23rd November, 2021 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter
23 November ,2021 Vol 6 Issue 11
1|www.ricepluss.com , www.riceplusmagazine.blosgspot.com
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874
Editorial Board Rice News Headlines…

 Endangered rice: Key crop provides 25% of global calories, but rising
Chief Editor
temperatures threaten long-term viability
 Hamlik
 Explore surplus paddy sale, Punjab told
Managing Editor  Experts, stakeholders call for sustainability in Nigeria’s local rice
 Abdul Sattar Shah production
 Rahmat Ullah  Increase in import bill of edible oil calls for implementation of
 Rozeen Shaukat Oilseeds Mission
 Nigerians Starve, Govt Serves Falsehood
English Editor
 FCI-Kakinada supplies 9.84 lakh MT of rice to South India, North East,
 Maryam Editor
Andaman & Nicobar and WB under PM-GKP
 Legal Advisor
 9.84 lakh MT rice supplied to other States from East Godavari district
 Advocate Zaheer Minhas
 Mahabubnagar: Vigilance stays blindfolded as millers illegally
Editorial Associates transport rice to other States
 Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid  2022 International Promotion Funding Increases for the U.S. Rice
 Javed Islam Agha Industry
 Zahid Baig(Business Recorder)  Work begins on state-of-the art rice milling facility in Lacassine
 Dr.Akhtar Hussain  Woe is rice milling for the 2021 season
 Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui
 Farmers refute DA's claim on RTL's impact on rice sector
 Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)
 Throwing money at the problem won’t solve world hunger
 Islam Akhtar Khan
 Centre will purchase every single grain of raw rice: Kishan
Editorial Advisory Board  Consumers to feel heat of higher input costs
 Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim  Good prospects for Pakistan economic recovery: Cheng Xizhong
Assistant Professor, Gomal  DA chief: Rice tariffication law brought down rice prices by P7 per
University DIK kilo
 Dr.Hasina Gul  Kano rice farmers record bumper harvest despite poor rainfall
Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK
 Breathable Sand technology turns barren land into rice fields
 Dr.Hidayat Ullah
 Rice exports to set new record this year
Assistant Professor, University
of Swabi  Rice Crops Face Risks From Higher Fertilizer Prices
 Dr.Abdul Basir  Rice traders petitioning for border reopening
Assistant Professor, University of  Punjab govt orders closure of educational institutes, offices on
Swabi Mondays to mitigate effects of smog
 Zahid Mehmood  Punjab govt orders closure of educational institutes, offices on Mondays to
PSO,NIFA Peshawar mitigate effects of smog
 Falak Naz Shah  Farmers hold mass rally, keep pressure on Modi govt despite climbdown
Head Food Science & Technology  The farmers now demand minimum support prices on all produce, not just
ART, Peshawar rice and wheat
 Paul Byrom’s pitch-perfect one-pot rice with chicken and chorizo
 Consumers to feel heat of higher input costs
Endangered rice: Key crop provides 25% of global calories,

but rising temperatures threaten long-term viability
Varun Ramesh Balan | Week |
November 23, 2021
This article or excerpt is included in the GLP‘s daily curated selection of ideologically diverse
news, opinion and analysis of biotechnology innovation. It is posted under Fair Use guidelines.
For much of the developing world, rice is a key to human survival. But at the same time, climate
change is poised to create a negative feedback loop—making it harder and more intensive to
grow the grain, even as the number of people in need of food security is expected to increase.
Production of rice is also responsible for 12 per cent of methane emissions globally, and 2.5 per
cent of global human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. And the more the world warms, the
worse things get for rice-growers.
Not only are rice yields expected to decline as temperatures rise, but the increase in CO2 in the
atmosphere has also cut down on its nutritional content. A 2019 study published in Science noted
that higher CO2 levels have resulted in a decline in protein, micronutrient, and vitamin content in
rice strains—with potential health consequences for the 600 million people who get over half of
their per capita dietary energy from rice.
…
The reality of climate change… is that agriculture will be one of its first casualties. Both
preventing and surviving a post-1.5-degree world may necessitate a transition from rice.
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/11/23/endangered-rice-key-crop-provides-25-of-global-
calories-but-rising-temperatures-threaten-long-term-viability/
Explore surplus paddy sale, Punjab told

Vishwanath Kulkarni Bengaluru | Updated on November 23, 2021
Moved aimed at reducing handling costs; trade finds it WTO-compliant

In a move probably aimed at reducing handling costs at the initial stage of the rice procurement
process, the Centre has asked Punjab to explore the possibility of auctioning paddy in some
districts where there is a surplus.
Earlier this month, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) wrote to the Director, Punjab Food, Civil
Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, to explore the option of auctioning the paddy in
surplus districts such as Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur at the end of the procurement
season.
―The marketability of rice, surplus quantity, storage constraints and overall cost-benefit should
drive objective decision making. It is clarified that neither farmers nor millers will suffer any loss
from such an initiative,‖ the FCI said in the letter.
Food Secretary‘s visit
FCI‘s letter follows the visit of Union Secretary for Food and Public Distribution Sudhanshu
Pandey to Punjab and Haryana last month to review the procurement process
The paddy procurement is still under process and total paddy purchased by the Government
agencies in Punjab for the Kharif Marketing Season 2021-22 stood at 165.58 lakh tonnes as on
November 11. Punjab State agencies have procured 163.81 lakh tonnes, while FCI had procured
1.37 lakh tonnes. In Haryana, the paddy procured by State agencies and FCI stood at 53.38 lakh
tonnes.
Overall, paddy procured across the country by various state agencies and FCI stood at 231.36
lakh tonnes as on November 11 for the 2021-22 kharif marketing season.
Trade sources see the latest move by the Centre asking Punjab to explore auctioning of surplus
paddy as a step towards reducing the handling and storage costs of the paddy/rice in the initial
stage of the procurement process. The Government buys the paddy at MSP first from the farmers
and then auctions it at the mill level so that both farmers and the mills don‘t suffer.
‗Will cut subsidy burden‘
―It is a good move,‖ said B V Krishna Rao, President, The Rice Exporters Association
commenting on the Government‘s proposed move to auction surplus paddy in Punjab. Such a
move reduces the handling and storage costs for the Government, hence reducing the subsidy
burden, Rao said.
Also, it will make more rice available in the market. The proposed move is WTO compliant and
will help exporters find more paddy for export and help retain the global position, Rao said. India
has emerged as the largest exporter of rice in recent years.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/explore-surplus-paddy-sale-punjab-
told/article37632680
Experts, stakeholders call for sustainability in Nigeria’s local

rice production
November 22, 2021
Local rice farmers

Agriculture experts and stakeholders from South-South Nigeria have called for sustainability in
local rice production in order to render imported rice totally unattractive to consumers.
Respondents from the geopolitical region also assert that production and consumption of local
rice is beneficial to the country as the Nigerian rice is more nutritious, tastier and cheaper than
the foreign one.
The respondents, in a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the region,
said that consumption of locally produced rice created wealth and enabled the country to save
foreign exchange.
For Dr Chijioke Osuji, an agro- industry and value chain expert, Nigeria in the past two years
had achieved self – sufficiency in rice production to a great extent.
Osuji however, said that there was need to sustain the production of the staple food, something
which he noted had always been a challenge in the country.
The expert told NAN in Calabar that due to challenges like insecurity, COVID-19 and reduction
of input supply which gave the sector a boost in 2013, the nation‘s rice production had suffered
some setbacks.
―For the locally produced rice, you are sure that it is fresh and obviously tastes better than the
imported one that is stored for years and even with chemicals that are hazardous.
―Also, the more we produce, the more we create jobs for our farmers and youths in the various
value chains of transportation, threshing, milling and parboiling,‖ he added.
Also, Mr Akandu Godwin, Chairman, Rice Farmers, Processors, Producers, Millers and
Marketers Association of Nigeria, Rivers chapter, said Nigerians had a lot to gain from
production and consumption of local rice.
Godwin who spoke in Port – Harcourt also agreed that the importance of local rice production
ranged from availability of food to job creation.
―There is enormous contribution of local production of rice to the economy such as job creation
and availability of food.
―Though, some Nigerians are still smuggling foreign rice into the country, we are consuming
mainly our locally produced rice and other goods,‖ he said.
Godwin said rice farmers in the state were not producing enough due to lack of modern
equipment for mechanised farming, adding that this had led to high cost of the commodity.
―Farmers in Rivers State are working hard with the little we have to make sure that we produce
rice,‖ he said.
Godwin suggested that government should buy tractors and bulldozers and hire to farmers so that
they could deploy them to their farms.
An agriculturist, Mr Timothy Funpere, told NAN in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, that since the ban on
importation of rice, locally produced rice had become the favorite of many households in the
state.
Funpere says that the price of available foreign rice has jumped between N12,500 and N14, 500
to N30,000 while local rice is sold for N26,000.
He said that attention had shifted to local rice and the increase in patronage had led to increase in
price.
The agriculturist added that the local rice industry had realised billions of Naira since the Federal
Government banned importation of foreign rice.
―The most important thing is that people have stopped eating foreign rice, the ‗disease‘ that we
call foreign rice.
―Secondly, Nigerians are now aware that they can feed themselves; they are no more relying on
foreign products.
―Nigeria had been spending over N358 billion every 12 months in the name of rice importation;
today, that money is being saved,‖ Funpere said.
In Benin, Edo, Lucky Ekinadoese, a trader in Oba Market, said that local rice had a lot of health
benefits and contained lots of un-adulterated nutrients, good for the body.
Ekinadoese said that local rice was one of the carbohydrate food sources in Nigeria known to
provide adequate energy.
―Apart from that, it is loved by children especially because it digests easily,‖ she said.
A trader simply identified as Mama Osadolor, told NAN at Mission Market, Benin, that majority
of Nigerians presently consumed more of local rice than the foreign one.
―Nigerian rice is more nutritious and delicious than foreign rice.
―As at last year, a bag of local rice was sold for N16,000. At presently, a bag is sold for N26,000
or N27,000, depending on your bargaining power.
―Local rice consumption is on the high side because of its benefits and taste too,‖ she said.
Abieyuwa Osamuyi, a trader in New Benin, said chances of bumper harvest of rice were high
this harvest season.
―Traders have stocked their warehouses in preparation for Christmas celebration. So far, the
prices of rice have not increased,‖ Osamuyi said.
However, Mr Iwara Bassey, Cross River Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, says that locally produced rice in Nigeria is still expensive for the average
Nigerian.
Bassey who spoke in Calabar said that the reason for the high cost of locally produced rice was
that the country was not producing enough.
―A bushel of local rice which is about 25kg is between N9,000 and N12,000 in Cross River,
depending on the quality.
―The price of a bushel of rice is still on the high side; if we are producing enough, the price will
come down and it will be affordable for the masses.
―From my field experiences, I think we are not producing enough. We are in the harvesting
season now but around January next year, the quantity of rice in our mills will have dropped
drastically,‖ he said.
NAN
https://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/experts-stakeholders-call-for-sustainability-in-
nigerias-local-rice-production/
Increase in import bill of edible oil calls for

implementation of Oilseeds Mission
Our Bureau Mangaluru | Updated on November 22, 2021
SEA is planning to depute a delegation to Myanmar in near future to explore the Myanmar
market for Indian oilmeals
The Solvent Extractors‘ Association (SEA) of India has said that the Government needs to
implement National Mission on Oilseeds as a special programme‘ and execute it on a mission
mode if tangible results are desired.
In a letter to the members of SEA of India on Monday, Atul Chaturvedi, President of SEA of
India, said that India‘s dependence on import of edible oils is nearly 65 per cent of the total
consumption of about 22 to 22.5 million tonnes (mt). He said the country is compelled to import
nearly 13-15 mt to bridge the gap between demand and domestic supply.
Import has been reduced to nearly 13 mt in the last two years due to the Covid pandemic.
In 2019-20 the import of edible oils dropped to 13.2. mt valued about ₹71,600 crore. In 2020-
21, India imported similar quantity but import bill jumped by 63 per cent and touched an
alarming level of ₹1.17 lakh crore due to hike in international prices of edible oils.
He said import of edible oil is the third largest item on import bill next only to crude petroleum
oils and gold.
―We hope and believe this alarming rise in import bill of edible oils would galvanise the decision
makers into launching the long-awaited National Mission on Oilseeds with adequate funding,‖
he said.
With the country moving towards normalcy and edible oil consumption picking up, any delay on
this count will compound the problems, he said.
On the recent reduction in the selling price of edible oils by SEA members, he said on the
request of the SEA of India many leading manufacturers of edible oils voluntarily reduced the
price by ₹5-15 a kg. This was appreciated by the Government and consumers.
―However, with international markets once again on the boil, whether this reduction is
sustainable becomes a question mark in view of our heavy dependence on imports. Let‘s see
what the future has in store for us as well as Indian consumers,‖ he said.
Rabi sowing
On rabi crop sowing, he said the initial sowing report coming in for mustard and other rabi
oilseeds are encouraging. The latest sowing report as on November 18 indicates about 26.06
million hectares covered in rabi sowing compared to 23.93 million hectares during the same
period last year.
Mustard planting has increased by nearly 30 per cent and reached 65.2 lakh hectares when
compared to 49.9 lakh hectare same period last year. High price of mustard during sowing
season has encouraged farmers to expand area under mustard seed cultivation, and expressed
hopes to see record acreage and production of mustard in the country during the current rabi
season.
Myanmar
On the potential for Indian oilmeals in the Myanmar market, he said there is ample opportunity
to increase India‘s share in this market as the country has logistic advantage and ability to supply
in small lots by container loads. SEA is planning to depute a delegation to Myanmar in near
future to explore the Myanmar market for Indian oilmeals.
Myanmar annually imports around 50,000-70,000 tonnes of various oilmeals, including
soyabean meal, rapeseed meal and ricebran extraction from India mainly in container load.
At present, Myanmar has 12 feed mills set up by multinational companies and nine feed mills set
up by locals.
He said feed production and consumption is increasing by 12-15 per cent per annum. The total
demand for oilmeals in Myanmar is nearly 7 lakh tonnes.
Ricebran extraction
On the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Union Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution direction to Food Corporation of India (FCI) to step up
efforts for upgrading the rice mills so as to produce better quality of rice bran, he said FCI‘s
regional offices were directed to encourage the rice mills to set up the new solvent extraction
units for rice bran oil production to push the production of rice bran.
He said there are more than 150 solvent extraction units processing ricebran across the country in
all rice producing states, having enough capacity (utilization is less than 45 per cent). Rather
excess capacity is available in cluster to process rice bran produced by the rice millers.
He said the association has strongly requested the Department of Food and Public Distribution
and also to FCI not to encourage setting of new solvent extraction plants as industry has
sufficient capacity and requested to focus on upgrading the rice mills so as to improve the quality
of rice bran.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/increase-in-import-bill-of-edible-
oil-calls-for-implementation-of-oilseeds-
mission/article37622477.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Nigerians Starve, Govt Serves Falsehood

22 NOVEMBER 2021
Vanguard (Lagos)
By Dele Sobowale
"Love and business and family and religion and art and patriotism are nothing but shadows of
words when a man is starving." -- O' Henry, 1862-1910, VANGARD BOOK OF
QUOTATIONS, VBQ p 232.
Report: "We've closed four million MT maize supply gap" - FG
If Nigerians think the Federal Government, FG, only releases fake news on #EndSARS genocide
at Lekki in which nine people have now been confirmed dead, then they really don't know this
government. Several thousands fellow Nigerians are set to perish from starvation and
malnutrition in the months ahead according to reports from several sources and research
institutes - as well as Nigerian eye-witnesses.
Invariably, the FG has been serving falsehood to the vulnerable groups instead of real food. Only
a few of the fairy tales they tell us will be entertained here; there is more in the archive where
these come from.
Three cereals stand between mankind and global starvation: wheat, rice and maize (or corn). It is
because of its important contribution to human survival that some of us pay a great deal of
attention to the situation with maize. Nigeria has tried, ill-advisedly one might add, to cultivate
wheat in large quantities since the Babangida administration embarked on the Wheat Programme
in 1990. It was a colossal failure. The only beneficiaries were the "experts" who convinced IBB
that Nigeria could save billions spent on wheat imports by growing the commodity at home. We
have now adjusted ourselves to the hard fact that no nation can grow all the food it consumes.
Even food-surplus nations like the US, Canada, Australia, Argentina, and India still import some
food items.
Sustainable self-sufficiency in rice and maize are, however, within our reach. But, the truth is we
are not yet there. Of the three cereals, maize is the most versatile. It goes into more end uses than
just direct consumption than wheat and rice. Its scarcity is more keenly felt than the other two.
For instance, maize forms the bulk of livestock feeds. Prices of chicken, eggs, turkey, cultured
fish and pigs are directly determined by the prevailing price of maize. The price of maize is also
a function of demand and supply of the commodity.
Rising price of a commodity can only occur from three sources: demand increase, supply
shortage and inflation in the general economy. Currency devaluation drives up prices -- even if
the demand and supply quantities remain the same. The increase in other prices will push cost of
farming up. That is why the FG cannot be allowed to spread lies about maize availability.
The former Minister of Agriculture, who was sacked for undisclosed reasons, staggered onto the
stage of Nigerian history by announcing that nobody is going hungry in Nigeria. Even the US,
China, Japan Germany or Singapore cannot make that claim. But, that is the sort of people
Buhari appoints into his cabinet and who are cleared by the Senate. His successor is a clone of
the departed, and not missed, Minister. A good Minister must tell the people the true situation of
things. On the day the former minister made that ridiculous statement, I could have assembled
for him 100,000 people in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Kano, Minna etc who have not eaten any food
that day and every day have to struggle to get anything to eat. That callous disregard for the
extreme poor is this FG's legacy.
When the Ministry of Agriculture gathered the leaders of maize farmers together, where it was
declared that the four million metric tonnes supply gap had been closed, they forgot two facts
which expose the lies behind the propaganda.
To begin with, supply gap is a moving and not a static figure. If a country like Nigeria
experienced four million metric tonnes (MT) of supply gap in 2015, producing four million MT
more in 2021 does not close the gap. With the population growing at three per cent per annum,
there are at least 18 per cent or 27 million more mouths to feed than when the effort started.
There is still a huge supply gap to be closed.
Furthermore, the same leaders of maize farmers, virtually all of who owe the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN, huge sums of money, on account of the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP,
have forgotten that early in the year, they raised alarm. They told the FG and Nigerians that their
members were having difficulties going to farm on account of bandits, kidnappers and herdsmen.
They pointed out that the food supply will be adversely affected, and consequently, they may not
be able to repay loans taken. The questions Nigerians must ask the Ministry of Agriculture is
this: Is it possible for farmers running for their lives and who are afraid to harvest maize to close
the supply gap? Are farmers in Borno, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara among those
performing this "heroic" feat? Later, I will present credible witnesses from Sokoto State to
debunk the nonsense being peddled by the FG.
Just as efforts are being made to deceive Nigerians on maize supply, it was not surprising to me
that a more pathetic defence of failure on rice supply was on offer a few weeks ago. Read the
message.
News Report: Smugglers responsible for high price of rice - Minister.
The report went on to summarise what the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed said this
way. "According to the Minister, there were some unpatriotic Nigerians who import sub-standard
rice into the country; some of which are not edible, adding that it was in the course of getting
more profit that Nigerians smuggled such kind of rice."
Nigeria probably has the only Minister of Finance in the whole world who is not conversant with
the fundamental principles of economics. The drivel credited to her could not have been uttered
by any other minister without provoking howls of anguish from the reporters present. It is the
first time in history somebody will attribute rising commodity prices to increased supply of the
10 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m
commodity. It is doubtful if there is anybody in Buhari's government who can take Madam aside
and advise her to stop making such ridiculous utterances. It might help her keep her job, but it is
not correct.
But, most people reading that explanation for why prices of local and imported rice are going up
will have a different impression of the lady who is ill-equipped for her job. If one may ask Mrs
Ahmed: Is it because of smuggling that the prices of yams, garri, tuwo maisara, peppers,
tomatoes, palm oil, snails, rents, detergents, school fees and transport, to mention a few, are
going up?
The attempt to present imported rice as "not edible" is simply puerile. She is not alone, however.
Every member of the Buhari government has memorised that absurd statement; and they deliver
it with a straight face.
Nigerians, unfortunately know false propaganda when they hear it. My family and I have been
eating imported rice before Mrs Ahmed was born. We have not found any of it "not edible".
Furthermore, Mrs Ahmed and her family also consumed tonnes of imported rice before she
became Buhari's minister. How many times had she returned the rice she bought to the seller
because it was "not edible"?
Finally, the minister knows next to nothing about rice. I was engaged in rice production until
1990. The mill is still at Kalambina Road, Sokoto - though no longer operating. Few Nigerian
rice millers can export their rice abroad; because they cannot pass global quantity standards. By
contrast, any sub-standard rice producer in Thailand cannot last long. Their standards are much
higher than our own. We should be learning from them; instead of bad-mouthing their rice.
Readers can now see the level of intelligence we are being led with by the Buhari government.
Read the original article on Vanguard.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202111220122.html
FCI-Kakinada supplies 9.84 lakh MT of rice to South

India, North East, Andaman & Nicobar and WB under
PM-GKP
STAFF REPORTER
KAKINADA:, NOVEMBER 22, 2021 15:12 IST
Geetha releases a poster on FCI-Kakinada‘s achievements, during a programme. Photo: Special
Arrangement
The rice was produced and milled in East Godavari district.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI-Kakinada) has supplied 9.84 lakh Metric Tonnes
(MT) of rice to South India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, northeastern States and West
Bengal during the COVID-19 pandemic beginning from early 2020.
The 9.84 lakh MTs of rice was supplied to FCI by rice millers from East Godavari
district as per the FCI‘s Custom Milled Rice (CMR) guidelines, which is a mandate for
the rice millers as far as the food security targets are concerned.
Speaking to The Hindu, FCI-Kakinada Divisional Manager V. Suveen Kumar has said
that the 9.84 lakh MTs of rice was produced in the East Godavari district alone and it
has been distributed across the country during the pandemic.
―The rice has been supplied in four spells for the distribution to the families below
poverty line under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PM-GKP). The PM-
GKP guarantees free distribution of five kilos of rice each to Below Poverty Line
families to ensure food security during the pandemic‖, added Mr. Suveen Kumar.
FCI Kakinada division has a storage space of 2.12 lakh MT in East Godavari district
being used to stock rice. In East Godavari, the total extent of land under paddy in the
Kharif is above 2.25 lakh hectares.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/fci-kakinada-supplies-984-lakh-mt-of-
rice-to-south-india-north-east-andaman-nicobar-and-wb-under-pm-gkp
9.84 lakh MT rice supplied to other States from East

Godavari district
T. Appala Naidu
KAKINADA, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 00:05 IST
Rice distributed by FCI-Kakinada
The Food Corporation of India (FCI-Kakinada) has supplied 9.84 lakh
metric tonnes (MT) of rice to South India, Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, North-eastern States and West Bengal during the COVID-19
pandemic beginning from early 2020.
The whopping 9.84 lakh MT of rice was supplied to the FCI by the rice
millers of the East Godavari district under the FCI‘s Custom Milled Rice (CMR)
guideline, a mandate for the rice millers as per food security targets.
Speaking to The Hindu, FCI Kakinada Divisional Manager V. Suveen Kumar has said
that the 9.84 lakh MT of rice was produced in East Godavari district alone and has been
distributed across the country including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the
pandemic.
―The rice has been supplied in the four spells for the distribution to families below
poverty line under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PM-GKP). The PM-
GKP guarantees free distribution of five kg of rice for the Below Poverty Line families
to tackle the food security during the pandemic,‖ Mr. Suveen Kumar said.
FCI Kakinada division has a storage space of 2.12 lakh MT in East Godavari district.
The storage space is being spared for rice. In East Godavari, the total extent of land
under paddy in the Kharif is above 2.25 lakh hectares.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/984-lakh-mt-rice-supplied-to-other-
states-from-east-godavari-district/article3763537
Mahabubnagar: Vigilance stays blindfolded as millers

illegally transport rice to other States
A Raju
Hans News Service | 22 Nov 2021 8:13 PM GMT
Vigilance stays blindfolded as millers illegally transport rice to other States

HIGHLIGHTS
With majority millers across various districts of Palamuru region illegally transporting the
Custom Milling Rice (CMR) to other States like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the
vigilance and authorities from the Public distribution system in erstwhile Mahabubnagar
district are turning a blind eye, giving ample scope for the rice millers to carry out their
business unabated across the district.
Mahabubnagar: With majority millers across various districts of Palamuru region illegally
transporting the Custom Milling Rice (CMR) to other States like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,
the vigilance and authorities from the Public distribution system in erstwhile Mahabubnagar
district are turning a blind eye, giving ample scope for the rice millers to carry out their business
unabated across the district.
The illegal business of rice millers came to light only when the higher authorities from
Hyderabad vigilance and enforcement department came to the region and intercepted loads of
lorries with CMR rice and seized them in Gadwal district recently.
With this incident coming to light a few days ago, many people are suspecting the role of local
vigilance and public distribution officials in the role of millers transporting the CMR rice to
other States.
Allegations are rife that without the support and hand in the glove of the local vigilance
department the millers could not have resorted to the illegal business of selling the CMR rice
which is supposed to be handed over to the government.
In fact, the paddy procured by the government from the farmers during the last Yasangi season
has been dumped at the rice millers. The authorities of the public distribution system have shifted
about 11.15 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from the procurement centres to 207 rice mills across
the district.
The rice millers have to deposit back about 67 per cent of raw rice and another 68 per cent of
boiled rice which accounts for over 7.51 lakh metric tonnes of CMR rice to the public
distribution system in the district. However, even though more than six months have gone past,
the millers have deposited only 32 per cent of the total CMR rice accounting for 2.41 lakh metric
tonnes to the government, while the remaining 67.91 per cent which accounts for 5.10 lakh
metric tonnes of rice is yet to be given to the public distribution system in the district.
While on the one hand when the government has already started procuring the paddy harvest of
Vanakalam season and the rice millers yet to handover over 5.10 lakh metric tonnes of rice to the
government, the role of authorities of the public distribution system in the district has been
questioned. "When such large consignment of rice is yet to be handed over to the government,
why are the authorities from the public distribution system are not falling after the millers. The
millers are deliberately delaying the handing over of the CMR rice and in the guise of the delay,
there are allegations that they are recycling the PDF rice and giving it to the government, while
the CMR rice is being sold illegally for lump sum money to other States by the millers," alleged
Praveen Kumar, a social worker, reacting on inaction by the local vigilance officials against the
millers.
Particularly there are allegations against rice millers from Gadwal, Wanaparthy districts. It is
learned that the millers from these areas are openly selling the CMR rice to other States, while
they are recycling the PDS rice and giving it to the government to be redistributed to the public
through the public distribution system.
Recently, the vigilance officials raided the Siddivinayaka rice mill in Pebbair Mandal of
Wanaparthy district and seized 700 bags of CMR rice being illegally transported to Karnataka.
Similarly last month also the vigilance officials also sized 3 lorries of CMR rice being illegally
transported to Tamil Nadu from Gadwal district.
Across erstwhile Mahabubnagar as many as 6484 quintals of PDS rice are being seized by the
officials this year so far and cases have been booked. This clearly tells that a large amount of
PDS rice is being procured at just Rs. 10 a kilogram and is being recycled at the rice mills and
put into the distribution system.
https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/mahabubnagar-vigilance-stays-blindfolded-as-millers-
illegally-transport
2022 International Promotion Funding Increases for the U.S.

Rice Industry
By Sarah Moran
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service

(USDA/FAS) recently announced the 2022 Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market
Development (FMD) allocations with USA Rice receiving more than $5.5 million, including a
35 percent increase in MAP funding from last year.
One of the thousands of USA Rice overseas marketing promotions funded by USDA
USA Rice utilizes a combination of state checkoff funds, industry dues, and federal funds to
conduct marketing activities aimed at increasing the volume and value of all types and forms of
U.S. rice exports in 21 overseas markets.
These MAP and FMD allocations are augmented by the $5.5 million USA Rice received from
the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) Program that covers activities from 2019-2023.
―As the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry, these additional funds help
USA Rice promote the crop to overseas markets,‖ said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.
―Given the myriad challenges the rice industry is facing, this boost in funding couldn‘t come at a
better time.‖
USA Rice also receives funds on behalf of the U.S. wild rice associations, the California Wild
Rice Advisory Board and the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council, to develop promotional
activities for those products as well.
―These USDA/FAS funds have been vital in opening up new market segments and increasing
sales for U.S. rice, from promoting U.S.-grown rice at Costco stores in Japan to organizing trade
missions for importers from Latin America,‖ said Steve Vargas, senior vice president of global
rice trading for Sun Valley Rice and chair of the USA Rice International Promotion Committee.
―The overall increase in funding is a testament to the great work USA Rice does promoting U.S.
rice in markets around the world.‖
USA Rice Daily
Work begins on state-of-the art rice milling facility in

Lacassine
Published 5:00 am Friday, November 19, 2021

By Doris Maricle
Gov. John Bel Edwards joins agriculture officials and investors in breaking ground Thursday for
construction of a new $21 million rice mill at the South Louisiana Rail Facility in Lacassine. The
five story, 15,000-square-foot building, which will house the processing facility for the rice mill,
is expected to be completed in time for the next rice harvest. (Doris Maricle / American Press)
LACASSINE – The South Louisiana Rail Facility broke ground Thursday on a new $21 million
rice mill, adding value to locally grown rice and opening up more markets for rice farmers in
South Louisiana and Southeast Texas.
Local and state officials gathered to celebrate construction of the state-of-the-art rice milling
facility which will be built on a three acre site adjacent to the South Louisiana Rail Facility
(SLRF) at the Lacassine Industrial Park in Jeff Davis Parish.
―This is what we have been working on for the past nine years,‖ Rail Facility Manager Mark
Pousson said. ―We have gone from loading that first rail car with rice in 2012 to loading ships, to
now having our own rice mill in that short period of time.‖
Those who participated in the groundbreaking said the new facility represents an international
and agriculture win for the state‘s leading crop.
―This is an opportunity to add even more value to that produce and ship it across the world which
will bring economic benefits for generations to come,‘ Gov. John Bel Edwards said. ―It also
provides more options for our rice producers so that those options can pay off and we can
produce the rice in the form that our customers want, whether it‘s milled or rough (rice).‖
Andy Sharpe of the Buhler Group said rice crops will come straight out of the field to the mill
where it will be polished and shipped by rail to some of the largest rice customers in Mexico.
―We have a moral and fundamental duty to the people of this earth to provide food to them,‖
Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said. ―This facility will go a long way to doing that.‖
Worldwide consumers are using more rice than is being produced, he said.
The Lacassine rice mill will help meet the demand by providing high quality rice at affordable
prices to be shipped around the world, Strain said.
Parneet Swani, founder of Agreeta Global, called the groundbreaking a historical moment.
―This moment in history will be remembered, signifying the first step, creating a legacy of valve
for the generations to come,‖ Swani said. ―There‘s an immense opportunity that we have just
been enlightened unfolding itself before us on this sustainable journey ahead of us. We look
forward to reinvesting in the community and to growing the community.‖
The five story 15,000-square-foot building, which will house the processing facility for the rice
mill, is expected to be completed in time for the next rice harvest.
Funding for the new facility comes in part from a $1.6 million grant from Louisiana Economic
Development (LED) and $2.4 million from the Louisiana Agriculture Finance Authority
(LAFA). More than 200 farmers and other investors in South Louisiana and Southeast Texas also
provided $4.7 million to secure the project.
In addition, the SLRF is partnering with the India-based Agreeta Farmer Network to optimize the
facility‘s logistics and to prepare local farm products for international markets.
https://www.americanpress.com/2021/11/19/work-begins-on-state-of-the-art-rice-milling-
facility-in-
lacassine/#:~:text=LACASSINE%20%E2%80%93%20The%20South%20Louisiana%20Rail,So
uth%20Louisiana%20and%20Southeast%20Texas.
Work begins on state-of-the art rice milling facility in

Lacassine
Published 5:00 am Friday, November 19, 2021

By Doris Maricle
Gov. John Bel Edwards joins agriculture officials and investors in breaking ground Thursday for
construction of a new $21 million rice mill at the South Louisiana Rail Facility in Lacassine. The
five story, 15,000-square-foot building, which will house the processing facility for the rice mill,
is expected to be completed in time for the next rice harvest. (Doris Maricle / American Press)
LACASSINE – The South Louisiana Rail Facility broke ground Thursday on a new $21 million
rice mill, adding value to locally grown rice and opening up more markets for rice farmers in
South Louisiana and Southeast Texas.
Local and state officials gathered to celebrate construction of the state-of-the-art rice milling
facility which will be built on a three acre site adjacent to the South Louisiana Rail Facility
(SLRF) at the Lacassine Industrial Park in Jeff Davis Parish.
―This is what we have been working on for the past nine years,‖ Rail Facility Manager Mark
Pousson said. ―We have gone from loading that first rail car with rice in 2012 to loading ships, to
now having our own rice mill in that short period of time.‖
Those who participated in the groundbreaking said the new facility represents an international
and agriculture win for the state‘s leading crop.
―This is an opportunity to add even more value to that produce and ship it across the world which
will bring economic benefits for generations to come,‘ Gov. John Bel Edwards said. ―It also
provides more options for our rice producers so that those options can pay off and we can
produce the rice in the form that our customers want, whether it‘s milled or rough (rice).‖
Andy Sharpe of the Buhler Group said rice crops will come straight out of the field to the mill
where it will be polished and shipped by rail to some of the largest rice customers in Mexico.
―We have a moral and fundamental duty to the people of this earth to provide food to them,‖
Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said. ―This facility will go a long way to doing that.‖
Worldwide consumers are using more rice than is being produced, he said.
The Lacassine rice mill will help meet the demand by providing high quality rice at affordable
prices to be shipped around the world, Strain said.
Parneet Swani, founder of Agreeta Global, called the groundbreaking a historical moment.
―This moment in history will be remembered, signifying the first step, creating a legacy of valve
for the generations to come,‖ Swani said. ―There‘s an immense opportunity that we have just
been enlightened unfolding itself before us on this sustainable journey ahead of us. We look
forward to reinvesting in the community and to growing the community.‖
The five story 15,000-square-foot building, which will house the processing facility for the rice
mill, is expected to be completed in time for the next rice harvest.
Funding for the new facility comes in part from a $1.6 million grant from Louisiana Economic
Development (LED) and $2.4 million from the Louisiana Agriculture Finance Authority
(LAFA). More than 200 farmers and other investors in South Louisiana and Southeast Texas also
provided $4.7 million to secure the project.
In addition, the SLRF is partnering with the India-based Agreeta Farmer Network to optimize the
facility‘s logistics and to prepare local farm products for international markets.
https://www.americanpress.com/2021/11/19/work-begins-on-state-of-the-art-rice-milling-
facility-in-lac
Woe is rice milling for the 2021 season

November 19, 2021
Asst. Professor/Rice Extension Agronomist
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
jhardke@uada.edu
The 2021 season wasn‘t without its difficulties throughout the year, but overall, the grain yield
results have been very good. So good, in fact, that a new state average yield record is currently
projected at 168.9 bu/acre (7,600 lbs/acre). The previous record was set in 2013 and tied in 2014
with 168 bu/acre (7,560 lbs/acre).
The downside has been below-average milling yields and an increase in damaged grain. Let‘s
dive into potential causes of these milling and quality issues that are responsible for the problem
to varying degrees.
Remember we‘re discussing head rice (whole kernel) and total milled rice, commonly referred to
as Head Rice / Total Rice or HR/TR where a 55/70 is considered the standard. This refers to 55%
head rice and 70% total rice after milling. When you deliver rough rice, approximately 30% is
lost in milling as the hull and bran layers are removed.
Extended periods of high nighttime temperatures during grain fill can lead to thinner kernels and
less productive grain fill. Ultimately this can lower total rice directly – thinner kernels mean less
total rice produced in the same volume. It can also indirectly lead to lower head rice (whole
kernel) milling because thinner kernels are more prone to break in the milling process.
Weather data
Looking at weather data throughout southeast and northeast Arkansas, there was a 7-day period
at the end of June where nighttime temperatures were approximately 75 degrees or above, then a
10-day period in late July, and again in late August was another 7-day period. Fig. 1 is provided
as an example and uses Stuttgart weather data, but similar results were observed at weather
stations throughout eastern Arkansas including the northeast.
Rice stink bugs
Rice stink bug (RSB) pressure was more intense in 2021 compared to previous years, and
additional measures were needed to bring them under control in some areas. However, other
areas had relatively light pressure and still had milling issues.
Ultimately, RSB damage can lower both head rice and total rice depending on when the damage
occurs. Feeding early in grain fill can reduce kernel size and cause malformation. Feeding later
in grain fill can damage grain and make it more prone to break in milling.
One other note / reminder — all ―peck‖ is damage, but not all damage is peck. On your grade
sheet you see peck, but that‘s not just RSB damage, it‘s all damage from all possible causes.
Beyond impact on milling yields, high damage can lead to loss of grade which will also reduce
the value paid for the rice. So just because your peck damage is high doesn‘t even mean you had
a stink bug problem responsible for the majority of damage, though some would certainly be
from stink bug this year. See Figs. 2 and 3 for examples of RSB and other damage.
Fig. 2. Examples of pecky rice and the cause of the damage versus clean kernels.
Fig. 3. Examples of damaged rice.
Other factors
The largest overriding theme likely responsible for the majority of the issue has to do with
prolonged and delayed crop maturity. The cold snap at Memorial Day that lasted for several days
seemed to knock the crop off track by roughly a week.
Then in August and September heavy dews and stagnant temperatures seemed to dramatically
slow the grain maturation process. The crop not maturing — surely you remember fields refusing
to fall to a moisture for harvest despite appearing ready for some time.
This was a period of increased susceptibility to RSB damage, discoloration and stain from
opportunistic fungi (fungicides ineffective on these). Perhaps most prominently impacting head
rice yields, the continual rewetting and drying of more mature kernels causes fissuring (cracks)
that lead to breakage and reduced head rice (Fig. 4).
Let‘s not forget an increase in ‗green‘ kernels even when we did harvest. Green kernels are not
mature and often instead of breaking, they are actually ground up in the milling process.
Fig. 4. Milled rice kernel showing fissures.
Rice profitability
Given these problems, it‘s important to fully understand the impact on rice profitability from
lower milling yields and grade loss. Table 1 shows three different scenarios of milling and
grade.
Sample 1 is a standard 55/70 milling at Grade 1, meaning rice valued at $6/bu wouldn‘t change.
Sample 2 is a 52/69 milling that‘s still Grade 1 and will result in a profit loss of $15-18 per acre
compared to Sample 1. Then Sample 3 is standard 55/70 milling but a Grade 3 and will result in
a profit loss of $22-26 per acre profit.
Grade loss from damage can be more substantial than slight milling yield reductions, but there is
a point where milling yield price reductions become more severe (typically below 48% head
rice).
Overall, head rice above or below a 55 is worth 2 cents per point in premium or deduction, and
total rice above or below 70 is worth 3 cents per point in premium or deduction.
Table 1. Example of milling yield and grade effects on rice price and net profit.
Considering that in 2020 milling yields were exceptional, it was certainly a shock to everyone to
see milling yields consistently as low as we did in 2021. Most factors in play were environmental
and out of our control.
While some did experience good to above average milling yields, they weren‘t very common. At
this time there are no situations that stand out indicating where we could have done things
differently to at least improve the situation. We will continue to look for those possibilities that
might help minimize the effects of this type of occurrence in the future.
https://www.ricefarming.com/departments/breaking-news/woe-is-rice-milling-for-the-2021-
season/#:~:text=The%202021%20season%20wasn't,(7%2C600%20lbs%2Facre).
Farmers refute DA's claim on RTL's impact on rice

sector
Published November 23, 2021, 4:06 PM
by Madelaine B. Miraflor
Farmers don‘t agree with the recent claim of the Department of Agriculture (DA) regarding
the positive impact of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) on the performance of the local rice
sector.
In a statement, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) said the DA was being ―dishonest and
deceptive‖ when it said that RTL, passed in 2019, had already brought down rice prices by
P7 per kilo, reduced the cost of producing palay by P1 per kilo, and improved the country‘s
rice self-sufficiency to 85 percent.
The DA attributed these gains to the interventions made using the RTL‘s Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the collection of rice import tariff.
The FFF questioned the DA‘s insistence on comparing prices to 2018 levels despite
knowing that the Philippines experienced a rice crisis and prices were abnormally high
during that year.
―The DA is hiding the fact that rice prices after the RTL enactment were actually the same
or slightly higher than prices in 2017, which was a more normal year. Official data from the
Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA] show that RTL has actually been a flop in terms of
lowering rice prices, particularly for poor consumers,‖ said FFF National Manager Raul
Montemayor.
Montemayor added that DA‘s claim that prices for well-milled rice dropped from P45 to
P38 per kilo is erroneous, since the P38 price is actually for cheaper regular milled rice.
PSA data show that the average price for well-milled rice from 2019 to September 2021 was
actually P42.26 per kilo, or just P2.74 per kilo below the P45 level in 2018.
The FFF also said that Dar‘s data on costs of production were misleading, because he
compared recent PSA data to the results of previous studies which apparently used a
different methodology and sample size.
―PSA data show that average cost of palay production was actually lower at P11.05 per kilo
in 2016 to 2017. This went up to P11.45 when Dar took over the DA in 2019, and further
deteriorated to P11.52 in 2020, despite the billions poured into RCEF programs,‖
Montemayor said.
―The P12.52 cost per kilo that Dar used as a benchmark came from a separate study of the
Philippine Rice Research Institute, which apparently used a different methodology and was
less extensive than that of the PSA,‖ he added.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/23/farmers-refute-das-claim-on-rtls-impact-on-rice-sector/
Throwing money at the problem won’t solve world hunger

What billionaires such as Elon Musk should know about ending food shortages
A water distribution center in Madagascar. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk in the
country, where climate, not conflict, has driven hunger. (Tsiory Andriantsoarana/World Food
Program/AP)
By Gabriela Soto Laveaga

Gabriela Soto Laveaga is professor of the history of science and the Antonio Madero Professor
for the study of Mexico at Harvard University. She is working on a book on agricultural research
and water in Sonora and the Punjab.
Today at 6:00 a.m. EST
Recently, Tesla CEO Elon Musk proposed that he might donate a portion of his fortune to end world
hunger if the World Food Program could describe on Twitter exactly how $6 billion would solve the
problem. His provocation and assumption that he could simply throw money at hunger to make it go
away was bold, but the idea is old. And unfortunately, over the past 80 years, attempts to use individual or
institutional wealth to end world hunger have yielded uneven results.
The problem with this approach is that hunger has often been framed as an achievable numbers game of
producing more food to feed more people. For instance, efforts have focused on creating improved crops
that yield more with more fertilizer or more irrigation. Yet history shows that science alone — even with
generous funding — cannot solve an issue that is social, political and economic, such as hunger.
In the mid-20th century, scientists, government officials and philanthropists began to think about
addressing hunger, and explained it as an especially acute problem afflicting poor countries in need of
technical assistance. They saw it as a development-aid issue, prompting governments to think about
solving hunger on a grand scale. In 1943, for example, the Mexican government and the Rockefeller
Foundation jointly created the Mexican Agricultural Program for crop research and training. Later, in
1960, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was established in the Philippines.
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These efforts became an important front in the Cold War, as the United States and the Soviet Union tried
to use food aid in their efforts to address hunger in the short term and win hearts and minds — and
stomachs — in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
In 1969, 24 individuals concerned with these issues gathered in Bellagio, Italy, to discuss how best to end
world hunger. Years later, the journal Nature pronounced it to be one of the meetings that changed the
world. Sixteen of the participants were leaders of major foreign-assistance agencies focused on
agricultural development, and the other eight were consultants in the ―science of food production.‖ All
were men, and nearly all were from the Global North, including the United States, France, Italy and
England.
Then, as today, the world was facing a looming global crisis of food production. At the time, the
impending specter was not climate change, but rather an intense fear of an ―overpopulated‖ world. The
worry was that the globe‘s Malthusian collapse would launch from seemingly unchecked population
growth in the Southern Hemisphere. The ―population bomb‖ never erupted, but at the time it motivated
many groups to act, whether to slow population growth or develop agricultural solutions to feed more
people.
The late 1960s was an era of firm belief in the power of science to crack all problems, including vexing
social ones. Humans had, for instance, recently walked on the moon, and in 1967, the World Health
Organization had launched a campaign to eradicate smallpox with a vaccine. (Global eradication was
accomplished 13 years later.) Faith soared that science really could take us beyond our world and solve
societal problems.
The group meeting at Bellagio proposed that wealthy countries and international, philanthropic
organizations partnered with host nations invest together in agricultural research, crop breeding and
training agricultural scientists to work on increasing crop yields. The core of their solution would be
research centers anchored across the world‘s microclimates and focused on studying different crops.
They were building on successes gleaned at two existing centers: The International Maize and Wheat
Improvement Center (CIMMYT), set up in 1966 in Mexico and modeled on the 1943 Mexican
Agricultural Program, and the IRRI in the Philippines — both of which had produced disease- and stress-
resistant maize, wheat and rice.
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After Bellagio, many of the same participating organizations — including the World Bank, the U.N.
Development Program, the Inter-American Development Bank and the U.N. Food and Agriculture
Organization, together with the Rockefeller, Ford and Kellogg foundations — came together again and in
1971 formed the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) with an ambitious
hunger-ending goal.
The CGIAR enabled the free exchange of research, hands-on education of farmers and training for
younger generations of crop scientists. Its core mission included improvements in crop breeding and
providing better seeds to farmers around the world.
This approach showed immediate successes. Crop yields in areas networked into these centers multiplied,
and international aid funding flowed for more agriculture research. The CGIAR incorporated or built
more centers, reaching a total of nearly 20 globally by the 1990s.
There were big successes, but there were also serious missteps. Initially, these efforts did not target
women, who make up the majority of the world‘s farmers, nor were they represented in farmer programs.
An aggressive focus on producing more grains — wheat, maize and rice — often left poor regions more
vulnerable to climate changes and with less diversified crops. Access to research-center resources often
benefited wealthier farmers, cementing regional hierarchies.
More crucially, dependent on external funds, scientists often set aside promising research areas for donor-
driven or supported ideas. An additional challenge was synchronizing regional and global needs while
coordinating diverse centers often impacted by national politics.
As CGIAR realized this, the organization shifted its focus to more community-centered projects,
empowering women‘s initiatives and diversifying crops. It learned that it needed to focus on streamlined
projects and then scale up. Too many initiatives and they could become too diffuse at the ground level.
The organization also faced budget cuts and began to shutter or consolidate national centers when funding
priorities for governments and foundations shifted.
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Today reformulated as OneCGIAR, the organization is an undisputed leader in global research. Its impact
was acknowledged at this year‘s U.N. climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, when Microsoft co-
founder Bill Gates announced that his foundation would donate $315 million in grants to CGIAR.
And yet, for all CGIAR‘s successes at increasing crop production, hunger remains. There are many
reasons for this: One is that many of the early initiatives backed by scientific research — for example
seeds that yielded more — incentivized larger farmers to develop crops for export, leaving poorer, small-
plot farmers more vulnerable. This also meant that food grown within a country wasn‘t necessarily
reaching hungry people within it. Hunger, then was not a yields game alone, but also a matter of equitable
distribution of locally grown food.
As CGIAR turns 50 this year, it is critical to look at hunger as more than a technical problem to be
addressed through scientific advancement alone. Commemorating the anniversary, a group of nearly two
dozen experts recently met, once again at the Bellagio Center on the banks of Lake Como. Meeting in
person and virtually were some of the world‘s leaders in tropical agriculture and food sustainability; a
grass-roots digital organizer for small farmers; an adviser to an African nation‘s president; a water
specialist; a past winner of the World Food Prize; and a former Rockefeller Foundation president.
In contrast with 1969, this group included women, people of color and representatives working on and
from the southern hemisphere. It also included historians — including me — who could speak critically
about past efforts. With new people at the table, perhaps new ways of thinking can bloom. Only by
shifting our view can we reframe how we understand and address hunger; that access to food is a human
right that cannot be solved if approached solely as a technical problem — and certainly one that cannot be
solved by Elon Musk alone.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/11/22/throwing-money-problem-wont-solve-
world-hunger
Centre will purchase every single grain of raw rice: Kishan

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 00:14 IST
‘The real issue is of vicious propaganda unleashed by Chief Minister and his
govt.’
The Centre will purchase every single grain of raw rice being grown by Telangana
farmers as per the agreement with the State government and is ready to buy in the
forthcoming season itself, affirmed Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Northeast
States, G. Kishan Reddy, on Monday.
"The Centre has not put any conditions to paddy procurement and will reimburse the
cost to Telangana, but the real issue is vicious propaganda unleashed by Chief Minister
K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his government to divert people's attention from the
resounding defeat in the Huzurabad bypoll," he asserted.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Reddy accused the TRS government of ―misusing
official machinery, launching welfare schemes and releasing funds only for the
constituency, besides distributing large sums of money to purchase voters and leaders
to win the bypoll hook or crook.‖
"However, nothing worked with every section supporting us, including farmers and
Dalits, despite Mr. Rao personally executing the campaign with mapping of village-
wise voters sitting in Pragati Bhavan. He is unable to digest this historic defeat against
his arrogant and dictatorial rule, hence he has resorted to a non-issue of blaming Centre
for paddy procurement, thereby disrespecting people's mandate," he explained.
It is the prime responsibility of the government to purchase paddy from farmers but it
has inexplicably put farmers under stress by delaying the process resulting in crop
getting wet in the recent rains. "Telangana farmers and other sections are aware of the
reality because Centre has not issued any instructions against procurement or not to
release funds. The TRS protest led by the Chief Minister was based on lies and
falsehoods. It is only to save face for his party and belittle the bypoll result," he said.
The Minister stated that farmers had nothing to do with boiled rice as it depends on the
rice mill and technology used. "It is the issue of making use of alternate technology
because there are no takers for boiled rice anywhere in the country, with Kerala have
gained self-sufficiency. The government has agreed to put an end to this and
discussions have been going on for the last three years," he maintained.
While any compensation to Punjab farmers is welcome, he questioned the government
for ―ignoring‖ Telangana farmers and wondered why a budget surplus rich State does
not recruit teachers, lecturers or does not release funds for many projects like MMTS
Phase - 2, Centre supported upcoming hospitals in Warangal and Nizamabad, etc
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/centre-will-purchase-every-single-grain-of-
raw-rice-kishan/article37635522
Consumers to feel heat of higher input costs

Hammad directs SNGPL to stop issuing new domestic connections
No new gas meters likely for domestic consumers
By Ahmad Ahmadani
ISLAMABAD: In an apparent bid to meet rising gas demands during this winter season, energy
minister Hammad Azhar has advised a state-owned gas utility to completely stop issuing new
demand notices in respect of domestic gas connections.
According to sources, Federal Minister for Energy, Hammad Azhar has strictly advised Sui
Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to completely stop issuing new domestic gas
connections.
And, following the strict advice of Federal Minister for Energy, SNGPL has stopped issuing new
demand notices/proposal letters in respect to domestic gas connections and assured the federal
minister that no demand notice/proposal letter in respect of domestic connections will be issued
in both normal and urgent fee cases while the domestic gas connections against the cases where
payments have already been received will be provided at slower pace.
―Worthy federal minister for MoE has strictly advised to ensure true compliance and that no
demand notice/proposal letter is issued in back dates,‖ said sources.
They added that SNGPL in a meeting held on 10th November, 2021 with Hammad Azhar had
assured that issuance of demand notice/proposal letter in respect of domestic gas connections had
been completely stopped.
Sources also said that the SNGPL has also advised its regional staff to confirm compliance in
this regard. However, they said that this suspension in the issuance of demand notice/proposal
letters by the SNGPL will end soon and the issuance of demand notice/proposal letters will start
in the near future.
The sources also informed that maximum gas supply available is in the range of 4300Million
Cubic Feet per Day (MMCFD) against the average demand of 6500MMCFD while this demand
is likely to go up to 8000MMCFD in the peak winter season in severe winter season.
They said that the total availability of gas from domestic resources is approximately
3300MMCFD and roughly 1000MMCFD of Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) is
coming into the main gas system of the country.
They said it is estimated that shortage of natural gas is estimated at 600 million cubic feet per
day for the next month of December 2021 and 800mmcd in January 2022. Total estimated gas
supply in the SNGPL network would be 1,574mmcfd while gas load curtailment would be at
600mmcfd in December and the gas supplies would almost remain unchanged at 1,579mmcfd in
January 2022 but gas curtailment would go further up to touch 800mmcfd, said sources.
An official of SNGPL on condition not to be named has confirmed the information regarding the
advice of the Energy Minister to SNGPL to stop issuing demand notice/proposal letter in respect
of domestic gas connections in back dates. He, however, declined to comment.
It is pertinent to mention that gas shortfall in the winter season has become a permanent feature
of the country from almost the last one decade mainly owing to growing gas demand and
depleting domestic gas reserves and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports since 2015 have only
partially filled the domestic supply gap.
However, gas shortage during this year is likely to worsen because of uncertainty regarding LNG
supply to the country during the next few months on the back of an upward trend in the prices of
LNG in the international market.
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/11/21/hammad-directs-sngpl-to-stop-issuing-new-
domestic-connections/
Good prospects for Pakistan economic recovery:

Cheng Xizhong
APP
NOVEMBER 23, 2021
BEIJING: A series of data released by authoritative international agencies and the Pakistani
government show that now Pakistan‘s economy is entering a period of fast recovery and
development.
This is the result of the Imran Khan administration‘s wise and decisive lockdown strategy to
contain COVID-19 and sound economic policies in the past few years. This is closely related to
the Pakistani government‘s commitment to work with China to promote the building of the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This is also closely related to the Pakistani government‘s active implementation of the policy of
regional harmony and the timely shift from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy.
These views were expressed by Cheng Xizhong, Visiting Professor at the Southwest University
of Political Science and Law and former Chinese Defense Attach in South Asian countries in a
statement issued here on Tuesday.
He noted that during the first four months of the current financial year that is, from July to
October this year, the Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) production grew by 5.15%,
the exports in rupee term witnessed an increase of 25.20%, of which IT exports surged by 39%,
textile commodities exports by 26.55%, food group exports by 26.91%, spices exports
by18.83%, rice exports by 22.99%, fruits exports by 21.29%. The remittances into Pakistan grew
by 26%, reaching $33 billion in 2021.
Recently, Fitch, an international credit rating agency, predicted that Pakistan‘s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) growth rate would reach 4.2% in the fiscal year 2021-2022, higher than 3.9% in
the fiscal year 2020-2021. Now Fitch and other international credit rating agencies all believe
that Pakistan has good prospects for economic recovery and development.Professor Cheng
analyzed that thanks to the wise and decisive lockdown strategy adopted by the Imran Khan
administration, the novel coronavirus pneumonia has been effectively controlled in Pakistan. As
a result, the confidence of domestic consumers and enterprises in Pakistan has rebounded
significantly since the beginning of the financial year.At the same time, the Pakistani
government announced in the budget of this fiscal year that it would implement various
economic stimulus measures. These factors jointly have promoted the growth of domestic private
investment and the increase of international investment in Pakistan, thus promoting the rapid
recovery of Pakistan‘s economy.He said that it was also worth mentioning that the inflation rate
in Pakistan had decreased recently. According to the latest data of Pakistan‘s Ministry of
Finance, in July this year, the food inflation rates in urban and rural areas were 15% and 17%.
By September, these two figures dropped to 9.1% and 10% respectively.He concluded that after
the serious impact of the pandemic, Pakistan‘s sound economic policies are now gradually
playing a role. The achievements are hard-won and deserve congratulation. To maintain the good
momentum of economic recovery and development requires greater efforts by the Pakistani
government, enterprises and all the people, the continued support and assistance of friendly
countries, and the efforts of relevant regional countries to work together with Pakistan for
regional peace and stability.https://dailytimes.com.pk/844991/good-prospects-for-pakistan-
economic-recovery-cheng-xizhong/
DA chief: Rice tariffication law brought down rice prices by

P7 per kilo
By: Angelica Y. Yang - @inquirerdotnet
INQUIRER.net / 04:35 PM November 19, 2021
PRECIOUS GRAINS Farmer Irene Soriben uses a ―saki‖ (rice shovel) to collect sundried palay
(unhusked rice) at a rice drying facility in the village of Kita-Kita in Balungao, Pangasinan. The
government says food producers, like rice and vegetable farmers, and workers in the agriculture
industry will be key in the country‘s economic recovery after the pandemic. —RICHARD
BALONGLONG / FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar said the
implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which started in 2018, has managed to lower
the prices of well-milled rice by as much as P7 per kilo.
―Bumaba po ang presyo ng well-milled rice mula P45 kada kilo noong 2018, na may pilahan pa, sa
P38 kada kilo ngayon,‖ Dar said in a statement on Friday, referring to the effects of the RTL.
(The price of well-milled rice was lowered from P45 per kilo in 2018 to P38 per kilo right now)
The RTL establishes the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) which seeks to
improve rice farmers‘ competitiveness and income amid the liberalization of the country‘s rice
trade.
Under the law, P10 billion in tariff revenues from rice imports are annually allocated for the rice
fund over a period of six years.
On Friday, Dar also noted that the cost of producing a kilo of rice has gone down from P12.52 per
kilo to P11.52 kilo.
―By the end of the six-year implementation of the (RTL) law, we shall be near the P8 per kilo
production cost target,‖ he said.
The DA earlier reported that the local production of rice last year met 85 percent of the country‘s
total requirement, higher than the 79.8 percent self-sufficiency level recorded in 2019.
This marks the first time the Philippines was able to see an improvement in its rice self-sufficiency
after experiencing three straight years of decline
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1517351/da-chief-rice-tariffication-law-brought-down-rice-prices-
by-p7-per-kilo#ixzz7D2vvRzRg
Kano rice farmers record bumper harvest despite poor

rainfall
Rice farmers said bumper harvest was possible through their use of improved seedlings, which
boosted their production by about 25 per cent.
ByAgency Report
November 22, 2021
Rice farmers in Dakasoye settlement of Garun Malam local government area of Kano State have
said they recorded bumper harvest despite the shortage of rain in the 2021 season.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria at Garun Malam (NAN), they said this was possible
through their use of improved seedlings.
The farmers said the seedlings had boosted their production by about 25 per cent.
Iliyasu Garba said he was among the few farmers that resisted the improved seedlings when it
was introduced to them through the Kano Rural Development Authority (KNARDA).
Mr Garba explained that following massive awareness and training, he decided to try the
seedlings during the 2021 rainy season and the experience was amazing.
―I used to work on one hectare of land and produce about 15 to 20 bags of rice, but this year, I
farmed the same hectare and harvested 25 bags,‖ he said.
Muhammed Rashid, another large-scale farmer, said the intervention had exposed him to
extensive commercial farming.
Mr Rashid said that using the improved seedlings was cost-effective and easier than using
traditional seedlings.
Another rice and maize farmer at Samawa settlement, Murtala Idris said when he accepted the
seedlings; other farmers he invited to test it were describing him as mad.
―I used to harvest 50 bags of rice but this year when I tried the improved seedlings, I got about
70 bags so far,‖ Mr Idris said.
He appealed to farmers in the state to adopt the use of improved seedlings, in order to have a
multiple harvest and reduce cost of production.
NAN learnt that the Sasakawa Africa Association through the KNARDA introduced the
improved seedlings to the farmers.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/496684-kano-rice-farmers-record-bumper-
harvest-despite-poor-rainfall.html
Breathable Sand technology turns barren land into rice

fields
DUBAI,
Dake Rechsand, a Dubai-based company offering sustainable solutions in water conservation and
desert farming, has unveiled a success story that illustrates an ideal, integrated use of its
Breathable Sand and IDer honeycomb water harvesting technologies.
This unique combination, in tandem with sensor-oriented intelligent irrigation systems, has
transformed an ―unproductive‖ barren mountain in the Fuyang district of Zhejiang Province, East
China, into a high-yield rice field, the company says.
Locally dubbed the ‗Ecological Sponge Paddy Fields‘, the mountains redefine possibilities in
desert farming. Previously deemed non-arable and unfit for agriculture, the barren mountains
were subject to multi-level technology application. The soil was enhanced with the Breathable
Sand medium, inducing air permeability and water retention (anti-seepage) properties. Typically,
this action enables crops to retain water for extended periods after one-time irrigation, leading to
a total reduction in water usage by 80% compared to conventional farming.
Secondly, the excessive irrigation run-offs and rainwater are captured through IDer honeycomb
water harvesting systems, which perform filtration and store potable water in underground
reservoirs. Using efficient redirection mechanisms, the stored water is reused for irrigation,
creating ―circularity‖ in farming systems. In addition, the rice fields are fitted with irrigation-
monitoring smart sensors, which enable operators to automate several functions and further
optimise resource usage.
―Ecological Sponge Paddy Fields challenge the conventional notions about land ―arability‖.
Barren mountains, originally deemed unproductive, are now teeming with life, with golden-
coloured rice fields terraced on them. But their aesthetic appeal is only part of the story; their real
value lies in significantly lower resource usage, high yield, and total ecological improvement,‖
said Chandra Dake, CEO and Founder of Dake Rechsand.
―The integrated use of Dake Rechsand‘s proprietary solutions, and its feasibility with smart
sensors, has led to an exemplary prototype in the Fuyang District of China, inspiring a generation
of sustainability-focused farmers and entrepreneurs across the world. This development is
consistent with the growing emphasis on sustainable farming and climate actions, on which the
recently concluded COP26 and increasing net-zero pledges are predicated. To that end, the mere
existence of barren-mountains-turned-rice-fields is a beacon of hope — for the carbon-intensive
agricultural sector and the water-stressed MENA region,‖ said Dake.
The multi-fold value of breathable sand and IDer harvesting can be summarized as follows:
* Water-saving: The anti-seepage, water retention property of Breathable Sand minimises
irrigation requirements, enabling agricultural activities in water-stressed regions like MENA.
* Emission reduction: Agriculture sector is a leading cause of climate change due to its
embodied and operational carbon footprint. Tech-driven optimisation and efficiency
enhancements help farmers keep emissions in check.
* Fertilizer preservation: Anti-seepage properties also help the soil medium preserve fertilizers,
thereby mitigating leakages and non-point source (NPS) pollution.
* High yield: The air permeability function of Breathable Sand enables an effective supply of
nutrients to the roots, leading to high yield and the possibility of growing a wide variety of
crops.
* Ecological improvement: Integrated application of Breathable Sand and IDer harvesting is a
tested-and-proven method to achieve land remediation and induce ecological balance.
Dake Rechsand's innovative and transformative solutions are proactively contributing to the
creation of a more sustainable and abundant world. The company's breakthrough breathable sand
technology utilizes low-value desert aeolian sand, to create a constantly evolving portfolio of
high-value products. The solutions offered by Dake Rechsand include applications to convert
desert sand into arable land, desert farming, water harvesting, sand casting, sand oil, and more.
With a global presence that currently extends to the USA, the UAE, India, China, and South
Africa, the company is transforming food and water security in water-stressed regions. It is
currently engaged in an ambitious plan to enable farming and greenery, and plant at least
200,000 trees by year end 2021. - TradeArabia News Service
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/IND_389982.html
Rice exports to set new record this year

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | SANGEETA G
PublishedNov 19, 2021, 11:44 pm IST
UpdatedNov 19, 2021, 11:44 pm IST
Rice exports rose an impressive 10.5 per cent between April and October over the record exports
in FY21
A man works in a paddy field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, Friday, Nov. 19. (AP
Photo)
Chennai: Despite the pandemic demand waning out, rice exports rose an impressive 10.5 per
cent between April and October over the record exports in FY21. A new record in rice exports is
expected this year.
In value terms, rice exports grew 10.5 per cent, increasing from $4,777.35 million in April-
October 2020 to $5,278.95 million in April-October 2021. Between April and October, rice
exports have almost touched 60 per cent of last year‘s exports in value.
Rice exports fetched $8.8 billion in FY21. Of this, non-basmati rice revenues more than doubled
to $4.8 billion. However, basmati rice saw a drop of 7 per cent to $4 billion.
Even in volume terms, rice exports had almost doubled to an all-time high of 17.7 million tonnes
last fiscal, against 9.5 mt a year ago. In the pandemic year, several countries have been stocking
up food items prior to going into lockdown. Scarcity and export restrictions in some of the
exporting countries saw demand for Indian rice going up. Further, Indian rice is becoming
popular in the global market for its lower price and better quality.
Even after the pandemic, the demand for Indian rice is high. In volume terms, the country has
already exported 8.3 mt of rice between April and September, up 11.44 per cent over 7.5 mt a
year ago.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/market/191121/rice-exports-to-set-new-record-this-
year.html
Rice Crops Face Risks From Higher Fertilizer Prices

19 November 2021
Soaring fertilizer costs threaten to drive up prices of crops worldwide, from US corn to Brazil
coffee and China wheat. Rice, as one of the biggest users of fertilizer, could face some of the
greatest risks from increased farm input costs.
Rising prices for rice, a staple food for more than half of the world's population, could pose
a particular threat to people’s livelihoods and to many countries’ political stability.
Higher fertilizer expenses are likely to be passed along as increased food prices. Farmers
also could choose to reduce their fertilizer usage, which could lower yields and result in
decreased crop production. After corn and wheat, rice is the third-biggest user of fertilizer,
accounting for an estimated 14% of all fertilizer use among global crops.
View this Gro Display showing world rice production, exports, prices, and stocks-to-use
ratios.
Fertilizer prices have as much as tripled this year, fueled in part by sharp energy cost increases in
many countries. Urea prices in the US Midwest have as much as tripled in the past year, while in
China, which has suspended exports of certain fertilizers, urea futures prices on the Zhengzhou
Commodity Exchange are up 43% year over year.
So far, rice price increases have been subdued compared with other commodities. Rice
futures prices are up 6.3% over the past year, compared with gains of 35% for both wheat
and corn, and as much as 86% for oats.
Strong crops and higher production in major rice exporting countries India and Thailand
have helped to limit rice price increases. Meanwhile, adequate global rice stocks-to-use
ratios, an important measure of supply availability, have averted big price increases.
Top rice exporter India is expected to produce 125 million tonnes of summer and winter rice
combined for 2021/22, according to a recently increased USDA estimate based on greater
planted area and record yields. Thailand‘s production is seen up 3% from last year.
Rice production in Vietnam, the No. 2 exporter, is expected to drop slightly, but still remain
strong. China is the world‘s largest producer of rice, but its exports are comparatively small.
https://gro-intelligence.com/insights/articles/rice-crops-face-risks-from-higher-fertilizer-prices
Rice traders petitioning for border reopening
Nov Sivutha | Publication date 22 November 2021 | 20:46 ICT
The Prek Ansa corridor border crossing in Prey Tonle commune of Kampot‘s Banteay Meas
district. SUPPLIED
Over 400 farmers and rice traders have requested that Kampot provincial governor Mao Thonin
reopen the Prek Ansa corridor border crossing in Prey Tonle commune of Kampot‘s Banteay
Meas district to make it easier for them to sell rice to Vietnam.
They said they could sell their rice to Vietnamese buyers at nearly 900 riel ($0.20) per
kilogramme and currently the local price is just 700 riel per kg.
Hou Nath, a rice trader from the area, told The Post on November 21 that 416 people who were
mostly rice traders and farmers signed a petition with their thumbprints to submit to Thonin this
week asking that the Prek Ansa corridor be opened again.
He said many of the people involved had come from the Banteay Meas and Kampong Trach
districts to request the reopening of the corridor crossing which has been closed for a long time
due to Covid-19.
According to Nath, thousands of people wanted the immediate reopening of the Prek Ansa
corridor, but only a limited number of people chosen from different communes registered their
thumbprints.
He said that with Prek Ansa closed, all rice has to be transported to the Ton Horn corridor in
Prek Kroes commune in Kampong Trach district where people have to pay a tax of about 50,000
riel per tonne – making the income from selling rice there even lower than the local price.
―It is hard for them to sell rice at this price. The tax is too high. People are very hard up now
because many Cambodian workers have been jobless for a long time [due to the pandemic],‖ he
said.
Toy Sreyleak, a farmer who registered her thumbprint, told The Post on November 21 that if the
Prek Ansa corridor is reopened it will be easy for farmers to transport their rice for sales and they
will get a better price.
Punjab govt orders closure of educational institutes,

offices on Mondays to mitigate effects of smog
Imran GabolPublished November 22, 2021 - Updated about 4 hours ago
―If they reopen Prek Ansa corridor, the price of rice will be close to 900 riel per kg but now it is
only 700 riel per kg. That is why all the people here want the provincial authorities to facilitate
the reopening of the corridor,‖ he said.Neither Thonin nor Chan Rith, director of the provincial
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, could be reached for comment on November
21.
Banteay Meas district governor Muong Noeun said he had yet to receive information about the
petition. But if people have officially made a request then it would depend on the provincial
governor to address it because he as district governor had no power to do so.
―The Vietnamese side closed the border crossing to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but this
corridor was an illegal border crossing to begin with, though selling rice there was tolerated by
the authorities on both sides. But we weren‘t the ones who closed it,‖ he said.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rice-traders-petitioning-border-reopening
Punjab govt orders closure of educational institutes,

offices on Mondays to mitigate effects of smog
An aerial shot shows people commute along a street amid heavy smoggy conditions in Lahore on
Thursday. — AFP
The Punjab government ordered on Monday the closure of all private offices and
educational institutions in Lahore on Mondays, in addition to the weekly holidays observed
on Saturdays and Sundays till January 15.
The directive, issued by Punjab Relief Commissioner Babar Hayat Tarar, is hoped to act "as a
preventive and speedy remedy" to ensure "public safety, conserve lives and preempt and mitigate
imminent threat of smog in the province of Punjab", states the order, a copy of which is available
with Dawn.com.
The order, applicable within the territorial limits of the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation also
cites evidence of "persistent deterioration in Air Quality Index of the city of Lahore, fluctuating
from satisfactory to poor levels, which is likely to cause breathing discomfort, respiratory tract
diseases and heart diseases" as a major reasons behind the decision.
The move comes days after Lahore topped the list of cities with the most polluted air in the
world after air quality levels turned hazardous.
Smog occurs when smoke mixes with fog. While air pollution is a persistent issue in most urban
centres in Pakistan, every October and November contaminates in the air in Punjab shoot up as
farmers burn rice stalks or stubble left behind after harvesting to clear their fields to plant wheat.
During these cooler months, Lahore, which is surrounded by rice-growing districts, is covered
with thick smog.
Court orders action
Last week, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had ordered the Punjab government to issue a
notification directing private offices in Lahore to halve staff attendance in an effort to tackle
smog.
Justice Shahid Karim issued the directives while hearing a set of petitions on the provincial
government‘s failure to appropriately deal with environmental issues.
During the hearing, the Judicial Water and Environmental Commission recommended closing
down schools in smoggy areas. However, the court did not agree.
Justice Karim directed the provincial government to set up a smog cell at the offices of Punjab
Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The court also sought a traffic plan and directed
authorities to set up an emergency helpline that citizens could call to complain about traffic
issues.
According to the smog emergency plan submitted by the commission, stubble burning will be
monitored by the PDMA on a daily basis and a thermal anomalies map will be shared with the
district administration and agriculture department.
"The chairman of the commission [...] issued a direction that if the Air Quality Index (AQI) of a
particular area exceeds 400 AQI, a notice shall be issued through the education department for
the closure of the respective schools or to conduct online classes as the case may be," the report
said.
AQI is a metric used by governments to inform the public about the quality of air. The higher the
AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health hazard. AQI values at
or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. Anything above that is considered
unhealthy.
"It is being directed by the chairman of the commission that if the AQI for a particular area
reaches 500AQI, then all the activities being committing by the respective industries shall be
shut down. The traffic volume of the area having high AQI will be reduced to 50pc using the
technique of odd and even numbers which in turn shall be enforced by the local police and traffic
police," the report said.
The report also noted that according to the Environment Protection Agency, 4,761 brick kilns
were inspected across the province and fined Rs35.9 million. Further, 797 cases were registered,
22 people were arrested and 274 kilns were sealed.
It said that the transport department had inspected 3,075 vehicles and issued warnings to 324
while 921 were challaned for emitting smoke
https://www.dawn.com/news/1659613
Farmers hold mass rally, keep pressure on Modi govt

despite climbdown
The farmers now demand minimum support prices on all produce, not just rice and wheat
ReutersNovember 22, 2021
Farmers shout slogans during a mass rally to demand minimum support prices be extended to all
produce, in Lucknow, India, November 22, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
LUCKNOW:
Flushed with victory after Prime Minister Narendra Modi caved into demands for
agricultural reform laws to be repealed, Indian farmers held a mass rally on Monday to
demand minimum support prices be extended to all produce, not just rice and wheat.
The protest movement launched by farmers more than a year ago became the most serious
political challenge to the government, and resulted in Modi making a surprise commitment on
Friday to roll back the reforms.
Thousands gathered for the latest rally in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India's most
populous state, where Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party will seek to hold onto power in state
elections due early next year. They turned their attention to minimum support prices (MSP),
which were a side issue in the agricultural reform laws.
"Our battle is only half won," Joginder Singh Ugrahan, a prominent farmers' leader, said in an
address to about 5,000 farmers waving flags of various farmer and labour organisations.
"Ensuring that the government makes a law MSP is a big issue for all of us," he said. "Our
protests will end once the government passes the law on MSP."
Currently, the government mainly buys rice and wheat at minimum support prices or guaranteed
prices, but the safety net benefits barely 6% of India's millions of farmers.
In a letter addressed to Modi on Sunday, the main farmers' body said: "Minimum Support Price,
based on the comprehensive cost of production, should be made a legal entitlement of all farmers
(and) for all agricultural produce . . ."
Farmers also asked in the letter for the federal government to withdraw a draft electricity bill,
which they fear would lead to state governments withdrawing their right to free or subsidised
power, used mainly for irrigation.
Farmers have also asked the government to drop fines and other penalties for burning their fields
after harvesting to remove stalk and chaff. The smoke has become a major source of air pollution
in Delhi and satellite towns bordering the crop growing northern states.
HTTPS://TRIBUNE.COM.PK/STORY/2330567/FARMERS-HOLD-MASS-RALLY-KEEP-
PRESSURE-ON-MODI-GOVT-DESPITE-CLIMBDOWN
Paul Byrom’s pitch-perfect one-pot rice with chicken

and chorizo
What’s for Dinner? A Spanish favourite that brings back great memories
One-pot wonder: Chicken Basque
I wouldn‘t call myself a chef or a master of the kitchen, but chicken Basque is my go-to dish and
I have to credit my good friend Suzanne for this one. I was invited over one evening for dinner a
few years back and loved it so much I wanted the recipe, because it tasted so great and it was a
one-pot wonder.
A plus for me is that this dish includes chorizo, so it reminds me of Spain where I was recently
on holiday and I also worked there over the summer. This dish brings back all kinds of
memories, both of great sunny locations and great tasting food.
This recipe serves four, but people generally want seconds so in my experience it more likely
serves three. It‘s also a handy dish to prepare ahead and have ready to go for when friends or
family come over, or when I‘m busy on stage, especially for the upcoming Christmas panto run.
Ideally, you‘d use a casserole dish for this with a lid that can go in the oven. You can add peas or
red peppers too, if you want.
Paul Byrom is an Irish tenor playing the Wicked Warlock in Red Riding Hood at The Helix in

Ingredients
4 chicken breasts, cut into chunky pieces
1 large onion, sliced
Olive oil
150g chorizo (although I always use a bit more), cut into 1cm pieces
50g sundried tomatoes, cut in half
2 large cloves of garlic, crushed
½ teaspoon paprika
1 tbsp tomato puree
225g basmati rice
275ml chicken stock
170ml dry white wine
Salt and pepper
Fresh herbs – thyme or rosemary work really well – finely chopped, about 1 tsp
Method
1 Preheat the oven to about 150 degrees.
2 Heat a large casserole and add some olive oil.
3 Season the chicken pieces, and add to the casserole and brown them. Remove and set aside.
4 Add a bit more oil and the onions to the pan and cook for five to 10 minutes, until they are soft.
Add the garlic, chorizo and sundried tomatoes and stir around a bit for a couple of minutes (the
chorizo should be starting to take on some colour).
5 Add the rice, and stir well. Add the tomato puree, paprika, wine and stock, season lightly and
stir.
6 Bring to the boil and add the chicken to the top of the dish; the chicken must
stay on top of the rice as the rice needs to cook fully.
7 Sprinkle the herbs on top and season lightly again.
8 Cover with a lid, and pop it into the preheated oven and for about 30 minutes. When the dish is
cooked, the rice will have absorbed all of the liquid and be fully cooked. Give it a good stir and
eat immediately.
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/paul-byrom-s-pitch-perfect-one-pot-
rice-with-chicken-and-chorizo-1.4712907
Consumers to feel heat of higher input costs

Apparel exporters are renegotiating rates with big brands to pass on higher cost, while
prices of agriculture commodities such as basmati rice have already gone up amid crop
damage due to the inclement weather in India affecting production and supplies.
AFPFreight cost has cooled 5-15%, depending on the destination, from the peak of $10,000-
12,000 in August for carrying a container from or onwards to India.
Freight rates have eased from the peak and

container availability has improved for India's
exporters and importers of apparel and agricultural
commodities to consumer electronics, but high
input costs could force them to increase prices in
the coming months, according to industry insiders.
Prices of television, smartphones, refrigerators and
air-conditioners are likely to increase 5-6% by
next month and another round of price hikes is
expected in January-February, due to a 10-12%
rise in input cost.
Apparel exporters are renegotiating rates with big brands to pass on higher cost, while prices of
agriculture commodities such as basmati rice have already gone up amid crop damage due to the
inclement weather in India affecting production and supplies. Freight cost has cooled 5-15%,
depending on the destination, from the peak of $10,000-12,000 in August for carrying a
container from or onwards to India. While this is still high compared with $3,000-4,000 at the
beginning of the year, exporters expect the easing of prices and the improvement in container
availability to help further boost India's exports, which rose 43% in October to $35.65 billion.
Exporters were finding it tough to renegotiate prices earlier this year when freight rates were
increasing, as buyers, worried about a possible third wave of the pandemic in India and the
ability of suppliers to meet their commitments in that event, were unwilling to pay more.
"Now, that the spread of Covid is somewhat under control and the vaccination has picked up
across the globe, overseas apparel buyers including the big brands like Zara, Mango and others
have agreed to take into consideration a portion of the freight cost while fixing prices," said Lalit
Thukral, president of the Noida Apparel Export Cluster.
However, what is pinching the apparel industry is the rising yarn prices. "It has gone up by more
than 60% in the last one year. We have to increase prices of our products, but we are not sure
whether buyers will accept it," he added.
"The container pile-up has reduced and it's available in about a week than what it was earlier,"
said Poorna Seenivasan, president at Gokaldas Exports, a large manufacturer and exporter of
apparel. Consumer electronic companies, which are among the largest importers of components,
said shipping and air freight rates from China and Hong Kong have come down by about 10-15%
from the peak in August. Container rates are now varying between $6,000 and $6,500 from
China, compared with $7,000 even a month back. Air freight from Hong Kong is down to
HK$36-37 a kg from HK$44-45. "The rates are marginally down but still higher than what it was
in the June quarter when it was around $3,500 per container. We understand rates would
continue to remain on an elevated level and hence the input cost pressure remains, leaving little
room to not hike prices," said Godrej Appliances business head Kamal Nandi.
https://techiai.com/consumers-to-feel-heat-of-higher-input-costs/

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23rd November, 2021 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

23 November ,2021 Vol 6 Issue 11

Editorial Board Rice News Headlines…

Endangered rice: Key crop provides 25% of global calories,

Explore surplus paddy sale, Punjab told

Moved aimed at reducing handling costs; trade finds it WTO-compliant

Experts, stakeholders call for sustainability in Nigeria’s local

November 22, 2021

Local rice farmers

Increase in import bill of edible oil calls for

Our Bureau Mangaluru | Updated on November 22, 2021

Nigerians Starve, Govt Serves Falsehood

FCI-Kakinada supplies 9.84 lakh MT of rice to South

9.84 lakh MT rice supplied to other States from East

Mahabubnagar: Vigilance stays blindfolded as millers

Hans News Service | 22 Nov 2021 8:13 PM GMT

Vigilance stays blindfolded as millers illegally transport rice to other States

2022 International Promotion Funding Increases for the U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service

USA Rice Daily

Work begins on state-of-the art rice milling facility in

Published 5:00 am Friday, November 19, 2021

Work begins on state-of-the art rice milling facility in

Published 5:00 am Friday, November 19, 2021

Woe is rice milling for the 2021 season

Rice stink bugs

Fig. 3. Examples of damaged rice.

Farmers refute DA's claim on RTL's impact on rice

Throwing money at the problem won’t solve world hunger

By Gabriela Soto Laveaga

Centre will purchase every single grain of raw rice: Kishan

Consumers to feel heat of higher input costs

Good prospects for Pakistan economic recovery:

DA chief: Rice tariffication law brought down rice prices by

Kano rice farmers record bumper harvest despite poor

November 22, 2021

Breathable Sand technology turns barren land into rice

Rice exports to set new record this year

Rice Crops Face Risks From Higher Fertilizer Prices

Rice traders petitioning for border reopening

Nov Sivutha | Publication date 22 November 2021 | 20:46 ICT

Punjab govt orders closure of educational institutes,

Punjab govt orders closure of educational institutes,

Farmers hold mass rally, keep pressure on Modi govt

ReutersNovember 22, 2021

Paul Byrom’s pitch-perfect one-pot rice with chicken

One-pot wonder: Chicken Basque

Consumers to feel heat of higher input costs

Freight rates have eased from the peak and

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