Patent training offered for agri

researchers
July 19, 2021 | 9:04 pm

IRRI.ORG
THE INTELLECTUAL property office said it will conduct patent training for state
universities and research institutes working on farm and fishery commodities.

The 17 state universities and colleges and research and development institutions are
working on projects prioritized by the Department of Science and Technology’s (DoST)
agriculture research council. The schools or institutes are working on commodities like
mango, rice, swine, bamboo, dairy cattle, and rubber.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) partnered with DoST to
encourage the use of the patent process for agriculture research.

―The use of patent information to gain insight on the advancement of technologies

concerning particular fields of interest has been part of IPOPHL’s mission of making IP
useful for the masses in concrete and tangible aspects made possible through
technology and knowledge transfer. This patent mining project is one example of
making IP work in the real world,‖ IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said in a
statement Monday.

Since July 5, IPOPHL has been working with schools from Cavite, Bohol, Isabela, and
parts of Mindanao. Each was selected based on the abundance of the commodities in
their regions and their research specializations.

―The IPOPHL’s collaboration with (DoST’s agriculture council) is in the hopes of bringing
awareness on patent information as an important resource for developing research
projects or funding strategies in various technological clusters even in agriculture,‖ Mr.
Barba said.

―Understanding the patent landscape also helps in identifying collaborators and

partners, exploring jumping-off points for R&D activities, supporting a data-informed
approach in decision-making and reducing the likelihood of wasting efforts and
resources on crowded technological space.‖

IPOPHL and DoST previously worked together on identifying global patent data on
grants and pending applications that would help make Philippine agriculture more
competitive. — Jenina P. Ibañez

https://www.bworldonline.com/patent-training-offered-for-agri-researchers/
NASA Awards $1 Million for Research on
Sustainable Rice Production
July 21, 2021
Courtesy of Beatriz Moreno García

Runkle's research group uses a micro-meteorological station to measure evaporation over a rice
field in central Arkansas.

A new $1 million grant from NASA’s Carbon Monitoring Program will go

towards a study headed up by associate professor of biological engineering at
the U of A, Benjamin Runkle, on greenhouse gases and its implications of rice
cultivation.
The grant, titled ―A national quantification of methane emissions from rice
cultivation in the U.S.: integrating multi-source satellite data and process-
based modeling,‖ will support the hiring of a postdoctoral scientist, graduate
students and undergraduates to work on the project from 2021 to 2024.
The team project includes colleagues at the University of Illinois, Urbana-
Champaign, where professor Kaiyu Guan will lead the detection of field
inundation dynamics and advanced application of satellite imagery to help
understand agricultural carbon and water dynamics.
―My research group and I have been working on rice farms in Arkansas since
2015, taking careful measurements of the methane emissions from rice fields
and how to reduce them safely — so that the farmer’s harvest is not hurt,‖
Runkle said. ―What’s especially exciting about this project is that by working
with colleagues at the University of Illinois, we can now understand these
methane emissions across the rice production regions of the United States.
We hope to eventually create a system of climate-smart rice production that
should help all the rice farmers of Arkansas’s Delta region be more
sustainable.‖
Half of U.S. production of rice occurs in Arkansas; unfortunately, rice
production globally is also responsible for 8 percent of human-driven methane
emissions, due to its cultivation in anaerobic (swampy) soil environments.
Methane is a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide in
terms of how it warms the earth’s atmosphere.
There is still considerable uncertainty to the methane emissions associated
with rice cultivation in the U.S., and a more consistent estimate is necessary
to observe, plan and reduce this greenhouse gas source.
This project takes on the challenge of monitoring methane production in the
U.S.'s rice producing regions by integrating satellite data with a process-based
model to produce a consistent national estimate of methane emissions
associated with rice cultivation. The product will be validated against Runkle’s
field methane emissions observations at several rice farms in Arkansas, as
well as similar research by others at sites in California. Runkle has taken
these measurements since 2015 in Arkansas alongside colleagues from the
USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.
The team aims to overcome existing challenges in understanding rice’s
climate impact. They will work with both field-based datasets and new models
that incorporates satellite imagery across all the rice growing regions of the
U.S.
Their final estimates will be driven by a new daily, satellite-based map of both
inundation and plant growth. This product could have spin-off benefits in terms
of understanding rice’s irrigation water use and could help farmers increase
their harvest yields.
The results of the project should support stakeholder groups' interests —
including those in non-profit, business and government — for methane
emissions reduction, soil carbon storage and sustainability for the agricultural
landscape. It should be especially relevant for the rice farmers of the eastern
part of Arkansas, who can modify their production practices based on project
findings. The project products will be accessible to both researchers and land
managers and will be published in scientific journals.
About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of
A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200
academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2
billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and
skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and
creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The
Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges
and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World
Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See
how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.
TOPICS

 Agriculture
 Awards
 Engineering
 Research & Innovation
 Sustainability & Resilience
 College of Engineering
 Division of Research & Innovation
 Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering

CONTACTS

Christin Finney, digital communications

College of Engineering
479-575-4173, crn002@uark.edu
Hardin Young, assistant director of research communications
University Relations
479-575-6850, hyoung@uark.edu
https://news.uark.edu/articles/57219/nasa-awards-1-million-for-research-on-sustainable-rice-
production
Exports jump 18.28% in FY21,
70% in June
By

News desk

July 21, 2021

Islamabad
The country’s exports posted record growth of 18.28% in Fiscal Year 2020-21 (June-July)
over the last year besides wit-nessing a surge of 70.67% in June 2021 compared to same
month of last year.

According to the provisional figures compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS),
exports from Pakistan during June, 2021 amounted to Rs.426.126 billion (provisional) as
against Rs.256.105 billion (provisional) in May, 2021 and Rs 263,985 billion during June,
2020 showing an increase of 66.39% over May, 2021 and of 61.42% over June,2020.

In terms of US dollars the exports in June, 2021 were $2.729 billion (provisional) as
compared to $ 1.671 billion (provisional) in May, 2021 showing an increase of 63.32% and
by 70.67% as compared to $1.599 billion in June2020.

Similarly the exports during the corresponding year (2020–2021) totaled Rs.4.042 trillion
(provisional) as against Rs 3.37 trillion during the corresponding period of last year showing
an increase of 19.95%.
In terms of US dollars the exports during the year totaled $ 25.304 billion (provisional)
against $21.394 billion during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of
18.28%.

Main commodities of exports during June, 2021 were knitwear (Rs. 64.187 billion), ready
made garments (Rs. 50.895 billion), bed wear (Rs. 46.694 billion), cotton cloth (Rs. 31.98
billion), cotton yarn (Rs. 18.885 billion), rice and others (Rs. 18.190 billion), towels
(Rs.15.465 billion), made up articles (excl. towels & bed wear) (Rs.12.342 billion), fruits
(Rs.11.792 billion) and Basmati rice (Rs.10.722 billion).—APP

https://pakobserver.net/exports-jump-18-28-in-fy21-70-in-june/

Is gluten really bad for you?

Published July 20, 2021, 5:00 PM
by Dr. Kaycee Reyes
On why some opt it out of their diet

GLUTEN TAG Gluten is a protein found in grains such as rye, barley, and its most common source, wheat

When it comes to popular diets, there‘s vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, Paleo, and of
course, gluten-free. Nowadays, gluten-free food items are as common as regular ones.
Whereas a decade ago, it was almost unheard of unless you had Celiac disease.
Gluten went from the unknown into the mainstream as more studies came to light about
gluten sensitivity and people increasingly became aware of it. Celebrities joined in the
conversation, and in time, the gluten-free industry grew exponentially, expanding not just
from food alternatives but to restaurants, bakeries, and even caterers. So what‘s the deal
with gluten? Is it just another fad or is this for real?

Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Wheat is the most
common source of gluten. Glutenin and gliadin are the proteins found in wheat flour that
add the stretch and rise among many baked goods. Most people can tolerate gluten and eat
without complications. There are some, however, whose bodies cannot handle it. These are
those with gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, and Celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease wherein the lining of the digestive tract (villi)
reacts when gluten is consumed. Symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, bloating, fatigue,
skin rash or inflammation, mood disorders, headaches, and weight loss. Gluten sensitivity
has the same symptoms but without the tissue damage to the intestines. There are no tests
yet to determine this condition, but it exists and research is ongoing. A wheat allergy is
specifically an intolerance to wheat, but because wheat and gluten go hand in hand, it is best
that they avoid gluten as well. In truth, these individuals with Celiac disease, gluten
sensitivity, and wheat allergy only form a very small portion of the population and they
would benefit the most from living a gluten-free lifestyle for the rest of their life. That said,
these conditions remain underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which could be the reason an
increasing number of individuals reportedly experience improved symptoms or better
overall health after adapting to a gluten-free lifestyle.

Physicians generally do not recommend that healthy individuals go gluten-free. This is

because there are a lot of nutrients that are taken away such as fiber, folic acid, and iron. In
addition, the widespread availability of sugar-loaded and calorie-dense gluten-free
alternatives could raise the risk for other diseases.

There are studies, however, where going gluten-free could be beneficial, even if you‘re
healthy. A trial was done by Hansen et. al. (2018) among 60 healthy Danish individuals in
eight-week interventions of gluten and gluten-free diets with a six-week washout period in
between. Both diets maintained dietary fibers, nutrient, and caloric intake. It was found that
a low-gluten diet reduced bloating and discomfort with a little bit of weight loss, but
researchers also stated that it could be the fiber, not the gluten itself, that could attribute to
the positive outcomes. They further conclude that maintaining a gluten -free diet could be
possible among healthy individuals, given that there are high-fiber and healthier options
available to them.

Food items to avoid in a gluten-free diet include breads and cereals, pasta and noodles,
baked goods, such as cookies and cakes, snack foods, such as candy and chips, salad
dressings, condiments, such as soy sauce and gravy, beer and selected alcoholic beverages,
among others.

Physicians generally do not recommend that healthy

individuals go gluten-free. This is because there are a lot of
nutrients that are taken away such as fiber, folic acid, and
iron.

Allowed in a gluten-free diet are meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, flours and starches,
such as almond, oat, rice, and potato flour, grains such as buckwheat, oats, and quinoa, rice
such as jasmine, white, brown, and black rice, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices.

To go gluten-free or remain ―glued‖ to gluten—it really depends on you, especially if you

are not diagnosed with Celiac disease or a wheat allergy. If you suspect that you are
sensitive to gluten, seek a physician‘s advice first before eliminating gluten from your diet
to get a proper assessment. If you have no issues with gluten but prefer a gluten -free
lifestyle, just remember to maintain your nutrition levels, remain physically active, and
sleep well.

SIGN UP TO DAILY NEWSLETTER

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https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/20/is-gluten-really-bad-for-you/

Rice imports drop to 1.26 MMT in H1–

data
BYJASPER Y. ARCALAS

JULY 20, 2021

2 MINUTE READ

A stall at the San Andres public market sells assorted varieties of rice
in this Businessmirror file photo.
The country‘s rice imports sustained its downward trend in the first half
after it declined by 11 percent to 1.26 million metric tons (MMT) from
1.417 MMT recorded last year, latest Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
data showed.

BPI data obtained and analyzed by the BusinessMirror showed that

the volume of rice imports during the six-month period was 157,000
MT lower than the previous year‘s volume.
The country‘s rice imports this year have been lower than last year
due to a confluence of events that included higher world rice prices,
global logistical problems, and better domestic harvest.

The United Nations‘ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) noted

that rice trade in Asian markets ―remained quiet‖ in June as ―logistical
bottlenecks and high shipping costs continued to discourage fresh
sales.‖

In terms of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC)

issuance, the BPI issued 2,553 SPS-ICs from January to June, which
was about 35 percent lower than the 3,926 SPS-ICs issued in the
same period of last year.

BPI data also showed that the total applied volume for rice imports by
eligible entities was 18.89 percent lower this year on an annual basis.

Based on the SPS-ICs issued, eligible rice imports applied to import

2.645 MMT from January to June, which was 616,000 MT lower than
what they wanted to bring in in the same period of last year at 3.621
MMT.

BPI data showed that in June alone, the agency issued 784 SPS-ICs
corresponding to an applied import volume of 707,742 MT, which was
384.63 percent higher than the 146,083.8 MT (177 SPS-ICs) applied
import volume in the same month of last year.

Based on the BPI list, Elite Impex Distributor Inc. led all 121 eligible
rice importers in terms of applied volume to import at 167,680 MT,
followed by Anvit Hridhaan Trading Inc. at 128,738 MT.

In terms of actual rice import arrival, Nan Stu Agri Traders topped the
list at 61,402 MT followed by Davao Solar Best Corp. at 55,936 MT,
BPI data showed.
 BPI data also showed that the country‘s total rice imports as of July 2
has reached 1.27 MMT, with 88.66 percent, or about 1.126 MMT of
which coming from Vietnam.

Rice imports from Pakistan reached 2,638 MT while those from India
reached 109.36 MT, based on BPI data. These two South Asian
countries, particularly India, are projected to benefit from the lowering
of the country‘s most favored
nation (MFN) rates on rice imports from 40 percent (in-quota) and 50
percent (out-quota) to 35 percent.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/07/20/rice-imports-drop-to-1-26-mmt-in-h1-data/

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RICE -- Environmental conditions or improper spraying can allow paraquat sprayed on soybean fields to drift
onto nearby rice fields, causing damage to the crop. (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Ben Lawrence) Alt
text -- Rows of small plants show yellowed tops in a field.
Research quantifies effects of
Paraquat drift on rice

By Special to the Item

Email the author
Published 2:55 pm Tuesday, July 20, 2021

By Bonnie Coblentz

MSU Extension Service

STONEVILLE, Miss. — Researchers are learning how to manage rice fields when paraquat
drifts onto them early and late in the season, but what impact this herbicide has on grain
quality and what happens when drift occurs midseason are still unknowns.

These questions are at the heart of doctoral research Tameka Sanders is doing at the MSU
Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville. Her work began in the 2019 growing
season and will conclude after the 2021 season.

Paraquat is frequently used to burn down weeds in soybean fields before planting and again
to dry the plants in preparation for harvest. Rice is extremely susceptible to damage from
this herbicide. In the Delta, rice fields are frequently located adjacent to fields where
paraquat is used. Environmental conditions or improper spraying can allow the chemical to
drift from the intended fields onto rice fields, causing damage.

―The problem is that oftentimes, rice is grown right across the turnrow from soybean fields
or other crops,‖ Sanders said. ―When you are spraying the soybeans, paraquat can move
onto the rice. It depends on the rate and the growth stage, but this drift potentially can totally
kill the rice or harm it so badly that the yield is greatly reduced.‖

Sanders, a Greenville native, is continuing a research project addressed by two other

graduate students under the leadership of Jason Bond, a weed scientist in Stoneville who
works with both the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry
Experiment Station.

―Paraquat can injure any crop when sprayed at the wrong time, but no matter when it
contacts rice, it’s not a good time,‖ she said.
Wind, temperature, spray equipment, the height of the sprayer, and many other factors
influence drift, or the chemical’s unintended movement onto another crop. Previous
research looked at paraquat drift during early- and late-season rice development.

―My project bridges the gap between the two,‖ Sanders said. ―We wanted to learn what
happens to rice during its entire life cycle if it comes in contact with paraquat.

‖Data collection will reveal how rice responds to different rates of paraquat exposure,
multiple paraquat exposures, exposure to both paraquat and glyphosate, and paraquat’s
effect on grain quality. Bond said the last part of the research is significant.

―The most unique part of this project is examining the effect of paraquat on the quality of the
actual kernels of rice,‖ he explained.

Once evaluated, this data will help inform growers’ decisions on how best to manage crops
when rice fields have been exposed to paraquat drift.

―A bad exposure may lead the farmer to back off spending money on inputs, while, if the
field recovers from a mild exposure, that grower may decide to pour in inputs in hopes of
helping the crop make up the yield difference,‖ Bond said.

―When a drift event happens, we never know the rates and what the yield reduction will be,
but this research will give us data on what kind of yield and grain quality losses are
expected when rice is hit with drift at different points in the growing season,‖ he said.
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https://www.picayuneitem.com/2021/07/research-quantifies-effects-of-paraquat-drift-on-rice/

Rice mill owners to enter agreement with

Govt.

21 hours ago 86
End of rice mafia, claims AluthgamagePact to be signed within two weeksSays Yala harvest to
be purchased at agreed price

BY Dinitha Rathnayake

Rice mill owners are to sign an agreement with the Government within a period of two
weeks, where paddy purchase prices and rice selling prices will be guaranteed within a
certain price range.

Speaking in Parliament, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that

according to this agreement, mill owners would purchase a kilo of paddy within the
price range of Rs. 50-52.

“Rice mill owners will not increase this guaranteed price since we would take necessary
action against them if they attempt to increase the selling price of rice. We have
increased the fine up from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 100,000.“

According to the Minister, the Government would have a conversation related to the
rice prices with the mill owners where the production of the Yala season should be sold
according to the agreed price, and therefore, the so-called rice mafia would end.

“The price of a kilo of nadu is around Rs. 120 at the moment, a kilo of samba costs Rs.
150, and a kilo of keeri samba is around Rs. 220. We need to control this price but the
main reason for this increase is the low fines imposed, which the mill owners took for
granted. But this will not take place in the future. Henceforth, paddy prices and rice
prices would be decided only by the Government and not by rice millers. If someone
tries to sell rice at a higher price, we would not hesitate to punish them,” he said.

Despite the continuous assurances given by the Government that it would end the rice
mafia, the prices of many rice varieties have remained high during the past years. Many
claimed that the high prices have been artificially created by the rice mafia operating
within the country, including farmers, mill owners, and farmers’ unions. The prices of a
kilo of samba, nadu, kekulu – white, and kekulu – red at the Pettah Wholesale Market
were Rs. 138, Rs. 114, Rs. 108, and Rs. 102, respectively. As alleged by consumers, rice is
not available at the controlled price anywhere from the day the Government introduced
it.

https://www.nation.lk/online/rice-mill-owners-to-enter-agreement-with-govt-103373.html
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 BJD MPs Meet Union Food Minister Over Odisha‘s Paddy Procurement Issues
ODISHABREAKING NEWS

BJD MPs Meet Union Food Minister Over

Odisha‟s Paddy Procurement Issues
By OMMCOM NEWS Last updated Jul 20, 2021

Share

Bhubaneswar: A Parliamentary delegation of the Biju Janata Dal

(BJD) from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met Union Minister for
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, on
Tuesday and submitted a memorandum drawing his attention on the
issues affecting paddy/rice procurement operations in Odisha.
The delegation stated that paddy/rice procurement operations under
MSP programme is a task which is in the domain of Government of
India. However, in order to extend the outreach of MSP to remote, far-
flung and inaccessible areas, Government of Odisha took over in 2003-
04 the responsibility of procuring paddy from farmers in the State.

Thus, Odisha became a Decentralized Procurement State, which means

the State undertakes paddy/rice procurement operations on behalf of
Government of India on payment of MSP to farmers.

In view of this, the MPs presented the following issues that have been
affecting paddy/rice procurement operations in Odisha.
1. Delayed receipt of food subsidy

As per MoU with Gol there has to be zero financial liability on the State
Government/State procuring agencies with regard to permissible items
of cost for procurement of rice to be borne by Gol. The anticipated cost is
required to be released in the form of advance subsidy at the rate of 90%
of admissible claim on quantity basis in the first month of every quarter.

Further, the State Government/Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation

(the State agency responsible for procurement) shall be paid quarterly
provisional subsidy after deduction of the advanced amount. However,
the release of advance and provisional subsidy to Odisha is irregular.

Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation, the major procuring agency of

the State Government, is to receive Rs. 5365.11 Crore as provisional
subsidy and advance subsidy of Rs. 716.34 Crore. The additional interest
incurred because of delay in release and non-release of subsidy comes to
around Rs. 4883.55 Crore which remains un-recouped and should be
paid by Gol.

2. Evacuation of surplus rice in Odisha

The paddy procured by the State Government/State agency is milled to

rice through private millers and the rice so milled is distributed under
National Food Security Act, Other Welfare Schemes of Government of
India and our own State Food Security Scheme. As per MoU the surplus
stocks of rice which is in excess of allocation in favour of the State under
Targeted Public Distribution System and Other Welfare Schemes are
handed over to FCI.
As it is evident from the following table, though paddy procurement has
been increasing over the years, the evacuation of rice by FCI has not
registered a commensurate and consistent increase.

Figure in Lakh MT

KMS Rice received by FCI Rice Produced

2016-17 16.08 36.73

2017-18 12.39 33.21

2018-19 17.74 44.33

2019-20 17.16 47.78

2020-21 12.50 (as on 6.7.21) 52.35

3. Short supply of gunny bags

This indicates that increased procurement may not necessarily result in

increased delivery of surplus rice to Central Pool through FCI. Failure to
ensure timely evacuation of surplus rice from the State by FCI has
serious implications of choking State’s godowns, of preventing timely
receipt of rice from millers and being saddled with unwanted rice for
which there will be no takers. This has financial implications of
thousands of crores of rupees for the State.
As per norms, the Jute Commissioner, Government of India is to supply
the required gunny bales to the State. The entire funds are placed with
the Jute Commissioner. As against the requirement of 2.10 lakh gunny
bales for the year 2020-21, only 1.37 lakh gunny bales have been received
so far resulting in the deficit of about 73000 gunny bales when flow of
funds is not a problem. Even though Gol has allowed use of once used
gunny bags but those are not sufficiently available and hence cannot
meet the deficit of 73,000 gunny bales.

As per the recent plan received from Gol, there is no further provision for
supply of gunny to the State in the current KMS 2020-21 which may
hamper the receipt of rice from custom millers and may adversely affect
the PDS operations.

Government of India has also agreed to State Government’s proposal of

allowing HDPE bags to the extent of 25,000 bales but yet to approve
State proposal of receiving boiled rice in them and making exception to
FIFO principle to issue this rice so that the longer storage does not
damage the quality.

In view of the above context, the MPs requested Goyal to kindly address
with a sense of sympathy and urgency the issues put forth above for
smooth paddy/rice procurement operations in the State of Odisha.
https://ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/bjd-mps-meet-union-food-minister-over-odishas-paddy-
procurement-issues

BJD MPs meet Piyush Goyal, seek pending rice subsidy of

Rs 6,081 cr
 Tue, Jul 20 2021 04:16:39 PM


Bhubaneswar, Jul 20 (IANS): A delegation of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs on Tuesday met Union Minister for
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal in New Delhi and demanded the release of a
pending subsidy of Rs 6,081.45 crore.

The MPs, including the party's Rajya Sabha leader Prasanna Acharya, submitted a memorandum to Goyal and
also raised the demand for early evacuation of surplus rice from Odisha and the gunny bags shortage issue. The
Union Minister assured that he will do the needful, a BJD MP said.

The MPs, through the memorandum said 'paddy/ rice procurement operations under the MSP programme is a task
which is in the domain of the Centre. However, in order to extend the outreach of MSP to remote, far-flung and
inaccessible areas, the Odisha government took over in 2003-04 the responsibility of procuring paddy from
farmers in the state.

As per the MoU signed with the Centre, there has to be zero financial liability on the state government or state
procuring agency. However, the release of advance subsidy to Odisha is irregular, they said.

"Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation, the major procuring agency of the State Government, is to receive Rs
5,365.11 crore as provisional subsidy and advance subsidy of Rs 716.34 crore," read the memo.

Moreover, the MPs said additional interest incurred because of delay in release and non-release of subsidy comes
around Rs 4,883.55 crore which remains un-recouped and should be paid by Centre.

The delegation apprised the Union Minister about no lifting of surplus rice by the Food Corporation of India
(FCI) from Odisha.

The MPs further said that failure to ensure timely evacuation of surplus rice from the state by the FCI has serious
implications of choking godowns, of preventing timely receipt of rice from millers and being saddled with
unwanted rice for which there will be no takers.

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=855183
BJD MPs meet Food minister
Piyush Goyal for solution of
paddy procurement problem
in Odisha
Tue, 20 July, 2021, 10:03 pm·2-min read

Bhubaneswar, Jul 20 (PTI) The ruling Biju Janata Dal in Odisha

Tuesday staged demonstration at regional office of the Food
Corporation of India, while a delegation of the party MPs met
Union Food minister Piyusg Goyal and placed demand seeking
redressal of paddy procurement problems.
The BJD MPs, both from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met
Goyal in Parliament.
The memorandum demanded immediate release of pending
food subsidy of Odisha, lifting of surplus rice from the state by
the FCI and gunny bags shortage issue.
'Union Minister assured that he would do the needful,' a
member of the delegation said.
The BJD MPs demanded release of pending subsidy of Rs
6,081.45 crore.
The paddy/ rice procurement operations under the MSP
programme is a task which is in the domain of the FCI (Centre).
However, in order to extend the outreach of MSP to remote, far-
flung and inaccessible areas, the Odisha government took over
in 2003-04 the responsibility of procuring paddy from farmers in
the state.
As per the MoU signed with the centre, there has to be zero
financial liability on the state government or state procuring
agency.
However, the release of advance subsidy to Odisha is irregular,
the BJD MPs alleged.
'Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation, the major procuring
agency of the state government, is to receive Rs 5,365.11 crore
as provisional subsidy and advance subsidy of Rs 716.34
crore,' the memorandum said.
The delegation also informed the union minister about no lifting
of surplus rice by the FCI from Odisha.
They said not lifting of surplus rice from the state by the FCI has
serious implications of choking godowns and preventing timely
receipt of rice from millers and being saddled with unwanted
rice for which there will be no takers.
In another development in the state capital here, a group of BJD
MLAs and leaders staged demonstration before the FCIs
regional office and put forth the same demand as made by the
MPs.
They also warned that the party will further intensify the
agitation of the states problems are not solved.
https://in.news.yahoo.com/bjd-mps-meet-food-minister-
170320464.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_s
ig=AQAAAG0mWoWQM938ydgFrZ1gPA9VhRA_y03god9GMDp0lKvdJWXtmURmNSE4RzJgWBqYRWRtTe
qaMHBlmF5ib5SwLe2q-nNK2QHbDBKzmFKJcXEtMZftWsNfyi-bRP7wJJ7YLPkNwzKT8Nv6tUfIJPXdLu67Yo-
1faEQxDC7UwiEkoyl

Protests in Cuba Signal Internal

Cuban protestors gathered
Changes on the Horizon, Sparks of outside the capitol building in
Hope for U.S. Rice Trade Havana, July 11
By Peter Bachmann

HAVANA, CUBA – Earlier this month, the largest anti-

communist protest in decades took place here as
Cuban citizens begin to fight for their freedom. The
protests have been led primarily by backers of the
United States and disenfranchised young Cubans in
response to major medicine and food shortages and in
opposition to the Cuban government‟s COVID-19
lockdowns.

The Cuban government responded by jailing protesters and further censoring internet access
to “banned content,” including some social media platforms. The government also called for
pro-Cuba demonstrations and encouraged confrontation between the two camps. The Biden
Administration has been mum on how or if they will engage in the public sphere. The lack of
comment or policy change by the Administration and the continued violence and censorship in
Cuba has led to days of protests against the Communist Party by Florida-based Cuban
Americans. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet,
followed suit and called for release of the jailed protesters in Havana.

Cuba is important to USA Rice because Cubans have among the highest per capita rice
consumption of any population around the world, eating more than a whopping 150 pounds
per person per year. Prior to the trade embargo in 1960, the U.S. was the primary supplier of
rice to the island. Today, because of prohibitive legislation and financing laws, U.S. rice
exports to Cuba are essentially zero.

“There is still a lot of love for the United States in Cuba today, considering the tight cultural
and familial bond that Cuban Americans have with their friends and family members still on
the island,” said Scott Franklin, Louisiana rice merchant. “That love is further evidenced by
the desire of so many Cuban people to immigrate and become U.S. citizens.”
 Franklin added that, “We got our hopes up when we saw some rolling back of the Executive
Branch sanctions during the latter half of the Obama Administration, but then saw President
Trump take a harder stance against Cuba. I have to admit, we were a little surprised to see
this Administration keep those policies in place, but ultimately I believe we will achieve
normalization in the near future. The Cuban people want our goods, especially U.S. rice,
which is easily the safest, most efficient and most sustainable food supply in all of the world.
This is the last trade frontier for the U.S., and its significance cannot be overstated.”

USA Rice supports completely lifting the trade embargo with Cuba, but in the meantime
encourages incremental changes toward normalized trade, including passage of legislation or
executive actions that would remove specific restrictions on financing and marketing of
agricultural goods to Cuba.

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ShowMore
 Zarlasht Halaimzai. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The long read

‘We tried to be joyful enough to

deserve our new lives’: What it’s
really like to be a refugee in Britain
As a child, I fled Afghanistan with my family. When we arrived in Britain after
a harrowing journey, we thought we could start our new life in safety. But the
reality was very different
by Zarlasht Halaimzai
Tue 20 Jul 2021 01.00 EDT




D uring the summer I turned 15, I fell into a prolonged depression

that lasted well into my 20s. My mother, my two brothers and I had just
arrived in London, and because we were seeking asylum as refugees, we were
moved into a hostel for vulnerable families on Fitzjohn’s Avenue in the
affluent north-west of the city. The journey to London had been so difficult
that we had separated from my father, one of my brothers and my sister a few
months earlier. The hostel was situated on a tree-lined avenue that connects
Swiss Cottage to Hampstead village. A pleasant walk north takes you to
Hampstead Heath and Keats House, to the south is Regent’s Park, where my
family would walk around the park’s ornate rose garden and sit by the
fountain, our favourite spot.

Four years earlier, in autumn 1992, my family had left our home in Kabul
when the sudden withdrawal of US interests from Afghanistan left militias
fighting for power, making ordinary life impossible. Once-frequent family
gatherings had been reduced to funerals attended by a few. Food and water
were scarce. We rarely left our home – the adults only went out on the most
essential errands. My uncle sometimes cycled across the city to bring us
drinking water as rockets fell around him. We would be worried sick until his
return.

My parents wanted to stay. For a year, they had talked about peace
in Afghanistan as if they could make it happen with sheer force of will.
Occasionally, they talked about leaving, but these were hypothetical plans that
would only be pursued if all other options failed. My mother still went to work
as a teacher, tended our garden and made plans for an imagined future
in Afghanistan. In the end, the decision was made in haste. After a bomb hit
the bakery at the end of our street and split the baker’s son in two, my mother
became terrified that one of her children would be maimed or killed.

The morning we left Kabul for Mazar-e-Sharif, a city in north Afghanistan, my

mother told my grandmother that we would see her soon. Something in my
grandmother’s stoic face told me that she didn’t really believe this but she held
my mother and reassured her that we would be reunited. In the early 90s,
before the internet joined up the world, and before Facebook groups would
help migrants avoid the most dangerous routes, travel in Afghanistan was still
shrouded in mystery. We didn’t know where we would sleep once we got to the
city or what our next step would be. Our only plan was to get away from the
violence.

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y morning

It was late afternoon when we arrived in Mazar-e-Sharif after a difficult, long

journey from Kabul. The road was heavily mined – it remains so to this day –
and the route was bordered with muddy graves marked by headstones with no
names – victims of the mines. Each time we passed a grave or the bus drove
over a bump, the passengers would pray collectively for the souls of the dead.
Mostly, though, they asked for their own safe arrival.

The first night away from home was the longest in my life. I’d slept next to my
grandmother all my life and now, separated from the person who made me
feel safest, I felt adrift and alone. My father took us to a halfway house where a
dozen other families had found a bed for the night. My family, which included
my uncle, his wife and their newborn baby, huddled together and went to
sleep on sheetless mattresses that had seen many other guests. In the night, I
could hear my mother whispering to my father for what seemed to be hours. I
lay awake all night, only falling asleep at dawn – a pattern that continues to
this day.
We crossed a bridge into Uzbekistan the following night. A clunky blue and
white bus carried 20 passengers at a time. From the Afghan side of the border
the Uzbek town of Termez glimmered in the dark. ―They have electricity,‖ my
mother whispered to my aunt. They both took a breath in their excitement. It
almost felt like an adventure.

The next four years were a blur of trains, towns and cities, people opening
their door to us when we had nowhere else to go and people scowling with
hostility as my family made our way westward – four adults followed by six
little children. I was the eldest and not yet 11.

When we moved into our room on Fitzjohn’s Avenue four years later, it was
with the promise that we were finally safe. It had been a devastating journey
and here we were in London about to begin a new life. But our expectations of
London were impossible. We imagined a life that was easier – that somehow
as soon as we arrived here we would put all that had happened behind us and
move on – that the uncertainty we felt would evaporate as soon as we landed.
So much depended on this fantasy. To survive the journey, we needed stories
of hope. For us, that story was safety in London, but the reality was very
different.

Once the excitement of arriving in a new place had worn off, the exhaustion
set in. At first, it was physical. The four of us would sleep well past noon and
wake up feeling heavy and unrested. Some time later came grief, like a wave,
heavy and very, very sudden. It would be years before any of us came up for
breath.

I t was my mother’s responsibility to make sense of our new home. We

depended on her for everything. She had briefly studied English and could get
by in a supermarket or catching a bus, but anything more than that was a
struggle. She had the arduous task of navigating the bureaucracy of claiming
asylum in the UK. Everything required a form. Our lives suddenly required
that we keep track of paperwork so we would be able to present the necessary
form on demand – if we needed a card to access the library or the local youth
club, a travel pass or a doctor’s appointment.

Every time, my mother had to fill in forms and provide proof of identification,
which was difficult since we were essentially stateless. As the post office was
something of a new phenomenon for us, she would hand deliver as many
forms as she could.

More often than not, she was rewarded with a new set of forms to fill in. She
would get exasperated trying to follow the instructions. ―PLEASE WRITE IN
BLOCK CAPITALS‖ – what did it mean? The dictionary didn’t help. We would
look up ―block‖ and ―capitals‖, but together they didn’t make much sense.
Sometimes, the instructions sounded like a threat. The words ―STAY INSIDE
THE BOXES OR YOUR APPLICATION MAY BE REJECTED‖ filled my
mother with terror.

The Home Office demanded that we justify over and over again why we had
fled our home. Proving that you deserve asylum is a tricky business. It is not
enough that the news is reporting that civilians in Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq
are under constant attack – you have to prove that your life was in danger at
a specific moment. For us, establishing this proof was a long, exacting process
and it would be years before we could relax about our status in the UK. My
mother would wake us at dawn to take an early morning train to Croydon to
stand in line for an interview at the Home Office, joining scores of scared and
sullen people waiting to plead their case to stay in England.
Civilians in Kabul, Afghanistan, February 1994. Photograph: Terence
White/AFP/Getty Images

Like any place where matters of life and death are decided, the atmosphere in
the immigration centre hung heavy and awkward, with little room for
anything other than dread. We would queue up outside until it opened, and
once allowed in, we followed our mother to a machine that dispensed
numbered tokens. We’d sit under the white glow of the lights and listen for our
number. When it was called, my mother would try to explain our situation to
someone behind a sheet of glass who rarely showed any expression on their
face, least of all sympathy. Once a person in a cubicle asked my mother ―Why
here? Why the UK?‖ My mother was shocked into silence. The three of us
quinted at her, recognising the urgency of the question, until she got the words
out: ―It’s all God’s Earth.‖ The case worker said nothing in return, just made
extensive notes in our file, which perturbed us even more. After these sessions,
we’d return to our room on Fitzjohn’s Avenue and my mother would spend the
rest of the day in bed with a migraine.

In those early days, when England was not yet home, we wandered around our
neighbourhood with the hallucinatory feeling that everyone was watching us.
There is something about feeling out of place that furnishes everything with
eyes that follow you wherever you go. In the supermarket, if the cashier
glanced in our direction, we would all draw a breath, wondering if we were
doing something wrong.

It didn’t help that we couldn’t speak to explain our imagined wrongdoings.

Overnight, on arriving in the UK, my garrulous family lost its speech. My
brother, who usually offered his opinions on everything, was rendered mute
and took to following our mother very closely wherever we went. I felt
exhausted at the thought of learning another language. All I knew how to say
in English was ―thank you‖ and ―hasta la vista baby‖ – Terminator was a
favourite film then – not realising that it wasn’t even English.

When we had to ask for something in the shop, like, ―where is the basmati
rice?‖, the whole family would strategise to try to spread the dread fairly
among us. Who would ask? Who would we ask, who looked friendliest? What
to do if anything went wrong? The task would inevitably fall to my mother,
who could speak more than any of us, and the three of us would form a circle
around and offer our scrawny bodies as protection.

Most people were indifferent and completely unaware of the significance of

each interaction for a family like mine. I paid attention to every word, every
gesture, trying to remember the sounds, memorise the way my mouth felt
when I tried to pronounce th. To survive, we needed not only to speak a
different language, but to learn new gestures, new stories and, most
important, understand the currency that gave you access to society. In a
country where your social capital is bound up in class and race, learning the
social codes could determine the trajectory of your life.

I t’s difficult to describe the feeling of dislocation. People who are born in

places that protect them from the misery of displacement find it hard to
understand. Pictures of brown and black people on the news or on charity
fundraising advertisements make them seem as if they are suspended in this
one event – a famine, a war – as if nothing preceded the hunger or the
violence and nothing will. People find it hard to relate to such wretchedness
because, looking at those pictures, you feel as though this person’s fate is
inevitable.

In our case, there was a whole world before the violence came. Our home in
Kabul, to my mind, was the best place a girl could hope to grow up. The house
itself was small – a few rooms and a kitchen – and on the outside, yellow paint
faded and peeled with every passing year. We spent most of our time in the
main room where my grandmother would gather us around her for every meal
and where we’d sit by the radio listening to the BBC World Service. The radio
was indispensable because it worked despite the continuous power cuts – with
just a few fat batteries we could sit around and listen to the stories of One
Thousand and One Nights on BBC Persian.

I remember these images with painful nostalgia – a time when my family was
still together – but it’s the garden that holds the most magic in my mind: a
green, open space surrounded by trees and flower beds. In summer my
grandmother would grow roses and purple basil, and their scent would
perfume the sheets on our beds on the porch where we slept for some respite
from the heat. We had apple and pear trees, grape vines, a kitchen garden
where we grew spring onions and tomatoes, and in the middle of the garden
there was an old and sturdy almond tree in whose branches I spent most of my
time in the warmer months. In spring, it flowered with delicate blooms of
white and a subtle fresh fragrance that signalled the coming of summer. With
every year that passes this picture feels more vivid, more permanent.

I grew up in a family that took citizenship seriously. My parents had a strong

sense of their role in society and actively took part in trying to address the
injustices they saw. My mother’s work as a teacher occupied a great deal of her
time – she got to know her students and would do anything in her power to
keep them in school. Sometimes, when she would do a round of family visits, I
would accompany her to her students’ homes where she would patiently try to
convince the parents to support their children’s education. I remember how
afraid they seemed. It was mostly violence or poverty that frightened people
into making choices that we’d find difficult to understand, but it was never
because they didn’t care.

My father, an avid reader, educated us all on our history, our identity and the
world. His was, and still is, a collectivist ideology. I grew up listening to his
sermons (―for the benefit of many not the few‖) and feeling eager to do my bit.
I imagined a life in Kabul where, like my mother, I would be a participant in
society – maybe a writer or a doctor, I thought. But all that was suspended
when the war took over every part of our life, and our identity was reduced to
people on the run – people without.

That first summer in London, I found it hard to remember home without an

element of magical thinking. Memories of Kabul and our home were skulking
somewhere in my subconscious, feeding my nightmares and taking away my
sleep. I could remember only impressions, nothing came through with edges
or corners or lines, just a mess of colour and emotion. My mental state
oscillated between exhaustion and inertia. Now that we were supposed to
make a new home, our other home wanted back in – it wanted attention like a
dead child or a lover, and I didn’t know how to put it to rest.

Our new home was supposed to be a ―safe‖ place, but most things made us
anxious and disoriented. London was the first place where I could safely go to
school. In her good moments, my mother would give us pep talks about
getting a British education. She would say, ―you’re very lucky‖ or, ―you can go
on to do whatever you want‖. I found both these ideas bewildering. How could
we claim luck as any part of our lives? And being able to do anything I wanted
seemed a distant fantasy.
School turned out to be difficult for a girl with an unconventional childhood
and without language. Nothing fit, including our clothes. On my first day in
school, arriving in a purple and fuchsia shell suit, I immediately had the
uneasy feeling that I stood out in a crowd of teenagers wearing combat jeans
and dark T-shirts. In line for my school lunch, I felt like a bunch of fake
flowers placed in a dentist’s waiting room to distract people from the pain to
come.

I sat in the back of a science class, not understanding a word. Being without
language is like watching a foreign film without subtitles – however dramatic
it may be, you drift off into your own thoughts. I would sit in class and retreat
into the past, wading through memories of our journey and contemplating our
lives. There were so many questions about what had happened. If you take out
the violence, war is like a pantomime – nonsensical and absurd. To make
sense of it, people living in the midst of violence learn to tell stories that keep
the pain at bay. At the time, it seemed almost pathological to me that human
beings are so intent on finding a silver lining, no matter their situation. I’d
heard a woman say: ―Thank God, my son’s body was found – at least I know
where he is resting,‖ and I couldn’t understand how you can be cornered into
gratitude when what you should be feeling, I thought, is anger. I felt puzzled
when people would ascribe this attitude to something like courage – in my
teens I thought it a cowardly way. Now I understand, we need stories to
survive. We seem unable to confront humanity as it is – undressed and full of
terror.

W hen survival is your main occupation, other things fall by the

wayside. While we were on the road, celebrations and family rituals started to
disappear from our lives. In Islam, if you’re travelling you’re exempt from
fasting, and since religious festivals are very much about community, it was
hard for us to mark them when we were in transit. Getting to London meant
that, technically, we had arrived at our destination and life could resume.
London’s sizeable south Asian community had carved its own place in the city.
After a few months in north London, by late summer we had moved east, close
to Green Street market in West Ham. The vibrant market offered sweets and
spices that we had almost forgotten about. Halal butchers, rows of shops
selling south Asian food and stalls laden with Indian sweetmeats stirred our
senses. After surviving four years in places where pieces of fruit were sold
individually, my mother delighted at the abundance of fruits and vegetables on
offer. Bowls of apples, oranges and tomatoes were sold at one pound a pop. A
shop playing an old Bollywood song stopped my mother in her tracks – she
stood outside holding my brother’s hand and listening intently until the song
finished. ―I haven’t heard that song in years – since I was a young girl,‖ she
told us.
Stalls on the Green Street market in London. Photograph: Graham Turner/The
Guardian

We did our best to make the new house our home. It was a small place on a
residential road between Plaistow and West Ham and my mother tried to
cheer it up as much as she could. We bought a strawberry printed tablecloth
for the dining table and having just started my own lifelong obsession with
Bollywood, I bought a poster of Shah Rukh Khan for my bedroom. We bought
sweets from Ambala, the best Indian confectioners in London. But
improvements to our new home were always overshadowed by the grief we
felt. Every family meal was tinged by sadness and though we all tried to be
joyful enough to deserve our new lives, joy was always out of reach. For the
first time in my life I could retreat to another room, away from my family, and
as days and weeks passed I did this more and more. Families riven by war
rarely find their unity again. There is too much to hold, too much to bear and
sometimes it’s easier to retreat into a new setting rather than try to heal
together.

The new neighbourhood was very different from the first. West Ham and
Plaistow had a complicated history we knew nothing about. Although the
population as a whole was diverse, communities were divided into different
sections. The area where we were housed was predominantly white, a fact that
we didn’t pay much attention to when we arrived. Ours was a multi-ethnic and
multilingual community in Kabul – my parents came from different ethnicities
and spoke different languages, so we were used to being around people that
didn’t share our identity. Plus, we were in a white majority country – why
shouldn’t the neighbourhood be all white?

But there was something off from the very beginning. It started with minor
acts of aggression that my hypervigilant mother noticed straight away. The
feeling that we were being watched heightened. When my mother tried to
explain our anxiety to an effulgent young teacher who had taken an interest in
our family, she couldn’t immediately understand it. She tried to reassure us
that it was the natural anxiety of settling into a new place and that we would
feel comfortable in no time. Experience told us otherwise, so my mother
stopped us from going out without her and insisted we do as many things as
possible together. We went to the market together, we tried to walk to school
together even though my brothers’ school was nowhere near mine. We stayed
at home as much as possible and avoided going to the local park.

This didn’t stop the hostility from the neighbours. One day, not long after we
had moved in, as we were walking back from Sainsbury’s in Stratford a young
man shouted ―Pakis‖ in our direction. The rest of his company burst out in
laughter. We hurried past them towards our front door. It happened again the
next day and a few days after. My mother, not knowing what to do, called on
our nextdoor neighbour, who was a friendly old man, and asked him about it.
He tried to reassure her that this was just the behaviour of bored teenagers
and that we should ignore it as much as we could.

We had of course experienced racism on our journey, but this was the first
time it had been overt, and no one seemed to bat an eyelid that it was
happening. The hostile intent turned into action and soon we were waking to
find piles of trash that had been pushed though our mailbox as we slept. It was
such a pitiful sight when one of us would get down on our knees to clean it. It
triggered in all of us the low-level panic we’d felt for years about how unsafe
we were. Surviving makes it difficult to discern between paranoia and genuine
premonitions of disaster, until anxiety erodes your sense of self. Being the
eldest of my siblings, I felt a sense of dread about their safety.

One day, my mother and I were attacked on our street. The attacker took out
his belt and started to hit my mother. Seeing this was more than I could bear
and something in me snapped. I screamed as hard as I could and tried to
punch him. I didn’t do much damage but my screaming did catch the attention
of his friends and soon I was being chased by a group of them. I ran as hard as
I could and somehow, as I was running, a police car that was driving by saw
what was happening and intervened.

At the police station my mother and I were interviewed and the police officer
who spoke to us took detailed notes and told us to wait. The attackers had
been brought to the same police station. I felt exhausted and upset but I was
glad that the attack had ended in the arrest of the culprits. My mother sat
expressionless – neither of us said anything as we waited. I can’t remember
how long we sat there but after a while the police officer came back and
offered to take us home. My mother asked him about what would happen next
and what could we expect. He sat down and explained to us that they had let
the attackers go because there wasn’t sufficient reason for them to be held.
Besides, he added they are young and stupid, and will grow out of this
behaviour. Tears rolled down my mother’s face. The police officer tried to
reassure her, ―You can call us right back, Mrs Halaimzai, if they come again,‖
he said, but she just sat there crying.
Internally displaced Afghans, who have fled fighting between the Taliban and Afghan
security forces, at a camp near Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, July 2021. Photograph:
Rahmat Gul/AP

Back at home, I went up to my room and lay in bed. My body was convulsing
with pains I couldn’t understand. I thought about our lives and began to
understand some of my father’s reluctance to leave Afghanistan. You feel
differently about the land you’re born into compared to the one you’ve ended
up in. It isn’t a question of patriotism, or loyalty to one versus the other. It’s
about the feeling, when you’re in the place you were born, that no one can
doubt you have the right to be there. Seeking asylum makes you feel self-
conscious about your very existence. There is a feeling that pervades all your
interactions, as if you constantly need to justify your presence. Lying there, I
thought about whether I had any right to expect the police to protect me and
my family and I couldn’t work it out. I didn’t yet understand racism enough to
feel resentment for what was happening – I just felt shame for who we were.

I t wasn’t long before I learned to speak. First it was a smattering of

mispronounced words, ―veesh‖ instead of wish, or ―beech‖ instead of bitch, but

slowly it developed into sentences. Soon enough I could have rudimentary
conversations with my classmates. I discarded the shell suit for combat jeans
and very short hair and by the time my father found his way to London, a few
months later, I’d discovered drum’n’bass. The sound, alarming to my parents,
somehow made perfect sense to me. I’d retreat to my room and listen to tapes
of raves I couldn’t go to.

As my siblings and I learned to find our way, my mother’s role started to

change in our lives. We went from copying down English words with her, to
correcting her pronunciation. While we were forming a distinctly British
identity, it remained hard for her to see herself as part of this society, even
though she did her best to integrate. She signed up to English classes at the
local college and enthusiastically entertained the Jehovah’s Witnesses who
would visit us every week, dismissing my warnings about their proselytising.
The two women and my mother would sit for hours, answering each other’s
questions – they were as interested in Afghanistan as my mother was in the
UK – and lamenting the state of the world while my mother fed them figs and
walnuts and samosas. Looking back, I think all three women found solace in
each other’s company.

It took me a long time to understand why it had been so hard for my mother to
sit through those interviews at the Home Office. When we arrived, I was so
consumed by my own anxiety that I couldn’t pay attention to hers. Here was a
woman who had lost everything that helped her make sense of life – her
family, her community, her livelihood and her language. All her friends were
either far away or dead, and as she sat in Croydon trying to convince a case
worker that we were unable to return home because our lives were in danger,
the Taliban wreaked havoc in Afghanistan, banning everything from music to
white socks. Anyone who defied their barbaric rule was threatened with public
execution in Kabul stadium, where justice had been reduced to a blood sport.
Women and girls had been decreed invisible and worthless.

What could be more terrifying for someone like my mother, who had spent her
career educating girls and encouraging them to stand on their own two feet?
How could she go back to that? But this was not immediately obvious to our
case worker, so my mother endured hours of questioning, trying to explain in
broken English that her children needed a chance to live their lives without
violence, and in that process lost some of her shine.

T hese days, almost three decades after fleeing Afganistan, I run a

charity in Greece that works to help refugees deal with trauma, and I have
seen the pain and anxiety suffered by other families trying to navigate the
asylum process. Greece has created a system deliberately designed to be
hostile, to reduce the allure of setting up home in Europe. In groups that we
run for men, women and children, participants describe the feelings of panic
and despair they experience when they engage with bureaucracy. A woman in
one group was so anxious about her asylum interview that she started self-
harming. She told me that cutting herself comforted her, as though, when she
pressed a razor against her skin, she was releasing the pressure she felt. It was
too much for her to think that her claim would be denied, and that she would
be sent back to her half-destroyed town that was still at war.
Zarlasht Halaimzai working in a refugee camp in Idomeni, Greece. Photograph:
Zarlasht Halaimzai

Young people in a theatre group we ran for refugees in Greece often talked
about the sense of betrayal they felt when seeing images and headlines about
refugees. It was as if this one event, this circumstance, had erased all their
identities and histories. They continued to refer to ―my future‖, as fully
imagined and attainable, and this present suspension of their hopes and
dreams was purgatory. Even worse, they said, was the pity. No one wants pity
when they’ve experienced the humiliation of violence. What they needed was
for people to try to understand.

When I speak to Afghan mothers in Greece who are just as determined to

secure a future for their children as my mother was, I can see the same quiet
suffering in their eyes. I know what it takes to hold a family together in their
situation.

Cruel, paranoid, failing: inside the Home Office

Read more

It doesn’t help that Afghanistan is now going back to the Taliban. History is
repeating itself as they take over the country and issue the same barbaric
decrees against the people, confining women and girls in their homes. Afghans
still reeling from decades of violence are powerless against the forces that
decide their fate. The past few years have seen some of the worst civilian
casualties for a decade. I froze in horror at the news of an attack on a
maternity hospital. Pictures of dead newborn children in their dead mothers’
arms made me feel dizzy. Scores of people are dead but those who try to flee
are sent back, since countries including Greece, the UK and Germany deem
Afghanistan safe for people to return. It is as though we deserve all this
violence.

I call my mother. I can hear in her voice the same stoicism that I heard in my
grandmother’s. I tell her about my hopelessness and despair at what keeps
happening to people like us. I tell her about the Afghan man who is facing
prison in Greece because his child drowned as they approached the Greek
shore on an overcrowded boat, to seek asylum. She listens intently to my half-
English and half-Farsi speech, and when I have finished, she says, ―No matter
what they face, people have to survive. We have no other choice.‖
 Follow the Long Read on Twitter at @gdnlongread, listen to our
podcasts here and sign up to the long read weekly email here.

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How to take the stress out of the HSC

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  HSC Study Guide 2021

How to take the stress out of

the HSC
Stay healthy, stay active and keep connected during the HSC using these tips.

JULY 21, 2021

Staying healthy and resting well is vital in your HSC year.CREDIT:LOUISE KENNERLEY
Save

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Stay healthy, stay active and keep connected during the HSC using these tips for
studying, self-care and staying informed.
 Sleep
Sleep is important for our bodies to recover and recharge. Aim for a minimum of eight
hours a night. Sleep helps us to concentrate, remember things and keeps us energised.

Some tips that can help:

 Get up at the same time every day.

 Avoid caffeine in the afternoon.

 Avoid afternoon naps.

 Get some exercise every day.

 Try some mindfulness exercises.

Diet
Eating the right food can help your brain function better.

 Start the day with breakfast – Try eggs on whole-grain toast, porridge, a smoothie or a
toasted sandwich.

 Lean protein – beef, lamb, fish and also walnuts, almonds, hard-boiled eggs. These
help with concentration and help you to feel fuller for longer.

 Low GI foods – these give your body longer-lasting energy. Try a grain or sourdough
bread. Try adding legumes such as lentils or beans to a beef casserole or salad.
Choose lower GI grains, such as basmati rice, bulgur or quinoa instead or pasta or
jasmine rice.

 Healthy snacks – avoid the sugar rush: limit snacks of high sugar or salt content, such
as chocolate, lollies and chips. Try keeping a plate of freshly cut fruit in the fridge and
snack on nuts, seeds, wholegrain crackers and low-fat yoghurt.

 Stay hydrated – drink water, try adding lemon, lime or mint to add some flavour.
Study
 Create a realistic study plan, including all aspects of your life eg: work, sport and
social activities.

 Break tasks down into small goals. Reward yourself when you achieve these goals.
 Plan to study for 40-60 minutes and then have a break. Do something physical, try a
brain break or go outside.

 Set up your study space with the equipment you need, free from distractions.

 If you find yourself distracted by social media use an app to limit your access.
Try Cold Turkey for PCs or SelfControl for Macs.

Make study plans with your friends.CREDIT:DOMINIC LORRIMER

Connections
 Ask for study suggestions and feedback from your teachers for each of your subjects.

 Set up a study group with your friends. Talking about your assignments and study
topics can help make them clearer and help you to stay focused and retain
information.

 Have some time out with friends – this could be in person or online - and make some
time for fun with your friends.

 Get support. Sometimes other life issues distract us from our goals and plans. Issues
such as anxiety, depression, problems at school or home, body image issues or binge
drinking are all things that can stop you from staying focused.
 Look after your friends. Have you noticed a friend acting differently lately? Ask the
question: Are you OK? Help them seek support.
Where to get support for yourself or your friends
 Talk to your year adviser or school counsellor/school psychologist.

 Talk to a trusted adult.

 Visit the Stay Healthy HSC hub, which has resources for studying and staying well.
 If you feel anxious or overwhelmed, connect with one of these services:
 ReachOut: Visit ReachOut.com.
 Lifeline Australia: Visit lifeline.org.au or call 13 11 14.
 Kids Helpline: Visit kidshelpline.com.au or call 1800 55 1800.
Stay Healthy HSC
The Stay Healthy HSC hub has study tips, wellbeing advice, news and support for the
HSC and beyond.
Stress Swaps: Ways to reduce exam stress
Set up a reward system
Who wouldn‘t find it easier to escape into an eight-hour streamed series when you‘ve
hit a wall with your studies rather than push through it? But instead of denying
yourself all distractions, try a work-and-reward system. For each hour of study, you
could reward yourself with something: an episode of your fave show, an online game,
or a FaceTime call with friends.
<>CREDIT:REACHOUT.COM
Sharing is caring
Sometimes a natural reaction to stress is to switch off, shut down and tap out, by
turning off your notifications and pretending that whatever is going on simply doesn‘t
exist. But, in times of stress, talking to people is typically the best way forward. Give
your friends a chance to lend a hand by letting them know what‘s up with you. If
they‘re aware that you‘re having a tough time and aren‘t travelling so well, they‘ll
check in with you more often.

<>CREDIT:REACHOUT.COM
Love the list
Every school student knows that their brains are busiest JUST as they switch out the
lights and try to fall asleep. All of a sudden, their minds are overcome by worries,
concerns and thoughts, and sleep seems like a distant possibility. This is particularly
true if they‘re feeling anxious or nervous about an upcoming exam or assignment.
Take back control by writing a checklist, before going to bed, of things you need to do
and things you‘re worried about. Putting them down on paper is a smart way to make
big problems seem a little more manageable.
<>CREDIT:REACHOUT.COM
Clean smart
There is no better way to buy time than by creating jobs that require your immediate
attention: My assignment will have to wait because I MUST organise my bookshelves
in alphabetical order! While a tidy workspace will help you to focus and concentrate –
both of which are important for study/school – don‘t get sucked into the trap of
spending all day arranging and rearranging your desk. Try to pick an area to work that
has some natural light and set up a space that is calming and free of clutter.
 <>CREDIT:REACHOUT.COM
Supplied by ReachOut, where you‘ll find more information, tools and tips on tackling
study stress.
Check out more resources that will help you stay healthy, stay active and keep
connected during the HSC at the Stay Healthy Hub.
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 HSC Study Guide 2021

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ShowMore
 Zarlasht Halaimzai. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The long read

‘We tried to be joyful enough to

deserve our new lives’: What it’s
really like to be a refugee in Britain
As a child, I fled Afghanistan with my family. When we arrived in Britain after
a harrowing journey, we thought we could start our new life in safety. But the
reality was very different
by Zarlasht Halaimzai
Tue 20 Jul 2021 01.00 EDT




D uring the summer I turned 15, I fell into a prolonged depression

that lasted well into my 20s. My mother, my two brothers and I had just
arrived in London, and because we were seeking asylum as refugees, we were
moved into a hostel for vulnerable families on Fitzjohn’s Avenue in the
affluent north-west of the city. The journey to London had been so difficult
that we had separated from my father, one of my brothers and my sister a few
months earlier. The hostel was situated on a tree-lined avenue that connects
Swiss Cottage to Hampstead village. A pleasant walk north takes you to
Hampstead Heath and Keats House, to the south is Regent’s Park, where my
family would walk around the park’s ornate rose garden and sit by the
fountain, our favourite spot.

Four years earlier, in autumn 1992, my family had left our home in Kabul
when the sudden withdrawal of US interests from Afghanistan left militias
fighting for power, making ordinary life impossible. Once-frequent family
gatherings had been reduced to funerals attended by a few. Food and water
were scarce. We rarely left our home – the adults only went out on the most
essential errands. My uncle sometimes cycled across the city to bring us
drinking water as rockets fell around him. We would be worried sick until his
return.

My parents wanted to stay. For a year, they had talked about peace
in Afghanistan as if they could make it happen with sheer force of will.
Occasionally, they talked about leaving, but these were hypothetical plans that
would only be pursued if all other options failed. My mother still went to work
as a teacher, tended our garden and made plans for an imagined future
in Afghanistan. In the end, the decision was made in haste. After a bomb hit
the bakery at the end of our street and split the baker’s son in two, my mother
became terrified that one of her children would be maimed or killed.

The morning we left Kabul for Mazar-e-Sharif, a city in north Afghanistan, my

mother told my grandmother that we would see her soon. Something in my
grandmother’s stoic face told me that she didn’t really believe this but she held
my mother and reassured her that we would be reunited. In the early 90s,
before the internet joined up the world, and before Facebook groups would
help migrants avoid the most dangerous routes, travel in Afghanistan was still
shrouded in mystery. We didn’t know where we would sleep once we got to the
city or what our next step would be. Our only plan was to get away from the
violence.

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y morning

It was late afternoon when we arrived in Mazar-e-Sharif after a difficult, long

journey from Kabul. The road was heavily mined – it remains so to this day –
and the route was bordered with muddy graves marked by headstones with no
names – victims of the mines. Each time we passed a grave or the bus drove
over a bump, the passengers would pray collectively for the souls of the dead.
Mostly, though, they asked for their own safe arrival.

The first night away from home was the longest in my life. I’d slept next to my
grandmother all my life and now, separated from the person who made me
feel safest, I felt adrift and alone. My father took us to a halfway house where a
dozen other families had found a bed for the night. My family, which included
my uncle, his wife and their newborn baby, huddled together and went to
sleep on sheetless mattresses that had seen many other guests. In the night, I
could hear my mother whispering to my father for what seemed to be hours. I
lay awake all night, only falling asleep at dawn – a pattern that continues to
this day.
We crossed a bridge into Uzbekistan the following night. A clunky blue and
white bus carried 20 passengers at a time. From the Afghan side of the border
the Uzbek town of Termez glimmered in the dark. ―They have electricity,‖ my
mother whispered to my aunt. They both took a breath in their excitement. It
almost felt like an adventure.

The next four years were a blur of trains, towns and cities, people opening
their door to us when we had nowhere else to go and people scowling with
hostility as my family made our way westward – four adults followed by six
little children. I was the eldest and not yet 11.

When we moved into our room on Fitzjohn’s Avenue four years later, it was
with the promise that we were finally safe. It had been a devastating journey
and here we were in London about to begin a new life. But our expectations of
London were impossible. We imagined a life that was easier – that somehow
as soon as we arrived here we would put all that had happened behind us and
move on – that the uncertainty we felt would evaporate as soon as we landed.
So much depended on this fantasy. To survive the journey, we needed stories
of hope. For us, that story was safety in London, but the reality was very
different.

Once the excitement of arriving in a new place had worn off, the exhaustion
set in. At first, it was physical. The four of us would sleep well past noon and
wake up feeling heavy and unrested. Some time later came grief, like a wave,
heavy and very, very sudden. It would be years before any of us came up for
breath.

I t was my mother’s responsibility to make sense of our new home. We

depended on her for everything. She had briefly studied English and could get
by in a supermarket or catching a bus, but anything more than that was a
struggle. She had the arduous task of navigating the bureaucracy of claiming
asylum in the UK. Everything required a form. Our lives suddenly required
that we keep track of paperwork so we would be able to present the necessary
form on demand – if we needed a card to access the library or the local youth
club, a travel pass or a doctor’s appointment.

Every time, my mother had to fill in forms and provide proof of identification,
which was difficult since we were essentially stateless. As the post office was
something of a new phenomenon for us, she would hand deliver as many
forms as she could.

More often than not, she was rewarded with a new set of forms to fill in. She
would get exasperated trying to follow the instructions. ―PLEASE WRITE IN
BLOCK CAPITALS‖ – what did it mean? The dictionary didn’t help. We would
look up ―block‖ and ―capitals‖, but together they didn’t make much sense.
Sometimes, the instructions sounded like a threat. The words ―STAY INSIDE
THE BOXES OR YOUR APPLICATION MAY BE REJECTED‖ filled my
mother with terror.

The Home Office demanded that we justify over and over again why we had
fled our home. Proving that you deserve asylum is a tricky business. It is not
enough that the news is reporting that civilians in Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq
are under constant attack – you have to prove that your life was in danger at
a specific moment. For us, establishing this proof was a long, exacting process
and it would be years before we could relax about our status in the UK. My
mother would wake us at dawn to take an early morning train to Croydon to
stand in line for an interview at the Home Office, joining scores of scared and
sullen people waiting to plead their case to stay in England.
Civilians in Kabul, Afghanistan, February 1994. Photograph: Terence
White/AFP/Getty Images

Like any place where matters of life and death are decided, the atmosphere in
the immigration centre hung heavy and awkward, with little room for
anything other than dread. We would queue up outside until it opened, and
once allowed in, we followed our mother to a machine that dispensed
numbered tokens. We’d sit under the white glow of the lights and listen for our
number. When it was called, my mother would try to explain our situation to
someone behind a sheet of glass who rarely showed any expression on their
face, least of all sympathy. Once a person in a cubicle asked my mother ―Why
here? Why the UK?‖ My mother was shocked into silence. The three of us
quinted at her, recognising the urgency of the question, until she got the words
out: ―It’s all God’s Earth.‖ The case worker said nothing in return, just made
extensive notes in our file, which perturbed us even more. After these sessions,
we’d return to our room on Fitzjohn’s Avenue and my mother would spend the
rest of the day in bed with a migraine.

In those early days, when England was not yet home, we wandered around our
neighbourhood with the hallucinatory feeling that everyone was watching us.
There is something about feeling out of place that furnishes everything with
eyes that follow you wherever you go. In the supermarket, if the cashier
glanced in our direction, we would all draw a breath, wondering if we were
doing something wrong.

It didn’t help that we couldn’t speak to explain our imagined wrongdoings.

Overnight, on arriving in the UK, my garrulous family lost its speech. My
brother, who usually offered his opinions on everything, was rendered mute
and took to following our mother very closely wherever we went. I felt
exhausted at the thought of learning another language. All I knew how to say
in English was ―thank you‖ and ―hasta la vista baby‖ – Terminator was a
favourite film then – not realising that it wasn’t even English.

When we had to ask for something in the shop, like, ―where is the basmati
rice?‖, the whole family would strategise to try to spread the dread fairly
among us. Who would ask? Who would we ask, who looked friendliest? What
to do if anything went wrong? The task would inevitably fall to my mother,
who could speak more than any of us, and the three of us would form a circle
around and offer our scrawny bodies as protection.

Most people were indifferent and completely unaware of the significance of

each interaction for a family like mine. I paid attention to every word, every
gesture, trying to remember the sounds, memorise the way my mouth felt
when I tried to pronounce th. To survive, we needed not only to speak a
different language, but to learn new gestures, new stories and, most
important, understand the currency that gave you access to society. In a
country where your social capital is bound up in class and race, learning the
social codes could determine the trajectory of your life.

I t’s difficult to describe the feeling of dislocation. People who are born in

places that protect them from the misery of displacement find it hard to
understand. Pictures of brown and black people on the news or on charity
fundraising advertisements make them seem as if they are suspended in this
one event – a famine, a war – as if nothing preceded the hunger or the
violence and nothing will. People find it hard to relate to such wretchedness
because, looking at those pictures, you feel as though this person’s fate is
inevitable.

In our case, there was a whole world before the violence came. Our home in
Kabul, to my mind, was the best place a girl could hope to grow up. The house
itself was small – a few rooms and a kitchen – and on the outside, yellow paint
faded and peeled with every passing year. We spent most of our time in the
main room where my grandmother would gather us around her for every meal
and where we’d sit by the radio listening to the BBC World Service. The radio
was indispensable because it worked despite the continuous power cuts – with
just a few fat batteries we could sit around and listen to the stories of One
Thousand and One Nights on BBC Persian.

I remember these images with painful nostalgia – a time when my family was
still together – but it’s the garden that holds the most magic in my mind: a
green, open space surrounded by trees and flower beds. In summer my
grandmother would grow roses and purple basil, and their scent would
perfume the sheets on our beds on the porch where we slept for some respite
from the heat. We had apple and pear trees, grape vines, a kitchen garden
where we grew spring onions and tomatoes, and in the middle of the garden
there was an old and sturdy almond tree in whose branches I spent most of my
time in the warmer months. In spring, it flowered with delicate blooms of
white and a subtle fresh fragrance that signalled the coming of summer. With
every year that passes this picture feels more vivid, more permanent.

I grew up in a family that took citizenship seriously. My parents had a strong

sense of their role in society and actively took part in trying to address the
injustices they saw. My mother’s work as a teacher occupied a great deal of her
time – she got to know her students and would do anything in her power to
keep them in school. Sometimes, when she would do a round of family visits, I
would accompany her to her students’ homes where she would patiently try to
convince the parents to support their children’s education. I remember how
afraid they seemed. It was mostly violence or poverty that frightened people
into making choices that we’d find difficult to understand, but it was never
because they didn’t care.

My father, an avid reader, educated us all on our history, our identity and the
world. His was, and still is, a collectivist ideology. I grew up listening to his
sermons (―for the benefit of many not the few‖) and feeling eager to do my bit.
I imagined a life in Kabul where, like my mother, I would be a participant in
society – maybe a writer or a doctor, I thought. But all that was suspended
when the war took over every part of our life, and our identity was reduced to
people on the run – people without.

That first summer in London, I found it hard to remember home without an

element of magical thinking. Memories of Kabul and our home were skulking
somewhere in my subconscious, feeding my nightmares and taking away my
sleep. I could remember only impressions, nothing came through with edges
or corners or lines, just a mess of colour and emotion. My mental state
oscillated between exhaustion and inertia. Now that we were supposed to
make a new home, our other home wanted back in – it wanted attention like a
dead child or a lover, and I didn’t know how to put it to rest.

Our new home was supposed to be a ―safe‖ place, but most things made us
anxious and disoriented. London was the first place where I could safely go to
school. In her good moments, my mother would give us pep talks about
getting a British education. She would say, ―you’re very lucky‖ or, ―you can go
on to do whatever you want‖. I found both these ideas bewildering. How could
we claim luck as any part of our lives? And being able to do anything I wanted
seemed a distant fantasy.
School turned out to be difficult for a girl with an unconventional childhood
and without language. Nothing fit, including our clothes. On my first day in
school, arriving in a purple and fuchsia shell suit, I immediately had the
uneasy feeling that I stood out in a crowd of teenagers wearing combat jeans
and dark T-shirts. In line for my school lunch, I felt like a bunch of fake
flowers placed in a dentist’s waiting room to distract people from the pain to
come.

I sat in the back of a science class, not understanding a word. Being without
language is like watching a foreign film without subtitles – however dramatic
it may be, you drift off into your own thoughts. I would sit in class and retreat
into the past, wading through memories of our journey and contemplating our
lives. There were so many questions about what had happened. If you take out
the violence, war is like a pantomime – nonsensical and absurd. To make
sense of it, people living in the midst of violence learn to tell stories that keep
the pain at bay. At the time, it seemed almost pathological to me that human
beings are so intent on finding a silver lining, no matter their situation. I’d
heard a woman say: ―Thank God, my son’s body was found – at least I know
where he is resting,‖ and I couldn’t understand how you can be cornered into
gratitude when what you should be feeling, I thought, is anger. I felt puzzled
when people would ascribe this attitude to something like courage – in my
teens I thought it a cowardly way. Now I understand, we need stories to
survive. We seem unable to confront humanity as it is – undressed and full of
terror.

W hen survival is your main occupation, other things fall by the

wayside. While we were on the road, celebrations and family rituals started to
disappear from our lives. In Islam, if you’re travelling you’re exempt from
fasting, and since religious festivals are very much about community, it was
hard for us to mark them when we were in transit. Getting to London meant
that, technically, we had arrived at our destination and life could resume.
London’s sizeable south Asian community had carved its own place in the city.
After a few months in north London, by late summer we had moved east, close
to Green Street market in West Ham. The vibrant market offered sweets and
spices that we had almost forgotten about. Halal butchers, rows of shops
selling south Asian food and stalls laden with Indian sweetmeats stirred our
senses. After surviving four years in places where pieces of fruit were sold
individually, my mother delighted at the abundance of fruits and vegetables on
offer. Bowls of apples, oranges and tomatoes were sold at one pound a pop. A
shop playing an old Bollywood song stopped my mother in her tracks – she
stood outside holding my brother’s hand and listening intently until the song
finished. ―I haven’t heard that song in years – since I was a young girl,‖ she
told us.
Stalls on the Green Street market in London. Photograph: Graham Turner/The
Guardian

We did our best to make the new house our home. It was a small place on a
residential road between Plaistow and West Ham and my mother tried to
cheer it up as much as she could. We bought a strawberry printed tablecloth
for the dining table and having just started my own lifelong obsession with
Bollywood, I bought a poster of Shah Rukh Khan for my bedroom. We bought
sweets from Ambala, the best Indian confectioners in London. But
improvements to our new home were always overshadowed by the grief we
felt. Every family meal was tinged by sadness and though we all tried to be
joyful enough to deserve our new lives, joy was always out of reach. For the
first time in my life I could retreat to another room, away from my family, and
as days and weeks passed I did this more and more. Families riven by war
rarely find their unity again. There is too much to hold, too much to bear and
sometimes it’s easier to retreat into a new setting rather than try to heal
together.

The new neighbourhood was very different from the first. West Ham and
Plaistow had a complicated history we knew nothing about. Although the
population as a whole was diverse, communities were divided into different
sections. The area where we were housed was predominantly white, a fact that
we didn’t pay much attention to when we arrived. Ours was a multi-ethnic and
multilingual community in Kabul – my parents came from different ethnicities
and spoke different languages, so we were used to being around people that
didn’t share our identity. Plus, we were in a white majority country – why
shouldn’t the neighbourhood be all white?

But there was something off from the very beginning. It started with minor
acts of aggression that my hypervigilant mother noticed straight away. The
feeling that we were being watched heightened. When my mother tried to
explain our anxiety to an effulgent young teacher who had taken an interest in
our family, she couldn’t immediately understand it. She tried to reassure us
that it was the natural anxiety of settling into a new place and that we would
feel comfortable in no time. Experience told us otherwise, so my mother
stopped us from going out without her and insisted we do as many things as
possible together. We went to the market together, we tried to walk to school
together even though my brothers’ school was nowhere near mine. We stayed
at home as much as possible and avoided going to the local park.

This didn’t stop the hostility from the neighbours. One day, not long after we
had moved in, as we were walking back from Sainsbury’s in Stratford a young
man shouted ―Pakis‖ in our direction. The rest of his company burst out in
laughter. We hurried past them towards our front door. It happened again the
next day and a few days after. My mother, not knowing what to do, called on
our nextdoor neighbour, who was a friendly old man, and asked him about it.
He tried to reassure her that this was just the behaviour of bored teenagers
and that we should ignore it as much as we could.

We had of course experienced racism on our journey, but this was the first
time it had been overt, and no one seemed to bat an eyelid that it was
happening. The hostile intent turned into action and soon we were waking to
find piles of trash that had been pushed though our mailbox as we slept. It was
such a pitiful sight when one of us would get down on our knees to clean it. It
triggered in all of us the low-level panic we’d felt for years about how unsafe
we were. Surviving makes it difficult to discern between paranoia and genuine
premonitions of disaster, until anxiety erodes your sense of self. Being the
eldest of my siblings, I felt a sense of dread about their safety.

One day, my mother and I were attacked on our street. The attacker took out
his belt and started to hit my mother. Seeing this was more than I could bear
and something in me snapped. I screamed as hard as I could and tried to
punch him. I didn’t do much damage but my screaming did catch the attention
of his friends and soon I was being chased by a group of them. I ran as hard as
I could and somehow, as I was running, a police car that was driving by saw
what was happening and intervened.

At the police station my mother and I were interviewed and the police officer
who spoke to us took detailed notes and told us to wait. The attackers had
been brought to the same police station. I felt exhausted and upset but I was
glad that the attack had ended in the arrest of the culprits. My mother sat
expressionless – neither of us said anything as we waited. I can’t remember
how long we sat there but after a while the police officer came back and
offered to take us home. My mother asked him about what would happen next
and what could we expect. He sat down and explained to us that they had let
the attackers go because there wasn’t sufficient reason for them to be held.
Besides, he added they are young and stupid, and will grow out of this
behaviour. Tears rolled down my mother’s face. The police officer tried to
reassure her, ―You can call us right back, Mrs Halaimzai, if they come again,‖
he said, but she just sat there crying.
Internally displaced Afghans, who have fled fighting between the Taliban and Afghan
security forces, at a camp near Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, July 2021. Photograph:
Rahmat Gul/AP

Back at home, I went up to my room and lay in bed. My body was convulsing
with pains I couldn’t understand. I thought about our lives and began to
understand some of my father’s reluctance to leave Afghanistan. You feel
differently about the land you’re born into compared to the one you’ve ended
up in. It isn’t a question of patriotism, or loyalty to one versus the other. It’s
about the feeling, when you’re in the place you were born, that no one can
doubt you have the right to be there. Seeking asylum makes you feel self-
conscious about your very existence. There is a feeling that pervades all your
interactions, as if you constantly need to justify your presence. Lying there, I
thought about whether I had any right to expect the police to protect me and
my family and I couldn’t work it out. I didn’t yet understand racism enough to
feel resentment for what was happening – I just felt shame for who we were.

I t wasn’t long before I learned to speak. First it was a smattering of

mispronounced words, ―veesh‖ instead of wish, or ―beech‖ instead of bitch, but

slowly it developed into sentences. Soon enough I could have rudimentary
conversations with my classmates. I discarded the shell suit for combat jeans
and very short hair and by the time my father found his way to London, a few
months later, I’d discovered drum’n’bass. The sound, alarming to my parents,
somehow made perfect sense to me. I’d retreat to my room and listen to tapes
of raves I couldn’t go to.

As my siblings and I learned to find our way, my mother’s role started to

change in our lives. We went from copying down English words with her, to
correcting her pronunciation. While we were forming a distinctly British
identity, it remained hard for her to see herself as part of this society, even
though she did her best to integrate. She signed up to English classes at the
local college and enthusiastically entertained the Jehovah’s Witnesses who
would visit us every week, dismissing my warnings about their proselytising.
The two women and my mother would sit for hours, answering each other’s
questions – they were as interested in Afghanistan as my mother was in the
UK – and lamenting the state of the world while my mother fed them figs and
walnuts and samosas. Looking back, I think all three women found solace in
each other’s company.

It took me a long time to understand why it had been so hard for my mother to
sit through those interviews at the Home Office. When we arrived, I was so
consumed by my own anxiety that I couldn’t pay attention to hers. Here was a
woman who had lost everything that helped her make sense of life – her
family, her community, her livelihood and her language. All her friends were
either far away or dead, and as she sat in Croydon trying to convince a case
worker that we were unable to return home because our lives were in danger,
the Taliban wreaked havoc in Afghanistan, banning everything from music to
white socks. Anyone who defied their barbaric rule was threatened with public
execution in Kabul stadium, where justice had been reduced to a blood sport.
Women and girls had been decreed invisible and worthless.

What could be more terrifying for someone like my mother, who had spent her
career educating girls and encouraging them to stand on their own two feet?
How could she go back to that? But this was not immediately obvious to our
case worker, so my mother endured hours of questioning, trying to explain in
broken English that her children needed a chance to live their lives without
violence, and in that process lost some of her shine.

T hese days, almost three decades after fleeing Afganistan, I run a

charity in Greece that works to help refugees deal with trauma, and I have
seen the pain and anxiety suffered by other families trying to navigate the
asylum process. Greece has created a system deliberately designed to be
hostile, to reduce the allure of setting up home in Europe. In groups that we
run for men, women and children, participants describe the feelings of panic
and despair they experience when they engage with bureaucracy. A woman in
one group was so anxious about her asylum interview that she started self-
harming. She told me that cutting herself comforted her, as though, when she
pressed a razor against her skin, she was releasing the pressure she felt. It was
too much for her to think that her claim would be denied, and that she would
be sent back to her half-destroyed town that was still at war.
Zarlasht Halaimzai working in a refugee camp in Idomeni, Greece. Photograph:
Zarlasht Halaimzai

Young people in a theatre group we ran for refugees in Greece often talked
about the sense of betrayal they felt when seeing images and headlines about
refugees. It was as if this one event, this circumstance, had erased all their
identities and histories. They continued to refer to ―my future‖, as fully
imagined and attainable, and this present suspension of their hopes and
dreams was purgatory. Even worse, they said, was the pity. No one wants pity
when they’ve experienced the humiliation of violence. What they needed was
for people to try to understand.

When I speak to Afghan mothers in Greece who are just as determined to

secure a future for their children as my mother was, I can see the same quiet
suffering in their eyes. I know what it takes to hold a family together in their
situation.

Cruel, paranoid, failing: inside the Home Office

Read more

It doesn’t help that Afghanistan is now going back to the Taliban. History is
repeating itself as they take over the country and issue the same barbaric
decrees against the people, confining women and girls in their homes. Afghans
still reeling from decades of violence are powerless against the forces that
decide their fate. The past few years have seen some of the worst civilian
casualties for a decade. I froze in horror at the news of an attack on a
maternity hospital. Pictures of dead newborn children in their dead mothers’
arms made me feel dizzy. Scores of people are dead but those who try to flee
are sent back, since countries including Greece, the UK and Germany deem
Afghanistan safe for people to return. It is as though we deserve all this
violence.

I call my mother. I can hear in her voice the same stoicism that I heard in my
grandmother’s. I tell her about my hopelessness and despair at what keeps
happening to people like us. I tell her about the Afghan man who is facing
prison in Greece because his child drowned as they approached the Greek
shore on an overcrowded boat, to seek asylum. She listens intently to my half-
English and half-Farsi speech, and when I have finished, she says, ―No matter
what they face, people have to survive. We have no other choice.‖
 Follow the Long Read on Twitter at @gdnlongread, listen to our
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o Dhar(Madhya Pradesh)
o Dharmapuri(Tamil Nadu)
o Dharpally(Telangana)
o Dharwad(Karnataka)
o Dhulian(West Bengal)
o Digras(Maharashtra)
o Domkal(West Bengal)
o Dongargarh(Chhattisgarh)
o Draksharamam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Dubrajpur(West Bengal)
o Doraha(Punjab)
o Dharamjaigarh(Chhattisgarh)
o Dandeli(Karnataka)
o Daryapur(Maharashtra)
o Dowlaiswaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Dharmaj(Gujarat)
o Dhoraji(Gujarat)
o Devarakonda(Telangana)
o Dhanera(Gujarat)
o Dahanu(Maharashtra)
o Daund(Maharashtra)
o Deoli(Rajasthan)
o Dankaur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Dharmanagar(Tripura)
o Darbhanga(Bihar)
o Doddaballapura(Karnataka)
o Dhone(Andhra Pradesh)
 E
o Eluru(Andhra Pradesh)
o Erode(Tamil Nadu)
o Edappal(Kerala)
o Edlapadu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Eramalloor(Kerala)
o Ettumanoor(Kerala)
o Erattupetta(Kerala)
o Eriyur(Tamil Nadu)
 F
o Firozpur(Punjab)
o Fatehgarh Sahib(Punjab)
o Faizabad(Uttar Pradesh)
o Fazilka(Punjab)
o Fatehpur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Forbesganj(Bihar)
o Fatehabad(Haryana)
o Falna(Rajasthan)
o Falakata(West Bengal)
o Farrukhabad(Uttar Pradesh)
 G
o Goa(Goa)
o Guwahati(Assam)
o Gulbarga(Karnataka)
o Gwalior(Madhya Pradesh)
o Gorakhpur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Gudur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Guntur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gandhidham(Gujarat)
o Ghazipur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Gandhinagar(Gujarat)
o Godavarikhani(Telangana)
o Guna(Madhya Pradesh)
o Gaya(Bihar)
o Gudiyatham(Tamil Nadu)
o Gauribidanur(Karnataka)
o Guntakal(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gondia(Maharashtra)
o Gobichettipalayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Gogawa(Madhya Pradesh)
o Golaghat(Assam)
o Gangavati(Karnataka)
o G.Mamidada(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gadag(Karnataka)
o Gadarwara(Madhya Pradesh)
o Gadchiroli(Maharashtra)
o Gajapathinagaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gajendragarh(Karnataka)
o Gajwel(Telangana)
o Ganapavaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Ganjbasoda(Madhya Pradesh)
o Gannavaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Godhra(Gujarat)
o Gokak(Karnataka)
o Gopalganj(Bihar)
o Gorantla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gotegaon(Madhya Pradesh)
o Gudivada(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gulaothi(Uttar Pradesh)
o Guledagudda(Karnataka)
o Gurap(West Bengal)
o Gurazala(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gurdaspur(Punjab)
o Ghanpur(Telangana)
o Guruvayur(Kerala)
o Gokavaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Giridih(Jharkhand)
o Gadhinglaj(Maharashtra)
o Gopalpet(Telangana)
o Gingee(Tamil Nadu)
o Garla(Telangana)
o Gajuwaka(Andhra Pradesh)
o Gummadidala(Telangana)
o Gonda(Uttar Pradesh)
o Gownipalli(Karnataka)
o Gangoh(Uttar Pradesh)
 H
o Hyderabad(Telangana)
o Haldia(West Bengal)
o Haridwar(Uttarakhand)
o Hoshiarpur(Punjab)
o Hubli(Karnataka)
o Himmatnagar(Gujarat)
o Hamirpur(Himachal Pradesh)
o Hisar(Haryana)
o Hajipur(Bihar)
o Haldwani(Uttarakhand)
o Huzurabad(Telangana)
o Harihar(Karnataka)
o Hiriyur(Karnataka)
o Hospet(Karnataka)
o Hoskote(Karnataka)
o Hassan(Karnataka)
o Howrah(West Bengal)
o Hooghly(West Bengal)
o Halol(Gujarat)
o Habra(West Bengal)
o Hagaribommanahalli(Karnataka)
o Haliya(Telangana)
o Harda(Madhya Pradesh)
o Hardoi(Uttar Pradesh)
o Haria(West Bengal)
o Haripad(Kerala)
o Harugeri(Karnataka)
o Hasanpur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Haveri(Karnataka)
o Hazaribagh(Jharkhand)
o Hindaun(Rajasthan)
o Hindupur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Hiramandalam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Hirekerur(Karnataka)
o Holenarasipura(Karnataka)
o Hosur(Tamil Nadu)
o Hunagunda(Karnataka)
o Hunsur(Karnataka)
o Huvinahadagali(Karnataka)
o Hathras(Uttar Pradesh)
o Hapur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Hanumangarh(Rajasthan)
o Haripal(West Bengal)
o Harur(Tamil Nadu)
 I
o Indore(Madhya Pradesh)
o Idar(Gujarat)
o Ichalkaranji(Maharashtra)
o Idukki(Kerala)
o Indapur(Maharashtra)
o Idappadi(Tamil Nadu)
o Irinjalakuda(Kerala)
o Ichchapuram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Indi(Karnataka)
o Indukurpeta(Andhra Pradesh)
o Itarsi(Madhya Pradesh)
o Itanagar(Arunachal Pradesh)
o Islampur(West Bengal)
o Ibrahimpatnam(Telangana)
 J
o Jaipur(Rajasthan)
o Jammu(Jammu and Kashmir)
o Jhajjar(Haryana)
o Jabalpur(Madhya Pradesh)
o Jalgaon(Maharashtra)
o Jamnagar(Gujarat)
o Jodhpur(Rajasthan)
o Jalandhar(Punjab)
o Jetpur(Gujarat)
o Junagadh(Gujarat)
o Jamshedpur(Jharkhand)
o Jind(Haryana)
o Jagdalpur(Chhattisgarh)
o Jalpaiguri(West Bengal)
o Jeypore(Orissa)
o Jagadhri(Haryana)
o Jharsuguda(Orissa)
o Jadcherla(Telangana)
o Jangareddygudem(Andhra Pradesh)
o Jammikunta(Telangana)
o Jhansi(Uttar Pradesh)
o Jalna(Maharashtra)
o Jagtial(Telangana)
o Jorhat(Assam)
o Jaggampeta(Andhra Pradesh)
o Jajpur(Orissa)
o Jamner(Maharashtra)
o Jalalabad(Punjab)
o Jhabua(Madhya Pradesh)
o Jagalur(Karnataka)
o Jagatdal(West Bengal)
o Jaggayyapeta(Andhra Pradesh)
o Jaisalmer(Rajasthan)
o Jajpur Road(Orissa)
o Jalakandapuram(Tamil Nadu)
o Jalaun(Uttar Pradesh)
o Jami(Andhra Pradesh)
o Jamkhed(Maharashtra)
o Jammalamadugu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Jangaon(Telangana)
o Janjgir(Chhattisgarh)
o Jasdan(Gujarat)
o Jatni(Orissa)
o Jaunpur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Jehanabad(Bihar)
o Jewar(Uttar Pradesh)
o Jiaganj(West Bengal)
o Jaynagar Mazilpur(West Bengal)
o Jhalawar(Rajasthan)
o Junnar(Maharashtra)
o Jamkhambhaliya(Gujarat)
o Jirapur(Madhya Pradesh)
o Jagraon(Punjab)
o Jayakondam(Tamil Nadu)
 K
o Kolkata(West Bengal)
o Kanpur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Kaithal(Haryana)
o Kochi(Kerala)
o Kullu(Himachal Pradesh)
o Khandwa(Madhya Pradesh)
o Kota(Rajasthan)
o Kakinada(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kurnool(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kathua(Jammu and Kashmir)
o Karnal(Haryana)
o Kurukshetra(Haryana)
o Kundli(Haryana)
o Korba(Chhattisgarh)
o Karunagapally(Kerala)
o Kollam(Kerala)
o Kottayam(Kerala)
o Katra(Jammu and Kashmir)
o Kotkapura(Punjab)
o Khopoli(Maharashtra)
o Kolhapur(Maharashtra)
o Kishangarh(Rajasthan)
o Kanchipuram(Tamil Nadu)
o Kumbakonam(Tamil Nadu)
o Karimnagar(Telangana)
o Khammam(Telangana)
o Kozhikode(Kerala)
o Khanna(Punjab)
o Kashipur(Uttarakhand)
o Kalyani(West Bengal)
o Kothagudem(Telangana)
o Kondagaon(Chhattisgarh)
o Kawardha(Chhattisgarh)
o Khed(Maharashtra)
o Kadi(Gujarat)
o Kavali(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kichha(Uttarakhand)
o Kalwakurthy(Telangana)
o Kamareddy(Telangana)
o Karimganj(Assam)
o Karad(Maharashtra)
o Kalol(Gujarat)
o Khargone(Madhya Pradesh)
o Keonjhar(Orissa)
o Kukshi(Madhya Pradesh)
o Komarapalayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Kanker(Chhattisgarh)
o Krishnagiri(Tamil Nadu)
o Kesamudram(Telangana)
o Kandukur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kharagpur(West Bengal)
o Krishnanagar(West Bengal)
o Kasaragod(Kerala)
o Kanhangad(Kerala)
o Karkala(Karnataka)
o Karur(Tamil Nadu)
o Karwar(Karnataka)
o Kasdol(Chhattisgarh)
o Kasibugga(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kathipudi(Andhra Pradesh)
o Katihar(Bihar)
o Kattappana(Kerala)
o Kaveripattinam(Tamil Nadu)
o Kekri(Rajasthan)
o Kesinga(Orissa)
o Khachrod(Madhya Pradesh)
o Khajipet(Andhra Pradesh)
o Khalilabad(Uttar Pradesh)
o Khambhat(Gujarat)
o Khandela(Rajasthan)
o Kharsia(Chhattisgarh)
o Kheda(Gujarat)
o Khedbrahma(Gujarat)
o Kirlampudi(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kodad(Telangana)
o Kodumur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kolar(Karnataka)
o Kollapur(Telangana)
o Kollengode(Kerala)
o Kondlahalli(Karnataka)
o Kosgi(Telangana)
o Kothakota(Telangana)
o Kovvur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Koyyalagudem(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kozhinjampara(Kerala)
o Krishnarajanagara(Karnataka)
o Kruthivennu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kuchaman City(Rajasthan)
o Kulithalai(Tamil Nadu)
o Kunkuri(Chhattisgarh)
o Kadapa(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kadiri(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kadthal(Telangana)
o Kaikaluru(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kakarapalli(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kalimpong(West Bengal)
o Kallakurichi(Tamil Nadu)
o Kamalaapur(Telangana)
o Kamalapur(Telangana)
o Kamavarapukota(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kambainallur(Tamil Nadu)
o Kamptee(Maharashtra)
o Kanakapura(Karnataka)
o Kanchikacherla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kandamangalam(Tamil Nadu)
o Kangayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Kanipakam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kankipadu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kannauj(Uttar Pradesh)
o Karambakkudi(Tamil Nadu)
o Karanja Lad(Maharashtra)
o Kareli(Madhya Pradesh)
o Karimangalam(Tamil Nadu)
o Karjat(Maharashtra)
o Kodagu(Karnataka)
o Krishnarajpete(Karnataka)
o Kurumaseri(Kerala)
o Khajani(Uttar Pradesh)
o Kariyad(Kerala)
o Kadayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Kamanpur(Telangana)
o Kattanam(Kerala)
o Karaikudi(Tamil Nadu)
o Kothamangalam(Kerala)
o Kotdwara(Uttarakhand)
o Kotapad(Orissa)
o Kamanaickenpalayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Khamgaon(Maharashtra)
o Kuppam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kanichar(Kerala)
o Kasganj(Uttar Pradesh)
o Kotputli(Rajasthan)
o Kotabommali(Andhra Pradesh)
o Khurja(Uttar Pradesh)
o Koramangala(Karnataka)
o Kottapalli(Telangana)
o Kokrajhar(Assam)
o Konni(Kerala)
o Kanigiri(Andhra Pradesh)
o Kishanganj(Bihar)
o Kannur(Kerala)
o Kovur(Tamil Nadu)
o Kalladikode(Kerala)
o Khadda(Uttar Pradesh)
o Karepalli(Telangana)
o Kunda(Uttar Pradesh)
o Kudus(Maharashtra)
o Khariar Road(Orissa)
o Kurseong(West Bengal)
o Kottayi(Kerala)
o Karmanghat(Telangana)
o Kalady(Kerala)
 L
o Lucknow(Uttar Pradesh)
o Ludhiana(Punjab)
o Latur(Maharashtra)
o Lonavala(Maharashtra)
o Lakhimpur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Lakkavaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Lakshmeshwara(Karnataka)
o Lingasugur(Karnataka)
o Loni(Uttar Pradesh)
o Lunawada(Gujarat)
o Lohardaga(Jharkhand)
o Leeja(Telangana)
o Lalgudi(Tamil Nadu)
o Lakshmikanta Pur(West Bengal)
o Lansdowne(Uttar Pradesh)
 M
o Mumbai(Maharashtra)
o Mehsana(Gujarat)
o Manali(Himachal Pradesh)
o Mysore(Karnataka)
o Madurai(Tamil Nadu)
o Mangalore(Karnataka)
o Manipal(Karnataka)
o Mathura(Uttar Pradesh)
o Meerut(Uttar Pradesh)
o Moradabad(Uttar Pradesh)
o Mavellikara(Kerala)
o Mansa(Punjab)
o Moga(Punjab)
o Mahad(Maharashtra)
o Malegaon(Maharashtra)
o Mettuppalayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Muzaffarnagar(Uttar Pradesh)
o Mandapeta(Andhra Pradesh)
o Manuguru(Telangana)
o Miryalaguda(Telangana)
o Medak(Telangana)
o Macherla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Muktsar(Punjab)
o Morinda(Punjab)
o Mangaldoi(Assam)
o Manchar(Maharashtra)
o Mahbubnagar(Telangana)
o Mughalsarai(Uttar Pradesh)
o Maripeda(Telangana)
o Mukkam(Kerala)
o Madurantakam(Tamil Nadu)
o Mandya(Karnataka)
o Mancherial(Telangana)
o Madhira(Telangana)
o Muzaffarpur(Bihar)
o Malout(Punjab)
o Mandsaur(Madhya Pradesh)
o Muniguda(Orissa)
o Machilipatnam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Mussoorie(Uttarakhand)
o Manawar(Madhya Pradesh)
o Mirzapur(Uttar Pradesh)
o Muvattupuzha(Kerala)
o Morbi(Gujarat)
o Mundakayam(Kerala)
o Madalu(Karnataka)
o Madanapalle(Andhra Pradesh)
o Maddur(Karnataka)
o Madhavaram(Tamil Nadu)
o Maheshwar(Madhya Pradesh)
o Mahishadal(West Bengal)
o Makrana(Rajasthan)
o Makthal(Telangana)
o Malebennur(Karnataka)
o Malkapur(Maharashtra)
o Manapparai(Tamil Nadu)
o Mandasa(Andhra Pradesh)
o Mandla(Madhya Pradesh)
o Mangalagiri(Andhra Pradesh)
o Manjeri(Kerala)
o Manmad(Maharashtra)
o Mannargudi(Tamil Nadu)
o Mannarkkad(Kerala)
o Mannur(Tamil Nadu)
o Manvi(Karnataka)
o Marayur(Kerala)
o Marthandam(Tamil Nadu)
o Martur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Math Chandipur(West Bengal)
o Medarametla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Memari(West Bengal)
o Molakalmuru(Karnataka)
o Moranhat(Assam)
o Morena(Madhya Pradesh)
o Motihari(Bihar)
o Moyna(West Bengal)
o Mudalagi(Karnataka)
o Muddebihal(Karnataka)
o Mudhol(Karnataka)
o Mukerian(Punjab)
o Mulkanoor(Telangana)
o Mullanpur(Punjab)
o Mummidivaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Mundra(Gujarat)
o Murshidabad(West Bengal)
o Murtizapur(Maharashtra)
o Musiri(Tamil Nadu)
o Mydukur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Mulugu Ghanpur(Telangana)
o Miraj(Maharashtra)
o Mulugu(Telangana)
o Malikipuram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Manendragarh(Chhattisgarh)
o Mahabubabad(Telangana)
o Mahudha(Gujarat)
o Manamadurai(Tamil Nadu)
o Malappuram(Kerala)
o Mayiladuthurai(Tamil Nadu)
o Malerkotla(Punjab)
o Manikonda(Andhra Pradesh)
o Mandi Dabwali(Haryana)
o Mau(Uttar Pradesh)
o Mulbagal(Karnataka)
o Margherita(Assam)
o Malkangiri(Orissa)
o Mathabhanga(West Bengal)
o Malda(West Bengal)
o Melur(Tamil Nadu)
 N
o Nagothane(Maharashtra)
o Nagpur(Maharashtra)
o Nashik(Maharashtra)
o Nanded(Maharashtra)
o Nadiad(Gujarat)
o Navsari(Gujarat)
o Neemuch(Madhya Pradesh)
o Nawanshahr(Punjab)
o Nizamabad(Telangana)
o Nilambur(Kerala)
o Nagercoil(Tamil Nadu)
o Nalgonda(Telangana)
o Narsampet(Telangana)
o Nandyal(Andhra Pradesh)
o Narayankhed(Telangana)
o Narsipatnam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Natham(Tamil Nadu)
o Nellore(Andhra Pradesh)
o Narasaraopet(Andhra Pradesh)
o Nainital(Uttarakhand)
o Nagapattinam(Tamil Nadu)
o Nagda(Madhya Pradesh)
o Narsapur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Namakkal(Tamil Nadu)
o Narasannapeta(Andhra Pradesh)
o Nimapara(Orissa)
o Nandurbar(Maharashtra)
o Nabadwip(West Bengal)
o Nagaon(Assam)
o Nagarkurnool(Telangana)
o Nakhatrana(Gujarat)
o Nakodar(Punjab)
o Nallajerla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Nandigama(Andhra Pradesh)
o Nandipet(Telangana)
o Nanpara(Uttar Pradesh)
o Narayanpet(Telangana)
o Nargund(Karnataka)
o Narsinghpur(Madhya Pradesh)
o Narwana(Haryana)
o Nawalgarh(Rajasthan)
o Nawapara(Chhattisgarh)
o Nazira(Assam)
o Nelakondapalli(Telangana)
o Nellimarla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Neyveli(Tamil Nadu)
o Nidadavolu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Nimbahera(Rajasthan)
o Nokha(Rajasthan)
o Nuzvid(Andhra Pradesh)
o Nyamathi(Karnataka)
o Ner Parsopant(Maharashtra)
o Nandakumar(West Bengal)
o Nedumangad(Kerala)
o Nirmal(Telangana)
o Neelapalle(Andhra Pradesh)
o New Tehri(Uttarakhand)
o Nathdwara(Rajasthan)
o Narayanpur(Chhattisgarh)
o Nawada(Bihar)
o Nandikotkur(Andhra Pradesh)
 O
o Ongole(Andhra Pradesh)
o Osmanabad(Maharashtra)
o Ottapalam(Kerala)
o Orchha(Madhya Pradesh)
o Ooty(Tamil Nadu)
 P
o Pune(Maharashtra)
o Pathankot(Punjab)
o Panipat(Haryana)
o Patna(Bihar)
o Patan(Gujarat)
o Patiala(Punjab)
o Parvathipuram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Palanpur(Gujarat)
o Palghar(Maharashtra)
o Parbhani(Maharashtra)
o Pen(Maharashtra)
o Patran(Punjab)
o Pondicherry(Tamil Nadu)
o Pudhukottai(Tamil Nadu)
o Peddapalli(Telangana)
o Palvancha(Telangana)
o Phaltan(Maharashtra)
o Parigi(Telangana)
o Paratwada(Maharashtra)
o Purulia(West Bengal)
o Pollachi(Tamil Nadu)
o Purnea(Bihar)
o Pendra(Chhattisgarh)
o Puri(Orissa)
o Palasa(Andhra Pradesh)
o Peddapuram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pilani(Rajasthan)
o Pratapgarh(Rajasthan)
o Paralakhemundi(Orissa)
o Pattukkottai(Tamil Nadu)
o Palwal(Haryana)
o Pratapgarh UP(Uttar Pradesh)
o Palakkad(Kerala)
o Pattambi(Kerala)
o Palampur(Himachal Pradesh)
o Payyanur(Kerala)
o Pandharpur(Maharashtra)
o Pathanamthitta(Kerala)
o Pala(Kerala)
o Palakollu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Palakonda(Andhra Pradesh)
o Palapetty(Kerala)
o Pali(Rajasthan)
o Palitana(Gujarat)
o Pallipalayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Pamuru(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pandalam(Kerala)
o Pandavapura(Karnataka)
o Panruti(Tamil Nadu)
o Parchur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Parli(Maharashtra)
o Pavagada(Karnataka)
o Payakaraopeta(Andhra Pradesh)
o Payyoli(Kerala)
o Pedanandipadu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pedapadu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pennagaram(Tamil Nadu)
o Penuganchiprolu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Penugonda(Andhra Pradesh)
o Perambalur(Tamil Nadu)
o Periyapatna(Karnataka)
o Petlad(Gujarat)
o Pipariya(Madhya Pradesh)
o Pithampur(Madhya Pradesh)
o Pitlam(Telangana)
o Podili(Andhra Pradesh)
o Polavaram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Ponnani(Kerala)
o Porumamilla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Prathipadu(Andhra Pradesh)
o Proddatur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pudukkottai(Tamil Nadu)
o Puliampatti(Tamil Nadu)
o Pulluvila(Kerala)
o Pulpally(Kerala)
o Punalur(Kerala)
o Punganur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pusad(Maharashtra)
o Pusapatirega(Andhra Pradesh)
o Puthoor(Kerala)
o Pilibhit(Uttar Pradesh)
o Palluruthy(Kerala)
o Phalodi(Rajasthan)
o Podalakur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Puttur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Peravurani(Tamil Nadu)
o Peringottukara(Kerala)
o Perundurai(Tamil Nadu)
o Pilkhuwa(Uttar Pradesh)
o Pithapuram(Andhra Pradesh)
o Ponnur(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pudunagaram(Kerala)
o Puliyankudi(Tamil Nadu)
o Prakasam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pakala(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pandharkawada(Maharashtra)
o Poonamalle(Tamil Nadu)
o Port Blair(Andaman and Nicobar)
o Porbandar(Gujarat)
o Perinthalmanna(Kerala)
o Ponduru(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pathsala(Assam)
o Pathanapuram(Kerala)
o Papanasam(Tamil Nadu)
o Pattimatto(Kerala)
o Peravoor(Kerala)
o Pathapatnam(Andhra Pradesh)
o Pallickathodu(Kerala)
o Patancheru(Telangana)
o Piduguralla(Andhra Pradesh)
o Palladam(Tamil Nadu)
 R
o Raipur(Chhattisgarh)
o Rohtak(Haryana)
o Rajkot(Gujarat)
o Ranchi(Jharkhand)
o Rajahmundry(Andhra Pradesh)
o Raigarh(Chhattisgarh)
o Ratlam(Madhya Pradesh)
o Renukoot(Uttar Pradesh)
o Ramnagar(Uttarakhand)
o Rishikesh(Uttarakhand)
o Ranaghat(West Bengal)
o Rourkela(Orissa)
o Rewari(Haryana)
o Rajapalayam(Tamil Nadu)
o Rudrapur(Uttarakhand)
o Roorkee(Uttarakhand)
o Ramayampet(Telangana)
o Rishra(West Bengal)
o Rewa(Madhya Pradesh)
o Rupnagar(Punjab)
o Ranipet(Tamil Nadu)
o Ratnagiri(Maharashtra)
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4. Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Mouthwatering dishes you must cook this Bakrid
Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Mouthwatering dishes you must cook this Bakrid

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Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Mouthwatering
dishes you must cook this Bakrid
By -

TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Updated: Jul 21, 2021, 06:50 IST

FACEBOOK TWITTER PINTREST

Eid-ul-Adha or Bakrid is one of the most popular Muslim festivals that is
celebrated across the globe. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his
son Ismail as an act of obedience to God's command. Before Ibrahim could
sacrifice his son, however, Allah provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. Bakrid is
celebrated at the end of the month of Islamic holy pilgrimage i.e. Hajj. It falls
on the last month of the lunar Islamic calendar. This year, Bakrid will be
celebrated on July 21 in India.
Furthermore, Bakrid is a time to relish some mouthwatering dishes. Families
cook various dishes and then eat them together. They also share the food with
neighbors and the less fortunate, since Bakrid is the festival of sacrifice. To help
you celebrate the festival with full fervor, here are 7 mouthwatering dishes you
must cook this Bakrid.

1. Peshawari Chapli Kebab

Peshawari Chapli Kebab is a mutton mince that is mixed with onion, tomatoes,
coriander seeds, salt, and pepper and pan-fried well to perfection that gives out
an amazing taste. These are juicy mutton kebabs that fit right in the platter
decorated for the guests during Eid.
2. Chicken Pulav
Chicken Pulav is one of the simplest and amazing recipes to try your hand on
the day of Eid. The chicken is boiled well with spices to give it an amazing
taste. The spices speak for themselves and give a beautiful aroma. The dish is
made with the goodness of tasty chicken, Indian spices, and fine basmati rice.

3. Nazaqati Boti Kebab

The perfect mixture of fresh lamb meat and an array of Indian spices stands for
Nazaqati Boti Kebabs. They are made from mutton cubes that are marinated
well with spices, papaya paste, onions, roasted almonds, or cashews. There are
even added flavors like coconut powder, saffron, and rose petals. These super
delicious kebabs are all set to make your Eid amazing.

4. Al Kabsa
Al Kabsa is a traditional dish from Saudi Arabia. It is a mixed rice dish prepared
with rice, chicken, or lamb. This juicy rice chicken dish is the right cuisine you
would like to taste on the occasion of Bakra Eid. You can try this yummy non -
veg recipe to lure your guests on the occasion of this festival.

5. Sheer Korma
Sheer Korma is a rich and creamy dessert made during the Eid festivities. It is a
rich Mughlai dessert that is made of vermicelli. The dish is just perfect for the
festive occasion of Eid. The sweet pudding is made up of milk, dry fruits, dried
dates, vermicelli, and sugar. Sheer here stands for the word milk and Korma
stands for dates in Farsi.

6. Pashtooni Zarda Pulao

Pashtooni Zarda Pulao is a Hyderabadi special pulao that is made especially
during the occasion of Eid. The pulao is enriched with extra nuts, saffron, and
rose water. If you are bored of the regular Pulao, you can explore this on the
occasion of Eid. It is a conventional recipe that is made to rejoice in the festival
of Eid.

7. Malpua
The Malpua is an Indian sweet dish that can make it to your dinner table this
Eid. It is structured in a form of a pancake and soaked in sugar syrup. The dish
is prepared with a batter of flour, milk, and cardamom. The Malpua can also be
fried in ghee till crisp and served along the Rabri. The snack is absolutely
popular and famous across India during Eid festivities.

Read Also Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Top 50 Eid Mubarak Wishes, Messages, Quotes
and Images to share with your friends and family on Bakrid
Read Also Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Eid Mubarak Hindi Wishes, Messages, Quotes,
SMS and Status

Read Also When is Eid-ul-Adha 2021? Bakrid history, significance, rules, and all you
need to know

Read Also Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Interesting ideas to celebrate Bakrid

Read Also Happy Eid-Ul-Adha 2021: Eid Mubarak quotes, wishes and messages to share
positivity and warmth

Read Also Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Eid Mubarak Wishes, Messages, Quotes, Images,
Facebook & Whatsapp status

Read Also Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Eid Mubarak Images, Quotes, Wishes, Messages,
Cards, Greetings, Pictures and GIFs
 Read Also Eid-ul-Adha Cards 2021: Best Bakrid Mubarak wishes, messages and
greeting card images to share with your friends

Read Also Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2021: Eid Mubarak Images, Wishes, Messages, Quotes,
Pictures and Greeting Cards

End of the article

COMMENTS (1)

Jigyasu Subscriber5727 34 minutes ago

Mar daloge kya. I am drowning in my own saliva now.

0 Up 0 Down ReplyFlag

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Twitter War: Is Mumbai's street food the

best in India? Here‟s the answer
By -

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Updated: Jul 20, 2021, 13:11 IST

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We all love street food and every city has something or the other to offer in
terms of speciality that slowly becomes an integral part of the food identity of
the city as well. For instance, Vada Pav of Mumbai, Poha Jalebi of Bhopal,
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city connection and street food place offers, Recently, a Twitter user sparked a
discussion regarding the same, and a war of words on Twitter ensued. Have a
look at the tweet.
'Mumbai Street food is best In India, Do you agree??' asked Twitter user
@niki_naughty and in no time the tweet went viral and received 800+ comments
and 1.4 likes and almost 350 retweets.

Foodies from all over the country took the opportunity to take sides. For some,
Mumbai food was reasonable and best because it wouldn‘t let anyone sleep
hungry. They feel that Mumbai street food is the best and offers the best flavour
and portion size.
For some, it was a mere source of entertainment and they laughed it off and felt
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Interestingly, there were Mumbai-based users who vouched for street food from
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The best point of view was shared by Aninda Manna, who wrote, "Personally I
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individual and the speciality of the place. Be it food or the city itself. Delhi,
Lucknow, Calcutta, Mumbai... and other places too. Let's just enjoy the food we
get without competing."

What do you feel about this Twitter war and which is your favourite city for
street food? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Thumb Image Courtesy: istock photos

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Get the right accessories for yourself during the 14th edition of Myntra‟s EORS

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Get the right accessories for yourself

during the 14th edition of Myntra‟s EORS
By -

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Created: Jul 6, 2021, 08:35 IST

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If you pair the right accessories with your trendy attire, then those additions can
result in a charming and aesthetic look. Accessories from different brands have
their own vibe so you always need to be on the lookout for those that fit you
best and amp up your style quotient. For catching some of the trendiest and
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yourself! Here is a deep dive into some of the most impressive accessory brands
men and women can expect to shop for during the 14th edition of Myntra EORS
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This Indian-origin brand has left many fashionistas stunned with its astonishing
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Philippe products. It is one of the most sophisticated apparels and accessory
brands that has left a long-lasting mark on men's fashion with its selection of
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Live music, brunch, coffee dates: For Puneites, weekdays are the new weekends
when it comes to dining

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Live music, brunch, coffee dates: For

Puneites, weekdays are the new weekends
when it comes to dining
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Amrita Prasad

Created: Jul 20, 2021, 09:46 IST

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Dine-ins and work dates shoot up during weekdays in the city

Pic: Shashank Sane

Location courtesy: Hippie@Heart, Bhandarkar Road

Media student Sikha Rajwani puts on her brightest outfit and sleekest pair of
heels, meticulously does a smokey eye and opts for a bold lip, before wearing
her mask. She calls up her friends Rahul and Kavya, whom she has planned to
catch up with at a restaurant at Koregaon Park. Sounds like a perfect weekend
evening plan? Well, it‘s only 11 am on a weekday, but for Shikha and her
friends, who finish their online class around this time, it‘s time to hang out and
chill.
Shikha and her friends aren‘t the only ones making the most of their afternoons
on weekdays because of online classes and WFH, Pune‘s cafes, bistros,
restaurants and bars are buzzing with patrons from Monday to Friday, while
following all safety precautions. After a mundane weekend of staying indoors,
ordering in food and spending the day in pyjamas — owing to the lockdown
restrictions and weekend curfew — for Puneities, the erstwhile ‗dreaded‘
weekdays are the most favourite time of the week.
Pic: Shashank Sane

―Weekends aren‘t cool anymore because everything is shut and you don't get the
opportunity to dress up! With weekdays becoming the only occasion for us to
step out and dine out, we‘ve never been as excited about weekdays as we‘re
now,‖ says Shikha, adding, ―As soon as our online classes are done, we head to
cafes in our area. For us, Wednesdays are perfect because not only do
restaurants have live performances on the day, but they also offer huge
discounts.‖

„There has been a 65% rise in people coming to dine in on weekdays‟

‗Can‘t wait for Monday!‘ is a phrase that one would never use. Turns out,
#MondayBlues aren‘t a thing anymore. Instead, the definition of weekdays is
changing, as far as dining out is concerned. ―Since the recent relaxation in the
rules, there has been a 65% rise in people coming to dine in on weekdays. WFH
has made it easier to get out for a bit, hence coffee dates are still very much
prevalent just like pre-pandemic. We are operating at 50 % capacity, as per
guidelines,‖ says Pankaj Joshi, partner, The Spices Restro and Bar. Even as
eateries see a surge in dine-in customers arriving dressed up in their fanciest and
finest clothes during weekdays, the establishments hosting are special brunches,
buffets, live performances and offering birthday packages.
Pic: iStock

For IT professional Nikhil Chavan, weekdays are a perfect time to go out, catch
up with friends, enjoy cocktails and meet a date, while occasionally working
from cafes. ―How long can you keep ordering in? Weekends are now reserved
for cleaning and self-care and weekdays, more specifically, Thursdays and
Fridays are all about enjoying good drinks and company while listening to good
music at a restaurant. There are no physical offices, so I work and also catch up
with friends at cafes, which are going out of their way to make mundane
weekdays more relaxed and enjoyable,‖ says the 35-year-old.
Pankaj adds, ―Weekends were generally associated with drinking and chilling,
but in the new normal, we see people coming in for a drink on the weekdays,
too. People also come in for birthday celebrations but we make sure to not keep
a crowded atmosphere. We see an average of at least 25-50 people coming in
every day. Even in the current scenario surrounding covid, we see no change in
the spirit of our patrons, while following all the safety protocols. ‖

„Our coffee and beverages sales have shot up quite a bit‟

From business meetings to hanging out with friends, coffee dates, chugging
beers with friends etc the imagery at restaurants looks like a weekend scene
even on weekdays. ―While the attendance is low on Mondays and Tuesdays, the
other days of the week have more footballs,‖ inform Ramanpreet Singh, director
and Raaj Paree, The Cult-Terra House, adding, ―At the moment the mindset of
the consumer has changed. The 25+ age people coming out in groups is more
common and we have seen a change. Patrons are coming in early and ordering
cocktails and beers, too. We see a lot of people working here, too. What‘s
interesting is that group bookings have increased majorly for birthday parties
and other celebratory occasions.‖
WFH has resulted in more coffee dates
Pic: iStock

Echoing Ramanpreet and Raaj, Kartik Ganesh, brand manager, Circle Of Crust,
says, ―Millennials are coming in large numbers for lunch, while we have a lot of
people working from our Baner and Salunkhe Vihar locations. Between 11 am
and 4 pm, we roughly see about 40-50 guests walking in each day at our outlets.
Our coffee and beverages sales have shot up quite a bit since a lot of people
work from our outlet. Plus, we are also serving mocktails for them.‖

Music and modified menus make for perfect afternoon meals

At some locations, the crowd is quite diverse and includes families who come to
eateries to listen to live music and bond over food. ―Even a mundane Monday
looks cheerful with youngsters in small groups and families turning up for a
dining experience. We majorly see patrons in the age group of 25 -40 years
frequenting during the week and it's because of this, we have introduced items
like the Tandoor Thal and the Chilli Thal. With our weekday dining rising by
70%, coffee dates have converted to lunch dates. At the same time, we are
getting calls for birthday party bookings, but we take up small groups only,‖
Sheetha Chacko, brand manager, Deccan Darbar, whose outlet witnesses 40 -50
customers a day.
VHC Restaurant has introduced VHC & Chills Wednesdays where one indulges
in a delicious spread while listening to foot-tapping music by city DJs. While
places like The Cult -Terra House and VHC, are organising live music to keep
their patrons entertained, other restaurants are tweaking their menu for a perfect
lunch experience. Karan Kripalani, the owner of the Hippie@Heart, says, ―We
aren't doing any live performances but we have definitely modified our menu to
suit an afternoon meal. The menu currently on offer is a lot lighter and more
concise with more of the Continental/Italian pastas and pizzas that usually go in
the afternoons.‖ The establishment witnesses about 100 walkings in a day.
Karan adds, ―We see a much younger crowd these days. We‘re in the process of
launching a new modified menu to accommodate what people typically eat
during the day.
End of the article

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bakrid/articleshow/84551148.cms? Rs 1200
Subsidy Being Given To Farmers On Each Bag Of
Wheat Seeds: Director Agriculture

1 day ago Tue 20th July 2021 | 04:54 PM

The agriculture department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was working on new varieties
of wheat, rice, sugarcane and other crops' seeds to improve the yield while giving
subsidy to the farmers on cultivation, said Director Agriculture department
Charsadda Ali Khan

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jul, 2021 )

:The agriculture department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was working on new varieties
of wheat, rice, sugarcane and other crops' seeds to improve the yield while giving subsidy
to the farmers on cultivation, said Director Agriculture department Charsadda Ali Khan.
Talking to APP on Tuesday he said that the department has distributed 8,637 bags of
newly introduced variety of wheat seed among farmers this year and gave Rs 1200
subsidy on each bag to increase the wheat production.
He said that new seeds gave very good results during the experimental period, adding that
the new variety is expected to give considerable profit to farmers besides making the
production wheat crop double.
Ali Khan said the department was also giving Rs 5000 subsidy on cultivation of
sunflowers, canola and sesame to make the KP province self-sufficient in production of
edible oils.
Referring to rice cultivation in district Charsadda, he said that Rs 1200 subsidy is being
given on each acre on cultivation of new variety of rice, adding
that agriculture department has set up multiple branches in different tehsils and at union
level for guidance, facilitation and purchase of new varieties of seeds.
In order to bring barren land under cultivation, he said the department has constructed
small rain dam in Pallai area to store rain water and irrigate the barren lands, adding that
in the area the department has also planted three orchards of mangos, apricot and peach
on six acre of lands for eight farmers.
He said the department has recently introduced new and improved variety of sugarcane
which gives 4,000 kilogram jaggery from 80 "Maan" (3200 kg) seeds. The farmers are
also being given Chip Bud technology to get seed from sugarcane crop for re-cultivation,
he said adding that it reduced the cultivation cost to zero for the farmers.
Ali Khan said that in order to increase the income, farmers are encouraged to adopt new
seeds, innovative methods and use DIP and Potash fertilizers which increase the yield
many times and lead to higher income.
He said that in order to make Pakistan self-sufficient in the field of agricultural
commodities, Imran Khan had launched the Prime Minister's Agriculture Program in the
year 2019, after which the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agriculture Department, on the
direction of the provincial government, expanded it to the entire province.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/agriculture/rs-1200-subsidy-being-given-to-farmers-on-eac-
1307114.html

https://dailytimes.com.pk/794400/exports-jump-18-28-in-fy21-70-in-june/

Exports jump 18.28% in FY21, 70% in June

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JULY 19, 2021
The country‘s exports posted record growth of 18.28% in Fiscal Year 2020-21 (June-July) over
the last year besides witnessing a surge of 70.67% in June 2021 compared to same month of last
year.

According to the provisional figures compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) issued
on Monday, exports from Pakistan during June, 2021 amounted to Rs.426.126 billion
(provisional) as against Rs.256.105 billion (provisional) in May, 2021 and Rs 263,985 billion
during June, 2020 showing an increase of 66.39% over May, 2021 and of 61.42% over
June,2020.
In terms of US dollars the exports in June, 2021 were $2.729 billion (provisional) as compared
to$ 1.671 billion (provisional) in May, 2021 showing an increase of 63.32% and by 70.67% as
compared to $1.599 billion in June2020.

Similarly the exports during the corresponding year (2020–2021) totaled Rs.4.042 trillion
(provisional) as against Rs 3.37 tillion during the corresponding period of last year showing an
increase of 19.95%.
In terms of US dollars the exports during the year totaled $ 25.304 billion (provisional) against
$21.394 billion during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 18.28%.

Main commodities of exports during June,2021 were knitwear (Rs. 64.187 billion), readymade
garments (Rs. 50.895 billion), bed wear (Rs. 46.694 billion), cotton cloth (Rs. 31.98 billion),
cotton yarn (Rs. 18.885 billion), rice others (Rs. 18.190 billion), towels (Rs.15.465 billion),
madeup articles (excl. towels & bedwear) (Rs.12.342 billion), fruits (Rs.11.792 billion) and
Basmati rice (Rs.10.722 billion).

The detail shows that in term of rupee, knitwear exports witnessed an increase of 47.45% and
75.62% in June 2021 when compared to the exports during May 2021 and June 2020
respectively.

Similarly readymade garments witnessed and increase of 70.4% and 66.64%, bed wear exports
recorded surge of 68.29% and 70.03%, cotton cloth 54.93% and 48.77%, and rice (others)
increased by 71.07% and 3.22% when compared with the exports during May 2021 and June
2020.

Likewise the exports of towels also rose by 63.25% and 58.99%, madeup articles (excluding
towels and bedwear) by 62.29% and 75.86%, fruits 598.58% and 112.47% and basmati rice‘s
export rose by 90.04% and 46.68% during the period under review.
The imports into the country during June,2021 amounted to Rs.995.843 billion (provisional) as
against Rs. 811.947 billion (provisional) in May, 2021 and Rs 611.449 billion during June2020
showing an increase of 22.65% over May, 2021 and of 62.87% over June2020.

In terms of US dollars the imports in June,2021 were $ 6.377 billion (provisional) as compared
to $5.297 billion (provisional) in May, 2021 showing an increase of 20.39% and by 72.21% as
compared to$3.703 billion in June2020.
Imports during July–June (2020-2021) totaled Rs.8.986 trillion (provisional) as against Rs.7.029
trillion during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 27.83%.

In terms of US dollars the imports during July–June (2020-2021) totaled $ 56.405 billion
(provisional) as against $ 44.553 billion during the corresponding period of last year showing an
increase of 26.60%.

Main commodities of imports during June,2021 were Petroleum products (Rs. 113.787 billion),
Petroleum crude (Rs.59.761 billion), Power generating machinery (Rs.50.794 billion), Natural
gas, liquefied (Rs. 49.083 billion), Palm Oil (Rs. 42.366 billion), Medicinal products (Rs.38.121
billion), Electrical machinery & apparatus (Rs 34.669 billion), Plastic Materials (Rs.33.851
billion), Mobile phones (Rs.31.963 billion), Fertilizer manufactured (Rs. 27.767 billion).

According to detail, the import of petroleum products jumped by 31.21% and 134.03% in June
2021, when compared to the imports during May 2021 and June 2020 respectively.

Similarly the imports of petroleum crude also went up by 22.9% and 168.03%, that of power
generating machinery rose by 122.24% and 11.98%, natural gas, liquefied by 15.77% and
79.55%, palm oil by 8.33% and 87.83%, medical products by 59.98% and 107.09% and
electrical machinery and apparatus‘ import rose by 18.59% and 52.15% during the period under
review.

The import of plastic materials increased by 0.86% and 33.95% and fertilizer manufactured
import also surged by 118.17% and 349.45% in June 2021 over May 2021 and June 2020.

The import of mobile phone witnessed an increase of 18.81% in June 2021 over May 2021,
however the mobile phone witnessed a decline of 16.3% in June 2021 over same month of last
year.

Based on the provisional figures of imports and exports the balance of trade in June, 2021 was (-)
569.717 billion in terms of Rupees and (-)3.648 billion in US dollars.

The balance of trade figures cumulative from July-June, 2020-2021 were (-)4.944 trillion in
terms of Rupees and (-)31.101 billion in US dollars

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2. AGRICULTURE WORLD

India’s Rice Exports Likely to Continue

Dominating the Global Market

Sugandh Bhatnagar Updated 20 July, 2021 12:00 PM IST

India's Rice Exports will continue to dominate the global rice market

India is one of the top producers and exporters of Rice and is likely to continue its
dominance in global rice market this year also. The exports of non basmati rice
will most probably exceed last year’s record of 13.08 million tons or at least
remain around that level, according to trade and industry experts. The demand
for non basmati rice was high last year as more countries purchased the
cereal admist supply issues and covid pandemic to ensure food supplies. Basmati
Rice exports also touched 4.62 million tons, valued at $4 billion. Totally, the rice
Exports fetched Rs 65,297 crore in 2020-21.

Experts concerns:
Experts fear that exports could be affected this year since panic
purchases over covid pandemic by some countries will be missing in this fiscal.

B V Krishna Rao, President, Rice Exporters Association (REA) said that

exporters also have concerns that the exports might slowdown due to high freight
costs from African buyers. The break- bulk vessels charge Rs 6,750- 7,500 per ton
to African destinations while the containers cost Rs 9,350-10,100 per ton. These
charges have doubled compared to the pre-covid times but India will still remain
competitive in terms of pricing as compared to the other countries.

RELATED LINKS


 India’s Top 10 Agriculture Export Commodities 2020-21
India’s Agriculture exports grew at 17.5 percent to cross $41.8 billion in 2020-21 even after
the total merchandise exports dropped…

It is important to note that the exports for this year have begun in a small way;
the exports of Basmati Rice in April were 15% lower and trend continued in May.
However, the exports to Africa and Bangladesh continue to be good. Bangladesh
is giving out tenders every month to import 50,000 tons and Indian firms are
getting these as their bids are the lowest. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and UAE
are another major importers of Rice from India.

According to Rao, Rice prices in Vietnam and Pakistan have softened but India
still remains the cheapest supplier in the world.

Rice prices around the world:

Country Prices

Vietnam $420 - $430

Thailand $401- $420

India $360 - $400

The price trends show that India will be the first choice of many countries for
importing rice because of the low prices and offer rates.

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Related Topics

Agriculture exports Non basmati rice export Rice Exports Policy India's Rice Exports

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؎
Pakistan‟s total exports jump 18.28pc (yoy)
in FY21






 0
Shares
Agencies
JULY 20, 2021
The country‘s exports posted record growth of 18.28 percent in Fiscal Year 2020-21 over the
previous year, besides witnessing a surge of 70.67 percent in June 2021 compared to the same
month of the previous year.

According to the provisional figures compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS),
exports from Pakistan during June 2021 amounted to Rs426.126 billion (provisional) as against
Rs256.105 billion (provisional) in May, 2021 and Rs263,985 billion during June2020, showing
an increase of 66.39 percent over May 2021 and of 61.42 percent over June 2020.

In terms of US dollars, the exports in June 2021 were $2.729 billion (provisional) as compared to
$1.671 billion (provisional) in May 2021 showing an increase of 63.32 percent and by 70.67
percent as compared to $1.599 billion in June 2020.

Similarly, exports during the year 2020-2021 totaled Rs4.042 trillion (provisional) as against
Rs3.37 trillion during the corresponding period of the previous year, showing an increase of
19.95 percent.

In terms of US dollars, exports during the year totaled $25.304 billion (provisional) against
$21.394 billion during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 18.28
percent.

Main commodities of exports during June 2021 were knitwear (Rs64.187 billion), readymade
garments (Rs50.895 billion), bed wear (Rs46.694 billion), cotton cloth (Rs31.98 billion), cotton
yarn (Rs18.885 billion), rice (Rs18.190 billion), towels (Rs15.465 billion), made-up articles
(towels and bed wear, Rs12.342 billion), fruits (Rs11.792 billion) and Basmati rice (Rs10.722
billion).
 The detail shows that in term of rupee, knitwear exports witnessed an increase of 47.45 percent
and 75.62 percent in June 2021 when compared to the exports during May 2021 and June 2020
respectively.

Similarly, readymade garments witnessed an increase of 70.4 percent and 66.64 percent, bed
wear exports recorded surge of 68.29 percent and 70.03 percent, cotton cloth 54.93 percent and
48.77 percent, and rice (others) increased by 71.07 percent and 3.22 percent when compared with
the exports during May 2021 and June 2020.

Likewise, the exports of towels also rose by 63.25 percent and 58.99 percent, made-up articles
(excluding towels and bed wear) by 62.29 percent and 75.86 percent, fruits 598.58 percent and
112.47 percent and basmati rice‘s export rose by 90.04 percent and 46.68 percent during the
period under review.

The imports into the country during June 2021 amounted to Rs995.843 billion (provisional) as
against Rs811.947 billion (provisional) in May 2021 and Rs611.449 billion during June 2020
showing an increase of 22.65 percent over May 2021 and of 62.87 percent over June 2020. In
terms of US dollars, the imports in June 2021 were $6.377 billion (provisional) as compared to
$5.297 billion (provisional) in May 2021 showing an increase of 20.39 percent and by 72.21
percent as compared to$3.703 billion in June 2020.

Imports during July-June (2020-2021) totaled Rs.8.986 trillion (provisional) as against Rs7.029
trillion during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 27.83 percent.

In terms of US dollars, the imports during July-June (2020-2021) totaled $56.405 billion
(provisional) as against $44.553 billion during the corresponding period of last year showing an
increase of 26.60 percent.

Main commodities of imports during June 2021 were petroleum products (Rs113.787 billion),
petroleum crude (Rs59.761 billion), power generating machinery (Rs50.794 billion), natural gas,
liquefied (Rs49.083 billion), palm oil (Rs42.366 billion), medicinal products (Rs38.121 billion),
electrical machinery and apparatus (Rs34.669 billion), plastic materials (Rs33.851 billion),
mobile phones (Rs31.963 billion) and Fertiliser manufactured (Rs27.767 billion).
https://dailytimes.com.pk/794621/pakistans-total-exports-jump-18-28pc-yoy-in-fy21/

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 AGRICULTURE | SHIPPING

Asian 5% broken white rice prices converge sub-$400/mt FOB for the first since
December 2019

COMMODITIES | ENERGY | ELECTRIC POWER | LNG | NATURAL GAS | NATURAL GAS

(NORTH AMERICAN) | OIL | CRUDE OIL | REFINED PRODUCTS | JET FUEL | METALS | STEEL |
SHIPPING

Market Movers Americas, July 19-23: Strong summer travel figures show promise for
jet fuel demand

AGRICULTURE | SHIPPING | DRY FREIGHT

Platts Dry Freight Wire

ENERGY TRANSITION | SHIPPING | GASOLINE | OIL | NATURAL GAS | BIOFUELS |

COMMODITIES

Rio Energy Virtual Forum

METALS | SHIPPING | STEEL | CONTAINERS

Vietnam Steel Association petitions against tax policy changes on steel products

ENERGY | ELECTRIC POWER | EMISSIONS | ENERGY TRANSITION | OIL | REFINED

PRODUCTS | JET FUEL

Air travel, demand and decarbonization: will passengers accept potential doubling in
EU ticket prices?

 AGRI CULTURE | SHI PPI NG

 19 Jul 2021 | 17:03 UTC

Asian 5% broken white rice

prices converge sub-
 $400/mt FOB for the first
since December 2019



 AuthorPeter Storey
 EditorAgamoni Ghosh
 CommodityAgriculture, Shipping




HIGHLIGHTS

Thai, Vietnamese and Pakistani exporters drop offers to compete with India

Smallest spread between four major origins since April 2018

Slow demand, crop pressure, freight issues weighing on Asian markets

On July 15 – for the first time since Dec. 19, 2019 – S&P Global Platts'
assessments of Thai, Indian, Pakistani and Vietnamese 5% broken white rice were
all assessed below $400/mt FOB.

Not registered?
Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience.
Register Now

The turnaround has been stark. Exactly a month before, not a single one of these
assessments were below $400/mt FOB. As recently as late-March, both Thai and
Vietnamese 5% broken white rice were assessed by Platts above $500/mt FOB.

Each country has its own specific context, but the recent correction is not unusual
in anything aside from in its scale. Each year, Asian white rice prices typically see a
downward correction around June-August. In Pakistan, exporters seek to clear
stocks ahead of harvesting from late August. Both Thailand and Vietnam are
harvesting off-season crops at this point in the year, while Indian farmers have also
just concluded their off-season rabi crop harvest.
However, with the return to sub-$400/mt FOB white rice prices, the market appears
to have turned a corner following the price spikes of the past year and a half, which
were primarily caused by fallout from COVID-19. However, in addition to the usual
seasonality of these price decreases, one of the main reasons for the recent
collapse in pricing has stemmed from the fallout from COVID-19 – shipping
difficulties, both for breakbulk and container.

"Buyers disappear"

A common recent remark from Asian exporters has been that many buyers are
able to justify FOB costs, but not freight costs. An Indian exporter claimed to Platts
that "demand is there, but due to container issues it's difficult to book new
business." A Thailand-based source confirmed that demand is there – especially
following FOB price declines – "but buyers disappear when you quote freight"
rates.

A European broker remarked July 16 that if they were to pay $320/mt FOB FCL for
high quality Myanmar broken rice, freight to Northern Europe averages around
$9,000/TEU. On the basis of 25 mt/TEU, that equates to a freight rate of $360/mt,
13% more than the cost of the product itself.

The ongoing political issues from Myanmar's coup notwithstanding, the country is
not alone. One Dubai-based trader whose company has strong links to the
shipping industry reported that even for them, it was difficult to source a breakbulk
ship due to high demand and low supply.

A Europe-based trader also recently claimed that it is "impossible to find"

containers in India. A second Europe-based trader said that "it's tough [to get
containers in Thailand], but not impossible. If you pay the right price."

Even if containers are sourced, there are also no guarantees that buyers will be
able to hang on to them. One major European buyer reported that the current
freight situation was "dramatic," primarily because shipping contracts were often
not being honored and eleventh-hour changes were not uncommon. A Pakistani
exporter confirmed this situation, claiming that it was "ridiculous...even last minute,
they [shipping companies] cancel the booking," creating additional costs for
counterparties.

Exports falter

In this context, the Pakistani exporter added that "everybody globally is quiet now."
Rolling the dice, many buyers have bet on the freight market improving and have
put off orders, leaning more heavily on existing stocks and waiting for domestic rice
prices to catch up with recent rises in the global freight market.

This is borne out in recent export figures, with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
estimating that May exports were down by 48% on year. Vietnamese H1 2021
exports were also down by 14% on year, according to data from Vietnam Customs,
while Thai 2021 exports as of July 11 (excluding Hom Mali Fragrant rice) were
down by 20% on year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
 The only exception has been India, which has typically been priced far below its
Asian competitors on an FOB basis. Indian rice exports totaled 2.02 million mt in
April, more than double their year-earlier level, according to the Directorate
General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics. However, with other countries
racing to the bottom to compete with India, it is exceedingly likely that the pace of
India's exports will falter, while Thai, Vietnamese and Pakistani exporters start to
receive large volume demand once again.

At this point, white rice FOB pricing is so similar among Asian origins that freight
rates and availability become much more important in determining whether or not a
deal is concluded. Unless an Asian origin sharply drops pricing further to claim the
position India has held in recent months, this situation is unlikely to change in the
coming months.

 ELECTRIC POWER | LNG | NAT UR AL G AS | OIL | MET ALS | SHI PPI NG

 19 Jul 2021 | 18:00 UTC

Watch: Market Movers

Americas, July 19 23:
Strong summer travel
figures show promise for
jet fuel demand



 FeaturingHarry Weber

 CommodityElectric Power, LNG, Natural Gas, Oil, Metals, Shipping
 Length3:19



In this week's Market Movers Americas, presented by Harry Weber:

* US airline passenger volume jump buoys jet demand

* Panama Canal maintenance stretches transit wait times

* American steelmakers prime for strong financial results

* US West faces upside risk to gas-fired burns in dry August forecast

 AGRI CULTURE, SHIPPIN G, DRY FREIGHT

Platts Dry Freight

Wire
Learn More

 ENERGY TRANSITION, S HIPPING, GASOLINE, O IL, NAT UR AL G AS, BIO FUELS, COMMODITIES

Rio Energy Virtual

Forum
 26 Aug 2021 | 00:00 UTC
Register
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https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/agriculture/071921-asian-5-
broken-white-rice-prices-converge-sub-400mt-fob-for-the-first-since-december-2019
 Hearty Monsoon Recipe: No-Onion,
No Garlic Cooker Pulao
by Shraddha Kamdar | July 19, 2021, 18:23 IST



PREP20 MINS

COOKING30 MINS
CATEGORYMAIN

CUISINEINDIAN

SERVINGS4 SERVINGS

NUTRITIONAL

VALUES

CALORIES

230

FATS

6G

CHOLESTEROL

0
Image courtesy: Chef Sanjyot Keer
How many times have you wanted to impress family or friends with your culinary
prowess but are always faced with the lack of time? We have just the solution for you.
Chef Sanjyot Keer of Your Food Lab brings you are recipe of a no-fuss pulao that is
made in a pressure cooker. Once served, it will seem like an elaborate dish that took
hours to make. Don‘t take our word for it, try it!

No-Onion No-Garlic Cooker Pulao

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
Image: Shutterstock

• 1.5 cups basmati rice

• 1 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp asafoetida (hing)
• 1-2 green chillies, slit
• 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup cooked soya chunks
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp lemon wedges
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves

Whole spices:

Image: Shutterstock

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 black cardamom
• 3.4 green cardamoms
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 8-10 whole black peppercorns
• 3-4 cloves
• 1 bay leaf

Powdered Spices:

Image: Shutterstock

• ¼ tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tbsp red chilli powder
• 2 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala

Veggies:
Image: Shutterstock

• ½ cup cauliflower florets

• ½ cup diced carrot
• ¼ cup French beans
• 2 medium-sized raw potatoes

For The Garnish (optional):

• Cucumber
• Pomegranate seeds
• Almond slivers

Method:
1. Start with rinsing the raw rice thoroughly and clean until the water is clear, keep aside
to be used later.
2. Set water for boiling in a stock pot, add the soya chunks and salt a pinch, boil it for 2-3
minutes, remove and rinse thoroughly with fresh water, squeeze to remove excess water,
keep aside to be used later.
 3. Heat a cooker on low flame, add oil, whole spices and sauté for a minute or until the
spices are aromatic.
4. Add asafoetida and green chillies, sauté it for a minute, further add tomatoes and sauté
until the tomatoes are mushy.
5. Keeping the flame on low, add the powdered spices and cook for a minute.
6. Now add the veggies, cooked soya chunks, salt to taste and water, mix well and bring
to a simmer.
7. Add washed rice, garam masala, lemon juice, coriander leaves, mix gently. The
proportion of rice to water is 1:2. So with this measurement, add three cups of water.
8. Close the lid and pressure cook on medium low flame for one whistle. Turn off the
heat and let the cooker depressurise naturally. Once cool, lift the whistle to check
pressure if any and open the lid. Your cooker pulao is ready.
9. Garnish it with fresh some cucumber slices, pomegranate seeds and almond slivers and
serve hot with your favourite raita

 Commodities
 Products & Services
 Methodology
 Market Insights
 Analytics
 Events
IN THIS LIST

AGRICULTURE | SHIPPING

Asian 5% broken white rice prices converge sub-$400/mt FOB for the first since
December 2019

COMMODITIES | ENERGY | ELECTRIC POWER | LNG | NATURAL GAS | NATURAL GAS

(NORTH AMERICAN) | OIL | CRUDE OIL | REFINED PRODUCTS | JET FUEL | METALS | STEEL |
SHIPPING

Market Movers Americas, July 19-23: Strong summer travel figures show promise for
jet fuel demand

AGRICULTURE | SHIPPING | DRY FREIGHT

Platts Dry Freight Wire

ENERGY TRANSITION | SHIPPING | GASOLINE | OIL | NATURAL GAS | BIOFUELS |

COMMODITIES
 Rio Energy Virtual Forum

METALS | SHIPPING | STEEL | CONTAINERS

Vietnam Steel Association petitions against tax policy changes on steel products

ENERGY | ELECTRIC POWER | EMISSIONS | ENERGY TRANSITION | OIL | REFINED

PRODUCTS | JET FUEL

Air travel, demand and decarbonization: will passengers accept potential doubling in
EU ticket prices?

 AGRI CULTURE | SHI PPI NG

 19 Jul 2021 | 17:03 UTC

Asian 5% broken white rice

prices converge sub-
$400/mt FOB for the first
since December 2019



 AuthorPeter Storey
 EditorAgamoni Ghosh
 CommodityAgriculture, Shipping




HIGHLIGHTS

Thai, Vietnamese and Pakistani exporters drop offers to compete with India

Smallest spread between four major origins since April 2018

Slow demand, crop pressure, freight issues weighing on Asian markets

On July 15 – for the first time since Dec. 19, 2019 – S&P Global Platts'
assessments of Thai, Indian, Pakistani and Vietnamese 5% broken white rice were
all assessed below $400/mt FOB.

Not registered?
Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience.
Register Now

The turnaround has been stark. Exactly a month before, not a single one of these
assessments were below $400/mt FOB. As recently as late-March, both Thai and
Vietnamese 5% broken white rice were assessed by Platts above $500/mt FOB.

Each country has its own specific context, but the recent correction is not unusual
in anything aside from in its scale. Each year, Asian white rice prices typically see a
downward correction around June-August. In Pakistan, exporters seek to clear
stocks ahead of harvesting from late August. Both Thailand and Vietnam are
harvesting off-season crops at this point in the year, while Indian farmers have also
just concluded their off-season rabi crop harvest.
However, with the return to sub-$400/mt FOB white rice prices, the market appears
to have turned a corner following the price spikes of the past year and a half, which
were primarily caused by fallout from COVID-19. However, in addition to the usual
seasonality of these price decreases, one of the main reasons for the recent
collapse in pricing has stemmed from the fallout from COVID-19 – shipping
difficulties, both for breakbulk and container.

"Buyers disappear"

A common recent remark from Asian exporters has been that many buyers are
able to justify FOB costs, but not freight costs. An Indian exporter claimed to Platts
that "demand is there, but due to container issues it's difficult to book new
business." A Thailand-based source confirmed that demand is there – especially
following FOB price declines – "but buyers disappear when you quote freight"
rates.

A European broker remarked July 16 that if they were to pay $320/mt FOB FCL for
high quality Myanmar broken rice, freight to Northern Europe averages around
$9,000/TEU. On the basis of 25 mt/TEU, that equates to a freight rate of $360/mt,
13% more than the cost of the product itself.

The ongoing political issues from Myanmar's coup notwithstanding, the country is
not alone. One Dubai-based trader whose company has strong links to the
shipping industry reported that even for them, it was difficult to source a breakbulk
ship due to high demand and low supply.

A Europe-based trader also recently claimed that it is "impossible to find"

containers in India. A second Europe-based trader said that "it's tough [to get
containers in Thailand], but not impossible. If you pay the right price."

Even if containers are sourced, there are also no guarantees that buyers will be
able to hang on to them. One major European buyer reported that the current
freight situation was "dramatic," primarily because shipping contracts were often
not being honored and eleventh-hour changes were not uncommon. A Pakistani
exporter confirmed this situation, claiming that it was "ridiculous...even last minute,
they [shipping companies] cancel the booking," creating additional costs for
counterparties.

Exports falter

In this context, the Pakistani exporter added that "everybody globally is quiet now."
Rolling the dice, many buyers have bet on the freight market improving and have
put off orders, leaning more heavily on existing stocks and waiting for domestic rice
prices to catch up with recent rises in the global freight market.

This is borne out in recent export figures, with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
estimating that May exports were down by 48% on year. Vietnamese H1 2021
exports were also down by 14% on year, according to data from Vietnam Customs,
while Thai 2021 exports as of July 11 (excluding Hom Mali Fragrant rice) were
down by 20% on year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
 The only exception has been India, which has typically been priced far below its
Asian competitors on an FOB basis. Indian rice exports totaled 2.02 million mt in
April, more than double their year-earlier level, according to the Directorate
General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics. However, with other countries
racing to the bottom to compete with India, it is exceedingly likely that the pace of
India's exports will falter, while Thai, Vietnamese and Pakistani exporters start to
receive large volume demand once again.

At this point, white rice FOB pricing is so similar among Asian origins that freight
rates and availability become much more important in determining whether or not a
deal is concluded. Unless an Asian origin sharply drops pricing further to claim the
position India has held in recent months, this situation is unlikely to change in the
coming months.

 ELECTRIC POWER | LNG | NAT UR AL G AS | OIL | MET ALS | SHI PPI NG

 19 Jul 2021 | 18:00 UTC

Watch: Market Movers

Americas, July 19 23:
Strong summer travel
figures show promise for
jet fuel demand



 FeaturingHarry Weber

 CommodityElectric Power, LNG, Natural Gas, Oil, Metals, Shipping
 Length3:19



In this week's Market Movers Americas, presented by Harry Weber:

* US airline passenger volume jump buoys jet demand

* Panama Canal maintenance stretches transit wait times

* American steelmakers prime for strong financial results

* US West faces upside risk to gas-fired burns in dry August forecast

 AGRI CULTURE, SHIPPIN G, DRY FREIGHT

Platts Dry Freight

Wire
Learn More

 ENERGY TRANSITION, S HIPPING, GASOLINE, O IL, NAT UR AL G AS, BIOFUEL S, COMMODITIES

Rio Energy Virtual

Forum
 26 Aug 2021 | 00:00 UTC
Register
 Recommended for You
Shipping -
July 20, 2021
-

South Asia faces the heat as container crisis deepens on long-

haul routes
READ >

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https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/agriculture/071921-asian-5-broken-
white-rice-prices-converge-sub-400mt-fob-for-the-first-since-december-2019
https://www.femina.in/food/recipes/hearty-monsoon-recipe-no-onion-no-garlic-cooker-pulao-
200544.html

IPOPHL and DOST tie up seeks to boost

patent use in agri R&D
BYTYRONE JASPER C. PIAD
JULY 19, 2021
2 MINUTE READ
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are teaming up to
further boost the use of patent information on research and technology
(R&D) advancements in agriculture and natural resources.

In a news statement issued on Monday, the IP agency said that its

unit, IP Business Services and Development Division (IPBSDD), is
providing training on patent search and patent mining.

Such initiative is aimed at supporting 17 state universities and

colleges and research and development institutions in conducting
studies regarding farm and fishery commodities. These are identified
in the priority research and development programs of the DOST‘s
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources
Research and Development (PCAARRD).

The participants include Cavite State University for its research about
coffee; Bohol Island State University, rice; Bataan Peninsula
University, Mango, Central Mindanao University, swine; Caraga State
University, Cacao; DOST-Forest Products Research and
Development Institute, bamboo; Ifugao State University, banana;
Isabela State University, goat; Laguna State Polytechnic University,
aqua feeds; and Nueva Vizcaya State University, citrus.
The other chosen researchers are Philippine Carabao Center for dairy
cattle; Pampanga State Agricultural University, milkfish; Samar State
University, crabs; University of the Philippines Visayas, shrimp;
University of Southern Mindanao, rubber; Western Mindanao State
University, native chicken; and Western Philippines University,
seaweeds/sea cucumber.

―The use of patent information to gain insight on the advancement of

technologies concerning particular fields of interest has been part of
IPOPHL‘s mission of making IP useful for the masses in concrete and
tangible aspects made possible through technology and knowledge
transfer,‖ IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said. ―This patent
mining project is one example of making IP work in the real world.‖

The ongoing collaboration between the IPOPHL and DOST is the

second of its kind that promotes the use of patent information in
research and development.

The same project back in 2017 to 2019 resulted in 12 private label

rights on abaca, bamboo, banana, crab, goat, livestock feed
resources, mango, milkfish, natural rubber, rice, shrimp, and swine.

―The IPOPHL‘s collaboration with PCAARRD is in the hopes of

bringing awareness on patent information as an important resource for
developing research projects or funding strategies in various
technological clusters even in agriculture‖ Barba added.

IPOPHL aims to return to the pre-pandemic level of IP applications

this year, banking on filings from micro, small and medium
enterprises.

Last year, IP applications went down, which Barba attributed to

prolonged locked down measures not only in Metro Manila but in other
major areas as well. Trademark applications fell by 10 percent to
35,724 while patents shrunk by 9 percent to 3,648. Utility models
filings plunged by 45 percent to 1,235; industrial design, 23 percent,
1,259; copyright, 44 percent, 940.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/07/19/ipophl-and-dost-tie-up-seeks-to-boost-patent-use-in-agri-
rd/

New Director of Wyoming

Agricultural Experiment Station
Joins UW
July 19, 2021

Eric Webster, the new director of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES), stands with
UW draft horses Pistol and Pete. The Haflinger draft horses promote the WAES and the UW College of
Agriculture and Natural Resources across the state. (UW Photo)

The new director of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) recently joined the
University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Eric Webster began his duties July 6. He previously was director of the Louisiana State
University’s (LSU) Iberia Research Station and assistant regional director of the LSU AgCenter’s
 southwest region. Research at the station includes cattle grazing and herd management studies,
and row crop research, including wheat, soybeans, sugar cane and rice.

Barbara Rasco, dean of the UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, says Webster will
be a great addition to the college administration team.

―His experience in plant biology, crop production and technology transfer will help the college
move forward with our initiatives to support Wyoming agriculture and, more specifically, to
improve crop and forage production, and control invasive plants across the state,‖ she says. ―We
look forward to him leading broad, collegewide initiatives in research and infrastructure
improvements across the state.‖

The WAES is the college’s research arm, and it also directs research and extension centers at
Laramie, Powell, Sheridan and the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research Center
near Lingle. For more information, go to www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn.

Webster’s research has focused on weed control in conventional rice and herbicide-resistant rice.
It has become highly visible across the U.S. and internationally, according to LSU.

The southwest region has 15 parishes (counties) and two research stations, including Iberia,
near Jeanerette in southern Louisiana. Webster was named assistant regional director in 2013
and director of the Iberia station in 2015.

He has published more than 570 publications as a senior author or co-author, including 92
journal articles and semi-technical publications; 61 research reports; 56 extension publications;
and 36 press articles.

Webster joined LSU as a weed science assistant professor in 1997. He became an associate
professor in 2001 and a full professor in 2005. His teaching duties included plant/herbicide
physiology, and weed biology and ecology.

He earned his Ph.D. in weed science from Mississippi State University. He received his master’s
degree in weed science and his bachelor’s degree in agronomy and soils, both from Auburn
University.

http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2021/07/new-director-of-wyoming-agricultural-experiment-station-
joins-uw.html

Arkansas Rice Field Day

returns to in-person format
Aug. 6
 By Mary Hightower University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

 Jul 19, 2021

 0

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STUTTGART — After COVID forced a virtual version last year, the in-person Arkansas
Rice Field Day will be back Aug. 6 at the Rice Research and Extension Center in
Stuttgart.

―We’re glad to be back to a face-to-face format,‖ said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice
agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. ―This is
usually one of the most well-attended field days of the year and producers and others
have told me they’re ready to come back.‖

On-site registration opens at 7 a.m. There is no cost to attend. The traditional field day
lunch of catfish will be served.

This year’s field day will feature two rounds of tours, one beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the
other at 9:30 a.m.

―As in 2019, each tour will cover only half of the stops so attendees wishing to see all
tour stops will need to go on both the 7:30 and 9:30 tours,‖ Hardke said.

The details are still being sorted, but attendees can expect to hear from research and
extension faculty of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture:
Rice breeding with Xueyan Sha, professor of plant rice and genetics, and Christian de
Guzman, assistant professor of rice breeding and genetics.

Pathology update with Yeshi Wamishe, extension plant pathologist.

Agronomy with Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist.

Soil fertility with Trent Roberts, associate professor – soil fertility and soil testing.

Weed management with Jason Norsworthy, professor and weed scientist.

Insect management with Nick Bateman, Gus Lorenz, and Ben Thrash, all extension
entomologists.

Irrigation with Chris Henry, associate professor and water management engineer.

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https://www.guardonline.com/news/arkansas-rice-field-day-returns-to-in-person-format-aug-
6/article_c9761687-883f-5a01-a685-5ed6aa792262.html

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 2. AGRICULTURE WORLD

India’s Rice Exports Likely to Continue

Dominating the Global Market

Sugandh Bhatnagar Updated 20 July, 2021 12:00 PM IST

India's Rice Exports will continue to dominate the global rice market

India is one of the top producers and exporters of Rice and is likely to continue its
dominance in global rice market this year also. The exports of non basmati rice
will most probably exceed last year’s record of 13.08 million tons or at least
remain around that level, according to trade and industry experts. The demand
for non basmati rice was high last year as more countries purchased the
cereal admist supply issues and covid pandemic to ensure food supplies. Basmati
Rice exports also touched 4.62 million tons, valued at $4 billion. Totally, the rice
Exports fetched Rs 65,297 crore in 2020-21.

Experts concerns:
Experts fear that exports could be affected this year since panic
purchases over covid pandemic by some countries will be missing in this fiscal.

B V Krishna Rao, President, Rice Exporters Association (REA) said that

exporters also have concerns that the exports might slowdown due to high freight
costs from African buyers. The break- bulk vessels charge Rs 6,750- 7,500 per ton
to African destinations while the containers cost Rs 9,350-10,100 per ton. These
charges have doubled compared to the pre-covid times but India will still remain
competitive in terms of pricing as compared to the other countries.

RELATED LINKS


India’s Top 10 Agriculture Export Commodities 2020-21
India’s Agriculture exports grew at 17.5 percent to cross $41.8 billion in 2020-21 even after
the total merchandise exports dropped…


It is important to note that the exports for this year have begun in a small way;
the exports of Basmati Rice in April were 15% lower and trend continued in May.
However, the exports to Africa and Bangladesh continue to be good. Bangladesh
is giving out tenders every month to import 50,000 tons and Indian firms are
getting these as their bids are the lowest. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and UAE
are another major importers of Rice from India.

According to Rao, Rice prices in Vietnam and Pakistan have softened but India
still remains the cheapest supplier in the world.

Rice prices around the world:

Country Prices

Vietnam $420 - $430

Thailand $401- $420

India $360 - $400

The price trends show that India will be the first choice of many countries for
importing rice because of the low prices and offer rates.

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Agriculture exports Non basmati rice export Rice Exports Policy India's Rice Exports
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Commodities

Indian rice export rates grind

to 16-month lows as supplies
grow
Reuters July 15 | Updated on July 16, 2021








Coronavirus movement curbs impact sales in Vietnam

Indian rice export prices hit a nearly16-month low this week as new
supplies come into market but demand remains low, while coronavirus
restrictions in Vietnam undercut sales of the staple grain.
Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety <RI-INBKN5-P1>
was quoted in the $364-$368 per tonne range this week, extending its
slide from last week's $367-$371. ―Export demand is weak. Rice
supplies have risen after government started distributing rice to poor
people,‖ said an exporter based at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Indian
farmers have planted rice on 11.5 million hectares as of July 9.

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 News-AnalysisClean Science and Technology Ltd IPO: Clean, but pricey listing

Vietnam's 5% broken rice rates <RI-VNBKN5-P1> were unchanged

from last week at $465-$470 per tonne- lowest level since July last
year. ―Farmers have started harvesting their summer-autumn crop in
most of the Mekong Delta area, but sales to traders are slow due to
coronavirus movement curbs,‖ a trader based in Ho Chi MinhCity
said.
Also read: Pakistan Basmati rice exports to EU face trouble over
pesticide residue
Traders said domestic unhusked paddy prices may fall over the
coming weeks as supplies from the harvest build up, while movement
curbs are expected to remain in place. ―Some of the traders have
stopped buying rice from farmers due to coronavirus,‖ another trader
in the city said.
Bangladesh has allowed private traders to import 1 million tonnes of
rice to tame prices, according to the food ministry. The country
imported 1.3 million tonnes of rice in the year to June, the highest
volume in three years.
Weak baht
Thailand's 5% broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> prices dropped to the
lowest level since December 2019 at $405-$412 per tonne from$410-
$425 per tonne a week ago. Bangkok-based traders said a depreciation
of the Thai baht against the U.S. dollar continued to lower export
prices.
Thailand has exported around 1.78 million tonnes of ricebetween
January and May this year, down 31% from the same period a year
ago, government data showed
Published on July 16, 2021

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month-lows-as-supplies-grow/article35356180.ece

JULY 22, 20219:14 AMUPDATED 10 HOURS AGO

Bangladesh rice farmers invent new

varieties to withstand salt, storms
By Rafiqul Islam Montu
6 MIN READ

SHYAMNAGAR, Bangladesh (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Farmer

Dilip Chandra Tarafdar was tired of fighting to keep his rice crop alive
in the Bangladeshi coastal village of Chandipur.

If the plants managed to grow in soil made salty by decades of cyclones

and floods, then strong winds would snap their stalks or pests would
wipe them out.

So, ten years ago, Tarafdar, 45, looked to his ancestors and started cross-
breeding seed varieties that used to thrive in the southwestern
Shyamnagar region but are now on the edge of extinction after farmers
moved onto higher-yielding varieties.

His new type of rice, called Charulata, tolerates salty soil and water-
logging, stays standing in high winds and grows well without fertilisers
or pesticides, Tarafdar said.

In the olden days, local people could survive just from the rice they
harvested without doing other work, he noted.

―But we face many problems after planting paddy (rice). So, we have
come up with a new method of cross-breeding to bring back the disaster-
tolerant varieties of paddy planted by our ancestors,‖ he told the
Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The farmer said his seed variety can produce up to 1,680 kg (3,700
pounds) of rice per quarter hectare (0.62 acres), more than double what
he was getting from conventional varieties.

Repeatedly let down by seeds they buy or get from the government,
other rice farmers in Shyamnagar sub-district are also taking matters into
their own hands, reviving ancestral varieties and creating new ones that
can withstand increasingly frequent storms, floods and droughts.

―Farmers in this disaster-prone area have done a great job in preserving

local rice seeds and inventing rice varieties,‖ said S.M. Enamul Islam,
the agriculture officer for Shyamnagar.

That kind of innovation is one reason agriculture is still a viable

livelihood in the area, he added.

SHRINKING FARMLAND

One of the country‘s top rice-producing regions, Shyamnagar provides

work for about 45,000 farmers, according to data from the sub-district‘s
agriculture office.
But the soil started getting saltier in the late 1980s, farmers said, when
shrimp farming picked up in the area. To create their ponds, shrimp
farmers used saltwater taken from rivers, which seeped into the
surrounding rice fields.

Then Cyclone Ayla in 2009 brought high tides and tidal waves that
submerged much of Shyamnagar, causing salt levels in the soil to shoot
up, said A.B.M. Touhidul Alam, a researcher at the Bangladesh
Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK).

Several cyclones and floods since then have made the ground saltier,
forcing many people to abandon rice cultivation.

According to a study by global charity Practical Action, between 1995

and 2015, farmland in five areas, including Shyamnagar, shrank by more
than 78,000 acres as much was converted to shrimp farms.

And researchers warn that the water and soil in coastal Bangladesh will
only become more hostile to rice farming as the planet heats up.

A 2014 World Bank report on climate change effects along the coast
estimated that by 2050, rivers in 10 of the region‘s 148 sub-districts
would become moderately or highly saline.

Hoping to create seeds that can survive such a scenario, Sheikh Sirajul
Islam, a farmer from Haibatpur village near Shyamnagar, set up a rice
research centre in his home, where he stores more than 155 local
varieties.

The farmer is working on a variety of wild rice he hopes can be adapted

for cultivation. It grows naturally in saltwater on the seacoast and
riverbanks, but is not as nutritious as farmed rice, he explained.

He has already developed two other varieties that can withstand saline
water and water-logging, which he gives out for free to more than 100
farmers in the area.
―I (also) plan to set up a seed market in town. Seeds will not be sold
there, they will be exchanged,‖ he said.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Humayun Kabir, senior scientific officer at the government‘s

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), said the farmers‘ work on
new seed varieties was making ―a significant contribution‖ to the
development of agriculture at the local level.

Several rice varieties developed by farmers over the past few years -
including Tarafdar‘s - have been sent to the BRRI, which tests the seeds
in its own laboratories before deciding whether to distribute them to
farmers across the country.

While BRRI scientists have developed at least 100 varieties of rice

already, including some that can grow in salty and water-logged soil,
farmers in Shyamnagar say most of them are either inefficient or
unsuitable for where they live.

Several told the Thomson Reuters Foundation the BRRI varieties often
do not reach them and when they do, they are too expensive and not
adapted to their disaster-prone area.

―I have planted them many times and the yields are not good,‖ said
Bikash Chandra, a farmer from Gomantali village, who now uses a local
rice variety invented by Sirajul Islam.

The BRRI‘s Kabir said the institute is working on ways to get its seeds
out to more farmers.

Farmers have developed 35 disaster-resilient rice varieties over the past

decade, said Partha Sharathi Pal, regional coordinator at BARCIK,
which gives technical assistance to Shyamnagar farmers developing
their own varieties and stores the resulting seeds.
Most are still in the field-testing phase, said Pal, adding that the results
have so far been positive.

―Farmers (in Shyamnagar) have found solutions to their own problems,‖

he said. ―As a result, paddy cultivation has returned to many disaster-
prone areas. This is a new hope for the farmers of the future.‖
Reporting by Rafiqul Islam Montu, Editing by Jumana Farouky and Megan Rowling. Please
credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the
lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit news.trust.org
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bangladesh-farming-climate-rice/bangladesh-rice-farmers-invent-
new-varieties-to-withstand-salt-storms-idUSKBN2ES08Q

FEATURE-Bangladesh rice farmers

invent new varieties to withstand salt,
storms
A 2014 World Bank report on climate change effects along the coast
estimated that by 2050, rivers in 10 of the region's 148 sub-districts
would become moderately or highly saline. Hoping to create seeds that
can survive such a scenario, Sheikh Sirajul Islam, a farmer from
Haibatpur village near Shyamnagar, set up a rice research centre in his
home, where he stores more than 155 local varieties.

Reuters | Updated: 22-07-2021 08:30 IST | Created: 22-07-2021 08:30 IST

 SHARE




* Rice crops on Bangladesh coast suffer from floods and salty soil *
Climate change expected to make problems worse

* Farmers in Shyamnagar district cross-breed own resilient varieties By

Rafiqul Islam Montu

SHYAMNAGAR, Bangladesh, July 22 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) -

Farmer Dilip Chandra Tarafdar was tired of fighting to keep his rice
crop alive in the Bangladeshi coastal village of Chandipur. If the plants
managed to grow in soil made salty by decades of cyclones and floods,
then strong winds would snap their stalks or pests would wipe them out.

So, ten years ago, Tarafdar, 45, looked to his ancestors and started cross-
breeding seed varieties that used to thrive in the southwestern
Shyamnagar region but are now on the edge of extinction
after farmers moved onto higher-yielding varieties. His new type of rice,
called Charulata, tolerates salty soil and water-logging, stays standing in
high winds and grows well without fertilisers or pesticides, Tarafdar
said.

In the olden days, local people could survive just from the rice they
harvested without doing other work, he noted. "But we face many
problems after planting paddy (rice). So, we have come up with a new
method of cross-breeding to bring back the disaster-tolerant varieties of
paddy planted by our ancestors," he told the Thomson Reuters
Foundation.

The farmer said his seed variety can produce up to 1,680 kg (3,700
pounds) of rice per quarter hectare (0.62 acres), more than double what
he was getting from conventional varieties. Repeatedly let down by
seeds they buy or get from the government, other rice farmers in
Shyamnagar sub-district are also taking matters into their own hands,
reviving ancestral varieties and creating new ones that can withstand
increasingly frequent storms, floods and droughts.

"Farmers in this disaster-prone area have done a great job in preserving

local rice seeds and inventing rice varieties," said S.M. Enamul Islam,
the agriculture officer for Shyamnagar. That kind of innovation is one
reason agriculture is still a viable livelihood in the area, he added.

SHRINKING FARMLAND One of the country's top rice-producing

regions, Shyamnagar provides work for about 45,000 farmers, according
to data from the sub-district's agriculture office.

But the soil started getting saltier in the late 1980s, farmers said, when
shrimp farming picked up in the area. To create their ponds,
shrimp farmers used saltwater taken from rivers, which seeped into the
surrounding rice fields. Then Cyclone Ayla in 2009 brought high tides
and tidal waves that submerged much of Shyamnagar, causing salt levels
in the soil to shoot up, said A.B.M. Touhidul Alam, a researcher at
the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK).

Several cyclones and floods since then have made the ground saltier,
forcing many people to abandon rice cultivation. According to a study
by global charity Practical Action, between 1995 and 2015, farmland in
five areas, including Shyamnagar, shrank by more than 78,000 acres as
much was converted to shrimp farms.

And researchers warn that the water and soil in coastal Bangladesh will
only become more hostile to rice farming as the planet heats up. A
2014 World Bank report on climate change effects along the coast
estimated that by 2050, rivers in 10 of the region's 148 sub-districts
would become moderately or highly saline.

Hoping to create seeds that can survive such a scenario, Sheikh Sirajul
Islam, a farmer from Haibatpur village near Shyamnagar, set up a rice
research centre in his home, where he stores more than 155 local
varieties. The farmer is working on a variety of wild rice he hopes can
be adapted for cultivation. It grows naturally in saltwater on the seacoast
and riverbanks, but is not as nutritious as farmed rice, he explained.

He has already developed two other varieties that can withstand saline
water and water-logging, which he gives out for free to more than
100 farmers in the area. "I (also) plan to set up a seed market in town.
Seeds will not be sold there, they will be exchanged," he said.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Humayun Kabir, senior scientific officer at

the government's Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), said the
farmers' work on new seed varieties was making "a significant
contribution" to the development of agriculture at the local level.

Several rice varieties developed by farmers over the past few years -
including Tarafdar's - have been sent to the BRRI, which tests the seeds
in its own laboratories before deciding whether to distribute them
to farmers across the country. While BRRI scientists have developed at
least 100 varieties of rice already, including some that can grow in salty
and water-logged soil, farmers in Shyamnagar say most of them are
either inefficient or unsuitable for where they live.

Several told the Thomson Reuters Foundation the BRRI varieties often
do not reach them and when they do, they are too expensive and not
adapted to their disaster-prone area. "I have planted them many times
and the yields are not good," said Bikash Chandra, a farmer from
Gomantali village, who now uses a local rice variety invented by Sirajul
Islam.

The BRRI's Kabir said the institute is working on ways to get its seeds
out to more farmers. Farmers have developed 35 disaster-resilient rice
varieties over the past decade, said Partha Sharathi Pal, regional
coordinator at BARCIK, which gives technical assistance to
Shyamnagar farmers developing their own varieties and stores the
resulting seeds.
Most are still in the field-testing phase, said Pal, adding that the results
have so far been positive. "Farmers (in Shyamnagar) have found
solutions to their own problems," he said. "As a result, paddy cultivation
has returned to many disaster-prone areas. This is a new hope for
the farmers of the future."

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-
generated from a syndicated feed.)
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/1660817-olympics-fight-japan-
cheerleaders-root-for-athletes-as-games-set-to-open

Historical society holds meeting in DeWitt

July 21, 2021
H. Terry Rasco, retired Little Rock architect and DeWitt native, gives a
presentation titled ―Why DeWitt?‖ (Submitted photo)

Grand Prairie Historical Society (GPHS) held their summer quarterly

meeting at Phillips Community College, DeWitt, on Thursday, July
15. Around forty members and guests attended in person or via the
internet. An interesting and informative presentation called ―Why
DeWitt?‖ was given by H. Terry Rasco, retired Little Rock architect
and DeWitt native. Some of his award-winning designs are Ricebelt
Vo-Tech School, DeWitt; Dale Bumpers USDA Rice Research Center
and UA Rice Research Center, both near Stuttgart; First United
Methodist Church in DeWitt and in Stuttgart; and Farmers and
Merchants Bank, DeWitt. Over the course of his career, Terry’s firm
was awarded two national design awards, four regional design
awards, and dozens of state awards for design excellence. His
program featured highlights of his youth and family background,
reasons for the location and naming of DeWitt, and numerous
images of DeWitt throughout its history.
 GPHS President Raeann
Braithwaite presents a certificate of appreciation to GPHS Facebook
administrator John Cover of Gillett. (Submitted photo)

President Raeann Braithwaite presented certificates of appreciation

to Facebook administrators John Cover and James Prange for their
outstanding efforts in maintaining the Society’s social media
presence. She informed attendees that the GPHS website is now
hosted by Wix and is more user-friendly. The address
remains www.grandprairiehistory.org. Braithwaite announced that
the historical marker plaque in St. Charles near the boat launch site,
installed by GPHS in 1964, will be repainted in the near future. She
reported that a recent reprinting of John and Linda Cover’s 2006
book Gillett, Arkansas: Celebrating 100 Years is more than half sold
out.

Museum reports were given by various members. Museum of the

Arkansas Grand Prairie’s summer ―Projects on the Prairie‖ programs
have been a success. St. Charles Museum underwent a renovation
which has brought about more displays. Both facilities had water
problems from the recent flooding, but due to the work of
employees and volunteers, no long-term damage was suffered.
Arkansas Post National Memorial’s annual ―Ghosts of the Past‖
program is set for October 16. Public Lands Day is on September
25, and will be held by the Arkansas Post Project Office Corps of
Engineers at Merrisach Lake. Arkansas Post Museum State Park
reports that remodeling of the Peterson Building is continuing. The
Refeld-Hinman log house is being evaluated for needed repairs. A
display commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Wayne
Hampton Bridge, loaned to the museum by GPHS Vice-president
Gay Hampton Rusk, is on view through July.

Director Glenn Mosenthin previewed a 16-panel pamphlet entitled

―A Driving Tour of Historical Markers in Arkansas County,‖ being
published by the Society. He announced the organization’s 2022
meeting venues. Those dates and locations are January 20,
Stuttgart, venue TBA; April 21, Arkansas Post National Memorial;
July 21, Phillips Community College, DeWitt; and October 20, Bayou
Meto Schoolhouse Lodge. Pres. Braithwaite reminded attendees of
the dedication ceremony to be held July 25 for three new marker
plaques at Bayou Meto Methodist Church, Bayou Meto Cemetery,
and Bayou Meto Schoolhouse Lodge, beginning with the 11:00
church service. GPHS will next meet at the Holman Heritage
Community Center in Stuttgart, October 21.

For membership information or to contact the organization, see the

Society’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/grandprairiehistory;
the website www.grandprairiehistory.org; or phone 870-710-1240.

https://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/historical-society-holds-meeting-in-dewitt/

eaping the benefits: Training in rice growing

system ups yields and well-being
Study shows randomized Bangladesh-based trial of training in agronomy method has
advantages for rice output and profits, as well as for the rice farmers' lives
UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA

Research News
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IMAGE: A RESEARCHER FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA, TOGETHER WITH WELL-KNOWN
DEVELOPMENT ECONOMISTS, CONDUCTED RANDOMIZED TRIALS OF THE SYSTEM OF RICE
INTENSIFICATION (SRI) AGRONOMY METHOD. FOLLOWING SRI TRAINING OF 5,486
BANGLADESHI... view more

CREDIT: ©BRAC, BANGLADESH

Tsukuba, Japan - Rice is the world's most commonly grown and consumed crop. It also supports
lives and livelihoods, especially in low- and middle-income regions. As such, methods for securing
abundant and profitable rice harvests are key in global food security.

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) offers a repeatable, sustainable system for increasing rice
yields. It brings together fundamental planting and harvesting techniques such as strategically
spacing plants, minimizing water, and transplanting seedlings. These practices can be repeated in
varying conditions. While SRI has been around since the mid-1980s, need persists for evidence to
back its merits and distinguish its techniques.
New findings published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics now give much-needed
evidence of SRI, following its diffusion to more than 5,000 Bangladeshi farmers. SRI training was
introduced and evaluated among the rice farmers in a similar manner to a randomized controlled trial
(RCT) in medicine. Certain communities were trained while others were not. This created a pure
control group, similar to those who receive a placebo or receiving nothing in an RCT. That in turn
allowed compelling comparisons, along with insights into related effects of the training.

Professor Abdul Malek of the University of Tsukuba (Japan), together with international colleagues
including Asad Islam (Monash University), Christopher Barrett (Cornell University), Marcel
Fafchamps (Stanford University), and Debayan Pakrashi (Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur),
conducted these randomized introductions of SRI in Bangladesh and studied them from agricultural
and social angles. The core of the researchers' work was two RCTs in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.

"To a large degree, we already know SRI delivers good yields, among other advantages. Some
have, however, questioned its uniqueness and results, so there is continued need for evidence to
support it," Professor Malek says. "By randomizing a large cohort of farmers, we have been able to
look at both SRI's quantifiable economic benefits and the qualitative benefits of disseminating this
agronomic training and knowledge."

Among the results, SRI led to rice yield and profit increases of 14%-17% and 22%-31%,
respectively. Household well-being was also found to be higher for farmers in training communities
vs. those without training. Additionally, a spillover effect was seen as untrained farmers in training
communities also gained exposure to SRI practices.

In two previous studies published as Fafchamps, etal (2021 and 2020) available at respectively:
lhab009, https://doi.org/10.1093/wber/lhab009 and https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
S0304387818314913 , Professor Malek and colleagues elaborated on these knock-on benefits of
this training. His research teams used the trials to show (1) the efficacy of introductory referrals to
training and (2) the cost advantages of peer-to-peer transmission of knowledge acquired. The latest
work corroborates the overall findings in a broader scope to give valuable evidence of training and of
SRI itself.

"We've covered a great deal of ground in verifying how SRI boosts productivity and farmers' well-
being," Professor Malek says. "We've also seen how knowledge is transferred among trained
farmers. This may help settle intense debates around SRI as a tool for boosting rice productivity and
rice farmers' well-being. It also offers a great deal of promise for agronomy in the Global South."

###
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/202
1-07/uot-rtb072121.phpAttack of the Feral
Weed
Danforth Center Scientists Fight Back Against Rice’s Evolving Enemy

21-Jul-2021 10:00 AM EDT, by Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

1
favorite_border
 The Topp lab. Principal Investigator Chris Topp, PhD, is working with fellow scientists to combat weedy
rice.
PreviousNext

Newswise — The world depends on rice: it is a staple food for more than half the
Earth‘s population. Rice has been grown for thousands of years and in more than one
hundred countries. And just about everywhere rice is grown, a thieving, cunning,
lookalike weed runs amok, damaging harvests. It is known as ―weedy rice.‖

Weedy rice is a plant that belongs to the same genus and species as cultivated rice, but
it produces far fewer grains. Herbicides used in rice growing can‘t touch it, and due to its
striking resemblance to desirable rice, it‘s easy for this invader to flourish in fields
undetected. Left unchecked, weedy rice steals water and precious nutrients from the
rice crop, resulting in a dramatic loss of yield – by up to 80 percent. Estimated annual
losses are more than $45 million in the U.S. alone, resulting in higher prices. When
weedy rice outcompetes crop rice, farmers and consumers both lose.

But now, with backing from the National Science Foundation, Danforth Center Principal
Investigator Chris Topp, PhD, is partnering with Kenneth M. Olsen, PhD, professor of
biology at Washington University in St. Louis and others to help learn how weedy rice
outcompetes crop rice – and how to defeat it.

This work has the potential to help farmers here in Missouri while also helping to feed
millions of people around the globe.

CHRIS TOPP, PHD, DANFORTH CENTER PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The Hidden HalfWeedy rice is essentially domesticated rice that has gone feral, but how
exactly does this happen? Researchers are hoping to find out, but one thing they know
for certain is that a significant source of its abilities lies below ground, in the roots.

Better understanding the ―hidden half‖ of plants — the 50 percent below ground — is a
major focus of the Topp lab. They have pioneered the use of X-ray 3D computerized
tomography (CT) for nondestructive observation of root growth and development over
time. The facility is unique in North America, and already the work is yielding results.

Using this unique imaging to observe undamaged roots of growing weedy rice, they
discovered a major aspect of its success: weedy rice had evolved ―cheater traits‖ that
allow it to take advantage of the soil to beat out rice crops for nutrients. The team is now
expanding on this discovery.

―By understanding how this invader competes for nutrients underground, we can learn
how to better fight against it, save countless rice crops, and, as a result, improve
farmers‘ bottom lines and contribute to feeding millions of people,‖ said Topp.
 Potential for GreatnessThe research has significant application beyond just identifying
the best methods to combat a pest. Several traits that weedy rice currently possesses
could prove useful for improving the real rice crop someday. Besides the cheater traits,
weedy rice is also resistant to the common fungal disease rice blast. Understanding the
genetic basis for these traits could eventually help breed stronger, more productive crop
rice varieties.

The Need

This research is funded by the National Science and donors to the Innovation Fund.
Interested in supporting projects like this? Visit danforthcenter.org/give.

Considerations for draining rice fields at the end of this season

 Author: Bruce A Linquist

Published on: July 21, 2021

Driving this week, I saw quite a few fields with heads starting to show up so drain time is around
the corner. Earlier than normal planting and a warm early season means that the crop is going to
be harvested earlier than normal. Soon growers are going to begin making the decision as to
when to drain the field in preparation for harvest. Cass Mutters is the only one I am aware of
that has done research on this and he suggested you could drain safely 21-24 days after
heading. A few thoughts on this.

I think most growers are a bit reluctant to drain this early, given the risk of lower quality if soil
dries out too quickly.
 1. Drain time will be soil dependent. Some soils dry out faster than others.
2. This year with a lot of fallow fields and pump usage, the ―typical‖ hydrology of fields is
different. Pumps can lower ground water tables in their near vicinity, perhaps causing
water to percolate more readily downward and the soils dry up faster. Also rice fields
adjacent to fallow fields may lose water faster due to lateral water movement towards
dry fields.
3. If the weather is really warm and dry (especially with north winds), growers may want to
hold water a bit longer as well due to increased ET.

All that said, growers could save water by stopping irrigation early and allowing water to
naturally subside. This is as opposed to applying irrigation water until you are ready to pull the
boards at the end of the season. As a rule of thumb, ET losses are about ¼ inch a day. So, if you
have 4 inches of water in your field, that would keep the field flooded or saturated for about 16
days. Given that water may drop faster this year (due to reasons mentioned above), it may be
safer to plan for about ½ inch loss a day. So, let use an example of a grower who typically pulls
the boards at 25 days after heading and expects the surface water to be drained from the field
by 28 days. If this grower has 5 inches of water in the field, this water would last about 10 days.
Therefore, irrigation water could be halted at 18 days after heading; and by 28 days, the field
water would be similar as if they pulled the boards at 25 days. This would save one week of
irrigation water.

Obviously, how fast water drops in a field once the water has been turned off is soil, year and
location dependent. As we go into the future, where water limitations may become more
frequent, it would be a good idea for growers to track how fast water drops in a field when
boards are in place and no irrigation water is coming in. All you need is a stake in the field with
1‖ markers and simply record how much the water lowers each day. Keep in mind that in fields
with a slope, the upper checks may drain into lower checks, so the stake should be in the upper
check which will dry out the fastest. When doing this, make note of if adjacent fields are flooded
or not or if a well is close by. Keeping records for a few years, will help farmers make more
informed decisions in future years.

Photo: Jim Morris, CRC

Comments: 0

https://ucanr.edu/blogs/riceblog/

USA Rice Applauds

Daniel Whitley, Administrator
Appointment of Whitley as of FAS
Foreign Agricultural Service
Administrator
By Peter Bachmann

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, U.S. Secretary of

Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of
Daniel Whitley as the new Administrator of the
Department‟s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS),
overseeing personnel in nearly 100 U.S. embassies,
consulates, and international organizations around the
world and collectively providing representation across
180 countries. The FAS specializes in providing
expertise in international trade policy, market
development and export assistance, trade data and
analysis, and international food aid.

Whitley has been serving as the Acting Administrator for FAS since the Administration‟s
transition in January of 2021. Prior to that role, he was the Associate Administrator
responsible for leading the agency‟s trade policy and market analysis teams. During his 20-
plus year career in FAS, Daniel has served in a number of leadership roles including Deputy
Administrator of the Office of Global Analysis and the Director of the Office of Civil Rights.

Whitley began his career with the Department‟s Economic Research Service, working on
market access issues in the World Trade Organization. Whitley holds bachelor‟s and master‟s
degrees in agricultural economics, is a proud graduate of Southern University and A&M
College and Louisiana State University.

USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward said, “We are pleased that Secretary Vilsack has
appointed Daniel to this important role for U.S. agriculture and particularly important for the
rice industry. His experience within FAS speaks for itself and we don‟t expect any real
transition period as he already „hit the ground running‟ several months ago.”

“USA Rice relies heavily on our longstanding relationships within the FAS to award Market
Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, and most recently, Agricultural Trade
Promotion Program funding to support our efforts to promote U.S. rice throughout dozens of
markets overseas. Our members also support the work FAS‟s food assistance division does to
provide milled and fortified rice to those in need, using the Food for Progress and McGovern
Dole Programs. We are looking forward to working more closely with Daniel in this more
 permanent role to further grow our export markets worldwide.”

Additionally, USA Rice staff work closely with the trade policy and data analysis teams both in
Washington and at the various FAS posts across the globe to monitor and support market
promotion. For 2021, USA Rice received $4.88 million in funds from the FAS‟s Market Access
Program and Foreign Market Development program to promote the sales and consumption of
U.S. rice abroad. There are also $3.5 million in Agricultural Trade Promotion funds that can be
applied in 2021-2023.

Final Press Release

[Under embargo until 07/22/2021; 06:00H

Filipinos soon to plant and eat Golden Rice

With DA-BPI’s release of the final biosafety approval, Golden Rice is now cleared

for seed propagation.

Science City of Muñoz, Philippines -- Filipino rice consumers are close to
benefitting from a Vitamin A-infused rice with the approval of its
commercial propagation permit.

Dr. John C. de Leon, executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine

Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), announced that a biosafety permit for
propagating the seeds of Golden Rice has been issued on July 21, 2021.

The permit stipulates that Golden Rice has “undergone satisfactory biosafety
assessment pursuant to Department of Science and Technology, DA, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Department of
Interior and Local Government Joint Department Circular No.1, Series of 2016”.

De Leon said that apart from meeting the rigorous standards of biosafety regulation,
Golden Rice development follows the standard process of rice breeding, which usually
takes 10-12 years before a variety reaches the consumers.

This biosafety approval of Golden Rice is the first authorization for commercial
propagation of a genetically engineered rice in South and Southeast Asia.

With this permit, De Leon said that Golden Rice can now be planted for commercial
production as per the terms and conditions specified by the DA- Bureau of Plant
Industry.

He clarified though that Golden Rice will still have to seek varietal registration by the
National Seed Industry Council (NSIC). NSIC approves the registration of varieties
based on consistent good agronomic field performance.

"As always, we are committed to ensuring the highest quality of seed for farmers and a
safe and nutritious food supply for all Filipinos," the PhilRice chief stressed. He
elaborated that they will be implementing a comprehensive quality assurance and
stewardship program that covers all steps in the chain from seed production, to post-
harvest processing, to marketing.
Golden Rice is part of the Healthier Rice Project carried out by DA-PhilRice in
partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

“Rigorous research and regulatory review has demonstrated that Golden Rice is as
safe as ordinary rice with the added benefit of beta-carotene in its grains” says IRRI
Director for Research Dr. Ajay Kohli. “This milestone approval is the product of cross-
cutting collaborative work in the agriculture and nutrition sciences, the public sector,
and local farming communities, who are all looking forward to seeing Golden Rice
reach the tables of those who need it the most.”

De Leon said they will still have to complete the remaining few next steps, such as
seed increase, to be able to bring the product forward to farmers and consumers at the
soonest possible time.

He emphasized that Golden Rice is developed for humanitarian purposes to help curb
vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Hence, De Leon said that they aim to deploy the vitamin-A
enriched rice in partnership with appropriate agencies through market-based and
programmatic approaches (e.g., feeding program) in areas where the prevalence of
vitamin A deficiency is high.

Studies have shown that a one-cup portion of cooked Golden Rice contains enough
beta-carotene to meet up to 40% of the estimated average requirement of vitamin A for
children aged 6 months to 5 years, the group most at risk of vitamin A insufficiency in
the Philippines. At present, only 2 out of 10 Filipino households meet the estimated
average requirement (EAR) for vitamin A intake in their daily diet.

With its potential to provide a significant amount of vitamin A in the diet, Golden Rice
can be an effective complementary approach to achieving the Department of
Agriculture’s vision of availability, affordability, and accessibility of quality and
nutritious rice for all Filipinos at all times.

Golden Rice has been previously assessed for food safety in five countries, including
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and the Philippines.
 RicePhiphadfad

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Global Gene Editing Regulation Tracker

Our interactive GLP global map explains the status of each country’s regulations for human and agricultural
gene editing and gene drives.
Anti-GMO Advocacy Funding Tracker
This GLP project maps contributions by foundations to anti-biotech activists and compares it to pro-GMO
industry spending.

GLP Podcast: Animal gene editing moves ahead in

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Cameron English, Kevin Folta | July 21, 2021
 This article or excerpt is included in the GLP‘s daily curated selection of ideologically diverse news, opinion and analysis of
biotechnology innovation.

R ussia wants to produce allergen-free milk using animal gene editing. How much progress have they

made? If you’re bored with flavorless fruits and vegetables, genetic engineering might have solved your
problem. A rice-based cholera vaccine could save a lot of lives and lead the way to more edible
immunizations against deadly diseases.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on this episode of
Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:
 Russia positions itself as a world leader in genetically edited cows
After years of watching other nations accrue the benefits of genetic engineering, Russia appears to have
warmed to the technology. The country has already invested more than $1 billion in crop gene editing,
and now Moscow State University scientists are trying to breed gene-edited cows that produce allergen-
free milk. Petr Sergiev, a member of the Moscow State research team, summed up the project’s
potential:

I think this work will lay the methodological foundation for gene editing in
cattle in Russia, which will lead to more complex challenges. For instance, we
can make cows produce certain proteins they normally don’t for
biotechnological purposes.
 Frustrated by flavorless fruits and vegetables? Genetic engineering is poised to change that
For many years, plant breeders focused on developing fruits and vegetables with longer shelf lives that
were less likely to bruise, the traits grocery stores demanded in the produce they carried. But breeding
for these qualities carried a trade off: flavor fell by the wayside, so finding a tasty tomato, for example, is
much more difficult than it may seem. With the advent of gene editing, which allows scientists to make
specific changes to a crop’s genome, more flavorful fruits and vegetables may start to show up in your
produce section in the coming years.

Follow the latest news and policy debates on agricultural biotech and biomedicine?
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 Edible cholera vaccine made from genetically modified rice may be on the way
Vaccines are undoubtedly one of the most important developments in the history of public
health. While they routinely prevent the spread of infectious disease, transporting temperature-
sensitive vaccines to parts of the world where they can do the most good can be a logistical
nightmare. Edible vaccines, engineered into popular foods like rice or tomatoes, offer a potential
way around the technical challenges of getting these badly needed drugs where they need to go.
Showing the potential of this technology, researchers from the University of Tokyo and Chiba
University have developed a cholera vaccine that can be distributed in genetically engineered
rice:

When the plants are mature, the rice is harvested and ground into a fine
powder, then sealed in aluminum packets for storage. When people are ready
to be vaccinated, the powder is mixed with about 90 milliliters (1/3 U.S. cup) of
liquid and then drunk.
A Phase 1 clinical trial involving 30 participants found no evidence of negative side effects from
the vaccine. Additional studies will be done to confirm the results of the trial and determine if the
vaccine is effective against cholera.

Recommended Twitter follows: @steak_umm and @ACSHorg

Kevin M. Folta is a professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of
Florida. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta
Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and
Health. Follow ACSH on Twitter @ACSHorg

Related article: Viewpoint: How New Zealand's biotech 'science deniers' hinder effort to fight climate
change with GMO ryegrass

The GLP featured this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. The
viewpoint is the author‟s own. The GLP‟s goal is to stimulate constructive discourse on
challenging science issues.
The GLP Needs Your Help

It is easier than ever for advocacy groups to spread disinformation on pressing science issues, such as
the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. No, vaccines are not harmful. Yes, the use of biotechnology, GMOs
or gene editing to develop antigens for treatments including vaccines are part of the solution. To inform
the public about what’s really going on, we present the facts and challenge those who don't. We can’t
do this work without your help. Please support us – a donation of as little as $10 a month helps support
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COMMENTS: CLICK HERE TO READ OR POST

We recommend

1. Podcast: Greenpeace CRISPR study debunked; Public accepts gene-edited babies? Cancer
vaccine progress

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2. GLP Podcast: 'It's banned in Europe' fallacy, debunked; Conversation's bad glyphosate article;
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3. Podcast: COVID vaccine fears mirror GMO skepticism; coronavirus and pregnancy; GM crops in
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4. Podcast: Some vaccine skeptics aren't science deniers; Animal-free ice cream; Plant burgers are
'meat'?

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5. Podcast: How do COVID vaccines work? CRISPR kills cancer; Danish study debunks mask
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1. Training Russian Engineers

T.H. Hawkins, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Materials Management, 1960

2. A live vaccine rapidly protects against cholera in an infant rabbit model

Troy P. Hubbard et al., Sci Transl Med, 2018

3. NSF Awards $2M to U. of Washington, Rice U. for Synthetic Bio Research into Stem Cells

GenomeWeb, 2011

4. 'The Story Behind the Story'

GenomeWeb, 2010

5. Characteristics of Immunoglobulin Supplementation in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

 MRP, 2020

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Yes No

Hilary Brueck | Business Insider

Vaccinated people with no COVID symptoms may be key spreaders of the Delta
variant
Adam Wexler, Anna Rouw, Jennifer Kates, Josh Michaud | Kaiser Family Foundation

Rich country vs. poor country: Global vaccination gap grows — extending the
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Reporting System (VAERS) to scare people about COVID shot ‗dangers‘
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https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/07/21/glp-podcast-animal-gene-editing-moves-ahead-in-russia-
biotech-eliminates-flavorless-produce-edible-cholera-vaccine-coming-soon-2/
USA Rice Applauds
Daniel Whitley, Administrator
Appointment of Whitley as of FAS
Foreign Agricultural Service
Administrator
By Peter Bachmann

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, U.S. Secretary of

Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of
Daniel Whitley as the new Administrator of the
Department‟s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS),
overseeing personnel in nearly 100 U.S. embassies,
consulates, and international organizations around the
world and collectively providing representation across
180 countries. The FAS specializes in providing
expertise in international trade policy, market
development and export assistance, trade data and
analysis, and international food aid.

Whitley has been serving as the Acting Administrator for FAS since the Administration‟s
transition in January of 2021. Prior to that role, he was the Associate Administrator
responsible for leading the agency‟s trade policy and market analysis teams. During his 20-
plus year career in FAS, Daniel has served in a number of leadership roles including Deputy
Administrator of the Office of Global Analysis and the Director of the Office of Civil Rights.

Whitley began his career with the Department‟s Economic Research Service, working on
market access issues in the World Trade Organization. Whitley holds bachelor‟s and master‟s
degrees in agricultural economics, is a proud graduate of Southern University and A&M
College and Louisiana State University.

USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward said, “We are pleased that Secretary Vilsack has
appointed Daniel to this important role for U.S. agriculture and particularly important for the
rice industry. His experience within FAS speaks for itself and we don‟t expect any real
transition period as he already „hit the ground running‟ several months ago.”
“USA Rice relies heavily on our longstanding relationships within the FAS to award Market
Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, and most recently, Agricultural Trade
Promotion Program funding to support our efforts to promote U.S. rice throughout dozens of
markets overseas. Our members also support the work FAS‟s food assistance division does to
provide milled and fortified rice to those in need, using the Food for Progress and McGovern
Dole Programs. We are looking forward to working more closely with Daniel in this more
permanent role to further grow our export markets worldwide.”
Additionally, USA Rice staff work closely with the trade policy and data analysis teams both in
 Washington and at the various FAS posts across the globe to monitor and support market
promotion. For 2021, USA Rice received $4.88 million in funds from the FAS‟s Market Access
Program and Foreign Market Development program to promote the sales and consumption of
U.S. rice abroad. There are also $3.5 million in Agricultural Trade Promotion funds that can be
applied in 2021-2023.

Final Press Release

[Under embargo until 07/22/2021; 06:00H

Filipinos soon to plant and eat Golden Rice

With DA-BPI’s release of the final biosafety approval, Golden Rice is now cleared

for seed propagation.

Science City of Muñoz, Philippines -- Filipino rice consumers are close to
benefitting from a Vitamin A-infused rice with the approval of its
commercial propagation permit.

Dr. John C. de Leon, executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine

Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), announced that a biosafety permit for
propagating the seeds of Golden Rice has been issued on July 21, 2021.

The permit stipulates that Golden Rice has “undergone satisfactory biosafety
assessment pursuant to Department of Science and Technology, DA, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Department of
Interior and Local Government Joint Department Circular No.1, Series of 2016”.

De Leon said that apart from meeting the rigorous standards of biosafety regulation,
Golden Rice development follows the standard process of rice breeding, which usually
takes 10-12 years before a variety reaches the consumers.

This biosafety approval of Golden Rice is the first authorization for commercial
propagation of a genetically engineered rice in South and Southeast Asia.

With this permit, De Leon said that Golden Rice can now be planted for commercial
production as per the terms and conditions specified by the DA- Bureau of Plant
Industry.

He clarified though that Golden Rice will still have to seek varietal registration by the
National Seed Industry Council (NSIC). NSIC approves the registration of varieties
based on consistent good agronomic field performance.

"As always, we are committed to ensuring the highest quality of seed for farmers and a
safe and nutritious food supply for all Filipinos," the PhilRice chief stressed. He
elaborated that they will be implementing a comprehensive quality assurance and
stewardship program that covers all steps in the chain from seed production, to post-
harvest processing, to marketing.
Golden Rice is part of the Healthier Rice Project carried out by DA-PhilRice in
partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

“Rigorous research and regulatory review has demonstrated that Golden Rice is as
safe as ordinary rice with the added benefit of beta-carotene in its grains” says IRRI
Director for Research Dr. Ajay Kohli. “This milestone approval is the product of cross-
cutting collaborative work in the agriculture and nutrition sciences, the public sector,
and local farming communities, who are all looking forward to seeing Golden Rice
reach the tables of those who need it the most.”

De Leon said they will still have to complete the remaining few next steps, such as
seed increase, to be able to bring the product forward to farmers and consumers at the
soonest possible time.

He emphasized that Golden Rice is developed for humanitarian purposes to help curb
vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Hence, De Leon said that they aim to deploy the vitamin-A
enriched rice in partnership with appropriate agencies through market-based and
programmatic approaches (e.g., feeding program) in areas where the prevalence of
vitamin A deficiency is high.

Studies have shown that a one-cup portion of cooked Golden Rice contains enough
beta-carotene to meet up to 40% of the estimated average requirement of vitamin A for
children aged 6 months to 5 years, the group most at risk of vitamin A insufficiency in
the Philippines. At present, only 2 out of 10 Filipino households meet the estimated
average requirement (EAR) for vitamin A intake in their daily diet.

With its potential to provide a significant amount of vitamin A in the diet, Golden Rice
can be an effective complementary approach to achieving the Department of
Agriculture’s vision of availability, affordability, and accessibility of quality and
nutritious rice for all Filipinos at all times.

Golden Rice has been previously assessed for food safety in five countries, including
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and the Philippines.
Ali Hussam appointed Chairman UBG
Lahore
Recorder Report 24 Jul 2021

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LAHORE: Patron in Chief United Business Group (UBG) S M Munir
and Chairman UBG Iftikhar Ali Malik has appointed former Senior
Vice President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
Ali Hussam Asghar as Chairman United Business Group (UBG)
Lahore.

Ali Hussam Asghar had also served as Senior Vice Chairman Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan (REAP) and also a very active leader of the Founders
Group in the LCCI. REAP senior leader Pir Nazim Hussain Shah and other
trade leaders were present at the event where Ali's appointment was
announced.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40108733

Thiba Dam to increase rice acreage by 22,000

Completion of Thiba Dam by end of this year will see income to farmers be in the range of Sh.11 billion.
In Summary

• Construction of the dam will improve the production of rice from the current 26,000 acres to 48,000
acres

• Thiba dam will have a capacity of 15 million cubic metres of water and is expected to fill in six
months after completion
Thiba Dam is 52 per cent complete.
Image: WANGECHI WANG'ONDU

The completion of the Sh19 billion Thiba dam in Kirinyaga will increase the farmers‘ income from
Sh8 to Sh12 billion as more acreage will come under rice farming.

Mwea Irrigation scheme manager Innocent Ariemba said the project is set to be completed by the end
of the year.

―Life in this part of Kenya will change, with farmers becoming better-off, wealth created in the
region besides improving food security in the country,‖ he said

Ariemba spoke at Wanguru on Friday. He said the irrigation scheme is one of the largest out of the
70 in Kenya.

He said it supplies close to 80,000 tonnes of rice out of the 120,000 tonnes produced in Kenya.

Ariemba said more than 67 per cent of the rice consumed in Kenya comes from Mwea thus it is
strategic in addressing the issue of food security in Kenya.
FOOD SECURITY: Workers on a rice farm in the Mwea irrigation scheme
Image: /Courtesy

―Completion of the project will go a long way in ensuring that we have sufficient water throughout
the year,‖ he said.

Ariemba said the construction of the dam will improve the production of rice from the current 26,000
acres to 48,000 acres.

The dam, Ariemba said, will have a capacity of 15 million cubic metres of water and is expected to
fill in six months after completion.

―One way of controlling climate change is to store water and use it during the dry period; this is why
we are collaborating with the Ministry of Environment to impress upon them on the need to preserve
the water towers,‖ he said.

He said the dam is one of the strongest pillars of the Jubilee government in ensuring food security
and improving manufacturing.

―Through irrigated agriculture, we will be able to have more products for the manufacturing sector
through value addition,‖ he said.

Rice farmers' representatives urged the government to replace old machinery at the National
Irrigation Authority.
They said canals have remained unattended for long, reducing the flow of water to farms.

The association's chairperson Mutugi Mwangi said the roads in the scheme are also in a bad state and
need continuous repairs.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/central/2021-07-23-thiba-dam-to-increase-rice-acreage-by-
22000/?__cf_chl_managed_tk__=pmd_bb021d81598e53db13ff0a3ffa0fbaa6f9a5472e-1627135749-0-
gqNtZGzNAw2jcnBszQoi

UW WELCOMES WAES DIRECTOR

July 23rd, 2021 by Wy oming Livestock Roun dup

            The University of Wyoming (UW) announced the new director of the Wyoming
Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) officially joined the College of Agriculture
and Natural Resources (CoANR) on July 6.

The new hire, Eric Webster, comes to Wyoming after working as the director of
the Louisiana State University‘s (LSU) Iberia Research Station and assistant regional
director of the LSU AgCenter‘s southwest region. A UW news release shares research
at this station includes cattle grazing and herd management studies as well as row crop
research including wheat, soybeans, sugar cane and rice.

CoANR Dean Barbara Rasco said Webster will be a great addition to the college
administration team.

―His experience in plant biology, crop production and technology transfer will help
the college move forward with our initiatives to support Wyoming agriculture and
more specifically to improve crop and forage production and control invasive plants
across the state,‖ she said. ―We look forward to him leading broad, college-wide
initiatives in research and infrastructure improvements across the state.‖

           Webster‘s research has focused on weed control in conventional rice and

herbicide-resistant rice and has become highly visible across the U.S. and
internationally, according to LSU.

            The southwest region has 15 parishes, similar to counties, and two research
stations, including Iberia, near Jeanerette in southern Louisiana. Webster was named
assistant regional director in 2013 and director of the Iberia station in 2015.
             He has published more than 570 publications as senior or co-author, published
92 journal articles and semi-technical publications, 61 research reports, 56 extension
publications and 36 press articles.

            Webster joined LSU as a weed science assistant professor in 1997, became an
associate professor in 2001 and full professor in 2005. His teaching duties included
plant/herbicide physiology as well as weed biology and ecology. Webster received his
PhD in weed science from Mississippi State University, his master‘s in weed science
and his bachelor‘s degree in agronomy and soils, both from Auburn University.

The WAES is the CoANR‘s research arm and also directs research and Extension
centers at Laramie, Powell, Sheridan and the James C. Hageman Sustainable
Agriculture Research Center near Lingle, according to the UW release.

Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this
article to roundup@wylr.net.

https://www.wylr.net/2021/07/23/uw-welcomes-waes-director/

PH first country to approve

golden rice for commercial
production
Handout, International Rice Research Institute via AFP
Posted at Jul 23 2021 07:01 PM | Updated as of Jul 23 2021 07:23 PM
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 This handout photo taken in July 2021 and received from the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) on Friday shows golden rice breeder Mallikarjuna Swamy examining golden rice at the IRRI
transgenic screenhouse in Los Baños, Laguna. The Philippines became the world's first country on
July 23 to approve commercial production of genetically modified "golden rice" that experts hope
will combat childhood blindness and save lives in the developing world.

 Philippines approves GMO 'golden rice' for commercial production

Read More: Golden Rice rice GMO International Rice Research Institute IRRI multimedia multimedia
photos

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for-commercial-production

Fakir Alamgir no more

এই খবরটি বাাংলায় পড়তে...

Arts & Entertainment Desk

Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:30 PM

Photo: Collected

Legendary singer and freedom fighter Fakir Alamgir passed away at

10:56pm today in the capital's United Hospital.

The news was confirmed to The Daily Star by his son, Mashuque Alamgir
Rajeeb.
He had been suffering from Covid-19, and was 71 years old at the time of
passing.

He had also suffered from a heart attack at around 10:00pm while in

ventilation at the Covid unit.

Fakir Alamgir was one of the leading exponents of Gono Sangeet -- the
songs of the masses -- in the country. Synonymous with voicing out for
the rights of the voiceless – the perceived weak, the workers and the
voiceless, he was one of the most beloved artistes of his generation.

Soon after the demise of the Ekushey Padak-winning singer, President M

Abul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed shock and
conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved family.

In a condolence message, President Abul Hamid said the void that was
created in the country's music arena due to the death of Fakir Alamgir
will never be filled.

His songs have played an important role in the revival of patriotism and
the development of the consciousness of the Liberation War among the
younger generation, stated the message.

The president also prayed for the salvation of his departed soul.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said he will be remembered for his great
role in popularising Gono Sangeet among the masses.

Praying for the salvation of his departed soul, the premier also expressed
her sympathy to the bereaved family.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Speaker Shirin Sharmin
Chaudhury and opposition leader Raushan Ershad also expressed shock
over the death of Fakir Alamgir.

Born in Faridpur, Fakir Alamgir started his music career in 1966. During
his student life, he was active in politics, while also writing Gono Sangeet
to instill a sense of justice among the masses. He was a student of Mass
Communication and Journalism in Dhaka University.

He played an important role as a member of Kranti Shilpi Gosthi and

Gono Shilpi Gosthi, during the mass upsurge in 1969. The legendary
singer worked with Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the Liberation
War.

After the announcement of victory on December 16, the singer sang

"Bijoy Nishan Urchey Oi" with his fellow artist, weeping tears of joy.

Post-war, created an amalgamation of earthy tones and western

influences to make unique creations, which reached out to the masses.

Alamgir had played a pivotal role influencing the sound of modern

Bangladeshi music, alongside Ferdous Wahid, Azam Khan, Pilu Momtaz
and others by combining indigenous tunes with western music.

Throughout his illustrious career, he sang songs like "O Sokhina Gesos
Kina", "Shantahar", "Nelson Mandela", "Naam Tar Chhilo John Henry",
"Banglar Comrade Bondhu", among countless other hits, which resonated
in the hearts of all listeners.

"O Sokina Gesos Kina" is considered his seminal work, being on the lips
of every other Bangladeshi after it aired in BTV's Anandamela in 1982.

He founded 'Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi' in 1976, an organisation that has

served this country's music scene for over four decades. He has also
served as the president of Gono Sangeet Shamanya Parishad (GSSP).

Also an avid writer, he published his first book "Chena Chena" in 1984.
"Muktijuddher Smriti Bijoyer Gaan" and "Gono Sangeeter Otit O
Bortoman" are some of his notable books. "Amar Kotha", "Jara Achhen
Hridoy Potey" and "Smriti Alaponey Muktijuddho" were also very popular.

Fakir Alamgir's name will forever be synonymous with Bangladesh's

Gano Sangeet, one which people belonging to all walks of life could take
pride in.

"We were all ready to give our lives for freedom, we were that determined
for revolution", Fakir Alamgir had said In his last interview with The Daily
Star.

Even though he is no more, he has left behind his legacy in the very
existence of Bangladesh, alongside courageous freedom fighters with
whom he selflessly served the country with.
The Daily Star extends its condolences to the legendary singer's family.

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/agriculture/news/philippines-approval-vitamin-
enriched-golden-rice-positive-bangladesh-too-2135491

Philippines clears golden rice for

commercial use, Bangladesh may approve
soon
FE Online Report | Published: July 24, 2021 16:05:35 | Updated: July 24,
2021 18:36:12
The Philippines has approved the release of vitamin A enriched golden rice,
paving the way for it to be cultivated commercially in the country while
creating a similar opportunity for Bangladesh.

The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines approved the commercial

use of rice.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) is r eviewing an

application for the crop‘s biosafety approval.

Earlier, in December 2019, the Philippine government approved the Golden

Rice to be used as food, feed and processing.
The approval enabled PhilRice, the national rice research institute in the
Southeast Asian country, to conduct sensory evaluation research.

Before the sensory evaluation, PhilRice conducted years of rigorous lab

research and field trials to ensure the highest compliance with environmental
and health standards, said a press release of International Rice Research
Institute on Saturday.

As a genetically modified crop, ‗golden rice‘ needed environmental and health

safety clearance, before it could be tried in the open fields.

This new variety of rice received food safety approvals from r egulators in
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA several years ago, but the
Philippines is the first country to approve its commercial cultivation.

―The approval for commercial propagation of Golden Rice in the Philippines

is a major milestone in our fight against vitamin A deficiency not just in the
Philippines, but also in Bangladesh‖, said Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir, director -
general of BRRI, in the release.

―The application for the biosafety approval of golden rice in Bangladesh has
been pending with the Ministry of Environment. I strongly believe that the
Bangladesh Government will follow in the footsteps of the Philippines and
clear the way for golden rice, which has been conceived as a sustainable, cost -
effective solution for vitamin A deficiency i n Bangladesh alongside other
ongoing interventions,‖ he said.

In the Philippines, around one in five children in the poorest communities

suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which also affects approximately 190
million children worldwide.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is the most common cause of childhood

blindness and a weaker immune system.

Golden Rice is genetically engineered to provide up to 50 per cent of the

estimated average requirement (EAR) of vitamin A for young children who
are most susceptible to VAD in the Philippines.

PhilRice has been working with local partners to identify market and
programme-based approaches to provide Golden Rice first to the selected
communities with a high prevalence of VAD and other associated
micronutrient deficiencies.
 It is also increasing the volume of available seeds and other remaining
activities necessary to move golden rice to farmers‘ fields.

Golden Rice has been developed under the Healthier Rice Program in the
Philippines and Bangladesh.

nsrafsanju@gmail.co

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/philippines-clears-golden-rice-for-commercial-use-
bangladesh-may-approve-soon-1627121135

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 Filipino farmers
get approval to
grow nutritious
Golden Rice
BY JOAN CONROW
JULY 23, 2021

SHARE

Farmers in the Philippines have gotten the green light to grow Golden Rice, which has
been genetically engineered to contain nutrients that can improve health, especially in
young children.

The commercial cultivation permit, issued July 21, marks the successful culmination
of a decades-long initiative to develop rice that delivers additional levels of beta-
carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, an essential nutrient.

About one in five children from the poorest communities in the Philippines suffer
from vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which affects an estimated 190 million
children worldwide. The condition is the most common cause of childhood blindness,
as well as a contributing factor to a weakened immune system.

―This milestone puts the Philippines at the global forefront in leveraging agriculture
research to address the issues of malnutrition and related health impacts in a safe and
sustainable way,‖ said Dr. Jean Balié, director general of the International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI), a CGIAR research center. IRRI developed the improved
grain in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research
Institute (DA-PhilRice) under the Healthier Rice project.

Studies have shown that one cup of cooked Golden Rice contains enough beta-
carotene to meet up to 30 to 50 percent of the vitamin A needs for children under the
age of 5 — the group in the Philippines most at risk of VAD. At present, only two out
of 10 Filipino households get sufficient quantities of vitamin A in their daily diet.
Golden Rice adds an important nutrient to a staple food in the Philippines, where
people eat about 120 kilograms of rice annually per capita.

―By improving rice varieties that address farmer, consumer and environment needs,
precision breeding innovations such as genetic engineering and gene editing can open
up pathways for more inclusive participation in the food system,‖ said Dr. Ajay Kohli,
IRRI director for research.

―Rigorous research and regulatory review have demonstrated that Golden Rice is as
safe as ordinary rice with the added benefit of beta-carotene in its grains,‖ he added.
―This milestone approval is the product of cross-cutting collaborative work in the
agriculture and nutrition sciences, the public sector,and local farming communities,
who are all looking forward to seeing Golden Rice reach the tables of those who need
it the most.‖

Golden Rice has already received food safety approvals from regulators in Australia,
New Zealand, Canada and the United States, but the Philippines is the first country to
approve commercial cultivation. The crop is currently undergoing final regulatory
review in Bangladesh.
―The regulatory success of Golden Rice demonstrates the research leadership of DA-
PhilRice and the robustness of the Philippine biosafety regulatory system,‖ Balié
added.

Several steps still need to be taken before farmers can begin planting, including
varietal registration by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and increasing the
volume of available seed.

―As always, we are committed to ensuring the highest quality of seed for farmers and
a safe and nutritious food supply for all Filipinos,‖ said Dr. John C. de Leon,
executive director of DA-PhilRice. The agency will be implementing a
comprehensive quality assurance and stewardship program that covers all steps in the
chain, from seed production to post-harvest processing to marketing, he noted.

In keeping with its designation as a humanitarian crop, the vitamin A-enriched rice
will be deployed in partnership with appropriate agencies through market-based and
programmatic approaches, including feeding programs in areas where the prevalence
of vitamin A deficiency is high.

―The last-mile delivery of Golden Rice is just one component of a food systems
approach to nutrition, which also includes community outreach and extension services
and improved market access for farmers,‖ Kohli said.

The Healthier Rice Program is also working on higher iron and zinc rice (HIZR) to
address the “hidden hunger” of multiple micronutrient deficiencies that affects over
two billion people worldwide. The goal is to release a stacked variety containing beta-
carotene, iron and zinc.
https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2021/07/filipino-farmers-get-approval-to-grow-nutritious-
golden-rice/
 Download again

https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/2021/07/23/philippines-becomes-first-country-to-approve-
golden-rice-for-planting

1.
World

Philippines becomes first country to

approve Golden Rice for planting
Reaz Ahmad

 Published at 08:29 pm July 23rd, 2021

Picture of IRRI regular rice, paddy and Golden Rice (from left to right). Picture taken by Reaz Ahmad at
IRRI headquarters in Los Baños, the Philippines Dhaka Tribune

Regulators in Bangladesh remain jittery over approval decision for 4

years

The Philippines on Friday approved commercial cultivation of vitamin A -rich Golden

Rice, long touted as a partial remedy for childhood malnutrition.

It comes at a time when scientists in Bangladesh expressed deep frustration over

regulators‘ delay in approving the variety in the country for nearly four years.
Now, Filipino farmers will become the first in the world to be able to cultivate Golden
Rice, a daily consumption of which can potentially reduce childhood malnutrition
prevalent in the Philippines as well as in Bangladesh.

The Filipino variety of Golden Rice was developed by the Department of Agriculture -
Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in partnership with the International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to contain additional levels of bet a-carotene, which the
body converts into vitamin A.

According to the World Health Organization's global vitamin A deficiency (VAD)

database, one in every five pre-school children in Bangladesh is deficient of this key
vitamin. Among pregnant women, 23.7% suffer from VAD. Globally VAD affects an
estimated 190 million children, a major cause of childhood blindness.

Also Read - Regulatory tardiness hinders hi-nutritious rice to reach the vulnerable

According to IRRI, Golden Rice is genetically engineered to provide up to 50% of the

estimated average requirement for vitamin A of young children, the age group mo st
susceptible to VAD.

Regulators failing Bangladeshi scientists‟ fight against VAD

Scientists in both Bangladesh and the Philippines advanced their respective Golden Rice
varieties pretty much around the same time but while the regulators in the Philipp ines
routinely processed and fast-tracked the variety approvals, their peers in Bangladesh have
long been sitting on the approval process.

Scientists involved with Golden Rice development at the Bangladesh Rice Research
Institute (BRRI) told Dhaka Tribune that since their submission of petition seeking the
approval in 2017, there were a few meetings by the country‘s biosafety authorities.

―They asked for relevant data, trial results etc. and we furnished them with all documents
and proof and efficacy of the breed but the regulators remained nonchalant after all these
years,‖ said a BRRI scientist who asked not to be named.
Neither the regulators denied the importance of the Golden Rice nor, they showed any
reason for such foot-dragging, according to the BRRI official.

In the Philippines, the anti-GMO (genetically-modified organisms) even destroyed some

of the trial fields of Golden Rice but that never stopped the country‘s biosafety regulators
in coming to a scientific conclusion giving a final go-ahead on Friday.

In Bangladesh, there has been no such opposition but, scientists blamed anti -biotech
lobby within the environment ministry that preside over the biosafety regulations, for not
approving Golden Rice so far in the country.

In fact, Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia to release a GM food product – Bt
brinjal – in 2014 with then agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury spearheading the move.
In recent months she, in her capacity as head of the parliamentary committee on
agriculture ministry, has inquired several times to know what delaying the approval
process of Golden Rice.

IRRI, BRRI happy with the Filipino move

Congratulating PhilRice, BRRI Director General Md. Shahjahan Kabir, said: ―The
approval for commercial propagation of Golden Rice in the Philippines is a major
milestone in the fight against vitamin A deficiency not just in the Philippines, but in
Bangladesh as well.‖

―The application for the biosafety approval of Golden Rice in Bangladesh has been
pending with the Ministry of Environment. I strongly believe that the Bangladesh
government will follow in the footsteps of the Philippines and clear the way for Golden
Rice, which has been conceived as a sustainable, cost-effective solution for vitamin A
deficiency in Bangladesh alongside other ongoing interventions,‖ said the BRRI chief.

Also Read - Developing profitable rice production for food security

 IRRI Director General, Jean Balié, said: ―This milestone puts the Philippines at the
global forefront in leveraging agriculture research to address the issues of malnutrition
and related health impacts in a safe and sustainable way.‖

―The regulatory success of Golden Rice demonstrates the research leadership of DA -

PhilRice and the robustness of the Philippine biosafety regulatory system.‖

DA-PhilRice Executive Director, John de Leon, said: ―We are committed to ensuring the
highest quality of seed for farmers and a safe and nutritious food supply for all
Filipinos.‖

Golden Rice has already received food safety approvals from regulators in Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, and the United States of America but the Philippines is the first
country to approve commercial cultivation.

A brief history of Golden Rice

Although Bangladeshi scientists have been at the forefront of Golden Rice research since
the development of this transgenic rice by Swiss and German scientists in 1999, the
process gathered momentum only when then IRRI plant biotechnologist Swapan K Datta,
infused the genes responsible for beta carotene into BRRI dhan29 in 2002 -03.

The genetic engineering technology to derive vitamin A in rice was first applied by
Professor Ingo Potrykus of Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, and
Professor Peter Beyer of the University of Freiburg, Germany back in 1999. All
renowned journals and news magazines, including the Nature, the Science and the Time,
covered the breakthrough in 2000.

The first-generation Golden Rice (known as GR1) was developed through infusing genes
from daffodil, but later the second-generation variety (known as GR2) was developed by
taking a gene from corn as it gave much better expression of pro -vitamin A.

Some six lines of GR2 (scientifically called ‗events‘) were developed and the IRRI chose
to work on one called GR2R, which it developed and subsequently infused in Filipino and
Bangladeshi rice varieties.
 After years of lab and greenhouse tests on GR2R, the Philippines and Bangladesh
eventually halted the process upon an IRRI advice that another line, called the GR2E,
would work better.

Golden Rice co-inventor Professor Peter Beyer told this correspondent that there were
some problems with the Event GR2R. He said the new event should work well. And it
did.

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planting?__cf_chl_managed_tk__=pmd_0285e3169190b6657a6b29d89d171c15a1809d6f-1627136835-
0-gqNtZGzNAyKjcnBszQl6

RNA TWEAK LEADS TO 50%

MORE FOOD FROM CROPS
JULY 23RD, 2021POSTED BY LOUISE LERNER-CHICAGO

On the left, rice plants without the RNA modification. On the right, a
rice plant with the RNA modification that boosts yield. (Credit: Yu et
al.)
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ARTICLE

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You are free to share this article under the Attribution 4.0 International license.
TAGS
 CLIMATE CHANGE
 CROPS
 PLANTS
 RNA
UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

Manipulating RNA allows plants to yield dramatically more crops

and increases drought tolerance, researchers report.

In initial tests, adding a gene encoding for a protein called FTO to both rice and potato plants
increased their yield by 50% in field tests.

The plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root systems, and were better able to
tolerate drought stress. Analysis also showed that the plants had increased their rate of
photosynthesis.

―The change really is dramatic,‖ says Chuan He, professor of chemistry, biochemistry, and
molecular biology at the University of Chicago, who led the research with Guifang Jia, a
professor at Peking University. ―What‘s more, it worked with almost every type of plant we tried
it with so far, and it‘s a very simple modification to make.‖

The researchers—along with other leading experts—are hopeful about the potential of this
breakthrough, especially in the face of climate change and other pressures on crop
systems worldwide.

―This really provides the possibility of engineering plants to potentially improve the ecosystem
as global warming proceeds,‖ He says. ―We rely on plants for many, many things—everything
from wood, food, and medicine, to flowers and oil—and this potentially offers a way to increase
the stock material we can get from most plants.‖

―This is a very exciting technology and could potentially help address problems of poverty and
food insecurity at a global scale—and could also potentially be useful in responding to climate
change,‖ says Michael Kremer, a professor in economics and the Harris School of Public Policy
at the University of Chicago and recipient of a Nobel Prize for his work on alleviating global
poverty
BOOSTING YIELDS IN THE FIELDS
For decades, scientists have worked to boost crop production in the face of an increasingly
unstable climate and a growing global population. But such processes are usually complicated,
and often result only in incremental changes.

The way this discovery came about was quite different.

Many of us remember RNA from high school biology, where we were taught that the RNA
molecule reads DNA, then makes proteins to carry out tasks. But in 2011, He‘s lab opened an
entire new field of research by discovering the keys to a different way that genes are expressed in
mammals.

It turns out that RNA doesn‘t simply read the DNA blueprint and carry it out blindly; the cell
itself can also regulate which parts of the blueprint get expressed. It does so by placing chemical
markers onto RNA to modulate which proteins are made and how many.

He and his colleagues immediately realized that this had major implications for biology. Since
then, his team and others around the world have tried to flesh out our understanding of the
process and what it affects in animals, plants, and different human diseases. For example, He is a
cofounder of a biotech company now developing new anti-cancer medicines based on targeting
RNA modification proteins.

BIGGER PLANTS, MORE PLANTS

He and Guifang Jia, a former University of Chicago postdoctoral researcher and now an
associate professor at Peking University, began to wonder how it affected plant biology.

They focused on a protein called FTO, the first known protein that erases chemical marks on
RNA, which Jia found as a postdoctoral researcher in He‘s group at the University of Chicago.

The scientists knew it worked on RNA to affect cell growth in humans and other animals, so they
tried inserting the gene for it into rice plants—and then watched in amazement as the plants took
off. ―I think right then was when all of us realized we were doing something special,‖ He says.

The rice plants grew three times more rice under laboratory conditions. When they tried it out in
real field tests, the plants grew 50% more mass and yielded 50% more rice. They grew longer
roots, photosynthesized more efficiently, and could better withstand stress from drought.

The scientists repeated the experiments with potato plants, which are part of a completely
different family. The results were the same.

―That suggested a degree of universality that was extremely exciting,‖ He says.

‗BRAND NEW APPROACH‘ FOR CROPS
It took the scientists longer to begin to understand how this was happening. Further experiments
showed that FTO started working early in the plant‘s development, boosting the total amount of
biomass it produced.

The scientists think that FTO controls a process known as m6A, which is a key modification of
RNA. In this scenario, FTO works by erasing m6A RNA to muffle some of the signals that tell
plants to slow down and reduce growth. Imagine a road with lots of stoplights; if scientists cover
up the red lights and leave the green, more and more cars can move along the road.

Overall, the modified plants produced significantly more RNA than control plants.

The process described in this paper involves using an animal FTO gene in a plant. But once
scientists fully understand this growth mechanism, He thinks there could be alternate ways to get
the same effect.

―This is a brand new type of approach, one that could be different from GMO and CRISPR gene
editing; this technique allows us to ‗flip a switch‘ in the plants at an early point in development,
which continues to affect the plant‘s food production even after we remove the switch,‖ he says.

―It seems that plants already have this layer of regulation, and all we did is tap into it. So the next
step would be to discover how to do it using the plant‘s existing genetics.‖

He is working with the university and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to
explore the possibilities.

―Early field studies show it can be scaled up. We hope to work with academia and industry to
further understand this biology and to safely and widely apply this new technology,‖ he says.

He can imagine all sorts of uses down the road.

―Even beyond food, there are other consequences of climate change,‖ says He. ―Perhaps we
could engineer grasses in threatened areas that can withstand drought. Perhaps we could teach a
tree in the Midwest to grow longer roots, so that it‘s less likely to be toppled during strong
storms. There are so many potential applications.‖

The research appears in Nature Biotechnology.

Additional coauthors are from Guizhou University, Peking University, and the University of
Chicago. The National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Basic Research Program
of China, Beijing Natural Science Foundation, and EpiPlanta Biotech funded the work.

Source: University of Chicago

https://www.futurity.org/rna-plants-crops-2601312-2/
 or Favour

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Agriculture

Philippines‘ approval of Vitamin-A enriched

‗Golden Rice‘ a positive for Bangladesh too

Star Digital Report

Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:53 PM

Regular rice next to Golden Rice. The golden one has beta carotene, a source of
vitamin A. Photo: Courtesy of IRRI

The Department of Agriculture in Philippines has approved the release of

Vitamin A-enriched "Golden Rice", clearing the way for it to be cultivated
commercially in the country.

This has ramifications for Bangladesh as well. An application for

biosafety approval of Golden Rice, filed by Bangladesh Rice Research
Institute (BRRI) in late 2017, is currently being reviewed by the Ministry
of Environment.

This new variety of rice received food safety approvals from regulators in
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and USA several years ago, but the
Philippines is the first country to approve its commercial cultivation.

The approval came on Thursday after local authorities were convinced

with the outcomes of years of research that Golden Rice is as safe as
any other variety and it could be an effective tool to curb vitamin A
deficiency in target demographics.

Congratulating PhilRice, Dr Md. Shahjahan Kabir, Director General of

BRRI, said, "The approval for commercial propagation of Golden Rice in
the Philippines is a major milestone in our fight against vitamin A
deficiency not just in the Philippines, but in Bangladesh as well.

"The application for the biosafety approval of Golden Rice in Bangladesh

has been pending with the Ministry of Environment. I strongly believe that
the Bangladesh government will follow in the footsteps of the Philippines
and clear the way for Golden Rice, which has been conceived as a
sustainable, cost-effective solution for vitamin A deficiency in Bangladesh
alongside other ongoing interventions," the BRRI DG said.

Earlier, in December 2019, Golden Rice received approval for direct use
as food, feed and processing from the Philippine government which
enabled PhilRice, the national rice research institute in the Southeast
Asian country, to conduct sensory evaluation research.

Before the sensory evaluation, PhilRice conducted years of rigorous lab

research and field trials at research stations to ensure highest
compliance with environmental and health standards.

As a genetically modified crop, Golden Rice needed environmental and

health safety clearance before it could be tried in the open fields and
finally approved for commercial propagation.

In the Philippines, around one in five children from the poorest

communities suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which affects an estimated
190 million children worldwide.

The condition is the most common cause of childhood blindness, as well

as a contributing factor to a weakened immune system.

Golden Rice is genetically engineered to provide up to 50 percent of the

estimated average requirement of vitamin A for young children, the age
group most susceptible to Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in the Philippines.

PhilRice has been working with local partners to identify market and
programme-based approaches for bringing Golden Rice first to selected
 communities with a high prevalence of VAD and other associated
micronutrient deficiencies.

It is also increasing the volume of available seed and other remaining

activities necessary for moving Golden Rice into farmers' fields.

Golden Rice has been developed under the Healthier Rice Program in
the Philippines and Bangladesh. It is the first rice developed to address
vitamin A deficiency, and under the Healthier Rice Program, rice
researchers at PhilRice and BRRI are also developing biofortified
varieties with enhanced zinc and iron content, with technical and
resource support from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/agriculture/news/philippines-approval-vitamin-
enriched-golden-rice-positive-bangladesh-too-2135491

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 Saturday, Jul 24th 2021 8PM 37°C 11PM 36°C 5-Day Forecast

Tweaking RNA of a rice or potato plant

by inserting the gene of an ANIMAL
increased their yield by more than half
- and helped deepen roots for drought-
resistance
 Splicing the gene FTO into crops boosted their size and yield 300 percent in the lab and 50
percent in the field
 It also increased their rate of photosynthesis and produced longer roots
 FTO can 'muffle' genetic signals telling plants to reduce growth
 In addition to world hunger, the process could bolster grasses, trees and other flora
impacted by climate change
By DAN AVERY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 15:43 BST, 23 July 2021 | UPDATED: 15:43 BST, 23 July 2021


 e-mail

23 shares

28
 View comments

Introducing animal genes into common crops has enabled scientists to massively
increase their yield and make them more resistant to drought, according to a new study.

A consortium of researchers from the US and China manipulated the ribonucleic acid, or
RNA, of potato and rice plants by adding a gene called FTO.
In humans, FTO has been linked to obesity—in the crops, it led to them growing three
times bigger and producing three times the yield.

When they tried it out in real field tests, the vegetables grew 50 percent more mass and
yielded 50 percent more plants.

In addition to growing significantly larger, the plants increased their rate of photosynthesis
and produced longer root systems, which could enable them to better withstand a
drought.

The research, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, adds a new wrinkle in the
ongoing debate about genetically-modified foods.
'The change really is dramatic,' co-author Chuan He, a chemical biologist at the University
of Chicago, said in a statement. 'What's more, it worked with almost every type of plant
we tried it with so far, and it's a very simple modification to make.'
Scroll down for video
 +3


 Scientists spliced potatoes with the FTO gene (bottom) , resulting in vegetables that were 50
percent larger. They maintain the process could be a major solution to food insecurity and
climate change

Nobel-prize winning economist Michael Kremer, who was not involved in the research,
suggested in the university's statement that the process could 'help address problems of
poverty and food insecurity at a global scale—and could also potentially be useful in
responding to climate change.'

In 2011, He's lab determined that RNA molecules in mammals don't just blindly follow a
DNA blueprint—they can actually regulate which genes get expressed and which don't,
via chemical markers that control which proteins are made and how many.

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He and Guifang Jia, a molecular engineer at China-based Peking University, wanted to

explore how that would impact plant biology.

FTO is known to erase some of the chemical markers on RNA that control genetic
instructions—the researchers believe, when introduced into the crops, it 'muffles' some of
the signals telling them to reduce growth.

Pictured: An RNA gene-edited rice plant (far right) in comparison to untreated samples. In
addition to being larger, the spliced crops grow longer roots, enabling them to better withstand
drought conditions

+3


Pictured: A farmer harvests potatoes in Gaza City
After seeing results with rice plants, they tried with potatoes, part of an unrelated plant
family, and the outcome was just as impressive.

'That suggested a degree of universality that was extremely exciting,' Professor He said.
'We rely on plants for many, many things—everything from wood, food, and medicine, to
flowers and oil—and this potentially offers a way to increase the stock material we can get
from most plants.'

The impressive results involved splicing FTO into a plant, raising the hackles of animal
rights advocates.

'These experimenters might just be depriving vegetable growers of their main market—
vegans and vegetarians who avoid animal bits and pieces in their food,' PETA senior vice
president Kathy Guillermo told DailyMail.com.

But Professor He believes ultimately the same results could be achieved without adding
animal genes.

+3

Critics complain that genetically modifying foods can have unintended consequences on both
the environment and human consumers. While the new research involved splicing an animal
gene into vegetable crops, the scientists believe they can refine the process 'using the plant's
existing genetics'

'This is a brand new type of approach, one that could be different from GMO and CRISPR
gene editing; this technique allows us to 'flip a switch' in the plants at an early point in
development, which continues to affect the plant's food production even after we remove
the switch,' He said.

'It seems that plants already have this layer of regulation, and all we did is tap into it. So
the next step would be to discover how to do it using the plant's existing genetics.'

Professor He imagines other benefits to bulking up flora beyond bumper crops.

'Perhaps we could engineer grasses in threatened areas that can withstand drought,' He
said. 'We could teach a tree in the Midwest to grow longer roots, so that it's less likely to
be toppled during strong storms. There are so many potential applications.'

WHY ARE PEOPLE CONCERNED

ABOUT GENE-EDITED
'FRANKENSTEIN FOODS'?
'Frankenstein foods' are crops or meat that has been produced through genetic
engineering.

Plants and farm animals have genes changed or removed to make them more resistant to
certain diseases and pests, or to grow unnaturally large.

To make these modifications, viral DNA is used to alter genes, raising health concerns
among some groups.

A number of people feel the long-term effects of genetically modified (GM) foods on
human health are not yet adequately understood.
According to the UK-based Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCB): 'The current evidence
from safety assessments of GM crops does not suggest any significant risks to people
who eat them.'

The foods also present environmental concerns, as GM crops could reduce the variety of
plants and animals in the wild, otherwise known as biodiversity.

The transfer of genes between modified and unmodified plants may also lead to
unexpected consequences, for example an irreversible or uncontrollable 'escape' of
genes into neighbouring wild plants by pollen.

The NCB says: 'We are not persuaded that possible negative results of gene flow in some
areas are sufficient to rule out the planting of GM crops elsewhere in developing
countries.'

What is GMO and how an app is trying to raise awareness

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 RNA demethylation increases the yield and biomass of rice and potato plants in field trials | Nature
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 RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50% more potatoes, rice | University of Chicago News
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 Cindy Crawford, 55, is every inch of her supermodel status as she models array of
designer outfits for equine themed Tatler shoot at Malibu ranch

 Revealed: How best man Harry Kane told guests at his brother's wedding he was
'set to join Man City for record £160m deal earning £400,000-a-week'
 I've got no objections to this quirky courtroom drama! WIN BLAKEMORE
reviews The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

 Selena Gomez beams as she celebrates her 29th birthday with a backyard
barbecue and pool party alongside her female friends

 Queen returns to her and Philip's 'happy place': Monarch leaves Windsor for
Balmoral to start her first summer holiday without the Duke of Edinburgh

 Meghan Markle 'couldn't let go of the American Dream' and 'understand her duty
was to the Queen', US-born viscountess claims

 Jack Whitehall's girlfriend Roxy Horner looks leggy in a bodycon dress as she
steps out after floods 'forced couple out of their £17.5m home'

 Christie Brinkley, 67, looks half her age as she puts her incredible 25in waistline
on display in a skintight dress for magazine cover
 Tarek El Moussa is 'super remorseful' for on-set tirade against ex Christina
Haack... after he called her 'crazy' and said new fiancée Heather Rae Young is 'richer' and 'hotter'

 Phoebe Burgess shows off her rare sneakers as she poses for a winter
photoshoot in trendy puffer jacket at her parents' Bowral estate

 Gemma Collins ditches her hair extensions to debut chic bob hairdo - after being
inspired by Holly Willoughby

 Too hot for sweatpants? Shoppers are calling these £11 lightweight cotton lounge
shorts a 'summer must-have'PROMOTED

 Olivia Colman looks flustered in a blue power suit as her vintage Jaguar breaks
down in the middle of Wrenn Day Irish festival during Joyride filming

 Ryan Giggs 'kicked girlfriend Kate Greville in the back and threw her naked out of
their hotel after she accused him of flirting with other women', court hears
 'I am so proud of you': 'Queer' The Crown star Emma Corrin shares support for 13
Reasons Why's Tommy Dorfman coming out as transgender

 'Did I miss something?!' Kanye West fans fuming as rapper DOESN'T release new
album Donda (despite holding a streaming event)

 Smiling Kym Marsh, 45, looks radiant in off-shoulder white maxi dress as she
heads out after visit to TV studios

 Carol Vorderman, 60, flaunts her assets in a VERY low cut black jumpsuit as she
heads on her latest adventure to fish on a kayak in Wales

 Ewan McGregor's daughter Clara shows off her figure in a plunging black
swimsuit as she enjoys a swim during the Ischia Global Film & Music Festival

 Ant McPartlin and fiancée Anne-Marie Corbett step out in matching his and hers
denim outfits for loved-up dog walk ahead of wedding next month
 Angelina Jolie, 46, looks stylish in trench coat and bell bottoms as she steps out
with children Zahara, 16, and Shiloh, 15, and Pax, 13, in Paris

 'One of my proudest Spice Girls moments!' Victoria Beckham shares throwback

snaps from band's reunion for 2012 Olympics ahead of opening ceremony

 Prince Andrew shares a joke with a female groom as he goes horse riding on what
would have been his 35th wedding anniversary to Sarah Ferguson

 'It's finally happening!' Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer, 30 sparks
rumours she's marrying fashion tycoon fiancé Michael Lewis, 61, in Rome

 Braless Lottie Moss risks wardrobe malfunction as she shows off underboob in
revealing LBD while hitting the town in Notting Hill

 Shirtless Jack Grealish shows off his buff body as he joins fellow England Euro
2020 footballer Ben Chilwell for a boat day with friends in Greece
 'We love you': Harry Maguire wishes 'beautiful' fiancée Fern Hawkins a happy 27th
birthday with sweet snap

 'Flanked by two Bond girls!': Joan Collins shares fun snap with Sue Vanner and
Alison Papworth while on holiday with husband Percy Gibson and pals

 What it's REALLY like inside Olympic village: Athletes including Tom Daley show
off Tokyo living quarters including 'sturdy' cardboard beds and Japanese toilets

 Swedish Royal Family are the epitome of Scandi-chic as they reunite at their
summer residence Solliden Palace 'after a long time in different places'

 Kanye West gets a standing ovation after breaking down during emotional debut
of his tenth album... where ex Kim watched on as he rapped about divorce

 'Siblings are the best when u come from a dynasty like mine': Newly-single Jade
Jagger shares smiling snaps with her siblings Georgia May and Lucas
 Susanna Reid gives a shout out to former co-host Piers Morgan on Twitter after
GMB win at the National Reality TV Awards

 Love Island 2021: Hugo SLAMS Toby for picking Abi over Chloe during explosive
recoupling - with Georgia dumped and villa AT WAR

 Sandra Oh has sweet reunion with boyfriend Lev Rukhin - who carries her bags
for her - after she returns home from filming the FINAL episode of Killing Eve

 Holly Willoughby playfully mocks Bradley Walsh in teaser clip of new game show
Take Off as Phillip Schofield jokes he's 'devastated' she's 'with another man'

 Ashley Roberts flashes her toned midriff in an all white ensemble as she steps out
after work at Heart FM

 Kate Garraway giggles as GMB plays hilarious throwback video of her flailing her
legs around while Olympian Adam Peaty teaches her how to do the breaststroke
 'When two moons meet!' Adriana Lima poses completely NAKED as she stands at
the water's edge for breathtaking moonlit shot

 Royal small talk! Unearthed video from 1991 G7 summit shows Queen joking that
Ted Heath is 'expendable' and speaking French - while Princess Diana shares a laugh with Barbara Bush

 Jack Whitehall 'is forced to stay in a hotel after his £17.5million Notting Hill home
is left damaged after being flooded'

 Revealed: Nick Candy and Holly Valance's new £10m Cotswolds home - while
their London flat goes on sale as Britain's most expensive for £175M

GADGET REVIEWS
iPad Pro review: Apple takes the tablet to new heights (at a price)

Apple's new iPad is blazingly fast, gorgeous to look at, and quite simply the best tablet out there - and for a lot of
people, probably the best computer out there.

 43 comments
 1 video
 The small smart display with big potential: Google Home Hub review

Google is late to the game with its Home Hub, but the low price and AI features make it a great choice for controlling
your home, showing pictures and even helping run your life.

 1 comment
 2 videos

'Good enough for most people': iPhone XR review

On one hand, the XR lacks the high-resolution screen and dual-lens camera on the XS. but it is $250 cheaper and
still get most of the other cutting-edge features found on the more expensive model.

 195 comments
 1 video

The Pixel 3 outsmarts the iPhone (IF you trust Google with all your information)

AI seems to permeate every part of its software, from the ability to answer calls for you to being able to almost
perfectly predict your morning commute.

 comments
 1 video

Bigger and better in every way: Apple's XS really does take the iPhone to the Max

Apple's new iPhone XS and XS Max go on sale on Friday - and the biggest handset Apple has ever made is also its
best (and possibly unsurprisingly, its most expensive).

 24 comments
 1 video

The $250 beauty device that works like 'Photoshop for your face'

Israeli beauty-tech firm Pollogen has launched its Geneo Personal device, which stimulates oxygen from beneath the
skin's surface to give you a clearer, fresher face within minutes.

 19 comments
 1 video

iOS 12 review: The update that really will improve your iPhone

Rather than cram in a plethora of new features, Apple's latest update is about boosting stability, with improvements in
everything from FaceID and battery life.

 211 comments
 2 videos

Naim Atom: The hifi that will change the way you listen to music
 It's eye-wateringly expensive at $2,999, but Naim's Uniti Atom is a revelation, an integrated amplifier than makes it
easy to stream music at a quality you've probably never heard before.

 comments

The $1,000 wireless speaker that really IS worth the price: Naim Mu-so Qb review

Naim's incredible Mu-So Qb takes you back to the good old days - where the music captivates and enthralls, rather
that simply being something in the background.

 comments
 1 video

The hi-tech $2,000 spin bike that really could change your life

Peloton's hi-tech bike lets you stream live and on demand rides to your home - and it's one of the best examples of
fitness technology out there - at a price.

 comments
 1 video

The best all in one wireless speaker you'll ever hear: Naim Mu-so review

It might not be a name familiar to the US market, but Naim is a legendary British brand hoping to make a splash with
the American launch of its $1499 Mu:So speaker.

 3 comments
 1 video

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Rich people live LONGER: Study reveals that for every £36,000
saved by middle age, death risk in the next 24 years falls by five per cent
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percent-bigger-drought-resistant.html

Scientific breakthrough
could boost Illinois crop
yields
 By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

 17 hrs ago

 Facebook
 Twitter
 Email
 A farmer harvests corn in Loami, Ill., in this AP file photo
Seth Perlman / AP

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(The Center Square) – A team led by an Illinois scientist has discovered a way to boost crop
yield and make plants more resistant to drought.

University of Chicago professor Chuan He, along with scientists from Pekin University and
Guizho University, both in China, manipulated rice and potato plant genes, boosting yields by
50%.

The plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root systems, and were better able to
tolerate drought stress. During outside field tests, the plants grew 50% more and yielded 50%
more rice.

Professor He said his team tried the application on several other plants, so it could work on
Illinois‘ cash crops, corn and soybeans.

―Yes, definitely,‖ He said. ―We only published the rice and the potatoes, but we did try other
plants. The beauty of this approach, it's simple, robust and seems to be general.‖

One could only wonder what the discovery could have on Illinois‘ agriculture industry.
Marketing of Illinois‘ agricultural commodities generates more than $19 billion annually, Corn
accounts for 54% of that total, and soybeans contribute 27%.

He said the simple way to explain the process is to remember high school biology when we were
taught that the RNA molecule reads DNA, which encodes all the genetic information. His lab has
been working with RNA for the past decade.
 His team discovered that RNA doesn't simply read the DNA blueprint but can also regulate
which parts of the blueprint get expressed. That led them to apply the process to plant biology.

The team then introduced an animal protein that works on RNA into rice plants, the plants grew
bigger and developed a more robust root structure.

He said the application could eventually address food security around the world.

―We know with a growing population, climate change, more demand for land for farms, so the
increase of crop production would definitely help solve, potentially I hope, the food problem,‖
He said.

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 Twitter
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 Save

Tags

 Rice

 Plant

 Agriculture

 Botany

 Economics

 Chuan He

 Yield
 Kevin Bessler
Staff Reporter

Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience
in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/scientific-breakthrough-could-boost-illinois-crop-
yields/article_e1328eba-ebf1-11eb-a951-43ab9e7b8223.html

Scientific breakthrough
could boost Illinois crop
yields
 By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

 17 hrs ago

 Facebook
 Twitter
 Email
 A farmer harvests corn in Loami, Ill., in this AP file photo
Seth Perlman / AP

 Facebook
 Twitter
 Email
 Print
 Save

(The Center Square) – A team led by an Illinois scientist has discovered a way to boost crop
yield and make plants more resistant to drought.

University of Chicago professor Chuan He, along with scientists from Pekin University and
Guizho University, both in China, manipulated rice and potato plant genes, boosting yields by
50%.

The plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root systems, and were better able to
tolerate drought stress. During outside field tests, the plants grew 50% more and yielded 50%
more rice.

Professor He said his team tried the application on several other plants, so it could work on
Illinois‘ cash crops, corn and soybeans.

―Yes, definitely,‖ He said. ―We only published the rice and the potatoes, but we did try other
plants. The beauty of this approach, it's simple, robust and seems to be general.‖

One could only wonder what the discovery could have on Illinois‘ agriculture industry.
Marketing of Illinois‘ agricultural commodities generates more than $19 billion annually, Corn
accounts for 54% of that total, and soybeans contribute 27%.

He said the simple way to explain the process is to remember high school biology when we were
taught that the RNA molecule reads DNA, which encodes all the genetic information. His lab has
been working with RNA for the past decade.
His team discovered that RNA doesn't simply read the DNA blueprint but can also regulate
which parts of the blueprint get expressed. That led them to apply the process to plant biology.

The team then introduced an animal protein that works on RNA into rice plants, the plants grew
bigger and developed a more robust root structure.

He said the application could eventually address food security around the world.

―We know with a growing population, climate change, more demand for land for farms, so the
increase of crop production would definitely help solve, potentially I hope, the food problem,‖
He said.

https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/scientific-breakthrough-could-boost-illinois-crop-
yields/article_e1328eba-ebf1-11eb-a951-43ab9e7b8223.html

Study Shows Benefits of

Whole Grain, Like Brown Rice,
Intake in Older Adults
By Cameron Jacobs

Last week, the Journal of Nutrition published new

research highlighting the benefits of whole grain
consumption for older adults. The report showed that
adults in their mid-50s and older who eat at least three
servings of whole grains a day experience smaller
increases in blood pressure, blood sugar, and waist size
than those who consume less than a half a serving.
Those with the lowest levels of daily whole grain intake
experienced above average blood pressure, blood
sugar, and cholesterol levels.

The study, Whole- and Refined-Grain Consumption and Longitudinal Changes in

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, showed that over a four-year period, middle to older age adults
who consumed three servings of whole grains daily added an average of half an inch to their
waist, as opposed to one inch for those adults in the low-intake group. For blood pressure,
those in the low intake group reported an average reading of 125 over 75, while those in the
high intake group saw an average of 122 over 74. Lastly, participants who consumed at least
three servings of whole grains daily had lower blood sugar levels in comparison to the low-
intake group which reported an average blood sugar level of 95 milligrams per deciliter.

"Our findings suggest that eating whole-grain foods as part of a healthy diet delivers health
benefits beyond just helping us lose or maintain weight as we age," said study co-author
Nicola McKeown. "Small incremental changes in your diet to increase whole-grain intake will
make a difference over time.”

The study used data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Framingham
Heart Study (FHS) Offspring Cohort. Researchers examined collected data from more than
3,100 adults in their mid-50s from 1991 through 2014. In order to measure daily grain intake,
participants completed diet questionnaires every four years.

“The health outcomes associated with whole grain consumption cannot be overlooked,” said
Arkansas rice farmer and Chair of the USA Rice Nutrition Subcommittee Byron Holmes. “This
study demonstrates that simple changes in one‟s eating patterns to include three servings of
whole grains, such as brown rice, can lead to better health outcomes, including protection
against heart disease, reduced weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure.”

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three or more servings of
whole grains daily. To review the current guidelines, click here. To view the full study, click
here.

The Nation
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Advertisement

UK plans new scheme to drive „free and

fair‟ trade with Nigeria

July 22
16:382021

Print This Article

by Mary Ugbodaga 0 Comments

The United Kingdom (UK) government says it has proposed a new scheme to help Nigeria and other
developing countries to rive „free and fair‟ trade in the post-Brexit.
Advertisement
In 2018, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, had hinted about a new trade deal and
economic partnership during her visit to Nigeria.
In a statement on Thursday, United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the
new plan will replace the UK‘s generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) in 2022.

The statement added that the new scheme, Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), will be an opportunity
for the UK to grow free and fair trade with developing countries, boost the economy and support jobs in these
countries as well as for British citizens.

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The scheme aims to contribute to developing countries‘ integration into the global economy, creating stronger trade
and investment partners for the future and strengthening supply chains.

―The UK currently operates a similar scheme rolled over from the EU, but as an independent trading nation we can
now take a simpler, more generous, pro-growth approach to trade with developing countries,‖ it stated.

―The UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme will apply to 47 countries in the Least Developed Country
Framework (LDCF) and 23 additional countries classified by the World Bank as low-income and lower-middle-
income countries.

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―The proposed new UK scheme will mean more opportunity and less bureaucracy for developing countries, for
example by simplifying rules of origin requirements or reducing tariffs on imports. For instance, this could mean
lowering tariffs on products including rice from Pakistan and raw materials from Nigeria.‖

Dominic Raab, UK foreign secretary, said cutting tariffs for poorer countries enables them to trade their way to
genuine independence.

Liz Truss, international trade secretary, said trade fundamentally empowers people and has ―done more than any
single policy in history to lift millions of people around the world out of poverty.‖

―Now the UK is an independent trading nation we have a huge opportunity do things differently, taking a more
liberal, pro-trade approach that leads to growth and opportunity.

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―Countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam have proven it‘s possible to trade your way to better living standards, and
our new Developing Countries Trading Scheme will help others do the same.‖

Emma Wade-Smith OBE, Her Majesty‘s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, said: ―The DCTS scheme signals
the UK‘s strong appetite to promote free and fair trade.

―It is a demonstration of our commitment to help boost economic growth and prosperity in Africa, by enabling
businesses there to access the UK market more easily.

―The UK is committed to strengthening our commercial relationship with African partners.

Advertisement

―The new DCTS scheme will create a smoother path for companies to export to the UK. I encourage the African
business community to contribute to this important consultation.
―We want to hear a range of views and perspectives, to ensure the scheme targets those areas that will have the
greatest positive impact on growing our bilateral trade‖.

In line with the development, the British government launched an eight-week public consultation on the UK future
tariff schedule and policies in relation to the GPS that began on July 19 and will close on September 12, 2021.

It also invites views from Nigerian businesses and stakeholders with interest across the globe to send responses to
the consultation via this link until September 12 closing date.
Advertisement

The scheme is targeted at 47 least developed countries and 23 low income and lower-middle-income countries.

https://www.thecable.ng/uk-plans-new-scheme-to-drive-free-and-fair-trade-with-nigeria\\\\

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https://www.urdupoint.com/en/miscellaneous/philippines-approves-gmo-golden-rice-for-co-
1308848.html

Pakistan Market Monitor Report - July 2021

Format

Situation Report

Source

 WFP

Posted

23 Jul 2021
Originally published

23 Jul 2021

Attachments

 Download document (PDF | 777.84 KB)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The prices of staple cereals and non-cereal food commodities in June 2021 experienced
negligible to significant fluctuations when compared to the previous month‘s prices.

• In June 2021, the average retail prices negligibly increased for wheat (0.8%) and wheat flour
(0.6%) from May 2021. Moreover, the price of rice Irri-6 negligibly decreased by 0.2% while
the price of rice Basmati slightly increased by 1.5% from the previous month.

• In June, compared to the previous month, slight increases were noted in the average re tail
prices of eggs, pulse Masoor and cooking oil along with negligible increases for Sugar,
vegetable ghee and pulse Mash. Moreover, a significant decrease was noted in the price of
live chicken and a slight decrease in the price of pulse Moong, while the price of pulse Gram
remained unchanged when compared to the previous month.

• Headline inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) decreased in June 2021 by
0.24% over May 2021 and increased by 9.7% over June 2020.

• In June 2021, the average ToT negligibly decreased by 0.1% from the previous month.
• In July 2021, the total global wheat production for 2021/22 is projected at 792.40 million
MT, indicating a production decrease of 2.04 million MT compared to the projection made in
June 2021.

Varieties of Pokkali rice–named for the cultivation method—are uniquely adapted to survive in
coastal regions of India that are often inundated by salt water. Photo courtesy of Deepa
Krishnan of Magic Tours of India

Food for a Future Planet

India‘s rice farmers look to an ancient crop to prepare for a flood-
prone tomorrow.
by Sharmila Vaidyanathan
July 22, 2021 | 1,400 words, about 7 minutes

Share this:

For years, the paddy fields of Ezhikkara, a coastal village in the southern state of Kerala,
India, were in a state of neglect. A lack of resources and a loss of enthusiasm had led
villagers to abandon crops on the field. But, as a growing number of scientists and farming
advocates look to traditional rice varieties in the search for climate-resilient food, that
narrative has begun to change. And on a bright October day in 2014, a group of 300
people traveled from other parts of the state to join villagers in a harvest festival ai med at
breathing life back into a cultivation method that originated centuries ago. The harvesters,
many with sickles in hand, shined light on a type of crop in strong need of supporters:
Pokkali rice.
―Pokkali‖ is the all-encompassing term that refers to the salt-tolerant rice varieties grown
by the Pokkali method of cultivation, in which farmers alternate raising rice with prawns
and shrimp, and sometimes fish. The unique method of paddy cultivation is specific to
parts of central Kerala where it‘s practiced in tidal wetlands. In Malayalam, the local
language, pokkam means height and ali means flame, explains K. G. Padmakumar,
director of the International Research and Training Centre for Below Sea Level
Farming in Kerala.
True to their name, Pokkali varieties grow up to two meters. It‘s their ability to stand tall
above brackish waters that has piqued the world‘s interest in how they may be a uniquely
climate-adaptive food.

Pokkali fields are prepared for rice in April, before the onset of monsoon. Farmers pack
the saline soil into large mounds, leaving the rains to wash off much of the salt. Rice seeds
sprouted in baskets lined with teak or banana leaves are then sown on these mounds,
turning them into in situ nurseries. Once the seedlings reach a desired height, farmers
dismantle the mounds and transplant the seedlings throughout the fields, where they
flourish in the inundated lands. When the rice is ready for harvest in September or
October, only the panicles (the terminal part of the grain-bearing branch) are separated.
The rest of the plant is left behind for the next phase—cultivating prawns and shrimp.
Farmers regulate tidal water using sluices, trapping whatever shrimp and prawn larvae
enter the fields, raising and harvesting them until March, and then selling them in local
markets to gain extra income. Along with the nutrients brought in by the sea, these
crustaceans enrich the Pokkali fields with their excrement. The process, explains
Padmakumar, allows the rice to grow in a naturally organic environment.
To raise awareness about Pokkali rice and its history and cultivation, tour companies
have been linking tourists and local villagers through harvest festivals. Photo courtesy of
Blue Yonder

Across India, rice is a vital grain, and, between January 2020 and April 2021, the country
consumed 106.5 million tonnes of rice—the second-highest amount in the world. Rich in
protein and antioxidants, Pokkali rices are celebrated for their nutritional value; it‘s been
said that fishers can spend hours at sea after a Pokkali-heavy meal. Larger than many
other types of rice, Pokkali varieties have a distinct taste and retain their reddish hue even
when cooked. Proponents love to talk about how seamlessly the auburn grain s can be
incorporated into meals—prepared as rice or transformed into one of many regional
staples, such as dosas (savory crepes), puttu (steamed ground rice with
coconut), kanji (thin porridge), or idiyappam (rice noodles).
In recent years, however, the zeal for this cultivation method has dwindled. About three
decades ago, the cultivation was prevalent across 25,000 hectares of land; now, Pokkali
rices grow on as few as 5,000 hectares. Pokkali fields have given way to the cultivation of
other crops, such as coconut, and to the frenzy of urbanization. Pollution of wetlands and
abandonment of the practice have added to Pokkali‘s woes.

That abandonment is partly due to Pokkali‘s relatively small returns. Yields for traditional
varieties of Pokkali rices are about one and a half tonnes per hectare, whereas regular
high-yielding rice varieties provide as much as four to five tonnes per hectare, sometimes
more depending on the cultivar. ―Pokkali yields are low, and they often don‘t justify the
production costs,‖ says Akhil Soman of the Palliyakkal Service Co-operative Bank. The
bank has stepped in to help farmers—with everything from purchasing seeds to securing
loans, hiring laborers, and, come harvest season, buying the rice at a fixed guaranteed
price—ensuring that they get the necessary support to keep the cultivation going.
Grains of Pokkali rice, recognizable because of the rusty-red hue and the robust size, are
used whole or ground in many traditional Indian dishes. Photo courtesy of Deepa
Krishnan of Magic Tours of India

Yet despite the bank‘s efforts, many farmers are using their fields solely to raise
crustaceans. They‘ve stocked tiger prawn seeds from hatcheries to cultivate the fast -
growing animals in their fields, says Padmakumar. That change has tipp ed the paddies‘
natural cycle and led to a loss of biodiversity. But another big factor that keeps farmers
from growing Pokkali is the sheer back-breaking work of harvesting the rice by hand and
the difficulty in finding labor to do it. ―We stand in flooded fields, sometimes with water
up to our chest levels to harvest Pokkali,‖ says K. A. Thomas, a farmer from the
Kadamakkudy islands in Kerala. ―We wish there was some mechanized way to do it.‖ The
reality of waterlogged fields, however, makes this challenging.

According to local lore, the story of Pokkali rice dates back to the 14th century, when the
mighty Periyar River flooded, washing rice seeds from the mountains of the Western
Ghats into saline coastal lands. There, the rice thrived. Over time, farme rs took to the
newly sprung varieties, which grew tall, developing the plants with the cultivation method
that would eventually define them.

If one flood brought Pokkali to life, another catapulted it to significance. In 2018,

devastating floods ravaged Kerala‘s agricultural lands. Following the floods, heroic
accounts of Pokkali plants resisting nature‘s fury were reported in the media. ―The bunds
and sluices in my farm were destroyed, but the paddy thrived,‖ says Thomas. While fields
in the Kadamakkudy islands of Kerala were moderately affected, a report by the Kerala
State Biodiversity Board revealed that Pokkali yields were greatly reduced in parts of the
state compared to previous years. Also, plants sown in Kadamakkudy after the flood
became susceptible to disease.
Farmers use sluices to regulate the water level in the Pokkali rice fields during the ebb
and flow of the tides. Photo by imageBROKER/Alamy Stock Photo
While various existential threats imperil Pokkali cultivation, plant geneticists like K. V.
Mohanan of the Gregor Mendel Foundation at the University of Calicut in Kerala
emphasize its importance in the face of sea level rise, which will continue to make coastal
areas saltier. This reality makes it paramount for scientists to develop, and farmers to
invest in, salt-tolerant crops like Pokkali rice, Mohanan adds.

Researchers at Kerala Agricultural University‘s Rice Research Station, Vyttila, located in

the heart of Pokkali lands, are working on just that. A. K. Sreelatha, who heads the station,
says Pokkali varieties have provided international researchers with a germ plasm for salt
tolerance to aid the development of saline-resistant crops. There, scientists have bolstered
the crop‘s output by developing varieties that produce higher yields. Those efforts build
on a success from 2008, when the university earned the rice a place on a national
registry that recognizes its unique importance.
Outside of the lab, Pokkali champions are devising ways to spur interest in the rice.
Sustainable travel initiatives like Blue Yonder, which mobilized agricultural enthusiasts to
Ezhikkara in 2014, and Cochin Magic, of Magic Tours of India, have dedicated Pokkali
field tours that benefit farmers and local community members and increase their
participation in the practice. Deepa Krishnan, founder of Magic Tours of India, says that
the tours help make Pokkali more appealing to locals, who have shied away from it in the
past. Creating pride in Pokkali, Krishnan adds, is crucial to its continuatio n.
Though there is hope, Pokkali adherents fear that it may not be enough. ―Only traditional
farmers are involved in this cultivation,‖ explains Sreelatha. She wonders what will
happen when the next generation of farmers enters the Pokkali fields. Her fear is palpable,
but considering Pokkali‘s track record of rising above hardships and the mounting support
for it from various groups, more farmers may come to value the rice with time.

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https://www.hakaimagazine.com/article-short/food-for-a-future-planet/
ttack of the Feral Weed
Danforth Center Scientists Fight Back Against Rice’s Evolving Enemy

21-Jul-2021 10:00 AM EDT, by Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

favorite_border
 3D reconstruction of a rice root system created using nondestructive X-ray CT technology.
PreviousNext
Newswise — The world depends on rice: it is a staple food for more than half the
Earth‘s population. Rice has been grown for thousands of years and in more than one
hundred countries. And just about everywhere rice is grown, a thieving, cunning,
lookalike weed runs amok, damaging harvests. It is known as ―weedy rice.‖

Weedy rice is a plant that belongs to the same genus and species as cultivated rice, but
it produces far fewer grains. Herbicides used in rice growing can‘t touch it, and due to its
striking resemblance to desirable rice, it‘s easy for this invader to flourish in fields
undetected. Left unchecked, weedy rice steals water and precious nutrients from the
rice crop, resulting in a dramatic loss of yield – by up to 80 percent. Estimated annual
losses are more than $45 million in the U.S. alone, resulting in higher prices. When
weedy rice outcompetes crop rice, farmers and consumers both lose.

But now, with backing from the National Science Foundation, Danforth Center Principal
Investigator Chris Topp, PhD, is partnering with Kenneth M. Olsen, PhD, professor of
biology at Washington University in St. Louis and others to help learn how weedy rice
outcompetes crop rice – and how to defeat it.

This work has the potential to help farmers here in Missouri while also helping to feed
millions of people around the globe.

CHRIS TOPP, PHD, DANFORTH CENTER PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The Hidden HalfWeedy rice is essentially domesticated rice that has gone feral, but how
exactly does this happen? Researchers are hoping to find out, but one thing they know
for certain is that a significant source of its abilities lies below ground, in the roots.

Better understanding the ―hidden half‖ of plants — the 50 percent below ground — is a
major focus of the Topp lab. They have pioneered the use of X-ray 3D computerized
tomography (CT) for nondestructive observation of root growth and development over
time. The facility is unique in North America, and already the work is yielding results.

Using this unique imaging to observe undamaged roots of growing weedy rice, they
discovered a major aspect of its success: weedy rice had evolved ―cheater traits‖ that
allow it to take advantage of the soil to beat out rice crops for nutrients. The team is now
expanding on this discovery.

―By understanding how this invader competes for nutrients underground, we can learn
how to better fight against it, save countless rice crops, and, as a result, improve
farmers‘ bottom lines and contribute to feeding millions of people,‖ said Topp.

Potential for GreatnessThe research has significant application beyond just identifying
the best methods to combat a pest. Several traits that weedy rice currently possesses
could prove useful for improving the real rice crop someday. Besides the cheater traits,
weedy rice is also resistant to the common fungal disease rice blast. Understanding the
genetic basis for these traits could eventually help breed stronger, more productive crop
rice varieties.

The Need

This research is funded by the National Science and donors to the Innovation Fund.
Interested in supporting projects like this? Visit danforthcenter.org/give.

https://www.newswise.com/articles/attack-of-the-feral-weed

JULY 22, 20219:14 AMUPDATED 2 DAYS AGO

Bangladesh rice farmers invent new

varieties to withstand salt, storms
By Rafiqul Islam Montu
6 MIN READ

SHYAMNAGAR, Bangladesh (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Farmer

Dilip Chandra Tarafdar was tired of fighting to keep his rice crop alive
in the Bangladeshi coastal village of Chandipur.

If the plants managed to grow in soil made salty by decades of cyclones

and floods, then strong winds would snap their stalks or pests would
wipe them out.

So, ten years ago, Tarafdar, 45, looked to his ancestors and started cross-
breeding seed varieties that used to thrive in the southwestern
Shyamnagar region but are now on the edge of extinction after farmers
moved onto higher-yielding varieties.
His new type of rice, called Charulata, tolerates salty soil and water-
logging, stays standing in high winds and grows well without fertilisers
or pesticides, Tarafdar said.

In the olden days, local people could survive just from the rice they
harvested without doing other work, he noted.

―But we face many problems after planting paddy (rice). So, we have
come up with a new method of cross-breeding to bring back the disaster-
tolerant varieties of paddy planted by our ancestors,‖ he told the
Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The farmer said his seed variety can produce up to 1,680 kg (3,700
pounds) of rice per quarter hectare (0.62 acres), more than double what
he was getting from conventional varieties.

Repeatedly let down by seeds they buy or get from the government,
other rice farmers in Shyamnagar sub-district are also taking matters into
their own hands, reviving ancestral varieties and creating new ones that
can withstand increasingly frequent storms, floods and droughts.

―Farmers in this disaster-prone area have done a great job in preserving

local rice seeds and inventing rice varieties,‖ said S.M. Enamul Islam,
the agriculture officer for Shyamnagar.

That kind of innovation is one reason agriculture is still a viable

livelihood in the area, he added.

SHRINKING FARMLAND

One of the country‘s top rice-producing regions, Shyamnagar provides

work for about 45,000 farmers, according to data from the sub-district‘s
agriculture office.

But the soil started getting saltier in the late 1980s, farmers said, when
shrimp farming picked up in the area. To create their ponds, shrimp
farmers used saltwater taken from rivers, which seeped into the
surrounding rice fields.

Then Cyclone Ayla in 2009 brought high tides and tidal waves that
submerged much of Shyamnagar, causing salt levels in the soil to shoot
up, said A.B.M. Touhidul Alam, a researcher at the Bangladesh
Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK).

Several cyclones and floods since then have made the ground saltier,
forcing many people to abandon rice cultivation.

According to a study by global charity Practical Action, between 1995

and 2015, farmland in five areas, including Shyamnagar, shrank by more
than 78,000 acres as much was converted to shrimp farms.

And researchers warn that the water and soil in coastal Bangladesh will
only become more hostile to rice farming as the planet heats up.

A 2014 World Bank report on climate change effects along the coast
estimated that by 2050, rivers in 10 of the region‘s 148 sub-districts
would become moderately or highly saline.

Hoping to create seeds that can survive such a scenario, Sheikh Sirajul
Islam, a farmer from Haibatpur village near Shyamnagar, set up a rice
research centre in his home, where he stores more than 155 local
varieties.

The farmer is working on a variety of wild rice he hopes can be adapted

for cultivation. It grows naturally in saltwater on the seacoast and
riverbanks, but is not as nutritious as farmed rice, he explained.

He has already developed two other varieties that can withstand saline
water and water-logging, which he gives out for free to more than 100
farmers in the area.

―I (also) plan to set up a seed market in town. Seeds will not be sold
there, they will be exchanged,‖ he said.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Humayun Kabir, senior scientific officer at the government‘s

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), said the farmers‘ work on
new seed varieties was making ―a significant contribution‖ to the
development of agriculture at the local level.

Several rice varieties developed by farmers over the past few years -
including Tarafdar‘s - have been sent to the BRRI, which tests the seeds
in its own laboratories before deciding whether to distribute them to
farmers across the country.

While BRRI scientists have developed at least 100 varieties of rice

already, including some that can grow in salty and water-logged soil,
farmers in Shyamnagar say most of them are either inefficient or
unsuitable for where they live.

Several told the Thomson Reuters Foundation the BRRI varieties often
do not reach them and when they do, they are too expensive and not
adapted to their disaster-prone area.

―I have planted them many times and the yields are not good,‖ said
Bikash Chandra, a farmer from Gomantali village, who now uses a local
rice variety invented by Sirajul Islam.

The BRRI‘s Kabir said the institute is working on ways to get its seeds
out to more farmers.

Farmers have developed 35 disaster-resilient rice varieties over the past

decade, said Partha Sharathi Pal, regional coordinator at BARCIK,
which gives technical assistance to Shyamnagar farmers developing
their own varieties and stores the resulting seeds.

Most are still in the field-testing phase, said Pal, adding that the results
have so far been positive.
―Farmers (in Shyamnagar) have found solutions to their own problems,‖
he said. ―As a result, paddy cultivation has returned to many disaster-
prone areas. This is a new hope for the farmers of the future.‖
Reporting by Rafiqul Islam Montu, Editing by Jumana Farouky and Megan Rowling. Please
credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the
lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit news.trust.org
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bangladesh-farming-climate-rice/bangladesh-rice-farmers-invent-
new-varieties-to-withstand-salt-storms-idUSKBN2ES08Q

Science News
from research organizations

RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent

more potatoes, rice
Research could yield increased food production, boost drought tolerance
Date:

July 22, 2021

Source:

University of Chicago

Summary:

A new RNA breakthrough is allowing plants to yield dramatically more crops and increase
drought tolerance, which could have an impact on food scarcity and production as climate
change threatens ecosystems. In initial tests, adding a gene encoding for a protein called
FTO to both rice and potato plants increased their yield by 50 percent in field tests -- and the
plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root systems and were better able to
tolerate drought stress.

Share:

FULL STORY
Manipulating RNA can allow plants to yield dramatically more crops, as well
as increasing drought tolerance, announced a group of scientists from the
University of Chicago, Peking University and Guizhou University.

In initial tests, adding a gene encoding for a protein called FTO to both rice and potato plants
increased their yield by 50% in field tests. The plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root
systems and were better able to tolerate drought stress. Analysis also showed that the plants had
increased their rate of photosynthesis.
"The change really is dramatic," said University of Chicago Prof. Chuan He, who together with Prof.
Guifang Jia at Peking University, led the research. "What's more, it worked with almost every type of
plant we tried it with so far, and it's a very simple modification to make."
The researchers are hopeful about the potential of this breakthrough, especially in the face of
climate change and other pressures on crop systems worldwide.
"This really provides the possibility of engineering plants to potentially improve the ecosystem as
global warming proceeds," said He, who is the John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of
Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. "We rely on plants for many, many things --
everything from wood, food, and medicine, to flowers and oil -- and this potentially offers a way to
increase the stock material we can get from most plants."
Rice nudged along
For decades, scientists have been working to boost crop production in the face of an increasingly
unstable climate and a growing global population. But such processes are usually complicated, and
often result only in incremental changes.
The way this discovery came about was quite different.
Many of us remember RNA from high school biology, where we were taught that the RNA molecule
reads DNA, then makes proteins to carry out tasks. But in 2011, He's lab opened an entire new field
of research by discovering the keys to a different way that genes are expressed in mammals. It turns
out that RNA doesn't simply read the DNA blueprint and carry it out blindly; the cell itself can also
regulate which parts of the blueprint get expressed. It does so by placing chemical markers onto
RNA to modulate which proteins are made and how many.
He and his colleagues immediately realized that this had major implications for biology. Since then,
his team and others around the world have been trying to flesh out our understanding of the process
and what it affects in animals, plants and different human diseases; for example, He is a co-founder
of a biotech company now developing new anti-cancer medicines based on targeting RNA
modification proteins.
He and Guifang Jia, a former UChicago postdoctoral researcher who is now an associate professor
at Peking University, began to wonder how it affected plant biology.
They focused on a protein called FTO, the first known protein that erases chemical marks on RNA,
which Jia found as a postdoctoral researcher in He's group at UChicago. The scientists knew it
worked on RNA to affect cell growth in humans and other animals, so they tried inserting the gene
for it into rice plants -- and then watched in amazement as the plants took off.
"I think right then was when all of us realized we were doing something special," He said.
The rice plants grew three times more rice under laboratory conditions. When they tried it out in real
field tests, the plants grew 50% more mass and yielded 50% more rice. They grew longer roots,
photosynthesized more efficiently, and could better withstand stress from drought.
 The scientists repeated the experiments with potato plants, which are part of a completely different
family. The results were the same.
"That suggested a degree of universality that was extremely exciting," He said.
It took the scientists longer to begin to understand how this was happening. Further experiments
showed that FTO started working early in the plant's development, boosting the total amount of
biomass it produced.
The scientists think that FTO controls a process known as m6A, which is a key modification of RNA.
In this scenario, FTO works by erasing m6A RNA to muffle some of the signals that tell plants to
slow down and reduce growth. Imagine a road with lots of stoplights; if scientists cover up the red
lights and leave the green, more and more cars can move along the road.
Overall, the modified plants produced significantly more RNA than control plants.
Modifying the process
The process described in this paper involves using an animal FTO gene in a plant. But once
scientists fully understand this growth mechanism, He thinks there could be alternate ways to get the
same effect.
"It seems that plants already have this layer of regulation, and all we did is tap into it," He said. "So
the next step would be to discover how to do it using the plant's existing genetics."
He can imagine all sorts of uses down the road -- and he's working with the university and the Polsky
Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to explore the possibilities.
"Even beyond food, there are other consequences of climate change," said He. "Perhaps we could
engineer grasses in threatened areas that can withstand drought. Perhaps we could teach a tree in
the Midwest to grow longer roots, so that it's less likely to be toppled during strong storms. There are
so many potential applications."

Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Chicago. Original written by Louise Lerner. Note: Content may
be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:
1. Qiong Yu, Shun Liu, Lu Yu, Yu Xiao, Shasha Zhang, Xueping Wang, Yingying Xu, Hong Yu, Yulong
Li, Junbo Yang, Jun Tang, Hong-Chao Duan, Lian-Huan Wei, Haiyan Zhang, Jiangbo Wei, Qian
Tang, Chunling Wang, Wutong Zhang, Ye Wang, Peizhe Song, Qiang Lu, Wei Zhang, Shunqing
Dong, Baoan Song, Chuan He, Guifang Jia. RNA demethylation increases the yield and biomass
of rice and potato plants in field trials. Nature Biotechnology, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-
00982-9

Cite This Page:

  MLA
 APA
 Chicago
University of Chicago. "RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent more potatoes,
rice: Research could yield increased food production, boost drought tolerance." ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 22 July 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210722112953.htm>.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210722112953.htm

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Philippines approves GMO 'golden rice'

for commercial production
Issued on: 23/07/2021 - 10:42

'Golden rice' is enriched with the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene to make it more
nutritional Handout INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE/AFP

3 min

Manila (AFP)

The Philippines became the world's first country Friday to approve the commercial production of
genetically modified "golden rice" that experts hope will combat childhood blindness and save
lives in the developing world.

A biosafety permit issued by government regulators paves the way for the rice -- enriched with
the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene to make it more nutritional -- to be grown by farmers
across the country, its developers said.

"It's a really significant step for our project because it means that we are past this regulatory
phase and golden rice will be declared as safe as ordinary rice," Russell Reinke of the Philippine-
based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) told AFP ahead of the announcement.

The next step was to "take our few kilos of seed and multiply it... so it can be made more widely
available", he said.

IRRI has spent two decades working with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice
Research Institute to develop golden rice -- named for its bright yellow hue.

It is the first genetically modified rice approved for commercial propagation in South and
Southeast Asia, officials said Friday.
Golden rice has faced strong resistance from environmental groups opposed to genetically
altered food plants. At least one test field in the Philippines was attacked by activists.

Despite passing the final regulatory hurdle, the rice is still a way off appearing in food bowls.

"Limited quantities" of seed could start to be distributed to Filipino farmers in selected provinces
next year, Reinke said.

Ordinary rice, a staple for hundreds of millions of people particularly in Asia, produces beta-
carotene in the plant, but it is not found in the grain.

"The only change that we've made is to produce beta-carotene in the grain," Reinke said.

"The farmers will be able to grow them in exactly the same way as ordinary varieties... it doesn't
need additional fertiliser or changes in management and it carries with it the benefit of improved
nutrition."

Vitamin A is essential for normal growth and development, the proper functioning of the
immune system, and vision.

World Health Organization data show vitamin A deficiency causes up to 500,000 cases of
childhood blindness every year, with half of those dying within 12 months of losing their sight.

Nearly 17 percent of children under the age of five in the Philippines are deficient in vitamin A,
according to IRRI.

"We've always said we will provide 30-50 percent of that estimated average requirement (of
vitamin A), and when you add that to what is existing in the diet you push up a whole cohort of
the population from insufficiency to sufficiency," Reinke said.

Golden rice was analysed by food safety regulators in Australia, the United States and Canada
and was given the thumbs up, he said, but it has not been approved in these countries for
commercial production.

It is also being reviewed by regulators in Bangladesh.

© 2021 AFP
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210723-philippines-approves-gmo-golden-rice-for-
commercial-production
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HEALTH NEWS
Fact Checked

Are We Really Going to

See the End of Surprise
Medical Bills in 2022?
 New legislation to protect people from surprise medical bills is set to take effect in January 2022. Getty
Share on Pintere st

Images

 Many people in the United States are subject to surprise medical bills, which
are often very expensive.
 A surprise medical bill occurs when a person seeks care at an in-network
hospital or healthcare facility but is treated by an out-of-network physician.
  The No Surprises Act, which is set to take effect in January 2022, will protect
people from receiving these surprise medical bills.
New legislation is set to take effect in January 2022 that is meant to end so-called
surprise medical bills for people receiving emergency care and other health services in
the United States.

The No Surprises Act, which Congress passed and former President Donald Trump
signed into law in December, received widespread bipartisan support.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration issued an interim final rule, the first step
of finalizing the details of the law.

But what does this law mean? Will Americans really see an end to surprise medical
bills?

Healthline spoke with two experts in healthcare policy and medical billing to suss out
the details.

Defining ‘surprise medical bills’

First, it‘s important to define what a surprise medical bill is. There are many situations
when a person can be surprised by a medical bill, but this legislation defines it in a
specific context.

―Here, the term ‗surprise medical bill‘ is used to refer to out-of-network balance bills
that occur in which the patient was not expecting them or had no control over them,‖
said Christopher Garmon, PhD, assistant professor of health administration at the
Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
An example of this is if a person breaks their leg and goes to the nearest emergency
room that they know is in their health insurance plan‘s network, but they end up being
treated by an out-of-network doctor.

―So, you just assume all the providers there are also in your health plan‘s network,
and that‘s not necessarily the case,‖ Garmon explained.

―And so you may encounter an emergency room physician or an anesthesiologist or

pathologist that turns out is not in your health plan‘s network, and then a few weeks
after your visit, you get a large bill asking you to pay the difference between what
your insurance company paid and the total bill charged,‖ he said.

Surprise medical bills have garnered much attention in the press in recent years. One
of the most egregious cases was documented in The New York Times by Elisabeth
Rosenthal in 2014.

In her article, Rosenthal writes of a man who underwent elective neck surgery. Before
the procedure, he made sure the hospital, surgeon, and the anesthesiologist on call
were in his health plan‘s network.

But during the surgery, an assistant surgeon, who was out of the patient‘s network,
was called in to help. The patient received a bill for $117,000.00.

How often do surprise medical

bills occur?
While the price tags on surprise medical bills vary widely and the exact number of
people who receive them is not known, a 2016 study from Yale University published
in the New England Journal of Medicine offers some insight.
The researchers looked at 2.2 million emergency room visits across the United States
and found that of those, 1 in 5 people who went to hospitals within their health
insurance plan‘s network were treated by an out-of-network physician.

Many of these people received unexpected, exorbitant bills. The researchers

calculated the average cost of a surprise medical bill to be $622.55. However, they
reported these bills could soar well into the thousands.

Another study from the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 1 in 5 emergency
claims and 1 in 6 in-network hospitalizations include at least one out-of-network bill.

How the new legislation works to

end surprise medical bills
As of now, there‘s not much you can do to avoid surprise medical bills.

Garmon pointed to the New York Times report where the patient diligently checked
that all his providers were in-network before surgery and still received a surprise out-
of-network bill.

―It can happen to people who are very sophisticated and know how the game is
played,‖ Garmon said.

The new legislation is meant to put an end to this practice.

―The No Surprises Act protects privately insured patients from getting unexpected
out-of-network bills from providers, hospitals, or their health plans next year,‖
said Krutika Amin, PhD, associate director at the Kaiser Family Foundation for the
Program on the ACA. ―What this means is insured patients would have to pay no
more than their in-network rate for emergency services and wouldn‘t be liable for any
extra balance bills.‖
You can choose to see an out-of-network provider for nonemergency services, she
said, but you would have to be told in advance what the cost would be and consent to
it.

―Otherwise, the patient is protected from getting unexpected bills,‖ Amin said.

The law also sets up a system for insurers and providers to negotiate among
themselves to resolve the balance of the bill. If a solution cannot be reached, an
independent arbiter will be brought in to determine a fair reimbursement.

―The arbiter will pick one of the two proposals from the provider or the health plan to
determine what is paid,‖ Garmon explained. ―The law is set up as much as possible to
try to get the provider and insurer to agree on a reasonable reimbursement before ever
getting to the arbiter.‖

―But importantly, it completely takes the patient out of the middle,‖ he said.

One health service the legislation does not cover is ground ambulances.

So, in a medical emergency, if someone calls 911 and the ambulance that arrives is
out of their health insurance plan‘s network, the patient can still be subject to a
surprise medical bill.

―That is one big hole in the No Surprises Act that will need to be rectified in the
future,‖ Garmon said.

Finally, the law calls for the setup of a complaint system for consumers who believe
they were subject to an illegal surprise medical bill.
How well will the law work to end
surprise medical bills?
When asked how optimistic they were that the new legislation would eliminate
surprise medical bills for patients, both Garmon and Amin responded positively.

―The law is pretty clear that from January 1, 2022, providers need to start notifying
patients of any out-of-network charges,‖ Amin said.

―The law itself and the regulations that are being written to implement the law, as far
as I‘ve seen so far, seem to be set up really well to protect the patients so that they will
not receive a balance bill, and if they do, they have rights and ways of protesting that
balance bill,‖ Garmon said.

However, he noted that a big question is what effect this law will have on other
aspects of the healthcare system, such as premiums and healthcare costs.

―How will it affect the prices that are negotiated between providers and healthcare
plans? When you change what happens when there‘s not a contract, that affects what
happens when there is a contract,‖ he said.

―It‘s possible that it could lead to lower in-network prices and lower premiums. Or it
could lead to higher in-network prices and higher premiums,‖ Garmon said.

―The jury is still out on that, and that‘s where a lot of the research will be conducted
in the future to try to determine what effect this will have on healthcare costs
throughout the healthcare system.‖

Written by Ashley Welch on July 22, 2021 — Fact checked by Dana K. Cassell
 READ THIS NEXT

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Rising nighttime temperatures mean fewer

crops, poor quality | The Wichita Eagle

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 AGRICULTURE

Hot nights are confusing Kansas crops. What

does that mean for the nation‟s food supply?
BY SARAH SPICER
JULY 23, 2021 04:30 AM,

As climate change causes warmer night temperatures in Kansas, agriculture

could pay the price, according to a recent study.
Researchers at Kansas State University and North Carolina State University
have evidence that when nights get warmer, it messes up the circadian clock
genes in rice. Similar patterns of behavior are expected in Kansas crops, such
as wheat, barley and corn.
―When it is really hot in the night, you really don‘t know because you‘re
sleeping. But the plants do not have an option,‖ said Krishna Jagadish, crop
professor at K-State and Adjunct Scientist at the International Rice Research
Institute. ―They still undergo distress and that‘s why you start to see this
impact.‖
In Wichita, overnight temperatures have risen 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit since
the 1970s. In Topeka, they‘ve risen 3.4 degrees.
―When the night starts to get warmer, then the plants tend to respire more,
metabolic activity starts to increase and then they lose the carbon that they
would have got from photosynthesis,‖ Jagadish said. ―With warming night and
temperature, you tend to lose the carbon and therefore you lose yield and
your quality starts to become poorer.‖
K-State studies indicated a 5% reduction in wheat yield for each degree
Celsius increase in temperature. In addition, a study for the United Nations
found that rising global temperatures due to climate change is jeopardizing
food security.
―If the nighttime temperatures throw the plants clocks off, and then everything
gets off-kilter, then Kansas could have a lot of effect, especially being so
important for food for the rest of the country,‖ said Colleen Doherty, associate
professor of molecular and structural biochemistry at North Carolina State
University. ―The scary thing about climate change is its potential effects on
crops and water. We could survive without some of the luxuries we‘re used to,
but food and water are pretty critical.‖
Wheat and other starch grains will be impacted the most by rising overnight
temperatures, causing a chain of events that could impact the entire nation.
―In wheat, the size of the grain becomes smaller,‖ Jagadish said. ―You get
more protein and lipids being deposited in the grain, so that actually alters
your bran composition, having an impact on your flour-making properties, and
also the taste of your bread.‖
Another important crop for Kansas, corn, could also be susceptible to rising
nighttime temperatures.
―Our hypothesis is that corn might be more affected in terms of both yield and
quality, which would probably impact of biofuel industry,‖ Jagadish said.
Doherty and Jagadish started studying the impacts of rising nighttime
temperatures seven years ago, choosing to study rice because it‘s cheaper to
use and has a similar scientific plant architecture to wheat and corn. They
observed that when plants experience warmer nighttime temperatures, some
genes expressed earlier and others express later than normal, disrupting
photosynthesis and respiration.
―Plants have a clock like humans,‖ Doherty said. ―They have a timing for
everything and we know how we are if you‘re jet-lagged, you‘re a little bit
screwed up and that‘s what‘s happening with the plants.‖
When conducting the study, Jagadish used heaters in field conditions so that
experimental plots were 2 degrees Celsius warmer than the control plots.
But not all is lost, according to Doherty. The next step is looking at different
rice varieties and wheat varieties and how they behave under warmer
nighttime conditions.
They will narrow down those varieties that do best and breed them to
accommodate warmer overnight temperatures better, but it‘s a difficult
process.
―We‘re trying to work with the breeders here to see if we can utilize these
genotypes and make our wheat tolerant to these warming nights, but it‘s going
to take time,‖ Jagadish said. ―It‘s not going to be immediately available as
agricultural installations are not easy.‖
This process is going to take time, which is why researchers are starting now.
―It‘s not like the entire wheat growing region across the U.S. and the world is
going to be experiencing these temperatures almost immediately, right?
That‘s not true,‖ Jagadish said.
―When you do these studies, you‘re trying to anticipate what‘s going to
happen, maybe two or three decades from now. How can we pace our
scientific progress in achieving what we want to achieve, in terms of resilience
to these sort of stresses, so we are ready if this happens?‖

Help us cover your community through The Eagle's partnership with Report
For America. Contribute now to help fund reporting on the effects of climate
change in the Midwest, and to support new reporters.

DONATE TO SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

SARAH SPICER
785-409-1598

Sarah Spicer reports for The Wichita Eagle and focuses on climate change in the
region. She joined the Eagle in June 2020 as a Report for America corps member. A
native Kansan, Spicer has won awards for her investigative reporting from the Kansas
Press Association, the Chase and Lyon County Bar Association and the Kansas
Sunshine Coalition.

COMMENTS
 READ NEXT

AGRICULTURE
Desperation brings innovation as farm-to-table movement flourishes in Kansas
BY STAN FINGER WICHITA JOURNALISM COLLABORATIVE
JULY 15, 2021 04:19 AM,

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

―I think there‘s going to be some long-term good stuff that comes out of it —
especially when you have younger people coming back to the farm.‖

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SERVICEhttps://www.kansas.com/news/business/agriculture/article252530218.html

Indonesian professor discovers new,

healthy breed of rice
NEWS DESK
THE JAKARTA POST
Jakarta / Thu, July 22, 2021 / 05:50 pm
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All about rice: Rice is a must-have food item in any Indonesian household. (Shutterstock/Louno
Morose)

An Indonesian professor working at an American university has discovered a new variety

of rice that carries a low glycemic load, which many consider to be crucial in the fight
against diabetes and obesity.

Herry Utomo, a professor at Louisiana State University's Rice Research Station and his
team of researchers made fundamental changes to the rice grain to allow slower digestion
of carbohydrates into glucose, making it safe for diabetic people to eat.

"The team of researchers also increased the rice grain's protein content to 50 percent
more than the protein content of typical rice," Herry said in a statement.

As a result, the newly invented rice has an average GI index of 41, which was determined
based on human clinical trials on cooked white rice.

There are three groups of glycemic ratings for food: low with a glycemic index of 55 or
less, medium with a glycemic index of 56-69, and high with a glycemic index of 70 or
more.

In general, high carbohydrate food, such as wheat, has an average glycemic index of 74;
potatoes, 78; and corn, 55. Rice has an average glycemic index of 73 and, therefore, is
categorized as a high glycemic food source.

Given this glycemic index, rice, which is the main staple food in Asia and Indonesia in
particular, has been blamed for diabetes and obesity.

Worldwide, more than 463 million people, 9.3 percent of the world's population, suffer
from diabetes. In Indonesia, more than 10.7 million people or 6.2 percent of its
population have diabetes.

By 2045, the prevalence of diabetes is estimated to rise to 10.2 percent (578 million) by
2030 and 10.9 percent (700 million) by 2045.
"Consumption of lower glycemic foods can help prevent unnecessary snacking and
excessive calorie consumption. This makes low glycemic rice an important factor in
obesity prevention," Herry said.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2021/07/22/indonesian-professor-discovers-new-healthy-breed-
of-rice.html

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Pine Tree wildlife contract approved

Panel says OK to 6-month pactby Stephen Steed | July 23, 2021 at 2:07 a.m.

Follow
Pengyin Chen holds up a new variety of soybeans at the Pine Tree Research Station near Colt in this
2013 file photo. Chen was the director of the soybean breeding program at the University of Arkansas
System’s Division of Agriculture at the time the photo was taken.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on Thursday unanimously agreed to a six-month
contract to manage hunting and fishing at the Pine Tree Research Station owned by the
University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture.
The agreement continues what the commission has been doing since 1999, when both parties
signed a cooperative agreement for Game and Fish to manage 6,300 Pine Tree acres as a wildlife
demonstration area. While that agreement was for five years, Game and Fish's management has
continued since.
The Pine Tree station has been in the news since last summer, not for its wildlife and public use
but for the proposed sale of the 6,300 acres, or about half of the station's total acreage. Wet and
wooded, the 6,300 acres were never developed into land suitable for the row-crop research
conducted elsewhere at the station, a few miles west of Colt in St. Francis County.
The land was open to the public for hunting, fishing and other outdoors activities for decades
prior to the 1999 agreement.
The six-month agreement gives time for both sides to develop a longer-term contract, Chris
Colclasure, the commission's deputy director, said.
The area managed by Game and Fish "is very popular for our hunting and fishing public over in
the east part of the state," Colclasure told the commission in his presentation of the new contract.
"If you're a citizen in Forrest City or Wynne or some of those communities over there, this is
your place, this is where you go, this is your Bayou Meto or Hurricane Lake, this is it for them,"
Colclasure said.
Noting the proposed sale only in passing, Colclasure said Game and Fish had been "committed
to working with" the UA Division of Agriculture throughout the process.
The Division of Agriculture last year entered into a contract to to sell the 6,300 acres to a private
entity, Lobo Farms LLC, for about $17.6 million, but both sides agreed in early June to cancel
the deal after opposition continued to mount from lawmakers and members of the public.
The Division of Agriculture had planned to use $5 million of the sale's proceeds to match an
endowment from the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board for the Northeast Rice
Research and Extension Center being built south of Jonesboro. Stymied so far in efforts to
receive funding from the General Assembly, UA officials have yet to raise the matching funds
for the center, its first since 1961.
Commissioner Rob Finley of Mountain Home said the news of the proposed sale had prompted
many eastern Arkansas residents to tell him their first hunting and fishing experiences were on
the Pine Tree acreage, usually with their grandfathers.
The residents, Finley said, told him "how heartbroke they were that there was a possibility it
might go away" and he now hears of the "euphoria of the folks who see the long-term future for
them to continue the tradition" at Pine Tree.
A Game and Fish Commission spokesman said last month it plans to issue 900 deer permits for
the Pine Tree acreage this hunting season. That number was reduced to 225 last year when the
Pine Tree sale was being considered.
The Division of Agriculture said it has shared some costs with Game and Fish in the joint
venture of keeping the hunting and fishing grounds open to the public. Citing an example, the
division said the two entities shared the $35,400 cost in 2016 of improving 1.3 miles of a gravel
road to a reservoir and boat ramp.

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jul/23/pine-tree-wildlife-contract-

approved/ Ancestral wisdom

Bangladeshi rice farmers invent new varieties to withstand salt,
storms
By ReutersPublished: Jul 22, 2021 07:33 PM
Farmers thresh paddy rice in the traditional style in Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 30, 2021. Photos: AFP
Farmers process paddy rice during harvesting season at Kishoreganj, Bangladesh on May 6, 2021. Photo: AFP

Farmer Dilip Chandra Tarafdar was tired of fighting to keep his rice crop alive in the
Bangladeshi coastal village of Chandipur.
If the plants managed to grow in soil made salty by decades of cyclones and floods,
then strong winds would snap their stalks or pests would wipe them out.

So, ten years ago, Tarafdar, 45, looked to his ancestors and started cross-breeding
seed varieties that used to thrive in the southwestern Shyamnagar region but are now
on the edge of extinction after farmers moved onto higher-yielding varieties.

His new type of rice, called Charulata, tolerates salty soil and water-logging, stays
standing in high winds, and grows well without fertilizers or pesticides, Tarafdar said.

In the olden days, local people could survive just from the rice they harvested without
doing other work, he noted.

"But we face many problems after planting paddy [rice]. So, we have come up with a
new method of cross-breeding to bring back the disaster-tolerant varieties of paddy
planted by our ancestors," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The farmer said his seed variety can produce up to 1,680 kilograms of rice per quarter
hectare, more than double what he was getting from conventional varieties.

Repeatedly let down by seeds they buy or get from the government, other rice farmers
in Shyamnagar sub-district are also taking matters into their own hands, reviving
ancestral varieties and creating new ones that can withstand increasingly frequent
storms, floods, and droughts.
"Farmers in this disaster-prone area have done a great job in preserving local rice
seeds and inventing rice varieties," said S.M. Enamul Islam, the agriculture officer for
Shyamnagar.

Shrinking farmland

One of the country's top rice-producing regions, Shyamnagar provides work for about
45,000 farmers, according to data from the sub-district's agriculture office.

But the soil started getting saltier in the late 1980s, farmers said, when shrimp farming
picked up in the area. To create their ponds, shrimp farmers used saltwater taken from
rivers, which seeped into the surrounding rice fields.

Then Cyclone Ayla in 2009 brought high tides and tidal waves that submerged much
of Shyamnagar, causing salt levels in the soil to shoot up, said A.B.M. Touhidul
Alam, a researcher at the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge
(BARCIK).

According to a study by global charity Practical Action, between 1995 and 2015,
farmland in five areas, including Shyamnagar, shrank by more than 78,000 acres as
much was converted to shrimp farms.

A 2014 World Bank report on climate change effects along the coast estimated that by
2050, rivers in 10 of the region's 148 sub-districts would become moderately or highly
saline.

Hoping to create seeds that can survive such a scenario, Sheikh Sirajul Islam, a farmer
from Haibatpur village near Shyamnagar, set up a rice research center in his home,
where he stores more than 155 local varieties.

The farmer is working on a variety of wild rice he hopes can be adapted for
cultivation. It grows naturally in saltwater on the seacoast and riverbanks, but is not as
nutritious as farmed rice, he explained.

He has already developed two other varieties that can withstand saline water and
water-logging, which he gives out for free to more than 100 farmers in the area.

Hope for the future

Humayun Kabir, senior scientific officer at the government's Bangladesh Rice

Research Institute (BRRI), said the farmers' work on new seed varieties was making
"a significant contribution" to the development of agriculture at the local level.

Several rice varieties developed by farmers over the past few years - including
Tarafdar's - have been sent to the BRRI, which tests the seeds in its own laboratories
before deciding whether to distribute them to farmers across the country.
While BRRI scientists have developed at least 100 varieties of rice already, including
some that can grow in salty and waterlogged soil, farmers in Shyamnagar say most of
them are either inefficient or unsuitable for where they live.

Several told the Thomson Reuters Foundation the BRRI varieties often do not reach
them and when they do, they are too expensive and not adapted to their disaster-prone
area.

"I have planted them many times and the yields are not good," said Bikash Chandra, a
farmer from Gomantali village, who now uses a local rice variety invented by Sirajul
Islam.

Farmers have developed 35 disaster-resilient rice varieties over the past decade, said
Partha Sharathi Pal, regional coordinator at BARCIK, which gives technical
assistance to Shyamnagar farmers developing their own varieties and stores the
resulting seeds.

Most are still in the field-testing phase, said Pal, adding that the results have so far
been positive.

"Farmers [in Shyamnagar] have found solutions to their own problems," he said. "As
a result, paddy cultivation has returned to many disaster-prone areas. This is a new
hope for the farmers of the future."
Reuters
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202107/1229364.shtml

Science News
from research organizations

Reaping the benefits: Training in rice growing system ups

yields and well-being
Date:

July 21, 2021

Source:

University of Tsukuba

Summary:

Researchers conducted randomized trials of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

agronomy method. Following SRI training of 5,486 Bangladeshi rice farmers, they compared
trained and untrained farmers. The results showed compelling benefits for SRI's efficacy in
increasing yield and profits, how it improves farming households' well-being, and its positive
spillover effects in communities. This bolsters support for SRI's value, especially in the
Global South.

Share:

FULL STORY

Rice is the world's most commonly grown and consumed crop. It also
supports lives and livelihoods, especially in low- and middle-income regions.
As such, methods for securing abundant and profitable rice harvests are key
in global food security.

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) offers a repeatable, sustainable system for increasing rice
yields. It brings together fundamental planting and harvesting techniques such as strategically
spacing plants, minimizing water, and transplanting seedlings. These practices can be repeated in
 varying conditions. While SRI has been around since the mid-1980s, need persists for evidence to
back its merits and distinguish its techniques.
New findings published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics now give much-needed
evidence of SRI, following its diffusion to more than 5,000 Bangladeshi farmers. SRI training was
introduced and evaluated among the rice farmers in a similar manner to a randomized controlled trial
(RCT) in medicine. Certain communities were trained while others were not. This created a pure
control group, similar to those who receive a placebo or receiving nothing in an RCT. That in turn
allowed compelling comparisons, along with insights into related effects of the training.
Professor Abdul Malek of the University of Tsukuba (Japan), together with international colleagues
including Asad Islam (Monash University), Christopher Barrett (Cornell University), Marcel
Fafchamps (Stanford University), and Debayan Pakrashi (Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur),
conducted these randomized introductions of SRI in Bangladesh and studied them from agricultural
and social angles. The core of the researchers' work was two RCTs in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
"To a large degree, we already know SRI delivers good yields, among other advantages. Some
have, however, questioned its uniqueness and results, so there is continued need for evidence to
support it," Professor Malek says. "By randomizing a large cohort of farmers, we have been able to
look at both SRI's quantifiable economic benefits and the qualitative benefits of disseminating this
agronomic training and knowledge."
Among the results, SRI led to rice yield and profit increases of 14%-17% and 22%-31%,
respectively. Household well-being was also found to be higher for farmers in training communities
vs. those without training. Additionally, a spillover effect was seen as untrained farmers in training
communities also gained exposure to SRI practices.
In two previous studies published as Fafchamps, etal (2021 and 2020) available at respectively:
lhab009, https://doi.org/10.1093/wber/lhab009 and https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
S0304387818314913 , Professor Malek and colleagues elaborated on these knock-on benefits of
this training. His research teams used the trials to show (1) the efficacy of introductory referrals to
training and (2) the cost advantages of peer-to-peer transmission of knowledge acquired. The latest
work corroborates the overall findings in a broader scope to give valuable evidence of training and of
SRI itself.
"We've covered a great deal of ground in verifying how SRI boosts productivity and farmers' well-
being," Professor Malek says. "We've also seen how knowledge is transferred among trained
farmers. This may help settle intense debates around SRI as a tool for boosting rice productivity and
rice farmers' well-being. It also offers a great deal of promise for agronomy in the Global South."

Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Tsukuba. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:
1. Christopher B. Barrett, Asad Islam, Abdul Malek, Debayan Pakrashi, Ummul Ruthbah. Experimental
Evidence on Adoption and Impact of the System of Rice Intensification. American Journal of
Agricultural Economics, 2021; DOI: 10.1111/ajae.12245
Cite This Page:

 MLA
 APA
 Chicago
University of Tsukuba. "Reaping the benefits: Training in rice growing system ups yields and well-
being." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 July 2021.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210721102300.htm>.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/0
7/210721102300.htm
Pathogens get comfy in designer goo
Rice, Baylor labs use custom hydrogels to mimic insides of intestines, study infectious
bacteria
RICE UNIVERSITY

Research News
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IMAGE: RICE UNIVERSITY BIOENGINEERS HAVE DEVELOPED HYDROGELS OF
VARIOUS STIFFNESS TO SEE IF THEY ARE MORE HOSPITABLE TO INTESTINAL
CELLS AND BACTERIA IN LAB EXPERIMENTS. THE HYDROGELS PROVED FAR
BETTER AT... view more
CREDIT: RICE UNIVERSITY/BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

HOUSTON -- (July 22, 2021) -- Researchers who want bacteria to feel right at home in the laboratory have put
out a new welcome mat.
Rice University bioengineers and Baylor College of Medicine scientists looking for a better way to mimic
intestinal infections that cause diarrhea and other diseases have built and tested a set of hydrogel-based
platforms to see if they could make both transplanted cells and bacteria comfy.

As a mechanical model of intestinal environments, the lab's soft, medium and hard polyethylene glycol (PEG)
hydrogels were far more welcoming to the cells that normally line the gut than the glass and plastic usually
used by laboratories. These cells can then host bacteria like Escherichia coli that are sometimes pathogenic.
The ability to study their dynamics under realistic conditions can help scientists find treatments for the
maladies they cause.

The researchers found strong correlation between the stiffness of hydrogels, which mimic intestinal mucus,
and how well a diarrhea-causing strain of E. coli adhered to and aggregated atop the epithelial cells that
normally line the intestines. They reported that softer hydrogels promoted "significantly greater bacterial
adhesion," which they attribute to mucus and other extracellular matrix components expressed by the cells.

The study led by bioengineer Jane Grande-Allen of Rice's Brown School of Engineering and Anthony Maresso
at Baylor, which appears in Acta Biomaterialia, proved the gels' value in experiments involving the soft
interface between organs and microbial or bacterial pathogens.

The Estes lab at Baylor built its model cultures using enteroids, constructs of intestinal cell cultures that
scientists use to understand how epithelial cells respond to infectious invaders. Enteroids can incorporate a
variety of cells found in the gut, but before Rice's hydrogels, they were grown on platforms that did not easily
mimic the squishy tissues in host bodies.

"Tissue culture plastic is the standard for growing cells, but it's a really artificial environment because it's so
rigid," Grande-Allen said. "It's hard plastic, like a glass slide. Certain cells grow just fine on tissue culture
plastic, but they're not consistently easy to infect that way.

"This is the case with the cells in the jejunum, where most nutrient absorption happens in the small intestine,"
she said. "Our collaborators obtain human intestinal tissues from biopsies and bariatric surgeries to make
enteroids, but the enteroids derived from jejunal cells had been difficult to infect with this pathogenic E. coli."

In Grande-Allen's lab, enteroid cells were grown on top of the hydrogel substrates. After a time, the
researchers in Maresso's lab added bacteria and found that the enteric E. coli clustered easily on the intestinal
cells grown on the medium and soft gels, but not on glass slides or stiff hydrogels.

All of the hydrogel-cultured enteroids showed significant enrichment of gene and signaling pathways related to
epithelial differentiation, cell junctions and adhesions, extracellular matrix and mucins compared to those
cultured on rigid surfaces.
The Rice lab reported its successful development of hydrogels for enteroid use in a previous paper with the
Baylor researchers. "Getting the cells to adhere and spread on the hydrogels was tricky, which is why we wrote
the methods paper," Grande-Allen said.

"But with that coating approach established, the hydrogel underneath could have a range of different
stiffnesses," she said. "That was the variable in the new paper, and we were floored to find the effect that it had
on bacterial adhesion.

"In general, stiffness and its effect on bacteria is rather understudied," Grande-Allen said. "Others have
reported that bacteria grown directly on hydrogels prefer stiffer gels, and that finding will help to study
biofilms. But here, our focus was trying to mimic the infectious disease process that actually happens in the
gut, so we needed to involve the epithelial cells."

Grande-Allen said the hydrogels will be used to study other types of diarrhea-causing bacteria, including
patient-specific cultivates, but in the near term said her lab will look at the combined effect of stiffness and
shear stress on bacterial adhesion to enteroids

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-07/ru-pgc072221.php

Drought changes rice root microbiome

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - DAVIS

Research News
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IMAGE: DEPRIVING GROWING RICE PLANTS OF WATER CAUSES A SHIFT IN THE MICROBIOME OR
COMMUNITY OF MICROBES IN THEIR ROOTS THAT PERSISTS AFTER THE DROUGHT ENDS. SOME OF THESE
MICROBES CAN... view more
CREDIT: SUNDARESAN LAB, UC DAVIS

Drought can have a lasting impact on the community of microbes that live in and around roots of rice plants, a
team led by UC Davis researchers has found. Root-associated microbes help plants take up nutrients from the
soil, so the finding could help in understanding how rice responds to dry spells and how it can be made more
resilient to drought. The work is published July 22 in Nature Plants.

The root microbiome of irrigated rice plants goes through a sequence of changes as the plants grow and
stabilizes when they flower. The sequence of changes in the root microbiome is consistent for a particular rice
strain and geographic location. Previous work has shown that when a growing rice plant is deprived of water, it
hits pause on the succession of changes in the root microbiome.

Venkatesan Sundaresan, distinguished professor of plant biology in the UC Davis College of Biological
Sciences and colleagues looked at changes in rice root microbes over time when plants were deprived of water
for 11, 21 or 33 days. This kind of intermittent drought condition is more common in rain-fed crops than
terminal drought, Sundaresan said.
As expected, the microbe community changes when water is taken away. More surprising is that the changes
persisted for weeks after plants were watered again.

"Rice plants carry a 'memory' of the drought episode in their root microbiota, so that plants that have
experienced drought can be distinguished solely on the basis of their microbiomes," Sundaresan said.

Promoting root growth

The team was able to culture and sequence the most abundant of these persistent microbes. It was a species of
Streptomyces that promotes growth of plant roots, a classic response to drought. The bacteria's DNA includes
genetic code similar to plant genes for the growth hormone auxin.

"The persistence of changes to the microbiome means that root elongation continues even after drought has
ended. This allows the roots to be better prepared to tap deep water," Sundaresan said. For some drought
tolerant rice cultivars, after a drought episode, the roots will continue to grow long enough to penetrate the
hardpan, he said.

The persistent changes also mean that the microbiome response will be more rapid the next time drought hits,
because it is altered from the first drought.

As extreme climate events become more common, crops are likely to experience more intermittent droughts,
the authors note. Understanding what makes plants more resilient to drought conditions could help reduce crop
losses.

###

Additional authors on the paper are Christian Santos-Medellin, Zachary Liechty, Joseph Edwards and Bao
Nguyen, UC Davis Department of Plant Biology; and Bihua Huang and Bart Weimer, Department of
Population Health and Reproduction, 100K Pathogen Genome Project, UC Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine. Sundaresan also has a faculty appointment in the Department of Plant Sciences, College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The work was supported by grants from the NSF and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-07/uoc--dcr072021.php

JULY 22, 20219:14 AMUPDATED 2 DAYS AGO

Bangladesh rice farmers invent new
varieties to withstand salt, storms
By Rafiqul Islam Montu
6 MIN READ

SHYAMNAGAR, Bangladesh (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Farmer

Dilip Chandra Tarafdar was tired of fighting to keep his rice crop alive
in the Bangladeshi coastal village of Chandipur.

If the plants managed to grow in soil made salty by decades of cyclones

and floods, then strong winds would snap their stalks or pests would
wipe them out.

So, ten years ago, Tarafdar, 45, looked to his ancestors and started cross-
breeding seed varieties that used to thrive in the southwestern
Shyamnagar region but are now on the edge of extinction after farmers
moved onto higher-yielding varieties.

His new type of rice, called Charulata, tolerates salty soil and water-
logging, stays standing in high winds and grows well without fertilisers
or pesticides, Tarafdar said.

In the olden days, local people could survive just from the rice they
harvested without doing other work, he noted.

―But we face many problems after planting paddy (rice). So, we have
come up with a new method of cross-breeding to bring back the disaster-
tolerant varieties of paddy planted by our ancestors,‖ he told the
Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The farmer said his seed variety can produce up to 1,680 kg (3,700
pounds) of rice per quarter hectare (0.62 acres), more than double what
he was getting from conventional varieties.
Repeatedly let down by seeds they buy or get from the government,
other rice farmers in Shyamnagar sub-district are also taking matters into
their own hands, reviving ancestral varieties and creating new ones that
can withstand increasingly frequent storms, floods and droughts.

―Farmers in this disaster-prone area have done a great job in preserving

local rice seeds and inventing rice varieties,‖ said S.M. Enamul Islam,
the agriculture officer for Shyamnagar.

That kind of innovation is one reason agriculture is still a viable

livelihood in the area, he added.

SHRINKING FARMLAND

One of the country‘s top rice-producing regions, Shyamnagar provides

work for about 45,000 farmers, according to data from the sub-district‘s
agriculture office.

But the soil started getting saltier in the late 1980s, farmers said, when
shrimp farming picked up in the area. To create their ponds, shrimp
farmers used saltwater taken from rivers, which seeped into the
surrounding rice fields.

Then Cyclone Ayla in 2009 brought high tides and tidal waves that
submerged much of Shyamnagar, causing salt levels in the soil to shoot
up, said A.B.M. Touhidul Alam, a researcher at the Bangladesh
Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK).

Several cyclones and floods since then have made the ground saltier,
forcing many people to abandon rice cultivation.

According to a study by global charity Practical Action, between 1995

and 2015, farmland in five areas, including Shyamnagar, shrank by more
than 78,000 acres as much was converted to shrimp farms.

And researchers warn that the water and soil in coastal Bangladesh will
only become more hostile to rice farming as the planet heats up.
A 2014 World Bank report on climate change effects along the coast
estimated that by 2050, rivers in 10 of the region‘s 148 sub-districts
would become moderately or highly saline.

Hoping to create seeds that can survive such a scenario, Sheikh Sirajul
Islam, a farmer from Haibatpur village near Shyamnagar, set up a rice
research centre in his home, where he stores more than 155 local
varieties.

The farmer is working on a variety of wild rice he hopes can be adapted

for cultivation. It grows naturally in saltwater on the seacoast and
riverbanks, but is not as nutritious as farmed rice, he explained.

He has already developed two other varieties that can withstand saline
water and water-logging, which he gives out for free to more than 100
farmers in the area.

―I (also) plan to set up a seed market in town. Seeds will not be sold
there, they will be exchanged,‖ he said.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Humayun Kabir, senior scientific officer at the government‘s

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), said the farmers‘ work on
new seed varieties was making ―a significant contribution‖ to the
development of agriculture at the local level.

Several rice varieties developed by farmers over the past few years -
including Tarafdar‘s - have been sent to the BRRI, which tests the seeds
in its own laboratories before deciding whether to distribute them to
farmers across the country.

While BRRI scientists have developed at least 100 varieties of rice

already, including some that can grow in salty and water-logged soil,
farmers in Shyamnagar say most of them are either inefficient or
unsuitable for where they live.
Several told the Thomson Reuters Foundation the BRRI varieties often
do not reach them and when they do, they are too expensive and not
adapted to their disaster-prone area.

―I have planted them many times and the yields are not good,‖ said
Bikash Chandra, a farmer from Gomantali village, who now uses a local
rice variety invented by Sirajul Islam.

The BRRI‘s Kabir said the institute is working on ways to get its seeds
out to more farmers.

Farmers have developed 35 disaster-resilient rice varieties over the past

decade, said Partha Sharathi Pal, regional coordinator at BARCIK,
which gives technical assistance to Shyamnagar farmers developing
their own varieties and stores the resulting seeds.

Most are still in the field-testing phase, said Pal, adding that the results
have so far been positive.

―Farmers (in Shyamnagar) have found solutions to their own problems,‖

he said. ―As a result, paddy cultivation has returned to many disaster-
prone areas. This is a new hope for the farmers of the future.‖
Reporting by Rafiqul Islam Montu, Editing by Jumana Farouky and Megan Rowling. Please
credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the
lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit news.trust.org
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bangladesh-farming-climate-rice/bangladesh-rice-farmers-invent-
new-varieties-to-withstand-salt-storms-idUSKBN2ES08Q

RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent

more potatoes, rice
Research could yield increased food production, boost drought tolerance
Date:

July 22, 2021

Source:

University of Chicago
 Summary:

A new RNA breakthrough is allowing plants to yield dramatically more crops and increase
drought tolerance, which could have an impact on food scarcity and production as climate
change threatens ecosystems. In initial tests, adding a gene encoding for a protein called
FTO to both rice and potato plants increased their yield by 50 percent in field tests -- and the
plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root systems and were better able to
tolerate drought stress.

Share:

FULL STORY

Manipulating RNA can allow plants to yield dramatically more crops, as well
as increasing drought tolerance, announced a group of scientists from the
University of Chicago, Peking University and Guizhou University.

In initial tests, adding a gene encoding for a protein called FTO to both rice and potato plants
increased their yield by 50% in field tests. The plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root
systems and were better able to tolerate drought stress. Analysis also showed that the plants had
increased their rate of photosynthesis.
"The change really is dramatic," said University of Chicago Prof. Chuan He, who together with Prof.
Guifang Jia at Peking University, led the research. "What's more, it worked with almost every type of
plant we tried it with so far, and it's a very simple modification to make."
The researchers are hopeful about the potential of this breakthrough, especially in the face of
climate change and other pressures on crop systems worldwide.
"This really provides the possibility of engineering plants to potentially improve the ecosystem as
global warming proceeds," said He, who is the John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of
Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. "We rely on plants for many, many things --
everything from wood, food, and medicine, to flowers and oil -- and this potentially offers a way to
increase the stock material we can get from most plants."
Rice nudged along
For decades, scientists have been working to boost crop production in the face of an increasingly
unstable climate and a growing global population. But such processes are usually complicated, and
often result only in incremental changes.
The way this discovery came about was quite different.
Many of us remember RNA from high school biology, where we were taught that the RNA molecule
reads DNA, then makes proteins to carry out tasks. But in 2011, He's lab opened an entire new field
of research by discovering the keys to a different way that genes are expressed in mammals. It turns
out that RNA doesn't simply read the DNA blueprint and carry it out blindly; the cell itself can also
regulate which parts of the blueprint get expressed. It does so by placing chemical markers onto
RNA to modulate which proteins are made and how many.
He and his colleagues immediately realized that this had major implications for biology. Since then,
his team and others around the world have been trying to flesh out our understanding of the process
and what it affects in animals, plants and different human diseases; for example, He is a co-founder
of a biotech company now developing new anti-cancer medicines based on targeting RNA
modification proteins.
He and Guifang Jia, a former UChicago postdoctoral researcher who is now an associate professor
at Peking University, began to wonder how it affected plant biology.
They focused on a protein called FTO, the first known protein that erases chemical marks on RNA,
which Jia found as a postdoctoral researcher in He's group at UChicago. The scientists knew it
worked on RNA to affect cell growth in humans and other animals, so they tried inserting the gene
for it into rice plants -- and then watched in amazement as the plants took off.
"I think right then was when all of us realized we were doing something special," He said.
The rice plants grew three times more rice under laboratory conditions. When they tried it out in real
field tests, the plants grew 50% more mass and yielded 50% more rice. They grew longer roots,
photosynthesized more efficiently, and could better withstand stress from drought.
The scientists repeated the experiments with potato plants, which are part of a completely different
family. The results were the same.
"That suggested a degree of universality that was extremely exciting," He said.
It took the scientists longer to begin to understand how this was happening. Further experiments
showed that FTO started working early in the plant's development, boosting the total amount of
biomass it produced.
The scientists think that FTO controls a process known as m6A, which is a key modification of RNA.
In this scenario, FTO works by erasing m6A RNA to muffle some of the signals that tell plants to
slow down and reduce growth. Imagine a road with lots of stoplights; if scientists cover up the red
lights and leave the green, more and more cars can move along the road.
Overall, the modified plants produced significantly more RNA than control plants.
Modifying the process
The process described in this paper involves using an animal FTO gene in a plant. But once
scientists fully understand this growth mechanism, He thinks there could be alternate ways to get the
same effect.
"It seems that plants already have this layer of regulation, and all we did is tap into it," He said. "So
the next step would be to discover how to do it using the plant's existing genetics."
He can imagine all sorts of uses down the road -- and he's working with the university and the Polsky
Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to explore the possibilities.
"Even beyond food, there are other consequences of climate change," said He. "Perhaps we could
engineer grasses in threatened areas that can withstand drought. Perhaps we could teach a tree in
the Midwest to grow longer roots, so that it's less likely to be toppled during strong storms. There are
so many potential applications."

Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Chicago. Original written by Louise Lerner. Note: Content may
be edited for style and length.
 Journal Reference:
1. Qiong Yu, Shun Liu, Lu Yu, Yu Xiao, Shasha Zhang, Xueping Wang, Yingying Xu, Hong Yu, Yulong
Li, Junbo Yang, Jun Tang, Hong-Chao Duan, Lian-Huan Wei, Haiyan Zhang, Jiangbo Wei, Qian
Tang, Chunling Wang, Wutong Zhang, Ye Wang, Peizhe Song, Qiang Lu, Wei Zhang, Shunqing
Dong, Baoan Song, Chuan He, Guifang Jia. RNA demethylation increases the yield and biomass
of rice and potato plants in field trials. Nature Biotechnology, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-
00982-9

Cite This Page:

 MLA
 APA
 Chicago
University of Chicago. "RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent more potatoes,
rice: Research could yield increased food production, boost drought tolerance." ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 22 July 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210722112953.htm>.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210722112953.htm

Niger State Govt Encourages

Civil Servants To Embrace
Farming

by Our Correspondent

2 days ago
in NEWS

Reading Time: 2 mins read

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Civil servants in Niger State have been implored to embrace programmes that will earn
them more income than their salaries, which will encourage them at their time of
retirement.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello stated this when flagging off Rice Farmers Association of
Nigeria (RIFAN) wet season farming for state civil servants in Minna.
The governor explained that the commencement of the initiative is a fulfilment of his
dream for the state civil servants, adding that he desires to see civil servants becoming
employers of labour.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, while urging the civil servants to key into the scheme,
acknowledged that the programme has immense benefits as it will create job
opportunities, increase the income of civil servants and boost the internally generated
revenue of the state.

―I dream of a Niger State where most of our civil servants will move from employees to
employers. If you engage in programmes like this and from my calculations, I want to
believe you will earn more than your salary when you embrace the programme,‖ he
said.

The governor disclosed that over 4000 civil servants are targeted for the first phase of
the programme, adding that he will engage the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) so as to
increase the number in the next farming season, pointing out that the state has the
capacity to cultivate enough rice to feed the nation.
Governor Sani Bello, while promising to support all programmes geared towards
enhancing the welfare of civil servants, directed the state Head of Service (HoS), Hajiya
Salamatu Abubakar, to initiate more of such programmes and projects that will attract
the civil servants and afford them the opportunity of generating more income for
themselves that could lead to early retirement.

The state Head of Service, Hajiya Salamatu Abubakar said the initiative is a social
intervention to boost food security in the country, and also add income to the civil
servants.

She said that 2,000 and 4,000

civil servants both at the state and local government level, have expressed interest in
the programme with about 300 being captured already for the take-off of the scheme.

https://leadership.ng/niger-state-govt-encourages-civil-servants-to-embrace-farming/

Science City of Muñoz, Philippines -- Filipino rice consumers are close to

benefitting from a Vitamin A-infused rice with the approval of its
commercial propagation permit.

Dr. John C. de Leon, executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine

Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), announced that a biosafety permit for
propagating the seeds of Golden Rice has been issued on July 21, 2021.

The permit stipulates that Golden Rice has “undergone satisfactory biosafety
assessment pursuant to Department of Science and Technology, DA, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Department of
Interior and Local Government Joint Department Circular No.1, Series of 2016”.

De Leon said that apart from meeting the rigorous standards of biosafety regulation,
Golden Rice development follows the standard process of rice breeding, which usually
takes 10-12 years before a variety reaches the consumers.

This biosafety approval of Golden Rice is the first authorization for commercial
propagation of a genetically engineered ric

Science City of Muñoz, Philippines -- Filipino rice consumers are close to

benefitting from a Vitamin A-infused rice with the approval of its
commercial propagation permit.
Dr. John C. de Leon, executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine
Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), announced that a biosafety permit for
propagating the seeds of Golden Rice has been issued on July 21, 2021.

The permit stipulates that Golden Rice has “undergone satisfactory biosafety
assessment pursuant to Department of Science and Technology, DA, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Department of
Interior and Local Government Joint Department Circular No.1, Series of 2016”.

De Leon said that apart from meeting the rigorous standards of biosafety regulation,
Golden Rice development follows the standard process of rice breeding, which usually
takes 10-12 years before a variety reaches the consumers.

This biosafety approval of Golden Rice is the first authorization for commercial
propagation of a genetically engineered ric

"As
always, we are committed to ensuring the highest quality of seed for farmers and a
safe and nutritious food supply for all Filipinos," the PhilRice chief stressed. He
elaborated that they will be implementing a comprehensive quality assurance and
stewardship program that covers all steps in the chain from seed production, to post-
harvest processing, to marketing.

Golden Rice is part of the Healthier Rice Project carried out by DA-PhilRice in
partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

“Rigorous research and regulatory review has demonstrated that Golden Rice is as
safe as ordinary rice with the added benefit of beta-carotene in its grains” says IRRI
Director for Research Dr. Ajay Kohli. “This milestone approval is the product of cross-
cutting collaborative work in the agriculture and nutrition sciences, the public sector,
and local farming communities, who are all looking forward to seeing Golden Rice
reach the tables of those who need it the most.”

De Leon said they will still have to complete the remaining few next steps, such as
seed increase, to be able to bring the product forward to farmers and consumers atthe
soonest possible time.

He emphasized that Golden Rice is developed for humanitarian purposes to help curb
vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Hence, De Leon said that they aim to deploy the vitamin-A
enriched rice in partnership with appropriate agencies through market-based and
programmatic approaches (e.g., feeding program) in areas where the prevalence of
vitamin A deficiency is high.

Studies have shown that a one-cup portion of cooked Golden Rice contains enough
beta-carotene to meet up to 40% of the estimated average requirement of vitamin A for
children aged 6 months to 5 years, the group most at risk of vitamin A insufficiency in
the Philippines. At present, only 2 out of 10 Filipino households meet the estimated
average requirement (EAR) for vitamin A intake in their daily diet.

With its potential to provide a significant amount of vitamin A in the diet, Golden Rice
can be an effective complementary approach to achieving the Department of
Agriculture’s vision of availability, affordability, and accessibility of quality and
nutritious rice for all Filipinos at all times.

Golden Rice has been previously assessed for food safety in five countries, including
Aust ralia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and the Philippines.
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21 Jul
 From coconut curry to umngqusho, cook
along with these Miss SA contestants!

Graye Morkel

SHARE

0:00

S U B S C R IB E R S C A N LIS T E N T O T H IS A R T IC LE
Zimi Mabunzi

Photo: Supplied by Miss South Africa Organisation

 From umngqusho to a coconut curry, Miss South Africa 2021 contestants Zimi
Mabunzi and Eloïse van der Westhuizen share their best recipes to keep warm
this winter.

 "My sister could and still makes the heartiest meals out of the least
ingredients; that's what I love most about cooking," says Zimi.

 One of Eloïse's favourite winter dishes is her chicken and coconut curry,
which she calls her "curry in a hurry" because it's "quick and easy to make.

Miss South Africa 2021 contestants Zimi Mabunzi and Eloïse van der Westhuizen share
their best winter warmer recipes.

Zimi Mabunzi, who hails from eQonce (King William's Town) in the Eastern Cape, is
currently studying for her B.Com Law degree at the Nelson Mandela University in
eGqeberha. But you'll be surprised to learn that the 26-year-old is also a dab hand in the
kitchen, especially when it comes to local dishes such as umphokoqo and umngqusho, two
of her favourites!

Zimi says she got her love for cooking from her sister, Yolisa.

slide 1 of 1
Zimi Mabunzi

"When I was young, I barely spent much time cooking. Mine was to taste and wash the
dishes. However, when my sister went to varsity, I had to step it up. I suddenly remembered
all those times watching her make dishes for the family and all that tasting I did.

"My sister could and still makes the heartiest meals out of the least ingredients; that's what I
love most about cooking. She taught me so much and put so much fun into cooking. I
always look forward to cooking for the family and one-day hosting dinner parties at my own
place."

TRY ZIMI'S UMNGQUSHO RECIPE HERE:

Zimi Mabunzi's Umngqusho & Beef Stew

Ingredients for the Samp & Beans
1 cup of samp
¼ cup of beans
Full pot of water
1 beef stock cube
Aromat
1 tsp of Holsum fat (optional but makes it super yum!)

Method
Cook the samp and beans in the water until soft and edible. Then add the stock cube,
Aromat and fat and cook for about 3 hours.

Ingredients for the Beef Stew

1kg stewing beef
1 tbsp of oil
1 onion, chopped
2 red peppers, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp mother-in-law spice (or more if you like your stew hot!)
1 tbsp chutney
1 cube of beef stock
1 tbsp paprika

Method
Add oil to a pot and over a medium heat brown the beef. Remove the meat and, in the
same pot, add the onion, peppers, garlic and beef stock and cook until onion is soft.
Then add the salt (to taste), paprika, mother-in law spice, chutney and a generous amount
of water and cook – stirring regularly - until meat is tender.

"The Mother-in-Law spice is non-negotiable," says Zimi, "so make sure you have some in
the cupboard before you start cooking. How much you use depends on how spicy you like
your stew.

"I always enjoy this meal with a side portion of veggies as you can see in my pictures."

Eloïse van der Westhuizen, a 26-year-old business intelligence analyst, who lives in
Panorama, Cape Town, lists cooking as one of her go-to things to do in her spare time. That
is when she is not watching MasterChef Australia on TV.

"I love being creative in the kitchen," she says, "and nothing is more satisfying and
pleasurable than sitting around a table with family and friends enjoying a home-cooked
meal that I've made for them."

slide 1 of 1
Eloïse van der Westhuizen

One of Eloïse's favourite winter dishes is her chicken and coconut curry, which she calls her
"curry in a hurry" because it's "quick and easy to make, especially if you've got people
coming over at the last minute."

TRY ELOÏSE'S CURRY IN A HURRY RECIPE HERE:

Eloïse van der Westhuizen's Chicken and Coconut Curry

(Serves: 4-6)
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
4 free-range skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
3 tbsp coconut oil
400ml coconut cream
300ml organic chicken stock
½ onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 tsp fresh lime juice
2 tsp paprika
3 tbsp ground coriander
2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp curry powder
2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
Salt to taste
Chilli, finely chopped (optional)
Handful of fresh coriander chopped, for serving

Method
Heat a large pot over high heat and add coconut oil.
Add chicken breasts and sauté until golden brown, remove from the pot and set aside.
Sauté the onion in the same pot until they are soft and fragrant. Add the garlic and spices
and fry for 30 seconds then add the chicken back to the pot.
Pour in the coconut cream and chicken stock.
Lower the heat and allow the curry to cook for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked and
the sauce has thickened slightly.
Add the lime juice and season to taste
Garnish with fresh coriander and chilli (optional)

"I serve it with basmati rice and a fresh tomato and cucumber sambal," says Eloïse.
 The public is now the fifth judge in selecting the top 10 finalists and will have from 6 July until midnight on 21 July to

vote for their favourite contestants. Each entrant has a number which members of the public can use to vote for them

on the Miss South Africa website.

The public can also vote using cash at a Money Market counter at any Shoprite, Checkers Hyper, Checkers, selected

Usave and House & Home stores, or vote online at Computicket using a credit card. The cost is R5 for one vote with

a selection of bundles (R20 for five votes, R50 for 12 votes and R100 for 25 votes. Voting bundles include free votes

and cannot be split between different contestants).

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For only R75 per month, you
have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a
range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.

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https://www.news24.com/channel/The-Juice/News/Pageant/from-coconut-curry-to-umngqusho-cook-
along-with-these-miss-sa-contestants-20210721

USA Rice Lauds Biden Admin’s

WTO Retaliation Request in
China Quota Case
By Peter Bachmann

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Last week, the U.S.

government officially moved to notify the World Trade
Organization (WTO) that China was not complying with
commitments made regarding transparency,
predictability, and fairness of their tariff rate quota
(TRQ) administration for rice, wheat, and corn. The
U.S. requested permission from the WTO‟s Dispute
Settlement Body to retaliate against China, which was
quickly followed by Chinese opposition and a request to
the Body to establish a compliance panel to review the
situation.

Following a 2017 case taken against China by the U.S., a WTO panel announced in 2019 that
China was officially in violation of their commitments made when they joined the WTO. China
did not object to the assertion and agreed to come into compliance by December 31, 2019.
U.S. government officials granted China seven extensions, through June 29, 2021, to comply
with their TRQ commitments, and they have yet to provide documentation to support
compliance with the 2019 ruling.

China, as the world‟s largest rice importer, has a rice quota for 5.3 million metric tons
annually, split evenly between private sector importers and the state grain traders. This total
quota is also split 50-50 between long grain and non-long grain varieties. Because the quota
does not fill and the quota allocations to importers are not transparent, China has been
heavily scrutinized at the WTO by the U.S. and many other countries concerned by the “black
box” in which imports of grains are handled.

Louisiana rice miller and chair of both USA Rice and the USA Rice International Trade Policy
committee Bobby Hanks said, “We commend the Administration for taking the first steps
toward retaliation against China, following years of non-compliance. As an industry, we want
to see China and other rice producing and consuming nations play by the WTO rules, and if
they don‟t, there need to be consequences, such as retaliation through tariffs.”

Hanks added, “Unfortunately, there are several more procedural hurdles before the WTO
 authorizes retaliation by the United States. The entire global rice community is impacted by
China's continued non-compliance with its WTO obligations. It is frustrating that this situation
has persisted for so many years, but we are grateful for the movement and hope to see this
Administration continue pressing China to comply or take action to retaliate for both this TRQ
case and the WTO domestic support case, also won by the U.S. in 2019.”

The WTO‟s Dispute Settlement Body is scheduled to meet on July 26 and will review the U.S.
request to retaliate against China, as well as China‟s request to establish a compliance panel.

ULTIMEDIA

PH first country to approve

golden rice for commercial
production
Handout, International Rice Research Institute via AFP
Posted at Jul 23 2021 07:01 PM | Updated as of Jul 23 2021 07:23 PM
Share

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This handout photo taken in July 2021 and received from the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) on Friday shows golden rice breeder Mallikarjuna Swamy examining golden rice at the IRRI
transgenic screenhouse in Los Baños, Laguna. The Philippines became the world's first country on
July 23 to approve commercial production of genetically modified "golden rice" that experts hope
will combat childhood blindness and save lives in the developing world.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/07/23/21/ph-first-country-to-approve-golden-rice-
for-commercial-production
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Monday, Jul 26th 2021 8AM 34°C 11AM 39°C 5-Day Forecast
 Tweaking RNA of a rice or potato plant
by inserting the gene of an ANIMAL
increased their yield by more than half
- and helped deepen roots for drought-
resistance
 Splicing the gene FTO into crops boosted their size and yield 300 percent in the lab and 50
percent in the field
 It also increased their rate of photosynthesis and produced longer roots
 FTO can 'muffle' genetic signals telling plants to reduce growth
 In addition to world hunger, the process could bolster grasses, trees and other flora
impacted by climate change
By DAN AVERY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 15:43 BST, 23 July 2021 | UPDATED: 15:43 BST, 23 July 2021


 e-mail

35 shares

54
View comments
Introducing animal genes into common crops has enabled scientists to massively
increase their yield and make them more resistant to drought, according to a new study.

A consortium of researchers from the US and China manipulated the ribonucleic acid, or
RNA, of potato and rice plants by adding a gene called FTO.
In humans, FTO has been linked to obesity—in the crops, it led to them growing three
times bigger and producing three times the yield.

When they tried it out in real field tests, the vegetables grew 50 percent more mass and
yielded 50 percent more plants.

In addition to growing significantly larger, the plants increased their rate of photosynthesis
and produced longer root systems, which could enable them to better withstand a
drought.

The research, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, adds a new wrinkle in the
ongoing debate about genetically-modified foods.
'The change really is dramatic,' co-author Chuan He, a chemical biologist at the University
of Chicago, said in a statement. 'What's more, it worked with almost every type of plant
we tried it with so far, and it's a very simple modification to make.'
Scroll down for video
 +3


 Scientists spliced potatoes with the FTO gene (bottom) , resulting in vegetables that were 50
percent larger. They maintain the process could be a major solution to food insecurity and
climate change

Nobel-prize winning economist Michael Kremer, who was not involved in the research,
suggested in the university's statement that the process could 'help address problems of
poverty and food insecurity at a global scale—and could also potentially be useful in
responding to climate change.'

In 2011, He's lab determined that RNA molecules in mammals don't just blindly follow a
DNA blueprint—they can actually regulate which genes get expressed and which don't,
via chemical markers that control which proteins are made and how many.

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He and Guifang Jia, a molecular engineer at China-based Peking University, wanted to

explore how that would impact plant biology.

FTO is known to erase some of the chemical markers on RNA that control genetic
instructions—the researchers believe, when introduced into the crops, it 'muffles' some of
the signals telling them to reduce growth.

Pictured: An RNA gene-edited rice plant (far right) in comparison to untreated samples. In
addition to being larger, the spliced crops grow longer roots, enabling them to better withstand
drought conditions

+3


Pictured: A farmer harvests potatoes in Gaza City

After seeing results with rice plants, they tried with potatoes, part of an unrelated plant
family, and the outcome was just as impressive.

'That suggested a degree of universality that was extremely exciting,' Professor He said.
'We rely on plants for many, many things—everything from wood, food, and medicine, to
flowers and oil—and this potentially offers a way to increase the stock material we can get
from most plants.'

The impressive results involved splicing FTO into a plant, raising the hackles of animal
rights advocates.
 'These experimenters might just be depriving vegetable growers of their main market—
vegans and vegetarians who avoid animal bits and pieces in their food,' PETA senior vice
president Kathy Guillermo told DailyMail.com.

But Professor He believes ultimately the same results could be achieved without adding
animal genes.

+3


Critics complain that genetically modifying foods can have unintended consequences on both
the environment and human consumers. While the new research involved splicing an animal
gene into vegetable crops, the scientists believe they can refine the process 'using the plant's
existing genetics'

'This is a brand new type of approach, one that could be different from GMO and CRISPR
gene editing; this technique allows us to 'flip a switch' in the plants at an early point in
development, which continues to affect the plant's food production even after we remove
the switch,' He said.
'It seems that plants already have this layer of regulation, and all we did is tap into it. So
the next step would be to discover how to do it using the plant's existing genetics.'

Professor He imagines other benefits to bulking up flora beyond bumper crops.

'Perhaps we could engineer grasses in threatened areas that can withstand drought,' He
said. 'We could teach a tree in the Midwest to grow longer roots, so that it's less likely to
be toppled during strong storms. There are so many potential applications.'

WHY ARE PEOPLE CONCERNED

ABOUT GENE-EDITED
'FRANKENSTEIN FOODS'?
'Frankenstein foods' are crops or meat that has been produced through genetic
engineering.

Plants and farm animals have genes changed or removed to make them more resistant to
certain diseases and pests, or to grow unnaturally large.

To make these modifications, viral DNA is used to alter genes, raising health concerns
among some groups.

A number of people feel the long-term effects of genetically modified (GM) foods on
human health are not yet adequately understood.

According to the UK-based Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCB): 'The current evidence
from safety assessments of GM crops does not suggest any significant risks to people
who eat them.'

The foods also present environmental concerns, as GM crops could reduce the variety of
plants and animals in the wild, otherwise known as biodiversity.

The transfer of genes between modified and unmodified plants may also lead to
unexpected consequences, for example an irreversible or uncontrollable 'escape' of
genes into neighbouring wild plants by pollen.
 The NCB says: 'We are not persuaded that possible negative results of gene flow in some
areas are sufficient to rule out the planting of GM crops elsewhere in developing
countries.'

What is GMO and how an app is trying to raise awareness

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 RNA demethylation increases the yield and biomass of rice and potato plants in field trials | Nature
Biotechnology
 RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50% more potatoes, rice | University of Chicago News

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Inserting gene from an animal made potato, rice crops 50 percent bigger and more
drought-resistant
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 'Nervous' Channel Nine stars are hiring 'spin doctors'

ahead of Lisa Wilkinson's tell-all autobiography which threatens to expose
the network's 'boys' club'

 Strictly's Nadiya Bychkova puts on a VERY leggy display in

a busty black playsuit as she enjoys a meal with a male friend

 EastEnders' Lacey Turner, 33, shares sweet snaps with her

lookalike mother Bev as she celebrates her 60th birthday
 Love Island's Lucie Donlan is forced to call the police after
receiving death threats - TWO YEARS after appearing on the show


 Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman continue to soak up

the Barbados sunshine with son Eric, 7, as they go for a family sail and
snorkel

 Lottie Moss sizzles in VERY racy bondage-inspired cut-out

dress as she and a glamorous Raye lead the stars on day two of London E-
Prix

 Big Brother star Krystal Hipwell reveals how she avoided

Sydney's strict lockdown - as she 'bounces back and forth' between two
luxury homes

 'Stop being an irresponsible idiot': Emmy Rossum shares

first photo of baby and urges fans to get vaccinated as she reveals her
daughter 'now has antibodies'
 It's full steam ahead as - two decades after they broke off
their engagement - Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindle their love, writes
ALISON BOSHOFF

 David Beckham 'quizzed by police in Italy after his

children Cruz, 16, and Harper, 10, jet-ski off luxury yacht on the Amalfi coast'

 Ben Affleck whisks J.Lo away for a PDA-filled vacation in

Saint-Tropez aboard a $110M mega-yacht for her 52nd birthday

 Sofia Richie flashes a hint of midriff as she enjoys swanky

date night with boyfriend Elliot Grainge and pals at Nobu in Malibu

 Iris Law debuts bold new BLUE hair and flashes midriff in
keyhole halterneck cropped top for sizzling snap
 'Reaaaaaally?' Love Island's Lucinda is given a hilarious
lesson in elocution from Georgia after annoying the Islanders with her
pronunciation


 Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's eagle-eyed fans spot a

classic 2002 photo of the pair placed on their yacht... after posting a steamy
kiss for her 52nd birthday

 Meet the Casa Amor Islanders! An American footballer, DJ

and Chris Hughes' blonde bombshell ex are among the sexy new singletons

 Shawn Mendes blows kisses to fans with a smile as he and

girlfriend Camila Cabello step out in NYC

 Holly Willoughby's husband Dan Baldwin 'claimed up to

£10,000 in furlough scheme for his TV production company despite
£1.7million in bank'
 Amy Winehouse's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil 'is
engaged to girlfriend Bay Wright' 10 years on from the singer's tragic passing

 Una Healy sends temperatures soaring as she poses up a

storm in a black crop top and orange floral bikini bottoms at the beach

 M. Night Shyamalan's Old wins the box office weekend...

as G.I. Joe prequel Snake Eyes withers away for a weaker-than-expected haul

 Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer, 30, weds

billionaire fashion tycoon Michael Lewis, 62, as she (and almost everyone
else) wore Dolce and Gabbana

 She never stops! Rebel Wilson unveils her Sunday

morning workout routine... after losing a staggering 30kg thanks to a fitness
and diet overhaul
 No shade here! Lala Kent DENIES dissing Megan Fox for
skipping her fiancé Randall Emmett's premiere... after the film was savaged
by critics


 PIERS MORGAN reveals he caught Covid at Euros final -

leaving him with raging fever and fearful but grateful he was double jabbed

 Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor flaunts her toned midriff in

a crop top as she enjoys a nature walk and encourages fans to help 'look after
the world'

 Sharon Osbourne, 68, appears in good spirits as she

enjoys lunch with friends in LA... after it was revealed her racism scandal on
The Talk was 'set up'

 'A lifelong dream of mine has now been fulfilled': Game of

Thrones star Jacob Anderson joins series 13 of Doctor Who
 Griff and Bill Bailey lead star performers on the final day
of Latitude Festival - with high energy performances to thousands of
maskless revellers

 Love Island's Danny Bibby warns viewers to take show

with 'a pinch of salt' as he shares what really happened with Lucinda
Strafford

 Adele's new boyfriend Rich Paul steps out at NYC

photography studio to 'meet with singer' - as he is seen for the first time
since pair CONFIRMED new romance

 'She was my best friend': Ashley Cain shares a

heartbreaking tribute to his late daughter Azaylia on the three month
anniversary of her death

 Jubilant Katie Piper completes the charity 10k run while

raising funds for her foundation's rehabilitation centre
 Dua Lipa flaunts her sensational figure in a plunging pink
crop top as she puts on a loved-up display with her boyfriend Anwar Hadid
during family getaway


 Bernie Ecclestone, 90, looks dapper as he steps out for a

stroll with glamorous wife Fabiana Flosi, 44, in Croatia

 Love Island's Eyal Booker looks loved-up with stunning

bikini-clad girlfriend Delilah Belle Hamlin on romantic Greece holiday

 Cindy Crawford looks stylish in white trouser suit as she

steps out with husband Rande Gerber and pals Sean Penn and his wife Leila
George in LA

 Britney Spears posts ANOTHER topless photo of herself

while baring her abs in a pair of unbuttoned jean shorts
 Marc Jacobs shares a selfie of his new face just 'three days
after' undergoing a facelift: 'Restore, rejuvenate, rejoice'

 Vogue Williams cuts a stylish figure in an oversize striped

summer dress and trainers as she steps out at Heart Radio

 Anitta puts on a VERY cheeky display onstage at star-

studded Sport Illustrated bash where Olivia Culpo and Tinashe sizzle on the
red carpet

 Looking for ways to entertain the kids this summer? This

family paddling pool is getting rave reviews from happy parents - and it's on
sale for under £40PROMOTED

 'It feels like now is the time': Tamzin Outhwaite, 50, has
revealed that two-day hangovers and 'beer fear' have pushed her to quit
drinking
 Naya Rivera honored by ex-husband Ryan Dorsey with an
update on their son Josey... one-year after she's laid to rest following tragic
drowning


 Candice Brown puts on a leggy display in playsuit as she

enjoys day out with new boyfriend Nicky Mercer

 Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson mask up to watch FC

Barcelona play Girona in a friendly pre-season football match in Spain

 Jennifer Lopez kisses Ben Affleck in first official Instagram

photo of the couple as she celebrates her 52nd birthday in a bikini on a
yacht

 Iris Law leaves little to the imagination in a tiny orange

bikini as she shares sizzling new holiday snaps with fans
 Fergie's show of support for Prince Harry and Meghan
Markle? Sarah Ferguson says she is a great fan of 'everything Oprah Winfrey
does'

 John Barrowman branded 'disgraceful' after boasting

about getting cinema refund despite sitting through entire film as he shares
rant online

 Adele CONFIRMS new romance with beau Rich Paul as

they are spotted packing on the PDA on flirty date

 A whopping 32,000 shoppers swear by this matte finish

setting spray to keep their makeup in place in the heat - and it's on sale for
just £6.40PROMOTED

 Queen of conservation! Monarch offers Sandringham

estate to become new home for endangered curlew birds
 Australian rapper The Kid Laroi, 17, shares gushing tribute
to his TikTok star girlfriend Katarina Deme as the pair celebrate their one-
year anniversary


 'I will come back looking very fresh!': Davina McCall, 53,
jokes she wants to vanish on a six-month plastic surgery holiday in a bid to
maintain her youthful looks

 Tony Hawk says he's 'excited' to see skateboarding finally

enter the Olympic arena as American Jagger Eaton secures a bronze medal

 Camila Cabello addresses backlash over 'white man with

terrible spray tan' featured in her Don't Go Yet performance on Jimmy Fallon

 Simone Biles gets off to shaky start as Team USA fail to

win qualifying round - for first time since 2010 - and come second behind
Russia
 A relaxed royal! Lady Amelia Windsor laps up the
sunshine in a striped halterneck dress and chunky sandals as she shops at
second-hand market in London

 Prince Harry fears he has 'limited shelf-life' before public

become more interested in 'Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince
Louis'

 Kanye West has 'MOVED INTO Mercedes Benz Stadium'

where he held Donda listening event and 'will stay till the album is done'

 Elton John, 74, catches the eye in a brightly patterned

Gucci shirt as he steps out with husband David Furnish in Nice

 Clara McGregor looks chic in corset top as she joins Trudie

Styler, Gina Gershon and Eli Roth at closing gala of the Ischia Global Film &
Music Festival
 Love Island's Georgia Steel 'spotted on date with Leeds
United footballer Tyler Roberts' after split from Ibiza Weekender star fiancé
Callum Izzard


 Christie Brinkley, 67, showcases her age-defying beauty

and chic style in sheer white dress as she attends polo event in The
Hamptons

 Meghan and Harry's daughter Lilibet is still missing from

the Royal line of succession SEVEN weeks after she was born

 Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills' Erika Jayne and

estranged husband Tom Girardi SLASH the price of their Pasadena mansion
by over $3million

 Georgia May Jagger shows off sensational figure as she

goes for topless swim in pond at LA homeWow
 Pregnant former Princess of Luxembourg Tessy Antony De
Nassau holds hands with new stepdaughter as she shares candid snaps y
from her wedding

 Emily Blunt and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson coordinate in

cream as they attend premiere of their upcoming film Jungle Cruise at
Disneyland

 Scott Disick, 38, cuddles up with Amelia Hamlin, 20, on

romantic boating trip in The Hamptons... after she poses in lacy lingerie for
Instagram

 'I have learned from it': New Strictly Come Dancing pro
Cameron Lombard was 'expelled from school aged 17 over fight with fellow
pupil'

 Courteney Cox, 57, calls boyfriend Johnny McDaid 'my

best friend and love' as she celebrates his 45th birthday following long
separation due to COVID-19
 Iggy Azalea will no longer share photos of her son Onyx on
social media: 'Y'all not about to be out here playing with my baby on my
watch'

 Jennifer Garner is sleek and stylish on LA outing... as ex

Ben Affleck kisses o Jennifer Lopez on yacht during her 52nd birthday in
South Of France

 'I want to be proved wrong': Love Island's Sharon predicts

heartbreak for Liberty ahead of Casa Amor as she doubts Jake's loyalty

 Britney Spears' pal and longtime agent Cade Hudson

throws support behind #FreeBritney... and says someone with her 'best
interest at heart' was 'silenced'

 Taylor Swift celebrates the one-year anniversary of

Folklore by sharing two new photos of herself and releasing an orchestral
version of The Lakes
 Emily Ratajkowski shows off her shapely derriere in bikini
bottoms while in Italy with husband Sebastian Bear-McClard and baby son
Sylvester

 Kady McDermott puts on a leggy display in a white mini

dress as she steps out with glamorous BFF Joanna Chimonides for dinner

 Love Island's Rachel Finni puts on a VERY busty display in

a white midi dress in first public outing since being booted off the show and
being pinged

 He's a good sport! Cody Simpson cheers on the Australian

swim team from his couch as they win gold in Tokyo - after his own Olympic
dreams were dashed.

 Chris Evans is every inch the doting father as he is joined

by twins Walt and Boo, 2, alongside son Eli, 9, and wife Natasha on stage at
Car-Fest
 License to kilt! Sean Connery's socialite granddaughters
Samara and Natasha model new tartan tribute to the late James Bond actor
at charity fashion show

 Strictly curse strikes ALREADY as new professional Kai

Widdrington splits from long-term dancer girlfriend Giulia Dotta after five
years together

 Miley Cyrus says she'd love to collaborate with The Kid

Laroi again following the success of the duo's Without You remix

 Casa Amor bombshell Mary Bedford sets her sights on

splitting up Millie and Liam as she gushes that the Welsh hunk is 'perfect' and
a 'gentleman'

 Tom Hardy shocks fans as he takes a trip to Barry Island

Pleasure Park and poses for snaps with stunned Welsh locals
 Lynyrd Skynyrd original guitarist Gary Rossington, 69,
'expects a full recovery' following emergency heart surgery

 Chloe Ferry showcases her sizzling curves in a semi-sheer

black lace mini dress during glam night out

 'It is ridiculous': Kate Beckinsale, 47, reveals she hasn't

seen her daughter, Lily Sheen, 22, for TWO years because of the Covid-19
pandemic

 Cara Delevingne stuns in a thigh-skimming black dress as

she parties with Formula E chairman Alejandro Agag on the River Thames

 Anne-Marie shares a huge smile and puts on an animated

display as she meets fans at a signing after release of her new album
Therapy
 Love Island's Eva Zapico wows in a cut-out nude dress as
she enjoys romantic evening out with boyfriend Nas Majeed to celebrate her
birthday

 Amanda Holden, 50, sets pulses racing as she flaunts her

cleavage in a plunging bikini while taking a dip in the sea during family
holiday

 Katie Price goes makeup free to show off the results of

her dramatic lip and eye lifts in beauty treatment tutorial after major plastic
surgery

 Joey Barton 'charged with alleged attack on wife Georgia

McNeil' days before couple's wedding anniversary - with Bristol Rovers
manager due to appear in court on Sunday

 Jackie Mason passes away at 93 after an unparalleled

career as a borscht belt comic whose standup career took him from the
Catskills to Broadway
 Khloe Kardashian sizzles in a hot pink Good American bra
and leggings... after supporting big sister Kim at Kanye's album release party

 Miley Cyrus rocks a flannel shirt and contrasting chino

pants in a biker-inspired photoshoot for Gucci

 TALK OF THE TOWN: He's found some satisfaction! Mick

Jagger's son Gabriel ties the knot with Swiss socialite Anouk Winzenried

 Goldie Hawn, 75, and Kurt Russell, 70, are the picture of
lasting love as they walk arm-in-arm following lunch date in Brentwood

 How double-jabbed PIERS MORGAN caught Covid in

Wembley chaos: Star reveals his week of misery after virus controls collapsed
at Euros final
 Charlize Theron keeps it casual in distressed denim as she
makes quick stop at a gas station in Los Angeles

 Lily Allen hits back at skinny-shamers after sparking

concern in latest post and says people have 'never seen me sober and
exercising every day'

 Love Island's Amy Hart cuts a stylish figure in a lilac shift

dress as she enjoys a night at the Barbican Theatre

 Naomi Watts looks ready for business in a fedora and

corduroy trousers during errand run in NYC

 Amanda Kloots slams trolls criticizing her for getting back

into the dating game after husband Nick Cordero's death: 'How dare you
judge anyone'
 Madonna evokes her country western-inspired Don't Tell
Me getup with new selfies in denim overalls and an artsy straw hat for the
festival Tu B'av

 'He is just so amazing!' Proud mum Katie Price shares

sweet snap of her son Harvey, 19, graduating from school in his cap and
gown

 Make-up free Megan McKenna showcases her incredible

figure in a skimpy pink bikini as she takes a dip in the sea on her Mallorca
break

 Love Island? It's more like Hitler Youth Island, say viewers:
ITV bosses are accused of aping dictator's worship of Aryan race by casting so
many blonde women
 GADGET REVIEWS
iPad Pro review: Apple takes the tablet to new heights (at a
price)
Apple's new iPad is blazingly fast, gorgeous to look at, and quite simply the
best tablet out there - and for a lot of people, probably the best computer out
there.

 43 comments
 1 video

The small smart display with big potential: Google Home Hub
review
Google is late to the game with its Home Hub, but the low price and AI features
make it a great choice for controlling your home, showing pictures and even
helping run your life.

 1 comment
 2 videos

'Good enough for most people': iPhone XR review

On one hand, the XR lacks the high-resolution screen and dual-lens camera on
the XS. but it is $250 cheaper and still get most of the other cutting-edge
features found on the more expensive model.

 195 comments
 1 video
 The Pixel 3 outsmarts the iPhone (IF you trust Google with all
your information)
AI seems to permeate every part of its software, from the ability to answer
calls for you to being able to almost perfectly predict your morning commute.

 comments
 1 video

Bigger and better in every way: Apple's XS really does take the
iPhone to the Max
Apple's new iPhone XS and XS Max go on sale on Friday - and the biggest
handset Apple has ever made is also its best (and possibly unsurprisingly, its
most expensive).

 24 comments
 1 video

The $250 beauty device that works like 'Photoshop for your
face'
Israeli beauty-tech firm Pollogen has launched its Geneo Personal device,
which stimulates oxygen from beneath the skin's surface to give you a clearer,
fresher face within minutes.

 19 comments
 1 video

iOS 12 review: The update that really will improve your iPhone
 Rather than cram in a plethora of new features, Apple's latest update is about
boosting stability, with improvements in everything from FaceID and battery
life.

 211 comments
 2 videos

Naim Atom: The hifi that will change the way you listen to
music
It's eye-wateringly expensive at $2,999, but Naim's Uniti Atom is a revelation,
an integrated amplifier than makes it easy to stream music at a quality you've
probably never heard before.

 comments

The $1,000 wireless speaker that really IS worth the price: Naim
Mu-so Qb review
Naim's incredible Mu-So Qb takes you back to the good old days - where the
music captivates and enthralls, rather that simply being something in the
background.

 comments
 1 video

The hi-tech $2,000 spin bike that really could change your life
Peloton's hi-tech bike lets you stream live and on demand rides to your home -
and it's one of the best examples of fitness technology out there - at a price.

 comments
 1 video
 The best all in one wireless speaker you'll ever hear: Naim Mu-
so review
It might not be a name familiar to the US market, but Naim is a legendary
British brand hoping to make a splash with the American launch of its $1499
Mu:So speaker.

 3 comments
 1 video

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Rich people live LONGER: Study reveals

that for every £36,000 saved by middle age, death risk in the
next 24 years falls by five per cent
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9818371/Inserting-gene-animal-potato-rice-crops-50-
percent-bigger-drought-resistant.html

Saving Birds With Economics

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July 22, 20213:50 PM ET

DARIAN WOODS
Twitter
 STACEY VANEK SMITH
LISTEN·9:549-Minute ListenAdd toPLAYLIST

 Download
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<iframe src=

 Transcript
California Rice

The Pacific Flyway is one of the major bird migratory routes in the world. The wetland habitats in California
are crucial to millions of birds and hundreds of bird species during the annual migration process. But more and
more wetlands in California have been converted into farms. Throw increasing droughts into the equation, and
it's an increasingly life-or-death situation for many birds.

Eric Hallstein is an economist who works at The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit environmental organization.
The traditional way to conserve wetland is to purchase and restore the land, which can be very expensive.

Eric found a solution to this increasing shortage of wetland for birds: A reverse auction for rice farmers to
flood their fields. Farmers calculate their costs to flood the rice fields, and then they submit a bid — how much
cash they'd want as payment. The program costs significantly less than buying the land outright.

Since the program started in 2014, they've had huge success at a fraction of the cost. Even this year — during
an especially bad drought — farmers came through with reverse bids.

Migratory bird images and sounds supplied by California Rice.

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/22/1019488080/saving-birds-with-economics

Thiba Dam To Increase Rice By 22,000 Acres

KNA1 July 23, 2021 Counties, Editor's Pick, Kirinyaga, Water0

The completion of the Sh19 billion Thiba dam in Kirinyaga will increase the farmers‘ income from the current Sh8
to Sh12 billion as more acreage will come under rice farming.

Mwea Irrigation Scheme Manager Innocent Ariemba said on completion of the project by the end of 2021, income
to farmers would be in the range of Sh11 billion.
 The completion of the dam is envisaged to increase rice
acreage by an extra 22,000 acres translating to a Sh12 billion economy. Phot by Irungu Mwangi

―Life in this part of Kenya will change with farmers becoming better-off, wealth created in the region besides
improving food security in the country,‖ he said

Ariemba speaking at Wanguru said the irrigation scheme is one of the biggest out of the 70 schemes in Kenya.

He said Mwea Irrigation scheme alone supplies close to 80,000 metric tons of rice out of the 120,000 tons produced
in the country.

He said over 67 per cent of the rice consumed in Kenya come directly from Mwea thus strategic in addressing the
issue of food security in Kenya.

―In completion, the facility will assist in improving the water storage used in the irrigation scheme during the dry
periods,‖ he said.

During the dry season, he said production of water becomes minimal forcing farmers to do only one season of the
rice crop.

―Completion of the project will go a long way in ensuring that we have sufficient water throughout the year,‖ he
said.

He said the construction of the dam will improve the production of rice from the current 26,000 acres to 48,000
acres.

The dam, Ariemba said, will have a capacity of 15 million cubic meters of water and is expected to fill in six months
after completion with the construction periods expected to come to an end in December this year.

―One way of controlling climate change is to store water and use it during the dry period; this is why we are
collaborating with the Ministry of Environment to impress upon them on the need to preserve the water towers,‖ he
said.

He said the Thiba dam project is one of the strongest pillars in the Jubilee government in the enhancement of food
security and improving the manufacturing sector.

―Through irrigated Agriculture we will be able to have more products for the manufacturing sector through value
addition,‖ he said.
Rice farmers through the representatives of the water users association appealed to the government to replace old
machinery at the National Irrigation Authority.

The farmers claimed the canals have for long remained unattended thus reducing the flow of water to the rice farms.

The chairperson of the association Mutugi Mwangi said the roads in the scheme were also in a bad state and needed
continuous repair to enable the farmers to get their produce to the market.

By Irungu Mwangi

https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/thiba-dam-to-increase-rice-by-22000-acres/

Pakistan Market Monitor Report - June 2021

Format

Situation Report

Source

 WFP

Posted

24 Jun 2021

Originally published

24 Jun 2021
Attachments

 Download document(PDF | 796.03 KB)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The prices of staple cereals and non-cereal food commodities in May 2021 experienced
negligible, slight, and significant fluctuations when compared to the previous month‘s prices.

• In May 2021, the average retail price of wheat flour significantly increased by 11% while the
price of wheat negligibly decreased by 0.8% from April 2021. Moreover, the price of rice Irri-6
negligibly decreased by 0.9% while the price of rice Basmati slightly increased by 1.6% from the
previous month.

• In May, compared to the previous month, a significant increase was noted in the retail price of
live chicken along with negligible increases for cooking oil and vegetable ghee. Moreover, a
more than slight decrease was noted for eggs and slight decreases for pulses (Moong, Masoor,
Gram) along with negligible decreases for pulse Mash and Sugar compared to the previous
month.

• Headline inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased in May 2021 by 0.1%
over April 2021 and increased by 10.87% over May 2020.

• In May 2021, the average ToT more than slightly decreased by 9.7% from the previous month.

• In June 2021, the total global wheat production for 2021/22 is projected at 794.44 million MT,
indicating a production increase of 5.5 million MT compared to the projection made in May
2021.
Primary country
  Pakistan

Source

 World Food Programme

Format

 Situation Report

Themes

 Agriculture

 Food and Nutrition

Language

 English
Share
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Pakistan Market Monitor Report - July 2021

https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-market-monitor-report-june-2021
Farmers seedlings the rice crop at
their filed
Fri, 23 Jul 2021, 9:55 PM

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APP51-230721 SIALKOT: July 23 - Farmers seedlings the rice crop at their filed. APP Photo by
Munir Butt

APP51-

230721 APP52-230721
SIALKOT: July 23 – Farmers removing extra plants from rice crop filed. APP Photo by Munir Butt
https://www.app.com.pk/photos-section/farmers-seedlings-the-rice-crop-at-their-filed/

Erratic monsoon hits

cereal, pulses, oilseed
sowing in top producing
states amid inflation
Deficient rainfall has hit sowing of crops like moong, urad, and soybean, which
has severely pushed up food inflation marked by high prices.
SAMYAK PANDEY 23 July, 2021 3:00 pm IST
Women planting paddy in a field | Representational image | Photo: ANI

Text Size: A- A+

New Delhi: The planting of major kharif crops has been severely hit
in major producing states as below-average monsoon rainfall
continues in several parts of the country. The shortfall has been
registered especially in pulses and oilseed, whose record high prices
have pushed food inflation this year, as reported earlier.

According to the data from the agriculture ministry, as of 15 July the

overall area under the kharif crop covered 611.89 lakh hectares (LHA)
against 691.93 LHA in the year-ago period, a 11.5 per cent year-on-
year fall.

The coverage of all kharif crops such as rice, pulses and coarse cereals
is lower than last year, except for sugarcane and jute.
The drop in acreage is most severe in the case of coarse cereals, which
has seen a 20.62 per cent fall (to 91.34 LHA from 115.07 LHA).
Oilseed, cotton and pulses have seen drops of as much as 13.69 per
cent, 12.94 per cent and 12.09 per cent, respectively. The area under
rice crop is also lower by 7 per cent from 174.77 LHA in 2020-21 to
161.97 LHA in 2021-22.

In India, progress of monsoon during second and third week of July is

critical for rainfed coarse grains, pulses, and oilseeds, which go largely
unirrigated.

According to the ministry, rainfed agriculture occupies 51 per cent of

the country’s net sown area and accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the
total food production.

The monsoon hit to farmers comes at a time when the FAO Food Price
Index has recorded a sharp surge. In its May release, the index
registered the biggest month-on-month gain since October 2010.

Government data released in June showed that retail inflation in India

had crossed 6 per cent in May mainly due to a sharp increase in
commodity prices like that of edible oils, meat, and fish, eggs, and
pulses. Edible oil inflation rose to 30.8 per cent, the highest-ever
recorded rise under this subgroup.

Also read: After second wave, patchy monsoon rains are raising
growth and inflation worries for India
The monsoon factor
Most of the aforementioned crops are subject to a short sowing
window — from June to the third week of July. Rice plantings,
however, remain less affected by moderated monsoon, since a
significant share of the crop is irrigated, and also benefits from a long
window that extends into the second week of August.

The current acreage drop in crucial kharif crops, which is already

pushing up inflation, is mainly due to the slowdown of monsoon
during the second half of June and early this month.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the monsoon was

5 per cent lower this year than normal till 14 July. While a 5 per cent
deficiency in rainfall is treated as normal, the catch is the geographic
location of the deficit regions.

This year, some states have received normal or excess rainfall. But
pivotal agricultural states such as Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan,
Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have seen deficits of 34
per cent, 25 per cent, 24 per cent, 23 per cent, 17 per cent and 15 per
cent, respectively.

There’s lower water storage too in the major reservoirs of the country
compared to last year. The current storage stands at 57.62 billion cubic
metres (BCM) against 62.13 BCM from last year, data from Central
Water Commission shows.

Also read: At 329.86 MT in 2020-21, India is set to witness highest

ever horticulture crop production
Oilseeds
Gujarat, which is facing the worst impact of slow monsoon, has
experienced a major slump in the acreage of groundnut crops, in
which the state is the top producer in the country.

The groundnut acreage in Gujarat has dropped from 18.28 LHA in

2020-21 to 15.40 LHA in 2021-22.

As reported earlier, the acreage of soybean, one of the major oilseeds

in India, has seen a fall in Madhya Pradesh, the top producer of the
crop. In Rajasthan, another leading producer, the acreage has dropped
from 9.23 LHA to 5.55 LHA.

Even in sesame, the oilseed that got the highest MSP jump among all
kharif crops, there has been an acreage plunge in the crucial state of
MP — from 1.19 LHA to 1.02 LHA.

Pulses
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, major pulses producing states, have
witnessed acreage fall in some key pulses owing to the shortage in
rainfall. The high prices of pulses had forced the government to
implement stock-limit and open free imports.

In Rajasthan, urad acreage has plunged from 2.3 LHA to 0.94 LHA.
Similarly, moong acreage has dropped to 7.45 LHA from 11.17
LHA. The urad area has also dropped in MP from 11.42 LHA to 8.44
LHA.

Cotton, one of the country’s major cash crops, has also witnessed a
double-digit drop in acreage — from 113.01 LHA to 98.38 LHA.
(Edited by Amit Upadhyaya)

Also read: Kabuli chana price set to rise, could cost Rs 130/kg
ahead of festive season as states unlock

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even more as it faces multiple crises.
But the news media is in a crisis of its own. There have been brutal
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https://theprint.in/india/erratic-monsoon-hits-cereal-pulses-oilseed-sowing-in-top-producing-states-
amid-inflation/701108/

Agriculture Ministry ensures rice

stocks, stable pricing during
PPKM
23rd July 2021

Illustration: Market coolies packaging rice in sacks at the Cipinang Rice Central Market, Jakarta. (ANTARA
PHOTO/Indirianto Eko Suwarso/foc)

The arrival of the second harvest period means our

rice stocks will increase
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agriculture has made assurance of rice stock
availability and stable prices during the extension of the level 4 Community Activities
Restriction (PPKM) in the Java-Bali provinces.

President Director of PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya Pamrihadi Winaryo stated as of

July 22 that 38,439 tons of rice stocks were currently available at the Cipinang Rice
Central Market (PIBC), East Jakarta. The existing stocks already surpass the average
stock availability of 32,000-34,000 tons, Winaryo added here on Friday.

Winaryo also noted that the price of rice remained stable, with the Cianjur Slyp premium
variety costing Rp12,250 (around US$0.8) per kilogram, while the IR 64 III medium rice
variety was available at Rp8,275 (around US$0.5) per kilogram.

"The price of rice is relatively stable and even decreased by one percent as compared to
the average of the previous month (June 2021)," Winaryo pointed out.

Fluctuations in the rice stocks and sale at PIBC often indicated the national rice stock
situation and its price sale, with Jakarta's rice price, primarily at the PIBC, also
influencing the price of the commodity in other Indonesian regions.

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo stated that the current nationwide
availability of rice remains under control and is guaranteed, as the annual second harvest
period is currently underway across the country.

Related news: Govt should preemptively tackle climate change impacts on rice yield

Related news: Rice stocks to reach 1.8 million tons by June: Bulog

"The arrival of the second harvest period means our rice stocks will increase. I expect a
rice overstock to occur in several regions (after the harvest period)," Minister Limpo
remarked.

The second harvest period is underway in major rice-producing provinces of West Java,
Central Java, East Java, West Sumatra, and Sulawesi. The agriculture ministry and
regional government have been striving to boost rice productivity.

"Our efforts (to increase the quality and produce of rice) are through the utilisation of
advanced equipment, mechanisation, improvement in the quality of human resources, and
utilisation of superior variety of rice seeds," Limpo noted.

Related news: BI revises downward national economic growth forecast to 3.5%

Related news: 2 infected after forcefully claiming body of deceased COVID-19

patient

Reporter: Aditya R, Nabil Ihsan

https://en.antaranews.com/news/180290/agriculture-ministry-ensures-rice-stocks-stable-pricing-
during-ppkm

RIFAN to boost rice production

July 22, 2021

in Business

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mail
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Oyo chapter has assured Nigerians of their
commitment to boost rice production to reduce high cost of the commodity.

Its Chairman, Mr Samuel Akande, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

Akande said the farmers‘ target for years was to get quality rice to the table regularly and
cheaper than it is.

He noted that the association encouraged members to engage in commercial farming to achieve
its goals.

―In Oyo State, it is not the non-availability of farmers to plant rice, but the non-availability of the
enabling facilities. We are still hoping to know what the government may have for us in the area
of land, land clearing and tractors, hitherto, it has been the sole responsibility of the farmers
here,‖ he said.

Akande remarked that the RIFAN/CBN/Unity bank Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) had
been the only sure hope for rice farmers in the state.He said relevant input required by
smallholder farmers were included in the ABP package, based on the assumed capacity of the
farmer.

―All over Nigeria, rice pyramids are coming back on a serious note, RIFAN has been selling rice
paddy to millers with the intention to bring the price of rice down.

―Farmers are really not feeling safe to work their full capacity to produce food on daily basis as
they are being attacked and their rice farm grazed without hindrance. No land clearing
equipment, irrigation systems are not being maintained where they are available.
―Another area of challenge is the flood/drought experiences which the farmers can‘t control
unless there is a well planned and managed irrigation system, small holder farmers cannot put
this in place without government‘s intervention.

―To boost rice production, what we, the farmers can do and which we have been doing is to
recruit more people to plant rice and train them, with farmers on ground, any willing government
will find it easy to identify and locate the right farmers to support,‖ he said.

According to him, RIFAN has been getting fertilizer, water pumps, hoses, sprayers, herbicides,
insecticides, fungicides, among others as input loans. Akande said that to beat down the market
price of rice, governments at the various levels needed to be make conscious efforts in that
direction.

―Farmers can only produce for the market, our middlemen buy low and sell high so only the
government has the wherewithal to fix the price at a desirable level.

―We also urge Nigerians to imbibe the culture of eating our locally produced foods to encourage
continued existence of such a project.

―It is in continuing over a considerable long time that we can expect perfection,‖ he said.

https://thenationonlineng.net/rifan-to-boost-rice-production/

Bangladesh rice farmers invent

new varieties to withstand salt,
storms
The farmer said his seed variety can produce up to 1,680 kg of rice per
quarter hectare, more than double what he was getting from
conventional varieties



By: Thomson Reuters Foundation | Bangladesh |
July 22, 2021 2:31:57 pm

Bangladesh farmers have developed 35 disaster-resilient rice varieties over the past decade (Express Photo by
Gurmeet Singh/Representational)

Farmer Dilip Chandra Tarafdar was tired of fighting to keep his rice crop alive in the
Bangladeshi coastal village of Chandipur. If the plants managed to grow in soil made salty by
decades of cyclones and floods, then strong winds would snap their stalks or pests would wipe
them out. So, ten years ago, Tarafdar, 45, looked to his ancestors and started cross-breeding seed
varieties that used to thrive in the southwestern Shyamnagar region but are now on the edge of
extinction after farmers moved onto higher-yielding varieties. His new type of rice, called
Charulata, tolerates salty soil and water-logging, stays standing in high winds and grows well
without fertilisers or pesticides, Tarafdar said.
In the olden days, local people could survive just from the rice they harvested without doing
other work, he noted. ―But we face many problems after planting paddy (rice). So, we have come
up with a new method of cross-breeding to bring back the disaster-tolerant varieties of paddy
planted by our ancestors,‖ he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The farmer said his seed variety can produce up to 1,680 kg (3,700 pounds) of rice per quarter
hectare (0.62 acres), more than double what he was getting from conventional varieties.
Repeatedly let down by seeds they buy or get from the government, other rice farmers in
Shyamnagar sub-district are also taking matters into their own hands, reviving ancestral varieties
and creating new ones that can withstand increasingly frequent storms, floods and droughts.
―Farmers in this disaster-prone area have done a great job in preserving local rice seeds and
inventing rice varieties,‖ said S.M. Enamul Islam, the agriculture officer for Shyamnagar. That
kind of innovation is one reason agriculture is still a viable livelihood in the area, he added.
Shrinking farmland
One of the country‘s top rice-producing regions, Shyamnagar provides work for about 45,000
farmers, according to data from the sub-district‘s agriculture office. But the soil started getting
saltier in the late 1980s, farmers said, when shrimp farming picked up in the area.
To create their ponds, shrimp farmers used saltwater taken from rivers, which seeped into the
surrounding rice fields. Then Cyclone Ayla in 2009 brought high tides and tidal waves that
submerged much of Shyamnagar, causing salt levels in the soil to shoot up, said A.B.M.
Touhidul Alam, a researcher at the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge
(BARCIK).
Several cyclones and floods since then have made the ground saltier, forcing many people to
abandon rice cultivation. According to a study by global charity Practical Action, between 1995
and 2015, farmland in five areas, including Shyamnagar, shrank by more than 78,000 acres as
much was converted to shrimp farms. And researchers warn that the water and soil in coastal
Bangladesh will only become more hostile to rice farming as the planet heats up. A 2014 World
Bank report on climate change effects along the coast estimated that by 2050, rivers in 10 of the
region‘s 148 sub-districts would become moderately or highly saline.
Hoping to create seeds that can survive such a scenario, Sheikh Sirajul Islam, a farmer from
Haibatpur village near Shyamnagar, set up a rice research centre in his home, where he stores
more than 155 local varieties. The farmer is working on a variety of wild rice he hopes can be
adapted for cultivation. It grows naturally in saltwater on the seacoast and riverbanks, but is not
as nutritious as farmed rice, he explained. He has already developed two other varieties that can
withstand saline water and water-logging, which he gives out for free to more than 100 farmers
in the area. ―I (also) plan to set up a seed market in town. Seeds will not be sold there, they will
be exchanged,‖ he said.
Hope for the future
Humayun Kabir, senior scientific officer at the government‘s Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
(BRRI), said the farmers‘ work on new seed varieties was making ―a significant contribution‖ to
the development of agriculture at the local level. Several rice varieties developed by farmers over
the past few years – including Tarafdar‘s – have been sent to the BRRI, which tests the seeds in
its own laboratories before deciding whether to distribute them to farmers across the country.
While BRRI scientists have developed at least 100 varieties of rice already, including some that
can grow in salty and water-logged soil, farmers in Shyamnagar say most of them are either
inefficient or unsuitable for where they live. Several told the Thomson Reuters Foundation the
BRRI varieties often do not reach them and when they do, they are too expensive and not
adapted to their disaster-prone area.
―I have planted them many times and the yields are not good,‖ said Bikash Chandra, a farmer
from Gomantali village, who now uses a local rice variety invented by Sirajul Islam. The BRRI‘s
Kabir said the institute is working on ways to get its seeds out to more farmers. Farmers have
developed 35 disaster-resilient rice varieties over the past decade, said Partha Sharathi Pal,
regional coordinator at BARCIK, which gives technical assistance to Shyamnagar farmers
developing their own varieties and stores the resulting seeds. Most are still in the field-testing
phase, said Pal, adding that the results have so far been positive. ―Farmers (in Shyamnagar) have
found solutions to their own problems,‖ he said. ―As a result, paddy cultivation has returned to
many disaster-prone areas. This is a new hope for the farmers of the future.‖
https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/bangladesh-rice-farmers-invent-new-varieties-
withstand-salt-storms-7416905/

* All
rice mill owners agree to purchase paddy stocks at
government guaranteed prices
Thu, Jul 22, 2021, 12:49 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

July 21, Colombo: For the first time in history, the Ministry of Agriculture and the
Ministry of Trade held a discussion with the owners of large and small scale rice mills at
the Ministry of Agriculture today (21) regarding the purchase of paddy.

At the discussion held today under the patronage of Trade Minister Bandula
Gunawardena and Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, the rice mill owners
have agreed to purchase paddy stocks at government guaranteed prices.

After President Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to power, steps were taken to increase the
government guaranteed price for paddy.

The government has decided to purchase Nadu and raw paddy at Rs. 50 per kilo,
Samba paddy at Rs. 52 per kilo, Kiri Samba paddy at Rs. 55 per kilo and wet paddy at
Rs. 42 per kilo from this harvest season.

In previous years, the purchase of paddy from farmers at high prices resulted in the
owners of rice mills taking action to increase the price of rice and the consumers
became helpless.

―It is a great achievement for the farmers as well as the consumers that the owners of
large scale rice mills and small scale rice mills have agreed to purchase paddy at a fixed
price from the government to control this situation,‖ Minister Aluthgamage said.
This decision will enable the farming community to receive a guaranteed price in the
future while consumers will be able to purchase rice at a concessionary price, he added.

The Ministers emphasized that the stockpiling of paddy stocks carried out by third
parties other than farmers and paddy mill owners for the purpose of making
extraordinary profits in the market should be prohibited and if the intermediaries
stockpile stocks of paddy on the basis of profit, all hoarded stocks will be taken over by
the Government.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_21A/Jul22_1626895145CH.php

Exports of ST25, ST24 rice surge

By Trung Chanh
Thursday, Jul 22, 2021,07:45 (GMT+7)

A pavilion sells various rice varieties originating in Soc Trang Province, including ST24 rice. The U.S. and China are the
largest buyers of Vietnam‘s ST24 and ST25 rice - PHOTO: HD

CAN THO - Exports of ST25 and ST24 rice, two Vietnamese rice varieties
that were the top winners at global rice competitions, have achieved
impressive growth.
Data of the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that Vietnam exported nearly 3
million tons of rice worth US$1.64 billion in the first half of 2021, falling 14.8% in volume and
4.7% in value compared with the same period last year.
However, exports of ST25 and ST24 rice surged although these are two new varieties.
In the first five months of 2021, Vietnam exported 23,560 tons of ST24 rice and 2,570 tons of
ST25 rice, soaring 800% and 1,470% year-on-year, respectively.
Some 90% of Vietnam‘s ST24 rice was exported to China, while almost 100% of ST25 rice was
shipped to the United States.
Nguyen Thanh Phong, director of Van Loi, a rice trading and exporting company, said that
exports of the two premium rice varieties would continue to surge in the coming time if
Vietnam maintains the quality of rice and has effective marketing strategies.
Phong expected that ST25 and ST24 rice will be exported to many other countries besides the
U.S. and China.
The ST25 rice variety was crossbred in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang by a three-
member team of two agriculture engineers---Ho Quang Cua and Nguyen Thi Thu Huong---and
Dr. Tran Tan Phuong.
It was crowned the world‘s best rice at the World‘s Best Rice competition on November 12,
2019, the first time that Vietnam won the highest award at the contest, which is organized by
The Rice Trader, a publication that provides in-depth analysis of the global rice industry.
Meanwhile, ST24 rice ranked second among the three most delicious rice varieties in the world
at the ninth World Rice Conference in Macau from November 6 to 8, 2017.
However, it has been found that the ST25 rice trademark has been registered for protection at
the United States Patent and Trademark Office by some foreign companies. Although
investigations into the case have not been concluded, it showed that ST25 is the favorite rice of
the U.S.
https://english.thesaigontimes.vn/83273/exports-of-st25-st24-rice-surge.html

RPT-ASIA RICE-RATES SINK TO MULTI-

MONTH LOWS IN TOP EXPORTING
HUBS
7/22/2021

(Repeats Thursday's story with no changes to text)

* Thai rates hit November 2019 lows

* Vietnam rates drop sharply to lowest since March last year

* Low rainfall impacting India's paddy planting -exporter

* Bangladesh reports record crop of summer rice variety this year

By Swati Verma

July 22 (Reuters) - Rice export prices continued their decline to multi-

month lows across top Asian hubs this week as falling demand met with
an increase in supplies, while a weaker baht added to woes of Thai
traders.

Vietnam's 5% broken rice rates <RI-VNBKN5-P1> hit more than 16-

month lows, falling sharply to $395-$400 per tonne on Thursday from a
range of $465-$470 a week earlier.

"Demand is weak, while prices offered by other rice producing countries

are very low," a trader based in Ho Chi Minh city said. On the other
hand, domestic supplies are building up as the summer-autumn harvest
is in full swing, the trader said.

Traders said they have cut down on purchases from farmers due to
coronavirus movement restrictions in the world's third largest rice
exporting nation after India and Thailand.

In India, prices hit their lowest level in 16-months as stocks released

from government warehouses boosted supplies.

The top exporter's 5 percent broken parboiled variety <RI-INBKN5-P1>

was quoted at $361-$366 per tonne this week, down from last week's
$364-$368.

"Paddy planting is not picking up as expected due to lower rainfall in

central and eastern India. We badly need rains to accelerated planting,"
said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra
Pradesh.
 Thailand's 5% broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> prices dropped to $395-
$410 per tonne on Thursday, the lowest level in nearly 20 months, from
$405-$412 per tonne a week ago.

"Prices continue to decline, because the baht is weakening and there are
no buyers," a trader said, adding that there were no supply issues due to
ample rain.

Bangladesh's summer rice crop variety, known as Boro, hit a record 20.9
million tonnes this year, thanks to favorable weather, according to the
agriculture ministry.

Domestic rice prices rose nearly 10% from last month despite huge
imports and a record crop of Boro, which contributes more than half of
the country's typical annual rice output of around 35 million tonnes.
(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka and
Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

© Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Click For Restr

https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/rpt-asia-rice-rates-sink-to-multi-month-lows-in-top-
exporting-hubs

Armyworms charging through

Arkansas pastures and rice
fields as state weighs special
pesticide use
 Mary Hightower, U of A System Division of Agriculture

 Jul 22, 2021 Updated Jul 24, 2021



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Sweep net full of armyworms. Photograph taken Wednesday.

Gus Lorenz, U of A System Division of Agriculture

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University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture entomologists are seeking an emergency

exemption to allow for the use of Intrepid to help control armyworms that threaten the state‘s
1.24 million acres of rice.
―This is the biggest outbreak of fall armyworm situation that I‘ve ever seen in my career,‖ Gus
Lorenz, extension entomologist for the Division of Agriculture, said Wednesday. ―They‘re in
pastures, rice, soybeans, grain sorghum. It‘s epic.‖

Lorenz said the Section 18 request to enable use of Intrepid should be submitted to the Arkansas
State Plant Board by Friday.

Intrepid is a growth regulator that‘s approved for use in just about every other row crop but is not
labeled for use in rice.

―This armyworm thing started about three to four weeks ago,‖ he said. ―It‘s continued to build
from that time. It‘s from the Bootheel of Missouri down to Louisiana.‖

Lorenz said he received a call from a producer in ―south Arkansas, that they‘d eaten his
bermudagrass pasture to the ground. It was a 30- to 40-acre pasture. And he wasn‘t even calling
about the pasture. He was calling about his rice crop. He said his rice was being eaten to the
ground.‖

―Fall armyworm is a particularly voracious caterpillar,‖ said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice
agronomist for the Division of Agriculture. ―They have a tendency to surprise us because adults
lay very large egg masses but the earliest instar larvae eat very little. It‘s not until they get older
and start to spread out that they consume most of the food in their life cycle.

―This is why we go from zero to TREAT seemingly overnight,‖ Hardke said.

WHY A SECTION 18?

Typically, armyworms can be managed well using pyrethroids, but Lorenz said ―when this
outbreak first started, we got reports out of Texas and Louisiana that they weren‘t getting
control. We‘re getting failures.‖

Lorenz said he and colleagues ran some quick tests, spraying this year‘s armyworms with
pyrethroids ―and we got 48 percent control.‖
In cattle-heavy parts of the state producers use another insect growth regulator called Dimilin to
manage armyworms, but in row crop country, ―they just don‘t carry it. It‘s just not available,‖
Lorenz said.

Fellow extension entomologist Nick Bateman said, ―another problem with using Dimilin is the
pre-harvest interval. The pre-harvest interval on Dimilin is 80 days which will lead to major
harvest issues.‖

―We‘re limited on the options in control for rice,‖ he said. ―It‘s not just a problem of row rice.
We are also seeing them in flooded rice, all through the field. They are eating rice all the way
down to the waterline.‖

Lorenz said rice growers in California sought and received a Section 18 exemptions over the last
three years. ―We felt like that was our best option.‖

Arkansas farmers who managed to replant after the floods and heavy rain in June have young,
tender plants that are highly attractive to armyworms.

―Those crops are extremely susceptible to damage from armyworms,‖ Lorenz said.

WHAT‟S NEXT

―My concern is that if we get another generation of them, the next wave could be unbelievable,‖
he said.

The first generation of armyworms matured into moths in Texas and Louisiana and flew
northward. Now that they‘re in Arkansas, ―We‘re making our own generation, which is what
makes it so dangerous,‖ Lorenz said.

There‘s also a chance that, depending on the environment, ―the population could collapse,‖ he
said. ―There are some natural controls out there. When you get a big buildup a lot of things can
happen. There are a lot of naturally occurring pathogens that can help control them.‖
Some agents in southwest Arkansas found armyworms that had fallen victim to a naturally
occurring virus. Lorenz is hoping that virus may provide another option for control in the future.

Arkansas is the nation's leading rice producer.

Click an emoticon to express your reaction to this article.

http://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/regional_news/article_6ddcb050-ead2-11eb-
9a50-5383c73ecd52.html

Bumper summer grain harvest auspicious

start
By Zhao Yimeng | China Daily | Updated: 2021-07-21 09:45
Aerial photo taken on May 21, 2021 shows farmers reaping wheat with harvesters at
Heping township, Changxing county, Huzhou city of East China's Zhejiang province.
[Photo/Xinhua]

China's summer grain output hit a record high in the first half of this year, the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Tuesday.

Zeng Yande, chief of the ministry's development and planning department, said that
measured by area, yield, and total output, the summer grain harvest was good this
year.
"The area under cultivation increased by 265,500 hectares, reversing the downturn
over the past five years," Zeng said.

The yield per hectare was 5.52 metric tons, an increase for the third consecutive year,
and total output was 146 million tons, an increase of 2.97 million tons over last year.

Meanwhile, grain quality continued to improve. High-quality wheat accounted for

37.3 percent of the total area, a year-on-year increase of 1.5 percentage points, Zeng
said.

"The wheat machinery yield rate exceeded 98 percent, and the loss rate in major
production areas dropped by over 1 percentage point," he added.

Nearly 70 percent of the early rice harvest has been completed. Meanwhile, the area
cultivated for autumn grains is experiencing normal growth, laying a solid foundation
for a bumper fall harvest too.

Liu Lihua, deputy director of the ministry's crop production department, said that
autumn grains will account for 75 percent of this year's total output.

July to September is a crucial period for autumn grains, when droughts, floods and
typhoons frequently batter the country.

"At present, it is the busy season for early rice harvests and late rice planting in
southern China," Liu said. "We have arranged for agricultural machinery in double-
cropping rice-producing areas to speed up the early rice harvest and ensure grains
return to the granary."

The ministry made targeted emergency plans for the prevention of agricultural
disasters in a conference with other ministries, including those in charge of
responding to emergencies and water resources.

"Our focus is to prevent summer drought in Northeast China, local floods in the
Yellow and Huaihe river regions, and the effect of heat and typhoons in the middle
and lower reaches of the Yangtze River," Liu said, adding that disease and insects
must also be taken into account.

Responding to market concerns over poor quality wheat due to rainy weather, Liu said
that the area moderately affected by head blight accounted for only 0.3 percent of the
total wheat producing area, and didn't extend to the major production areas.

"Disease has had a limited effect on the country's overall wheat quality," Liu said.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202107/21/WS60f77c35a310efa1bd66346c.html

NASA Awards $1 Million for Research on

Sustainable Rice Production
July 21, 2021
Courtesy of Beatriz Moreno García

Runkle's research group uses a micro-meteorological station to measure evaporation over a rice field in
central Arkansas.

A new $1 million grant from NASA‘s Carbon Monitoring Program will go towards a
study headed up by associate professor of biological engineering at the U of
A, Benjamin Runkle, on greenhouse gases and its implications of rice cultivation.
The grant, titled ―A national quantification of methane emissions from rice cultivation
in the U.S.: integrating multi-source satellite data and process-based modeling,‖ will
support the hiring of a postdoctoral scientist, graduate students and undergraduates to
work on the project from 2021 to 2024.
The team project includes colleagues at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign,
where professor Kaiyu Guan will lead the detection of field inundation dynamics and
advanced application of satellite imagery to help understand agricultural carbon and
water dynamics.
―My research group and I have been working on rice farms in Arkansas since 2015,
taking careful measurements of the methane emissions from rice fields and how to
reduce them safely — so that the farmer‘s harvest is not hurt,‖ Runkle said. ―What‘s
especially exciting about this project is that by working with colleagues at the
University of Illinois, we can now understand these methane emissions across the rice
production regions of the United States. We hope to eventually create a system of
climate-smart rice production that should help all the rice farmers of Arkansas‘s Delta
region be more sustainable.‖
Half of U.S. production of rice occurs in Arkansas; unfortunately, rice production
globally is also responsible for 8 percent of human-driven methane emissions, due to
its cultivation in anaerobic (swampy) soil environments. Methane is a greenhouse gas
30 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of how it warms the earth‘s
atmosphere.
There is still considerable uncertainty to the methane emissions associated with rice
cultivation in the U.S., and a more consistent estimate is necessary to observe, plan
and reduce this greenhouse gas source.
This project takes on the challenge of monitoring methane production in the U.S.'s
rice producing regions by integrating satellite data with a process-based model to
produce a consistent national estimate of methane emissions associated with rice
cultivation. The product will be validated against Runkle‘s field methane emissions
observations at several rice farms in Arkansas, as well as similar research by others at
sites in California. Runkle has taken these measurements since 2015 in Arkansas
alongside colleagues from the USDA‘s Agricultural Research Service.
The team aims to overcome existing challenges in understanding rice‘s climate
impact. They will work with both field-based datasets and new models that
incorporates satellite imagery across all the rice growing regions of the U.S.
Their final estimates will be driven by a new daily, satellite-based map of both
inundation and plant growth. This product could have spin-off benefits in terms of
understanding rice‘s irrigation water use and could help farmers increase their harvest
yields.
The results of the project should support stakeholder groups' interests — including
those in non-profit, business and government — for methane emissions reduction, soil
carbon storage and sustainability for the agricultural landscape. It should be especially
relevant for the rice farmers of the eastern part of Arkansas, who can modify their
production practices based on project findings. The project products will be accessible
to both researchers and land managers and will be published in scientific journals.
About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A
provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic
programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to
Arkansas‘ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills,
entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative
activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie
Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities
with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of
A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build
a better world at Arkansas Research News.
TOPICS

 Agriculture
 Awards
 Engineering
 Research & Innovation
 Sustainability & Resilience
 College of Engineering
 Division of Research & Innovation
 Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering

CONTACTS

Christin Finney, digital communications

College of Engineering
479-575-4173, crn002@uark.edu
Hardin Young, assistant director of research communications
University Relations
479-575-6850, hyoung@uark.edu
https://news.uark.edu/articles/57219/nasa-awards-1-million-for-research-on-sustainable-rice-
production

Some North Koreans are too poor

to buy rice sold by the
government at below-market
prices
Some North Koreans have given up purchasing the rice, handing over their
purchase vouchers to wealthier people in exchange for money
By

Lee Chae Un

2021.07.21 2:57pm

North Korean authorities have recently begun selling rice to citizens at prices
lower than those found in markets, but some destitute families are still unable
to buy rice.

According to a Daily NK source in North Korea on Monday, the authorities began

selling rice at below-market prices in cities and counties throughout North
Hamgyong Province, including Chongjin and Hoeryong, from July 9.

Rice had been selling for about KPW 7,000 a kilogram in those areas, but the
authorities began selling the commodity for around KPW 3,500-4,000.

In Hoeryong, however, 20-40% of families in districts such as Nammun-dong,

Songchon-dong, Gangan-dong, and Yuson-dong have reportedly abandoned
buying the rice for lack of money.

NO MONEY, NO RICE

The source believes that this is because locals have grown even poorer due to
the protracted closure of the North Korea-China border and restrictions on
market activity due to COVID-19.

―They’ve restricted market activity due to the coronavirus, and in particular, the
clamp down on smuggling for close to two years has had a major impact,‖ he
said, speaking on condition of anonymity. ―Money isn’t circulating due to the
border closure, so locals living day-to-day have no money to buy food.
―(The authorities) are selling food at low prices, but in fact, there are more
families than you’d think who can’t buy rice because they have no money,‖ he
added.

Various kinds of grains being sold in

Yanggang Province markets. / Image: Daily NK

Despite this situation, however, North Korean authorities are not putting forth
alternatives for these families. The source argued that the
―distribution‖ of rice is more for show, with little actual consideration for the
right of financially disadvantaged people to access food.

The source said leaders are simply telling families without money to buy rice to
―help one another to receive the Workers’ Party consideration.‖ He said this
amounts to the authorities saying: ―If you can’t buy food even though we’re
selling it at lower-than-market prices, there’s nothing we can do, either.‖

VOUCHER GIVEAWAY

As a result, some North Koreans are giving up purchasing food and handing
their purchase vouchers to other families – a common practice, according to the
source.

That is to say, these families are handing over their vouchers to wealthier
merchants and other people in return for money to buy food.

The source said these transactions are happening because poorer residents can
acquire the cash they urgently require, while merchants can store up food for
when prices start to rise.

According to him, locals are complaining that ―the people cannot fill their
stomachs because the entire country is poor.‖ He also claimed that, ―If the
authorities had set the price lower from the very beginning, this ridiculous mess
wouldn’t have happened.‖
It does appear that North Korean authorities are aware of these under-the-table
transactions. Political lecture materials recently obtained by Daily NK warned
against ―abnormal phenomena,‖ such as people lending others money to buy up
lots of food.

Going forward, North Korean authorities may crack down on these activities,
which they deem ―anti-socialist‖ behavior.

Please direct any comments or questions about this article to

dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.

Read in Korean
https://www.dailynk.com/english/some-north-koreans-too-poor-buy-rice-sold-government-below-
market-prices/

July 21, 2021

Rice exporters switch focus to serving demand from China

Michael Firn / Khmer Times
Workers prepare rice for export in Kampong Speu province. KT/Chor Sokunthea

Click here to get Khmer Times Breaking News direct into your Telegram

FacebookTwitterEmailShare

Cambodian rice exporters expect higher demand from China to make up for a drop in
shipments to Europe, according to the head of the Cambodian Rice Federation.
The EU still wants to import more rice from the Kingdom, federation President Song
Saran said, but high transportation costs and a lack of containers have made it difficult
to ship rice there.

As a result, the federation is focusing on China as its main growth market.

―Rice exports to the Chinese market are still growing well,‖ he said. ―They will
increase even more in the near future.‖

Saran said that the federation is not forcing members to increase their export volume
at the moment because they may suffer losses. He said exporters need to focus on
maintaining stable long-term shipments.

Rice exports in the first six months of 2021 were lower than the same period last year,
Saran said. They were about the same as the first quarter of 2019 and higher than
previous years, he said.

Sin Chanthy, president of the Cambodian Logistics Association, said that rice is a
heavy commodity and needs to be stored in short containers. Most containers
available at the moment are long types that cannot be used to transport rice over long
distances, he said.

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:co_yiIMtPVMJ:https://www.khmertimeskh.c
om/50898294/rice-exporters-switch-focus-to-serving-demand-from-
china/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

Kalimbeza rice project limps along

2021-07-21 Albertina Nakale

The Kalimbeza rice project, envisaged to become the major rice producer in the Zambezi region,
contributing towards food security in Namibia, has yielded little to poor results.
In January last year, government, through the ministry of agriculture, bailed out the project,
which was on the brink of collapse, with N$7.1 million to recoup its operations.
This came as a result of the farm that has not planted rice for the last two years due to factors
such as disconnected electricity, non-payment of employee salaries, a lack of fuel, uneven fields
and wrecked equipment.
Zambezi governor, Lawrence Sampofu, when he delivered the state of the region address
yesterday, said the total fenced off area is 229 hectares (ha) but the irrigable land at the project is
150 ha, while the rest is patches of sand that cannot be used for planting rice.
―The levelling of the paddies contributed significantly to the delay in the planting of rice, and
only 40 ha was planted out of 50 ha that was planned to be planted with the short variety,‖ he
reported.
The Kalimbeza project currently grows three varieties of rice, namely, Supa, Irga and Angola.
Traditional authorities have availed portions of land for green schemes irrigation and
development.
Sampofu said the occupation of these pieces of land will see the realisation of job creation and
boost food security.
This includes 5 000 ha at Singalamwe in Kongola constituency and 890 ha at Kongola, situated
some 500m from the Kwandu River.
The other is the 2 000 ha of land at Lyanshulu in Judea Lyabboloma constituency adjacent to the
Kwandu River.
Another 5 000 ha of land was allocated at Sachona in Judea Lyabboloma constituency, while 1
000 ha of land was given at Muyako in Katima Mulilo Rural constituency.
A total of 10 000 ha have been allocated at Lusese and Nankonde in the flood prone areas of
Kabbe North and South constituencies.
Due to the diverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the region recorded a decrease in income
generated by conservancies.
An amount of N$14.5 million was generated by the conservancies compared to N$25 million
generated in 2019/20 and no tangible projects were implemented. Also, new jobs were created in
Zambezi conservancies including Kyaramacan Association, and the job categories ranged from
fish guards, game guards, and secretaries.
As a social response to the community, a total of 194 024 kg of meat from conservation hunting
was distributed to communities within conservancies.
Three park management plans of Mudumu, Nkasa-Rupara and Bwabwata national parks were
revised and approved, and are currently in the implementation phase.
Therefore, he said operational guidelines on how to implement the management plans and the
action plan were developed and are now being implemented.
On forestry, trade in forest products from community forests generated N$200 000. Community
forest offices received donations of furniture and IT equipment to the value of N$272 150 after
the completion of constructed offices.
Sikanjabuka Community forest received N$4.5 million to support climate change resilience
through agroforestry initiatives and nursery establishment.
A total number of 160 farmers benefited from horticultural seeds, garden tools and irrigation
equipment while160 farmers were trained under horticulture.
Another 60 farmers were trained in conservation agriculture and 19 gardens were supported with
solar energy technology, benefiting 67 farmers. – anakale@nepc.com.na
Pic: Kalimbeza rice
https://neweralive.na/posts/kalimbeza-rice-project-limps-along
 

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Laws being prepared to
reduce rice prices within
weeks – Trade Minister
Written by Zulfick Farzan 21 Jul, 2021 | 7:07 PM
 
Share:

COLOMBO (News 1st); Legislation is being drafted to reduce the price of

rice in the next two to three weeks, said Trade Minister Bandula
Gunawardena on Wednesday (21).

The Minister said that the laws and regulations required to reduce the price of
rice by more than 20 rupees have been amended.

The Minister also stated that the fine has been increased to Rs. 100,000/- for
selling rice at a higher price.

In addition, a buffer stock 100,000 MT of rice will be imported to Sri Lanka,

he added.

Further, the Minister assured that the price of rice would never be allowed to
exceed Rs. 100/-

Latest News

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
Laws being prepared to
reduce rice prices within
weeks – Trade Minister
Written by Zulfick Farzan 21 Jul, 2021 | 7:07 PM
 
Share:

COLOMBO (News 1st); Legislation is being drafted to reduce the price of

rice in the next two to three weeks, said Trade Minister Bandula
Gunawardena on Wednesday (21).

The Minister said that the laws and regulations required to reduce the price of
rice by more than 20 rupees have been amended.

The Minister also stated that the fine has been increased to Rs. 100,000/- for
selling rice at a higher price.

In addition, a buffer stock 100,000 MT of rice will be imported to Sri Lanka,

he added.

Further, the Minister assured that the price of rice would never be allowed to
exceed Rs. 100/-

Latest News

Rice mill owners agree to buy paddy at govt

guaranteed prices
 4 days ago 90

Rice mill owners have agreed to purchase paddy from farmers only at the prices set by
the government.

This decision has been taken following discussions with the Ministers of Agriculture and
Trade.

Accordingly, rice mill owners will buy paddy at government-guaranteed prices in the
future.

Read Entire Article

1. Homepage
2. Local
3. Rice mill owners agree to buy paddy at govt guaranteed prices

https://www.nation.lk/online/rice-mill-owners-agree-to-buy-paddy-at-govt-guaranteed-prices-
103525.html

Rice mill owners to enter agreement with

Govt.

5 days ago 144

End of rice mafia, claims AluthgamagePact to be signed within two weeksSays Yala harvest to
be purchased at agreed price

BY Dinitha Rathnayake
Rice mill owners are to sign an agreement with the Government within a period of two
weeks, where paddy purchase prices and rice selling prices will be guaranteed within a
certain price range.

Speaking in Parliament, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that

according to this agreement, mill owners would purchase a kilo of paddy within the
price range of Rs. 50-52.

“Rice mill owners will not increase this guaranteed price since we would take necessary
action against them if they attempt to increase the selling price of rice. We have
increased the fine up from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 100,000.“

According to the Minister, the Government would have a conversation

https://www.nation.lk/online/rice-mill-owners-to-enter-agreement-with-govt-103373.html

Food Security: RIFAN assures Nigerians of

increased rice production
July 20, 2021 Kizito Amuchie. News 0

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Oyo chapter, has assured Nigerians of their commitment
to boost rice production to reduce high cost of the commodity.
Mr Samuel Akande, the RIFAN Chairman, Oyo, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Akande said that the farmers‘ target for years was to get quality rice to the table regularly and cheaper than it is
presently.

He noted that the association encouraged members to engage in commercial farming of the commodity in good
land size in order to achieve its goals.

―In Oyo state, it is not the nonavailability of farmers to plant rice, but the nonavailability of the enabling
facilities.

―We are still hoping to know what the government may have for us in the area of land, land clearing and
tractors, hitherto, it has been the sole responsibility of the farmers here,‖ he said.

Akande remarked that the RIFAN/CBN/Unity bank Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) had been the only
sure hope for rice farmers in the state.

He said that all relevant inputs required by smallholder farmers were included in the ABP package, based on
the assumed capacity of the farmer.

―All over Nigeria, rice pyramids are coming back on a serious note, RIFAN has been selling rice paddy to
millers with the intention to bring the price of rice down.

―Farmers are really not feeling safe to work their full capacity to produce food on daily basis as they are being
attacked and their rice farm grazed without hindrance.

―No land clearing equipment, irrigation systems are not being maintained where they are available.

―Another area of challenge is the flood/drought experiences which the farmers can‘t control unless there is a
well planned and managed irrigation system, small holder farmers cannot put this in place without
government‘s intervention.

―To boost rice production, what we, the farmers can do and which we have been doing is to recruit more
people to plant rice and train them, with farmers on ground, any willing government will find it easy to
identify and locate the right farmers to support,‖ he said.

According to him, RIFAN has been getting fertilisers, water pumps, hoses, sprayers, herbicides, insecticides,
fungicides, among others as input loans.

Akande said that to beat down the market price of rice, governments at the various levels needed to be make
conscious efforts in that direction.

―Farmers can only produce for the market, our middlemen buy low and sell high so only the government has
the wherewithal to fix the price at a desirable level.

―We also urge Nigerians to imbibe the culture of eating our locally produced foods to encourage continued
existence of such a project.

―It is in continuing over a considerable long time that we can expect perfection,‖ he said. (
 https://sundiatapost.com/food-security-rifan-assures-nigerians-of-increased-rice-production/

India’s Rice Exports Likely to Continue

Dominating the Global Market

Sugandh Bhatnagar Updated 20 July, 2021 12:00 PM IST Published on 20 July, 2021 11:31 AM IST

India's Rice Exports will continue to dominate the global rice market

India is one of the top producers and exporters of Rice and is likely to continue its
dominance in global rice market this year also. The exports of non basmati rice
will most probably exceed last year’s record of 13.08 million tons or at least
remain around that level, according to trade and industry experts. The demand
for non basmati rice was high last year as more countries purchased the
cereal admist supply issues and covid pandemic to ensure food supplies. Basmati
Rice exports also touched 4.62 million tons, valued at $4 billion. Totally, the rice
Exports fetched Rs 65,297 crore in 2020-21.

Experts concerns:
Experts fear that exports could be affected this year since panic
purchases over covid pandemic by some countries will be missing in this fiscal.

B V Krishna Rao, President, Rice Exporters Association (REA) said that

exporters also have concerns that the exports might slowdown due to high freight
costs from African buyers. The break- bulk vessels charge Rs 6,750- 7,500 per ton
to African destinations while the containers cost Rs 9,350-10,100 per ton. These
charges have doubled compared to the pre-covid times but India will still remain
competitive in terms of pricing as compared to the other countries.

RELATED LINKS


India’s Top 10 Agriculture Export Commodities 2020-21
India’s Agriculture exports grew at 17.5 percent to cross $41.8 billion in 2020-21 even after
the total merchandise exports dropped…


It is important to note that the exports for this year have begun in a small way;
the exports of Basmati Rice in April were 15% lower and trend continued in May.
However, the exports to Africa and Bangladesh continue to be good. Bangladesh
is giving out tenders every month to import 50,000 tons and Indian firms are
getting these as their bids are the lowest. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and UAE
are another major importers of Rice from India.

According to Rao, Rice prices in Vietnam and Pakistan have softened but India
still remains the cheapest supplier in the world.

Rice prices around the world:

Country Prices

Vietnam $420 - $430

Thailand $401- $420

India $360 - $400

The price trends show that India will be the first choice of many countries for
importing rice because of the low prices and offer rates.

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https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/india-s-rice-exports-likely-to-continue-dominating-the-
global-market/
 Patchy Monsoon Rain
Raises Growth and
Inflation Worries in
India
By
Vrishti Beniwal
and
Pratik Parija
July 20, 2021, 10:32 AM GMT+5

Sub-normal showers cause sowing to fall about 12% this year


Food prices may climb if rainfall distribution doesn‘t improve

LISTEN TO ARTICLE
2:54
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RR1

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71.68
USD/bbl.

-0.39-0.54%

Poor monsoon showers are threatening India‘s nascent economic recovery and could
make food even more expensive in a country where more than half of the population
depends on rain for farming.

The weather pattern, which usually begins its four-month journey from the southern
state of Kerala on June 1, stalled for three weeks after bringing higher-than-average
rains in the first half of last month. The monsoon has now revived, but the delay and
poor precipitation will hurt the sowing of crops such as rice, cotton and soybeans.

Erratic Monsoon
India's 41% area has received deficient showers since June 1
Source: India Meteorological Department
This could further boost food prices, which have already pushed India‘s
retail inflation above the central bank‘s 6% upper limit. The monsoon‘s progress in
the coming weeks holds the key to farm incomes and rural demand at a time when
manufacturing and services sectors have suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Agriculture accounts for about 18% of India‘s economy.
READ: Hunger Crisis Swells India Food Lines to ‗Unprecedented‘ Levels

―The progress of monsoon during July-August is critical as it has a significant bearing

on sowing and crop yields for the year,‖ Barclays Plc‘s economist Rahul Bajoria said
in a note. Weak sowing, coupled with uneven monsoon, could affect crop yields and
farm output, ―posing upside risks to inflation,‖ he said.
A farmer works on a rice field on the outskirts of Srinagar in Kashmir, earlier in June.
Photographer: Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images

The monsoon irrigates more than half of India‘s farmland and shapes the livelihood of
millions. The nation is the world‘s second-biggest producer of rice, wheat and sugar
and the top importer of palm oil. A lack of rain could lower production and lead to
higher imports of commodities.

Total rainfall has been 6% below normal this monsoon season, affecting regions with
poor irrigation facilities. Sowing of crops including rice, cotton, corn and pulses
has slumped about 12% from a year earlier, according to the farm ministry. July tends
to be the wettest month.

Rainfall distribution has been uneven. Northwestern areas have got 15% less
precipitation than usual so far and it was 10% weaker in central regions, where a
sizable crop is grown, according to India Meteorological Department. There‘s also
deficient moisture in eastern regions, though the southern peninsula received 20%
more rain.

Watching Progress
With the Reserve Bank of India‘s Monetary Policy Committee set to review interest
rates next month, any further setback in the monsoon‘s progress could affect the
central bank‘s outlook on economic growth and inflation, which it sees easing in the
coming months.

A worker carries stems of bananas during a harvest in a field in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, on July 19.
Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg

Dilip Patidar, a farmer in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, said he was
―desperately waiting‖ for showers to prevent a loss in yields at his 6 hectares (14.8
acres) farmland where he has planted soybeans, peanuts and corn.
 The weather office still predicts normal rain for the entire season so it may be too
early to talk about the impact on production, according to Prerana Desai, head of
research at Samunnati Financial Intermediation and Services Pvt.

―Sowing window is still there for most of the crops,‖ Desai said. ―Still, food prices in
India will be strong in the coming months due to higher global prices and the delay in
rains.‖

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HomeNewsBUSINESS
 Essar Shipping vessels engaged
in exporting rice to Bangladesh
As per the recent trade agreement signed between the two
neighbouring countries, Bangladesh is set to buy 150,000 tonne of
rice from India. It is the first such bilateral deal in the last three years.

PTI

JULY 20, 2021 / 02:12 PM IST


 Essar Shipping on Tuesday said its handysize vessels Tvisha and
Tuhina are engaged in export of rice from India to Bangladesh, which
would boost bilateral trade.

As per the recent trade agreement signed between the two

neighbouring countries, Bangladesh is set to buy 150,000 tonne of
rice from India. It is the first such bilateral deal in the last three years.

"Two of our handysize vessels Tvisha and Tuhina weighing 13,000

DWT, have been engaged in exports of rice from India to Bangladesh
as per the recent bilateral trade agreement signed between the two
neighbouring countries," an Essar Shipping statement said.

The company is a part of Essar Global Fund Ltd‘s services and

technology portfolio.

Essar Shipping CEO Ranjit Singh said as new export deals are slated
to be signed with neighbouring nations in the coming months, the
company''s vessels will also be engaged in trade in continuation within
this region.

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poaching and more

"With India‘s five-year pulses import deal with Myanmar, we have

bagged a shipment contract for these vessels which is to begin
operations from 20th July," he said.

Both these vessels (Tvisha and Tuhina) have been continuously

employed in back-to-back business to export rice since March 2021.
India saw a surge in farm exports in 2020-21.

The surge was driven by record-high sales of rice -- 13.9 million tonne
of non-basmati and 4.6 million tonnes of basmati -- and sales of 2.08
million tonne of wheat, a six-year high, the statement said.

In fact, growing demand for rice overseas is expected to be a big win

for exporters of the commodity in India, it stated.

Bangladesh, the world‘s third-biggest rice producer with an output of

almost 35 million tonne a year, relies on imports from time- to-time to
cope with shortages caused by natural disasters such as flood or
drought.
Essar Shipping is India‘s second largest private sector shipping
company that has the youngest fleet in the country with a combined
deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 1.12 million.

The company also operates an oil and gas drilling business that
provides contract drilling services to oil and gas companies across the
globe. This business owns a fleet of land and offshore rigs.
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/photos/business/personal-finance/10-large-mid-and-small-cap-
stocks-that-mutual-funds-bought-and-sold-in-june-7219881.html

Market Monitor Report: Timor-Leste | Week

25/26 2021 (21st June-4th July)
Format

Situation Report

Source

 WFP

Posted

20 Jul 2021

Originally published

20 Jul 2021
Origin

View original

Attachments

 Download document(PDF | 524.4 KB)

Highlights

• As the main rice harvest season comes towards the tail-end, the abundance of new supplies on
the local market meant local rice price continued to fall at national level.

• The updated paddy production estimates done by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,
which provide early warning signals on national food security, shows that there is a 17 percent
increase compared to the previous season at 58,656 metric tonnes. This agricultural output is
likely to sustain the downward pressure on prices in the short run.

• Similarly, imported rice extended its downward streak into the third consecutive month in line
with the relatively quiet rice trading activities in Asian markets in recent months.
Primary country

 Timor-Leste

Source
  World Food Programme

Format

 Situation Report

Themes

 Agriculture

 Food and Nutrition

Language

 English
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Timor-Leste

GIEWS Country Brief: Timor-Leste 12-July-2021

https://reliefweb.int/report/timor-
leste/market-monitor-report-timor-leste-
week-2526-2021-21st-june-4th-julyRice
imports drop to 1.26 MMT in H1–data
BYJASPER Y. ARCALAS
JULY 20, 2021
2 MINUTE READ
A stall at the San Andres public market sells assorted varieties of rice
in this Businessmirror file photo.
The country‘s rice imports sustained its downward trend in the first half
after it declined by 11 percent to 1.26 million metric tons (MMT) from
1.417 MMT recorded last year, latest Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
data showed.

BPI data obtained and analyzed by the BusinessMirror showed that

the volume of rice imports during the six-month period was 157,000
MT lower than the previous year‘s volume.

The country‘s rice imports this year have been lower than last year
due to a confluence of events that included higher world rice prices,
global logistical problems, and better domestic harvest.
The United Nations‘ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) noted
that rice trade in Asian markets ―remained quiet‖ in June as ―logistical
bottlenecks and high shipping costs continued to discourage fresh
sales.‖

In terms of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC)

issuance, the BPI issued 2,553 SPS-ICs from January to June, which
was about 35 percent lower than the 3,926 SPS-ICs issued in the
same period of last year.

BPI data also showed that the total applied volume for rice imports by
eligible entities was 18.89 percent lower this year on an annual basis.

Based on the SPS-ICs issued, eligible rice imports applied to import

2.645 MMT from January to June, which was 616,000 MT lower than
what they wanted to bring in in the same period of last year at 3.621
MMT.

BPI data showed that in June alone, the agency issued 784 SPS-ICs
corresponding to an applied import volume of 707,742 MT, which was
384.63 percent higher than the 146,083.8 MT (177 SPS-ICs) applied
import volume in the same month of last year.

Based on the BPI list, Elite Impex Distributor Inc. led all 121 eligible
rice importers in terms of applied volume to import at 167,680 MT,
followed by Anvit Hridhaan Trading Inc. at 128,738 MT.

In terms of actual rice import arrival, Nan Stu Agri Traders topped the
list at 61,402 MT followed by Davao Solar Best Corp. at 55,936 MT,
BPI data showed.

BPI data also showed that the country‘s total rice imports as of July 2
has reached 1.27 MMT, with 88.66 percent, or about 1.126 MMT of
which coming from Vietnam.
Rice imports from Pakistan reached 2,638 MT while those from India
reached 109.36 MT, based on BPI data. These two South Asian
countries, particularly India, are projected to benefit from the lowering
of the country‘s most favored
nation (MFN) rates on rice imports from 40 percent (in-quota) and 50
percent (out-quota) to 35 percent.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/07/20/ric
e-imports-drop-to-1-26-mmt-in-h1-
data/Hunan embraces harvest season of
rice
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-20 21:58:41|Editor: huaxia
Aerial photo taken on July 20, 2021 shows a tractor ploughing the field in
Baishizhai Village, Shouyan Township, Daoxian County of Yongzhou City,
central China's Hunan Province. (Photo by He Hongfu/Xinhua)
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http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-07/20/c_1310073128.htm