9th march,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice E-Newsletter 9th March , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I

Border areas of Balochistan: Iran agrees to raise power supply March 07, 2015 MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN

Iran has agreed to increase electricity supply from 74MW to 100MW for border areas of Balochistan by 2016. The tariff of the electricity varies from Rs 7-10 cents, depending on international fuel prices. Well-informed sources told Business Recorder that tariff deadline of 74MW of electricity being imported from Iran had expired. However, after threadbare negotiations Iran has extended the prevalent applicable tariff for 2015. Pakistan requested for extension of two years in current applicable tariff, but Iran has refused to honour the request, saying that they have one-year agreements with all electricity importing countries. The sources said that Pakistan in order to get electricity supply enhanced from Iran will have to improve its

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine transmission system, including replacement of current transformers with more capacity transformers.

According to sources, supply of 100MW from Iran to Gwadar also came under discussion and payment of $100 million against electricity imported in recent years. Pakistan is unable to pay the due amount owing to non-availability of banking facility. Pakistan has proposed that whatever outstanding payments are due from Pakistan should be converted into loan. Iranian side assured that they will take up the matter with the Central Bank of Iran and, as such, Pakistan was hopeful of getting the issue resolved. And if the amount was converted into loan, payment issue will be settled, the sources added. Pakistan has also expressed willingness to export rice to Iran against $100m outstanding electricity charges.

Pakistan''s ambassador to Iran has been actively pursuing Iranian authorities for a deal on 30,000 tons of rice in lieu of outstanding electricity payment. "If a deal is struck on supply of 30,000 tons rice to Iran, Pakistan will certainly get a relief on payment issue," the sources added. Iran and Pakistan have also shown keen interest in finalising Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for buying 1000MW electricity from Iran. Pakistan and Iran will discuss the PPA next month, the sources said, adding that as per memorandum of understanding (MoU) tariff would be 8 to 11 cent KwH which could be revised minus/plus at the time of finalisation of the agreement. The sources said Pakistan expressed its intention to increase electricity import from proposed 1000MW to 3000MW. Pakistan will import 1000MW electricity from Iran in the first phase.

Import of remaining 2000MW electricity will be considered in the second phase for which feasibility study will be carried out in the next four to five months. Iranian company Tavnir and NTDC had approved the feasibility study report prepared jointly by Nespak and Moshanir (Iran) consultants on 1000MW electricity supply from Iran to Pakistan. A DVDC transmission system will be set up along with converter station at either end for transmitting power to the national grid at Quetta. The cost of HVDC transmission inter-connection project, including two HVDC converter/inverter sub-stations, one for each side as well as HVDC(+)(-) 500 KV line is estimated to be around $700m, excluding the cost of 1300MW power plant, required to be constructed on Iranian side.

Iran will construct power plant through its own resources. Tavanir has consented to finance HVDC inter-connection project cost in its own territory (approximately $265m). Both sides have agreed that the power purchase contract of February 7, 2007 for supply of 100MW to Gwadar will be used as a base document in preparation for the contract for supply of 1000MW electricity. In 2012, former minister for water and power, Ahmad Mukhtar, had fired the then managing director of NTDC, Rasul Khan Mehsud, who inked MoU with Iran for import of 1000MW, soon after he returned from Iran. http://www.brecorder.com/fuel-a-energy/193/1158696/

Uganda is a potential market for Pakistani exports: LCCI Reported by: `Customs Today Report March 6, 2015

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine LAHORE: Uganda and Pakistan can build their mutual trade and economic relations on new lines. Both countries are enjoying cordial friendly relations which should be transformed into strong trade & economic ties. Pakistan is the best country to collaborate with and Uganda can take many advantages from this resource enriched country, said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of Uganda Dr. Asuman Kiyingi while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) here on Friday.The LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz, Ambassador of Uganda Dr. Mohammad Ahmed Kissule and LCCI Senior Vice President Mian Nauman Kabir also spoke on the occasion while Executive Committee Members Maqsood Butt, Shahzad Ahmed and Rizwan Shamsi were present on the occasion.

He said that President of the Republic of Uganda H.E. Yoweri Museveni would visit Pakistan this year. Dr. Asuman Kiyingi said that both countries should make joint efforts for the promotion of trade economic cooperation between the two countries as existing trade volume does not reflect the available potential.He said that Uganda and Pakistan were agricultural countries and could share experience and expertise in this particular sector for mutual benefit.The Minister of State said that Uganda offers best investment opportunities with easy access to big market of 200 million people of East African Community and Pakistani investors should initiate joint ventures with their counterparts in Uganda the areas of energy, food processing, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas and extraction of iron ore etc. He said that Pakistan could import high quality tea and coffee from Uganda.

Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that Pakistan and Uganda have strong relations which need to be developed further. He said that Uganda is a potential market for Pakistani exports but unfortunately the presence of Pakistani products in the Ugandan market is quire nominal.LCCI president said that governments of both the countries need to take active interest in developing of these relations. He said that the commercial sections of the embassies of both the countries need to arrange delegations and trade fairs on a regular basis so that the products of both the countries could be aggressively marketed and a common platform for the businessmen of both the countries could be provided.

He said that the bottlenecks between the smooth flows of trade between Pakistan and Uganda should be seriously dealt with.Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that Pakistan can supply rice, textile, pharmaceutical, surgical, sports goods, leather goods, meat and ready to cook food, home appliances including pedestal fans, water pumps, washing machines, refrigerators etc to Uganda and East African countries. He said that both the countries can also collaborate in agriculture and agricultural products and machinery.

He said that there should be ease of visas for the businessmen on both sides. Tourism should be enhanced. Single country exhibitions should be held and students, researchers and medical experts should be exchanged on a more regular basis to increase people to people interaction.LCCI president said that there is immense potential for increasing trade between both the countries which is not being fully exploited. He said that joint ventures in the fields of

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine engineering and building up of infrastructure in Uganda can be a prospective opportunity for Pakistan as well. http://customstoday.com.pk/uganda-is-a-potential-market-for-pakistani-exports-lcci/

Talks On Agri And Rice Farming Institute Positive March 07,2015 09:542015

by Ranoba Baoa, SUVA

Talks on establishing Grace Road Food Company Limited‘s first training institute ended on a positive note in Navua this week.Minister of Agriculture Inia Seruiratu, and Grace Road Food managing director Daniel Kim, established focused on Agriculture Training Institute and the Rice Research Institute took place.Grace Road plans to open the institute come October.The purpose of constructing the educational institutions, according to Grace Road, is understood to not be limited to transferring the farming techniques with the basis of hands-on field experience.

However the company‘s vision is to have these institutions grow to be a place of intellectual convention to anyone who want to understand and on-site practices for farming.Mr Kim said: ―We sincerely appreciate Mr Inia Seruiratu‘s supporting our project from the beginning.―We want to rebuild the Rice Industrial Area in Navua, Nausori, and Tailevu.―With this intimate cooperation with the Government and the generation of talentthrough the Agricultural Institution and the establishment of Rice Research Center, we will invigorate the Rice Industry.‖Through this revitalisation, Mr Kim said, Grace Road will achieve its 2020 Fiji Rice Self-Sufficiency Scheme.‖ Optimistic Mr Seruiratu responded with great optimism to the company‘s vision, and promised full support for the rapid actualisation of the plan.―The education of the agriculture institute should not be limited to the technical aspects of farming, but create entrepreneurship simultaneously.‖ http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/03/07/talks-on-agri-and-rice-farming-institute-positive/

Three held for duping people with ‗rice puller‘ TNN | Mar 7, 2015, 02.09 AM IST

MAPUSA: Anjuna police have arrested three persons for fraud. The trio—Epheeq Ahmad and Keshav Murthi, both residents of Bengaluru, and Ajay Kumar Mahato of Ghaziabad, UP—allegedly duped people, especially in Maharashtra, into buying a device they claimed attracted rice.They were arrested from a house they were renting in Kumarwado, Anjuna, after a tip-off to the police. www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine They also had on them fake ID cards showing they were 'scientists' of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).PSI Mahesh Kerkar, who was tipped off and who led the arrest, explained that the trio's modus operandi was to scour the net for customers with claims of an object that had fallen to earth during lightning, and which could pull things towards it. The object was priced 5-10 lakh.Once a customer showed interest, the object would be shown and the money taken.The customer would then be told that a scientist from DRDO would arrive the next day to test the 'rice puller', and that the customer, after witnessing the test, could take the device home.The following day one from the three, with his fake DRDO ID card in tow, would arrive at the pre-decided spot and meet the customer.

The other two would not turn up with the 'rice puller' and after a wait of about an hour the 'scientist' would say he is busy, can not wait anymore, and would leave, leaving the customer without a device and lakhs of rupees short."The trio were not able to dupe people in Goa as they were arrested immediately after they came to Goa. But they have duped people in Pandharpur, Kolhapur, and other places in Maharashtra," Kerkar told TOI.Police have also seized the 'rice puller' and other machinery from the accused. They have been booked under Sections 419, 420, and 511 of IPC. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Three-held-for-duping-people-with-ricepuller/articleshow/46480065.cms

ONOPRA airs concern versus biotech threat The Organic na Negros! Producers and Retailers Association (ONOPRA) yesterday aired deep concern about the country now counted among the world‘s ―biotech mega-countries.‖ONOPRA sees this development as a threat to the fast growing organic industry not only in Negros Occidental but in the country, Ramon Uy Jr., its president, said In 2007, ONOPRA lobbied with the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan to ban the entry of GMOs to benefit the efforts of the thousands of organic farmers from its more than 80 organizations of small farmers, NGOs, peoples‘ organizations, cooperatives, federations, private companies, government line agencies, chefs, restaurateurs and organic advocates to remake the province as an organic food bowl.

GMOs are incompatible with international organic standards, he said.Negros Occidental has aggressively promoted rice production - including organic rice-to attain self-sufficiency that the province now produces 97.43 percent of its rice needs, he said.―Since mainstreaming the organic program in the province and banning of GMO's, We have experienced a significant increase in our rice production. This only proves that we don't need this GMO technology to be able to become rice sufficient,‖ Uy said.It has also been noted that organic rice farmers in the province now produce there own inputs, from organic fertilizer, pest control and seeds. Increasing the income and are now empowered, he said.With GMO technology we will be giving back the power to multinational companies, who farmers will again depend there livelihood from.

That is why farmers from all over the country has remained poor, he added. Organic Rice yield now according to organic rice farmers is already on an average of 4.6 tons per hectare, that is all using organic and natural farming methods without chemicals, pesticides, and not even GMO's, Uy said.Another positive development for Negros is the niche market for GMO free products for soy and corn, he said.―We got several inquiries from big buyers of GMO free corn and soybeans. www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine It is to our advantage because GMO is banned in the province and with increasing awareness from consumers worldwide about the dangers of GMO food that is why a lot of buyers especially exporters are looking for GMO-free products,‖ Uy added.They see no benefits from golden rice that could contaminate organic rice production in the province. Last year, even the International Rice Research Institute pushed back the commercialization of golden rice due to its very low yield performance. Moreover, there are no studies on allergenicity and toxicity of this frankencrop, he added.* http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/March/06/businessnews2.htm

Bioethanol from nipa sap to aid farm mechanization Distillation plant set up in Quezon to convert sap from nipa palm into fuel farm hand tractors, pump boats and generators

By Gilbert P. Felongco, CorrespondentPublished: 14:52 March 8, 2015Gulf News Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing Services0 Manila: The Philippine government is banking on biofuel from nipa sap to power its drive towards farm mechanisation in far-flung coastal areas of the country.According to the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the government has established a distillation facility in the village of Binonoan in Infanta, Quezon that could convert sap taken from the nipa palm into fuel that runs piston engines such as those used by agricultural hand tractors, pump boats and electricity generators.Nipa (scientific name: Nypa Fruiticans), grows abundantly in the costal areas of the Philippines where its dried fronds are used as roofing materials for huts.

The water palm can also be found in other countries located in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.The sap from the nipa can also be fermented into vinegar.According to Engr. Alexis T. Belonio, the government intends to put up more distillation plants to process nipa into biofuel.The distillation facility in Infanta was among three the government planned to put up in three years.―This facility built basically produces hydrous bioethanol (95 per cent alcohol) fuel to be used for small farm machines,‖ Belonio, lead inventor of the technology, said.Hydrous bioethanol, he said which can be produced from the farm like nipa sap, sugar molasses, and sweet sorghum, is a good alternative for fuelling pumps, threshes, dryers and small rice mills.

The biofuel project dovetails with government plans to increase farm mechanisation in the country. ―We need to increase rice production. One way to do this is to improve [farm practices from land preparation to post-harvest], and by [doing this], we need mechanisation. In mechanisation, we need fuel, so what is mechanisation without the gasoline? [With this facility], we have an option [on what energy type to use],‖ said Belonio, the first Filipino to win the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2008 for his breakthrough creation of a simple rice hull-powered

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine stove.Former PhilRice Executive Director Eufemio Rasco junior for his part, said the government is aware of the pressing need for alternative fuel to run farm engines. ―We want to manufacture machines for farming that do not depend on fossil fuel,‖ said. ―With our depleting fossil fuel supply, the bioethanol technology is a cost-efficient system because we can now produce and use clean energy at the least cost,‖ Belonio said.Aside from biofuel derived from nipa sap, the government is also looking at other possible sources of feedstock, such as coconuts and water lilies, the latter which is highly abundant in the country and is often regarded as a nuisance to river systems as they clog the waterways and often cause flooding.The project is jointly implemented by the Mariano Marcos State University, PhilRice, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the local government unit of Infanta. http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/bioethanol-from-nipa-sap-to-aid-farm-mechanisation-1.1468435

Rare 'green' power plant opens SAN JOSE CITY–The country‘s first power plant that runs on commercial rice hulls or rice husks (―ipa‖) was activated here on Friday.The facility was put up by 21 rice millers here in a joint venture with the Union Energy Corp. owned by businessmen Lucio Co, and called the San Jose City ìiî Power Corp. (SJC iPower).―Our plant is 100 percent [fueled] by rice husks,‖ said Edgardo Alfonso, chief executive officer of the SJC iPower.―It is generating a gross capacity of 12 megawatts and is feeding 10.8 MW to the Luzon grid (of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines).‖The remaining 1.2 MW are kept in reserve.The generating plant operates on a 7hectare lot in Barangay Tulat here.

It employs 100 personnel.―We use 330 metric tons of rice husks every day to power the plant,‖ Alfonso said.―The plant is clean as it is equipped with a facility that limits harmful emissions way below the limit set by the government,‖ he said.He said rice millers buy and mill palay not only from parts of Nueva Ecija but also from Isabela, Pangasinan and the Ilocos provinces. This leaves enough supply of husks for the plant. ―That‘s why we are putting up another plant with the same output of 12-MW electric power,‖ Alfonso said.Husks are agricultural wastes, which the corporation now buys from member-rice millers at P1 a kilogram.In a project brief, SJC iPower said the power project was inspired by the study, ―Enhancing the Energy Self Sufficiency of Rice Mills in the Philippines,‖ commissioned by the European Community-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Energy Facility and undertaken by the Philippine Rice Research Institute and Full Advantage Phils. International Inc.Co contributed P1 billion for the project. He was elected chair of the board while Leonardo Dayao serves as president.The plant was completed in October 2014. It underwent four months of testing and fine-tuning.Energy officials said the rice hull-powered plant here is the first biomass power project in the country to be launched after the feed in-tariff rates were approved on July 27, 2012. Anselmo Roque, Inquirer Central Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/677393/rare-green-power-plant-opens#ixzz3Tw9sB1YC

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice milling industry in dire straits Many units being closed down due to increased cost of production Karimnagar district has earned the distinction of having the highest number of rice mills in the State and has done a roaring business for many years. But all is not well now. Many rice mills are being closed down due to increased cost of production.The rice milling industry has been facing severe hardships since several years due to CMR (custom milled rice) paddy.

The millers have been getting Rs. 15 per quintal of raw rice and Rs. 25 per quintal of boiled rice, the price that was fixed 20 years ago. The rates are now totally uneconomical due to which the millers are facing financial crisis, said Annamaneni Sudhakar Rao, director, Karimnagar district Rice Millers‘ Association.Stating that the rice millers were incurring a loss of Rs. 140 per quintal of paddy for raw rice, he urged the government to increase the price to Rs. 170 per quintal for boiled rice and Rs. 80 for raw rice so as to make the industry viable and provide employment to rural masses.

He pointed out that the rice millers were forced to shut down their units as they were unable to clear power bills of Rs. 1 lakh per month. Gopal Rao, a rice miller, said that he had invested Rs. 4 crore for setting up of parboiled rice mill a few years ago. ―But now, I am ready to sell my mill for Rs. 2 crore as I have to clear bank loan and avoid incurring further loss due to crisis in the sector,‖ he said. The millers also complained that the yield from paddy was less because of the high moisture content and other factors.Naveen Rao of Rangineni Rice Industry said the industry would survive only if the government creates an open market and allows them to purchase paddy from farmers directly. Mr. Rao said that the millers in the State were forced to purchase paddy at Rs. 1,400 per quintal whereas it was Rs. 1,200 per quintal in the neighbouring States.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Arsenic in rice is a big risk Published: Sunday, March 08, 2015 Consumer Reports‖ Food Safety and Sustainability Center tested 128 samples of basmati, jasmine and sushi rice. The data was analyzed with the 2012 Consumer Reports‘ tests and FDA data; this provided 697 samples of rice. Results indicated that different levels of arsenic were found depending on where the rice was grown.

White basmati rice from California, India and Pakistan as well as sushi rice from the United states had approximately half of the inorganic arsenic found in other types of rice, while all types of rice from Arkansas, Louisiana,Texas, as well as rice labelled simply as ―grown in the U.S.‖

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine had the highest levels.Brown rice, while more nutritious, has 80 percent more arsenic on average than white rice of the same type from the same location. This is because arsenic tends to accumulate in the outer layer of bran, which is removed in the manufacture of white rice.Based on these findings, if an individual is consuming rice with the lowest amount of arsenic and this is the only rice product one consumes, Consumer Reports recommended weekly maximum consumption are 4 1/2 servings (approximately 1 1/8 cup uncooked rice) for adults and 2 3/4 servings (approximately 2/3 cup uncooked rice) for children.

Other types of grains also can contain arsenic but in lower levels than rice. Consumer Reports studied 114 other types of grains and found that bulgur, barley and faro have very little arsenic.

Gluten-free grains like buckwheat, millet and amaranth, as well as corn-based grains such as polenta and grits, had negligible amounts of arsenic, which makes them better alternatives than rice-based products for the gluten-sensitive population. Quinoa, had varying levels of arsenic, on average comparable to the other grains; however some samples showed quite a bit more arsenic, although the higher samples were still lower than rice.Preparation and cooking of rice also can help minimize the arsenic content.

Research shows that it can remove approximately 30 percent of rice‘s inorganic arsenic content.

Make sure to wash rice before cooking, filling a bowl with water and rice or scrubbing the rice in a colander while running water through the rice. Cook rice in plenty of water — 1 cup of rice to 6 cups of water — and strain the rice like you would pasta, when the rice is cooked.Rice is a perfect example of how the world of food has changed. Not only have we contaminated the Earth but we also rely on far too many processed foods that seem to be healthy. However, when we change a whole food by processing it, there can be unintended consequences. Then we allow big food companies that manufacture these products to educate us about nutrition through their marketing schemes.

As consumers we must be aware of all processed foods and minimize their use. We must also educate ourselves and understand that we cannot rely on the government or the media to protect our best interests. As the consumers, we have to use the power of our spending dollars to affect change. Whether it be purchasing specific types rice, buying whole foods for your family, choosing organics or supporting companies opposed to GMOs, this is how we are going to change the face of food in America.Grosse Ile resident Theresa Edmunds is a certified health counselor who works with individuals to create health through natural living principles. Contact her at theresaedmunds@hotmail.com. Information in this column should not be considered medical advice.

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