4th june ,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 VI June 04 ,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...

New rates of edibles notified

CDGL directs price control magistrates to ensure strict

implementation of new prices

UNISAME WELCOMES SUPPORT TO FARM SECTOR IN

BUDGET

Wheat recovers on fall in arrivals, rice basmati eases

Al-Makura To Improve Rice Production In Nasarawa

GMO Golden Rice Falls Short on Lifesaving Promises, Researcher

Says

Thai drought intensifying global rice price rise

Moving beyond pro/con debates over genetically engineered crops

Main monsoon rain belt will cover South, North-East from June 3-9

Bengal targets procuring 45 lakh tonnes of paddy

'Biggest' state rice auction offers 2.24m tonnes

06/03/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1487

Mid-South rice this week: Nitrogen, diseases, slow plant development

Fuss-free soups for super-quick dinners

USA Rice Welcomes Summer Intern

Unified Export Strategy Submission Day

Mid-South Rice This Week: Nitrogen, Diseases, Slow Plant

Development

News Detail...

New rates of edibles notified

CDGL directs price control magistrates to ensure strict implementation of

new prices

LAHORE

City District Government Lahore (CDGL) notified new rates for essential

edibles including rice and grains and directed the price control magistrates to

ensure strict implementation of the new rates across the provincial capital.



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June 03, 2016

District Coordination Officer (DCO), Lahore notified the new rates on Thursday. As per the

notification, new rates of essential edibles are: New Supper Basmati Rice (Rs 70 per kg), Old

Super Basmati Rice (Rs 82/kg), Erri Rice (Rs 32/kg), Daal Chana small (Rs 126/kg), Daal

Channa big (Rs 132/kg), Daal Masoor thin (Rs 150/kg), Daal Masoor imported and thick (Rs

142/kg), imported and washed Daal Mash (Rs 250/kg), imported Daal Mash with skin (Rs

225/kg), Daal Moong washed (Rs 135/kg), Daal Moong with cover (Rs 145/kg), Black Gram

thick (Rs 124/kg), black Gram thin (Rs 114/kg), White Gram thick and imported (Rs 150/kg),

White Gram thin and imported (Rs 164/kg), Gram Floor/Baisan (Rs 140/kg), Red Chili (Rs

244/kg), Sugar (Rs 65/kg), Roti 100 gram (Rs 06), Naan 120 gram (Rs 10), Khamiri Roti (Rs

08), Milk (Rs 70/liter) and Yogurt (Rs 85/kg), mutton (Rs 700 per kg), and beef (Rs 325 per kg).

Monsoon season emergency plan: Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has prepared

the Emergency Response Plan for Monsoon Season, workable from June 10 to 15 Sept, 2016,

aimed to ensure clean and waste-free drains during monsoon season across the city.

Officials said the major objective of the plan, prepared after consultations with the field staff of

LWMC and Wasa, was to facilitate drainage of water by removing solid waste and silt from

drains, and to efficiently address emergency situation during monsoon.



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Besides routine deployment of sanitary staff, 1,200 sanitary workers along with equipment,

would perform duties in the 2nd and 3rd shifts with Wasa workers to resolve choking issues at

around 146 major and sensitive places across the city.

LWMC has established a control room which will remain operational round the clock. The

offices in nine zones across the city have been declared emergency centres to respond as quickly

as possible in the event of an emergency or rain.

LWMC will maintain close liaison with Wasa and the Regional Meteorological Department. The

plan’s activities will be triggered by broadcasting alerts on the basis of weather situation.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Saeed has directed the district coordination officers

(DCOs) and relevant departments to finalise arrangements for monsoon rains and remain alert to

deal with any untoward situation.

According to a handout issued here Thursday, the chief secretary (CS) was chairing a video-link

meeting to review preparations for monsoon at Civil Secretariat here on Thursday.

He said that in the monsoon plan special measures should be taken for draining rainwater from

low-lying areas.

He ordered that de-silting of drains and nullahs be carried out and all machinery be kept

operational for draining out rainwater during monsoon season. He also issued instructions

regarding removal of debris from sites of development projects.

He said that the departments concerned should pay special attention to enhance their capability to

deal with natural disasters and should extend full cooperation to district administrations in

making effective arrangements. The CS directed the housing secretary to conduct inspection of

relevant equipment in districts.

Representative of Local Government and Community Development Department told the meeting

that TMAs had completed all preparations for monsoon rains.

The secretaries of finance and local government, Lahore DCO , Wasa managing directors were

also present

UNISAME WELCOMES SUPPORT TO FARM SECTOR

IN BUDGET

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) welcomed the Budget 2016-17 and

lauded the support for the agricultural sector which deserved top priority. The farm sector is the

primary sector and the source of all raw material. President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver also

appreciated the 0 rating for the five sectors and said these are positive steps for the revival of the

sectors.> He also thanked the finance minister (FM) Ishaq Dar for increasing the deposit limit of



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Behbood Savings Certificate from 4 to 5 million for senior citizens. The increase in the

exemption turnover limit of cottage industries from 50 to 100 million is also another fulfillment

of the demand of the union.

Thaver requested the FM to consider and include the entire export sector under 0 rating as this

would give the value addition sector in rice, engineering and agro-food industries to develop

faster and meet the global challenges. The other sectors which deserve consideration are housing

and services sector. The union chief who is the member of the technical committee of the

National Finance Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) and the chairman of the capacity building group

expressed confidence in the NFIS and said the government is keen to promote and develop the

SME sector and is committed to uplift the sector under a timeline.

He explained that the SME sector need not be disappointed as the promotion and development

of the sector is on the agenda of the NFIS and all aspects of access to finance, filling the

technological gap, promotion of alternative energy, infrastructure and logistics are already on the

card and within the next two years remarkable changes will be seen with SME units becoming

more efficient under modernization schemes. The capacity building group under the NFIS is

developing recommendations under the instructions of the FM for high impact changes in

promotion and development of the micro to medium sized enterprises.

unisame

Wheat recovers on fall in arrivals, rice basmati eases PTI | Jun 3, 2016, 02.32 PM IST

New Delhi, Jun 3 () Wheat prices moved up Rs 10 per quintal at the wholesale grains market

today following restricted arrivals from producing belts against increased offtake by flour mills.

However, rice basmati traded lower due to fall in demand at prevailing levels.

Traders said besides fall in arrivals from producing regions, increased offtake by flour mills

helped wheat prices to edge higher.

They said, however, muted demand from retailers at prevailing levels against sufficient stocks

dragged down rice basmati.

In the national capital, wheat dara (for mills) recovered by Rs 10 to Rs 1,775-1,780 per quintal.

Atta chakki delivery followed suit and enquired higher by Rs 15 to Rs 1,785-1,790 per 90 kg.

On the other hand, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety slipped to Rs 5,800-6,000 and

Rs 4,700-5,650 from previous levels of Rs 5,900-6,100 and Rs 4,850-5,800 per quintal,

respectively.



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Maize, however, fell by Rs 50 to Rs 1,450-1,460 per quintal on increased supplies against

reduced offtake by consuming industries.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):

Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,360-2,600, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,775-1,780, Chakki atta (delivery)

Rs 1,785-1,790, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 275, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275, Roller flour mill Rs

950-960 (50 kg), Maida Rs 990-1,000 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,050-1,065 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati

common new Rs 5,800-6,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,700-5,650, Permal raw Rs 1,975-2,025, Permal

wand Rs 2,150-2,225, Sela Rs 2,800-2,900 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,840-1,850, Bajra Rs 1,630-1,635, Jowar

yellow Rs 1,850-1,950, white Rs 3,500-3,600, Maize Rs 1,450-1,460, Barley Rs 1,640-1,645. SUN KPS

SBT MR .

Al-Makura To Improve Rice Production In Nasarawa

Channels Television.

Updated June 3, 2016

Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, has taken steps to improve the quality of rice

production in the state through effective mobilization of rice millers across the state.

he Governor visited the Nasarawa State Rice Incubation Plant located in Lafia, the state capital

while on a tour to government facilities across the state with some members of the State

Executive Council.

At the Nasarawa Rice Incubation Plant, he

disclosed his intention to put the place

completely into use by mobilizing local rice

millers and transforming the area into a huge

food processing zone.Mr Al-Makura disclosed

plans to ensure that the

transformation compliments the efforts of the

Federal Government in the agriculture sector.

He believed this act would boost rice

production, improve the quality of rice

production and ensure food protection in the state.

Mr Al-Makura also at the location of some silos built by the Federal Government, proposed a

collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to get the

leverage to make use of the facility.

The Governor had earlier visited the state old library and the modern e-library to see the mode of

management and to get first-hand information concerning their challenges.He also visited a



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number of schools within Lafia metropolis for a thorough check of infrastructural

maintenance.During a visit to the old site of Nasarawa School of Nursing and Midwifery, the

Governor expressed worry over the abandonment of the site and promised a total overhaul to

enable it serve its important purposes.

https://www.channelstv.com/2016/06/03/al-makura-improve-rice-production-nasarawa/

GMO Golden Rice Falls Short on Lifesaving Promises,

Researcher Says Fri, 06/03/2016 - 1:48pm by Washington University in St. Louis

Famous for heirloom rice grown on the spectacular terraces of the Cordillera mountains of northern

Luzon, the Philippines has become a hotbed for protests over the development of genetically modified

Golden Rice. Photo: Glenn Stone

Heralded on the cover of Time magazine in 2000 as a genetically modified (GMO) crop with the

potential to save millions of lives in the Third World, Golden Rice is still years away from field

introduction and even then, may fall short of lofty health benefits still cited regularly by GMO

advocates, suggests a new study from Washington University in St. Louis.

http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/sites/laboratoryequipment.com/files/embedded_image/2016/06/fxg.jpg



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"Golden Rice is still not ready for the market, but we find little support for the common claim

that environmental activists are responsible for stalling its introduction. GMO opponents have

not been the problem," said lead author Glenn Stone, professor of anthropology and

environmental studies in Arts & Sciences.

First conceived in the 1980s and a focus of research since 1992, Golden Rice has been a

lightning rod in the battle over genetically modified crops.

GMO advocates have long touted the innovation as a practical way to provide poor farmers in

remote areas with a subsistence crop capable of adding much-needed Vitamin A to local diets. A

problem in many poor countries in the Global South, Vitamin A deficiencies leave millions at

high risk for infection, diseases and other maladies, such as blindness.

Some anti-GMO groups view Golden Rice as an over-hyped Trojan Horse that biotechnology

corporations and their allies hope will pave the way for the global approval of other more

profitable GMO crops.

GMO proponents often claim that environmental groups such as Greenpeace should be blamed

for slowing the introduction of Golden Rice and thus, prolonging the misery of poor people who

suffer from Vitamin A deficiencies.

In a recent article in the journal Agriculture & Human Values, Stone and co-author Dominic

Glover, a rice researcher at the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Sussex,

find little evidence that anti-GMO activists are to blame for Golden Rice's unfulfilled promises.

"The rice simply has not been successful in test plots of the rice breeding institutes in the

Philippines, where the leading research is being done," Stone said. "It has not even been

submitted for approval to the regulatory agency, the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)."

"A few months ago, the Philippine Supreme Court did issue a temporary suspension of GMO

crop trials," Stone said. "Depending on how long it lasts, the suspension could definitely impact

GMO crop development. But it's hard to blame the lack of success with Golden Rice on this

recent action."

While activists did destroy one Golden Rice test plot in a 2013 protest, it is unlikely that this

action had any significant impact on the approval of Golden Rice.

"Destroying test plots is a dubious way to express opposition, but this was only one small plot

out of many plots in multiple locations over many years," he said. "Moreover, they have been

calling Golden Rice critics 'murderers' for over a decade."

Stone, an internationally recognized expert on the human side of global agricultural trends, was

an early advocate for keeping an open mind about "humanitarian" GMO crops, such as Golden

Rice.



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He has also supported the development of a genetically modified strain of cassava, a starchy root

crop eaten by subsistence farmers across much of Africa. Unfortunately, efforts to develop a

genetically improved, more productive and disease-resistant strain of cassava also appear to be a

long way from practical field introduction, he notes.

"Golden Rice was a promising idea backed by good intentions," Stone said. "In contrast to anti-

GMO activists, I argued that it deserved a chance to succeed. But if we are actually interested in

the welfare of poor children—instead of just fighting over GMOs—then we have to make

unbiased assessments of possible solutions. The simple fact is that after 24 years of research and

breeding, Golden Rice is still years away from being ready for release."

Since 2013, Stone has directed a major Templeton Foundation-funded research project on rice in

the Philippines. His research compares Golden Rice to other types of rice developed and

cultivated in the Philippines. These include high-yield "Green Revolution" rice strains developed

in the 1960s in an effort to industrialize rice farming, and ''heirloom'' landrace varieties long

cultivated on the spectacular terraces of the Cordillera mountains of northern Luzon.

As part of the Golden Rice initiative, researchers introduce genes into existing rice strains to

coax these GMO plants into producing the micronutrient beta carotene in the edible part of the

grain. The presence of beta carotene gives the genetically modified rice a yellow hue, which

explains the "golden" in its name.

As Stone and Glover note in the article, researchers continue to have problems developing beta

carotene-enriched strains that yield as well as non-GMO strains already being grown by farmers.

Researchers in Bangladesh also are in the early stages of confined field trials of Golden Rice, but

it is doubtful that these efforts will progress any quicker than in the Philippines.

Even if genetic modification succeeds in creating a strain of rice productive enough for poor

farmers to grow successfully, it's unclear how much impact the rice will have on children's

health.

As Stone and Glover point out, it is still unknown if the beta carotene in Golden Rice can even

be converted to Vitamin A in the bodies of badly undernourished children. There also has been

little research on how well the beta carotene in Golden Rice will hold up when stored for long

periods between harvest seasons, or when cooked using traditional methods common in remote

rural locations, they argue.

Meanwhile, as the development of Golden Rice creeps along, the Philippines has managed to

slash the incidence of Vitamin A deficiency by non-GMO methods, Stone said

http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news/2016/06/gmo-golden-rice-falls-short-lifesaving-promises-

researcher-says



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Thai drought intensifying global rice price rise

Thai rice prices have climbed to a 16-month high. © Reuters

TOKYO -- A worldwide upsurge in rice prices is picking up speed, fueled by a drought in

Thailand and worries about access to supplies in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian

importing nations.

Thailand is one of the world's two leading rice exporters, and with rice now trading at 16-month

highs, even consumers in Japan could feel the pinch this summer and beyond.

Thai government authorities put the export price for grade-A, long-grain rice at $461 per ton for

early June, a price level not seen since February 2015. Export prices for Thai rice began surging

in April and are now up 17% since the start of the year. The market has not witnessed this kind

of jump in eight years.

Thailand is going through a drought similar to what it suffered in 2015. With rice production

now expected to drop for a second straight year, buyers in neighboring consumer markets like

Singapore and the Philippines are taking action.

Thailand can grow two rice crops a year, and farmers there are gearing up to plant seedlings for

the rainy season crop. However, production will be delayed, according to a report released by

the U.S. Department of Agriculture in late May. Reservoir levels are so low that it will be

difficult to supply water to rice farmers until July, the report said. Meanwhile, the parched



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ground stands cracked in the producing region of Suphan Buri Province 150km north of

Bangkok.

Estimates put Thailand's rice production at 15.8 million tons in fiscal 2016, which would be a

16% decline from the previous year. In April the nation exported 650,000 tons, or 7% less than a

year earlier.

The Japanese government purchases around 770,000 tons of rice each year from trading

companies to meet its "minimum access" rice-import quota. Of that amount, some 340,000 tons

is Thai rice. The agriculture ministry expects it will need to pay more for these rice imports

starting this summer.

Among private enterprises in Japan, the impact will be felt mainly by companies that process

Thai rice to make sweets, miso pastes and rice-based alcoholic beverages. Makers of awamori, a

distilled spirit from Okinawa, will be hit particularly hard because Thai rice is the rice of choice.

(Nikkei)

http://asia.nikkei.com/Markets/Commodities/Thai-drought-intensifying-global-rice-price-rise

Moving beyond pro/con debates over genetically

engineered crops 06/03/2016 04:35 pm ET |

Field tests of flood-tolerant ‘scuba rice.’ International Rice Research Institute/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA

By Pamela Ronald, University of California, Davis

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ricephotos/9203724733/in/photolist-afTW1Z-f2iuHc-73nSmq-77bi3g-bAzz6P-dbSJ5C-9y4Bmy-uv8LUu

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

http://theconversation.com/profiles/pamela-ronald-267397

http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-california-davis



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Since the 1980s biologists have used genetic engineering to express novel traits in crop plants.

Over the last 20 years, these crops have been grown on more than one billion acres in the United

States and globally. Despite their rapid adoption by farmers, genetically engineered (GE) crops

remain controversial among many consumers, who have sometimes found it hard to obtain

accurate information.

Last month the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a

review of 20 years of data regarding GE crops. The report largely confirms findings from

previous National Academies reports and reviews produced by other major scientific

organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization and the European

Commission.

I direct a laboratory that studies rice, a staple food crop for half the world’s people. Researchers

in my lab are identifying genes that control tolerance to environmental stress and resistance to

disease. We use genetic engineering and other genetic methods to understand gene function.

I strongly agree with the NAS report that each crop, whether bred conventionally or developed

through genetic engineering, should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Every crop is different,

each trait is different and the needs of each farmer are different too. More progress in crop

improvement can be made by using both conventional breeding and genetic engineering than

using either approach alone.

https://nas-sites.org/ge-crops/

https://nas-sites.org/ge-crops/2014/06/05/related-reports/

http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-technology/faq-genetically-modified-food/en/

https://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/pdf/a_decade_of_eu-funded_gmo_research.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/pdf/a_decade_of_eu-funded_gmo_research.pdf

http://www.cropgeneticsinnovation.org/



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Modern cultivated corn was domesticated from teosinte, an ancient grass, over more than 6,000 years

through conventional breeding.

Convergence between biotech and conventional breeding

New molecular tools are blurring the distinction between genetic improvements made with

conventional breeding and those made with modern genetic methods. One example is marker

assisted breeding, in which geneticists identify genes or chromosomal regions associated with

traits desired by farmers and/or consumers. Researchers then look for particular markers

(patterns) in a plant’s DNA that are associated with these genes. Using these genetic markers,

they can efficiently identify plants carrying the desired genetic fingerprints and eliminate plants

with undesirable genetics.

Ten years ago my collaborators and I isolated a gene, called Sub1, that controls tolerance to

flooding. Million of rice farmers in South and Southeast Asia grow rice in flood prone regions,

so this trait is extremely valuable. Most varieties of rice will die after three days of complete

submergence but plants with the Sub1 gene can withstand two weeks of complete submergence.

Last year, nearly five million farmers grew Sub1 rice varieties developed by my collaborators at

the International Rice Research Institute using marker assisted breeding.

In another example, researchers identified genetic variants that are associated with hornlessness

(referred to as ―polled‖) in cattle - a trait that is common in beef breeds but rare in dairy breeds.

Farmers routinely dehorn dairy cattle to protect their handlers and prevent the animals from

harming each other. Because this process is painful and frightening for the animals, veterinary

experts have called for research into alternative options.

In a study published last month, scientists used genome editing and reproductive cloning to

produce dairy cows that carried a naturally occurring mutation for hornlessness. This approach

has the potential to improve the welfare of millions of cattle each year.

Reducing chemical insecticides and enhancing yield

In assessing how GE crops affect crop productivity, human health and the environment, the NAS

study primarily focused on two traits that have been engineered into plants: resistance to insect

pests and tolerance of herbicides.

The study found that farmers who planted crops engineered to contain the insect-resistant trait -

based on genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt - generally experienced fewer

losses and applied fewer chemical insecticide sprays than farmers who planted non-Bt varieties.

It also concluded that farms where Bt crops were planted had more insect biodiversity than farms

where growers used broad-spectrum insecticides on conventional crops.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature04920

http://irri.org/

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Castration-and-Dehorning-of-Cattle.aspx

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Castration-and-Dehorning-of-Cattle.aspx

http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3560



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Genetically modified crops currently grown in the United States (IR=insect resistant, HT=herbicide

tolerant, DT=drought tolerant, VR=virus resistant).

The committee found that herbicide-resistant (HR) crops contribute to greater yields because weeds can

be controlled more easily. For example, farmers that planted HR canola reaped greater yields and returns,

which led to wide adoption of this crop variety.

Another benefit of planting of HR crops is reduced tillage - the process of turning the soil.

Before planting, farmers must kill the weeds in their fields. Before the advent of herbicides and

HR crops, farmers controlled weeds by tilling. However, tilling causes erosion and runoff, and

requires energy to fuel the tractors. Many farmers prefer reduced tillage practices because they

enhance sustainable management. With HR crops, farmers can control weeds effectively without

tilling.

The committee noted a clear association between the planting of HR crops and reduced-till

agricultural practices over the last two decades. However, it is unclear if the adoption of HR

crops resulted in decisions by farmers to use conservation tillage, or if farmers who were using

conservation tillage adopted HR crops more readily.

In areas where planting of HR crops led to heavy reliance on the herbicide glyphosate, some

weeds evolved resistance to the herbicide, making it difficult for farmers to control weeds using

this herbicide. The NAS report concluded that sustainable use of Bt and HR crops will require

use of integrated pest management strategies.

https://www.epa.gov/managing-pests-schools/introduction-integrated-pest-management



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The report also discusses seven other GE food crops

grown in 2015, including apple (Malus domestica), canola

(Brassica napus), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), papaya

(Carica papaya), potato, squash (Cucurbita pepo) and

eggplant (Solanum melongena).Papaya is a particularly

important example. In the 1950s, papaya ringspot virus

wiped out nearly all papaya production on the Hawaiian

island of Oahu. As the virus spread to other islands, many

farmers feared that it would wipe out the Hawaiian

papaya crop.

Papaya infected with ringspot virus.

Scot Nelson/Flickr, CC BY-SA

In 1998 Hawaiian plant pathologist Dennis Gonsalves used genetic engineering to splice a small snippet

of ringspot virus DNA into the papaya genome. The resulting genetically engineered papaya trees were

immune to infection and produced 10-20 fold more fruit than infected crops. Dennis’ pioneering work

rescued the papaya industry. Twenty years later, this is still the only method for controlling papaya

ringspot virus. Today, despite protests by some consumers, 80 percent of the Hawaiian papaya crop is

genetically engineered.

Scientists have also used genetic engineering to combat a pest called the fruit and shoot borer,

which preys on eggplant in Asia. Farmers in Bangladesh often spray insecticides every 2-3 days,

and sometimes as often as twice daily, to control it. The World Health Organization estimates

that some three million cases of pesticide poisoning and over than 250,000 deaths occur

worldwide every year.

To reduce chemical sprays on eggplant, scientists at Cornell University and in Bangladesh

engineered Bt into the eggplant genome. Bt brinjal (eggplant) was introduced in Bangladesh in

2013. Last year 108 Bangladeshi farmers grew it and were able to drastically reduce insecticides

sprays.

Feed the world in an ecologically based manner

Genetically improved crops have benefited many farmers, but it is clear that genetic

improvement alone cannot address the wide variety of complex challenges that farmers face.

Ecologically based farming approaches as well as infrastructure and appropriate policies are also

needed.

Instead of worrying about the genes in our food, we need to focus on ways to help families,

farmers and rural communities thrive. We must be sure that everyone can afford the food and we

must minimize environmental degradation. I hope that the NAS report can help move the

discussions beyond distracting pro/con arguments about GE crops and refocus them on using

every appropriate technology to feed the world in an ecologically based manner.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotnelson/5681077107/in/photolist-9E4VGu-r5tSJK-9E22DT-pcrCVd-peSWEi-9TvjyV-9E21ii-9TyaqA-9TvjKa-9E21oR-9E4V9L-nebFBZ-og5rNM-nebYHJ-pfWd1W-FL2ujx-9E21uD-9E4VZA-9TvjGF-yVpSFH-9E4UDh-9E4UwS-9E4UKm-FEasxn-9TvjJg-qnSQFu-Ai8Lnm-9E22tv-9E4UTy-9E219a-9E4UZY-wpcb1n-wYHSbx-A2HwF9-Ah2E6L-vHM2mi-vZCYc5-zpBqR5-A54833-qRJN5f-syUv1x-shmYZN-swD3Bs-9E4TVo-znTbzD-cNNCAS-D9UBYa-oxEBJF-ovGKvm-w267Pq

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/sections/news/local-news/papaya-gmo-success-story.html

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/20/science/stalked-by-deadly-virus-papaya-lives-to-breed-again.html?pagewanted=all

http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PHI-I-2010-1004-01

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/us/on-hawaii-a-lonely-quest-for-facts-about-gmos.html?_r=0

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/en/PesticidesHealth2.pdf

http://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/bt-brinjal-beyond-boundaries



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This article was originally published on The Conversation.

Main monsoon rain belt will cover South, North-East from

June 3-9

VINSON KURIAN

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 3:

The South-West monsoon has advanced into more parts of the Bay of Bengal even as heavy

piloting showers continued to lash Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Coastal Andhra

Pradesh.

An India Meteorological Department outlook said that conditions are favourable for the onset of

the monsoon over the Kerala coast during the next three to four days.

http://theconversation.com/



17

Weekly distribution

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts assesses that this could happen on

June 7 or 8.

An extended range weather forecast, as per the National Agromet Advisory Service Bulletin,

said the main rainfall belt will sit over extreme South India and parts of North-East India from

June 3 to 9.

The bulletin is issued jointly by the India Meteorological Department, Indian Council of

Agriculture Research, and the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture.

The week that follows (June 10 to 16) will witness an increase in rainfall over the North-eastern

States and parts of eastern states and a northward extension of the rain belt along the West Coast.

This would mean that there will be an improvement in rainfall in the second fortnight of June

compared to the first.

Cyclonic circulation

Meanwhile, the European Centre said that a cyclonic circulation over the West-central Bay of

Bengal off Andhra Pradesh and Odisha appears to be getting an upper hand over a counterpart

located over Lakshadweep.

This would help the former commandeer some of the monsoon flows to the East Coast and also

bring some rain into Tamil Nadu, South Interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema from June 3-9.

According to the European Centre, normal or above-normal rainfall is likely during the next

fortnight (June 3 to 16) over Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Rayalaseema, Madhya Maharashtra and

Tamil Nadu in the South.

A similar forecast has been made for Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal

Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura in the East and the

North-East.

West coast rain

The rains may progress along the West Coast to Konkan and Goa, Interior Karnataka, Odisha,

Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and East Uttar Pradesh from June

10 to 16.

Though there has been a delay in the onset of the monsoon over Kerala and Karnataka, bountiful

pre-monsoon showers during the previous week have ensured ample soil moisture, facilitating

preparations for the sowing of kharif crops.



18

(This article was published on June 3, 2016)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/main-monsoon-rain-belt-will-cover-south-

northeast-from-june-39/article8687236.ece

Bengal targets procuring 45 lakh tonnes of paddy

PTI | Jun 3, 2016, 09.42 PM IST

Kolkata, Jun 3 () West Bengal government has set a target of procuring 45 lakh tonnes of paddy

during kharif season this year and has already procured a record 35 lakh tonnes, an official said.

"We have already procured 35 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers in this kharif season,

which is a record.

"Our target is to procure 45 lakh metric tonnes ... the season is yet to be over, we are hopeful that

the target will be achieved," Food and Supplies Principal Secretary Anil Verma told reporters

after a review meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

A total of 35 lakh tonnes of paddy was procured from about 16 lakh farmers at a minimum

support price of Rs 1,410 per quintal. The procured paddy was converted into rice and

distributed under the PDS scheme, he said.

"The total subsidy borne by the state towards the Rajya Khadya Suraksha scheme is to the tune

of Rs 6,000 crore," Verma said.

He further said the state in the last five years has created additional storage space of 5.16 lakh

tonnes. Storage space for another 1.5 lakh tonnes is under construction.

"We have created additional storage space of 5.16 lakh metric tonnes in the last five years' time

in the blocks and districts. And space for another 1.5 lakh metric tonnes is being constructed and

will hopefully be ready in quick time," Verma added. SCH KK ABM

'Biggest' state rice auction offers 2.24m tonnes

Government claims demand high

3 Jun 2016 at 07:10 4,408

NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/main-monsoon-rain-belt-will-cover-south-northeast-from-june-39/article8687236.ece

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/main-monsoon-rain-belt-will-cover-south-northeast-from-june-39/article8687236.ece

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/West-Bengal

http://search.bangkokpost.com/search/result_advanced?category=news&xNewsSection=Business

http://search.bangkokpost.com/search/result_advanced?category=news&columnistName=Phusadee+Arunmas



19

The government is set to call its biggest rice auction to capitalise on higher demand as new

supply wanes.Duangporn Rodphaya, director–general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the

national Rice Policy Committee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave the green

light for the department to open the 16th bid for rice stocks, this time for 2.24 million tonnes.

"Domestic and overseas rice markets are seeing prices rise, thanks to demand because of

widespread drought lowering and delaying production," she said.

Ms Duangporn said rice stocks put up for auction would comprise 16 rice types including Hom

Mali rice, white rice, glutinous rice and broken rice now kept at 173 warehouses in 35 provinces.

The department is scheduled to allow interested bidders to observe the terms of reference today,

inspect the rice quality on June 6-10 and submit bid envelopes on June 15.

She said the new auction would be the biggest proposed rice sale since the National Council for

Peace and Order (NCPO) took control.

The government's rice stocks reached 18.7 million tonnes through various rice pledging schemes,

which bought rice from farmers at prices 40% above market rates from 2011-14, crippling

exports and leading to huge stockpiles.



20

Since the May 2014 coup, a total of 6.12 million tonnes of rice has been sold via 15 auctions,

fetching 64 billion baht.

In 2008, former commerce minister Chaiya Sasomsab put 3.1 million tonnes up for auction,

followed in 2009 by a 2.6-million-tonne auction.

The most controversial auction was held in 2004 when former commerce minister Watana

Muangsook approved 1.7 million tonnes of rice stock to be sold to a single private bidder,

President Agri Trading Co.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the new

auction was timely given high market demand, but noted the amount was relatively high.

Mr Chookiat said the government's auction was unlikely to affect rice market prices, as state

stocks are mostly old grains while foreign purchase orders require primarily newly harvested

rice.

06/03/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Soybeans

High Low

Cash Bids 1154 1045

New Crop 1104 1052

Riceland Foods

Cash Bids Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -

New Crop Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -

Futures: SOYBEANS



21

High Low Last Change

Jul '16 1169.00 1127.25 1132.00 -12.25

Aug '16 1150.25 1118.50 1123.75 -7.00

Sep '16 1118.25 1097.00 1100.50 -2.00

Nov '16 1094.00 1074.50 1083.25 +1.50

Jan '17 1089.00 1071.00 1079.75 +2.00

Mar '17 1051.50 1040.25 1048.25 +1.50

May '17 1044.00 1034.00 1038.50 -1.50

Jul '17 1042.25 1033.25 1038.00 -1.00

Aug '17

1025.50 +4.00

Soybean Comment

Soybeans saw new crop move higher while the nearby market retreated from yesterday's sharp gains.

Soybeans continue to see improving export demand and much Iike with corn the market expects more

sales to come because of tightening South American supplies. Soybeans remain near highs and this

market has shown little interest in giving back the more than $2 we have seen added to prices over the last

3 months.

Wheat

High Low

Cash Bids 498 446

New Crop 496 471

Futures:



22

WHEAT


Jul '16 494.25 482.25 494.00 +8.50

Sep '16 504.00 492.75 503.75 +7.50

Dec '16 520.00 510.75 519.75 +5.75

Mar '17 536.75 527.50 536.50 +5.50

May '17 547.50 539.50 547.25 +5.00

Jul '17 556.00 546.75 555.00 +5.00

Sep '17 561.75 555.00 561.25 +4.50

Dec '17 568.50 565.00 568.50 +2.00

Mar '18 576.00 576.00 576.00 +0.75

Wheat Comment

Wheat prices saw their highest close in many weeks today as prices are again testing $5. Worries

regarding the impact of flooding in wheat areas this week has given traders something to be bullish about.

While the supply side is improving demand will remain a limiting factor for prices longer term.

Grain Sorghum

High Low

Cash Bids -- --

New Crop 352 291



23

Corn

High Low

Cash Bids 428 405

New Crop 419 410

Futures: CORN


Jul '16 418.25 410.50 415.75 +0.50

Sep '16 418.75 411.75 417.00 +1.25

Dec '16 419.25 413.00 417.75 +1.00

Mar '17 425.25 419.50 424.25 +1.50

May '17 428.00 422.50 427.25 +1.00

Jul '17 431.75 425.75 429.75 0.00

Sep '17 415.00 410.00 414.25 +0.25

Dec '17 418.00 410.75 414.00 -0.75

Mar '18 423.75 420.00 420.00 -1.25

Corn Comment

Corn prices closed higher again today as the market resisted urges for profit taking as December corn

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4A6cUyQhl

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4Q6cQyUgl

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dQjQwh



24

managed to close 6-cents higher on the week. While today's export sales was within expectations, the

market continues to expect more sales as U.S. corn is very competitive in the international market.

Cotton

Futures: COTTON


Jun '16 64.11 63.06 63.92 +1.05

Oct '16 64.41 64.10 64.31 +1.13

Dec '16 63.95 62.81 63.91 +1.24

Cotton Comment

Cotton futures were sharply higher today. Heavy rains in Texas this week have resulted in the need for

replants and further delayed the crop, which was already 10% behind the 5 year average for this week.

Exports for the week came in at the top end of expectations at 124,900 running bales. A weaker dollar

was also supportive. The market continues to have resistance at recent highs, 64.75 cents for July, and 64

cents for December.

Rice

High Low

Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -

Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -



25

Futures: ROUGH RICE


Jul '16 1145.0 1123.5 1140.0 +3.0

Sep '16 1170.0 1152.5 1165.5 +2.0

Nov '16 1193.5 1190.0 1190.0 +1.5

Jan '17

1208.0 +38.0

Mar '17

1226.0 +38.0

May '17

1242.0 +38.0

Jul '17

1242.0 +38.0

Rice Comment

Rice futures were mixed at mid-day. July bounced off support at $10.76 earlier this week, which

has provided support for the market for about 5 weeks. This large crop could limit the upside

potential of the market, however, dry conditions in other rice growing regions of the world could

provide support. The market needs to see better export movement, though. Weekly export sales

of 65,100 tons were down from 78,600 tons last week.

Cattle

Futures:

Live Cattle: LIVE CATTLE


Jun '16 122.300 121.700 122.150 +0.425






26

Aug '16 118.700 117.550 118.025 +0.375

Oct '16 117.950 116.900 117.475 +0.275

Dec '16 117.825 116.725 117.575 +0.425

Feb '17 117.000 116.150 116.700 +0.100

Apr '17 116.200 115.350 115.775 -0.175

Jun '17 109.500 108.925 109.025 -0.300

Aug '17 107.700 107.025 107.200 +0.075

Feeders: FEEDER CATTLE


Aug '16 147.025 145.450 146.800 +0.400

Sep '16 145.700 144.150 145.000 -0.075

Oct '16 144.200 143.000 143.750 +0.025

Nov '16 140.500 139.450 140.450 +0.275

Jan '17 136.050 135.000 135.750 0.000

Mar '17 133.450 132.500 133.200 -0.025

Apr '17 133.000 132.900 132.975 -0.450

May '17

133.350 +0.575

Cattle Comment









27

Cattle prices ended the week on a positive note. Prices have almost recovered all of the losses that

occurred following the bearish cattle on feed report. While this report combined with lower beef prices

remains a negative for the market, prices continue to be supported by cash cattle which remain at a

premium to futures.

Hogs

Futures: LEAN HOGS


Jun '16 82.575 81.650 82.300 +0.275

Jul '16 86.275 84.550 86.275 +1.825

Aug '16 85.900 84.000 85.850 +1.975

Oct '16 70.750 69.950 70.750 +0.575

Dec '16 65.000 64.550 65.000 +0.200

Feb '17 68.100 67.750 68.100 +0.200

Apr '17 70.950 70.650 70.950 +0.175

May '17

75.600 +0.125

Jun '17 78.300 78.200 78.300 +0.100

APEDAAgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1487

International Benchmark Price Price on: 02-06-2016

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Garlic



28

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

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: oryza, agra-net For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 02-06-2016

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Rice

1 Manjeri (Kerala) Other 2700 3700

2 Cachar (Assam) Other 2000 2500

3 Khatra (West Bengal) Other 2150 2300

Wheat

1 Dehgam (Gujarat) Other 1655 1425

2 Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1550 1965

3 Sangli (Maharashtra) Other 1800 2800

Mousambi

1 Phagwara (Punjab) Other 2800 3000

2 Sampla (Haryana) Other 2700 2700

3 Mechua (West Bengal) Other 3600 3800

Brinjal

1 Chala (Kerala) Other 2200 2251

2 Banki (Orissa) Other 1300 1500

3 Kurali (Punjab) Other 900 1000

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 01-06-2016

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 382

2 Chittoor 413

3 Hyderabad 347

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 27-05-2016

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

https://www.agra-net.com/

http://agmarknet.nic.in/

http://agmarknet.dac.gov.in/

http://e2necc.com/



29

Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 17 18.50

2 Miami Idaho Russet 19 22

2 Los Angeles Washington Russet 14 15

Carrots Package: cartons 30 1-lb film bags

1 Atlanta California Baby Peeled 25.50 26

2 Chicago California Baby Peeled 22.50 23.50

3 New York California Baby Peeled 20 22

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Virginia Red Delicious 25.50 26

2 Los Angeles Washington Red Delicious 20 24

3 New York Washington Red Delicious 28 28

Source:USDA

Mid-South rice this week: Nitrogen, diseases, slow plant

development Jun 2, 2016 Ed Phillips | Delta Farm Press

Although planted and emerging, many Mid-South rice fields are having to contend with heavy

rains and cooler than normal temperatures.

At the start of the week, USDA estimated 98 percent of the U.S. rice crop had been planted, 87

percent had emerged and 66 percent of the crop was in good to excellent condition.

http://deltafarmpress.com/author/ed-phillips



30

In the Mid-South states, planting ranged from 98 percent planted in Mississippi to 100 percent

planted in Missouri, but weather — heavy rains and cooler than normal temperatures —

continues to frustrate plant development and management schedules.

In northeast Arkansas last week, as much as 2 to 7 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. Jarrod

Hardke, Arkansas rice Extension agronomist, says rice farmers there are asking two questions:

(1) I just put out my nitrogen and started to flood up. The rains washed my field out. How

much N did I lose?

(2) I’m now getting late in the window to apply N and I got all this rain with more in the

forecast. What do I do?

As the season progresses, rice diseases will test Mid-South farmers. Tom Allen, Mississippi

Extension plant pathologist, says most rice diseases occur at particular times of the year or at

specific growth stages and that the previous crop is an important factor.

To help farmers he has provided a Mississippi Rice Disease Calendar for some of the more

common diseases that indicates the likely period of infection generally required for symptoms to

be expressed and the period when the diseases would continue to be problems.

Louisiana rice has struggled through less than ideal growing conditions, says Dustin Harrell, the

state’s Extension rice specialist. In the most recent Louisiana Rice Notes he discusses mid- to

late-season potassium deficiency, the South American Rice Miner and yield potential for late-

planted rice.

A good way to follow developments in Louisiana rice is to subscribe to the LSU AgCenter’s text

message group for rice. To join the rice group, send a text message to 81010 with @larice in the

body of the message. To receive text messages by email, send an email to

[email protected].

Later this month, Mid-South rice farmers will have the opportunity to hear from one of the

world’s leading rice geneticists, Susan McCouch of Cornell University. She’ll talk about the

potential for advances in rice breeding as part of the June 29 LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey

Rice Research Station’s annual field day. Read more about McCouch and other speakers for the

field day at Louisiana rice field day June 29 in Crowley.

And from Missouri is the story of a Missouri rice shipment to Cuba. Martin Rice Company of

Bernie, Mo., shipped rice at no cost to the people of Cuba. ―Cuba was once a leading export

destination for Missouri rice and we believe the in-roads we’ve been making since our first visit

here and meetings we’re now having with Cuban officials can help re-establish Cuba as a buyer

of Missouri rice,‖ Mike Martin said.

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/mid-south-rice-week-nitrogen-diseases-slow-plant-development

http://www.mississippi-crops.com/2016/05/28/rice-disease-calendar/

http://louisianacrops.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LA-Rice-Notes-5.pdf

mailto:[email protected]

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/louisiana-rice-field-day-set-june-29-crowley

http://farmprogress.com/story-missouri-rice-shipment-cuba-well-received-9-142088



31

Fuss-free soups for super-quick dinners

For easy, enjoyable suppers, make a meal out of these delicious bowls of flavours

Sweet potato and squash soup with seared tuna skewers

Source:StockFood

Sweet potato and squash soup with seared tuna skewers

Prep time 15 mins

Cooking time 30 mins

Serves 6-8

500g diced sweet potato

500g diced Hubbard squash

4 cups vegetable stock

1 can coconut milk

1 tbsp grated ginger



32

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 lemongrass heart, smashed

3 tbsp fish sauce

150g fresh tuna

150g hot, cooked rice noodles

Fresh coriander, a handful, to garnish

Simmer sweet potato and squash with stock, coconut milk, ginger, garlic and lemongrass, half-

covered, for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Blend until smooth and stir in the fish sauce. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, heat a stove-top grill pan that has been lightly sprayed with a non-stick cooking

spray. Cut the fish into cubes. Don’t oil the fish, simply thread the cubes on to four soaked, thin

bamboo skewers and pan-grill until just seared.

To serve, ladle the soup over nests of hot noodles, sprinkle coriander leaves over and add a

skewer of seared tuna.

Chicken, vegetable and noodle soup

Prep time 15 mins

Cooking time 1 hour

Serves 4

2 litres chicken stock

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups finely chopped celery

2 cups finely chopped carrot



33

½ cup finely chopped Italian parsley, plus extra for garnishing

150g extra-fine noodles or capellini pasta

400g finely chopped chicken breast fillets

Bring the stock, chopped vegetables, parsley and some seasoning to a boil. Skim off the froth,

reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 40 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Increase the heat and bring to a boil once more, stir in the noodles or pasta and cook for 5

minutes or until soft.

Season the chopped chicken with sea salt and milled black pepper and stir into the simmering

broth, then turn off the heat and cover. Leave for 5 minutes or until just cooked and still moist.

Check seasoning and garnish with parsley before serving.

(If the noodles or pasta absorb too much liquid on standing, thin the soup down with some more

stock.)

Try these variations

Add a few spoonfuls of chopped dill and the juice of a lemon.

Use fresh tagliatelle instead of dried noodles or pasta.

Instead of noodles or pasta, add ready-made wontons (available at speciality Asian stores) and

cook until tender.

Add soy sauce to taste. Sprinkle the soup with finely chopped spring onion and a grating of fresh

ginger.

Sausage and lentil soup with beef bacon and croutons

Prep time 50 minutes

Serves 4



34

1 cup dried brown lentils

400g canned red lentils

200–300g chicken or beef sausages, thinly sliced

400g canned chopped tomatoes

1 tsp dried oregano

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp dried mustard

1½ litres chicken, beef or vegetable stock

Beef bacon, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces, as desired

Croutons, for serving

Rinse the lentils and drain well. Add to a large saucepan with remaining ingredients. Do not

season.

Simmer, partially covered, for about 40 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Season to taste.

If the soup gets too thick, thin with more stock. Serve topped with croutons and beef bacon

pieces.

Try this variation

For a vegetarian option, leave out the meat altogether and top with crumbled feta and croutons.

A pottage of three beans and brown rice

Prep time 20 mins

Cooking time 45 minutes

Serves 4



35

400g canned cannellini beans

400g canned butter beans

400g canned borlotti beans

1 cup brown basmati rice

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 stick celery, finely chopped

2–3 cloves garlic, crushed

1–2 tbsp chopped Italian parsley

1½ litres vegetable stock

Sun-dried tomato pesto, for serving

Rinse the beans and rice and drain well.

Soften the onion and celery in gently heated oil and stir in garlic and parsley. Add stock, beans,

rice and seasoning and simmer for about 30 minutes, covered, or until the rice is tender. Stir once

or twice. Using a stick blender, blend roughly so that no more than half the beans are puréed.

Check seasoning. This is meant to be a thick pottage but can be thinned down with stock.

Serve with blobs of pesto.

Try these variations

Add spaghetti, broken in half or thirds, instead of rice. In this case don’t blend the soup.

Add a can of blended Italian tomatoes and 1 tsp dried oregano to the softened onion and celery

and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Use grated Parmesan to garnish instead of pesto.

Use fennel instead of celery and parsley. Stir in a few spoonfuls of cream and reheat.

USA Rice Welcomes Summer Intern

By Deborah Willenborg

ARLINGTON, VA -- Money magazine recently named Washington,

DC the top spot for students looking for summer jobs touting the

area's availability of work, educational opportunities, and "museums

for days." Just ask summer intern Ethan Cartwright who joined USA

Rice's government affairs team this week. Ethan, a lifelong resident of

Starkville, Mississippi, is a rising senior in Mississippi State

University's Department of Agricultural Economics. He is a spirited

SEC college baseball fan, avid duck hunter, and member of the Delta

Chi Fraternity, and Mississippi State's Student Association

Ethan, a lifelong resident of Starkville, Mississippi, is a rising senior

in Mississippi State University's Department of Agricultural

mailto:[email protected]



36

Economics. He is a spirited SEC college baseball fan, avid duck hunter, and member of the

Delta Chi Fraternity, and Mississippi State's Student Association.

Ethan comes to USA Rice from a recent internship with U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker (R-MS),

where he assisted legislative staff with agricultural, transportation, and environmental issues. He

previously worked on research at Mississippi State comparing row croppers' perceptions of risk

under ARC and PLC programs in the new Farm Bill.

"I think my time at Rice will be a great learning experience," Cartwright said. "Having recently

come off Capitol Hill, I am interested to learn how advocacy works from the 'other side' and

particularly excited to see the beneficial impact USA Rice can have for the industry this election

cycle."

Cartwright will be with USA Rice through early August and can be reached at

[email protected] or (703) 236-1468.

A typical standing room only USA Rice promotion

Unified Export Strategy Submission Day

By Jessica Stewart

WASHNGTON, DC -- Today USA Rice submitted an application for 2017 funding under the

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) trade programs. The application, referred to as the

Unified Export Strategy (UES), is the official request document where USA Rice and other

commodity groups, called "cooperators," describe their strategic approach to promoting U.S.

agricultural products abroad.

In the current year, USA Rice received $4.36 million in base funding, plus an additional

$173,000 in Global Broad-based Initiative funding for Africa and $61,000 in Emerging Market

Program funds for China. This year's USA Rice UES submission reflects significant changes in

overseas markets for U.S. rice.

For example, USA Rice is proposing increasing promotional efforts and investment in the UK

and China, two markets with demonstrated opportunity, and scaling back on funding for

promotions in Ghana. Aggressive promotions programs also are planned for Mexico, Central

America, and the Andean region to defend current market share and expand opportunities for

U.S. rice. In fact, USA Rice is leading a trade mission for U.S. rice farmers, millers, and

merchants to Colombia next week to observe promotional activities and meet with the trade.



37

Another strategic area of focus is Cuba, and though FAS resources cannot currently be used for

promotions there, industry-funded investments will be used to target that potential market.

"With about half of our crop

bound for export each year,

preserving and growing

markets, and fighting unfair

trade practices overseas is our

primary focus," said USA Rice

Vice President of International

Promotion Jim Guinn. "The

support we receive from FAS

is vital and the millions more

in industry contributions that

we add to these funds make

our important work possible

and our efforts successful for

our industry." The FAS

program is a matching

program and the U.S. rice

industry contributes over $6 for each dollar of FAS funds received.

Market Information

Daily Rough Rice Prices

(updated daily)

Market Year Average Price Tracker (updated monthly)

In the News

Cuba, U.S. 'Have to Learn From Each Other,' Cuban Ag Minister Says

Agri-Pulse

Cuba's agriculture minister Rodriguez spoke particularly highly of Cuba's organic agriculture

sector and system of agricultural co-ops. While he sees these two areas of the country's economy

as strengths, he also acknowledged both have a long way to go.

4th june ,2016 daily global,regional & local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

Documents