Water efficiency must for rice yield
LAHORE: Enhancing water efficiency is vital for increasing rice
production on sustainable basis with a view to improving exports from $2
billion to $5 billion in the next 10 to 15 years, said Sheikh Adnan Aslam, director
of the Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA).
Speaking at “Khushhal Kissan” seminar, organised by the
association for the promotion and preservation of basmati heritage of Pakistan,
Adnan highlighted the mission and objectives of Pakistan Basmati Heritage
Association for mitigating challenges of basmati production and action plan for
the promotion and preservation of basmati in production and exports.
“Our country is facing a looming water crisis and improving water
productivity in rice ecosystem is inevitable,” he added.
Malik Imtiaz, director of Punjab Seed Corporation, advised the
farmers that the use of certified seed every year will serve as a foundation
for increasing yield and quality of basmati.
He appreciated the initiative of PBHA for providing healthy and
certified seed on subsidised rates to the farmers.
Chaudhry Masood Iqbal, former chairman of the Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan (REAP) emphasised that the government should introduce
new basmati varieties for ensuring rice productivity and pest resistance.
Praising PBHA mission, he termed it a ray of hope for the rice sector.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/469966-water-efficiency-must-for-rice-yield
Super rice and
c
ricket snacks
Brown rice from The Little Rice Company, tortilla
chips made from cricket flour and brownies that release sugar slowly.ST PHOTO: PHILIP
CHEONG
MAY 12, 2019, 5:00 AM SGT
BD produces 35mmt rice against
29.10m demand
The govt would provide seeds, fertiliser and cash to farmers
those are victims for recent cyclonic strom Fani says Dr Abdur Razzaque
Zahid Hossain Biplob: Bangladesh has made a significant progress in producing
rice by developing more rice varieties and appropriate technologies under the
effective measures of the incumbent government led by the Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina.
The country produced 35 million metric tons of rice in last year against the demand of 29.10 million metric tons this year. Rice production was 32.65 million metric tons in 2017. The production increased by 7.20 percent in the last year. The surplus production is 5.90 million metric tons recorded this year.
Meanwhile, rice production was 34.57 million metric tons in 2016, followed by 34.50 million metric tons in 2015, 34.50 million metric tons in 2014, 34.39 million metric tons in 2013, 33.82 million metric tons in 2012, 33.70 million metric tons in 2011, 31.70 million metric tons in 2010 and 31 million metric tons in 2009, according to the data of agriculture ministry.
Talking to Daily Industry, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque underscored the need for increasing safe food production by taking the newly developed rice varieties and associated technologies to the doorsteps of the farmers under the imitative of the present government.
“We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production,” the minister said.
The minister asked the BRRI scientists to develop more rice varieties and appropriate technologies that can withstand adverse environmental effects such as salinity, drought, cold, flood and water resurge.
Talking on the recent victim farmers resulting from the cyclone Fani, he assured the agriculture ministry would provide seeds, fertiliser and cash to the farmers under a rehabilitation programme to be implemented during the 2019-2020 period after making a list of the victims.
Dr Razzaque said the ministry has directed the local administrations to drain out water from croplands and vegetable fields as post-cyclonic short-term steps and help the farmers to harvest Boro paddy.
Terming the government as an agriculture-friendly one, Dr Razzaque said the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Agriculture Ministry are jointly working to stand beside farmers.
Consider the bumper production of rice, the government is considering exporting rice to benefit farmers, the minister hinted.
“We are discussing this with the food and commerce ministries. A decision will be taken within 15-20 days after high-level discussions”, he informed.
Razzaque added that only surplus rice would be exported. Rice exports will not affect the market. Last year, we produced 1.3 million tones more than our target. Overall, we have about 2-2.5 million tones of surplus rice each year”, said the minister.
A recent report of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed Bangladesh’s total rice area and production levels in 2019-20 (May-April) are projected to increase slightly to 11.8 million hectares and 35.3 million metric tons, respectively, assuming good weather and increased yield in 2019-20 market year. The US agency’s market year (MY) runs from May to April.
So the projected output is 34.9 million MT higher than 2018-19’s and 32.6 million MT of the previous market year (2017-18), thereby largely making Bangladesh self-sufficient in its staple production.
USDA report says, winter season rice (Boro) area is forecast to increase as farmers are expected to switch to rice from wheat and minor vegetables. It says that farmers will continue cultivating Boro rice considering it to be a comparatively lower risk crop.
According to the Ministry of Food, as of March 19, 2019, public rice stocks are 1.37 MMT, which is approximately 33 percent higher than last year.
Besides, USDA also notes that the government of Bangladesh has a long term plan to expand rice cultivation in Aus rice season (March-August), as it is cultivated during the rainy season when no supplementary irrigation is required.
With the aim of attracting farmers to Aus rice cultivation, the government has announced seed and input support to farmers producing rice.
The government has formed a national taskforce and initiated an emergency contingency plan to work with farmers to raise awareness and train them on integrated pest management techniques, said a senior official of Agriculture minister.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under Agriculture Ministry is intensively working with farmers to identify and take measures that are followed internationally to eradicate this invasive pest, he added.
The country produced 35 million metric tons of rice in last year against the demand of 29.10 million metric tons this year. Rice production was 32.65 million metric tons in 2017. The production increased by 7.20 percent in the last year. The surplus production is 5.90 million metric tons recorded this year.
Meanwhile, rice production was 34.57 million metric tons in 2016, followed by 34.50 million metric tons in 2015, 34.50 million metric tons in 2014, 34.39 million metric tons in 2013, 33.82 million metric tons in 2012, 33.70 million metric tons in 2011, 31.70 million metric tons in 2010 and 31 million metric tons in 2009, according to the data of agriculture ministry.
Talking to Daily Industry, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque underscored the need for increasing safe food production by taking the newly developed rice varieties and associated technologies to the doorsteps of the farmers under the imitative of the present government.
“We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production,” the minister said.
The minister asked the BRRI scientists to develop more rice varieties and appropriate technologies that can withstand adverse environmental effects such as salinity, drought, cold, flood and water resurge.
Talking on the recent victim farmers resulting from the cyclone Fani, he assured the agriculture ministry would provide seeds, fertiliser and cash to the farmers under a rehabilitation programme to be implemented during the 2019-2020 period after making a list of the victims.
Dr Razzaque said the ministry has directed the local administrations to drain out water from croplands and vegetable fields as post-cyclonic short-term steps and help the farmers to harvest Boro paddy.
Terming the government as an agriculture-friendly one, Dr Razzaque said the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Agriculture Ministry are jointly working to stand beside farmers.
Consider the bumper production of rice, the government is considering exporting rice to benefit farmers, the minister hinted.
“We are discussing this with the food and commerce ministries. A decision will be taken within 15-20 days after high-level discussions”, he informed.
Razzaque added that only surplus rice would be exported. Rice exports will not affect the market. Last year, we produced 1.3 million tones more than our target. Overall, we have about 2-2.5 million tones of surplus rice each year”, said the minister.
A recent report of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed Bangladesh’s total rice area and production levels in 2019-20 (May-April) are projected to increase slightly to 11.8 million hectares and 35.3 million metric tons, respectively, assuming good weather and increased yield in 2019-20 market year. The US agency’s market year (MY) runs from May to April.
So the projected output is 34.9 million MT higher than 2018-19’s and 32.6 million MT of the previous market year (2017-18), thereby largely making Bangladesh self-sufficient in its staple production.
USDA report says, winter season rice (Boro) area is forecast to increase as farmers are expected to switch to rice from wheat and minor vegetables. It says that farmers will continue cultivating Boro rice considering it to be a comparatively lower risk crop.
According to the Ministry of Food, as of March 19, 2019, public rice stocks are 1.37 MMT, which is approximately 33 percent higher than last year.
Besides, USDA also notes that the government of Bangladesh has a long term plan to expand rice cultivation in Aus rice season (March-August), as it is cultivated during the rainy season when no supplementary irrigation is required.
With the aim of attracting farmers to Aus rice cultivation, the government has announced seed and input support to farmers producing rice.
The government has formed a national taskforce and initiated an emergency contingency plan to work with farmers to raise awareness and train them on integrated pest management techniques, said a senior official of Agriculture minister.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under Agriculture Ministry is intensively working with farmers to identify and take measures that are followed internationally to eradicate this invasive pest, he added.
Improving water productivity inevitable for sustainable rice
production
Improving water productivity in rice ecosystem is inevitable for
sustainable rice production and boosting rice exports of Pakistan from current
US$2 billion to US$5 billion. Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA)
Director Sheikh Adnan Aslam made these remarks at 'Khushal Kissan' seminar
arranged by the Association for promotion and preservation of basmati rice
heritage of Pakistan. Hundreds of rice farmers and key members of PBHA
including Chaudary Muhammad Shahzad & Raja Arsallan attended the event.
Sheikh Adnan Aslam while addressing the rice farmers shared the mission & objectives of Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) for mitigating challenges of Basmati Rice production and action plan for promotion and preservation of Basmati rice in production and export. He said our country is facing looming water crisis and improving water productivity in rice ecosystem is inevitable.
Malik Imtiaz Director Punjab Seed Corporation advised the farmers that use of certified seed every year will serve as foundation for increasing yield and quality of Basmati rice. He appreciated the initiative of PBHA for providing healthy and certified seed on subsidised rate to the farmers.
Chaudhry Masood Iqbal Ex Chairman REAP emphasised that the government should introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring rice productivity and pest resistance. Praising PBHA mission, he termed it ray of light for the rice sector of Pakistan. Imran Sheikh coordinator PBHA highlighted the mission of PBHA and advised the basmati rice farmers to adopt global rice standard of Sustainable Rice Platform convened by UNE & IRRI for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability by ensuring food safety.
Sheikh Adnan Aslam while addressing the rice farmers shared the mission & objectives of Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) for mitigating challenges of Basmati Rice production and action plan for promotion and preservation of Basmati rice in production and export. He said our country is facing looming water crisis and improving water productivity in rice ecosystem is inevitable.
Malik Imtiaz Director Punjab Seed Corporation advised the farmers that use of certified seed every year will serve as foundation for increasing yield and quality of Basmati rice. He appreciated the initiative of PBHA for providing healthy and certified seed on subsidised rate to the farmers.
Chaudhry Masood Iqbal Ex Chairman REAP emphasised that the government should introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring rice productivity and pest resistance. Praising PBHA mission, he termed it ray of light for the rice sector of Pakistan. Imran Sheikh coordinator PBHA highlighted the mission of PBHA and advised the basmati rice farmers to adopt global rice standard of Sustainable Rice Platform convened by UNE & IRRI for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability by ensuring food safety.
Pakistan's economy register 3.3 per cent growth in 2018-19 against
target of 6.2 per cent: Reports
Pakistan's
economy registered a dismal 3.3 per cent growth in 2018-19, achieving just over
50 per cent of its projected target of 6.2 per cent.
Pakistan economy (File Photo)
Pakistan's economy registered a
dismal 3.3 per cent growth in 2018-19, achieving just over 50 per cent of its
projected target of 6.2, as all key sectors failed to perform in the first year
of Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, according to media reports on
Friday.
The poor show came as the
cash-strapped Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government was negotiating a bail out
package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to tide over the country's
economic woes.
The National Accounts Committee,
in its 101st meeting chaired by Secretary Planning, Development and Reform
Zafar Hasan, to review the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), came out with the
growth figures for the year 2018-19.
The government has anticipated
3.8 per cent growth rate in agriculture, 7.6 per cent in industry and 6.5 per
cent in services, thus set up a target of 6.2 per cent GDP growth, the Dawn
reported.
In a major setback to the
government, all these targets fell flat, it said.
“It shows the dismal performance
of the overall economy in the first year of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
government," the report said.
"The provisional growth of
GDP for the year 2018-19 has been estimated at 3.3 per cent. Growth of
agricultural, industrial and services sectors is 0.85pc, 1.4pc and 4.7pc
respectively," the report said quoting official figures.
Provisional estimates for the
year 2018-19 for the GDP and the Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) have been
presented on the basis of the latest data available for six to nine months.
As per the data, acute water
shortages during the first half of the 2018 hit the crop segment, as a result
only wheat crop showed positive growth of 0.5 per cent while cotton, rice and
sugarcane registered a negative growth of 17.5 per cent, 3.3 per cent, and 19.4
per cent, respectively, the report said.
Other crops showed a growth of
1.95pc mainly because of increase in production of pulses and oil seeds.
Livestock sector registered a
growth of 4pc while forestry 6.5pc due to increase in production of timber.
Agriculture sector is targeted to
grow by 3.8pc on the basis of expected contributions of Important Crops (3pc),
other crops (3.5pc), cotton ginned (8.9pc), livestock (3.8pc), fisheries
(1.8pc) and forestry (8.5pc).
All these targets were missed
except the one related to livestock, Dawn reported.
The overall industrial sector on
the other hand showed a growth of 1.4pc while mining and quarrying sector
declined by 1.96 per cent.
The large scale manufacturing
(LSM) sector, which is driven primarily by QIM data (from July 2018 to February
2019), showed a contraction of 2.1pc, it said.
The country's electricity and gas
sub-sector grew by 40.5pc mainly due to better performance of Water and Power
Development Authority (Wapda) distribution companies and Independent Power
Producers (IPPs).
The construction activity
decreased by 7.6 per cent.
The country's industrial sector
is targeted to grow by 7.6 per cent during 2018-19, while manufacturing sector
by 7.8pc with LSM growth rate of 8.1pc, small scale and household manufacturing
8.2pc, construction 10pc and electricity generation and distribution and gas
distribution by 7.5pc.
Service sector remained major
contributor to economic growth as its value added increased by 4.7pc. Within
services sector, wholesale and retail trade sector grew by 3.1pc whereas
transport, storage and communication sector has registered a growth of 3.3pc,
the report said.
Finance and insurance sector
showed an overall increase of 5.1pc on account of positive contributions from
scheduled banks (5.3pc), non-schedule banks (24.6pc) and insurance activities
(12.8pc) despite decline in central banking by 12.5pc, it said.
General government services has
grown by 7.99pc and other private services, a set of computer related
activities, education, health and social work, NGOs etc. has contributed positively
at 7.1pc, according to Dawn.
India’s 1st rice cargo for Afghanistan arrives
at Chabahar Port
May 11, 2019
TEHRAN – India’s first
consignment of rice to Afghanistan which is due to be delivered through
India-Iran-Afghanistan trade route, arrived at Chabahar Port, IRNA reported on
Saturday, quoting a deputy with Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries
(ACCI).
According to ACCI First Vice
President Khan Jan Alokozay, the 500-million-ton cargo is the first of its kind
and more shipments will be following in the near future.
India launched a trade route to
Afghanistan via Iran through shipping its first consignment of wheat to
Afghanistan on October 29, bypassing longtime rival Pakistan.
Also in February, the
Afghanistan-Iran-India trade corridor in which Afghanistan will export goods to
India through Iran’s southeastern Chabahar Port was inaugurated.
Afghanistan's first 570-ton
export cargo included 200 tons of grains and 370 tons of talc stone which was
arrived in Chabahar port late February.
Afghanistan is planning to boost
is exports revenue to $2 billion this year and according to Afghan officials, a
significant share of the country’s exports will be through Iran’s Chabahar
Port.
In 2016, Iran, India and
Afghanistan decided to jointly establish a trade route for land-locked Central
Asian countries.
India has committed $500 million
to Chabahar Port development as a way to bypass rival Pakistan and crack open a
trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan, as well as the
resource-rich countries of central Asia.
The country is expanding its
economic diplomacy in Afghanistan, seeing itself as a regional power so it has
framed its involvement in Chabahar’s development as primarily about
establishing a gateway to Afghanistan, more than Iran itself, Indian officials
and a Western diplomatic source said.
EF/MA
EF/MA
TAGS
uper rice’ beckons farmers
Chinese institute sends proposal to establish “Bangladesh-China
Hybrid Rice Research Institute” for sustainable development of the rice variety
in the country
DEEPAK ACHARJEE, Dhaka
Following the work on some mega
projects in different sectors of the country, China is now eying to produce
‘super hybrid rice’ in Bangladesh as part of its cooperation in local
agriculture. A Chinese rice research institute, Chongqing Academy of
Agricultural Science (CQAAS), has sent a proposal to the agriculture ministry
to establish a “Bangladesh-China Hybrid Rice Research Institute” for
sustainable development of the rice in the country, sources said. The rice is
popularly known as ‘super rice’ in China.
After receiving the proposal, the
agriculture ministry will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the
Chinese authorities in this regard, the sources added. CQAAS president Prof.
Tang Hongjun has written to the agriculture secretary, stating that they want
to conduct super hybrid rice research and breed high yielding, multi resistance
and high amylase (non-sticky) hybrid rice variety in Bangladesh to cater to the
local demand by setting up the proposed institute. “Bangladesh is one of the
most important ‘Belt and Road’ countries. This would be a good opportunity to
establish a formal collaboration between CQAAS and the relevant Bangladeshi
agricultural organizations to take our technologies and advantages together to
serve the country’s small holder farmers, increase grain yield and ensure food
security,” the letter said.
Tang further mentioned that
Chongqing Zhong Yi Seed Company, a subsidiary of CQAAS, has implemented a
Hybrid Rice Technology Cooperation between China and Bangladesh project (G-G
project) in cooperation with Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) to introduce
advanced technology and farm machinery.
“In two years of close
cooperation, 21 strong heterotic combinations for Boro season and nine strong
heterotic combinations for Aman season were selected. Hundreds of new hybrid
rice materials were developed, and multi-level technical training and hybrid
rice experimental trials were conducted,” the letter said.
However, Md Nasiruzzaman,
agriculture ministry secretary, told The Independent that he was doubtful that
the Chinese research institute would be able to produce super hybrid rice here.
“They claimed that they will be able to produce 17 tonnes of super hybrid rice
per hectare. We sent a team to China to see their technology and we requested
them to provide their technology to us, but they didn’t,” he said.
“Yes, we need super hybrid rice
verities, technology and research. That’s why we want to sign a MoU with the
Chinese authorities,” he stated.
“After the MoU, we will sign an
agreement to establish the proposed ‘Bangladesh-China Hybrid Rice Research
Institute’,” he added.
When contacted, chief scientific
officer of the Agricultural Economics Division of Bangladesh Rice Research
Institute (BRRI) Abu Bakr Siddique told this correspondent that the authorities
concerned should take immediate and effective steps to produce super hybrid
rice in order to make the country
self sufficient in rice
production.
“It will be possible to produce
17 tonnes of super hybrid rice in every hectare of land in the country. At
present, the yield of locally-produced hybrid rice in per hectare is near seven
tonnes, Boro about six tonnes, Aman over four tonnes and Aus is about 3.50
tonnes,” he said.
The BRRI chief scientific officer
also informed that the production cost at initial stage will be a bit higher in
comparison to the local varieties as “we need to make and preserve adequate
seeds for the super hybrid rice. But after several years when the seeds will be
available, the production cost will eventually come down”.
Abu Bakr Siddique explained that
per hectare production cost of super hybrid rice will be as high as Tk 1,20,000
while the cost of locally-produced hybrid rice is about Tk 1,10,000, Boro rice
Tk 1,00,000, Aman rice Tk 80,000 and Aus is Tk 85,000 per hectare.
“The country’s low-lying areas,
especially haor areas, are suitable for the cultivation of super hybrid rice,”
he added.
The Gazipur-based BRRI is a
demand driven agricultural research institute in Bangladesh.
Since its establishment, BRRI’s
major achievements have been the development of 72 high yielding modern varieties
(MV) along with six hybrid rice variety strains adaptable to different
ecosystems.
A great opportunity to put our act together through irrigators
associations
0
SHARES
Published May 11, 2019, 10:00 PM
Dr. Emil Q. Javier
Now that rice tariffication had
been enacted into law (RTA), the hard part of implementation begins. The first
objective of making rice more affordable is now being realized as retail prices
begin to decline as anticipated. However, attaining the second objective of
making our rice farmers more productive and more competitive to protect their
incomes will be difficult and drawn out.
The Rice Competitive Enhancement
Fund (RCEF) provision in the RTA allocates at least P10 billion every year for
the second purpose. A lot depends now on how the agencies will exercise their
respective mandates, namely: the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development
and Mechanization (PHilMech) for mechanization, the Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice) for provision of seeds, the Agricultural Training
Institute (ATI), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) for farmer training and extension, and Land Bank of the Philippines for
subsidized credit. The agency intentions and programs need to be clearly
spelled out in their respective Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs).
All along this column maintains
that the key constraint to our agriculture is our small fragmented farms which
lack economies of scale to operate. The corporate farms and the better endowed
farmers with more land and capital are able to bring together all the factors
of production and with their size attain some leverage in the market place. But
not so the small, impoverished subsistence farmers.
Hence the imperative to institute
measures that will consolidate our small farms into larger management units. This
can be achieved through three alternative modes which could be complementary
i.e. not mutually exclusive.
First is through contract growing by small farmers with corporate integrators. Second is through farmers’ associations such as cooperatives, irrigators’ associations, seed growers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries associations. Third is through land consolidation through leasing and/or outright purchase.
First is through contract growing by small farmers with corporate integrators. Second is through farmers’ associations such as cooperatives, irrigators’ associations, seed growers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries associations. Third is through land consolidation through leasing and/or outright purchase.
The last mode would require the
lifting of the limits to land ownership imposed by agrarian reform. This will
free the land market and thereby encourage more private sector investments in
agriculture. However, this is unlikely to happen anytime soon because this is
tantamount to reversing agrarian reform which is highly divisive politically.
Convergence of delivery
of inputs and services
of inputs and services
The new rice tariffication act
generously provides free farm machinery, free seeds, subsidized credit and
hopefully better organized extension services. This is a great opportunity to reinforce the second modality by
coursing the delivery of these public goods and services not to individual
farmers but through organized farmers groups.
The problem is government
organized separate institutional platforms for the delivery to the farmers of
these important inputs and services. First, we organized Samahang Nayons which
later graduated into farmer cooperatives being supervised by the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA). Next, we organized agrarian reform beneficiaries
into Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Associations (ARBAs) and Agrarian Reform
Communities (ARCs) under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). Yet a third
organization for farmers in the service areas of irrigation systems i.e.
Irrigators Associations under National Irrigation Administration (NIA) (for large
irrigation systems) and another set under the Bureau of Soils and Water
Management of the Department of Agriculture (BSWM-DA) (for the small irrigation
units).
The confusion for sure will get
worse as I understand both PhilMech and PhilRice in their draft IRRs of the new
RTA are contemplating to organize anew separate farmer clusters to receive,
operate, and maintain the free machines (for PhilMech) and seed clusters (for
PhilRice).
Thus, a rice farmer in order to
receive these legislated free inputs and services must be a member of at least
five organizations. This is duplicative, wasteful, and potential source of
confusion and conflict. Better that the delivery of these inputs and services
be coursed through one rural entity.
Irrigators associations
as most logical conduits
as most logical conduits
The absolute need for water and
for better coordination for the timely and more equitable distribution of this
increasingly scarce resource constitute a strong natural communal bond among
the rice farmers. Thus, the most logical and most practical conduits are the
thousands of irrigators associations organized under the auspices of the NIA
(for the large irrigation systems) and of the BSWM-DA (for the small irrigation
units).
However in order to succeed, it
cannot be business as usual. Hitherto, the responsibility for organizing,
providing guidance and supervising the Irrigators Associations rested entirely
with the NIA and BSWM-DA. The rest of the DA family of agencies i.e.PhilRice,
PhilMech, ATI, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Regional Offices, the
Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and DA Marketing Services Division
all had nothing to do with the Irrigators Associations. These
silos in the DA must be brought down.
*****
Dr. Emil Q. Javier is a Member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and also Chair of the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP).
Dr. Emil Q. Javier is a Member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and also Chair of the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP).
For any feedback , email
eqjavier@yahoo.com.
A great opportunity to put our act together through irrigators
associations
0
SHARES
Published May 11, 2019, 10:00 PM
Dr. Emil Q. Javier
Now that rice tariffication had
been enacted into law (RTA), the hard part of implementation begins. The first
objective of making rice more affordable is now being realized as retail prices
begin to decline as anticipated. However, attaining the second objective of
making our rice farmers more productive and more competitive to protect their
incomes will be difficult and drawn out.
The Rice Competitive Enhancement
Fund (RCEF) provision in the RTA allocates at least P10 billion every year for
the second purpose. A lot depends now on how the agencies will exercise their
respective mandates, namely: the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development
and Mechanization (PHilMech) for mechanization, the Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice) for provision of seeds, the Agricultural Training
Institute (ATI), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) for farmer training and extension, and Land Bank of the Philippines for
subsidized credit. The agency intentions and programs need to be clearly
spelled out in their respective Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs).
All along this column maintains
that the key constraint to our agriculture is our small fragmented farms which
lack economies of scale to operate. The corporate farms and the better endowed
farmers with more land and capital are able to bring together all the factors
of production and with their size attain some leverage in the market place. But
not so the small, impoverished subsistence farmers.
Hence the imperative to institute
measures that will consolidate our small farms into larger management units.
This can be achieved through three alternative modes which could be
complementary i.e. not mutually exclusive.
First is through contract growing by small farmers with corporate integrators. Second is through farmers’ associations such as cooperatives, irrigators’ associations, seed growers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries associations. Third is through land consolidation through leasing and/or outright purchase.
First is through contract growing by small farmers with corporate integrators. Second is through farmers’ associations such as cooperatives, irrigators’ associations, seed growers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries associations. Third is through land consolidation through leasing and/or outright purchase.
The last mode would require the
lifting of the limits to land ownership imposed by agrarian reform. This will
free the land market and thereby encourage more private sector investments in
agriculture. However, this is unlikely to happen anytime soon because this is
tantamount to reversing agrarian reform which is highly divisive politically.
Convergence of delivery
of inputs and services
of inputs and services
The new rice tariffication act
generously provides free farm machinery, free seeds, subsidized credit and
hopefully better organized extension services. This is a great opportunity to reinforce the second modality by
coursing the delivery of these public goods and services not to individual
farmers but through organized farmers groups.
The problem is government
organized separate institutional platforms for the delivery to the farmers of
these important inputs and services. First, we organized Samahang Nayons which
later graduated into farmer cooperatives being supervised by the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA). Next, we organized agrarian reform beneficiaries
into Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Associations (ARBAs) and Agrarian Reform
Communities (ARCs) under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). Yet a third
organization for farmers in the service areas of irrigation systems i.e.
Irrigators Associations under National Irrigation Administration (NIA) (for
large irrigation systems) and another set under the Bureau of Soils and Water
Management of the Department of Agriculture (BSWM-DA) (for the small irrigation
units).
The confusion for sure will get
worse as I understand both PhilMech and PhilRice in their draft IRRs of the new
RTA are contemplating to organize anew separate farmer clusters to receive,
operate, and maintain the free machines (for PhilMech) and seed clusters (for
PhilRice).
Thus, a rice farmer in order to
receive these legislated free inputs and services must be a member of at least
five organizations. This is duplicative, wasteful, and potential source of confusion
and conflict. Better that the delivery of these inputs and services be coursed
through one rural entity.
Irrigators associations
as most logical conduits
as most logical conduits
The absolute need for water and
for better coordination for the timely and more equitable distribution of this
increasingly scarce resource constitute a strong natural communal bond among
the rice farmers. Thus, the most logical and most practical conduits are the
thousands of irrigators associations organized under the auspices of the NIA
(for the large irrigation systems) and of the BSWM-DA (for the small irrigation
units).
However in order to succeed, it
cannot be business as usual. Hitherto, the responsibility for organizing,
providing guidance and supervising the Irrigators Associations rested entirely
with the NIA and BSWM-DA. The rest of the DA family of agencies i.e.PhilRice,
PhilMech, ATI, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Regional Offices, the
Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and DA Marketing Services Division
all had nothing to do with the Irrigators Associations. These
silos in the DA must be brought down.
*****
Dr. Emil Q. Javier is a Member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and also Chair of the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP).
Dr. Emil Q. Javier is a Member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and also Chair of the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP).
For any feedback , email
eqjavier@yahoo.com.
Rice Crop decreases in county
·
·
May
11, 2019
L-N Photo by Melony Overton
With rice planting almost complete in the county, William “Bo”
Garrett, of El Campo, uses a shovel to allow water into the next bench in his
rice field Thursday in the community of Speaks in Lavaca County. Garrett
planted his rice on time despite rains, and will fully irrigate his fields
soon. Low prices didn’t keep Garrett from planting the same amount of rice he
did in 2018.
Most of the rice crop is planted
in Texas, but it looks as if less rice will go in the ground in Wharton County
this year, according to local ag experts.
The Texas A&M AgriLife
Research Center at Beaumont’s Texas Rice Crop Survey estimates 93 percent of
the 2019 rice crop has been planted, according to Corrie Bowen, Wharton County
Extension Agent.
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Brazil and Mexico add rice and beans to their
trade menus
ReutersMay 11, 2019
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Mexico will
allow imports of Brazilian rice and Brazil will allow imports of Mexican beans,
the two countries said in a statement on Saturday as top agriculture officials
from both countries met in Japan.
"The decision reinforces
Brazil's position as one of the top 10 global exporters of rice and represents
an important step to diversify commercial relations with Mexico, a country with
over 120 million people that imports over 80 percent of the rice it
consumes," the Brazilian government said in a statement.
Rice and beans are essential
ingredients to the cuisines of both countries.
"We will receive Mexican
beans to complete our main dish in Brazil which is rice and beans," said
Brazil's agriculture minister, Tereza Cristina Dias, in a video posted to
Twitter.
(Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun;
Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
BD produces 35mmt rice against
29.10m demand
The govt would provide seeds, fertiliser and cash to farmers
those are victims for recent cyclonic strom Fani says Dr Abdur Razzaque
Zahid Hossain Biplob: Bangladesh has made a significant progress in producing
rice by developing more rice varieties and appropriate technologies under the
effective measures of the incumbent government led by the Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina.
The country produced 35 million metric tons of rice in last year against the demand of 29.10 million metric tons this year. Rice production was 32.65 million metric tons in 2017. The production increased by 7.20 percent in the last year. The surplus production is 5.90 million metric tons recorded this year.
Meanwhile, rice production was 34.57 million metric tons in 2016, followed by 34.50 million metric tons in 2015, 34.50 million metric tons in 2014, 34.39 million metric tons in 2013, 33.82 million metric tons in 2012, 33.70 million metric tons in 2011, 31.70 million metric tons in 2010 and 31 million metric tons in 2009, according to the data of agriculture ministry.
Talking to Daily Industry, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque underscored the need for increasing safe food production by taking the newly developed rice varieties and associated technologies to the doorsteps of the farmers under the imitative of the present government.
“We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production,” the minister said.
The minister asked the BRRI scientists to develop more rice varieties and appropriate technologies that can withstand adverse environmental effects such as salinity, drought, cold, flood and water resurge.
Talking on the recent victim farmers resulting from the cyclone Fani, he assured the agriculture ministry would provide seeds, fertiliser and cash to the farmers under a rehabilitation programme to be implemented during the 2019-2020 period after making a list of the victims.
Dr Razzaque said the ministry has directed the local administrations to drain out water from croplands and vegetable fields as post-cyclonic short-term steps and help the farmers to harvest Boro paddy.
Terming the government as an agriculture-friendly one, Dr Razzaque said the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Agriculture Ministry are jointly working to stand beside farmers.
Consider the bumper production of rice, the government is considering exporting rice to benefit farmers, the minister hinted.
“We are discussing this with the food and commerce ministries. A decision will be taken within 15-20 days after high-level discussions”, he informed.
Razzaque added that only surplus rice would be exported. Rice exports will not affect the market. Last year, we produced 1.3 million tones more than our target. Overall, we have about 2-2.5 million tones of surplus rice each year”, said the minister.
A recent report of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed Bangladesh’s total rice area and production levels in 2019-20 (May-April) are projected to increase slightly to 11.8 million hectares and 35.3 million metric tons, respectively, assuming good weather and increased yield in 2019-20 market year. The US agency’s market year (MY) runs from May to April.
So the projected output is 34.9 million MT higher than 2018-19’s and 32.6 million MT of the previous market year (2017-18), thereby largely making Bangladesh self-sufficient in its staple production.
USDA report says, winter season rice (Boro) area is forecast to increase as farmers are expected to switch to rice from wheat and minor vegetables. It says that farmers will continue cultivating Boro rice considering it to be a comparatively lower risk crop.
According to the Ministry of Food, as of March 19, 2019, public rice stocks are 1.37 MMT, which is approximately 33 percent higher than last year.
Besides, USDA also notes that the government of Bangladesh has a long term plan to expand rice cultivation in Aus rice season (March-August), as it is cultivated during the rainy season when no supplementary irrigation is required.
With the aim of attracting farmers to Aus rice cultivation, the government has announced seed and input support to farmers producing rice.
The government has formed a national taskforce and initiated an emergency contingency plan to work with farmers to raise awareness and train them on integrated pest management techniques, said a senior official of Agriculture minister.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under Agriculture Ministry is intensively working with farmers to identify and take measures that are followed internationally to eradicate this invasive pest, he added.
The country produced 35 million metric tons of rice in last year against the demand of 29.10 million metric tons this year. Rice production was 32.65 million metric tons in 2017. The production increased by 7.20 percent in the last year. The surplus production is 5.90 million metric tons recorded this year.
Meanwhile, rice production was 34.57 million metric tons in 2016, followed by 34.50 million metric tons in 2015, 34.50 million metric tons in 2014, 34.39 million metric tons in 2013, 33.82 million metric tons in 2012, 33.70 million metric tons in 2011, 31.70 million metric tons in 2010 and 31 million metric tons in 2009, according to the data of agriculture ministry.
Talking to Daily Industry, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque underscored the need for increasing safe food production by taking the newly developed rice varieties and associated technologies to the doorsteps of the farmers under the imitative of the present government.
“We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production,” the minister said.
The minister asked the BRRI scientists to develop more rice varieties and appropriate technologies that can withstand adverse environmental effects such as salinity, drought, cold, flood and water resurge.
Talking on the recent victim farmers resulting from the cyclone Fani, he assured the agriculture ministry would provide seeds, fertiliser and cash to the farmers under a rehabilitation programme to be implemented during the 2019-2020 period after making a list of the victims.
Dr Razzaque said the ministry has directed the local administrations to drain out water from croplands and vegetable fields as post-cyclonic short-term steps and help the farmers to harvest Boro paddy.
Terming the government as an agriculture-friendly one, Dr Razzaque said the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Agriculture Ministry are jointly working to stand beside farmers.
Consider the bumper production of rice, the government is considering exporting rice to benefit farmers, the minister hinted.
“We are discussing this with the food and commerce ministries. A decision will be taken within 15-20 days after high-level discussions”, he informed.
Razzaque added that only surplus rice would be exported. Rice exports will not affect the market. Last year, we produced 1.3 million tones more than our target. Overall, we have about 2-2.5 million tones of surplus rice each year”, said the minister.
A recent report of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed Bangladesh’s total rice area and production levels in 2019-20 (May-April) are projected to increase slightly to 11.8 million hectares and 35.3 million metric tons, respectively, assuming good weather and increased yield in 2019-20 market year. The US agency’s market year (MY) runs from May to April.
So the projected output is 34.9 million MT higher than 2018-19’s and 32.6 million MT of the previous market year (2017-18), thereby largely making Bangladesh self-sufficient in its staple production.
USDA report says, winter season rice (Boro) area is forecast to increase as farmers are expected to switch to rice from wheat and minor vegetables. It says that farmers will continue cultivating Boro rice considering it to be a comparatively lower risk crop.
According to the Ministry of Food, as of March 19, 2019, public rice stocks are 1.37 MMT, which is approximately 33 percent higher than last year.
Besides, USDA also notes that the government of Bangladesh has a long term plan to expand rice cultivation in Aus rice season (March-August), as it is cultivated during the rainy season when no supplementary irrigation is required.
With the aim of attracting farmers to Aus rice cultivation, the government has announced seed and input support to farmers producing rice.
The government has formed a national taskforce and initiated an emergency contingency plan to work with farmers to raise awareness and train them on integrated pest management techniques, said a senior official of Agriculture minister.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under Agriculture Ministry is intensively working with farmers to identify and take measures that are followed internationally to eradicate this invasive pest, he added.
Millers, retailers in pact to tame
price madness
Mr Musarara
Kudakwashe Mhundwa and Michael Tome
THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for self-regulatory mechanisms to rein in wanton price increases.
THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for self-regulatory mechanisms to rein in wanton price increases.
As part of the agreement, GMAZ and CZR said
they will deploy a team of 150 people across the country starting Monday to
monitor prices of basic products such as salt, flour, rice and mealie-meal to
ensure shop owners adhere to agreed prices.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday,
GMAZ president Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said the milling industry has always
published recommended prices of mealie-meal, rice, flour and salt, but
consumers have remained vulnerable to some unscrupulous retailers who are bent
on profiteering.
Mr Musarara said the milling industry had
tried to be considerate in terms of costing.
“You may recall that we have also set our
recommended prices that are prices quoted by the miller to the wholesaler and
to the retailer, which we have dubbed the maximum recommended prices,” he said.
The maize-meal recommended price for the
miller is RTGS$10,50 for a 10kg packet while the retail price is RTGS$11,85.
Prices for rice and self-raising floor have
also been computed and agreed on.
Mr Musarara said recommending prices on its
own is not enough without actually “monitoring the prices, (and) without
ensuring compliance and protecting the consumer”.
“We have gone further to introspect and come
up with the committee that is going to look at the enforcement or monitoring of
these prices nationwide,” he said.
Retailers and wholesalers would be allowed to
put a mark-up of between 12 percent and 20 percent, including the 2 percent
tax, on their selling price.
Maize-meal and self-raising flour attract a
mark-up of 12 percent and 20 percent respectively, including the 2 percent tax.
CZR president Mr Denford Mutashu said the
initiative was meant to introduce self-regulation within the value chain
without the need for Government intervention.
Mr Mutashu said the mark-the ups stipulated
in the MOU were set considering business viability.
The agreement also demands that the supply of
the millers’ products be done through formal retail outlets as informal
retailers were overpricing in an environment of stagnant salaries and wages.
Mr Mutashu implored other manufacturing
sectors to follow the example set by GMAZ and CZR to self-regulate on retail
prices of goods they manufacture.
Mr Musarara
Kudakwashe Mhundwa and Michael Tome
THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for self-regulatory mechanisms to rein in wanton price increases.
THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for self-regulatory mechanisms to rein in wanton price increases.
As part of the agreement, GMAZ and CZR said
they will deploy a team of 150 people across the country starting Monday to
monitor prices of basic products such as salt, flour, rice and mealie-meal to
ensure shop owners adhere to agreed prices.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday,
GMAZ president Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said the milling industry has always
published recommended prices of mealie-meal, rice, flour and salt, but
consumers have remained vulnerable to some unscrupulous retailers who are bent
on profiteering.
Mr Musarara said the milling industry had
tried to be considerate in terms of costing.
“You may recall that we have also set our
recommended prices that are prices quoted by the miller to the wholesaler and
to the retailer, which we have dubbed the maximum recommended prices,” he said.
The maize-meal recommended price for the
miller is RTGS$10,50 for a 10kg packet while the retail price is RTGS$11,85.
Prices for rice and self-raising floor have
also been computed and agreed on.
Mr Musarara said recommending prices on its
own is not enough without actually “monitoring the prices, (and) without
ensuring compliance and protecting the consumer”.
“We have gone further to introspect and come
up with the committee that is going to look at the enforcement or monitoring of
these prices nationwide,” he said.
Retailers and wholesalers would be allowed to
put a mark-up of between 12 percent and 20 percent, including the 2 percent
tax, on their selling price.
Maize-meal and self-raising flour attract a
mark-up of 12 percent and 20 percent respectively, including the 2 percent tax.
CZR president Mr Denford Mutashu said the
initiative was meant to introduce self-regulation within the value chain
without the need for Government intervention.
Mr Mutashu said the mark-the ups stipulated
in the MOU were set considering business viability.
The agreement also demands that the supply of
the millers’ products be done through formal retail outlets as informal
retailers were overpricing in an environment of stagnant salaries and wages.
Mr Mutashu implored other manufacturing
sectors to follow the example set by GMAZ and CZR to self-regulate on retail
prices of goods they manufacture.
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Plants and the Art of Microbial Maintenance
Fri, 05/10/2019 - 4:30pm
by John Innes Centre
It's been known for centuries
that plants produce a diverse array of medically-valuable chemicals in their
roots.
The benefits for human health are
clear, but it's been less apparent how and why plants expend 20 percent of
their energy building these exotic chemicals. Is it for defense? Is it waste?
What is it for?
A joint study from the John Innes
Centre and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has shed new light on this
fundamental question of plant specialized metabolism.
Appearing in the journal Science, the
study reveals that plants use their root-derived chemicals to muster and
maintain communities of microbes. It suggests that across the plant kingdom
diverse plant chemistry may provide a basis for communication that enables the
sculpting of microbial communities tailored to the specific needs of the host
plant, be that a common weed or major crops such as rice or wheat.
The findings provide researchers
with a gateway to engineering plant root microbiota in a range of major crops.
"This question has
fascinated people for hundreds of years and we've found this chemistry enables
plants to direct the assembly and maintenance of microbial communities in and
around the roots," Anne Osbourn of the John Innes Centre, a co-author of
the study, said. "We assume that the plant is shaping the root microbiota
for its own benefit. If we can understand what the plant is doing and what kind
of microbes are responding to it and what the benefits are then we may be able
to use that knowledge to design improved crops or to engineer the root
microbiome for enhanced productivity and sustainability and to move away from
fertilizers and pesticides."
In this study, the team uncovered
a metabolic network expressed in the roots of the well-known model plant
Arabidopsis thaliana. This network, organized primarily around gene clusters,
can make over 50 previously undescribed molecules belonging to a diverse family
of plant natural products called Triterpenes.
The researchers generated plants
altered in the production of these root-derived chemicals and working with
Professor Yang Bai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences grew these plants in
natural soil from a farm in Beijing.
The results showed clear
differences in the types of microbial communities that these plants assembled
compared with the wild plants.
In further experiments the group
synthesized many of these newly-discovered chemicals and tested their effect on
communities of cultured microbes in a laboratory re-enactment of
plant-microbial interactions in the soil.
"Using this approach, we can
see that very small differences in chemical structures can have profound
effects on whether a particular molecule will inhibit or promote the growth of
a particular bacteria. Taken together we can clearly see that very subtle,
selective modulation of microbes by this cocktail of chemicals," Dr.
Ancheng Huang, first author of the paper, said.
Comparisons with root bacterial
profiles in rice and wheat that do not make these Arabidopsis triterpenes
demonstrated that these genetic networks were modulating bacteria towards the
assembly of an Arabidopsis-specific root microbiota.
The next steps for the researchers is to explore further the
benefits of this sculpting of the microbial community for the plant and observe
other influences on plant chemistry such as nutrient limitation and pathogen
challenge.
Indian rural folk getting
fat faster than urbanites
The NIN study
is part of a global multi-country study led by Imperial College, London, and
published in the prestigious journal ‘Nature’ on May 8.
Hyderabad:Contrary to the popular opinion that affluent families in urban
centres struggle with obesity and overweight, a new nationwide study conducted
by Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) revealed that Body
Mass Index (BMI) of population in rural areas is rising at a faster rate
compared to cities in India.
The NIN study is part of a global
multi-country study led by Imperial College, London, and published in the
prestigious journal ‘Nature’ on May 8. Globally, the study said rising rural
BMI was the main driver of a variety of ailments among adults.
According to the Indian study,
which was conducted by NIN, among 1.2 lakh people across all Indian States, the
mean BMI among rural men and women in 1975-79 was 16.5 kg/m2 (kg denoting
weight in kilograms and m2 denotes height in square metres). But, by 2012, the
mean BMI among rural men and women in India increased to 18.5.
The study indicated that BMI was
more among rural men and women in the two Telugu-speaking States by 2.6 kg/m.
The rise in obesity and overweight in the last 33 years globally is due to
increase in BMI in rural areas. “In the last decade or so, the lifestyle of
people in rural areas has changed. There has been reduced agricultural work,
changing eating habits because of access to subsidised rice and lack of
physical labour. There was a time when
millets was the staple food, but now it has been replaced by subsidised rice,” explains Dr A Laxmaiah, Scientist G and head of Public Health Nutrition Division, ICMR-NIN, one of the writers of the global BMI study.
millets was the staple food, but now it has been replaced by subsidised rice,” explains Dr A Laxmaiah, Scientist G and head of Public Health Nutrition Division, ICMR-NIN, one of the writers of the global BMI study.
The researchers studied BMI of more
than 112 million adults across urban and rural areas of 200 countries,
involving a network of more than 1,000 researchers across the globe. It was
found that from 1985 to 2017, BMI rose by an average of 2.0 kg/m2 in women and
2.2 kg/m2 in men globally, equivalent to each person becoming 5-6 kg heavier.
People are consuming low quality
calories that do not have nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables nuts,
milk etc. “This has become a major driver of obesity, stunting and anaemia.
This is the right time to focus on nutrition security as well to halt the
increasing disease burden in India,” said Dr R Hemalatha, Director, ICMR-NIN.
The study said rural areas have
seen shifts towards higher incomes, better infrastructure, more mechanised
agriculture, all of which bring numerous health benefits, but also lead to
lower energy expenditure and more spending on low-quality processed food.
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A plant hormone that speeds root
growth could be a new agricultural tool
Credit: CC0 Public Domain
A molecule sold as a food
additive has an underground role, too: helping roots grow faster.
When added to soil, the molecule, called beta-cyclocitral, speeds root growth in rice and tomato plants, scientists report May 8, 2019, in the journal Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences. It also makes rice plants resistant to
salty soil, which usually turns plants sickly and stunted. The molecule, a
hormone found naturally in plants, could be a useful tool for farmers seeking
healthier and more drought-resistant crops.
For centuries, plants have been
bred for vigorous foliage and other easily visible traits. Because roots are
hidden underground, "they've been largely ignored," says developmental
biologist Philip Benfey, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Duke
University.
And yet, roots make up half the
plant, points out coauthor Jazz Dickinson, also at Duke. She and Benfey wanted
to find plant hormones that affected root development. Their previous research
had hinted that some molecule chemically related to carotenoids – the pigments
that give carrots their vibrant orange hue – might be important. But the
researchers weren't sure exactly which one, Dickinson says.
These racing roots
show the effects of beta-cyclocitrical, a plant hormone that boosts root
growth. The rice plants on the left are growing in a gel that contains the
hormone, but the ones on the right aren’t getting any help. Credit: Benfey
Lab/Duke University/Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Many of these carotenoid
relatives have been repurposed and are available commercially as food additives
or dietary supplements. Dickinson rounded up about 20 and tested their effects
on a common lab plant, Arabidopsis. She added each compound to the clear agar
gel in which the plants were growing – a setup that let her easily see the
roots – and monitored what happened over 10 days.
"Beta-cyclocitral stood
out," she says. It made the roots grow faster and also branch out more.
And it had the same effect in rice and tomato plants, follow-up tests showed.
In rice plants, the team noticed
an even more striking effect: the plants could also withstand salty soil.
Irrigation of farm fields can make soil saltier, especially near the top. The
team mimicked those conditions in the lab, and then watched how rice plants
grew. "Untreated rice plants were very unhappy with that level of
salt," Benfey says. But with beta-cyclocitral added, the plants didn't
seem perturbed.
It's possible that the compound
helped the roots push down through the salty topsoil to reach the deeper,
less-salty soil more quickly, Dickinson proposes.
The researchers hope that
beta-cyclocitral will be useful agriculturally, either added to soil or sprayed
onto crops. And since the molecule worked in both rice and tomatoes – two very
different plants – it may boost root growth in crops more broadly.
Basmati body calls for boosting rice exports to $5b
Published: May 11, 2019
0SHARES
Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan former chairman Chaudhry Masood Iqbal emphasised that the government
should introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring better rice productivity
and pest resistance. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: Improving water productivity in the rice
ecosystem is inevitable for sustainable rice production and boosting rice
exports of Pakistan from the current $2 billion to $5 billion, said Pakistan
Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) Director Sheikh Adnan Aslam.
He was speaking at the Khushal Kissan
seminar arranged by the association for the promotion and preservation of
basmati rice heritage of Pakistan.
Citing that PBHA was aimed at mitigating
challenges to Basmati rice production, he lamented that Pakistan faced a
looming water crisis and stressed the need for improving water productivity in
rice fields. He shared the PBHA’s action plan for the promotion and
preservation of Basmati rice for export.
Punjab Seed Corporation Director Malik
Imtiaz, who was present in the seminar, advised farmers to use certified seeds
every year which would served as a foundation for increasing the yield and
quality of Basmati rice. He appreciated the initiative of PBHA for providing
healthy and certified seeds at subsidised rates to the farmers.
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan
former chairman Chaudhry Masood Iqbal emphasised that the government should
introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring rice productivity and pest
resistance. Praising PBHA’s mission, he termed it the ‘ray of light’ for the
rice sector in Pakistan.
PBHA Coordinator Imran Sheikh elaborated the
PBHA’s mission and advised Basmati rice farmers to adopt global rice standards
of the Sustainable Rice Platform convened by the International Rice Research
Institute for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability by ensuring food
safety.
Fauji Fertiliser Senior Manager and Head of
Advisory Services Rao Muhammad Tariq shared his views about balanced use of
fertilisers and the importance of potash and micronutrients in boosting rice
productivity, quality and profitability.
Engro Fertilisers Manager North Naeem Farukh
emphasied the balanced use of fertilisers through 4R Principles (right type,
right dose, right place and right time).
On-Farm Water Management Deputy Director
Tariq Maqbool briefed the participants regarding dwindling water resources of
Pakistan and underlined the importance of precision land levelling for
improving water efficiency, yield and income.
Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku
Research Officer and Weed Scientist Dr Tahir Hussain Awan shared his experience
of direct seeding and introduced a set of new technology for weed management.
Published in The Express
Tribune, May 11th, 2019.
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on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in
the conversation.
KUFOS scientists identify new
fish
DECCAN CHRONICLE.
PublishedMay 11, 2019, 1:31 am IST
UpdatedMay 11, 2019, 1:31 am IST
Ajeer, fish hobbyist, stumbled upon this interesting
fish on his rice field near Vengara in Malappuram District of Kerala.
Aenigmachanna gollum
Kochi: A research team of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean
Studies (KUFOS) along with British scientists have found a new species of
'snakehead fish' in the subterranean waters of Kerala. The scientific paper
reporting the finding, made by Dr. Rajeev Raghavan, assistant professor at the
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Kufos, and V.K. Anoop, a
research student under him, will be published in the international animal
taxonomy journal Zootaxa, published form Auckland.
The fish has been named
Aenigmachanna gollum (Gollum Snakehead- common name) after 'Gollum', a
character from the 'The Lord of the Rings', a creature that changed its morphological
features. The new fish has been identified as new genus of the snakehead family
Channidae (which is currently represented by two other genera, Channa in Asia,
and Parachanna in Africa).
Snakehead fishes (varaal - in
Malayalam) of the family Channidae are predatory freshwater fish comprising 50
valid species, many of which are important edible fishes. Although readily
recognised as a member of the family Channidae, the new species shows several
morphological features that are highly unusual or even unique in comparison to
its closest relatives. Aenigmachanna gollum also represents the first species
of snakehead to be recorded from subterranean waters.
Ajeer, fish hobbyist, stumbled
upon this interesting fish on his rice field near Vengara in Malappuram
District of Kerala. "The fish had a strikingly distinct morphology from
any other species found in India, and the fact that it represented a new
species was evident from the moment I saw the specimens" said Mr Anoop, a
co-author of the paper.
Three homers lift USM over Rice
Three
homers lift USM over Rice
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) - Three
home runs and another solid pitching performance by Walker Powell lifted
Southern Miss to a 6-3 win at Rice on Friday.
The Golden Eagles (32-15 overall,
19-6 C-USA) stay one game ahead of FAU atop the Conference USA standings with
five conference games left.
Powell struck out five, gave up
just two runs and seven hits in seven innings.
Matt Wallner, Gabe Montenegro and
Danny Lynch all left the yard – marking freshman Lynch’s first career homer.
Wallner recorded his 50th career home run, tying Jeff Cook for second on USM’s
all-time list. Marc Maddox holds the record with 53.
Game two between the Owls and
Eagles is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
Basmati body calls for boosting rice exports to $5b
Published: May 11, 2019
Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan former chairman Chaudhry Masood Iqbal emphasised that the government
should introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring better rice productivity
and pest resistance. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: Improving water productivity in the rice
ecosystem is inevitable for sustainable rice production and boosting rice
exports of Pakistan from the current $2 billion to $5 billion, said Pakistan
Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) Director Sheikh Adnan Aslam.
He was speaking at the Khushal Kissan
seminar arranged by the association for the promotion and preservation of
basmati rice heritage of Pakistan.
Citing that PBHA was aimed at mitigating
challenges to Basmati rice production, he lamented that Pakistan faced a
looming water crisis and stressed the need for improving water productivity in
rice fields. He shared the PBHA’s action plan for the promotion and
preservation of Basmati rice for export.
Punjab Seed Corporation Director Malik
Imtiaz, who was present in the seminar, advised farmers to use certified seeds
every year which would served as a foundation for increasing the yield and
quality of Basmati rice. He appreciated the initiative of PBHA for providing
healthy and certified seeds at subsidised rates to the farmers.
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan
former chairman Chaudhry Masood Iqbal emphasised that the government should
introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring rice productivity and pest
resistance. Praising PBHA’s mission, he termed it the ‘ray of light’ for the
rice sector in Pakistan.
PBHA Coordinator Imran Sheikh elaborated the
PBHA’s mission and advised Basmati rice farmers to adopt global rice standards
of the Sustainable Rice Platform convened by the International Rice Research
Institute for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability by ensuring food
safety.
Fauji Fertiliser Senior Manager and Head of
Advisory Services Rao Muhammad Tariq shared his views about balanced use of
fertilisers and the importance of potash and micronutrients in boosting rice
productivity, quality and profitability.
Engro Fertilisers Manager North Naeem Farukh
emphasied the balanced use of fertilisers through 4R Principles (right type,
right dose, right place and right time).
On-Farm Water Management Deputy Director
Tariq Maqbool briefed the participants regarding dwindling water resources of
Pakistan and underlined the importance of precision land levelling for
improving water efficiency, yield and income.
Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku
Research Officer and Weed Scientist Dr Tahir Hussain Awan shared his experience
of direct seeding and introduced a set of new technology for weed management.
Published in The Express
Tribune, May 11th, 2019.
Water efficiency essential for sustainable rice production: PBHA
director
MAY 11, 2019
Improving water efficiency is essential for sustainable rice
production and boosting rice exports of Pakistan from the current US$2 billion
to US$5 billion, according to the Director of Pakistan Basmati Heritage
Association (PBHA). Sheikh Adnan Aslam was speaking at ‘Khushal Kissan’ seminar
arranged by the Association for promotion and preservation of basmati rice
heritage of Pakistan. Hundreds of rice farmers and key members of PBHA
including Chaudary Muhammad Shahzad & Raja Arsalan attended the event.
Sheikh Adnan Aslam while addressing the rice farmers shared the
mission & objectives of Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) for mitigating
challenges of Basmati Rice production and action plan for promotion and
preservation of Basmati rice in production and export. He said our country was
facing a looming water crisis and improving water productivity in rice
ecosystem is inevitable.
Punjab Seed Corporation Director Malik Imtiaz advised the
farmers that use of certified seed every year will serve as the foundation for
increasing yield and quality of Basmati rice. He appreciated the initiative of
PBHA for providing healthy and certified seed on the subsidized rate to the
farmers.Chaudhry Masood Iqbal Ex-Chairman REAP emphasized that the Government
should introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring rice productivity and pest
resistance. Praising PBHA mission, he termed it light a ray for the rice sector
of Pakistan.
Imran Sheikh Coordinator PBHA highlighted the mission of PBHA
and advised the basmati rice farmers to adopt global rice standard of
Sustainable Rice Platform convened by UNE & IRRI for promoting resource
efficiency and sustainability by ensuring food safety.
Rao Muhammad Tariq Senior Manager & Head Advisory Services
FFC shared his views about balance use of fertilizers and importance of potash
& micronutrients in boosting rice productivity, quality and profitability.
Naeem Farukh Zonal Manager North Engro Fertilizers highlighted the balanced use
of fertilizers by following 4R Principles (right type, right dose, right place
& right time).
Tariq Maqbool, Deputy Director On-Farm Water Management briefed
the participants regarding dwindling water resources of Pakistan and
highlighted the importance of precision land leveling for improving water
efficiency, yield & income. Dr. Tahir Hussain Awan Rice Research Institute
KSK shared his experience about Direct Seeding Rice and shared the set of new
technology for weed management in DSR.
ak food,
textile products have huge market in Saudi Arabia: Envoy
May 11, 2019
ISLAMABAD - Ambassador of
Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz has said that Pakistani food and textile
products have a huge market in Saudi Arabia. According to a news report published
in Saudi Gazette on Friday, the ambassador said, “We are encouraging our
exporters to take advantage of this market.” In a meeting with Jeddah-based
Pakistani journalists, he said that a recent visit of a delegation of Rice
Exporters Association of Pakistan has enabled our rice exporters to expand
their reach in Saudi Arabia.
Responding to a question regarding the problems
being faced by Pakistani workers in some companies, the ambassador said that
he was personally in contact with the heads of these companies and assured that
the interest of Pakistani workers will be safeguarded. Answering another query
on labor requirement in the Kingdom, he said that Saudi Arabia is a fast
growing economy and its need for labor has not decreased. He said the country
has diversified its labor requirement from unskilled to skilled labor, adding
“We need to send more qualified and skilled worker to Saudi Arabia”. The
Ambassador said that the transfer of prisoner agreement with the Saudi
government is in process and we hope that it will be finalized soon.
TDAP advocates trade agreements
KARACHI: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has
recommended the government to negotiate preferential trade agreements (PTA)
with growing African economies, which offer huge trade potential.
The authority in a report said African markets offered easy entry
and tariff, which can be capitalised through joint working groups and participation
in trade fairs.
The report also notes that Tanzania, the fastest growing African
economy, is a lucrative market to conduct trade for Pakistan. Dar Es Salaam
port serves six landlocked countries, including Malawi, Zambia, Burundi,
Rwanda, Uganda and Eastern DRC, and it can be an strategic destination for
transshipments.
Total trade volume of Africa is around $1 trillion, but Pakistan's
total trade with Africa hovers around $3 billion. TDAP advocates incentives to
private sector for organising exhibitions in African countries to introduce
more Pakistani products in the region.
Pakistan's exports to Africa are confined to a few products,
including rice, pharmaceuticals, cement, textiles, surgical and sports goods.
An official said new commercial sections should be opened in
Africa and Pakistan should offer PTAs / FTAs on bilateral basis and with
African trading blocks to promote its trade and exports. Moreover, local trade
development officers should be appointed in African countries where resident missions
were not stationed.
The official said bilateral trade with Africa could be doubled
from the existing $3 billion to $6 billion in the next five years.
Improving
water productivity vital for sustainable rice production
OUR STAFF REPORT
May 11, 2019
LAHORE - Improving
water productivity is vital for sustainable rice production and boosting rice
exports from the current $2 billion to $5 billion. Pakistan Basmati Heritage
Association (PBHA) Director Sheikh Adnan Aslam made these remarks at ‘Khushal
Kissan’ seminar. Rice farmers from Jhang district and key members of PBHA
including Ch Muhammad Shahzad & Raja Arsalan attended the event.
Sheikh Adnan Aslam shared the mission &
objectives of PBHA for meeting challenges and action plan for promotion and
preservation of basmati rice in production and export. He said the country was
facing a looming water crisis.Director Punjab Seed Corporation Malik Imtiaz
advised the farmers to use certified seed for increasing yield and quality of
rice. He appreciated the initiative of PBHA for providing healthy and certified
seed on subsidized rate to the farmers.
Former Chairman REAP Ch Masood Iqbal urged the
government to introduce new basmati varieties for ensuring productivity and pest
resistance. Praising PBHA mission, he termed it a ray of hope for the rice
sector. Coordinator PBHA Imran Sheikh advised the farmers to adopt global rice
standard of sustainable rice platform convened by UNE & IRRI for promoting
resource efficiency and sustainability.
Senior Manager & Head Advisory Services FFC
Rao Muhammad Tariq shared his views about balanced use of fertilizers and the
importance of potash & micronutrients in boosting rice productivity,
quality and profitability. Zonal Manager North Engro Fertilizers Naeem Farukh
highlighted the balanced use of fertilizers by following 4R principles (right
type, right dose, right place & right time). Deputy Director On-Farm Water
Management Tariq Maqbool briefed the participants about dwindling water resources
and highlighted the importance of precision land leveling for improving water
efficiency, yield & income.
https://nation.com.pk/11-May-2019/improving-water-productivity-vital-for-sustainable-rice-production
Fariha Naqvi-Mohamed: What Ramadan means to
practising Muslims around the world
Fasting for 30 days teaches us how
little we need. It is an excellent opportunity to practise self-discipline while
being charitable toward others.
Updated: May 10, 2019
Muslims celebrate the end of
Ramadan with a prayer service in Edmonton in this file photo from a previous
year.
The month of Ramadan started
earlier this week.
It is an incredible time of year
for those of us who observe it: a time of fasting, gathering as a community and
giving charity. With our current political climate, I have had enough of others
talking about Muslims or for Muslims, so as a Muslim who proudly honours my
faith, I figured I would seize the opportunity to take the proverbial mic.
While the fasts may be long, my patience is short when it comes to being spoken
for or being told what my faith preaches.
Muslims follow a lunar calendar
that moves ahead by about 10 days every year. It also means that while Ramadan
was in the winter months when I was in school, it is in the summer now. At this
time of year in Canada, the fasts — no eating or drinking, no smoking and, yes,
not even water — are about 18 hours long.
While this may sound extreme, the
fast is intended for those who are in good health. It excludes pregnant or nursing
women, the elderly, children; and for women of a certain age, there will be a
few days a month when they will be exempt from fasting. It’s a deeply personal
thing. So if you see a visibly Muslim person eating during Ramadan, that does
not necessarily mean they are in violation of religious rules. In any case, it
is their decision.
Ramadan is also a time to empathize with those less fortunate
than ourselves. When you feel hunger and thirst, it makes empathy that much
more real.
Growing up, the Iftar (meal to
break the fast) would be filled with a spicy fruit salad (South Asians can find
a way to make just about anything spicy), homemade spring rolls, crispy beef
samosas, spicy chickpeas, a plethora of vegetable pakoras (think thinly sliced
vegetables coated in a light and spicy batter) and a variety of chutneys. Next,
we would participate in the evening prayer, then return to the table for a
smaller meal typically consisting of curries, salad, freshly made roti and
fragrant, fluffy basmati rice.
After a day of fasting, we’d look
forward to the meal and to gathering together as a family. But not everyone has
a meal or family gathering to look forward to. Ramadan is also a time to
empathize with those less fortunate than ourselves. When you feel hunger and
thirst, it makes empathy that much more real.
Fasting for 30 days also teaches us
how little we need. It is an excellent opportunity to practise self-discipline
while being charitable toward others. For those who choose to practise their
faith, it is a beautiful time of year. If you celebrate Christmas, think about
the feeling you get on Christmas Eve: the excitement, the happiness, the joy.
That’s what Ramadan is like. Thirty days of that feeling.
Muslims live in every part of the world,
so there are no traditional Ramadan foods; there are foods familiar to
different regions. As the Canadian-born child of South Asian parents, I enjoy a
good curry, but our go-to meals usually consist of grilled meats and veggies,
hummus and a big salad. I’ve learned over the years that consuming yoghurt is
an excellent way to stay hydrated. In the summer months, we have an
Iftar-becue.
There are so many amazing
traditions centred on charity, community and family in the holy month of
Ramadan and the Islamic faith. I wish that those who are afraid of Muslims or
feel that we are somehow a problem would take the time to learn more about us.
Living together in harmony is about
celebrating our differences and appreciating the shared values that are at the
root of the different practices and traditions we hold dear.
Fariha Naqvi-Mohamed is the founder and editor in chief of CanadianMomEh.com, a
lifestyle blog. Twitter.com/canadianmomeh
Agri, processed food exports
up 7% in FY19
Overall
agri and processed food exports rose to Rs 1.28 lakh crore in financial year
2019 from Rs 1.20 lakh crore in the 2017-18 fiscal.
By
, ET Bureau|
May 11, 2019, 07.49 AM IST
0Comments
Agencies
While
exports of Basmati rice grew, there was a steep decline in the export value of
non-Basmati rice.
NEW DELHI:
India exported 7% more agricultural and processed food products in value terms in the just
concluded fiscal year, driven by doubledigit increases in dairy products and
pulses, although there was muted growth in wheat and non-Basmati rice shipped
out of the country.
Overall agri and processed food exports rose to Rs 1.28 lakh crore in financial year 2019 from Rs 1.20 lakh crore in the 2017-18 fiscal, according to data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the nodal agency for promotion of food exports.
Dairy products saw a 72% increase to Rs 3,376 crore from Rs 1,955 crore, while pulses went up a little over 22% to Rs 1,795 crore from Rs 1,470 crore. “The growth in pulses exports was due to back-to-back bumper crop-…but this year, there will be a drop in pulses exports as there is considerable dip in production due to droughtlike conditions in Maharashtra and Gujarat,” said an agriculture department official.
While exports of Basmati rice grew, there was a steep decline in the export value of non-Basmati rice and wheat. Export of Basmati rice rose to Rs 32,806 crore from Rs 26,871 crore in 2017-18, but that of the non-Basmati varieties slipped to Rs 20,903 crore from Rs 23,437 crore.
Wheat exports dropped to Rs 369 crore from Rs 624 crore. A glut in global wheat production made prices of Indian wheat uncompetitive. “Wheat from Russia and Brazil was traded more in global platforms due to their low cost. Indian surwheat took a beating as it is more remunerative to sell in local markets,” said an APEDA official.
The sector is, however, eyeing overall growth in farm exports following the introduction of a new agriculture export policy in December. The policy recommends diversification of the exports basket, and seeks to boost high-value and value-added agricultural exports, including perishables.
“The share of high-value and valueadded products is less than 15%, compared to 25% in the US and 49% in China. The focus is now on exporting processed food products, which can fetch high value in global markets,” the agriculture department official said.
India is also looking at promoting exports of organic products, which grew 39% in 2017-18. State governments should align their organic production programme with products that have export potential, an official said.
Overall agri and processed food exports rose to Rs 1.28 lakh crore in financial year 2019 from Rs 1.20 lakh crore in the 2017-18 fiscal, according to data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the nodal agency for promotion of food exports.
Dairy products saw a 72% increase to Rs 3,376 crore from Rs 1,955 crore, while pulses went up a little over 22% to Rs 1,795 crore from Rs 1,470 crore. “The growth in pulses exports was due to back-to-back bumper crop-…but this year, there will be a drop in pulses exports as there is considerable dip in production due to droughtlike conditions in Maharashtra and Gujarat,” said an agriculture department official.
While exports of Basmati rice grew, there was a steep decline in the export value of non-Basmati rice and wheat. Export of Basmati rice rose to Rs 32,806 crore from Rs 26,871 crore in 2017-18, but that of the non-Basmati varieties slipped to Rs 20,903 crore from Rs 23,437 crore.
Wheat exports dropped to Rs 369 crore from Rs 624 crore. A glut in global wheat production made prices of Indian wheat uncompetitive. “Wheat from Russia and Brazil was traded more in global platforms due to their low cost. Indian surwheat took a beating as it is more remunerative to sell in local markets,” said an APEDA official.
The sector is, however, eyeing overall growth in farm exports following the introduction of a new agriculture export policy in December. The policy recommends diversification of the exports basket, and seeks to boost high-value and value-added agricultural exports, including perishables.
“The share of high-value and valueadded products is less than 15%, compared to 25% in the US and 49% in China. The focus is now on exporting processed food products, which can fetch high value in global markets,” the agriculture department official said.
India is also looking at promoting exports of organic products, which grew 39% in 2017-18. State governments should align their organic production programme with products that have export potential, an official said.
