29th january ,2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

DailyDRice E-Newsletter G L E aily

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lobal, Regional and

ocal Rice

-Newsletter January 29, 2018

UI Extension gets $1.5M to help farmers cut nutrient loss into waterwaysOverall agricultural imports from China shrink after FTA deal Seafood Worth US$ 200.97 Million Exported In First Half Of Current Year From Pakistan Nigeria: Govt, AfDB Trains 8,317 Farmers, Processors On Rice Value Chain Rice prices up; gas prices increasing anew Who was Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat? Padma Bhushan winner, Green Revolution legend who passed away Wild Australian rice could feed the world Wild Australian rice could feed the world Philippines. Senate keen on up to 50% rice tariff Resilient rice project to target top 2 producers – China and India Solon says graft rap over car plan ‘unfair’ Resilient Rice Project to Target Top Two Producers, China and India PNNL’s research today may help feed the planet tomorrow Global cassava coalition calls for support for cassava transformation in Africa Indonesia removes restriction of quota system on import of Pakistani kinnow Indonesia lifts quota restrictions on Pakistani kinnow Trade volume not up to the mark to begin FTA between Pak, Australia’ Husker researchers explore economic potential for sweet sorghum ethanol in western Nebraska UK, PHL partner for development through Newton Agham annual grants FG to mop up arms in circulation Why rice costs more in Kebbi Australia-Pakistan trade below true potential: Adamson How Daawat transformed rice from a commodity into one of the top basmati brands More batches of powdered milk under scrutiny Anti-GM group calls for Golden Rice review in Australia and New Zealand

Volume X | Issue I

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter News Detail‌ UI Extension gets $1.5M to help farmers cut nutrient loss into waterways Sun, 01/28/2018 - 7:00am | Ben Zigterman

Photo by: Courtesy University of Illinois A bioreactor is installed at the University of Illinois Dudley Smith Farms in Christian County.

CHAMPAIGN — The University of Illinois Extension received a $1.5 million grant to help farmers reduce nutrient loss into Illinois streams and rivers. The five-year grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will provide funding for an agricultural waterquality team of University of Illinois researchers and for two watershed coordinators, whom the Extension will hire to work with farmers to implement best practices.

"Water quality is a huge issue in Illinois," said George Czapar, director of the UI Extension.In 2015, the Illinois EPA created a strategy to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous runoff over concerns about the large "dead zone" created each year in the Gulf of Mexico.

The strategy should also have some benefits for Illinois water, Czapar said.

"We're looking to reduce loss as far up as we can, rather than waiting until it reaches the Gulf," he said. "If we can reduce or minimize loss that we have within Illinois, that's a benefit to our rivers and streams here."

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The strategy, called the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, promotes best practices for farmers, such as using cover crops or woodchip bioreactors, which remove nitrate from the runoff.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The best practices are starting to catch on.About 70 percent of Illinois farmers know about the NLRS best practices, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and usage of the best practices has more than doubled since 2011.

But it's still the early stages, which is why the Extension says the grant it received is needed; researchers are still studying what methods work best to keep the nutrients in the soil.

The water quality team includes seven researchers at the UI College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, from agronomists to biological engineers.

These scientists will provide technical support for the Extension coordinators working with farmers to implement the best practices.

"Being connected to the scientists on this team is important," said Trevor Sample, the Illinois EPA's NLRS coordinator, in a news release. "We want the watershed coordinators to not only provide outreach and education, but also serve as technical advisors on practices like cover crops and bioreactors." The coordinators funded by the grant will work in two separate parts of the state.

One will work in the Embarras River and Little Wabash River watersheds, and the other in the Lower Rock River and Mississippi North Central River watersheds of northwestern Illinois.

"The watershed coordinators will play a key role in implementing the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy by providing outreach and technical assistance to farmers and stakeholders in select priority watersheds," said Illinois EPA Director Alec Messina in a news release.

The best practices are gradually becoming more popular among farmers.

Dirk Rice, who farms near Philo, has been using cover crops since 2013.

"And I haven't had any problems," he said.Rice grows cereal rye on his bean fields over the winter and early spring, and then kills the cereal rye off before planting his beans. This should keep more plant material in his fields, instead of it draining off.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter "When you look at the structure of the soil, you can really see a difference versus conventional tillage," Rice said.

By keeping more nutrients in the soil, cover crops should allow farmers to use less fertilizer and save some money.

While Rice said cover crops have been worth it for him, he said it's too early to tell whether he can use less fertilizer.And he said the state's runoff strategy is helping to spur more research into what techniques are economically viable for farmers."It will take years to get a database to tell you what practices are effective and how effective they are," Rice said.While early research has shown these techniques can save farmers money, Rice said it's still early and that some farmers might be wary of changing how they manage their farm, especially with low grain prices the last few years.

"You're asking for a fairly major change in the way people have done things. A lot of people are just now starting to try a few acres," Rice said. "This could be something where it takes a generational change. We've got to show that this won't cost you money, and if done right, this should make you more money."

Czapar said that the best practices have "overall been very well received," and the Illinois Farm Bureau has been actively promoting the NLRS to its members."I think everyone's in agreement that we can do a better job," Czapar said.

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/2018-01-28/ui-extension-gets-15m-help-farmers-cutnutrient-loss-waterways.html

Overall agricultural imports from China shrink after FTA deal

By Yonhap Jan 29, 2018 - 09:27

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Updated : Jan 29, 2018 - 09:27 South Korea imported fewer agricultural products overall from China last year, but shipments in fruits, vegetables and meats increased, data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute showed Monday.

According to KREI's analysis of figures from the Korea Trade Statistics Promotion Institute, South Korea imported $3.62 million worth of agricultural, forestry and livestock products from China in the January-October period last year, 1.8 percent less than the average prior to the two countries' free trade agreement taking effect.

The FTA went into force on Dec. 20, 2015. The pre-FTA average measures imports from 2011 to 2015 after excluding the highest and lowest figures.

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(Yonhap)

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Imports of Chinese grain fell 29.1 percent compared with before the FTA implementation, with shipments shrinking for rice, sesame, peanuts and other related products. In case of rice, imports decreased 11 percent in volume.

Inbound shipments of forestry products also fell, down 6.2 percent to $1.39 million.

South Korea, however, purchased more fruits, vegetables, processed foods and meats, according to the data.

Imports grew 12.6 percent to $634 million for fruits and vegetables, while those for processed foods grew 21.9 percent to $963 million.

Imports of meat products rose 8 percent to $166 million, data showed. Specifically, imports of chicken in terms of volume increased to 34,000 tons compared with 25,000 tons in 2015.

China accounted for 13 percent of South Korea's total agricultural and livestock products last year, up 0.6 percentage point from the pre-FTA average. (Yonhap) http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180129000171

FG, AfDB Trains 8,317 Farmers, Processors On Rice Value Chain

By NAN On Jan 28, 2018 The Federal Government says it has so far trained more than 8,000 farmers on rice value chain activities under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase 1.

The National Coordinator of ATASP-1, Haruna Akwashiki, said this in an interview the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.

Akwashiki noted that the training was done in collaboration with the African Development Bank.

According to him, the training is in line with government’s determination to diversify the economy through agriculture, reduce imports and attain self-sufficiency in rice production.

Akwashiki said 152,651 tonnes of grains had been released to the market by farmers who were beneficiaries of the programme.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter He explained that ATASP-1 had three major components of infrastructure development, commodity value chain and programme management.

According to him, the programme has also trained 3,931 beneficiaries on cassava and 3,498 beneficiaries on sorghum value chain.

He said: “We have trained 205 youths on seeds production technology because we believe that one of the problems that farmers are facing today is the inability to get improved seeds.

“We are working assiduously on this to make sure that improved seeds are made available to farmers.

“More than 40,000 youths have also been trained in various aspects of agribusiness.

“About 120,000 new jobs have been created along the commodity value chain component.”

The National Coordinator said the programme had provided eight clinics, 21 hand pumps, five rural markets, 10 primary schools in seven participating states in its infrastructure development component.

He listed the participating states to include Anambra, Enugu, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger.

Akwashiki said the construction of irrigation scheme and roads in the states would soon commence across the participating states.

NAN recalls that ATASP-1 was established in 2015.

The programme is being funded by the Federal Government and AfDB as its contribution to agricultural development in the country.

Its main objective is to ensure attainment of food and nutrition security, employment generation, wealth creation and import substitution.

NAN also recalls that the Federal Government had announced that the country would achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018. https://theeagleonline.com.ng/fg-afdb-trains-8317-farmers-processors-on-rice-value-chain/

Seafood Worth US$ 200.97 Million Exported In First Half Of Current Year From Pakistan Faizan Hashmi 18 hours ago Sun 28th January 2018 | 08:10 PM

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jan, 2018 ):The exports of fish and fish preparations from the country during first half of current financial year increased by 9.08 percent as compared the corresponding period of last year.

During the period from July-December 2017-18, the country earned US$ 200.97 million by exporting about76,098 metric tons of fish and fish preparations as compared the exports of 56,833 metric tons valuing of US$ 83,446 million of same period last year, according the data

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of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.Overall food group exports from the country during the period under review witnessed growth of 16.81as food commodities worth US$.932 billion were exported during July-December (2017-18) against the exports of US$1.

654 billion during July-December (2016-17), the data revealed. The commodities that contributed in overall food trade from the country included rice exports of which grew by 18.32 percent from $712.

832 million last year to $843.388 million during the current year. Among rice commodities, the exports of basmati rice increased by 4.52 percent while that of other rice commodities increased by 22.

88 percent. During the period under review the exports of vegetables increased by 6.52 percent a s different vegetables worth US$ 62.709 million to exported as compared the exports of US$ 58.871million of same period last year, it added.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter During the period under review, the tobacco exports from the country increased from US$3,991 thousand to US$ 20.625 million, showing growth of 416.79 percent while the wheat exports witnessed increase of 100 percent percent by going up from zero exports to US$ 0.

045 million. Meanwhile, exports of oil, seeds, nuts and kernals increased by 10.35 percent from US$ 20.243 million to US$ 22.339 million while sugar exports also increased from zero exports last year to US$181.

209 million, showing 100 percent growth. The food products that witnessed negative growth in trade included fruits, exports of which declined from US$198.143 million to US$ 180.288 million, showing 9.

01 decline while the exports of leguminous vegetable (pulses) decreased by 100 percent . Exports of spices from the country also decreased from US$ 37.478 million to US$ 36.421 million, showing decrease of 2.

82 million while the exports of meat and meat preparations decreased by 6.21 percent, from US$104.401 million to US$ 97.915 million. the month of December 2017 compared to the same month of last year.

The food exports during the month of December 2017 were recorded at US$ 439.285 million against the exports of US$ 334.860 million last December, according to the PBS data. On monthon-month basis, the food exports from the country also witnessed increase of 4.92 percent in December 2017 when compared to the exports of US$ 418,697 million in November 2017, the data revealed. https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/seafood-worth-us-20097-million-exported-in-251835.html

Nigeria: Govt, AfDB Trains 8,317 Farmers, Processors On Rice Value Chain The Guardian

Rice farmers.

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The Federal Government says it has so far trained more than 8,000 farmers on rice value chain activities under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme (ATASP) Phase 1.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The National Coordinator of ATASP-1, Mr Haruna Akwashiki, said this in an interview the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.He noted that the training was done in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB).According to him, the training is in line with government's determination to diversify the economy through agriculture, reduce imports and attain self-sufficiency in rice production.

Akwashiki said that 152, 651 tonnes of grains had been released to the market by farmers who were beneficiaries of the programme.He explained that ATASP-1 had three major components of infrastructure development, commodity value chain and programme management.

According to him, the programme has also trained 3,931 beneficiaries on cassava and 3,498 beneficiaries on sorghum value chain."We have trained 205 youths on seeds production technology because we believe that one of the problems that farmers are facing today is the inability to get improved seeds.

"We are working assiduously on this to make sure that improved seeds are made available to farmers."More than 40,000 youths have also been trained in various aspects of agribusiness."About 120,000 new jobs have been created along the commodity value chain component," he said.

The National Coordinator said the programme had provided eight clinics, 21 hand pumps, five rural markets, 10 primary schools in seven participating states in its infrastructure development component.

He listed the participating states to include Anambra, Enugu, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger.Akwashiki said that the construction of irrigation scheme and roads in the states would soon commence across the participating states.

NAN recalls that ATASP-1 was established in 2015.The programme is being funded by the Federal Government and AfDB as its contribution to agricultural development in the country.

Its main objective is to ensure attainment of food and nutrition security, employment generation, wealth creation and import substitution.NAN also recalls that the Federal Government had announced that the country would achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018 http://allafrica.com/stories/201801290006.htmlMon | 01/29/2018 05:34pm

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice prices up; gas prices increasing anew

By Ding Cervantes, Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 29, 2018 - 12:00am

KMP cited the PSA as having reported an average of P1 per kilo increase for special and premium rice, P1 per kilo increase for regular well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo for premium well-milled rice. Philstar.com/File Photo MANILA, Philippines — The price of rice has increased by P1 to P2 per kilo nationwide starting in the third week of January, allegedly as a consequence of the government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) measure.

“The price monitoring of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has noted rice price hikes across the country,” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said in a statement yesterday.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter KMP cited the PSA as having reported an average of P1 per kilo increase for special and premium rice, P1 per kilo increase for regular well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo for premium well-milled rice.

“The PSA also noted an upward trend in the wholesale and retail prices of well-milled rice and regular milled rice this January compared to rice prices a year ago,” KMP said.

For well-milled rice, a P3 per kilo increase was noted in Kidapawan City and P2 per kilo increase in the National Capital Region and Naga City, the PSA report said.

KMP added that PSA also noted price hikes ranging from P.50 to P3 per kilo of regular milled rice were observed in six regional centers nationwide.

The prices of other food agricultural produce such as beef, meat and pork lean meat increased by as much as P10 per kilo. Prices of dressed chicken increased by P2 to P20 per kilo. Market prices of fish and vegetables also increased, the KMP quoted PSA. “These price hikes are the result of the cumulative hike in petroleum prices since Jan. 1, when TRAIN became effective. This week, oil prices will once again increase according to oil companies,” KMP said.

KMP chairman Danilo Ramos warned that “this unending cycle of price hikes will not stop as long as TRAIN is in effect. It will only continue to worsen the economic hardship of Filipinos.”

The farmers group also demanded that the government “strictly implement a total price freeze in Albay province where the erupting Mayon volcano is located.”

“National agencies and LGUs in Albay should strictly monitor the prices of commodities in calamity-affected areas to avoid overpricing. Agencies should provide relief and rehabilitation assistance,” Ramos said.

KMP and the Bicol Movement for Disaster Response are continuously seeking assistance for farmers affected by Mayon’s eruption, he added.

KMP reported that as of Jan. 28, there were 28,885 families or 89,109 individuals staying in evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, motorists will see another round of prices hikes on all fuel products this week, Department of Energy (DOE) undersecretary Felix Wimpy Fuentebella said in an interview yesterday.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter However, Fuentebella declined to give more information as to how much the increase will be after Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi issued a policy directing oil companies to explain the weekly price movements of petroleum products.

This would be the seventh consecutive week diesel and kerosene prices will be raised and the third straight week for gasoline.

Based on the agency’s monitoring, Fuentebella added that comments from Saudi Arabia that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major oil producers could extend their production cuts beyond 2018 propped up global oil prices last week.

Adding to the upward pressure was the global economic growth and expectations of robust global oil demand.

US crude supplies were reportedly lower by 1.1 million barrels at the end of trading Jan. 19, according to the US Energy Information Administration, pushing oil to hit $71 a barrel last Thursday for the first time since 2014.

Reuters also reported that global oil prices settled higher last Friday with crude also posting a weekly gain as a weaker US dollar underpinned prices.

Earlier, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian proposed to review the Oil Deregulation Law to impose stricter monitoring of oil inventories and price hikes and of harsher penalties for non-compliant oil companies and negligent government agencies that should monitor price movements.

The DOE has been tightening its watch on oil companies since the start of the year in light of the implementation of TRAIN. The DOE earlier said the new excise tax on petroleum products should be applied starting Jan. 1 but not including old stocks, meaning the increase in fuel prices under the new tax regime should only be implemented 15 days after the start of the year since oil firms have a 15-day minimum inventory requirement.

So far, it has issued show cause orders against at least 20 oil retailers that implemented higher prices due to TRAIN. Reportedly, there have been several oil retailers that implemented the TRAIN excise tax that have yet to be validated by the agency.

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Under the TRAIN, gasoline will have a higher excise tax from P4.35 per liter to P7 per liter while new tax rates of P2.50 per liter will be imposed on diesel, P3 per liter on kerosene and P2.50 per liter on auto liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Based on DOE estimates, gasoline prices are expected to have an additional P2.97 per liter, diesel with P2.80 per liter, kerosene with P3.36 per liter, LPG for motor vehicles with P2.80 per liter and LPG for household with P1.12 per kilo

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/01/29/1782360/rice-prices-gas-prices-increasing-anew

Who was Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat? Padma Bhushan winner, Green Revolution legend who passed away Kalkat was the director of agriculture, Punjab and later he went on to become the agriculture commissioner of India. Under Kalkat's tenure, India witnessed ‘Green Revolution’ and India became self-sufficient in food grain production.

By: FE Online | New Delhi | Published: January 28, 2018 12:46 PMFormer agriculture commissioner of India and Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat passed away on Saturday.

One of the major pioneers and veteran who powered the Green Revolution in India, Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat breathed his last on Saturday. Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat was 92 when he passed away. Kalkat was at PGIMER, Chandigarh when he passed away. He Kalkat was a former agriculture commissioner of India. He also a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards. He was the founding chairman of Punjab State Farmers Commission.

Kalkat was the director of agriculture, Punjab and later he went on to become the agriculture commissioner of India. Under Kalkat’s tenure, India witnessed ‘Green Revolution’ and India became self-sufficient in food grain production. Kalkat was also the former vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana from 1988 to 2001. During his tenure, he identified the priority areas to find the problems of farmers and farming in consultation with agricultural economists and farm scientists, a PAU release said.

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Kalkat was also the one who even ushered a soybean revolution and also introduced banana cultivation for Punjab. Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, the vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, said, “We know him for wheat and rice, but he always thought out of the box. He was not a normal wheat and rice scientist… He introduced soybean cultivation in Punjab, though it wasn’t commercially successful. Then he took soybean varieties from Punjab to Madhya Pradesh where they were immensely successful commercially as well. Despite sitting on political posts, he was never diplomatic, but always spoke his heart for benefit of farmers even if it was politically incorrect.”

Kalkat was born in Hoshiarpur’s Sahora village. He undertook various international assignments, working as senior agriculturist with the World Bank. He was also posted in Washington DC where he worked for countries like Nigeria and Ghana.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter He also supervised the implementation of World Bank assisted programmes in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Indonesia.

Wild Australian rice could feed the world Thin Lei Win, Reuters January 25, 2018 7:48pm

Wild rice growing in northern Australia's crocodile-infested waters could hold the key to breeding a more nutritious grain that is drought and pest resistant, according to scientists who have just mapped its genetic family tree.

International researchers, including Robert Henry from the University of Queensland, examined 13 domesticated and wild rice species globally, raising hopes about breeding commercial rice from Australian variety Oryza meridionalis.

Rice is a staple food for over half of the world's population and consumption levels are rising, according to the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Henry said this Australian rice was found to have valuable traits that could be bred into commercial rice. "(This could have) a really positive impact on the human health on a large scale," Henry told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Henry, whose work was part of a paper published this week in Nature Genetics, said researchers found the Australian rice shared the same ancestor as an Asian rice species consumed by millions of people today but evolved three million years ago.

He said it had probably been overlooked until now due to its location.

"Some of the best rice sites are where there are a lot of dangerous crocodiles," he said.

Rod A Wing, co-author and director of the Arizona Genomics Institute at the University of Arizona, said wild rice species globally provide "a virtually untapped reservoir of genes" that can be used to improve current rice species.

Since 2003, Wing has been leading global research into 25 wild rice species that are genetically similar to two rice species consumed globally today with the next research to focus on a wild rice that grows in saltwater.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter "The world population could be 10 billion by 2050 and the question is how do we feed our world without destroying it," Wing said.

Genetic information could allow the world "to make crops that are higher yielding, more nutritious" but do less harm to the environment by using less water or pesticides.

Originally published as Wild Australian rice could feed the world http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/breaking-news/wild-australian-rice-could-feed-the-world/newsstory/3d57f6705f3eb0fcaca3f79b1a2dadb2

Philippines. Senate keen on up to 50% rice tariff 26.01.2018

| UkrAgroConsult Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said lawmakers would likely consider up to 50 percent rice tariff, based on the latest Senate hearing.

The Philippines may impose up to 50 percent duty on imported rice as lawmakers finalize the amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act, which replaces quantitative import restrictions with tariffs.Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said lawmakers would likely consider up to 50 percent rice tariff, based on the latest Senate hearing.

“It will be around 35 percent for ASEAN and maybe up to 50 percent outside. We hope we can finish this in the first quarter. If not, we hope to finish it by May,” Villar told reporters on the sidelines of the EcoWaste Management opening ceremony yesterday.The Agricutlural Tariffication Act needs to be amended as the government moved toward the removal of QR.Lifting of the QR is expected to give the government an additional revenue of P25 billion.

“We will give the income from the tariff to PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) to encourage farmers to use inbred seeds because it can produce up to six metric tons per hectare from the current four metric tons,” Villar said.The Philippines is among the largest rice importers in the world, bringing in over one million MT of the staple annually.The WTO granted the Philippines an extension of its QR on rice importation until June 30, 2017 to allow local farmers to prepare for free trade.QR is a non-tariff measure that limits the volume of imports of a specific product.In 1995, the WTO first allowed the Philippines to impose a 10-year QR on rice importation. In 2004, it was extended to 2012, and renewed in 2014.In 2014, the WTO granted Manila’s petition for an extension of its special tax treatment on rice on the condition that it raises the annual import volume from 350,000 MT and lower the tariff to 35 percent from 40 percent. http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/philippines-senate-keen-on-up-to-50-rice-tariff

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Resilient rice project to target top 2 producers – China and India January 26, 2018, 10:00 PM

By Michael Taylor (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Kuala Lumpur – Representatives of a pilot project that promotes socially and environmentally responsible rice growing said they aim to expand into India and China, the world’s largest rice producers.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) worked with more than 80 partners to create the world’s first “global rice sustainability standard.”

The standard provides a framework to drive government policy, as well as a working definition to be used by the private sector to monitor their own sustainability goals.The sustainability standard has been tested over the past two years in nine countries, mostly in Southeast and South Asia.

“This is a fledgling project still – our next task will be to upscale,” said Wyn Ellis, coordinator for the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).

The SRP is a coalition of more than 80 representatives from non-governmental organizations, and the private and public sectors, which launched the sustainability standard in 2015.

“We will need to be moving into China and into India quite soon – those are our priorities in future,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The standard promotes improvements in rice farming using more than 40 requirements and “performance indicators,” which authorities and companies such traders and supermarkets can use as best practice guidance.

These include measures against abuses such as child labor. The standard also aims to make rice growing more environmentally friendly by, for example, restricting the use of pesticides.

Members of the SRP hope that the standard will also be used in a certification scheme to help consumers choose ethical rice. Governments may also use it to promote sustainable rice farming and meet emissions targets.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Water management is crucial factor in achieving those targets.

Up to 40 percent of the world’s irrigation water is used for rice production, while up to 10 percent of global methane emissions come from rice fields, according to the SRP. During pilot testing, the standards helped reduced the water used in rice farming by 20 percent, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent and increased farmers’ incomes by 10 percent.

“It is huge,” said Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general at IRRI, referring to the sustainability standard, which he hoped could be expanded globally.

The world produced more than 500 million tons of milled rice in 2017, with China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Thailand among the top growers.

Tags: International Rice Research Institute, Michael Taylor, Resilient rice project to target top 2 producers – China and India, rice farming, rice growing, The United Nations Environment Programme https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/01/26/resilient-rice-project-to-target-top-2-producerschina-and-india/

Solon says graft rap over car plan ‘unfair’ By: Leo Udtohan- Correspondent / @leoudtohanINQ Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:16 AM January 27, 2018 Arthur Yap —LEO UDTOHAN TAGBILARAN CITY—Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap said the graft case filed against him in the Sandiganbayan over a car plan for employees of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) was “unfair” and “unjust” because he never signed the terms and conditions of the plan.

“We found it very unfair and we will really fight the case very aggressively,” Yap told reporters here on Friday.

Yap, who as secretary of the Department of Agriculture chaired the PhilRice board of trustees, said he was not present when the board drafted and approved the rules of the car plan.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Yap, who served as agriculture secretary under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was charged with violations of Section 3(e) and 3(g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibited public officials from causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits to private parties.

The Ombudsman accused Yap and eight PhilRice officials of approving a car plan that allowed 10 employees to obtain personal loans from the Philippine National Bank (PNB), which were secured with PhilRice’s funds from 2008 to 2009.

Yap said the plan to set up a car plan for PhilRice employees was discussed during the 52nd board meeting in November 2008, but he had told the board to make sure the terms would be advantageous to the government and that proper procedures should be followed.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Barely two months later, on Jan. 30 the following year, the PhilRice director issued an administrative order on the offer to provide car loans to deserving employees, but Yap said he was not present in the meeting when the board approved the program. “Let me say it again: I was not in the board meeting. Neither did I avail of any [vehicle] from this car plan, so why am I being held liable?� asked Yap

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/963868/solon-says-graft-rap-over-car-plan-unfair

Resilient Rice Project to Target Top Two Producers, China and India A farmer walks along paddy fields in Sindhuli district, Nepal. (Reuters Photo/Navesh Chitrakar) By : Michael Taylor | on 10:00 PM January 26, 2018 Category : International, Asia-Pacific

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Kuala Lumpur. Representatives of a pilot project that promotes socially and environmentally responsible rice growing said they aim to expand into India and China, the world's largest rice producers.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) worked with more than 80 partners to create the world's first "global rice sustainability standard."

The standard provides a framework to drive government policy, as well as a working definition to be used by the private sector to monitor their own sustainability goals.

The sustainability standard has been tested over the past two years in nine countries, mostly in Southeast and South Asia.

"This is a fledgling project still - our next task will be to upscale," said Wyn Ellis, coordinator for the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The SRP is a coalition of more than 80 representatives from non-governmental organisations, and the private and public sectors, which launched the sustainability standard in 2015.

"We will need to be moving into China and into India quite soon - those are our priorities in future," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The standard promotes improvements in rice farming using more than 40 requirements and "performance indicators," which authorities and companies such traders and supermarkets can use as best practice guidance.

These include measures against abuses such as child labor. The standard also aims to make rice growing more environmentally friendly by, for example, restricting the use of pesticides.

Members of the SRP hope that the standard will also be used in a certification scheme to help consumers choose ethical rice. Governments may also use it to promote sustainable rice farming and meet emissions targets.

Water management is crucial factor in achieving those targets.

Up to 40 percent of the world's irrigation water is used for rice production, while up to 10 percent of global methane emissions come from rice fields, according to the SRP. During pilot testing, the standards helped reduced the water used in rice farming by 20 percent, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent and increased farmers' incomes by 10 percent.

"It is huge," said Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general at IRRI, referring to the sustainability standard, which he hoped could be expanded globally.

The world produced more than 500 million tonnes of milled rice in 2017, with China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Thailand among the top growers.

The grain is the main staple for 3.5 billion people but as the world's population continues to grow, output will need to rise by about 25 percent over the next quarter century, IRRI estimates.

http://jakartaglobe.id/international/resilient-rice-project-target-top-two-producers-china-india/ PNNL scientists are collaborating with researchers in Australia to study “resurrection� grass, which could lead to drought-resistent crops. Tripogon, native to Australia and found in Texas and Arizona, can quickly recover after losing as much as 90 percent of its moisture. PNNL photo

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter PNNL’s research today may help feed the planet tomorrow

BY STEVEN ASHBY January 27, 2018 06:32 PM Updated January 27, 2018 06:32 PM January is a time for New Year’s resolutions, and many of us might be trying to eat a little healthier and cut back on certain foods.

While we might be focused on what we are eating, how often do we think about where our food comes from or the challenges that farmers face in growing it? How is agriculture impacted by climate change, for instance, if there are longer periods of drought? How do land-use policies affect food production, say, when cropland is lost to other purposes?

At the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, researchers seek to answer these and other questions related to the environmental impacts of agriculture, the role of microbes and how to optimize food production.

For example, PNNL scientists are looking at how microbes work together in communities to do things that affect crops, such as process carbon in soil. Some of our scientists participated in a recent National Academies meeting that brought together experts from many disciplines to identify the biggest challenges, opportunities and knowledge gaps in food and agricultural research. Their insights helped shape a research agenda and national strategy that will be published in the coming months.

In another project that involves Australian collaborators from Queensland University of Technology, researchers are applying their expertise in plant genomics (the study of an organism’s complete set of genes) and systems microbiology to better understand the fundamental mechanisms that help plants withstand extreme drought conditions. They are studying a “resurrection” grass that quickly springs back to life even after its leaves and shoots get dry and crispy during times of very little water.

Because the grass is a close relative of cereals, rice, sorghum and maize, the work may eventually lead to more drought-resistant food crops.

Speaking of grains, PNNL scientists have figured out how to engineer and cultivate a new variety of rice that not only provides a richer food source, but emits nearly no methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Today, rice paddies account for about 17 percent of annual methane emissions worldwide. By adding a single gene from barley to rice, our scientists were able to inhibit the production of methane by the microbes living in the soil as the rice grows.

Closer to home, at a Washington State University Tri-Cities greenhouse, PNNL researchers successfully demonstrated a promising fertilizer they developed that may allow farms to achieve

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter the same yields while using less fertilizer and helping the environment. The controlled-release, solid-nitride fertilizer is made from coal fly ash by a high-temperature, fluidized-bed process and slowly releases nutrients to plants rather than dissolving immediately in soil. That means more goes to the crop and less remains in the ground, where it can leach into waterways or get converted to nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas 300 times worse than carbon dioxide.

Finally, we are improving land-use models that assess how changes in the environment might affect crop yields. We are incorporating more realistic processes into the models for simulating crop growth by taking into account common farming practices. For example, we are studying changes farmers may make in what crops they plant, as well as when and how they are irrigated and fertilized. This research is expected to help policy makers — and farmers — make better decisions.

As January comes to a close, some of us are already struggling to stick with our New Year’s resolutions. At PNNL, however, our researchers remain committed to providing the science and technology that may lead to innovative solutions for tomorrow’s agriculture. Now that’s food for thought.

Steven Ashby is the director of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and a columnist for the Tri-City Herald.

25 http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article197073529.html

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Global cassava coalition calls for support for cassava transformation in Africa

By Editor January 26, 2018

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Republic of Benin, H.E. Dossouhoui Cossi Gaston; Minister of Higher Education, H.E. Mme Attanasso Marie-Odile; and French Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, H.E. Veronique Brumeaux during the press conference on Cassava Transformation in Africa in Benin...on Thursday

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter From GODWIN ATSER, Ibadan Ahead of the international conference on cassava, the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century (GCP21) has called on policy makers, donors and the international community to support all efforts that will bring about cassava transformation in Africa.

The call is coming at a time when cassava is becoming central to food security of over 600 million people in the developing world, and has become the fourth most important crop after maize, wheat and rice.

Presenting the upcoming conference on cassava to donors and the international community in Cotonou on Thursday, Dr Claude Fauquet, Director of GCP21 said, “despite the key role cassava is playing in Africa’s food security, its productivity had remained low (about 9 tons per hectare), keeping the growers in the trap of poverty. When compared to Asia, cassava productivity in that continent is more than 21 tons per ha—a situation that gives Asia competitive advantage in global cassava trade. Addressing the yield gap demands more funding for cassava research and development (R&D) from all stakeholders, if truly the world wants to help farmers towards ending hunger and poverty in Africa.”

Dr Fauquet noted that the 11-15 June, 2018 conference to be held in Cotonou with the theme: Cassava Transformation in Africa, is one of the ways the GCP21 is contributing towards the transformation of the root crop.

He called for participation of all stakeholders, emphasising that the conference would provide a unique opportunity for donors, investors, and policy makers to see and access the latest innovations and discoveries in the cassava sector.

The French Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, H.E. Veronique Brumeaux, who hosted the press conference said the conference was timely and would go a long way to address the constraints of

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter cassava production while at the same time proffering opportunities for investors and farmers alike to harness new innovations from the research community.

The ambassador’s position was echoed by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Republic of Benin, H.E. Dossouhoui Cossi Gaston, while underscoring the importance of cassava to Benin and Africa in general. He said the importance of cassava would continue to increase as its consumption per capita was high and the root crop is resilient to climate change.

The Minister of Higher Education, H.E. Mme Attanasso Marie-Odile said the Republic of Benin is proud to host the conference. She noted that cassava’s development and transformation would offer opportunities for youth engagement which the country and other African countries could tap.

Invited participants to the press conference included representatives of the embassies of France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Holland, Germany, Japan, Canada, United States, and European Union. Others were representatives of development agencies: AfDB, USAID, JICA, GIZ, AFD, EU, UNDP, and FAO. This year’s conference is being organised by GCP21, in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB), Faculte des Sciences Agronomique – Universite Abomey-Calavi (FAS-AUC). Other supporting institutions are: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank (AfDB); Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research (WECARD), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), International Center for Agricultural Development (CIRAD), and the Institute for Research & Development (IRD). https://nationalaccordnewspaper.com/global-cassava-coalition-calls-support-cassava-transformationafrica/

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Indonesia removes restriction of quota system on import of Pakistani kinnow Last Updated On 27 January,2018 08:03 pm

A meeting of Indonesia – Pakistan business forum was held in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Indonesia has announced to abolish quota system to enhance import of Kinnow from Pakistan while extending facilities on purchase agreement of Pakistani rice of 1000 million ton till year 2019 , and also assured about flexibility in Rice exports tender by keeping the long transit time from Pakistan.

A meeting of Indonesia – Pakistan business forum was held during the visit of Indonesian President to Pakistan in which Pakistani business community was represented by the Vice President - FPCCI Waheed Ahmed.

The Vice President of Indonesian Federation of Chamber & Commerce and trade co-coordinator also participated in this meeting. Stressing the need for enhancing mutual trade and removal of trade barriers, the Indonesian minister of commerce Enggartiasto Lukita announced to abolish restriction of quota system for import of Pakistani Kinnow on impending demand of Pakistani exporters.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Representing Pakistani business community , Waheed Ahmed said that people –to people contact , direct flights options , banking facilities , exchange of trade delegations and organizing exhibitions would lead to enhancement of export from Pakistan to Indonesia upto US$ one billion within 2-3 years . Currently the trade between Pakistan & Indonesia is a US$ 2.1 billion, however the export from Pakistan is limited to US$ 138 million.

Cotton thread and Cotton are not part of Preferential trade agreement (PTA) and similarly the toughest quarantine requirements on Meat and meat products have also been imposed while condition of PRA for Pakistani mango has been introduced which is tedious and time consuming process . Due to this reason Pakistan is not exporting mango to Indonesia. Welcoming the decision of removal of quota system on import of Pakistani Kinnow by Indonesia, he said that it would assist to attain balance of trade while immediate implementation of this decision would double the export of Pakistani Kinnow to Indonesia during the current session, Waheed anticipated.

With extension of this facility, the export of Kinnow to Indonesia would enhance from 34000 ton to 60,000 ton fetching valuable foreign exchange of US$ 33 million for the country. Waheed Ahmed apprised the Indonesian commerce minister that while Indonesia and Pakistan signed PTA in 2015 , it was assured by Indonesia that by year 2019 one million ton Pakistani rice would be imported , however due to unfavourble and unsuitable conditions In the tender , this volume could not be materialized.

Recently two Pakistani companies have acquired an order to export 60,000 ton of Pakistani rice to Indonesia through the process of bidding which was anticipated to generate foreign exchange of US$ 30 million but since the delivery time in this tender was unrealistic because long transit time was not taken into account which made it almost impossible for Pakistan to avail this unique trade opportunity.

The Indonesian commerce minister has assured to keep this important aspect of long transit time in view for future tenders. Waheed Ahmed emphasized that Indonesia shall set soft terms and condition for Pakistan for trade contract and tenders compared to it’s neighboring countries so that Pakistan can take advantage of trade opportunities available in the Indonesian market .

The Indonesian commerce minister has assured extending facilities to Pakistan in future tenders.

Stressing the need for enhancing Tourism , technology and cooperation in Agriculture sectors of the two countries , he highlighted possibility of having joint ventures between the two countries and extended offer to the Indonesian investors to avail opportunities created as a result of CEPEC projects . It was also decided during the meeting to hold quarterly meeting meetings of Federation of chamber & commerce so that by eliminating trade barriers mutual trade and economic relationship can be further strengthen.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter http://dunyanews.tv/en/Business/425369-Indonesia-remove-restriction-quotasystem-import-Pakistan-kinnow Monday, 29 Jan 2018

Indonesia lifts quota restrictions on Pakistani kinnow

By Arsalan Altaf January 27, 2018

Pakistan exported 36,000 tons of kinnow to Indonesia worth $19.8 million last year. PHOTO: FILEISLAMABAD: Indonesia’s commerce minister on Friday announced the lifting of quota restrictions on kinnow imports from Pakistan, allowing shipment of an unlimited quantity of the citrus fruit to the Southeast Asian country.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The announcement came during the Indonesia-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad, which was attended by commerce ministers of the two countries.

Pakistan exported 36,000 tons of kinnow to Indonesia worth $19.8 million last year. “After the removal of quota curbs, it is expected that Pakistan’s kinnow exports will increase to 60,000 tons,” said All Pakistan Fruits & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) former chairman Waheed Ahmed.

Indonesia Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed between the two countries in 2005 and the preferential trade agreement (PTA) in 2012, which became operational the following year.

He said a review of the PTA was still under way and three meetings had been held since 2016.

Under the review, Indonesia has included 20 more tariff lines from Pakistan in the duty-free list including mangoes and rice.

Pakistan has also started export of white rice to Indonesia for the first time after unilateral concessions. A protocol will be signed by the two countries on Saturday.

The Indonesian minister also invited Pakistani businessmen to explore investment opportunities in his country.

Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik said imbalance in bilateral trade following the PTA raised questions about the viability of the agreement and threatened the transformation of the original plan into a free-trade agreement (FTA).

“Trade growth [since the PTA] has been one-sided. Whereas Indonesia’s exports to Pakistan increased from $1.2 billion in 2012 to $2.2 billion in 2016-17, Pakistan’s exports to Indonesia unfortunately declined from $196 million to $137 million,” said Malik.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter To address the imbalance, Indonesia has agreed to remove impediments to Pakistan’s current exports and has unilaterally granted zero-rated market access for 20 priority items of Pakistan’s export interest.

The minister said Pakistan’s economy had been on the path of recovery since 2013, registering a growth of 5.3% in 2016-17, which was the highest in the past 10 years.

“Government’s efforts to restore peace and stability and meet energy requirements have helped Pakistan make strides towards economic prosperity.”

The minister was of the view that CPEC-related projects would boost foreign direct investment.

Recalling PricewaterhouseCoopers’s forecast, he said Pakistan could become the world’s 16th largest economy by 2050, overtaking countries like Italy and Canada. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) signed an MoU with its Indonesian counterpart to establish linkages between businessmen of both sides. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1619130/2-indonesia-lifts-quota-restrictionspakistani-kinnow/

Trade volume not up to the mark to begin FTA between Pak, Australia’ Ijaz Kakakhel January 27, 2018 ISLAMABAD: There was great potential of increasing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Australia but the existing volume was not of the mark to talk about Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

The current volume of trade between Pakistan and Australia is about Aus $1.9 billion in the outgoing fiscal year 2017, which should be enhanced, which would further create atmosphere for discussion over FTA, said Australian High Commissioner, Margaret Adamson while talking to a group of journalists. The existing volume of trade was also in favor of Australia, despite the fact that Pakistan had some great potential. The High Commissioner said that the two way trade in goods at Aus$1.135 billion and growing two way services trade valued at almost Aus $800 million. Total goods trade between Pakistan and Australia grew 18.6 percent year on year.

Services trade also grew with Pakistan’s exports of services to Australia increasing 23.4 percent in 2017.

She said Australia imports Pakistani textiles, rice, surgical equipment and sporting goods.

Pakistan imports Australian food products, oil-seeds, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables, cotton, fertilizers and dairy cattle. More than 70 percent of Pakistan’s 100,000 imported dairy cows have been imported from Australia. Australia is a leading global education powerhouse with some of the world’s best facilities and educators. It is the third most popular international student destination in the world hosting around 650,000 international students annually. Seven of Australia’s universities feature in the top 100 ranked universities in the latest QS World University Rankings.

In Pakistan, Australia’s helping to skill-up Pakistan’s young and talented workforce. Six Australian universities have Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) offering PhD scholarships in Australia. Macquarie University and Deakin University have agreements with Bahria University, Lahore School of Economics and

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter COMSATS institute of Information Technology in Pakistan, fostering research collaboration and student exchanges, she maintained. The University of Southern Queensland is delivering BBA and MBA programs in Pakistan and the University of Newcastle is offering dual Master degree programs in partnership with Superior University Lahore. Many other Australian universities are engaging with Pakistani institution and the HEC on future collaboration, the High Commissioner added.

Australian expertise in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is also creating opportunities in Pakistan including in curriculum development and through twinning arrangements where part courses are delivered in Pakistan and part in Australia, offering Pakistani students an internationally recognized Australian qualification. In 2017, FAFE Australia and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Pakistan signed a MoU to promote cooperation between Australia and Pakistani training institutes and help build the capacity of Pakistan’s TVET sector, she maintained.

The high commissioner said that Australia and Pakistan were actively exploring avenues to expand trade and investment, particularly in education, agribusiness (including animal husbandry), mining, energy production, sustainable water management and the cotton textiles value chain where Australian expertise was world class.

Margaret Adamson said that Australia Day was a celebration of Australian democracy, history, landscape and ethnic diversity. Around three quarters of Australia’s population was born or has at least one foreign born parent, including more than 60,000 people of Pakistani origin.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been living in Australia for more than 65,000 years. This year, Australia Day offers a great opportunity to reflect on the depth and breadth of the relationship between our two nations as 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of Australia’s opening of a High Commission in Karachi, following Australia’s formal recognition of the new nation of Pakistan in 1947.

“I am pleased to note that our two countries have just been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2018-2020 and we look forward to working with Pakistan in support of human rights for all of our citizens and of men and women and girls and boys globally.”

Pakistan and Australia also have a shared commitment to combatting terrorism and extremism in all its forms. Australia stands in solidarity with the people of Pakistan in the great human and economic cost they have borne as a result of terrorism and violent extremism.At last, she claimed that Pakistan has great potential to grow in various sector including tourism, agriculture, mineral, livestock, gem and jewelry but it all required sustainable environment. https://dailytimes.com.pk/189351/trade-volume-not-mark-begin-fta-pak-australia/.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Husker researchers explore economic potential for sweet sorghum ethanol in western Nebraska  

By University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Jan 27, 2018 Energy sorghum being grown near Mead, Nebraska, by Daniel Schachtman, professor of Agronomy and Horticulture and director of the Center for Biotechnology. (Photo by Craig Chandler-University Communication.)

Craig Chandler A team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is exploring sweet sorghum ethanol as a future income source for dryland agriculture in western Nebraska.

Sweet sorghum is a cultivar of sorghum primarily developed for the harvest of juice. Due to its high sugar content and stability during periods of drought, researchers have identified the crop as a potential ethanol feedstock crop on non-irrigated farmland in western Nebraska. Ethanol feedstocks are the plant materials which can be converted to ethanol. In this case, the sugar syrup from sweet sorghum stalks would be fermented to make ethanol.

Corn currently serves as the leading feedstock for ethanol production in the U.S. For sweet sorghum to compete with corn for ethanol production, not only must it be more lucrative than corn for farmers to produce, but it also must be more economical than corn for ethanol plants to process. Considering factors such as yield and the cost of processing, researchers estimate that the current sorghum to ethanol pathway is a barely break-even prospect in western Nebraska.

“Under the typical conditions considered, there are insufficient benefits to farmers and ethanol plants to make the sweet sorghum ethanol pathway an attractive economic opportunity,” said Richard Perrin, Jim Roberts Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. However, according to Perrin, the researchers found that there are a few potential considerations that would improve the viability of the pathway.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Currently, the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard mandates consumption of specific levels of renewable fuels made from various categories of feedstocks. Under the markets created by the RFS, ethanol plants would be almost certain to obtain a premium for sweet sorghum ethanol compared to corn ethanol. The current level of that premium makes the pathway much more economical. However, according to the researchers the volatility of this market premium and the contentious political opposition to the RFS make this benefit risky.

Another consideration that could increase the potential of the sweet sorghum ethanol pathway is an increase in yields. A separate $13.5 million multi-institutional research project led by Nebraska may provide the necessary yield increases. That effort aims to improve sorghum as a sustainable source for biofuel production “If the research efforts raise biomass yields by 20 to 30 percent, or shows that yields are actually 20 to 30 percent higher than our estimate, the benefits to both the producer and the ethanol plant would be sufficient to make adoption of sweet sorghum for ethanol a sustainable possibility,” Perrin said.

Joining Perrin in this research effort were Lilyan Fulginiti, professor in the Department of Economics; Ismail Dweikat, professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and Subir Bairagi, a post-doctoral fellow at the International Rice Research Institute.

Details of this research were reported in the January issue of the “Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics.” http://www.hpj.com/crops/husker-researchers-explore-economic-potential-for-sweet-sorghumethanol-in/article_a77a5c2d-f8dd-5a4b-8e37-91f77e8fd53e.html

UK, PHL partner for development through Newton Agham annual grants

By Lyn Resurreccion

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter January 28, 2018

In Photo: Royal Academy of Engineering-DOST Leaders in Innovation Fellowship grantees with Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña (fifth from left) and British Ambassador Daniel Pruce (sixth from left) The 2018 batch of Newton Agham 31 grantees, who qualified for scholarships, researches, trainings and institutional links to the United Kingdom were recognized in a recent reception at the British Embassy Manila.

The 2018 awards are valued at about £4 million, or P270 million.

British Ambassador Daniel Pruce (third from right), Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Research Director Nicomedes Eleazar (left) and Dr. Vivencio Mamaril (second from left) of the DA Biotech Program together with the grantees under the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council-DA

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Swine and Poultry Research and the university heads Led by the UK government, the Newton Fund, known in the Philippines as Newton Agham (Science) Programme, is in partnership with the Philippines’s Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The program, now on its fourth year, supports scientific endeavors that address challenges in food security, environmental resilience, health and innovation capacity in the Philippines.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce said during the event, “Science forms an important part of the modern partnership between the UK and the Philippines. Working together, with our combined strengths, we can combat shared challenges and support prosperity and wellbeing.”

On the Newton Agham’s fourth year in the country, the British government, together with its partners, the DOST, the CHED and the DA, have jointly awarded about P1.2-billion (£18.5million) grants.

Including the 2018 awards, the program has, among others, supported 22 PhD scholars, awarded 60 innovation fellowships and provided 14 large-scale three-year research grants in research themes relevant to Philippine development, including infectious diseases, rice research and swine and poultry diseases.Four PhD scholarship grantees are with British Pruce (fourth from left) and former Commission on Higher Education Chairman Patricia B. Licuanan (third from left) 39

The 2018 four award categories include the following:

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter 

UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-DA Swine and Poultry Initiative

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Royal Academy of Engineering-DOST Leaders in Innovation Fellowship (LIF)

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British Council-CHED Institutional Links

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British Council-CHED PhD scholars

The BBSRC-DA Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the DA-Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program are supporting four large-scale three-year research grants that promote sustainable, safe, healthy and resilient swine and poultry production systems.

DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar said during the ceremonies, “We commend the UK government and the efforts of our partners. We truly hope that our poultry and swine research initiative will bring about a significant contribution to help disease management and control as it leads to the sustainability and vibrance of the sector.”

He added: “Let us continue working together in coming up with transformative and catalytic steps that would guide our path toward competitive, sustainable and resilient agriculture and fishery sector.”

The LIF program, supported by the UK Royal Academy of Engineering and DOST, technology commercialization and tech-startup creation is enabled.

Fifteen Filipino researchers and technology-transfer officers flew to the United Kingdom last week for an intensive two-week training course on innovation to build capacity for entrepreneurship and commercialization.

The fellows will receive further training at the Asian Institute of Management upon their return to the Philippines.

Featured technologies include a Universal Structural Health Evaluator and Recorder from Mapua University, a dengue drug from the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, and a traffic micro simulator from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Philippine Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said, “Philippine researchers from various universities and research institutes in the country have produced world-class technologies, and we want these technologies to benefit our fellow Filipinos.”

De la Peña added that, through the LIF, the partnership with the UK, “Promotes Philippine development through science and technology by enabling our researchers to effectively deliver these technologies to the target beneficiaries and to translate them into more useful forms.”

The LIF and other Newton Agham Programme “will continue to receive our utmost support as we build capacity in science and technology for the Philippines’s socioeconomic development and growth,” de la Peña noted.

On the four PhD scholarships and two Institutional Links Grants, former CHED Chairman Particia Licuanan said, “I trust that the resources provided by the Newton Fund will not only contribute to scientific development but will also assist in instilling pride among our Filipino scientists in their work and encourage more individuals to pursue careers in science and technology.”

The enhanced scientific capacities and links with international colleagues and industries enabled by the program, Licuanan said, will enable Filipino scientists to acquire new knowledge and produce technologies that allow the country to realize concrete economic and social benefits.

She added: “Sustaining these benefits require our constant commitment to scientific development, continued government assistance and support for science and dynamic global exchange of knowledge.”

Institutional Links Grants support the exchange between academic groups, departments and institutions in the Philippines and the UK. Other than these awards, the event also recognized the six delegates to the Global Innovation Policy Accelerator Programme. Gipa involves senior representatives from public-sector innovation agencies for an eight-month collaborative development program with the aim of

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter creating a specific innovation-policy initiative while working together with UK mentors and institutions.

The Gipa delegates are from DOST, DA, CHED, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, and the National Economic and Development Authority.

The Newton Fund is part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance. It was launched in 2014 and has a total United Kingdom investment of £735 million until 2021. Its partner countries provide matched resources within the fund. It has 15 UK delivery partners.

The United Kingdom government is investing up to £3 million per year up to 2021 on activities focused within the following Philippine priority areas: health and life sciences, improving environmental resilience, energy security, future cites, agritech, and digital, innovation and creativity.

The Newton Fund is managed by the United Kingdom Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and delivered through 15 United Kingdom Delivery Partners, which include the Research Councils, the UK National Academies, the British Council, Innovate UK and the Met Office.

The United Kingdom delivery partners in the Philippines include the British Council, BBSRC, Medical Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, Research Councils UK, Royal Academy of Engineering, Innovate UK and the UK Met Office. https://businessmirror.com.ph/uk-phl-partner-for-development-through-newton-agham-annual-grants/

FG to mop up arms in circulation 42 John Ofikhenua On: January 28, 2018

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter A policy on mopping up of arms currently circulating in the country is in the offing, Customs Comptroller-General Hammed Ali, announced yesterday.Ali,a retired colonel, said the policy would not only checkmate the influx of weapons into the country, it would also go a long way in controlling the coming in of other illicit items. He spoke in Abuja against the backdrop of general concern over the free flow of sophisticated guns by groups and individuals, including herdsmen who continue to kill innocent Nigerians across the country.

Only two weeks ago, Benue state buried 73 victims of such herdsmen attacks, followed by Taraba which also mass buried scores of people killed.

President Muhammadu Buhari,writing on his Twitter handle on Friday said the security agencies “already have standing instructions to arrest and prosecute anyone found with illegal arms.”

Buhari, who was giving an update on Thursday’s National Security Council meeting said government was “stepping up our efforts to tackle the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.”

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Ali, addressing stakeholders at the 2018 International Customs Day in Gwagwalada, Abuja,said: “We need to join hands with our neighbours and that is only how we can effectively police our borders and ensure what we see in Libya and other countries that arms do not find their way into our territory.

“Already we have enough of it, and I hope we will soon come up with a policy on how to retract these arms that are circulating within our publics.

“But why we are doing that we thought we should also come up with a comprehensive mechanism to be able checkmate not only weapons arms but all illicit items into our territory.”

One of such is rice which importation,he said, has been unofficially banned.

He said the Central Bank (CBN) has not issued Form N to any importer since 2017 to bring rice into Nigeria.

He said:”I am very happy to support what Mr. President said in his New Year address, that this year that we would ban the importation of rice completely.

“As at today, unofficially, rice is banned because since the beginning of 2017, Central Bank which is supposed to issue Form N which is the only permit for importation has not issued any Form N to rice importers.

“So, any parboiled rice you see, which is not our own local rice must have been smuggled in. So, if you go to buy this, then you are encouraging the smugglers and therefore negating the growth of our economy.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter “Any country that cannot feed itself cannot claim to be independent and I think we want to be independent.”

Also speaking, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun announced that following the improvement in revenue collection recorded by the NCS last year, the ministry was working to ensure an increased salary package and condition of service for the personnel.

The Director of Finance, MojisolaApata, who represented by her noted that the service was making revenue available for the three tiers of government, noting that “we are desirous of a better performance this year.”

Asked how much revenue the NCS was targeting to achieve this year, Ali said that “it is our prayer that we should be able to overshoot what we had done last year. It is our prayer that we should be able to get to N1.5trillion this year.”

The Comptroller-General said that the NCS had commissioned its own Customs police to police the service, and operate as an internal mechanism to resolve disputes. http://thenationonlineng.net/fg-mop-arms-circulation/

Why rice costs more in Kebbi

By Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi | Publish Date: Jan 28 2018 2:00AM Because of the boom, its capacity to produce rice in millions of tons and the desire of the farmer to cultivate large rice fields, it is the expectation in many quarters that rice should be cheaper in Kebbi State. Ironically, the price of rice is higher in Kebbi than other rice producing states in the country.

Reasons: Rice production in Kebbi State is virtually done during the dry season. To achieve high yield, the farmers must use water pumping machines powered by petrol to pump water for

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter several hectares of rice fields. Unlike other states, Kebbi has no dam for irrigation farming, so for its farmers to remain in the rice business they must buy fuel on a daily basis to pump water into their rice farms.

Other factors which make Kebbi rice costlier are the competition among those who come to buy the commodity in the state and the breakthrough it has recorded in rice production in the country.

The state has become a haven for millers across the country and even from some parts of West Africa. Because of these, the farmers have jacked the price of paddy up.

The chairman of the Rice Farmers Association in Kebbi State, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent said, “We were buying fuel at the rate of N145 per litre, but given the recent fuel situation, it rose to N220 per litre. With this type of situation, you can imagine the situation of a farmer with about five hectares of rice field and he must buy up to 20 litres every day for three months to power his pumping machine to water the farm.

“This is one of the reasons why our rice is more expensive than that produced in other states.

Some states have dams and they irrigate by gravity. But here, we have to spend more money in buying fuel to power the water pumps to produce our rice. Given this scenario, there is no how it will not affect our cost of production, and consequently, the price of the rice.

“Also, with this situation, the number of hectares a farmer can cultivate will be reduced, and this would result in low output and scarcity of the commodity in the market.”

Augie added that the competition among the buyers of rice in the state and the breakthrough it has recorded in rice production had made it a centre for millers across the country and some neighbouring countries.

“We have two large rice mills in Kebbi State, Labana and WACOT rice mills. Labana has the capacity to produce 220,000 tons per annum and WACOT 120,000 metric tons annually and 400 metric tons of rice daily. We also have rice companies coming from Niger and Kano states. We also have local millers coming from Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Abia and others. This has created competition among rice buyers in Kebbi.

“Another issue is that the important tool a farmer uses to produce rice, after land and seed, is water. We have to buy fertilizers two or three times in a circle, but as far as water is concerned, it

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter is a daily activity and we need the pumping machines powered with petrol to pump water to the farms.

“So, whether he is a small scale or medium scale farmer, his cost of production keeps on escalating. To produce rice in the rainy season is risky because the yield will depend on the character of the rain circle. The longer the period of rainfall the better your yield.

“Last year, there was a sudden cessation of rain and there was serious flood occasioned by the over-flooding of the two rivers - River Niger and River Rima - around our farms. Some rice farms were over-flooded and destroyed. Because of this some farmers lost everything. Many only escaped with less than half of what they expected to harvest.

“In other cases, just as rice was about reaching harvesting stage, there was cessation of rain which the rice needed to take to the final growth stage. That was responsible for some of the low yields farmers suffered last year.

“Despite all these, farmers here buy their inputs. We need subsidy in terms of fertilizers and others. There is need for government to come in and address the issue of inputs. If we buy at market price we must increase the price of our rice. For now, a 75kg bag of paddy is being sold at the rate of N9,000 to N9,500 in the state, depending on the quality. The finished rice is sold at the rate of N13,000.”

The Kebbi State Rice Farmers Association chairman concluded that rice has become a serious business in the state. “Many people, civil servants, businessmen and contractors are returning to the farms now because of the success that farmers in Kebbi have recorded in rice farming since the flag-off of the Anchor Borrowers programme.

“Luckily, there is a large enough market for the commodity. The buyers go as far as the farms to buy the produce. In Kebbi State, we have farmers who have 20 and even 200 hectares of rice fields. I know of a lady who was hawking medicine, now she is into farming. She told me that during the last dry season she made up to N2 million,” Augie explained.

47 https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-rice-costs-more-in-kebbi.html

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Australia-Pakistan trade below true potential: Adamson

By Arsalan Altaf Published: January 27, 2018

Australian envoy says trade imbalance due to larger consumption market in Pakistan. PHOTO: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson has called for enhancing trade and cooperation in other fields between the two countries, saying the existing trade volume of $1.56 billion is below true potential.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter In a media briefing held in connection with Australia national day on Friday, Adamson said that the bilateral trade volume had increased from around $485 million around two and a half years ago to $1.563 billion in financial year 2016-17. The figure also includes trades in services valued at $645.8 million.

However, the bilateral trade is heavily tilted in Australia’s favour as 2016-17 figures show Pakistan imported goods and services worth $1.180 billion from Australia while exporting goods and services valued at $382.3 million. Adamson attributed this imbalance in trade to a larger consumption market in Pakistan. “Australia is not going to be the biggest destination for Pakistan’s exports because we are not big enough, but we can be a significant business partner for Pakistan,” the ambassador said.

Australia’s major exports to Pakistan are vegetables, fruits and fertilisers while it mainly imports textiles, rice and crude petroleum from Pakistan.

Talking about the cooperation in the sector of skill-based education, the high commissioner said Pakistan’s human capital was a key asset for the country and needed to be equipped with technical education. “Pakistan relies on remittances. If workers are skilled, remittances can increase,” she said, adding Australia’s collaboration in Pakistan was focused on helping to hone skills of Pakistan’s young and talented workforce.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter To a question, the ambassador said the existing trade volume was not enough for Australia to undertake the exercise of negotiating a free-trade agreement with Pakistan.

She said export potential existed in Pakistan’s textile, IT, value-added dairy, jewellery, gems and carpets. “We can no doubt take more. But it’s a matter of marketing, infrastructure and environment,” the ambassador remarked. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1619060/2-australia-pakistan-trade-true-potential-adamson/

How Daawat transformed rice from a commodity into one of the top basmati brands By

Rajiv Singh

, ETBrandEquity| Jan 27, 2018, 02.31 PM IST "Daawat has emerged out of the clutter of basmati varieties as a brand," contends brand strategist Harish Bijoor.In early 1980s, the Aroras went against the grain. Though the Gurgaon-based family had been in the business of rice since 70s, the product was nothing more than a commodity—much like masalas, salt and cooking oil—that could be bought by consumers from a nearby mom and pop store. For traders too, branded rice was still not grist for the mill. Things, however, started changing in 1985. "We were the first in India to launch branded rice in 1 kg and 5 kg packs," recounts Ashwani Arora, managing director and CEO of LT Foods, the makers of Daawat brand of basmati rice that hit the market in 1985.

Three decades down the line, the move to toe the branded route is what separated wheat from the chaff, men from the boys, and Daawat from the rest. It has turned out to be one of the biggest basmati brands in India, is available across 65 countries, and the business of branded rice now contributes over 70% of revenue to LT Foods.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter From first rice brand to go on television to the first in the segment to rope in celebrities such as chef Sanjeev Kapoor and megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Daawat transformed itself into one of the few homegrown brands that grabbed humongous mindshare.

The going though was not easy. The fickle nature of the commodity business cluttered with hundreds of unorganised players, inconsistent quality of rice available in the market and unpredictable nature of consumer behaviour were the major deterrents. The Aroras, however, took a huge leap of faith. "We were confident that Indian consumers wanted a brand that could offer finest quality of basmati rice," recalls Arora. From longest grain for Biryani to pearly white grain for pulav to sizeable varieties for chefs, Daawat enjoys the highest level of trust among all kinds of consumers, he asserts.

LT Foods, reckon marketing experts, cooked rice into a brand. All brands and super-brands, once upon a time, were commodities. Rice, to that extent, is a commodity. It then morphs to be a quasi-brand, when there is a distinct and yet faint recognition of different kinds of rice such as Sona-masoori, Ponni, Basmati and 116 different varieties consumed in India.

"Daawat has emerged out of the clutter of basmati varieties as a brand," contends brand strategist Harish Bijoor. Today, he lets on, it is most certainly the lead brand of recognition in this space.

"Think premium rice today, and you think Daawat. That is the power of brand-building," avers Bijoor.

While Daawat has maintained its brand positioning and perception of being a leader since the beginning, Bijoor reckons that there might be others offering arguably superior quality offerings of basmati in the country. But they survive in niche pockets and couldn't build a brand. "That's the difference between a rival and Daawat," he says.

Bijoor, however, sounds a word of caution for Daawat. The brand has rolled out multiple offerings in different price ranges, in an attempt to expand its appeal and lure new consumers.

"There lies the danger," he says. Reason: Basmati is the grain for the rich. There is really no democratising that. "If you democratise, you do it at the peril of the mother brand," he opines.

While Daawat has been broad-basing its appeals with different colour codes and sub-brands, it still remains the mother brand that is recognized and trusted as Basmati. As it adopts different avatars under one brand, it is important to distinguish each clearly. Every sub-brand needs to position itself clearly. "If that is messed up, then Daawat takes a beating of confusion," he says.

Arora, for his part, believes that the only way ahead for the brand is to have as many eaters as possible, something which can be achieved by offering different-priced sub-brands with

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter innovative features for various strata of population. Take, for instance, Eco-life brand which is organic with international certification. Then there is Daawat Quick Cooking Brown Rice, which Arora claims to be enriched with natural fibres, vitamins and minerals. There's also 'Rozana Gold Plus' that offers a mix of 80% basmati rice and 20% quick cooking brown rice. "There are many more innovations in the pipeline," says Arora as he savours the scent of success. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/entrepreneurship/how-daawat-transformed-rice-from-acommodity-into-one-of-the-top-basmati-brands/articleshow/62671198.cms

More batches of powdered milk under scrutiny  

UNB Published at 08:46 AM January 29, 2018

BFSA says it has found high concentration of lead in some batches of imported powdered milkBig Stock Bangladesh Food Safety Authority will decide on product recalls next week

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Last Thursday, the country’s food safety regulator slapped a ban on marketing of all imported powdered milk without lab tests following concerns over traces of heavy metals in some batches of milk powder.

However, a decision on powdered milk already in the wholesale and retail stores across the country remains pending.

Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has now decided to go for lab tests on more batches of powdered milk before asking representatives of powdered milk producers and marketers to its office next week and decide on product recalls from domestic market, if necessary.

BFSA Member M Mahbub Kabir on Sunday said that whether or not milk powders already on sale in the market have to be put off the shelves or destroyed that “we will decide upon completion and findings of tests now being carried out on different batches of milk powders and we will hold a meeting next week with the powdered milk producers.”

Kabir was speaking at a discussion in Dhaka, organized by Bangladesh Safe Agro Food Efforts (BSAFE) Foundation, to come up with recommendations for ensuring safe food ahead of February 2, the day Bangladesh government will observe for the first time as National Safe Food Day. On Thursday, BFSA issued a circular making it mandatory for all imported powdered milks to be lab tested prior to release from importers’ warehouses to the market.

BFSA stated that it found high concentration of lead in some batches of imported powdered milk.

From January 1 this year, BFSA had started applying a similar rule of lab tests prior marketing of all imported fish in the country.

Earlier this month, JS International, the local agent of French multinational dairy products corporation Lactalis, started recalling baby milk formula sold in Bangladesh market as a precaution against salmonella contamination.

According to BFSA and JS International, the French health authorities concluded 620 batches of the company’s products had to be recalled and banned for consumption and export, equating to almost 7,000 tons of goods.

Fourteen importing countries, including Bangladesh, were alerted in this regard.

Lactalis believes the contamination happened at one of its drying towers in north-west France in early May last year. As a precaution, it decided to recall all the products manufactured at the site since February 15, 2017 and shut down the relevant facilities for cleaning and disinfection.Salmonella symptoms include severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting. The illness – caused by intestinal bacteria from farm animals – is dangerous for the very young and elderly because of the risk of dehydration.Speaking at Sunday’s discussion at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Mahbub Kabir said BSFA has found traces of heavy metals in poultry and feeds and detected use of steroids in cow fattening process.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter He said BSFA is now in the process of preparing database of poultry farmers across the country and would soon sit with them.He found it very shameful that people are adulterating food rather intentionally than ‘unintentional adulteration’ and multimillionaire food traders to street vendors – many across the board are party to the crime.

Kabir repented that poisonous potassium bromides are being used in bread and bakery products.

Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, whose time as food minister saw passage of stringent safe food law and start of the process of BSFA formation, on Sunday deplored that Bangladesh Safe Food Authority is running with a paltry 35-strong manpower when its mandate is huge.

Anwar Faruk, a former agriculture secretary, presented a paper highlighting challenges and way forwards for safe food.

Agricultural experts, scientists, UN FAO officials, and businessmen involved in food and agribusinesses had taken part in the discussion chaired by BSAFE President Mohammed Zainul Abedin, who is also a former Bangladesh representative of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/01/29/batches-powdered-milk-scrutiny/

Anti-GM group calls for Golden Rice review in Australia and New Zealand

By Gary Scattergood 29-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 29-Jan-2018 at 02:33 GMT AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to Facebook2Share to TwitterShare to LinkedIn FSANZ made it clear that food derived from Golden Rice would have to be labelled as ‘genetically modified’.

Campaign group GE Free NZ wants regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to review its draft approval for Golden Rice, which is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene.

Golden rice (or GR2E) was cultivated by the humanitarian organisation International Rice Research Institute to mitigate vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.

FSANZ recently recommended that products containing traces of golden rice should be able to be sold in Australia and New Zealand.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

The regulator stressed the application was based on trade issues and did not permit the rice to be grown in Australia or New Zealand.

“The Institute intends for Golden Rice to be grown in developing countries. Permitting Golden Rice in the [Australian] Food Standards Code would mean if small amounts were present in other shipments of imported rice there would be no trade issues,” it noted.

This means that there would be no cost involved in having to exclude GR2E grain from comingling and hence that there would be no consequential need to increase the prices of foods that are manufactured using co-mingled rice grain, said the regulator.

Opposition voiced However, Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ, questioned the efficacy of the product and urged the Minister for Food Safety Damien O’Connor to ask FSANZ to review the its draft.

She said: “A person would have to eat 4kg of cooked rice, (assuming it was fully absorbed and eaten immediately after harvest with minimal cooking) to get the same level of vitamin A that one medium carrot or 1 tsp. parsley would provide."

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter “As this rice is only being approved to prevent trade disruption, we ask the Minister to call for a review of the GM rice, and insist on comprehensive 90-day feeding trials that should have been provided before the approval was made.”

In approving the application, FSANZ also made it clear that food derived from Golden Rice would have to be labelled as ‘genetically modified’ because it would contain novel DNA and novel protein.

“FSANZ has determined that Golden Rice would contain novel DNA and novel protein, as well as an altered nutritional profile (contains beta-carotene), and would be required to carry the mandatory statement ‘genetically modified’ on the package label,” it stated.

“This requirement would apply to rice sold as a single ingredient food (e.g. a package of rice) and when the rice is used as an ingredient in another food (e.g. rice flour, rice milk).

Another product from the rice is rice bran oil. Under the labelling provisions, rice bran oil derived from Golden Rice would be unlikely to require labelling because it would not contain novel DNA or novel protein, or have an altered nutritional profile because beta-carotene would not be present.

Free to introduce The Institute wants the GR2E rice to be cultivated for humanitarian purposes in developing countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines which are at high risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and where 30–70% of energy intake is derived from rice.

While acknowledging that GR2E rice will not solve the issue of population-based VAD for these countries, it believes it can be a major part of an overarching strategy to reduce deficiency.

Countries wishing to adopt the Golden Rice technology are free to introduce the GR2E event into preferred varieties that suit the local environment and meet certain criteria outlined in a Humanitarian Use Licence Agreement, subject to local regulatory arrangements.

https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2018/01/29/Anti-GM-group-calls-for-Golden-Ricereview-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand 56

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