2 February 2022

Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Pakistan: Farmers threaten govt to go on strike if

demands not met, give deadline of Feb 20
ANI
02 Feb 2022, 01:18 GMT+10

Lahore [Pakistan], February 1 (ANI): Pakistan's Kissan Ittehad Awami Party threatened the provincial
government over issues faced by farmers in Punjab province and gave deadline of February 20 to solve
the grievances.
Quoting party Chairman Abdul Rauf Tatla, The News International reported that if farmers grievances
are not addressed, the sowing of all kinds of crops will be stopped and a strike will be observed across
Punjab alongside a sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly.
He said that due to poor agricultural policies of current and former rulers and economic crisis, farmers
were suffering from severe distress and misery.
Earlier, farmers decided to protest against the government in Multan city of Punjab province on
February 14 over its recent move of revoking GST exemption from agriculture.
Speaking from Lahore, Khalid Mehmood Khokhar, president of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad on Saturday
said that after so many useless meetings with the representatives of federal and provincial governments,
PKI is forced to stage a protest on February 14 in Multan, followed by all districts and provincial and
federal capitals, The News Internationa reported.
The PKI president also said that animals, poultry, fish and farmers' kids would be attending the protest
along with farmers next month.
The recent move of the government revoking GST exemption from agriculture inputs like maize hybrid
imported seed, rice hybrid seed, vegetable seed, fodder seed, all local seeds, fish meal, animal feed,
soyabean, raw cotton, benola, cotton seed oil, oil cakes, agriculture machinery, fodder, fish meal,
animal feed and poultry feed machinery will not only trouble farmers but also animals. (ANI)
https://www.malaysiasun.com/news/272256831/pakistan- farmers-threaten-govt-to-go-on-strike-
if-demands-not- met-give-deadline-of- feb-20

Basmati battles beset producers in India

Rachna Bakhru and Ajay Kumar of RNA Technology and IP Attorneys review the
complex story of the protection of the geographical indication for Basmati rice

 Sponsored by
 By Ajay Kumar
 By Rachna Bakhru
February 02 2022
Basmati is India‘s great contribution to the world of gastronomy. People the world over
recognise it as a long grain aromatic rice grown in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Basmati is popular due to its distinct flavour, aroma, taste, and soft and fluffy texture upon
cooking. The agro-climatic conditions of the specific geographical region where Basmati is
cultivated, plant nutrition, soil, method of harvesting, and other factors contribute towards these
unique characteristics. Basmati also has a lower glycemic index: between 45 and 58 as opposed
to other varieties of white rice, which have a glycemic index of 89. Therefore it is suitable for
diabetics.
More than 85% of global Basmati exports (by quantity and by value) are from India. In 2019-20,
India exported 44.55 lakh metric tonnes (4.45 million metric tonnes) of Basmati worth $4.25
billion. Given these figures, Basmati is of considerable economic significance to India in
addition to its cultural heritage.
To preserve the unique identity of its aromatic Basmati rice in the international markets, India
granted geographical indication (GI) recognition in 2016 to the Basmati producers in the Indo-
Gangetic plains on the foothills of the Himalayas. The region includes seven states of India:
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu &
Kashmir. In pre-partition India, the region would also include Pakistan‘s Punjab province.
However, since the application for registration of Basmati rice by the Agriculture and Processed
Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) (as a GI was filed and even before, it
has been mired in disputes, both domestic and international).
India‘s attempts to protect the Basmati title can be traced back to a historical conflict between the
Indian government and the US company RiceTec in the 1990s. RiceTec had sought a patent for
certain rice varieties that it had bred from Basmati strains, with names such as Kasmati, Texmati
and Jasmati. RiceTec was granted a patent by the US Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO)
under number 5663484 on Basmati rice lines and grains on September 2 1997.
The APEDA accused RiceTec of bio-piracy and challenged the patent in June 2000. After a long
battle, RiceTec agreed to withdraw several of the claims. On January 29 2002, the USPTO issued
a Re-examination Certificate cancelling claims 1-7, 10, and 14-20 of the patent (the broad claims
covering the rice plant) out of 24 claims and entered amendments to claims 12-13.
However, the journey to GI protection for Basmati at home was not as simple and APEDA had
to cross several hurdles, facing opposition and challenges.
Claims of neighbouring states
The Indo-Gangetic plain also known as the north Indian river plain, is a fertile plain covering the
northern regions of south Asia including mostly northern and eastern parts of India, the eastern
parts of Pakistan, and the southern plains of Nepal where Basmati is historically designated to be
grown. However, the Madhya Pradesh state, which is in the centre of India, opposed APEDA‘s
GI application as it did not include the areas of Madhya Pradesh where rice has been grown for
decades, which has all the required characteristics of Basmati and is in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
The GI Registry allowed the opposition and referred to the data published by the Directorate of
Rice Development, Patna. It opined that some of the states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
and Bihar have Basmati cultivation and these areas were uncovered in the GI application. It
added that the applicant has therefore failed to satisfy the fundamental requirement of clear,
specific, and reasoned demarcation of Basmati-cultivation areas. APEDA was directed to file an
amended GI application including the uncovered area, with a map of the region demarcating the
area of production.
This decision has led to strongly contested appeals by both parties in the past 11 years, resulting
in the Supreme Court's directions remanding the matters back for fresh consideration by the GI
Registry.
Basmati war at the EU
Basmati producers from India recently faced another battle when, on September 11 2020,
Pakistan objected to India‘s claim in the EU seeking GI status for its Basmati rice as it would
affect Pakistan‘s exports. In January, Pakistan attached GI status to Basmati in its home country
to help Pakistan contest India‘s claim of exclusive rights. Meanwhile, Nepal has also claimed a
GI right on Basmati in the EU based on trademark protection in its home country in the absence
of a GI law.
While it is crucial to preserve traditional knowledge, indigenous rights and appellations of
origins, it is a complex area when borders divide nature‘s offerings. Although several countries
have come up with sui generis laws to protect their rights in the products that are unique to them,
it remains a continuous battle to prove the ownership and enforce rights against exploitation by
others.
While a GI registration in the home country helps to claim reciprocity in other countries, the
government and the association of local producers need to bring out clear regulations to monitor
the quality of products to realise their commercial value. A GI registration with quality assurance
is the need of the hour and will help producers receive a fair price.
Ajay Kumar
Managing associate, RNA Technology and IP Attorneys
E: akumar@rnaip.com
Rachna Bakhru
Partner, RNA Technology and IP Attorneys
E: rbakhru@rnaip.com
https://www.managingip.com/article/b1wl2hzs4bd8wv/basmati-battles-beset-producers- in- india
Report praises liquidity flow during pandemic
Report praises liquidity flow during pandemic

Our CorrespondentFebruary 02, 2022

PHOTO: PAKISTAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS

LAHORE:
It is no surprise that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has revised fiscal year 2020- 21’s real
GDP growth rate to 5.57% following receipt of updated economic data, stated a res earch
report. A fact sheet, issued by the Institute for Policy Reforms (IPR) on Tuesday, noted
that the government took positive action by injecting liquidity in the economy as it led to
rise in demand and production.
―Despite the fact that the economy grew nearly 5.5% in fiscal year 2018-19, it left severe
macroeconomic imbalances that needed a period of stabilisation through tightening of monetary
policy, adjustment of exchange rate and decline in public spending,‖ it said. ―The pandemic
made the situation more complex.‖
Some key decisions taken during that period helped stimulate economic activity. Citing
examples, it said that introduction of fiscal stimulus package worth Rs1.24 trillion in April 2020,
tax refunds to exporters and subsidised loans for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and
agriculture sector significantly aided the economy.
It noted that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) injected liquidity in the economy through several
concessional credit windows such as Temporary Economic Refinance Facility (TERF) which
stimulated production. Other measures also helped save jobs at a time when lockdown had
slowed down production. The credit to the private sector, a major indicator of economic activity,
grew consistently since 2020.
Emergency cash transfers under Ehsaas also played a major role. A campaign to attract workers‘
remittances through banking channels improved the current account balance. After a period of
correction in public investment, government boosted public investment in key areas to stimulate
economic growth and create jobs. All these developments boosted aggregate demand, which
increased by 15.6% in fiscal year 2020-21 on a yearon-year basis. In fiscal year 2019-20,
aggregate demand grew 6.6%.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2341515/report-praises- liquidity- flow-during-pandemic

Reconstructing perception on corruption

In Pakistan ―politician‖ is a byword for a ―corrupt man‖

Shazia Anwer CheemaFebruary 02, 2022

 The writer is a PhD scholar of Semiotics and Philosophy of Communication at Charles University Prague. She can be reached
at shaziaanwer@yahoo.com and tweets @ShaziaAnwerCh

The latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks Pakistan at 28th among 180
countries. Pakistan is placed at 140th slot in the list of most corrupt countries, with a steady
decline. However, this is just a perceptive index and reality could be even wors e — or
maybe better.
In the developing world, we have regularly witnessed that the game of regime changes is usually
linked with allegations of corruption. Whenever powerful groups want to replace a political party
or a leader, the first move is accusing him/her of promoting financial corruption in the country.
This is an excellent game of semiotic for manipulating the perception of people that ultimately
helps to remove the leader.
In Pakistan ―politician‖ is a byword for a ―corrupt man‖ and this perception is so strong that a
common man does not want to change his opinion. Most politicians may fall under the category
of ―corrupt men‖ but are they the only group that is corrupt? It appears as though in Pakistan
everyone is a law-abiding citizen except the politicians.
The Transparency report for Asia indicates that countries whose leaders are promoting
themselves as ―most clean men‖ are more corrupt under their regimes.
The report also suggests that leaders (in corrupt countries) have been able to portray themselves
as more effective than state institutions and win mandates to gain power. Here comes a semiotic
game of ―reconstruction of corruption thought‖. We have seen that new meanings have been
given to corruption. One of the new meanings is that ―all previous democratic governments were
corrupt‖ and only the sitting government is honest.
Prime Minister Imran Khan who came to power with the promise of eradicating corruption
insists that he has rid the country of corruption within the first 90 days of his government.
However, CPI indicates otherwise. The ruling party will surely reject Transparency‘s report and
call it a conspiracy against Pakistan and itself. The ruling PTI is quite good at rejecting anything
that questions its administrative abilities. We must remember the Pakistan government‘s strong
criticism of the FATF for keeping Pakistan on the grey list. However, criticising and rejecting
the FATF report did not help anybody, and we will have to follow FATF instructions to come off
the grey list. Even after the administrative disaster in Murree, there was an ongoing campaign
claiming that people who died of hunger and cold were insensible to have travelled to Murree
during harsh climatic conditions. The campaign suggested that people died in their vehicles due
to inhaling carbon monoxide from the heating and not because of hunger or cold. These
judgments appeared in government- friendly media much before the autopsy reports of the dead
bodies were revealed.
Those who question the administrative decisions of the sitting government are often labelled as
anti-state and then subjected to a sequence of defamation campaigns on social and electronic
media. Consequently, most inquisitive or intelligent people have decided to not express any
thoughts or opinions which has, in turn, helped those involved in corruption because everybody
knows that restrictions on civil liberties (freedom of speech) always help corrupt individuals to
continue their practices unchecked.
Digital media offers several tools to governments for creating an information space to advance
their respective agendas against individuals who disagree with them. Social media trolling is just
as horrific as a scene in which a rabbit is chased by hyenas on a moonless night.
I strongly believe that the dangerous side of social media is helping corrupt individuals as well as
corrupt governments. Social media trolling silences dissent and is the perfect tool for the corrupt
to continue their practices without any checks or investigations because the administrative
authority to control and restrict social media lies with the government.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2341520/reconstructing-perception-on-corruption

Thailand the third-largest rice exporter after posting 6.7%

expansion in 2021
Asia News Network | Publication date 01 February 2022 | 21:10 ICT
Share
Soldiers were deployed to help farmers harvest rice in flood-hit areas across Thailand in November. MCOT
Thailand became the world‘s third-largest rice exporter by shipping 6.12 million tonnes of rice
last year, up 6.7 per cent year-on-year, Thai Rice Exporters Association president Charoen
Laothamatas said on January 31.―Though the export volume has increased, the total value of
exported rice in 2021 dropped 7.1 per cent from the previous year, or from $3.7 billion to $3.4
billion,‖ he said.
Meanwhile, India still remains the top rice exporter for four consecutive years with 19.5 million
tonnes of rice exported in 2021, up 33.9 per cent year-on-year. Vietnam came in second with
6.24 million tonnes exported last year, dropping 5.2 per cent year-on-year.
Pakistan and the US, meanwhile, are in fourth and fifth places, with 3.93 million tonnes and 2.85
million tonnes of rice exported in 2021, respectively.
The association also reported that in December 2021, Thailand exported 729.12 tonnes of rice
valued at 12.5 billion baht ($376 million), down 3.5 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively from
the same period in the previous year.
―Rice export dropped towards the end of last year in both quantity and value because buyers tend
to slow down after they have built up a stock of rice,‖ Charoen said.
Thailand‘s biggest rice buyers in 2021 include China, Japan, the UAE, the Philippines, Congo,
Syria, Benin and Angola.
―We expect rice export in January to be around 700,000 tonnes, while the target for 2022 is set at
seven million tonnes,‖ said Charoen.
―Positive factors for rice export this year include the recovery of the global economy, increasing
demand in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and our estimate that the baht will stay steady at 33
per US dollar, which will make our price competitive against other exporters.‖
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/thailand-third- largest-rice-exporter-after-posting-67-
expansion-2021
Sri Lanka to borrow US$200m from Pakistan
Web Desk
11:00 AM | 2 Feb, 2022

The Sri Lankan government has commenced groundwork to secure US$ 200 million credit line
extended by the Pakistani government.
The discussion on the US$ 200 million credit line was taken up during Trade Minister Bandula
Gunawardana‘s recent official visit to Pakistan.
According to Mirror Business, Secretary to the Treasury Sajith Attygalle revealed that the two
countries have agreed US$ 200 million in principle while the details of the credit line is yet to be
worked out.
Under this credit line, cement, basmati rice and medicines manufactured in Pakistan are to be
imported through the State Trading (General) Corporation.
Emphasis would be paid for the importation of cement as Sri Lanka saw a cement shortage in the
market recently, which had led to sky rocketing prices.
Attygalle noted that the tenure of the credit line is yet to be finalised and the Treasury along with
the Trade Ministry and the High Commission are working on drafting the agreement, which is to
be cleared by the Attorney General‘s Office.
Meanwhile, the government is expecting to secure US$ 1 billion credit line requested from India
next week.
The US$ 1 billion Indian credit facility is to be financed to import essential items such as food
and medicines from India.
India‘s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa during a
virtual meeting held last month reviewed the progress of the credit line.
Sri Lanka already has drawn down from a US$ 200 million currency swap it entered into with
Bangladesh Bank, for which the country sought a 3-month extension of the validity of the loan in
December 2021.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/02-Feb-2022/sri- lanka-to-borrow- us-dollar-200m- from-pakistan

A tractor trolley loaded with river sand one of the fine

sand used in concrete and masonry work, passing
through Rice Canal
Tue, 1 Feb 2022, 6:46 PM
PP33-010222 LARKANA: February 01- A tractor trolley loaded with river sand one of the fine sand
used in concrete and masonry work, passing through Rice Canal. APP photo by Nadeem Akhtar
LARKANA
https://www.app.com.pk/photos-section/a-tractor-trolley- loaded-with-river-sand-one-of-the- fine-
sand-used-in-concrete-and- masonry-work-passing-through-rice-canal/

SL begins groundwork to borrow US$ 200mn from

Pakistan
2 February 2022 12:00 am - 9

By Nishel Fernando
e government has commenced groundwork to secure US$ 200 million credit line extended by
the Government of Pakistan while a US$1 billion credit line from India is expected to materialise
next week. The discussions on the US$ 200 million credit line was taken up during Trade
Minister Bandula Gunawardana‘s recent official visit to Pakistan.
Speaking to Mirror Business, Secretary to the Treasury Sajith Attygalle revealed that the two
countries have agreed US$ 200 million in principle while the details of the credit line is yet to be
worked out.
Under this credit line, cement, basmati rice and medicines manufactured in Pakistan are to be
imported through the State Trading (General) Corporation.
Emphasis would be paid for the importation of cement as Sri Lanka saw a cement shortage in the
market recently, which had led to sky rocketing prices.
Attygalle noted that the tenure of the credit line is yet to be finalised and the Treasury along with
the Trade Ministry and the High Commission are working on drafting the agreement, which is to
be cleared by the Attorney General‘s Office.
Meanwhile, the government is expecting to secure US$ 1 billion credit line requested from India
next week.
The US$ 1 billion Indian credit facility is to be financed to import essential items such as food
and medicines from India.
India‘s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa during
a virtual meeting held last month reviewed the progress of the credit line.
In addition to that India has already extended a US$ 500 million credit line for fuel.
Sri Lanka already has drawn down from a US$ 200 million currency swap it entered into with
Bangladesh Bank, for which the country sought a 3-month extension of the validity of the loan in
December 2021.
https://www.dailymirror.lk/business- news/SL-begins-groundwork-to-borrow-US-200mn- from-
Pakistan/273-230324

Pakistan to lend Sri Lanka $200mn: report

Sri Lanka‘s Secretary to the Treasury Sajith Attygalle confirms that Islamabad and Colombo
have agreed on the $200 million credit line in principle
By Web Desk
February 02, 2022

Pakistan will lend Sri Lanka $200mn.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to give Colombo a $200 million loan for the purchase of
rice and cement, said a Sri Lankan media report.
The decision was made during a recent visit of the Sri Lankan trade minister to Islamabad, the
report said. However, the terms and duration of the loan were being finalized by the authorities
from both the countries, it added.
Sri Lankan will use the amount for the import of rice and cement from Pakistan.
Sri Lanka‘s Secretary to the Treasury Sajith Attygalle confirmed that Islamabad and Colombo
have agreed on the $200 million credit line in principle while the details of the credit is yet to be
worked out, according to Daily Mirror.
The amount will be used to import cement, basmati rice and medicines manufactured in Pakistan,
the publication added.
It is pertinent to mention here that Sri Lanka is facing a shortage of cement recently, which had
led to skyrocketing prices.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/930198-pakistan-to-lend-sri-lanka-200mn

Chinese New Year Has Roaring Start With U.S. Rice

By Sarah Moran

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- Today, the first of February, marks the start of the Chinese
New Year – the Year of the Tiger. Celebrations can last a couple of weeks, but only the first
seven days are considered a public holiday when people gather and share food with rice as a
major element. USA Rice stepped up promotional activities for the occasion, specifically
targeting the Chinese community in the UK who are big consumers of U.S.-grown rice.

Kung Hei Fat Choi or congratulations and may you be prosperous

Throughout January, during the lead up to the celebrations, locally available U.S. rice brands
collaborated with USA Rice in several promotions including an advertising campaign in the
Asian Trader, a major UK print publication with both print and digital reach; in-store branding
and promotional information at Chinese wholesale and retail stores; and giant full-size pagodas
filled with bags of U.S. long grain rice installed at six major Chinese wholesalers.

Point of sale materials like posters, calendars, and magnets also will be distributed during
February, and new U.S. rice recipes have been developed that will be posted by influencers on
social media.

―I am impressed with the support and participation from the local U.S. rice brands in USA Rice‘s
efforts to celebrate Chinese New Year,‖ said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director Europe, Middle
East and Africa. ―The Chinese wholesale sector remains one of the most important segments for
U.S. rice sales in the UK, and festivals and events are an important part of that culture, giving
USA Rice a great opportunity to interact and increase awareness and sales for U.S. rice.‖

The UK is the single largest U.S. rice export market in Europe, importing approximately 30,000
MT each year of long, medium, and short grain, as well as wild rice. Diverse market segments
here, including Chinese, Afro-Caribbean, Japanese, and Korean are traditional consumers of rice
and that creates opportunity for further growth.

―The New Year promotions are scheduled for another two to three weeks,‖ said Somogyi. ―U.S.
rice is ideally situated to make the Year of the Tiger a roaring success in 2022.‖

USA Rice daily

Agriculture Organizations Continue to Push Congress For
Ocean Shipping Reforms
By Jamison Cruce

WASHINGTON, DC -- Last week, USA Rice joined more than 100 agriculture organizations in
a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell (R-KY) urging action on ocean shipping reform legislation for agriculture.

U.S. ag depends on it

―On average, 22 percent of U.S. agriculture foreign sales could not be completed due to ocean
carrier practices including exorbitant freight rates, declined booking requests, unreasonable
freight and demurrage/detention charge, and failure to communicate schedules in a timely
manner,‖ says the letter. ―The damage to our farmers and processors is getting worse; we are
losing customers in foreign markets.‖

The House overwhelmingly passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 4996), on
December 8, 2021, by a vote of 364 to 60 (see USA Rice Daily, December 9, 2021).

The Senate is said to be working on legislation of its own, led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-
MN) and John Thune (R-SD).
The letter continues: ―We request that the Senate advance this legislation, so that following a
conference with the House, a final bill can be sent to the President‘s desk as soon as possible.
U.S. agriculture is depending upon it.‖

―U.S. rice exporters need workable solutions given these prolonged disruptions and the threats
they pose on critical markets around the globe,‖ said Bobby Hanks, a Louisiana rice miller and
chair of USA Rice. ―We‘re encouraged by the attention supply chain and transportation and
logistics issues have gotten with our government but now we need action.‖

USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosley said, ―USA Rice has been engaged
on this issue going on three years now, and for the past several months, has been advocating
alongside other agriculture organizations for ocean shipping reform legislation, as well as other
improvements, for agricultural exporters. As this situation worsens, we‘re hopeful this legislation
will soon be considered and we urge passage by the Senate.‖
Nigerian milled rice can now compete favourably, match
foreign brands – CBN Gov

February 2, 2022

KANO — The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele on Tuesday
said that Nigeria‘s integrated mills have increased drastically from 10 to 60 within a period of six
years.
This was also as he boasted that Nigerian milled rice can now compete favourably and match the
foreign brand.
Emefiele disclosed this while commissioning the multi-billion naira Gerawa Ultra modern rice
mill factory with 420 metric tonnes per day capacity and flag-off of the 2nd phase with 560
metric tonnes per day capacity in Kano.
According to him, ―Prior to the anchor borrowers program by President Muhammadu Buhari in
2015, the country had less than 10 functional integrated mills with a combined capacity of less
than 350,000 Metric Tonnes. This has grown astronomically to over 60 integrated mills with the
combined capacity of over 3 million Metric Tonnes as of today. And about 10 more mills are
scheduled to be commissioned this year.
―The growing number of integrated rice mills have been complimented by hundreds of small-
scale mills scattered across the country.
―The enormous private sector investment that has been unlocked in the establishment of rice
mills are testaments of the conducive environment we have been able to create in the rice value
chain through our initiatives and stakeholders‘ collaboration efforts.
―As at today, the quality of our milled rice can match the most foreign brand and as Nigerians,
we need to become more patriotic and embrace Mr. President‘s mantra of producing what you
eat and eat what you produce.
―The proliferation of our markets by substandard imported rice variety has been curtailed as we
now have more Nigerian rice mill in the market with the support of the Customs who clamped
down on smugglers.
―The gains we are witnessing today are as a result of consistency in policies and sustained
growths in our rice revolution initiatives. We are still not yet there in terms of expectations and
potential but we have made giant strides from where we used to be in terms of rice cultivation
and milling in Nigeria.
―The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been steadfast on the part of economic
diversification and it is heartwarming to note that the puzzles are beginning to align.
―Rice remains a major staple food for every Nigerians households and that prominence justifies
the attention we have placed on the commodity as a focal part of our food security drive in
Nigeria,‖ Emefiele said.
He also commended the Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for what he described as
providing enabling environment for commercial activities to thrive in the state.
―I want to also thank Gov. Ganduje for providing the enabling environment for industrialist to set
up their factories to do their business in Kano. That is the reason why the economy of Kano is
growing today and that is why the level of security is among the best in the country. Your state
demonstrates that there is good security in Kano because you have grown the economy in Kano.
―I am happy that we are visiting rice and oil mills owned by Nigerians and not rice mill or oil
mill owned by foreigners. This means we (Nigerians) have said we will do it by ourselves for our
country. And that is what we deserve,‖ the CBN Governor, Emefiele said.
On his part, Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State applauded the giant stride achievement
recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration in the agricultural sector and
diversifying the economy saying steadily the country is moving towards zero oil economy.
―The dream of President Muhammadu Buhari to produce what we eat and eat what we produce is
becoming a reality.
―Slowly but steadily we are diversifying our economy, we are progressing and moving towards
zero oil economy in this country.
―We have seen the value and the physical demonstration of Buhari policy in Agriculture
anchored by the Governors of Kebbi and CBN. I have seen how we (Jigawa State) developed to
become the third in rice production. From one to seven integrated rice mills. How our GDP grow
from to N950billion to N2 trillion.
―Farmers of Kano and Jigawa are happy people today because they have large mills such as this
that buy the padding immediately from them unlike before that they face difficulty,‖ Badaru said.
Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State condemned the political
opposition against the Buhari régime‘s policy on the ban on rice importation while praising the
the regime for resisting the pressures.
―Ladies and gentlemen, this achievement recorded in this sector is no doubt a product of the
policies and support provided by the administration of president Muhammadu Buhari. We have
not forgotten the banning of the importation of rice into the country as well the political
opposition against the country.
―But out of determination and consistency, the federal government under the able leadership of
president Buhari resisted all pressures from both inside and outside the country, Nigerians are
now reaping the benefits, now agriculture is now considered as a serious investment opportunity
in Nigeria. Farmers and Millers are now making profits and employment opportunities are being
created and generated,‖ Ganduje stated.
Earlier and speaking on behalf of the management of the rice mill factory, Saidu Abdullahi said the sum
of N15 billion was expended in the setting up of the factory while noting that the commissioning of the
factory affirms the commitment of the company to support the President Buhari‘s administration on food
production, employment generation, reduction of Rural-Urban migration and enhancement of economic
well-being of the nation.
https://sundiatapost.com/nigerian- milled-rice-can-now-compete-favourably- match-foreign-
brands-cbn-gov/

Emefiele inaugurates N15bn rice processing factory in Kano

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele
Tukur Muntari
2 February 2022
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday, inaugurated a
rice milling factory in Kano State, with a capacity of 420 metric tonnes per day.
The factory was established by a Kano businessman and industrialist, Alhaji Gerawa, at a cost of
N15bn.
Speaking at the event, the CBN governor said the establishment of the factory was in line with
the Federal Government‘s commitment towards ensuring food security in the country.
He said, ―As we increase the milling capacity of rice nationwide, we are encouraging all rice
mills to embrace our backward integration programme, and get involved in paddy production to
guarantee sustainable supply of paddy to your mills and complement the supply from
smallholder farmers through our partnership with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria.
―The private sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme provides long-term
financing options to millers to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities,
and other agriculture infrastructure that will enhance the production plan.
―As Nigerians, we need to become more patriotic and embrace Mr President‘s mantra of
producing what we eat, and eat what we grow.‖
Read Also
• No dollar spent on cement import in seven years —Emefiele
• CBN implements e-invoice for importers, exporters Feb 1
• CBN automates non-commercial exports form for dealers
Emefiele noted that prior to the launch of the Anchor Borrowers Programme in Nigeria, there
were less than 10 functional rice mills with a combined capacity of 350,000 metric tonnes.
―These have increased to over 60 integrated mills with combined capacity of over three million
metric tonnes as at today, with about 10 more mills scheduled to be commissioned this year,‖ he
added.
In his remarks, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, said that the state is surrounded by
dams and rivers, which give farmers the opportunity for growing rice, tomato and other crops.

https://punchng.com/emefiele-inaugurates-n15bn-rice-processing- factory- in-kano/

THE ABUJA RICE PYRAMIDS

THE ABUJA RICE PYRAMIDS
February 2, 2022 12:00 am

The ceremony was unnecessary

Apparently in a bid to show that the federal government huge intervention in agriculture is
paying off, President Muhammadu Buhari recently unveiled several bags of paddy rice stacked
in triangular pyramids in Abuja. At the ceremony, the president commended the Central Bank of
Nigeria‘s (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, for initiating the Anchor Borrowers Programme
(ABP) through which the ‗massive‘ rice production was achieved. According to him, national
paddy rice production rose from about 4.5 tonnes per annum in 2015 to over nine million tonnes
last year. ―The significance of today‘s occasion can be better understood by looking at the
various economic strides the administration has achieved through agriculture,‖ he said.
Whatever may have motivated the idea, public opinion on the funfair is sceptical, seen more as a
political jamboree ahead of the 2023 elections. The picture of abundance, mimicking the
groundnut pyramids in the skylines of Kano city in the 1960s, is at variance with the reality of
millions of hungry Nigerians. While there is no doubt that Nigeria has witnessed incremental
reductions in rice imports, there is little to celebrate as the product widely displayed at the
ceremony is still scarce and expensive. A 50kg bag of rice sells at N30,000 as against N10,000
when President Buhari took over the reins of government in 2015. Pertinent questions therefore
arise: Why did the government waste so much time and money in ferrying rice across many
states to Abuja to display in pyramids? Why wasn‘t the rough rice processed and taken straight
to the market, particularly during the last yuletide when it was in high demand? Who is the
government trying to impress? Indeed, some cynical observers, among them critical
stakeholders, have raised questions about the farmlands where the unveiled rice was cultivated,
taking into consideration that rice millers are still faced with high costs of production and poor
access to paddy.
The high level of insecurity in the major rice and maize producing states has forced many
farmers to stay away from the farmlands while many others are still pining away in internally
displaced camps. The case of the 44 rice farmers murdered by terrorists in Borno State in 2020 is
still fresh in many people‘s mind. Indeed, the CBN governor admitted that the past few years had
been quite challenging for the farmers as they battled with insurgency, banditry, lockdown, and
other related setbacks. ―We lost some of our farmers to insurgency attacks nationwide while
some could not access their farms for several months,‖ said Emefiele. These perhaps prompted a
doubtful National President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim to
ask: ―Who owns the rice and maize? If we have surplus food as depicted by the pyramids, why
do we still have food shortages?‖
As things stand, the most effective way to demonstrate that the alliance between ABP and the
Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) on rice production is yielding results is to flood
the markets with quality local rice at affordable price. Nobody could accuse the government of
inactivity as regards commitment to agriculture. But most of the money poured into the sector is
going down the drain. The prevailing insecurity across the country is exacerbating the food
crisis. Many farmers cannot access their farms for fear of being killed, kidnapped, or raped. A
CBN report on sectoral allocation of forex for the third quarter of last year revealed that the
country spent a whopping $1.68bn on food importation between January and September.
The figures are clear indication that many of the interventions by the government have no
profound impact on food security. For that to happen, we must first arrest the confounding
problem of insecurity.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/02/the-abuja-rice-pyramids/

Emefiele Inaugurates N15bn Rice Milling Factory in Kano

February 2, 2022 4:48 am
Ibrahim Shuaibu
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday inaugurated the
ultra-modern 420 metric tons per day capacity rice milling factory in Kano State.
Speaking at the occasion, Emefiele said the establishment of the factory was in line with the
federal government‘s commitment towards ensuring food security in the country. He urged rice
mills owners to be involved in paddy production for sustainable supply through partnership with
the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN). Emefiele stated, ―As we increase the milling
capacity of rice nationwide, we are encouraging all rice mills to embrace our backward
integration programme and get involved in paddy production to guarantee sustainable supply of
paddy to your mills and complement the supply from smallholder farmers.
―The private sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme provides long-term
financing options to millers to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities;
and other agricultural infrastructure that will enhance the production plan.‖
He disclosed that the quality of milled Nigerian rice could match others produced in other parts
of the world.
―As Nigerians, we need to become more patriotic and embrace Mr. President‘s mantra of
producing what we eat, and eat what we grow,‖ he said.
Emefiele noted that prior to the introduction of the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme in Nigeria,
there were less than 10 functional rice-milling plants in the country, with a combined capacity of
350,000 metric tons.
―These have increased to over 60 integrated mills, with combined capacity of over three million
metric tons, as at today, with about 10 more mills scheduled to be commissioned this year,‖ he
said.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said the state was surrounded by
dams and rivers, which gave farmers ample opportunity for growing rice, tomato, and other
crops. Ganduje assured that his administration would continue to provide an enabling
environment for farming and business activities in the state.
Ganduje revealed that the new rice mill would assist in creating jobs and boost the economic
status of people in the state.
The governors of Jigawa and Kebbi states, Badaru Abubakar and Atiku Bagudu, respectively,
attended the ceremony. They thanked Buhari for introducing the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme
to guarantee food security.
Chairman, Gerawa Rice Mill, Alhaji Isa Gerawa, thanked the CBN for supporting him to
establish the factory at the cost of N15 billion. Gerawa said the rice-milling factory would go a
long way in reducing unemployment and ensuring food security in the country.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/02/emefiele- inaugurates-n15bn-rice-milling-
factory-in-kano/

Electricity, bad road, our biggest challenge – Imo rice mill

February 1, 2022
 By Emmanuel Iheaka, Owerri
The first ever rice mill in Imo State, Diva World Trading Services, makers of Diva Rice, has
identified lack of electricity and bad road as biggest challenge of production.
The mill which berthed in the state last year, has since begun full operation. It is located at
Umuabiahu, Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of the state, a village which has no
electricity.
Speaking to newsmen at the mill, Sunday, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr.
Ifeyinwa Nnanna Mba, said the company runs on diesel all through, a situation she said increases
cost of production.
Dr. Mba stated that some times, the company‘s trucks get stuck on the bad spots of the road
leading to the company.
She submitted that electricity and good road will surely boost productivity.
Dr. Mba said the company had started in Benue State, but added that she decided to get it down
to the state in order to ease the burden of South East traders going outside the zone to purchase
milled rice.
The desire to create jobs for the people of the state, she said, also motivated her to establish the
mill in the state.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/02/electricity-bad-road-our-biggest-challenge- imo-rice-mill/

CBN unveils 420 metric tons per day capacity rice milling
factory in Kano State
by Ubah Jeremiah Ifeanyi

February 2, 2022

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled an ultra-modern 420 metric tons per day
capacity rice milling factory in Kano State.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this while
speaking at the inauguration of the Gerewa Rice Mill, as he said the factory‘s construction was in
keeping with the federal government‘s commitment to safeguarding the country‘s food security.
He asked rice mill operators to get involved in paddy cultivation as part of a cooperation with the
Nigerian Rice Farmers Association to ensure a long-term supply (RIFAN)

https://nairametrics.com/2022/02/02/cbn-unveils-420-metric-tons-per-day-capacity-rice- milling-
factory-in-kano-state/

Find an easy way to cook an authentic Mexican chicken and rice

BONUS
Find an easy way to cook an authentic Mexican chicken and rice

RALPH GARCIA
JANUARY 31, 2022
Mexico is easily recognized by its vibrant, great culture, and talking about that country without
mentioning its wonderful cuisine is quite nonsense. Mexican people were able to create a
mixture of flavors that always awakens anyone‘s taste buds. Any successful trip to this
Caribbean paradise will always include the discovery of its local dishes.
Thanks to its pre-Hispanic heritage, and under the Caribbean and African influences as
well, Mexican gastronomy became very diversified. Indeed, cuisine is an integral part of
Mexican society and plays an important role when talking about Mexican tradition and culture.
Mexicans’ culinary traditions are very famous and appreciated not only by locals but by
thousands of tourists and people from all over the world who also love them.
In order to dignify such accomplishments, UNESCO named Mexican gastronomy as Intangible
Cultural Heritage in 2010.
Rice in the Mexican diet
Although the native peoples of this region have since long had a corn-based diet, the daily menu
of Mexican cuisine includes a wide range of other ingredients such as chili, beans, avocado,
tomato, tequila, and rice, later brought by the Spanish during colonization.
Nowadays there are a lot of rice variations and rice-based dishes. Mexicans have taken
advantage of each one of them and proudly made them their own. We can see the magic touch of
their gastronomy in dishes such as:
 Pudding rice.
 Tortillas.
 Poblano rice, tasty green rice.
 Red rice, Mexicans favorite side dish.
 Mexican-style rice.
 Mexican chicken and rice.
The list is long, but Chicken and Rice certainly is one of the most famous dishes in both Mexico
and Spain, it spread across the continent over the years after Spanish settlers arrived on Mexican
shores, and although its preparation may vary depending on the country, its essence remains the
same: chicken, rice and veggies.
Would you like to add more flavor and spice to your culinary activity? Are you wondering which
Mexican dishes to try at home? We recommend you experience what authentic Mexican
cuisine is with this easy chicken and rice recipe.
Real Mexican Chicken and Rice
Ingredients:
Although the name of this dish may suggest what the main ingredients to prepare this recipe are,
you will also need to gather a few extra ones, here is the list:
 ¼ cup of olive oil.
 1 ½ lb. of chicken thighs, boneless and cut into one-inch pieces.
 1 teaspoon of salt.
 ½ cup of diced onions.
 1 Poblano pepper in small cubes.
 2 Serrano peppers (chop only one of them).
 2 diced carrots.
 12 corn tortillas, if desired.
 6 slices of lemons, if desired.
 2 cups of homemade or purchased sauce, if desired
 1/3 cup of chopped cilantro, if desired.
 3 chopped garlic cloves.
 3 Roma tomatoes in cubes.
  3 cups of chicken stock.
 1 teaspoon of cumin.
 1 tablespoon of granulated chicken broth flavored with tomato or chicken.
 2 cups of zucchini in small cubes.
 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
 ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika.
 ½ teaspoon of pepper.
 1 ½ cups of long-grain rice.
Preparation:
Once you have all the ingredients on hand, you have to carefully follow the instructions step
by step, so you can get the most out of this recipe. Here are the steps:
1. While heating the oil over medium heat in a heavy saucepan, season the chicken with the
first four spices on the list.
2. Cook each side of the chicken thighs for 3 minutes and remove them from the pan. Take
roughly 1½ tablespoon of the leftover oil out of the pan.
3. Toast the rice in the same pot for 3 minutes. Add the chopped carrots and onion, along
with the poblano and serrano pepper cubes. Cook for 3 minutes.
4. Now add the garlic and the tomatoes, stirring carefully to incorporate. Cook for about 1
more minute.
5. Bring the broth to a boil. Taste for salt, then decrease the heat slightly and add the
chicken pieces to the saucepan, evenly dividing them.
6. Add the whole serrano pepper to this mixture, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, covered.
Add the diced zucchini on top, making sure not to touch the rice.
7. Continue to cook, covered, until the liquid has been absorbed. Turn off the heat and put
aside for 10 minutes.
8. Before serving, stir the rice with a fork and mix in the zucchini.
9. Serve yourself a good portion and enjoy!

https://ngscsports.com/2022/01/31/find-an-easy-way-to-cook-an-authentic- mexican-chicken-
and-rice/

Emefiele tasks rice millers to embrace backward integration

policy
1st February 2022

From Uche Usim, Abuja

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has tasked rice mill
owners in the country to immediately embrace the Bank’s backward integration initiative
aimed at conserving foreign exchange reserves, revamping local production capacity,
boosting employment and ultimately strengthening the economy.
Emefiele gave the charge at the inauguration of the Garewa Rice Mill in Kano, Kano State, even
as he stressed the need for rice millers in Nigeria to get involved in paddy production to
guarantee sustainable supply to mills and also complement the supply from the smallholder
farmers through the CBN‘s partnership with the Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) and prime
anchors.
He noted that the number of rice mills in Nigeria had grown from less than ten, with a combined
capacity of less than 350,000 metric tons, prior to the launch of the Anchor Borrowers‘
Programme (ABP) in 2015, to over 60 integrated rice mills, with a combined capacity of about 3
million metric tons as at January 2022, with about 10 more mills scheduled to be commissioned
later this year.
Furthermore, the Governor said the increasing number of rice mills, which were complemented
by hundreds of small-scale mills located in every State of the Federation, attested to the
conducive environment the CBN had been able to create in the rice value chain through its
initiatives and stakeholders‘ collaboration.
While stressing the need to match the increasing milling capacity of rice nationwide with
increased paddy production, Emefiele charged millers to take advantage of the Anchor
Borrowers‘ Programme and the Private-Sector Led Accelerated Agriculture Development
Scheme (P-AADS) of the Bank, which provide long-term financing option to millers to finance
commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities and other agricultural infrastructure
that will enhance their respective production plans.
100% Natural Herbs to Finally End Premature Ejaculation, Weak Erection and Small Manhood.
Click Here Now .
Also noting that the quality of milled rice in Nigeria could match most foreign brands, he
expressed gladness that the Bank‘s collaboration with the fiscal authorities had helped to curtail
the proliferation of Nigerian markets by sub-standard imported rice varieties. He therefore
enjoined Nigerians to heed the call of President Muhammadu Buhari to ―produce what we eat
and eat what we produce,‖ by patronizing rice brands milled in Nigeria,
Continuing, Mr. Emefiele said the resuscitated Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) will
facilitate grading, sorting, quality assurance and storage infrastructure for key agricultural
commodities and also enhance price discovery for smallholder farmers, adding that the exchange
will provide aggregation hubs for millers to enhance paddy off-take and grow to providing
futures for millers and farmers to lock in prices and operate under a controlled price regime.
In his remarks, the Kano Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked the CBN Governor,
for not only extending ABP facilities to Kano, but also assisting the State in the area of
infrastructural development of facilities such as the Tiga and Chalawa hydro-electricity dam
projects.
Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Jigawa State, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar,
eulogized the CBN Governor for empowering youth and creating wealth in the country.
The promoter to the rice mill, Alhaji Isa Garewa commended the vision of the CBN Governor on
initiating the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme (ABP), which has turned out to be the saving grace
of Nigeria, especially with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/emefiele-tasks-rice- millers-to-embrace-backward- integration-
policy/
Fakhar welcomes Pakistan-Netherlands dairy development
centre led by Engro Pakistan
News desk
-
February 1, 2022

Zubair Qureshi
Islamabad
Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam received a
delegation Monday led by Ambassador of Netherlands Wouter Plomp.
The delegation comprised global leadership of Frieslandcampina N.V. which is the largest dairy
company in Netherlands. It also owns 51pc of Engro Foods Limited.
The delegation included CEO of Frieslandcampina N.V. Mr. Hein Schumacher, President of
Friesland-campina N.V. Mr. Roel van Neerbos and Managing Director of Frieslandcampina
Engro Pakistan Ltd. Mr. Ali Ahmed Khan. The meeting was also at-tended by senior officials of
the Ministry of Na-tional Food Security and Research.
Fakhar Imam said Pakistan‘s estimated annual gross milk production was 63.7 Million tons
during 2020-21. He said that the contribution of milk in the na-tional economy can be gauged by
the fact that, the annual value of fresh milk exceeds the combined annual value of four major
cash crops like wheat, rice, maize and sugar cane.
Around 6-10% of total gross milk production is being processed by 30 milk/dairy processing
plants including Engro Foods Limited. Subsistence farm-ing. Which is around 90% of dairying is
dominated by subsistence farmers which are the major im-pediment for its development. Since
subsistence farmers are scattered, unorganized and uneducated practicing conventional
husbandry farming meth-ods.CEO of Frieslandcampina N.V. Mr. Hein Schumacher said dairy
sector could play a critical role in eliminating malnutrition. He said that the dairy sector in
Pakistan has huge potential for for-eign direct investment by companies like Friesland-campina
N.V. He briefed the minister that Pakistan – Netherlands Dairy Development Centre will be
developed to help the public sector and the private sector in enhancing the productivity of the
dairy sector of Pakistan. Mr. Hein said that Friesland-campina N.V. was keen to leverage its
extensive dairy experience spread over 150 years to coolabo-rate with the Government of
Pakistan for taking the dairy sector forward.
Imam said that the local production of powdered milk in Pakistan is non-significant thus need
more focus and investment in this sphere.
Increased local production of powdered milk will augment the dairy economy of the country and
ulti-mately reliance on imports will discourage. During last two years (2019-20 & 2020-21), a
total of 88 million tons powdered milk was imported by the private sector worth of US$ 160
million.
Minister said that around 6-10% of total gross milk production of the country is being processed
in the country which is inadequate.
One of the main reasons of low production of proc-essed milk dairy products is the imported
costly packaging material. Local production of packaging material will improve and enhance the
affordability and consumption of processed dairy milk products in Pakistan.
https://pakobserver.net/fakhar-welcomes-pakistan-netherlands-dairy-development-centre- led-by-
engro-pakistan/

Pindi hit by sharp increase in prices of food items

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter

Published January 31, 2022 -

RAWALPINDI: Prices of essential food items have increased significantly in the garrison city
due to the indifferent attitude of the district administration.
In the presence of a dozen of special price magistrates, shopkeepers are selling essential food
items at higher prices.
A visit to the markets showed that Dal Channa was available at Rs170 per kg, Dal Channa
(small) at Rs150 per kg, chickpeas at Rs220 per kg, Dal Mong at Rs170 per kg, Dal Masoor at
Rs210, Dal Mash at Rs240, Dal Mash small at Rs290 per kg, rice super Basmati at Rs180 per kg
and broken rice at Rs90 per kg.
Similarly, milk was selling at Rs140 per litre and curd at Rs140 per kg. Mutton price has been
fixed at Rs1,000 per kg and beef at Rs500 per kg by the local administration. However, mutton is
available at Rs1,400 per kg and beef at Rs650 per kg.
The district administration has fixed wheat flour rate for private millers (chakis) at Rs58 per kg
but it is available at Rs90 per kg.
―Prices of essential food items have gone up but the city administration has failed to control it,‖
said Nasir Ahmed, a resident of Arya Mohallah.
Mohammad Farid of Chittian Hattian said the prices would increase further in coming days and
the district administration remained helpless. He said with the increase in prices, salaried class
people were unable to manage their household budgets.
Ahmed Khan, a resident of Mohanpura, said price hike had exposed the government‘s claims of
a stable economy. He said inflation and price hike had made it impossible for a common man to
run his kitchen.
It was also observed that rates of vegetables and fruits had also gone up. Tomato was selling at
Rs80 per kg, fine quality onions at Rs40 per kg, potatoes at Rs45 per kg, ginger at Rs240 per kg
and garlic at Rs80 per kg.
Apples are being sold at Rs180 per kg, bananas at Rs150 per dozen, orange at Rs140 per dozen,
kinno at Rs120 per dozen, guavas at Rs80 per kg and dates at Rs160 per kg.
Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2022
https://www.dawn.com/news/1672358
Historical rice farming explains faster mask use during early
days of China's COVID-19 outbreak
By
DocWire News Featured Reading
-
January 31, 2022
Curr Res Ecol Soc Psychol. 2022;3:100034. doi: 10.1016/j.cresp.2022.100034. Epub 2022 Jan
16.
ABSTRACT
In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, we observed mask use in public among 1,330
people across China. People in regions with a history of farming rice wore masks more often
than people in wheat regions. Cultural differences persisted after taking into account objective
risk factors such as local COVID cases. The differences fit with the emerging theory that rice
farming‘s labor and irrigation demands made societies more interdependent, with tighter social
norms. Cultural differences were strongest in the ambiguous, early days of the pandemic, then
shrank as masks became nearly universal (94%). Separate survey and internet search data
replicated this pattern. Although strong cultural differences lasted only a few days, research
suggests that acting just a few days earlier can reduce deaths substantially.
https://www.docwirenews.com/abstracts/historical-rice- farming-explains-faster-mask-use-
during-early-days-of-chinas-covid-19-outbreak/

Lekki Port completion, final solution to Apapa Gridlock –

Sanwo-Olu
February 2, 2022 Editor 3 BUSINESS, LAGOS METRO, NEWS 0
 R: Publisher, Business Day Newspapers, Mr Frank Aigbogun and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide
Sanwo-Olu during the opening of the 2022 Africa Business Convention/One-One chat with Publisher of
Business Day Newspapers, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, on Tuesday.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said that timely completion of Lekki Port would
put an end to the intractable Apapa gridlock.
Sanwo-Olu said this at the Opening Ceremony of the Africa Business Convention, organised by Business
Day Newspaper at Victoria Island.
He said that the completion of Lekki Port would ease the congestion along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway,
the port access roads and Apapa environs.
The governor said that several measures would be put in place to ensure that Apapa was decongested and
the state government needed to change the officials regularly to ensure there was no compromise in
services rendered.
Sanwo-Olu said that government was committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to residents
and had completed iconic projects within the state in the last two and half years.
He cited infrastructural projects like Lekki Deep Port, 4th Mainland Bridge, Red and Blue line rails and
Imota Rice Mills, among others that were ongoing or in the pipeline, to be completed and become
operational within the next 24 months.
The governor said that the process leading to the commencement of the construction of the 4th Mainland
Bridge, which would start from Badore in Ajah and end in Ikorodu, would be completed before the
second quarter of the year.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Publisher of Business Day Newspapers,
Mr Frank Aigbogun and Co-Founder of IHS Towers & CEO, IHS Nigeria, Mr Mohamad
Darwish, during the opening of the 2022 Africa Business Convention, at the Eko Hotels and
Suites, Victoria Island, on Tuesday/
‖Lagos is, in addition to being Africa‘s most populous megacity, the continent‘s premier
business and investment destination, and we will continue to do all within our power to remain
so.
‖As I speak, several landmarks, public and private infrastructure and investment projects are
underway or nearing completion in Lagos State.

READ ALSO: Don seeks end to Jukun-Tiv crisis

‖These include the biggest single-train Petroleum Refinery in the world, one of the largest Rice
Mills in the world, one of the largest and most modern Deep-Sea Ports on the continent, and
West Africa‘s biggest Light Rail network.
‖Within the next 24 months, we expect all of these to be operational.
‖We are also Africa‘s Startup capital, ahead of Nairobi, Cape Town and Johannesburg, in terms
of the number of startups and in terms of investment inflows and the size of exits.
―Flutterwave and Paystack, two of the most prominent African unicorns of the decade, were born
here.
‖In addition, we are home to several major investments ongoing in real estate, like Eko Atlantic
on the edge of Victoria Island, and Alaro City on the Lekki Peninsula,‖ he said.
The Publisher of Business Day Newspaper, Mr Frank Aigbogun, commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu
for the great work done in ridding Apapa of traffic gridlocks and for delivering on his promises
to residents.
‖When we had the interview, which I moderated, hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce
and Industry before the elections in 2019, Apapa dominated that conversation.
‖I don‘t know how often you go to Apapa Mr Governor, but I think between 23 and 27 minutes
these days, you get Apapa.
‖So, Mr Governor, I want to acknowledge the work that you have done and to commend you and
your team for delivering on your promises,‖ Aigbogun said. (NAN)
https://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/lekki-port-completion- final-solution-to-apapa-
gridlock-sanwo-olu/

Climate change will adversely impact rice production, warns

FAO

Climate forecasts suggest that agriculture will suffer the greatest economic impacts of climate
change in Cambodia, particularly due to losses of income and labour productivity associated with
crop production. This is according to Rebekah Bell and the team of the UN‘s FAO operation in
Cambodia, as they explained in a recent correspondence with the Khmer Times on the subject of
how climate change (CC) will impact rice production in the country. Findings of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), indicate that there are a number of regions
in Asia that are already near the heat stress limits for rice, where increased night-time
temperatures have been found to have a significant negative impact on rice yields, and an
increase of 1° C in night-time low temperatures during the rice-growing season results in a
decreased rice yield of approximately 10 percent.
Experts at FAO Cambodia summarised bleakly what changes lay in store: ―Considering the
worst-case scenario of carbon emissions for the region, by 2050, average temperatures will rise
of 0.9 – 1.4 degrees C, rainfall will decrease in the dry season and increase in the wet one, and
sea level will rise between 26 to 32cm. Sea-level rise is a major threat to the social-ecological
system of the Mekong Delta as salinity creeps up the rivers and causes the decline of soil
productivity.‖ However, through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) FAO has been working
to help farmers and communities address climate change ―by empowering and increasing
knowledge and capacity of communities in watershed management.
‖ The team at FAO have been working in partnership with the Ministry of Environment (MoE),
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Development Partners (DPs) to
devise plans for mitigating against the worst effects that CC will have on farmers, and to help
them adapt to the ―New Normal‖ with three goals: increase productivity and diversification,
equitable and sustainable management, and improved resilience to the shocks that will occur
with the many unusual climate events that are expected. ―FAO works closely with the MAFF and
partners to promote economically and environmentally efficient rice production through Direct-
Seeded Rice (DSR),‖ they told us, citing one of their initiatives, explaining that, ―DSR has been
also widely practised in many countries in Asia and beyond, because of its low-input demand.

It saves scarce and expensive resources such as labour and water, and reduces greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions.‖ DSR, which involves sowing the plants directly onto the fields, can be as
productive by ―adopting various cultural practices including the selection of suitable varieties,
proper sowing time, and optimum seed rate, and proper weed, nutrient and water management.‖
FAO has also been working in the communities with the heavily dependent rice farmers of Tonle
Sap to promote the ―Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and the Sustainable Rice Platform
(SRP) assurance scheme to create stable market opportunities and increase value addition for
agricultural products that are produced in an environmentally friendly way, creating further
incentives for farmers to continue with climate-resilient practices.

‖ While climate change and its disastrous threats may be the stick, the carrot would seem to be
intelligent marketing and understanding how increased revenues can go hand in hand with
adapting to the changes ahead. Rebekah and her team pointed out that the (MAFF) have
recognised the value of promoting quality rice, such as fragrant varieties, based on their
popularity both locally and internationally hailing the fact that ―Cambodia has refined and
released the first non-seasonal rice variety called Sen Kra Ob 01 (SKO 01), which is recognised
for its light, non-seasonal, weather-resistant and has been promoted as a strategic rice for
export.‖ They warned, however, ―that SKO 01 is not resistant to diseases and pests. To reach the
full potential of the rice industry, we need further investment to promote rice seed varieties that
are tolerant to drought and resilient to climate change.‖
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501016765/climate-change-will-adversely- impact-rice-
production-warns- fao/
Crop researchers and farmers join forces to make Ghana
self-sufficient in rice production
Source: Anita Serwaa Adzoga / Emmanuel Quaicoe
1 February 2022 9:20pm

Ghana spent an estimated total of GH6.8 billion in rice importation from 2017 to 2020 to supplement
local production.
The increasing consumption of rice in the country has necessitated a local initiative to satisfy the demand
and reduce cost of rice importation.
In a bid to have Ghana produce adequate rice locally, the Crops Research Institute of the Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research is educating farmers on techniques to increase rice yields.
Local rice production in Ghana increased to 950,000 metric tonnes in 2020, with an annual increase of
60kg per person rice consumption.
However, current rice production meets less than 40% of the consumption requirement in Ghana.
The Bekwai municipality, like many rice farming communities, suffers lower and nutritious rice yields.
According to Director of Agriculture at Bekwai, Emmanuel Mensah, prior to the invention of the
researchers, farmers within the municipality have had to deal with weed infestation in their rice farms.
―During the regional liaison meeting, we reported the issue of the different types of weed that affect the
cropping of rice.
―So, we reported the issue to the researchers and they came up with a solution. The researchers indicated
they have to demonstrate to farmers, some techniques they could employ to curtail the infestation of
weeds,‖ he said.
Rice demand in the country is rapidly growing at 5% per annum which would require commensurable
production.
Some rice farmers at Asanso, a suburb of Bekwai, share their farming experience prior to their exposure
to the new technologies.
Amina Mohammed and Issah Nunfam, have been working as rice farmers for close to ten years
now. According to Amina, the introduced variety and farming practices are better than their traditional
style.
―I‘ve been working on this farm for years, but there was no improvement. I used to employ the broadcast
style of rice cultivation. These new technologies have been really helpful,‖ added Issah Nunfam.
To reduce Ghana‘s cost of importing rice, researchers from the Crops Research Institute introduced the
farmers to new rice farming technologies and improved rice varieties.
William Lelabi Kota, who is the lead technical advisor, indicated the majority of the farmers lacked the
skills for rice cultivation.
―The main problem they faced was land preparation for cultivation. They prepare their lands poorly. They
don‘t make water bonds around their farms, so water control on their fields is difficult.
He revealed ―the farmers were introduced to how to make bonds, water canals to allow water in or out,
nursery preparations and transplanting of the nursery.
https://www.myjoyonline.com/crop-researchers-and- farmers-join-forces-to- make-ghana-self-
sufficient- in-rice-production/
Rice Farming to Restore Soil
In California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, farmers are converting corn fields to rice in an
effort to stop subsidence and reduce carbon emissions.
N AOKI N I TTA
February 1, 2022
STATEN ISLAND SITS deep in California‘s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, one of
numerous puzzle-piece-shaped isles carved from reclaimed wetland. Like much of the lowland
region, the island is mostly farmland and completely encircled by several miles of levee. The
shallow crater contains an expansive mosaic of fields within it, with waterways perched
precariously around its outer rim.

Some 8,000 acres are currently dedicated to rice in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
That number could grow significantly in the near future. Photo of harvested rice field by Bob
White.
Dawit Zeleke, president of the nonprofit Conservation Farms and Ranches, runs Staten‘s 8,500-
acre working farm. While corn and potato fields take up most of the island, towards its southern
tip, grassy stalks of rice wave knee-high in flooded paddies. Along with the flocks of long-
legged shorebirds and wading waterfowl, the 1,000 acres of flat, wet fields seem right at home in
the swampy landscape. Rice, however, is an uncommon crop in the Delta — and for this
Northern Californian farmer, an entirely new venture.
Corn has long been king of this agricultural region. But in 2019, Zeleke took a chance on
cultivating rice, starting with the conversion of a 350-acre experimental plot; in three years, he‘s
nearly tripled his acreage. His goal is to convert over half the island — 4,500 acres in total — to
rice fields by 2025 and restore what a century-and-a-half of farming has stripped away: rich peat
soil.
THE DELTA LIES at the confluence of the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Mokelumne rivers,
past the eastern reaches of the San Francisco Bay. It was once a 500,000-acre freshwater
wetland, created over thousands of years by the accumulation of carbon-rich, organic matter in
its estuaries.
Modern settlers began reclaiming the flat, fertile land in the 1860s, diking and draining peat
marshes to build farms. Within decades, they had dried up 98 percent of the Delta and
transformed it into the heart of California‘s agricultural economy. More than a thousand miles of
levee now surround vast fields of corn, grain, asparagus, and tomatoes planted on artificial
islands, holding back the rivers and channels that snake around them.

―We‘ve disconnected the water from the land,‖ says Letitia Grenier, program director at the
nonprofit San Francisco Estuary Institute. Wetland reclamation has taken a toll on peat soil,
which sequesters large amounts of carbon when left submerged. When peat dries, it oxidizes and
releases carbon dioxide, she explains. And as the ground deflates, it causes the region to subside
at a rate of approximately an inch a year. ―Now, the middle of the Delta is wildly below sea
level,‖ she adds, ―10, 20 feet in some places.‖
Subsidence puts increasing stress on the levees, Grenier says, most of which have been built
from peat and aren‘t federally engineered. ―In an earthquake, they‘ll turn into jelly and fail, and
then the tide would come in [from San Francisco Bay] and pull saltwater in with it.‖ The diluvial
consequences could have far reaching implications for the California Aqueduct, which carries
fresh water from the Delta to 27 million people in Southern California. ―We could have a
disaster,‖ she adds, ―where we‘re sucking saltwater into the pumps.‖
Even without a doomsday breach, the realities of a sinking Delta are sobering. ―[At some] point,
water will just come in under the levee and seep up in the fields,‖ she says. As saltwater intrusion
and soggy soil become increasingly problematic, farming may simply cease to be an option.
Yet there‘s an obvious solution to countering the impact of current agricultural practices. ―When
you grow rice, you‘re getting the benefits of keeping peat wet,‖ says Grenier. With fields flooded
for long stretches of the year, rice farming resaturates the soil and helps put the brakes on
subsidence. It‘s a promising alternative crop for the region, she adds — one that benefits both the
Delta‘s ecology and its main economy.
THE IDEA OF planting rice on Staten sprouted back in the 1990s, Zeleke says, but agronomic
hurdles made for a challenging implementation. First, there were the climatic considerations;
some 95 percent of California rice is grown in the hot and arid Sacramento Valley, an ideal
environment for cultivating O. sativa japonica, the golden standard for sushi. Because Bay
breezes keep Delta summers cooler, it took a long search for a short season varietal, bred to
produce seed heads in lower temperatures.
Soil type between the two regions also vary. The Valley‘s hard clay allows fields to be furrowed
and flooded, then air-seeded en masse by crop dusters. Peat, on the other hand, is too soft to
maintain ridges when wet, he explains, and needs the more focused attention of grain drills that
sow seeds directly into the soil.
Rice farming also poses different challenges than corn. ―Rice is a precision crop,‖ says Zeleke.
―Between pre-planting to when you flood the rice, drain and dry your fields, and harvest it, your
timing has to be perfect.‖ Corn, he notes, is much more forgiving; it grows quickly, is less fussy
about watering, and has a much bigger harvest window.
Finally, the high silica content of rice makes it harder on harvesting and processing equipment,
necessitating new combines and storage facilities built to accommodate the smaller, more
abrasive grains. ―There‘s a whole change you need to make,‖ he says, including crop
management, staff training, and marketing. ―That‘s why it‘s been so difficult.‖
But in the sinking Delta, the wet nature of rice farming holds a key advantage over other crops.
As seepage worsens, growers are expending increasingly vast resources to drain and pump their
fields. For aquatic plants like rice, maintaining a dry root zone becomes a non-issue.
In fact, the wetland region is particularly well-suited to rice. Located at the bottom end of a river
system, water is simply more abundant than in other parts of California. And unlike the
Sacramento Valley, where historic drought has led to severe allocation cuts, riverside farms in
the Delta have riparian rights, which ensure crops with a steady supply directly from the estuary.
As acreage declines elsewhere in the state due to water shortages — the California Rice
Commission reports a near 20 percent drop last year — rice is proving to be an economically
viable crop for Staten. Zeleke estimates that in total, 8,000 acres of the grain are currently grown
in the region; he hopes to see that amount expand fivefold in the near future.
STATEN IS A bird preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy, the parent organization of the
island‘s working farm. As a critical wintering stop along the Pacific Flyway, its wildlife friendly
agriculture provides a vital foraging habitat for sandhill cranes and numerous migratory bird
species. Rice farming on the island creates a flooded refuge for waterfowl while also increasing
diversity in their food source — important considerations in a region facing the growing threat of
development and the conversion of pasture to orchards and vineyards.
Sandhill cranes forage in a harvested rice field on Staten Island. Photo by Linda, Fortuna Future /
But the environmental benefits of wet paddies have an even greater reach. ―Rice could
potentially save the Delta,‖ says Campbell Ingram, executive director of the Delta Conservancy,
referencing the related threats posed by subsidence. The region‘s 200,000 acres of farmland emit
2 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, he explains. Flooded fields resaturate the soil and
prevent carbon volatilization, plugging the area‘s inordinately high and concentrated emissions
— and subsequently halt further subsidence.
He and Zeleke both stress, however, that rice farming alone won‘t reverse the sinking process.
Even then, ―it‘s better than losing half an inch or so of soil [annually by] growing corn,‖ notes
Zeleke. Increasing elevation, he says, requires restoring biomass and carbon levels in the soil. To
that end, he‘s studying the feasibility of turning swaths of rice fields into surrogate marshes, in
10 to 15-year cycles, to cultivate freshwater crops like reeds and tule rushes, lotus, and wild rice.
―The reality is, we may never catch up,‖ Ingram concedes. Reversing subsidence is painstakingly
slow — studies top results at about a couple of inches a year — and rising sea levels complicate
the issue. ―But by God, we should quit going in the wrong direction,‖ he says. ―Everything
you‘re doing out there is at risk now anyway.‖
He‘s optimistic, though, that efforts are trending up. There are murmurs in the rice industry about
incentivizing Delta farmers to grow rice, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California, which owns some 20,000 acres on four nearby islands, is actively studying their
conversion to managed wetlands.
―These are exciting times right now,‖ Zeleke says about the flood of creative, regenerative, and
economically viable opportunities for sustaining the region. But he‘s insistent on one point.
―Ultimately,‖ he states, ―the solution to restoring peat soils in the Delta is [that] they need to be
underwater. Anybody who says otherwise is kidding themselves.‖
https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/rice-farming-to-restore-soil

SunRice workers on strike as enterprise agreement

negotiations break down
ABC Riverina
/ By Melinda Hayter and Olivia Calver
Posted 11h ago11 hours agoMon 31 Jan 2022 at 9:13pm, updated 3h ago3 hours agoTue 1 Feb
2022 at 5:44am
SunRice workers in NSW and Victoria have gone on strike for the first time in
decades.(Supplied: United Workers Union )
Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article
Print content
Print with images and other media
Print text only
PrintCancel
abc.net.au/news/sunrice-workers-on-strike-as-enterprise-agreement-break-down/100793292
More than 300 SunRice workers from two states are expected to take part in a 48-hour work
stoppage from Tuesday due to concerns about pay and working conditions.
Key points:
 An estimated 350 SunRice staff to go on strike for 48-hours.
 United Workers Union calls for four per cent pay rise and improved conditions for casual
workers.
 SunRice says the industrial action comes as they attempt to process their largest rice crop
in years.
The two-day strike is believed to be the first industrial action taken by SunRice staff in decades.
It will affect the company's rice mills, CopRice and Australian Grain Storage businesses in
Leeton, Deniliquin and Coleambally, and three sites in Victoria.
United Workers Union spokesperson Tom Czech said they had been trying to negotiate a new
enterprise agreement with the rice processor for eight months, but discussions had stalled.

United Workers Union spokesperson Tom Czech said the enterprise agreement put forward by
SunRice was 'unpalatable' to members. (Supplied: Tom Czech)
Mr Czech said the union was seeking a 4 per cent annual wage increase for operational staff, and
there were concerns about casual pay entitlements and increased overtime due to COVID-19.
"One thing workers are really fighting for is a wage increase, a wage increase that is going to
change their lives," Mr Czech said.
"In some circumstances, casual workers employed at SunRice may earn less than the modern
award under which they would otherwise be employed," Mr Czech said.
Strike to disrupt production across six locations
He said the industrial action — voted on and endorsed by union members — would likely cause
production to cease across the company, which may lead to product shortages.
"Members don't want to take action. Members never want to go on strike but sometimes they're
left with no choice and that's what we're seeing here," Mr Czech said.
"It's quite astounding to see this.
"It's a rare event and obviously goes to show how seriously concerned members are and the way
in which negotiations have progressed and also the current deal on the table being unpalatable."
SunRice says it does not envisage that the strike will result in product shortages, in the short
term. (ABC Rural: Cara Jeffery)
SunRice calls for union to return to the negotiation table
In a statement, a SunRice spokesperson said it has been bargaining in good faith with the United
Workers Union and had offered a competitive pay increase with the potential for further rises.
"There are no winners from protected industrial action," the statement read.
"Employees will lose pay if they participate in industrial action, and this action will damage
SunRice's ability to service markets whilst also undermining long-term job security in the region.
"The UWU is now attempting to cause disruption to SunRice's operations at a time when the
company is processing the largest rice crop in a number of years and also facing supply chain
pressures due to COVID-19."
In a further statement, the company said it was not expecting any product shortages in the short
term, and at this stage, it still expected to be able to fill customer orders.
In November, SunRice announced it was returning to 24-hour, seven day production for the first
time in almost four years.
Posted 11h ago11 hours agoMon 31 Jan 2022 at 9:13pm, updated 3h ago3 hours agoTue 1 Feb
2022 at 5:44am
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-01/sunrice-workers-on-strike-as-enterprise-agreement-break-down

6.7% growth in 2021 rice export pushes Thailand up in

world ranking
Thailand became the world‘s third-largest rice exporter by shipping 6.12 million tonnes of
rice last year, up 6.7 per cent year on year, Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice
Exporters Association, said on Monday.

―Though the export volume has increased, the total value of exported rice in 2021 dropped 7.1
per cent from the previous year, or from $3.7 billion [THB116.04 billion] to $3.4 billion
[THB107.75 billion],‖ he said.
Meanwhile, India still remains the top rice exporter for four consecutive years with 19.5
million tonnes of rice exported in 2021, up 33.9 per cent year on year. Vietnam came in
second with 6.24 million tonnes exported last year, dropping 5.2 per cent year on year.
Pakistan and the United States, meanwhile, are in fourth and fifth places, with 3.93 million
tonnes and 2.85 million tonnes of rice exported in 2021, respectively.

The Thai Rice Exporters Association also reported that in December 2021, Thailand exported
729.12 tonnes of rice valued at THB12.5 billion, down 3.5 per cent and 1.9 per cent
respectively from the same period in the previous year.
―Rice export dropped towards the end of last year in both quantity and value because buyers
tend to slow down after they have built up a stock of rice,‖ Charoen said.
Thailand‘s biggest rice buyers in 2021 include China, Japan, United Arab Emirates, the
Philippines, Congo, Syria, Benin and Angola.
―We expect rice export in January to be around 700,000 tonnes, while the target for 2022 is
set at 7 million tonnes,‖ said Charoen. ―Positive factors for rice export this year include the
recovery of the global economy, increasing demand in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and
our estimate that the baht will stay steady at THB33 per US dollar, which will make our price
competitive against other exporters.‖
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40011771
Thailand the third-largest rice exporter after posting 6.7% expansion in 2021
Asia News Network | Publication date 01 February 2022 | 21:10 ICT
Share

Soldiers were deployed to help farmers harvest rice in flood-hit areas across Thailand in
November. MCOT
Thailand became the world‘s third-largest rice exporter by shipping 6.12 million tonnes of rice
last year, up 6.7 per cent year-on-year, Thai Rice Exporters Association president Charoen
Laothamatas said on January 31.
―Though the export volume has increased, the total value of exported rice in 2021 dropped 7.1
per cent from the previous year, or from $3.7 billion to $3.4 billion,‖ he said.
Meanwhile, India still remains the top rice exporter for four consecutive years with 19.5 million
tonnes of rice exported in 2021, up 33.9 per cent year-on-year. Vietnam came in second with
6.24 million tonnes exported last year, dropping 5.2 per cent year-on-year.
Pakistan and the US, meanwhile, are in fourth and fifth places, with 3.93 million tonnes and 2.85
million tonnes of rice exported in 2021, respectively.
The association also reported that in December 2021, Thailand exported 729.12 tonnes of rice
valued at 12.5 billion baht ($376 million), down 3.5 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively from
the same period in the previous year.
―Rice export dropped towards the end of last year in both quantity and value because buyers tend
to slow down after they have built up a stock of rice,‖ Charoen said.
Thailand‘s biggest rice buyers in 2021 include China, Japan, the UAE, the Philippines, Congo,
Syria, Benin and Angola.
―We expect rice export in January to be around 700,000 tonnes, while the target for 2022 is set at
seven million tonnes,‖ said Charoen.
―Positive factors for rice export this year include the recovery of the global economy, increasing
demand in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and our estimate that the baht will stay steady at 33
per US dollar, which will make our price competitive against other exporters.‖

https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/thailand-third-largest-rice-exporter-after-posting-67-
expansion-2021