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

27th March,2018 th

27 March ,2018 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com High-yielding hybrid rice area to cross 50pc in three years March 27, 2018

Our Staff Reporter March 27, 2018

LAHORE - High yielding hybrid rice area is going to cross 50 per cent in three years from present 25 to 30 per cent paddy coverage, yielding additional two million tons output, said Shahzad Ali Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Guard Rice Research & Services Pvt Ltd at a function.

All efforts of introducing hybrid rice seed in Pakistan is being commanded by national seed companies mainly in collaboration of Chinese leader in research & development with 'Guard Agri' having the lion's share. Several multinational seed companies like, Monsanto, Pioneer, Syngenta and Bayer did try to introduce hybrid rice seed but failed to outperform national seed companies.

Their varieties were less rewarding for farmers due to lack of jump in production while seed cost was also high if compared with what local seed companies were offering, Shahzad Ali Malik said.

Malik, who is founding president of Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) and ex-presidents of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and LCCI, said that with untiring efforts of local scientists, the role of private sector in seed research and development is increasing day by day.

With doubling of hybrid rice seed coverage from present 25-30 per cent to over 50 per cent in next three years, national rice production is potentially expected to be increased by hefty two million tons. At present yield is 6.9 million ton from 2.79 million hactares. By doubling the area from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, the expected increase in yield will be around 2 million tons and total yield will be around 9 million tons, he explained.

In total rice hybridization, around 90 per cent area of long-grain paddy is in Sindh province while 10 per cent in South Punjab. As aromatic basmati rice is first choice for farmers in Punjab, coarse varieties area is still low.

However, with production of hybrid rice seed in central Punjab, paddy area in Punjab is likely to increase significantly in coming years, he observed.

The major factor behind success of national seed companies in large-scale acceptance of rice hybrid seed has been development of heat-resistance and drought-tolerant varieties, he said and adding multinational seed companies had varieties that could not perform well in harsh summer weather of Sindh and Southern Punjab.

Hence, Malik said, the long grain hybrid rice that substituted IRRI-6 in coastal belt and central Sindh is a major success as its export market is rapidly evolving in the favour of farmers and exporters.

The higher yield and lower production give a premium to farmers, considerably changing their socio economic conditions.

Consequently, our long grain rice is gaining grounds globally with much ease by competing major producers and exporters countries of the world like Vietnam and Thailand. It is pertinent to mention here that Shahzad Ali Malik is one of the most prominent entrepreneurs who spearhead private sector research and development (R&D) in agriculture.

His company has emerged as a leader in demand-driven research in agriculture, challenging the monopoly of public sector institutions and multinationals.

With great passion to increase productivity of farming sector, Shahzad Ali Malik is actively striving to achieve food security in his untiring efforts spanning over past 25 years. He successfully pioneered the introduction of hybrid rice seed in Pakistan with collaboration of Chinese scientists https://nation.com.pk/27-Mar-2018/high-yielding-hybrid-rice-area-to-cross-50pc-in-three-years

Rice Huller (Rice Husker) Market Growth Factors, Technical Reviews 2018 to 2022

POSTED ONMARCH 26, 2018 BY WAXVONXZ

Rice Huller (Rice Husker) Market Global Outlook report covers forecast and analysis for the market on a global and regional level.The study provides historic data of 2011-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market on a global level.

A rice huller or rice husker is an agricultural machine used to automate the process of removing the chaff (the outer husks) of grains of rice. Throughout history, there have been numerous techniques to hull rice. Traditionally, it would be pounded using some form of mortar and pestle.

An early simple machine to do this is a rice pounder. Later even more efficient machinery was developed to hull and polish rice. These machines are most widely developed and used throughout Asia where the most popular type is the Engelberg huller designed by German Brazilian engineer Evaristo Conrado Engelberg in Brazil and first patented in 1885.

The Engelberg huller uses steel rollers to remove the husk. Other types of huller include the disk or cono huller which uses an abrasive rotating disk to first remove the husk before passing the grain to conical rollers which polish it, this is done repeatedly since other sides of circular side of rice are nut husked. Rubber rollers may be used to reduce the amount of breakage of the grains, so increasing the yield of the best quality head rice, but the rubber rollers tend to require frequent replacement, which can be a significant drawback.

The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.

Inquire/Sample at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/04106776/rice-huller-ricehusker-market-global-outlook-2017-to-2022/inquiry Rice Huller (Rice Husker) is made up of sand, natural products and clays and once it has been moulded into shape they are then fired in a kiln. It may be glazed or unglazed.

The major players in the global Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market are Buhler (Switzerland), Satake (Japan), Yanmar (Japan), Sangati Berga (Brazil), Chopra Machines (India), Zhancheng Machinery (China), Zhejiang QiLi (China), Huanqiu (China), Chenzhou Grain & Oil Machinery (China), Yongxiang (China), BiShan Machinery (China) etc.

This report provides detailed analysis of worldwide markets for Rice Huller (Rice Husker) from 2011-2016, and provides extensive market forecasts (2016-2021) by region/country and subsectors. It covers the volumes, prices, historical growth and future perspectives in the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market and further lays out an analysis of the factors influencing the supply/demand for Rice Huller (Rice Husker), and the opportunities/challenges faced by industry participants. It also acts as an essential tool to companies active across the value chain and to the new entrants by enabling them to capitalize the opportunities and develop business strategies.

The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market collected from specialized sources. The report covers key technological developments in the recent times and profiles leading players in the market and analyzes their key strategies All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market.

Browse Full Report @: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/04106775/Rice Huller (Rice Husker)-market-global-outlook-2017-to-2022 This independent 95 pages report guarantees you will remain better informed than your competition. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Rest of World. In this sector, global competitive landscape and supply/demand pattern of Rice Huller (Rice Husker) industry has been provided.

Key Questions Answered in this Report       

What will be the market size and the growth rate in 2022?

What are the key factors driving the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market?

Who are the key market players and what are their strategies in the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market?

What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market?

What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth?

What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market?

What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Rice Huller (Rice Husker) market?

Report Coverage 

Provides comprehensive understanding of the market with the help of informed market outlook, opportunities, challenges, trends, size and growth, competitive analysis, major competitors and Porter analysis.

   

Identifies the key drivers of growth and challenges of the key industry players. Also, assesses the future impact of the propellants and restraints on the market.

Uncovers potential demands in the market.

Porter analysis identifies competitive forces within the market.

Provides information on the historical and current market size and the future potential of the market.

About Us: MarketInsightsReports provides syndicated market research reports to industries, organizations or even individuals with an aim of helping them in their decision making process. These reports include in-depth market research studies i.e. market share analysis, industry analysis, information on products, countries, market size, trends, business research details and much more. MarketInsightsReports provides global and regional market intelligence coverage, a 360-degree market view which includes statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. +1 (704) 266-3234 | sales@marketinsightsreports.com Connect With us On: https://www.linkedin.com/company/13411016/ https://www.facebook.com/marketinsightsreports/ https://twitter.com/MIRresearch

http://www.belairdaily.com/rice-huller-rice-husker-marketgrowth-factors-technical-reviews-2018-to-2022/ Breakthrough in battle against rice blast Date: March 26, 2018 Source: University of Exeter Summary: Scientists have found a way to stop the spread of rice blast, a fungus that destroys up to 30% of the world's rice crop each year.

Scientists have found a way to stop the spread of rice blast, a fungus that destroys up to 30% of the world's rice crop each year.

An international team led by the University of Exeter showed that chemical genetic inhibition of a single protein in the fungus stops it spreading inside a rice leaf -- leaving it trapped within a single plant cell.

The finding is a breakthrough in terms of understanding rice blast, a disease that is hugely important in terms of global food security.

However, the scientists caution that this is a "fundamental" discovery -- not a cure that can yet be applied outside the laboratory.

The research revealed how the fungus can manipulate and then squeeze through natural channels (called plasmodesmata) that exist between plant cells.

"This is an exciting breakthrough because we have discovered how the fungus is able to move stealthily between rice cells, evading recognition by the plant immune system," said senior author Professor Nick Talbot FRS, of the University of Exeter.

"It is clearly able to suppress immune responses at pit fields (groups of plasmodesmata), and also regulate its own severe constriction to squeeze itself through such a narrow space.

"And all this is achieved by a single regulatory protein. It's a remarkable feat."

Rice blast threatens global food security, destroying enough rice each year to feed 60 million people.

It spreads within rice plants by invasive hyphae (branching filaments) which break through from cell to cell.

In their bid to understand this process, the researchers used chemical genetics to mutate a signalling protein to make it susceptible to a specific drug.

The protein, PMK1, is responsible for suppressing the rice's immunity and allowing the fungus to squeeze through pit fields -- so, by inhibiting it, the researchers were able to trap the fungus within a cell.

This level of precision led the team to discover that just one enzyme, called a MAP kinase, was responsible for regulating the invasive growth of rice blast.

The research team hope this discovery will enable them to identify targets of this enzyme and thereby determine the molecular basis of this devastating disease.

The research was led by Dr Wasin Sakulkoo, who recently received his PhD from Exeter.

Dr Sakulkoo is a Halpin Scholar, a programme initiated by the generosity of Exeter alumni Les and Claire Halpin, which funds students from rice-growing regions of the world to study with Professor Talbot's research group.

Dr Sakulkoo is from Thailand, and has returned home to a new position in industry following graduation.

Story Source: Materials provided by University of Exeter. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference: 1. Wasin Sakulkoo, Miriam OsĂŠs-Ruiz, Ely Oliveira Garcia, Darren M. Soanes, George R. Littlejohn, Christian Hacker, Ana Correia, Barbara Valent, Nicholas J. Talbot. A single fungal MAP kinase controls plant cell-tocell invasion by the rice blast fungus. Science, 2018; 359 (6382): 1399 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaq0892 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326090321.htm

Scientists make breakthrough in the battle against rice fungus

Rice blast destroys enough of the crop each year to feed 60 million people.

26 March, 2018 11:07

Scientists have discovered a way to stop the spread of a fungus that destroys up to 30% of the world‘s rice crop each year.

An international team led by the University of Exeter showed that a chemical inhibition of a single protein in a fungus called rice blast prevents it from spreading inside a rice leaf – instead leaving it trapped within a single plant cell.

The researchers say their finding is a breakthrough in terms of understanding the disease, but is not yet a cure that can be applied outside the laboratory.

Their work showed how the fungus can manipulate and squeeze through natural channels, called plasmodesmata, that exists between plant cells.

Professor Nick Talbot, of the University of Exeter, said: ―This is an exciting breakthrough because we have discovered how the fungus is able to move

stealthily between rice cells, evading recognition by the plant immune system. ―It is clearly able to suppress immune responses at pit fields (groups of plasmodesmata), and also regulate its own severe constriction to squeeze itself through such a narrow space. ―And all this is achieved by a single regulatory protein. It‘s a remarkable feat.‖ Rice blast destroys enough of the crop each year to feed 60 million people, the researchers say.

The researchers used chemical genetics to mutate a signalling protein to make it susceptible to a specific drug.

This protein, PMK1, is responsible for suppressing the rice‘s immunity and allowing the fungus to squeeze through pit fields. By inhibiting it, the researchers were able to trap the fungus within a cell.

They found that just one enzyme, called a MAP kinase, was responsible for regulating the invasive growth of rice blast.

The research was published in the journal Science. https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/science/2018/03/26/news/scientists-make-breakthrough-in-thebattle-against-rice-fungus-1287866/

High-yielding hybrid rice area to cross 50pc in three years March 27, 2018

Our Staff Reporter March 27, 2018 LAHORE - High yielding hybrid rice area is going to cross 50 per cent in three years from present 25 to 30 per cent paddy coverage, yielding additional two million tons output, said Shahzad Ali Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Guard Rice Research & Services Pvt Ltd at a function.

All efforts of introducing hybrid rice seed in Pakistan is being commanded by national seed companies mainly in collaboration of Chinese leader in research & development with 'Guard Agri' having the lion's share. Several multinational seed companies like, Monsanto, Pioneer, Syngenta and Bayer did try to introduce hybrid rice seed but failed to outperform national seed companies.

Their varieties were less rewarding for farmers due to lack of jump in production while seed cost was also high if compared with what local seed companies were offering, Shahzad Ali Malik said.

Malik, who is founding president of Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) and ex-presidents of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and LCCI, said that with untiring efforts of local scientists, the role of private sector in seed research and development is increasing day by day.

With doubling of hybrid rice seed coverage from present 25-30 per cent to over 50 per cent in next three years, national rice production is potentially expected to be increased by hefty two million tons. At present yield is 6.9 million ton from 2.79 million hactares. By doubling the area from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, the expected increase in yield will be around 2 million tons and total yield will be around 9 million tons, he explained.

In total rice hybridization, around 90 per cent area of long-grain paddy is in Sindh province while 10 per cent in South Punjab. As aromatic basmati rice is first choice for farmers in Punjab, coarse varieties area is still low.

However, with production of hybrid rice seed in central Punjab, paddy area in Punjab is likely to increase significantly in coming years, he observed.

The major factor behind success of national seed companies in large-scale acceptance of rice hybrid seed has been development of heat-resistance and drought-tolerant varieties, he said and adding multinational seed companies had varieties that could not perform well in harsh summer weather of Sindh and Southern Punjab.

Hence, Malik said, the long grain hybrid rice that substituted IRRI-6 in coastal belt and central Sindh is a major success as its export market is rapidly evolving in the favour of farmers and exporters.

The higher yield and lower production give a premium to farmers, considerably changing their socio economic conditions.

Consequently, our long grain rice is gaining grounds globally with much ease by competing major producers and exporters countries of the world like Vietnam and Thailand. It is pertinent to mention here that Shahzad Ali Malik is one of the most prominent entrepreneurs who spearhead private sector research and development (R&D) in agriculture.

His company has emerged as a leader in demand-driven research in agriculture, challenging the monopoly of public sector institutions and multinationals.

With great passion to increase productivity of farming sector, Shahzad Ali Malik is actively striving to achieve food security in his untiring efforts spanning over past 25 years. He successfully pioneered the introduction of hybrid rice seed in Pakistan with collaboration of Chinese scientists. https://nation.com.pk/27-Mar-2018/high-yieldinghybrid-rice-area-to-cross-50pc-in-three-years

Global Rice Transplanter Machines Market 2018 By Players – Iseki, Kubota, Yanmar, Dongfeng Agricultural Machinery March 26, 2018The report on Global Rice Transplanter Machines Market offers key insights for the overall industry with market evaluation and dimensions for the duration of 2017 to 2025. The market providers compete on the basis of innovation, reputation, pricing, service, promotion and distribution.

The report gives a thorough and in-depth study existing competitive landscape for the Global Rice Transplanter Machines Market along with the presentation of insights into the financial status, acquisitions and mergers, SWOT analysis and company profiles.

Get Free Sample Report @ https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/194996/request-sample The report highlights a clear idea for the readers about entire market scenario to decide on this project further in the market. The global Rice Transplanter Machines market has been accounted on the basis of types for the shares of the largest market in previous years, which are supposed to continue influencing the industry with crossing the forecasted period as well.

The growth can also be granted to signal clarity, if compared with the noise performance of better phase. The Rice Transplanter Machines market is expected for holding the major portion of market among all other applications and also part-in to grow up the Compounded Annual Growth Rate(CAGR) within the forecast period. The growth rate majorly depends on the augmented use of the various networks of telecommunication as well as constant technological evolution in this sector.

The report also represents the data based on the recent developed key players along with their product picture and price. The financial and business overviews of industry have also been given in the report. The report reflects more helpful information for both, the new entrants as well as the established ones in the Global Rice Transplanter Machines Market.

To Get More Details @ https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-rice-transplanter-machinesmarket-research-report-2018-194996.html The report mainly helps to understand and learn the most restraining and affecting driving forces of Rice Transplanter Machines market with predicting the impacts on the global market. The market strategies have been made understandable which are adopted by the prominent respective organization to lighten the prospects and future outlook of the Rice Transplanter Machines market.

Table of Content: 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Synopsis 4. Industry Trends 5. Market Analysis by Manufacturer 6. Market Analysis by Type 7. Market Analysis by Application 8. Geographic Market Analysis 9. Manufacturing Cost Analysis 10. Competitive Landscape 11. Major Company Profiles 12. Effect Factors Analysis 13. Market Forecast (2017-2022) 14. Research Findings and Conclusion and Appendix If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. http://hightechcaller.com/2018/03/global-rice-transplanter-machines-market-2018-players-iseki-kubotayanmar-dongfeng-agricultural-machinery/

New way to stop spread of rice blast disease found

PTI MARCH 26, 2018 18:14 IST

Rice blast threatens global food security, destroying enough rice each year to feed 60 million people. | Photo Credit: Johney Thomas

The study revealed how the fungus was able to squeeze through channels between plant cells In a breakthrough, scientists have found a way to stop the spread of rice blast, a fungus that destroys up to 30 per cent of the world‘s rice crop each year.

An international team led by the University of Exeter in the UK showed that chemical genetic inhibition of a single protein in the fungus stops it from spreading inside a rice leaf – leaving it trapped within a single plant cell.

The finding is a breakthrough in terms of understanding rice blast, a diseasethat is hugely important in terms of global food security, researchers

said. However, the scientists caution that this is a ―fundamental‖ discovery – not a cure that can yet be applied outside the laboratory.

Escape plant immune system The research led by Wasin Sakulkoo, revealed how the fungus can manipulate and then squeeze through natural channels (called plasmodesmata) that exist between plant cells. ―This is an exciting breakthrough because we have discovered how the fungus is able to move stealthily between rice cells, evading recognition by the plant immune system,‖ said Professor Nick Talbot of the University of Exeter. ―It is clearly able to suppress immune responses at pit fields (groups of plasmodesmata), and also regulate its own severe constriction to squeeze itself through such a narrow space. And all this is achieved by a single regulatory protein. It is a remarkable feat.‖ The results were published in the journal Science.

Genetic analysis Rice blast threatens global food security, destroying enough rice each year to feed 60 million people. It spreads within rice plants by invasive hyphae (branching filaments) which break through from cell to cell.

In their bid to understand this process, the researchers used chemical genetics to mutate a signalling protein to make it susceptible to a specific drug. The protein, PMK1, is responsible for suppressing the rice‘s immunity and allowing the fungus to squeeze through pit fields - so, by inhibiting it, the researchers were able to trap the fungus within a cell.

This level of precision led the team to discover that just one enzyme, called a MAP kinase, was responsible for regulating the invasive growth of rice blast.

The research team hopes this discovery will enable them to identify targets of

this enzyme and thereby determine the molecular basis of this devastating disease.

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/new-way-to-stop-spread-ofrice-blast-disease-found/article23356331.ece

Indigenous effort: With hybrid seeds, rice output can rise 2 million tons

By Our Correspondent Published: March 27, 2018

Area planted with such seeds to cross 50% in next three years PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: High-yielding hybrid rice is going to cross 50% of the total area

planted with paddy in the next three years from the current range of 25% to 30%, which will increase the output by 2 million tons, said Guard Rice Research and Services CEO Shahzad Ali Malik.

Plantation of hybrid rice seeds in Pakistan is being spearheaded by national seed companies, mainly in collaboration with Chinese firm Guard Agri.

Several multinational seed companies like Monsanto, Pioneer, Syngenta and Bayer did try to introduce hybrid rice seeds, but failed to outperform the national seed companies, Malik claimed.

Their varieties were less rewarding for the farmers due to insignificant increase in production while seed cost was high compared to what local seed companies were offering, he said while speaking to members of the

Agriculture Journalists Association after the oath-taking ceremony of a new body.

Malik, who was founding president of the Seed Association of Pakistan and ex-president of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, said with efforts of local scientists, the role of private sector in seed research and development was growing day by day. ―With the doubling of hybrid rice seed coverage from the present 25-30% to over 50% in the next three years, national rice production is expected to

increase by 2 million tons,‖ he emphasised, adding that overall production would go up from the current 6.9 million tons to 9 million tons.

In hybrid rice, around 90% of the area planted with the long-grain seed lies in Sindh while the remaining 10% is cultivated in south Punjab.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1669943/2-indigenous-efforthybrid-seeds-rice-output-can-rise-2-million-tons/esearch

sheds new light on improving rice yields March 26, 2018, University of Nottingham

Credit: University of Nottingham

Light is essential for plant growth but getting the right amount for crops out in the field at the mercy of the climate is very difficult, now plant scientists have found a way to tackle this with the help of a protein that allows rice crops to regulate the amount of light they can safely use.

The research published in Communications Biology is the first to investigate high light regulation, known as photoprotection with a major food crop plant and shows that increasing amounts of a specific protein (PsbS) allows the plant to effectively regulate its intake of light energy into photosynthesis. This gives an effective way to sustainably increase grain yield and production, a discovery that could have a significant impact on global food security.

Balancing light intake Plants need sunlight to survive and grow. However, just like humans they can receive too much light and also like humans they take steps to defend themselves. This is a problem for photosynthesis, - the process a plant uses to convert light energy into growth—which constantly needs to balance the harvesting of sunlight by chlorophyll with defensive mechanisms to prevent damage in high light.

The problem for plants that are rooted to the spot is that when light levels change they cannot move themselves in and out of sunlight so they have evolved a mechanism that senses when light is too high. They switch on a molecular valve that removes (or dissipates) energy harmlessly, they then rapidly switch this valve off when the light level falls again. This process causes energy to be lost from plants which reduces the photosynthesis rate and affects growth.

To combat this loss in energy the research team used a known regulator of photoprotection, a protein called PsbS to test how it affects crop yield in rice. They grew rice in simulated field conditions in glasshouses and also in specially designed LED light chambers and found that introducing higher levels of the protein PsbS resulted in greater photoprotection, greater light use efficiency and greater grain yield.

New targets for plant breeders Dr. Erik Murchie is Associate Professor of Crop Science and is part of the Agriculture and Food Security research team and led the study along with Research Fellow Dr. Stella Hubbart Edwards. The team is looking for ways to enable increased production of high-quality, nutrientrich food in a way which is sustainable and secure.

Dr. Murchie said: "Rice is hugely important for global food security, being consumed by around half the world's population on a daily basis who rely on it as an important source of calories. It has particular significance in many developing countries and has been described as the world's most essential crop. When we improve basic plant physiology, as we show here, we will automatically provide a sustainable means to increase yield in any crop species because no further inputs of fertiliser or water are necessary.

Our work follows findings in model species to show that a substantial step change in crop yield is possible with such approaches and we provide exciting new targets for plant breeders and we are already working with globally important research institutes to achieve this."

https://phys.org/news/2018-03-rice-yields.html

Govt to empower 10,000 rice, cassava farmers with N2.5bn Published March 27, 2018

Ifeanyi Onuba, Abuja The Federal Government has entered into an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme to commit a total of $8.06m

(N2.45bn) to boost agricultural output along the rice and cassava value chain.

The deal for the funding was sealed between the Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the UNDP. The Managing Director, NIRSAL, Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed, said the programme would be implemented through the Nigerian Agribusiness Supplier Development Project.

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, he said that the focus of the NASDP was to eliminate supply chain bottlenecks in the rice and cassava value chains through improved linkages between production and processing actors.

Out of the total $8.06m, Abdulhameed stated that NIRSAL would provide the sum of $1,558,500 which is approximately 20 per cent of the entire funding requirement, to implement the project.

Out of NIRSAL‘s contribution, he added that the sum of $558,500 would be utilised under its technical assistance pillar for capacity building of the beneficiaries.

The balance of $1m, Abdulhameed stated, would be used as nonexpendable credit that could be applied under the Central Bank of Nigeria‘s Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme and other financing interventions.

He said since the current drive of the Federal Government had brought agricultural development to the fore, with major focus on rice and cassava in this case, the NASDP would be a critical vehicle to support the development of these two commodities.

Abdulhameed explained that the implementation of the programme would lead to an increase in the supply of agricultural products by farmers, particularly in the rice and cassava value chains, reduce transportation and inventory costs, and improve access to growing markets that were provided by structured off-takers.

He added that the NASDP would also provide off-takers with efficient and high-quality local agricultural raw materials; contribute to the development of African economies through increased job creation, foreign direct investment; and enhanced government income through taxation by developing agricultural products that could substitute imports and create access to export markets.

He said, ―It is our vision that the successful implementation of this project will increase agricultural productivity, boost our Gross Domestic Product and in turn improve the standard of living of the average Nigerian. ―This project will directly impact over 10,000 smallholder farmers, and over 50,000 lives annually and consolidate capacity of processors across Nigeria through a better and structured logistics arrangement with primary producers.‖ Copyright PUNCH.

http://punchng.com/govt-to-empower-10000-rice-cassava-farmers-with-n2-5bn/

Rice tariff regime to cut farmers’ income By: Karl Ocampo- @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:02 AM March 27, 2018

(Last of two parts) Other groups such as the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) and Bantay Bigas have been asking the government to heed the plea of farmers to increase the National Food Authority‘s buying price for palay and give the agency the power to subsidize production through mechanization to lower farmers‘ production cost.

Latest data from the PSA showed that production cost per hectare last year rose by 2.08 percent to P47,625 from P46,655 in 2016, while farmers‘ net income dropped by 5 percent to P19,811 from P20,897.

This was especially crucial with the onset of the rice tariff regime, which, according to Rodriguez, would not depress rice prices, as what economic managers claimed, but would only worsen the condition of farmers.

Under the rice tariff regime, the quantitative restrictions that put a cap on the volume of rice to be imported would be removed to encourage competition. Studies showed that with stiffer competition, rice prices were bound to go down by as much as P7 a kilo.

The QR was meant to protect local rice producers from being stifled by competition in the market, but industry groups argued that the government must provide financial support for the sector first before the removal of import curbs. ―They [economic managers] apply the law of supply and demand because they don‘t know what‘s happening on the ground. There are enough players in the industry already. Go to Quiapo or Divisoria or anywhere where competition for goods is intense.

These traders agree on a common price so they don‘t have to lower their prices,‖ Rodriguez claimed. ―It seems this government is already hopeless. They look at rice as rice, as a commodity. But this is the life of farmers,‖ Rodriguez alleged. ―The NFA, if the government really wants to help, should be used as an avenue for subsidies.‖ Conflicting mandate During the latest Senate hearing on the NFA, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the inefficiency of the agency stemmed from its conflicting mandate of being a player and a regulator of the rice industry at the same time.

While it was expected to stabilize the supply and price of grains, it was also expected to earn from its activities to pay debts and maintain operations as a government-ownedand-controlled corporation (GOCC).

In a report, Castelo noted how this was inconsistent with Section 2 of the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, where it was stated that there must be a ―clear separation between the regulatory and proprietary activities of GOCCs in order to achieve a level playing field with corporations in the private sector performing similar commercial activities for the public.‖ Villar speculated that despite claims from the DA that the country was experiencing record harvest for palay, the agency preferred to import rice than procure locally for the profit.

Since 2000 until last year, NFA‘s average share on palay procurement was only 1.89 percent despite its mandate to procure at least 10 percent of the country‘s total palay production.

Records from NFA also showed that it never reached its procurement targets except in 2008 and 2015 when there was an alleged food crisis and a severe El Niño dry spell that hit the country.

Moreover, it incurred huge debts from its activities. The NFA racked up a massive debt load during the Arroyo administration largely due to its efforts to keep both farmers and consumers content by subsidizing both the farm gate and market prices of rice. ―NFA‘s net worth is at (negative) P150 billion by the end of 2017,‖ said economist and PIDS (Philippine Institute for Development Studies) researcher Roehlano Briones, one of the resource persons during the hearing. ―There is really a need to reform, not abolish, the NFA under the rice tariff regime.‖ Decoupling Neda recommended the transfer of the regulatory function of the NFA to another agency such as the DA or in an agency that did not aim to profit.

This, it said, was the only way to make the NFA work. ―Our recommendation is to decouple the NFA‘s proprietary and regulatory function, given that it is currently operating as a GOCC,‖ said Castelo. ―The NFA should just focus on maintaining a suitable level of buffer‖ for emergencies.

But in a position paper the NFA submitted to the Senate, it said it would like to retain its regulatory function.

It added that buffer stocking for food security, calamity, the marginalized sector and trade must still be the responsibility of the agency, but it did not elaborate.

The House and the Senate are expected to continue hearing this case called the NFA, but until the agency and its council agree on an action plan, rice prices are expected to continue increasing.

The clock continues to tick as the grains agency has estimated that under a status quo, its warehouses will be empty on or before the end of this month. http://business.inquirer.net/248306/rice-tariff-regime-cut-farmersincome| inquirerdotnet on Facebook

In Louisiana with the Rice Leadership Class, Session One

By Bruce Schultz CROWLEY, LA -- The Rice Leadership Development Program toured the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station and visited a crawfish farming operation on March 22.

The group was treated to crawfish at the farm of Christian and Julie Richard the previous night.

Steve Linscombe, who retired last year as the Rice Research Station director, is director of the Rice Leadership Program and The Rice Foundation, a job previously held by Chuck Wilson, of Arkansas.

At the station, the group learned about the ongoing research activities conducted there. One of the presentations was made by a member of the leadership class, Adam Famoso, a rice breeder at the station.

The group toured the Crowley plant of JohnPac, which makes woven bags for rice and other products worldwide, and rode on a crawfish boat at the Zaunbrecher Brothers Farm near Rayne.

"It's been a great experience to see the different practices at the station," said Zach Urrutia, of Maxwell, California. He works for California Family Foods, and his family has a rice farm.

After riding on one of the Zaunbrechers' crawfish boats, Urrutia was fascinated by crawfish farming. "It's a completely foreign world to us," he said. "I don't know why we don't do this in California."

One member of the class, Matthew Sligar, a rice farmer from Gridley, California, is making videos of the tours for YouTube and his website, ricefarmingtv.com.

It was his first time to eat crawfish, and he was taken by surprise after Linscombe had told them they would be going to a crawfish boil where Cajun music would be played. "I thought he was saying a ball, like a dance," Sligar said.

One of the benefits of being a member of the leadership class has been the friendships that will be made. "We're becoming a pretty tight-knit group going through all these things," Sligar said.

Other members of the class are Brad Doyle, of Weiner, AR; Brian McKenzie, of Plumas Lake, CA; Scott Savage, of Bay City, TX; and Zach Worrell, of Hornersville, MO.

After the visit to the Zaunbrecher farm, the next stop was a grain-loading facility south of New Orleans.

The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication training.

John Deere Company, RiceTec Inc., and American Commodity Company are sponsors of the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. USA Rice manages the program.

[The class also traveled to Texas and visited a comprehensive group of rice industry operators, including Rivianna Foods, RiceTec, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Hlavinka Equipment Company, Rice Belt Warehouse, Doguet's Rice Mill, and Linda and LG Raun's rice farm in Wharton County.]

LSU AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso (far left) shows fellow class members how he uses greenhouses to help select rice lines for genetic traits.

In Louisiana with the Rice Leadership Class, Session One

By Bruce Schultz CROWLEY, LA -- The Rice Leadership Development Program toured the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station and visited a crawfish farming operation on March 22.

The group was treated to crawfish at the farm of Christian and Julie Richard the previous night.

Steve Linscombe, who retired last year as the Rice Research Station director, is director of the Rice Leadership Program and The Rice Foundation, a job previously held by Chuck Wilson, of Arkansas.

At the station, the group learned about the ongoing research activities conducted there. One of the presentations was made by a member of the leadership class, Adam Famoso, a rice breeder at the station.

The group toured the Crowley plant of JohnPac, which makes woven bags for rice and other products worldwide, and rode on a crawfish boat at the Zaunbrecher Brothers Farm near Rayne.

"It's been a great experience to see the different practices at the station," said Zach Urrutia, of Maxwell, California. He works for California Family Foods, and his family has a rice farm.

After riding on one of the Zaunbrechers' crawfish boats, Urrutia was fascinated by crawfish farming. "It's a completely foreign world to us," he said. "I don't know why we don't do this in California."

One member of the class, Matthew Sligar, a rice farmer from Gridley, California, is making videos of the tours for YouTube and his website, ricefarmingtv.com.

It was his first time to eat crawfish, and he was taken by surprise after Linscombe had told them they would be going to a crawfish boil where Cajun music would be played. "I thought he was saying a ball, like a dance," Sligar said.

One of the benefits of being a member of the leadership class has been the friendships that will be made. "We're becoming a pretty tight-knit group going through all these things," Sligar said.

Other members of the class are Brad Doyle, of Weiner, AR; Brian McKenzie, of Plumas Lake, CA; Scott Savage, of Bay City, TX; and Zach Worrell, of Hornersville, MO. After the visit to the Zaunbrecher farm, the next stop was a grain-loading facility south of New Orleans.

The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication training.

John Deere Company, RiceTec Inc., and American Commodity Company are sponsors of the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. USA Rice manages the program.

[The class also traveled to Texas and visited a comprehensive group of rice industry operators, including Rivianna Foods, RiceTec, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Hlavinka Equipment Company, Rice Belt Warehouse, Doguet's Rice Mill, and Linda and LG Raun's rice farm in Wharton County.]

LSU AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso (far left) shows fellow class members how he uses greenhouses to help select rice lines for genetic traits.

In Louisiana with the Rice Leadership Class, Session One

By Bruce Schultz

CROWLEY, LA -- The Rice Leadership Development Program toured the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station and visited a crawfish farming operation on March 22.

The group was treated to crawfish at the farm of Christian and Julie Richard the previous night.

Steve Linscombe, who retired last year as the Rice Research Station director, is director of the Rice Leadership Program and The Rice Foundation, a job previously held by Chuck Wilson, of Arkansas.

At the station, the group learned about the ongoing research activities conducted there. One of the presentations was made by a member of the leadership class, Adam Famoso, a rice breeder at the station.

The group toured the Crowley plant of JohnPac, which makes woven bags for rice and other products worldwide, and rode on a crawfish boat at the Zaunbrecher Brothers Farm near Rayne.

"It's been a great experience to see the different practices at the station," said Zach Urrutia, of Maxwell, California. He works for California Family Foods, and his family has a rice farm.

After riding on one of the Zaunbrechers' crawfish boats, Urrutia was fascinated by crawfish farming. "It's a completely foreign world to us," he said. "I don't know why we don't do this in California."

One member of the class, Matthew Sligar, a rice farmer from Gridley, California, is making videos of the tours for YouTube and his website, ricefarmingtv.com.

It was his first time to eat crawfish, and he was taken by surprise after Linscombe had told them they would be going to a crawfish boil where Cajun music would be played. "I thought he was saying a ball, like a dance," Sligar said.

One of the benefits of being a member of the leadership class has been the friendships that will be made.

"We're becoming a pretty tight-knit group going through all these things," Sligar said.

Other members of the class are Brad Doyle, of Weiner, AR; Brian McKenzie, of Plumas Lake, CA; Scott Savage, of Bay City, TX; and Zach Worrell, of Hornersville, MO.

After the visit to the Zaunbrecher farm, the next stop was a grain-loading facility south of New Orleans.

The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication training.

John Deere Company, RiceTec Inc., and American Commodity Company are sponsors of the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. USA Rice manages the program.

[The class also traveled to Texas and visited a comprehensive group of rice industry operators, including Rivianna Foods, RiceTec, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Hlavinka Equipment Company, Rice Belt Warehouse, Doguet's Rice Mill, and Linda and LG Raun's rice farm in Wharton County.]

Traders should not be allowed to import rice–solon 26.03.2018

| UkrAgroConsult A vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations on Sunday backed the recent directive of Malacañang for the National Food Authority (NFA) to speed up the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice.

Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr. of the Second District of Camarines Sur said the Palace has recently directed the NFA Council (NFAC) to fast-track rice imports, along with a crackdown on erring employees possibly in cahoots with unscrupulous grains businessmen. ―The President‘s order to speed up rice imports should give all the more reason to the NFAC to reverse its longstanding policy of allowing private traders to import rice in favor of giving back to the NFA 100-percent control over all overseas purchases of the staple,‖ Villafuerte said in a statement. ―While the NFA can do the job of importing rice better and faster, it must also watch out for some scalawags in its ranks who sell NFA rice to traders, as this will defeat the purpose of stabilizing prices in the market,‖ he added.

Villafuerte, citing Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, said President Duterte issued the order to the NFA to expedite rice imports during a recent NFAC meeting and told the Cabinet he did not want a repeat of the 2008 rice crisis.

Full

control

Villafuerte also said the NFA should regain full control over rice imports, considering that certain

unscrupulous grains traders have cashed in on the current system to corner the bulk of domestic supply and unduly jack up prices of this staple at the expense of ordinary Filipinos.

The lawmaker called on the NFAC to reverse its policy of letting private grains businessmen import rice through the NFA, following an earlier appeal by NFA Administrator Jason Aquino to farmers to sell part of their harvests to the food agency so it could replenish its stocks.

Amid the current ―artificial‖ supply problem, Villafuerte said the council should also consider setting up a separate body to monitor the supply and prices of rice, with the end goal of imposing a price ceiling once retail prices spiral out of control—in the same way that the government exercise regulatory control over vital services like electricity for the protection of consumers. ―We need to fix the existing system to shield both farmers and consumers from the shady practices of private traders that have left the NFA helpless in carrying out its primary task of ensuring the stability of the price and supply of rice in the market,‖ Villafuerte added.

Under the current system, the NFA has the sole authority to import rice, but the NFAC allows private traders to similarly purchase stocks from abroad through the NFA. He also said the rule of thumb is that palay bought from farmers should only have a 100-percent markup once milled and sold as rice in retail outlets. ―At the current average farm-gate buying price of P20 per kilogram of palay, regular-milled rice should be sold at around P40 per kg only,‖ he said. ―But right now you can see that regular-milled and commercial rice sells for around P43 per kg to P50 per kg in retail outlets.‖ Under its food-security and price-stabilization mandate, the NFA needs to have a strategic rice reserve equivalent to 15 days‘ national consumption and a higher 30-day buffet stock during the traditional lean months of July to September.

P50-million

fine

Meanwhile, Rep. Manuel Luis T. Lopez of the First District of Manila filed House Bill 7417, or the Rice Security and Stability Act of 2018, which seeks to impose a P50-million fine and an imprisonment of 12 years against those who will be found guilty of hoarding, profiteering and engaging in cartel operations and price manipulation of rice in the country.

Lopez said the passage of this measure seeks to identify the responsibility and accountability of businessmen who are found guilty of committing any of the ―prohibited acts inimical to the interests of Filipinos, most especially the poor.‖ The bill qualifies hoarding as the undue accumulation by a person or combination of persons or corporate entities of rice beyond his of their normal inventory levels and profiteering refers to the sale or offering for sale of rice at a price grossly in excess of its market value.

The measure also defined cartel as a combination of or agreement between two or more persons or corporate entities engaged in the production, manufacture, processing, storage and unreasonably increase or manipulate its

price.

Price manipulation, finally, is any act committed by any person, persons, entity mor entities engaged in the production, manufacture, importation and other similar activities that seek to control and influence the price of rice at any given time http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/traders-should-not-be-allowed-to-import-rice2013solon

Trade Liberalization is the Solution to the Rice Crisis

by Adrianne Dave D. Guilas

• Published 26 March, 2018 at 8:45 PM

If you‘re keeping tabs on the latest news, you may have noticed that there‘s an impending rice shortage here in the Philippines. As

reported by the National Food Authority (NFA), its buffer stock is running near to depletion which means that it may fail to serve Class D and Class E Filipinos‘ needs. Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol basically put all the blame on the private sector, arguing that businessmen are orchestrating this to put pressure on the government to allow rice imports.

From the outset, you might blame the government‘s lack of investment in the agricultural sector and its neglect of farmers as to why this is happening. One could say that the government needs to do more to solve this. However, ―big government‖ (borrowing a term from classical liberals) is the main root of the problem because of institutionalizing trade protectionist policies. The rice crisis is happening because the government is unduly interfering with the market.

It‘s time to wake up to the reality that these protectionist policies have resulted to nothing but failures. Market-oriented reforms may be unpopular, but such policies are the path to go for long-term solutions.

In relation to rice, NFA sets an annual target for rice production in metric tons. Whatever is produced in excess of the target is the amount that is only allowed to be exported and the deficit is the only amount which is allowed to be imported.

This is wrong in two ways. Placing restrictions on exports severely hampers businesses‘ ability to make more investments and increase their profits. Having more investments results to expansion of business operations which translates to more jobs. In addition to placing a cap on allowed rice imports such as quantitative

restrictions, the government also places high tariffs on it (set at 35% according to Executive Order 23 of President Duterte).

Placing such stringent restrictions decreases the amount of supply available for everyone. Basic economics tells us that a product with low supply and high demand will have higher prices because it reflects its scarcity. To add, rice has an inelastic demand which means that despite higher prices, people won‘t switch to a substitute good. Overall, such protectionist policies serve nobody‘s benefit because it is anti-consumer and anti-business.

What about rice cartels? Contrary to Mr. Piñol‘s argument, these cartels exist because of excessive regulations. Placing such strict regulations only invites more incentives to break the law. If we want rice cartels to be destroyed, then we must strengthen the formal market—and this can be done through trade liberalization.

President Duterte and Congress should grab the opportunity to institute market reforms so that it will benefit everyone.

Considering the inherently flawed design of the NFA, the way forward is to entirely abolish the agency, or at least, repeal its import and export restriction powers so that it will only focus on providing emergency stocks. Congress should ensure that House Bills 09178, 09165, and 02709 will be passed and will make their way to the President‘s desk for signature as these three bills satisfy the latter.

Furthermore, we need to eliminate quantitative restrictions and gradually cut the tariff rate because such deregulatory actions will result to an increased supply will lead to lower prices in the long

run. Senate Bill No. 1476 satisfies the former and like the mentioned House Bills, this must be certified as an urgent priority of the President.

The Department of Finance (DOF) recently conducted a study on what will happen if quantitative restrictions will be eliminated and a 35% tariff is on place on rice. They said that this will lead to a drop of Php 7/kg and 730,000 Filipinos can be potentially lifted from poverty. Just imagine how bigger the price drop will be if we cut the tariff rate?

Critics of these reforms point out that these are anti-farmer initiatives because increased competition will result them to losing their jobs. However, such scenario is no excuse not to implement these policies and it is possible to do these policies while looking out for our farmers. DOF said that the tariff revenues to be collected will be used to train them to diversify their skills. The President and Congress should also look to implement similar initiatives, for example, by promoting agri-entrepreneurship.

The evidence is definitely on the side of trade liberalization when it comes to delivering a big win for the common Filipino. The Duterte administration should make it a major priority to enact these reforms. http://www.theguidon.com/1112/main/2018/03/trade-liberalization-solution-ricecrisis/http://www.theguidon.com/1112/main/2018/03/trade-liberalization-solution-rice-crisis/

Global Basmati Rice Market 2018-2023 Development Factors, Import/Export, Region, Competitive Market Share March 26, 2018 - by amit.p

Basmati Rice Market report analysis provides emerging market trends and provides understandings to help businesses recognize industry opportunities and develop effective plans to improve their market positions. Basmati Rice market report 2018-2023 covers major geographical regions, key industry players, segmentation with type and application, revenue, development factors, import/export and more.

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Major Regions: USA, Europe, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia, South America, South Africa Competitive Market Share Basmati Rice Market Analysis by Players: This report includes following top vendors in terms of company basic information, product category, sales (volume), revenue (Million USD), price and gross margin (%).

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Market Segmentation, By Product & Application Market Analysis by Types: Each type is studied as Sales, Market Share (%), Revenue (Million USD), Price, Gross Margin and more similar information.

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Program invests in early-stage translational science researchers Matthew Solovey March 26, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Researchers of cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, staph infections in babies, health behavior choices in sexual minority college students, high blood pressure management in African Americans, proactive sexually transmitted infection testing, and the brain‘s role in determining a smoker‘s flavor preference will receive dedicated time to advance their work through a Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute program that invests in early-career faculty. The institute‘s KL2 Scholars Program gives researchers establishing themselves in their fields dedicated time to help their findings benefit human health more quickly while becoming successful, independent translational scientists.

The 2018 scholars started in January after a competitive application process and are part of the program for up to three years. This year‘s scholars are Oluwamuyiwa Winifred Adebayo, Yandee Cuffee, Jessica Ericson, Steffany Fredman, Chandrika Gowda, Andrea Hobkirk, Cara Riceand Kathleen Sturgeon. ―Our program provides scholars with diverse research interests a supportive environment to network with other health researchers, and the skills and experience needed to become successful, independent clinical and translational scientists,‖ said Dr. Diane Thiboutot, KL2 co-director. ―As researchers begin their careers, their time is often filled with applying for grants and funding to conduct their fledgling work, teaching and establishing themselves in the university,‖ said Lorah Dorn, co-director. ―The KL2 program develops our scholars through coursework, providing research mentors, providing protected time for their research and offering career development opportunities.‖ KL2 funding protects 75 percent of the scholar‘s time to work on his or her research and career development, plus provides funding for research supplies, tuition support and money for travel to

attend other learning opportunities. The program is customized based on the needs of the scholars, who develop an individual development plan with their mentors. For example, scholars who have already completed research coursework and have a well-defined area of research and preliminary data will be ready to begin submitting applications for external research funding earlier in the KL2 funding period compared to scholars with less training.

KL2 scholars select from courses offered by university graduate programs including clinical and translational science, public health sciences and others. The career development plan for KL2 scholars provides them time to earn either a master of science in public health sciences or a graduate certificate in translational science depending upon their prior level of training. Scholars also may enroll in one or more courses, as needed, without earning a certificate or degree. ―We are fortunate to have this cross-campus program here at Penn State to support the diversity of research conducted by these promising junior faculty researchers,‖ Thiboutot said.

The program is funded through the National Institutes of Health. Applications will be accepted again in 2020. For more information, visit ctsi.psu.edu.

Each of the scholars explained their projects and how the KL2 program will benefit them: Oluwamuyiwa Winifred Adebayo Oluwamuyiwa Winifred Adebayo, assistant professor of nursing, focuses on increasing proactive sexually transmitted infection testing and reducing infection transmission rates among youth. ―Becoming a KL2 scholar will provide me with a unique opportunity to grow as a researcher,‖ Adebayo said. ―As a KL2 scholar, I will have access to mentors and targeted resources that will help me build momentum for my research plans and trajectory. In advancing my research, the KL2 program also connects me with likeminded scholars for collaboration, and very significantly, protected time to intensify my research efforts.‖ Yandee Cuffee Yandee Cuffee, assistant professor of public health sciences, is studying use of culturally-tailored, written stories compared to comics for African Americans with high blood pressure. The stories and comics will be based on the personal accounts of individuals managing high blood pressure, and will cover topics including diet, physical activity, adhering to medications and the challenges faced while managing high blood pressure.

―As a KL2 scholar we have the opportunity to work closely with a team of experienced mentors that will play an active role in the development of our research projects,‖ Cuffee said. ―In addition to the research aspect of the KL2 program, KL2 scholars are encouraged to participate in trainings and coursework in areas pertinent to their research. My research focuses on developing behavioral and lifestyle interventions to promote healthy behaviors. I plan to use this opportunity to enroll in coursework covering topics such as optimizing behavioral interventions, using mobile technology for research, and conducting community-based participatory research.‖ Jessica Ericson Jessica Ericson, assistant professor of pediatrics, studies the role of antibiotic sensitivity in how invasive bacterial infections, like meningitis or sepsis, are treated in infants. The project that she‘ll be working on as part of the KL2 program will look at Staph infections in infants and how different levels of sensitivity to a commonly used antibiotic called vancomycin affect recovery. She will also work to develop ways of predicting which infants will ultimately have low sensitivity to vancomycin so that the best antibiotic for the infection can be used as early as possible in hopes of preventing death and other negative consequences of having a staph infection early in life. ―Being a part of the KL2 scholars program provides financial support for the laboratory components of my project and probably more importantly, it gives me the opportunity to work with other, more experienced, scientists who have related expertise,‖ Ericson said. ―This will help my project to develop more quickly and result in more useful results.‖ Steffany Fredman Steffany Fredman, assistant professor of human development and family studies and Karl R. Fink and Diane Wendle Fink Early Career Professor for the Study of Families is a licensed clinical psychologist and studies post-traumatic stress disorder and how it affects couple and family functioning. She focuses on incorporating family members into treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. ―The training afforded by the KL2 will allow me to learn techniques for understanding how couples with post-traumatic stress disorder regulate emotions moment-by-moment and on other short time scales in the hopes of developing more targeted couple- and family-based treatments for PTSD that improve the lives of trauma survivors and their loved ones,‖ Fredman said.

Chandrika Gowda Dr. Chandrika Gowda‘s research focuses on pediatric leukemia. She is a physician scientist, which means she both sees patients as a medical doctor and conducts research in a laboratory as a scientist. Her project involves a cancer promoting protein called Casein Kinase II and its role in diminishing the function of a Leukemia prevention protein called Ikaros. Inhibiting the Casein Kinase protein will restore the ability of Ikaros protein to function properly and prevent leukemia.

Gowda will test if using a drug that inhibits Casein Kinase protein along with drugs that are known to work for leukemia will work together more effectively and improve the outcome for patients. ―The KL2 award helps physician scientists like me to dedicate majority of my effort towards conducting translational research,‖ Gowda, a board-certified pediatric hematologist/oncologist said. ―The mentoring, networking and educational opportunities that are available to me via the KL2 program will greatly help me to develop an independent research program and build a strong foundation for future career as physician scientist.‖ Andrea Hobkirk Andrea Hobkirk, assistant professor of psychiatry and public health sciences, ultimately wants to develop a translational research program related to smoking cessation and tobacco policy. Her project is studying how the brain contributes to a person‘s dependence on other factors of smoking outside nicotine. Smokers develop dependence on features of the smoking experience, like the flavor of their cigarettes and other aspects of the smoking environment. Her project will use functional magnetic resonance imaging — commonly called MRI — to investigate the brain circuitry that brings about dependence on smoking flavors. ―The KL2 program provides me time and resources to focus on my research,‖ Hobkirk said. ―The training will help me reach my goal of developing a translational research program that uses MRI to inform smoking cessation interventions and tobacco policy. As a KL2 scholar, I have a team of mentors in the Penn State Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science and the Center for NMR Research, and a large national network of translational researchers to assist me in reaching this goal.‖ Cara Rice Cara Rice, assistant research professor, the Methodology Center, wants to better understand the predictors of the well-documented health disparities affecting the sexual minority community, which includes lesbian, gay and bisexual populations.

Her KL2 proposal is focused on understanding how discrimination might affect the health behavior choices of sexual minority college students. ―Being awarded a KL2 is an incredible honor and opportunity,‖ Rice said. ―KL2 funding will allow me to focus exclusively on conducting this important research, while also acquiring training in several key areas like innovative statistical methods and the study of sexual minority health disparities. This opportunity will allow me to work to address some of the most complex and pressing questions facing the field of sexual minority health and transition into an independent and productive research career focused on reducing health disparities.‖ Kathleen Sturgeon Kathleen Sturgeon‘s project has the potential to improve cancer survival rates. ―By completing the training afforded by the KL2 Program, I will build on my established skills in pre-clinical and clinical interventions,‖ said Sturgeon, assistant professor of public health sciences. ―It will also afford me mentorship under an exercise immuno-oncology expert, Dr. Connie Rogers.‖ That mentorship will be important to Sturgeon‘s project. Just as different doses of drugs have variable effects on people, so too does exercise. She is researching to see what amounts of exercise can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and is trying to understand how the immune system is altered by exercise. A long-term objective is to increase the level of clinical and translational science at Penn State Cancer Institute.

2018 KL2 Scholars - Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute The 2018 KL2 scholars started in January after a competitive application process and are part of the program for up to three years. The Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute program gives researchers establishing themselves in their fields dedicated time to help their findings benefit human health more quickly while becoming successful, independent translational scientists. http://news.psu.edu/story/512397/2018/03/26/academics/program-invests-early-stage-translationalscience-researchers

Millionaire rice farmers aim for sufficiency Posted By: OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN On: March 27, 2018 In: Northern Report

FacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestLinkedInWha tsApp Rice farmers in Kebbi State are growing richer but they say they are not content with selfcomfort until they produce enough grains for the nation. OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN reports Kebbi State people have always loved to farm rice, but in the last few years there has been an explosion in the business. Now there are sprawling rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see.

And it is not restricted to Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Suru or Yauri; other communities are just as involved in growing the grain. In fact, the staple is grown all the year round in the state during the harmattan, dry and rainy seasons. You could say rice is king in Kebbi.

Farmers in various communities in the local governments are gradually becoming millionaires. A good number of them now go on pilgrimages without necessarily waiting for state government sponsorship.

Last farming season, rice farmers got 1.5 million bags of paddy, with a bag selling for about N10,000. Their target is to increase production to 2.5 million bags of paddy in 2018, with 50 per cent commitment to helping the country attain self-sufficiency in the staple food.

Alhaji Muhammadu Sanni, a rice farmer with two wives and 11 children, is among those who have enjoyed significant yield. He has been farming rice for 33 years. ―My rice paddy increased from 21 to 32 bags with the government interventions and having this pumping machine has gone a long way to improving my livelihood,‖ he said. ―In a farming season, I make N300,000 in a year.‖ Fifty-eight-year-old Alhaji Ibrahim Saliyu has eight ridges of rice which is almost an acre. He has only one wife and two children but after both children got married, he sustained himself and his wife from proceeds from the rice farm. He sold a bag of paddy at the rate of N10, 000 and was able to make eight bags from his field. Nevertheless, he has kept expanding his cultivation.

Even while in public service, former Kebbi State Head of Service, Alhaji Buhari Alidu Jega was a farmer; on retirement he continued with tilling the soil. He has 30 hectares of rice farm in Jega community from which he harvests at least 750 bags of paddy every farming season. ―Even though I was a civil servant when I started farming I‘m still into it because it is lucrative,‖ he said, advising youths to embrace agriculture and become employers of labour.

The journey to end rice imports and attain self-sufficiency started with support from the Federal Government Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP). No fewer than 70, 000 farmers piloted the initiative in Kebbi. The Central Bank of Nigeria-led project in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and rice millers was targeted at supporting farmers with farm inputs and markets. It was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015.

According to a guideline document obtained from Development Finance Department of the CBN, the initiative ―is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and Small Holder Farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities. The programme thrust of the ABP is provision of farm inputs in kind and cash (for farm labour) to small holder farmers to boost production of these commodities, stabilise inputs supply to agro processors and address the country‘s negative balance of payments on food. At harvest, the SHF supplies his/her produce to the Agro-processor (Anchor) who pays the cash equivalent to the farmer‘s account.‖ The benefitting farmers are usually between a group of five and 20 for easy administration and monitoring. Meanwhile, the CBN intervention sourced from N220 billion Micro, Small and

Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) targeted about 225, 000 farmers nationwide. Fortunately, the project appeared to be paying off as farmers are increasing their land cultivation and yields with a ready-made market (off-takers). This has resulted in a drop in rice import into the country from Thailand. According to the Minister of Information and Culture, there is a sharp drop by over 90 per cent.

The largest recorded increase in production ever in the state and the country was last year, when 1.5 million bags of paddy was produced by Kebbi rice farmers. This year there is a 2.5 million bags target aside from the expected production from more than 30 states. The national rice consumption is about 7 million metric tonnes annually. This is currently being met through smuggling from neighbouring countries but the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has been striving to address this.

The Chairman, Presidential Task Force Committee on Rice and Wheat Production, Governor Abubakar Bagudu lauded the project. He said rice farmers in the state will require N55 billion to produce enough rice to meet demands from major millers and help realise national demand. He cited the rice pilot project in Kebbi State which had N11 billion loan from the CBN, yet produced beyond expectation last year. With right partnership and support, the country, he said could start buying a bag of rice at N10,000. Already, two of the largest rice milling facilities in the state, Labana and Walcot are largely responsible for off-taking the paddies. The Dangote group recently visited the state to set up an additional rice milling factory. This has given farmers a huge relief in processing and reaching the markets.

During a recent visit to Kebbi by the

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, additional milling plants with joint capacity of 370 tonnes in Kamba, was being constructed and owned by an entrepreneur. The

minister said the Federal Government was creating more jobs through agriculture and contributing to food security. According to him, the investment was paying off, as the country‘s rice import bill has dropped significantly, opening new windows of opportunity for the current and potential farmers.

―The programme aimed at food production, job creation, income

generation and self-sufficiency, has been a tremendous success in Kebbi State. The partnership between Kebbi and Lagos states on rice value chain that produced the Lake rice has also solved the challenge of glut by providing ready-made market for rice farmers.‖ A visit to Kamba rice market close to the Niger-Benin Republic border revealed how international trade is being carried out. Tonnes of paddy rice are being sold on a daily basis except for weekends especially Sunday when little sale is recorded. To facilitate greater trading and mobility, the state government revealed that a major road connecting the town with the two neighbouring countries will soon be completed.

At the tour of the various rice farms, Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Garba Dandiga assured the state will help federal government to achieve 50 per cent self-sufficiency target in its rice production bid. Already, the state is said to have met its local need on the commodity.

He said, ―We want to help Nigeria achieve 50 per cent of its rice requirement. We are aggregating dry and rain fell seasons. This year, we want to record 2.5 million tons but the important thing is we produce more rice paddy in the dry season than the rain fell. ―Last year, this is where they sold 1.5 million bags of rice paddy. It is the biggest in the history of the state. We have eight of this in the state; there is one at Argungu, Jega, among others.‖

The federal government since commencement of the current administration has strived to reduce imports and promote local contents. In the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) 2015, also known as the green alternative, there were outlined plans to drastically reposition the economy through agriculture. From 2015 till date, the country was able to cut the importation of rice from Thailand from 644,000 metric tonnes to a little over 20,000MT currently. ―Officially we have been able to eliminate 90 per cent of rice importation into Nigeria. We‘ve grown the number of rice farmers in Nigeria, from five million two years ago to about 12 million today. Also, there is a pilot scheme going on this season and we are doing 200,000 hectares of rice and each hectare employs 25 people. ―Now, that will be another five million people that will be added to the rice revolution. This programme has been flagged off already and as I speak to you today it is ongoing in Kano where 31,000 farmers are being empowered by the Central Bank of Nigeria this season,‖ Mohammed said.

Experts in the agriculture sector applauded the inter-state cooperation which brought about Lagos-Kebbi (Lake) rice. While Kebbi has the vast land to cultivate and mill the commodity, Lagos serves as the market. The Kebbi state governor, Bagudu affirmed the partnership agreement caused huge demand for local rice in the country.

The innovation changed orientation of many Nigerians to appreciate local rice consumption, especially for its nutritional benefits and affordability. In order to gain greater acceptability, the state government during festive season subsidies the commodity to ensure wide reach. No doubt, product acceptability in Lagos is an indication of reasonable national acceptance. It is believed

that if a product succeed or otherwise at the centre of excellence, its survival is easily determined.

Bagudu, who acknowledged the acceptance by the Lagos State traders said the traders often determines mood of the nation in terms of product. ―The people of Lagos saw it as a good product better than the imported ones. That created demand for Nigerian Rice in general, not Kebbi rice because they have an enlightened market. They supported the programme and demand was created. ―Just last week, I had a meeting with traders association and millers in Daleko, Iddo and other markets. They shared their experiences and they were absolute and categorical that the Nigerian Rice is better than imported ones. We spoke about how to make it better through better supply chain and make it affordable.‖ Such gesture, if replicated in other states, is expected to boost wide production, as it has been proven that more than 30 states in the country can cultivate rice. The Governor further canvassed greater collaborations among state governments to help achieve nationwide food security and promote national development. He called for greater funding of the sector and for it to be recognized as real business.

Justifying why agriculture should be treated as a business, Bagudu cited instance of Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) which got N4 trillion funding from the federal government solely to clear bad debts. ―When the AMCON was created in 2010, it was to take over bad loans from the commercial banking system. It was paid N4 trillion. That money was not agricultural related, it oil and gas and share certificates.‖

http://thenationonlineng.net/millionaire-rice-farmers-aim-sufficiency/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326152328.htm

http://www.uniindia.com/haryana-govt-procures-59-24-235-tonnes-paddy-during-kharif-201718/states/news/1179832.html

Haryana procures more than 55 lk tn paddy in 2017/18 season Press Trust of India | Chandigarh Last Updated at March 26, 2018 20:40 IST

Haryana procured 59.24 lakh tonnes of paddy during 2017-18 season against 53.47 lakh tonnes in the previous kharif season, a senior official said today.

Additional Chief Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Ram Niwas said that of the total procurement, 39,69,237 tonnes would be delivered to Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Till date, 34,61,646 tonnes have been delivered to FCI against 30,99,016 tonnes during the same period last year.

He said that proper coordination was maintained with the rice millers to ensure timely supply of rice.

Steps are being taken for physical verification by Deputy Commissioners and necessary action as per the contract is being initiated against the millers not adhering terms and conditions, he said.

He said a case has been registered against For Fresh Rice mill at Tarawari mandi of Karnal under various sections for not following terms and conditions.

The government has started registering cases against all defaulting rice millers who have not returned the rice of the departments in the year 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17, he said.

As many as 13 such rice millers belonged to Karnal and three from Kurukshetra, he said.

This would not only de-motivate the defaulters but it would also send a clear message to others that no one would be spared for not returning the government rice, he said.

Besides, disciplinary action against responsible officers and officials is being taken underrule 7 including District Food and Supply Controllers, District Food and Supply officers and Inspectors concerned.

He said that a review meeting was held by the Chief Minister recently with all the procurement agencies, presidents and representatives of Rice Millers Associations wherein they have been directed to deliver maximum rice to FCI by April 10, 2018 before the onset of procurement of rabi crop. e of http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/haryana-procures-more-than-55-lk-tn-paddy-in-2017-18season-118032600971_1.html.

Scientists discover new way to stop spread of rice blast

Scientists found that chemical genetic inhibition of a single protein in the fungus stops it from spreading inside a rice leaf -- leaving it trapped within a single plant cell.

By Zee Media Bureau | Updated: Mar 27, 2018, 12:12 P Representational image London: A team of researchers have discoverd a new way to stop the spread of rice blast, a fungus that destroys up to 30 per cent of the world's rice crop each year.

Scientists found that chemical genetic idevastating rice fungusnhibition of a single protein in the fungus stops it from spreading inside a rice leaf -- leaving it trapped within a single plant cell.

The finding could mark a major advance in understanding rice blast - a disease that is hugely important in terms of global food security.

The study revealed how the fungus can manipulate and then squeeze through natural channels (called plasmodesmata) that exist between plant cells.

Professor Nicholas Talbot of the University of Exeter in Britain and senior author said, "This is an exciting breakthrough because we have discovered how the fungus is able to move stealthily between rice cells, evading recognition by the plant immune system."

Talbot said,"It is clearly able to suppress immune responses at pit fields (groups of plasmodesmata), and also regulate its own severe constriction to squeeze itself through such a narrow space."

He added,"And all this is achieved by a single regulatory protein. It's a remarkable feat."

However, the scientists caution that this is a "fundamental" discovery -- not a cure that can yet be applied outside the laboratory.

Rice blast threatens global food security and destroy rice each year that can feed 60 million people.

It spreads within rice plants by invasive hyphae (branching filaments) which break through from cell to cell.

In their bid to understand this process, the researchers used chemical genetics to mutate a signalling protein to make it susceptible to a specific drug.

The protein, PMK1, is responsible for suppressing the rice's immunity and allowing the fungus to squeeze through pit fields. So, by inhibiting it, the researchers were able to trap the fungus within a cell.

This level of precision led the team to discover that just one enzyme, called a MAP kinase, was responsible for regulating the invasive growth of rice blast.

The research team hope this discovery will enable them to identify targets of this enzyme and thereby determine the molecular basis of this devastating disease.

The finding was published in the journal Science. http://zeenews.india.com/environment/scientists-discover-new-way-to-stop-spread-of-rice-blast-2094012.html

Duterte’s order on speedy rice imports backed posted March 24, 2018 at 11:55 pm by Maricel Cruz

A HOUSE leader has backed President Rodrigo Duterte‘s directive for the National Food Authority to speed up the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to stabilize the supply and price of the commodity in the market.

At the same time, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte reiterated his call to return full control of rice imports to the food agency in lieu of private traders.

But he said the NFA must also run after ―scalawags‖ at the state-run firm who might be selling NFA rice to private grains traders who, in turn, mix them with their imports and sell these stocks at higher prices.

―The President‘s order to speed up rice imports should give all the more reason to the NFA Council to reverse its longstanding policy of allowing private traders to import rice in favor of giving back to NFA 100 percent control over all overseas purchases of the staple,‖ Villafuerte said. ―While the NFA can do the job of importing rice better and faster, it must also watch out for some scalawags in its ranks who sell NFA rice to traders as this will defeat the purpose of stabilizing prices in the market,‖ he added.

Villafuerte said President Duterte‘s directive during a recent NFA council meeting for the food agency to fast-track rice imports, along with a crackdown on erring employees possibly in cahoots with unscrupulous grains businessmen, would stabilize domestic supply and prevent retail prices from soaring beyond the reach of ordinary consumers, especially during the JulySeptember lean season.

According to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, President Duterte issued the order to the NFA to expedite rice imports during a recent NFA Council meeting and told the Cabinet he did not want a repeat of the 2008 rice crisis.

Piñol said if the importation process starts now, the stocks will arrive either late April or early May. Villafuerte said the NFA should be given back full control over rice imports, considering that certain unscrupulous grains traders have cashed-in on the current system to corner the bulk of domestic supply and unduly jack up prices of this staple at the expense of ordinary Filipinos.

He called on the NFA Council to reverse its policy of letting private grains businessmen import rice through the NFA, following an earlier appeal by NFA administrator Jason Aquino to farmers to sell part of their harvest to the food agency so it could replenish its stocks.

―We need to fix the existing system to shield both farmers and consumers from the shady practices of private traders that have left the NFA helpless in carrying out its primary task of ensuring the stability of the price and supply of rice in the market,‖ Villafuerte said. ―Clearly, the present setup doesn‘t work, as greedy grains traders have managed to game the system by cornering domestic supply through imports and heavy purchases of locally produced stocks and, in thenprocess, managing to influence and dictate retail prices through a seemingly ‗artificial‘ supply deficit,‖ he added.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/national/261802/duterte-s-order-on-speedyrice-imports-backed.html

Thailand: Rice exports to drop in 2018 VNA MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 - 16:58:00 PRINT

Rice exports of Thailand in 2018 will be less than the target growth of 9.5 percent due to strong baht and decrease in rice production, said the Thai Rice Exporters Association (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) – Rice exports of Thailand in 2018 will be less than the target growth of 9.5 percent due to strong baht and decrease in rice production, said the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA).

The target was 18 percent lower than 2017‘s 11.6 million tonnes. President of TREA Charoen Laothamatas explained that the strong baht caused a major difficulty for the country‘s rice export as the prices of Thai rice have become less competitive.

The baht increased nine percent compared to the US dollar in 2017 and increased by 3.1 percent in 2018 to be at 31.6 THB/USD. Laothamatas said the TREA will closely monitor exports in the first quarter of this year and, if the baht continues to rise, may revise the 2018 export target to below the previous forecast of 9.5 million tonnes which was put forward in late 2017.

Thailand‘s Hom Mali fragrant rice was sold at 1,200 USD per tonne in mid-February, twice the price of Vietnam‘s aromatic rice.

The association said that global demand will maintain strong as major importers such as the Philippines and Indonesia will buy about 1-1.5 million tonnes this year.

The Thai Government recently announced the rice production in 2018 stands at 30 million tonnes, a decline compared to the 33 million tonnes of 2017.-VNA https://en.vietnamplus.vn/thailand-rice-exports-to-drop-in-2018/128480.vnp

Haryana govt procures 59,24,235 tonnes paddy during Kharif 2017-18 Chandigarh, Mar 26 ( UNI) Haryana Government has procured 59,24,235 tonnes of paddy during Kharif 2017-18 as compared to 53,47,848 tonnes of paddy procured during the last Kharif season.

This was informed by Additional Chief Secretary, Food and Supplies Department, Ram Niwas while addressing a press conference here on Monday.

He said out of the total procured rice, 39,69,237 tonnes would be delivered to the FCI and till date 34,61,646 tonnes rice has already been given to FCI as compared to 30,99,016 tonnes rice given to FCI during the same period last year.

He said proper coordination was maintained with the rice millers to ensure timely supply of rice.

Steps are being taken for physical verification by Deputy Commissioners and necessary action as per the contract is being initiated against the millers not adhering to the terms and conditions.

Read more at http://www.uniindia.com/haryana-govt-procures-59-24-235-tonnes-paddy-during-kharif2017-18/states/news/1179832.html#4LBVsiVeTDI6bRtj.99

Rice: Nigeria can’t meet 2018 self-sufficiency target March 25, 2018

By Paul Ogbuokiri

…still major destination of Thailand, Indian rice •Produced 5.8mmts, consumed 7.9mmts in 2017–RIFAN •Import rose by 19% to 2.5mmts–USDA

Self-sufficiency in rice production is one of the cardinal objectives of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration with different officials calling for a ban on the importation of the cereal.

Two years ago, Buhari set 2018 as a target to end Nigeria‘s status as the world‘s second-largest importer of the grain after China and become self-sufficient. He‘s since overseen investments of almost $1 billion in farming and milling, virtually banned rice importers from buying foreign exchange, raised tariffs to as high as 60 per cent and pushed the Central Bank of Nigeria to lend to farmers. Confident his administration is making progress, he told growers this month that ―our policies are working.‖

Earlier in August 2017, a director at the agriculture ministry, Muhammad Adamu, had made unsubstantiated claim that Nigeria‘s rice production reached 15 million metric tonnes annually.

Bloomberg in a report on Wednesday quoted the U.S Department of Agriculture as saying that Nigeria grew just 3.7 million metric tonnes of rice in 2017, which is a paltry 4 per cent increase from a year earlier. At the same time, imports rose by 19 per cent to 2.5 million metric tonnes, the USDA said.

This came as the president of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Aminu Goronyo said while Nigeria‘s rice consumption rose to 7.9 million metric tonnes in 2017, the country was only able to produce 5.8million metric tonnes in the review year.

He said the country‘s production increased from 5.5 million tonnes in 2015.

He said in 2015, Nigerians spent not less than N1billion on rice importation, adding that while spending had drastically reduced, consumption had increased because of increased local production of the commodity.

https://newtelegraphonline.com/2018/03/ rice-nigeria-cant-meet-2018-selfsufficiency-target/ Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- March 27, 2018 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-March 27, 2018 Nagpur, Mar 27 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on increased demand from local millers amid weak arrival from producing belts. Notable rise on NCDEX in gram prices, upward trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses and reported demand from South-based millers also helped to push up prices.

About 3,000 bags of gram and 1,350 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.

TUAR * Tuar gavarani reported higher in open market on renewed demand from local traders. * Major wheat varieties recovered in open market here on good demand from local traders amid weak supply from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,000-4,150, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,000-6,300, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,500-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,200-7,600, Gram – 3,600-3,700, Gram Super best – 5,200-5,600 * Rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS

Available prices

Previous close

Gram Auction

3,200-3,500

Gram Pink Auction

n.a.

Tuar Auction

3,100-3,400

2,100-2,600

3,450-4,150

Moong Auction

3,450-4,000

n.a.

Udid Auction

3,900-4,200

n.a.

Masoor Auction

4,300-4,500

n.a.

2,600-2,800

Wheat Mill quality Auction

1,590-1,680

Gram Super Best Bold

5,500-5,800

Gram Super Best

n.a.

Gram Medium Best

5,500-5,800

n.a.

5,000-5,200

Gram Dal Medium

n.a.

Gram Mill Quality

3,600-3,650

Desi gram Raw

5,000-5,200

n.a 3,600-3,650

3,500-3,600

Gram Kabuli

1,550-1,650

3,500-3,600

12,700-13,200

Tuar Fataka Best-New

12,700-13,200

6,200-6,500

Tuar Fataka Medium-New

6,200-6,500

5,800-6,100

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New

5,800-6,100

5,700-5,800

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New Tuar Gavarani New

5,700-5,800

5,400-5,600

4,250-4,350

5,400-5,600

4,200-4,300

Tuar Karnataka

4,500-4,700

4,500-4,700

Masoor dal best

4,800-5,000

4,800-5,000

Masoor dal medium Masoor

4,400-4,600

n.a.

4,400-4,600

n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New)

7,500-8,000

Moong Mogar Medium

6,500-7,000

Moong dal Chilka

5,500-6,500

7,500-8,000 6,500-7,000

5,500-6,500

Moong Mill quality

n.a.

n.a.

Moong Chamki best

7,500-8,000

7,500-8,000

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 6,500-8,000

6,500-8,000

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)

5,000-6,000

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) Batri dal (100 INR/KG) Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)

5,500-5,800

4,000-4,500

4,000-4,500 2,500-2,700

3,450-3,600

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)

3,450-3,600

4,200-4,300

2,000-2,100

Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)

5,500-5,800

2,500-2,700

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)

5,000-6,000

2,000-2,100

1,950-2,000

2,200-2,350

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)

4,200-4,300

2,250-2,800

1,900-2,000 2,150-2,350 2,200-2,600

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

3,400-4,000

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)

3,200-4,000

2,400-2,800

3,500-4,000

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)

2,300-2,800 3,500-4,000

3,000-3,400 3,500-4,000

2,500-2,700

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)

3,000-3,400 3,500-4,000

2,500-2,700

2,600-2,800

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)

2,600-2,800

2,400-2,500

2,400-2,500

Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)

2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500

4,000-4,500

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)

2,000-2,200

n.a.

4,000-4,500

3,600-4,200

3,600-4,200

Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG)

4,200-4,600

4,200-4,600

Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)

5,000-5,500

5,000-5,500

Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)

4,650-4,850

4,650-4,850

Rice Shriram new (100 INR/KG)

5,100-5,600

5,100-5,600

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)

9,500-14,000

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)

5,000-7,500

6,000-6,500

Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)

9,500-13,500 5,000-7,500

6,000-6,500

5,500-5,800

5,500-5,800

Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG)

6,000-6,200

6,000-6,200

Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)

2,000-2,200

2,000-2,100

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

1,800-2,000

1,700-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 39.4 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 17.2 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 39 and 17 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.

https://in.reuters.com/article/russia-fire-kemerovo/putin-amid-emotional-scenes-at-fatal-fire-scenepledges-action-as-anger-mounts-idINKBN1H30K7

Rice Prices as on : 27-03-2018 10:58:55 AM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals Current

Price % change

Season cumulative

Modal

Prev.

Modal

Prev.Yr %change

Rice Dibrugarh(ASM)

5.40

-

5.40

7500

-

-

Silapathar(ASM)

3.80

-50.65

71.20

2600

2600

-13.33

Dibrugarh(ASM)

1.60

-75.38

312.70

2400

2400

6.67

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article23361661.ece

Rice output can reach 9mln tons in three years: official LAHORE: By increasing the high-yielding hybrid rice seed coverage area from existing 25-30 percent to over 50 percent in the next three years, the national rice production can increase by a hefty two million tons, an industry official said on Monday. ―Currently rice yield stands at 6.9 million ton from 2.79 million hectares. As a result of this two-fold increase in cultivation area the total output will reach around nine

million tons,‖ Shahzad Ali Malik, chief executive officer of Guard Rice Research & Services Pvt Ltd, said at a discussion after the oath-taking ceremony of Agriculture Journalists Association‘s (AJA) office bearers.. ―Pakistan‘s rice sector has witnessed a sea change in last about a decade with considerable gains in production of long grain rice.‖ Malik said several multinational seed companies like, Monsanto, Pioneer, Syngenta, and Bayer had tried to introduce hybrid rice seed but failed to attract growers, leave alone outperforming national seed companies. ―Their varieties were less rewarding for farmers due to lack of significant increase in production, while seed cost was also high compared to what local companies were offering,‖ he added.

He said with untiring efforts of local scientists, the role of private sector in seed research and development was expanding day by day. ―In total rice hybridisation, around 90 percent area of long-grain paddy is in Sindh , while 10 percent in South Punjab,‖ Malik said adding, however, with the production of hybrid rice seed in central Punjab, paddy area in the province was likely to increase significantly in coming years.

He said the major factor behind success of national seed companies in large-scale acceptance of rice hybrid seed, had been development of heat-resistant and droughttolerant varieties. ―The multinational seed varieties could not perform well in harsh summer of Sindh and Southern Punjab.‖

Hence, Malik said, the long-grain hybrid rice that substituted IRRI-6 in coastal belt and central Sindh was a major success as its export market was rapidly evolving in the favour of farmers and exporters. ―The higher yield and lower production give a premium to farmers, considerably changing their socio-economic conditions,‖ Malik said.

He further said consequently, country‘s long-grain rice was gaining grounds globally with much ease by competing major producers and exporters like Vietnam and Thailand.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/296990-rice-output-can-reach-9mln-tonsin-three-years-official

National Assembly Body Suggests Ways To Minimize Trade Deficit Faizan Hashmi 24 hours ago Mon 26th March 2018 | 06:15 PM

National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce Monday expressed concerns over expansion of trade deficit in the country, and directed the ministry of commerce to take special measures to boost export and reduce imports of the country.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Mar, 2018 ):National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce Monday expressed concerns over expansion of trade deficit in the country, and directed the ministry of commerce to take special measures to boost export and reduce imports of the country.

Chairman of the committee Siraj Muhammad Khan directed the ministry officials to do collective efforts for the purpose and the ministry should also involve the political leadership in exploring new markets abroad to boost exports.

Minister for Commerce, Pervaiz Malik said the government was already taking measures to reduce the country's trade deficit due to which the exports have started increasing for last 3-4 months. The committee also directed the ministry to specially focusing on

boosting trade with the neighboring countries specially with Iran as there were huge opportunities for Pakistani businessmen in various fields.

Secretary Commerce informed the committee that the main stumbling block in promoting Pak-Iran bilateral trade was the lack of banking channel.

He said to resolve this issue, comprehensive meetings with the Iranian Foreign Minister during his visit to Pakistan were held and positive outcomes were expected in near future.

Chairman of the committee however suggested to start trade with Iran on barter system as the both sides had number of sectors in which they could export and import their products. The meeting was also informed that due to concerted efforts of the government, contract to export rice to Philippines and Indonesia had been finalized and under the agreement, the country would export 50 Metric Tons of rice to Indonesia and over 100 MT of rice to Philippines.

The meeting was further informed that Pakistan was soon going to start negotiation with Chile for Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The meeting was also attended by MNAs Choudhry Muhammad Shahbaz Babar, Seema Mohihuddin Jameeli, Waseem Akhtar Shaikh, Mian Muhammad Rasheed, Tahira Aurengzeb, Zeb Jaffer, Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharral, Nazir Ahmed Bughio and Sajida Begum. https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/national-assembly-body-suggests-ways-tominim-294473.html

The coveted GI tag is a name or sign that corresponds to specific geographical locations.

Usage of such a certification on a product would indicate that it possesses certain qualities exclusive to its land of origin. india Updated: Mar 26, 2018 22:39 IST Hindustan Times, Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has vowed to continue fighting to acquire the GI tag for basmati rice grown in the state.(PTI File Photo)

Undeterred by a recent legal setback at the Geographical Indications (GI) registry in Chennai, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has vowed to continue fighting to acquire the GI tag for basmati rice grown in the state despite ―hurdles posed by Pakistan‖.

The coveted GI tag is a name or sign that corresponds to specific geographical locations. Usage of such a certification on a product would indicate that it possesses certain qualities exclusive to its land of origin. ―The chief minister said state farmers have been producing basmati since 1908. As much as 50% of the rice exported to Canada and America comes from Madhya Pradesh. A few exporters, particularly those from Pakistan, do not want basmati rice produced here to acquire a global identity certification,‖ a state government spokesperson quoted Chouhan as saying in a television news programme on Sunday evening. ―We will fight for our basmati-producing farmers and emerge victorious in the end.‖ Chinnaraja G Naidu, assistant registrar of the GI registry, had stated on March 15 that while the evidence filed by entities in Madhya Pradesh depicts the importance and special characteristics of rice grown in the state, it does not do the same for basmati in traditional cultivation areas. ―The opponent has, therefore, failed to satisfy the fundamental requirements of popular public perception of Basmati cultivation in Madhya Pradesh as mentioned by the honourable Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) in Chennai… A mere plea without the backing of any corroborative evidence has no gravity in the eyes of the law,‖ he added.

While the respondent or applicant in this case was the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the opponents comprised the Madhya Kshetra Basmati Growers Association Samiti, Raisen; Narmada Cereals Private Limited, Mandideep, Raisen; SSA International Limited, Mandideep, Raisen; Madhya Kshetra Basmati Exporters Association, Udaipura, Raisen; the additional director of agriculture, department of farmer welfare and agriculture development, government of Madhya Pradesh; and Daawat Foods Limited, New Delhi.

A senior official of the state agriculture department said they were studying the order in detail. ―As there is an option to appeal against the order before IPAB within three months, we are seeking legal opinions on how best to do it,‖ he said on the condition of anonymity.

It has been nearly a decade since Madhya Pradesh began fighting its battle for inclusion into an Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) list of basmati-growing states. It had even won a legal battle before the GI registry in 2013, but IPAB rejected the claim three years later on an appeal filed by APEDA.

Madhya Pradesh claims that it has been growing basmati rice since 1908.

more from india e of https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shivraj-vows-to-continue-fight-for-basmati-gi-tag-slams-pak-forposing-hurdles/story