27th april,2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

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Pakistan set to showcase agro food industry at Food West Africa 2018 Study could spawn better ways to combat crop-killing fungus Go for direct seeded rice, save water’ UPDATE 1-Philippines to retender for 250,000 T rice after high bids Niger rice cuts imports, says FADAMA Pakistan tightens regulatory checks on cargoes to curb GM rice trade Global Organic Rice Market Growth by 2023: Sanjeevani Organics, RiceSelect and Kahang Organic Rice Rice study finds great genetic diversity Observing Chinese Starbucks patrons reveals what their ancestors farmed, study finds Researcher examines how wheat- and rice-farming cultures affect modern social patterns Yogurt Market Evaluation Targets Advancement Anticipated until 2025: Salton, Whynter, Oster, Aroma Rice Cooker In China, traits related to traditional rice or wheat farming affect modern behavior Science News: The Difference between Factoids and Facts FG Approves $460m For Cargo Terminals In Lagos, Abuja Airports Rabi paddy procurement to begin from May 1 Rabi paddy to be procured from May 1 Election briefs: Rice, Stoffers, Githens New book presents untold stories of societal impact of S&T in independent India PHL asks Thailand and Vietnam to resubmit rice supply offers ASIA RICE-VIETNAM RATES UP FOR 5TH WEEK; CURRENCY MOVES WEIGH ON INDIA, THAILAND Local rice harvest is going strong Việt Nam rice exports face uncertain Q1 Paddy, rice fall on arrivals Centre targets a new high in foodgrains output this year Chinese scientist gets 10 years for stealing GM rice Salt Lake City and New York to Lead New Wireless Tech Research Rice study finds great genetic diversity Minnesota Pollution Control Agency bails on effort to protect wild rice PH agri execs to attend Asean Agribiz Show 3.81pc agri growth highest in 13 years Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 – Manufacturing Analysis and Development Forecast 2025 Ekiti Rice Farmers Get N80 Million Farm Inputs FEC approves establishment of 10 large rice mills

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News Detail‌ Pakistan set to showcase agro food industry at Food West Africa 2018

by Editor | April 26, 2018 4:47 pm

Five Pakistani firms will showcase their products at the third edition of Food West Africa, the largest B2B food and beverage industry platform in West Africa, holding at the Landmark Centre in Lagos May 8 -10.The five companies are related to beverage, juices, confectionary, rice, wheat products, fruit and vegetables, and flexible packaging for food products.The Agro Food Division at Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said in a statement that it was convinced to participate in the fair following worldwide appreciation of Pakistani food products.

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TDAP said it had been working for seamless participation in international food supply chain by focusing on qualitative improvement of products, availability of cold chain and best available storage facilities, international compliance standards and exploiting natural competitive advantage. ―Economy of Pakistan has maintained growth trajectory and registered growth of 5.28 percent in 2016-2017.

This pattern of growth is projected to increase in current year. Agriculture and food sector has been pillar of the economy and Pakistan figures in top commodity producing countries of the world,‖ the statement said.

It added that Pakistan records annual production of 26.4 million metric tonnes (MT) of wheat, 6.5 million MT of rice, 11.5 million bales of cotton, 1.8 million MT of mangoes, 2.4 million MT of citrus fruit, and so on.

The statement said Pakistan has multiplied exports of traditional agricultural products like rice, mandarin, seafood, mangoes, fresh vegetables, wheat, and sugar, as well as expanded its reach into new product areas such as processed halal meat, entire chain of poultry sector including feed and hatchery, spices, jams, pickels, confectionary, juices and beverages, molasses, tobacco, dairy products, etc. ―Pakistan has simultaneously specialized in production of agricultural machinery like tractors and implements, irrigation machinery, seeds, fertilizers, food packaging, food grade films, crockery, cutlery, and kitchen appliances,‖ it said.This edition of Food West Africa, according to its organisers, is expected to attract more than 4,400 industry professionals from 25 countries looking to make new wholesale, retail and food service contacts in the industry as well as host +100 local and international exhibitors showcasing exciting new F&B products, services and equipment from across the globe.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/pakistan-set-showcase-agro-food-industry-food-west-africa-2018/

Study could spawn better ways to combat crop-killing fungus Rutgers-led genome research finds fungus that causes disease in rice became harmful 21 million years ago IMAGE: NING ZHANG, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BIOLOGY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MICROBIOLOGY AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY-NEW BRUNSWICK, HOLDS A PETRI DISH WITH SWITCHGRASS SEEDLINGS INOCULATED WITH..

CREDIT: NICK ROMANENKO/RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

About 21 million years ago, a fungus that causes a devastating disease in rice first became harmful to the food that nourishes roughly half the world's population, according to an international study led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists.

The findings may help lead to different ways to fight or prevent crop and plant diseases, such as new fungicides and more effective quarantines.

Rice blast, the staple's most damaging fungal disease, destroys enough rice to feed 60 million people annually.

Related fungal pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) also infect turfgrasses, causing summer patch and gray leaf spot that damage lawns and golf courses in New Jersey and elsewhere every summer. And now a new fungal disease found in wheat in Brazil has spread to other South American countries.

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Results from the study published online in Scientific Reports may lead to better plant protection and enhanced national quarantine policies, said Ning Zhang, study lead author and associate professor in the Department of Plant Biology and the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

"The rice blast fungus has gotten a lot of attention in the past several decades but related species of fungi draw little attention, largely because they're not as severe or not harmful," Zhang said. "But they're all genetically related and the relatives of severe pathogens have been little-studied. You have to know your relatives to have a holistic understanding of how the rice blast pathogen became strong and others did not."

The study is the outcome of a 2016 international symposium at Rutgers-New Brunswick hosted by Zhang and Debashish Bhattacharya, study senior author and distinguished professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. The National Science Foundation, Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science, and School of Environmental and Biological Sciences funded the symposium by researchers from the U.S., France and South Korea.

The scientists studied Magnaporthales, an order of about 200 species of fungi, and some of the new members were discovered in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. About half of them are important plant pathogens like the rice blast fungus - ranked the top fungal pathogen out of hundreds of thousands. After the first sign of infection, a rice field may be destroyed within days, Zhang said.

To get a holistic understanding of how the rice blast fungus evolved, scientists genetically sequenced 21 related species that are less harmful or nonpathogenic. They found that proteins (called secretomes) that fungi secrete are especially abundant in important pathogens like the rice blast fungus.

Based on previous research, the proteins perhaps became more abundant over time, allowing the fungi to infect crops, Zhang said. The researchers identified a list of genes that are abundant in pathogens but less so in nonpathogens, so the abundant genes might promote pathogens that can infect crops. The results will allow scientists to look into the mechanism behind the infection process.

"With climate change, I think the rice blast problem can only get worse because this is a summer disease in warm climates where rice is grown," Zhang said, adding that wheat, turfgrass and other important plants may also be affected.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/ru-scs042618.php

Go for direct seeded rice, save water‘ 4

Ikhhlaq Aujla| TNN | Apr 27, 2018, 06:57 IST A farmer uses dry direct rice seeding method

CHANDIGARH:The Punjab government‘s move to delay sowing and transplanting of paddy by five days has once again brought sharp focus on finding ways to save fast depleting groundwater in the state.

Either the area under waterguzzling paddy, which is Punjab‘s biggest kharif (summer sown) crop, should be reduced drastically or alternative methods of cultivating the crop like the direct seeded rice (DSR) and system of rice intensification must be adopted by the state‘s farmers, according to farm scientists and officials.

Leading geneticist and Green Revolution pioneer Gurdev Singh Khush, who helped improve and enlarge supply of rice globally, says the Punjab government‘s move to delay sowing and transplanting of paddy for five days might not make much difference in economizing use of water. Instead, he says more drastic measures are needed. The former principal plant breeder at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Manila, has recommended broadcast sowing of pre-germinated rice seed without puddling and eliminating raising seedlings in the nursery.

Direct sowing needs 30% less water and saves lot of labour costs. Many countries have switched to direct sowing of rice. I feel direct sowing is a winwin technology, particularly under declining water resources,‖ Khush, who was awarded the 1996 World Food Prize, told TOI in an email exchange.

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‗ Farmers wary of adopting this rice sowing method’

Even the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has devoted a page in its Package of Practices for Kharif Crops to unpuddled DSR, mentioning suitable soil types, required field preparations, suitable varieties, sowing time, seed treatment, seed rate and method of sowing, weed control, irrigation and fertilizer application.

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The varsity has mentioned that short duration paddy variety PR115 is most suitable for direct seeded rice and the ideal sowing time is June 1-15 inPunjab.

On the other hand, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) chairperson Kahan Singh Pannu said farmers were wary of opting for the DSR method of cultivating paddy as the efforts to produce this technique in the state had not yielded the desired results in the past. ―Area under DSR paddy cultivation had once touched nearly 1 lakh hectares in Punjab. However, the farmers didn‘t adopt this method in a big way as they found the crop had more weeds and even the yield was not stable. Due to this uncertainty, Punjab farmers stopped following the DSR method of paddy cultivation,‖ said Pannu, an MSc in agriculture (entomology) from PAU, Ludhiana. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/go-for-direct-seeded-rice-savewater/articleshow/63933327.cms

UPDATE 1-Philippines to retender for 250,000 T rice after high bids (Adds quotes from official, possible tender next week) MANILA, April 27 (Reuters) - The Philippines‘ National Food Authority (NFA) on Friday declared an import tender for 250,000 tonnes of rice a failure after bids from suppliers Thailand and Vietnam exceeded the state agency‘s budget, but an official said a fresh tender is being planned.

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NFA has allocated $483.63 per tonne for a plan to import 50,000 tonnes of 15 percent broken rice and $474.18 a tonne for 200,000 tonnes of 25 percent broken rice. Initial and revised bids from both countries topped $500 a tonne, said Judy Carol Dansal, deputy NFA administrator and head of the panel that held the tender.The Philippines, a frequent rice importer, had sought offers from its two top rice-producing neighbours under a government-to-government mode of procurement, as it seeks to replenish its depleted buffer stock.―We will send new invitations to the governments of Vietnam and Thailand to participate in another bidding possibly within the day,‖ Dansal told reporters, adding another tender could be held as soon as next week. ―We still want the imported rice to arrive not later than the end of June,‖ she said, ahead of the lean domestic harvest season.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week directed the NFA to build up its rice buffer stock to the equivalent of 60 days of national consumption, or as much as 1.92 million tonnes.The NFA, in charge of ensuring stable rice supply and prices, had an inventory of only 43,500 tonnes, or less than 2 days of national consumption, as of March.

(Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; writing by Manolo Serapio Jr.; editing by Richard Pullin and Gopakumar Warrier) APRIL 27, 2018 / 10:38 AM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N1S42RV

Niger rice cuts imports, says FADAMA Justina Asishana On: April 27, 2018 In: Agriculture

Niger State has contributed to the reduction of rice imports, the National Fadama Co-ordination Office has said.Nigeria has been listed among the 16 top producers of rice with its local production valued at N684 billion ($1.9 billion).Niger State produced 545,700 metric tonnes (MT) of rice to top the national production output for last year‘s wet season.

The leader of the Technical Assistance Mission to the state, Dr. Samuel Alabi, who spoke during a visit to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Haruna Nuhu Dukku,

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in Minna, said the quantity of rice produced in the state with the contribution of the state Fadama Co-ordination Office during the wet and dry seasons had greatly increased.

Alabi praised the state Fadama Co-ordination Office, saying the state added value to what Fadama is achieving nationally as the office have become a focus laboratory where experience meet with result delivery. ―Niger State Coordination Office has become a learning centre where opportunity meets experience and experience meets with result delivery. The state has become Fadama learning centre. We are indebted to Niger State for adding colour to the performance of the national office,‘‘Alabi said.

Dukku assured Fadama of the state support of its programme as it has proved to be of immense benefit to the people, especially in the rural areas. http://thenationonlineng.net/niger-rice-cuts-imports-says-fadama/

Pakistan tightens regulatory checks on cargoes to curb GM rice trade 26.04.2018 | UkrAgroConsult Pakistan has tightened grip on international rice trade with a view to getting rid of any impression of involving in the trade of tainted genetically modified (GM) rice, officials said on Wednesday.Federal government, early this month, issued instructions to Department of Plant Protection, Ministry of Food Security & Research (MFS&R) for strict regulation of inbound and exporting rice consignments.This move was initiated following serious concerns raised by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) about incidence of detecting GM rice from some shipments, resulting in rejection of exporting consignments from European Union.

Echoing similar concerns, Punjab government on April 10, 2018 wrote a letter to express strong reservations about tainted trade of GM rice.We do not produce GM rice nor do we import it. Hence, there is no possibility of any involvement of local companies in the processing of GM rice,‖ a government official said. ―If at all it is detected from some consignments, it could have sourced from outside country, which needs to be checked thoroughly.‖As a result of the tight regulation, Pakistan blocked entry of a Chinese rice seed shipment last

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week. Chinese Embassy in Islamabad raised the issue with the Minister Food Security & Research.

The Chinese diplomat wrote in the letter dated April 19, 2018 that a shipment of more than 2,000 tons of hybrid rice seed is being stuck in the Karachi port and prohibited from entering into Pakistan due to the negative results of GMO testing.It further stated that Chinese government does not allow any Chinese company to produce or export GMO hybrid rice seeds home and abroad as well. ―The GMO testing conducted

by Chinese quarantine authorities shows these hybrid rice seeds are non-GMO. The Chinese exporters of these seeds are regular business partners of Pakistani importers and all of the exporters pledged these seeds are non-GMO,‖ the letter said.Considering the discrepancies of the testing results from both sides, the Chinese diplomat said, it is requested to perform again the testing procedure with the participation of experts from both sides to ensure justice and transparency.

Syed Waseem-ul-Hassan, Director General, Plant Protection Department confirmed that a consignment of about 1,800 tons of hybrid rice seed was stopped from entering into Pakistan due to presence of GM rice.

Following tests conducted recently, about 1,500 tons of hybrid rice is being released while 300 tons has been held due to positive lab reports about presence of GM rice.Shahzad Ali Malik, leading rice exporter, welcomed steps being taken to check mixing of GM rice in domestic value chain. ―We need to be vigilant on this front in order to make our rice trade fair. I am always firm believer of conducting regular lab tests of all importing and exporting shipments of rice,‖ Malik said.

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―Chinese government has also taken strict measures in this regard and there should be zero tolerance on this issue here in Pakistan also.‖ The ban on GM rice trade was strictly enforced further early this month following a letter written by secretary agriculture Punjab to federal secretary MFS&R having subject of ―Ban on import of GMP rice and rice seed‖.

It is stated in the letter that ‗strict quarantine measures be enforced to stop any import/export of GMO rice and rice seed through regulatory arm of the MNFS&R, especially through monitoring and scrutinizing the lots of imported rice seed.

It is noted in the letter that ‗rice is second most important food crop of Pakistan and is famous export commodity in European countries.These countries have some serious human health concerns about genetically modified organism (GMO) rice and have zero tolerance policy for GMO rice entry into EU countries.

Because of strategic importance of this crop, provincial Secretary Agriculture stated, Pakistan too has zero tolerance policy for R&D and import / export of GMO rice.Despite that, some GMO rice consignments are reported now and then. REAP has reported that a rice consignment from Pakistan to Europe was detected in the past with GMO and was rejected, which damaged the country's image as a major Basmati exporter, he observed. http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/pakistan-tightens-regulatory-checks-on-cargoes-to-curb-gm-ricetrade

Global Organic Rice Market Growth by 2023: Sanjeevani Organics, RiceSelect and Kahang Organic Rice Posted By: Daniel Cruzon: April 26, 2018In: Food and Beverages Print Email

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Browse more category related reports here: http://journalismday.com/category/industry-news/food-andbeverages/

http://journalismday.com/2018/04/global-organic-rice-market-growth-by-2023-sanjeevani/

Rice study finds great genetic diversity 2018-04-27 09:44China DailyEditor: Li YanECNS Researchers harvest a variety of saltwater-tolerant rice in Qingdao, Shandong Province, in September. (Photo/China Daily)

Research led by Chinese scientists has revealed the rich genetic diversity of rice and paved the way for more precise breeding of one of the world's most important crops.

More than 12,000 previously unknown genes have been identified.

The findings, which were published on Thursday in the science journal Nature, will promote global research on the rice genome - including breeding at the molecular level - and accelerate the creation of new rice varieties of superior quality, high yield and improved resistance to multiple biological and other stresses, according to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which led the research.

Using the latest sequencing technology, researchers involved in the project analyzed 3,010 rice samples collected from all over the world, and identified a large number of genetic variations, including 29 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, the smallest unit of genetic variation, said Li Zhikang, the project leader from the academy's Institute of Crop Sciences.

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The research effort - called the 3,000 Rice Genomes Project - was launched in September 2011

by CAAS, International Rice Research Institute, which is based in the Philippines, and BGIShenzhen, a leading genome research institute in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. It was joined by 16 universities and institutes from China and abroad, according to the CAAS. Funding has been provided by the Chinese government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.The 3,010 samples were from 89 countries and regions, and contain about 95 percent of the total genetic code of the species, it said.

It is predicted that the world's total rice output will double by 2050 to meet the needs of an increasing population. That poses great challenges to breeding new varieties that will fill human needs, according to the CAAS. In China, rice is the most widely consumed staple food, it said.

With better knowledge of genomic variations, scientists may be able to "design" rice according to human needs, said Liu Chunming, director-general of the CAAS Institute of Crop Sciences.

The discovery of a large number of new genes and genetic variations is important to future rice breeding, which relies on that variation, he said. Previously, about 36,000 rice genes had been identified, he said.

Traditionally, rice breeding is guided by selection experience, which requires years and may be ineffective. But with better knowledge, researchers can more easily breed new varieties to meet human needs, he said.

"For example, scientists may design a specific rice variety for people with diabetes so they don't have to worry about the immediate rise of blood sugar," he said.

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Li, the project leader at the crop sciences institute, said a database for functional rice genomics and breeding will be built for further research.

Chu Chengcai, a scientist at the Institute of Genetics and Development Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the findings of the project will help researchers worldwide in functional rice genomic research and promote more precise and customized breeding.

"It is of great importance to food security in China and the world," he said. http://www.ecns.cn/2018/04-27/300652.shtml

Observing Chinese Starbucks patrons reveals what their ancestors farmed, study finds Researcher examines how wheat- and rice-farming cultures affect modern social patterns

New study examines how the interdependent rice-farming culture and the independent wheat-farming culture have affected today's residents in China.

April 26, 2018 Press Inquiries A new

study analyzing behavior patterns of people across China suggests that the traditional interdependent rice-farming culture of southern China has resulted in today's residents—even city dwellers far removed from farming—being more interdependent and less controlling over their environment compared to their countrymen who hail from the more independent wheat-farming culture of northern China.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business study was conducted by Thomas Talhelm, assistant professor of behavioral science and William Ladany Faculty Scholar. Talhelm observed 8,964 people sitting in Starbucks cafes in six cities all across China and found that people in cities in southern China were less likely to be sitting alone.

The idea behind the study stems from differences in how crops are farmed. Traditional rice farmers from southern China had to share labor and coordinate irrigation in a way that most northern China wheat farmers did not, thus making them more interdependent and more enmeshed in navigating social relationships, rather than free to act independently. ―I think people in China have long had a sense that northerners behave differently from southerners,‖ Talhelm said. ―This study suggests a reason why—rice farming—and that those differences are surviving into the modern age.‖

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In a second study, researchers moved chairs together in cafes, so that they were partially blocking the aisles. The study found that people in northern China were more likely to move the chairs out of the way, which is consistent with the findings that people in these individualistic cultures are more likely to try to exert control over the environment. This fits with the everyday reality of wheat farming, in which farmers were more independent from their neighbors than in rice villages.

On the other hand, people in southern China were more likely to adjust themselves to the environment by squeezing through the chairs in these cafes.

Talhelm became interested in studying the cultural differences between southern and northern China when he was living in Guangzhou, which is in the south. ―I noticed little things in people's behavior there (in the south), like people seemed nervous if they accidentally bumped into me in the grocery store. It seemed like people were reserved, focused on avoiding conflict,‖ he said. ―Then I moved up to Beijing and the north, and I quickly saw that being reserved was certainly not part of the Beijing way of conducting oneself.‖ Even in China's most modern cities like Beijing and Shanghai, rice-wheat differences in farming patterns live on today in everyday life in terms of different behavior of southern and northern residents, Talhelm concluded. Although many people talk about the urban-rural divide in China, the differences in this study were between China‘s largest cities, suggesting that there are important cultural differences in China beyond urban-rural differences. https://news.uchicago.edu/article/2018/04/26/observing-chinese-starbucks-patrons-reveals-whattheir-ancestors-farmed-study

Yogurt Market Evaluation Targets Advancement Anticipated until 2025: Salton, Whynter, Oster, Aroma Rice Cooker MarketExpertz the latest market research report on Yogurt market, samples and measures quality data on the overall business environment for the forecast period 2018-2025. Comprehensive data on growing investment pockets evaluated in the report on Yogurt market are powered and backed by human answers.

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In China, traits related to traditional rice or wheat farming affect modern behavior

BY BRINKWIRE ON APRIL 26, 2018SCIENCE

After observing the behaviors of customers in cafes in several modern Chinese cities, researchers report that people from rice-growing regions – many of whom aren‘t involved in farming at all – showed interdependent behaviors, like sitting in groups or squeezing themselves through narrowly placed chairs, whereas people from wheat-growing regions (again, many of whom didn‘t farm) more often displayed individualistic behaviors, sitting alone or actively moving chairs that blocked their way. These behavioral differences among customers provide the first evidence that historical rice versus wheat cultural differences extend into modern life, the authors say, and they challenge the modernization theory of culture, which suggests that as countries become wealthy, modernized, and urbanized, people in those cultures become more individualistic and more Western. Here, say the authors, people‘s farming legacies seemed more important than factors like wealth, in explaining their everyday behavior.

For thousands of years, people in northern China grew wheat, while people in southern China farmed paddy rice. Rice farmers often shared labor and coordinated irrigation, which likely resulted in an interdependent culture – something not common in wheat-growing regions, where farmers were more

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individualistic. To evaluate whether behaviors indicative of rice versus wheat cultures persist in culture today, Thomas Talhelm and colleagues observed customers in Starbucks in six modern Chinese cities, including Hong Kong. They first counted the number of people sitting alone in each cafĂŠ, and found that out of the 8,964 people observed across 256 cafes, most customers in ricegrowing regions were less likely to sit alone. Additionally, the authors placed chairs in aisles to observe how people responded: moving the self to squeeze around the chair, showing a willingness to adjust to their environment, or moving the chair out of the way, in an attempt to control the environment. A total of 678 people in five cities walked through this â&#x20AC;&#x2022;chair experimentâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; and people in rice-growing regions were less likely to move the chair. Among other findings, customers in the

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wealthier cities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more Westernized and thus thought more in-line with wheat-growing cultures â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were in fact less individualistic. According to Talhelm and colleagues, their study shows evidence of historical cultures as being at the root of meaningful regional differences in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s current behavior in everyday life.

http://en.brinkwire.com/288783/in-china-traits-related-to-traditional-rice-or-wheat-farmingaffect-modern-behavior/ http://en.brinkwire.com/288783/in-china-traits-related-to-traditionalrice-or-wheat-farming-affect-modern-behavior/

Science News: The Difference between Factoids and Facts

By Lesley Dixon

WASHINGTON, DC -- Members of the scientific, communications, and academic fields gathered at Johns Hopkins University last week to address issues of miscommunication among scientists, media, consumers, politicians, and the public. The panel, hosted by the National Communication Association, discussed ways these problems might be addressed, emphasizing transparency and public outreach.

"Parroted factoids are probably the thing I encounter most as a science journalist that I have to fact-check on a consistent basis," said Nsikan Akpan, digital science producer for PBS NewsHour, warning audience members not to believe every fact, statistic, or analogy they are presented with on social networks or in the media. The problem, Akpan added, is that science communicators "are trying to find easy ways to describe very complicated things."

Much of the discussion focused on the difficulties in countering the abundance of misinformation in the GMO (genetically modified organism) debate - a topic that does not involve the U.S. rice industry directly, as there is no GMO rice in commercial production in the United States.

"We have an issue where the science is way ahead of the policy and the public isn't even really part of the conversation yet," said Sheril Kirshenbaum, executive director at Science Debate, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes science understanding in politics.

"The junk science issue affects the rice industry most directly when talking about arsenic," said Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of communications. "Here's a naturally occurring element found in just about every food that grows, and the U.S. has the lowest concentrations of inorganic arsenic in the world, and yet we have alarmists and arm chair 'scientists' getting people worked up. Communicating honestly and clearly on this issue is of paramount importance, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard than many of our detractors who regularly recirculate old, inaccurate stories keeping the issue alive when it has been found to not be a problem."

Klein added that positive scientific news is also sometimes difficult to communicate clearly.

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"U.S.-grown rice has a great conservation and sustainability story to tell, and as with any complex issue there is a lot that goes beneath the surface of a layperson's understanding," said Klein. "We strive to bridge the gaps and make people realize they can and should feel good about U.S. rice for a multitude of reasons - scientific, patriotic, economic, environmental, and more."

Nigerian govt approves N10.7bn for establishment of 10 new rice mills

April 26, 2018

By Chijioke Jannah

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N10.7billion for the establishment of 10 new rice mills.This was disclosed yesterday by the Ministers of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri after the Council‘s meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Lokpobiri said that the Council approved the 10 rice mills with the capacity to produce 100 tonnes per day, and the mills would be managed by private rice millers. ―Today the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of 10 very large rice mills to enhance the milling capacity of rice value chain in the country.―Few years ago it was reported that this country needs a minimum of 100 large rice mills. As of today we have about 21 but

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Federal Government in its wisdom decided that today we should approve the establishment of 10 at the total cost of N10.7billion. ―These would be given to the sector to manage which they will be pay back within a given timeframe as it would be agreed between the Bank of Agriculture and the Rice Millers,‘‘ he said.

According to the minister, the mills will be located in Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Kaduna, Ogun, Niger and Bauchi states. http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/26/nigerian-govt-approves-n10-7bn-establishment-10-new-ricemills/

FG Approves $460m For Cargo Terminals In Lagos, Abuja Airports .To Establish New Rice Mills Worth N10bn

By Innocent Oweh April 26, 2018

Garba Shehu Abuja – The Federal Government on Wednesday approved the sum of $460 million for the construction of new passenger and cargo terminals in Lagos and Abuja airports.Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, gave the disclosure on behalf of the presidency.―The previous administration awarded contracts for the construction of new buildings in our major airports in Lagos and Abuja and nobody can use them. ―So, government today awarded a new contract for variation and additional contracts for new passenger and cargo terminals and a lot of other works to facilitate their usage including in the case of Lagos and Abuja improvement to enable jumbo aircraft and Airbus 380 to be able to land in both cities (Abuja and Lagos).―The rail terminal will be accessible from arrival hall in Abuja at the cost $460 million,‖ Shehu noted.

Meanwhile, moves to consolidate on gains in the rice production value chain has seen President Muhammadu Buhari approving N10.7 billion for the establishment of ten rice mills.

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The mills are to be established across ten states drawn from the six geo-political zones of the federation.

According to Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, the management of the mills will be placed in the hands of private millers.He said the president granted the approval having realised that Nigeria was becoming self-sufficient in rice production and there was a need to do more.â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Today, the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of ten very large rice mills to enhance the milling capacity of rice value chain in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Few years ago, it was reported that this country needs a minimum of 100 large mills. As at today we have about 21 but the Federal Government in its wisdom decided that today we should approve the establishment of ten new rice mills at the total cost of N10.7 billion.â&#x20AC;&#x2022;This will be given to the private

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sector to manage which will be paid back within a given time frame as will be agreed between the Bank of Agriculture and the rice mills. ―The states will be ten. You know in Nigeria, over 30 states are growing rice, in today‘s memo, the ten rice mills will be located across the six geopolitical zones including Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Kaduna, Niger, Ogun, Bauchi. ―The capacity of the rice mills is 100 tons per day each,‖ Lokpobiri said shortly after the cabinet meeting. https://independent.ng/fg-approves-460m-for-cargo-terminals-in-lagos-abuja-airports/

Rabi paddy procurement to begin from May 1 ByPragativadi News Service April 26, 2018

Bhubaneswar: The state level paddy procurement committee announced on Thursday that the process for procurement of Rabi paddy would begin from May 1 in Odisha.Presiding over the

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meeting at the State Secretariat here, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi asked the authorities of the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare department to simplify the registration process and ensure timely transfer of money to the bank account of the farmers. A total of 1.05 lakh farmers have been registered so far. The registration process is underway and the number of registered farmers is expected to touch around 1. 5 lakh, said Food Supply and Consumer Welfare secretary Vir Vikram Yadav adding that of the registered farmers, about 6000 are share croppers.

It was decided that the procurement of the Rabi paddy would be made through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) while all information relating to the paddy procurement would be made online on Paddy Procurement Automation System (P-PAS).The farmers would be provided with the minimum support price (MSP) for Rabi paddy at Rs 1550 per quintal. Till date, 419 PACS have been registered for paddy procurement.

According to available information, Rabi paddy procurement would begin in 18 districts of which Bargarh, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nuapada, Sambalpur and Sonepur districts are the major producers of Rabi paddy.It was revealed that 38 lakh tonne Kharif paddy has been procured while the process of procurement is underway in different districts while 6.82 lakh farmers in these districts have sold out paddy.

The cost of the Kharif paddy procured from 30 districts is estimated at Rs 5853 crore of which more than Rs 5826 crore has been credited to the bank account of the registered farmers towards MSP. It was also revealed at the meeting that the collection of rice from the millers against the paddy procured by them has been satisfactory. The millers, till date have returned about 70 percent of rice.The collection of rice from the millers in Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Bargarh, Jagatsinghpur and Kalahandi districts is more than 80 percent.It was decided that the process of Kharif paddy procurement will be completed on April 30 and the procurement of Rabi paddy would begin from May 1.

The district level paddy procurement committee has been asked to fix the volume of Rabi paddy procurement depending on the production. http://pragativadi.com/rabi-paddy-procurement-to-begin-from-may-1/

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Rabi paddy to be procured from May 1 With paddy procurement of the 2017 Kharif marketing season ending on April 30, the State Government on Thursday decided to start the Rabi procurement from May 1.Rabi paddy 27th April 2018 03:23 AM | Last Updated: 27th April 2018 05:53

By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: With paddy procurement of the 2017 Kharif marketing season ending on April 30, the State Government on Thursday decided to start the Rabi procurement from May 1.Rabi paddy procurement will be confined to 18 districts and district-level procurement committees will decide the date of purchase basing on the status of harvest, informed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Secretary VV Yadav after a high-level meeting here.

Chairing the State-level paddy procurement committee meeting, Chief Secretary Aditya Padhi asked the Department to ensure timely payment to farmers. Over 1 lakh farmers, including about 6,000 sharecroppers, have so far been registered with Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) to sell their paddy in Government identified market yards (mandis).

The number of registered farmers is likely to reach 1.5 lakh, Yadav said.So far, 419 PACS have registered with Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC), the Government agency for paddy procurement.Earlier, the State Government had set a target to procure total 53 lakh tonne of paddy (44 lakh tonne in Kharif and 9 lakh tonne in Rabi season) during the 2017 Kharif marketing season.The State Government has so far procured 38 lakh tonnes of Kharif paddy from 6.82 lakh farmers at an estimated cost of Rs 5,853 crore. Payment to the tune of Rs 5,826 crore has been made to the farmers.

The balance payment could not be sent to the accounts of the farmers due to certain issues in their accounts, he said.The Government has introduced paddy procurement automation system (P-PAS), an electronic platform through which money is being directly transferred to the accounts of farmers immediately after procurement of paddy and this has been extended to 308 blocks.Yadav told the meeting that recovery

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of rice from the custom millers is very encouraging. Rice millers have so far delivered 70 per cent rice for the paddy they have taken for milling.

Rice delivery from millers of Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Bargarh, Jagatsinghpur and Kalahandi is more than 80 per cent, he added.Govt's TargetOver 1 lakh farmers, including about 6,000 sharecroppers, registered with PACSNumber of registered farmers likely to reach 1.5 lakh419 PACS have registered with Odisha State Civil Supplies CorporationGovt had set a target to procure total 53 lakh tonne of paddy for both seasons38 lakh tonnes of Kharif paddy from 6.82 lakh farmers procuredRs 5,826 crore payment made to the farmersP-PAS extended to 308 blocksRice millers have delivered 70 pc rice for the paddy procured http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2018/apr/27/rabi-paddy-to-be-procured-frommay-1-1807053.html

Election briefs: Rice, Stoffers, Githens H-T Report

Rice outlines engagement plan Monroe County prosecutor candidate Margie Rice is calling for increased government transparency and additional avenues for citizen engagement in the prosecutor‘s office.―Leaders listen, then lead, and not the other way around,‖ Rice said in a news release. ―Simply telling people the system is working, while criticizing those who dare to question the status quo may be a campaign strategy for some, but it‘s not for me.‖ Rice is proposing the creation of a Community Engagement Initiative within the prosecutor‘s office to better involve citizens in the justice system and inform them about how their taxpayer dollars are being spent.Components of the initiative include community outreach; a countywide program focused on neighborhood-driven solutions to reduce violence and crime called ―Project Public Safety‖; and a public access counselor position to respond to public information requests, oversee statistical analysis and make sure any statistics generated — on issues such as domestic violence or police and prosecutorial fairness — are readily and easily available to the public.

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Stoffers shares plan for watersheds Monroe County candidate for county commissioner Patrick Stoffers is calling for stronger protections for Lake Monroe, the county‘s sole water source.Stoffers said he believes the county can make progress in securing these stronger lake protections by collaborating with others in the region within the lake‘s watershed. He cites the North Santiam Watershed Forum near Salem, Oregon, as model of regional collaboration that should be evaluated as a way to protect Lake Monroe‘s watershed, which spans five counties. ―By bringing together local governments with vested interests in secure water sources, utility departments which treat the water for consumption, health departments which administer septic tank rules, grassroots organizations concerned for the environment, and other interested citizens, we can evaluate options, as well as understand the repercussions of delayed action,‖ Stoffers said in a news release. ―Our water source‘s security is not only an environmental matter, it‘s an economic one for the entire region.‖ 314 Action endorses Githens The 314 Action coalition has endorsed Penny Githens, a Democratic candidate for State Representative District 60. ―The assault on science by the Trump Administration has decimated regulations, silenced scientists and threatened research funding, but I am heartened by the scientists and STEM professionals we are endorsing, like Penny,‖ Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action, said in a news release. ―These are the voices of science who will be on the front lines of the war on facts and reason.‖ Githens received the endorsement because of her training as a math and science teacher, many years of social science research experience and dedication to making policy decisions based upon data and facts.

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The 314 Action coalition was founded by members of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community, grassroots supporters and political activists in July 2016 and has over 400,000 active members and donors across the nation. Members of the coalition are concerned that STEM education in the United States is falling further behind the rest of the world, that political leaders continue to deny scientific facts and that Congress fails to fully fund scientific research to solve pressing issues, according to the news release. http://kokomoperspective.com/politics/indiana/election-briefs-rice-stoffersgithens/article_f81525db-abef-5490-ba1d-eba90edb0592.html

New book presents untold stories of societal impact of S&T in independent India

By Sakshi Chaturvedi April 26, 2018 | 1:42 pm

New book presents untold stories of societal impact of S&T in independent India New Delhi: Indelible ink, generic drugs, information technology, horticulture and flower industry based on tissue culture, Amul, diamond cutting industry, blood collection bags, aquaculture, basmati rice. What is common among all these things?

On the face of it, there doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t seem to be any connection among them all. But, there is. They represent some of key milestones in the 70-year journey of Indian science and technology. However, there is little knowledge about these contributions in the public domain, unlike space and atomic energy programme or the green revolution.

The Indian National Science Academy (INSA), apex body of Indian scientists, has come out with a book that seeks to fill the information gap by showcasing such milestones. They may not have well known names associated with them but they have made tremendous contributions to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s socio-economic growth.

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―We have chosen developments that are less known to the public and the narrative is in a storytelling style. There are no big heroes in these stories. The major players here is the ability of our society to pursue basic and applied scientific research even in difficult situations and the strengths of our science and mathematics education‖, said Prof Ajay K.Sood, INSA President, in the preface to the 177-page book titled Indian Science Transforming India. The book was launched in the national capital on Wednesday.It has been co-authored by science writers – Adita Joshi, Dinesh C Sharma, Kavita Tiwari and Nissy Nevil.

The story of indelible ink goes back to right up to the initial years of independent India. Soon after the independence leaders of the nascent nation decided to hold a general election in 1951-52. It was easier said than done. There was a need to set up polling booths across the country, print ballot papers and arrange for ballot boxes. But there was one essential requirement for which there was no ready solution – indelible ink to mark every voter to ensure that there no cheating or multiple voting.

The ink was not available in the country. It could have been imported from Britain but the leadership decided to make the ink within the country.

The responsibility devolved on scientists in the chemical sciences division of the National Physical Laboratory in the capital. Dr. M.L.Goel, who had established the division, took up the task. A team of scientists including eminent chemists Dr. B.G.Mathur and Dr.V.D.Puriworked day and night and were able to not just develop but also manufacture the ink in time for the elections. Since then the indelible ink has help maintain an eternal vigil against electoral malpractices and thus guarding Indian democracy.

Information Technology is another area covered in detail. Developments in this sector in recent decades are well known. But the story of computers goes a long way back: it spans 70 years, finely interwoven with the overall development of science and technology in the country. It began unfolding in the 1930s and 1940s under the guidance of two leaders of Indian science – physicist turned statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis and physicist Homi Jehangir Bhabha. Both of them recognized the need for computing machines for their respective scientific projects and used their key positions in policy making structure to help shape up policies for electronics and computer developed in the 1950s and 1960s. The foundation they laid then helped Indians develop necessary skills in

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hardware and software, propelling India to become an IT power house to reckon with in later decades.

The new book, among other things, covers the story of key research contributions in area of generic drugs, which has helped drastically bring down the costs of essential medicine and thus make them affordable to as many as possible. It alsobrings out the finer details of the story of Amul which started off as a small milk cooperative in Gujarat and then went on to herald the `white revolution‘ that transformed India from a milk deficient country to a milk surplus one. Hundreds of scientists, veterinarians, dairy technologies, extension workers and thousands of farmers contributed in their own ways in the past half a century.

The book offers an insight into development of aquaculture and plant tissue culture technologies and on how India has developed a mechanism to fight biopiracy and identity theft of India‘s foremost rice variety, Basmati. Further, it focuses on how Indian scientists improved the quality of Samba Masuri rice variety, brought about a sea change in technology of blood transfusion by developing a special bag for blood collection, made Surat a global hub of diamond cutting industry through the development of an affordable laser machine for diamond cutting.

The compendium has a chapter on Shantha Biotechnics also. The story of the first company to establish recombinant DNA technology in the country, highlights the scientific prowess of Indian scientists and entrepreneurs to transform India, which was once considered home to many diseases, into a leading producer of many life saving vaccines at affordable costs.―The stories collated here reflect arduous, but exciting journey that India went through since Independence. These are stories scripted by our scientists and technocrats using unique solutions that are most appropriate for India, given the prevailing conditions and available resources,‖ pointed out Prof LS.Shashidhara, eminent scientist who has edited the volume. ―These stories‖, he added,―are representative of many more such stories which indicate that but for good understanding of basic science among the teaching community, we wouldn‘t have been able to come this far;but for the good research that we do in our universities and institutes, we wouldn‘t have had such a good teaching community; and but for the general understanding and respect for science

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in our society, this large a number of people wouldn‘t have opted for science education and/or research‖. (India Science Wire)

https://newstrack.com/lifestyle-news/health-news/new-book-presents-untold-stories-of-societalimpact-of-st-in-independent-india/

PHL asks Thailand and Vietnam to resubmit rice supply offers Thailand and Vietnam failed to comply with the National Food Authority‘s (NFA) reference price in the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice, prompting the NFA to ask for a resubmission of offers. The NFA conducted a bidding Friday morning for a government-togovernment procurement of rice to replenish its buffer stock. Thailand and Vietnam were the only two countries in the bidding that was conducted openly, with representatives from various government offices present. The media was allowed to cover the event. ―We want to show to the public that all aspects of this bidding are transparent and in accordance with the law,‖ Deputy Administrator Judy Carol Dansal, chairperson of the Special Bids and Awards Committee said. Dansal said government-to-government procurement is the fastest way to import rice. The bids of Thailand and Vietnam were opened in public. Although the two countries were able to comply with the documentary requirements, both failed to meet the NFA‘s reference price. For the 15 percent brokens category, in which up to 15 percent of the rice has been broken into two or more pieces during the milling process, the reference price was set at $483.63 per metric ton (MT) while the 25 percent brokens was set at $474.18 per MT. The NFA said the prices were based on world market rates. Thailand did not make an offer for 15 percent brokens, but its offer of $530 per MT for 25 percent brokens was above the reference price.

Vietnam offered to supply 58,000 MT of 15 percent brokens at $540 per metric ton. For the 25 percent brokens, its offer was $532. Both offers also exceeded the reference price. The NFA gave Thailand and Vietnam until 3:00 p.m. Friday to come up with their revised offers. As of 11:48 a.m, Thailand submitted a new offer which not yet been opened. No new offer has yet been received from Vietnam as of this posting. —VDS, GMA News Author Name: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/651459/phl-asks-thailandand-vietnam-to-resubmit-rice-supply-offers/story/

ASIA RICE-VIETNAM RATES UP FOR 5TH WEEK; CURRENCY MOVES WEIGH ON INDIA, THAILAND 4/26/2018

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By Arpan Varghese BENGALURU, April 26 (Reuters) - Rice export prices rose fora fifth straight week in Vietnam as demand remained robust andsupplies thinned, but rates of Indian and Thai varieties dippedamid weakness in the local currencies of the top exporters.Vietnam's 5 percent broken rice prices <RI-VNBKN5-P1> roseto $445$450 from $438-$440 previously. "Demand is very high, while supplies are getting thin," a HoChi Minh City-based trader said.

"The Philippines will meet exporters from Vietnam andThailand on Friday to discuss a 250,000 tonne deal, and it maybuy more for the rest of the year."

The Vietnamese government is also buying rice forstockpiling under its national reserve programme, the tradersaid, adding that Bangladesh could also buy rice from thecountry in June or July.However, an official at Bangladesh's food ministry saidthere was no plan to buy rice from Vietnam at the moment.

Private traders can buy if they find Vietnamese ricecompetitive, the official said, adding that he was not aware ofany such ongoing talks.Imports by Bangladesh, which emerged as a major buyer after2017 floods damaged crops, could plunge 66 percent from a yearago to 1.2 million tonnes in 2018/19 as it is likely to harvesta bigger crop, industry officials said in early April.

In top exporter India, prices of the 5 percent brokenparboiled variety <RIINBKN5-P1> fell by $8 to $409-$413 pertonne, the lowest level in 4-1/2 months, on subdued demand and adepreciating rupee."The correction in rupee allowed exporters to reduce pricesin the last few weeks. Now importers are waiting for furtherfalls in prices," said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Indian rupee was trading near its lowest level inabout 14 months.Meanwhile, Thailand's benchmark 5 percent broken rice rates<RI-THBKN5-P1> also fell to $440â&#x20AC;&#x201C;$445 per tonne, free on board (FOB) Bangkok, from $445-$454 last week. "Weakening of the baht is lowering rice prices," aBangkok-based trader said

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The baht was down about 0.7 percent for the week. Aweaker baht translates into lower export prices in U.S. dollars.However, there continues to be fresh demand for Thai ricefrom Indonesia as well as speculation over possible deals withthe Philippines, another trader said, adding that Thai exporterswill have to deal with a supply crunch for at least anothermonth, which should keep prices relatively high. "Rice mills are reluctant to sell rice to keep the pricehigh due to limited supply. But exporters will have to buy asthey have to fulfil their shipment to Indonesia before the endof next month."(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok, Khanh Vu in Hanoi,Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai and Ruma Paul in Dhaka; editing by David Evans) https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/asia-rice-vietnam-rates-up-for-5th-weekcurrency-moves-weigh-on-india-thailand

Local rice harvest is going strong by

SOUTHERN RIVERINA NEWS

APRIL 26, 2018 Warm and dry weather has contributed to a strong rice growing season across the Southern Riverina.

Warm and dry weather has contributed to a strong rice growing season across the Southern Riverina.As of last Friday, the Finley area had harvested more than 52,000 tonnes of rice so far this season, with more than 533,000 tonnes received by SunRice from across the Riverina.Finley rice grower Ian Mason said yields have been solid this year.‗‗I‘m not even half way through harvest yet, but so far yields have been great,‘‘ he said. ‗‗Rice growers in our area are always traditionally finishing harvest early May and we‘re about two weeks away from finishing our crops.‗‗It‘s all going to plan at the moment, but hopefully we can get some signs of rain soon.‘‘ It‘s been a relatively dry season over the rice harvest period, with 4.1mm of rain in March and 2.5mm so far in April. These figures are much lower than the long-term average of 31.9mm in March and 30.4mm in

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April.Ricegrowers Association of Australia president Jeremy Morton said it‘s been good weather for rice growing.‗‗We normally have a rain event most years which halts harvest for two to three days, but we haven‘t had that this year,‘‘ he said. ‗‗The little bit of rain that we had last week didn‘t cause any issues with harvest but we did lose half a day with the recent power outage.‗‗It‘s all going along pretty well at this stage.‘‘The dry weather has also affected the moisture in the rice, with an average of 17.5 per cent in the rice around the Riverina area.‗‗The optimum range of moisture is 20, so 17.5 per cent is pretty good,‘‘ Mr Morton said. ‗‗Day by day the moisture level in the rice will go down but so far it‘s all good.‘‘ http://www.sheppnews.com.au/regional/2018/04/26/141744/local-rice-harvest-is-going-strong

Việt Nam rice exports face uncertain Q1 April, 26/2018 - 07:00

The quality of Vietnamese rice has improved to meet the exporting demand. — File Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam‘s rice exports faced an unpredictable first quarter this year, increasing in January, declining in February and recovering in March, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.An estimated 524,000 tonnes of rice

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were exported in January, with a total value of $249 million, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, representing a 49 per cent rise in volume and 51.3 per cent in value compared to December 2017. After declines in February, exports rose steeply in March, jumping 93.9 per cent in volume and 100 per cent in value to US$338.44 million month-on-month. The rice export price also surged in March by 3.3 per cent to $513.7 per tonne.

The country‘s overall rice exports in the first quarter of this year increased by 15.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2017. The average rice export price in the first quarter of the current year rose by 14.2 per cent year-on-year to $501 per tonne, reported cafef.vn.

The rice export price was higher against most export markets during the same period last year, with the highest price reaching $834.5 per tonne for rice exported to Chile, a year-on-year increase of 114 per cent. However, rice exports to this market fell sharply by 95 per cent in volume and 90 per cent in year-on-year value.

China has remained the largest export market for Vietnamese rice, accounting for 27.7 per cent of total volume during the first quarter of the current year.

During the first quarter of 2018, 40 per cent of Việt Nam‘s major rice export markets saw a surge in terms of both volume and value, while 60 per cent saw a reduction in rice exports.

Việt Nam‘s rice exports to Bangladesh increased 89 times in volume and 59 times in value. A similar but smaller-scale trend occurred in rice exports to Turkey, Iraq, Malaysia and France.

However, rice exports to markets such as Argentina, Chile, Ukraine, Angola, Singapore, South Africa and the Netherlands plunged between 60 to 95 per cent in both volume and turnover over the same period last year.

According to experts, Việt Nam will have greater opportunities when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) comes into effect, helping rice exporters increase exports to countries that joined the agreement and demand high quality and food safety standards, such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

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Việt Nam‘s structure for exporting rice products has shifted to reducing middle and lower quality rice products while increasing high quality rice products annually.

As a result, from the end of 2017 to the current period, Việt Nam‘s rice export prices have increased to $50 to $100 per tonne against its competitors, such as Thailand, Pakistan and India.— VNS http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/426789/viet-nam-rice-exports-face-uncertainq1.html#Ppg6oJJWuwl6IgjT.97

Paddy, rice fall on arrivals R BALAJIT+

CHENNAI, APRIL 25 Heavy arrivals of paddy and rice have dampened prices across Tamil Nadu and the major urban consumption centres including Chennai market, say leading traders.

Tamil Nadu is a major market for produce from Odisha, West Bengal and Gujarat apart from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. But arrivals in recent weeks have dropped because transactions are down, say trade sources.

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Till a few weeks back, rice prices of new stocks were ruling steady in wholesale at about ₹38 a kg.

But now some of the fine varieties are down to ₹34-35, while boiled rice variant fetches about ₹3536.

Bulk buying absent Sales are also down due to holiday season as hostels and other institutional buyers will not be in the market, according to Amara Visweswararao, President, Tamil Nadu Food Grain Merchants Association. Normally, the wholesale market in Chennai which sells about 600 bags (of 25 kg each) daily around this period sells just about 100-200 bags. Also, traders are waiting for further drop in prices and rice millers are flush with paddy stocks.

Price outlook Over the last 20 days about 3,400 tonnes of paddy has come in at Ammoor. This is about 30 per cent more than that in 2016. At Vridhachalam, during the peak arrival season between January and March about 25,000 bags (of 75 kg) arrived on a daily basis comparable with last year. Fine varieties fetched up to ₹2,200 a quintal, down about Rs 300 over last year, against an MSP of ₹1,660.

According to AC Mohan, Secretary, Federation of Tamil Nadu Rice Millers and Paddy, Rice Dealers Association, open market sale of rice in the State is estimated at about 91 lakh tonnes (lt) annually.

Local production will account for about 76 lt and the balance comes from other States. For now, the trade estimates there is a 5-lt surplus in the market with the trade.

Published on April 25, 2018

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/paddy-rice-fall-on-noheavynoarrivals/article23673712.ece

Centre targets a new high in foodgrains output this year OUR BUREAUT+ T-

BL26-FOOD_GRAIN_2

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Production target at a new record on forecast of normal monsoon NEW DELHI, APRIL 25 The Union government has set a foodgrain output target of 283.7 million tonnes (mt) during 2018-19, in the backdrop of forecasts of a favourable monsoon. The target is nearly 6 mt, 2 per cent, more than the estimated production of 277.5 mt in the last crop year (July-June).

The targets set for rice and wheat are 113 mt and 100 mt respectively, which are 2 mt and 3 mt more than the production in 2017-18 as per the second advance production estimates, said Agriculture Commissioner SK Malhotra, while addressing a national conference on agriculture for kharif campaign here on Wednesday.

Oilseeds, coarse cereals 39

While the target for pulses is kept at a marginally higher level of 24 mt, which will still mark a new record, the government aims to increase the production of coarse cereals by more than 1.3 mt to 46.7 mt in the current year, he said. The Centre recently declared 2018-19 as the year of millets.

There would be a concerted focus on oilseeds whose production fell much well below expectations, due to lower production of soyabean, groundnut and mustard/rapeseed.

However, Malhotra also admitted that soyabean crop faces a seed shortage of 93 tonnes as untimely rains damaged soyabean seed crop in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana and urged the States to use seeds saved by farmers with treatment.

Cash crops Cotton, after a dip in production last fiscal, is expected to pick up momentum. The government has seta target of 35.5 million bales (of 170 kg each) as against 34 million bales last year.

The production of sugarcane in 2018-19 is expected to be as high at 355 mt as that in the current year that witnessed a glut in sugar production leading to slump in prices.

Talking about the rabi season just gone by, Malhotra said temperature during February and March was conducive for crop growth, helping farmers to achieve better productivity, even though hailstorm damaged crops in isolated pockets.

The Agriculture Commissioner also emphasised the need for increasing coverage of moong and urad in the kharif season by inter-cropping with soyabean, sugarcane, coarse cereals and cotton.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/centre-govt-to-targets-a-newhigh2837-mt-in-foodgrains-output-this-in-current-year-output-this-in-currentyear/article23673736.ece

FG okays N10.7bn for 10 rice mills ON APRIL 26, 20188:00 N68.6 bn for roads projects —-N840.817m for trauma center in Owerri —-Establishes traditional medicine dept to tackle malaria —-Says no agreement with JOHESU By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE Federal Government yesterday approved the establishment of ten rice mills in the six geopolitical zones at the cost of N10.7 billion. Government also approved the establishment of department for traditional medicine in the Federal Ministry of Health with the sole aim of finding ways to use traditional medicine to tackle the scourge of malaria in the country.

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This is as the government has also said that there was no previous agreement between the Federal Government and striking health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Workers Union, JOHESU but that efforts were on top gear to settle all the demands of the workers. Briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over

by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lekpobri, said each of ten rice mills will produce at 100 tons per day. He said, ―Today the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of ten very large rice mills to enhance the milling capacity of rice value chain in the country. ―Few years ago, it was reported that this country needs a minimum of 100 large mills. As at today we have about 21 but the Federal Government in its wisdom decided that today we should approve the establishment of ten new rice mills at the total cost of N10.7 billion. ―This will be given to the private sector to manage which will be paid back within a given time frame as will be agreed between the Bank of Agriculture and the Rice Mills. ―The state will be ten. You know in Nigeria, over 30 states are growing rice, in today‘s memo, the ten rice mills will be located across the six geopolitical zones including Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Kaduna, Niger, Ogun, Bauchi. ―The capacity of the rice mills is 100 tons per day each.‖ Also briefing, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said that 25 percent Nigerians have sickle cell gene.

He said, ―At today‘s Federal Executive Council meeting, Government approved the licencing agreement between the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NAPRED and May and Baker Plc. ―This is in respect of scaling up commercialisation and marketing of Niprisan, a very potent anti sickle cell drug for use in Nigeria. ―As you might be aware, sickle cell disease is a common problem particularly among blacks in Africa, South East Asia and Latin America and it is estimated that about 25 percent of Nigerians carry the sickle cell gene and over two million people have sickle cell anemia, that is having the two genes combined. ―And for many of them, when they are under stress, take ill, what happens is invariably they develop severe bone crisis, they develop infection and some of them will die from this. ―This drug was first used in Oyo State over 20 years ago and NAPRED conducted clinical trials to ensure that we are able to document that it is safe, it is efficacious and drug was licenced at an international organisation which went into bankruptcy. ―What we have done is to reactivate the product and it will now be marketed in Nigeria through this agreement and we believe that the marketing and production in Nigeria will bring a lot of comfort to millions of Nigerians who are infected with sickle cell gene. Trauma Centre ―Again council also approved the construction of a Trauma Centre at Federal Medical Centre Owerri at the cost of N840,817 million and this must be completed within 48 weeks.

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―We expect that it will serve as a first class centre of care for accident and trauma cases along Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu axis and will really change the dynamics of care in these areas.

Establishment of traditional medicine dept ―The approval of Naprisan is coming at the eve of an approval granted by government for us to establish a department of traditional medicine in the Federal Ministry of Health. ―This will be the first time that this will happen and that department will really provide us the leeway to research into many of our traditional products and the first mandate of this department will be to look into cure for malaria in our forest.‖ No previous agreement between FG and JOHESU Speaking on the striking health workers, he said, ―Government has actually constituted a high level body to look into all aspects of demand including the financial implications and also to plan for the management of consequences of addressing those demands. ―That high level body met last week Tuesday, met again on Thursday, met on Friday, met on Sunday, yesterday and will also be meeting tonight. So we are really at work with respect to this we have done quiet a lot of computation, we have met with finance, we have met with budget and national planning. We are looking into all issues relating to this strike. ―But let me also put it on record that when we came on board, JOHESU approached us that they have an agreement with government but we discovered that they was really no agreement with government. ―What they were able to provide were minutes of meetings held previously and we told them that no responsible government will implement minutes of previous meetings and of the fifteen points demands, we have met 14 of them over the one and half years. The only one left is currently meeting on.‖ The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola who also briefed journalists said, ―Council approved the award of Subaila-Falala-Bini-Baku-Bauchi Road that connects Kano and Bauchi States at the sum of N4.578 billion. ―Council also approved additional works on section one of Lagos – Ibadan express way. Council also approved additional works on over 43.6 kilometers for N64.108 billion which covers pedestrian bridges, toll plazas for that section so as to accommodate the changing nature of that road. ―Since its conception, so many new structures, religious institutions, factories, universities, increased human activities have come up along that road.

The inherited design didn‘t provide for these at all and also to modify the quality of bitumen, polymer modified bitumen, in order to deal with the heavy cargo that passes through that road. ―The first section is handled by Julius Berger. The second section under RCC which covers over 80 kilometres will come to council to incorporate similar works including drainage works when we finish the procurement.‖ Related Abba Kyari, Oyo-Ita reconcile at FEC meeting November 9, 2017 Nigeria develops herbal drugs for treatment of Ebola, malaria January 19, 2018 JOHESU commences nationwide indefinite strike April 18, 2018 ADEKUNLE View all posts by adekunle → https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/fg-okays-n10-7bn-10-rice-mills/

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Chinese scientist gets 10 years for stealing GM rice

By Reuters News Service

Published: April 26, 2018 A Chinese scientist in Kansas has been sentenced to more than 10 years in a federal prison for conspiring to steal samples of a variety of genetically modified rice seeds from a U.S. research facility, the Department of Justice said.â&#x20AC;Š | File photo

(Reuters) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A Chinese scientist in Kansas has been sentenced to more than 10 years in a federal prison for conspiring to steal samples of a variety of genetically modified rice seeds from a U.S. research facility, the Department of Justice said.

U.S. district court judge Carlos Murguia in the District of Kansas sentenced Weiqiang Zhang, 51, a Chinese national living in Manhattan, Kansas, to 121 months in prison.

Zhang was convicted in February 2017 on three counts, including conspiracy to steal trade secrets and interstate transportation of stolen property, the department said in a statement.

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―Today‘s sentence demonstrates the significant consequences awaiting those who would steal trade secrets from American companies,‖ said John P. Cronan, the justice department‘s acting assistant attorney general.

Neither Zhang nor his attorney could be reached for comment.

Zhang, who holds a doctorate from Louisiana State University, worked as a rice breeder for Kansas-based Ventria Bioscience Inc, which develops genetically modified rice used in the therapeutic and medical fields. He stole hundreds of rice seeds produced by Ventria and stored them at his Manhattan residence, the statement said.

China had long banned commercial growing of GM grains due to public opposition to the technology. But last year, ChemChina‘s purchase of Swiss agrochemical and seed company Syngenta was seen by market analysts and industry experts as a sign that the country was becoming more open to production of genetically modified crops. https://www.producer.com/2018/04/chinese-scientist-gets-10-years-for-stealing-gm-rice/

Salt Lake City and New York to Lead New Wireless Tech Research Salt Lake City and New York City will serve as testbeds for next-generation wireless communication testing, a project led by the National Science Foundation.

BY SKIP DESCANT / APRIL 26, 2018

Salt Lake City (pictured) and New York City will serve as test beds for next generation wireless communication testing, a project led by the National Science Foundation.

FLICKR/MATEOUTAH As part of a new initiative led by the National Science Foundation, several cities will serve as testbeds for next-generation communication technologies.

The NSF‘s Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) initiative has named Salt Lake City and New York City as the first of four testbed cities.

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The idea behind the testbeds — a project expected to run for the next five to 10 years — is to foster the kinds of research and testing to support smart cities, autonomous cars, virtual reality and more.

What Is 5G, and Why Will It Take So Long to Arrive?

Denver‘s 5G Plans Mean Antennas, Lots of Them By the End of 2018, Sacramento Will Become First U.S. City with 5G Broadband ―One of the things that the U.S. has greatly benefited from in the last 20 years has been our leadership in wireless,‖ said Thyaga Nandagopal, deputy division director at the National Science Foundation. ―And what we have seen is the economy of the United States has benefited significantly from those technologies coming to market. ―And there is a risk going on with Europe and China, where they are trying to emulate us and take the lead in 5G. Because, No.1, they see that wireless is going to be the way that people are going to access information — no matter where we are — in the future,‖ he added.

The NSF is partnering with private companies to fund the $100 million project.So our members are all coming in with like ... $1 million or $2 million contributions, so cumulatively it's about a $50 million investment. And the NSF then matched that with $50 million,‖ said Nandagopal.The NSF is looking at what it calls the ―future piece‖ of wireless communication.―We are looking at what comes next,‖ said Nandagopal. ―We want to predict the future, we want to create the future.‖ The research team in Salt Lake City, being led by the University of Utah and Rice University in Houston, will explore what is known as Massive MIMO, (multi-input, multi-output) an essential component of both 5G and ―beyond 5G wireless networks,‖ according to the proposal. ―These are technologies with a lot of potential,‖ said Nandagopal.To be able to test and verify the Massive MIMO technology on a large scale ―is something that industry is really salivating over,‖ he added.

The University of Utah and Rice University will receive $17.5 million from the PAWR Project and up to $10 million in services and equipment from the PAWR industry consortium to build and operate the platform in Salt Lake City for the first five years.―Mobile and wireless is where it‘s at,‖ said University of Utah School of Computing Associate Professor Kobus Van der Merwe in a statement.―We have multiple radio technologies and different applications coming. All of

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those things need platforms to experiment on, to prototype on, to explore,‖ said Van der Merwe, who is leading the team that will build and operate the Salt Lake City platform. ―We have 5G coming.‖ A number of new software-configurable radio antennae will form the testbed, located on the 2.3square-mile campus and along 1.2 square miles of downtown Salt Lake City. The testbed will also include the two-mile stretch between the two — altogether, an area home to about 40,000 residents. The antennae, also called ―nodes,‖ will have the ability to simulate different communication technologies such as 4G or 5G.

―They have a university, which is a small city, in and of itself. But it really can‘t be argued to be city-scale,‖ said Gregory Daly, chief information officer for Salt Lake City. ―So their idea was to promote the creation of city-scaled testbeds. And that‘s where the city itself, or a very large geography, is a testbed for research and development, tinkering, proving ideas, proving then that they work, and to do them with mobility and all the things that wireless technology implies,‖ said Daly.

In New York the testbed project will receive $22.5 million, and will be located across one square mile in West Harlem, a dense urban neighborhood, where researchers from Columbia University, Rutgers University and New York University will partner with the city, the University of Arizona, City College of New York, and Silicon Harlem, an organization charged with growing technology and innovation in Harlem.

Much of the research will center on millimeter-wave radio communications, which has the potential to open up more bandwidth to support, say, higher-quality media and video content.―And millimeter-wave research, as you can see, is one of the new frontiers that opened up with the FCC,‖ said Nandagopal. ―So that was a huge thing. Everyone, from industry to academia, is super stoked about that area."

The wireless communication research in New York, Salt Lake City and two yet-to-be-named locations will be largely up and going in the next year or two and then run for at least five years.

It is all part of a larger mission to ensure the United States remains a leader in this sector. ―The goal for the NSF is not only to create a thriving partnership where academics can showcase their ideas to industry and help drive the conversation around technology leadership being continued, but also to essentially create a new future where technologies never known before will come to light,‖ said Nandagopal.

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―We want to help the United States continue to be a technology leader and innovator,‖ said Daly. ―And a winning competitor on a global scale. We think that it has obvious economic development advantages for Salt Lake City, to be known as a place where technology, innovation and research happens.‖ http://www.govtech.com/fs/infrastructure/Salt-Lake-City-and-New-York-to-Lead-NewWireless-Tech-Research.html

Rice study finds great genetic diversity 2018-04-27 09:44China DailyEditor: Li YanECNS App Download

Researchers harvest a variety of saltwater-tolerant rice in Qingdao, Shandong Province, in September. (Photo/China Daily)

Research led by Chinese scientists has revealed the rich genetic diversity of rice and paved the way for more precise breeding of one of the world's most important crops.

More than 12,000 previously unknown genes have been identified.The findings, which were published on Thursday in the science journal Nature, will promote global research on the rice genome - including breeding at the molecular level - and accelerate the creation of new rice varieties of superior quality, high yield and improved resistance to multiple biological and other stresses, according to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which led the research.

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Using the latest sequencing technology, researchers involved in the project analyzed 3,010 rice samples collected from all over the world, and identified a large number of genetic variations, including 29 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, the smallest unit of genetic variation, said Li Zhikang, the project leader from the academy's Institute of Crop Sciences.

The research effort - called the 3,000 Rice Genomes Project - was launched in September 2011

by CAAS, International Rice Research Institute, which is based in the Philippines, and BGIShenzhen, a leading genome research institute in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. It was joined by 16 universities and institutes from China and abroad, according to the CAAS. Funding has been provided by the Chinese government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The 3,010 samples were from 89 countries and regions, and contain about 95 percent of the total genetic code of the species, it said.It is predicted that the world's total rice output will double by 2050 to meet the needs of an increasing population. That poses great challenges to breeding new varieties that will fill human needs, according to the CAAS. In China, rice is the most widely consumed staple food, it said.

With better knowledge of genomic variations, scientists may be able to "design" rice according to human needs, said Liu Chunming, director-general of the CAAS Institute of Crop Sciences.The discovery of a large number of new genes and genetic variations is important to future rice breeding, which relies on that variation, he said. Previously, about 36,000 rice genes had been identified, he said.Traditionally, rice breeding is guided by selection experience, which requires years and may be ineffective. But with better knowledge, researchers can more easily breed new varieties to meet human needs, he said.

"For example, scientists may design a specific rice variety for people with diabetes so they don't have to worry about the immediate rise of blood sugar," he said.Li, the project leader at the crop sciences institute, said a database for functional rice genomics and breeding will be built for further research.Chu Chengcai, a scientist at the Institute of Genetics and Development Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the findings of the project will help researchers worldwide in functional rice genomic research and promote more precise and customized breeding."It is of great importance to food security in China and the world," he said.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency bails on effort to protect wild rice The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will turn to the Legislature for guidance.

By Josephine Marcotty Star Tribune

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APRIL 26, 2018 — 6:27PM

BRIAN PETERSONTodd Thompson and his father Leonard harvest wild rice on Hole In The Day Lake south of Nisswa in 2015.

The state of Minnesota is bailing on its effort to devise a plan to protect wild rice from pollution that comes from taconite mines and wastewater treatment plants, ending a nearly 10-year political and legal fight over Minnesota‘s official state grain.―We‘ve heard many, many voices … and the message is clear,‖ says John Linc Stine, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He said that the scientific research that the state has conducted in recent years is accurate and well founded, but when it comes to applying it through regulation ―we still have more work to do.‖The MPCA plans to withdraw from the rule-making process, and will now turn to the Legislature for guidance on how to move forward.

The proposed rule, which has sparked fierce political fights and multiple lawsuits since the state began writing it in 2010, was designed to regulate sulfate, a mineral salt that damages wild rice. It is produced by taconite mines, wastewater treatment plants and other industries. While the state‘s rule is specific to wild rice, sulfate also plays a part in converting mercury into a form that is taken up by fish, creating significant health risks for pregnant women and children.

The final proposal was opposed by Minnesota‘s Indian tribes, environmental groups, industry and wastewater treatment operators. But they opposed it for different reasons.Environmentalists and the tribes said the state‘s existing sulfate standard of 10 parts per million, which has been in place since the 1970s, is enough to protect wild rice if the standard is enforced. With few exceptions, however, the state has not done so.Industry representatives said the state‘s new rule would be prohibitively expensive and

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unworkable: The highly complicated plan would use a chemical formula to set sulfate limits on discharges upstream of each of 1,300 individual lakes or rivers where wild rice grows.

In January, LauraSue Schlatter, the administrative law judge charged with deciding whether the proposed rule is reasonable, agreed with both arguments. She reimposed the MPCA‘s original standard of 10 parts per million, saying that the state‘s decision to repeal it was a violation of the federal Clean Water Act. She also concluded that while the formula approach had scientific validity, the state could not effectively implement it without first conducting years of study on the 1,300 wild rice waters. It was unconstitutionally ―void for vagueness,‖ she said.

More recently, Republican lawmakers proposed a bill that would require the MPCA to start over, while also forbidding the agency from enforcing the current standard.An agency spokesperson said officials are still discussing how the current standard will be enforced.

http://www.startribu

PH agri execs to attend Asean Agribiz Show Updated April 26, 2018, 3:48 PM

By Zac B. Sarian

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HARVESTING CORN FOR SILAGE – The usual practice in harvesting green corn for silage is done by manual labor. This does not only require laborers who are not as efficient as mechanical harvesters. Manual cutting is also expensive. One of the purposes of the group of Eugene Gabriel in attending the Sima Asean Agribusiness Show in Bangkok on June 6-8 is to look for suitable harvesting machines and shredders for silage making. They will also be on the look out for suitable equipment used in dairy farming as well as small machinery suitable for small farms in the Philippines.

A group of agribusiness executives will be attending the SIMA Asean Agribusiness Show that will be held in Bangkok on June 6-8, 2018, it was announced by Eugene Gabriel, president of Right Agri based in Isabela province.He and members of the Right Agri board of directors will be looking for new machinery and equipment that can be used in mechanizing rice and corn production, processing of farm wastes into livestock feed and other value-added products.Of special interest are dairy tools and equipment because the company has contracted the management of a dairy farm in a state university.

They will develop the dairy farm as a viable enterprise that will also serve as a training ground for agriculture students as well as private individuals on dairying technolgy.They will also be looking for shredders and baling equipment for rice straw and corn stovers.Also joining the Gabriel group is Novatech Food Industries headed by Dr. Ronaldo Sumaoang, a microbiologist who is into food products like chilli vinegar and fish sauce which are supplied to the country‘s biggest supermarket chain. Dr. Sumaoang said he is particularly interested in bottle-filling equipment for fish sauce and vinegar as well as improved packaging technologies. Aside from food products, Novatech is into production of organic fertilizers, probiotic products for livestock and poultry, commercial sheep production, and Large Black Pig multiplication.According to Pauline Alary, one of the coordinators of the trade show, the agribusiness exhibits will include no less than 300 well known brands around the world that include heavy equipment, tractors, parts and accessories, postharvest equipment, mechanical planters and harvesters, fertilizers and crop protection products, greenhouse structures, horticultural products, livestock and poultry products and services, and many more.

For more information, those interested to attend may contact Pauline Alary at email: ps1@mfcci.com. ***** EWS INNOVATION OLYMPICS CHAMP – A team of three Asian Institute Of Management (AIM) students was adjudged champion in the Innovation Olympics conducted by East-West Seed Company. The members of the team are Aiah Sarmiento, Gorby Dimalanta and Aaron David who came up with an e-magsasaka platform where buyers of agricultural products can find farmers who are producing the crops they need. At the same time, the farmers can also use the database to look for buyers of their produce.The AIM team bested who bested two other finalists from UP Los Baños received a cash prize of P250,000.

The e-magsasaka platform aims to minimize the number of middlemen involved in the trading of agricultural produce. With the linkage of the farmers and the buyers, the farmers can expect to receive more reasonable prices for their harvest. During the 6-month pilot stage, Team Agriviz worked with farmers‘ coopertives, local government units and vegetable buyers.East-West launched the Innovation Olympics last year to generate new ideas that could improve the livelihood of farmers. The company came up with the competition as a highlight of its 35th anniversary. East-West Seed which was founded in the Philippines in 1982 is now one of the Top 10 vegetable seed companies in the world.

ne.com/minnesota-pollution-control-agency-bails-on-effort-to-protect-wild-rice/480965491/ https://newsbits.mb.com.ph/2018/04/26/ph-agri-execs-to-attend-asean-agribiz-show/

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3.81pc agri growth highest in 13 years

Fawad Yousafzai April 27, 2018

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan achieved agriculture growth of 3.81 percent during fiscal 2017-18 which is highest growth in the past 13 years, revealed Pakistan Economic Survey.

The agriculture growth in 2017-18 was higher than the target of 3.5 percent and last year growth of 2.07 percent, Pakistan Economic Survey 2017-18 launched here said.

The cotton crop has share of 1.0 percent in GDP and contributes 5.5 percent in agriculture valueaddition. During 2017/18, cotton production was recorded at 11.935 million bales, registering 11.8 percent increase over the production of 10.67 million bales during 2016-17.

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Wheat is the leading food grain of Pakistan occupying the largest area under single crop. Wheat accounts for 9.1 percent of the value added in agriculture and 1.7 percent of GDP in Pakistan.

Wheat production during July-Feb (2017/18) stood at 25.49 million tons compared to 26.67 million tons in 2016/17, depicting 4.4pc decline.

Rice is an important food and cash crop and it accounts for 3.1 percent in the value added in agriculture and 0.6 percent of GDP. During 2017-18, rice production remained historically high 6.849 million against 6.849 million tons last year showing growth of 8.7pc.

During 2017-18, the production of sugarcane was at record high at 81.1 million tons against 75.48 million tons last year, showing increase of 7.4pc. Sugarcane crop accounts for 3.6 percent in agriculture‘s value-addition and 0.7 percent in overall GDP. Maize contributes 2.4 percent to the value added in agriculture and 0.5 percent to GDP. During 2017-18, its production stood at 5.7 million tons compared to the last year‘s production of 6.134 million tons, showing a decline of 7pc.

Livestock, contributing approximately 58.92 percent to the agriculture sector and 11.11pc in GDP, witnessed 3.76 percent growth compared to 2.99 percent during last year.

The growth in agriculture sector directly impacts the poverty situation in the country as mostly rural population is engaged with the sector and the high growth means reduction in poverty. https://nation.com.pk/27-Apr-2018/3-81pc-agri-growth-highest-in-13-years

Vietnam rice exports notch volatile in Q1 26.04.2018 | UkrAgroConsult Vietnam‘s rice exports faced an unpredictable first quarter this year, increasing in January, declining in February and recovering in March, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

An estimated 524,000 tonnes of rice were exported in January, with a total value of 249 million USD, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, representing a 49 percent rise in volume and 51.3 percent in value compared to December 2017. After declines in

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February, exports rose steeply in March, jumping 93.9 percent in volume and 100 percent in value to 338.44 million USD month-on-month. The rice export price also surged in March by 3.3 percent to 513.7 USD per tonne.

The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s overall rice exports in the first quarter of this year increased by 15.5 percent compared to the same period in 2017. The average rice export price in the first quarter of the current year rose by 14.2 percent year-on-year to 501 USD per tonne, reported cafef.vn.

The rice export price was higher against most export markets during the same period last year, with the highest price reaching 834.5 USD per tonne for rice exported to Chile, a year-onyear increase of 114 percent.

However, rice exports to this market fell sharply by 95 percent in volume and 90 percent in year-on-year value.China has remained the largest export market for Vietnamese rice, accounting for 27.7 percent of total volume during the first quarter of the current year.

During the first quarter of 2018, 40 percent of Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s major rice export markets saw a surge in terms of both volume and value, while 60 percent saw a reduction in rice exports.

Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s rice exports to Bangladesh increased 89 times in volume and 59 times in value. A similar but smaller-scale trend occurred in rice exports to Turkey, Iraq, Malaysia and France.

However, rice exports to markets such as Argentina, Chile, Ukraine, Angola, Singapore, South Africa and the Netherlands plunged between 60 to 95 percent in both volume and turnover over the same period last year.

According to experts, Vietnam will have greater opportunities when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) comes into effect, helping rice

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exporters increase exports to countries that joined the agreement and demand high quality and food safety standards, such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s structure for exporting rice products has shifted to reducing middle and lower quality rice products while increasing high quality rice products annually.

As a result, from the end of 2017 to the current period, Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s rice export prices have increased to 50 USD to 100 USD per tonne against its competitors, such as Thailand, Pakistan and India http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/vietnam-rice-exports-notchvolatile-in-q1

Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Manufacturing Analysis and Development Forecast 2025 April 27, 2018 - by sanket

Global Basmati Rice Market Research Report 2018 presents recently broadcasted a new study in its database that highlights the in-depth market analysis with future prospects of Basmati Rice market.

Also analyzing the market in terms of strengths and weakness, highlighting opportunities, and supporting strategic and skillful decision-making. Considering the rapidly-developing or growing and competitive environment, this report identifies that advanced marketing information is necessary to examine overall performance and make critical decisions in order to increase the growth and profitability.

Invant Research covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, industry executives and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges.

Also the Basmati Rice market report gives information on current trends and developments based on the analysis of the enabling technologies, market drivers, standardization, key trends, challenges, regulatory landscape, operator case studies, , future roadmap, , deployment models, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. It also focuses on markets and materials, capacities and technologies, and on the changing structure of the Basmati Rice. The report also presents forecasts for Basmati Rice investments from 2018 till 2025.

To Get a Copy of Sample Report: https://www.invantresearch.com/report-enquiry/14445

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Global Basmati Rice Market define Into Following Regions: United States EU Japan China India Southeast Asia Application Segmentation Of the Basmati Rice Market: Direct Edible Deep Processing Major Manufacturers Competing In The Industry Are:KRBL Limited Amira Nature Foods LT Foods Best Foods Kohinoor Rice Aeroplane Rice Tilda Basmati Rice Matco Foods Amar Singh Chawal Wala Hanuman Rice Mills Adani Wilmar HAS Rice Pakistan To Get Global Industry Overview Visit: https://www.invantresearch.com/basmati-rice-marketreport-by-company-regions-types-and-applications-global-status-and-forecast-to-2025-14445 Report covers a historical data of developments and amends within the policy analysis of the Global Basmati Rice Market in order to notify the implementation of futuristic agenda for Sustainable Development. It broadly focuses on the development trends as well as the global economy of the Basmati Rice Market. Customer analysis is aimed to be provided as a part of business strategy to explore the consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; most demanding purchase of particular product.

Major Table Of Contents: Chapter 1 Industry Overview Chapter 2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis Chapter 3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis Chapter 4 Global Overall Market Overview Chapter 5 Regional Market Analysis Chapter 6 and 7 Segment Market Analysis (by Type and Application) Chapter 8 Major Manufacturers Analysis Chapter 9 Development Trend of Analysis

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Chapter 10 Marketing Type Analysis Chapter 11 Consumers Analysis Chapter 12 Conclusion Invantresearch.com is the most comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We provide the current industry scenario, technical data, manufacturing plants, qualitative and quantitive analysis, also regional study, development trends and investment feasibility analysis of the competitors through our exclusive syndicated research. we offer customization services for the research reports through a close coordination with publishers to understand and fulfill your research requirements.

If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. Mail @ sales@invantresearch.com https://theanalystfinancial.com/319908/global-basmati-rice-market-2018-manufacturinganalysis-and-development-forecast-2025/

Ekiti Rice Farmers Get N80 Million Farm Inputs A massive rice farm in Nigeria The Ekiti Chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) says it has distributed farm inputs worth over N80 million as loans to 174 rice farmers in the state under the CBN Farmers Anchor Borrowers programme.Mr. Rotimi Kolawole, state coordinator of the association, said this on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti during a news conference.Kolawole, who said that the beneficiaries were currently cultivating 400 hectares of rice farms across the state, added that the farmers were expected to harvest over 1,600 tonnes this current farming season.

Expressing gratitude to the state government for its support, the coordinator attributed the thriving rice cultivation being witnessed in the state to availability of the loan facility.

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According to him, the second phase of the programme will commence immediately.

He added that interested farmers could still obtain expression of interest forms at any of the offices of the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in their locality.

In his remarks, Mr. Kehinde Odebunmi, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, charged the benefiting farmers to use the farm inputs judiciously.

He stressed that they must be conscious of their loans repayment plans and avoid unnecessary complication that might arise due to negligence.

The commissioner said that the state government would continue to support farming, adding that the focus was to guarantee food security and productively engage youths in the state.

Odebunmi assured that government would also continue to provide technical and extension services to the farmers towards achieving maximum yield possible and to also prevent misuse of inputs.

He noted that agriculture remained a veritable option to productively engage youths and consequently reduce the challenge of unemployment.

He added that the programme would encourage youthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; participation in commercial agriculture.

Inputs distributed to the farmers included sprayers, seeds, surface water pumps and accessories as well as herbicides and fertilizers, among others https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/04/26/ekiti-rice-farmers-get-n80-million-farm-inputs/ FEC approves establishment of 10 large rice mills Author: Oluwatobi Bolashodun A total of N10.7 billion has been approved by the federal government for the establishment of 10 new rice mills - The council also approved N68.6 billion for road projects across the country The 10 rice mills will be located across the six geopolitical zones including Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Kaduna, Niger, Ogun, Bauchi The Federal Executive Council

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(FEC) on Wednesday, April 25, approved N10.7 billion for the establishment of new 10 rice mills and N68.6 billion for road projects across the country.

This was disclosed by the ministers of state for agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri and that of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola after the councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Lokpobiri said that the council approved the 10 rice mills with the capacity to produce 100 tonnes per day, and the mills would be managed by private rice millers. READ ALSO: Former PDP national chairman defects to APC, to be received by Oyegun "Today the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of 10 very large rice mills to enhance the milling capacity of rice value chain in the country. "Few years ago it was reported that this country needs a minimum of 100 large rice mills.

As of today we have about 21 but Federal Government in its wisdom decided that today we should approve the establishment of 10 at the total cost of N10.7billion. "These would be given to the sector to manage which they will be pay back within a given timeframe as it would be agreed between the Bank of Agriculture and the Rice Millers," he said.

According to the minister, the mills will be located in Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Kaduna, Ogun, Niger and Bauchi states. According to him, the new approval is to accommodate the changing factors occurring on the project and also to modify the bitumen for the road in order to withstand the heavy vehicles passing through the road. "This covers Glover leaves, pedestrian bridges, toll plazas for that section so as to accommodate changing nature of that road since conception. So, many new structures, religious institutions, factories, universities and increased human activities that have come up along that road.

"The inherited design didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t provide for all these at all. The second section under RCC about 80 kilometres will come to Council to incorporate similar works including drainage works e.t.c when we finish procurement," he said. The minister also disclosed that N4.57 billion was approved for Sumaila-Falala-Birnin Bako-Bauchi road, linking Bauchi and Kano states.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s #1 news app According to an earlier report by NAIJ.com, the federal government of Nigeria revealed that the 14 new rice mills being planned to be completed in the country in no distant time will attract N250 billion worth of investments to the agriculture sector. The Punch had earlier reported that Thailand had commenced moves to establish rice mills in Nigeria following the over 90 percent reduction in the importation of the commodity from the country. Market Survey: : https://www.naija.ng/1165846-fec-approves-establishment-10-large-rice-mills.html#1165846

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