24th February 2022 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newseltter PDF

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GST sows seeds of resentment among hybrid seed

stakeholders
LAHORE: The imposition of a 17 per cent general sales tax (GST) on seeds has irked the
Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA), which declares the step as the last
nail in the coffin of the industry.
The executive committee of the newly-formed association, which met here with its founding
chairman Shahzad Ali Malik in the chair, feared that the GST would negatively impact the
access to quality seeds due to increased cost and would also hit farmers and end-users.
The meeting was attended by its executive committee members who discussed a range of issues
being faced by the sector.
The chairman briefed the body on the future line of action for advocacy and promotion of the
hybrid seed sector and allied technology.
He feared it may discourage the use of hybrid seeds and reduce the yield of major crops like
cotton, rice, wheat, maize, vegetables and oilseeds, etc.
He said the step has created unrest amongst all stakeholders, especially the Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, CropLife Association, farmers
associations, FPCCI and PHHSA.
“It is unfortunate that the very first adventure for the association soon after grant of trade body
licence to it is to resist this sales tax levy.”
Mr Malik said during the recent years the pace of new hybrids was slow in the country only
because of lack of regulatory and fiscal incentives and there seemed challenges for the
association to act as a game-changer for turning local production of hybrid seeds that would
require a huge investment on research and development.
He urged the government to immediately withdraw the GST on the seed sector, the backbone of
agriculture having a direct bearing on the livelihood of poor farmers and the middle-class
depending mainly on the agriculture sector and produce.
He argued that there is zero sales tax on seeds in India and the same is the case with Thailand
and other seed exporting and importing countries.
The meeting decided to persuade the FBR chairman, finance and national food security ministers
as well as the prime minister for withdrawal of the tax levy.
Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2022
https://www.dawn.com/news/1676529/gst-sows-seeds-of-resentment-among-hybrid-seed-
stakeholders
Imposition of 17% sales tax damaging hybridisation in

country: official
LAHORE: The imposition of 17 per cent sales tax on seeds as it will negatively impact the
process of hybridisation in the country, an official said on Tuesday.
Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) founding Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik
while chairing the first executive committee meeting of the newly formed association, briefed the
participants about the future plan of action for the advocacy and promotion of the hybrid seed
sector and allied technology.
“We now have a big responsibility to meet the aspiration of our members and align our goals
with the national economic agenda,” Malik said, adding that there was a need to create a
congenial business environment through ease of doing business and friendly regulatory
framework.
He feared that the 17 per cent sales tax on the seed sector will discourage use of hybrid seed and
reduce yield of major crops like cotton, rice, wheat, maize, vegetable and edible oil.
The imposition of 17 per cent sales tax has created unrest amongst all stakeholders especially
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan and All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Crop Life
Association, Farmers Associations and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FPCCI) and Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association, he said.
“It is unfortunate that the very first adventure for PHHSA soon after the grant of trade body
licence is to resist this sales tax by giving logical and convincing arguments to the decision
makers,” Malik added.
The PHHSA is committed to achieve import substitution and production of local quality seeds at
affordable prices and explore export targets provided the government patronises the sector by
introducing proper incentives schemes and regulatory reforms.
Malik said that the pace of new hybrids is slow in Pakistan only due to the lack of regulatory and
fiscal incentives.
Challenges for the PHHSA are to encourage local production of hybrid seed which will require
huge investment on research and development.
He urged the government to immediately withdraw the 17 per cent sales tax on seed sector which
is the backbone of agriculture, adding that there is zero sales tax on seeds in India and the same
is the case w
https://www.bolnews.com/business/2022/02/imposition-of-17-sales-tax-damaging-hybridisation-
in-country-official/
DC Notifies Prices Of 21 Daily-use Food Items

February 22, 2022 | 05:50 PM
RAWALPINDI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Feb, 2022 ) :Deputy
Commissioner Tahir Farooq on Tuesday fixed the prices of food items and issued the notification
of 21 daily-use food items.
Presiding over a meeting of the price Control Committee, he said that gram pulse would be sold
at Rs 155 to 160 per kg and gram pulse fine from Rs 140 to 145 per kg.
Similarly, white gram medium would be sold at Rs 210 to 220 per kg, white gram fine at Rs 205
to 210 per kg.
Pulses washed Rs 140 to 145 rupees per kg and Dal Masur imported Rs 200 to 205 per kg, Pulses
Rs 210 to 238 per kg, Dal mash Rs 240 to 250 per kg, washed Dal mash Rs 270 to 271 per kg,
Super Basmati rice Rs 135-140 per kg, Iri rice Rs 65 to 70 per kg, fresh milk Rs 100 to 130 per
kg, Yogurt Rs 140 per kg, mutton Rs. 1200 per kg, beef at Rs. 600 per kg, Tandoori roti at Rs.
10, Naan at Rs 13, while fruits, eggs, chickens would be sold at the daily market committee rate.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/dc-notifies-prices-of-21-daily-use-food-items-
1474322.html
2022 Gulfood Shows How to Connect, Create, and Change

By Sarah Moran
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Last week, the 26th annual Gulfood show, the world's
largest food, beverage, and hospitality exhibition, brought together traders and foodservice
professionals from all over the world, but especially from the Middle East and Africa. More than
4,000 exhibitors from 120 countries participated.
Surrounded by riceat 2022 Gulfood

“USA Rice had a booth in the Pulses and Grains section as part of the newly-established USA
Pavilion here,” said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East and Africa,
who staffed the booth. “It was great to see so many visitors attending the show in person. There
was tremendous interest from companies around the world in importing all types of U.S.-grown
rice, and we collected and shared 80 trade leads with USA Rice membership.”
Rice is an important food in the Middle East, and U.S. rice is appreciated here for its high quality
and suitability to different local cuisines.
“Gulfood provides a great opportunity to create new business connections, but also to network
and visit with existing clients from the region, as well as to gather information on the global rice
market and emerging food trends,” said Somogyi.
USA rice daily
Rice feeds the world, now more than ever

February 11, 2022
Jesica Kincaid, Senior Manager, International Trade Policy, USA Rice, argues that rice feeds the
world, now more than ever
Rice has been produced throughout the world for thousands of years, and today it is a staple
food for more than 3.5 billion people. The United States, while newer to the rice game than
some other exporters, produces several varieties of nutritious, high-quality, and delicious rice.
While approximately half of the rice produced in the U.S. is consumed there, the other half is
exported around the globe including providing food to the world’s hungry. The U.S. rice
industry is proud to participate in international food assistance programmes that help feed,
nourish and educate those in need.
Increasing need for international assistance
Numerous man-made and natural disasters as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have
only increased the need for such assistance. Two years into the pandemic, the World Food
Programme reports (1) that global and national economic disruptions caused by subsequent
waves of the virus have resulted in an estimated 97 million more people living in poverty in 2021
compared to 2019, leaving tens of millions more people hungry and malnourished.
As a result, in 2020 and 2021, the U.S. rice industry saw record years for international food
assistance deliveries. With the development and ever-expanding use of fortified rice, rice
contributes to improving food security by not only fighting hunger but also acute malnutrition.
Fortified rice is rice that is traditionally grown and milled, and following the milling process, a
nutrient premix that is specified to the dietary needs of the recipient population is added as
a coating or as an extruded kernel, without substantial additional cost.
In addition to being nutritious, rice has a long shelf life, is easy to prepare, fits into the diets of
many different ethnic groups, and is one of the least allergenic foods, making it a perfect fit for
assistance programmes.
Rice usage in international food assistance has been growing not only in terms of volume, but
also in the diversity of the programmes in which it is utilised.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has two principal international assistance
programmes: Food for Progress, a monetisation development programme that sells U.S. grown
commodities in the recipient country and then uses that cash to create economic and agricultural
programmes within the country; and McGovern-Dole Food for Education, a global school
feeding programme and a primary user of fortified rice.
A third programme is Food for Peace, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s
(USAID) emergency feeding programme which works to create a world free of hunger and
poverty.
Given that it is a global staple, rice has seen increased use across all three
of these government assistance programmes. Recently, more than
100,000MT of U.S.- grown milled rice was monetised in West Africa to
support the cashew and sesame industries in several countries in the
region.
As for fortified rice, it is the most utilised commodity in McGovern-Dole,
having been awarded for all 2022 school feeding projects. USAID also
recognises the value of fortified rice for the people it serves, having
increased volumes over the past few years and with the eventual goal of having all rice used in
its programmes be fortified.
The U.S. rice industry
In addition to the privilege of helping those in need, the U.S. rice industry also prides itself on its
sustainable farming practices, having made substantial changes over the past 30 years that led to
numerous environmental benefits.
Some of these benefits include a 52% decrease in water use, a 41% decrease in greenhouse
gas emissions, and a 39% increase in land use efficiency. U.S. rice farms, 96% of which are
family-owned, contribute to a safe and strong supply chain for the well-being of all through
sustainable practices and being good stewards of the land.
On a global level, rice production has hit record levels for the last several years, with another
record projected for the 2021/22 crop year and global stocks maintaining their highest levels in
history.
For rice consumers around the world, whether they are able to purchase rice at their local grocery
stores or need assistance to feed themselves and their families, the U.S. rice industry is there to
answer the call.
Jesica Kincaid
Senior Manager, International Trade Policy
USA Rice
Phone: +1 703 236 1478
Email: jkincaid@usarice.com
Website: Visit Website
https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/sustainable-rice/129439/
Seed industry rejects 17% sales tax

Fears it will discourage use of hybrid seeds, reduce yield of major crops
Our CorrespondentFebruary 23, 2022
The seed industry of Pakistan has termed imposition of 17% sales tax on seeds last nail in
the coffin and rejected it while citing that it would affect the access to quality seeds for
farmers, industry and end users by inflating its cost.
In the maiden meeting of the newly formed Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association
(PHHSA) on Tuesday, participants feared that the levy might discourage the use of hybrid seeds
and reduce the yield of major crops like cotton, rice, wheat, maize, vegetable and edible oil.
Chairing the meeting, Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik
highlighted that the introduction of the sales tax had triggered panic among all stakeholders.
“It is a misfortune that in the very first meeting following the grant of the licence to the trade
body, PHSSA faces the challenge to resist the levy by giving logical and convincing arguments
to the decision makers,” he said.
He talked about the future plan of action for advocacy and promotion of the hybrid seed sector
and allied technology.
He said that over the past few years, the pace of development of new hybrid seeds had slowed
down in Pakistan because of lack of regulatory and fiscal incentives.
Malik urged the government to withdraw 17% sales tax on seed sector “which is the backbone of
agriculture and directly impacts the livelihoods of poor farmers and middle-income group that
depend mainly on the agriculture sector.”
Stating that there was no sales tax on seeds in India, Thailand and other seed exporting and
importing nations, he questioned why Pakistan, being the agrarian economy, opted to levy the
tax.
According to him, the trade body was eager to achieve import substitution and local production
of quality seeds at affordable prices.
“We have to deliver to meet the aspiration of our members and align our goals with the national
economic agenda,” said Malik.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2022.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the
conversation.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2344821/seed-industry-rejects-17-sales-tax
Engro Fertilizers highlights role of Pakistan towards

promoting regional food security at Expo 2020 Dubai
Tue, 22 Feb 2022, 6:45 PM
ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP): Engro Fertilizers, Pakistan’s premier seed-to-harvest solutions

provider, hosted an insightful dialogue at Expo 2020 Dubai to highlight the food security
situation in the Gulf and the potential partnership opportunities with Pakistan to overcome the
regional food security challenges.
The panel comprised global agricultural and industry experts including Dr. Abdul Rashid (IFA
Laureate), Charles Schneider (International Finance Corporation), Ayman Alwadhy (The
Corporate Group, UAE), Wasim Halabi (Foodco National Foodstuff Co PJSC), Fredric Favre
(MAS Seeds, France) and Khusrau Nadir Gilani (Engro Fertilizers), said a news release received
here on Tuesday.
The event was also attended by Hussain Dawood (Chairman of Engro Corporation and Dawood
Corporation), Shahzada Dawood (Vice Chair, Engro Corporation), Ghias Khan (President &
CEO of Engro Corporation) and Nadir Salar Qureshi (CEO of Engro Fertilizers), along with
other members of the Engro leadership team.
The expert panel pointed out that food security in the Gulf region is a growing challenge due to
high dependence on food imports, increasing water scarcity, climate change and supply chain
interruptions.
In 2020, the region’s share of the acutely food insecure global population was 20%, which is
disproportionately high compared to its 6% share of the population. By forging partnerships in
the agricultural sector with large established sustainable agri-base countries, like Pakistan, the
region can benefit from enhanced agricultural output to overcome its food security challenge.
There is significant potential to increase Pakistan’s agricultural output with focus on modern
technology, seed quality, balanced use of fertilizers, and uplift of infrastructure across the agri
value chain.
It was noted that if average farmer yields are brought at par with those of progressive farmers
within the country, Pakistan will see a dramatic increase in wheat and rice production serving not
only the needs for domestic consumption, but also create significant surpluses for exports to the
Gulf-Region.
The government of Pakistan was also applauded for its efforts to improve water provision and
farm economics, resulting in an increase of approximately 1.6 million hectares in area under
cultivation with further growth anticipated with large irrigation projects underway.
According to Nadir Qureshi, “To bridge the agri yield gap and enrich crops with essential
nutrients, Engro Fertilizers has introduced innovative products and seed-to-harvest solutions,
farmer upskilling programs, access to expert advice by leveraging technology, and free of cost
soil testing laboratories.
We hope that this dialogue will serve as an initial step to encourage Pakistan, Engro and Gulf
entities to work together to jointly develop innovative solutions and explore the scope for
international partnerships in the agri space.”
The panel discussion underlined that the food and agriculture sector can be an engine of
economic growth for both the Gulf region and Pakistan. Through the adoption of technological
innovation and sustainable practices, the agricultural sector of Pakistan can be transformed to
reduce dependence on food imports, create surpluses to drive significant exports and meet the
Gulf regions’ dietary nutrition requirements.
https://www.app.com.pk/national/engro-fertilizers-highlights-role-of-pakistan-towards-
promoting-regional-food-security-at-expo-2020-dubai/
Weeknight lifesaver: One-pot mushroom, white bean and

rice
Pantry staples and retro shortcuts make this recipe a winner, says Aaron Hutcherson
All about umami

(Scott Suchman/The Washington Post)
A hearty, filling, one-pot meal can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights, and
this recipe is no exception. Two pantry staples – tinned beans and rice – form the base of this
10 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m
dish, and it’s bursting with mushroom flavour thanks to the pairing of tinned fungi and a retro
recipe shortcut: condensed cream of mushroom soup.
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/easy-dinner-idea-mushroom-bean-rice-
b2019626.html
Pakistan’s Basmati rice exports up by 8.97%
Pakistan’s Basmati rice exports grew by 8.97% month-on-month to $58.086 million in
January 2022, as compared with $49.161 million in January 2021, WealthPK reported.
The country’s overall monthly rice exports declined by 8.40% and remained at $220.078
million in January 2022 compared with $240.264 million in December 2021, according to
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The country’s overall food group exports in January
2022 were $471.500 million as compared with $533.565 million in December 2021,
showing a decrease of 11.63%, reported WealthPK. On a year-on-year basis, food group
exports increased by 14.31%
https://pakobserver.net/pakistans-basmati-rice-exports-up-by-8-97/
Rice sufficiency agenda gets US$3.6 million boost

Ghana depends largely on imported rice
The country’s bid to become self-sufficient in rice production by end of 2023 has received a
US$3.6million boost under a new project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA).
Dubbed ‘Technology improvement in the rice

value chain project in Ghana’, the project seeks
to encourage the use of technology as well as
build the capacity of farmers and other actors in
the value chain to improve the production of
high-quality rice; and is to be implemented by
United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation (UNIDO) in partnership with the
Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
The JICA-funded project is expected to significantly transform the grain’s production in the
Ashanti and Northern Regions where it will be implemented beginning this year, with the
ultimate goal of improving food security; and will help increase production of high-quality rice
to reduce pressure on the ballooning rice import bill.
“Ghana is very much dependent on rice imports, and if we can succeed in increasing rice
production then we can save money. That’s the target,” says Japanese Ambassador to Ghana,
Mochizuki Hisanobu.
Mr. Hisanobu spoke during the project’s launch in Accra, and said by building the capacity of
farmers to improve the quality of high market value crops like rice, he expects an impact that can
be very transformative and open opportunities for smallholder farmers.
One key component of the project, the Ambassador said, is its comprehensive nature in terms of
the beneficiaries.
“A lot of key actors in the national post-harvest value chain will be technologically upgraded,
modernized and capacitated. I would like to encourage the beneficiaries of this project to utilize
the full opportunity the project will provide to maximize the developmental potential of Ghana’s
rice value chain.”
Deputy Food and Agriculture Minister in charge of crops, Yaw Frimpong Addo, applauded the
initiative saying it has come at the right time.
“This UNIDO technical assistance project has come at the right time to support the promotion of
technological modernization and upgrade in the rice value chain to achieve higher production
output, market value and quality level.
“Over the years, the government has made conscious efforts at promoting rice production to
address food security and poverty reduction through national policies, strategies and initiatives as
captured in Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policies I & II (FASDEP I & II), and its
current implementation plan – i.e. Investing for Food and Jobs,” he said.
For his part, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Paul Iheanacho Abani, said given the
structure of Ghana’s economy wherein the agricultural sector contributes approximately 20
percent of GDP, growth in the sector’s productivity is an essential route for resolution of poverty
and food insecurity in line with global Sustainable Development Goals, goal one and two.
Rice consumption
Total consumption in 2020, according to MoFA, amounted to about 1,450,000mt – equivalent to

per capita consumption of about 45.0kg per annum. Meanwhile, local production of paddy rice in
2008 and 2020 ranged between 302,000mt and 987,000mt (181,000 to 622,000mt of milled rice)
with large annual fluctuations.
This implies that the country depends largely on imported rice to make up for the deficit in
domestic rice supply.
The value of rice imports is estimated at over US$200million annually – a situation many
industry watchers believe does not portend well for a country with vast land suitable for rice
cultivation and as such puts undue pressure on the cedi, which is continually depreciating against
major foreign currencies like the dollar.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that with significant investments in the
rice value chain, the gross production value of the domestic rice industry would reach
US$856million, which will represent an additional US$511million in gross production value by
2030.
An upgraded rice value chain would also result in an increase in the value-added by
US$378million by 2030, with most of the value-added being generated at the production level of
US$258million.
Consequently, the rice value chain would also witness an increase in employment with more than
60,000 additional jobs created by 2030, with 12,000 of these opportunities benefitting women
and 30,000 for the youth.
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Rice-sufficiency-agenda-gets-
US-3-6-million-boost-1475630
22.12 lakh tonnes rice deposited in Central pool

Wednesday, 23 February 2022 | Staff Reporter | RAIPUR

The Chhattisgarh government has stepped up efforts to deposit rice in the central pool. Over
22.12 lakh tonnes of quality rice have been deposited so far.
According to the Food Department, this includes 12.11 lakh tonnes deposited in the Food
Corporation of India and 10 lakh tonnes in the Civil Supplies Corporation.
The paddy procurement was followed by lifting for custom milling at a rapid pace across the
state. A total of 79.82 lakh tonnes of paddy have been lifted by the millers till Monday, an
official communiqué said on Tuesday.
Food Secretary Topeshwar Verma said in a statement that just like paddy procurement, the work
of paddy lifting for custom milling is being done rapidly.
A record 79.82 lakh tonnes of paddy have been lifted so far. Verma The millers have lifted 59.12
lakh metric tonnes from the procurement centers.
The work of paddy lifting from paddy procurement centers and custom milling is being
conducted on a war footing. This year, a target has been set to deposit 61.65 lakh tonnes of Arva
rice in the Central pool.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/22-12-lakh-tonnes-rice-deposited-in-
central-pool.html
Sufficient supply of rice

Published on: Wednesday, February 23, 2022
The team has inspected all wholesale permits and Bernas warehouses in Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: Consumers in Sabah have been assured of a sufficient supply of glutinous
rice, particularly during Ramadan and Hari Raya.
This assurance, according to Sabah Director of Paddy and Rice Control of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Industry Mohamad Nornizam Ramly, is to avoid concerns about glutinous
rice supply shortages, which have occurred in recent years.
According to him, their team has inspected all wholesale permits and Bernas warehouses in
Sabah for glutinous rice supply inventories of more than 700 metric tons as of Monday.
“Our office also obtained sales statistics from Bernas Warehouse to all wholesalers in Sabah,
which showed that on average during Hari Raya, 700 to 800 metric tons are sold every month,
compared to just 300 to 400 metric tons during the rest of the year.
“Glutinous rice supply stock has been placed in Bernas warehouses around Sabah, including
Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Sandakan.
“Recognising that demand for glutinous rice would grow during Ramadan and Hari Raya
Aidilfitri, Bernas has also developed a schedule for glutinous rice supply throughout Sabah with
2,500 metric tons from February to May 2022,” he said.
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https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/187488/sufficient-supply-of-rice/
GIEWS Country Brief: China 23-February-2022

Format
News and Press Release

Source
 FAO

Posted
23 Feb 2022

Originally published
23 Feb 2022

Origin
View original
Attachments
 Download document(PDF | 588.51 KB)
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Area planted with 2022 winter wheat estimated at above-average level
• Cereal production above average in 2021
• Cereal imports in 2021/22 well above average
• Domestic maize and wheat grain prices at high level in 2021 due to strong feed demand
Area planted with 2022 winter wheat estimated at above-average level
Planting of the 2022 main winter wheat crop, which accounts for more than 90 percent of the
annual wheat production, was completed last October and the harvest is expected to start in
May. The area planted is estimated at an above-average level. The increases in planted area
were reported in the important wheat producing provinces of Hebei, Henan, Shandong and
Jiangsu. Weather conditions have been favourable since last September, supporting planting
activities and germinating crops. Currently, the wheat crop is mostly in dormancy in northern
parts of the country, while it is at tillering to jointing stages of development in eastern and
central areas. According to field assessment reports, as of late January 2022, wheat crop
conditions and soil moisture were near average in the main producing areas. The minor 2021
spring wheat crop will be planted from March onwards.
Cereal production above average in 2021
The 2021 cropping season was concluded last November. The aggregate cereal production is
estimated at above-average 632 million tonnes, mostly due to an increase in production of
maize and wheat, reflecting an expansion in area planted, mostly prompted by high domestic
prices.
Cereal imports in 2021/22 well above average
Total cereal imports in the 2021/22 marketing year are forecast at about 58.5 million tonnes,
well above the last five-year average, but almost 10 percent below the unpreceded high level
of the 2020/21 marketing year. The large level of imports reflect the higher demand for feed
crops, driven by the recovery in domestic pork production after the African Swine Fever
(ASF)1 outbreaks in 2018 and 2019 and the strong growth of the poultry, dairy and starch
sectors. Imports of maize, mostly for feed, are forecast at a near-record 23.5 million tonnes in
the 2021/22 marketing year (October/September). Similarly, imports of other feed crops,
namely barley and sorghum, are forecast at high level of 10.3 and 10 million tonnes,
respectively. The growing demand by the feed industry is also expected to result in an
increase in wheat grain imports, set to reach 9.5 million tonnes, more than 70 percent above
the five-year average, as wheat is often used as a substitute of maize. Imports of rice in the
2022 calendar year are forecast at 4.5 mlillion tonnes, 12 percent below the 2021 level.
Domestic maize and wheat grain prices at high level in 2021 due to strong feed demand
Prices of maize increased sharply throughout 2020 and during the first months of 2021,
reaching record levels in March, due to the strong growth in demand from the feed sector.
Then, prices slightly decreased until October 2021, due to the arrival on markets of the 2021
main season harvest, but started to rise again in November.
Domestic prices of wheat have been generally increasing since mid-2020, supported by the
strong demand for food and feed consumption. In January 2022, wheat grain and wheat flour
prices were at record or near-record levels in most markets.
Domestic prices of Indica and Japonica rice has been generally stable throughout 2021,
reflecting good market availabilities from the 2021 harvests.
https://reliefweb.int/report/china/giews-country-brief-china-23-february-2022
Rising food prices despite record stocks defies analysis

 UNB NEWS
 PUBLISH- FEBRUARY 23, 2022, 10:10 AM
 ANISUL ISLAM - UNB STAFF CORRESPONDENT
 UPDATE- FEBRUARY 23, 2022, 11:39 AM
The food stock of Bangladesh has reached a new height of 20 lakh tons, with warehouses full of
rice and wheat. Despite that, food prices are soaring.
Market analysts and Food Ministry officials are mystified as to the reason behind food prices
soaring in the domestic markets.
According to the daily food grain situation report of the Ministry of Food, the total food grain
stock in the country on February 9, 2022 was 20.02 lakh tons. Of this, the stock of rice was 16.94
lakh tons, wheat 2.77 lakh tons and 49,000 tons was paddy.
Whereas the secure food stock level for the country is 10 lakh tons, the stock of food grains
crossed 20 lakh tons.
Past data shows that there has never been such an official stockpile of rice earlier. At this time
last year, the amount of food grains stored in the government warehouses was 7.21 lakh tons. Of
this, the stock of rice was 5.37 lakh tons, which was the lowest in a decade.
Read: Power transmission from Payra and Rampal plants to Dhaka to wait for another 7-8
months
Citing "current stock is satisfactory", the report said that aman paddy, rice and wheat
procurement activities were being conducted from domestic sources and stocks of food grains
were recorded due to import of rice from abroad.
Despite good yields of aman and record production of paddy in the last boro season, several
markets in the capital were visited recently which showed that the price of rice (old) is rising.
According to the trading corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) coarse rice was sold at Tk 46 to 48
per kg in the capital's markets on Wednesday, February 17. It showed that prices have risen by
4.35 percent in one year. A fine variety of rice (Miniket-Nazirshail) has been sold at Tk 60 to 67
per kg. In a year it has increased by 7.6 percent. Dr. Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum, Secretary
to the Ministry of Food, told UNB in this regard "The ministry has already set up buffer stocks of
food grains in government warehouses to deal with any situation during the Covid-19 pandemic
period."
Currently the country’s food grain stock is more than 20 lakh tons. This buffer will help keep the
market situation normal in the country, she said.
"In addition to this, we have also strengthened OMS activities to keep the prices affordable at the
market level. The purpose is to ensure that the low-income people of the country can buy rice or
flour at a lower price,” Dr. Nazmanara said.
People of almost all classes and professions are under pressure due to rising commodity prices in
this pandemic period. Despite bumper paddy production in the Amon season, price hike of food
grains is a matter of surprise and it does not match with market analyzing theories.
Read: Bangladesh Bank's role in steering economic recovery appreciated
Golam Rahman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), an organization
working for consumers’ rights, opined that increasing the coverage of OMS for working and
low-income people will help them to get rice at a fair price.
He also said that buffer food stock in the country will give relief to the consumers as markets
would refrain from a drastic rise in the rice price.
"If the rice and wheat provided in the open market sales (OMS) will be intensified, the prices of
other essential goods will be under control in the market and then the consumers will get the
benefits," Golam Rahman said.
"In order to keep the market situation normal, government warehouses need to have at least 10
lakh tons of rice considered as security stock," he said.
It is better to have extra. With the current stock of food grains, it is possible to control the price
of rice and flour / wheat in the country as well as deal with any crisis, CAB president said.
M Asaduzzaman, a former research director at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies
(BIDS), and an agro-economist, told UNB, "Food stocks have increased, it's good. But we need
to find out why prices are rising.”
In this case, if someone has manipulated or increased the price by forming a syndicate, the
government should take action against them, he said.
Bumper food grains production in the country and record 20 lakh tons stock of food would
indicate there is no reason for the food grains price to go up in the domestic markets and the
current price of rice is not acceptable, Asaduzzaman said.
"A large number of people in the country are at risk of food insecurity after losing their jobs due
to the shock of the pandemic," he said.
Abdur Rashid, president of Bangladesh Auto Rice and Husking Mill Owners Association, ( an
association of rice mill owners) said mill owners are not at all responsible for the rise in rice
prices.
"We buy paddy and produce rice, millers (rice mill owners) are not involved in raising
rice prices at all, and such allegation is baseless" he said.
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/rising-food-prices-despite-record-stocks-
defies-analysis-1645528856
Busting weight loss myth: Rice alone doesn't make you

fat
There is a misconception associated with eating rice and gaining weight, making it difficult for
South Indians to comply with a diet plan that does not include rice.
By Subhasree Ray
Published on 22 Feb 2022 6:18 PM
________________________________________
Hyderabad: People trying to lose weight will usually tell you to eliminate rice from their
diet. Fitness enthusiasts and some experts guide their clients with confidence: "Don't eat
rice if you want to lose weight", "Don't eat rice at night", "Eat roti instead." To most
South Indians, a meal is incomplete without rice. Countless delicacies are prepared from
rice in South India every day, such as idli, dosa, Pongal, uttapam, etc. There is a
misconception associated with eating rice and gaining weight, making it difficult for
South Indians to comply with a diet plan that does not include rice. It is difficult to give
up a daily staple that you have eaten since childhood. The good news is that you don't
have to stop eating rice to lose weight. A single food cannot make you fat, neither can
rice.
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Nonetheless, the prevalence of obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases
(NCDs) such as heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and stroke are increasing in India,
including the southern states. The incidence of NCDs can be reduced by making people
aware of dietary composition, healthy eating habits, nutrition education, and discarding
misinformation.
Weight loss studies on rice produced mixed results
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Rice and weight loss may be connected, but scientific studies have produced conflicting
findings. An extensive body of research supports the link between brown rice and weight
loss. Whole grains, such as brown rice, are highly nutritious, known for providing fiber,
phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The results of a 12-year observational study
included 74,091 US female nurses, who were significantly less likely to become
overweight compared with those who consumed the least fiber. There is, however,
conflicting evidence linking white rice to weight loss. According to a study, rice-based
traditional diets were associated with obesity in Korean adults. On the contrary, a study
involving 212 participants found no association between eating white rice and weight
gain. In fact, a large data from 2019 involving 130 countries concluded that eating more
rice could significantly reduce the prevalence of obesity worldwide. Even a modest
increase in rice consumption (of 50g/day/per person) could reduce obesity rates by 1%
(from 650 million to 643.5 million adults aged 18 years and older) as estimated by the
researchers.
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Despite this, the relation between dietary intake and obesity is independent of a single
food, and multiple other factors play an important role in the complex mechanism of
obesity. While brown rice provides more fiber, minerals, and vitamins than white rice,
there is not much nutritional difference between the two. It is true that brown rice is a
better choice than white rice, but there are a variety of whole grains that are far more
nutritionally dense than brown rice, such as millets, quinoa, barley, and broken wheat.
The most important factor is the portion size. If you consume mindlessly, even the
healthiest foods available on this planet will not prevent overweight or obesity.
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It's the modern diet that's causing the most harm

Many Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, India, and Bangladesh, have eaten
rice for centuries without reporting a high rate of overweight or obesity until recently.
Rice is even eaten 20 times a week or six times every day in some countries. Despite this
large consumption, these populations showed no weight gain. Research has found that
elderly Chinese adults who were consuming rice and vegetables were less likely to
become obese or have a large waist circumference.
Obesity prevalence in these countries grew exponentially after globalization and food
habits changed drastically from traditional to westernized, containing more ultra-
processed foods, instant foods, junk foods laden with refined sugar, salt, artificial
preservatives, flavourings, and colours. To keep up with our busy schedules, fast foods
are taking over our kitchens. The new generation menu features rice and fried foods,
salted side dishes, and sauces that were never available to the older generation. Logically
speaking, rice plays no role in weight loss/gain unless it's consumed in excess or
combined with other junk.
Rice as part of a wholesome, balanced diet
An individual's dietary habit is complex. Every day, we consume food that is determined
by a decade-old traditional eating habit, local availability, personal preferences, cultural
norms, affordability, and personal goals. To maintain good health, lose weight or treat
any other health condition, you must follow the golden rule of personalized nutrition.
There is no good or bad food. You create a balanced plate by combining a variety of
foods. If you don't like any other alternative, you can incorporate rice into a wholesome,
balanced diet. However, reducing the amount of rice is a sensible choice if you suffer
from type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance. Whether you eat rice or not, if
you are consuming too many calories, not exercising regularly, eating sugary foods or
beverages, or not adding enough protein to your daily diet, you will end up overweight or
obese.
To sum up
Given the increasing prevalence of obesity and other diet-related NCDs among South
Indians, it is strongly recommended that a whole-food-based, low-carb diet is followed
daily. As a staple carbohydrate, rice can easily be included along with protein, fat,
vitamin, minerals, and fiber but the right amount needs to be determined by a nutritionist.
Subhasree Ray is a doctoral scholar (Ketogenic diet), a certified diabetes educator, and a
clinical and public health nutritionist. She writes explicitly on dietetics, nutrition policy,
food security, and sustainable eating. She tweets @DrSubhasree.
https://m.newsmeter.in/article/science-health/busting-weight-loss-myth-rice-alone-
doesnt-make-you-fat-691865
Secrets of Healthier Rice Unlocked
Published: February 23, 2022

Credit: ImageParty/ Pixabay
Swinburne University of Technology scientists are using the Canadian Light Source at the
University of Saskatchewan to examine individual grains of rice to help enhance global food
security, nutritional value and the food safety of cereal grains.
By rapidly estimating the nutrient profile of hundreds of varieties of coloured rice, the research
will help produce rice that is more nutritious, and lead to more positive health outcomes in the
developed and developing world.
Lead researcher Dr Vito Butardo says the findings can be applied across a range of grains –
wheat, barley, oats and corn, for example – to create more nutritious crops around the world.
‘Our research can be used immediately by Australian and international manufacturers to help
consumers make healthier choices when buying, cooking and eating rice,’ Dr Butardo says.
‘Over time, we can select and breed rice that has a lower glycaemic index (GI), higher
concentration of micronutrients – like iron and zinc – and fewer nasties – like lead, mercury or
cadmium.’
Using the light of one million suns
The Canadian Light Source, a facility known as a synchrotron, accelerates electrons in a close
loop magnetic field to produce light brighter than a million suns.
This global connection allows Dr Butardo to utilise the power of the synchrotron facility from
halfway around the world, as hiw work can be remotely controlled in his lab in Melbourne,
Australia, to determine the nutritional and safety profile of grains. His work harnesses several
CLS beamlines.
Regular biochemical analysis involves turning rice grains into powder and can take hours or days
to obtain full results.
Detailed analysis by the synchrotron can take just minutes, allowing Dr Butardo’s team to
analyse the nutrient-rich surface of hundreds of grains and help determine the exact location of
the health promoting compounds in rice.
This pioneering, non-destructive and high-throughput approach has already yielded results
demonstrating the high nutritional value of coloured rices over white rice.
Dr Butardo says the research has broad application across underfed and overfed rice-consuming
communities.
‘Understanding coloured grains better will help us create food that is more nutritious for
everyone, whether it be ensuring the underfed are getting a good balance of macro- and
micronutrients, or helping the overfed boost micronutrient intake, which can be a problem for
overweight and obese individuals,’ he says.
The research is conducted in collaboration with Associate Professor Tobias Kretzschmar of

Southern Cross University and is supported by AgriFutures Australia and the Australian
Research Council, with the International Rice Research Institute providing the varieties of rice
for testing.
This work is not yet published, and Dr. Butarto is doing ongoing work at the CLS for this
research.
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been
edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/secrets-of-healthier-rice-unlocked-358842
Adding one spoon of this ingredient while cooking rice will

help cut down calories by almost 50 per cent
"We discovered that increasing rice resistant starch (RS) concentrations was a novel way to
approach the problem. If the best rice variety is processed, it might reduce the calories by about
50-60 percent," said Sudhair A James, who led the research at the College of Chemical Sciences,
Colombo, Western, Sri Lanka.
By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi |

February 24, 2022 10:00:09 am
Here's how resistant starch can help you cut calories in rice (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Cutting down calories features on most weight loss plans, but doing so can get difficult at
times. As such, many people tend to avoid carbs, especially rice, in order to achieve their weight
loss goals. But what if we tell you that all you need is one easily-available kitchen ingredient to
cut down calories in rice while cooking it.
But before that, it is important to understand how rice reacts in the body.
According to experts, rice gets turned into glycogen in the body which makes for a great post-
workout recovery fuel for the muscles if one is working out actively. However, when not used,
this glycogen soon becomes glucose and gets stored in the body as fat.
So, what can be done? According to research, one efficient way to cut down calories in rice is by
adding one teaspoon of coconut oil to boiling water and then cooking rice in it for about 25
minutes. Its that simple!’
Here’s how to soak rice for maximum benefits (Source: Pexels)

Drain excess water, if any. Then cool it in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Using coconut oil while
cooking and then refrigerating the rice can slash calories by as much as 60 per cent, according to
the 2015 research presented in the American Chemical Society.
“We discovered that increasing rice resistant starch (RS) concentrations was a novel way to
approach the problem. If the best rice variety is processed, it might reduce the calories by about
50-60 percent,” said Sudhair A James, who led the research at the College of Chemical Sciences,
Colombo, Western, Sri Lanka.
Types of starch
According to the research, starch, which is a component of rice, can be both digestible or
indigestible. However, unlike digestible types of starch, the resistant starch — which gets created
due to overnight soaking — is not broken down in the small intestine where carbohydrates are
metabolised into glucose and other simple sugars and absorbed into the bloodstream.
So, one can keep weight gain at bay if digestible starch gets converted into resistant starch —
which could then lower the number of calories.
Tanvi S Chiplunkar, senior dietician at Bhatia Hospital Mumbai added that resistant starch helps
keep the microbial (gut) balance healthy, providing a greater proportion of “good” to “bad” gut
bacteria.
“When you eat resistant starch, it passes undigested through the small intestine— where nutrients
are absorbed — to the colon. There, it fuels the body’s good bacteria,” mentioned Chiplunkar.
Preety Tyagi, lead health coach, nutritionist, and founder of MY22BMI
told indianexpress.com that resistant starch “won’t deposit in the body when not used”. “Also, it
fills you up with calories that your body doesn’t essentially need to burn, leaving you not so
hungry for other foods,” she said.
“This is also the reason why blood sugar (glucose) levels rise more slowly after meals with
resistant starch,” said Chiplunkar.
“Slower blood sugar level rise also helps the body use insulin better. This may improve type-2
diabetes control and weight management,” Chiplunkar told indianexpress.com.
Dietitian Lavleen Kaur also shared a video elucidating how to avoid bloating after having rajma
rice. In it, she mentioned that cooking rice with a tablespoon of coconut can help diabetics
control their blood sugar levels. Watch.
After testing 38 varieties of rice in Sri Lanka, the research team zeroed in on a particular way of
incorporating coconut oil. James noted that “the cooling is essential because amylose, the soluble
part of the starch, leaves the granules during gelatinisation”.
“Cooling for 12 hours will lead to formation of hydrogen bonds between the amylose molecules
outside the rice grains which also turns it into a resistant starch.” Reheating the rice for
consumption, he notes, does not affect the resistant starch levels.
https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/calories-rice-weight-loss-coconut-oil-study-
7785851/
Program develops on-farm rice drying guidelines to

maximize quality, reduce energy
 By John Lovett U of A System Division of Agriculture

Arkansas rice farmers grow the most rice in the nation and a growing number of them are
keeping it for themselves on the farm -- to dry, that is.
On-farm, in-bin rice drying takes either a lot of skill or some well-placed technology. And both
have their risks. The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station's Rice Processing Program has
science to back up both traditional and high-tech rice drying methods with nearly a decade of
data plugged into a newly released, easy-to-read chart that provides "suitable" and "unsuitable"
conditions for safely and efficiently drying rice to safe storage levels with the least amount of
energy.
Griffiths Atungulu, interim director of the Rice Processing Program and associate professor of
grain processing and post-harvest system engineering for the Experiment Station, the research
arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the new guidelines are
intended to balance rice quality, energy use and weather considerations.
“The real problem is that the weather may not allow complete drying of the rice, particularly the
upper layers, in a timely manner,” said Atungulu. “When this happens, there is a great possibility
for mold growth in the grain mass, with potential mycotoxin development and quality
deterioration including staining, milling yield reduction, and sensory and functional problems.”
Using data compiled over nearly a decade, Atungulu’s team created an easy-to-read chart that
offers guidelines for “suitable” and “unsuitable” drying operation ranges for Arkansas rice
farmers during the harvesting months of August to October. Armed with this decision tool,
producers will be in a better position to evaluate their rice drying needs, Atungulu said.
Rice growers commonly harvest rice once it reaches 20 percent moisture content. Rice producers
store the rice in bins and begin the drying process to further reduce moisture content, Atungulu
said. The optimum storage level of 12.5 percent moisture content wards off mold growth and
helps maintain the rice’s structural quality for improved head yield.
Storing grain with too much moisture can lead to the formation of mycotoxins, especially
aflatoxin. These are known carcinogens that pose a severe health hazard to humans and animals,
Atungulu said. Conversely, over-drying the grain can make it brittle and lead to decreased head
yield from broken kernels.
Most on-farm systems in Arkansas use fans to blow either natural or slightly heated air to dry
freshly harvested rice, Atungulu said. However, weather conditions come into play when
determining the duration required to achieve that 12.5 percent optimum moisture content.
Based on this research, Atungulu said a moisture content of 18-19 percent at harvest is now
recommended for on-farm, in-bin drying systems. Harvesting at a lower moisture content can
save energy to dry the grain to that optimum storage level.
Adopting technology
Arkansas rice farmers are steadily adopting moisture content monitoring technology, Atungulu
said. The system is comprised of moisture content sensors buried vertically in the grain on
cables, an on-site weather station and a controller that turns the drying fan on and off.
Algorithms based on the Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) principle, which determines the
moisture content that a single grain will attain if exposed to air with a given relative humidity
and temperature for a specific duration, determine if the external air is too humid to dry the rice,
Atungulu said. Alternatively, if the system has a heater, it can control the humidity of the pushed
air.
Atungulu said the cost to set up a new on-farm, in-bin drying system with moisture-sensing
technology, a weather station, and a fan controller is about $14,000 for the first 48,000-bushel
bin.
It becomes more cost-effective as more bins get linked to the system because only one weather
station is needed. The cost reduces to about $10,000 for each subsequent bin. Atungulu said most
Arkansas rice farmers do not opt for the air heaters, but they are not a significant expense to add
to a system.
Since remote control of the drying operation is possible through the internet, some businesses
have sprung up that provide remote moisture control of on-farm, in-bin systems, Atungulu said.
The Moisture Content Guideline chart
In 2013, the Rice Processing Program began working with manufacturing companies to collect
data for properly calibrating rice-bin moisture control sensors. Atungulu said his team has been
able to get the margin of error down to less than 1 percent for computer simulations using data
collected in the field. Atungulu noted that the program cannot account for some variables like the
amount of dust and chaff in the bin.
Atungulu used this data to develop a suitability chart, which addresses traditional systems that
use continuous natural air without moisture monitors and the computer-assisted systems based on
moisture content sensors.
The chart accounts for rice initial moisture content, typical airflow rates of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 cubic
feet of air per minute per bushel (cfm/bu), fan control strategy and drying start date. Fan control
strategies include the traditional continuous natural air system (CNA) along with computer-
assisted Equilibrium Moisture Content systems with both natural air (EMC-NA) and heated air
(EMC-H).
The chart states that “suitability” does not factor in “quality” issues but rather focuses on
“attaining safe storage,” which is 12.5 percent moisture content, drying duration of fewer than 30
days, maximum dry matter loss (DML) of less than 0.5 percent, and an over-drying rate of less
than 10 percent.
The chart shows sensory technology systems with heated air capabilities offer the broadest range
of optimum drying periods. A low-energy fan can also do the job when used with a heater.
However, farmers do not like to introduce heat into the rough rice because the heat uses more
energy and can compromise quality, Atungulu said. Optimum drying periods can be achieved
without heated air if a more robust fan is used.
Rice producers can use the chart by finding the intersection of their system’s airflow rate, fan
control strategy, harvest date and initial moisture content. Suitable drying operation ranges in the
chart are represented by boxes with diagonal lines in green and should provide enough time to
safely reduce moisture content to 12.5%.
This University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program research expands the knowledge of a
burgeoning practice of on-farm, in-bin rice drying for the nation’s No. 1 rice-producing state,
Atungulu said. Information gathered by the program with industry partners can lower energy
usage in drying the rice by knowing when to shut fans down when the air is too humid and
maintain the rough rice's structural integrity for maximum head yield after milling.
Support for this research was provided by rice check-off funding administered by the Arkansas
Rice Research and Promotion Board and through contributions from the Rice Processing
Program’s corporate sponsors.
https://www.guardonline.com/news/program-develops-on-farm-rice-drying-guidelines-to-
maximize-quality-reduce-energy/article_c693b2a8-b9d7-55f8-992c-9cbef4ef66d0.html
The store cupboard ingredients for lean weeks and five

affordable midweek meals
The cost of groceries is soaring but cheap store cupboard meals don't have to be boring
Quick, cheap and tasty store cupboard meals.

    
WED, 23 FEB, 2022 - 13:10
CIARA MCDONNELL
As the cost of our weekly shop continues to rise, the skill of meal planning and stock taking is
more important than ever. Experts tell us a well-stocked store cupboard will provide much-
needed backup during lean weeks, but what does that mean?
The key to maintaining a workable store cupboard is to only stock what your family eats. Yes,
soba noodles have a long shelf life, but there is no point in having them if nobody eats them.
Dried goods
Dried pasta, varying shapes for a quick tomato-based dinner.
Ramen noodles to add to soups or stir-fries.
Couscous for a speedy lunch.
Basmati rice can become fried fried rice or biriyani.
Porridge oats for porridge and flapjacks.
Nuts and seeds — I keep small amounts in jars and freeze in bulk to keep them fresh.
Tinned fruit and veg
Tinned tomatoes for soups, stews and sauces.
Tinned pineapple is brilliant in curries, sweet and sour and baking.
Tinned pulses and legumes

Beans including kidney, black beans and mixed beans for chillis, soups and stews.
Lentils for meat-free bolognese, salads and to add protein to soups.
Chickpeas for curries, hummus and salads.
Tinned fish
Tuna for fish cakes, pasta bakes and salads.
Oily fish like mackerel or sardines for paté, pasta or to eat on toast.
Condiments
Honey or maple syrup will add sweetness to any dish.
Ketchup adds a sweet and sour note to sauces.
Mustard — I like English mustard and Dijon.
Vinegar — white distilled vinegar is the cheapest and most versatile.
Worcestershire sauce — will add depth to a sauce light on flavour.
Hot sauce — choose from Sriracha, Tabasco or whatever hot sauce is on offer.
Mixed bean curry
recipe by:Derval O'Rourke
Apples and peppers add a depth of flavour to this rich, spicy curry, a basic recipe that you can
batch-make and freeze for family suppers
Servings
4
Preparation Time
 15 mins
Cooking Time
 50 mins
Total Time
 1 hours 5 mins
Course
 Main
Ingredients
 3 tbsp coconut oil
 2 onions, roughly chopped
 4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
 2 tbsp medium curry powder
 1 tsp garam masala
 1 tsp ground coriander
 ½ tsp chilli flakes
 10 dried apricots, halved
 3 apples, peeled and roughly chopped
 3 peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped
 2 tbsp tomato purée
 700ml chicken stock (or vegetable if you prefer)
 salt
 pepper
 2 tins mixed beans, drained and rinsed
 brown or basmati rice, to serve
Me
thod
1. Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about
10 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic, ginger, and spices and fry for three minutes,
stirring occasionally.
2. Stir in the apricots, apples, peppers, tomato purée, and chicken stock and bring to the
boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for at least 40 minutes (up to 60 minutes, if you
have time).
3. If you want to pre-cook this curry, now is the time to take it off the heat. Let it cool fully,
divide it into portions in airtight containers and freeze.
4. Use a hand blender to purée the curry sauce to the desired consistency, then check the
seasoning. Stir in the mixed beans. Ladle it into warmed serving bowls. Serve with rice.
Garlic fried rice

recipe by:Currabinny Cooks
With a hint of chilli and garlic, this fried rice recipe with egg is filled with flavour - the perfect
fakeaway
Servings
4
Preparation Time
 5 mins
Cooking Time
 10 mins
Total Time
 15 mins
Course
 Side
Ingredients
 1 tbsp vegetable oil
 4 garlic cloves, crushed
 1 scallion, sliced thinly
 300g cooked white rice
 ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
 pinch of sea salt
 1 egg
 chilli flakes, optional
Method
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan and add the garlic. Move the garlic
around the hot oil until just starting to brown. Be very careful not to let it burn. Add the
rice to the pan and stir around the garlic and oil. After a few minutes, the rice will start to
become slightly crispy.
2. Add the sesame oil and sliced scallions and mix around the pan. You don’t want the
scallion to cook too much. Season with salt and pepper and move to a bowl. Add a fried
egg and some chilli flakes before serving.
Red lentil dahl
recipe by:Derval O'Rourke
This recipe will be deliciously rich the following day as the flavours come out even more so try
to make enough for a few meals!
Servings
2
Preparation Time
 10 mins
Cooking Time
 25 mins
Total Time
 35 mins
Course
 Main
Cuisine
 Indian
Ingredients
 2 tbsp coconut oil
 ½ onion, finely diced
 2 garlic cloves, crushed
 1 thumb-size piece of ginger, grated
 1 medium red chilli, seeds removed and finely chopped
 3 tsp cumin
 1 tbsp medium curry powder
 200g red lentils washed and drained
 juice of 2 limes
 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
 500ml boiling water
 bunch of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
Method
1. In a large pot melt the coconut oil. Add the vegetables and sweat off gently on a low heat
for about 5 minutes. Add the dried spices and cook for roughly another 2 minutes.
2. Stir in your lentils, lime juice and chopped tomatoes. Add the water and bring to a gentle
simmer. Continue to simmer for another 15- 20 minutes, adding more water if necessary.
3. Serve topped with heaps of fresh coriander and a good dollop of natural yoghurt!
Perry Street's chickpea burgers
Ready in minutes and full of flavour, these veggie burgers are a great way of introducing one
meat-free day to the weekly menu
Servings
4
Preparation Time
 10 mins
Cooking Time
 8 mins
Total Time
 18 mins
Course
 Main
Ingredients
 400g chickpeas can, drained
 Zest of 1 lime, plus juice of ½ lemon
 1 tsp ground cumin
 Small bunch coriander, chopped
 1 egg
 100g grated carrot
 1 medium red onion, ½ diced, ½ sliced
 1 tbsp olive oil
 To serve:
 4 small whole-wheat buns
 1 large tomato, sliced
 ½ cucumber
 Chilli sauce
 Natural yoghurt or crème fraiche
Method
1. In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas, lime zest, juice, cumin, half the coriander, the
egg and some seasoning.
2. Scrape into a bowl and mix with 80g of the grated carrot and the diced onions.
3. Form four burgers and press the remaining grated carrots onto both sides and chill for at
least 10 minutes.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan until hot.
5. Fry the burgers for four minutes each side, keeping the heat on medium so they don’t
burn.
6. To serve, slice buns and fill with a tomato slice, a burger, a few red onion slices,
cucumber slices, a dollop of chilli sauce and the remaining coriander.
Aglio e Olio: Spagetti with garlic and chilli
Perhaps the ultimate store cupboard recipe, this is the perfect example of how great ingredients
need little work to make them shine
Servings
4
Cooking Time
 15 mins
Total Time
 15 mins
Course
 Main
Ingredients
 400g spaghetti
 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
 ½ tsp dried chilli flakes
 Parmesan, to serve
Method
1.
Cook the spaghetti two minutes less than the packet instructions say and drain, reserving
one mug of pasta water.
2. Five minutes before it is due to be cooked, put the olive oil and garlic in a cold pan, bring
to a medium heat and cook until it is golden but not brown.
3. Add the chill flakes and cook for another thirty seconds.
4. Stir in the pasta and three tablespoons of cooking water, adding more if it appears too
dry.
5. Serve with plenty of Parmesan.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/food/arid-40814343.html
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1798835#:~:text=As%20per%202ndAdvance
%20Estimates%20for%202021%2D22%2C%20total,of%20foodgrain%20during
%202020%2D21

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