Govt issues guidelines for farmers

GK News Network
Jammu, May 23, 2020, 3:30 AM
UPDATED: May 22, 2020, 11:44 PM

Government has issued detailed guidelines for the elimination of intermediary brokers and
ease down certain other problems faced by the farmers.

An official statement said the Agriculture Production Department, in view of COVID-19

situation, has allowed Deputy Commissioners to notify the places in their respective
jurisdictions, where farmers can bring their produce for marketing without any intermediary
interference.

The guidelines said that collection or aggregation centre in the proximity of production
areas may be set up by a person after getting  it registered by the concerned Market
Administrative Committees.  The person will have to comply with a set of guidelines,
particularly refraining from any kind of hoarding, under Essential Commodities Act.

All the Market Administrative Committees of the UT have been asked to allow and facilitate
functioning of such Collection and Sale Centres without any hindrance.
Similarly, the principal agriculture product of the UT, Jammu, Basmati rice has been
certified as Safe for Pesticides Residual Limits by Quality Control & Quality Assurance
Division of Indian Institute Of Integrative e-Medicine (CSIR). The CSIR collected 184
samples of Basmati Rice from Basmati growers of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts and
confirmed the purity of prestigious Jammu Basmati Rice.

A report issued by IIIM in this regard will be shared with Agriculture and Processed
Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and other relevant forums for promoting
and popularizing the Jammu Basmati and further removing the bottlenecks in trouble-free
export of Basmati-370.

In another major move to reduce Covid-19 pandemic distress among the farmers, JK
Industries is going to procure 60,000 Kg of Grade A and B grade Cocoon from Jammu
division and 50,000 kg from Kashmir division.

Meanwhile, concerted efforts are underway to develop horticulture and related activities in
Jammu region by way of several ongoing government interventions.

The potential taping High Density and Ultra High Density plantation for Apple, Kiwi,
Peach, Grapes and Walnut is main focus of the government. These fruits have huge potential
in hilly areas like Kishtwar, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and hilly areas of Udhampur, Reasi,
Ramban and Kathua.

The services of Centre for Excellence for Horticulture are being utilized to promote the fruit
growing in all types of regions of Jammu division.

Upgrading of the infrastructure of Fruit and Vegetable Market, for developing it on modern
lines replete with all the necessary facilities has been prioritized.

The State Level Project Screening Committee (SLPSC) on Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
(RKVY-RAFTAR), has recently approved the Annual Action Plan envisaging mobilization
of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and promotion of local specialty crops, value
addition, organic farming, farm mechanization and promoting agri-business
entrepreneurship. Aadhar seeding and 100% assistance transfer through DBT for all
beneficiary oriented schemes has also been stressed upon.

https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/jammu/govt-issues-guidelines-for-farmers/\
Weekly inflation up 0.66pc
By APP
May 22, 2020

ISLAMABAD: The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based weekly inflation for the week ended on
May 21 witnessed an increase of 0.66 per cent, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on
Friday.
The SPI for the week under review for the combined consumption group was recorded at 128.15
points, as against 127.31 points registered in the previous week.
The weekly SPI with base year 2015-16=100 covers 17 urban centers and 51 essential items for all
expenditure groups.

The SPI for the lowest consumption group, up to Rs17,732, also witnessed 0.57pc increase, from
133.30 points last week to 134.06 points during the week under review.
Weekly inflation for consumption groups from Rs17,733-Rs22,888; Rs22,889-Rs29,517; Rs29,518-
Rs44,175 and above Rs44,175 per month increased by 0.65pc, 0.65pc, 0.69pc and 0.65pc,
respectively.

During the week, prices of five items decreased, 17 items increased while that of 29 items remained
unchanged.

The items that recorded a decrease in their average prices included onions, LPG cylinder, pulse
(gram, masoor) and gur.

The commodities which recorded increase in their average prices included chicken, tomatoes, wheat,
bananas, garlic, potatoes, moong pulse, mustard oil, curd, cigarettes, pulse (mash), mutton, eggs,
cooking oil, sugar, milk, rice (basmati).

Similarly, the prices of the commodities that observed no change in their price during the week under
review included rice (Irri-6/9), bread, beef, milk (powdered), vegetable ghee, vegetable ghee, salt,
chilies, tea (packet), cooked beef, tea (prepared), long cloth, shirting, lawn, georgette, gents sandal,
gents sponge chappal, ladies sandal, electricity charges, firewoodk, energy saver, washing soap,
matchbox, petrol, diesel, telephone call, and toiled soap.

According to the PBS analysis, the increase in inflation was mainly due to a rise in prices of food
items i.e. chicken (10.47pc), tomatoes (9.60pc), wheat flour (2.35pc), bananas (2.34pc), garlic
(1.69pc) and potatoes (1.21pc).

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Weekly inflation up 0.66pc

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May 22, 2020
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https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/05/22/weekly-inflation-up-0-66pc/

IMF says committed to supporting Pakistan

amid corona crisis
By ppi

May 22, 2020

WASHINGTON: The International Monitory Fund (IMF) stated on Friday the extended fund
facility, which was signed with Pakistan before the coronavirus crisis, remains in effect.

“Discussions were currently paused due to the pandemic outbreak, and [instead] there was a
focus on the rapid financing instrument to help Pakistan combat Covid-19. And in this regard,
our Executive Board [last month] approved $1.4 billion for Pakistan,” said Gerry Rice of the
IMF’s Communication Department in a press briefing.

Rice said technical discussions are in process with the Pakistani authorities on the Extended
Fund Facility (EFF), which is another instrument through which the Fund is supporting Pakistan.
“This will be the second review. We hope to bring it to a positive conclusion as soon as
possible.”

Rice stated, “What else can I say on the G20 initiative and developing countries, including
Pakistan? Again, you know, going back to what I said earlier, on this Debt Relief Initiative, it’s
important to recognize that developing countries include some very poor and indebted nations,
but they also include many countries that have been developing successfully. It’s a broad
spectrum, and I know many of you know that, but it’s important to keep that in mind. So, for
many of these countries, you know, that have been developing successfully, for many of them,
attaining creditworthiness, the ability and the willingness to repay their debts, constitutes a hard-
fought success.”

The IMF official continued, “So, that’s why I said earlier that a few developing countries have
said, publicly, that they’re not inclined to take up the G20 Debt Suspension Initiative, you know,
partly, because of that reason. What they want is a level playing field, in the form of stable
access to finance on affordable terms, and, so, for this reason, the Fund’s priority is to ensure that
these countries continue to have that access to appropriate external financing, as they go forward,
and we try to contribute to that through our own lending and through initiatives, such as the G20
Debt Service Suspension, but let me be clear. As I said earlier, we also support all developing
countries whose debts are unsustainable.”

Rice said the Fund would support its member countries, even whose debts are unsustainable,
and, again, whilst a few countries had indicated that they would not be participating in the
initiative, the vast majority have either expressed a formal request to participate, or expressed
interest, and IMF expects many more official requests in the coming days.

https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/05/22/imf-says-committed-to-supporting-pakistan-amid-corona-
crisis/

Spring Quarter Snapshot: Rice Research

Continues
By Kate Armstrong on May 22, 2020 in University

C Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension rice and wild rice advisor Whitney Brim-
DeForest takes a look at plants growing on campus. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

While much of the world has stopped, the plants keep on growing.

Whitney Brim-DeForest, the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension rice
and wild rice advisor, has been conducting research on weeds found in rice fields around the
Sacramento Valley, with her current study ongoing since January.

“Obviously, due to the coronavirus, it has been more difficult to focus on research, and the way
that we have to interact with each other — colleagues, employees, students — is a little different
than normal,” Brim-DeForest said.

Yet she does see some upsides to working in her near-empty greenhouse on the UC Davis
campus. She finds that “spending time with the plants, both in the greenhouse and in the field, is
a source of stress relief.”

Brim-DeForest said her survey aims “to get a better idea of the weed species found in California
rice fields, both native and non-native, as well as the distribution through the nine rice-growing
counties.”

The study, which involves collecting 200 soil samples from rice grower fields in the Sacramento
Valley, is the first in decades.

“The last published survey was in the 1980s, so it has been 40 years, and a lot has changed,”
Brim-DeForest said.

About the author(s)

Kate Armstrong Kate Armstrong is a communication major working as a fellow in the Office of
Strategic Communications.

https://www.ucdavis.edu/spring-snapshots/news/rice-research-continues/

LSU AGCENTER SETS VIRTUAL RICE FIELD DAY

JULY 1
Fri, 05/22/2020 - 5:21pm

CROWLEY
The 2020 field day at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station will be held
online only because of the challenges caused by the ongoing pandemic.
The internet presentations by Rice Research Station faculty will be available for viewing starting
July 1 at www.LSUAgCenter.com/ricefieldday(link is external).
“This virtual field day will allow our scientists to make their presentations just like they have in
the past,” said Don Groth, Rice Research Station resident coordinator. “We concluded this is the
best option to keep our stakeholders and the public informed of the work we are doing at the
Rice Research Station.”
Groth cited several advantages. Viewers can watch the presentations later on YouTube, and
presenters will be able to include graphics in the talks that will add to the content.
The field tour will include talks on disease, insects, weeds, variety development, and an update
on hybrid breeding and agronomics. For the first time, the field day will include a talk by Mark
Shirley, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant crawfish specialist, who is overseeing research
at the station’s South Farm.
Also, poster presentations will be available in PowerPoint.
The event will wrap up with talks by Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture; Mike
Salassi, AgCenter associate vice president for plant and animal sciences; Richard Fontenot,
chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board; and Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Groth said he is hopeful the 2021 field day can return to a live event.
NEWS
LOCAL
STATE
AGRICULTURE

https://www.raynetoday.com/news-local-state-agriculture/lsu-agcenter-sets-virtual-rice-field-day-july-1

Highlights of China's science news

Source: Xinhua| 2020-05-23 15:36:38|Editor: huaxia

BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of China's science
news from the past week:
AGRICULTURAL PLANNING
Chinese researchers have proposed a land-use approach for the management of
mercury-contaminated farmlands.
The researchers from the Institute of Geochemistry under the Chinese Academy of
Sciences hoped to devise an agricultural planning strategy for reducing human
exposure to mercury pollution through selecting native low-mercury-accumulating
crops for future planting in contaminated farmlands.
CANCER RESEARCH CENTER
The University of Oxford and China's Sichuan University have jointly launched a
center to bolster research cooperation on gastrointestinal cancer.
Representatives from the two sides signed a contract for the Sichuan University-
University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer during a recent
video conference, according to a statement by the Sichuan University.
ICE CORES
A Chinese research team has, for the first time, extracted ice core samples from a
glacier outside the country. This will help the study of the history of climate and
environmental changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and surrounding areas.
Using self-developed drill systems, the researchers obtained ice core samples with a
total length of more than 110 meters at an altitude of 5,600 meters at the Biafo
Glacier. They also extracted four cores from the beds of two nearby lakes called Sheo
Sar and Saiful Malook.
RICE RESISTS WEEDS
Scientists have revealed that gene clustering helped rice evolve to produce so-called
momilactone to defend itself against weeds, according to a study published in the
journal PNAS.
Chinese and Japanese scientists analyzed more than 100 genome sequences from
plants, finding that the gene clusters that can compound momilactone exist only in
three plant species, including rice.
5G-ASSISTED UNMANNED BOAT
An unmanned boat with 5G wireless technology has been used to monitor water
quality in a Beijing park, according to the Beijing Daily Thursday.
The unmanned boat shuttles in the waters of Beihai Park to collect data on water
quality and the surrounding environment.

The 1.2-meter-long boat is equipped with high-definition cameras and a water quality
sensor, which can transmit real-time data to a monitoring platform through the 5G
network. Enditem
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/23/c_139081476.htm
Scientists have warned about the dangers of
drinking spring water
By Natasha Kumaron May 23, 2020in Sciense

Experts told why drinking spring water can be dangerous to human health. The study was
conducted by researchers from the Swiss Institute of aquatic science and technology.

Groundwater has become one of the key sources of drinking water for hundreds of millions of
inhabitants of the planet. In addition, in some regions of Asia and America they are used for
irrigation of crops, which is associated with arid climate. The new work shows that in some
countries, the use of such water threatens a number of health effects due to high concentrations
of arsenic. Moreover, you can get poisoned not only by eating the liquid, but during ingestion,
for example of rice, if it is watered with such water. In the work the authors conducted more than
200 thousand tests of water quality in a number of States, including China, the US, Mexico, etc.
The who standards suggest that the permissible contents of arsenic should not exceed 10 mg per
liter. However, in some areas the concentration reaches 50 mg in this volume. Mainly this is true
for South Asia, but there are pockets in the USA and Argentina. The map was compiled by
scientists by means of mathematical modeling.

The results demonstrate that in Europe and Russia there is no cause for concern, as there is with
high probability the arsenic content in the water is not so significant to cause concern. It is in
Russia in the Western part of the country of a hazardous substance in groundwater is much less
and closer to Asia, the figure is growing. Risk assessment implies that the probability of
exposure to dangerous doses of arsenic persisted for 220 million inhabitants of the Earth.

The specified chemical element is characterized by a toxicity, and even small amounts can
provoke skin diseases or problems with the nervous system. At elevated levels of arsenic
becomes a cause of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

If you want to live long, then say no to processed foods

BY PARMESH DHERA ON MAY 23, 2020
Improper eating has a bad effect on health. All health experts state that more than half of serious
illnesses are caused by the wrong lifestyle and wrong eating. The diseases that have increased the
fastest in the world in the last century are diabetes, heart attack, and cancer. More than 80% of
people worldwide die due to diseases like diabetes, heart attack, and cancer. The number of
patients who have died due to the coronavirus is very high in these 3 diseases. According to
scientists, processed food is the biggest cause of all these three diseases.

What are processed foods?

Processed foods mean diets that have to be resorted to at high temperatures, heavy pressures,
machines, etc. to make them tasty. The most popular processed foods are bread, chips, breakfast
cereals (corn flakes, muesli, choco chips), cheese, butter, maida, microwaved foods, packaged
items (chips, snacks, puffs, other snacks with salt), pizza, burgers, cold drinks, etc. Even though
they are made from grains or pulses such as wheat, rice, oats, corn, gram, lentils, all the nutrients
are released during processing.

Scientists claim

Research at the University of Otago found that processed foods do not contain fiber at all.
Whereas fiber is very important for our body. This controls blood sugar in our bodies. According
to scientists, by consuming fiber-rich foods, you can live longer. While the consumption of
processed foods makes a person at risk of many diseases.

19 grams of fiber required every day

A healthy person must eat at least 19 grams of fiber every day. Those who eat more than 35
grams of fiber daily reduce the risk of premature death by 35%. For more fiber, eat whole grains,
legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas, beans, etc.), vegetables, and raw fruits.

Change eating habits If you eat white bread or eat things made with fine flour, then stop it
now. Buy Holmgren bread instead of white bread and use flour instead of flour. Eat brown rice
and brown pasta instead of white rice. Include at least 1 bowl of legumes (dal, rajma, gram,
beans), etc. in the diet every day. Also, use fresh vegetables instead of frozen.

About Post Author

Parmesh Dhera
Born to a PIO businessman, Parmesh loves travelling and writing about everything related to
technology, entertainment, sports and business. He is from Istanbul and loves his Falafels and
Hummus. Parmesh also has an expensive taste in wine and writes for various food magazines in
Europe.
https://ourbitcoinnews.com/if-you-want-to-live-long-then-say-no-to-processed-foods/

Pursat province to strengthen agriculture sector

Pech Sotheary / Khmer Times  

Mao Thonin at a press conference at the Council of Ministers.  KT/Khem Sovannara

The Pursat provincial administration is encouraged to continue strengthening the
management and improving the quality of agricultural products, businesses, trade and
tourism sector to better improve the living conditions of people, especially disabled
people.
Pursat provincial governor Mao Thonin outlined the progress and direction of the
administration during a press conference at the Council of Ministers.
He said there are more than 490,000 people in the province, of which 75 percent are
farmers and another 25 percent are businessmen, traders and civil servants.
Mr Thonin added that due to the large population, agriculture is a major sector to
support the development, enhancing the livelihoods of the people, which needs to be
strengthened further.
“People have been very active in the agriculture sector with harvesting and cultivation
efforts, with most of the rice in the province being grown without using chemical
fertilisers which increases the quality and taste of the rice,” he said.
According to Mr Thonin, the province currently has about 150,000 hectares of
agricultural land, with an annual rice yield of between 380,000 tonnes and 420,000
tonnes. In addition to rice crops, he said people in the province also grow oranges on
12,000 hectares.
He added in addition to the agriculture sector, there is also a huge potential for the
tourism industry to improve people’s living conditions.
He said the province currently has a total of 34 tourist destinations, such as the Tonle
Sap Lake, covering 86 kilometres, tourist attractions in the district, city and
mountainous areas which attracted about 610,000 local and international tourists last
year.
Commerce department director in Pursat province, Chhun Sereyrath, also said in the
press conference the yield of rice, a priority in the province, which has exported an
average of about 23,500 tonnes per year.
In addition, the province also has some other products such as oranges, cassava, corn,
mango, marble sculpture handicrafts and products made from palm trees and palm
sugar.
“The provincial administration will continue to strengthen the agricultural sector and
promote these agricultural products in local and international markets by participating
in trade fairs,” she said.
According to the provincial authorities, in addition to strengthening agriculture and
tourism as the priority sectors, it will also strengthen other sectors such as water
resources, energy, trade, rural development, health and road infrastructure to further
fulfill the needs of the people.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50725672/pursat-province-to-strengthen-agriculture-sector/

TS distributed 7608 tons rice, Rs 31.61 lakh cash to

migrant workers
Minister explained various issues related with the Civil Supplies department to the
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan in a video-conference

By AuthorTelanganaToday  |  Published: 22nd May 2020  7:07 pm

Minister Gangula Kamalakar along with officials attending video conference held by Union Minister for
Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday.

Hyderabad: Minister for Civil Supplies Gangula Kamalakar has said that the State has
identified 6.47 lakh migrant workers and distributed 7608.012 metric tons of rice and Rs
31.61 lakh financial assistance among other facilities during the ongoing lockdown
period.
The Minister explained various issues related with the Civil Supplies department to the
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan who was on a nationwide video
conference with civil supplies ministers of all the States on Friday.

The Minister informed that the State has so far linked 96.40 percent ration cards of
beneficiaries with Aadhar under One Nation-One Ration programme. He further said that
Telangana is in the forefront in linking the cards with Aadhar.

Kamalakar also urged the Union Minister to increase Rs 500 financial assistance to Rs
2000 and also to extend the free ration scheme to May and June months also. Civil
Supplies Commissioner Anil Kumar also participated in the meeting.

https://telanganatoday.com/ts-distributed-7608-tons-rice-r s-31-61-lakh-cash-to-migrant-workers