7th october,2017 daily global regional local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Rice E-Newsletter

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Rice News Headlines...

October 07,2017 Vol X ,Issuu 9

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Vietnam to Begin Rice Exports to Iran Rice basmati strengthens on rising demand Rice price declines by Tk 5-8 Haryana farmers all smiles as long-grained basmati prices double this year Vietnam, Algeria promote trade, investment in Biskra conference The left out themes from export discourse Pakistan eyes on CARs, African markets to boost exports USA Rice Brings Foodservice Farm & Mill Tours to California Uttarakhand PDS scam: Congress accuses BJP of vendetta politics 1/Kg Rice Scheme Predates Modi Govt: BJD Shaheen seeks compensation for crop damages due to rice blast disease Texas Rice Festival goes on after Harvey destroys some local rice crops False declaration: Customs seize containers loaded with foreign rice Rice turns pricey in city on Bangla scarcity bogey No drop in spiralling rice prices in a week after a little cut Lacille De Silva says Ranil is not reliable FG to Bring Down the Price of a 50kg Bag of Rice to N9,000 Within a Month Commodities Customs fingers Policeman in rice smuggling in Kwara Ardent operating again in Puerto Rico Rice exports grow on strength of China quota Myanmar diesel imports rise as rice exports improve Zimbabwe: Zim Evaluates Rice Production Cambodia's rice exports keep growing Prime Minister Office of India : India – EU Joint Statement during 14th IndiaEU Summit, New Delhi  European Commission : Joint Statement 14th India-EU Summit, New Delhi, 6 October 2017  Sen. Villar wants to realign P57-billion proposed budget for DA in 2018

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News Detail...

Vietnam to Begin Rice Exports to Iran

Saturday, October 07, 2017

The southern Vietnamese city of Can Tho expects to export its first batches of rice to Iran in the last quarter of 2017, deputy director of the city‘s Department of Industry and Trade said.

At a meeting to review import-export activities organized by the city‘s People‘s Committee on Wednesday, Huynh Trung Tru also said a company in Iran in August directly dealt with a rice firm in Can Tho to finalize a contract to export to Iran 100,000 tons of rice from now until the end of the year, Vietnam News reported. ―Previously, Can Tho did not export rice to this market,‖ the official said.According to Tru, if rice shipment to Iran meets favorable conditions, the city hopes that the partner will sign a longer term contract next year.

Tru said demand for rice imports has increased in many markets such as Bangladesh, the Philippines and Iran.

In the first nine months of 2017, the city‘s total rice export volume reached over 638,000 tons, bringing a turnover of $262 million, up 22% and 20% year-on-year, respectively.

According to VFA, in the first nine months of the year, Vietnam exported 4.57 million tons of rice, reaping a turnover of $2.02 billion, rising by 20.8% in volume and 18.6% in value against the figures of the corresponding period last year.

The association forecasts that in 2017, the country‘s rice exports will reach 5.7 million tons, including 1.8 million tons in the last quarter, and 800,000 tons higher than 2016.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com More than 1 million tons of rice worth $963 million were imported to Iran during the five months to August 22, registering a 79% and 102.5% growth in weight and value respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year.

With more than 696,000 tons, India was the main exporter followed by Pakistan, the UAE, Thailand, Turkey and Iraq, ISNA reported.

Last year‘s imports stood at around 760,000 tons.

Imports are taking place while every year and during the rice harvest season, the government bans rice imports in support of local farmers and domestic production. ―The ongoing seasonal ban on rice imports will be in effect until Nov. 21,‖ Deputy Agriculture Minister Yazdan Seif recently said, noting that the ban went into effect in August.

Traders who have already registered orders can import their cargos after the deadline. During the ban period, no imports will take place, Mehr News Agency quoted Seif as saying.

Abbas Keshavarz, also a deputy agriculture minister, said nearly 2.3 million tons of rice have been produced in the country in the current Iranian year (started March 21).

Iranians consume 3 million tons of rice a year. The two northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran are home to a majority of Iran‘s paddy fields.

According to the Central and West Asia Rice Center, with around 54% of Central and West Asia‘s paddy fields located in Iran, the country accounts for 61% of the regions‘ combined rice production https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic-economy/73638/vietnam-to-begin-rice-exportsto-iran

Rice basmati strengthens on rising demand New Delhi, Oct 15 (PTI) Rice basmati prices strengthened by Rs 100 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on rising demand from retailers.However, other grains moved in a narrow range in limited deals and settled around previous levels.

Marketmen said rising demand from retailers against tight stocks position on fall in supplies from producing regions mainly kept rice basmati prices higher.

In the national capital, rice basmati Pusa 1121 variety advanced by Rs 100 to Rs 4,050-4,900 per quintal.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,300-2,835, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,840-1,845, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,845-1,850, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 275, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275, Roller flour mill Rs 3

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com 950-960 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,050-1,060 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,150-1,160 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati common new Rs 4,800-5,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,050-4,900, Permal raw Rs 2,0002,050, Permal wand Rs 2,125-2,200, Sela Rs 2,800-2,900 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,850-1,860, Bajra Rs 1,300-1,305, Jowar yellow Rs 1,750-1,800, white Rs 3,400-3,600, Maize Rs 1,540-1,550, Barley Rs 1,610-1,615. http://ptinews.com/news/7972669_Rice%20basmati%20strengthens%20on%20rising%20demand

Rice price declines by Tk 5-8 Sun Online Desk

6th October, 2017 07:12:31

The prices of different kinds of rice have declined by Taka 5 to 8 in per kilogram across the country. With government's initiatives, including running of open market sale (OMS) in the city and district, conducting mobile courts and possibility of bumper Aman production, the price of different kinds of rice is now on the downtrend across the country.

In Chittagong per kilogram of coarse rice now has been sold Taka 32 in Khatungonj wholesale market, which was sold at Taka 35 in last two months, said Nurul Alam Master, rice importer and Vice President of Khatungonj Businessman Association.

He informed that prices of essential commodities, mainly rice have shown an upward trend in the past several months due to price hike in international market, reports BSS. Nurul Alam also said that in recent weeks the price of rice decreased after stern action of the government including drive against hoarders, opening of Open Market Sale (OMS) at fair price and selling essential food items to the lower and lower-middle income groups. Retail traders blamed the syndication for increasing price of rice. Sayed Alam, a retail trader of Khatungonj, told BSS that the syndication is mainly responsible for increasing rice price.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Our Khulna Correspondent reports that in a span of week, the price of rice has been decreased by Taka 4 to 5 per kilogram in the south-west region.The price of rice has been increased Taka 10 to 15 per kg in the past one and half month or so in the wholesale markets.

Haji Munir Ahmed, President of Khulna Paddy and Rice Wholesale Business Association told BSS today that price of rice has been decreased Tk 4-5 in last five days and will come down more day by day.

"Huge stocks in government warehouses, several ships reached with imported rice at Mongla Port, drives against rice hoarders and possibility of bumper Aman paddy production will bring down rice price," he said.

Wholesalers at Borobazar rice market said LC rice is now being sold at Tk 45, gut swarna at Tk 43, miniket at Tk 52 and nazirshail at Tk 54 per kilogram. While talking to journalist, President of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Kazi Aminul Haque, said that a section of greedy rice millers and some business syndicates have hiked the price through creating artificial crisis with the hope extra benefit.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Zahangir Hossain told BSS, five teams are continuing mobile court operation against hoarding of rice in the district including the city.

Khulna Regional Food Controller (RC-Food) SM Mohsin told BSS today a total of 40,000 tons rice remain stored at government warehouses in Khulna division.

"Price of rice has already been decreased and would be decreased day by day," he added.

In Rangpur, the market price of rice declined by Taka 5 to 8 per kg in last one week following effective implementation of various steps taken by the government and beginning harvest of early Aman rice varieties.

"The rice price marked fall following stronger market monitoring system, open market sale (OMS) and import of huge rice," said Senior Vice-president of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mostoba Hossain Ripan.

Talking to BSS, rice trader Mizanur Rahman at Rangpur City Bazar said course variety rice is being sold at Taka 40 per kg, miniket at Taka 55, BRRI dhan28 at Taka 52, swarna at Taka 45 and najirshail rice at Taka 62 per kg. Rice importer Alhaj Moyen Uddin said he imported 5,000 tonnes of rice from India in recent weeks and marketed those locally.

Our Barisal correspondent reports: Prices of different kinds of rice have declined by Taka 7 to 8 in the span of couple of weeks.

Wholesale and Retail Rice Business Association Vice-President Swapan Dutta and Secretary Md Faruk Alam said a sack of 25 kilogram rice was sold at Taka 1,500 in couple of weeks ago but now per sack rice is being sold at Taka 1,275 to 1,300.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com In Sylhet, price of rice also decreased by Taka 5 to 8 per kilogram and up to Taka 400 in sack of 50 kilogram.Rice wholesalers said Indian LC rice is being sold at Taka 35 per kg now which was being sold at 43 two weeks ago. http://www.daily-sun.com/post/259603/Rice-price-declines-by-Tk-58

Haryana farmers all smiles as long-grained basmati prices double this year Reason to cheer: Long-grained varieties being sold at Rs 3,000 per quintal; farmers earning Rs 70,000 per acre.

INDIA Updated: Oct 06, 2017 16:21 IST

Neeraj Mohan Hindustan Times, Karnal

Many rice exporters are of the opinion that the prices have gone up due to tax exemption on paddy and rice after the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax. (HT photo)

Basmati growers in the state have a reason to smile as the prices of the premium paddy, especially the long-grained varieties, have doubled as compared to the last year.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com With the paddy harvesting season already round the corner, long-grained Pusa 1509 is being sold at Rs 2,700-Rs 2,800 per quintal, whereas prices of Moochal, Sharbati and Pusa 1121have reached Rs 3500 per quintal, registering an increase of Rs 1500 per quintal over the last year. ―I have six acres under the Moochal basmati and sold half of the produce at Rs 3450 per quintal.

With Rs 100 price hike every day, farmers are earning Rs 65,000-Rs 70,000 per acre,‖ said Rajesh Kamboj, a farmer from Radaur in Yamunanagar district.

Raj Kumar, a farmer from Ladwa of the district, said, ―We have Pusa 1509 variety and the prices are good this year. This will help us pay the debts as we did not see any hike in the prices of paddy since 2013.‖ The traders and commission agents feel the prices may rise further due to a competition among the buyers and rice millers. ―As the prices of basmati varieties generally depend on the demand outside the country, it is for the first time since 2103 the prices have crossed the Rs 3,000 per quintal mark in the beginning of the procurement season. It may even rise further and the lateral variety of desi basmati (Taraori) may cross the Rs 4,000 per quintal mark,‖ said Sohan Lal of Shri Ram Trading Company in Kurukshetra.

The traders and commission agents feel the prices may rise further due to a competition among the buyers and rice millers.

Even as several high-yielding paddy varieties are sown in the region, the farmers says that Pusa 1509 is considered the best because it is the only basmati variety which takes 90 days to mature, a month less than the other long-grained varieties. In this case, the farmers get an extra month to sow other crops like mustard and winter vegetables.

What caused price rise 7

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Some people claimed that the basmati prices have increased following a demand in the Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the European Union.

Rice exporters, however, are of the opinion that the prices have jumped after a tax exemption on paddy and rice following implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST).

Talking to HT, former president and governing body member of all India Rice Exporters Association Vijay Setia said there is no additional demand this time and it is the 5 per cent tax exemption before the GST that caused the rise. New traders had invested in the rice industry when demonetisation took place and they will make profit in the next few months, he said. ―But the increase in prices is not stable and nobody can predict what will be price of the basmati next year. The overall acreage under Basmati has dipped by 10 per cent in Haryana,‖ he said.

Haryana’s share in basmati export As per the All India Rice Exporters Association, Haryana and Punjab each have 40 per cent share in the total 40 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of basmati export from the country. Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Yamunanagar and Panipat districts make a significant contribution to the state‘s 16 lakh MT basmati production http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/haryana-farmers-all-smiles-as-long-grained-basmati-pricesdouble-this-year/story-xHTCyQThCZh3g1MRdkDvTJ.html

Vietnam, Algeria promote trade, investment in Biskra conference Thursday, 2017-10-05 21:49:45

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Vietnam, Algeria promote trade, investment in Biskra conference (Photo: VNA)

NDO/ VNA – Over 50 local enterprises in tourism, palm, rice, beverage, building materials and machinery production and business attended a conference for Vietnam-Algeria trade and investment promotion in Biskra province, on October 5.The event was jointly held by the Trade Office of Vietnam in Algeria and the chamber of commerce and industry in Biskra in order to provide local businesses with more information with regards to Vietnam‘s key export products and to boost the cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries.

In his remarks at the conference, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor Hoang Duc Nhuan gave the attendees an overview of Vietnam‘s economy and its key export earners, including seafood, garments and textiles, footwear, rice, coffee, peppercorns, fruits, cashew nuts and more.He invited the local companies to join in with the upcoming expos in Vietnam, such as MTA Vietnam Hanoi 2017 in Hanoi, Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 and Vietnam International Agriculture Fair 2017 in Can Tho, Vietnam Wood 2017 and Vietnam Expo 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City.According to Nhuan, in addition to their interest in Vietnam's exports, such as rice, coffee, machineries, equipment, companies from Biskra hope to export date palm, a local specialty, to Vietnam.

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru spoke highly of the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Biskra, saying that the event will help to accelerate the two-way trade and investment in the future.Tru later had meetings with the head of Biskra province Ahmed Kerroun and mayor of Biskra city Slimani Azzecdine and paid visits to local date palm producers and exporters. http://en.nhandan.org.vn/business/item/5550902-vietnam-algeria-promote-trade-investment-in-biskraconference.html

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The left out themes from export discourse BR R E S E AR C H

O C T 6 T H, 2 0 1 7 1 3 :1 4

What are some of the most frequently heard words in export growth strategic exercises taken up by Pakistan‘s commerce, finance or planning ministries; or by business chambers, think tanks, donors and the academia? Exchange rate, power and gas, law and order, tax refund and tax policy, cost of doing business, SME credit, and trade facilitation. What you don‘t hear is this.

Simply put, export is about what you are good at (that comparative advantage thing) and produce or can potentially produce in excess over domestic consumption at prices that are internationally competitive.

Seen from that lens, the story goes that Pakistan is very good at textile industry, employing nearly a third of labour force, and accounting for about half of total exports. Yet few ever wonder why Pakistan has been unable to attract in FDI in textile or other sectors from the top five export-oriented sectors (textile, leather, carpets, surgical and sports goods). If Pakistan was indeed good in these sectors, then foreign players should have sought stake in these sectors, right?

A detailed answer to those questions is not out there in any kind of formal publicly availably study. But one oft-repeated reason stands out. Sans a handful of exceptions players in export10

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com oriented sector are infamous for maintaining two books of accounts which no foreign player is able to trust. Recall that the same players used the export refinance schemes in yester years to take cheap loan in the name of exports and use that money for punting in stock and real estate markets.

Another sector in which Pakistan reportedly has or can develop comparative advantage is the likes of red and white meat, dairy, and farm produce especially fruits and vegetables. Yet to this date, Pakistan has failed to develop this sector giving credence to the view that the word potential, like talent, is overrated. In the last few years, a host of meat and frozen food processing companies have emerged. But neither the federal and provincial governments are coming up with actionable sectoral policies, nor are these areas part of the discourse.

In some countries, labour is a good export, explicitly as labour migration, or implicitly as cheap and efficient labour that can be an advantage in some technical industries, such as electronics, or light scale engineering. (See also BR Research‘s ―Labour export losing steam‖ published September 11, 2017).

There is no denying that Pakistan produces a lot of labour; after all human production is our national pastime as per the latest census results. That labour is relatively cheap as well. But they are not sufficiently trained. A lot of hoo-ha has been raised over lack of education in this country, and rightly so. But there is an insufficient realization over the lack of technical or vocational training of workers, a subject that rests largely with the provinces.

Similarly, some countries export its resources. Most patriotic zealots can highlight Pakistan‘s potential in natural resources - from copper and gold to marble, chromite and so on. These can be exported, surely.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com But in order to realize the full export potential, these resources have to be extracted and processed, for which any country would need the right kind of skilled labour, the right kind of technology, capital and management skills. Pakistan has none of these, which is why only foreign players have ventured into these areas. Yet at the same time, this country has managed to shoo away these investors, and then found it selves losing in international courts as well which sort of rubber stamps the notion that Pakistan is no country for FDI. A country may also implicitly export its capital. For instance, one major reason China is able to export so much is its high household savings with which it is able to finance its mega projects for exports or to provide the right infrastructure needed to export. Pakistan‘s small sized domestic savings mean that the country also lacks the right capital.

Lastly, there is also a need to re-think the price of exports. For instance, when Pakistan is exporting rice it is also exporting water, because despite being a water-stressed country, water for rice production is priced terribly low. Now it is true that countries subsidize various business sectors, but should we really subsidize rice exports with water which is already in short supply or at least shouldn‘t issues like these be discussed publicly.

Granted that exchange rate, energy shortages, tax issues and the likes are keeping Pakistan‘s exports from taking off. But even after fixing these issues, export take off would still be limited to a low and limited possibilities; without significant efforts to boost labour, technology and capital whatever ‗potential‘ Pakistan‘s land provides will always only a potential. With demographic window sharply closing in, the time to start realizing that potential is already past; crash course catching up is the only option http://www.brecorder.com/2017/10/06/373398/the-left-out-themes-from-export-discourse/ 12

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Rice Association gets new chairman KARACHI: Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) has elected Ch Samee Ullah Naeem as chairman for 2017-18.Rafique Suelman and Hamdullah Khan Tareen have been elected as senior vice-chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, a press release said.

Pakistan eyes on CARs, African markets to boost exports P AR V EZ J A B R I

O C T 5 T H, 2 0 1 7 2 0 :1 7

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com ISLAMABAD: In order to boost exports from the country, Pakistan is exploring new markets in resource-rich regions of the Central Asia and Africa. We are working to enhance our economic ties with these potential markets of Pakistan products, which would help boost country's trade," Director Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Khalid Rasool told APP here.

Exploring the regional market was the top priority of the government, he said adding efforts were on to promote trade and economic relations with Africa, Central Asian economies and Afghanistan.

For this purpose, TDAP intended to organize Pakistan Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) Conference from November 7 to 9 in Islamabad, he added.

Pakistan had potential to enhance the country's exports in pharmaceutical, poultry, surgical instruments, including variety of textiles items such as synthetic textile products, raw cotton, cotton yarn, leather and sports goods, electronics, sea food, furniture, cement, apparel, marble and agro-based industry like rice, beef, sugar, poultry chicken, potatoes, fruits and vegetables, he said.

He said the trade ministers and business community and Chambers of Commerce and Industry from both Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics would be invited to attend the conference.

Senior official of Ministry of Commerce informed that the main objective of this conference was to enhance bilateral trade volume, strengthen trade and economic ties and regional trade integration of these economies.

"We want to touch the untapped market of Central Asia with a total population of over 66.5 million spread over an area of about four million square kilometers, and located on the historical

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Silk Route," he said.

Pakistan was looking for easy access of neighboring partners to bigger markets of the region, technology sharing focusing on collective regional prosperity, he added.

Khalid Rasool said that Central Asian States presented a consolidated market of 289 million consumers, with GDP of $593.56 billion, which offered a huge reservoir of untapped economies. He said Pakistan-Central Asian Republics relations were based on geographical proximity, common history, religion, culture, traditions, values and destiny.

Pakistan and these states could work together in areas of trade, economic stability and development of the region, the Director TDAP said. Replying to a question, he said that TDAP was also looking to organize "Look Africa" Business Forum by November 10, in Karachi.

He added that Pakistan had potential to increase its exports in textile, pharmaceutical, cement, leather, chemical, low tech, marbles and gems and jewelery in African countries. http://www.brecorder.com/2017/10/05/373282/pakistan-eyes-on-cars-african-markets-to-boost-exports/

USA Rice Brings Foodservice Farm & Mill Tours to California

By Cameron Jacobs ARBUCKLE, CA -- Last week, Sun Valley Rice Company and USA Rice hosted two full days of farm and mill tours for foodservice professionals including food writers, registered dieticians, collegiate and professional sports nutritionists, representatives from Aramark, and chefs from the Aperium Hotel Group.

The tours began with a brief introduction on California rice and Sun Valley by their Director of Communications Brett LaGrande and transitioned to a tour of the grounds and state of the art milling and sprouting facility led by Sun Valley's quality assurance manager and operations manager. From there attendees were shuttled to a field in harvest where they learned about harvesting rice firsthand and had the opportunity to ride (and take a few selfies) in an active combine with area farmer, Bert Manuel.

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Bert Manuel (l.) gives Chef Alex a view from the cab

"It was great to have chefs, nutritionists, and the food service people out to California," said Manuel. "These tours give the farmer the chance to tell his story on how we raise the crop and how it gets to the end user, and the end users come away with a very personal experience they can use to communicate the farm to fork story. They asked great questions on planting, growing, harvest, and delivery of the rice, and they shared with me their thoughts on food trends and ways they recommend the use of rice in everyday diets for their clients and customers. It was truly a win-win."

Following the field tour, attendees were taken to the Foothill Warehouse where they sampled four varieties of rice, ate lunch, and concluded their day with a tour of the rice dryer.

"These farm and mill tours are a great opportunity to connect with people who work in the food industry and can directly promote the use and benefits of U.S.-grown rice," said Brett LaGrande. "Additionally, the tours allow USA Rice to introduce itself as a resource for recipe and menu collaboration and foodservice sourcing, as well as marketing and promotions to help incorporate more U.S. rice on menus and tell the story of the ingredients."

All attendees left the tour with a better understanding of the work that goes into producing rice and a unique outlook on U.S.-grown rice. "I will be thinking about this rice farm tour 15 years from now," said tour attendee and registered dietician Patricia Bannan. "Actually being out in the field, riding the combine, and meeting the farmers is so much more powerful as a learning experience than sitting in a seminar hearing how rice is grown from a Power Point presentation."

Prior to the tours, USA Rice hosted dinners for tour attendees at prominent Sacramento restaurants that featured a U.S. rice focused Inside the Foothill Warehouse menu. USA Rice Millers' Association Chairman Alex Balafoutis and dryer California Rice Commission CEO Tim Johnson were on hand to provide a history of rice production in California, share the local farmers' record on sustainability and commitment to conservation, and discuss industry trends and challenges.

USA Rice's Foodservice Farm and Mill Tour program was relaunched last year with fruitful tours in Arkansas, and with last week's successful California installment, plans are already underway for the next round of tours in another rice growing region. The program provides USA Rice an opportunity to showcase sustainably-grown U.S. rice and the hard-working men and women who make it all possible, and improves participants understanding of every aspect of U.S. rice, leading to increased use of the mighty grain.

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Uttarakhand PDS scam: Congress accuses BJP of vendetta politics Catch News6 October 2017

After the NH-24 scam, yet another scam worth Rs 600 crore in the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) in the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand has been unearthed by Trivendra Singh Rawat-led BJP government. The investigation conducted by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) revealed that the PDS scam happened under the nose of the previous government with some BJP leaders hinting at the involvement of senior Congress leaders.

These allegations have turned into a heated political battle in the state with Congress accusing the BJP government of indulging in vendetta politics and maligning the party and its leaders.

State Congress President Pritam Singh accused the government of harassing Congress workers and cited incident of Dharchula where no confidence motion has been moved against the Block President.

Speaking to reporters in Dehradun, Singh said that Congress would launch a movement against the anti-people policies of the government and its leaders would court arrest if needed. Speaking on the PDS scam, Singh said that there is BJP government both at the Center and the state and they could initiate a CBI inquiry into the alleged scam.

He also dared the government to take action against those who have been involved in the case including senior leaders and ministers. When asked why Singh, who was the Food Minister in the previous government, did not come to know of such a scam in his own ministry, Singh said that it was a lower level matter.

Earlier, the BJP government had accused the previous Congress government of being involved in the NH-24 scam where irregularities were found in providing compensation to those whose land had been acquired for the process. However, the state government's request for a CBI probe in the matter has not moved forward.

In fact, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had asked to the state government to not initiate a CBI probe as it would have an adverse impact on the morale of the NHAI officials. Since then, there has been no clarity whether CBI would probe the matter or not and the state government has maintained an eerie silence on the issue.

Congress leaders feel that the PDS scam too is just a political move to target the opposition and there is not much truth in the allegations. Meanwhile, after the preliminary findings, Vishnu Singh Dhanik, the regional food controller of the Kumaon division, has been issued marching orders.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com His dismissal was ordered after the SIT, headed by Udhamsingh Nagar District Magistrate Niraj Khairwal, submitted its report which highlighted irregularities in the procurement and distribution of the food grains meant for the poor.

The issue first came into the limelight after locals from the Kumaon region complained to the finance minister Prakash Pant about the unavailability and poor quality of PDS ration. After receiving such reports, he alerted the chief minister who constituted a SIT on 2 August to look into the allegations.

The investigating team then found irregularities and inconsistency in official documents and revealed that rice procured for BPL families was bought and transported only on paper. Earlier in July, state police arrested a man with documents after which the scam was revealed. Further, the investigation revealed that there have been irregularities in PDS have been ongoing for the previous two years.

These revelations forced the chief minister to take action against Dhanik who apparently is considered close to the former chief minister Harish Rawat. In fact, he was on two occassions given extension by the chief minister despite objections from other departments. Even after the BJP government took over, Dhanik continued to serve in the position. It is expected that several other officers too could face action for their involvement in the scam.

The investigation also revealed how there provision of obtaining movement chalan was completely ignored by the officials and that senior officials were aware of these irregularities but did not take any action. These anomalies were found during documentary verification at several PDS godowns in the Rudrapur, Kashipur, Kiccha and Bajpur towns of Uddhamsingh Nagar district.

During the course of the investigation, farmers and rice millers were also questioned after which the SIT was able to zero down on the loss to the state which was then zeroed down to Rs 60,000 crore. Interestingly, most of these complaints were from the Uddhamsingh Nagar district which had earlier shot into limelight for the multi-crore NH-24 widening scam https://in.news.yahoo.com/uttarakhand-pds-scam-congress-accuses-162000260.htmlRe

1/Kg Rice Scheme Predates Modi Govt: BJD On Oct 5, 2017 1,341

KalingaTV News Network

Bhubaneswar:Reacting to Union Minister Prakash Javadekar‘s allegation that the Odisha government‘s Re 1/kg rice scheme was essentially funded by the Centre, the ruling BJD has blasted the Union Human Resource Development Minister saying the scheme was implemented much before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.Earlier in the day, 18

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Javadekar had alleged that the Re 1/kg rice meant for the poor in the state is not given by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik but by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Odisha government is only rebranding the Central schemes in its name, the Union Minister had said.

BJD spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Pratap Keshari Deb said, ―The statement of Union Minister Prakash Javadekar is unfortunate and at the same time laughable. The BJD started the Re 1 per kg scheme in 2008 and the Centre brought the Food Security Act much later in 2013.

The party introduced the scheme much before Mr. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country.‖ Repudiating Javadekar‘s statement, who had said that the Centre contributes Rs 27 whereas the State gives only Rs 2 for the pro-poor rice scheme in Odisha, Deb said that the Centre is duty bound to provide subsidised rice to the state under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). https://kalingatv.com/latestnews/odisha-boy-felicitated-pm-modi-fifa-world-cup-ground/

Shaheen seeks compensation for crop damages due to rice blast disease

By Kashmir Patriot October 6, 2017

BANIHAL : National Conference District President Ramban Sajjad Shaheen on Friday expressed grave concern over the damages caused to standing crops in the entire district, especially in Banihal Assembly Constituency, saying maize and paddy has suffered major brunt due to rice blast disease.―The concerned agencies have failed in taking preventive measures and launching awareness campaign among the farmers‖, Shaheen said while addressing office bearers meeting here this afternoon.

Shaheen sought immediate assessment of the losses and deputation of a team of agricultural scientists for identifying the causes and suggesting the measures to combat various crop diseases.

He said the walnut growers and bee-keepers have also suffered heavy losses due to hailstorm recently. He sought assessment of the damages by multi-agency team of various departments particularly revenue, agriculture and horticulture departments to assess the losses so that the sufferers are compensated. In the first instance, he called for preliminary relief to the affected farmers.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Sajjad Shaheen also expressed concern over growing incidents of braid chopping that has created fear psychosis among the people across the state. He said the PDP-BJP government has failed in identifying and arresting the culprits behind heinous crime against society.The meeting also discussed various organizational matters and the cadre was urged to keep highlighting problems facing to the people for seeking earnest redressal http://kashmirpatriot.com/2017/10/06/shaheen-seeks-compensation-crop-damages-due-riceblast-disease/

Texas Rice Festival goes on after Harvey destroys some local rice crops

by Peter Eliopoulos

Texas Rice Festival goes on after Harvey destroys some local rice crops

Forty-two inches of rainfall in the Winnie area during Tropical Storm Harvey threatened to cancel the annual Texas Rice Festival in Winnie.However, the event is taking place.On Wednesday, local rice farmers and others gathered to celebrate the harvest, even though some crops were lost.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com KFDM/Fox 4's Peter Eliopoulos was live at the Texas Rice Festival. http://kfdm.com/news/local/texas-rice-festival-goes-on-after-harvey-destroys-some-local-rice-crops

False declaration: Customs seize containers loaded with foreign rice Published October 7, 2017

Abubakar Bashir addressing newsmen Chukwudi Akasike, Port Harcourt The Nigerian Customs Service, Port Harcourt, Area II Command, has seized three containers containing hundreds of bags of foreign rice, which were falsely declared by an importer.

The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Abubakar Bashir, explained that the NCS was able to discover the goods as a result of its resolve to embark on a 100 per cent physical examination of every container coming into the country through its command.

Displaying seized containers to journalists, Bashir recalled that the command under his watch had made a total of 23 seizures with a duty paid value of N446.3 million and N23.6 million on three containers carrying the imported rice.

Bashir disclosed that the erring importer had declared that the containers were loaded with sewing machines, only for the security outfit to search aND discover that they (containers) were loaded with hundreds of bags of foreign rice.He warned importers, who were in the habit of false declaration of goods to desist from such crime, adding that with his Command‘s new strategy, no container would pass without a thorough check.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Bashir said, ―By insisting on 100 percent examination of cargo, we have also forestalled the importation of unwholesome and prohibited goods into the country.―Our stand on this issue is particularly reassuring in light of current events in the country, which led to the seizure of illegally imported arms. Today, no container exits the port gate without 100 percent physical examination.‖ On revenue generation, he stated that despite the current economic situation in the country, the Port Harcourt II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service had generated over N71.8 billion as revenue from January to September 2017.

He said that the amount was recorded from oil and gas importation and exportation, even as he observed a 52 percent drop in oil and gas imports through the command.Bashir also noted that there had been a 45 percent increase in revenue generated from other sources, adding that the command had from January to September, 2017, recorded a great feat in its fight against smuggling.

He pointed out that the command had generated about 63.85 percent of its annual budget, promising that the command will exceed its target of N112.5billion at the end of the year.

According to Bashir, ―The revenue collected by the command from first to the third quarter of the year 2017 stood at N71,826,387,566.98 billion, which is N1,430,239,950.49 billion higher than the total revenue collected in the same period of the year 2016. ―Between January and September, this year, the command recorded export activities to the tune of $96.520million (N29,454,088,974.00billion). We also recorded an increase in Nigeria Export Supervisory Scheme fees collected being N150.308 million. These figures represents a 200 percent increase in export activities as at the third quarter of 2017.‖The Customs Comptroller of Port Harcourt Area II decried the lack of functional scanning machines to carry out the job of detecting contraband goods. http://punchng.com/false-declaration-customs-seize-containers-loaded-with-foreign-rice/

Rice turns pricey in city on Bangla scarcity bogey Prithvijit Mitra| TNN | Oct 5, 2017, 02:39 IST

KOLKATA: A dip in production of rice in Opar Bangla has prompted middlemen to play mischief in Epar Bangla, pushing up the retail price of the staple diet that unites both Bengals.

The retail price of different varieties of rice has risen by up to 20% in Kolkata markets, prompting the Bengalgovernment to blame "the artificial crisis" on "a section middlemen and speculators" and threaten action against them.

Trade insiders say the price rise has been sparked by reports of a shortfall in production of rice in Bangladesh, where the annual consumption of rice is around 3.1 crore tonnes. Bangladesh,

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therefore, has been forced to reduce import duty on rice from 28% to 2% in phases to tide over the crisis, which has been blamed largely on erratic rainfall.

This, claim retail market operators in Kolkata, has fuelled export of rice from India — largely Bengal — which has, in turn, created a shortfall in the Bengal market.

But the Bengal government has denied this demand-and-supply rationale behind the price rise and squarely blamed the middlemen and speculators. "There is no deficit in our foodgrain stocks.

A section of middlemen and speculators has jacked up retail prices by spreading all these rumours. We are keeping a close watch and will take strong action against such dishonest traders," Bengal agricultural marketing minister Tapan Dasgupta told TOI. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/rice-turns-pricey-in-city-on-bangla-scarcitybogey/articleshow/60947351.cms

No drop in spiralling rice prices in a week after a little cut Faysal Atik, bdnews24.com 2017-10-06 23:48:06.0 BdST Updated: 2017-10-06 23:48:06.0 BdST

Ministers‘ meeting with traders and drives against illegal stockpiling helped skyrocketing rice prices drop slightly, but those are yet to come down to a tolerable level.Traders in Dhaka say the rice mill owners cut the prices once under pressure from the government.Now, the low-priced imported rice has brought some relief to the market.At some markets in Dhaka on Friday, 23

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com retailers were selling Miniket at Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,500 per sack of 50 kilograms. The wholesale price was Tk 2,900.

A kg of Miniket was retailing at Tk 60 to Tk 61 while its wholesale price was Tk 58.Before the prices shot up following market manipulation and rumours that India would stop exporting rice during the Eid-ul-Azha, the retail price of Miniket was Tk 52 to Tk 54 per kg.Prices of other varieties of rice have also dropped but not to the level before the recent hike.

Sakhawat Hossain, a manager of Bikrampur Rice Agency at Rampura, told bdnews24.com that the mill owners cut the prices by up to Tk 150 per sack on Sept 20 and by another Tk 25 after a week.That was the last drop in rice price, he said.

"But the people are getting coarse rice at a slightly lower rate because of adequate supply from India. A sack of Indian coarse rice costs Tk 2,250 to Tk 2,300 now," he said.A manager of Satarkul Rice Agency at North Badda, Biplob Hossain, said the prices dropped Tk 4 to Tk 5 per kg by the end of last month.

"But the downtrend stopped a week ago. I've heard the prices would drop more in the future," he said.But Golam Mostafa, who owns a rice mill in Naogaon, does not see any drop in the prices before the harvest of Ropa Aman.Rice prices shot up abnormally during the Eid. The retail price of fine variety Nazirshail went up to Tk 70 per kg. Coarse rice prices also rose.

Following the rise in prices, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmeed, Agrculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Food Minister Qamrul Islam and former food minister Abdur Razzaque met rice

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com mill owners, importers, hoarders, wholesalers and retailers at the Secretariat on Sept 19 to arrest the spike.

The mill owners announced a cut in the prices by up to Tk 3 per kg as the government promised to fulfil some of their demands at the time.The government also relaxed conditions to import rice.The authorities later seized thousands of sacks of illegally warehoused rice in drives on rice mills and warehouses. https://bdnews24.com/business/2017/10/06/no-drop-in-spiralling-rice-prices-in-a-week-after-a-little-cut

Lacille De Silva says Ranil is not reliable October 6th, 2017

By Rasika Hemamali Courtesy Ceylon Today Former Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) and Attorney-at-Law Lacille De Silva says Ministers Hakeem and Ravi Karunanayake had clearly been subject to accusations. ―They influenced the President, directly, to remove me from the PRECIFAC‖, he noted.

Excerpts of the interview: On 8 January there was a political transformation in this country, how do you view the period that followed?

A: Promises were made, to combat corruption, make Government Service more efficient, and ensure media freedom also to ensure independence of the judiciary. Of the initial promises what we expected first was implementing a procedure against corruption. A Presidential Commission was appointed against corruption and fraud. An opportunity was granted to select a clever active staff. The Commission was established in the month of March. By the month of June about eight hundred petitions were received and the hearings had also begun. The first report was handed over. At the end of February I was removed from the post of Secretary.

Why do you think you were removed?

A: There were influences to halt the investigations on corruption. I think investigations on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as well as many in the Joint Opposition had commenced.

Some of the people against whom there were charges joined the Government. In addition

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Ministers Hakeem and Ravi Karunanayake were clearly subject to accusations. They too influenced the President directly to remove me.

Q: Are you saying this with responsibility?

A: I am saying it with responsibility. SATHOSA had granted approval for importing rice. By importing rice, a loss of Rs.15.15 billion had to be borne by the Government. Our investigations became a threat to ministers in the present Government too. They did not want to come before the Commission and what they did was send their officers to the Commission. This request had been put to the Prime Minister. At that time, the President was of the stance that investigations should be carried out into corruption and fraud. At the end of February, before I was removed, I can recall the President told me to continue with the work and that it was good, but, when there was pressure he may have asked his Secretary to remove me from the post.

Are you saying that the President was put under pressure?

A: Definitely, there would have been some pressure that is why it was decided to remove me.

President had discussions with the Prime Minister on the stance that officials did not want to go before the Commission. All of this happened during the same period.

The first step was to get rid of me. Then bringing in Government officials also gradually slowed down and all investigations came to a standstill. In this manner fulfilling of all promises is coming to an end. Once again, corruption investigations are being empowered through various other organizations in the country.

As a country, corruption and fraud should be stopped. If not we cannot progress. It is the innocent people who are suffering. Today youth are engaged in protests. Those are just demands.

We remember how they took up arms against the Government. As a country we have not given careful thought to these; it is because those in Government do not possess the ability, neither do they see the need to do so. They cannot even prepare a plan.

Today we have reached a valuable turning point. After a serious war, in 2009, the then Government managed to raise the country to a certain standard, even they were unsuccessful in going beyond that.

The present ones came into power saying corruption, fraud, tender frauds, this and that. Ranil Wickremesinghe is not someone who will fulfil anything he says. I am saying this very clearly.

In the Treasury Bond issue from the inception he gave unnecessary protection. It is totally wrong. Fortunately, the President took some decision. Through that decision, in some way, it 26

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com became clear what the truth is. However, even today there is some sort of doubt whether these will be covered up. I am 100 per cent certain they will not be covered up.

Can we believe that if a Treasury Bond fraud took place, those found guilty will be punished?

A: Most definitely. It will be done. What he did by getting rid of us is dig his own grave. I do not believe he will be so foolish again. People also expect that from him.

He went to the United Nations Conference and said this path will be corrected. If not, it is hard to believe that even the President will have a political future. This is the final chance. It is clear.

This situation cannot be corrected due to large scale interference from Government.

Are you satisfied with those in Government?

A: This Government has an idiotic Cabinet. When briefing the media on Cabinet decisions it is democratic to reply to questions in a civil manner, that is not how it happens, they use just one or two words and try to win, in an undemocratic manner. That is not how these should be solved.

Cabinet is continually making the situation worse they don‘t seem to be able to untie the knots.

Finally it is the President who has to intervene in everything and solve them.

Where should the country head?

A: Agriculture should be developed also there should be a successful plan in place to generate employment. Today we are in a very regressive state that should be corrected. The resources of this country are being spent on the welfare and happiness of parliamentarians and ministers. The world‘s best vehicles are being brought to Sri Lanka. The current economic status is a result of the incompetence of politicians.

We should spend the most on developing education. The Health Services, Transport, Judiciary as well as the overall Government Service has collapsed. To take the country forward it is essential to build up the Government Service. By bringing a new Constitution these problems will not get solved.

Are you saying that there is no need for a new Constitution?

A: We said very clearly that a new Constitution was required. See the Procurement Commission.

It was said that such a Commission was required because all the corruption and the frauds under the previous Government was due to the procurement procedure being corrupt. Even the concept 27

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com of a Procurement Commission was a proposal by Ranil Wickremesinghe. By proposing and not implementing can we expect that through the new Constitution people will get just solutions to their problems?

The 225 Members in Parliament will increase to 233 the number of Pradeshiya Sabhas which is at 4,000 will be increased to 6,000 or more. Those who are defeated and those who win will be 50 per cent, each. A strong Opposition is required for a country. Through this presidential system, the Opposition is being completely done away with.

What Ranil Wickremesinghe is doing involves a situation that goes beyond even that. Therefore the country is being dragged down further. Therefore we do not need a new Constitution at this stage.

At the conclusion of the ‗Sil Redi‘ case, the JO said that due to such verdicts, Government officials will become apprehensive A: That verdict was 100 per cent correct. Based on the current situation appoints are made by politicians. As a result they have to become political henchmen. However, if a certain official refuses to take an order, they appoint another to that chair and get it done. That is what is happening. At the same time Government officials should be held responsible for their actions.

Judge Gihan Kulatunga‘s verdict is certainly a turning point in history. A Government Service that refuses to act on a wrong order should be implemented.

Sri Lankans working abroad, they are Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim, maintain their integrity. No one can work under these decadent politicians.

If this country is to be developed the President has to fulfil all the promises he made. It is not apparent that Ranil Wickremesinghe is fulfilling five cents worth of that. He is swaying from side to side similar to a stick in the mud swaying from side to side. This country cannot be taken forward with such a leadership.

If I am to be upset it has to be with the President. The President was aware of the work I was doing, but, I was thrown out without even without being informed. I can see what is happening.

Are you criticizing the Government because of the displeasure on being removed from the Commission?

A: I am speaking as an honest citizen. I did not after that go behind people and ask for jobs. I do not have anything to gain neither do I have anything to lose. If so it is the President that I should criticize.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Do you believe that by changing the Government you will not be able to achieve the difference you expect?

A: It is the characters that should change. In a democratic country, there should be leaders who honour democracy in order to implement democracy. They should be a learned and knowledgeable group. There are ploys to have the same Government in place so that the same group will benefit.

How can you find such a group of people?

A: Clever persons should be selected at regional level and if that happens this country can be rebuilt. http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2017/10/06/lacille-de-silva-says-ranil-is-not-reliable/

North American Wild Rice Faces Sulfide Toxicity Researchers have developed a model to inform the regulation of sulfate levels in freshwater environments that are threatening the iconic plant.

SOURCE: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 29

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com A scientist sits in a canoe on Duck Lake, northern Minnesota, surrounded by stands of wild rice.

This is one of many wild rice lakes sampled across the state, with the resultant data used for modeling porewater sulfide. Credit: Ailsa McCulloch

By Jenny Lunn Wild rice (Zizania palustris) is a native North American marsh grass that grows in shallow aquatic environments such as wetlands, the margins of lakes, and slow-flowing streams, its roots favoring soft organic sediments.

Native American tribes across the Great Lakes region have harvested wild rice for millennia. It not only is a significant part of their diet but also has sacred significance in their culture.

Commercial cultivation, largely in paddy fields, began in Minnesota in the 1950s, and the distinctive long, slender black grains are now a popular superfood.

However, wild rice is under threat from sulfate pollution. As a result of human activities, including wastewater discharge and mining, sulfate enters the waterbodies where wild rice grows. In time, it penetrates into the saturated soils below where the plant‘s roots grow. In these anaerobic conditions, bacteria transform (or ―reduce‖) the sulfate into sulfide. High concentrations of sulfide are toxic to roots and inhibit plant growth.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency faces a decision as to whether to regulate sulfate levels to protect wild rice. To guide this decision, Pollman et al. developed a model to better understand what influences sulfide concentrations in ―pore water,‖ the water contained within soil.

The relationship between sulfate in surface water and sulfide in pore water is somewhat complex, and the researchers‘ modeling effort aims to capture that complexity. They started by creating a conceptual model of the relationship between sulfate and sulfide based on certain assumptions about processes and relationships between components and variables.

Next, they selected appropriate subsets of data collected from lake and stream sites in Minnesota as part of a larger study that spanned the state. After running statistical analyses on these data, they expanded their conceptual model to include more factors. The results showed that three variables were equally important in determining sulfide concentrations: sulfate levels, organic carbon in the soil, and iron in the soil.

The strength of their modeling approach rests in not only how it allows for a range of variables but also how it provides a framework for modeling direct, indirect (i.e., interactions mediated through a third variable), and feedback relationships.

Although the model was shown to be successful in capturing the complexity of relationships in the system, the researchers cautioned against using it to determine an absolute level of sulfide that is toxic to wild rice. Environmental and geochemical conditions in the many different waterbodies where wild rice grows are varied; thus, the researchers recommend applying a multiple binary logistic regression model to calculate sulfate thresholds appropriate to each wetland location.

Control of sulfate levels is seen as the best intervention to reduce sulfide toxicity in freshwater environments, but this study offers a model that can be used to tailor regulation for greater 30

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com efficacy. (Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JG003785, 2017) —Jenny Lunn, Contributing Writer Citation: Lunn, J. (2017), North American wild rice faces sulfide toxicity, Eos, 98,https://doi.org/10.1029/2017EO083261. Published on 06 October 2017 https://eos.org/research-spotlights/north-american-wild-rice-faces-sulfide-toxicity

FG to Bring Down the Price of a 50kg Bag of Rice to N9,000 Within a Month Commodities

Friday,

October

6,

2017

9:55AM/ FDC

The Federal Government is promising to bring down the price of a 50kg bag of rice to N9,000 within a month. This is highly doubtful as governments have little or no control over market prices.

Brent oil slipped on concerns of higher shale output but recovered to $57.09pb following news of a drawdown in U.S crude inventories. Meanwhile, domestic commodity prices remain relatively static.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com The attached slides summarize developments that took place in the domestic and global commodity markets this week.

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https://www.proshareng.com/news/Commodities/FG-to-Bring-Down-the-Price-of-a-50kg-Bag/36641

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Customs fingers Policeman in rice smuggling in Kwara October 6, 2017

Biola Azeez - Ilorin Latest News

A serving police corporal, simply identified as Awodi, attached to Alapa police station in Asa local government area of Kwara State, together with some suspected thugs, have allegedly bolted with smuggled bags of rice.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the suspected thugs, allegedly aided by the police corporal, intercepted a Customs Roving Team on Tuesday while on official duty.

It was also gathered that the intercepted Customs team was led by a Chief Superintendent of Customs, (CSC) Maciver, A. L comprising SC Basheer, O.I ASCII Iloba, M.I ASCII Ayinla J, CAI Mangai, and CAI Odo P. The CSC Maciver, who said that the incident happened when they went on information patrol on Ilorin – Alapa Road, added that they received information that smugglers had hidden two Golf vehicles ladened with imported rice in the bush. ―On sighting the patrol vans, the drivers of the vehicle containing the smuggled rice bolted with the keys of the vehicles,‖ he said.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com CSC Maciver also said that due to the state of the vehicles that were ladened with the contraband, he decided to evacuate the rice into the two customs vehicles on patrol, together with his men.The customs boss, who said that after leaving the scene of the interception and on their way to the Customs office with the bags of rice, added that one person called Asake mobilized four Golf vehicles loaded with people suspected to be thugs and pursued their patrol vehicles with the assistance of a police corporal identified as Awodi and forcefully offloaded all the bags of rice after partially destroying the customs patrol vehicle.

He also said that the ongoing construction work along Geri Alimi Roundabout in the Ilorin metropolis slowed down efforts of his men in moving fast enough, adding that the development made the police corporal and the thugs catch up on them and forcefully offloaded the rice back to the golf vehicles.CSC Maciver, who said that presence of innocent citizens due to the presence of innocent citizens around where his men were disrupted from performing their official duties, they could not open fire on the thugs to guide against the shooting of innocent people.

Meanwhile, the leader of the team disclosed that investigation has begun on the issue, adding that all those involved would be apprehended and that all the smuggled rice would be confiscated.

When contacted on the issue, the police public relations officer PPRO) of the Kwara State command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, said that the command was aware of the matter, adding that the customs had not officially briefed the police command about the development.

The PPRO also said that the state commissioner of Police, Mr Lawan Ado, had directed the DPO Alapa Police station to investigate the matter and report back to the headquarters about the involvement of the corporal in question.He also said that the command would not hesitate to bring the corporal to book accordingly if found to have been involved in the allegation. http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/customs-fingers-policeman-rice-smuggling-kwara/

Ardent operating again in Puerto Rico Oct. 6, 2017 - by Josh Sosland

A downed power pole and warehouse damage on the Molinos de Puerto Rico property

DENVER — Extraordinary efforts are continuing at Molinos de Puerto Rico, LLC to maintain operations at the community mill in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is part of Ardent Mills' network of mills, ensure customers are supplied and assist employees affected by the catastrophic storm, said Bill Stoufer, chief operating officer.

In an Oct. 5 interview with Milling & Baking News, a sister publication of World Grain, Mr. Stoufer expressed pride in what the company has accomplished over the past fortnight in very difficult circumstances after Hurricane Maria struck the Caribbean island on Sept. 20 with devastating force.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com ―We have an immense obligation to provide food ingredients to the people of this island, and that‘s what we‘re focused on,‖ Mr. Stoufer said. ―It‘s our moral responsibility.‖Ardent Mills supplies a significant portion of the grain based food ingredients on Puerto Rico. The complex includes a corn mill and rice mill, in addition to the flour mill with 10,000 cwts of daily milling capacity.―We are running all three units on generators,‖ Mr. Stoufer said. ―We‘re running between 60% to 70% of normal.‖The mill was closed as a precaution as the storm approached, and production resumed about a week later.―I can assure you we spared no expense in resuming operations,‖ Mr. Stoufer said. ―The majority of our customers are operating again, and we are committed to Bill Stoufer, chief operating keeping them supplied.‖ officer of Ardent Mills

Two days after the hurricane, Ardent Mills flew a team of five to Puerto Rico to help staff assess damage and take the steps necessary to resume operations, Mr. Stoufer said.

A damaged sea wall from the Hurricane Maria storm surge with a still operational marine tower in the background on the Molinos de Puerto Rico property

―They flew down and had to live in the mill with no power, no running water and no air conditioning to help get the facility up and running,‖ he said. ―It was engineers, millers, health and safety specialists. They fixed what needed to be fixed to keep our product and people safe.

There are more repairs that will need to be completed in the future. ―Numerous vendor partners have sent people as well. We are so proud of how everyone has performed in incredible conditions. Even now it is not a pleasant situation — 90% of the island is still without power.‖ 38

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Although there were no reported injuries, many of its team members have experienced significant losses to homes and property. The company has about 100 employees at the San Juan mill. Ardent Mills employees have donated money to help team members in Puerto Rico, and the Ardent Mills is matching employee contributions.

Recognizing the extraordinary disruptions in their employees lives, Ardent Mills is helping in numerous other ways, Mr. Stoufer said.―All of our employees are being paid for a full work week,‖ he said. ―They need to recover at work and personally. We are now feeding our employees when at work — breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on which shift they are working. ―We have running water and have over 100 five-gallon collapsible containers so they can take fresh water home after work. Less than half the island has running water. ―We have made arrangements through business partners for employees so that they can get gasoline for their home generators and for their cars. ―We have sent diapers, batteries and cooking stoves home for those who need it.‖ At its Denver headquarters, Ardent Mills has employees from Puerto Rico whose family members have been affected by the storm. The company is doing what it can to help establish communication channels so team members can connect with family and let them know how they are doing, Mr. Stoufer said. ―This was literally the worst storm in 90 years,‖ Mr. Stoufer said. ―When it hit the island, winds were 1 mile per hour less than a Category 5 storm. That‘s very different from the hurricanes that have hit Puerto Rico in the past. To understand the magnitude, the scale of what this does to your life as a person and professional can‘t be overstated. Everything gets turned upside down.‖ Mr. Stoufer said Ardent Mills will continue to do what is possible to help its employees, but the situation will be difficult for the foreseeable future.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com ―They‘ve settled in a new norm,‖ he said. ―The new norm is not fun for the team. It isn‘t fun when you are coming into work for air conditioning and a semblance of normalcy in your life.‖ Stoufer had high praise for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and others providing assistance. ―FEMA has been fabulous, trying to get us information we need,‖ he said. ―Again, until you see devastation, you can‘t understand. It‘s different than on the mainland. It‘s an island, and you can‘t do things fast. ―So much work has been done by aid groups to clear the roads. It‘s a unique dynamic of the hurricane to have so totally wiped out the infrastructure.‖ Widespread shortages of basic necessities such as food and water have been reported, and distribution of these items has been difficult because of the extent of the damage. U.S. President Donald Trump on Sept. 28 waived the Jones Act, which officials had said was making relief efforts difficult.

Ardent Mills recognizes the importance that it continues to do its part to help. ―We are keeping up with customer demand,‖ Mr. Stoufer said. http://www.bakingbusiness.com/articles/news_home/Business/2017/10/Ardent_operating_again_in_Puer. aspx?ID={C9DC2682-E3DC-4BE5-AFCE-2FCD3D4650B7}&cck=1

Rice exports grow on strength of China quota Fri, 6 October 2017 Cambodian rice exports increased nearly 17 percent during the first nine months compared to the same period last year, with exporters pushing to fill orders under China‘s higher import quota as European markets remained steady.A total of 421,900 tonnes of rice was exported between January and September, a 16.7 percent increase compared to the first nine months of 2016, according to government data published yesterday.

China – which has agreed to accept 200,000 tonnes of rice this year – was the top destination for rice shipments, receiving 124,700 tonnes during the period, with 53,900 tonnes and 35,400 tonnes delivered to France and Poland, respectively http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rice-exports-grow-strength-china-quota

Myanmar diesel imports rise as rice exports improve THE MYANMAR TIMES 06 OCT 2017

A rice export warehouse in Yangon. Demand for Myanmar-produced rice from overseas is rising. Photo: The Myanmar Times

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Myanmar‘s trade deficit has widened on the back of fluctuations in commodity prices, illegal trade and a weaker currency.

In 2016-17, the trade deficit amounted to over US$5.5 billion, up from US$5.4 billion in 201516 and US$4.9 billion in 2014-15, according to the statistics released by the Central Statistical Organisation.

Among the country‘s imports is diesel. Between September 17 and September 23, Myanmar imported over 64,000 tonnes of diesel worth US$32 million by sea, representing an increase of over 278,800 tonnes compared to the week before, according to government media reports.

About a third of the diesel entered the country through Myeik, near the Myanmar-Thailand land border trade camp.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com Diesel consumption in Myanmar during the 2015-16 fiscal year had risen to 809 million gallons, up from 600 million gallons in the previous year and doubling from just four years ago, data from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy revealed.

However, demand for rice and broken rice produced in Myanmar is also rising. During the same week in September, the country exported 26,825 tonnes of white and parboiled rice worth US$8.1 million, an increase of 5,579 tonnes compared to the previous week, government media reports said.

The country also exported 34,835 tonnes of broken rice valued at US$8.5 million. That‘s up by 27,145 tonnes compared to the previous week. Broken rice is fractured grains of rice usually sold for a cheaper price compared to white or parboiled rice.Myanmar exports rice mainly to Bangladesh via the Sittwe border trade camp and to China via the Muse, Lwejel and Chinshwehaw border points.It also exports rice to Singapore, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Senegal, Japan, South Africa, Russia and Afghanistan via sea. https://www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmar-diesel-imports-rise-rice-exports-improve.html

Zimbabwe: Zim Evaluates Rice Production ZIMBABWE is evaluating the feasibility of commercial rice production with a Government delegation expected to go on a familiarisation mission to Egypt to acquaint itself with technology and viable methods of growing the cereal.Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development (Cropping Production) Davis Marapira said he would next month lead a team of experts from his ministry to familiarise with rice production in one of Africa's largest producer. Zimbabwe is a net importer of rice and spends about $150 million annually to import the cereal.

"We have done our preliminary research, which have shown us that we can produce rice using hybrid varieties without any problem. I will lead a team from the ministry to Egypt to familiarise with their technology and understand how we can do it here.New rice varieties needs a lot of water in the first two months and we have sufficient water (to support rice production," deputy minister Marapira said.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com With hybrid varieties, Egyptian farmers have improved average rice production to almost 10 tonnes per hectare. Rice has become a priority crop in Africa with many countries looking at expanding production of the crop to achieve food self-sufficiency. At the fifth Presidential Youth Interface Rally in Chinhoyi about two months ago, President Mugabe indicated the country should seriously consider rice production. http://allafrica.com/stories/201710050661.html

Cambodia's rice exports keep growing 6 Oct 2017 at 13:28 WRITER: KHMER TIMES

China is the biggest buyer of Cambodian rice and Beijing intends to take more. (Photo from Khmer Times/Chor Sokhunthea)

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia‘s exports of milled rice continue to increase, with China still the biggest importer of Cambodian grain.Rice is exported to nearly 70 countries.China remains the largest buyer, taking more than 120,000 tonnes from January to September this year, followed by France (over 50,000 tonnes) and Poland (35,000 tonnes), according to the latest report from the secretariat of the One Window Service for Rice Export Formality.The report says from January to September 2017 Cambodia exported 43

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com 421,966 tonnes of milled rice, an increase of 16.70% on the 361,505 tonnes exported in the same period last year. Rice shipments are projected to total 600,000 tonnes this year.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, at a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Laos in September last year, agreed to double China‘s annual purchase of 100,000 tonnes of Cambodian rice to 200,000 tonnes, starting from next year, Cambodia set to meet the 200,000 tonnes quot to China by the end of this year, while Beijing plans to increase imports to 300,000 tonnes of rice next year, the Khmer Times reported.

Hean Vanhan, the director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries‘ General Directorate of Agriculture, said exports were expected to continue rising. ―We have a target of one million tonnes to export, so we have to seek and open more markets,‖ he said. ―We cannot depend on China‘s market alone.‖Based on current growth, Cambodia will reach 600,000 tonnes of exported milled rice in 2017, Mr Vanhan said.Hun Lak, the vice-president of the Cambodian Rice Federation, said the figure of 200,000 tonnes to China will be reached. ―It may even be over the set quota, because from July on is the rainy season and rice harvests and prices will increase, which will benefit farmers and rice millers,‖ he said.In 2016, Cambodia exported about 542,144 tonnes of rice to international markets. The government plans to boost rice exports to one million tonnes per year. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1337872/cambodias-rice-exports-keep-growing\

Prime Minister Office of India : India – EU Joint Statement during 14th India-EU Summit, New Delhi 10/06/2017 | 11:10am EDT 1. The 14th annual Summit between India and the European Union (EU) was held in New Delhi on 6 October 2017. The Republic of India was represented by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The EU was represented by Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.

2. The leaders reviewed the wide-ranging cooperation under the India-EU Strategic Partnership.

Recognising that India and the EU are natural partners, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law and respect for human rights and territorial integrity of States.

3. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made towards implementing the India-EU Agenda for Action 2020 - the roadmap for bilateral cooperation endorsed during the 13th India-EU Summit.

4. The leaders committed to work in a result-oriented and mutually beneficial manner to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership by deepening their trade cooperation, enhancing investment flows in both directions and broadening dialogue and engagement on global and regional issues, including

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com climate change, as well as migration and the refugee crisis, and resolved to further strengthen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation in these areas.

5. The leaders commended the strong engagement of the European Investment Bank in India in a wide range of key sectors, in particular in the field of climate action and renewable energy.

6. The leaders underlined the importance of regular high level contacts to enhance India-EU co-operation and mutual understanding. They noted the fruitful outcome of the India-EU Foreign Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi on 21 April 2017. Foreign Policy and Security Cooperation - Partners for Security.

7. They agreed that India and the EU, as the world's largest democracies, share a desire to work closely together and with all relevant players to support a rules-based international order that upholds agreed international norms, global peace and stability, and encourages inclusive growth and sustainable development in all parts of the inter-connected and multipolar world. They welcomed the growing convergence on contemporary global issues and agreed to enhance India-EU cooperation in all multilateral fora. They also recognised their common responsibility towards ensuring international peace and security, and an open and inclusive international order.

8. The leaders confirmed their commitment towards conflict prevention and sustaining peace as fundamental aspects of promoting security and prosperity, fostering non-proliferation and disarmament, and agreed on the need for the global community to unite to address the menace of terrorism and safeguard the security of the global commons - sea lanes, cyber space and outer space. They welcomed the 5th India-EU Foreign Policy and Security Consultations held in New Delhi on 25 August 2017 - a platform to further deepen cooperation in the political and security area.

9. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an open, free, secure, stable, peaceful and accessible cyberspace, enabling economic growth and innovation. In particular, the leaders reaffirmed that International Law is applicable in cyberspace, and that there was a need to continue and deepen deliberations on the applicability of International Law to cyberspace and set norms of responsible behaviour of States. The leaders welcomed the holding of the 5th Global Conference on Cyberspace in New Delhi on 23-24 November. The leaders noted that the bilateral Cyber Dialogue provided a strong foundation for existing and future cooperation and welcomed the holding of its latest round in New Delhi on 29 August this year, and the next India-EU Cyber Dialogue in Brussels in 2018.

10. The leaders strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in many parts of the world, underlining their common concern about the global threat posed by terrorism and extremism. They adopted a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism with a view to deepening their strategic and security cooperation, and expressed their strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, based on a comprehensive approach. The leaders resolved to step up cooperation through regular bilateral consultations and in international fora. In this context, they welcomed the India-EU Dialogue on Counter-Terrorism on 30 August 2017 in New Delhi, and the joint commitment to explore opportunities to, inter alia, share information, best practices, including regarding countering the on-line threat of radicalisation, and to engage in capacity building activities, such as training and workshops.

They also emphasised the need to deepen cooperation within the UN and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com 11. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global non-proliferation efforts as highlighted at the India-EU Non-proliferation and Disarmament Dialogue in New Delhi on 18 July 2017.

The EU congratulated India on its admission to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The EU welcomed India's subscription to The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC) and noted India's intensified engagement with the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG), the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group, which strengthens global non-proliferation efforts.

12. India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to enhance maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean and beyond. Both sides noted the recent joint manoeuvres (PASSEX) between the EU Naval Force and the Indian Navy off the coast of Somalia, as a successful example of naval cooperation. The EU looks forward to India's possible participation in escorting World Food Program vessels in the near future. They also underlined the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of International Law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Both leaders attached importance to the security, stability, connectivity and sustainable development of Oceans and Seas in the context of developing the 'blue economy'.

13. Both sides agreed to enhance the India-EU space cooperation, including Earth observation.

14. India and the EU reiterated the importance they attach to human rights cooperation, including on gender equality and women empowerment in all spheres of life. In this regard, they looked forward to the next session of their dialogue to be held in New Delhi and supported enhancing interaction in international fora, in particular the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council.

15. The two sides expressed support to the Government and the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned national peace and reconciliation. The two sides remain determined to counter all forms of terrorism and violent extremism, considering them fundamental threats to international peace and stability. India and the EU underline the importance of the regional and key international stakeholders to respect, support and promote a political process and its outcome in order to ensure peace, security and prosperity in Afghanistan. The EU appreciated the positive role being played

by India in extending development assistance in Afghanistan, including for building social and economic infrastructure, governance institutions and human resource development and capacity building. Both sides reconfirmed their commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability and supporting Afghanistan on its development path to become a self-reliable and prosperous state.

16. India and the EU expressed deep concern at the recent spate of violence in the Rakhine state of Myanmar that has resulted in the outflow of a large number of people from the state, many of whom have sought shelter in neighbouring Bangladesh. Both sides took note that this violence was triggered off by a series of attacks by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants which led to loss of lives amongst the security forces as well as the civilian population. Both sides recognised the need for ending the violence and restoring normalcy in the Rakhine state without any delay. They urged the Myanmar authorities to implement the Kofi Annan-led Rakhine Advisory Commission's recommendations and work with Bangladesh to enable the return of the displaced persons from all communities to Northern Rakhine State. India and the EU also recognised the role being played by Bangladesh in extending humanitarian assistance to the people in need.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com 17. India and the EU reaffirmed their support for the continued full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. They recognised confirmation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran is complying with its nuclearrelated JCPOA commitments. India and the EU called for the full and effective implementation of the deal, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council and is a crucial contribution to the nonproliferation framework and international peace, stability and security.

18. Both sides condemned the nuclear test conducted by DPRK on 3 September 2017, which was another direct and unacceptable violation of the DPRK's international commitments. They agreed that DPRK's continued pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and its proliferation links pose a grave threat to international peace and security, and called for the complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which has been endorsed by the UNSC and the Six Party Talks.

Both sides stressed the responsibility of those who support DPRK's nuclear and missile programmes.

They also stressed the importance of unity of the international community in addressing this challenge, ensuring that all UNSC sanctions are fully implemented by the entire international community, so as to maximize pressure towards achieving a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue.

19. Regarding the situation in Syria, India and the EU reaffirmed the primacy of the UN-led Geneva process and called for full support for the intra-Syrian talks with a view to promoting a political solution in Syria. Protection of civilians and territorial integrity is fundamental and all parties to the conflict and their supporters are expected to live up to their commitments. India and the EU reaffirmed that only a credible political solution, as defined in UNSCR 2254 and the 2012 Geneva CommuniquĂŠ will ensure the stability of Syria and enable a decisive defeat of Da'esh and other UN-designated terrorist groups in Syria.

India and the EU agreed that the second Brussels Conference on Syria in spring 2018 will contribute to sustain international commitment to Syria.

20. On the Middle East Peace Process, India and the EU reiterated calls on parties to engage constructively so that a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution, could be achieved on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid Principles, the Arab Peace Initiative, for peace and stability in the Middle East.

21. The two sides also reiterated their full support to the UN facilitated Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process to forge a lasting solution to the political crisis in Libya. Establishing an inclusive government and building peace and stability in Libya is in the interest of the entire international community.

22. India and the EU acknowledged the importance of connectivity in today's globalised world. They underlined that connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognised international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality and must follow principles of financial responsibility, accountable debt financing practices, balanced ecological and environmental protection, preservation standards and social sustainability.

23. Both sides underlined the importance of ASEM as an informal platform for connecting Asia and Europe. Both sides also agreed to give new impetus to ASEM in the run up to the next ASEM Summit to be hosted in Brussels, where the focus would be on tackling global challenges together.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com 24. The leaders underlined their strong support for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine through the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements by all parties in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015).

25. The EU hoped for a swift solution, through the due process of law in India, in the case of MV Seaman Guard Ohio, which concerns fourteen Estonian and six British citizens sentenced to prison by an Indian court. Global Challenges - Multilateral Cooperation.

26. Both sides reaffirmed their support to the new United Nations reform agenda on the three reform tracks of peace and security, development and management reform. The two sides' commitment to stronger global governance also translates to reforming the bodies and organs of the UN system, including the comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council as well as the revitalisation of the work of the General Assembly, better aligning the work of its committees with the 2030 Agenda.

27. The two sides agreed to work bilaterally and with partners in the G20, the United Nations and other multilateral fora to address emerging challenges to international security, global economic stability and growth.

28. The leaders reaffirmed the crucial role of the rules-based multilateral trading system, and the importance of enhancing free, fair, and open trade for achieving sustainable growth and development.

They reaffirmed their commitment to work together with all Members of the WTO to make the eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference a success with concrete results, which would reaffirm the centrality of the rules-based multilateral trading system and its importance for open and inclusive global trade.

29. Both sides recalled the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the joint commitment to its implementation with the complementary new EU Consensus on Development and India's 'sab kasaath, sab kavikas' policy initiatives, and reaffirmed the importance of global partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and poverty alleviation. In this regard, they reiterated their commitment to collaborate on common priorities and looked forward to exploring the continuation of the EU-India Development Dialogue. Both sides also recognised the need to mutually reinforce the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

30. The EU welcomed India's contribution to peace and development in Africa, including its participation in UN Peacekeeping Missions. The EU and India expressed their commitment to enhancing their consultations and cooperation regarding Africa, with a view to optimising possible synergies between their respective initiatives. They looked forward to India's participation as an observer at the next EUAfrican Union Summit. Partners in Prosperity through Increased Trade and Economic Cooperation; Partners in India's Modernisation 31. The EU leaders welcomed India's efforts to promote economic and social development and expressed the EU's continued interest in participating in India's flagship initiatives such as 'Make in India', 'Digital India', 'Skill India', 'Smart City', 'Clean India,' and 'Start-Up India'. The EU closely follows Prime Minister Modi's economic reforms, including the historic introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which can facilitate ease of doing business and promotes market integration in India by realising a simple, efficient and nation-wide indirect tax system. Prime Minister Modi appreciated the ongoing participation by EU companies in the flagship initiatives and called for their deeper engagement in India's 48

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com developmental priorities. The EU side encouraged the greater participation of Indian business organizations into the Enterprise Europe Network. The leaders noted the progress made on EU-India cooperation on resource efficiency and circular economy. Both sides agreed to enhanced cooperation and exchange of experience and best practices in the field of Intellectual Property rights (IPR) and public procurement.

32. The Leaders expressed their shared commitment to strengthening the Economic Partnership between India and the EU and noted the ongoing efforts of both sides to re-engage actively towards timely relaunching negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).

33. Both parties recognised the importance of trade in agricultural products in general, and rice in particular, and agreed to work together to resolve issues that have the potential of disrupting trade. With regard to import tolerance level of tricyclazole in rice (Commission Regulation (EU) 2017 / 983) the relevant plant protection companies will be invited to present new scientific data in order for the European Food Safety Authority to carry out an additional risk assessment without delay. On this basis, the European Commission would expeditiously consider whether to review the above mentioned Regulation. Both sides supported the early institutionalisation of cooperation between the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to focus on exchange of knowledge and expertise in the area of methodologies for data collection, risk assessment and risk communication. Furthermore, the EU and India have agreed to further strengthen their cooperation on food safety, notably by: a. Strengthening existing dialogues like Agricultural and Marine Working Group, SPS-TBT Working Group to cover issues on food safety and agricultural trade between the relevant Indian ministries/departments and relevant European Commission services. b. Initiating joint projects in areas such as good agricultural practices, development of traceability capacities, and cooperation in laboratory activities, including testing and monitoring. c. The EU would welcome India's application for protection as a geographical indication of Basmati and shall process any such future application, as expeditiously as possible. d. India welcomes EU's intention to expeditiously initiate the process of recognising additional seed varieties of Basmati rice under Article 28 of the GATTS 1994 for duty derogation, as already requested

by India.

34. Leaders welcomed the establishment of an Investment Facilitation Mechanism (IFM) for EU investments in India as a means to improve the business climate and hoped that the IFM will ease sharing of best practices and innovative technology from the EU to India. Leaders acknowledged that the 'Make in India' initiative may offer investment opportunities for companies based in the EU Member States.

35. Leaders welcomed the establishment of the South Asian Regional Representative Office of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in India and noted that its investments, especially in urban mobility and renewable energy projects, will support India-EU collaboration on the Climate Agenda. The leaders

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com welcomed the new â‚Ź500 million EIB loan agreement for Bangalore Metro Phase-II Project, which is part of EIBs enhanced commitment of â‚Ź1.4 billion in loans to India in 2017.

36. The leaders noted the ongoing positive discussions and the exchange of a Joint Declaration between the Interim Secretariat of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) aimed at mobilising investments for broad-based deployment of affordable solar energy applications across the 121 prospective member countries of the ISA. 37. Both sides adopted a Joint Statement on Clean Energy and Climate Change, reaffirmed their commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement, and agreed to co-operate further to enhance its implementation. India and the EU noted that addressing climate change and promoting secure, affordable and sustainable supplies of energy are key shared priorities and welcomed the progress on the Clean Energy and Climate Partnership, adopted at the 2016 EU-India Summit, and reiterated their commitment to its implementation and further development, in accordance with the work programme agreed at the EUIndia Energy Panel meeting in October 2016.

38. India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to undertake mutual cooperation for reducing the cost of development and deployment of renewable energy projects through technology innovation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, trade and investment, and project establishment.

39. The leaders reiterated the importance of reconciling economic growth and environment protection.

They highlighted the importance of moving towards a more circular economic model that reduces primary resource consumption and enhanced the use of secondary raw materials. They welcomed the contribution of the International Resource Panel, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (through the Indian Resource Panel) and of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) to developing strategies for this crucial economic transition. Both sides agreed that the newly established G20 Resource Efficiency Dialogue will be an ideal platform for knowledge exchange and to jointly promote resource efficiency at a global level. Leaders also agreed to further intensify cooperation on addressing environmental challenges, such as water management and air pollution, acknowledged the progress in implementing the India-EU Water Partnership, including an agreed action programme, the increased cooperation opportunities on research and innovation, looking forward to the third India-EU Water Forum later in the month.

40. The leaders agreed to work towards an enhanced cooperation on innovation and technology development aiming at actions strengthening cooperation between European and Indian industries and start-up ecosystems.

41. The leaders welcomed the intensified technical cooperation between the Indian and European telecom standardisation bodies (TSDSI and ETSI), supported by the EU, and focusing on future global standards for 5G, Intelligent Transport Systems, Internet of Things, Future Networks and telecom security. Both sides encouraged the stakeholders to broaden this cooperation, demonstrate concrete technological solutions, and strengthen links between 'Digital India' and 'Digital Single Market for Europe.'

42. Both sides noted positive exchanges on Internet Governance, on increasing the ease of doing business for ICT companies on both sides, as well as meetings between the Indian and European start-up ecosystems under a 'Start-up Europe India Network'.

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com 43. The two sides confirmed their interest in further strengthening the cooperation in the area of pharmaceuticals, including capacity building of the regulatory system with particular focus on inspections by creating a more structured and stable training environment. The Indian side also highlighted its interest for cooperation on capacity building of the entire pharmaceutical value chain.

44. The leaders adopted the India-EU Joint Statement on a Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Urbanisation with a view to step up cooperation including with regard to priority sectors such as the upgrading of urban infrastructure for transport and sanitation, developing Smart Cities in India, as well as promoting the New Urban Agenda of the United Nations adopted in 2016.

45. The leaders agreed to scale-up cooperation under the renewed India-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in frontier areas of science and technology and in addressing current global challenges in particular in the areas of health, water and clean energy. They welcomed the agreement to launch a major joint flagship initiative of â‚Ź30 million on water-related challenges reflecting the pressing need to cooperate on technological and scientific knowledge and management capacities to cope with increasing stress on water resources. Both sides agreed to work towards reciprocal opening of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 'Horizon 2020' and Indian programmes, and called for an intensified two-way mobility of researchers. To this extent, the two sides welcomed the conclusion of the Implementing Arrangement between the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the European Research Council (ERC).

46. The leaders encouraged Euratom and the Department of Atomic Energy to conclude the Agreement for Research & Development Cooperation in the field of the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. They stressed that this cooperation will contribute to further enhancement of nuclear safety and will be mutually advantageous. The cooperation will also lead to improving the skills and deployment of nonpower technologies in the areas of water, health care & medicine, environment, etc., for the benefit of the society.

47. Both sides will continue their strong partnership in the development of fusion energy, building on the agreements to which they are parties, including under the Euratom-India Cooperation Agreement on Fusion Energy research.

48. The Leaders welcomed the imminent operationalisation of the 2008 Horizontal Civil Aviation Agreement, which will enhance air connectivity between India and Europe and help foster greater peopleto-people contacts, business travel and increase in tourism. The leaders considered the opportunity to deepen transport cooperation in areas of mutual interest across all modes of transport, notably maritime, aviation, urban mobility and, rail.

49. India and the EU agreed to intensify cooperation in skills development and agreed to find complementarities and synergies between India's Skill India initiative and the EU's New Skills Agenda for Europe.

50. The leaders emphasised that, as part of the India-EU Agenda for Action 2020, there was a need to work towards strengthening cooperation on higher-education, including through India's GIAN programme and the EU's Erasmus+ programme. The Erasmus+ programme has just celebrated its 5000th Indian alumni and has offered financing opportunities for institutional cooperation to many Indian universities 51

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com through joint-masters, short-term mobility, capacity building projects and Jean Monnet actions for EU studies. The leaders welcomed that, overall, India has been the number one beneficiary of Erasmus mobility actions in the world since its creation.

51. The two sides took note of the High Level Dialogue on Migration and Mobility held in Brussels on 04 April 2017. They welcomed the understanding reached in advancing the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, including through technical collaboration and undertaking projects in areas of mutual interest, with a view to better organising migration and mobility between India and the EU. 52. The leaders agreed to intensify people-to-people exchanges and facilitate increased travel of tourists, business persons, students and researchers between India and the EU. The Indian side noted the ongoing revision of the EU Blue Card Scheme aimed at easing the flow of highly qualified professionals to the EU. 53. The leaders noted the adoption of the report on 'EU's Political Relations with India' in the European Parliament and welcomed its recommendations for intensifying the exchanges between the Indian and European parliamentary delegations. The leaders also looked forward to intensified exchanges between scholars, think tanks and cultural delegations.

Prime Minister‘s Office of India published this content on 06 October 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.

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European Commission : Joint Statement 14th India-EU Summit, New Delhi, 6 October 201 10/06/2017 | 06:05am EDT Both parties recognised the importance of trade in agricultural products in general, and rice in particular, and agreed to work together to resolve issues that have the potential of disrupting trade. With regard to import tolerance level of tricyclazole in rice (Commission Regulation (EU) 2017 / 983) the relevant plant protection companies will be invited to present new scientific data in order for the European Food Safety Authority to carry out an additional risk assessment without delay. On this basis, the European Commission would expeditiously consider whether to review the above mentioned Regulation. Both sides supported the early institutionalisation of cooperation between the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to focus on exchange of knowledge and expertise in the area of methodologies for data collection, risk assessment and risk

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www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com communication. Furthermore, the EU and India have agreed to further strengthen their cooperation on food safety, notably by: • Strengthening existing dialogues like Agricultural and Marine Working Group, SPS-TBT Working Group to cover issues on food safety and agricultural trade between the relevant Indian ministries/departments and relevant European Commission services.

• Initiating joint projects in areas such as good agricultural practices, development of traceability capacities, and cooperation in laboratory activities, including testing and monitoring.

The EU would welcome India's application for protection as a geographical indication of Basmati and shall process any such future application, as expeditiously as possible.

India welcomes EU's intention to expeditiously initiate the process of recognising additional seed varieties of Basmati rice under Article 28 of the GATT 1994 for duty derogation, as already requested by India. http://www.4-traders.com/news/European-Commission-Joint-Statement-14th-India-EU-Summit-NewDelhi-6-October-2017--25238695/

Sen. Villar wants to realign P57-billion proposed budget for DA in 2018 Published October 6, 2017, 10:00 PM

By Madelaine B. Miraflor The Department of Agriculture (DA) may have failed to allocate its funds to its proper use, which could be the reason why it‘s taking so long for lawmakers to give the agency‘s 2018 budget proposal a go.Of all people, one person who is particularly unimpressed by how the DA drafted its 2018 budget proposal is Senator Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Senate committee on agriculture and food.

On the sidelines of ASEAN Agriculture Summit held in Pasay, Villar said she has to ―realign‖ the budget for the agriculture sector so it can be used ―on more important things.‖―You have to plan well your budget so it will go to things that will directly be used to improve the lives of farmers and fisherfolks,‖ Villar said in an interview with reporters.Villar, who is also the chairperson of the Senate sub-committee on finance, said they are inclined to approve a 2018 budget of P57 billion for DA. While this is slightly higher than this year‘s budget of P54 billion, this is almost a ―drop in the bucket‖ compared to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol‘s original request of P220 billion.At some point, Piñol even said before that he will not settle for a budget lower than R120 billion for next year.―I realigned (the budget proposal for agriculture). I put the budget to more important things. I didn‘t add anything. I just fixed it in a way that rice seeds will be provided to PhilRice 53

www.ricepluss.com | www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For Online/Newsletter Advertisment mujahid.riceplus@gamil.com (Philippine Rice Research Institute) so they can distribute inbred seeds to cooperatives and irrigators. In that way, they can teach farmers how to plant inbred seeds that will give them yield of 6 metric tons (MT) per hectare,‖ Villar said.

According to her, there is now a misconception among the officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) over the use of hybrid rice seeds over inbred varieties. ―Meron silang mga belief eh (they have certain beliefs)… hybrid is better than inbred. Hindi natin gusto pangunahan natin sila sa kanilang mga belief (we don‘t want to get ahead of them over their belief). We are dividing. Para walang argument, kalahati inbred, kalahati hybrid (so to avoid further arguments, we will purchase half inbred, half hybrid),‖ Villar said. ―Because inbred performs just like the hybrid but its cost is only 15 percent of the hybrid seeds.

Our small budget should be utilized well,‖ she added.To recall, Piñol has been highlighting the significance of rice hybridization towards the country‘s rice sufficiency target.

Piñol said before that hybrid rice can double farmers‘ harvest from the present 4.15 MT per hectare national average yield per hectare.

Hybridization is supposedly part of the ‗Masaganang Ani 200‘ program of the government, which was first implemented, albeit a failure, during the time of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

It was in 1973 when Marcos launched Masagana 99 to increase rice productivity of rice lands in the country by using high-yielding rice varieties developed by the International Rice Research Institute.

The term refers to the number of sacks of rice produced per hectare of land in each harvest.

While the program made the nation self-sufficient in rice for a while, Masagana 99 had turned out to be unsustainable because local farmers failed to pay the loans they obtained in purchasing certified seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides needed to grow profitable crops of rice.

Now, it seems that the Duterte administration wants to give the program another try.

Piñol said that Masaganang Ani 200 should enable Philippines to stop rice importation, which is an economically and politically destabilizing food strategy.

Meanwhile, Villar said that she also opted to increase the country‘s budget allocation for livestock and poultry.

She noted that the livestock and poultry sectors represent only 3 percent of the proposed DA budget, despite contributing 33 percent to the total farm output.

Tags: ASEAN Agriculture Summit, budget proposal, Cynthia Villar, Department of Agriculture, hybrid rice, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Piñol, rice seeds

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