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Int'l researchers fear double blow
Covid-19 threatens hike in food prices, supply chain
disruptions
Boro farmers returning home with the newly-harvested paddy in Bashkuta village under Sadar
upazila in Magura, May 09, 2018. — FE/Files
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) identified a
number of emerging concerns in the country's food production and supply chain
system during Covid-19 pandemic that require immediate attention.
"Notable reduction in the availability of perishable foods, including vegetables,
fruits, and fish, which are crucial for health and nutrition" is among the concerns,
according to a CGIAR statement released on Wednesday.
It said farmers are beginning to face challenges in selling perishable goods at
reasonable prices, as the government has put the entire country on lockdown to stop
spread of Coronavirus pandemic.
CGIAR said despite measures to control prices, foods along with some crucial
commodities are becoming unaffordable, especially for the poor in urban areas.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
"Social distancing measures appear to be slowing down ongoing horticultural and
Boro crop harvests, and delay in maize harvest looms as a near-term concern." The
statement further said trucks are permitted to transport agricultural inputs and
produces. But, informal and courier transport services that play a key role in input
supply and food distribution are suffering.
The livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors are suffering, as their supply of
essential feeds and veterinary services has been disrupted, and these sectors are
experiencing unprecedented shocks, CGIAR noted.
It also expressed concern, as reduced food and labour demand by food processors,
supermarkets, eateries, restaurants and hotels are, in turn, impacting hundreds of
thousands in the service industry.
To improve the food production and supply situation, the organisation also offered a
set of suggestions, including enhanced permission for transportation.
"Enhanced permission for transportation is required to assure the flow of food items
from rural to urban areas as well as the flow of crucial inputs to farmers through
market systems."
CGIAR also said ample supply of horticultural, fish and livestock products should
be guaranteed in addition to the staple foods, rice and wheat to provide diverse,
nutritious and safe diets for all.
It urged the government to take some measures, including minimising impacts on
farmers' incomes from high input and labour costs, supporting flow of remittance
and cash flow to rural areas, and expanding access to finance options for farmers.
CGIAR opined that increased social safety-net measures will be required to support
both rural and urban poor consumers.
It further stressed on the need of action plans to support Bangladesh's food systems
in response to international trade restrictions. "Even partial closure of ports may
result in high prices and limited stocks of pulses, edible oils, wheat, and crucial
feed supplies."
CGIAR added that prolonged suspension of international trade could undermine the
future supply of key inputs (particularly phosphorous and potassium fertilisers,
vaccinations, pesticides, and fuel) at reasonable prices.
Bangladesh country heads of International Food Policy Research Institute,
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CMMYT), International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI), WorldFish and International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI), constituents of CGIAR, signed the statement.
bdsmile@gmail.com
FE REPORT | Published: April 23, 2020 09:19:12 | Updated: April 23, 2020
13:08:28
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/intl-researchers-fear-double-blow-1587611952
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Eatala Rajender pulls up Karimnagar rice millers
Minister warned that severe action will be initiated against millers if anybody tries to
humiliate farmers
By AuthorTelanganaToday | Published: 21st Apr 2020 9:56 pm
Health Minister Eatala Rajender inspecting paddy purchasing center at Thanugula on Tuesday.
Karimnagar: Health Minister Eatala Rajender came down heavily on rice millers for allegedly
harassing and humiliating farmers over substandard and high moisture content in paddy.
The Minister warned that severe action will be initiated against millers if anybody tries to
humiliate farmers. The Minister made these comments after visiting the paddy procurement
center in Thanugula of Jammikunta mandal on Tuesday. The Minister reportedly rushed to the
rice center after coming to know that a rice miller near Huzurabad allegedly insulted farmers.
The farmers informed the Minister that the rice millers were reducing 4 to 5 kilograms Paddy for
every 40 kg bag in the name of moisture and substandard paddy. If they questioned about the
practise, the millers were humiliating them, they alleged.
Reacting to this, Rajender immediately spoke to the Rice Millers Association leaders,
Agriculture Officials, Commissioner of Civil Supplies, and Collector over the phone and directed
them to settle the issue..
The Telangana government was farmer-friendly and keeping farmers happy was its prime
agenda. This was conveyed to the people and others on several occasions by the Chief Minister
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K Chandrashekhar Rao. There was no question of tolerating injustice to farmers and serious
action would be taken against those trying to cheat or harass farmers, the Minister said.
If there were any grievances, the rice millers can take up the same with the government but they
should not harass farmers, he said.
https://telanganatoday.com/eatala-rajender-pulls-up-karimnagar-rice-millers
Rice millers face price squeeze by importers, says council
FMT Reporters
-
April 19, 2020 9:40 PM
The Malay Economic Action Council has called for a government review of the rice import
monopoly and the padi and rice industry. (Reuters pic)
PETALING JAYA: Rice millers and wholesalers are complaining of being squeezed by a ―rice
import cartel‖ which has twice raised prices although retail prices are controlled, according to the
Malay Economic Action Council.
The council, better known as MTEM, said the complaints had come from the Malay Rice Millers
Association Malaysia and members involved in the wholesaling of rice.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
MTEM chief executive director Ahmad Yazid Othman said rice imports were controlled by the
agriculture and food industry ministry and PadiBeras Nasional Berhad (Bernas).
―The wholesale price of rice that is resold by these cartels was increased by RM0.20 and now
increased yet again by RM0.40,‖ he said.
However retailers could not increase market prices and are forced to bear a small profit margin.
MTEM called for an official explanation on whether rice is being imported every week to meet
domestic demand, and whether Bernas had received a subsidy on rice imports as was the case in
2008.
Bernas, formed in 1996 when the National Padi and Rice Board was privatised, has sole rights to
import rice until 2021.
Yazid urged the government to be fair in distributing rice to all wholesalers at a reasonable price.
Large companies who have been enjoying a lot of privileges while making millions in profit
before should not be taking advantage of other businesses.
―The rice industry must be managed and operated more transparently to ensure sustainability of
the country‘s food security, the country‘s food sovereignty and also the economic safety of
Bumiputera industry players,‖ he said.
―The time has come for the new government to review the paddy and rice industry,‖ he said. The
monopolies only benefited one party and were no help for the rice supply chain from the farmers,
millers, wholesalers and retailers.
―The Covid-19 crisis should not be manipulated to profit one party‘s monopoly, but should be a
lesson by the government to develop the full capacity of the country‘s food security, and to
equally develop all of the players in the industry, especially the farmers and small and medium
enterprises,‖ he added.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/04/19/rice-millers-face-price-squeeze-by-
importers-says-council/
Take precautionary measures at PPCs, says Karimnagar
Collector
District Collector K Shashanka asked rice millers to immediately dump the paddy
shifted to mills from centers.
By AuthorTelanganaToday | Published: 20th Apr 2020 10:35 pm
Collector K Shashanka conducting meeting with rice millers in Karimnagar on Monday.
Karimnagar: District Collector K Shashanka instructed officials to take all precautionary
measures at paddy procurement centres in the wake of spread of the coronavirus.
He conducted a review meeting with rice millers at Collectorate conference hall here on
Monday. Speaking on the occasion, he asked rice millers to immediately dump the paddy shifted
to mills from centers.
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According to State government‘s instructions, PPC centres have been established in all villages.
Informing that sufficient harvesters were available in the district, he advised the farmers to bring
their produce to centres one after another according to taken issued by mandal agriculture
officials.
He also advised farmers to bring only completely dried crop to PPCs. Workers at rice mills
would be issued passes.
Additional Collector GV Shyam Prasad Lal, District Agriculture Officer V Sridhar, District
Cooperative Officer Ch Manoj, District Supplies Officer Suresh, District Manager, Civil
Supplies, M Srikanth, Rice Mills Association President Bachu Bhaskar and other rice millers
participated in the meeting.
https://telanganatoday.com/take-precautionary-measures-at-ppcs-says-karimnagar-collector
NFA resolves milling woes to ensure stable rice supply
Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star
) - April 19, 2020 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority has met with its rice milling contractors
to guarantee unimpeded flow of government rice supply across the country.
―We cannot afford to let anything hamper our palay milling activities to continuously serve the
rice requirements of the National Capital Region and of the other areas in the country during this
time of crisis,‖ NFA administrator Judy Dansal said.
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All milling contractors‘ employees and laborers were issued identification cards by NFA as
providers of essential services to be presented to checkpoints for their easy passage.
Their trucks, which haul palay for milling from NFA and deliver back rice recoveries, were also
provided with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) stickers.
Dansal assured that the NFA has more than enough laborers in its warehouses, having hired
tricycle drivers and other workers who, for the time being, have lost their regular livelihood due
to the strict lockdown policies.
On the procurement of the mills‘ fast-moving parts and other consumables, Dansal said she
would recommend to the IATF to allow Manila-based suppliers of the needed rice mill spare
parts to operate.
The NFA shall also issue a certification to be presented to the checkpoints, for the unimpeded
transport and purchase of parts needed for the immediate repair of rice mills.
On the sale of rice by-products which serve as NFA‘s payment-in-kind for milling services,
Dansal said the NFA has already made adjustments in the ―guaranteed milling recovery‖ to help
rice millers recoup their lost income.
―We shall also recommend to the IATF to make representations with the Department of the
Interior and Local Government to advise the LGUs where the rice mills are located, to find
places where the rice hull could be dumped, because right now there are no rice hull buyers,‖ she
said.
―Our primordial concern now is the continuous, full-blast NFA palay stocks milling, for a safe
level supply of rice for this current emergency,‖ Dansal said.
Since the declaration of the enhanced community quarantine, 100 percent of NFA‘s rice sales
went to government agencies, reaching close to two million bags of rice.
The government‘s rice inventory currently stands at 7.69 million bags, good to last for 116 days
or nearly four months, based on the agency‘s 10 percent market share.
Meanwhile, NFA is stepping up its procurement of local palay (unhusked rice) as farmers
continue to harvest their summer crop. Its 440 warehouses and buying stations are open daily,
procuring an average of 20,052 bags per day.
From January to mid-April, the NFA had already bought 2.56 million bags of palay. The agency
targets to buy 2.4 million bags in April and 1.6 million bags in May, and a total of 15.44 million
bags for the whole year.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/19/2008169/nfa-resolves-milling-woes-ensure-
stable-rice-supply
NFA working with millers to solve checkpoint snags
April 20, 2020 | 12:02 am
PHILIPPINES STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS
THE National Food Authority (NFA) met with its rice milling contractors to iron out
logistics issues after food deliveries continue to be disrupted by the enhanced
community quarantine (ECQ), which has been extended to the end of April.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
―We cannot afford to let anything hamper our palay milling activities to continuously
serve the rice requirements of the National Capital Region (NCR) and of the other
areas in the country during this time of crisis,‖ NFA Administrator Judy Carol L.
Dansal said.
The NFA has issued identification cards to all milling contractors‘ employees and
laborers which will be presented at quarantine checkpoints for easy passage.
In addition, the trucks which transport palay for milling from the NFA and deliver
back rice were also provided with passes from the Inter- Agency Task Force for the
Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for unhampered movement.
Ms. Dansal also guaranteed that the NFA has more than enough workers in its
warehouses after hiring tricycle drivers and other workers who have temporarily lost
their jobs due to the lockdown.
On the procurement of parts and consumables by rice mills, Ms. Dansal said that she
will also recommend to the IATF to allow Manila-based suppliers of rice mill spare
parts to operate.
The NFA will also issue a certification to be presented at checkpoints for the
unhampered transport and purchase of parts for the immediate repair of rice mills.
On the sale of rice by-products, NFA has also made adjustments in the ―guaranteed
milling recovery‖ to assist rice millers regain their lost income.
―We shall also recommend to the IATF to make representations with Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG), to advise the LGUs where the rice mills are
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
located, to find places where the rice hulls could be dumped, because right now there
are no rice hull buyers,‖ Ms. Dansal said.
Meanwhile, the NFA also continued to strengthen its procurement of palay, or
unmilled rice.
Ms. Dansal said that an average of 20,052 bags of palay are being procured daily, as
farmers continue to harvest their dry-season crop.
―We are ready to serve the farmers and buy their harvest, especially when farmgate
prices fall below the P19 per kg support price of the government,‖ Ms. Dansal said.
Between January and mid-April, the NFA bought 2.56 million bags of palay. It set a
target of buying 2.4 million bags in April, 1.6 million bags in May, and 15.44 million
bags for 2020.
The national rice inventory has been estimated at the equivalent to a supply of 116
days or nearly four months.
Ms. Dansal said that the 440 NFA warehouses and buying stations are open daily,
including weekends and holidays.
Since the ECQ declaration, 100% of NFA‘s rice sales have gone to government
agencies, which are stepping up their food distribution due to the coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and resulting lockdown.
As of April 13, the total withdrawals of NFA rice by the Department of Social
Welfare and Development and local government units (LGUs) hit nearly two million
bags. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
https://www.bworldonline.com/nfa-working-with-millers-to-solve-checkpoint-snags/
Step up paddy and maize procurement, AICC tells
Telangana CM
Our Bureau Hyderabad | Updated on April 22, 2020 Published on April 22, 2020
The Congress has asked the Telangana government to step up efforts to procure paddy and maize
to help farmers tide over the crisis.
―The government has promised that it would open 7,500 procurement centres to purchase the
whole of rabi produce. But it opened only 4,380 procurement centres,‖ he said.
He alleged that the farmers were facing challenges as procurement was not happening at full
scale.
―The government needs to ramp up paddy procurement at a much higher level. In the absence of
the government‘s paddy procurement centres, farmers are forced to sell their produce to private
rice millers at lesser prices,‖ Sravan Dasoju, the All-India Congress Committee spokesman, has
said.
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―The farming community has been the worst hit due to the lockdown and needs urgent attention
from the government,‖ he said in a letter written to the Telangana Chief Minister, K
Chandrashekar Rao.
―Though the government of Telangana, reportedly, is making efforts to take up procurement of
agriculture produce to the point of saturation, the situation at ground level has been different,‖ he
said.
As against the normal rabi sowing area of 31.58 lakh acres, the farmers grew crops in 53.68 lakh
acres, showing a growth of 70 per cent in the area.
While paddy was grown in 39.24 lakh acres (as against normal area of 16.89 lakh acres), maize
was grown in 6.21 lakh acres and bengal gram 3.28 lakh acres, leading to a substantial increase
in the agricultural produce.
The AICC spokesperson also said that there is a shortage of gunny bags, making it difficult for
farmers to sell the produce.
He said the situation with regard to maize procurement, too, needs to be improved.
The State produced about 18.60 lakh tonnes of maize. ―But the government could procure only
1.30 lakh tonnes only,‖ he said.
Machines come to rescue amid lockdown-linked labourer
problem
B. Chandrashekhar
HYDERABAD, APRIL 21, 2020 19:41 IST
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
A harvester working in a paddy field in Nizamabad district. | Photo Credit: file photo
Yet, labourer shortage slows down transport of paddy from purchase centres to
mills, godowns
Notwithstanding some hiccups interspersed by untimely rains playing the spoilsport,
the massive exercise of paddy procurement from farmers at a minimum support price
(MSP) at the village itself in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus by scheduling
arrivals with issuance of farmer-wise tokens, is underway briskly across the State.
The administration was groping in the dark on handling the massive task when the
decision to force lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus during the last week of
March as it curtailed the availability and movement of labourers for harvesting and
procurement-related jobs. As such, according to Telangana Rice Millers Association,
most of the 2,200 rice mills in the State would depend on migrant workers for their
labour requirement.
―We were not sure as to how we could tackle the problem till we collected information
about the exact availability of harvesters in the State. But once we secured credible data
with the help of our field-level officials, despair gave way to confidence as the details
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collected included the contact numbers of harvester owners, their drivers and servicing
agencies along with the number of machines available in the State,‖ Agriculture
Production Commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy told The Hindu.
Enough harvesters
Initially, the Agriculture Department had information that only about 5,000 harvesters
were available in the State but the enumeration could bring out that a total of 14,095
machines were owned in the State. Another 753 harvesters are positioned in the State
by their owners in Tamil Nadu and Punjab who sensed heavy business this rabi season,
that stretches from March last week to May second week.
―We came to know that some entrepreneurs had started purchasing harvesters from the
last rabi season itself assessing that they would have huge work on hand with
Kaleshwaram project set to become functional,‖ the APC said adding that harvesters
would also help the farming community save on costs. A field official involved in the
procurement exercise, however, stated that local labourers were unwilling to work at
purchase centres and rice mills/storage points as ‗hamalis‘ as it involves a lot of
physical stress. He also admitted to the delays in moving the stock from purchase
centres to rice mills/godowns due to labourer shortage.
Migrant labour
Administration in several districts is encouraging migrant workers, both those who
were in transit and struck in districts and those who come in search of seasonal wage
work, to ease the labourer shortage in procurement, loading and unloading of purchased
grain. ―We have distributed 12 kg of rice each to all migrant workers in the district
along with cash of ₹1,500 per family already this month and offering them wage work
too at procurement centre and rice mills/storage points. Some of them are working
already,‖ District Collector of Mahabubnagar S. Venkata Rao said, when enquired
about the problem. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/managing-
harvesting-bluesmachines-come-to-rescue-amid-lockdown-linked-labourer-
problem/article31398296.ece
On The Farm: How Farmers Are Working To Meet
Demand While Preparing For An Uncertain Harvest
Apr 20, 2020,07:00am EDT
Bridget ShirvellContributor
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Food & Drink
I cover food, technology and the environment.
PHOTO: OCEAN SPRAY
Cranberry plants don‘t watch the news, so Steve Lee, a New Jersey-based sixth-generation
cranberry farmer, is preparing for the upcoming harvest season in the same way he would any
other year. Right now, that means he‘s busy on the farm making equipment repairs and
purchasing fertilizer and other supplies such as equipment parts for the growing season.
―We have already changed day-to-day operational plans and procedures to provide us the ability
to nurture, monitor, and deliver the crop with zero worker-to-worker contact,‖ said Lee. ―But, let
me be clear: cranberries won‘t just take the year off. Cranberries are a perennial crop that will
produce fruit, whether there is or isn‘t a pandemic. As one of only three cultivated fruits native to
North America, the cranberries will grow on their vines as they have done for thousands of years
no matter what happens with a pandemic.‖
Lee is one of the more than 700 cranberry farmers that make up Ocean Spray‘s grower-owned
cooperative farms. While Lee has only four-year round workers, many cranberry farmers with
more extensive operations are working on reduced schedules or focusing on completing farm
jobs that don‘t require multiple personnel, so they can continue preparing for the growing season
and harvest while adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coronavirus
pandemic guidelines.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Today In: Food & Drink
The pandemic has changed everyone‘s lives, but while many people across the United States can
work from home, that‘s not the case for most farmers.
PHOTO: 4SISTERS
―We have asked many of our key employees and office staff to work from home. However, for
many our farmer partners, as we speak, preparing for a new crop or all of our employees
including our truck drivers, millers, and packaging staff this is not a reality,‖ says Meryl
Kennedy, the CEO of Kennedy Rice Mill LLC and Founder of 4Sisters Rice.
Based in Louisiana, Kennedy finds herself having to remind the rice farmers and farmworkers
she works with about social distancing.
―Organic rice farming and seed rice farming depends on H2A workers to row the fields for seeds
and other weeds,‖ Kennedy said. ―It has been more difficult than normal years recruiting and
maintaining H2A workers. Many of our farmers and farm aid also ride to work together in the
same vehicles; we are having to find new ways to communicate to them the importance of social
distancing.‖
PHOTO: 4SISTERS
Currently, U.S. rice farmers are in the middle of the planting season, which will last until roughly
the end of May and Kennedy said that as demand for rice increases during the pandemic, some
farmers are planting more.
―People all around the world are concerned about the supply chain and while I think there will be
more planted acres, I also think it‘ll be a stable supply; it‘s just about getting it to shelves fast
enough,‖ Kennedy said.
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/WEARETHENEWFARMERS
In New York City, indoor farm We Are The New Farmers doesn‘t have to worry about a
planting or harvest season. The spirulina, which is grown in enclosed tanks, can be harvested
each day, with the company only harvesting enough to fulfill the orders they have on any given
day. The company which grows the microalgae spirulina saw a 40% increase in demand from
February to March.
―People have more time to cook at home right now,and I think people are looking for food that is
nutrient-dense, supports the immune system and is local,‖ said We Are The New Farmers co-
founder Jonas Günther.
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/WEARETHENEWFARMERS
Like their outdoor farm counterparts, We Are The New Farmers restructured what they do on the
farm to minimize the risk to workers. Three days a week, everything happening on the farm is
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
managed remotely and when they do need to the farm, they‘ve reduced the number of people that
need to go and organized a carpool so no one has to take the subway.
―No matter what‘s happening outside, we can continue to produce local nutrient-dense
food,‖ Günther said.
PHOTO: OCEAN SPRAY
Back at the cranberry bogs, as Lee gets ready for their growing season, his primary concern isn‘t
the pandemic but the ability to easily access supplies and material needs that potentially arise
during harvest and the growing season.
―Without question, it is now more important than ever to re-evaluate how we nourish and take
care of ourselves and our bodies with food,‖ Lee said.
Bridget Shirvell
I‘m a NY-based freelance writer covering food, technology and the environment. My work has appeared in
Martha Stewart Living, Civil Eats, PBS NewsHour and more. As the…
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetshirvell/2020/04/20/on-the-farm-how-farmers-are-working-to-meet-
demand-while-preparing-for-an-uncertain-harvest/#78cd857c2a86
Cable bacteria can drastically reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from rice cultivation
Date:April 20, 2020
Source:Aarhus University
Summary:
The rice fields account for five percent of global emissions of the greenhouse gas
methane, which is 25 times stronger than CO2. Researchers have found that cable
bacteria could be an important part of the solution. In the laboratory, they have grown
rice in soil with and without cable bacteria, and the pots with cable bacteria emitted 93%
less methane than the pots without cable bacteria.
A Danish-German research collaboration may have found a solution to the large climate impact
from the world's rice production: By adding electric conductive cable bacteria to soil with rice
plants, they could reduce methane emissions by more than 90%.
Half of world´s population is nourished by rice crops, but rice cultivation is harsh to he climate.
The rice fields account for five percent of global emissions of the greenhouse gas methane,
which is 25 times stronger than CO2.
This is because the rice plants grow in water. When the fields are flooded, the soil becomes poor
in oxygen, creating the right conditions for microorganisms to produce methane. Now
researchers from Aarhus University and the University of Duisburg-Essen have found that cable
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
bacteria could be an important part of the solution. In the laboratory, they have grown rice in soil
with and without cable bacteria and measured what happened.
"And the difference was far beyond my expectations. The pots with cable bacteria emitted 93%
less methane than the pots without cable bacteria, "says Vincent Valentin Scholz, who conducted
the experiments as a PhD student at the Center for Electromicrobiology (CEM) at Aarhus
University.
The result is published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
Increases sulfate and attenuates microbes
"Cable bacteria transport electrons over centimeter distances along their filaments, changing the
geochemical conditions of the water-saturated soil. The cable bacteria recycle the soil's sulfur
compounds, thus maintaining a large amount of sulfate in the soil. This has the consequence that
the methane-producing microbes cannot maintain their activity," explains Vincent Valentin
Scholz.
It is already known that the rice growers can temporarily slow down the emission of methane by
spreading sulfate on the rice fields. Apparently, the cable bacteria can do this for them -- and not
just temporarily.
This finding adds a new angle to the role of cable bacteria as ecosystem engineers. While the
authors emphasize that they have only the very first laboratory observation, it is tempting to
speculate that enrichment of cable bacteria by sensible management of water and soil regime
could become a sustainable and convenient solution for reducing methane emissions from rice
fields. But of course, it requires field studies to see how cable bacteria can thrive in rice fields.
About cable bacteria
Cable bacteria were an unknown way of life until they were first identified in the Bay of Aarhus,
Denmark, in 2012. They thrive on the bottom of the sea, lakes, groundwater and streams and
often in large quantities. Each individual consists of thousands of cells in a centimeter-long chain
surrounded by a common outer sheath with electric wires. One end is buried in the oxygen-poor
sediment, the other is so close to the water that it has contact with oxygen. This allows the
bacteria to use electric power to burn the food in an oxygen-free environment. The process also
changes the chemical composition of the soil.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Aarhus University. Original written by Peter F. Gammelby. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
1. Vincent V. Scholz, Rainer U. Meckenstock, Lars Peter Nielsen, Nils Risgaard-Petersen. Cable
bacteria reduce methane emissions from rice-vegetated soils. Nature Communications, 2020;
11 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15812-w
Cite This Page:
 MLA
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 APA
 Chicago
Aarhus University. "Cable bacteria can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation."
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 April 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200420105045.htm>.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200420105045.htm
Govt using rice for poor to make sanitiser for rich,
says Rahul Gandhi
Reacting to reports that Centre has decided to use rice in
stock to make sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said that the poor
were dying of hunger and the government wanted to make
sanitisers for the rich
Congress President Rahul Gandhi (Social Media)
IANS
Updated: 21 Apr 2020, 5:17 PM
Reacting to reports that the Centre has decided to use additional rice in stock to make ethanol,
which could be used for making sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that the poor were
dying of hunger and the government wanted to make sanitisers for the rich.
Rahul Gandhi said in his tweet, "When will the poor of Hindustan wake up, you are dying of
hunger and from your share of rice they are going to make sanitisers for the rich."
https://t.co/5NjoMmsJnK
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 21, 2020
The Congress has been demanding free ration till September 20 and Sonia Gandhi has also
written to the Prime Minister on this.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also appealed to the government to issue emergency ration
cards to the migrants and the poor, who are not getting rations through the PDS.
He reacted to the reports that the Centre has allowed the FCI to convert the surplus rice into
ethanol to ensure adequate availability of sanitisers to fight COVID-19. The decision was taken
by the National Biofuel Cordination Committee chaired by Union Petroleum Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan as per the National Biofuel policy of 2018.
The ethanol produced will also be used in production of ethanol blended petrol.
The policy of 2018 allows such conversions of surplus foodgrains to into ethanol.
For all the latest India News, Follow India Section.
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/govt-using-rice-for-poor-to-make-sanitiser-for-rich-says-
rahul-gandhi
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Rice genetically engineered to resist heat waves can also
produce up to 20% more grain
By Erik StokstadApr. 21, 2020 , 1:10 PM
As plants convert sunlight into sugar, their cells are playing with fire. Photosynthesis generates
chemical byproducts that can damage the light-converting machinery itself—and the hotter the
weather, the more likely the process is to run amok as some chemical reactions accelerate and
others slow. Now, a team of geneticists has engineered plants so they can better repair heat
damage, an advance that could help preserve crop yields as global warming makes heat waves
more common. And in a surprise, the change made plants more productive at normal
temperatures.
―This is exciting news,‖ says Maria Ermakova of Australian National University, who works on
improving photosynthesis. The genetic modification worked in three kinds of plants—a mustard
that is the most common plant model, tobacco, and rice, suggesting any crop plant could be
helped. The work bucked conventional wisdom among photosynthesis scientists, and some plant
biologists wonder exactly how the added gene produces the benefits. Still, Peter Nixon, a plant
biochemist at Imperial College London, predicts the study will ―attract considerable attention.‖
When plants are exposed to light, a complex of proteins called photosystem II (PSII) energizes
electrons that then help power photosynthesis. But heat or intense light can lead to damage in a
key subunit, known as D1, halting PSII‘s work until the plant makes and inserts a new one into
the complex. Plants that make extra D1 should help speed those repairs. Chloroplasts, the
organelles that host photosynthesis, have their own DNA, including a gene for D1, and most
biologists assumed the protein had to be made there. But the chloroplast genome is much harder
to tweak than genes in a plant cell‘s nucleus.
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A team led by plant molecular biologist Fang-Qing Guo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences bet
that D1 made by a nuclear gene could work just as well—and be made more efficiently, as its
synthesis in the cytoplasm instead of the chloroplast would be protected from the corrosive
byproducts of photosynthetic reactions. Guo and colleagues tested the idea in the
mustard Arabidopsis thaliana. They took its chloroplast gene for D1, coupled it to a stretch of
DNA that turns on during heat stress, and moved it to the nucleus.
The team found that modified Arabidopsis seedlings could survive extreme heat in the lab—8.5
hours at 41°C—that killed most of the control plants. The same Arabidopsis gene also protected
tobacco and rice. In all three species, photosynthesis and growth decreased less than in the
surviving control plants. And in 2017, when Shanghai exceeded 36°C for 18 days, transgenic
rice planted in test plots yielded 8% to 10% more grain than control plants, the team reports
this week in Nature Plants.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
The shock was what happened at normal temperatures. Engineered plants of all three species had
more photosynthesis—tobacco's rate increased by 48%—and grew more than control plants. In
the field, the transgenic rice yielded up to 20% more grain. ―It truly surprised us,‖ Guo says. ―I
felt that we have caught a big fish.‖
Veteran photosynthesis researcher Donald Ort of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne,
says the group presents credible evidence of plant benefits, but he‘s not yet convinced that the
D1 made by nuclear genes could have repaired PSII in the chloroplast. ―Anything this potentially
important is going to be met with some skepticism. There are lots of experiments to do, to figure
out why this works,‖ he says.
Guo plans further tests of the mechanism. He also has a practical goal: heftier yield increases in
rice. The productivity boost his team saw in modified Arabidopsis was the largest of the three
species—80% more biomass than controls—perhaps because the researchers simply
moved Arabidopsis‘ own D1 gene. Guo thinks rice yield might also burgeon if it could be
modified with its own chloroplast gene rather than one from mustard—further heating up these
already hot results.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/rice-genetically-engineered-resist-heat-waves-
can-also-produce-20-more-grain
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Siberian scientists have created a cure for the virus from
rice and green tea
By Natasha Kumaron April 21, 2020in Sciense
The specialists of SB RAS ihtt managed to develop a composite material based on the
conventional green tea and husk from rice, which has strong antiviral properties. The method of
obtaining this material of the Siberian scientists is described in detail in a publication made
especially for the publication of Silicon.
It is noted that from the beginning, the drug was developed for agricultural purposes, in
particular, he was supposed to be a feed additive for livestock and a means of stimulating the
growth of plants. Was later carried out other work in collaboration with scientists from the center
―Vector‖. In addition, to the Siberian chemists were approached by colleagues, who were
interested in the antiviral properties of silicon dioxide. Later studies have shown that this
development demonstrates the effectiveness in dealing with viruses of West Nile fever and
herpes. But the principles of the creation of this composite are based on the interaction of silica
extracted from rice husk and polyphenols called catechins contained in green tea.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
―We put plant material normal machining, however in special conditions. The result is the
destruction of cells green tea and part of the contained catechins in contact with the surface of
silica interacts with it. This chemical reaction creates surface complexes, which can subsequently
release both components after oral administration of water,‖ say the authors of the study.
https://thetimeshub.in/siberian-scientists-have-created-a-cure-for-the-virus-from-rice-and-
green-tea/8829/
Hainan to increase acreage for rice to 132, 200 ha in 2020
The scientific research base will be located in Wenchang County in Puqian and Jinshan areas
HAIKOU, April 20. /TASS/. Hainan will increase the acreage for rice cultivation by 2.02% – up
to 132, 200 hectares in 2020, according the Hainan Daily.
According to the news outlet, the local government has set the task to increase the cultivated area
for grain to 287,000 ha in 2020 (an increase of 350 ha). According to the newspaper, the
authorities also plan to take measures to protect the crop from insects.
At present, 113 varieties of rice are cultivated on the Island of Hainan with the use of dry land
method, and irrigation systems for torrential production are also under development. In
particular, in the urban district of Wenchang there are two experimental farms practicing rice
cultivation with the use of torrential method.
The Chinese scientists have also created an experimental plantation on Hainan for experiments
on the cultivation of "saltwater rice", which has salt tolerant properties. Scientists often use the
term ―saltwater rice‖ among themselves, but this name is unofficial, as, strictly speaking, it does
not grow directly in the ocean. This breed grows and survives in the salt marsh - the soil, the top
layer of which is characterized by the presence of readily-soluble salts, where most crops
would die.
The scientific research base will be located in Wenchang County in Puqian and Jinshan areas.
These areas were severely damaged by typhoon Rammasun in 2014: due to the storms, a large
number of fertile lands was contaminated with salt and the lands' fertility decreased significantly.
Currently, 24, 700 hectares of rural lands remain abandoned.
https://tass.com/economy/1147305
[Interview] Lockdown throws up challenges for
quarantine of plant samples for research
by Sahana Ghosh on 22 April 2020
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
 The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) said that while the world battles
COVID-19, plant pests, and diseases continue to pose a threat to food production,
stressing we must not let our guard down.
 Quarantine processes for samples of plant materials brought into the country for
research purposes have been impacted due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-
19)-associated lockdown, according to the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
(NBPGR) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
 In an interview with Mongabay-India, NBPGR scientists discuss the challenges in plant
quarantine for research samples under the lockdown, the gaps in plant biosecurity in
India and implications for a post-COVID world.
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), an inter-governmental treaty signed by
184 countries, dubbed it an ―unfortunate coincidence‖ that during the International Year of Plant
Health (IYPH) in 2020, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global outbreak is ―showing
the world how adopting preventive measures is essential to secure countries from the
introduction and spread of devastating human diseases.‖
IPPC, aimed at protecting the world‘s plant resources from the spread and introduction of pests
and promoting safe trade, said that the COVID-19 pandemic is proving that prevention is always
better than cure, and this applies to the health of humans, animals, and plants.
India is a signatory to the IPPC, which stresses while the world battles COVID-19, plant pests,
and diseases that continue to pose a threat to food production, must not slip through the cracks.
In the past, India like the rest of the world has seen the devastating effects resulting from
diseases and pests introduced along with the international movement of plant material,
agricultural produce, and product, experts have said. Among these are examples like coffee rust
introduced in Sri Lanka in 1875 and its subsequent introduction in India in 1876; fluted scale
(sap-sucking insect) on citrus introduced from Sri Lanka in 1928; San Jose scale in apple
introduced into India in the 1930s; and bunchy top of banana introduced from Sri Lanka in 1943.
The COVID-19 associated lockdown in India has posed challenges to scientists involved in
quarantine processing of samples of plant materials that are brought into India for research
purposes. Quarantining these samples prevents the entry of exotic pests during import.
These small samples are of immense quarantine importance because they usually comprise of
germplasm material or wild relatives or landraces of a crop and are thus more likely to carry
diverse biotypes/ races/ strains of the pest.
In India, the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) of the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, undertakes quarantine processing of germplasm
including transgenic planting material imported into the country for research purposes and issues
phytosanitary certificate for research material meant for export. Phytosanitary certification is an
official declaration by the exporting country attesting that consignments meet phytosanitary
import requirements-stating that plants and plant materials are free from pests and disease. In a
year, at least 100,000 (one lakh) samples are examined by NBPGR in quarantine processes.
In an interview with Mongabay-India, Kuldeep Singh, director, NBPGR and S.C. Dubey, head
and principal scientist, division of plant quarantine at NBPGR, discussed the challenges in plant
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
quarantine for research samples, the gaps in plant biosecurity in India, the solutions and
implications for a post-COVID world.
How do plants and plant products enter India? What is the role of NBPGR in plant
biosecurity?
In India, the entry of plants or their parts is in two ways. The bulk import for commercial use and
consumption is being monitored by the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage
(DPPQS), Faridabad, Government of India. Small samples for research purposes are imported
through ICAR-NBPGR.
In both cases, the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003 has to be
followed.
ICAR-NBPGR has been empowered under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into
India) Order 2003 to undertake quarantine processing of germplasm including transgenic
planting material imported into the country for research purposes.
Besides, NBPGR also issues ‗phytosanitary certificate‘ for research material meant for export.
We have well- equipped laboratories, a greenhouse complex, and a CL-4 level containment
facility to undertake the quarantine processing effectively. NBPGR also has a well-equipped
quarantine station at Hyderabad, which mainly deals with the export samples of the International
Crop Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and samples for the southern part of
the country.
NBPGR‘s Kuldeep Singh (left) and SC Dubey (right). Photo courtesy the scientists.
Can you elaborate on plant quarantine and phytosanitary certification?
Over the years, during quarantine processing in post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facilities, a large
number of pests have been intercepted in germplasm and other research material which includes
several pests that have not been reported yet from India. The consignments must be accompanied
by a phytosanitary certificate stating the status of the consignment to be free from the pests
mentioned in the declaration. NBPGR‘s role in the biosecurity of the country is well defined and
known. In past (1976-2019), a total of 78 pests including fungi (6), viruses (19), insects/ mites
(26), nematodes (9) and weeds (18) not reported from India and of quarantine significance for
India were intercepted in imported germplasm and their entry into India through samples
received by NBPGR was checked.
ICAR-NBPGR is providing regular inputs on biosecurity to government agencies like the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry
of Agriculture, Ministry of External Affairs, and MoEF&CC
What are the major challenges in plant biosecurity in India?
We need more certified post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facilities to accommodate a larger number
of plant materials for quarantine processes and rigorous inspection of the material before release.
Further, the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) procedure is one of the biggest challenges for quarantine
workers. PRA in plant introduction is essential to decide whether a particular planting material
could be permitted entry or not. If permitted, what would be the manner of import to prohibit the
introduction of new pests in the country. One of the primary responsibilities of plant protection
organisation/ institutions is to identify foreign pests of crops that are important in the Indian
agricultural scenario and assess the potential damage that those pests could cause if introduced in
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our country.
This is part of a PRA exercise which consists of risk assessment (scientific estimation of
likelihood and magnitude of risk of establishment of a given pest) and impact assessment
(estimation of the consequences of the establishment of pest).
Therefore, to ensure that imported commodities have no pest or disease risk to our agriculture
and forestry, the Plant Quarantine Order 2003 has made it mandatory to conduct a PRA for all
commodities other than those given in Schedule V, VI and VII, prior to the issue of import
permit.
Updated lists of endemic pests, authentic data on country-wide survey/ surveillance, as well as
literature, are indispensable in PRA procedures. To facilitate quarantine processing, and
biosecurity, we need to strengthen the harmonisation of the Indian plant quarantine system with
the global plant quarantine system.
This, in turn, depends on enhanced co-ordination of scientists and resource sharing among the
three concerned organisations: Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage
(Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Farmers Welfare), Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (Department of Agricultural Research and Education) and state
agricultural universities/other research institutions.
Additionally, there is a need for integrated agricultural biosecurity efforts. Presently in India,
agricultural biosecurity is managed on a sectoral basis through the development and
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implementation of separate policies and legislative frameworks (e.g. for animal and plant life and
health).
Post Entry Quarantine growing of seed samples
of French bean and soybean for the detection of
seed-borne pests especially viruses associated
with seeds. Photo from NBPGR.Although the
sectoral agencies organise their work with proper
attention towards the other sectors to meet the
challenges of biosecurity that are of
interdisciplinary nature, in the present national
system, there is a need for a more harmonised and
integrated approach for agricultural biosecurity
working together towards common goals.
At the national level efforts are being made to
develop a coherent biosecurity strategy for the
country by the formulation of a comprehensive Agricultural Biosecurity Bill in 2013. The
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers‘ Welfare (DACFW) has initiated the
establishment of a National Agricultural Biosecurity System. Also, the re-drafting of the
Agricultural Biosecurity Bill in 2018 by the DACFW to address the issue of national biosecurity
in a holistic manner are some of the important steps in the right direction.
Has the lockdown impacted plant quarantine measures and biosecurity measures?
Certainly, as the seed materials are not moving across the world. We do receive a major part of
rice germplasm from International Rice Research Institute during March-April and this may be
affected. NBPGR is monitoring the seeds grown in the post-entry quarantine facility (PEQ) at
New Delhi and Hyderabad. Up to the last week of February, we did post-entry quarantine
inspections at sites where they were indented across the country for research materials.
In a post-pandemic world, what will be the major changes with respect to plant
biosecurity? Any specific way the NBPGR will also evolve its strategies?
We are going to receive huge consignments of seed samples for research purposes after the
lockdown period ends. We will take utmost care at institute level for disinfestation of the outer
surface of the packages containing seeds before it is opened for quarantine.
Internationally, so far there are no specific guidelines for safe and secure handling of plant and
plant products from the areas having an outbreak of COVID 19. ICAR is having trained
scientists and well-equipped laboratories to handle any such conditions in the case of plant pests.
However, the plant quarantine system in the country needs to be strengthened both in the terms
of manpower and facilities.
What are the control points in plant biosecurity procedures that will need rethinking in the
wake of COVID-19?
The virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 is known to be a surface contaminant, the bags
containing seed samples need a certain minimum policy to be handled with care to avoid
contamination. Our staff has been instructed to surface- sanitise the boxes holding the seed
samples.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
https://india.mongabay.com/2020/04/interview-lockdown-throws-up-challenges-for-quarantine-of-plant-
samples-for-research/
Why you should care about scientists sequencing the
wheat genome
By Tammana Begum
First published 22 April 2020
Wheat is one of the most valuable food crops in the world, contributing about a fifth of the total
calories consumed by humans every year.
Scientists are studying the genes of wheat varieties to understand how the plant has changed
throughout history. It could help reduce agricultural pressures on the planet, and ultimately
protect food security for future generations.
As a highly nutritious plant, wheat is one of the world's oldest and most important crops.
Together with rice and corn, wheat feeds the world.
Humans have been changing wheat plants since the birth of farming. For thousands of years,
farmers would take seeds from the biggest and strongest plants and grow them, improving the
quality of crops over time. This is known as selective breeding.
Advances in technology in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries allowed farmers to produce
more crops than ever, but it was only in the early twentieth century when people started
understanding genetics that modern farming changed in a big way.
Wheat was selectively bred on a global scale for high yields, greater resistance to diseases and
better taste.
Dr Matthew Clark, a research leader at the Museum, is exploring how this selective breeding has
changed the wheat plants we eat today. This is part of a large project in collaboration with
partners around the world, including in Mexico and the UK.
'I am interested in learning about how we have selected for differences,' says Matt. 'People
haven't always known as much about genetics as we do now. I think they may have inadvertently
thrown away valuable information that could help us farm efficiently in a much more
environmentally friendly way.'
In order to grow crops with desired traits, farmers would transfer the stamen from one variety to
the flower of another before self-fertilisation took place
How humans have changed wheat
The wheat grown by early farmers reached over 160 centimetres, dwarfing people next to it. Its
tall, willowy form allowed it to soak up sunlight and easily outcompete other plants.
However, this also meant wheat was susceptible to wind which would often knock them down
and make them hard to harvest, even by hand.
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The edible seeds would sometimes become damp and sprout, or get eaten by animals, so they
would not make it to the human food chain.
Modern breeders started selectively growing short stemmed, disease-resistant wheat varieties,
also known as semi-dwarves.
These were championed by Norman Borlaug, an American agronomist and the 1970 Nobel
Peace Prize winner, who is often credited with saving a billion people from starvation.
While this has allowed the plant to withstand wind damage better and feed millions more people,
it left the wheat vulnerable to competition for light.
Herbicide and fungicide were introduced into wheat farming to eliminate the competition, but
this impacted the health of the soil by changing the balance of nutrients.
Farmers have long known that animal and human faeces contain a lot of nutrients that are good
for plant growth, so have often used these as manure-based fertilisers.
Sea bird guano is especially rich in nitrogen and was used extensively in the nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, until they became scarce and artificial fertiliser was invented.
'Over time, we got better at cultivating crops because we changed the way we did things,' says
Matt. 'We made the soil richer which allowed us to adjust what we were growing.'
But selective breeding has also resulted in the loss of genetic diversity. This means most of the
wheat crops grown now are similar to each other, reducing their ability to adapt and decreasing
their resilience to new diseases.
'Take somewhere like the mid-west of America where they grow fields of maize the size of UK
counties,' says Matt. 'They are all genetically identical because they are grown by the same few
companies, but all it takes is one pathogen to run through everything and create a massive
pandemic - unless you spray with pesticides.'
This is worrying for everyone. If wheat crops were devastated by a disease, it would seriously
threaten global food supplies.
So what can we do to prevent that from happening?
If two fungi from the same species meet, they mate and create fairy ring of toad stools. These
fungi breaking down organic matter in the soil and return nutrients to create a healthy ecosystem.
This is often by forming symbiotic relationships with plant root systems in the area, exchanging
nutrients for sugars. © Henk Monster/wiki (CC BY 3.0)
The wheat genome was once considered too complex to sequence. That's because it is enormous
- five times bigger than the human genome - and it is a hybrid of three different grass species.
But in 2018 it was finally achieved. More than 200 scientists all over the world - including Matt
- contributed to the work.
Matt and colleagues have now sequenced about ten different modern wheat genomes from the
UK and Europe, in addition to four that had been sequenced before.
They are now including samples from the Museum's collection in the study and will soon expand
to wheat grown in other parts of the world such as South America and Asia to learn the
differences.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
'If you have the genome, it means you can design the markers that enable you to breed better
crops,' explains Matt. 'And that might allow us to decrease the impacts of agriculture on the
environment.'
It ultimately means we might be able to breed wheat that is bountiful, resistant to diseases and
able to thrive in soil without artificial fertilisers.
The research is especially useful for developing countries where farmers might not be able to
adopt the same industrialised approach, or organic farmers who don't want to put loads of
chemicals on their produce.
'What we've achieved in farming has been incredible but there's been a cost in terms of energy
use and environmental damage,' says Matt.
The overuse of fertilisers can damage plants, pollute the soil and leach into nearby rivers,
upsetting the ecosystems there.
'Maybe we can reintroduce some of the things we have thrown away back into modern
agriculture. It would be amazing if we could continue achieving what we have now but with less
environmental impacts.'
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/april/why-you-should-care-about-scientists-
sequencing-the-wheat-genome.html
Govt using rice for poor to make sanitiser for rich,
says Rahul Gandhi
Reacting to reports that Centre has decided to use rice in
stock to make sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said that the poor
were dying of hunger and the government wanted to make
sanitisers for the rich
Congress President Rahul Gandhi (Social Media)
IANS
Updated: 21 Apr 2020, 5:17 PM
Reacting to reports that the Centre has decided to use additional rice in stock to make ethanol,
which could be used for making sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that the poor were
dying of hunger and the government wanted to make sanitisers for the rich.
Rahul Gandhi said in his tweet, "When will the poor of Hindustan wake up, you are dying of
hunger and from your share of rice they are going to make sanitisers for the rich."
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Rahul Gandhi
✔@RahulGandhi
आख़िर ह िंदुस्तान का ग़रीब कब जागेगा? आप भूखे मर र े ैं और वो आपक
े ह स्से क
े चावऱ से
सैनीटाईज़र बनाकर अमीरों क
े ाथ की सफाई में ऱगे ैं।https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/india/surplus-
rice-for-hand-sanitizers-says-centre-amid-outrage-over-hunger-2215163 …
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े बीच सरकार क
े इस फ
ै सले से खडा हुआ वििाद, भुखमरी क
े दौर में चािल से बनेगा...
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ै सऱे से वववाद खडा ो गया ै, जजसमें उसने गोदामों में मौजूद
अततररक्त चावऱ का उपयोग ैंड सैतनटाइजरों की आपूतति क
े लऱए जरूरी इथेनॉऱ बनाने में करने का फ
ै सऱा...
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The Congress has been demanding free ration till September 20 and Sonia Gandhi has also
written to the Prime Minister on this.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also appealed to the government to issue emergency ration
cards to the migrants and the poor, who are not getting rations through the PDS.
He reacted to the reports that the Centre has allowed the FCI to convert the surplus rice into
ethanol to ensure adequate availability of sanitisers to fight COVID-19. The decision was taken
by the National Biofuel Cordination Committee chaired by Union Petroleum Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan as per the National Biofuel policy of 2018.
The ethanol produced will also be used in production of ethanol blended petrol.
The policy of 2018 allows such conversions of surplus foodgrains to into ethanol.
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/govt-using-rice-for-poor-to-make-sanitiser-for-rich-says-
rahul-gandhi
Arkansas Rice Growers Could See Increased Demand
Due To COVID-19
By DAVID MONTEITH •
Rice is one of the few Arkansas crops positively impacted by the coronavirus.
CREDIT SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
One of the state's biggest crops could help some Arkansas farmers stay afloat during the
economic challenges caused by COVID-19.
Arkansas is the nation's leading rice producer and that may benefit the state in the coming
months, says to Dr. Tim Burcham, Director of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center
for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
"The good news is that from the standpoint of our rice production, again that's holding steady for
us right now as far as market prices for rice. With that being one of our leading commodities
here in Arkansas, that really helps us out. Of course, we're taking a hit in these other commodity
areas."
A rice report produced by the Division of Agriculture in early April, says some other rice-
producing countries, like Vietnam and India are limiting their exports as result of COVID-19.
This has increased demand for Arkansas rice. However, prices for soybeans and corn, two of the
state's other large row crops, have dropped significantly.
Other crops, like strawberries, which are just coming into season in Arkansas, have less certain
futures, according to Matthew Davis, also with Division of Agriculture.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
"We're putting the crop in the ground right now, but we're not guaranteed a home for it. And
that's clearly shown with vegetable growers and fruit producers. Right now, they don't have a
home for their crops and a lot of it is having to be destroyed just because it costs too much to
even try to harvest and donate. I've seen several try to donate to foodbanks, but at some point
that becomes not cost effective either,‖ Davis said.
Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance
Program, which it claims will provide $16 billion in direct support to farmers and $100 million
per month for the purchase of fruits and vegetables from farmers across the country. As they wait
for details on the new program, Arkansas farmers will continue planting and hoping for less rain
than last year.
"We're making strides and trying to move ahead, but I definitely think the weather hasn‘t played
fair again this year," Davis said. "We've had some issues, but I think, as usual, everybody's
resilient. As soon as we get some dry days everybody hits the field running. I talked to one guy
yesterday; he was out until 1 o'clock in the morning trying to beat the rain. That's just part of it."
Weather permitting, some predict the state's farmers could plant up to 1.5 million acres of rice,
up nearly half a million acres from last year.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
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https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-rice-growers-could-see-increased-demand-due-
covid-19
Vietnam increases April white rice exports quota to
500,000 tonnes
HANOI, April 22 (Reuters) - Vietnam has decided to raise its white rice exports quota for April
to 500,000 tonnes from 400,000 tonnes, the government said on Wednesday.
The extra 100,000 tonnes is the rice that had been transported to ports prior to March
24, when the government announced a ban on rice exports to make sure the country
has sufficient food to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
On April 10, the government said it would allow the export of 400,000 tonnes of
white rice this month. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting the export plan
for May and will submit it to the government by April 25. (Reporting by Khanh Vu;
Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
https://www.reuters.com/article/vietnam-rice-exports/vietnam-increases-april-white-rice-exports-quota-
to-500000-tonnes-idUSL3N2CA18H
Rice Prices
as on : 21-04-2020 04:33:45 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals Price
Current %
change
Season
cumulative
Modal Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Bangalore(Kar) 4626.00 90.61 93718.00 4650 5000 8.14
Shahjahanpur(UP) 620.00 121.43 2025.00 2660 2670 9.69
Mandya(Kar) 391.00 - 391.00 2420 - -
Kanpur(Grain)(UP) 160.00 100 3945.00 2400 2460 7.62
Bangarpet(Kar) 146.00 -44.7 2736.00 2150 2050 -
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Gondal(UP) 100.00 -7.41 4309.50 2400 2400 -2.04
Hardoi(UP) 100.00 -16.67 6482.80 2450 2400 4.26
Jumpuijala(Tri) 98.80 - 98.80 2900 - -
Azamgarh(UP) 90.00 33.33 2515.50 2535 2545 6.29
Barhaj(UP) 90.00 -30.77 6985.00 2510 2520 9.61
Lucknow(UP) 78.00 18.18 3103.00 2400 2460 -11.11
Kandi(WB) 70.00 40 969.50 2650 2700 6.00
Raibareilly(UP) 67.00 346.67 1214.50 2430 2400 11.72
Jangipur(WB) 66.00 0.76 592.00 2985 2995 -
Muzzafarnagar(UP) 65.00 150 3746.50 2680 2710 -0.56
Dadri(UP) 60.00 -25 140.00 5500 5600 -
Aligarh(UP) 50.00 NC 2985.00 2550 2550 2.00
Mathura(UP) 50.00 -5.66 2226.00 2590 2600 -4.07
Saharanpur(UP) 48.00 26.32 1657.00 2680 2680 -0.74
Vilaspur(UP) 46.00 15 972.30 2620 2640 11.49
Barabanki(UP) 45.00 -10 454.00 2450 2470 5.60
Meerut(UP) 43.00 -14 334.00 2700 2800 0.37
Kalipur(WB) 42.00 90.91 1882.00 2500 2700 4.17
Bidar(Kar) 35.00 25 90.00 2600 2500 4.00
Madhoganj(UP) 35.00 288.89 2638.00 2405 2425 11.86
Nanjangud(Kar) 33.00 -19.51 101.00 3000 2950 -
Faizabad(UP) 32.50 -18.75 742.00 2420 2450 6.14
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Guskara(Burdwan)(WB) 32.00 -5.88 192.00 2500 2550 -
Allahabad(UP) 30.00 -25 1281.00 2585 2560 11.42
Ballia(UP) 30.00 NC 1779.00 2460 2440 5.13
Hapur(UP) 30.00 NC 487.00 2665 2670 -1.30
Jaunpur(UP) 30.00 -25 828.70 2450 2450 5.60
Khalilabad(UP) 30.00 NC 990.00 2530 2540 11.95
Pilibhit(UP) 30.00 1.69 46632.50 2630 2650 6.48
Chitwadagaon(UP) 30.00 20 356.00 2450 2430 16.67
Varanasi(Grain)(UP) 30.00 -14.29 1647.00 2585 2580 9.53
Beldanga(WB) 30.00 NC 905.00 3000 2800 11.11
Maur(UP) 29.00 -6.45 120.00 2550 2555 12.83
Kopaganj(UP) 29.00 -38.3 833.00 2550 2545 6.69
Puranpur(UP) 28.00 40 1735.00 2610 2640 6.53
Holenarsipura(Kar) 26.00 - 47.00 2575 - 47.14
Lakhimpur(UP) 25.00 25 1467.00 2400 2420 3.45
Agra(UP) 24.00 -35.14 2901.00 2580 2580 2.79
Honnali(Kar) 23.00 9.52 87.00 3100 3100 -
Devariya(UP) 22.00 -21.43 765.50 2550 2560 4.08
Balrampur(UP) 22.00 57.14 433.00 2400 2380 4.35
Etawah(UP) 21.00 16.67 2210.50 2500 2550 9.65
Partaval(UP) 20.00 -33.33 388.50 2450 2480 7.22
Shamli(UP) 20.00 33.33 424.90 2690 2710 -
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB) 19.50 1.56 501.40 5000 5000 66.67
Katwa(WB) 17.50 2.94 142.10 2500 2550 -
Basti(UP) 17.00 -15 888.50 2550 2530 7.82
Mainpuri(UP) 17.00 -19.05 3174.50 2600 2620 -4.76
Sehjanwa(UP) 17.00 -43.33 1779.50 2550 2540 18.06
Rasda(UP) 17.00 -2.86 262.00 2450 2430 1013.64
Gangavathi(Kar) 16.00 -71.93 185.00 2600 1990 -
Farukhabad(UP) 16.00 14.29 685.50 2485 2525 -5.87
Sirsaganj(UP) 16.00 NC 502.00 2630 2630 -5.05
Bharthna(UP) 16.00 -20 2055.00 2500 2530 10.13
Naugarh(UP) 15.00 -96.84 2773.50 2500 2520 4.17
Kayamganj(UP) 15.00 25 1492.00 2480 2520 -4.25
Vishalpur(UP) 14.50 -51.67 364.70 2455 2450 -1.80
Sitapur(UP) 14.30 -20.56 694.80 2410 2460 6.64
Choubepur(UP) 14.10 -45.56 1122.95 2575 2550 -3.74
Pratapgarh(UP) 14.00 -9.68 349.00 2440 2425 9.17
Puwaha(UP) 14.00 12 223.20 2650 2650 20.45
Rampur(UP) 14.00 -41.67 283.00 2650 2600 6.43
Gorakhpur(UP) 14.00 75 406.70 2600 2650 -
Jafarganj(UP) 14.00 -22.22 624.00 2400 2420 9.09
Bahraich(UP) 13.00 -3.7 844.30 2410 2400 NC
Sultanpur(UP) 12.00 -97 4582.00 2400 2365 NC
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Bindki(UP) 12.00 50 4376.00 2400 2360 5.73
Paliakala(UP) 12.00 20 291.00 2380 2400 5.08
Champadanga(WB) 12.00 20 434.00 3550 3600 16.39
Chintamani(Kar) 10.00 -65.52 407.00 2600 2600 15.56
Shimoga(Kar) 10.00 -61.54 111.00 2050 2800 -
Gazipur(UP) 10.00 -41.18 1699.00 3230 3180 -0.31
Karvi(UP) 10.00 -39.39 386.50 2400 2360 7.14
Bankura Sadar(WB) 10.00 -9.09 1517.00 2600 2600 -
Soharatgarh(UP) 8.50 41.67 1279.50 2500 2520 4.82
Unnao(UP) 8.50 30.77 81.30 2425 2450 7.78
Raath(UP) 8.50 -39.29 86.50 2150 2150 -
Bijnaur(UP) 8.00 -38.46 135.00 2620 2620 15.67
Milak(UP) 8.00 166.67 40.00 2600 2630 -
Chandoli(UP) 7.00 75 14.70 2450 2450 5.15
Ajuha(UP) 7.00 NC 152.00 2520 2560 8.39
Tundla(UP) 7.00 -77.05 163.00 2600 2580 3.17
Chorichora(UP) 6.50 30 1099.50 2610 2660 16.26
Kasganj(UP) 6.00 20 346.50 2580 2630 NC
Pukhrayan(UP) 6.00 20 340.00 2400 2430 6.67
Fatehpur(UP) 5.20 4 1615.10 2380 2295 4.62
Shikohabad(UP) 5.00 400 242.00 2450 2550 11.36
Achalda(UP) 5.00 66.67 171.10 2500 2400 13.12
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP) 4.20 -6.67 515.10 2500 2600 NC
Badda(UP) 4.20 -6.67 62.40 2450 2400 -
Jhijhank(UP) 4.00 -20 143.00 2500 2450 -
Mirzapur(UP) 3.50 -22.22 182.00 2590 2565 11.40
Fatehpur Sikri(UP) 3.40 NC 55.50 2575 2590 1.38
Naanpara(UP) 3.20 146.15 526.50 2400 2400 5.49
Bangarmau(UP) 3.00 NC 180.60 2450 2510 7.69
Kosikalan(UP) 3.00 NC 158.50 2550 2560 -3.77
Nadia(WB) 3.00 NC 182.00 4300 4200 13.16
Bishnupur(Bankura)(WB) 3.00 7.14 167.30 2650 2620 NC
Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB) 3.00 50 979.00 2750 2750 NC
Uluberia(WB) 2.90 3.57 29.90 3500 3200 20.69
Buland Shahr(UP) 2.60 4 121.60 2655 2640 -0.19
Bharwari(UP) 2.60 -7.14 41.20 2570 2560 -
Gadaura(UP) 2.50 25 188.50 2300 2200 21.05
Jahangirabad(UP) 2.00 -50 131.00 2660 2650 1.33
Mawana(UP) 2.00 33.33 83.00 2670 2960 -
Khatra(WB) 1.80 12.5 86.80 2650 2650 NC
Panichowki(Kumarghat)(Tri) 1.60 14.29 18.40 2980 2970 -
Melaghar(Tri) 1.50 87.5 33.90 2900 2800 7.41
Auraiya(UP) 1.50 NC 191.80 2550 2550 9.68
Khair(UP) 1.50 -40 47.70 2570 2570 -1.15
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Robertsganj(UP) 1.50 50 164.30 2445 2415 7.24
Tulsipur(UP) 1.50 -25 28.20 2400 2400 -
Bishalgarh(Tri) 1.40 NC 14.90 3700 3700 -
Muskara(UP) 1.40 40 37.50 2280 2350 0.88
Charra(UP) 1.30 -18.75 68.40 2570 2540 0.78
Pabiacherra(Tri) 1.20 50 7.30 2910 2900 -
Lalganj(UP) 1.20 -33.33 219.20 2200 2200 -
Alibagh(Mah) 1.00 NC 57.00 4200 4200 NC
Murud(Mah) 1.00 NC 56.00 4200 4200 NC
Anandnagar(UP) 1.00 -16.67 168.10 2535 2520 10.22
Kishunpur(UP) 1.00 -96.77 63.00 1700 1800 -10.53
Mugrabaadshahpur(UP) 1.00 -37.5 32.30 2420 2350 -
Shahganj(UP) 1.00 -75 58.00 2410 2380 3.88
Risia(UP) 0.90 -10 56.30 2400 2430 -
Achnera(UP) 0.70 NC 20.90 2570 2590 1.18
Richha(UP) 0.60 - 0.60 2340 - -
Published on April 21, 2020
Ghana risks shortage of rice amid COVID-19
pandemic
EMMANUEL AYAMGA
Yesterday at 9:24 AM
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could cause a shortage of rice and other agric
produce in the latter parts of the year.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Ghana risks shortage of rice amid COVID-19 pandemic
The shortage could even stretch into 2021, the Executive Director of local rice company,
Western Deedew Group Limited, has said.
Kwabena Amofa Akuoko explained that the countries where Ghana imports about 60% of its rice
for local consumption would soon hoard the product to feed their own citizens.
Kwabena Amofa Akuoko
“Where we import our food from especially that of rice is basically from Asia and America. Now
we know how devastating this pandemic has been and they have already signalled us that they
are no longer going to export their rice and other commodities to us,” Mr. Akuoko told Citi
Business News.
“This means that we should expect some deficit in terms of the amount we need in the country.
Already, we are just producing around 40 percent while we import 60 percent from other
countries.”
He, therefore, called on the government to build capacity for local rice production to avoid
shortage amid the pandemic.
This, he said, can be done by massively investing in the agriculture sector to boost local
production of rice and other produce.
He added that there could be a shortage of rice and by extension a food crisis if government fails
to do that.
“What I’m calling for is that, there should be a percentage of the 600 million Ghana cedis that
has been earmarked for industries that should go strictly into agric,” Mr. Akuoko suggested.
“I suggest about 50 percent of it should be earmarked for agricultural activities so that we can
plant more to make room for the deficit we are envisaging.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
“If that is not taken into consideration, then what will happen is that getting to the tail end of
the year and into 2021, there is going to be a major food crisis in this country
Step up paddy and maize procurement, AICC tells
Telangana CM
Our Bureau Hyderabad | Updated on April 22, 2020 Published on April 22, 2020
The Congress has asked the Telangana government to step up efforts to procure paddy and maize
to help farmers tide over the crisis.
―The government has promised that it would open 7,500 procurement centres to purchase the
whole of rabi produce. But it opened only 4,380 procurement centres,‖ he said.
He alleged that the farmers were facing challenges as procurement was not happening at full
scale.
―The government needs to ramp up paddy procurement at a much higher level. In the absence of
the government‘s paddy procurement centres, farmers are forced to sell their produce to private
rice millers at lesser prices,‖ Sravan Dasoju, the All-India Congress Committee spokesman, has
said.
―The farming community has been the worst hit due to the lockdown and needs urgent attention
from the government,‖ he said in a letter written to the Telangana Chief Minister, K
Chandrashekar Rao.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
―Though the government of Telangana, reportedly, is making efforts to take up procurement of
agriculture produce to the point of saturation, the situation at ground level has been different,‖ he
said.
As against the normal rabi sowing area of 31.58 lakh acres, the farmers grew crops in 53.68 lakh
acres, showing a growth of 70 per cent in the area.
While paddy was grown in 39.24 lakh acres (as against normal area of 16.89 lakh acres), maize
was grown in 6.21 lakh acres and bengal gram 3.28 lakh acres, leading to a substantial increase
in the agricultural produce.
The AICC spokesperson also said that there is a shortage of gunny bags, making it difficult for
farmers to sell the produce.
He said the situation with regard to maize procurement, too, needs to be improved.
The State produced about 18.60 lakh tonnes of maize. ―But the government could procure only
1.30 lakh tonnes only,‖ he said.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/step-up-paddy-and-maize-procurement-aicc-tells-
telangana-cm/article31403938.ece
MoIT proposes to resume rice exports
BUSINESS
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
The country could export 800,000 tonnes of rice in April and May. — Photo bnews.vn
PUBLISHED 22 APRIL 2020
NEWS DESK
HÀ NỘI (Vietnam News/ANN) — The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has asked the
Government to resume rice exports. However, the export volume would be limited at 800,000
tonnes for April and May.
The ministry on Monday sent an express dispatch to Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc after
collecting opinions from relevant ministries and agencies relating to rice export management.
Accordingly, MoIT proposed to allow rice exports but strictly control monthly quota after careful
consideration to ensure food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan takes into account suitable solutions to maintain the rice production to ensure economic
growth while ensuring food security.
Especially, the plan was also based on the official announcement from the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development on the rice volume of 3.2 million tonnes which could be
exported in the winter-spring crop. This is the remaining quantity after ensuring normal domestic
consumption and reserves.
The ministry said the country shipped around 1.7 million tonnes of rice under signed export
contracts as of March 31. Therefore, the rice export volume in the future would be 1.5 million
tonnes. Meanwhile, the total rice reserves in the next two months before the summer-autumn
crop would be 700,000 tonnes.
Notably, the rice exports would be only allowed through international border gates including
road, railway, seaway and airway which were connected to the General Department of Customs
for observation.
In addition, the ministry required the 20 biggest rice exporters to sign agreements with at least a
supermarket system to ensure food reserves for circulation. MoIT could revoke the licences for
rice exports if exporters do not meet the requirement.
Earlier, the Government announced on March 25 to ban signing new rice export contracts to
ensure sufficient domestic supplies to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.
https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/moit-proposes-to-resume-rice-exports
NFA-Bicol Has Enough Supply Of Rice Amid Health
Crisis
April 23, 2020
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol said it has sufficient supply of rice to sustain the
staple food requirement needed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amid the
coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In an interview, Henry Tristeza, NFA regional director, on Tuesday said there are 516,000 bags
of palay (unhusked rice) in various warehouses across Bicol.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
He said once milled, the 516,000 bags are equivalent to 325,000 sacks of milled rice, and these
would add up to the 8,055 bags now kept in NFA warehouses for distribution.
―The 333,055 bags of rice would serve as additional buffer stocks to maintain the 15-day supply
requirements under the agency guidelines,‖ he said.
Tristeza added that the rice supply would address the pending rice requirement needed by
various local government units and other front line agencies involved in the fight against the
spread of Covid-19.
To date, the NFA has a request for 493,000 bags of rice from various LGUs and of the number,
the agency has released 224,000 bags of the grain staple.
The heavy demand would be addressed once the 160,000 bags of rice arrive from Mindoro
province.
―Initially, we expect the first batch of shipment of 20,000 bags to arrive next week,‖ Tristeza
said.
He admitted that the milling preparation has slowed down due to the strict enforcement of the
ECQ.
―Our private milling firms were closed while some of them can only operate for four hours
instead of the 10 to 12 hours normal operations due to the ECQ,‖ he said. (PNA)
http://pageone.ph/nfa-bicol-has-enough-supply-of-rice-amid-health-crisis/
Nearly 57,000 tonnes of rice cleared for customs approval
April, 21/2020 - 17:17
|
Rice stockpiled in a storage facility of Sông Hậu Food Company. — VNA/VNS Photo
Vũ Sinh
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
HÀ NỘI Việt Nam has shipped nearly 57,000 tonnes of rice abroad as of 3pm on Tuesday, part
of 400,000 tonnes of rice under quotas for this month, the General Department of Customs said
on its website.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc approved the Ministry of Trade and
Industry's proposal to resume rice exports after a few weeks of suspension to make sure the
country has sufficient food to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the department, from April 11-12, local businesses have registered to export
399,999 tonnes of rice.
The department said it has been updating information about the volume of rice exports on its
official website at www.custom.gov.vn each hour.
In the first quarter of this year, the country exported about 1.52 million tonnes of rice for
US$700.8 million, up 9 per cent in volume and 16 per cent in value year-on-year, the
department's statistics revealed. —
VNS
https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/715610/nearly-57000-tonnes-of-rice-cleared-for-customs-approval.html
Spring Whole Grain Just in Time for Earth Day 2020
By Deborah Willenborg
STANARDSVILLE, VA -- Earth Day is Every Day for the ag industry but for the past fifty
years one day in mid to late April has been designated as a time for the rest of the world to check
in on the environment. This year's Earth Day activities and events planned to celebrate the
planet have an added twist due to the COVID-19 global shutdown. The world-wide pandemic
has focused everyone's attention like never before on the health of the planet, and specifically on
agriculture and the food supply whether nationally, locally, or even in your own home, and the
new issue of Whole Grain, out now, addresses these topics.
"What we see happening now is what always happens in times of crisis, people look to rice for
comfort and sustenance," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "The Whole Grain
cover story, "Rice To The Rescue," is about the historic role rice has played during times of war,
and how our industry always rises to meet the challenge of feeding people under duress."
This issue also has a report on a study comparing commercial and laboratory rice milling results,
a travelogue by Arkansas producer Jennifer James on her recent pre-COVID trip through Italy's
rice-growing region, a photo gallery showcasing the annual Government Affairs Conference, a
story about Farmers for a Sustainable Future, a new coalition committed to environmental and
economic sustainability for America's farmers and ranchers, and more.
"Each story in the Whole Grain points up the many ways your industry contributes to the health
and well-being of our planet and the people living on it," said Ward. "So Happy Earth Day,
today and every day!"
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
If you do not receive the Whole Grain in your mailbox, or you'd like additional copies to
distribute to friends, neighbors, and colleagues, or you would like to advertise in future issues,
contact Deborah Willenborg.
USA rice daily
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from one of the leading news sites in Ghana Main Photo PHOTOGHANA
ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLOCAL NEWS IN GHANA TODAY Dr Sledge: Man
who bought Shatta Wale's 'Reign' album for GHC150k donates to police (videos) a
day ago 1603 views by Nathaniel Crabbe - The CEO of Goldridge Ghana Limited, Dr
Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, has donated to the Greater Accra Regional Police
Command - Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, together with his wife presented bags of
rice, oil and other food items to the police - Videos clips of the admirable donation
have emerged online Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Install our
latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana Ghanaian millionaire and
CEO of Goldridge Ghana Limited, Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, together with his
wife, @amadia.gh, have donated to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command. The
prevailing coronavirus pandemic necessitated the kind gesture from the generous
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
business mogul and his supportive wife. Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, together with
his team made the donation to the Greater Accra Regional Command amid the novel
coronavirus plaguing the world which compelled the Ghana government to impose a
partial lockdown in some major cities in Ghana. Police top hierarchy at the Greater
Accra Regional Police Command received the food items from the notable business
titan and his wife. READ ALSO: Tupac inspired: Despite's young son Saahene Osei
flaunts luxury attire, watch and others in new photos In a video sighted online, police
personnel were captured unpacking the food items that were presented by Dr Sledge
in support of national efforts toward the containment and prevention of the
coronavirus. Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu is an unrepentant giver who continues to
show up with massive support when it is much needed. In 2018, the business mogul
and his wife stormed the stage at the launch of Shatta Wale 'The Reign' album which
took place at the Fantasy Dome in Accra to offer GHC150,000 for the first copy of the
album. This recent presentation adds to series of donations that have been made by
prominent Ghanaian personalities including Dr Osei Kwame Despite and his brother,
Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Shatta Wale, Medikal, Fella Makafui, Jackie Appiah and
others. In a related story, the Chief Executive Officer of the Despite Group of
Companies, Dr Osei Kwame Despite Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong made a cash donation
of $100,000.00 to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) toward the fight
against COVID- 19. The donation was to help health authorities at KATH to provide
health essentials such as gloves overalls, nose masks, face shields, goggles, aprons,
examination gloves, heavy-duty gloves, gumboot, hand sanitisers, and others for
healthcare frontliners in the prevention and containment of the novel cornavirus.
READ ALSO: Shadrack Frimpong: Genius son of charcoal seller awarded Gates
Cambridge Scholarship for PhD Low-cost ventilators produced in Ghana by Prof.
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1182 views RECOMMENDED NEWS CSM claims 7 more lives in northern Ghana;
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total deaths rises to 47 2 minutes ago views Muslim couple hold wedding ceremony
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more free transportation for health care workers 29 minutes ago 78 views Top 10
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https://yen.com.gh/154387-dr-sledge-man-bought-shatta-wales-reign-album-ghc150k-donates-police-
videos.html
Rice growing localities, exporters want export limits
scrapped
Update: April, 23/2020 - 08:30
Harvesting rice in the Mekong Delta. Rice growing localities and exporters have
urged the Government to resume rice exports without setting limits. — VNA/VNS
Photo
HCM CITY — Officials from many localities in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and
rice exporters have urged the Government to resume rice exports without setting
limits, saying many firms face difficulties because of this.
Speaking at a conference in HCM City on April 22 they also exhorted the ministries
of Industry and Trade and Finance and the customs department to quickly clear the
consignments of rice exports stuck at ports.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
The Government recently lifted a ban on rice exports, but capped them at around
400,000 tonnes each in April and May citing national food security concerns amid the
COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 12, the General Department of Customs began accepting online customs
declarations from rice exporters, but many were left disappointed since the quota of
400,000 tonnes was reached in just three hours.
Some hundreds tonnes of rice are now stuck at ports.
Lê Minh Đức, director of the Long An Province Department of Industry and Trade,
said: "Last year, we sat together to discuss solutions to boost rice exports, but this year
we discuss whether to export or not. This is abnormal, especially in the context that
rice output this year has not decreased despite being affected by drought and saltwater
intrusion."
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages globally, demand for rice has increased in many
markets, and Việt Nam should pay attention to this opportunity, he said.
"In the current situation, we have recommended the Government should allow export
of rice without applying limits.‖
Nguyễn Ngọc Nam, chairman of the Việt Nam Food Association, said: ―As of April
18, rice inventory at member companies was 1.94 million tonnes. Enterprises had
signed contracts to export 1.7 million tonnes with delivery until June. If they fulfil the
contracts, they will still have more than 200,000 tonnes in stock. Besides, the
summer-autumn rice crop is about to be harvested.
―Therefore, we have petitioned the Government to allow normal rice exports from
May.‖
Trương Quang Hoài Nam, deputy chairman of the Cần Thơ City People‘s Committee,
agreed with Đức and called for allowing exporters who submitted customs declaration
forms in March to ship their rice and enabling firms with consignments stuck at ports
to complete customs clearance.
"Firms in the city had shipped 76,181 tonnes of rice to ports. They submitted customs
declarations for more than 46,000 tonnes in March. But all consignments are stuck at
ports."
Trần Hồ Hiền of the Bình Định Food Joint Stock Company (Bidifood) said his
company had nearly 10,000 tonnes stuck at Mỹ Thới Port because customs lost its
customs declaration form.
His company has been suffering heavy losses since it has to meet VNĐ200 million a
day (US$8,476) for a month in unexpected expenses, he said.
"Our company is in danger of collapse.‖
He sought the help of the ministries of Industry and Trade and Finance.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Quốc Khánh, who chaired the
conference, called on customs to help Bidifood and other companies in similar
circumstances clear their consignments as soon as possible.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
He admitted that there have been difficulties for businesses, but the recent changes in
rice export regulations were due to concerns related to food security and the effect of
the COVID-19 pandemic and saltwater intrusion.
Localities in the Mekong Delta have reported a bumper winter-spring crop, and
farmers in the north have also started harvesting their rice crop, which has not affected
by pests as earlier feared.
Based on this, his ministry would recommend that the Government should adjust the
rice export regulations from May, he promised. — VNS
https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/715704/rice-growing-localities-exporters-want-export-limits-
scrapped.html
Virus Outbreak: Daily necessities in good supply:
Executive Yuan
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION: Officials said that stocks of pigs, broiler chickens and eggs
are plentiful, while instant noodle factories are well on top of local demand
 By Chen Yu-fu and Dennis Xie / Staff reporter, with staff writerDomestic supplies of commodity goods —
such as toilet paper, instant noodles, rice, fertilizer and pork — are sufficient, the Executive Yuan said
yesterday, adding that the nation‘s production capacity remained stable despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) mentioned the importance of maintaining a steady supply of
commodity goods during the pandemic in guidelines he created, Minister Without Portfolio
Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) told a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei.
―Corporations cannot fall; jobs cannot be lost; supply of goods cannot cease; and money flows
cannot stop,‖ Kung quoted Su as saying.
From left, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Ho Chi-kung, Minister Without
Portfolio Kung Ming-hsin, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng and
Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih attend a news conference at the
Executive Yuan in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: CNA
Local factories provide an adequate supply of instant noodles, as they are capable of
manufacturing 4 million boxes per month, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng
(林全能) said, adding that if necessary, capacity could be expanded.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
People should not worry about tissue paper, either, as the four major tissue paper providers in
Taiwan can produce a combined 8 million boxes with eight rolls in each box, Lin said.
There are 567,000 tonnes of wheat available on the market, enough for 5.5 months of domestic
consumption, he said, adding that the ministry is keeping close tabs on supplies and prices.
About 1.8 million barrels of soybean salad oil are produced each month, he said, adding that
there are 729,000 tonnes of soybeans available on the market, enough for 4.1 months of domestic
consumption.
There are 900,000 tonnes of rice in the national reserve, with another 1.2 million scheduled to be
added over the next six months, Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季
) said, adding that the total amount would be enough to feed the nation for 21 months.
While supplies of vegetables and fruit are adequate, the council would make a slight increase of
21,000 tonnes to vegetables and fruits stored in the national reserve if circumstances require it to
do so, Chen said.
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
With more than 670,000 pigs and 25 million broiler chickens entering the meat market per
month, and 12 million chicken eggs being laid per day, supplies of pork, chicken and eggs are
plentiful, he said.
Taiwan used 820,000 tonnes of fertilizer last year and the amount to be produced this year has
been set at 1 million tonnes, he said.
The aquaculture industry produces a sufficient supply of seafood, he added.
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2020/04/21/2003735013
No time to waste to avoid future food
shortages
ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR TRANSLATIONAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS
IMAGE: PROFESSOR ROBERT FURBANK, COETP DIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR JOHN
EVANS, COETP CHIEF INVESTIGATOR AT THE ANU GLASSHOUSES IN CANBERRA,
AUSTRALIA view more
CREDIT: NATALIA BATEMAN, ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR
TRANSLATIONAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS
During the past few weeks, empty supermarket shelves, without pasta, rice and flour due to panic
buying, has caused public concerns about the possibility of running out of food. Australian
farmers have reassured consumers saying that the country produces enough food to feed three
times its population. However, will this statement remain true in ten to twenty years in a country
severely affected by climate change? The answer is yes, if we are prepared for this and if there is
continuous funding towards creating solutions to increase crop production.
"Plant scientists are punching above their weight by participating in global, interdisciplinary
efforts to find ways to increase crop production under future climate change conditions. We
essentially need to double the production of major cereals before 2050 to secure food availability
for the rapidly growing world population," says ANU Professor Robert Furbank from the ARC
Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis (CoETP).
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
"It is similar to finding a virus vaccine to solve a pandemic, it doesn't happen overnight. We
know that Australia's agriculture is going to be one area of the world that is most affected by
climate extremes, so we are preparing to have a toolbox of plant innovations ready to ensure
global food security in a decade or so, but to do this we need research funding to continue,"
Professor Furbank says.
Several examples of these innovative solutions were published recently in a special issue on
Food Security Innovations in Agriculture in the Journal of Experimental Botany, including five
reviews and five research articles.
Co-editor of the Special Issue, ANU Professor John Evans, says that this publication highlights
the now widely accepted view that improving photosynthesis - the process by which plants
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
convert sunlight, water and CO2 into organic matter - is a new way to increase crop production
that is being developed.
"We are working on improving photosynthesis on different fronts, as the articles included in this
special issue show, from finding crop varieties that need less water, to tweaking parts of the
process in order to capture more carbon dioxide and sunlight. We know that there is a delay of at
least a decade to get these solutions to the breeders and farmers, so we need to start developing
new opportunities now before we run out of options," says Professor Evans, CoETP Chief
Investigator.
The special issue includes research solutions that range from traditional breeding approaches to
ambitious genetic engineering projects using completely different ends of the technological
spectrum; from robot tractors, to synthetic biology. All these efforts are focused on finding ways
to make crops more resistant to drought and extreme climate conditions and being more efficient
in the use of land and fertilisers.
"Our research is contributing to providing food security in a global context, and people often ask
what that has to do with Australian farmers and my answer is everything. Aside from the fact
that economy and agriculture are globally inter-connected, if Australian farmers have a more
productive resilient and stable crop variety, they are able to plan for the future, which turns into a
better agribusiness and at the same time, ensures global security across the world," says
Professor Furbank.
###
This research has been funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence
for Translational Photosynthesis (CoETP), led by the Australian National University, which aims
to improve the process of photosynthesis to increase the production of major food crops such as
sorghum, wheat and rice.
This research is published in the Journal of Experimental Botany Special issue on Innovations in
Agriculture for Food Security (Volume 71, Issue 7, April 2020)
Journalists who want to link to the Journal of Experimental Special issue and associated papers
in their stories can use the following link: https://academic.oup.com/jxb/issue/71/7
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23rd April 2020_Daily Global Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter.pdf

  • 2. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Int'l researchers fear double blow Covid-19 threatens hike in food prices, supply chain disruptions Boro farmers returning home with the newly-harvested paddy in Bashkuta village under Sadar upazila in Magura, May 09, 2018. — FE/Files Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) identified a number of emerging concerns in the country's food production and supply chain system during Covid-19 pandemic that require immediate attention. "Notable reduction in the availability of perishable foods, including vegetables, fruits, and fish, which are crucial for health and nutrition" is among the concerns, according to a CGIAR statement released on Wednesday. It said farmers are beginning to face challenges in selling perishable goods at reasonable prices, as the government has put the entire country on lockdown to stop spread of Coronavirus pandemic. CGIAR said despite measures to control prices, foods along with some crucial commodities are becoming unaffordable, especially for the poor in urban areas.
  • 3. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com "Social distancing measures appear to be slowing down ongoing horticultural and Boro crop harvests, and delay in maize harvest looms as a near-term concern." The statement further said trucks are permitted to transport agricultural inputs and produces. But, informal and courier transport services that play a key role in input supply and food distribution are suffering. The livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors are suffering, as their supply of essential feeds and veterinary services has been disrupted, and these sectors are experiencing unprecedented shocks, CGIAR noted. It also expressed concern, as reduced food and labour demand by food processors, supermarkets, eateries, restaurants and hotels are, in turn, impacting hundreds of thousands in the service industry. To improve the food production and supply situation, the organisation also offered a set of suggestions, including enhanced permission for transportation. "Enhanced permission for transportation is required to assure the flow of food items from rural to urban areas as well as the flow of crucial inputs to farmers through market systems." CGIAR also said ample supply of horticultural, fish and livestock products should be guaranteed in addition to the staple foods, rice and wheat to provide diverse, nutritious and safe diets for all. It urged the government to take some measures, including minimising impacts on farmers' incomes from high input and labour costs, supporting flow of remittance and cash flow to rural areas, and expanding access to finance options for farmers. CGIAR opined that increased social safety-net measures will be required to support both rural and urban poor consumers. It further stressed on the need of action plans to support Bangladesh's food systems in response to international trade restrictions. "Even partial closure of ports may result in high prices and limited stocks of pulses, edible oils, wheat, and crucial feed supplies." CGIAR added that prolonged suspension of international trade could undermine the future supply of key inputs (particularly phosphorous and potassium fertilisers, vaccinations, pesticides, and fuel) at reasonable prices. Bangladesh country heads of International Food Policy Research Institute, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CMMYT), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), WorldFish and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), constituents of CGIAR, signed the statement. bdsmile@gmail.com FE REPORT | Published: April 23, 2020 09:19:12 | Updated: April 23, 2020 13:08:28 https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/intl-researchers-fear-double-blow-1587611952
  • 4. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Eatala Rajender pulls up Karimnagar rice millers Minister warned that severe action will be initiated against millers if anybody tries to humiliate farmers By AuthorTelanganaToday | Published: 21st Apr 2020 9:56 pm Health Minister Eatala Rajender inspecting paddy purchasing center at Thanugula on Tuesday. Karimnagar: Health Minister Eatala Rajender came down heavily on rice millers for allegedly harassing and humiliating farmers over substandard and high moisture content in paddy. The Minister warned that severe action will be initiated against millers if anybody tries to humiliate farmers. The Minister made these comments after visiting the paddy procurement center in Thanugula of Jammikunta mandal on Tuesday. The Minister reportedly rushed to the rice center after coming to know that a rice miller near Huzurabad allegedly insulted farmers. The farmers informed the Minister that the rice millers were reducing 4 to 5 kilograms Paddy for every 40 kg bag in the name of moisture and substandard paddy. If they questioned about the practise, the millers were humiliating them, they alleged. Reacting to this, Rajender immediately spoke to the Rice Millers Association leaders, Agriculture Officials, Commissioner of Civil Supplies, and Collector over the phone and directed them to settle the issue.. The Telangana government was farmer-friendly and keeping farmers happy was its prime agenda. This was conveyed to the people and others on several occasions by the Chief Minister
  • 5. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com K Chandrashekhar Rao. There was no question of tolerating injustice to farmers and serious action would be taken against those trying to cheat or harass farmers, the Minister said. If there were any grievances, the rice millers can take up the same with the government but they should not harass farmers, he said. https://telanganatoday.com/eatala-rajender-pulls-up-karimnagar-rice-millers Rice millers face price squeeze by importers, says council FMT Reporters - April 19, 2020 9:40 PM The Malay Economic Action Council has called for a government review of the rice import monopoly and the padi and rice industry. (Reuters pic) PETALING JAYA: Rice millers and wholesalers are complaining of being squeezed by a ―rice import cartel‖ which has twice raised prices although retail prices are controlled, according to the Malay Economic Action Council. The council, better known as MTEM, said the complaints had come from the Malay Rice Millers Association Malaysia and members involved in the wholesaling of rice.
  • 6. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com MTEM chief executive director Ahmad Yazid Othman said rice imports were controlled by the agriculture and food industry ministry and PadiBeras Nasional Berhad (Bernas). ―The wholesale price of rice that is resold by these cartels was increased by RM0.20 and now increased yet again by RM0.40,‖ he said. However retailers could not increase market prices and are forced to bear a small profit margin. MTEM called for an official explanation on whether rice is being imported every week to meet domestic demand, and whether Bernas had received a subsidy on rice imports as was the case in 2008. Bernas, formed in 1996 when the National Padi and Rice Board was privatised, has sole rights to import rice until 2021. Yazid urged the government to be fair in distributing rice to all wholesalers at a reasonable price. Large companies who have been enjoying a lot of privileges while making millions in profit before should not be taking advantage of other businesses. ―The rice industry must be managed and operated more transparently to ensure sustainability of the country‘s food security, the country‘s food sovereignty and also the economic safety of Bumiputera industry players,‖ he said. ―The time has come for the new government to review the paddy and rice industry,‖ he said. The monopolies only benefited one party and were no help for the rice supply chain from the farmers, millers, wholesalers and retailers. ―The Covid-19 crisis should not be manipulated to profit one party‘s monopoly, but should be a lesson by the government to develop the full capacity of the country‘s food security, and to equally develop all of the players in the industry, especially the farmers and small and medium enterprises,‖ he added. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/04/19/rice-millers-face-price-squeeze-by- importers-says-council/ Take precautionary measures at PPCs, says Karimnagar Collector District Collector K Shashanka asked rice millers to immediately dump the paddy shifted to mills from centers. By AuthorTelanganaToday | Published: 20th Apr 2020 10:35 pm Collector K Shashanka conducting meeting with rice millers in Karimnagar on Monday. Karimnagar: District Collector K Shashanka instructed officials to take all precautionary measures at paddy procurement centres in the wake of spread of the coronavirus. He conducted a review meeting with rice millers at Collectorate conference hall here on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, he asked rice millers to immediately dump the paddy shifted to mills from centers.
  • 7. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com According to State government‘s instructions, PPC centres have been established in all villages. Informing that sufficient harvesters were available in the district, he advised the farmers to bring their produce to centres one after another according to taken issued by mandal agriculture officials. He also advised farmers to bring only completely dried crop to PPCs. Workers at rice mills would be issued passes. Additional Collector GV Shyam Prasad Lal, District Agriculture Officer V Sridhar, District Cooperative Officer Ch Manoj, District Supplies Officer Suresh, District Manager, Civil Supplies, M Srikanth, Rice Mills Association President Bachu Bhaskar and other rice millers participated in the meeting. https://telanganatoday.com/take-precautionary-measures-at-ppcs-says-karimnagar-collector NFA resolves milling woes to ensure stable rice supply Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star ) - April 19, 2020 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority has met with its rice milling contractors to guarantee unimpeded flow of government rice supply across the country. ―We cannot afford to let anything hamper our palay milling activities to continuously serve the rice requirements of the National Capital Region and of the other areas in the country during this time of crisis,‖ NFA administrator Judy Dansal said.
  • 8. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com All milling contractors‘ employees and laborers were issued identification cards by NFA as providers of essential services to be presented to checkpoints for their easy passage. Their trucks, which haul palay for milling from NFA and deliver back rice recoveries, were also provided with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) stickers. Dansal assured that the NFA has more than enough laborers in its warehouses, having hired tricycle drivers and other workers who, for the time being, have lost their regular livelihood due to the strict lockdown policies. On the procurement of the mills‘ fast-moving parts and other consumables, Dansal said she would recommend to the IATF to allow Manila-based suppliers of the needed rice mill spare parts to operate. The NFA shall also issue a certification to be presented to the checkpoints, for the unimpeded transport and purchase of parts needed for the immediate repair of rice mills. On the sale of rice by-products which serve as NFA‘s payment-in-kind for milling services, Dansal said the NFA has already made adjustments in the ―guaranteed milling recovery‖ to help rice millers recoup their lost income. ―We shall also recommend to the IATF to make representations with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to advise the LGUs where the rice mills are located, to find places where the rice hull could be dumped, because right now there are no rice hull buyers,‖ she said. ―Our primordial concern now is the continuous, full-blast NFA palay stocks milling, for a safe level supply of rice for this current emergency,‖ Dansal said. Since the declaration of the enhanced community quarantine, 100 percent of NFA‘s rice sales went to government agencies, reaching close to two million bags of rice. The government‘s rice inventory currently stands at 7.69 million bags, good to last for 116 days or nearly four months, based on the agency‘s 10 percent market share. Meanwhile, NFA is stepping up its procurement of local palay (unhusked rice) as farmers continue to harvest their summer crop. Its 440 warehouses and buying stations are open daily, procuring an average of 20,052 bags per day. From January to mid-April, the NFA had already bought 2.56 million bags of palay. The agency targets to buy 2.4 million bags in April and 1.6 million bags in May, and a total of 15.44 million bags for the whole year. https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/19/2008169/nfa-resolves-milling-woes-ensure- stable-rice-supply NFA working with millers to solve checkpoint snags April 20, 2020 | 12:02 am PHILIPPINES STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS THE National Food Authority (NFA) met with its rice milling contractors to iron out logistics issues after food deliveries continue to be disrupted by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which has been extended to the end of April.
  • 9. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com ―We cannot afford to let anything hamper our palay milling activities to continuously serve the rice requirements of the National Capital Region (NCR) and of the other areas in the country during this time of crisis,‖ NFA Administrator Judy Carol L. Dansal said. The NFA has issued identification cards to all milling contractors‘ employees and laborers which will be presented at quarantine checkpoints for easy passage. In addition, the trucks which transport palay for milling from the NFA and deliver back rice were also provided with passes from the Inter- Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for unhampered movement. Ms. Dansal also guaranteed that the NFA has more than enough workers in its warehouses after hiring tricycle drivers and other workers who have temporarily lost their jobs due to the lockdown. On the procurement of parts and consumables by rice mills, Ms. Dansal said that she will also recommend to the IATF to allow Manila-based suppliers of rice mill spare parts to operate. The NFA will also issue a certification to be presented at checkpoints for the unhampered transport and purchase of parts for the immediate repair of rice mills. On the sale of rice by-products, NFA has also made adjustments in the ―guaranteed milling recovery‖ to assist rice millers regain their lost income. ―We shall also recommend to the IATF to make representations with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), to advise the LGUs where the rice mills are
  • 10. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com located, to find places where the rice hulls could be dumped, because right now there are no rice hull buyers,‖ Ms. Dansal said. Meanwhile, the NFA also continued to strengthen its procurement of palay, or unmilled rice. Ms. Dansal said that an average of 20,052 bags of palay are being procured daily, as farmers continue to harvest their dry-season crop. ―We are ready to serve the farmers and buy their harvest, especially when farmgate prices fall below the P19 per kg support price of the government,‖ Ms. Dansal said. Between January and mid-April, the NFA bought 2.56 million bags of palay. It set a target of buying 2.4 million bags in April, 1.6 million bags in May, and 15.44 million bags for 2020. The national rice inventory has been estimated at the equivalent to a supply of 116 days or nearly four months. Ms. Dansal said that the 440 NFA warehouses and buying stations are open daily, including weekends and holidays. Since the ECQ declaration, 100% of NFA‘s rice sales have gone to government agencies, which are stepping up their food distribution due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and resulting lockdown. As of April 13, the total withdrawals of NFA rice by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units (LGUs) hit nearly two million bags. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave https://www.bworldonline.com/nfa-working-with-millers-to-solve-checkpoint-snags/ Step up paddy and maize procurement, AICC tells Telangana CM Our Bureau Hyderabad | Updated on April 22, 2020 Published on April 22, 2020 The Congress has asked the Telangana government to step up efforts to procure paddy and maize to help farmers tide over the crisis. ―The government has promised that it would open 7,500 procurement centres to purchase the whole of rabi produce. But it opened only 4,380 procurement centres,‖ he said. He alleged that the farmers were facing challenges as procurement was not happening at full scale. ―The government needs to ramp up paddy procurement at a much higher level. In the absence of the government‘s paddy procurement centres, farmers are forced to sell their produce to private rice millers at lesser prices,‖ Sravan Dasoju, the All-India Congress Committee spokesman, has said.
  • 11. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com ―The farming community has been the worst hit due to the lockdown and needs urgent attention from the government,‖ he said in a letter written to the Telangana Chief Minister, K Chandrashekar Rao. ―Though the government of Telangana, reportedly, is making efforts to take up procurement of agriculture produce to the point of saturation, the situation at ground level has been different,‖ he said. As against the normal rabi sowing area of 31.58 lakh acres, the farmers grew crops in 53.68 lakh acres, showing a growth of 70 per cent in the area. While paddy was grown in 39.24 lakh acres (as against normal area of 16.89 lakh acres), maize was grown in 6.21 lakh acres and bengal gram 3.28 lakh acres, leading to a substantial increase in the agricultural produce. The AICC spokesperson also said that there is a shortage of gunny bags, making it difficult for farmers to sell the produce. He said the situation with regard to maize procurement, too, needs to be improved. The State produced about 18.60 lakh tonnes of maize. ―But the government could procure only 1.30 lakh tonnes only,‖ he said. Machines come to rescue amid lockdown-linked labourer problem B. Chandrashekhar HYDERABAD, APRIL 21, 2020 19:41 IST
  • 12. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com A harvester working in a paddy field in Nizamabad district. | Photo Credit: file photo Yet, labourer shortage slows down transport of paddy from purchase centres to mills, godowns Notwithstanding some hiccups interspersed by untimely rains playing the spoilsport, the massive exercise of paddy procurement from farmers at a minimum support price (MSP) at the village itself in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus by scheduling arrivals with issuance of farmer-wise tokens, is underway briskly across the State. The administration was groping in the dark on handling the massive task when the decision to force lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus during the last week of March as it curtailed the availability and movement of labourers for harvesting and procurement-related jobs. As such, according to Telangana Rice Millers Association, most of the 2,200 rice mills in the State would depend on migrant workers for their labour requirement. ―We were not sure as to how we could tackle the problem till we collected information about the exact availability of harvesters in the State. But once we secured credible data with the help of our field-level officials, despair gave way to confidence as the details
  • 13. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com collected included the contact numbers of harvester owners, their drivers and servicing agencies along with the number of machines available in the State,‖ Agriculture Production Commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy told The Hindu. Enough harvesters Initially, the Agriculture Department had information that only about 5,000 harvesters were available in the State but the enumeration could bring out that a total of 14,095 machines were owned in the State. Another 753 harvesters are positioned in the State by their owners in Tamil Nadu and Punjab who sensed heavy business this rabi season, that stretches from March last week to May second week. ―We came to know that some entrepreneurs had started purchasing harvesters from the last rabi season itself assessing that they would have huge work on hand with Kaleshwaram project set to become functional,‖ the APC said adding that harvesters would also help the farming community save on costs. A field official involved in the procurement exercise, however, stated that local labourers were unwilling to work at purchase centres and rice mills/storage points as ‗hamalis‘ as it involves a lot of physical stress. He also admitted to the delays in moving the stock from purchase centres to rice mills/godowns due to labourer shortage. Migrant labour Administration in several districts is encouraging migrant workers, both those who were in transit and struck in districts and those who come in search of seasonal wage work, to ease the labourer shortage in procurement, loading and unloading of purchased grain. ―We have distributed 12 kg of rice each to all migrant workers in the district along with cash of ₹1,500 per family already this month and offering them wage work too at procurement centre and rice mills/storage points. Some of them are working already,‖ District Collector of Mahabubnagar S. Venkata Rao said, when enquired about the problem. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/managing- harvesting-bluesmachines-come-to-rescue-amid-lockdown-linked-labourer- problem/article31398296.ece On The Farm: How Farmers Are Working To Meet Demand While Preparing For An Uncertain Harvest Apr 20, 2020,07:00am EDT Bridget ShirvellContributor
  • 14. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Food & Drink I cover food, technology and the environment. PHOTO: OCEAN SPRAY Cranberry plants don‘t watch the news, so Steve Lee, a New Jersey-based sixth-generation cranberry farmer, is preparing for the upcoming harvest season in the same way he would any other year. Right now, that means he‘s busy on the farm making equipment repairs and purchasing fertilizer and other supplies such as equipment parts for the growing season. ―We have already changed day-to-day operational plans and procedures to provide us the ability to nurture, monitor, and deliver the crop with zero worker-to-worker contact,‖ said Lee. ―But, let me be clear: cranberries won‘t just take the year off. Cranberries are a perennial crop that will produce fruit, whether there is or isn‘t a pandemic. As one of only three cultivated fruits native to North America, the cranberries will grow on their vines as they have done for thousands of years no matter what happens with a pandemic.‖ Lee is one of the more than 700 cranberry farmers that make up Ocean Spray‘s grower-owned cooperative farms. While Lee has only four-year round workers, many cranberry farmers with more extensive operations are working on reduced schedules or focusing on completing farm jobs that don‘t require multiple personnel, so they can continue preparing for the growing season and harvest while adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coronavirus pandemic guidelines.
  • 15. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Today In: Food & Drink The pandemic has changed everyone‘s lives, but while many people across the United States can work from home, that‘s not the case for most farmers. PHOTO: 4SISTERS ―We have asked many of our key employees and office staff to work from home. However, for many our farmer partners, as we speak, preparing for a new crop or all of our employees including our truck drivers, millers, and packaging staff this is not a reality,‖ says Meryl Kennedy, the CEO of Kennedy Rice Mill LLC and Founder of 4Sisters Rice. Based in Louisiana, Kennedy finds herself having to remind the rice farmers and farmworkers she works with about social distancing. ―Organic rice farming and seed rice farming depends on H2A workers to row the fields for seeds and other weeds,‖ Kennedy said. ―It has been more difficult than normal years recruiting and maintaining H2A workers. Many of our farmers and farm aid also ride to work together in the same vehicles; we are having to find new ways to communicate to them the importance of social distancing.‖ PHOTO: 4SISTERS Currently, U.S. rice farmers are in the middle of the planting season, which will last until roughly the end of May and Kennedy said that as demand for rice increases during the pandemic, some farmers are planting more. ―People all around the world are concerned about the supply chain and while I think there will be more planted acres, I also think it‘ll be a stable supply; it‘s just about getting it to shelves fast enough,‖ Kennedy said. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/WEARETHENEWFARMERS In New York City, indoor farm We Are The New Farmers doesn‘t have to worry about a planting or harvest season. The spirulina, which is grown in enclosed tanks, can be harvested each day, with the company only harvesting enough to fulfill the orders they have on any given day. The company which grows the microalgae spirulina saw a 40% increase in demand from February to March. ―People have more time to cook at home right now,and I think people are looking for food that is nutrient-dense, supports the immune system and is local,‖ said We Are The New Farmers co- founder Jonas Günther. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/WEARETHENEWFARMERS Like their outdoor farm counterparts, We Are The New Farmers restructured what they do on the farm to minimize the risk to workers. Three days a week, everything happening on the farm is
  • 16. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com managed remotely and when they do need to the farm, they‘ve reduced the number of people that need to go and organized a carpool so no one has to take the subway. ―No matter what‘s happening outside, we can continue to produce local nutrient-dense food,‖ Günther said. PHOTO: OCEAN SPRAY Back at the cranberry bogs, as Lee gets ready for their growing season, his primary concern isn‘t the pandemic but the ability to easily access supplies and material needs that potentially arise during harvest and the growing season. ―Without question, it is now more important than ever to re-evaluate how we nourish and take care of ourselves and our bodies with food,‖ Lee said. Bridget Shirvell I‘m a NY-based freelance writer covering food, technology and the environment. My work has appeared in Martha Stewart Living, Civil Eats, PBS NewsHour and more. As the… https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetshirvell/2020/04/20/on-the-farm-how-farmers-are-working-to-meet- demand-while-preparing-for-an-uncertain-harvest/#78cd857c2a86 Cable bacteria can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation Date:April 20, 2020 Source:Aarhus University Summary: The rice fields account for five percent of global emissions of the greenhouse gas methane, which is 25 times stronger than CO2. Researchers have found that cable bacteria could be an important part of the solution. In the laboratory, they have grown rice in soil with and without cable bacteria, and the pots with cable bacteria emitted 93% less methane than the pots without cable bacteria. A Danish-German research collaboration may have found a solution to the large climate impact from the world's rice production: By adding electric conductive cable bacteria to soil with rice plants, they could reduce methane emissions by more than 90%. Half of world´s population is nourished by rice crops, but rice cultivation is harsh to he climate. The rice fields account for five percent of global emissions of the greenhouse gas methane, which is 25 times stronger than CO2. This is because the rice plants grow in water. When the fields are flooded, the soil becomes poor in oxygen, creating the right conditions for microorganisms to produce methane. Now researchers from Aarhus University and the University of Duisburg-Essen have found that cable
  • 17. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com bacteria could be an important part of the solution. In the laboratory, they have grown rice in soil with and without cable bacteria and measured what happened. "And the difference was far beyond my expectations. The pots with cable bacteria emitted 93% less methane than the pots without cable bacteria, "says Vincent Valentin Scholz, who conducted the experiments as a PhD student at the Center for Electromicrobiology (CEM) at Aarhus University. The result is published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Increases sulfate and attenuates microbes "Cable bacteria transport electrons over centimeter distances along their filaments, changing the geochemical conditions of the water-saturated soil. The cable bacteria recycle the soil's sulfur compounds, thus maintaining a large amount of sulfate in the soil. This has the consequence that the methane-producing microbes cannot maintain their activity," explains Vincent Valentin Scholz. It is already known that the rice growers can temporarily slow down the emission of methane by spreading sulfate on the rice fields. Apparently, the cable bacteria can do this for them -- and not just temporarily. This finding adds a new angle to the role of cable bacteria as ecosystem engineers. While the authors emphasize that they have only the very first laboratory observation, it is tempting to speculate that enrichment of cable bacteria by sensible management of water and soil regime could become a sustainable and convenient solution for reducing methane emissions from rice fields. But of course, it requires field studies to see how cable bacteria can thrive in rice fields. About cable bacteria Cable bacteria were an unknown way of life until they were first identified in the Bay of Aarhus, Denmark, in 2012. They thrive on the bottom of the sea, lakes, groundwater and streams and often in large quantities. Each individual consists of thousands of cells in a centimeter-long chain surrounded by a common outer sheath with electric wires. One end is buried in the oxygen-poor sediment, the other is so close to the water that it has contact with oxygen. This allows the bacteria to use electric power to burn the food in an oxygen-free environment. The process also changes the chemical composition of the soil. Story Source: Materials provided by Aarhus University. Original written by Peter F. Gammelby. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference: 1. Vincent V. Scholz, Rainer U. Meckenstock, Lars Peter Nielsen, Nils Risgaard-Petersen. Cable bacteria reduce methane emissions from rice-vegetated soils. Nature Communications, 2020; 11 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15812-w Cite This Page:  MLA
  • 18. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com  APA  Chicago Aarhus University. "Cable bacteria can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 April 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200420105045.htm>. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200420105045.htm Govt using rice for poor to make sanitiser for rich, says Rahul Gandhi Reacting to reports that Centre has decided to use rice in stock to make sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said that the poor were dying of hunger and the government wanted to make sanitisers for the rich Congress President Rahul Gandhi (Social Media) IANS Updated: 21 Apr 2020, 5:17 PM Reacting to reports that the Centre has decided to use additional rice in stock to make ethanol, which could be used for making sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that the poor were dying of hunger and the government wanted to make sanitisers for the rich. Rahul Gandhi said in his tweet, "When will the poor of Hindustan wake up, you are dying of hunger and from your share of rice they are going to make sanitisers for the rich." https://t.co/5NjoMmsJnK — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 21, 2020 The Congress has been demanding free ration till September 20 and Sonia Gandhi has also written to the Prime Minister on this. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also appealed to the government to issue emergency ration cards to the migrants and the poor, who are not getting rations through the PDS. He reacted to the reports that the Centre has allowed the FCI to convert the surplus rice into ethanol to ensure adequate availability of sanitisers to fight COVID-19. The decision was taken by the National Biofuel Cordination Committee chaired by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as per the National Biofuel policy of 2018. The ethanol produced will also be used in production of ethanol blended petrol. The policy of 2018 allows such conversions of surplus foodgrains to into ethanol. For all the latest India News, Follow India Section. https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/govt-using-rice-for-poor-to-make-sanitiser-for-rich-says- rahul-gandhi
  • 19. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Rice genetically engineered to resist heat waves can also produce up to 20% more grain By Erik StokstadApr. 21, 2020 , 1:10 PM As plants convert sunlight into sugar, their cells are playing with fire. Photosynthesis generates chemical byproducts that can damage the light-converting machinery itself—and the hotter the weather, the more likely the process is to run amok as some chemical reactions accelerate and others slow. Now, a team of geneticists has engineered plants so they can better repair heat damage, an advance that could help preserve crop yields as global warming makes heat waves more common. And in a surprise, the change made plants more productive at normal temperatures. ―This is exciting news,‖ says Maria Ermakova of Australian National University, who works on improving photosynthesis. The genetic modification worked in three kinds of plants—a mustard that is the most common plant model, tobacco, and rice, suggesting any crop plant could be helped. The work bucked conventional wisdom among photosynthesis scientists, and some plant biologists wonder exactly how the added gene produces the benefits. Still, Peter Nixon, a plant biochemist at Imperial College London, predicts the study will ―attract considerable attention.‖ When plants are exposed to light, a complex of proteins called photosystem II (PSII) energizes electrons that then help power photosynthesis. But heat or intense light can lead to damage in a key subunit, known as D1, halting PSII‘s work until the plant makes and inserts a new one into the complex. Plants that make extra D1 should help speed those repairs. Chloroplasts, the organelles that host photosynthesis, have their own DNA, including a gene for D1, and most biologists assumed the protein had to be made there. But the chloroplast genome is much harder to tweak than genes in a plant cell‘s nucleus. SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER Get more great content like this delivered right to you! A team led by plant molecular biologist Fang-Qing Guo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences bet that D1 made by a nuclear gene could work just as well—and be made more efficiently, as its synthesis in the cytoplasm instead of the chloroplast would be protected from the corrosive byproducts of photosynthetic reactions. Guo and colleagues tested the idea in the mustard Arabidopsis thaliana. They took its chloroplast gene for D1, coupled it to a stretch of DNA that turns on during heat stress, and moved it to the nucleus. The team found that modified Arabidopsis seedlings could survive extreme heat in the lab—8.5 hours at 41°C—that killed most of the control plants. The same Arabidopsis gene also protected tobacco and rice. In all three species, photosynthesis and growth decreased less than in the surviving control plants. And in 2017, when Shanghai exceeded 36°C for 18 days, transgenic rice planted in test plots yielded 8% to 10% more grain than control plants, the team reports this week in Nature Plants.
  • 20. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com The shock was what happened at normal temperatures. Engineered plants of all three species had more photosynthesis—tobacco's rate increased by 48%—and grew more than control plants. In the field, the transgenic rice yielded up to 20% more grain. ―It truly surprised us,‖ Guo says. ―I felt that we have caught a big fish.‖ Veteran photosynthesis researcher Donald Ort of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne, says the group presents credible evidence of plant benefits, but he‘s not yet convinced that the D1 made by nuclear genes could have repaired PSII in the chloroplast. ―Anything this potentially important is going to be met with some skepticism. There are lots of experiments to do, to figure out why this works,‖ he says. Guo plans further tests of the mechanism. He also has a practical goal: heftier yield increases in rice. The productivity boost his team saw in modified Arabidopsis was the largest of the three species—80% more biomass than controls—perhaps because the researchers simply moved Arabidopsis‘ own D1 gene. Guo thinks rice yield might also burgeon if it could be modified with its own chloroplast gene rather than one from mustard—further heating up these already hot results. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/rice-genetically-engineered-resist-heat-waves- can-also-produce-20-more-grain
  • 21. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Siberian scientists have created a cure for the virus from rice and green tea By Natasha Kumaron April 21, 2020in Sciense The specialists of SB RAS ihtt managed to develop a composite material based on the conventional green tea and husk from rice, which has strong antiviral properties. The method of obtaining this material of the Siberian scientists is described in detail in a publication made especially for the publication of Silicon. It is noted that from the beginning, the drug was developed for agricultural purposes, in particular, he was supposed to be a feed additive for livestock and a means of stimulating the growth of plants. Was later carried out other work in collaboration with scientists from the center ―Vector‖. In addition, to the Siberian chemists were approached by colleagues, who were interested in the antiviral properties of silicon dioxide. Later studies have shown that this development demonstrates the effectiveness in dealing with viruses of West Nile fever and herpes. But the principles of the creation of this composite are based on the interaction of silica extracted from rice husk and polyphenols called catechins contained in green tea.
  • 22. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com ―We put plant material normal machining, however in special conditions. The result is the destruction of cells green tea and part of the contained catechins in contact with the surface of silica interacts with it. This chemical reaction creates surface complexes, which can subsequently release both components after oral administration of water,‖ say the authors of the study. https://thetimeshub.in/siberian-scientists-have-created-a-cure-for-the-virus-from-rice-and- green-tea/8829/ Hainan to increase acreage for rice to 132, 200 ha in 2020 The scientific research base will be located in Wenchang County in Puqian and Jinshan areas HAIKOU, April 20. /TASS/. Hainan will increase the acreage for rice cultivation by 2.02% – up to 132, 200 hectares in 2020, according the Hainan Daily. According to the news outlet, the local government has set the task to increase the cultivated area for grain to 287,000 ha in 2020 (an increase of 350 ha). According to the newspaper, the authorities also plan to take measures to protect the crop from insects. At present, 113 varieties of rice are cultivated on the Island of Hainan with the use of dry land method, and irrigation systems for torrential production are also under development. In particular, in the urban district of Wenchang there are two experimental farms practicing rice cultivation with the use of torrential method. The Chinese scientists have also created an experimental plantation on Hainan for experiments on the cultivation of "saltwater rice", which has salt tolerant properties. Scientists often use the term ―saltwater rice‖ among themselves, but this name is unofficial, as, strictly speaking, it does not grow directly in the ocean. This breed grows and survives in the salt marsh - the soil, the top layer of which is characterized by the presence of readily-soluble salts, where most crops would die. The scientific research base will be located in Wenchang County in Puqian and Jinshan areas. These areas were severely damaged by typhoon Rammasun in 2014: due to the storms, a large number of fertile lands was contaminated with salt and the lands' fertility decreased significantly. Currently, 24, 700 hectares of rural lands remain abandoned. https://tass.com/economy/1147305 [Interview] Lockdown throws up challenges for quarantine of plant samples for research by Sahana Ghosh on 22 April 2020
  • 23. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com  The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) said that while the world battles COVID-19, plant pests, and diseases continue to pose a threat to food production, stressing we must not let our guard down.  Quarantine processes for samples of plant materials brought into the country for research purposes have been impacted due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID- 19)-associated lockdown, according to the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.  In an interview with Mongabay-India, NBPGR scientists discuss the challenges in plant quarantine for research samples under the lockdown, the gaps in plant biosecurity in India and implications for a post-COVID world. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), an inter-governmental treaty signed by 184 countries, dubbed it an ―unfortunate coincidence‖ that during the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) in 2020, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global outbreak is ―showing the world how adopting preventive measures is essential to secure countries from the introduction and spread of devastating human diseases.‖ IPPC, aimed at protecting the world‘s plant resources from the spread and introduction of pests and promoting safe trade, said that the COVID-19 pandemic is proving that prevention is always better than cure, and this applies to the health of humans, animals, and plants. India is a signatory to the IPPC, which stresses while the world battles COVID-19, plant pests, and diseases that continue to pose a threat to food production, must not slip through the cracks. In the past, India like the rest of the world has seen the devastating effects resulting from diseases and pests introduced along with the international movement of plant material, agricultural produce, and product, experts have said. Among these are examples like coffee rust introduced in Sri Lanka in 1875 and its subsequent introduction in India in 1876; fluted scale (sap-sucking insect) on citrus introduced from Sri Lanka in 1928; San Jose scale in apple introduced into India in the 1930s; and bunchy top of banana introduced from Sri Lanka in 1943. The COVID-19 associated lockdown in India has posed challenges to scientists involved in quarantine processing of samples of plant materials that are brought into India for research purposes. Quarantining these samples prevents the entry of exotic pests during import. These small samples are of immense quarantine importance because they usually comprise of germplasm material or wild relatives or landraces of a crop and are thus more likely to carry diverse biotypes/ races/ strains of the pest. In India, the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, undertakes quarantine processing of germplasm including transgenic planting material imported into the country for research purposes and issues phytosanitary certificate for research material meant for export. Phytosanitary certification is an official declaration by the exporting country attesting that consignments meet phytosanitary import requirements-stating that plants and plant materials are free from pests and disease. In a year, at least 100,000 (one lakh) samples are examined by NBPGR in quarantine processes. In an interview with Mongabay-India, Kuldeep Singh, director, NBPGR and S.C. Dubey, head and principal scientist, division of plant quarantine at NBPGR, discussed the challenges in plant
  • 24. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com quarantine for research samples, the gaps in plant biosecurity in India, the solutions and implications for a post-COVID world. How do plants and plant products enter India? What is the role of NBPGR in plant biosecurity? In India, the entry of plants or their parts is in two ways. The bulk import for commercial use and consumption is being monitored by the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS), Faridabad, Government of India. Small samples for research purposes are imported through ICAR-NBPGR. In both cases, the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003 has to be followed. ICAR-NBPGR has been empowered under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003 to undertake quarantine processing of germplasm including transgenic planting material imported into the country for research purposes. Besides, NBPGR also issues ‗phytosanitary certificate‘ for research material meant for export. We have well- equipped laboratories, a greenhouse complex, and a CL-4 level containment facility to undertake the quarantine processing effectively. NBPGR also has a well-equipped quarantine station at Hyderabad, which mainly deals with the export samples of the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and samples for the southern part of the country. NBPGR‘s Kuldeep Singh (left) and SC Dubey (right). Photo courtesy the scientists. Can you elaborate on plant quarantine and phytosanitary certification? Over the years, during quarantine processing in post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facilities, a large number of pests have been intercepted in germplasm and other research material which includes several pests that have not been reported yet from India. The consignments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating the status of the consignment to be free from the pests mentioned in the declaration. NBPGR‘s role in the biosecurity of the country is well defined and known. In past (1976-2019), a total of 78 pests including fungi (6), viruses (19), insects/ mites (26), nematodes (9) and weeds (18) not reported from India and of quarantine significance for India were intercepted in imported germplasm and their entry into India through samples received by NBPGR was checked. ICAR-NBPGR is providing regular inputs on biosecurity to government agencies like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of External Affairs, and MoEF&CC What are the major challenges in plant biosecurity in India? We need more certified post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facilities to accommodate a larger number of plant materials for quarantine processes and rigorous inspection of the material before release. Further, the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) procedure is one of the biggest challenges for quarantine workers. PRA in plant introduction is essential to decide whether a particular planting material could be permitted entry or not. If permitted, what would be the manner of import to prohibit the introduction of new pests in the country. One of the primary responsibilities of plant protection organisation/ institutions is to identify foreign pests of crops that are important in the Indian agricultural scenario and assess the potential damage that those pests could cause if introduced in
  • 25. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com our country. This is part of a PRA exercise which consists of risk assessment (scientific estimation of likelihood and magnitude of risk of establishment of a given pest) and impact assessment (estimation of the consequences of the establishment of pest). Therefore, to ensure that imported commodities have no pest or disease risk to our agriculture and forestry, the Plant Quarantine Order 2003 has made it mandatory to conduct a PRA for all commodities other than those given in Schedule V, VI and VII, prior to the issue of import permit. Updated lists of endemic pests, authentic data on country-wide survey/ surveillance, as well as literature, are indispensable in PRA procedures. To facilitate quarantine processing, and biosecurity, we need to strengthen the harmonisation of the Indian plant quarantine system with the global plant quarantine system. This, in turn, depends on enhanced co-ordination of scientists and resource sharing among the three concerned organisations: Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Farmers Welfare), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (Department of Agricultural Research and Education) and state agricultural universities/other research institutions. Additionally, there is a need for integrated agricultural biosecurity efforts. Presently in India, agricultural biosecurity is managed on a sectoral basis through the development and
  • 26. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com implementation of separate policies and legislative frameworks (e.g. for animal and plant life and health). Post Entry Quarantine growing of seed samples of French bean and soybean for the detection of seed-borne pests especially viruses associated with seeds. Photo from NBPGR.Although the sectoral agencies organise their work with proper attention towards the other sectors to meet the challenges of biosecurity that are of interdisciplinary nature, in the present national system, there is a need for a more harmonised and integrated approach for agricultural biosecurity working together towards common goals. At the national level efforts are being made to develop a coherent biosecurity strategy for the country by the formulation of a comprehensive Agricultural Biosecurity Bill in 2013. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers‘ Welfare (DACFW) has initiated the establishment of a National Agricultural Biosecurity System. Also, the re-drafting of the Agricultural Biosecurity Bill in 2018 by the DACFW to address the issue of national biosecurity in a holistic manner are some of the important steps in the right direction. Has the lockdown impacted plant quarantine measures and biosecurity measures? Certainly, as the seed materials are not moving across the world. We do receive a major part of rice germplasm from International Rice Research Institute during March-April and this may be affected. NBPGR is monitoring the seeds grown in the post-entry quarantine facility (PEQ) at New Delhi and Hyderabad. Up to the last week of February, we did post-entry quarantine inspections at sites where they were indented across the country for research materials. In a post-pandemic world, what will be the major changes with respect to plant biosecurity? Any specific way the NBPGR will also evolve its strategies? We are going to receive huge consignments of seed samples for research purposes after the lockdown period ends. We will take utmost care at institute level for disinfestation of the outer surface of the packages containing seeds before it is opened for quarantine. Internationally, so far there are no specific guidelines for safe and secure handling of plant and plant products from the areas having an outbreak of COVID 19. ICAR is having trained scientists and well-equipped laboratories to handle any such conditions in the case of plant pests. However, the plant quarantine system in the country needs to be strengthened both in the terms of manpower and facilities. What are the control points in plant biosecurity procedures that will need rethinking in the wake of COVID-19? The virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 is known to be a surface contaminant, the bags containing seed samples need a certain minimum policy to be handled with care to avoid contamination. Our staff has been instructed to surface- sanitise the boxes holding the seed samples.
  • 27. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com https://india.mongabay.com/2020/04/interview-lockdown-throws-up-challenges-for-quarantine-of-plant- samples-for-research/ Why you should care about scientists sequencing the wheat genome By Tammana Begum First published 22 April 2020 Wheat is one of the most valuable food crops in the world, contributing about a fifth of the total calories consumed by humans every year. Scientists are studying the genes of wheat varieties to understand how the plant has changed throughout history. It could help reduce agricultural pressures on the planet, and ultimately protect food security for future generations. As a highly nutritious plant, wheat is one of the world's oldest and most important crops. Together with rice and corn, wheat feeds the world. Humans have been changing wheat plants since the birth of farming. For thousands of years, farmers would take seeds from the biggest and strongest plants and grow them, improving the quality of crops over time. This is known as selective breeding. Advances in technology in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries allowed farmers to produce more crops than ever, but it was only in the early twentieth century when people started understanding genetics that modern farming changed in a big way. Wheat was selectively bred on a global scale for high yields, greater resistance to diseases and better taste. Dr Matthew Clark, a research leader at the Museum, is exploring how this selective breeding has changed the wheat plants we eat today. This is part of a large project in collaboration with partners around the world, including in Mexico and the UK. 'I am interested in learning about how we have selected for differences,' says Matt. 'People haven't always known as much about genetics as we do now. I think they may have inadvertently thrown away valuable information that could help us farm efficiently in a much more environmentally friendly way.' In order to grow crops with desired traits, farmers would transfer the stamen from one variety to the flower of another before self-fertilisation took place How humans have changed wheat The wheat grown by early farmers reached over 160 centimetres, dwarfing people next to it. Its tall, willowy form allowed it to soak up sunlight and easily outcompete other plants. However, this also meant wheat was susceptible to wind which would often knock them down and make them hard to harvest, even by hand.
  • 28. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com The edible seeds would sometimes become damp and sprout, or get eaten by animals, so they would not make it to the human food chain. Modern breeders started selectively growing short stemmed, disease-resistant wheat varieties, also known as semi-dwarves. These were championed by Norman Borlaug, an American agronomist and the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is often credited with saving a billion people from starvation. While this has allowed the plant to withstand wind damage better and feed millions more people, it left the wheat vulnerable to competition for light. Herbicide and fungicide were introduced into wheat farming to eliminate the competition, but this impacted the health of the soil by changing the balance of nutrients. Farmers have long known that animal and human faeces contain a lot of nutrients that are good for plant growth, so have often used these as manure-based fertilisers. Sea bird guano is especially rich in nitrogen and was used extensively in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, until they became scarce and artificial fertiliser was invented. 'Over time, we got better at cultivating crops because we changed the way we did things,' says Matt. 'We made the soil richer which allowed us to adjust what we were growing.' But selective breeding has also resulted in the loss of genetic diversity. This means most of the wheat crops grown now are similar to each other, reducing their ability to adapt and decreasing their resilience to new diseases. 'Take somewhere like the mid-west of America where they grow fields of maize the size of UK counties,' says Matt. 'They are all genetically identical because they are grown by the same few companies, but all it takes is one pathogen to run through everything and create a massive pandemic - unless you spray with pesticides.' This is worrying for everyone. If wheat crops were devastated by a disease, it would seriously threaten global food supplies. So what can we do to prevent that from happening? If two fungi from the same species meet, they mate and create fairy ring of toad stools. These fungi breaking down organic matter in the soil and return nutrients to create a healthy ecosystem. This is often by forming symbiotic relationships with plant root systems in the area, exchanging nutrients for sugars. © Henk Monster/wiki (CC BY 3.0) The wheat genome was once considered too complex to sequence. That's because it is enormous - five times bigger than the human genome - and it is a hybrid of three different grass species. But in 2018 it was finally achieved. More than 200 scientists all over the world - including Matt - contributed to the work. Matt and colleagues have now sequenced about ten different modern wheat genomes from the UK and Europe, in addition to four that had been sequenced before. They are now including samples from the Museum's collection in the study and will soon expand to wheat grown in other parts of the world such as South America and Asia to learn the differences.
  • 29. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com 'If you have the genome, it means you can design the markers that enable you to breed better crops,' explains Matt. 'And that might allow us to decrease the impacts of agriculture on the environment.' It ultimately means we might be able to breed wheat that is bountiful, resistant to diseases and able to thrive in soil without artificial fertilisers. The research is especially useful for developing countries where farmers might not be able to adopt the same industrialised approach, or organic farmers who don't want to put loads of chemicals on their produce. 'What we've achieved in farming has been incredible but there's been a cost in terms of energy use and environmental damage,' says Matt. The overuse of fertilisers can damage plants, pollute the soil and leach into nearby rivers, upsetting the ecosystems there. 'Maybe we can reintroduce some of the things we have thrown away back into modern agriculture. It would be amazing if we could continue achieving what we have now but with less environmental impacts.' https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/april/why-you-should-care-about-scientists- sequencing-the-wheat-genome.html Govt using rice for poor to make sanitiser for rich, says Rahul Gandhi Reacting to reports that Centre has decided to use rice in stock to make sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said that the poor were dying of hunger and the government wanted to make sanitisers for the rich Congress President Rahul Gandhi (Social Media) IANS Updated: 21 Apr 2020, 5:17 PM Reacting to reports that the Centre has decided to use additional rice in stock to make ethanol, which could be used for making sanitisers, Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that the poor were dying of hunger and the government wanted to make sanitisers for the rich. Rahul Gandhi said in his tweet, "When will the poor of Hindustan wake up, you are dying of hunger and from your share of rice they are going to make sanitisers for the rich."
  • 30. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Rahul Gandhi ✔@RahulGandhi आख़िर ह िंदुस्तान का ग़रीब कब जागेगा? आप भूखे मर र े ैं और वो आपक े ह स्से क े चावऱ से सैनीटाईज़र बनाकर अमीरों क े ाथ की सफाई में ऱगे ैं।https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/india/surplus- rice-for-hand-sanitizers-says-centre-amid-outrage-over-hunger-2215163 … कोरोना संकट क े बीच सरकार क े इस फ ै सले से खडा हुआ वििाद, भुखमरी क े दौर में चािल से बनेगा... देश में जारी कोरोना सिंकट क े बीच सरकार क े एक फ ै सऱे से वववाद खडा ो गया ै, जजसमें उसने गोदामों में मौजूद अततररक्त चावऱ का उपयोग ैंड सैतनटाइजरों की आपूतति क े लऱए जरूरी इथेनॉऱ बनाने में करने का फ ै सऱा... khabar.ndtv.com 58.5K
  • 31. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com 12:34 PM - Apr 21, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 34.5K people are talking about this The Congress has been demanding free ration till September 20 and Sonia Gandhi has also written to the Prime Minister on this. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also appealed to the government to issue emergency ration cards to the migrants and the poor, who are not getting rations through the PDS. He reacted to the reports that the Centre has allowed the FCI to convert the surplus rice into ethanol to ensure adequate availability of sanitisers to fight COVID-19. The decision was taken by the National Biofuel Cordination Committee chaired by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as per the National Biofuel policy of 2018. The ethanol produced will also be used in production of ethanol blended petrol. The policy of 2018 allows such conversions of surplus foodgrains to into ethanol. https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/govt-using-rice-for-poor-to-make-sanitiser-for-rich-says- rahul-gandhi Arkansas Rice Growers Could See Increased Demand Due To COVID-19 By DAVID MONTEITH • Rice is one of the few Arkansas crops positively impacted by the coronavirus. CREDIT SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS One of the state's biggest crops could help some Arkansas farmers stay afloat during the economic challenges caused by COVID-19. Arkansas is the nation's leading rice producer and that may benefit the state in the coming months, says to Dr. Tim Burcham, Director of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. "The good news is that from the standpoint of our rice production, again that's holding steady for us right now as far as market prices for rice. With that being one of our leading commodities here in Arkansas, that really helps us out. Of course, we're taking a hit in these other commodity areas." A rice report produced by the Division of Agriculture in early April, says some other rice- producing countries, like Vietnam and India are limiting their exports as result of COVID-19. This has increased demand for Arkansas rice. However, prices for soybeans and corn, two of the state's other large row crops, have dropped significantly. Other crops, like strawberries, which are just coming into season in Arkansas, have less certain futures, according to Matthew Davis, also with Division of Agriculture.
  • 32. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com "We're putting the crop in the ground right now, but we're not guaranteed a home for it. And that's clearly shown with vegetable growers and fruit producers. Right now, they don't have a home for their crops and a lot of it is having to be destroyed just because it costs too much to even try to harvest and donate. I've seen several try to donate to foodbanks, but at some point that becomes not cost effective either,‖ Davis said. Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which it claims will provide $16 billion in direct support to farmers and $100 million per month for the purchase of fruits and vegetables from farmers across the country. As they wait for details on the new program, Arkansas farmers will continue planting and hoping for less rain than last year. "We're making strides and trying to move ahead, but I definitely think the weather hasn‘t played fair again this year," Davis said. "We've had some issues, but I think, as usual, everybody's resilient. As soon as we get some dry days everybody hits the field running. I talked to one guy yesterday; he was out until 1 o'clock in the morning trying to beat the rain. That's just part of it." Weather permitting, some predict the state's farmers could plant up to 1.5 million acres of rice, up nearly half a million acres from last year.
  • 33. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com TAGS: https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-rice-growers-could-see-increased-demand-due- covid-19 Vietnam increases April white rice exports quota to 500,000 tonnes HANOI, April 22 (Reuters) - Vietnam has decided to raise its white rice exports quota for April to 500,000 tonnes from 400,000 tonnes, the government said on Wednesday. The extra 100,000 tonnes is the rice that had been transported to ports prior to March 24, when the government announced a ban on rice exports to make sure the country has sufficient food to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. On April 10, the government said it would allow the export of 400,000 tonnes of white rice this month. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting the export plan for May and will submit it to the government by April 25. (Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) https://www.reuters.com/article/vietnam-rice-exports/vietnam-increases-april-white-rice-exports-quota- to-500000-tonnes-idUSL3N2CA18H Rice Prices as on : 21-04-2020 04:33:45 PM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market. Arrivals Price Current % change Season cumulative Modal Prev. Modal Prev.Yr %change Rice Bangalore(Kar) 4626.00 90.61 93718.00 4650 5000 8.14 Shahjahanpur(UP) 620.00 121.43 2025.00 2660 2670 9.69 Mandya(Kar) 391.00 - 391.00 2420 - - Kanpur(Grain)(UP) 160.00 100 3945.00 2400 2460 7.62 Bangarpet(Kar) 146.00 -44.7 2736.00 2150 2050 -
  • 34. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Gondal(UP) 100.00 -7.41 4309.50 2400 2400 -2.04 Hardoi(UP) 100.00 -16.67 6482.80 2450 2400 4.26 Jumpuijala(Tri) 98.80 - 98.80 2900 - - Azamgarh(UP) 90.00 33.33 2515.50 2535 2545 6.29 Barhaj(UP) 90.00 -30.77 6985.00 2510 2520 9.61 Lucknow(UP) 78.00 18.18 3103.00 2400 2460 -11.11 Kandi(WB) 70.00 40 969.50 2650 2700 6.00 Raibareilly(UP) 67.00 346.67 1214.50 2430 2400 11.72 Jangipur(WB) 66.00 0.76 592.00 2985 2995 - Muzzafarnagar(UP) 65.00 150 3746.50 2680 2710 -0.56 Dadri(UP) 60.00 -25 140.00 5500 5600 - Aligarh(UP) 50.00 NC 2985.00 2550 2550 2.00 Mathura(UP) 50.00 -5.66 2226.00 2590 2600 -4.07 Saharanpur(UP) 48.00 26.32 1657.00 2680 2680 -0.74 Vilaspur(UP) 46.00 15 972.30 2620 2640 11.49 Barabanki(UP) 45.00 -10 454.00 2450 2470 5.60 Meerut(UP) 43.00 -14 334.00 2700 2800 0.37 Kalipur(WB) 42.00 90.91 1882.00 2500 2700 4.17 Bidar(Kar) 35.00 25 90.00 2600 2500 4.00 Madhoganj(UP) 35.00 288.89 2638.00 2405 2425 11.86 Nanjangud(Kar) 33.00 -19.51 101.00 3000 2950 - Faizabad(UP) 32.50 -18.75 742.00 2420 2450 6.14
  • 35. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Guskara(Burdwan)(WB) 32.00 -5.88 192.00 2500 2550 - Allahabad(UP) 30.00 -25 1281.00 2585 2560 11.42 Ballia(UP) 30.00 NC 1779.00 2460 2440 5.13 Hapur(UP) 30.00 NC 487.00 2665 2670 -1.30 Jaunpur(UP) 30.00 -25 828.70 2450 2450 5.60 Khalilabad(UP) 30.00 NC 990.00 2530 2540 11.95 Pilibhit(UP) 30.00 1.69 46632.50 2630 2650 6.48 Chitwadagaon(UP) 30.00 20 356.00 2450 2430 16.67 Varanasi(Grain)(UP) 30.00 -14.29 1647.00 2585 2580 9.53 Beldanga(WB) 30.00 NC 905.00 3000 2800 11.11 Maur(UP) 29.00 -6.45 120.00 2550 2555 12.83 Kopaganj(UP) 29.00 -38.3 833.00 2550 2545 6.69 Puranpur(UP) 28.00 40 1735.00 2610 2640 6.53 Holenarsipura(Kar) 26.00 - 47.00 2575 - 47.14 Lakhimpur(UP) 25.00 25 1467.00 2400 2420 3.45 Agra(UP) 24.00 -35.14 2901.00 2580 2580 2.79 Honnali(Kar) 23.00 9.52 87.00 3100 3100 - Devariya(UP) 22.00 -21.43 765.50 2550 2560 4.08 Balrampur(UP) 22.00 57.14 433.00 2400 2380 4.35 Etawah(UP) 21.00 16.67 2210.50 2500 2550 9.65 Partaval(UP) 20.00 -33.33 388.50 2450 2480 7.22 Shamli(UP) 20.00 33.33 424.90 2690 2710 -
  • 36. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB) 19.50 1.56 501.40 5000 5000 66.67 Katwa(WB) 17.50 2.94 142.10 2500 2550 - Basti(UP) 17.00 -15 888.50 2550 2530 7.82 Mainpuri(UP) 17.00 -19.05 3174.50 2600 2620 -4.76 Sehjanwa(UP) 17.00 -43.33 1779.50 2550 2540 18.06 Rasda(UP) 17.00 -2.86 262.00 2450 2430 1013.64 Gangavathi(Kar) 16.00 -71.93 185.00 2600 1990 - Farukhabad(UP) 16.00 14.29 685.50 2485 2525 -5.87 Sirsaganj(UP) 16.00 NC 502.00 2630 2630 -5.05 Bharthna(UP) 16.00 -20 2055.00 2500 2530 10.13 Naugarh(UP) 15.00 -96.84 2773.50 2500 2520 4.17 Kayamganj(UP) 15.00 25 1492.00 2480 2520 -4.25 Vishalpur(UP) 14.50 -51.67 364.70 2455 2450 -1.80 Sitapur(UP) 14.30 -20.56 694.80 2410 2460 6.64 Choubepur(UP) 14.10 -45.56 1122.95 2575 2550 -3.74 Pratapgarh(UP) 14.00 -9.68 349.00 2440 2425 9.17 Puwaha(UP) 14.00 12 223.20 2650 2650 20.45 Rampur(UP) 14.00 -41.67 283.00 2650 2600 6.43 Gorakhpur(UP) 14.00 75 406.70 2600 2650 - Jafarganj(UP) 14.00 -22.22 624.00 2400 2420 9.09 Bahraich(UP) 13.00 -3.7 844.30 2410 2400 NC Sultanpur(UP) 12.00 -97 4582.00 2400 2365 NC
  • 37. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Bindki(UP) 12.00 50 4376.00 2400 2360 5.73 Paliakala(UP) 12.00 20 291.00 2380 2400 5.08 Champadanga(WB) 12.00 20 434.00 3550 3600 16.39 Chintamani(Kar) 10.00 -65.52 407.00 2600 2600 15.56 Shimoga(Kar) 10.00 -61.54 111.00 2050 2800 - Gazipur(UP) 10.00 -41.18 1699.00 3230 3180 -0.31 Karvi(UP) 10.00 -39.39 386.50 2400 2360 7.14 Bankura Sadar(WB) 10.00 -9.09 1517.00 2600 2600 - Soharatgarh(UP) 8.50 41.67 1279.50 2500 2520 4.82 Unnao(UP) 8.50 30.77 81.30 2425 2450 7.78 Raath(UP) 8.50 -39.29 86.50 2150 2150 - Bijnaur(UP) 8.00 -38.46 135.00 2620 2620 15.67 Milak(UP) 8.00 166.67 40.00 2600 2630 - Chandoli(UP) 7.00 75 14.70 2450 2450 5.15 Ajuha(UP) 7.00 NC 152.00 2520 2560 8.39 Tundla(UP) 7.00 -77.05 163.00 2600 2580 3.17 Chorichora(UP) 6.50 30 1099.50 2610 2660 16.26 Kasganj(UP) 6.00 20 346.50 2580 2630 NC Pukhrayan(UP) 6.00 20 340.00 2400 2430 6.67 Fatehpur(UP) 5.20 4 1615.10 2380 2295 4.62 Shikohabad(UP) 5.00 400 242.00 2450 2550 11.36 Achalda(UP) 5.00 66.67 171.10 2500 2400 13.12
  • 38. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP) 4.20 -6.67 515.10 2500 2600 NC Badda(UP) 4.20 -6.67 62.40 2450 2400 - Jhijhank(UP) 4.00 -20 143.00 2500 2450 - Mirzapur(UP) 3.50 -22.22 182.00 2590 2565 11.40 Fatehpur Sikri(UP) 3.40 NC 55.50 2575 2590 1.38 Naanpara(UP) 3.20 146.15 526.50 2400 2400 5.49 Bangarmau(UP) 3.00 NC 180.60 2450 2510 7.69 Kosikalan(UP) 3.00 NC 158.50 2550 2560 -3.77 Nadia(WB) 3.00 NC 182.00 4300 4200 13.16 Bishnupur(Bankura)(WB) 3.00 7.14 167.30 2650 2620 NC Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB) 3.00 50 979.00 2750 2750 NC Uluberia(WB) 2.90 3.57 29.90 3500 3200 20.69 Buland Shahr(UP) 2.60 4 121.60 2655 2640 -0.19 Bharwari(UP) 2.60 -7.14 41.20 2570 2560 - Gadaura(UP) 2.50 25 188.50 2300 2200 21.05 Jahangirabad(UP) 2.00 -50 131.00 2660 2650 1.33 Mawana(UP) 2.00 33.33 83.00 2670 2960 - Khatra(WB) 1.80 12.5 86.80 2650 2650 NC Panichowki(Kumarghat)(Tri) 1.60 14.29 18.40 2980 2970 - Melaghar(Tri) 1.50 87.5 33.90 2900 2800 7.41 Auraiya(UP) 1.50 NC 191.80 2550 2550 9.68 Khair(UP) 1.50 -40 47.70 2570 2570 -1.15
  • 39. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Robertsganj(UP) 1.50 50 164.30 2445 2415 7.24 Tulsipur(UP) 1.50 -25 28.20 2400 2400 - Bishalgarh(Tri) 1.40 NC 14.90 3700 3700 - Muskara(UP) 1.40 40 37.50 2280 2350 0.88 Charra(UP) 1.30 -18.75 68.40 2570 2540 0.78 Pabiacherra(Tri) 1.20 50 7.30 2910 2900 - Lalganj(UP) 1.20 -33.33 219.20 2200 2200 - Alibagh(Mah) 1.00 NC 57.00 4200 4200 NC Murud(Mah) 1.00 NC 56.00 4200 4200 NC Anandnagar(UP) 1.00 -16.67 168.10 2535 2520 10.22 Kishunpur(UP) 1.00 -96.77 63.00 1700 1800 -10.53 Mugrabaadshahpur(UP) 1.00 -37.5 32.30 2420 2350 - Shahganj(UP) 1.00 -75 58.00 2410 2380 3.88 Risia(UP) 0.90 -10 56.30 2400 2430 - Achnera(UP) 0.70 NC 20.90 2570 2590 1.18 Richha(UP) 0.60 - 0.60 2340 - - Published on April 21, 2020 Ghana risks shortage of rice amid COVID-19 pandemic EMMANUEL AYAMGA Yesterday at 9:24 AM The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could cause a shortage of rice and other agric produce in the latter parts of the year.
  • 40. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Ghana risks shortage of rice amid COVID-19 pandemic The shortage could even stretch into 2021, the Executive Director of local rice company, Western Deedew Group Limited, has said. Kwabena Amofa Akuoko explained that the countries where Ghana imports about 60% of its rice for local consumption would soon hoard the product to feed their own citizens. Kwabena Amofa Akuoko “Where we import our food from especially that of rice is basically from Asia and America. Now we know how devastating this pandemic has been and they have already signalled us that they are no longer going to export their rice and other commodities to us,” Mr. Akuoko told Citi Business News. “This means that we should expect some deficit in terms of the amount we need in the country. Already, we are just producing around 40 percent while we import 60 percent from other countries.” He, therefore, called on the government to build capacity for local rice production to avoid shortage amid the pandemic. This, he said, can be done by massively investing in the agriculture sector to boost local production of rice and other produce. He added that there could be a shortage of rice and by extension a food crisis if government fails to do that. “What I’m calling for is that, there should be a percentage of the 600 million Ghana cedis that has been earmarked for industries that should go strictly into agric,” Mr. Akuoko suggested. “I suggest about 50 percent of it should be earmarked for agricultural activities so that we can plant more to make room for the deficit we are envisaging.
  • 41. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com “If that is not taken into consideration, then what will happen is that getting to the tail end of the year and into 2021, there is going to be a major food crisis in this country Step up paddy and maize procurement, AICC tells Telangana CM Our Bureau Hyderabad | Updated on April 22, 2020 Published on April 22, 2020 The Congress has asked the Telangana government to step up efforts to procure paddy and maize to help farmers tide over the crisis. ―The government has promised that it would open 7,500 procurement centres to purchase the whole of rabi produce. But it opened only 4,380 procurement centres,‖ he said. He alleged that the farmers were facing challenges as procurement was not happening at full scale. ―The government needs to ramp up paddy procurement at a much higher level. In the absence of the government‘s paddy procurement centres, farmers are forced to sell their produce to private rice millers at lesser prices,‖ Sravan Dasoju, the All-India Congress Committee spokesman, has said. ―The farming community has been the worst hit due to the lockdown and needs urgent attention from the government,‖ he said in a letter written to the Telangana Chief Minister, K Chandrashekar Rao.
  • 42. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com ―Though the government of Telangana, reportedly, is making efforts to take up procurement of agriculture produce to the point of saturation, the situation at ground level has been different,‖ he said. As against the normal rabi sowing area of 31.58 lakh acres, the farmers grew crops in 53.68 lakh acres, showing a growth of 70 per cent in the area. While paddy was grown in 39.24 lakh acres (as against normal area of 16.89 lakh acres), maize was grown in 6.21 lakh acres and bengal gram 3.28 lakh acres, leading to a substantial increase in the agricultural produce. The AICC spokesperson also said that there is a shortage of gunny bags, making it difficult for farmers to sell the produce. He said the situation with regard to maize procurement, too, needs to be improved. The State produced about 18.60 lakh tonnes of maize. ―But the government could procure only 1.30 lakh tonnes only,‖ he said. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/step-up-paddy-and-maize-procurement-aicc-tells- telangana-cm/article31403938.ece MoIT proposes to resume rice exports BUSINESS
  • 43. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com The country could export 800,000 tonnes of rice in April and May. — Photo bnews.vn PUBLISHED 22 APRIL 2020 NEWS DESK HÀ NỘI (Vietnam News/ANN) — The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has asked the Government to resume rice exports. However, the export volume would be limited at 800,000 tonnes for April and May. The ministry on Monday sent an express dispatch to Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc after collecting opinions from relevant ministries and agencies relating to rice export management. Accordingly, MoIT proposed to allow rice exports but strictly control monthly quota after careful consideration to ensure food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan takes into account suitable solutions to maintain the rice production to ensure economic growth while ensuring food security. Especially, the plan was also based on the official announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the rice volume of 3.2 million tonnes which could be exported in the winter-spring crop. This is the remaining quantity after ensuring normal domestic consumption and reserves. The ministry said the country shipped around 1.7 million tonnes of rice under signed export contracts as of March 31. Therefore, the rice export volume in the future would be 1.5 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the total rice reserves in the next two months before the summer-autumn crop would be 700,000 tonnes. Notably, the rice exports would be only allowed through international border gates including road, railway, seaway and airway which were connected to the General Department of Customs for observation. In addition, the ministry required the 20 biggest rice exporters to sign agreements with at least a supermarket system to ensure food reserves for circulation. MoIT could revoke the licences for rice exports if exporters do not meet the requirement. Earlier, the Government announced on March 25 to ban signing new rice export contracts to ensure sufficient domestic supplies to cope with the coronavirus outbreak. https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/moit-proposes-to-resume-rice-exports NFA-Bicol Has Enough Supply Of Rice Amid Health Crisis April 23, 2020 The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol said it has sufficient supply of rice to sustain the staple food requirement needed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. In an interview, Henry Tristeza, NFA regional director, on Tuesday said there are 516,000 bags of palay (unhusked rice) in various warehouses across Bicol.
  • 44. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com He said once milled, the 516,000 bags are equivalent to 325,000 sacks of milled rice, and these would add up to the 8,055 bags now kept in NFA warehouses for distribution. ―The 333,055 bags of rice would serve as additional buffer stocks to maintain the 15-day supply requirements under the agency guidelines,‖ he said. Tristeza added that the rice supply would address the pending rice requirement needed by various local government units and other front line agencies involved in the fight against the spread of Covid-19. To date, the NFA has a request for 493,000 bags of rice from various LGUs and of the number, the agency has released 224,000 bags of the grain staple. The heavy demand would be addressed once the 160,000 bags of rice arrive from Mindoro province. ―Initially, we expect the first batch of shipment of 20,000 bags to arrive next week,‖ Tristeza said. He admitted that the milling preparation has slowed down due to the strict enforcement of the ECQ. ―Our private milling firms were closed while some of them can only operate for four hours instead of the 10 to 12 hours normal operations due to the ECQ,‖ he said. (PNA) http://pageone.ph/nfa-bicol-has-enough-supply-of-rice-amid-health-crisis/ Nearly 57,000 tonnes of rice cleared for customs approval April, 21/2020 - 17:17 | Rice stockpiled in a storage facility of Sông Hậu Food Company. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh
  • 45. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com HÀ NỘI Việt Nam has shipped nearly 57,000 tonnes of rice abroad as of 3pm on Tuesday, part of 400,000 tonnes of rice under quotas for this month, the General Department of Customs said on its website. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc approved the Ministry of Trade and Industry's proposal to resume rice exports after a few weeks of suspension to make sure the country has sufficient food to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. According to the department, from April 11-12, local businesses have registered to export 399,999 tonnes of rice. The department said it has been updating information about the volume of rice exports on its official website at www.custom.gov.vn each hour. In the first quarter of this year, the country exported about 1.52 million tonnes of rice for US$700.8 million, up 9 per cent in volume and 16 per cent in value year-on-year, the department's statistics revealed. — VNS https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/715610/nearly-57000-tonnes-of-rice-cleared-for-customs-approval.html Spring Whole Grain Just in Time for Earth Day 2020 By Deborah Willenborg STANARDSVILLE, VA -- Earth Day is Every Day for the ag industry but for the past fifty years one day in mid to late April has been designated as a time for the rest of the world to check in on the environment. This year's Earth Day activities and events planned to celebrate the planet have an added twist due to the COVID-19 global shutdown. The world-wide pandemic has focused everyone's attention like never before on the health of the planet, and specifically on agriculture and the food supply whether nationally, locally, or even in your own home, and the new issue of Whole Grain, out now, addresses these topics. "What we see happening now is what always happens in times of crisis, people look to rice for comfort and sustenance," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "The Whole Grain cover story, "Rice To The Rescue," is about the historic role rice has played during times of war, and how our industry always rises to meet the challenge of feeding people under duress." This issue also has a report on a study comparing commercial and laboratory rice milling results, a travelogue by Arkansas producer Jennifer James on her recent pre-COVID trip through Italy's rice-growing region, a photo gallery showcasing the annual Government Affairs Conference, a story about Farmers for a Sustainable Future, a new coalition committed to environmental and economic sustainability for America's farmers and ranchers, and more. "Each story in the Whole Grain points up the many ways your industry contributes to the health and well-being of our planet and the people living on it," said Ward. "So Happy Earth Day, today and every day!"
  • 46. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com If you do not receive the Whole Grain in your mailbox, or you'd like additional copies to distribute to friends, neighbors, and colleagues, or you would like to advertise in future issues, contact Deborah Willenborg. USA rice daily Online News Portal of the Year FREE SUBSCRIPTION Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Ghana Main Photo PHOTOGHANA ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLOCAL NEWS IN GHANA TODAY Dr Sledge: Man who bought Shatta Wale's 'Reign' album for GHC150k donates to police (videos) a day ago 1603 views by Nathaniel Crabbe - The CEO of Goldridge Ghana Limited, Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, has donated to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command - Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, together with his wife presented bags of rice, oil and other food items to the police - Videos clips of the admirable donation have emerged online Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana Ghanaian millionaire and CEO of Goldridge Ghana Limited, Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, together with his wife, @amadia.gh, have donated to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command. The prevailing coronavirus pandemic necessitated the kind gesture from the generous
  • 47. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com business mogul and his supportive wife. Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, together with his team made the donation to the Greater Accra Regional Command amid the novel coronavirus plaguing the world which compelled the Ghana government to impose a partial lockdown in some major cities in Ghana. Police top hierarchy at the Greater Accra Regional Police Command received the food items from the notable business titan and his wife. READ ALSO: Tupac inspired: Despite's young son Saahene Osei flaunts luxury attire, watch and others in new photos In a video sighted online, police personnel were captured unpacking the food items that were presented by Dr Sledge in support of national efforts toward the containment and prevention of the coronavirus. Dr Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu is an unrepentant giver who continues to show up with massive support when it is much needed. In 2018, the business mogul and his wife stormed the stage at the launch of Shatta Wale 'The Reign' album which took place at the Fantasy Dome in Accra to offer GHC150,000 for the first copy of the album. This recent presentation adds to series of donations that have been made by prominent Ghanaian personalities including Dr Osei Kwame Despite and his brother, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Shatta Wale, Medikal, Fella Makafui, Jackie Appiah and others. In a related story, the Chief Executive Officer of the Despite Group of Companies, Dr Osei Kwame Despite Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong made a cash donation of $100,000.00 to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) toward the fight against COVID- 19. The donation was to help health authorities at KATH to provide health essentials such as gloves overalls, nose masks, face shields, goggles, aprons, examination gloves, heavy-duty gloves, gumboot, hand sanitisers, and others for healthcare frontliners in the prevention and containment of the novel cornavirus. READ ALSO: Shadrack Frimpong: Genius son of charcoal seller awarded Gates Cambridge Scholarship for PhD Low-cost ventilators produced in Ghana by Prof. Fred McBagonluri | #Yencomgh Subscribe to watch new videos Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: Yen HOT: NSS APPOINTMENT LETTER SITE TO DOWNLOAD MOVIES NSS.PORTAL GHANAIAN LATEST NEWS Ghana's COVID-19 cases jumps to 1,279 with 1 new death & 14 new recoveries an hour ago 1182 views RECOMMENDED NEWS CSM claims 7 more lives in northern Ghana;
  • 48. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com total deaths rises to 47 2 minutes ago views Muslim couple hold wedding ceremony on virtual app Zoom and it was incredible 12 minutes ago 7 views Coronavirus: No more free transportation for health care workers 29 minutes ago 78 views Top 10 achievements of Ghana's Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu 33 minutes ago 60 views IMF predicts Africa will suffer three serious shocks from COVID-19 35 minutes ago 99 views SHOW COMMENTS Ghana‘s economy grew by 6.5% in 2019 – Ghana Statistical Service reports MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY Contact Us About Us Advertise with us Privacy Policy DMCA Removal Tags Categories Feedback We are hiring Submit Your News SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram YouTube Facebook Twitter READ US Leave your email to receive our newsletter Our applications for phones Yen.com.gh, 2020 All rights reserved Read more: https://yen.com.gh/154387-dr-sledge-man-bought-shatta-wales-reign-album- ghc150k-donates-police-videos.html https://yen.com.gh/154387-dr-sledge-man-bought-shatta-wales-reign-album-ghc150k-donates-police- videos.html Rice growing localities, exporters want export limits scrapped Update: April, 23/2020 - 08:30 Harvesting rice in the Mekong Delta. Rice growing localities and exporters have urged the Government to resume rice exports without setting limits. — VNA/VNS Photo HCM CITY — Officials from many localities in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and rice exporters have urged the Government to resume rice exports without setting limits, saying many firms face difficulties because of this. Speaking at a conference in HCM City on April 22 they also exhorted the ministries of Industry and Trade and Finance and the customs department to quickly clear the consignments of rice exports stuck at ports.
  • 49. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com The Government recently lifted a ban on rice exports, but capped them at around 400,000 tonnes each in April and May citing national food security concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 12, the General Department of Customs began accepting online customs declarations from rice exporters, but many were left disappointed since the quota of 400,000 tonnes was reached in just three hours. Some hundreds tonnes of rice are now stuck at ports. Lê Minh Đức, director of the Long An Province Department of Industry and Trade, said: "Last year, we sat together to discuss solutions to boost rice exports, but this year we discuss whether to export or not. This is abnormal, especially in the context that rice output this year has not decreased despite being affected by drought and saltwater intrusion."
  • 50. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com As the COVID-19 pandemic rages globally, demand for rice has increased in many markets, and Việt Nam should pay attention to this opportunity, he said. "In the current situation, we have recommended the Government should allow export of rice without applying limits.‖ Nguyễn Ngọc Nam, chairman of the Việt Nam Food Association, said: ―As of April 18, rice inventory at member companies was 1.94 million tonnes. Enterprises had signed contracts to export 1.7 million tonnes with delivery until June. If they fulfil the contracts, they will still have more than 200,000 tonnes in stock. Besides, the summer-autumn rice crop is about to be harvested. ―Therefore, we have petitioned the Government to allow normal rice exports from May.‖ Trương Quang Hoài Nam, deputy chairman of the Cần Thơ City People‘s Committee, agreed with Đức and called for allowing exporters who submitted customs declaration forms in March to ship their rice and enabling firms with consignments stuck at ports to complete customs clearance. "Firms in the city had shipped 76,181 tonnes of rice to ports. They submitted customs declarations for more than 46,000 tonnes in March. But all consignments are stuck at ports." Trần Hồ Hiền of the Bình Định Food Joint Stock Company (Bidifood) said his company had nearly 10,000 tonnes stuck at Mỹ Thới Port because customs lost its customs declaration form. His company has been suffering heavy losses since it has to meet VNĐ200 million a day (US$8,476) for a month in unexpected expenses, he said. "Our company is in danger of collapse.‖ He sought the help of the ministries of Industry and Trade and Finance. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Quốc Khánh, who chaired the conference, called on customs to help Bidifood and other companies in similar circumstances clear their consignments as soon as possible.
  • 51. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com He admitted that there have been difficulties for businesses, but the recent changes in rice export regulations were due to concerns related to food security and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and saltwater intrusion. Localities in the Mekong Delta have reported a bumper winter-spring crop, and farmers in the north have also started harvesting their rice crop, which has not affected by pests as earlier feared. Based on this, his ministry would recommend that the Government should adjust the rice export regulations from May, he promised. — VNS https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/715704/rice-growing-localities-exporters-want-export-limits- scrapped.html Virus Outbreak: Daily necessities in good supply: Executive Yuan DOMESTIC PRODUCTION: Officials said that stocks of pigs, broiler chickens and eggs are plentiful, while instant noodle factories are well on top of local demand  By Chen Yu-fu and Dennis Xie / Staff reporter, with staff writerDomestic supplies of commodity goods — such as toilet paper, instant noodles, rice, fertilizer and pork — are sufficient, the Executive Yuan said yesterday, adding that the nation‘s production capacity remained stable despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) mentioned the importance of maintaining a steady supply of commodity goods during the pandemic in guidelines he created, Minister Without Portfolio Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) told a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei. ―Corporations cannot fall; jobs cannot be lost; supply of goods cannot cease; and money flows cannot stop,‖ Kung quoted Su as saying. From left, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Ho Chi-kung, Minister Without Portfolio Kung Ming-hsin, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng and Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih attend a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA Local factories provide an adequate supply of instant noodles, as they are capable of manufacturing 4 million boxes per month, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng (林全能) said, adding that if necessary, capacity could be expanded.
  • 52. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com People should not worry about tissue paper, either, as the four major tissue paper providers in Taiwan can produce a combined 8 million boxes with eight rolls in each box, Lin said. There are 567,000 tonnes of wheat available on the market, enough for 5.5 months of domestic consumption, he said, adding that the ministry is keeping close tabs on supplies and prices. About 1.8 million barrels of soybean salad oil are produced each month, he said, adding that there are 729,000 tonnes of soybeans available on the market, enough for 4.1 months of domestic consumption. There are 900,000 tonnes of rice in the national reserve, with another 1.2 million scheduled to be added over the next six months, Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季 ) said, adding that the total amount would be enough to feed the nation for 21 months. While supplies of vegetables and fruit are adequate, the council would make a slight increase of 21,000 tonnes to vegetables and fruits stored in the national reserve if circumstances require it to do so, Chen said.
  • 53. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com With more than 670,000 pigs and 25 million broiler chickens entering the meat market per month, and 12 million chicken eggs being laid per day, supplies of pork, chicken and eggs are plentiful, he said. Taiwan used 820,000 tonnes of fertilizer last year and the amount to be produced this year has been set at 1 million tonnes, he said. The aquaculture industry produces a sufficient supply of seafood, he added. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2020/04/21/2003735013 No time to waste to avoid future food shortages ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR TRANSLATIONAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS IMAGE: PROFESSOR ROBERT FURBANK, COETP DIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR JOHN EVANS, COETP CHIEF INVESTIGATOR AT THE ANU GLASSHOUSES IN CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA view more CREDIT: NATALIA BATEMAN, ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR TRANSLATIONAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS During the past few weeks, empty supermarket shelves, without pasta, rice and flour due to panic buying, has caused public concerns about the possibility of running out of food. Australian farmers have reassured consumers saying that the country produces enough food to feed three times its population. However, will this statement remain true in ten to twenty years in a country severely affected by climate change? The answer is yes, if we are prepared for this and if there is continuous funding towards creating solutions to increase crop production. "Plant scientists are punching above their weight by participating in global, interdisciplinary efforts to find ways to increase crop production under future climate change conditions. We essentially need to double the production of major cereals before 2050 to secure food availability for the rapidly growing world population," says ANU Professor Robert Furbank from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis (CoETP).
  • 54. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com "It is similar to finding a virus vaccine to solve a pandemic, it doesn't happen overnight. We know that Australia's agriculture is going to be one area of the world that is most affected by climate extremes, so we are preparing to have a toolbox of plant innovations ready to ensure global food security in a decade or so, but to do this we need research funding to continue," Professor Furbank says. Several examples of these innovative solutions were published recently in a special issue on Food Security Innovations in Agriculture in the Journal of Experimental Botany, including five reviews and five research articles. Co-editor of the Special Issue, ANU Professor John Evans, says that this publication highlights the now widely accepted view that improving photosynthesis - the process by which plants
  • 55. www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com convert sunlight, water and CO2 into organic matter - is a new way to increase crop production that is being developed. "We are working on improving photosynthesis on different fronts, as the articles included in this special issue show, from finding crop varieties that need less water, to tweaking parts of the process in order to capture more carbon dioxide and sunlight. We know that there is a delay of at least a decade to get these solutions to the breeders and farmers, so we need to start developing new opportunities now before we run out of options," says Professor Evans, CoETP Chief Investigator. The special issue includes research solutions that range from traditional breeding approaches to ambitious genetic engineering projects using completely different ends of the technological spectrum; from robot tractors, to synthetic biology. All these efforts are focused on finding ways to make crops more resistant to drought and extreme climate conditions and being more efficient in the use of land and fertilisers. "Our research is contributing to providing food security in a global context, and people often ask what that has to do with Australian farmers and my answer is everything. Aside from the fact that economy and agriculture are globally inter-connected, if Australian farmers have a more productive resilient and stable crop variety, they are able to plan for the future, which turns into a better agribusiness and at the same time, ensures global security across the world," says Professor Furbank. ### This research has been funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis (CoETP), led by the Australian National University, which aims to improve the process of photosynthesis to increase the production of major food crops such as sorghum, wheat and rice. This research is published in the Journal of Experimental Botany Special issue on Innovations in Agriculture for Food Security (Volume 71, Issue 7, April 2020) Journalists who want to link to the Journal of Experimental Special issue and associated papers in their stories can use the following link: https://academic.oup.com/jxb/issue/71/7