New Hybrid Rice Variety Introduced In Mwea

KNA1 February 28, 2022 Agriculture, Counties, Editor's Pick, Kirinyaga0

Rice breeders in Mwea have come up with a hybrid rice that may soon replace the demand for
imported rice in the country.
The new breed of rice according to scientists is more favorable to the Kenyan masses and is
cheap when compared with the imported rice.
According to Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin, the director in charge of programs and
commercialization at the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF), the new rice
variety is more yielding and early maturing.
Dr. Okogbenin said the government should support Kenyan farmers to increase production of the
new breed of rice, which will eventually meet the local demand.
“It is heart breaking for Kenya and the entire Africa to continue importing food while they have
the ability to produce their own at a local level,” Okogbenin said.
He said already 400 acres have been supplied with the rice and true to the expert’s words’ the
crop is already growing faster than the traditional rice.
African Agriculture Technology Foundation (ATTF) has been collaborating with Kenya
Agricultural Research and Livestock Organization in Mwea in the development of the hybrid
rice.
Speaking during a rice farmers’ demonstration exercise held at Mwea Dr. Okogbenin said they
were supportive of the President’s Big Four agenda, especially on food security
“Our objective is to achieve prosperity for the farmers through technology as will be evidenced
through the hybrid rice,” He said.
He said there is a greater need for the adoption of the technology in order to increase rice
production in Kenya and in Africa as a whole.
Okogbenin said the level of rice consumption in Kenya stands at 650,000 tons as compared to
the production, which is at 150,000 tons. As a result, the deficit is met by the importation of
500,000 tons of rice yearly.
He said there is a big opportunity for employment in the increased production of rice in Kenya
and in the global market.
The crop scientist said consumption of rice has increased by 13 per cent while productivity grew
by only 3 per cent and hence the need to jump start rice production in the country.
“Adoption of hybrid rice will enhance income for the farmers besides creating the much-desired
job opportunities for the Kenyan youths,” he said.
The national rice performance trials started 10 years ago have managed to come up with five
types of hybrid seed, which are available to the farmers for planting.
“It is going to be an economic booster since the hybrid rice has been proven to yield three times
more than the traditional rice.
Dr Mary Mutembei, Head of Rice Promotion under the Department of Crop Development
Ministry of Agriculture said the government hopes to increase the local production rate to an
estimated 1.3 million metric tons by the year 2030 to fill the deficit of rice that is currently
sourced externally.
She said Kenyans have over time started to embrace rice to feature as a common meal on their
dinner tables in the wake of a rising population.
Dr Mutembei said that in 2016 the annual consumption rate per individual was 12 kilograms
against 25.3 kilograms in 2020.
“Many youths especially those living in the urban centers have changed their diet and prefer rice
to maize meal. Such factors and many more have led to an increased demand for the crop despite
an insufficient local supply,” Mutembei said.
“We only manage to farm 20 per cent of what is consumed locally across the 24 counties.
However, the Mwea irrigation scheme is the mega-producer,” she stated.
She said local farmers must be encouraged to embrace the cultivation of hybrid seeds for the
purpose of securing the government’s food security agenda as well as increasing their profit
margins after the sale of their produce.
Mutembei said the government would continue collaborating with both local and international
crop experts as well as seed development agencies for the sake of boosting improved seeds that
can lead to increased local production.
She was speaking in the Mwea irrigation scheme in Kirinyaga County during a rice farmer’s
field day where she hailed more than six seed varieties that were showcased to the farmers.
“The experts have undertaken enough research to ensure that what is distributed for planting
guarantees the farmer a low cost of production and is fit for human consumption,” She said.
She said the new variety was convenient compared to the conventional type as it matures faster,
is not prone to flooding, has the ability to withstand harsh weather and many other stressful crop
conditions. Moreover, it retains the aromatic trait and has a long full grain shape.
Mutembei also noted that with improved mechanization, farmers were assured of a short farming
season.
Among the varieties showcased to the farmers were ‘Kwomboka, PWAN gold, AH18007,
AH18004, and SCH04 among others.
By Irungu Mwangi

www.kenyanews.go.ke/new-hybrid-rice-variety-introduced-in-mwea/
Chinese researchers develop fragrant sorghum with gene
editing
Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2022-02-27 16:37:29
   
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have successfully cultivated fragrant sorghum
using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology.
Aroma is an important quality in food. Jasmine rice, for instance, is popular with consumers for
its aroma and, and it fetches a higher price accordingly.
Previous studies have found that a volatile aroma compound named 2-AP contributes to the
fragrance of rice. A gene called BADH2 can regulate the accumulation of 2-AP, generating odor
in crops.
Researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy
of Sciences used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to knock out the SbBADH2 gene in
sorghum, the BADH2 variant regulating the sorghum aroma.
According to the study published in the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, the seeds and leaves
of gene-edited sorghum have a significantly higher accumulation of 2-AP and smell floral and
sweet.
The researchers dried the leaves of wild sorghum and the gene-edited plant, grounded them into
powder, and mixed them with rabbit food. The rabbits were more attracted to the feed with the
fragrant sorghum and ate more. The research team is upbeat that the gene-edited variety can
support animal husbandry.
Sorghum is widely used in wine and vinegar brewing in China. In experiments to improve the
flavor and quality of liquor, the research team has also launched brewing experiments using
fragrant sorghum. ■
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20220227/6b5eb89c73824898a0ea410b434bb500/c.html

Amid Ukraine crisis, Punjab exporters stare at ₹500-crore losses

Russia-Ukraine war has hit the industry badly with several exporters across the state staring at
losses in crores. Exporters in Punjab are staring at nearly ₹500-crore losses due to delayed
payments
Exporters in Punjab are staring at nearly ₹500-crore losses due to delayed payments and other
factors arising from the ongoing war in Ukraine, said Badish Jindal, president, All-India Trade
Forum (AITF). (Bloomberg File Photo/ Representational image)
Published on Mar 01, 2022 01:59 AM IST
ByAneesha Sareen Kumar, Ludhiana
The Russia-Ukraine war has hit the industry badly with several exporters across the state staring
at losses in crores. Not only are huge consignments of goods such as hosiery items, bicycle parts,
tyres and rice stranded at dry ports, industrialists who received the letter of credit from their
buyers in Russia and Ukraine have no option but to wait for payments for an unknown period
with the risk of suffering huge losses. Moreover, a number of consignments are stuck midway.
Exporters in Punjab are staring at nearly ₹500-crore losses due to delayed payments and other
factors arising from the ongoing war in Ukraine, said Badish Jindal, president, All-India Trade
Forum (AITF). A number of bicycle parts manufacturers in Ludhiana have been exporting tyres,
coaster brakes, pedals, rims to clients in Ukraine. Also, Russia has been buying tyres from a
number of manufacturers here.
Harsimarjit Singh Lucky, managing director of ‘Lucky Exports’ in Ludhiana, which exports key
bicycle components to Ukraine, said about four of his consignments worth ₹3.5 lakh dollars are
stranded in transit near Turkey. “We have no other option but to wait and watch. It is not only
my money but my client’s money also,” he said.
Not only bicycle parts, but over two dozen containers of ‘Lal Qila basmati rice’ sent from
Amritsar are also stuck midway to Ukraine.
“The consignments of rice worth ₹4 crore on way to Ukraine sent from Amritsar are stranded.
Besides, for goods already delivered, the letter of credit issued will not be validated. The
uncertainty is haunting,” said Arvinder Pal Singh, partners of Amar Singh Chawal Wala and
president of Punjab Rice Millers Association.
Varun Sureka, a prominent tyre exporter in Ludhiana, who started trade with Russia only last
year, said due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, routing of trade will now be via
China as clients in Russia will not risk taking the sea and land route through Europe to India.
“It’s a direct benefit to China over India due to the ongoing conflict,” he said.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/amid-ukraine-crisis-punjab-exporters-
stare-at-500-crore-losses-101646080180186.html

Federal Govt Rice Policies Create 58 Mills Despite Hurdles

by Mark Itsibor
 
 

Kogi rice

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Policies of the federal government on agriculture appear to be working, especially in term of the
number of emerging integrated rice mills and the multiplier effects on farmers’ productivity,
food availability, job creation and poverty alleviation.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that over 58 new integrated rice mills have
been facilitated through various policies of the Federal Government in the last seven years.
The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, recently pointed out that rice mills in Nigeria were fewer
than 10 in 2015, with a combined capacity of fewer than 350,000 metric tonnes yearly. However,
as of January 2022, there were over 68 integrated mills with a combined capacity of three million
metric tonnes.
Emefiele had explained that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), introduced in 2015, had
a catalyst effects on rice cultivation, processing and other value chain activities, saying about 10
more integrated mills would be opened this year.
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“Food security remains a cardinal deliverable for every developing economy as it serves as the
fulcrum of many other economic development indices,” he said.
Also, the apex bank has assured rice millers of collaboration to boost the rice value chain in
Nigeria.
The governor called on integrated millers in the country to also invest in cultivation of rice
paddies to complement smallholders’ production and boost availability of raw materials for their
mills while driving the policy of the country to be self-sufficient in rice production.
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He disclosed this recently in Kano while unveiling Gerewa Rice Mill, an integrated 420-metric-
tonne per day rice mill.
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He urged mill operators to get involved in paddy cultivation as part of their backward integration
plans and cooperation with the Nigerian Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) for sustainability.
“The private sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme provides long-term
financing options to millers to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities;
and other agricultural infrastructure that will enhance the production plan,” Emefiele had said.
He said that the quality of milled Nigerian rice was comparable to that of rice produced
elsewhere in the world.
Head, Farming Initiatives, Olam Nigeria, Mr Reji George, who led the establishment of Olam’s
fully integrated, Africa’s largest mechanised commercial farm and milling facility at Rukubi, in
Nasarawa State and its massive out-grower scheme), said Nigeria’s rice sector had made
significant strides in respect of increased productivity and production volumes of small-holder
farmers, thereby increasing the profitability of rice growing, and processors were getting
sustainable volumes of high-quality paddies for their mills.
Sustainable paddies, to him, is a great factor to consider before establishing a rice mill, indicating
that springing up of more mills was due to available and potential great volume of paddies.

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“And consumers can now access excellent quality rice produced from the world-class milling
facilities coming up in the past few years. This turnaround can be attributed mainly to the
consistency in the rice policy and its proper implementation, by the Federal Government of
Nigeria,” George said.

A rice miller and Managing Director, Vertex Rice, Lokoja, Kogi State, Afis Oladejo, explained
that the policies of the government on local rice production, processing and consumption, to a
great extent, had triggered establishment of new and upgrade of existing rice mills and local rice
consumption.

“But insecurity on farms around rice-producing belts,” he added, “has led to scarcity and high
price of paddies. Insecurity is not only a threat to life but also to food security. It is affecting rice
farmers, millers and consumers by driving price of rice up.”

Oladejo called on the armed forces and the police to work harder on internal security of life and
property to enhance farmers’ productivity and complements various agro-economic policies of
the government.

Also, the chairman, Bukan Sidi-Lafia Rice Innovation Platform (IP), Nasarawa State and
National President, Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Joshua
Jonathan, said policies, ranging from limited forex for food imports, closure of some land
borders to supporting smallholder farmers, had improved rice productivity in terms of quantity,
quality and increased consumption of locally produced rice in Nigeria.

He said: “Before now, our scale of production is small – between 1.5 and 2.0 metric tonnes per
hectare, but now, Nigerian farmers’ production average yield is between 4.0 -6.0Mt/ha with
improved seeds, new production practices, CBN’s anchor borrowers’ support scheme, other
initiatives like off-takers’ arrangements, availability of farmer-friendly small-scale improved
technologies, especially in pre and post-harvest handling areas have improved greatly the
country’s parboiled milled rice.”

He added that importation restriction had helped Nigerians to see the need to invest in
agriculture, particularly in the rice sub-sector (large farms, more and bigger processing mills
being opened around the country), saying: “this has greatly improved our production capacity
and also boosted Nigerians’ desire for home-made rice. In terms rice production, Nigeria is on
track.”

He, however, said more have to be done in the area of extension service delivery to farmers to
sustain the gains.

Jonathan said: “There are inadequate extension workers to push the new innovations and
technologies to smallholder farmers. Small-holder farmers are producing 70 to 80 per cent of
present Nigeria’s rice. They need more support to continue to produce at the economic levels.

“Therefore, the government needs to invest more in the sector by making more budgetary
allocations to the rice sub-sector to enable farmers to reduce production cost.”

https://leadership.ng/federal-govt-rice-policies-create-58-mills-despite-hurdles/
Nigeria’s Rice Milling Capacity Hits 3m Metric Tonnes from 68
Integrated Mills
March 1, 2022 12:03 am

Gilbert Ekugbe
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stated that the nation’s rice milling capacity rose to
3,000,000 metric tonnes produced from over 68 integrated mills across the country in January
2022.
According to CBN, the policies of the federal government on agriculture appeared to be working,
especially in term of the number of emerging integrated rice mills and the multiplier effects on
farmers’ productivity, food availability, job creation and poverty alleviation.

The apex bank also disclosed that over 58 new integrated rice mills have been facilitated to give
additional support to the existing 10 mills in the country through various policies of the federal
government in the last seven years.

The Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, pointed out recently that rice mills in Nigeria
were fewer than 10 in 2015, with a combined annual capacity of less than 350,000 metric tonnes.
Emefiele explained that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), which the CBN introduced
in 2015, has had catalytic effects on rice cultivation, processing and other value chain activities,
adding that about 10 more integrated mills would be opened this year.

He said: “Food security remains a cardinal deliverable for every developing economy as it serves
as the fulcrum of many other economic development indices.”

Also, the apex bank has assured rice millers of its collaboration to boost the rice value chain in
Nigeria.

The governor called on the operators of integrated millers in the country to invest in the
cultivation of rice paddies to complement smallholders’ production and boost availability of raw
materials for their mills while driving the policy of the country to be self-sufficient in rice
production.

He disclosed this recently in Kano while unveiling the Gerewa Rice Mill, an integrated 420-
metric-tonne per day rice mill.

“The private sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme provides long-term

financing options to millers to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities;
and other agricultural infrastructure that will enhance the production plan,” Emefiele said.

He said the quality of milled Nigerian rice was comparable to that of rice produced elsewhere in
the world.

The Head, Farming Initiatives, Olam Nigeria, Mr. Reji George, who led the establishment of
Olam’s fully integrated, Africa’s largest mechanised commercial farm and milling facility at
Rukubi, in Nasarawa State, said that Nigeria’s production of rice has increased.

George said that availability of sustainable paddies is a great factor to be considered before
establishing a rice mill, and indicated that the springing up of more mills was due to available
and potential great volume of paddies.

A rice miller and Managing Director, Vertex Rice, Lokoja, Kogi State, Mr. Afis Oladejo,
explained to newsmen that the policies of the government on local rice production, processing
and consumption, to a great extent, had triggered establishment of new and upgrade of existing
rice mills and local rice consumption.

Oladejo called on the armed forces and the police to work harder on internal security of life and
property to enhance farmers’ productivity and complements various agro-economic policies of
the government.

Also, the Chairman, Bukan Sidi-Lafia Rice Innovation Platform (IP), Nasarawa State who is also
the National President, Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Mr.
Joshua Jonathan, said policies, ranging from limited FX for food imports, closure of some land
borders to supporting smallholder farmers, had improved rice productivity in terms of quantity,
quality and increased consumption of locally produced rice in Nigeria.
He said: “Before now, our scale of production is small – between 1.5 and 2.0 metric tonnes per
hectare, but now, Nigerian farmers’ production average yield is between 4.0 -6.0Mt/ha with
improved seeds, new production practices, CBN’s anchor borrowers’ support scheme, other
initiatives like off-takers’ arrangements, availability of farmer-friendly small-scale improved
technologies, especially in pre and post-harvest handling areas have improved greatly the
country’s parboiled milled rice.”

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https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/03/01/nigerias-rice-milling-capacity-hits-3m-
metric-tonnes-from-68-integrated-mills/

Farm & Gin Show Gets Back on Track

By Josh Hankins Amy Beth Dowdy (left) is

congratulated by rice industry
MEMPHIS, TN -- Crowds braved the cold that pal Sunny Bottoms
blanketed the region to attend the 70th Annual Mid-
South Farm and Gin Show held at the Renasant
Convention Center this past weekend. Farmers and
agriculture industry representatives from across the
south gathered to learn about the latest innovations,
equipment, machinery, and technology.

The rice industry was well represented, with booths

staffed by USA Rice, Arkansas Rice, and Delta Rice
Promotions, along with many industry partners who
staged exhibits at the trade show.

“This is the biggest indoor farm show in the south and attracts approximately 20,000
attendees over the two-day timeframe,” said Kane Webb, USA Rice director of field
services. “We were happy to be back in person this year. It was great to reconnect with
familiar faces, and to share information about U.S.-grown rice with all who asked.”

During the show, Rice Farming Magazine and Corteva Agriscience honored the Rice
Consultants of the Year for 2020 and 2021. The 2020 recipient, Amy Beth Dowdy, an
 independent crop consultant who works in southeast Missouri, talked about her love for
the rice industry and recognized Missouri growers Rance Daniels and the Worrell family
for her nomination.

“With so many irons in the fire, rice growers can’t always keep up with everything. I give
my growers a heads-up about emerging agronomic issues,” said Dowdy. “It’s not that the
grower isn’t knowledgeable. It’s that he doesn’t have time to know what problems are
getting ready to pop or which fields may currently need more attention than others.”

Malori Lansing with Corteva Agriscience introduced the 2021 winner, BD Fontenot from
Eunice, Louisiana, who has been consulting for more than four decades.

Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of The Rice Foundation, said Fontenot is by far the best rice
consultant with whom he has worked. “One thing that has always impressed me about BD
is that he will leave no stone unturned in getting the answer to a question or issue that will
benefit one of his growers,” said Linscombe.
USA rice daily

More Rice, Please

Hetty McKinnon’s sheet-pan fried rice is a perfect way to use up leftovers and frozen veggies.

By Krysten Chambrot
Feb. 25, 2022
Hi, Five Weeknight Dishers. This is Krysten, in for Emily.
I just got a rice cooker, and I won’t shut up about it. In the evenings, I set it to steam rice as I
finish work, and in the mornings, I fill it with steel-cut oats to cook as I get ready. I’ll add frozen
berries just before I take my dog, Rudy, around the block, leaving them to warm gently in the
residual heat. And, sometimes, I eat straight out of it. (I know.) What it provides is ease and
comfort, something steady, warming and reliable during unsettling days.
You most definitely do not need a rice cooker for the recipes below: Most call for already
cooked rice (stored safely, of course), or to prepare the rice as part of the dish. (Want to make
better rice with just a pot? Here’s some help, and here are some thoughts on how to repurpose
leftovers.)
Follow me on Instagram, where you’ll find me with Rudy, and, unsurprisingly, the rice cooker.
Image

Credit...David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
1. Sheet-Pan Fried Rice With Vegan ‘XO’ Sauce
This recipe from Hetty McKinnon not only puts those bags of frozen vegetables tucked in the
back of the freezer to good use, it also calls for leftover cooked rice. Make a double batch of the
easy sauce, which is flavored with mushrooms, garlic, ginger and soy sauce, and keep it for
tossing noodles, or whatever else you’d like.
View this recipe.

Image
Credit...Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne
2. Chicken and Rice With Scallion-Ginger Sauce
Take it from Sue Li, and don’t peek before this dish is ready. Her recipe lets the rice simmer
away as chicken breasts poach in the same pot, simultaneously yielding protein and carb. You
will need at least one more bowl, of course, for the accompanying sauce that carries some heat
from the jalapeño.
View this recipe.

Image
Credit...Johnny Miller for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Susan Spungen.
3. Sheet-Pan Jerk Salmon
Millie Peartree is so wonderful, and this recipe is only one illustration of how great she is.
Salmon fillets are first coated with jerk seasoning paste and paprika, then run quickly under the
broiler for a fast, flavorful meal. Rice, of course, would be perfect alongside.
View this recipe.
Image
Credit...Karsten Moran for The New York Times
4. Khichdi
This South Asian dish is beautifully versatile, with as many versions as there are families who
make it. Tejal Rao’s recipe is on the firmer side, and is substantial enough as a meal with a little
ghee and yogurt for heft, and cilantro and lime pickle for brightness. (Prefer it to be more like a
stew? Try Samantha Seneviratne’s Instant Pot version.)
View this recipe.

Image
Credit...Con Poulos for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Jerrie-Joy Redman-Lloyd.
5. Dami-Yeh Gojeh Nokhod Farangi (Tomato-Egg Rice)
This is such a clever recipe from Naz Deravian, who hard boils eggs in the same pot as the rice.
Doing so results in one less thing to wash, for a streamlined recipe that brings the bright,
perfectly acidic tartness of tomatoes to winter.
View this recipe.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/dining/weeknight-rice-recipes.html

Five rice-based dinners to make your week easy peasy

Rice provides ease and comfort, something steady, warming and reliable during unsettling
days, says Krysten Chambrot
(Getty)

I just got a rice cooker, and I won’t shut up about it. In the evenings, I set it to steam

rice as I finish work, and in the mornings, I fill it with steel-cut oats to cook as I get ready. I’ll
add frozen berries just before I take my dog, Rudy, around the block, leaving them to warm
gently in the residual heat. And, sometimes, I eat straight out of it (I know). What it provides is
ease and comfort, something steady, warming and reliable during unsettling days.
Most of the recipes below call for already cooked rice (stored safely, of course), or to prepare the
rice as part of the dish.
Traybake fried rice with vegan ‘XO’ sauce
While making fried rice the traditional way isn’t hard, this traybake version is an excellent
alternative method: it uses the oven for the heavy lifting and produces the perfect amount of
crisping. Fried rice is the ultimate adaptable dish, and here, frozen mixed vegetables – that bag of
sweetcorn, carrots, peas and beans that home cooks should always keep in the freezer – create a
colourful canvas for an XO-inspired vegan mushroom sauce that infuses the dish with umami.
The sauce is a wonderful condiment in itself, so make a double batch to keep in the fridge for
slathering over noodles or roasted vegetables. You could use mushrooms other than cremini for
the sauce; fresh or dried shiitake work incredibly well. Add more eggs if you wish, too.
 By: Hetty McKinnon
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Serves: 4
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
6 heaping cups cold leftover rice (white or brown)
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 onion, finely diced
120ml neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola, plus more for drizzling
170g cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1 (2.5cm) piece ginger, finely chopped
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
¾ to 1 tsp red-pepper flakes, to taste
1 (450g) bag frozen mixed vegetables (do not thaw)
4 to 6 eggs
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
Method:
1. Place a baking tray on the middle oven rack and heat to 230C.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rice with salt, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, sesame oil and half of the
diced onion. Toss to combine well. Remove the sheet pan from the oven, and spread the rice out
evenly. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the sauce: in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, add 1 to 2
tablespoons neutral oil and the remaining diced onion. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the onions
start to soften, then reduce heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes more until translucent. Add
the remaining 6 to 7 tablespoons neutral oil, along with the mushrooms, garlic, ginger, remaining
1 tablespoon soy sauce, dark soy sauce and red-pepper flakes. Reduce heat to medium-low and
cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the mushrooms are completely soft. If the oil bubbles too much,
reduce the heat to low.
4. After 15 minutes, remove the tray from the oven, add the frozen mixed vegetables and toss
with the rice to evenly distribute. Make 4 to 6 divots in the rice (depending on how many eggs
you are using), drizzle a tiny bit of neutral oil into each divot to prevent sticking, and break an
egg into each. Return to the oven for 6 to 10 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks are still
runny.
5. To serve, spoon some of the sauce over the rice and top with spring onions. If the rice needs
more seasoning, add more sauce or season with salt.
Chicken and rice with spring onion-ginger sauce
Chicken and rice is a favourite combination around the world. This version, an Asian-inspired
one-pot meal, coaxes a lot of flavour out of a limited ingredient list. Rinsing rice until the water
runs clear helps remove extra starch on the outside of the grains and will make rice less gummy
when cooked. The most essential step when cooking rice on the stovetop is to resist the urge to
peek under the lid; the telltale sign that the rice is done is when the steam rising from under the
lid has subsided (in the early stages of cooking rice, there may be visible steam escaping the
saucepan, but as the moisture is absorbed by the rice, you may notice less steam).
By: Sue Li
Serves: 4
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
340g sushi rice (or other short-grain white rice)
480ml chicken broth
1 (7.5cm) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated (about 3 tbsp)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 900g)
Salt and pepper
60ml vegetable oil
6 spring onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
1 jalapeño, halved, seeded, then thinly sliced
2 tsp toasted white sesame seeds
1 tsp sesame oil
½ tsp sugar
Method:
1. Place rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold water, shaking gently, until the water runs
clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, broth and 1 tablespoon grated ginger. Season chicken
all over with salt and pepper and place on top of rice mixture. Cover and bring mixture to a boil
over high. Once mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until rice is
plump, broth is absorbed and chicken is cooked through, 20 to 22 minutes. Turn off heat and let
rest, covered, 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the vegetable oil, spring onions, vinegar, jalapeño,
sesame seeds, sesame oil, sugar and remaining ginger; season with salt and pepper.
3. Remove chicken from saucepan and slice 1.5cm thick crosswise. Fluff rice with a fork and
divide among bowls. Top with chicken and scallion-ginger sauce.
Traybake jerk salmon
(Getty/iStock)
Broiling is one of the quickest ways to cook salmon, and retain its moisture. It heats the outside
while keeping the inside tender. When making this jerk salmon, your house may smell like a
charcoal grill in the Caribbean. Don’t worry if the fish darkens considerably as it cooks; that’s
when you know it’s almost done. Finish it off with a mango slaw or classic carrot salad to make
your dinner look as vivid as it tastes.
By: Millie Peartree
Serves: 4
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray (optional)
4 (170g) skin-on salmon fillets, about 2.5-4cm thick
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp jerk seasoning paste (hot or mild)
1 tsp sweet or hot paprika
Salt (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Method:
1. Position an oven rack 15cm from the broiler and set the broiler to high. Line a rimmed baking
tray with aluminum foil or lightly coat with cooking spray.
2. Place salmon on a cutting board, skin-side up. Using a sharp knife, cut through the skin about
⅓cm deep, in 3 different places, making sure not to cut all the way through to the flesh.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, jerk seasoning, paprika and salt, if using (the jerk
seasoning has plenty of salt, so taste before adding salt). Place salmon portions in the mixture
and coat evenly, ensuring the mixture gets into the scored flesh.
4. Place on the tray, skin-side up, and broil until the skin is crispy and flesh is opaque, 10 to 12
minutes. The exterior will darken considerably, but don’t be alarmed. The high heat will help
keep the inside moist. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve with mango slaw or carrot
salad.
Khichdi

(Getty/iStock)
Khichdi is reassuring, everyday fare, made from a mix of rice and lentils, cooked together in one
pot until tender and seasoned with a splash of spice-infused fat. In India, it can be on the firmer
side or more mushy, stripped down to the basics or more embellished, but it’s always a comfort.
To make the dish a meal, serve it with a drizzle of ghee on top and some chopped coriander
leaves, a spoonful of full-fat yoghurt on the side and a little jarred Indian-style lime pickle.
By: Tejal Rao
Serves: 3 to 4
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
140g long-grain white rice, such as jasmine
60g yellow split mung beans
2 tbsp ghee
½ tsp mustard seeds
1 small cinnamon stick
2 green cardamom pods
2 whole cloves
1 sprig curry leaves (optional)
¼ tsp red chilli powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
Method:
1. Combine the rice and mung and rinse several times, until the water that drains away runs
almost totally clear. Add to a heavy-bottomed pot with 400ml water and set over medium-high
heat.
2. In another small saucepan, heat the ghee and mustard seeds. When the seeds start to pop,
lower the heat and add the remaining ingredients, swirling them in the pan. Let the spices sizzle
for under a minute, then carefully pour into the rice pot, along with the ghee (watch out: the fat
may splatter).
3. When the water comes up to a rolling boil, give it a good stir, scraping at the bottom of the
pot, then cover tightly and turn the heat down to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat
and let the rice rest for 10 minutes before opening the lid. Fluff gently with a spatula. Taste,
season with salt to taste and serve.
Dami-yeh gojeh nokhod farangi (tomato-egg rice)
This comforting Iranian dami (rice cooked with vegetables) bridges the transition between spring
and summer with early tomatoes and perennial frozen green peas – but tastes great any time of
year. Dami-style rice is stickier than other Iranian rice dishes. Delicately scented with turmeric
and cinnamon, it is often served with eggs on the side. This version cooks the eggs whole in their
shells on top of the rice to make for a one-pot meal.
By: Naz Deravian
Serves: 4
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
2 medium tomatoes
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, finely grated
Salt
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp black pepper, plus more for the eggs
2 tbsp tomato paste
170g frozen green peas
270g white basmati rice, rinsed well and drained
½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
4 large eggs, rinsed well
Fresh mint leaves, torn, and spring onions, cut into 5cm lengths, for serving (optional)
Method:
1. Cut the tomatoes in half through their equators and scoop out the seeds with a spoon or your
fingers as best as you can without getting obsessive about it. Discard the seeds and cut the
tomatoes into 1.5cm pieces, discarding the stem and core.
2. In a medium or large saucepan with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high, add the onion and
cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and browning slightly around the edges, about 6
minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the garlic and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring
frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the turmeric and pepper and stir until fragrant,
about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and stir to cook off the raw taste and brighten the color,
taking care not to burn the paste, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir and
cook until the tomatoes start to soften and just begin to release their juices, about 3 minutes. Add
the peas, rice and cinnamon, stir and cook for 1 minute.
3. Raise the heat to high and add the butter, 2½ teaspoons salt and 2 cups water. Stir and bring to
a boil. With a spoon, gently place the eggs on top of the rice, spaced out evenly along the outer
edges of the saucepan. They will sink a little bit. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook just
until the liquid has been absorbed, about 12 minutes. If you don’t have a glass lid, it’s OK to
quickly lift the lid to check the liquid absorption.
4. Remove the lid and wrap it with a clean thin kitchen towel. Secure the towel by tying it in a
knot or tucking it into the lid’s handle. Place the lid firmly back on the pot so that the towel can
catch condensation, and allow the rice to continue steaming over low heat until it is cooked
through, about 15 minutes more.
5. Fill a small bowl with ice water. With a spoon, transfer the eggs to the ice water and let stand
until cool enough to peel, about 1 minute.
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/rice-recipe-quick-easy-dinner-idea-
b2024732.html

Kerala Agriculture Department to Set up Modern Mini Rice

Mills
The Agriculture Department will contemplate setting up modern mini rice mills to process paddy
harvested from upland fields in Kanjikuzhy and nearby areas.

Ayushi Raina Updated 28 February, 2022 2:17 PM IST Published on 28 February, 2022 12:49

PM IST
Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad said that steps will be taken to boost upland rice
cultivation in the region.
The Kerala Agriculture Department is contemplating the installation of modern mini rice mills to
process paddy harvested from upland fields in Kanjikuzhy and nearby areas. 
Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad said during the harvest of Rakthashali,
Jaya and Basmati rice varieties grown on an experimental basis in Kanjikuzhy grama
panchayat that steps will be taken to boost upland rice cultivation in the region. 
Sreekanth, a dental doctor, cultivated the rice varieties on 4.5 acres of Kundelattu paddy polder. 
"The cultivation of various rice varieties has proven to be a success." The Agriculture
Department will take initiatives to expand paddy cultivation in the region's upland fields. To
address the difficulty of harvesting paddy, the department would investigate establishing
contemporary mini rice mills," Mr. Prasad said. 
Organic vegetable farming is well-known in Kanjikuzhy. According to grama panchayat
officials, several farmers in the region are now planning for commercial rice cultivation.
Rakthashali with red husk and grain is the least economically viable of the three varieties grown
at Kundelattu, compared to several high yielding rice varieties. But the nearly-extinct variety of
rice with high medicinal value has properties to cure many ailments. Dr. Sreekanth bought the
Rakthashali seeds from Narayanan, a farmer and Basmati seeds from an online marketplace.
Geetha Karthikeyan, president of the Kanjikuzhy Grama Panchayat, presided. M. Santhosh
Kumar, vice president of the Gram Panchayat, agriculture officer Janeesh, and others spoke.
About Kerala Agriculture Department:
The Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers' Welfare (Kerala) is one of the
Departments of Government of Kerala.
The Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers' Welfare is an important ministry in
Kerala that administers agriculture development through promoting scientific farming practices
and the welfare of farmers via different policies and programmes.

https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/kerala-agriculture-department-to-set-up-modern-mini-
rice-mills/

Cholesterol reduction and feed efficiency enhancement seen

in broilers fed fermented rice bran
By Jane Byrne 
28-Feb-2022 - Last updated on 28-Feb-2022 at 11:23 GMT
 
The inclusion of fermented rice bran in broiler rations enhances the birds’ growth and
reduces their blood cholesterol levels, finds research from Bangladesh Agricultural
University.
Fermentation improves the nutritive value of rice bran, according to the study, published in
the Journal of Applied Poultry Research.
While rice bran is a potential feed resource with high nutritional value, antinutritional factors
such as the presence of phytate and high fiber restrict its use as a broiler feed ingredient, they
said.
The team, citing work by Gallinger et al. (2004), reported that excessive inclusion of rice bran
hampers the growth of chicks.
But help is at hand. Fermentation can increase protein levels and reduce the fiber content of rice
bran and other agro-industrial byproducts according to research by Sugiharto, 2016; Ullah, 2021.
Fermentation can also enhance the functionality of rice bran as a poultry feed ingredient noted
Sugiharto et al., 2018. Such a process can improve the phenolic content and antioxidant activity
of the feed raw material (Oliveira et al., 2008), and decrease its phytate phosphorus content
(Azrinnahar et al., 2021), reported the Bangladesh based experts.
Inclusion of fermented rice bran further assists in reducing the cholesterol content of broiler
meat, they added.
Different organisms ferment rice bran, and their effects on improving the nutritional quality of
rice bran also differ, said the team.
Rumen inoculum obtained from mature cattle could be used for the fermentation of rice bran,
while Martin et al. (1998) found that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens produces phytase that
hydrolyzes phytic acid in rice bran - protein, calcium, and phosphorus trapped by phytic acid are
then released and diluted for poultry use.
Urea and molasses supplements can accelerate the fermentation process and improve the
nutritional content of the fermented rice bran, added the research team.
The study 
Their own study was designed to see if the nutritional quality of rice bran was improved through
fermentation and if there was a boost to broiler production.
The team mixed inoculum and rice bran in a 1:1 ratio for fermentation at 39℃ for 48 hours,
performing proximate analysis to determine amino acid content.
In total, 120-day-old chicks were randomly divided into three groups.
The researchers outlined the various dietary approaches: unfermented rice bran was administered
to the control group (C), 10% fermented (only rumen inoculum used) rice bran was administered
to the F group, and 10% fermented rice bran (5% molasses added with rumen inoculum) was
administered to the MF group.
The rations were prepared in the feed mill of Shahjalal Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory,
Bangladesh Agricultural University, and provided ad libitum to broilers for 35 days; broiler
blood samples were collected on the 35th day.
Findings 
The researchers saw that fermentation increased the crude protein content of fermented rice bran
by 17.21 and 24.59% in the F and MF groups, respectively.
They said that fiber content was reduced by 14.29 and 24.10% in the F and MF groups,
respectively. Phytate phosphorus content was also reduced in both fermented groups.
FCR was low in the F and MF groups. Blood cholesterol level was reduced by 22.89 and 13.09%
in F and MF groups, whereas the blood albumin content was increased by 24.15 and 14.61% in F
and MF groups, respectively.
Overall, the team concluded that fermentation improves the nutritive value of rice bran, and
addition of supplements, such as molasses, accelerates fermentation. Adding fermented rice bran
to broiler rations enhances the growth performance of the birds and reduces the cholesterol level
in their blood serum.
“Probiotic effects, phytase activities, and some important enzymes produced during fermentation
are responsible for the beneficial changes of blood profile in fermented rice bran offered
broilers.”
 
Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web site are © 2022 - William Reed
Business Media Ltd - All Rights Reserved - Full details for the use of materials on this site can
be found in the Terms & Conditions
https://www.feednavigator.com/Article/2022/02/28/Cholesterol-reduction-and-feed-efficiency-
enhancement-seen-in-broilers-fed-fermented-rice-bran

Your rice production data helps legislators understand

farm operations
February 28, 2022
 WASHINGTON, DC – How did 2021 affect your
bottom line? The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) wants to know and has contacted a sample
of rice producers to participate in the Agricultural
Resource Management Survey (ARMS).
Producers are encouraged to complete the survey to
help the rice industry and policymakers better
understand farm operation financial data in these
challenging times.
The current survey asks specific questions about rice production costs and returns. The last time
the ARMS survey included rice producers was in 2013, so it is important to gather updated
information that reflects changes in factors such as technology and production practices to
determine how much have costs have changed since 2013. Go here for more information about
the ARMS survey. If you do not receive this survey in the mail, go here to be counted for future
USDA surveys. Access data from historic costs and returns tables here.
https://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/your-rice-production-data-helps-legislators-understand-
farm-operations/

VIETNAM JAN-FEB COFFEE EXPORTS UP 3.4% Y/Y,

RICE UP 38.6%
2/27/2022
HANOI, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Vietnam's coffee exports in the first two months of the year likely
rose 3.4% from a year earlier to 293,000 tonnes, while rice exports are estimated to have
increased 38.6% to 906,000 tonnes, government data on Monday showed.
COFFEE
Vietnam's coffee exports for the first two months are estimated to equal 4.8 million 60-kg bags,
the General Statistics Office (GSO) said.
Coffee export revenue for Vietnam, the world's biggest producer of the robusta bean, was likely
up 35.6% to $674 million for the two-month period.
Coffee shipments in February are estimated at 130,000 tonnes, valued at $304 million.
RICE
January-February rice exports are estimated to have risen 38.6% from a year earlier to 906,000
tonnes. Revenue from rice exports in the period is seen up 22.3% at $437 million.
February rice exports from Vietnam likely totalled 400,000 tonnes, worth $191 million.
ENERGY
Vietnam's January-February crude oil exports were seen down 9.5% from the same period last
year at 453,000 tonnes. Crude oil export revenue in the period is estimated to have risen 41.3%
from a year earlier to $320 million.
Oil product imports in the two months were estimated at 555,000 tonnes, down 55.9% from the
same period last year, while the value of product imports decreased 24.4% to $394 million.
The GSO trade data is subject to revision next month. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen Editing by
Ed Davies)
© Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Click For Restrictions
- http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/vietnam-jan-feb-coffee-exports-up-34-yy-rice-
up-386

Govt Plans to Procure 44.4 million tonnes of Wheat &

4.3 million tonnes of Rabi Rice
"A target of 4.29 million tonnes of rice (rabi crop) has been estimated for procurement from
seven procuring States during the upcoming rabi crop in the current season (October-
September)." Estimates of procurement of rabi-grown rice from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and
Telangana are awaited, according to the ministry.

Shivam Dwivedi Updated 28 February, 2022 12:06 PM IST Published on 28 February, 2022

9:27 AM IST

Wheat & Rice

The Centre announced on Friday that it would purchase 44.4 million tonnes (mt) of wheat and
4.29 million tonnes (mt) of rabi-grown rice under the minimum support price (MSP) programme
in 2022-23. The rice target, however, excludes Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana
estimates.
The wheat target, which was finalized by the Food Ministry following a video conference
meeting of State Food Secretaries, exceeds last year's total purchase of 43.34 mt.
"A target of 4.29 million tonnes of rice (rabi crop) has been estimated for procurement from
seven procuring States during the upcoming rabi crop in the current season (October-
September)." Estimates of procurement of rabi-grown rice from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and
Telangana are awaited, according to the ministry.
Given the past trend, rice procurement in the three states could be around 7 million tonnes from
rabi-grown crops, assuming Telangana does not reduce the target (about 6 mt).
In Telangana, the Centre procured 9.45 million tonnes of rice (both Kharif and rabi crops)
against a procurement target of 10.5 million tonnes (both Kharif and rabi crops) in the previous
season (October-September).
In the current season, the state procured 4.7 million tonnes out of a target of 4.6 million tonnes
from the Kharif crop.
The meeting also discussed the promotion of coarse grains, the implementation of minimum
threshold parameters for online procurement operations, the supply of jute bags and packaging
material, storage space, improving efficiency and transparency in procurement operations, and
the online settlement of food subsidy claims, according to the statement.
Wheat procurement in major states: (lakh tonnes) 2022-23 (target) 2021-22 (actual)
• Punjab 132 132.22
• Haryana 85 84.93
• Uttar Pradesh 60 56.41
• Madhya Pradesh 129 128.16
• Rajasthan 23 23.40
• Bihar 10 4.56
https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/govt-plans-to-procure-444-million-tonnes-of-wheat-
43-million-tonnes-of-rabi-rice/

State hopes to increase local rice production rate

In 2016 the annual consumption rate per individual was 12 kilograms against 25.3 kilograms in
2020
In Summary
•Kenya imports 80 per cent of its rice for consumption.
•Many youths especially those living in the urban centres have changed their diet and prefer rice
to maize.
Mary Mutembei, the head of rice promotion.
Image: WANGECHI WANG'ONDU
The government hopes to increase the local rice production rate to an estimated 1.3 million
metric tons by 2030, to fill the deficit that is currently sourced externally.
This is against an estimated annual local production of 180,000 metric tons.
Kenya imports 80 per cent of its rice for consumption.
Mary Mutembei, the head of rice promotion under the department of crop development in the
Ministry of Agriculture said Kenyans have started to adopt rice as a common meal in the wake of
a rising population and the need for a dietary change.
According to government statistics, in 2016 the annual consumption rate per individual was 12
kilograms against 25.3 kilograms in 2020
“Many youths especially those living in the urban centres have changed their diet and prefer rice
to maize. Such factors and many more have led to an increased demand for the crop despite an
insufficient local supply,” she said.
“We only manage to farm 20 per cent of what is consumed locally across the 24 counties.
However, the Mwea irrigation scheme is the mega-producer.”
She called on farmers to adopt the cultivation of hybrid seeds to secure the government's food
security agenda and increase their profit margins after the sale of their produce.
Speaking on Friday, Mutembei said the government would continue partnering with local and
international crop experts and seed development agencies to boost improved seeds that can lead
to increased local production.
She was speaking in the Mwea irrigation scheme in Kirinyaga during a rice farmers' field day.
Mutembei hailed more than six seed varieties that were showcased to the farmers.
“The experts have undertaken enough research to ensure what is distributed for planting
guarantees the farmer a low cost of production and is fit for human consumption,” she said.
She said the new variety was convenient compared to the conventional type as it matures faster,
is not prone to flooding, can withstand harsh weather and many other stressful crop conditions.
Moreover, it retains the aromatic trait and has a long full grain shape.
Mutembei said with improved mechanisation, farmers were assured of a short farming season.
Among the varieties showcased to the farmers were Komboka, PWAN gold, AH18007,
AH18004, SCH04 among others.
Emmanuel Okogbenin, the director in charge of programmes and commercialisation at the
African Agriculture Technology Foundation urged the government to support Kenyan farmers to
increase production, to meet the local demand.
He said it was unfortunate for Kenya and entire Africa to continue importing food while they
could produce their own at a local level.
Okogbenin said Africa has thus far spent over Sh3,955,416 ($35,000) in the importation of food,
calling on the respective African states to stamp their authority in matters of local food
production.
He said through the creation of friendly policies, incentives interest rates, availability of ready
market, quality seeds and subsidised farm inputs are among the many reasons that will boost the
farmers' morale to produce more.
Okogbenin urged rice farmers to not only farm their produce for subsistence means but
commercial purposes.
He reiterated the importance of African countries to trade amongst themselves to boost food self-
sufficiency across the continent help promote regional trade.
“Farmers should not just view farming as a mere side support venture, they should get fully
involved in it and see it as an agribusiness that is capable of transforming their lives,” Okogbenin
said.
“It has come to a point when Kenya and the entire continent starts to aggressively produce and
promote  their products as opposed to enriching external farmers.”
He said his firm is partnering with other like-minded agencies to make sure Africa has its hybrid
seeds thus ensuring reducing over-reliance on external markets.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
Emmanuel Okogbenin, the director in charge of programmes and commercialisation at the
African Agriculture Technology Foundation on Friday.
Image: WANGECHI WANG'ONDU

One of the farmers showcasing some of the matured hybrid rice varieties in her rice farm on

Rice production in Ghana to get major boost

Between 2008 and 2020, paddy rice production was in the range of 302,000 MT and 987,000
 Rice production in Ghana is to get a boost with
the intervention of a United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) Technical
Assistance Project contributing to the
achievement of sustainable and higher inclusive value creation.

The project will strengthen the competencies of the value chain in order to catalyze the use of
modern technologies, realise higher value creation and

comply with market requirements.

Mr Frakhruddin Azizi, UNIDO’s Representative to Ghana, said the US$3.6million project would
build the capacity of value-chain actors, mainly farmers, agro-traders, crop processors and public
support institutions by way of a range of activities focusing on quality assurance, increased
productivity and business competitiveness as well as the supply of equipment.

The project is dubbed: “Promoting technological upgrade and quality assurance system to
achieve higher value addition in the post-harvest processes of rice value chain.”

He said the three-year project would commence this year and would be focused in the Northern
and Ashanti Regions with funding from the Japanese government with UNIDO implementing
jointly with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

He said was to contribute to the food security challenges in the country as well as the overall
national agenda and to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mr Mockizukihi Hisanobu, Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, said last year, the Government of
Japan and UNIDO joined hands to implement ten UNIDO projects across ten countries,
including Ghana, to mitigate the severe and long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that Japan considers capacity development as central to the socioeconomic

development of any country and “we have confidence in the ability of technology to provide
substantial benefit in agriculture.”

The ambassador said the experience Japan had gathered over the years in the areas of capacity
development has been very useful in their own success story.

“Therefore, when we build the capacity of farmers to improve the quality of a high market value
crop like rice, the impact can be transformative and open opportunities for smallholder farmers,”
he added.

He said the project was important from the viewpoint of their commitment to promoting the
concept of human security, which was a key development cooperation objective of Japan’s
Official Development Assistance.

Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo, the Deputy Minister in Charge of Crop at the Ministry, said rice was
an important strategic crop in the economy of Ghana, which was cultivated as both food and cash
crop. He said rice consumption continued to increase due to population growth, urbanization and
change in consumer habits.

Between 2008 and 2020, paddy rice production was in the range of 302,000 MT and 987,000
MT (181,000 to 622,000 MT of milled rice) with large annual fluctuations.

He said the total rice consumption in 2020 amounted to about 1,450,000 MT, which was
equivalent to per capita consumption of about 45.0kg per annum.

The minister said the country depended largely on imported rice to make up for the deficit in
domestic rice supply, and its rice self-sufficiency ratio declined from 38 percent in 1999 to 24
percent in 2006 and increased to about 43 percent in 2020.
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Rice-production-in-Ghana-to-get-major-
boost-1478399

Researchers Develop Novel Nanoparticles to Protect

Agricultural Crops from Fungal and Bacterial
Infections
By IANS
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, (IIT-K) have developed a novel
nanoparticle-based biodegradable-carbonoid-metabolite (BioDCM) that can protect agricultural
crops from fungal and bacterial infections.
An IIT-K press release said: "A team led by Santosh K Mishra and Piyush Kumar from the
department of biological sciences and bioengineering has developed BioDCM in collaboration
with researchers C Kannan and Divya Mishra from ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, and
R Balamurugan and Mou Mandal from the School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad."
This comes as the second such innovation in the agriculture sector from IIT Kanpur since last
year.
Last year, out of the 107 patents filed by the institute, one path-breaking invention was the "Bhu-
Parikshak" soil-testing device that has proven to significantly reduce the time and hassle required
for testing soil in the lab.
Adding to that relentless saga of bringing effective innovations to farmers, the invention of these
novel nanoparticles would prove to act as shields to protect crops, especially rice crops from
infection and diseases.
Prof Abhay Karandikar, Director IIT Kanpur said: "Our institute has undertaken many
innovative high-tech projects to help farmers. As the problems faced by the farmers are multi-
fold, our efforts also have been relentless to enrich the whole ecosystem of farming in general. In
that regard, the invention of these novel nanoparticles would lessen the worries of crop infection
and give a boost to yield."
The technology is a protective biological alternative that can be used to enhance crop protection
against various diseases in the agricultural field, especially for rice crops.
It is developed as a biodegradable nanoparticle system with a metabolite—the end-product of
metabolism or the process of conversion of food, extracted from the naturally occurring common
soil fungi viz. Trichoderma asperellum strain TALK1.
This extracted metabolite can be used as an effective organic antimicrobial agent and
carbonaceous degradable encompassing to provide protection against crop diseases and
enrichment of soil respectively, the release said.
**
The above article has been published from a wire agency with minimal modifications to the
headline and text.
https://weather.com/en-IN/india/science/news/2022-02-28-novel-nanoparticles-to-protect-
agricultural-crops

Tanzania: Experts Discuss Study Findings to Boost Rice Yields

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1 MARCH 2022

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

By Heckton Chuwa
Moshi — RESEARCH in agriculture has been described as a solid basis for increasing food
production, including rice, whose consumption has increased significantly in recent years.
This was stated by the Kilimanjaro Regional Administrative Secretary, Willy Machumu, during a
meeting to present and discuss the technical manual for contributing water use efficiency at
irrigation schemes, which was held in Moshi, Kilimanjaro recently.
"All development issues are being implemented with great success after a thorough study, so this
study you present today I believe will be the best foundation for increasing productivity in rice
production in the country," he said in a statement read on his behalf by Mr Arnold Msuya from
the Kilimanjaro Regional Secretariat.
"I am very impressed and optimistic that the study would improve food production and improve
paddy agriculture by helpingto create strategic plans for rain harvesting and preservation of
water as well as its proper utilisation," he said.
He appealed to the participants and the agricultural experts in general to use the results of the
study effectively to increase rice production in the country.
"I am optimistic that irrigation paddy fields will be improved and later on increase rice
production, especially when put in mind that irrigation paddy fields accounts for 26 percent of
the rice production area than the rain fed one," he noted.
Earlier during a presentation through video from Japan, the Programme Director with the Japan
International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Dr Nakashima Kazuo, said
the demand for rice was continuously increasing due to increasing population growth and the
spread of rice eating culture.
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"Under these circumstances, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries instructed
JIRCAS to conduct a study on improving water efficiency in irrigation schemes in Africa", he
said.
He said the study was aimed at increasing paddy production especially in Sub-Saharan Africa
where rice production falls short of consumption, leading to an increase in the region's rice
importations from Asia and North America.
He said it was due to that factor that Japan started its support for rice cultivation in Tanzania in
1974, whereby their experts conducted activities which were aimed at establishing techniques of
irrigated rice cultivation in Lower Moshi district.
Speaking on behalf of the Head of the National Irrigation Commission, the Kilimanjaro Regional
Irrigation Officer Eng Said Hussein Ibrahim, said the study involved Kilimanjaro Agricultural
Training Centre (KATC), Arusha Technical College (ATC), National irrigation Commission,
Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute Ministry of Agriculture and JIRCAS.
KATC Head, Eng Nicodemus Shauritanga, thanked JIRCAS for its collaboration in the study,
whereby he said KATC's mentors who participated in the project would now be competent in
research works due to the experiences they gained in the project.
Read the original article on Daily News.
.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202203010047.html

Adding this while cooking rice can cut down rice calories by 50
percent
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on -Feb 28, 2022, 13:57 ISTShare 
01/6Rice for weight loss
When it comes to weight loss, the most common factor that everyone talks about is
calorie control by skipping carbs. While people often compromise on their diet and avoid
everything that they love to eat to lose those extra inches, the experts feel that it is not a
healthy practice. Today, we will tell you about how to eat a rich source of carbs i.e rice,
and still cut down calories by 50 percent. (Image: istock)
02/6What needs to be done?
According to a 2015 research presented in the American Chemical Society, the smart way
to cut down calories in rice is by adding one teaspoon of coconut oil to boiling water and
then cooking rice in it for about 25-30 minutes, then drain excess water and refrigerate
for 12 hours. (Image: istock)
03/6Starch and weight loss

As per the research, the resistant starch — which gets created due to overnight soaking of
rice, doesn’t break in the small intestine where carbohydrates are metabolized into
glucose and other simple sugars and absorbed into the bloodstream. So, if one wishes to
lose weight, the digestible starch needs to be converted into resistant starch, which
further helps in lowering the number of calories. (Image: istock)
04/6What actually happens?
When you eat rice, it gets converted into glycogen in the body and makes for a post-
workout recovery fuel for the muscles. If you are not working out or indulging in any
rigorous physical activity, this glycogen becomes glucose and gets stored in the body as
fat. (Image: istock)
05/6What study says?

As per the research, this trick can help cut down calories by 60 per cent. Researchers
believe that increasing rice resistant starch (RS) concentrations is a novel way to
approach the problem. It has been found that if the best rice variety is processed, it might
reduce the calories by about 50-60 percent. (Image: istock)
Also Read: 9 reasons that will make you use rice water daily
06/6Final words

While this is what the study says, one should always consult a trained medical
practitioner or a nutritionist before making any dietary changes. (Image: istock)
For scrumptious recipes, videos, and exciting food news, subscribe to our
free Daily  and Weekly  Newsletters

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/adding-this-while-cooking-rice-can-cut-
down-rice-calories-by-50-percent/photostory/89891402.cms
Majority of Iranians no more get meat, rice and dairy items

Due to ongoing acute economic crisis, majority of the Iranians are no more having financial
ability of buying meat, rice and dairy items. Writes Hossein Beizayi
The face of poverty in Iran is getting uglier by the day. Analyzing Iran’s economic metrics and
statistics draws a painful picture of the economy and the welfare of ordinary Iranians. Economic
data reveals that Iran’s poor population has at least doubled in the last ten years, and if this trend
continues, many more families will be at risk of falling into poverty.

Economists estimate that the growth trend of household consumption came to a complete halt in
2006, and since 2018, the growth of final consumption at constant prices has been consistently
negative. In the last three years, no goods or services can be found that have not been reduced in
consumption. The reduction in a household’s expenses is not the same for different goods and
services. For example, the consumption and usage of luxury goods and services declined more
sharply, and non-durable goods and essential services declined at a lower rate.
The unaffordability of basic food items has led to a reduction in the calories consumed by
Iranians as well as a decrease in the quality of calories received, especially for low-income
classes. The consumption of some food groups is so low that it can be considered almost zero.
Iranians are no longer consumers
A review of household income-expenditure statistics published by the Statistics Center of Iran
provides a frightening and worrying picture of Iran’s short-term future. Accordingly, between
2016 and 2019, GDP per capita decreased by about 10%, and it can be assumed that the situation
has worsened. In simpler terms, Iranians have become 10 percent poorer during these three
years.
Iranians say goodbye to meat, rice, and dairy products
Naturally, when families and individuals face a decrease in income and an increase in expenses,
it makes sense to reduce their excess expenses. These excess expenses could include restaurants,
movie theatres, sports clubs, traveling, clothing, luxury goods, etc. However, Iranians are now
cutting or reducing the consumption of basic commodities such as meat, poultry, tea, sugar,
dairy, oil, rice, and the like.
According to the Statistics Center of Iran, the average monthly consumption of red meat in the
country’s households in 2019 compared to 2011, over eight years, has decreased by about 51.6
percent. In simpler terms, Iranians consumed less than half of what they used to in 2019, and the
situation has definitely worsened in 2020 and the years after.
This is while other indicators show a significant decrease in the consumption of Iranian
households. In 2018, when the economic situation of the country was not yet so critical, reports
were published about the reduction of waste production in Tehran and some other cities.
Accordingly, while the average daily waste production in Tehran is about 9,000 tons, statistics
show that in the first nine months of 2018, waste production in Tehran decreased by about a
thousand tons (about 11%) per day, which indicates a decline in consumption. In simple terms,
with the reduction in consumption, the amount of waste was also reduced.
Reza Abdoli, former CEO of the Tehran Waste Management Organization, referring to the
decrease of 1000 tons of average waste production in the last nine months of 2018, compared to
the previous year, said: “Rising currency prices and rising commodity prices have a great impact
on the accumulation of municipal waste, which has caused citizens to be more prudent and buy
as much as they need, and at the same time use the goods as much as possible in consumption.”
According to Momeni, an Allameh Tabatabai University professor, 25 percent of Iran’s total
population has been marginalized due to “wrong policies”. He described the number of vacant
villages as “worrying” and said: “We are facing the phenomenon complete village evacuation.”
According to him, between 2017 to 2020, for a period of three years, the population that was
below the poverty line has more than doubled. He called for a serious dialogue on the causes of
poverty. Momeni blamed the security perspective on social and economic issues, saying that
when the situation became “fragile,” “protests and reactions” were predictable but could not be
“summed up”. “We are now witnessing the most unprecedented levels of poverty,” the professor
said, expressing concern about “turmoil” and “unconventional anomalies.”
Ahmad Tavakoli, a former member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, had previously said
that 60 percent of Iran’s population was below the “hypothetical poverty” line. He also stressed
that hunger and poverty had become “significant” in Iran.
Economists believe that the decline in economic growth has significantly affected the severity of
poverty in Iran. At the same time, some views indicate the significant impact of rising inflation
and unemployment on increasing poverty in Iran. The important point is that widespread,
institutionalized corruption in the regime, the mismanagement of Iran’s resources, and the lack
of expertise and accountability have fueled the rise of the unbearable economic situation in Iran.
Iranian society is rapidly becoming poorer. In other words, because the state and the government
possess no will nor show any desire to find practical and doable solutions for this massive social
and economic issue, poverty will spread.
The root of poverty in Iran is none other than the religious dictatorship in Iran. To eradicate
poverty in all its forms and shapes, its root should be eradicated. Plain and simple, there is only
one remedy: regime change in Iran.

https://www.weeklyblitz.net/oped/majority-of-iranians-no-more-get-meat-rice-and-dairy-items/

Amid state-Centre standoff, Telangana paddy crop dips by

17 lakh acres
Roushan Ali / TNN / Updated: Feb 28, 2022, 06:10 IST
Despite the availability of water and 24x7 power supply, paddy cultivation has come down in
Telangana from 52 lakh acres in the last yasangi to 35 lakh acres in the current crop season.
HYDERABAD: Despite the availability of water and 24x7 power supply, paddy cultivation has
come down in Telangana from 52 lakh acres in the last yasangi to 35 lakh acres in the current
crop season.
This is the first time that the paddy sown area has decreased in the state since its formation in
2014 and has come against the backdrop of a bitter battle between chief minister K
Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS government in the state and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP
government at the Centre over procurement of paddy and boiled rice.
It was only in June last year that KCR had announced that Telangana was on its way to
becoming the rice bowl of India due to irrigation water being supplied round the year, 24x7
power supply, farmers being given Rs 10,000 per annum towards Rythu Bandhu scheme among
other farmer-friendly initiatives of the TRS government.
The main reason for the decline in paddy sowing area is that the state government had told
farmers that they would be sowing paddy at their own risk as it would not procure yasangi paddy
due to the Centre having refused to purchase boiled rice from Telangana. The paddy of yasangi
is fit to be milled as boiled rice.
Agriculture commissioner and secretary M Raghunandan Rao confirmed to TOI that farmers
have sown paddy in about 35 lakh acres compared to 52 lakh acres in the last yasangi.
Stating that 70-80 lakh metric tonnes of paddy is expected from yasangi crop, Telangana Rythu
Sangham vice-president Bonthala Chandra Reddy demanded that either the state or central
government or both purchase it from the farmers to ensure they get the minimum support price
(MSP) or else they might be exploited by merchants and rice millers.
Important among the reasons being attributed for decline in the paddy sowing area by the
farmers welfare associations are the clarity with which the state government told farmers it
would not procure yasangi paddy, seeds were not easily accessible due to the government
monitoring and farmers feared that they might not get MSP from private merchants.
Sources said despite all these factors, the paddy sowing area at 35 lakh acres is much more than
what the state government had expected. Also, farmers did not shift to alternate crops on a large
scale as the increase in sowing area of groundnuts, pulses, oil seeds among other crops although
being significant, did not fill up the gap of 17 lakh acres.
Officials said a majority of the farmers who had an understanding with rice millers and seed
companies have taken up paddy cultivation. Also, there could be a section of farmers who might
have decided to sell it at a lower price in the open market.
The state government procures paddy from the farmers, which in turn is purchased by the Centre
through FCI in the form of rice from Telangana. However, this time the Centre said it would not
purchase boiled rice as the country has sufficient stocks of it. The Centre again reiterated its
stand on Friday on boiled rice. However, the central officials told Telangana that they would take
a couple of lakh tonnes or a little more of coarse variety of fortified rice.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/amid-state-centre-standoff-t-paddy-crop-dips-by-17l-
acres/articleshow/89879737.cms

Senegal, Ethiopia Want Enhanced Trade With

Pakistan
  Published February 28, 2022 | 10:56 PM

A delegation of Senegal and Ethiopia businessmen here Monday visited Federation of Pakistan
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to explore business opportunities between the two
countries, a statement said on Monday

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Feb, 2022 ) :A delegation
of Senegal and Ethiopia businessmen here Monday visited Federation of Pakistan Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to explore business opportunities between the two countries, a
statement said on Monday.
FPCCI and Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Dakar (CCIAD) agreed on the
need to organize and exchange trade and investment missions to further enhance the bilateral
trade and investments between the two countries.
Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Chairman of Management Committee FPCCI said that participation in the
international trade fairs and exhibitions is essential in building a
sustainable business to business linkage and promotion of trade.
He said that the current level of Senegal and Pakistan bilateral trade does not reflect fruitful
convergence on international relations and global governance.
Irfan said that one of the main reasons for the low volume of bilateral trade is confinement of
trade among a few products that Pakistan exports to Senegal, mainly constitute cereals including
rice, made-up textile articles, apparel and clothing, cotton, plastics articles, sugar and
confectionery but in limited volume. At the same time, Senegal exports to Pakistan are confined
to rawhides and, skins, ores etc.
FPCCI Chairman said that Pakistan and Senegal could enhance bilateral trade volume by
promoting and forming joint special economic zones for manufacturing, warehousing
and all logistics and shipping services and activities to connect Dakar port with Gwadar port.
Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi, Member Management Committee FPCCI, stressed the importance
of interaction between business people, trade expansion, and joint ventures investment between
both nations.
Nadeem also informed about the activities of FPCCI at the global and national levels and
emphasized collaboration between both national chambers for holding commercial activities like
holding exhibitions and formulation of delegations.

He said that the two countries' governments should make the visa-issuance process more
accessible to facilitate the business community.
Mr Dauda Thiam, Vice President of
the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Dakar (CCIAD), said that Senegal is a
very peaceful country with immense trade and investment opportunities in many sectors,
particularly the agriculture sector, which can be explored by Pakistani business and industrial
community that would lead to enhancement of trade and investment ties.
Ms Nardos Habtamu, Director of Xcel Communications Ethiopia, said that the two countries'
private sectors should start knowing each other, build confidence, and bring
the business communities of the two countries closer to each other.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/senegal-ethiopia-want-enhanced-trade-with-pa-
1477672.html

Floods, Droughts Making India, Pak Most Vulnerable To

Climate Change: UN Report
"In India, rice production can decrease from 10 per cent to 30 per cent, whereas maize
production can decrease from 25 per cent to 70 per cent, assuming a range of temperature
increase from 1 degree to 4 degrees Celsius," the report said.
All IndiaPress Trust of IndiaUpdated: February 28, 2022 8:43 pm IST
Climate-related risks to agriculture, food systems in Asia will progressively intensify, report said
New Delhi: 

Extreme climatic conditions are threatening the food security in South Asia with escalated floods
and droughts making India and Pakistan the most vulnerable to climate change, cautioned the
latest IPCC report released on Monday.

The second installment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working
Group II's report, titled "Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability", said
climate-related risks to agriculture and food systems in Asia will progressively intensify with the
changing climate, with differentiated impacts across the region.

"Differential human vulnerability to environmental hazards results from a range of social,

economic, historical and political factors, all of which operate at multiple scales. Climate change
is expected to have serious impacts for people living within these hotspot areas, as observed from
loss of food crop yields to disasters such as floods, fluctuations in seasonal water availability or
other systemic effects.
"For instance, in South Asia, extreme climatic conditions are threatening food security, thus
agro-based economies like India and Pakistan are the most vulnerable to climate change in this
regard," the report said.

It warned that the major projected impacts of climate change in the agriculture and food sector
include a decline in fisheries, aquaculture and crop production, particularly in South and
Southeast Asia, a reduction in livestock production in Mongolia, and changes in crop, farming
systems and crop areas in almost all regions with negative implications to food security.

"In India, rice production can decrease from 10 per cent to 30 per cent, whereas maize
production can decrease from 25 per cent to 70 per cent, assuming a range of temperature
increase from 1 degree to 4 degrees Celsius," the report said.

It said international food supplies are also under threat and the risks of widespread crop failure
due to extreme events hitting multiple places globally will increase if emissions are not rapidly
cut.

"For example, for maize, the probability of losing 10 per cent or more of the crop in several
places in the world in one year increases from close to zero per cent under the current climate to
86 per cent if emissions continue to rise -- but it can be limited to just seven per cent if emissions
are cut rapidly.

"Threats to food supplies and water availability, due to continued climate change, may increase
the risk of social unrest and armed conflict, particularly in poorer countries, although other
factors are also important," it said.

CommentsThe report said temperatures enhance not only ozone production but also the ozone
uptake by plants, exacerbating yield and quality damage.
Follow our special coverage of Elections 2022 and get fastest Results on March 10 on
ndtv.com/elections
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/floods-droughts-making-india-pakistan-most-vulnerable-to-
climate-change-ipcc-report-2795353

Hybrid wheat expected to bring revolution in

Pakistani agriculture sector
Last Updated: 2022-02-28 22:57 | Gwadar Pro

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Gwadar Pro)- "We have submitted our hybrid wheat varieties to Pakistan's
government for approval. Once we gain approval, we will start production of hybrid wheat in
Pakistan in collaboration with Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS).
We hope that like hybrid rice, hybrid wheat will also bring a revolution in the agriculture sector
of Pakistan", said Mr. Malik Ali, CEO of Guard Group, an agricultural giant in Pakistan.

Up to now, five research stations have been established and field work has been carried out on
high yielding varieties that are tolerant to heat, drought, and salinity. “We have finalized four
hybrid wheat varieties so far we have achieved about 40 % increase in yield of wheat that we
breed”, introduced Mr. Malik Ali.

On hybrid agricultural varieties, Guard Group has a successful model of its own to follow after.
The company is the largest producer of hybrid rice in Pakistan. Since 2002, it has been working
together with Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd., a Chinese seed group named after
the renowned pioneer researcher in hybrid rice Yuan Longping, for research, production and
commercialization of hybrid rice in Pakistan. Now, the hybrid rice seeds have been able to reach
the international market.

“Pakistan has experienced a revolution of rice with the hybrid technology from China as our
companies are exporting rice to almost 48 countries in the world. Pakistan earns about $2.04
billion of foreign exchange from hybrid rice export”, shared Mr. Malik Ali.

Mr. Malik hopes to apply the experience of hybrid rice to hybrid wheat. “Hopefully, in next 2
years, we will bring about a revolution in wheat crop”.

 
 Wheat is a staple food that has an important bearing on national food security. According to a
report by China Pakistan Agricultural and Industrial Cooperation Platform (CPAIC), in 2020, the
BAAFS-Guard experimental wheat base in Pakistan was greeted with a bumper harvest.
Compared with the best local wheat variety, Beijing hybrid wheat features 90% less seeds sown
and 20% more yield. This can help Pakistan save plentiful land for planting other agricultural
products, which is of great significance to food security in Pakistan.

“We choose to cooperate with China because it is a leading country in the world in terms of
agricultural production and technology. Besides, the second phase of CPEC with agriculture
sector as one of its focuses will provide more opportunities in joint research and bilateral trade of
agri products”, Mr. Malik told Gwadar Pro reporter.

“Besides rice and wheat, we are also collaborating in hybrid maize and cotton with Yuan
Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. For this course, we are looking for reliable partners to
do research and commercial production”, Mr. Malik added.

This article originally appeared on Gwadar Pro.

http://en.ce.cn/Insight/202202/28/t20220228_37363575.shtml

Head and broken rice price spreads narrow as feed

demand soars
 EditorJonathan Fox 
 CommodityAgriculture

HIGHLIGHTS

International rice trade increasingly led by feed demand for broken rice

Asian price spreads between 5% and 100% broken white rice narrow significantly

Shift in demand dynamics principally comes from high corn prices

An influx of both domestic and international feed demand in the Asian rice market has curbed broken
rice availability, narrowing the spread between head and broken rice grades considerably.
 

On the export side of the market, sources in Asian origin markets have reported unusually high demand
for broken rice from China in recent days, particularly from India and Pakistan. One Indian seller
reported "very aggressive" demand from Chinese buyers, with India also facing supply curbs elsewhere.
These curbs are principally a result of better-than-expected kharif crop milling yields, higher demand for
25% broken white rice in relation to 5% broken white rice and sources reporting issues transporting
broken rice from inland mills to Kakinada Port.

In Pakistan, exporters have also reported incredibly strong broken rice demand from China at a time
when head rice demand is subdued. Numerous sources have reported that mills are processing paddy
simply to extract the broken rice, which is typically considered a byproduct. One exporter even made the
claim that some mills were breaking head rice to supply broken rice orders, primarily to China. Some
sources reported prices for 25% broken white rice at a discount to 100% broken white rice, and S&P
Global Platts assessments of these grades were on a par for the first time ever Feb. 28.

Even outside of China, abnormal broken rice trade dynamics in Asia have emerged recently. One Thai
exporter reported Feb. 28 that a breakbulk shipment of broken rice had recently left Bangkok bound for
the US. The source confirmed that US buyers were avoiding Pakistan and India for pesticide residue
reasons and that the sale was "unusual" as US buyers typically secure their international broken rice
requirements from Brazil.

Ukraine dynamic

Much of this unusual demand for broken rice ultimately comes from rising animal feed costs amid
supply concerns: principally corn and, to a lesser extent, wheat. This pricing spike primarily stemmed
from rising tensions around the Black Sea in recent weeks, which culminated in Russia's invasion of
Ukraine Feb. 24.

As Ukraine is the world's fourth-largest corn exporter, according to the US Department of Agriculture,
and Russia is the world's largest wheat exporting country -- almost exclusively from the Black Sea
region -- feed demand for broken rice is only likely to increase in the coming weeks as supply lines are
severed.

As of Feb. 28, Platts Corn CFR North East Asia assessment touched $366/mt, up $42/mt from the start
of 2022 and $71.30/mt year on year. While principally for human consumption, Matif's milling wheat
front-month futures contract rose Eur41.75/mt on the day Feb. 24 to Eur328/mt.

At the same time, because of rising freight and feed prices, Asian countries which would typically
export large volumes of broken rice and import large volumes of feed grains, such as Thailand and
Vietnam, may see an influx of domestic demand for broken rice in the coming weeks to satisfy feed
demand.

Spreads narrow considerably

In the meantime, Asian origin broken rice prices have already begun to follow rising corn and wheat
prices as buyers switch to broken rice. Indian 100% broken white rice, for example, was assessed at
$310/mt FOB Feb. 28, up $29/mt since the start of the year.

Arguably, what is more interesting is the impact this is having on price spreads between head and
broken rice grades, with spreads narrowing considerably amid recent lackluster head rice demand (see
table). Vietnam is the only outlier to this trend, with spreads between 5% and 100% broken white rice
narrowing considerably for every other major Asian rice origin.

Asian 5% and 100% broken white rice price spreads as of Feb 25

Country

2021 ($/mt)

2022 ($/mt)

Thailand

55

22

Vietnam

65

95

India

125

44

Pakistan

85

20

Myanmar

85

50

Source: S&P Global Platts

With the impact of recent developments in the Black Sea region still being felt, it is possible that
Pakistani 25% and 100% broken white rice being assessed on a par may not be a one-off incident and
could be a sign of things to come. While this is still a very fluid situation, rice prices -- commonly
viewed as undervalued in relation to other agricultural commodities -- may begin to see substantial
support from a very unusual source.

https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/market-insights/latest-news/agriculture/
022822-head-and-broken-rice-price-spreads-narrow-as-feed-demand-soars