Pakistan
ranked 7th among countries vulnerable to vagaries of climate change
Federal Minister for Climate
Change Zahid Hamid said that Pakistan is ranked 7th among the countries which
are most vulnerable to the vagaries of climate, due to its geographic location
and poor resource base.In a written reply in National Assembly during the
question hour, the minister said that climate change is the biggest challenge
being faced by the world today and no country including Pakistan is an
exception to it.
He said that the ministry has
established Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), which serves as the
research arm of the Ministry of Climate Change and is conducting research to
assess the impacts of projected climatic changes on agriculture sector.
He said that for the impact
assessment studies, various crop simulation and water management models are
being employed. Climate change projections made at GCISC indicate that average
temperature over Pakistan will increase in the coming decades at a pace faster
than that of the average global temperature and may exceed by about 2°C by the
end of this century.“Studies carried out at GCISC point towards yield losses and
reduced growing cycles in the various climatic zones of the country under the
influence of increasing temperatures,” he maintained.
The water security of the country
is also threatened by the climate change which further accentuates the food
insecurity concerns.
Comprehensive studies have been
carried out at the centre to assess the impact of climate change on various
crops in different climatic zones of the country using crop simulation models.
It was revealed that wheat crop yield will be reduced by 3.4-12.5 per cent in
semi-arid irrigated areas (like Faisalabad and Sheikhupura), 3.8-14.5 per cent
in arid areas (like Hyderabad, Badin, Bahawalpur, Multan) and more than 16 per
cent in rain-fed (Chakwal) areas under different climate change scenarios towards
the end of the century.
Similarly, rice yields are
expected to decline by 12- 22 per cent under different climate change scenario
by end of the century, the minister added.
The growing season length of
these crops will also be shortened resulting in significant decline in yields.
Research studies also reflect an
increase in net crop water requirements owing to the increase in temperatures
and likely yield reductions call for adaptation measures to protect/ increase
the yield.
Some adaptation measures like increased
rate of fertilizer application, use of higher seed rate, 3-split application of
fertilizer, change in sowing window, improved scheduling of irrigation and dry
sowing of rice have been evaluated and have shown promise to maintain yield to
a certain extent.
Studies to assess the impact of
climate change on wheat, rice and maize crops in 30 districts of the country
using other crop simulation models; and on evaluating the impact of climate
change on livestock sector are underway.
Agriculture is also a contributor
to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and GCISC has prepared the national GHG
inventory for the year 2014-15. This inventory describes agriculture as the 2nd
largest GHG emitting sector with 174.56 MT CO2 Eq. (Total 405 MT CO2 Eq.) with
larger share from the livestock sub-sector.
This inventory, besides
estimating that sectoral and sub-sectoral share in the total national GHG
emissions will help identify the prospects and aligning national strategies for
moving towards climate-smart agriculture, he added.
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/blog/2016/12/21/pakistan-ranked-7th-among-countries-vulnerable-to-vagaries-of-climate-change/
How you can
buy rice at N12,000 per bag, Ambode tells Lagosians
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of
Lagos State and his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu, on Wednesday
officially launched the long awaited Lake Rice to be sold to the public at
N12,000 per 50kg bag.Mr. Ambode told a news conference in Alausa, Lagos, that
the public would from Thursday, December 22, have access to the rice in 10 designated
areas in Lagos State as would be advertised by the government.The News Agency
of Nigeria reports that the 50kg rice will sell for N12,000, while the 25kg and
10kg will sell for N6,000 and N2,500 respectively.
The Lagos State governor
described the launch of the rice as historic, saying the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) signed between Lagos and Kebbi in March 2016 had started
yielding fruitful results.He added that “we signed an MoU in March 2016 with an
understanding that being proudly Nigerians, we want to come out with what will
be made in Nigeria and what is good for Nigerians.“We took all that President
Muhammadu Buhari said on the need for us to grow our food and we decided that
we would prove a point and that is what today is all about.”
He explained that Lake Rice was
grown and milled in Nigeria, with extreme high quality.
He noted that “we also have Ofada
rice and imported rice in the country and we want to show our people that Lake
Rice is the way to go.
“The major difference between Lake
Rice and imported rice is that imported rice has a minimum storage capacity of
five and six years but Lake Rice is fresh.”The governor said that the state
would expand its rice mill as it had the largest consumption market in
Nigeria.Mr. Ambode said interested buyers would need to get ticket to pay for a
bag of rice in the bank before going to any of the locations for collection,
adding that this was done to allow the rice to go round and for everyone to
have access to it.
“We want to ensure that this rice
goes to everybody. You cannot buy twice,” he said.Earlier, Mr. Bagudu said 16
months ago during the National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, he entered
into a discussion with Mr. Ambode for a joint partnership for the production of
rice in view of what was happening in the country.
“Since then, we have been working
assiduously on this after we signed the MoU.”Mr. Bagudu said the product could
stand any integrity test in Nigeria as it was of high quality.He added that
“Lake Rice is of high quality. I am proud of this joint venture but we can do
more, we are glad that we are launching this commodity today.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/218626-can-buy-rice-n12000-per-bag-ambode-tells-lagosians.html
Pakistan Iran negotiating enhanced
connectivity and banking channels, says Asif Khan Durrani
Addressing
the business community of Faisalabad in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (FCCI) here today, he said that Pakistan and Iran are brotherly
neighboring countries. Both are enjoying good diplomatic relations but due to
different reasons we could not fully exploit the economic potential, he said
and added that Iran has surplus energy while Pakistan is an energy starved
country. Similarly, Iran is facing food shortage while Pakistan can export rice
and other eatable commodities to it. He also commented on the non-availability
of banking channels and said it is a major obstacle in the promotion of
bilateral trade between the two countries. He said that being neighbor
countries, we are always involved in cross border trade but it was through
informal channels.
He said
that now the both countries are focusing on the promotion of formal trade and
hopefully a positive breakthrough is expected very soon. He said that State
Bank of Pakistan has issued SRO allowing commercial banks to open their
branches in Iran but they are reluctant to do business in dollars with Iran. He
said that Pakistan and Iran trade could transact their business deals in Euro
or Chinese Yuan as an alternate currency of dollar.
He
further told that Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is organizing
“Aali Shaan” Pakistan Exhibition in Tehran from March 4 to7, 2017. It will play
a major role in opening new avenues of trade between the two countries. He
urged upon the textile exporters of Faisalabad to actively participate in this
exhibition to enhance their share in textile export of Pakistan. He told that
Pakistani denim is very popular in Iran and is being imported via Turkey. He
said that Iran has a tilt towards west and hence Pakistani exporters should
make special value added products for Iran in according to their needs and
fashion trends. He also stressed the need for enhancing connectivity and said
that the because of the UN sanctions the air links between two countries are
still very poor. Similarly the cargo train could not be managed via Tuftan
border only because of the non-availability of sufficient cargo load.
Earlier
in his address of welcome, acting president Rana Sikandar Azam said that Iran
is our neighbor and brotherly Islamic country. He said that after lifting
sanctions Iran is making serious efforts to promote its trade and Pakistan
being its neighbor will definitely be its first choice. He said that Pakistan
and Iran have agreed to increase their bilateral trade up to 5 billion dollars
during next five years and in this connection commerce minister Mr. Khuram
Dastaghir is going to visit Tehran on December 28, 29. During this visit, he
will negotiate within concerned Iranian minister to decide the measures to
increase our bilateral trade. He said that Pakistan and Iran are already
signatories of PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement) while negotiations in
progress on FTA (Free Trade Agreement).
Rana Sikandar Azam said that the major hurdle
in the promotion of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran is non-existence
of banking channels. He said that government of Pakistan has allowed State Bank
of Pakistan to negotiate on the important points which will ultimately help
both countries to establish their banks in each other’s countries. He also
expressed concern on tariff barriers and said that economic strength of
Pakistan is textile but unluckily Iran has imposed high tariff rates on textile
products due to which our textile exporters are unable to increase their
exports to Iran.
Continuing, he said that Iran is already
providing electricity to Pakistan while negotiations to purchase gas from Iran
are underway. He said that Pakistan needs professional competency to negotiate
the price of gas as Iran is our neighboring country and hence the price of
Iranian gas should be comparatively cheaper than the gas imported from Qatar
and other countries.He thanked the Pakistani ambassador in Tehran and said that
he is fully discharging his diplomatic responsibilities in addition to making
additional efforts to promote trade between the two countries.
During question answer session former president
Zahid Aslam, Mian Farhan Latif, Muhammad Shafiq, Abid Hussain Malhi, and
Secretary General FCCI Mr. Abid Masood raised interesting questions.
Rana Ikram Ullah decorated executive members of
LCCI Ali Hassam with FCCI pin while former president Mian Zahid Aslam presented
FCCI shield to Mr. Asif Khan Durrani.
PH ready to lift rice restrictions next yr
THE Philippines is ready to operate in an environment without
quantitative restrictions on rice imports next year, Agriculture Secretary
Emmanuel Piñol said in a statement on Wednesday.Major initiatives to support the
rice sector are either in place or about to be established, the Cabinet
official noted.Whether the special treatment on rice is extended or allowed to
expire in 2017, Piñol said the Department of Agriculture is determined to
support the rice sector as the cornerstone of the country’s food security
policy.
“Understand that if we want to extend, it should have been two
years ago. We are asking for two more years, but this may not pass,” Piñol
said.Duterte’s economic team – Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Budget
Secretary Benjamin Diokno, NEDA Director General Ernesto Pernia and consultant
Ciel Habito – support the lifting of the QR on rice to liberalize trade.Cabinet
Secretary Jun Evasco was also quoted as saying he favors the scrapping of the
National Food Authority and letting the special treatment on rice expire.
Piñol has appealed for an additional two-year leeway, saying that
the farmer sector needs more time to be more competitive.The QR limits the
volume of goods traded by a country. The Philippines was granted an initial
exemption because rice as a commodity is highly sensitive in nature.
The deadline for the Philippines has been extended twice – in 2005
and in 2015 – and a waiver was obtained for another extension to July
2017.Manila limits to 805,000 metric tons the amount of rice allowed to enter
the country under the minimum access volume (MAV) allowed to enter the
Philippines at reduced tariffs of 35 percent. Shipments outside the MAV pay
higher rates and must be approved by the National Food Authority.With the
support of President Rodrigo Duterte and Congress, the DA will be able to put
in place the necessary programs that will put the country on the path to
sustained food security and a more progressive rice sector, Piñol said.“In
preparation of the eventually, just in case, that the QR on rice would not
prevail in the decision making in the Cabinet. We are prepared for that,” the
DA chief said.
Piñol is also pushing for the rural infrastructure program,
particularly the farm-to market-roads component and farm mechanization to lower
production cost, increase efficiency and improve the agility in adjusting to
extreme climate episodes within the term of the Duterte administration.
What plan?
Sources at the Department of Agriculture, however, said no
concrete plan for the rice sector has been laid down since Piñol took over five
months ago.
“Wala pa nga mancom [management committee]meeting. Paano n’ya
nasabing may plano na without even consulting the stakeholders and regional
offices responsible for rice production,” the source said, requesting not to be
named because of the sensitive nature of the subject.
“We also have to wait for the PDP [Philippine Development Plan]
meeting next year. So wala pa talagang projections on rice production. Wala
pang clear policy bukod sa general statement sa QR,” he added.
Another official said the government will have a hard time
achieving rice self-sufficiency goals by 2019 with the pace that the new
administration is going.
“We are having a hard time with planning and projections kasi puro
sa Facebook naka-post. If he wants something done, he should issue a
memorandum, then we could do the necessary inputs,” another source privy to
such matters said.
New data gathering
Piñol, who prefers “gut feel” and “visual appreciation” to
calculate productivity, has yet to come up with official figures and targets on
rice production.
In fact, the DA chief is pushing for a new farm data gathering
scheme, saying that current government data collection is “flawed and
inaccurate.”
“We have started to conduct the food and national validation of
agricultural statistics, which I’ve proven inaccurate and outdated. I believe
we cannot do sound planning if the data and statistics we use and rely on are
not accurate,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.
He intends to employ drone technology for manually counting trees,
and a village-level approach for a more accurate reporting of agricultural
production
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-ready-lift-rice-restrictions-next-yr/303150/
DSWD: In 2017,
4Ps beneficiaries to get rice subsidies equal to 18 kilos
The online news portal of TV5
Supplemental feeding program
DSWD's supplemental feeding program
will also get a boost in 2017, after a suggestion from Senator Gregorio
“Gringo” Honasan to increase its frequency, from once a day for ten months a
year, to twice a day for 12 months a year.
Children aged zero to four years
benefit from this program, which, according to Senator Loren Legarda, who is
the Committee on Finance chairperson, has been allotted P232 million for next
year.
According to Taguiwalo, the DSWD
can still use family food packs meant for times of disaster, as the children
are “individuals in crisis”. What the department really needs money for are the
social workers who go around the streets, looking for children in need.
Money is also needed to keep DSWD's
activity centers running night and day. The supplemental feeding program and
other initiatives are conducted here.
Legarda promised to be their
champion should they need more funds aside from what is already in the 2017
General Appropriations Act, as there are still unobligated (unused) funds from
the 2015 and 2016 budgets.
Reaching out to kids, families in
the streets
Taguiwalo disclosed other future
plans during the press conference, including strengthening the collaboration
among the DSWD and other national agencies, nongovernmental organizations, the
academe, religious groups, and the private sector to provide steady aid to
people living in the streets.
“Hindi patay-sindi (not on and
off),” she said.
DSWD Social Technology Bureau
director Thelsa Biolena noted that the DSWD has been utilizing its activity
centers so that street children will have an alternative place to gather and
play.
Social workers and volunteers –
some who are former street children themselves – conduct storytelling and
skills-training sessions for the youth.
Parents also undergo family
development sessions here, where they learn how to discipline their children
without resorting to violence, and what makes their children tick at the
various stages of their lives, among other things.
The aim is to keep their children
from fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in the streets.
It is also a place where the DSWD's
partner-agencies can provide their services. The Department of Health, for
example, conducts check-ups on the children here.
4,400 street children
There are at least 4,400 street
children in Metro Manila, according to DSWD-NCR director Vincent Andrew Leyson.
Unfortunately, the numbers are too
much for the four DSWD centers in Metro Manila to cater for.
There are success stories,
nevertheless, such as that of Roselyn Enriquez and her five children.
The family lived in Makati's
streets for a year, where they lived in fear and uncertainty of what might
befall them.
Fortunately, some DSWD personnel
approached them and gave Roselyn a home and a source of livelihood. She was
able to save up for a tricycle for her husband, and is proud of her income.
The Makati local government also
provides them with assistance, through her children's free education, free
school supplies, and free uniforms.
“Kahit po kami nasa streets, meron po
kaming kinabukasan sa tulong ng DSWD (We may have lived in the
streets, but with the DSWD's help, we had a future to look forward to),” she
declared.
Image:A homeless family eats under
a bridge in Sta. Mesa, Manila. (Bernard Testa/InterAksyon
http://interaksyon.com/article/135489/dswd-in-2017-4ps-beneficiaries-to-get-rice-subsidies-equal-to-18-kilos
Arkansas agriculture: 2016 review and 2017 preview
Wednesday
Posted Dec 21, 2016 at 12:14 PMUpdated
Dec 21, 2016 at 9:05 PM
By Mary Hightower
LITTLE ROCK - The impacts of a
2016 growing season that may have cost crop farmers up to $50 million in losses
due to wet weather, plus the pressures of lower commodity prices, may prompt
changes in Arkansas' row crop landscape for 2017, said extension faculty from
the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Neither was the
livestock side of farming immune to dark clouds.
"In the last two years,
cattle markets have gone from record highs to dismal lows," said Mike
Looper, department head-Animal Science for the Division of Agriculture.
"In 2016, beef production expanded nearly 6 percent and is projected to
increase an additional 4 percent again in to the next year. Record beef output
means lower prices moving into 2017.
"While these scenarios seem
to be more 'doom and gloom,' there are opportunities," he said.
"Obviously, an increased export market would alleviate the surplus beef
production, but that is yet to be seen.
Looper said that during these
major beef market transitions, producers may want to consider increasing the
value of calves through backgrounding."With adequate moisture, forage
production can add additional pounds with marginal costs," he said.
"Some economists suggest retained ownership of calves through the feedyard
phase also may increase profits. It seems transitional times in any industry
usually result in better management strategies."
For row and field crop growers,
the 2016 growing season was wet almost from the start. However, heavy,
sustained rain from Aug. 13-20 is estimated to have cost Arkansas row crop
farmers $40-50 million, according to a study done by Division of Agriculture
economists.The rain wasn't picky about which crops were damaged. Many farmers saw
submerged crops, sprouting of grain in the heads and in cotton, the dropping of
bolls.
Here's a crop-by-crop look back
at 2016 and a preview of 2017:
CORN - Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for
the division, said "Acreage was up significantly in 2016 - up 300,000 from
last year - and overall corn yields were average compared to the last three
years when record yields were realized."
The state average yield was
estimated at 178 bushels per acre, which was down from 2105. Kelley said warm
temperatures during June and July were most likely the culprit for lower yields
this year.
"Decisions are still being
made for 2017, but corn will be in the mix for many producers and final acres
will depend on price swings over the next few months," he said.
COTTON - The National Agricultural Statistics Service November Crop
Production report estimated production at 830,000 bales, which was down 20,000
bales from the Oct.1 forecast but up 359,000 bales above last year. Yield is
expected to average 1,062 pounds per harvested acre, down 26 pounds from
October's estimate and down 30 pounds from 2015 and below our five-year average
of 1073 pounds of lint per acre. Harvested acreage is estimated at 375,000
acres, up 168,000 acres from 2015.
"The 2016 crop was
disappointing for most," said Bill Robertson, extension cotton agronomist
for the Division of Agriculture. "Some of our better cotton picked three
bales but there wasn't much in terms of four-bale fields. We finished the
season just under our five-year average. However, average yields will not pay
the bills."
Robertson said, "we had a
rough start at the beginning of the season, very slow at the starting line. Wet
weather and seedling disease in May was widespread. Once we reached June, the plants
tended to grow off and the crop looked a lot better. When August arrived, we
were on track for a record yield until the rainy, cloudy weather that persisted
from around Aug. 13 to Aug. 22 occurred.
"The average yield will
impact plantings for 2107," he said. "Many believe that if we'd come
in with a lot of 1,400- or 1,500-pound fields, we could have seen close to
500,000 acres in 2017. I have heard recent estimates that acres will remain
flat to up as much as 15 percent for 2017. Lint prices as we get closer to
planting will be the deciding factor for many regarding cotton acres in
2017."
GRAIN SORGHUM - Kelley had two words to describe 2016 for grain sorghum
growers: "Tough year. Acreage was down approximately 10 times from
2015," he said. "Lower grain prices, in addition to sugarcane aphid
threat, were a deterrent to planting grain sorghum this year.
"Mid-August rainfall at
maturity caused widespread grain sprouting in the head resulting in lower
yields and poor quality grain," Kelley said. "Overall state average
yield is estimated at 70 bushels per acre approximately 15-20 bushels per acre
lower than average."
PEANUTS - Travis Faske, extension plant pathologist and the Division of
Agriculture's go-to specialist for peanuts, said "the season started out
great with adequate moisture and warm temperatures for peanut production. The
wet, cloudy weather in August was less than ideal and was the cause for some
fields to have a lower grade than expected."
Faske said that even though the
final numbers are still pending, overall yield was slightly less than average.
"I would guess an average of 4,200 pounds per acre, and grades were
slightly less, but this is still respectable yield."
"Contracts are higher for
next year with $425 to $450 per ton in some areas and this will probably go up
before next year," he said. "I expect slightly more production next
year, maybe near 25,000 in Arkansas."
RICE - "The 2016 rice season brought a significant decrease in
state average yield, at 159 bushels per acre, compared to the 163-168 bushels
per acre we saw in 2013-2015," said Jarrod Hardke, rice agronomist for the
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
"Lower production combined
with decreasing rice prices have left many with serious questions about
planting decisions entering 2017," he said. "At this point all signs
point to a significant reduction in rice acreage compared to the 2016 acreage
of 1.52 million acres."
Hardke said he expects total rice
acres to decline around 1.1 to 1.2 million acres in 2017. Long grain rice acres
will see the largest decline, however "medium acres should actually
increase," he said, adding that "depending upon any changes in
commodity prices of rice and related rotational crops such as soybean, this
estimate is open to change.
"If soybean prices begin to
fall there is a likelihood of an increase in rice acres in response,"
Hardke said. "However, any potential reduction in soybean commodity prices
may not occur in time to affect planting decisions for the 2017 season, if a
reduction occurs at all."
SOYBEANS - Soybean acreage dropped slightly to 3.15 million from last
year's 3.2 million acres planted, but was up from the March 2016 forecast of
3.05 million acres. Soybean farmers endured wild swings in pricing this year as
drought and flooding affected south American soybean crops and idea weather
helped the crop in the U.S. (see: "2016 weather propelled commodity market
rollercoaster," http://bit.ly/2hLKQx0) 2016 also saw five growers achieve 100 bushels per acre in the
Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge.
Jeremy Ross, extension soybean
agronomist with the Division of Agriculture, said his biggest concern for the
2017 growing season for soybean will be the adaption of Monsanto's new Xtend
technology.
"I'm already hearing some
producers going 100 percent Xtend soybean varieties next year, but we only have
yield data and disease rating for these varieties for only one year," he
said. "It concerns me to plant a large portion of our acreage to varieties
with limited data."
WINTER WHEAT - A dry fall gave the opportunity to plant wheat, but Kelley
said that "low grain prices coupled with concerns about profitability, and
lack of soil moisture during the optimum planting window of October limited
planted wheat acres. Estimated wheat plantings will be released in January, but
acreage will likely be near the lowest acreage in recent history."
For more information about crop production, visit www.uaex.edu or contact your county extension office.
HEAR THEM SING
Posted Dec 22 at 12:01 AM
Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth, far right, sings Thursday
night with community members outside the Brookshire's store on 28th Avenue as
part of the "Take Back Christmas" Community Caroling Project, founded
by Rev. Jesse Turner, shown at center. Commercial Managing Editor/John Worthen
2 aromatic rice lines planned
A field tour held at a recent crop expo at the University of
Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart.
Wednesday,Posted Dec 21, 2016 at 1:46 PM
Debra Ahrent Wisdom, a program and research associate for the
Division of Agriculture in Stuttgart, said two jasmine-type aromatic rices,
currently known simply as AR-1105 and AR-1102, are scheduled to be released in
2017 and 2018, respectively.
By Ryan McGeeney / UofA Division of Ag
The University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture's specialty rice program, seated in the Rice Research
and Extension Center in Stuttgart, is planning to release two varieties of
aromatic rice in the coming years, researchers said this month.
Debra Ahrent Wisdom, a program and
research associate for the Division of Agriculture in Stuttgart, said two
jasmine-type aromatic rices, currently known simply as AR-1105 and AR-1102, are
scheduled to be released in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
"These are really the first
lines we've released through the specialty rice program," Ahrent Wisdom
said. "We determined there was a demand for these aromatics through
conversations with growers, millers and marketers, and also by simply looking
at rice imports across the country."
Related content
Real
Christmas trees: A growing trend
December 19, 2016
RREC working
year-round
November 28, 2016
Ahrent Wisdom said that while the
United States (and Arkansas in particular) doesn't typically import much long-
or medium-grain rice, imports of aromatics such as jasmine and basmati are
strong.
"There's an interest among consumers
for aromatic rice," she said, noting that immigrants and foreign
nationals, particularly from Asian counties such as India and Thailand,
overwhelmingly prefer the rice grown in their countries of origin.
"We can't grow the varieties
they grow in Thailand and India, because of the photo period
sensitivities," Ahrent Wisdom said. "We can't just say, 'send us some
seed and we'll grow it here.' It doesn't work that way. There's something about
the environment in Thailand and India that makes those aromatic lines just pop.
And it's not everywhere in those countries - it's just certain pockets where
the soil and the environment just works.
"We don't happen to have that
particular environment here - so we work around the environment we have,"
she said.
Ahrent Wisdom said both of the new
varieties claim Jazzman, a jasmine aromatic line originally developed by
Louisiana State University, as a parent. In three years of test trials, AR-1105
and AR-1102 have averaged yields of 170 and 150 bushels per acre, respectively.
While the yields aren't comparable to most long-grain rice varieties, the
numbers represent a strong showing among aromatics, she said.
Jarrod Hardke, extension rice
agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said specialty rices like Ahrent
Wisdom's aromatic lines make up less than 1 percent of overall rice production
in Arkansas, the leading rice state in the country. Nevertheless, producers are
always looking for an edge in marketing opportunities, he said.
"Our growers do want some
investment," Hardke said. "Any kind of value-added product, anything
we can find a fit for, at a premium, and can grow and sell, that's great. But
to date, specialty rice markets are still pretty small."
Karen Moldenhauer, a professor of
Crop, Soil and Environmental Science for the Division of Agriculture in
Stuttgart, said the RREC has been working with aromatic varieties for more than
a decade, although the specialty didn't become a focus of the program's
research until Ahrent Wisdom transferred from Fayetteville to Stuttgart in
2009.
"There was a lot of interest
in aromatic rice," Moldenhauer said. "The Arkansas Rice Research and
Promotion Board and a number of producers in Arkansas thought it would be good
if we could have an aromatic that we could potentially sell to some of these
same people; people that were more interested in different types of rices, so
they could have something from the United States to choose from."
Moldenhauer said that since the
Division of Agriculture's rice breeding program was established in 1931, it has
released about 45 lines of rice, only one of which has been an aromatic.
Glen Bathke, assistant director of
the RREC, said that the specialty rice program's pursuit of unusual lines
provides an avenue for growers to find new markets in which to pursue revenues.
"Just having a new rice
variety released periodically lets growers and business owners know that we can
grow specialty rice here, not just medium- and long-grain," Bathke said.
"We have aromatic markets right here in Arkansas. If growers would like to
participate in that market, we have products that will allow them to do so, and
diversify a little bit. But developing those
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/20161221/2-aromatic-rice-lines-planned
Russia boosted rice exports
22.12.2016
Russia has doubled rice exports since the beginning of 2016/17.
So, 57 KMT was exported from Russia in the first four months of the season
compared to 28 KMT in July-October 2015/16, reports UkrAgroConsult.As before, the key destination market is Turkey with an export
share of 38%. It is worth noting that the European Union stepped up imports of
Russian rice. In the period under review, the EU imported 8.3 KMT compared
to 9.9 KMT for the full season of 2015/16.
In addition, Libya renewed rice
imports from Russia and bought 6 KMT there in the reviewed period. Last
time Libya imported rice from Russia back three years ago (5.5 KMT in December
2013).
Ukraine has imported 2.4 KMT of
Russian rice this season (5.5 KMT in MY 2015/16)
http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/russia-boosted-rice-exports
2.5 tons of fake plastic rice
seized in Nigeria
Published time: 22 Dec, 2016 16:17Edited time: 22 Dec, 2016 17:03
© Jason Lee / Reuters
Amid skyrocketing food prices and inflation ahead of Christmas,
Nigerian authorities have intercepted a shipment of some 2.5 tons of fake rice,
supposedly from China. Health warnings have been issued and an arrest made.The
102 bags of fake rice, weighing 25kg (a little over 50lb) each and labeled
‘Best Tomato Rice’, are thought by customs officers to have been smuggled in
through the port in Lagos, according to AFP. The port city is the country’s
main commercial hub.
The connection to China is being
suggested after 'rice' made from plastic pellets was discovered at the same
port last year.A suspect was arrested Wednesday, and warnings were immediately
issued to steer clear of the rice, and definitely not cook it. It was upon
cooking the rice that customs officials saw its sticky constitution, realizing
it was not safe.“Only God knows
what would have happened if people consumed it," customs controller Mohammed Haruna told local media, as cited by
AFP.
Being Nigeria’s most popular staple
food, rice is in massive demand, especially with Christmas around the corner
and owing to rising inflation. But rice imports are banned in Nigeria – a
tactic to boost local production. The country has just experienced its 13th
straight month of increasing inflation, and food prices are said to be the
driver.
Authorities say the rice was
intended for sale at the numerous Christmas-themed events and festivities
around the country.
A 25kg bag, like the ones
confiscated, is estimated to be worth 20,000 naira (US$63) – twice what they
were last December.Further analysis of the rice is now being carried out at the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
https://www.rt.com/news/371294-fake-plastic-rice-nigeria/
US water projects aimed at easing drought to get $225M
By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, Associated Press
Dec 21, 2016 1:39 PM CST
FILE - In this May 1, 2014 file photo, irrigation water runs along
the dried-up ditch between the rice farms to provide water for the rice fields
in Richvale, Calif. The federal government will be pouring nearly a
quarter-billion dollars into several dozen projects aimed at tackling the
effects of drought... (Associated Press)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The federal government will spend nearly
a quarter-billion dollars to finance several dozen projects aimed at easing the
effects of drought in the western U.S. and restoring watersheds that provide
drinking water to communities around the nation, officials announced Wednesday.
The $225 million in funding will be shared among 88 projects, from
California's Central Valley to centuries-old irrigation systems in northern New
Mexico and thousands of square miles of fragmented streams in Maine. More than
half of the projects specifically address drought and water quality.
Jason Weller, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural
Resources Conservation Service, said the federal funding will also generate
$500 million more in spending for the projects that will be provided by state,
local and private partners.
"That's important for us because no one organization has the
boots on the ground, the financial resources, the technical expertise needed to
deal with drought, invasive species, invasive weeds, be more energy efficient
and improve the health of their forests," he said. "It's really
incumbent upon us all to work smarter and more effectively together."
Weller pointed to the tens of millions of trees that have died in
California due to the epic drought there and other challenges faced by communities
bordering public and private forests that are overgrown and unhealthy. He said
the dry conditions are putting pressure on watersheds and their ability to
provide abundant and clean water.
The funding also is aimed at tackling flooding problems in places
such as Merced County, California, where storm runoff in recent years has
forced road closures and damaged prime agricultural land.
Officials say $10 million will go toward the design and
construction of a system that will better capture and use snowmelt and
precipitation from foothills while protecting infrastructure in the county.
Local partners are expected to triple the federal investment in
the project.
Nearly $18 million is dedicated to projects in New Mexico, where
Hispanic families have been using acequias, or earthen canals, for centuries to
water their crops.
Acequias are located in 12 of the most impoverished counties in
New Mexico and many need repairs. Supporters say revitalization of the historic
irrigation systems are a matter of social and environmental justice because of
their cultural and spiritual importance for the region.
In Maine, $6 million is being invested in a restoration project
that spans 25,000 square miles. The goal is to reconnect some of the state's
high-value aquatic networks that have been damaged by roads and vehicles. The
Nature Conservancy group and 18 other partners wilhttp://www.newser.com/article/946312b1ae1f4727810ef45b19f12370/us-water-projects-aimed-at-easing-drought-to-get-225m.html
Government Imports Rice to Meet
its Tariff-Rate Quota
Given the country’s diminishing
rice consumption, and to keep the rice market stable during the harvest season
in particular, the ministry has been delaying the import procedure since
September. (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced
Wednesday that it is importing 116,000 tons of rice – 25,000 tons for
consumption and 91,036 for processing – to fulfil its WTO-regulated annual
tariff-rate quota of 487,000 tons of rice. South Korea was given a 20-year
grace period for rice tariffs, under the condition that it would import 487,000
tons of rice each year. The country has so far imported 292,664 tons in
2016. According to the ministry, the additional 25,000 tons of rice for
consumption would make up a total of 50,000 tons imported this year, which is a
10,000-ton decline compared to 2015.
Given the country’s diminishing rice consumption, and to keep the
rice market stable during the harvest season in particular, the ministry has
been delaying the import procedure since September. Although it has no
choice but to import foreign rice to meet its TRQ before the end of the year,
in order to prevent the value of domestically-produced rice from depreciating,
the imported produce will not be released into the market until at least April
of next year, officials said.In 2015, annual per-capita rice consumption was
62.9kg, a drop from 128.1kg in 1985. The government had 1.71 million tons of
rice in its stockpile as of November.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
http://koreabizwire.com/government-imports-rice-to-meet-its-tariff-rate-quota/72674
GIEWS Country Brief: Timor-Leste
14-December-2016
REPORT
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
·
Favourable start of 2017 main
cropping season
·
Cereal production in 2016
declined for second consecutive year due to dry weather conditions
·
Cereal import requirements in
2016/17 forecast to increase over previous year’s already high level
·
Acute localized food insecurity persists
Favourable start of 2017 main
cropping season
Planting of the 2017 main season maize is well advanced, while
planting of rice just started and is expected to continue until the end of
February 2017. Average and well-distributed rainfall since October over the
main cereal-producing areas located in the eastern parts of the country,
coupled with improved supplies of irrigation water, benefitted planting
operations and early crop development. Assuming favourable weather conditions
for the remainder of the season, the 2017 main season cereal output is expected
to recover from the drought-affected harvests in 2015 and 2016.
El Niño-induced dry conditions
result in cereal production decline in 2016
Harvesting of the 2016 secondary off-season paddy crops is well
advanced, while harvesting of the main season crops was completed earlier in
the year. FAO’s forecast for the 2016 aggregate rice production is set at 60
000 tonnes, 6 percent below last year’s already sharply-reduced output and 30
percent below the five-year average. The sharp decline mainly reflects the
reduced main season harvest that was negatively affected by prolonged El
Niño-induced dry weather conditions. Municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima and
Lautem, as well as coastal regions of Viqueque and parts of Baucau, which
combined account for close to two‑thirds of country’s annual paddy production,
were among the most affected. Dry weather conditions also constrained the 2016
maize crop, which is forecast at 60 000 tonnes, 8 percent down from the 2015
reduced level and 21 percent below the five-year average.
Cereal import requirements in
2016/17 forecast to increase over last year’s already high level
The country heavily depends on imports to meet its consumption
needs. Cereal import requirements in the 2016/17 marketing year (April/March)
are forecast to increase by 15 percent to 160 000 tonnes compared with the
previous year’s already high level reflecting two consecutive years of reduced
cereal production.
Pockets of acute food
insecurity persist
According to official estimates, approximately 350 000 people
(one‑third of the total population), mainly located in central highlands, eastern
and southwestern parts of the country were affected by prolonged drought during
the last two years. Although rains improved in recent months bringing some
relief to drought-affected areas, vulnerable households mostly
http://reliefweb.int/report/timor-leste/giews-country-brief-timor-leste-14-december-2016
NFA Accredits More Rice Outlets
December 22, 2016 To make affordable government rice more accessible to the consuming
public, the National Food Authority is increasing the number of its accredited
rice outlets nationwide.NFA Officer In Charge Tomas R. Escarez directed all
field offices to accredit additional rice retail outlets not only inside the
market but even in remote barangays to make NFA rice readily available
especially to the marginalized sector.
NFA rice is still being sold at P 27.00 per kilogram for 25% brokens and
P 32.00 per kilogram for 15% brokens.
To enable those who are interested to become an NFA accredited rice
retail outlet, Escarez said that field
offices were instructed to ease the requirements for accreditation. He said
that interested applicants can be issued a temporary accreditation pending
completion of inspection and submission of requirements so they can immediately
sell NFA rice to the consuming public.NFA currently has a total of 16,775
accredited rice outlets nationwide. Aside from the traditional rice outlets
inside and outside the markets, NFA has also other non-traditional rice outlets
such as the Bigasan sa Barangay, Bigaasan sa Parokya, and Barangay Food
Terminal. NFA also participates in the Diskwento Caravan in the different
municipalities organized by the Department of Trade and Industry to bring
affordable government rice closer to the public especially during this holiday
season.
Escarez reported that the food agency has already distributed a total
of 21,405,835 bags of the good quality but low-priced NFA rice from January to
November of this year through its accredited outlets across the country. He
said that the agency intends to open more non-traditional rice outlets to
further widen its reach and to ensure that more low-income consumers would
benefit from the government subsidized rice.
Nitish Kumar’s
visit: Rohtas farmers disappointed
TNN | Dec 23, 2016, 11.59 AM IST
Nitish Kumar.
Blaming the Centre for fixing moisture content, the CM said the
state government was exploring the possibility of introducing dryer system at
procurement centres to bring down moisture content in paddy to the required
level.
As part of his 'Nishchay Yatra', the CM visited Muradabad Primary Agriculture Credit Society (PACS) on the outskirts of Sasaram on Thursday and inspected overnight commissioned dryer at the rice mill run by the PACS. He said the state government would promote dryer system to avoid delay in paddy procurement at minimum
As part of his 'Nishchay Yatra', the CM visited Muradabad Primary Agriculture Credit Society (PACS) on the outskirts of Sasaram on Thursday and inspected overnight commissioned dryer at the rice mill run by the PACS. He said the state government would promote dryer system to avoid delay in paddy procurement at minimum
"A proposal in this regard has been sent to the Centre. The state government has no role in fixing the minimum level of moisture," the CM said, adding that as a pilot project, some rice mills equipped with dryer system would be attached with the PACS.
Farmers and rice millers, however, termed the proposal
"impractical". Rice millers of Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha,
Andhra Pradesh and other states, who have been camping here for last one month,
said the process of bringing down the moisture level through dryer system is
very expensive and time taking
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Nitishs-visit-Rohtas-farmers-disappointed/articleshow/56127675.cms
Thailand, Vietnam markets quiet
ahead of Christmas, New Year
REUTERS
UPDATED : 12/22/2016 08:08
Rice export prices in Vietnam widened this week while prices in
Thailand were flat in a quiet market ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays,
traders said on Wednesday.
"There are no buyers due to New Year holidays," said
another trader.Vietnam's rice exports are forecast to rebound to 7.1 million
tonnes in 2017, after sales were seen dropping 22.6 percent from the previous
year to 6.5 million tonnes this year, the U.N. Food and Agriculture
Organization said in its December report.The Thai market was also lacklustre
with the benchmark 5-percent broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 quoted at $360 a tonne on
Wednesday, FOB basis, compared with $355-$360 last week.
"There won't be orders around this time until after the new
year," a trader in Bangkok told Reuters.Thailand has exported 9.3 million
tonnes of rice, worth ($4.06 million), so far this year, mostly to China and
countries in Africa, the country's commerce ministry said on Monday.Commerce
Minister Apiradee Tantraporn had said earlier this month that rice exports
would reach 10.5 million tonnes this year.Meanwhile, rice prices in India, the
world's biggest rice exporter, edged down due to rising supplies in physical
markets from the summer sown crop, while an uptick in export demand put a floor
under prices.
Prices of India's 5 percent broken parboiled rice dropped $1 per
tonne this week to $343 to $347 per tonne.
"In eastern India, supplies have risen significantly over
the last few days," said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern
Indian state of Andhra Pradesh."Exports demand has also improved a bit but
still it is lower than normal," he said, adding that it might soften again
due to Christmas holidays.Trading in farm commodities such as cotton, rice and
soybeans have been disrupted in the last few weeks after Prime Minister
Narendra Modi last month scrapped 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee notes to crack down
on corruption.
India's summer-sown rice output is seen at a record 93.88 million
tonnes in the crop year to June 2017, 2.81 percent higher than last year, as
plentiful monsoon rains help boost yields after back-to-back drought years, the
farm ministry said.India exported 10.34 million tonnes of rice in October 2015
to September 2016, according to data compiled by the farm ministry.
http://tuoitrenews.vn/business/38676/thailand-vietnam-markets-quiet-ahead-of-christmas-new-year
What to do with
your leftover turkey after Christmas Day
What to do with your leftover turkey this Christmas
LMacDougall Kent
Live | Thu 22 Dec 2016
You've had your roast turkey now, but this morning, most of us
woke up to see plenty of the festive bird left.
And if you're struggling for ideas about what to do with it, why
not try these recipes - some even formulated by celebrity chefs - with not a
sandwich in sight?
Turkey
meatloaf
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/TurkeyMeatloaf.png
Grind the turkey, then add it to eggs, breadcrumbs and onions, and
bake in a rectangular tin for a great meatloaf.
Turkey
Con Chilli by Jamie Oliver
image:
https://backbench.localworld.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276268/binaries/jamie-live-christmas-show.jpg
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 2 red onions , peeled
and roughly chopped
- 1 carrot , peeled and
roughly chopped
- 1 leek , trimmed and
roughly chopped
- 1 red pepper , deseeded
and roughly chopped
- 1 yellow pepper ,
deseeded and roughly chopped
- 1 fresh red chilli ,
deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 fresh green chilli ,
deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 bunch fresh coriander
, stalks finely chopped, leaves picked
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 heaped teaspoon smoked
paprika
- 1 heaped teaspoon runny
honey , optional
- 3 tablespoons white wine
vinegar , optional
- 600 g turkey , leftover,
shredded
- sea salt
- freshly ground black
pepper
- 3 x 400 g tinned chopped
tomatoes
- 400 g tinned butter
beans or chickpeas , drained
- 2 limes , juice of
- soured cream , to serve
For the guacamole
- 2 ripe avocados , peeled
and destoned
- 2 tomatoes , halved
- ¼ red onion , peeled
- ½ clove garlic , peeled
- 1 fresh green chilli ,
deseeded
- 1 bunch fresh coriander
- 1 lime
Method
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/Turkeychili.png
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Heat a few lugs of olive oil
in a large casserole-type pan on a medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, leek,
peppers and chillies, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add
the coriander stalks, cumin and paprika, and cook for another 10 minutes or so,
stirring frequently until soft and delicious. Sometimes I like to add some
honey and white wine vinegar at this point and let it cook for a couple of
minutes. I find this adds a wonderful sheen and enhances the natural sweetness
of the vegetables.
While that's happening, shred the turkey meat off your carcass and
roughly chop it. Add a good pinch of salt and pepper to the pan of vegetables,
then add the turkey and take the pan off the heat. Add the tomatoes and
chickpeas or butter beans and stir everything together. Pop it in the hot oven
to blip away for 2 hours. Check on it after an hour, and add a splash of water
if it looks a bit dry.
While that's cooking, make your guacamole by blitzing one of your
avocados in a food processor with the tomatoes, onion, garlic, chilli and
coriander. Use a fork to mash the other avocado in a bowl so it's nice and
chunky. Taste the mixture in the food processor and add salt and squeezes of
lime juice until the taste is just right for you. Whiz up one more time then
tip into the bowl with your chunky avocado and mix together.
Take the chilli out of the oven and scrape all the gnarly bits
from the edge of the pan back into the chilli for added flavour. Squeeze in
some lime juice, and stir through most of the coriander leaves. Have a taste to
check the seasoning then serve with steamed basmati rice or tortillas, and a
good dollop of soured cream and guacamole on top. Scatter over your remaining
coriander leaves and some finely sliced fresh chilli if you fancy then get
everyone to tuck in.
Turkey
curry
Stir in some turkey with curry powder, potatoes, onions and
peppers, and enjoy a lovely curry. Serve with a mango chutney to give it a
kick.
Turkey
pilaff with pomegranate and dill by Nigella Lawson
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/Nigella.png
serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 275g brown basmati rice
- 200g shredded cooked
turkey
- 125ml chicken stock
- 4 x 15ml tbsp chopped
dill
- 75g pomegranate seeds
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp extra-virgin olive
oil
- 50g salted, herbed seed
mix
Method
Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packet. Put the
shredded turkey in a large pan with the chicken stock. Bring to the boil and
bubble gently for 1-2 minutes.
Drain the rice and transfer to a large serving bowl. Mix in the
contents of the turkey pan. Add the chopped dill and most of the pomegranate
seeds, reserving some to sprinkle over the finished dish, and mix again.
Dress with the lemon juice and a little oil, scatter over the
seeds and mix again. Season and sprinkle over the remaining pomegranate seeds.
Turkey
laska
Bring some asian flavours to your turkey, by cooking it in stock
with curry paste, noodles, beansprouts and coconut milk.
Turkey
casserole
Unilever
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/casserole.png
An idea to use up the turkey, and any leftover veg you might have
as well. Stir it all into some stock, and add apple, flour, mustard and onions
for a terrific casserole.
English
Colonial Curry with Turkey by Delia Smith
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/delia.png
Ingredients
- 600g cooked turkey,
chopped into chunks
- 1 tablespoon turkey
dripping
- 1 large onion, finely
chopped
- 2 sticks of celery,
chopped
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 heaped tablespoon
plain flour
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 heaped tablespoon
Sharwood's Hot Curry Powder (for Madras)
- 725ml hot stock (made
with Marigold bouillon)
- 1 medium dessert or
Bramley apple, cored and chopped (no need to peel)
- 25g sultanas
- 1 heaped tablespoon
mango chutney
- 2 tablespoons grated
creamed coconut
- a squeeze of lemon
- seasoning
Method
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/colonialcurry.png
Heat the dripping and fry the onion and celery over a medium heat,
tossing them around till softened and well browned at the edges, then add the
garlic and toss that around for a minute.
Now stir in the flour, turmeric, ginger and curry powder to soak
up all the juices, and after that gradually stir in the stock.
When the sauce begins to bubble add the apple, sultanas, mango
chutney and grated coconut, plus some seasoning.
Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 30
minutes.
After that, add the turkey pieces and a squeeze of lemon juice,
stir well, put a lid on and simmer gently for a further 10 minutes to reheat
the turkey.
Serve with basmati rice, poppadoms, mango chutney and lime pickle.
Turkey
salad
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/turkeysalad.png
Mix olive oil, lime juice and vinegar to make a dressing, then mix
crisp salad leaves with avocado and tomato and chicken to make a healthy salad.
Turkey
and ham bake
Make a sauce by stirring butter, flour and milk, then stir in some
sherry and mustard, before adding ham and turkey, covering the whole thing in
cheese and chopped nuts before baking for half an hour.
Celbrity recipes
Don't settle for a lacklustre sandwich. Here's some leftover
turkey recipe ideas from the nation's top chefs.
Cold
Turkey and Ham Pie with a Cranberry Topping by the Hairy Bikers
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/hb.png
Serves: 8-10
Prep time: 1 to 2 hours
Cooking time: 1 to 2 hours
Ingredients
For the pastry:
- 450g / 1lb plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 60g / 2.5oz cold butter,
chopped
- 60g / 2.5oz cold lard,
chopped
- 140ml / 5fl oz cold
water
For the cranberry topping:
- 500g / 1lb 2oz fresh
cranberries
- 250g / 9oz kumquats,
thinly sliced
- 250g / 9oz caster sugar
- 6 allspice berries
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 tbsp ruby port
- 2 gelatine leaves,
soaked in 150ml/5fl oz of cold water for 2-3 minutes until softened, then
drained
For the filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 leek, chopped
- 2 small celery sticks,
chopped
- 1 tbsp flour
- 100ml / 3.5fl oz hot
chicken stock
- 3 tbsp double cream
- 1 tsp English mustard
powder
- handful fresh curly
parsley
- 350g / 12oz cooked
gammon, roughly chopped
- 500g / 1lb 2oz cooked
turkey, dark and light meat, cut into large pieces
- salt and freshly ground
black pepper
Method
image:
http://www.kentlive.news/images/localworld/ugc-images/276434/binaries/cranberrypie1.png
For the pastry, blend the flour, baking powder, salt, butter and
lard in a food processor until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Gradually add the water in a thin stream and continue to blend
until the mixture starts to come together as a dough.
Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least
an hour.
Meanwhile, for the cranberry topping, bring a pan of water to the
boil, then turn down the heat to a simmer. Add the cranberries and kumquats and
simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the fruit has broken down.
Add the sugar, allspice and cinnamon stick. Stir until the sugar
has dissolved, then simmer for a further 8-10 minutes.
Add the port, return the mixture to the boil for 2-3 minutes, then
remove from the heat.
Stir the softened gelatine leaves into the cranberry mixture until
well combined, then set aside to cool. When the cranberry topping has cooled,
chill in the fridge until set.
To cook the pastry, preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas Grease a
23cm/9in springform tart case with butter. Line the base with a disc of baking
parchment.
Turn the pastry out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll
out until it is 4cm/1?in larger in diameter than the tin.
Line the tart case with the pastry and press down until the pastry
case is the same shape as the tin. Cover the pastry with greaseproof paper and
fill with baking beans. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Remove the baking beans and greaseproof paper and trim the edges
of the pastry. Set the pastry case aside to cool.
For the tart filling, heat the olive oil and butter in a large
frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, leek and celery and fry for 4-5
minutes, or until softened.
Add the flour and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to
a simmer and simmer the mixture for 4-5 minutes, or until the stock has
thickened.
Add the cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through,
then add the mustard powder and parsley and stir until well combined.
Add the gammon and turkey pieces and stir until well combined.
Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Spoon the tart filling into the pastry case, then transfer to the
oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
While the pie is cooling, spread the cranberry jelly over the top.
When the pie has completely cooled, cut it into slices and divide
the slices equally among the serving plates. Serve with a green salad and
crisps.
Read more at http://www.kentlive.news/what-to-do-with-your-leftover-turkey-this-christmas/story-30003109-detail/whatson/story.html#ekDF7CgCYx6C7apW.99
