China develops rice that grows in salt water
to feed 200 million people
Scientists in China have developed a variety of rice that can be
grown in salt water, which they say could create enough food for around 200
million people.
The idea is not new but until now researchers
have been unable to create a product that is commercially viable.This
particular variety was grown in a field close to the Yellow Sea city of Qingdao
in China’s Shandong province. The team planted 200 different varieties to
examine which, if any, could adapt to the salty conditions.
Fresh seawater was pumped to the fields,
diluted with fresh water and then channelled into the rice paddies.The
scientists were hoping to produce 4.5 tonnes of rice per hectare (6.25 rai) but
the crops exceeded expectations, with one case producing 9.3 tonnes per
hectare.“The test results greatly exceeded our expectations,” Liu Shiping, a
professor of agriculture at Yangzhou University.
Salinity is a big problem in China, with one
million square kilometres being unable to sustain crops due to high salt
levels. It is hoped that this new development will mean that some of this land
can now be used to grow rice.The new type of rice was developed by a team led
by 87-year old Yuan Longping. He, along with the Chinese government have been
experimenting with growing rice in salty conditions since the 1970’s.
Mr Yuan said: “If a farmer tries to grow some
types of saline-tolerant rice now, they most likely will get 1,500 kilogrammes
per hectare. That is just not profitable and not even worth the effort.“Farmers
will have an incentive to grow the rice if we can double the yield.”
Salt water rice currently costs around six
times as much as ordinary rice although this is expected to fall substantially
in the future. The new rice has been praised for its flavour and texture as
well as having a number of health benefits including being high in calciumhttps://tech.thaivisa.com/25271-2/25271/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/samples-to-be-tested-after-plastic-rice-scare-erupts-in-dehradun/story-7WppHcTX5EIbKukXpiBj2I.html
Rice worth $320.242m exported in first
quarter
Islamabad
Rice exports from the country during first three months of the
current financial year grew by 31.91 percent as compared the exports of the
corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-September, 2017-18 around 621,094 metric tons rice exported as compared the exports of 482,445 metric tons of the same period last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under review, rice worth US$ 320.242 million exported as compared the exports of US$ 242.694 million of same period last year.
Meanwhile, exports of “Basmati “rice grew by 2.43 percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing of US$ 90.31 million in last three months as against 92,321 metric tons worth US$ 88.772 million tons of same period last year, it added.
In first quarter of current financial year, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other then basmati worth US$ 299.321 million exported as against the exports of 390,124 metric tons valuing US$ 153,922 million of same period last year,
During the period under review, seafood exports from the country registered an increase of 17.64 percent as about 28,488 metric tons of fish and fish products valuing US$ 75.370 million exported as compared the exports of 21,959 metric tons worth of US$ 64.06 million of same period last year.
However, the exports of fruit, vegetable reduced by 24.37 percent and 0.99 percent respectively during the period under review, where as no quantity of pulses exported in first quarter of current financial year, the data reveled.
It may be recalled that food group exports from the country during first quarter of current financial year increased by 17.52 percent as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
Food commodities worth US$ 742.391 million were exported during the period from July-September, 2017-18 as compared the exports US$ 631.731 million of same period of last year.
Wheat exports grew by 100 percent and about 1088 metric tons of wheat valuing US$ 344,000 exported, where as 91,916 metric tons of sugar worth of US$ 41.99 million exported which was also up by 100 percent as compared the exports of same period last year, it added.
During the period under review, all other food commodities worth US$ 140.299 million exported as against the exports of US$ 132.216 million of same period last year, hence showing an increase of 16.11 percent.—APP
During the period from July-September, 2017-18 around 621,094 metric tons rice exported as compared the exports of 482,445 metric tons of the same period last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under review, rice worth US$ 320.242 million exported as compared the exports of US$ 242.694 million of same period last year.
Meanwhile, exports of “Basmati “rice grew by 2.43 percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing of US$ 90.31 million in last three months as against 92,321 metric tons worth US$ 88.772 million tons of same period last year, it added.
In first quarter of current financial year, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other then basmati worth US$ 299.321 million exported as against the exports of 390,124 metric tons valuing US$ 153,922 million of same period last year,
During the period under review, seafood exports from the country registered an increase of 17.64 percent as about 28,488 metric tons of fish and fish products valuing US$ 75.370 million exported as compared the exports of 21,959 metric tons worth of US$ 64.06 million of same period last year.
However, the exports of fruit, vegetable reduced by 24.37 percent and 0.99 percent respectively during the period under review, where as no quantity of pulses exported in first quarter of current financial year, the data reveled.
It may be recalled that food group exports from the country during first quarter of current financial year increased by 17.52 percent as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
Food commodities worth US$ 742.391 million were exported during the period from July-September, 2017-18 as compared the exports US$ 631.731 million of same period of last year.
Wheat exports grew by 100 percent and about 1088 metric tons of wheat valuing US$ 344,000 exported, where as 91,916 metric tons of sugar worth of US$ 41.99 million exported which was also up by 100 percent as compared the exports of same period last year, it added.
During the period under review, all other food commodities worth US$ 140.299 million exported as against the exports of US$ 132.216 million of same period last year, hence showing an increase of 16.11 percent.—APP
Rice worth $320.242m exported in first
quarter
Islamabad
Rice exports from the country during first three months of the
current financial year grew by 31.91 percent as compared the exports of the
corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-September, 2017-18 around 621,094 metric tons rice exported as compared the exports of 482,445 metric tons of the same period last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under review, rice worth US$ 320.242 million exported as compared the exports of US$ 242.694 million of same period last year.
Meanwhile, exports of “Basmati “rice grew by 2.43 percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing of US$ 90.31 million in last three months as against 92,321 metric tons worth US$ 88.772 million tons of same period last year, it added.
In first quarter of current financial year, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other then basmati worth US$ 299.321 million exported as against the exports of 390,124 metric tons valuing US$ 153,922 million of same period last year,
During the period under review, seafood exports from the country registered an increase of 17.64 percent as about 28,488 metric tons of fish and fish products valuing US$ 75.370 million exported as compared the exports of 21,959 metric tons worth of US$ 64.06 million of same period last year.
However, the exports of fruit, vegetable reduced by 24.37 percent and 0.99 percent respectively during the period under review, where as no quantity of pulses exported in first quarter of current financial year, the data reveled.
It may be recalled that food group exports from the country during first quarter of current financial year increased by 17.52 percent as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
Food commodities worth US$ 742.391 million were exported during the period from July-September, 2017-18 as compared the exports US$ 631.731 million of same period of last year.
Wheat exports grew by 100 percent and about 1088 metric tons of wheat valuing US$ 344,000 exported, where as 91,916 metric tons of sugar worth of US$ 41.99 million exported which was also up by 100 percent as compared the exports of same period last year, it added.
During the period under review, all other food commodities worth US$ 140.299 million exported as against the exports of US$ 132.216 million of same period last year, hence showing an increase of 16.11 percent.—APP
During the period from July-September, 2017-18 around 621,094 metric tons rice exported as compared the exports of 482,445 metric tons of the same period last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under review, rice worth US$ 320.242 million exported as compared the exports of US$ 242.694 million of same period last year.
Meanwhile, exports of “Basmati “rice grew by 2.43 percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing of US$ 90.31 million in last three months as against 92,321 metric tons worth US$ 88.772 million tons of same period last year, it added.
In first quarter of current financial year, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other then basmati worth US$ 299.321 million exported as against the exports of 390,124 metric tons valuing US$ 153,922 million of same period last year,
During the period under review, seafood exports from the country registered an increase of 17.64 percent as about 28,488 metric tons of fish and fish products valuing US$ 75.370 million exported as compared the exports of 21,959 metric tons worth of US$ 64.06 million of same period last year.
However, the exports of fruit, vegetable reduced by 24.37 percent and 0.99 percent respectively during the period under review, where as no quantity of pulses exported in first quarter of current financial year, the data reveled.
It may be recalled that food group exports from the country during first quarter of current financial year increased by 17.52 percent as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
Food commodities worth US$ 742.391 million were exported during the period from July-September, 2017-18 as compared the exports US$ 631.731 million of same period of last year.
Wheat exports grew by 100 percent and about 1088 metric tons of wheat valuing US$ 344,000 exported, where as 91,916 metric tons of sugar worth of US$ 41.99 million exported which was also up by 100 percent as compared the exports of same period last year, it added.
During the period under review, all other food commodities worth US$ 140.299 million exported as against the exports of US$ 132.216 million of same period last year, hence showing an increase of 16.11 percent.—APP
https://pakobserver.net/rice-worth-320-242m-exported-first-quarter/
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/240363-Rice-exports-surge-32-percent-in-July-September
Save it for a grainy day: Brown rice pilaf with beets, feta &
spring onion
+1
SERVES 4
125g brown rice or wholegrain
basmati
1 red onion
300g tomatoes
200g beetroot
about 3 tbsp good olive oil
1 tsp finely chopped medium-hot red
chilli
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
300ml chicken or vegetable stock
sea salt and black pepper
1 x 200g block of feta cheese
drained on kitchen paper
TO SERVE
a handful of snipped dill
3 spring onions trimmed and thinly
sliced
dressed crisp green salad of your
choice
● Soak the rice in cold water while
you prepare the vegetables. Peel and chop the onion; coarsely chop the tomatoes
discarding the cores; trim, peel and halve the beetroot and slice thinly.
● Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in
a medium saucepan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 7-8 minutes until
lightly golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chilli and tomatoes and fry
for a minute or two longer until starting to soften. Stir in the beetroot, then
add the balsamic vinegar and simmer to reduce it by about half. Drain the
soaked rice, add to the pan, pour in the stock, season and ensure that
everything is submerged. Bring to the boil, then cover and cook over a low heat
for 45-50 minutes until it appears dry. Leave to stand for 20 minutes; the rice
will continue to absorb liquid.
● About halfway into resting, heat
a small nonstick frying pan over a medium heat, add a splash of oil and fry the
block of feta for 5 minutes until golden and crusty (it turns gooey initially
but then crisp). Carefully turn using a spatula, scraping the crispy bits on
top, and cook for another 5 minutes.
● Scatter the dill over the pilaf
and gently mix in. Break up the feta with a fork and serve dotted over the
pilaf. Scatter with spring onions and serve with green salad on the side
https://pakobserver.net/rice-worth-320-242m-exported-first-quarter/
4 OTHERS ALSO IN FOCUS; DOF keeps eye on rice smuggling
By ANGELA CELIS
October 30, 2017
Carlos Dominguez III, finance
secretary, has ordered the Bureaus of Customs (BOC) and of Internal Revenue
(BIR) to train their sights on the smuggling of rice and four other commodities
as they iron out a plan to create a joint task force to run after big-time
smugglers. Dominguez told commissioners Isidro Lapeña of the BOC and
Caesar Dulay of the BIR that they should focus on rice, fuel, steel,
cigarettes, and other food and agricultural product such as chicken, onions and
garlic in beefing up government efforts to combat smuggling. The finance
secretary issued the directive after Lapeña presented before a recent
Department of Finance (DOF) Executive Committee (ExeCom) meeting his plan to
form a joint task force with the BIR to help revitalize the BOC’s
anti-smuggling campaign.
“Make sure that you’re working together there. I think you should focus on fuel, rice and other agricultural products, including chicken, onions, garlic. And then there is steel, and then cigarettes. I’m sure the smuggling of cigarettes will go up now,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez noted after Mighty Corp. shut down its operations as part of its agreement with the government to settle its tax liabilities, he has been receiving reports of cigarette smuggling as illegal traders rush in to fill the void left by the company, which sold tobacco products at rock-bottom prices.
Mighty had managed to sell its cigarettes at low prices because of the use of fake tax stamps, which was uncovered by the government through a joint operation by the BOC and the BIR.
The company settled its liabilities in income and deficiency excise taxes by paying a whopping P25 billion to the government, which would reach over P30 billion when the value-added tax and other fees are factored in. Dominguez described Mighty’s tax payment as the “biggest tax settlement” in the country’s history.
He expressed optimism that with the BIR and BOC working together under the would-be joint task force, the two revenue agencies can replicate their effort in exposing the tax liabilities of corporations as large as Mighty’s.
Lapeña said at the ExeCom meeting he wants to strengthen the partnership and collaboration with the BIR as part of his five-point priority program to help reform the BOC and beef up its anti-smuggling capabilities. The BIR welcomed Lapeña’s plan to form the joint task force as it would help both bureaus in effectively enforcing tax laws.
To put more teeth into the bureau’s anti-smuggling efforts, Lapeña also reported to Dominguez that he has ordered the filing of cases against erring importers and customs brokers and directed the strict scrutiny of all documents to ensure their authenticity.
“Make sure that you’re working together there. I think you should focus on fuel, rice and other agricultural products, including chicken, onions, garlic. And then there is steel, and then cigarettes. I’m sure the smuggling of cigarettes will go up now,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez noted after Mighty Corp. shut down its operations as part of its agreement with the government to settle its tax liabilities, he has been receiving reports of cigarette smuggling as illegal traders rush in to fill the void left by the company, which sold tobacco products at rock-bottom prices.
Mighty had managed to sell its cigarettes at low prices because of the use of fake tax stamps, which was uncovered by the government through a joint operation by the BOC and the BIR.
The company settled its liabilities in income and deficiency excise taxes by paying a whopping P25 billion to the government, which would reach over P30 billion when the value-added tax and other fees are factored in. Dominguez described Mighty’s tax payment as the “biggest tax settlement” in the country’s history.
He expressed optimism that with the BIR and BOC working together under the would-be joint task force, the two revenue agencies can replicate their effort in exposing the tax liabilities of corporations as large as Mighty’s.
Lapeña said at the ExeCom meeting he wants to strengthen the partnership and collaboration with the BIR as part of his five-point priority program to help reform the BOC and beef up its anti-smuggling capabilities. The BIR welcomed Lapeña’s plan to form the joint task force as it would help both bureaus in effectively enforcing tax laws.
To put more teeth into the bureau’s anti-smuggling efforts, Lapeña also reported to Dominguez that he has ordered the filing of cases against erring importers and customs brokers and directed the strict scrutiny of all documents to ensure their authenticity.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/4-others-also-focus-dof-keeps-eye-rice-smuggling
China helps
develop hybrid rice varieties
October 30, 2017
PAKISTAN recently sought technological help from China to develop
and introduce hybrid rice varieties in all the four ecological zones of the
country. The objective was to arrest the decline in the production of rice, the
country’s second main staple.The Chinese response to the government’s request
was prompt, and a team of scientists travelled to Pakistan for a month-long
visit.
Yuan LongPing High-Tech Agriculture Co Ltd, one of the world’s
most renowned rice hybrid seed production companies, carried out a programme
last month to help improve the capacity of researchers, scientists, extension
workers, the private sector and farmers to produce hybrid rice seed and promote
its productivity.
Chinese agricultural scientists travelled to core rice-producing
areas in Swat and Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Kala Shah Kaku, Sahiwal,
Multan and Rahimyar Khan in Punjab; Larkana, Sukkur and Hyderabad in Sindh; and
Jafferabad, Jhal Magsi and Nasirabad in Balochistan.
The best hybrid rice varieties were showcased which were suitable
for the four ecological zones of the country.
The Chinese team studied the growers’ requirements for hybrid rice
seeds in the ecological zones of Pakistan where coarse rice production has
great potential.
Scientists of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)
foresee a revolution in hybrid rice seed as a result of the cooperation between
China and Pakistan.
During the programme, the Chinese team gave training in hybrid
rice technology including hybrid rice breeding, parents breeding, hybrid seed
production and field management skills for high-yield cultivation including
theoretical lectures and field practices.
With the Chinese assistance, new
varieties of rice hybrid seed — coarse or non-basmati rice — will be developed
to increase productivity, profitability and exports
The two countries have agreed to cooperate in hybrid rice
promotion at federal, public and private sector levels in Pakistan.
With the Chinese assistance, new varieties of rice hybrid seed —
coarse or non-basmati rice — will be developed to increase productivity,
profitability and exports, in addition to improving the already available
hybrid rice varieties.
So far, 54 rice hybrids belonging to different seed companies have
been recommended for sowing by the PARC’s committee that evaluates seed
varieties.
Though rice hybrids are getting attention of growers, their
per-acre yield remains low. This is why rice production has dropped during the
just-concluded Kharif season.
Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat
Khan Bosan hopes the new rice varieties will help farmers to significantly increase
per-acre yield and exports.
Low productivity is a major hindrance in improving the
socio-economic condition of rice growers because they make low profits.
PARC chairman Dr Yusuf Zafar claims that under the
multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the cooperation between
the two countries has enabled Pakistan to export hybrid rice seeds for the
first time in its agricultural history.
The rice varieties produced in Pakistan are best known for their
moisture, heat tolerance and better yields, he says.
New rice varieties will not only increase crop yields, but they
are also expected to help farmers earn more and ultimately play a role in
building the country’s economy.
Dr Muhammad Yusuf, national coordinator of the cereal system at
the PARC, says it has been proposed that Pakistan get Chinese technological
assistance in hybrid rice for at least four to five years. Moreover, a yearly
programme will be devised to improve the capacity of researchers, extension
workers and farmers for hybrid seed production in Pakistan.
He says hybrid rice development would not affect basmati,
Pakistan’s supreme rice. The idea is to enhance the productivity of hybrid or
coarse rice varieties, which are in high demand in the Asia-Pacific region and
Africa, he adds.
Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the
United Nations has lowered its forecast of world’s paddy production to 754.6
million tonnes (500.8m tonnes on a milled basis) in 2017.
This level would be only nominally changed (by 60,000 tonnes) from
the 2016 all-time high, says FAO’s latest Rice Market Monitor report.
The downward adjustment primarily reflects deteriorated crop
prospects in Asia, following a challenging climatic unfolding of the season,
which has been characterised by abnormal dryness.
Singularly, the largest absolute production gains are expected to
take place in Indonesia and Thailand, although Cambodia, Pakistan and the
Philippines are all headed towards record-breaking harvests.
Based on current supply prospects, FAO tentatively forecasts
international rice deliveries to expand by just 1pc in 2018 to 45.4m tonnes.
Underlying the forecast growth are expectations of somewhat larger
purchases by countries in Asia, in particular, Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines and Saudi Arabia, where supplies would be needed to refurbish
dwindling inventories.
Among suppliers, Argentina, India, Thailand, the United States and
Uruguay are all envisaged to see their competitive edge eroded by more limited
exportable availabilities in 2018.
However, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China (Mainland), Guyana,
Pakistan, Paraguay, and especially, Vietnam, should count on sufficient
supplies to more than compensate for these export reductions.
Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, October 30th,
2017
https://www.dawn.com/news/1367095/china-helps-develop-hybrid-rice-varieties
Samples to be tested after
‘plastic rice’ scare erupts in Dehradun
The purported
video shows a diner at a restaurant near the Dehradun Railway Station showing
rice balls that appear to bounce like plastic balls, and complaining about
“plastic rice” being allegedly served at the eatery.
Hindustan Times
A food safety official collecting samples from a restaurant in
Dehradun after a video claimed that ‘plastic rice’ was being allegedly served
at the eatery.(HT PHOTO)
Samples of rice will be sent for
testing at the state-run laboratory, food safety officials said on Sunday after
an unverified video claiming “plastic rice” being served at a restaurant in
Dehradun went viral on the social media.
The purported video shows a diner
at a restaurant near the Dehradun Railway Station showing rice balls that appear
to bounce like plastic balls, and complaining about “plastic rice” being
allegedly served at the eatery. HT could not independently verify the claims
made in the video.
GC Kandwal, designated officer of
the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for Dehradun district,
said samples have been collected from the restaurant and that the same will be
sent for analysis at the state-run food testing laboratory at Rudrapur in Udham
Singh Nagar district.
“However, we’ll be able to comment on whether
it’s plastic rice or not only once the (lab) report comes out. Till then, we’re
also planning to inspect other places (like eateries, markets) as a
precautionary measure,” Kandwal told HT.
He, however, asserted that “no
such thing as plastic rice” had ever been confirmed in the state so far and
that it was a “natural tendency” of rice to become hard like a ball due to
presence of starch in it, but that doesn’t confirm that the rice is made of
plastic.
“Food adulteration is a serious
issue and the department will certainly take action if any irregularity is
found anywhere. But such unconfirmed claims (of plastic rice) only lead to
confusion and panic among the public,” Kandwal said.
In June, a similar scare of
“plastic rice” being allegedly sold in the markets of Haldwani in Kumaon region
had surfaced, following which the Nainital district administration raided
several shops. Lab reports of collected samples, however, later dismissed the
claims of “plastic rice”.
Notably, many experts including
senior agriculture scientists have called out the “plastic rice” scare as
“myth” citing how no conclusive proof for the same has been discovered so far.
According to snopes, a fact verification site, the claims of plastic rice have
yet to be proven.
Meanwhile, Kandwal said an
improvement notice had been slapped on the said restaurant under Section 32 of
the Food Safety and Standards Act for preparing food under unhygienic
conditions.
Farmers in Mansa let down at
rural procurement centres, forced to travel to cities to sell produce
This HT reporter
travelled to two villages, Makha Chehlan and Anoopgarh, to find 500 farmers
here, complaining bitterly about the state government.
Mohammad Ghazali
Hindustan Times, Mansa
Hindustan Times, Mansa
Labourers at work at the mandi in Makha Chehlan village in Mansa
district.(HT Photo)
Farmers in Mansa district have
already been in considerable distress due to crop damage resulting from
unfavourable weather and pest-fly attack. What is adding to their woes is the
state government’s failure to ensure that their paddy produce is procured from
their villages. The poor farmer is harassed all across the district as the
designated authorities or officials that are to purchase their crop remains
absent from duty.
With no government official from
any of the five procurement agencies there to supervise the process, private
rice millers have a field day.
This HT reporter travelled to two
villages, Makha Chehlan and Anoopgarh, to find 500 farmers here, complaining
bitterly about the state government.
The designated purchase inspector
for the two villages and the Bhikhi town, a person named Ravi, from the Punjab
Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAICL), has been irregular, farmers
claimed.
To escape fleecing, farmers
travelling to urban market
“The rice miller harasses us and
demands extra bags of rice from us to purchase our crop. The purchase inspector
remains away from the grain markets and in his absence we are tortured in the
name of measuring moisture content in our produce,” said Jiwan Singh from
Anoopgarh village.
Many other farmers second him.
Other farmers alleged that to escape the money lenders and sell their produce,
they travel to grain markets in the urban areas of the district, where they get
better price.
This, however, entails extra
expense as from these villages, the urban markets entail a to-and-fro travel of
at least 50-km.
For a farmer, this is like
choosing between a rock and a hard place.
“From our field, we have to
travel to the grain markets and from there we have to hire another vehicle to
reach the grain market in cities. Braving accident, security and other issues,
we travel to the grain market risking everything,” said another farmer while
loading his grain onto the tractor.
Farmers claimed that one such
trip with the cost of overnight stay usually costs them Rs 5,000.
High moisture content in the
paddy crop has also added to the worries of farmers.
“The permissible moisture content
is around 17 units but the rice millers return our produce raising the issue of
high moisture despite this being approved by the purchasing inspector of the
food procurement agencies,” said Amarjeet Singh from Makha Chehlan village.
District president of BKU
(Ugrahan) Ram Singh met the DC and raised the issue of harassment meted out to
farmers. “We discussed as how the purchasing inspector and private rice millers
are hand-in-glove harassing and stalling the lifting of paddy from grain
markets in rural areas,” said Ram.
When contacted, PAICL manager
Balwinder Pal Singh rubbished the claim that farmers were harassed and instead
commended the lifting procedure being supervised by the agency. “Our purchase
inspector has been supervising all the grain markets allotted to our agency and
we have not allowed private millers to harass farmers.”
http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/farmers-in-mansa-let-down-at-rural-procurement-centres-forced-to-travel-to-cities-to-sell-produce/story-BPjd1HPW58QkIZ9DooJ9RP.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/farmers-in-mansa-let-down-at-rural-procurement-centres-forced-to-travel-to-cities-to-sell-produce/story-BPjd1HPW58QkIZ9DooJ9RP.html
Paddy
procurement; Kerala government recommends relaxation of mandatory clause
By Shibu B S | Express News
Service |
Published: 30th October 2017 08:04
AM |
Last Updated: 30th October 2017 08:04
AM | |
KOCHI: The
report by the subcommittee set up to look into agriculture and paddy
procurement issues, which was submitted to the Cabinet, has recommended
approaching the Centre for relaxation of the mandatory clause of giving 68 kg
of rice back to Supplyco by the mill owners upon processing one quintal of
paddy. Already, the millers have conveyed to Supplyco, which has been entrusted
with paddy procurement, they will not be able to comply with this requirement
due to the existing climatic conditions.“As per the quality standards, the
moisture content of paddy should not exceed 17 per cent. But in Kerala, our
paddy fields are situated below the main sea level (MSL).
Hence, the
moisture content of the paddy cultivated here will be between 20-25, with this
reaching upto 28 per cent in some cases. Through processing, we need to
bring it down to 14 per cent, which will result in the quantity of output,”
said George Mathai, assistant manager, paddy procurement, Supplyco.
The Centre has made it mandatory the outturn after processing one quintal of paddy should be 68 kg.
The Centre has made it mandatory the outturn after processing one quintal of paddy should be 68 kg.
“It is not an
issue for the other rice-producing states as they are not cultivating the crop
on wetlands. Here in Kerala, the rice mill owners are only able to come up with
a maximum outturn of 64 kg by processing one quintal of paddy. The Supplyco
cannot procure the processed rice back on this outturn ratio as it is against
the rules. It cannot also suffer the loss of 4 kg per per 100 kg of paddy
processed.
This is why we
have recommended the government approach the Centre for relaxation of the
existing clause,” he said. Supplyco chairman and managing director A P M
Muhammed Haneesh said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had promised to take up
with the Centre any issue linked with paddy processing. “We are awaiting
a favourable decision from the Centre,” Mathai said.
Last year, the
Supplyco had procured 4.52 lakh tonnes of paddy from farmers across the state,
with Rs 1,018 crore being paid to 1,60,000 peasants. So if the mill owners
decide to procure rice from outside Kerala, the procurement and supply chain
will also get affected. Supplyco will have to get more rice from the other
states if the millers refuse to process the paddy.“The number of rice mill
owners, who process paddy for Supplyco has come down to 52 from 75 in 2016.
This year, it has again come down to 45,” said Mathai
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/oct/30/paddy-procurement-kerala-government-recommends-relaxation-of-mandatory-clause-1686641.html
Why there is
no positive impact of rice import
October 29, 2017 11:36:55 |
Updated: October 29, 2017 23:36:55
At a time when the government attempts are
proving futile in bringing down the soaring rice price to a desirable level, it
has been compelled to look beyond its border for help. Its latest approval of import
of 0.25 million tonnes of more rice has rightly been viewed as a measure to
cool down the overheated staple market. The measure also conforms to the free
market economic theory --bringing parity between demand and supply. The
authorities had to reverse its earlier stance of discouraging import of rice by
raising import duty. When 28 per cent duty was imposed on rice import, the
country faced a problem where paddy producing farmers counted loss because the
production cost was higher than the market price of their produce. The
syndicate of middlemen like millers and big rice traders, however, made sure
that their profit margin was quite to their liking. Importers had no incentive
in such a dull market.It is then reversal in paddy growing in some parts of the country coupled with the food ministry's slumber not to notice the impending food crisis, prepared the ground for millers and stockists or hoarders to make the most of the situation. The food ministry now realised it was caught off guard and launched a drive against rice stockists in order to arrest the unabated price hike. The drive somehow contained further escalation of price but by that time the staple had broken all past records of rice price in the country. Even the coarse varieties of rice the lower middle class and poor people eat were selling at Tk 55 a kilogram at the minimum and Tk 58-60 a kilogram at the highest. Following negotiations with big rice traders and emergency import of rice from some neighbouring countries helped bring the price of coarse varieties down by Tk 2.0-3.0 initially and then by Tk 10-12. But still the price level is much higher than it was before the crisis. However, price of the fine varieties of rice has not come down, in some cases those have registered further rise.
Clearly, the government has prevailed on the rice traders but only marginally. Now the importers have also joined hands with the millers and hoarders in reaping dividends from an unstable market. The benefit of the duty relaxation is enjoyed by the importers themselves. The consumers in the lower bracket have some benefit to savour but not enough to feel completely relieved. Consumers of the categories just above them but lower than the top level do feel the pinch all the same. Once again some sections among the business class have demonstrated how they are ready to pounce on in order to outrageously maximise their profit -- misery of the downtrodden notwithstanding.
Had the authorities kept their antenna up, they could definitely stave off the crisis and the price escalation. When government silos were becoming depleted and the country experienced a major crop failure, it had to act promptly before the traders could take any undue advantage from the impending shortage of food production. There is no guarantee that the latest consignments of import will bring the prices of all varieties of rice further down. Most likely the traders will eat the cake and have it too. Much depends on how the imported rice will be made available at the market. If the supply outpaces demand, price will come down to the level where it was before the crisis. Consumers hope this to happen
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/editorial/why-there-is-no-positive-impact-of-rice-import-1509298615
Suspected rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan urges DOJ to dismiss
raps
Published October 30, 2017 2:24pm
By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News
Suspected rice smuggler Davidson
Bangayan asked the Department on Justice (DOJ) on Monday to junk the criminal
raps filed against him by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over his
alleged involvement in a rice cartel that was uncovered during the Aquino
administration.Bangayan, also known as David Tan, showed up at the DOJ to
attend for the first time the preliminary investigation on the complaints for
bid fixing in violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act
9184), monopoly and restraint of trade, and using a fictitious name or
concealing true identity.
Suspected
rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan appears at the prelim probe on NBI complaint filed
with DOJ | @virgillopez pic.twitter.com/Hwil7CA9WA
— GMA News (@gmanews) October 30, 2017
In his counter-affidavit,
Bangayan dismissed as "baseless" and "speculative" the
allegations that he and his co-respondents financed farmer cooperatives and
single proprietorships in 2012 to become dummies in rice importation
facilitated by the National Food Authority (NFA), effectively cornering the
supply of imported rice in the market."At best, they are mere hearsay
evidence," the counter-affidavit stated.
Bangayan said the NBI did not
present "any competent and credible proof" that he was a financier of
the cooperatives."The complaint is utterly lacking in the important
details -- when, where, and how I supposedly give the funds, how much, and to
whom I gave the money. There is nothing in the complaint which even remotely
shows that I handed out money to the cooperatives," the counter-affidavit
read.
"If it is true that
competition was stifled or suppressed, then losing bidders would have already
complained about it. Also, there is no evidence that the NFA bidding produced
disadvantaged results," it added.
The businessman also maintained
that he is not David Tan even as the DOJ already ruled in a perjury complaint
filed by the Senate in 2014 that he had previously signed a libel complaint
against six people in 2005 as David Tan.
"Other than being into the
business of buying and selling scrap metal, which is not the subject matter of
this case, I am not a 'manufacturer, producer, or processor or importer' of
rice," the counter-affidavit stated.
Bangayan’s co-respondents in the
complaint for monopolies and combinations in restraint of trade are spouses
Judilyne Lim and David Lim, Leah Echiveria, Elizabeth Faustino, and Eleanor
Rodriguez.
Judilyne Lim, Faustino,
Rodriguez, and Echiveria were named as Bangayan’s co-respondents in the
complaint for violation of RA 9184.Others named in the complaint were Eugene
Pioquinto, Mary Joyce Lim, Jason Colocado, Michael Villanueva, Denis Gonzales,
Willy Sy, Sandra Lim, Gil Calipayan, and Inigo Espiritu.
Apart from Bangayan, respondents
Sandra Lim, Mary Joyce Lim, David Lim, Judilyn Lim, Colocado, Echeveria,
Faustino and Pioquinto also filed their respective counter affidavits before
the three-man DOJ investigating panel led by Assistant State Prosecutor Eden
Valdes.
The NBI will file its response to
the counter-affidavits on November 20. The respondents, in turn, will be given
a chance to submit a rejoinder affidavit on December 4. — RSJ, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/631339/suspected-rice-smuggler-davidson-bangayan-urges-doj-to-dismiss-raps/story/
'Super rice' in sight
12:00 AM, October 29, 2017 / LAST
MODIFIED: 10:33 AM, October 29, 2017
Plant engineered to double its yield
Scientists have
long been considering the idea of engineering rice plant in a way that the
global production of the cereal gets a dramatic boost.The idea came from the
concern that the traditional research, which results in just one percent rise
in the yearly yield, would not be enough to meet the ever-growing demand.
So the plan was to convert rice into a photosynthesis-efficient
plant, which would produce substantially more grains using the sunlight.
Nine years into the initiation of an ambitious rice plant engineering
project, a group of scientists have recently declared a major breakthrough in
improving photosynthesis for the cereal.They said this would change the plant
architecture of rice once for all, make it more energy-efficient and thereby,
increase the yield of the world's third most consumed grain, after maize and
wheat, by 50 percent. It would eventually help meet the food needs of billions
of people around the world, including Bangladesh.
During photosynthesis, plants take carbon dioxide, water, and
light, and turn them into sugar and oxygen. The sugar is then used by the
plants for food, and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere.
Rice uses the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which in hot and dry
environments is much less efficient than the C4 pathway used by other plants
such as maize, sugarcane and sorghum. Scientists thought that if rice could
"switch" to use C4 photosynthesis, its productivity would increase by
50 percent.
Scientists and researchers drawn from 12 institutions in eight
countries declared on October 19 that they have achieved a major breakthrough
by being able to engineer the rice plant accordingly. They are involved with
the C4 Rice Project, often dubbed as "grand challenge" of the 21st
century.University of Oxford, one of the 12 institutions which are at the
forefront of this multi-billion dollar 15-year mega project, has issued a press
release, saying the scientists have been able to infuse a single maize gene
into rice leaf thereby finishing off the first step of converting rice into a
C4 plant.
The same day, one of the world's
leading scientific journal -- Current Biology -- twitted, "a key step in
engineering #rice #plant with more efficient C4 #photosynthesis has been
achieved." Jane A Langdale and Peng Wang of the Plant Sciences
Department of the University of Oxford along with eight other scientists
involved with the C4 Rice Project published an article in the current issue of
the Current Biology.
They declared in the journal that a key step towards engineering
C4 rice has been achieved through introducing a maize gene (GOLDEN2-like) in C3
rice leaves that is reminiscent of proto-Kranz anatomy, an intermediate state
in the evolutionary trajectory from C3 to C4. A C4 has a special leaf anatomy
called 'Kranz anatomy' and C4 plant is better adapted than a C3 plant in an
environment with high daytime temperatures, intense sunlight, drought, or
nitrogen or CO2 limitation.
Over three billion people, including 160 million in Bangladesh,
depend on rice for survival, and owing to predicted population increases and a
general trend towards urbanisation, land that provided enough rice to feed 27
people in 2010 will need to support 43 by 2050.
"In this context, rice yields need to increase substantially
over the next 35 years. Given that traditional breeding programmes currently
achieve around a 1% increase in yield per annum, this is not a trivial
endeavour," said Oxford University's Prof Jane Langdale, current principal
investigator of the C4 Rice Project.Prof Julian Hibberd, who teaches
photosynthesis at the University of Cambridge and also a member of the C4
consortium, said, "The C4 pathway is an extremely complex and remarkable
piece of evolution… "
He said, "Although engineering the efficient C4 pathway into
C3 crops would enable a step-change in agricultural productivity, the large
number of changes required to convert a C3 leaf to one that uses C4
photosynthesis has rightly been seen as a major challenge to
implementation."
The C4 Rice Project is an international collaboration between 18
research groups, from the 12 institutions in eight countries. The institutions
are: Australian National University (Australia), University of Toronto
(Canada), Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Plant Physiology and Heinrich Heine University (Germany),
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) (the Philippines), Academia Sinica
Institute of Molecular Biology (Taipei), University of Cambridge and University
of Oxford (UK), Donald Danforth Center, Washington State University, and
University of Minnesota (USA).
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute's (BRRI) Director General
Shahjahan Kabir told The Daily Star that this breakthrough in rice engineering
ushered in a new hope for countries like Bangladesh, where growing more food
from increasingly scarce land and water resources is getting difficult.
"We'll engage our rice scientists in the C4 rice research in
partnership with the IRRI [International Rice Research Institute] as we did in
the past in the case of developing submergence-tolerant rice," Kabir
added.
Zeba Islam Seraj, who teaches biochemistry and molecular biology
at the University of Dhaka and has a long experience of rice breeding, said,
"Maize, sorghum and sugarcane are C4 photo-synthesisers, while rice is C3.
C4 photo-synthesisers are more efficient in energy uptake."
She also termed this breakthrough as a first step towards
converting C3 rice to more efficient C4 rice. She said C4 species such as maize
and sorghum are more efficient at carbon assimilation than C3 species, and in
addition they display greater water use efficiency, better nitrogen use
efficiency and higher-temperature tolerance.
The C4 Rice Project was first conceived by John Sheehy, a plant
physiologist who was the head of the Applied Photosynthesis Group at the IRRI
from 1995 to 2009. The costs of the project were estimated to be about $5m per
year. In October 2008, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded IRRI a
grant of $11.1 million to begin the research. Currently the project is into its
phase-III (2015-2019).
Experts noted that successful completion of engineering rice
into a C4 plant would be a "game-changer" since the '60s of last
century when scientists had first developed semi-dwarf rice varieties heralding
the famous "Green Revolution".
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/super-rice-sight-1483093
Craving for carbs linked to ‘7th
taste’
MELBOURNE, OCTOBER 28, 2017
22:48 IST
Watch what you eat: Pasta is a culinary favourite that is rich in
carbohydrates. | Photo Credit: AP
People who enjoy energy-dense
foods likely to have larger waistline, says study
Scientists have identified a potential seventh taste — a
sensitivity towards carbohydrates — which may be behind the craving for starchy
foods such as bread, pasta and rice.
Researchers from Deakin University in Australia have shown that
sensitivity to carbohydrates, which they call the seventh taste, increases
intake of starchy food and a larger waistline.
The team had previously named fat as the “sixth taste”. The fat
taste studies explored the tongue’s ability to detect fat as a distinct taste
similar to people’s ability to sense sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami — the
five traditional or classic tastes.
Carbohydrates had long been assumed invisible to taste, said
Russell Keast, Professor at Deakin University.
“It is typically sugar, with its hedonically pleasing sweet
taste, that is the most sought after carbohydrate,” said Mr. Keast, who led the
research published in the Journal of Nutrition.
“But our research has shown that there is a perceivable taste
quality elicited by other carbohydrates independent of sweet taste,” he said.
The research looked at two carbohydrates, maltodextrin and oligofructose, both
found in common foods like bread, pasta and rice.
Sensitive taste buds
Initial testing by Julia Low from Deakin University showed that
these carbohydrates could be sensed in the mouth.
The study later analysed preferences of 34 adults and found
significant correlations between how sensitive someone was to carbohydrates,
their dietary intake and their waist measurement. “Those who were most
sensitive to the carbohydrate taste ate more of these foods and had a larger
waist,” Ms. Low said.
“We specifically looked at waist measurements as they are a good
measure of the risk of dietary related diseases,” Ms. Low added.
Mr. Keast said this line of taste research was important because
the increasing problem of diet-related chronic illnesses, such as obesity,
required a greater understanding of the drivers of the food we consume.
“Increased energy intake, in particular greater intakes of
energy-dense foods, is thought to be one of the major contributors to the
global rise of obesity,” he said.
“Interestingly, what we found in the fat taste studies was that
the people who were more sensitive to fat consumed less fatty foods, but it is
the other way around for carbohydrates,” Mr. Keast said.
“What that could mean is that individuals who are more sensitive
to the ‘taste’ of carbohydrate also have some form of subconscious accelerator
that increases carbohydrate or starchy food consumption. But we need to do much
more research to identify the reason why,” he added.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/craving-for-carbs-linked-to-7th-t Posted at: Oct 29,
Mix rice husk ash with soil to make bricks,
PPCB tells kilns owners
2017, 1:43 AM; last
updated: Oct 29, 2017, 1:43 AM (IST)
Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 28
Brick-kilns are using upper fertile layer of
precious soil for making bricks. About 3,000 brick-kilns make hundreds and crores
of bricks every year using this fertile soil. Similarly, a majority of
industries in Punjab are using rice husk in their boilers, hence, producing a
huge quantity of rice husk ash every day, which is being disposed off in
low-lying areas causing air pollution with blowing wind.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Kahan
Singh Pannu advised the brick-kiln owners of the state to start mixing up to 30
per cent rice husk ash in the soil depending upon the texture of the soil to
make bricks. With this, the precious fertile soil of Punjab will be saved and
also lead to the scientific use of the rice husk ash which, otherwise, is an
air hazard. These good quality bricks will give better rates and profit to the
brick-kiln owners in form of fuel saving.”
The PPCB conducted a research using up to 40
per cent of rice husk ash mixed with clay to make bricks and the results were
found encouraging due to carbon contents present in the rice husk ash which
further make better quality of bricks on baking. It was further established
that the quantity of the rice husk ash is directly and equally proportional to
the saving of coal as fuel.
Earlier this year, the failure of state
pollution control boards to tackle the menace of polluting brick-kilns,
majority of which operate under political patronage, had forced the Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to order closure of all kilns operating without
permission. The state pollution control boards, including that in Punjab, were
asked to send a compliance report within a fortnight.
The order came after the CPCB observed that the
state pollution control boards “were required to enforce and ensure compliance
of emission standards/guidelines by brick-kilns and take action against those
failing to comply with the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981”.
The CPCB, in its order, said, “All brick-kilns
operating without permission and valid consent from the state pollution control
boards should be closed down with immediate effect.” The state boards have also
been asked to ensure that fine dust does not accumulate around brick kilns.
“The area around the main brick-kiln should be
paved with bricks to minimise fugitive dust emissions. This should be one of
the conditions while granting the consent by state boards,” the order readaste/article19941126.ece
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PPCB to promote brick production with rice-ash
Bharat Khanna| TNN | Oct 28, 2017,
23:51 IST
Patiala: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)
after getting conducted a research had now advised the brick kiln owners to
help them save the environment by using rice husk ash in the production of
bricks that would not only become cheaper and profitable for brick-kiln owners
but would also save coal or fuel.
A research team of PPCB has been working to carry on further this study on providing an alternative to clay under which the rice husk ash will be mixed with the soil for production of the bricks. The production cost of the bricks is reduced and the bricks are well shaped, found the study conducted by a team of PPCB.
A research team of PPCB has been working to carry on further this study on providing an alternative to clay under which the rice husk ash will be mixed with the soil for production of the bricks. The production cost of the bricks is reduced and the bricks are well shaped, found the study conducted by a team of PPCB.
The PPBC officials claimed that one of the major expenses the rice mill industry had to incur is to get lifted the rice husk ash for which they pay a hefty amount to the private contractors. The PPCB is now trying to link the brick kiln owners with the industry. This, according to their study, will not only benefit the brick-kiln owners and rice millers but also save 25 percent fuel energy.
The PPCB conducted this research using up to 40 percent of rice husk ash mixed with clay to make bricks and the results were found very encouraging due to carbon contents present in the rice husk ash which further make a better quality of bricks on baking. It was further established that the quantity of the rice husk ash is directly and equally proportional to the saving of coal as fuel.
Kahan Singh Pannu, Chairman of the PPC Board advised the brick kiln owners of the state to start mixing up to 30 percent the rice husk ash in the soil depending upon the texture of the soil to make bricks. "With this, the precious fertile soil of Punjab will be saved and will also lead to the scientific use of the rice husk ash which otherwise is an air hazard. These good quality bricks will give better rates and profit to the brick kiln owners in form of fuel saving." said, Pannu.
Karunesh Garg, Chief Environment Engineer, PPCB said, "The further study to bring alternative of clay for production of bricks is being carried out whereas till now we have found in our study that the bricks made up by mixing of this rice-husk-ash are more refined brick. Moreover, during the paddy season, the industry including the rice-mills use to incur expenses by giving money to the contractor and get this ash lifted from their precincts. We are trying to make the hands of Industry join with the brick kilns in Punjab."
He added that the brick kilns in Punjab are using an upper fertile layer of precious soil for making bricks. "About 3000 brick Kilns make bricks in hundreds of crores every year using this fertile soil. Similarly, the majority of the industries in the state of Punjab are using rice husk in their boilers hence producing a huge quantity of rice husk ash every day which is being disposed of in low lying areas to cause air pollution with blowing wind."
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/ppcb-to-promote-brick-production-with-rice-ash/articleshow/61312492.cms
Rice Seed Market Globally – Mahyco, Kaveri, Bayer, Dupont Pioneer and
Nuziveedu Seeds
By Daniel Cruz
October 27, 2017
Global Rice Seed Research Report
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The key Players of global Rice
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Rice Seed industry share of each manufacturing present within the region, their
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Segment 7,8 shows Rice Seed
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https://reportagestuff.com/2017/10/27/rice-seed-market-globally/
Pakistan rice exports surge by 28 pct during
July-Sept
Xinhua| 2017-10-29
00:43:55|Editor: Zhou Xin
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's rice exports surged by
28.74 percent during the first three months of the country's current fiscal
year starting from July 2017, according to a statement from the Pakistan Bureau
of Statistics (PBS) on Saturday.
The PBS said rice exports from the country jumped to 621,094
metric tons during the period as compared to the exports of 482,445 metric tons
of the same period last year.
During the period under review, rice worth 320.242 million U.S.
dollars were exported as compared the exports of 242.694 million U.S. dollars
of the same period last year.
Exports of the "Basmati" brand rice grew by 2.43
percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing at 90.31 million dollars in the
three months as against 92,321 metric tons worth 88.772 million dollars of the
same period last year, said the statement.
In the said period, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other than
basmati worth 299.321 million dollars were exported as against the exports of
390,124 metric tons valuing 153.922 million dollars of the same period last
year.
During the last fiscal year from July 2016 to June 2017,
Pakistan's total rice exports dropped by 17 percent year-on-year in terms of
quantity, and 15 percent in terms of revenue earned.
Pakistan rice exports surge by 28 pct during
July-Sept
Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-29 00:43:55|Editor: Zhou Xin
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's rice exports surged by
28.74 percent during the first three months of the country's current fiscal
year starting from July 2017, according to a statement from the Pakistan Bureau
of Statistics (PBS) on Saturday.
The PBS said rice exports from the country jumped to 621,094
metric tons during the period as compared to the exports of 482,445 metric tons
of the same period last year.
During the period under review, rice worth 320.242 million U.S.
dollars were exported as compared the exports of 242.694 million U.S. dollars
of the same period last year.
Exports of the "Basmati" brand rice grew by 2.43
percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing at 90.31 million dollars in the three
months as against 92,321 metric tons worth 88.772 million dollars of the same
period last year, said the statement.
In the said period, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other than
basmati worth 299.321 million dollars were exported as against the exports of
390,124 metric tons valuing 153.922 million dollars of the same period last
year.
During the last fiscal year from July 2016 to June 2017,
Pakistan's total rice exports dropped by 17 percent year-on-year in terms of
quantity, and 15 percent in terms of revenue earned
About the Company Matco Foods Limited ("Matco" or the
"Company") is primarily engaged in processing and export of rice and
rice derived products. Matco is the largest exporter of Basmati rice from
Pakistan. It processes and exports both conventional and organic rice as white,
brown, steam and parboil. Matco also manufactures rice flour, rice syrup and
rice protein.
Matco, founded in 1964 by Syed Sarfaraz Ali Ghori, was incorporated in 1990 as a private limited company. In the early days, the Company supplied rice processing plants and machinery to Government of Pakistan and later, in 1967, it set up its first rice processing plant. In 1990, the Company set up Pakistan's first fully automated, modern rice processing plant supplied by Satake Corporation of Japan.
Today, the Company is a leading agribusiness in South Asia, with over 50 years of experience in the rice industry and a global portfolio of more than 150 customers. Matco is the only agro processing company in Pakistan in which International Finance Corporation ("IFC") has invested equity. In 2012, IFC invested PKR 458 million in the Company for a stake of 20%.
Matco Foods is Pakistan's leading exporter of basmati rice reaching over 60 countries around the world. The Company's flagship brand "Falak Basmati Rice" is prominent in more than 40 countries, through an extensive network of distributors internationally. Matco Foods is also the sole distributor of Signature Snacks for Pakistan. Signature Snacks is a leading manufacturer based in Dubai, which produced quality biscuits, wafer, crackers, and baked chips.
In October 2013, Matco also set up JKT General Trading (FZE), in Sharjah Airport International Free Zone authority in the emirate of Sharjah, UAE. Matco Has invested US$ 225,000 in JKT. The principal activities of the Company are commercial-general trading, export and import. This has allowed Matco Foods to expand its boundaries and increase its presence in important GCC markets like UAE, Oman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rice Processing Facilities The Company has an annual rice processing capacity of 134,700 Metric Tons. Matco's rice processing facilities are spread over 1,000,000 sq. feet with 5 rice processing and million plants, including vertically integrated paddy drying, storage, husking, processing and packaging facilities in Sadhoke, Punjab and Karachi, Sindh. The Company's investment in plant and equipment exceeds US$ 30 million.Rice Glucose Syrup / Rice Protein Plant
Matco has recently diversified its operation within domain specialized products i.e. Rice Glucose and Rice Protein Phase I with plant capacity of 10,000 MT per annum of rice glucose and 1,000 MT of Rice Protein per annum. Phase I of the Project has been successfully completed and commercial production of Rice Glucose and Rice Protein has started on October 02, 2017.
Rice Glucose is used in the pharmaceutical, confectionary and baby food industry while Rice Protein is used in dietary supplement, nutrition and animal feed industry. More value-added products such as high maltose glucose and dry glucose maltodextrin (2,000 MT per annum) can also be made with spray drying plant.
Principal Purpose of IPO and Utilization of Proceeds Matco plans to further expand Rice Glucose / Syrup and Rice Protein production capacity by installing an additional unit of capacity 20,000 MT, which will take the total production capacity to 30,000 MT per annum post completion. The Company will utilize the IPO proceeds for expansion of its production facilities. The production process of rice glucose is vertically integrated to Matco's existing business operations and uses broken rice which is by-product in rice production. Therefore, the broken rice requirement would be met internally
Matco, founded in 1964 by Syed Sarfaraz Ali Ghori, was incorporated in 1990 as a private limited company. In the early days, the Company supplied rice processing plants and machinery to Government of Pakistan and later, in 1967, it set up its first rice processing plant. In 1990, the Company set up Pakistan's first fully automated, modern rice processing plant supplied by Satake Corporation of Japan.
Today, the Company is a leading agribusiness in South Asia, with over 50 years of experience in the rice industry and a global portfolio of more than 150 customers. Matco is the only agro processing company in Pakistan in which International Finance Corporation ("IFC") has invested equity. In 2012, IFC invested PKR 458 million in the Company for a stake of 20%.
Matco Foods is Pakistan's leading exporter of basmati rice reaching over 60 countries around the world. The Company's flagship brand "Falak Basmati Rice" is prominent in more than 40 countries, through an extensive network of distributors internationally. Matco Foods is also the sole distributor of Signature Snacks for Pakistan. Signature Snacks is a leading manufacturer based in Dubai, which produced quality biscuits, wafer, crackers, and baked chips.
In October 2013, Matco also set up JKT General Trading (FZE), in Sharjah Airport International Free Zone authority in the emirate of Sharjah, UAE. Matco Has invested US$ 225,000 in JKT. The principal activities of the Company are commercial-general trading, export and import. This has allowed Matco Foods to expand its boundaries and increase its presence in important GCC markets like UAE, Oman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rice Processing Facilities The Company has an annual rice processing capacity of 134,700 Metric Tons. Matco's rice processing facilities are spread over 1,000,000 sq. feet with 5 rice processing and million plants, including vertically integrated paddy drying, storage, husking, processing and packaging facilities in Sadhoke, Punjab and Karachi, Sindh. The Company's investment in plant and equipment exceeds US$ 30 million.Rice Glucose Syrup / Rice Protein Plant
Matco has recently diversified its operation within domain specialized products i.e. Rice Glucose and Rice Protein Phase I with plant capacity of 10,000 MT per annum of rice glucose and 1,000 MT of Rice Protein per annum. Phase I of the Project has been successfully completed and commercial production of Rice Glucose and Rice Protein has started on October 02, 2017.
Rice Glucose is used in the pharmaceutical, confectionary and baby food industry while Rice Protein is used in dietary supplement, nutrition and animal feed industry. More value-added products such as high maltose glucose and dry glucose maltodextrin (2,000 MT per annum) can also be made with spray drying plant.
Principal Purpose of IPO and Utilization of Proceeds Matco plans to further expand Rice Glucose / Syrup and Rice Protein production capacity by installing an additional unit of capacity 20,000 MT, which will take the total production capacity to 30,000 MT per annum post completion. The Company will utilize the IPO proceeds for expansion of its production facilities. The production process of rice glucose is vertically integrated to Matco's existing business operations and uses broken rice which is by-product in rice production. Therefore, the broken rice requirement would be met internally
https://fp.brecorder.com/2017/10/20171028230334/
Chiefs To Get
Rice For Bringing Voters
28/10/2017 23:58:00
GOVERNMENT has turned to the ridiculous promise of rice handouts
to traditional chiefs and those who shall help register the most number of
prospective voters per district as locals continue to shun the ongoing
Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise.
Addressing a chiefs conference in Bulawayo Friday, Justice
Minister Happyton Bonyongwe (pictured) promised to dole out 30 tonnes of the
cereal ostensibly as an incentive to districts that work harder than the rest.
“…As a Ministry we want to see people registering to vote,”
Bonyongwe said.
“Everyone should go out and register as voters. The district that
will register the highest number of voters per province will receive rice which
amounts to 30 tonnes.
“So in 10 provinces, it will be equivalent to 300 tonnes. It’s now
a competition, let’s encourage people to register as voters. So if you become
number one that is the price that is coming your way.”
Bonyongwe was one of the Zanu PF ministers who were lined up
Friday to address traditional chiefs during their Bulawayo conference.
Since the BVR process started 14 September this year, only a
million Zimbabweans have since registered.
The controversial decision to distribute free rice however
spotlights on Zanu PF’s alleged vote buying gimmicks which saw government this
week pledge to acquire 226 brand new Isuzu twin cab vehicles to chiefs.
The distribution of rice, seed, fertiliser and other goodies is an
old Zanu PF patronage tool which has invited scorn from opponents who accuse
their main rival of dipping into state coffers to entice voters.
Bonyongwe took with him Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chair
Rita Makarau, who is under fire for allegedly failing to shield the election
management authority from alleged perceived capture by Zanu PF officials
operating under the guise of pursuing government business.
Although said to be independent, ZEC still relies on an entirely
Zanu PF led government for its operational needs and policy direction
http://www.radiovop.com/index.php/national-news/16214-chiefs-to-get-rice-for-bringing-voters.html
Rice prices increase on low local
output, expensive imports
SUNDAY,
OCTOBER 29, 2017 23:00
FARMERS TRANSPLANT RICE SEEDLINGS IN RUAMBUA
VILLAGE IN BUDALANG’I, BUSIA COUNTY. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Rice prices have increased
further in October following a steep decline in local production and expensive
imports, piling pressure on households that are already grappling with the high
cost of living.A kilogramme of Pishori rice in cereals stores in Nairobi has increased by an
average of Sh30 in the past three weeks to trade at between Sh230 and Sh210, up
from Sh160 in January.
The increase result from the
current shortage of the grain in the market that has seen major millers hit by
the lack of paddy to mill.The factory gate price for a kilogramme of Pishori
rice at Mwea Irrigation Scheme increased from Sh145 in January to Sh200 early
this month.
Mwea is Kenya’s largest
irrigation scheme, whose performance impacts the volumes of the grain available
in the market as well as the pricing.
Rice production in the region has
dropped by 40 per cent this year, pushing Kenya to rely more on imports.Innocent
Ariemba, a manager at Mwea Irrigation Scheme, says the price of the commodity will
remain high until mid-next month when harvest from the fields is expected to
commence.
“The prices will remain high until
mid-November when we expect a new crop in the market,” said Mr Ariemba.
The value of rice imports
increased to Sh15.89 billion in the six months to June, up from Sh6.6 billion
in the same period last year.
The volume of imported rice rose
to 353,082 tonnes from 261,819 tonnes in the same period last year, a pointer
that a unit cost of imported grain increased by more than 50 per cent.
Kenya produces 150,000 tonnes of
rice in a year creating a deficit of 250,000 that is met through imports from
world’s major producers.
Rice consumption has been growing
every year by 10 per cent and now it stands at 400,000 tonnes annually,
according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Mwea Irrigation Scheme, which
accounts for 80 per cent of Kenya’s rice production, was hit by drought.
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/economy/Rice-prices-increase-on-low-local-output/3946234-4160848-25v4d6z/index.html
Punjab and Haryana procure over 173 lakh tonnes of paddy so far,
expect bumper crop
Chandigarh: Agrarian states Punjab and
Haryana have procured over 173.21 lakh tonnes of paddy this season so far, Food
and Supplies Department officials said on Saturday.
Punjab has procured over 118.18
lakh tonned of paddy while in Haryana, over 55 lakh tonnes have been procured.
Representational image. Reuters
Government agencies have procured
98.1 percent of the paddy arriving in grain markets in Punjab. In Haryana,
government agencies have procured nearly 95 per cent of the paddy arrivals. The
rest of the paddy has been procured by rice millers and traders.
The procurement of paddy began in
both states on 1 October. The Reserve Bank of India has sanctioned an amount of
nearly Rs 28,263 crore to Punjab to make payments to farmers for the paddy
procured. The paddy arrival and procurement will continue till the end of
November.Both states are expecting a bumper crop this year.
http://www.firstpost.com/india/punjab-and-haryana-procure-over-173-lakh-tonnes-of-paddy-so-far-expect-bumper-crop-4181847.html
NGOs honour SP (Detective)
Oct 29, 2017, 1:43 AM; last updated: Oct 29, 2017,
1:43 AM (IST)
Fatehgarh Sahib, Oct 28
The Senior Citizens’ Association and the
Citizens’ Welfare Council, Fatehgarh Sahib, in collaboration with the Rotary
Club, Sirhind, Rotary Club, Fatehgarh Sahib, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Sirhind and
Fatehgarh Sahib, honoured Daljit Singh Rana, SP (Detective), for getting the
President’s Police Medal for meritorious services.
Appreciating his work, RN Sharma,
president, Senior Citizens’ Association, and Nakesh Jindal, secretary, Rice
Millers’ Association, said all NGOs had urged the state government to
announce a bravery award for DS Rana, who, without caring for his life,
overpowered the violent Nihang, who after murdering his colleague, climbed atop
a gurdwara with a sword, iron road and a poisonous substance. They
said if the SP had not overpowered him, the Nihang would have killed his other
colleagues, who were trying to pacify him.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/ngos-honour-sp-detective/488989.html
OC, BIR ordered to zero in on smuggling of rice, fuel, food
items
Updated October 30, 2017, 11:57 AM
By Chino S. Leyco
Finance Secretary Carlos
Dominguez III has ordered the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of
Internal Revenue (BIR) to intensify their campaign against the smuggling of
rice and four other commodities as they iron out a plan to create a joint task
force to run after big-time smugglers.
Dominguez told Customs
Commissioners Isidro Lapeña and BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay that they should
focus on the smuggling of rice, fuel, steel, cigarettes, chicken, onions,
garlic, and other agricultural products.
The Finance secretary issued the
directive after Lapeña presented before a recent Department of Finance (DOF)
Executive Committee (ExeCom) meeting his plan to form a joint task force with
the BIR to help revitalize the Customs’ anti-smuggling campaign.
“Make sure that you’re working
together there. I think you should focus on fuel, rice and other agricultural
products, including chicken, onions, garlic. And then there is steel, and then
cigarettes. I’m sure the smuggling of cigarettes will go up now,” Dominguez
said.
He noted that after Mighty Corp.
had shut down its operations as part of its agreement with the government to
settle its tax liabilities, he has been receiving reports of cigarette
smuggling as illegal traders rush in to fill the void left by the company,
which sold tobacco products at rock-bottom prices.
Mighty had managed to sell its
cigarettes at low prices because of the use of fake tax stamps, which was
uncovered by the government through a joint operation by the Customs and the
BIR.
The company settled its
liabilities in income and deficiency excise taxes by paying a whopping P25
billion to the government, which would reach over P30 billion when the
value-added tax and other fees are factored in.
Dominguez described Mighty’s tax
payment as the “biggest tax settlement” in the country’s history.
He expressed optimism that with
the BIR and Customs working together under the planned joint task force, the
two revenue agencies can replicate their effort in exposing the tax liabilities
of corporations as large as Mighty’s.
Lapeña said at the ExeCom meeting
that he wants to “strengthen our partnership and collaboration with the BIR” as
part of his five-point priority program to help reform the BOC and beef up its
anti-smuggling capabilities.
The BIR welcomed Lapeña’s plan to
form the joint task force as it would help both bureaus in effectively
enforcing tax laws.
“That is a good thing for us,
especially because we are looking for an innovative approach in enforcement. If
we do it jointly, it will give us good results,” said then BIR Deputy
Commissioner Nestor Valeroso who learned of the BOC plan before his resignation
effective Nov. 1.
In his report to Dominguez,
Lapeña said his five-point program for the BOC involves: 1) stopping
corruption, 2) increasing revenues, 3) ensuring trade facilitation 4)
strengthening anti-smuggling efforts, and 5) enhancing the personnel
incentives, rewards system and compensation benefits for BOC personnel.
To put more teeth into the
bureau’s anti-smuggling efforts, Lapeña also reported to Dominguez that he has
ordered the filing of cases against erring importers and customs brokers and
directed “the strict scrutiny of all documents to ensure their authenticity.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/29/boc-bir-ordered-to-zero-in-on-smuggling-of-rice-fuel-food-items/ Rice worth $320.24 million exported in first quarter
ISLAMABAD (APP): Rice exports from the country during first
three months of the current financial year grew by 31.91 percent as compared
the exports of the corresponding period of last year. During the period from
July-September, 2017-18, around 621,094 metric tons rice was exported as
compared the exports of 482,445 metric tons of the same period last year,
according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under
review, rice worth $320.242 million was exported as compared the exports of
$242.694 million of same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of "Basmati
"rice grew by 2.43 percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing of $90.31
million in last three months as against 92,321 metric tons worth $88.772
million tons of same period last year, it added. In first quarter of current
financial year, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other than basmati worth
$299.321 million was exported as against the exports of 390,124 metric tons
valuing $153,922 million of same period last year.
During the period under review, seafood exports from the country
registered an increase of 17.64 percent as about 28,488 metric tons of fish and
fish products valuing $75.370 million were exported as compared the exports of
21,959 metric tons worth of $64.06 million of same period last year.
http://nation.com.pk/29-Oct-2017/newsbrief
China to provide solar equipment to BISP
beneficiaries
October
28, 2017
Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and China on
Friday discussed the provision of solar energy equipment to BISP beneficiaries in
the villages of Sindh and Balochistan.
In a meeting between Chinese Economic
Counsellor Wang Zhi Hua, and his team, with BISP Secretary
Omar Hamid Khan, the idea of providing hybrid rice to BISPbeneficiaries for
better income generation was also discussed. Wang and his team also
visited BISP Headquarters.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the engagement of the Chinese
government for future intervention in various initiatives of BISP aimed at
graduating underprivileged segments of population out of poverty.
In his welcome remarks, the BISP secretary
stated that BISP , the flagship social safety net programme of
Pakistan, wishes to benefit from the Chinese experience of graduating 77
million families out of poverty. The secretary urged the Chinese diplomats to
embark upon a journey of knowledge sharing and partnerships which will help
government’s efforts to eradicate poverty.
During the meeting, microfinance schemes and
skills training exchange programmes leading to self employment and
entrepreneurship of BISP beneficiaries came under discussion. It was
deliberated that the Chinese trainers and experts may give skills training
to beneficiaries across Pakistan. The Chinese
delegation mentioned the ongoing Chinese projects of providing solar energy equipment to
Pakistan government and provision of hybrid rice to farmers for enhanced
productivity through Ministry of National Food Security and Research. It was
discussed that the Chinese government may assist BISP on the
pattern of these projects through South-South Cooperation Fund by
providing solar energy equipment to BISP Headquarter
and BISP beneficiariesin
the villages of Sindh and Balochistan. Moreover, the idea of providing hybrid
rice to BISP beneficiaries for
better income generation was also discussed.
In the end, the BISP secretary
thanked the Chinese delegation and reiterated that in the next meeting, BISP team would
focus on the concrete steps of cooperation between BISP and
Chinese government for the welfare of the under privileged segments of the
society, as per the government policy
http://nation.com.pk/28-Oct-2017/china-to-provide-solar-equipment-to-bisp-beneficiaries
Division of Ag researchers studying impact of
shifting artic geese migration into Arkansas
Oct 27, 2017
MONTICELLO — The western edge of the Mississippi Delta, which
contributes so richly to Arkansas agriculture, is well known as a prime area
for hunters, with both wet marshes and flooded rice fields after the fall. But
it hasn’t always necessarily been so.
Until about the early 1990’s, the migration patterns of Arctic
geese — migrating over North America through the fall and into the winter —
were dominated not by the Delta, but by the rich, rice-dominated farmland of
East Texas and Louisiana. But as drought took hold in the South and water
rights issues left growers in those areas with little choice but to move into
other, less water-intensive crops, mid-continent migration patterns gradually
gravitated toward eastern Arkansas.
Which raises more than a few questions.
Douglass Osborne, associate professor at the University of
Arkansas at Monticello, has been leading a research team studying not only how
the shift occurred, but what some of the potential adverse implications may be,
as well.“Right now, we’re in the relatively early stages of using satellite
telemetry technology to learn about the distribution of the geese on the
landscape.” Osborne said. “Aerial surveys are conducted during the winter, and
anecdotally, we know that there’s more geese wintering in Arkansas than ever
before. We’re using transmitters to understand migration patterns and winter
distribution.”
Osborne and his team have about 40 years’ worth of data to work
with, much of it from band and encounter data, supplied from hunters on
occasions when banded birds were harvested during a hunt. “Analyzing that data, we see that
the initial shift in distribution, from Texas-Louisiana into Arkansas, occurred
in the 90’s. In the early 2000’s, we see a really dramatic shift into the
Arkansas Delta,” he said. At the same time so many Texas and Louisiana growers
were shifting from rice to cotton, Arkansas rice growers realized that by
reflooding their fields after harvest, they could in turn make a profit leasing
the land to bird hunters for the season.
Osborne said the data reflect three distinct time periods over
the past four decades, including a historical wintering distribution of
migrating arctic geese, a transient distribution in the mid- to late-90’s, as
the birds “began to dabble in Arkansas,” and the current distribution, in which
the birds have essentially traded their coastal layovers for the Delta.
“Historically, these birds were migrating from the arctic tundra
in the summer, through the mid-continent and toward the Gulf of Mexico, hanging
out in freshwater coastal marshes, feeding on plant material in the marsh,
digging up the root tubers, then bouncing out of the marsh into the surrounding
agriculture,” Osborne said. “But the conversion of agriculture toward cotton in
the mid-1990’s in that part of the world took water off the landscape—water
that was necessary for these birds in winter.
While the increasing artic goose population may be a boon to
both landowners and hunters, Osborne said there are other, long-term factors to
consider.“It’s worth asking: What is the role of these geese in the
agricultural system itself,” Osborne said. “What’s their role in nutrient
distribution, and seed dispersal of different weeds? Are these geese
environmental pests, or do they help agriculture?
“There’s also potential impacts for other waterfowl, that
historically always wintered here,” he said. “There’s upwards of 3 million
white-fronted geese in the population, and 10-20 million snow geese in the
population — so now that a large portion of the distribution of birds has
shifted into Arkansas, what does that mean for the amount of food on the
landscape, which other birds always wintered here rely on?”
Osborne said that because hunting is such a strong engine in the
Arkansas economy, it behooves the state and its residents to consider such
implications, including effects on the populations and reproduction of other
birds competing for scarce resources.
Osborne said his research, which began about three years ago,
could easily take a career’s worth of time.
“You attempt to answer one question, and it leads to about four
more questions,” he said.
While his research to this point has been supported through the
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Ducks Unlimited, the
Canadian Wildlife Services and Environment Canada, Osborne said his team is
hoping to attract underwriters for continuing research.
“Overall, the waterfowl community thinks there’s too many geese
on the landscape — but what does ‘too many geese’ mean, and what impacts are
they having on agricultural production in the southern portion of the range?”
Osborne said. “This whole topic is a relatively unexplored area right now.
There’s lots to learn about what impacts these geese may have here in the
South.”
To learn about waterfowl in Arkansas, contact your local
Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu.
http://newtoncountytimes.com/sports/division-of-ag-researchers-studying-impact-of-shifting-artic-geese/article_7e6c9b2e-ba98-11e7-a0d0-3318999a97a8.html
REAP team
apprises governor about exporters’ issues
Muhammad Zubair Governor Sindh
has assured rice exporters for full cooperation to resolve their issues. A high
profile delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) led by
Rafique Suleman Senior Vice Chairman met with Governor Sindh at Governor House,
Karachi. During the meeting Haji Abdul Rauf Chappal, Jawed Jillani, Asif
Polani, REAP's Managing Committee Members along with Jawed Tar Muhammad, Anis
Majeed and Nadeem Polani were also present.Rafique Suleman apprised Governor
Sindh about the issues and problems being faced by Pakistani Rice Exporters. He
informed that despite country 2nd largest foreign exchange earning sector, rice
export sector is not given the status of industry by the federal government. In
addition, in the recently announced export package by government has ignored
the rice sector and there was no relief for rice export sector such as other
exporting sectors, he added.
He said that Pakistani rice exporters are putting their untiring efforts for the increase of export trade; however some issues are needed to address immediately to enhance the country's exports.He further informed that Indonesia only procure rice on Govt-to-Government (G to G) basis and following this process several rice exporting countries have authorized their Exporting Associations to export rice to Indonesia on behalf of their government.
"We had also requested Federal Commerce Minister to authorize REAP for rice export to Indonesia, as Pakistani rice has a good potential in Indonesia and approx 300,000 metric tons of rice may be exported to Indonesia which will fetch $ 120 million valuable foreign exchange for our beloved country", he informed. Muhammad Zubair listened problems and issues of rice exporters with interest and assured his full cooperation to resolve them.
To accelerate the process for rice export to Indonesia, he assured that he would arrange a meeting of Federal Commerce Minister and REAP to finalize this important matter. In the end, Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP presented REAP's memento to Governor Sindh
He said that Pakistani rice exporters are putting their untiring efforts for the increase of export trade; however some issues are needed to address immediately to enhance the country's exports.He further informed that Indonesia only procure rice on Govt-to-Government (G to G) basis and following this process several rice exporting countries have authorized their Exporting Associations to export rice to Indonesia on behalf of their government.
"We had also requested Federal Commerce Minister to authorize REAP for rice export to Indonesia, as Pakistani rice has a good potential in Indonesia and approx 300,000 metric tons of rice may be exported to Indonesia which will fetch $ 120 million valuable foreign exchange for our beloved country", he informed. Muhammad Zubair listened problems and issues of rice exporters with interest and assured his full cooperation to resolve them.
To accelerate the process for rice export to Indonesia, he assured that he would arrange a meeting of Federal Commerce Minister and REAP to finalize this important matter. In the end, Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP presented REAP's memento to Governor Sindh
https://fp.brecorder.com/2017/10/20171027229837/
Govt to introduce growing of funded commercial rice
Minister Joseph Made
Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
THE Government is set to introduce the growing of rice among a variety of other new crops which have previously not been funded under various agricultural schemes.Speaking during the 2017 Annual National Chiefs Conference at the Bulawayo Large City Hall yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made, said the latest move would help in saving foreign currency used to import rice from other countries. “Our people have always grown rice but of course not on a commercial scale. As Government we are looking at introducing new varieties of rice among other crops. Rice has become one of the critical grains used in every household in the country and its consumption has increased and we are also spending a lot of foreign currency in importing the grain. There is a need for the country to start growing the crop on a commercial scale,” he said.
THE Government is set to introduce the growing of rice among a variety of other new crops which have previously not been funded under various agricultural schemes.Speaking during the 2017 Annual National Chiefs Conference at the Bulawayo Large City Hall yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made, said the latest move would help in saving foreign currency used to import rice from other countries. “Our people have always grown rice but of course not on a commercial scale. As Government we are looking at introducing new varieties of rice among other crops. Rice has become one of the critical grains used in every household in the country and its consumption has increased and we are also spending a lot of foreign currency in importing the grain. There is a need for the country to start growing the crop on a commercial scale,” he said.
“It requires a lot of water and
fertiliser and we will also take that into consideration.”
Dr Made said areas like
Masvingo`s Lowveld are suitable for the production of rice on a big scale using
water from Tokwe Mukorsi and Manyuchi Dams.
The other crops that would be
introduced include indigenous fruit trees.
“We are also looking at
introducing more crops among them indigenous fruit trees and the commercial
value of the fruit is being worked out,” he said.
Dr Made said the country recorded
a successful 2016/17 farming season, which he attributed to the support from
households under the Presidential Well Wishers Support Input Scheme and Command
Agriculture.
Government has directed the Grain
Marketing Board (GMB) to immediately activate satellite collection points to
mop up the remaining grain as the Strategic Grain Reserve has hit 1,1 million
tonnes.
GMB has further been directed to
work round the clock to facilitate speedy payment of farmers. This comes as
Government has already started dispatching inputs to GMB depots across the
country for the 2017/18 farming season.
Early this year, the Government
released $2,5 million for the repair of silos countrywide.
Dr Made said as part of
preparation for the 2017/18 farming season, the Government has started moving a
substantial amount of inputs to the GMB for distribution. The bulk of the
inputs is under the Presidential Well Wishers Support Input Scheme.
“The distribution of the inputs
for the Presidential Well Wishers Agriculture Inputs Scheme has already started
across the country. Each farmer should receive the inputs on his own behalf
because we have already calculated that there are 1,8 million households. The distribution
will be done on a first-come-first-serve basis,” said Dr Made.
Three months ago, Dr Made
announced during a Zanu-PF meeting in Bulawayo that the Government was going to
use the GMB in the city as a transitional depot for purposes of exporting surplus
maize. The GMB in Bulawayo has the biggest silos in this part of the country.
Dr Made said following the
success of the Command Agriculture programme, the Government introduced similar
schemes in the livestock, wildlife and fishery sectors.
The minister commended the
Presidential Support Input and Command Agriculture programmes, saying the two
schemes have created jobs for youths in the country.
President Mugabe has hailed
Zimbabweans for heeding the call to participate in the hugely successful Command
Agriculture Scheme.
http://www.chronicle.co.zw/govt-to-introduce-growing-of-funded-commercial-rice/
Giant plant
would boost rice harvests
2017-10-30 10:08China
DailyEditor: Gu
Mengxi
The scientist behind China's
"giant rice" has said he believes the crop could boost yields across
Southeast Asia and other Belt and Road Initative countries, helping to ease
global concerns over food security.Xia Xinjie, chief researcher at the Chinese
Academy of Sciences, said his newly developed rice plant can better adapt to conditions
such as climate than the rice plant strains in use.
The new plant grows to about 2
meters, almost twice the height of standard varieties, and has a longer growth
cycle. A test in Hunan province this month yielded 15,000 kilograms per
hectare, just short of the record 17,000 kg set by the newest hybrid rice
strain.
Xia is confident his rice will one
day surpass hybrid rice yields. "Hybrid rice has almost reached its
maximum capacity, but (the research team developing) giant rice is charting a
new route to record-breaking yields by increasing the biomass - or weight - of
the plant," he said.
The taller plant also allows
increases in the capacity for aquatic products in paddy fields, which can
increase farmers' incomes, he added.
"For common rice plants, the
water level is low and there is limited space for raising aquatic products.
Sometimes, overcrowded aquatic products can reduce the rice output. But with
higher rice plants, 300,000 frogs could live comfortably within a hectare of
paddy, and bring in an extra 300,000 yuan ($45,000) per hectare for
farmers."
However, after the initial media
reports about Xia's giant rice, concerns have been raised over its
cost-effectiveness and whether it would increase the use of fertilizers.
A user of Zhihu, a Chinese Q&A
website, wrote that "extra tall rice plants would require newly developed
reaping machines, and certainly more fertilizers, thus compromising the
cost-effectiveness of the new breed".
Xia said the harvest of giant rice
can be managed by standard reaping machines, although "it could lead to
some waste". He added that if the giant rice is to be planted on a large
scale, "some modifications" to the reaping machines would be needed.
As for fears over the need for more
fertilizers, he said that although the higher rice plant requires more
nutrition, farmers do not need to apply extra fertilizers.
"It's because many paddies are
already suffering from ... too much fertilizers," the scientist said.
"Giant rice can grow to 2 meters even though farmers do not increase the
fertilizer volume. Besides, the excrement from the aquatic products provides a
natural fertilizer."
Xia began his research in 2006,
after he was inspired by the achievements of biologist Yuan Longping in
developing super hybrid rice.
"I was working for a US
agricultural biotechnology company then. After I watched a TV program
introducing Yuan's super hybrid rice, I was encouraged and wanted to return to
China to continue my previous research on paddy rice," he said.
After continuously selecting and
breeding plants that met his requirements to create a taller, stronger rice
plant with bigger flower clusters and stronger stalks, he started trial
planting in 2014.
He said the new breed is "100
percent free of genetic modification".
"Tens of millions of yuan were
invested in the research. Quite a few entrepreneurs offered to sponsor the
project at the beginning, but many withdrew because the breeding process was
too long and the result was uncertain," he said.
He plans to expand the plantation
of the giant rice plant to more than 130 hectares next year, if authorities
grant approval. Currently only several dozen hectares of giant rice were
planted in Hunan.
Maize a alternative to kuruvai paddy: TNAU
L
Renganathan
THANJAVUR,
OCTOBER 29, 2017 20:18 IST
A field study was conducted as part of a World
Bank-funded programme.
‘It is adaptable, consumes less water and
fetches a handsome return for the grower’
Hybrid maize can supplant traditional paddy
crop in the core kuruvai season in the Cauvery delta regions in times of water
scarcity or delayed opening of Mettur dam.
Cultivating maize as an alternative to kuruvai
paddy can be a potential game changer for the farmers to get considerable
income in a short span of time, reveals a field study and research carried out
by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
The pilot programme was conducted as part of
the World Bank funded Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation Programme
(TNIAMP).
Delta farmers in the State are facing water
scarcity, especially during the kuruvai cropping season and most of them have
to solely rely on Cauvery water which is released from Mettur dam. In the past
several years, those farmers who do not have access to sub-surface water had to
leave the land fallow during the kuruvai season due to water scarcity.
The TNAU was seized of the issues confronting
delta farmers before coming up with maize and pulses as suitable alternatives
to paddy in the kuruvai season. The ideas were put to field test by introducing
hybrid maize as alternative crop to paddy on 300 acres equally distributed in
Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. A total of 167 farmers came
forward to undertake the pilot project under the TNIAMP.
The World Bank provided ₹86 crore
to the TNAU with an objective to promote climate resilient and market-led
agriculture in 66 sub basins of Tamil Nadu and maize was selected for the
Cauvery delta region.
“Maize is adaptable to growing environment, is
less water consuming and relatively not affected by pest and disease besides
fetching a handsome return for the grower. The TNAU took up the initiative to
raise maize as an alternative to kuruvai paddy in the Cauvery delta. Private
companies supplied hybrid maize to farmers, the TNAU imparted technical
guidance while the Broiler Coordination Committee, Palladam, assured market for
the cultivated maize,” explained B. J. Pandian, Director, Water Technology
Centre and Nodal Officer, TNIAMP.
It is planned to demonstrate maize as an
alternative to kuruvai paddy on a larger scale and it is also part of
implementing water saving technologies, over the next six years, for which the
World Bank has allotted ₹10 crore to the Tamil Nadu Rice Research
Institute, Aduthurai, it’s director V. Ravi said.
While farmers in Thanjavur district waited for
the hybrid maize to mature and supplied the produce to poultry units, those in
Manalmedu region of Nagapattinam district harvested the fresh green cobs and
sold them, in just three quarters of the normal cultivation period.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/maize-a-alternative-to-kuruvai-paddy-tnau/article19944566.ece
Giant plant boost rice harvests China
The scientist behind China’s “giant rice” has said he believes the
crop could boost yields across Southeast Asia and other Belt and Road
Initiative countries, helping to ease global concerns over food security. Xia
Xinjie, chief researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said his newly
developed rice plant can better adapt to conditions such as climate than the
rice plant strains in use.
The new plant grows to about 2
meters, almost twice the height of standard varieties, and has a longer growth
cycle. A test in Hunan province this month yielded 15,000 kilograms per hectare,
just short of the record 17,000 kg set by the newest hybrid rice strain.
Xia is confident his rice will one
day surpass hybrid rice yields. “Hybrid rice has almost reached its maximum
capacity, but (the research team developing) giant rice is charting a new route
to record-breaking yields by increasing the biomass — or weight — of the
plant,” he said.
The taller plant also allows increases in the capacity for aquatic
products in paddy fields, which can increase farmers’ incomes, he added.“For
common rice plants, the water level is low and there is limited space for
raising aquatic products. Sometimes, overcrowded aquatic products can reduce
the rice output. But with higher rice plants, 300,000 frogs could live
comfortably within a hectare of paddy, and bring in an extra 300,000 yuan
($45,000) per hectare for farmers.”
However, after the initial media
reports about Xia’s giant rice, concerns have been raised over its
cost-effectiveness and whether it would increase the use of fertilizers.
A user of Zhihu, a Chinese Q&A
website, wrote that “extra tall rice plants would require newly developed
reaping machines, and certainly more fertilizers, thus compromising the
cost-effectiveness of the new breed”.
Xia said the harvest of giant rice
can be managed by standard reaping machines, although “it could lead to some
waste”. He added that if the giant rice is to be planted on a large scale,
“some modifications” to the reaping machines would be needed.
As for fears over the need for more
fertilizers, he said that although the higher rice plant requires more
nutrition, farmers do not need to apply extra fertilizers.
“It’s because many paddies are
already suffering from … too much fertilizers,” the scientist said. “Giant rice
can grow to 2 meters even though farmers do not increase the fertilizer volume.
Besides, the excrement from the aquatic products provides a natural
fertilizer.”
Xia began his research in 2006,
after he was inspired by the achievements of biologist Yuan Longping in
developing super hybrid rice.
“I was working for
a US agricultural biotechnology company then. After I watched a TV program
introducing Yuan’s super hybrid rice, I was encouraged and wanted to return to
China to continue my previous research on paddy rice,” he said.
After continuously selecting and
breeding plants that met his requirements to create a taller, stronger rice
plant with bigger flower clusters and stronger stalks, he started trial
planting in 2014.
He said the new breed is “100
percent free of genetic modification”.
“Tens of millions of yuan were
invested in the research. Quite a few entrepreneurs offered to sponsor the
project at the beginning, but many withdrew because the breeding process was
too long and the result was uncertain,” he said.
He plans to expand the plantation
of the giant rice plant to more than 130 hectares next year, if authorities
grant approval. Currently only several dozen hectares of giant rice were
planted in Hunan
http://business.inquirer.net/239575/giant-plant-boost-rice-harvests-china
