October 06 ,2018 Vol 9 ,Issue 10
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Proteins produced in transgenic rice may help prevent HIV transmission By Man-tik Choy October 5, 2018
Our Reader Score A group of researchers at the Iowa State University developed a new method to extract three proteins from transgenic rice plants that may stop HIV transmission into human cells. Nearly 37 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV/AIDS, according to The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS. In 2016, over 1 million people died of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. Most of the infected population are in low- and middle-income countries, with more than 25.5 million living in sub-Saharan Africa. Among them, about 19
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million are living in East and Southern Africa, among whom saw 44% of new HIV infections globally. The number of deaths caused by HIV/AIDS is declining over the last few years owing to the use of antiretroviral drugs, but there were still 2 million new cases last year. The virus continues to spread as there are no effective vaccines, and prevention remains mostly reliant on barrier methods and abstinence, both of which have produced limited success. Recently, scientists have shown that HIV transmission can be prevented by using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and lectins. However, the traditional recombinant protein manufacturing methods require strong technical skills and are too expensive for developing countries. In order to produce sufficient supply of microbicides to protect at�risk populations at low costs, a group of researchers at the Iowa State University in the United States extracted three proteins from transgenic rice plants that could help stop the spread of HIV. The research was funded by a federal grant from the U.S. National Cancer Institute, and the scientists recently published their results in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Extracting functional HIV-neutralizing proteins from plants offers an inexpensive and viable alternative to treating HIV/AIDS for developing countries because transgenic rice is inexpensive to cultivate. The researchers have tested the extracted proteins in a buffer solution, where all the three proteins showed strong binding ability on the surface of the HIV envelope, resulting in good synergistic HIV-1 neutralization effect. The extracts made from such a rice plant could be used to produce a topical antimicrobial gel that can be applied before intercourse to prevent sexual transmission of HIV. Further studies should be done to fully assess the safety and effectiveness before this therapy can launch to the market. Written by Man-tik Choy, Ph.D
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Reference: Vamvaka, E. et al. Unexpected synergistic HIV neutralization by a triple microbicide produced in rice endosperm. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.2018; 201806022. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1806022115 https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/proteins-transgenic-rice-hiv-transmission/
Latest U.S. Rice Sale to Iraq a Shot in the Arm By Sarah Moran
BAGHDAD, IRAQ -- Following closely on the heels of a 30,000 MT award in August (see USA Rice Daily, August 22, 2018), Iraq has just announced another purchase of 90,000 MT of U.S. rice. Last month, Iraq's Ministry of Trade had called for 30,000 MT of rice in a public tender and also 30,000 MT of rice under the U.S. - Iraq Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Instead of only purchasing 30,000 MT under the MOU, Iraq chose to purchase 90,000 MT. This brings the total amount of U.S. rice generated by the MOU up to 210,000 MT since its inception in July 2016. "This announcement comes at an opportune time for our industry, as we continue to feel the effects of lower exports due to retaliatory tariffs and trade tensions, and simultaneously have a massive influx of crop as we're finishing up this year's harvest," said USA Rice Chairman Charley Mathews. "Countless people involved in the rice industry will benefit from this sale, including farmers, millers, packagers, logistics operators, and shippers." "We wouldn't have this great story to tell were it not for a massive team effort to see these tenders succeed, including help from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue," said Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president for government affairs. "Congressmen Abraham (RLA), Crawford (R-AR), Higgins (R-LA), and Westerman (R-AR), and Senators Boozman (RAR) and Cotton (R-AR) helped communicate the importance of these tenders to both the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman and the Iraqi Ambassador Fareed Yasseen. In addition, the letters encouraged both ambassadors to work to ensure that high-quality U.S. rice can continue to be provided to the Iraqi people." Iraq imports more than one million tons of rice annually and has been, and continues to be, an important destination for U.S. rice.
Scientists hatch plans to increase maize production by 30 per cent SATURDAY OCTOBER 6 2018
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A farmer tills his maize garden. To have a food secure Africa, more maize must be grown and handled properly after harvesting. Photo by Lominda Afedraru In Summary Increasing productivity of priority food crops like maize remains a big agenda for scientists and funders trying to create food security. Lominda Afedraru, writes. By Lominda Afedraru Maize farmers continue to lose in times of bumper harvests. However, scientists engaged in developing improved varieties at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge are looking at available options to reverse this painful trend. To them the production of maize and other priority crops such as rice and beans is inadequate as far as commercialisation and satisfying the export market is concerned.
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NaCRRI is working with partners under Technologies for Africa Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) with an aim to boost maize production by 30 per cent in order to make Africa food secure and gain a sizeable share in the export market. This project covers Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique and Ethiopia. Dr Jonas Chianu from Africa Development Bank, who is coordinating the project, explains that funding worth $120 million (Shs457b) has so far been allocated for nine priority commodities with $40 million (Shs152b) already dispatched to the beneficiaries. The idea is to increase productivity of the priority crops like maize, beans and rice using science. This means farmers will be sensitised on how to adopt high yield nutrient varieties, particularly hybrid and bio fortified varieties. Dr Grace Abalo, the focal person for Uganda in charge of improved maize production, points out that a team of scientists is on the lookout for farmers using best practices to improve productivity, harvest and post-harvest practices as well as marketing and distribution. She explains that maize is among the 15 strategic commodities that have been selected for the project considering returns it creates on investment, priority within agro-ecological zones and the number of households involved in growing the crop as well as contribution to exports and potential future impact it can cause to the economy. Uganda is the eighth largest producer of maize in Africa and third in East Africa. The production area for maize is 1.15 million hectares with a production of 2.7 million metric tonnes. An estimated 75 per cent of maize production and 70 per cent of marketable surplus attributed to smallholder farmers. Production Dr Abalo explains that the project will target farmers to use existing technologies developed by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro) to boost production and this includes use of water efficient maize varieties, striga-resistant and herbicide tolerant maize varieties as well as observing seeding/planting density and seed rate. Farmers engaged in growing rice are expected to use Nerica 6, Komboka, WITA9, Agoro and Okile and NamChe‐2, NamChe‐3, NamChe‐4, NamChe‐5, and NamChe‐6. Agronomic package will involve fertiliser use, herbicide weed management, timings, land preparation, insect and pest control and disease management.
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Harvest, postharvest practices and storage Abalo points out that most farmers in Uganda harvest maize when the moisture content is as high as 18 per cent, thereby causing 900 tonnes of maize loss. She says the right practice is to harvest maize with moisture content of at least 16 per cent although the recommended rate is 13 per cent. This is achievable by using raised platforms or solar dryers especially during wet season. Farmers will be sensitised on how to get over the old age harvesting practices by using affordable combined harvesting and medium size millers. Storage facilities such as metallic silos will be required and the harvest must be protected against insects and weevils using the right insecticides. Farmers must have central storage warehouses sand they must have a linkage with grain aggregators to ensure good prices for their produce. The plan Farmers will be expected to produce and market in bulk both within the country and for export. The project aims to strengthen partnerships with seed companies, input dealers, processors who should be in position to purchase grains at farm gate and at reasonable prices. Farmers will be linked with output markets, and linkages will be made directly to buyers or buyers‘ agents. Farmers will also be availed with any market information and in case of bumper harvest; they will be expected to store their produce and wait for the right time to sell. The government is expected to step in to consolidate regional market integration where it should be responsible to purchase maize and export to its neighboring countries. Impact of the project Dr Gospel Omanya from Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) who will implement the project explains that at the end of the project, scientists will expect increased profit margins in the maize value chain through improved market linkages, value adding activities and agribusiness training and incubation. The project is expected to have reached at least two million households; 12 million farm family members in the 12 countries. It also aims at increasing maize productivity by at least 30 per cent, enhance incomes by at least
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20 per cent for those households involved in the maize value chain, at least 40 per cent-women and 25 per cent youth involvement in the maize value chain by 2021. An extra 12 million tonnes of maize grain will be generated from the maize value chain. The current maize production for Uganda is at 2.5 tonnes per hectare which is expected to increase to 3.2 tonnes in the same acreage. Dr Chianu noted that currently Africa is spending $131 trillion on food imports and TAAT is aiming to alter this. He says by 2030, Africa should be in position to feed the entire world because of its arable land. Big boost The project is expected to have reached at least two million households; 12 million farm family members in the 12 countries, increase maize productivity by at least 30 per cent, enhance incomes by at least 20 per cent for those households involved in the maize value chain, at least 40 per cent women and 25 per cent youth involvement in the maize value chain by 2021 and an extra 12 million tonnes of maize grain generated from the Maize value chain. The current maize production for Uganda is at 2.5 tonnes per hectare which is expected to increase to 3.2 tonnes in the same acreage. http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Scientists-hatch-plans-increase-maizeproduction30-per-cent/689860-4793382-5hucdi/index.html
Pre-bid conference for rice importation draws 12 companies TWELVE companies participated in the pre-bid conference for the importation 250,000 metric tons of 25% broken well-milled long grain white rice for the National Food Authority on Friday. They were: Phoenix Global DMCC, Vinafood 2, Asia Golden Rice, Shwe Hua Co. Ltd., GIA International Corp., Thai Hua Co. Ltd., Ponglarp Co. Ltd., Thai Capital Crops Co. Ltd., ADM Asia Pacific Trading PTE Ltd., Vinafood 1, Capital Cereals Co. Ltd., and Olam International Limited. According to an NFA statement, the pre-bidding will tackle the eligibility requirements of prospective foreign bidders; the parameters and technical specifications of the rice to be
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imported; quantity, source, and packaging; specifications on the offer or tender; bid security and performance bond; components of the price offer; penalties; delivery provisions; arrival procedures; surveyor and cargo handler; insurance and payments.
The actual bidding will be on Oct. 18. The 250,000 metric tons of rice is part of the total 750,000 metric tons of rice approved by the NFA Council to be imported this year. It can be noted that Vinafood 2, a state-owned corporation of Vietnam tasked to export rice and help achieve food security in Southeast Asia, received original proponent status from the NFA through its partnership with Filipino company AgriNurture Inc. in a $1-billion exclusive deal to import 2 million metric tons of rice to the Philippines starting this year. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. PiĂąol also announced on Friday that stakeholders of the rice industry agreed to have a Suggested Buying Price (SBP) for farmers‘ produce and Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for rice sold in the market.
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―In the proposal, a base price must be set for farm fresh paddy rice and for clean and dry palay. The initial proposal was for a base price of P18 per kilo for farm fresh palay and P21 per kilo for clean and dry paddy rice,‖ Mr. Piñol said in a statement. The prices for the SBP will be finalized by Oct. 18, Mr. Piñol said, while the implementation of the SRP will take place at the end of October. The agreed SRPs are: P39 per kilo of regular milled rice, P42 per kilo of well-milled rice, P44 per kilo of long grains head rice. Prices for heirloom and organic rice still have to be agreed upon. ―In the first rice stakeholders meeting which was called by the Philippine Council on Agriculture and Fisheries which I presided as the new Chairman of the NFA Council, the stakeholders agreed to implement SRP on rice by the last week of October. The traders requested for a two-week grace period so they could dispose of the stocks they bought at higher prices,‖ Mr. Piñol said. Meanwhile, the NFA denied Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian‘s statement that supermarkets are have to pay for a permit to sell rice. Mr. Gatchalian had said that ―the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (Pagasa) revealed that the NFA is requiring retailers with a paid-up capital of P10 million to pay P115,000 for a permit to sell rice.‖ According to NFA, this is not true and that the agency is surprised the issue was never brought up by the supermarket owners to the Department of Trade and Industry when the memorandum of agreement was signed to allow Pagasa members to sell NFA rice. ―Based on the NFA rules on licensing, application fee for single-line business is only P110 while multi-line business application fee is only P165. Additional fees for license to retail depends on capitalization. Retailers with capitalization up to P10,000 are only charged with P165 while the maximum is P11,000 for retailers with capitalization of more than P1,000,000,‖ NFA said in its statement. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
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https://www.bworldonline.com/pre-bid-conference-for-rice-importation-draws-12-companies/
AO urges African nations to invest in rice sector Published on 04.10.2018 at 17h21 by APA News
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has called on African governments to increase investments in rice sector to sustain the momentum of the drive to attain self-sufficiency.Mr. Bukar Tijani, Assistant Director General and Regional Representative of the FAO, made the call on Thursday while addressing the high level Ministerial Conference on Rice in Dakar, Senegal. He said that such investments would ensure the creation of gainful employment for the youth and women along the entire rice value chain. Tijani, who is also a former Nigeria‘s Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources, expressed dismay that rice, a staple food in many African countries, was still heavily imported. ―Data shows that in 2015 alone, African countries imported about 36 percent of their domestic rice requirements, amounting to over 4 billion dollars. ―Projection also forecast that by 2020, the amount would reach 4.8 billion dollars annually, and this is unacceptable,‖ he said.Tijani, however, said that with the demand for rice consumption in Africa currently increasing at a rapid rate of 5.5 percent per annum, the only option for countries to be on track on development goals was to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.
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He said this could only be achieved through sustaining a higher rate of production and productivity along the rice value-chain. The FAO official noted that those countries that had successfully increased their rice production was an indication of their government leadership in putting in place the right policies, strategies and appropriate and adequate institutional mechanisms. The former minister identified such mechanisms to include national rice platforms that facilitated enhanced investment and effective coordination of multi-stakeholders in the rice sector. ―In the prevailing circumstances, self-sufficiency in rice for Africa will be strategic and consequential, not just in terms of meeting consumption requirements locally, but also through its multiplier effects. ―These include reallocating the much-needed foreign exchange and investing in rice-value chain development, an area that has the potential of creating and expanding employment opportunities for youth and women,‖ he said. Tijani pledged to continue to support regional and national efforts on sustainable intensification of rice production along the whole value-chain of the African rice transformation agenda. He said that FAO had strengthened its partnership with various organisations to support the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities to boost productivity, strengthen rice value chains and support improved coordination of regional markets. He said the organisations included AfricaRice, African Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development as well as Coalition for African Rice Development and International Rice Research Institute https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/fao-urges-african-nations-to-invest-in-rice-sector/
International Food Festival brings exotic entrees to the Islamic Center of Evansville Aimee Blume, Evansville Courier & PressPublished 9:41 p.m. CT Oct. 4, 2018 CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The first week of October offers so much amazing food. There is the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival all week long, and then to cap it off is the International Food Festival at the Evansville Islamic Center Sunday.
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The festival began small, at the original Islamic Center on Lincoln Avenue. Now in its 17th year, it has grown into one of the year‘s most highly-anticipated food events, with over 1,000 guests each year descending to enjoy delicacies from all over the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and India. On a recent morning, a group of women converged at the Islamic Center‘s fragrant kitchen to bake a thousand stuffed fatayer pastries. The ladies were Libyan, Moroccan, Syrian, Pakistani, Indian, Kurdish, Lebanese, Palestinian and Somalian. The pastries were made with puffy homemade dough stuffed with olives and cream cheese or spinach and onions. Buy Photo Women from Muslim countries around the world converge on the Islamic Center of Evansville's kitchen to prepare for the annual International Food Festival. (Photo: Aimee Blume, Courier & Press) The variety of people coming together to create something wonderful is a lovely allegory for the festival, which welcomes everyone from the surrounding area to the Islamic Center for a day of community, shared understanding, delicious food and a goal of helping those less fortunate enjoy their own meals. Giving help to the needy is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and proceeds from the festival benefit the Tri-State Food Bank. Since the first event in 2002, over $48,600 has been given. This year non-perishable food items will also be collected for the Food Bank. Fatima Hamaida prepares soft yeast dough for making fatayer. (Photo: Aimee Blume, Courier & Press) ―The festival keeps growing every year,‖ organizer Bushra Saqib said. ―Each year we prepare for about a thousand guests. It‘s about all we can handle cooking-wise. We run out of food at the end of the day, so it works about right. Last year it rained, and people were standing in line anyway, so we appreciated that.‖The menu stays fairly constant with a variety of favorites such as rice-stuffed grape leaves, hummus and pita, rice pilaf, tandoori chicken,shish kebabs, baklava dessert pastry and more. Each year one or two new dishes are added to the mix, just to keep it fresh and to represent as many of the cooks‘ regional specialties as possible. This year a new item on the buffet will be Indian Butter Chicken. Buy Photo
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Butter chicken is a mild curry made with white meat chicken, spices, tomato, cream, and butter. (Photo: Aimee Blume, Courier & Press) ―Butter chicken is a really popular dish in India and Pakistan,‖ said cook Fouzia Khan of India, who will be preparing hundreds of servings of the creamy, savory, lightly spicy specialty. ―It has cumin, turmeric and spices, then tomato sauce and heavy cream to make the curry, and you stir in butter at the end. I chose it because I like it myself and because it‘s not too spicy with chilies, so nobody will have to worry that it‘s too hot. And everybody loves butter.‖ Butter chicken can be eaten with rice or dipped up with soft flatbread. Kaak bi ajwa, or Palestinian date cakes, are hand-filled with a sweet date paste and handrolled. (Photo: Aimee Blume, Courier & Press) A second new option is the Kaak bi ajwa, or Palestinian date cakes. These pretty little yeast-risen pastries are stuffed with date paste before being coiled and baked. As always, the festival will feature a henna hand-painting artist and an international bazaar area. The Islamic Center will be open, and visitors are welcome to tour it and ask questions about Islam. While you‘re there, visit the MASIHA booth to learn about the new Muslim doctors‘ group who are organizing a free clinic where patients can be referred from the Echo Clinic to see a specialist. This year‘s menu Chicken Biryani: rice with tender chicken and mouthwatering mild Indian spices — Pakistan/India https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2018/10/04/international-food-festival-brings-exoticdishes-islamic-center-evansville/1507321002/
Can rice growers take advantage of climate change? Lewis Ziska is trying to find answers David Bennett | Oct 04, 2018 With climate change expected to only worsen, might there be some way rice farmers can take advantage?During a recent University of Arkansas-sponsored webinar (http://bit.ly/2OQd2yg), Lewis Ziska said it‘s time for researchers to answer that question. A plant physiologist with the USDA‘s Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Md., Ziska carries an impressive list of
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credentials. His most recent book is ―Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security in the 21st Century: Our Daily Bread.‖ First, the bad news.
Rising temperatures can increase floral sterility, and high nighttime temperatures may increase respiration. Can that be exacerbated by more CO2? ―Potentially, but the overall bottom line is it‘s going to negatively impact rice yields.‖ Water is essential to rice. Too little and too much may become the norm in the (coming extremes). ―Energy use in terms of either pumping water up or how you‘re going to get the water is going to have an impact.‖ Warmer temperatures can affect chalkiness and export quality. That comes at a cost. Recent and projected levels of CO2 are likely to reduce or alter nutritional rice quality. ―What does that mean in terms of impacts on markets and health? Those are question we‘re still trying to address.‖ Potential good news? So what‘s the potential good news? First, Ziska said to look at opportunity. ―CO2 is a resource. So, can it be exploited as a means to increase yield? ―The first response I always get is ‗Wait, breeders are already doing this.‘ No, they‘re not. We can‘t find any active breeding program that‘s trying to actively select for CO2-responsive lines of rice — or, for that matter, CO2-responsive lines of wheat, barley, oats or anything. You can‘t assume that just by happenstance you‘re going to be selecting for lines that are CO2-responsive.‖ Ziska and colleagues looked at oat cultivars and release dates — from the 1920s (when CO2 concentration was about 300 parts per million) and the 1990s (CO2 concentration of about 380) — at seven locations around the world. ―If breeders were, sort of de facto, selecting for the most CO2-responsive cultivars, those released in the 1990s should show a much stronger response to the change in CO2. What we found was that when you go to 300 to 400 parts per million, or 300 to 500 (the near-term future
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changes), none of the new cultivars did much. It was only the older cultivars that showed a stronger response. ―One of the things we found, which was quite interesting, is when you look at variables — it doesn‘t matter what the variable is — and the equality of variance, there‘s much more genetic and phenotypic diversity in the old cultivars.‖ Exploiting diversity The new cultivars are essentially the same, said Ziska, ―and I understand that: you want less variation as you go to more and more mechanized farming. But that variation, that genetic difference, I think, will be key in being able to respond to the rise in CO2. ―We have all of this genetic diversity ‗lying around.‘ Can we exploit it? Use it to optimize this additional resource being added to the atmosphere as we speak? I think the answer is yes.‖ Ziska asked Dr. Bobby Coats, University of Arkansas Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, to Google ―CO2 and marijuana‖ and to read the first link provided. Sure enough, Coats read ―How to use CO2 to increase cannabis yields.‖ It turns out, said Ziska, ―I can go to the internet to find out where to get the CO2, how to apply it, what temperature to apply it, how much more yield I can get, what varieties respond to it, what the THC content is going to be. Now, I have to figure if a stoner can do this why can‘t a rice grower? Why can‘t we exploit this CO2 as a means to increase rice yields given that it‘s already gone up by 30 percent and it‘ll double by the end of the century?‖ Management and ratoon rice What about management?
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Ziska focused not only on planting dates but ratoon rice. ―This is a kind of management used in rice and sugarcane — a way to cut the plant, add a fertilizer and get a second crop. Sometimes it takes minimal preparation and the yield can be up to 50 percent of the main crop.‖ But there‘s a catch as growers need a longer growing season — at least 75 days after the main crop is harvested, plus warm temperatures. ―Is there an opportunity here? We analyzed five locations: Cameron Parish and Avoyelles Parish in Louisiana; Desha County and Mississippi County in Arkansas; and Cape Girardeau in Missouri. In Cameron Parish, it‘s warm enough and the season is long enough that ratooning is constantly practiced there.‖ But, Ziska pointed out, the variation between water vapor and CO2 means ―as you move towards the poles, as you go up in latitude, the effect of climate change will be greater. … Can we practice ratoon now? If not now, how about in the future?‖ When looking at the five locations from 1976 to 2016 and the length of a ratooning season, ―it isn‘t changing much in Cameron Parish, but the farther north I go, the growing season is getting longer. In fact, right now, it looks like the growing season is long enough in Mississippi County and Cape Girardeau.‖ Looking at a chart showing DD50 data, in 1976, ―in Avoyelles Parish it wasn‘t warm enough to ratoon but now it is. In fact, it‘s warm enough and the growing season is long enough that if I were an Extension agent I‘d go to those growing rice in the parish and say, ‗Yeah, maybe you should think about ratooning.‘‖ Desha and Mississippi counties ―aren‘t quite there yet. … But in Desha County, ratooning is something you could probably do routinely by the middle of the current century. And by the end of the century, depending on how quickly the climate warms, you might even be able to do it in Cape Girardeau.‖
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There are caveats, of course. ―Among them: high nighttime temperatures will still be important; the response of ratooning will also depend on cultivars; and water and energy (fertilizer) will still be key.‖ https://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/can-rice-growers-take-advantage-climate-change
49th annual Texas Rice Festival kicks off, church prepares thousands of rice balls The St. Louis Catholic Church in Winnie has been feeding visitors of the Texas Rice Festival since the event first began 49 years ago. Members of the church begin preparing the popular rice balls five days in advance. Author: KJAC Staff Published: 10:32 PM CDT October 3, 2018 Updated: 11:04 PM CDT October 3, 2018 WINNIE — The 49th annual Texas Rice Festival kicked off Wednesday, drawing hundreds of people to Winnie. The St. Louis Catholic Church in Winnie has been a part of the event every year since the beginning, creating the popular and delicious rice balls. "We made 80 rice balls our first year in downtown Winnie in a big black pot with lumber underneath it," says church volunteer Mark Huddleston. "Now we do 14,581 rice balls. We've already sold 2,000 today already." The men and women of the church begin preparing for the masses a week prior to the festival because it takes five days to make these clumps of joy. A meatball filled with rice, parmesan cheese, butter, chili, and seasoning make these appetizing delights so tasty. "Rice balls are really good, they got a lot of good ingredients in them and I just like eating them," says 11-year-old Ethan Cart. "They're the best thing I've tasted yet so far." The St. Louis Catholic Church generates roughly $40,000 from rice ball sales each year during this event. Although music, livestock and carnival rides provide entertainment for thousands who attend the festival each year, rice takes center stage showing support for area farmers.
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"We still love you, we still think about you," says Texas Rice Festival entertainment chairman Chad Andrus. "You are still a major part of our economy and part of our culture here in Southeast Texas, especially Winnie." For Huddleston, rice has always been a part of the family. "It's a tradition here now. I farmed rice for 42 years and retired in 2014," says Huddleston. "It's been a part of my family and we're just celebrating the fall, with the cuttings and all that. It's been great." The Texas Rice Festival continues through Sunday and a list of events can be found on its website. https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/49th-annual-texas-rice-festival-kicks-offchurch-prepares-thousands-of-rice-balls/502-600653066
Kharif production could likely decline due to erratic monsoon: Report By Sutanuka Ghosal, ET Bureau| Oct 05, 2018, 01.55 PM IST
Rice production is expected to show a marginal improvement in area and production by 4.67 per cent and 1.21 per cent. National Bulk Handling Corporation (NBHC) in its first kharif crop estimates for the year 2018-19 has indicated that amidst the erratic distribution of monsoon rains and with the possibilities of as many as 254 districts facing drought like situation, the total kharif cereals production likely to decline marginally by 1.71 per cent compared to last kharif. The NBHC report compiled by Hanish Kumar Sinha, Head - Research & Development said that in the first kharif crop estimates report for the year 2018-19 has said that on the monsoon front, India's monsoon, which irrigates more than half of the country's farmland, is below an earlier forecast of normal showers. Backed by good monsoon rainfall last year India had produced record 284.83 MT of food grains in the 2017-18. This year highly erratic monsoon and its obscure spread may reduce food grain output in the ongoing kharif season. "As per our analysis and industry‘s feedback on the sowing progress and the status of the current crop, the total Kharif Cereals production is likely to decline marginally by 1.71 per cent. Despite heavy rains after the second half of August and first week of September, which caused floods
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across Bihar, Kerala, Assam Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh, as many as 254 districts are faced with drought like situation this monsoon. The country has been affected by heavy rains in some states leading to massive flooding while the other states are dealing with significantly deficient and drought like situations," the report adds.
Rice production is expected to show a marginal improvement in area and production by 4.67 per cent and 1.21 per cent. Within the rice segment, Basmati Rice area and production is expected to decrease by 2.25 per cent and 7.15 per cent respectively, whereas the Non-Basmati rice is expected to increase marginally by 4.96 per cent and 1.73 per cent. Maize is expected marginal lower in area at 1.66 per cent and significant decline in production at 9.64 per cent, as many farmers shifted to other remunerative crops, few districts in Karnataka and Maharashtra, major growers of the crop, got less rains and experienced pest infestation which would have result in yield loss. The NBHC report adds "Maximum decline is expected in Ragi whose production is expected to fall by 23.88 per cent while its area is likely to shrink by 18.90 per cent. Lack of remunerative income has led Jowar & Bajra farmers to shift their cropping pattern to other cash crops."
In the pulses sector, NBHC expects the area under moong to increase by 7.95 per cent whereas the production is expected to rise sharply by 26.07 per cent. Arhar area is expected to increase by 5.10 per cent and the production is expected to experience an increase of 3.06 per cent. Urad area and production is expected to be low by 9.52 per cent and 1.89 per cent respectively. Overall, the total Kharif pulses area and production is likely to decline marginally by 3.75 per cent and 1.80 per cent respectively over last year.
The oil seed sector is likely to see a marginal decline in production by 3.92 per cent. The decline in production is expected to the tune of 50.67 per cent, 28.49 per cent, 21.84 per cent and 17.36 per cent for Niger, Castor, Groundnut and Sunflower respectively. Soybean is the only oilseed crop where area is expected to be up by 6.57 per cent and the production is expected to increase by 12.20 per cent for the coming season.
In this current monsoon season, the cash crop section is likely to show an overall neutral scenario as only the area for sugarcane is expected up by 4.06 per cent whereas jute & mesta and cotton is down by 0.70 per cent and 2.46 per cent respectively. In terms of production significant rise of 10.11 per cent is expected in sugarcane while marginal decline of 0.15 per cent and 4.84 per cent is expected in jute & mesta and cotton respectively.
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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/kharif-production-could-likelydecline-due-to-erratic-monsoon-report/articleshow/66084002.cms
Abraham: Iraq to purchase 90,000 tons of US rice By: Sharon Cummings Posted: Oct 05, 2018 12:01 PM CDT Updated: Oct 05, 2018 12:01 PM CDT
(Press Release) - (10/5/18) America‘s rice farmers can celebrate today after Iraq agreed to purchase a whopping 90,000 metric tons – or 200 million pounds – of rice from the United States, thanks in part to lobbying from Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., R-Alto, and other members of Congress. Dr. Abraham led a letter in September to U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman urging his team to work with Iraq to buy American rice to satisfy a recent rice tender. Sens. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Congressmen Clay Higgins, R-La., and Rick Crawford, RArk., joined Dr. Abraham on the letter. ―Iraq is buying three times more rice than we requested in our letter, so I‘m thrilled that this resulted in such a successful sale. A purchase of this great amount will have an immediate and strong impact on the American rice market, and this is certainly a testament to American rice producers, who grow the best rice in the world,‖ said Dr. Abraham, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Louisiana is a top state for rice production. Louisiana producers harvested 2.7 billion pounds of rice worth $372.7 million in 2017, according to the LSU AgCenter. Dr. Abraham has led several letters to Iraq over the last few years advocating for US rice. The most recent success was in August when Iraq purchased 15,000 metric tons from the United States. https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/abraham-iraq-to-purchase-90-000-tons-of-usrice/1500853942
13 foreign firms eye rice import contract BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ ON OCTOBER 6, 2018 THIRTEEN firms, mostly from Thailand and Vietnam, have expressed interest in supplying an initial 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice needed by the Philippines to boost buffer stocks and lower domestic prices.Bidding applications submitted to the National Food Authority (NFA) on Friday showed five of the traders were from Thailand, four from Vietnam, two from Singapore, and one each from Myanmar and Dubai.
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They were identified as Phoenix Global DMCC, Vietnam Southern Food Corp. (Vinafood II), Asia Golden Rice Co., Shwe Wah Yaung Agricultural Products Co. Inc., Gia International Corp., Thai Hua Co. Ltd., Ponglarp Co. Ltd., Thai Capital Crops Co. Ltd., ADM Asia Pacific Trading PTE Ltd., Vietnam Northern Food Corp. (Vinafood I), Capital Cereals Co Ltd., Olam International Ltd., Tan Long Group Joint Stock Company. NFA Deputy Administrator Judy Carol Dansal, who chairs the Special Bids and Awards Committee, said the agency wanted more traders to participate to capture the ―lowest‖ prices.
―The more participants in the bidding, the better the price we may be able to gain since there will be more who will be competing,‖ Dansal said. The final number could be larger, she added, ahead of the October 18 bidding proper. The NFA has invited bidders to supply the country with 250,000 MT of well-milled long grain at 25 percent broken, to be delivered before the year ends. The volume is part of the government‘s 750,000 MT rice importation for the rest of the year. The NFA has allotted a budget of nearly P6 billion. The NFA Council decided to authorize the importation in three batches of 250,000 MT each, arriving every two weeks beginning Nov. 30. ―We will divide the 750,000 MT into three. On October 18, we will bid out the first 250,000 MT. Then it will be followed two weeks after by another 250,000 MT, then two weeks after another 250,000 MT,‖ NFA spokesperson Rex Estoperez earlier told reporters. He also said that the NFA was hoping to finish the bidding process for the entire 750,000 MT by the first week of November. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has said that the only way to bring down rice prices is to ―flood the market‖ with affordable rice, particularly government-subsidized NFA rice. The NFA has a standby authority to import one million MT of rice for 2019. https://www.manilatimes.net/13-foreign-firms-eye-rice-import-contract/448815/
India's Rice export price dip on sluggish demand Commodity Online | October 05 2018 UPDATED 11:14:06 IST
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Rice export price in India fell for a second week on sluggish demand. Top exporter India's 5 percent broken parboiled variety was quoted around $367-$373 per tonne this week, down from $370-$374 last week. The rupee plumbed record lows on Thursday, having shed more than 13 percent this year, allowing exporters to lower their offers. The falling rupee is making Indian exports more competitive than Thailand and Vietnam. Rice rates in Thailand were propped up by lower supply and expectations of new orders from Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. In Thailand, benchmark 5 percent broken Rice price were quoted at $390–$403 per tonne, free on board (FOB) Bangkok, versus $395–$398 last week. In Vietnam, price of the 5 percent broken Rice were unchanged at $400-$405 a tonne, as weak demand due to a week-long Chinese holiday offset any impact from a fall in supply after the country's two major crops ended. https://www.commodityonline.com/commodity-news/indias-rice-export-price-dip-on-sluggishdemand/news-now/22723
Pre-bid conference for rice importation draws 12 companies October 5, 2018 | 6:58 pm
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PHILSTAR
TWELVE companies participated in the pre-bid conference for the importation 250,000 metric tons of 25% broken well-milled long grain white rice for the National Food Authority on Friday.
They were: Phoenix Global DMCC, Vinafood 2, Asia Golden Rice, Shwe Hua Co. Ltd., GIA International Corp., Thai Hua Co. Ltd., Ponglarp Co. Ltd., Thai Capital Crops Co. Ltd., ADM Asia Pacific Trading PTE Ltd., Vinafood 1, Capital Cereals Co. Ltd., and Olam International Limited. According to an NFA statement, the pre-bidding will tackle the eligibility requirements of prospective foreign bidders; the parameters and technical specifications of the rice to be imported; quantity, source, and packaging; specifications on the offer or tender; bid security and performance bond; components of the price offer; penalties; delivery provisions; arrival procedures; surveyor and cargo handler; insurance and payments. The actual bidding will be on Oct. 18. The 250,000 metric tons of rice is part of the total 750,000 metric tons of rice approved by the NFA Council to be imported this year.
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It can be noted that Vinafood 2, a state-owned corporation of Vietnam tasked to export rice and help achieve food security in Southeast Asia, received original proponent status from the NFA through its partnership with Filipino company AgriNurture Inc. in a $1-billion exclusive deal to import 2 million metric tons of rice to the Philippines starting this year. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol also announced on Friday that stakeholders of the rice industry agreed to have a Suggested Buying Price (SBP) for farmers‘ produce and Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for rice sold in the market. ―In the proposal, a base price must be set for farm fresh paddy rice and for clean and dry palay. The initial proposal was for a base price of P18 per kilo for farm fresh palay and P21 per kilo for clean and dry paddy rice,‖ Mr. Piñol said in a statement. The prices for the SBP will be finalized by Oct. 18, Mr. Piñol said, while the implementation of the SRP will take place at the end of October. The agreed SRPs are: P39 per kilo of regular milled rice, P42 per kilo of well-milled rice, P44 per kilo of long grains head rice. Prices for heirloom and organic rice still have to be agreed upon. ―In the first rice stakeholders meeting which was called by the Philippine Council on Agriculture and Fisheries which I presided as the new Chairman of the NFA Council, the stakeholders agreed to implement SRP on rice by the last week of October. The traders requested for a two-week grace period so they could dispose of the stocks they bought at higher prices,‖ Mr. Piñol said. Meanwhile, the NFA denied Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian‘s statement that supermarkets are have to pay for a permit to sell rice.Mr. Gatchalian had said that ―the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (Pagasa) revealed that the NFA is requiring retailers with a paid-up capital of P10 million to pay P115,000 for a permit to sell rice.‖ According to NFA, this is not true and that the agency is surprised the issue was never brought up by the supermarket owners to the Department of Trade and Industry when the memorandum of agreement was signed to allow Pagasa members to sell NFA rice.
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―Based on the NFA rules on licensing, application fee for single-line business is only P110 while multi-line business application fee is only P165. Additional fees for license to retail depends on capitalization. Retailers with capitalization up to P10,000 are only charged with P165 while the maximum is P11,000 for retailers with capitalization of more than P1,000,000,‖ NFA said in its statement. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio https://www.bworldonline.com/pre-bid-conference-for-rice-importation-draws-12-companies/
Flood: Nigeria may experience shortage of rice in 2019 – Minister October 4, 2018Agency Report
Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, says if appropriate measures were not taken to replant after the recent flood, the country may be in serious trouble with rice production. Mr Ogbeh disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at the inauguration of National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) Molecular Facility and the 2018 seed fair and Farmer‘s field day.
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He said the flood had affected some major rice producing states, adding that the country might experience scarcity of rice, if not addressed. ―We have to find out a way to assist farmers, who were affected by the flood; places like Jigawa, Kebbi, Anambra and Kogi were majorly affected. Farmers lost everything they planted. ―There are different varieties of rice that are being produced at NASC like faro 66 and 67 which are flood tolerant. ―We hope to get them into the field in large quantity for farmers to plant in the near future. ―We are also hoping that as soon as the rain seized, we are encouraging farmers to replant so that the residual moisture on the soil plus irrigation can give us another crop by the end of December or early January. ―Otherwise, we will be in serious trouble for rice, millet, sorghum and maize next year,‖ he said. The minister expressed his pleasure and honour to be given the opportunity to chair this year‘s Seed Fair and Farmers‘ Field Day and inaugurate the NASC Molecular Laboratory. ―It is quite heartwarming to note that NASC has over the years kept faith in its drive to ensure the availability of quality seeds to farmers. ―Also, this event is being used as a platform for creating awareness among our great farmers and the farming communities to showcase the different improved crop varieties that can enhance the productivity and increase national food security. Also peaking, Philip Ojo, the Director-General, NASC, said the 2018 event was opened with a Road Walk from the Federal Secretariat to the Minister of Agriculture. ―This was followed by a Symposium. All the events were geared towards creating improved seeds awareness among our great farmers and the farming communities, especially in the Federal Capital Territory. ―I wish to state categorically that improved seed use is the most cost effective means of enhancing agricultural productivity. ―It is important to inform you all that between the 2017 and 2018, a lot of successes have been achieved in the Nigerian Seed industry.
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―NASC collaborations with other stakeholders have started yielded positive results such as the NASC Molecular Facility that will soon be inaugurated. ―The facility which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation under the BASICS Programme will help in the development of the Cassava Seed System in the country and enhance productivity,‖ he said. The director-general appealed for more support from the state governors in order to step up the agency‘s regulatory activities to rid the market of fake and adulterated seeds. The yearly event has: ―Enhancing Improved Seed Adoption towards achieving Food Security and Wealth Creation,‖ as its theme for 2018. Fake seeds confiscated by the council were burnt by the minister during the event. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/288436-flood-nigeria-may-experience-shortage-ofrice-in-2019-minister.html
Rice Prices as on : 05-10-2018 12:29:23 PM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market. Arrivals Current
Price % change
Season cumulative
Modal
Prev. Modal
Prev.Yr %change
Rice Azamgarh(UP)
1250.00
-3.1
12960.00
2250
2270
7.14
Siliguri(WB)
159.00
NC
8684.00
2700
2700
NC
Hardoi(UP)
110.00
214.29
1730.00
2570
2410
12.72
82.00
NC
2771.00
2450
2450
6.52
Kalipur(WB)
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Aligarh(UP)
80.00
NC
2020.00
2520
2500
-1.56
Safdarganj(UP)
80.00
33.33
295.00
2280
2280
-
Barhaj(UP)
80.00
14.29
1344.00
2250
2260
-
Ghaziabad(UP)
75.00
-6.25
3960.00
2725
2725
13.54
Beldanga(WB)
65.00
-7.14
1565.00
2650
2650
6.00
Hapur(UP)
60.00
-14.29
2130.00
2700
2740
18.42
Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB)
60.00
NC
3915.00
2800
2800
9.80
Panchpedwa(UP)
47.00
-45.35
266.00
2350
2350
-
Karimpur(WB)
40.00
NC
1200.00
3500
3500
11.11
Mainpuri(UP)
31.00
44.19
985.50
2925
2900
-
Naugarh(UP)
27.50
-1.79
538.20
2235
2230
7.71
Gajol(WB)
25.60
0.39
1455.00
3750
3700
29.31
Jafarganj(UP)
25.00
-79.17
1652.50
2210
2160
-
Wansi(UP)
22.00
NC
624.00
2110
2110
-
Bazpur(Utr)
21.00
40
1452.80
2400
2350
-2.04
Gopiganj(UP)
20.00
-4.76
300.00
2400
2400
-
Bindki(UP)
20.00
-33.33
23897.00
2240
2240
-
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Maharajganj(UP)
20.00
NC
315.00
2110
2110
-
Jayas(UP)
17.00
-27.66
1981.00
2000
1980
2.56
Kayamganj(UP)
16.00
-11.11
677.00
2390
2390
4.82
Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB)
15.70
-0.63
714.80
3000
3000
11.11
Champadanga(WB)
15.00
7.14
500.00
3200
3200
16.36
Raath(UP)
14.00
133.33
73.00
1950
1950
-
Paliakala(UP)
12.00
9.09
896.10
2280
2270
-
Khurja(UP)
10.00
25
864.00
2600
2600
-
Tamkuhi Road(UP)
10.00
-9.09
914.00
2160
2150
-
Vilthararoad(UP)
10.00
NC
271.00
2150
2190
NC
Robertsganj(UP)
9.00
-47.06
551.80
2245
2250
13.67
Chorichora(UP)
9.00
28.57
550.00
2225
2225
-
Ranaghat(WB)
8.20
NC
270.83
3600
3500
56.52
Farukhabad(UP)
8.00
NC
339.60
2350
2370
6.33
Ruperdeeha(UP)
8.00
33.33
152.00
1700
1800
-
Garbeta(Medinipur)(WB)
8.00
247.83
102.30
2850
2800
9.62
Sahiyapur(UP)
6.50
NC
2175.50
2190
2190
-
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Chitwadagaon(UP)
6.00
-14.29
309.70
2100
2100
-1.41
Kosikalan(UP)
5.00
NC
157.50
2540
2590
-
Mau(Chitrakut)(UP)
3.50
-14.63
24.20
1785
1785
-
Kalyani(WB)
3.50
-12.5
171.50
3200
3200
-5.88
Sehjanwa(UP)
3.00
50
114.50
2160
2160
-
Amroha(UP)
2.50
-91.01
32.82
2600
2600
5.26
Bharuasumerpur(UP)
2.00
NC
19.00
2000
2000
-4.76
Mirzapur(UP)
2.00
-33.33
805.00
2215
2220
-
Bangarmau(UP)
1.80
80
42.00
2300
2275
12.20
Tundla(UP)
1.50
25
146.50
2530
2550
-
Nautnava(UP)
1.00
-33.33
8.50
2250
2100
10.29
Soharatgarh(UP)
1.00
NC
87.00
2225
2170
7.23
Khairagarh(UP)
0.80
-20
99.80
2560
2560
1.59
Achnera(UP)
0.60
NC
11.60
2550
2550
NC
Jagnair(UP)
0.60
-25
67.60
2560
2550
0.79
Published on October 05, 2018 https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article25131555.ece
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