27th april ,2016 daily global,regional & local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

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.com www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Vol 7,Issue IV April 27 ,2016



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Editorial Board Chief Editor

Hamlik Managing Editor

Abdul Sattar Shah

Rahmat Ullah

Rozeen Shaukat English Editor

Maryam Editor

Legal Advisor

Advocate Zaheer Minhas

Editorial Associates

Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid

Javed Islam Agha

Ch.Hamid Malhi

Dr.Akhtar Hussain

Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui

Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)

Islam Akhtar Khan Editorial Advisory Board

Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim Assistant Professor, Gomal University DIK

Dr.Hasina Gul Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK

Dr.Hidayat Ullah Assistant Professor, University of Swabi

Dr.Abdul Basir Assistant Professor, University of Swabi

Zahid Mehmood PSO,NIFA Peshawar

Falak Naz Shah Head Food Science & Technology ART, Peshawar

Today Rice News Headlines...

TCP to support Reap's roadmap to increase rice exports

Pakistan. TCP to support Reap's roadmap to increase rice exports

Drought to hit rice production in State

Grains getting damaged due to poor storage in Sector 26 Market

Managing global malnutrition: Australian researchers map

micronutrients in white rice

Rice import permits suspended

Aussies zap rice to find its vitals in search for a wonder white

04/27/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Lucky U.S. Long Grain Rice Brand Launches in UK

Chairman Brantley's Message on Cuba Reaches "The Hill"

El Niño, pests damage P8.02 billion worth of crops

Rice Prices

Disaster response center opens in Cebu

Rice supply sufficient on lean months - NFA

Bank officials and valuers main culprits behind rising NPAs

Vietnam seeks aid as drought threatens millions

S.KOREA SEEKS 58,111 T RICE FOR SEPT-NOV

Rice exports hit nearly US$1 billion in four months

Rice Cereals may put health of your infant in danger

Papa Cristo's cooks up a new reason to visit: free Greek cooking

classes

APEDA RICE COMMODITY NEWS

News Detail...

TCP to support Reap's roadmap to increase rice

exports: Rizwan

April 27, 2016

RECORDER REPORT

Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) on Tuesday announced to support the

roadmap, designed by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), for

increasing rice exports. Addressing the members of Reap, Rizwan Ahmed, chairman

TCP, said that the state-run grain trader will facilitate rice exporters for achieving

their goal to double rice exports in next two years.



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"With efforts of Reap leadership, Pakistan's rice exports have already achieved $2 billion target

and now they are eying some $4 billion rice exports by 2018," he added.

He said that TCP had always facilitated rice exports and would continue its support in the larger

interest of the country to bring more foreign exchange. He informed that TCP was in process of

negotiation with several countries including Cuba and Indonesia for rice export on Government

to Government basis.

Rizwan said that TCP had agreed to provide its Pipri godown for rice zone on rental basis and a

policy would be designed in the TCP's board meeting. Abdul Rahim Janoo, former chairman

Reap, said that in order to achieve $4 billion rice exports target Reap had decided to explore new

export markets and as a part of these efforts a delegation headed by Chairman Reap was already

on visit of Iran to find new exports opportunities, while another trade delegation would be sent to

Saudi Arabia.

He said that declining price trend in the world market had created some challenges for the rice

business and presently, some domestic rice trader were in trouble. He informed that Reap had

arranged some 14 biryani festivals in different countries to introduce Pakistani basmati rice.

Janoo urged for aggressive work on Research and Development and said "our competitor India is

introducing a new rice seed every year, while in Pakistan no new seed has been introduced since

many years". Chairman Reap Noman Ahmed Sheikh said that rice exporters were facing a tough

time and need government's support to introduce new seed to enhance the per hector yield. "We

cannot compete in the world market without introducing new rice seed," he added. On the

occasion, former chairman Reap Javed Ghori, Wajid M. Paracha, Safdar Mehkri, Muhammad

Yusuf and Khizar Hyat of TCP and others were also present.

Pakistan. TCP to support Reap's roadmap to increase rice

exports: Rizwan

27.04.2016

Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) on Tuesday announced to support the roadmap, designed

by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), for increasing rice exports. Addressing the

members of Reap, Rizwan Ahmed, chairman TCP, said that the state-run grain trader will

facilitate rice exporters for achieving their goal to double rice exports in next two years. "With

efforts of Reap leadership, Pakistan's rice exports have already achieved $2 billion target and

now they are eying some $4 billion rice exports by 2018," he added.



4

He said that TCP had always facilitated rice exports and would continue its support in the larger

interest of the country to bring more foreign exchange. He informed that TCP was in process of

negotiation with several countries including Cuba and Indonesia for rice export on Government

to Government basis.

Rizwan said that TCP had agreed to provide its Pipri godown for rice zone on rental basis and a

policy would be designed in the TCP's board meeting. Abdul Rahim Janoo, former chairman

Reap, said that in order to achieve $4 billion rice exports target Reap had decided to explore new

export markets and as a part of these efforts a delegation headed by Chairman Reap was already

on visit of Iran to find new exports opportunities, while another trade delegation would be sent to

Saudi Arabia.

He said that declining price trend in the world market had created some challenges for the rice

business and presently, some domestic rice trader were in trouble. He informed that Reap had

arranged some 14 biryani festivals in different countries to introduce Pakistani basmati rice.

Janoo urged for aggressive work on Research and Development and said "our competitor India is

introducing a new rice seed every year, while in Pakistan no new seed has been introduced since

many years". Chairman Reap Noman Ahmed Sheikh said that rice exporters were facing a tough

time and need government's support to introduce new seed to enhance the per hector yield. "We

cannot compete in the world market without introducing new rice seed," he added. On the

occasion, former chairman Reap Javed Ghori, Wajid M. Paracha, Safdar Mehkri, Muhammad

Yusuf and Khizar Hyat of TCP and others were also present.

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/pakistan-tcp-to-support-reaps-roadmap-to-increase-rice-

exports-rizwan

Drought to hit rice production in State N. RAHUL

Against production of 45.45 lakh tonnes during 2014-15, it is likely to touch a mere 29.34 lakh

tonnes in 2015-2016

ith rabi season over and the yields from various crops arriving at the market yards across

Telangana, the Directorate of Economics and Statistics has released advance estimates of

agricultural production for 2015-16 which showed a huge shortfall in rice stocks.Against 45.45

lakh tonnes of rice production, both in kharif and rabi, during 2014-15, the directorate, which is

responsible to compile statistics relating to all aspects of agriculture, has said rice production in

2015-16 was likely to touch a mere 29.34 lakh tonnes.

The 16 lakh tonnes of shortage in rice was solely due to drought which resulted in lack of water

in irrigation projects and bore wells going dry, according to Agriculture Production

Commissioner C. Parthasarathi. Whatever production of rice which is a water intensive crop was

mainly due to bore wells but they too could not deliver in later stage due to deepening of

groundwater table, he added.The situation was expected as kharif, the first crop, was not good on

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/pakistan-tcp-to-support-reaps-roadmap-to-increase-rice-exports-rizwan

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/pakistan-tcp-to-support-reaps-roadmap-to-increase-rice-exports-rizwan

http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/n.-rahul/



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account of poor inflows in projects. However, the government waited till October because there

were heavy rains around that time in the past which resulted in projects getting water. But, even

that did not take place. In the face of a continuous dry spell, the government had come to a

conclusion about a bad year for agriculture, Mr. Parthasarathi added.

The rice production was a mere 22.13 lakh tonnes in kharif and an estimated 7.21 lakh tonnes in

rabi this year. The area of cultivation was 7.49 lakh hectares and 2.52 lakh hectares respectively.

It was 28.55 lakh tonnes in kharif and 16.90 lakh tonnes in rabi, making up to 45.55 lakh tonnes

in 2014-15. The area of cultivation last year was 9.20 lakh hectares and 4.95 lakh hectares

respectively. Surprisingly, the directorate has estimated that the production of cotton will be

more this year at 35.98 lakh tonnes against 35.83 lakh tonnes last year. Similarly, chilli

production was estimated at 2.04 lakh tonnes against 2.53 lakh tonnes last year. However, the

directorate has estimated nil production in recent rabi in red gram, castor, soya bean, palm oil,

mesta, sugarcane and turmeric. Red gram was grown over 247 hectares in kharif but it was only

one hectare in rabi. There was no area at all for soyabean and turmeric in rabi

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/drought-to-hit-rice-production-in-

state/article8521736.ece

Grains getting damaged due to poor storage in Sector 26

Market April 27, 2016 11:58 AM

Punjab News Express/ Y.S. Rana CHANDIGARH: When fears of another

drought looming large over the country,

the quantity of good grains damaged in the

open in the Grain Market, Sector 26,

Chandigarh. It indicates poor storage

facilities there.Here there are thousands of

sacks of decomposing paddy occupying an

area nearly the size of six tennis courts.

Most of the paddy mounds are covered

with torn tarpaulins of no use during rains.

Site presents a pathetic scene. Bags are

torn, spilling blackened grain blighted by

fungus and insects rotting all around. It shows there is enough food in India to feed everyone, but

wastage of large amounts of food grains prevents this from happening.

While talking to the people there told the Daily Post that the paddy was being purchased by the

government at a guaranteed price and dumped here on this cemented open platform and being

given to rice millers. In turn rice millers after milling the paddy return rice to the government at a

agreed price. ―Tonnes of paddy continue to lie in the open and allow rotting of food grains

because of no proper storage facility,‖ said one of them.



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The official of the Food and Supply Department admitted lack of storage facility at the grain

market and added storage facility was the responsibility of the FCI, a government agency

authorized to procure food grains. it was between the FCI and the rice millers. It is estimated that

nearly 40 per cent food grains is stored in an unprofessional way. On one hand we allowing tones

of food grains go to drain on the other allowing to fee the poor. Sheer negligence in wasting food

grains is no solution to hunger

http://punjabnewsexpress.com/chandigarh/news/grains-getting-damaged-due-to-poor-storage-in-

sector-26-market-49098.aspx

Managing global malnutrition: Australian researchers map

micronutrients in white rice

posted by news on april 27, 2016 - 2:30pm

Efforts to address chronic malnutrition in billions of people have taken a step forward with

Australian researchers defining processing conditions that boost the nutritional value of white

rice -- the staple food of more than a third of the world's population. While it is known parboiling

grains before milling helps retain essential micronutrients, researchers from Charles Sturt

University (CSU) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) have used the

Australian Synchrotron to compare parboiling techniques, showing in the LWT -- Food Science

and Technology journal that longer parboiling processes at higher temperatures cause more

micronutrients to migrate from the outer bran layer into the starchy core of the grain.

Dr Peter Torley, Senior Lecturer Food Science and Technology at RMIT University and

formerly of CSU, says the Australian Synchrotron's X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy beamline

has enabled researchers to accurately track the diffusion of nutrients at sub-micron resolution

levels without damaging the rice grain's internal structure.

http://punjabnewsexpress.com/chandigarh/news/grains-getting-damaged-due-to-poor-storage-in-sector-26-market-49098.aspx

http://punjabnewsexpress.com/chandigarh/news/grains-getting-damaged-due-to-poor-storage-in-sector-26-market-49098.aspx



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This image shows the concentration and distribution of zinc in one cross-sectioned grain of rice with no

treatment (left) and another following soaking in water at 90C followed by steaming (right). The

Australian Synchrotron's X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy beamline clearly showed researchers how zinc

migrates to the center of the grain during this optimal parboiling approach, making the milled white rice

more nutritious. Credit: Australian Synchotron

'Using the powerful and tightly-focused synchrotron beam meant we didn't have to grind the rice

to prepare our samples, which is necessary when using standard laboratory equipment, enabling

more accurate interpretation as we could plot essential micronutrients to their precise locations

within the grain, before and after parboiling.

'Of the approaches in our experiments, soaking in water at 90?C followed by steaming proved to

be the most effective for retaining nutrients.'White rice -- prepared by drying and milling rice

kernels, a process that strips the outer bran containing most of the nutrients, including iron,

manganese, potassium and zinc - provides up to 80 per cent of the total caloric intake for people

in some regions of the world, such as South-East Asia.Over two billion people, or 30 per cent of

the world's population, suffer from iron deficiency with symptoms ranging from poor mental

development in children to depressed immune function and anaemia.

NSW DPI researcher Mr Prakash Oli, lead author of the recently published paper and CSU PhD

candidate, says the findings will have significant implications for rice production as researchers

work to address micronutrient deficiency around the world.'Improving rice processing is one of

two approaches we're working on to combat widespread malnutrition; the second involves fine-

tuning rice species to express more iron and other important nutritional minerals in the grain core

during growth and during soaking, which can also reduce the glycaemic index (GI) of white rice.

'Optimising rice processing is also important for farmers and industry as grain breakage during

milling can cause crop value to plummet to as little as one per cent, something parboiling can

help to avoid.'

Dr Laura Pallas, Rice Chemist at the NSW DPI, says changing global rice processing and eating

habits is an enormous task, as there are deeply entrenched expectations across various cultures

around consistency and flavour, and different approaches to parboiling ranging from those in

small home farms to large industrial plants.'Rice is the closest thing we have to a global dish and

it is gluten-free and a good source of complex carbohydrates.'If we can combine the higher

micronutrient content of brown and coloured rice varieties with the light and fluffy texture of

white rice, we could reach the holy grail: a rice version of "wonder white" bread that people,

everywhere, really want to eat.' source: RMIT University



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http://www.sciencecodex.com/managing_global_malnutrition_australian_researchers_map_micronutrient

s_in_white_rice-181161

Rice import permits suspended KATARE MBASHIRU IN DODOMA

28 APRIL 2016

THE Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, has ordered security organs to tighten

security in border points and along coastal areas to curb smuggling and illegal

importation of rice.Winding up debate on his office‗s budget estimates, Mr Majaliwa told the

National Assembly here yesterday that the government has suspended all permits for importation

of rice in the country because of the current increase in local production.The premier told the

National Assembly that the decision would help local farmers to have good prices of their rice

and improve their living standards.According to him, in the 2014/15 financial year, local rice

production stood at 1,936,909 tonnes against the target of 926,096 tonnes. Therefore, he said,

there was an excess of 1,010, 813 tonnes which is equivalent to 47.8 per cent.On the other hand,

following shortage of sugar in the country, Mr Majaliwa has said the government will import

sugar to tackle the scarcity.

According to the PM, the country has sugar production capacity of 320,000 per year while the

required amount of sugar stood at 420,000 tonnes and that there was a scarcity of 100,000

tonnes.Responding to queries raised by MPs when debating the 2016/17 budget estimates, Mr

Majaliwa noted that there was a stock of sugar of about 37,000 tonnes in the country, which he

said was in the market.‗‖The government has already ordered sugar to cover the deficit and a few

days from today it should be in the country,‘‘ said the PM, adding that the government was

avoiding ordering a huge consignment to avoid crippling local industries.However, Mr Majaliwa

added, the government was putting measures in place to ensure that there was enough production

of sugar in the country to avoid importing the essential commodity.

The prime minister asked traders and major distributors trying to hoard sugar to create artificial

shortage to justify price hikes to release the commodity immediately.―I hereby direct all business

officers in various district councils to make regular follow ups in different shops to ensure

businesspeople don‘t connive to hoard sugar to justify the price hike so that people can purchase

the product at an indicative price by the government.The prime minister further said that in

implementing the promise delivered during last year‘s presidential election campaigns – that of

empowering Tanzanians, the government has allocated 59bn/- for village empowerment in the

2016/17 financial year.The money, according to the PM, would be provided through revolving

fund, which would be coordinated by the National Economic Empowerment Council.According

to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister‘s Office (Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour,

Employment, Youth and People living with Disability), Ms Jenister Mhagama, empowerment

would be managed by Regional Administration and Local Government.

http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/49304-rice-import-permits-banned-sugar-imports-allowed-security-tightened-at-borders-country-s-coast



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Mr Majaliwa further defended President John Magufuli on the claims by the opposition camp

that the Fifth Phase government was operating illegally for what the opposition termed as failure

to provide ‗instrument‘ to enable members of the cabinet to discharge their duties.

According to the PM, the delay by the Head of State was prompted by the fact that he was still

putting up his line-up in the executive.―Procedures for a government gazette are afoot because

the president signed the instrument since April 20 - and the ministers are currently working

legally under the directives of the president,‘‘ he said.Mr Majaliwa also said the government was

making efforts to clear the Medical Stores Department (MSD) 134bn/- debt.

―The government has started working on the debt by directing the Controller and Auditor

General (CAG) to verify it and as of now the CAG has confirmed 67bn/- and the exercise is still

ongoing,‖ he hinted.To reduce backlogs of contracts in the office of the Attorney General (AG)

and fast track procurement in local government authorities, Mr Majaliwa said contracts that are

below 1bn/- will now be signed by lawyers in the respective district councils.―But proper legal

procedures should be followed while the government will not hesitate to take appropriate legal

action against officials who will abuse this discretion,‘‘ he added.Yesterday, MPs approved

236.8 billion/- budget estimates for the Prime Minister‘s Office (PMO) for the fiscal year

2016/2017, out of which 71.6 billion is for recurrent expenditure while 165.2 is for development

expenditure http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/49304-rice-import-permits-banned-sugar-imports-

allowed-security-tightened-at-borders-country-s-coast

Aussies zap rice to find its vitals in search for a

wonder white THE AUSTRALIAN

APRIL 28, 2016 12:00AM

Higher Education reporter

Sydney

Red camargue and wild rice. Picture: Thinkstock

Australian scientists hope to ease Third World malnourishment by cooking up white rice that is

as nutritious as its brown equivalent.Researchers have harnessed the Australian Synchrotron to

find out why stripping rice grains of their gritty husks removes so many of their vitamins and -

minerals.Co-author Laura Pallas said the findings, published this morning in the journal LWT

Food Science and Technology, could spawn the rice equivalent of ―wonder white‖ bread — a

grain both nutritious and culturally acceptable.―If we can combine the higher micronutrient

content of brown varieties with the fluffy texture of white rice, we could (produce) a version that

people everywhere really want to eat,‖ said Dr Pallas, a chemist with the NSW Primary

Industries Department.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/John+Ross



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Rice is primary food for a third of the world‘s population and the main source of calories and

protein for some of its poorest people. But cultural preferences for removing the outer layers of

the grain, converting brown rice to white, has contributed to malnutrition, iron deficiency and

diseases such as beri-beri.In some regions, particularly South Asia, rice grains are partially

boiled to soften them up for milling. This process of soaking, heating and steaming, known as

parboiling, can help retain nutrients such as thiamine, riboflavin, iron and zinc.Now the

Australian team has found out why, after zapping rice grains with the Synchrotron‘s high-energy

beam.The study — the first application of ―X-ray fluorescence microscopy‖ to monitor mineral

movement in heated rice kernels — enabled the researchers to track nutrient diffusion at

resolutions of less than one-thousandth of a millimetre, without damaging the grains.―We didn‘t

have to grind the rice to prepare our samples, which is necessary when using standard laboratory

equipment,‖ said co-author Peter Torley.

The team found that soaking the rice at very high temperatures — around 90C — helped push

the nutrients into the grains‘ soft cores. Further research is planned into optimum parboiling

techniques.Dr Torley, who co-ordinated the study at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga,

said there was no irony in using state of the art technology to improve processing of a 12,000-

year-old crop. ―The more sophisticated tools we‘ve got now give us a better understanding of the

food we eat.‖Lead author Prakash Oli said the new insights could mean production savings.

―Grain breakage during milling can cause crop value to plummet to as little as 1 per cent,‖ he

said http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/aussies-zap-rice-to-find-its-vitals-in-search-for-a-wonder-

white/news-story/c439e4f68c0ebb54e23f3b97c461d9cd

04/27/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Rice

High Low

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/aussies-zap-rice-to-find-its-vitals-in-search-for-a-wonder-white/news-story/c439e4f68c0ebb54e23f3b97c461d9cd

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/aussies-zap-rice-to-find-its-vitals-in-search-for-a-wonder-white/news-story/c439e4f68c0ebb54e23f3b97c461d9cd



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Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -

Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

Futures: ROUGH RICE

High Low Last Change

May '16 1103.0 1063.0 1083.5 -11.5

Jul '16 1128.5 1085.0 1110.0 -10.0

Sep '16 1140.0 1104.5 1124.5 -10.0

Nov '16 1145.0 1122.5 1132.0 -10.5

Jan '17

1147.5 -11.0

Mar '17

1163.5 -11.5

May '17

1182.5 -11.5

Rice Comment Rice futures turned lower today after May failed at the 62% retracement objective of $11.16 on Tuesday.

USDA says 121,300 metric tons for delivery this marketing year. Of course, 90,000 of that was the

previously reported sale to Iraq. The market will be watching crop progress closely. If farmers plant what

they reported to USDA in the survey, the large crop will limit the upside potential. Currently, USDA says

62% of the crop in the ground and 38% emerged. In Arkansas, the totals are 75% planted and 40%

emerged, so Arkansas farmers made lots of progress in a week‘s time.

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4A6cMUIBl

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4Q6cIUMAl

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dIFIQh



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Lucky U.S. Long Grain Rice Brand Launches in UK

By Eszter Somogyi

LONDON, UK -- A new U.S. long grain rice brand, called 'Double 8,' has launched in the UK initially in

the Chinese wholesaler chain, Wing Yip. With four main stores across the UK selling more than 4,500

products, Wing Yip caters specifically to the sizeable Chinese/Asian communities here. Double 8 was

developed by Riceworks, a UK company that sells quality rice products with a strong commitment to U.S.

grown rice.

"We saw an opportunity for another U.S. rice brand and wanted

to create something different," said Olive Chafer, co-director of

Riceworks. "We developed a bespoke 20kg Hessian bag for the

product with clear graphics and in Chinese, and it's selling really

well in all the stores. Using U.S. rice was an obvious choice,

the fluffiness and consistency being key to the success of the

Double 8 brand." The attractive 20kg bags of Double 8 have

been placed in various points around the stores during the

promotion and every last detail was considered, right down to

the product launch date of March 8, 2016."The number eight has

spiritual significance and is regarded as the luckiest number in

Chinese culture, and with the pronunciation of 'Ba' in Chinese,

the number eight sounds similar to the word 'Fa', which means

to make a fortune," Chafer said, explaining how the new brand

got its name.A spokesperson from Wing Yip said, "Normally

we would expect a fairly slow build with a new brand, but we are pleasantly surprised at the response to

Double 8. It goes to show that a well branded, well priced U.S. rice offering can be as popular as ever."

Wing Yip is a staunch supporter of U.S. long grain rice with around 12 different brands and products

available in stores. With its significant name, colorful bags, and U.S. provenance, Double 8 is sure to

bring good fortune to both Riceworks and Wing Yip alike.

Chairman Brantley's Message on Cuba Reaches "The Hill"

By Peter Bachmann

WASHINGTON, DC -- This morning's edition ofThe Hill, a prominent print

and online news source utilized by Congressional offices and other politic-

centric organizations, featured an op-ed penned by USA Rice Chairman Dow

Brantley.The piece focuses on the U.S. rice industry's lack of access to the

Cuban market and outlines the need by both countries to restore normalized

trade so that Cuba can once again become a major U.S. trading partner. In

reference to steps in the right direction, Brantley said, "...we are now at the point



13

where any further progress is dependent on leaders in Congress." And finally, he called for "additional

champions in Congress to continue this momentum."

The full op-ed can be found here

El Niño, pests damage P8.02 billion worth of crops

by Mary Grace Padin - April 27, 2016

EL Niño and pest infestation destroyed a total of 565,752 metric tons (MT) valued at P8.02 billion in the

first four months of the year, according to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).From January 1

to April 15, data from the DA showed that El Niño alone damaged 516,099 MT of crops valued at P6.35

billion. The DA said 183,201 farmers cultivating 194,494.48 hectares of land were affected by the

prolonged dry spell.The three regions that suffered the brunt of El Niño were Region 10 in Mindanao,

which recorded losses amounting to P2.46 billion; Western Visayas or Region 6, P1.97 billion; and

Region 12, P737.36 million. Meanwhile, DA data also showed that farm damage due to pest infestation

has reached P1.67 billion as of April 15.

Farmers have been warned by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) against the possible attack of rodents,

stemborers, tungro and army worms in the second quarter of the year. Infestations of rice bug, defoliator,

rice black bug and bacteria leaf blight may also occur occasionally, the agency added.Since February

2015, farmers have already incurred losses totaling P9.78 billion due to El Niño.Earlier, Agriculture

Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said El Niño has already damaged 233,000 MT of paddy rice. Alcala said the

volume is only a fourth of projected 975,000 MT of unmilled rice that would be damaged due to the dry

spell.The DA chief attributed this to the coordination between the farmers, irrigators and the government,

as well as cloud-seeding operations in areas without irrigation and the use of hybrid-rice seeds.

For the whole of 2016, Alcala said unmilled-rice output would register flat growth, despite expectations

that the weather phenomenon would cause minimal damage to the rice sector. Data from the Philippine

Statistics Authority showed that the Philippines produced 18.15 million metric tons (MMT) of palay in

2015, 4.31 percent lower than the previous year‘s output of 18.97 MMT.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/el-nino-pests-damage-p8-02-billion-worth-of-crops/

Rice Prices

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AA0PeNglQxeuHeHW7aKEshqpwh3jRV-oGmrvGvwfjhN1cxYTvxqOH_pTV8HkNfH8AA3V0X1lgOH42xR8byXw1rpdme5HmdArotb7vbvisOQIk2cXShSal1F87G0w3w6QAqgrCCgC4yNOSQJeFiRi9NUHlnl2lfRViWY3y4AQQIn8mQ0RcDpHuw==&c=4R8cpwqXxktSSCy9kVtlflolYsRfIsnJomeRCWgTLN0RQiP5LEBGhQ==&ch=dNLBFaAoW5gWQ0oGEEM_OMLvhnWnNbz-alR5H0eudfVu4rXj5RKKnw==

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/el-nino-pests-damage-p8-02-billion-worth-of-crops/



14

as on : 27-04-2016 08:10:31 PM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals Price

Current

%

change

Season

cumulative Modal

Prev.

Modal

Prev.Yr

%change

Rice

Varanasi(Grain)(UP) 400.00 -2.44 9015.00 2045 1980 2.25

Kanpur(Grain)(UP) 280.00 -6.67 9090.00 2175 2190 NC

Sitapur(UP) 204.00 74.36 6863.00 2210 2210 5.74

Devariya(UP) 120.00 -20 1310.00 2100 2075 7.69

Lucknow(UP) 117.50 9.81 3636.00 2185 2175 6.59

Ballia(UP) 110.00 -8.33 6920.00 1985 1990 0.76

Basti(UP) 110.00 -9.09 4365.50 2015 2015 5.77

Bindki(UP) 110.00 57.14 2454.00 2275 2290 9.38

Shahjahanpur(UP) 102.60 93.95 40432.00 2230 2200 7.73

Kalipur(WB) 97.00 7.78 4964.00 2200 2150 12.82

Kalna(WB) 95.00 11.76 1034.00 1750 1730 -2.78

Nalbari(ASM) 91.00 -2.15 809.50 2000 2000 NC

Chandabali(Ori) 85.00 NC 1438.00 1800 1800 50.00

P.O. Uparhali Guwahati(ASM) 81.00 -11.48 3228.50 2100 2100 -19.23

Dhing(ASM) 79.00 16.18 2938.20 1800 1800 -10.00

Thodupuzha(Ker) 70.00 NC 2450.00 2650 2650 8.16

Junagarh(Ori) 63.95 28.28 1134.75 2100 2100 -4.55

Etawah(UP) 60.00 NC 18905.00 2255 2255 1.12



15

Saharanpur(UP) 60.00 -4.76 4546.00 2165 2160 2.12

Mainpuri(UP) 60.00 14.29 1205.50 2040 2065 5.15

Kalahandi(Dharamagarh)(Ori) 53.85 -16.11 814.76 2100 2100 -4.55

Jaunpur(UP) 50.00 66.67 1220.00 1985 1975 1.02

Pandua(WB) 48.00 -4 1769.00 2700 2700 NC

Cachar(ASM) 40.00 NC 1610.00 2700 2700 NC

Lanka(ASM) 40.00 14.29 2105.00 1750 1750 -1.41

Gondal(UP) 40.00 -6.98 11445.10 1980 1950 -1.49

Howly(ASM) 39.50 29.51 1708.70 1530 1300 5.52

Gazipur(UP) 39.00 30 1539.00 1980 1980 -0.50

Balrampur(UP) 38.00 -15.56 1242.50 2075 2065 2.98

Jorhat(ASM) 35.00 16.67 1444.00 2700 2700 -3.57

Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah) 32.00 -20 1524.00 3500 3500 -

Sambhal(UP) 30.00 NC 170.00 2280 2175 5.31

Koderma(Jha) 29.00 -30.95 402.00 3400 3500 3.03

Chorichora(UP) 25.00 900 300.15 2110 2100 8.21

Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB) 25.00 13.64 694.50 1900 1900 -9.52

Purulia(WB) 24.00 NC 1793.00 2200 2200 -8.33

Naugarh(UP) 21.00 20 617.50 2010 2015 4.69

Karimganj(ASM) 20.00 -50 1460.00 2200 2200 NC

Partaval(UP) 19.00 -5 1182.00 2020 2000 4.12

Lakhimpur(UP) 17.00 -22.73 437.50 2160 2140 2.86

Jajpur(Ori) 16.00 -48.39 409.00 2000 2000 -23.08



16

Jeypore(Ori) 15.80 21.54 274.00 325 410 -

Firozabad(UP) 15.00 NC 575.00 2130 2120 5.97

Champadanga(WB) 15.00 -6.25 787.00 2450 2400 -5.77

Jahanabad(UP) 14.00 -11.39 264.80 2070 2170 -1.43

Sirsa(UP) 14.00 -15.15 446.50 2070 2070 -0.96

North Lakhimpur(ASM) 13.80 53.33 1325.90 1900 1900 -

Udala(Ori) 13.00 -35 801.00 2800 2800 12.00

Pukhrayan(UP) 12.00 -7.69 201.50 2080 2075 -3.70

Haldibari(WB) 12.00 -20 683.50 2250 2250 -11.76

Meerut(UP) 11.00 -45 510.50 2300 2280 9.00

Kannauj(UP) 11.00 -8.33 344.00 2175 2165 -0.23

Bampada(Ori) 10.00 NC 170.00 2500 2500 NC

Raiganj(WB) 10.00 NC 760.50 2650 2650 1.92

Deogarh(Ori) 9.50 5.56 380.00 2500 2500 NC

Dibrugarh(ASM) 9.00 18.42 1066.20 2450 2450 -

Nilagiri(Ori) 8.00 -11.11 407.00 2300 2400 NC

Katwa(WB) 8.00 NC 145.50 2200 2100 NC

Bolangir(Ori) 7.50 4.17 208.20 2200 2300 -8.33

Tusura(Ori) 7.50 7.14 223.50 2200 2300 -8.33

Chandoli(UP) 7.50 NC 53.50 1890 1875 1.07

Chengannur(Ker) 7.00 NC 477.50 2300 2400 -4.17

Kasganj(UP) 7.00 -12.5 533.00 2030 2030 -0.73

Buland Shahr(UP) 7.00 -30 372.00 2025 2030 -0.74



17

Nimapara(Ori) 6.50 44.44 175.00 2200 2200 15.79

Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB) 6.20 -4.62 95.20 2600 2600 -

Khairagarh(UP) 6.00 -33.33 347.00 2140 2080 6.47

Mirzapur(UP) 5.00 -16.67 1233.50 1960 1950 -1.01

Muradabad(UP) 5.00 -28.57 471.70 2325 2290 13.41

Anchal(Ker) 4.00 - 4.00 2600 - -

Gulavati(UP) 3.00 NC 49.00 2045 2060 NC

Rura(UP) 3.00 -25 94.40 2120 2120 -1.85

Islampur(WB) 3.00 -6.25 256.90 2150 2150 -

Karimpur(WB) 3.00 NC 52.00 3150 3150 NC

Balarampur(WB) 2.70 -3.57 58.00 2240 2230 -6.67

Siyana(UP) 2.00 33.33 71.00 2085 2085 2.21

Punalur(Ker) 1.50 50 17.00 1600 1600 -

Mawana(UP) 1.50 50 21.70 2200 2180 4.76

Thoubal(Man) 1.30 8.33 72.80 2800 2800 NC

Sardhana(UP) 1.20 -20 73.90 2195 2195 5.02

Kasipur(WB) 1.20 9.09 28.90 2150 2150 -6.52

Chutmalpur(UP) 1.00 -33.33 2.50 2180 2180

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8527917.ece

Rice Paddies Fueling Electric Vehicles Published April 27, 2016

From Rice Paddies to the Road: Transforming Rice Husks into Lithium-ion Anodes for

Plug-in Electric Vehicles

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8527917.ece



18

Rice is one of the top three staple foods in the world. But in the future, it may be a key part of the

battery in your plug-in electric vehicle. Through a project supported by the Energy Department‘s

Vehicle Technologies Office, researchers at Stanford University have been able to produce

silicon structures for lithium-ion batteries from rice husks, a waste product of this ubiquitous

agricultural crop.

Silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries can store 10 times more capacity than graphite anodes,

the material most commonly used in today‘s batteries. However, the cycle life of batteries that

use silicon anodes – how many times a battery can charge and discharge while maintaining its

capacity – is much shorter than those that use graphite. Another major challenge is that silicon

expands by as much as four times its initial volume when the battery is charged.One potential

solution may be designing anodes that use silicon nanostructures, structures that are larger than

molecules, but too small to be seen with a typical microscope. Although researchers have

developed silicon nanostructures that enable longer cycle lives, they are expensive. They also

have low mass loading, where there is a small amount of mass of silicon per area of battery

electrode, which reduces their capacity to store energy.

However, synthesizing silicon nanostructures from rice husks may address some of these

challenges: they‘re extremely abundant, and at $18/ton, are quite cheap. Like the seeds in a

pomegranate, the nanoparticles maintain contact with each other during battery cycling while

still having space to expand. This combination of traits allows the anode to maintain its energy

storage capacity without sacrificing longer cycle life.

The process of recovering silicon nanoparticles from rice husks. The photographed substances

are: raw rice husks, leached rice husks, nano silicon oxide, and nano silicon.

The Stanford researchers went through several steps to take the rice husks from the field to the

laboratory: They first burned them in air to convert them to pure silica. After exposing the silica to magnesium, the

rice husks produced a silicon structure made of physically interconnected nanoparticles. The small size

and porous nature of the new nanostructure gives it superior performance as a battery anode over both

commercial particles..

After producing the nanostructures, the researchers tested them in battery cells. So far, the results are

very promising. Because of their small size, high porosity, and interconnectedness, the developed

nanostructures exhibited higher capacity, cycle stability and cycle life.

To follow up on the progress made, the researchers are investigating how to develop a scalable

and low-cost method for creating the silicon nanostructures that also maintains their

performance. They are also doing research to better understand how particles affect each other,

develop larger versions, and test them further.

While silicon nanostructures from rice husks are still a long ways from being produced on a mass

scale, one day they may be as common on the road as they are on the plate.

Funded by the Energy Department‘s Vehicle Technologies Office, this project was part of the

Batteries for Advanced Transportation Technologies (BATT) program—now incorporated in the

Advanced Battery Materials Research (BMR)

http://bmr.lbl.gov/

http://i0.wp.com/agnetwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/recovering-silicon-nanoparticles-from-rice-husks-u-s-dept-energy.png



19

http://agnetwest.com/2016/04/27/rice-paddies-road/

Disaster response center opens in Cebu 10:31 AM April 28th, 2016

social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman leads the ceremonial pouring of rice on the

automatic bagging machine during the inauguration of the Visayas Disaster Response

Center. (CDN PHOTO/CARMEL LOISE MATUS)

A regional hub for its relief operations was inaugurated yesterday morning by the Department of

Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) together with the World Food Program (WFP)

Philippines.The Visayas Disaster Response Center located in Barangay Casuntingan, Mandaue

City is among the three key response areas in the country identified by the DSWD and WFP to

serve as hub for packing relief goods.Social Welfare Secretary Corazon ―Dinky‖ Soliman led the

ribbon-cutting together with Praveen Agrawal, WFP Philippines country director, and Kristina

Cassandra ―KC‖ Concepcion, UN-WFP National Ambassador Against Hunger.This $1.2 million

project is part of the US $10 million project funded by Australian Aid and the UK Aid.In a press

conference yesterday after the walkthrough, Agrawal said they chose Cebu as the area because of

its strategic location in the Visayas.

He added that the WFP Philippines, which serves as the custodian, oversees the packing

operations.The DSWD, for its part, provides manpower through their 4Ps beneficiaries. These

beneficiaries, according to Soliman, can work either as volunteers or under the DSWD‘s cash for

work program.The 5,000-square-meter center is equipped with an automatic bagging machine

which repacks six kilos of rice.This mechanized production system, according to Soliman, helps

pack at least 250,000 relief packs a day.Actress KC Concepcion, in her message, said this

technology is a blessing.She shared her experience in participating in the packing of relief goods

where she said volunteers could hardly meet the number of relief packs needed by the disaster

victims.Agrawal said the mechanized system would be used should the ―inevitable need arise‖

during a major calamity.

―Would we be able to respond faster, quicker and save lives? The ultimate goal is to saving

lives,‖ he said when he delivered his message.This is the second disaster response center

established in the country. The first one was established in Pasay — the National Resource

Centre.Both centers have the combined capacity to produce 500,000 relief packs in a day.The

media was invited to the walkthrough of the facility.From the rice bagging area, the automatic

bagging machine can pack six kilos of rice.The repacked rice will be placed in the box together

with four cans of sardines, four cans of beef loaf, and six sachets of coffee.Each relief pack is

good for three days.There are also people who will ensure that expiry dates are indicated on the

boxes.

The $1.2 million cost for the project includes the $200,000 rental of the warehouse for one year,

machinery, renovation, training, electronics, and capacity building of the people.Aside from the

mechanized production system, the center also has pallet racking system for improved storage of

food packs and warehousing of food and non-food commodities.Other key areas where similar

centers will be established are General Santos City and Clark.Soliman indicated that it is only in

Cebu where they have rented the area.In Pasay, she said the lot is owned by the DSWD while the

http://agnetwest.com/2016/04/27/rice-paddies-road/



20

lot in General Santos City is owned by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and

the lot in Clark is being leased to them for free by the Bases Conversion and Development

Authority.Aside from this, Soliman said each regional office of DSWD has 30,000 prepositioned

relief packs ready for deployment in case it will be needed.

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/92312/disaster-response-center-opens-in-cebu#ixzz477cIxbGR

Rice supply sufficient on lean months - NFA Wednesday, April 27, 2016

MANILA -- The National Food Authority (NFA) on Wednesday assured of sufficient supply of

rice during the lean months.NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay, in a chance interview during the

"Food Guardian" event, said the country has enough buffer stocks of rice at government-owned

warehouses to keep prices stable in the coming months."We have about 31 days (buffer stock)

projection by mid-June. We don‘t usually have more than the mandated inventory during lean

months," he said.

The NFA is required by law to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any given time, and 30-day

buffer stock during lean months.Traditionally, lean months season in the Philippines starts in

July and ends in September. It is also the time when the government imports rice that would help

stabilize price in retail markets.

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/92312/disaster-response-center-opens-in-cebu#ixzz477cIxbGR

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/sites/default/files/field/image/article/rice_supply_0.jpg



21

The government is eyeing the utilization of the minimum access volume (MAV) for the buffer

stocking. Another option being considered is through government-led importation using the

standby authority of about 500,000 metric tons (MT).MAV refers to the minimum volume of

farm produce allowed to enter into the Philippines at reduced tariff of 35 percent, while

shipments outside MAV pay higher rates of 50 percent and would need approval by the NFA.At

present, the government limits to 805,000 MT the amount of rice allowed to enter the country

through the scheme.

Meanwhile, with just over two months before the new administration takes over, Dalisay said he

has submitted his resignation letter to the Office of the President effective April 30, citing health

and personal reasons for his stepping down."I‘m just waiting for the consideration of President

Benigno Aquino III. But I have to do this now. If I don‘t do this, it may further cause more

damage to my health, and also affect the agency," he noted.

Dalisay was named as NFA administrator in November 2014, replacing Arthur Juan, who also

resigned due to "failing health."Before being appointed by President Aquino as member of the NFA

Council, Dalisay was special assistant for NFA concerns to Presidential Assistant for Food Security

and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan.When asked how his resignation will affect

negotiations for the country‘s rice requirement for the lean months, Dalisay said it is the NFA

Council who will discuss options and decide on whether there is a need to import rice this year.

He added that they have already prepared all possible rice importation schemes ready for approval of

the next administration.

"Personally, I think it would be better that we include the next administration for the rice importation

discussion. But it is still up for the policymakers to decide whether to push through now, or just wait

for the new NFA chief to decide," he said. (PNA) http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/04/27/rice-supply-sufficient-lean-months-nfa-470333

Bank officials and valuers main culprits behind rising NPAs

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

27 April, 2016

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya is not the only person who looted money of banks especially the public sector

banks. There may be a long list of such looters of public money in each bank.

Loan takers in conspiracy with bank-officials and valuers manage multi-time exaggerated values of

mortgaged properties to take loans multiple times of real value of properties, and cleverly invest a portion

of loan-money in other properties/assets in names of their family-members and others. Then in case of

loan becoming non-performing assets (NPAs), banks legally have no other option than to settle at big

losses!

In Focus

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should comply with Supreme Court verdict to make the list of bank-

defaulters public. There will be multiple advantages of 'Name & Shame' policy. Members of public will

http://www.merinews.com/cj/subhashmadhu

http://www.merinews.com/date/27-April-2016

http://www.merinews.com/cj/subhashmadhu



22

be able to point out properties/assets created in the name of family members and others through funds

shunted out of default money of banks. Strictest possible action should be initiated under Indian Penal

Code (IPC) also against bank officials (retired or existing) and valuers having approved exaggerated loan-

amounts, including also their arrest and confiscating their properties/assets including in name of their

family-members.

Names of all such bank officials and valuers should also be made public. Provision should also be to

confiscate properties/assets created in the name of family members of loan takers.There may be some

defaulters where unprecedented business loss might have been the reason for becoming defaulters like is

observed recently with big rice-traders where they came under unexpected heavy losses due to sudden

steep fall in price of basmati rice because of sudden break in export of the commodity due to crisis in

countries of export. But as suggested a strict action should be initiated if loan was given on exaggerated

value of properties

http://www.merinews.com/article/bank-officials-and-valuers-main-culprits-behind-rising-

npas/15915725.shtml#sthash.0uGAN7pp.dpuf

Vietnam seeks aid as drought threatens millions

Thanh Nien News

HANOI - Wednesday, April 27, 2016 11:20

Officials warn of severe threat to food security as vast farmlands in the rice basket Mekong Delta have

been destroyed. Photo: Cong Han

Vietnam is in urgent need of international aid worth US$48.5 million as a crippling drought threatens to

create a shortage of food and water for two million people.Officials from the country‘s agriculture

ministry and the United Nations estimated at a meeting Tuesday that at least two million people in

southern and central Vietnam lack clean water, with 1.1 million also in need of food support.They said

more than 60,000 women and children in 18 hardest-hit provinces are facing malnutrition while around

1.75 million people from farming families have had their livelihoods badly hit.

Dan Tri newspaper quoted agriculture minister Cao Duc Phat as saying there is a high risk of disease

outbreaks due to the lack of clean water.The shortage of food security could increase the rate of severely

undernourished children in the coming years, he said.Vietnam is going through its worst drought in

almost a century amid intense and prolonged El Nino conditions. Nearly 260,000 hectares of rice and

vegetables, more than 160,000 hectares of orchards and cash crops and more than 4,500 hectares of

aquaculture farms have been destroyed, according to an official report released this month.The report

estimated the drought damage at $250 million, saying it would rise since the situation would continue for

several more months.



23

Some 70 percent of agriculture land have dried up in the Central Highlands and south-central regions, the

main producers of Vietnam‘s major exports like coffee and pepper.

Low water levels in the Mekong River have caused seawater to flow 90 kilometers into the basin, the

furthest recorded in history.Since late last year the government has provided more than 5,200 tons of food

to affected areas, officials said at the conference.More than VND1 trillion (nearly $45 million) has been

spent on national drought alleviation projects including for the delivery of two million cubic meters of

clean water to affected areas

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/vietnam-seeks-aid-as-drought-threatens-millions-61594.html

S.KOREA SEEKS 58,111 T RICE FOR SEPT-NOV 4/26/2016

SEOUL, April 27 (Reuters) - South Korea is seeking 58,111

tonnes of non-glutinous rice for arrival from any destination

between September and November via tenders, the state-run

Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp said on its website.(http://www.at.or.kr)

http://www.at.or.kr/



24

Registration for the tenders will close at 4 p.m. (0700 GMT)

on May 3, and electronic bidding will be held from 10 a.m. (0100

GMT) to 11 a.m. (0200 GMT) on May 4.

Details are as follows:

TONNES(M/T) GRAIN TYPE ARRIVAL PORT

12,000 Brown Short Oct. 31 Ulsan

10,000 Brown Short Nov. 30 Gunsan

6,111 Brown Short Sept. 30 Busan

5,000 Brown Short Oct. 31 Busan

10,000 Brown Medium Nov. 30 Gwangyang

5,000 Brown Medium Nov. 30 Busan

10,000 Brown Long Oct. 31 Donghae

Note: The agency is seeking rice of U.S No.3-standard

(Reporting by Rebecca Jang; Editing by Joseph Radford)

Thomson Reuters 2016. Click For Restrictions

http://www.agriculture.com/content/skorea-seeks-58111-t-rice-for-sept-nov

Rice exports hit nearly US$1 billion in four months

Wednesday, 04/27/2016, 10:39

VOV.VN - Vietnam exported around 2.06

million tons of rice, earning US$916 million

for the first four months of this year, up 11.8%

in volume and 13.8% in value against the

same period last year.According to latest

statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development, rice exports in April are

estimated at 510,000 tons with a value of

US$235 million.Average export price in

March was US$438 per ton, a rise of 0.32%

over the corresponding period last year.China

ranked first among Vietnam‘s rice importers

in the first quarter of this year, with 31.54% of

market shares. Vietnam shipped 474.39

million tons to the market to get US$214.58

million in the period, up 41.78% in volume

and 61.76% in value.

http://www.agriculture.com/content/skorea-seeks-58111-t-rice-for-sept-nov

http://static.english.vov.vn/w490/uploaded/o6gej4c09fi/2016_04_27/rice_RBHY.jpg



25

Indonesia was the second largest importer with 350,700 tons of rice worth US$139.1 million (making up

20.45% of market shares).Import markets seeing high growth included Ghana, the United Arab Emirates

(UAE), the Philippines, Ivory Coast, Singapore and the US

http://english.vov.vn/trade/rice-exports-hit-nearly-us1-billion-in-four-months-318316.vov

Rice Cereals may put health of your infant in danger Written by Betty Laseter on 27 Apr 2016

Generally, rice cereal is among the first foods

parents give to their babies. Some studies have

detected arsenic traces in rice-based food

items and have cautioned parents and

authorities about rice meals.A latest study has

now discovered that babies given rice cereals

and other food products that include rice

probably have more concentrations of

inorganic arsenic in their urine in comparison

to babies who aren‘t.The study included 759

infants. During the study, epidemiologist

Margaret Karagas and colleagues from

Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine

observed the relation between intake of rice-containing products in infants during their first year

of life and the amount of arsenic in their urine.They noticed that at 12 months, inorganic arsenic

concentrations in infants who consumed rice or foods combined with rice were more in

comparison to the ones who weren‘t.

Similarly, urinary arsenic concentrations were twice as high in infants who consumed white or

brown rice than the babies who didn‘t consume rice. Babies who consumed rice cereals were

found to have the highest concentration of inorganic arsenic.Inorganic arsenic, or arsenic with

zero carbon presence is more toxic in comparison to organic arsenic, or arsenic mixed with

carbon and other elements. In fact the compound is present in the carcinogen list of the World

Health Organization.Studies have indicated that inorganic arsenic could have neurotoxic effects

and can be extremely dangerous for the immune system. Higher exposure to this chemical

specifically among developing babies can be unsafe.The research has similarly demonstrated that

infant rice cereal could contain levels of inorganic arsenic double the quantity permitted by the

US Food and Drug Administration and the amount WHO has recommended.

They have noted the significance of arsenic regulation in baby rice cereals.According to a report

in ABC NEWS by Gillian Mohney, "Infants are often given rice cereal and rice snacks as the

first solid food they eat because there is a low chance of allergic reaction and it helps them learn

to eat. Rice intake for infants, primarily in the form of rice cereal, is three times greater than

adults in relation to body weight, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.""The

reason most of us start with rice cereal, it's very, very rare to find a child who can‘t tolerate rice,"



26

McDavid explained. "You don‘t have to have any cereal. You can just start the baby with

[pureed] fruits and vegetables" when they're older, she added."The highest arsenic concentrations

were found in infants who frequently ate baby rice cereal, with levels more than three times that

of babies who didn't eat rice, the study reports. Babies who ate foods mixed with rice or rice-

based snacks had arsenic levels nearly double those of non-rice eaters, according to the report

published April 25 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics," according to a news report published by

UPI.

The study results come weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed limits on

inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereals. The FDA's research found that more than half of

infant rice cereals sampled from U.S. retail stores in 2014 failed to meet the agency's proposed

action level of 100 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic. By comparison, all samples of non-rice

baby foods were found to be well below the FDA's action level for arsenic.A report published in

Tech Times said, "Urinary arsenic concentrations were likewise found to be twice as high among

infants who consumed white or brown rice compared with the babies who were not given rice.

The highest concentration of inorganic arsenic was among infants given rice cereals."Studies

suggest that inorganic arsenic may have neurotoxic effects and can be very harmful to the

immune system. High exposure to this chemical particularly among developing infants can be

dangerous. Research has likewise shown that infant rice cereal may have levels of inorganic

arsenic twice the amount allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended

by WHO. The researchers noted the importance of regulating arsenic in infant rice cereals. https://mainenewsonline.com/content/16048517-rice-cereals-may-put-health-your-infant-danger

Papa Cristo's cooks up a new reason to visit: free Greek

cooking classes

Lara Rabinovitch

For 68 years, Papa Cristo's Greek restaurant and shop has helmed a dense stretch of Pico

Boulevard in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles. These days, the area is populated

with carnicerias, dollar stores and — crucial to Papa Cristo's history — St. Sophia Greek

Orthodox Cathedral across the street. For decades, the ornate cathedral and shop shared a mostly

Greek clientele; nowadays, Papa Cristo's draws people from as many backgrounds as fill the city.

Inside Papa Cristo's nearly block-wide storefront, amid the labyrinthine shingled roofs, shelves

and barrel-topped display tables, you'll find not only jars of marinated olives, bunches of fresh

dried oregano, bricks of pistachio-flecked sesame halvah and many other Greek spices and

staples, but also discs of Ethiopian injera, boxes of Italian panettone and 10-pound bags of

Indian basmati rice.

"We're like the United Nations," second-generation Papa Cristo's owner Chrys Chrys says of his

customers. To the right of the rambling shop is an open taverna kitchen where lamb souvlakia or

fresh calamari sizzle between flames on the large grill. Kitchen staff in white aprons take orders

from the counter wedged in front. Past the kitchen, to the left of the eclectic shop, is a large

dining room where people seat themselves and eat off paper plates amid wall hangings of iconic

images of Greece — reproductions of ancient art and columned architecture as well as large



27

photographs of contemporary chalky white stucco buildings and the bright blue Aegean Sea.

There are also smaller black-and-white photographs of the Chrys family and the shop through the

decades.

Moussaka from Papa Cristo's includes eggplant, potato, tomato sauce, ground beef, Greek extra virgin

olive oil, chopped onions, garlic, cinnamon, Papa Cristo's Greek Seasoning and béchamel sauce. (Marcus

Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Chrys Chrys' father, Sam, immigrated to the United States in 1914 and opened the shop selling

imported Greek goods in 1948; in 1985, Chrys Chrys expanded the business by creating the

kitchen and dining room as "wings," as he calls them, to the shop. But other than that, Chrys did

little to change the integrity of his father's original storefront. A large painted portrait of Sam

Chrys still hangs over the long row of refrigerated display cases.What has changed is the

community. Inspired by the desire to serve their clientele — and attract newcomers — Chrys and

his daughter, Annie, who helps run the business, recently began offering free cooking classes,

held once or twice a month in the large industrial kitchen behind the shop's floor."We thought,

'How can we create something for our community?'" Annie Chrys says, "Before, there were a lot

more Greeks in the area — 20, 50 years ago — and they didn't need to learn from us. But now

our neighborhood has changed so much, some people may not know how to incorporate feta

cheese or kalamata olives in their everyday cooking."



28

Spanakopita by Papa Cristo's. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Her father puts it a little different. From behind his white handlebar mustache, he says: "A good

recipe is like a good old bottle of wine: You should share it with somebody. Don't just sit there

and drink it by yourself — that's no fun." The idea of charging for the classes seemed antithetical

to how Chrys sees the world. "You go to a Greek's house, the first thing you get is something

stuck in your mouth and a drink in your hand."It's no surprise, then, that classes begin with

plastic mini tumblers of house red wine and small cubes of fresh imported Greek feta.Chrys

teaches the classes, which began in February, with the help of cooks Renata Romano and

Apolonia Jimenez. Both have been working for the restaurant since coming to Los Angeles from

Mexico nearly two decades ago; today they're experts in Greek cuisine. As Jimenez quickly folds

and tucks the phyllo dough around the spinach and cheese filling, Mark Yordon, manager of

Papa Cristo's and a Chrys family cousin, says: "It's like folding the American flag." It's an apt

metaphor.

Besides spanakopita, participants in the hour-long class might learn the secrets to moussaka, how

to prepare a leg of lamb or the precise proportions of paper-thin phyllo dough to cinnamon-sweet

nut filling for baklava. Items such as these, all made by hand on the premises, are also sold

wholesale to national grocery stores and even cruise lines.Some recipes shared during the classes

have been in the Chrys family for generations. Others are slightly newer iterations that Chrys has

created over the years. The kataifi rolls, for example, are his invention, with a layer of shredded

phyllo dough wrapped around the standard whole sheet phyllo before being drizzled with a

golden syrup flavored with curls of lemon rind and whole cinnamon sticks."The only way I can

share is by teaching," Chrys says. "I want to be a village restaurant."



29

Papa Cristo's: 2771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 737-2970, papacristos.com. The next

Greek cooking classes are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 11 and May 25 There's no charge, but

advance registration is required. For more information, email:[email protected].

[email protected]

APEDA RICE COMMODITY NEWS

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 27-04-2016

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Garlic

1 Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 3500

2 Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 4500

3 Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 3000

Ginger

1 Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 2150

2 Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 2300

3 Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 2850

Guar Gum Powder

http://papacristos.com/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



30

1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3700

2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1100

3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2220

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 26-04-2016

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Jowar(Sorghum)

1 Dehgam (Gujarat) Other 2305 2450

2 Jalgaon (Maharashtra) Other 1850 2000

3 Khargone (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1363 1390

Maize

1 Bellary (Karnataka) Local 1412 1452

2 Kota (Rajasthan) Other 1401 1461

3 Theni (Tamil Nadu) Other 1480 1560

Papaya

1 Alappuzha (Kerala) Other 2500 2600

2 Malout (Punjab) Other 1300 1700

3 Solan (Himachal Pradesh) Other 1800 2000

Cauliflower

1 Ahmedabad (Gujarat) Other 1200 2200

2 Manjeri (Kerala) Other 2300 2500

3 Nagpur (Maharashtra) Other 800 1200



31

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 27-04-2016

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 307

2 Chittoor 308

3 Hyderabad 282

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 27-04-2016

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Onions Dry Package: 40 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Georgia Yellow 20.50 22.50

2 Chicago Mexico Yellow 21 25

2 Detroit Peru Yellow 22 23

Cabbage Package: 50 lb sacks

1 Atlanta Florida Round Green Type 11 12

2 Dallas Mexico Round Green Type 8.50 10.75

3 Detroit Canada Round Green Type 14 14.50

Grapefruit Package: 4/5 bushel cartons

1 Atlanta Florida Red 21 21.50

2 Chicago Florida Red 18.50 18.50

3 Miami Florida Red 12 15

Source:USDA

http://agmarknet.nic.in/

http://e2necc.com/

27th april ,2016 daily global,regional & local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

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