Interview: Pakistan should seize opportunity to
learn from China's scientific advancement: Pakistani scientist
Source:
Xinhua| 2020-01-08 15:45:31|Editor: huaxia
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan should send graduate and
post-graduate students to study applied science at Chinese universities to
acquire scientific knowledge and learn from the research China has done over
the years, acclaimed Pakistani scientist Atta-ur-Rahman said.
China is an emerging power and it has already become one of the
world's leading countries in some fields of science like nanotechnology and
artificial intelligence. Pakistan's good relations with China provide it a
golden opportunity to send its aspiring students to learn science at Chinese
universities to get equipped with modern scientific knowledge.
"When the students return to Pakistan after completing
advanced learning in China, Pakistan can get benefit from their expertise by
hiring them at significant posts in colleges, universities and
laboratories," the professor at the International Center for Chemical and
Biological Sciences (ICCBS) of the University of Karachi told Xinhua.
"It will not only provide the scientists a platform to
conduct further research, but also give them a chance to teach advanced
sciences to other students, and the whole process will gradually set the base
of scientific studies on modern grounds in the country," Rahman added.
"I always suggest that Pakistan should start taking benefit
from China right now so that Pakistani students and researchers can grow with
China in the field of science."
An alumnus of King's College of Britain's University of
Cambridge from where he received his PhD in organic chemistry in 1968, Rahman
has won lots of awards in Pakistan including the highest national award
Nishan-e-Imtiaz for his services to the country in the field of science, apart
from a number of other international awards.
He is expected to receive the China International Science and
Technology Cooperation Award in January for contributions he has made to China.
Rahman considers it a great honor to be selected to receive the prestigious
award from the Chinese government and credits the research on traditional
Chinese medicine and in other fields, which he did with Chinese scientists and
companies, for his selection for the award.
"I also have a number of international co-publications with
Chinese scientists. Many Chinese scientists and pharmaceutical companies have
visited Pakistan to conduct research in the ICCBS. By all these research and
publications, I have made a small effort to promote Chinese science in the
world."
The professor is also the head of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran
Khan's task force on science and technology. The task force is aimed at making
the country standout in the world in "specific and targeted fields."
"Initially we have identified five areas including
education, agriculture, minerals, information technology, and linkages of
innovation with society which will focus on engineering and emerging sciences.
Two new universities are also being established to give education of applied
science."
Development budget of the country's science and technology has
increased six-fold this year to encourage innovation, he said, adding that one
of the main focuses of the Pakistani government is to change the direction of
the country's economy from agricultural economy to knowledge and science
economy.
"China will be a great help for Pakistan to achieve the
target and for that purpose we are forming 20 centers of excellence in various
universities of the country with the help of China," the professor said.
These centers will include artificial intelligence in health sciences, hybrid
seed production, virology, nanotechnology, railways engineering, agricultural
food processing, mineral extraction and processing among others.
Many top Chinese institutes and universities including Shenzhen
Institutes of Advanced Technology, China National Rice Research Institute and
Wuhan Institute of Virology among others will cooperate with Pakistan to make
these centers of excellence a success story, he added.
"I have a long and cordial association with China, and
these centers of excellence will form linkages of young Pakistani scientists
with China too, and they will act as an engine of scientific advancement for
Pakistan by learning from China."
Sharing his vision regarding the potential of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) in development of science and technology in the
country, the professor said that Pakistan should form joint industrial ventures
in high-tech manufacturing with China to benefit from Chinese technological
advancement and the Pakistani government is also working towards that direction
in special economic zones.
China won’t adjust global quota on wheat, corn and
rice for US trade deal
-
Jan 07, 03:59 GMT
China’s Vice Agriculture Minister
Han Jun told Caixin media that the country is not going to adjust
overall annual quota for the three staple food despite the US-China trade deal
phase one. The annual quotas are 9.64 million tonnes for wheat, 7.2 million
tonnes for corn and 5.32 million tonnes for rice.
“This is a global quota. We will
not adjust for one country,” Han said. “China imports wheat, corn and rice from
the international market, mainly to moderate the domestic surplus”. Han’s
comments were in line with some expectations that China has to cut imports from
other markets to accommodate the agreed increase in US agricultural products.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He has
scheduled to travel to Washington from January 13 to 15, to sign the phase one
trade deal with the US.
Rice Prices
as on :
07-01-2020 04:22:30 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in
Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Bangalore(Kar)
|
3204.00
|
-
|
61030.00
|
4350
|
-
|
1.16
|
|
Siliguri(WB)
|
2667.00
|
-
|
2667.00
|
3800
|
-
|
-
|
|
Sultanpur(UP)
|
450.00
|
-
|
3070.00
|
2375
|
-
|
0.21
|
|
Shahjahanpur(UP)
|
310.00
|
-
|
1125.00
|
2735
|
-
|
16.38
|
|
Manjeri(Ker)
|
290.00
|
-
|
4350.00
|
3500
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Hardoi(UP)
|
260.00
|
-
|
4640.00
|
2440
|
-
|
8.93
|
|
Sehjanwa(UP)
|
250.00
|
NC
|
975.00
|
2490
|
2480
|
15.28
|
|
Gondal(UP)
|
154.00
|
-
|
2376.50
|
2440
|
-
|
-3.17
|
|
Bindki(UP)
|
150.00
|
-
|
3319.00
|
2390
|
-
|
-
|
|
Kanpur(Grain)(UP)
|
130.00
|
-
|
2330.00
|
2325
|
-
|
9.41
|
|
Mainpuri(UP)
|
128.00
|
-
|
2094.50
|
2525
|
-
|
-7.17
|
|
Pilibhit(UP)
|
113.00
|
-
|
45703.00
|
2570
|
-
|
10.54
|
|
Azamgarh(UP)
|
105.00
|
-
|
1099.00
|
2450
|
-
|
9.38
|
|
Bharthna(UP)
|
100.00
|
-
|
1748.00
|
2580
|
-
|
10.26
|
|
Barhaj(UP)
|
100.00
|
-
|
4510.00
|
2420
|
-
|
5.22
|
|
Lucknow(UP)
|
98.00
|
-
|
1847.00
|
2575
|
-
|
10.52
|
|
Ballia(UP)
|
90.00
|
-
|
1015.00
|
2360
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Choubepur(UP)
|
88.00
|
-
|
506.65
|
2400
|
-
|
-6.80
|
|
Agra(UP)
|
87.00
|
-
|
1702.00
|
2530
|
-
|
0.40
|
|
Barabanki(UP)
|
85.00
|
-
|
359.00
|
2400
|
-
|
-
|
|
Aligarh(UP)
|
80.00
|
-
|
1615.00
|
2550
|
-
|
2.00
|
|
Muzzafarnagar(UP)
|
75.00
|
-
|
2731.00
|
2700
|
-
|
-2.53
|
|
Thodupuzha(Ker)
|
70.00
|
-
|
1190.00
|
2900
|
-
|
-3.33
|
|
Mathura(UP)
|
66.00
|
-
|
1204.00
|
2580
|
-
|
-9.79
|
|
Allahabad(UP)
|
65.00
|
-
|
840.50
|
2550
|
-
|
10.87
|
|
Bahraich(UP)
|
63.50
|
-
|
344.80
|
2450
|
-
|
3.81
|
|
Fatehpur(UP)
|
61.90
|
-
|
859.10
|
2375
|
-
|
4.63
|
|
Gazipur(UP)
|
55.00
|
-1.79
|
1250.00
|
3130
|
3130
|
6.10
|
|
Madhoganj(UP)
|
55.00
|
-
|
1823.00
|
2330
|
-
|
14.78
|
|
Kalna(WB)
|
51.50
|
-
|
683.50
|
2300
|
-
|
-23.33
|
|
Kicchha(Utr)
|
50.70
|
-
|
369.90
|
2200
|
-
|
-
|
|
Etawah(UP)
|
50.00
|
-
|
1727.50
|
2575
|
-
|
10.28
|
|
Hapur(UP)
|
50.00
|
-
|
110.00
|
2750
|
-
|
-0.72
|
|
Sahiyapur(UP)
|
50.00
|
-20.63
|
1142.00
|
2530
|
2530
|
13.20
|
|
Kayamganj(UP)
|
50.00
|
-
|
912.00
|
2760
|
-
|
11.74
|
|
Jayas(UP)
|
47.00
|
-
|
448.00
|
1950
|
-
|
-2.50
|
|
Beldanga(WB)
|
45.00
|
12.5
|
575.00
|
2650
|
2650
|
NC
|
|
Kandi(WB)
|
45.00
|
NC
|
450.00
|
2610
|
2610
|
6.53
|
|
Saharanpur(UP)
|
44.00
|
-
|
1064.00
|
2700
|
-
|
-2.35
|
|
Bareilly(UP)
|
43.00
|
-
|
841.00
|
2580
|
-
|
10.26
|
|
Islampur(WB)
|
40.00
|
-
|
444.00
|
3450
|
-
|
-
|
|
Bankura Sadar(WB)
|
38.00
|
-5
|
954.00
|
2600
|
2600
|
-
|
|
Faizabad(UP)
|
37.50
|
-
|
338.50
|
2360
|
-
|
6.07
|
|
Vasai(Mah)
|
36.00
|
-
|
738.00
|
3460
|
-
|
2.22
|
|
Lalitpur(UP)
|
36.00
|
-
|
721.50
|
2450
|
-
|
-7.20
|
|
Raiganj(WB)
|
35.00
|
-
|
353.00
|
3350
|
-
|
-
|
|
Bhivandi(Mah)
|
32.00
|
-
|
605.00
|
1950
|
-
|
-40.91
|
|
Atarra(UP)
|
30.00
|
-
|
346.50
|
2200
|
-
|
-
|
|
Basti(UP)
|
30.00
|
-
|
521.50
|
2520
|
-
|
13.77
|
|
Khalilabad(UP)
|
30.00
|
-14.29
|
470.00
|
2550
|
2525
|
-
|
|
Lakhimpur(UP)
|
30.00
|
-
|
808.00
|
2400
|
-
|
6.67
|
|
Kopaganj(UP)
|
29.00
|
-
|
515.00
|
2455
|
-
|
10.84
|
|
Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP)
|
29.00
|
-
|
359.00
|
2740
|
-
|
9.60
|
|
Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB)
|
26.80
|
-
|
285.40
|
4000
|
-
|
33.33
|
|
Jaunpur(UP)
|
26.50
|
-
|
478.50
|
2345
|
-
|
1.52
|
|
Puranpur(UP)
|
26.00
|
-
|
1318.50
|
2540
|
-
|
35.83
|
|
Pratapgarh(UP)
|
25.50
|
-
|
175.00
|
2460
|
-
|
-
|
|
Badayoun(UP)
|
25.00
|
66.67
|
488.50
|
2620
|
2625
|
11.02
|
|
Raibareilly(UP)
|
25.00
|
-
|
731.00
|
2400
|
-
|
11.11
|
|
Sitapur(UP)
|
25.00
|
-
|
478.50
|
2450
|
-
|
8.89
|
|
Dadri(UP)
|
25.00
|
-
|
700.00
|
2850
|
-
|
2.52
|
|
Mangalore(Kar)
|
24.00
|
-
|
143.00
|
3700
|
-
|
-
|
|
Jhijhank(UP)
|
24.00
|
-
|
74.00
|
2260
|
-
|
-
|
|
Shamli(UP)
|
22.00
|
-
|
239.50
|
2700
|
-
|
-
|
|
Arasikere(Kar)
|
20.00
|
-
|
20.00
|
2000
|
-
|
-
|
|
Falakata(WB)
|
20.00
|
-
|
320.00
|
2600
|
-
|
-1.89
|
|
Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB)
|
20.00
|
-16.67
|
622.00
|
2800
|
2800
|
1.82
|
|
Durgapur(WB)
|
19.40
|
2.11
|
354.25
|
2720
|
2720
|
-
|
|
Asansol(WB)
|
18.50
|
-2.63
|
393.69
|
2820
|
2820
|
-6.00
|
|
Farukhabad(UP)
|
18.00
|
-
|
455.00
|
2750
|
-
|
3.77
|
|
Shahganj(UP)
|
18.00
|
-
|
35.00
|
2430
|
-
|
-
|
|
Soharatgarh(UP)
|
17.00
|
-
|
1037.00
|
2520
|
-
|
12.00
|
|
Naanpara(UP)
|
17.00
|
-
|
342.90
|
2230
|
-
|
-3.04
|
|
Sirsaganj(UP)
|
16.50
|
-
|
286.50
|
2630
|
-
|
-4.71
|
|
Ghatal(WB)
|
16.00
|
-
|
205.00
|
2700
|
-
|
8.00
|
|
Devariya(UP)
|
15.00
|
-
|
351.00
|
2550
|
-
|
17.78
|
|
Medinipur(West)(WB)
|
15.00
|
-
|
33.00
|
3000
|
-
|
9.09
|
|
Robertsganj(UP)
|
14.00
|
-
|
85.60
|
2360
|
-
|
4.42
|
|
Chintamani(Kar)
|
13.00
|
-
|
248.00
|
2600
|
-
|
-
|
|
Fatehabad(UP)
|
12.50
|
-
|
104.30
|
2320
|
-
|
4.50
|
|
Auraiya(UP)
|
12.00
|
-
|
163.30
|
2580
|
-
|
19.44
|
|
Shikohabad(UP)
|
12.00
|
-
|
153.00
|
2250
|
-
|
-12.79
|
|
Shahabad(New Mandi)(UP)
|
12.00
|
-
|
12.00
|
2400
|
-
|
-
|
|
Rasda(UP)
|
12.00
|
-
|
39.00
|
233
|
-
|
16.50
|
|
Bethuadahari(WB)
|
12.00
|
-
|
50.50
|
3800
|
-
|
5.56
|
|
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
|
11.50
|
-
|
55.90
|
3000
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Bangarmau(UP)
|
11.00
|
-
|
118.10
|
2650
|
-
|
17.78
|
|
Karvi(UP)
|
11.00
|
37.5
|
254.00
|
2315
|
2330
|
5.23
|
|
Sheoraphuly(WB)
|
10.30
|
-
|
31.10
|
3100
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Partaval(UP)
|
10.00
|
-
|
270.50
|
2400
|
-
|
-
|
|
Kalyani(WB)
|
10.00
|
-
|
59.50
|
3400
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Dahod(Guj)
|
9.50
|
-
|
394.50
|
4100
|
-
|
-2.38
|
|
Tamkuhi Road(UP)
|
9.50
|
-24
|
236.30
|
2150
|
2150
|
NC
|
|
Ajuha(UP)
|
9.00
|
-
|
61.00
|
2525
|
-
|
-
|
|
Paliakala(UP)
|
8.50
|
-
|
136.50
|
2290
|
-
|
1.33
|
|
Kasganj(UP)
|
8.00
|
-
|
276.50
|
2560
|
-
|
4.92
|
|
Puwaha(UP)
|
8.00
|
-
|
108.70
|
2650
|
-
|
12.53
|
|
Lalganj(UP)
|
7.80
|
11.43
|
132.10
|
2000
|
2000
|
-
|
|
Safdarganj(UP)
|
7.00
|
-
|
331.00
|
2350
|
-
|
2.17
|
|
Nadia(WB)
|
7.00
|
-
|
150.00
|
3850
|
-
|
-6.10
|
|
Bharwari(UP)
|
6.60
|
-
|
6.60
|
2520
|
-
|
-
|
|
Khurja(UP)
|
6.00
|
-
|
154.70
|
2640
|
-
|
0.96
|
|
Badda(UP)
|
5.50
|
-
|
20.20
|
2650
|
-
|
-
|
|
Tundla(UP)
|
5.00
|
-
|
80.50
|
2565
|
-
|
0.98
|
|
Baberu(UP)
|
4.00
|
-
|
36.50
|
2280
|
-
|
6.05
|
|
Achalda(UP)
|
4.00
|
-
|
75.10
|
2550
|
-
|
15.38
|
|
Tulsipur(UP)
|
4.00
|
-
|
33.70
|
2425
|
-
|
-
|
|
Uluberia(WB)
|
3.60
|
-
|
14.10
|
2900
|
-
|
-
|
|
Kosikalan(UP)
|
3.50
|
-28.57
|
98.20
|
2500
|
2540
|
-5.30
|
|
Buland Shahr(UP)
|
3.50
|
-
|
82.50
|
2670
|
-
|
2.69
|
|
Jahangirabad(UP)
|
3.00
|
-
|
82.50
|
2500
|
-
|
-4.76
|
|
Khair(UP)
|
3.00
|
-
|
24.10
|
2550
|
-
|
1.19
|
|
Charra(UP)
|
2.80
|
-
|
36.60
|
2530
|
-
|
1.20
|
|
Ranaghat(WB)
|
2.80
|
-
|
37.10
|
3800
|
-
|
5.56
|
|
Fatehpur Sikri(UP)
|
2.60
|
-
|
21.90
|
2510
|
-
|
-1.38
|
|
Anandnagar(UP)
|
2.40
|
4.35
|
84.40
|
2560
|
2555
|
13.78
|
|
Muskara(UP)
|
1.60
|
-
|
25.50
|
2360
|
-
|
4.42
|
|
Gadaura(UP)
|
1.40
|
-65
|
152.10
|
2300
|
2400
|
9.52
|
|
Mawana(UP)
|
1.30
|
-
|
25.30
|
2670
|
-
|
-
|
|
Jasra(UP)
|
1.20
|
-
|
1.20
|
2650
|
-
|
-
|
|
Penugonda(Mah)
|
1.00
|
-
|
17.00
|
4090
|
-
|
0.25
|
|
Alibagh(Mah)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
40.00
|
4200
|
4200
|
-41.67
|
|
Murud(Mah)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
40.00
|
4200
|
4200
|
-41.67
|
|
Bilsi(UP)
|
1.00
|
-
|
3.40
|
2520
|
-
|
-
|
|
Ujhani(UP)
|
1.00
|
-
|
18.80
|
2600
|
-
|
15.04
|
|
Gurusarai(UP)
|
0.90
|
-
|
5.80
|
2500
|
-
|
8.70
|
|
Achnera(UP)
|
0.80
|
-
|
11.60
|
2550
|
-
|
NC
|
Published on January 07, 2020
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices
Open- January 7, 2020
JANUARY 7, 2020 / 2:27 PM /
* * * * * *
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-January 7, 2020 Nagpur,
Jan 7 (Reuters) – Gram prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Company (APMC) here on increased buying support from local millers
amid weak supply from producing region. Fresh hike on NCDEX, good recovery in
Madhya Pradesh gram prices and enquiries from South-based millers also boosted
prices, according to sources About 100 bags of gram reported for auction,
according to sources.
GRAM
* Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was
poor.
TUAR * Tuar gavarani reported down in open market here on lack of
demand from local
traders.
* Moong varieties reported strong in open market here on good
buying support
from local traders amid weak arrival from producing belt.
* In Akola, Tuar New – 5,200-5,400, Tuar dal (clean) – 8,100-8,300,
Udid Mogar (clean)
– 9,500-10,700, Moong Mogar (clean) 9,000-9,800, Gram –
4,200-4,300, Gram Super best
– 5,500-5,700 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a
narrow range in
scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading
activity.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100
kg
FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction 3,700-4,130 3,650-4,000
Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction n.a. 4,700-5,000
Moong Auction n.a. 3,950-4,200
Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction n.a. 2,200-2,500
Wheat Lokwan Auction 2,150-2,210 2,100-2,210
Wheat Sharbati Auction n.a. 2,900-3,000
Gram Super Best Bold 5,500-6,000 5,500-6,000
Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.
Gram Medium Best 5,000-5,300 5,000-5,300
Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a
Gram Mill Quality 4,500-4,600 4,500-4,600
Desi gram Raw 4,450-4,550 4,450-4,550
Gram Kabuli 8,500-10,000 8,500-10,000
Tuar Fataka Best-New 8,000-8,200 8,000-8,200
Tuar Fataka Medium-New 7,500-7,800 7,500-7,800
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 7,400-7,600 7,400-7,600
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 6,600-7,100 6,600-7,100
Tuar Gavarani New 5,300-5,400 5,300-5,400
Tuar Karnataka 5,550-5,600 5,550-5,600
Masoor dal best 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200
Masoor dal medium 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800
Masoor n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New) 9,500-10,200 9,200-9,700
Moong Mogar Medium 8,500-9,200 8,000-8,500
Moong dal Chilka New 8,000-9,200 7,500-8,500
Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best 8,500-9,500 8,500-9,500
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 10,000-11,000 10,000-11,000
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 8,500-9,500 8,500-9,500
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 7,200-7,700 7,200-7,700
Mot (100 INR/KG) 6,000-7,500 6,000-7,500
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 5,000-5,300 5,000-5,300
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 12,000-12,500 12,000-12,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,350-2,450 2,350-2,450
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,300 2,200-2,300
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,800 2,700-2,800
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,850 2,700-2,850
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,600
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,200 3,600-4,200
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,200 2,800-3,200
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500
Rice BPT best new (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,000-3,600
Rice BPT medium new(100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,000 2,700-3,000
Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,100 3,000-3,100
Rice Swarna best new (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,900 2,700-2,900
Rice Swarna medium new (100 INR/KG)2,400-2,600 2,400-2,600
Rice HMT best new (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200
Rice HMT medium new (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,000 3,800-4,000
Rice Shriram best new(100 INR/KG) 5,100-5,500 5,100-5,500
Rice Shriram med new (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,900 4,500-4,900
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,500-13,500 8,500-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500
Rice Chinnor best new 100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,000 5,600-6,000
Rice Chinnor medium new(100 INR/KG)5,300-5,500 5,300-5,500
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,350-2,550 2,350-2,550
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,050-2,250 2,050-2,250 WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 25.0 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 12.0 degree Celsius Rainfall :
Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rains or
thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature likely to be around 26 degree
Celsius and 14 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.—not available (For oils,
transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market
prices)
Indian basmati rice export to Iran suffers
amid crisis in West Asia
·
Following
the latest escalation in the Iran-United States conflict, India's 'basmati
rice' trade to Iran has come to a halt.
Iran,
the largest buyer of premium rice from India has witnessed setbacks. The
insurers are unable to provide cover to shipments. Iran is the largest buyer of
the premium rice from India, and the situation has arisen at the onset of the
procurement period by the West Asian country.
In
this volatile situation, payments for any shipments will also be delayed by
several months.
The
All India Rice Exporters Association President Nathi Ram Gupta said that the
payments were delayed by five months last year and that exporters are no longer
willing to take risks. About Rs 900 crore worth of payments is still pending
from the rice that was exported until June 2019.
The
basmati rice from India is part of the stape cereal food in Iran. Between
2018-2019, Iran had imported 1.48 million tonnes of basmati rice from India.
But in the current year, exporters are circumspect over the delay in payments.
Some
of the global basmati buyers other than Iran have increased their purchase this
season, as they had anticipated volatility in prices in the coming months.
Watch: Oil
prices top $70 a barrel amid West Asia conflict
The
rising hostilities in the US-Iran relations have dampened the scope of a
revival in basmati trade.
The
fears of oil supply disruption also led to possibilities of pressures
after US President Donald Trump threatened sanctions on Iraq, the
second-largest producer among the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC). Irani parliament voted in favour of expelling the US and
foreign troops.
A
day earlier, Iran said it no longer considers itself bound by the 2015 nuclear
deal negotiated with the United States and other world powers in the fallout
from the killing of General Qasim Soleimani.
(With inputs from ANI)
Nudge didn’t work, agriculture
ministry now has a plan to force paddy farmers to diversify
Plan for paddy states with severely depleted groundwater levels is part
of 5-yr vision document that agriculture ministry will present before PM Modi
this week.
A
file photo of villagers walking down rice fields (Representational image) |
Commons
Text Size: A- A+
New Delhi: If the Union Ministry of Agriculture has its way, farmers
in traditional rice-producing states where groundwater levels have
significantly dropped will find themselves forced to look beyond paddy.
With promotional exercises
failing to effect a shift among farmers in states such as Punjab and Haryana,
where heavy cultivation of water-intensive paddy has severely depleted
groundwater levels, the ministry wants to enforce crop diversification by
shrinking the central government’s assured quota of rice purchased from these
regions, ThePrint has learnt.
The proposal also seeks to cover
other rice producing states facing a similar problem, such as Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu, two ministry officials familiar with the proposal told
ThePrint. It is part of a five-year vision document that the agriculture
ministry will present before Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week.
Currently, the Food Corporation
of India (FCI) procures a fixed quota of rice from several states every kharif
season for the National Food Security Mission, which was launched in 2007-08 to boost the
production of paddy, wheat and pulses.
For example, of the total 42.99
lakh metric tonnes (MT) of non-basmati paddy produced in Haryana every kharif
season, the FCI procures approximately 39.4 lakh MT.
In Punjab, the figure stands at
113.34 MT of 133.64 MT.
According to one of the ministry
officials ThePrint spoke to, estimates suggest diversification to less
water-intensive crops could save 20,000 to 30,000 lakh litres of water each
kharif season in Punjab and Haryana alone. “This roughly translates to savings
of Rs 27 crore in subsidies in transplanting season alone,” the official said.
A matter of water
India is the world’s second
largest producer of rice and almost all states cultivate paddy. But in states like
Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, excessive reliance on
irrigation has severely depleted groundwater levels.
The vision document cites a 2018
study by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, a
Delhi-based think tank, to explain the water crisis in some rice-growing
states.
The study titled ‘Water
Productivity Mapping of Major Indian Crops’ said, “…the high rice-producing
north western-region of India comprising Punjab and Haryana and western Uttar
Pradesh have been globally identified as the water risk hotspots thereby
raising serious concerns regarding the medium-to-long term sustainability of
irrigated rice production in India.”
It added: “This water issue will,
in turn, affect the food security of India as the region contributes to above
50 per cent of the national stock of the staple rice in the country.”
Speaking to ThePrint, the two
ministry officials said the states mentioned above consume “excessively large
quantities of irrigation water causing water stress and economic distress”.
Over 90 per cent of rice cultivation in these states is believed to rely on
irrigation.
The new proposal, the officials
said, seeks to reduce the area under rice cultivation in water-scarce states
and provide subsidies to other producers, such as Jharkhand, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Assam and Odisha, to bridge any shortfall.
According to the vision document,
accessed by ThePrint, each unit of applied water for rice has higher
productivity in these states, but the crop is often under-irrigated here or
vulnerable to monsoon.
“The central government must
increase the procurement quota from these states while increasing other
incentives like power subsidies and providing access to mandis and warehouses
at cheaper rates,” said one of the officials.
Diversification lags
The first official ThePrint spoke
to said farmers in Punjab and Haryana had failed to diversify despite extensive
promotion by the respective state governments.
“The acreage in Haryana under
paddy crop in kharif 2019-20 was around 10 lakh hectares, down from 11.87 lakh
hectare of kharif 2018-19. Compared to this, cotton-sowing just rose from 6.65
lakh hectares to 6.76 lakh hectares,” the official added.
In Punjab, only 1 lakh hectares of
rice land was diversified to other crops like cotton and maize, the official
said.
“There is a need for farmers in
these states to shift to crops that are less water-intensive and do not put
further stress on depleting groundwater levels,” the official added.
(The report has been updated to
accurately reflect the amount of water that can be saved after diversification
of crops.)
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182 rice traders certified as eligible for rice exports
Update: January,
07/2020 - 09:02
HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Industry and Trade has granted 47 certificates of eligibility to rice export businesses over the past year, lifting the number of rice exporters to 182 traders.
The move is part of the Government’s efforts to create favourable conditions for rice traders, improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese rice traders and develop the rice industry sustainably, according to the ministry’s Import-Export Department.
The department recently reported the assessment of the rice industry after more than one year of implementing a new decree which took effect in October, 2018 on conditions for rice exports.
The decree reduced barriers for rice exporting businesses, including by removing requirements such as having rice warehouses and milling and processing establishments; and allowing traders to rent storage, grinding, milling and processing facilities.
Việt Nam’s rice exporters have contributed to bringing Việt Nam’s high quality rice to more than 150 countries and territories around the world, the department said.
In recent years, many rice importing countries have made profound changes in policies for rice products, focusing on consumers. In bidding for rice exports under the government-to-private sector (G2P), the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced information about bidding to traders through mass media and the Việt Nam Food Association.
All rice exporting businesses can participate in bidding, the department said.
In addition, the ministry is providing information of supply-demand in both domestic and global markets, facilitating the bidding decision-making process of traders, ensuring export efficiency and the prestige of Vietnamese rice exports.
For rice trading promotion, the ministry has advocated diversifying and innovating trade promotion activities, focusing on markets based on specific rice products, helping Vietnamese rice traders find and build relationships with reputable foreign partners, and ensuring stable and long-term business.
According to the department, restructuring rice production and other agricultural products needs to follow market signals. The strengthening of the value chain between production, consumption and export has also helped stabilise consumption, increasing farmers' income.
As a result, despite difficulties in Asia in 2019, Vietnamese rice has boosted exports to markets in Africa, Europe and the Americas.
However, Việt Nam’s rice export value declined in 2019, with nearly 6.3 million tonnes worth US$2.76 billion being exported, up 3 per cent in volume but down 10 per cent in value compared to 2018. The main reason was the falling price in global markets.
The rice price in November fell 12.6 per cent year-on-year, averaging $439.3 per tonne. — VNS
China won’t hike grain import quotas for U.S.
trade deal: report
REUTERS
REUTERS
PUBLISHED 15 HOURS
AGOUPDATED JANUARY 7, 2020
00:00
/arc-anglerfish-tgam-prod-tgam.s3.amazonaws.com/public/CH5AVDNLFBNNXP37ITKGWJINYU.JPG)
Chinese Vice Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun is seen during a news conference on the
state of trade negotiations with U.S. in Beijing, China on Dec. 13, 2019.
JASON
LEE/REUTERS
China will not increase its
annual low-tariff import quotas for corn, wheat and rice to accommodate
stepped-up purchases of farm goods from the United States, senior agriculture
official Han Jun said on Tuesday, according to local media group Caixin.
The move could make it harder for
Beijing to meet import commitments in a Phase 1 trade deal due to be signed
next week. U.S. President Donald Trump said last month the agreement would
likely double China’s $24 billion in pre-trade war purchases to $40-$50 billion
annually.
China has not confirmed the
amount.
Han’s comments underline China’s
desire to protect its farmers even as it is under pressure to dramatically
boost purchases of U.S. agricultural goods.
“If they’re going to buy at least
$40 billion worth of U.S. products, they’re going to have to maximize all of
those quotas for major commodities and take it all from the United States. And
there lies the problem,” said Terry Reilly, senior commodities analyst with
Futures International.
Purchasing exclusively from the
United States, instead of export rivals such as Brazil and lower-cost suppliers
like Ukraine, would distort global grain markets and raise costs for Chinese
grain importers, he said. Feed grain demand has also dropped as African swine
fever has killed about half of China’s hog herd, he said.
Traders and analysts said the
announcement appeared to be aimed at local concerns in China.
“This is soothing market nerves here,”
said Meng Jinhui, a corn analyst with Shengda Futures. “I think the market is
worried about a blow from the possible increase of grain imports, and that
(message) has gone to the high leadership.”
Han, a vice agriculture minister
and part of the negotiating team, said last month China would buy more U.S.
wheat, rice and corn, leading to speculation that Beijing could increase annual
quotas on the amount of wheat, corn and rice that can be imported at a tariff
rate of 1%.
Han was quoted by Caixin as saying
the quota is offered to global markets and “we won’t adjust it for one
country.”
In 2017, before the trade war
started, purchases of the three grains from the United States amounted to
around $534 million, leaving room for a significant rise in imports within the
existing quotas.
“Although there’s certainly types
of high-quality wheat that China would look to import, maxing out the tariff
rate quota would also weigh on domestic producers,” said Darin Friedrichs,
senior Asia analyst at INTL FCStone, in a note late on Monday.
“China will be facing a tough
balancing act of trying to satisfy the U.S. demands for large agriculture
purchases, while also not hurting the rural population.”
Increasing sales of meat,
ethanol, distillers grains and soybeans are likely to be more important for
reaching the U.S. target for doubling farm exports to China, said Shengda’s
Meng.
Soybeans, which are not covered
by the grain quotas, made up more than half of China’s agricultural purchases
from the United States before the trade war. The nation’s need for soybeans
used to feed livestock has decreased as a deadly pig disease known as African
Swine Fever has decimated China’s hog herd. The country has been increasing
meat imports, however.
China’s annual quotas are 9.64
million tonnes for wheat, 7.2 million tonnes for corn and 5.32 million tonnes
for rice.
The quota system has been heavily
criticized by the United States, which last year won a World Trade Organisation
ruling that China violated its obligation to administer the quota on a fair
basis.
The agriculture ministry did not
immediately respond to a request for comment.
Rice exports: enjoy while it lasts
If
there is one key take from SBP's first quarter “State of the Economy"
report for FY20, it is that rice is now the undisputed king of Pakistan's
kharif economy. At over three million hectares, the paddy crop is well-ahead of
all other competitors. Paddy's success has come about thanks to a multitude of
factors, chief among them beings its lower cost of production compared to
substitutes. According to indicative production costs calculated by Punjab's
Agriculture Marketing Information Service department, indicative cost per acre
during FY19 for both basmati and IRRI varieties were less than fifty thousand
rupees. This is lower in comparison to indicative costs for all other major
seasonal crops such as maize, seed cotton, or sugarcane, whose production costs
ranges between rupees sixty to hundred thousand per acre. At the same time,
recovery in international demand for domestic basmati varieties, coupled with
stability in international price trends has helped propel cultivation of paddy,
as growers kept up plantation momentum from previous year. Note that Pakistan
exports over half of its domestically produced rice, but its profile has
dramatically changed over the past decade. Until FY09, basmati varieties used
to be the primary value contributor to rice exports, thanks to higher unit
price that traded at a premium of 2.5 times over IRRI category. The latter
varieties in turn contributed the bulk of export volume. Over the following ten
years, Pakistan lost its basmati advantage as the premium between average
export unit prices of basmati and IRRI fell to as low as 1.68 times. The
watershed moment came in FY16 when basmati rate in the international market
fell below the $800 per ton psychological barrier, last seen in FY07. Since
then, basmati price in the international market are on a recovery trend that
saw a brief touch and go moment with $1,200 per ton in May 2017. However, the
opportunity was largely missed as during the intervening period Pakistan had
lost much ground in the premium rice category to exporters from neighbouring
India. But fortunes finally begin to smile on Pakistan's basmati at the close
of 2018 when EU regulations on fungicide acceptability levels in food products
saw a revision. Background discussions indicate that basmati rice originating
from India has higher tricylazole levels, a chemical spray heavily
used on paddy crop to fight fungal pests. As a result, Indian exporters begin
to find it hard to maintain market share, leaving open field for Pakistani
exporters. The explanation also appears to draw support from trade data sheet,
which indicates 80 percent growth in basmati export volumes in 5MFY20.
At
the same time, average unit price fetched by rice exporters has fallen compared
to same period last year, as differential between basmati and IRRI rates
appears to have trimmed down. Nevertheless, basmati's success may prove to be
short-lived. Rice exporters note that Indian basmati enjoyed the added benefit
of GI-tagging, short for geographical identification, which allowed use of
basmati label by varieties grown in limited regions such as state of Haryana
only. Indian regulatory efforts at market restriction allowed Haryana basmati
to command additional premium, until the revised fungicide rules took effect in
EU. But it is only a matter of time before the Indian rice value chain ensures
that rice growing practices comply with revised international regulations for
chemical sprays. In the meanwhile, if Pakistan fails to make any efforts at
developing a legislative framework for GI-tagging for its basmati, it may once
again have to cede space to its perpetual frenemy in the basmati race as well.
Myanmar signs new contract to export
rice to China
MANDALAY-
Mandalay Rice Development Company signed a new MoU aiming to export 50,000 tons
of rice
to China, according to the Mandalay Rice Development Company. The Mandalay Rice
Development Company had an agreement with Shwe Charnt Company from China to
export 100,000 tons of rice to China in 2019. However, the company will be
exporting the rice to China via the new Chin Shwe Haw road. In the past, rice
exports to China mainly go from Muse Road. “There have been two companies
namely Mandalay Rice Development Company and Muse Rice Development Company. The
two companies were exporting rice to China via Muse road. We are now
concentrating on border trade. We had signed MoU with the company exporting 100,000
tons of rice. However, we already exported 5,000 tons of rice out of 100,000
because we faced many difficulties. The first difficulty is the company that
signed MoU with us wasn’t rice traders and they didn’t understand the rice
dealings. However, we were getting much more familiar with the rice dealings.
It is inconvenient. So, we would like to urge the government to connect the
rice dealing company with us. Now, we sing a new contract with the rice dealing
company exporting 50,000 tons of rice. But, we are going to export the rice to
China via new route Chin Shwe Haw road. We are trying to export the rice to
China in the coming week,” said Managing Director Sai Kyaw from Mandalay Rice
Development Company. Myanmar earned over US$650 million from more than 2.16
million tons of rice and broken rice in 11 months in this FY and it is less
than over 780,000 tons of rice and broken rice exported in the same period in
last year. Myanmar earned US$1.003 billion in the same period in last FY, said
an official from the Ministry of Commerce. Myanmar found new markets for its
rice export in 2017-18 FY and about 3.6 million tons of rice are exported which
broke the record in 50 years’ time. The rice export is declined in this FY as
rice demand from EU and China is reduced.
Golden Rice Approved as Safe for Consumption in the Philippines
The genetically modified crop could
help combat the country’s vitamin A deficiency
Engineered with genes that boost its beta-carotene content,
golden rice (top) comes with a yellowish hue that makes it stand out from
typical white rice (bottom) (International Rice
Research Institute
Nutrient-rich golden rice—a genetically-modified,
amber-hued crop—has passed a rigorous biosafety assessment in the Philippines,
where it may soon be distributed to combat the country’s widespread vitamin A
deficiency. The plant is engineered to be packed with beta-carotene,
an orange pigment that the body converts into the essential nutrient vitamin A.
Declared “as safe as conventional rice” by the Department of
Agriculture in December, golden rice can now be legally consumed and processed.
The stamp of approval makes it the first GMO crop created to combat a public
health issue in a lower-income country, reports Steve Baragona for Voice of America.
In a statement, congressperson Sharon Garin of the Phillipines' House of
Representatives praised the development as “a victory for science, agriculture
and all Filipinos,” according to Charissa Luci-Atienza at the Manila Bulletin. The Philippines is one of several
lower-income countries with widespread vitamin A deficiency, a dietary
condition that can cause blindness and hamstring the immune system. More than half a million children die
from the deficiency each year, in large part because they don’t consume enough
beta-carotene, which is present in only scant amounts in staple grains like
rice. While vitamin A supplements have found their way into many afflicted
countries, roughly 20 percent of children under
the age of five remain deficient in the Philippines. To fill in the gap,
researchers have pushed for the introduction of low-cost crops rich in
beta-carotene. Golden rice, first unveiled as a prototype in 1999, fits the
bill: Adding less than a cup of the grain to a child’s diet could meet up to half of their
daily needs. But by the end of 2018, nearly two decades since the plant’s
arrival on the scientific scene, only a handful of countries—Australia, Canada,
New Zealand and the United States, all high-income nations with few vitamin A
issues—had deemed it safe to grow and eat en masse, reports Michael Le Page
for New Scientist. Much of the resistance in these countries
and others, Le Page writes, has come from groups campaigning against GMOs and
their alleged negative effects on health. That makes the Philippines’ approval
of the crop a huge milestone, especially amidst false rumors that its
beta-carotene would break down into cancer-causing chemicals,
Le Page reports. (As safety assessments continue, Bangladesh may be next in line.) But the
recent news has also been met with pushback: Late last month, environmental
organization Greenpeace appealed the Department of
Agriculture to overturn its decision, citing a lack of data and
transparency in the approval process. In an interview with Louise Maureen
Simeon at the Philippine Star, Adrian Dubock, an executive at the
Golden Rice Humanitarian Board, disputed the claims. “They examined in detail
all the evidence submitted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute and the
International Rice Research Institute and found that there was no potential to
cause harm from Golden Rice consumed as food, or animal feed, including in
processed form,” Dubock tells Simeon. Scientific consensus has long held that
golden rice—as well as other GMOs on the market—are safe to plant, process and
eat. The crop’s successful safety clearance, officials hope, will help quell
the controversy. “We are trying to dispel the notion that commercially-produced
biofortified goods are potentially dangerous,” Garin said in the
statement.
While useful, golden rice shouldn’t be considered a panacea, Bill
Freese, science policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety, tells Baragona.
Another priority involves diversifying the diets of people in countries
suffering from these deficiencies with more fruits and vegetables, he says.
Such a shift, however, would take more time and effort, and perhaps a larger
cultural change. As a possible substitute for white rice, golden rice might
more seamlessly integrate into the diet, explains Dubock in an interview with
Baragona. But the golden grain won’t be served to the Filipino public just yet.
The crop has yet to get the green light for commercial propagation—a necessary
step for farmers to plant it in their fields. The International Rice Research
Institute, the Philippine-based organization developing the country’s golden
rice, plans to submit its application for approval early this year.
2020:
The Year of Rice?
ARLINGTON, VA -- With the end of each year comes
reviews of the past and bold predictions for the future, and this holds true
for the culinary world as well.
"After a thorough review of culinary predictions for the upcoming year, we've compiled a list of 2019 highlights to build on and 2020 culinary trends that present a huge opportunity for U.S.-grown rice," said Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice director of domestic promotion.
Culinary experts and food & hospitality researchers from a plethora of sources including The New York Times, Whole Foods, Delish.com, and Bon Appetit, all had a rice recipe in their "most popular recipes of 2019" roundup. The New York Times cited Tomato Risotto, and Vinegar Chicken, and Turmeric Coconut Rice with Greens among their top 50 recipes from last year, while Delish.com called out Classic Stuffed Peppers, and Bon Appetit listed Chicken and Rice Soup with Garlicky Chile Oil as a 2019 fan favorite.
When foodservice experts try to figure out "The Next Big Thing" for food they look at dining trends and survey shoppers to point the way forward.
According to the International Food Information Council's annual Food and Heath Survey, environmental sustainability is important for today's consumers along with other factors such as ingredient labeling, production methods, and packaging. Concepts like soil health and regenerative agriculture, or "giving back to the land" rather than just conserving resources, have the potential to gain traction in 2020.
Plant-based diets are another trend slated to become more commonplace, and Source Eater.com predicts restaurant brands will broaden the way they market items beyond healthy eating and create proprietary plant-based products to differentiate from competitors and reduce expenses. The array of interesting flours entering the market for both restaurants and home pantries promises to make "super flours" filled with protein and fiber a key ingredient.
Rice-based cuisines of Japan, India, Laos, West Africa, and Vietnam remain popular, and healthy items on kids' menus will incorporate more global flavors with an emphasis on whole grains for nutrition.
"It would appear, working from this list, U.S.-grown rice has endless opportunities that could be capitalized on," said Jacobs. "From an increased focus on sustainability to the rise of plant-based diets to rice-oriented global cuisines to enhanced kids' menus, 2020 should be a great year for rice."
"After a thorough review of culinary predictions for the upcoming year, we've compiled a list of 2019 highlights to build on and 2020 culinary trends that present a huge opportunity for U.S.-grown rice," said Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice director of domestic promotion.
Culinary experts and food & hospitality researchers from a plethora of sources including The New York Times, Whole Foods, Delish.com, and Bon Appetit, all had a rice recipe in their "most popular recipes of 2019" roundup. The New York Times cited Tomato Risotto, and Vinegar Chicken, and Turmeric Coconut Rice with Greens among their top 50 recipes from last year, while Delish.com called out Classic Stuffed Peppers, and Bon Appetit listed Chicken and Rice Soup with Garlicky Chile Oil as a 2019 fan favorite.
When foodservice experts try to figure out "The Next Big Thing" for food they look at dining trends and survey shoppers to point the way forward.
According to the International Food Information Council's annual Food and Heath Survey, environmental sustainability is important for today's consumers along with other factors such as ingredient labeling, production methods, and packaging. Concepts like soil health and regenerative agriculture, or "giving back to the land" rather than just conserving resources, have the potential to gain traction in 2020.
Plant-based diets are another trend slated to become more commonplace, and Source Eater.com predicts restaurant brands will broaden the way they market items beyond healthy eating and create proprietary plant-based products to differentiate from competitors and reduce expenses. The array of interesting flours entering the market for both restaurants and home pantries promises to make "super flours" filled with protein and fiber a key ingredient.
Rice-based cuisines of Japan, India, Laos, West Africa, and Vietnam remain popular, and healthy items on kids' menus will incorporate more global flavors with an emphasis on whole grains for nutrition.
"It would appear, working from this list, U.S.-grown rice has endless opportunities that could be capitalized on," said Jacobs. "From an increased focus on sustainability to the rise of plant-based diets to rice-oriented global cuisines to enhanced kids' menus, 2020 should be a great year for rice."
USA RICE Daily
A funding boost to develop rice for the future
WSU is part of an international effort involving seven
institutions to revolutionize rice production. Led by the University of Oxford,
the “C4 Rice
Project” recently earned a five‑year, $15 million grant renewal from the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Currently, more than
3 billion people depend upon rice for survival, and trends in population
growth and land use mean there will be greater demand for rice and less space
to grow it on: the same area of land that provided enough rice to feed 27 people
in 2010 will need to support 43 by 2050.
The project aims to develop rice
strains that are not only more productive but also more resilient. The long‑term
effort, which was first conceived in the 1990s, earned its first Gates
Foundation grant in 2008 and is now entering its fourth phase.
“We have learned a lot about the
molecular biology, physiology, leaf development and biochemistry of C4 photosynthesis during the
initial phases of this project, and it’s exciting that we have received
additional support to implement this knowledge to enhance photosynthesis in
rice,” said Asaph Cousins, a professor in WSU’s School of Biological Sciences
and co‑principal investigator on the project.
Currently, rice uses the C3 photosynthetic pathway to
convert light, carbon dioxide and water into energy, but the C4 pathway, which is used by
crops such as maize and sorghum, is more efficient and productive even in
higher temperatures and drought conditions. Both the C3 and C4 pathways are named for the
type of carbon molecules that result from their respective photosynthetic
processes.
The C4 pathway has evolved more than 60 times
independently in plants. The C4 Rice Project aims to develop rice that uses
this pathway to improve yield and endure harsher environmental conditions.
The primary role of the
WSU team, which includes Cousins, Professor Emeritus Gerry Edwards
and Research Associate Rita Guiliani, is to determine the photosynthetic
efficiency and biochemistry of the developed plants.
By the end of this research phase
in 2024, scientists hope to have created a prototype C4 rice strain and have
experimental field plots up and running in Taiwan. The scale and reach of the
effort will make this a trans‑generational project.
“This is about being custodians
of something that’s bigger than our individual scientific interests,” said Jane
Langdale, a professor at the University of Oxford, the lead institution on the
project.
The C4 Rice Project partners include the University
of Oxford, Academia Sinica, Australian National University, Max Planck
Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Leibniz Institute of Biochemistry,
University of Cambridge and Washington State University.
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