rice imports by the NFA are set to arrive before June, just time for the lean months. ‘Avert rice queues’ Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto raised concerns on Wednesday over the Duterte administration‘s ―factionalized rice team,‖ warning this could cause a spike in the price of rice he deemed to be a ―volatile political commodity.‖ Recto prodded Duterte to ―whip his compartmentalized rice team to get their act together because rice is a volatile political commodity in which the slightest perception of shortage could shoot prices up and hurt the poor most.‖ In a statement, Recto noted a seeming ―policy incoherence‖ that concerned officials should promptly address. ―There seems to be policy incoherence. Or at the very least, instead of being on the same page, different parts of the orchestra are playing different music,‖ the Senate leader said, adding: ―The President should grab the baton and be the master conductor.‖ Recto warned that when the public gets mixed signals on the status of what they eat, this could trigger market disruption. He pointed out, for instance, that if each household buy an additional 10 kilos of rice, this will had a big impact on supply, ―especially if the buffer is thin.‖ The senator added that while ―politically, a nation will tolerate all kinds of queues—MRT, passport… rice queues must be avoided at all cost.‖ He, however, promptly clarified that ―at present, there is no need to, because—thanks to our farmers—of the recent record rice harvests.‖ Still, Recto said that despite a stable national stock, ―there is a need to make rice affordable to the poor who cannot afford expensive fancy varieties.‖

He cited statistics indicating the poorest 30 percent of families spend 70 percent of their income on rice, adding that ―for many of them, 22 centavos for every 1 peso they earn are spent to buy rice.‖ The Senator proposed that in order to ―prove that they‘re not forgotten, the government should deploy rolling rice stores to poor urban areas to show that there‘s enough rice.‖ Moreover, Recto recommended that Duterte ―should regularly meet the ‗Big Four‘ in rice policy—the secretaries of Agriculture, and Finance, the cabinet secretary who heads the NFA and the NFA administrator—so that ―all the important actors shall speak in one voice, and move towards one direction.‖

―It is not just the NFA,‖ he said. ―The big picture is production, which is the DA‘s responsibility. And all aspects of the industry, where government is involved, whether production, or NFA procurement, needs funding, and the one who must raise the money is the secretary of finance,‖ Recto added. Citing consumers‘ penchant for so-called unli-rice, the senator noted that every Filipino on average eats about 108 kilos of rice a year. ―But our population grows by 1.6 million annually,‖ he says adding that 136 Pinoys already consume 14.7 tons of rice annually. https://businessmirror.com.ph/council-scrambles-to-beef-up-rice-stock-of-food-agency/

Procurement: Govt clears transport bar Apr 5, 2018, 2:07 AM; last updated: Apr 5, 2018, 2:07 AM (IST) Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 4 The state government has finally been able to rein in transporters for the ongoing wheat procurement season. Besides bringing down the rates at which the wheat will be transported from mandis, the government has also roped in rice millers and labour and construction societies to lift and transport the procured wheat.

It is for the first time that the government has capped the transport and cartage rate at 120 per cent of the scheduled rate. This will make the transport rates on a par with the charges given to the Food Corporation of India by the Centre. Since the rate of transport given in Punjab was much higher for the past several years, the state had been bearing the differential cost. Now, the government will save Rs 175 crore annually. The Food and Civil Supplies Department on Wednesday finalised the tendering process of 340 transport clusters (of total 413), while rejecting the bids for 10 clusters. The re-bidding for these 10 clusters and 73 other where no bids were received, will be done on Thursday, said Anandita Misra, Director, Food and Supplies. She said most tenders allotted were over 40 per cent to 70 per cent of the scheduled rates. While 100 per cent tenders had been finalised for the clusters in Amritsar, Barnala, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Muktsar, Mohali, Mansa, Pathankot, Rupnagar and SBS Nagar districts, the government was geared to ensure hassle-free procurement and lifting of wheat. In Mansa and Sangrur, the rice millers having their own trucks have been allotted contracts to transport wheat. This is also for the first time that penalty clauses have been introduced in the contracts to be signed between labour contractors and the government to ensure that wages are paid to labourers through RTGS and provident fund given to them. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/procurement-govt-clears-transport-bar/568981.html

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vanishingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PDS rice leaves Hyderabad cops puzzled Fraudsters hoodwink police by converting rice into flour before diverting it to the black market By AuthorY. Sravan Kumar | Published: 5th Apr 2018 12:29 am Updated: 5th Apr 2018 12:31 am Hyderabad: Rice meant for the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the capital is vanishing into thin air. An intensified crackdown by the police across Hyderabad, Rachakonda and Cyberabad on large scale diversion of PDS rice revealed that more rice than what was actually being seized during the crackdown was diverted, but there was no trace of it at all. According to officials, with rice millers getting involved in the scam, fraudsters had found new methods to hoodwink the police and divert PDS rice.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda (SOT), Syed Rafeeq, said after stealing PDS rice, the fraudsters were wiping the rice off records by turning it into flour. ―Rice is the most crucial evidence when it comes to proving the crime of diversion. By turning rice into flour, our job gets tough because the evidence itself is changed,‖ he said. More than the PDS rice, flour has a huge demand in the black market as it is available for a low price and is used for popular food items including idli and dosa, he said, adding that even forensic experts were finding it tough to nail the fraudsters when rice was turned into flour. Technical method However, Scientific Officer and Head of the CLUES Team (Hyderabad) N Venkanna says adding a harmless chemical substance to PDS rice at the processing stage itself can resolve the issue. ―A technical method used to authenticate the quality of petrol, whether it has been adulterated with kerosene, can be used here too. To identify whether petrol contains kerosene, a blue-colour chemical liquid is added to the sample. In a similar way, PDS rice can be sold using such precautions so that it can be found whether the flour was made from PDS rice,‖ he said. https://telanganatoday.com/vanishing-pds-rice-leaves-hyderabad-cops-puzzled

2018 Division of Ag contest to find rice, row crop producer who can get the ‘most crop per drop’ By Mary Hightower U of A System Division of Agriculture April 2, 2018 Fast Facts   

Most Crop per Drop irrigation contest entries due June 1 Contest open to rice, corn, soybean growers Propeller flow meters must be sealed by Division of Ag personnel before first irrigation (487 words) (Newsrooms: With full rules posted at www.uaex.edu/irrigation) (Download this story in MS Word format here.) STUTTGART, Ark. – Are you the Arkansas rice, soy or corn producer who can get the most crop per drop? Find out by entering the 2018 Arkansas Rice and Row Crop Irrigation Yield Contest, presented by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Only the top entry in each commodity — one winner each for rice, corn, and soybeans — will receive an award. A $10,000 cash prize will be the award for the contest winners in corn and soybeans. The rice winner will be awarded a Ricetec hybrid seed tote with a retail value of $12,000. Awards will be

presented at the Arkansas Soil and Water Conference in January 2019. The contest prizes have been provided by Ricetec, the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. ―Arkansas growers are familiar with yield competitions like soybean‘s ‗Grow for the Green,‘ but there‘s never been a competition that focuses on maximizing yield by maximizing water use efficiency,‖ said Chris Henry, associate professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. ―We thought it was time to have a ‗Most Crop per Drop‘ contest that would highlight Arkansas farmers‘ efforts to improve sustainability and profitability, which are paramount to the future of agriculture.‖ There‘s a $100 contest entry fee and entries are due by June 1. Entrants will need a portable flow meter to enter, but can request to borrow one from their Extension office. Sixty meters are available on a first come first serve basis. The contest is open to growers of rice, corn or soybeans. Rice growers who use multiple inlet rice irrigation (MIRI) or alternate wetting and drying methods are eligible, as are cascade flood, furrow irrigation or sprinkler irrigation, in contour levee, or straight levee irrigation. However, zero grade fields are ineligible. Based on observations from Cooperative Extension Service irrigation management demonstration fields over the last five years, ―experience has shown that when applied effectively water use can be reduced by 24 percent on average with no yield reduction,‖ Henry said. ―Reductions in water use of around 40 percent have been documented.‖ This is essentially a standard yield contest but with the addition of a flow meter. Henry said the contest is the first irrigation contest of any kind in the United States. ―The contest is a real challenge,‖ he said. ―It‘s easy to maximize yield with unlimited inputs, but try doing it with just the right amount of rain and irrigation.‖ To learn more about the contest, contact your county extension office or email contest@uark.edu. Employees of the University of Arkansas System and their spouses may not enter. Board members, employees, spouses of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board, Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board, and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion board are ineligible for this contest. Mention of product names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

About the Division of Agriculture The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture‘s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the

Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s historic land grant education system. The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your county extension office as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. Media Contact: Mary Hightower Dir. of Communication Services U of A System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (501) 671-2126 mhightower@uaex.edu https://www.uaex.edu/media-resources/news/april2018/04-02-2018-Ark-Irrigation-contest.aspx

Rice grain can be a historian too, shows IISc study Deekshith Nevil Pinto Bengaluru Apr 5, (Research Matters):

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1. Ask a rice grain, ―where are you from and what‘s the climate like there?‖ and it will answer you. Yes, the humble rice we eat every day can be a climate historian, says a new study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. In a first of its kind attempt, they have demonstrated the potential of rice grains as recorders of relative humidity—the amount of water vapour in the air, and the changes in monsoon. “Understanding the long-term variability of the southwest monsoon over India is a key scientific question to our modern society. Like today, rice cultivation since the Harappan civilisation depended on monsoonal rains. Hence, rice can confirm monsoonal variability in the past”, says Dr. Ritika Kaushal, Research Associate at the Centre for Earth Sciences, IISc and one of the authors of the study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. The study proposes a linear relationship between the stable isotope composition of oxygen and carbon in rice grains, with relative humidity. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons and electrons but differ in the number of neutrons. There are two stable isotopes of carbon and two for oxygen that were used in this context. The proposed relationship can help in understanding the climate parameters prevalent when the rice was grown. ―The present study explores the potential of rice grains to serve as recorders of climate. Application of the study might give us clues on the climate prevalent during Harappan civilisation and the factors that might have contributed to its eventual collapse around 3,000 years before present‖, say the authors while talking about their study. The researchers collected 105 varieties of rice grains from 23 different locations across India grown during the rainy seasons, from 2010 to 2014. The study sites ranged from Jammu to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and lay in different climatic zones. They then studied the oxygen and carbon isotopes in the rice grain, which depend on the relative humidity in the atmosphere and the water that was used to cultivate. Further, the researchers calculated an ‗enrichment parameter‘, which is the adjusted value of oxygen isotope after removing the contribution from source water. This parameter was found to be strongly dependent on the relative humidity, implying that as the humidity increased, the enrichment of oxygen in the rice grain decreases. The researchers have proposed the linear equation based on this dependence. Similarly, the researchers calculated a ‗discrimination parameter‘ for carbon isotopes in rice grains by removing the effect from atmospheric carbon dioxide, and established its relationship with relative humidity. The results prove the influence of relative humidity as a driver of variations in both oxygen and carbon isotopic composition. The researchers claim that besides understanding the past climate, the results can also help in the authentication of rice grains. “Food authentication involves proving the geographic origin of

the food, which is important for food safety, food quality, and consumer protection. For instance, basmati rice is a geographical indication denoting a particular type of rice from the foothills of the Himalayas. The properties yielding high market value for basmati can be attributed to the geographical origin and the prevalent conditions. Not surprisingly, there is an alarming number of adulteration cases, especially by the exporters. The present study provides the geographic characterisation of the most commonly cultivated rice varieties in India, including a few basmati varieties and presents an index for rice-grain authenticationâ&#x20AC;?, explains Dr. Kaushal. The study has demonstrated that one can derive climatic information of the past using wellpreserved rice grains from archaeological sites. Considering that ours is a monsoon dependent country, these findings help us understand the long-term variability of the southwest monsoon. The results could also help us identify climate-resilient rice varieties for uncertain climate scenarios of the future. Extending the study, the researchers also wish to get wheat talking! They plan to understand the dependency of wheat on the climate parameters. As the grain is cultivated in India during winter, one could use wheat as a recorder of winter monsoons. https://researchmatters.in/news/rice-grain-can-be-historian-too-shows-iisc-study

Webinar: Writing the Next Farm Bill and Ongoing Trade Issues, April 12 April 3, 2018 By Bobby Coats, University of Arkansas Ag Economist The next Food and Agribusiness Webinar will be on Thursday, April 12 at 10 a.m. Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) director Pat Westhoff will discuss the economic, trade and biofuels considerations, crop and livestock market outlook, and other issues that congressional leadership and members are considering as they pen the next farm bill.Pat provides perspective into the monumental task of writing and passing the next farm bill and ongoing trade issues and considerations. Register for this webinar Miss a webinar and want to catch up? You may view past webinars by visiting the Food and Agribusiness Webinar Series webpage at: View Previous Webinar Videos Want to stay in the loop with the webinar schedule? Subscribe to the webinar alert emails https://agfax.com/2018/04/03/webinar-writing-the-next-farm-bill-and-ongoing-trade-issues-april-12/

NFA buffer stock good for less than a day

Photo shows the remaining rice stocks at a National Food Authority warehouse in Quezon City yesterday. Michael Varcas Paolo Romero, Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) - April 5, 2018 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA)‘s rice stock has been depleted to less than a day, but there is no need to worry because the country still has enough supply of the staple, Malacañang said yesterday.NFA Council chairman and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. said the agency‘s buffer stock is good for just 0.35 days, way lower than the required 15-day rice reserve it is required to maintain at any given time. In Bicol, NFA information officer Beth Jacob admitted it has no more buffer stock in its warehouses, but they are working double time to buy palay from rice farmers and take advantage of the harvest season.

Jacob said the NFA is still at a disadvantage compared to private buyers since it can only buy a kilo of palay at P17 per kilo compared to P19 to P20 per kilo offered by private and commercial rice buyers. Jacob also said the approval for rice importation was already ―too late‖ and that ―government-togovernment‖ agreement is still the best mode to do it. For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto called on President Duterte to immediately crack the whip on his ―factionalized rice team‖ as the food staple is a volatile political commodity which could trigger discontent among Filipinos, especially the poor, if its prices continue to spike due to perceived or actual shortage. Evasco is still blaming the NFA and its officials for making irresponsible statements about the country‘s rice supply while those from the agency maintained they only told the truth about the situation. The NFA is required to have a rice reserve good for at least 15 days during harvest season and at least 30 days during the lean months of July to September. The buffer stock is maintained to ensure that the country will have rice in case of emergency situations or natural disasters. Asked about reports that the NFA rice stock has been wiped out, Evasco said: ―Wala pa naman, wala pa (Not yet). It‘s 0.35 (days).‖ The rice reserve is equivalent to 200,000 bags, he added. Evasco said the figure would not change ―if there is no rice produced tomorrow.‖ But Evasco maintained that there is no rice shortage in the country, citing the expected arrival of imported rice and the ―big harvest‖ of local farmers based on the report of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol during a meeting on March 19. The NFA only contributes about five percent of the staple in the market. ―That‘s why there was no panic on our end,‖ Evasco said in a press briefing.―The purchase of rice is timed to arrive in May, in time for the start of the lean months,‖ he added. Evasco said 501,000 metric tons of rice imported under the minimum access volume arrived last month. The NFA has also been directed to buy 250,000 metric tons, which is expected to be delivered in time for the lean months or before June. ―So there‘s nothing to worry about but we have to ask the traders to bring out their rice and we will ask COA (Commission on Audit) to audit (the NFA‘s operations),‖ the NFA council chairman said.

‗NFA causing panic‘ Evasco claimed that the NFA‘s statements about the insufficient rice supply have caused panic that may have raised prices. He said some NFA officials continued to release statements despite Duterte‘s instruction that the NFA Council chairman is the only person authorized to talk about rice supply. ―The way things are happening now, they create the artificial shortage and pin down the council; that we are responsible in creating such situation of shortage when, in fact, we have checked that based on the report of the Department of Agriculture, there is so much rice,‖ Evasco said. Evasco said the NFA should be audited to determine if it is buying rice at the right time. ―Why will you release so much rice to the market when it is in time of the harvest season? Comparing this to the June, July, August, we found in the report that there was less rice given out to the market when at that time it was lean months. Meaning to say, there was few rice available in the market,‖ he said. Evasco said Duterte would be meeting with big rice traders this afternoon to discuss the rice supply situation in the country. – Celso Amo

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/05/1802921/nfa-buffer-stock-good-less-day

Philippines cannot be rice self-sufficient, says Duterte By RO-Angelica Equio, Philippine Canadian Inquirer on April 4, 2018

Contrary to the projected development in the year 2020 that the Department of Agriculture claimed, President Rodrigo Duterte said that rice self-sufficiency in the country cannot happen due to rich people‘s acquisition of the cultivable land and turning it into cash crop. ―Of course, we cannot be self- sufficient, why? In rice? Because ourlands that are suitable for plowing has been taken by people who have money for the cash – cash crop, it is no longer food crop,‖ Duterte said in his speech during his visit in Sultan Kudarat. With this, the president also called on the Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to speed up its efforts in giving away agricultural fields with no owners to the landless farmers because according to him, there is no use of hanging onto a property which does not serve the Filipino people.

Moreover, Duterte expressed gratitude towards farmers, stressing that they are the ones who ―regularly provide people with sustenance and ensure food security despite difficulties such as disasters, price fluctuations and financial shortages.‖ To help improve lives of these farmers whom he said are a vital aspect in the survival of the country, Duterte vowed to continue ―providing livelihood programs, insurance, production and postharvest trainings and the most important of all, the credit access.‖

http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2018/04/04/philippines-cannot-be-rice-self-sufficient-saysduterte/

Council scrambles to beef up rice stock of food agency By Butch Fernandez & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas April 4, 2018

In Photo: A man arranges what is left of the rice stockpile of the National Food Authority in Quezon City. The National Food Authority Council (NFAC) vowed to prevent the total wipeout of the rice stockpile of the National Food Authority (NFA), which plunged to a fourdecade low of 200,000 50-kilogram (kg) bags. Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco Jr., who is also NFAC chairman, said on Wednesday that the rice stockpile of the state-run food agency, at 10,000 metric tons (MT), is equivalent to less than a day of the total national daily rice requirement. The country‘s current daily consumption requirement is 32,013 MT, or 640,260 50-kg bags, according to the NFA. ―We have to proactively think about it. In fact, I have to meet the council members about this because this is a new development,‖ Evasco said in a news briefing on Wednesday. ―We will be asking the police to [determine] whether it is true or not.‖ Evasco said he has asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit of the palay procurement and rice distribution measures undertaken by the current management of the NFA.

He added that he has ordered his undersecretaries and assistant secretaries to go to the COA on April 5, to discuss the timeframe and the details of the special audit. Evasco disclosed that the meeting between President Duterte and rice traders scheduled on the same day will push through.

Evasco also disclosed that the NFAC has thumbed down the NFA‘s management proposed amendments to the terms of reference (TOR) for the importation of 250,000 MT of rice via the government-to-private scheme for ―security reasons.‖ He said the NFA management wanted to allow winning foreign bidders to enter the grains agency‘s warehouses. At present, winning bidders can only deliver the imported rice up to the gate of NFA warehouses, where NFA employees would check whether the delivery is in accordance with the TOR.

Evasco disclosed that on April 2, his office received a communication from the NFA management that the latter would conduct a referendum among the members of the NFAC to determine if they agree with the proposed amendment or not. ―We do not want to succumb to such position because it has security implications. How will we know the new stocks and old stocks will not be mixed?‖ he said. ―We do not have control over that. That is why the council members rejected this position.‖ Evasco said the rice imports by the NFA are set to arrive before June, just time for the lean months. ‘Avert rice queues’ Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto raised concerns on Wednesday over the Duterte administration‘s ―factionalized rice team,‖ warning this could cause a spike in the price of rice he deemed to be a ―volatile political commodity.‖ Recto prodded Duterte to ―whip his compartmentalized rice team to get their act together because rice is a volatile political commodity in which the slightest perception of shortage could shoot prices up and hurt the poor most.‖In a statement, Recto noted a seeming ―policy incoherence‖ that concerned officials should promptly address. ―There seems to be policy incoherence. Or at the very least, instead of being on the same page, different parts of the orchestra are playing different music,‖ the Senate leader said, adding: ―The President should grab the baton and be the master conductor.‖Recto warned that when the public gets mixed signals on the status of what they eat, this could trigger market disruption. He pointed out, for instance, that if each household buy an additional 10 kilos of rice, this will had a big impact on supply, ―especially if the buffer is thin.‖The senator added that while ―politically, a nation will tolerate all kinds of queues—MRT, passport… rice queues must be avoided at all cost.‖ He, however, promptly clarified that ―at present, there is no need to, because—thanks to our farmers—of the recent record rice harvests.‖

Still, Recto said that despite a stable national stock, ―there is a need to make rice affordable to the poor who cannot afford expensive fancy varieties.‖ He cited statistics indicating the poorest 30 percent of families spend 70 percent of their income on rice, adding that ―for many of them, 22 centavos for every 1 peso they earn are spent to buy rice.‖The Senator proposed that in order to ―prove that they‘re not forgotten, the government should deploy rolling rice stores to poor urban areas to show that there‘s enough rice.‖ Moreover, Recto recommended that Duterte ―should regularly meet the ‗Big Four‘ in rice policy—the secretaries of Agriculture, and Finance, the cabinet secretary who heads the NFA and the NFA administrator—so that ―all the important actors shall speak in one voice, and move towards one direction.‖ ―It is not just the NFA,‖ he said.―The big picture is production, which is the DA‘s responsibility. And all aspects of the industry, where government is involved, whether production, or NFA procurement, needs funding, and the one who must raise the money is the secretary of finance,‖ Recto added. Citing consumers‘ penchant for so-called unli-rice, the senator noted that every Filipino on average eats about 108 kilos of rice a year. ―But our population grows by 1.6 million annually,‖ he says adding that 136 Pinoys already consume 14.7 tons of rice annually. https://businessmirror.com.ph/council-scrambles-to-beef-up-rice-stock-of-food-agency/

Duterte to meet big rice traders amid NFA shortage Malacañang is requesting rice traders to help 'rather than take advantage of the situation to make Published 12:35 PM, April 04, 2018 Updated 12:35 PM, April 04, 2018

RICE SHORTAGE. President Rodrigo Duterte is set to meet with big rice traders on April 5, 2018, to discuss the NFA rice shortage. Malacañang file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte will meet with big rice traders on Thursday afternoon, April 5, after the National Food Authority (NFA) sounded the

alarm over its depleted rice buffer stock."The President will be meeting with big rice traders

tomorrow afternoon because the president will have a take on that," said Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr, chair of the NFA Council, in a press conference on Wednesday, April 4. Evasco said that through this meeting with Duterte, Malacañang "can ask these traders to help us rather than take advantage of the situation to make money at the expense of the consuming public." Asked if the NFA is creating an "artificial shortage," Evasco said that their statement on dwindling rice supplies "would eventually make the traders withdraw the rice, to speculate on higher prices of rice in a few weeks from now." Evasco also reiterated that the government is considering to abolish the NFA "if we have enough rice produced in our country to feed our people." Asked if the NFA is claiming a rice shortage to avoid abolition, Evasco said, "Ikaw ang nagsabi niyan." (It was you who said that.) The NFA management, led by administrator Jason Aquino, is putting pressure on the NFA Council to speed up rice importation because of the dwindling NFA reserve. Malacañang, however, said the current NFA rice shortage should not be cause for panic since NFA rice comprises only a small portion of the total rice supply of the country. – with reports

from Pia Ranada / Rappler.com https://www.rappler.com/nation/199519-duterte-meet-big-rice-traders-nfa-shortage

An Giang earns over 41 million USD from rice exports VNA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 04, 2018 - 16:25:00

An Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of An Giang shipped abroad 83,920 tonnes of rice in the first three months of 2018 for 41.1 million USD, up 18,3 percent in volume and 28.8 percent in value over the same period last year. According to Vo Nguyen Nam, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, An Giang‘s rice has been exported to 21 countries, mostly Asian ones with 83.7 percent. A rise of 30.4 percent was seen in the African market.In the first three months of this year, rice price was 487 USD per tonne averagely, a rise of about 43 USD per tonne over the same time last year.

Nam said that global demand of rice is forecast to continue rising. The good results in the localityâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s rice exports in the first quarter of 2018 was due to high demand from traditional markets of Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and a number of new markets like Bangladesh.Meanwhile, Tran Anh Thu, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that farmers in An Giang have used highquality rice varieties in 72 percent of total rice farming area in this Winter-Spring crop, thus enhancing the quality of the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s rice and contributing to facilitate exports. Thu revealed that An Giang is developing the An Giang rice trade mark to 2020 with a vision to 2030, while preparing to issue a rice export market development strategy in the 2017-2020 period, aiming to improve the competitiveness of the grain.-VNA https://en.vietnamplus.vn/an-giang-earns-over-41-million-usd-from-rice-exports/129024.vnp

Import demand continues boosting Vietnam’s rice export VNA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 04, 2018 - 11:26:00

Farmers dry unhusked rice in Hong Dan district, the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – High rice import demand from Vietnam‘s major markets in the second quarter is expected to help exporters continue good overseas shipments in the first three months of this year. Some foreign news sources reported that in late March, the State Logistics Agency of Indonesia (Bulog) signed contracts to purchase 300,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam and 200,000 tonnes from Thailand. This is the third time Indonesia has imported rice since the beginning of 2018. Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) Nguyen Ngoc Nam confirmed the report, saying that Bulog invited the Vietnam Northern Food Corporation and the Vietnam Southern

Food Corporation to supply the rice. This contract will be carried out from April to July this year. The Philippines, another major market, is also planning to import rice in large amounts in the second quarter, the VFA said, adding that the country will import 250,000 tonnes of rice to augment its rice reserves. The auction will open in May. Meanwhile, rice import demand from China, Malaysia and Japan has also helped warm up the Asian rice market, promising good prospects for Vietnam‘s rice shipment in the second quarter. According to the agriculture ministry‘s Department of Crop Production, about 980,000 hectares of winter-spring rice in the Mekong Delta, the biggest rice hub in Vietnam, had been harvested as of March 29 with average productivity of 6.5 – 6.6 tonnes of unhusked rice per hectare.Some rice exporters said the market in the Mekong Delta has become vibrant since mid-March due to abundant rice supply, supporting their export activities. The US Department of Agriculture predicted Vietnam could export 6.7 million tonnes of rice this year thanks to shipments to China and expansion in other markets. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that rice exports in January – March totalled 1.36 million tonnes worth 669 million USD, representing year-on-year rises of 9.4 percent in volume and 24 percent in value. China remained the top importer of Vietnamese rice, accounting for 24.4 percent of total exports.-VNA https://en.vietnamplus.vn/import-demand-continues-boosting-vietnams-rice-export/129015.vnp

Angola re-launches agricultural rice production complex 4 April 2018:| Angola| China

Manquete‘s agro-industrial complex for rice production in Angola‘s Cunene province, at a standstill since May 2017, will be re-launched later this year, when management is handed over to food production company Faz Angola, the director Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries of Cunene said on Tuesday in Ondjiva.

Pedro Tiberio also told Angolan state news agency Angop news that the process of recovery of agricultural equipment as well as land is underway. This agro-industrial complex, originally approved in 2010 and now reactivated, has an area of 2,000 hectares, of which 1,500 hectares has been set aside for rice and maize cultivation and the remaining 500 hectares for construction of infrastructure and natural reserves. With two units for processing and husking, cleaning, bleaching of packaging and equipment, the complex has three silos for storage, two of them for 3,000 tons of rice and one for 2,000 tons of corn. The Manquete project was approved in 2010 by the Angolan government under the credit line from the China Development Bank (CDB), and China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) was hired to put it into operation within 60 months, 36 of which for the training of technical and auxiliary staff. The agency also reported that the production shutdown was due to the CEIEC abandoning the project, as it did not comply with the five-year contract, at which time management was handed over to the Angola Sovereign Fund. (macauhub) https://macauhub.com.mo/2018/04/04/pt-angola-reactiva-complexo-agricola-de-producao-de-arroz/

Early planting surges ahead, even as rain makes for slow work in some parts of state By Ryan McGeeney, U of A System Division of Agriculture

Even as the rains of late winter and early spring kept fieldwork at a standstill through some parts of Arkansas, corn and rice growers around the state managed to make headway, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s National Agricultural Statistics Service. By March 25, 18 percent of estimated 2018 corn acreage had been plantedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;double the 5-year average for this point in the season. Rice growers had seeded 4 percent of acreage, twice what was completed by this time last year and four times the 5-year average. Robert Goodson, agriculture agent for the Phillips County Cooperative Extension Service office, said that while some growers stayed out of the fields, suspecting excessive rain on the way,

growers collectively planted more than 3,000 acres of corn and 1,000 acres of rice throughout the county. Goodson said that most growers in his county have finished their pre-emergence pesticide applications, using either aerial or ground rigs. ―There‘s still some prep to do, but we‘re in good shape. If we can have four or five days of dry weather and a little breeze, we‘ll be back on schedule,‖ Goodson said. In Cross County, rains not only stalled field preparations over the past several weeks, but may have incurred additional costs, Cross County extension agent Rick Wimberley said. ―We were seeing a lot of tractors go in the field last week, doing some tillage work,‖ Wimberley said. ―But now, because of the rains, they‘re going to have to go back in there and scratch the field up again. You‘re adding $12 to 15 an acre to your production cost right there, in fuel and labor.‖Remaining ahead of the planting calendar, however, has kept growers in a reasonable mood, he said.―With rice and beans, we‘re nowhere near being behind the optimal planting date—we‘re still in good shape there,‖ Wimberley said. ―Nobody is really surly yet, but if this keeps up, they‘re going to get that way.‖Progress in much of Perry County, however, remained stalled as rains kept soil saturated, nearly to the point of flooding in some areas. Kevin Lawson, Perry County agricultural agent, said that while pasture managers were finally able to apply preemergent pesticides, row crop farmers were in a holding pattern. ―But nobody‘s gone to ‗plan B‘ yet,‖ Lawson said, as far as planting intensions. ―It‘s too early for that, in our neck of the woods. Everyone‘s still on track.‖ To learn about Arkansas row crops, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu. http://www.hpj.com/crops/early-planting-surges-ahead-even-as-rain-makes-for-slow/article_2978b11001be-5773-92ad-eedf87037728.html

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- April 05, 2018 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-April 5, 2018 Nagpur, April 5 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices reported down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on lack of demand from local millers amid release of stock from stockists. Easy condition on NCDEX in gram, weak trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses and high moisture content arrival also pushed down prices. About 3,800 bags of gram and 2,200 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Desi gram raw reported higher in open market on fresh buying support from local traders. TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. * Wheat mill quality reported higher in open market here on increased buying support from local traders amid thin arrival from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,300-4,375, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,000-6,300, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,500-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,500-7,200, Gram – 3,750-3,800, Gram Super best – 5,200-5,600 * Other varieties of 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 Gram Auction Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction Moong Auction Udid Auction Masoor Auction

Available prices Previous close 3,300-3,570 3,300-3,630 n.a. 2,100-2,600 3,400-4,070 3,400-4,100 n.a. 3,900-4,200 n.a. 4,300-4,500 n.a. 2,600-2,800

Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,550-1,622 1,550-1,642 Gram Super Best Bold 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 5,000-5,400 5,000-5,200 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,750-3,850 3,750-3,850 Desi gram Raw 3,650-3,750 3,600-3,700 Gram Kabuli 12,700-13,200 12,700-13,200 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,700-5,800 5,700-5,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,300-5,600 5,300-5,600 Tuar Gavarani New 4,350-4,450 4,350-4,450 Tuar Karnataka 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800 Masoor dal best 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900 Masoor dal medium 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,500 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 Moong dal Chilka 5,800-6,600 5,800-6,600 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,500 5,600-6,500 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,300 6,000-6,300 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,500 4,000-4,550 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,550-2,650 2,550-2,650 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,600 3,500-3,600 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,050 2,000-2,050 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,350 2,200-2,350 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,400 2,250-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 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) 3,400-4,000 3,400-4,000 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,250 2,900-3,250 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,700 2,600-2,700 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) 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800 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) 6,000-6,500 6,000-6,500 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,600-5,900 5,600-5,900 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. 40.9 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 22.4 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky with one of two spells of rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 41 and 22 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices). https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-april-05-2018idINL4N1RI2RO

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- April 04, 2018 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; APMC/Open Market-April 4, 2018 Nagpur, April 4 (Reuters) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on poor buying support from local millers amid high moisture content arrival. Release of stock from stockists and easy condition in Madhya Pradesh pulses also affected prices. About 2,600 bags of gram and 1,400 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM * Desi gram raw reported higher in open market on fresh buying support from local traders. TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. * Wheat mill quality reported higher in open market here on increased buying support from local traders amid thin arrival from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,300-4,375, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,000-6,300, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,500-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,500-7,200, Gram – 3,750-3,800, Gram Super best – 5,200-5,600 * Other varieties of 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 3,300-3,600 3,300-3,680 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,400-3,930 3,400-4,100 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 1,550-1,642 1,550-1,644 Gram Super Best Bold 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 5,000-5,400 5,000-5,200 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,750-3,850 3,750-3,850 Desi gram Raw 3,650-3,750 3,600-3,700 Gram Kabuli 12,700-13,200 12,700-13,200 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,700-5,800 5,700-5,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,300-5,600 5,300-5,600 Tuar Gavarani New 4,350-4,450 4,350-4,450 Tuar Karnataka 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800

Masoor dal best 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900 Masoor dal medium 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,500 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 Moong dal Chilka 5,800-6,600 5,800-6,600 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,500 5,600-6,500 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,300 6,000-6,300 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,500 4,000-4,550 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,550-2,650 2,550-2,650 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,600 3,500-3,600 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,050 1,950-2,000 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,350 2,200-2,350 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,400 2,250-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 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) 3,400-4,000 3,400-4,000 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,250 2,900-3,250 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,700 2,600-2,700 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) 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800 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) 6,000-6,500 6,000-6,500 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,600-5,900 5,600-5,900 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. 40.7 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 21.7 degree Celsius

Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 41 and 22 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices). https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-april-04-2018idINL4N1RH35B

Monsoon likely to be normal this year: Skymet IANS | New Delhi Last Updated at April 4, 2018 17:18 IST

Monsoon in India is likely to be normal with no chances of drought this year, private forecaster Skymet said on Wednesday, bringing relief to the country.The forecaster said there were 5 per cent chances of excess rainfall that is more than 110 percent of long-period average (LPA).The average, or normal, rainfall in the country is defined between 96 and 104 per cent of a 50-year average for the entire four-month monsoon season. If it is normal, the country will record 887 mm for the fourmonth period from June to September. "The onset month of June and the withdrawal month of September give a promising picture in terms of good countrywide rainfall distribution," Skymet said in its report. The official forecaster, India Meteorological Department, is expected to come up with its monsoon predictions later this month. In its forecast bulletin, Skymet drew up three more scenarios likely for the season -- ranging from below normal to excess rainfall with an error margin of plus-minus 5 per cent.There are 20 per cent chances of above normal which is between 105 to 110 per cent of LPA. Chances of normal, which is seasonal rainfall between 96 to 104 per cent of LPA, are 55 per cent. Below normal rainfall, which is between 90 to 95 per cent of LPA, are 20 per cent. There is "0 per cent chance of drought or seasonal rainfall that is less than 90 per cent of LPA", the forecaster said.

Normal rainfall in the country is critical for rice, cane, corn, cotton and soybean cultivation.However, the agency said key monsoon months of July (97 per cent) and August (96 per cent) would see "below normal" rains. The two months, which bring in half the monsoon rains, are critical for a good crop harvest. But June is likely to receive excess rainfall. September is also going to have normal rainfall with 101 per cent of LPA. In terms of geographical risk, Skymet expected that Peninsular India along with major portion of northeast India was likely to be at "higher risk of being rain deficient throughout the season".About the pre-monsoon heat across the country, Skymet said it "is a positive indicator and points towards normal monsoon"."Similar conditions are presently prevailing across the country. In fact, weathermen are of the view that pre-monsoon season would be slightly below normal, paving the way for intense heat before the onset of monsoon." --IANS (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

US-China trade aggression threatens rice deal 04/04/18 7:00 AM By Bill Tomson KEYWORDS chinese exports rice trade war Trump

U.S. rice farmers and millers are close to overcoming one of the final obstacles blocking access to China‘s massive import market, but there isn‘t much celebrating going on. That‘s because the two countries have come to the brink of an all-out trade war and it's looking like rice trade may become just one more casualty. ―After more than a decade of work to achieve U.S.-grown rice access to the enormous Chinese market, we could finally see the finish line, and now a trade war could set us back

years,‖ Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice Federation, told Agri-Pulse. ―The flip side is that were China to allow U.S.-grown rice in, it would be a first small step to balancing the trade deficit.‖ On Monday, China slapped $3 billion worth of tariffs on a list of 128 U.S. products like pork, oranges, cherries, almonds, plums and ethanol. (For the full list of products and tariffs, read this FAS Gain Report here.) This retaliation came on the heels of new U.S. global tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, a small percentage of which come in from China.Whether the U.S. and China can prevent further escalation is unclear, but it‘s looking like it will get worse before it gets better. That‘s because the Trump administration didn‘t stop with the steel and aluminum tariffs. On March 22, President Donald Trump signed an order to impose about $60 billion in tariffs solely on Chinese goods in order to punish China for years of intellectual property theft and forced technical transfers.

President Donald Trump China hasn‘t yet announced any retaliation for those tariffs, but the U.S. ag sector is bracing for it.None of these tariffs, whether they are meant to deal with China‘s over-production of steel or the country‘s theft of intellectual property, have anything to do with rice trade, and it‘s still possible that the process of gaining access to the Chinese market may move forward.U.S. rice farmers have been after China to allow in U.S. rice for more than a decade and it seemed that real progress was finally being made last summer. In July, during the first Comprehensive Economic Dialogue between the two countries in Washington, China finally signed off on the sanitary and phytosanitary protocols needed to allow in U.S. rice. ―This is another great day for U.S. agriculture and, in particular, for our rice growers and millers, who can now look forward to gaining access to the Chinese market,‖ USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said at the time. ―This market represents an exceptional opportunity today, with enormous potential for growth in the future.‖ China consumes about 144 million tons of rice every year and is the world‘s largest riceproducing and importing country. As part of the deal China struck when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, the Asian nation agreed to take in at least 2.7 million tons of U.S. rice each year. Still, there has been no trade because of China‘s past refusal to approve the protocols. China, in what was widely expected to be a part of the final phase in lifting its ban on U.S. rice just a few months ago, sent a 10-page questionnaire to USDA‘s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and then the agency passed copies to the U.S. rice mills that export to China. The mills labored to fill out the dense questionnaires that many felt were far too intrusive, according to rice industry sources. Some of the questions dealt with a mill's export history, records of phytosanitary inspections and inspections of raw materials used by a mill. Despite the reservations of rice producers, the questionnaires have been mostly completed and they are expected to be turned in to USDA's APHIS soon. After that, it will be up to China to decide whether the process moves forward. Under the best possible scenario, China will scrutinize the responses and then choose some or all of the mills to visit in order to verify that they meet the country's sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Historically, the U.S. and China have been able to quietly continue conducting what are seen as mostly technical-level talks on issues, unaffected by more splashy, high-stakes political battles, but it‘s unclear if that will be the case with rice.

â&#x20AC;&#x2022;The question is, can our technical experts continue the quiet relationship or does it all get caught up in the politics of this trade fight?â&#x20AC;&#x2013; said one trade official who asked not to be named. Bobby Hanks, chairman of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee and CEO of Supreme Rice LLC, is concerned that rice exports could be a casualty of a trade war. "Our industry is at the end-game of providing detailed information to Chinese authorities about the approximately 30 facilities registering to ship U.S. milled rice to China," said Hanks. "Efforts to get U.S. rice into China are difficult and complicated, and recent events only increase our challenges." For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com.

Chinese scientist gets 10 years in US prison for stealing engineered rice from research facility Zhang Weiqiang was a rice breeder for Ventria Bioscience in Junction City, Kansas, which developed genetically engineered rice for therapeutic and medical fields PUBLISHED : Thursday, 05 April, 2018, 9:18am UPDATED : Thursday, 05 April, 2018, 9:18am

A Chinese scientist in the United States was sentenced on Wednesday to more than 10 years in a federal prison for conspiring to steal samples of a variety of genetically engineered rice seeds from a US research facility.US District Court Judge Carlos Murguia in the District of Kansas sentenced Zhang Weiqiang, 51, a Chinese national living in Manhattan, Kansas, to 121 months in prison. Zhang was convicted in February 2017 on three counts, including conspiracy to steal trade secrets and interstate transport of stolen property, the department said in a statement.―Today‘s sentence demonstrates the significant consequences awaiting those who would steal trade secrets from American companies,‖ said John Cronan, DOJ‘s acting assistant attorney general. Neither Zhang nor his lawyer could be reached for comment on Wednesday. Zhang, who holds a doctorate from Louisiana State University, worked as a rice breeder for Kansas-based Ventria Bioscience Inc, which develops genetically programmed rice used in the therapeutic and medical fields. Prosecutors said Zhang stored hundreds of seeds from Ventria at his home. In 2013, Zhang toured facilities in the Midwest with officials from a crop research institute in China. Federal officials found Ventria seeds in the visitors‘ luggage as they prepared to return to China. China had long banned commercial growing of GMO grains due to public opposition to the technology. But last year, ChemChina‘s purchase of Swiss agrochemical and seed company Syngenta was seen by market analysts and industry experts as a sign that the country was becoming more open to production of genetically modified crops. In recent years, US law enforcement officials have urged agriculture executives and security officers to increase their vigilance and report suspicious activity involving farm products, citing a growing economic and national security threat to the sector. http://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2140353/chinese-scientist-gets10-years-us-prison-stealing

The search is on for who can get the most crop per drop By Mary Hightower, U of A System Division of Agriculture

Are you the Arkansas rice, soy or corn producer who can get the most crop per drop? Find out by entering the 2018 Arkansas Rice and Row Crop Irrigation Yield Contest, presented by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.Only the top entry in each commodity— rice, corn and soybeans—will receive an award. A $10,000 cash prize will be the award for the contest winners in corn and soybeans. The rice winner will be awarded a Ricetec hybrid seed tote with a retail value of $12,000. Awards will be presented at the Arkansas Soil and Water Conference in January 2019. The contest prizes have been provided by Ricetec, the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. ―Arkansas growers are familiar with yield competitions like soybean‘s ‗Grow for the Green,‘ but there‘s never been a competition that focuses on maximizing yield by maximizing water use efficiency,‖ said Chris Henry, associate professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. ―We thought it was time to have a most crop per drop contest that would highlight Arkansas farmers‘ efforts to improve sustainability and profitability, which are paramount to the future of agriculture.‖ There‘s a $100 contest entry fee and entries are due by June 1. Entrants will need a portable flow meter to enter, but can request to borrow one from their Extension office. Sixty meters are available on a first come first serve basis. The contest is open to growers of rice, corn or soybeans. Rice growers who use multiple inlet rice irrigation (MIRI) or alternate wetting and drying methods are eligible, as are cascade flood, furrow irrigation or sprinkler irrigation, in contour levee, or straight levee irrigation. However, zero grade fields are ineligible.

Based on observations from Cooperative Extension Service irrigation management demonstration fields over the last five years, ―experience has shown that when applied effectively water use can be reduced by 24 percent on average with no yield reduction,‖ Henry said. ―Reductions in water use of around 40 percent have been documented.‖ This is essentially a standard yield contest but with the addition of a flow meter. Henry said the contest is the first irrigation contest of any kind in the United States. ―The contest is a real challenge,‖ he said. ―It‘s easy to maximize yield with unlimited inputs, but try doing it with just the right amount of rain and irrigation.‖ To learn more about the contest, contact your county extension office or email . Employees of the University of Arkansas System and their spouses may not enter. Board members, employees, spouses of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board, Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board, and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion board are also ineligible for this contest.Mention of product names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. http://www.hpj.com/crops/the-search-is-on-for-who-can-get-the-most/article_dce0b7ec-ee58-5e5f-8f14f722760f0ee4.html

Danforth Center Announces New Executive Director of the Institute for International Crop Improvement Donald MacKenzie to lead effort to deliver improved crops where they are needed most Article ID: 692218 Released: 4-Apr-2018 11:05 AM EDT Source Newsroom: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

Credit: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Donald MacKenzie, Ph.D

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Credit: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Institute for International Crop Improvement

Credit: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Donald MacKenzie, Ph.D

Newswise — ST. LOUIS, MO, April 4, 2018 – The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, the world‘s largest independent plant science institute, today announced that Donald MacKenzie, Ph.D. will serve as the Executive Director of its Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI). MacKenzie will manage the IICI‘s programs and partnerships dedicated to translating key discoveries in plant health, disease and pest management, genomics, advanced breeding and nutrition to staple crops that impact food security around the globe. He will also provide guidance on navigating through the practical, safety and regulatory processes necessary to demonstrate that new crop varieties are proven safe and effective for the farmers who will benefit from them. ―We are extremely fortunate to attract Dr. MacKenzie to the Danforth Center and IICI,‖ said James Carrington, Ph.D., president of the Danforth Center. ―His expertise in moving scientific discovery into the marketplace to meet needs of farmers, including smallholder farmers, and consumers is matched by few others.‖ MacKenzie is an international expert in regulatory systems for agriculture, including environmental and food safety assessment. His extensive experience in plant product development and global regulatory processes aligns with the Institute‘s commitment to collaborate with international and local partner organizations to deliver crops with improved nutritional content and disease resistance to places where people are in most need. In addition to feeding the hungry, these efforts have the potential to contribute to environmental health and empower farmers to become more self-sufficient. ―I am excited by the opportunity IICI has to deliver solutions for improving food and nutrition security, and that will contribute to addressing environmental and production challenges faced by farmers in developing countries,‖ said MacKenzie. ―Building strategic alliances with partner organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia will help ensure that the Danforth Center‘s expertise and innovative technologies are deployed in ways that are both responsive and impactful.‖ MacKenzie joins the Danforth Center from his position as the Regulatory Affairs and Stewardship Leader of the Golden Rice Project coordinated by the International Rice Research Institute. His proven track record of working with diverse stakeholder groups to achieve progressive policy outcomes was critical in his role as the Canola Global Regulatory Lead at Dupont Pioneer and Regulatory Affairs Leader for Dupont Pioneer Canada, where he provided direction and coordination across all regulatory and registration activities for canola globally. Prior, he was the Executive Vice President at Agbios, Inc., and held numerous government postings, including head of Science Policy Division within Health Canada‘s Health Protection Branch. In 2012, he was awarded the International 2012 Leadership and Excellence

in Agriculture by CropLife. MacKenzie received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia, Canada. The IICI works in partnership with international research institutions, NGOs, funding agencies and regulatory agencies. Members of the Institute are involved in international collaborations: connecting leading scientists and cutting-edge technologies, training international scientists, and providing regulatory, biosafety and project management services. This work is supported by a number of private sources and government agencies, including the James S. McDonnell Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and USAID from the American People. About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research, education and outreach aim to have impact at the nexus of food security and the environment and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Follow us on Twitter at @DanforthCenter. http://www.newswise.com/articles/danforth-center-announces-new-executive-director-of-theinstitute-for-international-crop-improvement

Chinese scientist sentenced to prison in theft of engineered rice By: KSNT News Apr 28 04, 2018 06:06 PM CDT

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNT) - A Chinese scientist was sentenced Wednesday to about 10 years in a federal prison, announced the Department of Justice.Weiqiang Zhang, 51, of Manhattan conspired to steal samples of a variety of rice seeds from a Kansas biopharmaceutical research facility.Zhang was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Carols Murguia in the District of Kansas. Zhang was convicted on Feb. 15, 2017 of one count of conspiracy to steal trade secrets, one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. Evidence at the trial established that Zhang worked as a rice breeder for Ventria Bioscience in Junction City. Ventria develops genetically programed rice to express recombinant human proteins, which are tehn extracted for use in the therapeutic and medical fields.

"Ventria invested years of research and tens of millions of dollars to create a new and beneficial product," said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. "It is vital that we protect such intellectual property from theft and exploitation by foreign interests. We all benefit when American companies continue to drive socially valuable advancements in food, medicine and technology." According to trial evidence, Zhang acquired, without authorization, hundreds of rice seeds produced by Ventria and stored them at his residence in Manhattan. In summer of 2013, personnel from a crop research institute in China visited Zhang at his home in Manhattan. Zhang drove the visitors to tour facilities in Iowa, Missouri and Ohio. On Aug. 7, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found seeds belonging to Ventria in the luggage of Zhang's visitors as they prepared to leave the United States for China. http://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/chinese-scientist-sentenced-to-prison-in-theft-of-engineeredrice/1101924853

Antipoverty agency: No to golden rice Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:14 AM April 05, 2018

The genetically modified organism (GMO) known as golden rice will not reduce hunger or cure vitamin A deficiency in the country, according to a government agency. The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has joined a coalition of farmers, consumers and environment activists from different countries in rejecting the entry of golden rice into the Philippines. Liza Maza, NAPC secretariat head, said aside from not being proven to cure vitamin A deficiency, golden rice was also feared to have health risks, citing reports gathered by the NAPC from communities. The Philippine Rice Research Institute has applied for a permit to test golden rice in Philippine farms. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Karl R. Ocampo

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/980222/antipoverty-agency-no-to-golden-rice

Chinese scientist gets 10 years in U.S. prison over theft of GMO rice (Reuters) - A Chinese scientist in Kansas was sentenced on Wednesday to more than 10 years in a federal prison for conspiring to steal samples of a variety of genetically engineered rice seeds from a U.S. research facility, the U.S. Justice Department said.Zhang Weiqiang is shown in this Wyandotte County Detention Center handout photo released to Reuters December 12, 2013. REUTERS/Wyandotte County Detention Center/Handout via Reuters U.S. District Court Judge Carlos Murguia in the District of Kansas sentenced Weiqiang Zhang, 51, a Chinese national living in Manhattan, Kansas, to 121 months in prison.Zhang was convicted in February 2017 on three counts, including conspiracy to steal trade secrets and interstate transportation of stolen property, the department said in a statement.―Today‘s sentence demonstrates the significant consequences awaiting those who would steal trade secrets from American companies,‖ said John P. Cronan, DOJ‘s acting assistant attorney general.Neither Zhang nor his attorney could be reached for comment on Wednesday. Zhang, who holds a doctorate from Louisiana State University, worked as a rice breeder for Kansas-based Ventria Bioscience Inc, which develops genetically programmed rice used in the therapeutic and medical fields. He stole hundreds of rice seeds produced by Ventria and stored them at his Manhattan residence, the statement said. China had long banned commercial growing of GMO grains due to public opposition to the technology. But last year, ChemChina‘s purchase of Swiss agrochemical and seed company Syngenta was seen by market analysts and industry experts as a sign that the country was becoming more open to production of genetically modified crops. Beijing hits back at U.S. trade tariffs In recent years, U.S. law enforcement officials have urged agriculture executives and security officers to increase their vigilance and report suspicious activity involving farm products, citing a growing economic and national security threat to the sector. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kansas-court-china/chinese-scientist-gets-10-years-in-u-sprison-over-theft-of-gmo-rice-idUSKCN1HB36A

Rice Transplanter Machine Market to Grow at CAGR of 9.35%: Global In-Depth Market Analysis with Inputs from Industry Experts April 4, 2018 - by Akshay J

Rice Transplanter Machine Market research report delivers erudite market data on the market drivers, present as well as upcoming growth opportunities, segment wise and region wise challenges faced by Rice Transplanter Machine market, competitive scenario in the global market. Rice Transplanter Machine Market analyst segments the market to help the buyer to understand the present as well as future market size, situations in terms of growth rate and revenue. Rice Transplanter Machine market report will be mainly useful for the research Institutes, manufactures, potential investors, key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth manager. Ask for Sample PDF of Report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/requestsample/11157237 The report splits global Rice Transplanter Machine market into Americas, APAC, EMEA regions. The Rice Transplanter Machine Market report provides detailed analysis of the key players in the market which provides company overview, financial overview, service offering, different strategies used by them, and comprehensive SWOT analysis of     

Kubota Iseki Yanmar TYM Jiangsu World Agriculture Machinery and many more

>For any pre-order inquiry of market report, contact our experts @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/11157237 The worldwide and regional Rice Transplanter Machine market elements are precisely explained which helps to understand advancing of business trends, drivers, opportunities, and difficulties for the worldwide Rice Transplanter Machine market. Rice Transplanter Machine Market driver One of the major drivers for this market is Shift toward mechanization. Mechanization, which involves mechanically transferring saplings from trays to the soil, is set to revolutionize the production of rice. This technique enhances productivity by 20%-30%, reduces the overall cultivation cost, and increases the profitability for farmers by doing away with the extensive manual labor associated with rice cultivation. It will change the scenario of rice production on a mass scale by reducing the drudgery associated with preparing the field, transplanting, cutting crops, and threshing paddy.

Rice Transplanter Machine Market challenge one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is Lack of finances for small farmers to replace old machinery. Agricultural machinery such as tractors, rice transplanters, and harvesters are capital-intensive and a major investment for most farmers. The quality and aftersales services of such machinery are another concern, and most farmers belong to the lowincome bracket. Also, agriculture is largely carried out in rural areas, and there is still an inadequacy of service-centers for proper maintenance. Rice Transplanter Machine Market trend The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is Product innovation. Manufacturers are increasingly coming up with more varied products. For instance, Kubota launched a new riceseedling transplanter that enables unskilled drivers to move it straight along with the machine. In an agreement with telecommunications giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone group, Kubota is also developing auto-driving farm machines that use GPS. The company aims to roll out unmanned tractors around 2018. The Porterâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s five forces analysis included in the report educates buyer on the current situations along with anticipated future Rice Transplanter Machine market size. Purchase Market report at $3500 (Single User License) @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/11157237 The CAGR of each segment in Rice Transplanter Machine market along with global market (as whole) is explained with great ease. Also, global and regional Rice Transplanter Machine market supply chain analysis provides vital info about producers, distributers and key end-users in the market. It also explains import-export situations, affecting factors etc. to fully and deeply reveal market situations. SOURCE Facts Week https://factsweek.com/ https://factsweek.com/484635/rice-transplanter-machine-market-to-grow-at-cagr-of-9-35-global-in-depthmarket-analysis-with-inputs-from-industry-experts/

Eastern District of Missouri corrects settlement amounts in genetically modified rice case by Robert Davis | Apr. 4, 2018, 10:49pm

ST. LOUIS - Judge Catherine D. Perry of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri has amended her decision regarding settlement amounts owed to Stearns National Bank and Amegy Bank National Association in Texana Mill Rice's lawsuit against Bayer CropScience over genetically modified rice. The revised decision was filed on March 20. The case was on remand from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.

Texana and Bayer settled the case in September 2012, with Bayer agreeing to pay $2.1 million in exchange for Texana‘s agreement to release its tort claims of lost profits and damage to its equipment and facilities totaling $13.9 million. The court concurred that all of Texana's claims against Bayer were "included in the Settlement Agreement and Release, including its claim for damage to property, equipment, and machinery," and awarded the company a settlement for 39.7 percent of all damages. Stearns and Amegy were owed proceeds by Texana of over $8 million at the time the settlement was reached. The banks argued that they were entitled to proceeds of the net settlement because of their involvement with the company, according to background information in the order. The court ordered Stearns to receive 78.1 percent of the net settlement and Amegy to recoup the remainder. Stearns received $765,267.75 of the $977,269.90 net settlement, while $212,002.15 went to Amegy. Perry wrote in her revised order that the clerk of court informed her that "the principal sum on deposit in the Court‘s registry is actually $977.270.84, which is 94 cents more than the $977,269.90," to account for accrued interest. She further updated the amounts each bank will receive and ordered that ―Amegy Bank shall recover the remainder of the Net Settlement in the Court‘s registry – that is, $212,003.09 – as and for its interest in the commercial tort claim for lost profits, contracts, and goodwill. I will, therefore, order the Clerk to disburse $212,003.09 to Amegy Bank from the Court‘s registry.‖ https://stlrecord.com/stories/511369147-eastern-district-of-missouri-corrects-settlementamounts-in-genetically-modified-rice-case

Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market Analysis by Product Type & Applications, Key Players and Growth Forecast Analysis April 4, 2018 - by Akshay J

Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market research report delivers erudite market data on the market drivers, present as well as upcoming growth opportunities, segment wise and region wise challenges faced by Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) market, competitive scenario in the global market. Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market analyst segments the market to help the buyer to understand the present as well as future market size, situations in terms of growth rate and revenue. Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) market report will be mainly useful for the research Institutes, manufactures, potential investors, key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth manager. Ask for Sample PDF of Report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/requestsample/11016213 The report splits global Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) market into Americas, APAC, EMEA regions. The Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market report provides detailed analysis of the key players in the market which provides company overview, financial overview, service offering, different strategies used by them, and comprehensive SWOT analysis of     

Anko Food Machine Buhler GEA Group Krones Tetra Laval and many more

>For any pre-order inquiry of market report, contact our experts @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/11016213 The worldwide and regional Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) market elements are precisely explained which helps to understand advancing of business trends, drivers, opportunities, and difficulties for the worldwide Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) market. Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market driver

One of the major drivers for this market is Increased efficiency of machinery. The increase in production rates, decrease in changeover time between runs, improvement in food quality, deduction in the number of line workers, increase in the ability to process a variety of food products, and simplification in sanitation and clean-up of machinery are the focus areas of food processing firms. Food processing manufacturers are now focusing on more efficient machines in order to fulfil all the above-mentioned requirements. For instance, GEA Group introduced an innovative poultry parts injection process in 2016 for fueling the yield of skin-on and bone-in products, including chicken wings, thighs, legs, drum sticks, and whole or half birds. Originally, this process was carried out using tumbling. Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market challenge one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is Food wastage during processes. Problems in machinery performance like mechanical mishandling and product blockages are leading to wastage of food products in the primary stage. Technical malfunctions and overproduction are the major causes of food wastage. These losses are difficult to avoid due to technical dependency. In the primary stage, food goes through trimming where the edible and inedible portions are separated. If a product is over processed, it reduces the output rate and increases the cost for processor. For instance, most rice processors polish the rice twice or more, which increases the commercial value of rice but decreases its nutritional value. Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) Market trend The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is Modernization and operation optimization. Companies providing PFPM are constantly upgrading their machinery to pace with the growing demand for processed food products. Low profit margins and strict food processing regulations are pushing manufacturers to improve their machine efficiency by investing in large processing plants and advanced food processing machinery. Due to customer demand for upgraded PFPM, manufacturers are constantly working on automation, inspection systems, and energy efficiency to enhance the product quality and reduce the food processing costs. The increasing demand for reliable performance, high efficiency degree, easy installation, robustness, and low maintenance will trigger the innovations and investment in R&D in the global PFPM market The Porterâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s five forces analysis included in the report educates buyer on the current situations along with anticipated future Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) market size. Purchase Market report at $3500 (Single User License) @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/11016213 The CAGR of each segment in Primary Food Processing Machinery (PFPM) market along with global market (as whole) is explained with great ease. Also, global and regional Primary Food

Processing Machinery (PFPM) market supply chain analysis provides vital info about producers, distributers and key end-users in the market. It also explains import-export situations, affecting factors etc. to fully and deeply reveal market situations. SOURCE Facts Week https://factsweek.com/

https://factsweek.com/482503/primary-food-processing-machinery-pfpm-marketanalysis-by-product-type-applications-key-players-and-growth-forecast-analysis/

Aromatic rice, sweet scent of success North Bengal farmers enthusiastic about aromatic variety rice crops 12:00 AM, April 05, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:00 AM, April 05, 2018 A smiling farmer holds a basket full of aromatic rice grown on his field at Angarpara village in Nilphamari Sadar upazila. Photo: EAM Asaduzzaman EAM Asaduzzaman with Andrew Eagle Chinigura, kalijira, kataribhog, nenia and basmati: to connoisseurs the mere mention of these aromatic rice varieties is enough to make them hungry. For North Bengal's farmers the same variety list conjures not only the idea of delectable cuisine but also, increasingly, cash. Add to that the most popular aromatic variety of all: the high-yield Brri dhan-34 strain developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. With high sales prices and suitable geography, aromatic rice farming across the north is flourishing.―Aromatic rice is more lucrative than the usual aman varieties,‖ says Fazal Huq, a paddy farmer from Pushna village in Nilphamari's Kishoreganj upazila. ―Aromatic rice can produce 2.7 tonnes per hectare to sell for around Tk 1.22 lakh. Aman will produce 3.6 tonnes per hectare, which sells for approximately Tk 86,000.‖ ―Varieties like Brri dhan-34 can be transplanted to the field as late as mid-September,‖ says another enthusiastic farmer, Sufal Chandra from Harialkuti village in Rangpur's Taraganj upazila. ―That means the monsoon downpours of July and August can't ruin the crop as sometimes happens with aman paddy.‖ ―It's easy to sell aromatic rice crops,‖ notes Abu Bakkar Siddik, a farmer from Balapara village in Nilphamari Sadar upazila. ―Quite a few companies search it out. They have village agents to buy from our doorsteps.‖ It's not only farmers who are impressed by the characteristics of aromatic rice. Experts agree that for the northern region, such varieties are a winner.

―We can hardly think of having a festival or celebratory meal without such types of rice,‖ says the Department of Agriculture Extension's regional Additional Director Shah Alam. ―The demand is there. We advise farmers to use organic fertiliser which preserves that tell-tale scent and taste. We can also help them to implement the best grain processing methods to maximise their profits.‖ ―The prospect of producing more export-quality aromatic rice in this region is very bright,‖ says Md Moniruzzaman, the department's deputy director for the Rangpur region. ―Farmers are interested in crop diversification. With the right technological approach, aromatic rice farming can be highly profitable.‖―The alluring scent and mouth-watering taste that result in high prices both domestically and abroad offer good incentive for farmers to grow aromatic rice,‖ remarks Mesbahul Islam, a horticulture specialist with the department. ―The Rangpur region has suitable irrigation resources and favourable land conditions to support these crops.‖ This season has seen 13,779 hectares across the northern region devoted to aromatic rice strains, which is an increase of 762 hectares from the previous season. Given the suitability for cultivation and profit potential of these crops, it's not difficult to foresee continued production growth. http://www.thedailystar.net/country/aromatic-rice-sweet-scent-success-1558123

Rice output likely to touch 9m tonnes OUR STAFF REPORTApril 05, 2018

LAHORE - Pakistan's annual paddy production is likely to touch nine million tonne in next two to three years with predicted increase of 25 per cent sowing area of hybrid rice. Shehzad Ali Malik, the former president of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said this during an interaction with Agriculture Journalists Association at his office on Wednesday. The AJA delegation led by president Sudhir Ch met him to discuss the future of hybrid rice cultivation in Pakistan and cooperation with China in this field. "The current paddy production is 6.9 million tonne per year which will touch nine million tonne in next three years as farmers' interest is increasing in sowing of hybrid rice," Shehzad said. While the modern hybrid rice varieties are already being sown over 1.5 million acres of land in Sindh, the seed is all set to be commercially launched in different districts of southern Punjab in upcoming season. Since the hybrid rice average yield is more than 100 maund per acre, the

cultivation if adopted in Punjab could make a considerable increase in annual rice production of the country.

Shehzad was of the view that Iran can become a major market of Pakistani rice consumption in coming years. As the country's current per year export to Iran is around 150,000 tonne, he said the export can be increase at one million tonne. To avoid the complications, he suggested the bilateral trade of rice and other products with Tehran could be dealt in Chinese currency instead of US dollar. He also floated the idea to provide on lease land to Chinese and Pakistani companies for different crops seed research. He said the government must include the agriculture sector projects in next phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. https://nation.com.pk/05-Apr-2018/rice-output-likely-to-touch-9m-tonnes

Duterte tackles rice shortage 66

President expected to appeal to grains tradersto avoid hoarding, unjust price hike in Palace meeting today Updated April 5, 2018, 4:41 PM

By Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte is set to meet with the country‘s rice traders in Malacañang today (April 5) amid concerns on the reported artificial rice shortage in the country.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte looks at the document shown by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. prior to the start of the 10th Cabinet meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace on January 9, 2017. (ACE MORANDANTE/Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) The President is expected to appeal to the traders to avoid hoarding rice and imposing unjust price increases, according to Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. ―The President will be meeting with the rice traders tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon because the President will have to take on that,‖Evasco, chair of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, said during a Palace news conference.

―It was proposed by the Department of Agriculture secretary that rice traders should be called and that the President talk to them so that we can preempt whatever plans of these traders (are)and we can ask the traders to help us rather than take advantage of a situation to make money at the expense of the consuming public,‖ he added. The President‘s proposed meeting with rice traders came as Evasco blamed the NFA management for creating confusion and panic when it announced a supposed shortage of rice in the country. Evasco claimed that the NFA management has created the ―artificial rice shortage,‖ saying its ―irresponsible‖ statement could make the traders ―withdraw the rice and to speculate on higher price of rice.‖ ―In fact, if there is a sector in the country that can manipulate the presence of rice in the market, it‘s the traders,‖ he said. ―An irresponsible statement that there is no more rice in the market would immediately create a reaction on people who do have rice on their hands, withdraw this and speculate the date when to release it at a higher price, at the detriment of the consuming public,‖ he added. Asked if NFA administrator Jason Aquino should be fired for the agency‘s supply problems, Evasco said it was up to the President to make the decision since he is the appointing authority. Evasco, meantime, assured anew that the country has adequate rice supply, citing more rice imports are expected to be delivered before June in time for the lean months. ―Based on the information from the Department of Agriculture, there is so much rice,‖ he said. Malacañang recently assured that the country‘s overall rice supply remained more than sufficient, despite a low inventory of the government subsidized rice. It has assured that 250,000 metric tons of rice imports are expected before June to boost the NFA rice stockpile. Less than a day’s supply Meanwhile, the NFA has only less than a day‘s worth of affordable rice reserve but the government continued to assure the country‘s overall rice supply remained adequate. Evasco has admitted that the NFA‘s rice buffer stock was down to 0.35 day or around 200,000 bags of rice. ―Wala pa naman, wala pa. It‘s .35 (day),‖ Evascosaid during a Palace news conference when asked if the NFA buffer stock has reached zero. ―That is if there is no rice produced tomorrow,‖ he added, when asked if there was already a shortage of NFA rice stocks.

The latest figure was below NFA‘s mandatory 15-day buffer stock of government subsidized rice. When asked how the government will supply rice in case of a calamity hits the country, Evasco said he intends to meet with the NFA council members to discuss the latest rice supply situation. ―We have to proactively think about it. In fact, I have to meet the Council members about this because this is a new development. And we‘ll be asking the police to check whether it‘s true or not,‖ he said. DA assure sufficient rice Despite the low inventory of the NFA rice, Evasco said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured that the country has sufficient supply of rice. He added that additional rice imports are expected to be delivered to the country before June to boost the NFA supply. ―Based on the report of the Department of Agriculture, there is so much rice. And in fact, this is the reason the standby volume of rice of 250,000 metric tons was set to be purchased and to be delivered before June in time for the lean months,‖ he said. Evasco also confirmed talks about the proposed abolition of the NFA, but clarified it could only be dismantled if there is adequate domestic rice production. ―Kinokonsiderana ‗yan [That is being considered],‖ he said. ―NFA could only be abolished first, if we have enough rice produced in our country to feed our people,‖ he said. Evasco acknowledged that the NFA might also be abolished if the Department of Finance‘s proposal to lift the quantitative restrictions on rice imports is approved. The Finance department had earlier suggested removing the rice import quota and instead assess a 35-percent tariff rate. At present, NFA is empowered to import rice and regulate rice imports. ―If we follow the proposal of the Department of Finance to do away the quantitative restrictions, definitely mawalaiyong NFA because we will now allow private traders to buy and sell this rice here in our country,‖ Evasco said. https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/04/duterte-tackles-rice-shortage/

Philippine government anti-poverty agency says Golden Rice 'poses health risks' and 'threatens peasants' Karl Ocampo | Inquirer (Philippines) | April 5, 2018

The genetically-modified organism (GMO) known as ―golden rice‖ will not significantly address hunger or Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in the country, according to a government agency.

[Editor's note: Read the GLP's fact sheet on Golden Rice] During the ongoing Stop Golden Rice! Network (SGRN) International Conference, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has joined a regional coalition of farmers, consumers, and environment activists from different countries in rejecting the impending commercialization of golden rice in the Philippines. The groups opposed the use of genetic modification, which generally meant altering the natural gene pool, until there are enough studies that could disprove its risks to human safety and biodiversity. ―There was no comparative studies between GR2E (golden rice) and other varieties to see if it can lessen Vitamin A deficiency, the reason why the golden rice variety was made,‖ NAPC secretariat Liza Maza said. Based on reports collated by the agency in a dialogue with basic sectors, it showed that the controversial crop ―poses health risks and threatens the livelihood of peasant communities.‖

... [T]he crop‘s initial field testing in 2013 was turned into a fiasco after farmer groups forced their way into DA‘s experiment plot and uprooted the crops that were being tested. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/04/05/philippine-government-anti-poverty-agency-saysgolden-rice-poses-health-risks-and-threatens-peasants/

IGC conference to include sustainable value chain workshops April 4, 2018 - by Holly Demaree-Saddler Share This: Search for similar articles by keyword: [IGC]

LONDON, ENGLAND — The 27th IGC International Grains Conference will focus on the latest supply and demand issues within the grain industry. It will be June 19-20, 2018 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, England.

The annual event brings together around 300 participants representing the global grains supply chain, from producers, exporters, traders, brokers, processors, trade associations, inspection services, shipping and logistics companies, to policy makers. The IGC forecast for 2018-19 marketing year shows a trend with less stocks and potential peaks in trade. The main question to be addressed on the first day of the

conference will be “Are grains and oilseeds supplies too heavy to maintain a dynamic market?” Leading international speakers will provide their perspectives on the current and forecast supply and demand situation, the latest developments in the Russian exports and emerging markets, the new potential provided by innovative technologies in the grain sector and the challenges within logistics and infrastructure. The conference will include workshops on the sustainable value chain enhancement in the grains and oilseed sector. The conference will look at three commodity sessions where stakeholders will share their views and engage in direct discussion with leaders and experts in the market on current topical issues:   

Grains Market: Technical barriers to trade hosted by the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) Rice market: Is sustainable production able to tackle the instability of the rice market? Oilseeds market: Is vegetable oil or vegetable protein the main driver for the future?

For more information visit www.igc.int or email conf@igc.int. http://www.worldgrain.com/articles/news_home/Industry_Events/2018/04/IGC_conference_to_include_sust.aspx?ID={B6 F59474-EC36-42E2-B1F6-80170B070D16}

INEC issues notice of 2018 Ekiti gov election

April 5, 2018 Kamarudeen Ogundele, Ado Ekiti The Independent National Electoral Commission has issued a notice of election for the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Abdul -Ganiyu Raji, at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday said this was in accordance with Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Raji explained that the section provided that INEC must give a notice of election not later than 90 days to the governorship election. According to the notice, campaign by the parties for the election will begin on April 15 and end in the midnight of July 12. He advised the parties to submit the names of their agents by June 30, with a warning that any party that failed to meet the deadline would not have agents for the ele ction. As part of efforts to ensure that more people register for the election, the REC said 531 registration centres had been created. He noted that the continuous voter registration in the new registration centres would run between Wednesday April 11 and 16 simultaneously across 177 registration areas in the state. According to him, the exercise became necessary in order to enhance more participation in the election. Raji said, ―I want to urge members of the public who are yet to register and have attaine d the voting age to come out and register as we are moving all these centres to them. ―We want to remove all the bottlenecks people have been complaining of which range from economic, to distance and also some political reasons. We are bringing the registration to their doorsteps. ―And we are promising and assuring the people that a few weeks after this exercise, the PVCs will be ready for collection till the eve of the election and we expect the people to go to our offices for their cards because no Permanent Voter Card, no election.‖

The REC added that 513,000 PVCs had been distributed in the state, saying 218,000 cards had yet to be collected for those who registered before April 2017. Meanwhile, a member of the 7th House of Representatives and a govern orship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Bamidele Faparusi, has said his main focus was to make Ekiti State the food basket of the South-West, if elected the governor. Faparusi promised to create 50,000 jobs through agriculture and building of cottage industries. He said he would establish farm settlements in the three senatorial districts to complement the one in Orin Ekiti established by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo administration in the defunct Western Region to employ the youths. Faparusi spoke while interacting with some party leaders who paid a solidarity visit to him in commemoration of the 2018 Easter. He berated Governor Ayodele Fayose for relegating agriculture to the background in the state. He said it was disheartening that Fayose could fold his arms and allow Lagos State to enter into partnership with Kebbi State in the production of LAKE Rice, saying it had shown that the Ekiti State Government was bereft of ideas and modern exposure on how to develop the economy. Faparusi said, ―We thank God that the South-West regional integration which is being largely driven by the APC governors has opened Fayose‘s eyes to rice production. ―In their meeting in Lagos State last week, each state promised to donate 1,000 hectares of land to Lagos for rice production.

―Under normal circumstances, we expected Ekiti to have keyed into this for long having realised the success Lagos and Kebbi made in the production of LAKE Rice. ―Ekiti is lucky in this regard because we already have a brand called Igbemo Rice, all we need to do is to rebrand the package through mass production. This will have a multiplier effect on our economy by producing jobs for our youths, increasing the state GDP which will in turn increase our internal revenue and wean the state from sole reliance on federal allocation for survival.‖ Stating his plans for agriculture, Faparusi said he would establish egg village which would contain two feed mills and poultry. http://punchng.com/inec-issues-notice-of-2018-ekiti-gov-election/

Bataan retail outlets run out of NFA rice by: Ernie Esconde-PNA | 04/04/2018

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The National Food Authority’s (NFA) provincial office here has reportedly stopped supplying rice to retail outlets in the province. Retailer Roel dela Rosa said on Tuesday the last delivery of NFA rice they received was Holy Tuesday. “It was only five sacks, thus it was already consumed last Good Friday,” he said. NFA rice containers in his store instead have commercial rice sold for PHP40 per kilo and “binlid” (small rice particles) sold for PHP27 each kilo. The NFA rice is being sold at PHP27 (regular milled) and PHP32 per kilo for the wellmilled. On January 15, 2018, NFA stopped supplying rice to its accredited retailers in Bataan, saying its stock was reserved for calamities. It resumed its delivery after a few weeks. “We have a supply of NFA rice within a month but was all gone before the Holy Week,” NFA rice retailer Milagros Villasenior said. She said NFA had supplied them with rice procured from local farmers. As to commercial rice, she said the price in her store had increased to at least PHP42 a kilo. “Instead of going down, the price during the Holy Week went up because the traders scrambled for the rice yields,” she said. NFA provincial manager Adelaida Nuestro was out in a conference and no one in the office could be interviewed on Tuesday. A source, however, at the NFA provincial office, who requested anonymity, confirmed that their last delivery of NFA rice to retailers was last Tuesday and that they could only resume supply after the arrival of imported rice. The same source said they have already disposed of their stock purchased from local farmers. PNA http://northboundasia.com/2018/04/04/bataan-retail-outlets-run-out-of-nfa-rice/

FG tasked on fight against rice smuggling By Abdullateef Salau | Publish Date: Apr 5 2018 3:00AM The Federal Government has been urged to take radical measures against rice smuggling into the country. The Chief Executive Officer of Agro Nigeria, Mr RichardMark Mbaram gave the charge, while briefing newsmen yesterday on the firm’s HighLevel Rice Conference billed to hold on April 10 and 11, in Abuja.

He said activities of rice smugglers threaten business security of those involved in rice production in the country. “The quantity of rice coming into the countries flanking Nigeria outnumbers their population and those bags of rice are heading nowhere but Nigeria. The government needs to take definite, radical measures. There is no point playing a big brother role. It is about the businesses of Nigerian citizens. “There are businesses in the country that are involved in rice production. What do the activities of smugglers say about the security of their businesses? Let’s get radical. If we have to confront these countries and read a riot act to them, so be it. That level of confrontation is what we need to put the conversion on the front burner,” he said. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-tasked-on-fight-against-rice-smuggling.html

‗FG must address smuggling neighbours to tackle economic sabotage‘ by HARRISON EDEH, Abuja | April 4, 2018 5:01 pm Federal Government must be determined to confront ‗smuggling prone neighbours‘ to address economic sabotage, while also ensuring that Nigeria‘s quest for rice sufficiency is achieved, Richard-Mark Mbaram the Managing director of AgroNigeria said. Richard also want the federal government to use all diplomatic channels to address huge concerns of smuggling which they argued is already taking its toll on Nigeria‘s rice sufficiency targets by 2020. Speaking to news men on Wednesday ahead of the high level rice Conference to be held in Abuja said the ‗Index Mundi‘ has started upgrading Nigeria‘s figure on rice production, noting further that the government needs to work with the Private sector closely to ensure sustainability of the rice sufficiency initiative. ‖We are very much concerned about smuggling coming in mainly from countries around us,and we believe that the government must confront these issues headlong to ensure that smuggling don‘t impact negatively on our farmers.‖

―At the high-level rice conference,we want to open up these issues to further discussion especially as it pertains to smuggling and it‘s wider implication on the Nigeria‘s economy. We have approached relevant agencies to be part of these discussions,and these issues must be brought to the front burner.‖ He also pointed out that issues bothering on research ,marketing,infrastructu re and rice value chains would be discussed, and challenges confronting the sector frontally addressed at the conference. ‖Notore Chemicals Industries, AFEX, Syngenta and Olams rice, and Stallion have all signed u for the programme and would be anticipating and engaging the public sector on Nigeria‘s rice sufficiency targets and other hindering concerns,‖ He adds further.Recall, Muhammad Guronyo, the President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria RIFAN, said as at the end of December 2017 that Nigeria is currently cultivating 5.8 million metric tonnes of paddy rice, while affirming that Nigeria is on track to the rice sufficiency targets set by the federal government by 2020. In the same vein, Nigeria‘s Minister of Information Lai Mohammed said the federal government is determined to achieve the set target of rice sufficiency by 2020. According to him,Nigeria‘s current rice consumption is approximately 6 million metric tonns of milled rice.‖In 2015,Nigeria produced 2.5 m MT of milled rice. By 2017,it rose to 4. MT, leaving a gap of 2mMT.Our target is to fill the gap by 2020″ he said. On the heels of the minister‘s assertion,Ephraim Manga of Syngenta said at the briefing that the federal government must be willing to address concerns of quality of inputs and technology adoption in order to address the drive to rice sufficiency. Tags: smuggling http://www.businessdayonline.com/fg-must-address-smuggling-neighbours-agronigeria/