9th april 2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter by DAILY RICE NEWS LETTER

Rice News Headlines…                          

Iran, Pakistan witness double-digit rise in non-oil trade Govt to procure 1 million metric ton rice in Boro season Chinese scientists find gene that increases rice yields in saline soil Gambian state foregoes $6M+ revenue to make rice affordable Philippines plans to import 250,000 tonnes rice via open tender Higher rice prices added pressure to Philippine inflation Inflation fears 'Seawater rice' may help fill food gap ANALYSIS-Obesity among Asia-Pacific children is a growing health crisis - researchers Inspection at rice mill godown Boro rice: Govt to pay Tk 2 more to farmers, Tk 4 more to millers Govt to buy rice at Tk 38 per kg Chinese scientists find gene that increases rice yields in saline soil Growing trend in Parboiled Rice Market including key players Riceland, Spekko, Alesie Grow fruits, spices instead of wheat, rice to deal with water scarcity’ Alvarez backs Duterte’s directive to abolish NFA council United States Red Yeast Rice Market Growth Rate, Product Revenue, Production Area, Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Type 2021 China Rice Husk Ash Market Growth Rate, Product Revenue, Production Area, Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Type 2022 Growing trend in Parboiled Rice Market including key players Riceland, Spekko, Alesie FG budgets N3.4bn for rice, cotton value chain DU30 orders rice imports Rice and Food Grains Tech Expo 2018 gets underway at Guwahati IT has reduced the scope of corruption to a great extent’ Develop farmers’ income for development of state’s economy: Sonowal Rice Breeders Report Huge Productivity Gains Delhi pins hopes on neighbours for clean air

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Iran, Pakistan witness double-digit rise in non-oil trade Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-08 22:04:40|Editor: Lifang TEHRAN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The value of trade exchange between Iran and Pakistan rose by 13.5 percent in a period of 11 months up to this February, Financial Tribune daily reported on Sunday.The volume of bilateral non-oil trade was 2.27 million tons, with the value standing at 1.176 billion U.S. dollars. According to Islamic Republic Customs Administration, Iran exported 1.94 million tons of goods worth 822.20 million U.S. dollars to Pakistan during the period. Pakistan exported some 330,000 tons of goods worth 353.89 million U.S. dollars to Iran during the same period. According to official IRNA news agency, the exported items of Iran comprised iron ore, iron scrap, dates, detergents, transformers, chemicals, bitumen, polyethylene, propylene etc, while the imported items from Pakistan included rice, fresh fruits, meat, cloth and mechanical machinery. Iran and Pakistan have agreed to enhance the bilateral trade volume to 5 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/08/c_137096111.htm

Govt to procure 1 million metric ton rice in Boro season Published at 09:26 PM April 08, 2018 Last updated at 09:30 PM April 08, 2018 Food Minister Qamrul Islam, along with Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, address a briefing after a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) at the Food Ministry Conference room on Sunday; April 8, 2018 PIDAccording

to the Food Ministry, the government has

12.97 lakh metric tonnes food grain reserves. Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Sunday said the government has set a target to collect 10 lakh metric tonnes of Boro rice in the current season in view of the bumper production this year.

â&#x20AC;&#x2022;The government will procure 8 lakh metric tonnes of parboiled rice, 1 lakh metric tonnes of atap rice and 1.50 lakh metric tonnes Boro paddy (which would produce one lakh metric tonnes

of rice),‖ he told the journalists after a meeting of Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) at the Food Ministry Conference room in the city.The minister said the procurement price for per kg paddy has been fixed at Tk26 and rice at Tk38.―The production cost of Boro rice was Taka 36 per kg this year and so the government will buy it for Taka 38 per kg. Atap rice will be bought for Taka 37 per kg and Boro paddy for Taka 26 per kg,‖ he added. According to the Food Ministry, the government has 12.97 lakh metric tonnes food grain reserves.Quamrul Islam said the government will not procure wheat this year due to this year‘s limited production.Bangladesh has produced a total of 13 lakh metric tonnes of wheat this year, he added. He said the paddy and rice procurement drive will begin on May 2 and continue till August 31. With Food Minister Advocate Quamrul Islam in the chair, the meeting was also attended by, among others, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and senior officials concerned http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/04/08/govt-procure-one-million-metricton-rice-boro-season/

Chinese scientists find gene that increases rice yields in saline soil Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-08 17:43:47|Editor: ZD BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have found a gene that can help reduce the effect of soil salinization on rice yields.The gene, named STRK1, is crucial in reducing the harm caused by high salt infiltration, and increasing salt tolerance of rice, according to the research by Hunan University and Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.The achievement of the research team led by Professor Liu Xuanming and Lin Jianzhong was published in the latest issue of "Plant Cell." Salinization of cultivated land affects the growth of grain crops and threatens food security. There are 950 million hectares of saline-alkali land in the world, of which China has 100 million hectares. About 20 percent of the world's irrigated farmland has become salinized by global warming, resulting in low crop yields.Rice is the dominant grain crop in China, but it is vulnerable to high salt environments. The research team has studied on how to improve the salt tolerance of rice for almost five years."The results of the research can help increase rice yields in saline soil and lay a foundation for related studies in breeding," said Lin. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/08/c_137095813.htm

Gambian state foregoes $6M+ revenue to make rice affordable Published on 08.04.2018 Ă 14h21 by APA Share

The Gambia government in a bid to make essential foodstuff affordable in the country has removed the customs duty on imported rice, leading to a loss of D32,0024000 ($6,809,021) in tax revenue within three months.Tens of thousands of tonnes are imported annually to complement domestic output and satisfy demand for rice, which is the staple food in the Gambia.The revenue loss was revealed by one Baboucarr Ceesay, an economist working with the Gambia Competition Commission consumer protection section, during a stakeholders meeting with major rice importers at held recently the Ministry of Trade in Banjul. The meeting was convened to look into the possibility of reductions in the prices of basic food commodities, especially rice.The permanent secretary at the Trade ministry, Mrs Naffie Barry, said it was the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s decision to explore ways of curtailing price of rice and other essential food items for the benefit of the population.

She announced that the new government in Banjul had abolished the 10 percent import duty on rice in January, in a bid to bring down the price of the staple food to a level affordable to the Gambian population.

The price reduction as a result of the 10 percent tax exemption was not implemented since then, so as to allow importers sell already imported stock, and that they were given three months to sell the taxed stock.‖Now the government wants to see the zero tax on rice be transformed into a reduction of prices for the Gambian consumers,‖ she stressed, adding that it wants to ensure a low cost of living for the citizenry. During the meeting, officials acknowledged there had been a slight decrease in the price of the American rice brand, from D1080 ($22) to D1025 ($21), but argued that prices for a rice brand called ‖Saddam‖, as well as rice brands from Pakistan and India remain high. Meanwhile, some of the major importers of food commodities said, despite the tax exemption, they were still spending a lot of money in the importation process including for clearing, handling and discharging of their goods at the port of Banjul. ‖I had imported six to seven vessels last year, and sometimes my vessels were delayed at the port while priority was given to cement vessels. I paid a lot of money for the delayed vessels as well,‖ one Hassan Akar complained, while urging the government to look into those issues as well.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the rice dealers agreed to cooperate with the government in its drive to reduce the price of rice from now on, and vowed to import adequate stock for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/gambian-state-foregoes-6m-revenue-to-make-riceaffordable/

Philippines plans to import 250,000 tonnes rice via open tender Higher rice prices added pressure to Philippine inflation

A worker carries a sack of rice inside a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Taguig city, south of Manila, August 25, 2015. The Philippines aims to increase rice production by as much as 6.5 percent next year after an expected fall in this year's output, with state spending to boost crop yields helping to offset possible losses from the El Nino dry weather condition, a senior official said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco By Enrico dela Cruz, Reuters News

MANILA - The Philippines' food security agency plans to buy 250,000 tonnes of rice in a government-to-government deal with Vietnam or Thailand to beef up depleted buffer stock, a spokesman said on Sunday. The purchase is on top of the importation of 250,000 tonnes in an open international tender that has already been approved, Rex Estoperez, spokesman of the state-run National Food Authority (NFA), told Reuters.The Philippines, a frequent rice importer, saw domestic prices of the staple grain increase by 3-4 percent in late January and rise further in the succeeding weeks, as state stockpiles dropped to their lowest in more than two decades.Higher rice prices added pressure to Philippine inflation, which hit an annual pace of 4.3 percent in March, the fastest in five years. Rice imports will boost the buffer stock of the NFA, which supplies cheaper rice to the local market and helps stabilise domestic prices. Asked if the emergency purchase needed NFA Council approval, Estoperez said President Rodrigo Duterte had already authorised NFA Administrator Jason Aquino to proceed with theimportation.The council, composed of government economic managers, earlier approved the purchase of 250,000 tonnes via a tender open to international traders and suppliers, for delivery starting May, ahead of the lean domestic harvest season from July. The council prefers an open tender, which makes pricing transparent and less prone to corruption, over a government-to-government deal. https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Philippines_plans_to_import_250000_tonnes_rice_via_open_tenderZAWYA20180408102356/

Inflation fears Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:10 AM April 09, 2018 Prices of consumer products have been expected to increase this year because of the recently passed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act and the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012, which imposed new taxes or raised existing ones on a number of products.Starting in

January, the TRAIN Law either increased or imposed new taxes on sugar-sweetened products such as soft drinks, and on petroleum products and automobiles. Cigarettes and alcoholic drinks also had a scheduled tax increase at the start of the year under the Sin Tax Law. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported last week that consumer prices rose on average by 4.3 percent in March — the fastest since August 2014 and above the government‘s target range for 2018. It was partly due to the double-digit jump in prices of ―sin‖ products and the 5.8-percent increase in food prices. This higher inflation will be replicated in the remaining months of the year. Compared to a year ago, this year‘s prices will naturally be higher because of the additional taxes. This is the low-base effect as prices last year did not carry the additional or new taxes that prices of consumer products do this year. Some economists have predicted that consumer price increases will hit seven-year highs and prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise interest rates to keep inflation in check. When interest rates are low (as they were for the past couple of years), consumers are able to borrow more money to spend, causing higher economic growth and increasing inflation. The opposite happens when interest rates are increased. What is worrisome in the next few months, however, is the additional pressure on inflation that is expected to come from rice. The National Food Authority has run out of supply of cheap rice for the low-income segment of the population. Rice imports of 250,000 metric tons from Vietnam and Thailand will be arriving only in end-May. The poor will be most affected by the absence of NFA rice. Without the cheap NFA rice sold for P27 a kilo, they now have to shell out at least P12 more a kilo because the lowest priced

commercial rice goes for P39 a kilo.Then there are the crooked traders who might take advantage of the seeming rice shortage (there is actually enough supply, but of the expensive commercial rice) by hoarding the stocks to push prices higher and bring them more profits. The Duterte administration is appealing to rice traders to further lower the prices of their cheapest commercial rice to help those who get by on NFA rice. But it is doubtful that traders will heed such a call. Traders have reportedly offered to sell at P39 a kilo, the lowest that they can go, claiming that the cheapest regular milled rice now costs more than P40 a kilo. We can therefore expect the food component of the basket of goods and services monitored to determine inflation to increase in this month and in May. Last March, rice prices increased by 3.6 percent, higher than the 2.8 percent in February, as farm gate prices of palay have been on an upward trend since the second week of January, according to the National Economic and Development Authority. Monetary authorities had projected inflation correctly when doing their calculations based on the impact of the TRAIN Law, a weaker peso that makes imported raw materials more expensive, and rising crude oil prices abroad. However, it is the unexpected inflation pressure from rice that could be more problematic particularly in the next two months, or until the rice imports arrive in end-May. Analysts are starting to anticipate the Bangko Sentralâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s raising of interest rates to keep inflation within its target range of 2-4 percent for 2018.But this early, monetary authorities expect inflation to breach this target and average 4.3 percent for the year.How high interest rates should go will therefore be a delicate balancing act for the Bangko Sentral, a major test for the new governor, Nestor Espenilla. https://opinion.inquirer.net/112317/inflation-fears

ANALYSIS-Obesity among Asia-Pacific children is a growing health crisis - researchers APRIL 9, 2018

Michael Taylor

APRIL 9, 2018 / 5:00 AM / KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Obesity rates among children in Asia-Pacific are rising at a rapid rate, and more action is needed to encourage healthier lifestyles and ease pressure on fledgling healthcare systems, researchers said.The number of overweight children under five rose 38 percent between 2000 and 2016 in the region, and the problem is growing, said Sridhar Dharmapuri, a food safety and nutrition officer at the U.N.‘s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bangkok. ―The rate of growth in obesity in Asia-Pacific is higher than in many other countries,‖ Dharmapuri told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.―While the United States leads the way on obesity rates, the number of overweight children in Asia-Pacific is rising rapidly, and many countries in this region are now among the most health-threatened in the world.‖Adult obesity rates are highest in the United States, Mexico, New Zealand and Hungary, and lowest in Japan and South Korea, according to a report on member states by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.But the rapid rise in obesity among young people in Asia-Pacific is worrying because overweight children are at higher risk of becoming obese as adults and then developing serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and liver disease. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand are among the most overweight countries in Southeast Asia, while Samoa, Tonga and Nauru are the most overweight in the Pacific. Australia also has high rates of obesity.Many of these nations are also struggling to tackle malnutrition among their citizens.The cost to the Asia-Pacific region of citizens being overweight or obese is $166 billion a year, a recent report by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) said.Rising wealth levels over the last 20 years have played a major role in the rise in obesity levels, researchers say. ―The region has undergone economic growth, so food has become available at a relatively cheaper price,‖ said Matthias Helble, an economist at the ADBI in Tokyo.―For the last 20 years the economic growth has been almost uninterrupted,‖ said Helble, who has researched obesity levels in the region for three years.The ―obesity time bomb‖ will be discussed by the 46 member governments attending the FAO conference for Asia and the Pacific, which starts in Fiji from Monday.

LIFESTYLE CHOICES In addition to consuming more, as economies have grown, people in Asia-Pacific have moved away from farming into manufacturing, and then to service sector jobs - which are more sedentary, researchers said.

Cities in Asia-Pacific have also seen unprecedented growth over the last two decades; this year more than half the region‘s population will for the first time be urban, the United Nations has estimated.City-dwellers in Asia-Pacific can spend hours commuting - due to poor transport systems and infrastructure - and when they finally reach home they have little time to cook. Many opt to eat out. This new lifestyle has caused a rise in the consumption of convenience and processed foods, which often contain excess fats and more salt and sugar, researchers said.People in the region also struggle to maintain a balanced diet, said Dharmapuri, with meals often lacking vegetables.―The diet is largely rice-based,‖ he said. ―On anybody‘s plate, rice takes up between 50-70 percent of the space.‖ When people are overweight they often suffer from other health problems, economists said, and this is likely to put pressure on public healthcare systems that are only just being established in many Asia-Pacific nations.Absenteeism from work is also higher among obese people, said Helble, adding that overweight people often die earlier than those who lead healthy lives, so have a shorter productive life. ―The term ‗obesogenic environment‘ has been used to describe an environment that promotes obesity among individuals and populations,‖ Elizabeth Ingram of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - a government statistics agency - said by email.

―It includes physical, economic, political, and sociocultural factors.‖

JOINT EFFORT Fixing the problem will likely take years, and researchers said a joint effort by business and governments was needed.Better labeling on foods to promote healthier options, education about healthier diets and lifestyles, and even healthier school meals would improve the situation, analysts said.―Being obese can also be seen as a sign of prosperity, because you have enough food to show your wealth through the fact that you have a lot to eat,‖ said Helble.

Sugar taxes, which have been introduced or are being discussed in the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, are also one way to change people‘s mindset, he added.

Building more sports facilities at schools and ensuring urban planners include recreational areas for cities and make them more walkable and less polluted, is also crucial.

Governments must work with retailers, like in Singapore, to create a coordinated approach on packaging and promote a balanced diet, researchers said.Working with retailers to ban unhealthy and sweet foods from checkout areas, and pushing street vendors to switch from fried foods to healthier, more traditional options, are also key. And countries should adopt a ―farm to fork‖ approach, which encourages farmers to diversify what they grow and be less reliant on growing just rice, said Dharmapuri. "In some Pacific island countries, it's actually easier to buy soft drinks and processed foods than buy fruits and vegetables," said Dharmapuri. "It's almost a delicacy to have a vegetable in a restaurant." (Reporting by Michael Taylor, Editing by Robert Carmichael. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org) https://uk.reuters.com/article/asia-obesity/analysis-obesity-among-asia-pacific-children-is-a-growinghealth-crisis-researchers-idUKL4N1RJ27N

Inspection at rice mill godown Verification at mills under way to unearth bungling, if any Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 8 Alarmed over the bungling of government paddy by a sheller in Jandiala Guru, officials of the Department of Food and Civil Supplies have started verification of the rice shellers in the state to unearth irregularities, if any. The inspection has been started on the directions of the state government, it has been learnt. A team of the department from Chandigarh inspected godowns of the Punjab Basmati Rice Mill located on the Tarn Taran road on Sunday. Officials were tight-lipped over the outcome of the inspection which continued till late evening. ―The step has been taken to unearth embezzlement, if any, of government paddy by rice millers as there have been complaints against several shellers,‖ said an official preferring not to be

named. He said the final report of the inspections would be handed over to the Director of the Food and Civil Supplies for necessary action. Meanwhile, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Front president Gurmeet Singh Bablu alleged that there had been a bungling of paddy in another prominent rice sheller in the district. He alleged that officials of the Pungrain and District Food and Civil Supplies had deliberately failed to provide information to him under RTI Act regarding the government paddy stored in the said rice sheller in stipulated period. ―They are deliberately delaying the information in order to save the rice sheller who is very influential in the region. The rice sheller has the capacity of around 75,000 bags but according to information the department issued 4 lakh paddy bags to it in violation of the norms. Now, I have sought the information from the Pungrain Board, Punjab,‖ he added. Another RTI activist, Varun Sareen, too, has accused the department of siphoning off government paddy. Activist alleges irregularities Gurmeet Singh Bablu, who heads a social organisation, has accused a rice sheller of bungling government paddy. He says food and civil supplies officials are hand in glove as ―they have been delaying action on an RTI query‖ filed by him only to save themselves and the rice sheller in question http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/inspection-at-rice-millgodown/570798.html

Boro rice: Govt to pay Tk 2 more to farmers, Tk 4 more to millers Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2018-04-08 15:39:59.0 BdST Updated: 2018-04-08 16:02:48.0 BdST

The government will procure Boro rice paddy at Tk 26 per kg and rice at Tk 38 per kg during this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Boro season.By this measure Boro farmers will receive Tk 2 per kg more than they did last year, while millers will receive Tk 4 more per kg.Food Minister Md Qamrul Islam said that the government would buy rice and paddy between May 2 and Aug 31 this year.The government has set a collection target of 1 million metric tonnes of Boro rice and paddies due to the bumper crop this year, Islam said at a press briefing following a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit at the Secretariat on Sunday. The government will procure 800,000 metric tonnes of parboiled rice, 100,000 metric tonnes of Atap rice and 150,000 metric tonnes Boro rice paddies (which would produce 100,000 tonnes of rice). The production cost of Boro rice was Tk 36 per kg this year and so the government would buy it at Tk 38 per kg, the food minister said. Atap rice will be bought at Tk 37 per kg and Boro rice paddy at Tk 26 per kg. Last year the government bought 700,000 tonnes of rice paddies at Tk 24 per kg and 800,000 tonnes of rice at Tk 34 per kg. Due to sufficient food reserves the government has reduced its domestic procurement target this year. Heavy rains, mountain run-off and three rounds of floods devastated last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Boro crop and forced the government to lower tariffs and import a substantial amount of rice to stabilise the market. According to the food ministry, the government has 969,000 metric tonnes of rice and 362,000 metric tonnes of wheat in its reserves.

The government will not procure wheat this year due to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s limited production, the food minister said. Bangladesh has produced a total of 1.3 million tonnes of wheat this year, he said. https://bdnews24.com/economy/2018/04/08/boro-rice-tk-2-more-for-farmers-tk-4-for-millers 12:00 AM, April 09, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:32 AM, April 09, 2018

Govt to buy rice at Tk 38 per kg Staff Correspondent

The government has decided to buy rice from millers at Tk 38 per kg this Boro season, which is 12 percent higher than the previous season.The decision was taken yesterday at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee at the secretariat, presided over by Food Minister Qamrul Islam. The minister said the production cost of rice in this Boro season was Tk 36 per kg and the purchasing price was fixed adding Tk 2. Last year, the production cost of Boro rice was Tk 31 per kg, he said.

The meeting also decided to procure paddy for Tk 26 a kg directly from the farmers while last year the procurement price was Tk 22 per kg. The food ministry in a statement said in the coming Boro season the government will buy 9 lakh tonnes of rice and 1.5 lakh tonnes of paddy. The procurement drive will start on May 2 and continue till August 31. This year, the agriculture ministry has fixed a target of 1.90 crore tonnes of Boro rice production. At present, the food reserve is 12.98 lakh tonnes, highest in the last 20 years, according to the food ministry. https://www.thedailystar.net/city/govt-buy-rice-tk-38-kg-1560151.

Chinese scientists find gene that increases rice yields in saline soil Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-08 17:43:47|Editor: ZD BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have found a gene that can help reduce the effect of soil salinization on rice yields. The gene, named STRK1, is crucial in reducing the harm caused by high salt infiltration, and increasing salt tolerance of rice, according to the research by Hunan University and Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The achievement of the research team led by Professor Liu Xuanming and Lin Jianzhong was published in the latest issue of "Plant Cell." Salinization of cultivated land affects the growth of grain crops and threatens food security. There are 950 million hectares of saline-alkali land in the world, of which China has 100 million hectares. About 20 percent of the world's irrigated farmland has become salinized by global warming, resulting in low crop yields. Rice is the dominant grain crop in China, but it is vulnerable to high salt environments. The research team has studied on how to improve the salt tolerance of rice for almost five years. "The results of the research can help increase rice yields in saline soil and lay a foundation for related studies in breeding," said Lin. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/08/c_137095813.htm

Growing trend in Parboiled Rice Market including key players Riceland, Spekko, Alesie April 7, 2018 - by info@htfmarketreport.com

HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Parboiled Rice market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Parboiled Rice market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Frozen food, Instant dry mixes of soup & Others], products type [Long grain, Medium grain & Short grain] and various important geographies like United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia & India]. Get Access to sample pages @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1070304global-parboiled-rice-sales-market The research covers the current market size of the Global Parboiled Rice market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers. The in-depth information by segments of Parboiled Rice market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Parboiled Rice Market. The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Parboiled Rice Market, some of them listed here are Buhler AG, Induss Group, Parboiled Rice Thailand, National Rice Company, Udon Rice Co., Ltd, Riceland International Limited, Sandstone International Co., Ltd., Riceland, Spekko & Alesie. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology. Global Parboiled Rice (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Long grain, Medium grain & Short grain. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Frozen food, Instant dry mixes of soup & Others with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate. Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Parboiled Rice in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia & India and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1070304-global-parboiled-rice-sales-market Following would be the Chapters to display the Global Parboiled Rice market. Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Parboiled Rice, Applications of Parboiled Rice, Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure; Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Parboiled Rice, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia & India, Parboiled Rice Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Parboiled Rice Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Parboiled Rice; Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Long grain, Medium grain & Short grain], Market Trend by Application [Frozen food, Instant dry mixes of soup & Others]; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Parboiled Rice; Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe Parboiled Rice sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-beforebuy/1070304-global-parboiled-rice-sales-market What this Research Study Offers: Global Parboiled Rice Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments Market share analysis of the top industry players Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Market forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

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Grow fruits, spices instead of wheat, rice to deal with water scarcity‘ Kalbe AliUpdated April 08, 2018

Urbanisation causes water resources to shrink and ultimately reduces its availability for agricultural purposes.—APP ISLAMABAD: ―Countries have developed capacity to store water for three years and more, but we are still sadly standing at the 20-day reserve level due to our heavy reliance on the running rivers for agriculture,‖ said Former Adviser to the finance ministry Dr Salman Shah.Addressing a discussion titled, ‗Driving Pakistan‘s Water Policy‘, organised by Hisaar Foundation on Friday, Mr Shah said that Pakistan has surplus water, but manages it poorly.

He said that water shortage in the country was primarily caused by the absence of a broad-based water management policy. ―Pakistan should shift to growing fruits and spices, instead of growing wheat and rice, to manage water and land utilisation,‖ he added.Dr Shah said that even industrialised countries had invested timely into their water infrastructure, yet Pakistan has not availed the advantage of its current water position. ―We waste too much water. In case of Punjab, the province has an annual 54 million acre feet (MAF) supply, but its canals show only 30MAF – where does the remaining water goes?‖He said that a nationwide study is required over water supply through the canal systems, wastage, leakage, utilisation and eventually the output. Dr Shah highlighted that Punjab gives around 4ft per acre to its southern districts, whereas around 1ft per acre to its northern parts. Globally, the standard is 2ft per acre in countries having high agricultural productivity like Australia, South Africa and California. He said that as cities grow, their demand for water increases too, causing its share for agriculture to decline. ―This means that Pakistan needs to modernise its water usage.‖ He also suggested that there is a need to shift from food crops to cash crops to boost the economy, as the country can import cheap wheat, rice and corn instead of growing costly produce.Wapda‘s former member Khalid Mohtadullah said that the best way to mitigate the impact of climate change is to enhance water storage capacity as the natural storage in the form of glaciers is at the risk of meltdown. ―Glaciers are melting faster than expected, therefore there is a higher flow of water in the rivers – but this is for a limited period. Besides, snowfall has also declined in many parts,‖ he said adding, ―In both the cases we need to build dams to store water otherwise we are heading for a disaster.‖Hisaar Foundation‘s Convener Simi Kamal said that water management is a national issue and our political leadership should take the matter seriously at a war footing.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1400314/grow-fruits-spices-instead-of-wheat-rice-to-deal-with-waterscarcity

Alvarez backs Duterte’s directive to abolish NFA council April 8, 2018, 3:33 PM By Charissa Luci-Atienza Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today rallied behind President Duterte‘s directive to abolish the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to address the country‘s rice supply woes.Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez The House chief sided with President Duterte who reportedly ordered the scrapping of the NFA‘s policy-making body this week.―Personally, I think we don‘t need such as council. We already have an NFA administrator. Now, if he would only do his job I don‘t think we would have any problem (on rice supply),‖ Alvarez said in a radio interview.He also expressed openness to reconstituting the council, noting that congressional probe may be needed to determine the necessary amendments to Presidential Decree 4, as amended by PD 1770, which created the council.―We might have to look into this matter because if the council was created by law we need to amend it,‖ Alvarez said.On Friday, President Duterte directed the abolition of the 18-man council amid disagreements over the rice importation policy between the council and the NFA.However, Malacañang later clarified that the Chief Executive merely wants to reconstitute the council.Alvarez said he cannot help, but be puzzled why the country still needs to import rice from neighboring countries whose agriculturists studied at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños.―I don‘t understand why we still need to import rice,‖ Alvarez said.He said the vast tracts of agricultural lands in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao can be tapped to produce rice. He called on the Department of Agriculture, the National Irrigation Administration and the NFA to look deeper into the recurring rice supply problem.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/08/alvarez-backs-dutertes-directive-to-abolish-nfa-council/

United States Red Yeast Rice Market Growth Rate, Product Revenue, Production Area, Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Type 2021 April 7, 2018 - by rashmi.s

The United States Red Yeast Rice Market research report includes important data on the trends that can help the businesses within the industry to understand the industry and make plan accordingly for the growth and development of their business. The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis. The United States Red Yeast Rice market study provides comprehensive data which enhances the understanding, scope and application of this report. The United States Red Yeast Rice Market Research Report is a valuable source of insightful data for business strategies.It provides the United States Red Yeast Rice industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable). The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis.The United States Red Yeast Rice market study provides comprehensive data which enhances the understanding, scope and application of this report. Request a Sample of this report from:https://www.marketreportsworld.com/enquiry/request-sample/10742318 The report provides comprehensive analysis of: Key market segments and sub-segments Evolving market trends and dynamics Changing supply and demand scenarios Quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market forecasting Tracking current trends/opportunities/challenges Competitive insights

Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughs A further section of the United States Red Yeast Rice report gives an interpretation of Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin , Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors of the United States Red Yeast Rice market for each region, product types, and applications. Moreover it covers the imminent scope of the United States Red Yeast Rice market. Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @ :https://www.marketreportsworld.com/enquiry/preorder-enquiry/10742318 Product classification, of United States Red Yeast Rice industry involves- Type1, Type2, Type3. Some of the applications, mentioned in United States Red Yeast Rice market reportApplication1, Application2, Application3. Reasons for Buying this Report This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments Purchase United States Red Yeast Rice Market report @: https://www.marketreportsworld.com/purchase/10742318 United States Red Yeast Rice Market Forecast 2017- 2021

The United States Red Yeast Rice industry research report analyses the supply, sales Price,futuristic cost and market status comprehensively. Production market shares and sales market shares are analysed along with the study of capacity,Production and revenue. Several other factors such as Growth Rate,gross margin, price, cost, and consumption are also analysed under the section Analysis of United States Red Yeast Rice Market. Lastly, This report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years, the Report also brief deals with the product life cycle, comparing it to the relevant products from across industries that had already been commercialized details the potential for various applications, discussing about recent product innovations and gives an overview on potential regional market . https://businessservices24.com/406418/united-states-red-yeast-rice-market-growth-rate-product-revenueproduction-area-manufacturing-base-distribution-product-type-2021/

China Rice Husk Ash Market Growth Rate, Product Revenue, Production Area, Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Type 2022 April 7, 2018 - by rashmi.s

The China Rice Husk Ash Market research report includes important data on the trends that can help the businesses within the industry to understand the industry and make plan accordingly for the growth and development of their business. The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis. The China Rice Husk Ash market study provides comprehensive data which enhances the understanding, scope and application of this report. The China Rice Husk Ash Market Research Report is a valuable source of insightful data for business strategies.It provides the China Rice Husk Ash industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable). The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis.The China Rice Husk Ash market study provides comprehensive data which enhances the understanding, scope and application of this report. Request a Sample of this report from:https://www.marketreportsworld.com/enquiry/request-sample/10832979 The report provides comprehensive analysis of:

Key market segments and sub-segments Evolving market trends and dynamics Changing supply and demand scenarios Quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market forecasting Tracking current trends/opportunities/challenges Competitive insights Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughs A further section of the China Rice Husk Ash report gives an interpretation of Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin , Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors of the China Rice Husk Ash market for each region, product types, and applications. Moreover it covers the imminent scope of the China Rice Husk Ash market. Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @ :https://www.marketreportsworld.com/enquiry/preorder-enquiry/10832979 Product classification, of China Rice Husk Ash industry involves- Type1, Type2, Type3. Some of the applications, mentioned in China Rice Husk Ash market report- Application1, Application2, Application3. Reasons for Buying this Report This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future

It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments Purchase China Rice Husk Ash Market report @: https://www.marketreportsworld.com/purchase/10832979 China Rice Husk Ash Market Forecast 2017- 2022 The China Rice Husk Ash industry research report analyses the supply, sales Price,futuristic cost and market status comprehensively. Production market shares and sales market shares are analysed along with the study of capacity,Production and revenue. Several other factors such as Growth Rate,gross margin, price, cost, and consumption are also analysed under the section Analysis of China Rice Husk Ash Market. Lastly, This report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years, the Report also brief deals with the product life cycle, comparing it to the relevant products from across industries that had already been commercialized details the potential for various applications, discussing about recent product innovations and gives an overview on potential regional market https://businessservices24.com/410962/china-rice-husk-ash-market-growth-rate-product-revenueproduction-area-manufacturing-base-distribution-product-type-2022/

Growing trend in Parboiled Rice Market including key players Riceland, Spekko, Alesie April 7, 2018 - by info@htfmarketreport.com

The research covers the current market size of the Global Parboiled Rice market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers. The in-depth information by segments of Parboiled Rice market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Parboiled Rice Market. The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Parboiled Rice Market, some of them listed here are Buhler AG, Induss Group, Parboiled Rice Thailand, National Rice Company, Udon Rice Co., Ltd, Riceland International Limited, Sandstone International Co., Ltd., Riceland, Spekko & Alesie. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology. Global Parboiled Rice (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Long grain, Medium grain & Short grain. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Frozen food, Instant dry mixes of soup & Others with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate. Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Parboiled Rice in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia & India and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1070304-global-parboiled-rice-sales-market Following would be the Chapters to display the Global Parboiled Rice market. Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Parboiled Rice, Applications of Parboiled Rice, Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure; Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Parboiled Rice, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia & India, Parboiled Rice Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Parboiled Rice Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major

Manufacturers Analysis of Parboiled Rice; Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Long grain, Medium grain & Short grain], Market Trend by Application [Frozen food, Instant dry mixes of soup & Others]; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Parboiled Rice; Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe Parboiled Rice sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-beforebuy/1070304-global-parboiled-rice-sales-market What this Research Study Offers: Global Parboiled Rice Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments Market share analysis of the top industry players Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Market forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Buy this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buynow?format=1&report=1070304 Reasons for Buying this Report This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. About Author: HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the ―Accurate Forecast‖ in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their ―Goals & Objectives‖. https://theanalystfinancial.com/133644/growing-trend-in-parboiled-rice-market-including-key-playersriceland-spekko-alesie/

FG budgets N3.4bn for rice, cotton value chain By Nuruddeen M. Abdallah, Vincent A. Yusuf, Francis Arinze Iloani, & Safina Buhari | Publish Date: Apr 8 2018 2:00AM The federal government is planning to spend N3.47 billion on the development of value chain of rice and cotton - the two areas government said it is determined to attain self- sufficiency.This figure is about N200 million less than what the government budgeted last year, according to the analysis of 2018 budget proposal. Despite series of interventions by federal government, agriculture has failed to attract adequate private investments and generate decent job opportunities.

Dwindling fortune of value chain In 2017, the federal government budgeted N3.63 billion in value development of rice and cotton. The key area of agricultural development with the potentials to create millions of jobs is in the various crops value chain development, which the governments at all levels are paying little attention to.

Analysis of the 2018 estimates revealed that the federal government has proposed N24.9 billion on agriculture value chain development, about 14.7 percent reduction on what it budgeted last year. In 2017, the total budget for agricultural value chain development was N29.2 billion. Of the N24.9 billion value chain votes this year, only N3.47 billion was earmarked for rice and cotton against last year‘s N3.63 billion, despite the government‘s trumpeted commitment to the development of the two crops. This year, the federal agriculture ministry earmarked N1.47 billion for development and promotion of cotton, against last year‘s N1.62 billion. The government earmarked N2.04 billion for rice value chain, compared to the N2.01 billion provided for the crop in 2017. Data from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shows country‘s demand for rice stands at 6.3 million tons, while the supply is 2.3 million. The ministry said the cotton demand is between 1-1.5 million tons while the supply is 0.2 million tons. As of 2015, over 101 textile industries were closed and 121,000 jobs lost across the country, according to Dr Fatai Aremu of the Development Research and Policy Centre (dRPC). He said 60 textile firms were closed in Lagos and 66,252 jobs lost; 19 companies shut down in Kano and 16,700 jobs lost; 8 firms were closed in Kaduna which rendered 18,750 workers jobless; while19,300 jobs were lost due to the collapse of 18 factories across other locations in the country.

Too little to make impact This is coming at a time of the government‘s much-trumpeted determination to move away from oil to agriculture as the mainstay of the economy.

This year, the federal government is planning to spend N172.78 billion, about two percent of the total estimates of N8.6 trillion, on agriculture and rural development. Of this figure, N118.98 billion (68.86%) is earmarked for capital votes, while N53.81 billion (31.14%) is for recurrent expenses. The 2018 federal agriculture budget is 27.48% higher than the 2017 budget. Capital expenditure got 69.48% increase, while recurrent estimates were jerked up by 14.64%. Of the N7.3 trillion budgets for 2017, the federal government voted only N123 billion (1.6 percent) for agriculture. Salaries and overheads get N31.7 billion while the remaining N91.6 billion was left for capital projects. The central government budget is slightly higher than the N75.8 billion (1.26 percent) spent on agriculture and rural development in 2016. N29.6 billion of the amount was for bureaucratic expenses, leaving N46.17 billion for agric service. The federal government has been allocating low figures to the sector since 2010. It budgeted 1.3 percent in 2010, 1.8 percent in 2011, 1.6 percent in 2012, 1.7 percent in 2013, 1.4 percent in 2014, 0.9 percent in 2015 and 1.2 percent in 2016.

Long walk to Maputo This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s agriculture budget, just like last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s, is far below the 2003 AU-Maputo Declaration on Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which Nigeria is a signatory, DrAremu said. The Maputo declaration requires African countries to allocate at least 10 percent of their annual budgets to agriculture and achieve six percent annual growth in agricultural GDP. Other signatories to the Maputo agreement such as Malawi are investing about 27 percent, Zambia, Burundi and Mali (10 percent); Niger (13 percent); and Sierra Leone (3 percent) in agriculture.

Poor value chain, few jobs Agriculture has been contributing generously to the GDP. In 2012, the sector contributed 23.91 percent to the GDP, 23.33 percent (2013), 22.91 percent (2014), 23.11 percent (2015), and 24.43percent (2016). But this didn‘t translate to actual paid jobs, like other sectors, Dr Aremu said. He said though agric has contributed 49.1 percent of ―main jobs,‖ it only created 0.9 percent ―paid jobs.‖ This contrasted with transportation and storage, which created 3.9 percent main jobs but provided 4.6 percent paid jobs because of the value addition components in that sector, according to data from National Bureau of Statistics Unemployment Survey 2014. Although Nigeria is a major producer of most of the crops within the West Africa sub-region, its value chain development is far below that of Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa who are harvesting billions of dollars in the value chain sub-sector. The value chain has the potentials for nurturing hundreds of cottage industries, which are key to developing economy like Nigeria. Nigeria remains a producer of primary products and has an insignificant share of the global market even in the crops that she is the world largest producer of yams, cassava, and others. Ghana, for instance, is the largest exporter of yam to the world market but it produces less than what one state produces in Nigeria. The bulk of what is exported from Ghana comes from Nigeria, gaining billions of dollars from what Nigeria is producing through value addition.

Sorry story of cotton Although the federal government during the last administration set up an N100 billion for cotton, Textile and Garment Development Scheme ―managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI), to revitalize the CTG Industry along the entire value chain at an interest rate of 6 percent per annum with tenor up to five years, lack of sustainable value chain or the collapse of it also led to the collapse of cotton production.‖

Many farmers are now leaving cotton for other crops, a situation that calls for concern, analysts said. Similarly, a report by International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) shows that Nigeria has 51 ginning companies but only 17 are fully operational with 33 percent ginning capacity utilization and approximately only 250, 000 cotton farmers. Nigeria does not have any national policy that protects the cotton industries - looking at the entire value chain. National President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) Mr. Anibe Achimugu said, ―with the amendment of Procurement Act for local content to be sourced first, we hope things will change. If the uniforms of our schools, army, navy, air force, immigration, customs, etc, were all sourced locally, many of the textiles industries would not have closed.‖ For director general of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Hamma Kwajaffa, ―the problem is actually smuggling. You know our dealers can go to China- and in China anything you ask for they can do it for you, and this ends up in Nigerian markets.‖

More value for rice Dr Aremu said the federal government‘s Anchor Borrowers Programme though innovative, but it is difficult for new entrants, no inclusion clause and no clear synergy with Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Dr Nyam Leo, former regional director of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), Northwest zone, said due to lack of machinery, rice farmers lose huge parts of their harvests. For Aliyu Samaila, director of Agricultural Productivity, MARKETS II programme of USAID, the situation is improving. ―If you look at the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme which started with the rice value chain, it has almost tripled rice production in Nigeria,‖ he said. Dr Aremu said wage employment is now a matter of national security and the government must be involved.

―It is therefore encouraging to hear that the Nigeria Institute of Legislative Studies and the Dutch Knowledge Platform for Inclusive Development (INCLUDE) in collaboration with the Partnership for Africa Social and Governance Research are working towards informing national policies on inclusive growth. Growth is inclusive is it creates jobs and improves wages for ordinary people,‖ he said. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-budgets-n3-4bn-for-rice-cotton-value-chain.html

DU30 orders rice imports April 7, 2018

Written by Efren Montano

President Rodrigo Duterte

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino to proceed with rice importations.―Sinabi ko na sa kanya, ‗ignore the Rice Council which is mandated by law, go ahead and make the importations,‘‖ Duterte said in his speech at Sofitel hotel on Thursday.The NFA Council is the policy making body of the agency.Duterte said he talked to Aquino about the shortage of NFA rice and that he held a separate meeting with rice traders.―And for example, sa traders, nakausap ko si Jason Aquino, actually there was already indications of a shortage. Aquino inilagay ko diyan because I trust him at binulungan niya ako, ―Sir, medyo ang ano...‖ he added. On Thursday, he directed the agency to make sure there is enough rice for the public.―Ang ayaw ko kasi ‗yung matakot ‗yung tao of a possibility not really on the actual -- it‘s happening -- but you put people on a very unsettling environment na dito magkukulang daw ang bigas na ganun,‖ he said. ―Sabi ko sobrahan ninyo. At itong mga importers ngayon, I said ‗what‘s bugging you?‘ Sabi ko, ‗you talk and I will protect you‘,‖ he added.To replenish the NFA‘s buffer stock, the policy-setting NFA Council approved last month the procurement process to import 250,000 metric tons of rice.The importation will be made under a government-to-private mode of procurement with the fresh stocks expected to arrive in May. The country‘s state-run grains agency will now proceed with the importation of rice to augment the supply of subsidized rice in the market after earlier being held back by its policy-making body. The NFA Council, an 18-member body that consists of representatives from financial institutions and other related agencies, has the power to approve or reject proposals coming from the NFA management. Aquino has ordered the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice under the government-to-government (G2G) scheme. While the G2G scheme is believed to be more prone to corruption and less transparent since it does not require the disclosure of the bidding‘s base price, its procurement process is considered the fastest.

The agency will purchase rice from the governments of Vietnam and Thailand where the country has an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU). The initial shipments are expected to arrive by the end of May through the ports in Cebu, Davao and Manila.Another 250,000 MT will be purchased by the NFA in the latter part of the year through the government-to-private (G2P) scheme. This is in preparation for the lean months.The NFA Council originally planned to import rice through the open tender scheme, wherein the government would transact with the private sector, but this was sidelined since its lengthy process for procurement was seen to delay the arrival of rice to June or July. Cheaper commercial rice During a meeting with industry stakeholders on Thursday, President Duterte asked retailers, wholesalers, and traders to provide a consistent supply of an affordable rice variant until the arrival of the imported rice.This is to alleviate the plight of poor Filipino consumers who rely on NFA rice that was being sold at P27 a kilogram (kg).

James Magbanua, national president of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (Grecon), said stakeholders came to an agreement to provide regular-milled rice to the market at P39 a kg. At present, prices of regular-milled rice are now at P42 a kg. ―This is an initiative of the private sector,‖ said Magbanua. ―That price range will not change until the arrival of the rice imports, or even when prices of well-milled rice and premium rice continue to rise.‖ Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said in a radio interview that consumers could expect cheaper commercial rice in the market by next week. http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/du30-orders-rice-imports

Rice and Food Grains Tech Expo 2018 gets underway at Guwahati Apr 7 2018 7:15PM Guwahati, Apr 7 (UNI) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Mooambika Rice and Food Grains Tech Expo -2018, which Assam is playing host for the first time at a function held at Maniram Dewan International Trade Centre here today. The international Mooambika Rice and Food Grains Tech Expo being held in Assam for the first time is fifth of its kind in the country which has been organised jointly by the Federation of All India Rice Millers Association and All Assam Rice Millers Association. Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, ―If we want to respect our nation, we need to pay respect to our farmers. Farmers hold the key of building sound foundation for a developed country.‖ He also said ever since the BJP-led State government has come to power in Assam, the government has been trying to double farmers‘ income by taking several interventional schemes. The Chief Minister said the economy of the state is dependent on agriculture and therefore any move to turn around the agricultural produce in the state would be akin to the development of state‘s economy. He also expressed hope that organising the Rice and Food Grains Tech Expo would prove to be a fillip to the immense agriculture potential of the state. He also urged upon the stake holders of the Federation of All India Rice Millers Association and All Assam Rice Millers Association to make optimum use of the latest technology for the development of immense potential available in agricultural sector. He called upon the industrialists present at the inaugural function to invest in agricultural sector in Assam. He however, said the government is determined to spearhead development of the state, but not at the cost of its ecology.

He maintained that development and ecology has to go hand in hand and one should complement the other. Chairman of the Federation of All India Rice Millers Association G.B. Rao, its President Darshan Saini, Vice-President Yogesh Agarwala, President, All Assam Rice Millers Association R.K. Bajaj and host of the other dignitaries were present on the occasion. UNI SG AKM http://www.uniindia.com/rice-and-food-grains-tech-expo-2018-gets-underway-atguwahati/states/news/1192646.html#YqhfPhdi5A1Q7LgC.99

IT has reduced the scope of corruption to a great extentâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; SYED MOHAMMED HYDERABAD, APRIL 07, 2018 23:32 IST

Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies discusses the positive changes he brought about during his stint From bringing in IT interventions in the civil supplies department and plugging leaks in the distribution of fair price commodities to the massive changes in the consumer affairs landscape, Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies Commissioner C.V. Anand‘s initiatives have increased efficiency while saving on cost. And as his stint draws to a close, Mr. Anand, in a free-wheeling interview with Syed Mohammed, talks about good governance, the age of consumer activism and what the government should do to be more consumer-friendly. Excerpts: How has IT helped to plug leaks in the department? Information Technology has helped reduce the scope of corruption to a great extent. For a long time, officers had been colluding with rice millers and Fair Price Shops owners. For example, there was delay in farmers getting paid for paddy and it even went up to 30 days to 60 days. The Minimum Support Price of around ₹ 1,400 was not given fully. And when the cheques came, they had to add ‗weight‘ (bribe officials) to get them. In consultation with the Centre for Good Governance, IT initiatives are firmly in place and payments are upfront. Even in remotest areas, payments are getting credited in the farmer‘s bank accounts. ₹11 lakh crore was paid so far, 80% of which was within three days. How have you tackled the transporter-dealer-miller nexus? There are 1,400 trucks transporting rice. We installed 1,750 CCTVs in 171 godowns, GPS systems in trucks and geo-fenced routes. Previously, about 20% of rice was not taken by the cardholders. So the equivalent was not unloaded from trucks and sold off later at ports and in other States. The command control centre here and in districts keeps a watch on every vantage point 24x7. The gunny bags re-use seems to be an issue. What is your take on it? Instead of the 38% depreciation charges with each use and their eventual auction, the Centre is saying that there will be charges of ₹6.30 per use. Last rabi season, analysis

revealed that the problems persisted for years and it continued this season too. Procured paddy was not being taken away. Then we found out that gunny bags from Kolkata had not arrived. There was immense cost and effort. Now, by engaging road transport, we have reduced the effort as the truck brings bags to the PPC (paddy procurement centres) directly. Per bale (500 bags) cost has been reduced from ₹ 1,600 to ₹1,050. What are the efforts towards a kerosene-free State? Approximately 65% of the ration card holders have got LPG connections in the State. For the next financial year, the Centre‘s Ujwala scheme will have an allocation of 10 lakh connections for us. We have taken this seriously. Consumer fora functioning is slow and some posts are still vacant. What should be done to bridge this gap? It is best to have a separate Consumer Affairs Department. We made the suggestion in one of the meetings with the Centre and it is recorded in the minutes of the meeting. There has been a sea change in consumer affairs and activism over the years.

Develop farmers’ income for development of state’s economy: Sonowal By TNM NewsDesk On Apr 8, 2018

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Mooambika Rice and Food Grains Tech Expo -2018, which Assam is playing host for the first time, at Maniram Dewan International Trade Centre in Guwahati on Saturday.The international Mooambika Rice and Food Grains Tech Expo is being organised jointly by the Federation of All India Rice Millers Association and All Assam Rice Millers Association. Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, ―If we want to respect our nation, we need to pay respect to our farmers. Farmers hold the key of building sound foundation for a developed country.‖ He also said that the BJP-led government in Assam has been trying to double farmers‘ income by taking several interventional schemes.

Sonowal said that the economy of the state is dependent on agriculture and therefore any move to turn around the agricultural produce in the state would be akin to the development of stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s economy. He also expressed hope that organising the expo will prove to be a fillip to the immense agriculture potential of the state.

Sonowal urged the stake holders of the Federation of All India Rice Millers Association and All Assam Rice Millers Association to make optimum use of the latest technology for the development of immense potential available in agricultural sector. He also called upon the industrialists present at the inaugural function to invest in agricultural sector in Assam. Sonowal said that development and ecology has to go hand in hand and one should complement the other. https://thenewsmill.com/develop-farmers-income-for-development-of-states-economy-sonowal/

Rice Breeders Report Huge Productivity Gains April 06, 2018 5:53 PM Steve Baragona

A farmer works in a rice field in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 2, 2018.

The science behind the grain that feeds half the world may have taken a big leap forward.Scientists are reporting the biggest improvements in rice productivity in decades.

If the results hold up in further tests, it could greatly increase supplies of a critical food staple at a time when the global population is growing rapidlyResearchers found a version of a gene that increased the number of branches in the flowering part of the plant. The team used conventional breeding to introduce this gene version into five rice varieties. The new strains produced from 28 to 85 percent more rice than their parents. That‘s a huge increase, says University of Arkansas rice breeder Xueyan Sha.―If we can achieve, say, 6 percent, we can probably consider it a great achievement,‖ Sha said.Sha was not part of the new study, published in the journal Scientific Reports.

A farmer plows a paddy field to plant rice seedlings in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 2, 2018. Myanmar celebrates Peasants' Day annually on March 2 to show the country's appreciation to its laborers.He cautions that it‘s a small-scale, controlled experiment, and it‘s not clear how the results will hold up in farmers‘ fields.

Rice yields have not improved much since the big gains of the ―Green Revolution‖ of the 1960s, aimed at boosting grain production.Experts say big increases in food production will be necessary to feed the additional 2 billion or so people expected on the planet by 2050.Not all rice

varieties tested by the scientists produced the same hefty gains. That‘s another reason for caution, notes rice geneticist Shannon Pinson with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ―There‘s something exciting here,‖ Pinson said. ―I don‘t think it‘s as exciting as Green Revolution caliber.‖New varieties will be available to farmers in two to four years. https://www.voanews.com/a/rice-breeders-report-huge-productivity-gains/4336152.html

Delhi pins hopes on neighbours for clean air Jayashree Nandi| TNN | Updated: Apr 8, 2018, 01:10 IST

NEW DELHI: This year will be a test case for curbing crop-stubble burning in states neighbouring Delhi and whether this will improve air quality in the capital. The Centre — having decided on an ―in-situ management‖ of crop residue as opposed to collecting paddy straw to use as fuel in power generation or convert it products like bio-char used as fertiliser — has allocated funds to the affected states to subsidise farm machinery that can prevent stubble burning.

The Centre allocated Rs 1,140.3 crore for a sub-mission on agriculturemechanisation in this year‘s Union budget, substantially hiking the funds from Rs 525 crore in 2017-18. NCR states are now rolling out the scheme. D K Behera, director, agriculture department, Haryana, told TOI, ―Under the new scheme, we will promote custom hiring centres set up by farmer groups but will also cater to individual farmers.‖ Haryana has been allocated Rs 216 crore and Punjab, Rs 365 crore for the scheme. ―We will

encourage farmers groups and cooperative societies rather than individual farmers to buy or rent this machinery. This approach will avoid financial liability and loans,‖ said Viswajit Khanna, additional chief secretary, agriculture, Punjab. A sub-committee of the task force on prevention of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh constituted by the cabinet secretariat submitted its final report to the Supreme Court in January. It advised that in-situ mechanisation allowing use of crop stubble as mulch was more cost effective than removing the plant remains. It also recommended large scale production of such machinery and their positioning in villages before September 2018. A Niti Aayog-CII report had suggested alternatives to crop-residue burning, including ex-situ management processes. The cabinet secretariat panel, however, observed, ―Bio-char production requires collection of paddy straw and its treatment in the field in temporary kilns. This option would require financial support of 9-10% of the minimum support price. Ex-situ options identified by Niti Aayog-CII require significant capital and operating subsidy to become sustainable.‖

The central sub-committee instead recommended zero tilling machines for wheat, with paddy straw as mulch. To achieve this, every combine harvester would need to have a separate straw management system — a cutter, spreader and a happy seeder. Use of these components as a package would solve the wheat sowing problem, the report assured. For planting of potato, peas and other vegetable crops, incorporation of paddy straw and its fast decomposition could be achieved using the Rotavator and mould board (MB) plough developed by the Punjab Agricultural University.

The sub-committee suggested the government could provide a flat subsidy of 50% of machinery cost to individual farmers or a subsidy of 75% of machinery cost to cooperative societies, custom hiring centres, farmer‘s interest groups and gram panchayats.

The Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority, which is overseeing the enforcement of the court‘s directions on curbing air pollution in NCR, has endorsed the subcommittee‘s report, but agriculture experts worry that this may not do much to resolve the ecological woes of farmers. While the main reason for the crop stubble burning is the very small window of 20 days between harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat, experts said there are other problems related to wheat-paddy combination, including extreme water stress and reliance on pesticides. ―We have to understand that the rice-wheat system has problems,‖ said G V Ramajaneyulu, executive director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture. ―Instead we should opt for wheat-pulses or rice-legumes or vegetable-legumes combinations. Crop stubble burning is just a symptom of this problem and even this is being addressed only because of pollution in Delhi. But the intensive ground water depletion and water contamination due to high chemical usage in the ricewheat system is not being addressed.‖

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-pins-hopes-on-neighbours-for-cleanair/articleshow/63661592.cms

Not just Boracay: Banaue Rice Terraces also need help Totel V. De Jesus Apr 07 2018 04:02 PM | Updated as of Apr 08 2018 02:02 AM

Private sector, volunteers, local government unite to restore the Banaue Rice Terraces

An example of rice fields destroyed by erosion and neglect can be seen by tourists stopping by at the viewing point and souvenir shops the Banaue Rice Terraces. This photo of a tourist taking a selfie was taken in October last year. Photo by author

Not only the beaches of Boracay, Bohol, and El Nido in Palawan, among other world-known tourist destinations, are in need of a major reboot. Up in the mountains, the Banaue Rice Terraces have also raised the red flag. Often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao province covers 1, 670 hectares of agricultural land. Now, recent data revealed that a total of 600 hectares have been abandoned and need to be restored.

The main headache here is erosion. Add to that, the loss of interest among the younger generations to farming. They‘d rather go down to the cities and try their luck for a more stable income in call centers, real estate and other salary-based careers. But they‘re not to be blamed. ―The (monetary) return of (working) in the rice terraces is not enough. Work has become a sacrifice,‖ admits Banaue Mayor Jerry U. Dalipog. ―The average age of farmers in our town is 57 years old,‖ added Dalipog, who still goes to the rice fields he inherited from his ancestors. Banaue, he pointed out, has a population of 22,000 and about 50 percent are farmers. ―But according to the Department of Agriculture, if you have one chicken or goat, you are considered a farmer,‖ he noted, seriously. ―So even if you‘re a lawyer and you own a chicken, you are considered a farmer.‖ Farming for some long-time residents who have regular jobs has become a chore, something that needs to be done because the rice fields they inherited from their parents are there. The rest simply abandoned the land to work in the bigger cities. ―I am a farmer. I started farming when I was 10 years old. My grandparents, my mother and father were farmers and they sent me to school to earn a bachelor‘s degree in civil engineering. I worked for 15 years as municipal engineer and up to now as mayor, I still continue to work in the field,‖ he said. Dalipog is just one of the few who stayed and despite the efforts of the local government, the Banaue Rice Terraces continues to deteriorate. Climate change has speeded up the erosion. In 2015, Dalipog said the number was about 332 hectares of abandoned land that needed restoration. In three years, the number has doubled. If less efforts in restoration are made, how much more of the 1,607 hectares in the coming years will remain? he asked. ―We can only do so much in terms of manpower and resources,‖ he noted. WORLD HERITAGE SITE A quick Google search gave us a brief backgrounder. The Banaue Rice Terraces covers two barangays, Batad and Bangaan. It is part of the 2,000-year-old Ifugao Rice Terraces or what the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) called the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras. The other towns in Ifugao province that also have rice terraces are Mayoyao, Kiangan and Hungduan. But tourists often flocked to the more accessible rice terraces in Banaue town, which sits at the foot of Mouth Amuyao. Ifugao elders earn a living by posing for selfies with tourists at the viewing point near the souvenir shops overlooking the Banaue Rice Terraces. Photo by author

In 1995, UNESCO gave the Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras the honor of being included on its list of World Heritage Sites, up there with the likes of Angkor Wat, Galapagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, among others. In the Philippines, those who made it under the World Heritage Siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s list under the cultural category are the historic city of Vigan and the many Baroque churches spread across the archipelago. Under the Natural category, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan and the Tubbataha Reefs National Park in the Sulu Sea. For some strange reasons, despite such international accolades, Banaue remains a fourth-class municipality. It is 14 kilometers from Lagawe, the capital of Ifugao province that is not even a city but also a fourth-class municipality. The Banaue Rice Terraces is under the supervision of the local government and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

HELP FROM PRIVATE SECTOR In April 2016, the Banaue Rice Terraces Restoration Project was launched to raise funds, awareness and renew interest in farming. It is headed by a volunteer, retired General Jaime delos Santos. He said the Banaue Rice Terraces Restoration Project is a public-private partnership to restore and conserve, preserve the rice terraces in its diversity in a sustainable manner.

―Lots of funds have been brought by the government in the past years but nothing happened,‖ said Delos Santos. ―Yes, there‘s erosion and lack of interest of the community in farming. We know these are the two major setbacks.‖ ―So we volunteered and we created a possible solution and that is from the scientific point of view. The root cause is environmental and socio economic.‖ Early this month, they brought two Japanese scientists to the affected areas. They got soil samples brought back to Japan for proper studies. Dalipog said with the help of Dr. Milagros Ong-How, president and CEO of Universal Harvester Inc., as part of her company‘s social responsibility program, there was an initial funding of P3 million in June last year. How is also founder of ToFarm, an advocacy organization behind The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines awards, the annual ToFarm Film Festival and ToFarm Songwriting Competition. This year, ToFarm launched the first-ever Banaue International Music Composition Competition (www.banauemusic.org) with a prize money amounting US$24,000.00. The aim is to create awareness on the plight of the rice terraces.

Banaue Terraces Restoration Project advocates and supporters (from left) Luz Corazon "Luchie" Roque of NAMCYA, composer-conductor Chino Toledo, Dr. Milagros Ong-How of ToFarm and Universal

Harvester Inc., Jaime delos Santos of Banaue Rice Terraces Restoration Project; and Banaue Mayor Jerry U. Dalipog. Photo by author

―We‘ve rehabilitated about 16 hectares. We‘ve cleared another 13 hectares, planted on three hectares and nine hectares will be completed by end of April,‖ reported Dalipog. ―We want to show to the young people that farming, planting rice can sustain a living,‖ added Delos Santos. ―Kung walang nakukuha sila for the longest time, let‘s change that. If they see more harvest after a year, ‗pag nakikitang kumikita, we change the mindset.‖ Of the 600 hectares, based on the manpower and other resources, their aim is to rehabilitate about 69 hectares in the next couple of years. He emphasized that a major factor is for the young people to be more interested in rice terraces. Dalipog said the Ifugao State University has been offering free education for those who want to earn a degree in Agriculture. General delos Santos added: ―Banaue Rice Terraces will come to life again but it can‘t be restored by one person, or one group. We cannot do this alone so we are inviting other corporations, NGOs and kind-hearted individuals to help us in rebuilding the terraces. Like we said, it‘s not only Boracay that needs rehabilitation. We can‘t let that happen to Banaue.‖

Banaue-bound Korean missing for days

Mae Angelei Daos Cornes, ABS-CBN News Jun 19 2017 06:51 PM

MT. PROVINCE – A Korean traveler who had planned to go to Banaue was reported missing, police said. Sungkyu Choi, a Korean national, reportedly checked out from an inn at Barlig, Mt Province last June 9 and has not been seen since.Residents who claimed to have spoken with Choi, said the traveler planned to go to Batad, Banaue, Ifugao through Mt. Amuyao. Police last communicated with Choi on June 13. ―Sabi niya [Choi] nanghihina na siya, at nasa lugar siya na maraming pine trees,‖ said Police Chief Inspector Carolina Lacuata. On June 14, Choi informed the Korean Embassy that he was still alive. Police and barangay officials have since been searching for Choi, even using drones but to no avail. On June 19, they used K9 units for the search and rescue. Photo courtesy of Barlig MPS

―They will start dun sa last place na nakita siya,‖ said Lacuata. Mountaineering has been one of the major activities of tourists in Cordillera.

Experienced mountaineers usually advise tourists to prepare, learn how to use compass and read maps. In case one gets lost, experts say the tourist must go to the highest point. ―Pumunta sa highest point, duon madaling makita, or hanapin yung ilog and i-follow mo yun, panigurado may bahay dun along the river, hindi din dapat paiba iba ng pwesto, dahil maghahanapan lang kayo ng rescuers,‖ said Xez Zulu

eta of Lagalag Exploration. http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/19/17/banaue-bound-korean-missing-for-days

China to expand testing ‘sea rice’ to turn millions of hectares to arable land Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2018/4/8 21:43:40 For the first time, China will expand testing alkali-resistant "sea rice" across the country to turn 100 million hectares of saline-alkaline soil in the country into arable land, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. Experts have selected 176 types of fine "sea rice" from a rice base in South China's Hainan Province for the national testing, and the goal is to have at least one type of the rice pass the authority's test, Zhang Guodong, deputy director of the Qingdao Sea Rice Research and Development Center, told CCTV on Sunday.

The 100 million hectares of saline-alkaline soil is spread across the country and experiences different climate and lighting conditions. The test aims to examine the optimum yield and quality of sea rice under different conditions, Zhang said. "The 'sea rice' will be promoted and planted across the country next year if the test proves successful," Li Xinqi, a research fellow at the China National Hybrid Rice R&D Center, told the Global Times on Sunday. Li said that the "sea rice" may contain different elements, but its taste and nutritional information would only be slightly different than ordinary rice.

Zhang said that anywhere from 13 million to 20 million hectares of saline-alkaline soil in China will likely be converted into arable land, and they are spread among five different types of saline-alkaline soil, including the arid and semi-arid regions in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Yellow River Delta.

"Sea rice" was developed by Yuan Longping, China's "father of hybrid rice," and he helped establish the Qingdao center in October 2016.

Yuan told CCTV on Sunday that if "sea rice" was planted in around six million hectares of land, its yield of 30 billion kilograms per mu (0.07 hectare) of rice could feed 80 million people. http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1096971.shtml

Global Rice Protein Market Key Players: AIDP , Axiom Foods, Shafi Gluco Chem , Nutrition Resource , RiceBran Technologies, Shaanxi Fuheng (FH) Biotechnology April 9, 2018 - by Divyang Nayar

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Points Covered In Rice Protein Report: The Rice Protein market report gives an ahead looking prospect on distinct factors driving or prohibiting market growth. The Rice Protein market report includes main point study for changeable competitive dynamics.The Report on Rice Protein gives the clear understanding of the main product segments and their future.It includes a forecast(2017-2026) estimate on the basis of how the market is witnessed to grow.It helps to take Rice Protein business people a decisive judgment by having complete in-depth of a market.The Rice Protein market report offers complete analysis of competitive landscape and keeps you forward of competitors. https://businessservices24.com/437003/global-rice-protein-market-key-players-aidp-axiom-foods-shafigluco-chem-nutrition-resource-ricebran-technologies-shaanxi-fuheng-fh-biotechnology/

Global Rice Seed Market by 2023: Kaveri, Mahyco, Nuziveedu Seeds, Dupont Pioneer and Bayer April 9, 2018 - by Stefen Marwa

Our exploration specialists acutely ascertain the significant aspects of the Global Rice Seed report. It also provides an in-depth valuation in regards to the future advancements relying on the past data and present circumstance of Rice Seed marketsituation. In this Rice Seed report, we have investigated the principals, players in the market, geological regions, product type, and market end-client applications. The global Rice Seed report comprises of primary and secondary data which is exemplified in the form of pie outlines, Rice Seed tables, analytical figures, and reference diagrams. The Rice Seed report is presented in an efficient way, that involves basic dialect, basic Rice Seed outline, agreements, and certain facts as per solace and comprehension. PDF sample copy at: http://emarketresearch.us/global-rice-seed-market-2017-2022/#RequestSample Furthermore, the global Rice Seed market report explains segment-wise bifurcation in a way to provide the precise landscaping related to the market circumstances. The global Rice Seed market is classified into product type Medium-grain rice, Long-grain rice and Short-grain rice, Rice Seed market end-user application Scientific Research and Agricultural Production, prominent market players Bayer, Mahyco, Keeplong Seeds, Zhongnongfa, Gansu Dunhuang Seed, Guangxi Hengmao Agricultural Technology, RiceTec, Longping High-tech, Nuziveedu Seeds, JK seeds, Dongya Seed Industry, Anhui Nongken, WIN-ALL HI-TECH SEED, China National Seed, Syngenta, Kaveri, Opulent Technology,

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'Seawater rice' may help fill food gap China Daily, April 9, 2018 Chinese agricultural researchers have selected 176 strains of saltwater-tolerant rice out of more than 1,000 candidates from experimental paddies and expect them to be widely planted across the country in further trials this year.

Researchers harvest a variety of saltwater-tolerant rice in Qingdao, Shandong province, in September. [Photo/China Daily]

Experts said this marks a major step forward in the development of resistant rice strains in China.Rice that can thrive in a saline-alkali environment－so-called seawater rice－is designed to grow in tidal flats or other areas with heavy saline-alkaline content.The selected strains, grown in Hainan province paddies, will be planted on five different types of saline-alkali land around the country. Researchers aim to find at least one type with nationwide applicability for future use, said Zhang Guodong, executive director of the Qingdao Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center in Shandong province. The center, led by Yuan Longping－China's "father of hybrid rice"－was founded in 2016 to help expand the farming of resistant rice around the country."China has a great deal of salinealkaline soil, but these areas are located in various climatic zones with different sunlight conditions," said Zhang, the center's director, adding that researchers will test the quantity and quality of the selected strains under different climatic and geological conditions.Previous studies found that about 13 to 20 million hectares of saline-alkali soil can support rice－mainly in five areas, including the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, North China and along the mouth of the Yellow River. The Qingdao center has experimental paddies in these areas. The center uses desalinated seawater to irrigate its experimental paddies, with the highest yield reaching 9.3 metric tons per hectare in 2017.In addition to working with the 176 selected strains, researchers in Hainan are also making efforts to use hybrid technologies and genetic engineering to breed more strains of saline-alkali-resistant rice for further trials."Saline-alkali-resistant rice in China is still in the scientific research and observation stage before full application," Zhang said.Since 1970, the International Rice Research Institute has verified 10 tolerant strains out of 9,000 strains of the grain, providing a technical basis for breeding tolerant varieties. The institute put forward its verification standards for saline-alkali-tolerant rice in 1979. Countries including Pakistan, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are also carrying out rice research.Yuan and his team plan to develop a type of seawater rice that can be planted on 6.7 million hectares of saline-alkali land around China, which they estimate can yield 30 billion kilograms every year, feeding 80 million additional mouths.Yuan said growing more seawater rice is vital to China's food security. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2018-04/09/content_50847298.htm

Emergency rice imports ordered 61

BY JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ, TMT ON APRIL 7, 2018 MANILA will utilize its emergency purchase power to bring in ―much needed‖ rice from abroad, in addition to a previously approved amount of rice import for this year, a top official of the National Food Authority (NFA) said on Friday.―We are now in the process of crafting the terms of reference for the emergency purchase of some 250,000. It will be out any time soon. It just needs the approval of the President,‖ the source told The Manila Times.Under Presidential Decree 9184, the state-run grains agency may resort to alternative methods of procurement, especially during emergency cases. ―Well, we are in an emergency now,‖ the official said, adding that emergency rice purchases no longer needed the approval of the interagency NFA Council, which oversees the grains agency. The source said the volume to be purchased from either Vietnam or Thailand under a government-to-government deal would arrive ahead of the earlier 250,000 metric tons authorized by the NFA Council to arrive in late May or June. ―We want a Swiss challenge scheme with this importation. Whoever can bring in the rice requirement the fastest and cheapest will be awarded the supply contract,‖ the official said. A Swiss challenge involves an unsolicited bid and rival bidders making counter-offers. The emergency rice purchase will bring the total rice importation this year to 500,000 MT. ―We are even considering bringing in the entire 500,000 MT under emergency rice purchase. Sabi nga ni President, ‗okay nang sobra, kakainin din naman dito `yan sa Pilipinas kaysa kulang (As the President said, better to have an excess than a shortage of rice, anyway it will all be consumed here in the Philippines),‘‖ the source said. Rice at P39 per kilo Following Thursday‘s meeting between Duterte and rice traders, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the President was considering centralizing imports under the office of Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, subject to the review of the Office of the Executive Secretary.

President Rodrigo Duterte convenes with various rice traders during a meeting at the Malacañan Palace In the meantime, rice traders will flood the market with 700,000 sacks of rice to be sold at P39 per kilo, Roque said.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the President appealed to retailers not to hoard rice or sell at a higher price.―I know that you are all businessmen and that you have to make a profit, but I am appealing to you not to overprice or hoard rice,‖ Piñol said Facebook post, quoting the President. Piñol said the rice traders told Duterte that the first delivery of 100,000 bags would be channeled through the NFA, which, in turn, would distribute the rice at P38 per kilo to retailers in Metro Manila.The rice retailers will sell rice at P39 per kilo for a profit of P50 per bag, he explained. He said the traders would deliver 100,000 bags every week until the arrival of rice imported by the NFA.The announcement came days after reports that NFA stocks in Metro Manila were ―wiped out.‖ http://www.manilatimes.net/emergency-rice-imports-ordered/390898/

Chhattisgarh rice: A cure for cancer ANI | Mumbai [Maharashtra] [India] Last Updated at April 8, 2018 15:40 IST Crops and vegetables developed by BARC No radioactive waste leakage into Thane creek from BARC: govt Dinesh Srivastava new Chief Executive of Nuclear Fuel Our scientists among world's best: Harsh Vardhan Newton-Bhabha Fund for arsenic research in Ganga basin A research conducted by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) scientists discovered that some varieties of rice grains in Chhattisgarh have the capability to cure deadly diseases, including cancer. Varieties of rice grains such as Gathuwan, Maharaji and Layacha, which are found in central part of India, have anti-cancer properties, said Dr AK Sarawgi, the head of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, where the research was conducted. "We tested four varieties (of rice) initially and anti-cancer properties were found in three of them -- Maharaji, Layacha and Gathuwan," Sarawgi said. Layacha is the most effective of the three varieties that can cure lung and breast cancers, he said. According to the Sarawgi, the researchers induced and tested cancer cells, where they (cancer cells) were treated with extracts from the rice verities, and cancer cells were killed in the

result.Agriculture and Water Resources Minister of Chhattisgarh Brijmohan Agarwal told ANI: "These rice varieties can be used to make tablets which will be very beneficial in treating cancer patients. We are working in that direction and the results will come out soon." A consolidated report has been submitted to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to determine the quantity of the medicine to be used on patients, according to Agarwal. According to National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the country recorded an estimated 3.9 million cases of cancer in 2016. The ICMR has predicted that India is likely to have over 1.73 million new cases of cancer and over 880,000 deaths due to the disease by 2020 with breast, lung and cervix cancers topping the list. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/chhattisgarh-rice-a-cure-for-cancer-118040800393_1.html

Pakistan and the transforming international trade order By Shahid Javed Burki Published: April 9, 2018 The writer is a former caretaker finance minister and served as vice-president at the World Bank A number of actions taken by President Donald Trump and his administration in the area of international trade will not directly affect Pakistan. But they will significantly change the environment in which Islamabad is operating and managing world trade. This is occurring at a time when Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s policymakers have begun to recognise that they need to focus on increasing the quantum and quality of exports in order to increase foreign earnings. Pakistan now has a large trade imbalance which is being financed either by running down the depleted foreign reserves or by new borrowings from foreign sources. If the latter, the result is building foreign debt. Pakistan will also have to rethink the direction in which exports should be sent. Mostly because of inertia, Pakistan has not significantly altered the content of the export basket or the countries to which most exports are sent. Cotton, cotton products and rice have remained the most important exports while the markets to which they are being sent remain in the United

States and Western Europe. Even before President Trump shook the established international trade order, Pakistan needed to develop a more dynamic trade policy. With Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s approach, this task has acquired greater urgency.

Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s actions on international trade have already affected the global market as well as the financial markets. China is the target of much of what he is doing and is likely to do in the future. This has brought the world close to a world trade war. In one of his many pronouncements on international trade, he said that a trade war is a good thing and America will always win in such an encounter. Both assertions of course are incorrect. International trade is a difficult subject even for economists to master. Trump understands little of it. The launch of a trade war with China has sent the financial markets into wild spins in most developed parts of the world, especially in the United States. The sharp increase in values that

came to be called the ‗Trump bump‘ has been rechristened as the ‗Trump dump‘. But my subject today is the consequence for Pakistan of what Trump is doing to international trade. As I said, Islamabad needed to rethink how it manages international trade. Up until now, little effort was made to focus on exports as an engine of economic growth. Exports were a byproduct of normal economic activity. Most of those who were involved in it used it to take care of the surpluses that became available once domestic demand was satisfied. Much of what the Pakistani economy produced was low value added since that was what was demanded by local consumers. Take the well-endowed agriculture sector as an example. Pakistan could have used it to produce high value-added products such as fruits, vegetables and flowers. Instead, it focused on the production of grains for local consumption. The government used its procurement policy to encourage this to happen. Pakistan‘s geographic location is such that it could have become a large supplier of these high value-added crops to the Middle East with a large population of wealthy consumers. Trump by focusing on bilateralism rather than multilateralism as the way to manage his country‘s trade relations, has put countries such as Pakistan in an awkward place. In the past, Pakistan spent a great deal of diplomatic effort on gaining access for its textile products in the US market. This in itself was the wrong approach. Even in this area, Pakistan produced lowvalue products such as towels and bed sheets. Producing garments would have been more profitable but that did not happen as our trade diplomats did not work on creating a US market for these manufactured items. Now, with Pakistan-United States relations having reached the lowest point ever, focusing on market access to that country would not work. It would only work if Islamabad was prepared to slavishly follow the United States in its losing struggle in Afghanistan. This Pakistan is not likely to do. The rapidly developing Pakistan-China relations offer a good opportunity for Islamabad to fundamentally alter its international trade stance. The still-not-fully-developed CPEC programme needs to have a large export-building content. The Chinese would welcome that. As the proportion of the Chinese population living in the country‘s extreme west increases

sharply, its demand for the products of Pakistan‘s agriculture will greatly increase. Personal incomes are rising rapidly in China and this is increasing the demand for such high-value products as fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat and milk. By focusing on increasing the supply of these items, Pakistan could transform its agriculture sector that has long remained committed to producing food grains and cotton. This transformation could be particularly significant in the country‘s northern areas that border China. The intended CPEC investment in improving road and rail connectivity between northern Pakistan and western China should help to transport these products to the neighbouring country. By developing the sector of livestock to meet the Chinese demand for meat and milk products, Pakistan could help the poorer populations in these parts of the country. Women who are actively involved in the rearing of animals would benefit in particular. Since it would be cheaper to transport processed meat and milk products over this difficult terrain, these areas could also build an agro-industrial base. Adding China in a significant way as a destination for Pakistan‘s exports would be helpful in meeting Islamabad‘s needs for external finance to promote economic and social development. While the CPEC programme would provide the framework for bringing about this important change, it will require a significant change in the direction and scope of public policy. I would suggest that the Planning Commission establishes a specific wing to guide this change. Such a wing should work closely with the Chinese authorities and some of the international development agencies that have included CPEC in their work programme. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1680887/6-pakistan-transforming-international-trade-order/

Growth momentum and imbalances in Pakistan‘s economy By Dr M Amanullah / Muhammad Usman Khan April 9, 2018

Work on addressing structural issues and increasing exports needs to continue PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE: From a global perspective, relative strengthening in economies of the US, EU and UK in 2017, along with partial recovery in commodity prices, boosted the prospects of those emerging economies whose growth tends to hinge on exports and remittances. For Pakistan as well, both these sources of foreign exchange inflows picked up during 201718. In case of exports, strong performances by textiles, rice, sugar and leather manufactures led to some recovery to previously receding trends.

Regarding remittances, lower inflows from GCC countries were offset by an improvement in remittances from non-GCC corridors, particularly the US and the UK. However, these positive developments were overshadowed by a mounting burden of imports, which exacerbated the pressure on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s balance of payments.Payments related to the import of petroleum, machinery, metal, and transport were particularly heavy during the second half of 2017-18. However, it is pertinent to mention that most of these have been a result of investments made in creating of energy infrastructure and other mega projects under the CPEC. It is expected that this surge of imports will settle in the coming years and exports will begin to increase as the dividends from these investments will materialise.

Economic outlook The overall economy of Pakistan is performing well and continues to grow strongly. With a modest increase in inflation, the prices remain under reasonable control. Although Pakistan has made substantial progress to reform its taxation system and the business environment, there are still some critical red flags, such as growing fiscal deficit and increasing current account deficit which require immediate attention. Losing out the export competitiveness has been an important issue facing the economy. Strategic interventions and reforms by the federal government are required to address sectors represented by the aforementioned weakening economic indicators to ensure macroeconomic stability in the long-run. Although the trade deficit is countered by remittances and financial inflows due to the CPEC for now, the structural issues of export industries need to be addressed. Nevertheless, Pakistan‘s economy is forecasted to grow continually, given that it maintains the momentum on structural reforms and avoids external shocks. As the economy‘s growth momentum picked up its pace, imbalances re-emerged in Pakistan‘s external account. All the encouraging trends in real sector, like improvement in energy supplies, industrial expansion, and rising consumer spending, triggered a surge in the demand for imports, which grew by 17.8% and reached a record of $48.6 billion. Additional stress on the import bill came from steady progress on CPEC-related power and road construction projects. With tapering foreign exchange earnings during the year and lowerthan-expected financial inflows, the rise in import burden created a deficit in the balance of payments. As a result, the country‘s foreign exchange reserves declined by $1.7 billion during FY17, after rising for 3 years in a row.

Economic performance during the past five years (2012-2017) 3. GDP growth rate increased from 3.7% in 2012-13 to 5.3% in 2016-17, which is the highest in past ten years. Most of this growth has been triggered due to a strong recovery by agriculture and manufacturing, where growth has reached 3.5% and 5.7%, respectively. 4. Average inflation was contained at around 4% with multi-decade low policy rate of 5.75%. iii. Exchange rate remained stable and Pakistan was able to rebuild its foreign exchange reserves in the past 5 years. 1. Energy crises were greatly resolved and the industrial sector achieved a significant growth picking up from an average of 0.8% in 2012-13 to 5% in 2016-17. 2. Having peaked at 8.8% of the GDP in FY12, followed by 8.2% of the GDP in FY13, overall fiscal deficit narrowed to 4.6% of the GDP in FY16, reflecting sustained and substantial consolidation since FY13. 3. FBRâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s tax revenues recorded a significant increase since FY13 and gradually grew by 60% in FY16 over FY13. The key recommendations include: 1. Exports have been on a declining trend, especially that of textile and garments sector. However, a depreciation will only impact competiveness if the government is able to control inflation. Thus, it is strongly recommended that the federal government may work out the burden of taxes and its correlation with inflation to improve competiveness of the sectors. 2. Exports of Pakistan should be analysed in the context of the GSP Plus status and corrective measures may be taken to improve the market of Pakistani goods in the European Union (EU). iii. The tax base of the FBR is still quite narrow, in fact the number of filers in the last financial year decreased instead of increasing. The federal government will have to work in increasing this tax base to ease out the pressure from existing tax-payers.

1. Easy access to credit for farmers may be ensured to revitalise the agriculture sector. Central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s regulations regarding lending should be investment friendly. Cheap loans for the agriculture sector, in particular for small farmers, are necessary to offset the input costs and timely provision of seeds and fertilisers. 2. The government may promote derivative trading in commodity markets to provide a widespread market for exchanging risk. In addition to boosting the financial markets, it will particularly contribute towards reducing the price uncertainty in non-perishable agricultural products. 3. Ease of doing business reforms agenda should get a big push in the coming year, especially considering the fall back on the ranking in 2018. Punjab is working rigorously to improve its performance against the doing business indicators that fall in provincial domain (enforcing contracts, registering property, starting business, and dealing with construction permits). The government must work towards improving its rankings against six indicators that fall under its domain, including paying taxes, getting credit, trading across borders, resolving insolvency, protecting minority investors and starting a business. Dr M AmanUllah is Chief Economist at the Planning and Development Department, Government of Punjab & Muhammad Usman Khan is Provincial Team Leader, Punjab SubNational Governance Programme. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1680853/2-growth-momentum-imbalances-pakistans-economy/

Report finds sharp decline in Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s pulse consumption Amin AhmedUpdated April 09, 2018 ISLAMABAD: The consumption of pulses in Pakistan has sharply declined from about 15kg per person a year to about 7kg per person a year, found a new report of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.The report titled â&#x20AC;&#x2014;State of Food and Agriculture in

Asia and the Pacific Region‘, reviewed pulse consumption in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh over the period from 1961 to 2013. It has been prepared for the FAO regional conference for Asia and the Pacific being held in Fiji on April 9-13. The report found that as countries became richer, populations were shifting from vegetable proteins — such as those found in pulses and beans — to more expensive animal source proteins such as those found in dairy products and meat.As South Asian countries become richer, people are shifting from vegetable proteins to those found in dairy products and meat Despite declining consumption in the four countries, South Asia was the largest consumer of pulses in the world, it added.In India, during this period, the consumption of pulse declined from about 22kg per person in a year to about 15kg per person per year. The decline was consistent with trends elsewhere in the world. In Sri Lanka, however, pulse consumption seemed to have fluctuated between 5kg and 10kg per person per year since 1960, except for a sharp drop from 1970 to 1985, the report said. Pointing out challenges, it emphasised that the relative neglect of pulses, beans and other crops in agricultural policies in the region should be reversed so that the poor had relatively low-cost sources of protein and other micronutrients. The report pointed out that although overall cereal consumption per capita either declined or remained constant, within the cereal group itself there were important changes. Utilisation of rice and wheat for food increased — in some cases sharply — while total food utilisation of coarse cereals, which had been relatively important in the 1960s, either declined or remained steady, implying a fall in per capita consumption since the population was increasing. Citing example, the report said in East Asia rice and wheat utilisation for food was about 220 million tonnes per year in 2015, versus 20m tonnes per year for coarse cereals.Total utilisation of ‗superior‘ cereals was still rising in 2013 mainly because of continuing population growth, even though per capita utilisation had started declining from the mid-1990s onwards, it added.

The report put four South Asian countries — Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — below the red line, indicating that their calorie consumption was below the level that would be expected given their per capita household expenditure. https://www.dawn.com/news/1400488/report-finds-sharp-decline-in-pakistans-pulse-consumption

Gambian state foregoes $6M+ revenue to make rice affordable 08.04.2018 à 14h21 by APA News

The Gambia government in a bid to make essential foodstuff affordable in the country has

removed the customs duty on imported rice, leading to a loss of D32,0024000 ($6,809,021) in tax revenue within three months.Tens of thousands of tonnes are imported annually to complement domestic output and satisfy demand for rice, which is the staple food in the Gambia.The revenue loss was revealed by one Baboucarr Ceesay, an economist working with the Gambia Competition Commission consumer protection section, during a stakeholders meeting with major rice importers at held recently the Ministry of Trade in Banjul. The meeting was convened to look into the possibility of reductions in the prices of basic food commodities, especially rice.The permanent secretary at the Trade ministry, Mrs Naffie Barry, said it was the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s decision to explore ways of curtailing price of rice and other essential food items for the benefit of the population. She announced that the new government in Banjul had abolished the 10 percent import duty on rice in January, in a bid to bring down the price of the staple food to a level affordable to the Gambian population.The price reduction as a result of the 10 percent tax exemption was not

implemented since then, so as to allow importers sell already imported stock, and that they were given three months to sell the taxed stock. ‖Now the government wants to see the zero tax on rice be transformed into a reduction of prices for the Gambian consumers,‖ she stressed, adding that it wants to ensure a low cost of living for the citizenry.During the meeting, officials acknowledged there had been a slight decrease in the price of the American rice brand, from D1080 ($22) to D1025 ($21), but argued that prices for a rice brand called ‖Saddam‖, as well as rice brands from Pakistan and India remain high. Meanwhile, some of the major importers of food commodities said, despite the tax exemption, they were still spending a lot of money in the importation process including for clearing, handling and discharging of their goods at the port of Banjul. ‖I had imported six to seven vessels last year, and sometimes my vessels were delayed at the port while priority was given to cement vessels. I paid a lot of money for the delayed vessels as well,‖ one Hassan Akar complained, while urging the government to look into those issues as well. At the conclusion of the meeting, the rice dealers agreed to cooperate with the government in its drive to reduce the price of rice from now on, and vowed to import adequate stock for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/gambian-state-foregoes-6m-revenue-to-make-riceaffordable/