Thursday, December 22, 2016

22nd DECEMBER,2016 DAILY GLOBAL,REGIONAL AND LOCAL RICE E-NEWSLETTER BY RICEPLUS MAGAZINE

Engineering rice to waste less fertilizer

Most of the phosphorus fertilizer goes to the seeds, ends up wasted.

JOHN TIMMER - 12/22/2016, 2:18 AM
One of the interesting things about working at Ars is that I occasionally discover that scientists are working to solve problems I didn't even know existed. That was the case this week when I came across a paper about efforts to cut down on the amount of phosphorus that plants put into rice grains.
On the surface, cutting down phosphorous seems absurd. Phosphorus, in the form of the phosphate molecule, is central to life on Earth. It's part of the backbone of DNA and takes part in countless signaling pathways. Phosphate bonds power pretty much everything our cells do. Why would we want less of it in our food?
It turns out that much of the phosphorus in plant seeds is utterly useless to us. It's stored in a compact form, the chemical phytate, which is a six-carbon rin

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/12/engineering-rice-to-waste-less-fertilizer/

 

 

Kashmir's Mushkbudgi, Kamad rice varieties get recognition

Anantnag farmers win Plant Genome Saviour Award for conservation

Srinagar, Publish Date: Dec 21 2016 9:14PM | Updated Date: Dec 21 2016 9:14PM

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh on Wednesday hailed farming community of Danwantpora and Tangpawa Sagam in Anantnag district for their contribution to promote and produce Mushkbudgi and Kamad scented varieties of rice. The agriculture minister at a ceremony presented Plant Genome Saviour Community Award, citation and momentoes with Rs 10 lakh assistance by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India for conservation of Mushkbudgi and Kamad scented varieties of rice grown in Danwantpora and Tangpawa Sagam, Anantnag with the technical supervision of rice scientists of Mountain Field Crop Research Centre, Khudwani, Anantnag of Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences  and Technology of Kashmir.The cheque was presented in presence of Prof Nazeer Ahmed, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, N A Wagay Member of Parliament, Abdul Rahim Rather, MLA and Dr. G.A. Parray, Associate Director Research, Khudwani, Anantnag

http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/business/story/236756.html

 

Focus on waterlogging, salinity issues in south

Scientists tell launching of 'A Farm View of Bangladesh'

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Executive Chairman Dr Abul Kalam Azad, fourth from left, along with other guests and authors holding copies of a book titled “A Farm View of Bangladesh” launched at Jatiya Press Club yesterday. The Forum for Information Dissemination on Agriculture and Syngenta Bangladesh published the book. Photo: Star
Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh has emerged as a strong agricultural economy with its yearly rice output well surpassing its requirement and its vegetable production hitting third and freshwater fish output fourth in global production rankings.Now this country needs to focus on challenges of salinity and waterlogging faced by farmers of the southern coastal belt and ensure nutrition security by shifting towards a more balanced diet from a predominantly rice-centric calorie intake.
Some of the country's leading scientists, academics and officials involved with National Agricultural Research System (NARS) came up with these views at a book launching and discussion programme at Jatiya Press Club yesterday.The Forum for Information Dissemination on Agriculture (FIDA) in league with agribusiness company Syngenta Bangladesh jointly organised the programme to launch the book, “A Farm View of Bangladesh”, co-edited by journalists Kawser Rahman and Reaz Ahmad.
Palok Publishers published the book, rich with 17 distinct chapters depicting a wide range of issues from innovation in rice science to seaweed, from farm technology to jute to floriculture.Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Executive Chairman Dr Abul Kalam Azad along with heads of NARS bodies formally launched the book appreciating its authors and editors for coming up with a rich anthology of farm writings.
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Prof Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Director General Dr Md Rafiqul Islam Mondal, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Director General Dr Bhagya Rani Banik, Department of Agricultural Extension  Director (Plant Protection Wing) Golam Maruf, Syngenta Bangladesh Managing Director Md Sazzadul Hassan and Palok Publishers Proprietor Forkan Ahmed spoke, among others, at the discussion chaired by FIDA President Kawser Rahman.Portraying a bright prospect for Bangladesh's farm sector, Dr Abul Kalam Azad emphasised focusing research on the south where farmers were facing challenges of climate change.
Dr Md Rafiqul Islam Mondal said it was a reality that Bangladesh was losing farmlands fast due to strong demands for housing, industries and infrastructures. However, farm technologies with promises of higher yields are also at our disposal, he said.He emphasised further tapping potentials from shifting from mono to multiple cropping.Dr Bhagya Rani Banik expressed pride at some of Bangladesh's best performing high-yield rice varieties being cultivated in countries including India and China and a BARI-developed pulse variety in Nepal.Other discussants appreciated the farm broadcasters and writers' move under FIDA-Syngenta joint initiative and publishing a good collection of articles on a diverse range of issues involving Bangladesh's farm sector.
http://www.thedailystar.net/city/focus-diet-farmers-southern-coastal-belt-1333705





Chinese scientists to develop high-yield sea rice

Published December 22, 2016, 11:30 AM
By People’s Daily
Yuan Longping, China’s renowned rice scientist, is leading a research to cultivate new strains of high yield “sea rice.”
PHOTO: Grabbed from Flickr | Manila Bulletin
The research team plans to spend three years developing a breed that can withstand water with a salinity of up to 0.8 percent, with a yield over 300 kilograms per mu (a Chinese unit equivalent to 666 square meters), said Yuan, known as the “father of hybrid rice,” during a seminar in Sanya city in the southern Hainan Province.“Over half of the world’s population relies on rice as their staple food, while the proportion is over 60 percent in China,” Yuan said, adding that China has more than 1 billion mu of saline-alkaline soil, and it will be of great significance to convert such soil into arable land by developing sea rice with a high salinity tolerance.
Using 100 million mu of land to grow sea rice, the country could produce an extra of 30 billion kilograms of rice and feed an extra 80 million people.Sea rice is sometimes found in saline-alkaline soil at the junctures where rivers join the sea. The plant is resistant to pests, diseases, salt and alkali, and does not need fertilizer.h Currently, the most advanced sea-rice breed in China has a yield of 400 kilograms per mu, but can only be grown in water with salinity less than 0.3 percent.
A sea-rice research center, with Yuan as the chief scientist, was established in October in Qingdao, Shandong Province. With dozens of breeds of sea rice brought in from worldwide, researchers will use gene sequencing technology to cultivate new strains of sea rice.Over the past decades, Chinese scientists, led by Yuan, have worked on new approaches to significantly increase rice yields
http://newsbits.mb.com.ph/2016/12/22/chinese-scientists-to-develop-high-yield-sea-rice/




Rice, Ducks, and Friends Awarded $15 Million in 2017 RCPP Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the list of 80+ projects to be funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for 2017.

USA Rice, through its USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership, was awarded funding for two projects bringing $15 million to the Mid-South and Gulf Coast's rice-growing regions. The NRCS funds, along with $15+ million in financial and in-kind support of 45 companies and organizations, will help producers implement a variety of conservation practices on their operations through the NRCS-led Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and supplement a reservoir construction for irrigation water in Texas.

USA Rice took the lead for the Mid-South Graduated Water Stewardship Program, which was awarded $7 million to be used for rice-specific EQIP and CSP contracts in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Central and Northeast Louisiana. The second project, is led by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), and was awarded $8 million to supplement the building of a conservation reservoir in Eagle Lake, Texas to provide water for irrigation and flooded water bird habitat across 50,000 acres of ricelands and includes a small amount set aside for CSP contracts for Texas rice farmers.

USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited currently deploy more than 15 field staff to work on rice conservation projects, namely the implementation of the 2015 RCPP project,Sustaining the Future of Rice, across all six major rice-growing states. The Partnership is in the process of completing the $10 million-project with hundreds of rice farmers expected to sign EQIP and CSP contracts throughout the three-year life of its funding.

Louisiana rice farmer and co-chair of the Rice Stewardship Partnership, Jeff Durand, shared his obvious excitement about the announcement, "The notification that our proposals were awarded is just thrilling, the news of this funding could really not have come at a better time," he emphasized. "As producers we're dealing with an ongoing streak of low commodity prices and luckily, the wide suite of practices available through EQIP and CSP will, in most cases, improve our bottom lines and add to our overall sustainability as an industry."USA Rice President and CEO, Betsy Ward, was equally pleased, "We're proud of our continued, strong relationship with Ducks Unlimited, LCRA, and NRCS as well as our many other contributing partners on these RCPP projects," she said.

These sentiments were echoed by outgoing NRCS Chief Jason Weller at the USA Rice Outlook Conference earlier this month when he said, "I am so proud of the partnership NRCS has with the rice industry...for your commitment to being partners with us to invest in conservation and really be national leaders in production agriculture....I commend the rice industry for your leadership and your partnership through our programs and standing up for what's right for farmers, for families, for rural communities, but also what's right for American conservation."

"Rice and ducks have a unique relationship, they play vital roles in the ecosystems throughout the U.S. and we fully embrace the motto 'what's good for rice is good for ducks.' And so it comes as no surprise to us that our Partnership's proven success will be bringing record levels of conservation funding solely to rice farmers over the next couple of years as the projects are implemented," Ward added.

The success of the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership would not be possible without the help from financial and in-kind partners. Rice Stewardship financial contributors include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Walmart Foundation, the Mosaic Company Foundation, Chevron U.S.A., Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation, RiceTec, BASF, American Rice, Inc. - Riviana Foods, Inc., Delta Plastics, Wells Fargo, Farmers Rice Milling Company, Horizon Ag, Turner's Creek & Bombay Hook Farms, MacDon Industries, Dow AgroSciences, and other major Ducks Unlimited sponsors

 

REAP urges SBP to give six-month relaxation

December 21, 2016
The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has sent a SOS message to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) seeking a six-month relaxation for the rice exporters for the year 2015-16 who could not succeed to achieve export performance as required by the SBP to match with Export Refinance Scheme.

Heavy penalties are being imposed on the exporters against short performance by the State Bank which is adding to the woes of exporters already under financial burden because of declining rice exports, especially Basmati for the last few years. There are many reasons of this sharp decline in Pakistani rice exporters which include unfavourable local and international prices and Indian rice factor, said a letter written by the REAP to the Governor SBP.

"We have already discussed this issue with the Ministry of Finance. For the year 2014-15, this relaxation was extended by the SBP and now we are seeking the same relaxation for the year 2015-16", said Senior Vice President Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Shahjahan Malik while talking to this scribe, here on Tuesday. He urged the government to extend a relief of six months for saving the rice export sector from total collapse.

Shahjahan reviewing the year 2015-16 said it could be termed as bleak year for rice exports, especially for Basmati whose export fell by 18 to 20 percent. He said one of the major factors behind their Basmati rice exports' decline was lower rates of Indian Basmati rice because they had good new seeds giving them more per acre yield as compared to Pakistan.

He said just because of their lower prices, the Indians were far ahead of the Pakistanis in Saudi market which is also a big consumer of Basmati rice. Similarly, he said that they could not take advantage of normalisation of Iran-US relations which could earn as a big Basmati market. "We are yet to set up a banking channel which could help us opening L/Cs and make our presence felt in Iran," the REAP Senior Vice Chairman added.

On long term basis, he said their rice research institutes should introduce new higher yield rice seeds with resistance against diseases and climate change. More per acre yield could help us marketing cheaper rights, he said, and added that they are researching on some new varieties in collaboration with Chinese at his organisation to bring new varieties with higher yields.However, it will take three to four years for making such varieties commercially acceptable for the growers after their introduction. On the front of REAP, he said they would be sending two delegations - one to Saudi Arab and another to the US for marketing Pakistani rice. "There are reservations on pesticide residue in Indian rice in the US which is not present in Pakistani rice and we are planning to take advantage of it", Shahjahan Malik concluded.
http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/115539/

Aromatic rice lines planned

HIDE CAPTION
A field tour held at a recent crop expo at the University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart. 
Photo Submitted

Wednesday

Posted Dec 21, 2016 at 1:46 PM
  
Debra Ahrent Wisdom, a program and research associate for the Division of Agriculture in Stuttgart, said two jasmine-type aromatic rices, currently known simply as AR-1105 and AR-1102, are scheduled to be released in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
By Ryan McGeeney / UofA Division of Ag
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's specialty rice program, seated in the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart, is planning to release two varieties of aromatic rice in the coming years, researchers said this month.
Debra Ahrent Wisdom, a program and research associate for the Division of Agriculture in Stuttgart, said two jasmine-type aromatic rices, currently known simply as AR-1105 and AR-1102, are scheduled to be released in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
"These are really the first lines we've released through the specialty rice program," Ahrent Wisdom said. "We determined there was a demand for these aromatics through conversations with growers, millers and marketers, and also by simply looking at rice imports across the country."

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Ahrent Wisdom said that while the United States (and Arkansas in particular) doesn't typically import much long- or medium-grain rice, imports of aromatics such as jasmine and basmati are strong."There's an interest among consumers for aromatic rice," she said, noting that immigrants and foreign nationals, particularly from Asian counties such as India and Thailand, overwhelmingly prefer the rice grown in their countries of origin.
"We can't grow the varieties they grow in Thailand and India, because of the photo period sensitivities," Ahrent Wisdom said. "We can't just say, 'send us some seed and we'll grow it here.' It doesn't work that way. There's something about the environment in Thailand and India that makes those aromatic lines just pop. And it's not everywhere in those countries - it's just certain pockets where the soil and the environment just works.
"We don't happen to have that particular environment here - so we work around the environment we have," she said.Ahrent Wisdom said both of the new varieties claim Jazzman, a jasmine aromatic line originally developed by Louisiana State University, as a parent. In three years of test trials, AR-1105 and AR-1102 have averaged yields of 170 and 150 bushels per acre, respectively. While the yields aren't comparable to most long-grain rice varieties, the numbers represent a strong showing among aromatics, she said.Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said specialty rices like Ahrent Wisdom's aromatic lines make up less than 1 percent of overall rice production in Arkansas, the leading rice state in the country. Nevertheless, producers are always looking for an edge in marketing opportunities, he said.
"Our growers do want some investment," Hardke said. "Any kind of value-added product, anything we can find a fit for, at a premium, and can grow and sell, that's great. But to date, specialty rice markets are still pretty small."Karen Moldenhauer, a professor of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science for the Division of Agriculture in Stuttgart, said the RREC has been working with aromatic varieties for more than a decade, although the specialty didn't become a focus of the program's research until Ahrent Wisdom transferred from Fayetteville to Stuttgart in 2009.
"There was a lot of interest in aromatic rice," Moldenhauer said. "The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board and a number of producers in Arkansas thought it would be good if we could have an aromatic that we could potentially sell to some of these same people; people that were more interested in different types of rices, so they could have something from the United States to choose from."Moldenhauer said that since the Division of Agriculture's rice breeding program was established in 1931, it has released about 45 lines of rice, only one of which has been an aromatic.
Glen Bathke, assistant director of the RREC, said that the specialty rice program's pursuit of unusual lines provides an avenue for growers to find new markets in which to pursue revenues.
"Just having a new rice variety released periodically lets growers and business owners know that we can grow specialty rice here, not just medium- and long-grain," Bathke said. "We have aromatic markets right here in Arkansas. If growers would like to participate in that market, we have products that will allow them to do so, and diversify a little bit. But developing those markets is key."
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture's specialty rice program, rice breeding program or the Rice Research and Extension Center, visit https://aaes.uark.edu/research-locations/rice.aspx
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/20161221/2-aromatic-rice-lines-planned





DA sees higher rice prices after July ’17

posted December 21, 2016 at 10:01 pm by PNA
THE Department of Agriculture expects prices of rice to increase because of the lifting of restrictions on rice imports by July 2017 but the agency vowed to support the rice sector, which is considered as the cornerstone of the country’s food security policy.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said the supposed benefits of full liberalization such as cheaper rice for all consumers could be temporary.
Piñol noted domestic rice production will drop and the country will be increasingly dependent on rice imports, as many Filipino farmers who are unable to compete with cheaper imported rice are shifting to other jobs.“We expect this to quickly exert pressure on rice demand in the thinly traded international markets and steadily increasing international prices. We may actually end up with higher rice prices of which we have no control or influence,” he said in a statement.
Piñol thus reiterated his department’s stand for the extension of the quantitative restriction on rice imports for at least another two years to allow the Duterte administration’s support programs to “firmly take root and set the sector on the proper path of sustained self-sufficiency at competitive levels.” “Exposing the sector, particularly the small rice farmers, to unbridled international competition from heavily subsidized exporters will cost the country huge social and economic consequences,” he said.  
But whether the rice QR is extended or allowed to expire, the DA is implementing various initiatives to support the rice sector, including the President’s Masaganang Ani 6000 and the completion of the rural infrastructure program, particularly the farm-to-market roads network.The President’s Masaganang Ani 6000 is a comprehensive rice production support initiative that targets attaining an average yield of 6 metric ton per hectare with high technology.
Piñol said a major push to enhance innovation through increased support to rice science and technology as well as close coordination with the local government units were also important in revitalizing the national and local extension service systems.
Further, the agriculture chief stressed the government would provide massive support to farm mechanization to lower the cost of production and increase efficiency.“We are optimistic that with the support of the President and Congress, we will be able to put in place the necessary programs, whose benefits and sustainability will go beyond the term of this administration, that will finally put us on the path to sustained food security for the country and a more progressive rice sector,” he added.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/224727/da-sees-higher-rice-prices-after-july-17.html




The government measures to ensure price stability in the rice market by importing rice


Published on 21 December 2016
Written by slbc news
The government decides to maintain price stability in the rice market by importing rice. A proposal submitted by Minister Rishard Bathiuddeen has been approved by the cabinet of ministers.Inclement weather prevailed during this year has affected paddy cultivation of Maha Season, resulting less cultivation in paddy lands all over the island.As a result, the market expects less output during the season and the government is contemplating on maintaining a buffer stock to meet the demand.According to a plan, the imported rice stock will be issued to market in a gradual manner

http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/slbc-news/slbc-loc



Govt to procure 16,420 tonnes of Aman rice from Sylhet div
Our Correspondent



 SYLHET, Dec 21: The Food Department has taken up a programme for procure 16,420 tonnes of rice from the four districts of Sylhet division this season. Of the total, 15,000 tonnes are Atap and the rest 1420 tonnes are boiled rice, official sources informed today.The target includes 4280 tonnes of Atap and 313 tonnes of boiled rice to be collected from Sylhet, 825 tonnes of Atap and 247 tonnes of boiled rice from Moulvibazar.

Highest 8,622 tonnes of Atap and 176 tonnes of boiled rice would be procured from Sunamganj. Procurement target for Habiganj is 1,273 tonnes of Atap and 684 tonnes of boiled rice, informed Regional Controller of Food, Sylhet Division, Md Anisuzzaman.

The targeted rice would be procured through the listed millers in the region as the programme would continue till March, 2017. Contracts had been signed with the millers for the supply through 44 purchasing centres in the region, the official added. The prices of Atap have been fixed at Tk 32 per kg and Tk 33 per kg for the boiled rice.

The authority is expecting to get a good response in this regard as the farmers of the region have achieved a satisfied production of T-Aman paddy.

However, in the last year the target couldn't be achieved due to short supply of both boiled and Atap (non-boiled) varieties from the millers of the division even on extension of time twice. The Food Department had procured 11,279 tonnes of rice through the millers.


http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/12/21/57034/Govt-to-procure-16,420-tonnes-of-Aman-rice-from-Sylhet-div


Nigeria seizes smuggled plastic rice

By AFP

Nigeria has seized over 100 bags of plastic rice smuggled into the country, where prices of the staple foo

Nigeria has seized over 100 bags of plastic rice smuggled into the country, where prices of the staple food are rocketing ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.A suspect has been arrested over the haul of 102 bags of the fake rice, which officials warned Wednesday was dangerous for human consumption.They are suspected to have been smuggled or illegally shipped in from China through Lagos port, a senior customs official in Nigeria's commercial hub told AFP.

Nigeria has seized over 100 bags of plastic rice smuggled into the country ©Tauseef Mustafa (AFP/File)
The 50-kilo bags, branded "Best Tomato Rice", had no date of manufacture and were intercepted Monday in the Ikeja area of the sprawling city, the official said on condition of anonymity."We have done a preliminary analysis of the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it," Ikeja area customs controller Mohammed Haruna was quoted as saying.
Nigeria has banned rice imports as it seeks to boost local production.Haruna said the plastic rice was to be sold ahead of Christmas and New Year festivities, with the price for the popular Nigerian staple hitting the roof because of galloping inflation.A 50-kilo bag now sells for around 20,000 naira (63 dollars), more than double the price in December last year.Nigeria's inflation stood at 18.5 percent in November, its 13th consecutive monthly rise, driven by higher food prices.The customs service has sent the fake rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further analysis.
A Nigerian refuge
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4055616/Nigeria-seizes-smuggled-plastic-rice.htmlhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4055616/Nigeria-seizes-smuggled-plastic-rice.html

Milled rice market planned

December 21, 2016 17:29 
By The Nation

The Commerce Ministry has come up with the idea of establishing the Kingdom’s first ever milled-rice market to increase trading channels for rice farmers and millers. After meeting with the Thai Rice Mill Association, Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said Wednesday that the government would collaborate with private enterprises to set up a central market for milled rice so that farmers would have a greater opportunity to meet with rice traders.Up to now, rice trading has relied largely on exporters. The setting up of milled-rice market should increase bargaining power for rice farmers.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30302576




The Rice Research and Extension Center: Making real-world challenges the focus

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
As the nation’s No. 1 rice producer, the economy of Arkansas places a premium on every aspect of the crop’s production, from the the availability of unique and hardy varieties, to the financial success of our producers in the field, to the impeccable quality of the finished product.As the primary institution of higher education in support of agriculture in the state, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture spends a significant portion of its resources and efforts working to make sure rice, and the people behind it, succeed.
Nathan McKinney, interim director of the Rice Research and Extension Center, came to the research station in the summer of 2016, after serving various roles in the Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station.McKinney said he encourages his researchers—there are about a dozen scientists attached to the RREC—to take a “portfolio” approach to their research. Solving problems that rice growers face today is the highest priority.
“That’s what I call ‘applied’ research,” McKinney said. “Most of our effort is targeted towards answering present-day questions or applying a new approach, a new variety or technology to solve a problem.
“However, part of that research portfolio is also forecasting what problems producers may see 10 years from now,” he said.“Some of our far-reaching, basic research is trying to answer the question, ‘what happens when rice is exposed to high nighttime temperatures?’” McKinney said. “And what causes the physiological stress in rice under various climate conditions? What physiological pathways can we exploit to overcome heat stress? We have fundamental questions that we currently have no answers for—we have some blank spots in our knowledge of the physiology of rice.”
Although researchers at the RREC conduct studies on other crops essential to Arkansas and the region including corn, soybeans and wheat, the focus is on rice.Jarrod Hardke, Extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, has been with the RREC since 2012. He described his applied agronomic work at the research center as research aimed at affecting production-based recommendations.“We look at every variety of rice available to us, from both commercial seed companies and those varieties we breed ourselves, to see what works best under a range of conditions,” Hardke said. “One of the biggest points of emphasis is on-farm cultivar trials—actually comparing the different varieties and hybrids a grower has to choose from to observe their relative differences on various farms under different production systems.”
Over the course of multiple years and weather cycles, Hardke said, the Division of Agriculture is able to synthesize data that gives growers the best shot at success, from choosing the best cultivar for their soil to dealing with pests and environmental pressures as they arise.Hardke said that over the long term, rice research in the state evolves through the extension and feedback process, as agronomic data is pushed out to growers through Cooperative Extension Service agents, and agents deliver feedback back to researchers.McKinney said the research has also been guided by challenges specific to Arkansas and the region, such as a potential scarcity of groundwater in the near future.
“Our irrigation engineer, Chris Henry, has introduced a wealth of ideas new to Arkansas farming, and various water conservation measures for rice production,” McKinney said. “So that’s broadened the scope of the station’s research.“We’ve also had a rice breeding program here for 60 years or so, but we’ve recently added a hybrid breeding emphasis. A new hybrid breeder joined us in November of 2015,” he said. “Hybrid seed production in rice is relatively new, and it has broadened the scope of our breeding program.”
McKinney said all the researchers working under the RREC’s umbrella are to some degree involved in evaluating constant and increasing environmental stresses, and taking measures to help growers overcome those challenges.
“For example, this year and in some recent years, it’s turned out that high nighttime temperatures created a lot of yield and grain quality problems for rice producers,” McKinney said. “It’s robbed us of millions and millions of dollars. And we’re attempting to solve that problem. Some of the pieces of the puzzle are falling in place, but there are still other pieces we’re trying to discover.“Everybody on this station is involved with that, either directly or indirectly. All of our scientists have their hands in it,” he said.
Researchers and staff at the RREC also work closely with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dale Bumpers researchers at the nearby Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, also located in Stuttgart, as well as other entities, including the Mid-South Breeding Consortium.“We’re bringing in the best resources to collaborate with, and to give us ideas and input,” McKinney said.Hardke said the facility is unique in that it remains the only fully faculty-staffed research extension center in the state.“We house all relevant disciplines in the faculty here at the station, permitting us to be housed right in the heart of the rice-growing region of the state, performing our work,” Hardke said. “We’re here, we’re accessible. Our full time job is rice, the rice industry and its improvement. That’s how all our time is spent—that’s unique to this location.”To learn more about rice research and agricultural production in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu.
http://www.hpj.com/crop__general/the-rice-research-and-extension-center-making-real-world-challenges/article_714d7312-7a9b-5102-8b3a-9f7c0dd053d2.html


Country yet to ensure nutrition safety: Speakers
FE Report


 Despite the country's self-reliance in food production, people's nutrition safety is yet to be ensured, speakers told a programme on Wednesday.They identified lack of crops diversification, use of old technology and people's reluctance to accept new variants of food as the key reasons behind the nutrition deficiency among them.They were addressing a book launching ceremony and discussion on 'A Farm View of Bangladesh', held at the National Press Club.

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Executive Chairman Dr Abul Kalam Azad attended the function as the chief guest.Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Director General (DG) Dr Bhagya Rani Banik, Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Professor Dr Kamal Uddin Ahamed and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) DG Dr Md Rafiqul Islam Mondal also spoke on the occasion.

In his speech, Rafiqul Islam said new variants of food should be discovered for ensuring the nutrition safety in food supply."Foods like sea weed and other aquatic herbs full of high nutrition value can be chosen as alternatives," he said.Many people in East Asian countries like China, Japan and South Korea consume a good amount of seaweeds, he added.An office has been set up in Cox's Bazar for conducting research and development work on seaweeds, he informed.

Kamal Uddin Ahamed said the country is self-reliant in food production at the moment. However, it will be difficult to meet the demand in future if new technology is not adopted.He suggested exploring the Bay of Bengal for discovering new food items like various kinds of seaweeds and fish.Besides, greater adoption of hydro-culture in city area could also help produce more food.

"As the area of farmland is contracting day by day amidst the population increase, new technologies including hydroponic gardening should be adopted," he said.Published by Palok Publishers, the book consists of 17 articles on several agricultural-related issues written by journalists.

Kawsar Rahman and Reaz Ahmed edited the book.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/12/22/57077/Country-yet-to-ensure-nutrition-safety:-Speakers



Organic Rice

Wednesday, December 21st, 2016 - WiseGuyReports


This report studies Organic Rice in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa, focuses on the top Organic Rice Players in each region, with sales, price, revenue and market share for top manufacturer, covering
·         Doguet’s Rice
·         Randallorganic
·         Sanjeevani Organics
·         Kahang Organic Rice
·         RiceSelect
·         Texas Best Organics
·         CAPITAL RICE
·         YINCHUAN
·         URMATT
·         Vien Phu
·         SUNRISE foodstuff JSC
·         KHAOKHO TALAYPU
·         BEIDAHUANG
·         Yanbiangaoli
·         Jinjian
·         HUICHUN FILED RICE
·         Dingxiang
·         Heilongjiang Taifeng
·         Heilongjiang Julong
Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales, revenue, market share of top 5 players in these regions, from 2012 to 2017 (forecast), like
·         North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)
·         Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Korea)
·         Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy and Russia etc.
·         South America (Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina)
·         Middle East and Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Saudi Arabia)
Split by Product Types, with sales, revenue, price, market share of each type, can be divided into
·         Polished glutinous rice(sticky rice)
·         Indica(long-shaped rice)
·         Polished round-grained rice
Split by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Organic Rice in each application, can be divided into
·         Direct edible
·         Deep processing

Table of Contents ( Key Points )

2017 Top 5 Organic Rice Manufacturers/Players in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa
1 Organic Rice Market Overview
1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Organic Rice
1.2 Organic Rice Segment by Types
1.2.1 Global Sales Market Share of Organic Rice by Types in 2015
1.2.2 Polished glutinous rice(sticky rice)
1.2.3 Indica(long-shaped rice)
1.2.4 Polished round-grained rice
1.3 Organic Rice Segment by Applications
1.3.1 Organic Rice Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2015
1.3.2 Direct edible
1.3.3 Deep processing
1.4 Organic Rice Market by Regions
1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)
1.4.2 Asia-Pacific Status and Prospect (2012-2022)
1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)
1.4.4 South America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)
1.4.5 Middle East and Africa Status and Prospect (2012-2022)
1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Organic Rice (2012-2022)
2 Global Organic Rice Sales, Revenue (value) and Market Share by Players
2.1 Global Organic Rice Sales and Market Share in 2015 and 2016 by Players
2.2 Global Organic Rice Revenue and Market Share by Players in 2015 and 2016
2.3 Global Organic Rice Average Price by Players in 2015 and 2016
2.4 Global Organic Rice Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types by Players
2.5 Organic Rice Market Competitive Situation and Trends
2.5.1 Organic Rice Market Concentration Rate
2.5.2 Organic Rice Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Players
2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion
3 Global Organic Rice Sales, Revenue (Value) by Regions, Type and Application (2012-2017)
3.1 Global Organic Rice Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)
3.1.1 Global Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)
3.1.2 Global Organic Rice Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)
3.2 Global Organic Rice Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Price by Type (2012-2017)
3.2.1 Global Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)
3.2.2 Global Organic Rice Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)
3.2.3 Global Organic Rice Price by Type (2012-2017)
3.3 Global Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)
3.4 Global Organic Rice Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)
4 North America Top 5 Players Organic Rice Sales, Revenue and Price
4.1 North America Top 5 Players Organic Rice Sales, Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 2016
4.1.1 North America Top 5 Players Organic Rice Sales and Market Share in 2015 and 2016
4.1.2 North America Top 5 Players Organic Rice Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 2016
4.2 North America Organic Rice Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Price by Type (2012-2017)
4.2.1 North America Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)
4.2.2 North America Organic Rice Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)
4.2.3 North America Organic Rice Price by Type (2012-2017)
4.3 North America Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)
4.4 North America Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Country (US, Canada and Mexico) (2012-2017)
4.5 North America Organic Rice Import & Export (2012-2017)
5 Europe Top 5 Players Organic Rice Sales, Revenue and Price
5.1 Europe Top 5 Players Organic Rice Sales, Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 2016
5.1.1 Europe Top 5 Players Organic Rice Sales and Market Share in 2015 and 2016
5.1.2 Europe Top 5 Players Organic Rice Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 2016
5.2 Europe Organic Rice Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Price by Type (2012-2017)
5.2.1 Europe Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)
5.2.2 Europe Organic Rice Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)
5.2.3 Europe Organic Rice Price by Type (2012-2017)
5.3 Europe Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)
5.4 Europe Organic Rice Sales and Market Share by Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy and Russia) (2012-2017)
……Continued
Contact Us:
Norah Trent
Partner Relations & Marketing Manager
Sales@Wiseguyreports.Com
Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US) 
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http://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/197759/world-organic-rice-market-2017-industry-research-review-growth-segment-analysis-and-forecast-to-2022#.WFu2pFN94dU





Rice exports this year will meet target

By Thai PBS
  
Thailand has so far exported over nine million tons of rice this year.Director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade Mrs Duangporn Rodphaya revealed that since the beginning of this year Thailand has exported 9.3 million tons of rice valued at US$4.173 billion. She said this represented a 2% increase from the previous year, while voicing expectations that total exports of rice for the year will be able to meet the 9.5 million tons projection.

According to the department, Jasmine rice exports alone have increased from 1.5 million tons to 2 million tons which has been helped in no small degree by the competitive price of Thai jasmine rice in the global market.
The department expects that the situation will continue to gradually improve in the coming months.As to the proposal to use the remaining rice stocks in government warehouses for the production of ethanol the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Energy, she said that they will be joining forces to have an independent department carry out a study on the feasibility of the project.They say that what was vital was to ensure that the proposal in no way jeopardizes rice prices or prices of other agricultural products in the country.


http://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/rice-exports-year-will-meet-target-158805

DA sees higher rice prices after July ’17

posted December 21, 2016 at 10:01 pm by PNA

THE Department of Agriculture expects prices of rice to increase because of the lifting of restrictions on rice imports by July 2017 but the agency vowed to support the rice sector, which is considered as the cornerstone of the country’s food security policy.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said the supposed benefits of full liberalization such as cheaper rice for all consumers could be temporary.Piñol noted domestic rice production will drop and the country will be increasingly dependent on rice imports, as many Filipino farmers who are unable to compete with cheaper imported rice are shifting to other jobs.
“We expect this to quickly exert pressure on rice demand in the thinly traded international markets and steadily increasing international prices. We may actually end up with higher rice prices of which we have no control or influence,” he said in a statement.Piñol thus reiterated his department’s stand for the extension of the quantitative restriction on rice imports for at least another two years to allow the Duterte administration’s support programs to “firmly take root and set the sector on the proper path of sustained self-sufficiency at competitive levels.” 
“Exposing the sector, particularly the small rice farmers, to unbridled international competition from heavily subsidized exporters will cost the country huge social and economic consequences,” he said.  But whether the rice QR is extended or allowed to expire, the DA is implementing various initiatives to support the rice sector, including the President’s Masaganang Ani 6000 and the completion of the rural infrastructure program, particularly the farm-to-market roads network.The President’s Masaganang Ani 6000 is a comprehensive rice production support initiative that targets attaining an average yield of 6 metric ton per hectare with high technology.
Piñol said a major push to enhance innovation through increased support to rice science and technology as well as close coordination with the local government units were also important in revitalizing the national and local extension service systems.Further, the agriculture chief stressed the government would provide massive support to farm mechanization to lower the cost of production and increase efficiency.“We are optimistic that with the support of the President and Congress, we will be able to put in place the necessary programs, whose benefits and sustainability will go beyond the term of this administration, that will finally put us on the path to sustained food security for the country and a more progressive rice sector,” he added.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/224727/da-sees-higher-rice-prices-after-july-17.html



Asia Rice-Thailand, Vietnam markets quiet ahead of Christmas, New Year


By My Pham

HANOI, Dec 21 Rice export prices in Vietnam widened this week while prices in Thailand were flat in a quiet market ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays, traders said on Wednesday.Prices of Vietnam's 5-percent broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 widened to $335-$350 a tonne, FOB basis, from $338-$340 a week earlier."The market is quiet and we have not seen any moves from Philippine firms, which have been given quota to import rice," said an exporter based in Ho Chi Minh city.The Philippines' state grains agency approved permits for local rice traders to import 294,020 tonnes of the staple from Vietnam and 347,060 tonnes from Thailand, Pakistan and India.

"There are no buyers due to New Year holidays," said another trader.Vietnam's rice exports are forecast to rebound to 7.1 million tonnes in 2017, after sales were seen dropping 22.6 percent from the previous year to 6.5 million tonnes this year, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said in its December report.The Thai market was also lacklustre with the benchmark 5-percent broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 quoted at $360 a tonne on Wednesday, FOB basis, compared with $355-$360 last week."There won't be orders around this time until after the new year," a trader in Bangkok told Reuters.

Thailand has exported 9.3 million tonnes of rice, worth ($4.06 million), so far this year, mostly to China and countries in Africa, the country's commerce ministry said on Monday.Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantraporn had said earlier this month that rice exports would reach 10.5 million tonnes this year.Meanwhile, rice prices in India, the world's biggest rice exporter, edged down due to rising supplies in physical markets from the summer sown crop, while an uptick in export demand put a floor under prices.Prices of India's 5 percent broken parboiled rice dropped $1 per tonne this week to $343 to $347 per tonne.

"In eastern India, supplies have risen significantly over the last few days," said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh."Exports demand has also improved a bit but still it is lower than normal," he said, adding that it might soften again due to Christmas holidays.Trading in farm commodities such as cotton, rice and soybeans have been disrupted in the last few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month scrapped 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee notes to crack down on corruption.India's summer-sown rice output is seen at a record 93.88 million tonnes in the crop year to June 2017, 2.81 percent higher than last year, as plentiful monsoon rains help boost yields after back-to-back drought years, the farm ministry said.India exported 10.34 million tonnes of rice in October 2015 to September 2016, according to data compiled by the farm ministry. (Reporting by My Pham and Ho Binh Minh in HANOI, Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK and Rajendra Jadhav in MUMBAI; writing by My Pham; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

http://in.reuters.com/article/asia-rice-idINL4N1EG2XW






Rice Prices

as on : 21-12-2016 08:10:32 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals
Price
Current
%
change
Season 
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Gadarpur(Utr)
832.00
-45.66
210560.00
2030
2118
6.84
Allahabad(UP)
290.00
11.54
8450.00
2235
2245
6.43
Bazpur(Utr)
220.00
-77.41
75478.86
2430
1510
27.89
Birbhum(WB)
158.00
-0.94
6786.40
1910
1900
2.41
Gondal(UP)
87.00
-15.53
16036.50
2010
2040
-4.29
Aligarh(UP)
85.00
6.25
8500.00
2550
2550
21.43
Beldanga(WB)
37.00
-5.13
5803.00
2450
2400
8.89
Khatra(WB)
34.00
NC
1959.00
2250
2250
NC
Bishnupur(Bankura)(WB)
30.00
-25
896.00
2050
2200
-
Lakhimpur(UP)
25.00
25
1093.00
2160
2160
2.86
Karjat(Mah)
21.00
320
62.00
3000
3000
NC
Karimganj(ASM)
20.00
NC
2320.00
2300
2300
12.20
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
19.00
5.56
2760.00
3000
3000
NC
Giridih(Jha)
15.88
-29.58
662.54
3500
3500
NC
Dibrugarh(ASM)
13.00
30
504.60
2250
2250
-
Firozabad(UP)
12.00
-20
733.10
2520
2520
16.67
Ranaghat(WB)
12.00
50
215.00
2200
2200
2.33
Bethuadahari(WB)
10.00
-20
209.80
2300
3300
-22.03
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
8.80
83.33
2538.30
1900
1900
NC
Cherthalai(Ker)
8.00
33.33
536.00
3100
2200
34.78
Chengannur(Ker)
6.50
NC
768.00
2500
2500
NC
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
6.00
36.36
415.30
4100
4100
26.15
Jeypore(Ori)
3.30
-15.38
430.10
4100
4200
-2.38
Darjeeling(WB)
3.20
NC
225.30
2950
2950
5.36
Alibagh(Mah)
3.00
NC
225.00
4000
4000
6.67
Kalimpong(WB)
1.40
-6.67
75.00
2600
2600
10.64
Bangarmau(UP)
1.00
-50
168.00
2050
2050
-
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9438075.ece