23rd
September,2020
Daily Global Regional
Local Rice E-Newseltter
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Un-Edited Version
Japanese scientists develop salt-resistant rice variety for ocean
farming
·
Published at 06:40 pm September 21st, 2020
A farmer drives a combine harvester to
harvest the rice in a paddy field field surrounding the City of Toyota Stadium
in Toyota City on September 27, 2019 AFP
Less than 1% of fresh water is available for
human use, and 70% of that is used for agriculture worldwide
Growing rice in
the salty water sounds a little whacky, but salt-resistant agriculture is an
emerging form of food production that could have some real potential.
Less than 1% of
fresh water is available for human use, and 70% of that is used for agriculture
worldwide.
Increased
demand for food and exploding population levels are pushing innovators to
explore areas where agriculture has never gone before. One crop taking to the
sea is rice.
A Japan-based
team of biology scientists has developed a new rice variety through genetic
improvement in an attempt to increase crop yields in a salty paddy field, The
Japan Times reported.
The team, led
by the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, has said it
succeeded in finding a gene that determines the angle of root growth, hoping
the discovery will lead to more new rice varieties amid the growing risk of
salt damage as a result of frequent high tides and typhoons due to global
warming.
Salt damage is
predicted to affect about half the world’s existing arable land by 2050, with
coastal areas in Japan and some other countries, including Bangladesh and
Vietnam, already facing challenges, according to the team.
“By using this
gene it may be possible to design how rice roots grow to suit farmland conditions,”
said Yusaku Uga, a principal scientist at the organization.
The gene was
found in one type of Indonesian rice, whose roots grow along the surface of the
ground.
Just as in a
drought, soil with high levels of salinity prevents plants from taking in
water. Moreover, the soil becomes too firm, making them depleted of oxygen.
Presuming that
rice would also be more resilient if its roots can grow along the surface of
the soil, the team spent four years from 2015 monitoring how the Japanese rice
Sasanishiki crossbred with the Indonesian variety produces grains in a salty
paddy field, compared to ordinary Sasanishiki.
The scientists
said the genetically improved rice saw a 15% increase in harvest in salty
water. Meanwhile, it showed no difference in growth performance in a normal
paddy field.
Shallower roots
are also said to be advantageous for plants to take in phosphorus, an essential
nutrient, suggesting the method could be beneficial for farmers in
poverty-stricken countries and regions where fertilizers are not easily
available, Uga said.
The 45-year-old
scientist said the findings hold promise for other crops including corn and
soybeans as they have similar genes that determine the angle of root growth.
Genomic adaptations to a rice-based diet mitigate the risk of obesity
and diabetes
IMAGE: BLUE CLUSTERS SHOWED PREDOMINANT SOUTH ASIAN ANCESTRY, WHILE RED
ONES ARE ENRICHED FOR EAST AND SOUTH EAST ASIAN ANCESTRY. RED CONCENTRIC
CIRCLES INDICATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ALONG THE YANGTZE RIVER VALLEY... view more
CREDIT: EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
The traditional rice-based diet of some east-Asian population
has brought to a number of genomic adaptations that may contribute to
mitigating the spread of diabetes and obesity. An international study led by the
University of Bologna and published in the journal Evolutionary
Applications has recently suggested this interesting hypothesis.
Researchers analysed and compared the genomes of more than 2,000 subjects from
124 south-east-Asian populations.
"We suggest that it may be possible that some east-Asian
populations, whose ancestors started eating rice on a daily basis at least
10,000 years ago, have evolved genomic adaptations that mitigate the harmful
effects of high-glycaemic diets on metabolism", confirms Marco Sazzini,
study coordinator and professor at the Department of Biology, Geology and
Environmental Sciences of the University of Bologna. "Furthermore, these
adaptations plausibly continue to play a pivotal role in protecting them from
the negative effects that derive from major dietary alterations brought about
by the globalisation and westernization of their lifestyles. These alterations
dramatically increased their consumption of food rich in processed sugar and
with a high glycaemic index".
RICE AND GLYCAEMIC INDEX
Among the so-called domesticated cereals, rice presents a high
glycaemic index and is rich in carbohydrates. This means that once ingested and
digested, it causes sugar in the blood to increase. If eaten regularly and in
large quantities, rice may represent a potential risk factor for developing
insulin resistance and related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
However, if we compare east-Asian people having used rice as a
staple food for over 10,000 years with those in the Indian sub-continent, we
soon find out that the latter show higher rates of diabetes and obesity than
east-Asians. Why are these two groups different?
A 10,000-YEAR-OLD DIET
Archaeology may provide a hint to answering that question.
Archaeobotanical findings in some eastern regions of Asia show that wild rice
had been part of the inhabitants' diets in the past starting 12,000 years ago.
After rice domestication and the introduction of rice farming techniques,
between 7,000 and 6,000 years ago, rice spread rapidly across Korea and Japan.
In northern regions of the Indian sub-continent, an independent domestication
process had started 4,000 years ago and brought to the selection of rice
varieties presenting a lower glycaemic index if compared to east-Asian rice.
"Different rice varieties and a head start of millennia may
have put populations in China, Korea, and Japan under a more pressing metabolic
stress than that experienced by south Asian populations", explains Arianna
Landini, first author of this study and a PhD student at the University of
Edinburgh. "This might have allowed them to evolve genomic adaptations
that mitigate the risk of becoming ill with metabolic diseases linked with a
high-sugar diet".
RICE AND GENOMIC ADAPTATIONS
To test such a hypothesis, researchers analysed the genome of
more than 2,000 subjects from 124 east-Asian and south-Asian populations. Then,
they compared the adaptive evolution observed in Chinese Han and Tujia ethnic
groups, as well as in people of Korean and Japanese ancestry (with a
long-standing tradition of rice-based diets) with that of people from regions
of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and south-east Asia. Southeast Asian
subjects were used as control groups because their adoption of cereal-based
diets occurred many thousand years later.
"The genomic adaptations observed in control groups differ
greatly from those of east Asian populations and are not related to metabolic
stress due to a specific diet", says Claudia Ojeda-Granados, one of the
authors and a research fellow at the University of Bologna. "Chinese Han
and Tujia ethnic groups, as well as people of Korean and Japanese ancestry show
instead similar metabolic genomic adaptations".
Some of the genetic modifications the researchers identified are
associated with a lower BMI and a weaker risk of cardiovascular diseases thanks
to a reduced conversion of carbohydrates into cholesterol and fatty acids. Some
other adaptations favour a reduced insulin resistance as they negatively
modulate the glucogenesis in the liver. Finally, some others stimulate the
production of retinoic acid, which is a metabolite of vitamin A. Deficiency in
this nutritional organic compound often causes health-issues in people eating a
rice-based diet.
"Our results demonstrate once again how studying
evolutionary history may successfully inform biomedical research, eventually
leading to the identification of the mechanisms underlying the different
susceptibility of human populations to different diseases", concludes
Sazzini.
###
THE AUTHORS OF THE STUDY
The title of this study is "Genomic adaptations to
cereal-based diets contribute to mitigating metabolic risk in some human
populations of East Asian ancestry" and was published in the journal Evolutionary
Applications. The research coordinator is Marco Sazzini, professor at
the Molecular Anthropology Lab and Genomic Biology Center of the Department of
Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences of the University of Bologna and of
the Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change.
Other researchers of the University Bologna participating in the
study are Shaobo Yu, Paolo Abondio, Claudia Ojeda?Granados, Stefania Sarno,
Sara De Fanti e Davide Pettener (Department of Biology, Geology and
Environmental Sciences), together with Eugenio Bortolini and Donata Luiselli
(Department of Cultural Heritage), Giovanni Romeo (Unit of Medical Genetics of
the Policlinico Sant'Orsola) and Cecilia Prata (Department of Pharmacy and
Biotechnology).
Adriana Landini (Centre for Global Health Research at the
University of Edinburgh, UK) also took part in the study and was its the first
authors alongside Shaobo Yu. Finally, other participants were Guido Alberto
Gnecchi Ruscone (Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena,
Germany), Davide Gentilini and Anna Maria Di Blasio (Istituto Auxologico
Italiano) and researchers from universities in South Korea and Vietnam.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/udb-gat092120.php
- The exports in August 2020 were recorded at Rs. 265,605
million as against the exports of Rs. 293,718 during August, 2019.
APP 21 Sep 2020
Food
Exports Decreases 17.76% In 2 Months
Tue 22nd September 2020 |
02:54 PM
Food group exports from the country
during first two-months of current financial year decreased by 17.76% as
compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint /
Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2020 ) :Food group exports from the
country during first two-months of current financial year decreased by 17.76%
as compared the exports of the corresponding period
of last year.
During the period from July-August, 2020, different food commodities
worth $553.669 million exported as compared
the exports of
$651.384 million of same period
last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau
of Statistics.
Meanwhile, the exports of
rice reduced by 25.52% as about 433,357 metric tons of rice valuing
$247.953 million exported as against 624,266
metric tons worth $332.890 million of same period
last year.
However, the exports of
fish and fish preparations grew by 12.25% in first two months of current
financial year as about 21,362 metric tons of fish and fish products valuing
$40.
843 million exported
as compared to 15,397 metric tons costing $36.386 million of same period
of last year.
Meanwhile, country also earned
$51.615 million by exporting about 14,959
metric tons of meat and meat products, which was up by 7.90% as against
the exports of
12,796 metric tons valuing $47.834 million of same period
of last year.
On the other hand food group
imports into the country during first two months increased by 40.59% as
different food commodities worth $981.004 million imported
as against the imports of $697.759 million of same period
of last year.
During the period under review, the
imports of milk, cream and milk for infants increased by 26.14%, wheat unmilled
grew by 100, dry fruits and nuts witnessed about 380.79% increase.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/agriculture/food-exports-decreases-1776-in-2-months-1036254.html
Pakistan to challenge Indian’s claim to basmati GI tag
By
-
September
22, 2020
ISLAMABAD: Taking serious notice of
the Indian move of demanding exclusive rights of claiming Geographical
Indication (GI) tag to Basmati rice in the European Union (EU), Pakistan has
decided to oppose the application soon.
During a meeting of the Senate
Standing Committee on Commerce, Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO)
Chairman Mujeeb Ahmed Khan informed that Pakistan is preparing its objection to
the said Indian Application and will be submitted within the stipulated time
frame.
The meeting was attended by
Senators Mir Kabeer Ahmad Muhammad Shahi, Zeeshan Khanzada, Nuzhat Sadiq,
Dilawar Khan, Rana Mehmood ul Hassan, Advisor to Prime Minister for Commerce,
Secretary Commerce and other senior officials of relevant departments.
He said India has applied for GI
tag in European Union for BASMATI rice under 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, mentioned in the EU official
journal dated September 11, 2020.
According to Mujeeb Ahmed, the
Indian application mentions Basmati rice as an Indian origin product, despite
the fact that similar rice is widely produced in Pakistan. The application is
based on half-truth and frivolous grounds having no legal and factual backing.
Pakistan exports 500,000 to 700,000 tons of basmati rice to various countries.
Out of that, 200,000 to 250,000 tones are shipped to European countries. The
European Union is a massive destination for local rice exporters and therefore
it is a crucial issue for Pakistan.
EU regulation No 972/2006 of June
29, 2006, lays down special rules for imports of Basmati rice and a
transitional control system for determining their origin has recognized Basmati
as a joint product of Pakistan and India. Basmati is already recognized as a
product of both India and Pakistan under the said European Regulation and its
Duty-Free Regime, making it illegal for India to claim exclusive rights of
Basmati in the EU.
According to EU’s official
journal, any country can oppose the application for registration of a name
pursuant to Article 10 and 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.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of
Commerce, according to officials, has also held a meeting on the same subject
to discuss the filling of objections in the EU besides taking other steps
regarding protecting Pakistani products as per the GI law made by the
government this year.
Meanwhile, Committee Chairman
Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi also directed the officials of the ministry and
IPO to immediately respond to the Indian application as the move may damage
Pakistani exports.
Discussing another agenda of the
meeting regarding smuggling, he said that the illegal trade has reduced
substantially due to effective measures for its eradication which has supported
the local industry and would be instrumental for promoting economic activities
and businesses in the country. He expressed these views while presiding
over the SSC on Commerce & Trade here at Parliament House on Tuesday.
Afridi appreciated the measures
taken in this regard and said that the sick units need to be facilitated to
ensure their revival. The committee was apprised about the problems faced by
the farmers due to inadequate prices of tomato and onion despite good
production during the current season.
The committee was also briefed
about the steps being taken for exploring new markets for dates, tax evasion on
computers, laptops and other IT equipment, as well as the issues of
under-invoicing.
The chairman and members of the
committee said that the basic purpose is to protect the local industry and its
production for the overall progress of the country. Senator Mir Kabeer
Ahmad Muhammad Shahi said that due to the import of the fruits and vegetable
from neighbouring countries, the local farmers from Balochistan do not get
adequate prices of apple, grapes, onion and tomatoes. He said that the ministry
of commerce and trade should take measures for the protection of local farmers
and the utilization of local production before importing such items.
The Ministry of Commerce
secretary assured the committee that the issues would be resolved in
collaboration with the ministry of food security and the committee would be
apprised accordingly.
Senator Dilawar Hussain, while
talking about Afghan Transit Trade, said that due to the deficiency of
trackers, there is huge pressure on transit points. He asserted that an
appropriate solution to this should be sorted out.
Afridi said that trade is a
backbone of the national economy and an appropriate strategy should be followed
to promote business activities in the country.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on
Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawod apprised the committee that State Bank of Pakistan
has been approached for provision of an easy loan through small and medium
industries and consultation process for the IT sector is in progress, which
will bear positive results.
Secretary Commerce informed the
Committee that E-Commerce policy has been introduced and the committee in its
next meeting will be informed about a framework in this regard.
Chairman of the committee
appreciated these measures, however, he emphasized that sick units need to be supported
so as to cater to the local requirements and as well as the export orientation
from such units.
Senator Dilawar Khan informed the
committee that the Trade and Development Authority (TDAP) could not hold even a
single meeting so far. He further informed that he had sought different
details from TDAP which have not been provided yet. Senator Mirza Afridi
said that TDAP is an important organisation, its board should hold regular
meetings to proceed on different issues and the people of Pakistan should have
access to information.
He further said that question has
been raised about Trade and Commercial Attaché posted in different
countries.
He said that Pakistan produces
high-quality tobacco. Trade and commercial attaché should improve their efficiency
and awareness must be created about Pakistan products in foreign
countries.
The committee insisted on the
provision of facilities and capacity building of the tobacco farmers in Mardan,
Charsadda and Swabi districts.
The committee was further informed
that a project in collaboration with Swabi University has moved ahead.
Senator Dilawar Khan emphasised that all the stakeholders must be taken into
confidence as quality tobacco of the country is produced in these areas and
national exchequer gets taxes of worth billions of rupees.
About the export of the dates,
the committee was informed that 70pc of dry dates were exported to India and
due to suspension of trade with India, farmers have to face huge losses.
However, efforts are being made
to explore alternative markets for export of the dates and different countries
have been contacted in this regard. The chairman of the committee
emphasized that these efforts must be expedited to avoid losses to the farmers.
Senator Rana Mehmood ul Hassan
suggested that a policy for installation of small sugar mills should be
introduced to promote compatibility in the market. Secretary Commerce
informed the committee that such a proposal is already under consideration in
different ministries.
The committee was also apprised
about clearance of containers at Port Qasim as well as money laundering issues
in the country.
The
writer is a member of the staff at the Islamabad Bureau. He can be reached
at abbasskd5@gmail.com
Pakistan to
challenge India’s claim on Basmati
Senate panel told India has
challenged GI law in EU market
Our CorrespondentSeptember 23, 2020
PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
India has claimed its rights over Basmati rice in the
European Union market and has challenged the Geographical Indication (GI) law,
Commerce Secretary Muhammad Sualeh Ahmad Faruqui informed a parliamentary panel
on Tuesday.
He told the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and
Trade that India had challenged the GI law aimed at protecting Pakistani-origin
products. Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) Chairman Mujeeb Ahmed Khan
revealed that India had challenged Pakistan’s Basmati rice in the EU on September
11 but it did not challenge the entire law.
He said that India had applied for tagging of Basmati rice
in the EU market. The EU has uploaded the information on its website so that if
any country has any objection it can make a request within a specific time
period. The IPO chairman added that Pakistan would challenge the claim, saying
that India had manipulated facts in its application and its case was based on
weak grounds.
Speaking on the occasion, Committee Chairman Senator Mirza
Muhammad Afridi said that smuggling had gone down substantially due to the
effective measures taken for its eradication, which supported the domestic
industry and would be instrumental in promoting economic activities and
businesses in the country. Afridi appreciated the measures, saying that sick
units needed to be facilitated to ensure their revival.
The committee was also apprised of the problems faced by
farmers due to inadequate prices of tomato and onion despite a good harvest
during the current season.
It was briefed about the steps being taken for exploring
new markets for dates, tax evasion on computer, laptops and other IT equipment
as well as issues related to under-invoicing.
Committee chairman and its members said that the basic
purpose was to protect the domestic industry and its production for overall
progress of the country. Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmad Muhammad Shahi said that due
to import of fruits and vegetables from neighbouring countries, farmers of
Balochistan did not get fair prices for apple, grapes, onion and tomato.
He said that the Ministry of Commerce and Trade should
take measures for the protection of farmers and ensuring utilisation of
domestic produce before importing such commodities.
Responding to that, the commerce secretary assured the
committee that the issues would be resolved in collaboration with the Ministry
of National Food Security and the committee would be apprised accordingly.
Talking about Afghan transit trade, Senator Dilawar
Hussain said that due to the deficiency of trackers, there was a huge pressure
on transit points. He asserted that an appropriate solution should be found.
Elaborating, the committee chairman said that trade was
the backbone of the national economy and an appropriate strategy should be
framed to promote business activities in the country.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood
apprised the committee that the State Bank of Pakistan had been approached for
the provision of easy loans to small and medium industries and consultation
process for the IT sector was in progress, which would yield positive results.
The commerce secretary informed the committee that an
e-commerce policy had been introduced and the committee, in its next meeting,
would be informed about the framework in that regard.
Afridi appreciated the measures but he emphasised that
sick units should be supported so as to cater to local requirements as well as
export-oriented units. Senator Dilawar informed the committee that the Trade
Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) could not hold even a single meeting
so far. He said that he had sought different details from TDAP, which had not
been provided yet.
Senator Afridi said that TDAP was an important
organisation and its board should hold regular meetings to proceed on different
issues and the people of Pakistan should have access to information. He said
that a question had been raised about the trade and commercial attachés posted
in different countries. He added trade and commercial attachés should improve
their efficiency and awareness must be created about Pakistani products in
foreign countries.
The committee also insisted on the provision of facilities
and capacity building of tobacco farmers in Mardan, Charsadda and Swabi
districts. Senator Dilawar emphasised that all stakeholders must be taken into
confidence as quality tobacco was produced in those areas and the national
exchequer got taxes worth billions of rupees.
About the export of dates, the committee was informed that
70% of dry dates had been exported to India but due to suspension of trade with
Delhi, farmers were facing huge losses.
Published in The Express Tribune,
September 23rd, 2020.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265216/pakistan-to-challenge-indias-claim-on-basmati
21 SEPTEMBER 2020 Last Updated at 5:45 PM | SOURCE: PTI
Govt sets foodgrain output target at record 301 mn
tonnes for 2020-21
New
Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) The government has set foodgrain production target at a
record 301 million tonnes for the 2020-21 crop year, up nearly 1.5 per cent
from the previous year''s output, on the back of good monsoon rains and higher
acreage in the kharif season.
The target for the 2020-21 crop
year (July-June) was set at the National Conference for Rabi Campaign 2020,
which was held on Monday to review the progress of the kharif (summer-sown)
season and plan for the rabi crops.
Addressing the event, Agriculture
Minister Narendra Singh Tomar congratulated farmers and state governments for
record foodgrain production of 296.65 million tonnes in the 2019-20 crop year.
"The conference set a target
of 301 million tonnes of food grains production for 2020-21...," an
official statement said.
Rice production target has been
fixed at 119.6 million tonnes (MT) in 2020-21 as against 118.43 MT output in
the last year.
The target of wheat output has
been set at 108 MT as compared to 107.59 MT. Coarse cereals output target is
almost flat at 47.80 MT as against 47.48 MT in the previous year.
Pulses production target has been
is fixed at 25.60 MT, up from 23.15 MT output in 2019-20, while that of
oilseeds was set at 37 MT as against the estimated output of 33.42 MT last year.
Tomar also complimented the
farming community and states for higher sowing in the kharif season despite the
COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
Kharif sowing during this year up
to September 11 stood at 1,113 lakh hectares, which is 46 lakh hectares more than
normal.
Tomar said the government is
taking revolutionary steps to strengthen agriculture infrastructure and
economic condition of the farmers.
Recently, the Agricultural
Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme worth Rs 1 lakh crore for four years was
launched for creating facilities for cold storage, warehouse, packaging,
ripening and waxing plants by agri-entrepreneurs, farmers'' association and
local government agencies.
The minister further said that
two bills relating to freedom of marketing for farmers have been passed in
Parliament.
The Farmers'' Produce Trade and
Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Bill 2020 and the Farmers (Empowerment
and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill 2020 will
give a boost to farmers engaged in agriculture and allied activities, he added.
Farmers will get freedom to sell
their produce at different places.
The government will continue the
practice of procurement at minimum support price (MSP) through the existing
network, he added.
Tomar further said the government
has set a target of covering 100 lakh hectares in five years under
micro-irrigation.
A dedicated Micro Irrigation Fund
(MIF) of Rs 5,000 crore has been created with the National Bank for Agriculture
and Rural Development (NABARD) for expanding coverage of micro-irrigation.
In the year 2019-20, about 11
lakh farmers have benefitted by the adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation
system. During the last five years, an area of 47.92 lakh hectare has been
covered under micro-irrigation in the country, which includes 11.72 lakh
hectares for the year 2019-20 which is a significant achievement, he said.
Ministers of State for
Agriculture Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Choudhary were also present at the
conference. PTI MJH MJH ABM ABM
|
Commodity
Credit Corporation Funding Vital to Keeping Rice Farms in Business WASHINGTON, DC --
Negotiations continue in the House of Representatives on a continuing
resolution (CR) that would fund the Federal government through December
11. One of the remaining points of contention is the early
replenishment of funding for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), or the
"bank" for the U.S. Department of Agriculture that funds farm safety
net, conservation, and other Farm Bill and agriculture related
programs. The inclusion of CCC funding replenishment is paramount for
timely administration of the aid these programs provide farmers. |
|
Scientists Highlight
the Diabetes-Fighting Benefits of Whole Grains
By Melissa Scott September 21, 2020
Consumption
of whole grains have long been considered to be one of the healthiest dietary
practices.
(Newswire.net -- September 21, 2020) Orlando, FL -- The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals over 100 million adults in the
United States nowadays live with prediabetes or diabetes.
It is further important to be
warned that diabetes is ranked as the seventh top cause of death in the country
in 2015.
According to CDC Director
Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., more than a third of U.S. adults have prediabetes, and
the majority don’t know it. Now, more than ever, we must step up our efforts to
reduce the burden of this serious disease.
Health authorities have long
been warning that diabetes is a serious disease that is not just incurable, but
could also produce symptoms. It is best to engage in physical activities and
follow a healthy diet to ward off the condition.
There are many
diabetes-fighting foods studies have found to be particularly helpful for
sufferers of the condition. These are foods that may also work wonders in
lessening the odds of the condition.
Whole grains are seeds of
grass-like plants called cereals. It is worth noting that some of the most
common varieties are rice, corn, and wheat. It is worth noting grains can be
rolled, cracked, or crushed.
The most common varieties of
whole grains are popcorn, oatmeal, millet, quinoa, brown rice, whole rye, wild
rice, wheat berry, and bulgur.
Consumption of whole grains
have long been considered to be one of the healthiest dietary practices. This
is particularly true to individuals who are prone to or already suffering from
the condition.
According to experts,
consumption of this food may lessen the odds of type 2 diabetes, which is
undeniably prevalent nowadays especially in the U.S.
Scientists carried out a review
of 16 studies and found that consuming whole grains instead of the refined
varieties, particularly a minimum of 2 servings daily, may lessen the odds of
the condition. They also reveal that due to the high fiber levels this food
contains, it is beneficial for weight control.
This is an added benefit
considering that obesity is a risk factor for diabetes. More studies are still
being carried out to explore the healing goodness of this food.
Whole grains also have B
vitamins, some of which are found to be heart-healthy. There are quite a number
of health benefits linked with the intake of these nutrients, and this is why
it is widely consumed via supplementation.
Formulas like Divine Bounty B
Vitamin Complex could be an excellent source of this remedy.
It contains Choline,
Pantothenic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin,
and vitamin B6 (www.amazon.com/dp/B07414752B).
About Divine
Bounty
Divine Bounty is a family-owned
brand that manufactures high-quality turmeric curcumin supplements. Passionate
about the potential health benefits of turmeric, the team behind Divine Bounty
have carefully researched and sourced only the best ingredients to create the
ideal blend of turmeric curcumin. More details are available at
http://www.DivineBounty.com.
Divine Bounty
12001
Research ParkwaySuite 236 A
Orlando, FL 32826
United States
(407) 545 7738
media@divinebounty.com
http://www.DivineBounty.com
Exports
increase 1 per cent to Rs599 billion in two months
APP
ISLAMABAD-Exports from the country, in rupee
term, increased by 1 per cent during the first two months of the current fiscal
year as compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year, Pakistan
Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported. The exports from the country during
July– Aug (2020-2021) were recorded at Rs599,260 million as against Rs593,306
million during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 1
per cent, according to provisional data released by PBS.
However, on year-on-year basis, the exports
from the country decreased by 9.57 per cent in August 2020 when compared to the
exports of August 2020. The exports in August 2020 were recorded at Rs265,605
million as against the exports of Rs293,718 during August, 2019. On
month-on-month basis the exports decreased by 20.40 per cent per in August 2020
when compared to the exports of Rs333,655 million in July, 2020. The main
commodities of exports during August, 2020 were knitwear (Rs41,691 million),
readymade garments (Rs34,041 million), bed wear (Rs30,353 million), cotton
cloth (Rs24,375 million), rice others (Rs10,996 million), towels (Rs9,271
million), cotton yarn (Rs9,159 million), made-up articles excluding towels
& bedwear (Rs.8,224 million), Basmati rice (Rs5,639 million) and surgical
goods & medical instruments (Rs5,517 million). On the other hand, imports
during July – August, 2020 totalled Rs1,170,081 million as against Rs1,177,808
million during the corresponding period of last year, showing a decrease of
0.66 per cent.
Imports into Pakistan during August, 2020
amounted to Rs557,418 million (provisional) as against Rs612,663 million
(provisional) in July, 2020 and Rs. 588,070 million during August 2019 showing
a decrease of 9.02 per cent over July, 2020 and of 5.21 per cent over August
2019. The main commodities of imports during August, 2020 were Petroleum
products (Rs60,821 million), petroleum crude (Rs.40,331 million), mobile phones
(Rs26,562 million), plastic materials (Rs25,942 million), palm oil (Rs24,618
million), natural gas, liquefied (Rs24,311 million), iron and steel scrap
(Rs23,979 million), power generating machinery (Rs18,984 million), electrical
machinery & apparatus (Rs15,060m) and medicinal products (Rs13,750
million).
https://nation.com.pk/22-Sep-2020/exports-increase-1-per-cent-to-rs599-billion-in-two-months
* Pakistan seeks to boost trade with
Sri Lanka to US$ 2 billion
Mon,
Sep 21, 2020, 09:09 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Sept 21, Colombo: The High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo
held the first virtual business forum in collaboration with Sri Lanka Export
Development Board (SLEDB) to enhance awareness regarding trade and investment
opportunities between the two friendly countries on 18th September, 2020.
In
his remarks at the inaugural session, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri
Lanka, Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak, appreciated the initiative
taken by Prabhash Subasinghe, Chairman of Sri Lanka Export Development Board
(SLEDB) and his team in jointly organizing the webinar.
The
High Commissioner emphasized that although bilateral trade volume between
Pakistan and Sri Lanka had witnessed a steady increase over the years, there is
however an estimated potential to enhance the current volume of US$ 460 million
to over US$ 2 billion. For this reason, he stressed the urgent need to take
practical steps in overcoming constraints on both sides and to enhance
business-to-business linkages, especially through organizing such online forums
considering the current scenario of Covid-19 pandemic.
The
High Commissioner further underscored the importance that Pakistan places on
its longstanding close and friendly relations with Sri Lanka, which are based
on mutual respect and close co-operation. The High Commissioner reiterated that
Pakistan deeply values its first Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was signed
with Sri Lanka in 2005. He expressed the High Commission’s complete support and
facilitation in developing deeper economic cooperation with Sri Lanka through
optimal utilization of the Pakistan – Sri Lanka FTA, which is the major tool
for trade promotion between the two countries.
The
Commercial Secretary of Pakistan also delivered a detailed presentation on
Pakistan’s economy and its trade and investment opportunities with Sri Lanka.
She underlined the government’s strong reform agenda in positioning Pakistan
globally as a business and investor friendly destination. She further
highlighted the remarkable progress made by Pakistan on improving its ranking
from 136th to 108th place on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index
2020, thereby being ranked as the 6th biggest reformer in the world.
While
providing an analysis of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the
Commercial Secretary identified priority sectors for exports by Pakistan into
Sri Lanka including Portland cement, textile products, Basmati rice,
pharmaceuticals, iron and steel products, dates, electrical fans, surgical and
dental instruments amongst other. She further stressed the importance of joint
ventures between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in sectors including tourism and
hospitality, textile processing and productivity and construction.
Senior
officials from Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Department of Commerce
Sri Lanka and Board of Investment Sri Lanka also delivered sessions on import/
exports procedures and role of TDAP in Pakistan, export opportunities for Sri
Lanka under the FTA and potential investment opportunities for Pakistan in Sri
Lanka, respectively. The webinar witnessed significant interest from business
representatives across various sectors from both Sri Lanka and Pakistan in live
online viewership and participation in question and answer session at the end.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_20B/Sep21_1600702794CH.php
Zahid Baig 22 Sep 2020
LAHORE: Pakistan's rice exports
showed an overall 31 percent decline in the first two months (July & August
2020) of the current fiscal year as compared to corresponding period year due
to least interest of buyers.
During August 2020, Basmati export
from Pakistan came down by 46% from 66,961 tons in August 2019 to 35,917 tons
in August 2020. Non-Basmati export came down by 35% from 192,167 tons in August
2019 to 131,876 tons in August 2020. In two months of July/August 2020, a
massive decrease of 31% has been recorded (433,357 tons from 624,266 tons),
said Hamid Malik, an agriculture expert with in-depth knowledge of rice value
chain while talking to Business Recorder here on Monday.
He said for rice exports it is a
worrisome start in this financial year. For Non-Basmati less export from
Pakistan is due to short of exportable rice in July/August this year and higher
prices as compared to India, he observed.
"We expect a much better
export of Non-Basmati in September 2020 onwards due to the arrival of new
hybrid rice on the start of September. Pakistan got more competitive than India
in September 2020 and logistics problems of slow loading and COVID-19 at main
Indian port of Kakinada. The slow pace of Pakistan Basmati export trend will
continue through September-October this year due to higher prices at the
mill-gate level in Pakistan as compared to India," he concluded.
Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan (REAP) Chairman, Shahjahan Malik while commenting on this situation
termed it a post-COVID-19 lull, he claimed there was panic buying during the
COVID-19 by the buyers due to food security apprehensions. However, he hoped
that the situation would improve in the next few months and Pakistan at the end
of the current financial year will again be making the export of around US$2.5
billion.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry
(LCCI) Senior Vice President, Ali Hussam Asghar while talking to this scribe
said that his own business of rice export had seen no activity during this
period. Again, he said, it is because the buyers over-estimated the consumption
during the lockdown period around the world as they have sufficient stocks,
they may go for buying again in the next few months.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40020255/rice-exports-decline-31pc-in-two-months
Kirinyaga rice farmers receive free
seeds from government
Agriculture
ministry to distribute through the county government.
In Summary
• Identification of beneficiaries was done in consultation with
the county Department of Agriculture, the Mwea Irrigation Water Users'
Association and farmers.
• The donation includes 10,000 kilogrammes of Basmati variety
seeds and 3,000 kilogrammes of hybrid variety to be planted on about 1,000
acres.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru (2nd L) inspects Mwea
rice scheme in Muthithi ward on September 6, 2017.
MARY KIMANI
Kirinyaga rice farmers are set to
receive seed donation from the government.
This will be delivered to the
county government through the State Department of Crops Development and
Agriculture Research.
Addressing MCAs and farmers'
representatives in Sagana after receiving the consignment, Governor Anne
Waiguru thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for the donation, which will benefit
1,000 rice farmers.
Identification of beneficiaries
was done in consultation with the county department of agriculture, the Mwea
Irrigation Water Users' Association and farmers across rice-growing wards in
Mwea.
“Kirinyaga county is thankful to
the President for this donation and we will ensure these seeds are distributed
immediately to the farmers to enable them to plant on time,” Waiguru said.
Rice has been one of the priority
value chains that support the Big Four Agenda pillar on food security and
nutrition.
The initiative will complement
efforts by the county government in the promotion of rice production, which
include coordination of water provision and improvement of the road network
within the Mwea Irrigation Scheme.
The donation includes 10,000
kilogrammes of Basmati variety seeds and 3,000 kilogrammes of hybrid variety to
be planted on about 1,000 acres.
Waiguru said the county
government will continue extension and advisory services to farmers, to promote
good agricultural practices for increased production.
“We will continue working with
other stakeholders to support our farmers to ensure improved production and
marketing of rice,” she said.
The governor noted widespread
outcries over cheap imported rice that has disadvantaged farmers.
“We have good quality rice that
is still in the factory for lack of market, and when farmers sell they are
forced to do so at throwaway prices,” Waiguru said.
She added that county leaders
have planned a meeting with Cabinet secretaries Betty Maina (Trade) and Peter
Munya (Agriculture) to find a lasting solution to rice marketing problems.
Kirinyaga is the largest
rice-growing county in Kenya, with Mwea Irrigation Scheme having 26,000 acres
under rice and about 7,000 farmers.
The total annual rice production in the scheme is estimated at
113,000 tonnes and there exists the potential for enhanced production.
STAR COMMUNITY POLICY AND PARTICIPATION
GUIDELINES
Punjab
lowers market fee on basmati rice
By IANS | Published on Tue,
Sep 22 2020 16:33 IST
Bengaluru: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh addresses during
his visit to meet the families which lost their kin in the hooch tragedy, in
Tarn Taran about 25 kms from Amritsar on Aug 7, 2020. The CM announced an
increased compensation of Rs 5 la. Image Source: IANS News
CHANDIGARH, SEP 22
: Paving the way to provide a level-playing field
for basmati traders and millers from within and outside Punjab, especially in
the light of the provisions of the new agriculture Bills, Chief Minister
Amarinder Singh on Tuesday announced reduction in the market development fee
and the rural development fee rates, from two to one per cent each.
The
move, which will also help keep Punjab basmati competitive in the international
markets, will provide relief to the tune of Rs100 crore to traders and millers,
according to an official spokesperson.
However,
the change comes with the caveat that no refund of any fee will be allowed to
any paddy, rice dealer, miller or trader for export of the basmati paddy or
rice to other countries from the state.
The
Chief Minister's announcements came in response to a proposal of the Punjab
Mandi Board, made after thorough examination of the representations received
from the Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association and the Punjab Basmati
Rice Millers and Exporter Association.
The
Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association had submitted that with the farm
ordinances coming into force, the disparity in fees and other charges among the
basmati producing states would be around four per cent, thus making the rice
industry in Punjab economically unviable as it would be unable to compete with
rice exporters in Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, which had totally exempted
the market fees from agricultural produce.
They had
also pleaded that Punjab-based exporters would not be able to cover the
additional cost of taxes, which is four per cent plus, thus making it extremely
difficult for them to remain in business.
This
trend may force them to purchase paddy from other states to remain in
competition.
Pointing
to the excellent Mandi infrastructure network of the Punjab Mandi Board, the
Association had urged the state government to implement 0.35 per to one per
cent usage charges or mandi fees on the first purchase instead of all other
charges that are currently levied, in order to keep the Punjab rice industry
competitive viz-a-viz other states.
-- The story has been published
from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
https://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a1084944.html
Expect a
bumper kharif output of 144.5 mt: Agri Ministry
Our Bureau New Delhi | Updated on September
22, 2020 Published on September 22, 2020
RELATED
Centre hikes MSP for wheat by ₹50 to ₹1,975/quintal
Copious summer rains and good monsoon helped
farmers take up early planting
Bountiful and well-spread monsoon
rains may help the country reap a record kharif foodgrain harvest of 144.52
million tonnes (mt) — a tad higher than the 143.38 mt, which was the previous
best, according to First Advance crop estimates released by the Agriculture
Ministry on Tuesday.
Oilseeds and cotton, too, are
projected to yield much more than last kharif season. As against the previous
season’s production of 22.32 mt, oilseeds output is estimated to be 25.73 mt,
while cotton production may scale a new high of 37.12 million bales (of 170 kg
each) as compared to 35.49 million bales in last kharif season.
Setting new records
Two crops that would rewrite
records in terms of output would be rice and groundnut. An increased sowing may
push rice production to 102.36 mt as against 101.98 mt in the 2019-20 kharif
season, while groundnut output is estimated to touch 9.54 mt (8.37 mt). A
substantial jump is expected in pulses production, with all major pulses crops
such as urad, moong and tur pitching in. Total kharif pulses production is
slated to be 9.31 mt (7.72 mt).
Even though the overall output of
coarse cereals is expected to dip to 32.84 mt (33.69 mt), maize production is
expected to do better with 19.88 mt, which is higher than 19.63 mt last year.
However, bajra output may fall by over one million tonnes and ragi, too, would
see a slump in production.
MORE
Output of other major kharif oilseed crop soyabean is projected
to be 21 per cent higher at 13.58 mt. But the soyabean growing areas have
subsequently witnessed heavy rains which may have an impact on the final
production numbers. Better than average summer rains and subsequent monsoon,
which was 7 per cent more than the normal so far, have helped farmers to take
to early kharif planting this year. Besides, water level in most reservoirs in
the country was at comfortable level before the season began.
Bioseed
partners with IRRI for hybrid rice development
Our Bureau. New Delhi | Updated on September
22, 2020 Published on September 22, 2020
Hastily hustled farm laws raise
question marks
Bioseed — the hybrid seed
business of diversified conglomerate DCM Shriram — and the Manila-based
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have signed a memorandum of
agreement which allows the former access to the latter’s world-class research
facilities and technical expertise for advancing biotechnology research.
Under the pact, signed by Bioseed
South East Asia Executive President Paresh Verma and IRRI Director General
Matthew Morell, Bioseed will join the international institute’s Two-Lines Study
Group for hybrid rice development, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
“It will enable Bioseed to
leverage IRRI’s well-established research excellence to advance its
biotechnology projects and accelerate the development of value-added food crops
for farmers in the region,” said Verma.
“This agreement will help
increase research capacity across South and South-East Asia and accelerate the
development of improved crops for climate resilience and nutrition security,”
said Remy Bitoun, Head of IRRI Tech Transfer.
Follow us on Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Linkedin. You can also
download our Android App or IOS App.
India aims to cut crop waste
burning in Punjab and Haryana by 80%
SEPTEMBER 22, 20207:04 PM
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is likely to reduce crop waste
burning, a major source of air pollution during the winter months, by 75-80% in
Punjab and Haryana states, part of the country’s farm belt that borders the
capital New Delhi, two government officials said on Tuesday.
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from paddy waste stubble as it burns in
a field near Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, India November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Altaf
Hussain/File Photo
Every winter, a thick blanket of smog settles over northern
India, as a combination of factors such as the burning of crop residues,
industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust brings a sharp spike in pollution.
Crop residue burning accounts for about a quarter of air
pollution in winter months, various studies show.
The federal government and the state governments of Punjab and
Haryana have ensured that rice farmers can easily hire machines to dispose of
the paddy stalks and straw, said the officials, who did not wish to be
identified in line with government policy.
In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government earmarked
$177.61 million for two years to give farmers the subsidy to buy farm
equipment, such as mulching and seed drilling machines, that dispose of crop
waste without burning them.
For the current 2020-21 fiscal year, the government allocated
$746.06 million in farm equipment subsidies.
“The subsidy programme is in its third year, and it’s going to
result in a substantial reduction of up to 75-80% this year,” said one of the
officials.
The farm fires could pick up in the next few weeks and hit highs
in late October and early November, when farmers harvest the rice crop and
prepare the ground for winter planting.
So far this year, New Delhi has experienced the longest spell of
clean air on record.
“Rice harvests will start gathering momentum in the next 30
days, and that’s the time when these claims about substantially bringing down
crop fires will be put to the test,” said Vimlendu Jha, an environmental expert
who founded the activist group Swechha.
Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj and Neha Dasgupta; Editing by Alex
Richardson
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh:
Market Monitor (August 2020)
Format
Situation
Report
Source
Posted
22 Sep 2020
Originally
published
22 Sep 2020
Attachments
Key Messages
• In August,
mixed price trends was observed in the markets, with rice price (41–44 BDT/Kg)
continuing to rise in most markets, lentil prices fluctuating week-on-week, oil
price is stable, and price of garlic continues to decline.
• Almost six
months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the same mixed trends are observed across commodities.
However, better integrated, centrally located market-hubs such as Chattogram
have clearly been less impacted by rising prices of staples such as rice and
lentils as compared to markets in Cox’s Bazar.
• Rice
prices forecasted to remain high owing to Aus1 and Aman1 crop losses due to the
recent floods and heavy monsoon. Bumper harvest during the Boro season however
expected to cover demand for rice reserve.
• Overall,
all markets within Cox’s Bazar district are running at approximately 50 percent
functionality on average, with Ukhia faring marginally better than others for
providing with more variety of product choice and having better stock compared
to others.
• Supply
chain functionality in terms of responsiveness and availability of goods is high
but low assortment of goods and high price volatility scores across the region
has lowered overall market functionality.
• Five out
of ten traders reported that consumers are buying less goods than usual, where
two out of ten traders said that customers are asking to buy on credit,
highlighting continued strains on purchasing power and consumer demand.
• In camp
markets, slight increase in purchasing power with the partial reopening of
economy had positive impact on reduced credit purchase.
• The widespread
decrease in sales volume has not affected business sustenance for majority of
traders (72 percent) in the region as adversely but tax relief and loan
disbursement have emerged as perceivably the most needed policy support
mechanisms for the remaining (28 percent) vulnerable trader community.
https://reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/cox-s-bazar-bangladesh-market-monitor-august-2020
Customs steps up drive
vs rice smuggling
ABS-CBN News
Workers load
imported rice onto a truck. ABS-CBN News file photo
MANILA - The Bureau of Customs
(BOC) is stepping up its campaign against rice smuggling by conducting raids on
warehouses suspected of storing illegally imported grain following reports by
concerned citizens, the Department of Finance said on Tuesday.
The BOC said the valuation of
several rice shipments to “be quite low compared to the prevailing market
prices.”
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo
Guerrero said rice stocks imported by private traders would still be subject to
“post-modification and post audit” to ensure that undervalued shipments are
properly assessed and subsequently paid with the correct amount of duties and
taxes.
This was after the Federation of
Free Farmers questioned the BOC’s assessment and valuation system on the entry
of rice imports.
The BOC said that because rice is
considered a “critical” commodity amid the pandemic, traders were allowed to
avail of the Provisional Goods Declaration in processing their shipments.
“But those are subject to
post-modification and post-audit,” Guerrero said.
The BOC has also deployed
inspectors to warehouses suspected of storing smuggled rice stocks.
“We actually raided them and we
found out that many of these warehouses were operating legally and their stocks
are covered by proper documents,” Guerrero said.
Cavite airport builder
to be tagged in case vs China's Xi
ABS-CBN News
President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte and People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping pose
for posterity prior to the start of the bilateral meeting at the Diaoyutai
State Guesthouse in Beijing on Aug. 29, 2019. Robinson Ninal, Presidential Photo/File
MANILA — A Chinese firm that is
set to build an airport in Cavite province will be included in the case against
Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court, one of
its petitioners said Thursday.
The case accuses Xi and other
Chinese leaders of “crimes against humanity” in the West Philippine Sea, where
Beijing has stepped up militarization and island-building activities.
“In our, what amounts as, motion
for reconsideration, we are impleading the executives of the Chinese
construction company for having been instrumental in the building of artificial
islands,” said former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
Morales said she was referring to
the CCCC or China Communications Construction Co Ltd.
President Rodrigo Duterte this
month gave the go-signal for the Sangley Airport project, which state-owned CCCC
and Lucio Tan's MacroAsia bagged in 2019.
CCCC is one of 24 firms that the
US recently blacklisted for their alleged involvement in Beijing’s
militarization projects in the disputed South China Sea.
The ICC in December junked the
communication by Morales and and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del
Rosario against Beijing. The court said China is not a state party to the Rome
Statute — the treaty that established the ICC.
Morales said their group, which
recently tapped the help of Retired Supreme Court justice Antonio, would file
their motion for reconsideration this month.
“We insist that the crimes
committed by Xi Jinping et al were committed within Philippine territory and
also within the Exclusive Economic Zone,” she said of the appeal.
Morales said her group remained
“very confident” that the case would prosper.
“Before we filed the
communication, we spent days and weeks on end to reflect on our chances … Irrespective
of whether there is precedent, we are very confident that we will win this
case,” she said.
Nearly 4,000 hybrid rice varieties grown in
China
Source:
Xinhua| 2020-09-22 20:22:06|Editor: huaxia
CHENGDU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Agronomists have planted about
4,000 rice varieties in a hybrid experimental rice base in southwest China's
Sichuan Province to acquire the ideal seeds for large-scale plantation.
The hybrid rice science park, which opened in May in the Pidu
District in the provincial capital of Chengdu, was named after China's renowned
agronomist Yuan Longping. It has 9,087 square meters for the first phase of
construction, along with 133.33 hectares of outdoor farmland.
This year, nearly 4,000 rice varieties, each with 50 to 100
stems, have been grown in the one-hectare experimental field, said Kuang
Yinglong, breeding department manager of the Chengdu branch of the China
National Hybrid Rice R&D Center.
The rice seeds will be obtained roughly 20 days after
pollination, and the seeds will be grown in November in Sanya, Hainan Province.
The harvesting conditions can be observed next March, said Kuang.
He said researchers will further hybridize those with better
characters to get the ideal varieties that are genetically stable.
"Only one-thousandth of the varieties planted every year
may finally become rice seeds, which can enter the market for farming only if
they are examined and approved by authorities," he said.
Tuesday marked the Chinese farmers' harvest festival. Enditem
Rice Farmers May Someday be Fish
Farmers, as Well.
Date: Tue, 09/22/2020 Broadcast: 02
Remark: Fish and rice are foods that often are served together.
Soon there may be another reason to connect rice with fish. Gary Crawford has
more.
PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Paul Buttner with the California Rice Commission.
Jacob Katz with California Trout. Plus the Three Stooges.
Duration: 00:03:00.114
Author: GCRAWFOR
MP3:
ISLAMABAD: Taking serious notice of the Indian move of demanding exclusive rights of claiming Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Basmati rice in the European Union (EU), Pakistan has decided to oppose the application soon. During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) Chairman Mujeeb Ahmed Khan informed that Pakistan is preparing its objection to the said Indian Application and will be submitted within the stipulated time frame. The meeting was attended by Senators Mir Kabeer Ahmad Muhammad Shahi, Zeeshan Khanzada, Nuzhat Sadiq, Dilawar Khan, Rana Mehmood ul Hassan, Advisor to Prime Minister for Commerce, Secretary Commerce and other senior officials of relevant departments. He said India has applied for GI tag in European Union for BASMATI rice under 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, mentioned in the EU official journal dated September 11, 2020. According to Mujeeb Ahmed, the Indian application mentions Basmati rice as an Indian origin product, despite the fact that similar rice is widely produced in Pakistan. The application is based on half-truth and frivolous grounds having no legal and factual backing. Pakistan exports 500,000 to 700,000 tons of basmati rice to various countries. Out of that, 200,000 to 250,000 tones are shipped to European countries. The European Union is a massive destination for local rice exporters and therefore it is a crucial issue for Pakistan. EU regulation No 972/2006 of June 29, 2006, lays down special rules for imports of Basmati rice and a transitional control system for determining their origin has recognized Basmati as a joint product of Pakistan and India. Basmati is already recognized as a product of both India and Pakistan under the said European Regulation and its Duty-Free Regime, making it illegal for India to claim exclusive rights of Basmati in the EU. According to EU’s official journal, any country can oppose the application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 10 and 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. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce, according to officials, has also held a meeting on the same subject to discuss the filling of objections in the EU besides taking other steps regarding protecting Pakistani products as per the GI law made by the government this year. Meanwhile, Committee Chairman Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi also directed the officials of the ministry and IPO to immediately respond to the Indian application as the move may damage Pakistani exports. Discussing another agenda of the meeting regarding smuggling, he said that the illegal trade has reduced substantially due to effective measures for its eradication which has supported the local industry and would be instrumental for promoting economic activities and businesses in the country. He expressed these views while presiding over the SSC on Commerce & Trade here at Parliament House on Tuesday. Afridi appreciated the measures taken in this regard and said that the sick units need to be facilitated to ensure their revival. The committee was apprised about the problems faced by the farmers due to inadequate prices of tomato and onion despite good production during the current season. 
