Wednesday, April 03, 2019

3rd April,2019 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter


Rice farming returns to Humpty Doo using Australia's own native grains

Tuesday at 04:06

Description: Dr Sean Bellairs and Dr Penny Wurm
(Supplied: CDU)
The potential for a native rice industry in Australia's far north has been talked about for decades, but has never been tested at a commercial level.
Key points:
·       Charles Darwin University is set to start trial plantings of native rice
·       The rice is expected to fetch a premium price as a local product for tourists and gourmet restaurants
·       Because of its value, researchers can afford to grow the rice under cover to protect it from hungry magpie geese
That is set to change, with trials of wild rice due to be planted near Darwin later this year.
Federal funding for the Future Food Systems CRC is expected to deliver $1.8 million for Charles Darwin University's (CDU) project to develop a commercially-viable native rice industry.
CDU's Dr Sean Bellairs said after years of studying native rice, it was a major step forward to now be looking at trials.
"So we've got a good background in terms of the ecological importance of the native rice, and we've done nutritional studies which found it's an excellent product with some really interesting and unique food qualities," he said.
"But what we don't have is information on the agronomy of it.
"So how much fertiliser do we put onto it to maximise yield? What sort of conditions should we grow it under? How do we best harvest it?
Description: Australian native rice"That's what this research will be doing, getting to grips with those important technical issues that someone growing it commercially needs to know and needs to be able to do efficiently to make it economically viable."

(ABC: Caddie Brain)
Ready to start planting
Dr Bellairs said trial plantings would initially take place on the NT Government's Beatrice Hill and Coastal Plains research farms on the outskirts of Humpty Doo, but also near Fogg Dam on land owned by Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours.
"Fogg Dam is notorious perhaps for the failure of commercial rice back in the 1950s [the dam was built for the rice farm].
"But even last year I was able to go below the dam and there's a beautiful field of native rice growing there, which we were able to harvest for our research purposes," he said.
"So in a way you could say it's a rice comeback for Humpty Doo, but what we're growing is more valuable than normal commercial rice."
GIF:
 1950s rice project in Top End
Dr Bellairs said the native rice, with its unique qualities and different colour, should fetch a premium price.
"This rice is an ancient grain, it's a unique product with cultural significance to the Northern Territory," he said.
"This won't be sold like normal long-grain rice that you buy in a 2-kilogram bag from your supermarket, but rather little packets of 100-grams that are the same value as that 2-kilogram bag.
"So we're really looking at a high-value, local product for tourism, gourmet restaurants and as a special addition to a meal."
According to the CRC for Developing Northern Australia, which has launched a separate $505,000 project towards kick-starting a native rice industry, the sector has the potential to produce more than 1 million tonnes of specialty rice each year.
Description: Grains of red, native rice

(ABC Rural: Matt Brann)
But what about the magpie geese?
One of the reasons rice previously failed in northern Australia was because of crops getting destroyed by hungry birds, especially magpie geese.
Dr Bellairs said native rice was an important food source for geese, but believed its value would allow for the grain to be grown under cover.
"Because of the value of the grain from those plants, we can afford to grow it in protected conditions, grow it in cages, which means the magpie geese can't touch it," he said.
"We've carried out some initial pilot studies with tourists, showing little 100-gram packets, and people were prepared to pay $10 each for the cultural importance.
"If we're getting that sort of return for it, then yes, it'll be viable to grow it under wire cages [or netting]."
Dr Bellairs said the native rice was also tolerant of the fungal disease rice blast, which was responsible for wiping out the Ord Irrigation Scheme's dream of a rice industry comeback in 2011.
Commercial varieties of rice continue to be trialled near Adelaide River by the White family at Mt Keppler Station.

Sandiganbayan refuses to suspend proceedings vs. ex-DOST secretary

Published April 2, 2019, 11:55 AM
By Czarina Nicole Ong
The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division refused to suspend the proceedings of the graft case against former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary William Padolina even though he has already elevated it to the Supreme Court.
Description: Sandiganbayan (MANILA BULLETIN)
Sandiganbayan (MANILA BULLETIN)
Padolina, in his capacity as a Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) board member, was earlier charged, alongside former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap, with one violation each of Section 3(e) and 3(g) of R.A. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
They were accused of instituting a car plan from 2008 to 2009 that allowed several employees to obtain personal loans amounting to P15.8 million from the Philippine National Bank (PNB) for the purchase of private cars.
Hold Out Agreements (HOA) were signed to enable the PhilRice Car Plan, even though it subjected “PhilRice’s deposit with PNB to the agreement that said deposit will not be withdrawn until the car/personal loans guaranteed are paid in full amounting to P15,780,000,” their charge sheet read.
The private cars were even leased by PhilRice for the official use of all the beneficiaries despite the fact that they were still entitled to transportation allowances.
As a result of their actions, PhilRice was not able to utilize its deposits with PNB during the subsistence of the loans and its failure to obtain the best possible car rental deals, among other things.
Padolina filed a motion to suspend the proceedings, seeking for the suspension of his case before the Sandiganbayan because of his pending petition for certiorari, which was filed on January 25, 2009.
In his petition before the SC, Padolina prayed for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) and he questioned the rulings of the court on August 15 and December 6, 2018 that denied his motion to quash and motion for reconsideration, respectively.
He pleaded with the Sandiganbayan to exercise “judicial courtesy” while they await the SC ruling on his petition. Padolina further argued that there might be possible confusion and disruption in the proceedings because of the pending motions of his co-accused.
However, the anti-graft court denied his motion because it has not received any TRO from the SC. Without any TRO, the Sandiganbayan ruled that the mere filing of the petition for certiorari cannot interrupt its proceedings.
The Sandiganbayan likewise did not buy into the contention of Padolina that proceeding with his case despite the pending incidents of his co-accused will result in confusion and disorder.
Lastly, the anti-graft court found no basis for his request for “judicial courtesy.” “The proceedings in this case will not render the subject of the petition for certiorari moot,” the resolution read.
“To grant the present motion is to unwarrantly exempt the accused of his burden to prove the existence of an urgent necessity in order to prevent serious damage, which is indispensable for the issuance of a TRO or writ of preliminary injunction,” it added.
Aside from Padolina, the other PhilRice Board of Trustees members included in the charge sheet were Johnifer Batara, Fe Laysa, Winston Corvera, Gelia Castillo, Senen Bacani, Rodolfo Undan, and Executive Director Ronillo Beronio and Cashier Fe Lumawag.

Falling growth rate of rice yield worrying: IRRI chief

12:00 AM, April 02, 2019 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:06 AM, April 02, 2019

 

Description: https://assetsds.cdnedge.bluemix.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_2/public/feature/images/matthew_morell.jpg?itok=_f4RtAb6
Matthew Morell
Rice yield is increasing but the rate of increase has slowed down in recent years in a worrying development for Bangladesh, said Matthew Morell, director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
The growth rate of rice yield slowed to 1 percent in 2011-2017 from 2.8 percent in 2001-10.
“This needs to increase to ensure the staple for the growing population,” he told The Daily Star in an interview last week in Dhaka.
Continuous population growth is a major challenge for Bangladesh as it enforces tough choices in the form of making more land available for agriculture or urbanisation.
“Bangladesh is a country that does not have new frontiers to find new land, and you also have pressures on water availability and water quality.”
Over the last five and a half decades, the international agency helped Bangladesh develop more than 100 high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice by working with Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and other state research agencies.
And cultivation of HYVs has resulted in increasing yield and enabled the nation to triple its annual production to about 3.50 crore tonnes from about 1 crore of the cereal just after independence, according to official data.
In fiscal 2016-17, the annual average yield of the staple food stood at 3.07 tonnes per hectares in contrast to 1.09 tonnes in 1970-71, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
In recent years, the yield of rice from each hectare hovered around the 3 tonne-mark.
The yield increase is linked to a number of factors, including the introduction of new varieties and improvement in farm management practices at farmer's level, Morell said.
Mechanisation of rice production and operating larger farm sizes are necessary to increase productivity.
Bangladesh has released several climate-smart rice varieties, three of which are drought-tolerant, six submergence-tolerant and 10 salinity-tolerant.
Cultivation of the varieties has reduced production loss from climatic stresses, significantly increased rice production in stress-prone areas and income of farmers, and improved food security, he said.
Asked about food safety concerns, Morell said: “We agree with the concern and we agree with the general desire to reduce unnecessary use of chemicals.”
IRRI promotes practices such as integrated pest management that minimise the use of synthetic pesticides.
“This has beneficial effect on rice agro ecosystem and human health and it also addresses food safety concerns.”
Rice, in general, is safe, but there are few things that need to be checked from time to time such as heavy metal and arsenic contamination and pesticide use.
“These are really very significant problems. We should be monitoring the rice crop to make sure there are not any issues that we need to be concerned about.”
For Bangladesh, it is cadmium and arsenic contamination that need to be checked from time to time. Arsenic is present in soil and water and cadmium in soil, so regular screening is needed.
IRRI is developing methods to detect to heavy metal presence in rice, Morell said.
It has established an IRRI South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi, India. The centre's lab facilities can analyse rice grain quality and identify metal contamination in rice.
“Bangladesh can take advantage of this facility,” the IRRI chief said.
On the genetically-engineered Golden Rice, he said the variety has got approval from regulatory agencies from the US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It is currently going through the regulatory process in Bangladesh and in the Philippines.
In Bangladesh, the application was lodged to the National Committee of Biosafety in November, 2017.
“It's about 15 months. They are examining the dossier. So, we would hope that they will make their decision in the coming months.”
On concerns related to Golden Rice, he said the IRRI has very rigorous criteria for releasing the variety.
“This is why we went to go through the regulation process in the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. These are some of the toughest regulatory agencies in the world and Golden Rice met the criteria set by them.”
The variety can be made available to farmers the way other HYVs were.
IRRI said BRRI scientists are introducing the beta-carotene producing Golden Rice trait into the popular, high-yielding local inbred rice varieties (BRRI Dhan 29).
This means that farmers will be able to save their seeds for replanting in succeeding planting seasons, it added.
On the risks of cultivation of the crop here, Morell said: “It's a very well understood product and there is beta-carotene in many plants. This is something that occurs naturally in other plants. So, I do not see any particular risks here in Bangladesh.”
For policymakers, Morell said the science and technology are needed in many areas to help improve productivity.
“But it is no good if that knowledge stays in the laboratory. It needs to come out to the farmers. That's an important area for policymakers to think about.”

Wilde Lake High graduate named a Distinguished Senior at Ohio State

Jess NoceraContact ReporterHoward County Times
Charis Ramsing, a Wilde Lake High School alum, was named a 2019 Distinguished Senior from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
One of 25 recognized seniors, Ramsing is being honored for “academic, disciplinary and professional excellence,” according to a news release from Ohio State.
Ramsing, of Columbia, studies plant pathology at the university.
She has conducted research on a global disease of rice, leading her to intern in the Philippines last summer at the International Rice Research Institute. She also has interned with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Fort Derick and has also gone to California to examine extreme drought in forests and natural lands.
Upon her graduation in May, Ramsing will continue her studies through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Plant Health, sponsored by the European Union. Ramsing will study first in Valencia, Spain, and then her second year will be at three agricultural universities in France where she will do rotations.
Ramsing was honored March 27 at an on-campus awards dinner at Ohio State.

Apprenticeship Maryland information session April 25

Howard County high school juniors, parents and guardians interested in learning about the school system’s new apprenticeship academy can attend an information session later this month.
The new academy will focus on careers in manufacturing and STEM — science, technology, engineering and math.
Description: Oakland Mills graduate named Health Education Major of the Year by national society
The Apprenticeship Maryland program is a partnership between the school system, the state Department of Education, the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, community education, and local business partners and employers.
The program provides students the opportunity to “earn and learn” in the fields of construction and development, information technologies, human resource services, transportation technologies and environmental, agriculture and natural resources.
The information session will take place April 25 at the Applications and Research Laboratory, Room B-37, 10920 Clarksville Pike in Ellicott City, starting at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact sdisceopolo@hcpss.org.

Howard Community College to launch construction management apprenticeship program

Howard Community College is offering a construction management apprenticeship program to begin this summer.
The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation approved HCC as a registered apprenticeship sponsor program, and the program has received grant funding from the Maryland State Department of Education.
The two-year apprenticeship program will kick off June 3 with a two-week boot camp to prepare students.
Student apprentices will be introduced to architectural, engineering and general contracting careers. The program will have construction management courses, a series of noncredit work readiness courses and 2,000 on-the-job training hours per year.
The students will also “secure employment with local, licensed construction companies,” according to Elizabeth Homan, a spokeswoman for the college.
Licensed construction firms who are interested in sponsoring an apprentice may contact Howard Community College for additional information.
Applications are due May 1. For more information, students can visit howardcc.edu/constructionapprentice.

Howard Community College’s Vino Scholastico April 26

Howard Community College’s annual Vino Scholastico, a night of wine tasting and food, will take place later this month.
The yearly event, in the Science, Engineering, Technology Building on campus, is a fundraising night with 100 percent of the profits supporting student scholarships and programs.
The evening features wines, spirits and craft beers, with food from local restaurants and desserts made by students in the college’s culinary program.
In 2018, 50 percent of fall credit HCC students received financial aid during their time at the college.
Vino Scholastico takes place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $125, which includes the vineyard presentation and main tasting and $75 for just the main tasting. Tickets can be purchased at www.howardcc.edu/vino or by calling 443-518-1970.

Rice project benefits nations in Asia, Africa

By WANG XIAOYU | China Daily | Updated: 2019-04-03 03:53
Description: http://img2.chinadaily.com.cn/images/201904/03/5ca40d54a3104842e4a6ec6e.jpegLi Zhikang, a leading member of China’s Green Super Rice project, visits a rice field in Nigeria with local agricultural researchers in October 2017. WANG WENSHENG / FOR CHINA DAILY
Chinese scientist says resilient varieties boost harvests, minimize use of fertilizers
A decadelong agricultural project spearheaded by Chinese scientists has helped alleviate poverty for more than 1.6 million farming households in 18 Asian and African countries through cultivation of high-yield and resilient rice strains.
The Green Super Rice project, led by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has generated 78 rice varieties that boast an average 20 percent increase in harvest per hectare while minimizing the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation, said Li Zhikang, a professor and researcher of rice breeding at the academy and a leading member of the project, on Tuesday.
The total area planted with the varieties in participating countries had expanded to 6.12 million hectares by the end of last year, including around 3.4 million hectares in the Philippines, 1.3 million hectares in India and 1.1 million hectares in Vietnam, he said.
"Instead of solely emphasizing high yields, the Green Super Rice project is geared to guarantee stable yields while beefing up crops' resistance against drought, flooding and diseases," Li said.
"Thus, farmers are able to save a large amount of resources, such as fertilizers or irrigation water, to fight those issues," he added.
The sustainability of the approach is welcomed by Philippine agricultural researchers and farmers, according to Jose Yorobe, a consultant with the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines. He attended a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, along with dozens of representatives from participant countries, that marked the project's conclusion.
"Because of climate change and population growth, developing countries are now pressured to increase rice productivity," he said. "Some high-yield modern varieties are still vulnerable to inclement weather, pests and disease."
Yorobe said on-site studies have shown that the varieties introduced to the Philippines through the Green Super Rice project are capable of thriving in harsh environments and maintaining steady yields.
"After Typhoon Haiyan swept through Leyte Island in the central Philippines in November 2013, we found that the Green Super Rice variety was one of the few that was still growing when submerged in saline water," he said. "Local farmers were elated and regained hope."
In West Africa, six Green Super Rice varieties with high-yield potential and strong tolerance to drought, salinity and iron toxicity have been developed, and about 14.5 metric tons of such seeds were distributed to local rice breeders, according to Baboucarr Manneh, a researcher with the African Rice Center in Cote d'Ivoire.
"Moreover, about 500 scientists, technicians and farmers have been trained in fields such as breeding, seed production and crop management through the project. The training helps increase their capability and achieve sustainable growth in the future," he said.
According to Li, the project drew to a close recently as sponsorship from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ended as scheduled. "However, more green super rice species are expected to be rolled out, thanks to funds from the bilateral collaborations under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation."
Gary Atlin, a senior program officer for the Gates Foundation, said the project demonstrates a new collaboration model in which rice scientists from different countries can work together to understand local needs and develop solutions on a global basis.
"Expertise of Chinese scientists in rice breeding and cultivation is a tremendous resource for the developing world," he said. "I believe it will continue to have an impact for years to come."

Chinese "Green Super Rice" promotes sustainable agriculture development in Asia and Africa

Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-02 20:59:53|Editor: Li Xia
BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese agriculture scientists have bred new rice varieties named "Green Super Rice (GSR)" for developing Asian and African countries to reduce hunger and increase local farmers' income.
Supported by the Chinese government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the project has bred 78 GSR varieties for 18 countries with a total grown area of 6.12 million hectares since its launch in 2008, hoping to benefit 30 million resource-poor smallholder rice farmers in Asia and Africa.
GSR varieties are superior rice varieties that can produce high and stable yields under fewer inputs. They need less chemical fertilizers, pesticides and water, and are more tolerant to pests, diseases, drought, salinity, submergence and other abiotic or biotic stresses, said Li Zhikang, a researcher of the Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences.
The research team led by Li has developed an efficient molecular breeding strategy by which the selecting period of new varieties can be cut down from 8-10 years to 4-6 years.
With a better tolerance for tough conditions, GSR varieties can achieve an average 0.89-1.83 tonnes increase per hectare, which means 230.9 dollars per hectare for a rice farmer, according to a survey conducted in the Philippines.
"China has a very strong rice breeding and rice genetics effort, and the GSR project has shared germplasm resources from Chinese research institutes to many Asian and African countries," said Gary Atlin, senior program officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "China has provided really wonderful support for rice research and development all over the developing world."

Chinese 'Green Super Rice' promotes sustainable agriculture development in Asia and Africa

Xinhua, April 3, 2019
Description: http://images.china.cn/site1007/2019-04/03/67e4d18f-4cb4-4161-8f6e-d62b999fa6fc.jpgThe project has bred 78 GSR varieties for 18 countries with a total growing area of 6.12 million hectares since its launch in 2008, hoping to benefit 30 million resource-poor smallholder rice farmers in Asia and Africa. [Photo/cctv.com]
Chinese agriculture scientists have bred new rice varieties named "Green Super Rice (GSR)" for developing Asian and African countries to reduce hunger and increase the income of farmers.
Supported by the Chinese government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the project has bred 78 GSR varieties for 18 countries with a total growing area of 6.12 million hectares since its launch in 2008, hoping to benefit 30 million resource-poor smallholder rice farmers in Asia and Africa.
GSR varieties are superior rice varieties that can produce high and stable yields. They need less chemical fertilizers, pesticides and water, and are more tolerant to pests, diseases, drought, salinity, submergence and other abiotic or biotic stresses, said Li Zhikang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences.
The target regions of the project includes nine other Asian countries (Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan) and nine African countries (Mozambique, Tanzania, Rwanda, Liberia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria, Mali and Senegal). In addition, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou provinces, and Guangxi Zhuang and Ningxia Hui autonomous regions of China are included.
The research team led by Li has developed an efficient molecular breeding strategy by which the selecting period of new varieties can be cut down from 8-10 years to 4-6 years.
Scientists upgraded the varieties, which were grown in a temperate zone in China to adapt to a tropical climate. The target countries choose from abundant varieties with diverse superiority according to their local agriculture conditions including drought, submergence and problematic soils.
With a stronger tolerance for tough conditions, GSR varieties can achieve an average 0.89-1.83 tonnes increase per hectare, which is worth 230.9 dollars per hectare for a rice farmer, according to a survey conducted in the Philippines.
When super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the central Philippines in 2013, most coconuts in the area, on which local farmers depended for their livelihood, were destroyed. A silver lining to their gloomy situation came in the form of GSR seeds they received several months before the typhoon came.
"I like GSR because its grains are good and are considerably heavier than previous rice grains I tried in the past," said Montano, one of the first farmers to grow the tough variety GSR 8. "The crop is tolerant to pests and diseases."
"Even though we were badly affected by the typhoon, we were able to improve our livelihoods and get back on our feet because of GSR 8," said Lazarte, another typhoon survivor.
"I have seen significant change and tremendous potential also in African countries," said Li Zhikang. When he investigated in Africa five years ago, the total amount of rice planting area in Africa was a bit more than 100,000 hectares, but the number climbed to 1.2 million until 2018.
Since 2012, the GSR project has supported an international effort for sequencing a collection of 3,010 diverse rice accessions from 89 countries which represent 95 percent of the genetic diversity of global rice seed resources, believed to be the world's largest project in plant genome resequencing.
The results have been published in the journal Nature. The free availability of all data generated from this effort and seeds of all sequenced rice germplasm accessions have contributed tremendously to global efforts in rice functional genomics, and advanced the global rice breeding in the era of genome-based breeding by design, according to the research team.
Under frequent extreme weather and climate events, scientists are facing serious challenge to enhance rice productivity of resource-poor fields in Asia and Africa.
"China has a very strong rice breeding and rice genetics effort, and the GSR project has shared germplasm resources from Chinese research institutes to many Asian and African countries," said Gary Atlin, senior program officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "China has provided really wonderful support for rice research and development all over the developing world."
As the Belt and Road Initiative has become popular among more and more countries, a lot of advanced technology and products from China will go abroad and play a key role in promoting food security in resource-poor areas, said Li Zhikang.

Productivity, mechanization, and postharvest technologies


THE Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC) recently conducted its Rice Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) at the Philippine Rice Research Institute’s (PhilRice’s) Central Experiment Station in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
The Rice FIESTA is an amalgamation of culture, traditions, and technology highlighting pre and postharvest machinery, biofertilizer, integrated rice and rice-based package of technology, and other technologies developed through the support of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Among the agricultural machinery featured in the event include the impeller-type compact ricemill, ride-behind transplanter, combined conduction and far-infrared radiation dryer, and hand-tractor attachments.
According to PCAARRD acting Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, the technologies are expected to realize the goal of producing healthy and sufficient rice for the Filipinos.
The DOST-PCAARRD, which initiated the FIESTA as a technology diffusion platform, funded the activity together with other agencies.
FIESTA is a PCAARRD event-based technology transfer modality which aims to promote science and technology (S&T) and its products towards providing competitive and profitable business ventures for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sectors of the country.
This is in line with PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Plan (ISP) for rice which aims to increase rice productivity and modernize rice production and postproduction systems in the country.
The ISP focuses on various topics such as rice productivity, mechanization, and postharvest technologies.
The activity was conducted with the support coming from the Central Luzon State University, and other government agencies and private institutions like Kubota Philippines, Inc., which presented various farm machinery, like the Kubota NSPU-68CMD Rice Transplanter, and Kubota SR-K800PH Automatic Seeder.
Since farmers from the different provinces in the country differ in terms of the quantities of inputs used, technologies adopted, and management skills employed, these result in the varying yield and production cost among them.
To address the concern, economists from the Socioeconomics Division of PhilRice shared ways on how to narrow these gaps to help the farmers increase their productivity and income based on the findings from 33 major rice producing provinces in the Philippines.
The Socioeconomics Division presented the results of the study Narrowing the Yield and Cost Gaps: Comparative Efficiency of Rice Farming in the Philippines.
The use of high-quality seeds and better access to irrigation water can also significantly increase farmers’ yield growth.
Higher yield and better management skills of farmers, along with their adoption of high-quality seeds and mechanized harvesting and threshing, will then reduce their production cost.
Improving farmers’ technical and allocative efficiency is one of the ways to help narrow yield and cost gaps among them.
It was learned that currently, the technical and allocative efficiency of farmers at the national level are 75 percent and 81 percent, respectively.
These efficiencies can be improved through interventions on factors such as farmers’ education, training/ seminar, and membership to farmers’ organizations. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)

Putrajaya relooking monopolies on rice, medicines, licence renewals and vehicle inspection


Description: Sheridan Mahavera0 Comments
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Description: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/resources/stories_images/145045/saifuddin_nasution_ismaill_201900403_afif_02__full.jpgDomestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says some monopolies were created to serve a certain policy goal at the time. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, April 3, 2019.
THE government is looking at monopolies in four key sectors as part of efforts to tackle the rising cost of living, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
These monopolies – in rice imports, medicines, licence renewal and vehicle inspection – are the first of four sectors that the special cabinet committee on monopolies have studied. https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/145045

BPI launches e-phytosanitary certification system

THE Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry- National Plant Quarantine Services Division (BPI-NPQSD) launched the e-Phytosanitary Certification System on March 29, 2019 in Iloilo City.
The agency seeks to protect the plants, cultivated, uncultivated and wild flora, by requiring shippers to secure Phytosanitary permits. The Phytosanitary Certification guarantees that Phytosanitary import requirements are complied before the transport and trading of plants and plant products.
DA-BPI established the electronic system in partnership with the InterCommerce Network Services, Inc.
BPI director George Culaste and assistant director Gerald Glenn Panganiban discussed the importance and procedures on how to operate the system.
“This system aims to facilitate paperless and expedite transaction, avoid possible falsified certificates and to reduce administrative and transportation costs for BPI, importers and exporters,” said Culaste.
Coming up with this electronic system is timely and relevant as the rice tariffication law was already signed. “Phytosanitary certificate is actually the only document to be required to be able to import rice from other countries. Importers should be registered and accredited with BPI,” he added.
To be automated by BPI, the e-Phytosanitary System will enable the exchange of e-Phyto Certificates either bilaterally, through the ASEAN Single Window or the International Plant Protection Convention e-Phyto Hub.
Reynaldo Dofitas, owner of Flora Botanica in Bacolod City, said that the e-Phyto system will help exporters like him in determining the authenticity of legal documentary requirements.
Plant exporters and plant quarantine personnel from all over the region took part in the launching activity. (A. M. P. Susbilla/DA-RAFIS 6)

Putrajaya relooking monopolies on rice, medicines, licence renewals and vehicle inspection


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Description: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/resources/stories_images/145045/saifuddin_nasution_ismaill_201900403_afif_02__full.jpgDomestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says some monopolies were created to serve a certain policy goal at the time. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, April 3, 2019.
Description: Sheridan MahaveraTHE government is looking at monopolies in four key sectors as part of efforts to tackle the rising cost of living, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
These monopolies – in rice imports, medicines, licence renewal and vehicle inspection – are the first of four sectors that the special cabinet committee on monopolies have studied.

Agriculture, Nuclear Techniques and Pakistan

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Rana
Mukhtar does research on Instrumentation, Physics, and Environmental Science.
The field of nuclear agriculture is introduced here very briefly with Pakistan as an example. New varieties of different crops have been developed in Pakistan using nuclear techniques.
Varieties are selected when desirable traits are produced in crop experiments. Agriculture has been the backbone of the development throughout the human history. It helps us in the production of foods, clothing and the raw materials for the old and modern industry.
Nuclear agriculture refers to the application of nuclear techniques and methods in the field of agriculture. It is an example of peaceful uses of nuclear technology. No residual radiation is left in the plants developed through radiation induced mutations.
Nuclear agriculture is among priorities of Pakistan’s neighbors India and China. Pakistan is not behind its neighbors in nuclear agriculture and has developed close to 100 new varieties of various crops including wheat, cotton, rice, lentil, chickpea, brassica and sugarcane, etc.
Developed varieties have higher yield potential and resistance against diseases and insect pests than their parent varieties. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has paid considerable attention to promote the nuclear techniques for the development of agriculture sector in the country.
PAEC agriculture research system includes Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar and National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad.
They have played an important role in the development of new crop varieties by using the nuclear techniques in agriculture. Development of crop varieties is a slow process as it takes 12-15 years to develop new varieties and to achieve stability in performance.
A number of crop varieties have been developed by PAEC institutes (Table 1). Wheat, cotton, rice and sugarcane are major crops on which breeding work through radiation induced mutations is being conducted at PAEC institutes. Varieties are selected when desirable traits are produced in radiation induced mutations of crop seeds.
Varieties of 8 different crops are released which shows the broad scope of breeding work continued at PAEC agriculture centers. PAEC agriculture centres have developed new technologies, crop varieties and instruments/methods related to agriculture.
They have transferred the developed technologies to the end users or farmers. The released crop varieties have resulted in outstanding improvement in productivity and tolerance of the crops.
Table 1. Crop varieties developed by the PAEC institutes*
Crop/Institute
NIA
NIAB
NIFA
NIBGE
Total
Brassica
1
4
5
Cotton
4
12
7
23
Chickpea
5
4
9
Lentil
1
2
3
Mungbean
1
11
1
13
Sugarcane
3
3
Rice
6
3
9
Wheat
13
7
20
Total
29
33
16
7
85
*Consultation for data in this table: Dr. K.D. Jamali, NIA, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
A number of varieties of above mentioned crops have been released by the PAEC’s agriculture institutes. These varieties cover significant fraction of crop areas in the country. NIAB-78, released by NIAB, Faisalabad, is a cotton variety which covered more than 70% of the area under cotton in Pakistan.
Sarsabz (1985) and Kiran, (1992), both released by NIA, Tandojam,  are very successful wheat varieties and covers more than 30% area under wheat in Sindh. Kiran still dominates in Sindh province covering more than 25% of land under wheat.
Shandar is a rice variety, released by NIA dominates and covers more than 50% of area under rice in Sindh. NIA has released rice variety Shua for saline lands. Saduri is the best cotton variety released by NIA and it covers more than 25% of land under cotton in Sindh.
NIA-2004 is a sugarcane variety, released by NIA, which is very popular in Sindh.  Pakistan is an agricultural state where crop improvement can have a significant impact on the national economy. So, agriculture R&D in Pakistan is very important.
Rising world population requires the increase of food production and decrease of crop losses. Nuclear techniques in agriculture can help in achieving the goal of matching food production with its demand by developing high yield and stress resistant crop varieties. Pakistan is applying scientific knowledge/experience in solving the problems of agriculture.

Acknowledgments: Discussions with Mr. Muhammad Yousuf Memon (Director NIA), Dr. Nazir Ahmad, Mr. Abdullah Khatri, and Dr. Azeem Asad (NIA, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan) are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.
Further Reading:  M.A. Rana, Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 09, Issue 09, Pp. 1168-1172  (2018).
https://www.technologytimes.pk/agriculture-nuclear-pakistan/https://www.technologytimes.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Agriculture-Nuclear-Techniques-and-Pakistan.jpghttps://www.technologytimes.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Agriculture-Nuclear-Techniques-and-Pakistan-150x69.jpg2019-04-03T12:19:01+05:00Dr Mukhtar Ahmed RanaArticlesagriculture,nuclear,Pakistan,techniques,TechnologyThe field of nuclear agriculture is introduced here very briefly with Pakistan as an example. New varieties of different crops have been developed in Pakistan using nuclear techniques. Varieties are selected when desirable traits are produced in crop experiments. Agriculture has been the backbone of the development throughout the human...Dr Mukhtar Ahmed RanaDr Mukhtar AhmedRanarana@alumni.nus.edu.sgContributorMukhtar does research on Instrumentation, Physics, and Environmental Science.Technology Times

Karandaaz Pakistan & NRSP signed to scale up APCL

  Karandaaz Pakistan & NRSP signed to scale up APCL2019-04-03T10:48:58+05:00
Karandaaz Pakistan and National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) signed an equity investment agreement for scaling up Agriculture Processing Company Limited (APCL) as an Agriculture value chain proposition for small-holding farmers.
APCL aims to scale up opportunities for warehousing, financial inclusion, and the incidence of rural industrialization for small-holding farmers in the rice value chain.
The model has already been tested and successfully implemented by NRSP over the last few years under the Innovation Challenge Fund administered by State Bank of Pakistan. The agreement signing ceremony was jointly attended by Board members and senior management of both the organizations.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan, Founder and Chairman NRSP congratulated the management of both Karandaaz and NRSP for rolling out a project that will help the small holding farmers without compromising the principles of sustainability.
Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO NRSP expressed his firm belief and confidence in the success of the initiative for achieving scale, profitability, and better opportunities for small-holding farmers.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Ali Sarfraz, CEO Karandaaz said, This investment from Karandaaz is expected to contribute toward scaling up of business opportunities in the agricultural economy, food security, and reap better rewards for Pakistani rice farmers.”
Raising equity and debt financing is a key challenge for SMEs and Karandaaz is strategically placed to fill this gap as a long-term investor with a focus on SME infrastructure development.
Additionally, Karandaaz’s investment in APC is expected to successfully demonstrate value chain services including warehousing at scale for the first time in the country,” added further.
Karandaaz Pakistan promotes financial inclusion in the country through promoting access to finance for SMEs through commercially directed investments and financial inclusion for individuals through the promotion of digital financial services.
Karandaaz also develops and disseminates evidence-based insights, and encourages innovation in financial space. Karandaaz has financial and institutional support from DFID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

China’s ‘Green Super Rice’ Aims To Reduce Hunger And Build Up Farmers’ Income

Apr 03, 2019 07:58 PM
Description: RiceA vendor rests in her market stand that sells rice in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, September 5, 2018.(Photo: REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo)
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has partnered with Beijing to spearhead a joint project that supports Chinese agriculture scientists in their study of new rice varieties called "Green Super Rice." The rice varieties are expected to offer sustainable agriculture practices for farmers in Africa and Asia.
According to Xinhua, "Green Super Rice" or GSR is expected to help Asian and African regions reduce hunger while helping farmers boost their income through sustainable farming practices.
Since GSR varieties have been bred for sustainability, these can bring forth stable produce. Compared to other rice types, these varieties require less water and fertilizers. They are also more tolerant in extreme weather conditions and can withstand some diseases.
Green Super Rice varieties were grown in a temperate zone in China as part of the initiative's goal of supplying demand in tropical regions. Since they have been bred to withstand tough conditions, these varieties can reach an average of 0.89 to 1.83 tonnes of increase per hectare.
"I like GSR because its grains are good and are considerably heavier than previous rice grains I tried in the past. The crop is tolerant to pests and diseases," one of the first few farmers who tried growing the Green Super Rice variety, Montano, said.
Ever since the project kicked off, it has yielded 78 GSR varieties for a total of 18 countries. These countries make up a growing area of 6.12 million hectares. Among the Asian countries that will receive these varieties are the Philippines, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Pakistan, and more. Nine African states are also part of the target countries.
Meanwhile, Technology Times Pakistan reported that a team of Chinese researchers led by Professor Yang Donglei of the State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement and NAU in East China's Jiangsu Province developed a rice gene that offers high yields.
The rice gene has been coded as the Ideal Plant Architecture1 (IPA1) and is said to be disease resistant. According to the outlet, the new rice train yields thicker stems and larger spikes compared to current strains in the global market.
China's work on sustainable agriculture has been booming over the past years. A case study jointly conducted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, McGill University, and Stanford University, found out that farmers who considered environmental effects of agriculture practices yielded more income.
The study revealed that China's new approach in agriculture can help farmers manage their lands and crops efficiently for environmental and economic benefits. 

Cabinet approves new anti-poverty division, won’t rename BISP

BY STAFF REPORT , (LAST UPDATED
Description: https://cache.pakistantoday.com.pk/imran-khan-chairs-federal-cabinet-1.jpg
–Decides to ban telecast of IPL matches in Pakistan, appoints Arshad Malik as PIA’s CEO
–Fawad says 18th Amendment can be subjected to changes with political consensus
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the creation of a new division named Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Division and decided against renaming Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
The cabinet’s decisions were announced at a press conference held by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry.
The minister said that the new division will be headed by Dr Sania Nishtar and it will coordinate functions of different organisations under the newly launched Ehsas Programme.
Fawad said the new poverty alleviation programme envisages provision of health cards and affordable housing facilities for low-income people.
The minister also made it clear that the government is not going to change the name of BISP. He said that financial aid is provided to poor people through BISP, Zakat, and Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, whereas under the new social welfare programme new initiatives will be taken. He said that health cards, kafalat and affordable housing scheme will be launched by the prime minister soon and Ehsas will facilitate the poor people of Pakistan.
IPL TELECAST BANNED:
The information minister said that the federal cabinet also gave approval for the banning of broadcasting of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Pakistan.
Fawad said that India has left no opportunity to harm Pakistan’s cricket. He said that sports, culture, and other showbiz activities should not be politicised, but India adopted an aggressive posture against our players and artists.
“However, we saw the attitude that [India] maintained against Pakistani citizens, actors, artists and cricketers,” the minister said, adding that the wearing of military caps by Indian cricket players during a match against Australia was “the limit” for Pakistan.
He said that Indian broadcaster pulled out from broadcasting Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to harm Pakistan’s cricket in the middle of the tournament following the Pulwama attack in order to harm the league.
He said the Ministry of Information had proposed the cabinet ban on IPL because after “India made an organised effort to harm cricket in Pakistan, it doesn’t make sense for us to allow an Indian domestic tournament to be promoted here”.
He said that now the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) would ensure that IPL matches would not be aired in Pakistan.
Responding to a question about India’s belligerent posture, the information minister said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should better rethink his policy because he has badly failed and even the Indian people do not believe in his rhetoric.
Talking about the other decisions of the federal cabinet meeting, the minister said that boards of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, Oil and Gas Development Authority, Sui Southern Gas Pipe Lines, and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines have been reconstituted. He said that the cabinet approved the appointment of Arshad Malik as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Fawad said that the cabinet also approved the appointment of judges of various banking courts and Hassan Irfan Khan has been removed from the IPO Policy Board. He said that the cabinet approved an extension in the licence of Vision Air International for one year
Giving details of the cabinet meetings during the tenure of the PTI government, the information minister said that cabinet has so far held thirty-three meetings during which 607 decisions regarding 45 divisions were taken. Of these, 375 decisions have already been fully implemented, while the rest are in the implementation phase.
He said that the meeting also approved a budget of Rs57.3 billion for Khassadar and other forces working in erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
Responding to a question, Fawad said that Finance Minister Asad Umar will announce a new economic roadmap for the development of industries and other sectors. Similarly, he said that Energy Minister Umar Ayyub Khan will present a new roadmap for energy. He said that efforts would be made to ensure that no load-shedding takes place in the next summer.
Fawad said directions have also been given to ensure availability of gas in the next winter season.
To a question about the 18th Amendment, he said that some clause of the amendment regarding higher education and health can be amended if there is a political consensus on it. To another question, he said the establishment of military courts was need of the hour and these courts have performed well. He said that if the opposition agrees the tenure of military courts can be extended.
Increasing troubles
What is the future of agriculture in Pakistan? On one side, the actual growth figures for agriculture suggest that there is a slowdown in progress. On the other, a Washington-based think tank predicts that Pakistan is set for high-agricultural growth. Is it possible for both these scenarios to be reconciled? The government claims that agricultural growth will be under 1.9 percent this year, instead of the 3.8 percent expected growth. The SBP’s second quarterly report claims that major crops, such as cotton, rice and sugarcane – as well as some minor crops – are on decline. Does that mean that the 2019 Global Food Policy Report is wrong in claiming that the right kind of agricultural reform has already taken place in Pakistan?
Perhaps like many international reports on Pakistan written abroad, there seems to be something significant that the report is missing out on. The GFPR points to the drafting of several policies, including the National Food Security Policy, National Water Policy, National Climate Policy, as well as provincial agriculture and water policies, as proof that Pakistan is on the right track. On paper, it is possible to agree that there has been some serious thinking about the place of agriculture in Pakistan’s economic future, but much of this does not translate into effective implementation on the ground.
The gap between policy and implementation is crucial to understand why there is a greater chance of agricultural productivity shrinking in Pakistan, instead of the ‘hub of innovation’ that it could be. Much of the on-ground changes in the rural economy are not being taken into account; these changes include severe water stress, crop disease and uncertain pricing for crops. The report identifies the right focus areas: farm and non-farm rural employment, gender equality, environmental challenges, access to energy and good governance. However, most of these are good on paper, but something the state is not invested in pushing through.
The existence of a National Agricultural Emergency committee and the approval of the National Agricultural Emergency Programme in March is proof that there is recognition that something is going wrong, but the policy changes have been piecemeal, instead of being directing at the whole sector. Rural jobs still form 43 percent of overall employment, which is why it is important to highlight the need for a ‘decent employment agenda’ for the rural world, as well as policies to help smallholder farmers, which remain the bulk of rural producers in Pakistan. If the shrinking share of agriculture in the overall GDP is an indicator, there will be less, not more, focus on agriculture in the coming years. Complemented with the fact that agriculture remains severely threatened by natural disasters, as recent floods have shown, there is much more to be worried about.

Rice project benefits nations in Asia, Africa

By WANG XIAOYU | China Daily | Updated: 2019-04-03 03:53
Description: http://img2.chinadaily.com.cn/images/201904/03/5ca40d54a3104842e4a6ec6e.jpeg Li Zhikang, a leading member of China’s Green Super Rice project, visits a rice field in Nigeria with local agricultural researchers in October 2017. WANG WENSHENG / FOR CHINA DAILY
Chinese scientist says resilient varieties boost harvests, minimize use of fertilizers
A decadelong agricultural project spearheaded by Chinese scientists has helped alleviate poverty for more than 1.6 million farming households in 18 Asian and African countries through cultivation of high-yield and resilient rice strains.
The Green Super Rice project, led by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has generated 78 rice varieties that boast an average 20 percent increase in harvest per hectare while minimizing the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation, said Li Zhikang, a professor and researcher of rice breeding at the academy and a leading member of the project, on Tuesday.
The total area planted with the varieties in participating countries had expanded to 6.12 million hectares by the end of last year, including around 3.4 million hectares in the Philippines, 1.3 million hectares in India and 1.1 million hectares in Vietnam, he said.
"Instead of solely emphasizing high yields, the Green Super Rice project is geared to guarantee stable yields while beefing up crops' resistance against drought, flooding and diseases," Li said.
"Thus, farmers are able to save a large amount of resources, such as fertilizers or irrigation water, to fight those issues," he added.
The sustainability of the approach is welcomed by Philippine agricultural researchers and farmers, according to Jose Yorobe, a consultant with the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines. He attended a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, along with dozens of representatives from participant countries, that marked the project's conclusion.
"Because of climate change and population growth, developing countries are now pressured to increase rice productivity," he said. "Some high-yield modern varieties are still vulnerable to inclement weather, pests and disease."
Yorobe said on-site studies have shown that the varieties introduced to the Philippines through the Green Super Rice project are capable of thriving in harsh environments and maintaining steady yields.
"After Typhoon Haiyan swept through Leyte Island in the central Philippines in November 2013, we found that the Green Super Rice variety was one of the few that was still growing when submerged in saline water," he said. "Local farmers were elated and regained hope."
In West Africa, six Green Super Rice varieties with high-yield potential and strong tolerance to drought, salinity and iron toxicity have been developed, and about 14.5 metric tons of such seeds were distributed to local rice breeders, according to Baboucarr Manneh, a researcher with the African Rice Center in Cote d'Ivoire.
"Moreover, about 500 scientists, technicians and farmers have been trained in fields such as breeding, seed production and crop management through the project. The training helps increase their capability and achieve sustainable growth in the future," he said.
According to Li, the project drew to a close recently as sponsorship from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ended as scheduled. "However, more green super rice species are expected to be rolled out, thanks to funds from the bilateral collaborations under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation."
Gary Atlin, a senior program officer for the Gates Foundation, said the project demonstrates a new collaboration model in which rice scientists from different countries can work together to understand local needs and develop solutions on a global basis.
"Expertise of Chinese scientists in rice breeding and cultivation is a tremendous resource for the developing world," he said. "I believe it will continue to have an impact for years to come."

China develops new rice strain with high yield

Chinese scientists have bred a new strain of rice with both high disease resistance and high yield, Nanjing Agricultural University announced.

A research team led by Professor Yang Donglei of the State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement and NAU in East China’s Jiangsu province, utilized a high-yield gene, coded Ideal Plant Architecture1, to enhance the plant’s disease resistance against the bacterial blight of rice without undermining yields.
Yang’s team found that downregulation of miR-156 and overexpression of IPA1, a target gene of microRNA-156 that has access to the regulation of multiple processes in the grain’s growth and development, would improve disease resistance but reduce rice yield.
To find a way out of the dilemma, researchers set an “alarm” on the novel strain of rice to signal bacterial blight invasion and thus raised expression of IPA1 to enhance disease resistance.
“We call the new strain of rice ‘HIP,'” Yang said, noting that the team has identified miR-156-IPA1 as a regulator of the crosstalk between growth and defense and bred the new strain of rice.

Further research showed that without pathogenic infection, IPA1 expression of the new plant strain only increases slightly, which enhances yield-related traits including fewer tiller buds, larger spikes and thick stems.
The research findings were published in the latest issue of Nature Plants, one of the top international academic journals on plant biology.
https://www.technologytimes.pk/china-develops-new-rice-strain-with-high-yield/https://www.technologytimes.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/China-develops-new-rice-strain-with-high-yield.jpghttps://www.technologytimes.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/China-develops-new-rice-strain-with-high-yield-150x69.jpg2019-04-02T17:14:52+05:00China DeskChinaChina,develops,disease,High,resistance,rice,strain,yieldChinese scientists have bred a new strain of rice with both high disease resistance and high yield, Nanjing Agricultural University announced. A research team led by Professor Yang Donglei of the State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement and NAU in East China's Jiangsu province, utilized a high-yield...China DeskChinaDeskchina.desk@technologytimes.pkEditorTechnology Times

Italy sells rice to the Chinese

Tom Kington, Rome
April 3 2019, 12:01am, The Times
Description: Chefs gather at the opera house in Catania, Sicily, for the second day of Cibo Nostrum — “It is our food” — celebrating Italian cuisine and wine
Chefs gather at the opera house in Catania, Sicily, for the second day of Cibo Nostrum — “It is our food” — celebrating Italian cuisine and wineFABRIZIO VILLA/GETTY IMAGES
Italy’s culinary prowess has reached the point where it is to start exporting rice to China.
“It makes you laugh because it’s a bit like going to the North Pole to sell icicles,” Gian Marco Centinaio, the Italian agriculture minister, told the annual congress of Italian chefs in Catania. “But Chinese consumers now see Italian food as of guaranteed quality.”
The Chinese want Italian risotto rice, which they cannot get at home, even though China is the world’s biggest producer of rice, the minister said. The short grain variety, which can absorb up to five times its weight in liquid, is perfect for producing creamy, sticky risotto when cooked with butter, stock and parmesan cheese. The dish combines perfectly with shavings of Italian white truffle,…

In Egypt, Rice Import Samples Are Judged in the Kitchen
Description: A food scientist tastes samples of rice to make sure they fit Egyptian standards, in a research center affiliated with Egypt's agriculture ministry in Cairo, Egypt, March 25, 2019.
A food scientist tastes samples of rice to make sure they fit Egyptian standards, in a research center affiliated with Egypt's agriculture ministry in Cairo, Egypt, March 25, 2019.
With steaming plates of rice and freshly sliced apples on the side, a group of Cairo-based food scientists work in their lab to decide whether the foreign grains will suit Egyptian palates. The scientists cook and taste samples of rice on offer at state tenders before they are accepted. The process, which began late last year, has so far eliminated Indian origin rice and approved of Chinese and Vietnamese offers. Egypt has spent $46.8 million on Chinese rice in two tenders since November. A third is ongoing. Egyptians are major rice consumers and take pride in the quality of their local crop. But after planting less local rice in 2018 to conserve water, Egypt tapped the international market in November, requesting samples for a cooking test. Rice is a heavily discounted staple on Egypt's subsidy program, under which the state purchases foodstuffs that are offered to subsidy card holders, currently around 60 million people. The scientists' role is to ensure that the rice bought by the state is suited to familiar cooking methods and tastes. "Here, as a unit, we are all [academic] doctors as well as mothers in our homes," said Nahed Lotfy, director of the test kitchen. "We are all trained judges who have completed training courses." Samples are anonymized, said Nasra Ahmed, one of the taste testers. "We get a sample on which we have almost no information at all," she said. "Everything arrives with a code." Researchers inspect grains for water absorption, color and smell. After cooking, the rice is presented to the tasters. "We evaluate the product based on color, taste, aroma, flavor, as well as general response," Lotfy said. Researchers cannot wear perfume or smoke cigarettes. Sliced apples and water act as palate cleansers. Pushing up costs Traders say the taste test drives up costs by forcing them to keep their offers open indefinitely while it takes place. They say the testing process is unique to Egypt.
"It is something that doesn't happen globally," Mostafa al-Naggari, a major Egyptian rice exporter and importer, told Reuters. "In other countries, the cooking instructions are simply written on the packet." On the private market, importers have contracted to bring in 150,000 tonnes of Indian rice from October until end April, with no complaints from Egyptian consumers. Naggari, who buys Indian rice to supply Egypt's private market, said he was not clear why Indian samples had failed the test. "These are the rules of the tender and we will respect it, but I am happy selling rice on the private market." But Nomani Nomani, an advisor to the supply minister, said the cooking tests were necessary to avoid the rice piling up in subsidy stores like it did three years ago when Egyptians refused to buy it. "Of course if an Indian rice sample that suits Egyptian taste is presented we will accept it, but the cooking test is necessary to make sure the rice we are importing suits consumers," he told Reuters.


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