1st july 2020 daily global regional and local rice e newsletter

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Daily Rice e-Newsletter
Global Regional and Local Rice News

Rice Prices
as on : 01-07-2020 01:58:46 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals Price
Curren
t
%
chang
e
Season
cumulativ
e
Moda
l
Prev.
Moda
l
Prev.Yr
%chang
e
Rice
Mandya(Kar) 1729.00 -19.81 13469.00 2450 2100 -
Bangarpet(Kar) 306.00 16.79 6398.00 2300 2250 -
Sultanpur(UP) 230.00 -14.81 5777.00 2400 2375 -4.00
Gondal(UP) 105.00 -6.25 6711.50 2400 2400 -2.04
Barhaj(UP) 80.00 33.33 9068.00 2500 2520 4.17
Azamgarh(UP) 55.00 -8.33 4913.70 2580 2585 5.52
Ballia(UP) 50.00 -44.44 2693.00 2550 2560 7.37
Hardoi(UP) 50.00 NC 7982.80 2500 2450 6.84

Faizabad(UP) 37.00 -2.63 1182.00 2430 2425 2.32
Lalitpur(UP) 35.00 16.67 1436.50 2470 2480 -5.00
Mainpuri(UP) 32.00 -8.57 3595.50 2550 2500 5.37
Manvi(Kar) 30.00 NC 622.00 1850 1850 -
Saharanpur(UP) 30.00 15.38 2134.00 2680 2680 -6.29
Mathura(UP) 28.00 7.69 2662.00 2550 2560 -7.27
Shamli(UP) 28.00 27.27 897.90 2700 2700 -2.17
Basti(UP) 26.00 -13.33 1407.00 2580 2580 9.79
Firozabad(UP) 25.00 -7.41 1349.60 2610 2600 -
Gazipur(UP) 23.00 - 23.00 2570 - -
Partaval(UP) 21.50 7.5 672.00 2540 2555 11.16
Sirsaganj(UP) 20.00 8.11 906.50 2500 2600 -1.96
Mohamadabad(UP) 18.50 68.18 764.80 2480 2450 -
Mangaon(Mah) 17.00 112.5 108.00 3500 3500 25.00

Nawabganj(UP) 17.00 -5.56 618.00 2400 2400 50.00
Ulhasnagar(Mah) 15.00 50 422.00 4000 4000 25.00
Jangipura(UP) 15.00 15.38 572.00 2560 2550 9.40
Farukhabad(UP) 13.00 -10.34 963.00 2460 2480 -6.82
Rasda(UP) 12.00 20 421.00 2530 2625 1050.00
Kayamganj(UP) 11.00 -8.33 1792.00 2500 2490 -4.21
Mahoba(UP) 9.20 8.24 415.80 2450 2460 8.17
Vasai(Mah) 8.00 -81.4 1313.00 2850 3480 -17.39
Devariya(UP) 8.00 -5.88 904.50 2590 2595 5.28
Karvi(UP) 8.00 -5.88 539.50 2445 2425 6.54
Jafarganj(UP) 8.00 33.33 1004.00 2410 2425 11.57
Unnao(UP) 6.50 18.18 170.80 2475 2480 8.32
Tundla(UP) 6.00 33.33 222.00 2560 2560 0.39
Kasganj(UP) 5.00 -16.67 427.50 2580 2570 0.78

Safdarganj(UP) 5.00 66.67 55.00 2470 2450 -
Chitwadagaon(UP) 4.00 NC 436.60 2530 2530 20.48
Jhijhank(UP) 4.00 -20 269.50 2550 2540 -
Naanpara(UP) 3.80 -29.63 627.10 2420 2420 9.01
Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP
)
3.70 2.78 561.80 2480 2480 -0.80
Fatehpur Sikri(UP) 3.20 14.29 107.00 2580 2610 0.19
Kosikalan(UP) 2.40 NC 213.00 2550 2545 2.00
Honnali(Kar) 2.00 -77.78 534.00 3000 3000 -
Jhansi(UP) 1.80 20 137.30 2480 2485 4.86
Alibagh(Mah) 1.00 NC 80.00 4200 4200 NC
Murud(Mah) 1.00 NC 79.00 4200 4200 NC
Lalganj(UP) 1.00 -16.67 258.80 2350 2300 -
Mugrabaadshahpur(UP) 1.00 -28.57 48.00 2510 2510 12.05
Achnera(UP) 0.80 NC 34.20 2555 2550 0.59

Bharuasumerpur(UP) 0.60 -40 16.90 2500 2500 28.21
Risia(UP) 0.60 NC 73.50 2420 2410 -
Published on July 01, 2020
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-
prices/article31961160.ece
Bua rice farmers to benefit from new
harvester
Elenoa TuragaiviuEditor Northeosborne@fbc.com.fj | @ElenoaFBCNews
OVER 100 RICE FARMERS IN BUA ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM A NEW
$60,000 COMBINED RICE HARVESTER HANDED OVER BY THE PRIME MINISTER
VOREQE BAINIMARAMA TODAY.
Over 100 rice farmers in Bua are expected to benefit from a new $60,000 combined rice
harvester handed over by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today.
The harvester was donated by the Chinese government and is expected to address issues
faced by the rice farmers.
Speaking at the handing over this afternoon, Bainimarama says the harvester will address
labour issues faced by the rice farmers and significantly cut down harvesting time.
He says government will continue to assist rice farmers in every step of their farming
from the provision of seeds, to planting, harvesting and milling.

The Prime Minister told the farmers, obtaining the rice harvester will make them a
modern rice farming community.
Vanua Levu Rice Farmers Association Secretary Suresh Chand says after decades of
manual rice harvesting, this is the first time that rice farmers in Bua will be using a
machine to harvest their rice.
He says the rice harvester can harvest in two hours a field of rice that would normally
take two weeks to harvest manually.

Economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis could get an important boost right from
Cambodia’s Food Crisis In A Pandemic
Athira Nortajuddin
30 June 2020
People buy fruit at an early morning produce market in Phnom Penh on 12 June,
2020. (AFP Photo)
The coronavirus crisis has severely affected livelihoods, local industries and the economy
in general. It has also disrupted world trade, supply chains and also the production of
food and agricultural products and commodities. According to Samarendu Mohanty, Asia
Regional Director at the International Potato Center, the production of wheat and rice in
Asia would be heavily impacted if lockdowns to curb the pandemic and virus restrictions
continue to be enforced.
―If the situation lets up by the end of the month, we will still be okay to get in our normal
planting. But the monsoon season where the most rice is normally produced is from mid-
May to early July, so if we do not get the rice planted by then, we’ll see ripple effects
start,‖ Mohanty explained to the media last April.
Some of the likely effects would include food supply shortages, leading to a full-blown
food crisis.

OneWorld Foundation India, an organisation that works in the field of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) for social and sustainable development, recently
released a publication which discusses the possibility of a food crisis in Cambodia due to
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Various

The article stated that an estimated 70 percent of Cambodia’s farmers engage in
subsistence agriculture by primarily taking loans and repaying them after the harvest
season.
The agriculture sector in Cambodia is reported to be responsible for the generation of
more than 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs around
30 percent of the population. Over the past 30 years, the ASEAN member state has
grown its economy by 7.5 percent on average, reducing the poverty rate from around 50
percent to 10 percent of the population. But like other countries around the world, the
pandemic is threatening not only the health of its citizens but also Cambodia’s economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a rise in unemployment and loss of sources
of income, especially for informal workers. This makes it harder for them to repay their
loans and many are buried in great debt.
―After the Mekong River crisis, around 45,000 hectares of rice farms were damaged
creating a debt crisis for poor farmers. Consumers on the other side of the spectrum have
been hit hard by a lack of food supplies, rise in prices of staple foods and a halt in income
due to COVID-19,‖ noted the organisation.
Other than that, the presence of Chinese dams and the effects of climate change along the
Mekong basin have caused drought-like conditions leading to poverty and food insecurity
in the country. This has impacted both, farmers growing rice on their fields and also
fishermen, who have reported a drop in fish volume by as much as 60 to 70 percent.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has stated that 79 percent of the Cambodian
population lives in rural areas and they are on the ―front-line of a changing climate‖.
Floods and droughts frequently threaten the food system and will only increase in
frequency and intensify in the future.
Cambodia will face a two-pronged attack on its food security, according to OneWorld
Foundation India. The first one is a slowdown in its supply-side activities as COVID-19
preventive measures have subsequently caused a shortage of labour for the agriculture
sector. Coupled with the drought problem in the region, the situation seems dire. This
would inherently affect income equalities and food supply chains for the larger public.
Secondly, it was reported that prices of staple foods in Cambodia have increased recently.
As many have lost their jobs due to the economic shocks of the pandemic – this will
impact the demand of food items such as rice and fish as buyers are less able to afford
them.

―As countries strive to be more self-sufficient and reduce import-dependency by
promoting local supply chains, the Mekong River Basin could be heading towards post-
COVID-19 food insecurity.‖
The International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialised agency of
the United Nations (UN) that works to address poverty and hunger in rural areas of
developing countries, said that together with the government of Cambodia, it is working
to expand prospects for smallholder farmers through ―enhanced production support and
through focusing on the appropriate value chains and commodities to ensure adequate
food production and dietary diversity.‖
The Agricultural Services Programme for Innovation, Resilience and Extension
(ASPIRE) project, led by Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(MAFF), is reported to be focusing on maintaining the production of green leafy
vegetables and chicken eggs as key components of the local diet. Whereas the Ministry of
Commerce (MOC)-led Accelerating Inclusive Markets for Smallholders (AIMS) project
is reorienting some of its resources to provide on-farm irrigation assistance to farmers to
support their production of commodities.
https://theaseanpost.com/article/cambodias-food-crisis-pandemic
Restrictions on rice exports eased in Myanmar as demand
rises
AUNG LOON 30 JUN 2020
Farmers seen working at the field in Kyee Tan village, Twan Tay township, Yangon on
June 29. Photo: Mar Naw/The Myanmar Times
The authorities have extended the validityperiod of rice export licenses to 60 days
from July to September now that the number of people testing positive for COVID-
19 appears to be declining, said U Nay Lin Zin, joint secretaryof the Myanmar Rice
Federation

The expiry period of the licenses had been slashed by half to 45 days since March, when
the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in Myanmar, according to the Myanmar Rice
Federation.
"The term of the licenses was for 90 days before COVID-19. We reduced this to 45 days
during COVID-19. Now, the infection rate has declined and so we have raised it to 60
days. We will adjust it to 90 later," said U Nay Lin Zin.
He added that export quota restrictions have also been removed. "In the past, one
company had to export 300 tonnes or 500 tonnes of rice to meet the quota. Now, we have
removed the quota so traders can export as much as they want. But, there is policy that
they must contribute rice to the country's reserves," he said.

The country expects to export up to 150,000 tonnes of rice per month in July and August
and around 100,000 tonnes in September, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.
Between October 1, 2019 to June 12, the country exported more than 2 million tonnes of
rice and broken rice, generating US$600 million in revenues.
More than 13 percent of the exports were conducted at the border with China while the
remaining crops were shipped overseas to countries like Malaysia, Belgium and Senegal.
More recently, Myanmar also inked a bilateral agreement to ship 70,000 tonnes of rice to
the Philippines, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.
Demand from Thailand has also risen. This month, Thai merchants offeredto purchase
broken rice powder from Myanmar after an agreement to exempt the country from taxes
was made, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).
"We received approval to export powdered rice instead of broken rice. Thailand offered
to buy," U Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretary of the MOC, told The Myanmar Times.
About 100 tonnes of rice powder is being exported on an average every two days and
grinding is done in the factories in Myawady industrial zone, he said, adding the
authorities will support more construction of grinding factories in that region.
"Thailand levies a 52pc tax on broken rice but there are no taxes in powder form. They
want to buy as much as we can supply," U Aung Myint Oo, rice merchant and director at
Klohtoo Wah Co Ltd. - Translated
https://www.mmtimes.com/news/restrictions-rice-exports-eased-myanmar-demand-
rises.html
FCI currently has 266.29 LMT rice and 550.31 LMT wheat:
Report

Tuesday, 30 June, 2020, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
Our Bureau, New Delhi
Top of Form
Total food grain stock
As per the Food Corporation of India report dated June 28, 2020, FCI currently has
266.29 LMT rice and 550.31 LMT wheat. Hence, a total of 816.60 LMT food grain stock
is available (excluding the ongoing purchase of wheat and paddy, which have not yet
reached the godown). About 55 LMT food grains is required for a month under NFSA
and other welfare schemes.
Since the lockdown, about 138.43 LMT food grains have been lifted and transported
through 4,944 rail rakes. Apart from the rail route, transportation was also done through
roads and waterways. A total of 277.73 LMT has been transported. 21,724 MT grains
was transported through 14 ships. Total 13.47 LMT food grains have been transported to
the North-Eastern states.
Food grain distribution to migrant labourers: (Atmanirbhar Bharat Package)
Under Atmanirbhar Bharat package, Government of India has decided that 8 LMT food
grains will be provided to about 8 crore migrant labourers, stranded and needy families,
who are not covered under NFSA or State scheme PDS cards. 5 Kg of food grain per
person is being distributed free of cost for the months of May and June to all migrants.
The states and UTs have lifted 6.39 LMT of food grains. States and UTs have distributed
99,207 MT of food grains to total 209.96 lakh (in the May 120.08 lakh and in June 89.88
lakh) beneficiaries.
The Government of India also approved 39,000 MT pulses for 1.96 crore migrant
families. Some 8 crore migrant labourers, stranded and needy families, who are not
covered under NFSA or State scheme PDS cards will be given 1 kg of gram/dal per
family for the month of May and June for free. This allocation of gram/dal is being done
according to the need of the states. Around 33,968MT gram/dal have been dispatched to
the states and UTs. A total 31,868 MT gram has been lifted by various States and
UTs.4,702 MT gram has been distributed by the states and UTs. The Government of
India is bearing 100% financial burden of approximately Rs. 3,109 crores for food grain
and Rs 280 crores for gram under this scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana

Food grain (Rice/Wheat)
Under the PMGKAY, for the 3 months April-June a total of 104.3 LMT rice and 15.2
LMT wheat is required of which 101.02 LMT rice and 15.00 LMT wheat have been lifted
by various states and UTs. A total of 116.02 LMT food grains has been lifted. In the
month of April 2020, 37.02 LMT (93 %) food grains have been distributed to 74.05 crore
beneficiaries, in May 2020, total 36.49 LMT (91%) food grains distributed to 72.99 crore
beneficiaries and in the month of June 2020, 28.41 LMT (71%) food grains have been
distributed to 56.81 crore beneficiaries. The Government of India is bearing 100%
financial burden of approximately Rs 46,000 crore under this scheme. Wheat has been
allocated to 6 states/UTs, - Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi and Gujarat
and rice has been provided to the remaining states/UTs.
Pulses
As regards pulses, the total requirement for the three months is 5.87 LMT. The
Government of India is bearing 100% financial burden of approximately Rs 5,000 crore
under this scheme. So far, 5.79 LMT pulses have been dispatched to states/UTs and 5.58
LMT have reached the states/UTs, while 4.40 LMT pulses has been distributed. A total of
08.76 LMT pulses (Toor-3.77 LMT, Moong-1.14 LMT, Urad-2.28 LMT, Chana-1.30
LMT andMasur-0.27 LMT ) is available in the stock as on June 18, 2020.
Food Grain Procurement
As on June 28, 2020, total 388.34 LMT wheat (RMS 2020-21) and 745.66 LMT rice
(KMS 2019-20) were procured.
Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS)
Under the OMSS, the rates of Rice is fixed at Rs 22/kg and Wheat at Rs 21/kg. FCI has
sold 5.71 LMT wheat and 10.07 LMT rice through OMSS during the lockdown period.
One Nation One Ration Card
As on June 1, 2020, the One Nation One Card scheme is enabled in 20 states/UTs,
namely – Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Daman & Diu (Dadra and Nagar Haveli), Goa, Gujarat,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana
and Tripura. By March 31, 2021, all remaining states will be added to One Nation One
Ration Card scheme and the scheme will be operational all over India. The details and
status of the scheme in remaining states/UTs under One Nation One Ration Card is as
follows.

http://www.fnbnews.com/Top-News/fci-currently-has-26629-lmt-rice-and-55031-lmt-
wheat-report-59281
Kharif sowing is promising, but it’s too early to be upbeat on
output
Rajalakshmi Nirmal BL Research Bureau | Updated on June 30, 2020 Published on June
30, 2020
Agricultural workers transplant paddy in a field, marking the beginning of kharif, at
Gunadala near Vijayawada. Photo: V Raju
Only 30% of kharif area covered so far; locust attack, heavy end-monsoon showers pose
a risk in some pockets
With the sowing data released by the Ministry of Agriculture last week, which showed a
doubling of the area sown, the market appears to be anticipating a bumper crop. But, it is
too early to say how the season will fare.

While there is an increase of 220 per cent in the area under pulses compared to last year,
it accounts for only 16 per cent of the normal area (as recorded in the past five years)
under pulses in the kharif season. Similarly, in the case of oilseeds, too, while there is a
whopping 500 per cent jump in area sown, of the normal area for the full season, only 46
per cent has been covered. In rice, while the area sown is up 35 per cent over the same
period last year, it accounts for only 10 per cent of the normal area in kharif.
Until at least a third of the area is covered, one can’t guess the quantum of output. The
reason why the area sown is up year-on-year is that last year, the monsoon had a late start
and was deficient during June — to the extent of 30 per cent of LPA (Long Period
Average).
―The sowing has been good this kharif season because reservoirs were full following last
year’s rains; also, the onset of the monsoon was on time and it has been raining regularly
since…so no encumbrances so far in sowing,‖ said Jatin Singh, founder and MD, Skymet
Weather Services.
End-season coverage
A BusinessLine analysis shows that even when the area sown is higher by mid-season in
normal monsoon years, the total area under crops towards the end of the season is not
necessarily higher over the previous year or the average of the last five years.
A case in point is the year 2016-17. The year had normal monsoon rains of 97 per cent of
LPA. By mid-July, about 66 per cent of the normal area under pulses in kharif was
covered. Oilseeds, cotton and coarse cereals, too, saw good area covered by mid-July.
However, by the end of September, the total area sown under different crops was higher

by only 2-3 per cent, y-o-y. This is despite 2015-16 being a deficient monsoon year.
Pulses were an exception (area increase by 29 per cent), given that a large number of
farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan took to them. The output in 2016-17 kharif
was, in fact, higher than the percentage increase in sown area, implying improvement in
yield.
That said, one can’t be sure if the current kharif season will end with higher output like
2016-17 season.
―As things stand now, I don’t see any spoilers in the monsoon; it could end up anywhere
between normal and above normal this year,‖ said Skymet’s Singh. This is good news,
but, if there is a locust/pest attack or heavy showers during the end of the monsoon, it
may impact the yield and result in lower output.
Locust attack
Swarms of locusts have been spotted in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, risking
standing crops including sugarcane. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has
asked India to be on a high alert over the next four weeks.
The situation update released by the FAO on June 27 noted that swarms and adult groups
were present in Rajasthan and infestations were also spotted in parts of Madhya Pradesh
and Uttar Pradesh. At least one small group of immature adults moved north in Utter
Pradesh on June 27 during strong winds, reaching the northern districts of Kushingar and
Sidharth Nagar, said the report.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/it-is-too-early-to-be-
upbeat-about-agri-output-in-current-kharif/article31954760.ece
Government neglects rice farmers who lost their farms to
bush fires - PFAG
30 June 2020
The Head of Programs and Advocacy for the
Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana,
Charles Nyaaba, has said the Ministry of
Food and Agriculture has neglected the rice
farmers who lost their farms to bush fires.
He said although the Ministry assured that
they were going to be supported, that support
has not come, a situation that is having a
negative impact on the lives of the farmers.
―Most rice farms were burnt, I personally lost
55 acres of rice fields. We had several engagements with the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture and they agreed to compensate the farmers who lost our rice farms so that we
will be able to farm this year,’ he said.
He further appealed to the government to assist them secure credit facilities from the
banks to enable them carry out their activities in the midst of the COVID-19.He said the
banks are refusing to listen to them whenever they go for loans.
―It will be useful if government could get us inputs like fertilizer or seeds to produce and
payback. They could also connect us to the banks for credit at reasonable interest rates.‖
he said.
―We are pleading with them to pay heed to our pleas. Usually, they don’t listen to our
calls. They tell us the banks will support us. But when we go to the banks, they will also
not listen to us. We need government to direct the banks to ensure full compliance from
them,‖ he told Citi FM.
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Government-neglects-rice-
farmers-who-lost-their-farms-to-bush-fires-PFAG-994219

Stakeholders Reaffirm Commitment To End Rice
Importation
29-Jun-2020
Various stakeholders in the rice value chain have met in Accra to reaffirm their
commitment to end rice importation by 2023.The meeting, organised by the John
Ageykum Kufuor (JAK) Foundation brought together the Ghana Rice Inter-professional
Body (GRIB), Ghana Commodity Exchange and the Standards Authority to discuss
strategies on how to achieve the set target to guard against the practice and also to ensure
rice is a sustainable venture in the country. It also brought on board private sector groups
who will be working with Ghanaian farmers by providing them with harvesters, and other
logistic services.
The meeting was also to see how to support the advocacy, production, processing and
marketing issues in the rice value chain.Further, it was to proffer solutions to how the rice
value chain can be developed in the various regions for the country to attain the
sustainability in rice production and also
improve the quality of rice grown in Ghana.Speaking on the sidelines with journalists
after the opening session, President of GRIB, Nana Ayeh Adjei II, disclosed that GRIB is
expecting, before the end of the year, a mechanization provider company coming in to
mop up the paddy rice into the warehouse to ease the issue of late harvesting.
He said the meeting is going to provide plans to how all farmers in the regions will plan
to grow quality rice and get good market outlets and prices for the farmer.
Touching on Covid-19, he said it has not had any major impact in the value chain apart
from the fact that it has slowed in the retail.
Consumption of local rice, he also said has gone up and want to see a higher rate.Nana
Ama Oppong Duah, PolicyAdvisor of the John A Kufuor Foundation says the
engagement was part of the AGRA and Kufuor Foundation project.
The project is to support advocacy, production, processing and marketing in the value
chain, she said.

At the beginning of the year, the stakeholders went around the country twice to mobilize
farmers at the regional level, according to her.Due to coronavirus, the process was
stopped but it’s being resumed with the help of Zoom.
Source: Daily Guide
https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/news/202006/416417.php
Whereare the new young farmers? The picturecan be
troubling
By AGDAILY Reporters Published: June 29, 2020
y AGDAILY Reporters Published: June 29, 2020
For obvious reasons, the most physically demanding jobs — roofers, pile drivers,
fishermen, lumberjacks, take your pick of many others — are primarily filled by people
no older than 40. But farming, a mixture of hard work and long hours, even as technology
automates some tasks, is a dramatic outlier. The extreme demographic skew towards
older farmers is a global phenomenon, decades in the making. And in its wake is a
worsening crisis reflectedby one question: where will the talent come from to manage
the fields in the future?
The numbers paint a troubling picture. According to global agricultural experts, the
average age of farmers globally is about 60, even in regions like Africa and the
Philippines where the median age of the population is just over 20. And this trend is not
new. In the U.S., the average age of farm operators was 50 in 1978, 57 in 2007 and 59 in
2017 when the USDA conducted its last census.
Some of the blame for this trend can be laid on the perception that agriculture careers and
rural life may not give young people opportunities like the city. And in many cases, this
perception comes from elders who encourage their children to explore the possibilities
urban life may bring.

―I have yet to have a rice farmer tell me that they want their children to grow up to be rice
farmers,‖ said Robert Ziegler, former director general of the International Rice Institute,
at a World Economic Forum meeting.
And as urbanization explodes — nearly 70 percent of people will live in cities by 2050 —
the notion that agricultural activities can be fulfilling has waned, along with basic
common sense about where our food comes from. (One UK farm expert tells astory of a
British school teacher on a field trip to a farm. The teacher asked the farmer not to milk
the cows because the students would be terrifiedby the blood from killing the animal).
Economics are also a deterrent for young people. The financial barriers to entry for
owning or running a farm, particularly in developed regions, have risen significantly. As
agricultural technology and input gains advanced rapidly throughout the 20th century and
into the 21st century — from tractors and tillers to drones, sensors, and seed genetics —
yields improved, increasing the dollar returns from a single field. For instance, U.S. corn
yields increased from fewer than 60 bushels per acre in 1960 to about 164 bpa in 2016.
The value of farmland has also skyrocketed. Taking a recent snapshot, the Global
Farmland Index of land prices in 15 global agricultural markets grew by an average
annualized rate of 14.8 percent between 2002 and 2016. Taking a longer view, in 1900
the average value of a hectare of farmland in the U.S. was about $1,300, adjusted for
inflation. By 2018, that figure had jumped to $10,205.
The combination of expensive mechanized, high-tech equipment and the cost of
agricultural land has driven initial startup costs for new farmers to prohibitive levels. It
has also greatly extended the time it takes for a return on investment. According to a
survey from the National Young Farmers Coalition of more than 3,500 new young
farmers in the US, finding and affording productive acreage was the primary impediment
in the way of an agriculture career. ―We have a lot of older farmers who are over-
capitalized and looking to retire and a lot of younger farmers under-capitalized with no
land,‖ Eric Skokan, co-owner of Boulder County (Colorado) Black Cat Farm, told a local
newspaper.
To help overcome this impediment, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a number
of loan programs that, in part, are geared to new farmers, seeking to make farming
demographics younger and more diverse. In addition, the European Union has a series of
agricultural support campaigns earmarked for youth. Localities in the US are also
addressing this issue. Both Colorado and Minnesota have recently passed first-in-the-U.S.
laws that provide a tax deduction for farmers that sell or rent their land or other
agricultural assets to new farmers.

Mindful of the impact that this demographic dilemma could have on global food supplies
in the future, policymakers and NGOs are taking steps to alleviate it. In Africa,
organizations like Youth Empowerment in Sustainable Agriculture, Young Professionals
for Agricultural Development and Ayihalo are training thousands of potential young
farmers in modern planting, crop health, and financing methods for managing a farm.
They also serve as youth in agriculture career advocacy programs. Similar efforts in the
US and UK include the National Young Farmers Coalition and the National Federation of
Young Farmers Clubs, respectively.
Perhaps the best sign that these skewed farming demographics may improve to some
small degree over time, is the enthusiasm of the relatively small group of younger people
willing to give agriculture a chance. Andrew Barsness, who runs a farm in Hoffman,
Minnesota, wrote a blog post on the National Young Farmers Coalition site. In it, he
described taking over his grandfather’s 280-acre grain farm as an unexpected turn in his
life. ―Before the spring of 2011, the idea of becoming a farmer was completely foreign to
me,‖ Barsness said. ―Now I know that there is nothing that I would rather do for a living.
Hardships are inherent in farming. For me however, the freedom, variety, and
entrepreneurship that farming offers make it as rewarding as it is addictive.‖
Still, comments like those notwithstanding, it’s impossible to say whether large groups of
young people will ever be convinced that farming is a trade worth considering. But after a
recent survey found that two-thirds of US agricultural acreage will need a new farmer
over the next 50 years, it seems clear the situation will be untenable if young people
don’t.
Cuba’s Rice Hunt
June 29, 2020
By Pedro Pablo Morejon
HAVANA TIMES – Everybody here knows that rice is the mainstay in the Cuban
people’s diets. So much so, that there is a saying that goes: he won’t eat anymore rice, to
refer to the death of an unpleasant animal.
Well, what’s happening with rice in Cuba today reminds me of that dark time in the
1990s that was euphemistically known as the ―Special Period in Times of Peace.‖

Markets are empty and many farmers normally only plant enough for their own
consumption. You can’t find this precious grain pretty much anywhere. If by some luck,
you do find somebody willing to sell it to you, after traveling half of the world to find it,
your pocket will need to be ready to take a big hit, because you can be charged 20 CUP
(0.80 USD) or more per pound, a little more or less than most Cubans daily earnings.
Many people blame the global economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
for this situation, which has caused serious problems for rice imports. However, these
shortages existed some months before the new Coronavirus stepped foot in our country,
which makes me think it was because of the Cuban government’s lack of financial
liquidity. The reality is that things have now gotten worse, and the end doesn’t seem to be
anywhere in sight.
In April, Cuba’s official press published an announcement that Vietnam was donating
5000 tons of rice. According to the prime minister of this Asian country, this gift is to
―alleviate the severity of the blockade’s sanctions and to tackle problems that the new
Coronavirus poses.”
Regardless of this gesture, we know that this amount isn’t even enough to lighten our
current situation, much less help us fix the problem. It only serves to highlight chronic
shortages, not only of rice, but of any food product, as the manifestation of an economic
crisis that our country has been suffering for decades.
What is the government’s explanation for this tough situation? Let’s take a look,
shall we.
An article recently published Granma, the Communist Party daily, with the headline
―Food production is a matter of national security‖ deals with the subject of rice
production, as well as of other foods.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the causes of the current shortage are problems
with farm supplies, which led to harvests falling short of targets, some 22,000 hectares, in
the winter season, and that the spring planting of 4,600 hectares was late..
In order to give a glimpse of hope, he argued that meetings had been held with national
government rice companies, advising that they meet with rice farmers. ―People want to
produce rice, we have a rice program, we have land, water in some places. Cuba needs
to produce rice,‖ he said.
In another article published by the official Cubadebate website, under the headline ―Can
Cuba produce all of the rice it needs?‖, this minister deduced that it can, saying that we
can produce the 700,000 tons the country needs per year, thereby eliminating imports of
this much-needed staple.

Going beyond government explanations and unfulfilled promises, the reality is that we
have been suffering widespread shortages for decades, and not just of food. However, in
this regard, it is utterly unacceptable that citizens are unable to find enough to eat in a
country with water resources and vast fertile lands. The real cause of so much hardship
lies in an economic model, which has only proven its incompetence, without a shadow of
a doubt.
Havana Times Needs Your Help To Continue Publishing in 2020
Pedro Morejón
I am a man who fights for his goals, who assumes the consequences of his actions, who
does not stop at obstacles. I could say that adversity has always been an inseparable
companion, I have never had anything easy, but in some sense, it has benefited my
character. I value what is in disuse, such as honesty, justice, honor. For a long time, I was
tied to ideas and false paradigms that suffocated me, but little by little I managed to free
myself and grow by myself. Today I am the one who dictates my morale, and I defend
my freedom against wind and tide. I also build that freedom by writing, because being a
writer defines me.
Pandemic Pesticide Safety Training Guidance Released
By Josie McLaurin
WASHINGTON, DC -- The COVID-19 pandemic is making just about every aspect of
life that much more difficult and fulfilling Pesticide Safety Training requirements under
these conditions is not different. The U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) has
released welcome guidance on existing flexibilities in the Agricultural Worker Protection
Standard (WPS) available to employers of agriculture workers, or those who assist in the
growing or harvesting of plants, and pesticide handlers, or those who mix, clean, or assist
with the application of pesticides.

The Agricultural WPS requires employers to certify that their employees have obtained
pesticide safety training within the last 12 months before allowing them to work in areas
where pesticides are being used. This ensures that agricultural workers and pesticide
handlers are up to date on the latest safety training regarding pesticides.
The EPA continues to encourage in-person pesticide safety training if workplace
protections to maintain a healthy work environment can be implemented. Alternative
options to traditional training include conducting training outside or conducting training
in smaller groups. However, amid COVID-19, the EPA has recognized that it may not be
feasible to have this training face-to-face, so the guidance outlines that training may be
conducted virtually. Employers are still responsible for ensuring that all requirements of
the WPS are met regardless of how the training is conducted. To certify all standards are
met, employers must document completion of training under a qualified trainer. This is as
simple as providing a document to employees with the employer and trainer's name, the
trainer's certification, date of the training and materials presented.
"This is welcomed and timely guidance for those of us faced with obstacles due to the
coronavirus pandemic," said David Petter, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the USA
Rice Regulatory Affairs and Food Safety Committee. "These flexibilities will help
farmers, millers, and other employers comply with Worker ProtectionStandards so we
can continue to focus on producing a safe and nutritious product."
For more information about this guidance, click here.
USA Rice Daily
Funding for rice farm mechanization
July 1, 2020 | Filed under: Editorial,Opinion | Posted by: Tempo Desk
THE decision to set aside the move to import 300,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam
under a government-to-government scheme will save some P8.5 billion that can now be
used for more urgent needs of the nation.
The Philippines had planned to buy the 300,000 tons of rice as a reserve in case the
country incurs a shortage of the Filipino people’s staple food. It did not want to go
through the difficult experience of 2018 when market prices hit record heights – an
inflation rate of 6.7 percent – that was stopped only when Congress enacted the Rice

Tariffication Law that ended all quantitative restrictions on rice imports. With cheap rice
available at a low price, inflation quickly dropped in succeeding months; by June, 2019,
it was down to 2.7 percent.
With the decision to cancel this year’s planned importation, Secretary of Agriculture
William Dar said the government will have P8.5 billion that can be used instead to
support the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) under the Rice
Tariffication Law. The RCEF calls for a mechanization program to help farmers acquire
production and harvest machinery and equipment, promote the development and use of
certifiedseed varieties, expanded credit assistance, and enhanced extension services.
There is now, however, a problem over government budgeting because of the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic. The Philippine budget deficit soared in May as tax revenues fell
and government spending rose. The budget deficit in May reached P202.1 billion, where
there had been a P2.6-billion surplus in May of the previous year, 2019.
Government expenditures in May reached P353.6 billion –up 12 percent from
P314.7billionin May of the previous year. These included releases under the law on
Bayanihan to Heal as One, including cash grants to over 3 million employees of small
enterprises affected by the government’s quarantine measures. Primary government
spending also jumped to P335.3 billion from P295 billion in the previous year. At the
same time, government income fell by 52 percent in May, due to the closure or
suspension of many business operations.
Thus, Secretary Dar may not get his wish that the P8.5 billion saved in the decision to
scrap this year’s rice importation from Vietnam be used instead to push rice farm
modernization. There simply are so many emergency expenses arising from the
coronavirus pandemic that that must be funded.
But this should not detract from the fact that the Philippine rice industry needs to rise to
higher levels of development as it occupies a central role in the Philippine economy.
Whatever happens in the country, Filipinos simply need to have their rice.
We have the needed resources – the land, water, high-yielding varieties developed by our
own scientists. Studies have shown that the principal need of our rice industry is
increased mechanization – tractors and harvesters. That is why in the Rice
Competitiveness and Enhancement Fund, 50 percent of its proposed P10-billionannual
appropriation is to be for farm machinery and equipment. The balance is 30 percent for

rice seed development and propagation, 10 percent for expanded credit assistance, and 10
percent for extension services.
When this coronavirus emergency is over, hopefully within a year, our officials should
make an all-out effort to fund the RCEF, especially its mechanization program, so we can
become sufficient in rice, our nation’s staple food.
http://tempo.com.ph/2020/07/01/funding-for-rice-farm-mechanization/
Lockdown Recipe of the Day: Fabulous Seafood Curry
By Gordon Wright• 30 June 2020
(Photo: Sean Calitz)
A good curry made from scratch is a lot less hassle than you think. One of the major
benefits is that you get such a good range of flavours and you can also control
preciselyhow hot you wouldlike it.
One of the nice things about a seafood curry is that it is very quick to prepare; just be sure
to use nice fresh seafood and don’t overcook it. I like to put in a bunch of different
seafood but this works well with even just a bit of nice fresh fish.
The tamarind is very important in this recipe, as is the fact that you must use firm white
fish. Oily and game fish do not work as well and tend to fall apart too much.
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
4 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely crushed
+-30 fresh curry leaves
2 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp ground coriander

2 tsp ground turmeric
1 x 400g can peeled chopped tomatoes
250ml tepid water mixed with 1 heaped tsp tamarind paste (can substitute this with equal
parts lime juice + brown sugar mixed – about 50ml)
100ml cream
2 green chillies, each slicedlengthways into 6 pieces, with seeds
1 tsp salt
500g firm white fish / prawns etc (whatever seafood you prefer)
Boiled basmati rice, to serve
Method
1. Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. When hot, add the
mustard seeds and fry for 30 seconds, then stir in the onion and garlic and fry gently for
about 5 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden brown.
2. Add the curry leaves, chilli powder, coriander and turmeric and fry for two minutes,
then stir in the tomatoes, tamarind liquid, green chillies and salt and simmer for about 10
minutes, or until rich and reduced. Add the fish, cook for a further 5-10 minutes or until
fish is cooked, stir in the cream slowly and serve with basmati rice. DM/TGIFood
Our Thank God It’s Food newsletter is sent to subscribers every Friday at 6pm, and
published on the TGIFood platform on Daily Maverick. It’s all about great reads on the
themes of food and life. Subscribe here.
Send your Lockdown Recipes to tony@dailymaverick.co.za with a hi-resolution
horizontal (landscape)photo.
Thank God It’s Food is sponsored by Pick n Pay.
First published in Gordon Wright’s book Karoo Food (Penguin/Random House)
https://agriculture.einnews.com/article_detail/520639762/y2Q2z--3br-
YFQQx?n=2&code=VuZLay2YinrVF2-
0&utm_source=NewsletterNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Basmati+Rice+
News&utm_content=article
https://agriculture.einnews.com/article_detail/520639762/y2Q2z--3br-
YFQQx?n=2&code=VuZLay2YinrVF2-

0&utm_source=NewsletterNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Basmati+Rice+
News&utm_content=article
https://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/rupee-depreciation-to-help-boost-
indian-farm-textile-and-jewellery-exports-120063001656_1.html
Scientists develop novel predictable multi-nucleotide
deletion systems in plants
Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters

IMAGE: (a). Schematic representation of the AFID system. (b). Structures of AFIDs 1-3
and eAFID-3. (c). The proportions of predictable deletions generated by Cas9 and AFID-
3. (d). Comparison of predictable deletion... view more
Credit: IGDB
Many small regulatory elements, including miRNAs, miRNA binding sites, and cis-
acting elements, comprise only 5~24 nucleotides and play important roles in regulating
gene expression, transcription and translation, and protein structure, and thus are
promising targets for gene function studies and crop improvement.
The CRISPR-Cas9 system has been widely applied in genome engineering. In this
system, a sgRNA-guided Cas9 nuclease generates chromosomal double-strand breaks
(DSBs), which are mainly repaired by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), resulting in
frequent short insertions and deletions (indels) of 1~3 bp. However, the heterogeneity of
these small indels makes it technically challenging to disrupt these regulatory DNAs.
Thus, the development of a precise, predictable multi-nucleotide deletion system is of
great significance to gene function analysis and application of these regulatory DNAs.
A research team led by Prof. GAO Caixia from the Institute of Genetics and
Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has been focusing
on developing novel technologies to achieve efficient and specific genome engineering.
Based on the cytidine deamination and base excision repair (BER) mechanism, the
researchers developed a series of APOBEC-Cas9 fusion-induced deletion systems
(AFIDs) that combine Cas9 with human APOBEC3A (A3A), uracil DNA-glucosidase
(UDG) and AP lyase, and successfully induced novel precise, predictable multi-
nucleotide deletions in rice and wheat genomes.
"AFID-3 produced a variety of predictable deletions extending from the 5?-deaminated
Cs to the Cas9 cleavage sites, with the average predicted proportions over 30%," said
Prof. GAO.
The researchers further screened the deamination activity of different cytosine
deaminases in rice protoplasts, and found that the truncated APOBEC3B (A3Bctd)
displayed not only a higher base-editing efficiency but also a narrower window than other
deaminases.

They therefore replaced A3A in AFID-3 with A3Bctd, generating eAFID-3. The latter
produces more uniform deletions from the preferredTC motifs to double-strand breaks,
1.52-foldhigher than AFID-3.
Moreover, the researchers used the AFID system to target the effector-binding element of
OsSWEET14 in rice, and found that the predictable deletion mutants conferred enhanced
resistance to rice bacterial blight.
AFID systems are superior to other current tools for generating predictable multi-
nucleotide targeted deletions within the protospacer, and thus promise to provide robust
deletion tools for basic research and genetic improvement.
The team's scientific paper, entitled "Precise, predictable multi-nucleotide deletions in
rice and wheat using APOBEC-Cas9," was published in Nature Biotechnology.
###
This research was supported by grants from the Strategic Priority Research Program of
CAS, the National Transgenic Science and Technology Program and the National Natural
Science Foundation of China.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/caos-sdn063020.php
DTN's Washington Insider
Here's a quick monitor of Washington farm and trade policy issues from DTN's well-
placed observer.
Ernst Holding Up EPA Nominee
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said she will block President Donald Trump's nomination of
Doug Benevento to be EPA's Deputy Administrator from advancing until the agency
reveals how it plans to handle the dozens of new requests from refineries for exemptions
from their biofuel requirements.

―Until EPA tells us exactly what they plan to do with the 'gap year' waivers, Mr.
Benevento does not have my vote,‖ Ernst said in a statement. ―Iowa's hardworking
ethanol and biodiesel producers are sick of being yanked around by Andrew Wheeler and
the EPA. Our producers need certainty; until we get that, no EPA nominee is getting my
vote.‖
Benevento is currently EPA associate deputy administrator and was nominated in
February to take the number two post at the agency.
Holds are not new in the world of Congress, and EPA nominations have been a target
previously, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, previously holding up an EPA nomination over
biofuel policy.
EPA's proposed 2021 biofuel and 2022 biodiesel levels under the Renewable Fuel
Standard (RFS) has been under review at the at the Office of Management Budget
(OMB) and is normally issued in the late-June/early July timeframe.
USA Rice Daily
US Rice Industry Calls For End To Duty-Free Treatment Of
Rice Under GSP
The U.S. rice industry is calling on the Trump administration to eliminate duty-free
treatment for all rice imports under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
program. The USA Rice Federation filed a petition in March asking for the action.
More Recommended for You
But the U.S. Trade Representative's office, in a set of questions to the rice group and
countries that would be affected by the action, noted the U.S. rice industry was still a
―significant rice exporter,‖ with foreign shipments of $1.9 billion last year.
USTR is asking, ―Could you please advise whether increased rice imports have harmed
U.S. rice production or exports, and if so, how specifically?‖ Further, they also sought an
explanation of the U.S. parboiling industry, its employment levels and locations, and the
―degree to which it might be injured by imports.‖

***
Washington Insider: Following the US, China Feud
Bloomberg is reporting this week that the U.S.-China feud is ―getting nasty with red tape
as a stealth weapon.‖ The article says the countries are ―moving beyond trade threats to
exchanging regulatory punches that threaten a wide range of industries including
technology, energy and air travel.‖
The two have blacklisted each other's companies, barred flights and expelled journalists -
- to the point that the unfolding skirmish is starting to make companies nervous that the
trading landscape could shift out from under them. ―There are many industries where
U.S. companies have made long-term bets on China's future,‖ said Myron Brilliant, the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce's head of international affairs. Now, they're ―recognizing the
risk.‖
China will look to avoid measures that could backfire, said Shi Yinhong, an adviser to the
nation's cabinet and a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing.
Any sanctions on U.S. companies would be a ―last resort‖because China ―is in desperate
need of foreign investment from rich countries for both economic and political reasons.‖
Still, pressure is only expected to intensify ahead of the U.S. elections in November, as
President Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden joust over who will
take a tougher line on China, Bloomberg said.
Trump has blamed China for covering up the coronavirus pandemic and accused Beijing
of ―illicit espionage to steal our industrial secrets.‖ Biden, likewise, has described
President Xi Jinping as a thug, labeled mass detention of Uighur Muslims as
unconscionable and accused China of predatory trade practices.
And, on Capitol Hill, Republicans and Democrats have found rare unity in their
opposition to China, with lawmakers eager to take action against Beijing for its handling
of COVID-19, forced technology transfers, human rights abuses and its tightening grip on
Hong Kong.
China has repeatedly rejectedU.S. accusations over its handling of the pandemic,
Uighurs, Hong Kong and trade. China also has fired back at the Trump administration for
undermining global cooperation and seeking to start a ―new cold war.‖ Foreign Minister
Wang Yi last month said China had no interest in replacing the U.S. as a hegemonic

power, while adding that the U.S. should give up its ―wishful thinking‖ of changing the
country.
Both sides have already taken a series of regulatory moves aimed at protecting market
shares. For example, the U.S. is citing security concerns in blocking China Mobile Ltd.,
the world's largest mobile operator, from entering the U.S. market. It's culling Chinese-
made drones from government fleets and discouraging the deployment of Chinese
transformers on the power grid. The administration has also tried to constrain the global
reach of China's Huawei Technologies Co., the world's largest telecommunications
equipment manufacturer.
Meanwhile, China prevented U.S. airline flights into the country for more than two
months and, after the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on Chinese journalists, it expelled
American journalists. It has stepped up its scrutiny of U.S. companies, with China's state
news agency casting one probe as a warning to the White House. China also has long
made it difficult for U.S. telecommunications companies to enter its market, requiring
overseas operators to co-invest with local firms and requiring authorization by the central
government.
One of the most combustible flash points has been the administration's campaign to
contain Huawei by seeking to limit the company's business in the U.S. and push allies to
shun its gear in their networks.
After suppliers found work-arounds, Commerce in May tightened rules to bar any
chipmaker using American equipment from selling to Huawei without U.S. approval, a
step that could constrain virtually the entire contract chipmaking industry. Although
Huawei can buy off-the-shelf or commodity mobile chips from a third party, such as
Samsung Electronics Co. or MediaTek Inc., going that route could force it to make costly
compromises on performance in basic products.
Bloomberg thinks that both the U.S. and China have ample opportunities to ratchet up
regulatory pressure. A bill passed by the Senate last month could prompt the delisting of
Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges if American officials aren't allowed to
review their financial audits.
And last week, as the U.S. State Department imposed visa bans on Chinese Communist
Party officials accused of infringing the freedom of Hong Kong citizens, a senior official
made clear the move was just an opening salvo in a campaign to force Beijing to back off
new restrictions on the city.

Companies are still lured to China and its massive local market – and tensions with the
U.S. don't overcome the Asian superpower's appeal. Just one-fifth of companies surveyed
by the American Chamber of Commerce in China late last year said they had moved or
were considering moving some operations outside of the country, part of a three-year
downward trend.
However, China is no longer the lowest-cost manufacturer and companies are
increasingly reluctant to invest there, said James Lewis, director of the Technology
Policy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
―Everyone would like to be in the China market – everyone wants it to be like 2010-- but
things are changing.‖
So, we will see. Certainly, the pre-election tensions amplify trade uncertainties, large and
small. And, they boost the stakes involved – a making it essential for producers, as well
as others, to watch this policy ―dance‖ closelyas changes and shifts emerge, Washington
Insider believes.
Want to keep up with events in Washington and elsewhere throughout the day? See DTN
Top Stories, our frequently updated summary of news developments of interest to
producers. You can find DTN Top Stories in DTN Ag News, which is on the Main Menu
on classic DTN products and on the News and Analysis Menu of DTN's Professional and
Producer products. DTN Top Stories is also on the home page and news home page of
online.dtn.com. Subscribers of MyDTN.com should check out the US Ag Policy, US
Farm Bill and DTN Ag News sections on their News Homepage.
If you have questions for DTN Washington Insider, please email edit@dtn.com
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/columns/washington-
insider/article/2020/06/30/following-us-china-feud
Grant us access to credit, seed inputs to avert possible rice
shortage – PFAG to govt
The Head of Programs and Advocacy for the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana
(PFAG) has called on government to direct banks to ensure full compliance in their
provision of credit facilities for rice farmers. According to Charles Nyaaba, government

must urgently also furnish them with rice inputs like seeds and fertilizers to aid them in
their produce towards averting a possible shortage of rice due to the coronavirus
pandemic.
―It will be useful if government could get us inputs like fertilizer or seeds to produce and
payback. Even if they can connect us with the banks to access credit at a reasonable
interest, that will also help us greatly. We’re pleading with government to direct the
banks to ensure full compliance from them too,‖ Mr Nyaaba told GhanaWeb in an
interview.
Meanwhile, coronavirus lockdowns in
countries that Ghana imports rice from,
coupled with disruptions in the global supply
chains, could pose some vulnerability to food
insecurity in Ghana. Already, Ghana imports
about US$1 billion worth of rice annually to
meet a monthly rice demand of 940,000
tonnes. Earlier this year, some producers of
rice from the Northern Region were affected
by wild fires fueled by the Harmattan winds
which destroyed over 300 hectares of rice fields in the region.
Following the disaster, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture made assurances of a
compensation to the farmers who lost their farms and produce for the year.
However, some farmers claimed they have since been neglected after engagements with
the Ministry. They were concerned about how other farmers took advantage to exploit
buyers by demanding that extra big bags of their choice be used to measure their produce.
Send your news stories to newswires@ghanaweb.com and via WhatsApp on +233 55
2699 625.
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Grant-us-access-to-credit-seed-
inputs-to-avert-possible-rice-shortage-PFAG-to-govt-994216
Funding for rice farm mechanization
July 1, 2020 | Filed under: Editorial,Opinion | Posted by: Tempo Desk

THE decision to set aside the move to import 300,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam
under a government-to-government scheme will save some P8.5 billion that can now be
used for more urgent needs of the nation.
The Philippines had planned to buy the 300,000 tons of rice as a reserve in case the
country incurs a shortage of the Filipino people’s staple food. It did not want to go
through the difficult experience of 2018 when market prices hit record heights – an
inflation rate of 6.7 percent – that was stopped only when Congress enacted the Rice
Tariffication Law that ended all quantitative restrictions on rice imports. With cheap rice
available at a low price, inflation quickly dropped in succeeding months; by June, 2019,
it was down to 2.7 percent.
With the decision to cancel this year’s planned importation, Secretary of Agriculture
William Dar said the government will have P8.5 billion that can be used instead to
support the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) under the Rice
Tariffication Law. The RCEF calls for a mechanization program to help farmers acquire
production and harvest machinery and equipment, promote the development and use of
certifiedseed varieties, expanded credit assistance, and enhanced extension services.
There is now, however, a problem over government budgeting because of the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic. The Philippine budget deficit soared in May as tax revenues fell
and government spending rose. The budget deficit in May reached P202.1 billion, where
there had been a P2.6-billion surplus in May of the previous year, 2019.
Government expenditures in May reached P353.6 billion –up 12 percent from
P314.7billionin May of the previous year. These included releases under the law on
Bayanihan to Heal as One, including cash grants to over 3 million employees of small
enterprises affected by the government’s quarantine measures. Primary government
spending also jumped to P335.3 billion from P295 billion in the previous year. At the
same time, government income fell by 52 percent in May, due to the closure or
suspension of many business operations.
Thus, Secretary Dar may not get his wish that the P8.5 billion saved in the decision to
scrap this year’s rice importation from Vietnam be used instead to push rice farm
modernization. There simply are so many emergency expenses arising from the
coronavirus pandemic that that must be funded.

But this should not detract from the fact that the Philippine rice industry needs to rise to
higher levels of development as it occupies a central role in the Philippine economy.
Whatever happens in the country, Filipinos simply need to have their rice.
We have the needed resources – the land, water, high-yielding varieties developed by our
own scientists. Studies have shown that the principal need of our rice industry is
increased mechanization – tractors and harvesters. That is why in the Rice
Competitiveness and Enhancement Fund, 50 percent of its proposed P10-billionannual
appropriation is to be for farm machinery and equipment. The balance is 30 percent for
rice seed development and propagation, 10 percent for expanded credit assistance, and 10
percent for extension services.
When this coronavirus emergency is over, hopefully within a year, our officials should
make an all-out effort to fund the RCEF, especially its mechanization program, so we can
become sufficient in rice, our nation’s staple food.
http://tempo.com.ph/2020/07/01/funding-for-rice-farm-mechanization/
AWS, Google, and Mozilla back national AI research cloud
bill in Congress
Khari Johnson@kharijohnson
June 30, 2020 2:56 PM
Stanford HAI codirector Dr. Fei-Fei Li and Hoover Institution director and former
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice talking about AI
A group of more than 20 organizations, including tech giants like AWS, Google, IBM,
and Nvidia, joined schools like Stanford University and Ohio State University today in
backing the idea of a national AI research cloud. Nonprofit groups like Mozilla and the
Allen Institute for AI also support the idea. The cloud would help researchers across the
United States gain access to compute power and data sets freelyavailable to companies
like Google, but not researchers in academia. Compute resources available to academics
could grow even more scarce in the near future as COVID-19 fallout constricts university
budgets.

The National AI Research Resource Task Force Act was first introduced earlier this
month by the founding cochairs of the Senate AI Caucus, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-
OH) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), together with a bipartisan group in the House of
Representatives. If passed, the bill will bring together experts from government, industry,
and academia to devise a plan for the creation of a national AI research cloud.
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) chair and former
Google CEO Eric Schmidt also supports the plan. In reports written by tech executives
and delivered to Congress in the past year, the NSCAI has recommended more
cooperation between academia, industry, and government as part of a broader strategy to
keep the United States’ edge in tech compared to other nations.
The idea of a national AI research cloud was first proposed last year by Stanford Institute
for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) codirectors Dr. Fei-Fei Li and John
Etchemendy, who said its creation was essential to U.S. competitiveness and the nation’s
status as a leader in AI. In a March blog post, Li and Etchemendy called the creation of
such a cloud potentially ―one of the most strategic research investments the federal
government has ever made.‖
VB Transform 2020 Online - July 15-17. Join leading AI executives: Register for the free
livestream.
Leaders at Stanford joined more than 20 other universities in sending a joint letter to
President Trump and Congress last year backing a national AI research cloud. Previous
bills also recommended the creation of AI centers and a national AI coordination office
as part of a comprehensive U.S. AI strategy. Increased data sharing and ideas like a
national center of excellence also came up last year when the Computing Community
Consortium laid out its 20-year AI research road map.
Li talked about AI, China, health care, and other topics today in a conversation with
former Secretary of State and soon-to-be Hoover Institution director Condoleezza Rice.
After stating that a U.S. lead in tech is important to national security, Rice asked Li about
how the U.S. can lead in AI if China has more data and fewer privacy concerns. In
response, Li said AI applications like speech or facial recognition may be data heavy, but
other forms of AI that require less data may supply fruitful ground for U.S. progress.
―Data is a first-class citizen of today’s AI research. We should admit that, but it’s not the
only thing that defines AI,‖ Li said. ―Rare disease understanding, genetic study of rare

disease, drug discovery, treatment management — they are by definition not necessarily
data heavy, and AI can play a huge role. Human-centered design, I think about elder care
and that kind of nuanced technological help. That’s not necessarily data heavy as well, so
I think we need to be very thoughtful about how to use data.‖
The future of work, ethics, and AI bias were also major topics of discussion. Li urged the
development of AI that brings together interdisciplinary teams, gathers insights from
people impacted by AI, and is made by more than computer science school graduates.
―America’s strength is our people, and the more people who participate in this
technology, to guide and develop it, the stronger we are,‖ she said.
Li also stressedthe need to stay ahead of the ethical implications of AI and suggested
computer scientists throw away the notion of independent machine values, asserting that
―Machine values are human values.‖
In a separate policy proposal made by Stanford HAI last year, Li and Etchemendy urged
the federal government to grow its national AI investments to $12 billion a year for the
next decade.
https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/30/aws-google-and-mozilla-back-national-ai-research-
cloud-bill-in-congress/
31 Bicol farmers’ associations get P54-M worth of farm
equipment
By Mar Serrano June 30, 2020, 5:58 pm
LEGAZPI CITY – Some 31 farmers' associations across Bicol Region have received
PHP54.3 million worth of farm pieces of machinery under the Rice Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund (RCEF) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office.
Rodel Tornilla, DA regional director, said the farm pieces of machinery include 29 units
of rice combine harvester (PHP43.9 million); seven units riding type transplanter (PHP8
million); five units walk-behind transplanter (PHP1.6 million); and eight units rice reaper
(PHP857,000).

He said the PHP54.3 was part of the PHP10-billionRCEF fund aimed at modernizing the
farming system in Bicol region.
―The initial 31 beneficiaries were chosen from a total of 872 farmers associations already
accredited by DA in Bicol. Half of this or 380 farmers’ associations are in Camarines Sur
province,‖ Tornilla said in an interview on Tuesday.
―This is only the beginning of the distribution of the machinery as RCEF will be
implemented for at least six years,‖ he added.
The DA official challenged the recipients to be role models in implementing the
programs of the agency such as the farm consolidation and clustering, where the use of
these farm machinery will be maximized.
He said that under Sec. William Dar’s new paradigm, most of the DA interventions will
be intended for clustered farmers and consolidated land areas.
―I hope that with your help, we will start embracing farm clustering and land
consolidation,‖ Tornilla added. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1107480

Adieu is drive-thru for extension chief
by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | Today at 2:20
A drive-thru goodbye on Tuesday and creation of a scholarship fund marked Rick
Cartwright's retirement from the University of Arkansas system's Agriculture Division.
With the coronavirus pandemic preventing a reception, his colleagues and friends took
part in an hourlong drive-thru celebration in the parking lot of the UA Cooperative
Extension Service's headquarters in Little Rock. Tuesday was Cartwright's official
retirement date.
Shortly after Cartwright last year announced his retirement plans, his friends and
colleagues quietly raised some $40,000 for a scholarship endowment fund in the name of
Cartwright and his wife Lynette. They surprised Cartwright with news of the fund last
week. Organizers have set a $50,000 goal and continue accepting contributions, the
university said.
The endowment will be managed by the Arkansas 4-H Foundation.
Cartwright, a native of Stone County, has been UA Extension director since 2017 and UA
professor since 1992.
Bob Scott, who most recently was director of the Rice Research and Extension Center in
Stuttgart, will succeed Cartwright as director of the Extension Service. Scott joined the
UA division in 2002 as a weed scientist, with a doctorate degree from Mississippi State
University and bachelor's and master's degrees from Oklahoma State University.
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2020/jul/01/adieu-is-drive-thru-for-extension-chief/
Ministry commends TARI Uyole for research, production of
improved crop
01Jul 2020
Gerald Kitabu
The Guardian

Ministry commends TARI Uyole for research, production of improved crop
Minister of agriculture Japhet Hasunga has directed Tanzania Agricultural research
Institute (TARI) to continue organizing and conducting agribusiness expo in all centres
so that farmers and other stakeholders can get an opportunity to learn more new
technologies and improve farming methods.
The Minister also directed TARI to maintain large number of different germplasms
saying they will help much in research and production of improved varieties rather than
importing them from outside.
He gave the directive at TARI Uyole in Mbeya when he visited and opened the
agribusiness expo hosted by TARI Uyole centre recently.
In fact this is a centre of excellence an excellent of research and production of improved
crop varieties in Tanzania. This is what we want as we work hard to realize our
President’s vision and mission of building an industrial economy,‖ he said.
TARI Uyole has eleven experimental stations distributed strategically considering all
agro-ecological conditions available in Southern highland regions
According to the Centre Director Dr. Tulole Bucheyeki, the centre coordinates five
commodities nationally; Highland maize, beans, round potato, pyrethrum and agro-
engineering.
The centre also conducts collaborative research activities; soil, rice, wheat, soybean,
agroforestry, horticulture, socio economics, postharvest handling, sweet potato, finger
millet, sunflower. The agribusiness expo involved researchers, large and small holder
farmers from across the highland regions, seed companies, exhibitors in the grain and
staple foods subsector, and agro processors among many others.
It provided an opportunity for TARI and other exhibitors from Mbeya and other
neighboring regions to showcase a wide range of latest technologies, innovative farming
methods, products and services. The participants also get an opportunity to learn new
farming methods and latest technologies.
―One of the ways to inform farmers on the latest technologies and improved seed
varieties is through agribusiness and expo. This is another opportunity for stakeholders to
display their goods, products and technologies,‖ he said.

He said TARI must transform agriculture so that the country can be food secure through
well researched and sufficient improved seeds.
―I am confident that TARI will now champion transformation of agriculture because
agricultural revolution always begins with availability and adequate improved seeds for
the farmers and other stakeholders,‖ he said.
Citing an example, he said that the country spends about 600 bn/- to import edible oil
every year while there is adequate and potential land to produce all types of vegetable
edible oil.
―We have potential land, energetic people and the capacity to grow enough sunflower,
sesame and other horticulture crops. TARI must take the lead to effectively and
efficiently play its role of research and production of improved seeds,‖ he said.
―I understand that we have enough researchers who can conduct fruitful research and
production of enough improved seeds to realize the fifth phase government’s vision. We
want to move from where we are now to the industrial economy and open employment
for Tanzanians, he added.
He said for agriculture to develop, there is also a need to invest in irrigation agriculture. If
we want to succeed in agriculture, we need to develop irrigation agriculture.
He said that a survey conducted by agricultural experts revealed that Tanzania has a total
of 44.2 million hectares of potential land for agriculture, out of which, 29. 4 million
hectares are useful for irrigation agriculture. However, currently the land under irrigation
is still small. ―We had only 475,000 hectares of land under irrigation and recently in June
this year, we increased the land under irrigation to 691,000 hectares. The target is to
reach one million hectares under irrigation by 2025, he added.
The said the Ministry I working hard to make sure that the target is reached in two years
time. ―The major task is to make sure we get enough food to feed our people. If there is
hunger everybody will be complaining to the Minister of agriculture. That’s why when it
happened shortage of sugar recently, everyone was lamenting and pointing finger to the
Minister. I am saying this nation has everything such as valleys, fertile soil and water, we
don’t need to have shortage of sugar.
He said Uganda which has smaller area than Tanzania is currently producing five
hundred thousand tones of sugar per year. Their requirement of sugar is only 360 tones

which means they have surplus and this time around, Tanzania has imported sugar from
Uganda. The Ministry is currently putting in place comprehensive plans and strategies to
stop this problem. The capacity of all sugar factories in Tanzania to produce sugar is 350
tones, but because this year had much rains, sugar production for all factories did not
reach even 350 tones, instead, produced only 264 tones.
The factories have started working, the problem of shortage of sugar has finished, at least
there is enough sugar. ‖We have enacted law to protect local industries, but we want the
local industries that imports sugar to reduce the importation and continue producing more
sugar.
TARI Uyole Centre Director Tulole Bucheyeki said his centre has developed different
latest technology for all farmers in the Southern highland regions and Tanzania as a
whole. ― TARI Uyole has been able to research and produce improved varieties of many
crops because it has turned challenges into opportunities.
―There is a need to mobilize our own internal resources to capacitate agricultural research
institutes and research systems in Tanzania because there are extra benefits for
Tanzanians and farmers in particular as this will respond to the local needs and the
country’ broader objectives,‖ he said.
TARI’s chairman of board of directors Dr. Yohana Budeba explained that TARI has
enhanced efforts on research and production of improved seeds in all strategic crops and
others to realize the President’s vision of industrial economy.
‖Currently TARI is working around the clock to change agriculture in this country. we
are well positioned to conduct fruitful research and production of improved seeds that
will provide another opportunity for the farmers to produce enough food and raw
materials for our industries. Through this way, Tanzania’s economy will be sustaining
long-term growth,‖ he said.
We have directed TARI to conduct research that contribute to increased agricultural
productivity through development and deployment of improved agricultural knowledge
and technologies by adopting innovation systems approach, he added.
TARI’ Director General Dr. Geoffrey Mkamilo said that the efforts of research,
production, multiplying and disseminating the improved seeds of all crop varieties in
Southern highland regions and elsewhere is basically trying to make sure that there is
enough improved seeds for the farmers and other stakeholders in the country.

―TARI has released many new varieties and new technologies. We are still working on
several initiatives plans and strategies to make sure that we contribute positively to
transforming agriculture through improved seeds for the farmers and the industrial
economy.
https://www.ippmedia.com/en/features/ministry-commends-tari-uyole-research-
production-improved-crop
Increased extreme hourly precipitation over China’s rice
paddies from 1961 to 2012
 Yiwei Jian,
 Jin Fu,
 Bengang Li &
 Feng Zhou
Scientific Reports volume 10, Article number: 10609 (2020) Cite this article
 Metricsdetails
 Published: 30 June 2020
Abstract
Rice yield have been affected by the increased extreme precipitation events in recent
decades. Yet, the spatio-temporal patterns of extreme precipitation by rice type and
phenology remain elusive. Here, we investigate the characteristics of four extreme
precipitation indices across China’s rice paddy and their potential association with crop
yields, by using hourly precipitation data from 1,215 stations and rice phenology
observations from 45 sub-regions. The data indicate that hourly extreme precipitation
have significantly increased in 1961–2012 for single rice and early rice in China but not
for late rice. Rice were mainly exposed to extreme precipitation from transplantation to
flowering stages. The frequency and proportion of extreme precipitation were
significantly increased by 2.0–4.7% and 2.3–2.9% per decade, respectively, mainly in
south China and Yangtze River Basin. The precipitation intensity and maximum hourly
precipitation were increased by 0.7–1.1% and 0.9–2.8% per decade, respectively, mainly
in central China and southeast coastal area. These extreme precipitation indices played a
role as important as accumulated precipitation and mean temperature on the interannual
variability of rice yields, regardless of rice types. Our results also highlight the urgencies

to uncover the underlying mechanisms of extreme precipitation on rice growth, which in
turn strengthens the predictability of crop models.
Introduction
China, the biggest rice producer around the world, has a total rice sown area of 30 million
hectares at present. However, rice was experiencing frequent extreme climate events that
led to a large instability in rice production1,
2. Long-term exposure of rice growth to
extreme climate has raised our concerns3,
4, because of the importance of the global or
regional food security5. Currently there were a few studies focusing on the spatio-
temporal patterns of extreme precipitation events over rice planting areas, especially with
highly diverse rice variety, planting time and phenology in China6.
Precipitation extremes have been increasing globally in frequency, intensity and extent
over the past decades7,
8,
9. The maximum daily precipitation, maximum consecutive 5-
day precipitation and total precipitation from days > 95th percentile have increased by
5%, 4% and 20% during the period 1900–2010, respectively10. However, conclusions
varied with regions and seasons11,
12. For example, the proportion and frequency of
extreme precipitation significantly increased in Eastern China while decreased in North
China over the past five decades due to heterogeneous terrain and climate
conditions13,
14. By analyzing 265 stations in South Asia in 1961–2000, an increasing
trend of extreme precipitation was identified in tropical regions, while decreasing in the
Himalaya and desert regions15. Significant increase in maximum daily precipitation were
found from June to August, but no obvious elevation or even decreasing during the rest of
the year16.
Other than the possible disasters like flash floods and mudslides, extreme precipitation
events have different influences on crop growth (or yield) when the events occurred in
critical growing periods6,
17,
18. A positive correlation was found between rice yield and
extreme precipitation events in India19, while it was negative in the Philippines20.
Specifically, extreme precipitation slightly influenced rice growth at its tillering stage,
while it is unfavorable for rice pollination at early rice flowering stage21. Long spells of
rainfall at the ripening stage resulted in yield reduction due to lodging and waterlogging
and impeded mechanical harvesting22. Moreover, extreme precipitation influenced crop
yield through physiochemical and physiological mechanisms. Photosynthetic rate was
increased by extreme precipitation by adjusting the stomatal opening of leaf surface of
bean and pea23, while it was decreased due to large nutrient loss of leaf epidermis of
peatland24. Thus, it is necessary to identify extreme precipitation indices during different

rice-growing periods and unravel the potential effects of extreme precipitation on rice
growth.
Most of previous studies were conducted based on daily datasets. However, extreme
precipitation events often occurred in a short time from less than 1 h to a few hours25.
Furthermore, trend analyses using hourly data could better reveal the temporal dynamics
at the local scale and retain more information about precipitation pattern, especially in
regions with substantial seasonal variability and undulating topography11. For instance,
Prein et al.26 found that the hourly extreme precipitation increased in majority of the
United States from 2001 to 2013 and expected to increase along with global warming in
the future. Li et al.27 estimated the threshold values of hourly rainfall intensity for a 5-
year return period and revealed significant regional differences over eastern China. Luo
et al. 28 investigated synoptic situations of extreme hourly precipitation over China and
suggested complicated regional features in the occurrence frequency and intensity of
precipitation extremes.
The objective of this study is to provide an insight into extreme precipitation indices over
rice paddy fields, including the frequency, intensity, proportion and maximum hourly
precipitation (see ―Methods‖ section). Using hourly precipitation data (1,215 stations)
and rice phenology observations (45 sub-regions), we investigated the spatiotemporal
patterns of extreme precipitation indices over three rice cropping systems (i.e., single
rice, early rice and late rice) during 1961–2012, and testedthe association between the
long-term exposure to extreme precipitation and rice yield in the last three decades
(1981–2012) due to data limitation (see ―Methods‖ section). In addition, we discussed
about the long-term goals in quantifying risks of extreme precipitation on rice production
and associated model improvements, as well as policy implications to mitigate the losses
from extreme precipitation events.
Results
Extreme precipitation indices by crop and phenology
The extreme precipitation varied greatly among different rice growing periods, but not
among three rice types (Fig. 1). For the entire rice growing season, the frequency of
extreme precipitation of early rice (0.51 ± 0.11%) was significantly higher than that of
single rice (0.39 ± 0.12%, p < 0.001) and late rice (0.32 ± 0.06%, p < 0.001) (Fig. 1a). In
addition, the frequency in the period 2 and 3 were significant higher than those in period
1 and 4 for single rice and early rice (p < 0.001), while for late rice higher frequency
occurred in period 1 and 2 (Fig. 1a). The intensity and maximum hourly precipitation

differed significantly by growth period (p < 0.001) and were higher in the first two
periods for each rice type (Fig. 1b,d). There were no significant differences of the
proportion of extreme precipitation (range within 33.5–34.4%) between cropping systems
for the entire rice season, and significant higher proportion of extreme precipitation was
found for periods 2 and 3 for single rice and early rice (Fig. 1c).
Figure 1
Extreme precipitation indices by rice type and growth period in 1961–2012. (a)
Frequency of extreme precipitation; (b) intensity of extreme precipitation; (c) proportion
of extreme precipitation; (d) maximum hourly precipitation, note that the value during
whole rice growing season differs with the maximum of those in 4 growth periods
because the time of maximum precipitation event differs by year and site. Period1
represents the stage from transplanting to tillering, period 2 for the stage from the end of
tillering to the end of flowering, period 3 for the stage from the end of flowering to
doughty, and period 4 for the stage from maturity to harvesting. Error bar indicates one
standard deviation of extreme precipitation indices due to spatial variation. Different
letters indicate there were significant differences between growing periods at the 5%
level. Figures were generated in R version 3.6.0 (www.r-project.org)64.
Full size image
Notable spatial discrepancies were detected for all four extreme precipitation indices
based on the averaged data over 1961–2012 (Fig. 2). For the single rice, the frequency of
extreme precipitation was relatively higher in southwest China (0.34–0.96%) than the
east and the northeast (0.14–0.56%) (Fig. 2a). Intensity of the extreme precipitation was
relatively lower in the southwest but reached the highest in North China Plain (Fig. 2d).
Similar patterns were found for the proportion and maximum hourly precipitation
(Fig. 2g,j). For early rice, the frequency of extreme precipitation was generally high in
most provinces (0.39–0.72%, Fig. 2b). The intensity, proportion and maximum hourly
precipitation showed similar spatial patterns with the hotspots in Hainan, Guangxi, and
Guangdong (Supplementary Fig. S2a, Fig. 2e,h,k). For late rice, the frequency ranged
from 0.17 to 0.58% (Fig. 2c). The intensity and maximum hourly precipitation showed
similar patterns with a gradual decrease from maritime areas to the inland (Fig. 2f,l). In
contrast, hotspots of the proportion were primarily distributed in Hunan, Jiangxi, and
Fujian (35.7% to 40.6%), whereas low values were found in south China (28.0% to
36.1%, Fig. 2i). These proportions were smaller than previous studies that used the 90th

percentile threshold29,
30. Details of the patterns of four indices in different growth
periods could be found in Supplementary Figs. S3–S6.
Figure 2
Patterns of extreme precipitation indices for rice growing season averaged over the period
1961–2012. (a–c) Frequency of extreme precipitation; (d–f) intensity of extreme
precipitation; (g–i) proportionof extreme precipitation; (j–l) maximum hourly
precipitation for single rice region (left) , early rice region (middle) , late rice region
(right) during 1961–2012. Maps were generated in R version 3.6.0 (www.r-
project.org)64.
Full size image
The trends of extreme precipitation indices were further detected during rice growing
season over the period 1961–2012 (Fig. 3). For single rice, the indices exhibited
significantly increasing trends over the entire growing season, with 2.4% per decade
(p = 0.02) for frequency, 0.8% per decade (p < 0.001) for intensity, 2.3% per decade
(p < 0.001) for the proportion, and 2.8% per decade (p < 0.001) for maximum hourly
precipitation. Temporal trends of four indices for early rice growing season were similar
to single rice, except for maximum hourly precipitation (0.9% per decade, p = 0.07). In
contrast, the proportion of extreme precipitation showed a significant increment for late
rice (2.9% per decade, p < 0.001), while other indices showed insignificant upward
tendencies. Large tendency differences were found between the four growing periods. An
increasing trend of four indices was found within periods 1 and 2 for single rice (Fig. 3).
For early rice, no significant upwards tendencies were found, except the frequency in
period 2 with a notable increase at rate of 5.1% per decade (p = 0.03; Fig. 3a,b,d). Trends
of the proportion were shown with a significant increase in the latter three periods ranged
from 2.6 to 4.1% per decade (p < 0.05; Fig. 3c). For late rice, all four indices showed
upward tendencies during periods 1 and 2, of which the proportion of extreme
precipitation showed a significant trend (2.6% to 3.1% per decade, p < 0.01).
Figure 3
Temporal trends of extreme precipitation indices by rice type and growth period in 1961–
2012. (a) Frequency of extreme precipitation; (b) intensity of extreme precipitation; (c)
proportion of extreme precipitation; (d) maximum hourly precipitation, with *p < 0.05

and **p < 0.01. The definition of growth period 1 is same as Fig. 1. Figures were
generated in R version 3.6.0 (www.r-project.org)64.
Full size image
The trends of extreme precipitation indices were spatially heterogeneous (Fig. 4). For
single rice, about two thirds (65%) of stations showed an increasing frequency of extreme
precipitation, 6.2% of which were statistically significant (from 4.8 to 18.5% per decade;
Fig. 4a). For early rice, 80% of stations showed an increasing frequency, while 11.4%
was significant (from 7.1 to 33.1% per decade; Fig. 4b). More than two thirds of stations
showed a relatively low increasing trend of the intensity (range from 1.9 to 13.1% per
decade; Fig. 4d–f). ~ 75% of stations were shown with increasing tendencies of the
proportion in three rice types, 10.6–16.3% of which were with significant increase at a
rate of 3.6–22.5% per decade that were equally distributed over paddy fields (Fig. 4g–i).
Trend analysis indicated a stronger changes in four growing periods over the last
50 years, except for late rice during periods 3 and 4 (Supplementary Figs. S7–S10). In
summary, increasing trends for rice growing season since 1961 were found in the most of
stations for the proportion of extreme precipitation (70.6–80.1%, with 10.6–16.3%
significant) and for maximum hourly precipitation (67.0–69.9%, with 7.5–8.7%
significant), while mixed trends were found for the frequency and intensity of extreme
precipitation.
Figure 4
Patterns of the temporal trends of extreme precipitation indices in 1961–2012. (a–c)
Frequency of extreme precipitation; (d–f) intensity of extreme precipitation; (g–i)
proportion of extreme precipitation; (j–l) maximum hourly precipitation for single rice
region (left), early rice region (middle), late rice region (right). Red crosses indicated for
insignificant negative trends, blue crosses indicated for insignificant positive trends,
while dots indicated for significant trends (p < 0.05). Maps were generated in R version
3.6.0 (www.r-project.org)64.
Full size image
Association between extreme precipitation and rice yield
A negative correlationbetween the frequency and single rice yield was found in the
Northern China and Eastern China, while the correlationwas positive in southwest and

the North China Plain (Fig. 5a). Early rice yield was significantly and negatively
correlated with the frequency of extreme precipitation (Fig. 5b). Negative correlations
between frequency and rice yield were also found for late rice at coastal area (Fig. 5c).
The relationship between the intensity of extreme precipitation and yield of single rice
showed positive correlations in most provinces (Fig. 5d). Negative correlations were
further found at coastal areas of early and late rice, while provinces in the middle and
lower reaches of the Yangtze river Basin, such as Hunan and Zhejiang, showed positive
relationships (r = 0.33 to 0.52, p < 0.1) (Fig. 5e,f). The spatial pattern of correlations
between the proportion of extreme precipitation and single rice yield was not notable
(Fig. 5g). Proportion of extreme precipitation showed negative correlations with early
and late rice yields at coastal area, but positive correlations in the inner regions
(Fig. 5h,i). Similar spatial distributions were found for the correlation between maximum
hourly precipitation and rice yield (Fig. 5j–l). Details of the patterns of the correlations in
different growth periods could be found in Supplementary Tables S3–S5.
Figure 5
Correlation coefficient between rice yields and extreme precipitation indices in 1981–
2012 at the provincial scale. (a–c) Frequency of extreme precipitation of single rice (left)
, early rice (middle), and late rice (right); (d–f) intensity of extreme precipitation; (g–i)
proportion of extreme precipitation; (j–l) maximum hourly precipitation. Asterisks
indicate the significance of each correlation. *p < 0.1 and **p < 0.05. Maps were
generated in R version 3.6.0 (www.r-project.org)64.
Full size image
We further implemented stepwise regressionto identify the determinants of rice yield
variability for three rice types across rice-growing provinces (Fig. 6). Climate factors
explained 41% for early rice, 11% for late rice, but only 3% for single rice
(Supplementary Table S6). Results highlighted that extreme precipitation were as
important as accumulated precipitation and mean temperature on the inter-annual yield
differences, regardless of rice types. For single rice, significantly positive effects were
found for the maximum hourly precipitation in periods 1 and 4, the proportion in period 3
and the intensity of extreme precipitation in period 2 (Fig. 6a). For early rice, the
frequency of extreme precipitation in period 3 has significantly negative effects on yield
variability (r = − 0.49, p < 0.001). The effects of maximum hourly precipitation in the
former three periods were opposite in direction to the frequency (r = 0.23 to 0.36;

Fig. 6b). For late rice, inter-annual variability of rice yield was negatively related to the
intensity of extreme precipitation in period 3 (r = − 0.48, p = 0.03) and to the proportion
in period 2 (r = − 0.25, p = 0.009). In addition, positive relationships were found for
maximum hourly precipitation in period 3, the frequency in period 1, and the intensity in
period 2 (Fig. 6c).
Figure 6
Regression coefficients (± S.E.) show the magnitude of the effect of each variable in a
multiple regression. (a) Single rice (n = 713); (b) early rice (n = 279); (c) late rice
(n = 279). Asterisks indicate the significance of each predictor. ***p < 0.001; **p < 0.01;
*p < 0.05. P1 to P4 represent the four growth periods. Figures were generated in R
version 3.6.0 (www.r-project.org)64.
Full size image
Discussion
Our analyses based on observations from 1,215 stations revealed that hourly extreme
precipitation have significantly increased in 1961–2012 for single rice and early rice in
China but not for late rice. This dataset owned higher spatial and temporal resolutions
than previous studies. For instance, Zhang and Zhai31 examined hourly precipitation
trends using the data from 480 stations from May to September in 1961–2000. This study
found a positive trend of the frequency (2.5–7.5% per decade) in Northeast China and the
middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze river Basin, while not evident for the intensity.
Li et al.29 analyzed the hourly precipitation data of 1,141 stations during 1982–2012,
indicating a relatively low increment trend (< 1% per decade) of the frequency located in
south China and Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, and even a decrease in Sichuan and northeast
China. Such discrepancies indicated the effects of time period and available stations on
the spatiotemporal patterns of hourly extreme precipitation. In addition, the analysis
presented in this study helped describing the large variations in historical trend of
extreme precipitation across rice producing regions of China.
This study is the first time to quantify the characteristics of extreme precipitation by rice
growing periods. Results suggest that the rice growth are mainly exposed to extreme
precipitation events at earlier stages. This is comparable to previous studies that
presented the risks of extreme precipitation only at regional scale. For example, Xu et

1st july 2020 daily global regional and local rice e newsletter

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