13th march,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine
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Riceplus Magazine shares daily International RICE News for global Rice Community. We publish daily two newsletters namely Global Rice News & ORYZA EXCLUSIVE News for readers .You can share any development news for readers. Share your rice and agriculture related research write up with Riceplus Magazine contact [email protected] , [email protected] For Advertisement & Specs [email protected]TRANSCRIPT
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Int’l Centre for Chemical & Biological Sciences, China
institute sign MoU on rice research
Reported by: `Customs Today Report March 13, 2015
KARACHI: An MoU on rice research was signed between International Center for Chemical and
Biological Sciences and China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Hangzhou, China.
The objective of the agreement is to conduct research for developing new high yielding and
disease resistant varieties of rice and such other areas as the two parties may agree upon.
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter
March 13 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I
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The MoU was signed in an official ceremony held at Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular
Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi.
Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, on behalf of
ICCBS and Deputy Director General CNRRI Dr
Peisong Hu on behalf of his institute signed the
agreement.Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Atta-
ur-Rahman said that this was the positive sign that
Pakistani and Chinese scientists were jointly
carrying out research on rice.Dr Iqbal Choudhary
informed that the Chinese institution will train the
scholars from ICCBS in the field of rice breeding
and production of high quality hybrid rice seed.
As per the agreement, both the institutions have agreed to enhance relations between the two
institutions and to develop academic exchange in the area of research,‖ he said.Dr Peisong Hu
said that CNRRI focused on basic and applied researches with priority on solving significant
scientific and technical problems in rice production.
http://customstoday.com.pk/intl-centre-for-chemical-biological-sciences-china-institute-sign-mou-on-
rice-research/
Agreement on rice research
March 13, 2015
Karachi - An MoU on rice research was signed between International Center for Chemical and
Biological Sciences and China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Hangzhou,
China.The objective of the agreement is to conduct research for developing new high yielding
and disease resistant varieties of rice and such other areas as the two parties may agree upon.
The MoU was signed in an official ceremony held at Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular
Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi.Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal
Choudhary, on behalf of ICCBS and Deputy Director General CNRRI Dr Peisong Hu on behalf
of his institute signed the agreement.Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman said that
this was the positive sign that Pakistani and Chinese scientists were jointly carrying out research
on rice.Dr Iqbal Choudhary informed that the Chinese institution will train the scholars from
ICCBS in the field of rice breeding and production of high quality hybrid rice seed.As per the
agreement, both the institutions have agreed to enhance relations between the two institutions
and to develop academic exchange in the area of research,‖ he said.
Dr Peisong Hu said that CNRRI focused on basic and applied researches with priority on solving
significant scientific and technical problems in rice production. http://nation.com.pk/business/13-Mar-2015/agreement-on-rice-research
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Golden Rice Campaign Launched
By Rubelle Tan · Mar 13th, 2015 · Golden rice, a genetically modified rice variety by the International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI), will be distributed in India to compensate for the lack of vitamin A in
children. This genetically engineered rise was the product of splicing of bacteria and maize genes into
rice for it to contain pro-vitamin A (beta-carotene).
Golden Rice grain in screenhouse of Golden Rice plants.
The Allow Golden Rice Campaign Now, headed by
Greenpeace co-founder, Patrick Moore, was
launched in the Philippines and Bangladesh last
March 6 and will continue in New Delhi and
Mumbai, India on March 19.Vitamin A deficiency
has been observed in children in third-world
countries, as well as in adults. The campaign aims
to do a ―quick-fix‖ solution to vitamin A deficiency
that can lead to blindness.This campaign is not
without objections, however. Stop Golden Rice
Alliance, composed of 20 non-government
organizations around the world, has been vocal in
its objections on the promotion of Golden
Rice.―With inexpensive Vitamin A available in
abundance from various natural resources,
produced by small-scale and backyard producers, it
is a mistake to turn blindly to golden rice, a crop
that the International Rice Research Institute itself
admits it has not yet determined if it can actually
improve the Vitamin A intake,‖ said the Alliance.As a response to these objections, Moore stated:
―Golden rice is the obvious cure, but because it was created with genetic science, Greenpeace and the
anti-GMO movement fervently oppose it. No country has approved it for cultivation.‖
―If golden rice was a cure for a disease like malaria, cancer, or Ebola it would have been approved years
ago,‖ he added. Vitamin A deficiency is a significant health problem of over 75 countries worldwide.
Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) can cause severe visual impairment, blindness, and increased risk for
diseases like diarrhoeal disease and measles in children.Countries where golden rice was initially
launched had mixed reviews. In the Philippines, a Facebook campaign was launched by NGOs and
scientists to stop Moore‘s advocacy for Golden Rice.―Our opposition to Golden Rice and other
genetically modified (GM) crops are founded on solid argumenta and actual experiences of Filipino
farmers on GM crops. Filipino farmers who have been planting GM crops suffered negative income,
health problems and poisoned environment,‖ stated MASIPAG, a Filipino farmer-led network of people‘s
organizations, NGOs and scientists.India, on the other hand, has Modi government that is pro-technology.
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―The aim is to dispel fears about GM crops, so that the country can join the US, China and Canada. GM
crops are very important for India‘s agricultural growth,‖ says a senior agricultural ministry official.
Here are some facts on VAD:
14 million pre-schoolchildren have some eye damage due to VAD
350,000 (or more pre-school children become partially or totally blind every year from VAD
About 60 percent of these children die within a few month of going blind
Half of all childhood corneal blindness in developing countries is caused by VAD, and half of that is from
added measles infection
Photo: IRRI photos
http://www.healthaim.com/golden-rice-campaign-launched/16552
ICCBS, China NRRI sign MoU
March 13, 2015
RECORDER REPORTmemorandum of understanding (MoU) on rice research was signed
between International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of
Karachi, and China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Hangzhou, China, here on
Thursday. A statement said that the objective of the agreement is to conduct research for
developing new high yielding and disease resistant varieties of rice and such other areas as the
two parties may agree upon.
The MoU was signed in an official ceremony held at Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular
Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi. Chinese officials, including
Deputy Director General CNRRI Dr Peisong Hu, Dr Liyong Cao, Dr Xinhua Wei, Ms Aijuan
Ge, Patron-in-Chief ICCBS-KU, Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Director ICCBS-KU, Professor
Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhary, and other faculty members attended the ceremony. Professor
Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhary, on behalf of ICCBS-KU and Deputy Director General CNRRI
Dr Peisong Hu on behalf of his institute signed the agreement. Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rahman said
the agreement would further promote collaborative research between the scientists of two
countries.
He said it was a positive sign that Pakistani and Chinese scientists were jointly carrying out
research on rice. ICCBS was one of Pakistan's most eminent centres of excellence, and one of
the finest academic research establishments of chemical and biological sciences in the
developing world, he observed. Dr Iqbal Chaudhary said the international centre was engaged in
R&D of various fields of chemical, biological, biomedical and genomic research. "The Chinese
institution will train the scholars from ICCBS in the field of rice breeding and production of high
quality hybrid rice seed.
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According to MoU, both the institutions will work together in the field of agricultural
biotechnology". As per the agreement, both the institutions had agreed to enhance relations
between the two institutions and to develop academic exchange in the area of research, he said.
Dr Peisong Hu said CNRRI focused on basic and applied researches with priority on solving
significant scientific and technical problems in rice production. "It also plays an important role in
co-ordination with priority rice research programmes throughout the country, conducting
national and international training, and scientific and technical exchange, and, compiling and
publishing academic journals and books on rice," he maintained. http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/1160851/
APEDA NEWS
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 12-03-2015
Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs/Qtl
Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price
Rice
1 Cachar (Assam) Other 2000 2500
2 Jhagadiya (Gujarat) Other 1950 3050
3 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 2400
Wheat
1 Dehgam (Gujarat) Other 1375 1455
2 Cherthala (Kerala) Other 3250 3400
3 Bonai(Orissa) Other 1400 1600
Apple
1 Aroor (Kerala) Other 5600 5800
2 Karanjia(Orissa) Other 4000 4500
3 Giridih(Jharkhand) Other 6000 6100
Carrot
1 Attingal (Kerala) Other 3000 3500
2 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 2500
3 Gumla(Jharkhand) Other 800 1000
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Source: agmarknet for more products
Egg Rs per 100 No.
Price on 10-03-2015
Product Market Center Price
1 Pune 285
2 Nagapur 247
3 Namakkal 260
Source: e2necc.com
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 12-03-2015
Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price
Guar Gum Powder
1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2300
2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1750
3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2825
Apricots
1 Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 5875
2 Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4625
3 Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t) 3625
Honey
1 Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4435
2 Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4360
3 Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4310
Source:agra-net for more products
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Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ / package
Price on 10-03-2015
Product Market
Center Origin Variety Low High
Mangoes Package: flats 1 layer
1 Atlanta Peru
Kent 17.75 17.75
2 Chicago Mexico Kent
9 10
3 Miami Peru
Kent 7 8
Cabbage Package: 50 lb sacks
1 Atlanta Florida Round Green Type
10 11
2 Chicago Texas
Round Green Type 9 9
3 Miami Canada
Round Green Type 12 12
Grapes Package: 18 lb containers bagged
1 Atlanta Chile Black Seedless
30 31
2 Chicago Chile Black Seedless
Ask Well: Arsenic in Rice Crackers? By DEBORAH BLUM MARCH 13, 2015 5:30 AM March 13, 2015 5:30 am
CreditAndrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Recently, I’ve been reading about the presence of unacceptable levels of arsenic in
both brown and white rice. Are rice vinegar and rice crackers also affected?
Asked by P.E.G. • 46 votes
Foods that contain rice, including rice crackers and vinegar, routinely contain some level of
arsenic, scientists say, as do products like rice cakes, rice wine and cereals, and snack bars and
baking mixes that contain rice flour or bran. But it‘s unclear how serious a health risk they
pose.The Food and Drug Administration has a list of rice-containing foods that focuses on
inorganic arsenic, considered the most dangerous form of the poison. One reason rice gets so
much attention is that the plant is very good at pulling inorganic arsenicfrom soil and water and
storing it in the edible grain.But levels of contamination vary according to the type of rice and
where it is grown.
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Brown rice, for example, tends to show higher levels than white rice, which is stripped during
processing of layers of the grain where arsenic tends to collect. California rice frequently
contains less arsenic than that grown in southern states, which tends to have higher levels of
arsenic in the soil. Consumer Reports found that basmati rice from India, Pakistan and California
had markedly lower levels of arsenic than other varieties.The F.D.A. found that arsenic levels
ranged from 7.2 micrograms (a millionth of a gram) to 2.5 micrograms per serving. Rice crackers
averaged about five micrograms.
Rice vinegar was even lower, around one microgram or less.―It may be that you get some
dilution with the vinegar‖ or wine, said Brian Jackson, director of the Trace Metal Analysis Core
Facility at Dartmouth College.While these are all tiny amounts, inorganic arsenic has been linked
to disease in extremely low doses. Much of this evidence comes from studies of arsenic in
water. The United States Environmental Protection Agency sets a 10-parts-per-billion safety
standard for drinking water.Because of the complexities, it‘s harder to assess the risk from foods.
―The question for everyone is ‗Do I worry?‘ ‖ Dr. Jackson admits.His recommendation: ―If you
are a person who is eating rice every day, and also snacking on rice products, then that five
micrograms from rice crackers becomes significant,‖ he said. ―If once a month, not so much. The
idea is to eat a varied diet — and be aware of how much rice you are eating.‖
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/ask-well-arsenic-in-rice-crackers/?_r=0
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Underdevelopment inertia
AT GROUND LEVEL By Satur C. Ocampo (The Philippine Star) | Updated March 14, 2015 - 12:00am
Besides the slowdown in the growth of gross domestic product last year (to 6.1% from 7.2% in 2013),
government economic planners have acknowledged that national poverty incidence in the first half of
2014 rose to 25.8%, from 24.6% in first-half 2013. In 10 of the 17 regions the Philippine Statistics
Authority recorded double-digit spikes in poverty threshold —most significantly by14.2% in Region 8
(Leyte, Samar, Biliran) and 13.5% in the National Capital Region.
Blamed for the poverty rise was high inflation, specifically higher food prices, up by 6.5%.Furthermore,
the National Economic and Development Authority blamed the 12% increase in the prices of rice —
which eats up 20% of the budget of low-income families.The high inflation, NEDA pointed out,
practically negated the 6.4% increment in per-capita income.―At a time when the world price of rice was
declining, the domestic price… was skyrocketing,‖ lamented NEDA director-general Arsenio M.
Balisacan.To temper inflation and drive down poverty, he added, rice prices must be reduced.How?
Balisacan urged reversing a 20-year government policy: remove the limit on rice imports, called
quantitative restriction or QR, which the Philippine negotiators fought hard to get approved by the World
Trade Organization in 1995. The objective was to protect Filipino rice farmers and enable them to
become competitive producers under a regime of agricultural trade liberalization. Upon appeal by the
government, the QR has been extended twice, to remain in effect until 2017.
But the QR hasn‘t worked.Over two decades we have been a net importer of rice — the world‘s No. 1
importer by 2010. Just as shocking, we also import a great deal of the other most common foods that we
eat: coffee (53.31% of consumption), mongo (50.96%), peanuts (43.71%), garlic (28.34%), pork (8.31%),
and shrimps and prawns (7.99%), among others.
Opinion ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
The declared objective to achieve rice self-sufficiency and food security has remained unfulfilled, absent
a determined program to develop/modernize agriculture.This year the National Food Authority is
importing 500,000 metric tons of rice allegedly to augment locally-grown stock in the ―lean season‖
starting July.Yet the PSA points out that of the January 2015 NFA stock of 520,000 MT, 97% was
imported. And the UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the government will again
import 1.8 million MT this year because growth in domestic production will be either insignificant or nil.
Oddly, a PSA report, titled ―Agricultural Indicators System Report on Food Sufficiency and Security,‖
says that our country‘s dependence on imported rice dropped to 3.2% of total consumption (10.9 million
MT) in 2013, from 7.8% in 2012.If the FAO estimate is accurate, the 1.8-million MT import will
constitute about 10% of consumption.And if Balisacan‘s proposal to scrap the QR is adopted, rice imports
will increase 10 times, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, which backstops the
NEDA.
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That will be disastrous to the Filipino rice farmers, who constitute more than two million households
reeling in poverty. As a recent PIDS study affirms, the benefits from the GDP growth in recent years
haven‘t ―trickled down‖ to the poor, especially agriculture-dependent households. Whereas agriculture
accounted for 12% of GDP and 1/3 of the labor force in 2010, poverty incidence in 2009 among
agriculture-dependent households was 57% — compared with 17% in non-agricultural households.
But the PIDS, echoing Balisacan, claims that huge rice imports will
significantly cut prices in the country. As a parallel move, the P-Noy government‘s chief economic
planner proposes to augment, corresponding to inflation rate, the P62.32-billion budget for the
Conditional Cash Transfer program.Evidently the exigency of checking the rise in poverty incidence —
the Philippines has failed to meet the Millenium Development Goal to reduce poverty to 16% by 2015 —
is prioritized over developing agriculture and attaining rice self-sufficiency and food security. Balisacan
states the issue thus:
―While we definitely need to support the agriculture sector in general, we should also maximize the gains
from trade and globalization.‖Maximizing the gains from neoliberal globalization has been the policy
mantra since the Ramos administration two decades ago. Yet what gains have the successive governments
to show for it?
Another PIDS study, titled ―Is Poverty Really Decreasing? And if Not, Why Not?‖ critiques a PSA report
suggesting that the CCT program, among other factors, induced a drop in poverty from first-half 2012 to
first-half 2013.No clear evidence of that, the study avers.
Instead, PIDS cites three trends: 1) poverty rates remained unchanged in the first-semester periods of
2006-2012 (only minute differences within margins of error); 2) full-year poverty rates were also
unchanged in 2006-2012; and 3) estimates of the proportion of the poor were lower in the full year than in
the first semester due to 13th-month wages and bonuses received at yearend.At bottom, recent GDP
growth rates haven‘t affected the persistence of poverty because the growth derives mainly from OFW
remittances, lower interest rates, and investments in business process outsourcing or BPOs — not in
marked increases in modern agricultural and industrial output, which we do not have.(Of the 6.1% growth
rate in 2014, industry contributed 2.5%, agriculture, 0.2%.)
In its yearend 2014 briefing, IBON Foundation concludes:
―This is why (the growth rate‘s) momentary impact has not been enough to offset the inertia of
underdevelopment reflected in moderate-trend growth and in backward production, high unemployment,
and deep poverty.‖Yes, very much more needs to be done for the Philippine economy to overcome the
―inertia of underdevelopment.‖
Email: [email protected]
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/03/14/1433344/underdevelopment-inertia#ixzz3UOe9OiLj
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Peak food? Can food tech supercharge crop yields and
address global food security? Rebecca Randall | March 13, 2015 | Genetic Literacy Project
Globally, humanity has reached ―peak food,‖ according to a recent study by Ecology and
Society. Peak rice was back in 1988, causing some worry about the long-term food security of
this global staple crop. Peak chicken was in 2006. Peak milk and wheat were in 2004.―People
often talk of substitution. If we run out of one substance we just substitute another. But if
multiple resources are running out, we‘ve got a problem. Mankind needs to accept that
renewable raw materials are reaching their yield limits worldwide,‖ said Jianguo ―Jack‖ Liu, of
Michigan State University.
Is it really as apocalyptic as it seems?
No, according to Hank Campbell, the founder of science communication site Science 2.0. While
projecting increases in population, the model Liu and his colleagues used leaves food technology
as static. Campbell wrote that the key to avoiding such a catastrophe is in embracing food
science innovations:
Since the 1970s American farmers, who embrace science more than any in the world, have
grown more food on less land in a way 1970s projections believed was only science-fiction. If
Europe and the developing world embraced science the way American agriculture does, not only
could we grow the same food we have right now, we could let farmland equivalent to the entire
region of Amazonia go back to nature and not lose a single carrot.As an example of food
technology‘s ability to address leveled yields, in December researchers were able to engineer rice
genes to carry out a basicsupercharged photosynthesis process and increase productivity.
Many supporters of genetic engineering note that for some crops the technology increases yields,
often with less input and while using less acreage. Anti-GMO activists vociferously dispute
that.There are two issues in play here: Do GM crops increase yield? And if they do, is this yield
increase even necessary considering how much food goes to waste.In a 2009 polemic, Doug-
Durian Sherman, then with the Union of Concerned Scientists, wrote ―Failure to Yield‖ in which
he argued that yield improvements over the previous 25 years were the result of conventional
breeding or farming practices, not GMOs.
Specifically herbicide-resistant corn and soy have not had improved yields, while insect-resistant
corn has slightly improved.A USDA report last year supports that position in part. It indicates
that yields in the US increased only slightly over the first 15 years of the commercialization of
GMO crops. The advantage for farmers, it said is in saving on insecticide due to using insect-
resistant crops. However, surveys in the developing world, home to more than half of the farms
using GM crops, yields have increased as much as 40 percent, in part because of improved
efficiencies.
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But does the world need more crops and food? The popular view propagated on anti-GMO
websites and even in the left media which is dogmatically critical for the technology is ―no.‖ The
far left Nation framed the issue in polarized terms in its essay, ―Can GMOs Help Feed a Hot and
Hungry World?‖
The high cost of GMO field-testing may explain why the only genetically modified crops that
have made it to market are, in the words of environmental scientist Jonathan Foley, “very
disappointing” and “come with some big problems.”“GMO efforts may have started off with
good intentions to improve food security,” Foley wrote in a column in the science
magazine Ensia in February, “but they ended up in crops that were better at improving profits.”
Strong opponents of genetic modification claim that independent of the issue of safety, the world
just doesn‘t need more crops—just better distribution. For example, GM Education, a website
supported by Citizens Concerned about GM which claims, disingenuously, that it is not opposed
to genetic engineering, writes that it‘s too simplistic to promote increases in food production as a
way to feed the world. It claims that the media that media inappropriately promotes GMO
technology rather than focusing on the ―real‖ problem: not supply but distribution:
The biggest problem with global malnutrition is politics. Distribution and supply, skewed wealth
and corrupt governments are doing more harm to the starving masses than conventional food
production ever will. There is plenty of food, enough produced globally even now, for nine
billion people. We just need to tackle the more complicated political issues.
This is a familiar meme in the anti-GMO press,
which claims that genetic modification is a
danger-riddled technology that is just not
necessary. Unfortunately, there is no magic
bullet to rework the global food distribution
system. The challenges of waste and what some
consider ―unfair‖ apportionment of food can be
addressed, but only slowly and over decades.
Meanwhile, the global population is soaring,
and people are becoming more affluent in the
developing world, sharply increasing the
demand for food.
Demanding reforms in food distribution doesn‘t feed the hungry; increasing food production in
hard-pressed countries would.Even Gurian-Sherman, who now works with the anti-GMO Center
for Food Safety, agrees that current yields will not meet growing demand; we need to increase
yield—one way or another. ―If we are going to make headway in combating hunger due to
overpopulation and climate change, we will need to increase crop yields.‖ He just disagrees on
how.
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―Traditional breeding outperforms genetic engineering hands down,‖ he‘s said.Therefore, raising
yields remains a part of the work of the global development research, yet studying the best policy
environment in which to release new technology has also become a priority. In the case of poor
farmers, while researchers at the International Rice Research Institute work on genetically
engineering a supercharged photosynthesis in rice could help raise yields, colleagues at the
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) consider what supportive policy is needed.
Policy is so important, in fact, that the 2014 IFPRI report on global hunger doesn‘t mention
agricultural yield increases in its recommendation and instead focuses on policy priorities for
governments. However, it does point out the importance of government support and incentives
for scientists to develop nutritious seeds.
The point, however, is that this is a shift in thinking. Nathaneal Johnson, a food writer at
Grist, asked Shenggen Fan, the director of the IRPRI, if there had been a change: ―Yes,‖ he said.
―It‘s a sea change.‖The IFPRI is a part of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research
Centers, known as CGIAR. The consortium is an independent international organization that got
its start during the Green Revolution, which pushed agricultural innovations like hybridized
seeds, pesticides and fertilizer as solutions to hunger.Fan said that CGIAR used to be focused on
yields, but in 2010, it made somereforms.
However, this isn‘t necessarily a split from the past, and its
website explains, ―Our belief in science as a way to find
humanitarian solutions has never wavered though and is as
strong as ever.‖Fan still credits the role of science in the
Green Revolution with preventing famine, but his message
is clear: Policy plays a key role in guiding and ensuring
innovations have impact.The International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI)—also one of the CGIAR centers—has been
leading the work on supercharged photosynthesis, one
innovation that is a potential tool in the larger toolbox of
poverty solutions.The researchers altered the genes in rice to
show that C4 photosynthesis could work in rice.―It‘s the
first time we‘ve seen evidence of the C4 cycle in rice, so it‘s
very exciting,‖said Thomas Brutnell, a researcher at the
Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis.
C4 photosynthesis helps plants grow more efficiently by capturing carbon dioxide and fixing it in
cells in the leaves. It is what makes corn and sugarcane so productive. Researchers said that it
could boost rice and wheat yields by roughly 50 percent. With it, rice farmers could achieve
environmental efficiencies using far less water and fertilizer. While scientists have made a
breakthrough, the altered rice still must undergo further breeding to fully use C4 photosynthesis.
Scientists are still identifying all of the genes needed to produce this process and say that genome
editing will likely hold the key.
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Once scientists solve the puzzle in rice, they say the process could be extended to other crops
including potatoes, tomatoes, apples and soybeans.Other research on rice is also working to
improve yields in the face of climate change by genetically improving rice to have drought-
tolerant, heat-tolerant traits and others.
Many varieties of drought-tolerant rice are bred conventionally. So far, the IRRI has released 17
varieties in Asia and Africa. But some research uses transgenic breeding, such as a rice variety
that uses a pepper gene to confer drought tolerance.In the meantime, José Graziano da Silva,
director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization is asking policymakers to support a
range of approaches. In a speech in September 2014, he said that we need to try it all, referring to
both genetically modified seeds and agroecology, which is often held up as the preferred option
by anti-GMO activists. ―We need to explore these alternatives using an inclusive approach based
on science and evidences, not on ideologies,‖ he said.
He also pointed out, however, ―we cannot rely on an input intensive model to increase
production and that the solutions of the past have shown their limits.‖ But that means some
biotechnology solutions, like the C4 rice, could be a part of lowering use of fertilizers and water
while still providing more income for farmers.But to be successful, of course, it needs backing
from policymakers, who support agriculture in a variety of ways from setting workable policies
for crop insurance to loan support to a viable regulatory environment for crops bred using
genetic tools.Whether we‘ve reached ―peak food‖ probably isn‘t the point, so what is? It‘s how
we respond to improve yields and ultimately incomes for farmers using a variety of tools and
methods.
http://geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/03/13/peak-food-can-food-tech-supercharge-crop-yields-and-
address-global-food-security/
Study on Plant Immune Systems May Lead to Better
Tomatoes, Rice and Other Crops Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Mar 13, 2015 05:49 AM EDT
Understanding plants' immune systems may just lead to better tomatoes and other plants. (Photo :
Flickr/Skånska Matupplevelser)
Understanding plants' immune systems may just lead to better tomatoes and other plants.
Scientists have taken a look at the bacteria that infects plants to learn a bit more about plant
immune systems and how to potentially bolster plant defenses. "Each year, millions of dollars
are lost from damage to crops and ornamental plants caused by pathogens, which include a
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bacteria known as Pseudomonas Syringae," said Antje Heese, one of the researchers, in a news
release.
"This bacteria directly affects tomatoes and causes
speck disease that permanently damage the fruit
and leaves. In our study, we used Arabidopsis
thaliana, a plant that has the same immune
response as tomatoes but grows at a faster rate, to
study the immune response of plants." Scientists
once thought that a plant defended itself against
bacteria by activating a specific, several-step
process. However, it seems as if plants instead activate their immune systems using three
separate mechanisms.
In fact, the scientists found that each mechanism responding to the infection did so
independently of the two other mechanisms. In addition, each mechanism had to have the right
amount of specific proteins, called immune receptors, in the right place in order to respond
appropriate. Having the right combination provided the plant with an effective and efficient
immune response.So what does this mean? The findings could allow scientists to create new
strategies to help plants fight off disease.
This could lead to more resistant crops that could save the agricultural industry millions."Like
any living organism, plants have limited resources and they have to use these resources
effectively," said Heese. "If the plant makes too much of the proteins responsible for these
mechanisms, they will suffer in other areas, such as creating quality fruit. This same discovery
can be applied to many crops, including rice and soybeans, and ornamental plants, including
roses, pear and apple trees. The information discovered in this study gives scientists something
new to study in plants, with the eventual goal of better crops and ornamental plants."The findings
are published in the journal PLOS Pathogens.
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global
News (HNGN). http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/23305/20150313/study-plant-immune-systems-lead-better-
tomatoes-rice-crops.htm
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Nearly 70 percent of evangelicals do not view religion,
science as being in conflict
posted by news on march 13, 2015 - 2:00pm
Media and popular culture might portray religion and science as being at odds, but new research
from Rice University suggests just the opposite.Findings from the recently completed study
"Religious Understandings of Science (RUS)" reveal that despite many misconceptions
regarding the intersection of science and religion, nearly 70 percent of evangelical Christians do
not view the two as being in conflict with each other.The research was presented by Rice
sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund today in Washington, D.C., during the American Association
for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference, Perceptions: Science and Religious
Communities.
Ecklund, the principal investigator and researcher for the RUS project, is the Autrey Professor of
Sociology and director of Rice's Religion and Public Life Program.Ecklund noted that
evangelicals are of interest in this study because they constitute approximately 26 percent of the
population in the U.S. and are often considered the most hostile toward science."We really
wanted to determine if this claim was based in any truth," Ecklund said. "Although many
politicians and the media at large portray evangelicals as distrustful of science, we found that this
is more myth than reality."
Other key findings:
Nearly half of evangelicals (48 percent) view science and religion as complementary to one
another; 21 percent view them as entirely independent of one another.Overall, 38 percent of
Americans view religion and science as complementary, and 35 percent of Americans view
science and religion as entirely independent.In the U.S., 76 percent of scientists in the general
population identify with a religious tradition.
Only 15 percent of Americans and 14 percent of evangelicals agree that modern science does
more harm than good.Jews (42 percent), Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus (52 percent as a group)
and the nonreligious (47 percent) are more interested in new scientific discoveries than
evangelicals (22 percent) are.Ecklund plans to write a book about the survey findings with Chris
Scheitle, a sociology professor at the West Virginia University. She hopes the research will shed
light on how religious groups understand science and vice versa, in addition to providing
outreach and translation to individuals who might have difficulties with some aspects of science.
RUS is the largest study of American views on religion and science. It includes a nationally
representative survey of more than 10,000 Americans and more than 300 in-depth interviews
with Christians, Jews and Muslims; more than 140 of the latter three groups are evangelical
Christians The study also included extensive observations of 23 religious centers in Houston and
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Chicago. The research is being provided to the AAAS Dialogue on Science Ethics and Religion
program to help foster communication between religious groups and scientists.
http://www.sciencecodex.com/nearly_70_percent_of_evangelicals_do_not_view_religion_science_as_bei
ng_in_conflict-152832
East Kootenay Regional Science Fair
A judge congratulating a budding scientist at a previous East Kootenay Regional Science Fair.
— Image Credit: Photo Submitted
by Staff Writer - Kootenay News Advertiser
posted Mar 13, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Science is an ever-evolving discipline that has taken
us as a society from shivering in a cave to exploring
Mars. With the pace of technology today, the
scientists of the future need to start young and with
the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair, slated for
April 10 and 11 at the College of the Rockies, local
students are getting that head start.―Our head judge,
Dr. David Dick, from the college has rounded up 45
science professionals from around the area to judge
the exhibits,‖ said Ann Rice, science fair coordinator. ―It‘s a real networking community for
these people.
‖Rice explained that on the Friday, the event will be a competition for grades 6 through 12. On
Saturday, it will be a non-competitive show for the grades K through 5.―It‘s also a science
exhibition,‖ said Rice. ―Organizations and businesses will be on hand with displays. These
exhibitions will line the hallways and foyer of the College.This science fair has a history of its
student participants achieving acclaim. A few years ago Keltie Murdoch ended up going to the
national competition for her experiment that recaptured geothermal heating. She then went on to
compete in the Taiwan International Science Fair, earning fourth place honours.
Something special for this year‘s event is that people can see and hear Abigail Harrison, known
as ‗Astronaut Abby‘, who has devoted nearly her entire 17 years to becoming one of the first
astronauts on Mars. Check out Astronautabby.com for her full story.So this coming April 10 and
11, come down to the College of the Rockies and see the science of tomorrow during the East
Kootenay Regional Science Fair.
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http://www.kootenayadvertiser.com/community/296238361.html
USA Rice Looks for Market Opportunities in the Philippines
The Honorable Philip Goldberg
MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- This week, USA Rice is participating in a USDA-sponsored
Agribusiness Trade Mission to Malaysia and the Philippines led by Under Secretary for Farm
and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse. Today, USA Rice Vice President for
International Promotion Jim Guinn received a detailed briefing on the economic, agricultural,
and political situation in the region from U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg and his embassy
staff.
Following the briefing, Guinn met with Ludovico Jarina,
Deputy Administrator of the National Food Authority
(NFA), the agency responsible for all governmental
purchases of rice. As expected, Jarina emphasized the
sensitive nature of rice in the country.NFA, once under the
authority of the Agricultural Ministry, is now under
control of the Presidential Advisor on Agricultural
Modernization and Food Security. Discussions centered
on the current market situation, the controlled access
system of a tariff rate quota with attendant country
specific quotas (the U.S. does not hold a CSP), and what
may take place when the TRQ is scheduled to expire in
2017. Total rice imports into the Philippines, including smuggled rice, will equal approximately
1.5 million metric tons this year.
NFA's Jarina said there is a strong market preference for long grain, but
opportunities for U.S. rice here are rather limited due to much lower priced long grain rice
available from nearby Thailand and Vietnam. However, sushi is growing in popularity here, and
Guinn thinks this may present niche market opportunities for U.S. medium grain rice, which
could be imported under the omnibus (global) quota.
Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444
Japan Announces Results of 14th Ordinary Import Tender in FY 2014
Courtesy: USA Rice Federation
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Japan Announces Results of 14th Ordinary Import Tender in FY
2014
Country of
Origin
Variety Number of
Importer
Quantity (MT) Participated
Bidders
Amount of
Bids (MT)
USA Non-glutinous
milled rice
(medium grain)
1 13,000 11 143,000
Thailand Non-glutinous
milled rice
(long grain)
8 15,368 57 366,576
Grand Total 9 64,368 68 509,576
Avg Price for
Successful Bids
JPY 66,664/mt
JPY 71,997/mt
(tax excluded)
(tax included)
Courtesy: USA Rice Federation
USA Rice Federation at 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show
TAYLOR TRUCKEY MARCH 13, 2015 LEAVE A COMMENT
The USA Rice Federation is the commodity association that
represents all industry aspects (growers, millers, merchants) of
the rice industry; they have members in all 6 major rice
producing states. While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin
Show, Randy Jemison, Director of Louisiana Field Operations
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for USA Rice Federation, spoke with Chuck Zimmerman about their role in supporting rice
production.
When asked about current priorities for USA Rice Federation, Jemison said, ―Our #1 priority is
to make all of our industry aspects viable, and profitable. On our production side, it‘s important
to maintain markets and improve marketing via trade.‖ When Trade Promotion Authority came
up in conversation, Jemison stressed the importance of trade for rice growers in the USA:
―Anything dealing with trade that will allow our government to make sure we are dealing on a
level playing field is always part of our focus.‖Jemison mentioned price slide being a major
concern due to rice overstock around the world. ―Our growers are growing the best rice in the
world but they‘re fighting a tough battle right now with low prices so we‘re doing our best to
protect and expand our markets.‖
Listen to Chuck‘s interview with Randy here: INTERVIEW WITH RANDY
JEMISON, USA RICE FEDERATION
Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album
Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by
http://agwired.com/2015/03/13/usa-rice-federation-at-2015-mid-south-farm-gin-
show/?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+13%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C
+2013&utm_medium=email
Sacramento Valley Rice Farmers Considering Selling Water
to SoCal
Posted Friday, March 13th 2015 @ 11am by KFBK News - James Rojas
The rice industry in Sacramento Valley has taken some hard hits in the past few years because of
the drought. Now farmers are now considering a big deal in Southern California for their
water. The Metropolitan Water District is offering to buy 37 billion gallons of water for $71
million. This would give rice farmers the chance to make more of a profit than they could from
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their crops. Almost all of the buyers are located south of the
Delta, where the water shortage is more critical than here in the
Sacramento Valley.California's rice industry has been
struggling, especially last year, when 140,000 acres were left
unplanted.Nine irrigation districts along the Feather River basin
already have deals to sell a portion of their water later this
summer.The sale is voluntary, but it's going to be hard for many
to pass up the offer, especially with drought conditions not
expected to improve any time soon.
http://www.kfbk.com/articles/kfbk-news-461777/sacramento-valley-rice-farmers-considering-selling-13407672/#ixzz3UOhoTAAc
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for March 13
Month Price Net Change
March 2015 $10.435 - $0.035
May 2015 $10.580 - $0.100
July 2015 $10.830 - $0.095
September 2015 $10.945 - $0.095
November 2015 $11.105 - $0.095
January 2016 $11.250 - $0.095
March 2016 $11.250 - $0.095
Courtesy: USA Rice Federation
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As drought worsens, L.A. water agency offers cash to
Sacramento Valley farmers BY DALE KASLER
[email protected] 03/12/2015 4:48 PM
03/12/2015 11:48 PM
Houseboats sit in the drought-affected waters of Lake Oroville, one of California‘s most important reservoirs,
last October. As the drought worsens, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California plans to spend up
to $71 million to buy water from farmers in the Sacramento Valley. RICH PEDRONCELLI THE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
With the drought stretching into its
fourth year, a heavyweight water
agency from Los Angeles has come
calling on Sacramento Valley rice
farmers, offering up to $71 million for
some of their water.The price being
offered is so high, some farmers can
make more from selling water than
from growing their rice. Many are
willing to deal: Nine irrigation
districts, mainly serving rice growers along the Feather River basin, have made tentative deals to
ship a portion of their water to theMetropolitan Water District of Southern California and several
other water agencies later this summer.
Almost all of the buyers are located south of the Delta, where the water shortage is generally
more critical than in the Sacramento Valley.As many as 115,000 acre-feet of water could be sold,
or more than 37 billion gallons, to Metropolitan and its fellow buyers. The result: a reduction in
the amount of rice planted as farmers take fields out of production. As it is, California‘s rice
industry is struggling to recover from a difficult 2014, in which 140,000 acres were idled due to
drought and one-fourth of the crop didn‘t get planted.on California‘s water allocations.
A generation ago, many in Northern California agriculture fought tooth-and-nail against
Metropolitan, which they viewed as the big bully from Los Angeles that would use any means
necessary to grab their water. Nowadays, farmers are more apt to cut deals with the water giant,
which serves 19 million customers, figuring it makes more sense to negotiate than to wage war
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against an entity with enormous political clout.If farmers don‘t sell to Southern California, ―we
could really be open to a lot of criticism from various parties around the state,‖ said Bryce
Lundberg of Lundberg Family Farms, a Butte County rice grower that plans to participate in the
big water transfer. ―You could get opened to more than just criticism.
‖The deal also shows how severe the drought has become. A year ago, some of the same
Sacramento Valley water districts shipped some of their water south at what seemed like an
exorbitant price: $500 an acre-foot.This year‘s transaction will make 2014 look like a steal.
Metropolitan and the others are paying $700 an acre-foot. An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons,
roughly a year‘s supply for two Southern California households.―
That reflects the desperation and the competition from the people down there,‖ said Ted Trimble,
general manager of the Western Canal WaterDistrict in Richvale, Butte County, one of the
participating sellers.Western Canal and eight other Sacramento Valley water districts agreed to
the tentative sale to a group of purchasers led by the State Water Contractors, which represents
agencies that rely on the State Water Project. Metropolitan will get 61 percent of the water and
the Kern County Water Agency will get 31 percent. The rest will be split among seven smaller
agencies, mostly south of the Delta.
The volume of water ultimately directed south could shrink. Several of the sellers, including
Western Canal, won‘t participate if their allocations for this year are cut by the state.To that end,
Metropolitan is trying to scare up additional supplies from Northern California.―We‘re hoping to
grow this pie larger,‖ said Steve Hirsch, the agency‘s manager of water transfers and exchanges,
in remarks made earlier this week to Metropolitan‘s directors. ―We‘re still pursuing sellers.
‖Southern California‘s thirst for Sacramento Valley water doesn‘t sit well with some. Barbara
Vlamis of AquAlliance, an advocacy group in Chico, said selling water to Southern California
harms the Valley‘s environment and economy.―When someone fallows 20 percent of their rice
ground, it reverberates through the ag community,‖ she said.Jim Morris, spokesman for the
California Rice Commission, said the commission wasn‘t familiar with the tentative sale and
couldn‘t comment on its impact on this year‘s crop. ―We‘re still looking at what the upcoming
season will hold,‖ he said.
For growers, participating in the sale is voluntary, but the economics make it hard to say no.
Trimble said farmers in his district figure to make a profit of about $1,000 to $1,500 an acre
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planting rice. Idling an acre of rice would yield more than 3 acre-feet of water, or more than
$2,100.Despite the big payoff, the district won‘t idle more than 10,740 acres, or about one-sixth
of its total. Trimble said growers have to take the long view; idling all their land would mean the
financial ruin of the mills and other businesses that serve the rice industry, crippling farmers
when the price of water drops and they want to plant again.
―There‘s a big industry here built up around the rice; we‘ve got to keep that going,‖ he
said.Growers along the Feather River are in a position of relative strength – water wise. Blessed
with senior water rights, they received 100 percent of their State Water Project allocation last
year. While this year‘s allocation could be cut by as much as half, they‘re better off than many
growers in other parts of the state. Last month the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced
that farmers can expect nothing this year from the federal government‘s Central Valley Project, a
major water source for many.As water becomes more precious, the notion of selling some
torments many farmers.
―We have growers in the district – they‘re never going to sell a drop of water,‖ said Thad
Bettner, general manager of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District.Glenn-Colusa, which draws
from the Sacramento River, isn‘t involved in the sale to the Metropolitan group. But it has sold
water at times. Last year it made deals with a neighboring agency, the Tehama Colusa Canal
Authority, and the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority, which serves a vast swath of the
San Joaquin Valley.Water sales also are occurring in Sacramento‘s backyard. Conaway Ranch, a
17,000-acre Yolo County farm controlled by Sacramento land baron Angelo K. Tsakopoulos, has
made deals with farmers who own vineyards and almond orchards – permanent crops that must
be watered every year.
Conaway‘s rice and other field crops can be idled.Conaway sold some of its water last year at
$325 an acre-foot and is fielding offers this year on pricier terms, said general manager Bob
Thomas.―Water is getting much more expensive,‖ he said. ―South of the Delta, the price is going
to be much higher.‖Metropolitan isn‘t thrilled about paying $700 an acre-foot for water. But the
Los Angeles agency needs the additional supply, despite having spent billions of dollars on
storage and conservation projects over the last few years.
The State Water Project, which provides about one-third of Southern California‘s water, expects
to deliver only 20 percent of normal allocations this year. The Colorado River, Metropolitan‘s
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other main source, is running at less than 50 percent of normal. This year marks the first time
since 2010 that Metropolitan has gone into the market to buy water from the Sacramento Valley.
Hirsch said Metropolitan and its partners had to compete against three other bidders, including
the San Joaquin Valley‘s massive Westlands Water District, to make the deal for the Sacramento
Valley water.―What a difficult year it‘s been to negotiate transfers,‖ the Metropolitan official
told the agency‘s water planning and stewardship committee earlier this week. ―It reflects the
competition ... and another year of drought.‖
Call The Bee’s Dale Kasler, (916) 321-1066. Follow him on Twitter @dakasler.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article13908632.html#storylink=cpy
Govt to Aid Farmers by Increasing Price of Rice
By Investor Daily on 10:17 pm Mar 12, 2015
Category Business, Commodities
Tags: Bulog, Indonesia rice, Rice price
A trader checks the rice quality. (JG Photo/Yudhi Sukma Wijaya)
Jakarta. The government plans to raise the price
for unhusked rice in an attempt to boost farmers‘
income during harvest season, a time of year
when an increase in supply pushes down prices,
Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said on
Wednesday.Amran declined to elaborate on when
the price hike will take place and by how much.
The rice harvest peaks between March and
April. State-run Indonesian Bureau of Logistics
(Bulog) bought unhulled rice from farmers at
about Rp 3,300 (25 cents) a kilogram in
February. Prices have gradually increased since
then due to a short supply, reaching as high Rp 13,000 per kilogram at retail consumer level. ―It
would be better for Bulog to buy both hulled and unhulled rice at a high price, then sell them at a
lower price to consumers,‖ Amran said.
Investor Daily
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Vietnam, Thailand To Develop Sustainable Rice Markets
HANOI, March 13 (Bernama) -- Vietnam and Thailand's agriculture ministers on Friday
discussed cooperation on creating sustainable rice markets and increasing value of farm produce
exports.Thai Minister Petipong Pungbun Naaydhya noted at the meeting with Vietnamese
Minister Cao Duc Phat that both countries are the two biggest exporters of agricultural products
in Southeast Asia and are among leading exporters in the world, Vietnam News Agency (VNA)
reported.
However, competitive global prices of farm produce have pushed down prices of key staples
such as rice, rubber, seafood, vegetables, fruits and sugarcane and impacting farmers
negatively.Vietnam and Thailand grow similar rice seeds which collectively comprise more than
half of global rice exports.Petipong suggested both countries implement a strategy to develop a
sustainable farm produce market for their long-term mutual interests, including defining grain
standards, prices and quality.Phat reiterated Vietnam's desire to work closely with Thailand to
generate mutual long-term benefits.Vietnam is home to four million hectares of rice and one
million hectares of rubber.
-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1116813
Vietnam, Thailand cooperate to develop agricultural
produce market
Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat talked with Thai
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Petipong Pungbun Naaydhya about cooperation in
building a sustainable rice market and increasing the value of export farm produce on March 12.
Farmers harvest rice in Hon Dat District, Kien Giang Province (Photo: SGGP)
Mr. Petipong Pungbun Naaydhya said that
Thailand and Vietnam are the two largest farm
produce exporters in the Southeast Asia and
among the world top nations.However
competition among businesses have pushed up
prices of many key export products such as
rice, rubber, seafood, vegetables and sugar
causing damage for farmers.According to a
commitment joined by exporters in the region,
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they are not permitted to offer rubber price of below US$1,500 a ton. However, a business
shipped it at US$1,450 under FOB (Free on Board) term from Da Nang Port in January, he
cited.Similarly, Thailand‘s rice export price is lower than Vietnam‘s. It averaged US$390 a ton
in the first two months this year while Vietnamese rice was priced at US$400.
The Thai Minister said that offering low export price has resulted THB30 billion (US$914.47
million) in losses for their country for the last couples of years.Vietnam and Thailand have many
similar rice varieties which account for 50 percent of the global rice export volume.He proposed
the two countries to map out cooperation strategies for a sustainable export market with long
term benefits and put an end to unhealthy competition among businesses.Specifically they can
work together to build strategies on rice standards, prices, quality and productivity, he
added.Minister Cao Duc Phat affirmed that Vietnam would closely work with Thailand to take
action for long term benefits of the two sides.Vietnam is cultivating four million hectares of rice
and over one million hectare of rubber plants.
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/National/2015/3/112986/
Top commerce officials fired for fake G2G Thai rice deal
with China
BY EDITOR ON 2015-03-13 THAILAND
Top commerce officials fired for fake G2G rice deal with China
BANGKOK: — The subcommittee of the Civil Service Commission has resolved to dismiss two
senior commerce officials involved with the fake G2G rice sale with China with reason it caused
severest damages to the country.It also resolved to halt pension payment not to a retired senior
commerce official who helped to facilitate the fake deal.Minister of Commerce General Chatchai
Sarikalya revealed that the subcommittee of the Civil Service Commission has approved during
its meeting earlier today, the immediate firing of two commerce officials, Tikhamporn
Nataworntat, deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department and Akkarapong
Teepwatchara, former director-general of the Foreign Rice Trade Office, for the serious offences.
He said at the same time the subcommittee also resolved to stop paying pension indefinitely to
the former director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, Manas Soiploy, for the same
serious offences.According to minister, the three persons were allegedly involved in assisting the
unauthorized Chinese private sector in getting the G2G rice deal through fraudulent channel.The
move has caused tremendous damages to the country.The minister said the three persons could
appeal for their case within 30 days.Their cases would be later forwarded to the Civil and
Criminal courts accordingly.
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/top-commerce-officials-fired-for-fake-g2g-thai-rice-deal-with-
china/38357/
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Rice farmer upbeat about good harvest
March 13th, 2015 | by New Era Staff Reporter
OSHITEYATEMO – While mahangu and maize farmers
are preparing for a failed crop – one subsistence rice
farmer is certain about a good harvest. Rauna Kleopas
from Oshiteyatemo in Omusati Region grows rice in
addition to mahangu.Kleopas ventured into rice growing in
1999 and has over the years sustained her family of
18.Growing only one rice variety at the time, she was able
to produce enough surplus to sell to earn a little income to help her fulfill other needs.
Today Kleopas counts among seasoned rice farmers and has successfully transformed herself
from growing one rice variety to growing three varieties.―Although the mahangu crops have
died, I will still be able to produce enough rice to feed my family this year,‖ said
Kleopas.Kleopas was motivating and encouraging potential rice farmers at a Namibia-Japan rice
and mahangu project field day held at Oshiteyatemo on Tuesday.
The event was organized by the University of Namibia‘s Ogongo campus in Omusati
Region.With her wide experience in planting and transplanting rice, Kleopas has also trained
more than 20 farmers on how to plant and transplant rice in their own fields.Kleopas has
undergone training from preparing her field to harvesting, at Unam‘s Ogongo campus.Although
the project has been going very well, Kleopas relates that lack of equipment, timing, land
preparation and lack of motivation are among many factors that are a challenge to growing rice
successfully.
―Some farmers that we started off with at the project dropped out mainly because of
inexperience. We also started with direct planting instead of transplanting and there was also a
delay in harvesting,‖ recalled Kleopas.However she encouraged other potential rice farmers to
grow rice to sustain their families in instances where the rain is too much or too little, such as
this year when rains have been erratic.She said farmers living close to low-lying areas that have
water for sustained periods of time should utilize such places to increase crop
production.Potential rice farmers are encouraged to visit the Ogongo campus for basic training
and information sharing on how to grow rice successfully.The Namibia-Japan rice and mahangu
project was introduced three years ago.
http://www.newera.com.na/2015/03/13/rice-farmer-upbeat-good-harvest/
Details of rice, rubber deals ironed out
13 Mar 2015
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS
Thailand and China were able to sort out a 2-million-tonne rice and 200,000-tonne rubber deal
on Thursday, agreeing to sign two contracts in Beijing on May 8.Commerce Minister Chatchai
Sarikulya said the two parties agreed the rice deal would be based on the free-on-board price and
China would be responsible for providing the shipping lines and determining the rice volume on
each shipment.They also agreed to hire independent surveyors to inspect the rice quality,
ensuring it meets qualifications and standards as stipulated in the contract.Delivery is anticipated
from July onwards.
Gen Chatchai spoke at the end of a two-day Thailand-China meeting in Bangkok about
monitoring the progress of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the 2-million-
tonne rice sale.The MoU was signed last December for 1 million tonnes each of old and new
grains along with 200,000 tonnes of rubber.Deliveries of rice and rubber were set for this year
and next.The contract will be made through the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs
Corporation, the giant state enterprise that oversees rice imports, to ensure transparency.The
transaction with China is unrelated to an earlier deal for 1 million tonnes struck by the Yingluck
Shinawatra government.
Thailand has already delivered 300,000 tonnes as part of that deal.Gen Chatchai said Chinese
officials urged Thailand to speed up shipping the remaining 700,000 tonnes. Of that 700,000
tonnes, China instructed Thailand to ship 300,000 tonnes at market prices by this July. Delivery
for the remaining 400,000 tonnes will be tabled for further discussion at the May 8 Beijing
meeting.For the rubber contract, he said the government assigned the Rubber Estate Organization
to sign with China's state-owned Sinochem.
Of the planned 200,000 tonnes, 150,000 tonnes will be ribbed smoked sheet and 50,000 tonnes
rubber block.The government has vowed to dispose of 17 million tonnes of rice in state
stockpiles within two years, with 10 million tonnes to be sold this year.On March 5, it sold
780,000 tonnes in the second auction of state rice this year, fetching more than 8 billion
baht.Last month, the government endorsed the sale of 496,243 tonnes worth 7.85 billion baht in
the year's first auction. The ministry has called five auctions since last May, selling a combined
1.12 million tonnes for 13.6 billion baht.Also this month it secured a government-to-
government contract to sell 200,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines.Get full Bangkok Post
printed newspaper experience on your digital devices with Bangkok Post e-newspaper. Try it
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Courtesy: Bangkok Post