Monday, September 28, 2015

28th September,2015 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

FAO Estimates Cambodia Rice Exports to Increase Sharply in 2015

Sep 28, 2015
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates Cambodia's total rice exports (including official and unofficial exports to Thailand and Vietnam) to reach about 1.2 million tons in 2015, up about 6% from last year.
The FAO says the government's strategy to boost official exports through targeting new markets is being reflected in the high pace of shipments so far this year. Direct milled rice exports between January and August 2015 have reached about 342,136 tonnes, up about 50% from the same period in the previous year.
The UN agency estimates 2015 total paddy rice production at around 9.18 million tons, down about 1.5% from around 9.324 million tons in 2014. Planting of the main (wet) season paddy crop began in June and will continue till October. Below-average rains between May and July reportedly delayed planting operations. Around 189,122 hectares have been damaged due to dry weather conditions. However, normal rains from August helped planting operations to pick up. The FAO estimates output from the main season crop to decline about 3% y/y to 7 million tons in 2015 and output from the dry season crop to compensate for the losses from main season crop.
Wholesale rice prices increased in most of the markets in August due to increased export demand. Concerns about damage to the 2015 main season crops due to prolonged dry weather also pushed prices during the month. However, prices were below their year-ago levels, according to the FAO.

Changes to EU CAP Possible through Mid-Term Review, Says Former Italian Minister

Sep 28, 2015
Most of the stakeholders are unhappy with the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) since it recommends a cut in the EU agricultural budget. While the European Commission (EC) is planning to simplify the CAP at the end of this year, the EU Parliament fears that a complete CAP reform would further cut down the EU agricultural budget.
However, Italy's former Minister of Agriculture noted that changes to the current CAP can are possible in the mid-term review. Speaking at a workshop titled "Can the (new) CAP deliver on sustainability?" in Milan, he noted that the new CAP is a hybrid policy that runs the risk of displeasing all parties. He is also the former chairman of the Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and current coordinator of the S&D group in the committee.
He noted that the EC is underestimating problems and is finding temporary solutions for structural problems. For instance, he said an aid package worth €500 million for supporting milk and meat sectors, though positive, does not solve the problem completely. While the new CAP recommends direct cash payments per hectare to farmers, the former Minister says there is a need for more risk management instruments.
Other participants in the workshop noted that the mid-term review should also focus on including certain measures to support younger farmers. They noted that due to the absence of proper access to land and credit, young people are showing interest to enter the farming sector.
Responding to the speakers’ views, the Press Officer of the EC noted that the Commission has approved the aid package after considering the price volatility. He also noted that the new CAP focuses on benefits to the younger generation. The Commission is further evaluating new measures related to addressing the ageing sector, including loans whose repayment would depend on price performance, he added.
The new CAP accounts for only 37.8% of the EU's 2014-2020 budget compared to nearly 71% in 1984. It reportedly places a greater emphasis on environmental measures, with up to 30% of the funding granted to farmers who diversify production, rotate their land or maintain permanent pastures.

Italian Paddy Rice Acreage Increases About 3.5% in 2015-16 Crop Year

Sep 28, 2015
The Italian paddy rice acreage in 2015-16 (September - August) reached around 227,329 hectares, up about 3.5% from around 219,532 hectares in the previous crop year, according to data provided by Ente Nazionale Risi, the National Agency for Rice.
The Ente Nazionale Risi data shows that the paddy rice growing area in Pavia, Vercelli and Novara reached around 80,127 hectares, 69,709 hectares and 33,001 hectares respectively.
The 2015-16 acreage for round varieties increased about 8.1% y/y to around 56,946 hectares; the acreage for medium varieties increased about 56.4% y/y to around 1,183 hectares; and acreage for Long A varieties increased about 20.4% y/y to around 125,832 hectares. However, the acreage for Long B varieties declined by about 36.5% y/y to around 35,080 hectares.
Harvesting is continuing in most of the fields, according to local sources. "Regularity and consistency of water availability exercised undoubtedly a crucial impact on production," noted an agronomist. However, he stated that results are not so good in areas where there were no adequate irrigation facilities during the important phases of plant growth. The final impact will be known after the completion of harvests, he said.

Global Rice Quotes
September 28th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality

Thailand 100% B grade          355-365           ↑
Vietnam 5% broken    335-345           ↑
India 5% broken         355-355           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken    310-320           ↔
Myanmar 5% broken   415-425           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken             415-425           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           530-540           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    535-545           ↔
Argentina 5% broken 530-540           ↔

Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 330-340           ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 320-330           ↔
Pakistan 25% broken 290-300           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken           400-410           ↔
India 25% broken       315-325           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         500-510           ↔

Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            345-355           ↑
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    415-425           ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd         340-350           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       570-580           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken    545-555           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken            NQ      ↔

Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%          810-820           ↑
Vietnam Jasmine         455-465           ↑
India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails             830-840           ↔

Brokens
Thailand A1 Super      305-315           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken            305-315           ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd    275-285           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super   355-365           ↔
India 100% broken stxd         300-310           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔
U.S. pet food 335-345           ↔
Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔



All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com




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28th September,2015 Daily global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

News Headlines...
·         IMF likely to approve $502 mln loan tranche for Pakistan
·         Paddy procurement faces rough weather
·         APEDA Commodity News
·         New Rice Variety May Boost Self-Sufficiency, But More Research Needed: Jokoi
·         THE ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF ‘EMPEROR’S RICE’
·         Rice exporters blame state, Centre for basmati growers' plight
·         El NiƱo-resilient rice varieties identified
·         Rice exports face difficulties
·         Crossbreeding: New Study Sheds Light On History Of Black Rice

News Detail...

IMF likely to approve $502 mln loan tranche for Pakistan

September 27, 2015
 By: Zamir Laghari
 Published in Economy
 WASHINGTON: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is due to meet on Monday to discuss the eighth review under the Extended Fund Facility arrangement with Pakistan and is expected to approve the release of $502 million loan tranche.Pakistan achieved the staff-level agreement with the IMF officials in August after the successful completion of the 8th review of the loan.In a statement issued after the meeting, IMF officials had noted that Pakistan’s economy continues to improve, appreciating the commitment and progress in implementing the economic program to improve economic resilience, promote growth and private sector job creation in the country.Speaking to reporters last week, IMF Director Communications, Gerry Rice, said that the executive board will meet on September 28 to discuss the eight review and after approval will release about $502 million to Pakistan.
Responding to a question on Pakistan’s decision to cut the interest rate recently, Rice said that that the easing of monetary policy in Pakistan has become possible in an environment of improving stability and low inflation.“We do expect a moderate pick-up in inflation in the coming months as international energy prices stabilize. That said, real interest rates remain positive and we expect inflation expectations to remain well anchored,” he said.The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stabilized the country’s economy which was facing a serious crisis when he took over after winning elections in June, 2013. The improvement in the economy has boosted investors’ confidence.This week Pakistan successfully issued a new bond of $500 million after a series of roadshows that were held in Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and one in England. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was in New York to launch the bond.
Despite tight and weak global market conditions and jittery investors’ sentiments, the issue was twice over subscribed but the government decided to restrict the issue to the intended level of
$500 million in order to cover the forthcoming maturity in March 2016 of a bond issue in 2006.Moody’s Investors Services on September 18 had assigned a provisional rating of B3 to the government’s announcement of global bond offering, saying that the outlook is stable.The IMF’s Board meeting comes as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz are accompanying the Prime Minister.
Speaking to media here, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ruled out devaluing rupee against the dollar.  – APP

Paddy procurement faces rough weather

September 28, 2015 05:51 IST

If not harvested at the earliest, there is the danger of germination of paddy.he paddy procurement scheme, launched by the State government through Supplyco, is facing rough weather. Over 10,000 hectares of paddy fields spread over Kuttanad, Ambalappuzha, and other areas are facing uncertainty over the procurement of the second crop.Though Supplyco is expected to commence procurement on October 1, non-cooperation of millers is bound to create serious problems. In many areas, paddy shoots have fallen down, posing damage to the crop. If not harvested at the earliest, there is the danger of germination of paddy.

Even those who have harvested the crop are unable to remove paddy from the fields as the procurement is done at the fields. In the past, farmers were given procurement advice by the officials concerned well in advance so that the harvested paddy could be directly transported from the spot to the assigned millers.This time, the millers have decided to desist from the procurement drive, demanding a hike in handling charges. As the dispute drags on, the farmers could be the worst hit. If Supplyco fails to take a decision at the earliest, it could sound the death knell of the procurement process, leading to an alarming situation in the paddy farming sector.

Intervention sought
“The government should intervene in the matter urgently,” says Kuttanad Vikasana Samithy executive director Fr. Thomas Peelianikkal. The information that procurement would start only on October 1 has been passed on to the farmers late. There is lack of coordination between the Civil Supplies and Agriculture Ministries, he says.“The issue needs urgent attention from the government,” says P.T. Scaria, district president, Karsha Congress. Farmers’ problems should be resolved on a priority basis, he says.Rice millers used to collect paddy from the fields, process it, and send it to wholesalers.
The Kerala State Rice Mill Owners Association contends that it has been incurring increased expenditure, rendering the job unprofitable.The moisture content in the paddy being collected from the fields has exceeded stipulated limits, according to association president K.K. Karnan. It results in reduced output of rice, but the millers are bound to meet the quantity requirements as per contract, causing loss. Over 30 mills, among the 100 plus rice mills in the State, have been closed down unable to bear the loss in the past few years, the owners say.
If not harvested at the earliest, there is the danger of germination of paddy.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/paddy-procurement-faces-rough-weather/article7696776.ece

APEDA Commodity News



International Benchmark Price
Price on: 25-09-2015
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Rice
1
CZCE Early Rice Futures (USD/t)
321
2
Pakistani 100%, FOB Karachi (USD/t)
318
3
Pakistani 25% Broken (USD/t)
383
Wheat
1
CZCE Wheat Futures (USD/t)
350
2
Black Sea, FOB Brazil (USD/t)
169
3
NYSE Liffe Feed Wheat Futures (USD/t)
177
White Sugar
1
CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)
831
2
Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)
691
3
Thai VHP, FOB Thailand (USD/t)
415
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 26-09-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Alappuzha (Kerala)
Other
3150
3275
2
Junagarh (Orissa)
Other
2100
2200
3
Melaghar (Tripura)
Fine
2900
3100
Wheat
1
Dehgam (Gujarat)
Other
1580
1675
2
Bangalore (Karnataka)
Local
2600
3200
3
Alappuzha (Kerala)
Other
1900
2000
Mousambi
1
Alappuzha (Kerala)
Other
3100
3200
2
Balachaur (Punjab)
Other
2500
2800
3
Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Other
2100
2200
Cucumbar
1
Koraput (Orissa)
Other
1000
1100
2
Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Other
1500
1500
3
Solan(Himachal Pradesh)
Other
1000
1700
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 26-09-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
310
2
Chittoor
303
3
Nagapur
292
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 25-09-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Onions Dry
Package: 50 lb sacks
1
Atlanta
Mexico
Yellow
23
24
2
Baltimore
California
Yellow
16
16
3
Detroit
Nevada
Yellow
17
18
Carrots
Package: 20 1-lb film bags
1
Atlanta
California
Baby Peeled
19
20.75
2
Chicago
California
Baby Peeled
17
17.50
3
Dallas
Arizona
Baby Peeled
16.75
17
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Atlanta
Washington
Red Delicious
26
26.50
2
Chicago
Washington 
Red Delicious
24.50
24.50
3
Detroit
Washington
Red Delicious
27
27.50
Source:USDA

New Rice Variety May Boost Self-Sufficiency, But More Research Needed: Jokoi
Jakarta. President Joko Widodo has called for more research and development in the agricultural sector, saying it is key to the nation's bid for self-sufficiency in food production.
Joko made the comments during a harvesting ceremony for a new locally developed type of rice, on Sunday.The rice, labeled IPB 3s and developed by the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) in cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry and the West Java government, was planted at Cikarang village in Karawang district, West Java.Joko said the newly developed rice can double Indonesia's production of the commodity. The new variety has been tested on a 500 hectare field and this harvest season the variety has already produced a yield of 13.4 tons per hectare, more than double the 6.1 tons per hectare average estimated by the Indonesian Statistics Agency (BPS) in July.
“This kind of intensification is exactly what [Indonesia] needs. We want a massive increase in production,” he said.“We need to boost our research and development. The IPB has done it and now we can start seeing results.”The president also instructed state procurement agency Bulog to monitor rice distribution, a key component in steadying food prices affecting both producers and consumers.
“Bulog must maintain a steady supply of rice so that prices are not manipulated by speculators,” he said.Bulog president director Djarot Kusumayakti said the agency currently has enough rice in stock — 1.7 million tons — to dampen effects of the extended drought, due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.The Bulog director is confident that Indonesia could soon be self-sufficient in rice with the introduction of the new rice variety."If the yields increase, let's pray together that we'll soon enter the era of self-sufficiency," Djarot said.
However, Indonesia is still reliant on the importation of other food products, mainly beef, as the country struggles to boost production to meet demands.Indonesia is set to import up to 10,000 tons of beef from New Zealand next month, according to Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution. The supply should be enough to meet Indonesia's consumption demand for a month, but the government is prepared to import more if needed, Darmin said.The government is also expecting 200,000 head cattle from Australia for domestic consumption in the fourth quarter of this year.Australia is currently Indonesia's only source of imported beef. Brazil and Uruguay have been named as potential trade partners and the government of Colombia has also expressed interest in providing beef to the archipelago.Indonesia imported 97,610 head of cattle in the first three months of this year and 201,640 in the second quarter, according to data from the Trade
Ministry.http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/new-rice-variety-may-boost-self-sufficiency-research-needed-joko/

THE ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF ‘EMPEROR’S RICE’


BLACK RICE HAS A RICH CULTURAL HISTORY; CALLED “FORBIDDEN” OR “EMPEROR’S” RICE, IT WAS RESERVED FOR THE EMPEROR IN ANCIENT CHINA AND USED AS A TRIBUTE FOOD.

In the time since, it remained popular in certain regions of China and recently has become prized worldwide for its high levels of antioxidants. Despite its long history, the origins of black rice have not been clear. Black rice cultivars are found in locations scattered throughout Asia.However, most cultivated rice (species Oryza sativa) produces white grains, and the wild relative Oryza rufipogon has red grains. The color of rice grains is determined by which colored pigments they accumulate (or fail to accumulate, in the case of white rice).For instance, the pro-anthocyanidins that give wild rice grains their characteristic red color are not produced in white rice due to a mutation in a gene controlling pro-anthocyanidin biosynthesis. The color in black rice is known to be due to anthocyanin pigments, but how these came to be made in the grains was not known.
A paper to be published this week in The Plant Cell reveals the answer to the long-standing question of how black rice became black and, moreover, traces the history of the trait from its molecular origin to its spread into modern-day varieties of rice. Researchers from two institutions in Japan collaborated to meticulously examine the genetic basis for the black color in rice grains.They discovered that the trait arose due to a rearrangement in a gene called Kala4, which activates the production of anthocyanins. They concluded that this rearrangement must have originally occurred in the tropical japonica subspecies of rice and that the black rice trait was then transferred into other varieties (including those found today) by crossbreeding.
According the study’s lead scientist, Dr. Takeshi Izawa, “The birth and spread of novel agronomical traits during crop domestication are complex events in plant evolution.” This new work on black rice helps explain the history of domestication of rice by ancient humans, during which they selected for desirable traits including grain color.
http://www.heritagedaily.com/2015/09/the-origin-and-spread-of-emperors-rice/108409
Rice exporters blame state, Centre for basmati growers' plight
PTI,Chandigarh, | 27 September, 2015
With growers in Punjab lamenting lower prices of PUSA basmati 1509 variety, rice exporters on Sunday blamed the Punjab government and the Centre for the "plight" of growers, saying they were not discouraged from plantation of the crop despite poor response from buyers.With PUSA 1509 variety arriving in mandis of Punjab and Haryana, its prices are hovering around Rs.1,200-1,300 per quintal which is even lesser than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs.1,450 per quintal for Grade-A variety, traders said.In Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the variety is fetching price in the range of Rs.800-1,000 a quintal, they further said."It is the failure of the governments both Punjab and Centre for not discouraging growers from sowing PUSA basmati 1509 variety in the state despite warning them numerous times that this variety was not acceptable to buyers," Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association, Director, Ashok Sethi told PTI today.
Sethi claimed that farmers in Punjab brought uncertified and unrecommended seed of short-duration 1509 variety and planted it without considering its results.Exporters pointed out that rice millers had witnessed high broken content in 1509 variety during processing last year. Besides grain turning weak, rice of this variety became blackish, which was not acceptable to overseas buyers, they said adding that exporters and millers were unnecessarily being accused of not paying higher rates for this crop.They claimed that PUSA 1509 variety was not suitable for plantation in Punjab and Haryana."We had spent Rs.8-10 lakh on advertisements just to discourage farmers not to plant 1509 variety.
But despite that fact this year 2 crore bags of this variety was expected to arrive in mandis in Punjab alone," he said.A vigorous campaign was also launched this season in paddy growing areas of Punjab and Haryana, asking growers not to sow PUSA Basmati 1509 before July 15 after basmati exporters complained of high incident of broken content because of pre-mature plantation.Exporters said farmers planted crop before July 15 despite being told not do so.Developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), PUSA Basmati 1509 variety has seen its acceptability among growers both in Punjab and Haryana in a big way because of its high yield and short duration (90 days).Its yield is about 25 quintals per acre, more than the other aromatic variety of PUSA 1121 whose yield is 20 quintals per acre.After basmati 1509 variety fetched higher returns in 2013 when this came for the first time, farmers, who planted it early, fetched Rs.4,000 per quintal for paddy, industry insiders said.

http://www.thestatesman.com/news/business/rice-exporters-blame-state-centre-for-basmati-growers-plight/93079.html

El NiƱo-resilient rice varieties identified

September 25, 2015 10:16 pm
by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ, REPORTER
Amid the threat of a prolonged drought due to the El NiƱo phenomenon, the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has identified two climate change-resilient rice varieties suitable for irrigated lowlands in the Visayas and Mindanao.Researchers said the development of location-specific, high-yielding and climate change-resilient varieties are among the cost-effective strategies to increase rice yields.
A PhilRice study identified NSIC Rc308 (Tubigan 26) and NSIC Rc358 (Tubigan 30) as climate change-resilient varieties with superior performance in irrigated lowland ecosystems. Thelma Padolina, lead researcher, said that varieties with superior performance in specific locations and improved resistance to lodging and biotic stresses must be bred and recommended to help the farmers adapt to climate change.

“The two recommended varieties have relatively high yield advantage over their check varieties. The NSIC Rc308 has a yield advantage of 5.5 percent in the Visayas and 4 percent in Mindanao in contrast with PSB Rc82. NSIC Rc358 outyielded PSB Rc18 by 12 percent,” Padolina said.NSIC Rc308 and the NSIC Rc358 are 2013 PhilRice-bred varieties.Under favorable irrigated lowland ecosystems, NSIC Rc308 has a maximum average yield of 10.9 tons per hectare (t/ha) and matures in 11 days if transplanted. When direct-seeded, it matures in 105 days and has a maximum yield of 8.0 t/ha.Under the same farming condition, NSIC Rc358 can also attain a maximum average yield of 5.4 t/ha to 9.1 t/ha if transplanted.
Both varieties are early maturing so they may escape stress conditions. NSIC Rc308 showed superior performance in Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Eastern Samar, and Aklan.According to Padolina, the variety has intermediate reaction to pests such as stem borer, brown planthopper, and bacterial leaf blight.NSIC Rc358 is considered as an all-season variety for Visayas. Padolina said that it is suitable for the transplanting culture in the provinces of Samar, Aklan, and Bohol.Rice scientists and experts encouraged R&D institutions to foster stronger partnerships as the country prepares to address the effects of trade liberalization and climate change.
Govt should invest more in R&D
During the 28th National Rice R&D Conference at PhilRice, experts discussed industry trends to address current issues and emerging problems besetting rice R&D.Dr. Madonna Casimero of IRRI stressed that there is a need to rethink and step up R&D strategies in order to help the national government craft policies and develop the right technologies for the farmers.Casimero also highlighted the message of IRRI’s deputy director general for research Dr. Matthew Morell that “not one institution can provide the solutions to all the issues confronting agriculture.”
Hence, cooperation among R&D institutions is needed, she said.“We need to strengthen ourselves and harness the skills of our partners,” she said.Economics professor Dr. Cesar Quicoy of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) emphasized that the national government must invest more in R&D as it plays a major role in making farmers competitive.“Literature will always point out that the reason why we’re always behind in agriculture is because our R&D is very minimal in terms of our GDP,” he said.Studies have shown that R&D contributes about 25 percent yield growth in rice.
During the conference, experts also urged PhilRice, as the country’s lead institute in rice R&D, to look at the issues in agriculture as an opportunity to prove the relevance of the institute.The National Rice Research and Development Conference is annually hosted by PhilRice and gathers around 500 researchers, academicians, students, farmers, and extension workers from all over the country.
http://www.manilatimes.net/el-nino-resilient-rice-varieties-identified/220649/
Rice exports face difficulties
Vietnam is encountering difficulties in exporting rice in the face of fierce competition from Thailand, India and Myanmar.
Rice for exports (Photo:VNA)
The statement was made by Vo Hung Dung, Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Can Tho branch, at a workshop in the Mekong Delta city on September 25 to seek solutions for rice producers and exporters. Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that in the first eight months of 2015, Vietnam shipped 4.1 million tonnes of rice abroad and earned US$ 1.76 billion, down 8.6 percent in volume and over 13 percent in value compared to the same period last year.
Notably, China, which remains Vietnam’s largest rice importer with 32 percent of the country’s total market shares, is decreasing its imports from Vietnam. In 2012-2013, around 65 percent of China’s imported rice came from Vietnam but the figure reduced to 53 percent in 2014 and 47 percent in the first four months of this year.In addition, Vietnam’s two other major importers, the Philippines and Indonesia, which account for 12 and 5 percent of the market shares, respectively, are striving to boost production towards self-sufficiency.

At the workshop, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association Huynh The Nang introduced several measures to help businesses improve their competitiveness.According to Nang, the long-term solution to effectively stabilising production and exports is to provide loans for export businesses’ rice stockpiles.He also suggested reducing risks in harvesting, stocking and distributing rice while striving to building trademarks for the Vietnamese product.The Ho Chi Minh City Development Bank (HDBank) also took the occasion to introduce its programme to support rice exporters.

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/Economy/2015/9/115561/

Crossbreeding: New Study Sheds Light On History Of Black Rice

Sep 28, 2015 01:36 AM EDT

A new study explains how black rice, also known as forbidden rice, got its dark color. (Photo : Wikimedia Commons )
When we think of rice, we usually think of white or brown grains. However, black rice is prized throughout China for its antioxidants. But how did the rice get its color? Researchers took a closer look at the grain's rich history to find out. Black rice was historically reserved for China's Emperor and regarded as "forbidden." Today, black rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars are found throughout Asia. The color of rice grains is determined by which colored pigments they accumulate, or in terms of white rice, the pigments they fail to attain (in addition to not having because the outer hull has been removed).

The color in black rice is a result of anthocyanin pigments, according to a news release. Anthocyanins absorb blue-green light, and reflect red wavelengths. So, for example, pro-anthocyanidins that give wild rice grains their red color are not produced in white rice due to a gene mutation. Scientists have long questioned how these pigments evolved in grains.Researchers from Japan recently traced the history of anthocyanin pigments, from their molecular origin to their spread in modern-day varieties of rice. After examining the genetic basis for the black color in rice grains, the researcher found the pigments resulted from the rearrangement of a gene know as Kala4.

This gene activates the production of anthocyanins, the release noted. From this, the researchers concluded that this mutation originally occurred in the tropical japonica subspecies of rice and eventually evolved among other varieties through processes of crossbreeding."The birth and spread of novel agronomical traits during crop domestication are complex events in plant evolution," Dr. Takeshi Izawa, the study's lead author, said in a statement.Their findings help better explain the domestication of rice by ancient humans, who would have crossbred rice with preferable traits, such as grain color. Their study was recently published in the journal Plant CellFor more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).


http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/17054/20150928/crossbreeding-new-study-sheds-light-history-black-rice.htm

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