Thursday, November 23, 2017

Rice R&D News-Old and new technologies support climate-smart agriculture


Old and new technologies support climate-smart agriculture

SILANG, Cavite—True to my calling as a journalist, I spent one afternoon digging dirt. Or at least my interviewee—renowned Indian agronomist Dr. Julian Gonsalves—was literally digging dirt to look for earthworms and explain to me how the presence of earthworms prove that the soil remains moist and fertile. Meanwhile, I was busy taking down notes and avoiding the big, fat earthworm that he has just dug up and dangled in my face.
“The organic matter is below the ground. This [garden bed] is full of earthworms. If you have no organic matter [in the soil], you won’t have earthworms.  That’s why the forest never has to be fertilized, it naturally regenerates,” he said.
We were at the demo farm of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), a 200-square meter plot at IIRR’s compound in Silang—just a 30-minute drive from Tagaytay. Gonsalves, who’s also IIRR’s senior adviser, was showing me that it was possible to have a “climate smart” farming system without sacrificing productivity, nutrition and farmers’ livelihood.
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) was coined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to refer to technology, policies, investments and practices that can help farmers adapt and be resilient to the extreme weather events brought by a warmer planet.  CSA is a buzzword these past few days as agricultural issues have finally been included in the annual United Nations climate talks held in Bonn, Germany, last week.
Agriculture has often been sidelined in UN climate negotiations, with discussions blocked by concerns over its potential impact on commodities export trade and if developing countries will be required to cut carbon emissions caused by farming. This, despite the fact that the agriculture sector is not only major carbon emitter but will also bear the brunt of climate change.  The FAO said that agriculture—which includes forestry, fisheries and livestock production—generates around 20 percent of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions.  On the other hand, farmers, most of whom are small-scale landholders whose livelihood depend on the vagaries of weather, are the ones who will suffer the most from heavy flooding, severe drought and stronger typhoons brought by a warmer planet.
But in the recently concluded 23rd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, climate negotiators have agreed to have the Subsidiary Body for Science and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation review issues associated with agriculture. Participating countries are also required to work with these two technical bodies and have to submit by March 2018 their views on climate adaptation and mitigation issues, soil and water management, nutrition and food security. The FAO also said that around 90 percent of countries’ climate commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions, include the agricultural sectors.
These climate negotiations may be too technical for most of us, but I believe that CSA is now more relevant in an era marked by Instagram foodies, artisanal everything, farm-to-fork dining and health-food craze.  More than its price and flavor, we’re now concerned on who and how our food was made and how its production impacts the planet that we live in. Thankfully, there are existing and new technologies and approaches that can make CSA possible and enable us to enjoy a “low carbon” meal.
One such technology is bio-intensive gardening—the techniques of which are being applied in IIRR’s demo farm in Silang.  This agro-ecological farming method was developed in the United States in the 1970s and its key components include double dug-raise beds, composting, crop rotation and planting indigenous, nutrient-rich varieties. The aim is to make a small plot of land productive for a long time without exhausting water and energy resources. This is why IIRR’s bio-intensive garden have deep dug-beds that can conserve rainwater in times of flood and release them during the dry season.
Gonsalves showed me one of these garden beds has around 30 types of sweet potatoes —the seeds were collected from different parts of the country. He said having several varieties of one crop keeps away pests and reduces risk from potential crop failure.
Such biodiversity also allows the farmers to keep and continue growing these indigenous varieties—most of which are climate resilient. Remember those “Bahay Kubo” vegetables like sitawbataw and patani? These traditional legumes which we seldom eat nowadays can tolerate a long dry spell. Kakawate trees were planted around the garden to protect the crops from strong winds while their leaves can serve as green manure. There were plenty of amaranth (locally known as kulitis), as this fibrous plant is valued for being drought resistant and its leaves, when cooked, are rich in calcium, folate and vitamin C.  The garden doesn’t use pesticide or chemical fertilizer.
Bio-intensive farming is, of course, something that can’t be applied to large-scale, commercial farming. But since this was developed for a small plot land, urban and backyard gardeners can use this method to produce their own food with less carbon footprint. IIRR has, in fact partnered with Department of Education-Cavite, the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute and the Canada-based International Development Research Centre to promote bio-intensive gardening in Cavite’s public schools. I will be discussing how this school-garden project helped improved schoolchildren’s health and make them more appreciative of agriculture and environment in one of my succeeding columns.
Apart from bio-intensive gardening, there are other CSA technologies that are developed or being developed—in the Philippines and outside—which will not only cut agriculture’s carbon emissions but also protect farms from extreme weather conditions. The International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños has developed the alternate wetting and drying which can reduce water consumption and methane emission in rice production. It also developed and distributed rice varieties that can tolerate climate stresses like drought and high salinity level.  In Singapore scientists at the Nanyang Technological University developed a solar reflective-paint additive which, when applied on a roof of a greenhouse, can block out 90 percent of the heat but allow most of the light in which is essential in growing plants. In India a nonprofit farm tech start-up Kheyti is developing a low-cost modular greenhouse that can reduce heat stress and boost crop yield, while in West Africa the World Agroforestry Centre reported that climate-smart farming techniques like agroforestry and intercropping  have more than tripled yields of millet in Niger.
Clearly, there are many ways to practice climate-smart agriculture. But what I think the most important thing to consider here is not just to give farmers more options, but to make sure that these technologies are affordable and suitable to their needs. I also think that in creating new and/or modifying existing technologies, farmers will need to be involved to ensure that they can be widely adapted.https://businessmirror.com.ph/old-and-new-technologies-support-climate-smart-agriculture/

Rice R&D News-Big tech, small farm: IoT rice analyser is a 'game-changer' for small processors, says Bühler


Big tech, small farm: IoT rice analyser is a 'game-changer' for small processors, says Bühler

By Niamh Michail 
 - Last updated on  GMT
© GettyImages/Ekkasit919
© GettyImages/Ekkasit919
The internet of things (IoT) is making advanced technology more accessible than ever, according to Bühler. Its cloud-connected digital rice analyser can be used by multinationals or start-ups, and is a "a game changer" for small rice farmers across the world, it says.
The tool, TotalSense, can help rice processors to cut costs, improve yield and speed up the quality control process, said the Swiss agri-food processor.
It works by taking a photograph of rice to identify visual defects and then uploading this image to a cloud-based system. The photograph is then analysed for quality parameters such as broken grains, irregular dimensions such as length and width and colour defects.
“The actual analysis and classification of the grains is then done by an algorithm in the Bühler​ cloud, which extracts the information from the photograph and converts it into a quality report,"​ product design engineer Sara Larsen told us.

The internet of things is described as the networking capability that allows information to be exchanged on objects and devices (such as fixtures and kitchen appliances) using the Internet.
Manufacturers can use TotalSense on a subscription basis for a monthly fee of 180 CHF (€155), which allows for an unlimited number of analyses per customer.
This relatively low price and monthly subscription set-up means small rice processors can ensure their batches meet the same quality standards as bigger

totalsense
TotalSense © Buehler
players that have their own quality control labs:
The aim is to give rice producers across the world the opportunity to improve their quality and their processes. In fact, this is a game changer for smaller rice processors,” ​said Larsen.
It’s still early days for the launch and Bühler hasn’t yet quantified the savings that processors could make but in terms of speeding up quality analysis and optimising output, the potential savings are “huge​”.
In the traditional process, samples are taken from several points in the production line, then transferred to the quality lab where the analysis happens,” ​said Larsen. “This processes can take up to several hours and if an error is discovered this means that tonnes of flawed product will have passed through the mill.”
TotalSense cuts the sampling-to-results time to around five minutes, meaning customers can react much more quickly, preventing entire batches from being contaminated, the firm said.

Connected tools, connected companies

The tool was developed by Bühler’s internal R&D scientists but Bashford said the company is keenly aware of the benefits of partnering up with external players, big and small alike, especially for tech-based products.
The Switzerland-headquartered firm was one of the founding partners of start-up accelerator, MassChallenge, while it also worked with Bosch in developing an ‘Internet of Things’ sensor using Microelectromechanical (MEMs) technology to measure three axes of vibration and temperature across a roll. “This allows us to optimise the production process​,” said global head of digital Stuart Bashford.
Bashford said the company is looking into investing in blockchain technologies for some applications but TotalSense relies on industry-standard security measures to ensure data is secure.
Last year Bühler launched AnywarePro, a remote monitoring system for rice that analyses, filters, and transmits critical data on machine performance, tolerance levels, and sorting criteria in real time.
By combining food safety databases and early warning systems under one cloud-based system, Bühler said it can help companies reduce the reputational risk from food fraud and recalls.
AnywarePro is currently available for the Sortex S optical rice sorting machine and will be extended to other machines next year

Govt to import 100,000 tons of parboiled rice

Govt to import 100,000 tons of parboiled rice

Govt to import 100,000 tons of parboiled rice

Each ton will cost $442 to $462

The government has decided to import 100,000 tons of parboiled rice to replenish rice stocks and rein in prices of the staple.
During a meeting on Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase gave its consent to importing the rice through an open tender.
Emerging from the meeting, Additional Secretary to Cabinet Division Mostafizur Rahman told reporters that six local traders would import 100,000 tons of rice at a cost of Tk427.27 crore according to terms stipulated by the Ministry of Food.
Each ton will cost $442 to $462, he said, adding that the consignment of rice is expected to reach Chittagong and Mongla ports within two months.
The six local rice traders are Mahabub Brothers Pvt Ltd, Aynul Haque Traders, Pubali Traders Ltd, M/S Sumon Flour Mills, M/S Shely Traders, and Biswas Trading and Construction.
The country is currently facing a shortfall of 1.5 million tons of rice as massive amounts of crops were washed away during the recent flooding in different districts.
To refill the stocks and ease the upward pricing pressure, the Food Ministry had taken steps to import 900,000 tonnes of rice, said Food Secretary Md Kaikobad Hossain.
The ministry’s data shows that the country’s rice stock hit a five-year low at 193,000 tons in June.
The stock on November 14, however, rose to 411,000 tons.


http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/11/22/100000-ton-parboiled-rice/ 

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Free Webinar:Curse of Smog Date: 28 November,2017 Time: 03:00pm -04:00 pm


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November 28, 2017 
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CEO,Indus Pak Corporation

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Rice Harvest/Crop Expert
Rice Partner Limited(RPL)



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22nd November,2017 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine






Research agencies develop new variant of rice variety

20 NOVEMBER 2017  Last Updated at 9:30 PM
Hyderabad, Nov 20 The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) today said it has developed an improved variant of a popular rice variety in collaboration with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR).
The variety, Improved Samba Mashuri (ISM), is cultivated in an area of 1,30,000 hectares across the country, mainly in the states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, the city- based CCMB said in a release.
"The CSIR-CCMB, a basic life science research institute and a constituent laboratory of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) have developed an Improved Samba Mashuri (ISM)," the release said.
"Recently, in a study carried out by the National Institute of Nutrition (a constituent institution of the Indian Council of Medical Research), it has been established that ISM has another unique feature of low glycemic index (ie a value of 50.99), which is amongst the lowest value for several rice varieties tested," it said.
Foods with Glycemic Index (GI) value below 55 are considered suitable for consumption by patients suffering from diabetes as consumption of foods with low GI results in slow release of glucose into the bloodstream, the release said.
ISM, in addition to possessing desirable attributes like high yield, fine-grain type, bacterial blight resistance and premium market price, also has a unique advantage of low GI, thus enhancing its market potential and profit earned by the farmers, it said.



CCMB-IIRR tie-up for low GI rice



HYDERABAD , NOVEMBER 21, 2017 00:51 IST
UPDATED: NOVEMBER 21, 2017 07:50 IST

MEETING  
New variety is considered suitable for those with diabetics
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in association with the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) has come out with an Improved Samba Masuri (ISM) which is not only resistant to bacteria blight but also has a low Glycemic Index (GI) considered suitable for those with diabetes.
National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), a constituent of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has done extensive human trials on the new variety and had come to the conclusion that ISM has low GI of 50.99 which is among the lowest value for several rice varieties tested and usually in the range of 53 to 69, explained IIRR director P. Ananda Kumar and his colleague R.M. Sundaram, CCMB’s Ramesh Sonti, Vishnupriya and others on Monday.
GI value of a food is determined by feeding 10 or more healthy people a portion of the food containing 50 grams of digestible (available) carbohydrate and then measuring the effect on their blood glucose levels over the next two hours.
Consumption of food with low GI results in slow release of glucose into the bloodstream reducing the ill-effects of diabetes.
Plus, ISM also has desirable attributes like better yield and fine grain type enhancing market potential and profit for farmers, they told a press conference.
With financial support from National Agricultural Technology Project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and CSIR800 program of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) work began in 1999 and completed in 2006, it was validated in 10 different locations for two years across the country. It was released in 2008. “We did molecular breeding in CCMB and actual traditional rice breeding at the rice research institute. Its not a transgenic plant. It is already been grown in 1.50 lakh hectares last year in seven rice breeding states including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, TS, TN, UP, etc.,” the scientists said. Farmers in several rice growing States have testified to the improved yield of up to 40% because of successful tackling of Bacteria Blight. In two/three years time, the scientists are confident of coming out with a new variety of rice which can not only give high yields but also be resistant to three different pests affecting rice crop with field trials currently on.
CCMB Director Rakesh Kumar Misra said ISM development was an excellent example of inter-institutional collaboration. Two firms have expressed interest in commercial production of the seed and scientists expect more farmers to take to it in the coming years.

Jeremy Vincent: Oven-baked chicken curry

JEREMY VINCENT, The Weekly Times
November 21, 2017 6:00pm
WHILE it’s easy to keep a few ready meals in the freezer for when you want a no-fuss midweek curry, fresh is best — and almost as convenient. This version takes less than an hour, leaving plenty of time for a summertime pre-dinner drink while the oven is doing all the work.
OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN CURRY
I like this easy chicken curry as most of the cooking is done in the oven. It’s even better the next day, when it can be gently reheated.
Serves 4
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
500g skinless chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 red chillies, seeds removed, finely chopped (you can reduce to one chilli)
2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
2-3 tablespoons commercial curry paste (your preference in regards to ‘heat’ will inform which you choose)
400g tin chopped tomatoes
400ml tin coconut milk
Small punnet cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped coriander
2 cups basmati rice, cooked, to serve
Preheat the oven to 190C. Heat the sunflower oil in a flameproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, onion, garlic, chilli and ginger and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the chicken starts to brown.
Add curry paste and cook, stirring, for a further minute or until fragrant. Season, then stir in tinned tomatoes and coconut milk until combined.
Cover and bake for 40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Stir through the cherry tomatoes and return to the oven for a further five minutes to warm them through. Sprinkle with chopped coriander and serve with cooked plain rice.
TIPS FOR A QUICK CURRY
OF COURSE you can be really authentic and mix your own spices to suit, but if you are looking for a quick and easy option when making a curry, there are a great range of curry pastes already available in the supermarket. If you are insistent on making your own, make sure the spices you buy are fresh — best to choose a supplier that has a good turnaround.
IDEALLY when you are starting your curry with the mix of onion, garlic and ginger, you should soften them rather than browning them too much.
YOU want your curry sauce to have a good body. This is where tinned tomatoes (with their liquid) and even other ingredients like roasted capsicum can supply some extra flavour. Yoghurt or cream, coconut milk or even spinach can provide an interesting character to the finished result.
MAKE YOUR OWN CURRY PASTE
PUT 3 tablespoons coriander seeds, 2 tablespoons cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds and 1 teaspoon black peppercorns into a dry frying pan over a medium heat.
Cook for about three minutes, stirring often, until the mustard seeds start to pop and the seeds turn golden and aromatic. Tip into a bowl and allow to cool for a few minutes.
Add 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon paprika and 1 or 2 dried chillies, to a pestle and mortar. Add the cooled toasted spices and grind everything together into a fine powder.
Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add a 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated, 4 garlic cloves, finely grated, 1 tablespoon tomato purée and 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar or cider vinegar and mix well to make a paste.
Use immediately, or spoon the paste into a jar, cover with a layer of vegetable or sunflower oil, seal with a lid and store in the fridge for up to a week. Makes enough for a curry to serve eight. http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/food/jeremy-vincent-ovenbaked-chicken-curry/news-story/5381ce6a1334a1dad3be5839c9a8ad32

Pakistan's Punjab province CM writes to Amarinder Singh on pollution

By Harpreet Bajwa  |  Express News Service  |   Published: 21st November 2017 09:14 PM  |  
Last Updated: 21st November 2017 11:49 PM  |   A+A A-   |  
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. | File Photo
CHANDIGARH: Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province and brother of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh inviting him to join hands to tackle smog and pollution.
In a tweet, the Govt of Punjab (Pakistan), stated, “The intensity of smog issue that has wide implications for human health calls for concerted efforts to take on this challenge. @CMShehbaz has written a letter to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab @Capt_amarinder for a cooperative & coordinated approach. @ArvindKejriwal.
The letter from Sharif, dated November 19, states, “You are aware since last year people of both Pakistani and Indian Punjabs have been facing the problem of smog during the months of October and November. This year the problem has become more aggravated and widespread.”
 “It goes without saying that the smog has an adverse effect on public health, especially on the old and children; on agriculture in the form of delayed sowing of wheat and damage to potato and other crops, and causes accidents,’’ it stated.
The letter further states, “Main causes of smog range from vehicular and industrial emissions to rice stubble burning. The phenomenon has now assumed regional proportions and it now engulfs areas from New Delhi to Lahore and beyond. You will agree with me that the problem is essentially scientific and economic and cannot be tackled through other means.”
“I firmly believe that it is in the interest of people of both Punjabs to make a collective effort towards identifying technologies and business methods that may eliminate the need to burn rice stubble and help control smog formation,” the letter says.
It added, “With this in view, I would like to invite you for entering into a regional cooperation arrangement to tackle the issue of smog as well as environmental pollution. Let us join hands for securing a prosperous future for the people of our two provinces.”
Replying to the tweet, Raveen Thukral,  Media Adviser to Capt. Amarinder Singh, tweeted, “Amarinder Singh is extremely concerned about the issue and is actively pursuing it with the Indian government. He expects early resolution of the matter. He is, however, yet to receive the letter from Shehbaz Sharif and will reply to it at a suitable time.”
State set to invoke Revenue Recovery Act
91 rice millers delaying supply of custom milled rice to govt.The Civil Supplies Department has decided to invoke the provisions of Revenue Recovery Act against the rice millers who have been delaying supply of custom milled rice (CMR) to the government, milled from the paddy procured from farmers and supplied to them from 2010-11 to 2013-14.
According to Commissioner of Civil Supplies C.V. Anand, 115 rice millers had dues in supply of rice to the tune of 150 crore.The department has been holding meetings frequently with the millers who have utilised the paddy supplied by the government for their commercial needs and delaying returning the custom milled rice due to the government, but in vain.
Officials of the Civil Supplies Department stated that such defaulting millers were given time for about a year and were also given the facility to clear the rice dues in instalments.
Further, they were also assured that cases registered against them would be withdrawn, if they cleared the dues.
However, lack of proper response from the millers has forced the department to work out the steps to invoke the provisions of the Revenue Recovery Act against them.
Under the Act, the defaulting millers would be served notices first and given some time before resorting to steps including attaching the bank accounts and auctioning the moveable and immoveable properties to recover the due. Officials of the department in districts have already been directed to identify the properties of the millers.
“While allotting paddy to millers for custom milling during the last (2016-17) Rabi season, the defaulting millers were given the facility of clearing 50% of dues in the form of either raw rice or cheques/demand drafts, and for the remaining dues, they were given the option of providing bank guarantee or collateral security along with two other rice millers surety for one year. Availing the facility, 24 millers have cleared 22.54 crore,” Mr. Anand said.
Custom milled rice dues worth 128 crore from another 91 millers are still due to the government and they were given another opportunity to clear at least 50% of the dues till the month-end, the officials stated.They were unable to contact some of the 91 defaulters.




Science, technology week reels off
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
 ALL is set for the holding of the 2017 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration from Wednesday, November 22, until Friday, November 24, in Zamboanga City. DOST OIC-Regional Director Martin Wee said the NSTW regional celebration will be held back-to-back with the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE).
Wee said the twin events is also targeted at bridging the gap between the world of scientists and research buffs to reach of every Juan across the country while promoting DOST’s programs and services. Among the activities lined-up for the NSTW and RICE events include technology bazaars and exhibit, Science and Technology (S&T) Film Festival, technology fora and technical sessions on Intellectual Property Rights Protection, Science Journalism, Food Packaging and Labelling, Green Engineering and Health and Wellness. Inventions and research projects of the qualified RICE entries will also be showcased and adjudged. Wee said this year’s S&T Week regional celebration, which is anchored on the theme “Science for the People,” will feature the department-developed technologies and inventions in line with its goal of bridging the world of the sciences to the Filipino communities.
Wee said that also to be featured are the DOST assisted food and non-food products as well as the different programs and services and interactive exhibits. He said that DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña will keynote the NSTW regional celebration. Other top DOST officials, including former DOST regional director and now Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda, are expected to join Dela Peña in gracing the event in this city. The event is open to all interested individuals such as S&T enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, students, researchers, inventors, innovators, professionals and the general public. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines) Tags:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2017/11/22/science-technology-week-reels-575965

This Week in PNAS

Nov 21, 2017
In the early, online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Stanford University and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub describe results from a T cell receptor beta-chain sequencing and immune profiling analysis of blood, tumor, and matched normal breast tissue samples from more than a dozen individuals with early-stage breast cancer. Based on results for 16 breast cancer patients, they saw enhanced T cell density and distinct clonal patterns relative to the blood and normal breast tissue. As some T cell sequences overlapped in each individual's tumor, blood, and normal tissue, the authors note that they also uncovered a "subset of 'enriched' [T cell receptor beta] sequences with high abundance in each tumor and absent or low abundance in normal breast." 
A team from the US and Japan take a look at the consequences of transposable element bursts in Oryza sativa rice. Using whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics, the researchers profiled transposable element patterns in two rice strain pairs — sets of inbred rice that diverged from a common ancestor within the past few decades. In both cases, insertions involving a type of class 2 transposable elements called mPing elements were about twice as common as new SNPs in each rice strain pair. There was a dearth of insertions by other transposable element families, the authors note, suggesting mPing insertion bursts can dodge host detection for decades after strains start diverging.
University of California, Riverside, researchers report on a transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 approach for editing the genome of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a common vector for dengue virus, Zika virus, and several other disease-causing arboviruses. In the hopes of accomplishing more effective genome engineering in the mosquito species, the team established transgenic mosquito strains that carry and express Cas9 in their genomes. Paired with improve homology-directed repair in this genome engineering system, the authors saw a boost in the ability to upend selected Ae. aegypti mosquito genes. "Given their high editing efficiencies, the Cas9 strains we developed can be used to quickly generate genome modifications, allowing for high-throughput gene targeting, and can possibly facilitate the development of gene drives," they write.

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Palace to review return of NFA to DA supervision

DAVAO CITY—President Duterte said he would consider the suggestion of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol to revert the supervision of the National Food Authority (NFA) to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Duterte told reporters here over the weekend that he would consult the NFA Administrator Jason Laureano Y. Aquino regarding the possibility of returning the supervision of the NFA to the DA. “We have to hear his opinion also.”
The NFA, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Coconut Authority, and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority were transferred to the Office of the President in May 2014. Former President Aquino signed Executive Order 165 which authorized the transfer.
The President said he agreed with the suggestion of Piñol that the NFA should be given a bigger role in ensuring that the country would have a steady food supply.
During the launch of the TienDA farmers’ market at the Ayala-owned Abreeza Mall here, Piñol said that while the NFA “is not under me, as the secretary of Agriculture I am recommending that the NFA be given a wider role in ensuring food supply.”
“The NFA should not only be a rice-importing agency, especially so that we are expecting to produce enough rice by 2020. We will not be dependent anymore in importing rice,” he said.
Piñol said the NFA “should be consolidator of products, from their regions to be repositioned in other parts of the country where these are needed.”
“If there is an abundance of fish in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, let the NFA put up a regional food depot that  would consolidate all fish produce to Cebu or Manila,” he said. “If there is abundance of vegetables in Baguio, let the NFA consolidate these products to the other parts of the country where the commodity is needed.”
Piñol’s suggestion came after he lambasted traders and middlemen for taking advantage of farmers and fishermen, causing them to “lose their enthusiasm to produce more.”
“The sad story in this food-supply chain in this country is that, the traders and middlemen dictate how much a fisherman would earn from his catch, or how much the farmer would earn from his produce. He also determines the price of his goods in the market,” he added.
For example, Piñol noted that, in February 2018, “when the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources lifts the three-month closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula, the price of tamban and bangsi is expected to go as low as P5 per kilogram [kg].”
But this would only be in the communities near the fishing grounds. “Brought to the market by the traders who own the fish vans and fish cars, the same fish sold by the fishermen would fetch at least P100 per kg.”


Reinventing the NFA’s role

By            BusinessMirror Editorial
The National Food Authority (NFA), which is currently under the Office of the President, is vested with the functions of ensuring food security and the stability of rice supply and price. The NFA resorts to importing rice from neighboring Southeast Asian countries and procures paddy from farmers to beef up its stockpile. When supply is tight, usually after a strong typhoon, the food agency distributes rice to areas devastated by natural disasters. NFA rice sold in these areas serve as a warning to unscrupulous traders that the government is ready to intervene and help keep prices in check.
This function has undoubtedly kept rice prices stable, which is probably why Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol wants President Duterte to expand the role of the NFA. Piñol had proposed to the President that the NFA serve as a “consolidator,” to buy other farm goods in bulk and sell these in areas in need of these products. To do this, the Department of Agriculture chief made a pitch for the set up of regional food terminals (RFTs) where farmers could sell their produce at a “fair price.” Piñol said the President could do this by merely issuing an executive order (EO). Anyway, NFA’s nongrain marketing activities were stopped by a mere EO issued in May 1985.
The NFA was created through Presidential Decree (PD) 4 dated September 26, 1972, under the name National Grains Authority, with the mission of promoting the integrated growth and development of the grains industry covering rice, corn, feed grains and others like sorghum, mongo and peanut. PD 4 abolished the Rice and Corn Board (Ricob) and the Rice and Corn Administration (RCA) but absorbed their respective functions. The Ricob regulated the rice and corn-retail trade and was tasked to nationalize it within a target date. The RCA was in charge of marketing or distribution of low-priced rice, especially during the lean months.
The NGA was vested additional functions aimed at developing the grains postharvest systems and processes. It also supported the paddy-production program of the government, dubbed as the “Masagana ‘99 Program,” which aimed for self-sufficiency. It engaged in massive paddy procurement at government-support prices. Under this program, the Philippines was able to export rice at a limited volume from 1977 to 1981.
The NGA was reconstituted into what is now the NFA, after PD 1770 was issued in January 1981. This decree widened the agency’s social responsibilities and commodity coverage to include, in addition to grains, other food items like raw or fresh fruits and vegetables and fish and marine, manufactured, processed, or packaged food products, and these were collectively referred to as non-grains commodities. PD 1770 served as the basis of the Kadiwa chain of stores or government retail stores, which sold low-priced basic food and household items in the National Capital Region and in all provinces of the country.
EO 1028, which was issued in May 1985, provided for the deregulation of the NFA’s non-grains marketing activities. This decree resulted in the termination of the NFA’s non-grains trading activities and allowed the return of feed grains and wheat importation to the private sector, as well as the lifting of price controls/ceilings on rice and corn. It also caused Kadiwa stores to be shuttered or devolved to the private sector.
Allowing the NFA again to engage in the trade of other farm products would drastically reduce the influence of middlemen and unscrupulous traders in setting prices. But government must consider where it would source the funds required to procure farm products directly from farmers and fishermen. The palay-procurement program of the NFA alone costs billions of pesos as the food agency buys paddy from farmers at P17 per kilogram. Should the President give his go signal to the setup of RFTs, the national government must see to it that this would not fall under the control of local politicians.
Given the gravity of failure of the country’s agricultural supply chain, economist Pablito M. Villegas said there is justification for expanding the powers of the NFA. To ensure transparency and to curb corruption, Villegas said the private sector must be involved in operating schemes that are similar to the Kadiwa. Also, the University of the Philippines economist said the government must ensure that they would deal directly with farmers and fishermen.


Portuguese rice imports increase as output declines

November 21, 2017 - by Arvin Donley

LISBON, PORTUGAL – As rice planted area continues to decline, imports are steadily rising in Portugal, according to a Nov. 13 Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).The report said domestic production, which fell to 166,000 tonnes in 2016 from 184,000 tonnes in 2015 and is estimated at 151,000 in 2017, is in decline due to high input costs, stiff competition from imports and water limitations in key production areas. Rice planted area has fallen steadily from 31,000 hectares in 2011 to an estimated 26,000 in 2017.
Rice imports, under preferential trade agreements, have continuously increased over the past five years, it said. Main origins of Portuguese rice imports include Guyana, Suriname, India, Cambodia, and Thailand. Imports have risen dramatically the last several years, increasing from 111,324 tonnes in 2014 to 182,898 in 2016, according to the report.Portugal is the fourth largest E.U. rice producer, accounting for about 6% of production, the report said. The country’s per capita rice consumption is nearly 17 kg per year, well above the E.U.’s average per capita consumption.
Temporary Ban on Rice Imports Removed
Wednesday, November 22, 2017

 

The temporary ban on rice imports has been lifted from Nov. 22 up until July 22, 2018, as per a directive by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade issued on Tuesday.Every year and during the rice harvest season, the government bans rice imports in support of local farmers and production. Import tariffs have increased from 22% four years ago to 40% at present for the same reason.  
Iranians consume 3 million tons of rice a year while domestic production stands at 2.2 million tons. Therefore, there is need for around 800,000 tons of imports every year.
“We need imports, but imports that are limited and controlled,” Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.
More than 1.05 million tons of semi- and wholly-milled rice worth close to $996 million were imported into Iran during the first half of the current Iranian year (March 21-Sept. 22), registering an 84.4% and 108.4% surge in weight and value respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year.
Rice imports accounted for 6% and 4.2% of the volume and value of Iran’s overall imports respectively during the six-month period. Rice importers bypass the ban during the harvest season by receiving the import permit before the ban period.
Imports are made mainly from the UAE, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Iraq.
The southern Vietnamese city of Can Tho expects to export its first batch of rice to Iran in the last quarter of 2017, deputy director of the city’s Department of Industry and Trade said last month.
Huynh Trung Tru also said a company in Iran in August directly dealt with a rice firm in Can Tho to finalize a contract to export to Iran 100,000 tons of rice from now until the end of the year.
According to Tru, if rice shipment to Iran meets favorable conditions, the city hopes that the partner will sign a longer term contract next year.
Iran’s state grains buyer Government Trading Corporation has issued an international tender earlier this month to buy 30,000 tons of rice to be sourced from India. The tender closes on Dec. 12. The rice is sought in three consignments of 10,000 tons for shipment in early 2018.
The Agriculture Ministry expects domestic rice production to increase by 10-15% in the current Iranian year (started March 21), because of favorable weather condition and timely distribution of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and equipment among local farmers.
According to the Central and West Asia Rice Center, with around 54% of Central and West Asia’s paddy fields located in Iran, the country accounts for 61% of the regions’ combined rice production.
The two northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran are home to a majority of Iran’s paddy fields.A total of 81% and 70% of rice harvest in the two provinces respectively were mechanized in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2017).

Science, technology week reels off Tuesday,
November 21, 2017 ALL is set for the holding of the 2017 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration from Wednesday, November 22, until Friday, November 24, in Zamboanga City. DOST OIC-Regional Director Martin Wee said the NSTW regional celebration will be held back-to-back with the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE). Wee said the twin events is also targeted at bridging the gap between the world of scientists and research buffs to reach of every Juan across the country while promoting DOST’s programs and services.
Among the activities lined-up for the NSTW and RICE events include technology bazaars and exhibit, Science and Technology (S&T) Film Festival, technology fora and technical sessions on Intellectual Property Rights Protection, Science Journalism, Food Packaging and Labelling, Green Engineering and Health and Wellness. Inventions and research projects of the qualified RICE entries will also be showcased and adjudged. Wee said this year’s S&T Week regional celebration, which is anchored on the theme “Science for the People,” will feature the department-developed technologies and inventions in line with its goal of bridging the world of the sciences to the Filipino communities.
Wee said that also to be featured are the DOST assisted food and non-food products as well as the different programs and services and interactive exhibits. He said that DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña will keynote the NSTW regional celebration. Other top DOST officials, including former DOST regional director and now Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda, are expected to join Dela Peña in gracing the event in this city. The event is open to all interested individuals such as S&T enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, students, researchers, inventors, innovators, professionals and the general public. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines).

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2017/11/22/science-technology-week-reels-575965

Research agencies develop new variant of rice variety

Business News, Nation (Hyderabad), November 21:-The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) on Monday said it has developed an improved variant of a popular rice variety in collaboration with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR).
The variety, Improved Samba Mashuri (ISM), is cultivated in an area of 1,30,000 hectares across the country, mainly in the states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, the city- based CCMB said in a release.
“The CSIR-CCMB, a basic life science research institute and a constituent laboratory of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) have developed an Improved Samba Mashuri (ISM),” the release said.
“Recently, in a study carried out by the National Institute of Nutrition (a constituent institution of the Indian Council of Medical Research), it has been established that ISM has another unique feature of low glycemic index (ie a value of 50.99), which is amongst the lowest value for several rice varieties tested,” it said.
Foods with Glycemic Index (GI) value below 55 are considered suitable for consumption by patients suffering from diabetes as consumption of foods with low GI results in slow release of glucose into the bloodstream, the release said.ISM, in addition to possessing desirable attributes like high yield, fine-grain type, bacterial blight resistance and premium market price, also has a unique advantage of low GI, thus enhancing its market potential and profit earned by the farmers, it said


Global Rice Seed Industry 2017 Emerging Markets in Developing Countries
Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/21/2017 -- Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Rice Seed Industry 2017 Market Research Report to its huge collection of research reports.
This given report on the global Rice Seed market, is a result of a research conducted by a group of market research analysis experts with an aim to act as a reliable business material for stake holders. The report offers information on the current market scenario and the prospects that may arise in future as well. Use of well proven research methodologies is done in generating this report which offers both qualitative and quantitative analysis of all the aspects that may influence the growth of the global Rice Seed market. The potential of lesser factors of the Rice Seed market can be evaluated by analysing its multiple segments such as products, end users, types, application, services, and others, whichever are applicable. The report also inspects the future scenarios of Rice Seed market in all the important regions across the world, such as North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific, and Europe. The market potential of the Rice Seed of each region is provided by examining their related policies government, growth prospects, and demand percentage.

This report on the global Rice Seed market provides estimations regarding the market size in terms of value (USD million). The opportunities open in the market for Rice Seed by manufacturing countries type and application, and presents forecast for the duration of 2017-2022 has also been discussed extensively in this research report.

Complete report with detailed table of content is available at: https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-rice-seed-industry-2017-market-research-report.htm/toc

One of the important features of the study report is the company profiling chapter, where several leading players of the Rice Seed market have been inspected. Moreover, the competitive landscape of the global Rice Seed market is researched along with identification of chances of upcoming players that are present in the market. The report give out some of the prominent companies in the global Rice Seed market and inspects their tactical decisions such as mergers, collaborations, and acquisitions, new product announcements, and investments. Crucial information about the companies such as market share, business sales price, margin, and revenue generation, are provided in the research report.

Table of Contents

Global Rice Seed Market Research Report 2017
1 Rice Seed Market Overview
1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Rice Seed
1.2 Rice Seed Segment by Type (Product Category)
1.2.1 Global Rice Seed Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)
1.2.2 Global Rice Seed Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 2016
1.2.3 Long-Grain Rice
1.2.4 Medium-Grain Rice
1.2.5 Short-Grain Rice

2 Global Rice Seed Market Competition by Manufacturers
2.1 Global Rice Seed Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)
2.1.1 Global Rice Seed Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)
2.1.2 Global Rice Seed Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)

3 Global Rice Seed Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)
3.1 Global Rice Seed Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)
3.2 Global Rice Seed Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)
3.3 Global Rice Seed Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)

To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @ https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1329857&type=S

List of Tables and Figures

Figure North America Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Europe Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure China Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Japan Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Southeast Asia Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure India Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Global Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)
Figure Global Rice Seed Capacity, Production (K Units) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)
Figure Global Rice Seed Major Players Product Capacity (K Units) (2012-2017)
Table Global Rice Seed Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)
Table Global Rice Seed Capacity Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)

About QYReseachReports
QYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.

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RRI: Using plant science to increase the production and profitability of rice

IRRI uses plant science to explore new rice traits and improve farming productivity in a resource-efficient, profitable, environmentally sustainable way.

  November 22, 2017     
    By Pearly Neo
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) welcomed delegates from CropLife Asia to its campus to discuss the vital role that pest management and biotechnology plays in securing food supply for the future. The visit was part of CropLife Asia’s Plant Science Primer event, an effort to bring together key journalists and other food stakeholders from across Southeast Asia to share information and experiences with regard to the role plant science plays in enabling farmers across the region. 
As a leading global research institution, IRRI works closely with partners from around the world in exploring rice germplasm for new traits, improving the productivity of farming systems so that they are resource-efficient, profitable, and environmentally sustainable.

One such partner is CropLife Asia, whose focus is around ensuring that crop protection products such as pesticides are utilised responsibly and handled in the safest and most effective way to help farmers improve agricultural productivity and contribute to food security.Biotechnology provides farmers with tools that can make production cheaper and more manageable and provides consumers with foods that are nutritionally-enriched. Biotechnology has helped to make both insect pest control and weed management safer and easier while safeguarding crops against disease. The application of biotechnology in agriculture has resulted in various benefits to farmers, producers, and consumers.

“IRRI’s work will enable innovations that will empower governments and private sector players to overcome the inter-related challenges of continuing population growth, malnutrition, poverty, climate change, and deteriorating natural resources,” said V. Bruce Tolentino, IRRI Deputy Director General for Communication and Partnerships.

IRRI’s scientists and researchers have been developing new approaches and products that fit farmer practices, production environments, and are resilient to climate change. Moreover, IRRI’s rice breeding work encompasses the multiple disciplines of conventional and modern biotechnology to improve rice for better grain quality and higher yield, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance of environmental stresses, less farm input requirements, and higher nutrient content. Crop protection solutions have addressed problems caused by pests such as weeds, diseases and insects, leading to higher and quality yields.

“The challenge of growing more food with fewer natural resources and less impact on the environment is one that requires solutions that are game-changing and sustainable – the innovations plant science technology provides are just that. At the same time, the responsibility of supporting our region’s farmers to ensure they have access to the technology and tools they need is a shared endeavour, and we proudly stand with IRRI in continuing this important work,” added Dr. Siang Hee Tan, CropLife Asia Executive Director

Global Rice Seed Industry 2017 Emerging Markets in Developing Countries

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire
Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/21/2017 -- Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Rice Seed Industry 2017 Market Research Report to its huge collection of research reports.
This given report on the global Rice Seed market, is a result of a research conducted by a group of market research analysis experts with an aim to act as a reliable business material for stake holders. The report offers information on the current market scenario and the prospects that may arise in future as well. Use of well proven research methodologies is done in generating this report which offers both qualitative and quantitative analysis of all the aspects that may influence the growth of the global Rice Seed market. The potential of lesser factors of the Rice Seed market can be evaluated by analysing its multiple segments such as products, end users, types, application, services, and others, whichever are applicable. The report also inspects the future scenarios of Rice Seed market in all the important regions across the world, such as North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific, and Europe. The market potential of the Rice Seed of each region is provided by examining their related policies government, growth prospects, and demand percentage.
This report on the global Rice Seed market provides estimations regarding the market size in terms of value (USD million). The opportunities open in the market for Rice Seed by manufacturing countries type and application, and presents forecast for the duration of 2017-2022 has also been discussed extensively in this research report.
One of the important features of the study report is the company profiling chapter, where several leading players of the Rice Seed market have been inspected. Moreover, the competitive landscape of the global Rice Seed market is researched along with identification of chances of upcoming players that are present in the market. The report give out some of the prominent companies in the global Rice Seed market and inspects their tactical decisions such as mergers, collaborations, and acquisitions, new product announcements, and investments. Crucial information about the companies such as market share, business sales price, margin, and revenue generation, are provided in the research report.
Table of Contents
Global Rice Seed Market Research Report 2017
1 Rice Seed Market Overview
1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Rice Seed
1.2 Rice Seed Segment by Type (Product Category)
1.2.1 Global Rice Seed Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)
1.2.2 Global Rice Seed Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 2016
1.2.3 Long-Grain Rice
1.2.4 Medium-Grain Rice
1.2.5 Short-Grain Rice
2 Global Rice Seed Market Competition by Manufacturers
2.1 Global Rice Seed Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)
2.1.1 Global Rice Seed Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)
2.1.2 Global Rice Seed Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)
3 Global Rice Seed Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)
3.1 Global Rice Seed Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)
3.2 Global Rice Seed Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)
3.3 Global Rice Seed Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)
List of Tables and Figures
Figure North America Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Europe Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure China Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Japan Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Southeast Asia Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure India Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)
Figure Global Rice Seed Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)
Figure Global Rice Seed Capacity, Production (K Units) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)
Figure Global Rice Seed Major Players Product Capacity (K Units) (2012-2017)
Table Global Rice Seed Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)
Table Global Rice Seed Capacity Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)
About QYReseachReports
QYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3570724