14th september,2018 daily global regional local rice -enewsletter

September 14 ,2018 Vol 9 ,Issue 9

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A basic German in the Bali of Luzon

By Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes / Story and photos September 14, 2018

THERE will always be a Farrah Fawcett of the original Charlie’s Angels in any group or trio, a D‘Artagnan of the musketeers or the mutant turtle Michaelangelo, that sprightly young uncanny rebel-like charismatic—who can even be that unassuming apple of the eye for some, if not for most.

This writer found his jewel in a silver bunch during a recent test-drive event when Volkswagen Philippines brought us to the provinces of Central Luzon onboard their global best sellers, the Lavida, Tiguan—and of course, the new Santana.

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I, in particular, fell in love with the latter, especially when I got a chance to drive it on the last part of the trip.

Sure, there were the lavish-looking Lavida and the exceptionally performing Tiguan, which we drove on a Filipiniana-themed lifestyle tour of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. But nothing gave me the adrenaline rush and the push I was particularly looking for than the manual transmission Santana—wherein I personally experienced German-engineering at its finest.

The first and second days onboard the Lavida and Tiguan together with my codriver BusinessMirror Motoring Editor Tet Andolong were considered swell and sweet as both vehicles have truly proven their mettle on the flat and hilly terrains, even more so when heavy rains poured and water from dikes gushed out, adding more obstacles on the road.

Day one of the trip saw us drive from Volkswagen Quezon Avenue to Bale Dutung in Pampanga, then to Highland Bali Villas Resort and Spa in Nueva Ecija. The spot in that part of the province was particularly breathtaking as the Pantabangan Lake, the biggest reservoir in Southeast Asia, was just a stone‘s throw away.

We then, meantime, found ourselves at the 100-hectare Philippine Rice Research Institute the next day wherein yours truly had a firsthand muddy experience of planting rice crops in high boots and all.

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The twisty and winding roads specifically in these areas were a perfect playground to test the power and handling of the vehicles. With this, the 230 TSI engine with BlueMotion Technologypowered Lavida and 280 TSI engine with BlueMotion Technology-equipped Tiguan were in their usual elements as they churned out 128 hp at 5,000 rpm with 225 N-m of torque and 148 hp at 5,000 rpm with 250 N-m of torque at 3,000 rpm, respectively.

Match these with the comfort amenities of the Lavida‘s Climatronic air-conditioning and leather seat material, and the Tiguan‘s ―Vienna‖ leather seats, two-zone Climatronic air-conditioning, eight speakers, and driver power 12-way seat adjustment and we indeed were in for a world-class ride.

The basic German These two stunners were outright stupendous in their own right, but there was something special about the Santana.

It was my first time to get behind the wheel of this basic German, and it indeed took me by surprise. With a price tag of P686,000, I was at first only expecting what an entry-level car would only offer. Eventually, I would soon discover that the Santana was in a league of its own.

The four-hour cruise to Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, before heading back to Manila was enough to get acquainted with this surprise beauty. We drove the Deep Black-coloured Santana, and it may give that plain boxy image of a sedan at the onset, but features such as a headlamp leveler and speed-sensor door locks, among others, instantly indicate that it‘s a notch above competition. In fact, what made me head over heels about this was its downright driving performance.

Call me a purist. But manually shifting its gears was for me an absolute bliss. From overtaking on the straights at occasional 80-kph speeds on rural thoroughfares to sudden stops in one-way traffic due to various ongoing road constructions, the Santana was able to manage optimal torque registry on the fly, making it easy to squeeze in and out of traffic.

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For some reason, my drive of the Santana on the last the day of the trip satiated my longing for that pure spirited push on the pedal. More so, it captured my attention not for its looks or any niceties, but primarily for its sheer remarkable German-engineering at a very affordable price.

German engineering for the Filipino More than just the manual shifting, the Santana‘s stiff body structure gives one the feeling of having control of the car.

True enough, per global Volkswagen, German engineering means that ―Everything the driver touches and controls must instill this feeling of confidence and precision.‖ Volkswagen Philippines Head of Marketing Franz Decleodt all the more wanted this for the local market, particularly for potential customers of the Santana. ―We aspire to make German engineering available to everyone, ―he said in an interview.

According to him, the now people‘s car Santana‘s automatic and GTS variants will also be available by November. Hence, that‘s something to even more look forward to for the newly convert fans of this superb basic German. https://businessmirror.com.ph/a-basic-german-in-the-bali-of-luzon/

Nominations Still Open for USA Rice Sustainability Award

By Lydia Holmes ARLINGTON, VA -- Only three weeks remain to nominate yourself or someone you know for the second annual USA Rice Sustainability Award.

The award is open to individuals or entities from any sector with significant involvement in the U.S. rice industry and with a history of promoting and advancing sustainability through innovative practices and demonstrated leadership in the sustainability community.

"Putting sustainable practices into your operation is important, but just as important is telling

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people you are doing it," said Jennifer James, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Sustainability Committee that created the new award. "This is about communicating to the public and our customers that we are being responsible and we are doing right by the environment. If we don't show them that we are the good guys, how will they know?"

The award committee is accepting nominations through September 28. The award will be presented at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in San Diego, California, on December 6, 2018.

The application form can be found here.

USA RICE DAILY

UMD Assistant Professor Receives $1.1 Million Early Career Award from NSF to Perfect CRISPR and Gene Regulation Tools in Plants Advancing plant genomics research and crop production by disseminating tools to over 36 countries and counting CRISPR ―I always think that tools and research should be made readily available to everyone in the scientific community who can benefit,‖ says Qi. ―If we want our science to help people and solve these issues, we need to make tools accessible to everyone and collaborate as much as possible.‖

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COLLEGE PARK, MD. (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 UMD Assistant Professor Yiping Qi in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture received a $1.1 million Plant Genome Research Program Early Career Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue his unique work developing tools for researchers to perfect CRISPR and apply these technologies to gene regulation in a variety of worldwide crop systems.

Qi‘s work, specifically using the rice genome as a test platform, is providing practical tools to enhance gene editing technologies like CRISPR and improve the specificity of genetic ―cuts‖ that are made, ensuring the integrity of the entire genome. Tools from Qi‘s lab are currently used by researchers in more than 36 countries around the world and counting, with the ultimate goal of advancing plant and crop yields and helping to feed a rapidly growing global population. They have the ability to turn genes ―up and down‖ as opposed to just ―on and off‖, which is very practical for crop productivity and sustainability. Continued development of these tools will not only aid basic research, but allow scientists to seek novel solutions to global challenges such as devastating plant diseases, economical bioenergy production, sustainable agriculture, and climate change. ―CRISPR technologies are revolutionizing biology, agriculture, and medicine. CRISPR can be thought of as molecular scissors that cuts DNA so that the piece related to a certain trait can be be removed, replaced, or edited,‖ says Qi. ―We don‘t just test different kinds of these scissors in our lab, but we have to think about how the DNA goes back together, what else is altered, and whether we are turning a gene on, off, up, or down. All of those specifics aren‘t inherent in the scissors themselves and need specific tools and testing to accomplish. That is what we do.‖ The concept of gene editing is not a new one, and has been accomplished with cross-breeding since humans first cultivated plants for agricultural purposes. However, given the increasing population, food security is a growing concern, and new emerging issues are arising for crop and food production. There is a need to feed a projected population of 9.6 billion people by 2050 with little to no new agricultural land, meaning that yields for major crops need to be improved in other ways. CRISPR, as a new precision breeding technology, will enable scientists and breeders alike to do the same things done with traditional cross-breeding programs in a much shorter amount of time to account for new issues like disease resistance, pests, heat, drought, and other major concerns of a changing climate and growing population. ―Rice is a very important global crop, and we have the entire genome sequenced, so it is a great crop to study and develop tools that can be applied to other major crops,‖ explains Qi. ―Currently, efficient tools that target up-regulating or down-regulating a certain gene or simultaneously regulating many genes aren‘t available to the plant biology community. But simultaneous up-regulation of genes in human somatic cells, for example, resulted a genome reprogramming technology that was recognized with a Nobel Prize in 2012. Developing tools to reprogram plant genomes should help open the door to a lot of discoveries and translational research in agriculture. That‘s why NSF is so excited about this work.‖ With this grant, even though Qi is working directly with rice to improve crop traits and yields, his work is focused primarily on developing and disseminating the tools and technologies

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necessary for researchers around the world to directly apply to all kinds of crops. Tools are made available to researchers through a public repository called Addgene. ―I always think that tools and research should be made readily available to everyone in the scientific community who can benefit,‖ says Qi. ―If we want our science to help people and solve these issues, we need to make tools accessible to everyone and collaborate as much as possible.‖ To this effect, Qi has been an advocate in the scientific community, publishing multiple scientific papers over the last few years related to gene regulation tools (e.g., Plant Physiology, Nature Plants, Molecular Plant) and frequently attending talks and meetings to further promote his research. Not only did he just return from the NSF awardee meeting in early September for this new grant where he gave a talk on the existing tools they have developed for the research community, but he was in Budapest the same week giving multiple talks on plant genome editing, both to public and academic audiences. ―Nowadays, I travel for invited talks on a monthly basis to promote plant genome editing and transcriptional regulation technologies,‖ says Qi. ―It is important that people know what technologies like CRISPR can and can‘t do, and that audiences of all types are educated on the importance of this work. I think people [at NSF] are excited to see that my lab, thanks to the new funding, will further develop gene regulation tools by repurposing CRISPR systems from genome editing to gene regulation. This is an exciting new development for the field that has a lot of applications for serious global issues.‖ https://www.prweb.com/releases/umd_assistant_professor_receives_1_1_million_early_career_a ward_from_nsf_to_perfect_crispr_and_gene_regulation_tools_in_plants/prweb15761475.htm

At the Corner holding Arkansas Rice Month themed brunch

by Elicia Dover Wednesday, September 12th 2018 KATVThumbnail In honor of Arkansas Rice month, At the Corner in downtown Little Rock is hosting an Arkansas Rice themed brunch on Saturday, September 15th and also on Sunday, September 16th.September is Arkansas Rice Month and Arkansas Rice is celebrating the harvest with their brand new recipe card collection. Eat Real Rice: Favorite Recipes from Farmers, Family, and Friends of Arkansas Rice.

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The recipe card booklet features favorite rice recipes for appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts– rice industry facts and trivia, as well as rice cooking hints and tips. https://katv.com/community/good-afternoon-ark/whats-for-dinner/at-the-corner-holdingarkansas-rice-month-themed-brunch

‘We need dicamba,’ say Arkansas farmers, consultant Farmers Jessie Flye and Logan White, check rice fields with their crop consultant Eddie Cates. Flye and White also grow cotton, soybeans and corn and say they need dicamba technology to manage pigweed.

Arkansas farmers and their consultant say dicamba needed to control pigweed. Urge 'reasonable' cutoff date.

Ron Smith | Sep 12, 2018 Three Arkansas rice farmers and their crop consultant agree that the new dicamba technology should have reasonable application timing limits, but also that farmers need the herbicides to control pigweed in cotton and soybeans. ―We need to plant Xtend soybeans and use dicamba,‖ says Poinsett County, Arkansas, rice and soybean farmer Jonathan Ashlock. ―We need to be able to use dicamba. We didn‘t use any at all this year.‖ The cutoff date, April 15, was too early to use the product effectively.―We need the technology, but with a realistic cutoff.‖ He says other herbicides are available but some of the most effective ―are hard on soybeans.

Some varieties are more tolerant than others, so we have to know the variety.‖ He also believes his best varieties, the ones he can count on for best yields, are the ones with the dicamba tolerant traits.

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―If we don‘t have dicamba next year, I‘ll plant LibertyLink soybeans. But I prefer the new

technology varieties.‖

He used dicamba last year. ―I sprayed every acre myself and had no trouble at all. Education meetings helped, and we also had more farmers planting Xtend crops, some to protect themselves. But that‘s not the best way to farm.‖

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Rice and soybean farmer Jonathan Ashlock and son Logan Mitchusson check rice prospects in Poinsett County, Ark.

Cultural Practices He rotates acreage every year, pulls pigweed by hand and uses a pump-up sprayer to kill any escapes he sees. ―We do all that and we still have pigweed. We have some resistance,‖ he adds. ―We need every tool we can get,‖ says Jessie Flye, who farms with his brother, Logan White, just over the ridge from Ashlock. ―Maybe a May 15 to June 1 cutoff date would work.‖ He says he and Logan are careful with any spray application. ―We will not spray anything if it could hurt another man‘s crop. That‘s the biggest issue.‖ He says they can keep cotton pretty clean with Liberty and Roundup, with some additional chopping. But it‘s expensive. ―We had a $200,000 chopping bill just to keep the cotton clean,‖ Flye says.

White adds that the varieties with the dicamba technology also produce their most consistent yields.

He and Flye say rotation and cover crops help with weed control. They grow rice, soybeans, cotton and corn. ―We need dicamba,‖ says Eddie Cates, who is the crop consultant for both farms. ―They can use Liberty, but they need this technology. Those varieties are very good.‖ He says not all his clients agree. ―Some feel differently about dicamba,‖ he says. ―I‘m kinda caught in the middle.‖ He agrees that a May 30 cutoff date could be a good compromise.

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Larry Steckel, University of Tennessee weed scientist, at an early September cotton field day in Jackson, Tenn., said complaint reports on dicamba drift for Tennessee are about half what they were a year ago.

He says a reasonable cutoff date likely will be part of any new registration from EPA. He says he expects the products to be registered.

Cates, an independent crop consultant who has logged more than 30 years of scouting and consulting and serves as president of the Arkansas Crop Consultant‘s Association, says farmers need the technology. ―I would like to emphasize the importance of keeping this technology,‖ he says. ―The ability to control pigweed and the variety selections are what the standards should be compared to. We need dicamba.‖ https://www.deltafarmpress.com/weeds/we-need-dicamba-say-arkansas-farmers-consultant

PCCI sees inflation curbed with quick action on agri September 11, 2018 | 9:14 pm THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry, Inc. is seeking a more liberalized importation scheme that

would allow even domestic processors that use sugar as a raw material to bring in sugar at any time. — BW FILE PHOTO THE business lobby said inflation can be kept in check with changes to agricultural policy, particularly with long-term reforms to address systemic production shortfalls in the sugar, rice and fishing industries. ―It‘s not alarming in the sense that it‘s obvious what is causing the problem. Rice, sugar, fish, vegetables, services and delivery, those are the factors driving prices… There are solutions for these things. The only thing out of our control is fuel,‖ Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry, Inc. (PCCI) treasurer and honorary chairman Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr., said at a news press conference in Taguig City on Tuesday.

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Also the president of Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., Mr. Ortiz-Luis said according to studies he has commissioned, an 8% inflation rate is still manageable.

Nevertheless, PCCI regrets the impact of inflation on consumers and advised the economic team to set a timetable for its eight-point action plan. ―There must have to be a timetable of implementing this action plan,‖ PCCI‘s Agriculture Committee Chairman Roberto C. Amores said during the briefing, noting however that these are only for the short-term.

On sugar, Mr. Amores said that the group is seeking a more liberalized importation scheme that would allow even domestic processors that use sugar as a raw material to bring in sugar at any time.

Mr. Amores, also the president of the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc., said sugar shipments brought in by the government failed to resolve the price crunch as the imported sugar was resold at a price still unfavorable to food processors.

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Sugar imports are restricted to international traders registered with the Sugar Regulatory Administration, usually those who have participated in the agency‘s sugar export program.

PCCI proposes that domestic food processors directly import an initial amount sufficient to service the needs of 4,000 micro, small and medium-sized domestic food processors.

The PCCI also backs a more liberal rice import regime, in which tariffs will be levied on imports. ―The pending Rice Tarrification Bill in Congress is a welcome development that we support if it would mean helping stabilize the price of rice and ensure its sufficient stock, not to the detriment of our farmers,‖ Mr. Amores said.

In August, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 7735 or the Rice Tariffication bill.

For the fisheries sector, the PCCI is asking the Department of Agriculture to review the ban on the use of the modified Danish seine (MDS) method of fishing.

Mr. Amores said the ban has set back the fish supply by about two million kilos per day leading to ―prohibitive‖ fish prices.

The government banned MDS due to the damage caused to sea grass and coral. ―It‘s about time that our policy makers review and revise certain policies that are no longer contributing to the agenda of government,‖ Mr. Amores said. — Janina C. Lim http://www.bworldonline.com/pcci-sees-inflation-curbed-with-quick-action-on-agri/

Following rains, Arkansas rice crop ‗largely okay‘ Will next Gulf weather system sweep in?

David Bennett | Sep 13, 2018

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It is Sept. 11 and having already watched the rains generated by Hurricane Gordon sweep over the Arkansas‘ roce crop, Jarrod Hardke stands beneath gray skies and misting clouds.

The Arkansas Extension rice specialist sums up the last few weeks of the growing season: ―The weather has been weird." ―For the most part, growers were just getting back to normal yesterday. Then, shockingly, today there‘s bad weather coming up from the south. It‘s sprinkling right now. Where did that come from? It wasn‘t on any forecast I saw. Yet, it‘s overcast and rain is falling in scattered areas from Memphis south. We thought this week would give us a break and we‘d have a mix of cloudy mornings and sunshine.‖ Even after the Gordon rains ―our rice still largely looks okay. Obviously, the ground is wet and growers are just diving in to make harvest progress. The grain moisture level is not perfect, but it‘s good enough to do that. So, we‘re having to mud the crop out a bit more and that‘s slowing things down. ―Some of the rice may not be down, but it‘s sinking in places. There are some flattened spots in fields – mostly in the Prairie and south where some of the heavier rainfall was. Those spots

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weren‘t caused by wind but are strictly due to the rain that just kept coming and weighed the plants down.‖ Harvest

Overall, all of that means the state‘s rice harvest is behind schedule. ―Mainly, that‘s because of the weather,‖ says Hardke. ―The crop hasn‘t dried out, matured and cured out as fast as it should have because August was ‗flip-flopped.' By that I mean normally the first two weeks of August along with the last two weeks of July are the hottest 30 days of the year. ―This year, while it was still warm, we kind of got a cool down during that period. The last two weeks of August were the typical low-90s, very hot and humid weather that usually happens the first two weeks of the month. It worked in reverse.‖ A dry spell would do wonders for morale. ―We‘re doing okay but we need a good run of seven to 10 days of dry weather to really put a dent in harvest. Of course, now we‘ve got more storms brewing and potentially headed our way.

(Tropical Storm) Isaac is supposed to come into the Gulf of Mexico. Will it hit somewhere that‘ll impact the Mid-South? ―With all that‘s happening we really need to make some progress. We‘re probably between 30 to 40 percent harvested.‖ Yields and nights

What about yields?

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―So far, yields have been very good and people are happy. This season was one of the grassiest crops most folks can remember. I kept hearing ‗there‘s so much grass this crop isn‘t going to cut that well.‘ But I was thinking ‗I don‘t know what rice field you‘re talking about because the one I just walked out of looks like it‘s going to cut a bunch of rice. I‘m not saying there‘s no drag from the grass, but there‘s a lot of rice out here.‘‖ The rice crop looks to be strong but don‘t expect too much. ―I don‘t think it‘ll be record-setting but I wasn‘t expecting that anyway with the acreage we have this year. Setting records is extremely difficult anytime we get over 1.4 million acres. Once you get to that level, rice starts going onto okay ground but you‘re moving off the prime, high-yield production fields.‖ How has Provisia done in this year‘s weedy conditions? ―One thing I can say is I haven‘t had to look at much Provisia rice because it‘s done a good job.

Extension specialists usually get to talk about problems. The conversations this year have usually been me talking to someone about a problem and at the end they‘ll tag on ‗oh, by the way, my Provisia looks good.‘ ―Folks have also been happy with the cost of control – not only of weedy rice but barnyardgrass populations resistant to other modes of action.‖Hardke says this season‘s nighttime temperatures teetered on the razor‘s edge.―For a while, we toed the line on nighttime temperatures around the 75 degree mark for a low. From there and up is the zone of concern. We hung around that level in early July and then caught a break with some rains that took some of the edge off the heat.

That was a great thing for the remainder of our flowering, pollination and grain-fill.―The overall milling quality numbers I‘m hearing so far are very good.‖ https://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/following-rains-arkansas-rice-crop-largely-okay

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Asia Rice: India rates tumble; Vietnam hopes to clinch Philippines deal Sumita Layek SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 BENGALURU (Reuters) - Rice export prices in India slumped this week as the rupee fell and demand remained weak with buyers expecting further dips, while low supplies and the prospect of a new deal with the Philippines pushed up prices for the Vietnamese variety.

Labourers remove dried grass from a rice field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, August 30, 2016.

REUTERS/Amit Dave In top exporter India, rates for the 5 percent broken parboiled variety fell by $5 to $371-$375 per tonne this week, the lowest in 17 months.―Rates are down due to the rupee and weak demand.

Buyers are postponing purchases expecting further falls in prices,‖ said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

The Indian rupee has fallen 13 percent so far in 2018 and hit a record low on Wednesday, increasing exporters margins.In Vietnam, however, rates for benchmark 5 percent broken rice rose to $400-$405 a tonne from $397-$403 last week on tight supplies and rising demand. ―The Philippines is about to announce a plan to buy an extra 133,000 tonnes, while supplies are running low,‖ a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum held in Hanoi from Sept. 11 to 13 saw Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen encouraging the Mekong region to establish an association of rice exporting countries.In Thailand, benchmark 5 percent broken rice prices were little changed at $390-$393 per tonne, free on board (FOB) Bangkok, compared with last week‘s $385-$393 as activity remained slow, traders said. ―There‘s so little market activity lately that traders are just taking naps,‖ a trader in Bangkok said, adding that he has tried to convince buyers to make purchases now when the prices are considered low for the grade.Thailand had exported 7.65 million tonnes of rice this year up until last Friday, according to the latest commerce ministry data.Another Bangkok-based trader said he expected demand from the Philippines and Indonesia to pick up in the coming weeks due to recent natural disasters in the two countries.

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―Prices have been at this level for a while and shouldn‘t go any lower. Prices are actually expected to increase because of anticipated demand from the Philippines and Indonesia,‖ the trader said.

Elsewhere, Bangladesh, which stepped up its imports last year after floods destroyed its crops, has procured more than 1.1 million tonnes of rice locally so far to build state reserves, after output of the grain revived.―We are getting a good response in our local procurement drive and will continue it,‖ a food ministry official said. https://in.reuters.com/article/global-precious/gold-gains-as-dollar-dips-on-soft-u-s-data-trade-talksidINKCN1LU0DQ

Ompong's estimated damage to rice, corn could reach billions: Piñol ABS-CBN News

Sep 13 2018 06:28 PM | Updated as of Sep 13 2018 09:21 PM Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol on Thursday said the projected damage of Typhoon Ompong in rice and corn crops alone could amount to billions of pesos.

During the command conference led by President Rodrigo Duterte, Piñol said rice could suffer losses amounting to P3.6 billion on a moderate estimate or up to P7.9 billion in a worst case scenario.

Corn crops could suffer P2.7 billion in losses under moderate conditions or up to P3.1 billion, he said.

Ompong, expected to make landfall in Cagayan Saturday morning, could affect a total of 1,220,000 hectares of rice and corn alone, Piñol said.

Piñol, however, assured the President that despite the typhoon, there would still be about 85 to 96 days of rice supply left by the end of the year.

To prepare the farmers, Piñol said they have activated their operation centers. Farmers were advised to harvest matured crops while trucks for animal evacuation were also strategically positioned.

Malacañang earlier said Duterte wanted the country to be at its highest level of readiness for Ompong. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/13/18/ompongs-estimated-damages-to-rice-corn-could-reach-billionspiol

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Duterte plans to buy rice from Sabah Thursday, September 13, 2018

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he is considering buying rice from Sabah to address the country's rice supply issues.

"Shortages are always there... The economic life of a country cannot be all bed of roses. I have several options. The importation did not stop. If worse comes to worst, I will open Sabah," the President said.

"The rice from Sabah is cheap. If we let the authorities, those from Basilan, those from Jolo or Zamboanga to buy rice there, they can get it at a very low price," he added.Duterte also expressed willingness to set up barter trade in the area, which is now being administered by Malaysia.

Meanwhile, with the country's rice supply still dwindling, Duterte is also now in search of a new head for the state-run National Food Authority (NFA) after his appointee Jason Aquino requested to be relieved.

In a televised interview with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Duterte announced that Aquino has requested to be removed after leading the agency for one year and eight months.

"He says he's tired and he cannot cope with the dynamics inside, which is always ordinary happening, happening in government because we cannot be in agreement all the time," Duterte said, referring to the NFA administrator.Aquino is being blamed for the lack of rice supply in the market, prompting prices to spike.

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Even NFA spokesman Rex Estoperez, who is on leave, has not responded to queries and clarifications.A source from the NFA, however, said the announcement from the President was unexpected as Aquino has not mentioned any plan to resign from his post.

NFA Deputy Administrator Tomas Escare told a recent House hearing that the grains agency asked the council last October to allow the importation of one million metric tons of rice.He claimed the Council permitted the NFA to import rice only last May. NFA Council member and Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo countered Escare's claim, saying the approval was delayed because of the NFA's failure to submit information about its inventory.

Duterte has claimed that the Philippines has more than enough supply of rice and expressed readiness to order the opening of warehouses to prevent hoarding.Officials have said the government would open stores selling cheap rice to stabilise prices. http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=127085

'Ompong' threatens to derail rice supply reprieve Farmers from Amucao, Tarlac take advantage of the sunny weather on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, to harvest rice ahead of Typhoon Ompong's looming landfall over Cagayan on Saturday, Sept.

15, 2018.

(philstar.com) - September 13, 2018 - 8:06pm MANILA, Philippines — Potential rice harvests later in the year are on Typhoon Ompong's path, putting at risk Filipinos' much-needed reprieve from rice supply problems that saw the main staple's prices soar in recent months.

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, weather forecasters continue to expect "Ompong" to traverse along northern Luzon and make landfall over Cagayan and Isabela.

The strength and scope of "Ompong," however, put neighboring regions at risk, with Metro Manila placed on Signal No. 1 and Central Luzon, the country's food basket, under "red alert."The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization labels Central Luzon as the "rice granary of the Philippines." In 2017, government data showed the region contributed 3.63 million metric tons of rice, equivalent to 19 percent of total rice production.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol earlier said rice supply would not be a problem when "Ompong" hits, and that harvests would be safe, but data from the International Rice Research Institute show otherwise.

"Ompong" would hit a month ahead of the start of peak rice harvests season that run from October to December, IRRI data show. This indicates that when "Ompong" hits, potential rice

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harvests are at risk of being damaged.

The government is banking on the harvest season to boost supplies of the grain, whose prices have risen this year due to failure of the government to import rice on time.

Philippine Statistics Authority data show average retail prices of regular-milled rice rose 15.24 percent year-on-year in the last week of August. Those of well-milled rice went up 11.63 percent. Both are the fastest so far this year.

The problem began in February when the state-led National Food Authority announced its buffer stock of cheap rice sold to the poor was only enough for two days, below the 15-day requirement.

Since then, President Rodrigo Duterte has mandated imports of up to 500,000 metric tons, but nearly nine months after, only 350,000 MT have arrived, while NFA's buffer stock remains below minimum and ample only for four days.

Without the cheaper alternative, the poor are forced to buy commercial rice, together with the rest of the population. This drives demand and pushes prices up.

Rice, the country's main staple, accounts for nearly a tenth of the basket of basic goods and commodities a Filipino purchases. As a result, high rice prices have pushed inflation up to an over nine-year high of 6.4 percent in August.

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Rice is a key consideration on the draft executive order that would lift non-tariff barriers to food shipments, submitted by the economic managers to Duterte.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority, the EO would ensure the "immediate release of rice" from government warehouses to the market. As for potential harvests, the government also vowed to "monitor" their transfer from farms to warehouses to ensure supply.

Aside from rice shipments, non-tariff duties would also be lifted for meat, fish, vegetable and sugar, prices of which have risen also in recent months due to tight supply.

"The issuance of the (EO), as well as quick implementation of immediate and short-term measures, will address the supply issues that have been driving up inflation,‖ Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement on Thursday.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/09/13/1851236/ompong-threatens-derailrice-supply-reprieve#KkKucxLMHHwtCR05.99

Cranfield University leads £1m soil research project to solve African rice problem 13 September, 2018 - 21:12 By Kate Sweeney

Cranfield University is leading a £1m research project to overcome a soil health problem affecting rice production in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rice is a major staple food across sub-Saharan Africa and demand for it is increasing rapidly with urbanisation and changes in consumer preferences. Domestic production accounts for only 60 per cent of the rice consumed which means there is a heavy reliance on imports - the import of rice into sub-Saharan Africa accounts for a third of the global rice trade.

There is therefore mounting pressure to greatly increase sub-Saharan rice production.

Partners in the three-year study include AfricaRice, the University of Antananarivo and the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences. Funding for the project comes from the Global Challenges Research Fund via BBSRC, part of UK Research and Innovation.

Guy Kirk, Professor of Soil Systems at Cranfield University and project lead said: ―There is widespread recognition of the need to increase sub-Saharan rice production to meet projected increases in demand for rice. Less than 10 per cent of the total inland valley area in sub-Saharan Africa could be sufficient to meet the demand for rice in Africa if we can overcome iron toxicity.

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―But currently, increased production with low-yielding varieties and poor management is destroying large swathes of natural ecosystems in inward valleys. With realistic improvements in varieties and management, we can greatly reduce the amount of land needed and therefore safeguard the vital biodiversity of the African inward valleys.‖ One of the main barriers to increasing production is the soil disorder known as iron toxicity. This is a particular problem in flooded paddy soils, and particularly the highly weathered and nutrientdepleted soils that typify sub-Saharan Africa.

In affected areas, rice yields are reduced by up to 90 per cent.

Traditional, indigenous African rice varieties can tolerate the toxicity, but are low yielding. That means large areas of land are needed to meet the demand for more rice, and this is driving unsustainable development of new lands, typically in fragile wetlands in inland valleys to the cost of biodiversity and other vital ecosystem services.

The Cranfield-led study will examine the traits that allow indigenous African rice varieties to tolerate the toxicity, with the aim of incorporating these traits into more high-yielding varieties through plant breeding. It will also seek to map areas where new rice varieties and crop management to tackle iron toxicity will be most beneficial.

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The project will use a combination of soil chemistry, plant physiology and molecular genetics, in partnership with plant breeders and agronomists based in West Africa and Madagascar.

Announcing the funding for the project as part of its Sustainable Agriculture for Sub-Saharan Africa programme, Professor Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation, said: ―Stresses such as drought, and the restriction of vital resources including nutrients and water are among the challenges affecting the development of sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. ―By bringing together UK researchers with partners in the region, these projects will play an important role in addressing these challenges and unlocking the potential of sustainable agriculture to transform food production and improve lives.‖ The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. Funded by the UK Government, BBSRC invested £498 million in world-class bioscience in 2017-18. BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. https://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/academia-research/cranfield-university-leads-%C2%A31m-soilresearch-project-solve-african-rice

Agriculture chief says 'Ompong' may damage 1.2M hectares of rice, corn fields

By CNN Philippines Staff Updated 00:40 AM PHT Fri, September 14, 2018

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(File photo)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 13) — The agriculture sector may suffer further from the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

In a command conference in Malacañang Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that Ompong is expected to affect 1,220,000 hectares of rice and corn fields.

"On a matter of moderate basis, rice will suffer losses amounting to about ₱3.6 billion.

Worst case scenario, ₱7.9 billion," Piñol said.

According to the estimates made by the Department of Agriculture, this would translate to 74,000 to 176,000 metric tons of damage.

"For corn, moderate scenario our estimated damage is ₱2.7 billion. Our worst case scenario is ₱3.1 billion," Pinol added.

Marikina Representative Miro Quimbo, in an interview with CNN Philippines On the Record, said that this could lead to higher prices down the line.

"The thing with rice and corn is you can not harvest it unless it's ripe, and [farmers are] 15 percent away from harvesting time," Quimbo said. "What would happen next month is

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inflation will be pushed higher."

According to government data, prices of staple food like rice, meat and fish contributed 2.4 percent to last month's 6.4 inflation rate, a nine-year high.

To combat inflation, the economic development cluster of the Cabinet submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte a proposed executive order that would remove administrative and non-tariff barriers to food imports.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary, in an interview on the same episode of CNN Philippines On the Record said that the administration is focused on dealing with food inflation.

"We are focusing on food items because these are the ones we have a handle on in terms of reforms and measures, to deal with logistical bottlenecks and shortage. These shortages are most likely due to distribution rather than availability," Pernia said.

Pernia reiterated that the shortage of rice was due to alleged mismanagement in the National Food Authority. http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/09/14/manny-pinol-agriculture-typhoon-ompong-rice-cornfields.html

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Trend Alert! "Forbidden" Black Rice Is Here to Heal Your Body From the Inside Out

September 14, 2018 by CARRIE CARROLLO paid for by NEXXUS

There's a new grain joining the colorful spectrum of buzzy superfood ingredients! We've partnered with Nexxus to share why black rice is a game-changer for your body, hair, and skin.

Every day, it seems like a new superfood or must-try ingredient is bubbling up out of nowhere. One day it's turmeric, another it's matcha, and yesterday it was oat milk.

Praised for health benefits and healing properties, these ancient discoveries have all become relevant and new again with time. So what ingredient do wellness lovers have their eye on today, you might be wondering? Black rice, which is also known as "forbidden" rice.

First discovered in ancient Asia, black rice was immediately touted for its superior health advantages in comparison to other rice variations. Those who tried the grain raved about its ability to cure kidney, liver, and stomach ailments, quickly catching the attention of the Chinese royal family. It wasn't long before they deemed it off limits — or "forbidden" — to everyone but the wealthy and elite.

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Luckily, things are a little different these days, and the once-restricted grain is making a comeback for everyone to enjoy, consume, and — of course — Instagram. But this added perk may come as a shock: it can work wonders for your beauty routine, too.

Intrigued yet? Keep reading to find out how this up-and-coming food will reinvent your diet, hair, and skin.

So what makes a food good enough to be "claimed" by royals? Let's take a closer look. Perhaps the most notable benefit of black rice is its antioxidant count — the very reason for its so-dark-purple-it's-almost-black color. The bran hull (aka outer layer) of

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the rice has a higher dosage of a cardiovascular disease-preventing antioxidant known as anthocyanin than any other grain. The antioxidant is also linked to stopping or slowing disease-causing free radical movements, reducing inflammation, and improving overall brain function. Whew! Other impressive benefits of eating black rice include its extremely high fiber count and ability to improve heart health, naturally detoxifying the body and preventing obesity.

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When it comes to incorporating some superfoods into your diet, a certain level of commitment and experimentation is required. This probably isn't the case with black rice. Not only can you find it at local health food stores, but it's also available at a handful of mass retailers — online and IRL. Then, it's as simple as swapping it out for your go-to grain base — say, white or brown rice, quinoa, or farro. Whether you favor veggie and protein-packed lunch bowls or are even the type to DIY your own sushi (a particularly trendy use for the grain), if you like rice, there's a dish out there for you.

Best of all, you don't even have to adjust your taste buds and train yourself to like a new flavor — black rice tastes similar to (though slightly more "nutty" than) brown rice.

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Like most other superfood ingredients, the power of black rice isn't limited to consumption. Beauty products infused with the miracle grain come with a myriad of benefits, too. Haircare is a leading example.

Across Asia, washing hair in rice water is an age-old tradition believed to be a secret to growing long, strong, and healthy locks. And in the Chinese village of Huangluo specifically (home to world record holders for the longest hair), fermented rice water is the real game-changer. It's been found that damaged hair is severely lacking in the protein building block glutamic acid. Because rice — particularly black rice — contains glutamic acid, scientists at Nexxus selected the ingredient to create the Keraphix line. Also infused with the brand's exclusive PROTEINFUSION blend, the full haircare regimen features shampoo, conditioner, a masque, and a gel treatment to visibly heal signs of severe hair damage. What's more, there's even a dry shampoo to reboot your second or third day hair. Consider this your new holy grail lineup.

If you're an avid superfood connoisseur or general wellness junkie, you know your diet can directly affect your skin. Similar to how black rice can reduce inflammation

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throughout your body, detox your liver, and improve your overall health thanks to its high dose of nutrients, it can also improve your complexion.

But to fully ensure your face is reaping the benefits of black rice, how about applying it topically? A handful of niche skincare brands create skincare products that contain the game-changing grain. For those craving serious skin rejuvenation, consider scoping out your options and giving them a try.

Credits: Photographer: Philip Friedman; Art Director: Colleen Lennon; Prop Stylist: Jenny Wichman; Food Stylist: Julia Choi; Producer: Sasha Bar-Tur

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This Holistic Healing Beauty Routine Is Better Than an Hour of Meditation https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/What-Forbidden-Black-Rice-45177382

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UMD Assistant Professor Receives $1.1 Million Early Career Award from NSF to Perfect CRISPR and Gene Regulation Tools in Plants Advancing plant genomics research and crop production by disseminating tools to over 36 countries and counting CRISPR ―I always think that tools and research should be made readily available to everyone in the scientific community who can benefit,‖ says Qi. ―If we want our science to help people and solve these issues, we need to make tools accessible to everyone and collaborate as much as possible.‖ COLLEGE PARK, MD. (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 UMD Assistant Professor Yiping Qi in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture received a $1.1 million Plant Genome Research Program Early Career Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue his unique work developing tools for researchers to perfect CRISPR and apply these technologies to gene regulation in a variety of worldwide crop systems.

Qi‘s work, specifically using the rice genome as a test platform, is providing practical tools to enhance gene editing technologies like CRISPR and improve the specificity of genetic ―cuts‖ that are made, ensuring the integrity of the entire genome. Tools from Qi‘s lab are currently used by researchers in more than 36 countries around the world and counting, with the ultimate goal of advancing plant and crop yields and helping to feed a rapidly growing global population. They have the ability to turn genes ―up and down‖ as opposed to just ―on and off‖, which is very practical for crop productivity and sustainability. Continued development of these tools will not only aid basic research, but allow scientists to seek novel solutions to global challenges such as devastating plant diseases, economical bioenergy production, sustainable agriculture, and climate change. ―CRISPR technologies are revolutionizing biology, agriculture, and medicine. CRISPR can be thought of as molecular scissors that cuts DNA so that the piece related to a certain trait can be be removed, replaced, or edited,‖ says Qi. ―We don‘t just test different kinds of these scissors in our lab, but we have to think about how the DNA goes back together, what else is altered, and whether we are turning a gene on, off, up, or down. All of those specifics aren‘t inherent in the scissors themselves and need specific tools and testing to accomplish. That is what we do.‖ The concept of gene editing is not a new one, and has been accomplished with cross-breeding since humans first cultivated plants for agricultural purposes. However, given the increasing population, food security is a growing concern, and new emerging issues are arising for crop and food production. There is a need to feed a projected population of 9.6 billion people by 2050 with little to no new agricultural land, meaning that yields for major crops need to be improved in other ways. CRISPR, as a new precision breeding technology, will enable scientists and

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breeders alike to do the same things done with traditional cross-breeding programs in a much shorter amount of time to account for new issues like disease resistance, pests, heat, drought, and other major concerns of a changing climate and growing population. ―Rice is a very important global crop, and we have the entire genome sequenced, so it is a great crop to study and develop tools that can be applied to other major crops,‖ explains Qi. ―Currently, efficient tools that target up-regulating or down-regulating a certain gene or simultaneously regulating many genes aren‘t available to the plant biology community. But simultaneous up-regulation of genes in human somatic cells, for example, resulted a genome reprogramming technology that was recognized with a Nobel Prize in 2012. Developing tools to reprogram plant genomes should help open the door to a lot of discoveries and translational research in agriculture. That‘s why NSF is so excited about this work.‖ With this grant, even though Qi is working directly with rice to improve crop traits and yields, his work is focused primarily on developing and disseminating the tools and technologies necessary for researchers around the world to directly apply to all kinds of crops. Tools are made available to researchers through a public repository called Addgene. ―I always think that tools and research should be made readily available to everyone in the scientific community who can benefit,‖ says Qi. ―If we want our science to help people and solve these issues, we need to make tools accessible to everyone and collaborate as much as possible.‖ To this effect, Qi has been an advocate in the scientific community, publishing multiple scientific papers over the last few years related to gene regulation tools (e.g., Plant Physiology, Nature Plants, Molecular Plant) and frequently attending talks and meetings to further promote his research. Not only did he just return from the NSF awardee meeting in early September for this new grant where he gave a talk on the existing tools they have developed for the research community, but he was in Budapest the same week giving multiple talks on plant genome editing, both to public and academic audiences. ―Nowadays, I travel for invited talks on a monthly basis to promote plant genome editing and transcriptional regulation technologies,‖ says Qi. ―It is important that people know what technologies like CRISPR can and can‘t do, and that audiences of all types are educated on the importance of this work. I think people [at NSF] are excited to see that my lab, thanks to the new funding, will further develop gene regulation tools by repurposing CRISPR systems from genome editing to gene regulation. This is an exciting new development for the field that has a lot of applications for serious global issues.‖ https://www.prweb.com/releases/umd_assistant_professor_receives_1_1_million_early_career_a ward_from_nsf_to_perfect_crispr_and_gene_regulation_tools_in_plants/prweb15761475.htm

Greenhouse gas emissions from rice farms in Indian paddy fields very high: Reserach

By Omair Iqbal September 12, 2018

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It was earlier estimated that Rice farming around the world could be responsible for up to twice the level of climate impact in India. But, the researchers have found that Intermittently flooded rice farms can emit almost 45 times more nitrous oxide as compared to the relentlessly flooded rice farms that predominantly emit methane.

The analysis conducted by the Environmental Defense Fund in the US, methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice farm could have the same long-term warming impact as about 600 coal plants. ―The full climate impact of rice farming has been significantly underestimated because up to this point, nitrous dioxide emissions from intermittently flooded farms have not been included,‖ Kritee Kritee from EDF, who led the study quoted as saying to news agency PTI. But, the researchers have found that nitrous oxide emissions from rice farm can also contribute up to 99 per cent of the total climate impact of rice cultivation at a variety of intermittently flooded farms. These greenhouse emissions contributed substantially to global warming pollution — which is much more than the estimate of 10% previously suggested by multiple global rice research organizations. ―An inverse correlation between Methane and nitrous oxide emission from rice farming. Water and organic matter management techniques that reduce methane emissions can increase nitrous oxide emissions,‖ the study says.

Kritee further said, ―Increasing pressure on limited water resources under a changing climate could make additional rice-farming regions look to intermittent flooding to address water limitations and concerns about methane emissions.‖ Rice is a critical source of nutrition for the world‘s speedily growing population, to provide more calories to humans than any other food, researchers said. However, growing rice is also resource-

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intensive: rice cultivation covers 11 % of the Earth‘s arable land, consumes one-third of irrigation water. https://www.thelivemirror.com/greenhouse-gas-emission-from-rice-farms-indian-peddy-fields/

Research aims to boost rice production in Africa Published 13 Sep 2018 Press release number PR-AGR-18-96 Guy Kirk, Professor of Soil Systems at Cranfield University, is leading a £1 million research project to overcome a soil health problem affecting rice production in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rice is a major staple food across sub-Saharan Africa and demand for it is increasing rapidly with urbanisation and changes in consumer preferences. Domestic production accounts for only 60% of the rice consumed which means there is a heavy reliance on imports - the import of rice into sub-Saharan Africa accounts for a third of the global rice trade. There is therefore mounting pressure to greatly increase sub-Saharan rice production.

One of the main barriers to increasing production is the soil disorder known as iron toxicity. This is a particular problem in flooded paddy soils, and particularly the highly weathered and nutrientdepleted soils that typify sub-Saharan Africa. In affected areas, rice yields are reduced by up to 90%. Traditional, indigenous African rice varieties can tolerate the toxicity, but are low yielding.

That means large areas of land are needed to meet the demand for more rice, and this is driving unsustainable development of new lands, typically in fragile wetlands in inland valleys to the cost of biodiversity and other vital ecosystem services.

The Cranfield-led study will examine the traits that allow indigenous African rice varieties to tolerate the toxicity, with the aim of incorporating these traits into more high-yielding varieties through plant breeding. It will also seek to map areas where new rice varieties and crop management to tackle iron toxicity will be most beneficial. The project will use a combination of soil chemistry, plant physiology and molecular genetics, in partnership with plant breeders and agronomists based in West Africa and Madagascar.

Professor Kirk said: ―There is widespread recognition of the need to increase sub-Saharan rice production to meet projected increases in demand for rice. Less than 10% of the total inland valley area in sub-Saharan Africa could be sufficient to meet the demand for rice in Africa if we can overcome iron toxicity. But currently, increased production with low-yielding varieties and poor management is destroying large swathes of natural ecosystems in inward valleys. With realistic improvements in varieties and management, we can greatly reduce the amount of land needed and therefore safeguard the vital biodiversity of the African inward valleys.‖

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Partners in the three-year study include AfricaRice, the University of Antananarivo and the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences. Funding for the project comes from BBSRC, part of UK Research and Innovation, through the Global Challenges Research Fund.

Announcing the funding for the project as part of its Sustainable Agriculture for Sub-Saharan Africa programme, Professor Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation, said: ―Stresses such as drought, and the restriction of vital resources including nutrients and water are among the challenges affecting the development of sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. ―By bringing together UK researchers with partners in the region, these projects will play an important role in addressing these challenges and unlocking the potential of sustainable agriculture to transform food production and improve lives.‖ Notes for editors

Iron toxicity is a set of severely yield-limiting disorders associated with high concentrations of reduced ferrous iron (Fe(II)) in flooded paddy soils. It is exclusively a problem of paddy rice, linked to the biogeochemistry of flooded, anaerobic soil. It is a particular problem in African rice systems because of the nature of the soils, which are highly weathered, nutrient-depleted and rich in Fe oxides, in contrast to the young alluvial rice soils of the Asian lowlands. It affects a large part of the existing and potential rice area in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (estimates vary from 2060% of the area) and causes large yield losses (up to 90%). There are currently efforts to exploit tolerance of it in the indigenous African rice germplasm in breeding and management programmes at AfricaRice and elsewhere. But this is constrained by the complexity of the disorder and by poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms and genetics of tolerance, which reflects its relative unimportance in Asian rice systems where most rice research has been focused.

In this project we aim to (a) elucidate the mechanisms and genetics of tolerance to Fe toxicity in indigenous African germplasm, in support of rice breeding and management programmes, and (b) assess the potential of improved germplasm and management to raise the productivity of existing and new rice-based farming systems across SSA. We will especially focus on Oryza glaberrima (‗African‘ rice) species, indigenous to West Africa, and sub-species of Oryza sativa (‗Asian‘ rice) particular to Madagascar. We will use a combination of soil chemistry, plant physiology and molecular genetics approaches with field work in West Africa and Madagascar, supported by controlled-environment and laboratory work at Cranfield. We will also map the spatial extent of different types of Fe toxicity in existing and potential rice areas across SSA, and we will develop GIS tools for assessing the potential for improved germplasm and nutrient and water management to raise the productivity of rice-based farming systems in these areas.

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About the Global Challenges Research Fund The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is a £1.5 billion fund announced by the UK government in late 2015 to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries.

Alongside the other GCRF delivery partners, BBSRC is creating complementary programmes that: 

Promote challenge-led disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, including the participation of researchers who may not previously have considered the applicability of their work to development issues

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Strengthen capacity for research, innovation and knowledge exchange in the UK and developing countries through partnership with excellent UK research and researchers

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Provide an agile response to emergencies where there is an urgent research need.

GCRF is part of the government‘s commitment to allocate 0.7% of the UK‘s Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance (ODA) for promoting the welfare and economic development of developing countries. As well as being scientifically excellent, research supported by GCRF must meet the criteria for classification of expenditure as ODA. For further information see: UK Research and Innovation: Global Challenges Research Fund About BBSRC The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.

Funded by government, BBSRC invested £498 million in world-class bioscience in 2017-18. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2018/research-aims-to-boost-rice-production-in-africa

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SNIPE SWIPES Friday, 14 September 2018 14:05 The joint venture of Crown and Desco and the 0Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) are to now ink the Investment Management Contract (IMC) for the management of the ailing coopedrative.

This was reportedly the overwhelming vote on the pertinent resolution during a general assembly yesterday.

Former Mayor Manny Dalipe sponsored the resolution and Letty Delos Reyes. a former barangay captain and ABC president seconded it.

Board President Omar Sahi said its approval was unanimous out of an estimated 10,000 member consumers in attendance.

Sahi said only Adelmo Laput, Zamcelco OIC and head of Task Force Duterte partly soured up the assembly.: Laput had issued an order barring all employees from attending the meeting. Also, Sahi said, Laput hid all equipment such as computers, ogther paraphernalia and even electric fans intended for use on the occasion.

OMG, that is quite a revelation. His action was brazen. Does he wield any secret reason to boldly do that? Just wondering, for SS sure does wish to know what motivated him.

Cong. Celso Lobregat doesn‘t tire seeking solutions to end mitigate the effects of the rice price crisis. He now recommends the National Food Authority (NFA) additional provision of rice supplies sold in the different barangays of this City.

Lobregat noticed that the rice supply being sold in the ongoing Rice Distribution Program or "Tagpuan Day" of NFA is not sufficient to cater to the volume of residents who flock to their respective barangays to avail of the cheaper rice.

The 150 sacks per barangay at five kilos per person per distribution, leave several residents unable to avail of the coupon system.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), meanwhile is looking at importing some 150,000 metric tons or 3 million bag of rice to help augment supply of the National Food Authority (NFA) and stabilize rice prices.

But DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said there is yet need for the approval of the NFA Council.

And they are still finalizing the computations of their plan.

This time, any SS negativity on such importation diminishes in view of the Harry Roque statement that taxes will be levied on rice imports, which as believed to up rice price just the same.

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But look over. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) expressed interest to import rice once Congress enacts a law that will liberalize the entry of the staple into the country.

With Castelo speaking of computations, it necessarily means it is actually a feasibility study, with tax payments studied in the planned rice price when sold.

Giant a corporation as it is, the displayed SMB interest in the scheme definitely suggests its own feasibility study indicates selling will still be low, as its President, Ramon Ang bared, ―The intention is to help food security of the country and help local farmers and supply consumers with reliable and good quality rice at a low price,‖ noting further that government can use the import tax for rice to subsidize farmers.

Good news. There will be a moratorium on the price increase of some basic goods, including canned sardines, canned meat, coffee, milk, instant noodles, bread, bottled water, salt, soy sauce, fish sauce, vinegar, and candles in the next three months, Castelo disclosed. She added, Topping that, Pres. Duterte is expected to sign an Executive Order (EO) aimed at taming the soaring inflation in the country, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

Ain‘t that good news.

The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) based in Davao City has sought the expulsion of Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th from the alumni brotherhood because of his transgressions and ―arrogant behavior,‖ citing several actions and behavior that violated PMA‘s motto of ―Courage, Integrity, and Loyalty.‖ In a statement, the group branded the senator‘s actions as seriously damaging to ―the honor and prestige of this revered institution.‖ These include, the group said, Trillanes‘ attempt to overthrow the Arroyo administration, inciting to sedition, allegedly committing graft and corruption, disrespecting senior military officers and Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, treason, engaging in propaganda activities, and constant ―annoying actions.‖ The PMAAAI also recalled Trillanes‘ public humiliation of the late Defense secretary Angelo Reyes during a Senate hearing.

The group likewise forwned on his failure to disclose information pertaining to ―backdoor negotiations‖ over the dispute in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal with China in 2012. ―Sen. Trillanes continuous allegations that ‗PMAyers‘ are his growing supporters is a blatant lie and discredits the highly-respected apolitical nature of PMA and its graduates,‖ the group said.

They then collectively voiced their collective stand ostracizing Sen. Trillanes and ousting him as as alumnus. (By Jimmy Cabato) http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/opinions/24932-snipe-swipes.html

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Duterte to issue order allowing food imports

By Manolo B. Jara

September 14, 2018

MANILA: President Rodrigo ―Rody‖ Duterte is set to issue an executive order allowing the importation of basic food items like rice, fish, sugar meat and vegetables whose soaring prices have drawn protests especially from many Filipinos, according to a Malacanang Palace official.

Harry Roque, the presidential spokesman, said the order aims to remove the administrative and non-tariff barriers on the importation of basic commodities to cushion the impact of inflation on these goods. ―This only means the process of importing food will be simpler,‖ Roque said, adding the order was being prepared by Duterte‘s economic managers who agreed on its issuance during their Cabinet meeting at Malacanang Palace on Tuesday.

Roque also downplayed criticisms blaming the Duterte administration for the 6.4 rise in the inflation rate in August, considered the highest in almost 10 years that saw the prices of basic food items soaring beyond the reach especially of poor Filipinos. But even before Duterte could issue the order, agrarian reform beneficiaries and producers from Negros Occidental province in the Visayas protested the inclusion of sugar in the importation of basic goods. ―This plan to allow open importation of sugar will depress sugar prices again and we may not be able to survive crisis,‖ warned Enrique Tayo, the chairman of the Negros Occidental Federation of Farmers Association.

Tayo disclosed there are over 100,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries in the province, one of country‘s major sugar producers, are still slowly recovering from the huge loss the industry incurred in the last two years. Officials admitted that the top contributors to inflation included tobacco, fish and seafood, vegetables, transport, non-alcoholic drinks, electricity and fuel, rice and house rentals.

In particular, protests were particularly aimed at rice, the staple food of of most of the 120 million Filipinos, whose lack in the public markets, has forced them including the elderly to rise and line up as early as dawn daily so they could buy the cereal from stalls selling cheap imported government rice. Roque, however, assured the country has enough rice, saying that 4.6 million sacks of rice at the government-run National Food Agency (NFA) warehouses would be released immediately.

In addition, about two million sacks of imported rice are to arrive before the end of September

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and that the NFA Council has approved the importation five million more sacks that are to be available in the markets within the next two months, Roque said. http://gulftoday.ae/portal/d2cd5e05-ed60-4605-be5b-975a12a1b73e.aspx

High prices of rice not Customs’ fault – Lapeña Published September 13, 2018, 7:00 PM

By Betheena Kae Unite Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña debunked Thursday reports that the spike in rice prices in the country is due to the delays in the release of rice shipments by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

BOC chief Isidro Lapeña (Alberto Garcia) Lapeña clarified that the delays are not happening, instead he said late issuance and submission of import permits from the National Food Authority hampers the completion of customs process that allows the release of the shipment. ―To set the record straight, I would like to clarify that there is no delay in the customs clearance of rice imports in all ports,‖ Lapeña said.

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―In fact, I have ordered all district collectors to expedite the processing of essential food such as rice, sugar, pork, and chicken to aid the supply issue,‖ he added.

The commissioner explained that in some instances, it cannot be avoided that customs clearance procedure cannot be completed without the corresponding import permit from the National Food Authority pursuant to NFA Memorandum Circular No. AO-2018-05-001.

Without the NFA permit clearing the shipment, the Customs bureau cannot push through with the process of releasing the subject shipment. ―Knowing the importance and urgency to release these shipments, I have sent a letter request to the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority dated September 10 to expedite the release of the import permits since it cannot be released on our end without such permit,‖ Lapeña said.

According to the Customs chief, NFA permits must be secured prior to the arrival of the rice shipments in the country. However, some importers would comply with the requirement on the date of arrival or even three to five days after the arrival of their rice shipments. ―If only NFA permits were submitted to the Bureau before the arrival of these shipments, then an efficient and faster Customs clearance process can be made,‖ he lamented. https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/13/high-prices-of-rice-not-customs-fault-lapena/

Cameroon: Rice import spending grew by 27.9% to CFA183.7bn in 2017 (Business in Cameroon) - Last year, Cameroon invested CFA183.7 billion to import 728,443 tons of rice, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said. This reflects an increase by 27.9% in value and 18.6% in volume, compared to 2016, despite the application of customs duties since January 2016.

“Over the past years, Cameroonian importers have been sourcing mainly from Thailand as prices per kg were more competitive compared to other Asian countries,” INS indicated adding that until then, prices had been almost stable at around $500 per ton. However, the unit import price increased recently by 7.9% to CFA252.2 per kilogram. Asia is Cameroon‘s main rice supplier (99.8%) and key providers include Thailand (85%), India (7%) and Myanmar (2%).

Back in 2000, the country imported 552,472 tons of rice for CFA156.6 billion. During the peak year 2013, rice import stood at 819,841 tons for CFA212.6 billion, according to INS.In Cameroon, paddy rice production increased by 12% to 311,674 tons in 2016, upon the continued extension of rainfed rice cultivation and the distribution of chemical fertilizers. However, much of the local production is exported.

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Sylvain Andzongo https://www.businessincameroon.com/consumption/1309-8347-cameroon-rice-import-spendinggrew-by-27-9-to-cfa183-7bn-in-2017

PITC offers to import 3m bags of rice September 13, 2018 at 08:25 pm by Manila Standard Business PHILIPPINE International Trading Corp., an attached agency of the Trade Department, proposed to import up to 150,000 metric tons or 3 million bags of rice to augment the current stock of the National Food Authority.

The department is tapping the bulk procurement expertise of PITC, the country‘s premier government-controlled trading corporation, to bring in more rice through government-togovernment procurement.

Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the agency would be on standby until the NFA Council cleared the proposal.

Castelo said with PITC‘s proven international trading experience, it could bring rice to the country by December and sell them to consumers at P27 to P32 per kilo.

She said the DTI‘s effort was a part of the government‘s all-out efforts to find concrete solution by tapping various agencies to extend assistance in bringing down prices of rice.

PITC president and chief executive Dave Almarinez said the agency was throwing its full support behind the government‘s effort, through DTI, to address the current artificial rice shortage.

Smuggling, hoarding and ‗man-made‘ price manipulation in the rice industry are pinpointed as the main reasons the low-income families are now facing difficulties in buying affordable rice.

Almarinez said PITC was joining DTI and NFA in preventing rice hoarders from hurting the economy and lives of millions of Filipinos.

The subsidized rice―priced at P27 and P32 a kilo depending on the variant―would be considered a reprieve for poor Filipino consumers as current prices of commercial rice reached an average all-time high of P43 a kilo.

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The NFA last week approved an additional importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice this year under an open tender scheme. The action will bring the agency‘s rice imports for the year to 750,000 MT, including the half a million ton of imports approved earlier this year.

The PITC said that once its proposal was approved, it would implement strategies to effectively bring down the price of rice.

It said that by flooding the market with imported rice, hoarders would be left with no option but to release their supply in the market and eventually stabilize prices. http://www.manilastandard.net/business/economy-trade/275446/pitc-offers-to-import-3m-bagsof-rice.html

Anti-inflation EO to make more rice, fish and meat available to consumers posted September 14, 2018 at 01:25 am by Julito G. Rada and Macon Ramos-Araneta

The National Economic and Development Authority said Thursday that an executive order that will remove administrative and non-tariff barriers on the importation of food items will address the supply problems that have driven the rate of inflation to nine-year highs.

The Economic Development Cluster of the Cabinet has recommended that President Rodrigo Duterte issue the executive order for implementation this month.

The order will zero in on fish, rice, sugar, meat and vegetables—considering that the rise in prices of these items has been the major contributor to inflation for the past two months. Fish and seafood, rice and meat, and vegetables accounted for 2.4 percentage points out of the 6.4 percent inflation rate in August.

―The issuance of the Executive Order as well as quick implementation of immediate and shortterm measures will address the supply issues that have been driving up inflation,‖ SocioEconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

The proposed EO will jump off from the measures and reforms identified by the EDC to tame food inflation. Immediate to short-term measures include making rice available in the market through immediate release of stocks from National Food Authority warehouses, importation, and

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distribution of projected harvest; monitoring of rice transfer from ports to warehouses and retail outlets; and the speedy passage of the rice tariffication bill.

Availability of fish and chicken will be increased by allowing imports to be distributed quickly and by setting up public markets with cold storage facilities where producers can sell directly to end consumers.

Apart from importation, improving logistics, transport, distribution, and storage was also deemed crucial for curbing price inflation of sugar, vegetables, and other food items.

Medium- to long-term measures include boosting agricultural production by promoting the use of and developing resilient and high-yielding varieties of crops while reassessing the country‘s planting season and crop viability in each region. Policy measures include the review and possible amendment of the Fisheries Code and other policies governing the sector and legislation for the tariffication also of sugar, fish, meat and vegetables.

The EDC reiterated the urgency of passing the rice tariffication bill, which is currently in the Senate after approval by the House of Representatives on third and final reading. ―The rice tariffication bill must be passed with haste not only to curb inflation but also to provide farmers better access to farming technologies. This will increase productivity and supply in the medium-term,‖ the EDC said.

The 6.4-percent inflation in August brought the average inflation in the first eight months to 4.73 percent, well over the target range of 2 to 4 percent this year.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who has been tasked by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to identify counterinflation measures, said the EO could bring the rate down to 6.1 percent in Septermber.

Speaking on the ANC news channel, Salceda said the EO would also settle the ―raging contentious relations between the NFA Council and the NFA.‖ The NFA is the state grains procurement agency while the NFA Council sets import policies on food.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs on Thursday blamed the NFA and the Department of Agriculture for the slow issuance of permits to rice importers that has caused delays in the release of imported rice at the country‘s ports.

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―I would like to address the issue being reported that the spike in rice prices in the country was caused by the delays in the release of rice shipments by the Bureau of Customs,‖ Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said in a statement. ―If only NFA permits were submitted to the Bureau before the arrival of these shipments, then an efficient and faster Customs clearance process can be made,‖ the BoC chief said.

The BoC chief said that he has already sent a letter request to the DA and NFA dated Sept. 10 to expedite the release of import permits to rice importers, adding that the BoC cannot release the rice shipments without such a permit. ―To set the record straight, I would like to clarify that there is no delay in the customs clearance of rice imports in all ports. In fact, I have ordered all district collectors to expedite the processing of essential food such as rice, sugar, pork, and chicken to aid the supply issue.‖ ―It cannot be avoided that in some instances, the customs clearance procedure cannot be completed without the corresponding import permit from the National Food Authority,‖ he said.

Lapeña also advised importers to secure NFA permits in advance before their shipments arrive, and not three to five days afterward, as some traders do.

In the Senate, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV urged the administration to join forces with the opposition and work together to solve the rice crisis. ―Instead of pinpointing [blame], they should face the crisis causing hardships,‖ said Aquino during his privilege speech on the rising prices of goods in the country.

He said the implementation of programs is in the hands of the government. ―The Cabinet of the President should focus on giving comfort to the Filipino families,‖ said Aquino, one of the four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. Aquino said the opposition was in talks, not to overthrow the government, but to address the problem of rising prices.

Aquino offered three proposals.

First, he said the government must fully implement social mitigating measures under the Train Law.

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Second, he called for the replacement of incompetent NFA officials with people who can fulfill the agency‘s mandate, including the immediate return to a 15-day buffer stock of rice.

Third, Aquino renewed is call for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill to stop the second round of increase in excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

Senator Grace Poe said with people still smarting from the effects of TRAIN, it might not be the right time to consider its second phase. ―I don‘t know if it‘s time for us to actually consider TRAIN 2. There are so many things going on that we need to prioritize before this,‖ said Poe. With Vito Barcelo http://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/275490/anti-inflation-eo-to-make-more-rice-fish-and-meatavailable-to-consumers.html

Lapeña defends Customs on delay of food imports

By Rea Cu

September 14, 2018 The Bureau of Customs (BOC) clarified on Thursday that there is no delay with the issuance of clearance for rice imports in all ports nationwide, amid reports that the spike in rice prices was due to the delays in the release of rice shipments by the bureau.

Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said that he has even ordered all district collectors to expedite the processing of clearances of essential food, such as rice, sugar, pork and chicken. ―I would like to address the issue being reported that the spike in rice prices in the country was caused by the delays in the release of rice shipments by the Bureau of Customs. To set the record straight, I would like to clarify that there is no delay in the Customs clearance of rice imports in all ports. In fact, I have ordered all district collectors to expedite the processing of essential food, such as rice, sugar, pork and chicken, to aid the supply issue,‖ Lapeña said.

He admitted, though, that the delays in some instances may be caused by the lack of import permits coming from the National Food Authority (NFA). The Customs chief added that he had already sent a letter to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the NFA requesting them to expedite the release of the import permits.

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―It cannot be avoided that, in some instances, the Customs clearance procedure cannot be completed without the corresponding import permit from the NFA pursuant to NFA Memorandum Circular AO-2018-05-001. Knowing the importance and urgency to release these shipments, I have sent a letter of request to the DA and the NFA dated September 10 to expedite the release of the import permits since it cannot be released on our end without such permit,‖ Lapeña added.

Import permits issued by the NFA, he said, is very essential requirement in line with the clearance of rice shipments as this will make the release of rice shipments into the country to remain on schedule. ―This is how important NFA import permits are in the clearance of rice shipments. Prompt issuance of import permits by the NFA coupled by timely submission to the BOC will, in effect, make Customs clearance of rice shipments on schedule. I, together with the men and women of the BOC, am with the President in alleviating the current situation on the supply and price hike in our country‘s staple grain,‖ he said.

On Tuesday Customs operatives, backed by a Philippine National Police (PNP) team, raided several warehouses in Marilao, Bulacan, after receiving information that large quantities of suspected smuggled rice with an estimated market value of P300 million were stashed.

A joint Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and PNP team conducted the raid on seven warehouses at the Federal Corp. Compound in Barangay Ibayo, Marilao, Bulacan, where some 125,000 sacks of imported rice were discovered. Initial reports said the rice were imported from Thailand, China and India. ―I assure the public that we will closely coordinate with our private and public partners to be ready for the influx of cargoes for the holidays. We hope that in the coming months, the price of basic commodities will stabilize,‖ Lapeña added. https://businessmirror.com.ph/lapena-defends-customs-on-delay-of-food-imports/

‗Ompong‘ seen to render at least P3.6-B damage to agriculture; rice supply assured 51 | w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o g s p o t . c o m mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com

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Published September 14, 2018, 9:08 AM

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos The Department of Agriculture (DA) projected that at least P3.6 billion worth of damages will be incurred on rice alone as Typhoon Ompong hits the Philippines.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol during the command conference presided over by President Duterte on Typhoon Ompong Thursday afternoon (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol made the report during the command conference presided over by President Duterte on Typhoon Ompong Thursday afternoon.

In his report on the projected effect of the typhoon on agriculture, Piñol said that ‗Ompong‘ is expected to affect a total of 1.22 million hectares of rice and corn.

He said that on moderate basis, rice will suffer losses amounting to P3.6 billion, or up to P7.9 billion in the worst case scenario. The said amount is equal to 74,000 to 176,000 metric tons of palay.

For corn, the estimated damage is P2.7 billion or P3.1 billion in the worst case.

Meanwhile, Piñol assured that there is enough rice supply even after ‗Ompong‘ leaves the Philippine area of responsibility.

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―We are projecting that on a moderate scenario, at the end of the year, even with what will happen, we will still have about 96 days of supply of rice. Worst-case scenario, ending stocks December 31, we will still have 85 days,‖ he said.When asked by Duterte about where to get the extra rice to be expended after the typhoon, Piñol said that its impact on the rice supply will only be about 3.6 days.―Our reserve would be reduced by about 3.6 days. We don‘t really have a problem with the supply now, Mr. President. It‘s harvest time. And the imported rice is starting to come in,‖ he said, referring to the previous importations made by the National Food Authority (NFA).―We are now harvesting all over the country. So in fact, we‘re expecting stabilization of the rice prices in the market within the next two, three weeks,‖ he added.According to Piñol, the DA is expecting to have a record harvest of 9.4 million metric tons for paddy rice this year.―But if we will be hit hard, that will be reduced by about 600,000 metric tons or 18.8 million metric tons,‖ he said.

Piñol said the DA already advised farmers to harvest their crops that are already matured, and for the fishermen not to fish. They also have their seeds and planting materials and other farm inputs.

He added that the DA is now also pooling all their machinery and equipment and positioning hauling trucks for animal evacuation

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/14/ompong-seen-to-render-at-least-p3-6-b-damage-to-agriculture-ricesupply-assured/

Rice, wheat producing countries should be concerned about India's trade-distorting policy: US PTI|Sep 14, 2018, 01.27 PM IST

Over the last five years, India has exported between USD 5.3 billion and USD8 billion of rice, and wheat exports ranged between USD 70 million to USD 1.9 billion.

The US has alleged that India is providing massive subsidies to its farmers producing rice and wheat and said that other countries need to be concerned about New Delhi's "trade distorting policy".

Chief Agricultural Negotiator Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) Gregory Doud made the comments during a Congressional hearing Thursday.

"Every rice- or wheat-producing country around the world should be concerned about the trade effects of India's trade distorting domestic support," Doud told lawmakers.

In May, Doud travelled to Geneva to deliver the US' first ever counter notification to the WTO's Committee on Agriculture concerning India's market price support for rice and wheat. "The US estimates that India supports its rice producers ranging from 74 to 84.2 per cent of the value of production and wheat producers ranging between 60.1 to 68.5 per cent of the value of production between 2010 and 2014 when India is only allowed to provide up to 10 per cent of the value of production of a particular commodity," Doud alleged.

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Over the last five years, India has exported between USD 5.3 billion and USD8 billion of rice, which is more than any other country in the world. India's global wheat exports ranged between USD 70 million to USD 1.9 billion during the same time period, he said.

Testifying before the same committee, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney told lawmakers that during his recent India visit he met with senior officials to discuss the importance of science- based food safety policies and to promote US exports. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/rice-wheat-producing-countriesshould-be-concerned-about-indias-trade-distorting-policy-us/articleshow/65806951.cms

PITC offers to import 3m bags of rice September 13, 2018 at 08:25 pm by Manila Standard Business

PHILIPPINE International Trading Corp., an attached agency of the Trade Department, proposed to import up to 150,000 metric tons or 3 million bags of rice to augment the current stock of the National Food Authority.The department is tapping the bulk procurement expertise of PITC, the country‘s premier government-controlled trading corporation, to bring in more rice through government-to-government procurement.

Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the agency would be on standby until the NFA Council cleared the proposal.

Castelo said with PITC‘s proven international trading experience, it could bring rice to the country by December and sell them to consumers at P27 to P32 per kilo.

She said the DTI‘s effort was a part of the government‘s all-out efforts to find concrete solution by tapping various agencies to extend assistance in bringing down prices of rice.

PITC president and chief executive Dave Almarinez said the agency was throwing its full support behind the government‘s effort, through DTI, to address the current artificial rice shortage.

Smuggling, hoarding and ‗man-made‘ price manipulation in the rice industry are pinpointed as the main reasons the low-income families are now facing difficulties in buying affordable rice.

Almarinez said PITC was joining DTI and NFA in preventing rice hoarders from hurting the economy and lives of millions of Filipinos.

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The subsidized rice―priced at P27 and P32 a kilo depending on the variant―would be considered a reprieve for poor Filipino consumers as current prices of commercial rice reached an average all-time high of P43 a kilo.

The NFA last week approved an additional importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice this year under an open tender scheme. The action will bring the agency‘s rice imports for the year to 750,000 MT, including the half a million ton of imports approved earlier this year.

The PITC said that once its proposal was approved, it would implement strategies to effectively bring down the price of rice.

It said that by flooding the market with imported rice, hoarders would be left with no option but to release their supply in the market and eventually stabilize prices.

http://manilastandard.net/business/economy-trade/275446/pitc-offers-to-import-3m-bags-of-rice.html

Cameroon: Rice import spending grew by 27.9% to CFA183.7bn in 2017 Thursday, 13 September 2018 12:07 (Business in Cameroon) - Last year, Cameroon invested CFA183.7 billion to import 728,443 tons of rice, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said. This reflects an increase by 27.9% in value and 18.6% in volume, compared to 2016, despite the application of customs duties since January 2016.

“Over the past years, Cameroonian importers have been sourcing mainly from Thailand as prices per kg were more competitive compared to other Asian countries,” INS indicated adding that until then, prices had been almost stable at around $500 per ton. However, the unit import price increased recently by 7.9% to CFA252.2 per kilogram. Asia is Cameroon‘s main rice supplier (99.8%) and key providers include Thailand (85%), India (7%) and Myanmar (2%).

Back in 2000, the country imported 552,472 tons of rice for CFA156.6 billion. During the peak year 2013, rice import stood at 819,841 tons for CFA212.6 billion, according to INS.In Cameroon, paddy rice production increased by 12% to 311,674 tons in 2016, upon the continued extension of rainfed rice cultivation and the distribution of chemical fertilizers. However, much of the local production is exported. https://www.businessincameroon.com/consumption/1309-8347-cameroon-rice-import-spending-grew-by27-9-to-cfa183-7bn-in-2017

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Tanzania: Rice Importation Suspended As Local Production Doubles

By Janeth Joseph Moshi — The government has suspended the importation of rice on the grounds that the country produced more than it needs in the previous agricultural season.The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Mathew Mtigumwe, said here that while the country's annual demand for rice was 900,000 tonnes, local production for this year reached 2.2 million tonnes, that is, double the demand.

He said the statistics meant that Tanzania had a surplus production of over 1.3 million tonnes of rice.

"This makes Tanzania among the top five countries in Sub-Sahara in rice production," said Mr Mtigumwe. The other countries, according to him, are Nigeria, Madagascar, Mali and Guinea.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), Mr Toshio Nagase, whose organization is about to implement a mega project to increase the productivity, said over 15,000 growers of rice are expected to benefit, hence uplifting thousands from poverty.

Ms Hadija Hassan, who is a beneficiary of the project, said their productivity has soared from being able to produce three rice bags to 56 bags per acre.

"Now, our main problem is lack of market," she said."We ask the government to look on the possibilities of providing us with reliable markets so that we can continue benefiting from agriculture," she said.

https://allafrica.com/stories/201809130259.html

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