28th September 2021 DailyGlobal Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter (Un-Edited Version)

State instals Sh65m modern rice milling
machine in Kisumu
For years, farmers have been facing exploitation by middlemen from
neighbouring countries
In Summary
• LBDA Chairman Odoyo Owidi said the machine will enable the authority to take more rice
from farmers.
•The machine imported from India is expected to boost rice production in the Lake Basin
region.The company deals with paddy processing.
A staffer at the Lake Basin Development Rice Mill, a subsidiary of Lake Basin Development
Authority in Kisumu
Image: MAURICE ALAL
The government is installing a Sh65 million rice milling machine at the Lake Basin Rice Mill, a
subsidiary of Lake Basin Development Authority in Kisumu.
The machine imported from India is expected to boost rice production in the Lake Basin region. The
company deals with paddy processing.
LBDA chairman Odoyo Owidi said the machine will enable the authority take more rice from
farmers.
For years, farmers have been facing exploitation by middlemen from neighbouring countries.
Middlemen, especially from Uganda, mostly buy paddy even before it is ready.
Owidi on Monday said the installation of the machine is underway and is expected to take a month
and a half.
―The shipping of the machine was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We had ordered for it in
December 2018,‖ he said.
Rice farmers in Western Kenya hope the machine with a crushing capacity of four tonnes per hour
will create ready market and boost their income.
Joseph Ochieng, a farmer at the Ahero Irrigation Scheme, said the upgrade will open more income
opportunities for farmers.
The old machine set up in 1993 has low production capacity to process rice from Bunyala, Lower
Kuja, Oluch-Kimira Irrigation Scheme, West Kano and Ahero.
Owidi said it was cost ineffective since the cost of production is high and its spare parts difficult to
get.
This, he said, made rice from the company uncompetitive.
―The new machine is more efficient and cost-effective. It will increase rice uptake from farmers,‖ the
chairman said.
With the new machine, Owidi said cases of inefficiency will be fully addressed, thereby increasing
the rice crushing capacity.
―We will be able to take more rice from farmers and explore more markets as we will be capable of
serving the market efficiently,‖ he said.
LBDA last year targeted to buy 1,600 tonnes of rice but this was not achieved because of the
inefficiency of the old machine.
―We could only take what we could crush to avoid post-production loss,‖ Owidi said.
The new machine has a sorting component and will automatically package rice. Even though the old
machine could not automatically package rice, it has the capacity to clean and crush unlike other
machines in the region.
LBDA also does third party milling for individual farmers and institutions such as National Cereals
and Produce Board, the Kenya National Trading Corporation, Kodiaga and Kibos prisons.
The major customers include learning institutions such as Maranda High School, Maseno University
and prisons.
At the rice mill, grade one products like Pishori and Sindano (non-aromatic) rice are being sold to
retail outlets at Sh200 and Sh100 per kg respectively.
Grade two is sold in 50kg to institutions. Other products are Bran meal, chicken feed and husk. The
LBDA pays farmers within a week of delivery.
LBDA purchase paddy from farmers in Bunyala (Busia ), Lower Kuja (Migori), Oluch-Kimira
Irrigation Scheme (Homa Bay), West Kano and Ahero (Kisumu).
The rice mill had dropped its production capacity.
On November 22, 2019, LBDA managing director Raymond Omollo said the upgrade is meant to
address food sufficiency and nutrition in line with the government‘s Big Four agenda.
He said production capacity will increase from 1.1 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes per hour after a new mill is
installed.
"Our aim is to improve our crushing capacity to be self-reliant and create job opportunities for youths
in the region," Omollo said.
Besides revamping the mill, Omollo said they are focusing on increasing the area under rice in the
region for food sufficiency by providing farm inputs and extension services to farmers.
The current machine installed about 23 years ago had a capacity of three tonnes per hour. But with
age, the machine's capacity has gone down to 1.1 tonnes per hour.
―Because of the aging machine, the company has had to spend a lot in production in terms of labour
and electricity costs and other related costs, pushing production costs high,‖ Omollo said.
He said the cost of production will drastically reduce when the new machine is installed and will
make the company's products more competitive in the market.
Omollo said the interventions are geared towards improving productivity at farmer level and
efficiency in milling to enhance profitability both at the farm and the mill.
"This achievement will result in an immense contribution to the sustainability of rice agribusiness,
poverty alleviation and food security goals," Omollo said.
The initiatives being put in place by LBDA together with the proposals in the next phase of the
National Rice Development Strategy (2019-29) are expected to address most of the challenges facing
rice production in Western Kenya.
The company also remains committed to restoring the confidence of farmers to continuously deliver
paddy.
Farmers are paid per kilogram of paddy delivered based on the variety. For IR and eater- white rice
costs Sh37-Sh38 per kilo, while Pishori and Basmati fetch Sh65 to Sh68 depending on the area.
Rice is considered one of the major contributors to the realisation of food security in the country. Its
demand has grown at more that 12 per cent per annum compared to wheat at four per cent and maize
one per cent.
Rice farming faces a number of problems that require urgent solutions, key among them being low
level use of certified rice seed, fertiliser and poor farm mechanisation.
These problems are responsible for low yields and high cost of production which ultimately make
local rice more expensive and less competitive than imports.
In 1986, LBDA commissioned a study that revealed a huge potential of rice production in the region
through irrigation as well as under rain-fed conditions in the Lake Victoria region.
Construction of a rice mill in 1993 with automatic facilities for cleaning, drying, milling and grading
was the answer to the cry of rice farmers in the region.
Upon commercialisation in 2010, the LBDA rice mill complex specialised in processing and sale of
high quality graded rice, both aromatic and non-aromatic, branded as Lake Basin Pishori Rice and
Lake Basin White Rice.
The mill has been producing graded rice and by-products such as bran meal, husks and chicken
feed. The rice and by-products are sold through established distributors, schools and colleges as well
as supermarkets.
The new mill is expected to reduce production costs, labour expenses as well as other operational
costs due to the advantages of efficiency and economies of scale.
Like the majority of rice millers, LBDA relies wholly on rice farmers within the Lake Basin region to
supply the raw material.
The arrangement poses the major challenge of quality control of the raw material and competition for
paddy with neighbouring countries due to trade liberalisation.
The milling recovery rate, which is currently at 57 per cent as opposed to the optimal level of 69 per
cent to 72 percent, is primarily a function of grain factor and machinery factors.
The grain factor is determined by the agronomic practices and post-harvest handling at the farm
level.
The challenge has in the past left the authority with few options besides relying heavily on the
efficiency of its machinery and the effectiveness of its marketing team to deliver to the market
competitively priced products of high quality.
With the government‘s goodwill and support of the rice value chain, it is anticipated that through the
National Rice Development Strategy, most of these challenges will be addressed.
The authority is working towards adopting a two-pronged approach including paying more attention
to the farming operation to ensure the availability of quality raw materials at competitive prices.
LBDA in collaboration with other stakeholders is working closely to enlighten and educate farmers
on the importance of using certified rice seed, fertiliser, and farm mechanisation and provide them
with rice varieties of high quality.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/nyanza/2021-09-27-state-instals-sh65m-modern-rice-milling-
machine-in-kisumu/
Senator Villar congratulates

PhilMech for its efforts in farm
mechanization
Published September 28, 2021, 1:54 PM
by Manila Bulletin
Senator Cynthia Villar is urging the PhilMech to continue its mission of supporting rice farmers by
providing them with farm machinery and training.
Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, is urging
the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (Philmech) to
continue its mission of supporting rice farmers by providing them with farm machinery and
training in order to uplift the lives by boosting their productivity, achieve increase in
income eventually making the country‘s rice industry competitive against imports and to
become food secure.
Why Mechanization?
Mechanization is a crucial input for agricultural crop production and enables farmers to
produce crops more efficiently by using less power. Mechanization in rice farming can
reduce the difficulty of producing palay which makes it unappealing to young people. Land
preparation, harvesting and postharvest activities can be more efficient and effective with
the use of machines. It can increase land productivity by facilitating timeliness and quality
of cultivation and reduce harvest and post-harvest losses; relieve the burden of labor
shortages and reduce production cost; eventually reducing poverty and achieve food security
as farmers can earn more.
However, mechanization is expensive that farmers and even cooperatives cannot afford to
own them. Like an answered prayer, farmer‘s cooperatives and associations are now gaining
access to mechanized rice farming through the grant under the Rice Competitive
Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Component of implemented by PHilMech.
The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) or RA11203 was enacted in March 2019 law, which
removed the Quantitative Restrictions on Rice (QR) and replaced it with tariffs that created
the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) amounting to P10Billion a year as
farmer protection against rice imports.
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) has a
P5Billion yearly budget to deliver farm machineries to qualified Farmer‘s Cooperatives and
Associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) up to 2024 and another P100
Million for the training farmers to the new technology and how to maintain them.
Based on the study made by PhilRice and PIDS, which was the basis of the RTL, planting
and harvesting in the Philippines is basically manual while drying of palay is done by the
roadside with manual farm labor amounting to P4.53 per kilogram (kg) for farm labor or
about 36 percent of their total average cost of P12.41 per kg. Thailand and Vietnam have a
labor cost of P1.30 per kg and P1.02 per kg respectively.
Post-harvest due to low mechanization level of rice farms bring about least 3 million metric
tons of palay losses annually. The target of reducing this post-harvest loss by 2 percent to 3
percent would mean an additional output for farmers of about 80 kilograms to 120
kilograms from the current average of 4,000 kilograms per hectare. This could
meanadditional income of P1, 280 per hectare to P1, 920 per hectare at a P16 per kilogram
average palay price.
The machinery distribution is perhaps one of if not the most aggressive and comprehensive
rice mechanization program our government is pursuing.
However, the implementation of the mechanization component started slow. The funds were
received only on the third quarter of 2020. This did not deter PhilMech, headed by Engineer
Baldwin Jallorina, PhD., as the agency proceeded to validate and identify the beneficiaries
of the program to ensure they comply with the government guidelines that they have a
minimum 50 hectares of cumulative land, at least 100 hectares of nearby serviceable areas,
shed or place to keep the machines properly and willingness to be trained. Hopes are high
that this program will enable the Filipino farmers to become globally competitive in rice
production and postproduction.
Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) were encouraged to want to avail of the
program through the Regional DA offices or to they can visit their municipal agriculturist or
visit PHilMech website and Facebook page for the list of requirements.
The agricultural machinery distribution is not as easy as it sounds. This agricultural

machinery must undergo bidding for suppliers of machine to be identified and selected with
transparency. PHilMech continues to make adjustment on how to conduct the bidding,
purchasing and distribution of farm machines amid the lockdowns and quarantines, as it
realizes how pivotal the RCEF Mechanization Component is in recover of the economy
amid the health crisis.
Farmers must also be trained to fully utilize the technologies granted them. The FCAs must
be knowledgeable and skilled on the proper use of the technologies so that they can realize
the benefits of mechanization. PHilMech continues to hold blended training partly face – to
– face and partly online through their training management staff.
It highlights the dedication and commitment of the program implementers amidst existing
constraints and limitations.
The initial distribution of machines began in June, 2020 amounting to P10Billion to 947
municipalities in the 57 rice-producing provinces nationwide.
The 2019 budget, PhilMech was utilized in in 928 municipalities, located in 16 Regions, to
55 rice producing provinces, the beneficiaries totaled 2,030 of which 1,967 were FCAs and
63 LGUs. This is composed of production equipment for land preparation and crop
establishment totaling 5,980 units made up of 4-wheel tractors, hand tractors and floating
tillers, while post production machineries totaled 2,520 units such as threshers, harvesters,
and drying and milling equipment.
For the 2020 fund, PhilMech was able to reach 928 municipalities for the benefit of 2,119
FCAs and 158 LGUs in 16 regions of the country.
Despite the logistical concerns and bottlenecks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, PhilMech
was able to do its job. The farmers and their organizations and even the local government
units were indeed grateful as they felt the presence of the national government support to
them with the arrival of machines, the capacity building and motivations they have received
from this government agency.
For 2021 during their midyear evaluation held this July, PhilMech, was able to spread the
benefit to 1,515 FCAs, 88 LGUs or a total of 1,603 beneficiaries. The land preparation and
crop establishment machineries summed up to 8,500 units while post production machines
totaled 1,849 units or a grand a total of 4,540 farm equipment nationwide. They have also
started to provide Rice Processing System which completes the process milling, drying and
1 metal silo with 50-100Tons capacity for beneficiaries mostly LGUs to consolidate the
supply chain and sell rice directly to consumers. The coops/associations taking advantage of
the economies of scale can now sell directly rice to consumers. This would remove the
presence of traders in the value chain and provide more income to rice farmers.
As the machines are being managed by the coops or associations, the benefit redounds to the
farmers-member who can now pay at a lower cost as compared to that being charged by a
service provider for they only are required to shoulder for the diesel and pay a flat rate for
maintenance of the machine. Moreover, if the time allows, the coop can offer its services to
nearby barangays at the same market price by being a service provider too and earn extra for
the organization to lower maintenance cost being charged to members.
An FCA to be entitled must be accredited by DA or any accrediting government agency and

with members whose rice farms can cover a cluster of at least 20ha in one to two adjacent
villages in one selected city or municipality. For farmer-recipients, must be included in the
updated Registry System of the Basic Sectors or RSBSA; and must be farming in rice fields
located in the identified rice producing municipalities.
PhilMech distributed farm machineries to 57 rice producing provinces nationwide
PhilMech distributed farm machineries to 57 rice producing provinces nationwide
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https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/28/senator-villar-congratulates-philmech-for-its-efforts-in-farm-
mechanization/
FUTA Don Canvasses Establishment Of Specialized Rice Institute
LATEST NEWS
By Tribune Online On Sep 28, 2021
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A professor of Agricultural Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Christopher

Akinbile, has called for the creation of a specialized rice institute as a strategy to boost rice production
and ultimately ban its importation in Nigeria.
Akinbile made the recommendation while delivering the 135th inaugural lecture of the university
entitled: ‘The Wealth of Waste: From Water to Rice’ at the university auditorium.
The don said to significantly turn Nigeria into a major rice producer; government should create a
specialized rice institute that will handle all research relating to rice, from breeding through processing
and post-harvest operations.
Such an institute, he said, will provide the necessary information and other technical support to rice
farmers and others in the chain in order to boost rice production.
After measures to shore up rice production have been institutionalized, Akinbile said the government
should step up a robust awareness campaign to sensitise the public on the need to patronize and eat
locally produced rice.
He also suggested the formulation and implementation of a policy to forbid rice importation, saying that
smuggling of rice would then be criminalized to encourage local production and patronage of made-in-
Nigeria rice.
Akinbile noted that rice consumed in Nigeria before 1960 was produced locally, but local production fell
from 99 per cent to 38 per cent between 1960 and 1980 due to the non-encouragement of rice farmers.
Professor Akinbile noted that before the recent ban on rice importation in 2019, a Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) report on food import showed that Nigeria spent N365 billion on importation of rice
annually, meaning Nigerians consumed N1 billion worth of rice daily.
If Nigeria wants to boost rice production and progressively reduce importation of the commodity, he
said, it should take a cue from African Rice Centre formerly West African Rice Development Association
(WARDA), International Rice Association Research Institute (IRRI) and the Philippines Rice Research
Institute (PRRI) which hinged their domination of rice production on specialized rice institutes.
He also suggested that the government should introduce an agricultural insurance scheme to protect
farmers’ investment in rice production in the unlikely event of colossal losses of farmlands and produce
to climate change and herders’ invasion.
The don said annual demand for rice in sub-Sahara Africa with particular reference to Nigeria is
increasing by six per cent per year, which is fueled by an increase in population growth.
He noted that the world’s population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050 and that based on this
projection, there is a great need to increase rice production to meet the food needs of the growing
population.
Professor Akinbile said Nigeria can also leverage her vast wastewater to increase rice production, noting
that most human activities that use water end up producing wastewater, which can be recycled for the
production of food grains like rice.
Akinbile advised that government at all levels should put in place infrastructure to treat and reuse
wastewater as a viable alternative to the scarce freshwater supplies, which will lead to benefiting from
the land border closure aimed at preventing rice smuggling into Nigeria.
Speaking in his capacity as the chairman of the occasion, the vice-chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape,
described the lecturer as a vibrant, intelligent and diversified scholar who has immensely contributed to
the growth and development of research and the body of knowledge in his area of core competence and
remains a versatile and productive academic.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
FUTA don canvasses establishment of specialized rice institute
We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents
In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations,
water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State
capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable
water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state… FUTA don canvasses establishment of
specialized rice institute
https://tribuneonlineng.com/futa-don-canvasses-establishment-of-specialized-rice-institute/
https://tribuneonlineng.com/futa-don-canvasses-establishment-of-specialized-rice-institute/
Popular Dinner Foods That Increase
Inflammation, Say Dietitians
Nutrition experts suggest cutting back on these inflammatory foods and beverages.
BYCLARA OLSHANSKY
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
FACT CHECKED BYCHEYENNE BUCKINGHAM
Shutterstock
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Inflammation plays a vital role in your body's healing process, as it helps you
recover from small wounds and infections. But when your body remains
inflamed over long periods of time, it can produce the opposite effect. In
fact, chronic inflammation has been linked with a whole host of dangerous health
consequences.
Your food choices can make an impact here. Depending on the dishes you
choose, your dinners could be helping to reduce your inflammation–or they
could be making matters much worse.
"There is a link between dietary choices, especially…the way you eat day in and
day out, and chronic inflammation in the body," Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN,
author of Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep and How to Eat to Beat Disease
Cookbook, told Eat This, Not That! in an interview. "The foods you eat on a
regular basis play an important role in either calming chronic inflammation or
worsening it."
RELATED: Experts Say These Healthy Foods Can Help Fight Inflammation In Your
Body
Fighting inflammation can be key to maintaining your overall
health in the long run. After all, many of the health risks associated with
chronic inflammation are among the deadliest diseases.
"Chronic diseases are the number one killer of Americans and people in other
industrialized countries," says Janis Jibrin, MS, RD, health writer and adjunct
instructor at Georgetown University. "Most of these diseases, like heart
disease, type 2 diabetes, and many types of cancer, are triggered by chronic
inflammation."
Read on to learn about five popular dinner foods that could be leaving
you at risk for chronic information, according to experts. Then, for
advice on which foods produce an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, be
sure to check out these dietitian-recommended Popular Foods That Reduce
Inflammation.
1
Burgers
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Research has found that saturated fats, like those found in red meat, can have a
pro-inflammatory effect on the body. In fact, one 2016 study from the
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that diets high in
saturated fat can activate inflammation through a process different
from the one your immune system uses to protect you—aka, the type
of inflammation that isn't helpful in healing your scrapes and bumps.
"Consider trying more plant-based proteins instead of animal proteins like
beef, lamb, pork, and poultry," says Hultin. "That way, you get the added
benefit of fiber and antioxidants in your protein source!"
Charred meat
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Jibrin recommends steering clear of "charred or smoked meat, poultry or

other animal protein of any kind."
Evidence suggests that eating animal products cooked at high, dry heat can
lead to higher levels of compounds called advanced glycation end
products (AGEs), which can increase inflammation in your
body. Thankfully, research shows that eating grains, vegetables, dairy, and
other non-meat foods that are grilled don't pose the same risk.
Now, be sure to check out One Major Side Effect of Eating Grilled Foods, Says
Science!
3
Fish and chips
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Hultin suggests avoiding fried foods, which scientists have discovered can
also lead to higher levels of AGEs—as can highly processed foods. If
you're going to have fish, consider other cooking methods, such as baking or
poaching. For instance, try this Oven-Baked Fish With Herbed Breadcrumbs Recipe.
4
White rice
Shutterstock
Hultin recommends avoiding consuming processed or refined foods like white

rice or white bread on a regular basis. Instead, try opting for a whole grain like
brown rice or quinoa. In fact, research indicates that swapping out refined
grains like white rice for whole grains can help to decrease bacteria levels
in the body that are associated with inflammation.
Don't miss Dangerous Side Effects of Eating White Bread, According to Science!
5
Sugary drinks
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Sometimes you just want a fizzy soda to go with your dinner, but both experts
and research recommend that you steer clear of these beverages if you want to
keep inflammation levels low.
Evidence suggests that fructose can be bad news for inflammation, so Jibrin
suggests skipping the sweetened beverages altogether. Consider saving sodas
and sweet cocktails for special occasions and instead, reach for low- to no-sugar
beverages like water or a flavored seltzer to enjoy with your dinner.
For more ideas, be sure to check out 25 Healthy, Low-Sugar Soda Alternatives!
CL AR A O L SHAN SK Y
Clara Olshansky (they/she) is a Brooklyn-based writer and comic whose
web content has appeared in Food & Wine, Harper’s Magazine, Men's
Health, and Reductress. Read more
https://www.eatthis.com/popular-dinner-foods-inflammation/
Assam’s Judima rice wine to get GI tag

By -
TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Updated: Sep 27, 2021, 11:21 IST
FACEBOOK TWITTER PINTREST

Recently, Manipur’s most famous Hathei chilli and Tamenglong orange were
awarded the Geographical Tag. And the latest addition to the list is Assam’s
Judima rice wine.
For the unversed, Geographical Tag also called GI Tag is given to products that
have a specific place of origin and have a reputation because of their
geographical origin.
Judima is a rice wine made from sticky rice, which is steamed and mixed with
traditional herbs. The wine is a specialty of the Dimasa tribe of the state and
has a distinct sweet taste and takes around one week to prepare and it can be
stored for years.
As per reports, this is the second product from the hill districts of Karbi
Anglong and Dima Hasao to get GI tag.
Also Read: Manipur‘s Hathei Chilli and Tamenglong Orange get GI Tag
The agricultural research division of Jorhat-based Assam Agriculture University

acted as a facilitator in the process of Judima getting the GI tag and scientists
Dr Kishore Kumar Sharma, Dr Gargi Sharma and Dr S Maibongsa of the AAU and
Dr Uttam Baithari, a professor of the Gauhati University, were involved in the
application and documentation of Judima.
Elated by the recognition the authorities feel that GI tag would curb the misuse
of the beverage by those whose product does not conform to the applicable
standards.
While it is a local traditional drink, the citizens wanted to brand it and ensure
its preservation for the future and that’s why they formed a group and applied
for the GI tag.
Thumb Image Courtesy: istock photos
Disclaimer: Image is for representation purposes only.

For scrumptious recipes, videos, and exciting food news, subscribe to our
free Daily and Weekly Newsletters.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/assams-judima-rice-wine-to-get-gi-
tag/articleshow/86548148.cms
Atal Incubation Centre invites ideas from

young entrpreneurs
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 20:26 IST
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Beginners to also be helped right
from scaling up of idea to IP rights
and connecting with investors
A new enzyme for developing a new
antibiotic, stress management in pets by
analysing their stools and a potential anti-
malarial drug/vaccine — all by CSIR-
CCMB scientists Manjula Reddy, Umapath
and Puran Singh Sijwali — are
entrepreneurial projects being incubated at
the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) with
infrastructural facilities and funds.
AIC is open to new ideas from young
entrepreneurs in the field of biological
sciences for mentoring and nurturing, said
chief executive officer and consultant
scientist N. Madhusudana Rao in a live
interaction over the weekend.
Participating in the institute‘s ‗Open Day‘,
Dr. Rao said AIC is ready to ready to ―listen
to any young entrepreneurs with even half
baked ideas‖ as beginners are also helped in
scaling up of an idea, making prototypes,
taking approvals, intellectual property rights
and connecting with the investing agencies.
Close to 50 startups were incubated in this
facility set up four years ago with help of
NITI-Aayog and 28 startups are currently
functioning, fine-tuning their research plus
business plans.
Under the accelerated development to
combat COVID-19, eight startups are being
supported, including a firm trying to make
diagnostic kits without a single import
component. While there has been an
ongoing programme on finding various
methods for adult healthcare, a new
programme on maternal and child health
care is about to be launched for which
project proposals are welcome. More details
in this regard are available on
‗https://aic.ccmb.res.in/‘.
The new diabetic-friendly variety of Sambha
Masuri rice developed by the CCMB in
association with the Indian Rice Research
Institute and National Institute of Nutrition
will soon be available in the market with
technology being made available to some
firms, said senior scientist Hitendra Kumar
Patel on ‗Innovations to Help Farmers‘.
The improved variety seeds have been
shared with 10,000 farmers and it is being
grown on 7 lakh hectares in Telangana,
Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand
and Jharkhand. Better rice varieties giving
higher yields, early maturation, ability tp
withstand drought, floods, etc., are under
various stages of research, he added. The
institute is also working on new lab-based
anti-venom testing to avoid animal
exploitation and ensure it is affordable and
easier to access for rural masses.
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news/cities/Hyderabad/atal-incubation-centre-invites-ideas-from-young-
entrpreneurs/article36698743.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Philippines stirs controversy with genetically modified rice

Critics take aim at nutrient-enriched Golden Rice, but government says it is safe MANILA -- The Philippines
has become the first country to approve the commercial production of genetically modified, nutrient-
enriched Golden Rice, sparking safety worries even as the government tries to fight malnutrition and shore
up supplies in one of the world's top importers of the staple grain. Golden Rice was developed by the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), headquartered in Laguna, south of Manila, to help curb vitamin A
deficiency in developing nations. It is named for the yellow color of the grain. Pilot planting began in the
Philippines in 2013, overseen by the Department of Agriculture and its attached agency, the Philippine Rice
Research Institute (PhilRice). When formal biosafety approval was granted last July, the agriculture
department said Golden Rice was a landmark for nutrition in the country, with planting expected in some
provinces during the 2022 wet cropping season. Around 1 in 5 children from the poorest communities in the
Philippines suffer from vitamin A deficiency, according to IRRI. Golden Rice is also undergoing a final review
by regulators in Bangladesh. Vitamin A keeps the skin and eyes healthy, and a deficiency can cause problems
such as difficulty seeing in dim light.
But the move by the Philippines has drawn a wave of criticism amid festering global worries over the safety
of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. "Golden Rice will poison our lands," said Melanie Guavez, a rice
farmer from Camarines Sur, the southeastern tip of Luzon, where Manila is located, who also leads anti-GMO
alliance SIKWAL-GMO. Her home province was the site of pilot planting back in 2013. In August that year,
Guavez and hundreds of other farmers uprooted the crops in protest before the harvest could be evaluated
by authorities. "The government doesn't inform any of us about the negative effects that Golden Rice can
have on our lands and livelihood," said Guavez. "They try to trick us with Band-Aid solutions and half-truths.
They say that they'll help us with our pesticides, seeds, etc, but they are trying to get rid of traditional
planting methods." Dr. Rey Ordonio, Golden Rice project leader at PhilRice, told Nikkei Asia that "we are
simply providing Golden Rice as another inbred variety that farmers can choose to plant. Golden Rice has
been developed for humanitarian purposes and we deliberately developed it as an inbred just like
conventional rice varieties to ensure it will be affordable and accessible to farmers and consumers." Such
purebred rice varieties still represent most of the genetic variety of rice commonly grown in the Philippines.
Ordonio assured consumers that Golden Rice is completely safe. He based that on a 2016 report from the
National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine in the U.S., which surveyed almost 900 studies and
publications attesting that genetically modified crops are not dangerous.
Golden Rice seedlings are planted at a laboratory south of Manila in 2013. © Reuters
Guavez said that growing Golden Rice requires an overreliance on pesticides and herbicides that ordinary
farmers cannot afford. She said the whole initiative will plunge farmers into debt. In order to pay off their
mounting loans, she fears that indebted farmers will sell their land to big corporations that hover like
vultures over anyone willing to let go of their property. Guavez fears that over time, the Bicol region's
agricultural areas will be more vulnerable to corporate takeovers. "Big business will benefit from this, not us,"
she said. "We are trying to protect our local seeds and our lands. Why do we need something cooked up in a
laboratory? The government should support local initiatives instead." Giovanni Tapang is the dean of the
University of the Philippines College of Science and the chairman of Advocates of Science and Technology for
the People (AGHAM). He took aim at the biotech industry. "Farm inputs are under the development and
control of agrochemical multinationals. The claims of the agricultural biotech industry that only their
products are needed to feed the world ignore the realities that the majority of our farmers are in. Land is
concentrated in the hands of a few landlord families, while most farmers are landless or lack land to sustain
their families." Cathy Estavillo, of Amihan, a national organization of farm laborers and a member of the Stop
Golden Rice Coalition, also pointed the finger at multinational companies. She says the introduction of
Golden Rice in the country means the Philippine government has strengthened its adherence to neoliberal
globalization, which does not bode well for farmers. Moreover, she said, conglomerates have backed GMO
rice development for years in a bid to benefit from their production and markets. The Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation has donated millions of dollars over the years to IRRI for rice research. The tech billionaire is also
a frequent donor to foundations set up by the agrochemical giant Syngenta. Some of his business startups
also have partnerships with the company. Syngenta, along with several other corporations, owns a patented
license to the technology needed for Golden Rice. Estavillo claims the entire premise of addressing vitamin A
deficiency is a smoke screen thrown up by corporate proponents who want to make money off a new
product. Estavillo added that even the underlying premise of Golden Rice is flawed. "You would need to eat
around 4 kilos of Golden Rice to meet daily vitamin A requirements. Why not subsidize the production and
delivery of other local vegetables instead? The reason is, GMO crops are a cash cow and the Philippine
government is brokering this deal to those who stand to profit." She was citing a study made by Madeleine
Love, an Australia-based independent researcher who claimed that 4 kg of Golden Rice and one carrot have
about the same vitamin A content. However, Ordonio insists the project fits perfectly with lifestyles in the
country. "Rice is a staple food among Filipinos. It is already a good source of carbohydrates but lacks other
nutrients. It is important to note that Golden Rice is intended to be a complementary source of beta carotene
in the diet." Beta carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body. But Estavillo believes Golden Rice won't be a
hit in the Filipino market. She witnessed handouts of free Golden Rice samples from the government back in
2015 and said children were put off by the yellowish color. Amihan is currently working with congressional
lawmakers and officials in several provinces to impose a resolution or injunction against the cultivation of
Golden Rice. Meanwhile, farmer Guavez wants the state to support local and organic farming methods and
workers. "Since the pilot testing in 2013, there has been no consistent help from the Department of
Agriculture for Golden Rice. It's a scam designed to rid us of our lands and work. We have fended for
ourselves for as long as we can remember and even with this implementation of a new strain, we will
continue to do the same." She said farmer groups from her region are planning a protest caravan, filing into
vehicles to hold demonstrations in other provinces and calling for the uprooting of Golden Rice crops.
Author Name: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Agriculture/Philippines-stirs-controversy-with-genetically-
modified-rice
Basmati export prices looking up, amid drop seen in output

The continuous month-on-month drop in unit value realisation in basmati export
started from a peak of $1,107/tonne in July 2019.
There was an expectation in the industry that prices might go up over $1,000 level due to the lower size of
the crop, a trade source said.Though basmati rice output is seen to drop by 10% this year, the export
realisation has started looking up since May. However, exporters are apprehensive about possible gains after
a steep increase in shipping costs, despite the government’s assistance. The continuous month-on-month
drop in unit value realisation in basmati export started from a peak of $1,107/tonne in July 2019. But the
price realisation in May increased to $842 from $833 in the previous month and in August it reached $889.
There was an expectation in the industry that prices might go up over $1,000 level due to the lower size of
the crop, a trade source said. The drop in basmati output is largely due to an estimated 11% fall to 2.3 million
tonne in the crop in Haryana, the biggest producing state in the aromatic rice variety, a state government
official said. Though sowing area under overall basmati declined 3.5% to 7.9 lakh hectare, there has been a
steep fall in Pusa 1509, the highest yielding variety, the official said. Other varieties that replaced Pusa 1509
are much lower than its productivity level of 18-22 quintal/acre. Farmers were so distressed with the lower
realisation of Pusa 1,509 last year that many preferred to sell it to the government at minimum support price
(MSP) instead of selling in mandis. However, the initial mandi prices of the newly harvested crop have
created hope for the variety that farmers may not shun completely. According to Agmarknet data, the
average price of Pusa 1509 was in Rs 2,800-3,000 per quintal this month while the total arrivals were to the
tune of 2,627 tonne during September 1-26. Last year, prices of Pusa 1509 were Rs 1,800-2,000/quintal in
September-October. “While the demand from Saudi Arab may be flat or slightly lower, the import from Iran
will depend on the geopolitical developments. As these two countries used to buy nearly half of the total
basmati shipped out of the country, the government needs to use geo-economical strength with EU, UK and
other countries in West Asia,” said S Chandrasekaran, a trade policy analyst. Since the European Union (EU)
has flagged the issue of Tricyclazole, India has to sort it out, sooner the better, Chandrasekaran said. Pakistan
has gradually increased its share of basmati export to the EU after the pesticide issue emerged as a major
bone of contention five years back, he added. Pakistan has gained 1,87,776 tonne in the EU market, on an
average of $ 170 million/year in the last six-seven years, trade sources said. The EU had cut the maximum
residue limit (MRL) for Tricyclazole, a fungicide used in paddy crop against ‘blast’ disease, sharply to 0.01
PPM from 1 PPM effective from January 1, 2018. Due to the different varieties grown in Pakistan, its farmers
do not need to use Tricyclazole. India’s basmati exports dropped 19% to $ 1.2 billion (Rs 8,975 crore) during
April-July this fiscal from the year-ago period. There was a fall in basmati exports in terms of both quantity
and unit value realisation. On the other hand, due to increased volume (74% growth), the shipments of non-
basmati rice surged 60% to $ 1.9 billion during this period. Traders estimate the basmati rice production in
the country to drop 10% to 8.08 million tonne in 2021-22 crop year (July-June). This aromatic rice is grown in
the Indo-Gangetic plains of India’s Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
and Uttarakhand. Amid a surge in shipping costs, the government on September 10 extended some relief to
exporters of specified farm products by reintroducing the Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) scheme,
with wider coverage and much larger support, for one year until March 2022. Rates of assistance have been
increased by 50% for exports by sea and 100% for those by air while dairy products are also now allowed to
be covered for assistance under TMA as shipping costs surged by over 300% in August from a year before.
Author Name: https://www.financialexpress.com/market/commodities/basmati-export-prices-looking-up-

amid-drop-seen-in-output/2339147/
Date: 28-Sep-2021

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Understanding India's first-ever non-GM
herbicide-tolerant rice varieties
Pusa Basmati 1979 and 1985 can save significant amount of water and labour
Web Desk Updated: September 28, 2021 12:12 IST
(For representation) Farm workers transplant rice saplings to a field | PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially released India's first-ever non-GM (genetically
modified) herbicide-tolerant rice varieties today.
The rice varieties named Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985, developed by scientists at
the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), can save significant amount of water and need
less labour compared to conventional transplanting as they can be directly seeded.
Pusa Basmati 1979 and 1985 have been developed by crossing well-known popular varieties—
Pusa 1121 and Pusa 1509, respectively— with Robin, which is a drought-tolerant rice variety
derived from Nagina 22.
Imazethapyr, a chemical used on crops for weed control management, can‘t be used on normal
paddy, as the herbicide does not distinguish between the crop and the invasive plants. But in the
case of herbicide-tolerant rice, the chemical will destroy only the weeds.
The newly developed rice vareities contain a mutated acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene, which
allows farmers to use Imazethapyr. The ALS gene in rice codes for an enzyme (protein) that
synthesises amino acids for crop growth and development. Thus the herbicide can be safely used
for new rice varities as it kills only the weeds.
The advanatage is that famers farmers need not have to raise plants in nurseries before replanting
them to the paddy field after three or four weeks. So they can save significant amount of water
and labour.
Paddy cultivation is both labour and water-intensive as nuseries and paddy field need to supplied
with sufficient water to maintain a water level of 4-5 cm. All these add to the expense of farmers.
Director of IARI, AK Singh said, ―Water is a natural herbicide that takes care of weeds in the
paddy crop‘s early-growth period. The new varieties simply replace water with Imazethapyr and
there‘s no need for nursery, puddling, transplanting and flooding of fields. You can sow paddy
directly, just like wheat."
https://www.theweek.in/news/sci-tech/2021/09/28/understanding-india--s-first-ever-non-gm-
herbicide-tolerant-rice.html
Impacts of Early Rice Agriculture on

Tropical Forests in Southeastern Asia
Max Planck Society
A new study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences compiles

ancient pollen records from a variety of settings in tropical southeastern Asia spanning
the past 6,000 years. The results demonstrate that the rise of intensive rice agriculture
not only led to extensive deforestation but also a remarkable reduction in arboreal
diversity in tropical forests in southeastern Asia from 2,000 years ago.
The tropical forests of southern China and Southeast Asia are renowned for their rich
and unique endemic flora that, in many cases, can trace their origins back millions of
years. Relatively stable geological conditions since the Cretaceous has meant that the
region has served as a crucial ‗refugium‘ for the last members of a plant species.
Today, however, the tropical forests of southeastern Asia are among the most
threatened land-based ecosystems on the planet, with agricultural expansion being one
of the main drivers of forest loss.
Many Sub-tropical and tropical forests in southeastern Asia are now destroyed by rice
agriculture.
© Ting Ma
The impacts of agriculture on tropical ecosystems in this part of the world are not
purely a recent phenomena, however. Rice cultivation arrived in southern China and
Southeast Asia around 4000 years ago, and the expansion of large-scale intensive rice
agriculture in this area can be traced back to as early as 2500-2000 years ago.
However, although intensive rice agriculture, particularly in paddy fields, has been
linked to impacts on planetary systems, how it transformed tropical vegetation in the
region in the past remains poorly understood.
In the new study, researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University, Beijing Normal
University and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History synthesize
14 ancient pollen records covering sites from the lowlands to the mountains in the
coastal region of southeastern Asia. Their results show how forest cover and
composition changed over the past 6,000 years, a period of major changes in rice
agriculture.
The pollen records revealed widespread deforestation in the study area starting around
2,000 years ago, the same time archaeologists have documented extensive paddy rice
agriculture developing across the region. The researchers also compiled a novel pollen
dataset, which included approximately 150,000 identifications of pollen taxa, in order
to see how rice agriculture influences ecosystem composition, as well as wider losses
in forest.
Sediments collected from peat bogs are ideal materials for pollen analyses to study vegetation
changes over thousand of years.
© Ting Ma
―Fossil pollen data from sediment cores with reliable radiocarbon dating can provide
continuous records of past vegetation change. It is widely used as a proxy for forest
cover change,‖ notes Professor Zheng, lead author of the study. ―Moreover, pollen
assemblages contain valuable information on plant composition and diversity.‖
The results demonstrated that agriculture-induced deforestation around 2,000 years

ago in southeastern Asia also set off remarkable changes in the composition of the
forests left standing. Overall, the team observed a reduction in arboreal diversity in
northern tropical and subtropical forests. In particular, they showed that tropical
forests, with the highest level of plant diversity and concentration of endemic species,
probably suffered a greater decline in arboreal richness than forests in subtropical and
temperate areas.
The study was also able to pinpoint past human impacts on a living fossil of the
tropical forest: Glyptostrobus sp. Also known as Chinese swamp cypress,
Glyptostrobus is an endemic wetland conifer tree in southeastern Asia that, prior to
the arrival of humans, managed to persist in the region through millions of years of
climatic and tectonic upheaval prior. By undertaking novel microscopic methods to
identify this tree in ancient records, the researchers also demonstrated that its decline
began 1-2,,000 years ago, as paddy field farming resulted in the loss of its natural
habitats and set it on a path towards its current precarity.
The use of diverse methods to study past ecologies can provide insights into the ways
past human societies altered past landscapes in the tropics, with potential implications
for understanding remnant vegetation and habitat distributions in the 21st century.
Only by acknowledging these deep time interactions between humans and the tropics,
the researchers argue, can more successful conservation strategies be developed for
some of the most critical, but highly threatened, ecosystems on the planet.
/Public Release. This material comes from the originating organization/author(s)and may be of a point-
in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the
author(s).View in full here.
Why?
Tags:Agriculture, Asia, Beijing, Century, China, chinese, conservation, ecosystem, Farming, habitat, Max
Planck Society, planet, Professor, research, science, species, university, wetland
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https://www.miragenews.com/impacts-of-early-rice-agriculture-on-tropical-640293/
SINAG says palay farmgate

price at P10-13
September 27, 2021 | 8:06 pm
THE Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), an agriculture industry association,
said the farmgate price for palay, or unmilled rice, is at P10-13, well below production
costs of about P15, and blamed the rice import policy for depressing farmer incomes.
SINAG Chairman Rosendo O. So said the low prices farmers receive for their crop “is
the Department of Agriculture’s failure. As if this is not enough, the DA even pushed for
the eventual reduction of rice tariffs this year,” Mr. So said in a statement Monday.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Executive Order No. 135 in May which reduced the
most favored nation tariff rates on rice imports, both in-quota and out-of-quota, to
35% for one year.
Previously, in-quota rice imports were charged 40% while out-of-quota rice imports
paid 50%.
“How can millers or traders afford to buy the fresh harvest of palay at P16/kg or P19/kg
for dry palay, which would mean an operating cost of P32/kg of milled rice, versus the
P23/kg landed cost of imported rice from China and Myanmar?” Mr. So said.
Citing data from the Bureau of Customs, Mr. So said rice import shipments since 2019
have topped 7.2 million metric tons (MT).
He said rice shipments during the nine months to September of 2.1 million MT have
surpassed the import volume for 2020, which totaled 2.06 million MT. A total of 3.13
million MT of rice imports arrived in 2019.
Mr. So added that the retail price of regular milled rice ranges from P38 to P42/kg,
higher than the P27 to P30/kg recorded five years ago.
Meanwhile, Mr. So said the DA, along with the National Economic and Development
Authority and Malacañang’s economic team, should organize a purchasing drive for the
domestic harvest.
“There is no other way. The DA should buy the palay. It cannot just let the local
government units (LGUs) buy the palay from farmers in order to address low farmgate
prices,” Mr. So said.
“The DA’s actions are bordering on criminal neglect. It should not burden other
government agencies for their anti-farmer, anti-consumer and anti-Filipino stance in the
past years,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar recently called on the LGUs of top rice producing
provinces to purchase palay directly from farmers to address low farmgate prices.
Under Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, the limits on rice imports
were removed in exchange for importers paying a 35% tariff, the proceeds of which
were to fund the rice industry’s modernization.
Asked to comment, Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin D. Adriano said in a mobile

phone message that the money used to import rice has come from the private sector
since the rice tariffication law was passed, “unlike before… when government through
the National Food Authority (NFA) had incurred a total debt of P170 billion.”
“The Rice Tariffication Law liberalizes trade to stabilize rice supply and temper prices,
and imposes tariffs which are plowed back via the P10-billion Rice Competitive
Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to enable farmers to increase their productivity and
incomes,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
https://www.bworldonline.com/sinag-says-palay-farmgate-price-at-p10-13/
State instals Sh65m modern rice milling

machine in Kisumu
For years, farmers have been facing exploitation by middlemen from
neighbouring countries
In Summary
• LBDA Chairman Odoyo Owidi said the machine will enable the authority to take more rice
from farmers.
•The machine imported from India is expected to boost rice production in the Lake Basin
region.The company deals with paddy processing.
A staffer at the Lake Basin Development Rice Mill, a subsidiary of Lake Basin Development
Authority in Kisumu
Image: MAURICE ALAL
The government is installing a Sh65 million rice milling machine at the Lake Basin Rice Mill, a
subsidiary of Lake Basin Development Authority in Kisumu.
The machine imported from India is expected to boost rice production in the Lake Basin region. The
company deals with paddy processing.
LBDA chairman Odoyo Owidi said the machine will enable the authority take more rice from
farmers.
For years, farmers have been facing exploitation by middlemen from neighbouring countries.
Middlemen, especially from Uganda, mostly buy paddy even before it is ready.
Owidi on Monday said the installation of the machine is underway and is expected to take a month
and a half.
―The shipping of the machine was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We had ordered for it in
December 2018,‖ he said.
Rice farmers in Western Kenya hope the machine with a crushing capacity of four tonnes per hour
will create ready market and boost their income.
Joseph Ochieng, a farmer at the Ahero Irrigation Scheme, said the upgrade will open more income
opportunities for farmers.
The old machine set up in 1993 has low production capacity to process rice from Bunyala, Lower
Kuja, Oluch-Kimira Irrigation Scheme, West Kano and Ahero.
Owidi said it was cost ineffective since the cost of production is high and its spare parts difficult to
get.
This, he said, made rice from the company uncompetitive.
―The new machine is more efficient and cost-effective. It will increase rice uptake from farmers,‖ the
chairman said.
With the new machine, Owidi said cases of inefficiency will be fully addressed, thereby increasing
the rice crushing capacity.
―We will be able to take more rice from farmers and explore more markets as we will be capable of
serving the market efficiently,‖ he said.
LBDA last year targeted to buy 1,600 tonnes of rice but this was not achieved because of the
inefficiency of the old machine.
―We could only take what we could crush to avoid post-production loss,‖ Owidi said.
The new machine has a sorting component and will automatically package rice. Even though the old
machine could not automatically package rice, it has the capacity to clean and crush unlike other
machines in the region.
LBDA also does third party milling for individual farmers and institutions such as National Cereals
and Produce Board, the Kenya National Trading Corporation, Kodiaga and Kibos prisons.
The major customers include learning institutions such as Maranda High School, Maseno University
and prisons.
At the rice mill, grade one products like Pishori and Sindano (non-aromatic) rice are being sold to
retail outlets at Sh200 and Sh100 per kg respectively.
Grade two is sold in 50kg to institutions. Other products are Bran meal, chicken feed and husk. The
LBDA pays farmers within a week of delivery.
LBDA purchase paddy from farmers in Bunyala (Busia ), Lower Kuja (Migori), Oluch-Kimira
Irrigation Scheme (Homa Bay), West Kano and Ahero (Kisumu).
The rice mill had dropped its production capacity.
On November 22, 2019, LBDA managing director Raymond Omollo said the upgrade is meant to
address food sufficiency and nutrition in line with the government‘s Big Four agenda.
He said production capacity will increase from 1.1 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes per hour after a new mill is
installed.
"Our aim is to improve our crushing capacity to be self-reliant and create job opportunities for youths
in the region," Omollo said.
Besides revamping the mill, Omollo said they are focusing on increasing the area under rice in the
region for food sufficiency by providing farm inputs and extension services to farmers.
The current machine installed about 23 years ago had a capacity of three tonnes per hour. But with
age, the machine's capacity has gone down to 1.1 tonnes per hour.
―Because of the aging machine, the company has had to spend a lot in production in terms of labour
and electricity costs and other related costs, pushing production costs high,‖ Omollo said.
He said the cost of production will drastically reduce when the new machine is installed and will
make the company's products more competitive in the market.
Omollo said the interventions are geared towards improving productivity at farmer level and
efficiency in milling to enhance profitability both at the farm and the mill.
"This achievement will result in an immense contribution to the sustainability of rice agribusiness,
poverty alleviation and food security goals," Omollo said.
The initiatives being put in place by LBDA together with the proposals in the next phase of the
National Rice Development Strategy (2019-29) are expected to address most of the challenges facing
rice production in Western Kenya.
The company also remains committed to restoring the confidence of farmers to continuously deliver
paddy.
Farmers are paid per kilogram of paddy delivered based on the variety. For IR and eater- white rice
costs Sh37-Sh38 per kilo, while Pishori and Basmati fetch Sh65 to Sh68 depending on the area.
Rice is considered one of the major contributors to the realisation of food security in the country. Its
demand has grown at more that 12 per cent per annum compared to wheat at four per cent and maize
one per cent.
Rice farming faces a number of problems that require urgent solutions, key among them being low
level use of certified rice seed, fertiliser and poor farm mechanisation.
These problems are responsible for low yields and high cost of production which ultimately make
local rice more expensive and less competitive than imports.
In 1986, LBDA commissioned a study that revealed a huge potential of rice production in the region
through irrigation as well as under rain-fed conditions in the Lake Victoria region.
Construction of a rice mill in 1993 with automatic facilities for cleaning, drying, milling and grading
was the answer to the cry of rice farmers in the region.
Upon commercialisation in 2010, the LBDA rice mill complex specialised in processing and sale of
high quality graded rice, both aromatic and non-aromatic, branded as Lake Basin Pishori Rice and
Lake Basin White Rice.
The mill has been producing graded rice and by-products such as bran meal, husks and chicken
feed. The rice and by-products are sold through established distributors, schools and colleges as well
as supermarkets.
The new mill is expected to reduce production costs, labour expenses as well as other operational
costs due to the advantages of efficiency and economies of scale.
Like the majority of rice millers, LBDA relies wholly on rice farmers within the Lake Basin region to
supply the raw material.
The arrangement poses the major challenge of quality control of the raw material and competition for
paddy with neighbouring countries due to trade liberalisation.
The milling recovery rate, which is currently at 57 per cent as opposed to the optimal level of 69 per
cent to 72 percent, is primarily a function of grain factor and machinery factors.
The grain factor is determined by the agronomic practices and post-harvest handling at the farm
level.
The challenge has in the past left the authority with few options besides relying heavily on the
efficiency of its machinery and the effectiveness of its marketing team to deliver to the market
competitively priced products of high quality.
With the government‘s goodwill and support of the rice value chain, it is anticipated that through the
National Rice Development Strategy, most of these challenges will be addressed.
The authority is working towards adopting a two-pronged approach including paying more attention
to the farming operation to ensure the availability of quality raw materials at competitive prices.
LBDA in collaboration with other stakeholders is working closely to enlighten and educate farmers
on the importance of using certified rice seed, fertiliser, and farm mechanisation and provide them
with rice varieties of high quality.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/nyanza/2021-09-27-state-instals-sh65m-modern-rice-milling-
machine-in-kisumu/
Is Pink Party inching towards Saffron? Hans News Service | 28 Sep 2021 1:58 AM IST x Chief
Minister KCR greets Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal at Udyog Bhavan
in New Delhi on Monday HIGHLIGHTS KCR meeting top BJP leaders several times sparks
speculation over political understanding in Telangana New Delhi: Has TRS and BJP come to
any political understanding? This was the speculation that got triggered in political circles
following the one-hour meeting Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had with Union Home
Minister Amit Shah on Monday. It is said that KCR had discussed political issues at national
level and Telangana as well. This meeting assumed importance in the wake of increasing rift
between the Pink Party and the Saffron party. TRS leaders do not rule out the possibility of
some political understanding between the two leaders. It is being felt that both the TRS and BJP
consider Congress as their political rival. Since the Congress has been criticising the TRS at
state level and BJP at national level, it is being said that there was a need for change in political
strategies and equations in Telangana to put brakes to the Congress surge. Sources said this
was the third meeting in two weeks between these two leaders and hence it was more than just
State issues. The recent meetings with top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, they say was a clear attempt to strike some understanding with the Centre. The recent ED
(Enforcement Directorate) probe into the drugs case involving Tollywood actors also has caused
worry to the State Government as the issue grabbed national attention. The Chief Minister also
met Union Commerce, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Piyush Goyal and pleaded with him to
address the issue of purchase of rice and parboiled rice from Telangana. KCR brought to the
notice of the Union minister the plights of the parboiled rice millers over stockpiling rice in the
mills due to stoppage of the procurement by the Central agencies. Email ArticlePrint Article �
The Hans India is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@thehansindia) and stay
updated with the latest headlines More On KCR Piyush Goyal TRS Interested in blogging for
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https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/is-pink-party-inching-towards-saffron-708465
Assam’s Judima rice wine to get GI tag

By -
TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Updated: Sep 27, 2021, 11:21 IST

Recently, Manipur’s most famous Hathei chilli and Tamenglong orange were
awarded the Geographical Tag. And the latest addition to the list is Assam’s
Judima rice wine.
For the unversed, Geographical Tag also called GI Tag is given to products that
have a specific place of origin and have a reputation because of their
geographical origin.
Judima is a rice wine made from sticky rice, which is steamed and mixed with
traditional herbs. The wine is a specialty of the Dimasa tribe of the state and
has a distinct sweet taste and takes around one week to prepare and it can be
stored for years.
As per reports, this is the second product from the hill districts of Karbi
Anglong and Dima Hasao to get GI tag.
Also Read: Manipur‘s Hathei Chilli and Tamenglong Orange get GI Tag
The agricultural research division of Jorhat-based Assam Agriculture University

acted as a facilitator in the process of Judima getting the GI tag and scientists
Dr Kishore Kumar Sharma, Dr Gargi Sharma and Dr S Maibongsa of the AAU and
Dr Uttam Baithari, a professor of the Gauhati University, were involved in the
application and documentation of Judima.
Elated by the recognition the authorities feel that GI tag would curb the misuse
of the beverage by those whose product does not conform to the applicable
standards.
While it is a local traditional drink, the citizens wanted to brand it and ensure
its preservation for the future and that’s why they formed a group and applied
for the GI tag.
Thumb Image Courtesy: istock photos
Disclaimer: Image is for representation purposes only.

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Saptaparna Biswas
Created: Sep 25, 2021, 12:57 IST

There is news for clean eating enthusiasts – there is a thing as too many salads.
“Grab a salad” is a phrase common among most fitness enthusiasts or those

trying to eat clean. However, there is news – there is a thing as too many
salads. Experts weigh in on the matter and maintain that while it is a great way
to get the greens and veggies, it may not be great for the gut to be subjected
to raw food every day. Nutrition coach and clean eating advocate Eshanka
Wahi elaborates, “Eating salads is a good way to have the necessary nutrients
obtained from vegetables and fruits. However, one has to keep their bio-
individuality in mind while deciding to have salads every day. Many people who
have or are prone to gastric issues may have acidity and bloating due to the
raw veggies, especially the cruciferous ones like lettuce, cabbage, brussels
sprouts etc.”
She continues and adds that for some people having raw food every day may
lead to a sensitive or leaky gut. “Moreover, there are always unaccounted
calories in the store bought salad dressings. Most have them use sugar, maple
syrup, cornstarch and the likes – which defeats the very purpose of eating
clean,” she adds.
Experts also say that some people can lose their sleep over the salad
conundrum – quite literally. “Having too much fiber and roughage daily,
especially at nights can be a little harsh for the body. It can make the body
bloated and some may experience rumble in the stomach. This can very well
lead to an uncomfortable night with little to no sleep for the person,” shares
dietician Dr. Lata Tripathy.
But salad lovers need not be too worried, there are ways in which one can have
their plate of Caesar or Mediterranean salad while negating the side effects.
Here’s how:
Steam or blanch the veggies
To avoid having a complete bowl of raw vegetables, it is advisable to steam or

blanch the greens. It is always better to have something cooked rather than all
raw, because body needs some amount of heat with meals.
Watch the roughage
Having a bowl full roughage and fibre may not keep the stomach happy, but
adding some amount of protein in the form of eggs, chicken, fish, tofu and
carbohydrates is always a good idea.
Count the calories in the dressings
Many store bought salad dressings have some or the other sweetener, so it is
better to make dressings at home to avoid the extra calories
How to make healthy vinaigrette
Eshanka Wahi shares a healthy recipe of a salad dressing – Mix together 1 tbsp
apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp Olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, pinch of
black pepper and cayenne pepper, mince a date into paste, whip together and
add to the veggies.
"If you love having salads every day, it is important to figure out how to bring
together a salad according to your body type and food group elements. Even a
salad can be a wholesome, balanced meal." - Dr. Nidhi Agarwal, dietician and
clean eating specialist
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/assams-judima-rice-wine-to-get-gi-
tag/articleshow/86548148.cms

Nutrition experts suggest cutting back on these inflammator y foods and beverages.
BYCLARA OLSHANSKY
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

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consequences.
worsening it."
Body
inflammation."
Inflammation.
1
Burgers
Shutterstock
2
Charred meat
Shutterstock

Science!
3
Fish and chips
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4
White rice
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5
Sugary drinks
Shutterstock
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business plans.
FMCG major Adani Wilmar rolls out 'Fortune Mart'

stores
The edible oil major had in August filed papers for an IPO to raise up to ₹4,500 crore2 min
read . Updated: 27 Sep 2021, 07:06 PM ISTLivemint
 Adani Wilmar has so far opened 12 Fortune Mart stores
Listen to this article

FMCG major Adani Wilmar on Monday said it has opened 12 physical stores under
the brand name "Fortune Mart" across six states and plans to start outlets across the
country.
"Adani Wilmar is opening physical stores under the name Fortune Mart which will
exclusively sell Fortune and other Adani Wilmar brand products," the company said
in a release.
The physical stores are being opened on a franchise model.
Adani Wilmar has so far opened 12 Fortune Mart stores in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Lalitpur,
Gandhinagar, Surat, Gandhidham, Jabalpur, Vidisha, Gwalior, Kharghar, Akola, and
Haldia. These cover the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and West Bengal.
The edible oil major had in August filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with
markets regulator Sebi for an initial public offer to raise up to ₹4,500 crore. The
company, which sells cooking oils under the Fortune brand, is a major player in the
edible oil industry.
It further aims to launch Fortune Mart stores in north and eastern parts of India in the
coming quarter.
"Fortune has become a household name and the most popular and preferred food
brand in the country. The rollout of Fortune Mart stores aims to leverage the brand
equity Fortune has established over the last two decades," said Angshu Mallick, MD
and CEO, Adani Wilmar.
The Fortune Mart stores will also supplement the company's wide retail reach, he
added.
https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/fmcg-major-adani-wilmar-rolls-out-fortune-mart-stores-
11632749211096.html
Dettol, Galaxy, Almarai & Nadec top KSA FMCG rankings
RIYADH, 1 days ago
Dettol, Galaxy, Almarai and Nadec are the FMCG brands that enjoy the best brand health among
residents of Saudi Arabia, YouGov’s FMCG/CPG Rankings 2021 reveal.
The FMCG rankings in KSA are divided into six sub-categories: Personal Care, Snacks, Beverages,
Dairy, Food Pantry and Home care. Each category features the top ten brands that have the best
brand health among the residents of the country.
The rankings are compiled using YouGov BrandIndex Index score, a measure of overall brand
health calculated by taking the average of the net Impression, Quality, Value, Satisfaction,
Recommend and Reputation scores collected from a nationally representative sample between
August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.
PERSONAL CARE
With the pandemic putting focus on health and hygiene, it is not surprising to see leading hygiene
brand Dettol (39.2) emerging as the healthiest brand among KSA residents in the Personal Care
category.
Dove, Nivea and Sensodyne follow in second (29.6), third (25.9) and fourth (25.3) spot in the list.
Baby care brands like Johnson’s and Pampers also featured in the list, in sixth (21.1) and tenth
(16.5), respectively.
Other brands making an appearance in the list are Lux in fifth (21.2), Lifebuoy in seventh (19.8),
Head & Shoulders in eight (19.7) and Signal in ninth (16.6)
HOME CARE
In the ‘Home Care’ category, hygiene brand Dettol emerges on the top of with an Index score of
43.2. Fairy, Clorox and Tide take the second (36.2), third (34.0) and fourth spot (32.0) respectively.
Global detergent brand Ariel appears in fifth (28.0) while local brand Fine lands in sixth (26.0).
The rest of the list features Kleenex in seventh (24.3), Downy in eighth (22.8), Comfort in ninth (19.3)
and Persil in tenth (16.7).
SNACKS
Within the ‘Snacks’ category chocolate brand Galaxy takes the top spot in KSA rankings with an
Index score of +37.7. Kit Kat takes the second place (31.0), followed by Oreo in third (30.7).
The top 10 rankings under the Snacks category is dominated by chocolate brands made by Mars
Inc., Mondalez International and Nestle and Ferrero.
Along with Galaxy, popular assorted chocolates Galaxy Jewels also features in the list, in sixth
(27.0).
Snickers, Twix and Kinder are other featured brands, placed in fourth (28.3), ninth (24.7) and tenth
(23.7) respectively.
Apart from these, Turkish brand Ülker lands in fifth place, followed by Baskin-Robbins in seventh
(26.1) and Nutella in eight (26.1).
BEVERAGES
In Beverages category, the Saudi multinational dairy and Juices company, Almarai emerged as the
brand leading in terms of brand health with an Index score of 49.6.
The top 10 list for beverages in Saudi Arabia prominently features homegrown brands, highlighting
the popularity of local brands in the kingdom. Following Almarai, Nadec takes a place in third (28.4),
followed by Rabea Tea, Nova and Al Rabie, in the fifth (22.4), sixth (22.3) and seventh (22.0)
position, respectively.
Global soft drink giants 7Up, Pepsi and Coca-Cola also occupy a spot in the rankings- in second
(29.1), fourth (24.2) and ninth (19.2), respectively.
Non-alcoholic malt beverage brand Moussy is in eight (19.8) and Lipton- Yellow label Black Tea
completes KSA’s top ten list, securing the tenth (19.0) position.
DAIRY
When it comes to the ‘Dairy’ category, Saudi’s much-loved brand Almarai (52.0), again leads the
KSA rankings. Once again we see the dominance of home grown brands within this category. Along
with Almarai, the rankings feature Saudia/Sadafco (36.0), Nadec (26.8), Al Saifi (22.2) and Nido
(19.6) in top five, and Al Rabie (13.9) in tenth.
Popular cheese brands Kiri and Puck are at sixth (18.0) and seventh (17.2) place in the list, followed
by Kraft in eight (15.9) and Rainbow in ninth (14.7).
FOOD PANTRY
The ‘Food pantry’ category features Saudi’s indigenous brands Nadec and Afia at the first (31.8) and
the second place (30.6) respectively.
Next in the list is Americana placed in third (23.9) and California Garden in fourth (22.1).
Al Walimah, famous for its Basmati rice takes the fifth (21.5) spot, followed by Danish butter brand
Lurpak in sixth (21.5) and Almarai’s bakery brand L'usine in seventh (21.4).
Maggie, Betty Crocker and Sadia are other brands that enjoy the best brand health among KSA
residents, appearing in the eight (19.3), ninth (17.6) and tenth (17.1) place, respectively.--
TradeArabia News Service
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_387544.html
Sweet Side Dish Snares Her Mother-in-Law
For Mr. Hyena
September 27, 2021 REDPEPPER Editorial
Share to0060001
HYENA | RedPepper – I was beaten to near death and my car vandalized by my

stepchildren who didn‘t approve of my servicing their mother.
Indeed, what an adult sees while squatting, a child may not see even when standing on
the highest tree. Otherwise, Kabutemba‘s children wouldn‘t have interfered with her
happiness.
I really don‘t know why children, especially sons get jealous when they see their
mother in love. Seriously, a parent is still a human being with warm blood just like
his/her children.
Anyway, it all started mid-2018 when I received a call from Kerren one of my
bonkmates, I had not seen her in over three years. The last I heard she was married
and living on a farm in Sembabule.
We got chatting, ―Eeeh Kerren – you broke my heart, I was planning on marrying you
only to hear you were wedded,‖ I played a heartbroken. ―So now some other dude is
swimming in my el – Nino,‖ I said.
To all that, Kerren accused me of not being serious that she gave me all the
opportunities, but I didn‘t use them. She promised to give me ko on her next travel to
Kampala. ―That day you will be free to relocate it from its current location to any
other place you wish.
We never had important stuff to discuss, it was always silly pass time talk. Like a
month went by, by then one day as well chatted, Kerren said ―maybe, I hook you up
with my mother in law and you chew her?‖
I declined on grounds of; ‗I don‘t chew old cargo when I had spent the previous night
with a woman in her late fifties.‘
Kerren remarked casually, that ―she ain‘t old. Okay, she doesn‘t look old. She has
money and a lot of water. Even long twin towers, hers are way longer than mine.‖
To that revelation, I said, ― take there! Now you‘re saying she has water and mega
flip flaps to entice me. Are you lesbians that you did lesbo stuff and saw her water?‖
In response, Kerren said, ―Hyena, your problem is you argue a lot. It‘s me that‘s
telling you. She is an old school pure Muhima. I‘ve bathed with her countless times
and seen her flaps. If she doesn‘t have el – Nino, I will hang myself.‖
She then went on to say, ― chew her and we eat her money. She has a lot of cows, but
she is mean. She doesn‘t give me. But she gives her men. Her last guy detoothed her a
lot of money, he built a big commercial house and bought my car. Yet he was sexually
weak.
Am sure with your strong delicious skewer, she will reward you with a skyscraper-
like Mapeera House.‖
―So my skewer is delicious?‖ I inquired to which Kerren replied, ―VERY……KALE I
MISS IT A LOT. IT‘S ONE OF THE FEW THINGS I MISS THE MOST! The day I
come there, you will not sleep because I want you to do me until morning.‖
Next was Kerren assuring me that if I get between her mother–in–law‘s legs money
taps would flow and she wanted a commission of one million shillings.
Thereafter, she gave me, the target‘s phone number. ―She usually sells cattle in the
weekly market so, when you call claim she gave you the number while in the
market……she is very brown and somehow tall, but not very, am taller than her. You
get it?‖
Kerren promised to monitor and keep me updated. ―Won‘t you get jealous?‖ I asked
to which she replied saying in their culture, they don‘t get jealous. ―My husband
bones his brothers wives and his brothers, uncles and closest friends do me too.
Jealous is for you not us.‖
As soon as Kerren got off the phone, I called Kabutemba, her mother – in – law and
introduced myself. Then spent like three minutes on formalities after which I started
vibing her.
―You gave me your number in the market the other month, but I‘ve been up and down
hence not calling you right away,‖ I lied and then told her how I had seen and fallen in
love with her.
On hearing that, Kabutemba asked how old I was, the answer to which was ―old
enough to be with a woman.‖
She replied lecturing me on how she wasn‘t the kind of woman who plays around
with small boys. Therefore, I should delete her number and look for other victims.
Now it so happened she was alone with Kerren in the rugo. That‘s the word for the
compound. After the call, she wondered who was it that was playing with her. Her
first suspicion fell onto the local idle boys in the trading center.
Kerren cheered her saying maybe it was a Romeo, truly in love with her. Kerren
advised her to test the guy and meet him. ―I don‘t have time for men. After what
Kairutu did to me, I now only have time for my cattle. Unless he wants me to detooth
him!‖
At the next chance, Kerren advised me not to give up. ―She will accept. She‘s only
being cautious,‖ she said.
Two days later, Kerren texted informing me, the target was alone, so if possible, I
should call, which I did right away.
―Hello it‘s me, Hyena from the other day,‖ I said.
Kabutemba said, ―it‘s you again. But if you‘re one of the boys in this village or
surrounding villages, I will skin you alive.‖
I assured her, I wasn‘t. ―Okay. On Saturday, am supposed to wash my cattle, if you
want to continue chatting with me, but for me medicine that washes cattle. If you
can‘t don‘t ever call my number again.‖
One little bottle ranges from six to twelve thousand shillings. This is money that could
be better utilized looking after my offspring.
But like they say, ―omuchakaze tatya galama!‖ Investing in a litre of medicine could
reap lots of things. First and foremost, I was to bone a mother–in–law of my side
dish. Mind you the connector being the daughter–in–law, that would not only be a tale
on earth but the entire universe.
That considered, the easiest formula of sending the medicine was via mobile money
such that she would go to a shop closest to her and buy it, but that wouldn‘t be
romantic.
Through mobile money, there would be little contact between us. The romantic way
was to take it myself or send it via courier. So, I asked where she wanted it delivered.
On hearing that, she asked where I was, the answer to which was Kampala.
―Put it on the taxis to Ntusi. Tell them to put it at Narongo Kekibuga‘s restaurant. All
taxi people know her,‖ she said. Off to buy the medicine, I hurried, after which I
spiced up things by dropping into a supermarket-bought her Basmati rice, two tins of
biscuits and other groceries. Then hurried to the taxi park and sent them as directed.
The following day at about 10 am, it was her that called. ―Hyena, my friend, I
received the things. Thank you very much…..may God bless you. These biscuits are
very delicious,‖ she said
Then in the background, I could hear her tell the kids to leave her biscuits alone, that
they should go buy their own. ―Am going to keep it in my bedroom,‖ She vowed,
while one girl was pleading, ―mama add me just one.‖
Like an hour later, Kerren called informing me how Kabutemba was mesmerized.
―If you lived near, you would have nailed her today. She even confided in me the
source of the goodies. Nail her and we eat her cows,‖ she said.
From that day, she relaxed. I didn‘t hide my marital status. I only lied about the
number of children.
―Two girls and three boys from two women.‖
Like two weeks after I had sent the goodies, she invited me to Ntusi for a face to
face meeting. I counter invited her to Kampala. She readily accepted. So two days
later, Kabutemba came to Kampala from where I spent four days showing her why the
sun raises from the east and falls to the west.
Kabutemba was tantalized by my stamina. She declared me a lion. From that day,
every two weeks, she would come for servicing. One time, she came with a cool five
million shilings and handed it to me for safe keeping. I gave Kerren one million.
Mwah and Kabutemba spent a whole month in various hotels chewing ourselves like
every hour.
Her love for yours truly had now reached her kawompo. Like five days after she
returned to her farm, she begged me to go visit her. ―Please let‘s balance our love with
the farm. I want you to come over. Each time I travel, my sons spoil my things.‖
Several days later, she sent me five hundred thousand shillings for fuel. Off to
Sembabule, I went. To her children and closest friends, she introduced me as her
special friend who she‘s been traveling regularly to see.
Kerren acted like she had never seen me before. Five of her nine children, especially
the boys were shocked and fumed upon seeing mama led a youthful none Hima man
into her bedroom.
The following three days, Kabutemba constantly assured me that the children would
warm up to me. The girls and two youngest boys did warm up. Thanks to my ride and
toys, I had brought them.
Kerren kunsitamira at any given opportunity and on the second day, when Kabutemba
and others had gone to attend a burial, I served Kerren in a bush.
After four days of making merry, I returned to Kampala. Later on, Kerren called
informing me of how her husband and other boys had quarreled with their mother.
Accusing her of a shaming them.
Now Kabutemba despite being a mature mother of eleven children, her libido was
very high. In her own words, she told me how she couldn‘t get enough of my sweet
stick.
After a week, she came to Kampala where I spent three days drilling her. At intervals,
she would ask me why I started something, I couldn‘t finish.
She asked me to stand like a man among our children. That by being a round them,
they would get used to me and eventually love me because am a very loveable person.
So off to Sembabule, I drove with Kabutemba, sitting next to me. We arrived around
7pm and after supper, we went to the master bedroom to rest.
Kumbe, her sons had been drinking and mobilising their pals to help them chase me.
Kabutemba resisted on grounds of me being their new father. That if they didn‘t like
me, they were free to leave.
Kerren‘s husband hit me with his enkoni and others joined in. Kibokos, screams and
shouting plus crying followed. I was beaten black and blue, by the time the LC1
Chairman arrived with the police, they were about to torch my car.
I was rushed to Masaka hospital where I was admitted for several days and also
managed to chewed two nurses on duty. Details of that are a tale for another time.
Till Then, I remain yours truly, Mr.Hyena.

https://www.redpepper.co.ug/2021/09/sweet-side-dish-snares-her-mother-
hyena/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sweet-side-dish-snares-her-mother-hyena
Adani Wilmar rolls out 'Fortune Mart' stores in 6 states
Press Trust of India | New Delhi | Last Updated at September 27 2021 23:36 IST
Topics
Adani Wilmar | edible oils

The company further aims to launch Fortune Mart stores in north and eastern parts of
India in the coming quarter.
Adani Wilmar, which markets edible oils and other food products under the Fortune
brand, on Monday said it has opened 12 physical stores on franchisee model across six
states and plans to start outlets across the country.
"Adani Wilmar is opening physical stores under the name Fortune Mart which will
exclusively sell Fortune and other Adani Wilmar brand products," the company said in a
statement.
The physical stores are being opened on a franchise model.
Adani Wilmar has so far opened 12 Fortune Mart stores in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Lalitpur,
Gandhinagar, Surat, Gandhidham, Jabalpur, Vidisha, Gwalior, Kharghar, Akola, and
Haldia. These cover the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and West Bengal.
The company further aims to launch Fortune Mart stores in north and eastern parts of
India in the coming quarter.
"Fortune has become a household name and the most popular and preferred food brand
in the country. The rollout of Fortune Mart stores aims to leverage the brand equity
Fortune has established over the last two decades," said Angshu Mallick, MD and CEO,
Adani Wilmar.
The Fortune Mart stores will also supplement the company's wide retail reach, he
added.
"We aim to have a presence across the metros as well as tier I and II cities in the coming
months," Mallick said.
The stores will sell all products of Adani Wilmar.
Besides Fortune, the company sells food products under different brands like King's,
Aadhar, Raag, Alife and Wilshort.
Apart from edible oils, its food product basket includes basmati rice, atta, pulses, soya
chunks, besan, sattu and sugar.
The Fortune Mart stores will also sell recently launched personal care products,
including soap, hand wash, and sanitisers, sold under the brand name Alife.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the
content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Read our full coverage on Adani Wilmar
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First Published: Mon,September 27 2021 23:36 IST
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:https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/adani-wilmar-rolls-out-fortune-mart-stores-
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Utahns celebrate Holi festival with

food, dancing and color powder
By
Melanie Andrews
-
September 27, 2021
71
(Carly Wasserlein)
SPANISH FORK — The Hindu community and other Utahns celebrated Holi at
the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple on Saturday and Sunday. The two-day
celebration consisted of throwing colored powders, dancing, singing, yoga and
lots of food.
“It’s a party. The roads get shut down. People are everywhere celebrating and
having fun,” BYU law student Shubi Shah said about his childhood memories
celebrating Holi in India.
Typically celebrated in the spring, Holi is a Hindu celebration of life and

rejuvenation. “Even though we are having it in the fall, still, we are meant to be
moving forward, transforming ourselves for the better, throwing off the old,
unveiling the new,” Krishna temple priest Caru Das Adikari said.
The festival also celebrated diversity and the way in which everyone
compliments each other, Adikari said. “There’s no need to be fearful or
suspicious or distrustful of people who look different than you. It just means
they are supplying something you can’t, that’s all.”
There were people from the Hindu faith at the festival along with members from
many other faiths and backgrounds.
“We aren’t Black or white or Christian or Hindu, those are designations and they
are generated from the body and the mind which we are not,” Adikari said.
Shah, who grew up in both India and Africa, said that to him Holi represents
togetherness. He explained that in India most everyone lives in apartments, like
New York, because there are so many people. Holi would bring the entire
community out to celebrate together.
Shah recalled one of his favorite memories of Holi when his friend dumped an
entire bucket of water on him. “It was a long night of putting my phone in rice,”
he said.
Participants at the Holi Festival of Colors socialize in front of the Sri Sri Radha
Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork. They wore white clothing, causing color powder
to stand out. (Melanie Andrews)
The festival had 11 food vendors, all vegetarian and vegan. Adikari explained
that the festival is meant to celebrate commonalities and more specifically the
“eternal living force” within everyone.
“If you expand that principle, it means that we should not only respect living
beings in human bodies, but in animal bodies, reptile bodies, bird bodies. We
should respect life wherever we see it, because life, all life, is coming from God,
who is divine,” Adikari said.
BYU student Autumn DeLange from Provo was at the festival for her experience
design and management festival and events class. “Basically we go to festivals
to see what’s up so we can see how to plan them,” DeLange said.
DeLange and her friend, Haley Nelson, said they enjoyed food from one of the
vendors, Krishna’s Cuisine. “They have lots of options … we got to try a bunch
of things,” DeLange said.
Krishna’s Cuisine sold “five-course platters” that were popular at the event. The
platters included basmati rice, chana garbanzo chili, a garden veggie curry with
paneer, sak paneer and cherry halwa, a traditional Indian dessert.
Shah said he loves the diversity of Indian cuisine. “There are some parts of
India where I haven’t ever had their cuisine … If you go from one state to
another or even one area to another, one region to another, the cuisine changes
completely,” Shah said.
The festival also had llamas to pet and henna — a reddish-brown dye used to
make temporary tattoos — along with colored powders, tie-dye, crystals,
jewelry and clothing for sale.
Participants at the Holi festival dance and chant to live music. The festival
featured several singers and dancers who performed throughout the two days.
(Melanie Andrews)
 TAGS
 autumn delange
 Caru Das Adikari
 Haley Nelson
 Hindu
 Holi Festival
 Krishna Temple
 Krishna's Cuisine
 Shubi Shah
https://universe.byu.edu/2021/09/27/utahns-celebrate-holi-festival-with-food-dancing-and-color-
powder/
FMCG major Adani Wilmar launches Fortune Mart stores
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FMCG major Adani Wilmar launches Fortune ..
Read more at:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/fmcg-major-adani-wilmar-launches-fortune-mart-
stores/articleshow/86556132.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Rice Farmer Reports to House

Reps. Cheri Bustos
Ag Subcommittee and Austin Scott
By Ben Mosely
WASHINGTON, DC -- Last week, USA Rice Farmers

Chair Kirk Satterfield presented to the House
Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management Subcommittee at the invitation of
Subcommittee Chair Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Ranking
Member Austin Scott (R-GA).
Producers were invited to update and discuss the effectiveness of current Farm Bill
commodity support and crop insurance as well as the economic and growing conditions on
the ground.
In his remarks, Satterfield, a rice farmer from Benoit, Mississippi, focused on the importance
of the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program to rice farmers, and how weather events and loss
in domestic and export markets make risk management programs more important than ever
to rice. Combined with flat rice prices over the past several years, Satterfield questioned
whether or not the current reference price will provide adequate support to rice producers as
input costs continue to rise.
"While PLC has helped us survive some difficult years, we believe that at the current
reference price level, rice farmers will soon be in the red," Satterfield said. "Therefore, when
considering the next Farm Bill, we urge the committee to bolster this support to provide the
level of certainty farmers need in today’s markets."
USA Rice Hosts Kansas Farm

Hard-hitting discussion topics
Bureau Leadership Group
By Michael Klein
ARLINGTON, VA – The Rice Leadership Development

program is a flagship in the rice industry, but it is not
the only program dedicated to developing future
leaders in agriculture.
USA Rice has played host to groups of young leaders from Oklahoma on more than one
occasion, the Riceland Leadership program, and last week the USA Rice headquarters were
visited by an energetic and capable group from Kansas who were making the rounds in
Washington, DC.
USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward greeted the fully-vaccinated group and shared a history
of rice cultivation, the basics of the growing cycle, and then dove into top issues and
challenges facing the industry, and explained how USA Rice advocates for the industry and
shared some of the successful promotion programming USA Rice undertakes domestically and
abroad.
USA Rice Director of Government Affairs Jamison Cruce also joined the meeting to discuss
farm policy and navigating a divided Washington.
“The group had a lot of great questions and observations, and it was interesting to hear what
folks with little experience in rice, but plenty in ag and ranching, thought about key issues,”
Cruce said.
“Like our own program, the Kansas Farm Bureau leadership program is top notch and
exclusive,” Ward said. “It was wonderful to get to visit with these young leaders. Their
colleagues in Kansas should know they’ve got some very capable men and women soaking up
as much information as they can that will serve the state well.”
Rice Farmer Reports to House

Reps. Cheri Bustos
Ag Subcommittee and Austin Scott
By Ben Mosely
WASHINGTON, DC -- Last week, USA Rice Farmers

Chair Kirk Satterfield presented to the House
Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management Subcommittee at the invitation of
Subcommittee Chair Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Ranking
Member Austin Scott (R-GA).
Producers were invited to update and discuss the effectiveness of current Farm Bill
commodity support and crop insurance as well as the economic and growing conditions on
the ground.
In his remarks, Satterfield, a rice farmer from Benoit, Mississippi, focused on the importance
of the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program to rice farmers, and how weather events and loss
in domestic and export markets make risk management programs more important than ever
to rice. Combined with flat rice prices over the past several years, Satterfield questioned
whether or not the current reference price will provide adequate support to rice producers as
input costs continue to rise.
"While PLC has helped us survive some difficult years, we believe that at the current
reference price level, rice farmers will soon be in the red," Satterfield said. "Therefore, when
considering the next Farm Bill, we urge the committee to bolster this support to provide the
level of certainty farmers need in today’s markets."
USA Rice Hosts Kansas Farm
8 rice recipes from around the world,

including paella, jollof, tahdig and more
(Rey Lopez for The Washington Post/Food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post)
By
Becky Krystal
September 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. EDT
Rice is one of the most universal ingredients. So many cuisines make use of this grain
that you could, in theory, spend months trying different recipes and still not repeat
yourself. You’ll find rice in a plethora of colors and textures, spiced in numerous ways,
loaded with meat or vegetables or just simply steamed.
A better pot of rice is within reach with these 5 tips
Rice is widely accessible, affordable, versatile and shelf-stable, which helps explain its
ubiquity and long, long history in global cuisine. (For those concerned about arsenic, the
Food and Drug Administration notes that ―consumers can certainly eat rice as part of a
well-balanced diet‖ and that cooking it in excess water as a way to reduce inorganic
arsenic content ―results in lowering the nutritional value of enriched polished and
parboiled rice.‖)
Because the reach of rice is so vast, here’s just a small sampling of some ideas from
around the world in our archives.
Advertisement
Adas Polo o Morgh (Persian-Style Lentil Rice With Chicken), above. This
Iranian recipe from our Eat Voraciously dinner newsletter is a one-pot rice dish that
includes saffron, caramelized onions, dried fruit and tender boneless, skinless chicken
thighs. For more Iranian and Persian recipes, see Javaher Polow (Jeweled
Rice) and Persian Herbed Basmati Rice (Sabzi Polow).
Get our Eat Voraciously newsletter and solve the daily dinner dilemma
Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Paella. There’s no need for a giant pan over a
fire or even seafood if you’re in the mood for this Spanish classic. This version is loaded
with vegetables for a hearty, colorful meal you can make on a weeknight.
Voraciously’s Plant Powered newsletter will help you start cooking the way you want
to
Veggie Jollof. Vegetables also star in this vibrant dish you’ll find on many tables in
West Africa and the wider diaspora. This recipe hails from Ghana and includes a zesty
onion and chile pepper relish for serving.
:https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/09/25/rice-recipes-fried-paella-
tahdig/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk
Expert talks about immune response of

plants
Shimona Kanwar / Sep 28, 2021, 04:10 IST
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PU students join farmers‘ protest
Shimona.Kanwar@timesgroup.com
Chandigarh: On Monday, the foundation day of IISER Mohali, a keynote lecture on ―How do plants ward off pathogens?‖ was delivered by Prof Ramesh
Sonti at IISER Tirupati.
The professor and his group have been studying how plants mount immune responses and how microbial pathogens modulate host innate immunity using
the interaction between rice and the bacterial pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzaepv, oryzae (Xoo), which causes a serious rice disease. By understanding the
population structure of Xoo, they have identified rice resistance genes that are effective against Xoo strains in India. Three of these resistance genes have
been pyramided into a commercially important rice cultivar, which is now resistant to Xoo and is in commercial cultivation in farmers‘ fields in our
country.
The team of researchers had developed an improved rice variety which was resistant to the bacterial blight which is commonly found in Punjab. ―We
developed resistance genes which are a fine layer of the plant immune system. This work was in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Rice Research.
With that institute, we set out to understand genetic divide diversity of pathogens in India. We collected bacteria from different parts of India. Three
resistance genes were found to be effective against Indian strains of Xoo which were introduced into Samba mahsuri--a rice variety-- and we came up with
these high-yielding blight resistance varieties,‖ said Prof Ramesh.

Food fortification temporary measure to
tackle malnutrition: ICMR-NIN
director
PTI / Updated: Sep 25, 2021, 21:34 IST
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Food fortification temporary measure to tackle malnutrition: ICMR-NIN director
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Dr Hemalatha R has said that fortification of food should be seen as a temporary measure to address the problem of malnutrition
NEW DELHI: The ICMR's national institute of nutrition director Dr Hemalatha R has said that fortification of food should be seen as a temporary measure
to address the problem of malnutrition until more up-stream long term approaches are achieved.
She noted that the fortification programme is designed to fill the gap between the actual intakes and the requirement of a particular nutrient.
Her remarks come over some concerns raised by experts that fortified food cannot be considered as a replacement of a well-balanced diverse diet.
The government is planning to fortify the rice distributed to the poor via different schemes such as midday meals in a bid to tackle malnutrition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently announced that whether through ration shops or the Midday Meal (MDM) scheme, the rice made available
under every government programme would be fortified by 2024.
The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition director said micronutrient deficiency is primarily due to inadequate dietary
intakes, poor food quality and lack of minimal dietary diversity.
"Food fortification with one or more micronutrients of public health importance is considered to be one of the practical approaches by policymakers, and
implementation agencies as it does not require behavioural modification, which is difficult to achieve across population groups," Hemalatha told PTI.
She said efficacy studies such as randomised control trials (RCTs) using iron fortified rice conducted under the MDM programme (supervised feeding)
improved iron stores of the children and reduced anaemia.
"However, supervised feeding and deworming even without fortified rice also improved haemoglobin levels and reduced anaemia. The above results are
from studies that supervised the feeding programme and hence, cannot be generalised. Effectiveness trials on fortified rice in real life conditions have not
been conducted so far in India, therefore the benefits of rice fortification are not yet fully understood," Hemalatha said.
Responding to concerns that fortified foods cannot be treated as a substitute for a good quality diet, she said fortification of food should be seen as a
temporary measure until more up-stream long term approaches such as diet diversification are achieved.
"Fortification programs are designed to fill the gap between the actual intakes and the requirement of a particular nutrient. But a diversified diet provides
all the nutrients required for good health. A balanced diet that sources nutrients from a minimum of eight food groups has the potential to deliver all the
required nutrients. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and oil seeds can be great sources of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive substances essential for health and
immunity," she said.
"Legumes, pulses, beans, peas as well as poultry, meat and most preferably fish are important sources of essential fatty acids and amino acids crucial for
immunity, and to combat micronutrient deficiencies. In addition, milk or curd are not only rich in quality protein but also calcium and essential fats.
Similarly, whole grains, cereals, millets are important sources of energy, protein, fiber and other nutrients," the national institute of nutrition director added.
Elaborating on how rice fortification is done, she said the fortified rice kernels (FRK) are produced either by a hot or cold extrusion process and the target
nutrients, along with other stabilising ingredients, are added to rice flour, made into a dough through preconditioning process, extruded in twin screw
extruder machines using die with rice shaped inserts and dried on dryer belts.
The level of fortificants in the FRKs should conform to the standards of the national regulatory body. This FRK is mixed with natural rice to prepare
fortified rice based on the scientific evidence on dietary needs of the population. Usually, the appropriate ratio is 1:100; that is one fortified rice kernel for
100 unfortified normal rice, Hemalatha said.
The experts said fortified rice cannot be considered as a replacement of a well-balanced diverse diet but needs to be viewed as a complementary food to
daily diet to meet the gaps in nutrients noted in the Indian diet consumed by masses.
Dr Sheila Vir, the director of Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre, said since a diverse diet comprising food items from at least eight food
groups in not accessible easily to one and all, interventions like fortification of staple food item contributes to improving the nutrition quality of food and
contribute to improving nutrition security of men, women, adolescents and children in the country.
"Rice, a cereal staple of 65 per cent of Indians, is devoid of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and further processes like milling and polishing leads to loss of
iron and folic acid content. Addition of these micronutrients to rice during fortification at levels that provide 30-50 per cent of daily recommended dietary
allowances will improve the nutrient quality of diet which otherwise is not available," she told PTI.
Vir further said that with the development happening in the area of rice fortification, special attention would be needed to develop strong quality assurance
and quality control systems and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the quality of product is maintained throughout the supply chain and beneficiaries
get the maximum benefit from it.
Sakshi Jain, the national programme manager of Food Fortification for India, said one of the most effective, scalable, affordable and sustainable ways to
address micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations is through the distribution of fortified staples via the social safety net programs.
The Prime Minister's recent announcement on the fortification of all rice supplied through the Public Distribution System by 2024 will require synthesised
efforts from all stakeholders ranging from the rice producers, millers, quality controllers and policy makers to convert the significant, Jain said.
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FMCG major Adani Wilmar launches

Fortune Mart stores
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FMCG major Adani Wilmar launches Fortune Mart stores
By
Jayashree Bhosale
, ET BureauLast Updated: Sep 27, 2021, 05:41 PM IST
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Adani Wilmar is launching the Fortune Mart stores on a franchise model.
ET Bureau
FMCG major
Adani
NSE -2.87 % Wilmar, is opening physical stores under the name Fortune Mart which will exclusively sell Fortune and other
Adani Wilmar brand products.
Adani Wilmar is launching the Fortune Mart stores on a franchise model. Adani Wilmar has opened 12 Fortune Mart stores in
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Lalitpur, Gandhinagar, Surat, Gandhidham, Jabalpur, Vidisha, Gwalior, Kharghar, Akola, and Haldia across five
states including Rajasthan, UP, Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra and West Bengal. "The company further aims to launch Fortune Mart
stores in north and eastern parts of India in coming quarter," the company said in a statement.
―The Fortune Mart stores will also supplement our wide retail reach,‖ Angshu Mallick, MD and CEO, Adani Wilmar, said,
adding, ―We aim to have a presence across the metros as well as tier I and II cities in the coming months.‖
The release said, "The Fortune Mart stores will sell Adani Wilmar‘s complete range – Fortune, King‘s, Aadhar, Raag, Alife,
Wilshort (Bakery) etc. products. The range includes oils such as soya, sunflower, mustard, rice bran, groundnut, cottonseed, and
functional oils such as Xpert ProSugar Conscious & Xpert ProImmunity Oils, besides food products such as basmati rice, atta,
pulses, soya chunks, besan, sattu, sugar, and also ready to cook products such as khichdi and soya chunkies. The Fortune Mart
will also sell recently launched personal care products, including soap, hand wash, and sanitizers, sold under the brand name
Alife."
The Fortune Mart stores houses Live Bakery that offers its customers a unique experience to witness the making of bakery items
such as khari, puffs and cookies.
Check population to determine counter action against BPH - rice pest expert
With the increasing reports of brown planthopper (BPH) cases, an expert from the Department of
Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urges farmers to check first the insect
population before implementing control measures.
BPH is a small brown insect found mainly on the base of rice plants above the water level. Adults and
nymphs suck the plant sap from leaf sheaths, causing yellowing of lower and then upper leaves. Whole
areas can die in patches, which are said to be affected by “hopper burn”. It can cause total yield loss
when its attack is severe.
“Count the number of adults and nymphs in 10 hills across a plot to determine severity of BPH
infestation. Visually count in tillers or tap the hills three times for BPH to fall into the water. One or
more BPH per tiller or 30 per hill means the population is high and there’s a need for management
actions,” Leonardo V. Marquez, pest management expert, explained.
He said that before resorting to chemical use, it is important to consider other ways to control the BPH
population.
If there is already an infestation, Marquez recommended draining water completely from the field for a
week and then irrigating when necessary.
“Chemical application may be tempting because it is readily available and has immediate effect, but it
can cause an outbreak because beneficial insects that prey on BPH will also be killed,” Marquez stressed.
He stressed that it is always better to prevent occurrences than manage BPH during outbreaks.
“Use resistant varieties. Some BPH-resistant varieties are PSB Rc 2, 10, NSIC Rc 212, Rc 222, Rc 224, Rc
226, Rc 298, and Rc 300. Transplant at 20cmx20cm planting distance with 2-3 seedlings per hill; practice
alternate wetting and drying; use 90kg nitrogen/ha during wet season and 120kg/ha during dry season;
and split fertilizer into three applications,” he said.
He added that farmers should also let the soil rest for a month, remove weeds from dikes where pests
may thrive, plow and dry soil after harvest, and monitor the rice field regularly.
“Diversifying plants in the rice field will also be helpful. Plant vegetables and flowering plants. They serve
as shelter for beneficial organisms such as ground beetle, lady beetle, damselfly, and dragonfly; and
nectar of flowers serves as food for parasitic wasps. These organisms prey on brown planthoppers and
other pests,” Marquez said.
If it is too late to use other management ways, he said that farmers may opt to use insecticides.
“If you’ve decided to use chemicals, use insecticides with contact or stomach active ingredient to bring
down the population of adult BPH and use insecticide with growth regulator active ingredient to control
BPH nymphs. Always use proper personal protective equipment during mixing and spraying of
insecticide,” he said.
Chemical use when the rice crop is younger than 40 days after seeding or 30 days after transplanting is
not advisable because damages caused by insects at this stage is not significant according to him.
He emphasized that once farmers started spraying insecticides, the beneficial insects will be killed,
which means follow up pesticide applications are needed to take care of the crops from pests.
DA-PhilRice inks ties with machine fabrication shop
Farm machines developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-
PhilRice) are now more accessible with the signing of licensing agreement with an Isabela-based
fabrication shop, Sept. 21.
In the non-exclusive license agreement, ACT Machineries and Metal Craft Corporation will manufacture
and commercialize the handtractor-drawn multipurpose seeder (MPS) and ride-on buoyant tiller.
MPS is used for dryland seeding of rice, corn, and mungbean. Through MPS, farmers can finish planting
for half a day or as fast as three hours. Meanwhile, the ride-on buoyant tiller is used for land preparation
in knee, waist, or chest-deep fields. It can plow and harrow 3-4-ha of rice farms in a day.
ACT is the second manufacturer that underwent Fairness Opinion Board review by the Department of
Science and Technology to ensure fairness in parties’ transactions.
The agreement was signed by DA-PhilRice Executive Director John C. de Leon and ACT’s representatives
Marites M. Saldo and Sherman B. Valdez. DA-PhilRice Deputy Executive Directors Eduardo Jimmy P.
Quilang and Karen Eloisa T. Barroga also witnessed the online signing ceremony.
Farmers in remote areas now produce high-quality seeds

Farmers in remote areas in Isabela and Abra now help guarantee supply of high-quality seeds
in their locality.
Farmers in remote areas in Isabela and Abra are now producing their own high-quality seeds
after their training under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program.
“We used to struggle in acquiring seeds, and we cannot attain our [desired] yield from exchange
seeds. Through this training, we are not only farmers, but also seed growers of high-quality
seeds that can be easily accessed in our locality,” farmer Saldy San Jose of Dinapigue, Isabela
said.
RCEF’s season-long informal rice seed production and purification training conducted by the
Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Isabela enables
farmers to produce their own seeds and provide additional seed supply in remote areas.
In the wet season, farmer-participants produced about 200 bags of high-quality seeds, which
benefitted 140 farmers in Dinapigue, Isabela, and La Paz and Manabo, Abra.
During RCEF seed distribution, it takes 7 hours to reach the coastal town of Dinapigue and one
day to deliver the seeds in La Paz and Manabo from DA-PhilRice station in Isabela.
From January to April, 30 farmers were trained on proper farm techniques and technologies
related to seed production following strict health protocol. Trainees learned to produce high-
quality seeds of NSIC Rc 216, Rc 218, and Rc 160.
“They taught us everything from land preparation until harvesting,” San Jose quipped.
Similar training courses were already arranged for farmers in remote areas in Ifugao, Nueva
Vizcaya, and Quirino in the dry season.
Rice growers in remote area grateful for RCEF’s Farmer Field School
Eighty-five-year-old Leopoldo Lopango (1st from L, 2nd row) and his fellow participants in RCEF’s five-day
Farmer Field School were trained on the production of high-quality inbred rice, seed certification, and
farm mechanization.
Leopoldo Lopango, a rice farmer in Milagros, Masbate, woke up earlier than usual at 3 am; awakened by
the rains pouring hard on their tin roof. He was grateful for the rains and for the graduation ceremonies
of the RCEF - Farmer Field School (FFS) held on Sept. 4.
“The leaves of my palay, already in the maximum tillering stage, are turning yellowish green and in need
of fertilizer. But the supply from the small water impounding area in our community is not enough. I
thanked Him for it rained after eight days, and I applied fertilizer after our FFS graduation,” he said.
Lopango, 85 years old, is the oldest among the 30 participants of the five-day FFS covered by the Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Rice Extension Services Program. Farmers in Barangay
Magsalangi – an island village accessible via pump boat during high tide and habal-habal during low tide,
were trained on the production of high-quality inbred rice, seed certification, and farm mechanization.
“I did not finish my elementary schooling due to the world war *so+ I was so excited to get my certificate.
I’ve attended seminars on livestock, corn, and high-value crops but this FFS is my favorite! I will apply in
my 1ha- farm all the knowledge I’ve learned in this training,” he shared.
From the FFS, he learned that a well-leveled field is important because it facilitates efficient irrigation
and fertilizer application, lesser weed incidence, better snail management, and promotes uniform rice
growth.
“On fertilizer application, our lecturer emphasized the importance of knowing the right nutrient
element, right amount, and right timing. There’s so much to learn! I’ve been farming for almost 70
years, and I thought that with my experience, I know everything,” he said.
“I and my fellow trainees are grateful that this program has reached us despite the remoteness of our
barangay. We are also thankful for the free certified inbred seeds that RCEF has been giving us for four
cropping seasons now. Our farmer association also received a combine rice harvester from the
program,” he added.
RCEF’s modified FFS aims to enhance farmers’ capabilities on modernized inbred rice and seed
production and other farm skills needed for improved competitiveness and increased income.
The FFS in Milagros, Masbate was conducted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research
Institute in Bicol in collaboration with the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Program, Masbate
Provincial Agriculture Office, and the Municipal Agriculture Office.
Riceland employees celebrate National Rice
Month, 100-year anniversary with donation to
local food bank
September 24, 2021
Employees of Riceland in Stuttgart present the ICCM Food Bank with a donation
in honor of National Rice Month and the company’s 100th anniversary.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the food bank is (front row, left to right)
Bobby Bradberry, director of the ICCM Food Bank, and Norma Strabala, Mayor
of Stuttgart. (Submitted photo)
To celebrate National Rice Month and Riceland’s 100-year
anniversary, Riceland’s Stuttgart Headquarters employees collected
142 boxes of rice cereal, 120 jars of jelly, 143 jars of peanut butter,
160 cans of canned meat, 160 cans of various vegetables, beans,
and other non-perishable food items, and 120 pounds of rice to be
distributed through Stuttgart’s ICCM Food Bank.
The donation was received on behalf of the food bank by ICCM Food
Bank Director Bobby Bradberry and Stuttgart Mayor Norma Strabala
https://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/riceland-employees-celebrate-national-rice-month-100-year-
anniversary-with-donation-to-local-food-bank/
Hopeful harvest for Mississippi
rice
Farm Press
USDA has projected the 2021 average farm long-grain rice price at $12.80 per hundredweight
compared to $12.40 per hundredweight in 2020.
Mississippi rice producers should have a good harvest season despite a couple of
sidesteps.
Brent Murphree | Sep 27, 2021
Mississippi rice growers have faced a couple of challenges this season, but as they
complete harvest, they are seeing good prices and some pretty healthy yields.
"From what I'm hearing, the yields are pretty good," said Kirk Satterfield, a rice grower
from Benoit, Miss. "If we could just get a good run of weather."
By mid-September Satterfield had endured the rain dropped by hurricane Ida and
several days of spotty showers.
"We've gotten probably three and a half inches of rain in a lot of areas," he said of the
storms over a four-day period.
Despite the rain, he said that harvest is about halfway through and yields seemed to be
holding up pretty well.
Ida slowed down harvest but not just because of the rain. Some rice was lodged when
winds following the rain hit the area, but it wasn't widespread.
"I could show you a field that is completely flat all the way across," he said "And, I could
take you to one, three miles the other way, where you wouldn't ever know the hurricane
happened. We can take a little bit of wind and we can take a little rain, but we just can't
take both together."
Overall, Satterfield, who is chairman of USA Rice Farmers board of directors, believes
the season will turn out to be a good one for Mississippi rice growers.
INSECTS
A couple of months earlier producers were faced with an onslaught of fall armyworms.
In August, Jeff Gore, Mississippi State University Extension entomologist and

researcher, who is stationed at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville
noted that the armyworm invasion was the worst he has seen in his career, affecting
rice, pastures and other row crops.
“From a rice standpoint, we typically spray a small percentage - less than 10% - of the
acres every year in Mississippi. This year we have probably already sprayed much
more than 50% of rice acreage,” he said in an Extension Service release.
A Section 18 request was granted to allow producers to spray the insecticide Intrepid 2F
to help alleviate the pest, which in the end has allowed growers to keep the crop in good
condition until harvest.
"We had some problems with worms," said Satterfield. "But they were diagnosed pretty
quickly and we were able to spray in a pretty timely manner."
Jason Bond, weed scientist with the MSU Extension Service and researcher with the
Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville noted that other than armyworms,
rice growers have not had to manage a great deal for pests. Disease has also had little
impact on this year's crop.
Flooding
Flooding impacted about 69,000 acres, according to Brian Mills, Extension agricultural
economist in Stoneville. In August, he estimated rice crop damages of $37.8 million,
according to Bolivar County, the state’s largest rice-producing county, accounted for
close to 40,000 of those acres.
“The flooding caused some of the decrease in rice acres,” Mills said. “Rice acres that
were destroyed would likely not have been replanted to rice because it was so late in
the year.”
USDA estimated that Mississippi producers would plant 110,00 acres of rice this year,
down from 150,000 planted in 2020. Mills estimated that the total number of acres
planted by growers this year would be more in the range of 100,00 acres.
Rice planting acreage may have also been reduced due to high corn and soybean
prices, according to Mills.
“That’s just a windshield estimate from driving around the area looking at it. I don’t think
we have even 100,000 acres this year,” he said, attributing the decreased acreage to
flooding and citing the decision many farmers made to plant higher-priced crops.
Price
Will Maples, Extension agricultural economist at Mississippi State, predicted that

farmers should see moderately better rice prices in 2021. USDA has projected the 2021
average farm long-grain rice price at $12.80 per hundredweight compared to $12.40 per
hundredweight in 2020.
“Reduced supplies in 2021 due to an acreage reduction from last year are contributing
to higher prices,” Maples said. “Long-grain plantings were down 11% below last year
primarily due to high corn and soybean prices we saw this spring.”
Maples also noted that, exports are forecast to be lower for the 2021-2022 marketing
year because of reduced supply and less competitive U.S. prices, which may result in
lowered prices.
https://www.farmprogress.com/rice/hopeful-harvest-mississippi-rice
September 27, 2021
Laser technology raises rice yield via levelling

Tin Sokhavuth / Khmer Times
Fields levelled by laser are up to 30% more productive. Ministry of Agriculture
Click here to get Khmer Times Breaking News direct into your Telegram
FacebookTwitterEmailShare
The Agriculture Ministry, in close cooperation with the private sector and NGOs, has
introduced a new laser technology to help farmers to accurately level their cultivated
land.
―This allows water in the rice field to also be at the same level; and the land to absorb
the same amount of fertilizer evenly. As a result, all rice plants in the field grow
equally and provide the same healthy grain,‖ said Vuthy.
He added that with the same level of land in a rice field, it becomes very easy for
farmers to use machines for ploughing and harvesting, yielding the maximum results.
Pol Oum, a farmer living in Kampong Trabek distict, Prey Veng province, told
reporters that after using the laser technique, the water level is now consistent.
For example, the water on the left side of his field is 5cm deep as is the level on the
right.
―The preparation of the land before the planting of the rice was not time consuming. It
took only a short time. Thus, the expenses of gasoline and other items were also low,‖
said Pol Oum.
―Previously, we could get 20 to 21 sacks of rice from half a hectare of land, but after
we levelled the rice field using the laser system, the rice yield increased to 29 sacks,‖
added Oum.
Minister of Agriculture Veng Sakhon on Thursday wrote on his Facebook page the
Department of Agricultural Engineering at the Ministry is cooperating with line
provincial departments of agriculture, NGOs, and the private sector to disseminate
this new technology to farmers in the country.
―To date, training programmes on how to use the laser land-levelling machine have
been organised in 18 different places across the country and 284 farmers from
Kampot, Takeo, Kampong Chhnang, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Kampong
Thom provinces, have participated,‖ he said.
He also said that besides the demonstrations on how to use the machine, the
Department of Agricultural Engineering has also sent experts to train people from
private companies which have won contracts to use the technology.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50942121/laser-technology-raises-rice-yield-via-levelling/
September 27, 2021
Flooding continues to affect provinces and rice fields

Chhun Sun Ly / Khmer Times
The water level of Stung Sen in Preah Vihear province has exceeded the danger mark. Ministry of Water
Resources
Click here to get Khmer Times Breaking News direct into your Telegram
FacebookTwitterEmailShare
Banteay Meanchey province is suffering more from flooding than other provinces,
with thousands of hectares of rice fields being inundated so far, and the rain still
continuing.
Banteay Meanchey provincial Department of Agriculture director Pang SovanSeth
told Khmer Times yesterday that 17,000 hectares of fields are flooded, but the rice is
not damaged yet.
He said: ―We are waiting to see how the rain situation develops in the next one or two
weeks. If the rainfall increases, then the rice will be damaged. However, if the rainfall
decreases, the rice will be better than before due to the nutrients carried by the
floodwaters.‖
Provicial department of public works and transport director Sok Chantha yesterday
announced that trucks or heavy vehicles are prohibited from travelling on road 268A
until further notice.
Chantha added that: ―This ban is to prevent damage to the road and avoid the
possibility of a bridge collapse, but family cars are allowed to use the road as normal.‖
Meanwhile, 200 hectares of rice in Bavel district, Battambang province were damaged
by flash floods. Another 3,000 hectares of rice across Battambang province is mildly
affected, according to Battambang Provincial Department of Agriculture director
Chhim Vichara.
The water level in Stung Sen River in Preah Vihear province exceeded the danger
mark with three family homes being flooded, but authorities are not yet evacuating
people to higher ground.
Preah Vihear provincial deputy governor in charge of disaster management Yong Kim
Hean told Khmer Times yesterday that the water level in the river is 11.8 metres which
exceeds the danger mark of 11.5 metres.
―The flooding is affecting families and rice fields, but we do not have the exact
figures because the authorities are still evaluating them‖, Kim Hean said.
Kim Hean added that, the flash floods this year are less severe than the previous year
because of the increase in city ring roads, which are so important to block the water
flow.
Preah Vihear Provincial Administration yesterday reminded people living along the
Stung Sen River to take precautions and to report any flooding as soon as possible, so
that the authorities can take preventive measures or organise rescue operations in
time, should this become necessary.
Yesterday, Banteay Meanchey Provincial governor Um Reatrey and National
Committee for Disaster Management advisor Kim Virak inspected the flood and
visited 251 families who are staying at am evacuation centre in Preah Ponlea
commune, Serei Saophorn city.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50942125/flooding-continues-to-affect-provinces-and-rice-fields/
Rice stocks available for only five more months:

SL Rice Millers Association
1 day ago 102
The Sri Lanka Rice Millers Association (SLRMA) says that rice stocks in the country will be
sufficient for only five more months.
“There is sufficient rice for 5 months. As far as we know, the Government has only 5
million kilograms of rice in their possession. This is not enough for a single day,”
Secretary of the SLRMA Mudith Perera stated at a press briefing yesterday (25).
Accordingly, Perera stated that this is the reason why they are requesting the
Government to end this crisis by allowing rice to be sold at market rates.
“Farmers are requesting for rice to be sold at prices similar to the last harvesting
season,” he said.
He also urged the Government not to import rice as there is plenty of it in the country,
provided that the 10 million kilos of paddy are converted to rice on a daily basis.
Read Entire Article
1. Homepage
2. Local
3. Rice stocks available for only five more months: SL Rice Millers Association
https://nation.lk/online/rice-stocks-available-for-only-five-more-months-sl-rice-millers-association-
125018.html
India
Indian farmers stage nationwide

protests against reforms
By Mayank Bhardwaj





2 minute read
Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 101102)
NEW DELHI, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Indian farmers opposed to reforms they say
threaten their livelihoods renewed their push against the changes with
nationwide protests on Monday, a year after laws on the liberalisation of the
sector were introduced.
For 10 months, tens of thousands of farmers have camped out on major

highways around the capital, New Delhi, to oppose the laws in the longest-
running growers' protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
"Thousands of farmers have spread out to different districts to ensure a

complete nationwide strike aimed at reminding the government to repeal the
laws introduced to favour large private corporations," Rakesh Tikait, a
prominent farmers' leader, told Reuters.
In Noida, a New Delhi satellite town, farmers confronted police and pushed
past them to break through barricades. There were no immediate reports of
any injuries or arrests.
In Gurgaon - another satellite town near the capital's main airport - farmers
thronged onto a road and blocked traffic, while protesters stormed into a
railway station in the northern outskirts of New Delhi, a Reuters witness said.
Nearly a dozen opposition parties have supported the farmers' protest to step
up pressure on Modi's administration to repeal the laws.
1/6
Farmers block railway tracks as part of protests against farm laws during nationwide
protests, in Sonipat, northern state of Haryana, India, September 27, 2021.
REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavi
Read More
The legislation, introduced in September last year, deregulates the agriculture

sector and allows farmers to sell produce to buyers beyond government-
regulated wholesale markets, where growers are assured of a minimum price.
Small farmers say the changes make them vulnerable to competition from big
business, and that they could eventually lose price supports for staples such
as wheat and rice.
The government says the reforms mean new opportunities and better prices
for farmers.
Farming sustains almost half of India's more than 1.3 billion people and
accounts for about 15% of the $2.7 trillion economy.
Farmer union leaders say their protests did not disrupt emergency services.
The protests have been generally peaceful but police and farmers clashed in
New Delhi in January during a tractor procession and one protester was killed
and more than 80 police were injured.
Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj; additional reporting by Anushree Fadnavis Editing by Robert

Birsel
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Global development
Paraguay on the brink as historic
drought depletes river, its life-giving
artery
Barges loaded with cement navigate Paraguay river, in Asuncion amid a historic
drought on 22 September. Photograph: Jorge Sáenz/AP
Severe drought that began in late 2019 continues to punish the region while
experts say climate change and deforestation may be intensifying the
phenomenon
Global development is supported by
About this content

William Costa in Paraguay
Mon 27 Sep 2021 05.00 EDT



In the shadow of towering grain silos that line the bank of the River Paraná,
South America’s second-longest waterway, Lucas Krivenchuk stands watching
workers rush to load a barge with soybeans.
―Twelve barges had to leave today, but only six will make it out: there’s no
time, the water’s dropping too fast,‖ said Krivenchuk, general manager of the
Trociuk private port in southern Paraguay. ―It’s the first time that any have left
in two months.‖
The Paraná River, which winds through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, has
dropped to its lowest levels in 77 years as a severe drought that began in late
2019 continues to punish the region. Experts say the climate crisis and
deforestation may be intensifying the phenomenon.
The river experienced a temporary rise as Brazil released water from

hydroelectric reservoirs for urgent electricity production but levels are rapidly
falling.
The drought has threatened water supplies in Argentina, driven up energy

prices in Brazil, and helped drive rampant wildfires across the region.
Paraguay, which has no coast and relies on its rivers for countless social,
environmental, and commercial services, faces dire strain.
―Paraguay is a landlocked country, and the river is an artery in its body that it
depends on to live,‖ said Krivenchuk.
People walk next to boats along the exposed bed of a branch of the Paraguay river that
has gone dry, in Lambare, Paraguay, on 17 September. Photograph: Norberto
Duarte/AFP/Getty Images
Juan Carlos Muñoz, director of Paraguay’s National Shipping and Ports

Administration Body (ANNP) said river transport is central to an economy
primarily based on genetically modified soy exports.
―We export commodities with zero added value: totally raw materials. River
transport is by far the cheapest way of reaching international markets,‖ he
said.
The world’s third-largest river fleet moves 96% of Paraguay’s international

imports and exports along two great waterways, the Paraná and the Paraguay,
to and from ports in Argentina and Uruguay.
The Paraguay River, which flows past Muñoz’s office in the capital
Asunción, has dropped to its lowest ever level, further than the previous all-
time low reached in 2020. With costs escalating, Muñoz said the shipping
sector faces a loss of 20% of revenue – $100 million – for the second year
running despite dredging initiatives.
The government – which declared a state of emergency on the Paraná in July

– has already raised the alarm over rising prices of imported products.
map
Roger Monte Domecq, hydrology professor at the National University of

Asunción, said that while cyclical droughts are normal in the Paraná Basin,
there is increasing evidence that human-driven factors intensify the crisis.
―I don’t think there’s any doubt that there’s an impact on the climate, which
affects conditions all across the region,‖ he said.
Monte Domecq said more studies were required to ascertain the exact impacts
of global heating and extremely high levels of deforestation and land-use
change seen across the region, especially in the Amazon where the water cycle
which feeds precipitation in the Paraná Basin is being disrupted.
The CAF–Development Bank of Latin America lists Paraguay as the country

most vulnerable to the climate emergency in South America.
It has also seen enormous deforestation. Only 7% of the Atlantic forest that
until recent decades covered the country’s east remains, and the
western Chaco forest faces some of the world’s highest deforestation rates.
Deforestation has principally been caused by state-propelled soybean and

cattle ranching booms; both sectors that are now struggling to export their
products downriver.
Barges lay stranded next to one of the branches of the Paraguay river that has gone
dry, in Lambare, Paraguay, on 14 September. Photograph: Jorge Sáenz/AP
And there is no end to the drought in sight, said Monte Domecq: no significant
rains are forecast for coming months and the weather phenomenon known as
La Niña – which brings dry weather to the Paraná Basin – is looming.
Downriver from Port Trociuk in the fishing town of Ayolas, fisherman Claudio
Domínguez described excruciating economic difficulties for ordinary families
as he gathered bait in the shallows.
―There are barely any fish … really nothing. It’s been like this for four months,‖
he said.
Fishers are making ever-longer journeys – involving escalating fuel costs – in

the hope of a catch.
Just upriver from Ayolas, production of electricity at the mighty Yacyretá dam,
which Paraguay shares with Argentina, is also affected. Yacyretá and Itaipú –
an even larger dam on the Paraná shared with Brazil – produce almost all
Paraguayan electricity and according to the government, Itaipú has come close
to shutting down due to the low waters.
Mercedes Canese, energy consultant and former deputy energy minister, said
that, while Paraguay is not suffering energy shortages – it uses only a small
portion of its energy from the two giant dams – it is losing an important part
of $1.57bn in yearly exports of excess energy to its giant neighbours.
A family stands in the bay connected to the Paraguay River in Asuncion, Paraguay, in
August. Photograph: Jorge Sáenz/AP
And as the water shortages cause Brazilian energy prices to soar, many
Paraguayans say that a historical injustice is being deepened. Paraguay is
obliged by treaty to sell excess energy from the Itaipú dam to Brazil at cost
price, a condition that economist Miguel Carter calculates cost Paraguay
$75.4bn from 1985 to 2018.
―Prices in Brazil are sky-high, but Paraguay can’t sell its energy at market
prices,‖ Canese said. ―We’re talking about a loss of hundreds of millions of
dollars.‖
On Ayolas’s beach, Claudio Domínguez points to a wet line in the sand

indicating the Paraná’s level just hours before. He cleans his bait and hurriedly
prepares for an all-night fishing trip that he hopes will not be unrewarded – as
so many others have been.
In the town square, a singer serenades the crowd with Oración del Remanso, a
folk song about Paraná fishers, during a festival that evening: ―Christ of the
fishing nets, don’t abandon us.‖
―Everything depends on the river. We all depend on it,‖ Domínguez said.
Topics
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 Drought
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om/global-development/2021/sep/27/paraguay-severe-drought-depletes-
river+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Ghana’s rice farmers need finance for
new technologies, but banks don’t
trust them
September 26, 2021 4.35am EDT
Authors
1. Philip Tetteh Quarshie

PhD Candidate/Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant, University of Guelph
2. Evan Fraser
Director of the Arrell Food Institute and Professor in the Dept. of Geography, Environment and Geomatics,
University of Guelph
Disclosure statement
Philip Tetteh Quarshie receives funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, and the Department of
Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is also affiliated with the Guelph
Institute of Development Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Evan Fraser receives funding from both Canadian and Provincial governments and the Arrell Family Foundation. He is
affiliated with the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council, the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security and the
European Commissions High Level Expert Group on Food Systems Science.
Partners
University of Guelph provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation CA.
University of Guelph provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR.
View all partners
Farmers harvesting rice DeAgostini/Getty Images
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New farming technologies have the potential to improve livelihoods and food
security in Sub-Saharan Africa. Better seed varieties, soil fertility practices and
pest management can all increase productivity. A United Nations
Development Programme report says growth in the region’s agriculture is
more effective than other economic sectors when it comes to ending hunger
and reducing poverty.
Steps have been taken over decades to enhance farmers’ access to improved
seeds and technologies that are essential to stimulate agricultural
transformation on the continent. The efforts were at both local, national and
regional levels by government and donors.
But studies continue to show that the adoption rate of modern technologies is
low among the region’s farmers. This situation has resulted in poor
agricultural productivity, high-levels of food insecurity and rural poverty. Over
65% of the households in Sub-Saharan Africa are mainly smallholder farmers,
many are poor and vulnerable.
Smallholder farmers in the region have a common problem. They tend to lack
access to the finance they need to adopt modern technologies. Finance could
be in the form of loans or credit.
Using the case of rice farming in Ghana, we conducted a study to understand

the challenges smallholder farmers face in accessing loans. We wanted to find
out if this was preventing them from adopting modern technologies, and
whether these technologies would improve their productivity and incomes.
We found that banks and financial institutions don’t trust smallholder

farmers. They relay their mistrust by, for example, requesting outrageous
collateral, a high sum of savings capital, and a high-interest rate for
agriculture loans. There are also usually long delays in accessing any funds.
We suggest mechanisms to improve access to finance that would help farmers

produce more rice.
Our research
We interviewed 100 smallholder rice farmers in the Shia-Osuduku district in
the Greater Accra region of Ghana. In focus group discussions and interviews,
we asked about access to credit and loans, and how this influenced their use of
modern production technologies.
We focused on rice farmers because rice is the second most important food
crop in Africa. Rice is also a significant source of income for rural farmers. In
Ghana, rice is the second most important cereal and is fast becoming a cash
crop for many farmers. Rice demand in Ghana is projected to grow at a
compound annual growth rate of 11.8%.
At the moment, most rice farmers are planting old rice variety seeds using
broadcast seeding. These give poor yields compared to those using modern
technologies. Such technologies include new rice varieties, a high-capacity
thresher for rice, a mobile application called RiceAdvice that provides tips on
rice farming, mechanical weeders that could reduce labour in rice production,
and localised farmer advice for nutrient management.
These farmers are optimistic that if they can access these technologies, they
will obtain better yields and improve livelihoods but said during a focus group
discussion:
We are poor farmers and cannot afford these technologies unless we get
some financial support from government or we get loans from banks to
invest in these technologies.
Another farmer said:
If you are lucky and you get money from the bank on time, and you invest it
in modern technologies, you are sure of a good yield.
Our study revealed that the greatest obstacle to access loans from banks and
village savings companies by farmers is the inability of smallholder farmers to
pay back loans when the harvest fails or they suffer post-harvest crop losses. A
situation that is likely to be reduced to near zero when farmers adopt modern
rice technologies that have been proven to be climate-smart as well.
These financial institutions, usually village savings and loan group,

microfinance companies or rural banks don’t trust that farmers will be able to
repay loans. So they use certain tactics to avoid granting loans. For example
they are unwilling to share information about innovative financial products.
Or they insist on farmers having huge amount of saving capital before
borrowing. Some financial institutions demand outrageous collateral and
multiple guarantors for credit. Others impose high interest rates beyond the
31% average interest rate set by the Bank of Ghana in 2017.
Some institutions erect unnecessary bureaucratic delays to process loans for

smallholder farmers.
Microfinance companies and rural banks are more willing to approve credit
facilities and loans to non-agricultural sectors than to smallholder farmers.
Nevertheless, our study shows that farmers who invest in modern technologies
such as improved seeds and fertiliser see an increase in yields and household
income, and are able to pay back their loan on time.
Overall, 88% of the rice farmers interviewed said their inability to adopt
modern technologies to improve productivity and achieve household
economic well-being was connected to their lack of access to loans to invest in
these technologies.
What we recommend
To improve smallholder farmers’ access to loans, government must provide
support for the sector. It can introduce agriculture insurance policy systems to
reduce the risk of non-payment of loans if harvests fail. This is essential to
addressing mistrust by financial institutions of smallholder farmers.
Smallholder farmers should also develop a saving culture and join farmer
group associations for collective bargaining for loans from financial
institutions.
Read more: Climate change is affecting agrarian migrant

livelihoods in Ghana. This is how
Innovative solutions such as a warehouse receipt financing system that allows

farmers to deposit their harvest in a certified warehouse and then be issued
with a document called warehouse receipt that they can use to access loans
from financial institutions, would address two barriers: lack of savings and
lack of collateral and guarantors.
The banks and other financial institutions must employ innovative ways to
reduce the bureaucracy in processing loan facilities. They should make more
effort to educate farmers about their processes and requirements to acquire
loans before the onset of the rainy season. This is critical to enable
smallholders to prepare adequately before applying for credit.
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:58gweJCMpXkJ:https://theconversation.co
m/ghanas-rice-farmers-need-finance-for-new-technologies-but-banks-dont-trust-them-
167924+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

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Philippines stirs controversy with genetically modified rice

Basmati export prices looking up, amid drop seen in output

Author Name: https://www.financialexpress.com/market/commodities/basmati-export-prices-looking-up-

Popular Dinner Foods That Increase

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

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Jibrin recommends steering clear of "charred or smoked meat, poultry or

Fish and chips

Hultin recommends avoiding consuming processed or refined foods like white

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Beginners to also be helped right

(For representation) Farm workers transplant rice saplings to a field | PTI

Impacts of Early Rice Agriculture on

A new study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences compiles

The results demonstrated that agriculture-induced deforestation around 2,000 years

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