Monday, December 01, 2014

AS paddy prices drop by almost 50pc over last year, the federal government is considering a relief package for basmati farmers. As per different projections being prepared so far, the farmers may get a monetary relief of Rs5,000-7,000 per acre. A noble cause indeed!

But beyond this temporary handout, if and when it comes, lies the bigger question mark; would this money solve the farmers’ problem? Probably not! Especially, if considered in the backdrop of the genesis of the problem. This year’s price drop has not hit the farmers out of the blue; the situation was built up in the last few years due to a number of factors including: the government’s policies, gross neglect of basmati rice, dropping exports, cartelisation of domestic market by a few big players and ejection of farmers from the rice trade.

Unless the government sees all this in the bigger picture, this one-off compensation would not help much.The basic basmati statistics make the problem and its causes clear. Pakistan has been producing around 2m tonnes of basmati rice; out of which, 1m tonnes are consumed domestically and the rest are supposed to be exported. Till 2011, the exports were above that figure and domestic stocks were exhausted each year. From that year onwards, the exports started dropping for a number of reasons.

In 2012, exports dropped to 968,941 tonnes. Next year, they went down to 630,035 tonnes — leaving a domestic glut of around 350,000 tonnes. Last year, they touched 733,860 tonnes — adding over 250,000 tonnes to the glut.Right now, the country is holding a carry-over of 600,000 tonnes, and fresh crop of 2m has arrived. The prices have dropped because there is no disposal. The traders and exporters are overwhelmed — both financially and humanly — by carry-over stocks.

The country is holding a carry-over of 600,000 tonnes, and fresh crop of 2m tonnes has arrived. The prices have dropped because of tardy disposal. The traders and exporters are financially overwhelmed by carry-over stocks

Second and the immediate factor this season was added when one of the biggest rice processing units defaulted on bank payments and was driven out of business. The other units either got scared or saw an opportunity for making money, and went slower than normal on procurement. The farmers, on their part, don’t have holding capacity and are only increasing glut in the market and driving prices further down.While these conditions now define the market, the government is trying to intervene in the market with a paltry package. The economic irrelevance of the official package, if and when it materialises, can also be gauged from another angle.With average yield around 30 maunds per acre and the price falling by almost Rs1,000 per maund — from Rs2,500 per maund to Rs1,500 per maund in some areas; the drop is more in other areas — each farmer, on average, has suffered a potential loss of Rs30,000 per acre.

What sense this Rs5,000-7,000 amount per acre would make to the farmers?

Even if the government thinks that compensation to farmers is necessary, it should initiate a process of concessional loans to traders and freight subsidy to exporters. The Trading Development Authority of Pakistan and the federal ministry of commerce should step in to help exports.Luckily, the Iranian government has very recently allowed its private sector to import rice and the Iranian importers are currently in Pakistan for inspecting rice processing units What makes rice, especially basmati, unique, is the fact it is essentially an export crop.If India can jump from 1.2m tonnes of export to 3.2m tonnes in the last few years, there is no reason why cannot Pakistani exporters catch up with their Indians colleagues with a right set of policies.

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, December 1st , 2014

Great Wall of China Held Together with Sticky Rice

Channel 4 documentary reveals dramatic new details on the Wonder of the World

November 30, 2014 16:17 BST

Drones were used to examine the Great Wall of China(Channel 4)

The Great Wall of China is not actually one wall, but a series of overlapping fortifications held together with sticky rice. A Channel 4 documentary, The Great Wall of China: The Hidden Story, has shed new light on the millennium-old structure through state-of-the-art drones and cutting-edge chemistry.Over a five-year survey of the wall, scientists have discovered that it is made up of overlapping buttresses that extend over 13,000 miles – almost twice as long as previously thought.

The wall is held together with sticky rice, scientists discovered(Channel 4)

The team has also decoded its complex signal system and explain how the wall is held together with a sticky rice soup that made it more resistant to water.Scientists first discovered that builders mixed the sticky rice with standard mortar ingredients in 2010.Published in the American Chemical Society Journal Accounts of Chemical Research, researchers found that construction workers in ancient China first developed the sticky rice mortar about 1,500 years ago.

The documentary decodes the wall's complex signalling system(Channel 4)

Led by Bingjian Zhang from the Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, they found the mortar was stronger and more water resistant than pure lime mortar. This mix was used to construct important buildings including tombs, pagodas and city walls – some of the structures were so strong they could withstand powerful earthquakes.The scientists wrote at the time: "Analytical study shows that the ancient masonry mortar is a kind of special organic-inorganic composite material.

The inorganic component is calcium carbonate, and the organic component is amylopectin, which comes from the sticky rice soup added to the mortar."Moreover, we found that amylopectin in the mortar acted as an inhibitor: The growth of the calcium carbonate crystal was controlled, and a compact microstructure was produced, which should be the cause of the good performance of this kind of organic-organic mortar."

The wall is a series of overlapping fortifications, rather than one structure, findings show(Channel 4)

Findings also suggest the ancient mortar mix is still the best available material for restoring ancient buildings: "The test results of the modelling mortars shows that sticky rice-lime mortar has more stable physical properties, has greater mechanical strength, and is more compatible, which make it a suitable restoration mortar for ancient masonry."

The Great Wall of China: The Hidden Story - Secret History is on Channel 4 on 30 November at 8pm.

Love in every grain of rice

BY MELIZARANI T.SELVA

GOING in search of good briyani and trying to find the best in town can be quite challenging.Fortunately, briyani connoisseur and restaurateur Iqbal Gani has brought together the best elements of this diverse dish at Taj Biryani House to offer his interpretation of the what makes a good briyani meal.Iqbal, who is from Slim River, Perak, said his deep affection for the dish is rooted back to his childhood.

“When I was about seven years old, my late father used to take me to Bilal or Kassim restaurant in Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur for briyani. He would drive all the way from Perak just to eat briyani.“Now I am able to travel to Qatar, Dubai and various parts of India to try their briyani whether it is in the Middle Eastern, North Indian or South Indian style, I will mark these travel destinations just to sample the briyani.”Iqbal, a former food and beverage manager at a hotel, decided to channel his experience and expertise into his long-time dream of starting a briyani restaurant.“I finally found a cook who makes it just right during my trip to Hyderabad, last year.

“Unlike the Middle Eastern version or the Calcutta version of briyani, the Hyderabadi dum style has gravy and is not dry which is how most Malaysians enjoy their rice,” said Iqbal.Under the culinary expertise of briyani specialist Rehman Sharieff, tandoor specialist Pavan Singh from Delhi and South Indian curry specialist Muthukrishnan, Taj Biryani House serves 50 dishes, including the signature Hyderabadi Dum Biryani in four styles — chicken, mutton, fish and prawn.

Iqbal’s love for the rice dish is clearly evident in every spoon of the mutton briyani, made from the finest quality long grain basmati rice and succulent mutton cubes.Garnished with raisins, the curried briyani rice is an explosion of flavours, making the chicken in the dish an equal star of the spread.Although, it can be quite costly, I do not compromise on quality. I have made sure that all the cooking utensils and ingredients are imported from India,” Iqbal said, adding that the tandoor clay oven and dum briyani pot were also specially chosen by the cooks to ensure the dishes were cooked to perfection.

Some of the North Indian courses that are sure to excite the taste buds are the clay oven baked chicken skewers or Murgh Tandoor while Reshmi Kebab is boneless cubes of chicken cooked in cashewnut gravy.The most interesting tandoor dish has to be the baked salmon cubes in a dish called Machili Cashew Tikka, with tender meat skewers atop a salad accompaniment.Vegetarians will not feel left out from the generous tandoor menu with vegetarian kebabs or skewers of spiced broccoli and cauliflower, which complements the roti and Dal Tadka (yellow lentils curry).

The restaurant’s Gajar ka Halwa, a pudding made from finely grated carrots cooked in condensed milk and seasoned with cardamom, is a great way to end your meal.The Petaling Jaya restaurant is the first branch in Malaysia with two other eateries in Kuala Belait, Brunei and Usman Road, Chennai.

■ TAJ BIRYANI HOUSE, B-09-01, Jalan 19/1, Section 19, 3 Two Square, Petaling Jaya.(Tel: 03-7932 2525). Business hours: 7am to 10pm, daily.

This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro

Image:From left (clockwise) Strawberry milkshake, mojito mint mocktail and dessert ‘gajar ka halwa’ (carrot cooked in condensed milk

Pakistan to use satellite data to improve forecasts of crop yields

New system to allow more accurate calculations of forecasts and reduce cost of data collection.

01/12/2014

By Medha Basu

Pakistan has launched a new system to more accurately forecast crop yields using satellite data, the government announced.The government will use satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems to collect crop data. It will be able to calculate crop yields and also forecast losses from natural disasters.

The new system will replace the previous manual calculation of crop yield forecasts and will decrease the costs of data collection, the government said.The system was installed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The project will start with two provinces - Punjab and Sindh. Pakistan will take satellite imagery twice a year and will conduct field surveys during the two cropping seasons, local media reported.Crop yield forecasting is important for the government to plan the country’s export targets and ensure food security, especially for the two major crops, wheat and rice, said Patrick Evans, FAO representative for Pakistan. If the government knows that the yield of wheat or rice is going to be low, it can take measures to prevent any shortages.

http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/5822-pakistan-to-use-satellite-data-to-improve-forecasts-of-crop-yields

Vietnam Setting Up International Rice Research Institute Office

HANOI, Nov 28 (Bernama) - Vietnam and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have signed a document on establishing an IRRI office in the country, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.The document was signed by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat and IRRI director general Robert Zeigler here Thursday during a conference on restructuring the rice sector to boost rural development."The setting up of the office shows the determination and commitment of Vietnam and IRRI to work together to improve the rice and agriculture sectors," Phat said.

IRRI has been recognised by the Vietnamese government as its first international agriculture study facility.IRRI will assist exchanges between Vietnamese scientists and IRRI experts in contributing to realising the national rice strategy.At the conference, the ministry and IRRI agreed on overall cooperation strategies and programmes and technical support to turn the rice sector as an important driver of Vietnam's economic growth.Phat said over 80 percent of rice varieties cultivated in the Mekong Delta region originated from research carried out by IRRI.

"Restructuring the rice sector is significant to raising farmers' incomes and agricultural value as rice accounts for nearly half of the value generated by farm products," he said.Vietnam has around 10 million farming households in rural areas and 70 percent of the population is involved in agriculture.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/wn/newsworld.php?id=1089238

Vast opportunities exist in exports of rice, fruits to Iran

November 28, 2014 RECORDER REPORT

This was disclosed by the Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed while addressing 'Rice Exporters Conference' held here on Thursday. The conference was also participated by a 14-member Iranian trade delegation and Iranian Consul General to Lahore Agha Bani Asadi. The Iranian delegation includes Iranian members of the parliament Dr Fatahi, Dr Abidi and Dr Tameeni, rice importers and agricultural experts while conference was also attended by the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) members including Pir Nazam Hussain Shah. Rice Research Institute (RRI) Kala Shah Kaku Director Dr Akhtar, Dr Ashfaq and Deputy Food Commissioner Dr Waseem also participated in the conference.

The Punjab Minister said both Iran and Pakistan were enjoying brotherly relations and also gave importance to increasing bilateral trade. He said that Iranian agricultural experts were welcomed in the fields and orchards of Punjab province to explore the potential of enhancing trade of agricultural commodities. Dr Farrukh Javed stressed the need for installing quarantine set-up at Pak-Iran border to allow agricultural commodities import and export after proper inspection according to hygiene principles.

He said only healthy citizen could play their role in the development and progress of the country and bringing agricultural production in line with principles of health we could not only meet food requirements but also promote a healthy society. Iranian Consul General Agha Bani Asadi speaking on this occasion said that he is advocate of strong and durable relations with Pakistan and trade of agricultural commodities could play an important role in strengthening brotherhood bond between the two nations. Members of the Iranian Parliament speaking on this occasion expressed their pleasure on visiting Lahore and said they enjoyed Pakistani hospitality a lot. Iranian delegation is on a three-day visit to Pakistan during which they met government representatives, exporters and also visited different rice mills and allied industrial wings.

Govt to facilitate Iranian rice importers: minister

Staff Report

November 29, 2014

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir has said that the government would provide all necessary assistance to the Iranian rice importers to enhance export of rice and other food commodities.The delegates apprised the minister about the prospects of Pakistani rice in the Iranian market. Pakistan produces fine quality of rice and could cater to huge demand of rice in the Iranian market, said Iranian Rice Importers Association (IRIA) delegation during their meeting with the minister, following their interactive meetings and field visits to the various rice units in Punjab.

A spokesman of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said that during their interactive sessions with the representatives of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), the stakeholders discussed potential of exploring new opportunities of rice import from Pakistan. They also visited PCSIR Laboratories in Lahore where they were apprised about the facilities available with with regard to rice standardisation and other health related issues of rice. The delegates discussed with the rice experts about various precautionary measures and food safety mechanisms on rice. They also attended rice exporters’ conference which was addressed by Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed.

Dr Javed said during their meeting with the banking authorities the delegates raised the intra-banking transaction issues between the two countries and emphasised to sort out an amicable payment mechanism. Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan hosted a dinner in honour of the Iranian delegation which was attended by a large number of leading rice exporters and prominent businessmen. Pakistan being the fourth largest exporter of rice in the world has the potential to increase the graph of rice export to Iran.The Iranian delegation’s visit was facilitated by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/29-Nov-2014/govt-to-facilitate-iranian-rice-importers-minister

Kalabagh Dam a ray of hope for people of Pakistan–I

November 30, 2014

Lt Col (R) Abdul Razaque Bugti

After Indus water treaty of 1960, Pakistan is left with River Kabul, River Indus, River Jhelum and River, Chenab having total water resources:
Kabul River at Attock 27.06 MAF, Indus River at attock 65.66 MAF. Sub total 92.61 MAF, Jhelum River at Mangla 22.93 MAF, Chenab at Marala 25.64 MAF, Others 5.00 MAF. Total 146.18 MAF (average flow from 1922 to 1963.Source: report of Chas. T. Main IntI Inc. USA 1967)

Kalabagh Dam is to be constructed on main stem of River indus. River Indus originates from Monsrover Lake located at 15060 feet above sea level in Tibet China. Monsrover lake is bounded by Kailash mountains on one side and Himaliya Mountains on the other. River Indus starts with the confluence of River Sengge Chu and Garr. It passes through Laddakh in IHK where it is joined by River Zanskar from south at Nimmu near Leh (IHK) and river Shoyok from north in Pakistan at Keres near Khaplu. Indus flows through Glaciers and a region highly seismic sensitive till it reaches the foot hills of Himalays at Tarbela where after River Indus flows through plains till it reaches Attock. From Attock to Kalabagh Indus river flows through a gorge and After Kalabagh it flows through plains till Keti bunder which is its last destination. The total length of river Indus is 3200 KM.

The flow of Indus river is fluctuating from 76 MAF as lowest and 110 MAF at peak flows. *The lowest combined flow of water in Rivers Indus, Kabul, Jhelum, and Chenab was experienced within last 40 years was 11.6 MAF in 1961-62 (*Report: Chas T Main USA, 1967). Upto Tarbela; Indus waters are Glacier melt and Snow melt; while down stream Tarbela; Indus river contains rain water harvest from 110,500 Square miles of Hindu Kush and plains.
The main concern is rain water which floods plains of Pakistan. This flood water is to be contained and kept in reservoirs of sufficient capacity so as to alleviate floods in the irrigated plains. The reservoir waters then be used for irrigation of cultivable desert land of Pakistan.
Incidents of some major floods in current past are:

Year 1973/74 -1978/79 -1990/91 -1991/92 -1992/3 -1994/95 -2010/2011
Flow (MAF)
166.88 150.10 153.64 161.70 159.34 152.86 152.39
(Source WRMD. WAPDA Pakistan)
Average Monthly flow of water in Rivers at rim stations iri MAF (1922-1963)
KharifCrop season: .
Month Indus+Kabul Jhelum Chenab Total April 4.30 2.58 1.36 8.24
May 8.38 3.61 2.23 14.22 June 15.49 3.69 3.55 22.73 July 22.57 3.79 5.68 32.04 August 19.81 2.97 5.61 28.39 September 8.65 1.60 2.94 13.19
Total 118.81 Canal Draw down 2012-2013 57.7
In reservoirs on River Indus & Jhelum (2012-13) 11.23
Surplus 49.88 Rabi crop season Month Indus+Kabul Jhelum Chenab Total October 3.62 0.85 1.04 5.51 November 2.14 0.54 0.52 3.20 December 1.87 0.48 0.46 2.81 January 1.71 0.53 0.53 2.77 February 1.61 0.73 0.66 3.01 March 2.45 1.56 1.06 5.07
Total 22.37
Canal draw down 2012-2013 31.9 Short fall 9.53
Average flow/Canal draw down (1961-62 to 2010-11 source: WRMD. WAPDAPakistan)
Average flow at rim stations: Max 166.86 MAF Min 130.47 MAF
Average Canal Withdrawals: Max 114.10 MAF; Min 82.63 MAF
* Canal draw down is subject to availability of water in rivers/dams.

Our water resources are to the tune of an average of 130.47 MAF to a maximum of 166.86 MAF and the canal draw down figures confirm that we do have surpluses of water any way. Therefore we must construct Dams to store water to; alleviate floods and to bring more cultivable arid land into cultivation.

Agriculture and Irrigation System of Pakistan: Our crops sowing season viz a viz best crop yield also dictate the need to store waters in reservoirs and regulate it in a manner that sufficient water is made available for planting/sowing Kharif/ Rabi crops in due time and further demands of water for growing Kharif/ Rabi crops are meet with provision of sufficient water. Our major kharif crops are rice and cotton.

Rice sowing periods are fluctuating from Province to Province. In Sindh; Rice is sown in mid May to mid June and in Punjab rice is sown in July. Due to shortage of water Sindh province was provided water for sowing/ planting of rice on 3rd July 2014. As a result the farmers of Sindh abandoned growing Irri kind of Rice and instead they have grown Hybrid Rice of China origin. The seed of Hybrid kind of rice is very expensive yet it yields between 3200 kg to 4000kg per acre (with timely use of fertilizers and anti larva spray) as compared to Irri kind of rice which yields between 2400 kg to 3000 kg per acre (given same treatment). Thus farmers of Sindh got a better option and also countered the disadvantage of late delivery of canal water. Punjab Farmers however did not face any problems of shortage or late delivery of water for pre-planting/sowing of Rice crop. "

To secure best flowering and ball formation, cotton needs to ripen when temperatures ar~ still moderately high, when days are long but nights are still cool. Cotton does best in Sindh, therefore when planted relatively early, between late April and late May. Earlier planting results in best harvest.

In Rabi crops wheat is sown in October. Final watering are being given to wheat crop in March. Wheat is staple food for people of Pakistan and with growing population we need more wheat; hence we must plan to bring more acreage under cultivation of wheat for which we need more water for Rabi season i.e. October to March.The critical periods for water supply remain a few months in the year particularly those around the beginning of each season when water is required for pre-planting 'and sowing and at the end of each season when water is required for final maturing of crops. March is critical month because final watering are being done to wheat crop. While October is critical when Kharif crop are maturing and many Rabi crops particularly wheat are beginning to be sown.

* Substantial changes in irrigation system have resulted from the implementation of the Indus water Treaty 1960; when three eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej with total annual flow of 25 MAF water were given to India and Pakistan was left with four rivers with annual flow of 142 MAF of water (*Report of Chas T Main 1967). To resolve this problem we have'to store an appropriate quantity of water by constructing dams on main stem of rivers and off the channer of rivers. The dams can only be built at selected sites. We have constructed Mangla dam on main stem of river Jhelum with live storage capacity of 5.34 MAF and Tarbela dam on main stem of River Indus with live storage capacity of 9.7 MAF.

Both these dams have considerably been sedimented and our total live storage capacity of both dams has been reduced from 15.04 MAF to 10.97 MAF. Height of Mangla dam was raised by 40 feet (30 feet to be used for storage of water) which adds 2.88 MAF water but the larger Mangla dam needs assistance of Kalabag Dam to get filled. Without Kalabagh dam Mangla dam remains at depleted level i.e. 4.52 MAF except when high floods occur in river Jhelum .The most suitable site selected for a mega dam on main stem of River Indus is about 10 KM down stream of Indus- Soan confluence near Kalabagh from where River Indus passes through a narrow gorge between two mountains.

Source :http://nation.com.pk/business/30-Nov-2014/kalabagh-dam-a-ray-of-hope-for-people-of-pakistan

Cultivation of flood tolerant rice becomes popular in BD

Cultivation of flood-tolerant variety rice has already become popular among the farmers to change their fortune as its harvest is nearing completion with bumper yield in the country during the Aman season. The growing plants of flood tolerant BRRI dhan 51, BRRI dhan 52, BINA dhan 11 and BINA dhan 12 rice survived submergence for over two weeks during recent floods and resumed normal growth again to give better yield. Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said farmers have already completed harvest of BINA dhan 11 and BINA dhan 12 rice and they are now harvesting BRRI dhan 51 and BRRI dhan 52 variety rice with excellent yield rate.

The Stress Tolerant Rice for Africa and South Asia (STRASA) Project, being funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), extends assistance for cultivation of stress tolerant rice with GO-NGO collaboration through the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), according to a news agency.

www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2014/11/28/68324

Top of the table: eight great cookbooks from 2014

Rose Prince gives us a feast for the eye and the palate in her round-up of the year’s cookery books

Rose Prince 29 November 2014

The people behind the people are the ones to watch for, and we have all been waiting for a book by Anna Jones. Who? Well, if you are a fan of Jamie Oliver, you will have read a lot of Jones. For seven years she worked as his ‘stylist, writer and food creative,’ which means, we guess, that she was behind the curtain busily pulling levers for the great wizard. He has written the foreword to his protégée’s first book, and says he’s is ‘super proud’.

But so he should be, for A Modern Way to Eat (Fourth Estate £25, Spectator Bookshop, £20) is a beautiful and inspiring one, and thankfully devoid of Jamie-speak — that is, nothing is described as ‘smashing.’.It is a book of vegetarian recipes, but carnivores, do not be put off. Let’s say it is a book of deliciously invigorating dishes that happen not to contain any flesh. Among the recipes I shall be cooking from it are the restorative coconut broth with lemongrass, lime and greens (Jones is very strong on soup); also the lemon ricotta cloud pancakes and the dosa potato cakes.Then I shall have some meat, probably choosing a recipe from Tom Parker Bowles’ s Let’s Eat Meat (Pavilion £25, Spectator Bookshop, £20) which is a manifesto for eating better meat less often, but essentially a world tour of what you could call flesh pots from Cajun jambalaya to bun cha from Vietnam. Parker Bowles is a great traveller, and at his best unearths authentic global recipes.

The London restaurant Dabbous (in Whitfield Street) apparently stunned critics and diners when it opened in 2012. I cannot say why from personal experience, because the current waiting list for a table is four months. Presumably one purpose of publishing a book about a restaurant few can go to is to enable readers to cook the chef Ollie Dabbous’s food and bloody difficult.The central claim is that Dabbous does it better, from recognisable mash and gravy to a mysterious nugget of ‘iced sorrel’.

I believe it, not just because there are combinations I would try in simpler form (such as scallop tartare with eucalyptus), but because of Barnyard — Ollie Dabbous’s Charlotte Street diner, where you can get in, if you queue — which serves the best comfort food I have ever eaten. The price of Dabbous (Bloomsbury, £50, Spectator Bookshop, £40) is inflated by some very expensive and unnecessary photos of the restaurant’s interior fittings, lightbulbs, electric sockets etc. But for many, it is the closest we’ll ever get.

Thanks with source:The Spectator at home. Hesitate before doing so, however, because this is very much modern gastronomy; game-changing, esoteric, brave

http://www.spectator.co.uk/

Smuggling raps filed vs top rice importer

Tarra Quismundo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

7:59 AM | Saturday, November 29th, 2014

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday filed in the Department of Justice (DOJ) separate complaints of smuggling against a top rice importer, its officials and customs brokers for bringing into the country P1.8 billion worth of rice through three key ports last year.Acting BOC district collectors in Manila, Davao and Cebu filed four criminal complaints against officials of Starcraft International Trading Corp. before the DOJ for alleged violations of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and regulations enforcing import quotas on the supply of staple food.

The bureau said Starcraft had imported without permits a total of 45,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam, Thailand, China and Singapore from June to November last year through the ports of Manila, Cebu and Davao.The import volume was equivalent to 3,700 percent of what Starcraft was allowed to bring into the country, the BOC said. The firm only had a permit to import 1,176 metric tons of rice through Manila.The bureau said Starcraft earlier filed court cases to argue that private importers could bring in rice without security permits as import restrictions had already been lifted through a World Trade Organization agreement in 2012.But the BOC reiterated the Philippine law, where “only the NFA can import rice and companies who wish to do the same must secure an import permit from the agency.

”“Our laws were not changed. Import permits for rice were still required. Starcraft cannot unilaterally interpret the laws by itself. Regulation of rice is critical because millions of farmers’ livelihoods depend on rice farming,” said Customs Commissioner John Sevilla in a statement.Starcraft is the fifth large-scale importer to face smuggling charges this year, the BOC said.Together, the five top importers—Starcraft, Intercontinental Grains International Trading Inc., Bold Bidder Marketing and General Merchandise, Silent Royalty Marketing and Medaglia De Oro Trading—accounted for 75 percent of the 200,000 metric tons of rice smuggled through various Philippine ports last year, the BOC said.

Those charged on Friday include Starcraft president Jeffrey Daradal, its Board of Directors Eugene Pioquinto, Aveleo Godoy, Anna Orqueta, Brendal Daradal, Jessie Bantula, and company representative Hanlie Solema.Also charged “for facilitating the unlawful importation of rice” were custom brokers Denise Kathryn Rosaroso, John Kevin Cisneros, Emilio Chio, Eduardo Borje III, Rosemarie Arciaga, Gerald Villarosa, Jennifer Ann Reyes, Elbert Lusterio, Dianne Dizon-Tapia, Laila Silvestre, Francis Rudolph Forneste and Kenneth Quial.

Govt to facilitate Iranian rice importers: minister

Staff Report

November 29, 2014

LAHOR: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir has said that the government would provide all necessary assistance to the Iranian rice importers to enhance export of rice and other food commodities.The delegates apprised the minister about the prospects of Pakistani rice in the Iranian market.

Pakistan produces fine quality of rice and could cater to huge demand of rice in the Iranian market, said Iranian Rice Importers Association (IRIA) delegation during their meeting with the minister, following their interactive meetings and field visits to the various rice units in Punjab.

They also visited PCSIR Laboratories in Lahore where they were apprised about the facilities available with with regard to rice standardisation and other health related issues of rice. The delegates discussed with the rice experts about various precautionary measures and food safety mechanisms on rice. They also attended rice exporters’ conference which was addressed by Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed.

The Iranian delegation’s visit was facilitated by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/29-Nov-2014/govt-to-facilitate-iranian-rice-importers-minister

28th November,2014 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Vast opportunities exist in exports of rice, fruits to Iran

November 28, 2014

RECORDER REPORT

Pakistani agricultural commodities especially rice, kinnow, potato and mango are in high demand in Iranian markets thus offering huge potential to increase exports of these commodities manifold between the two neighbouring countries. The Punjab government is taking many steps for enhancing the bilateral trade especially export of agricultural commodities to Iran which include steps to save these commodities from pests and different diseases in line with the international standards. This was disclosed by the Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed while addressing 'Rice Exporters Conference' held here on Thursday. The conference was also participated by a 14-member Iranian trade delegation and Iranian Consul General to Lahore Agha Bani Asadi.

The Iranian delegation includes Iranian members of the parliament Dr Fatahi, Dr Abidi and Dr Tameeni, rice importers and agricultural experts while conference was also attended by the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) members including Pir Nazam Hussain Shah. Rice Research Institute (RRI) Kala Shah Kaku Director Dr Akhtar, Dr Ashfaq and Deputy Food Commissioner Dr Waseem also participated in the conference. The Punjab Minister said both Iran and Pakistan were enjoying brotherly relations and also gave importance to increasing bilateral trade. He said that Iranian agricultural experts were welcomed in the fields and orchards of Punjab province to explore the potential of enhancing trade of agricultural commodities. Dr Farrukh Javed stressed the need for installing quarantine set-up at Pak-Iran border to allow agricultural commodities import and export after proper inspection according to hygiene principles.

Members of the Iranian Parliament speaking on this occasion expressed their pleasure on visiting Lahore and said they enjoyed Pakistani hospitality a lot. Iranian delegation is on a three-day visit to Pakistan during which they met government representatives, exporters and also visited different rice mills and allied industrial wings.

Experts call for floating-rice preservation despite low yield

VietNamNet Bridge – Experts believe that restoring and developing deepwater rice needs to be done urgently to conserve genetic resources and biodiversity, and adapt to climate change.

The average floating rice yield is just 100 kilos per 1,300 square meters, while the profits are modest, just VND500,000-600,000 after six months of farming.However, scientists say the floating rice should be developed because it can help create flood storage space, ease the pressure on dykes, cope with climate change, return the habitat to a wide variety of freshwater fish, and prevent floods and salinity intrusion.

Dr. Le Cong Quyen from the An Giang University said he could see the high biodiversity in the number of plant and fish species found in deepwater rice fields.Quyen said 49 plant and 35 fish species have been recognized, including rare and valuable ones in the fields.Dang Thi Thanh Quynh from the An Giang University’s Rural Development Center said if growing alternate deepwater rice and non-rice crops (cassava, for example), farmers would get relatively high profits. Farmers can also benefit from aquatic creatures, because fish like gathering in deepwater rice fields.

Dr. Nguyen Van Kien from An Giang University said deepwater rice production generated very durable straw needed to grow plants. The straw can cover farming soil for six to seven months, while the straw from other high-yield rice varieties lasts only two or three months.Kien also believes that deepwater rice can help farmers improve their incomes. The fields could be attractive to tourists as deepwater rice is grown in the flooding season for at least a month, attracting fish species.Trang Thi My Duyen, who is conducting a survey on tourism potential in deepwater rice areas, said 90 percent of 100 Vietnamese and foreign tourists visiting An Giang province said they had never experienced agro-tourism and 92 percent said they were willing to take tours of this kind.Ninety-one percent of the polled tourists said they would book tours to visit deepwater rice areas and taste local food.

Dr. Duong Van Chin, director of the Dinh Thanh Agriculture Research Center, an arm of the An Giang Plant Protection JSC, noted that tours can be organized in the flooding season and rice harvesting season to attract foreign travelers.“Foreign travelers will find it interesting to harvest, husk and then cook rice for their lunch,” Chin said.In Tri Ton district in Kien Giang province, a 200-hectare deepwater rice conservation area is planned in 2015-2016, while local authorities hope to have a stable deepwater rice production area of 500 hectares by 2030.

Kim Chi

floating rice variety, mekong delta, rice crop

Pak, Iran agriculture trade can be increased

Dated: 2014-11-28

________________________________________

LAHORE: Agriculture trade between Pakistan and Iran can be increased considerably. This was stated by Dr. Farrukh Javed Minister for Agriculture Punjab during a meeting with Iranian delegation of Importers during their visit to Lahore. The Iranian delegation took keen interest in the import of rice from Pakistan. The Minister said that Pakistan and Iran are brotherly Islamic countries and both countries attached high important to the agriculture trade. The Minister stated that the Pakistan is taking necessary steps to protect its agriculture produce from pest according to international standards.

The minister expressed these views at Rice Exporters Conference held at a private hotel in Lahore today. In this conference, 14 members and Iranian Council General, Agha Bani Asadi participated. Iranian delegation consisted of Parliamentarians, Rice Importers and Agriculture Experts. While addressing a conference Dr. Farrukh Javed told that a quartile set up should be installed at the boundary of Iran and Pakistan, so that quality of agriculture imports and exports should be checked. The agriculture trade could play important role in cementing relations between both the countries. The Iranian delegation expressed their keen interest in the agricultural commodities to be imported from Pakistan. The delegation met exporters of agricultural commodities and visited rice mills and other sectors of the industry.

DOJ urged to fast-track smuggling cases

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 11/28/2014 9:24 PM | Updated as of 11/28/2014 9:24 PM

MANILA - Bureau of Customs Commissioner John Sevilla lamented the slow resolution of smuggling-related cases that have been filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ).In an interview on Thursday, Sevilla told reporters that while he understands the complexities of the cases filed before the DOJ, he is hoping that prosecutors handling these cases would find a way to fast-track their proceedings.Sevilla cited the case of Chronic Plastics, which took the DOJ nine months to resolve.In February, the BOC filed a case against Chronic Plastics owner Adelfa Eduardo, and Customs brokers Leonora Flores and Sherjun Saldon for the importation of hazardous waste materials from Canada.

The DOJ on Thursday released its resolution on the case which held Chronic Plastics liable for violation of Republic Act 6969, or the Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous Nuclear Wastes, as well as violation of Sections 3601 and 3602 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) for the unlawful importation of the materials.Chronic Plastics will also be held liable for submitting spurious documents covering the said shipments.

"We filed the case against Chronic [last] February and now it's already November, so it took nine months. Sana naman mas mabilis sa nine months pero nasa kasama namin sa DOJ ito," de Lima said."Siyempre sa amin gusto naming mas mabilis. Huwag kalimutan hindi lang ito legal issue madami nasaktan," Sevilla added.ecords from the BOC showed that 184 smuggling-related cases have been filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ), 132 cases of which are pending preliminary investigation at the DOJ.Thirty-eight of these cases have been elevated or filed as cases before the courts.

Meanwhile, smuggling charges were also filed against seven officials of Starcraft International Trading Corporation, and 12 customs brokers, in connection with the importation of 45,000 metric tons of rice amounting to at least P1.8 billion last year without the required import permit.Charged were Starcraft president Jeffrey Daradal; board directors Eugene Pioquinto, Aveleo Godoy, Anna Orqueta, Brendel Daradal and Jessie Bantula; and company representative Hanlie Solema.The Customs brokers were identified as Denise Kathryn Rosaroso, John Kevin Cisneros, Emilio Chio, Eduardo Borje III, Rosemarie Arciaga, Gerarld Villarosa, Jennifer Ann Reyes, Elbert Lusterio, Dianne Re Dizon-Tapia, Laila Silvestre, Francis Rudolph Forneste and Kenneth Quial.The Starcraft officials were charged with multiple counts of violation Section 3601 of the Tarriff Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) and Section 29 of Presidential Decree No. 4, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1485, which states that only the National Food Authority can import rice and private entities who wish to do the same must secure a permit from the agency.

The respondents are facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and P50,000 fine for each count of violation of Section 3601 of the TCCP while each count of violating PD. No. 4 is levied a penalty of as much as four years imprisonment and a fine of P8,000.The charges stemmed from rice importations of Starcraft totaling over 45,000 metric tons, worth around P1.8 billion, that were shipped to Manila, Cebu and Davao from Vietnam, Thailand, China and Singapore between from June to November 2013.The BOC noted that based on the NFA records, the company was only allowed to import 1,176 metric tons through Manila."This means that the company exceeded its minimum access volume from NFA by over 3,700 percent," Sevilla said.It can be recalled that most of Starcraft's rice imports were seized by the BOC by virtue of alert orders issued for lack of the required permits from the NFA.

The company, however, questioned the legality

of the seizure of their shipments before the court, insisting that rice importers can import rice without securing a permit following the expiration of quantitative restrictions on rice imports to the country under the World Trade Organization in 2012.However, the Philippine government stressed that under its laws only the NFA can import rice and companies intending to do the same must secure an import permit from the agency.

MAY SAGOT D'YAN | If rice production is so high, why do prices keep rising? Experts explain

By: Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com

November 28, 2014 8:50 AM

InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS

MANILA, Philippines -- Since the Department of Agriculture launched the Food Staple Sufficiency Program to boost local rice production to meet 100 percent of domestic requirements by 2013, the country’s rice self-sufficiency has risen from 88 percent in 2011 to 93 percent this year, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).Yet, despite this, prices have still surged from P32 per kilo in 2012 to P43 this month even with international prices of rice remaining “relatively stable,” and a slight decrease in per capita rice consumption -- from 119 kilos in 2008-2009 to 114 kilos in 2012 -- according to PhilRice.

There are reasons for this, which researchers and academics from PhilRice and the University of the Philippines Los Baños enumerated at a forum organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology at the La Breza Hotel in Quezon City Thursday.Rice is the staple food of 80 percent of the 100 million Filipinos, according to a study done by UP Los Baños College of Economics and Management dean Dr. Isabelita Pabuayon and associate professor Dr. Agham Cuevas. The Philippines’ consumption per person per year is lower than other countries in Southeast Asia (228 kilos for Myanmar, 215 kilos for Vietnam, and 140 kilos for Thailand), but higher than the global average of 65 kilos.

Here, rice is used for food, animal feed, and processing.The grain is grown by 2.4 million farmers on average farm sizes of 1.14 hectares, earning a net farm income of P22,000 per hectare per cropping season.Middlemen between the farmers and the consumers incur marketing costs, as they take care of transportation, storage, processing, packaging, and retailing, among others. These costs, added to the profit they need to make, affect prices, Pabuayon said.The Philippines also imports rice, though this has decreased over the past three years -- from one million metric tons in 2011 to 365,000 metric tons in 2013. This year, however, the country was forced to import 1.4 million metric tons, she said.Global rice prices increase at about four percent annually.

In 2008, during the rice crisis triggered by demand rising faster than the supply, global rice prices hit $700 per metric ton, finally settling at $523 in 2010-2014, Pabuayon said.High income growth and increasing population affected demand, while weather disturbances and dwindling stocks affected supply, in 2008. The price increase was also tied to increased prices of wheat, corn, and oil. But the more influential factor, she said, was government policy among key players like the Philippines, which is among the top ten importers and producers in the world.In 2008, a panic-stricken Philippine government agreed to pay higher than the prevailing world prices and contracted huge amounts for import. In turn, suppliers decreased the volume they brought to the world market, leading to an even bigger increase in prices.

Pabuayon doubted that current global prices can be lowered to pre-12008 levels, which hovered around $300 per metric ton from 1980 to 2007.In the Philippines, where rice prices are around 50 percent higher than world prices, there has been a six percent increase in rice prices annually from 1990 to last year.Pabuayon said there is a link between Philippine prices and the stocks kept by the National Food Authority (NFA).

“(W)e probably did not import sufficient amounts to enable us to maintain our price level,” she said, noting that NFA stocks have been declining since August 2011.PhilRice senior rice research specialist Dr. Flordeliza Bordey explained that the stocks NFA maintains can be used two ways: as a buffer stock the government can give out as aid during calamities, and as an instrument to stabilize rice prices when the threat of increases looms.Used for the latter purpose, it prevents the private sector from arbitrarily jacking up rice prices because the NFA will be ready to unload its stocks into the market as soon as prices get too high.

The greater the stocks held by the government, the more stable the prices, said Bordey.A government inter-agency planning committee makes sure the country has enough rice to last through the lean months from July to September. The committee then recommends a certain volume of imports to the NFA just in case there is a shortfall.However, this recommendation is not always heeded, noted Bordey. In July last year, for example, the imported stocks were just good for 20 days instead of three months.

When the number of days the stocks last decrease, it is no surprise that rice prices increase, she said. The Food Staple Sufficiency Program prescribes a certain amount to be imported should a shortfall occur, but the government imported less than what was required because of the “political nature of importation,” according to Bordey.“Every time NFA announces that it will be importing, it seems to be seen as the end of the world. People complain, ‘Can’t we feed our citizens ourselves?’ It is as though importing rice is such a grave sin,” she said.The issue became even more charged when President Benigno Aquino III declared rice sufficiency as one of his major policy directions.

“We cannot really target self-sufficiency and low prices at the same time. You have to choose one (or the other). The key to this balancing act is the priorities really of our government. Right now it seems we are at the self-sufficient but high-price phase,” Bordey remarked. PhilRice executive director Eufemio Rasco cautioned against importing, however, given that in essence, the Philippines was importing labor as well, despite the unemployment in the country itself.He also countered the popular belief that the Philippines was “kulelat” (doing badly) compared to its rice-producing neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam.“If we are so good, why are we importing? The answer is in mathematics.

”Thailand and Vietnam have larger areas of land for cultivation and smaller populations, and have river deltas that serve as natural irrigation.The archipelagic nature of the Philippines, weather, transportation, and infrastructure are other factors.“It’s a miracle that we achieved 96 percent rice sufficiency,” Rasco said, referring to the number Pabuayon gave for last year’s performance.“We are good, but they have natural endowments we don’t,” he added.Rasco also stressed that the issue really revolved around the rice farmers.Even in the best of times, they do not earn enough. Alternative sources of income for them should be looked into, he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/business/100090/may-sagot-dyan--if-rice-production-is-so-high-why-do-prices-keep-rising-experts-explain

Kakinada anchorage port to become rice export hub

K. N. MURALI SANKARGovernment has changed the levy policy, providing opportunity to improve exports. East Godavari district alone produces 20-25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy every year and the West Godavari contributes more or less an equal quantum.

The Anchorage Port in Kakinada has the potential to become rice export zone, provided the government focuses on developing infrastructure and facilities in the port, besides relaxing some norms pertaining to the exports.As the East and West Godavari districts are known for paddy procurement and record yields every year, the surplus paddy is being exported to foreign countries through the anchorage port.

Following the lifting of ban on rice exports in September 2011, there is a steady increase in rice exports and the exporters are focusing more on the African countries.In 2012-13, 26.73 lakh metric tonnes of rice had been exported from the port. However, the year 2013-14 witnessed a drop in the export activity due to Samaikyandhra movement that lasted for over three months. The exports were to the tune of 22.67 lakh metric tonnes during the year.

Now, the government has changed the levy policy, providing an opportunity to improve the exports. Till the last crop season, the rice millers used to allocate 75 per cent of the rice purchased to the government towards the levy and sell the remaining 25 per cent in the open market that includes the exporters.

As per the revised policy, the levy is only 25 per cent and the remaining 75 per cent of the stocks can be sold in the open market. “This policy is going to be a boon for rice exports over a period of time. Moreover, it is going to be a win-win for both the farmer and the miller,” observes B.V. Krishna Rao, managing director of Pattabhi Agro Foods, one of the largest exporters of non-Basmathi rice from southern India.East Godavari district alone produces 20-25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy every year and the West Godavari contributes more or less an equal quantum.

Till now, the farmers are used to cultivate levy-oriented varieties such as ‘Common’ and ‘Grade A’ and the millers too encouraged the same, as they can clear a major chunk of stocks towards the levy. “Now, the farmers can focus on cultivating superfine variety of rice, which has a greater demand in the European market. By opting for these varieties, the farmers can earn more without increasing the investment and the millers and exporters too can get their margins,” explains Mr. Krishna Rao.Echoing similar opinion, progressive farmer Kovvuri Trinadh Reddy says the government should come out with a clear policy on the levy and create awareness among farmers about the new cultivable varieties. “The farmer will get benefited only when the government ensures hassle-free export of rice,” he says.

Keywords: Kakinada Port, Rice Exports, Hub for activity,

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/kakinada-anchorage-port-to-become-rice-export-hub/article6640655.ece

Telangana decentralises levy rice procurement

K V KURMANATH

HYDERABAD, NOVEMBER 28:

The Telangana Government has decentralised procurement of levy rice in the nine districts of the State (excluding Hyderabad). This helps save a lot of money spent on transportation of the commodity from FCI facilities to the Civil Supplies offices and then to the fair price shops.This will also help the consumers in a particular district to get the rice produced in that district under the Public Distribution System.

The move was initiated during the unified Andhra Pradesh in the financial year 2012-13 when the Government decentralised the procurement in three districts of Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Warangal. It later added Medak to the list.“We have taken a decision for the current financial year to add the remaining five districts of Mahbubnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Khammam and Rangareddy,” C Partha Sarathi, Commissioner (Civil Supplies) and Ex-Officio Secretary to Government, said here in a statement on Friday.

Under the decentralised procurement, the entire raw rice will be sold by the rice millers to the State Civil Supplies Corporation under mill levy (the mandatory sale to the government). In addition, the Department would mill the paddy procured by it directly from the farmers in the respective districts.The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will procure boiled rice under levy for PDS deliveries in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

(This article was published on November 28, 2014)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/telangana-centralises-levy-rice-procurement/article6643713.ece

Ep 4 - Egg and Shrimp Fried Rice

P 4 Georgia Hughes

Egg and Shrimp Fried Rice

Serves 4

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 spring onions, finely sliced

2 garlic cloves

1 long red chilli, finely chopped

2 teaspoons garlic salt

3 teaspoons abalone sauce

1/3 cup soy sauce

2/3 cup shrimp

2 eggs

4 cups cooked basmati rice

sliced spring onion, to garnish

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok over high heat. Fry spring onion for 1 minute or until soft. Add remaining oil, garlic, half of the chilli, garlic salt and sauces and cook for further minute. Add the shrimp and stir through. Add eggs and stir quickly to scramble then add rice and toss well to incorporate ingredients.

3. Serve garnished with remaining chilli and spring onion.

MASTER CHEFF AUSTRALIA

Honr rice

By Ober Khok

Friday, November 28, 2014

BOILED rice is the most important item on the table. Without rice, a meal is incomplete and the stomach doesn’t seem to feel full. Cebuanos have a phrase for that: “Nangita gyod og kan-on.”

Not surprisingly, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Cebu City recently held a rice-cooking contest, obviously with rice as the basic ingredient prepared in various ways. This was to mark November as the Rice Awareness Month, belatedly I learned, from GMA-7’s morning show Buena Mano Balita.

The news on GMA-7 did not explain the details about the celebration, but maybe what people have to know about rice is that it should not be wasted. I’ve been to many town fiestas where people scoop mounds of rice into their plate, only to eat only half of it.

Another thing to know about rice is that it has a lot of varieties coming from the Philippines as well as from other countries. Arborio rice is synonymous with Italy. Japan grows koshihikari while India produces basmati. Cambodia (bonla pdao), Indonesia (rajalele) and Africa (ofada) grow rice closely linked to its nation.

Our country has a lot of varieties from dinorado, sampaguita to wagwag and the ever-popular dessert rice, the pilit or malagkit. The country also has heirloom rice, which is grown by the Ifugaos. The chong-ak, a rust red rice planted starting December to February, is very special. It is served during weddings and family reunions. The Ifugao ominio rice looks black, but it is really deep purple and can be used to replace pilit when making rice cakes.

So it honors rice when people view it as gold. When you think about the hard work that goes into growing a field of rice, you begin to see why it needs better treatment. At least in the Philippines, much of the technology is still manual, with the old carabao pulling the plow pushed by a farmer who is ankle-deep in muddy black earth. Add the scorching sun and you have a picture of hard labor for little incom.

Since I’m basing what I’m saying on stock knowledge, you don’t have to believe me 100 percent. But do join me in giving DA a pat on the back for setting aside the eleventh month for rice.

At this eleventh hour, let me share an appetizer that uses rice flour and cucumbers. The recipe for the steamed stuffed cucumber is from “Asian Dishes,” a 63-page cookbook that not only has many recipes for vegetables and meatless dishes, but also explains spices, sauces and rice.

Ingredients: 500 g cucumbers; 375 g canned water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped; 2 1/2 tbsp glutinous rice flour; sesame oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced; 4 black dried mushrooms, soaked, drained and finely chopped; 3/4 cup water; and 1 1/2 tsp cornflour. Adjust seasoning to taste if you like.

Procedure: Thinly peel cucumbers and cut into one centimeter thick slices. Scoop out seeds with a teaspoon leaving a base layer. Place cucumber shells in boiling water for one minute. Rinse in cold water, drain and dust inside with a little cornflour.

In a bowl, place finely diced water chestnuts, glutinous rice flour, sesame oil and half the salt and sugar. Add carrot and mushrooms and mix well. Pile high into the cucumber circles. Place circles on a plate and set on steaming rack over hot water in a wok. Cover and steam for 15 to 20 minutes.

Place a drop of sesame oil, the remaining salt and sugar and the water into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Blend the cornflour with a little water, add to the saucepan and stir until liquid boils and thickens. Cool to warm. Spoon over each steamed cucumber ring to glaze. Allow to cool. Serve at room temperature.

Before making a big batch, make a test sample first because this finger food has an unusual taste. You can tweak the elements, for example replacing half of the required flour with boiled glutinous rice. That’s the magic of cooking. The more you experiment, the more you find ways to make the raw ingredients taste better.

Source :Sira-sira Store

Taj Biryani puts love in every grain of rice

BY MELIZARANI T. SELVA

Briyani connoisseur only uses ingredients and cooking utensils from India for the dish.

GOING in search of good briyani and trying to find the best in town can be quite challenging.

Fortunately, briyani connoisseur and restaurateur Iqbal Gani has brought together the best elements of this diverse dish at Taj Biryani House to offer his interpretation of the what makes a good briyani meal.Iqbal, who is from Slim River, Perak, said his deep affection for the dish is rooted back to his childhood.

Iqbal, a former food and beverage manager at a hotel, decided to channel his experience and expertise into his long-time dream of starting a briyani restaurant.“I finally found a cook who makes it just right during my trip to Hyderabad, last year. “Unlike the Middle Eastern version or the Calcutta version of briyani, the Hyderabadi dum style has gravy and is not dry which is how most Malaysians enjoy their rice,” said Iqbal.

Under the culinary expertise of briyani specialist Rehman Sharieff, tandoor specialist Pavan Singh from Delhi and South Indian curry specialist Muthukrishnan, Taj Biryani House serves 50 dishes, including the signature Hyderabadi Dum Biryani in four styles — chicken, mutton, fish and prawn.Iqbal’s love for the rice dish is clearly evident in every spoon of the mutton briyani, made from the finest quality long grain basmati rice and succulent mutton cubes.

Taj Biryani's Machili Cashew Tikka is a dish of clay oven skewers of baked salmon cubes. - Photos P. NATHAN/The Star

(From left) Biryani specialist Rehman Sharieff, tandoor specialist Pavan Singh and South Indian curry specialist Muthukrishnan.

Mutton biryani, made in the Hyderabadi style with cubes of succulent mutton pieces.Garnished with raisins, the curried briyani rice is an explosion of flavours, making the chicken in the dish an equal star of the spread.“Although, it can be quite costly, I do not compromise on quality. I have made sure that all the cooking utensils and ingredients are imported from India,” Iqbal said, addin

g that the tandoor clay oven and dum briyani pot were also specially chosen by the cooks to ensure the dishes were cooked to perfection.Some of the North Indian courses that are sure to excite the taste buds are the clay oven baked chicken skewers or Murgh Tandoor while Reshmi Kebab is boneless cubes of chicken cooked in cashewnut gravy.The most interesting tandoor dish has to be the baked salmon cubes in a dish called Machili Cashew Tikka, with tender meat skewers atop a salad accompaniment.

Vegetarian kebabs tandoor broccoli and cauliflower (front) and reshmi kebab chicken cashew skewers (back).

Vegetarians will not feel left out from the generous tandoor menu with vegetarian kebabs or skewers of spiced broccoli and cauliflower, which complements the roti and Dal Tadka (yellow lentils curry).The restaurant’s Gajar ka Halwa, a pudding made from finely grated carrots cooked in condensed milk and seasoned with cardamom, is a great way to end your meal.The Petaling Jaya restaurant is the first branch in Malaysia with two other eateries in Kuala Belait, Brunei and Usman Road, Chennai.

TAJ BIRYANI HOUSE, B-09-01, Jalan 19/1, Section 19, 3 Two Square, Petaling Jaya. (Tel: 03-7932 2525). Business hours: 7am to 10pm, daily.

This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro

RICEPLUS MAGAZINE

Riceplus

Menu-1

Menu-2

Menu-3