Sun,
01/28/2018 - 7:00am | Ben Zigterman
Photo by: Courtesy University of
Illinois
A bioreactor is installed at the University of Illinois Dudley
Smith Farms in Christian County.
"Water quality is a huge
issue in Illinois," said George Czapar, director of the UI Extension.In
2015, the Illinois EPA created a strategy to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous
runoff over concerns about the large "dead zone" created each year in
the Gulf of Mexico.
The strategy should also have
some benefits for Illinois water, Czapar said.
"We're looking to reduce
loss as far up as we can, rather than waiting until it reaches the Gulf,"
he said. "If we can reduce or minimize loss that we have within Illinois,
that's a benefit to our rivers and streams here."
The strategy, called the Nutrient
Loss Reduction Strategy, promotes best practices for farmers, such as using
cover crops or woodchip bioreactors, which remove nitrate from the runoff.
The best practices are starting
to catch on.
About 70 percent of Illinois farmers know about the NLRS best
practices, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and usage of the
best practices has more than doubled since 2011.
But it's still the early stages,
which is why the Extension says the grant it received is needed; researchers
are still studying what methods work best to keep the nutrients in the soil.
The water quality team includes
seven researchers at the UI College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental
Sciences, from agronomists to biological engineers.
These scientists will provide
technical support for the Extension coordinators working with farmers to
implement the best practices.
One will work in the Embarras
River and Little Wabash River watersheds, and the other in the Lower Rock River
and Mississippi North Central River watersheds of northwestern Illinois.
"The watershed coordinators
will play a key role in implementing the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction
Strategy by providing outreach and technical assistance to farmers and
stakeholders in select priority watersheds," said Illinois EPA Director
Alec Messina in a news release.
The best practices are gradually
becoming more popular among farmers.
Dirk Rice, who farms near Philo,
has been using cover crops since 2013.
"And I haven't had any
problems," he said.Rice grows cereal rye on his bean fields over the
winter and early spring, and then kills the cereal rye off before planting his
beans. This should keep more plant material in his fields, instead of it
draining off.
"When you look at the
structure of the soil, you can really see a difference versus conventional
tillage," Rice said.
By keeping more nutrients in the
soil, cover crops should allow farmers to use less fertilizer and save some
money.
While Rice said cover crops have
been worth it for him, he said it's too early to tell whether he can use less
fertilizer.And he said the state's runoff strategy is helping to spur more
research into what techniques are economically viable for farmers."It will
take years to get a database to tell you what practices are effective and how
effective they are," Rice said.While early research has shown these
techniques can save farmers money, Rice said it's still early and that some
farmers might be wary of changing how they manage their farm, especially with
low grain prices the last few years.
"You're asking for a fairly
major change in the way people have done things. A lot of people are just now
starting to try a few acres," Rice said. "This could be something
where it takes a generational change. We've got to show that this won't cost
you money, and if done right, this should make you more money."
Czapar said that the best
practices have "overall been very well received," and the Illinois
Farm Bureau has been actively promoting the NLRS to its members."I think
everyone's in agreement that we can do a better job," Czapar said.
Overall agricultural imports from China
shrink after FTA deal
Jan 29, 2018 - 09:27
·
Updated
: Jan 29, 2018 - 09:27
South Korea imported fewer
agricultural products overall from China last year, but shipments in fruits,
vegetables and meats increased, data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute
showed Monday.
According to KREI's analysis of figures from the Korea Trade Statistics Promotion Institute, South Korea imported $3.62 million worth of agricultural, forestry and livestock products from China in the January-October period last year, 1.8 percent less than the average prior to the two countries' free trade agreement taking effect.
The FTA went into force on Dec. 20, 2015. The pre-FTA average measures imports from 2011 to 2015 after excluding the highest and lowest figures.
According to KREI's analysis of figures from the Korea Trade Statistics Promotion Institute, South Korea imported $3.62 million worth of agricultural, forestry and livestock products from China in the January-October period last year, 1.8 percent less than the average prior to the two countries' free trade agreement taking effect.
The FTA went into force on Dec. 20, 2015. The pre-FTA average measures imports from 2011 to 2015 after excluding the highest and lowest figures.
|
|
|
(Yonhap)
|
Imports
of Chinese grain fell 29.1 percent compared with before the FTA implementation,
with shipments shrinking for rice, sesame, peanuts and other related products.
In case of rice, imports decreased 11 percent in volume.
Inbound shipments of forestry products also fell, down 6.2 percent to $1.39 million.
South Korea, however, purchased more fruits, vegetables, processed foods and meats, according to the data.
Imports grew 12.6 percent to $634 million for fruits and vegetables, while those for processed foods grew 21.9 percent to $963 million.
Imports of meat products rose 8 percent to $166 million, data showed. Specifically, imports of chicken in terms of volume increased to 34,000 tons compared with 25,000 tons in 2015.
China accounted for 13 percent of South Korea's total agricultural and livestock products last year, up 0.6 percentage point from the pre-FTA average. (Yonhap)
Inbound shipments of forestry products also fell, down 6.2 percent to $1.39 million.
South Korea, however, purchased more fruits, vegetables, processed foods and meats, according to the data.
Imports grew 12.6 percent to $634 million for fruits and vegetables, while those for processed foods grew 21.9 percent to $963 million.
Imports of meat products rose 8 percent to $166 million, data showed. Specifically, imports of chicken in terms of volume increased to 34,000 tons compared with 25,000 tons in 2015.
China accounted for 13 percent of South Korea's total agricultural and livestock products last year, up 0.6 percentage point from the pre-FTA average. (Yonhap)
FG, AfDB
Trains 8,317 Farmers, Processors On Rice Value Chain
The Federal Government says it
has so far trained more than 8,000 farmers on rice value chain activities under
the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase 1.
The National Coordinator of ATASP-1, Haruna Akwashiki, said this in an interview the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.
Akwashiki noted that the training was done in collaboration with the African Development Bank.
According to him, the training is in line with government’s determination to diversify the economy through agriculture, reduce imports and attain self-sufficiency in rice production.
Akwashiki said 152,651 tonnes of grains had been released to the market by farmers who were beneficiaries of the programme.
He explained that ATASP-1 had three major components of infrastructure development, commodity value chain and programme management.
According to him, the programme has also trained 3,931 beneficiaries on cassava and 3,498 beneficiaries on sorghum value chain.
He said: “We have trained 205 youths on seeds production technology because we believe that one of the problems that farmers are facing today is the inability to get improved seeds.
“We are working assiduously on this to make sure that improved seeds are made available to farmers.
“More than 40,000 youths have also been trained in various aspects of agribusiness.
“About 120,000 new jobs have been created along the commodity value chain component.”
The National Coordinator said the programme had provided eight clinics, 21 hand pumps, five rural markets, 10 primary schools in seven participating states in its infrastructure development component.
He listed the participating states to include Anambra, Enugu, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger.
Akwashiki said the construction of irrigation scheme and roads in the states would soon commence across the participating states.
NAN recalls that ATASP-1 was established in 2015.
The programme is being funded by the Federal Government and AfDB as its contribution to agricultural development in the country.
Its main objective is to ensure attainment of food and nutrition security, employment generation, wealth creation and import substitution.
NAN also recalls that the Federal Government had announced that the country would achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018.
The National Coordinator of ATASP-1, Haruna Akwashiki, said this in an interview the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.
Akwashiki noted that the training was done in collaboration with the African Development Bank.
According to him, the training is in line with government’s determination to diversify the economy through agriculture, reduce imports and attain self-sufficiency in rice production.
Akwashiki said 152,651 tonnes of grains had been released to the market by farmers who were beneficiaries of the programme.
He explained that ATASP-1 had three major components of infrastructure development, commodity value chain and programme management.
According to him, the programme has also trained 3,931 beneficiaries on cassava and 3,498 beneficiaries on sorghum value chain.
He said: “We have trained 205 youths on seeds production technology because we believe that one of the problems that farmers are facing today is the inability to get improved seeds.
“We are working assiduously on this to make sure that improved seeds are made available to farmers.
“More than 40,000 youths have also been trained in various aspects of agribusiness.
“About 120,000 new jobs have been created along the commodity value chain component.”
The National Coordinator said the programme had provided eight clinics, 21 hand pumps, five rural markets, 10 primary schools in seven participating states in its infrastructure development component.
He listed the participating states to include Anambra, Enugu, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger.
Akwashiki said the construction of irrigation scheme and roads in the states would soon commence across the participating states.
NAN recalls that ATASP-1 was established in 2015.
The programme is being funded by the Federal Government and AfDB as its contribution to agricultural development in the country.
Its main objective is to ensure attainment of food and nutrition security, employment generation, wealth creation and import substitution.
NAN also recalls that the Federal Government had announced that the country would achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018.
Seafood Worth US$ 200.97 Million
Exported In First Half Of Current Year From Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jan, 2018 ):The
exports of fish and fish preparations from the country during first half of
current financial year increased by 9.08 percent as compared the corresponding
period of last year.
During the period from
July-December 2017-18, the country earned US$ 200.97 million by exporting
about76,098 metric tons of fish and fish preparations as compared the exports
of 56,833 metric tons valuing of US$ 83,446 million of same period last year,
according the data
of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.Overall food
group exports from the country during the period under review witnessed growth
of 16.81as food commodities worth US$.932 billion were exported during July-December
(2017-18) against the exports of US$1.
654 billion during July-December (2016-17), the data revealed. The
commodities that contributed in overall food trade from the country included
rice exports of which grew by 18.32 percent from $712.
832 million last year to $843.388 million during the current year.
Among rice commodities, the exports of basmati rice increased by 4.52 percent
while that of other rice commodities increased by 22.
88 percent. During the period under review the exports of
vegetables increased by 6.52 percent a s different vegetables worth US$ 62.709
million to exported as compared the exports of US$ 58.871million of same period
last year, it added.
During the period under review, the tobacco exports from the
country increased from US$3,991 thousand to US$ 20.625 million, showing growth
of 416.79 percent while the wheat exports witnessed increase of 100 percent
percent by going up from zero exports to US$ 0.
045 million. Meanwhile, exports of oil, seeds, nuts and kernals increased by
10.35 percent from US$ 20.243 million to US$ 22.339 million while sugar exports
also increased from zero exports last year to US$181.
209 million, showing 100 percent growth. The food products that
witnessed negative growth in trade included fruits, exports of which declined
from US$198.143 million to US$ 180.288 million, showing 9.
01 decline while the exports of
leguminous vegetable (pulses) decreased by 100 percent . Exports of spices from the country also decreased
from US$ 37.478 million to US$ 36.421 million, showing decrease of 2.
82 million while the exports of meat and meat preparations decreased
by 6.21 percent, from US$104.401 million to US$ 97.915 million. the month of
December 2017 compared to the same month of last year.
The food exports during the month of December 2017 were recorded
at US$ 439.285 million against the exports of US$ 334.860 million last
December, according to the PBS data. On month-on-month basis, the food exports
from the country also witnessed increase of 4.92 percent in December 2017 when
compared to the exports of US$ 418,697 million in November 2017, the data revealed.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/seafood-worth-us-20097-million-exported-in-251835.html
Nigeria: Govt, AfDB Trains 8,317
Farmers, Processors On Rice Value Chain
Rice farmers.
The Federal Government says it has so far trained more than
8,000 farmers on rice value chain activities under the Agricultural
Transformation Agenda Support Programme (ATASP) Phase 1.
Akwashiki said that 152, 651 tonnes of grains had been released
to the market by farmers who were beneficiaries of the programme.He explained
that ATASP-1 had three major components of infrastructure development,
commodity value chain and programme management.
According to him, the programme has also trained 3,931
beneficiaries on cassava and 3,498 beneficiaries on sorghum value
chain."We have trained 205 youths on seeds production technology because
we believe that one of the problems that farmers are facing today is the
inability to get improved seeds.
"We are working assiduously on this to make sure that
improved seeds are made available to farmers."More than 40,000 youths have
also been trained in various aspects of agribusiness."About 120,000 new
jobs have been created along the commodity value chain component," he said.
The National Coordinator said the programme had provided eight
clinics, 21 hand pumps, five rural markets, 10 primary schools in seven
participating states in its infrastructure development component.
He listed the participating states to include Anambra, Enugu,
Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger.Akwashiki said that the construction of
irrigation scheme and roads in the states would soon commence across the
participating states.
NAN recalls that ATASP-1 was established in 2015.The programme
is being funded by the Federal Government and AfDB as its contribution to
agricultural development in the country.
Its main objective is to ensure attainment of food and nutrition
security, employment generation, wealth creation and import substitution.NAN
also recalls that the Federal Government had announced that the country would
achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018
http://allafrica.com/stories/201801290006.htmlMon | 01/29/2018 05:34pm
Rice prices up; gas prices
increasing anew
(The Philippine
Star) | Updated January 29, 2018
- 12:00am
KMP cited the PSA as having reported an average of P1 per kilo
increase for special and premium rice, P1 per kilo increase for regular
well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo for premium well-milled rice. Philstar.com/File
Photo
MANILA, Philippines — The price of
rice has increased by P1 to P2 per kilo nationwide starting in the third week
of January, allegedly as a consequence of the government’s Tax Reform for
Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) measure.
“The price monitoring of the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has noted rice price hikes across the
country,” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said in a statement
yesterday.
KMP cited the PSA as having
reported an average of P1 per kilo increase for special and premium rice, P1
per kilo increase for regular well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo for premium
well-milled rice.
“The PSA also noted an upward trend
in the wholesale and retail prices of well-milled rice and regular milled rice
this January compared to rice prices a year ago,” KMP said.
For well-milled rice, a P3 per kilo
increase was noted in Kidapawan City and P2 per kilo increase in the National Capital
Region and Naga City, the PSA report said.
KMP added that PSA also noted price
hikes ranging from P.50 to P3 per kilo of regular milled rice were observed in
six regional centers nationwide.
The prices of other food
agricultural produce such as beef, meat and pork lean meat increased by as much
as P10 per kilo. Prices of dressed chicken increased by P2 to P20 per kilo.
Market prices of fish and vegetables also increased, the KMP quoted PSA.
“These price hikes are the result
of the cumulative hike in petroleum prices since Jan. 1, when TRAIN became
effective. This week, oil prices will once again increase according to oil
companies,” KMP said.
KMP chairman Danilo Ramos warned
that “this unending cycle of price hikes will not stop as long as TRAIN is in
effect. It will only continue to worsen the economic hardship of Filipinos.”
The farmers group also demanded
that the government “strictly implement a total price freeze in Albay
province where the erupting Mayon volcano is located.”
“National agencies and LGUs in
Albay should strictly monitor the prices of commodities in calamity-affected
areas to avoid overpricing. Agencies should provide relief and rehabilitation
assistance,” Ramos said.
KMP and the Bicol Movement for
Disaster Response are continuously seeking assistance for farmers affected by
Mayon’s eruption, he added.
KMP reported that as of Jan. 28,
there were 28,885 families or 89,109 individuals staying in evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, motorists will see
another round of prices hikes on all fuel products this week, Department of
Energy (DOE) undersecretary Felix Wimpy Fuentebella said in an interview
yesterday.
However, Fuentebella declined to
give more information as to how much the increase will be after Energy
Secretary Alfonso Cusi issued a policy directing oil companies to explain the
weekly price movements of petroleum products.
This would be the seventh
consecutive week diesel and kerosene prices will be raised and the third
straight week for gasoline.
Based on the agency’s monitoring,
Fuentebella added that comments from Saudi Arabia that the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major oil producers could extend
their production cuts beyond 2018 propped up global oil prices last week.
Adding to the upward pressure was
the global economic growth and expectations of robust global oil demand.
US crude supplies were reportedly
lower by 1.1 million barrels at the end of trading Jan. 19, according to the US
Energy Information Administration, pushing oil to hit $71 a barrel last
Thursday for the first time since 2014.
Reuters also reported that global
oil prices settled higher last Friday with crude also posting a weekly gain as
a weaker US dollar underpinned prices.
Earlier, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian
proposed to review the Oil Deregulation Law to impose stricter monitoring of
oil inventories and price hikes and of harsher penalties for non-compliant oil
companies and negligent government agencies that should monitor price
movements.
The DOE has been tightening its
watch on oil companies since the start of the year in light of the
implementation of TRAIN.
The DOE earlier said the new excise
tax on petroleum products should be applied starting Jan. 1 but not including
old stocks, meaning the increase in fuel prices under the new tax regime should
only be implemented 15 days after the start of the year since oil firms have a
15-day minimum inventory requirement.
So far, it has issued show cause
orders against at least 20 oil retailers that implemented higher prices due to
TRAIN.
Reportedly, there have been several
oil retailers that implemented the TRAIN excise tax that have yet to be
validated by the agency.
Under the TRAIN, gasoline will have
a higher excise tax from P4.35 per liter to P7 per liter while new tax rates of
P2.50 per liter will be imposed on diesel, P3 per liter on kerosene and P2.50
per liter on auto liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Based on DOE estimates, gasoline
prices are expected to have an additional P2.97 per liter, diesel with P2.80
per liter, kerosene with P3.36 per liter, LPG for motor vehicles with P2.80 per
liter and LPG for household with P1.12 per kilo
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/01/29/1782360/rice-prices-gas-prices-increasing-anew
Who was Dr Gurcharan Singh
Kalkat? Padma Bhushan winner, Green Revolution legend who passed away
Kalkat was the director of agriculture,
Punjab and later he went on to become the agriculture commissioner of India.
Under Kalkat's tenure, India witnessed ‘Green Revolution’ and India became
self-sufficient in food grain production.
By: FE Online |
New Delhi | Published:
January 28, 2018 12:46 PMFormer
agriculture commissioner of India and Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr
Gurcharan Singh Kalkat passed away on Saturday.
One of the major pioneers and veteran who powered the Green
Revolution in India, Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat breathed his last on Saturday.
Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat was 92 when he passed away. Kalkat was at PGIMER,
Chandigarh when he passed away. He Kalkat was a former agriculture commissioner
of India. He also a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards. He
was the founding chairman of Punjab State Farmers Commission.
Kalkat was the director of agriculture, Punjab and later he went
on to become the agriculture commissioner of India. Under Kalkat’s tenure,
India witnessed ‘Green Revolution’ and India became self-sufficient in food
grain production. Kalkat was also the former vice-chancellor of Punjab
Agricultural University in Ludhiana from 1988 to 2001. During his tenure, he
identified the priority areas to find the problems of farmers and farming in
consultation with agricultural economists and farm scientists, a PAU release
said.
Kalkat was born in Hoshiarpur’s Sahora village. He undertook
various international assignments, working as senior agriculturist with the
World Bank. He was also posted in Washington DC where he worked for countries
like Nigeria and Ghana.
He also supervised the implementation of World Bank assisted
programmes in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Indonesia.
Wild
Australian rice could feed the world
Thin
Lei Win, Reuters
January
25, 2018 7:48pm
Wild rice growing in northern
Australia's crocodile-infested waters could hold the key to breeding a more
nutritious grain that is drought and pest resistant, according to scientists
who have just mapped its genetic family tree.
International researchers,
including Robert Henry from the University of Queensland, examined 13
domesticated and wild rice species globally, raising hopes about breeding
commercial rice from Australian variety Oryza meridionalis.
Rice is a staple food for over
half of the world's population and consumption levels are rising, according to
the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
Henry said this Australian rice
was found to have valuable traits that could be bred into commercial rice.
"(This could have) a really
positive impact on the human health on a large scale," Henry told the
Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Henry, whose work was part of a
paper published this week in Nature Genetics, said researchers found the
Australian rice shared the same ancestor as an Asian rice species consumed by
millions of people today but evolved three million years ago.
He said it had probably been
overlooked until now due to its location.
"Some of the best rice sites
are where there are a lot of dangerous crocodiles," he said.
Rod A Wing, co-author and
director of the Arizona Genomics Institute at the University of Arizona, said
wild rice species globally provide "a virtually untapped reservoir of
genes" that can be used to improve current rice species.
Since 2003, Wing has been leading
global research into 25 wild rice species that are genetically similar to two
rice species consumed globally today with the next research to focus on a wild
rice that grows in saltwater.
"The world population could
be 10 billion by 2050 and the question is how do we feed our world without
destroying it," Wing said.
Genetic information could allow
the world "to make crops that are higher yielding, more nutritious"
but do less harm to the environment by using less water or pesticides.
Originally published as Wild Australian rice could feed the world
Philippines. Senate keen on up to 50% rice tariff
26.01.2018
Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture and
Food, said lawmakers would likely consider up to 50 percent rice tariff, based
on the latest Senate hearing.
The Philippines may impose up to 50 percent duty on imported rice as lawmakers finalize the amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act, which replaces quantitative import restrictions with tariffs.Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said lawmakers would likely consider up to 50 percent rice tariff, based on the latest Senate hearing.
“It will be around 35 percent for ASEAN and maybe up to 50 percent outside. We hope we can finish this in the first quarter. If not, we hope to finish it by May,” Villar told reporters on the sidelines of the EcoWaste Management opening ceremony yesterday.The Agricutlural Tariffication Act needs to be amended as the government moved toward the removal of QR.Lifting of the QR is expected to give the government an additional revenue of P25 billion.
“We will give the income from the tariff to PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) to encourage farmers to use inbred seeds because it can produce up to six metric tons per hectare from the current four metric tons,” Villar said.The Philippines is among the largest rice importers in the world, bringing in over one million MT of the staple annually.The WTO granted the Philippines an extension of its QR on rice importation until June 30, 2017 to allow local farmers to prepare for free trade.QR is a non-tariff measure that limits the volume of imports of a specific product.In 1995, the WTO first allowed the Philippines to impose a 10-year QR on rice importation. In 2004, it was extended to 2012, and renewed in 2014.In 2014, the WTO granted Manila’s petition for an extension of its special tax treatment on rice on the condition that it raises the annual import volume from 350,000 MT and lower the tariff to 35 percent from 40 percent.
The Philippines may impose up to 50 percent duty on imported rice as lawmakers finalize the amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act, which replaces quantitative import restrictions with tariffs.Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said lawmakers would likely consider up to 50 percent rice tariff, based on the latest Senate hearing.
“It will be around 35 percent for ASEAN and maybe up to 50 percent outside. We hope we can finish this in the first quarter. If not, we hope to finish it by May,” Villar told reporters on the sidelines of the EcoWaste Management opening ceremony yesterday.The Agricutlural Tariffication Act needs to be amended as the government moved toward the removal of QR.Lifting of the QR is expected to give the government an additional revenue of P25 billion.
“We will give the income from the tariff to PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) to encourage farmers to use inbred seeds because it can produce up to six metric tons per hectare from the current four metric tons,” Villar said.The Philippines is among the largest rice importers in the world, bringing in over one million MT of the staple annually.The WTO granted the Philippines an extension of its QR on rice importation until June 30, 2017 to allow local farmers to prepare for free trade.QR is a non-tariff measure that limits the volume of imports of a specific product.In 1995, the WTO first allowed the Philippines to impose a 10-year QR on rice importation. In 2004, it was extended to 2012, and renewed in 2014.In 2014, the WTO granted Manila’s petition for an extension of its special tax treatment on rice on the condition that it raises the annual import volume from 350,000 MT and lower the tariff to 35 percent from 40 percent.
Resilient rice project to target
top 2 producers – China and India
January 26, 2018, 10:00 PM
By Michael Taylor
(Thomson Reuters Foundation)
Kuala Lumpur – Representatives of
a pilot project that promotes socially and environmentally responsible rice
growing said they aim to expand into India and China, the world’s largest rice
producers.
The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and the Philippines-based International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) worked with more than 80 partners to create the world’s first
“global rice sustainability standard.”
The standard provides a framework
to drive government policy, as well as a working definition to be used by the
private sector to monitor their own sustainability goals.The sustainability
standard has been tested over the past two years in nine countries, mostly in
Southeast and South Asia.
“This is a fledgling project
still – our next task will be to upscale,” said Wyn Ellis, coordinator for the
Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).
The SRP is a coalition of more
than 80 representatives from non-governmental organizations, and the private
and public sectors, which launched the sustainability standard in 2015.
“We will need to be moving into
China and into India quite soon – those are our priorities in future,” he told
the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The standard promotes
improvements in rice farming using more than 40 requirements and “performance
indicators,” which authorities and companies such traders and supermarkets can
use as best practice guidance.
These include measures against
abuses such as child labor. The standard also aims to make rice growing more
environmentally friendly by, for example, restricting the use of pesticides.
Members of the SRP hope that the
standard will also be used in a certification scheme to help consumers choose
ethical rice. Governments may also use it to promote sustainable rice farming
and meet emissions targets.
Water management is crucial
factor in achieving those targets.
Up to 40 percent of the world’s
irrigation water is used for rice production, while up to 10 percent of global
methane emissions come from rice fields, according to the SRP.
During pilot testing, the
standards helped reduced the water used in rice farming by 20 percent, cut
greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent and increased farmers’ incomes by 10
percent.
“It is huge,” said Bruce
Tolentino, deputy director general at IRRI, referring to the sustainability
standard, which he hoped could be expanded globally.
The world produced more than 500
million tons of milled rice in 2017, with China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh,
Vietnam and Thailand among the top growers.
Tags: International Rice Research Institute, Michael
Taylor, Resilient rice project to target top 2 producers – China
and India, rice
farming, rice growing, The United Nations Environment Programme
https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/01/26/resilient-rice-project-to-target-top-2-producers-china-and-india/
Solon says
graft rap over car plan ‘unfair’
By: Leo Udtohan- Correspondent / @leoudtohanINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:16 AM January 27,
2018
Arthur Yap —LEO UDTOHAN
TAGBILARAN
CITY—Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap said the graft case filed against him in the
Sandiganbayan over a car plan for employees of the Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice) was “unfair” and “unjust” because he never signed the
terms and conditions of the plan.
“We found it
very unfair and we will really fight the case very aggressively,” Yap told
reporters here on Friday.
Yap, who as
secretary of the Department of Agriculture chaired the PhilRice board of
trustees, said he was not present when the board drafted and approved the rules
of the car plan.
The
Ombudsman accused Yap and eight PhilRice officials of approving a car plan that
allowed 10 employees to obtain personal loans from the Philippine National Bank
(PNB), which were secured with PhilRice’s funds from 2008 to 2009.
Yap said the
plan to set up a car plan for PhilRice employees was discussed during the 52nd
board meeting in November 2008, but he had told the board to make sure the
terms would be advantageous to the government and that proper procedures should
be followed.
Barely two
months later, on Jan. 30 the following year, the PhilRice director issued an
administrative order on the offer to provide car loans to deserving employees,
but Yap said he was not present in the meeting when the board approved the
program.
“Let me say
it again: I was not in the board meeting. Neither did I avail of any [vehicle]
from this car plan, so why am I being held liable?” asked Yap
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/963868/solon-says-graft-rap-over-car-plan-unfair
Resilient
Rice Project to Target Top Two Producers, China and India
A farmer walks along paddy fields in Sindhuli district, Nepal.
(Reuters Photo/Navesh Chitrakar)
The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and the Philippines-based International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) worked with more than 80 partners to create the world's first
"global rice sustainability standard."
The standard provides a framework
to drive government policy, as well as a working definition to be used by the
private sector to monitor their own sustainability goals.
The sustainability standard has been tested over the past two
years in nine countries, mostly in Southeast and South Asia.
"This is a fledgling project
still - our next task will be to upscale," said Wyn Ellis, coordinator for
the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).
The SRP is a coalition of more
than 80 representatives from non-governmental organisations, and the private
and public sectors, which launched the sustainability standard in 2015.
"We will need to be moving
into China and into India quite soon - those are our priorities in
future," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The standard promotes
improvements in rice farming using more than 40 requirements and
"performance indicators," which authorities and companies such
traders and supermarkets can use as best practice guidance.
These include measures against
abuses such as child labor. The standard also aims to make rice growing more
environmentally friendly by, for example, restricting the use of pesticides.
Members of the SRP hope that the
standard will also be used in a certification scheme to help consumers choose
ethical rice. Governments may also use it to promote sustainable rice farming
and meet emissions targets.
Water management is crucial
factor in achieving those targets.
Up to 40 percent of the world's
irrigation water is used for rice production, while up to 10 percent of global methane
emissions come from rice fields, according to the SRP.
During pilot testing, the
standards helped reduced the water used in rice farming by 20 percent, cut
greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent and increased farmers' incomes by 10
percent.
"It is huge," said
Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general at IRRI, referring to the
sustainability standard, which he hoped could be expanded globally.
The world produced more than 500
million tonnes of milled rice in 2017, with China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh,
Vietnam and Thailand among the top growers.
The grain is the main staple for
3.5 billion people but as the world's population continues to grow, output will
need to rise by about 25 percent over the next quarter century, IRRI estimates.
http://jakartaglobe.id/international/resilient-rice-project-target-top-two-producers-china-india/
PNNL scientists are collaborating with researchers in
Australia to study “resurrection” grass, which could lead to drought-resistent
crops. Tripogon, native to Australia and found in Texas and Arizona, can
quickly recover after losing as much as 90 percent of its moisture. PNNL
photo
PNNL’s
research today may help feed the planet tomorrow
January 27, 2018 06:32 PM
Updated January 27, 2018 06:32 PM
January is a time for New Year’s
resolutions, and many of us might be trying to eat a little healthier and cut
back on certain foods.
While we might be focused on what
we are eating, how often do we think about where our food comes from or the
challenges that farmers face in growing it? How is agriculture impacted by
climate change, for instance, if there are longer periods of drought? How do
land-use policies affect food production, say, when cropland is lost to other
purposes?
At the Department of Energy’s
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, researchers seek to answer these and
other questions related to the environmental impacts of agriculture, the role
of microbes and how to optimize food production.
For example, PNNL scientists are
looking at how microbes work together in communities to do things that affect
crops, such as process carbon in soil. Some of our scientists participated in a
recent National Academies meeting that brought together experts from many
disciplines to identify the biggest challenges, opportunities and knowledge
gaps in food and agricultural research. Their insights helped shape a research
agenda and national strategy that will be published in the coming months.
In another project that involves
Australian collaborators from Queensland University of Technology, researchers
are applying their expertise in plant genomics (the study of an organism’s
complete set of genes) and systems microbiology to better understand the
fundamental mechanisms that help plants withstand extreme drought conditions.
They are studying a “resurrection” grass that quickly springs back to life even
after its leaves and shoots get dry and crispy during times of very little
water.
Because the grass is a close
relative of cereals, rice, sorghum and maize, the work may eventually lead to
more drought-resistant food crops.
Speaking of grains, PNNL scientists
have figured out how to engineer and cultivate a new variety of rice that not
only provides a richer food source, but emits nearly no methane, a greenhouse
gas that contributes to global warming. Today, rice paddies account for about
17 percent of annual methane emissions worldwide. By adding a single gene from
barley to rice, our scientists were able to inhibit the production of methane
by the microbes living in the soil as the rice grows.
Closer to home, at a Washington
State University Tri-Cities greenhouse, PNNL researchers successfully
demonstrated a promising fertilizer they developed that may allow farms to
achieve the same yields while using less fertilizer and helping the
environment. The controlled-release, solid-nitride fertilizer is made from coal
fly ash by a high-temperature, fluidized-bed process and slowly releases
nutrients to plants rather than dissolving immediately in soil. That means more
goes to the crop and less remains in the ground, where it can leach into
waterways or get converted to nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas 300 times
worse than carbon dioxide.
Finally, we are improving land-use
models that assess how changes in the environment might affect crop yields. We
are incorporating more realistic processes into the models for simulating crop
growth by taking into account common farming practices. For example, we are
studying changes farmers may make in what crops they plant, as well as when and
how they are irrigated and fertilized. This research is expected to help policy
makers — and farmers — make better decisions.
As January comes to a close, some
of us are already struggling to stick with our New Year’s resolutions. At PNNL,
however, our researchers remain committed to providing the science and
technology that may lead to innovative solutions for tomorrow’s agriculture.
Now that’s food for thought.
Steven Ashby is the director of
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and a columnist for the Tri-City Herald.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article197073529.html
Global cassava coalition calls for support for cassava transformation
in Africa
By Editor
January 26, 2018
Minister
of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Republic of Benin, H.E. Dossouhoui
Cossi Gaston; Minister of Higher Education, H.E. Mme Attanasso Marie-Odile; and
French Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, H.E. Veronique Brumeaux during the
press conference on Cassava Transformation in Africa in Benin...on Thursday
From GODWIN ATSER, Ibadan
Ahead of the international
conference on cassava, the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century (GCP21) has called
on policy makers, donors and the international community to support all efforts
that will bring about cassava transformation in Africa.
The call is coming at a time when
cassava is becoming central to food security of over 600 million people in the
developing world, and has become the fourth most important crop after maize,
wheat and rice.
Presenting the upcoming
conference on cassava to donors and the international community in Cotonou on
Thursday, Dr Claude Fauquet, Director of GCP21 said, “despite the key role
cassava is playing in Africa’s food security, its productivity had remained low
(about 9 tons per hectare), keeping the growers in the trap of poverty. When
compared to Asia, cassava productivity in that continent is more than 21 tons
per ha—a situation that gives Asia competitive advantage in global cassava
trade. Addressing the yield gap demands more funding for cassava research and
development (R&D) from all stakeholders, if truly the world wants to help
farmers towards ending hunger and poverty in Africa.”
Dr Fauquet noted that the 11-15
June, 2018 conference to be held in Cotonou with the theme: Cassava
Transformation in Africa, is one of the ways the GCP21 is
contributing towards the transformation of the root crop.
He called for participation of
all stakeholders, emphasising that the conference would provide a unique
opportunity for donors, investors, and policy makers to see and access the
latest innovations and discoveries in the cassava sector.
The French Ambassador to the
Republic of Benin, H.E. Veronique Brumeaux, who hosted the press conference
said the conference was timely and would go a long way to address the
constraints of cassava production while at the same time proffering
opportunities for investors and farmers alike to harness new innovations from
the research community.
The ambassador’s position was
echoed by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Republic of
Benin, H.E. Dossouhoui Cossi Gaston, while underscoring the importance of
cassava to Benin and Africa in general. He said the importance of cassava would
continue to increase as its consumption per capita was high and the root crop
is resilient to climate change.
The Minister of Higher Education,
H.E. Mme Attanasso Marie-Odile said the Republic of Benin is proud to host the
conference. She noted that cassava’s development and transformation would offer
opportunities for youth engagement which the country and other African
countries could tap.
Invited participants to the press
conference included representatives of the embassies of France, United Kingdom,
Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Holland, Germany, Japan, Canada, United States,
and European Union. Others were representatives of development agencies: AfDB,
USAID, JICA, GIZ, AFD, EU, UNDP, and FAO.
This year’s conference is being
organised by GCP21, in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical
Agriculture (CIAT), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB),
Faculte des Sciences Agronomique – Universite Abomey-Calavi (FAS-AUC). Other
supporting institutions are: The Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS), the African Development Bank (AfDB); Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
(FARA), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural
Research (WECARD), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), CGIAR Research
Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), International Center for
Agricultural Development (CIRAD), and the Institute for Research &
Development (IRD).
Indonesia removes restriction of quota system
on import of Pakistani kinnow
Last Updated On 27 January,2018 08:03
pm
A meeting of Indonesia – Pakistan business forum was
held in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) -
Indonesia has announced to abolish quota system to enhance import of Kinnow
from Pakistan while extending facilities on purchase agreement of Pakistani
rice of 1000 million ton till year 2019 , and also assured about flexibility in
Rice exports tender by keeping the long transit time from Pakistan.
A meeting of Indonesia – Pakistan
business forum was held during the visit of Indonesian President to Pakistan in
which Pakistani business community was represented by the Vice President -
FPCCI Waheed Ahmed.
The Vice President of Indonesian
Federation of Chamber & Commerce and trade co-coordinator also participated
in this meeting. Stressing the need for enhancing mutual trade and removal of
trade barriers, the Indonesian minister of commerce Enggartiasto Lukita
announced to abolish restriction of quota system for import of Pakistani Kinnow
on impending demand of Pakistani exporters.
Representing Pakistani business
community , Waheed Ahmed said that people –to people contact , direct flights
options , banking facilities , exchange of trade delegations and organizing
exhibitions would lead to enhancement of export from Pakistan to Indonesia upto
US$ one billion within 2-3 years . Currently the trade between Pakistan &
Indonesia is a US$ 2.1 billion, however the export from Pakistan is limited to
US$ 138 million.
Cotton thread and Cotton are not
part of Preferential trade agreement (PTA) and similarly the toughest
quarantine requirements on Meat and meat products have also been imposed while
condition of PRA for Pakistani mango has been introduced which is tedious and
time consuming process . Due to this reason Pakistan is not exporting mango to
Indonesia. Welcoming the decision of removal of quota system on import of
Pakistani Kinnow by Indonesia, he said that it would assist to attain balance
of trade while immediate implementation of this decision would double the
export of Pakistani Kinnow to Indonesia during the current session, Waheed
anticipated.
With extension of this facility,
the export of Kinnow to Indonesia would enhance from 34000 ton to 60,000 ton
fetching valuable foreign exchange of US$ 33 million for the country. Waheed
Ahmed apprised the Indonesian commerce minister that while Indonesia and
Pakistan signed PTA in 2015 , it was assured by Indonesia that by year 2019 one
million ton Pakistani rice would be imported , however due to unfavourble and
unsuitable conditions In the tender , this volume could not be materialized.
Recently two Pakistani companies
have acquired an order to export 60,000 ton of Pakistani rice to Indonesia
through the process of bidding which was anticipated to generate foreign
exchange of US$ 30 million but since the delivery time in this tender was
unrealistic because long transit time was not taken into account which made it
almost impossible for Pakistan to avail this unique trade opportunity.
The Indonesian commerce minister
has assured to keep this important aspect of long transit time in view for
future tenders. Waheed Ahmed emphasized that Indonesia shall set soft terms and
condition for Pakistan for trade contract and tenders compared to it’s
neighboring countries so that Pakistan can take advantage of trade
opportunities available in the Indonesian market .
The Indonesian commerce minister
has assured extending facilities to Pakistan in future tenders. Stressing the
need for enhancing Tourism , technology and cooperation in Agriculture sectors
of the two countries , he highlighted possibility of having joint ventures
between the two countries and extended offer to the Indonesian investors to
avail opportunities created as a result of CEPEC projects . It was also decided
during the meeting to hold quarterly meeting meetings of Federation of chamber
& commerce so that by eliminating trade barriers mutual trade and economic
relationship can be further strengthen.
http://dunyanews.tv/en/Business/425369-Indonesia-remove-restriction-quota-system-import-Pakistan-kinnow
Monday, 29 Jan 2018
Indonesia lifts quota
restrictions on Pakistani kinnow
January 27, 2018
Pakistan exported 36,000 tons of
kinnow to Indonesia worth $19.8 million last year. PHOTO: FILEISLAMABAD: Indonesia’s commerce minister on Friday
announced the lifting of quota restrictions on kinnow imports from Pakistan,
allowing shipment of an unlimited quantity of the citrus fruit to the Southeast
Asian country.
The
announcement came during the Indonesia-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad,
which was attended by commerce ministers of the two countries.
Pakistan
exported 36,000 tons of kinnow to Indonesia worth $19.8 million last year.
“After the removal of quota curbs, it is expected that Pakistan’s kinnow
exports will increase to 60,000 tons,” said All Pakistan Fruits & Vegetable
Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) former chairman Waheed
Ahmed.
Indonesia
Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita said the Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed between the two countries in 2005 and
the preferential trade agreement (PTA) in 2012, which became operational the
following year.
He said a
review of the PTA was still under way and three meetings had been held since
2016. Under the review, Indonesia has included 20 more tariff lines from
Pakistan in the duty-free list including mangoes and rice.
Pakistan has
also started export of white rice to Indonesia for the first time after
unilateral concessions. A protocol will be signed by the two countries on
Saturday.
The
Indonesian minister also invited Pakistani businessmen to explore investment
opportunities in his country.
Speaking on
the occasion, Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik said imbalance in bilateral trade
following the PTA raised questions about the viability of the agreement and
threatened the transformation of the original plan into a free-trade agreement
(FTA).
“Trade growth
[since the PTA] has been one-sided. Whereas Indonesia’s exports to Pakistan
increased from $1.2 billion in 2012 to $2.2 billion in 2016-17, Pakistan’s
exports to Indonesia unfortunately declined from $196 million to $137 million,”
said Malik.
To address
the imbalance, Indonesia has agreed to remove impediments to Pakistan’s current
exports and has unilaterally granted zero-rated market access for 20 priority
items of Pakistan’s export interest.
The minister
said Pakistan’s economy had been on the path of recovery since 2013,
registering a growth of 5.3% in 2016-17, which was the highest in the past 10
years.
“Government’s
efforts to restore peace and stability and meet energy requirements have helped
Pakistan make strides towards economic prosperity.”
The minister
was of the view that CPEC-related projects would boost foreign direct
investment.
Recalling
PricewaterhouseCoopers’s forecast, he said Pakistan could become the world’s
16th largest economy by 2050, overtaking countries like Italy and Canada. The
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) signed an MoU
with its Indonesian counterpart to establish linkages between businessmen of
both sides.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1619130/2-indonesia-lifts-quota-restrictions-pakistani-kinnow/
Trade volume
not up to the mark to begin FTA between Pak, Australia’
January 27, 2018
ISLAMABAD: There was great potential of
increasing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Australia but the existing
volume was not of the mark to talk about Free Trade Agreement between the two
countries.She said Australia imports Pakistani textiles, rice, surgical equipment and sporting goods. Pakistan imports Australian food products, oil-seeds, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables, cotton, fertilizers and dairy cattle. More than 70 percent of Pakistan’s 100,000 imported dairy cows have been imported from Australia. Australia is a leading global education powerhouse with some of the world’s best facilities and educators. It is the third most popular international student destination in the world hosting around 650,000 international students annually. Seven of Australia’s universities feature in the top 100 ranked universities in the latest QS World University Rankings.
In Pakistan, Australia’s helping to skill-up Pakistan’s young and talented workforce. Six Australian universities have Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) offering PhD scholarships in Australia. Macquarie University and Deakin University have agreements with Bahria University, Lahore School of Economics and COMSATS institute of Information Technology in Pakistan, fostering research collaboration and student exchanges, she maintained. The University of Southern Queensland is delivering BBA and MBA programs in Pakistan and the University of Newcastle is offering dual Master degree programs in partnership with Superior University Lahore. Many other Australian universities are engaging with Pakistani institution and the HEC on future collaboration, the High Commissioner added.
Australian expertise in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is also creating opportunities in Pakistan including in curriculum development and through twinning arrangements where part courses are delivered in Pakistan and part in Australia, offering Pakistani students an internationally recognized Australian qualification. In 2017, FAFE Australia and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Pakistan signed a MoU to promote cooperation between Australia and Pakistani training institutes and help build the capacity of Pakistan’s TVET sector, she maintained.
The high commissioner said that Australia and Pakistan were actively exploring avenues to expand trade and investment, particularly in education, agribusiness (including animal husbandry), mining, energy production, sustainable water management and the cotton textiles value chain where Australian expertise was world class.
Margaret Adamson said that Australia Day was a celebration of Australian democracy, history, landscape and ethnic diversity. Around three quarters of Australia’s population was born or has at least one foreign born parent, including more than 60,000 people of Pakistani origin. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been living in Australia for more than 65,000 years. This year, Australia Day offers a great opportunity to reflect on the depth and breadth of the relationship between our two nations as 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of Australia’s opening of a High Commission in Karachi, following Australia’s formal recognition of the new nation of Pakistan in 1947.
“I am pleased to note that our two countries have just been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2018-2020 and we look forward to working with Pakistan in support of human rights for all of our citizens and of men and women and girls and boys globally.”
Pakistan and Australia also have a shared commitment to combatting terrorism and extremism in all its forms. Australia stands in solidarity with the people of Pakistan in the great human and economic cost they have borne as a result of terrorism and violent extremism.At last, she claimed that Pakistan has great potential to grow in various sector including tourism, agriculture, mineral, livestock, gem and jewelry but it all required sustainable environment.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/189351/trade-volume-not-mark-begin-fta-pak-australia/.
Husker researchers explore
economic potential for sweet sorghum ethanol in western Nebraska
·
By
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
·
Jan
27, 2018
Energy sorghum being grown near Mead, Nebraska, by Daniel
Schachtman, professor of Agronomy and Horticulture and director of the Center
for Biotechnology. (Photo by Craig Chandler-University Communication.)
Craig Chandler
A team at the University of
Nebraska–Lincoln is exploring sweet sorghum ethanol as a future income source
for dryland agriculture in western Nebraska.
Sweet sorghum is a cultivar of
sorghum primarily developed for the harvest of juice. Due to its high sugar
content and stability during periods of drought, researchers have identified
the crop as a potential ethanol feedstock crop on non-irrigated farmland in
western Nebraska. Ethanol feedstocks are the plant materials which can be
converted to ethanol. In this case, the sugar syrup from sweet sorghum stalks
would be fermented to make ethanol.
Corn currently serves as the
leading feedstock for ethanol production in the U.S. For sweet sorghum to
compete with corn for ethanol production, not only must it be more lucrative
than corn for farmers to produce, but it also must be more economical than corn
for ethanol plants to process. Considering factors such as yield and the cost
of processing, researchers estimate that the current sorghum to ethanol pathway
is a barely break-even prospect in western Nebraska.
“Under the typical conditions
considered, there are insufficient benefits to farmers and ethanol plants to
make the sweet sorghum ethanol pathway an attractive economic opportunity,”
said Richard Perrin, Jim Roberts Professor in the Department of Agricultural
Economics. However, according to Perrin, the researchers found that there are a
few potential considerations that would improve the viability of the pathway.
Currently, the U.S. Renewable
Fuel Standard mandates consumption of specific levels of renewable fuels made
from various categories of feedstocks. Under the markets created by the RFS,
ethanol plants would be almost certain to obtain a premium for sweet sorghum
ethanol compared to corn ethanol. The current level of that premium makes the
pathway much more economical. However, according to the researchers the
volatility of this market premium and the contentious political opposition to
the RFS make this benefit risky.
Another consideration that could
increase the potential of the sweet sorghum ethanol pathway is an increase in
yields. A separate $13.5 million multi-institutional research project led by
Nebraska may provide the necessary yield increases. That effort aims to improve
sorghum as a sustainable source for biofuel production
“If the research efforts raise
biomass yields by 20 to 30 percent, or shows that yields are actually 20 to 30
percent higher than our estimate, the benefits to both the producer and the
ethanol plant would be sufficient to make adoption of sweet sorghum for ethanol
a sustainable possibility,” Perrin said.
Joining Perrin in this research
effort were Lilyan Fulginiti, professor in the Department of Economics; Ismail
Dweikat, professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and Subir
Bairagi, a post-doctoral fellow at the International Rice Research Institute.
Details of this research were
reported in the January issue of the “Journal of Agricultural and Resource
Economics.”
UK,
PHL partner for development through Newton Agham annual grants
January 28, 2018
The 2018 batch of Newton Agham 31
grantees, who qualified for scholarships, researches, trainings and
institutional links to the United Kingdom were recognized in a recent reception
at the British Embassy Manila.
British
Ambassador Daniel Pruce (third from right), Department of Agriculture’s Bureau
of Agricultural Research Director Nicomedes Eleazar (left) and Dr. Vivencio
Mamaril (second from left) of the DA Biotech Program together with the grantees
under the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council-DA Swine and
Poultry Research and the university heads
Led by the UK government, the
Newton Fund, known in the Philippines as Newton Agham (Science) Programme, is
in partnership with the Philippines’s Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of
Agriculture (DA).
The program, now on its fourth
year, supports scientific endeavors that address challenges in food security,
environmental resilience, health and innovation capacity in the Philippines.
British Ambassador to the
Philippines Daniel Pruce said during the event, “Science forms an important
part of the modern partnership between the UK and the Philippines. Working
together, with our combined strengths, we can combat shared challenges and
support prosperity and well-being.”
On the Newton Agham’s fourth year
in the country, the British government, together with its partners, the DOST,
the CHED and the DA, have jointly awarded about P1.2-billion (£18.5-million)
grants.
The 2018 four award categories
include the following:
· UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council (BBSRC)-DA Swine and Poultry Initiative
· Royal Academy of Engineering-DOST Leaders in
Innovation Fellowship (LIF)
· British Council-CHED Institutional Links
· British Council-CHED PhD scholars
The BBSRC-DA Bureau of
Agricultural Research (BAR) and the DA-Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology
Program are supporting four large-scale three-year research grants that promote
sustainable, safe, healthy and resilient swine and poultry production systems.
DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar
said during the ceremonies, “We commend the UK government and the efforts of
our partners. We truly hope that our poultry and swine research initiative will
bring about a significant contribution to help disease management and control
as it leads to the sustainability and vibrance of the sector.”
He added: “Let us continue working
together in coming up with transformative and catalytic steps that would guide
our path toward competitive, sustainable and resilient agriculture and fishery
sector.”
The LIF program, supported by the
UK Royal Academy of Engineering and DOST, technology commercialization and
tech-startup creation is enabled.
Fifteen Filipino researchers and
technology-transfer officers flew to the United Kingdom last week for an
intensive two-week training course on innovation to build capacity for
entrepreneurship and commercialization.
The fellows will receive further
training at the Asian Institute of Management upon their return to the
Philippines.
Featured technologies include a
Universal Structural Health Evaluator and Recorder from Mapua University, a
dengue drug from the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, and a traffic micro
simulator from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Philippine Science Secretary
Fortunato T. de la Peña said, “Philippine researchers from various universities
and research institutes in the country have produced world-class technologies,
and we want these technologies to benefit our fellow Filipinos.”
De la Peña added that, through
the LIF, the partnership with the UK, “Promotes Philippine development through
science and technology by enabling our researchers to effectively deliver these
technologies to the target beneficiaries and to translate them into more useful
forms.”
The LIF and other Newton Agham
Programme “will continue to receive our utmost support as we build capacity in
science and technology for the Philippines’s socioeconomic development and
growth,” de la Peña noted.
On the four PhD scholarships and
two Institutional Links Grants, former CHED Chairman Particia Licuanan said, “I
trust that the resources provided by the Newton Fund will not only contribute
to scientific development but will also assist in instilling pride among our
Filipino scientists in their work and encourage more individuals to pursue
careers in science and technology.”
The enhanced scientific
capacities and links with international colleagues and industries enabled by
the program, Licuanan said, will enable Filipino scientists to acquire new
knowledge and produce technologies that allow the country to realize concrete
economic and social benefits.
She added: “Sustaining these
benefits require our constant commitment to scientific development, continued
government assistance and support for science and dynamic global exchange of
knowledge.”
Institutional Links Grants
support the exchange between academic groups, departments and institutions in
the Philippines and the UK.
Other than these awards, the
event also recognized the six delegates to the Global Innovation Policy
Accelerator Programme. Gipa involves senior representatives from public-sector
innovation agencies for an eight-month collaborative development program with
the aim of creating a specific innovation-policy initiative while working
together with UK mentors and institutions.
The Gipa delegates are from DOST,
DA, CHED, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department
of Trade and Industry, and the National Economic and Development Authority.
The Newton Fund is part of the
UK’s Official Development Assistance. It was launched in 2014 and has a total
United Kingdom investment of £735 million until 2021. Its partner countries
provide matched resources within the fund. It has 15 UK delivery partners.
The United Kingdom government is
investing up to £3 million per year up to 2021 on activities focused within the
following Philippine priority areas: health and life sciences, improving
environmental resilience, energy security, future cites, agritech, and digital,
innovation and creativity.
The Newton Fund is managed by the
United Kingdom Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and
delivered through 15 United Kingdom Delivery Partners, which include the
Research Councils, the UK National Academies, the British Council, Innovate UK
and the Met Office.
The United Kingdom delivery
partners in the Philippines include the British Council, BBSRC, Medical
Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, Research Councils
UK, Royal Academy of Engineering, Innovate UK and the UK Met Office.
FG to mop up
arms in circulation
On: January 28, 2018
Only two weeks ago, Benue state
buried 73 victims of such herdsmen attacks, followed by Taraba which also mass
buried scores of people killed.
President Muhammadu
Buhari,writing on his Twitter handle on Friday said the security agencies
“already have standing instructions to arrest and prosecute anyone found with
illegal arms.”
Buhari, who was giving an update
on Thursday’s National Security Council meeting said government was
“stepping up our efforts to tackle the proliferation of small arms and light
weapons across the country.”
Ali, addressing stakeholders at
the 2018 International Customs Day in Gwagwalada, Abuja,said: “We need to join
hands with our neighbours and that is only how we can effectively police our
borders and ensure what we see in Libya and other countries that arms do not
find their way into our territory.
“Already we have enough of it,
and I hope we will soon come up with a policy on how to retract these arms that
are circulating within our publics.
“But why we are doing that we
thought we should also come up with a comprehensive mechanism to be able
checkmate not only weapons arms but all illicit items into our territory.”
One of such is rice which
importation,he said, has been unofficially banned.
He said the Central Bank
(CBN) has not issued Form N to any importer since 2017 to bring rice into
Nigeria.
He said:”I am very happy to
support what Mr. President said in his New Year address, that this year that we
would ban the importation of rice completely.
“As at today, unofficially, rice
is banned because since the beginning of 2017, Central Bank which is supposed
to issue Form N which is the only permit for importation has not issued any
Form N to rice importers.
“So, any parboiled rice you see,
which is not our own local rice must have been smuggled in. So, if you go to
buy this, then you are encouraging the smugglers and therefore negating the
growth of our economy.
“Any country that cannot feed
itself cannot claim to be independent and I think we want to be independent.”
Also speaking, Finance Minister
Kemi Adeosun announced that following the improvement in revenue collection
recorded by the NCS last year, the ministry was working to ensure an increased
salary package and condition of service for the personnel.
The Director of Finance,
MojisolaApata, who represented by her noted that the service was making revenue
available for the three tiers of government, noting that “we are desirous of a
better performance this year.”
Asked how much revenue the NCS
was targeting to achieve this year, Ali said that “it is our prayer that
we should be able to overshoot what we had done last year. It is our prayer
that we should be able to get to N1.5trillion this year.”
The Comptroller-General said that
the NCS had commissioned its own Customs police to police the service, and
operate as an internal mechanism to resolve disputes.
Why rice costs
more in Kebbi
By Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi | Publish Date: Jan
28 2018 2:00AM
Because of the boom, its capacity to produce rice in
millions of tons and the desire of the farmer to cultivate large rice fields,
it is the expectation in many quarters that rice should be cheaper in Kebbi
State. Ironically, the price of rice is higher in Kebbi than other rice producing
states in the country.
Reasons: Rice production in Kebbi
State is virtually done during the dry season. To achieve high yield, the
farmers must use water pumping machines powered by petrol to pump water for
several hectares of rice fields. Unlike other states, Kebbi has no dam for
irrigation farming, so for its farmers to remain in the rice business they must
buy fuel on a daily basis to pump water into their rice farms.
Other factors which make Kebbi
rice costlier are the competition among those who come to buy the commodity in
the state and the breakthrough it has recorded in rice production in the
country. The state has become a haven for millers across the country and even
from some parts of West Africa. Because of these, the farmers have jacked the
price of paddy up.
The chairman of the Rice Farmers
Association in Kebbi State, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, in an exclusive interview with
our correspondent said, “We were buying fuel at the rate of N145 per litre, but
given the recent fuel situation, it rose to N220 per litre. With this type of
situation, you can imagine the situation of a farmer with about five hectares
of rice field and he must buy up to 20 litres every day for three months to
power his pumping machine to water the farm.
“This is one of the reasons why
our rice is more expensive than that produced in other states. Some states have
dams and they irrigate by gravity. But here, we have to spend more money in
buying fuel to power the water pumps to produce our rice. Given this scenario,
there is no how it will not affect our cost of production, and consequently,
the price of the rice.
“Also, with this situation, the
number of hectares a farmer can cultivate will be reduced, and this would
result in low output and scarcity of the commodity in the market.”
Augie added that the competition
among the buyers of rice in the state and the breakthrough it has recorded in
rice production had made it a centre for millers across the country and some
neighbouring countries.
“We have two large rice mills in
Kebbi State, Labana and WACOT rice mills. Labana has the capacity to produce
220,000 tons per annum and WACOT 120,000 metric tons annually and 400 metric
tons of rice daily. We also have rice companies coming from Niger and Kano
states. We also have local millers coming from Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara,
Ebonyi, Abia and others. This has created competition among rice buyers in
Kebbi.
“Another issue is that the
important tool a farmer uses to produce rice, after land and seed, is water. We
have to buy fertilizers two or three times in a circle, but as far as water is
concerned, it is a daily activity and we need the pumping machines powered with
petrol to pump water to the farms.
“So, whether he is a small scale
or medium scale farmer, his cost of production keeps on escalating. To produce
rice in the rainy season is risky because the yield will depend on the
character of the rain circle. The longer the period of rainfall the better your
yield.
“Last year, there was a sudden
cessation of rain and there was serious flood occasioned by the over-flooding
of the two rivers - River Niger and River Rima - around our farms. Some rice
farms were over-flooded and destroyed. Because of this some farmers lost
everything. Many only escaped with less than half of what they expected to
harvest.
“In other cases, just as rice was
about reaching harvesting stage, there was cessation of rain which the rice
needed to take to the final growth stage. That was responsible for some of the
low yields farmers suffered last year.
“Despite all these, farmers here
buy their inputs. We need subsidy in terms of fertilizers and others. There is
need for government to come in and address the issue of inputs. If we buy at
market price we must increase the price of our rice. For now, a 75kg bag of
paddy is being sold at the rate of N9,000 to N9,500 in the state, depending on
the quality. The finished rice is sold at the rate of N13,000.”
The Kebbi State Rice Farmers
Association chairman concluded that rice has become a serious business in the
state. “Many people, civil servants, businessmen and contractors are returning
to the farms now because of the success that farmers in Kebbi have recorded in
rice farming since the flag-off of the Anchor Borrowers programme.
“Luckily, there is a large enough
market for the commodity. The buyers go as far as the farms to buy the produce.
In Kebbi State, we have farmers who have 20 and even 200 hectares of rice
fields. I know of a lady who was hawking medicine, now she is into farming. She
told me that during the last dry season she made up to N2 million,” Augie
explained.
Published: January 27, 2018
Australian envoy says trade
imbalance due to larger consumption market in Pakistan. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan
Margaret Adamson has called for enhancing trade and cooperation in other fields
between the two countries, saying the existing trade volume of $1.56 billion is
below true potential.
In a media
briefing held in connection with Australia national day on Friday, Adamson said
that the bilateral trade volume had increased from around $485 million around
two and a half years ago to $1.563 billion in financial year 2016-17. The
figure also includes trades in services valued at $645.8 million.
However, the
bilateral trade is heavily tilted in Australia’s favour as 2016-17 figures show
Pakistan imported goods and services worth $1.180 billion from Australia while
exporting goods and services valued at $382.3 million. Adamson attributed this
imbalance in trade to a larger consumption market in Pakistan. “Australia is
not going to be the biggest destination for Pakistan’s exports because we are
not big enough, but we can be a significant business partner for Pakistan,” the
ambassador said.
Australia’s
major exports to Pakistan are vegetables, fruits and fertilisers while it
mainly imports textiles, rice and crude petroleum from Pakistan.
Talking about
the cooperation in the sector of skill-based education, the high commissioner
said Pakistan’s human capital was a key asset for the country and needed to be
equipped with technical education. “Pakistan relies on remittances. If workers
are skilled, remittances can increase,” she said, adding Australia’s
collaboration in Pakistan was focused on helping to hone skills of Pakistan’s
young and talented workforce.
To a
question, the ambassador said the existing trade volume was not enough for
Australia to undertake the exercise of negotiating a free-trade agreement with
Pakistan.
She said
export potential existed in Pakistan’s textile, IT, value-added dairy,
jewellery, gems and carpets. “We can no doubt take more. But it’s a matter of
marketing, infrastructure and environment,” the ambassador remarked.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1619060/2-australia-pakistan-trade-true-potential-adamson/
How Daawat
transformed rice from a commodity into one of the top basmati brands
, ETBrandEquity|
Jan 27, 2018, 02.31 PM IST
Three decades down the line, the move to toe the branded route is what separated wheat from the chaff, men from the boys, and Daawat from the rest. It has turned out to be one of the biggest basmati brands in India, is available across 65 countries, and the business of branded rice now contributes over 70% of revenue to LT Foods.
From first rice brand to go on television to the first in the segment to rope in celebrities such as chef Sanjeev Kapoor and megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Daawat transformed itself into one of the few homegrown brands that grabbed humongous mindshare.
The going though was not easy. The fickle nature of the commodity business cluttered with hundreds of unorganised players, inconsistent quality of rice available in the market and unpredictable nature of consumer behaviour were the major deterrents. The Aroras, however, took a huge leap of faith. "We were confident that Indian consumers wanted a brand that could offer finest quality of basmati rice," recalls Arora. From longest grain for Biryani to pearly white grain for pulav to sizeable varieties for chefs, Daawat enjoys the highest level of trust among all kinds of consumers, he asserts.
LT Foods, reckon marketing experts, cooked rice into a brand. All brands and super-brands, once upon a time, were commodities. Rice, to that extent, is a commodity. It then morphs to be a quasi-brand, when there is a distinct and yet faint recognition of different kinds of rice such as Sona-masoori, Ponni, Basmati and 116 different varieties consumed in India.
"Daawat has emerged out of the clutter of basmati varieties as a brand," contends brand strategist Harish Bijoor. Today, he lets on, it is most certainly the lead brand of recognition in this space. "Think premium rice today, and you think Daawat. That is the power of brand-building," avers Bijoor.
While Daawat has maintained its brand positioning and perception of being a leader since the beginning, Bijoor reckons that there might be others offering arguably superior quality offerings of basmati in the country. But they survive in niche pockets and couldn't build a brand. "That's the difference between a rival and Daawat," he says.
Bijoor, however, sounds a word of caution for Daawat. The brand has rolled out multiple offerings in different price ranges, in an attempt to expand its appeal and lure new consumers. "There lies the danger," he says. Reason: Basmati is the grain for the rich. There is really no democratising that. "If you democratise, you do it at the peril of the mother brand," he opines. While Daawat has been broad-basing its appeals with different colour codes and sub-brands, it still remains the mother brand that is recognized and trusted as Basmati. As it adopts different avatars under one brand, it is important to distinguish each clearly. Every sub-brand needs to position itself clearly. "If that is messed up, then Daawat takes a beating of confusion," he says.
Arora, for his part, believes that the only way ahead for the brand is to have as many eaters as possible, something which can be achieved by offering different-priced sub-brands with innovative features for various strata of population. Take, for instance, Eco-life brand which is organic with international certification. Then there is Daawat Quick Cooking Brown Rice, which Arora claims to be enriched with natural fibres, vitamins and minerals. There's also 'Rozana Gold Plus' that offers a mix of 80% basmati rice and 20% quick cooking brown rice. "There are many more innovations in the pipeline," says Arora as he savours the scent of success.
More batches of powdered milk
under scrutiny
·
UNB
·
Published
at 08:46 AM January 29, 2018
BFSA says it has found high concentration of lead in some batches
of imported powdered milk
Bangladesh Food Safety Authority will decide
on product recalls next week
Last Thursday, the country’s food
safety regulator slapped a ban on marketing of all imported powdered milk
without lab tests following concerns over traces of heavy metals in some
batches of milk powder.
However, a decision on powdered
milk already in the wholesale and retail stores across the country remains
pending.
Bangladesh Food Safety Authority
(BFSA) has now decided to go for lab tests on more batches of powdered milk
before asking representatives of powdered milk producers and marketers to its
office next week and decide on product recalls from domestic market, if
necessary.
BFSA Member M Mahbub Kabir on
Sunday said that whether or not milk powders already on sale in the market have
to be put off the shelves or destroyed that “we will decide upon completion and
findings of tests now being carried out on different batches of milk powders
and we will hold a meeting next week with the powdered milk producers.”
Kabir was speaking at a
discussion in Dhaka, organized by Bangladesh Safe Agro Food Efforts (BSAFE)
Foundation, to come up with recommendations for ensuring safe food ahead of
February 2, the day Bangladesh government will observe for the first time as
National Safe Food Day.
On Thursday, BFSA issued a
circular making it mandatory for all imported powdered milks to be lab tested
prior to release from importers’ warehouses to the market.
BFSA stated that it found high
concentration of lead in some batches of imported powdered milk.
From January 1 this year, BFSA
had started applying a similar rule of lab tests prior marketing of all
imported fish in the country.
Earlier this month, JS
International, the local agent of French multinational dairy products
corporation Lactalis, started recalling baby milk formula sold in Bangladesh
market as a precaution against salmonella contamination.
According to BFSA and JS
International, the French health authorities concluded 620 batches of the
company’s products had to be recalled and banned for consumption and export,
equating to almost 7,000 tons of goods.
Fourteen importing countries,
including Bangladesh, were alerted in this regard.
Lactalis believes the
contamination happened at one of its drying towers in north-west France in
early May last year. As a precaution, it decided to recall all the products
manufactured at the site since February 15, 2017 and shut down the relevant
facilities for cleaning and disinfection.Salmonella symptoms include severe
diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting. The illness – caused by intestinal
bacteria from farm animals – is dangerous for the very young and elderly
because of the risk of dehydration.Speaking at Sunday’s discussion at
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Mahbub Kabir said BSFA has
found traces of heavy metals in poultry and feeds and detected use of steroids
in cow fattening process.
He said BSFA is now in the
process of preparing database of poultry farmers across the country and would
soon sit with them.He found it very shameful that people are adulterating food
rather intentionally than ‘unintentional adulteration’ and multimillionaire
food traders to street vendors – many across the board are party to the crime.
Kabir repented that poisonous
potassium bromides are being used in bread and bakery products.
Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, whose
time as food minister saw passage of stringent safe food law and start of the
process of BSFA formation, on Sunday deplored that Bangladesh Safe Food
Authority is running with a paltry 35-strong manpower when its mandate is huge.
Anwar Faruk, a former agriculture
secretary, presented a paper highlighting challenges and way forwards for safe
food.
Agricultural experts, scientists,
UN FAO officials, and businessmen involved in food and agri-businesses had
taken part in the discussion chaired by BSAFE President Mohammed Zainul Abedin,
who is also a former Bangladesh representative of the International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI).
Anti-GM group calls for Golden Rice
review in Australia and New Zealand
29-Jan-2018 - Last
updated on 29-Jan-2018 at 02:33 GMT
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FSANZ
made it clear that food derived from Golden Rice would have to be labelled as
‘genetically modified’.
Campaign
group GE Free NZ wants regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
to review its draft approval for Golden Rice, which is genetically modified to
produce beta-carotene.
Golden
rice (or GR2E) was cultivated by the humanitarian organisation International
Rice Research Institute to mitigate vitamin A deficiency in developing
countries.FSANZ recently recommended that products containing traces of golden rice should be able to be sold in Australia and New Zealand.
“The Institute intends for Golden Rice to be grown in developing countries. Permitting Golden Rice in the [Australian] Food Standards Code would mean if small amounts were present in other shipments of imported rice there would be no trade issues,” it noted.
This means that there would be no cost involved in having to exclude GR2E grain from co-mingling and hence that there would be no consequential need to increase the prices of foods that are manufactured using co-mingled rice grain, said the regulator.
Opposition voiced
However, Claire Bleakley, president of
GE Free NZ, questioned the efficacy of the product and urged the Minister for
Food Safety Damien O’Connor to ask FSANZ to review the its draft.She said: “A person would have to eat 4kg of cooked rice, (assuming it was fully absorbed and eaten immediately after harvest with minimal cooking) to get the same level of vitamin A that one medium carrot or 1 tsp. parsley would provide."
“As this rice is only being approved to prevent trade disruption, we ask the Minister to call for a review of the GM rice, and insist on comprehensive 90-day feeding trials that should have been provided before the approval was made.”
In approving the application, FSANZ also made it clear that food derived from Golden Rice would have to be labelled as ‘genetically modified’ because it would contain novel DNA and novel protein.
“FSANZ has determined that Golden Rice would contain novel DNA and novel protein, as well as an altered nutritional profile (contains beta-carotene), and would be required to carry the mandatory statement ‘genetically modified’ on the package label,” it stated.
“This requirement would apply to rice sold as a single ingredient food (e.g. a package of rice) and when the rice is used as an ingredient in another food (e.g. rice flour, rice milk).
Another product from the rice is rice bran oil. Under the labelling provisions, rice bran oil derived from Golden Rice would be unlikely to require labelling because it would not contain novel DNA or novel protein, or have an altered nutritional profile because beta-carotene would not be present.
Free to introduce
The Institute wants the GR2E rice to be
cultivated for humanitarian purposes in developing countries including
Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines which are at high risk of vitamin A
deficiency (VAD) and where 30–70% of energy intake is derived from rice.While acknowledging that GR2E rice will not solve the issue of population-based VAD for these countries, it believes it can be a major part of an overarching strategy to reduce deficiency.
Countries wishing to adopt the Golden Rice technology are free to introduce the GR2E event into preferred varieties that suit the local environment and meet certain criteria outlined in a Humanitarian Use Licence Agreement, subject to local regulatory arrangements.
https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2018/01/29/Anti-GM-group-calls-for-Golden-Rice-review-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand
