18th September,2020 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

 

Post Laura Damage Assessment and Clean-Up Continues   By Kane Webb   LAKE CHARLES, LA -- The effects on the rice industry following Hurricane Laura continue to be felt across the mid-South, and particularly in southwest Louisiana where some harvesting has resumed, and yields there are telling a before and after story. With most of the rice crop in Louisiana's southern region harvested at the time the storm hit on August 27, concerns here immediately switched to getting power to drying facilities to maintain the crop for quality.  Some isolated areas are still on generator power, but until things return to a more "normal" state, concerns in the region continue to evolve through the transition from pre-storm to post-storm. Lake Charles, ground zero for Laura's landfall, plays an integral role in the processing and exportation of rice throughout the globe, and the Port of Lake Charles facilitates vessels of milled and paddy rice for exporting year-round. "The Port of Lake Charles is open for business," said Therrance Chretien, director of cargo and trade development for the Port of Lake Charles.  "Fortunately, our automated terminal warehouse which is primarily used for handling bagged goods and commercial rice survived Laura with minimal damage.  The Port, in the next few days, will be receiving rice and other cargo for a food aid shipment destined for Africa.  We plan to accommodate any and all future rice shipments to support the local rice community during this recovery." More damage in Lake Charles Farmers Rice Mill, which has operated for more than 100 years just east of Lake Charles, sustained damages from Hurricane Laura, and they are working to repair the mill as quickly as possible to resume operations. "We're still digging ourselves out in many ways," said Philip Bertrand, general manager of Farmers Rice Mill.  "We've got crews working on just about every aspect of the facility, alongside our engineers and specialists who are evaluating the damages for both temporary and permanent repairs depending on priority." With power still out around Lake Charles, in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes, and not expected to be restored until at least the end of the month, it's difficult to know the timeframe for Farmers Rice Mill to be back in full operation.  The next step in recovery for everyone in this area is rebuilding, and materials and supplies will become the next challenge to keep things moving forward. "We're committed to supporting our customers and the farmers of southwest Louisiana, and will continue to do so through all this," said Bertrand.  "The outreach and support from the U.S. rice industry has been overwhelmingly positive and greatly appreciated over these past few weeks.  Like so many in this area, we've got a lot of work to do, but you start seeing a little progress every day." Mills in Crowley and Mer Rouge experienced some interruptions, but because they were not in Laura's direct path, they are further along in resuming normal operations. "Crowley was about 15 to 20 miles east of the devastating winds of the storm and I consider us very lucky," said Robbie Trahan of Falcon Rice Mill.  "Our facility here did not sustain any major damage and we were back up and running in two days." "We sustained some damage here in the Crowley area, but thankfully it was minimal," said Bobby Hanks, CEO of Supreme Rice.  "Prior to the storm, we were moving combines to many growers in the southwest region to get the crop out of harm's way.  After the storm, our efforts have focused on helping those in need to move and dry rice that was harvested.  In anticipation of losing power we secured 13 large generators to assist in moving and drying rice.  They came in handy as we had to deploy many of those generators to farmers and driers across the state who lost power.  A lot of storage bins were compromised and without power, with rice that needed to have air moving on it, so we've been working with farmers to save as much of the crop as we can."   Lodged rice in Morehouse Parish (Jason Waller photo) According to Meryl Kennedy, president of Kennedy Rice Mill, located in the northeast corner of the state, their facility was "thankfully largely unaffected considering the extensive damage that many of our employees, family, and friends suffered in our area.  Because of the hurricane-force winds, we believe there was severe damage to approximately 2-3,000 acres that were at a peak point of pollination at the time of the storm.  Our hearts and prayers go out to our friends in south Louisiana, particularly in the Lake Charles area."    In the field, harvest is getting underway in northeast Louisiana and Arkansas, where damage to downed and wind-battered rice from Laura's persistent hurricane-force blasts are still being determined.   "The high winds have blown corn, soybeans, and rice on the ground in most of the fields here in Morehouse Parish causing a lot slower harvest," said Jason Waller, a rice farmer from Mer Rouge.  "The harvest is just more expensive when you have to pick it up off the ground!" Time will tell the full extent of damage to the 2020 rice crop.  It will be months before the full calculation of how much, and what impact each aspect of the industry sustained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riceland Foods to reduce water usage by 250 billion gallons by 2025

AGRICULTURETALK POLITICS

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)  14 hours ago 155 views 

 

Riceland Foods announced Thursday (Sept. 17) that it would work with its farmer members to reduce water usage in rice production by 250 billion gallons by 2025 across its grower footprint in Arkansas and Missouri.

As the world’s largest farmer-owned rice milling and marketing cooperative, Riceland Foods and its members plan to achieve this sustainability goal through the promotion, adoption and implementation of efficient irrigation tools and techniques.

“Our rice farmers depend on water. We, as a cooperative, depend on large volumes of rice. We see this as an opportunity to work with our members, not only to achieve our collective goal, but to work with our valued customers to help them achieve their goals, too,” said Ben Noble, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Setting a water utilization reduction goal offers the unique ability to impact multiple sustainability metrics through various management practices including greenhouse gas emissions, land usage, biodiversity, and more.”

Water usage efficiency has been a focal point of the U.S. rice industry for years. According to the USA Rice Federation’s sustainability report, U.S. rice farmers were able to reduce their irrigation water utilization by 52% from 1980 to 2015.

With Arkansas and Missouri accounting for over half of the U.S. rice crop, Riceland members played a significant role in these reductions. With the data and technology available today, Riceland members will be able to take irrigation efficiency to a whole new level.

In January 2020, Riceland announced Irrigation Water Management as its inaugural sustainability theme. Over the past eight months, Riceland has partnered with the University of Arkansas, Arkansas Natural Resources Conservation Service and Delta Plastics to promote sustainable irrigation water management throughout the cooperative’s membership, as well as the supply chain.

“Arkansas’ rice community is committed to exploring and implementing practices from the farm to the table that are more efficient and sustainable. Reducing water usage by over 50% in the past few years is just one example of that ongoing commitment, and we are proud of the role Riceland and other members are playing to continue that progress,” said Kelly Robbins, executive director of Arkansas Rice, which promotes the state’s rice industry and checkoff program.

 

 

 

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/09/riceland-foods-to-reduce-water-usage-by-250-billion-gallons-by-2025/

 

 

Dancing With Rice: A Meditative Pas de Deux at the Met

 

The Taiwanese artist Lee Mingwei’s “Our Labyrinth” comes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a New York touch from the choreographer Bill T. Jones.

 

Lee Mingwei and Bill T. Jones at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of the meditative installation, “Our Laybrinth,” Mr. Lee says: “The rice should be dancing with you. You’re doing a tango.”Credit...Nathan Bajar for The New York Times

By Gia Kourlas

·         Sept. 15, 2020

When performers take turns sweeping a pile of rice across the floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it might look like just that: People, one by one, sweeping a pile of rice across a floor. But if you look more deeply, this task — a soulful, spiritual journey tracing a labyrinthine path — means something more.

For Lee Mingwei, the Taiwanese-American artist who created “Our Labyrinth,” a performance installation, it is a meditation — a space to clear the mind and body. It’s also a dance.

“I ask the performers to please focus on the rice, and the rice will tell you what your next move is,” Mr. Lee said. “So you’re literally having a conversation with the rice. Beside that, the most important part is to not over shine your ability over the rice. The rice should be dancing with you. You’re doing a tango.”

Mr. Lee has presented this installation before, at the Pompidou Center in Paris and at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. But at the Met, the setup will be different. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the performances will be livestreamed over three Wednesdays in September — when the museum is closed to the general public — beginning Sept. 16, each program with a new cast of three performers.

And “Our Labyrinth” is now a collaboration between Mr. Lee and the choreographer Bill T. Jones. That idea came from Limor Tomer, the general manager of Live Arts at the Met, who said, “I knew Bill would bring a richness and depth and nuance to this that we absolutely had to have in this moment in New York City.”

Nayaa Opong, left, and Huiwang Zhang, members of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, rehearsing “Our Labyrinth.”Credit...Stephanie Berger

The present moment is clearly on the mind of Mr. Jones, who isn’t changing Mr. Lee’s work, he said, so much as “infecting” it. Most importantly, his contribution came down to a question.

“What would make it New York?” Mr. Jones said he asked himself. “And New York raised all the questions about what was going on in the street with the protests. As if the Covid wasn’t enough, suddenly there’s this other horror that everyone’s aware of, and people are putting on their masks and going to demonstrations. There was a lot of anger. I thought, what does it mean to do this serene piece in New York?”

The setting itself — the museum, one of the most established institutions in the city — also weighed on Mr. Jones. He focused on the cast with Janet Wong, who is the associate artistic director of New York Live Arts, the performing arts space led by Mr. Jones, and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. What if the performers reflected the dance community as a whole and, with that, our current time?

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He cited “Creating New Futures: Working Guidelines for Ethics & Equity in Presenting Dance & Performance,” a collaboratively written and evolving text that calls for an overhaul in the field. “People are feeling that they are outside of the meat of the chain of influence, which is headed up by money,” he said. “The conversations are so heated now in our community that we want to see if we could actually represent, on a small scale, what the New York performance community could look like.”

That means inclusivity is key. “Black people, brown people,” Mr. Jones said. “Of course, women always. And there are trans people and there are gay people. Who are people who have been through our space, or who do we love?”

Mr. Jones wondered, “What does it mean to do this serene piece in New York?”Credit...Stephanie Berger

The cast, which features three dance artists per program — each sweeps a mound of rice for 90 minutes before the next takes over — includes David Thomson, the veteran contemporary dancer and choreographer; Linda LaBeija, the transgender artist and activist; Nayaa Opong and Huiwang Zhang, both members of Mr. Jones’s company; the drag artist Ragamuffin, or Jesse White; and the New York City Ballet principal Sara Mearns.

At first, Ms. LaBeija said, she was conflicted about whether to participate; she has always wanted to work with Mr. Jones, but the invitation came the day before her grandfather died. But, in an email interview, she said that the rice reminded her of life and that Mr. Lee “reminded me that taking our time is an act of self care and can provide the energy necessary to finish.”

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She said she hopes her presence encourages other artists who identify as transgender and gender nonconforming to “take time so as to take up space and to relish in the beauty of existence.”

Another part of Mr. Jones’s inflection is to add a sound element to each session: The experimental musicians Holland Andrews, Justin Hicks and Alicia Hall Moran will provide sonic landscapes.

What surrounds the performers, who will wear ankle bells and a sarong designed by Mr. Lee, is important too. (Each program takes place in a different gallery.) “They also have to know that they are dancing for all the artwork and the spirit that exists in the Metropolitan Museum,” Mr. Lee said. “Also, they are dancing for themselves because they are a part of the art — they are an artwork. You bring out all the grace and poetry that you have for yourself and for the art that exists in this space and time.”

Ms. Opong. Credit...Stephanie Berger

Mr. Lee was originally compelled to create “Our Labyrinth” after a trip to Myanmar, where he was asked to take off his shoes before walking down a path to enter a temple. “I was very moved to see and feel how clean the whole path was,” he said. “It was such a sacred process.”

Through the temple keeper, he learned that volunteers cleaned the path daily. “He asked me if I would like to do it the next day,” Mr. Lee said. “So I went at five o’clock in the morning and did it with the others, and it was just such a beautiful experience. When I came back to Taipei, I wanted to bring that sense of cleaning your spirit and cleaning a path.”

After his first rehearsal, Mr. Thomson realized that sweeping the rice for 90 minutes was like any meditative practice. “You’ve got to realize where you are, and then let that go and be with it,” he said. “You’re just with yourself and with the rice and it’s not about making beautiful floor designs. I wasn’t even aware of what the designs I was making. I was just dealing with moving the rice and my body in relationship to it.”

The strange part was how that relationship changed. “There was one moment, which was deeply moving, where I was gently moving this rice,” he said. “I saw all of these grains, and they became people.”

In considering the act of sweeping the rice, Mr. Jones quoted the ancient sage Rabbi Tarfon: “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.”

Mr. Jones continued: “Some people look at our lives in the arts as futile. Others see it as something as profound and inevitable as pushing rice around and an ever-evolving calligraphy that means nothing, but in the moment means everything. That’s one thing.”

And for Mr. Jones, there’s another important aspect: The notion of democracy as it relates to the dance world. He described the way, on the final program, Ms. Mearns will hand off the space to Ms. LaBeija, who will then hand off to D’Angelo Blanchard, “a big bear of a man — dancer, choreographer educator,” Mr. Jones said. “That to me is almost like an ideal.”

 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/arts/dance/out-labyrinth-met-museum.html

 

 

 

 

 

Rice Traders Organizes Training Workshop For Rice Value Chain

  21 hours ago  Thu 17th September 2020 | 02:11 PM

The rice traders organized safety and capacity building training workshop for rice millers and other agriculture sector stakeholders in rice value chain, especially to protect the work place rights of woman rice transplanter

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2020 ) :The rice traders organized safety and capacity building training workshop for rice millers and other agriculture sector stakeholders in rice value chain, especially to protect the work place rights of woman rice transplanter.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted another Phase-III training workshop�to train the agri-workers associated with rice value chain to create awareness of field work for women agri-workers,said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The development sector organizations also involved in the training process to sensitize the agriculture women workers about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,especially the rice transplanters.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted a training workshop�to train the rice millers, development sector organizations to sensitize them about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,� especially the rice transplanters, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

More than 40 rice mills including organizations from development sectors, academia and media personnel participated in the event.

Manager Sustainability RPL, Zafar Iqbal while giving the opening remarks highlighted the initiatives of RPL to promote and ensure decent working conditions in rice value chain of Pakistan.� He said that RPL started its philanthropic work from the development of farmers and now it has expanded to the labourers of agriculture sector.

Zafar said that RPL has trained more than 2,8000 farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on 50% cost sharing basis..

Manager Sustainability RPL also narrated that RPL is also working for welfare of agriculture labor. RPL established Community Mother Centers at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters.

He added that Free Medical Camps were also organized to provide free medication to the rice transplanters at their working places throughout the rice transplanting season.�He said that around 15,000 families engage in rice transplanting every year only from district�Sheikhupura and more than 100,000 from all over the Punjab.� A common practice is that�all members from a family take part in transplanting work and children from those families also accompanied their parents.

Renowned Senior Child rights�activist and consultant Ms Sadia Hussain said that physical, emotional�and psychological health of children belonging to agriculture labour�must be considered for a conducive working environment in the rice�value chain.

She said that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a�collective societal responsibility.� She said that we must protect the fundamental rights of children particularly right to name, education, health, safety, security;�freedom of expression, freedom of association without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, caste and creed.

She further added that children particularly children of agriculture sector labour must be protected against abuses, violence, forced labor and any physical or emotional torture.

Senior Corporate and Development sector Consultant, Annan Waffi�Qureshi on the occasion said that juvenile rights should be prioritized�in every sector including the agriculture sector.� He highlighted the mode of communication to create the awareness for�children's rights and their protection, especially who belongs to the�families working in the rice value chain.� He said that to engage the children in labour work whether forcefully or voluntarily is now a crime in Pakistan and everyone who is present here must raise his/her voice against this crime. He also highlighted the referral mechanism to report the cases of violation of rights of children. He further added that there are a number of government and non-government organizations that are working for protection of rights of children.

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Search for Justice are the prominent institutes which are particularly working for protection of children and stopping violations of their rights.

Field Manager, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Mr. Zahid�Rehman also addressed the participants on the occasion.

He said that working conditions of the farms were highly�hazardous and exposed children to several risks of insect bites,�injuries and infections, exposure to extreme heat and pesticides�without any shelter.

Rehman added that keeping in view the hazardous conditions of farms Helvetas and RPL provided moveable�backpack canopies covered from all sides to the children of rice transplanters to avoid the insects and�provision of shelters along with the dry food, repellents, and water�coolers in rice cultivation region of the Punjab.�He further added that�similarly, for the larger group of families working jointly at farmlevel, a bigger shelter tent along with solar plates, fans, air�cooler, water cooler and first aid boxes were provided to keep the�children in a healthy and safe environment at farm level.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/agriculture/rice-traders-organizes-training-workshop-for-1032259.html

 

European Commission seeks public comments on India’s Basmati GI right plea

 

By: FE Bureau | 

September 17, 2020 4:00 AM

The government recognises 34 Indian rice varieties, both traditional and evolved, as basmati while Pakistan has also a few more.

Considering the past instances of attempts to sell aromatic rice of other countries under basmati, registration under GI will help India to protect the name legally. (Representative image)

The European Commission has sought public comments on India’s plea to register the name ‘Basmati’ under geographical indication (GI). The GI application was filed by India in 2018. Similar applications have also been filed by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) to register the aromatic rice variety under GI in Thailand and Malaysia.

Considering the past instances of attempts to sell aromatic rice of other countries under basmati, registration under GI will help India to protect the name legally. Apeda has also sought registration of ‘Basmati’ under copyright law in some 15-16 countries where there is no concept of GI, officials said. Basmati rice is grown below the foothills of the Himalayas in the Indo-Gangetic plains, which include some areas in Pakistan also. However, the application by India does not mention Pakistan.

 

The government recognises 34 Indian rice varieties, both traditional and evolved, as basmati while Pakistan has also a few more. The European Union, a major market for traditional varieties of basmati, has also been buying a large quantity of evolved varieties since last one decade. India’s basmati exports to EU countries dropped 9% to $207 million during FY20 and was $63.7 million in the first two months of the current fiscal. The EU had a share of about 8% in India’s total basmati rice exports of $787 million during April-May.

“Being an important application in international registration of Basmati rice, this will undergo a detailed scrutiny and interpretation in the context of western, Asian and Bharatiya values. This will present opportunities and challenges in the context of ‘construct of product’ and current geopolitical environment to set the future history,” said S Chandrasekaran, a trade policy analyst and author of a book on Basmati GI. He also wondered if the move to register in the EU would help India thwart the claim of Pakistan using this current matrix.

After a long battle, Apeda was able to get GI tag for basmati in 2018, when the GI regsitry dismissed Madhya Pradesh’s plea for its inclusion in the growing region of the aromatic rice variety saying there was no “corroborative evidence” to suggest that the variety was grown in the state. The Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) in February 2016 had directed the GI Registry to issue a certificate of registration to Apeda and reconsider afresh the plea of inclusion of 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Apeda, which had applied for the GI tag for basmati rice in 2008 and got the registration after seven years of legal battle, had moved the Intellectual Property Appellate Board in 2014 challenging GI Registrar’s first decision (in December 2013) that directed it to file an amended GI application by all areas where basmati rice is cultivated, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. While other states stayed away from the legal battle, MP’s chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made it a political issue by raising it during assembly election and has since been pursuing it.

Last month, Chouhan had wrote letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi objecting to Punjab chief minister’s views on basmati GI. “A big question emerges that if this registration happens in European Union, will it permanently shut the door for Madhya Pradesh in basmati rice,” Chandrasekaran said.

https://www.financialexpress.com/market/commodities/european-commission-seeks-public-comments-on-indias-basmati-gi-right-plea/2084906/

 

 

 

This Drone Footage Of 10,000 Ducks Swarming A Rice Field Is Either Awesome Or Your Worst Nightmare

#ANIMALS

 

by Cass Anderson  

 

ISTOCKPHOTO / GOODMU

If you’ve ever wondered what 10,000 ducks overtaking a rice field in Thailand looks like then today’s your lucky day because this drone footage shows exactly that. Just ten thousand ducks ‘cleaning’ the rice paddies in place of pesticide where the eager ducks seek out snails, other pests, and roots to guard the fields and act as a natural replacement for pesticide.

If you happen to suffer from ornithophobia then this is quite possibly your worst nightmare. Drone footage of 10,000 ducks moving in unison, almost like a river of ducks overtaking the land or a ‘Running of the Bulls’ but with ducks. However, if you’re not freaked out by birds then you’ll likely find this pretty awesome.

I happen to think this footage is spectacular enough to share with you gentlemen today but I know there are some weak ones out there who have a crippling fear of birds. And it seems like most of the normal world, the world where people aren’t afraid of birds, also love this footage because it’s gone viral over the past few days.

Is there anything ducks can’t do when it comes to controlling pest populations? China has used armies of ducks to destroy locust swarms. Earlier this year, they were going to send 100,000 ducks to Pakistan amidst the worst outbreak of locusts in generations.

I’ve seen some interesting comments on Twitter about these ducks. One person states ‘I keep some in my garden. They’re great. Very tasty eggs, too.’ which seems nice and all but I have to wonder how the ducks feel about their caretakers stealing their eggs every time they lay eggs. There are a surprising amount of people responding to the CBS and Reuters tweets with stories about how their families or neighbors used ducks to get rid of snails and I’m kind of wondering where in the world the snail populations have gotten so out of control people are using ducks? I’ve never reached such a dire situation with snails around that I’ve considered doing anything to get rid of them.

https://brobible.com/culture/article/10000-ducks-swarming-field-drone-footage/

 

 

 

 

European Commission seeks public comments on India’s Basmati GI right plea

The government recognises 34 Indian rice varieties, both traditional and evolved, as basmati while Pakistan has also a few more.

·         By: FE Bureau

·         September 17, 2020 4:00 AM

Considering the past instances of attempts to sell aromatic rice of other countries under basmati, registration under GI will help India to protect the name legally. (Representative image)

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The European Commission has sought public comments on India’s plea to register the name ‘Basmati’ under geographical indication (GI). The GI application was filed by India in 2018. Similar applications have also been filed by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) to register the aromatic rice variety under GI in Thailand and Malaysia.

 

Considering the past instances of attempts to sell aromatic rice of other countries under basmati, registration under GI will help India to protect the name legally. Apeda has also sought registration of ‘Basmati’ under copyright law in some 15-16 countries where there is no concept of GI, officials said. Basmati rice is grown below the foothills of the Himalayas in the Indo-Gangetic plains, which include some areas in Pakistan also. However, the application by India does not mention Pakistan.

The government recognises 34 Indian rice varieties, both traditional and evolved, as basmati while Pakistan has also a few more. The European Union, a major market for traditional varieties of basmati, has also been buying a large quantity of evolved varieties since last one decade. India’s basmati exports to EU countries dropped 9% to $207 million during FY20 and was $63.7 million in the first two months of the current fiscal. The EU had a share of about 8% in India’s total basmati rice exports of $787 million during April-May.

“Being an important application in international registration of Basmati rice, this will undergo a detailed scrutiny and interpretation in the context of western, Asian and Bharatiya values. This will present opportunities and challenges in the context of ‘construct of product’ and current geopolitical environment to set the future history,” said S Chandrasekaran, a trade policy analyst and author of a book on Basmati GI. He also wondered if the move to register in the EU would help India thwart the claim of Pakistan using this current matrix.

After a long battle, Apeda was able to get GI tag for basmati in 2018, when the GI regsitry dismissed Madhya Pradesh’s plea for its inclusion in the growing region of the aromatic rice variety saying there was no “corroborative evidence” to suggest that the variety was grown in the state. The Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) in February 2016 had directed the GI Registry to issue a certificate of registration to Apeda and reconsider afresh the plea of inclusion of 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Apeda, which had applied for the GI tag for basmati rice in 2008 and got the registration after seven years of legal battle, had moved the Intellectual Property Appellate Board in 2014 challenging GI Registrar’s first decision (in December 2013) that directed it to file an amended GI application by all areas where basmati rice is cultivated, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. While other states stayed away from the legal battle, MP’s chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made it a political issue by raising it during assembly election and has since been pursuing it.

Last month, Chouhan had wrote letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi objecting to Punjab chief minister’s views on basmati GI. “A big question emerges that if this registration happens in European Union, will it permanently shut the door for Madhya Pradesh in basmati rice,” Chandrasekaran said.

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https://www.financialexpress.com/market/commodities/european-commission-seeks-public-comments-on-indias-basmati-gi-right-plea/2084906/lite/

 

Iloilo FCAs get P89.12-M farm mechanization support

 

By Perla Lena  September 17, 2020, 5:27 pm

FARM MECHANIZATION. Representatives of farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Western Visayas receive their farm machinery and equipment during a turnover ceremony at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Iloilo City on Wednesday (Sept. 16, 2020). FCAs from Iloilo got the biggest chunk of the machinery support amounting to PHP89.12 million. (PNA photo courtesy of Myleen S. Subang/DA-RAFIS 6)

 

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo province got the biggest chunk of the PHP193.7 million worth of farm machinery and equipment that were turned over during a ceremony held Wednesday at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) in Jaro district here.

 

From among the 38 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) identified as pilot beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Modernization Program, 18 were from Iloilo.

 

The groups from Iloilo received 16 four-wheel tractors, 23 hand tractors, 30 floating tillers, seven precision seeders, two walk-behind transplanters, seven riding type transplanters, 18 combine harvesters, and one rice mill amounting to PHP89.12 million.

 

Helen Bolivar, president of Badiangan Farmers’ Association of Mina, Iloilo, said the mechanization support is a “great help” especially as it serves 548 hectares of rice area that are into synchronous planting.

 

Their association received PHP5.25 million worth of farm machinery.

 

The fund for the farm machinery was part of the PHP650-million 2019 budget for the Farm Mechanization Program of RCEF for Western Visayas.

 

In his message during the turnover, Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) executive director Baldwin Jallorina said the fund came from the proceeds of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) with an annual allocation of PHP10 billion. 

 

Fifty percent of the annual PHP10-billion rice fund for the next six years is allocated for the farm mechanization program to help farmers reduce their production cost and postharvest losses, thereby increasing their income and productivity.

 

Apart from Iloilo, other recipients were eight FCAs from Negros Occidental with PHP41.76 million worth of farm machineries; five FCAs in Aklan with PHP26.26 million farm equipment; four associations in Antique with PHP20.91 million farm equipment; and three FCAs in Capiz that received PHP15.73 million worth of farm machinery.

 

As a whole, DA-PhilMech turned over 35 four-wheel tractors, 49 hand tractors, 80 floating tillers, 10 precision seeders, seven walk-behind type transplanters, four reapers, 37 rice combine harvesters, six mini threshers, and three rice mills.

 

Jallorina said another PHP600-million machinery support will be provided to the farming sector in the region this year. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115755

 

 

Nigeria takes drastic measures to ensure local rice production

 

By Estelle Maussion
Posted on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 18:53

Bags of Nigerian-grown rice seen at Wurukum Rice Mill in Makurdi, Nigeria December 2, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Nigeria has taken drastic measures to develop its local rice production, riding on the coattails of Mali, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.

Some 300bn CFA francs for Côte d’Ivoire, around 190bn for Senegal and about 163bn for Cameroon: these are the amounts the three countries spend annually on rice imports to make up for their production shortfall.

In recent years, however, they have undertaken (like every state in the region, beginning with Nigeria) to attain self-sufficiency as rapidly as possible. In Dakar, this goal was slated to be reached in 2017, but ultimately Senegal came up short. Abuja is aiming for 2022, Niamey 2021 and Abidjan has set 2025 as its target date. Governments are grappling with food security and national sovereignty questions.

In West Africa, rice, more than any other grain, is strategic. Due to the convergence of multiple factors, including demographic growth, urbanisation and increased individual needs, rice consumption has quadrupled in 30 years, according to the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD).

COVID-19 raises the stakes of food self-sufficiency

“Despite progress made in increasing local production, particularly through the expansion of rice growing fields, the region has to import the equivalent of 45% of its total rice consumption, compared to 40% at the beginning of the 2010s and only 20% in the 1960s and 70s,” says Patricio Méndez del Villar, a senior researcher specialising in rice at CIRAD.

As a result, the region’s rice imports – primarily coming from Asia – have skyrocketed, tripling between 1990 and 2018 to represent around one-fourth of the world’s rice imports, according to CIRAD.

Although countries made efforts to counter this trend by aiding production and imposing import barriers, the 2008 financial crisis broke their momentum: faced with surging rice prices, they abandoned protectionist measures in an effort to prevent shortages and rioting.

Since that time, public and private initiatives have been multiplying as the COVID-19 pandemic brings back the risk of supply problems and raises the stakes of food self-sufficiency.

Drastic measures in Nigeria

In the race to attain self-sufficiency, Nigeria stands apart. Since 2015, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the country has taken significant steps to reduce its reliance on food imports, with a focus on rice.

Farmers are seen working at a rice nursery on a farm in Dabua, Bauchi, Nigeria March 2, 2017. Picture taken March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

After implementing a steep tax increase on imported grains, Buhari blocked food importers’ requests for foreign currency to prevent them from being able to pay for imports. Later, in August 2019, he decided to close his nation’s borders to prevent rice from being smuggled into the country, most of which comes from Benin.

The controversial policy seems to be paying off: Nigeria is the only country out of three African nations ranked amongst the top 20 rice producers in the world (alongside Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal) to have reduced its imports between 2013 and 2019, according to the Geneva-based trader Alliance Commodities, even though prices ended up spiking as a result of the measure.

In parallel, Abuja has provided support to the private sector through a series of measures (a guaranteed minimum price, input supply, farm loans, tax exemptions for rice plants, etc.). Such measures have helped to boost the productivity of small-scale farmers (who make up 80% of the sector) and encourage large companies (which account for just 20% of producers) to make investments, including domestic leaders such as Dangote, Coscharis and BUA, as well as foreign players like Olam and Stallion (a conglomerate owned by the Indian national Sunil Vaswani and headquartered in Dubai).

Singapore’s Olam also has plans to produce 240,000 metric tons of rice in the upcoming farming season, while Aliko Dangote’s company invested $1bn in 2017 to increase cultivation of rice to 150,000 hectares and set up 10 plants with the ambition of reaching an annual 1 million metric tons by 2022.

Mali, virtually autonomous

In the French-speaking world, although results have been modest, three players stand out from the pack. Mali, a landlocked country with a longstanding tradition of rice farming, constitutes a historical exception since it has largely been able to maintain its self-sufficiency (it produced more than 3 million metric tons of rice in 2018, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization [FAO]).

“Mali has enough rice to export to neighbouring countries,” says Pierre Ricau, a market analyst at Nitidæ. More recently, Senegal, in 2010, and Côte d’Ivoire, in 2012, developed a national rice strategy.

 

 

In Senegal, the government expansively subsidised inputs to boost production (in the Senegal River Valley and in Casamance) and also benefitted from €13.3m in aid from the French Development Agency (AFD) between 2010 and 2015. The initiative paid off: the country’s import/domestic production ratio went from 80%-20% to a more balanced 55%-45% in 2018. However, the COVID-19 crisis has put the financing of such policies in jeopardy.

In Côte d’Ivoire, the Rice Sector Development Agency (ADERIZ) has focused on industrialisation. In 2018, Eximbank of India granted the agency a $30m loan to build 30 processing facilities in the country’s 10 most high-potential rice growing regions.

The project, carried out by the Indian company Lucky Exports, has nevertheless experienced major delays (the plants were slated to be completed at the end of 2018), while domestic production has been slow to rise, forcing the country to maintain a significant volume of imports (2.1 million metric tons produced and 1.5 million metric tons imported in 2018).

Asia, the impossible competitor

Indeed, many obstacles remain. Besides climatic changes and limited agricultural research, which impedes the ability to improve rice varieties, countries are faced with the impossible task of keeping pace with rising consumption. This is the case for Nigeria: although its production increased by 41% between 2013 and 2018, according to FAO, it continues to be outpaced by demand (6 million metric tons produced, compared to 7 million metric tons consumed in 2018) and, above all, consumption is growing at a faster rate than supply. This observation is also true of the country’s neighbours.

Aside from these data, there is another hurdle: West African rice is unable to compete with Asian rice which, mass produced and processed, is imported on the continent at an unbeatable price. “While prices on the global market have been low for the past five years, Asian rice is sold at between $350 and $400 per metric tonne, when it should be sold for at least $500 per metric tonne to give African producers a fair chance,” says Ricau.

Women buy rice at Wurukum Rice Mill in Makurdi, Nigeria December 2, 2019. Picture taken December 2, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Ricau also thinks that the sector’s development raises a conundrum more political in nature: countries have no other choice but to arbitrate between the aspirations of rural regions looking to sell their rice at a decent price and urban consumers seeking the cheapest rice possible. The latter category generally wins out, allowing importers to take advantage of the situation.

The necessity of regional solutions

Several potential solutions to these problems have been put forward. “Not only is more investment necessary, but it also needs to be better coordinated across the entire value chain to bring down the cost of producing West African rice,” says Kathiresan Arumugam, a consultant for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

For his part, Méndez del Villar champions the idea of establishing more flexible contracts between local rice sellers (producers) and buyers (government agencies or private investors) to prevent supply disruptions or significant price fluctuations, a weak spot of domestic production in comparison with imports.

Ricau suggests maintaining the price of imported rice high by imposing taxes, which would provide a means for West African governments to recover funds to finance local production: “What it comes down to is that the West African rice problem will not be solved without a regional solution.”

https://www.theafricareport.com/42072/nigeria-takes-drastic-measures-to-ensure-local-rice-production/

 

 

 

Global Rice Cookers Market Insights and Precise Sales & Growth Rate Evaluation 2020

September 16, 2020      

The Global Rice Cookers Market research report 2015-2025 provides detailed information about the industry based on the revenue (USD MN) and Volume (Units) for the forecast period 2020-2025. The Research Report provides the updated business information and industry future trends, that allow you to spot the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profit. Furthermore, the Rice Cookers market report quantifies the market share held by the significant players of the industry and gives an in-depth view of the competitive landscape. This market is classified into different segments with a comprehensive analysis of each with respect to geography for the research period 2015-2020.

Get free sample PDF of this research https://www.pixionmarketresearch.com/report/rice-cookers-market/598/

The major players covered in Rice Cookers Market Study:

• Tiger Corporation
• Panasonic
• Aroma Housewares
• Black & Decker
• TOSHIBA
• Oster
• BLACK+DECKER
• SUPOR
• Joyoung
• Midea
• Zojirushi
• Cuisinart
• Hamilton Beach
• Crystaline Technologies LTD
• T-fal
• Proctor Silex Commercial
• Lotus Foods
• Cuisinart
• Sanyo
• Westinghouse
• Beaba Babycook
• Cuckoo
• IMUSA
• VitaClay
• Tatung
• Elite+ Philips
• Breville
• Proctor Silex
• AUX
• ZOJIRUSHI
• Peskoe
• Royalstar
• GREE
• Galanz
• FTIANSHU

For instance, a mixture of primary and secondary research has been used to define Rice Cookers market estimates and forecasts. Sources used for secondary research contain (but not limited to) Paid Data Sources, Technology Journals of 2015-2020, SEC Filings Company Websites, Annual Reports, and various other Rice Cookers industry publications. Specific details on the methodology used for Rice Cookers market report can be provided on demand.

In addition, It highlights the ability to increase possibilities in the coming years by 2025, also reviewing the marketplace drivers, constraints and restraints, growth signs, challenges, market dynamics. Global Rice Cookers Market gives a region-wise analysis like growth aspects, and revenue, Past, present and future forecast trends, Analysis of emerging market sectors and development opportunities in Rice Cookers will forecast the market growth.

Global Rice Cookers Market: Regional Segment Analysis

• USA
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Request sample copy of Rice Cookers market research at:  https://www.pixionmarketresearch.com/report/rice-cookers-market/598/

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 10 chapters:

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3. Market segmentation analysis, including qualitative and quantitative research incorporating the impact of economic and non-economic aspects
4. Regional and country level analysis integrating the demand and supply forces that are influencing the growth of the Rice Cookers market
5. Competitive landscape involving the market share of major players, along with the key strategies adopted for development in the past five years
6. Comprehensive company profiles covering the product offerings, key financial information,

Customization of the Report:
This report can be customized to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales team (sales@pixionmarketresearch.com), who will ensure that you get a report that suits your needs.

 

FBI said to examine research station deal in east ArkansasState senator notes agents’ scrutiny in proposed sale of UA System landby Stephen Steed | September 17, 2020 at 7:23 a.m.

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Pengyin Chen holds up a new variety of soybeans at the Pine Tree Research Station near Colt in this 2013 file photo. Chen was the director of the soybean breeding program at the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture at the time the photo was taken. - Photo by Special to the Democrat-Gazette / UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

The FBI is looking into the University of Arkansas System's proposed $16.5 million sale of 6,300 acres at its research station in St. Francis County, a state senator said Wednesday.

Sen. Ron Caldwell, R-Wynne, whose district includes the UA System's Pine Tree Research Station, said he met with FBI agents in early August. Caldwell declined to characterize the FBI's interest in the matter or to specify how long the interview lasted. He said he wasn't the source of any information that attracted the FBI's attention.

Connor Hagan, spokesman for the FBI in Little Rock, said: "It's a long-standing policy of the Department of Justice that we can neither confirm nor deny an investigation. That's all I can say on the matter."

The UA System board of trustees approved the sale to a private entity, Lobo Farms LLC, on March 11. The system said the sale was subject to the approval of Congress, which deeded 11,850 acres to the university in 1960. The acreage became known as the Pine Tree Research Station, near the Colt community in St. Francis County.

Lobo Farms LLC is based in Fisher in Poinsett County. Its registered agent is Mark Saalfield Norris Jr., a financial adviser for Raymond James & Associates in Memphis. Lobo Farms made the only bid for the property.

While Norris, who goes by the name "Field," didn't return a telephone call Wednesday to his office in Memphis, an attorney working with the buyers' group responded by email. (Norris is a son of U.S. District Judge Mark Saalfield Norris Sr., a longtime Tennessee state senator who was appointed to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in 2018.)

Justin T. Allen of the Little Rock firm of Wright Lindsey Jennings wrote, in part, "Nobody associated with the buying group has had contact with the FBI."

Allen also wrote: "At the outset, the buying group wants to make clear that there is no intention to engage in an adversarial process with the State, or anyone else, as it relates to the purchase of the property. Many assume that this transaction will be to the detriment of the public and the surrounding community. For several reasons, some outlined below, that doesn't have to be the case. This can and will be a true win-win for everyone concerned with the property, the community and hunting and conservation in Arkansas."

Selling the land was the idea of the UA System's Agriculture Division, which said it could use the proceeds to help pay for a rice research station now under construction near Jonesboro and for other agriculture and timber research projects. A spokeswoman for the Agriculture Division said a series of questions from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, including whether the FBI has contacted system officials, would be answered today.

According to the UA System, the 6,300 acres are wooded and wet, unsuitable for row-crop research. It has been open to the public for hunting, fishing and other activities under a 1999 management agreement with the state Game and Fish Commission.

Those hunters have been upset about the proposed sale for weeks and, according to some of their posts on social media, have contacted state and federal lawmakers.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the office of U.S. Sen. John Boozman said, "While I believe that a rice research center in this part of the state would be beneficial to our farmers, I have also heard from many concerned constituents who fear the loss of publicly-accessible land for recreational purposes.

"I strongly urge all of the state entities involved to reach a solution that preserves publicly-accessible land and also provides funding for a rice research center. There are many ways both of these goals can be achieved, and I stand ready to work with stakeholders when an agreement is reached," Boozman said.

Boozman made similar comments during a recent visit to the Pine Tree Research Station, according to the newspapers in Wynne, Forrest City and Marianna.

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, whose district includes the research station, told KAIT in Jonesboro on July 23 that he was concerned about the sale, how it was handled and whether the UA System could have gotten more money. His office said Wednesday evening that it had nothing more to add beyond the television interview.

The office of U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock said he was withholding judgment because the research station isn't in his district, adding that he would await the advice of his Arkansas colleagues.

Caldwell, the state senator from Wynne who said he met with the FBI, also said he and many other state legislators want the land to remain in public hands.

Caldwell said he didn't know of the proposed sale until late July.

In a question-and-answer document devised by the UA System Agriculture Division in July, officials made several points, including that:

• The property sale wasn't subject to bids and that an agent, Lile Real Estate in Little Rock and Memphis, was hired to market the property only after other public and nonprofit entities declined to buy the land.

• Neither state nor federal law requires public hearings or notices before selling UA System real estate.

• The proposal was on public documents and voted on in public.

No news organization apparently reported on the land sale when the vote was taken on March 11 or on March 18-19, when the board of trustees held a special meeting to adopt the minutes of the March 11 meeting and to conduct other business. Both meetings were held online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The statement from Allen, the attorney for the Lobo group, also said: "The buying group became aware of the property's availability in late 2019 through contact with a broker working on behalf of the UA. The initial discussions surrounded a possible grant to the UA or the State designed to maintain public ownership."

Besides the purchase price approved by the UA System board, Lobo was contributing another $1 million to an endowment in waterfowl and wetlands conservation programs.

Allen said he couldn't yet name other investors behind Lobo Farms but, in his statement, he wrote that the group "has a proven track record of conservation, habitat restoration, land stewardship, and community outreach."

"The buying group is acutely aware of opposition to the transaction," said Allen's statement. "It is understandable that some members of the public are concerned about losing access to what has long been public land. ... However, the buyers believe that much of the concern will be allayed once there is a true understanding of the plans for the property."

Because of the concerns, Allen wrote, the buyers "continue to express a willingness to consider putting the transaction on hold" to give the state time, including during the 2021 legislative session, to decide whether other state agencies want to buy the land.

 

https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2020/sep/17/fbi-said-to-examine-research-station-deal/

 

Type 2 diabetes: The popular food linked to higher risk of developing the condition

TYPE 2 diabetes is often linked to being inactive or overweight, so to prevent the condition, a healthy diet and regular exercise is recommended. But when it comes to what to eat, a new study has linked a popular food to increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

By KATRINA TURRILL

PUBLISHED: 12:57, Wed, Sep 16, 2020 | UPDATED: 12:57, Wed, Sep 16, 2020

The study involved more than 1.3 million people from 21 countries across nearly 10 years.

While the risk of type 2 diabetes differed from country to country with the research team saying there was no substantial increase in Singapore, type 2 diabetes figures were found to be prevalent in South Asian countries.

Researcher Dr Gowri Kulkarni from Benhaluru said: “South Asians are genetically more predisposed to get diabetes, so there are both lifestyle as well as biological reasons for the high diabetes incidence.

“Indians in general have poor protein intake in diet, and this has to do with available resources and choices. Most calories are from carbohydrates as they are cheap.”

Type 2 diabetes: A popular food has been linked to the chronic condition (Image: GETTY)

✕

Skip in 5

For the duration of the study, 6,129 developed diabetes.

The participants were asked to note down how much rice they consumed.

Those from South Asia were found to eat the most, consuming 630g a day,

But overall, the average white rice consumption among study participants was 128g a day.

 

The researchers also found high amounts of white rice decreased the amount people ate of other foods like fibre, red meat and dairy.

They are now urging people from countries where large quantities of white rice are consumed to alternate forms of rice or introduce legumes or pulses to their diet.

Previous studies have also linked white rice consumption to type 2 diabetes.

A study published in the British Medical Journal found people who eat high levels of white rice may have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes: Large consumption of white rice could lead to the condition (Image: GETTY)

READ MORE

Healthline advises: “This means that if you have prediabetes, you should be especially conscientious about your rice intake.

“If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s generally safe for you to enjoy rice in moderation.

“Make sure you’re aware of the carbohydrate count and GI score for the type of rice you wish to eat.

“You should aim to eat between 45 and 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal. Some varieties of rice have a lower GI score than others.”

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1336257/type-2-diabetes-diet-white-rice-higher-risk-of-condition

 

Local veggies may prevent cancer, heart disease

 

ByThe Manila Times

September 17, 2020

 

 

When consumed raw, these vegetables have the highest total phenolic content that fight off cancer and other diseases.

Vegetables commonly eaten in the Philippines vary widely in terms of phenolic content and antioxidant capacities. This simply means that the nutritional or health value of vegetables, when subjected to chemical reaction or process, can either increase, decrease or remain the same.

A team of researchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI) agree to what elderlies say not to overcook the veggies because boiling can significantly affect the phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of up to 92 percent and 88 percent, respectively. In effect suggesting that vegetables, particularly the green leafy ones, must be subjected to minimal heating to prevent the loss of antioxidants.

The research team headed by Rosaly Manaois evaluated the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity of 47 locally cultivated vegetables, both in raw form and in a state that they are usually consumed.

Phenolic compounds are water-soluble antioxidants from plants that are important because of their potential to prevent and treat cancer as well as atherosclerosis, heart failure, neurodegenerative disorders, aging, diabetes mellitus and other diseases.

Results of the study show that when consumed raw, the vegetables that have the highest TPC are turmeric (luyang dilaw), red coral lettuce, sweet potato tops (talbos ng kamote), chili leaves (talbos ng sili), jute (saluyot), lowland water spinach (kangkong), green eggplant (talong na bilog), and purple eggplant (talong na haba).

Still exhibiting the highest TPC after boiling are turmeric, chili leaves, kangkong and purple eggplant.

The other members of the research team are John Edward Zapater, and Amelia Morales from the Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division of PRRI.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/09/17/public-square/local-veggies-may-prevent-cancer-heart-disease/768773/

https://thedailychronicle.in/news/1352729/rice-crisps-market-share-expected-huge-growth-during-2020-2028/

 

 

Govt fails achieving food grain collection target

 

y: daily industryon: September 16, 2020In: Bangladesh, DistrictNo Comments

Shortage 10,6094 metric tons

Golam Mostafa Jibon: Finally, the government has become failure to achieve the paddy and rice procurement target fixed for the current Boro season.
A total of 9,43,902 metric tons of rice and paddy were procured by the concerned department till September 15, while it has fixed a target of 19.5 metric tons.
In this situation, there is a shortage of 10,6094 metric tons, which may fall a negative impact on the country’s food safety measure, experts said.
Though, the concerned officials of the government claimed that there is no possibility of creating food crisis in the country even after failure of achieving the procurement target as there is a stock of around 14.5 lakh metric tons of rice, the specialists claimed it may create a food deficiency along with price hike.
In the first phase, the government fixed the procurement deadline on August 31 starting from April 26.
Surprisingly, the concerned department could not procure half of the target by the deadline, which created frustration to the elites.
Finding no way, the government increased the time until September 15 with a view to achieve the goal. However, the target has remained unfulfilled due to massive negligence, irregularities and mismanagement by the concerned authorities, locals complained.
There is a complaint that, farmers could not directly provide paddy or rice to the food department due to political and bureaucratic complexities. Though, (See Page-2)
(From Page-1)
the government took some innovative initiative to avert corruption and anomalies as well as ensure direct communication between the government officials and farmers of the rural areas to avert middlemen, the unscrupulous officials of the respective food department carried procurement drives in collaboration with their recruited agents staying away from all processes of online.
In addition, they claimed that, incessant rains, long-term floods and corona pandemic were the main reasons behind the failure of achieving procurement target.
According to the Food Department sources, the government fixed the procurement target of rice and paddy at 19.5 lakh metric tons for the current season. With the aim, the drive for Boro paddy procurement was started on April 26 and rice on May 7.
At last, the time was extended to September 15 as they failed to achieve the goal.
As per the contract, there was a procurement target for paddy at 8 lakh metric tons. But, the procurement amount was only 2.17 lakh metric tons until the last date of the scheduled period.
The target of boiled rice procurement was fixed at 10 lakh metric tons, while the target for Ataap rice was fixed at 1.50 lakh metric tons. But, the concerned authorities have become able to procure 6,32,537 metric tons of boiled rice against the target at 10 lakh.
Similarly, the Ataap rice was procured at 94,347 metric tons against the target of 1.50 lakh metric tons.
It is learned that the government collects rice from local millers at fixed rate every year during the Aman and Boro season for emergency storage. However, this time the government has given more importance to the procurement drives in the current Boro season due to the corona epidemic.
Therefore, this time the target of paddy and rice procurement has been set higher than previous period keeping the matter of pandemic on head. But the concerned officials spent around one and half month for execution of the lottery.
Taking the advantage, the hoarders have accumulated the paddy from the hands of farmers depriving of the government within the time. Therefore, the government faced scarcity.
It is to be mentioned that, the government fixed the procurement price of rice at Tk 36 per Kg. But, the same rice was sold between Tk 40 and Tk 42 at different markets.
“It was not possible to supply rice to the government with the low price after collecting of paddy from farmers with high rate,” said millers.
While talking, some officials of the Food Department said, food controllers of 10 districts including Mymensingh, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Gazipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Kishorganj, some officers of district food controller offices and Officer-in-Charges of different LSD godowns were transferred to other places during the procurement drives. It has also caused of a negative impact on the officers as they can’t develop good communication and relationship with locals in a short time. It has hampered the drive.
Food Secretary Dr Mst Nazmanara Khanum said, “The procurement drive was not a satisfactory level. Farmers have sold their paddy to the millers earlier due to getting good prices. This is why, the target was not achieved.
Sarwar Mahmu

 

 

d, Director General of Food Department said, “We can’t fulfill the target as the target amount was high this year. Besides, unfavorable weather and impact of corona pandemic were main hindrance of the failure.”

http://www.dailyindustry.news/govt-fails-achieving-food-grain-collection-target/

 

 

 

 

Govt fails achieving food grain collection target

 

Posted By: daily industryon: September 16, 2020In: Bangladesh, DistrictNo Comments

 

Shortage 10,6094 metric tons

Golam Mostafa Jibon: Finally, the government has become failure to achieve the paddy and rice procurement target fixed for the current Boro season.
A total of 9,43,902 metric tons of rice and paddy were procured by the concerned department till September 15, while it has fixed a target of 19.5 metric tons.
In this situation, there is a shortage of 10,6094 metric tons, which may fall a negative impact on the country’s food safety measure, experts said.
Though, the concerned officials of the government claimed that there is no possibility of creating food crisis in the country even after failure of achieving the procurement target as there is a stock of around 14.5 lakh metric tons of rice, the specialists claimed it may create a food deficiency along with price hike.
In the first phase, the government fixed the procurement deadline on August 31 starting from April 26.
Surprisingly, the concerned department could not procure half of the target by the deadline, which created frustration to the elites.
Finding no way, the government increased the time until September 15 with a view to achieve the goal. However, the target has remained unfulfilled due to massive negligence, irregularities and mismanagement by the concerned authorities, locals complained.
There is a complaint that, farmers could not directly provide paddy or rice to the food department due to political and bureaucratic complexities. Though, (See Page-2)
(From Page-1)
the government took some innovative initiative to avert corruption and anomalies as well as ensure direct communication between the government officials and farmers of the rural areas to avert middlemen, the unscrupulous officials of the respective food department carried procurement drives in collaboration with their recruited agents staying away from all processes of online.
In addition, they claimed that, incessant rains, long-term floods and corona pandemic were the main reasons behind the failure of achieving procurement target.
According to the Food Department sources, the government fixed the procurement target of rice and paddy at 19.5 lakh metric tons for the current season. With the aim, the drive for Boro paddy procurement was started on April 26 and rice on May 7.
At last, the time was extended to September 15 as they failed to achieve the goal.
As per the contract, there was a procurement target for paddy at 8 lakh metric tons. But, the procurement amount was only 2.17 lakh metric tons until the last date of the scheduled period.
The target of boiled rice procurement was fixed at 10 lakh metric tons, while the target for Ataap rice was fixed at 1.50 lakh metric tons. But, the concerned authorities have become able to procure 6,32,537 metric tons of boiled rice against the target at 10 lakh.
Similarly, the Ataap rice was procured at 94,347 metric tons against the target of 1.50 lakh metric tons.
It is learned that the government collects rice from local millers at fixed rate every year during the Aman and Boro season for emergency storage. However, this time the government has given more importance to the procurement drives in the current Boro season due to the corona epidemic.
Therefore, this time the target of paddy and rice procurement has been set higher than previous period keeping the matter of pandemic on head. But the concerned officials spent around one and half month for execution of the lottery.
Taking the advantage, the hoarders have accumulated the paddy from the hands of farmers depriving of the government within the time. Therefore, the government faced scarcity.
It is to be mentioned that, the government fixed the procurement price of rice at Tk 36 per Kg. But, the same rice was sold between Tk 40 and Tk 42 at different markets.
“It was not possible to supply rice to the government with the low price after collecting of paddy from farmers with high rate,” said millers.
While talking, some officials of the Food Department said, food controllers of 10 districts including Mymensingh, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Gazipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Kishorganj, some officers of district food controller offices and Officer-in-Charges of different LSD godowns were transferred to other places during the procurement drives. It has also caused of a negative impact on the officers as they can’t develop good communication and relationship with locals in a short time. It has hampered the drive.
Food Secretary Dr Mst Nazmanara Khanum said, “The procurement drive was not a satisfactory level. Farmers have sold their paddy to the millers earlier due to getting good prices. This is why, the target was not achieved.
Sarwar Mahmud, Director General of Food Department said, “We can’t fulfill the target as the target amount was high this year. Besides, unfavorable weather and impact of corona pandemic were main hindrance of the failure.”

http://www.dailyindustry.news/govt-fails-achieving-food-grain-collection-target/

 

 

 

Rice traders organizes training workshop for rice value chain

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APP

4:40 PM | September 17, 2020

The rice traders organized safety and capacity building training workshop for rice millers and other agriculture sector stakeholders in rice value chain, especially to protect the work place rights of woman rice transplanter.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted another Phase-III training workshop to train the agri-workers associated with rice value chain to create awareness of field work for women agri-workers,said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The development sector organizations also involved in the training process to sensitize the agriculture women workers about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,especially the rice transplanters.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted a training workshop to train the rice millers, development sector organizations to sensitize them about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,  especially the rice transplanters, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

More than 40 rice mills including organizations from development sectors, academia and media personnel participated in the event.

Manager Sustainability RPL, Zafar Iqbal while giving the opening remarks highlighted the initiatives of RPL to promote and ensure decent working conditions in rice value chain of Pakistan.

He said that RPL started its philanthropic work from the development of farmers and now it has expanded to the labourers of agriculture sector.

Zafar said that RPL has trained more than 2,8000 farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on 50% cost sharing basis.

Manager Sustainability RPL also narrated that RPL is also working for welfare of agriculture labor. RPL established Community Mother Centers at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters.

He added that Free Medical Camps were also organized to provide free medication to the rice transplanters at their working places throughout the rice transplanting season.

He said that around 15,000 families engage in rice transplanting every year only from district Sheikhupura and more than 100,000 from all over the Punjab.

A common practice is that all members from a family take part in transplanting work and children from those families also accompanied their parents.

Renowned Senior Child rights activist and consultant Ms Sadia Hussain said that physical, emotional and psychological health of children belonging to agriculture labour must be considered for a conducive working environment in the rice value chain.

She said that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a collective societal responsibility.

She said that we must protect the fundamental rights of children particularly right to name, education, health, safety, security; freedom of expression, freedom of association without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, caste and creed.

She further added that children particularly children of agriculture sector labour must be protected against abuses, violence, forced labor and any physical or emotional torture.

Senior Corporate and Development sector Consultant, Annan Waffi Qureshi on the occasion said that juvenile rights should be prioritized in every sector including the agriculture sector.

He highlighted the mode of communication to create the awareness for children’s rights and their protection, especially who belongs to the families working in the rice value chain.

He said that to engage the children in labour work whether forcefully or voluntarily is now a crime in Pakistan and everyone who is present here must raise his/her voice against this crime.

He also highlighted the referral mechanism to report the cases of violation of rights of children. He further added that there are a number of government and non-government organizations that are working for protection of rights of children.

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Search for Justice are the prominent institutes which are particularly working for protection of children and stopping violations of their rights.

Field Manager, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Mr. Zahid Rehman also addressed the participants on the occasion.

He said that working conditions of the farms were highly hazardous and exposed children to several risks of insect bites, injuries and infections, exposure to extreme heat and pesticides without any shelter.

Rehman added that keeping in view the hazardous conditions of farms Helvetas and RPL provided moveable backpack canopies covered from all sides to the children of rice transplanters to avoid the insects and provision of shelters along with the dry food, repellents, and water coolers in rice cultivation region of the Punjab.

He further added that similarly, for the larger group of families working jointly at farm

level, a bigger shelter tent along with solar plates, fans, air cooler, water cooler and first aid boxes were provided to keep the children in a healthy and safe environment at farm level.

https://nation.com.pk/17-Sep-2020/rice-traders-organizes-training-workshop-for-rice-value-chain

 

 

 

Pakistan risks damage to export as India applies for GI tag to basmati in EU

 

India is also registering Himalayan salt, Multani mitti with Indian names in the international market

By

 Ghulam Abbas

 -

September 17, 2020

 

ISLAMABAD: While Pakistan is yet to implement the Geographical Indications (GI) law promulgated in March this year, India has applied for an exclusive GI tag to Basmati rice in the European Union (EU).

The EU has subsequently published the application of India in its official journal on September 11, 2020, showing Basmati rice as an Indian origin product, despite the fact that similar rice is widely produced in Pakistan.

Interestingly, officials of the Ministry of Commerce, when contacted, were unaware of this major development which could ultimately damage Pakistan’s exports, such as the aromatic rice, to European countries.

Earlier last month, Adviser to the Prime Minister (PM ) on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood had directed the officials to implement the GI since it was promulgated as a law over five months ago.

It may be mentioned here Pakistan, after a delay of almost 18 years, had enacted Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act in March this year.

According to EU’s official journal, any country can oppose the application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2) (a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs within three months from the date of publication.

As per the Indian application, basmati is special long grain aromatic rice grown and produced in a particular geographical region of the Indian sub-continent. In India, this region is a part of northern India, below the foothills of the Himalayas forming part of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). The special characteristics of basmati are its long slender kernels with a high length to breadth ratio, an exquisite aroma, sweet taste, soft texture, delicate curvature, intermediate amylose content, high integrity of grain on cooking, and linear kernel elongation with least breadth-wise swelling on cooking.

Further, India has claimed that basmati is grown and produced in all districts of the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, as well as in specific districts of western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Interestingly, to support its claim, India has also referred various dictionaries such as Oxford Dictionary which defines basmati as ‘a kind of long-grain Indian rice with a delicate fragrance’, the French dictionary, Larousse, which defines basmati as an ‘Indian, long grain rice, very appreciated’ and the Cassell food dictionary which defines it as ‘a superior type of Indian white rice which is long grained and slender’.

India has also referred other reports to show that the basmati rice is of Indian origin without mentioning that the same is produced in Pakistan.

Leading rice exporter and former office bearer of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Taufiq Ahmed says that the Indian application at EU must be opposed immediately as it would badly damage Pakistani products’ exports to European countries.

He said that despite repeated requests and reminders, concerned authorities in Pakistan have been ignoring this serious issue for years and now if the problem is not handled swiftly then we would be left with no option but to sell basmati rice with an Indian name/brand.

“Apart from opposing the GI tag from the EU, Pakistan must also consult international dictionaries to rectify the definition as the same rice is largely produced in Pakistan. Unfortunately, India is also registering Himalayan salt and Multani Matti with Indian names in the international market,” he said.

According to an official at Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO), an attached department of the Ministry of Commerce which drafted the GI law, the Indian application would definitely be opposed in the EU.

He said that since the GI law has been promulgated, Pakistan would take up the issue of all GI products of Pakistani origin with the EU.

According to officials, Basmati was already recognised as a product of both India and Pakistan in the European Rice Regime and its Duty-Free Regime, making it illegal for India to claim exclusive rights of Basmati in the EU.

“The Cambridge dictionary and Wikipedia also show the product as originating from Pakistan and India,” he added.

It may be recalled here both India and Pakistan have approved the GI law which includes basmati as a product of their respective origin. The protection of geographical indications is aimed at boosting exports, helping support rural development in the country, and enhancing the livelihood of agriculture producers and skilled craftsmen.

Furthermore, the marketing of GI products also enhances secondary economic activities and boost regional economic development in various regions boosting economic development. GI law protects local products such as the Peshawari chappals, Multani blue pottery, Hunza apricots, Hala ajrak, Kasuri methi, Chaman grapes, Turbat dates etc.

Member countries of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) need to give protection to GIs under Article 22-24 of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement. Unless Pakistan provides GI protection, it cannot obtain the same for its own goods in other countries that have the GI law. The GI law covers a wide variety of industrial, agricultural, and horticultural products among others.

 

 

https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/09/17/pakistan-risks-damage-to-export-as-india-applies-for-gi-tag-to-basmati-in-eu/#:~:text=ISLAMABAD%3A%20While%20Pakistan%20is%20yet,the%20European%20Union%20(EU).

 

Rice traders organizes training workshop for rice value chain

 

Thu, 17 Sep 2020, 2:27 PM

Rice traders organizes training workshop for rice value chain

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP): The rice traders organized safety and capacity building training workshop for rice millers and other agriculture sector stakeholders in rice value chain, especially to protect the work place rights of woman rice transplanter.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted another Phase-III training workshop to train the agri-workers associated with rice value chain to create awareness of field work for women agri-workers,said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The development sector organizations also involved in the training process to sensitize the agriculture women workers about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,especially the rice transplanters.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted a training workshop to train the rice millers, development sector organizations to sensitize them about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,  especially the rice transplanters, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

More than 40 rice mills including organizations from development sectors, academia and media personnel participated in the event.

Manager Sustainability RPL, Zafar Iqbal while giving the opening remarks highlighted the initiatives of RPL to promote and ensure decent working conditions in rice value chain of Pakistan.

He said that RPL started its philanthropic work from the development of farmers and now it has expanded to the labourers of agriculture sector.

Zafar said that RPL has trained more than 2,8000 farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on 50% cost sharing basis.

Manager Sustainability RPL also narrated that RPL is also working for welfare of agriculture labor. RPL established Community Mother Centers at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters.

He added that Free Medical Camps were also organized to provide free medication to the rice transplanters at their working places throughout the rice transplanting season.

He said that around 15,000 families engage in rice transplanting every year only from district Sheikhupura and more than 100,000 from all over the Punjab.

A common practice is that all members from a family take part in transplanting work and children from those families also accompanied their parents.

Renowned Senior Child rights activist and consultant Ms Sadia Hussain said that physical, emotional and psychological health of children belonging to agriculture labour must be considered for a conducive working environment in the rice value chain.

She said that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a collective societal responsibility.

She said that we must protect the fundamental rights of children particularly right to name, education, health, safety, security; freedom of expression, freedom of association without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, caste and creed.

She further added that children particularly children of agriculture sector labour must be protected against abuses, violence, forced labor and any physical or emotional torture.

Senior Corporate and Development sector Consultant, Annan Waffi Qureshi on the occasion said that juvenile rights should be prioritized in every sector including the agriculture sector.

He highlighted the mode of communication to create the awareness for children’s rights and their protection, especially who belongs to the families working in the rice value chain.

He said that to engage the children in labour work whether forcefully or voluntarily is now a crime in Pakistan and everyone who is present here must raise his/her voice against this crime.

He also highlighted the referral mechanism to report the cases of violation of rights of children. He further added that there are a number of government and non-government organizations that are working for protection of rights of children.

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Search for Justice are the prominent institutes which are particularly working for protection of children and stopping violations of their rights.

Field Manager, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Mr. Zahid Rehman also addressed the participants on the occasion.

He said that working conditions of the farms were highly hazardous and exposed children to several risks of insect bites, injuries and infections, exposure to extreme heat and pesticides without any shelter.

Rehman added that keeping in view the hazardous conditions of farms Helvetas and RPL provided moveable backpack canopies covered from all sides to the children of rice transplanters to avoid the insects and provision of shelters along with the dry food, repellents, and water coolers in rice cultivation region of the Punjab.

He further added that similarly, for the larger group of families working jointly at farm
level, a bigger shelter tent along with solar plates, fans, air cooler, water cooler and first aid boxes were provided to keep the children in a healthy and safe environment at farm level.

https://www.app.com.pk/business/rice-traders-organizes-training-workshop-for-rice-value-chain/

 

European Commission seeks public comments on India’s Basmati GI right plea

By: FE Bureau | 

September 17, 2020 4:00 AM

The government recognises 34 Indian rice varieties, both traditional and evolved, as basmati while Pakistan has also a few more.

Considering the past instances of attempts to sell aromatic rice of other countries under basmati, registration under GI will help India to protect the name legally. (Representative image)

The European Commission has sought public comments on India’s plea to register the name ‘Basmati’ under geographical indication (GI). The GI application was filed by India in 2018. Similar applications have also been filed by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) to register the aromatic rice variety under GI in Thailand and Malaysia.

 

Considering the past instances of attempts to sell aromatic rice of other countries under basmati, registration under GI will help India to protect the name legally. Apeda has also sought registration of ‘Basmati’ under copyright law in some 15-16 countries where there is no concept of GI, officials said. Basmati rice is grown below the foothills of the Himalayas in the Indo-Gangetic plains, which include some areas in Pakistan also. However, the application by India does not mention Pakistan.

The government recognises 34 Indian rice varieties, both traditional and evolved, as basmati while Pakistan has also a few more. The European Union, a major market for traditional varieties of basmati, has also been buying a large quantity of evolved varieties since last one decade. India’s basmati exports to EU countries dropped 9% to $207 million during FY20 and was $63.7 million in the first two months of the current fiscal. The EU had a share of about 8% in India’s total basmati rice exports of $787 million during April-May.

“Being an important application in international registration of Basmati rice, this will undergo a detailed scrutiny and interpretation in the context of western, Asian and Bharatiya values. This will present opportunities and challenges in the context of ‘construct of product’ and current geopolitical environment to set the future history,” said S Chandrasekaran, a trade policy analyst and author of a book on Basmati GI. He also wondered if the move to register in the EU would help India thwart the claim of Pakistan using this current matrix.

After a long battle, Apeda was able to get GI tag for basmati in 2018, when the GI regsitry dismissed Madhya Pradesh’s plea for its inclusion in the growing region of the aromatic rice variety saying there was no “corroborative evidence” to suggest that the variety was grown in the state. The Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) in February 2016 had directed the GI Registry to issue a certificate of registration to Apeda and reconsider afresh the plea of inclusion of 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Apeda, which had applied for the GI tag for basmati rice in 2008 and got the registration after seven years of legal battle, had moved the Intellectual Property Appellate Board in 2014 challenging GI Registrar’s first decision (in December 2013) that directed it to file an amended GI application by all areas where basmati rice is cultivated, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. While other states stayed away from the legal battle, MP’s chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made it a political issue by raising it during assembly election and has since been pursuing it.

Last month, Chouhan had wrote letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi objecting to Punjab chief minister’s views on basmati GI. “A big question emerges that if this registration happens in European Union, will it permanently shut the door for Madhya Pradesh in basmati rice,” Chandrasekaran said.

https://www.financialexpress.com/market/commodities/european-commission-seeks-public-comments-on-indias-basmati-gi-right-plea/2084906/

 

 

Food Minister: Rice market stable

 

 UNB

·       Published at 09:08 pm September 17th, 2020

File Photo: Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune

The amount of collected food grains is enough for the government reserve, the minister says

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Thursday said that the market price of rice is affordable and stable amid the coronavirus pandemic as the government’s paddy and rice collection aim has been fulfilled.

“Although the government’s paddy and rice collection target remained unfulfilled, its aim has been achieved successfully in the recently concluded Boro season,” he said.

The minister came up with the remarks at a programme in Niamatpur upazila of Naogaon in the afternoon.

He said the amount of collected food grains is enough for the government reserve.

 

The country is not facing any food scarcity amid natural disaster like flood and coronavirus pandemic due to proper decision and prudence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister said.

Responding to a question regarding rice import, he said: “We’re examining the reserve of rice across the country. If necessary, rice will be imported to keep the market price stable.”

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/09/17/food-minister-rice-market-stable

 

RPT-Asia Rice-Weak demand hits top export hubs; Bangladesh struggles to stock up

 

 

SEPTEMBER 18, 20206:31 By Arundhati Sarkar

3 MIN READ

(Repeats with no changes to text)

* Prices for Thai, Vietnamese rice ease

* India prices unchanged amid softer demand

* New supplies weigh on prices in Vietnam - traders

Sept 17 (Reuters) - Demand for rice from Asian export hubs waned this week, with Bangladesh holding off with imports even as its drive to shore up supplies fell short of targets after floods destroyed crops.

Prices for top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety RI-INBKN5-P1 were unchanged at $387-$394 per tonne.

Demand has been softening as key buyers already stocked up significant volumes in the past few weeks, said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Indian farmers planted rice on 40.2 million hectares (99.3 million acres) until last week, up 7.6% from a year ago.

In neighboring Bangladesh, which has been grappling with dwindling supplies and a spike in domestic prices in the wake of the floods and amid the coronavirus pandemic, a local rice procurement drive fell nearly 1 million tonnes short of the 1.95 million tonne target.

The world’s third biggest rice producer often relies on imports to cope with shortages caused by floods and droughts, and such procurement drives are crucial for the scope of those imports.

But Food Secretary Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum said a decision on imports was still pending.

“It would be good if we could achieve the (procurement) target. But we have enough stock in the reserves at present. We have 1.2 million tonnes in warehouses.”

Prices for benchmark 5% broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 from Thailand fell for a third straight week, to $480-$504 per tonne from $487-510 last week.

Prices could slide to as low as $450 since demand has not picked up for weeks, traders in Bangkok said.

In Vietnam, rates for 5% broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 eased to $485-$490 a tonne from $490-$495.

“Demand is weak, while the autumn-winter harvest has started in some areas in the Mekong Delta, putting more downward pressure,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.

However, rice exports in August rose 26.3% to 605,566 tonnes from July. (Reporting by Arundhati Sarkar in Bengaluru, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok and Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai; editing by Arpan Varghese and Tomasz Janowski)

https://www.reuters.com/article/asia-rice/rpt-asia-rice-weak-demand-hits-top-export-hubs-bangladesh-struggles-to-stock-up-idINL4N2GE37I

 

 

NA Standing Committee approves 274 billion VND to supplement rice reserves

 

VietReader

 

 

 

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

The volume of rice will be purchased to supplement the reserves after 23,000 tonnes were taken from the stockpiles during the period from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 to be given to people in localities hit by natural disasters and epidemics, and the poor in between-crops periods. Part of the rice was also sent to Cuba as aid.

The committee also adopted another resolution on adding medical materials and supplies to the list of goods in the national reserves.

Participants proposed that the Government stipulate in detail the types of medical supplies to be included in the national reserves, and the tasks, authority and responsibilities of ministries and agencies in charge of those goods./.

CPV (Source: VNA)

https://vietreader.com/business/finance/16402-na-standing-committee-approves-274-billion-vnd-to-supplement-rice-reserves.html

 

 

 

 

Arkansas rice industry to make large donation for hungry Arkansans

 

September 17, 2020

 

National Rice Month will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 22, as the Arkansas rice industry makes a large donation to help feed families, children, and seniors all across the state.  

The event will take place at the Arkansas Foodbank, 4301 W. 65th Street in Little Rock, at 10 a.m. Wes Ward, Secretary of the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Dow Brantley, President of the Arkansas Rice Council, and Rhonda Sanders, CEO of Arkansas Foodbank will participate in the presentation. The total donation amount will be announced at the event. All attendees will be required to wear a mask.

Participating rice mills are Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro, Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Riviana Foods of Carlisle, Anheuser Busch of Jonesboro, Ralston Family Farms of Atkins and Specialty Rice Inc. of Brinkley. 

The rice will be distributed across the state to the five Feeding America food banks: River Valley Regional Food Bank in Ft Smith; Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro; Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana; Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock; and Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Springdale.

September is also Hunger Action Month. More than 549,000 Arkansans struggle with hunger and may not know where they’ll find their next meal. That number includes one in FOUR children who may not have enough to eat. This rice donation will go in to weekend backpacks for children, food boxes for home-bound seniors and will fill the shelves at food pantries for families in need.   

Arkansas Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in Arkansas, is a member of Feeding America and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. The Foodbank offers innovative programming focused on serving hungry Arkansans with more healthy and nutritious food. Programs like Food For Kids, Food For Families, and Food For Seniors provide food and other resources for more than 420 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, colleges, shelters, senior centers, and other agencies that provide aid directly to hungry Arkansans. For information on how you can fight hunger, visit www.arkansasfoodbank.org.

Arkansas Rice Federation represents all aspects of the rice industry and is comprised of the Arkansas Rice Farmers, Arkansas Rice Council, Arkansas Rice Merchants and Millers. Arkansas is the largest rice-growing state in the nation, producing around 50% of the US crop. The Arkansas rice industry contributes over $6 billion each year to the state’s economy and employs nearly 25,000 Arkansans.  Additional information about September activities and promotions can be found by visiting and following Arkansas Rice on social media.

 

FBI scrutinizing Northeast Arkansas land deal

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FBI scrutinizing U of A land deal in NEA

By Region 8 Newsdesk | September 17, 2020 at 11:14 AM CDT - Updated September 17 at 7:50 PM

COLT, Ark. (KAIT) - An Arkansas state senator from Wynne says the Federal Bureau of Investigation is taking a closer look at a proposed sale of prime hunting property.

In July we reported on hunters' outrage at the University of Arkansas’s plan to sell the Pine Tree Experiment Station in Colt.

On Thursday, Republican Sen. Ron Caldwell of Wynne said the FBI is looking into the proposed $16.5 million sale, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, after he met with agents in early August.

Caldwell did not specify how long that meeting lasted or explain why the FBI was interested in the matter.

He told the paper he was not the source of any information that may have attracted the bureau’s attention.

A spokesperson for the FBI in Little Rock was quoted as saying, “It’s a long-standing policy of the Department of Justice that we can neither confirm nor deny an investigation. That’s all I can say on the matter.”

In March, the UA System board of trustees approved selling the 6,300-acre property to Lobo Farms LLC, which is based in the Poinsett County town of Fisher.

According to the UA System’s Agriculture Division, the land was “wooded and wet, unsuitable for row-crop research.”

Proceeds from its sale, they said, would be used to help finance a rice research station currently under construction near Jonesboro, and for other research projects.

Congressman On Public Hunting Land Debate

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford told Region 8 News in July he, along with stakeholders and citizens, were concerned about the sale.

“It seems like we’re still focused on the $17 million transaction when we could have at least $20 million and retain public hunting,” Crawford said at the time. “So, that has brought up some questions.”

Sen. Caldwell said he was not aware of the sale until late July.

To read the full article, click here.

Copyright 2020 KAIT. All rights reserved.

https://www.kait8.com/2020/09/17/fbi-scrutinizing-northeast-arkansas-land-deal/

 

 

 

FBI said to examine research station deal in east Arkansas

State senator notes agents’ scrutiny in proposed sale of UA System landby Stephen Steed | September 17, 2020 at 7:23 a.m.

3

Follow

Pengyin Chen holds up a new variety of soybeans at the Pine Tree Research Station near Colt in this 2013 file photo. Chen was the director of the soybean breeding program at the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture at the time the photo was taken. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette / UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS )

The FBI is looking into the University of Arkansas System's proposed $16.5 million sale of 6,300 acres at its research station in St. Francis County, a state senator said Wednesday.

Sen. Ron Caldwell, R-Wynne, whose district includes the UA System's Pine Tree Research Station, said he met with FBI agents in early August. Caldwell declined to characterize the FBI's interest in the matter or to specify how long the interview lasted. He said he wasn't the source of any information that attracted the FBI's attention.

Connor Hagan, spokesman for the FBI in Little Rock, said: "It's a long-standing policy of the Department of Justice that we can neither confirm nor deny an investigation. That's all I can say on the matter."

The UA System board of trustees approved the sale to a private entity, Lobo Farms LLC, on March 11. The system said the sale was subject to the approval of Congress, which deeded 11,850 acres to the university in 1960. The acreage became known as the Pine Tree Research Station, near the Colt community in St. Francis County.

Lobo Farms LLC is based in Fisher in Poinsett County. Its registered agent is Mark Saalfield Norris Jr., a financial adviser for Raymond James & Associates in Memphis. Lobo Farms made the only bid for the property.

While Norris, who goes by the name "Field," didn't return a telephone call Wednesday to his office in Memphis, an attorney working with the buyers' group responded by email. (Norris is a son of U.S. District Judge Mark Saalfield Norris Sr., a longtime Tennessee state senator who was appointed to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in 2018.)

Justin T. Allen of the Little Rock firm of Wright Lindsey Jennings wrote, in part, "Nobody associated with the buying group has had contact with the FBI."

Allen also wrote: "At the outset, the buying group wants to make clear that there is no intention to engage in an adversarial process with the State, or anyone else, as it relates to the purchase of the property. Many assume that this transaction will be to the detriment of the public and the surrounding community. For several reasons, some outlined below, that doesn't have to be the case. This can and will be a true win-win for everyone concerned with the property, the community and hunting and conservation in Arkansas."

Selling the land was the idea of the UA System's Agriculture Division, which said it could use the proceeds to help pay for a rice research station now under construction near Jonesboro and for other agriculture and timber research projects. A spokeswoman for the Agriculture Division said a series of questions from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, including whether the FBI has contacted system officials, would be answered today.

According to the UA System, the 6,300 acres are wooded and wet, unsuitable for row-crop research. It has been open to the public for hunting, fishing and other activities under a 1999 management agreement with the state Game and Fish Commission.

Those hunters have been upset about the proposed sale for weeks and, according to some of their posts on social media, have contacted state and federal lawmakers.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the office of U.S. Sen. John Boozman said, "While I believe that a rice research center in this part of the state would be beneficial to our farmers, I have also heard from many concerned constituents who fear the loss of publicly-accessible land for recreational purposes.

"I strongly urge all of the state entities involved to reach a solution that preserves publicly-accessible land and also provides funding for a rice research center. There are many ways both of these goals can be achieved, and I stand ready to work with stakeholders when an agreement is reached," Boozman said.

Boozman made similar comments during a recent visit to the Pine Tree Research Station, according to the newspapers in Wynne, Forrest City and Marianna.

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, whose district includes the research station, told KAIT in Jonesboro on July 23 that he was concerned about the sale, how it was handled and whether the UA System could have gotten more money. His office said Wednesday evening that it had nothing more to add beyond the television interview.

The office of U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock said he was withholding judgment because the research station isn't in his district, adding that he would await the advice of his Arkansas colleagues.

Caldwell, the state senator from Wynne who said he met with the FBI, also said he and many other state legislators want the land to remain in public hands.

Caldwell said he didn't know of the proposed sale until late July.

In a question-and-answer document devised by the UA System Agriculture Division in July, officials made several points, including that:

• The property sale wasn't subject to bids and that an agent, Lile Real Estate in Little Rock and Memphis, was hired to market the property only after other public and nonprofit entities declined to buy the land.

• Neither state nor federal law requires public hearings or notices before selling UA System real estate.

• The proposal was on public documents and voted on in public.

No news organization apparently reported on the land sale when the vote was taken on March 11 or on March 18-19, when the board of trustees held a special meeting to adopt the minutes of the March 11 meeting and to conduct other business. Both meetings were held online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The statement from Allen, the attorney for the Lobo group, also said: "The buying group became aware of the property's availability in late 2019 through contact with a broker working on behalf of the UA. The initial discussions surrounded a possible grant to the UA or the State designed to maintain public ownership."

Besides the purchase price approved by the UA System board, Lobo was contributing another $1 million to an endowment in waterfowl and wetlands conservation programs.

Allen said he couldn't yet name other investors behind Lobo Farms but, in his statement, he wrote that the group "has a proven track record of conservation, habitat restoration, land stewardship, and community outreach."

"The buying group is acutely aware of opposition to the transaction," said Allen's statement. "It is understandable that some members of the public are concerned about losing access to what has long been public land. ... However, the buyers believe that much of the concern will be allayed once there is a true understanding of the plans for the property."

Because of the concerns, Allen wrote, the buyers "continue to express a willingness to consider putting the transaction on hold" to give the state time, including during the 2021 legislative session, to decide whether other state agencies want to buy the land.

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/sep/17/fbi-said-to-examine-research-station-deal/

 

 

New study confirms white rice increases risk of Type 2 diabetes

As many as 1,32,373 participants from 21 countries took part in the study

 By Mini P Thomas September 17, 2020 22:43 IST

A new study, published in the American journal 'Diabetes Care', confirms the link between the intake of white rice and a high incidence of Type 2 diabetes.

As many as 1,32,373 participants from 21 countries took part in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, conducted by the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), in Toronto, Canada. It is "the largest study on white rice intake and incident diabetes ever done and also one of the first to be done across different countries," said Dr. Bhavadharini Balaji, the first author of the paper.

“The highest risk of Type 2 diabetes was seen in South Asia with almost 60 per cent excess risk of developing new-onset of type 2 diabetes,’’ said Dr V. Mohan, the second author of the study.

“South Asian countries, including India, consume the largest amount of white rice in the world. The mean intake of cooked white rice is 630 grams per day in South Asia, followed by 239 grams in South East Asian countries and 200 grams in China. The intake of rice in the rest of the world is much lower,’’ Dr. Mohan, who is also the chairman and chief diabetologist, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialty Centre, Chennai told THE WEEK.

How does white rice increase the diabetes risk? “In olden days, people ate healthy varieties of rice which were hand-pounded and unpolished. Today, with excessive polishing, the white rice is deprived of a lot of its nutrients, including the fiber and some of the vitamins. It has a high glycemic index and excess consumption of this leads to a greater glycemic load. This places a demand on the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Over a period of time, the insulin in the pancreas gets depleted, leading to diabetes,’’ explained Dr. Mohan.

So does that mean one should stop eating rice completely? “Not really. Try and reduce the quantity of white rice. Also include pulses and dals in your daily diet. Green gram, black gram and rajma are good sources of protein. This, combined with increased physical activity, can help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes in South Asia in general and India in particular where Type 2 diabetes has now reached epidemic proportions.’’

Commenting on the results, Dr. Balaji said, “It confirms that white rice intake is one of the contributors to the diabetes epidemic in South Asia”.

https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2020/09/17/new-study-confirms-white-rice-increases-risk-of-type-2-diabetes.html

 

 

 

 

 

Govt to cut fee for basmati exporters

·         Posted: Sep 18, 2020 07:20 AM (IST)

·         Updated : 10 hours ago

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17

Representatives of the Punjab Basmati Rice Millers and Exporters’ Association met with Cabinet Ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Bharat Bhushan Ashu.

It was reportedly decided that exporters would pay just 0.5 per cent as a market fee and 0.5 per cent as rural development fee.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/govt-to-cut-fee-for-basmati-exporters-142746

 

 

 

NFA, Pafmi step up grains procurement

By: Ronnel W. Domingo - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:32 AM September 18, 2020

Grain growers are getting further boost as the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Association of Feed Millers (Pafmi) are revving up their procurement of rice and corn even as the domestic economy continues to feel the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar in a statement said the NFA would also “go the extra mile” by picking up palay right at barangay centers instead of expecting farmers to bring the grains to NFA stations.

“We will continue to buy palay as high as P19 per kilo, at 14 percent moisture content, from farmers to assure them of bigger earnings, and if need be, pick up their produce at a designated area in their barangay,” Dar said.

“We have instructed NFA offices nationwide, through Administrator Judy Dansal, to offer transport services for farmers who cannot deliver their produce to the agency’s warehouses, and likewise avail of its drying facilities,” the agriculture chief added.

Further, to optimize the NFA’s palay procurement fund, the NFA was instructed to immediately mill the palay that was bought, and then sell the rice to local government units (LGUs) or offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.Dar said that this way, the NFA can immediately roll over its funds to be able to buy more palay.

Also, Dar reiterated his call for governors of top 12 rice-producing provinces to help NFA buy palay directly from their farmer-constituents, and thus stabilize prices.

These provinces include Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Iloilo, Camarines Sur, Tarlac, Negros Occidental, Maguindanao, Bukidnon, North Cotabato and Leyte.

Last year, the 10 provinces produced a total of at least 9.74 million metric tons (MMT) of palay, which represented more than half of the country’s total harvest of 18.8 MMT.

Separately, Pafmi president Nicole Sarmiento Garcia said the group was buying more local corn as reports of bumper crop from the ongoing harvest boosted the feed millers’ confidence in the availability of yellow corn. The grain accounts for more than half of the local feed formulation.Similar to palay, the Department of Agriculture is encouraging LGUs to help corn farmers in selling their produce either by linking the growers to direct buyers like the feed millers, or brokering the purchase deals. In light of this, Pafmi is drawing a memorandum of understanding with the provincial council of Isabela, through which harvest will be offered to millers and delivered to mills in Bulacan and Batangas.

Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/307589/nfa-pafmi-step-up-grains-procurement#ixzz6YOWZoyOf
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

 

 

Traders organize training workshop for rice value chain

 18 September,2020 10:20 am

More than 40 rice mills participated in the event.

ISLAMABAD (APP) – The rice traders organized safety and capacity building training workshop for rice millers and other agriculture sector stakeholders in rice value chain, especially to protect the work place rights of woman rice transplanter.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted another Phase-III training workshop to train the agri-workers associated with rice value chain to create awareness of field work for women agri-workers, said a press release issued here.

The development sector organizations also involved in the training process to sensitize the agriculture women workers about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers, especially the rice transplanters.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted a training workshop to train the rice millers, development sector organizations to sensitize them about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers, especially the rice transplanters, said a press release issued here.

More than 40 rice mills including organizations from development sectors, academia and media personnel participated in the event.

Manager Sustainability RPL, Zafar Iqbal while giving the opening remarks highlighted the initiatives of RPL to promote and ensure decent working conditions in rice value chain of Pakistan.

He said that RPL started its philanthropic work from the development of farmers and now it has expanded to the labourers of agriculture sector.

Zafar said that RPL has trained more than 2,8000 farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on 50% cost sharing basis.

Manager Sustainability RPL also narrated that RPL is also working for welfare of agriculture labor. RPL established Community Mother Centers at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters.

He added that Free Medical Camps were also organized to provide free medication to the rice transplanters at their working places throughout the rice transplanting season.

He said that around 15,000 families engage in rice transplanting every year only from district Sheikhupura and more than 100,000 from all over the Punjab.

A common practice is that all members from a family take part in transplanting work and children from those families also accompanied their parents.

Renowned Senior Child rights activist and consultant Ms Sadia Hussain said that physical, emotional and psychological health of children belonging to agriculture labour must be considered for a conducive working environment in the rice value chain.

She said that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a collective societal responsibility.

She said that we must protect the fundamental rights of children particularly right to name, education, health, safety, security; freedom of expression, freedom of association without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, caste and creed.

She further added that children particularly children of agriculture sector labour must be protected against abuses, violence, forced labor and any physical or emotional torture.

Senior Corporate and Development sector Consultant, Annan Waffi Qureshi on the occasion said that juvenile rights should be prioritized in every sector including the agriculture sector.

He highlighted the mode of communication to create the awareness for children’s rights and their protection, especially who belongs to the families working in the rice value chain.

He said that to engage the children in labour work whether forcefully or voluntarily is now a crime in Pakistan and everyone who is present here must raise his/her voice against this crime.

He also highlighted the referral mechanism to report the cases of violation of rights of children. He further added that there are a number of government and non-government organizations that are working for protection of rights of children.

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Search for Justice are the prominent institutes which are particularly working for protection of children and stopping violations of their rights.

Field Manager, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Mr. Zahid Rehman also addressed the participants on the occasion.

He said that working conditions of the farms were highly hazardous and exposed children to several risks of insect bites, injuries and infections, exposure to extreme heat and pesticides without any shelter.

Rehman added that keeping in view the hazardous conditions of farms Helvetas and RPL provided moveable backpack canopies covered from all sides to the children of rice transplanters to avoid the insects and provision of shelters along with the dry food, repellents, and water coolers in rice cultivation region of the Punjab.

He further added that similarly, for the larger group of families working jointly at farm level, a bigger shelter tent along with solar plates, fans, air cooler, water cooler and first aid boxes were provided to keep the children in a healthy and safe environment at farm level.  

https://dunyanews.tv/en/Business/564506-Traders-organize-training-workshop-rice-value-chain

 

Rice traders organizes training workshop for rice value chain

 

    

 

 

APP

4:40 PM | September 17, 2020

The rice traders organized safety and capacity building training workshop for rice millers and other agriculture sector stakeholders in rice value chain, especially to protect the work place rights of woman rice transplanter.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted another Phase-III training workshop to train the agri-workers associated with rice value chain to create awareness of field work for women agri-workers,said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The development sector organizations also involved in the training process to sensitize the agriculture women workers about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,especially the rice transplanters.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted a training workshop to train the rice millers, development sector organizations to sensitize them about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,  especially the rice transplanters, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

More than 40 rice mills including organizations from development sectors, academia and media personnel participated in the event.

Manager Sustainability RPL, Zafar Iqbal while giving the opening remarks highlighted the initiatives of RPL to promote and ensure decent working conditions in rice value chain of Pakistan.

He said that RPL started its philanthropic work from the development of farmers and now it has expanded to the labourers of agriculture sector.

Zafar said that RPL has trained more than 2,8000 farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on 50% cost sharing basis.

Manager Sustainability RPL also narrated that RPL is also working for welfare of agriculture labor. RPL established Community Mother Centers at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters.

He added that Free Medical Camps were also organized to provide free medication to the rice transplanters at their working places throughout the rice transplanting season.

He said that around 15,000 families engage in rice transplanting every year only from district Sheikhupura and more than 100,000 from all over the Punjab.

A common practice is that all members from a family take part in transplanting work and children from those families also accompanied their parents.

Renowned Senior Child rights activist and consultant Ms Sadia Hussain said that physical, emotional and psychological health of children belonging to agriculture labour must be considered for a conducive working environment in the rice value chain.

She said that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a collective societal responsibility.

She said that we must protect the fundamental rights of children particularly right to name, education, health, safety, security; freedom of expression, freedom of association without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, caste and creed.

She further added that children particularly children of agriculture sector labour must be protected against abuses, violence, forced labor and any physical or emotional torture.

Senior Corporate and Development sector Consultant, Annan Waffi Qureshi on the occasion said that juvenile rights should be prioritized in every sector including the agriculture sector.

He highlighted the mode of communication to create the awareness for children’s rights and their protection, especially who belongs to the families working in the rice value chain.

He said that to engage the children in labour work whether forcefully or voluntarily is now a crime in Pakistan and everyone who is present here must raise his/her voice against this crime.

He also highlighted the referral mechanism to report the cases of violation of rights of children. He further added that there are a number of government and non-government organizations that are working for protection of rights of children.

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Search for Justice are the prominent institutes which are particularly working for protection of children and stopping violations of their rights.

Field Manager, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Mr. Zahid Rehman also addressed the participants on the occasion.

He said that working conditions of the farms were highly hazardous and exposed children to several risks of insect bites, injuries and infections, exposure to extreme heat and pesticides without any shelter.

Rehman added that keeping in view the hazardous conditions of farms Helvetas and RPL provided moveable backpack canopies covered from all sides to the children of rice transplanters to avoid the insects and provision of shelters along with the dry food, repellents, and water coolers in rice cultivation region of the Punjab.

He further added that similarly, for the larger group of families working jointly at farm

level, a bigger shelter tent along with solar plates, fans, air cooler, water cooler and first aid boxes were provided to keep the children in a healthy and safe environment at farm level.

https://nation.com.pk/17-Sep-2020/rice-traders-organizes-training-workshop-for-rice-value-chain

 

Arkansas rice industry to make large donation for hungry Arkansans

 

September 17, 2020

 

·          

 

National Rice Month will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 22, as the Arkansas rice industry makes a large donation to help feed families, children, and seniors all across the state.  

The event will take place at the Arkansas Foodbank, 4301 W. 65th Street in Little Rock, at 10 a.m. Wes Ward, Secretary of the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Dow Brantley, President of the Arkansas Rice Council, and Rhonda Sanders, CEO of Arkansas Foodbank will participate in the presentation. The total donation amount will be announced at the event. All attendees will be required to wear a mask.

Participating rice mills are Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro, Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Riviana Foods of Carlisle, Anheuser Busch of Jonesboro, Ralston Family Farms of Atkins and Specialty Rice Inc. of Brinkley. 

 

The rice will be distributed across the state to the five Feeding America food banks: River Valley Regional Food Bank in Ft Smith; Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro; Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana; Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock; and Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Springdale.

September is also Hunger Action Month. More than 549,000 Arkansans struggle with hunger and may not know where they’ll find their next meal. That number includes one in FOUR children who may not have enough to eat. This rice donation will go in to weekend backpacks for children, food boxes for home-bound seniors and will fill the shelves at food pantries for families in need.   

Arkansas Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in Arkansas, is a member of Feeding America and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. The Foodbank offers innovative programming focused on serving hungry Arkansans with more healthy and nutritious food. Programs like Food For Kids, Food For Families, and Food For Seniors provide food and other resources for more than 420 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, colleges, shelters, senior centers, and other agencies that provide aid directly to hungry Arkansans. For information on how you can fight hunger, visit www.arkansasfoodbank.org.

Arkansas Rice Federation represents all aspects of the rice industry and is comprised of the Arkansas Rice Farmers, Arkansas Rice Council, Arkansas Rice Merchants and Millers. Arkansas is the largest rice-growing state in the nation, producing around 50% of the US crop. The Arkansas rice industry contributes over $6 billion each year to the state’s economy and employs nearly 25,000 Arkansans.  Additional information about September activities and promotions can be found by visiting and following Arkansas Rice on social media.

https://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/arkansas-rice-industry-to-make-large-donation-for-hungry-arkansans/

 

 

Indian rice exporters increase considerations after Iran begins putting orders for basmati from Pakistan

 

September 17, 2020 - by John Show 

 

Iran has began putting orders with Pakistan for basmati rice, elevating considerations of Indian basmati rice exporters who’ve stalled exports to the Gulf nation attributable to non-payment of their dues price Rs 1,700 crore. However, exporters see this merely as a brief blip.

“Yes, we have heard that Iran has placed some order with Pakistan recently. It is nothing unusual. However, Pakistan exports 6 lakh tonnes of basmati rice in the world markets whereas India’s exports stands at 4.4 – 4.5 millon tonnes,” stated Vinod Kaul, government director, All India Rice Exporters’ Association (AIREA).

Kaul stated that it’s a momentary phenomenon and as soon as Iran clears its dues, India will once more begin exporting to the nation. Iran accounts for 34% of India’s basmati exports to the abroad markets.

Kaul stated exporters are anxious about once they get their a refund.

“They are extremely worried. Also, if Pakistan gradually increases its presence in Iran, then may be in the long term, it may create some problems for Indian exporters,” he stated.

A Crisil examine has said that Iran, which imports round 1.three million tonne of basmati rice yearly, is predicted to register 20 per cent decrease quantity from India as payment-related points proceed from final fiscal due to US sanctions.

India and Iran have been discussing the barter buying and selling system for practically a yr now, ever because the Trump administration started imposing robust financial sanctions on Tehran. Iran has stated it would purchase basmati rice, sugar and medicines from India in lieu of fertilisers. A last determination is but to be taken.

Exports with Iran must be resumed quickly as basmati manufacturing is predicted to be greater this yr. In the final kharif season, India produced 7.5 million tonnes of basmati rice. “This year, the acreage has increased and we are expecting 8 million tonnes of rice,” stated AIREA’s Kaul.

Gurnam Arora, joint managing director, Kohinoor Foods stated Pakistan has been sending basmati rice to Iran by way of some convoluted enterprise route. “The payment was being made in cash. But with India, Iran has a transparent business model. The buyers may have placed some order with Pakistan to meet temporary demand. This will no way impact Indian exports going ahead.”

Arora added that Iran’s personal crop will begin coming by October after which the nation won’t require imported basmati. “Moreover, Indian basmati is superior than basmati from our neighbouring nation,” he added.

http://www.marketnewsreports.us/710/indian-rice-exporters-increase-considerations-after-iran-begins-putting-orders-for-basmati-from-pakistan/

 

 

Chief minister Francis set to make millions of dollars from farming

September 17, 2020 Abdul Rashid Thomas Economy & Business 6

Sierra Leone Telegraph: 17 September 2020:

Sierra Leone’s chief minister in the Bio-led government has turned his hands to rice farming, combining his newfound vocation with national politics, responsible for coordinating and overseeing the performance of all government ministries.

After making a bumpy transition from a classroom professor at Bradford university in the UK to become one of the most powerful figures and trusted allies of the president, Dr. David Francis is now running a lucrative rice farm. He names his brand of rice – ‘ECO Rice’.

Professor David John Francis says that his 444 acres of farmland which is about the size of 220 football pitches in his hometown – Kenema, is his response to president Bio’s call for public officials to embark on agriculture to help the government meets its national food self-sufficiency agenda.

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite the abundance of natural resources and fertile land for farming.

According to latest data, over 70% of people in Sierra Leone go hungry as the economy contracts due to the coronavirus pandemic and rising costs of imported foods.

Over $200 million is spent on importing rice which is the country’s staple food. But this could change, if politicians across the country and government officials – many of whom are regarded as corrupt, decide to invest in farming and food production.

Chief Minister Dr David Francis has become a trailblazer and an exemplar for politicians in sierra Leone, whose dependency on corrupt party politics and abuse of power for amassing personal wealth is costing the nation over Five Hundred Million Dollars every year.

A green revolution could take millions of Sierra Leoneans out of poverty in just three years, and Sierra Leone could earn at least $250 million on farming exports every year.

So how profitable is rice farming for Chief minister David Francis?

According to reports, Dr David Francis visited his Eco rice farm recently to start his first harvesting of what is referred to as a ‘three-months rapid yield hybrid nutritious rice variety’ that is now selling in markets at Le 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Leones) for a 50kg bag, which is slightly below the average market price.

ECO Rice is said to be the cheapest, high-quality and nutritious rice in the country, and professor Francis is set to make millions of dollars in annual profits.

Speaking at his farm, Professor David Francis is reported to call on farmers to take agriculture production seriously, and appealed to his fellow politicians to join him in making farming a successful vocation that could feed the nation.

He told farmers that his government is ready to support them in making sure rice is affordable in the country, and help reduce the $200 million spent on importing rice to Sera Leone annually – which is a big factor affecting the value of the national currency – the Leone.

Cultivating and harvesting a rice farm about the size of 220 football pitches does not come easy, without the use of modern technology.

Although many would argue that lack of mechanisation is an opportunity for millions of unskilled youths to be employed in farming, the impact on productivity and production yield is huge and chief minister Francis knows that.

He said that because of the size of his farm, harvesting which is done manually by hundreds of local people – especially women, will continue until February 2021.

Professor Francis’ ambition is to establish ECO Rice retail outlets across all districts of Sierra Leone, starting with his hometown Kenema, which will be the national headquarters of his ECO Rice Production Company.

Will other government ministers and politicians follow the chief minister’s entrepreneural example?

Share this:

https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/chief-minister-francis-set-to-make-millions-of-dollars-from-farming/

 

 

West Africa: Feeding The Future With Homegrown Rice and Cassava

Agriculture au Bénin

In Benin, the Gbenondjou Cassava Production and Commercialization Expansion Project saw the development of the Ajahonmè's Manioc Transformation Cooperative, a project which aims to feed the population of West Africa.

18 SEPTEMBER 2020

By Bacary Dabo and Andre van Wyk

Dakar and Cape Town — The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is celebrating a decade of its Feed the Future campaign, which enables partner organisations to target the root causes of poverty and hunger. Projects in Burkina Faso and Benin have produced expertise and economic stability for local agricultural producers.

Growing rice in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, the Cooperative Mitiiri Rice Production and Marketing Project led local rice producers to grow an increasingly sustainable supply of the grain while lowering dependence on imports from China.

Established in 2009, Mitiri - then named Association of Young Dynamics for the Development of Bagre - faced financial difficulties. Help from the USADF helped it to secure production equipment, storage and and funds to buy rice.

One of the challenge of rice agriculture in the country is the lack of productive investments and adequate training, and the USADF worked to provide working capital, capacity building and business advisory assistance to modernize, provide training to members on post-harvest techniques, and improve business operations.

As a result, young farmers in the cooperative are seeing higher domestic sales and revenues and contribute to youth employment.

Challenges and the Reduction of Chinese Imports

KRE Daouda, the accounting manager of the Simplified Cooperative Company Mitiiri of Rice Producers of Bagré (SCOOPS Mitiiri), shared some of the trials and successes that come with rice agriculture.

One of the biggest challenges is insufficient production due to the Covid-19 outbreak. "We have noticed that with the pandemic, the demand for rice at the local level increased, and rice production to be adjusted. The shift in the training schedule on agricultural entrepreneurship did not benefit producers. There was also an absence of manpower the work in the fields," Daouda said.

But the travel restrictions brought by the pandemic also meant that SCOOPS Mitiiri sold more products. "The reduction in rice imports from China had a great impact in the sale of local rice. it must be said that we no longer have the difficulties as before in selling our products," Daouda said.

Agriculture au Bénin

The majority of the 25-member co-op are women - 21 of them in fact - and they produce a variety of gari or cassava used in many dishes in West Africa.

The co-operative aims to continue making gains in improving agricultural technique and providing employment in the coming years, believing that this path to success is something achievable for the entire continent.

"We believe that Africa as a whole will be able to produce rice without importing because it is not the land that is lacking but rather the technical and financial means. At the rate things are going, with the interest of our governors in agriculture and the support of projects and NGOs etc., agricultural yields are improving and we are sure that Africa will meet these challenges."

"USADFs contribution has helped make us a leader among the co-operatives in our area.".

Between 1 October 2010 and March 31, 2020, USADF invested more than $10 million in Burkina Faso, producing 157 enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Women of Benin at Forefront of Gari Production

In Benin, the Gbenondjou Cassava Production and Commercialization Expansion Project saw the development of the Ajahonmè's Manioc Transformation Cooperative, a project which aims to feed the population of West Africa.

The majority of the 25-member co-op are women - 21 of them in fact - and they produce a variety of gari or cassava used in many dishes in West Africa.

The goal of economic empowerment of women is a cornerstone of the Cooperative. While a challenge, Gbezounke Sylvie, president of the Adjahonmey "Gbenondjou" Cassava Transformation cooperative, believes this is achievable.

Agriculture au Bénin

The goal of economic empowerment of women is a cornerstone of the Cooperative. While a challenge, Gbezounke Sylvie, president of the Adjahonmey "Gbenondjou" Cassava Transformation cooperative, believes this is achievable.

The organisation's efforts secured them a three-year deal to deliver gari to their newest client, in Senegal. Sylvie confirms that a first delivery was already made from Cotonou to Dakar, the Senegalese capital.

According to Sylvie, this new dynamic was boosted thanks to the support of the USADF, which granted Gbenondjou much-needed funds between 2017 and 2019.

The Gbenondjou Cooperative used these grants to build production capacity and purchase equipment to process cassava into gari while also investing in training its members in financial management, marketing, improved production techniques and hygiene practices. and sanitation for production. This, says Sylvie, made it possible to strengthen the competitiveness and professionalism of the co-op and contribute to food security, advancing the economic status of the rural women and improve their quality of life.

From Producers to Successful Women Entrepreneurs

The lives of the women involved in the co-op are certainly improved.

A transformation that its president links to the impact of American support on their activities and their daily lives. For Sylvie, the support of the USADF has completely changed their lives and the co-op. "It is thanks to the USADF that our members have started to organize their activities well and managed to double their production.

"This support has enabled them to make their products competitive while respecting the health and commercial standards required on the market. "In the market, our products are sold first because they are now better presented," Sylvie says proudly.

Profits made have enabled the co-op to acquire its own land and expand cassava farming areas which, over time, will help boost the level of yield and production.

"Since this new situation, the women members of the cooperative have spent less time in the fields and find time to take care of their household and their children."

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https://allafrica.com/stories/202009180163.html

 

 

 

RPT-ASIA RICE-WEAK DEMAND HITS TOP EXPORT HUBS; BANGLADESH STRUGGLES TO STOCK UP

9/17/2020

(Repeats with no changes to text)

* Prices for Thai, Vietnamese rice ease

* India prices unchanged amid softer demand

* New supplies weigh on prices in Vietnam - traders

By Arundhati Sarkar

Sept 17 (Reuters) - Demand for rice from Asian export hubs waned this week, with Bangladesh holding off with imports even as its drive to shore up supplies fell short of targets after floods destroyed crops.

Prices for top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety <RI-INBKN5-P1> were unchanged at $387-$394 per tonne.

Demand has been softening as key buyers already stocked up significant volumes in the past few weeks, said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Indian farmers planted rice on 40.2 million hectares (99.3 million acres) until last week, up 7.6% from a year ago.

In neighboring Bangladesh, which has been grappling with dwindling supplies and a spike in domestic prices in the wake of the floods and amid the coronavirus pandemic, a local rice procurement drive fell nearly 1 million tonnes short of the 1.95 million tonne target.

The world's third biggest rice producer often relies on imports to cope with shortages caused by floods and droughts, and such procurement drives are crucial for the scope of those imports.

But Food Secretary Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum said a decision on imports was still pending.

"It would be good if we could achieve the (procurement) target. But we have enough stock in the reserves at present. We have 1.2 million tonnes in warehouses."

Prices for benchmark 5% broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> from Thailand fell for a third straight week, to $480-$504 per tonne from $487-510 last week.

Prices could slide to as low as $450 since demand has not picked up for weeks, traders in Bangkok said.

In Vietnam, rates for 5% broken rice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> eased to $485-$490 a tonne from $490-$495.

"Demand is weak, while the autumn-winter harvest has started in some areas in the Mekong Delta, putting more downward pressure," a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.

However, rice exports in August rose 26.3% to 605,566 tonnes from July. (Reporting by Arundhati Sarkar in Bengaluru, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok and Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai; editing by Arpan Varghese and Tomasz Janowski)

https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/rpt-asia-rice-weak-demand-hits-top-export-hubs-bangladesh-struggles-to-stock-up

 

 

 

F&B Industry (6): Production Methods Changing: Automation and Mechanization

·                   By Cho Mi-jin, Jack Baek & Kang Kyeong-keun

·                    September 18, 2020, 13:47

 

The authors are analysts of NH Investment & Securities. They can be reached at mj27@nhqv.com, jack.baek@nhqv.com and kyeongkeun.kang@nhqv.com, respectively. – Ed.

 

Present: Introduction of process automation

Amidst ongoing social structural changes, including shrinking working-age population numbers and rising labor costs, domestic F&B companies have introduced process automation to their plants, and agricultural and livestock companies have pushed for mechanization of farming in order to secure production competitiveness and improve efficiency. Factory automation entails putting in place unmanned production systems that use computers and robots. In other words, robots are replacing humans at automated factories. This move towards process automation has brought about the benefits of smooth interconnection of all manufacturing processes (encompassing production, quality control/inspection, and logistics) as well as enabling companies to establish company-wide return systems.

We note that compared to other industries, the portion of manual works remains still high at the F&B sector, especially for quality control and packaging processes. But, as process automation has been pre-emptively introduced to large-scale F&B facilities, significant progress has been made, especially with regard to food safety inspection, product quality control, and product history tracking. And, sensor-using automation systems have first been appearing in the packaging, food safety, and quality control areas.

Present: Mechanization of farming

Korea has long been pursuing mechanization/automation of farming, aiming to counter growing challenges at domestic farms such as a declining rural population size, rural population aging, a shrinking grain self-sufficiency rate, stagnated income growth for farmers, and global climate changes. The mechanization movement first started in early-1960s in line with penetration of power tillers across Korea’s rural areas, and the initiative took off in earnest upon the announcement of a 5-yr agriculture mechanization plan under the directive of the President in the 1970s.

Thanks to well-coordinated efforts of the public agencies and farmers, Korea has achieved almost 100% mechanization for rice farming. By end-1970, Korea completed localization of power tillers, and by end-1990s, most of rice farming processes were carried out with machines. The annual number of man-hours required for a 1ha rice paddy stood at 1,700 hours in 1971, but the figure gradually declined to 928 in 1981, to 162 in 2008, and to 10.8 in 2015. Over this period, the mechanization of farm works has helped to overcome the sharp decline of Korea’s farmer population—as early ago as only 1970, Korea’s farm population represented 44.7% (14.42mn) of the overall domestic population, but the portion has since plunged, standing at merely 5.1% (2.57mn) as of end-2015. With the penetration of agricultural machinery rising, the total number of major agricultural machines (cultivator, tractor, rice-planting machine, and harvester) rose to 1,337,000 units nationwide (1.1 per farm).

http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=52036

 

 

Plant nutrient delivery breakthrough

Date:

September 17, 2020

Source:

Texas Tech University

Summary:

The collaboration revealed that the symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi provides nitrates to plants, which could lead to reduced fertilizer use.

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When most people think of fungi, the thoughts are usually not good, turning to something that does damage more than those that are actually helpful.

Yet, fungi play a critical role in the growth and development of plant life and have for millions of years. Scientists have known for a long time that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi that live in harmony with about 90% of land plants and play a key role in their root systems, are responsible for carrying needed phosphate to plants to help growth.

Now, however, thanks to a discovery by a team of scientists from Texas Tech University's Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance (IGCAST) in the Department of Plaint and Soil Science, and the Nanjing Agricultural University's State Key Laboratory of crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, that symbiotic role may go even further.

That research team, which included professor Guohua Xu, Prof. Aiqun Chen and Dr. Huimin Feng from Nanjing Agricultural University and, Luis Herrera-Estrella, the President's Distinguished Professor of Plant Genomics and director of IGCAST, and assistant professor Damar López-Arredondo, discovered that AM fungi also acted as a supplier of nitrogen to the plant, the protein (NPF4.5) responsible for transporting nitrates from the fungi to the plant, and that this symbiotic nitrate pathway and the function of the protein are present in crops such as rice, and probably most other plant species.

The results from the paper, "Functional analysis of the OsNPF4.5 nitrate transporter reveals a conserved mycorrhizal pathway of nitrogen acquisition in plants," were recently published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) of the U.S.

Xu highlighted their finding that the fungi colonization efficiency, promotion of plant growth and nutrient uptake were maintained and even enhanced at high nitrogen supply levels, which is opposite to the high phosphate suppressed colonization, indicating the general contribution of mycorrhizal route to improving N use efficiency at varied N presence.

This discovery could lead to groundbreaking agricultural practices that allow for a reduction in the amount of nitrogen fertilizer required for crop production, which will help reduce production costs and benefit the environment by reducing agrochemical use.

"In our study, we showed the nitrate transporter is contained in many plant species and that it is activated by the mycorrhizal association in maize, sorghum and several other plant species," Herrera-Estrella said. "Based on our data, we propose that nitrate transport takes place in many if not most plant species, and that the protein plays a key role in the process."

Hundreds of millions of years ago, when plants moved from aquatic origins and began taking over land masses, their lack of a strong root system became a hinderance in obtaining water and nutrients. Herrera-Estrella said fossilized evidence showed that, early in in the evolutionary process, land plants developed the relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, which helped improve the fitness of host plants by facilitating mineral nutrition and water absorption and by increasing tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Herrera-Estrella pointed out, though, that past research has discovered that the symbiotic relationship between plants and AM fungi is most active in soil with low phosphate availability and suppressed in soil with high levels of available nutrients. That means cultivated crops that are highly fertilized see a severely reduced or completely suppressed impact from mycorrhiza.

The goal of the research was to determine whether mycorrhiza could provide other nutrients such as nitrogen to the plant. Indirect evidence has shown the fungi could supply the plant with ammonium (NH4+) as a nitrogen source, but that it is quickly converted into nitrate (NO3-) by the microbes in the aerobic soil. That means that under most soil conditions, nitrate is the dominant form of N supplied to the plant.

In order to test for nitrate transfer ability, the researchers used nitrogen isotopes to determine the capacity of the fungi to take nitrate ad deliver it to the plant for intake. Researchers also identified the gene (NPF4.5) specifically activated in rice roots when joined by mycorrhizal fungi and were able to identify the role of this gene in nitrate delivery by producing rice mutants that did not have this transporting gene.

"We found that when the gene is inactivated, the amount of nitrate that the plant can get from the fungi is drastically reduced," Dr. Chen said. "Thus, we functionally confirmed that NPF4.5 was the important protein in the transport of nitrogen from the fungi to the plant. We also used plant transformation to generate the rice plants that enrich NPF4.5 proteins in the absence of the mycorrhiza. We found that these transgenic plants can produce more biomass and show higher nitrogen uptake efficiency than normal plants when grown in nitrate contained medium, which has a great potential for use in agriculture."

Researchers estimate that rice containing the mycorrhizal relationship between plant and fungi could receive more than 40% of its nitrogen due to the mycorrhizal pathway and that the specific nitrate transporter gene, NPF4.5, accounted for approximately 45% of the mycorrhizal nitrate uptake.

López-Arredondo said the next steps in the project will be to test the transgenic plants under field conditions and deeply understand the mechanisms that specifically activate the NPF4.5 nitrate transporter gene when the plant joins with the fungi, as well as discovering the chemical signals the fungi send to the plant to specifically activate this and other nutrient transporter genes probably required for this interaction.

Herrera-Estrella, an Emeritus Professor of Cinvestav in Mexico and member of the US National Academy of Sciences stated "This is an interesting and productive collaboration between Texas Tech and the Nanjing Agricultural University," "This type of international collaboration can rally boost the advancement of science."

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Story Source:

Materials provided by Texas Tech University. Original written by George Watson. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

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Journal Reference:

1.      Shuangshuang Wang, Aiqun Chen, Kun Xie, Xiaofeng Yang, Zhenzhen Luo, Jiadong Chen, Dechao Zeng, Yuhan Ren, Congfan Yang, Lingxiao Wang, Huimin Feng, Damar Lizbeth López-Arredondo, Luis Rafael Herrera-Estrella, Guohua Xu. Functional analysis of the OsNPF4.5 nitrate transporter reveals a conserved mycorrhizal pathway of nitrogen acquisition in plants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2020; 117 (28): 16649 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000926117

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Texas Tech University. "Plant nutrient delivery breakthrough." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 September 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200917105403.htm>.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200917105403.htm