Pakistan opens fire on 8 Indian posts in Jammu’s Arnia sub-sector
The ceasefire violation comes a day after the Pakistani forces killed a BSF jawan and injured a civilian.
INDIA Updated: Sep 16, 2017 16:36 IST
The firing by Pakistani Rangers stopped at 6.45am.(PTI File Photo)
A day after killing a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan and injuring a civilian, Pakistani Rangers opened heavy fire on six to eight Indian posts along the international border in Arnia sub-sector of RS Pura in Jammu district on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
The Border Security Force (BSF) responded in equal measure, its Jammu frontier DIG Dharmender Pareekh said. “From mid night till Saturday morning there were exchanges of fire and shelling in Arnia sector in area of 6 to 8 border outposts of BSF,” DIG Pareekh said.
The firing stopped at 6.45am and no loss of human life or injuries to anyone was reported, he added.
But, an Arnia police station officer said Pakistan resorted to indiscriminate firing with small and heavy weapons at Sai, Treva and Jabowal forward posts.
He said three cattle died, three others were injured and three houses and a temple were damaged in the firing.
Arnia tehsildar has ordered closure of schools coming within 5km range of border.
On the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, Pakistani Rangers had shot dead BSF constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh in a sniper fire in Arnia sector, prompting BSF to retaliate stingingly.
On Friday morning, a civilian Ajay Kumar of Suhagpur Powal was injured when a shell exploded on a road while he was coming out of a rice mill. Two Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory action by the BSF on Thursday.
Home minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Jammu on September 12 had reiterated his word of advice to the BSF and Army to not to open first fire but stop counting their bullets if Pakistan fired even a one at India.http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-opens-fire-on-8-indian-posts-in-jammu-s-arnia-sub-sector/story-q17JiO2gdBktzhze7P5y8M.html
CHINA-PAKISTAN
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS CONCLUDE
Two recipes true
to home cooking: fuss free and genuinely useful
Donal Skehan’s balsamic chicken with saffron rice, and Moroccan
meatballs with harissa couscous
Sweet and sticky balsamic chicken
with saffron-spiced rice
Home cooking: Moroccan spiced sausage meatballs with
harissa couscous
Moroccan spiced sausage
meatballs with harissa couscous
Iran continue to import rice from Pakistan,
India amid health concerns
Rice prices rising by Tk2 per day
Traders,
millers and the government have given contradictory reasons for the unusual
price hike
India-Israel Agricultural Cooperation needs
to align with the ‘New India’
The Agriculture is the driving force of the ‘New India’. Prime
Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi has set a target to double the income of
the farmers by 2022. A few days back, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in India
have organized the pledge taking ceremonies to achieve this target, in 562
districts of the country, where the Central and State Governments
representatives, Agricultural officers, Students and a large number of farmers
have participated in each district. For the first time, we have seen such kind
of ceremonies for a government’s commitment.
RiceBran Technologies (RIBT)
Upgraded to “Sell” by ValuEngine
Sweet and sticky
balsamic chicken with saffron spiced rice
A delicious Donal Skehan recipe made with basic kitchen staples
Ingredients
Method
Pak-China hybrid rice drive starts
Rohingya Muslim
refugees forced to scramble for aid in Bangladesh
BoP hits deficit for first time in
16yrs
Rumour of halt to Indian rice imports raises prices at Benapole
Following the
rumour, the import price of the rice increased to $55 per ton, leading to a
Tk10 hike per kilogram
Enough rice for all
The government
should take precautions for extra security at its warehouses and do all it can
to keep the price of rice low and stable
Rice
export goal raised to 5.6 million tonnes this year
PARC starts
campaign to promote hybrid rice cultivation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in collaboration with Chinese hybrid rice seeds research organization has initiated a campaign to promote hybrid seed cultivation across the crop growing areas of the country.
The main aim of this joint initiative was to enhance per acre crop productivity, increase profitability and produce surplus commodity for exports enhancement.
In this regard, an official of the council told APP here Friday that both the countries have decided to work together for conducting joint awareness programmes to adopt hybrid rice seeds.
The Chinese scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agriculture scientists, selected from all the four provinces.
Besides, he said that they will also impart training to the members of the provincial field extension departments on hybrid rice cultivation.
They would also organize road-shows and field visits across the rice-growing areas to address the issues and challenges in promotion of hybrid rice seed, he added.
He further informed that the a revolutionary hybrid rice seed was recently developed by the Chinese researchers, which would help Pakistani farmers to enhance significantly their per acre yield.
The new developed rice seed variety would help to produce extra surplus, hence the country would be able to export more rice for exporting it to other countries, he added.
He said a travelling seminar has also been designed by PARC and Chinese Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Company to travel in all the four ecological zones of the country in Khyber Pukhtunkhawa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
The main objective of the seminar was to estimate the local hybrid seed requirements for different regions and showcase the hybrid rice varieties, he remarked.
In addition, he said that the other aim if the activity was the capacity building of the local experts from all over the country in order to promote the hybrid rice techniques.
High level Chinese team comprising on 12 top hybrid rice experts will be the part of this travelling rice seminar, he added.
PARC starts
campaign to promote hybrid rice cultivation
Rice Starch Market Status and Outlook 2012-2022: BENEO, Ingredion,
AGRANA
Executive checkups for senior citizens
PhilHealth
gets bulk of gov’t subsidy in July
Govt to sit with rice millers Tuesday
DR ANGELINE KAMBA DIES
Former Zimbabwe representative to UNESCO Commission on Culture
and Development, Dr Angeline Kamba has died.She was
widow of the first black University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor — Dr Walter
Kamba. Dr Kamba died last Tuesday at her Borrowdale home after having been
unwell for some time.She was 81. Family spokesperson Dr Ibbo Mandaza confirmed
the death saying Dr Kamba had just been discharged from hospital. “She passed
on the 12th of September at night after being unwell for close to a month.
“She died peacefully at home at the age of 81. “We had been attending to her ever since her husband died. “We were looking after her as a family. She had just left hospital and now she has rested.”Dr Kamba was the first director of National Archives of Zimbabwe, making her the first black and first woman to be at the helm of the national documentation entity. She was vice-president of International Council on Archives between 1984 and 1988.
Dr Kamba was also a member of Council of the Caine Prize for African Writing and she also served on the board of the International Rice Research Institute which is located in Los Banos, Philippines, from 1998-2003 and chaired it from January 2002 to December 2003.
In 2010, she was honoured with a doctorate degree in Archaeology, Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage by the Midlands State University. Dr Kamba also served as board chairperson of the Harare International Festival of the Arts for 10 years before her retirement in 2011.Dr Kamba is survived by two children and two grandsons. Mourners are gathered at No. 3 Hogsback Lane, Borrowdale Brooke.
CHINA-PAKISTAN
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS CONCLUDE
The eighth round of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement
negotiations finally concluded on a positive note, as the breakthrough in talks
ended a two-and-a-half year stalemate. The second phase of negotiation which
began on Sept 14 in Beijing, was attended by co-chairman Mohammad Younus Dagha,
Secretary Commerce, Pakistan and Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister for Commerce,
China. Pakistan requested for meaningful market access and an end to the preference
erosion of Pakistani exports in the meeting. During the rounds, Pakistan shared
a list of 70 high-priority items of export interest, seeking immediate market
access. The Chinese officials agreed to consider the request favourably. These
tariff lines constitute more than 80% of Pakistan’s current exports to China.
The Chinese delegation consisted of representatives of seven government
ministries and departments. Ambassador of Pakistan to China Masood Khalid was
also present during the negotiations.
PARC starts campaign to promote hybrid rice cultivation
Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in collaboration with
Chinese hybrid rice seeds research organization has initiated a campaign to
promote hybrid seed cultivation across the crop growing areas of the country.
The main aim of this joint initiative was to enhance per acre crop
productivity, increase profitability and produce surplus commodity for exports
enhancement. Both Pakistan and China have decided to work together for
conducting joint awareness programmes to adopt hybrid rice seeds. The Chinese
scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agriculture scientists, selected
from all the four provinces.
Punjab agriculture Department urges farmers to cultivate Canola
crop
Punjab Agriculture Department has urged the farmers to cultivate
Canola crop as it is highly profitable. Pakistan spends huge amounts on the
import of cooking oil and the increase of Canola produce would surely help
lowering import bills and meeting local demands. Naveed Asmat Kohloon,
assistant director agriculture information in a press statement stated the
Punjab government was providing Rs 5000 subsidy on per bag of Canola seeds with
an objective to enhance canola yield in the province. The facility
is given in line with Khadim-e-Punjab Kissan Package. September is the best
month for the cultivation of Canola.
Declining trend in exports has reversed, says Tariq Bajwa
Exports grew 13.2 per cent in the last three months, indicating
that their declining trend has finally reversed. State Bank of Pakistan
Governor Tariq Bajwa said while addressing a delegation of the Pakistan
Business Council said major external indicators were positive in the first two
months of 2017-18. The governor said the pace of expansion in the economy
accelerated for the third consecutive year in 2016-17 amid an improving
security situation and better energy supplies. The economy grew 5.3pc in
2016-17 compared to 4.6pc in the preceding year. Bajwa pointed out that the
accommodative monetary policy has played a key role in boosting private-sector
credit demand.
Three-Day Moot: World Chamber Congress invites SAARC
The World Chamber Congress (WCC) has invited SAARC Chamber to
participate in its three-day international flagship moot to be held in Sydney
(Australia).The event will start from September 19, with about 12,000 chambers
representing more than 100 countries gracing the occasion. SAARC Chamber of
Commerce and Industry Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik in a statement said
that it was recognition and acknowledgement of the contributions rendered by
the SAARC Chamber. The SAARC Chamber delegation will have direct interaction
with worlds’ most prominent leaders and brightest minds to transform the future
of business. Prominent speakers will highlight the subject of business,
conflict and terrorism, said the SAARC official.
KP Govt to construct CPEC City on Islamabad-Peshawar-Motorway near
Swabi
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to construct CPEC City
on Islamabad-Peshawar-Motorway near Swabi. The government sources told Radio
Pakistan Peshawar correspondent that the city will be constructed on eighty
thousand kanal land at a cost of over four billion dollars under China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor. The CPEC City will consist of education and commercial
zones, public buildings, apartments, Golf Course, Theme Park and sports
facilities.
http://www.radio.gov.pk/16-Sep-2017/china-pakistan-free-trade-agreement-negotiations-conclude
Global and
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http://www.satprnews.com/2017/09/16/global-and-chinese-flattened-rice-industry-manufacturers-production-value-market-share-2017/
Two recipes true
to home cooking: fuss free and genuinely useful
Donal Skehan’s balsamic chicken with saffron rice, and Moroccan
meatballs with harissa couscous
Sat, Sep 16, 2017, 06:15
Home cooking: sweet and sticky
balsamic chicken with saffron-spiced rice
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My mum’s kitchen was where my love of cooking began. The spice
cupboard beside the white 1980s cooker smelled dark and musty, and was filled
equally with freshly bought spice jars and recycled ones with fading labels and
grubby finger marks from dark, bubbling casseroles gone by. Bags of dried
oregano, carefully carried home from summer holidays in Greece and Turkey, sat alongside the jar of birthday candles
that came out twice a year, and the plastic bags of spices from the Asian
market, tightly rolled up and sealed with a plastic clip.
In her attempt to hide sweets from my brother and I my mum also
chose to hide bags of marshmallows at the very top of this press, which meant
by time we got to eat them they had absorbed the pungency of the neighbouring
jars. This was not helped by the fact that we used to open the bag and sneak
one or two out, leaving the remaining ones to dry out. A game of cat and mouse
that no one really won.
The next press down was the nerve centre for our family life and
home to a cheat sheet of handwritten recipes and clippings stuck to the inside
of the door, designed for quick reference. Jam for toasted brown bread, our
breakfast before school, the never-ending supply of tinned tomatoes for a
quick-fix Bolognese ragu to feed the house and a sticky bottle of ketchup, the
secret ingredient for getting my brother to eat just about anything.
While I was experimenting with a new cake recipe, or generally
making a mess in the kitchen, I don’t think I appreciated that without these
staple ingredients that just seemed to eternally exist, our family meals would
not have been.
It’s why I never regret sounding like a broken record in my
cookbooks and online when I repeat the adage that good cooking starts with a
well-stocked kitchen. I have loved sharing my recipes with you over the past
year and half, and this week I share two recipes that are true to my love
of home cooking, fuss free and genuinely useful. A sticky marinade for chicken
that uses ingredients you are bound to have in the store cupboard and cheap and
cheerful Moroccan meatballs that will give you the ideal excuse to raid those
spice jars.
Sweet and sticky balsamic chicken
with saffron-spiced rice
A dark and heady marinade made with kitchen staples, ideal for
any meat but, as here, particularly delicious used to infuse chicken drumsticks
served with electric-yellow saffron rice.
Serves 4
For the chicken
8-12 chicken drumsticks
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, finely grated
For the chicken
8-12 chicken drumsticks
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, finely grated
For the saffron spiced rice
1 pinch saffron fronds
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
250g basmati rice
2 tsp salt
1 pinch saffron fronds
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
250g basmati rice
2 tsp salt
Coriander leaves, to serve
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a large mixing
bowl. Put half the sauce aside for later, then add the chicken to the rest and
coat completely. Then put the drumsticks on a large baking tray lined with
parchment paper.
Roast for 40 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked
through. Halfway through the cooking time, baste with the remaining sauce.
While the chicken is cooking, put a pot over a medium-high heat,
add the oil and fry the onion for 6-8 minutes, until tender. Add the rice to
the pan and stir through.
Top with 500ml of just-boiled water and add the saffron and
salt. Bring to a steady simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the
liquid is completely absorbed. Remove from the heat, fluff up with a fork, put
the lid back on and leave to sit until ready to serve.
Serve the rice with the chicken and garnish with coriander
leaves.
Moroccan spiced sausage
meatballs with harissa couscous
Few recipes can boast about being made almost entirely from
store-cupboard ingredients, but this one comes close. Bar a few mint leaves,
some yogurt and sausage meat, the rest of the list can happily lie in wait for
their moment to shine. If you choose not to use sausage meat here, a
combination of pork and beef mince, or lamb, will be a worthy fit.
Serves 4
1-2 tbsp rapeseed oil
Good handful of mint leaves
100g natural yogurt
4 tbsp flaked almonds, toasted
Sea salt and ground black pepper
Good handful of mint leaves
100g natural yogurt
4 tbsp flaked almonds, toasted
Sea salt and ground black pepper
For the meatballs
500g best-quality sausage meat
1 tbsp cumin seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tbsp coriander seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tbsp fennel seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tsp cayenne pepper
500g best-quality sausage meat
1 tbsp cumin seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tbsp coriander seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tbsp fennel seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tsp cayenne pepper
For the couscous
250g couscous
400ml chicken stock, just boiled
1 tbsp harissa paste
250g couscous
400ml chicken stock, just boiled
1 tbsp harissa paste
Combine the ingredients for the meatballs, then, with damp
hands, form into 20 bite-size meatballs.
Put a large frying pan on a medium-high heat and add a little
oil. Fry the meatballs in batches for 5-6 minutes, or until browned on all
sides and cooked through completely.
Place the couscous, chicken stock and harissa paste in a bowl
and cover. Allow to sit for 10 minutes, until the liquid is completely
absorbed. Fluff up with a fork and season with salt and pepper.
Serve the couscous on a serving plate, the meatballs arranged on
top. Garnish with yogurt, toasted almonds and mint leaves
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/two-recipes-true-to-home-cooking-fuss-free-and-genuinely-useful-1.3211717?localLinksEnabled=false
Iran continue to import rice from Pakistan,
India amid health concerns
17 September 2017 13:44 (UTC+04:00)
https://en.trend.az/iran/business/2797561.html
Rice prices rising by Tk2 per day
Published at 06:11 PM September 15, 2017
Last updated at 11:36 PM September 15, 2017
Photo:
Traders,
millers and the government have given contradictory reasons for the unusual
price hike
Rice traders, millers, wholesalers and the government have
contradicted each other over unstable rice prices after the per kg retail cost
of the staple rose by Tk2 per kg every day this week on average.
On Thursday, various markets in Dhaka were selling Miniket rice
at up to Tk68 per kg, a significant rise on the Tk55 mark paid before
Eid-ul-Azha.
Coarse rise was up Tk14 to a maximum of Tk54 per kg, while the
price for fine quality rice hit Tk70.
Additionally, there was a noticeable variation in prices at the
same market with traders saying everyone was selling as they seemed fit in the
absence of government monitoring.
Rice traders and warehouse owners have blamed the price hikes on
each other, as well as on the recent monsoon floods and excessive rainfall
which have made road transportation difficult.
“We sell to the retailers adding very few profits,” Mozammel
Haque, a rice trader at Badamtoli-Babu Bazar wholesale market, told the Bangla
Tribune. “There is no funny business going on; if there is then the millers are
to blame for that.”
Shahidul Haque, a retailer at Karwan Bazar kitchen market and
the owner of Swati Enterprise, also blamed the millers while pointing to
complications at the ports and customs during rice importing.
“The rice prices are high because of the millers and importers.
They have hoarded rice in their personal warehouses. More rice will be found if
those are raided,” he said.
Habibur Rahman, a miller in Naogaon, defended his industry and
said the flash-floods in haor basin and subsequent floods across the country
had severely affected the Boro and Aush harvests.
“Millers are always blamed which is wrong. There is no rice in
millers’ warehouses, since many lost their harvest in the flood. They do
injustice to us when the government and others blame us.”
Several government ministers have claimed that there was no
shortage of rice in the state reserve, assuring people that warehouses in every
district will be searched for rice hoarded by corrupt businessmen who are
trying to create an artificial crisis and drive up the price more.
“Action will be taken against anyone trying to create artificial
crisis. Warehouses across the country will be raided for rice illegally stored
by millers and traders,” Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said. “The deputy
commissioners of all districts have already been instructed on this matter.”
Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam, however, told the Bangla
Tribune that the people had “nothing to fear” as more rice was being imported
from different countries to meet the demand.
He too held corrupt businessmen responsible for the rising
prices.
This article was first published in Bangla Tribune
http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/commerce/2017/09/15/rice-prices-rising-tk2-per-day/
India-Israel Agricultural Cooperation needs
to align with the ‘New India’
SEPTEMBER 17, 2017, 10:52 AM
Devsena MishraDevsena Mishra promotes advanced technologies, startup
ecosystems and government’s business and technology related initiatives like
Digital India, Make in India …
The current approach of Israeli projects in India, particularly
in the Agriculture sector, needs some major improvements. India and Israel have
signed the Agreement for Agricultural Cooperation in 2006, which evolved into
Indo-Israeli Agricultural Cooperation Project in 2008. During the last three
years, the Indian government has completely revamped its age-old
institutions/policies. This is a high time for Israel to update and align its
cooperation strategy with the changed reality and vision of the New India. Now
the focus should be on Agribusiness and Agro-Value Addition. Israel should
participate proactively to turn Indian Agriculture sector into a profitable
enterprise!
On January 1, 2015, Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi
has replaced Planning Commission of India with the NITI Aayog (National
Institution for Transforming India), this change reflects the change in the
approach of the government in India, now the focus is on ‘functioning’ in place
of ‘planning.’
The Planning Commission of India was an institution which
formulated India’s five-year plans. It was established on 15 March 1950. In his
first Independence Day Speech in 2014, Mr. Modi has shared his intention to
establish a new institution, which will have a “new design and structure, a new
body, a new soul, a new thinking, a new direction, a new faith towards forging
a new direction to lead the country based on creative thinking, public-private
partnership, optimum utilization of resources, utilization of youth power of
the nation.” All key initiatives of the Indian government are aligned with the
vision of the ‘New India’.
Recent initiatives of the Indian government
The Indian government is working on a mission mode to transform
agriculture sector. Government’s initiatives like National Rurban Mission,
Innovative Crop Insurance Scheme, Soil Health Card scheme, Soil Testing
Laboratories, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Paramparagat Krishi
Vikas Yojana (To promote bio-farming), ‘India emergence through village
emergence’ campaign, ‘My Village My Pride’ scheme (to provide the methodology
of scientific farming and a new technology to every village) etc. are very
encouraging. The NITI Aayog has proposed a number of reforms for India’s
agriculture sector, including liberal contract farming, direct purchase from
farmers by private players, direct sale by farmers to consumers, and single
trader license etc. To provide advanced agricultural assistance to farmers, the
government will open ‘Krishi Vigyan Kendras’ in all districts of the country.
The Indian government is using digital and mobile technologies for the benefits
of the farmers.
In April 2016, the government has launched Electronic National
Agricultural Market (e-NAM), this online platform will integrate 585 wholesale
markets across India. To boost the agricultural productivity, Indian government
is focusing on four key areas: Irrigation, Seeds, Fertilizer and Technology.
The Indian government is also promoting the use of drip and sprinkler irrigation
technologies under the ‘Per drop, More crop’ component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).
On the occasion of its 70th foundation day, the Central Rice
Research Institute (CRRI) has been elevated as National Rice Research
Institute. This Institute has developed 114 rice species for different
agriculture climate conditions. The scientists of NRRI have also developed an
interesting mobile app called “rice expert” to provide information to farmers
in real time on insect pests, nutrients, weeds, nematodes and disease-related
problems, rice varieties for different ecologies, farm implements for different
field and post-harvest operations. This app has received a very good feedback
from the Indian farmers.
Smart Villages in India
On 21st February 2016, Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi
has launched the “National Rurban Mission” an initiative to develop 2500 smart
villages and 300 rural growth clusters by 2019. The objective of the NRuM is to
stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well
planned rurban clusters. India is the world’s 3rd largest Smartphone users
market. According to some recent reports, the usage of social media in rural
India has grown by 100 percent. Some of the key initiatives of the Indian government
to develop smart villages are: Bharat Net (rural broadband connectivity
project), Digital Village (for providing Wi-Fi hotspots in rural India),
Transformation of Rural post offices into Common Service Centers (CSCs), India
Post Payment Banks, GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran App) and National Digital
Literacy Mission etc.
The Smart Village program offers great opportunities for
technology, water management, agro-tech, solar energy, waste management,
infrastructure and financial players of Israel.
Israeli Agricultural Expertise
Agricultural innovations of Israel are remarkable. Israel’s
scientists, consultants, farmers and agriculture-related industries cooperate
in Agriculture Research activities. The Agricultural Research Organization
(ARO) of Israel, widely known as the Volcani Institute is responsible for
operating research operations in the country.
Israel’s Key Agricultural Innovations are: Drip irrigation
(Introduced by Israeli inventor late Mr. Simcha Blass), Grain Cocoons (for
toxic-free fumigation and safe storage of agricultural commodities), Biological
Pest Control, Crop Protection, Dairy Farming (Israeli Dairy Firms provides
advanced systems for herd management, monitoring and feeding worldwide),
Hardier seeds (a technology that enables the introduction of genetic materials
into seeds without modifying their DNA), Desert Potatoes, GFA (Grow Fish
Anywhere) etc.
The Current Status of India-Israel Agriculture Cooperation
After Defense, Agriculture is one of the key areas of
India-Israel cooperation. The Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project is the
collaborative effort of the Israeli Embassy, Indian center and state government
bodies, the Indian Agriculture Ministry’s Mission for Integrated Development of
Horticulture and MASHAV.
In 2015, during the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit India and Israel
have signed a joint agreement for the third phase of the Indo-Israel
Agricultural cooperation project. The first stage of the Indo-Israeli
Agricultural Cooperation Project started in 2008. During the first phase (2008
-2011) and the second phase (2012-2015) of this project, some centers of
excellence have been set up in different parts of India, mainly in Haryana,
Punjab, Utter Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu. So far of the proposed 26 centers of excellence, 15 are
operational. In the third phase (2015-2018), the Indo-Israel Agriculture
Project will be aiming to open some more Centers of Excellence in other states.
The agriculture sector is one of the largest contributors to the
GDP of India. According to the stats of Ministry of Labor and Employment, in
2014-15, 45.7% of India’s workforce was employed in agriculture. The approach
of the Indian government towards agriculture overhauling is serious. This is
the best time to align India-Israel agricultural cooperation project with the
vision of the ‘New India.’
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/india-isael-agricultural-cooperation-needs-to-align-with-the-new-india/
RiceBran Technologies (RIBT)
Upgraded to “Sell” by ValuEngine
ValuEngine upgraded shares of
RiceBran Technologies (NASDAQ:RIBT) from a strong sell rating to a sell rating
in a research note published on Friday morning.
Separately, Maxim Group reissued a
hold rating on shares of RiceBran Technologies in a research report on Tuesday,
July 18th.
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RiceBran Technologies (RIBT) traded
up 1.85% on Friday, reaching $1.10. 48,549 shares of the company’s stock traded
hands. RiceBran Technologies has a 12 month low of $0.69 and a 12 month high of
$1.54. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $1.07 and its 200 day moving
average price is $0.92. The company’s market cap is $14.86 million.
RiceBran Technologies (NASDAQ:RIBT)
last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 10th. The
company reported ($0.18) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of
($0.14) by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.15 million for the quarter,
compared to analysts’ expectations of $10.70 million. RiceBran Technologies had
a negative net margin of 18.06% and a negative return on equity of 241.74%. On
average, equities analysts expect that RiceBran Technologies will post ($0.41)
EPS for the current fiscal year.
About RiceBran Technologies
RiceBran Technologies is a human
food ingredient, functional food ingredient, packaged functional food and
animal nutrition company. The Company is focused on processing and marketing of
nutrient dense products derived from raw rice, an underutilized by-product of
the rice milling industry. The Company has two operating segments.
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https://www.dispatchtribunal.com/2017/09/16/ricebran-technologies-ribt-upgraded-to-sell-by-valuengine.html
Sweet and sticky
balsamic chicken with saffron spiced rice
A delicious Donal Skehan recipe made with basic kitchen staples
First published:Sat, Sep 16, 2017, 06:10
·
Serves:
4
·
Cooking
Time: 50 mins
·
Course:
Main Course
·
Cuisine:
Fusion
Ingredients
·
For
the chicken:
·
8-12
chicken drumsticks
·
1
tbsp dark soy sauce
·
3
tbsp balsamic vinegar
·
1
tbsp maple syrup
·
1
tbsp tomato ketchup
·
1
tbsp Dijon mustard
·
2
cloves garlic, finely grated
·
·
Saffron
spiced rice:
·
1
pinch of saffron fronds
·
1
tbsp rapeseed oil
·
1
small onion, finely chopped
·
250g
basmati rice
·
2
tsp salt
·
·
Coriander
leaves, to serve
Method
A dark and heady marinade made with basic kitchen staples, ideal
for any meat but in this recipe, particularly delicious when used to infuse
chicken drumsticks served with electric yellow saffron rice.
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a large mixing
bowl. Reserve half the sauce for later then add the chicken into the rest of
the sauce and coat completely, place the chicken drumsticks on a large baking
tray lined with parchment paper.
Roast in the oven for 40 minutes or until the chicken is
completely cooked through. Halfway through the cooking time, baste with the
remaining sauce.
While the chicken is cooking, place a pot over a medium-high
heat, add the oil and fry the onion for 6-8 minutes until tender. Add the rice to
the pan and stir through.
Top with 500ml of just boiled water and add in the saffron and
salt. Bring to a steady simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the
liquid is completely absorbed. Remove from the heat, fluff up with a fork,
place the lid back on a leave to sit until ready to serve.
Serve the rice with the chicken and garnish with coriander
leaves.
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/recipes/sweet-and-sticky-balsamic-chicken-with-saffron-spiced-rice-1.3212915
Pak-China hybrid rice drive starts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Agriculture
Research Council (PARC), in partnership with China's hybrid rice seeds research
organisation, has set off a drive to spur cultivation of hybrid seed across the
paddy zones of the country for boosting productivity, profitability, and export
surplus, an official said on Friday. “Both countries have decided to work
together for conducting joint awareness programmes to adopt hybrid rice seeds,”
an official associated with PARC told Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). “The
Chinese scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agronomists, selected
from all the four provinces.” Besides, the official said, they would also
educate the members of the provincial field extension departments on hybrid
rice seed cultivation. “They will also organise road shows and field visits
across the rice-growing areas to address the issues and challenges facing the
promotion of hybrid seed,” the official said.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/230197-Pak-China-hybrid-rice-drive-starts
Rohingya Muslim
refugees forced to scramble for aid in Bangladesh
SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 BY AGENCIES
KUTUPALONG: Every day Sunabhan joins thousands of other Rohingya refugees
by the roadside near her settlement in southern Bangladesh waiting for aid
trucks to arrive and readying herself for the desperate scramble for food.
Like most of the nearly 400,000 refugees who have flooded into Bangladesh in the past three weeks to escape violence in Myanmar, she relies entirely on hand-outs from local volunteers operating with no official oversight and little coordination.
Today Sunabhan, a widowed mother of four, managed to fight her way through the scrum of hungry refugees near the camp in Kutupalong and grab a bag of rice flakes.
But often the 44-year-old, who arrived in Bangladesh with her family 10 days ago after fleeing the violence that killed her husband, goes away empty handed.
“There are more people than food so it is very chaotic,” said Sunabhan, who like many Rohingya goes by only one name.
“The strong ones run to the trucks and they get the food first, it is more difficult for women and children.”
Like most of the nearly 400,000 refugees who have flooded into Bangladesh in the past three weeks to escape violence in Myanmar, she relies entirely on hand-outs from local volunteers operating with no official oversight and little coordination.
Today Sunabhan, a widowed mother of four, managed to fight her way through the scrum of hungry refugees near the camp in Kutupalong and grab a bag of rice flakes.
But often the 44-year-old, who arrived in Bangladesh with her family 10 days ago after fleeing the violence that killed her husband, goes away empty handed.
“There are more people than food so it is very chaotic,” said Sunabhan, who like many Rohingya goes by only one name.
“The strong ones run to the trucks and they get the food first, it is more difficult for women and children.”
Newly arrived Rohingya Muslim refugees wait in line for their
registration at a government office in the Bangladeshi town of Ukhia.
The United Nations said this week
there was an urgent need for a coordinated response to the massive influx of
desperate people, most of whom have still had no assistance from aid agencies
or the state.
Ordinary Bangladeshis have
stepped into the breach, filling trucks and driving to the new settlements that
have sprung up.
But their distribution methods make it impossible to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.
Each time a truck pulls up, the refugees scramble to grab the food parcels, water bottles and clothing the volunteers throw into the desperate crowd.
At times fights break out; at others, children who have clambered up the sides of vehicles, hands outstretched for food, are swept onto the street when the trucks suddenly speed off.
Food is the most prized catch, but even those giving out clothing attract a crowd. Children pick up garments that land on the muddy ground, dust them down and bundle them into empty rice bags.
SAFETY CONCERNS
Mohamad Anisul Islam, a 23-year-old Bangladeshi art student, is one of those standing atop the trucks throwing out aid.
He insists his government is doing all it can for the refugees, but says he wants to help with the desperate situation.
“Their condition is miserable. They have no food, no home, none of their basic human rights are being met,” he said.
“We already have a big population in Bangladesh and we want them to go home, but while they are here we want to help.”
Vivian Tan, spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency, said the government was now trying to set up drop-off points for aid distribution due to concerns over the current ad-hoc arrangements.
“It reflects the generosity of the Bangladeshi public but did raise concerns about the safety of the refugees rushing for aid being tossed off trucks,” she told AFP.
“The sheer scale of this growing influx and the fact that they are scattered in different locations –- camps, makeshift sites and local villages -– make it hard to know where they all are and to reach them all equitably.”
But their distribution methods make it impossible to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.
Each time a truck pulls up, the refugees scramble to grab the food parcels, water bottles and clothing the volunteers throw into the desperate crowd.
At times fights break out; at others, children who have clambered up the sides of vehicles, hands outstretched for food, are swept onto the street when the trucks suddenly speed off.
Food is the most prized catch, but even those giving out clothing attract a crowd. Children pick up garments that land on the muddy ground, dust them down and bundle them into empty rice bags.
SAFETY CONCERNS
Mohamad Anisul Islam, a 23-year-old Bangladeshi art student, is one of those standing atop the trucks throwing out aid.
He insists his government is doing all it can for the refugees, but says he wants to help with the desperate situation.
“Their condition is miserable. They have no food, no home, none of their basic human rights are being met,” he said.
“We already have a big population in Bangladesh and we want them to go home, but while they are here we want to help.”
Vivian Tan, spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency, said the government was now trying to set up drop-off points for aid distribution due to concerns over the current ad-hoc arrangements.
“It reflects the generosity of the Bangladeshi public but did raise concerns about the safety of the refugees rushing for aid being tossed off trucks,” she told AFP.
“The sheer scale of this growing influx and the fact that they are scattered in different locations –- camps, makeshift sites and local villages -– make it hard to know where they all are and to reach them all equitably.”
A young Rohingya Muslim refugee waits outside the World Food
Programme office in the Bangladeshi town of Ukhia.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina said the army would be deployed to distribute aid, while
Lieutenant Colonel Rashidul Hasan told AFP on Friday the orders had reached the
crisis zone.
“We’ve got the directive that the army would receive relief materials sent by foreign nations at the airport and take it to Cox’s Bazar,” he said.
For years Bangladesh restricted the UN refugee agency from operating outside the two camps that are home to the small minority of refugees with government registration papers.
It refused to register new entries, reluctant to give them an incentive to stay on.
Overwhelmed by a tide of arrivals that shows no sign of stopping, it has softened its stance and begun the process of registering newcomers — even as it presses Myanmar to end the violence and take them back.
Myanmar, a mainly Buddhist country that views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants, shows no sign of doing so.
Although it remains unclear what benefits registration will bring for the refugees, thousands are turning out in droves to be fingerprinted, photographed and documented.
“I haven’t had any proper aid yet,” 70-year-old refugee Faisal Karim told AFP as he squatted in the long queue for registration by the army at the Kutupalong camp.
“I think that when we are registered we will get proper relief, like the refugees who have been here a long time.”
“We’ve got the directive that the army would receive relief materials sent by foreign nations at the airport and take it to Cox’s Bazar,” he said.
For years Bangladesh restricted the UN refugee agency from operating outside the two camps that are home to the small minority of refugees with government registration papers.
It refused to register new entries, reluctant to give them an incentive to stay on.
Overwhelmed by a tide of arrivals that shows no sign of stopping, it has softened its stance and begun the process of registering newcomers — even as it presses Myanmar to end the violence and take them back.
Myanmar, a mainly Buddhist country that views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants, shows no sign of doing so.
Although it remains unclear what benefits registration will bring for the refugees, thousands are turning out in droves to be fingerprinted, photographed and documented.
“I haven’t had any proper aid yet,” 70-year-old refugee Faisal Karim told AFP as he squatted in the long queue for registration by the army at the Kutupalong camp.
“I think that when we are registered we will get proper relief, like the refugees who have been here a long time.”
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/09/16/rohingya-muslim-refugees-forced-to-scramble-for-aid-in-bangladesh/
BoP hits deficit for first time in
16yrs
12:00
AM, September 17, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:43 AM, September 17, 2017
Star Business Report
Bangladesh's balance of payments entered the negative territory
for the first time in 16 years in July on the back of a wide mismatch in trade.The
overall balance was $179 million in the deficit in the first month of fiscal
2017-18 against $480 million in the surplus a year earlier.
While historical monthly data is not available, the last time the
overall balance was in the negative was back in fiscal 2000-01, when it was
$281 million in the deficit for the whole fiscal year.
The current account balance also traversed to the negative territory
for the first time in four years in fiscal 2016-17.
However, Bangladesh Bank projects that the overall balance will be
$2.35 billion in the surplus at the end of the fiscal year, but the current
account deficit will reach $2.72 billion.
In July import soared 47 percent, whereas a year earlier it crept
up only 2.99 percent.
As the import of food, capital machinery and raw cotton increased
so did the overall import, said a BB official.
For instance, in July last year food import was only $0.8 million,
whereas this year it was a whopping $101.8 million.
Besides rice, capital machinery import shot up 61 percent in the
first month of the fiscal year. Raw cotton import increased 105 percent, yarn
26 percent and clinker 52 percent.
At the same time, the import of consumer goods like milk, edible
oil, sugar and so on increased between 26 percent and 114 percent.
On the other hand, export slightly increased year-on-year but not
at the rate as import.
In July export grew 18.50 percent.
Due to the huge mismatch in import and export trade, deficit
crossed the $1 billion mark in July, in contrast to $236 million a year
earlier. As the trade deficit made a big jump, so did the current account
deficit, which reached $497 million in the first month of fiscal 2017-18 in
contrast to $379 million in the surplus a year earlier.
Foreign direct investment rose in July but the principle amount of
the old debt also went up about 22 percent, which put a pressure on the overall
balance. Foreign currency reserves also fell slightly due to pressure on the
balance of payments, according to central bank data.
On September 13 the foreign currency reserve was $32.73 billion,
which was $33.41 billion on June 30.
The central bank official said the rising trade deficit could put
some pressure on exchange rates.
The deficit has already affected the exchange rate as the taka has
depreciated against the US dollar.
The weighted average exchange rate was Tk 80.7 per dollar on
September 13, up from Tk 78.4 on the same day last year, according to data from
the central bank.
However, since June 29 the exchange rate has remained static at Tk
80.7 per dollar.
http://www.thedailystar.net/business/bop-hits-deficit-first-time-16yrs-1463356
Rumour of halt to Indian rice imports raises prices at Benapole
·
Published
at 07:01 PM September 16, 2017
·
Last
updated at 12:07 AM September 17, 2017
About 3,000 tons of rice was imported last week at the price of
$535 per ton at Benapole
Following the
rumour, the import price of the rice increased to $55 per ton, leading to a
Tk10 hike per kilogram
Rice prices have shot up by Tk10
per kilogram in Benapole allegedly following a rumour that Indian rice imports
would be suspended for nearly a month and half.
According to sources at Benapole
port, Indian exporters sent an anonymous letter to several ports in Bangladesh
on Wednesday which said that India will discontinue exporting rice to
Bangladesh from September 15 till November 30.
However, 100 truckloads of rice
were still imported through the port last Friday.
Benapole Customs Commissioner
Shawkat Hossain Bhuiyan confirmed that the news about the import halt is fake.
Bangladeshi importers have observed
that Indian exporters might be involved in a conspiracy to create an artificial
crisis so they can increase the value of Letter of Credit (LC).
Though a class of businessmen are
benefitting from the hike, low-income people are suffering, they added.
Sources at the port have said the
duty-free imported rice was being unloaded at the port.
About 3,000 tons of rice was
imported last week at the price of $535 per ton.
Aminul Haque, vice president of
the port’s Import-Export Association said: “Some people spread the news without
verifying it. Even a few newspapers published the news about the anonymous
letter.”
He alleged that the Indian
importers are directly involved in the matter.
Following the rumour, the import
price of the rice increased to $55 per ton, leading to a Tk10 hike per
kilogram, he added.
Monir Hossain Majumder, general
secretary of the Benapole chapter of Bangladesh Land Port Employees’ Union,
said that until now, rice imported from India through the port has remained
uninterrupted
http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/commerce/2017/09/16/rumour-halt-rice-import-raises-prices-benapole/
Enough rice for all
·
Published
at 06:25 PM September 16, 2017
·
Last
updated at 06:53 PM September 16, 2017
The government
should take precautions for extra security at its warehouses and do all it can
to keep the price of rice low and stable
This year’s intense rainfall has
flooded rice fields across the country, causing rice output to fall below the anticipated
levels.
And on the demand side, on top of
160 million mouths to feed, we are hosting over a million Rohingya refugees who
also rely on this essential crop.
We have also been importing rice
to meet demand, but somehow, prices have soared to unacceptable levels, and
everyone keeps passing the buck, unable to pinpoint exactly what is causing the
price hike.
Government officials say that we
have enough rice in storage to meet our demand, but that traders and millers
are hoarding rice illegally to make big bucks out of an artificially created
crisis.
As recently as last month, a
mobile court seized 2,700 sacks of rice stolen from government warehouses.
It is true that business is
driven by the profit motive, but this kind of illegal manipulation of prices
goes beyond profit-making and becomes a criminal act that results in undue
hardship on the country’s poorest and neediest.
Our first priority should be to
make sure that no one in this country should go hungry, especially when there
is enough rice to feed everyone.
As an immediate, short-term
remedy, the government should take precautions for extra security at its
warehouses and do all it can to keep the price of rice low and stable.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has
said that no Bangladeshi should hungry, and that is the noblest of goals,
and it means ensuring enough rice for everyone
http://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/editorial/2017/09/16/enough-rice-for-all/
Rice
export goal raised to 5.6 million tonnes this year
HCM City (VNA) –
The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) revised up the goal of rice export to 5.6
million tonnes this year from the 5.2 million tonnes set in July thanks to a
strong rise in contracts signed during August and positive signs of the
market.
In the first eight months this year, the country exported more than 3.8 million tonnes of rice with free on board (FOB) value of 1.66 billion USD, up 17.7 percent in volume and 16.6 percent in value, respectively, on a yearly basis.
August saw a surge of 70 percent in volume and 56.8 percent in FOB value of rice shipments.
During the eight months, businesses signed export contracts amounting to 5.1 million tonnes, more than 1.2 million tonnes of which are yet to be delivered.
Positive signals were also seen in the shipment of glutinous rice to China.
Dang Thi Lien, Director of the Long An food company, said China has demand for 300,000 tonnes of glutinous rice between now and the year’s end while Vietnam can meet only 20-25 percent of them so export prices could continue to rise later this year.
Export of jasmine rice has also performed well.
VFA Chairman Huynh The Nang said China, Bangladesh and the Philippines remain potential rice importers of Vietnam.
Apart from African countries, new markets such as Iran, Iraq are likely to buy Vietnamese jasmine rice while japonica rice is gaining more popularity in Australian continent and China.-VNA
In the first eight months this year, the country exported more than 3.8 million tonnes of rice with free on board (FOB) value of 1.66 billion USD, up 17.7 percent in volume and 16.6 percent in value, respectively, on a yearly basis.
August saw a surge of 70 percent in volume and 56.8 percent in FOB value of rice shipments.
During the eight months, businesses signed export contracts amounting to 5.1 million tonnes, more than 1.2 million tonnes of which are yet to be delivered.
Positive signals were also seen in the shipment of glutinous rice to China.
Dang Thi Lien, Director of the Long An food company, said China has demand for 300,000 tonnes of glutinous rice between now and the year’s end while Vietnam can meet only 20-25 percent of them so export prices could continue to rise later this year.
Export of jasmine rice has also performed well.
VFA Chairman Huynh The Nang said China, Bangladesh and the Philippines remain potential rice importers of Vietnam.
Apart from African countries, new markets such as Iran, Iraq are likely to buy Vietnamese jasmine rice while japonica rice is gaining more popularity in Australian continent and China.-VNA
http://en.vietnamplus.vn/rice-export-goal-raised-to-56-million-tonnes-this-year/117957.vnp
PARC starts
campaign to promote hybrid rice cultivation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in collaboration with Chinese hybrid rice seeds research organization has initiated a campaign to promote hybrid seed cultivation across the crop growing areas of the country.
The main aim of this joint initiative was to enhance per acre crop productivity, increase profitability and produce surplus commodity for exports enhancement.
In this regard, an official of the council told APP here Friday that both the countries have decided to work together for conducting joint awareness programmes to adopt hybrid rice seeds.
The Chinese scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agriculture scientists, selected from all the four provinces.
Besides, he said that they will also impart training to the members of the provincial field extension departments on hybrid rice cultivation.
They would also organize road-shows and field visits across the rice-growing areas to address the issues and challenges in promotion of hybrid rice seed, he added.
He further informed that the a revolutionary hybrid rice seed was recently developed by the Chinese researchers, which would help Pakistani farmers to enhance significantly their per acre yield.
The new developed rice seed variety would help to produce extra surplus, hence the country would be able to export more rice for exporting it to other countries, he added.
He said a travelling seminar has also been designed by PARC and Chinese Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Company to travel in all the four ecological zones of the country in Khyber Pukhtunkhawa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
The main objective of the seminar was to estimate the local hybrid seed requirements for different regions and showcase the hybrid rice varieties, he remarked.
In addition, he said that the other aim if the activity was the capacity building of the local experts from all over the country in order to promote the hybrid rice techniques.
High level Chinese team comprising on 12 top hybrid rice experts will be the part of this travelling rice seminar, he added.
http://www.brecorder.com/2017/09/15/369510/parc-starts-campaign-to-promote-hybrid-rice-cultivation/
PARC starts
campaign to promote hybrid rice cultivation
Islamabad
Pakistan Agriculture Research
Council (PARC) in collaboration with Chinese hybrid rice seeds research
organization has initiated a campaign to promote hybrid seed cultivation across
the crop growing areas of the country.
The main aim of this joint initiative was to enhance per acre crop productivity, increase profitability and produce surplus commodity for exports enhancement.
In this regard, an official of the council told APP here Friday that both the countries have decided to work together for conducting joint awareness programmes to adopt hybrid rice seeds.
The Chinese scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agriculture scientists, selected from all the four provinces. Besides, he said that they will also impart training to the members of the provincial field extension departments on hybrid rice cultivation.
They would also organize road-shows and field visits across the rice-growing areas to address the issues and challenges in promotion of hybrid rice seed, he added.
He further informed that the a revolutionary hybrid rice seed was recently developed by the Chinese researchers, which would help Pakistani farmers to enhance significantly their per acre yield.
The new developed rice seed variety would help to produce extra surplus, hence the country would be able to export more rice for exporting it to other countries, he added.
He said a travelling seminar has also been designed by PARC and Chinese Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Company to travel in all the four ecological zones of the country in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
The main objective of the seminar was to estimate the local hybrid seed requirements for different regions and showcase the hybrid rice varieties, he remarked.
In addition, he said that the other aim if the activity was the capacity building of the local experts from all over the country in order to promote the hybrid rice techniques.
High level Chinese team comprising on 12 top hybrid rice experts will be the part of this travelling rice seminar, he added.—APP
The main aim of this joint initiative was to enhance per acre crop productivity, increase profitability and produce surplus commodity for exports enhancement.
In this regard, an official of the council told APP here Friday that both the countries have decided to work together for conducting joint awareness programmes to adopt hybrid rice seeds.
The Chinese scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agriculture scientists, selected from all the four provinces. Besides, he said that they will also impart training to the members of the provincial field extension departments on hybrid rice cultivation.
They would also organize road-shows and field visits across the rice-growing areas to address the issues and challenges in promotion of hybrid rice seed, he added.
He further informed that the a revolutionary hybrid rice seed was recently developed by the Chinese researchers, which would help Pakistani farmers to enhance significantly their per acre yield.
The new developed rice seed variety would help to produce extra surplus, hence the country would be able to export more rice for exporting it to other countries, he added.
He said a travelling seminar has also been designed by PARC and Chinese Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Company to travel in all the four ecological zones of the country in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
The main objective of the seminar was to estimate the local hybrid seed requirements for different regions and showcase the hybrid rice varieties, he remarked.
In addition, he said that the other aim if the activity was the capacity building of the local experts from all over the country in order to promote the hybrid rice techniques.
High level Chinese team comprising on 12 top hybrid rice experts will be the part of this travelling rice seminar, he added.—APP
Rice Starch Market Status and Outlook 2012-2022: BENEO, Ingredion,
AGRANA
09-18-2017 09:55 AM CET - Business, Economy, Finances, Banking
& Insurance
Print
Press release from: market research 2017
Rice Starch
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Ingredion
AGRANA
Bangkok starch
Thai Flour
WFM Wholesome Foods
Golden Agriculture
Anhui Lianhe
Anhui Le Huan Tian Biotechnology
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Executive checkups for senior citizens
By: Ramon Farolan - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:11 AM September 18,
2017
First of
all, allow me to add a few more notes on some of the other distinguished
members of UP High School class of 1951. In my last column I featured Raul
Daza, a Liberal Party loyalist.
Ambassador
Lilia R. Bautista finished law at the UP
College of
Law and served as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. She was
later appointed as permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
Manuel
“Noli” Barcelona was a member of the Commission on Elections before serving
with the Manila Economic and Cultural
Office in
Taipei. He is a brother of the late Court of Appeals justice Ramon Barcelona.
Perhaps the
most illustrious member of the class is Dr. Benito S. Vergara.
Ben’s motto
in our high school yearbook was: “Behind the clouds is the sun still shining.”
After a long
career spent at the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) in “a life
devoted to promoting science in the Philippines,” he was named national
scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology for achievements in
rice physiology and work in promoting rice science and technology. His Irri
publication, “A Farmer’s Primer on Growing Rice,” has been translated and
printed in over 50 languages and, to this day, is in use around the world by
agriculturists, extension workers, and farmers.
Ben was also
instrumental in the establishment of the Rice World Museum and Learning Center
as well as the Philippine Science Heritage Center or Salinlahi, which features
the scientific and technological achievements of Filipino scientists.
* * *
As senior
citizens grow older, the importance of regular
executive
checkups becomes more pronounced. The topic of conversation at social
gatherings noticeably shifts from office politics, community and national
issues, to health-related subjects: blood pressure, sugar levels, cholesterol
counts, urinary tract infections or prostate problems.
Last week I
received a letter from senior citizen Damaso G. Magbual. He writes: “I am 73
years old but still relatively healthy, as I go for regular checkups. In the
past I would see at least five doctors every year at different dates since they
have different clinic hours. Travel time made more burdensome by terrible
traffic is taking a toll on me. Hence, I decided to check in at the Manila
Medical Center (my hospital since 1978 where I have had five surgeries already)
at UN Avenue for two days, so I can see the different doctors in two days. I
was told that the hospital offers certain plans for executive checkups. I opted
for plan A and I was told to pay P32,550. I inquired if they have deducted the
usual senior citizen discount granted under the law. I was told that ‘an
executive checkup is a package and it is not entitled to any discount including
that for senior citizens.’
“General
Farolan, I would like to know if it is true that an executive checkup is exempt
from a senior citizen discount because it is a ‘package’? I called the
Department of Health (DOH) and I was told that they have no supervision over
private hospitals and I was advised instead to seek the opinion of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). I was informed that establishments
under the supervision of the DTI offering ‘promos and discounts’ are still
mandated to give the usual senior citizen discount on top of the promo and
discounts offered.
“I seek your
counsel and advice.”
I was
surprised by the fact that DOH officials were not able to provide Mr. Magbual
with any answers, since as they put it, “they have no supervision over private
hospitals.” I believe that government health officers should be well-versed and
knowledgeable about issues that affect the health and wellbeing of our
citizens. It has nothing to do “with supervision over private hospitals.” By
the way, if the DOH has no supervision over private hospitals, who shoulders
this responsibility?
As to the
question raised, the law is quite clear. Rule IV, Privilege of Senior Citizens,
of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Senior Citizen Act, Section 1
[c] reads: “Medical and Dental Services in Private Facilities—Medical and
dental services that are requested by a physician for the diagnosis of illness
or injury are subject to the 20 percent discount and VAT exemption. Under
section 1 (d), professional fees of attending physicians in all private
hospitals shall be subject to the 20 percent discount and VAT exemption.”
In simple
terms, an executive checkup in private facilities is subject to the senior
citizen discount, and this is true for professional fees of attending
physicians.
The DTI
opinion is correct. On top of any promo being offered — this is similar to the
executive checkup being offered as a package — business establishments are
still mandated to give senior citizen discount on top of the promo or package
deal being offered. Since the package deal is being offered to all, the senior
citizen status is not being honored if he pays the same as everyone else.
My advice to
Mr. Magbual is to insist on the senior citizen discount. The matter should not
be discussed with some clerk in the cashier’s office. Clerks have their own
rules and instructions to follow. It is best to sit down with the hospital
administrator for an intelligent discussion in a friendly and respectful
manner. Should the hospital insist on their position, you may decide to take
them to court. I realize this is an expensive and lengthy course of action but
Romulo Macalintal, the famous election lawyer, has volunteered to help senior
citizens in their quest for justice and fairness pro bono.
And finally,
this prayer should be of help:
Dear Lord,
in Thine Own mysterious ways enlighten our
businessmen
and hospital administrators so that they may see the wisdom of honoring the
senior citizen discount for executive checkups. Other than our meager pensions,
it is the only thing the law has given us in our old age and unfortunately,
some hospitals still disregard even what the law has clearly granted. This we
ask in Christ’s Name. Amen
PhilHealth
gets bulk of gov’t subsidy in July
By: Ben O. de Vera - Reporter / @bendeveraINQ
Inquirer Business / 08:10 AM September 18, 2017
The
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), a government-owned and/or
-controlled corporation (GOCC) that administers the state’s health insurance
program, cornered the bulk of subsidies given away by the national government
in July.
The latest
Bureau of Treasury data showed that of the P16.867 billion in subsidies granted
to GOCCs in July, P15.114 billion or 89.6 percent was received by PhilHealth.
Last year,
PhilHealth got P43.8 billion, the biggest amount of subsidies among GOCCs.
Next year, PhilHealth is also poised to get the largest chunk of subsidies worth P57.1 billion.
Next year, PhilHealth is also poised to get the largest chunk of subsidies worth P57.1 billion.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to
the latest data on the national treasury’s website, PhilHealth had 41.2 million
members with 52.2 million dependents in 2016, bringing the total number of
beneficiaries to 93.4 million or 91 percent of the projected 2016 population.
The GOCC
subsidies in July, however, were only less than half of the P35.258 billion distributed
in the same month last year.
The other
GOCCs that received subsidies in July were the National Irrigation
Administration (P978 million); Philippine Rice Research Institute (P337
million); People’s Television Network Inc. (P105 million); National Electrification
Administration (P100 million); Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (P70 million);
Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (P69 million);
Philippine Heart Center (P38 million); Lung Center of the Philippines (P22
million); Philippine National Railways (P13 million); Zamboanga City Special
Economic Zone Authority (P13 million); Philippine Fisheries Development
Authority (P5 million); and Southern Philippines Development Authority (P3
million).
The
Governance Commission for GOCCs had said that up to 90 percent of the subsidies
that state corporations receive were being spent on programs and projects,
while the remainder covered operational expenses
Ambode
orders continuous sales of Lake Rice, approves creation of more sales points
By
Press Release
September
17, 2017 13:23:05pm GMT |
Gov
Ambode Akinwunmi of Lagos State
The Lagos State Governor, Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode has directed the State Ministry of Agriculture to commence and
ensure a non-stop sales of Lake Rice in all the designated sales centre across
the State just has he approved the creation of more sales centres, the
Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatyin Suarau has said.
Suarau who stated this over the
weekend in his office while reviewing the plans of carrying out the Governor’s
directives noted that the directive is part of the strategy to increase access
to the product and ensure effective distribution of the rice across the State.
He said that the newly created
sales centres aside the existing designated centers in the 57 local government
and local council development areas in the state that will be used for the
non-stop sales of the products are, Farm Service Centre Odogunyan-Ikorodu;
Farmers Mart Surulere; Agric Input Supply Authority (LAISA) Ojo; Agricultural
Development Authority (ADA) Oko Oba, Agege and Lagos Television (LTV) Complex,
Agidingbi-Ikeja.
While assuring that the State
government will do the needful to ensure the continuous availability of the
product in both existing and new sales centres, Suarau noted that work is in
progress to ensure adequate supply of the product across the State.
Said he, “the need to ensure that
Lake Rice circulate into the nooks and crannies of the state is key in our
drive to attain food sufficiency. Food production and self-sufficiency have
been given priority attention at State’s policy and strategic levels, this is
aimed at sustaining Lagos because our state is the largest consumer of food
commodity in Nigeria”.
The Commissioner while noting
that the price of the rice has not changed stressed that State government will
continue to maintain the price of the product to make it affordable to
citizens. He added that the essence of the Lagos-Kebbi partnership is to ensure
food security and show case the ability of Nigeria to become a producing
nation.
“Logistics have been put in
place to ensure a hassle free purchase of the product in an atmosphere devoid
of rancour in all our approved sales centres thus making the processes of
purchase a lot more easier for everyone”, Suarau said
New ‘Dry Rice
1.5’ initiative launched
R
ice researchers from across Australia are leading the charge to
achieve a 1.5 tonnes per megalitre water use efficiency. New research and
technology to enable high harvest yields while using less water to grow the
crop is the aim of the ‘Dry Rice 1.5’ project, according to AgriFutures
(formerly Rural Industry Research and Development Corporation). AgriFutures
rice program manager Michael Beer said the Rice Research & Development
Forum held in Yanco last month showed real efficiency gains are possible with
the adoption of new technology and innovation.
He said researchers from the NSW Department of
Primary Industries, Centre for Regional and Rural Futures Deakin, University of
Queensland, Charles Sturt University, and SunRice joined AgriFutures and Rice
Extension representatives to ‘‘share knowledge and build collaboration’’.
‘‘Researchers are now using new research techniques to deliver better rice
varieties sooner,’’ Mr Beer said.
‘‘The rice breeding and chemistry program has
been developing new ways to measure rice cooking and eating quality as well as
methods to select for these traits using molecular markers. ‘‘The program is
working on the difficult challenge of breeding cold and heat stress tolerance
into new varieties through detailed understanding of the physiology of these
traits. ‘‘It is focused on breeding high value niche varieties with exceptional
agronomic performance and that match market demand for healthier food
options.’’
Mr
Beer said growers can apply precision crop management using on-farm sensors,
automated controllers and remote imagery. ‘‘They will have access to accurate
decision support tools and crop growth models with weather forecasting and
phenology research. ‘‘Research into overcoming soil constraints and
understanding the value of flexible layouts will allow crop rotations to be
profitable and sustainable. ‘‘A vital link is a comprehensive extension effort
to share knowledge and on-farm application of new technology and innovations
amongst growers. ‘‘The 1.5 tonne per megalitre target is the first step in an
ongoing plan to increase rice farming water use efficiency and profitability.’’
http://www.denipt.com.au/2017/09/18/6418/new-dry-rice-15-initiative-launched
Soaring Price
of Rice: Govt intervenes to stabilise market
Starts
selling rice, flour under OMS programme
People
buying subsidised rice and flour from a dealer at Mugda in the capital as the
operation of Open Market Sale began yesterday. Photo: SK Enamul Haq
Staff
Correspondent
With
rice prices soaring across the country, the government yesterday made a rather
delayed intervention in the form of selling the staple at a subsidised price
under a nationwide Open Market Sale programme. Engaging nearly a thousand
dealers, the food ministry channelled OMS rice for Tk 30 a kg to people lining
up at designated sale points. Though the price of OMS rice has doubled this
time to Tk 30 from Tk 15 a kg, it is still lower by at least Tk 20 a kg from
yesterday's retail market price. The state-run Trading Corporation of
Bangladesh (TCB) said the coarse varieties of rice were on sale in the
capital's retail markets for Tk 50 to 54 a kg yesterday, Tk 10 higher than that
only a month ago. The government would also launch its Food-Friendly Programme
tomorrow under which 1.5 lakh tonnes of rice would be sold to five million ultra-poor
for only Tk 10 a kg. They can buy 30 kg of rice each.
Besides,
the government directed the local administrations in major rice-trade zones to
strengthen monitoring to prevent hoarding of rice. Food ministry sources told The Daily Star that such interventions
could not be made earlier because of very low stock of rice in public
granaries. A section of rice millers allegedly hoarded rice and deliberately
hiked prices after the country lost crops -- primarily estimated at 20 lakh
tonnes -- to flashfloods in Haor areas and fungal attack in the last Boro
season. Government stock of rice rose to 3.4 lakh tonnes yesterday, thanks to
some late imports from Vietnam. Another 1.2 lakh tonnes are on the way to
Chittagong Port. Meanwhile, a Myanmar delegation arrived in Dhaka yesterday for
fixing modalities for Bangladesh's import of up to three lakh tonnes of
rice. On the first day of OMS
operation yesterday, people found it difficult to locate the points of sales
due to lack of publicity by the government. Md Rubel Ahmed, an OMS dealer, told
this newspaper that each of them got one tonne of rice and one tonne of coarse
flour for daily sale. The prices are fixed at Tk 30 for rice and Tk 17 a kg for
coarse flour. A consumer can buy up to five kg of each item. Asked, Waziur
Rahman, deputy director of food, said, “The OMS programme, meant for providing
rice to common people at relatively low prices, started across the country in
the morning.” A total of 806 OMS centres, including 179 in flood-affected
areas, would sell rice across the country, mentioned the deputy director.
Another food official said 109 OMS centres are in operation in the capital.
However, our district correspondents reported that lack of publicity affected
OMS operation in many parts of the country on the first day of OMS sale
yesterday.
RAJSHAHI
The
OMS rice sale failed to draw attention of buyers in the city due to absence of
publicity. M Moniruzzaman, Rajshahi regional controller of food, said the OMS
operation began fully in Rajshahi city, Naogaon and Bogra, and partially in
Joypurhat, Pabna and Natore. He said the dealers in Rajshahi city began the
sale in the afternoon, as it took them time to deposit money with banks and
collect rice from government warehouses. Kaisar Ali, food controller in Dinajpur,
said the OMS rice sale began in Dinajpur and his office engaged 24 dealers in
the task. Split in four groups, the dealers would sell six tonnes of rice every
day. The Daily Star correspondent in Dinajpur, however, didn't find any OMS
outlet in Barabandar, Bahadurbazar, Gudribazar and Chehelgazi areas of the
town.
THE
CAPITAL
Mohammad
Tareque, who was in charge of a truck carrying OMS items in city's Mugda, said
they would operate from 9:00am to 5:00pm every day. Tareque said the number of
customers was less yesterday as many people were yet to know about the OMS
sale. Tofayel Alam, a class-IV employee of Geological Survey of Bangladesh,
went there to buy coarse flour along with his wife. The couple bought 10 kg
coarse flour from the OMS Truck. “We are happy that we got it… This is enough
to meet our need for a month,” Tofayel said, adding that he had earlier bought
flour for Tk 30 a kg from a shop. Kabir Hossain, driver of a CNG-run
three-wheeler in Dholaipar area, said he bought rice and flour from an OMS sale
point for the first time as the price of coarse rice shot up to Tk 52 a kg in
retail shops. Abdul Awal Talukdar, owner of Mukta Rice Agency in Karwan Bazar,
said the price of rice of various categories increased after the Eid. He blamed
a “syndicate” of millers for the price hike.
HOARDING
ALERT
Yesterday
afternoon, a large group of law enforcers led by Kushtia Additional Deputy
Commissioner Habibur Rahman inspected Khwajanagar, one of the country's biggest
rice milling and trade zone, to make sure that no trader can hoard rice. Later,
the ADC told the media that they carried out the inspection in the presence of
millers and traders to ensure that rice is traded and supplied normally to all
other parts of the country from Khwajanagar. The move came just six days after
another government team raided mills and warehouses owned by Bangladesh Rice
Millers Association President Abdur Rashid in Kushtia and slapped a fine of Tk
50,000 for hoarding. Rashid yesterday claimed that he owns one of the country's
largest rice mills, and several thousand tonnes of paddy and rice have to be
kept in warehouse in any given season to keep the mill operational.
IMPORTS
GET PRICEY
Bangladesh
imported around seven lakh tonnes of rice in over two and a half months of the
current fiscal year against only 1.33 lakh tonnes in the last fiscal year. Five
lakh tonnes out of the seven lakh came through private importers. Chitta
Majumder, a rice importer, told this newspaper that imports from India got
cheaper after duty cut by Bangladesh government. But the prices increased again
after the Eid-ul-Azha as Indian exporters hiked prices to Tk 41-42 from Tk 37 a
kg. He said traders across the border
increased the prices amid growing demand from Bangladeshi importers. Besides,
there were delays in shipments for a few days before and after the Eid due to
shortage of transport. Recent rumours over India's slapping a ban on rice
export also fuelled the price, Chitta added.
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/soaring-price-rice-govt-intervenes-stabilise-market-1463671
LAKE
Rice: LASG approves creation of more sales’ points
ON SEPTEMBER 17, 20176:12 PMIN NEWSCOMMENTS
The Lagos State Government(LASG) said it had directed a non-stop sale
of LAKE rice across the state in all the
designated centres. Lake rice Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State gave
the directive in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs,
Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, on Sunday in Lagos.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oluwatoyin Suarau, also said
that the governor had approved the creation of more sales’ centres. Suarau said
the governor’s directives were parts of the strategy to ensure that as many
members of the public had access to the
product and ensure effective distribution of the rice across the state. He said
that the newly created sales centres aside the existing designated ones in the
57 local government and local council development areas in the state would be
used for the non-stop sales of the products.
They are: the Farm Service Centre at
Odogunyan-Ikorodu, Farmers Martat
Surulere; Agric Input Supply Authority (LAISA) at Ojo; Agricultural
Development Authority (ADA) at Oko Oba,
Agege and the Lagos Television (LTV)
Complex, Agidingbi-Ikeja. He assured the public
that the state government would do the needful to ensure the continuous
availability of the product in both existing and new sales centres. `The need
to ensure that Lake Rice circulates at every nook and cranny of the state is
key in our drive to attain food sufficiency for all. “Food production and
self-sufficiency have been given priority attention by the state government
and, this is aimed at sustaining Lagos state
as its residents are the largest
consumers of food commodity in Nigeria,” he said.
The commissioner said the price of the rice had not changed and he promised that the state government would continue to
maintain the current price of the product to make it affordable to citizens. A
50-kg bag sells for N12,000, a 25-kg bag
goes for N6,000 while a 10-kg bag sells for N2,500 . He said the essence of the
Lagos-Kebbi partnership was to ensure food security and showcase the ability of
Nigeria to become a food-producing nation. “Logistics have been put in place to
ensure a hassle-free purchase of the product in an atmosphere devoid of rancour
in all our approved sales centres thus making the processes of purchase a lot
more easier for everyone,” Suarau said. NAN
Govt to sit with rice millers Tuesday
| Update: 13:32,
Sep 18, 2017
Following
soaring price of rice and ongoing unrest situation in rice market, three
ministries will hold a joint meeting with the country’s rice mill owners,
importers and traders on Tuesday, reports news agency UNB.
Representatives
of all rice mill owners’ associations, importers, wholesalers and retailers
were asked to join the meeting to be held at the Food Ministry.
Commerce
Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and Food Minister
Qamrul Islam are likely to attend the meeting.
Representatives
of law enforcing agencies will also present at the meet
Rice prices continue to go up
‘The
price spiral is likely to stop within the next few weeks as a good amount of
rice would be available in the market through private initiative’
The
prices of the staple continue their upward trajectory over the last couple of
days, with no sign to abate.
According
to the market insiders, unless more import initiatives are taken, the hike in
rice price would be far from being tamed. As per the on Sunday’s data provided
by Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, the retail price of per kg coarse rice
was ranging between Tk50 and Tk54 while it was Tk43 to Tk45 just a week ago.
Weak public reserve, tremendous damage to paddy during Boro season, recent
monsoon flooding that hit Aman cultivation, plus lackluster attempt to procure
rice from international market have worsened the situation all together. Nirod
Boron Saha, president, Naogaon Rice Wholesalers Association, told the Dhaka
Tribune, “The price spiral is likely to stop within the next few weeks as a
good amount of rice would be available in the market through private
initiative.” He also hinted that the price of the staple food could spike more
by the end of the year unless a large volume of rice is imported. Regarding the
upward price spiral, Agro-economist Dr Qazi Shahabuddin said: “Rice price has
already increased a lot, but the situation will worsen because of more shortage
in near future as we will get less production in Aman season in December due to
recent flood.”
Causes
Earlier
in April, the flash flood in haor basin comprised of seven districts in the
country’s north-eastern part damaged around 20,00,000 tons of Boro rice. Later
in last month, this year’s monsoon flooding damaged around 6,00,000 hectares of
Aman paddy field, projecting 15,00,000 tons of less rice production.
State
of rice import
Amid
the ongoing Rohingya influx, Food Minister Qamrul Islam visited Myanmar
recently with an aim to make an import of 10,00,000 tons of rice from there,
but failed. As of September 13, the country has imported around 6,75,000 tons
of rice. Meanwhile, the government has signed separate agreements with Vietnam
and Thailand to import rice. Of them, Vietnamese rice has started to arrive. As
of today, the government food grain stock stands at 4,61,000 tons. Of them,
rice accounts for 3,39,000 tons while wheat 1,22,000 tons. The government has
already launched Open Market Sale (OMS) at Tk15 a kg to exert control over the
market. The government intervention through OMS is being hailed as a good
initiative to stem the price spiral.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/09/17/rice-price-continues-show-strength/
DR ANGELINE KAMBA DIES
“She died peacefully at home at the age of 81. “We had been attending to her ever since her husband died. “We were looking after her as a family. She had just left hospital and now she has rested.”Dr Kamba was the first director of National Archives of Zimbabwe, making her the first black and first woman to be at the helm of the national documentation entity. She was vice-president of International Council on Archives between 1984 and 1988.
Dr Kamba was also a member of Council of the Caine Prize for African Writing and she also served on the board of the International Rice Research Institute which is located in Los Banos, Philippines, from 1998-2003 and chaired it from January 2002 to December 2003.
In 2010, she was honoured with a doctorate degree in Archaeology, Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage by the Midlands State University. Dr Kamba also served as board chairperson of the Harare International Festival of the Arts for 10 years before her retirement in 2011.Dr Kamba is survived by two children and two grandsons. Mourners are gathered at No. 3 Hogsback Lane, Borrowdale Brooke.
NewsdzeZimbabwe
