7th november,2017 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

Daily Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter November 07,2017 Volume 9 | Issuu XI

 Unisame urges PM to take remedial measures promptly  Rice exporters want withholding tax withdrawn  Republic of Korea supports Ghana with $9m to develop rice industry  Rice Exporters of Pakistan wants zero-rated sales tax status  India rice starts moving in Sri Lanka, shortages over  Higher rice demand increases price  Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- November 06, 2017  Rice shortage over with the arrival of 100000 MT rice shipment  Brazil Agrobusiness Group to increase rice production  Rice drives India's agri exports  Ninth Annual Yellow Rails & Rice Festival Celebrates Louisiana's Working Wetlands  Boost for local farmers as State cancels import of maize, rice  Group laments increase in rice smuggling  Traders’ cartel offers lower prices, growers start stocking basmati  Thailand Join Forces With Alibaba In Selling Thai Rice Online  India rice starts moving in Sri Lanka, shortages over  Govt should fix MSP for basmati, say farmers  ‘Find right markets’ before hiking organic rice  NRRI conducts field study on pest attack  The Double-Edged Sword of GMOs  Saguaro Genome Shows Why Many Cactus Species Are Hard To Classify  Global Electronic Rice Cooker Market Research Report 20172022  Scope of thewww.ricepluss.com Global Electronic Rice /Cooker Market Report www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

1

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice News Detail‌

Unisame urges PM to take remedial measures promptly The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises ( UNISAME)being badly affected by fall in business has urged the prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to take short term and long term remedial measures to promote exports and domestic value addition units of SMEs. President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said many SME units have been forced to close down due to substantial decline in business and many others are suffering losses. This is indeed an alarming situation and calls for immediate steps to boost business both domestic and overseas.

He urged the PM to facilitate exports to third world countries to open new markets for textiles, rice and light engineering goods.

The SME exporters need bank discounting facilities and the banks need export credit guarantee insurance for their risk management.

It is very important that the premium for the insurance is made affordable to enable the SME exporters to avail the facility. The insurance companies are demanding high rate of premium which is more than the profit. The insurance cover needs to be Thaver said the other important factor is the SME exporters need to be competitive and for this UNISAME has urged the PM to offer a 10% bonus voucher to exporters which could be sold in the market as a prize bond.

Thaver said of course for long term measures the government needs to offer incentives such as tax holiday for new industries and land at concession on installment payment. Reduc tion of duties on raw and packing material. Commercial property leasing facility.

Arranging for technology transfer and collaboration and joint ventures through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA).

UNISAME also stressed the need for enhanced support for agriculture and modernization of cultivation, irrigation, harvesting, storing and logistics and last but not the least marketing support for the farmers.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

2

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice exporters want withholding tax withdrawn Bureau Report November 06, 2017

: All Pakhtunkhwa and Fata Commercial Exporters Association on Sunday demanded immediate withdrawal of the levy of 1.5 per cent withholding tax (WHT) on purchasing profit margin in order to promote the export of rice to Afghanistan.

Talking to mediapersons here on Sunday, the association’s president Abdul Rauf Shah claimed that imposition of the tax had resulted in decline of rice export to the tune of $1 billion, demanding it should be withdrawn forthwith.

He said that the rising import of rice by Afghanistan from Tajikistan and India via Chahbahar and Bandar Abbas ports was an ample proof of the negative effect of the levy of the tax.

The association’s chief said that due to non-recovery of the said tax, the Federal Board of Revenue had issued notices to over 30 exporters and their bank accounts had also been frozen.

He said that if the government wanted increase in export of rice, it should provide one-window facility to the exporters. He said that exporters could not provide the purchase letter, adding they could not meet those things which were not mentioned in the goods declaration.

Mr Shah said that they were ready for the clearance of their export consignments through We BOC system, but added that provision of facilities, including DSL service and electricity, was the responsibility of the government. He said that these problems existed only at the Torkham and Kharlachi crossing points.

He said that the Constitution gave special preference to trade with Afghanistan and keeping it in view the government should simplify procedures of bilateral trade to promote employment opportunities in the area. He said that blocked bank accounts of the exporters should be unfrozen with immediate effect.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

3

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Mr Shah made it clear that any tax, which was not collected during the consignment, would not be paid. He said that despite zero-rated tax they were paying one per cent income tax and 0.25 per cent Federal Development Surcharge.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2017

https://www.dawn.com/news/1368701/rice-exporters-want-withholding-tax-withdrawn

Republic of Korea supports Ghana with $9m to develop rice industry

4

An official of the GRIB explaining the Ghana Rice Business Centre Model to Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The Republic of Korea has offered Ghana $9 million to develop a rice industry in the Central Region.The choice of the region for the project followed a recommendation by some Korean rice experts that it had the potential to produce enough rice to feed the country and also for export.

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who made this known when he opened the fourth Ghana National Rice Festival in Accra yesterday, said the experts had assessed the rice production potential in all the 10 regions of Ghana.

The two-day festival is on the theme: “Ghana Rice for food! Ghana Rice for Jobs!

According to the minister, the experts established that even though all the regions had the potential to produce rice on a large scale, the Central Region was more endowed.

Importation Between 2007 and 2015, Dr Akoto said, the value of rice imports escalated eight-fold from $152 million in 2007 to a peak of $1.2 billion in 2014 and 2015.

“In the same period, the volume of rice imports climbed from 441,000 metric tonnes to 630,000 metric tonnes”, he added.

The minister said the statistics implied that pressure was not only being put on the nation’s trade balance but also made the country vulnerable to global price increases and supply shortages in the rice market.

Dr Akoto said in the past few months, innovative efforts had been made to transform the entire agricultural sector into a vibrant and high-yielding sector to save the country from unnecessary importation and huge import bills.

He explained that the overall objective of the “Planting for Food and Jobs” by the government was to provide enough food to ensure “food and nutrition security in the country.”

According to him, about 750,000 jobs in both direct and indirect employment would be created during the first year of its implementation.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

5

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Appeal The President of Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), Mr Imoro Amoro, appealed to the government to support the body to expand and establish Ghana Rice Business Centres to help create more employment in the country.

He said the Ghana National Rice Festival had come to stay to help create awareness and promote local rice brands to create jobs, food security and wealth in the country.

“I also urge the companies importing rice into the country to come and invest in Ghana rice production to promote industrialisation in the country,” the president added.

For her part, the Policy Advisor of the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, Nana Ama OppongDuah, said the festival would encourage rice farmers to work hard and produce sufficient rice for both the local and international markets, adding that, it would also help promote sustainable food systems in Africa.

“I would, therefore, encourage value chain members to include nutritious crops in their farming systems to ensure not only self-sufficiency in rice but also the production of nutritious food,” she stated. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Republic-of-Korea-supports-Ghana-with9m-to-develop-rice-industry-597453

Rice Exporters of Pakistan wants zero-rated sales tax status

By Yasir Zeb Nov 6, 2017

The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has requested the government to recognize the second largest export industry of Pakistan and give it a status of Zero-rated sales tax.

Exporters in the rice industry are facing liquidity issues due to large amounts of pending tax refunds.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

6

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Chaudhry Samiullah, central chairman REAP told The Nation, besides textile industry, rice exports are the largest among four export-oriented sectors. He feared that ignoring rice exports would negatively impact the rice exports, as well as overall exports of the country and rice exporters, would lose their traditional markets.

The chairman said, “The government should treat rice as a separate industry and put under the umbrella of zero-rated sales tax category along with five major export sectors.�

The government restored the zero-rated tax on five major export sectors in Pakistan last January including Textiles, Leather, Sports Goods, Carpets and surgical equipment. The Chairman REAP said it was a very good decision by the government to restore the zero-tax regime for the biggest exporters but keeping rice out of the regime is questionable, rice exports are the second largest sector in Pakistan, ignoring the sector could lead to a high trade deficit.

He also said that the association REAP has written several letters to the ministry of commerce and ministry of finance pushing them to include rice in zero-rated tax category, the rice industry is earning $2 billion annually but exporters in this sector are not facilitated like other export sectors.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

7

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The Chairman said the government should adopt the policy of “no payment no tax” in order to ensure the corruption free export trade. It wastes exporters time to first pay the taxes and get them refunded later, it hinders the cash flow and creates liquidity issues which the sector cannot afford at this time. As the funds in tax refunds are held by FBR, exporters have to borrow money from banks and pay extra on interest to keep their money supply up running. https://www.researchsnipers.com/rice-exporters-of-pakistan-wants-zero-rated-sales-tax-status/

India rice starts moving in Sri Lanka, shortages over Author LBO

Posted on November 6, 2017 | Agriculture, In Pictures, South Asia The first batch of low priced rice out of the huge 100000 MT Indian rice tranche has been offloaded and is now moving within Sri Lankan retail market, ending any supply fears.Meanwhile, the open international tender call for 200,000 MT rice in three varieties, also successfully closed in Colombo last week.

By the weekend of October 4-5, a total of 20,000 MT tranche of parboiled ‘nadu’ rice sent by an Indian private sector supplier to the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) of Sri Lanka have been offloaded at Port of Colombo and been distributed to CWE warehouses. The value of the received 20000 MT rice stock is US $ 8.9 Mn (SL Rs 1.36 Bn). This rice stock is now being re-distributed from CWE warehouses to Lanka Sathosa outlets to be sold at only Rs 74 per kilo.

Any consumer purchasing more than 25 kilos of this rice from Lanka Sathosa can buy them even lower-only Rs 73 per kilo.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen addressing a press briefing on 1 November in Colombo, highlighting his efforts to end rice supply shortages through yet another global tender call, said: “Our international tender to import 200,000 MT rice closed yesterday 31 October. Rice samples submitted with tender bids are being forwarded to ITI for lab tests.”

The latest tender is, unlike previous “Government to Government” (G2G) tenders, a “Sri Lanka government to local and international private sector” call. A total of 34 local and international private sector suppliers have quoted for the 200,000 MT tender, that closed on 31 October and announced initially on 19 October. The Ministry has forwarded all the submitted quotes to the Cabinet Appointed High Powered Tender Board which will compare prices of these international

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

8

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter and local private sector suppliers with “government to government” prices quoted in previous G2G tender calls, before making final selections.

The international tender was floated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on the directions of government’s Cost of Living Committee.

The Cabinet Appointed High Powered Tender Board is expected to pick the qualifying suppliers for this 200,000 MT international tender by this Friday 10 October. Private sector suppliers from Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, India, and Vietnam quoted. Several Sri Lankan suppliers too submitted their bids in this 200,000 MT total which consists of three varieties-90000 MT Parboiled Nadu rice, 60000 MT Samba (Parboiled) rice and 50000 MT White Raw rice. http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/india-rice-starts-moving-in-sri-lanka-shortages-over

Higher rice demand increases price Submitted by Eleven on Sat, 11/04/2017 - 16:55 Writer: Nilar Soe (Pathein)

A paddy field (Photo-Nilar Soe)

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

9

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Pathein- It is harvest time for the monsoon paddy in Ayeyawaddy Region but the price of rice and paddy is higher than usual as there is higher demand in the market.Delays in the last months of the paddy growing season caused harvesting delays resulting in reduced volumes of warehoused paddy.Those reduced volumes, combined with increased demand from China and Bangladesh, has increased prices of rice and paddy, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.“The prices of rice in Thailand and Vietnam have increased and so merchants tend to buy rice from Myanmar,” said Win Myint Hlaing, chairman of the Ayeyawaddy Region chamber of commerce and industry.

“The large-scale rice merchants have already sold rice to their customers, although they had nothing at hand [to deliver]. When the ships docked for exporting, they rushed to buy rice at higher prices. The main thing is the price of broken rice has increased and so the [overall] rice price also increased,” said Win Myint Hlaing.

Myanmar’s rice market had to rely only on sales to China and African countries in the past, but now there is increased demand from the Philippines and Bangladesh. Contract language guaranteeing control of the rice quality has been key to winning the new markets.

“Medium-scale rice merchants have to stop their business as there is a sudden increase in the rice price. As there is instability in the rice market, there are large losses. Government should stabilise the rice price,” said medium-scale rice merchant Thaung Htay from Pathein.

The Monsoon paddy is now being harvested, with the Kaugyi paddy harvest coming in December. The prices in the last week of October were: low-quality rice at Ks21,000 to K.23,000 per rice bag, Shwe Thwe paddy at Ks31,000 to Ks36,000 per rice bag, and Ayeyawaddy Pawsan at Ks43,000 to Ks50,000 per a bag, according to retail and wholesale rice dealers. http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/12295NOVEMBER 6, 2017 / 1:02 PM / A DAY AGO

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- November 06, 2017 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-November 6 Nagpur, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

10

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Marketing Committee (APMC) on good seasonal demand from local millers amid weak supply fromproducing belts. Notable hike in Maadhya Pradesh gram prices and repeated enquiries from South-based millers also boosted sentiment , according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties reported higher in open market on renewed demand from local traders amid tight supply from producing belts.

TUAR * Tuar varieties recovered in open market here on increased buying support from local traders. * Masoor and Moong varieties jacked up in open market here on good buying support from local traders and thin arrival from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,950-4,050, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,900-6,100, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,700-8,300, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,000-7,300, Gram – 4,700-4,800, Gram Super best – 7,300-7,500 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Gram Auction Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction Moong Auction Udid Auction

Available prices Previous close 3,700-5,000 3,500-4,800 n.a.

2,100-2,600 3,550-4,110 3,500-3,950 n.a.

3,900-4,200 n.a.

4,300-4,500

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

11

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Masoor Auction n.a.

2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,600-1,690 1,600-1,710 Gram Super Best Bold 7,500-8,000 7,500-7,800 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 6,600-7,000 6,300-7,000 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,800-3,900 3,700-3,800 Desi gram Raw 4,800-4,900 4,700-4,800 Gram Kabuli 12,500-13,200 12,500-13,200 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,200-6,400 6,000-6,300 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,800-6,000 5,700-6,000 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,600-5,800 5,300-5,600 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,000-5,300 4,800-5,200 Tuar Gavarani New 4,000-4,150 3,800-3,900 Tuar Karnataka 4,300-4,600 4,100-4,400 Masoor dal best 5,100-5,400 4,900-5,400 Masoor dal medium 4,700-4,900 4,500-4,800 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,000-7,500 6,800-7,400 Moong Mogar Medium 6,300-6,600 6,300-6,500 Moong dal Chilka 5,600-6,200 5,600-6,100 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,500 8,000-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,100-7,100 6,100-7,100 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,200-6,200 5,200-6,100 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,300 5,000-5,300 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,800 3,400-3,800 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,750-1,900 1,750-1,90 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,100-2,300 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,450 2,200-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,150 1,900-2,100 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,000-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,700 2,200-2,700

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

12

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500 3,000-3,500 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,800-2,900 2,800-2,900 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400 2,200-2,400 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,600 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,600 3,250-3,600 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 4,700-5,000 4,700-5,000 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,400 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-14,000 10,000-14,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 4,700-5,000 4,700-5,000 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 30.8 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 15.0 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 31 and 15 degree Celsius respectively.

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

https://in.reuters.com/article/cipla-results/cipla-second-quarter-profit-up-19-percent-on-higherdomestic-sales-idINKBN1D70V7*

Rice shortage over with the arrival of 100000 MT rice shipment Mon, Nov 6, 2017, 08:40 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

13

Nov 06, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced today that the first batch of low priced rice out of the huge 100,000 MT Indian rice tranche has been offloaded

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter and is now moving within Sri Lankan retail market, ending any supply fears.According to the press release issued by the Ministry during the November 4-5 weekend, a total of 20,000 MT tranche of parboiled 'nadu' rice sent by an Indian supplier to the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) of Sri Lanka have been offloaded at Port of Colombo and been distributed to CWE warehouses.

The value of the received 20, 000 MT rice stock is USD 8.9 million (Rs 1.36 billion). This rice stock is now being re-distributed from CWE warehouses to Lanka Sathosa outlets to be sold at only Rs 74 per kilo. Any consumer purchasing more than 25 kilos of this rice from Lanka Sathosa can buy them even lower-only Rs 73 per kilo.Meanwhile, the open international tender call for 200,000 MT rice in three varieties, also successfully closed in Colombo last week.

The Cabinet Appointed High Powered Tender Board is expected to pick the qualifying suppliers for this 200,000 MT international tender by this Friday 10 November. Private sector suppliers from Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, India, and Vietnam quoted. Several Sri Lankan suppliers too submitted their bids in this 200,000 MT total which consists of three varieties-90,000 MT Parboiled Nadu rice, 60,000 MT Samba (Parboiled) rice and 50,000 MT White Raw rice.

Of the 200,000 MT rice called for, Sri Lanka expect 100,000 MT to arrive in Colombo by end November 2017 and the other 100,000 MT to arrive by end of December 2017.

According to Minister of Industry and Commerce Bathiudeen, domestic Lankan rice market has faced supply pressures as three consecutive harvesting seasons (2016 & 2016/'17) failed to produce usual paddy volumes resulting in a 50% fall in domestic rice supply this year, thereby necessitating imports to the country to sustain the market. http://www.colombopage.com/archive_17B/Nov06_1509981007CH.php

Brazil Agrobusiness Group to increase rice production

By A. B. Kafui Kanyi, GNA Dabala, (VR), Nov. 03, GNA - The Brazil Agrobusiness Group, a company focused exclusively on rice cultivation at Kpenu, near Dabala in the South Tongu District is to double production by 2020.The Company’s rice harvest currently corresponds to 2,220 hectares annually with the potential to produce up to 155,400 tons of rice, Ms Lidiane Jaconi, Managing Director of the Company, said on Thursday.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

14

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter She was interacting with some executive members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)-Volta/Eastern chapter, who were on a tour of industries in the southern part of the Volta Region.Ms Jaconi said the Company was opening up 60 hectares monthly to meet demands of the local market and to help “develop and stimulate agriculture” and create jobs in the country.

She described the Kpenu area as good for rice cultivation with the “right climate conditions, soil and humidity, which are primordial bases for farm development”.

Ms Jaconi said those factors and their “cultivation methods” were raising the quality of grains produced high and changing the view of the quality of rice produced in the country.She said the Company was enjoying good relationship with the local communities and hinted of plans to acquire more lands.

At the Diamond Salt Factory, Mr Manthiramurthy Ramaligam, Manager, Salt Works, of the Company, said taxes and challenges in acquiring land were affecting the Company’s expansion plans.

Mr Dela Gadzanku, President, AGI, Volta/Eastern commended the industries for setting up in the Volta Region and urged them to take advantage of government’s “one district, one factory” initiative to expand and grow the local economy.The team also visited some hospitality industries.

http://www.ghananewsagency.org/economics/brazil-agrobusiness-group-to-increase-rice-production-124470

Rice drives India's agri exports EU stockists build inventory ahead of tighter quality norms Dilip Kumar Jha | Mumbai Last Updated at November 5, 2017 00:41 IST

Farm exports, led by rice, jumped by 13 per cent during April-September as dealers overseas built up stocks amid fears of a ban by the EU, which strengthened quality norms.According to

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

15

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), exports of agricultural products registered with it jumped to $8.73 billion in April-September from $7.69 billion in the corresponding period a year ago. In rupee terms, Apeda-registered exports jumped by 8.64 per cent to Rs 56,183 crore from Rs 51,499 crore.

The rise in farm exports was primarily driven by rice, both basmati and non-basmati, which contribute nearly 44 per cent to the country’s annual farm shipments. Exports of rice rose by over 30 per cent in dollar terms and 25 per cent in rupee terms during April-September as European buyers built inventories in anticipation of tighter quality tests effective November 1.

“European buyers built their inventories on fears a smaller quantity of rice would pass the quality tests. Iran, too, purchased a huge quantity of rice, resulting in an increase in overall exports,” said Gurnam Arora, joint managing director, Kohinoor Foods.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in a communication to Apeda, said basmati rice from India needed to pass through a pre-shipment residue test for 22 pesticides from November 1. Apeda clarified that the minimum residue limit for propiconazole was under review.

16

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

The val ue of bas mat i ric e ex port s jumped to $2.13 billion in April-September from $1.63 billion in the same period a year ago. Exporters’ realisation rose to $997 a tonne from $789 a tonne last year. Rice exports were 2.13 million tonnes in AprilSeptember, up from 2.07 million tonnes in the same period of 2016.

Guar gum also witnessed a sharp rise in exports from 163,958 tonnes ($180 million) in April-September 2016 to 252,568 tonnes ($317 million) in the comparable period this year. Increasing demand from shell gas companies for oil drills yielded 14 per cent higher realisation this year at $1,255 a tonne.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:wU3yRmjesuMJ:www.businessstandard.com/article/markets/rice-drives-india-s-agri-exports117110500008_1.html+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

Ninth Annual Yellow Rails & Rice Festival Celebrates Louisiana's Working Wetlands

By Lesley Dixon THORNWELL, LA -- Every year around early November, birders, researchers, and wildlife conservationists from around the world converge on rice fields near here to witness the migration of a very special bird: the yellow rail. A small, inconspicuous marsh bird, the yellow rail is at

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

17

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter the top of bird-watching lists due to its shy nature. It lives in the underbrush of marshy fields, feeding on insects, snails, and vegetation. It is so elusive that even scientists at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science, who know the species better than anyone, aren't sure where it winters. Ornithologists believe the yellow rail spends the cold months somewhere further south, in the brackish salt marshes of coastal Texas.

Rice farmer Kevin Berken can tell you where they spend Halloween, though: his rice fields.

Thornwell is known as the Yellow Rail Capitol of the World and for good reason. Rice fields like Berken's are an essential pit stop for migratory birds, and yellow rails in particular seem to love the straw leftover between the first and second harvests.

Berken founded the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival nine years ago so that bird enthusiasts could check this rare species off their lists, and in the meantime learn about how rice fields provide invaluable habitat to many coastal animals. For species threatened by coastal erosion and urban development, southwest Louisiana rice fields are a sanctuary.

"For things like the yellow rail, they're critical," says Michael Seymour, avian biologist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. "The brushy borders of rice fields and all those fence rows are very important for migratory birds."

According to Seymour, wildlife conservationists are especially worried about rice fields being replaced with other crops. "I think the rice fields do a whole lot for these birds."

The festival kicks off with Berken conducting an orientation session or "Rice Farming 101" for the birders. He explains not just what they'll directly see in the fields, but things they might not see - like his conservation practices. He also explains the rice industry - the varieties grown in the six major rice producing states - and the challenges the industry faces - specifically from imported rice.

But the real fun gets underway when Berken takes bird-watchers out on his combine, the rails take flight or scurry into a net, where wildlife experts give a hands-on demonstration of how to band the rail's leg.

This year 120 participants, representing 30 U.S. states and four countries, attended. "No one has left one of our festivals without seeing a yellow rail, but this year was a challenge," said Berken. That's because it poured rain intermittently all day on Wednesday, the festival's first day, and according to Berken, these birds "don't like wet feet." Yellow rails are almost impossible to spot in the rain because farmers need better conditions to run the equipment that flushes the birds out.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

18

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Festival attendees didn't seem worried, however. The sun was out on Thursday, and by that afternoon, everyone had seen a yellow rail taking flight from Berken's rice field. Festival attendees then moved on to Myers Landing for a jambalaya supper, with music provided by a local Cajun band. Friday and Saturday continued with improving, dryer weather conditions and tours of various bird habitat regions including Kisatchie National Forest and the Cameron Coast, and more yellow rail spotting from the combines in Thornwell.

Berken is widely praised for his efforts with the festival that shows another side of farming and creates allies in the naturalist community.

"A lot of people have a negative view of production agriculture, but the beauty of this kind of event is that when they come out here and see farmers taking care of the land, producing high quality food in a sustainable fashion, conserving water and reducing inputs, and then they get to see the wildlife - yellow rails actually utilizing the fields - it provides a better connection to how production agriculture is contributing to the overall health of the environment," said Kevin Norton, state conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) in Louisiana.

Or as Berken said to the throngs of birders gathered at his farm: "Rice farms provide more wildlife habitat than any other crop. Save a bird - buy rice."

Host Kevin Berken promises "a festival like no other!"

Boost for local farmers as State cancels import of maize, rice MONDAY NOVEMBER 6 2017

Maize harvesting in Moiben. file photo | nmg

By GERALD ANDAE More by this Author The Agriculture ministry has cancelled an international tender for supply of 550,000 bags of maize and 20,000 bags of rice that had been advertised by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in favour of the local purchase.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

19

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

NCPB managing director Newton Terer said the decision was reached after the ministry advised for a freeze of the tender as they monitor purchases from local harvests.

The tender also saw the cancellation of plans to buy one million bags for the grain storage. “The ministry requested us to cancel the tender because of the ongoing purchases. It is monitoring the process before the decision on imports is reached,� said Mr Terer.

The cancellation comes hardly a week since the State-owned grain handler called for bids from interested bidders to supply grains as the firm wanted to resume commercial trading of maize to supplement the funds that it gets from the exchequer.

Mr Terer also pointed out that the ministry would be the sole entity that will handle the imports of grain and no other State agencies such as the NCPB for control of cross-border trader using taxpayers’ cash from a central point. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/NCPB-cancels-international-bids-for-maize--rice-supply/996-4175868ijjkbpz/index.html 20

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Group laments increase in rice smuggling

By The Nigerian Voice

The Rice Millers, Importers, Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDAN) has again expressed concern over the continuous smuggling of rice through the land borders in spite of the existing ban on the commodity through the border.It was gathered that even at the nation’s seaport where shippers can import the commodity, the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in the last three years restricted issuance of Form ‘M’ to rice importers, an indication that majority of the rice at the Nigerian market are smuggled rice.

The festive season is usually the peak of the business with various markets including Sango, Daleko and others along the Badagry Expressway, Seme stocked the commodity as many Nigerians depends more on the consumption of rice.

Secretary of the association, Shuiab Muhammmed who spoke in a chat with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, laments that business of rice smuggling is still growing and appearing increasingly unabated at the land border despite the effort of farmers to increase local rice production.

He said the situation is worse- off as according to him, foreign rice accounts for over 60 percent of rice in the markets adding that the benefit to smuggling is even higher because Nigeria is no more legally importing rice.

“All the foreign rice in the markets is smuggled rice except for the local ones. Nigerian rice in the market is just about 40 percent.

“If CBN has not issued form ‘M’ in the last three years, it means that nobody has been able to import rice legally because for you to do that you must have a Form ‘M’. It then means that no foreign rice should be in the Nigerian market today.

“So it is smuggled rice that has taken over. It is so bad that some importers, even well know companies in Nigeria went to Benin Republic, import rice through Benin and smuggle it through Nigeria.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

21

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter “The CG of customs said their hands are tight because they cannot go to the market and arrest people with 20 bags and that is what the smugglers have taken advantage of. Smuggled rice doesn’t come in huge quantity of trailer load but it comes in small batches of just 20 bags. If you move around Isolo, you will see all of them from Idiroko heading through Daleko to offload.

“They are so well known that police and other security agencies know them and as they go in convoy nobody stops them. By the time you have a thousand of such small vehicles, and do two trips a day, that is more than a ship load,” he said.

Muhammed added that the difference in the price of local rice which currently sells for N15, 000 per 50 kg bag while foreign rice sells for N13, 000 per bag has also given added impetus to the smuggling of the staple food.

“When the benefit for rice smuggling goes high, then smuggling goes up as well. Right now the benefit to smuggle is high because Nigeria is no more legally importing rice .Nigeria demand on rice is about 7million tonnes and the local production stands between 4million to 5 million tonnes. So there is a two million tonnes supply gap and that is what the Nigerian farmers should be striving to catch up with to produce more but this what the smugglers are also taking advantage of to smuggle at a reduced price.

“The differential in price is close to N2000 unlike before when the difference will be just N500.

But now with a difference of N2000, the urge to smuggle will be higher.

“It is really affecting rice farmers and we have made lots of people invest in rice farming and get a lot of people interested in farming but right now, people are not encouraged anymore because of the price the smuggled rice are sold for,” he said.

He said while the restriction of rice through the land border is laudable, the government should do more to address rice smuggling by engaging the government of the countries through which the commodity is being smuggled in to the country through diplomatic means.

“The ban is beautiful because we have to grow our farms. As we speak about three mills in Thailand have shut down because Nigerian are not coming to buy rice from them which means we are creating jobs in the country.

“We have the resources and all it takes to produce the rice and safe foreign exchange and get employment but government should do more by taking on the countries where the rice comes in through Nigeria diplomatically,” he said.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

22

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Traders’ cartel offers lower prices, growers start stocking basmati Basmati growers here are up in arms as the popular 1121 aromatic variety is fetching a lower price in the Fazilka market compared to other markets due to a cartel raised by the private traders.Traders, including exporters and rice millers, are the bulk buyers of the variety.As farmers are being offered lower price, they have started stocking the paddy. Sources said traders have been purchasing paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal compared to Rs 3,300-3,400 per quintal in nearby districts for the past five days.“Private traders and exporters have connived to keep prices low. The farmers are left with no other alternative but sell it to private traders in the absence of minimum support price and government policy,” alleged Des Raj of Balluana village who has been waiting to sell his produce at Fazilka.“Farmers switched over to the less water-consuming variety on the persuasion of the government which has now let them down,” said another farmer Angrej Singh.Basmati growers of Theh Qalandar village said villagers have decided not to sell their produce at lower rate.They claimed that about 20,000 bags (each weighing 35 kg) of basmati have been produced in the village so far. Out of those, only 3,000 bags have been sold by farmers. The rest has been stored in the hope of getting a better price after the dismantling of the cartel.Official sources said the arrival of 1,46,567 tonnes of paddy had been recorded in the district so far. “I have directed the market committee authorities to look into the matter and take action,” said DC Isha Kalia. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/traders-cartel-offers-lower-prices-growers-start-stockingbasmati/493027.html

Thailand Join Forces With Alibaba In Selling Thai Rice Online BANGKOK, Nov 6 -- The Thai Agriculture Ministry has joined hands with Alibaba to promote Thai jasmine rice to Chinese consumers through the online channel, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported. Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chutima Bunyapraphasara said after attending "TMALL 11.11 Thai Hom Mali Rice Promotion" in Hangzhou, the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang Province

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

23

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter that the 11.11 shopping festival, held by Alibaba Group will help promote Thai jasmine rice to Chinese consumers. Thai jasmine rice is only popular among China’s coastal cities, but the distribution of Thai rice through Alibaba’s online channel could support Thai high-quality rice to be more accessible to Chinese consumers. The online platform will help Thai farmers to sell rice at good prices and Chinese consumers will in return receive high quality rice at reasonable prices, she said. -- BERNAMA http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/706378-thailand-join-forces-with-alibaba-in-selling-thairice-online.html

India rice starts moving in Sri Lanka, shortages over The first batch of low priced rice out of the huge 100000 MT Indian rice tranche has been offloaded and is now moving within Sri Lankan retail market, ending any supply fears.

Meanwhile, the open international tender call for 200,000 MT rice in three varieties, also successfully closed in Colombo last week. By the weekend of October 4-5, a total of 20,000 MT tranche of parboiled ‘nadu’ rice sent by an Indian private sector supplier to the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) of Sri Lanka have been offloaded at Port of Colombo and been distributed to CWE warehouses. The value of the received 20000 MT rice stock is US $ 8.9 Mn (SL Rs 1.36 Bn).

This rice stock is now being re-distributed from CWE warehouses to Lanka Sathosa outlets to be sold at only Rs 74 per kilo. Any consumer purchasing more than 25 kilos of this rice from Lanka Sathosa can buy them even lower-only Rs 73 per kilo. Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen addressing a press briefing on 1 November in Colombo, highlighting his efforts to end rice supply shortages through yet another global tender call, said: “Our international tender to import 200,000 MT rice closed yesterday 31 October. Rice samples submitted with tender bids are being forwarded to ITI for lab tests.”

The latest tender is, unlike previous “Government to Government” (G2G) tenders, a “Sri Lanka government to local and international private sector” call. A total of 34 local and international private sector suppliers have quoted for the 200,000 MT tender, that closed on 31 October and announced initially on 19 October. The Ministry has forwarded all the submitted quotes to the Cabinet Appointed High Powered Tender Board which will compare prices of these international and local private sector suppliers with “government to government” prices quoted in previous G2G tender calls, before making final selections. The international tender was floated by the

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

24

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on the directions of government’s Cost of Living Committee.

The Cabinet Appointed High Powered Tender Board is expected to pick the qualifying suppliers for this 200,000 MT international tender by this Friday 10 October. Private sector suppliers from Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, India, and Vietnam quoted. Several Sri Lankan suppliers too submitted their bids in this 200,000 MT total which consists of three varieties-90000 MT Parboiled Nadu rice, 60000 MT Samba (Parboiled) rice and 50000 MT White Raw rice. http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/india-rice-starts-moving-in-sri-lanka-shortages-over/

Govt should fix MSP for basmati, say farmers Buoyed by the steep increase in the prices of 1121 Basmati rice this season in comparison to last year, farmers of Punjab have demanded that the Centre should announce the minimum support price (MSP) for basmati rice to help the farmers to come out of financial mess.The 1509 basmati rice fetched Rs 2,500 as compared to Rs 1,600 last year, while the 1121 basmati rice fetched Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000 this year as compared to Rs 2,500 last year. The price of superior basmati rice variety of 1121 has witnessed 25 per cent jump in the wholesale market as the rice which was available for Rs 8,000 per quintal was now being sold for Rs 10,000.Interestingly, in view of the 1121 basmati rice fetching higher price in the Nabha grain market, farmers from Sangrur district were also bringing their produce to the local grain market.Basmati traders Rakesh Gupta and Deepak Gupta, while confirming the steep increase in the prices of basmati this year, said the main reason behind the increase was lesser farmers going in for Basmati rice which had witnessed slump last year.

They said this year, the arrival of basmati had witnessed steep decrease and hardly any farmer brought their produce to the grain market.Another wholesale Basmati trader Ashok Arora said even though the new crop was yet to arrive, the prices of basmati had started touching new heights. He said the prices were likely to go up further as the production was very low this year with fewer farmers sowing the 1121 paddy variety this year.Onkar Singh Aghol, general secretary, Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal), said like normal rice, the Centre should also fix the MSP for Basmati rice so that more and more farmers could sow the crop to get better remuneration. He said this would also help the farmers to come out of the financial mess. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/govt-should-fix-msp-for-basmati-say-farmers/493100.html 25

‘Find right markets’ before hiking organic rice www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

THE GOVERNMENT has to find the right market for organic rice before it encourages farmers to increase the area producing the crop from 300,000 rai (48,000 hectares) this year to 1 million rai in 2019, Thai Rice Exporters Association president Pol Lieute-nant Charoen Leothamatas said.

He added that when farmers grow organic rice for export, they need a certificate to prove it matches global standards, and that was both difficult and expensive to achieve. If the government wants to promote the country as an organic rice producer, it has to help farmers to apply for global organic rice certification, help develop rice seed and find a market with the right demand for the product, Charoen said recently. Currently, the export of organic rice from Thailand accounts for only 5,000 tonnes of a total of 11 million tonnes exported per year. However, there

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

26

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter is a potential market for rice farmers if they can control the quality of their crop and develop rice seed to match the niche demand, he added. Montri Gosalawat, the secretary-general of the Progressive Farmer Association who has grown organic rice since 1995, said that although organic rice was still a niche product, the demand has led to double-digit growth each year since 2009. It is especially popular in quality markets such as the United States and Europe.

The global demand for organic rice average 10,000 tonnes a year, of which Thailand exports half. With the market growing at an average 20 per cent a year, Thailand has great potential to develop and export organic rice if the government supports knowhow, applications for certification, development of seed and market sourcing, Montri said. Production costs for organic rice are normally cheaper than on chemical rice farms.

However, the organic rice price is higher because growing time is longer – meaning there is just one crop a year -– and demand is higher both in the domestic market and overseas. The government target is to have 3 million framers harvesting organic rice from 10 million rai by the year 2021. That would boost the supply of organic rice in the market by more than 200 per cent, but it will also reduce the price of organic rice, and mean that new markets have to be found.

Man Samsri, head of organic rice farming at Naso district in Yasothorn province, said the global price was not a factor when his area changed to growing organic 10 years ago. “We changed our ways to grow organic rice because we need to improve our quality of life [that has suffered from farming with chemicals], and also to produce quality rice for our families to consume,” Man said. The group has a total of 2,131 farmers who have combined their land to produce organic rice on 42,694 rais. Their rice now fetches a higher price in the market, Man said. Currently, the group produces about 300 tonnes of organic rice a year.

It has global “Hom Mali” certification, and 90 per cent of production is exported to Europe and the United States. The remaining 10 per cent is sold in the domestic market at an average price of Bt80 per kilogram – higher than the regular Hom Mali price of about Bt45 per kilogram. “The high price is the final reason why we produce a high quality of organic rice, but our main benefit of producing organic rice is our strong health from consuming it,” Man said. “This is the way to be sustainable farmers for the long term. If we have quality products, we can find the market that has the purchasing power to pay for quality products.” http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30330875

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

27

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter NRRI conducts field study on pest attack

By Express News Service | Published: 07th November 2017 04:49 AM | Last Updated: 07th November 2017 12:25 PM CUTTACK: THE National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack has come forward to make a comprehensive field inquiry, investigation, analysis and research to ascertain the cause and suggest remedy for the Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) pest attack on crops in the State. A special team of scientists led by Chief of Crop Protection Division Dr Mayabini Jena has been touring some of the worst affected districts - Bargarh, Ganjam and Gajapati to conduct a detailed study.

The team will collect samples of the pest and also detailed information, including the varieties of paddy seeds used, time and method of cultivation, quality and condition of soil. They will also prepare a plan to curb the menace of the pest attack, said Director, NRRI, Cuttack, Dr Himansu Pathak. “The team is likely to submit its reports for necessary investigation and research works,” Pathak said. Preliminary investigation has ascertained that Brown Plant Hoppers are making reproducing rapidly due to favourable environment that evolved this year, he said adding environment with excess humidity and middle standard warmth facilitate BPH to multiply in numbers.

The humidity level had continued to remain high in the atmosphere for more days and there was no substantial relief from the warmth because of incessant rain due to low pressure during the time while the paddy plants were at the flowering stage in the current season, Pathak ascertained adding that NRRI has already found a scientific method to save crops from pest attack. Besides, those farmers who have sown different varieties of paddy seeds having low resistance suffer total crop loss due to pest attack, he said and advised the farmers to opt for paddy seeds having high resistance power in order to keep their crops away from pests.

The Double-Edged Sword of GMOs MALLIKA VENKATRAMANI NOVEMBER 6, 2017 SCIENCE & HEALTH

GMO’s are a contentious issue for many. Mallika Venkatramani outlines their benefits, and some reasons for being cautious

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

28

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Most of us have heard of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). What first comes to your mind when you hear this acronym? Many think of fluorescent mice or purple-coloured carrots, but GMOs also encompass less dramatic examples: plants and animals that have been genetically engineered for disease tolerance or improved quality. Many people actively advocate against GMOs while a significant number of scientists are conducting extensive research to ensure that GMOs are not harmful to human health. Let us consider the issue from both sides of the coin.

The 21st century has not been tranquil for humankind. From chronic diseases to impoverishment, many of us have been facing the worst of nature over the last few decades. However, this era has also involved great strides in technology, a weapon that can be used to tackle these problems.

With biological technology, scientists are now able to manipulate specific gene sequences in plants and animals, forming GMOs. The implications this has for our physical wellbeing are unprecedented. “GOLDEN RICE, A GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) RICE VARIETY HAS HELPED TO ADDRESS THE PRESSING ISSUE OF VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY DUE TO FOOD SCARCITY IN THIRD-WORLD NATIONS.�

GMOs can be beneficial to human health. You might have heard of Golden Rice, a genetically modified (GM) rice variety. This has a greatly enhanced proportion of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in humans. This GMO has helped to address the pressing issue of vitamin A deficiency due to food scarcity in third-world nations. It was later improved to a higheryielding variety Golden Rice 2, 72 g of which could provide around fifty percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin A for a 1-to-3-year-old child. For years, the International Rice Research Institute, a global organisation specialising in research for finer rice lines, has developed several varieties of this crop. Golden Rice has been of tremendous benefit to the developing world.

GMOs are used for more than just battling malnutrition; there is ongoing research on the largescale cultivation of transgenic plants for the synthesis of plant-derived pharmaceutical proteins (PDPs). PDPs are thought to be able treat myriad ailments. For example, a GM potato could contain a protein that treats Hepatitis B. Along similar lines, a classic example of applying genetic engineering to solve health problems is the commercial production of insulin using genetically-modified E. coli bacteria. This has made insulin affordable for millions of diabetics.

These examples illustrate some of the substantial advantages to human welfare that can be derived from genetic engineering.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

29

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter “GM FOOD ITEMS WHICH DO NOT UNDERGO PROPER TESTING COULD TRIGGER ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR OTHER UNDESIRABLE SIDE-EFFECTS IN THE CONSUMER’S BODY.” On the other hand, it should not escape our notice that GMOs are risky endeavours, scientifically. GM food items which do not undergo proper testing have the potential to be harmful to our health. A study conducted by Australian National University scientists showed that certain GM peas which provide protection against certain pests, caused lung allergies in the mice used in their experiment. They concluded that these peas would thus pose a health threat to humans.

This underlines the potential health risks of unscrupulous GMO research. It goes without saying that these dangers are not inherent to GMOs. That said, they do highlight the need for those working in this area to exercise extreme caution when modifying and testing these organisms.

The hysteria of the anti-GMO movement is not warranted by the existing scientific evidence, but this does not mean we shouldn’t be highly scrupulous when meddling with nature.

The results of GMOs have been largely positive, but not without caveat. Many contend that gene manipulation has already been happening since humans began agricultural activities 10,000 years ago. Given this, we can view our modern genetic modification techniques as a sophisticated version of a process that humankind has been using for millennia. However, large numbers of people are sceptical of GMOs. Many question whether the large companies producing these modified organisms are doing so responsibly, and not just to turn a profit. The financial incentives to create superior plants and animals are huge. Others ask whether the rapid pace of current modification is wise, given our ignorance about the effects of small changes on our delicate ecosystem. These are perennial issues in this area, and their importance is only likely to grow as our technology becomes more sophisticated. It is in the hands of scientists then, to ensure that every experiment is carried out stringently and every GMO produced is tested rigorously such that it is for the greater good of humankind http://www.universityobserver.ie/science/the-double-edged-sword-of-gmos/

Saguaro Genome Shows Why Many Cactus Species Are Hard To Classify

By Nicholas Gerbis Published: Monday, November 6, 2017 - 8:24am Updated: Monday, November 6, 2017 - 8:25am

A saguaro cactus in Tempe.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

30

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Researchers have found a genetic pattern in the saguaro and its cousins that could explain why many cactus species resist simple classification.The findings represent four years of effort by scientists from University of Arizona; Arizona State University; Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂŠxico, in Mexico City and Hermosillo; University of California, Berkeley; Michigan State University; and International Rice Research Institute, Los BaĂąos, Laguna, Philippines.The paper appeared in the Oct. 23 online edition of PNAS.Classification seems fairly easy: Compare things, see what resembles what and arrange a family tree accordingly.But plants like the cactus are tricky. Distant relatives can look like twins or evolve similar traits, thanks to phenomena like parallel and convergent evolution, both of which entail species evolving the same traits independently of one another."So many species of cacti are so similar to one another and difficult to tell apart that there remain a very large number of mysteries in the diversity of cacti," said Mike Sanderson, UA evolutionary biologist and senior author on the paper.

"What is the closest relative to the saguaro cactus? That has not been clear," Sanderson said.To test the hypothesis that rampant convergent and parallel evolution might partially explain why some cacti are so difficult to classify, Sanderson and his colleagues sequenced the genomes of four large columnar cacti found in Mexico and nearby areas.

Taken from the genera Pachycereus, Lophocereus and Stenocereus, these included the Sonoran Desert saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea).

To provide a baseline for comparison, the team also sequenced a more distant saguaro relative: a leafy, shrublike tropical cactus from the genus Pereskia.

Their findings revealed another cause for the cactus confusion: a mismatch between species history, the evolutionary family tree and genetic history, the fate of each gene variant as it was passed on, or lost, in each branch.

This mismatch, or hemiplasy, is a relatively new concept, one that arose over the past decade thanks to data made available by the genomic revolution.

31

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter "This seems to be exceptionally bad in these long-lived cacti, and may in part explain why these puzzles have lingered — and why it's been hard to understand the closest relatives of various groups of these cacti," Sanderson said.

It's logical to imagine that genetic history would march in lockstep with evolutionary branching.

It makes sense that humans, for example, would mainly share gene variants, or alleles, with their recent common ancestors like chimps or bonobos.

But that need not always be the case. With hemiplasy, we could end up sharing an allele or two with a cousin whose branch diverged further back in time, such as the gorilla, even if chimps and bonobos lack that variant.

Sanderson and his colleagues realized that this genomic mosaic might help explain the often confusing array of traits found among cactuses.

"Since those genes affect those traits, the fact that they have histories that don't match the history of the species means that the traits that you're looking at can actually be sort of scrambled with respect to what you might expect," said Sanderson.

The researchers believe that cactuses' long lives and long generation times might help to explain their high rate of hemiplasy: The longer an organism lives, and the longer it takes to spawn a new generation, the fewer generations occur within a given period. That leaves fewer opportunities for nature to sort things out.

Meanwhile, Sanderson said the new trove of data offers new avenues of research, possibly including additional cactus sequencing or a comparative study of northern and southern saguaros.

"I see this work as a step in the direction of understanding how plants have evolved to cope with absolutely extreme environments," Sanderson said. http://science.kjzz.org/content/560273/saguaro-genome-shows-why-many-cactus-species-are-hard-classify

Global Electronic Rice Cooker Market Research Report 2017-2022 By kyongpitzer

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

32

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter November 6, 2017

Synopsis of the Global Electronic Rice Cooker Market Report The present market report provides a detailed analysis and data about the Electronic Rice Cooker market statistical study, the leading companies, growth factors, and regional analysis.

The market research report offers the information regarding the factors that propel the growth of the Electronic Rice Cooker industry. The Electronic Rice Cooker market comprises of major companies which play an important role in the manufacturing, production, product sales, distribution, and supply of the products in order to meet the supply and demand chain. An intricate study of the global market share of the past and the future along with the predictable trends is provided in the current report.

For sample request click on http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/global-electronic-ricecooker-market-report-2016-edition-86227#RequestSample

Scope of the Global Electronic Rice Cooker Market Report • The report offers the vital information regarding the overall global Electronic Rice Cooker industry along with statistical, segmentation, and regional data that can help one recognize suitable business intelligence requirements and in decision-making.

• The segmentation of the Electronic Rice Cooker market is basically reported based on the type, end-use industry, market size, mode of transport, and application.

• The government regulations and investments along with the industrial policies help the global Electronic Rice Cooker market surge.

• The key players dominating the market currently are mentioned in the market research report.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

33

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter • The report provides the factors expected to propel the Electronic Rice Cooker market growth around the globe.

• The statistical study provided in the report gives detailed information regarding the regional industrial growth and also the capital earned through the growth and development of the Electronic Rice Cooker market.

• The growing trends and technology has given rise to a number of business models and industries across various regions.

• The current report discusses on the Electronic Rice Cooker market major industries, demand, supply, industry growth rate, and regions.

Summary The global Electronic Rice Cooker market research report provides a detailed study of the Electronic Rice Cooker industry. Anyone accessing this report will be delivered with an elaborate and in-depth data. The report provides one with a reliable and vital data after a detailed study analysis regarding the market around the globe. The research analysis mentioned in the report includes various factors such as a detailed description of the Electronic Rice Cooker industry, segmentation, significant growth factors, regional analysis, and competitive companies. The unique and high-level data given in the report is informative not only in terms of quality, but also quantity.

Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @ http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/globalelectronic-rice-cooker-market-report-2016-edition-86227#InquiryForBuying

Reasons To Buy The Global Electronic Rice Cooker Market Report • Detailed analysis of the parent market • Vital changes in the market dynamics • Segmentation data of the market • Previous, current, and anticipated market analysis in terms of value and volume • Estimation of niche industrial growth and development • Market share study • Major strategies of the key players • Regional markets and emerging segments • Shrine to companies owing to secure their foothold in the market. http://expressobserver.com/global-electronic-rice-cooker-market-research-report-2017-2022-1821.html

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

34