Rice imports reach 1.4 million MT as of end-July
Published Aug 4, 2020 9:54:37 PM
This is slightly lower than the 1.491 million MT reported in the same period last year, which includes those that arrived prior to the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law in March.
For July alone, rice imports were at 61,175 MT, down 67 percent versus the same period last year.
Imports were from China, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. About 47,896 MT came from Thailand alone, BPI reported.
In 2019, total rice imports reached 2.9 million MT as the government removed relaxed restrictions on rice imports, while requiring a 35-percent tariff on Southeast Asian grain.
The country was also considered to be the world’s top rice importer, replacing China, last year.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar told CNN Philippines that for this year, “imports will still come but not as high as last year.” He added that they are expecting around 2 million MT of rice to come in, which is “more than enough.”
As for the coming months, Rolando Dy, executive director of the Center for Food and Agribusiness of the University of Asia and the Pacific, said “with expected good harves ts, imports will be moderated.”
Philippine Institute for Development Studies Roehlano Briones also expects weaker imports even on lean months, which last from July to September, due to the high price in the world market and enough local supply due to subdued demand.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/8/4/rice-imports-end-July-2020.html
Pakistan's exports rise after 4 months of decline
Commerce aide praises exporters, govt departments for coordinated efforts
Our CorrespondentAugust 05, 2020
PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood has cherished the encouraging export numbers for July 2020, which depicted a growth of 5.8%.
He was chairing an internal strategy meeting at the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday to review the recent trade statistics and draw up plans for lifting exports further. Data for July 2020 showed export growth of 5.8% in dollar terms compared to July 2019.
According to a statement, the growth came following contraction in exports in the past four months, since March 2020, which recorded a drop of 8% compared to the same period of previous year.
“The numbers plunged further in April 2020 to 54%, however, May recorded some improvement with a 35% fall in exports,” it said. “Conditions improved further in June with only 6% decrease in exports over the same month of last year.”
Addressing the meeting, Dawood appreciated exporters and government departments for their coordinated efforts during the current testing times amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This achievement is particularly noteworthy owing to the fact that a decline was being observed until June and a turnaround of around 12 percentage points has been achieved in just one month,” he said.
The adviser underlined that the Ministry of Commerce would evaluate its geographical diversification strategy in order to re-align focus towards new opportunities.
He directed ministry officers to extend all kind of necessary support to exporters in order to achieve targets not only in terms of numbers but also with regard to the intended policy outcomes.
During the meeting, strategies for product and geographical diversification were also reviewed in the context of latest trade statistics.
One of the major areas which depicted significant progress was food processing where a growth of over 300% was registered in July 2020, the meeting noted. A similar growth was witnessed in textile made-ups and clothing accessories. In addition to those, fish and fish products recorded a healthy export growth of 50% while home textiles, whose exports had declined in previous months, were now back up with a 24% growth.
However, a major decline was witnessed in rice and cement exports, which contracted 24% and 12% respectively in July 2020 compared to the same month of last year.
Exports of raw leather and cotton yarn also dropped, indicating that the government’s policy of pursuing value-added goods export was bearing fruit.
On the import side, a decline of 4.2% in dollar terms was recorded in July 2020 compared to July 2019.
Owing to the increase in exports and fall in imports, a 14.7% improvement in trade balance was witnessed in July 2020 compared to July 2019.
However, not much progress was made in achieving geographical diversification in July 2020 as exports still seemed to be heavily dependent on traditional markets.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2020.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2258025/pakistans-exports-rise-after-4-months-of-decline
Inflation rate rises to 9.30pc in July
| Inflation increased by 2.5 percent in July 2020 on month-on-month basis
FAWAD YOUSAFZAI/APP
ISLAMABAD-Pakistan’s inflation rate touched 9.30 percent in July, which is highest since March 2020, mainly due to increase in fuel and vegetables prices.
The country’s overall inflation reached 9.30 per cent year-on-year in July, increasing from 8.59 percent in June, according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
This is the highest inflation rate since March 2020. In March 2020, the inflation rate was 10.20 percent but it declined in the subsequent months and had touched 8.59 during June. Once again it has increased to 9.30 during the month of July. However, the inflation rate in July 2020 is still less than July 2019 when it was recorded at 10.34 percent.
Inflation increased by 2.5 percent in July 2020 on month-on-month basis, as compared to increase of 0.82 percent in the previous month.
The inflation increased mainly due to abnormal fuel price increase by the government on June 26. For the month of July the government had increased the oil prices by up to 66.09 percent and hiked the price of Motor Spirit (MS-Petrol-92 RON) by Rs 25.58 per litre (34.33 percent), HSD by Rs 21.31 per litre (26.59), Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) by Rs 23.50 (66.09 percent), Light Diesel Oil(LDO) by Rs 17.84 per litre (46.78 percent). The massive increase in oil prices had resulted in increase in inflation. Similarly, during last week of July, the prices of vegetables and meat increased due to Eid-ul-Adha which has also contributed to high inflation during the month. For the month of August the fuel prices had been further increased by the government and experts believe that the inflation will further soar during the month of August.
https://nation.com.pk/05-Aug-2020/pm-imran-expresses-deep-sorrow-over-loss-of-precious-lives-in-lebanon-explosions
In urban areas, tomatoes rates increased by 179.19%, motor fuel 27.01%, vegetables23.84%, onions16.61%, eggs 10.82%, spices 7.57%, wheat7.42%, potatoes 4.58%, meat 3.97%, sugar3.82%, beans 3.07%, cigarettes 2.88%, chicken 2.6%, milk products1.74%, house rent1.58%, milk 1.37% and medicines1.04%.
In rural areas, the increase was as following; tomatoes (241.4%), motor fuels (29.61%), onions(25.57%), vegetables(21.63%), eggs(13.84%), wheat(10.84%), potatoes(5.33%), sugar (3.67%), plastic products (3.49%), rice(2.96%), chicken(2.58%), household equipment (2.47%), cotton cloth (2.45%), honey(2.06%), meat(1.82%), bakery and confectionary (1.74%), house rent (1.7%), wheat flour (1.73%), readymade food (1.72%), condiments and spices (1.48%), beans(1.47%), milk fresh(1.23%).
During the month the prices of some commodities decreased which included moong (10.72 to 13.42%), fresh fruits (6.62%), transport services (5.17 to 7.55 %), pulse gram (2.39 to 4.98%), besan (4.42%), pulse masoor (4.06 to 6.27 %), pulse mash (2.71 to 4.04%) and gram whole (2.7 to 4%) and cooking oil (1.34%).
Pakistan voices solidarity with Lebanon after explosion
Meanwhile, the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based weekly inflation for the week ended on July 29, for the combined consumption group, witnessed an increase of 0.31 percent as compared to the previous week.
The SPI for the week under review in the above mentioned group was recorded at 134.31 points against 133.89 points registered in the previous week, according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 10.10 percent.
The weekly SPI with base year 2015-16=100 is covering 17 urban centers and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.
The Sensitive Price Indicator for the lowest consumption group upto Rs 17,732 witnessed 0.59 percent increase and went up from 140.05 points in last week to 140.87 points during the week under review.
Meanwhile, the SPI for the consumption groups from Rs. 17,732-22,888, Rs. 22,889-29,517; Rs. 29,518-44,175; Rs29,518 to Rs44,175 and above Rs 44,175 per month also increased by 0.52 percent, 0.44, percent; 0.38 percent and 0.21 percent respectively.
Punjab govt announces to reopen schools from September 15
During the week, prices of 8 items decreased, 17 items increased while that of 26 items remained constant.
The items, which recorded decrease in their average prices, included chicken, garlic, bananas, gram pulse, moong pulse, masoor pulse, LPG cylinder and mustard oil. The commodities, which recorded increase in their average prices, included tomatoes, sugar, match box, eggs, gur, wheat flour, milk (fresh), georgette, curd, potatoes, rice (Basmati broken) onions, rice, cooked beef bread, mash pulse and mutton.
Similarly, the prices of the commodities that observed no change during the week under review included beef, milk (powdered), cooking oil (loose), vegetable ghee salt, chillies, tea (packet), cooked daal, tea (prepared), cigarettes, long cloth, shirting, lawn, gents sandal, gents chappal, ladies sandal, electricity charges, gas charges, firewood, energy saver, washing soap, petrol, diesel, telephone call charges and toilet soap.
https://nation.com.pk/04-Aug-2020/inflation-rate-rises-to-9-30pc-in-july
Pies, rice and dog food urgently recalled over salmonella and nut allergy fears
Some products may contain small pieces of sharp glass or ingredients not mentioned on the label such as nuts
· 16:17, 4 AUG 2020
· UPDATED16:25, 4 AUG 2020
Products may have even been exposed to harmful salmonella (Image: Getty Images)
Food products that could be dangerous to eat are being urgently recalled by major supermarkets across the country.
Food Standards Scotland shared the alerts over items including beef pies, hot sauce, rice, scallops and dog food.
Some items may contain small pieces of sharp glass or ingredients not mentioned on the label such as nuts.
Other products may have even been exposed to harmful salmonella.
Customers are being advised not to eat any of the listed items and to return them immediately in exchange for a full refund.
Here are all the latest product recalls and the actions you should take if you have purchased them:
Uncle Ben’s Brown Basmati rice
Products are being urgently recalled, such as Uncle Ben’s rice
Mars Food UK is recalling Uncle Ben’s Brown Basmati ready to heat rice pouches as some packs may contain pieces of glass.
The possible presence of glass makes this product dangerous to eat.
Pack size: 250g
Best before dates: 17 November 2020 to 24 May 2021
Highland Bay Seafoods Whole King Scallops
Highland Bay Seafoods is recalling their Baked Whole King Scallops with a creamy leek and kale sauce topped with mash potatoes because it contains fish which is not mentioned on the label.
This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to fish.
Product: Baked Whole King Scallops with a creamy leek & kale sauce topped with mash potato
Pack size: 200g (2 scallops in a pack)
‘Best before’ end date: 07/2020, 09/2020, 12/2020 and 04/2021
Batch codes / Lot numbers: R006, R007, R008 and 20106
Benyfit Natural Pet Food
Benyfit Natural Pet Food Ltd has taken the precautionary step of recalling several types of frozen raw dog food products containing beef because the products might contain salmonella.
These products have been sold by various independent pet food stores and online.
Product: Beef Meat Feast, Beef & Tripe, Beef & Ox, Succulent Beef, Raw Natural Working Dog Food Beef Complete, Premium Beef, Unique Raw Chicken, Beef & Ox.
For more information on expiry dates and batch codes, click here.
S&B Golden Curry Medium Hot Sauce
JFC (UK) Ltd is recalling S&B Golden Curry Medium Hot Sauce Mix because it contains celery and mustard which are not mentioned on the label.
This means the product could pose a risk to those allergic to celery or mustard.
Pack size: 1 kg
‘Best before’ end date: 22 December 2020, 16 March 2021, 07 May 2021, 23 May 2021, 12 June 2021, 10 July 2021
Allergens: Celery, Mustard
Waitrose Beef and Ale Pie
Waitrose & Partners are recalling Slow Cooked Beef and Ale Pie because it contains hazelnuts and milk which are not mentioned on the label.
This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to hazelnuts or an allergy or intolerance to milk.
Pack size: 400g
‘Best before’ end date: end: November 2021
Allergens: Milk, Nuts (hazelnut)
Batch codes / Lot numbers: L0125
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/rice-pies-dog-food-urgently-22468115
Increased global mortality linked to arsenic exposure in rice-based diets
Rice is the most widely consumed staple food source for a large part of the world's population. It has now been confirmed that rice can contribute to prolonged low-level arsenic exposure leading to thousands of avoidable premature deaths per year.
Arsenic is well known acute poison, but it can also contribute to health problems, including cancers and cardiovascular diseases, if consumed at even relatively low concentrations over an extended period of time.
Compared to other staple foods, rice tends to concentrate inorganic arsenic. Across the globe, over three billion people consume rice as their major staple and the inorganic arsenic in that rice has been estimated by some to give rise to over 50,000 avoidable premature deaths per year.
A collaborating group of cross-Manchester researchers from The University of Manchester and The University of Salford have published new research exploring the relationship, in England and Wales, between the consumption of rice and cardiovascular diseases caused by arsenic exposure.
Their findings, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, shows that—once corrected for the major factors known to contribute to cardiovascular disease (for example obesity, smoking, age, lack of income, lack of education) there is a significant association between elevated cardiovascular mortality, recorded at a local authority level, and the consumption of inorganic arsenic bearing rice.
Professor David Polya from The University of Manchester said: "The type of study undertaken, an ecological study, has many limitations, but is a relatively inexpensive way of determining if there is plausible link between increased consumption of inorganic arsenic bearing rice and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Professor Polya from The University of Manchester said "The study suggests that the highest 25 % of rice consumers in England and Wales may plausibly be at greater risks of cardiovascular mortality due to inorganic arsenic exposure compared to the lowest 25 % of rice consumers.
"The modeled increased risk is around 6% (with a confidence interval for this figure of 2% to 11%). The increased risk modeled might also reflect in part a combination of the susceptibility, behaviors and treatment of those communities in England and Wales with relatively high rice diets."
While more robust types of study are required to confirm the result, given many of the beneficial effects otherwise of eating rice due to its high fiber content, the research team suggest that rather than avoid eating rice, people could consume rice varieties, such as basmati, and different types like polished rice (rather whole grain rice) which are known to typically have lower inorganic arsenic contents. Other positive behaviors would be to eat a balanced variety of staples, not just predominantly rice.
Explore further
https://phys.org/news/2020-08-global-mortality-linked-arsenic-exposure.html
Billions of people rely on rice for sustenance. Genetic engineering makes it more nutritious
Qiaoquan Liu | Frontiers in Genetics | August 4, 2020
This article or excerpt is included in the GLP’s daily curated selection of ideologically diverse news, opinion and analysis of biotechnology innovation.
Rice is a key source of carbohydrate and B vitamins. However, rice consumption as a major food is not sufficient to meet the nutrition requirement for rice eaters in developing countries and most of the people of rice dependent countries experience various forms of undernourished feeding. Agriculture pattern, post-harvest processes and climate conditions have a considerable negative effect on the nutritional quality of rice.
Enhancement of rice nutritional value is necessary in developing countries to avoid malnutrition in the coming era. In current era, rice researchers along with rice nutritionists are working together toward optimizing the nutrition level of rice by adopting biotechnological or breeding methods to get new and better varieties and to provide the best to the rice dependent population. Recent progress in rice nutrition enhancement through biotechnology might be capable to ameliorate malnutrition presently experienced.
Nutritional value related genes and QTLs will play crucial roles in developing the required genotypes. In current years, considerable efforts have been made in molecular studies on grain amino acid and protein content, glycemic index value, vitamins, minerals and their transporters, phytic acid, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, zinc and iron content. However, more research is needed for the processing of the newly developed nutritionally enhanced varieties.
In India, recently released zinc rich and high protein rice varieties gives the optimistic message on the positive and forward move in rice crop enhancement program. The transgenic method will additionally support to improve grain nutrition to the desired level satisfactorily. On the basis of present evolutionary idea, it is believed that some transgenes from rice are not unsafe for the environment. On the other hand, some transgenes which do not have major selective advantages could cause partial or potential environmental problems.
However, it is important to raise awareness of the factors influencing nutrient composition in the newly developed varieties. These newly developed rice varieties should undergo whole nutrient testing, environmental benefits and risks such as the impact on human health, environmental assessments and public accessibility in order to mark the standard for considering the impact of new varieties.
Study shows Arkansas rice best positioned to survive current farming conditions, pandemic
by Talk Business & Politics
Tuesday, August 4th 2020
A new study shows Arkansas rice could be best positioned to survive current farming conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic (Photo: Pixabay)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (TB&P) — The COVID-19 pandemic has turned what looked to be abysmal conditions for Arkansas farmers into something worse as the growing season got underway, but one crop might provide a buffer – rice. Two crops, cotton and corn, could be especially hard hit through 2023, according to a model run by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The study is by Alvaro Durand-Morat, Scott Stiles, Brad Watkins and Bob Stark, all agricultural economists with the Division of Agriculture. Their work is drawn from a five-farm model based on financial data files made available by the Texas A&M Agricultural and Food Policy Center developed with the assistance of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
The five representative farms are based on local conditions at Wynne, Stuttgart, Hoxie, McGehee, and Mississippi County. The farms have various combinations of long- and medium-grain rice, soybeans, corn cotton and peanuts. The models include the safety net programs under the 2018 Farm Bill, in particular, the Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage-County programs. The authors also assume that all rice, corn, cotton, and peanut acres are enrolled in PLC, while all soybean acres are enrolled in ARC-CO for the duration of the 2018 Farm Bill.
The economists looked at the 2019 to 2023 marketing years.
Read the full story on the Talk Business & Politics website.
Louisiana rice harvest starts early but is battling the weather
Louisiana's rice harvest has started early this year, but it has recently been slowed by rainy weather. When farmers could get into the fields, yields have been excellent.
Louisiana rice farmers have begun harvesting what is shaping up to be one of the better crops in the past five years. Good weather through most of the growing season and dry weather at the beginning of the harvest have been encouraging to farmers.
"Not record breakers, but solid yields, and so far, what we've managed to ship to the mills have been really good quality also," rice farmer Paul Johnson said.
A stretch of rainy weather has significantly slowed the harvest and has kept many combines idle. Many farmers in southwest Louisiana grow a second or rattoon crop from their stubble, and wet harvest conditions hurt the second crop yield.
"We want to harvest that first crop dry because if the soil is wet when we harvest the first crop, we can cause a lot of rutting and then you lose a lot of area for that rattoon crop because you have stubble in the Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter's rice specialist, said.
An uptick in rice prices has caused acreage to increase in Louisiana and farmers are hopeful prices do not fall too much as the new crop is harvested.
"It's early in the new crop, we're not sure where that's going to head. Arkansas has a large crop and I'm sure we'll see a little suppression from that, but obviously, a little room for optimism," Johnson said.
Harrell says that growers in north Louisiana are planting more row rice acreage. This practice involves growing rice without the traditional levee system and irrigating the rice much like you would a corn or soybean crop. "
We can expect about 30,000 acres of that to be in row rice production, that's a considerable increase from what we saw last year," he said. "That's almost double the amount of row rice."
https://www.rfdtv.com/story/42446025/louisiana-rice-harvest-starts-early-but-is-battling-the-weather
RPT-Asia Rice-Thai rates rise; virus outbreak raises concerns for Indian exporters
Shreyansi Singh
JULY 24, 2020 / 3:52 PM
(Repeats story published on July 23 with no changes to text)
* Thai rice exporters cut 2020 forecast to lowest in 20 years
* Demand from China expected to rise - Vietnamese trader
* Floods submerge farm land in Bangladesh
By Shreyansi Singh
BENGALURU, July 23 (Reuters) - Thai rice export prices gained this week as inconsistent rainfall stoked supply concerns, while the worsening coronavirus pandemic posed logistical problems for exporters in India.
Thailand’s benchmark 5-percent broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 prices widened to $450–$482 a tonne, from $440–$455 last week.
“We expect lower supply this year,” said a Bangkok-based trader, adding that rice millers are holding on to stocks and hiking prices.
Thailand’s rice exporters association on Wednesday slashed its forecast for 2020 exports to 6.5 million tonnes, the lowest in two decades, citing drought and uncompetitive prices.
“But prices might come down if it rains a lot,” another trader said.
Top exporter India’s 5-percent broken parboiled variety RI-INBKN5-P1 was unchanged at $377-$382 per tonne, while farmers expanded cultivation area under the summer-sown paddy crop.
Rising cases of coronavirus in and around Kakinada port in southern state of Andhra Pradesh, which handles a majority of rice shipments from India, could create logistical problems for exporters, said B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters Association.
“Demand is more or less stable from African and Asian buyers.”
In Vietnam, rates for 5-percent broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 narrowed to $440-$450 from $435-$457 per tonne last week.
“Trading activity has been slow as demand from traditional buyers remain weak,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based said.
Preliminary shipping data showed 169,100 tonnes of rice will be loaded at the Ho Chi Minh City port between July 1 and July 31, with most of it heading to Africa, Cuba, Timor-Leste and Malaysia.
Another trader in Ho Chi Minh said demand from China could increase due to the flooding there.
Bangladesh is grappling with a double whammy of the pandemic and the worst floods in recent years.
The country could be faced with a huge loss of paddy as vast swathes of land have been submerged, agriculture ministry officials said. (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Khanh Vu in Hanoi and Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok; editing by Arpan Varghese and Amy Caren Daniel)
Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Rice imports reach 1.4 million MT as of end-July
Published Aug 4, 2020 9:54:37 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) — Rice imports reached 1.457 million metric tons in the first seven months of the year, data from the Bureau of Plant Industry showed.
This is slightly lower than the 1.491 million MT reported in the same period last year, which includes those that arrived prior to the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law in March.
For July alone, rice imports were at 61,175 MT, down 67 percent versus the same period last year.
Imports were from China, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. About 47,896 MT came from Thailand alone, BPI reported.
In 2019, total rice imports reached 2.9 million MT as the government removed relaxed restrictions on rice imports, while requiring a 35-percent tariff on Southeast Asian grain.
The country was also considered to be the world’s top rice importer, replacing China, last year.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar told CNN Philippines that for this year, “imports will still come but not as high as last year.” He added that they are expecting around 2 million MT of rice to come in, which is “more than enough.”
As for the coming months, Rolando Dy, executive director of the Center for Food and Agribusiness of the University of Asia and the Pacific, said “with expected good harvests, imports will be moderated.”
Philippine Institute for Development Studies Roehlano Briones also expects weaker imports even on lean months, which last from July to September, due to the high price in the world market and enough local supply due to subdued demand.
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https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/8/4/rice-imports-end-July-2020.html
Bulog registers rise in online rice sales through iPangananDotCom
4th August 2020
President Director of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Budi Waseso showed rice stocks in a Bulog warehouse. Doc. ANTARANews.com
A 35-percent increase occurred after its soft launch in August 2019, and it rose further to 74 percent in the first semester of 2020. It means that iPangananDotCom registered an almost 50-percent growth
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) pointed to a 74-percent hike in online selling of rice during the first semester of 2020 through its marketplace iPangananDotCom since the launch in August 2019.
Bulog's Commercial Director, Mansur, stated here on Tuesday that people, especially those in Jakarta, are enthusiastic about purchasing basic necessities through iPanganan.com, particularly after the capital city imposed large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) followed by some other regions across the nation.
"A 35-percent increase occurred after its soft launch in August 2019, and it rose further to 74 percent in the first semester of 2020. It means that iPangananDotCom registered an almost 50-percent growth," Mansur stated.
Bulog's online marketplace was established in partnership with e-commerce firm Shopee Indonesia. Since early this year, the services are also available to consumers in Medan in North Sumatra, Bandung in West Java, Semarang in Central Java, Yogyakarta, Surabaya in East Java, and Makassar in South Sulawesi.
Mansur noted that the enforcement of PSBB had resulted in people migrating to online services to meet their basic requirements.
Various brands of medium and premium rice as well as specialty fortified rice are among best sellers at the marketplace.
In addition to rice, Bulog also sells other food products, such as vegetable oil, wheat flour, and sugar, at the marketplace.
Reporter: Mentari DG, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2020
Rice leads off series of online research field days for Arkansas commodities
By Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture
@AgNews479
July 31, 2020
Fast facts
- Online rice field day set for Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.
- Corn, soybean and cotton field days to follow at 2-week intervals
- Website for more information: https://aaes.uark.edu/field-days
(444 words)
Download related PHOTO: https://flic.kr/p/2gQNHfo
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Rice will lead off a series of online commodity-based field days designed to give Arkansans a first look at the latest University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture research and extension from the safety of their homes.
RICE FIELD DAY — Eshan Shakiba discusses hybrid rice breeding efforts at the Rice Research and Extension Center during a rice field day. The Division of Agriculture hybrid rice breeder will be one of the presenters during an online rice field day Aug. 20. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)
The rice field day will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20, and will be followed at two-week intervals by corn on Sept. 3, soybeans on Sept. 17 and cotton on Oct. 1.
Social distancing protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic led the Division of Agriculture to take its annual agricultural field days online, said Nathan Slaton, associate vice president for agriculture and assistant director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.
“Field days are an important activity for the Division of Agriculture,” Slaton said “They provide our farmers and other Arkansans an opportunity to hear directly from our scientists about research and extension programs that are important to them. Visitors also have an opportunity to ask questions and speak to us about the agricultural challenges they face and how we can assist them.
“In keeping with physical distancing precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are moving our field days online to maintain that face-to-face interaction without the risk of spreading the virus,” Slaton said.
The rice field day will cover new varieties, the latest research in hybrid varieties, soil fertility, weed management, and disease and pest control. The event will open at 6 p.m. with a welcome from Bob Scott, former director of the Rice Research and Extension Center and new Division of Agriculture senior vice president and director of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Roger Pohlner, chairman of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board will give an update on the board’s activities.
Online presentations by Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers and Extension Service specialists will include:
- Weed Control in Rice — Jason Norsworthy, professor of weed science
- Hybrid Rice Breeding — Ehsan Shakiba, assistant professor of hybrid rice breeding
- Managing Potassium in Rice — Trent Roberts, associate professor and extension soil fertility specialist
- Foliar Fungicides / Fungicide Seed Treatments — Yeshi Wamishe, extension rice pathologist
- New Rice Varieties — Xueyan Sha, professor and rice breeder
A live question-and-answer session following the presentations will give participants an opportunity to interact with scientists and learn more about how the research applies to their crops and operations.
The field days are free, but registration is required to connect. Register for the rice field day here: https://bit.ly/ArkRiceOnline
For more information about the online field days and to register for the later commodity events, visit the 2020 virtual field day website: https://aaes.uark.edu/field-days. A recording of the field day will be available on demand from the website after the live broadcast on Aug. 20.
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at ArkAgResearch.
To learn about Extension Programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visitwww.uaex.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media Contact: Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 575-5647
fmiller@uark.edu
Hat trick for rice farmers in Ghana - FARA Researcher
Business News of Monday, 3 August 2020
Source: Reuben Quainoo, Contributor
A new variety of rice is being developed to thrive in the drought
Rice is one of the staple foods in Ghana and is used to prepare different kind of dishes. It is usually the dominant food on the menu of most restaurants and roadside eateries in the county.
As such, there is a high demand for the crop in the country and the sub-region in general.
However, the country is unable to produce enough to meet the local demands and has to import to make up for the shortfall.
Even though Ghana produces rice, the level of production has not been able to match with the demand and many issues are militating against the local production of the commodity.
Aside the climate playing a role in the low production of rice in Ghana, the farmers also lack the required technology and seedlings adaptable to the climate.
According to a Research Associate with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Dr. Paul Boadu, the CSIR- Crop Research Institute is in the process of developing a GM rice variety called Newest rice, which, is been engineered to have nitrogen use and water use efficiency traits as well as a salt-tolerant trait.
The new rice variety is also drought-resistant and suitable for the two agricultural climates of the country.
“Rice is one of the major food staples consumed in Ghana with consumption outstripping domestic production and 66% of rice consumed being imported,” he said.
He indicated that government of Ghana imports rice to the tune of $151m to $1.2bn primarily from Thailand, Vietnam and India.
“There is a cultural preference in Ghana for imported rice, as it is seen as being better quality” he added.
Sharing his views on Ghana’s Rice Sector, Challenges Smallholder farmers are facing and the role of modern technology in improving Agricultural productivity and livelihood, Dr Boadu said adopting this rice would offer a lot of benefits to farmers as their incomes would improve whiles consumers also pay less for the commodity as prices would reduce.
He said an economic assessment by a research consultant showed that the country would gain GH? 230 million annually if she adopted the nitrogen efficient rice as the crop was drought resistant and utilized its nitrogen from the atmosphere making it to do well.
“We observe that most of the rice produced in the country is lowland rice but due to climate change and effects of drought, they are not able to do well but the nitrogen efficient rice is actually highland rice that does well in lowland areas as well,” he said.
Professor Walter Alhassan, Former Director-General of CSIR said the nitrogen efficient rice variety is good to revolutionize the country’s agricultural sector urging government to adopt them as part of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme to help boost food production and nutrition of the people.
According to a report released last week by Graham Brookes, director of PG Economics, farmers who planted genetically modified (GM) crops increased their incomes by almost $19 billion in 2018 and reduced carbon emissions by 23 billion kilograms or the equivalent of removing 15.3 million cars from the roads that year.
The report adds that the higher income represents $4.42 in extra income for each extra dollar invested.
“GM crop technology continues to make an important contribution to reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture and securing global food supplies in a sustainable way. It has also helped lift many small, resource-poor farmers and their families in developing countries out of poverty” said Graham Brookes.
The Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Kodjo Essien Mensah-Abrampa said that the NDPC is developing a policy document on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for Ghana’s agriculture sector.
He indicated that the long-term policy document on GMOs will be launched in the coming months.
“Anywhere agriculture has developed in the world, you have excellent crop biotechnology policy” he added.
Low-pressure area drives monsoon to vigorous phase
Vinson Kurian Thiruvananthapuram | Updated on August 04, 2020 Published on August 04, 2020
Rain outlook for Wednesday - The Weather Company
Heavy rain warned for Mumbai, high winds for Gujarat
The low-pressure area that formed over North Bay of Bengal on Tuesday has driven the monsoon into a vigorous (most active) phase. It has already brought heavy to very heavy rain, interspersed with extremely heavy rain, over parts of East India, thanks to proximity to the system, and over West India due to monsoon flows being attracted by it all the way from the Arabian Sea.
In addition, a cyclonic circulation each was spotted on Tuesday evening moving over South Gujarat and not too far off over South Pakistan accompanied by a western disturbance. This has already created a tinderbox-like situation over the larger West India, covering Gujarat, South-West Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh and West Maharashtra (including Konkan and Mumbai).
Monsoon flows strengthen
As a consequence of these meteorological features, the south-westerly monsoon flows have strengthened over the Arabian Sea with wind speeds reaching 50-60 km/hour along and off the Konkan coast at surface. Widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls would continue over Konkan and Goa (including Mumbai) till Thursday and over the Ghats over Madhya Maharashtra till Wednesday, and may reduce thereafter.
An India Meteorological Department (IMD) update located the low-pressure area on Tuesday evening to the North Bay of Bengal off the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts. It is likely to become more marked (intensified) by Wednesday, and get a move westwards to Central India (covering Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh) during the next two days.
Widespread rainfall with isolated very heavy to extremely heavy falls is likely over Gujarat until Thursday, over Odisha on Tuesday, and over Chhattisgarh and East Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. Isolated very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is also likely over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and South Interior and Coastal Karnataka during the next 4-5 days, said an IMD outlook.
Drenches Mumbai overnight
The 24 hours ending Tuesday saw very heavy to extremely heavy rain (in cm) over Mumbai (Santa Cruz)-26; Mumbai (Colaba)-25; Mahabaleshwar19; Ratnagiri-16; Matheran and Chandbali-9; Mormugao, Karwar, Honawar and Palakkad-8 each; and Veraval, Dahanu and Mangaluru-6 each. Heavy to very heavy falls were recorded at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa, while it was heavy at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka and Kerala during this period.
Forecast for Wednesday indicated the following: Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over Konkan and Goa; heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh and Madhya Maharashtra; heavy to very heavy rainfall over West Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Heavy rainfall is forecast over East Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Vidarbha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Marathawada and Telangana on Wednesday. Strong winds (reaching 50-60 km/hour) may lash the Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts. Squally weather (50-60 km/hour) is likely over the Gujarat coast and wind speeds may reach 40-50 km/hour along the Odisha and West Bengal coasts. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.
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Published on August 04, 2020
August rains hold key to India’s recovery after erratic monsoon
. Updated: 04 Aug 2020, 06:00 AM ISTBloomberg
· Any setback to the farm sector, which is dependent on monsoon rains to water more than half of the fields, may hamper an economic recovery
The timely onset of the June-September monsoon, however, has helped reservoirs accumulate more water. (PTI)
· India’s agriculture has been the lone bright spot in the country’s shrinking economy
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is banking on a recovery in rural demand to slow the economy’s first contraction in four decades. But capricious rainfall may play spoilsport.
After an impressive start and good rains in June, the monsoon petered out in July, a crucial month for growth of young grain plants and oilseeds such as rice, cotton and soybeans. Economists will be closely monitoring the rainfall pattern in the coming weeks for hints about the future of the rural economy.
India’s agriculture has been the lone bright spot in the country’s shrinking economy, with the government as well as the central bank betting on rural demand to lift growth after recovering tractor sales pointed to a consumption revival. Any setback to the farm sector, which is dependent on monsoon rains to water more than half of the fields, may hamper an economic recovery.
“The spatial and geographical distribution is very important. When you look at some of these areas the situation is slightly worrying," said Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist at India Ratings and Research, the local unit of Fitch Ratings Ltd. “We need to see whether the gap will be covered or not."
About a fifth of the area in the country has received deficient monsoon rains since June, around half has got normal showers, while the rest have seen excess downpours. July, the wettest month, ended with a 10% deficit, which is potentially bad for crops.
Deficient Showers
Rains in the north-western region, including states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, have been 20% below normal so far this season, according to the India Meteorological Department. The central region got 7% less than normal rain, the eastern and north-eastern belt saw 10% more than average showers, while the southern peninsula witnessed 14% more than normal rainfall. India mainly grows rice, cotton, corn, sugar cane and oilseeds in the rainy season.
The timely onset of the June-September monsoon, however, has helped reservoirs accumulate more water. The weather office is predicting normal rains in August and September, but economists and farmers are keeping a close eye on the monsoon’s behavior across the country.
“We are monitoring three things closely -- the spatial distribution of rainfall, the pace of sowing, and reservoir levels," said Rahul Bajoria, an economist with Barclays Bank Plc. in Mumbai. “Places which are not getting much rainfall are canal fed. So we have to watch carefully water reservoir levels, which are still quite good." Rains this month will be critical as this will have a significant bearing on crop output, he said.
The monsoon shapes the livelihood of millions and influences food prices. Insufficient rain in the country, the second-biggest producer of rice and wheat, often leads to drinking water shortages, lower crop output and higher imports of commodities such as edible oils.
Dilip Patidar, who has sown soybeans, peanuts, black lentils and corn in 6 hectares (14.8 acres) of land in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, is desperately waiting for rains to save his crops.
“My crops are at risk due to lack of irrigation as we haven’t got good rain in the last 43 days," Patidar said by phone. “Immediate rain is needed to save crops that are drying."
Cambodia’s rice export up 38 pct in 7 months
Cambodia exported 426,073 tons of milled rice in the first seven months of 2020, up 38 percent from 308,013 tons over the same period last year, Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon said on Friday.
China remained the biggest buyer of Cambodian rice, he said, adding that the kingdom shipped 155,327 tons of milled rice to China during the January-July period this year, up 26 percent over the same period last year.
He added that the kingdom also exported 144,247 tons to the European market during the period, up 38 percent, and 57,064 tons to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, up 44 percent.
In sum, the kingdom’s rice exports to all destinations during the first seven months of this year were on the rise, the minister said, adding that the Southeast Asian nation shipped rice to 57 countries and regions.
Ngin Chhay, director general of agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, said recently that the COVID-19 pandemic had driven high demand for Cambodian rice.
He predicted that the country’s rice export to the international market is expected to reach 800,000 tons in 2020, an estimated rise of 29 percent from 620,106 tons last year.
Cambodia produced about 10 million tons of paddy rice last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. With this amount, the kingdom saw paddy rice surplus of about 5.6 million tons in equivalent to 3.5 million tons of milled rice. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/cambodias-rice-export-up-38-pct-in-7-months/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article32274908.ece
Lands devoted to farming shrink to 13.32-M hectares
Published August 4, 2020, 10:00 PM
Agriculture land areas in the Philippines, an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of 30 million hectares, have declined to 13.32 million hectares in 2018, resulting in lower farm output across different commodities.
Based on the Agricultural Indicators System (AIS) report on output and productivity of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country’s harvested area of agricultural crops as of 2019 went down by 1.3 percentage points to 13.32 million hectares.
While the data didn’t indicate year-ago levels, a separate data from the United Nations’ (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed the Philippines used to have 14.74 million hectares of land devoted to agriculture back in 1995.
From 2015 to 2019, PSA said the country’s total crop area grew by an average of 0.2 percent yearly.
By crop, the land devoted to palay, the country’s main staple, was also reduced by 3.1 percentage points to 4.65 million hectares as of last year, while the sugarcane area was 13.3 percentage points below the 2018 level.
Lower than the base year areas were also recorded in pineapple, cassava, sweet potato, coffee, tobacco, tomato, potato, ampalaya, and calamansi.
Meanwhile, percentage point increments in the harvested areas were recorded in banana, mango and coconut and larger area expansion was exhibited by onion and cacao at more than 11.0 percentage points each.
The AIS report then specified the volume of output per commodity during the time when the size of production areas fell.
For palay alone, production was at 18.81 million metric tons (MT), which was 1.3 percentage points below the base year’s record.
Sugarcane production in 2019 showed the biggest drop by 16.2 percentage points from the base year’s level.
Other major crops such as banana, cassava, coffee, potato, and mongo likewise exhibited production below 2018 levels, with production losses ranging from 0.4 percentage points to 3.4 percentage points.
Out of all the countries in the world, the Philippines is seen to suffer the largest decline in rice production this year and in 2021, with farmers seen to continue selling their land and totally abandon farming amid the continuous influx of imported rice, a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed.
In terms of production, the GAIN report expects the Philippines to produce 11.4 million MT of rice this year and 11 million MT next year, while consumption is seen at 14.3 million MT this year and 14.5 million MT this year.
Hence, there is a need for more imported rice. For this year, the country’s rice imports are seen to be around 2.5 million MT, while it’s going to increase to 3.3 million MT in 2021.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now targeting to achieve palay output of as much as 22.12 million MT, equivalent to 13.51 million MT of rice.
https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/04/lands-devoted-to-farming-shrink-to-13-32-m-hectares/
Food, not rice, security
· Editorial Board
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta / Wed, August 5, 2020 / 08:39 am
A farmer prepares rice seedlings in Sigi, Central Sulawesi, on May 14. The government brought forward the rice-planting season this year to ensure sufficient supply, and it now estimates a harvest of 12.5 million to 15 million tons by December. (Antara/Mohamad Hamzah)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to develop 164,000 hectares of rice estates in Central Kalimantan is conceptually inappropriate because the policy is predicated on the perception that food security is defined almost solely as rice self-sufficiency.
The huge project is agronomically and environmentally not sustainable because a substantial portion of the rice estate will be developed on peatland, which is for the most part not suitable for growing rice.
Most independent agronomists and environmentalists have warned that the project will not be sustainable economically and ecologically and will only repeat the big mistake of the mega rice project launched by then-president Soeharto in the same area in the mid-1990s.
However, given Jokowi’s stubborn obsession with achieving rice self-sufficiency, not a single Cabinet member has dared to argue against the new project. Ministers and senior agriculture officials have blindly supported the plan, arguing that the government will learn from the failure of the rice estate project in the past, which wasted huge sums of taxpayer money.
Even the World Bank in its July report on Indonesia pointed out that the large rice estate project is environmentally and economically unfeasible, asserting that the opening of such vast estates will only increase pressure on the land.
The report quoted experts as arguing that peat areas are unsuitable for rice cultivation and the benefits are likely to be limited. On the other hand, deep peat areas are important carbon sinks and the conversion of peatland for agriculture generates large negative spillovers through forest and land fires, pollution and peatland degradation.
Media reports show that in 2019, fires burned across nearly 270,000 ha of land in Central Kalimantan, much of which comprised the former mega rice project area of the 1990s.
Many research studies have concluded that rice and maize production can be doubled and palm oil and horticulture output can be tripled with high-yield seeds and the empowerment of farmers through agricultural extension services and better farm practices in fertilizer and pest and post-harvest management.
We should no longer be so greatly obsessed with achieving rice self-sufficiency. True, the consumption of rice, as the main staple of the majority of the almost 270 million people, should be fulfilled mostly by domestic production because too heavy dependence on imports leaves the nation highly vulnerable to supply shocks given the small number of rice exporters.
But focusing food policy on rice production to the point of zero imports could hinder the achievement of food security or food resilience in its broadest sense, as defined in the 2012 Food Law. Indeed, it is almost impossible for such a vast archipelagic country with such a huge population to secure full rice self-sufficiency all the time.
The growing urban middle-income population has undergone dietary and lifestyle changes in recent years toward more grains and oilseed commodities, vegetables, fruit, fish and chicken.
Hence, while the agricultural support policy should continue to aim at keeping our dependence on rice imports very low, the government should allocate more resources to the production of other food crops and horticulture.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2020/08/05/food-not-rice-security.html
Bernas to remain as single gatekeeper for rice imports, says minister
August 04, 2020 18:58 pm +08
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 4): The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry has indicated that Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) will remain as the single gatekeeper for rice imports.
Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the government is currently in the midst of finalising the terms and conditions of the extension agreement, adding that Bernas will have more social obligations to meet under the new agreement.
"Under the previous concession 10 years ago, there were five social obligations that Bernas had to meet. For the new agreement, there will be additions to the social obligations for Bernas as the single gatekeeper.
"These include requirements surrounding soil nutrition and the setting up of an information system," he said in Parliament.
This was said in response to a question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH-Kulim Bandar Baharu), who asked about the government's plan for Bernas, given that there were only five months left before its concession ends.
Asked about the duration of the new agreement, Kiandee said it is still in discussions.
The single gatekeeper mechanism, which has been in force for over four decades, was put in place as a measure to prevent excessive profiteering and to ensure steady supply of rice.
Several quarters have urged the government to end Bernas' monopoly on the Malaysian rice industry, including the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, which said rice policies in Malaysia that were intended to achieve food availability and price stability had resulted in windfall losses to the industry.
The previous Pakatan Harapan government had initiated a review into the alleged monopolistic practices by Bernas, but no final decision was made.
https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/bernas-remain-single-gatekeeper-rice-imports-says-minister
Billions of people rely on rice for sustenance. Genetic engineering makes it more nutritious
Qiaoquan Liu | Frontiers in Genetics | August 4, 2020
This article or excerpt is included in the GLP’s daily curated selection of ideologically diverse news, opinion and analysis of biotechnology innovation.
Rice is a key source of carbohydrate and B vitamins. However, rice consumption as a major food is not sufficient to meet the nutrition requirement for rice eaters in developing countries and most of the people of rice dependent countries experience various forms of undernourished feeding. Agriculture pattern, post-harvest processes and climate conditions have a considerable negative effect on the nutritional quality of rice.
Enhancement of rice nutritional value is necessary in developing countries to avoid malnutrition in the coming era. In current era, rice researchers along with rice nutritionists are working together toward optimizing the nutrition level of rice by adopting biotechnological or breeding methods to get new and better varieties and to provide the best to the rice dependent population. Recent progress in rice nutrition enhancement through biotechnology might be capable to ameliorate malnutrition presently experienced.
Nutritional value related genes and QTLs will play crucial roles in developing the required genotypes. In current years, considerable efforts have been made in molecular studies on grain amino acid and protein content, glycemic index value, vitamins, minerals and their transporters, phytic acid, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, zinc and iron content. However, more research is needed for the processing of the newly developed nutritionally enhanced varieties.
In India, recently released zinc rich and high protein rice varieties gives the optimistic message on the positive and forward move in rice crop enhancement program. The transgenic method will additionally support to improve grain nutrition to the desired level satisfactorily. On the basis of present evolutionary idea, it is believed that some transgenes from rice are not unsafe for the environment. On the other hand, some transgenes which do not have major selective advantages could cause partial or potential environmental problems.
However, it is important to raise awareness of the factors influencing nutrient composition in the newly developed varieties. These newly developed rice varieties should undergo whole nutrient testing, environmental benefits and risks such as the impact on human health, environmental assessments and public accessibility in order to mark the standard for considering the impact of new varieties.
Increased global mortality linked to arsenic exposure in rice-based diets
Date:August 4, 2020
Source:University of Manchester
Summary:Rice is the most widely consumed staple food source for a large part of the world's population. It has now been confirmed that rice can contribute to prolonged low-level arsenic exposure leading to thousands of avoidable premature deaths per year.
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Rice is the most widely consumed staple food source for a large part of the world's population. It has now been confirmed that rice can contribute to prolonged low-level arsenic exposure leading to thousands of avoidable premature deaths per year.
Arsenic is well known acute poison, but it can also contribute to health problems, including cancers and cardiovascular diseases, if consumed at even relatively low concentrations over an extended period of time.
Compared to other staple foods, rice tends to concentrate inorganic arsenic. Across the globe, over three billion people consume rice as their major staple and the inorganic arsenic in that rice has been estimated by some to give rise to over 50,000 avoidable premature deaths per year.
A collaborating group of cross-Manchester researchers from The University of Manchester and The University of Salford have published new research exploring the relationship, in England and Wales, between the consumption of rice and cardiovascular diseases caused by arsenic exposure.
Their findings, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, shows that -- once corrected for the major factors known to contribute to cardiovascular disease (for example obesity, smoking, age, lack of income, lack of education) there is a significant association between elevated cardiovascular mortality, recorded at a local authority level, and the consumption of inorganic arsenic bearing rice.
Professor David Polya from The University of Manchester said: "The type of study undertaken, an ecological study, has many limitations, but is a relatively inexpensive way of determining if there is plausible link between increased consumption of inorganic arsenic bearing rice and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Professor Polya from The University of Manchester said "The study suggests that the highest 25 % of rice consumers in England and Wales may plausibly be at greater risks of cardiovascular mortality due to inorganic arsenic exposure compared to the lowest 25 % of rice consumers.
"The modelled increased risk is around 6 % (with a confidence interval for this figure of 2 % to 11 %). The increased risk modelled might also reflect in part a combination of the susceptibility, behaviours and treatment of those communities in England and Wales with relatively high rice diets."
While more robust types of study are required to confirm the result, given many of the beneficial effects otherwise of eating rice due to its high fibre content, the research team suggest that rather than avoid eating rice, people could consume rice varieties, such as basmati, and different types like polished rice (rather whole grain rice) which are known to typically have lower inorganic arsenic contents. Other positive behaviours would be to eat a balanced variety of staples, not just predominately rice.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Manchester. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
1. Lingqian Xu, David A. Polya, Qian Li, Debapriya Mondal. Association of low-level inorganic arsenic exposure from rice with age-standardized mortality risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in England and Wales. Science of The Total Environment, 2020; 743: 140534 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140534
Cite This Page:
University of Manchester. "Increased global mortality linked to arsenic exposure in rice-based diets." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 August 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200804134737.htm>.
How CBN measures could raise local production, reduce forex depletion
By . | Aug 4, 2020 21:27 PM
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele The country’s heavy import dependence has contributed majorly to the high forex outflow and the perennial weakness suffered by the naira over the years According to the federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (FMARD) in 2011, Nigeria spent ₦635 billion importing wheat, and ₦356bn on rice in 2010 alone. This is tantamount to spending about ₦1.0bn per day, ₦217bn on sugar and ₦97bn on fish in spite of all the endowed marine resources, rivers, lakes and creeks of the nation. Food remains the most critical need for human survival. The Food and Agriculture (FAO) motto “Fiat panis” literally meaning “Food comes first”, supports this assertion. Nations, therefore, strive to meet the food needs of their citizens in a food security sense by promoting food production within borders and complementing as necessary with importation across borders. “The two components have definite planning options and outcomes. When a nation proactively plans its food security goals, the preponderance of the food consumed will be locally produced by her farmers.” Analysts have argued. To Steam this tide, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about four years ago started a policy to encourage backward integration to conserve foreign exchange and create jobs. The CBN doled out several intervention funding to encourage production of food but chiefly in that policy strategy was the restriction of some items from accessing forex from the central bank’s regulated forex windows. Presently, the number of items on the CBN’s ‘Not Valid for Import,’ has risen to 44, in the bid to boost domestic production and encourage import substitution. It did not take too long before the benefits began rearing its head. The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said that Nigeria’s monthly food import bill fell from $665.4m in January 2015 to $160.4m as of October 2018. He said the reductions in food import were recorded on rice, fish, milk, sugar and wheat, adding that the policy would be maintained. He said, “Noticeable declines were steadily recorded in our monthly food import bill from $665.4m in January 2015 to $160.4m as at October 2018; A cumulative fall of 75.9 per cent and an implied savings of over $21bn on food imports alone over that period. “Most evident were the 97.3 per cent cumulative reduction in monthly rice import bills, 99.6 per cent in fish, 81.3 per cent in milk, 63.7 per cent in sugar, and 60.5 per cent in wheat.” The central bank had explained that the forex restriction policy was carefully crafted with a view to reversing the multiple challenges of dwindling foreign reserves, contracting Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and what was described as an embarrassing rise in the level of unemployment confronting the Nigerian economy. A former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and Professor of Economics, Babcock University, Prof. Segun Ajibola, argued that the restriction of forex for the importation of some items would conserve scarce forex and protect the local producers from unfair competition. According to him, this would ultimately increase local value addition, generate employment, and increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Prior to the latest forex restriction policy, the CBN had last year also taken steps to enhance domestic production of milk so as to conserve forex. Then, import of milk annually stood at $1.2-$1.5bn. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had said the bank would sustain its intervention in the agriculture sector through its development finance mandate. In line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari, the CBN had created several lending programmes and provided hundreds of billions to smallholder farmers and industrial processors in several key agricultural products. These policies are aimed at positioning Nigeria to become a self-sufficient food producer, creating millions of jobs, supplying key markets across the country and dampening the effects of exchange rate movements on local prices. The CBN governor explained that through schemes such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme and the Bankers Committee Agric-Business/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), the apex bank has improved access to markets for farmers by facilitating a greater partnership with agro-processors and manufacturing firms in the sourcing of raw materials. “As a result, manufacturers have integrated local options in sourcing their raw materials. Partnerships forged through contracts between farmer cooperatives and agro-processors have also helped to support improved production of agricultural commodities such as rice, cotton and maize. “In order to address some of the challenges faced by local farmers and manufacturers, we embarked on measures to discourage smuggling and dumping of restricted items into the country, by imposing restrictions on the use of financial institutions in Nigeria by identified smugglers, as their activities undermined the growth of our local industries. “These measures are aiding our efforts to support local cultivation in rice, cotton and fish, etc.,” he had stated. He added that at some point in Nigeria’s history, the economy was heavily reliant on agriculture, with increased cultivation and exports of primary products such as cocoa, palm oil, cotton and groundnut. He, therefore, urged the country, in view of current challenges in the global economy, to return to the era, when the growth of the agricultural and manufacturing sectors was used to bring about growth and employment. Emefiele believed the Bank’s on-going interventions, especially in agriculture, would, “help to boost not only our domestic outputs but also improve our annual non-oil exports receipts from $2bn in 2018 to $12bn by 2023.” Buhari recently decried the huge sums spent by the country importing food items that could be produced locally. He added: “The importance of agriculture in the economy cannot be over emphasized. Prior to the advent of oil, our country survived on agriculture production. During this period, the economy was built on agricultural activities and our gross domestic product grew steadily. “Economic diversification is no longer an option for us, it is the only way for economic momentum and the drive to prosperity.” According to him, the only way to do this was to go back to the land and develop agriculture. These measures are expected to help the country address some of the challenges in the external sector and help conserve the much-needed forex revenue for the country.
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-cbn-measures-could-raise-local-production-reduce-forex-depletion.html
Kelly Robbins to Lead Arkansas Rice Federation
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 3:03 pm
The Arkansas Rice Federation has named Kelly Robbins its executive director, effective Aug. 1.
He succeeds Lauren Waldrip, a partner at Campbell Ward, a Little Rock-based public affairs and public relations firm.
The federation announced in a June 17 Facebook post that Waldrip had decided to take on new opportunities. Her firm will continue helping the organization with media relations, communications, event planning and more.
Most recently, Robbins served as executive director of the Arkansas Petroleum Council. Prior to that, he was executive vice president at Associated General Contractors of Arkansas, Arkansas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association and the Arkansas Forestry Association.
The Arkansas Rice Federation represents all aspects of the rice industry, including the Arkansas Rice Council, Arkansas Rice Farmers, Arkansas Rice Merchants and Arkansas Rice Millers.
https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/132364/kelly-robbins-to-lead-arkansas-rice-federation Kelly Robbins named executive director for Arkansas Rice
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The Arkansas Rice Federation Board has announced that Kelly Robbins has been selected as the new executive director effective August 1.
Most recently, Robbins served as executive director for the Arkansas Petroleum Council. He has previously served as Executive Vice President for three trade groups including the Associated General Contractors of Arkansas, Arkansas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association and the Arkansas Forestry Association.
“It’s an honor to join a well-established team of hardworking producers, millers, and merchants, who make our state’s rice industry the finest in the land,” Robbins said. “With their ongoing input and guidance, Arkansas Rice will continue its successful efforts representing our important community to the public, consumers and officials at all levels.”
“Kelly’s extensive history in association management and lobbying make him a good fit to represent our industry well,” Arkansas Rice Federation Chairman David Gairhan said. “His many years of experience and skill set make him an asset for our team.”
Robbins will oversee all trade association activities and manage contract work for the federation. Campbell Ward will continue to conduct all marketing and public relations activities. Campbell Ward partners include previous Arkansas Rice Executive Director Lauren Waldrip and Becky Campbell.
The Arkansas Rice Federation represents all aspects of the rice industry including the Arkansas Rice Council, Arkansas Rice Farmers, Arkansas Rice Merchants and Arkansas Rice Millers.
Arkansas is the largest rice-growing state in the nation, producing over 50% of the nation’s rice and nearly 9 billion pounds annually.
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Big Screen Holiday Promotion in Jordan
AMMAN, JORDAN -- On Saturday, August 1, the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday, USA Rice initiated an outdoor media campaign here in cooperation with local U.S. rice brand Sunbird.
Ads appear on 29 large digital screens in central locations throughout the capital city. Digital screens are new to the Jordanian market and provide excellent visibility and project a high resolution, premium image.
"The locations are perfect, and the display is wonderful," said Osama Irshaid, assistant executive director for Intermarkets, the local importer of Sunbird brand. "We are very happy to be the first U.S. rice brand to appear on this new media, and we are thankful for the support provided by USA Rice."
This is the first promotion in Jordan this year which has not run on social media. USA Rice had to postpone all planned activities utilizing traditional media due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing restrictions put in place by the local government. As the situation gradually improves in Jordan and people get back to some normality in their lives, USA Rice will re-launch appropriate promotions with local U.S. rice brands.
In the meantime, USA Rice has ramped up social media promotions including the launch of Jordan-specific Facebook and Instagram accounts, and a new partnership with a Jordanian chef to create authentic local dishes using U.S.-origin rice to be shared online each week. For more details on USA Rice social media efforts abroad, see USA Rice Daily, June 18.
Jordan is a significant, loyal market for U.S. rice sales. It was the seventh largest market by value for U.S. rice sales in 2019, with a volume of 90,000 MT and value of $73.3 million. Sales between January through May 2020 increased by 16 percent in volume demonstrating the
Asda, Tesco, Lidl and Sainsbury's have issued urgent product recalls with shoppers implored to return good to stores.
The supermarkets are withdrawing sandwiches, ice creams, spreads and rice - as well as doughnuts.
Each week, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) post notices to shoppers informing them of affected products.
This week, a string of popular retailers are impacted by the urgent product recalls - with Birmingham supermarket shoppers affected.
Thankfully, the retailers in question have vowed to give out refunds to anybody returning the items, which have been recalled amid health and safety fears.
The Food Standards Agency issues 'Product Withdrawal Information Notices' and 'Product Recall Information Notices' to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
Bread Spread Ltd
Generic image of a chicken sandwich
The following products have been recalled:
Chicken and Mayo:
Chicken and Mayo sandwich 160g, Chicken mayo crusty baguette 200g, Chicken mayo roll 150g,Chicken Mayo Torpido 230g, Chicken Mayo French stick 250g, Chicken Mayo Tortilla 240g, ChickenMayo special baguette 200g.
Chicken Salad:
Chicken salad sandwich 160g, chicken salad crusty baguette 200g, chicken salad roll 150g, chickensalad Torpido 230g, chicken salad French stick 250g, chicken salad tortilla 240g, Chicken saladspecial baguette 200g.
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Chicken and Bacon:
Chicken and Bacon sandwich160g, Chicken and Bacon crusty baguette 200g, Chicken and Baconroll 150g, Chicken and Bacon Torpido 230g, Chicken and Bacon French stick 250g, Chicken andBacon Tortilla 240g, Chicken and Bacon special baguette 200g.
Use By dates: 31 July 2020, 1 August 2020 and 2 August 2020
If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them.
Instead return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund or contact Bread Spread Ltd on 07792254298 or by emailing breadspread2501@gmail.com to arrange a refund.
Co-op - Bakery 4 Glazed Ring Doughnuts
Co-op is recalling Co-op In-store Bakery 4 Glazed Ring Doughnuts because the product contains milk and soya which are not mentioned on some of the labels as incorrect labels were applied to some products.
This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya.
Product details
Co-op In-Store Bakery 4 Glazed Ring Doughnuts
· Best before: Up to and including 13 May 2020
· Allergens: Milk, Soya
If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya, do not eat it.
Instead customers should call 0800 0686 727, email customer.careline@coop.co.uk or if customers are making an essential trip to the nearest Co-op store, they can return the item in-store for a full refund.
Lidl
(Image: Food Standards Agency)
Lidl is recalling Baresa Pesto alla Genovese (Green) and Baresa Red Pesto because they may contain peanuts, which are not mentioned on the label.
This means the products are a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanuts.
Product details
Baresa Pesto alla Genovese (Green)
Pack size: 190 g
Best-before dates: up to and including October 2022
Baresa Red Pesto
Pack size: 190 g
Best-before dates: up to and including October 2022
Lidl GB has issued point-of-sale notice to their customers. This notice explains to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products. Please see the attached notice.
If you have bought any of the above products and have an allergy to peanuts, do not eat them.
Instead please dispose of the product and email customer.services@lidl.co.uk including a photo of the affected product and best-before date.
Alternatively, if you are making an essential trip to a Lidl GB store, you can return the item in-store for a full refund, with or without a receipt.
Calippo
(Image: Food Standards Agency)
Unilever is recalling Wall’s Mini Calippo (Orange and Lemon-Lime) multi-packs because they may contain small pieces of metal.
The presence of metal makes this product unsafe to eat.
Product details
Wall’s Mini Calippo (Orange and Lemon-Lime)
· Pack size: 6 x 80ml (480ml) multi-pack
· Batch code: L0121, L0122, L0123, L0124, L0125 and L0126
· Best before: April 2022 and May 2022
If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, contact Unilever on their Careline Freephone: 0800 731 1507.
Uncle Ben's Brown Basmati Microwave Rice
Mars Food UK is recalling the food with particular best before dates.
The Food Standards Agency website states: "Mars Food UK is recalling Uncle Ben’s Brown Basmati ready to heat rice pouches as some packs may contain pieces of glass.
"The possible presence of glass makes this product unsafe to eat."
Best Before November 17, 2020
Best before December 8, 2020
Best before December 9, 2020
Best before January 8, 2021
Best before January 18, 2021
Best before January 19, 2021
Best before March 2, 2021
Best before March 16, 2021
Best before March 20, 2021
Best before May 24, 2021
Best before July 3, 2021
Best before June 14, 2021
Best before June 15, 2021
Best before July 19, 2021
The packs affected are 250 grams.
Customers are advised to return the faulty packs to the store where it was bought for a full refund.
Shoppers can also get in touch with Uncle Ben's consumer care line on 0800-952-1234 to arrange a refund.
All supermarkets selling the rice will have point-of-sale notices in store giving more information.
The notices say: "Uncle Ben's is voluntarily recalling Uncle Ben's Brown Basmati 250g ready to heat rice pouches.
"This is a precautionary recall due to the possible presence of glass.
"No other best before dates or Uncle Ben's products are affected by this recall."
Lay's crisps
Gima UK Ltd is recalling Lay’s Maxx Deep Ridged Oriental Salsa flavoured crisps because they contain barley (gluten) which is not written in English on the label.
This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to barley (gluten).
Pack size- 130g
Best before- 26 June 2020
Allergens- Gluten (barley)
If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to barley (gluten), do not eat it. Instead, contact Gima UK Ltd at: aylinkeles@gimauk.com
Magnum ice cream
Unilever UK Ltd is recalling two batches of Magnum White Chocolate ice cream tubs because they contain milk, which is not written in English on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.
If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, do not eat it. Instead, contact the Unilever Careline on 0800 146252 or email ukicare@unilever.com.
Pack size - 440ml
Batch code - L9255AT138 and L9255BT138
Best before - September 2021
Allergens – Milk
Registration Open for UC ANR California Rice Virtual Field Day
Mark your calendar for the California Rice Virtual Field Day, which will be held on August 26, from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Here’s a link to register. The registration fee is $20.
The UC Cooperative Extension and California Rice Research Station will provide the latest information on variety development, disease and arthropod management, weed control, weedy rice, and fertility.
The full agenda is available here.
Here are contacts for more information:
Logistics and Registration: Rachel Palmer, ANR Program Support Unit, 530-750-1361.
Course Content: Whitney Brim-DeForest, UC ANR County Director, Sutter and Yuba Counties and CE Rice and Wild Rice Advisor.
Louisiana rice harvest starts early but is battling the weather
Louisiana's rice harvest has started early this year, but it has recently been slowed by rainy weather. When farmers could get into the fields, yields have been excellent.
Louisiana rice farmers have begun harvesting what is shaping up to be one of the better crops in the past five years. Good weather through most of the growing season and dry weather at the beginning of the harvest have been encouraging to farmers.
"Not record breakers, but solid yields, and so far, what we've managed to ship to the mills have been really good quality also," rice farmer Paul Johnson said.
A stretch of rainy weather has significantly slowed the harvest and has kept many combines idle. Many farmers in southwest Louisiana grow a second or rattoon crop from their stubble, and wet harvest conditions hurt the second crop yield.
"We want to harvest that first crop dry because if the soil is wet when we harvest the first crop, we can cause a lot of rutting and then you lose a lot of area for that rattoon crop because you have stubble in the Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter's rice specialist, said.
An uptick in rice prices has caused acreage to increase in Louisiana and farmers are hopeful prices do not fall too much as the new crop is harvested.
"It's early in the new crop, we're not sure where that's going to head. Arkansas has a large crop and I'm sure we'll see a little suppression from that, but obviously, a little room for optimism," Johnson said.
Harrell says that growers in north Louisiana are planting more row rice acreage. This practice involves growing rice without the traditional levee system and irrigating the rice much like you would a corn or soybean crop. "
We can expect about 30,000 acres of that to be in row rice production, that's a considerable increase from what we saw last year," he said. "That's almost double the amount of row rice."
The grandson and son of rodeo world champions Bobby and Sid Steiner, young bareback rider Rocker Steiner seems destined for the ProProdeo circuit and a gold buckle of his own.
3 MEN RESCUED FROM PACIFIC ISLAND AFTER WRITING SOS IN SAND
Three men have been rescued from a tiny Pacific island after writing a giant SOS sign in the sand that was spotted from above.
The correct way to make tea? Science weighs in on microwaving vs. kettle
Posted August 4, 2020 11:11 a.m. EDT
CNN — An American woman's TikTok guide to making hot tea that went viral in June had Brits tut-tutting in horror over their morning cuppa -- largely because of the controversial use of a microwave rather than a kettle to heat water.
The spat over the best way to brew tea boiled over into a transatlantic incident, with both the UK and US ambassadors sticking their spoon in and the British military summoned to explain the "correct" technique.
Now scientists have waded into the debate, apparently confirming what many Brits have known instinctively for years -- water heated in a microwave just isn't the same.
Microwaves heat liquids unevenly, making the liquid at the top of the container much hotter than the liquid at the bottom, a team of Chinese scientists found. Their study was published Tuesday in the journal AIP Advances from the American Institute of Physics.
Typically, when a liquid is being warmed, the heating source -- a stove or electric kettle for example -- heats the container from below and the process of convection means that as liquid toward the bottom of the container warms up, it becomes less dense and moves to the top, allowing a cooler section of the liquid to contact the heat source. This ultimately results in a uniform temperature throughout the container.
However, in a microwave the heat source exists everywhere so the convection process doesn't occur.
But die-hard microwave users need not lower their heads in shame. The scientists at the University of Electronic Science & Technology of China said they may have found a solution to this problem.
They have designed a silver plating to go along the rim of a cup or container that is able to shield the effect of the microwave at the top of the liquid. The silver acts as a guide for the waves, reducing the electric field at the top and effectively blocking the heating and resulting in a more uniform temperature.
While this appears to contradict the long-standing advice not to put metals in a microwave, Baoqing Zeng, one of the authors of the study, said it was "still safe" and similar metal structures have already been safely used in microwave steam pots and rice cookers.
"After carefully designing the metal structure at the appropriate size, the metal edge, which is prone to ignition, is located at weak field strength, where it can completely avoid ignition, so it is still safe," said Zeng, a professor of electronic science and engineering at UESTC, in a news release.
So does this put the debate to rest over the best way to make a brew? Alas, it may only be one battle.
While kettles may heat water more evenly, other scientific research has shown that microwaves can draw out more of tea's potentially beneficial compounds like catechins and caffeine.So what'll it to be, tea drinkers? An evenly warmed cuppa or one that keeps you alert longer?
Man charged with throwing rice at cleaner, pushing her at food centre
CNA
Google Street View of 45 Quality Road.
Published05 AUGUST, 2020UPDATED 05 AUGUST, 2020
SINGAPORE — After a dispute with a cleaner at a food centre in Boon Lay, a man allegedly threw a plate of rice at the cleaner before pushing her.
Phua Meng Wee, 44, was charged in court on Wednesday (Aug 5) with one count of voluntarily causing hurt and another charge of using criminal force.
He is accused of using force on Ms Ho Gek Yeow at about 11am on Feb 5 at Quality Road Food Centre, by throwing a plate of rice at her back.
According to a police statement, this happened after a dispute between Phua and the cleaner.
Minutes after this, Phua allegedly pushed Ms Ho, causing her to fall and feel pain.
He will return to court for a pre-trial conference on Sept 2.
If found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt, Phua could be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$5,000, or both.
If convicted of using criminal force, he can be jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$1,500, or both. CNA
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