19th march,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice E-Newsletter March 19, 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I

DA, Germany sign agreement on palay, abaca March 18, 2015 8:24 pm

by James Konstantin Galvez

The Philippines and Germany have signed agreements to boost income of abaca farmers by giving them access to markets here and abroad and to provide education and training to rice producers on specific farming techniques and use of modern technology, a top official said.Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the following agreements were signed: Abaca Sustainability Initiative (ASI), which will be implemented in Madalag and Libacao in Aklan, Janiuay and Maasin in Iloilo; and Better Rice Initiative Asia-Fostering Agriculture and Rice

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Marketing by Improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (BRIA-FARMERS) in Aurora, Iloilo and Southern Leyte.

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority will implement the ASI in 2015 and 2016 and it aimed to increase the certified production areas to 500 hectares, Alcala said.He said about 300 farms, with an average landholding of 1.5 hectares per farmer, will take part in the project under the Rainforest Alliance, a certifying body recognized by the Sustainable Agriculture Network.―With their farms certified, the farmers will be assured of better market access in the coming years, hence, increasing their annual income,‖ Alcala said.He said the project, which has a P19 million budget, would require putting up nurseries for replanting and rehabilitation of areas affected by abaca plant diseases and fiber extraction and drying processes will be introduced.

The project areas were expected to supply the demand for certified products such as teabag manufacturers and the program will be replicated in other abaca areas in the country to benefit more farmers, Alcala said.Alcala said at least 8,000 farmers would be beneficiaries of the BRIAFARMERS project, which will be implemented by the Agricultural Training Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute starting this year until 2017.He said the project, which has a P90 million budget, will involve training farmers on value chain analysis, basic agriculture, use of technology-based nutrient management, post-harvest handling and mechanization. ―Another fresh feature of the project is improving the farmers‘ marketing and enterprise skills through participation in farm business schools,‖ Alcala said.―We have been deliberately incorporating entrepreneurship in our programs as we want to produce not only good farmers but also successful agri-entrepreneurs,‖ he said. http://www.manilatimes.net/da-germany-signs-agreement-on-palayabaca/170261/http://www.manilatimes.net/da-germany-signs-agreement-on-palay-abaca/170261/

Agriculture key part of plan to improve watershed health Ryan Urban Chronotype staff

Improving agricultural practices is a central part of a new plan to improve the health of the Red Cedar Watershed, according to presenters at the annual Red Cedar Watershed Conference held last Thursday in Menomonie.Daniel Zerr, a UW-Extension natural resource educator, presented a plan by Red Cedar Water Quality Partnership focused on reducing phosphorus in Tainter Lake at the lower part of watershed by 40% within 10 years. Phosphorus in soil, fertilizer and animal waste fuels blue-green algae blooms seen in local lakes."It's an ambitious plan," said Zerr. "We need to decrease phosphorus by a lot if we're going to make a difference.

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"More than 40 lakes and streams in the Red Cedar Watershed-covering most of Barron and Dunn counties-are classified as Impaired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, including Rice Lake and much of the Red Cedar River.The10-year implementation plan seeks reduce phosphorus by 186,000 pounds annually with several measures. The strategies with the most potential impact are increasing no-till farming (64,000 pounds), responsible manure storage (34,000) and farmers' use of nutrient management plans (31,000) and cover crops (18,000).Other strategies focus on treating milkhouse waste, traditional conservation practices,urban stormwater control and stream buffers, among others.

Case for conservation

Several presenters made a case that keeping fertilizer on fields of no-till soil benefits farming yields as much as the health of the streams and lakes."Soil erosion is a tragedy," said Rod Olson, conference co-chair from Rice Lake. "It is far more of a tragedy to the farmer. That is his very best soil washed down the river."Andy Bensend, a Dallas area farmer, presented the challenges and benefits in his 25 years of using limited field tillage.

Bensend said after going bankrupt from stagnant milk prices in his first attempt at farming, he started over in the late 1980s doing no-till agriculture on depleted farmland."The first thing that happened was our yields were less," said Bensend, adding that having fewer equipment expenses helped him withstand lower profits.Patience paid off in 5 years. "Our crops didn't demand as much fertility. But we put on the same amount of fertilizer and our yields went up," he said.

To demonstrate the benefits of no-till fields and cover crops, United States Department of Agriculture soil health specialist Ray Archuleta presented two experiments with chunks of tilled soil and non-tilled soil. The live demonstrations showed that water infiltrates non-tilled soil at a significantly faster rate while retaining its structure better than tilled soil."When the water rushes in, we don't want the soil to fall apart," said Archuleta.Soil that breaks apart is more easily washed into waterways.

Archuleta said natural no-till soil is also more fertile because organic matter breaks down more slowly when not disturbed. "Tillage is an intrusive tool. It is destructive to the soil ecosystem.

Nature does not till," he said.Archuleta said while there are reactive ways to keep phosphoruscarrying sediment out of the water-such as buffer zones that catch sediment-the best thing for both land and water is to be proactive to stop runoff at the source. "We have to take care of the raindrop where it lands," he said.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Increasing cooperation Implementing the Red Cedar River Water Quality Partnership plan will depend on getting organizations and the public more involved. Ways to do so include collaboration between groups and agencies, educational events, equipment sharing and farmer-led councils, said Zerr.

He said the plan will have ongoing evaluations and adjustments and continue accordingly beyond the first 10 years.The Red Cedar River Water Quality Partnership is a coalition of several government agencies, municipalities, organizations, universities and businesses.

Focus on Poverty: Improving nutrition isn’t just about science   

A ‗green revolution‘ is more of a challenge for Africa than it was for Asia Improved crop varieties must fit into complex agricultural and economic systems Better jobs are also needed to cut poverty and improve diets more widely ―As Africa prospers, will diets improve?‖ The media has been pondering this question lately. [1] On the one hand, veteran environmentalist Lester Brown warns that huge dustbowls could leave regions of northern Africa in serious agricultural trouble.

[2] On the other, SciDev.Net reports encouraging progress on sweet potato production in Africa. So what do we need to know to make an assessment? Two recent academic studies are useful. In his book Food security and scarcity, Harvard academic and Center for Global Development fellow Peter Timmer says global hunger eradication is so hard ―because governments and markets need to work together around an agenda of pro-poor growth, agricultural development, and stable food economies‖. [3] (See below for a video of Timmer discussing how agriculture meshes with broader structural economic changes in the developing world.)

Per Pinstrup-Andersen, an economist at Cornell University in the United States, has edited a complementary volume, Food price policy in an era of market instability. [4] This is written in the context of the food price volatility seen worldwide since 2007. The book is mainly based on 14 case studies from developing countries. It shows how government responses either amplify or address the issue. Both books draw out several interesting policy lessons and make clear that scientific research is only one element among many needed to improve people‘s diets. Let‘s take the Pinstrup-Andersen book.

He writes, among other things, of the need to strengthen the ―policy-relevant evidence base‖, to reduce the ―fiscal costs of short-term interventions‖ such as subsidising food and fertilisers, and investing in ―improved rural infrastructure‖. (Pinstrup-Anderson summarises these and other issues in a handy policy brief.) [5] Returning to Africa: this should not be that surprising, since its agricultural practices are different from those in Asia, where nutritional improvements have been comparatively easy to www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine achieve. The high and reliable yields of the rice varieties championed by the International Rice Research Institute over its 50-year history ensured that Asian countries increased supply dramatically. Noting this, Timmer contrasts his visits to Karawang in West Java, Indonesia, and the Machakos region of Kenya. While Karawang has extensive and well irrigated rice fields, Machakos has poor roads, a dependence on rainfall and small farms that grow multiple crops next to each other. There are maize, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams, groundnuts, cowpeas and many other crops. For such reasons, a Green Revolution for Africa is much more challenging. It is not only a question of developing new and better varieties of crops, but also of ensuring that these fit into a highly complex agricultural and economic system.

So it is hard to say in general whether Africa‘s diet will improve soon. You only need to check the country-by-country studies released this month by the Global Nutrition Report to see how complex the situation is. [6] Too much of Africa‘s growth depends on exporting minerals, oil and natural gas. Many countries certainly need a more productive agricultural sector, where agricultural research and food policy both play a role. Without generating a surplus or costly food imports, the cities cannot be fed.

But it is not just a question of increasing agricultural productivity. Other factors, such as better employment for those in the informal sector, are needed to provide the inclusive growth and poverty eradication that will improve diets more widely.

Image credit: Brian Sokol / Panos Roger Williamson is an independent consultant and visiting fellow with both UNU-WIDER and the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. Previous positions include organising nearly 80 international policy conferences for the UK Foreign Office and being head of policy and campaigns at Christian Aid

German finance agency eyes P109-M PHL agricultural projects

by Philippine News Agency March 19, 2015 (updated) image: http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/abaca.jpg

Abaca drying/Photo by John Washington (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.52.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), or better known as the German Development Cooperation, on Wednesday signed two memoranda of agreement for two agricultural projects worth about P109 million that will cater primarily to Filipino rice and abaca farmers.Agriculture Secretary Prospero Alcala and GIZ country director Andreas Kalk led the signing ceremonies that officially kicked off the Better Rice Initiative Asia – Fostering Agriculture and Rice Marketing

by Improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (BRIA-FARMERS) and the Abaca Sustainability Initiative that are aimed at further ensuring sustainability of the government‘s current programs on improving rice and abaca production.

The funds for the twin projects will be provided by GIZ and would be implemented by DA attached agencies.BRIA-FARMERS seeks to contribute in achieving the goals under the Philippine Development Plan in strengthening the agriculture sector through the development of a sustainable strategy across the public and private sectors to enhance food security and economic development.

The €1.8 million (about P90 million) project will be implemented by the DA‘s Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) from 2015 to 2017 and will cover the municipalities of Dipaculao, Maria Aurora and Baler in Aurora province; Leganes, Oton, Pototan, Zarraga and Sta. Barbara in Iloilo, and Hinunangan, Silago, Saint Bernard and Sogod in Souther Leyte.Under the project, agricultural technicians, lead farmers and private service providers will be trained on value chain analyses, basic agriculture rice-specific farming techniques, the use of technology-based nutrient management, post-harvest handling, farm mechanization and market access.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Alcala said that one of the projects feature is the enhancement of farmers‘ marketing and enterprise skills through participation in farm business schools.―We have been deliberately incorporating entrepreneurship in our programs as we want to produce not only good farmers but also successful agri-entrepreneurs,‖ he said.On the other hand, the Abaca Sustainability Initiative aims to secure the ecological sustainability of abaca fiber production and to enhance the income of abaca farmers through improved access to markets and extension services.

With a budget of €386,000 (about P19 million), the project specifically aims to increase the certified production areas in the provinces of Aklan and Iloilo to a minimum of 500 hectares and would directly benefit some 300 abaca farmers with an estimated average landholding of 1.5 hectares.It will be implemented by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority from 2015 to 2016 in the towns of Libacao and Madalag in Aklan and in Januiay and Maasin in Iloilo.The farms covered under the project will undergo certification from the Rainforest Alliance, a certifying body recognized by the Sustainable Agriculture Network.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/german-finance-agency-eyes-p109-m-phl-agricultural-projects/#WDVXa1cAZp9m1xqI.99

Aman output strikes all-time high 3/19/2015 The Financial Express (Bangladesh) Bangladesh, March 19 -- Aman rice output hit an all-time high of 13.19 million tonnes in Aman rice season as farmer bounced back from last year's savage flood, the government has said.The rice yield in Aman season showed 1.3 per cent growth in the current financial year over a year earlier, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) said.Sector insiders said higher production in the first two rice seasons---Aus and Aman-has ground for restricting riceimport to safeguard the local rice industry.Considering the financial year or the Bangla calendar year, Aus is the first rice cropping season in Bangladesh followed by Aman, contributing 38 per cent, and Boro, contributing 55 per cent, to overall output, according to the agriculture ministry.

BBS latest data revealed that the production of Aman was a record13.190 million tonnes at 5.53 million hectares of land in FY'15, which was 13.02 million tonnes in FY'14.Deputy director (agriculture wing) of BBS Bidhan Boral said that cultivable land remained almost static at 5.53 million hectares but per hectare yield has increased notably this FY which helped rise the production.He said Aus production increased minimally by 2,000 tonnes in the current financial year and the two cropping seasons jointly gifted 15.518 million tonnes so far, which was 15.346 million tonnes in FY'14-or 1.12 per cent growth.The BBS data showed that the country got a

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine record 33.465 million tonnes of rice in the last financial year against 33.1 million tonnes of demand estimated by the Director General of Food (DGoF).

The government has now a good stock of 1.097 million tonnes of cereal including 0.814 million tonnes of rice and 0.099 million tonnes of wheat.The food stock size was 1.084 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the last fiscal, the food ministry data showed.According to the Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mills Owners Association, the biggest platform of the country's rice millers, more than 20,000 millers and 0.35 million of traders have above 3.5 million tonnes of rice stock for every two month.Despite bumper production in almost all cropping seasons, rice import (through the private channel) witnessed a record in the current financial year, according to the ministry of food.

The food ministry data showed that importers brought a record 1.057 million tonnes of rice in July-March'15 period of the current financial year when overall import was 0.374 million tonnes in FY'14.The uncontrolled imports coupled with the two and a half month-long political turmoil have dealt a severe blow to the local rice industry, said the traders.Rice millers said more than 60 per cent of the mills across the country were forced to close their operation this year following uneven competition with the Indian rice and the political upheaval continuing since January this year.

Rice prices, which increased significantly in January-February period, went down to the level of pre-blockade period from March, according to Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mills Owners Association (BAMHMOA).BAMHMOA secretary KM Layek Ali told the FE that in the absence of any import duty, imported rice has flooded the market.He said the government fixed minimum Aman rice price at Tk32 per kg when importers are bringing it at below Tk23-26 per kg.He said: "Our milling cost is above Tk29-29.5 per kg for swarna variety.""This uneven competition forced 60 per cent of millers in the rice growing hubs to stop their operation", he said.He said: "Import is logical if the domestic supply is lower and price is volatile, but the country has been getting bumper production for the last few years.

"He said: "The government should impose a minimum 20 per cent import duty on rice import to protect the local rice industry."Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) additional research director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem said domestic supply, demand and market prices should be considered before importers to import.He said the local producers and its market players should get the first priority for the country's food security.He also said that the government should also look into the matter why local output cost is not competitive compared with that of other exporting countries.He said the devaluation of Indian rupee against the US Dollar is on the www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine rise parallel to it strong BDT against the greenback is giving the Indian exporters room for sending rice to Bangladesh. tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com Published by HT Syndication with permission from The Financial Express. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor athtsyndication@hindustantimes.com http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2325167085

IBEC to launch Isabela biomass plant next month March 19, 2015 10:01:00 PM

A 20-MEGAWATT (MW) biomass project in the province of Isabela will start operations next month, an Energy department official said on Wednesday.

Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada said Isabela Biomass Energy Corp. (IBEC) has completed major works on the P2-billion power facility.―It will start around end of April. It was a little delayed because it was affected by the port congestion,‖ Ms. Monsada said in Makati City.The project -- which will serve as IBEC‘s maiden venture -- was originally due to be operational early this year.The 20-MW project is being built in Barangay Burgos in the municipality of Alicia.

Asked if IBEC expressed interest to expand the plant, Ms. Monsada said: ―They can still do it but they want to see how the first one will work first.‖IBEC was established by a group of six rice millers in Isabela. The feedstock that will be used for the power plant will come from their milling by-product.Ms. Monsada said the project, once completed, will enter the feed-in tariff (FIT) program.Under the FIT, renewable energy developers will dispatch the capacity of their projects to the grid at a fixed rate for a period of 20 years.The Energy Regulatory Commission approved, in July 2012, FIT rates for run-of-river hydro (P5.90 per kilowatt-hour); biomass (P6.63/kWh); wind (P8.53); and solar (P9.68/kWh).The rates are based on the assigned installation ceilings per technology, which total 750-MW. Run-of-river hydro and biomass projects are allocated 250 MW each, wind power 200 MW, and solar power 50 MW. Earlier this month, a 12-MW biomass plant owned by San Jose City I Power Corp. (SJC IPower) in Nueva Ecija also started commercial operations.The P2-billion biomass project is located in a five-hectare complex in Barangay Tulat, San Jose City.It represents the first phase of the 24-MW planned biomass project in the area. The second plant will start operations next year.SJC IPower is 66%-owned by Lucio L. Co‘s Union Energy Corp. The remaining interest is held by 21 rice milling firms in Nueva Ecija. -- Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano

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http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=ibec-to-launch-isabela-biomassplant-next-month&id=104710

Chinese lead world in genetic rice research but government limits success Mandy Zuo | March 19, 2015 | South China Morning Post Angel or demon, transgenic crops have become one of the ―frontier technologies‖ that China is determined to embrace.In contrast to China‘s usual modesty in academic matters, mainland scientists claim that genetically modified organisms, utilising recombinant DNA technology, is among the few fields in which China can claim to be globally competitive.Genetically modified rice, in particular, is the achievement that China should be most proud of, they say. But they fear the government‘s persistent hesitation to commercialise their successes could make China‘s GM quest lose momentum.

A quarter of the world‘s top research papers on rice have been written by Chinese researchers, said Yan Jianbing, a corn genomics researcher at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan .With vast funding and a big team, China was ready to bring to market an insect-resistant transgenic rice it developed on its own a decade ago, said Zhu Zhen, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences‘ Bureau of Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

But the government has chosen so far not to commercialise its GMO expertise as the technology remains controversial around the world and has triggered fierce debate at home.―Public opinion remains unfavourable for the technology, and even now, the prospect for commercialisation is unclear,‖ Zhu said.But in the government‘s first policy directive this year, issued earlier this month, authorities called for improvements in safety management and public education on GM crops.

Read full original article: Genetically modified food in China: time to reap what scientists sow? http://98.139.21.31/search/srpcache?p=Chinese+lead+world+in+genetic+rice+research+but+government+limits+success&ei=UT F-8&fr=yfp-t706&fp=1&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=Chinese+lead+world+in+genetic+rice+research+but+government+limits+succe ss&d=54044815091368402&mkt=en-US&setlang=enUS&w=qntKa_ir2yIvJxmjMStRBQla_WU6QZi7&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=Z7SVGIdeixkS2WoLDB9MFA--

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Pangasinan among top rice producers in 2014 March 19, 2015

By April M. Montes DAGUPAN CITY, March 19 (PIA) – Pangasinan bagged its third Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Award from the Department of Agriculture (DA) as one of the country‘s top rice-producing provinces in 2014.The annual contest recognizes the country‘s rice farmers and their respective provincial and municipal officials and farm workers for their continuing efforts and contributions to increased rice production.Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Batalla said that Pangasinan and other top rice-producing provinces, municipalities and cities, farmers and irrigators‘ associations, and agricultural workers will be honored in appropriate ceremonies in Metro Manila on March 25. ―We have been notified that the province is one of the country‘s top three rice producers last year,‖ Batalla said.The province will receive a trophy and check worth P4 million for rice-related projects during the awarding ceremonies, he added.―In gunning for the award, the provincial government has banked its claim on a rice productivity enhancement program launched in 2012 when the provincial government decided to plow in funds, extend outreach technology services and provide support infrastructure to rice farmers in the province‖ the Provincial Information Office reported.

As a result of the program, about 150,000 rice farmers in Pangasinan harvested 1.099 metric tons of rice last year which was 34,166 tons higher than total harvests the previous year, data collected by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics had shown.As part of the rice program, the provincial government extended partly subsidized and interest-free loans in the form of fertilizer and certified seeds to 2,130 farmers in 14 rice producing towns.It also put on the ground P275 million in support infrastructure projects that included small irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, multi-purpose pavements used for sun drying, and bridges.

And in tandem with DA and a non-government organization, the province expanded its seed production and distribution project that resulted in 75 percent of the province‘s rice farmers shifting to the full use of certified and hybrid palay seeds.These resulted in higher harvest for each farmer that redounded to an over-all growth in total harvests by about four percent, much higher than the national average of less than two percent.Good farm gate prices of palay also resulted in higher earnings for each of the individual rice farmers last year. (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan) http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1941426582117/pangasinan-among-top-rice-producers-in2014#sthash.1qSRCsBT.dpuf

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NLA to Hear G2G Rice Distribution Scheme Case on April 2

BY EDITORON 2015-03-19THAILAND NLA to Hear G2G Rice Distribution Scheme Case on April 2 BANGKOK, 19 March 2015 (NNT) – The President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has announced that the legislative body will begin hearing the impeachment case of the former officials in the Commerce Ministry associated with the rice pledging scheme on April 2.

NLA President Ponpetch Wichitcholchai yesterday announced that the assembly was slated to open the impeachment cases of former Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, former Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol and former Director General Department of Foreign Trade Manas Soiploy on April 2.The NLA has received the case files from the National AntiCorruption Commission (NACC) which has accused the defendants of power abuse and dereliction of duty which led to financial damages in the government-to-government (G2G) rice distribution scheme.In a similar case, the NLA voted on January 23 to impeach former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for her failure to halt or rectify the costly and corrupt ricepledging scheme, effectively banning her from political activity for 5 years. The case was also submitted by the NACC. http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/nla-to-hear-g2g-rice-distribution-scheme-case-on-april-2/40732/

Thai court says ex-premier to stand trial over rice program

By THANYARAT DOKSONE



BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's Supreme Court announced Thursday that former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will stand trial for her role in overseeing a rice subsidy program spearheaded by her ousted government that lost billions of dollars, a move likely to deepen the long-running political crisis in the military-ruled nation.Yingluck faces 10 years in prison if found guilty in the case, seen by her allies as part of an attempt by an elite minority to crush her family's political machine, which has repeatedly won power through democratic elections over the last decade.

In a post on her Facebook page, Yingluck insisted she was innocent and called on the judiciary to give her a fair trial — unlike past cases she said were "politically intended to destroy me."Yingluck was ousted from her post as prime minister by a court decision that came two www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine weeks before the military staged a coup last May. Earlier this year, she was impeached by the military-appointed legislature, which banned her from politics for five years.

On Thursday, Supreme Court Judge Weerapol Tangsuwan said that a nine-member judicial panel had studied documents submitted by prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office and accepted the case since it fell within the court's jurisdiction. He set the trial for May 19.Yingluck, who was not present in court, is being charged with dereliction in overseeing the controversial rice subsidy program, which temporarily cost Thailand its crown as the world's top exporter.

In this Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 photo, Thailand's former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, leaves ‌

The program was a flagship policy that helped Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party win elections in 2011, and Yingluck has argued it was aimed at helping poor farmers who were paid about 50 percent above what they would get on the world market. The program, however, racked up losses of at least $4.46 billion as the Thai government stockpiled mass quantities of rice. Prosecutors say Yingluck ignored multiple warnings from several state agencies about possible corruption — none of which has yet been proven in court. www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Earlier this year, the National Anti-Corruption Commission recommended the Finance Ministry sue her personally for at least 600 billion baht ($18.4 billion).Thailand has been plagued by political turmoil that boiled over after the army ousted Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a 2006 coup. The putsch was part of a societal schism that in broad terms pits the majority rural poor, who back the Shinawatras, against an urban-based elite establishment supported by the army and staunch royalists who see Yingluck's family as a corrupt threat to the traditional structures of power.

Yingluck's opponents argue the Shinawatras have used their electoral majority to impose their will and subvert democracy.The day Yingluck's trial begins has significance in Bangkok. It marks the fifth anniversary of a bloody army crackdown against demonstrators backing the Shinawatras who had occupied downtown Bangkok for two months. More than 90 people were killed in the protests, which ended with parts of the city shrouded in black smoke from burning buildings. http://news.yahoo.com/thai-court-says-ex-premier-stand-trial-over-041011666.html

Govt Trashes Reports on Sale of Fake Rice

By Express News service Published: 19th March 2015 06:05 AM Last Updated: 19th March 2015 06:05 AM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government has trashed reports which said that fake rice, allegedly containing plastic, was being sold in the state.Scientific examination of rice samples have proved the reports wrong, Health Minister V S Sivakumar said here on Wednesday after a joint meeting on food adulteration convened by him, Food Minister Anoop Jacob and Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan. Food Safety officials have tested 25 samples and plastic was not detected in any of them, Sivakumar said.The tests were conducted after reports emerged last week that fake ‗plastic rice‘, reportedly originating in China, was being sold in the state.The Minister said that the sticky membrane-like substance formed of starch in the rice would burn once it is dry.

The rice variety Oryza glutinosa is stickier than Oryza sativa variety and the film of starch is thicker. For more clarity on the issue, the public can also get rice samples tested at the analytical laboratories of the Health Department in Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, Sivakumar said.Nearly 2,000 samples were examined following reports which said that coconut oil laced with toxic mineral oil was being sold in the state, but the examinations have proved these reports wrong, Sivakumar said.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine These samples were collected at checkposts and manufacturing units. Examination of 300 other samples collected from various parts of the state revealed the presence of palm oil and palm kernel oil, he said.Wednesday‘s meeting decided to strengthen vigil against food adulteration in rice, coconut oil, vegetables and fruits sold in the state. So far, two criminal cases have been charged against distributors and vendors for artificially ripening fruits using calcium carbide.Agriculture secretary Rajan Khobragade, Food Safety Commissioner T V Anupama, Civil Supplies Commissioner Shyam Jagannathan, Health Department director Dr P K Jameela, Agriculture director R Ajith Kumar, Horticulture Mission director K Prathapan, Horticorp Managing Director M Suresh Kumar, Kerafed Managing Director Ashok Kumar and other officials attended the meeting. http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Govt-Trashes-Reports-on-Sale-of-FakeRice/2015/03/19/article2720643.ece

White Rice, Brown Rice Or Red Rice: Which One is the Healthiest?

NDTV Food, Modified: March 19, 2015 17:23 IST

Would you not like some rice along with chicken curry? Instead you settle for tawa rotis or probably try to pacify your taste buds with just a few spoons of the humble staple. Why has eating rice been such a problem for those who are trying to lose weight or are on a strict calorie restricting diet? Putting it across, in straight and much simpler words - rice is not an enemy of www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine the weight related goals that you are trying to achieve - inadequate knowledge about this food item is.

White rice Let's unravel what makes this traditional variety such a huge topic of debate in the health and fitness circle. White rice is the highly refined version of raw rice, which is hulled and milled.

What makes this variety a not-so-healthy one despite it being widely consumed throughout the world is the fact that processing and milling takes away significant parts of the grain - bran and germ. Bran and germ are rich in dietary fibre as well as nutrients that are beneficial for human health.

According to a Delhi based weight management expert, Dr. Gargi Sharma, "If white rice undergoes further process of polishing then its aleurone layer gets removed leading to loss of nutrients. This layer is rich in B vitamins, other nutrients and essential fats."

White rice is primarily starch. Due to processing, it falls short on some essential nutrients like thiamine, also known as B1 as well other B Vitamins. Consuming un-enriched white rice can lead to a condition called beriberi, which occurs due to thiamine deficiency. White rice is also treated with additives that can - in certain cases - harm human body and trigger metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity and so on.

According to Dr. Ritika Samaddar, Max Healthcare Saket, New Delhi, "The milling and polishing destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, all of the dietary fibre as well the essential fatty acids present in the raw variety." As alarming as these facts may seem, doing away with white rice completely may be a tough choice for most people. This is where healthier alternatives like coloured rice step in.

The healthier alternatives: Brown, red and black

Both brown and red rice have similar nutritional profiles including harvesting process. These are either un-hulled or partially hulled types of rice, which means you get to chew on the bran and germ that are known to have various beneficial properties. Brown rice is easily available across the globe whereas the red one is specifically typical to Himalayan Mountains, southern Tibet, Bhutan, as well as southern India.

According to Dr. Gargi Sharma, "Brown rice and red rice are quite similar when we talk about them on the nutritional front. Both are great sources of fibre, B vitamins, calcium, zinc and iron, manganese, selenium, magnesium and other nutrients. One thing that sets the red variety apart from its brown counterpart is it being enriched with antioxidants that can help fight damaging free radicals in our body."

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Why brown and red rice?

The red variety gets its rich colour from an antioxidant called anthocyanins, which are also found in deep purple or reddish fruits and vegetables. The compound is believed to have properties that can reduce inflammation, allergy, prevent risks of cancer and help in weight management. The manganese present in both varieties helps in strengthening metabolism, while magnesium helps in migraine, lowers blood pressure as well as risks of heart attacks. Along with calcium, magnesium helps in maintaining healthy bones and teeth, and prevents risks of arthritis and osteoporosis.

Selenium

on

the

other

hand

protects

the

body

against

infections.

Moreover, since they are high in fibre content, the digestion process is slow, which leads to a strengthened digestive system. Fibre also aids in slowing down the rate at which carbs are converted into blood sugar; therefore fibrous foods are low on the glycemic load.

According to experts, the two varieties are also highly recommended for diabetics - because of their low glycemic index - and heart patients. These are considered whole grains, which can help in reducing the arterial plaque, prevent risks of cardiovascular diseases, tame high cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. According to recent studies, consuming one cup of brown rice on a daily basis can significantly cut short the risks of developing diabetes by up to 60%.

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We stumbled upon a few studies that talked about a certain component in brown rice that can cause harm to human health - phytic acid. Dr. Gargi Sharma explains, "Phytic acid can hinder iron and calcium absorption. It can happen in cases where you consume brown rice along with food that are rich in calcium or iron. Only those on a high calcium or iron diet would need to be a little careful with the consumption of brown rice."

The forbidden rice

Once known as a food served only to the royals in ancient China, the consumption of black rice was forbidden by the masses. The surge in food trends revolving around healthier options like brown rice, quinoa or sunflower seeds has finally given way to unravel this superfood. Shiny black grains of rice when cooked turn purple that not only is a treat to eyes but also to the taste buds.

This variety beats the nutritional benefits of brown and red rice combined. Rich in fibre, it comes loaded with antioxidants, phytonutrients, phytochemicals, Vitamin E, protein, iron, and other nutrients. It is believed to be beneficial for the liver, kidney and stomach. It has high content of www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine anthocyanins, which help in preventing risks of cancer. Its low sugar and glycemic content makes it an extremely desirable dietary option for heart patients, diabetics as well as for those with high blood pressure.

"A spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanins antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar, more fibre, vitamins and antioxidants," noted Zhimin Zu, associate professor, Louisiana and State University, America.

With over 40,000 different varieties of rice cultivated and consumed all across the globe, depriving yourself of the simple pleasure of digging into a bowl is unfair. A healthy lifestyle is all about striking a balance between good food and nutrition. Identifying what's nutritious for your health and giving it an interesting, flavourful spin is the remedy.

Other Links: http://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/white-rice-brown-rice-or-red-rice-which-one-is-the-healthiest747933?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+19%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Decem ber+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

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Govt allocates Rs 4bn for paddy purchasing Mar 19, 2015 Melanie Santiago

The government has allocated four billion rupees in order to purchase paddy. Minister of Food Security Gamini Jayawickrama Perera says that these funds will be distributed amongst the district secretaries after consulting the Prime Minister in this regard.He added that they have informed the divisional secretaries to give the ministry two days notice if there is shortfall in the funds provided, as there could be a delay in the process.The Minister also added that the allocated funds will be remitted to the relevant divisional secretariats once they are provided with the money by the treasury. http://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/03/govt-allocates-rs-4bn-for-paddy-purchasing/84297

Arkansas Governor Calls for End to U.S. Cuba Embargo LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Yesterday, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed House Joint Resolution 1006, calling on the U.S. government to lift its trade embargo on Cuba and open the market to American rice and other commodities.Senator Eddie Jo Williams (R-AR-29) and Representative David Hillman (DAR-13) sponsored the bipartisan resolution that supports the message Arkansas Rice members had delivered to their Congressional delegation during last month's USA Rice Government Affairs Conference.

"We thank the General Assembly and Governor Hutchinson for supporting our effort to open the emerging Cuban marketplace to Arkansas agriculture," said USA Rice Chairman and Arkansas rice grower Dow Brantley. "Rice is one of many commodities that could see significant gains for our farmers and Arkansas's economy if the federal government eases its decades-old trade embargo on Cuba."

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Re-opening the Cuban market is a priority for USA Rice; most believe the first step is establishing normal, two-way commercial trade."Normal trade will get the Cuban economy moving to create capital that can be used to purchase the products they need -- rice foremost among them," said USA Rice's Marvin Lehrer, who recently returned from a trade trip to Cuba.

Standing from left to right: Rep. David Hillman, Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, Bill Reed, Eric Vaught, Jerry Hoskyn, and Ben Noble with Governor Asa Hutchinson at the signing of the Cuba Rice Trade Resolution.

Contact: Ben Noble (501) 375-1100

Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 76,500 MT for 2014/2015 were down 7 percent from the previous week and 11 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales Highlights report. Increases were reported for Japan (36,200 MT), South Korea (22,000 MT), Saudi Arabia (9,000 MT), unknown destinations (2,100 MT), and Colombia (2,000 MT). Exports of 41,800 MT were down 21 percent from the previous week and 15 percent from the prior four -week average.

The primary destinations were Mexico (17,000 MT), Japan (13,100 MT), Saudi Arabia (3,600 MT),

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Canada (2,400 MT), and Jordan (2,300 MT). This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period March 6-12.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for March 19

Month

Price

Net Change

May 2015

$10.925

- $0.120

July 2015

$11.165

- $0.125

September 2015

$11.300

- $0.100

November 2016

$11.460

- $0.100

January 2016

$11.610

- $0.100

March 2016

$11.610

- $0.100

May 2016

$11.610

- $0.100

March 19 Rice outlook and farm bill Q&A webinar Mar 18, 2015Bobby Coats Delta Farm Press

Editor’s note: Bobby Coats is a professor in the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Rice outlook In its March report, USDA raised the U.S. long-grain season-average rough rice price 30 cents on both ends, to $12.20-$12.80 per cwt.

UDSA made no supply side revisions in their March report.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine • Total U.S. supplies of rice in 2014/15 remain projected at 275.9 million cwt, 11 percent higher than a year earlier.

• Total U.S. exports were revised up 1.0 million cwt to 104.0 million cwt. Long-grain milled rice accounted for all of the increase.

2014/15 global rice production is forecast at 474.9 million tons (milled basis) • Up 0.3 million tons from last month‘s forecast. Global rice production is still 2.2 million tons below the 2013/14 record.The global 2014/15 consumption forecast at a record 483.7 million tons.2014/15 global rice ending stocks are forecast to 97.6 million tons, the lowest since 2009/10.The 2015 global rice trade forecast is 42.6 million tons, the second highest on record.

• USDA revised their 2015 import forecasts upward for China, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union.

Rice outlook and farm bill webinar March 19, 2015: Tony Franco, Chief, Farm Programs Division, Arkansas State FSA Office, and Anita Wilson, Agricultural Program Specialist, Farm Programs Division, Arkansas State FSA Office, and I will continue our series of Farm Bill and Outlook webinars.On March 19, 2015, Nathan Childs, Agricultural Economist, USDA Economic Research Service, will be the primary presenter discussing the U.S. and Global Rice Outlook.Tony Franco, Anita Wilson and I will be fielding farm bill and Decision Aid questions. If you have farm bill-related questions, feel free to log-on at 8:30 a.m. and we can have a farm bill question and answer session before the primary presentation begins at 9 a.m.

Registration LINK for March 19:https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/register/01b9f7ff2362cdf47c24e00bf0acd2b8 Nathan Child‘s previous webinar was Feb. 13 on U.S. and Global Rice Outlook. Links to his presentation and video follow: Power Point PDF and Presentation Video. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/march-19-rice-outlook-and-farm-bill-qawebinar?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+19%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Dece mber+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

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Thai Court to Try Ex-Leader Yingluck Former prime minister will face criminal trial over botched plan to steer global rice prices higher

By JAMES HOOKWAY Updated March 19, 2015 2:08 a.m. ET

BANGKOK—Thailand‘s former leader Yingluck Shinawatra will face a criminal trial for her role in a botched plan to steer global rice prices higher, costing the country billions of dollars in paper losses.The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would accept the case after state prosecutors charged Ms. Yingluck with dereliction of duty in February, nine months after Thailand‘s military seized power in a coup d‘état.The case...

To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Log In http://www.wsj.com/articles/thai-court-to-try-ex-leader-yingluck1426737040?KEYWORDS=rice&utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+19%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+ 2013&utm_medium=email

Make Rice Pudding Without a Recipe

BY Food52 and Kyle Orosz | Mar. 18, 2015 | 1:58

Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs of Food52 show you how to make three variations of rice pudding, all without a recipe.

Watch Video:http://www.nytimes.com/video/dining/100000003550911/make-rice-pudding-without-arecipe.html?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+19%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+1 3%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

UK: Tesco To Stock Indo-Chinese Products Tesco is set to become the first UK supermarket to stock fusion Indo-Chinese food products, aiming to tap into the growing popularity of the cuisine. Indo-Chinese cuisines blends meat and vegetarian dishes with spices and seasonings commonly used in both food cultures such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, hot chilli, ginger, garlic. The cuisine was introduced to India by the Hakka migrants in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) more than 200 years ago, and further deveoped by the Ghurkhas, who then took it to places like Gujarat, Mumbai, northern India and abroad.

Popular items include Chicken Manchurian - chicken dumplings in a savoury soya and ginger sauce, with mixed vegetable fried basmati rice. Tesco noted: ―Indian and Chinese are Britain‘s two favourite cuisines so diners get the best of both worlds with this delicious fusion. IndoChinese food is a gourmet‘s dream and offers a mouth-watering explosion of flavours. We believe it could be the next big food trend to hit the high street. We‘ve selected the most popular Indo-Chinese prepared dishes including Chicken Manchurian plus soups, seasonings and sauces to introduce the cuisine to our customers.‖ NamNews - Thursday 19th March 2015

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