19th January 2022

Daily Rice Newsletter

www.riceplusmagazine.blosgpost.com

FEATURE: Mixed emotions as EU revokes import tariffs

on long grain Myanmar, Cambodian rice
AuthorAled Thomas Serina Gothard
 EditorKshitiz Goliya
 CommodityAgriculture, Shipping

'Strong feeling' that EU imports from Myanmar will increase

Cambodian exporters skeptical of tariff lapse's impact

Higher long grain imports may bring balance to Italian market

With the EU rolling back import tariffs on long grain white rice from Myanmar and
Cambodia, market participants expect a rise in shipments from Myanmar, although
Cambodian exporters were heard skeptical due to continued high freight rates.

The tariffs were enforced from Jan. 18, 2019 as a temporary measure to help protect EU farmers from
competitively priced long grain rice, with exporters in Cambodia and Myanmar having benefitted from
tariff-free status under the EU's Everything But Arms initiative. However, medium grain, short grain and
broken rice -- in addition to brown long grain -- imports from these countries were unaffected by the
tariffs.

The EU's temporary import tariffs were set at Eur175/mt ($198/mt) in the first year, Eur150/mt
($170/mt) in the second year and Eur125/mt ($142/mt) in the third year.

One trader said that the news will be "good for Myanmar" and that the country will "certainly [export]
more rice to the EU," following the development. A second trader said Jan. 14 that although "prices
slumped [in Myanmar] last week ... they have now firmed" as "people have already begun factoring the
tariff change into their export prices." A third Singapore-based trader added that they have a "strong
feeling" that exports to the EU from Myanmar will increase in the coming months.

Meanwhile, exporters in Cambodia were skeptical that the recent announcement would have a major
impact on trade to the EU.
One stated that "prices remain unchanged here due to high freight rates to Europe still, despite the [tariff
change]." Another echoed that sentiment, explaining that "trying to ship our Phka Malis to [the] EU is a
nightmare," with volumes taking two months to reach their destinations and exporters struggling to find
space on ships or available containers.

The EU accounted for about 60% of Cambodian milled rice exports as recently as 2016, but that amount
dropped to 43% between 2017-2019 due to competition from other Asian origins. This then fell to 30%
once the tariffs were introduced, with the country's Fragrant rice exports facing increased competition
from Thai Fragrant rice due to the level playing field.

Meanwhile, the tariffs led to a substantial shift in the flow of Myanmar rice to Europe as EU importers
switched to buying the Myanmar medium grain variety Kayinma, instead of the regular Emata long
grain variety, due to the tariff advantage. It is likely that demand will swing back to Emata now that the
tariffs have lapsed.

A broker for the Italian market said Jan. 13 that "the prospect of rice entering from countries such as
Myanmar will put more pressure on the Italian market and bring it back to reality." The same broker
added that "the current situation of farmers getting whatever price they ask for due to the shortage of
paddy is unfeasible for the future."

It remained to be seen how exactly the EU import market will evolve following this development. As
Cambodian exporters do not anticipate much change until freight rates to the trade bloc improve, the
Myanmar market is likely to undergo the greatest change as buyers revert to previous trade flows.

https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/agriculture/011822-feature-
mixed-emotions-as-eu-revokes-import-tariffs-on-long-grain-myanmar-cambodian-rice

Tree killing beetle found in Maine forests, scientists

say

YORK COUNTY, Maine (AP) — A Southern pine beetle has found its way to Maine,
potentially endangering the ecosystem of the state’s forests, scientists say.

The beetle was discovered in Waterboro last fall, a long way from its home in the South of the
U.S. where it has destroyed millions of acres of pine forests, Maine Public Radio reported.

A single pine beetle can be half the size of a grain of rice, but its infestations kill thousands of
forests annually and could harm New England’s pitch pines community, said Caroline Kanaskie,
a doctoral student from the University of New Hampshire who discovered the beetle in southern
Maine last fall.
Maine state entomologist Tom Schmeelk shared concerns about Maine’s pine barrens, which are
―a globally rare ecosystem,‖ he said.

The beetle favors hard pine trees like red, pitch and jack to infect. Schmeelk said that means
pitch and jack pine communities throughout Maine’s coast are also at risk.

University of New Hampshire forest health scientist, Jeff Garnas said the beetle was bound to
travel north from the South as winters get less severe. The recent discovery in Maine and New
Hampshire is indicative of a new issue for the Northeast in the future.

State officials are urging people to report infestations on the citizen science app and
website EDDMapS when they spot them, the radio station reported.

https://apnews.com/article/science-pine-trees-trees-maine-forests-
46e6fbc24dc67efa95b8f25eb3bed19f

Ozone pollution harms East Asian crops, costing $63

billion a year, scientists say

China alone is losing a third of its potential wheat production and nearly a quarter of rice yields
as ozone disrupts plant growth.

By: Reuters |
January 18, 2022 3:58:10 pm
Farmer replanting rice in paddy field in Kajrat, Raigad district. (Express Photo by Prashant
Nadkar)

Fossil fuel emissions aren’t just driving climate change and worsening air quality, they’re also
hurting crop yields enough to cause some $63 billion in annual losses in East Asia, scientists say.
With high levels of ozone pollution, China, South Korea and Japan are seeing diminished yields
in wheat, rice, and maize, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Food.
China alone is losing a third of its potential wheat production and nearly a quarter of rice yields
as ozone disrupts plant growth. That has worrying implications beyond the region, with Asia
providing the majority of the world’s rice supply.
―East Asia is one of the biggest bread baskets and rice bowls in the world,‖ said lead author
Zhaozhong Feng, an environmental researcher at Nanjing University of Information Science &
Technology.
Asia is also a hotspot for ozone, formed when sunlight interacts with greenhouse gases such as
nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds that are released by the burning
of fossil fuels.
In the stratosphere, a layer of ozone protects the planet from ultraviolet radiation. But closer to
Earth’s surface, ozone can harm plants and animals, including humans. Feng and his colleagues
used ozone monitoring data to estimate the crop damage as costing roughly $63 billion. Previous
research on the topic has used computer simulations to assess the economic impact of ozone
pollution on crops.
Ozone ―directly damages food security in China for all three crops,‖ Feng said. This is a concern
for China, which is already worried about its declining land quality. The country has to feed a
fifth of the world’s population with only 7 per cent of its farmland. As industry, energy and
urban expansion have competed for limited land resources, China lost some 6 per cent of its
arable land — or 7.5 million hectares – from 2009 to 2019, according to a state land survey
published in August last year.
While Beijing has since drawn a ―red line‖ to protect existing agricultural land, experts still
anticipate the total to fall further by 2030.―In some parts of the world, ozone pollution is
comparable to or even worse for crops than the other big stressors of heat, drought, and pests,‖
said Katrina Sharps, a spatial data analyst at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
In a 2018 study, she and other researchers estimated global wheat yield losses from ozone
pollution totalled $24.2 billion annually between 2010 and 2012. ―It’s an under-recognized
problem,‖ Sharps said.
Ozone levels have declined in America and Europe over the last two decades, with the
introduction of stricter air quality measures. But the pollutant is increasing in Asia. While the
gases that contribute to ozone pollution are largely emitted from cities, the impact is worse in
rural areas where ozone forms.
Scientists said the best way to bring down ozone levels is to curb the use of fossil fuels – the
same action needed to bring down greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. Without
stricter emissions controls in Asia, Sharps said, ―things are going to get worse.‖
�The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel
(@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines
For all the latest Technology News, download Indian Express App.


https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/ozone-pollution-east-asian-crops-7729586/
Buhari says price of rice to fall after launch of pyramids
The president launched 13 pyramids of rice paddy.

ByAyodeji Adegboyega

January 18, 2022

4 min read

The price of rice in the Nigerian market is expected to fall as the country launches 13 pyramids
of rice paddy, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

The price of rice, a staple food in Nigeria, began upward trend when the Nigerian government
closed the Seme border between Nigeria and Benin Republic in August 2019.

The government said the decision was to strengthen the agricultural sector and curb massive
smuggling activities, especially of rice, on that corridor.

The rice pyramids made of 1 million rice paddy was achieved through the Central Bank of
Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), a programme launched in 2015 to boost
agricultural production and reverse Nigeria’s negative balance of payments on food.

At the launch of the pyramids Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said the measure will
aid efforts at reducing the price of rice in Nigeria.
―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.

―When we assumed the reins of leadership of this country in 2015, the administration identified
the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme as an essential policy instrument for achieving economic
diversification through agriculture.‖
To achieve this, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme was designed to encourage investments in
agriculture and empower smallholder farmers as drivers of transformation in the agricultural
sector and as critical enablers of economic growth.

―I am indeed delighted that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme continues to receive

commendations, since its introduction six years ago, as it has become one of the reference points
in the administration’s agricultural revolution effort,‖ the president said.

According to him, the country can boast of producing over 7.5 million metric tons of rice
annually, with over four million farmers benefiting from the programme.

The president also boasted of the success of the programme which was established to provide
loans to farmers through Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Development Finance Institutions
(DFIs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs), which the programme recognises as Participating
Financial Institutions (PFIs).

President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled Mega Rice pyramids by Central Bank of Nigeria and Rice
Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Abuja
―In fact, the Programme speaks loudly in its giant strides as it has increased access to finance by
our rural farmers, who before now were virtually excluded from the financial system,‖ he said.

―The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has so far supported over 4.8 million smallholder farmers
across Nigeria for the production of 23 agricultural commodities including maize, rice, oil palm,
cocoa, cotton, cassava, tomato and livestock.

―Today rice production in Nigeria has increased to over 7.5 Million Metric tons annually. Prior
to the introduction of ABP, the average production in Nigeria between 1999 and 2015 was less
than 4 metric tons annually.

―I am aware that the bags of paddy will be moving straight from here to rice milling plants across
Nigeria, which leads to the release of processed rice to the markets by the rice millers. The
measure will aid our efforts at reducing the price of rice in Nigeria.‖

He also said the country has been able to conserve foreign exchange and reduce the rate of
unemployment through its agricultural revolution.

―Before this administration launched the ABP, there were only 15 standard Rice mills in Nigeria.
As of today, we have over 50 Standard and integrated Rice mills creating jobs and reducing
unemployment,‖ he said.

―We expect additional significant output when two new mills are started in Lagos and Katsina. I
am also aware that because of the large margins in this business, more people are showing
interest in investing in our agribusiness.

―Fellow Nigerians, our gathering here today, is no doubt a testament to the fact that the Anchor
Borrowers’ Programme is working. Indeed, these sky-high pyramids for which we are gathered
here to commission are part of our commitment at achieving national food security and economic
diversification through home-grown policies targeted at securing food for all Nigerians.

―As a critical policy of the government, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme is expected to
catalyse the agricultural productive base of the nation, which is a major part of our economic
plan to uplift the economy, create jobs, reduce reliance on imported food and industrial raw
materials, and conserve foreign exchange.

―The commissioning of these rice pyramids today, is an indication that our country is making
steady and assured progress towards self-sufficiency in food production, and it is my desired
hope and expectation that other agricultural commodity associations that are yet to participate
under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme will emulate the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria
in supporting our administration’s drive for food self-sufficiency,‖ he said.

He commended the Central Bank of Nigeria for its efforts at resuscitating the Nigerian
Commodity Exchange, which provides the country’s farmers with ready buyers of their produce.

In his remark, the Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Aminu Goronyo, appreciated
President Buhari for initiating the agricultural revolution programme.According to him, the
programme has translated into wealth for farmers across the country.

Mr. Goronyo said the rice pyramids unveiled by the President were the largest in the world.

―Mr President, you can see your hand work. It is a statement you made during your campaign
and it is fulfilled. You said you will pay more attention to agriculture and it has happened. It is
not a surprise at all. You promised Nigerians that you will expand the scope of agriculture if
elected and you have done that.
President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled Mega Rice pyramids by Central Bank of Nigeria and Rice
Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Abuja

―What you see here today is a trickle of what we produced in the last wet season. Only 0.05
percent of what was cultivated is what is being displayed.

―You have come at the time Nigeria needs you to lead the country and God knows why he has
given you the opportunity to lead us now and Nigerians will continue to appreciate your
leadership.

―You have put this country on track. You have helped us attain food security which translates to
national security, and the President that succeeds you should pay attention to that too,‖ he said.

On his part, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria , Godwin Emefiele, expressed delight at the
outcome of the programme.
―I am particularly delighted because these stacks of rice pyramids provide undisputable and
unassailable evidence of significant progress under President Buhari’s food security initiatives
and administration. I personally salute your vision of making agriculture a cornerstone and one
of the focal points of your administration,‖ he said.

He also applauded the farmers for summoning courage to go to their farms despite security
challenges in some parts of the country.

―The past few years have been quite challenging towards some of the farmers, as they have
battled with insurgency, banditry, lockdown and other related setbacks.

―Indeed we lost some of our farmers to insurgency attacks nationwide while some could not
access their farms for several months yet, they kept faith, they did not give up, they persevered,
and they did not abandon our fight for food self-sufficiency.

―Today’s event therefore, is the celebration of your doggedness and an appreciation of their
commitment to food security in Nigeria,‖ he said.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/506516-buhari-says-price-of-rice-to-fall-
after-launch-of-pyramids.html
Farmers group says price of rice to fall as Buhari launches
pyramids

The rice pyramids were built with one million bags of rice paddy planted and
harvested from states across the country.
ByAgency Report

January 18, 2022

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) says plans have been concluded to launch the
one million bags of rice paddy stacked as pyramids in Abuja on Tuesday.

Shehu Muazu, Chairman Pyramid Sub Committee, RIFAN told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) that the rice pyramids show that local production of food is possible.

President Muhammadu Buhari is unveiling the rice pyramids in Abuja on Tuesday, at an event
attended by government officials including the central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The rice pyramids were built with one million bags of rice paddy planted and harvested from
states across the country under the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

According to Mr Muazu, immediately after the unveiling of the pyramids, the Central Bank of
Nigeria and RIFAN will allocate the rice to processors.

―RIFAN in collaboration with the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria will process the rice and
sell at a discounted price,‖ he said.

―This will lead to drastic reduction in price once it starts rolling into the market.

―Our collaboration with the millers association rests on the agreement that they will sell at a
discounted price to Nigerians.
―Although, we cannot talk of price in isolation as far as prices all over the world is concerned
because all over the world prices of food have gone up.

―But the good news is that rice will remain the cheapest commodity as far as food is concerned
due to the success recorded through the scheme,’’ he said.

Mr Muazu also noted that the Anchor Borrower’s Programme (ABP) which is designed to assist
small scale farmers is a testament to the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling food
security.

―We have over one million bags of paddy rice which was collected from the beneficiaries of the
ABP under the business strategy partnership.

―Benefiting farmers who received the loan which came in the form of farm inputs and cash,
repay with rice paddy of same value.

―The significance of this rice pyramids is to showcase the achievement of government as far as
agriculture is concerned and to call on Nigerian corporations to queue into investments in
agriculture.

―If the poor Nigerian farmers can do this then the rich people can do more than this,’’ he said.

On his part, Njack Kane, RIFAN Africa partner, commended the Federal Government for
protecting local producers of rice by banning rice importation and setting measures against
smuggling.

―The Federal Government has taken a very critical decision which is to put protection
mechanisms on the local producers of rice and the ban on importation of rice.―And more
recently, government has put measures in place to fight smuggling so that locally produced rice
can thrive.

―Nigeria is one of the successful game changers in massive rice production. This laudable
initiative will set a revolution in Africa’s agricultural sector,’’ Kane said.
NAN reports that the building of the paddy rice pyramids at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce
and Industries on Airport Road, started mid-December 2021 and has been a centre of attraction
for passers-by.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/506426-farmers-group-says-price-of-rice-to-
fall-as-buhari-launches-pyramids.html

With launch of rice pyramid, Buhari assures

of price crash
January 19, 2022 Abdullahi M. Gulloma News 0

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja urged Nigerians to exercise some patience as
the growing food production in the country, especially expansion in rice farming, will eventually
bring down prices of food, making it more affordable for all.

The President, who spoke at the official commissioning ceremony of Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN)/Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Rice Paddy Pyramids at the Abuja
International Trade Fair Complex, said across Nigeria, more than 4.8 million smallholder
farmers had been supported by Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, with increase in production of
23 agricultural commodities including maize, rice, oil palm, cocoa, cotton, cassava, tomato and
livestock.

―Today rice production in Nigeria has increased to over 7.5 million metric tons annually. Prior to
the introduction of Anchor Borrowers Programme (APB), the average production in Nigeria
between 1999 to 2015 was less than 4 metric tons annually.

―I am aware that the bags of paddy will be moving straight from here to rice milling plants across
Nigeria, which leads to the release of processed rice to the markets by the rice millers. The
measure will aid our efforts at reducing the price of rice in Nigeria.

―Before this administration launched the ABP, there were only 15 standard rice mills in Nigeria.
As at today, we have over 50 standard and integrated rice mills creating jobs and reducing
unemployment. We expect additional significant output when two new mills are started in Lagos
and Katsina,’’ he said.
The President said the large margins in the business of rice had also encouraged more people to
show interest in investing in agribusiness.

―Fellow Nigerians, our gathering here today, is no doubt a testament to the fact that the Anchor
Borrowers’ Programme is working. Indeed, these sky-high pyramids which we are gathered here
to commission are part of our commitment at achieving national food security and economic
diversification through home-grown policies targeted at securing food for all Nigerians.

―As a critical policy of the government, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme is expected to
catalyze the agricultural productive base of the nation, which is a major part of our economic
plan to uplift the economy, create jobs, reduce reliance on imported food and industrial raw
materials, and conserve foreign exchange.

―This has resulted in bridging our rice consumption gap, a significant reduction in rice imports,
and saved us foreign exchange,’’ he added.

President Buhari presented awards to Governors Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi
State, Prof. Ben Ayade, Cross River State, David Umahi, Ebonyi State, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, Jigawa
State, Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, President of RIFAN and Yila Yusuf,
Director, Development Finance, CBN

.https://www.blueprint.ng/with-launch-of-rice-pyramid-buhari-assures-of-price-crash/

Buhari Unveils 1m Bags Mega Rice Pyramids In

Abuja
 President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by the CBN Governor Mr Godwin Emefiele and Ekiti State
Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi during the launch of the 2022 FCT Mega Rice Pyramid at the Trade fair
Complex in Abuja yesterday

By

 Our Reporters
Tue, 18 Jan 2022 22:42:28 GMT

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja unveiled Africa’s biggest rice

pyramids as part of the event marking the Rice Festival and the launch of the 2021/2022
dry season production.
The 13 pyramids are said to be the biggest in the continent with each of the pyramids containing
about 115,000 bags, of 100kg each. While commissioning the pyramids, President Buhari said,
―the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has so far supported over 4.8 million smallholder farmers
across Nigeria for the production of 23 agricultural commodities including maize, rice, oil palm,
cocoa, cotton, cassava, tomato and livestock.
―I am aware that the bags of paddy will be moving straight from here to rice milling plants across
Nigeria, which will lead to the release of processed rice to the markets by the rice millers. The
measure will aid our efforts at reducing the price of rice in Nigeria,‖ he stated.
According to him, before his administration launched the ABP, ―there were only 15 standard rice
mills in Nigeria. As of today, we have over 50 Standard and integrated Rice mills creating jobs
and reducing unemployment.
―We expect additional significant output when two new mills are started in Lagos and Katsina. I
am also aware that because of the large margins in this business, more people are showing
interest in investing in our agribusiness.‖ He noted.
President of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Alhaji Aminu Goronyo in his
welcome address said the rice paddy pyramids in Abuja constituted only 0.05 per cent of what
was produced under the 2020/2021 dry season adding that over 99 per cent was ready for
processing in various states.
Speaking at the unveiling, the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, disclosed that the Apex bank
had invested N1 trillion to empower at least 4,489,786, rural farmers, through intervention
financing leveraging its flagship programme, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
He said: ―The programme has developed an ecosystem among all nodes of the agricultural value
chain and these linkages can be better optimized through synergy among all stakeholders.
―As at the end of December 2021, we have financed 4,489,786 farmers that cultivated 5,300,411
hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 states of
the federation and FCT.‖
Emefiele noted that the launched mega pyramids represent aggregated paddy rice submitted as
repayment of loans by RIFAN farmers under the 2020 dry season and 2021 wet seasons, adding
that the event also symbolized the efforts made by farmers to commit to loan repayment through
produce submission and ultimately ensure the sustainability of the Programme.
―Today rice production in Nigeria has increased to over 7.5 million metric tons annually. Prior to
the introduction of ABP, the average production in Nigeria between 1999 and 2015 was less than
4 metric tons annually‖ the CBN governor stated.
He said: ―The ABP was launched in 2015 to curtail these imports, and since then, we have seen
incremental reductions in rice imports from Thailand. By 2016, rice imports from Thailand had
fallen to only 58,000 metric tons.
―As of the end of 2021, they only exported 2,160 metric tons to Nigeria, thereby saving us
foreign exchange and helping preserve jobs in Nigeria.‖
Emefiele also explained that productivity per hectare has significantly improved from about 2.4
metric tons per ha in 2015 to between about 5 metric tons per ha in 2021.‖
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi who adorned the various efforts of the President to promote
food security said the success of the ABP demonstrated that the country can look inwards to feed
itself adding that those who doubt the president’s call for ―producing what we eat and eat what
we produce‖ would now know that the President meant everything he said.
Speaking to newsmen at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity
Bank, Mrs Tomi Somefun, commended the rice farmers for their unwavering belief and
collaboration in the implementation of the intervention programme, adding that as the Preferred
Financial Institution (PFI) for the ABP transactions, the bank will continue to support the
farmers and ensure that more smallholder farmers get the requisite financial support to boost rice
production.
She said: ―As of March 2021, the bank has financed no fewer than 190,000 smallholder rice
farmers across 35 states including the FCT, Abuja.‖
By Sunday Michael Ogwu, Chris Agabi & Vincent A. Yusuf
https://dailytrust.com/buhari-unveils-1m-bags-mega-rice-pyramids-in-abuja

Rice producers project an excess of 500,000 tonnes by

the end of 2022

Ghanaians consume about 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice

Rice production to meet the country’s demand with the right policies

Government intervention, key to booming rice industry, Producers

Ghanaians consume about 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice

The Rice Millers Association have projected excess of 500,000 metric tonnes of rice by the end
of this year, 2022. The Association predicted that if the right policy framework is adopted, this
will be achieved.

Ghana currently consumes about 1.2million metric tonnes of rice yearly, thus rice farmers are
calling for government’s intervention to help them meet their target.

Convener of the Rice Millers Association Yaw Adu-Poku made this plea in an interview with
Citi Business News.

―The point is that we need to meet the consumer demand, that is; the volume should increase.
And this is what we are working assiduously towards. Farmers have actually increased farm
sizes across the board, mills are being built all over the country. So, the target is that at the end of
the year we should be able to supply in excess of 500,00 metric tonnes because Ghana is eating
about 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice so if we’re able to do half of it this year, then it means we
are getting there‖, he said.Ghana’s rice consumption has been characterized mainly by imports as
local production is unable to meet the demands of Ghanaians, a situation the farmers have
described as worrying.

They also called on the media to advocate and advertise local rice to Ghanaians in order to beef
up their interest to consume more.

―What we need to do is to increase the capacity of the mills. As for the land, it’s available,
farmers are ready to do it. This year, nobody heard about glut because we are up and doing. We
are not in a very strong position to compete with the imported ones because they have the
resources, so they do the advertising which we cannot. We are just relying on media houses like
Citi to talk about Ghana rice but then if you go to the markets, you’ll see the effects of what we
are currently doing and we know that within the shortest time, it will be on the mainstream
market."
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Rice-producers-project-an-excess-of-
500-000-tonnes-by-the-end-of-2022-1447765

Nigeria records significant rise in rice production:

president
Source: Xinhua| 2022-01-19 00:43:45|Editor: huaxia

ABUJA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the

country's rice production has increased to over 7.5 million metric tons annually, a significant rise

from average production of less than 4 million metric tons in about 22 years.

Buhari disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at the official commissioning ceremony of the

sky-high rice paddy pyramids organized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Nigerian leader urged Nigerians to exercise some patience as the growing food production in

the country, especially expansion in rice farming, will eventually bring down prices of food,

making it more affordable for all.

He noted across Nigeria, more than 4.8 million smallholder farmers had been supported by the
Anchor Borrowers' Program (ABP), an initiative through which the CBN supports local farmers
to increase the production of 23 agricultural commodities including maize, rice, oil palm, cocoa,

cotton, cassava, tomato, and livestock.

"I am aware that the bags of paddy will be moving straight from here to rice milling plants across

Nigeria, which lead to the release of processed rice to the markets by the rice millers. The

measure will aid our efforts at reducing the price of rice in Nigeria," Buhari said.

With the ABP initiative which was launched by his administration, the president said, Nigeria

now has over 50 standard and integrated rice mills creating jobs and reducing unemployment,

adding there would be an additional significant output when two new mills are started in Lagos,
the country's economic hub, and Katsina in the northwest region.

The large margins in the business of rice had also encouraged more people to show interest in

investing in agribusiness, noting the mega rice pyramids were part of the government's

commitment to achieving national food security and economic diversification through home-

grown policies targeted at securing food for all Nigerians.

"As a critical policy of the government, the ABP is expected to catalyze the agricultural

productive base of the nation, which is a major part of our economic plan to uplift the economy,

create jobs, reduce reliance on imported food, and industrial raw materials, and conserve foreign

exchange," he said.

"This has resulted in bridging our rice consumption gap, a significant reduction in rice imports,

and saved us foreign exchange," he added. ■

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/20220119/1a4241ad827a4abcaa6b192ab8f8748d/c.htm
l

USA Rice Promotions in Taiwan Include Giveaways

and New Jasmine Offering
By Sarah Moran
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – USA Rice and two importers of U.S. rice here launched a two-month retail
promotion combining both online and offline elements that ended in mid-December. The original
plan was to have the promotion run in-store at two supermarket chains and two online
marketplaces. The supermarket chains included PX Mart, the largest grocery retailer in Taiwan
with more than 1,000 outlets.

Sales doubled during

USA Rice promotions

―When presented with the promotion plan, our rice importing trade partners not only agreed to
participate but – at their initiative and expense – added four online retailers to the promotion,
posted the campaign details next to their brands, and placed banner ads on the landing pages of
the online retailers,‖ said Jim Guinn, USA Rice director of Asia promotion programs.

Consumers saw stickers on brand packaging, and shelf talkers and banners in stores, and tapped
into the online promotion via press releases on 23 on-line news platforms, Facebook posts, and
banner advertisements with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on Google. In addition,
importers provided store coupons, and USA Rice provided giveaways such as cooking timers
with the USA Rice logo and a grand prize of an iPhone.

―According to the participating importers, results of the campaign were impressive, yielding
sales of more than 10,000 packages of U.S. rice, more than double sales during the non-
promotion period,‖ said Guinn. ―In addition to medium grain rice, the predominate U.S. import
here, one importer introduced U.S. long grain jasmine rice to local consumers for the first time.‖
Taiwan is the third largest market for U.S. rice in Asia and the twelfth largest export market
overall. The U.S. exported 53,846 MT of rice to Taiwan in the first 11 months of 2021, valued at
$32.2 million.

USA Rice Daily

New Company Joins USA Rice Merchants

By Deborah Willenborg
ARLINGTON, VA – USA Rice recently welcomed Viserion Grain as a member of the USA
Rice Merchants’ Association.

Welcome to Viserion Grain

Based in Denver, Colorado, Viserion Grain is a newly-formed grain company connecting

producers from northern Iowa to southern Louisiana to the agricultural value chain both
domestically and internationally. They have facilities in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and
Missouri.

―It’s a testament to our reputation when a relatively new company prioritizes joining the USA
Rice Merchants’ Association,‖ said Ryan Carwell, chair of the USA Rice Merchants’
Association. ―We are excited to have them join our ranks, and we look forward to their input.‖

For more information on membership opportunities with USA Rice, please contact Jeanette
Davis at (703) 236-1447.

USA rice daily

You can get fat even from rice: scientists have found that the
ideal diet does not exist
TechnoJanuary 18, 2022

You can get fat even from rice: scientists have found that the ideal diet does not exist

Researchers have disproved the effectiveness of the food ranking system on which all diets have
ever been built.

Most of the diets available are based on a system to classify foods according to their effect on
blood sugar, writes Inverse.

This product evaluation approach was developed from a study conducted by David Jenkins at the
University of Toronto back in 1981. Each food was assigned a score, which depended on how
much the blood sugar level rises. For example, sugar itself scored 100, sweet corn 59, tomato
soup 38.

Modern diets continue to be based on the same food ranking system. People who are trying to
lose weight are advised to eat fewer foods that cause blood sugar spikes.

But there are also people who manage to stay at a healthy weight without giving up chocolate,
cake or wine. Eran Elinav and Eran Segal from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel set
out to find out what the mystery is.

The researchers recruited a group of 800 people to measure their blood glucose levels, as had
been done in 1981. But this time, the glucose level was measured not every few hours, but every
five minutes for 7 days. Measurements were taken using a sensor designed for people with
diabetes.
Glucose levels increased according to previous studies, but only in the average data. Closer
analysis revealed that the variations in glucose levels from one person to another were
staggeringly large.

The participants reacted very differently to the same product: in some, the level of glucose rose
sharply, while in others it remained at the same place. The scientists ruled out random
fluctuations because they got the same result each time a person ate a particular food. For
example, one middle-aged woman had an increase in glucose levels every time she ate tomatoes,
another subject reacted the same way to bananas, and even to rice.

Using a computer algorithm, scientists figured out which factors to take into account, to create
the perfect, personalized diet. The most important factor was the types of bacteria found in the
participants' stools, reflecting their gut microbiome.

The results indicate that there is no one-size-fits-all diet, scientists say. It all depends on the
microbiome of people, their genetics, lifestyle, and even the immune system.

Experts acknowledge that understanding of such details is still at an elementary level. But with
the help of computer algorithms and the analysis of large amounts of data, the situation can
change radically.

Researchers believe that in the future, individual diets should be created based on blood analysis
and the human microbiome.https://thesaxon.org/you-can-get-fat-even-from-rice-scientists-have-
found-that-the-ideal-diet-does-not-exist/

Rice farmers enlisted to sustain Pacific Flyway birds

Issue Date: January 19, 2022

By Edgar Sanchez
Snow geese take flight in a Sutter County rice field. Rice growers and conservationists are
partnering in a program that floods rice fields to simulate wetlands to serve as bird habitat.
Photo/California Rice Commission

Sixth-generation rice grower Jeff Gallagher is perpetually surrounded by birds on the Sutter
County farm that has been in his family since 1872.

The soundtrack of his life is the din caused by the itinerant visitors—nasal honks of wild geese,
hisses of sandhill cranes and other bird chatter at his 4,000-acre ranch in Rio Oso, a rice-farming
region north of Sacramento.

"I'll be laying in bed and I can hear the swans, the geese and the ducks," Gallagher said. "It's
pretty cool. It's definitely a unique environment."

Gallagher is doing his part to preserve it by enlisting in a new program to flood rice fields for
wildlife. It is designed to protect bird habitat in California's Central Valley over the next 10
years.

He is one of numerous farmers engaged in a voluntary program to replace, at least temporarily,

the valley's bird-sustaining wetlands, 90% of which have vanished over decades.

The initiative was hatched by the Central Valley Joint Venture, or CVJV. The Sacramento-based
coalition of 19 public and private entities seeks to ensure the survival of avian species that arrive
via the Pacific Flyway.
Stretching more than 4,000 miles, the air path is used annually by birds—including threatened
species—that travel back and forth from South America and Mexico and as far north as Alaska
and Canada.

Needing rest along the way, more than 100 million birds representing 400 species descend on the
Central Valley each year, according to the CVJV. Some stay only a few days. Others stay longer,
feasting on the valley's food resources.

This is where willing farmers such as Gallagher get involved. He uses groundwater pumps in
November, after the growing season, to reflood his fields to help birds in the winter and
beyond—before the water seeps back into the aquifer for future use.

He's been doing this for about five years, as part of various habitat enhancement programs
sponsored by the California Rice Commission, the Nature Conservancy and other institutions.
While the programs may overlap, all have the same goal: to help ensure that Pacific Flyway birds
find comestibles during Central Valley layovers. Some programs provide financial help to
farmers to flood fields at specific times.

Each fall sees a gradual spike in the number of bird visitors, when they start abandoning their
northern habitats as temperatures drop.

"The peak is during the winter, when the birds choose the Central Valley to forage and stay away
from those cold winters up north," James Cogswell, the Central Valley Joint Venture
coordinator, said. "In other places in the West, the birds can't find the habitat or resources for
their survival.

"The Central Valley is vital" for them, Cogswell said. "It would be catastrophic if the birds
arrived here and didn't find enough water resources (and) enough food to give them the energy
they need."

Birds are not the only beneficiaries of strategic farm flooding, Cogswell said.

Farmers also can benefit by allowing recreational opportunities such as birdwatching on their
properties. Some farmers earn extra income by opening their land to limited hunting.

The CVJV reaches across boundaries of land ownership to protect and restore dwindling habitat
for birds, Cogswell noted in a prepared statement.

"We work with everyone from farmers and duck hunters to state and federal agencies, to
nonprofit conservation organizations, coordinating efforts to protect and maximize bird habitat,"
he said.

CVJV's initiative calls for postharvest flooding of agricultural lands. This practice makes critical
food resources available for birds, including leftover rice grain, seeds and other plant matter, and
insects and other invertebrates.
California's drought has made it challenging to flood farm fields, but farmers use a variety of
water sources to do so for the birds' well-being.

CVJV's science-based project fits the schedules of many farmers, including California's
estimated 2,000 rice growers, nearly all of whom are in Northern California.

In Rio Oso, for instance, Gallagher and his crew typically assemble in late March to begin
preparing 3,500 acres for rice planting. His 500 other acres are for walnuts and other crops.

"It takes us about a month to get 3,500 acres (of rice) planted," Gallagher said. "We try to get the
last field by the end of May. ... We start the harvest at the end of September, and we usually try
to finish by the end of October, hopefully before the rain starts."

His latest harvest was interrupted by a late October atmospheric river that brought 6 inches of
rain to Rio Oso in just one day.

"I probably had a day and a half worth of harvesting to do when the rain flooded my fields,"
Gallagher said. "We had to wait like two weeks for the fields to dry out so we could get the
harvesting equipment out there."

The fields were still soggy when the high-tech harvesters went in. Plowing through mud, they
could not properly separate the soaked rice kernels from plant straw, Gallagher revealed.
"Probably half of the rice ended up in the harvester's tank," he said, "and the rest of it went into
the mud."

Then groundwater pumps reflooded his fields in mid-November, as part of CVJV's program.

"It's shallow flooding, anywhere from 2 to 4 inches at the most," Gallagher explained. "That's
really for breaking down the (rice) straw and decomposing it, so when you drain the fields in
March, they're going to be clear. There won't be any straw, just bare soil, which will be ready for
the planting of (the new) crop."

Gallagher said he believes "it's really important to be able to coexist with our environment and
be able to sustain our farming practices at the same time."

Because "a lot of the wetlands and habitats have disappeared" over the years, he said, farmers
can contribute to field conditions that support birds on the Pacific Flyway. The CVJV program,
he said, "is a perfect fit for us rice farmers."

His participation is applauded by Luke Matthews, the California Rice Commission's Wildlife
Programs manager.

"Jeff is an excellent conservation-minded rice farmer," Matthews said. "(He) has long-term
thoughts about his farm and the impacts he can provide to the environment in his farming
operations. He's been participating in our programs for a couple of years. He's been very good to
work with."
Other CVJV partners include the California Department of Water Resources; the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife; Defenders of Wildlife; Ducks Unlimited; River Partners; the
California Wildlife Conservation Board; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Audubon
California.

More information about CVJV's new 10-year endeavor can be found at

centralvalleyjointventure.org.

Gallagher said he is pleased to be a participant. He calls the program a benefit to rice growers
"and the rice industry as a whole," and said he wants to protect bird populations for future
generations.

"A lot of times, rice growers or farmers get kind of a bad rap as far as what we're doing
environmentally," he said. "If there's anybody that cares about this land and the environment that
we live in and make a living off of, it's us. And we try to do every day everything we can to
sustain this environment and this industry that we are in."

(Edgar Sanchez is a reporter based in Sacramento. He may be contacted

at edgar.chez@yahoo.com.)

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau
Federation when reprinting this item.

https://agalert.com/story/?id=15549

India’s wheat, rice subsidies under fire

 UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD: Legislators want WTO case filed against India's rice and wheat domestic
supports where the government is subsidizing more than half of the value of production.

Biden administration urged to hold India accountable in WTO regarding India’s domestic
agricultural supports.

Jacqui Fatka | Jan 18, 2022

A letter from 28 House members encourages United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai
and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to initiate the World Trade Organization
litigation process against India’s domestic support for its wheat and rice producers.

―The biggest challenge to both domestic and export sales are related to U.S. competitiveness,‖
according to the letter led by Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., and Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark.
―American commodity producers are operating at a clear disadvantage to their competitors,
primarily from India, where the government is subsidizing more than half of the value of
production for rice and wheat, instead of the 10% allowable under WTO rules.‖
Beginning in 2018, the U.S. highlighted the problem of non-compliance in India through
counter-notifications at the WTO Committee on Agriculture, the letter explains. Using virtually
the same methodology endorsed by the WTO panel in the China domestic support case, the
counter-notifications demonstrations that India is non-compliant with its commitments as a result
of price supports alone.

―Further, India has continued to raise price support prices multiple times since the counter-
notifications were first submitted,‖ the letter continues. ―In fact, this fall India announced they
will provide an additional $3.8 billion to fertilizer companies to shield their rice and wheat
growers from rising input costs.‖

"Trade distorting domestic support has always been a major challenge for farmers, and WTO
rules were created to limit these practices,‖ says Mann. ―Ensuring all parties are cooperating
under the same guidelines is paramount to international trade.‖ Mann adds he’s leading his
colleagues in calling on Vilsack and Tai to ―uphold their duty to our American farmers and
ranchers to protect our domestic markets - it is time to level the playing field."

Crawford adds that WTO rules were established to allow for a level playing field in which
American producers can compete. Crawford explains it is the job of Tai and Vilsack to uphold
these rules and protect U.S. producers from ―rulebreakers like India.‖

The letter follows up on a similar letter by Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and 17 of his colleagues.
The effort is supported by the National Association of Wheat Growers and USA Rice.

―Wheat and rice farmers rely on open markets and fair trade to facilitate trade, which plays a
vital role in supporting our growers and jobs in rural America,‖ says NAWG CEO Chandler
Goule. ―It is important that as a WTO member, India adhere to international commitments and
not continue to create unfair advantages for its domestic production and distort world trade. We
appreciate the representatives for bringing the issue to the attention of the administration and will
continue to work with the USDA and USTR in enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. wheat in
the world.‖

Justin Knopf, president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers says Indian policies cost
U.S. wheat farmers more than $500 million annually. "For too long, Indian government policies
have cost U.S. wheat money and export opportunities.,‖ Knopf notes. ―With India poised for
near-record exports, time is of the utmost importance. We encourage the USTR to use the WTO
to hold India accountable to their past commitments."

"This significant showing of bicameral support for the administration to initiate a WTO case
against India has been years in the making,‖ adds Betsy Ward, president and CEO of USA Rice.
―If left unchecked, the Indian export market will continue to grow at an uncontrollable rate and
threaten the viability of rice and wheat producers throughout the world.‖

Ward adds, ―Something is glaringly wrong if Indian rice, produced on the other side of the
world, can be hauled hundreds of miles from inland to Indian ports, with gas prices equivalent to
about $1.50 per gallon higher than ours, then shipped more than 7,000 nautical miles by boat to
the U.S., and still manage to undercut our domestic prices.‖

https://www.feedstuffs.com/news/indias-wheat-rice-subsidies-under-fire

The challenge of hiring hourly and seasonal staff

The challenge of finding ag hourly and seasonal employees intensified in 2021.

Bonnie Johnson | Jan 19, 2022

There’s a gap between agricultural operations’ needs for hourly and seasonal employees and the
candidates willing or able to take on this type of role. This difficulty plagued the industry for
years.
AgCareers.com’s survey of agricultural operations illustrates that this challenge intensified over
the past year. Agriculture and farm employers noted hourly staff was the most difficult level and
type of role to recruit for. Results weren’t even close at 65% of employers noting hourly type
roles, with the next nearest category at 33% for technical types.

Agricultural operations deployed various strategies to meet staffing needs throughout the year.
Employment of part-time staff (36%), temp agencies (30%), or temporary staff (30%) were the
most prevalent strategies. Nearly 30% of agriculture employers hired temporary/contract staff for
3 to 9 months, with this number expected to stay the same over the next year. Over 42% of
companies employed skilled seasonal staff, typically from 3 to 6 months of the year.

How are employers competing for hourly employees? First is reaching prospective applicants
with employee referral programs, followed by online job boards, like AgCareers.com. Social
media is also a popular method to support recruitment efforts.
But to look on the bright side, if you’re experiencing recruitment difficulties, especially for
hourly/non-exempt staff, you’re not alone.

For more information, check out the 2021-2022 AgCareers.com HR Review.

As many agricultural production operations gear up the season, AgCareers.com is offering a

$150 job posting special for seasonal or temporary employees through Aug. 1, 2022. Employers
can use code SEASONAL2022 on AgCareers.com to receive the discounted price.

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or Farm Progress.

https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/indias-wheat-rice-subsidies-under-fire

Philippines sees record 2021 rice output despite

typhoon losses
C ONTR IBUTOR

Enrico Dela Cruz Reuters

PUBLISHED

JAN 17, 2022 10:37PM EST

CREDIT: REUTERS/ERIK DE CASTRO

The Philippines' paddy rice production in 2021 likely exceeded 20 million tonnes,

marking a new record high for the annual harvest despite crop losses from a powerful

typhoon last month, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said on Tuesday.

Anti-Aging Products In Pakistan May Be Turning Heads Anti Aging | Search Ads

MANILA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The Philippines' paddy rice production in 2021 likely exceeded 20
million tonnes, marking a new record high for the annual harvest despite crop losses from a
powerful typhoon last month, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said on Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian country, one of the world's biggest rice importers, has enough supply of the
staple grain this year, he said at a media briefing.

(Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz Editing by Ed Davies)

((enrico.delacruz@tr.com))
https://www.reuters.com/article/philippines-rice-
idAFL4N2TY0YJ#:~:text=MANILA%2C%20Jan%2018%20(Reuters),William%20D
ar%20said%20on%20Tuesday.
Bulog says rice prices might rise until February Sufficient stock: Porters carry bags of rice at a warehouse run
by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, in this undated photograph.(JP/Wendra
Ajistyatama) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Divya Karyza (The Jakarta Post)
PREMIUM Jakarta

Tue, January 18, 2022

The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has said that rice prices might continue climbing until February,
continuing a trend that started at the end of last year because of low harvests from November to December and
forecasts of natural disasters in early 2022. Bulog president director Budi Waseso said on Monday that the
agency was also expecting rice production to take place from February to March, which would provide up to
4.14 million tons of rice for the agency to absorb, helping stabilize rice supplies and prices. ―[This] is an ideal
amount to meet the need to maintain a rice stock of 1 to 1.5 million tons,‖ Budi told House of Representatives
Commission IV, which oversees agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food production, during a working meeting
on Monday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our
web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to
our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free
Already subscribed? LOGIN Or let Google manage your subscription TOPICS :

This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title "Bulog says rice prices might rise until February
How to cook perfect rice every time: What Uncle Roger didn’t say in his video". Click to read:

https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/09/01/how-to-cook-perfect-rice-every-time-what-uncle-roger-didnt-
say-in-his-video.html.

Download The Jakarta Post app for easier and faster news access:
Android: http://bit.ly/tjp-android
iOS: http://bit.ly/tjp-ios

Ten new rice varieties released in Bangladesh

FE ONLINE REPORT | Published: January 18, 2022 18:59:00 |

Updated: January 18, 2022 22:21:59
Representational image

The government has released ten new rice varieties, developed by public and private
entities, to boost output further in the rice cropping Boro season.

The varieties were certified and released at the 106th meeting of the National Seed
Board (NSB), held at the conference room of the Ministry of Agriculture on
Tuesday.

Agriculture secretary and NSB Chairman Md S ayedul Islam chaired the meeting.

Two inbreed varieties by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), one inbreed
variety by Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), one by private
organisation BRAC, and six hybrid varieties by different organi sations were
registered by NSB on the day.

Two inbreed varieties -- BRRI dhan 101, 102 -- can give 7.72 and 8.11 tonnes of
paddy per hectare, respectively.

BRRI dhan 101 can prevent bacterial blight while BRRI dhan 102 is zinc enriched.
BINA dhan 25 is a finer quality variety with an average trial output of 7.64 tonnes
per hectare. This variety can be harvested in 145 days.

BARC Executive Chairman Shaikh Md Bokhtiar, director -general of seeds (Ministry

of Agriculture) Abdullah Sajjad, BADC chairman AFM Hayatullah, BRRI Director
General Shahjahan Kabir, BINA Director-General Mirza Mofazzal Islam, and
additional secretary Kamala Ranjan Das were present at the meeting.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/ten-new-rice-varieties-released-in-bangladesh-
1642510740

Farmers busy with transplanting Boro rice seedlings in

Narail
By BSS

Published : 18 Jan 2022 09:48 PM

Farmers are now passing busy times with rowing Boro rice seedlings on their crop lands in three
upazilas of Narail district.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) officials are rendering their field-level services on
lands following health guidelines amid the Covid-19 pandemic situation with a view to ensure
food security of the country. The DAE office sources said a target has been designed here to
produce over 2,12, 537 tonnes of Boro rice from 48,490 hectares of land in the district during the
current Boro season.

Of them, 93,930 tonnes of Boro rice will be produced from 21,075 hectares of land in Sadar
upazila, 42,036 from 10,230 hectares of land in Lohagara upazila and 76,247 from 16,510
hectares of land in Kalia upazila.

The government through the DAE and other agriculture-related organizations and institutions
is extending necessary assistance and providing latest technologies to the farmers to make the
intensive Boro rice farming program a success, the DAE sources said.

Deputy Director of DAE Dipok Kumar Roy said at the directives of the government, different
state-run agencies including Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) and
BCIC have ensured proper supply of adequate improved quality Boro seeds, fertilizers and
irrigation and agricultural equipment for the Boro growers.

The state-run banks including Bangladesh Krishi Banks have also distributed crop loans to the
farmers for helping them cultivate Boro paddy without financial problems, he said.

https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/farmers-busy-with-transplanting-boro-rice-seedlings-in-narail-
77621

Laborers busy in cleaning rice crop for drying at Anaj

Mandi

Tue, 18 Jan 2022, 9:35 PM

APP33-180122 LARKANA: January 18 - Laborers busy in cleaning rice crop for drying at Anaj
Mandi. APP photo by Nadeem Akhtar

https://www.app.com.pk/photos-section/feature/laborers-busy-in-cleaning-rice-crop-for-drying-
at-anaj-mandi/

KTU to develop tech for KRMC

TNN / Jan 19, 2022, 04:10 IST

Thiruvananthapuram: The APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University in Thiruvananthapuram

has started assisting the development of technology for making cement bricks from rice husk
ash. The university has taken up the project for Kalady Rice Millers Consortium Pvt Ltd
(KRMC), a consortium of 36 rice mill owners founded to serve as a common facilitation centre
for the rice milling industry. The centre was established under the ministry of MSME's flagship
scheme micro small enterprises- cluster development programme (MSE-CDP).
The project will draw on the expertise of the faculty members from across the university's
associated colleges. The project is being facilitated by the university's industry attachment cell.
Rice husk is being considered as an alternative source for cement manufacturing which is costly,
energy intensive, and depletes natural resources. Large-scale disposal of rice husk, such as open-
field burning and unregulated dumping, has also raised environmental problems; the reason why
rice husk cement has quickly acquired appeal in construction industry.
TNN

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/ktu-to-develop-tech-for-
krmc/articleshow/88983636.cms