Trade with Pakistan a choice country: Tehran Chamber
August 25, 2016
Amanullah Khan
Karachi—Jahangiri, Vice President
of Tehran Chamber of Commerce has said that Pakistan will be the first country
to start new trade with Iran. “We can extend trade, transportation and ports.
Our cooperation in power and electricity can play important role” he added. He
said Pakistan can export rice, mangoes and kinnos to Iran. It’s critical to
stop smuggling and it can happen by planning and reducing tariffs in order to
fulfill all the formal legal requirements. On our side Tehran Chamber is the
largest private entity and we will try our best for the removal of all types of
barriers in order to promote Pak-Iran Trade. The all out efforts will be made
to enhance investment and to facilitate the investors coming from Pakistan.
It may be noted that a 19 member trade delegation of major exporters in textile, leather, rice and agro products, tents and canvas, surgical instruments and gems and jewellery lead by S.M. Muneer, Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is visiting Iran for enhancing trade with Iran. In response to the remarks of Jahangiri, the Chief Executive Officer, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, desired to arrange one ‘Single Country’ exhibition in the city of Karachi or Lahore. Jahangiri stated that as a member of the chamber he will send the proposal to the concerned quarters and also follow up this proposal to organize the exhibition in Pakistan.
This will help us to show our capacity in various fields to the business community of Pakistan. He stated that like Chief Executive TDAP he also belongs to banking sector and will utilize his experience for expanding our relations. A meeting was held between S.M. Muneer accompanied by Nazar Muhammad Ranjha, Commercial Counsellor of Pakistan in Tehran and members of delegation and Jahangiri, vice president of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture and his team on 23rd August in Tehran Chamber of Commerce. Jahangiri welcomed CEO TDAP and expressed their happiness to host this delegation from brotherly neighbour country based on history. He stated that two countries enjoy good relations and want to increase trade in engineering.
Both countries have population more than 270 million and common border of 900 km, cheap labours, natural resources and both have complementary economies. But he present the level of economic relations is not satisfactory and there is need to increase it. He said that at present the volume of trade is only $830m. Now sharing capacity of two countries we can achieve higher figures. Recently president Iran visited Pakistan and emphasized that trade volume between Iran and Pakistan should reach to $5 billion and this can happen by private sector. He said that in the past decade there were sanctions, but now sanctions were lifted and JCPOA has been signed. We have achieved great success without bloodshed and war. Our brother Pakistan stood with us. Now we are beginning new round of cooperation.
TDAP takes 19-member trade delegation to Iran
25-Aug-16
TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD: Trade Development Authority of
Pakistan Chief Executive S M Muneer is leading a 19-member trade delegation of
major exporters in textile, leather, rice and agro products, tents and canvas,
surgical instruments, gems and jewellery to Iran for the purpose of enhancing
bilateral trade.A meeting was held between TDAP Chief Executive Muneer,
accompanied by Commercial Counsellor of Pakistan in Tehran Nazar Muhammad
Ranjha along with other members of delegation, and Tehran Chamber of Commerce
and Industry Vice President Jahangiri and his team on August 23 in the Iranian
capital, said a press release issued on Wednesday.
Jahangiri stated that the two countries enjoy good relations and want to increase trade in engineering. Both countries have population of more than 270 million and common border of 900km, cheap labour, natural resources and complementary economies. However, he said the present the level of economic relations was not satisfactory and there was a dire need to increase it. He said at present the volume of trade is only $830 million, adding that with sharing capacity of both the countries, we can achieve higher figures.
Recently, the Iranian president visited Pakistan
and emphasised that trade volume between Iran and Pakistan should reach to $5
billion, which could happen only with the help of private sector. He said that
in the past decade there were sanctions, but now sanctions were lifted and
JCPOA has been signed. "We have achieved great success without bloodshed
and war. Our brother Pakistan stood with us. Now we are beginning new round of
cooperation," he added.
Jahangiri said that we could extend trade, transportation, ports and start cooperation in power and electricity can play important role with Pakistan. Furthermore, he added, Pakistan could also export rice, mangoes and kinnos to Iran. He emphasised that it was critical to stop smuggling through proper planning and reduction in tariffs to fulfill all the formal legal requirements. "On our side, Tehram chamber is the largest private entity and we will try our best for the removal of all types of barriers in order to promote Pak-Iran trade. All out efforts will be made to enhance investment and to facilitate the investors coming from Pakistan," he added.The TDAP chief Executive desired to arrange one single country exhibition in Karachi or Lahore. Jahangiri stated that as a member of the chamber, he would send the proposal to the concerned quarters and also follow up this proposal to organise the exhibition in Pakistan.
http://dailytimes.com.pk/business/25-Aug-16/tdap-takes-19-member-trade-delegation-to-iran
Pakistan donates 10,000 tons of rice to flooded areas of China
Wednesday, August-24-2016
The first batch of rice donated by Pakistan to
flood-stricken areas in central China's Hubei province arrived at Wuhan Tianhe
Airport on August 22. Hubei provincial government held a handover ceremony at
the airport for the first 22 tons of rice. According to the donation plan,
Pakistan will donate a total of 10,000 tons for disaster relief.At the handover
ceremony, Yang Xiaodong, deputy director of the disaster relief division of
China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, thanked the Pakistani government for its
generous donation, which Yang said fully reflected the deep friendship between
Pakistan and China.
Ali Ahmed Arain, Consul General of the
Pakistani consulate in Guangzhou, said at the ceremony that Pakistan has always
paid close attention to events happening in China. Since the Chinese people are
working hard to reconstruct their homes after the disaster, the Pakistani
government decided to offer a helping hand. The Pakistani government will soon
ship the rest of the donation to Wuhan.
A total of 98 counties and cities in Hubei
province are affected by flooding in this summer. Since the start of the rainy
season in June, Hubei has experienced six rounds of heavy rainfall. The
flooding has caused great damage across the region. From June 18 to July 31, a
total of 98 counties and cities were affected by flooding, with affected
persons reaching 17.85 million. A total of 2.18 million hectares of farmland
were flooded, 57,300 houses collapsed and 1.55 million people were forced to
temporarily relocate.
PAKISSAN.com
China's Hubei province: Pakistan donates 10,000 tons of rice to flooded areas
August 24, 2016
The first batch of rice donated by Pakistan to
flood-stricken areas in central China's Hubei province arrived at Wuhan Tianhe
Airport on August 22. Hubei provincial government held a handover ceremony at
the airport for the first 22 tons of rice. According to the donation plan,
Pakistan will donate a total of 10,000 tons for disaster relief.At the handover
ceremony, Yang Xiaodong, deputy director of the disaster relief division of
China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, thanked the Pakistani government for its
generous donation, which Yang said fully reflected the deep friendship between
Pakistan and China.
Ali Ahmed Arain, Consul General of the Pakistani consulate in Guangzhou, said at the ceremony that Pakistan has always paid close attention to events happening in China. Since the Chinese people are working hard to reconstruct their homes after the disaster, the Pakistani government decided to offer a helping hand. The Pakistani government will soon ship the rest of the donation to Wuhan.A total of 98 counties and cities in Hubei province are affected by flooding in this summer. Since the start of the rainy season in June, Hubei has experienced six rounds of heavy rainfall. The flooding has caused great damage across the region. From June 18 to July 31, a total of 98 counties and cities were affected by flooding, with affected persons reaching 17.85 million. A total of 2.18 million hectares of farmland were flooded, 57,300 houses collapsed and 1.55 million people were forced to temporarily relocate.
http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183:pakistan/78755:chinas-hubei-province-pakistan-donates-10000-tons-of-rice-to-flooded-areas/
Give the best service to customers, says Andhra Bank CEO
- Special Correspondent
Andhra
Bank Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Suresh N. Patel asked the
bank branch mangers to render best services to the customers and ensure the
increase of the bank’s business and profits.He exhorted them to get updated to
the latest changes and keep in touch with what is happening in the branch, in
the vicinity of their branch and also far outside so that they could
successfully face challenges.
Earlier,
on his arrival here on Wednesday afternoon Mr. Patel met a galaxy of
industrialists and businessmen of the zone comprising this district and Medak
district. Referring to the opinion of Shravan Kumar, a rice miller that the
rice milling industry was facing too many problems in getting finance in
Telengana in general and in Nizamabad district in particular, he advised Rice
Millers’ Association to get in touch with the SLBC and State Government for the
speedy solution. Bank Zonal Manager V. Venkateswar Rao, Assistant General
Manager Sudhakarudu and others were present
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-telangana/give-the-best-service-to-customers-says-andhra-bank-ceo/article9029148.ece
Iran’s non-oil trade exceeds $35.8b in 5 months
August 24, 2016
TEHRAN- Iran’s non-oil trade during the first
five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-August 21, 2016)
amounted to $35.817 billion, according to the Iran Customs Administration.
The
country’s non-oil exports totaled $19.108 billion, a 10.22 percent rise
compared to the same period in the previous year.Meanwhile, $16.709 billion of non-oil goods were imported, showing 2.85 percent decline year on year.
Main exported items included gas condensate, worth $3.27 billion, and liquefied gas, worth $1.94 billion.
Rice and corn were the two main imported items, valued at $476 million and $417 million respectively.
China topped the list of Iranian non-oil goods importers with $3.405 billion of import. The United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Turkey and South Korea ranked next.
Meanwhile, China was the leading exporter of non-oil goods to Iran with $3.863 billion of export. The United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Turkey ranked next.
Iran’s non-oil trade hit $83 billion in the past Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 19, 2016.
Iran exported $42.415 billion of non-oil goods while imported $41.499 billion of non-oil goods, showing 16.11 percent decrease in exports and 22.53 percent decline in imports when compared to its previous year.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/405663/Iran-s-non-oil-trade-exceeds-35-8b-in-5-months
Govt to procure 21,687 tonnes of rice from Gaibandha millers
Our Correspondent
GAIBANDHA, Aug 24: An initiative has been taken
to procure 21,687 tonnes of Boro rice from the millers of seven upazilas of the
district this year.Office sources said the government would procure the rice
from the millers through 11 purchasing centres of the food department in the
district during the current Boro season.
To end this, the food department had already
made the agreements with 844 millers who would provide rice to the department
till September 15, 2016, sources said.The procurement drive began in Gaibandha
Sadar Upazila on Wednesday amid much enthusiasm to the millers.Sadar UNO
Ashraful Momin Khan formally inaugurated the procurement drive at the godown of
local supply depot (LSD) on Palashbari Road of the town here at noon by cutting
a red tape as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion UNO advised the food
officials to conduct rice procurement drive as per government guidelines rising
above all kinds of criticism and irregularities.He also urged the millers to
sell their rice to the local purchasing center at fair prices and sought
cooperation of all to make the rice procurement drive a grand success in the
upazila.
Upazila food controller M. Abdus Salam, officer
in charge of LSD Mamunar Rashid, and rice mills owners, including the
journalists of print and electronic media were present on the occasion.On the
inaugural day, a good number of millers of the upazila were seen to sell rice
to the purchasing center of the department at fair prices fixed by the
government with much enthusiasm.District controller of food M. Amzad Hossain
said the target fixed by the government would be fulfilled within the specific
time.In reply to a query, the official said per kg of rice from the millers was
being purchased at Tk 32.
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/08/24/43270/Govt-to-procure-21,687-tonnes-of-rice-from-Gaibandha-millers
Betting against the weather: PH imports 1M tons of rice and hopes it is enough
Local rice output is down so far, and
government projections that it would rise in the second half of 2016 look
misguided given recent weather patterns
Rene Pastor
Published 6:28 PM, August 24, 2016
Updated 6:28 PM, August 24, 2016
PRECARIOUSLY PERCHED. The government faces a delicate balancing act
between keeping rice farmers happy and keeping prices low for consumers and
will hope that the weather is fair later in the year. File Photo/Agence
France-Presse
Buried in the uproar over extrajudicial killings, Philippine Economic Planning
Secretary Ernesto Pernia quietly said last week that the government plans to import one million tons of rice before the end of 2016.
With 900,000 tons already ashore, that would
boost total imports for the year to almost two million tons. Add the amount
brought in by smugglers, and the number easily exceeds the psychological level
of two million tons.
The import plan is a tacit admission to what
those in the grains and rice trade have known for a long time – the Philippines
is facing a shortage of the staple food of its 105 million people. (READ: Kidapawan and why the Philippines is always short of rice)
Pernia said Manila wants to take advantage of a
dip in prices to get supplies of the grain into the country.The reality is that
rice output by the Philippines is down this year and projections it would rise
in the second half of 2016 is hopeful at best given extreme weather conditions.The
recent strong monsoon rains which have flooded large swathes of Luzon island
will impact production and a worrisome tendency since 2012 of out-of-season
typhoons hitting rice farms during the last quarter rice harvest will have to
be reckoned with.As it is, unmilled rice output in the first half of 2016 is
projected to decline by 7.98% to 7.66 million tons, from 8.32 million tons in
the first half of 2015. Yields fell to 3.96 tons/hectare in the first half,
down by 1.83% from 4.04 tons/hectare in 2015.
“The negative growth was largely attributed to
the adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon, damage in yield caused by
typhoon Nona during the fourth quarter of 2015 and flooding caused by the
northeast monsoon rains in January 2016,” the official rice and corn outlook
report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.Grain traders and
analysts have been expecting the Philippines to import large amounts of rice
because the country faces escalating rice prices this year (See table below)
due to tightening supplies and a poor harvest caused largely by the strong El
Niño of 2015/16.
Average prices in the first week of the months
of 2016 for retail well milled and regular milled rice compiled from the PSA in
pesos/kg:
August July June May April March
Well milled 41.85 41.56 41.35 41.19 41.09 41.04
Regular milled 37.34 37.13 36.95 36.81 36.66
36.64
Some 750,000 tons are expected to come from
government-to-government deals with neighbors Thailand and Vietnam. Private companies are responsible for the remaining 250,000
tons.Even Myanmar and Cambodia may wind up supplying some of the grain although
that prospect is seen as unlikely for the moment.On the lower prices that
Pernia mentioned, the record there is mixed.The price of Thai 25% broken rice
was quoted on August 17 by exporters in Bangkok at $409 per ton FOB (free on
board) which is the price of the rice up until it is put on the ship. It does
not include insurance and freight.
The price of Thai rice on an FOB basis has not gone below $400 since
early May. The current Vietnamese price though of $335 per ton FOB is at its
lowest for the year.The Philippine government calculation is that the 1 million
tons should be enough to cover exigencies caused by the weather later this
year.
The question is: can we trust the government
bet?
Precarious balancing act
It is a precarious balancing act. Manila has to
weigh the interests of its politically influential rice farmers against the
needs of consumers, especially in its price urban areas like Manila and Cebu.The
farmers want high prices it can sell into, and consumers want some relaxation
of those price pressures with larger imports.The government also needs to be
prudent in managing its rice inventories. As of July 1, government warehouses
have enough rice for 27 days of consumption and commercial warehouses have 25
days.The ideal stock level is 90 days. Even if one adds household stocks, the
amount still falls short at just over 80 days.Even if the government wants more
rice, the problem is that warehousing can be expensive as rice, like anything
else, can spoil.But the real problem with the whole equation really is the
weather.
Typhoon Nona struck in the middle of December
2015 and an earlier storm, Typhoon Koppu, hit at the start of October,
effectively bracketing the rice harvest with ruinous floods.
The last quarter rice harvest is the
Philippines’ biggest so any storm during that time will always have near
disastrous consequences.
The problem is that, since 2012, an out-of-season
typhoon has struck the Philippines and its rice farms like clockwork. The worst
is the record Super Typhoon Yoland (Haiyan), which demolished Tacloban in 2013
and went on to ravage Leyte and Panay islands in the Visayas.A La Niña weather
pattern is also developing in the Pacific and its impact is essentially
unknown.
While an El Niño brings drought, a La Niña could spur an intense monsoon as seems to be
happening now.
At a time when climate change and global warming is leading to a longer
typhoon season, the smart money would be on one or more typhoons hitting the
Philippines again in the last quarter of the year to endanger the rice crop.If
that is the case, one million tons of rice may not be enough to keep a lid on
prices
http://www.rappler.com/business/features/144070-rice-imports-weather-shortage
Flooding, daily rains damage Louisiana crops
Rice loss estimate now over $33 million
Aug 23, 2016 | Delta
Farm Press
- Louisiana crop damage estimates rise as floodwaters recede.
- Daily rains hamper harvest, cause quality issues.
As if
historic flooding in the south wasn’t enough, a pattern of daily rains has
settled over Louisiana and crops are deteriorating.“We continue to get
afternoon showers in many places,” says Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice
specialist. “The floodwaters have begun to recede and roads are opening back
up.“Unfortunately, a lot more of the rice has been affected than we initially
believed. The original estimate was around 20 percent of what remained in the
field would be completely lost – and that’s probably still true.”The
compounding problem is there’s much more “damaged rice that will have quality
issues, poor milling. There’s a lot of rice sprouting at the head even if it’s
still standing. I’ve had reports of germinated rice on panicles without it even
falling down. That’s a response to the high waters, the high humidity and heat.
That means a lot of the rice won’t be high-quality, package-type.”
Last
week, the preliminary estimate for damage to rice in the state was $14.3
million. It’s now “$33.6 million, including loss of the ratoon crop and the
quality issues not considered in the first estimate.“Honestly, we still don’t
know how things will shake out. We’re in a waiting period but the situation is
definitely worse than what we thought originally. We won’t know how bad until
we get into the rice, start harvest and bring it in. I know some farmers who
still have 300 acres underwater. Those acres are probably a complete loss but I
can’t say for sure.”Most of the damage Harrell is talking about is in the southwest part of the state. “But from what I’m hearing out of the northeast, the big rains we’ve been having are beginning to back water up on some fields in the lowest land.”
Soybeans
Ronnie Levy has just walked out of a soybean field. The LSU AgCenter soybean specialist isn’t pleased. “The water is moving out in our high-production areas, although some fields are expected to still be underwater a week from today. What those receding waters have left behind isn’t pretty: lots of loss, lots of sprouting in pods, all the things associated with lingering, flooded conditions. There’s no way around the fact that it’s bad.
“We’re still a long ways from getting the crop out. Things have really taken a turn for the worse since a few weeks ago when soybeans looked excellent. The crop has sustained a tremendous amount of damage. We’re just holding our breath waiting to see how bad it really is.
“Now, I’m primarily talking about the situation in the southern part of the state. In the north, though, the 5, 6, 7 inches of rain we’ve had lately isn’t helping the fields close to harvest. Low areas farther north are holding water now because of the heavy rains.”
Producer calls Levy is fielding center on several questions. “Now that the water is off, how severe is the damage going to be? ‘I’ve got a bad-looking crop and the soybeans are sprouting. What can I do?’
“Another question is ‘should I put out a harvest aid?’ That’s a tough one. There’s so much rain in the forecast it’s hard to tell. If you apply an aid and heavy rain follows it could actually mean more damage. At that point, you’ve sped up the pace at which the pod will begin to deteriorate.”Soybean quality can drop quickly, says Levy. “Whether they’ll be accepted at the elevator, or not, is iffy. A lot of times even though the quality is an issue, the oil content and meal means the beans still hold value.”
You can also add stink bug damage to the terrible mix of problems. “The rains mean the crop wasn’t able to be treated timely. The stink bugs not only feed on the pods but they also spread a lot of diseases that lead to quality loss.”
Cotton and grains
“The sun is out, right now,” says Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter grain and cotton specialist. “At least it isn’t raining. We’ll have to take that because there’s not a lot of other good news.”
Of the three crops Fromme works, grain sorghum has been hit hardest. “It’s sprouting and looks terrible – and that’s happening statewide.”If there’s a bright spot, corn is it. “Most of the corn is still standing and we’ve lost very little. It’s leaning but holding, for now.”As for cotton, “we have about 135,000 acres in the state. The crop has really deteriorated since (the week of August 15).
“Some of the earlier-planted cotton was ready to open. Some of it has now sprouted in the boll. I haven’t seen any strung out from the rain but we’ve seen boll rot. Target spot, even on cotton that hasn’t opened, is beginning to defoliate plants from the bottom up.”Obviously, the worst of the damage is still in the south. “But bad news is moving north. I got a call this morning from the Shreveport area about boll rot and target spot. I’m sorry not to be able to tell a happier story.”
http://deltafarmpress.com/management/flooding-daily-rains-damage-louisiana-crops
If a country can't feed itself, who can?
Duncan Graham
Malang | Wed,
August 24 2016 | 01:14
pm
A farmer working in rice fields(Shutterstock/-)
Nearly 20 million Indonesians are still
malnourished, 28 percent of the country’s children are underweight and 42
percent suffer from stunted growth, according to UN Food and Agriculture
Organization.How can this be in a nation that has the planet’s most fertile
island in its vast archipelago and millions of skilled farmers harboring
centuries of local wisdom?
If a country can’t produce and distribute enough nutritious food at prices the poor can pay, where can it turn? To rethinking the way it does agriculture — or importing from those with knowhow. Thailand and Vietnam, with far advanced mechanical farming methods, are selling rice to Indonesia — an internationally awkward admittance of policy failure. These and other disturbing facts have led foreign and local agricultural economists to suggest Indonesia rethinks ways to achieve food security.The report “Feeding Asia” by the Perth-based policy think tank USAsia was released in May at the Jakarta “In the Zone” forum attended by NGOs and politicians, including former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The report says: “We must collaborate better on agricultural research and the diffusion of valuable knowledge and methods. We need to create more efficient supply networks in the region.”On the surface a noble aim. The needs are pressing, and recognized by Joko “Jokowi” Widodo when campaigning for the presidency. All data continues to show demand growing, resources shrinking and costs rising as they have for the past 13 years. A shortage of basic commodities, or prices beyond reach of the majority, can create serious communal strife. Rice isn’t just a carbohydrate — it’s a social and political force.
The 32-page report was prepared by Australian “innovation consultancy” Knowledge Center. It highlights the positive impact on India and Pakistan of the 1960s Green Revolution which introduced new strains of wheat, ramped production and saved millions from starvation.So the report’s proposals have been packaged as a Second Green Revolution. Not the ideal title as it recalls the days when change was pushed by Soeharto’s Bimbingan Masyarakat (Bimas — community guidance) program.Farmers tend to be conservative folk with long memories. Even today villagers recall the military backed Green Revolution campaigns of the 1970s forcing them to use the Peta and Pelita high-yielding hybrids, expensive artificial fertilizers and pesticides of which they had little understanding.At first yields increased dramatically and Indonesia stopped importing rice. But the downsides included nitrogen runoff polluting rivers, the balance of nature upset and the socially-corrosive loss of autonomous decision-making.
Minor pests, like hoppers, became a major problem. Government subsidies for fertilizers were withdrawn. Maladministration was rife. El Niño weather changes caused unforeseen upsets. State Logistics Agency (Bulog) was created as a government agency to hold stocks and stabilize food prices, restricting farmers’ ability to trade on the open market.Now Indonesia is again a rice importer, an undesirable situation in a nation prickly about “sovereign rights” and its “great power” image with a population projected to reach 322 million by 2050. By then more than 70 percent will be urbanites.
So who is going to grow the food, how and
where? While Java’s fertility is famous, the outer islands have dry acidic
soils and limited rainfall.There won’t even be enough water for irrigation if
the report writers are right, while clogged infrastructure will remain till the
government resolves to fix roads and rail.Delegates learned that 35 percent of
food is wasted because fresh produce can’t reach householders. In East Java’s
highlands bundles of vegetables are carried downhill on bicycles because
pick-ups can’t reach market gardens on unmade roads.Even big urban supermarkets
use small van deliveries; the roads don’t allow big trucks which could reduce
costs through economies of scale.
Refrigerated transport remains rare in rural Indonesia. Fish, fowl and beef traders in traditional markets have no cool rooms. Sellers fan meats to ward off flies and keep milk in styrofoam boxes. They rely on early-morning shoppers to clear stock before it goes bad and becomes a health issue. Another waste is in reticulation, with nearly half of Indonesia’s piped water reportedly lost during transmission.Growers with no clear land title can’t access essential credit. The report says “many small holdings are not properly registered, especially outside Java; less than 25 percent of rural landholders have registered tenure.”
Policy planners considering all these interlocking issues also have to weigh in fickle weather. Climate change is creating droughts and floods in areas where extremes were once rare.Nationalists may wince but Indonesia already relies on imports. Western Australia is Indonesia’s granary because wheat can’t thrive in the tropics. The Northern Territory, with its vast pastoral plains, is the Republic’s offshore beef ranch.An example of positive partnership has been seed potatoes from Western Australia boosting yields in Java from 10 to 35 tons per hectare. Speakers warned proposed tariffs could threaten this advance.
One possible solution discussed at the forum is “urban farming”. Vegetables are grown hydroponically using recycled water in large climate-controlled buildings close to markets and labor. Known as Indonesia Berkebun the farms already operate in parts of Jakarta and other major cities, but only industrial scale projects will make a difference. Foreign investment in agriculture can be a politically touchy issue.The report and forum’s take-home message is that the dream of self-sufficiency cannot be achieved while the population soars and little is done to ease the difficulties. Whatever the name, new systems will need farmers on board, not off side.Getting belligerent with a country which feeds you is not the smartest idea. Nor is protectionism which preserves inefficiencies. Collaboration delivers harmony along with food.
***
The writer is a New Zealand journalist who lives in Malang, East Java
http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2016/08/24/if-a-country-cant-feed-itself-who-can.html
VN targets $3.5b worth rice exports by 2020
August 24, 2016
The Ministry of Industry and Trade
has unveiled a strategy for developing rice exports in 2016-20 that targets
reversing a declining trend over the last two years and increasing earnings to
US$3 billion next year. — Photo cafef.vn
HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The Ministry of Industry
and Trade has unveiled a strategy for developing rice exports in 2016-20 that
targets reversing a declining trend over the last two years and increasing
earnings to US$3 billion next year. It also targets a gradual shift towards export of high-quality, high-value, organic, nutritional, speciality, and Viet Nam brands of rice and rice-based products.
It hopes to capitalise on free trade agreements like the Viet Nam-EU FTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to boost exports to demanding markets in Europe and the Americas.The ministry has sent the draft strategy to relevant ministries and industries to solicit their opinions.According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country exported 2.93 million tonnes of rice for $1.32 billion in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year decrease of 18.4 per cent in volume and 14.4 per cent in value.
Last year exports had been worth $2.68 billion after falling almost 4 per cent from 2014. — VNS
https://www.talkvietnam.com/2016/08/vn-targets-3-5b-worth-rice-exports-by-2020/
Rice Prices
as on : 24-08-2016 08:10:33 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Bhivandi(Mah)
|
6490.00
|
99.69
|
68199.00
|
2550
|
2650
|
15.91
|
|
Bangalore(Kar)
|
2194.00
|
-24.34
|
171055.00
|
3800
|
4200
|
-11.63
|
|
Bazpur(Utr)
|
2091.50
|
73.28
|
49555.71
|
1964
|
1929
|
7.68
|
|
Azamgarh(UP)
|
180.00
|
89.47
|
6581.00
|
2190
|
2220
|
3.55
|
|
Guskara(Burdwan)(WB)
|
144.00
|
-2.7
|
4100.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
11.63
|
|
Mathabhanga(WB)
|
120.00
|
33.33
|
5550.00
|
2450
|
2450
|
25.64
|
|
P.O. Uparhali Guwahati(ASM)
|
87.00
|
8.07
|
4188.60
|
2230
|
2230
|
6.19
|
|
Mainpuri(UP)
|
84.00
|
86.67
|
1526.50
|
2200
|
2200
|
11.11
|
|
Kolar(Kar)
|
50.00
|
13.64
|
262.00
|
1700
|
1797
|
6.25
|
|
Beldanga(WB)
|
45.00
|
NC
|
2833.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
6.38
|
|
Gazipur(UP)
|
41.00
|
7.89
|
2792.50
|
2160
|
2160
|
7.46
|
|
Cachar(ASM)
|
40.00
|
100
|
2880.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
-7.41
|
|
Hapur(UP)
|
40.00
|
-20
|
476.00
|
2260
|
2300
|
5.85
|
|
Meerut(UP)
|
31.00
|
29.17
|
719.50
|
2325
|
2370
|
6.16
|
|
Katwa(WB)
|
26.40
|
-5.04
|
282.30
|
2400
|
2400
|
6.67
|
|
Ghatal(WB)
|
23.00
|
-
|
23.00
|
2400
|
-
|
12.15
|
|
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
|
21.00
|
5
|
1232.50
|
2350
|
2350
|
17.50
|
|
Balugaon(Ori)
|
20.00
|
-33.33
|
474.00
|
3300
|
3200
|
10.00
|
|
Medinipur(West)(WB)
|
20.00
|
11.11
|
38.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
-
|
|
Banda(UP)
|
12.00
|
20
|
513.50
|
2240
|
2250
|
-
|
|
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
|
11.00
|
-8.33
|
2137.00
|
3600
|
3400
|
-
|
|
Lakhimpur(UP)
|
11.00
|
10
|
614.50
|
2405
|
2380
|
11.86
|
|
Cherthalai(Ker)
|
8.50
|
-29.17
|
436.50
|
2200
|
2200
|
-12.00
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
8.50
|
13.33
|
1590.10
|
1980
|
1970
|
0.25
|
|
Firozabad(UP)
|
8.00
|
NC
|
747.10
|
2250
|
2260
|
10.29
|
|
Kannauj(UP)
|
6.50
|
-4.41
|
416.30
|
2200
|
2190
|
NC
|
|
Uluberia(WB)
|
5.90
|
-15.71
|
247.50
|
2400
|
2400
|
NC
|
|
Mulabagilu(Kar)
|
5.00
|
-44.44
|
18.00
|
1800
|
1690
|
-
|
|
Islampur(WB)
|
4.00
|
NC
|
355.00
|
2350
|
2350
|
9.30
|
|
Alibagh(Mah)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
162.00
|
4000
|
4000
|
21.21
|
|
Murud(Mah)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
237.00
|
3000
|
3000
|
87.50
|
|
Buland Shahr(UP)
|
3.00
|
-40
|
473.50
|
2235
|
2230
|
10.10
|
|
Siyana(UP)
|
2.50
|
25
|
124.50
|
2240
|
2245
|
10.34
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9025877.ece
08/24/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Long
Grain Cash Bids
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
Long
Grain New Crop
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rice Comment
Rice futures saw renewed weakness today as commodities were lower across the board. A stronger dollar and weaker crude oil both added pressure. . Nationwide, 13% of the crop is now rated poor to very poor, up from 8% last week. Another 25% is in fair condition, while 61% remains in good to excellent condition. In Louisiana, 17% is now in poor to very poor condition, while at home in Arkansas, 19% is in poor to very poor condition, 29% is in fair condition, and 52% is in good to excellent condition. Excessive rains have resulted in rice that has lodged and has sprouted in the field. This will all result in poorer quality rice and less than ideal yields. November has resistance at the recent high of $10.70, but today's move below the $10.30 area could signal a retest of recent lows around $9.50.
Louisiana Requests Federal Disaster Declaration
By Carrie Castille
KAPLAN, LA -- At an emergency response meeting
at Christian and Julie Richard's farm yesterday, Louisiana Commissioner of
Agriculture Dr. Mike Strain announced that he had requested a Secretarial
Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that would
trigger critical federal disaster assistance programs. Strain said that more than 28 parishes are
affected by the flooding and the recent Presidential Disaster Declaration does
not cover them all.Craig McCain, USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) state
executive director, encouraged producers to visit their local FSA office as soon
as possible and have a face-to-face meeting with staff to determine options for
mitigating losses from the storms.
McCain went on to describe the rain event as "a hurricane without
the wind and storm surge, but with the same devastating impact" and said
that this is the "first test of the 2014 Farm Bill."The Louisiana
State University (LSU) AgCenter continues to assess agriculture damage,
including impact to the rice ratoon and crawfish crops. One Vermilion farmer noted that crawfish are
already coming out of their burrows and being dispersed by the flood waters,
which does not bode well for the upcoming season.
Dr. Kurt
Guidry, agriculture economics and agribusiness professor with the LSU AgCenter,
said "we won't know until next year what our losses are for crawfish"
and that "weather conditions for the next 14 to 21 days will have just as
much of an impact as the last couple of weeks." Prior to the Kaplan meeting, attended by nearly 150 farmers, one
Jeff Davis Parish grower summed up the situation he and many of his neighbors
are facing by pointing out that he has suffered damage to a significant portion
of his first rice crop, lost all of his ratoon crop, all of his soybeans, and
is very concerned that his crawfish production will be devastated.
Field Report: Arkansas
MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY, AR -- Growers across Arkansas and Louisiana are reeling after weeklong
rains have caused flooding and created a delay for many farmers preparing for
harvest. At Florenden Farms in northeast
Arkansas, Ryan Sullivan reported that over the course of a week, Mississippi
County received more than 7.5 inches of steady rainfall.
The
Mississippi River, bordering Mississippi County to the east, is protected by a
levee system so Sullivan reported that he and many others in the area were
fortunate to have missed the flooding.
However, growers further west of Mississippi County, in areas where
rivers back into thousands of acres of farmland, have experienced rising water
levels and subsequent flooding that have caused setbacks for many.
A major concern for some of those who have
experienced extreme rainfall the past week is how this is going to affect the
quality of the crop. According to Sullivan, "Some growers are experiencing
a rare phenomenon in which grains are sprouting from the heads of the rice
stalk, creating uncertainty for how this is going to impact the milling process
and the quality of the final product."
Sullivan
reports that although he is not facing this challenge, he and other growers are
behind their ideal harvest schedule. On
Monday, Sullivan and his father, Mike, began cutting rice, 7-10 days behind
schedule. Growers in the area also
contend with the impending hurricane season and are eager to harvest as soon as
possible to avoid the threat of more severe weather impacting their crop. Prior to this past week of severe rainfall,
Sullivan reported that northeast Arkansas had been blessed in terms of the
weather. "It had been kind of dry
the past few months and we had actually been hoping for some rain earlier in
the season," said Sullivan.
"We are still optimistic about this year's crop despite the
weather. We have been employing a
conservation technique - alternate wetting and drying (AWD) that cuts down on
water use without decreasing yield. And
this also is the first year we've planted row rice, so we're looking forward to
seeing the results of these practices."
Ryan Sullivan and his father, Mike, are the
operators of Florenden Farms in Mississippi County, farming 5,200 acres of rice
and 8,000 acres of soybeans.Last week, the preliminary estimate for damage to
rice in the state was $14.3 million. It's now "$33.6 million, including
loss of the ratoon crop and the quality issues not considered in the first
estimate.
Louisiana Flooding to Cost State's Agriculture
$110 Million
Southeast AgNet
The figure is expected to grow as farmers
realize the full extent of flood damage. Many factors - including crop yield
and quality reductions, increased production costs, infrastructure damage and
loss of stored commodities - are not immediately clear.
Scientists Look Into Rice that can Tolerate
Salty Conditions
Rappler
Saline soil conditions, in particular, mark a
growing threat to agriculture especially in a time of global warming and
climate change. Salt buildup is an issue for irrigated areas. "As
irrigation is used over time, salt builds up in the soils. So even if you are
not a coastal country, it becomes a problem," a researcher said.
Get social with U.S. rice
USA Rice Daily, Wednesday,
August 24, 2016
Researchers to look at relationship between rice, saline soil conditions
August 24, 2016 - by Eric Schroeder
One of
the world’s main food staples, rice plays a critical role in feeding the global
population.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, U.S. — A team of
researchers from New York University in New York City, New York, U.S., will
study the response of rice in saline soil conditions as part of a four-year, $4
million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Plant Genome Research
Program. The study will be headed by New York University’s Michael Purugganan and
Richard Bonneau, who are part of the university’s Center for Genomics and
Systems Biology, in collaboration with the International Rice Research
Institute in the Philippines and Fordham University in New York City.One of the
world’s main food staples, rice plays a critical role in feeding the global
population. And like many crops, rice is continuously exposed to multiple
environmental signals and must respond to the dynamic conditions found in
nature. Saline soil conditions, in particular, are seen as a growing threat to
agriculture.The researchers said they will examine how plants’ gene regulation
potentially may lead to their adaptation in salty soils. By identifying genes
that plants use to acclimate to different environments, the researchers said they
hope to lay the groundwork for breeding rice that may thrive in saline-laden
terrains.
The researchers work primarily will look at
Asian rice, the world’s most important food crop, but also will study African
rice, a less well-known relative of Asian rice that is grown in West Africa,
but which holds promise for its better tolerance to various environmental
stresses.The work will employ both genome sequencing and large-scale analysis
of gene expression in rice grown both in the laboratory and the field,
according to the researchers. The study also will develop new methods for
analyzing large-scale genomic data
http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2016/08/Researchers_to_look_at_relatio.aspx?ID=%7B75EF9F22-49F9-4B6B-A47B-746D22366723%7D
Researchers must wait to see how flood affects crawfish
Published 08/24 2016 04:51PM
The
impact of the recent widespread flooding on the upcoming season will depend on
many factors according to LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant aquaculture and
coastal resources specialist Mark Shirley.“We really won’t know the extent of
damage until we get into the harvest season later this winter,” said Shirley,
in a recent newsletter to crawfish producers.Greg Lutz, a professor and
specialist at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station, explained that
crawfish typically spend their summers sealed in burrows along the pond levees,
while crawfish farmers plant rice or other vegetation to serve as the basis for
a natural food chain once the ponds are flooded again in the fall.Female
crawfish lay their eggs – which are carried under their tails– while sealed in
their burrows.
Egg
laying begins in late August, peaks in late September or early October and
continues all the way until November or even early December, Lutz said.“Normally, after a mama crawfish decides to lay her eggs, she waits until a good heavy rain before she comes up out of the burrow, and she’ll wait as long as it takes,” he explained. “On the other hand, when flood waters cover pond levees the ground is saturated and crawfish have no choice but to get out of their burrows.”Flooding crawfish ponds in August is discouraged because crawfish are forced from the protection of their burrows to face hot, stagnant water and predation by fish, birds and other predators, Lutz said.Few crawfish producers have the pumping capacity to maintain adequate oxygen levels under these conditions.Surviving crawfish that have been forced out of their burrows will eventually try to go back down in the ground.
Ray McClain, a professor at the AgCenter Rice Research Station near Crowley, has shown that female crawfish can survive several episodes of being flushed from the ground by flooding and still go on to spawn in the fall if they can get back into a burrow.Shirley added that “if the floodwater recedes within a few days, many of the females will be able to re-burrow or find an existing burrow to move into.”
What should a crawfish farmer do? Crawfish farmers can mitigate damage by draining ponds as soon as possible to eliminate predatory fish that entered with flood waters.If rice was planted in the last month for crawfish forage, once fish have been eliminated growers should put a couple of inches of water back to help the rice grow and control some of the weeds.In fields where rice was harvested, rice straw will be decomposing and water should be drained out as quickly as possible. The wet ground will help the stubble re-sprout, but producers are encouraged to wait until early October to flood up.For ponds where rice could not be planted as a forage crop or ponds with natural vegetation, producers should still drain as soon as possible to get rid of fish. In general, these ponds will have serious water quality problems in the fall, so waiting until temperatures have cooled off in mid- or late October to flood is recommended.
“We shouldn’t assume that there is going to be a blanket net negative impact for the industry as a whole, McClain explained. “I really think there will be negative impacts for some producers, yet others probably will see little or no effect.”The fact that there shouldn’t be any drought-linked impacts this year is probably going to offset some of the negatives from the flooding.“Bottom line is – neither the farmers nor the consumers should give up on the upcoming crawfish season just yet,” said Lutz
http://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/researchers-must-wait-to-see-how-flood-affects-crawfish
Ethiopia joins Africa Rice, pledges commitment
By Solomon KalemaAdded 25th August 2016 08:18 AM
Posted
on Aug - 24 - 2016
written
by Jaime A. Manalo IVNext to being singers, Filipinos are reputed the world over as frequent eaters. Aside from the three square meals, we do have morning and afternoon snacks, and often, another one for midnight. All these foods have loads of carbohydrates, fats, and what have you. We are less than being health-conscious.The 2013 National Nutrition Survey notes that 3 of every 10 adult Filipinos are obese and overweight— mostly among ladies. Surely, this doesn’t add glamor to a Pia Wurtzbach country!
Even worse, the World Health Organization projects that by 2030, the Philippines will have close to 8 M diabetics, making it the third country with the highest Diabetes mellitus case in the Western Pacific Region, next to China and Japan.
So, what do we do?
Dr. Leonora N. Panlasigui, dean of the School of Nutrition of the Philippine Women’s University, recommends eating brown rice especially for the hypertensive adults, obese, and diabetics.
Panlasigui says it is high time “we educate Filipinos about brown rice.” She adds while white rice is beautiful, brown rice is far richer nutrient-wise than white.
More health-promoting properties
“Brown rice has more dietary fiber, polyphenols, and antioxidants particularly rice oils,” says Panlasigui.
Dietary fiber improves digestion and helps prevent constipation. She adds it also has “serum cholesterol levels, and when fermented in the colon, it produces short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial to health.”
An article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition titled Polyphenols: Food sources and bioavailability notes that polyphenols “are the abundant micronutrients in our diet; they help prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases.”
Rice bran oil, on the other hand, is said to be a rich source of antioxidants, which are necessary in fighting certain forms of cancer.
Managing diabetes, losing weight
For diabetics, brown rice is highly recommended.
In a 2006 journal article, Panlasigui and Lilian U. Thompson of the University of Toronto noted that “brown rice is a more health-beneficial food for diabetics and hyperglycemic individuals than white rice.”
Brown rice has lower glycemic index (GI) than white.
GI ranks carbohydrates from 0 to 100 based on the level in which they raise blood sugar level after eating according to the University of Sydney-based Glycemic Index. It adds that “low-GI diets have been shown to improve glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes types 1 and 2.”
For weight management, brown rice shows promise as well.
“Brown rice is more feeling of satiety, so you eat less,” says Panlasigui. As a nutrition consultant, she has long been recommending brown rice to overweight hypertensive patients.
“We should start feeding growing children with brown rice,” says Panlasigui.
Dr. Panlasigui was a recipient of the Outstanding Professional in Nutrition and Dietetics Award by the Professional Regulations Commission.
Table 1. Chemical composition of brown and white high-amylose (IR42) rice (%dry basis).
|
Brown Rice
|
White Rice
|
|
|
Ash
|
1.4
|
1.0
|
|
Protein
|
8.9
|
9.4
|
|
Fat
|
2.4
|
1.5
|
|
Total CHO
|
87.2
|
88.1
|
|
Dietary Fiber
|
4.4
|
1.9
|
|
Available CHO
|
83.6
|
86.1
|
|
Amylose
|
29.1
|
29.5
|
|
Phytic acid
|
0.9
|
0.4
|
|
Total polyphenols a
|
70.0
|
40.0
|
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/nutrition-educator-endorses-brown-rice/#sthash.SNkBC8BU.dpuf
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/nutrition-educator-endorses-brown-rice/
Eastern delights at Green Park's Manna from Avon
Eastern delights at Green Park's Manna from
Avon
Bath
ChronicleBath
Chronicle | Tue
16 Aug 2016
The
market area at Green Park Station is becoming quite a hub in the city, with
lots of street market food, shops and stalls. One great new addition is the
perfectly named Manna from Avon, a cabin serving Middle Eastern and Indian food
run by Timothy Douglas and his partner Stephanie Body. Nancy Connolly went
along to have a taste...The whole street food scene is taking off in Bath, with Chai Walla and soon Yak Yeti Yak in Kingsmead Square, and other street food cafes and stalls popping up around the city. It's a nice feeling to buy some really great ethnic dish and walk away eating it as you go.
At historic Green Park Station, next to Sainsbury's, there is a little bit of food heaven. Manna from Avon, run by Timothy Douglas and his partner Stephanie Body, is an exciting new addition to the Bath food scene. Serving beautiful Moroccan, Libyan,
Egyptian, Tunisian and Indian food, Timothy and Stephanie are the newest kids on the block.
Timothy had a desk job for most of his life, and is now living the dream. "I'm absolutely loving it," he said. "I'm meeting lots of people, I'm doing what I love doing and I couldn't be happier. I had enough of sitting behind a desk. I'm my own boss now, there's nobody looking over my shoulder. I always said I would do it. I've taken the leap and now here I am.
"I hope more people will come to Green Park Station as a destination. It's a great place, not just on market days. There's a great buzz and we're all trying to get more people to come and spend more time here, not just on the way to somewhere else."
Stephanie is still working in her civil service job, but intends to jump ship and join Timothy full time at the stall in two years.
Every day Timothy comes into his cabin and starts cooking his food from scratch. He has all his spices freshly ground in little tubs, and he brings all his ingredients in fresh.
He gets his chickens from Tunley Farm, which also has a hut at Green Park, and he buys all his fruit and veg locally.
On the menu the day we visited was Mangolorean chicken sukka, made with coconut, coriander seeds and cardamom pods, and sweet potato and chick pea curry, both served with basmati rice.
The chicken was delicious, the flavours of the spices absolutely vivid and it was not too hot and spicy.The sweet potato and chick pea curry was
wonderfully golden and yellow. It was quite spicy but highly aromatic, with a wonderful blend of spices and herbs. Both were £5 each.
The idea of Manna from Avon is to create dishes which replicate the wonderful food on offer on the streets of Eastern towns and cities. It is part of the cultural fabric of that part of the world.
"Street food is relatively new in this part of the world but I think people are beginning to realise it's very, very good food," said Timothy. "A lot of vegetarian food is eaten in the East, partly because of the cost of meat and partly for religious reasons.
"There are a lot of chick peas and pulses, and highly fragrant spices. We use all fresh ingredients. There are no pre-packed ingredients. We use fresh, organic meat and fresh vegetables. It's becoming more and more popular because people are beginning to
realise the health values of this kind of fresh food.
"I love to cook, Stephanie loves to cook, and I'm really enjoying our new venture. We love to cook at home as well."
Timothy, who has two daughters, Charlotte, 19, and Daisy, 12, is the son of an army colonel and spent a lot of his young life overseas, mainly in Malaysia and Hong Kong, but lots of other places in the Far East as well. It inspired a love of Eastern food, the spices, the herbs, the flavours. The food at his cabin in Green Park is reminiscent of a typical street
market in Mumbai, Marrakesh or Cairo.
He and Stephanie have now made Bath their home.
Timothy said: "We both had office jobs and one day we said to each other, there must be more to life than this. So I gave up my desk job at the MoD and decided to do what I do best, and that is create and cook great food for the people of Bath.
"I love it, I absolutely love to cook. I grew up with all the amazing food in Malaysia, Hong Kong and other places in the Far and Middle East. I love the textures, the flavours. I'm trying to recreate that experience here in Bath."
He cooks fresh food every day with ingredients and spices he tries to source within a ten-mile radius of Bath. Having only opened a few weeks ago, the business is going well and his food is sold out every day.
One of his most popular dishes is a spicy baked chicken curry, which is usually gone within hours.
Timothy also does a mean red lentil and cauliflower curry, but there is a lot more on offer, with spices and chutneys and breads from the Middle East.
He said: "Green Park Station is well worth a visit, not just at weekends. All the stalls are full now, and we are there during the week as well, not just on market days. There's a great atmosphere and it's a real hub."
Manna from Avon is open from 11.30am-6pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Follow @mannafromavon on Twitter or find them on Facebook to keep up to date with Timothy and Stephanie's exciting plans
Silicon Boosts Rice Yields, According To LEGATO Researchers
Researchers at the recent LEGATO conference held in the
Philippines presented five years’ worth of study findings into rice cultivation
in the region. Asian Scientist Newsroom | August 25, 2016 | In the Lab
AsianScientist (Aug. 25, 2016) - Silicon has the potential to improve rice
yields and crop health, according to research findings presented at the
Land-use intensity and Ecological Engineering Assessment (LEGATO) conference,
which took place from August 6-11, 2016 in Banaue, Philippines. The fifth and
final conference was a culmination of a five-year international research effort
into Southeast Asian rice cultivation funded by the German Federal Ministry of
Education and Research. “LEGATO research has aimed to take into account a
complexity of factors that might influence achieving sustainable rice
production in the region, while at the same time taking into account protecting
biodiversity and natural resources,” explained LEGATO co-ordinator Professor
Josef Settele from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Germany.
At the conference, LEGATO researchers presented data
highlighting the benefits of silicon for the health of rice crops. They
described a study they carried out in Northern Vietnam, which showed that
silicon fertilization led to increased silicon uptake by rice and improved rice
yields. Other study results that were discussed ranged from the contribution of
pollinators and soil organisms to biodiversity and nutrient provisioning, to
the importance of the socio-cultural context for sustainable development or
ecotourism in the study regions. Read more from Asian Scientist Magazine at:
http://www.asianscientist.com/2016/08/in-the-lab/legato-conference-rice-cultivation-agriculture-research-philippines/
Pakistan donates 10,000 tons of rice to flooded areas in Hubei province
作者: The AsiaN Editor on 24
August , 2016.
类别: All, Asia, East Asia, Economic, News, Politics, South Asia
标签: hubei flood, Pakistan
类别: All, Asia, East Asia, Economic, News, Politics, South Asia
标签: hubei flood, Pakistan
(160721) — SHAYANG, July 21, 2016 (Xinhua) —
Villagers drain water off the house in flooded Zhangji Village of Maliang Town,
Shayang County, central China’s Hubei Province, July 20, 2016. Heavy rain since
Tuesday has affected numerous villagers and large areas of fields in Shayang.
(Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)(wyo)
The first batch
of rice donated by Pakistan to flood-stricken areas in central China’s Hubei
province arrived at Wuhan Tianhe Airport on Aug. 22. The Hubei provincial
government held a handover ceremony at the airport for the first 22 tons of
rice. According to the donation plan, Pakistan will donate a total of 10,000
tons for disaster relief.
Since the start of the rainy season in June, Hubei has experienced
six rounds of heavy rainfall. The flooding has caused great damage across the
region. From June 18 to July 31, a total of 98 counties and cities were
affected by flooding, with affected persons reaching 17.85 million. A total of
2.18 million hectares of farmland were flooded, 57,300 houses collapsed and
1.55 million people were forced to temporarily relocate.At the handover
ceremony, Yang Xiaodong, deputy director of the disaster relief division of
China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, thanked the Pakistani government for its
generous donation, which Yang said fully reflected the deep friendship between
Pakistan and China.
Ali Ahmed Arain, Consul General of the Pakistani consulate in
Guangzhou, said at the ceremony that Pakistan has always paid close attention
to events happening in China. Since the Chinese people are working hard to
reconstruct their homes after the disaster, the Pakistani government decided to
offer a helping hand.The Pakistani government will soon ship the rest of the donation
to Wuhan. (People’s Daily)
http://www.theasian.asia/archives/95993
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