20th november,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine www.ricepluss.com

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

2Oth November, 2014

Today’s News Headlines…                   

Government to support basmati growers Study indicates arsenic levels high in some rice products LCRA Aims to Suspend Downstream Water Release Lao 2014 Rice Production Forecast to Decrease Farmers protest rice market opening, China FTA As basmati prices fall, subsidy to farmers mulled Iran’s ban on basmati imports to hit exporters In Victory for U.S. Rice Industry, Rice Headed for Iraq FAS Awards USA Rice 2015 International Promotion Funds Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures Health Matters: AR Rice Producers Debunk Claims of High Arsenic Levels in Rice Rice Advice: When It Comes to Consumer Reports, Think Twice USDA funding to help open, expand export markets for U.S. agriculture Paddy prices decline 40 percent on supply glut Millers probed over adulterated rice Public good research in agriculture Jharkhand polls: Congress promises free TV sets and rice Recipe: Chicken Vindaloo

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine News Detail….

Government to support basmati growers APP ISLAMABAD: Agriculture was the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the government was taking steps to support this important sector, said Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday.

Chairing a meeting regarding procurement of basmati rice, the PM expressed his concern over falling price of the product due to international factors. He directed the ministries of finance and food security to submit a proposal for providing subsidy to the growers.

He asked the ministries to come up with a plan within six weeks through which cost of agricultural inputs can be brought down to make the grower comfortable in the local market and competitive in the international market.The PM also directed submission of a proposal regarding provision of solar panels on soft loans for installation of tubewells for the sector.Finance Minister Ishaq Dar; Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Bosan, Special Assistant to the PM Dr Musadik Malik; Secretary National Food Security and Secretary Commerce attended the meeting along with senior government officials.

Published in Dawn, November 20th , 2014

By Brenton Awa

Study indicates arsenic levels high in some rice products UPDATED 11:00 PM HST Nov 19, 2014

SHOW TRANSCRIPT

It's a local plate lunch staple and a food of choice for some cultures, but now rice is a dish that is creating health concerns.The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reducing rice cereals and for children, rice pastas. Both pastas and rice cereals had high levels of arsenic in them.The one bright spots for rice lovers is that there two types of rice, sushi and basmati rice, that have a lot less of the amount of arsenic in them than experts thought just two years ago.

Results of the study show that hot rice cereal or rice pasta have much higher levels of arsenic inside and that brown rice has higher amounts as compared to most white rices tested.―Rice, the way it grows, it sucks that arsenic right out of the soil and concentrates it. We worry about long term exposure to arsenic causing problems with skin cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer,‖ said Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News Chief Medial Expert. ―So, we really do want to reduce that."While pediatricians used to recommend starting babies with rice cereal as their first food, it says parents don't need to do that anymore.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Just go with other types of cereals instead.The consumer report study looked at over 100 different rice products. It's not saying to give up on eating rice completely, but it does want the Food and Drug Administration to set limits on the amount of arsenic allowed in the food.

20 November 2014

LCRA Aims to Suspend Downstream Water Release By: TWC News Staff 11/19/2014 04:50 PM For the fourth year in a row, the Lower Colorado River Authority wants to hold back the water it's supposed to send downstream to rice farmers.The LCRA says they need to keep that water in the Highland Lakes because of the ongoing drought.Lakes Travis and Buchanan are only about 33 percent full right now and they're the primary sources of water for many cities including Austin.LCRA's plan to hold back the water has to be approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The water releases help farmers who live and work downstream.The LCRA's request would suspend releases for most downstream agriculture users in 2015.It would keep about 170,000 acre-feet of water in the lakes.LCRA managers say more than a million people get their drinking water from the Highland Lakes.Customers would also have to keep limiting their outdoor watering to once a week.

Lao 2014 Rice Production Forecast to Decrease

LAO - Harvesting of the 2014 main (wet) season paddy crop is currently underway and will continue until the end of December.FAO‘s current forecast for the aggregate 2014 rice output (including the ongoing main season and the forthcoming 2014/15 secondary seasons), stands at 3.3 million tonnes, about three per cent below last year‘s production.The slight decline is on account of heavy rains in early August that caused localized flooding across northern and central parts of the country, resulting in some crop losses.In addition, relatively low rice prices at sowing time resulted in a slight contraction in the area planted for the main season rice crop, further contributing to the expected production decrease.The 2014 maize output is estimated

by FAO at 1.13 million tonnes, marginally below last year‘s high level.

Farmers protest rice market opening, China FTA Published : 2014-11-20 17:41 Updated : 2014-11-20 17:41

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Thousands of South Korean farmers held a rally in Seoul on Thursday to protest the planned opening of the local rice market to imports and the recent conclusion of a free trade deal with China.The government announced earlier that it will allow tariffed imports into the rice market starting Jan. 1, ending a 20-year waiver from an agreement with the World Trade Organization.South Korea and China struck the free trade agreement (FTA) on Nov. 10, which local farmers fear would harm them by leading to a surge in imports of cheap Chinese agricultural and livestock products.During the rally in a plaza in central Seoul, about 4,000 farmers from across the country claimed that the government has abandoned the nation's "food sovereignty" by declaring the rice market opening and striking FTAs with China and other countries.

As basmati prices fall, subsidy to farmers mulled

By Our Correspondent Published: November 20, 2014 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chairing a meeting regarding procurement of basmati rice at the PM‘s House on Wednesday.

PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: Prime

"The government unilaterally opened up the rice market and proceeded with the South Korea-China FTA behind closed doors, which would eventually hurt the local agricultural industry," said an association representing the farmers.They demanded that the government suspend the FTA with China and take measures to protect them, including a state purchase system for rice and other staple foods.The farmers, who traveled by bus and plane to take part in the rally, also protested against FTAs with New Zealand and Canada. South Korea and New Zealand struck an agreement on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in the Australian city of Brisbane last week, while a bill on the FTA with Canada has been submitted to parliament for ratification. After the rally, the farmers marched through the city center, chanting antigovernment slogans. Some 5,000 riot police were mobilized to prepare for contingencies, but no violence was immediately reported. (Yonhap)

Minister

Muhammad

Nawaz Sharif has said that agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy and the government is taking steps to provide support to this sector, an official handout stated.

He was chairing a meeting regarding procurement of basmati rice at the PM‘s House here today.

Sharif expressed concern over the falling price of basmati rice due to international factors and directed the Ministries of Finance and Food Security to submit a proposal for providing support to the grower by providing suitable subsidy.He asked the Ministry of Food Security to consult provincial governments and develop a system so that direct benefit of the subsidy goes to the grower and not the middleman.The prime minister directed the ministries to come up with a plan within six weeks through which cost of agricultural inputs can be brought down to make the grower comfortable in the local market and competitive in the international market.He also directed to submit a proposal regarding

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine provision of solar panels on soft loans for installation of tube-wells for agriculture sector.Federal Minister for Finance, Muhammad Ishaq Dar; Federal Minister for National Food Security, Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Special Assistant to the PM, Dr Musadik Malik; Secretary National Food Security and Secretary Commerce attended the meeting along with other senior government officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2014.

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Iran’s ban on basmati imports to hit exporters MR SUBRAMANI VISHWANATH KULKARNI Shipments to the country down by three lakh tonnes so far in the current fiscal CHENNAI/BANGALORE, NOVEMBER 20:

during April-July against 1.45 mt in the same period a year ago. Iran has bought over 2.5 million tonnes of basmati rice from India in the last two years.―We feel the ban is temporary, but it will hit the exporters.

Prices will also come under pressure,‖ said MP Jindal, President of All India Rice Exporters Association.

Jindal, who is the Chairman of Best Foods International, a major exporter to Iran, said officials of the industry body are meeting the Commerce Secretary on Friday to take up the issue at government-level with Iran.According to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (Apeda), basmati exports to Iran during April-July were valued at ₹1,732 crore against ₹1,810 crore a year ago.AK Gupta, Advisor to Apeda, said, ―though the ban seems temporary, it may lead to loss of our market, which we may or may not regain‖. Gupta said the exports to Iran were lower by about three lakh tonnes in the current fiscal so far.

Overall, the basmati exports this fiscal may end lower by 5-7 per cent at around 3.5 million tonnes, Gupta added.

The consensus among the Indian exporters is that Iran may re-open their markets by endJanuary or early February.

Prices plunge

Indian rice exporters will be worst hit by a general ban on imports of rice imposed by Iran recently. The Iranian ban will further drag depressed prices of basmati rice in the domestic market.Iran has barred rice from other countries as its local crop is reported to be good this year and is set to arrive in the market there. Teheran has imported over 1.25 million tonnes (mt) of rice this year

Currently, the basmati paddy is ruling at around ₹2,960 a quintal, far lower than the ₹5,360 it fetched during the same time a year ago, in the markets of Punjab and Haryana.The market seems to have factored in the Iranian ban as the rumours have been floating around over past three weeks, an exporter said. Basmati prices are down by about 30 per cent over last year, also influenced by a higher crop in India.―Our production is higher by about 30-35 per cent

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine higher than last year with output being higher in the non-traditional States such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and eastern UP,‖ said Anil Mittal, Chairman of KRBL, the largest producer and exporter of basmati rice.

While KRBL‘s exposure to Iran has been minimal only at around 15,000 tonnes annually, Mittal said the demand from Europe was on the rise.Earlier this year, Iran cut imports of India‘s basmati rice after it imposed new standards on chemical contamination.Dissatisfaction over the quality of rice being delivered by Indian exporters also led to fall in shipments.

India-Iran pact India and Iran created a barter system two years ago to overcome Western sanctions following a dispute with Teheran over its nuclear programme. In exchange for Iranian oil, India offers Teheran rice, soyameal and pharmaceuticals.Under the trade arrangement, India pays for part of the crude oil it receives from Iran in rupees.

The funds are then deposited at the Public sector UCO Bank and used to pay exporters for shipment of food and other products to Iran.―Exporters will take a hit since prices are bound to fall in view of the ban. They deserve it since they have been ignoring other markets at the cost of focusing on Iran,‖ said an official of a rice exporting firm not wishing to identify himself.India is already paying dearly for focusing on only Iran to export soyameal. In September, soyameal exports plunged to lower than 1,000 tonnes in view of Iran cutting its imports.As a result of focusing on Iran, Indian exporters had neglected or ignored other markets such as Japan and Korea.

(This article was published on November 20, 2014)

In Victory for U.S. Rice Industry, Rice Headed for Iraq Big crop, big sale

ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice Federation has learned that after being passed over in the previous Iraqi rice tender, U.S. rice has been awarded 120,000 MT of long grain in the current tender. "This is really great news for the entire U.S. rice industry," said USA Rice Federation President and CEO Betsy Ward. "We're sitting on a large, high quality crop, and with the Iraq Grain Board (IGB) placing the order for bulk and bagged rice, the whole southern region will win." "We hosted the IGB at my farm and mills around the Delta back in May, where we successfully worked through several technical issues, and we were expecting that sales would follow," said Arkansas rice farmer and Chairman of the USA Rice Federation Dow Brantley.

"We're very pleased to have won the confidence and business of the IGB and the rice industry has worked hard to maintain a positive relationship with them," said Ward.

"We know the Iraqi people like the taste and quality of U.S. rice, and our growers look

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine forward to supplying rice to Iraq on future tenders."

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

FAS Awards USA Rice 2015 International Promotion Funds

Record ag exports grin

WASHINGTON, DC -Yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has awarded funding to more than 60 U.S. agricultural organizations, including USA Rice Federation, to help expand commercial export markets for American products. For FY 2015, USA Rice received $4,225,914 to promote rice in over 30 countries throughout the world.

every dollar spent by government and industry on market development.Over 60 cooperator groups compete for MAP/FMD funds, with new cooperator groups being added each year. Each year's allocation is the result of a competitive review of past program performance and industry support for the promotion programs. It is worth noting that the U.S. rice industry has some of the highest levels of industry support amongst all of the agriculture commodities, adding more than $20 million in matching funds to support rice exports.

"Every year, USA Rice compiles data, performance measurements and market information for each of the countries and regions where we conduct programs, and this becomes the basis of our request," said Jim Guinn. "We also point to growing our potential markets, such as Colombia and China, as new destinations for U.S. rice."U.S. farm exports have soared to a record $152.5 billion - up from last year's $141 billion level, according to data tabulated by USDA.

Contact: Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457

Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported The funding comes from the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD) which are cost-share programs that promote and build demand overseas for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. An independent study released in 2010 found that USDA trade promotion programs like MAP and FMD provide $35 in economic benefits for

WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 25,100 MT for 2014/2015 were down 62 percent from the previous week and 67 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales Highlights report. Increases were reported for Costa Rica (10,000 MT), Mexico (7,100 MT), Venezuela (2,800 MT), Saudi Arabia (2,200 MT), and Canada (1,900 MT). Decreases

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine were reported for unknown destinations (3,600 MT). Exports of 70,000 MT were down 33 percent from the previous week, but up 4 percent from the prior four-week average. The primary destinations were Venezuela (32,800 MT), Japan (12,000 MT), the United Kingdom (9,100 MT), Mexico (5,800 MT), and South Korea (2,900 MT).This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period November 7-13.

Rice Sampling in 2012 by the USA Rice Federation Involving AR, CA, LA, MO, MS, TX

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for November 20

Month

Price

Net Change

Mar-15

$12.85

$0.17

May-15

$13.09

$0.16

Jul-15

$13.29

$0.16

Sep-15

$12.45

($0.05)

Nov-15

$12.35

($0.05)

Jan-16

$12.35

($0.05)

Health Matters: AR Rice Producers Debunk Claims of High Arsenic Levels in Rice

LITTLE ROCK, AR - A new consumer report warning parents about arsenic in rice is raising concerns among industry leaders in Arkansas. On Tuesday, Consumer Reports recommended parents reduce children's rice consumption. The nonprofit suggested kids under 5-years-old drink milk instead of rice-based products, due to concerns. Arkansas rice producers are arguing the recommendations are not based on scientific research, and that the FDA backs that up. "They've taken a much more comprehensive look at a larger database than the Consumer Reports study and they've determined there's no findings that would result in a need for a change in diet," says Ben Noble, Executive Director of Arkansas Rice Federation.

11/19/2014 06:43 PM 11/20/2014 08:23 AM Rice Sampling in 2012 by the USA Rice Federation Involving AR, CA, LA, MO, MS, TX

Prolonged exposure to arsenic can lead to lung and bladder problems. The FDA has not set a limit for arsenic intake. Click here for more on the Consumer Report

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine The best defense is following the dietary guidelines.

findings.Statement from USA RICE On Arsenic and U.S. Grown Rice: Research conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. rice industry shows arsenic levels found in U.S.-grown rice are below safe maximum levels established this year by the World Health Organization, regardless of where in the U.S. it is grown.

Studies show that including white and brown rice in the diet provides measureable health benefits that outweigh the potential risks associated with exposure to trace levels of arsenic. The U.S. rice industry is committed to growing a safe and healthy product; we continuously test our crop, and research ways of reducing the already low levels of arsenic found in rice even further.

Rice Advice: When It Comes to Consumer Reports, Think Twice

By Liz Caselli-Mechael | Nov 19 2014 Last updated Nov 20 2014

Highlights: 

 

Those who meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have a natural defense against arsenic.

The idea of limiting your rice intake is not supported by science.

Arsenic is in nearly all foods, and can't be cut out with a single item.

When many of us hear the word 'arsenic,' we often pair it with 'old lace' and the two little old ladies from the play and movie who liked to poison visitors. It's understandable, then, that thoughts of arsenic--atomic number 33 on the periodic table of elements-might make us jumpy. Why on earth would something so ‗scary‘ be in our food?

It‘s not some kind of conspiracy, despite a Nov. 18 Dr. Oz Show segment with Consumer Reports. Arsenic is actually naturally occurring in air, water, rocks, and soil, so it‘s common for trace amounts to be in a variety of foods. The FDA monitors the quantity of arsenic in food to make sure that food is safe to eat, so no dietary changes are currently needed, including for infants and children. We spoke with Dr. Julie Jones, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus on Foods and Nutrition at St. Catherine University, to get the deal on the latest advice from Consumer Reports and Dr. Oz. (The full video is below.) Here is what she told us: Dietary recommendations to the rescue: Consumer Reports and Dr. Oz completely omitted some critical information about arsenic: Our bodies fight off any potential

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine negative effects from arsenic with food components that are recommended in the dietary guidelines, including components in rice itself! Components like selenium, B vitamins, protein, fiber, and folic acid, the latter of which fortifies all US rice, prevent any negative health effects associated with arsenic. Dr. Jones notes that ―those who meet the dietary guidelines have a natural defense against arsenic and other heavy metals.‖

Weekly limits advocated by Consumer Reports are not supported by science: The fear about arsenic in American rice and other food isn‘t supported. Japanese consumers eat substantially more rice than Americans and take in more than twenty times as much arsenic, on average; yet their lifespans are longer than those of other ethnic groups.

Asian-Americans who eat substantially more rice, on average, have a lower risk of the cancers Dr. Oz talked about. The limits Consumer Reports advocates have nothing to do with any kind of proven health effects; they‘re arbitrary. The coverage from Dr. Oz and Consumer Reports risks making the same mistake with arsenic and rice that we‘ve made with mercury and fish: Fears of mercury were so trumped up that many

Americans cut out fish all together, losing the omega 3s that are essential for health.

It’s not about a certain food: Arsenic is in a wide variety of food, since it is present in soil and water. There is nothing we can eliminate to remove all arsenic from our diets. Dr. Jones specifies, ―Arsenic is in the food supply because arsenic is in the ground and water. It‘s found in vegetables, fruit, rice, grains, fish and anything made from

them like juices, beer, and wine. […] If you cut arsenic from your diet, you‘ll die of starvation.‖ Targeting rice, particularly brown rice, which provides critical whole grains for health, is not useful. Whole grains like brown rice offer benefits in combating risks of heart disease, gastrointestinal cancer, and diabetes. (For more on whole grain benefits, check out this fact sheet).

Even if there are higher levels of arsenic found in the brown rice itself, the incidence of disease associated with its consumption is actually lower.So what should we do? Dr. Jones says, ―I agree with what the FDA said when they looked at 1,300 food products last September [2013]: Don‘t change your diet for arsenic. I‘d say generally change your

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine diet for the better. Get B vitamins, get fiber, and make half your grains whole.‖ We‘re disappointed to see the cherrypicking of information that went into the Consumer Reports analysis and article, as well as the needless alarm bells the magazine and Dr. Oz Show raised for consumers. It‘s always a great idea to mix up your recipes and try new grains, but there is no reason to cut out brown rice, which provides great health benefits.

The best way to mitigate any concerns about arsenic is to eat diverse foods and follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

USDA funding to help open, expand export markets for U.S. agriculture

By Agri-Pulse staff WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2014 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service has awarded funding to more than 60 U.S. agricultural organizations to help expand commercial export markets for American products.

"The Market Access and Foreign Market Development Programs help agricultural organizations representing thousands of producers and businesses open and grow markets for American products around the world," Vilsack said. "Exports create jobs and foster growth that is critically important for rural communities and our entire nation's economy."Through the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Agricultural Service partners with U.S. agricultural trade associations, cooperatives, state regional trade groups and small businesses to share

the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities that help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities.

The program, which focuses on consumer promotion, including brand promotion for small companies and cooperatives, is used extensively by organizations promoting fruits, vegetables, nuts, processed products, and bulk and intermediate commodities.

Through MAP, the Foreign Agricultural Service will provide $173.2 million to 62 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives.

Participants contribute an average 214 percent match for generic marketing and promotion activities and a dollar-for-dollar match for promotion of branded products by small businesses and cooperatives.

The Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program focuses on trade servicing and trade capacity building by helping to create, expand and maintain long-term export markets for U.S. agricultural products.

Under FMD, also known as the Cooperator Program, the Foreign Agricultural Service will allocate $26.7 million to 22 trade organizations that represent U.S. agricultural producers. USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service partners with U.S. agricultural producers and processors, who are represented by non-profit commodity or trade associations called cooperators. The organizations, which on average contribute nearly triple the amount they receive in federal resources, will conduct activities that help maintain or increase the demand for U.S. agricultural commodities overseas.

An independent study released in 2010 found that USDA trade promotion programs like MAP and FMD provide $35 in economic benefits for every dollar spent by government and industry on market development. Farm exports in fiscal year

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine 2014 reached a record $152.5 billion and supported 1 million jobs in the United States. #30

Paddy prices decline 40 percent on supply glut Salman Friday, November From Print Edition

21,

Siddiqui 2014

KARACHI: A pick up in paddy harvest has weakened its prices to at least 40 percent this season and they are likely to fall considerably more if the rice millers further delay buying of the stockpile, growers said on Thursday.

The price of paddy – raw rice – has dropped

by Rs1,000/40 kilogram to around Rs1,5001,600/ 40 kilogram against the last year‘s price of Rs2,500-2,600/40 kg. ―This is a man made crisis... a group of paddy buyers is deliberately delaying the buying,‖ said Hamid Malhi, president of Basmati Growers Association.Growers harvest most of the paddy from the first week of October to end of November.Growers, who lack storage facility, have no other option but to sell it, but buyers — notably the mill-owners and middlemen — are deliberately delaying the buying to pressurise the growers sell the crop at throwaway rates, Malhi added.

Initially, rice exporters have halted buying to exploit the growers. Later, local traders also joined them and put their buying on hold, he said.Malhi said local paddy prices should be steadier due to good demand of rice internationally. Exporters got an

average price of $1,153/ton last fiscal year of 2013-14.‖The price is stable at world markets.‖He demanded the government to fix the minimum export price at the previous year average export rate of $1,153/ton. This will help avert such price crisis at the growers end.

The government should also not intervene through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Supplies Corporation.―The government should immediately announce subsidy to farmers through providing subsidised fertilisers, seeds and diesel for the next crop.

And for this year, it should compensate growers in cash,‖ Malhi demanded.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also taken notice of the situation and has asked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and other authorities concerned to submit a proposal for providing subsidy to the paddy growers to support them.Malhi said the buyers are even not willing to quote Rs3,200/40 kilogram for basmati at the wholesale this year, which was quoted at Rs4,600 to Rs4,800/40 kilogram last year.The country is estimated to produce 2.2 million tons of basmati this harvest against the local consumption of one million tons.

Last year, the country exported around 733,860 tons of aromatic basmati. Total rice production, including non-basmati, stands at six million tons.

Syed Javed Shah, another paddy grower in Ghotki, expressed the hope the prices would increase in a month or so. ―The paddy and rice prices will go up a few weeks after the completion of harvesting.‖Shah said the average price of paddy in Ghotki has declined to Rs1,200 /40 kilogram from around Rs2,500/40 kilogram last year.Farmers, mostly in Sindh, grow export quality rice, Kaynaat and Kernel, and Russian basmati, Irri-6 and Irri-9.Shah

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine demanded the government to announce the paddy support price like it has been doing for wheat and sugarcane.Zulfikar Thaver, president of the Union of Small and Medium Enterprises, said the farmers are exploited by the middlemen who finance them on severe terms and get lien on their crops before the harvest.―Farmers are compelled to sell their crops to the middlemen and the millers in haste who drive hard bargains,‖ he added.

Millers probed over adulterated rice Published: 21 Nov 2014 at 11.21 Online news: General Writer: Nopparat Kingkaew

SURIN — Two millers are being investigated after pledged rice delivered to buyers arrived as a mix of two different varieties. Charoen Pokphand Group, which won an auction to buy fragrant rice from the Phoon Phol mill in Muang district and the Namchai mill in Sangkla district complained to the Commerce Ministry that it found white rice mixed with the fragrant rice the company purchased.Local authorities have been asked to investigate the case.Col Ekkaparp Surai, deputy commander of Surin's Internal Security Operations Command, said representatives from local agencies met Thursday to discuss the case and assess the damage.

He said CP still had not yet taken delivery of around 6.7 tonnes of rice from Phoon Phol, so the company wanted to determine the exact amount of adulterated rice. Experts will be sent to check the remaining stock.The previous government implemented a rice-pledging scheme that saw stocks auctioned off to both domestic and foreign buyers. The scheme was

accused of being tainted by huge amounts of corruption.

Public good research in agriculture

By M S Swaminathan Nov 19 2014 ONE BY ONE: Basmati rice is appropriately referred to as the queen of rice and has been cultivated since centuries in the foothills of the Himalayas. Because of its cooking quality, it is valued highly in national and international marketsPublic good research in agriculture is designed to promote risk minimising agronomy and also the ease of adoption by small and marginal farmers. For example, public good research institutions concentrate on the development of varieties rather than hybrids, since in the case of hybrids, the farmer has to buy the seed every year from the company. In contrast, farmers can keep their own seeds of good varieties of wheat, rice, maize and other crops. We should not underestimate the power of public good research in contrast to profit maximising private sector research. I shall try to illustrate this from two recent examples, one dealing with Basmati rice and another with semi-dwarf wheat varieties.

Basmati is appropriately referred to as the queen of rice and has been cultivated for centuries in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Because of its cooking quality, it is valued highly in national and international markets.

Pakistan also grows Basmati rice. After the advent of the high yielding varieties of rice possessing genes for semi-dwarf character, Basmati rice was given less importance due to its tall stature and low yield potential (about one tonne per hectare). It is to overcome this difficulty that the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) started developing semi-dwarf Basmati

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine strains which could respond well to fertiliser and irrigation water application.

Their work which began nearly 40 years ago has now resulted in outstanding varieties like Pusa Basmati 1,121 which has helped to increase foreign exchange earnings by Rs 33,000 crore during 2013-14. During this year, IARI released another variety Pusa Basmati 1509 which matures in 120 days and has dwarf stature, sturdy stem, nonlodging and non-shattering habit. Also, Basmati 1509 yields about five tonnes per hectare. Because of its early maturity, Pusa Basmati 1509, has become very popular among farmers adopting a rice — wheat rotation. No wonder, there is enormous demand for the seeds of this variety which is now occupying a major portion of the Basmati area.

This is a good example of the power of public good research, with a sharp focus on increasing the productivity and profitability of small holdings.As in the case of Pusa Basmati rice, the IARI has also been developing and releasing wheat varieties which help to increase production and productivity of this crop. Starting with the semi-dwarf wheat varieties like Kalyan Sona and Sonalika in the ‗60s (these are selections made from the material sent by Dr Norman Borlaug), the Pusa wheats, as well as those bred by the scientists of the Punjab Agricultural University and other agricultural universities and institutions have transformed our wheat scenario. From about 7 million tonnes in 1947, wheat production has now reached about 96 million tonnes.

The aim is to produce within the next twenty years 150 million tonnes of wheat in 30 million hectares. This will be possible, considering the fact that our wheat breeders are continuously producing outstanding new strains. A recent example is HD 2967

developed by the wheat breeders of IARI. This variety now occupies about 6 million hectares in north India. It is resistant to major pests and diseases and yields on an average over 4 tonnes per hectare. It is only this kind of research which can help us to achieve an evergreen revolution leading to the enhancement in productivity in perpetuity without ecological harm. The approximate value of the total production of HD 2967 is Rs 45,500 crore. The variety has contributed about 35 million tonnes of wheat.

While the benefits from wheat and rice research both to the farmers and to the country have been phenomenal, the actual expenditure on such research has been only a few crore per year. Thus, the return from investment in public good research is exceedingly impressive. This is why the National Commission on Farmers has laid emphasis on a adequate support for research and training at our national research institutions and agriculture universities. This is the best investment the country can make in the interest of sustainable food security, thereby making the implementation of the provisions of the National Food Security Act possible.Among the facilities needed for strengthening public good research are translational research centres which can convert laboratory findings into field application. We also need facilities for taking more than one crop per year, such as green houses and growth chambers.

In the case of wheat, accelerated work became possible because of establishing a centre at Wellington in the Nilgiri Hills where a summer crop of wheat can be taken.

This is also possible in the Lahul and Spiti Valley region of Himachal Pradesh. In the case of rice, IARI and Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) have established an offseason multiplication

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine centre at Aduthurai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. This again helps to purchase time in breeding. We need to augment such facilities so that we will be able to meet the new challenges arising from climate change and global warming. There is no time to relax on the food production front.

(M S Swaminathan is an agricultural scientist who led India’s green revolution)

Jharkhand polls: Congress promises free TV sets and rice NOV 19, 2014 NITI PTI BOT Ranchi, Nov 19 (PTI) The Congress today promised to provide 35 kg rice free of cost to people not in the Income Tax category and free TV sets to BPL families if it came to power in Jharkhand ahead of the fivephase polls beginning on November 25.―People who are not in the IT category will be given 35 kg rice every month and TV sets to BPL families to make them aware of happenings around the world,‖ Congress leader and former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahai said at a press conference after releasing the party‘s poll manifesto.AICC leader B K Hariprasad, Jharkhand Finance Minister Rajendra Prasad Singh, PCC president Sukhdeo Bhagat, former MP Furkan Ansari and several other leaders were present on the occasion.

With an aim to bring political stability in the state, the manifesto promises to initiate steps to increase the present Jharkhand Assembly

strength from 81 to 140 seats and setting up of a Legislative Council to accommodate educationists and intellectuals.To deal with the Maoist problem in Jharkhand, the Congress said if voted to power, it would initiate dialogue with the Left Wing Extremists, besides taking strong steps in dealing with the problem.

The manifesto also focuses on rehabilitation in a time-bound manner of those residing in the Jharia coal belt where underground fire has been raging for several decades, threatening the residents.Promising to shift the headquarters of Steel Authority of India Limited, Coal India Limited and Damodar Valley Corporation to Jharkhand, the manifesto vowed to impart skill training to one crore youth to make them fit for employment.It also promised to give Rs 50,000 as seed money after setting up selfhelp groups comprising 50 women in every village.

(More) PTI PVR DKB SG PS .

Recipe: Chicken Vindaloo

By Gulnaz Mondegarian Published: November 20, 2014 The pride of the Indian city of Goa, this spicy potato and chicken curry will leave you wanting more!

The pride of the Indian city of Goa, this spicy potato and chicken curry will leave you wanting more!

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Method • Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions until they become golden-brown.

• Grind the ingredients of the masala paste together.

• Once mixed, add the masala paste to the pan and cook for about five minutes.

• Add the chicken, vinegar, cinnamon stick, green chillies and salt and cook for 10 minutes.

• Pour in one cup of hot water and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.

• About 15 minutes before the chicken is done, add potatoes to the pan and mix them in.

• Once the chicken is cooked, add sugar as you desire.

• For best results, serve the curry warm with plain white rice.

Note: You can also substitute the chicken with mutton or fish, according to your preference.

Masala rice Love spicy food? If you want to enrich your experience of eating Vindaloo combine it with this tantalising recipe for basmati rice seasoned with garam masala. Don‘t forget to keep a glass of water at hand!

Ingredients • Basmati rice 2 cups • Butter 4 tbsp • Medium-sized onion (chopped) 1 • Garlic clove (minced) 1 • Garam masala 1 tsp • Vegetable broth 4 cups

• Salt 1 tsp • Freshly-ground black pepper to taste Method • Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius • In a stove-to-oven pot, melt the butter over medium heat.

• Add the onions, garlic and garam masala to the pot and cook for about five minutes, stirring until the onions are soft.

• Add rice and stir well until it is coated.

• Pour in the vegetable stock, salt and pepper according to taste and bring the mixture to a boil.

• Cover the pot and bake the rice until it becomes tender and the vegetable stock is absorbed. This usually takes about 20 to 25 minutes.

Retrieve the pot from the oven and allow it to cool for about five minutes before serving.

The Origins of Vindaloo The word ‗Vindaloo‘ is derived from the Portuguese word ‗Vinha De Alhos‘ which combines the two chief ingredients of the curry: (Vinha) vinegar and (Alhos) garlic.

Vindaloo was originally a vinegar and garlic-based water stew concocted by the Portuguese who cooked it with beef or pork.

However, after the Portuguese came to India and settled in Goa, the curry was revamped completely with the addition of spices, chillies and other surrounding cultural influences. Over the centuries, Vindaloo has become one of the spiciest and most popular curry dishes in the subcontinent, following korma and chicken tikka masala closely.

Although the curry requires a substantial amount of oil in its preparation, Vindaloo tastes best a day or two after it has been cooked as the oil, vinegar and other flavours have absorbed into the curry completely by then. After all, Vindaloo gets its special taste mainly because of the vinegar in it.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, November 16th, 2014.

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