Envoy calls for increasing Pakistan-Kenya trade to US$ 1
billion
By DND -
March 14, 2016
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: High Commissioner of Kenya to Pakistan
Prof. Julius Kibet Bitkok said on Monday that current volume of bilateral trade
between Kenya and Pakistan was US$ 600 million while it could be taken to US$ 1
billion by the aggressive efforts of businessmen of both countries.The
ambassador stated this while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).The Commissioner Counselor of Kenya was also
present at the occasion.Prof. Julius Kibet Bitkok said that Pakistani rice was
meeting 70% market needs of Kenya while Kenyan tea was meeting 70% needs of
Pakistani market. However, he said both countries should focus on
diversification of bilateral trade.He said Kenya was interested in many
Pakistani products including pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, farm
machinery and sports goods.
Similarly, he said that Kenya could export its leather
products, flowers and many other goods to Pakistan.The High Commissioner said
that Kenya was a gateway for Pakistan to reach East and Central African market
of 150 million people.He said Commerce Minister of Kenya would visit Pakistan
in August this year to take part in Joint Ministerial Commission negotiations
and asked the business community of Pakistan to prepare a draft of preferential
trade agreement which could be discussed during the JMC.About tariffs hike on
Pakistani rice in Kenya, he said the decision was taken on the pressure of
Eastern African block, however, he said this issue could be negotiated during
the JMC to arrive at a favorable tariff for Pakistani rice.He said ICCI should
plan a trade mission for Kenya to explore potential areas of trade promotion
and High Commission of Kenya would organize its meetings with relevant
government officials and other stakeholders.
In his address of welcome, the President ICCI Atif Ikram
Sheikh urged for evolving a new strategy to improve bilateral trade.He said
many Pakistani products including fruits and vegetables, food products,
surgical instruments, medicines, textiles, IT, engineering and sports goods,
auto parts and construction material could meet the needs of Kenyan consumers
at affordable cost.He said Kenya should review its high tariffs on Pakistani
rice.He said Kenya was a member of Eastern African Community (EAC) and Common
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa region (COMESA).
Thus increased cooperation between two countries would open
up new opportunities of promoting trade as Pakistan could get greater access to
Africa through Kenya and Kenya could get easy access to South Asia and other
regional markets through Pakistan.He said Kenya should sign a preferential
trade agreement with Pakistan leading to free trade agreement that would give significant
boost to bilateral trade
Workers unload 42,494 tonnes of Thai rice at the Tanjung
Priok harbour in Jakarta January 25, 2011. Indonesia’s state procurement agency
Bulog is looking for at least 170,000 tonnes of Thai rice for delivery from
January to March, a trader said early this month. The government has allowed
Bulog to import rice this year to shore up falling stocks. REUTERS/Crack
Palinggi (INDONESIA – Tags: BUSINESS FOOD)
The Federal Government said on Saturday that it would
stabilise the price of rice from April to make it affordable to everybody in
the country.The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu
Ogbeh, made this known while declaring open the 2016 National wheat farmers
field day in Alkamawa village in Bunkure Local Government of Kano state.
Ogbeh said that the stability of price would be very viable due
to its demand and affordability to the people as from April.He said the
boosting of wheat production and other cereals had become necessary to reduce
over dependence on importation.The minister added that over 300, 000 hectares
of land in wheat producing states would be dedicated to boost wheat
production.“The government will continue to support farmers to encourage
agricultural activity, enhance food security and employment generation in the
country,’’ he said.
According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu
Buhari will diversify the economy with greater emphasis on agriculture.Ogbeh
urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture to enhance their welfare and enable them
become self reliant.In a remark, Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator
Abdullahi Adamu, said the senate would make legislation to remove obstacles
being faced by wheat farmers in the country
http://dailypost.ng/2016/03/13/rice-will-become-very-affordable-by-april-fg/
Unisame urges FPCC&I standing committee on rice to discuss
GI & TM issues also
The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has
requested the standing committee (SC) on rice of the Federation of Pakistan
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCC&I) to particularly discuss the
Geographical Indication (GI) and Trade Mark (TM) issues in its meeting
on 16th March 2016 at the Federation House and also recommend short
and long term measures needed to save the rice industry.
UNISAME also stressed the need to invite the representatives of the ministries of commerce, industry, science and technology and agriculture to the meeting to discuss the issues and to join hands and work collectively for the modernization of rice farming, milling,processing and marketing and to enable it to meet the global challenges.President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said the SMEs are badly affected and more than 1000 units have closed down. Exports have also declined. FPCC&I standing committee is supposed to discuss the issues threadbare and not avoid crucial matters which the sector cannot afford to ignore.
It is very important that it gives serious consideration to the GI and TM issues of basmati rice in view of the orders of the Indian Court and its consequences.
He said we fail to understand why the SC is avoiding to
discuss the GI and TM issue.Secondly the rice supply chain is badly affected
due to high cost of production. The taxes on farm inputs has made them
costly.The SME rice farmers, millers, processors, traders and exporters are in
turmoil due to the step motherly treatment of the government. The only
answer to survival is improving the supply chain, value addition, quality bench
marking and entering non traditional markets.Thaver urged Rafique Suleman
chairman FPCC&I committee on rice to include in the agenda the up gradation
of the industry, the marketing support by the Trade Development Authority of
Pakistan (TDAP) and invite the officers of the ministries of agriculture,
commerce, industry and science and technology to attend the meeting and
co-ordinate with one another for the uplift of the rice sector.
UNISAME after carrying out a study of the requirements for the uplift of the sector stated that dedicated efforts are required from grass root level from modernization of farming, milling, processing, packing and marketing. The FPCC&I standing committee can request and impress upon the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) under the ministry of industries and the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) under the ministry of science and technology to join hands for modernization of the rice industry.SMEDA and PCSIR could take up the issues of paddy drying, parboiling, steaming and preparation of iron and vitaminized rice and also pre-cooked rice. Various products can be made from rice flour and rice grains if PCSIR could educate the sector on increasing shelf life of the products. PCSIR is capable of doing great work for the sector Thaver said.
The Rice Research Institute under the ministry of agriculture also needs to do more and develop new varieties.We have only a handful of varieties whereas our neighbour India has many and we need to compete in the global market.The ministry of commerce needs to intervene in the basmati Geographical Indication (GI) matter and also the basmati trade mark issue and resolve the matter with the Intellectual Property Organization and the Registrar of Trade Marks in national interest.
Thaver said we have lost the markets of Iran, Gulf and Middle East. Although we have never really entered Europe and USA, there is scope as our super basmati rice is far superior to the 1121 non basmati rice of India.TDAP and Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) will need to make great efforts to popularize our super basmati rice which is tasty, aromatic and cooks exceedingly well and is undoubtedly the best rice in the world.
The rice exporters need finance facility for export to third
world countries and to buyers who are banking with low rating banks. There is
urgent need for export credit insurance at low premium just like India has done
to promote exports to third world countries. The third world countries have
rice as their staple food. India has captured their markets and we are lagging
behind. Same is the case with Iran unless the facility for smooth transactions
exist there can be no break through. India developed the currency agreement
with Iran long ago whereas we were not yet ready to displease the sanction
authors. However Iran has now been provided the SWIFT facility for currency
transaction and our exporters need to make efforts to regain the lost market.
PHILSTAR: "NFA DEFERS RICE IMPORTATION
________________________________________
3/11/2016
PHILSTAR GLOBAL (11-03-2016)
MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) said
the Philippines has deferred plans to import additional rice due to ample
supply of the grain.NFA public affairs head Angel G. Imperial said the Food
Security Council and the NFA Council decided not to push through with the
proposed importation of 500,000 metric
tons of rice.“The council will meet sometime in April or May to determine
whether there’s a need to import in the third and fourth quarter,” Imperial
said.Expected importations for the first semester this year is 500,000 MT,
which form part of the 750,000 MT negotiated in the fourth quarter. The
remaining 250,000 MT have already been delivered.
Paddy harvest in the first quarter is likely more than
five-percent lower than the previous forecast due to a crop-damaging dryness
linked to the El Niño weather pattern.
Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Crop losses due to El Niño turned out much smaller than
expected.Government also put in place a program to address the impact of El
Niño. Part of the program is to maximize the opportunities for increasing
production in areas where there is water supply.It established a P19-billion El
Nino mitigation fund which will be sourced from the current budget worth P6.6
billion.
The funds would be used to fuel the food-for-work program in
drought-affected areas, as well as seed money to start new irrigation systems
or repair damaged ones.
Rice prices heating up
Rice prices have recently increased amid the peak harvest
time of winter spring crop in the Mekong Delta because salt intrusion has
reduced output in many coastal provinces, according to Vietnam Food Association
chairman Huynh The Nang.Farmers dry rice in the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP)
In addition, businesses have sped up purchase for their
export contracts.Chinese traders have been found buy rice at businesses’
warehouses in the Mekong Delta and transport to Hai Phong port and the northern
border before exporting to their country.These factors have hiked rice prices
by VND300-600 a kilogram. Export prices have also moved up by US$10 to
US$370-380 a ton of 5 percent broken rice and by US$5 to US$445-455 a ton of
Jasmines rice.The rice price is forecast to continue increasing as drought and
salt intrusion have not eased in the delta. The output of summer autumn crop
will be affected without rain in April and May.
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2016/3/117926/
Is Vietnam’s position as second largest rice exporter
threatened?
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has been warned that
it would be outstripped by Thailand and Cambodia in rice exports if it cannot
change the current production and export policies.
http://www.dnd.com.pk/envoy-calls-for-increasing-pakistan-kenya-trade-to-us-1-billion/107576
|
|
The Vietnamese Counsellor in China has warned about the so called ‘Cambodia phenomenon’. The country has just begun exporting rice to China recently, but it has gained very high export growth rate. Cambodia exported 116,000 tons of rice to the market in 2015, an increase of 138 percent compared to 2014.Some other experts have also said that Cambodia has become a strong rival of Vietnam m Meanwhile, the threat from Thailand seems to be worse as the country plans to apply a new rice strategy, while it considers diverting Loei, a branch of Mekong River, to bring water to agricultural areas in the country’s northeastern part.
|
Vietnam
has been warned that it would be outstripped by Thailand and Cambodia in rice
exports if it cannot change the current production and export policies.
|
Commenting about the ‘Cambodia phenomenon’, Vo Tong Xuan, a
leading rice expert, said there was no need to be too worried because Cambodia
still cannot compete with Vietnam in low-cost and medium-class
products.However, he admitted that Cambodia has advantages over Vietnam in
high-quality rice production. The problem is that Vietnamese farmers do not
grow these high-quality varieties because of the low yield, just 2-3 tons per
hectare. Vietnamese prefer growing high-yield, 6-7 tons per hectare, varieties.
Even when Vietnam grows Jasmine with the yield of 5 ton per hectares, it still cannot compete with Thailand and Cambodia in the high-quality market segment.Xuan went on to say that China will still need Vietnam’s rice, because it needs low-cost rice for the majority of people, though more and more Chinese are getting richer and want high-quality products. The difference between Vietnam and high-quality rice growers like Thailand and Cambodia is that Vietnam only wants high yield rice, while Thailand and Cambodia focus on growing high quality rice.
Even when Vietnam grows Jasmine with the yield of 5 ton per hectares, it still cannot compete with Thailand and Cambodia in the high-quality market segment.Xuan went on to say that China will still need Vietnam’s rice, because it needs low-cost rice for the majority of people, though more and more Chinese are getting richer and want high-quality products. The difference between Vietnam and high-quality rice growers like Thailand and Cambodia is that Vietnam only wants high yield rice, while Thailand and Cambodia focus on growing high quality rice.
The rice expert believes that Vietnam should not try to compete with Thailand and Cambodia in growing high-quality rice because it is more profitable to till high yield rice.
“I am sure that no one is better than Vietnamese in tilling high-yield rice,” he said.
“Thailand is considering diverting Mekong River’s stream and thinks it would help its poor farmers in the northeast. However, it will not help,” he said.However, Xuan, while affirming that Vietnam will not be affected by the Thai moves, believes that Vietnam should reduce rice cultivation in saline areas and only have one crop in rainy season. After the crop, farmers can farm shrimp instead of tilling rice.“Mekong Delta’s farmers should not try to grow rice at any cost, especially in the context of climate change and saltwater intrusion,” he said.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/152130/is-vietnam-s-position-as-second-largest-rice-exporter-threatened-.html
PPBMM wants government to review quota on rice import
Posted on 14 March 2016 - 04:54pm
Last updated on 14 March 2016 - 07:45pm
"The small rice millers are facing a critical situation
as since last Jan 1 until now, there is 36,282 metric tonnes of rice and
102,312 metric tonnes of padi still not sold in Kedah and Perlis," he told
a media conference here.
He said the 70-30 rate was no longer relevant with the
current economic situation and should be reviewed.The local rice and padi
production glut was detected seven years ago and if the situation continued, it
could result in rice millers in Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Johor to close operation,
he said.He added the glut also resulted in eight millers in Kedah to face court
action for failing to settle loans totalling RM80 million to Padi Beras
Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) since 2014.PPBMM has 23 members, comprising 18 in
Kedah, Perlis (three) and one each in Perak and Johor.
— Bernama
— Bernama
PM orders more study of rice sector plan
Tue, 15 March 2016
Prime Minister Hun Sen has reviewed a report on key issues
threatening the nation’s rice sector and sent it back to the Ministry of
Commerce for further study and expert analysis, Council of Minister spokesman
Phay Siphan said yesterday.The report, submitted by the CRISIS initiative on Friday, outlines
four recommendations aimed at shoring up the rice sector, which the group
claims is on the brink of collapse.The measures include: facilitating soft
loans to rice millers, imposing a quota on rice imports, reducing electricity
fees for millers and providing better logistics.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/pm-orders-more-study-rice-sector-plan
Rice will become very affordable by April – FG
Workers unload 42,494 tonnes of Thai rice at the Tanjung
Priok harbour in Jakarta January 25, 2011. Indonesia’s state procurement agency
Bulog is looking for at least 170,000 tonnes of Thai rice for delivery from
January to March, a trader said early this month. The government has allowed
Bulog to import rice this year to shore up falling stocks. REUTERS/Crack
Palinggi (INDONESIA – Tags: BUSINESS FOOD)
The Federal Government said on Saturday that it would
stabilise the price of rice from April to make it affordable to everybody in
the country.The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu
Ogbeh, made this known while declaring open the 2016 National wheat farmers field
day in Alkamawa village in Bunkure Local Government of Kano state.Ogbeh said
that the stability of price would be very viable due to its demand and
affordability to the people as from April.He said the boosting of wheat
production and other cereals had become necessary to reduce over dependence on
importation.The minister added that over 300, 000 hectares of land in wheat
producing states would be dedicated to boost wheat production.“The government
will continue to support farmers to encourage agricultural activity, enhance
food security and employment generation in the country,’’ he said.
According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu
Buhari will diversify the economy with greater emphasis on agriculture.Ogbeh
urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture to enhance their welfare and enable them
become self reliant.In a remark, Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture,
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the senate would make legislation to remove
obstacles being faced by wheat farmers in the country
http://dailypost.ng/2016/03/13/rice-will-become-very-affordable-by-april-fg/
60% of rice produced locally – Mahama
Business March
14, 2016
President John Dramani Mahama has said 60% of rice consumed
in Ghana is produced locally.The president, who was a guest on TV3’s New Day on
Monday 14 March 2016, also vowed that his government will not relent on its
efforts to promote the patronage of Made-in-Ghana goods.In an interview with
Bridget Otoo, the president explained: “Currently we are producing 60% of the
rice we consume, and that is part of the self-reliant campaign.”Rice imports by
the government are estimated to be between US$200 million and US$400 million
every year.
Analysts indicate that this is one of the key contributors
to the huge import bill, which has a strong effect on the strength of the Ghana
cedi against major foreign currencies, especially the United States dollar.A
leaked US Embassy information by Wikileaks in August 2011 indicated that the
largest commercial market for US rice was West Africa, and US producers
maintain about a third of the Ghanaian rice market over the last several
years.Meanwhile, the president has also entreated citizens to shed the
perception that foreign goods were better than what were produced locally, as
the quality of Ghanaian goods meets global standards.
“Though we produce comparatively quality goods here, we have
had the perception that foreign goods are always better than ours, and that is
the perception [the] ‘Made-in- Ghana’ [campaign] seeks to change,” said Mr
Mahama.He indicated that government would be amending the Procurement Act to
give Made-in-Ghana goods a priority.“I think Made-in-Ghana goods should have
some percentage of about 20%, so that if a Ghanaian product is even 20% more
expensive than a foreign product, because it is manufactured locally and
produces jobs in Ghana, we should go for the Ghanaian product,” he stated.He
argued that Ghanaians had become more conscious of the need to switch from
patronage of foreign goods to local ones, while Ghanaian producers were getting
more opportunities to market their products.
Mr Mahama cited the example of the Kumasi Shoe Factory,
which makes shoes for security personnel and schoolchildren, whose operations,
he said, had led to a huge reduction in the import bill, as previously the
state had to buy footwear from China.According to the president, the
resuscitation of the Komenda Sugar Factory to produce half of the sugar
consumed in Ghana, has led to a reduction of the sugar import bill from US$300m
per year to US$150m.He also indicated that other firms like the Savanna Cement
Factory now obtain raw materials locally to produce a large quantity of cement
in Ghana.
Source: classfmonline
http://vibeghana.com/2016/03/14/60-of-rice-produced-locally-mahama/
ARAB NEWS
Published — Sunday 13 March 2016
Last update 13 March 2016 8:52 am
MAKKAH: While the price of rice has dropped 50 percent
globally, local retailers have raised their costs by 15 percent, causing
outrage among consumers, according to a report in local media on Friday.In
Makkah, citizen Thamer Al-Qathami said that the government should expose and
punish those doing so because they were taking money out of the pockets of
people. There should be a boycott of those monopolizing the market, he
said.Mohammad Al-Harbi called on the Ministry of Commerce to check the prices
at restaurants because the cost of rice and chicken was rising, while prices
abroad were dropping.Hasan Al-Zahrani said that the ministry must pursue
“greedy” people monopolizing the market. There should be electronic boards at
the entrances of all markets with the price of food — including vegetables,
fish, milk and bread — like there is for precious metals, he said.
Economist Fadhel Al-Buainain said the price of certain types of rice fell by 50 percent on global markets at the end of 2015, without any equal fall in the Kingdom. On the contrary, there was a 15 percent increase, he said.He said this was a tactic used by retailers locally to try to fool the commerce ministry. They would drop their prices and then claim that they are supporting consumers.
Al-Buainain said rice traders often collude to fix prices, which is worsened by poor controls. He said prices should be subject to supply and demand. There was no justification for raising prices because import costs were falling dramatically.
Abdulkhaliq bin Dawood, a retailer and owner of the Bin Dawood and Al-Danube companies, said the reason for the increases was that a few importers monopolized the market.He said prices depend on the type of rice. Indian rice has dropped 9 percent, but was increased in the Kingdom gradually at the beginning of this month. He said every person consumes on average 45 kg a year.There is great demand in Makkah, which is exploited by importers and merchants. In addition, population growth of 3.5 percent a year and the age of consumers also influences the price.
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/894336
Nigeria to stabilise rice price by April – Agriculture
Minister
The Federal Government said on Saturday that it would
stabilise the price of rice from April to make it affordable to everybody in
the country.The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, made
this known while declaring open the 2016 National wheat farmers field day in
Alkamawa village in Bunkure Local Government of Kano State.Mr. Ogbeh said the
stability of the price of rice would be very viable due to its demand and
affordability to the people from April.No further details of how to stabilise
the price of rice, arguably Nigeria’s most consumed food, was reported by the
News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, which reported the story.He said the boosting of
wheat production and other cereals had become necessary to reduce over
dependence on importation.
The minister added that over 300,000 hectares of land in
wheat producing states would be dedicated to boost wheat production.“The
government will continue to support farmers to encourage agricultural activity,
enhance food security and employment generation in the country,” he said.
According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will diversify
the economy with greater emphasis on agriculture.
Mr. Ogbeh urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture to enhance
their welfare and enable them become self reliant.
In a remark, the Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture,
Abdullahi Adamu, said the senate would make legislation to remove obstacles
being faced by wheat farmers in the country.On his part, the Governor Atiku
Bagudu of Kebbi said his state would dedicate 70 per cent of the proposed 300,
000 hectares for wheat production.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/200069-nigeria-stabilise-rice-price-april-agriculture-minister.html
Rice Prices
as on : 14-03-2016 08:10:29 PM
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Gadarpur(Utr)
|
1249.00
|
-64.84
|
80511.00
|
2000
|
2139
|
5.26
|
|
Haridwar Union(Utr)
|
786.10
|
1210.17
|
846.10
|
4100
|
3000
|
70.83
|
|
Etawah(UP)
|
320.00
|
-11.11
|
17940.00
|
2260
|
2260
|
1.80
|
|
Azamgarh(UP)
|
165.00
|
-2.94
|
3516.50
|
2000
|
2020
|
-
|
|
Agra(UP)
|
150.00
|
5.63
|
4191.00
|
2110
|
2070
|
8.21
|
|
Sitapur(UP)
|
130.00
|
-7.14
|
5606.00
|
2160
|
2150
|
0.47
|
|
Pilibhit(UP)
|
114.00
|
-24
|
17208.00
|
2190
|
2190
|
-6.61
|
|
Kalipur(WB)
|
105.00
|
-4.55
|
3770.00
|
2050
|
2050
|
NC
|
|
Bareilly(UP)
|
98.00
|
-15.52
|
6220.00
|
2180
|
2175
|
3.81
|
|
Shahjahanpur(UP)
|
98.00
|
46.27
|
39834.30
|
2210
|
2220
|
8.87
|
|
Saharanpur(UP)
|
80.00
|
-2.44
|
3806.00
|
2120
|
2110
|
0.95
|
|
Aligarh(UP)
|
70.00
|
-17.65
|
2215.00
|
2100
|
2100
|
9.09
|
|
Coochbehar(WB)
|
64.00
|
-3.03
|
915.50
|
2100
|
2100
|
-2.33
|
|
Ghaziabad(UP)
|
60.00
|
NC
|
1930.00
|
2125
|
2130
|
NC
|
|
Achalda(UP)
|
60.00
|
3.45
|
2902.50
|
2770
|
2270
|
27.06
|
|
Beldanga(WB)
|
56.00
|
-3.45
|
1257.50
|
2275
|
2275
|
-10.78
|
|
Mainpuri(UP)
|
54.00
|
-16.92
|
796.00
|
2010
|
2010
|
4.42
|
|
Barasat(WB)
|
50.00
|
-28.57
|
1800.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
2.22
|
|
Jorhat(ASM)
|
45.00
|
-10
|
1070.00
|
2700
|
2700
|
-
|
|
Kasimbazar(WB)
|
44.00
|
-2.22
|
1276.50
|
2320
|
2320
|
-9.02
|
|
Jaunpur(UP)
|
43.00
|
22.86
|
1062.00
|
1935
|
1960
|
-0.77
|
|
Balrampur(UP)
|
41.00
|
17.14
|
1114.50
|
2025
|
2010
|
NC
|
|
Dadri(UP)
|
40.00
|
42.86
|
1477.00
|
2120
|
2150
|
-0.24
|
|
Purulia(WB)
|
36.00
|
20
|
1500.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
-7.56
|
|
Gazipur(UP)
|
35.00
|
16.67
|
1217.00
|
1940
|
1940
|
-4.90
|
|
Dhekiajuli(ASM)
|
34.00
|
21.43
|
717.50
|
1900
|
1960
|
-5.00
|
|
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
|
30.00
|
20
|
1145.00
|
3000
|
3000
|
-
|
|
Balurghat(WB)
|
26.00
|
13.04
|
248.00
|
2730
|
2760
|
-
|
|
Gauripur(ASM)
|
25.00
|
-
|
102.00
|
2600
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Lohardaga(Jha)
|
24.00
|
-7.69
|
633.00
|
1840
|
1750
|
-3.16
|
|
Muzzafarnagar(UP)
|
24.00
|
-44.19
|
929.00
|
2160
|
2150
|
-
|
|
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
|
23.90
|
-0.42
|
814.50
|
2300
|
2300
|
-11.54
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
23.00
|
248.48
|
1048.80
|
1900
|
1900
|
-
|
|
Mekhliganj(WB)
|
21.50
|
2.38
|
473.00
|
2100
|
2050
|
-
|
|
Banda(UP)
|
20.00
|
-28.57
|
327.50
|
2175
|
2135
|
-
|
|
Jasra(UP)
|
20.00
|
-20
|
442.50
|
2000
|
2010
|
-1.23
|
|
Shikohabad(UP)
|
20.00
|
NC
|
377.50
|
1980
|
1990
|
-7.04
|
|
Bindki(UP)
|
20.00
|
-33.33
|
1983.00
|
2265
|
2250
|
9.42
|
|
Alipurduar(WB)
|
19.00
|
NC
|
308.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
2.33
|
|
Ramgarh(Jha)
|
18.00
|
-43.75
|
322.00
|
2600
|
2600
|
NC
|
|
Uluberia(WB)
|
18.00
|
-
|
117.00
|
2300
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Sirsa(UP)
|
17.50
|
-30
|
364.50
|
2050
|
2060
|
0.74
|
|
Jeypore(Ori)
|
16.00
|
290.24
|
185.90
|
325
|
325
|
-
|
|
Champadanga(WB)
|
16.00
|
NC
|
588.00
|
2350
|
2350
|
-11.32
|
|
Medinipur(West)(WB)
|
16.00
|
6.67
|
465.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
NC
|
|
Giridih(Jha)
|
15.67
|
26.88
|
156.81
|
3540
|
3500
|
1.14
|
|
Kannauj(UP)
|
15.50
|
14.81
|
264.30
|
2180
|
2180
|
NC
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
15.00
|
-6.25
|
833.80
|
2400
|
2400
|
-
|
|
Firozabad(UP)
|
15.00
|
-16.67
|
437.00
|
2110
|
2100
|
5.50
|
|
Khair(UP)
|
15.00
|
50
|
114.00
|
2100
|
2130
|
-
|
|
Yusufpur(UP)
|
15.00
|
-25
|
467.00
|
1900
|
1900
|
NC
|
|
Naugarh(UP)
|
14.50
|
-19.44
|
503.00
|
2050
|
2060
|
8.47
|
|
Rampur(UP)
|
14.00
|
27.27
|
365.50
|
2210
|
2215
|
7.02
|
|
Pundibari(WB)
|
12.50
|
31.58
|
142.50
|
2050
|
2050
|
-3.53
|
|
Kaliaganj(WB)
|
12.00
|
20
|
436.00
|
2550
|
2650
|
6.25
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
11.50
|
-11.54
|
1100.50
|
1935
|
1925
|
0.26
|
|
Khairagarh(UP)
|
9.00
|
28.57
|
259.50
|
2100
|
2110
|
3.96
|
|
Baberu(UP)
|
8.00
|
-27.27
|
19.00
|
2100
|
2110
|
-
|
|
Bolangir(Ori)
|
7.50
|
7.14
|
148.50
|
2200
|
2200
|
-8.33
|
|
Bhivandi(Mah)
|
7.00
|
NC
|
230.00
|
2550
|
3750
|
62.42
|
|
Baraut(UP)
|
7.00
|
-36.36
|
200.00
|
2150
|
2160
|
2.38
|
|
Buland Shahr(UP)
|
7.00
|
NC
|
306.00
|
2040
|
2040
|
NC
|
|
Tusura(Ori)
|
5.50
|
-26.67
|
141.50
|
2200
|
2200
|
-8.33
|
|
Jhansi(UP)
|
5.00
|
NC
|
166.00
|
2100
|
2100
|
7.69
|
|
Fatehpur(UP)
|
4.50
|
80
|
129.00
|
2260
|
2250
|
7.11
|
|
Farukhabad(UP)
|
4.00
|
NC
|
181.20
|
2165
|
2160
|
0.70
|
|
Muradabad(UP)
|
4.00
|
-20
|
379.50
|
2275
|
2260
|
14.32
|
|
Islampur(WB)
|
4.00
|
33.33
|
205.40
|
2150
|
2150
|
-
|
|
Imphal(Man)
|
3.50
|
NC
|
144.60
|
2900
|
2900
|
NC
|
|
Alibagh(Mah)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
84.00
|
4000
|
4000
|
150.00
|
|
Jowai(Meh)
|
2.60
|
52.94
|
8.40
|
2700
|
2700
|
NC
|
|
Gulavati(UP)
|
2.50
|
NC
|
25.00
|
2080
|
2080
|
1.96
|
|
Darjeeling(WB)
|
1.80
|
-28
|
61.90
|
1800
|
2800
|
-33.33
|
|
Sardhana(UP)
|
1.20
|
20
|
59.10
|
2145
|
2140
|
3.13
|
|
Thoubal(Man)
|
1.20
|
NC
|
64.80
|
2800
|
2800
|
180.00
|
|
Shillong(Meh)
|
0.80
|
-38.46
|
39.10
|
3500
|
3500
|
NC
|
|
Kalimpong(WB)
|
0.80
|
-20
|
23.30
|
2350
|
2350
|
-12.96
|
Honduras Approves Rice from Paraguay
By Sarah Moran
ARLINGTON, VA -- Last month, Honduras approved the
phytosanitary protocol to allow milled rice imports from Paraguay. They
are the first country in the northern tier of Central America to permit
Paraguayan milled rice.
Over the past five years, Paraguay has nearly doubled their
rice production to 780,000 MT and their exports have nearly tripled during that
same timeframe. Last year, Paraguay exported about 400,000 MT of rice,
with the overwhelming majority destined for Brazil. More than 90 percent
of Paraguay's exports typically have gone to South America but as they have
increased production, they are looking for additional markets. Paraguay
is currently in discussions with El Salvador and Mexico to open up those
markets as well.
Paraguay is known for having a good quality crop, similar to
Uruguayan, at competitive pricing. Colombia's tender for an additional
200,000 MT (see USA Rice Daily, February 9, 2016) has been allocated and
while sources indicate the lion's share will be coming from Uruguay, Paraguay
did capture some of this business.
"U.S. rice has a very strong food safety image,
favorable logistics for the Western Hemisphere, and a solid preference by
customers that have consumed U.S. rice for years, but as more players come onto
the export market scene, it's extremely important that U.S. rice protect that
high quality image and those markets," said Carl Brothers, chairman of the
USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee.
Stop illegal rice importation; Rice importers to Trade
Ministry
Bagged rice ready for the market
Concerns are being raised by importers of rice about the
increase in the illegal importation of rice into the country.According to them,
the move is crippling the businesses of rice importers.In 2013, a directive was
given in parliament to ban the importation of illegal rice into the country.But
years on, it appears government has still not been able to deal with the
matter.In an interview with Citi Business News, the Executive Secretary of
the Importers and Exporters Association, Sampson Asaaki Awingobit said
government must be vigilant and deal with the matter.
‘‘It is legitimate, it is true, it is real and we want the
Ministry of Trade and Industry to come out as a matter of urgency. If it
is true there was a law or a directive banning the importation of inland rice
onto the markets, then what are they doing about this situation?” Sampson
Asaaki lamented.“They should as a matter of urgency do something about
the illegal importation of rice unto the market that is competing with our law
abiding business men and women who bring the rice through the Tema Port’’.
The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association further
stressed.
- See more at: http://citifmonline.com/2016/03/11/198203/#sthash.dRNLpBte.dpuf
Eat up and step out to beat that mid-afternoon efficiency
slump
By WMNJBayley | Posted:
March 14, 2016
By Martin Hesp
A mid-afternoon break with a blood-pumping walk will help
you work through to into the evening, says Martin Hesp
A more flexible approach to the working day is good for all,
writes Martin Hesp.There’s nothing like a good ground-breaking survey to get
you out of bed in the morning and help hone the mind. I should know, as a
journalist I am sent the results of half a dozen surveys a day, and they range
from the inspirational to the 100 per cent whacky.The latest to come my way
begins by stating: “South West England falls below the Brit average of ‘being
at your best’ for four-and-a-half hours.”It continues: “Our most frequent
mistakes include forgetting why we entered a room and zoning out in meetings
and missing something important.”
My first reaction was to either hit the delete button on my
computer’s email inbox or ponder who it was, exactly, that researchers had been
talking to. Despite my advancing middle age I cannot imagine walking into a
room and then wondering why I’d headed for it in the first place. On the other
hand I can, at times, see that firing on all cylinders might not happen all
day, every day.
So, my second reaction was to have a look at the survey to
see who had commissioned it. The answer, perhaps surprisingly, was the Tilda
Basmati rice company.And the clue as to why they may have spent good money
interviewing thousands of people comes in the third paragraph of their new
report: “While we turn to the wrong food and drink such as coffee and chocolate
for an energy boost, going to bed too late and watching TV late at night are
taking their toll on energy levels.” Ah, the “wrong food and drink”… I assume
the underlying message must be that if you choose healthy food options – like
rice, for instance – you are more likely to carry on firing on all cylinders
for longer.I wouldn’t argue with that. As a great believer in the
light-lunch-is-better-than-the-heavy-lunch option when it comes to operating
throughout the afternoon, I am convinced that you are what you eat, both in the
short and long term.
The rice company’s researchers found that the universal lack
of energy that is hitting the Westcountry, and indeed all the UK, is having a
massive effect on our daily lives, with the average adult making five mistakes
a week at work due to tiredness or a slump. That equates to an alarming 260
cock-ups per year.Really? I can only pray that the next pilot who flies the
airliner I’m travelling in is immune to such statistics.But, getting back to we
mere mortals, 46 per cent of people in the South West grab a cup of coffee to
battle the mid-afternoon lack of energy, according to the rice people’s poll,
despite the fact that more than half of them say they know this is an unhealthy
habit.
Dr Sarah Schenker, a dietitian and member of the British
Dietetic Association, said: “It’s not surprising to hear that many people turn
to sugary snacks in an attempt to boost energy levels, but actually this is a
mistake as the energy is short-lived and they quickly feel just as tired as
they did before. Sometimes this can lead to a negative cycle of snacking and
feeling lethargic, which could ultimately lead to weight gain.“Breaking
deeply-ingrained snacking habits to make sensible food choices that reflect
lifestyle and energy needs can be the turning point for many to overhaul energy
levels and improve wellbeing.”Here’s the list of the top ten foods and drinks
that South West residents believe give them energy: first comes coffee, then
chocolate, followed, in order, by tea, a handful of nuts, fruit, energy drinks,
dark chocolate, no food or drink at all, sweets and lastly cereals.
Not exactly a recipe for winning gold at the Olympics, is
it? Although I can see that a few healthy nuts and some fruit would not fall
foul of any dietician’s list.I am one of those fortunate people who works from
home, which means that you have far more flexibility when it comes to what you
snack on and what you have for lunch. I’ll have a quick salad knocked up from
whatever’s in the fridge, or an equally rapid Thai noodle soup which takes around
four minutes to make from scratch using fresh ingredients.
Even then, these seemingly light and refreshing meals are
weighty enough to make me leave a gap of at least an hour before I take the dog
out for his daily walk. You don’t want to be walking up an 800 foot hill
weighed down by a single noodle, let alone a bowlful.I mention the walk because
it’s something the home-worker can also do in the battle against fatigue. I
would be a sufferer of the mid-afternoon slump if it weren’t for that half-hour
blast of energy pumping exercise. A few steep climbs, and 30 or 40 minutes
later your blood is so oxygenated you can easily work through until 6 or
7pm.That period away from my computer is not lost to my employers – more than
gained by them.So well done to the rice company for coming up with a survey
that points such things out.What are needed in a overly busy society are
flexible working conditions that help humans to be more productive, not the
kind of old fashioned rigid clocking-in and out that drains effectiveness away.
SIT to monitor probe in over Rs 1,000-cr rice export scam
New Delhi, Mar 14, 2016, (PTI)
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which has unearthed the scam, has shared relevant details of the case with the SIT, which will monitor the agency's probe, official sources said.With this, the DRI will have to share its probe details periodically with the SIT during the review meetings, they said.The SIT, which is headed by former Supreme Court judge M B Shah, is responsible for investigating cases of black money stashed abroad through coordination of various members from Reserve Bank of India, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation, Financial Intelligence Unit, Research and Analysis Wing and DRI.
According to the probe being done by the DRI, over two lakh metric tonnes of Basmati rice was illegally offloaded in Dubai in the last over a year instead of in Bandar Abbas in Iran, official sources said.Over 25 big exporters from Haryana and Punjab are under the scanner of DRI and other agencies for their involvement in the multi-crore scam. Both the DRI and SIT have referred the case for probe by ED also, they said.Explaining the modus operandi, the sources claimed the rice would be taken to Gujarat's Kandla Port by these exporters.They would then file Shipping Bills--documents filed withcustoms authorities carrying details of goods to be exported, consignor and consignee--for export to Iran, the sources said.
Instead of the consignment reaching Iranian shores, it would be diverted mid-sea to Dubai allegedly with connivance of cargo ship operators carrying the goods. Surprisingly, payments were also made from Iran to these exporters in India. Importers and port officials would allegedly acknowledge the receipt of rice and allow payment to be made against it here, they said.
What is worrying for intelligence agencies here is that they do not know the end-use of rice off-loaded in Dubai. They suspect use of rice as barter system to fund some illegal activity like terror financing, the sources said.While India lost foreign exchange which it could have got from Dubai in case of genuine trade, Iran was also deprived of customs duty it would have been entitled to if rice was delivered at its shore, they said. The authorities suspect the proceeds of the scam assumed the form of black money
Try this recipe tonight: Slow cooker Shoulder Vindaloo
VINDALOO WITH
Matthew Mead,The Associated Press
Originally a Portuguese stew made with meat, garlic and wine,
the dish made its way to India in the 1500s with Portuguese explorers.
Hamilton Spectator
By Meera Sodha
There's a real joy in slowing down in the kitchen.
Gone is the frantic stress of trying to get dinner on the
table in an instant and in its place comes a different type of gentle cooking.
It allows beautiful smells to waft through the house and ingredients to mingle
and develop over time into something deep, rich and flavourful.
Of all slow cooked dishes, Goan vindaloo is my favourite.
Originally a Portuguese stew made with meat, garlic and wine, the dish made its
way to India in the 1500s with Portuguese explorers. Like so many other dishes,
it then was reinterpreted. Today, vindaloo curry is a sweet, hot and sour dish
popular all over the world.
Though the modern recipe, like the original dish, still uses
garlic and wine vinegar, it has changed to include chilies and lots of warming
spices, such as cinnamon, cumin and cloves. I like to use a cheaper and fattier
cut of meat, such as shoulder, which responds well to a slow braise and shows
its true colours after a few hours to become the best type of — succulent,
sweet and soft.
Slow Cooker Shoulder Vindaloo
If you're nervous about the amount of chili powder, halve
the amount called for in the recipe. It will still be delicious. If your slow
cooker doesn't have a sauté setting, start the dish in a large sauté pan, then
transfer to a slow cooker.
Servings: 4
4 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil, divided
20 black peppercorns
1 star anise
3-inch cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1½-inch chunk fresh ginger, grated (plus extra to serve)
2 tsp chili powder
5 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 medium red onion, finely sliced
28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp sugar
2 ¼ pounds boneless shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch
cubes
Plain Greek-style yogurt, to serve
Cooked basmati rice, to serve
Start to finish: 3½ to 5½ hours (1/2 hour active)
Set the slow cooker to sauté mode. Add 1 tablespoon of the
oil and heat until hot. Add the peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and
cumin. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the peppercorns and
cloves swell and are fragrant. Transfer the spices to a mortar and pestle or
spice grinder. Grind until smooth, then add the garlic, ginger and chili
powder. Grind again, then transfer to a small bowl and stir in the vinegar. Set
aside.
Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in the slow cooker.
When hot, add the onions and cook, stirring often, until brown and caramelized.
Add the tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the spice paste, salt and sugar.
Stir well, then add the. Coat the with the paste then add just enough water to
cover the meat. Stir well, then cover and cook for 3 hours on high or 5 hours
on low, or until the meat is completely tender and straining to hold its shape.
Serve topped with grated ginger, dollops of yogurt and
basmati rice.
The Associated Press
Corn hardest hit by flooding in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La (LSU AgCenter Release) - Louisiana’s
recently planted corn crop appears to be the biggest agricultural casualty from
recent flooding.Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist, said corn farmers had
planted roughly 30,000 acres in an eight-parish area of north Louisiana, or
about 8 percent of the state’s total corn acreage in 2014.Corn seed and
seedlings will suffer from being flooded because of the lack of oxygen in the
water-logged soil, he said.
Whether fields will have to be replanted is uncertain,
according to Fromme. “You really won’t be certain for four to five days after
the water subsides.”He said replanting could cost roughly $140 an acre for
seed, and $100 for fertilizer, in addition to fuel.“And it will be hard getting
seed to replant,” Fromme added.
Richard Letlow, LSU AgCenter county agent in Ouachita
Parish, said 15-20 percent of the corn crop in Ouachita and Morehouse parishes
had been planted. He said excessive moisture will complicate corn planting. “It
is early in the planting window. However, wet conditions will push all corn
planting toward the back end of this planting period.”Keith Collins, LSU
AgCenter county agent in Richland Parish, estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 acres
of unplanted corn acreage is underwater in his area. “It’s going to delay
planting. If we could stay dry with no more rain, we may not see much of an
impact. But if we get more rain, which is forecasted later this week, it could cause
a delay.”
He said 10-15 percent of corn acreage there has been
planted. “There will be a tremendous amount of replant because it stayed
underwater too long,” Collins said.If the wet ground keeps farmers out of the
fields after mid-April, corn farmers will have to turn to other options, such
as soybeans.Jason Holmes, LSU AgCenter county agent in Union Parish, said
packets of information from the LSU AgCenter are being distributed to help
homeowners cope with flood-damaged homes.Pastureland will be affected by
flooding.“The biggest concern I have is for annual ryegrass pastures,” said LSU
AgCenter forage specialist Ed Twidwell. “These pastures haven't been growing
all that well this winter because of the excessive moisture received, so the
areas that received a lot of rain will only make this problem worse.”He said
annual ryegrass can probably survive under flooded conditions for about 48
hours, but longer periods of flooding will kill ryegrass plants from the lack
of oxygen.
“Once the floodwaters recede, the warm-season grasses such
as bermudagrass and bahiagrass should begin to grow in these pastures,” he
said.With temperatures in the 70s and 80s, warm-season grasses should begin to
green up fairly quickly. “They can handle wet conditions much better than
annual ryegrass.”In southwest Louisiana, most of the water has drained from
rice fields, but the heavy rainfall interrupted planting for many farmers.Steve
Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station
near Crowley, said rice farmers who planned to drill-seed their crop are
waiting for the soil to dry, but he said many had already started planting.
“I’d say we probably have 30 percent planted in south Louisiana.”
Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter economist, said the state’s wheat crop
has dwindled to only 50,000 acres, and not much of it was flooded.Guidry said
if corn farmers have to replant 18,000 acres of the 30,000 planted, the cost
would exceed $2.5 million.He said he has gotten reports of several hundred head
of cattle lost from the floods. The lost grazing from flooded pastures will
cost cattle operations also, he said.Ryon Walker, LSU AgCenter cattle
researcher at the Hill Farm Research Station, said flooding caused considerable
infrastructure damage in northwest Louisiana because of hilly terrain there.
Fences, barns and roads have been affected, he said. “Much of the hay may be
worthless.”Several LSU AgCenter agents are helping to move cattle to higher
ground.“We’ll also see a huge effect in the coming months as the rivers north
of us continue to flow into the Red River,” Walker said. “So in April, May and
June we’re going to be dealing with this.”
Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 for LSU AgCenter.
LSU President F. King Alexander: LSU is a big part of
state’s agriculture, welfare, changing history
BY F. KING ALEXANDER
March 14, 2016; 9:20 p.m.
March 15 is National Agriculture Day, an important day for
land-grant institutions such as Louisiana State University and Agricultural
& Mechanical College and Southern University.Most people do not know that a
land-grant college has an agreement with the federal government to conduct
agricultural research and share that newfound knowledge with the state’s
citizens. It represents a unique communication and engagement loop between a
university and the citizens of its state — a relationship other universities do
not have.
This compact goes back to 1862, when President Abraham
Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, transferring federal lands to the states in
exchange for expanding access to higher education, and was meant to provide
sustainable funding to colleges supporting agricultural, engineering, and
military leadership.
As a land grant university, we have three tools to affect
every citizen of the state: research, public outreach and education. And it’s
easy to see how the drive to fulfill these missions permeates everything LSU
does.
Agriculture is a competitive $13 billion industry in
Louisiana, and our farmers and operators are consistently looking for larger
outputs with smaller production costs. LSU AgCenter research stations located around
the state investigate better ways to grow crops, raise livestock, re-use
agricultural byproducts, reduce environmental effects, increase productivity
across the state, and deploy new technologies to improve industry success.
For example, our rice research is so advanced that the
return on LSU AgCenter’s licensed rice varieties is larger than all other
universities’ patent and commercialization efforts combined. And AgCenter
extension offices, which are located in every parish in the state, bring this
type of new information directly to those who feed the people of our state —
and our nation. Extension services also maintain popular community and youth
programs, including 4-H, and offer nutrition and healthy living courses to
battle Louisiana’s adult and childhood obesity epidemics. But recent budget
cuts threaten the extension program’s parish-based mission and hamper our
efforts to reduce obesity and address other health- and agriculture-related
challenges that hinder our state’s progress and dominate Louisiana’s economic
challenges.
Agriculture is more than just crops and cows. It is a
serious scientific endeavor requiring highly qualified expertise in genetics,
chemistry, environmental science and many other fields.
The LSU College of Agriculture and the LSU School of
Veterinary Science are the state’s primary educators of the next generation of
agricultural leaders, with more than 2,000 students currently enrolled in the
two areas. Agricultural-related concentrations also can be found in other fields
of study throughout the university that affect the health and well-being of
citizens across Louisiana and the nation, illustrating the true integration of
agriculture into all that we do. And our next agricultural leaders will
graduate from LSU with little to no debt, ready to earn competitive,
higher-than-average starting salaries, and they will take their degrees back
home and contribute to the Louisiana economy.
And when they do, they’ll carry the spirit of the land-grant
along with them — the drive to share, to better everything they touch, and to
be a part of a community of thinkers and doers.
So as we reflect upon our agricultural heritage, don’t
forget the role higher education — and LSU — played in our state’s past, and
what both still have to offer to build our future and to feed the growing
populations of the world.
F. King Alexander is president of LSU
http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/15180389-171/lsu-president-f-king-alexander-lsu-is-a-big-part-of-states-agriculture-welfare-changing-history
Pulse power
Try these recipes to incorporate more lentils in your meals
Kavita Devgan
Pulses, or dal, have long been part of the Indian diet.
And now, the world too is waking up to their importance. To highlight their
stellar nutritional value and create greater awareness about them, the UN has
declared 2016 the “International Year of Pulses”. In most parts of India, till
not so long ago, a meal would have been incomplete without adal.Lately,
however, the Indian diet seems to be missing this important bowl. “There was a
time when both lunch and dinner used to comprise a proper meal,
including dal, rotiand sabzi. But now, most people opt for Italian or
Chinese as one of the meals, thus missing out on pulses,” says Pritisha Jadhav,
nutritionist at SRV Hospital in Mumbai.
Perhaps it’s time to, once again, start incorporating pulses
in our meals. “And why not? Pulses contain virtually no fat, are low in
calories and are packed with nutrition. They are packed with soluble fibre,
which helps lower cholesterol levels. This in turn helps to reduce the risk of
heart diseases and stroke. They also keep the digestive system healthy. Their
high-fibre content prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a
meal, thus keeping the sugar levels stable,” says Divya Choudhary, chief
dietitian at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi.
“Pulses are a good source of potassium, calcium, zinc,
niacin and vitamin K, and are particularly rich in folate, which helps the
heart by bringing down the homocysteine levels, a serious risk factor for heart
disease. They are a good source of iron,” says Jadhav. “Also, they are rich in
the hard-to-find mineral selenium, which boosts the immune system, prevents
inflammation and helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body,” she
adds.It is known that pulses are an important source of protein, particularly
for vegetarians. “When combined with bread, or a grain like rice, they provide
good-quality protein and tend to have a low glycaemic index (GI measures the
effect of carbohydrates present in food on blood sugar levels), so are good for
diabetics too,” adds Choudhary.
So if pulses seem to be sliding off the plate, it may be
time to remedy that. The good news is that pulses are extremely versatile, so
you can use them in almost everything, from snacks and stews to pilafs and
salads.
Here are some recipes that will make you look
at daldifferently.
Each recipe serves two.
Dal Chawal Arancini
Ingredients
100g basmati rice
50g toor dal (pigeon peas)
40ml ghee
5g cumin (whole)
5g turmeric powder
10g green chillies, chopped
15g ginger, chopped
A pinch of asafoetida
10g coriander, chopped
3g garam masala
2 eggs
25g panko breadcrumbs
15g onion, chopped
15g tomato, chopped
Vegetable oil, for frying
Salt to taste
For the stuffing
20g sun-dried tomatoes
10g pine nuts
25g mozzarella
Method
Soak the rice and toor dal for 45 minutes, and
then either boil or pressure-cook them to mash together. Heat ghee in
a pan, add cumin, asafoetida and onion. Add green chillies and ginger and cook
for 5 minutes. Now add the tomatoes, salt and turmeric powder and add the rice
and dal mixture and cook till the mixture becomes dry. Add the
coriander and garam masala. Keep the mixture aside to cool.
Combine the pine nuts, small cubes of mozzarella and chopped
sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and set aside.
Take the rice-dal mixture and make balls; stuff the
balls with the pine nut and cheese filling. Dip the balls in eggs and then coat
with the panko breadcrumbs. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Check the temperature of the oil with a deep fry thermometer to register 180
degrees Celsius. Now fry the balls until golden brown on all sides. Remove and
drain on paper. Serve hot with tomato chutney.
—Neeraj Tyagi, executive chef, Shangri-La’s—Eros Hotel, New
Delhi.
Curried Lentil and Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
100g lal masoor (red lentil)
50g pumpkin
20g onion
10g garlic
10g Madras curry powder
A few curry leaves
30ml coconut oil
10g ginger
5 black peppercorns
2g coriander powder
20g cumin powder
10g green chillies
Salt to taste
Method
Wash and boil the dal till it’s soft. Add a bit of
salt while boiling.
Peel the pumpkin and chop roughly. Marinate with coconut oil
and salt and roast in a pre-heated oven for 5 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius.
Chop the onion, garlic, ginger and green chillies.
Heat coconut oil, temper black peppercorns and curry leaves.
Add onion, garlic, ginger, green chillies, coriander powder, cumin powder and
Madras curry powder and cook until the masalas are done.
Now add the boiled dal and roasted pumpkin. Remove
the peppercorns and purée the mixture in a blender.
Put the mixture in a deep pan, add water or vegetable stock
to get the desired soup consistency, and cook for 10 minutes. Season with salt.
Serve hot with warm bread on the side.
Dal Cheesecake with Digestive Biscuits
Ingredients
200g puy lentil or arhar dal
50ml coconut milk
20g brown sugar
20g palm sugar
20ml ghee
50g processed cheese, grated
20g Mascarpone cheese
5 digestive biscuits
Method
Boil the dal and make a purée. In a deep pan,
heat ghee, add brown sugar and palm sugar and cook till it’s thick. Add
the purée and mix well. Set the mixture aside to cool. Then add the processed
cheese, Mascarpone and coconut milk.
Crush the digestive biscuits. Add ghee and crumble
the mixture to form shortcrust pastry. Press this mixture to form the base and
sides of the mould.
Set the dal cheese mixture inside the crust pastry
and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Lentil Cake with Fresh Chorizo
Ingredients
300g black-eyed peas (lobia)
30g shallots
30g green chillies
10g cilantro
2 tsp lemon juice
5g tomato
40g chorizo, chicken or sausages
A few sprigs of coriander
A pinch of sea salt
Olive oil, to fry
Method
Soak the black-eyed peas overnight. Purée in a food
processor with shallots, green chillies and cilantro. Add sea salt and 1 tsp
lemon juice.
Heat olive oil in a pan and crisp the chorizo. Add
the dalpurée and mix. Knead the mixture into a dough, make small
patties/cakes and shallow-fry them.
In the meantime, roughly cut the tomatoes. Add green
chillies, coriander and the remaining lemon juice. Serve the patties with the
tomato salsa.
—Nishant Choubey, executive chef, Dusit Devarana, New Delhi.
http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/pYmNSgDRNdAW28ucRgyNBP/Pulse-power.html
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Rice Comment
Rice futures began the
week on a positive note. Strong storms on Sunday dumped even more moisture on
saturated and flooded fields across Arkansas and Mississippi, further delaying
ground work and planting. Export sales last week were 145,800 metric tons, with
Japan and Venezuela the top buyers, which is a marketing year high. However,
this week’s WASDE report lowered US exports by another 2 million cwt, bringing
the estimate to an even 100 million cwt. That left carry out up 2 million cwt
at 43.9 million cwt. Global rice supplies for 15/16 were raised 1.8 million
tons due to increased production.
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