Measuring arsenic in Bangladesh's rice crops
UMass Amherst, Chemists Without Borders team up
to produce new low-cost test kit
Tyson's analytical chemistry laboratory has for many years assisted environmental scientists and other chemists with tests for potentially harmful compounds of lead, cadmium, chromium, selenium and arsenic in soil and water. Last year, CWB approached the UMass Amherst lab to develop a simple, low-cost test for arsenic in rice, based on the groundwater test.
CWB president Ray Kronquist says the idea is not only to provide an accurate and reliable kit, but to teach chemistry students in Bangladesh who have access to a basic lab at the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chittagong, to use it. These young interns will then provide arsenic exposure information and education on protective measures such as extra washing or choosing different varieties to local farmers, families, merchants and consumers.
Tyson recalls, "By an amazing coincidence, just a couple of weeks after the CWB request came in, a student approached me and asked if I had an independent study project for him in the spring semester. I always want to encourage that, and it turns out that Rafi is not only from Bangladesh, he grew up in Chittagong. He was the ideal person for the job, and I soon asked him to join the CWB project."
Rafiyu is now a summer intern supported by the Juanita F. Bradspies Fund for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry and will spend this summer conducting experiments to adapt an existing arsenic water test kit for testing rice samples. He and Tyson hope that by September or early fall, CWB will be able to use the adapted test kit at the AUW in Chittagong.
One of the key challenges in testing rice instead of water is that starch in the grain interferes with the reaction. One approach is to modify the chemistry by replacing zinc, the hydride-generation reagent, with borohydride. However, when Rafiyu adds this to the powdered rice paste, the reaction is extremely vigorous and must be slowed to detect any arsenic present.
Tyson and Rafiyu estimate that it will take scores of experiments to identify the optimum combination of reagent, concentrations and reaction conditions. Once that is solved, they plan to replace what is now a naked-eye evaluation of color on the arsenic test strip with a method that creates a digital image, for example with a cell phone camera, for analysis.
Once they put a new kit into the hands of the college interns in Bangladesh, CWB will help them to develop presentations about the health hazards of arsenic in rice at high schools and community centers. It is hoped that the young "agents of change" there can bring awareness and education to help people reduce their exposure. Tyson notes, "We need to address the problems at the village level, and the place to start is with accurate chemical measurement."
In communities with a high arsenic concentration in the water, the interns may try to connect people with organizations that can help the communities transition to safe water, for example. Tyson says different water levels or aquifers have different arsenic contamination, and it is often possible to find a shallower or a deeper one that is relatively free of arsenic. Using that water to irrigate rice can reduce arsenic contamination, as can rinsing rice before cooking, and cooking in excess water. Armed with local test results, consumers can make informed decisions about reducing arsenic intake, especially by infants and small children.
Tyson notes that current scientific thinking is that no arsenic exposure or intake is safe, but an "acceptable risk threshold" of 1 in 10,000 for an arsenic-induced cancer is generally viewed as sensible and achievable. This would correspond to a concentration of 100 parts per billion (ppb) in rice, based on modest consumption by an adult. "That's the equivalent of a grain of rice in about a quarter of a ton of rice," he notes. "Arsenic compounds are extremely toxic."
The analytical chemist hopes that government agencies around the world will step forward as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did recently when it established a limit of 100 ppb for inorganic arsenic in baby rice cereal. "We need to extend that to all rice, which I believe should be labeled as to its arsenic content. Although the situation in Asia is serious, arsenic does occur in quite high concentrations in rice grown right here in the USA," he says.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/uoma-mai071416.php
Aromatic cheers
Public university develops first hybrid rice variety
An experimental plot of the country's first
aromatic hybrid rice variety -- BU Aromatic Hybrid Rice-1 -- at the Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University. Photo: BSMRAU
The development came at a time when Bangladesh has been struggling in aromatic rice export market due to lack of price competitiveness owing to low-yield potentials.
Aromatic rice is there in Bangladesh's export basket since 2012 fetching a yearly earning of Tk 80 crore. But further growth is being hindered due to the farmers' reluctance in growing fragrant rice, which yields less compared to non-aromatic fine varieties.
"If the farmers are given more productive aromatic rice varieties, it would give us an edge in the export market," said Shah Alam Babu, president of Bangladesh Rice Exporters Association.
To make the aromatic rice more competitive and also to meet the demand of domestic and international market, scientists Dr MA Khaleque Mian and Dr Nasrin Akter Ivy have developed the first aromatic hybrid rice variety -- BU Aromatic Hybrid Rice-1.
Mian and Ivy, both of whom teach genetics and plant breeding at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), have developed the variety after six years of hybridisation process applied to different locally available rice breeding lines.
Scientists at the BSMRAU have bred the fine and
slender fragrant rice unlocking potential for tapping export markets. Photo:
BSMRAU
"This
rice [new variety] has long and slender grains with wonderful aroma and can be
grown in both Aman and Boro seasons with five and six tonnes yield potentials
respectively. Unlike most of the hybrid rice varieties, which are susceptive to
lodging, this one has an erect plant type having non-lodging habit," Dr MA
Khaleque Mian told The Daily Star.Dr Ivy said the newly developed hybrid aromatic variety is also rich in high zinc and iron contents. It has got 22mg/kg zinc and 10mg/kg iron compared to 15mg of zinc and 7/8mg of iron in most other available rice varieties.
Zinc deficiency causes stunting, while iron deficiency is a leading cause of anaemia. More than one-third of under-five children in Bangladesh are stunted, while more than 43 percent women of reproductive age are anaemic.
Since release of the world's first zinc-enriched rice -- BRRI dhan62 -- in August 2013, Bangladeshi rice breeders have so far developed four high-zinc rice varieties. The BU Aromatic Hybrid Rice-1, however, is the first fragrant rice that is rich in both zinc and iron contents.
In Bangladesh, farmers mostly cultivate low-yield traditional aromatic rice varieties like Kalijira, Kataribhog, Rasulbhog, Badshabhog, Chinigura, Basmati, Dulabhog and Radhunipagol. These are grown in Aman season. The only Boro season aromatic rice variety -- Banglamoti (BRRI dhan-50) -- developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has gained huge popularity among farmers for its fragrance and high productivity.
Dr MA Khaleque Mian and Dr Nasrin Akter Ivy said BU Aromatic Hybrid Rice-1 can be grown both in Aman and Boro seasons with a promise of high productivity.
The scientists got the funding from the Sponsored Public Goods Research (SPGR) programme under the government's National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP).
The GETCO Agro Vision Ltd, a private agribusiness company, has recently struck an agreement with BSMRAU for seed developments of BU Aromatic Hybrid Rice-1, GETCO's Chief Operating Officer Md Abdus Samad Mondal told The Daily Star.
"We've grown the variety in last Boro season in our research station in Bogra and got 6.4 tonnes [per hectare] of production. The rice quality is fine, fragrance is excellent and tastes good as you consume the cooked rice," said GETCO's Head of Rice Research and Development Dr Md Ali Azam.
Dr Azam, who previously served Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) and led breeding of some of Bangladesh's best performing rice varieties Binadhan-7, 9 and 14, expressed the hope they would be able to produce seeds of the new aromatic rice variety starting later this year.
Talking to this correspondent, Bangladesh Rice Exporters Association (BREA) President Shah Alam Babu said farmers' income would boost up from aromatic rice cultivation if they get more yield per hectare. "Besides, we'll be able to source aromatic rice in a competitive price and be able to increase export."
Babu, who exports aromatic rice to the USA, said Bangladesh has lost several traditional markets to competitors when the government banned rice export in 2008. After export resumption in 2012, the flow of aromatic rice export is gradually peaking, he added.
Export market apart, a good quantity of aromatic rice is also consumed at home as people cook Polau, Biryani, Khichuri, Firni and Kheer delicacies as well as plain rice with the fragrant varieties
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/aromatic-cheers-1253992
Drop by drop
After
two consecutive years of subpar rainfall, the India Meteorological Department
(IMD) has forecasted “above normal” shower for 2016. While the onset in June
has been both late and weak, we have seen a dramatic revival in the first week
of July. On cumulative basis, from a deficit of 11 per cent in June, there has
been a turnaround towards 1 per cent surplus.
The
regional distribution is getting better too. All the regions except East and
North East are now in the surplus zone. Even for the East division, the revival
is encouraging, with surplus rainfall of 15 per cent in the first week of July,
compared to weekly average deficit of 29 per cent in June.
Need for caution
More importantly, for foodgrain output, what matters the most is that States such as UP, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh receive normal rainfall. To measure this we created a production weighted deviation (from normal) index at HDFC Bank. This suggests that the momentum is stronger than what an un-weighted index would show.
More importantly, for foodgrain output, what matters the most is that States such as UP, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh receive normal rainfall. To measure this we created a production weighted deviation (from normal) index at HDFC Bank. This suggests that the momentum is stronger than what an un-weighted index would show.
For the
first week of July, while the IMD deviation measure shows a surplus of 35 per
cent, the production weighted gauge shows a surplus of 47 per cent.
However,
there is still need for caution. Owing to the deficient rainfall in the
preceding years, the water level in reservoirs remain discernibly low, and the
good monsoon has not yet had a major impact in this regard.
As of
July 6, the data from Central Water commission shows that water level in the
key reservoirs across the country was at a dismal 18 per cent of the storage
capacity. That is 55 per cent of the storage of the corresponding period last
year and 74 per cent of the average storage of last 10 years.
Since
reservoir levels play an important role, with implications on the supply of
hydropower and irrigation of crops after the monsoon. The distressing trend on
this front has been a prime reason for subdued sowing activity despite the
pickup in rainfall. Therefore, it is important to be watchful of the trend in
July and August. Empirical evidence shows that in the last eight years, only 17
per cent of the overall rainfall during the monsoon season has come in June.
Around
32 per cent has been in the month of July, 28 per cent in August and 23 per
cent in September. If the trend persists, and as rainfall picks up, both
reservoir levels and sowing activity should improve.
An
important caveat in this regard is that the monsoon may gain extraordinary
vigour towards the fag end, which could result in crop damage and loss in
output.
What's coming
If everything goes as predicted, higher agri-output should ultimately lead to lower food inflation, which have been rising at an average pace of 7.2 per cent y-o-y in the last three months, compared to average monthly rise of 4.9 per cent in FY16.
If everything goes as predicted, higher agri-output should ultimately lead to lower food inflation, which have been rising at an average pace of 7.2 per cent y-o-y in the last three months, compared to average monthly rise of 4.9 per cent in FY16.
There is
catch though. Our model shows that it takes around three to four months for a
normal monsoon cycle to have a favourable effect on food prices. So even if it
rains cats and dogs, food prices might remain firm.
Supply
chain blockages and a weak pass-through mechanism from the wholesalers mean
that disinflation in food is unlikely to commence before August.
The writer is a senior economist at HDFC Bank.
The views are persona
Nigeria may soon become exporter of rice – CBN Director
Posted by on
The
meeting was held to discuss the recent shock vote in the United Kingdom to
leave the European Union and what it portends for the Nigerian economy
Nigeria
may soon become a net exporter of rice, Isaac Okoroafor, the Acting Director of
Corporate Communications at the Central Bank of Nigeria, has said.Okoroafor
said this in his presentation at the Time Economics Breakfast Meeting, a
monthly presentation by the Time Economics Consulting Firm, on Wednesday in
Abuja.He said such a feat could become possible because of the increased
harvest from the programme the CBN embarked upon with rice farmers in Kebbi
State.
The
meeting was held to discuss the recent shock vote in the United Kingdom to
leave the European Union and what it portends for the Nigerian economy.The
forum also deliberated on the economic implications of the floating of the
Naira embarked by the Central Bank of Nigeria.Okoroafor said: “Our expectation
was that each farmer will get four to five tonnes but they are making seven to
eight tonnes per hectare.“This is just rice and there are millions of farmers waiting for this.“This is just a pilot project.
“If we do this consistently till 2018, we will start exporting rice.“If we can do this for about 10 commodities in two years, we will go out of this, but if we don’t, no amount of policies or management can help us.”In his contribution, Dr. Ogho Okiti, the Chief Executive Officer of Time Economics, said the Federal Government should deepen reforms in various sectors of the economy that could attract investments and create jobs.According to Okiti, Brexit has resulted in uncertainty in the global market and this, he said, would linger for a while.
He said the growth in the global economy had not been very good in the last two years as it had been subdued and volatile as a result of certain conditions in the market.
“Most people believe that the problem is not liquidity, but the investment uncertainty environment.”On its implications for Africa, Okiti said there would be continued pressure on trade, currency and aid from outside sources, adding that the way forward was diversification.According to Okiti, in the second quarter, Nigeria’s economy experienced a new face of low growth, weak export prices.He said: “World bank put our growth rate at 0.8 per cent, IMF expects our economy to contract, Fitch downgraded our expenditure from BB- to B+.
“Oil price is low, poor power supply, weak government expenditure, foreign exchange constraint, constraint in inputs among others and what we see is recession.
“An inflation rate of 15.6 is the highest since 2010, both food and core sub-index recorded significant month to month growth with the drivers being forex scarcity, increased electricity tariff, high fuel prices.”
On the inflation outlook, Okiti said if the government was able to contain the shocks without further occurrence, “we would remain at the present level even if inflation remains the same”.
He said the CBN’s decision to float forex market was a courageous policy which could enhance liquidity, improve business confidence and deepen our market.
He said the Futures Market would serve as hedge against volatility of the naira and businesses and other end users would not purchase forex they have no immediate need for.
Okiti said oil exports, remittances to friends and families and portfolio flows would be ways of improving liquidity in the country.
He said the convergence of the interbank parallel market would result in increased government revenue which would in turn increase states revenue.
Also speaking, Ambakederemo Eniye, the Senior Technical Adviser to the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, called for the establishment and implementation of a data base for the country.
Eniye said: “We need to align institutions within the country.
“Let institutions know their roles and be allowed to play it and establish steps needed to achieve our goals.
“We have the capacity and there is an opportunity for Nigeria, but we need to take charge.
http://theeagleonline.com.ng/nigeria-may-soon-become-exporter-of-rice-cbn-director/
By Tim
Sandle
|
In an open letter, around one a third of living Nobel
laureates (110 scientists) have signed a statement saying that Greenpeace has
misrepresented the risks and benefits of genetically modified crops. Here, the
scientists state that genetically modified crops are safe for human consumption
and have the potential to feed the world and improve human health.
The letter demands that the environmental
pressure group Greenpeace stop its campaign against GM crops. Here the letter
runs: “There has never been a single confirmed case of a negative health
outcome for humans or animals from their consumption.”
Genetically modified crops are plants used in
agriculture where the DNA has been modified using genetic engineering
techniques. Generally this is designed to introduce a new trait to the plant.
This might be to make the plant more resistance to pests or diseases; to allow
the plant to be environmentally more robust; or to improve the nutrient profile
of the crop. With the latter, potatoes created to have a higher starch content
is an example.
In the statement, the scientists, who include
James Watson (of the DNA discovery fame), use the example of Golden Rice as a
type of genetically modified crop that carries significant potential to improve
health and save lives in the developing world. The rice was patented during
1990s. It contains an inserted gene designed to increase vitamin A-rich
beta-carotene levels.
However, in conversation with The Guardian, Greenpeace has countered
the letter and has refused to stop its anti-GM campaign.
Speaking for the environmental body, Wilhelmina
Pelegrina said: “Accusations that anyone is blocking genetically engineered
’Golden’ rice are false.” However, she went onto say that large corporations
were using the strain “to pave the way for global approval of other more
profitable genetically engineered crops,” adding that “life is not an
industrial commodity”.
In addition, The Conversation website notes that Greenpeace argues there
are cheaper and more better alternatives to Golden Rice. The campaign body
further claims that developers “are downplaying the risk that GM rice will
contaminate traditional and organic rice crops.” One concern is with the
likelihood of transgenes escaping from cultivated crops into wild relatives.
The general balance on Twitter is in favor of
Greenpeace. For instance, V.A. SHIVA (@va_shiva) tweeted:
"The letter by the Nobel winners is merely an opinion, and not an
authoritative study to go by." However, there are some who are in favor,
such as financial journalist Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain), who indicated: "Seems GM food is not harmful after all
Nobel laureates endorse it". And there are some in the middle, such as
Bernie Sanders supporter #OnlySanders つ ◕_◕ つ (@ThankYouBernie) said: "Conflicting Values in the GM Food Crop
Debate."
07/14/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
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Rice Comment
Rice futures again traded in a narrow range
with light volume before closing lower. The WASDE report showed mostly
offsetting changes, but 16-17 ending stocks are projected at their highest
level since 85-86 thanks to large increases in California medium grain stocks.
The all rice on farm average price was lowered, again a result of lower prices
in California. September has bounced off support near $10.25, and is attempting
to work higher, with the next upside target at last week’s high
of $10.94 ½.
25,000 MT Food Aid Sale to Ivory Coast
ARLINGTON, VA -- USDA's Food Assistance Division has approved the sale of
25,000 MT of long grain rice to the Ivory Coast as part of their Food For
Progress Program (FFPr). FFPr allows for U.S. commodities in key food
assistance markets to be sold by humanitarian groups who then invest the
proceeds in the development of a critical agricultural value chain. It is
commonly referred to as "monetization." In the case of Ivory
Coast, the sale of long grain rice will be invested in the development of the
poultry value chain.
This program is an important component of the U.S. government's desire to
invest in helping critical markets achieve agricultural sustainability and
eventually transition to commercial markets.
The Ivory Coast, traditionally a commercial market for USA Rice has
descended into food insecurity after years of civil unrest and economic
instability. USA Rice worked closely with industry, monetization agents
on the ground in the Ivory Coast, and the USDA to determine the appropriateness
of this sale to a former commercial market. After concluding the sale
would not create any market distortion and that it made sense to conduct food
assistance activities in a formerly commercial market, USA Rice encouraged and
supported the sale of rice for food assistance purposes.
USA Rice has been working closely with both USAID and USDA to emphasize
both the availability and advantageous prices of U.S. origin rice. As
rice is the most consumed commodity in the world, it is easily accepted by the
target population of food assistance programs, making it a highly effective tool
to combat hunger.
"This is the first of what we believe will be multiple new sales of
U.S. rice to the U.S. government for use in food assistance programs in the
coming year," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "We
are continuing our close collaboration with government agencies to increase
rice use to help vulnerable communities around the world."
Northeast Louisiana Rice Farmers Host Another Successful Field
Day
OAK RIDGE, LA -- Yesterday morning,
Northeast Louisiana rice growers met here at Vic Jordan's farm, Trio
Plantation, to hear from Louisiana State University AgCenter researchers on
this season's test plots results.
The group of farmers participated
in the morning program in the field with presentations by Dr. Rogers Leonard,
Dr. Steve Linscombe, Dr. Dustin Harrell, Dr. Don Groth, Dr. Eric Webster, and
Sebe Brown. Topics from the Crowley-based researchers were varied,
ranging from pest management, new varieties and effects on stand and yield, new
herbicide treatments, and more.
Following the field demonstrations,
participants traveled to the Rayville Civic Center for additional presentations
from Dr. Trey Price, Sebe Brown, and Peter Bachmann with USA Rice. Bachmann's
presentation focused on the state of the rice economy and the work USA Rice is
doing to improve the U.S. rice markets. "Planted rice acres in
Louisiana saw an increase of about 24 percent to 440,000 long grain rice acres
this year and with excess stocks on-hand from last year, this is a recipe for
depressed prices to stick around. Fortunately, our work in putting the
farm safety net together for rice in the 2014 Farm Bill has made us 'the best
house in a bad neighborhood' when compared to other commodities," he said.
Bachmann added, "USA Rice is
working hard to focus on permanently opening new export markets like Cuba,
securing reliable tenders for Iraq, and finalizing phytosanitary protocols to
gain access in China. Additionally, we're securing conservation financial
assistance for producers here on the ground in Louisiana and across the
Mid-South, the Gulf, and California through the NRCS Regional Conservation
Partnership Program in conjunction with Ducks Unlimited."
Scott Franklin, a Louisiana rice
farmer and owner of Holly Ridge Rice and Grain, and vice president of the
Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers Association, said he's "feeling
optimistic about the state of the rice industry, despite lower than desirable
prices right now."
Franklin finished by saying,
"The Price Loss Coverage program in place is serving the role it was
created for, keeping rice farmers in business during the tough years.
We'd obviously prefer for the market to be healthy enough that rice wouldn't
hit its trigger price but we all know 'what goes up, must come down' and vice
versa. Better times are ahead!"
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1515
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Rice Prices
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Chandabali(Ori)
|
85.00
|
NC
|
1693.00
|
1800
|
1400
|
12.50
|
|
Pandua(WB)
|
45.00
|
-6.25
|
2790.00
|
2800
|
2700
|
16.67
|
|
Beldanga(WB)
|
40.00
|
-4.76
|
2309.00
|
2350
|
2350
|
2.17
|
|
Balugaon(Ori)
|
30.00
|
NC
|
394.00
|
3200
|
3200
|
10.34
|
|
Rampur(UP)
|
22.50
|
7.14
|
892.00
|
2360
|
2350
|
11.58
|
|
Robertsganj(UP)
|
20.00
|
-6.98
|
553.00
|
1940
|
1910
|
4.30
|
|
Kaliaganj(WB)
|
14.00
|
40
|
828.00
|
2550
|
2550
|
2.00
|
|
Bankura Sadar(WB)
|
11.00
|
NC
|
147.00
|
2220
|
2200
|
-
|
|
Cherthalai(Ker)
|
10.00
|
42.86
|
371.00
|
2100
|
2150
|
-16.00
|
|
Alappuzha(Ker)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
130.00
|
4200
|
4250
|
12.00
|
|
Bampada(Ori)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
250.00
|
2600
|
2500
|
4.00
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
9.90
|
120
|
1347.60
|
2450
|
2450
|
-
|
|
Muradabad(UP)
|
9.00
|
-5.26
|
556.20
|
2400
|
2400
|
17.07
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
8.40
|
9.09
|
1651.70
|
1900
|
1900
|
-
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
8.00
|
-11.11
|
1439.10
|
1980
|
1985
|
0.25
|
|
Raiganj(WB)
|
7.00
|
-6.67
|
966.00
|
2550
|
2550
|
-1.92
|
|
Chengannur(Ker)
|
4.00
|
-42.86
|
655.00
|
2500
|
2300
|
NC
|
|
Khatauli(UP)
|
1.50
|
50
|
32.50
|
2280
|
2170
|
7.55
|
|
Rahama(Ori)
|
1.20
|
-25
|
57.06
|
2300
|
2300
|
NC
|
|
Kasipur(WB)
|
1.20
|
NC
|
42.20
|
2400
|
2280
|
9.09
|
|
Aroor(Ker)
|
1.00
|
-50
|
184.70
|
7300
|
7300
|
-9.88
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8848629.ece
Eat, play and make merry
NAGARA GOPAL_THE HINDU
Sanskari Tacos Photo: Nagara Gopal
NAGARA GOPAL_THE HINDU
Caesar's Palace Photo: Nagara Gopal
NAGARA GOPAL_THE HINDU
'Masti' unlimited Photo: Nagara Gopal
NAGARA GOPAL_THE HINDU
At 'Hoppipola' Photo: Nagara Gopal
NAGARA GOPAL_THE HINDU
Peri peri Biryani Photo: Nagara Gopal
Hoppipola, the new watering hole in town not only has food, but books and a board games corner too
HYDERABAD: Hoppipola celebrates all things that bring
people together. “It is happiness; the place is for the young, above 21,”
smiles business manager Subrata Chakraborty and adds, “The eatery will inspire
the not-so-young to discover their youthful days.” The new watering hole
Hoppipola, a chain of Speciality Restaurants Limited, opposite Shilparamam in
Madhapur joins the list of bar cum dining eateries. Originally Hoppipolla
(meaning ‘jumping into puddles’) is a song from Takk, an 2005 album by the
Icelandic band Sigur Ros.
The
ambience inside the eatery is warm and cosy and the interiors have a fun
appeal. Apart from the yellow and blue cushion chairs to sink into and bar
stools to perch on, the ceiling is colourful with small aeroplanes created out
of wood in yellow, blue, green and pink and cages with wooden birds. “The eight
aeroplanes signify the number of places Hoppipola is in India, including Mumbai
and Bengalore,” points out Subrata. The interiors are the same in all their
branches and a significant feature is their books and games corner. While the
guests wait for their spirits to arrive, one can read a Percy Jackson book or
play a game of monopoly or Losers and Ladders or Zynga. One can also indulge in
some fun by playing a ‘game of happiness’. “This game is only for the women.
One special surprise is hidden inside these small houses and who ever finds it
wins an offer,” explains Subrata pointing to a wall. While DJ Anupam Raj
entertains the crowd with his English, hip hop and Bollywood tracks, the drinks
menu has a host of spirits, a large selection of beers, wines and cocktails.
The menu
touches shores from Italian, American and Mexican and the special feature is
the fancy names of the dishes. One can spot a Paneer sanskari tacos and Wrap
city bi*ch jostling space with Fishful thinking and Hot chick.
One can
start off with a hearty salad - Caesar’s palace. Starters are enticing with
their wide range of dishes. There is Beet the Hummus served with
assorted breads or Muncher’s Favourite which is a crumb fried chicken
with a Mediterranean rub. OMG with mushrooms is quite mouthful and New
age wing man – chicken wings in barbeque sauce or Chiseled prawns (where
basil and chilly are added to prawns) is ideal for the non-vegetarians during
the monsoon. The menu also includes sandwiches, wraps and sliders.
All the
dishes score high on their presentation. For the main course, there is a large
variety of pizzas and pastas. They have added a few dishes for rice lovers, so
you can savour a cup of Oriental-aromatic Thai green curry flavoured
with Galangal and Kafir lime served with rice or Peri Peri Biryani which
is essentially basmati rice spiked with peri peri spices, caramelised onions
and cheese.
The
dessert section features Rum Pum Pum, a rum soaked banoffee pie with a
rich toffee sauce and Fudge Block, a classic chocolate brownie served
with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. There is an equal emphasis on the
liquor list, featuring quite the collection of cocktails apart from the usual
libations
http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/hoppipola-the-new-watering-hole-in-town-not-only-has-food-but-books-and-a-board-games-corner-too/article8849251.ece
Aus cultivation increasing in 5 northern districts
12:00 AM, July 14, 2016 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:00
AM, July 14, 2016
A farmer nurses aus plants on his field at
Kanaikata village in Nilphamari Sadar upazila. Photo: Star
Our Correspondent, Nilphamari
However, the farmers cultivated aus on 22,806 hectares of land which is 7 percent higher than the previous year.
Agriculture experts said aus paddy is drought tolerant and can be cultivated and harvested before full scale rainy season and flood.
Monsoon covers entire country, poised to take a breather
Thiruvananthapuram, July 13:
The
South-West monsoon has completed coverage of the entire country ahead of the
scheduled timeline of July 15, the India Met Department announced on Wednesday.
The 24-hour period up to Wednesday morning saw heavy to very heavy rainfall at
isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra while it was heavy over Gujarat, Madhya
Pradesh and Gangetic West Bengal.
Systems weaken
Wednesday also saw the two main supporting
systems — a low-pressure area over North-West Madhya Pradesh and the offshore
trough along the West Coast — weaken one after the other. This is considered a
precursor to the weak phase that the monsoon is likely entering over the next
couple of days. The Met has already indicated that the ‘axis’ of the monsoon
would migrate to the foothills of the Himalayas during this phase.
During the active phase of the monsoon, the
axis is centred along a North-West to South-East alignment linking Rajasthan
with the Bay of Bengal and laid out across the plains of North India.
Monsoon systems (low-pressure areas and others)
originating in the Bay move in over land through a corridor (trough) built
around the axis, spreading rain over Central and North-West India.
Movement of the axis towards the foothills of
the Himalayas will take the belt of heavy rain to that region, covering Jammu
and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and North-East
India.
Global
weather models, too, have been alluding to the emerging weak phase. The US
Climate Prediction says that July 13 to 19 would witness a ‘break’ in the
monsoon over South Asia.
In the
week that follows (July 20 to 26), the ‘break’ phase should shift northward
over South Asia and expand over South-East Asia, with some ‘moisture recharge’
over southern India.
In other
words, the US agency is indicating that the dry phase in the monsoon will
alternate between southern and northern parts of the country during the next
two weeks.
The
second week will witness a limited revival of the monsoon over South India,
thanks to the movement of a helpful Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) wave across
the Indian Ocean, even as North India dries up.
(This article was published on July 13, 2016)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-covers-entire-country-poised-to-take-a-breather/article8845001.ece
Inadequate rain, no irrigation hit paddy
Published: July 14, 2016 3:36 am On: Nepal
Himalayan News Service
A
subsidiary dam of the Kaligandaki 'A' Hydro Powe...
Rajbiraj, July 13
Paddy
plantation in a large chunk of cultivable land has been badly affected due to
lack of monsoon rain and irrigation in Saptari district. Of the
70,000 hectares of cultivable land in the district, only 40,000 hectares is
irrigated, while the remaining 30,000 hectares lack irrigation.According to Saptari District Development Office, rice seedlings have been planted only in 10 per cent of the total cultivable land.
Bidhya Sagar Yadav, agriculture officer at District Agriculture Development Office Saptari, said paddy plantation was adversely affected due to water crisis in all three-irrigation canals of the district and less rain during the monsoon season.
“Hardly around 10 per cent paddy plantation has been completed with the help of pumped water. Though some paddy fields in south-eastern belt of the district have been irrigated, almost all fields in the north-west belt are barren for want of irrigation and rain water,” said Yadav. Farmers have yet to begin paddy plantation in about three dozen VDCs of the district, including
Bode Barsain, Pato, Barahi Birpur, Fulkahi, Kodarkatti, Bhutahi, Manraja, Khadkapur, Arnaha, Bramhapur, Kabilasa, Malahaniya, Malhanma, Hardiyakataiya, Rampurjamuwa and Mohanpur, among others.
“If there is no adequate monsoon rain till end of July, paddy plantation will be almost impossible in the district. Rice seedlings can be planted only in around 40 to 45 per cent land, that too only if irrigated adequately,” said Yadav.
Peasants complained that their rice seedlings were turning dry. “If it doesn’t rain within two to four days, planting the pale rice seedlings will be a futile exercise,” said local farmer Surya Narayan Yadav of Raypur VDC-8. For want of irrigation facilities, local farmers usually depend on rain water for plantation.
Ram Narayan Ram, a farmer of Saraswor-7, said it was difficult for them to save the cultivated paddy plants with pumped water during sunny days. “Cracks have developed on the paddy fields and if the situation continues, we will starve this year,” regretted Ram.
________________________________________
75 per cent arable land barren in Rautahat
Rautahat, July 13
Without proper irrigation and low monsoon rain, only 25 per cent of arable land has been cultivated with rice seedlings in Rautahat so far.
“Although the government had said it would bring about a revolution in the agriculture sector, a large number of farmers have not been able to begin paddy plantation due to lack of proper irrigation facility in Rautahat. Farmers in the southern belt farmers have been hit the worst,” said agro-expert Paras Jha.
A large number of farmers have been compelled to use underground water, which is very expensive, said Shiva Mangal Pandit of Laxmipur Belbichhuwa. “Though the government has been investing a huge chunk of the budget in the agriculture sector, no results have come from it,” said Pandit. He added that although they had prepared their fields to plant paddy in mid-May, the fields were still fallow.
District Agriculture Development Office Rautahat Chief Raj Narayan Yadav said production of rice in the district will drop sharply this year. “Although a large chunk of land in the northern belt has been irrigated, the water supplied is not enough for the crops. The monsoon rain has not been so helpful either,” said Yadav. Of the total 112,600 hectares of arable land, paddy is planted in around 40,000 hectares every year.
While the Bagmati Irrigation Project has been a great boon for farmers in the past, the project has failed to work now due to ongoing repair works in the canal in various places.
Meanwhile, Chief of the project Rajendra Yadav said that adequate water would be supplied smoothly within two days.
A version of this article appears in print on July 14, 2016 of The Himalayan Times
https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/inadequate-rain-no-irrigation-hit-paddy/
Agriculture chief: Rice sufficiency a must
Thursday, July 14, 2016
NEW
Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said it is now "a must" for the
country to achieve sufficiency in rice and other basic food commodities."It
is no longer a choice," Piñol said as he cited the Rice Productivity
Enhancement (Ripe), a program, which he crafted.Ripe calls for a comprehensive
review of the water management and irrigation policies, the conduct of a
nationwide soil analysis, an extensive program to improve rice farming
technology, the introduction of high-yielding rice varieties, effective soil
rehabilitation and fertilizer program, and modern and post-harvest facilities
to minimize losses.
The DA chief noted that there is a potential to
significantly increase the rice production from the current national average
harvest of 4 metric tons per hectare.
His predecessor, Proceso Alcala, failed to
achieve the target of rice self-sufficiency under the Aquino administration.
Piñol also called for the increase production
of white corn in support to the grain requirements of the corn-eating provinces
such as Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Bohol, Cebu, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte,
the three provinces of Samar and Northern Mindanao."If there is rice
sufficiency, there must be also corn sufficiency," he added.For the
livestock and poultry industry, the new Agri chief wants to promote the
lessening of feed components supplies’ reliance to imported materials (soya and
fish meal), thereby leading to a decrease in production cost.For the fisheries
sector, he directed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to implement
an anti-illegal fishing program and a three-month closed season during the
spawning season of specific fish species in various regions nationwide, a
replication of the strategy carried out in Zamboanga. (SDR/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/07/14/agriculture-chief-rice-sufficiency-must-485278
Iraq Agrees to Buy US Rice
July
13, 2016 in Agriculture
“This MOU represents a win-win for Iraq and the United States and is a sign of how our two countries can strengthen commercial ties to the ultimate economic benefit of both our peoples.
“The U.S. Embassy is committed to providing technical assistance to enhance Ministry of Trade officials’ expertise with respect to purchasing agricultural products on the international market.”
This agreement comes within the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Iraq Concerning the Development of Trade and Investment Relations.
The MOU will be operative for six months with the possibility of renewal; and it can be discontinued at any time by either party.
(Source: Embassy of the United States)
India's monsoon rains 11 pct above average in past week - weather office
Thu Jul 14, 2016 12:45pm GMT
The June-September monsoon has so far delivered 4 percent higher rainfall than average.
The monsoon rains covered the entire country on Wednesday, cheering farmers planting crops such as rice, soybeans, cotton and pulses in the summer sowing season that starts in June.
Two straight drought years in India curbed farm output and incomes but the country is set to receive above average rains this year, the weather office said. (Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal; Editing by Malini Menon)
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFD8N19Y00A
Rice Assessment Committee court in full swing -several land issues resolved
Jul 14, 2016
(Ministry of Agriculture – July 14, 2016) –
Over a two day process Chairman, and Board Members of the newly elected Rice
Assessment Committee Board resolved several land issues, at a scheduled hearing
at the Mahaicony, and Leguan Magistrate’s court respectively.
Among the issues which were brought before the
courts were outstanding payment of leases, and proprietorship of land. The role
of the Committee is to safeguard tenants (rice) who felt they were being
mistreated by landlords in keeping with the Rice Farmers (Security of Tenure)
Act Chapter 69;02.
Over the
years, the dynamics of landlord-tenant arrangements have changed as there are
now persons who have small scale land and are renting to farmers who would in
turn develop the land into large-scale production contributing towards Guyana’s
food security needs.The farmers’ lauded the move of the Government in
reinstating the Committee, which has been very instrumental in ensuring that
their issues are resolved and in an amicable manner.
Attorneys-at
Law Mr. Omadatt Chandan during the proceedings
According to Mr. Amjad Ally Shaw, the work of
the Committee has ensured that farmers’ livelihood are safeguarded.“The work
the Committee has been doing over the past month is exceptional however, there
needs to be harsher penalties towards tenants, especially those are continue to
owe landlords excess amount of monies,” he said.The Rice Farmers (Security of
Tenure) Act in keeping with implied conditions in agreement of tenancy also
stipulates the processes whereby, tenancy can be terminated by tenants and
landlords respectively.The matters were presided over by Attorneys-at Law Mr.
Omadatt Chandan and Mr. Yoganand Persaud respectively.
http://gina.gov.gy/rice-assessment-committee-court-in-full-swing-several-land-issues-resolved/
‘Nigeria spends $11bn yearly on food importation’
Sesan Olufowobi
The
Lagos State Government says Nigeria spends $11bn (N3.1tn) annually to import
wheat, rice, sugar and fish.The government stated this on Wednesday at a
capacity building workshop for heads of agriculture department in the 57 local
government and local council development areas of the state in Ikeja. At the
event, organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Olayiwole Onasanya, said
Nigeria’s importation rate was worrisome.
Quoting from a Central Bank of Nigeria report,
Onasanya said, “Over $11bn was spent to import four consumable
commodities–rice, wheat, fish and sugar– annually. Nigeria’s food import is
growing at an unsustainable rate of 11 per cent per annum.”He said relying on
importation of expensive food from global markets fuelled domestic inflation,
adding that excessive imports had put pressure on the naira and hurt the
economy.Onasanya said, “The Lagos State Government has, however, taken the bull
by the horns to boost food production at the grass roots. We are organising
capacity building for LG workers to increase farm size and productivity.”
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Local Government and Community Affairs, Jafar Sanuth, observed that involvement
of departments of agriculture at the LG level in food production had been
minimal.The Director, Community Agriculture, Ministry of Local Government and
Community Affairs, Dapo Olakulehin, said the aim of the workshop was to bring about
diversification of the agricultural sector.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
http://punchng.com/nigeria-spends-11bn-yearly-food-importation/
Chef Benedetto Jeremiah Korpusik fires up the fantastic
Jeremiah
Korpusik prepares Hawaiian dishes at home
Before shocking them in ice water to stop the
cooking, Sardine Room executive chef Jeremiah Korpusik drains boiled green
beans to be used in a favorite green papaya salad while cooking at home in
Detroit, Michigan on June 22, 2016. Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
“I was always
hungry and always watching her cook,” he said. “She’s a fantastic
Southern-style, soul food cook. I grew up on all the classics…red beans and
rice, fried pork chops, fried chicken, meatloaf…all the comfort foods. She
doesn’t have a lot of culinary knowledge but she knows how to make great food.
Her dad was a cook in the Navy,” he said.Born in Detroit, Korpusik’s family
moved to Port Sanilac when he was 12. He got his first job at a local
restaurant called The Landing at the age of 15. Then, after moving to Kalamazoo
to attend Western University, he worked at several different restaurants.
“I hopped
around a lot to learn the trade, spending about six months at each one,” he
said.
At the age of
22, Korpusik became the manager of the London Grill Singapore Pub in Kalamazoo.
And it was there that he first became acquainted with such classical Indian
dishes including naan, dahl and paneer. Soon after, while working as a sauté
cook at a resort in Portland, Maine, the chef found out that his girlfriend
(now his wife), Monica, had been recruited to teach special education in Hawaii
and he decided to join her there.
Koropusik ended
up spending four years in Oahu, Hawaii working as a sauté chef — first at Town
restaurant for James Beard nominee chef Ed Kinney and later for chef/owner
Colin Nikita at Sidestreet Inn.“Nikita, famous for his Hawaiian soul food, was
featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations TV show,” Jeremiah said.After
leaving Hawaii, Korpusik worked as a sous chef for two years in Charlotte,
North Carolina before coming back to Michigan in 2010. Since then, he has
worked as a line cook at Coach Insignia, as a sous chef at Joe Muer’s Seafood
in Detroit and as the executive chef at the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in
Northville.The Detroit resident said he started off cooking the basics, then
tweaking them to make them more modern.
“I’m a huge fan
of peasant food and making it more refined by using better local products. My
motto is ‘local first, organic when possible,’” he said.Korpusik said he likes
this green papaya salad because it has more substance than most green salads
and variations of it can be found in Hawaiian, Vietnamese, Thai and Filipino
cuisines. “It’s one of my favorite salads,” he said. “And I like to add shrimp
or crab to it as well.”The 35-year-old also said he likes to make a big batch
of the Kalua pig recipe about once a month. “But it’s not the traditional style
at all,” he said. “In Hawaii, they put a whole pig in a hole with tea leaves
and chicken wire and cook it for 30 hours. When I make it here it’s pretty much
just a big pork butt, water and sea salt that I cook it for a few hours. I like
to make a big batch and freeze it for sandwiches and nachos,” he said.
Adds Korpusik:
“It used to be that the chef trade wasn’t really respected. But it’s become a
lot more professional in the last few years. A lot of people my age went out
and traveled and learned the craft and came back with the knowledge, talent and
skills to teach upcoming chefs in this area. And a lot have learned by going to
Schoolcraft. I’ve trained a lot of kids from there. They get a good start
there,” he said.
Kalua Pig with
Basmati Rice
1 pork butt (bone-in, approximately 5 pounds)
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
1/2 cup Hawaiian sea salt
1 quart water
Put all ingredients in a Dutch oven and cook for four hours at 350
degrees. Then shred pork. Serve on Basmati Rice (recipe follows).
Basmati Rice
3 cups water
2 cups rice
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon salt
Bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add rice. Cover and
simmer on low for 22 minutes. Serves 8.
Per serving: 723
calories; 38 g fat (15 g saturated fat; 47 percent calories from fat); 36 g
carbohydrates; 0 g sugar; 206 mg cholesterol; 2,371 mg sodium; 56 g protein; 1
g fiber.
Cold Macaroni
Salad
1 box elbow macaroni noodles (cooked/cooled/dried)
2 cups sweet peas
3 carrots, shredded
1/2 sweet onion, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cups mayo
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all the ingredients together and let sit in the refrigerator
for at least one hour before serving. Makes 8 servings.
Per serving: 578
calories; 42 g fat (7 g saturated fat; 65 percent calories from fat); 40 g
carbohydrates; 4.5 g sugar; 23 mg cholesterol; 974 mg sodium; 9 g protein; 4 g
fiber.
Green Papaya
Salad with Fish Sauce Vinaigrette
Salad
1/2 green papaya, seeded, shaved thin on a mandolin
1 cup long beans, blanched and cut into 1 inch long strips
1 cup bean sprouts
1 tablespoon peanuts
1 tablespoon mint, torn
1 tablespoon cilantro, torn
Fish Sauce
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup fish sauce (I prefer either the Bliss or Red Boat brand)
2 limes, both zest and juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 Fresno chiles, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon mint, chopped
1 tablespoons ginger puree
1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and sliced thin on a mandolin
1 cup vegetable oil
Sea salt to taste
To prepare the
Fish Sauce Vinaigrette:
Put all the ingredients (except oil) into a blender and blend. Then
slowly pour the oil into the mixture.
To assemble:
Put salad ingredients in a bowl. Toss with vinaigrette. Makes 6
servings.
Per serving: 408
calories; 37 g fat (4 g saturated fat; 82 percent calories from fat); 18 g
carbohydrates; 13 g sugar; 0 mg cholesterol; 826 mg sodium; 3 g protein; 3 g
fiber.
Kalbi Short
Ribs
2 pounds 1/4 inch-cut short ribs with bone in
1 tablespoon Gochujang Korean chili paste
2 tablespoons Sambal Oelok garlic chili paste
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon ginger puree
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup mirin rice wine
1 bunch of scallions, smashed
Mix all the ingredients (except the scallions and the sesame seeds)
together. Pour over the short ribs and marinate for at least three days, making
sure the short ribs stay submerged in the marinade. When ready, grill the short
ribs on both sides, three to four minutes per side. To serve, cut in between
the bones and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions. Serves 4.
Per serving
(without garnish): 413 calories; 18 g fat (7 g saturated fat; 39 percent calories
from fat); 32 g carbohydrates; 23 g sugar; 80 mg cholesterol; 2,214 mg sodium;
31 g protein; 2 g fiber.
Coconut and
Lychee Tapioca with Passion Fruit Chantilly
Tapioca
1 can coco lopez
1 can lychee
1 can coconut milk
4 ounces water
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups of tapioca pearls
Preparation of
the Tapioca:
Put the coco lopez, lychee and coconut milk in a blender till
smooth. Transfer to a pot. Bring to a boil. Mix the cornstarch with 4 ounces of
water and pour the mixture into the pot and whisk vigorously. Once the mixture
turns into pudding consistency, remove from heat and let chill. Then, in
another pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add tapioca. Let boil for
fifteen minutes. Then strain and mix the tapioca mixture with the pudding
mixture. Refrigerate for an hour.
Passion Fruit
Chantilly
8 ounces heavy whipping cream
2 ounces passion fruit, pureed
Sliced strawberries and blueberries
To Prepare The
Passion Fruit Chantilly:
Whip the heavy cream. Add the passion fruit puree.
To assemble the
Tapioca:
Place sliced berries on top of the tapioca. Then cover the berries
with the Chantilly mixture. Serves 6.
Per
serving: 625 calories; 38 g fat (30 g saturated fat; 55
percent calories from fat); 68 g carbohydrates; 16 g sugar; 55 mg cholesterol;
57 mg sodium; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber
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