2nd march,2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

2nd March,2018

Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Friday, March 2, 2018

Pakistan posts 64% growth in exports to Qatar post blockade, says official February 28 2018 10:28 PM

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Peter Alagos

Pakistan has recorded a 64% surge in exports to Qatar from July 2017 to January 2018, according to an official at the Embassy of Pakistan in Doha.Commercial secretary Salman Ali, who spoke at the ‗Pakistan-Qatar Business & Investment Opportunities Conference‘ held in Doha yesterday, said Pakistan witnessed an ―export quantum‖ seven months after an economic blockade was imposed on Qatar in June last year.Citing figures from the State Bank of Pakistan, Ali said Pakistan exports to Qatar in July 2017 stood at $5.66mn and increased to $8.74 in January 2018, ―exceeding the $8mn mark for the first time since May 2012.‖ He said Pakistan‘s major exports to Qatar include rice, red meats, fresh fruits, vegetables, cotton and fabric of all types, leather and all its articles, cereal straw and husk, and fish and its products. ―Besides a policy of self-reliance, Qatar views Turkey, Iran, Oman, and Pakistan as the long-term source of food and other supplies,‖ Ali noted during his presentation.

On Pakistan‘s current strategy to facilitate exports, the products in focus are construction materials, pharmaceuticals, processed/frozen food items, raw chicken and meat (frozen/chilled), dairy items, including UHT milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, food packaging materials, light engineering and electrical goods, defence exports, sports goods, textiles, and services.

On Pakistan‘s export performance compared to other countries in the region, Ali said: ―Other regional countries had a comparatively much bigger export footprint in Qatar.

Many products from the region have flooded the market in Qatar but Pakistan‘s logistic advantage and international position eventually gives it a competitive advantage not rivalled by any other country in the region.‖ Ali also said some of the Pakistani products ―successfully introduced‖ in the Qatari market since the blockade include Menu Frozen Food (Season‘s Food); Olpers UHT Milk, Cream and Ghee (Engro Food); biscuits and candies (Hilal Food); packaging material by M/S Packages and M/S Afeef Packages; ketchup and juices for the hospitality sector by Shangrila Limited; steel piping products by International Industries Limited and electrical cables by Pakistan Cables; and ketchup, mayonnaise, and sugar by M/S Soya Supreme Group.

http://www.gulf-times.com/story/583380/Pakistan-posts-64-growth-in-exports-to-Qatar-post-

Philippines for enhancing trade ties The Newspaper's ReporterUpdated March 01, 2018

ISLAMABAD: Finance Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan and Philippines Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Ceferino Rodolfo exchange documents after signing the Protocol of the Session on Wednesday.ISLAM ABAD: Pakistan and the Philippines on Wednesday agreed to enhance bilateral trade ties and explore investment opportunities at the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting.The two-day event was co-chaired by Secretary Economic Affairs Division, Arif Ahmed Khan and Deputy Minister of Industry Development and Trade Policy Group of the Philippines, Dr Ceferino S. Rodolfo.

The two countries agreed to re-activate the Pakistan-Philippines Joint Business Forum and Council with the participation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Philippines and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Pakistan offered Philippines investment opportunities in the power sector, particularly in the renewable energy and small

hydropower projects. Training opportunities in the areas of hydrocarbon exploration, production, processing and survey were also offered by Pakistan.

The two sides agreed to collaborate in the area of post-harvest management and processing of rice and banana.

Pakistan invited the Philippines to invest in construction of highways on ‗Build, Operate and Transfer‘ (BOT) basis.Potential investment opportunities for Pakistani pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing in the Philippines were presented on the occasion. The two countries agreed for exchange of visits between the officials of their respective central banks.

Both sides deliberated upon and agreed to review the proposals regarding revision of the convention on the ‗Avoidance of Double Taxation‘ between Pakistan and the Philippines and cooperation in matters related to the Customs.Detailed deliberations were held between experts of the two sides on trade, investment, energy, agriculture, tourism, health, industries and other matters of mutual interest.

The two sides agreed to hold trade fairs, single country and product-based exhibitions in each other‘s country on a regular basis.It was agreed to conduct feasibility studies on the possibility of ‗Preferential Trade Agreement‘ and for the formation of a technical working group within the JEC for this purpose.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2018

https://www.dawn.com/news/1392393/philippines-for-enhancing-trade-ties

Rice Flour Market Driven by Industry Trends, Market Size, Market Share Forecast till 2022 March 1, 2018 - by amit.p

Rice Flour Market research report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Rice Flour Market. The report provides a basic overview of the report including definitions, classifications, applications and chain structure.

The Rice Flour Market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.

Get a PDF Sample of Rice Flour Market Research Report at: http://www.absolutereports.com/enquiry/request-sample/11311603 Rice Flour Market Top Key Players: Burapa Prosper, Thai Flour Industry, CHO HENG, Koda Farms, BIF, Lieng Tong, Bob‘s Red Mill Natural Foods, Pornkamon Rice Flour Mills, HUANGGUO, Rose Brand For each player, product details, capacity, price, cost, gross and revenue numbers are given for better understanding. Their contact information is also provided.

Then, Rice Flour market report focuses on major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information.

Browse more detail information about Rice Flour Market Report at: https://www.absolutereports.com/11311603 Rice Flour Market by Product Analysis Rice Flour Brown Rice Flour Glutinous Rice Flour

Rice Flour Market by Applications Rice Noodle and Rice Pasta Sweets and Desserts Snacks Bread Thickening Agent Further in the report, the research report is examined for price, cost and gross. These three points are analysed for types, companies and regions. In continuation with this data sale price is for several types, applications and region is also included. The Rice Flour Market for major regions is given. Additionally, type wise and application wise figures are also given.

Purchase a Copy Of this Report @ http://www.absolutereports.com/purchase/11311603 Table of Content covered in Rice Flour Market Report: Chapter 1: Describes About the Rice Flour Industry, Types and Main Market Activities Chapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape: Rice Flour Markets by Regions(USA, Europe, China, India, Japan, South East Asia) Chapter 3: World Rice Flour Market share: Major Production, Revenue (M USD) Market share by Players and Major Production, Revenue (M USD) Market share by Region in 2016, Through 2022 Chapter 4: Supply Chain Analysis: Industry Supply Chain Analysis, Raw material Market Analysis, Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers Analysis, Production Process Analysis, Production Cost Structure Benchmarks, End users Market Analysis Chapter 5: Company Profiles: Company Details (Foundation Year, Employee Strength and etc.), Product Information (Picture, Specifications and Applications), Revenue (M USD), Price and Operating Profits Chapter 6: Globalization & Trade: Business Locations, Supply channels, Marketing strategy, Barriers to Entry Chapter 7: Distributors and Customers: Major Distributors and contact information by Regions, Major Customers and contact information by Regions

Chapter 8: Import, Export, Consumption and Consumption Value by Major Countries Chapter 9: World Rice Flour Market Forecast through 2022 Chapter 10: Key success factors and Market Overview SOURCE Opinion Investor https://opinioninvestor.com/

https://opinioninvestor.com/rice-flour-market-driven-by-industry-trends-market-size-marketshare-forecast-till-2022/56863/

Partnerships Focus of USA Rice Presentation to Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board

By Deborah Willenborg FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- USA Rice leverages partnerships to help spread the U.S.-grown rice message around the world, and some of the most valuable were on display as USA Rice staff presented both a review of recent activities and a look ahead to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board (ARRPB) meeting here this week.

The USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited (DU) Rice Stewardship Partnership is just one example of how finding common goals with key partners can directly benefit the rice industry. USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward shared a video produced by NestlĂŠ Purina about rice conservation efforts that showcased Mississippi farmer Mike Wagner, Arkansas farmer Mike Sullivan, and Missouri farmer Rance Daniels. In addition, Ward highlighted how USA Rice and DU have worked together to deliver $17 million in Regional Conservation Program Partnership (RCPP) funds directly to Arkansas rice farmers to expand voluntary, private lands conservation practices.

USA Rice Vice President of Domestic Promotion Michael Klein explained successful efforts partnering with internet foodies; TV celebrity chef Sara Moulton whose cooking show recently featured Arkansas rice farmer Eric Vaught and his family; students through the National Rice Month video scholarship contest; and research and development chefs and food writers.

Taking on the bad actors

Ward reviewed the trade landscape for rice with the board, including the challenge of preserving export gains made through NAFTA and combatting unfair trade practices that undermine U.S. export success globally. She also highlighted the critical partnership that USA Rice has with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) which forms the backbone of the industry's export promotion programs. "We are very fortunate to have champions for rice at USDA like Secretary Sonny Perdue and the new Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney who see their jobs as partnering with us to increase exports of rice," said Ward.

Ward also highlighted the partnership between USA Rice, USDA, and USAID on developing nutritious and affordable fortified rice technology for U.S.-grown rice that is now accepted into global feeding programs.

The ARRPB is made up of nine rice representatives who are nominated by industry organizations and appointed to two-year terms by the governor. The board is responsible for allocating Arkansas rice promotion and research check-off funds annually, and for the past 30 plus years, the ARRPB has awarded promotion funds to the USA Rice Council in recognition of the exemplary work performed by the Council on behalf of Arkansas rice farmers.

The board voted this week to continue the relationship.

"We are deeply grateful that this board entrusts their hard-earned financial resources to us," Ward said. "We certainly value our partnership with the Arkansas rice industry and will build on our successes both here and abroad in the coming year to expand consumption of U.S. grown rice."

Scientists and Yolo County Farmers using Rice Fields to Grow Food for Endangered Salmon

The winter-run chinook salmon population continues to hover around historic lows in the Sacramento River, but farmers in Yolo County are working together with scientists to grow fish food on their rice fields in hopes of reversing this troubling trend.

The pilot project – Fish Food on Floodplain Farm Fields – is a partnership between UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, Cal Trout and California rice farmers. The group will use existing fields to produce tons of bugs that fish like salmon love to devour. ―We like to think of these bugs in the water as floating fillet for the salmon,‖ said Cal Trout Senior Scientist Jacob Katz. ―The fatter these fish get from these bugs produced on the rice fields, the better chance they have to survive the treacherous journey to the ocean.‖

Scientists from UC Davis and Cal Trout are proving that 1,500x more fish food is produced on the flood plains (rice fields) versus canals or the river. The project aims to get more of the food back in to the river system.

Early tests by scientists in the pilot project are already yielding results that reveal great promise in producing the amount of bugs needed to make a significant impact.―The amount of zooplankton and invertebrates (fish food) thriving on the rice fields have far exceeded our expectations,‖ said Carson Jeffres, a researcher with the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences. ―We have great hope that this project will serve as a model that can be implemented at a larger scale in the near future.‖

This is the latest effort tied to the Sacramento Valley Salmon Recovery Program, which aims to reverse the population decline of the winter run Chinook salmon.

Cal Trout‘s Jacob Katz gathers samples in a Yolo County rice field as part of a program to grow food for endangered fish.

Recent surveys are startling, revealing less than 2,000 fish are making the journey each winter from the San Francisco Bay to the upper channels of the Sacramento River. In the mid-1970s, those numbers totaled more than 25,000.Farmers like Roger Cornwell of River Garden Farms in Knights Landing saw an explosion in the bird populations since the 1980s once fields were flooded to break down the rice crop in the winter months. Today, he and other farms are finding another use for their fields – feeding the salmon. ―By borrowing water from the river for a few weeks, and then returning it full of fish food, we can have a dramatic impact on the ecosystem,‖ Cornwell said. The water is pumped onto the fields and as the shallow water sits, it starts to breakdown the plants that grew during the previous summer. That carbon then creates algae, and the algae feeds the bugs that are vital for a salmon‘s survival. ―We are getting more pop for each drop,‖ Cornwell said. ―And it is supplying a water system that is starved for this type of energy activity.‖This effort is crucial because the river is too swift and deep to create the type of food energy source that the salmon need for their arduous journey to the Pacific Ocean.―Farmers are essentially reconnecting this historic floodplain that provides a great deal of energy to the river system. It‘s a system that has been cut off for a century,‖ Katz said. ―Without these collaborative efforts, the fish remain in danger and have little hope. This project creates a win-win for everyone. It means a healthy ecosystem for fish, birds and people.‖ The pilot project is in year two of a three-year experiment. Next winter, the focus will shift, uncovering the best delivery practices to ensure the largest number of bugs grown in the fields make it to the river.

The key to this project is the cooperation between farms, water districts, government agencies, conservation groups, and scientists. ―This new way forward means we are all working together to use the water more efficiently, while making a difference for endangered salmon populations,‖ Cornwell said.

State Water Contractors and San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority also helped contribute funding to the project. http://www.westsac.com/news-ledger/2018/02/28/saving-the-salmon/

Does Arsenic in Rice Cause Fatty Liver Disease?

February 28, 2018

In a recent US study, researchers investigated how arsenic exposure from rice may put certain individuals at risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver

disease (NAFLD) is the most common fatty liver disorder in developed countries. In the US, approximately 30% of adults suffer from NAFLD, which can progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and liver cancer later in life. While NAFLD occurs primarily in those who are obese, it is also thought to be influenced by genetics and exposure to environmental pollutants.

Recent evidence has suggested that arsenic may be to blame. Despite government regulations to control arsenic levels in public drinking water, the heavy metal can accumulate in the soil, where its then absorbed by certain plants. Rice, specifically, has been known to store excess arsenic in the grain, which is then transferred to humans when consumed. In the U.S., every quarter cup per day increase in rice consumption raises arsenic levels in the blood by 14%.

Arsenic Leads to Fatty Liver Disease in Mice To investigate a potential link between arsenic exposure and increased risk of NAFLD, scientists first looked to mouse models. Researchers found that mice exposed to arsenic experienced the highest degree of liver damage and inflammation, even more so than those fed a high-fat diet.

To determine whether the same link could be observed in humans, scientists surveyed 8,516 Americans of varying age, weight, sex, and ethnicity between 2005 and 2014. To avoid performing liver biopsies on every participant, NAFLD was assessed instead using blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, a liver enzyme often elevated in patients with fatty liver diseases.

Arsenic exposure was assessed using urine samples, which reflects the patient‘s average arsenic uptake in the last three days. The results were recently published in Environmental Health.

Certain Ethnic Groups More at Risk The researchers found that higher arsenic levels in the urine did reflect an increased likelihood of NAFLD. This was true regardless of the individual‘s weight, meaning obesity didn‘t seem to play as large a role as previously thought. However, the researchers did find that being obese made things worse, with obese patients exposed to arsenic having even higher ALT levels.

The scientists also found that certain ethnic groups were more likely to be exposed to arsenic than others. The most significant association was found amongst Mexican Americans, with other Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asian-Americans also at higher risk. The researchers believe that this may be associated with variations in cultural diets. Those where rice was a staple food were more likely to be exposed to higher levels of arsenic, however, the scientists would have to determine each participant‘s diet to be sure.

The research team is now looking to confirm this hypothesis by surveying patients diagnosed with NAFLD. By understanding who might be at risk of the disease, the team hopes to develop community programs to help those affected early on, before severe liver damage and cancer can develop. This is the first study to evaluate this association in humans and the researchers hope that this study, along with future research, can help to identify the biological mechanisms involved. They also hope this study will lead to more strategies to prevent or reduce the effects of arsenic exposure.

Written by Calvin J. Chan, B.Sc. Reference: Frediani, J.K., Naioti, E.A., Vos, M.B., Figueroa, J., Marsit, C.J. and Welsh, J.A. (2018). Arsenic exposure and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among U.S. adolescents and adults: an association modified by race/ethnicity, NHANES 20052014. Environmental Health. 17:6. https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/arsenic-cause-fatty-liver-disease/

A Booming Rice Mill Boosts Profits and Benefits Farmers in Nepal February 28, 2018 KISAN/Winrock InternationalArvind Kumar Shah (background, far left) is working with over 1000 small-scale farmers, offering them a buy-back guarantee on harvests.

Dev Bhar Rice Mill has been operating for more than 20 years in mid-western Nepal. But until recently, it was only able to meet about 30 percent of the local demand for rice. ―Due to a lack of technical knowledge and low-quality seed, we were mostly dependent upon importing about 70 percent of our raw rice from India to cover the local market needs,‖ said Arvind Kumar Shah, the owner of Dev Bhar Rice Mill in Nepal‘s Banke district.

Feed the Future is helping Shah and his company change that. A Feed the Future project in the area teaches agribusinesses like Dev Bhar Rice Mill how to provide farmers with extension services, including agricultural training and improved production techniques so they can increase their production capacity. The more rice farmers grow, the more the mill can process.

After working with the project, Shah provided training, regular site visits, and guidance on good agricultural practices to 1,000 farmers to improve farming practices in rice, lentil and mung bean production to better manage their crops and increase yields.

The improvements didn‘t stop there – with support from the project‘s grants program, Dev Bhar Rice Mill upgraded its machinery, boosted its manufacturing capacity and ensured a role for producers in the local agriculture market. With modernized machinery, the mill expanded fine rice production and threshing capacity for paddy rice, increasing its processing capacity in two years from enough rice to feed 11,000 people to enough to feed nearly 21,000 people. The Banke district has reduced rice imports from India by 30 percent. Local demand continues to grow, providing farmers with an opportunity to produce and sell more rice, thereby improving their ability to make a living.

Dev Bhar Rice Mill‘s upgraded machinery also brought better business opportunities to farmers, who are seeing increased profitability from growing more rice. For example, a local food company selected Dev Bhar Rice Mill for a six-month service contract to thresh 200 metric tons of paddy rice in early 2017.

Feed the Future also worked strategically to facilitate direct connections between farmers and traders to create win-win relationships: Farmers get fair prices, and millers maintain sufficient stock.

"Before I started working with [Feed the Future], I had no idea who my local suppliers were," Shah said. "But now, I engage with them directly; I visit their homes and share their meals. It's good for the community and good for my business.‖ The Feed the Future Nepal Knowledge-based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition (KISAN) project, is funded by USAID and works with the Government of Nepal to sustainably improve food security and increase incomes through integrated agriculture activities. KISAN builds the capacity of private sector and community-based organizations to improve the availability of quality farm inputs; increase access to credit, extension and other services; and improve the competitiveness and efficiency of processors and other buyers. https://feedthefuture.gov/article/booming-rice-mill-boosts-profits-and-benefits-farmers-nepal

Fair price shops to supply red gram THE HANS INDIA | Mar 02,2018 , 12:24 AM IST

Fair price shops to supply red gram

Kakinada: Andhra Pradesh Food Commission Chairman J R Pushpa Raj on Thursday launched supply of red gram from fair price shops at Gudarigunta.

Speaking on this occasion Pushparaj said under the programme, the government would supply red gram at Rs 40 a kg. He said the programme would benefit 16 lakh white ration card holders in the district and 1.41 crore ration card holders in the state.

On the occasion, he also distributed rice, red gram and sugar to cardholders. He warned the ration shop dealers and rice millers that the government would initiate stern action against those who misuse the PDS rice. JC Mallikarjuna, Civil Supplies DM Krishna Rao, DSO Prasada Rao, P Suresh and others participated. http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-03-02/Fair-price-shops-tosupply-red-gram/362650

If the rice industry is to be saved the GRDB must stop the exploitation

By Staff Writer

Dear Editor, I read your recent editorial on Agriculture in our country and the much needed input from central government across the spectrum for safe and meaningful development. I am very moved by your well-intentioned remarks and suggestions on the best possible way forward and it has brought to the fore my very own direct involvement in the rice industry where I have been a rice farmer for 60 years.

At this point in time I feel very threatened with all the recent developments in the rice industry.There are no definite plans for improvement and vision for expansion, although there is an abundance of resources available. There has been no foresight for progress and success. The rice industry is also in deep economic depression, and the dynamics of the officials seem nonexistent.Leadership skills have been in cold storage for too long. The Ministry of Agriculture has not been pro-active enough to move the industry in the right and positive direction and my greatest fear is that we are faced with the same very dilemma as the sugar industry. In any sphere of activity where leadership is paramount, success will be realized, and when good stewardship wanes, failure reigns.

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Directors need to revisit some of their decisions on the general operations of the rice industry. What they say or do affects the industry one way or the other. Their faults lie in putting the wrong persons in important administrative positions.

Allegiance and patriotism are very important, but when this is done for ulterior motives this very

act can be a very destructive force. The very thought of removing a highly efficient and brilliant official and replacing him/her with very, very junior staff, is a certain formula for a high powered explosion within the super structure of a system. Take for instance, a brilliant member of staff like Mrs Peters, who was reassigned to the position of deputy general manager of GRDB. Most rice millers have had to pull-up or slow-up, whenever she appears. Her firm and resolute actions were very beneficial to the rice industry. She has been a no-nonsense woman. She also treats rice farmers with respect.

Another highly vindictive act of the Board of Directors was the refusal to renew the contract of a veteran within the industry, Mr Kuldip Ragnauth, former Chief Extension Officer of GRDB. This remarkable gentleman has given incomparable service to the rice industry. He has served in this capacity with honour and resolute conviction. He interacted with every rice farmer in a very professional manner ever so often, and his organizational skills won the support and admiration of rice farmers throughout the country. He has touched the hearts of all of us and we are now left like unattended orphans, without proper parental guidance. The so-called care givers are seldom seen by us and it hurts deeply. Extension can never be the same again. What I know scientifically about rice cultivation came through his inspiration and encouragement. What he was paid to do, he selflessly delivered much, much more. His name is now etched in the history of the rice industry as the number one trailblazer and the rice farmer‘s patron.

Mrs Peters‘ timely disclosure in the news media of a magnificent decision to install a modem electronic seedling cleaner at Burma Rice Research Station, is a laudable venture for quality seedling production. This development is in the best interest of all stakeholders in the industry, as quality seedlings pave the way for the best reproduction of a high standard quality of the product for international markets. This has been a long overdue component for quality control in paddy seedlings output.

Another interesting intervention is that of the grading systems formulated by GRDB and put into practice by the rice millers. This particular formula is a flawed directive, and the rice farmers have been paying the price all along for such imposition. The rice millers take advantage of the farmers by using the repulsive instruments of authority from GRDB. I vehemently oppose this act of treachery and the denial of the farmers‘ rights. Let me relate what takes place at the miller‘s paddy hopper. A sampler is sent to take a sample for grading in the process of offloading. As the dumping commences the sampler puts his sample container on both sides of the truck‘s tray and then in the middle. Shortly after this is done, the paddy grains slide down into the hopper. In taking samples this way, more wind pads get into the sample container than solid grains. Hence the farmer pays a high penalty for dockage ‒ more than he should.

Another raw deal that is handed down to the farmers is the formula used to award grades to the poor producer. When penalties have been applied for every stipulated grading factor, a percentage is used per bag to calculate each factor, which manifests in pounds per bag of paddy as penalty deductions. When this exercise is completed then the millers pay the farmers a

stipulated price per grade after all deductions are made. So the millers buy from the farmers, super quality paddy. This being so, why can‘t the miller pay one flat top quality price to the farmer after being made to pay penalties twice? This is a high-handed tactic to take from the farmer his hard-earned labour.

If the rice industry is to be saved, the GRDB must stop such exploitation and boost the farmers‘ morale, or else we shall all go down the same dreary lane, as GuySuCo. I shall bear the banner for betterment if it entails walking one thousand miles!

Yours faithfully, Ganga Persaud (Bobby) https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/opinion/letters/03/01/if-the-rice-industry-is-to-be-savedthe-grdb-must-stop-the-exploitation/

How the country can export more farm products

BY DR. WILLIAM DAR ON MARCH 2, 2018

DR. WILLIAM DAR

(First of two parts) For a country blessed with rainfall that is three times India‘s, the Philippines should easily be one of the top exporters of farm and food products from the Asean region.The country has an annual rainfall of about 2,000 mm while India only has 700 mm. But India is one of the top rice exporters in the world, and rice is a crop that requires a lot of water to cultivate. On the other hand, the Philippines still imports rice.The country is not only a net rice importer but also a net food importer, as it exported $5.7 billion worth of farm and food products in 2016 and imported $11 billion. So the Philippines‘ trade deficit when it comes to food and farm products amounted to $5.9 billion in 2016.

The deficit can even be bigger because of smuggling, which I believe is still rampant. So how does the Philippines stack up against its Asean neighbors when it comes to farm and food exports?

According to data from the United Nations Trademap, Thailand shipped abroad $42.2 billion in farm products in 2016 and imported $15.7 billion for a surplus of $26.5 billion; Indonesia $36.5 billion in farm exports and $17.9 billion in agricultural imports for a surplus of $18.6 billion; Malaysia $26.7 billion in farm exports and $17.4 billion in agricultural imports for a surplus of $9.3 billion; and Vietnam $23.1 billion in farm exports and $14.5 billion in agricultural imports for a surplus of $8.6 billion.

The UN Trademap data also showed Thailand had 13 types of farm exports earning over $1 billion each a year, Indonesia five, Vietnam seven, and Malaysia and the Philippines only two.But while Malaysia only has two farm commodities earning $1 billion each annually in export receipts, it has five others earning $500 million each annually. Indonesia also has five other farm commodities earning $500 million each annually in export receipts, Thailand four, and Vietnam two.

Latest figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority show pineapple products is now the No. 3 farm export of the Philippines, earning about $700 million in 2016.

One of the reasons Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam are powerhouses when it comes to exporting farm and food products is they have diversified cropping systems, whereas the Philippines devotes about 80 percent of its agricultural lands to just three commodities: rice, corn, and coconut. Our coconut farms are also not productive and value-adding remains low, which explains why coconut farmers are among the poorest despite the country earning more than $1 billion annually from the export of coconut products, primarily in oil form. Thailand, on other hand, devotes 88 percent of its farmlands to five major crops, Vietnam 79 percent to three major crops, and Indonesia 67 percent to three major crops.

While Vietnam almost has the same percentage of farmlands devoted to just three crops like the Philippines, it ranks at No. 3 worldwide in rice exports, No. 1 in shelled cashew nuts and pepper, No. 2 in coffee and cassava starch, and No. 3 in natural rubber, also according to the UN Trademap and research from UA&P.Looking at Vietnam‘s other farm exports besides rice, I believe there is no need for the Philippines to reinvent or even invent new types of farm products so the country can increase its international shipment of food and farm commodities, both in raw and processed form. I am saying this because we can easily produce more shelled cashew nuts and pepper, coffee and cassava starch, and natural rubber, all of which Vietnam exports today.

So let me ask my favorite question: what needs to be done?

Adopt agri-industrialization For the Philippines to export more farm and food products, it must first adopt agri-industrialization as a strategy that will have the following as its major components: shifting and investing heavily on high-value crops, and value-adding with an eye for both the local and export markets.

The adoption of agri-industrialization will also need a reorientation among stakeholders in the farming sector, especially smallholder farmers, for them to become agripreneurs.

For starters, there is a need to shift from the largely mono-cropping system of Philippine agriculture to diversification and multiple cropping, which will need also a shift in program and policy priorities.

As stated earlier, 80 percent of the country‘s farmlands are devoted to only three crops: rice, corn, and coconut. And the irony is most rice and coconut farmers, and a large percentage of corn farmers are among the poorest of the poor in the country.

While diversification will definitely need the conversion of large tracts of rice lands for the cultivation of other high-value crops, this does not mean the government abandon the country‘s aspiration to become 100-percent self-sufficient for the staple.

The most productive and potentially productive rice lands can further increase their production with interventions like mechanization, hybrid seeds, good agricultural practices, irrigation, among others.

These can increase the average yield in rice farms from the current 4 to 5 metric tons per hectare to 6 to 7 MT per hectare.

On the other hand, the less productive upland and rainfed lowland rice farms will be diverted to the growing of higher value vegetables, fruits, ornamentals and industrial tree crops like coffee, oil palm, rubber, cacao, and hybrid coconuts.

Identifying crops that have export potential is a no-brainer, because all we have to do is look at which farm and food products have raked in billions of dollars for Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The issue of marketing should also be addressed if the country wants to export more farm products, and this should include the Philippines participating in international trade shows and exhibits, undertaking research on market trends, and linking smallholder farmers to companies that have access to export markets, among others.

Smallholder farmers can participate in contract arrangements with private corporations. Also, smallholder farmers can be organized into cooperatives because organized farmers can consolidate their lands under the block farming approach, which will enable them to pool their resources to adopt mechanization and other farming technologies so they can increase their production.

Once organized farmers realize that processed products have higher value-added, they can innovate or develop more products from raw farm produce, and even plant other crops that can be processed into more finished products.

More important, organized farmers can have better bargaining power when dealing with international clients or companies that have access to the world market.

In the next part of this column-series, I will also discuss the other potential ―export winners‖ of the Philippines from the agricultural sector.

http://www.manilatimes.net/country-can-export-farm-products/383441/

‗Poor to gain more from making rice cheaper via scrapping of QR‘

By Bernadette D. Nicolas March 1, 2018 Converting the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice into tariffs would benefit the poor more than increasing the cash subsidies given to them, an official of the Department of Finance (DOF) said on Thursday.In a news briefing in Malacañang, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua also told reporters more Filipinos would benefit from the conversion of the QR on rice. ―The government‘s plan is to reduce the price [of rice] so that everyone would benefit. Because if you will give a subsidy, that means the government is taking it from the budget,‖ Chua said.

Aside from making rice cheaper, the DOF official said converting rice-import caps will also help the government increase its tax collection. Citing the National Economic and Development Authority‘s (Neda) estimate, Chua noted that scrapping the QR would slash the price of rice by P7 per kilogram.

He added there are other ways to help the poor in case inflation accelerates, such as the provision of conditional-cash transfer (CCT) and the unconditional-cash transfer (UCT).

A total of 7.4 million families will receive a cash subsidy of P200 per month to help them cope with the increase in commodity prices following the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

Amounting to P2,400 for the whole year, the UCT will be distributed within the first quarter to 4.4 million existing beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and to 3 million indigent senior citizens.

The UCT is different from the CCT because it requires children of the beneficiaries to continue attending school to undergo regular check-ups.

Chua said 4P beneficiaries have started to receive the conditional cash transfers, adding that the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributes the UCT together with the 4P subsidy.

In an economic bulletin on the rice-sector reform, Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil S. Beltran said the conversion of the QR would encourage more private traders to import the staple.

Citing a Neda study, Beltran said the reduction in rice prices would be beneficial to the majority of households spending at least 20 percent of their income on rice.

The DOF‘s chief economist added reducing rice prices would also help the government cut poverty as the staple is a major driver of inflation.

The first package of the TRAIN, which was implemented in January, lowered income tax rates but hiked the excise tax of fuel products, sweetened beverages and brand new vehicles. https://businessmirror.com.ph/poor-to-gain-more-from-making-rice-cheaper-via-scrapping-of-qr/

Govt starts OMS of rice from Sunday March 1, 2018 businessnews24bd.com The government will begin Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice across the country on Sunday to minimize the high trend of retail price of the staple food.The lower income people will get

maximum 5-kg rice each at Taka 30 per kg a day.In addition to this, the government today started a Food Friendly Programme up to the union level for 50 lakh extreme poor people.Under the program, each family will get maximum 30-kg rice per month at Taka 10 per kg.―We will begin rice sale under OMS programme across the country on March 4 for the lower income people,‖ said Food Secretary Sahabuddin Ahmad.The OMS will begin at all the divisional cities and district headquarters, he said.Under the programme, people will get maximum five-kg rice per day and the food department with its regional offices would sell 625 metric tons of rice a day.―The food department will sell over 21,000 metric tons a month under the OMS programme,‖ said Director General of the Department of Food Badrul Hasan.

About the food friendly programme, the Food Secretary said the programe is being carried out as part of a five-month programme covering the months of March and April and the July-September period. The government will distribute around 7.50 lakh metric tons of rice annually for the programme.

He, however, said the OMS will continue until the rice price comes down to normal level.

http://businessnews24bd.com/govt-starts-oms-of-rice-from-sunday/

Korea to supply 50,000 tons of rice as foreign aid Posted : 2018-03-01 14:04 Updated : 2018-03-01 19:26

By Yoon Ja-young Agriculture Minister Kim Young-rok, right, shakes hands with World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley after signing an agreement to entrust the organization to deliver and distribute rice donated by Korea at WFP headquarters in Rome, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Korea signed an agreement for food assistance with the World Food Programme (WFP), pledging to provide through the organization 50,000 tons of Korean rice, worth 46 billion won ($42.5 million) to people of developing countries suffering from starvation.

"Seventy years ago, Korea was torn apart by the Korean War. However, we overcame the limitations of a divided country and achieved a model democracy and market economy. Now, Korea stands as the 11th-largest economy in the world," the country's agriculture minister Kim Young-rok said in a special speech to the WFP, Wednesday. As the world's leading humanitarian assistance agency under the United Nations, the organization has been providing food to 80 million people each year.

"I want to acknowledge that in our early stages of economic growth, foreign assistance from the international community including the WFP laid solid building blocks for our growth," he said.

He pointed to Korea's joining of the OECD Development Assistance Committee in 2010.

"Our transformation from a recipient to a donor serves as an exemplary case of just what international assistance can do."

The donation follows Korea's joining of the Food Assistance Convention (FAC) in January as its 16th member country. Created in 1968, FAC aims at provide humanitarian food aid to developing countries. It recorded $3 billion worth of donation pledges and fulfillments in 2017.

Upon joining the convention, Korea agreed to supply 46 billion won worth food assistance in 2018.

According to the ministry, 50,000 tons of Grade A rice produced in Korea will be donated. Rice polishing and packaging work will begin in March and is slated to be completed in the first half of the year, with plans for distribution to donor countries in the second half. The WFP will be in charge of shipping and distribution.

The rice will be donated to five recipient countries the government selected in consultation with the WFP as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Syria and Yemen in the Middle East and Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda in Africa. They are suffering severe food shortages due to conflict and natural disasters. Each recipient country will get 10,000 tons of rice.

"In this era where mankind has witnessed unprecedented development, conflicts and natural disasters are still inflicting pain and suffering on many parts of the world. About 800 million people, including women and children, are still left undernourished," the minister said.

"In the global efforts to achieve zero hunger, Korea will take a more active role by strengthening cooperation with WFP and other international institutions."

In Yemen, 17.8 million of its 28 million total population face a food crisis. The WFP estimates an additional 3.2 million will fall into crisis due to intensifying armed conflict since 2017.

Conditions are also deteriorating rapidly in Syria following seven years of civil war. Seven out of 10 Syrians are in extreme poverty and 10.5 million need food support.

The recipient countries in Africa are in no better shape. In the case of Kenya, 42 percent of its population of 46 million is in poverty, suffering from an unstable food supply as well as water shortage following frequent drought. Ten percent of Ethiopians suffer serious malnutrition.

Moreover, 650,000 refugees from Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan staying in the country are in need of food. The number of refugees to Uganda more than tripled during the past two years, coming from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi. Since July 2017, over 730,000 refugees have entered Uganda.

The minister added Korea will share its agricultural expertise and technology with developing countries to assist them to establish the fundamentals needed for their growth.

The rice donation is also meaningful as Korea is trying to diversify its overseas assistance which has been focused on infrastructure development.

"Through the full-scale food assistance that we provide by joining the FAC, Korea will emerge as a full-fledged, key donor country in food aid. This will enhance the international community's awareness of Korea," an official at the agriculture ministry said.

"Countries like Ethiopia helped us during the Korean War, dispatching troops to fight together against North Korea. The food aid is of major significance since it gives Korea an opportunity to pay back." https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2018/03/367_244956.html

Pakistan, Philippines agrees to conduct feasibility studies on possible PTA P AR V E Z J A B R I

M AR 1 ST, 2 0 1 8

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Philippines Wednesday agreed to conduct feasibility studies on the possibility of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), deciding to form a Technical Working Group within the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) for this purpose.

The agreement was reached at the Joint Economic Commission sessions here, which was Co-chaired

by Secretary, Economic Affairs Division, Arif Ahmed Khan and Deputy Minister, Industry Development and Trade Policy Group, (IDTPG) Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines, Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo.

The Protocol of the Session was signed by both Co-chairs here , based on major actions and decisions by both the sides.

The Inaugural Session of Pakistan–Philippines Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was held in Islamabad on February 27-28, 2018.

Both the countries agreed to re-activate the Pakistan-Philippines Joint Business Forum/Council with the participation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Philippines and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan (FPCCI).Pakistan offered Philippines investment opportunities in Power sector, renewable energy and small hydro power projects and training in the areas of hydro carbon like exploration, production, processing and survey etc.

In JEC meeting, both the sides presented prospective export products for each others‘ markets. In this regard Pakistan offered Rice, Fruit (especially Pakistani citrus and Mangoes), Leather Garments, Pharmaceutical Goods, Sports Goods and Surgical Items.

While Philippines side presented Electronics and semi conductors; Automotive Parts and Components; Processed Food and Halal Products.

Both sides agreed to hold and actively participate in trade fairs, single country and product based exhibitions in each others country on a regular basis.The two sides agreed to collaborate in the area of post-harvest management and processing of rice and banana. Pakistan invited Philippines to invest in construction of Highways in Pakistan on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

Philippines shared investment opportunities for Pakistan pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing in the Philippines.The Parties mutually agreed on exchange of visits between the officials of Central Banks of the two countries.Pakistan and Philippines deliberated upon and agreed to review the proposals regarding revision of the convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation between both sides as well as explore the possibility of cooperation in matters related to Customs.

The meeting was held in a spirit of friendship, cooperation and desire to make rapid advances in the above mentioned sectors/areas.Detailed meetings were held between experts of the two sides on a number of issues, especially focusing on Trade, Investment, Energy, Agriculture, Tourism, Health, Industries and other matters of mutual interest.

During his stay in Pakistan, Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo called on the Minister for Commerce and Textile and Federal Secretaries for Ministries of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination and Foreign Affairs of Pakistan

https://www.brecorder.com/2018/03/01/402061/pakistan-philippines-agrees-to-conductfeasibility-studies-on-possible-pta/

Rice Starch Market – BENEO, Ingredion, Bangkok starch, Thai Flour, AGRANA, WFM Wholesome Foods, Golden Agriculture, Anhui Lianhe

By Victor Pace March 1, 2018

Global Rice Starch market analyzes the current and future prospects of the Rice Starch market worldwide. The stakeholders of this report include companies engaged in production and marketing

of Rice Starch systems across the globe. This report encompasses an elaborate executive summary, with a market snapshot that provides overall information of major market segments and subsegments included in the study scope. This section also provides the overall information and data analysis of the Rice Starch market with respect to the leading market segments based on analysis and major application areas.

Get a FREE sample Copy of this report @ https://www.1marketresearch.com/marketreports/rice-starch-market-144402/#tab-request_sample The Rice Starch market has been segmented on the basis of analysis, application, and geography.

Geographically, global Rice Starch market has been further categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. The market for each of these segment has been analyzed on the basis of various market dynamics such as technological advances, its advantages and increasing use of the innovative techniques in many research activities. Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn for the period from 2015 to next 5 to 10 years along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2015 to next 5 to 10 years are provided for all the segments.

Top Key Players In This Report :BENEO Ingredion Bangkok starch Thai Flour AGRANA WFM Wholesome Foods Golden Agriculture Anhui Lianhe

Browse Report : https://www.1marketresearch.com/market-reports/rice-starch-market144402/

The market overview section of this report explores market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that have predominant impact on the Rice Starch market at present and could influence the market in the future as well. The market attractiveness analysis has been provided in the market overview section in order to elucidate the intensity of competition in the market in different LATAM countries. Porter‘s five forces analysis is also explained in this section to understand the Rice Starch market considering different parameters that have an impact on the sustainability of the companies operating in this market. The competitive scenario between different market players is evaluated through market share analysis in the competitive landscape section of the report. All these factors would help the market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their shares worldwide.

The report also profiles major players in the Rice Starch market on the basis of various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Rigorous research and development initiatives by the leading market players as well as execution of unique marketing strategies to increase the accessibility and affordability are supporting the Rice Starch market growth globally. The global Rice Starch market is influenced by the presence of large regional players and predominant in developed economies as compared to other developing economies. However, these companies are focusing on expansion in emerging economies globally.

http://www.firstnewspaper24.com/2018/03/rice-starch-market/

RICH to set up a regulatory advisory cell This will help the various startups to know the regulatory framework and design their products and services to comply with that. This would make them more likely to succeed, according to its Director General Ajit Rangnekar.

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By AuthorB. Krishna Mohan | Published: 2nd Mar 2018 12:07 am Updated: 2nd Mar 2018 2:05 am

Hyderabad: Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH), an initiative of Government of Telangana that aims to make to take research to market, will shortly set up a regulatory cell within.

This will help the various startups to know the regulatory framework and design their products and services to comply with that. This would make them more likely to succeed, according to its Director General Ajit Rangnekar. ―In the last one year, we have worked with many startups.

While we understand that not all startups will be successful, some of them were failing because of lack of awareness of the regulatory regime that their product or service would have to comply. We want to bridge this with our own regulatory cell,‖ said Rangnekar.

According to him, there is no single nodal agency now that can guide the startups on the regulatory mechanisms. The proposed cell will look to bridge this gap, he said.

On the product front, Rangnekar said select RICH research partners including Indian Institute of Rice Research and others are coming out with low glycemic index products that will be good for diabetics. They are also coming up with fortified rice varieties that will take of micronutrients in the diet like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and others. RICH partners are also working on millet-based products, he said. ―Several children are suffering from deficiency of micronutrients. These products that will be launched shortly can be channelised through mid-day meals like programmes,‖ he said.

On other activities of RICH, he said it help partners get patents. ―We will assess the ideas and tell them if they can be patented. The focus is no reducing the patent process related costs, which

are high,‖ said Rangnekar.

RICH has already announced its plans for setting up tinkering labs for agriculture. It is looking about 70-75 acre and for this it has funding commitment of Rs 20-25 crore from the Central Government. It is hoping that it will be ready in a year, subject to land availability. This will be a demonstration centre of successful agriculture techniques that can help the farmers increase their productivity. ―The focus will be on using new technologies, like taking vertical farming. These are tremendous opportunities for our farmers. If I tell farmers to change cropping patterns, the farmers will not be willing as the move will affect their livelihood. They are also not sure of the outcomes. But they will be open to change if the impact is shown somewhere else. That is why we are planning for tinkering labs for farmers. They can stay here for a while to understand the processes and outcomes,‖ he said adding that RICH will work farmer cooperatives and startups. It has already done a feasibility study including on the kind of equipment and technologies to be used. https://telanganatoday.com/rich-regulatory-advisory-cell

Shibalaya Farmers Group gets Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award-2017 on March 1, 2018

Manikganj Correspondent

Farmers Group of Shibalaya in Manikganj district has proudly achieved ―Bangabandhu National

Agriculture Award-2017‖ yesterday.Managing Director of the Organization Md. Amjad Hossain received ‗Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award-2017‘ Certificate from Prime Minister at a function in the city yesterday.This achievement is their result of long industry and dedication to the agriculture and soil of this country. Their achievement has also glorified the industry and contribution of our farmers. We hope that ―Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award-2017‖ will perform as a milestone and will inspire them for their working with people.CCDB Shibalaya Farmers‘ Group Enterprise, Shibalaya, Manikganj is basically a farmers‘ organization. It has been started on 2002. There‘re almost 1,200 farmers included in this farmers‘ family. Among them almost 990 are female. Depending on the theme ―Seed is the right to the farmers‖ – the farmers used to produce, collect, preserve and sell their own seed. So that the farmers used to have good qualities of seed within their reach and get relief from the seed fraudulence. At the same time they become free from the monopoly business aggression of the seed companies.

Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) and Agriculture Extension Department of the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture provided organizational, legislative and technical assistance to construct this organization. Other than them those who are providing assistance to this organization in various ways, are Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Bangladesh Institute for Nuclear Agriculture Research, International Rice Research Institute, International Wheat and Corn Research Institute, Seed Wing, Seed Certified Agency and Department of Agriculture Extension under Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture.This Farmers Group used to produce, collect, preserves and sell their seed within the ―Chasir Hashi‖ brand.

The quality seed produced yet by this organization are: rice, wheat, potato and corn. The organization is now working with the farmers of Manikganj, Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Barguna, Morolganj, http://businessnews24bd.com/shibalaya-farmers-group-gets-bangabandhu-nationalagriculture-award-2017/

Non-addictive painkillers from poisonous Philippine seashells

BY MA. ISABEL ONGPIN ON MARCH 2, 2018ANALYSIS

Ma. Isabel Ongpin I HAVE been hearing how the poisons in our Philippine cones can be regarded as assets in pharmacology because, even as we speak, they are being turned into painkillers that are non-addictive but very effective. One characteristic is that they can be used long-term without having to increase their dosage to be effective, unlike other painkillers like morphine.Considering the opioid crisis that we are seeing in the US where

opioids, or chemical painkillers, have become so addictive as to require higher dosages to be effective for long-term use, that they have become literally life-threatening. Some US states like Ohio and Florida are experiencing high death rates due to opioid use, particularly by young people who have made it a drug of choice. So much so that recently the US President has had to put out an executive order to counter the opioid crisis.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines and in the US, two Filipinos are leading research teams working on how poisons from our extensive range of poisonous seashells can be turned into painkillers.

They are Dr. Lourdes Cruz, National Scientist, and her team in the Philippines, and Dr. Baldomero Olivera, Jr., at the University of Utah in the US. Dr. Cruz is a renowned Filipino scientist (a UP graduate in biochemistry, and an MS and Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Iowa), who taught at UP Los Baños and Manila and worked with the International Rice Research Institute in her early career. She has written the most research papers in the University of the Philippines.

The research has been going on for a number of decades now and there is a painkiller, Prialt, already in the market in Europe and the US made from the results of the research. More and varied ones are in the offing.

More research is ongoing as the research teams find a whole range of seashells in Philippine waters (cones, turrids, augers) whose poisons can be used. Cones alone have 700 species; many more may not yet be known to science. Turrids and augers with their own poisons have now been added to the study group. Many of these seashells have not yet scientifically classified.

Research work analyzes and deconstructs their biochemical properties thoroughly to be able to transform them into painkillers. The teams are on the brink of coming up with drugs that will not only be simple painkillers but can be especially useful for diabetes, epilepsy and intractable cancer pain.

All of the above I learned from a lecture sponsored by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines at the National Museum (―Sabado sa Museo‖) last Saturday, February 24, given by Dr. Baldomero Olivera, Jr. himself, titled ―Cone Snails: From Natural History Treasures to a Pharmacological Cornucopia for Novel Non-Opioid Drugs for Pain.‖ Dr. Olivera is an inveterate collector of oriental ceramics and seashells. The latter introduced him to Philippine poisonous cones which awakened in him a sense of scientific curiosity that led to serious investigative work. He is originally a resident of San Juan, Metro Manila; he went to grade school at St. John‘s Academy, a school run by his aunts in that city. From there he went to the University of the Philippines where he graduated summa cum laude and on to the California Institute of Technology where he earned his doctorate and then for post-doctoral studies at Stanford. Eventually he taught at the University of Utah where he heads a research team studying the poisons that can become painkillers.

Dr. Olivera gives massive credit to Filipino fishermen who work on the first stages of the research. They identify the seashells, know where to get them, how to handle them. They do this with no expensive equipment, just their expertise and prowess in the sea. They are a trove of knowledge that the research teams have found indispensable. It is to be said too that the Philippines indeed is a country of biodiversity in both land and sea from its location, geographical features, and the surrounding seas that are abundantly rich in species of sea life.

At his lecture, Dr. Olivera presented startling videos of the predatory behavior of cone shells.

They eat fish and worms using their poison to stun them in three ways: by tethering them (using their proboscis), or net capture (their own nets that emanate from their bodies) and ambush and assess (when the fish is immobilized, they move for the kill and the meal). Of course, that is Nature and the food chain at work.

What is of interest is the channels used for the poison to get to the nerve fibers – a sodium channel and a potassium channel. Furthermore, the methods of using the poison are the lightning strike cabal or the motor strike cabal. Scientific terms but understandable in the videos. There is also a nirvana cabal that weaponizes insulin to turn the prey hypoglycemic and therefore helpless. There is even a group of cones known as colubraria that act like vampires – they suck blood from fish with the use of poison to stun them and make them pliant.

The studies on the use of insulin to paralyze or incapacitate a fish have come up with a monmer insulin that can be used for diabetes, and as analgesics.

The use of what they term conotoxins (poisons from cones) opens a lot of possibilities for the diseases mentioned earlier—diabetes, epilepsy, cancer pain.

With all the unclassified seashells that keep coming up from our waters, Dr. Olivera says 20 percent of each batch netted are unknown and undescribed to science, i.e. many of them like the turrids and augers, the research teams have had to describe, classify and name. Here is where Dr. Olivera‘s sense of humor takes over and he names them for his grade school teacher, his cousins, etc. (a prerogative of the first person to make them known to science). Moreover, he names whatever biochemical agglomerations are deconstructed and therefore defined, in Filipino. Such as Conantukin from ―antukin‖ which is Filipino for sleepy and Contulakin from ―tulak,‖ or push.

I think they are analgesics. The foreigners pronounce them in another way with the accent on the second syllables. They are now scientific terms.

An open forum followed the lecture, with a welter of questions from a surprisingly substantial and fascinated crowd of almost 50 people. The next day, Dr. Olivera was bound for Hong Kong to give another lecture. But before that he managed to give everyone a seashell with no poison.

Everyone anticipates the new Philippine cone poisons to be turned to non-addictive, effective painkillers for the long term. This is already putting on the map Philippine research work from Philippine sources with extensive participation by Philippine fishermen. http://www.manilatimes.net/non-addictive-painkillers-poisonous-philippine-seashells/383594/

Global Rice Seed market Research Report Released with growth, latest trends & forecasts till 2022 March 1, 2018

Justin Danneman

Questale has just released a comprehensive market research report for Global Rice Seed Market. This report focuses on top players in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering DuPont Pioneer , Bayer and Nuziveedu Seeds . ―This report is a professional account, which gives thorough knowledge along with complete details pertaining to Global Rice Seed Market. The research experts have evaluated the general sales of Global Rice Seed Market and its revenue generation. Furthermore, it also gives extensive study of root market trends and many governing elements along with improvements in the market in every segment., it contains diverse profiles of key market players such as DuPont Pioneer , Bayer and Nuziveedu Seeds .‖ – said a Spokesperson with Questale.

You can get free access to samples from the report here: https://questale.com/report/globalrice-seed-market-professional-survey-report-2018/252426 The potential of the products has been rigorously tested in conjunction with the key market challenges. The existing condition of the market and future prospects of this segment has also been studied. Furthermore, key market strategies, which include product developments, scope of product, and market strategies are also discussed. It constitutes quantitative and qualitative evaluation by industry experts, assistance from industry analysts, and firsthand data.

This research report for Global Rice Seed Market explore different topics such as product scope, product market by end users or application, product market by region, market size for the specific product, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers, Market Effect Factors Analysis, market size forecast, and more. The research gives a forecast for the Global Rice Seed industry till the year 2022.

The research experts have evaluated the general sales of Global Rice Seed Market and its revenue generation. Furthermore, it also gives extensive study of root market trends and many governing elements along with improvements in the market in every segment. Furthermore, it contains diverse profiles of key market players.

Mazor countries have a very crucial role in the global market and the latest report for Global Rice Seed Market study the status of development and future trends in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Southeast Asia & Australia. The report also splits the products by applications and by type to deeply and fully research and disclose the market situation and future prediction.

About Global Rice Seed Market Research Report This report is vital for any player in the industry, thanks to the comprehensive outlook that is provided. Considering all the vital details that it encloses, it is important for any new player entering the arena so that they can get a good idea and study the market before making any crucial decision. The report will answer queries about the present market developments, opportunity cost, and more.

On product basis, each report shows the revenue (in USD), sales volume (K units), market share, product price (in USD per unit), and rate of growth of each kind. They are primarily divided into Long-Grain Rice , Medium-Grain Rice and Short-Grain Rice .

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at:: https://questale.co https://tokenfolks.com/global-rice-seed-market-research-report-released-with-growth-latesttrends-forecasts-till-2022/18873/

Genetically modified cotton gets nod to roll out LYNDAL READING, The Weekly Times March 1, 2018 6:00pm

THE Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has approved the commercial release of a genetically modified cotton.

The application by Syngenta Australia was for a new cotton, genetically modified for insect resistance.The release is expected to be in Australia, however, the use of GM products is restricted in some states and territories for marketing reasons. The OGTR said the GM cotton and products derived from the cotton may enter general commerce ―including use in human food and animal feed.‖ ―Food Standards Australia New Zealand has approved the use in food of material derived from this GM cotton.‖OGTR information shows the GM cotton contains an introduced gene for insect resistance that is derived from a common soil bacterium. Meanwhile, FSANZ has approved an application from the International Rice Research Institute to permit ―Golden Rice‖ food in Australia.

Golden Rice has been modified to produce betacarotene, a form of vitamin A.FSANZ says while the Institute intends for the rice to be grown in developing countries ―permitting Golden Rice in the Food Standards Code would mean if small amounts were present in other shipments of imported rice there would be no trade issues.‖ https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/cropping/genetically-modified-cotton-getsnod-to-roll-out/news-story/399aff82d011b3d8d02e05db37a3a41a