20th April ,2016 Daily Global,Regional & Local Rice -Enewsletter by Riceplus Magazine

8/18/2019 20th April ,2016 Daily Global,Regional & Local Rice -Enewsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter 2016

www.ricepluss.com www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For information : Mujahid Ali [email protected] 0321 369 2874

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www.ricepluss.cowww.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Vol 7,Issue IVApril 20 ,2016


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Editorial Board

Chief EditorHamlik

Managing EditorAbdul Sattar ShahRahmat UllahRozeen Shaukat

English EditorMaryam EditorLegal AdvisorAdvocate Zaheer Minhas

Editorial AssociatesAdmiral (R) Hamid KhalidJaved Islam AghaCh.Hamid MalhiDr.Akhtar HussainDr.Fayyaz Ahmad SiddiquiDr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)Islam Akhtar Khan

Editorial Advisory BoardDr.Malik Mohammad Hashi

Assistant Professor, GomalUniversity DIK

Dr.Hasina GulAssistant Director, Agriculture KPK

Dr.Hidayat UllahAssistant Professor, University o

SwabiDr.Abdul BasirAssistant Professor, University of

SwabiZahid MehmoodPSO,NIFA PeshawarFalak Naz ShahHead Food Science & Technology

ART, Peshawar

oday Rice News Headlines...

Missing foodgrain row: Millers owe Rs1300 crore: CAReviving exportsEl Niño damage in Cebu placed at P186 millionRice industry issue a reminder to growers that inflicting smoke onresidents 'isn't ok'Rice prices f all on China’s weak demand TABLE-THAI-VIETNAMESE 5 PCT GRADE RICE PRICES -APRIL 20Push for value-added products from riceDal prices up 10-20% in a month; rice and sugar also costlierRice Prices04/20/2016 Farm Bureau Market ReportField Report: TexasAt least the Farm Bill is safe...for nowTHE REAL CO TEAMS UP WITH WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONSOCIETY FOR EARTH DAYThe pride of PersiaRice farming for profit in 2016Make a scarecrow at Kedah Padi Heritage festivalChina Looks to Rice Cookers to Pep Up EconomyWes Ward to Delve Into Cuban Relations at Agriculture Law

ConferenceAPEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1456Late Rabi crop may be spoiled by heat wave; intense heat may disturb

pollinationEl Niño creates untold havoc

News Detail...

Missing foodgrain row: Millers owe Rs1300

rore: CAhandigarh

Wed,20 Apr 2016ummary: Of this millers short delivered/misappropriated 0.48 lakh MT of ricelued at Rs 120.82 crore during the crop years. "We observed that 1.36 lakh MT ofddy of crop years 2010-11 to 2013-14 was stored with 20 millers in eight districts


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. Chandigarh: At a time when RBI has warned banks against lending to the Punjab government in thewake of the missing foodgrains, the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report has revealed thatthe government is yet to recover Rs 1,300 crore from rice millers. "Also, the Government of India did notfix any separate rates of transportation charges within 8 kilometres and these were already included in themilling charges. Audit of 7 selected district offices of Punjab revealed that for transportation of paddyfrom purchase centres to rice mills within 8 kms, expenditure of Rs 20.71 crore was incurred for cropyears 2010-14 and not recovered from millers."Chandigarh: At a time when RBI has warned banksagainst lending to the Punjab government in the wake of the missing foodgrains, the Comptroller andAuditor General's (CAG) report has revealed that the government is yet to recover Rs 1,300 crore fromrice millers.

The millers belong to Jalandhar, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib among others.CAG haslisted a number of reasons for the gap between the stock of foodgrains and the cash credit limit (CCL)given by banks. These include undue favour given to rice millers, payment made against non-delivery, notdelivering the requisite quantity and abnormal variation in transportation rates, among others.TOI had onTuesday reported that a part of the CCL was also being diverted to "finance non-operational expenditureand losses" of the state's four procurement agencies - Pungrain, PAFC, PSWC and Punsup. According to

http://www.nyoooz.com/chandigarh/433584/missing-foodgrain-row-millers-owe-rs1300-crore-cag


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the report, huge quantities of rice were misappropriated by these agencies, violating the custom milling procedures (CMP) amid other irregularities.

The report said that state agencies like PAFC and the millers were joint custodians of the paddy and bothwere responsible for quality and quantity. However, it added that the agencies "failed to conduct timely

physical verification of paddy stocks in accordance with the CMP during the years when paddy wasstored"."We observed that 1.36 lakh MT of paddy of crop years 2010-11 to 2013-14 was stored with 20millers in eight districts. Of this millers short delivered/misappropriated 0.48 lakh MT of rice valued at Rs120.82 crore during the crop years.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Missing-foodgrain-row-Millers-owe-Rs1300-crore-CAG/articleshow/51901850.cms

Reviving exports

Reliance on improving competitiveness and quality, rather than a cheaper rupee, will stand Indiain good stead

A combination of a slump in petroleum prices and the continuing slowdown in global growth haswreaked havoc with India’s merchandise exports. Merchandise export ea rnings slumped 16 percent in fiscal year 2015-16 to $261.14 billion. Exports have shrunk for 16 successive months,while earnings from petroleum product exports collapsed 47 per cent in the last fiscal year to$30.2 billion. Also, the share of petroleum p roducts in India’s export basket contracted to justabout 12 per cent, from over 18 per cent a year ago. Such devastation was not seen even in themidst of an economic slowdown in 2009-10 triggered by the financial crisis of 2008, when

petroleum prices slu mped from the peak of over $140 a barrel to about $32. India’s exports hadcontracted a mere 3.5 per cent in 2009-10.

But this time it’s different. The world is drowning in surplus oil with the US becoming a majoroil producer thanks to shale oil, and Iran returning to the global oil market following the liftingof sanctions. The slowdown in China has also led to a softening of demand for othercommodities, including iron and steel.Oil production is expected to remain in surplus for sometime more, at least till many nations find production unviable at prevailing prices. The low oil

prices are widely expected to force many producing nations to cut output, which is then expectedto trigger some increase in prices. But that recovery in oil prices is unlikely to lead to anythinglike the 40 per cent jump in export earnings witnessed in 2011-12. Also, it is not petroleum

products alone that are dragging down India’s exports.

Gems and jewellery, iron and steel, apparels and yarns, all are earning India fewer dollars than ayear ago. Even basmati rice has not managed to escape the slowdown.There are no readysolutions to ensure a turnaround in India’s exports. Diversifying to new markets is unlikely toyield increased earnings, given the structure of India’s exp ort basket. Exporters lament that theCentre and the Reserve Bank of India have not done enough to make India’s exports morecompetitive. They want the RBI to depreciate the rupee, like China has done with its currency, togain more markets. But RBI governor Raghuram Rajan is unwilling to go down that path, and


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has turned down the commerce ministry’s plea to do so. He is right in his stance that devaluingthe rupee is not a good strategy to help exporters. While a cheaper rupee will provide temporaryrespite to exporters, it will create another problem that neither the Centre nor the RBI wouldwant to deal with — costlier imports putting upward pressure on prices. A sounder and morelong-term strategy would be to focus on becoming more competitive and quality conscious, andstrategically rework India’s trade agreements, particularly in view of the mega trade pacts due tocome into play shortly.(This article was published on April 19, 2016)

El Niño damage in Cebu placed at P186 millionApril 21, 2016

By Chri stopher M . Mahilum Jr . and Rey Vincent A li son

ARGAO, CEBU – Initial estimate of the damage brought about by the dry spell phenomenon El Niño to Cebu’s agriculture sector has reached P186 million, according to the Provincial DisasterRisk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO).In its report to the Provincial Board Monday,the PDRRMO said damage to mango production in the province tops the list with P151 million,followed by corn at P21.4 million.Damage to livestock reached P6 million, followed by P5.6million for vegetables; P769,100 for aqua products; P547,000 for rice; P526,800 for bananas;P174,000 for root crops and P22,500 for cut flowers.Cebu’s fifth district posted the highestdamage with P172.5 million.

The fifth district is composed of the towns of Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Liloan,Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sogod, Tudela and the city of Danao.During Monday’s session,PDRRMO head, Baltazar Tribunalo said the province now has P135.862 in terms of calamityfund. He said that the allocation of DRRM funds are divided into two groups – 30 percent forQuick Response Fund (QRF) and 70 percent for Preparedness Mitigation Fund.―We have to becritically analytic because after El Niño, La Niña might strike,‖ said Tribunalo, stressing thatthey are only allocating P25 million for El Niño and the rest would be in preparation for La Niña.The entire province of Cebu is under a state of calamity due to the prolonged El Niño

phenomenon.

http://www.mb.com.ph/el-nino-damage-in-cebu-placed-at-p186-million/#Qr2vJxSReM8425he.99http://www.mb.com.ph/el-nino-damage-in-cebu-placed-at-p186-million/

Rice industry issue a reminder to growers that inflictingsmoke on residents 'isn't ok'April 20, 2016, 11 a.m.


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MOST afternoons in Leeton shire the sky is covered with a smoky haze of late. The shire’s ricegrowers are in the process of burning off their paddocks, but the annual ritual is causing someangst among the community. Health concerns have been raised, with the Ricegrowers’Association of Australia (RGA) calling on growers to burn responsibly. Other industries havealso been undertaking the practice.Rice extension officer Gae Plunkett said it was importantgrowers took all possible steps to minimise the effects of smoke on neighbouring townships totheir propert y.―Rice growers are preparing for the planting of winter crops and many will be

burning stubble,‖ Mrs Plunkett said. ―We ask them to reduce the effects on those livingnearby. Inflicting smoke on nearby residents isn’t okay.

‖Mrs Plunkett said improved un derstanding of how wind and air conditions disperse smokewould lead to responsible decisions when burning. ―Growers should plan their burning strategyto avoid inappropriate conditions for burning,‖ she said.―This means avoiding burning wetstubble or bur ning when winds will blow smoke across roads or towards towns.―Understandinghow to avoid inversion layers is also critical to prevent smoke settling over residentialareas. ―Growers should use the mixing height tool on the Bureau of Meteorology website t oavoid this situation when planning stubble burns.‖ Mrs Plunkett said growers who were uncertain

about burning off should refer to the responsible stubble management fact sheet on the RGAwebsite.Murrumbidgee Local Health District advised people with chronic respiratory conditionsliving in areas to stay indoors if levels of smoke pollution increase.Director of public healthTracey Oakman warned the health affects from breathing fire smoke varied between people.―Asthma sufferers and people with chronic ob structive pulmonary disease should follow theiraction plans,‖ she said.http://www.irrigator.com.au/story/3859559/consider-burning-impact/

http://www.irrigator.com.au/story/3859559/consider-burning-impact/http://www.irrigator.com.au/story/3859559/consider-burning-impact/http://www.irrigator.com.au/story/3859559/consider-burning-impact/


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Rice prices fall on China’s weak demand

Source: Saigon Times - 4/20/2016 8:32:51 AM

Since they rose to record highs two weeks ago, rice prices in the Mekong Delta have fallenstrongly due partly to weak import demand of China.

Speaking to the Daily, Pham Thanh Tho, a rice trader at Ba Dacwholesale market in Cai Be District in Tien Giang Province, said fresh

paddy IR 50404 in the early summer-autumn crop in Long An Provinceis sold at VND4,500-4,600 (20 U.S. cents) per kilo, down VND500-600

per kilo against a fortnight ago.The price of unprocessed IR 50404 ricehas dropped to VND6,700-6,800 per kilo compared to VND7,200-7,300

per kilo, according to wholesalers that supply rice for exporters in TienGiang and Dong Thap provinces.Nguyen Thanh Phong, director of Van

Loi Company in Tien Giang Province, said the previous price hike on the local market has causedChinese firms to reduce their purchases, thus pushing domestic rice prices down.

In addition, as rice exporters have virtually completed their government-to-government contracts withIndonesia and the Philippines, the demand for rice processing has decreased. Therefore, domestic rice

prices have ebbed again, said exporters.Despite the decline, local prices of rice and paddy are stillVND200-300 per kilo higher than in the same period last year.A report by the Vietnam Food Association(VFA) showed its member enterprises had shipped abroad 1.43 million tons of rice at a free-on-board

(FOB) value of more than US$577 million as of end-March, representing a year-on-year rise of 57% involume and 51% in value.VFA forecast its member enterprises will export more than three million tons ofrice in the first half of this year, up 12% year-on-year, excluding the volume of rice shipped abroad via

border trade.

http://en.stockbiz.vn/News/2016/4/20/654253/rice-prices-fall-on-china-s-weak-demand.aspx

TABLE-THAI-VIETNAMESE 5 PCT GRADE RICEPRICES - APRIL 204/20/2016

BANGKOK, April 20 (Reuters) - Following is a table of Thaiand Vietnamese 5 percent broken grade supplied by traders.(Bulk quotations in U.S. dollars per tonne FoB assessed byThomson Reuters)

http://en.stockbiz.vn/News/2016/4/20/654253/rice-prices-fall-on-china-s-weak-demand.aspxhttp://en.stockbiz.vn/News/2016/4/20/654253/rice-prices-fall-on-china-s-weak-demand.aspxhttp://en.stockbiz.vn/News/2016/4/20/654253/rice-prices-fall-on-china-s-weak-demand.aspxhttp://en.stockbiz.vn/News/2016/4/20/654253/rice-prices-fall-on-china-s-weak-demand.aspxhttp://en.stockbiz.vn/News/2016/4/20/654253/rice-prices-fall-on-china-s-weak-demand.aspx


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Shipment Bid Ask PreviousThai $382-$390 $380-$390 FoB BangkokVietnam $365-$385 n/a FoB Saigon(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK and Ho BinhMinh in HANOI; Editing by Anupama Dwivedi)© Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Click For Restrictions -http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp http://www.agriculture.com/content/table-thai-vietnamese-5-pct-grade-rice-prices-april-20

Push for value-added products from rice

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION April 21, 2016 1:00 amTHE COMMERCE Ministry will ask for a budget allocation of Bt600 million for setting up a riceinstitute for commercial activities in a bid to promote the development of rice into more value-added

products.Permanent secretary Chutima Boonyapraphasara said the ministry was planning to ask the RicePolicy and Management Committee to approve the setting up of the country's first rice institute forcommercial operations."Thai rice can be developed as a value-added 'super food' in the form of various

products. The commercial rice institute would contribute to adding value to Thai rice so that farmerswould receive more income," she said.

If approved, it will take about five to six months to establish the institute. Chutima said the institute could

contribute to a doubling of income from rice products. This would result in extra government revenuefrom rice-product duties of about Bt700 million each year.

Normally, the government cannot collect value-added tax from rice trading, but if it has been processed,VAT can be added.The ministry will discuss with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commis-sion the formation of the institute, as it will not be managed by the government but should be a non-government organisation so it will be more efficient and flexible.Chutima said the institute would alsoemploy highly qualified people for administration of research and development.She added that if thisinstitute could be set up, more than 60 per cent of Thais involved in rice farming should have moreincome and better living conditions, since the rice price would be increased.

High-nutrition food

According to the Commerce Ministry, rice is a high-nutrition food and has low sugar. It could servehealth-conscious people and be developed into various kinds of food for babies, children, senior persons,and those watching their weight. Rice could also be produced as cosmetics and other

products.Meanwhile, the ministry is considering a plan to continue releasing the remaining 11.6 milliontonnes of rice in the government stockpiles. Chutima said the ministry would consider releasing rice everymonth through various channels such as open bidding and government-to-government contracts.

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Push-for-value-added-products-from-rice-30284369.html

Dal prices up 10-20% in a month; rice and sugar alsocostlierRajesh Chandramouli & Rachel Chitra | TNN | Apr 20, 2016, 07.08 AM IST

Within a span of one month, thewholesale price of urad dal went up

by as much as 17% to `161/kg from`138/kg on March 19.Chennai: Thecombination of hot idli, vada withsambar and spicy chutney form the

basic staple in many households, but Chennaiites may have to forkout more for favourites like masaladosai, pongal and keerai vadas asthe prices of pulses havesoared.Within a span of one month,the wholesale price of urad dalwent up by as much as 17% to`161/kg from `138/kg on March 19.The price of channa dal rose by12.5% to `72 and tur dhal by 6.1%to `138 for the same period. Onlinegrocer Bigbasket quoted urad at`200/kg on Tuesday, while the priceof tur dal was `160/kg. And it's not

just dal, but staples like rice and sugar have also been seeing a sizeable increase in the last three months.Between January 19 and now, the price of raw rice has risen by 8% to `53.8/kg. Sugar prices too havegone up 14.5% for the same period."We are waiting and watching prices. We are not raising prices fornow," said P Suresh, founder & MD, Sangeetha Group of Hotels.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Dal-prices-up-10-20-in-a-month-rice-and-sugar-also-

costlier/articleshow/51903104.cms

Rice Prices

Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market. Arrivals Price

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Current %

change Season

cumulative Modal

Prev.Modal

Prev.Yr%change

Rice

Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah) 38.00 8.57 1452.00 3500 3500 -

Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB) 22.00 10 625.50 1900 1900 -9.52

Kolaghat(WB) 18.00 NC 528.00 2300 2300 -8.00

Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB) 18.00 5.88 544.00 2300 2300 9.52

North Lakhimpur(ASM) 17.30 96.59 1274.70 1900 1900 -

Muradabad(UP) 10.00 100 453.70 2275 2300 10.98

Dibrugarh(ASM) 6.50 -19.75 1032.50 2450 2450 -

Chengannur(Ker) 5.00 -33.33 459.50 3000 2400 25.00

Mirzapur(UP) 4.00 -20 1216.50 1950 1945 -1.52

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8497939.ece

04/20/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

RiceHigh Low

Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -

Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

Futures: ROUGH RICE

High Low Last Change


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May '16 1069.0 1030.5 1065.0 +29.0

Jul '16 1096.0 1058.0 1092.0 +29.0

Sep '16 1105.0 1078.0 1107.5 +25.0

Nov '16 1110.5 1110.5 1119.0 +23.5

Jan '17 1137.5 +24.0

Mar '17 1156.0 +21.0

May '17 1158.5 +21.0

Rice CommentRice futures were sharply higher on carryover strength from other commodities and fromweakness in the dollar. The market will be watching crop progress closely. If farmers plant whatthey reported to USDA in the survey, the large crop will limit the upside potential. Currently,USDA says 48% of the crop in the ground and 19% emerged. In Arkansas, the totals are 55%

planted and 11% emerged. Demand is also a key factor. Last week’s sale to Iraq gave the marketa much needed boost, but won’t sustain a rally long -term without better demand across the

board. May completed a 38% retracement today and now has an upside objective of $10.83.

Field Report: TexasBy Colleen Klemczewski

KATY, TEXAS -- Early Monday morning rice farmers here and in other areas of southeast Texas awoketo find their crops underwater after a historic rainfall devastated the area. Rice farmer and cattle rancherRaymond Dollins reported the flooding is so severe that he and his wife can't use their vehicles and arerelying on their tractor just to get around their property."Katy has been blessed in the past - we've missed

the bullet several times, but we didn't miss it this time," said Dollins. "We got 18 inches of rain here atthe farm overnight. Our rice was 6 inches high and now it's completely covered by the rainwater alongwith the levees. The water is starting to go down. Depending on how fast the water goes down, I thinkwe should be okay with the crop."

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Although the forecast in the area predicts more rainfall over the next few days, rice growers in southeastTexas remain hopeful for the sake of their crops that the worst of the storm has passed. Growers willmost likely have to wait at least a week for the flooding to subside and will then determine if it'snecessary to replant the crop.

Dollins stated that those in the Katy area who have to replant their rice will miss out on optimal plantingtime that typically falls between mid-March and mid-April and will most likely be unable to harvest a

second crop in November which will have negative economic implications for the entire area.

"We are really hoping for better weather and a better market to turn things around," said Dollins. "It'sout of our control. The only thing we can do right now is wait it out, pray, and hope for the best. As afarmer, you have to be an optimist."

Katy street view

At least the Farm Bill is safe...for nowAgriculture Funding Bill Advances in House

By Peter Bachmann

WASHINGTON, DC -- On Tuesday, the House Committee on Appropriations spent the majority of theday debating amendments and eventually approving the Fiscal Year 2017 funding bill for Agriculture,Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies.The $21.3 billion legislationcontains a number of contentious amendments on issues such as vaping/e-cigarettes and legal protectionfor contract poultry growers that were introduced and narrowly passed during the markup process, but


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there were no overt attempts to reopen the Farm Bill. The bill would reduce funding for FY 2017 by$451 million when compared to the current fiscal year's level and total spending would be $281 million

below what was recommended in the President's Budget.

In reference to food aid, report languageaccompanying the bill shared the Committee'sconcerns over underspending funds allocated forthe Food for Peace program. In FY 2014 it wasrevealed that the U.S. Agency for InternationalDevelopment spent nearly $90 million less thanwhat was allocated for Food for Peace. TheCommittee fears that not using the full amountallocated will result in reductions to programfunding and ultimately hurt America's farmerswho contribute in-kind commodities."It isunclear if and when the Ag appropriations billwill be considered by the full House ofRepresentatives where it could potentially faceattempts to reduce crop insurance, conservation,research, or other important rice industryfunding priorities," said USA Rice VicePresident of Government Affairs Ben Mosely."Senate appropriators will likely be marking-uptheir version of the FY 2017 spending bill in

coming weeks. We'd love to see some positive provisions for the rice industry, includingfunding for USDA staff in the recently reopened

embassy in Cuba.

THE REAL CO TEAMS UP WITH WILDLIFECONSERVATION SOCIETY FOR EARTH DAY

FESTIVAL AT WCS’s BRONX ZOO - April 23rd and 24th, 2016 NEW YORK, NEW YORK , UNITED STATES, April 19, 2016 /EINPresswire.com / -- The Real Co , the

first certifiable 100% Single Origin product company to pioneer Single Origin food products in theUnited States, has teamed up with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for an Earth Day celebrationto honor the efforts that create an Earth where both people and wildlife can thrive. As part of the WCS’s―Healthy Planet, Healthy People‖ theme, the weekend -long Earth Day event activities take place atWCS’s Bronx Zoo, Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, 24th from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. The Bronx Zoo is locatedat 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY.

On Earth Day Weekend, April 23-24, the WCS Bronx Zoo will offer activities, events, and educational

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opportunities for the general public relating to a celebration of the Planet in the NY area. Activitiesinclude:

Earth Fair on Astor Court -- Sustainable Companies Tabling Exhibition-11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Organizations and companies that produce recycled, sustainable and energy efficient products will tableand demonstrate their products/services. Exhibitors include: The Real Co (www.thereal.co ) 100 % SingleOrigin food products at affordable prices with full transparency of where the food comes from and how itwas grown. Current products include Himalayan Pink Rock Salt, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, andorganically grown White Basmati Rice. The Real Co will give out free samples of the Sugar and Salt instylish reusable bags. Other companies include Cloud Farms; Green Mustache; Emerald Brand; DolphinOrganics; Mama Chia; Grandy Oats; The Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce and the NY State of HealthExchange – Providing information on how to get health care coverage in NY State.

―Love Your Earth‖ Station on Astor Court - 11 a.m. to 3p.m.Visitors will discover fun and interactive ways to better preserve our natural resources for current and

future generations. Guests can use a special Carbon Footprint app to figure out their own carbon footprint, based on the daily actions they take.

Nature Walks at Northern Ponds – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.Visitors can explore this area frequented by birds and local wildlife and discover the wonders and healing

power of nature. Each session is approximately 30 minutes long.

―We are delighted to team up and support the efforts of the WCS for Earth Day and every day,‖ saysBelal Elbanna, CEO of The Real Co. ―We hope this is the start of a long, ongoing relationship.‖

About the Real CoThe Real co has developed an exciting and transparent new food category and method of sourcing products globally and delivering it at a local level. The Real Co enters partnerships with farmers andgrowers around the world that don't have an established route to distribute their products and creates away to share their commodity with the world. The company brings full transparency and sustainability tothe U.S. food industry. The Real Co products are carefully inspected and sourced by companyrepresentatives, and go straight from farm to shelf, eliminating the need for any middlemen. This unique100% Single Origin method allows everyone in the world to enjoy what is usually impossible toexperience: unique, tasty, freshly farmed/mined products at affordable prices .www.thereal.co The RealCo offers transparency to the consumer, and is developing the first Certification of 100% Single OriginFoods in the U.S. The Real Co pays fair wages and reinvests in both the land and the community that

grows our products. The Real Co is available nationwide in numerous stores in every state; The Market inCalifornia, Natural Grocers ShopRite, Fairway Market, Westerly Natural Market, Kings, Balducci, andHealthy Goodness. You can also find it online at www.vitacost.com For more information and for a fulllist state by state is available at www.TheReal.co

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays,5:30 p.m. weekends from April to October; 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m November to March. Adult admission

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is $19.95, children (3-12 years old) $12.95, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $17.95. Parking is$15 for cars and $18 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway atExit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Busservice (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call

718-367-1010.

WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action,education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo,harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceansand its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines itsexpertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.orgFollow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242.

Diane Lilli

Bender Group973 744 0707email us here

The pride of PersiaBY MELISSA CLARK

Wednesday April 20, 2016

01:09 PM GMT+8 LOS ANGELES, April 20 — The scents of Nowruz hit me from the moment I walked in thedoor of Naz Deravian’s house in Inglewood, California. Wafts of floral hyacinth, pungentvinegar, earthy wheatgrass and perfumey ros e water: It’s a particular mingling that comestogether every spring during the Persian New Year.As I stopped to take it all in, Deravian, anIranian-Canadian actress and food blogger who has lived in the Los Angeles area for the last 20years, ushered me into the kitchen where new aromas were waiting: browning butter, muskysaffron, sharp herbs and smoked fish, all in various stages of preparation for the feast she wascooking.―Food is at the center of Persian culture,‖ she said as she lifted the lid on a pot of ricefragrant with herbs. ―It’s integral to everything.‖

At the bottom of the rice pot were thin pieces of lavash that would, Deravian hoped, crisp intotahdig — the golden, crunchy and buttery crust prized at Persian meals.Getting a perfect tahdig,which can also be made from yogurt, thinly sliced onions or potatoes (or the rice itself), is one ofthe most challenging techniques in all of Persian cooking. Deravian was fretting over hers,worried that the flatbread would burn or the rice turn mushy. Persian cuisine is one of the world’sgreat gastronomies, flourishing for centuries across an area that, at the height of the ancientPersian Empire (circa 550 to 330 B.C.), included modern-day Iran, along with parts of Iraq,Macedonia, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

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The repertoire of dishes is fragrant, diverse and highly refined, based on complex culinarytechniques. They are imbued with fresh flowers and herbs like rose petals, fenugreek and mint;spices like saffron, sumac and cardamom; fruits like pomegranate and barberry; all kinds ofcitrus; and nuts, including pistachios and almonds.If this roster of ingredients sounds familiar,it’s because Persian cooking influenced Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Northern Indian and Turkishcuisines, yet itself remains somewhat below the radar.

Part of the recognition problem in the United States, Deravian said, is that even with a robustIranian- American population (estimated to be 1 million to 2 million), there’s a stunn ing lack ofPersian restaurants. Southern California — home to the vast majority of Iranian-Americans andthe groceries, bakeries and ice cream shops that cater to them — has a handful. But for the most

part, they’re not making the exalted, intricate dishe s for which the culture is famous.

―Even in Los Angeles, most people’s Persian food experience starts and ends with kebabs,‖ shesaid. ―The real Persian cooking happens in people’s houses.‖Luckily, hospitality is anotherhallmark of Persian culture. In late March, Deravian invited me into her home for Nowruz,which signifies the beginning of the 13-day Persian New Year celebration. The holiday, with itsmenu of classic and symbolic Persian dishes, is an excellent lens through which to explore therarefied cuisine.Nowruz, an ancient Zoroastrian festival of the spring equinox, has beencelebrated continuously for at least 3,000 years, more than a thousand years before the region’sMuslim conquest. It predates most of the holidays Americans celebrate today yet shares many ofthe same traditions.This is particularly the case with Easter and Passover, which fall around thesame time in early spring. During Nowruz, a celebration of rebirth and renewal, people coloreggs, scrub their houses from top to bottom and eat copious amounts of fresh herbs.

Unlike Easter and Passover, though, Nowruz is not a religious holiday. Persian Muslims, Jews,Christians and Zoroastrians — in the global diaspora and in Iran — all celebrate it.PouriaAbbassi, a board member of Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, which has sponsored

Nowruz celebrations on Capitol Hill, said that the ancient customs of Nowruz are an importantlink to Persian heritage.―Since it is a nonreligious, nonpolitical celebration; it is the single mostimportant event that brings all Iranians together with great pride,‖ he said. ―In our culture,

Nowruz is the only powerful common denominator.‖

Nilou Motamed, the editor of Food & Wine magazine, who is Iranian, described it as a timewhen families gather to feast and bond over an overabundant meal.―Nowruz is like Thanksgivingin that everyone celebrates it, and everyone cooks the same foods, though with their own familyspin on it,‖ she said.The traditions and meaning of Nowruz run deep in the Iranian psyc he,Motamed added.―Iran has had a complicated political relationship with the West for the last 40years,‖ she said. ―For us émigrés, Nowruz is a great way for us to share some of the richness ofour culture through food.‖Like Thanksgiving, having too much food at a Nowruz meal is part ofthe deal.―We are a culture that likes to overfeed,‖ she said. ―We would never have just one maincourse. Excess is essential to our DNA. It provides a sense of welcoming bounty and joy.‖ Evidence of such excess was certain ly found in Deravian’s kitchen. There were the symbolicdishes crucial for any Nowruz dinner. There was the sabzi polo mahi, an herbed rice withsmoked fish that represents life (fish), renewal and rebirth (fresh green herbs) and prosperity(rice). There was the kuku sabzi , a brilliant green herb-stuffed frittata meant to represent fertility


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(eggs).Fresh spring herbs, which can also represent the earth, made another appearance with fetaand a homemade paneer cheese, along with juicy radishes from the farmer s’ market and tart,fuzzy-skinned fresh green almonds that Deravian picked up at a Persian shop on WestwoodAvenue the day before.And for dessert, there was toot, rose-water-flavoured almond pasterepresenting a life full of sweetness and a heart full of love. Deravian’s daughters, Luna, 9, andSoleil, 6, formed the almond paste into both the traditional white mulberry shapes and into cutelittle bunnies.―Persians are always looking for meaning in everything we eat,‖ Deravian said.

―It’s never just food. There’s mythology and tradition that goes back thousands of years behindevery bite.‖She turned her attention back to the herbed rice, which was ready to serve. First, shescooped the green-flecked grains onto a platter. Next, she mixed saffron butter into a portion ofthe rice to stain it bright orange.Then, the moment of truth. It was time to lift the tahdig — thatcrispy bottom crust — out of the pan. (If it were a rice tahdig, they may have turned it out, butwith a lavash tahdig, lifting is easier.) If it burned or stuck, not only would all the guests bedisappointed, but it could also cast a symbolic pall over the year to come, whereas a perfecttahdig indicates good things ahead.Deravian nudged it nervously with her spoon to loosen it,then let out a whoop. The guests cheered as the burnished crust of tahdig slipped out of the panand onto the rice; it was a perfect golden disk.―There’s an art to making tahdig,‖ Deravian saidas she and her father hooked arms to do a little dance of joy.―But there’s also a little bit of magic.‖

Fresh Herb Kuku Fresh herb kuku, adapted from a recipe by Najmieh Batmanglij, in New York,April 5, 2016. — NYT pix Yield: 6 servingsTotal time: 50 minutes½ cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped6 eggs1 ½ teaspoons coarse sea salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon ground cinnamon½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg½ teaspoon ground cardamom½ teaspoon ground turmeric¼ teaspoon ground cumin½ teaspoon ground rose petal (optional)1 cup finely chopped parsley1 cup finely chopped cilantro1 cup finely chopped fresh dill1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (optional)½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts½ cup finely chopped romaine lettuce½ cup finely chopped spring onions, white and green parts2 garlic cloves, grated on a Microplane or minced1 tablespoon rice flour


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1/3 cup dried barberries or cranberries, soaked in cold water for 15 minutes, rinsed and drained1 teaspoon grape molasses, or substitute sugarLavash, for serving (optional)Yogurt, for serving (optional)1. Heat ¼ cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until lightlygolden all over, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer onions to a medium bowl and cool to roomtemperature; reserve skillet.2. Heat oven to 400 degrees and line a 9x12-inch baking dish with parchment paper.3. In a large bowl, lightly whisk to combine eggs, salt, pepper, baking powder, all of the spicesand the rose petal, if using. Add caramelized onions, all of the herbs, walnuts, lettuce, springonion, garlic and rice flour. Fold just to combine; do not overmix.4. Brush prepared baking dish with ¼ cup oil. (It may look like a lot, but it gets absorbed intothe batter.) Add batter, smoothing out the top and pushing it to the sides. Bake until center is set,about 20 minutes, and transfer to a cooling rack.5. Meanwhile, place the skillet used to cook the onion over medium heat. Add remaining 1tablespoon oil, the barberries, grape molasses or sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Simmer, stirring,until liquid is reduced and fragrant, about 4 minutes.6. Top cooked kuku with caramelized barberries and cut into six equal pieces. Serve hot or roomtemperature, with lavash and yogurt, if desired

Rice farming for profit in 2016

Apr 19, 2016 Jarrod Hardke, Arkansas Extension rice agronomist

After a 2015 season that left many Arkansas rice producers feeling kicked in the gut, 2016 doesn’tlook to offer much relief. Rice looks to be the best smelling pig in the pen in terms of penciling out

profitability, but margins are tight there as well. This year we’ll need to make every penny count.That means managing risk. We’re not looking for a homerun this year; we’re looking to cover all the

bases and keep the game going.

Weather To manage risk we need to get back to basics. Try to spread out planting dates -- planting earlier does

produce higher yields but often carries increased input costs along with it. Last season many didn’tget a chance to spread anything out, you either planted in that 10- 14 day window or you didn’t plant.Yes those situations happen, but that window happened at the end of April when it was clear weneeded to plant and not wait. Right now, while it’s early, you still have to stick with Plan A; don’t

jump to Plan B before we even get to A. Reflective of the truly odd year that 2015 was, those whowere delayed until almost May in planting frequently had higher yields than those who planted weeksearlier; however, this should be considered a great exception and not the rule. Let’s start by trying tospread out our planting dates a little – especially if you’re going to try and plant some really early.Determine the maximum acres that you would consider planting early and then stick with thatnumber. Remember that the optimum recommended planting window has two boundaries for areason.Seed


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Speaking of seed – just treat it. The use of insecticide and fungicide seed treatments may provideone of the greatest returns on investment in rice production. Based on 200-plus observations since2008, insecticide seed treatments provide a positive return 80 percent of the time with an averageyield increase of over 8 bushels per acre. The average cost of the insecticide is equivalent to a littleover 2 bushels – that’s an average return on investment of 6 bushels. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/rice-farming-profit-2016

Make a scarecrow at Kedah Padi Heritage festivalAPRIL 21, 2016 ARTS, CULTURE, MALAYSIA, TRAVELBY MAJORIE CHIEW

Kedah Padi Heritage Festival (Warisan Padi Kedah Festival) 2016, which will be held fromApril 22 to May 1 at Ong Chuan Hin Rice Mill in Tanjung Pauh, Jitra is a cross-cultural eventspanning visual arts, dance, music and performances.Organised by Kedah And Perlis RiceMillers Association, the festival aims to tell the story of the heritage of Kedah’s padi farmersthrough storytelling sessions, music, traditional rice planting sessions, photographs anddocuments.As part of the programme, the Kedah padi farmers will lead festival visitors into the

padi field to plant rice the traditional way. A pair of buffaloes will also be used to plough thefield.The festival will kick off with The Art of Padi Heritage Workshop from April 22-25. Some 150students from Keat Hwa High School in Alor Setar will take part in this art, music and dramaworkshop. They will learn how to make a scarecrow and create artworks inspired by padi

planting.On April 29, the Tradition of Padi Seedling, a public talk (and padi seedling rehearsal) will beheld from 9am to 7pm. Three padi farmers of Thai, Chinese and Malay origin will share their

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knowledge on old farming traditions. Kedah And Perlis Rice Millers Association’s chairman Ong Soon Thye and padi researcher Ong Ching Zhong will talk about the rice mill, types of riceas well as tradition and modern farming techniques.

A wayang kulit master and his puppet.Festival director Chong Keat Aun says the festival is thefirst of its kind in Malaysia. ―There are plans to rotate the event venue to other rice mills inKedah and Perlis,‖ says Chong, an Alor Setar -born arts practitioner. The festival’s sloganis Sesuap Nasi, Warisan Padi (A Mouthful Of Rice, Padi Heritage) . From April 30 to May 1,8am to 10pm, there will be a free concert involving 150 performers. Shows include manoradance, padi field drum performance (a combination of gendang silat drums and Chinese drums),Chinese opera, and wayang kulit. There will also be lion and dragon dance performances.A highlight of the festival is Rumah Padi (Padi House) which is erected at edge of a padi field atthe festival site. ―Two modified steel containers, timber and bamboo structures are used to set upthis temporary structure which w ill remain until Sept 17,‖ says Alan Teh, curator of the art

exhibition.


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Alan Teh, curator of the art exhibition at Kedah Padi Heritage Festival with a miniature model ofRumah Padi (Padi House), a temporary structure erected near a padi field. Exhibits includingartworks on the theme of padi will be shown to visitors. Photo: The Star/Majorie ChiewVisitorswill be taken on a tour of the artworks by 15 local artists. Teh says the goal of the festival is toraise awareness to the hardships of padi farmers, especially to the younger generation. ―At the

same time, it is also to bring attention to the rapid urbanisation of Alor Setar, where many tractsof agriculture lands are being converted for housing and commercial purposes. This is quitealarming as Kedah is the rice bowl of Malaysia,‖ says Teh. The closing ceremony will be theHarvest Festival from Sept 15-17 at the same venue.More details: www.facebook.com/warisanpadikedah

Festival director Chong Keat Aun posing in a padi field at the foothill of Gunung Jerai, Kedah. Photos:Warisan Padi Kedah Festivalhttp://www.star2.com/culture/arts/2016/04/21/make-a-scarecrow-at-kedah-padi-heritage-festival/

China Looks to Rice Cookers to Pep Up EconomyBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS APRIL 20, 2016, 6:06 A.M. E.D.T.

BEIJING — The Chinese government's latest plan to perk up its slowing economy is based onthe humble rice cooker and luxury toilet seats.The development plan issued this week strikes a

blow for China's consumers, calling for better products to help create an economy driven bydomestic consumption instead of trade and investment.The Cabinet document lays out an unusually detailed wish list: better electric rice cookers,kitchen appliances, "smart toilet seats" and smartphones.China makes most of the world's

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We’re going to be talking about Cuba, so my approach is going to be talking a little bit about thehistory and how agricultural exports have changed over the history of our relationship withCuba. Starting with 1959 — when the revolution started — and kind of looking at what U.S. andArkansas exports were to Cuba prior to the Cuban revolution. Then, how that changed with theembargo and the different legal aspects of the embargo.

Moving forward from there, in October 2000, when the trade sanctions were formed, and howthat started to shift things and the history with that.Some of [the speech] may be a legal-nuancedand so rt of a legal background of some of the issues with Cuba to a degree. We’ll also talk aboutCuba in general – an overview of some of the most recent efforts. I’ll talk about the governor’strip to Cuba last year that I got to participate in with the World Trade Center of Arkansas, thework that Sen. [John] Boozman has done, and a couple of different groups: the CubaConsortium, Engage Cuba Coalition. I’m going to kind of give a history of our relationship withCuba and what’s changed and some of the recent efforts.

AB: What opportunities does Arkansas have as the U.S. tries to jump-start trade withCuba? WW: Cuba has the highest per capita consumption of rice in the Western Hemisphere. Arkansas

produces 50 percent of the nation’s rice, so when you look at t he potential relationship betweenArkansas and Cuba specifically, rice tends to benefit more than anybody else. Once some ofthose restrictions have been lifted, we would see potentially about a $36 million economicimpact on the agriculture side in Arkansas, and about $30 million of that would be for the riceindustry. The rice industry in Arkansas would be the greatest benefactor of the restrictions beinglifted

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/110699/wes-ward-to-delve-into-cuban-relations-at-agriculture-law-conference

APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1456

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 18-04-2016

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Apricots

1 Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4625

2 Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4125


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3 Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t) 3625

Raisins

1 Californian Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t) 2275

2 South African Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t) 2335

Sultanas

1 Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t) 2865

2 South African Orange River, CIF UK (USD/t) 2881

3 Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t) 1675

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 20-04-2016

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Jowar(Sorghum)

1 Siddhpur (Gujarat) Other 3850 3955

2 Beawar (Rajasthan) Other 1700 2200

3 Theni (Tamil Nadu) Other 1480 1540

Maize

1 Rajkot (Gujarat) Local 1500 1725

2 Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1395 1439

3 Kota (Rajasthan) Other 1425 1575

Papaya

1 Barnala(Punjab) Other 1500 1600

2 Una (Himachal Pradesh) Other 2000 2500


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3 Ganaur (Haryana) Other 1500 2000

Brinjal

1 Aroor (Kerala) Other 2800 3000

2 Nagpur (Maharashtra) Other 800 1200

3 Asansol (West Bengal) Other 1400 2000

Source :agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 20-04-2016

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 338

2 Mysore 330

3 Nagapur 283

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 18-04-2016

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 17 17.50

2 Chicago California Russet 21 21

2 Detroit Wisconsin Russet 16 16.50

Cabbage Package: 50 lb sacks

1 Atlanta Florida Round Green Type 11 12

2 Chicago Texas Round Green Type 9.50 10.75

3 Dallas Canada Round Green Type 14 14.50

http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://agmarknet.nic.in/


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Grapefruit Package: 4/5 bushel cartons

1 Atlanta Florida Red 21 21.50

2 Chicago Florida Red 18 18

3 Miami Florida Red 11 12

Source:USDA

Late Rabi crop may be spoiled by heat wave; intense heatmay disturb pollination

By Sutanuka Ghosal , ET Bureau | 21 Apr, 2016, 02.01AM IST

Scientists said in a temperature range of 22-31degrees, the growth rate o paddy increaseslinearly. But higher temperature adverselyaffects growth and productivity.KOLKATA:Agricultural scientists have raised concern overthe continuing heat wave in eastern India,saying the high tempreratures can harm the late

rabi or 'boro' paddy crop in West Bengal andOdisha, the country's two major rice producingstates. Boro paddy is usually sown in

November and harvested in May. "Hightemperature affects the pollination stage of the

paddy crop," said Dr AK Nayak, director at Cuttack, Odisha-based ICARNational Rice ResearchInstitute.

"In early rabi paddy variety, pollination is over. Maybe in some cases in late variety, paddy pollination may get disturbed due to the high temperature. If the temperature is above 37 degree

during pollination, then the process gets affected." Nayak said at the ripening stage, iftemperature is high 'packing of starch' in the grain gets affected and it develops chalkiness. "Insimple words, productivity may not be affected but quality suffers," he said. Scientists said in atemperature range of 22-31degrees, the growth rate of paddy increases linearly. But highertemperature adversely affects growth and productivity.

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Odisha, West Bengal and parts of Assam produce 5.5 million tonne of rice from the rabi paddycrop. Besides the high temperature, these rice producing states are also worried over theavailability of funds under the Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) initiative.BGREI, a scheme introduced by the previous UPA government, aims at increasing rice andwheat production in eastern India. The scheme covers seven states — Assam, Bihar , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand , Odisha, eastern UP and West Bengal. "All the seven states are readywith their plan. The central government has to approve our plans and allocate funds. We hopethat funds come before the beginning of the kharif season," a senior official with the WestBengal agriculture department said.

El Niño creates untold havoc posted April 20, 2016 at 11:15 pm by Ray S. Eñano

Parched lands caused by the long dry spell have altered the lives of manyFilipino farmers and those in other parts of Asia as well. The Kidapawanincident in Cotabato province where farmer took to the streets on April 1 to

protest government’s inactio n against El Niño bears testimony to the damagewreaked by the weather phenomenon.Over in Vietnam, one farmer saw her

land turn into a wasteland from what used to double as rice paddy and shrimp pond. Nguyen ThiTam’s family, according to a Bloomberg repo rt, had no income for two harvests because the ricecrop failed and the shrimp died. They piled $8,000 in debt, or more than twice her earnings in atypical year. She now plans to leave her village to work at a factory hundreds of miles away tomake ends meet.

http://c/topic/Assamhttp://c/topic/Assamhttp://c/topic/Assamhttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/commoditysummary/symbol-WHEAT.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/commoditysummary/symbol-WHEAT.cmshttp://c/topic/Biharhttp://c/topic/Biharhttp://c/topic/Chhattisgarhhttp://c/topic/Chhattisgarhhttp://c/topic/Jharkhandhttp://c/topic/Jharkhandhttp://c/topic/agriculture-departmenthttp://c/topic/agriculture-departmenthttp://c/topic/agriculture-departmenthttp://thestandard.com.ph/search?q=Ray%20S.%20E%C3%B1anohttp://thestandard.com.ph/search?q=Ray%20S.%20E%C3%B1anohttp://thestandard.com.ph/search?q=Ray%20S.%20E%C3%B1anohttp://c/topic/agriculture-departmenthttp://c/topic/Jharkhandhttp://c/topic/Chhattisgarhhttp://c/topic/Biharhttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/commoditysummary/symbol-WHEAT.cmshttp://c/topic/Assam


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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter 2016 Here in the Philippines, the El Niño phenomenon has so far ruined 237,000 hectares ofagriculture areas with damage estimated at P5.32 billion as of March, according to theDepartment of Agriculture. Farmers in the rural areas have turned to the government for help andassistance after key commodities, including rice and corn as well as high value crops andlivestock, were affected by the drought that has intensified with the onset of the dry season.Whatcan be done to mitigate the impact of a natural phenomenon like El Niño or La Niña on thecountry’s food supply? Will imports suffice to fill up the supply gap?

The International Rice Research Institute has already warned of supply crises amid the mostdamaging drought.Science and technology and regional and global cooperation are the key tasksat hand for countries like the Philippines to temper the changing climate pattern.The Philippinesand the rest of the world are now confronted with a global food crisis similar to the 2007-08situation as a result of the current El Niño episode. Close cooperation, thus, should be securedamong the biggest rice-producing and -consuming nations to stem the crisis should itworsen.IRRI director general Matthew Morell, in a communication sent to the secretaries generalof the Asean member-countries last week, called for a joint action to forestall an impendingcrisis.Morell notes that for maximum impact, cooperation would have to involve not only Aseanmember-countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) but also China, Japan, and South Korea(Asean+3) and India —collectively the world’s biggest producers and consumers of rice. About90 percent of the world’s rice production come from Asia.Rice research keyIRRI is one of the first non-government institutions to issue a warning on the food crisis amid thedrought, which Department of Agriculture, unfortunately, does not share.IRRI sparked the GreenRevolution in Asia, which saved the continent from famine in the 1960s to the 1970s, through itssturdy high-yielding rice varieties. IRRI recently made available climate-smart rice varieties, orthose tolerant of submergence, drought, salinity and other environmental stresses, that have madeunproductive areas in India and Bangladesh and parts of Southeast Asia bloom.Working withhundreds of partners across the world, IRRI has developed and offers the improved and resilientrice varieties, crop management technologies and expertise to rice-growing countries.

Upon request of the governments of some of these countries, IRRI had helped develop nationalrice sector strategies, providing policy advice and technical assistance.Bruce Tolentino, deputydirector general for communication and partnerships at IRRI, says in a recent press conference―the way to handle another crisis is for the Asean+3 and India to come together as a region withshared concerns and interests, and take advantage of IRRI as a regional and neutralresource.‖IRRI’s call fo r action also includes an appeal for serious investment in rice research,which has borne the brunt of decreasing support in agriculture globally. Rice research hashistorically been supported mainly by Western donor countries, and to a much lesser degree byrice-growing countries. IRRI seeks to push this dynamic to a more appropriate balance, that is,for the biggest rice stakeholders to invest the most in the research.The Philippines, the eighthlargest producer of rice in the world in 2015 and one of the most at-risk countries from climatechange, has risen to the challenge and is now IRRI’s fourth biggest donor. Other Asian countries,such as Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, India,and Indonesia, are also increasing investment in riceresearch.

20th April ,2016 Daily Global,Regional & Local Rice -Enewsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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