25th july,2020 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

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Pakistan must retain same level of market access with
UK after BREXIT: FPCCI
Online
8:18 PM | July 24, 2020
Pakistan must have same level of market access with UK after BREXIT which
Pakistan is enjoying with EU, this was stated by Sheikh Sultan Rehman Vice
President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
He was speaking to a webinar on ―Impact of BREXIT on Trade and Economy of
Pakistan‖ organised by FPCCI Head Office Karachi, Regional Office Lahore and
Capital Office Islamabad via Zoom Video Conference.

Sheikh Sultan Rehman stated that there was a historical referendum in UK in 2016
wherein the people of UK voted against remaining in EU which created a wave of
shock and caused loss of US$ 2 trillion in a day.
He added that UK plays a key role in economic and social development of Pakistan.
At present, the balance of trade between Pakistan and UK is in favor of Pakistan.
Pakistan‘s exports to UK stood at US$ 1.7 billion and Pakistan is mainly exporting
textiles cotton fabrics, knitwear, readymade garments, bed wear and rice to UK.
China launches new high-resolution mapping satellite
He stated that currently the trade between Pakistan and UK is going on under EU GSP
Plus scheme which will end for UK from January 01, 2021. He also urged Pakistani
Government to sign Bilateral Investment Treaty with UK.
TDAP GSP Plus Advisor Kamal Shahryar stated that the negotiation between
Pakistan and UK is continuing for getting the similar facility which Pakistan is
enjoying under EU GSP Plus. He stated that UK has not shared conditionality‘s‘ of
new trade agreement but in principle agreed for similar level of facilities. He added
that after BREXIT the border trade with EU will not take place for moving goods in
EU member countries. UK has started revision of its MFN tariff for all countries
which will also benefit Pakistan.

Zakaria Usman, Former President FPCCI emphasized to finalize the agreement with
UK as Pakistani exporters have made huge investment in textile sector in accordance
to EU GSP plus requirements which should not be affected with BREXIT.
More review petitions filed regarding verdict in Justice Qazi Faez Isa case
Asim Yousuf, Vice President Pakistan UK Chamber of Commerce and Industry added
that there are huge opportunities for Pakistan‘s export in agriculture, textile and food
items to UK. In this context, there is a need of early formulation of Pakistan‘s trade
delegation to UK for getting new orders from UK. Moreover, Pakistani community in
UK also plays a crucial role in Pak-UK Trade and at present, 80% of our trade with
UK is conducted by Pakistani companies.
Sheikh Muhammad Tariq, Chairman Pakistan UK Business Council of FPCCI
informed about the registration of his company for filing of custom declaration service
from January 2021. After completion of BREXIT transition period, additional more
than 250 million custom declarations will be filed and processed.
He also urged Pakistan to comply with standards and SPS measures as UK is
importing 1.2 million ton of meat. He also underlined the need of developing
Pakistani business center in UK as UK is establishing business hub wherein all the
countries are establishing their offices.
IHC detests CDA officials non-appearance in Aleem Khan's housing society

Shariq Vohra underscored the need of research for enhancing exports to potentials
market as our Pakistan export is stagnant for 10 years.
Qaisra Sheikh Coordination Women Enterpreneurs emphasized on the development of
mechanism for transformation of informal trade into formal trade as most of the
women are exporting to UK informally. She also suggested expanding the list of
product mix for enhancement of exports.
The participants also stated that SBP should sign agreement with central bank of
England for trading in property of UK on collateral basis as like India has signed. This
agreement will also facilitate transfer of remittances from UK to Pakistan. Moreover
UK should also follow REX system after BREXIT which is convenient to Pakistani
exporters.
https://nation.com.pk/24-Jul-2020/pakistan-must-have-same-level-of-market-access-with-uk-after-brexit-
speakers
Saudi Arabia building first grain terminal at Yanbu
Commercial Port
BY STAFF WRITER
24 JUL 2020
SALAAM GATEWAY
Saudi Arabia is building its first grain terminal at the port of Yanbu.

The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) and the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment
Company (SALIC) will develop the 313,000 square-metre terminal, state news agency SPA
reported on Thursday (July 23).
―The Yanbu grain project aims to build the first regional centre and logistic platform for
importing, processing and exporting grains in KSA,‖ said MAWANI chairperson and Saudi
minister of transport, Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser.
The terminal will have a capacity of 5 million tons annually.
SALIC is owned by Saudi Arabia‘s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. Details
of the investment were not disclosed.
SALIC chairperson Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al Fadhli said the company relies on the
geographical location of the Kingdom and the port infrastructure for overall food distribution
solutions in the region by linking Saudi Arabia to global grain sources, especially countries
where SALIC is currently investing.
Yanbu Commercial Port lies on the Red Sea coast, facing the northeastern and eastern coasts of
Africa. It is considered the nearest major Saudi port to Europe and North America.
SALIC‘s priority investment destinations for key grains are: rice - Pakistan and Australia; corn -
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, USA, and Romania; and for barley - Canada, Australia France, the
Black Sea region and the Balkans, it says on its website.
Saudi Arabia imported $2.81 billion in grains in 2019, according to data from the United
Nations‘ ITC Trade Map. Most of these were rice ($1.415 billion), maize or corn ($715,322), and
barley ($541,762).Its top trading partner for rice was India, followed by Pakistan, USA,
Thailand, and Australia. Its maize or corn mainly came from Argentina, Brazil, USA, Paraguay,
and Yemen, and it imported most of its barley from Argentina, the Russian Federation, Ukraine,
Estonia, and Romania.Yanbu Commercial Port currently handles imports that include general
cargo, containers, bulk and bagged fertilisers, bulk feed, and petroleum coal, according to its
website. It houses two silos for bulk material storage with a capacity of 20,000 tons per unit.
Saudi Arabia‘s total 2019-20 grains imports is estimated at 14.2 million tons, up from 13.5
million tons the year before, according to the International Grains Council. The IGC forecasts the
same level of imports for 2020-21. Its data point to 14.8 million tons in grain consumption in the
Kingdom in 2019-20 and it sees this number rising to 15.2 million tons for 2020-21.
https://www.salaamgateway.com/story/saudi-arabia-building-first-grain-terminal-at-yanbu-
commercial-port

Aquaculture and agriculture: Sustaining Goa’s promise for
fish, curry and rice
Lands under estuarine agricultural system, called Khazan farming, are in state of decay
By Aaron Savio Lobo
Last Updated: Friday 24 July 2020
An aerial view of mangroves reclaiming khazan lands because of breaching bunds. Photo: Jason
Taylor
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is Goa‘s smallest protected area — it comprises barely two square
kilometres of lush mangrove forests. The sanctuary is located on Chorão, one of Goa‘s estuarine
islands in the Mandovi river approximately five kilometres from capital Panaji. This little gem of
a mangrove park receives its fair share of visitors, primarily birds.
But this ecosystem supports much more. The sanctuary and its surrounds is home to marsh
crocodiles, smooth-coated otter, the unique glossy-marsh snake that feeds on crabs, mud lobsters,
sap-sucking sea slugs, among others.
A walk on its nature trail will take one through an almost meditative patch of Indian mangroves
(Avicennia officinalis) characterised by their thick, white trunks. All one hears is the clicking
sounds of the pistol shrimp and the hum of the ferry boats that bring passengers to Chorão, and
whose raucous jetty is near the sanctuary‘s entrance.
It may come as a bit of surprise to know that the sanctuary‘s ―primeval‖ forest until the 1970s
was still largely privately owned rice fields. The sanctuary represents a conservation success in

many ways, demonstrating that even degraded spaces (in ecological terms), if given sufficient
time, can restore themselves to their former glory.
In fact, the sanctuary, like most other low-lying floodplains of Goa, was characterised by an
estuarine agricultural system called Khazan farming. This system is a carefully designed topo-
hydro-engineered agro-aquacultural ecosystem mainly based on the regulation salinity and tides.
Centuries ago, people in this region reclaimed low-lying brackish coastal floodplains and
mangrove forests. They constructed bunds using locally available material to prevent the ingress
of salt water, which killed the halophilic mangroves.
To control the flow of tidal waters, they built openings in bunds fitted with sluice gates. These
gates acted as one way valves, allowing water from the main backwaters to enter the specially
dug channels (poiems) around the fields. These channels would fill in with the oncoming tide and
bring with them fish, crab and shrimp, and the gates would automatically shut when the water
level was equal on both sides.
This prevented the water from overflowing into the fields used to grow paddy and which has a
low tolerance to salt. When the tide receded, the sluice gates would open outwards automatically,
allowing the water from the poiems to drain out. During this time, a bag net was set at the sluice
gate to catch fish that had entered in earlier.
Everything has a place in the system — while well-managed khazan lands would not have
mangroves growing within them, they were allowed to continue to flourish along the outer banks
of the bund and the banks of the backwater or the estuary, because their significance for artisanal
fisheries as fish nurseries was well understood.

Every bit of space was precious and used efficiently — the bunds were used to grow a variety of
vegetables. The Khazan system allowed for the farmer and the fisher to harmoniously coexist
and was the key to sustaining what is considered Goa‘s staple — fish, curry and rice.
Today, for various reasons, but primarily due to post-independence agrarian reforms of 1961,
these lands largely lie fallow and are in a state of decay. Lack of cultivation and maintenance of
the bunds and sluice gates is leading to their breaching and the natural reclamation of these
fallow lands by mangroves.
While several regions around the world have witnessed precipitous decline in their mangroves,
their decline is witnessing an increase in Goa, according to data published by the Forest Survey
of India.
Moreover, mangroves are protected by law and it is illegal to cut them. Areas that have these
trees growing on them also come under the purview of coastal regulation zone (CRZ); according
to the 2011 notification, the mangrove areas are classified as CRZ I and cannot be developed
upon.
Many of Goa‘s communities look at this as a threat to the future of food production. This has led
to the illegal and, often unnecessary, destruction of mangroves, with patched often being cleared
under the metaphorical cover of darkness.
In a bid to restore Goa‘s agriculture, the water resource department took up the job of repairing
the breached embankments. A far cry from the indigenous materials and methods employed, the
previous mud-laterite-straw bunds were replaced by concrete ones, building them much higher
and wider than they were earlier.

However, it is the failure to understand that it is not new technology, rather well-organised
communities that keep this system thriving, has not resulted in any change in the status quo.
While these concrete bunds were successful in preventing salt ingress and killing the mangroves,
many fields that were intended to be restored continue to remain inundated with dead and
leafless mangrove stumps.
Lack of community land use and bund maintenance has led to these concrete bunds being
misused. Built to withstand the test of time, they are now falling apart in many areas and the
mangroves are making inroads into the fields once again.
The fields, which once fed entire communities, are languishing as salty waste lands. The
concrete bunds lying in a state of misuse have led to a whole range of other collateral
impacts. Many of them are broad enough for vehicles to drive on them, allowing anglers and
revellers access pristine spots they could not access earlier.
Many of these areas are now littered with beers bottles and garbage that is usually a sad by-
product of the modern consumer. Another issue is that the fields have been lying fallow for too
long, and are being treated as waste lands.
Some recommendations include converting Khazans to other forms of land use, bringing them
under more profitable intensive aquaculture that threatened these lands in the 80‘s and 90‘s, but
was later brought under some control. Some Khazan areas are being filled with earth and
concrete debris illegally in a bid to prep them up for construction works.
With the ongoing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Goa is witnessing a spate of
community-led farming initiatives. People who have never farmed before are getting their hands
and feet dirty and many fallow lands are being cultivated.

It would make sense acquainting ourselves with this unique system developed and fine-tuned
over the centuries by our ancestors through continuous tinkering. We really have a whole wealth
of knowledge to fall back on. Building up from here rather than reinventing the wheel would be
the way to go
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/wildlife-biodiversity/aquaculture-and-agriculture-
sustaining-goa-s-promise-for-fish-curry-and-rice-72460
Indonesia wheat imports slip
07.24.2020
By Holly Demaree-Saddler
JAKARTA, INDONESIA — Lowered demand and coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
decrease Indonesia‘s wheat and rice imports, according to a Global Agricultural Information
Network report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Following the COVID-19 outbreak in March, Indonesia implemented social distancing measures.
It affected restaurants, hotels and the foodservice sector across the country, slowing overall
consumption, including wheat flour.
The USDA estimates Indonesia‘s 2019-20 marketing year wheat imports to fall to 10.6 million
tonnes and wheat for feed use to decrease to 1.8 million tonnes. Imports are expected to recover
in the 2020-21 marketing year.
A prolonged dry season delayed Indonesia from planting rice but the dryness has led to less pest
and disease issues boosting production. Rice production for the country is projected to jump to
34 million tonnes in the 2019-20 marketing year while imports lowered due to increased
domestic corn production.
Indonesian corn yields are rebounding after recovering from the Fall Army Worm. The USDA
forecasts 2019-20 marketing year corn production to increase to 12 million tonnes. The country‘s
corn production has almost doubled since 2010 as feed mills raise demand and better pest and
disease management has improved yields.
https://www.world-grain.com/articles/14003-indonesia-wheat-imports-slip

CHINA’S H1 GRAIN IMPORTS SPIKE, ON PATH TO
USE UPANNUAL QUOTAS
7/24/2020
By Hallie Gu and Tony Munroe
BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) - China has accelerated grains buying from abroad in the first half of
2020 and may fully use up its annual quotas for corn and wheat imports for the first time ever,
traders and analysts said this week. China, the world‘s top agricultural market, imported 3.66
million tonnes of corn from January to June, 51% of its annual quota for the grain set at 7.2
million tonnes, according to customs data released on Thursday. Wheat imports came at 3.35
million tonnes, 35% of its yearly quota at 9.64 million tonnes, the data showed.
Last year, China only used 67% of its annual quota for corn and one-third of its yearly wheat
quota.
The import surge has increased expectations that China will fully use up its corn and wheat
quotas for the year for the first time, said a source with knowledge of China‘s agricultural
buying.
―The market is expecting China to import close to 10 million tonnes of corn this calendar year,‖
said the source, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. ―Mainly to
fulfil the phase 1 trade deal with U.S.‖
China has stepped up purchases of U.S. farm goods in recent weeks, including booking record
volumes of corn, for delivery in both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 crop year.
The move also follows gains in Chinese corn prices because of tightening domestic supplies and
falling stockpiles.
―Not all of that (U.S. corn) necessarily will get shipped in 2020, but given the volumes, it seems
like China can fill the tariff quota for corn,‖ said Darin Friedrichs, senior analyst at StoneX.
Importers have also been actively buying wheat from U.S. and Australia lately, said two Chinese
grain traders.

―Chances are high that China will be close to using up all the annual TRQs for wheat this year,‖
said one of the traders, based at a state-owned firm.
China allows a certain volume of imports of rice, corn, and wheat through a tariff rate quota
(TRQ) system, under which importers can buy specified volumes with duties as low as 1%,
compared with 65% without the quotas.
(Reporting by Hallie Gu and Tony Munroe. Editing by Shivani Singh and Christian
Schmollinger.)
© Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Click For Restrictions -
http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/chinas-h1-grain-imports-spike-on-path-to-use-
up-annual-quotas
Invasive species of snail adversely affecting crawfish, rice crops
in Louisiana
Crawfish pond (Source: WAFB)

By Rachael Thomas and Matt Houston | July 22, 2020 at 2:47 PM CDT - Updated July 23 at
7:12 PM
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A foreign, invasive species of snail has infested a handful of
fields in southwestern Louisiana, forcing some farmers to reseed entire rice crops and scale back
crawfish production.
The Apple Snail eats at young rice plants and thrives in moist environments. Farmers say the
snails are clogging their crawfish traps, forcing workers to sort through their catches so snails are
not sold with the mudbugs.
―They‘ve cost us quite a bit of money and a lot of extra effort over time,‖ Kaplan farmer
Christian Richard said. ―Our guys do a good job. It just takes them twice as long to run traps. So
if a guy is half is productive, that definitely affects the bottom line as well.‖
In just two days, Snails decimated a 100-acre crop of rice on Richard‘s farm. He had to start the
crop over, reseeding at roughly $150 per acre.
―There‘s not much of a way to combat them that doesn‘t adversely affect the crop that we‘re
growing,‖ Richard said. ―They seem to love water and if you‘re growing rice and you‘re growing
crawfish - these fields are flooded.‖
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) says the apple snail first
appeared in a bayou in Gretna in 2006 and quickly infested ponds, bayous, and streams in about
30 parishes across the state. The LSU AgCenter says the snail has impacted crawfish farms in
Vermilion, Acadia, and Jefferson Davis parishes.
―People would buy these snails for their fish tanks and once they got too big, they would dump
them in a local body of water where they‘d become established and spread,‖ LSU AgCenter pest
researcher Blake Wilson said.
Wilson said 2016 floodwaters probably carried the snails to farms from the infested Vermillion
River.
A single female apple snail can produce up to 10,000 offspring each year. They lay their eggs in
bright pink clusters on the stalks of the rice plants they eat.
―The eggs are laid at night so you can knock them all off and come back in the morning and
there will be more eggs to replace,‖ Wilson said.
The eggs contain a neurotoxin that irritates the eyes and skin. The snails host the Rat Lungworm
parasite that can inflame the tissue around the human brain if consumed.
Farmers can take precautionary measures to prevent infestation by using a dry seeding method.
Experts are also checking irrigation systems that farmers often share to ensure the mollusks are
not sprayed into new fields during watering.
Once the snails infest a farm, they‘re almost impossible to get rid of. Pesticides that kill the
snails would also kill the crawfish.
―From what I can see, where they‘ve already become established, it‘s not going to be a problem
that can be eliminated,‖ Wilson said. ―These farmers are going to have to learn to live with it.
But we want to limit the number of farms and acres in the state that are impacted.‖
LDAF says back in March, the snails reportedly wiped out a 50-acre field of rice, marking the
first reported case of the species damaging the crop in Louisiana.

―It is imperative that each of us works diligently to protect Louisiana from these pests. Pests
often find their way into the ecosystem by people releasing aquatic animals and ornamental
plants in areas they should not,‖ said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM. ―I urge everyone
to be mindful of the damage that can be done when non-native pests and plants are introduced
into the environment. Take the giant salvinia, for example. It is an exotic fern from South
America that is fast-growing and has wreaked havoc on lakes and ponds by destroying native
plants that provide food for animals and also clogs the waterways.‖
For more information about invasive species, click here, or call 225-952-8100.
Click here to report a typo.
Copyright 2020 WAFB. All rights reserved.
https://www.kplctv.com/2020/07/23/invasive-species-snail-adversely-affecting-crawfish-rice-
crops-
louisiana/#:~:text=(WAFB)%20%2D%20A%20foreign%2C,and%20thrives%20in%20moist%2
0environments.
Rice tariff collections exceed P10-B target
July 24, 2020 | 5:59 pm
BW FILE PHOTO

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it breached its annual P10-billion rice tariff collection target
seven months into the year despite weak imports.
In a statement Friday, the BoC reported rice tariff collections of P10.728 billion between January
and July 17, exceeding its annual goal for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF),
which supports governmen efforts to make rice farmers more competitive.
The total exceeds the P9.936 billion collected a year earlier. It noted that the collections were
accompanied by lower rice import volumes, which fell 24.6% year-on-year to 1,651.267 metric
tons (MT).
―The BoC consistently conducts close monitoring of the declared value on rice importations in
view of its strict adherence to global published prices for rice which serve as a guide when the
veracity of the declared values is under dispute,‖ it said in the statement.
In 2019, the BoC collected P12.3 billion from 2.03 million MT of rice imports.
Signed into law in February 2019, Republic Act (RA) No. 11203 or the Rice Import Tariffication
Law allowed unrestricted imports by private parties, who need to pay 35% tariffs on Southast
Asian grain. The tariffs fund the RCEF budget of P10 billion a year.
The BoC has an overall collection target of P541.7billion this year, reduced from the P730-
billion set earlier due to the weak outlook for the economy. — Beatrice M. Laforga
https://www.bworldonline.com/rice-tariff-collections-exceed-p10-b-target/
Black Rice vs. Brown Rice: Is One Superior Overall?
Black and brown rice are a common carb source but does one offer an advantage in any way?
The short answer is yes, so keeping reading to learn more.

by Ash
July 24, 2020
in Nutrition
Black Rice Vs. Brown Rice
Rice is a staple in the diets of fitness-minded (and non-fitness-minded) individuals all over the
world. Why? It‘s budget-friendly, versatile, and an amazing source of carbohydrates. Whether
you‘re about to nail an intense workout and need enough energy to sustain your efforts or if you
just need an easy nutrition source that‘s even easier to prepare, you can‘t go wrong with rice.
It can be prepared a million different ways and different countries have historically added their
own twist on how they make it. Well today, we‘re going to discuss black rice vs. brown
rice, which are two popular variations of this cereal grain.
You‘ll be surprised to know that each one provides health benefits but not entirely in the same
way.

Here‘s some information we think you‘d find useful when considering which rice to include in
your diet…
https://fitnessvolt.com/black-rice-vs-brown-rice/
Create jobs at source to prevent distress migration, say researchers
STAFF REPORTER
BHUBANESWAR, JULY 25, 2020 06:14 IST
Think tank emphasises on State’s role in post-production processing and
marketing intervention in the farm sector.
Development Research Institute (DRI), the research wing of the Odisha Gabeshana
Chakra, a think tank, has urged the State government to work on employment creation
in villages to check distress migration.
In its study, ‗Rights of migrant workers in pandemic context and building a post-
COVID economy in Odisha‘, the DRI said the problem with out-migration from Odisha
is that much of it is distress-induced. Public policy should work towards reducing the
vulnerability of migrants who migrate under duress. The best guarantee against such
distress migration is employment creation at the origin, it said.
It emphasized on the State‘s role in post-production processing and marketing
intervention in the farm sector.
―Farmers typically face difficulties in getting remunerative prices for their products.
The paddy procurement process should be expanded. Cotton should also be procured
and processed by the State agencies. For vegetables, a localised value chain approach
linking farmers to markets should be designed and implemented,‖ it recommended.
Advocating inclusion of tenant farmers in the State-supported programmes, the think-
tank said a flexible approach towards the identification of such farmers, such as self-

certification, rather than a written contract or consent from the landowner should be
followed to include tenant farmers.
The DRI warned that land alienation is likely to increase during the pandemic because
of loss of income, rise in the catastrophic health expenditure, deaths and lack of
employment.
―Specific measures to redistribute land and safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups,
such as Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and women, over land and forests will
help reduce the livelihood shock induced by the pandemic,‖ it said.
Emphasising on the need to organise migrant workers and other vulnerable workers to
strengthen their workplace and citizenship rights, the DRI said there should be
coordination between trade unions, peasants organisations, and civil society
organisations. The pandemic should not be used as an opportunity to dilute labour
rights and democratic rights of the citizens, it said.
As part of immediate measures suggested by the DRI, a universal public distribution
system with a minimum of 10 kg wheat or rice per person per month and other essential
food items, such as pulses, oil, soaps and sugar should be provided to avoid food
insecurity.
Before addressing the issues of migrant labourers, the State should focus on collecting,
processing and analysing disaggregated information on migrant workers, the DRI said.
The government should considering setting up a special centre for migration research to
develop an adequate policy response to the problems faced by migrant workers.
Universities should also be encouraged and funded, researchers said.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/create-jobs-at-source-to-prevent-distress-
migration-say-researchers/article32187249.ece
Rice tariff collections exceed P10-B target

July 24, 2020 | 5:59 pm
BW FILE PHOTO
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it breached its annual P10-billion rice tariff collection target
seven months into the year despite weak imports.
In a statement Friday, the BoC reported rice tariff collections of P10.728 billion between January
and July 17, exceeding its annual goal for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF),
which supports governmen efforts to make rice farmers more competitive.
The total exceeds the P9.936 billion collected a year earlier. It noted that the collections were
accompanied by lower rice import volumes, which fell 24.6% year-on-year to 1,651.267 metric
tons (MT).
―The BoC consistently conducts close monitoring of the declared value on rice importations in
view of its strict adherence to global published prices for rice which serve as a guide when the
veracity of the declared values is under dispute,‖ it said in the statement.

In 2019, the BoC collected P12.3 billion from 2.03 million MT of rice imports.
Signed into law in February 2019, Republic Act (RA) No. 11203 or the Rice Import Tariffication
Law allowed unrestricted imports by private parties, who need to pay 35% tariffs on Southast
Asian grain. The tariffs fund the RCEF budget of P10 billion a year.
The BoC has an overall collection target of P541.7billion this year, reduced from the P730-
billion set earlier due to the weak outlook for the economy. — Beatrice M. Laforga
https://www.bworldonline.com/rice-tariff-collections-exceed-p10-b-target/
Rs 38-cr paddy missing from millsPosted: Jul 25, 2020 06:52 AM (IST)
State agencies procure more paddy than what is produced by farmers.
Bhartesh Singh Thakur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 24

The physical verification of rice mills in Haryana has detected a shortfall of 18,883.90 MT paddy
worth around Rs 38 crore, drawing attention once again to ghost purchase in the state.
As many as 208 rice mills in the state delivered less than 90 per cent custom milled rice (CMR).
This week, physical verification was completed in these mills, and 98 mills were found to have
paddy shortfall.
Ghost purchase
 State agencies procure more paddy than what is produced by farmers
 It is purchased only on paper in connivance with millers, arhtiyas and govt agencies.
 Millers cover shortfall of custom milled rice by taking PDS rice from other states
In Kurukshetra, 11,960 MT paddy was found short in 39 mills, while the shortfall was 4,046 MT
in 47 Karnal mills and 2,863 MT in seven Kaithal mills. In three mills of Ambala, 8.65 MT
paddy was found short, while it was 6.25 MT in two mills of Yamunanagar.
Earlier, close to 42,589 MT was found short during physical verification in December-January
and a penalty of Rs 80-85 crore was collected from rice millers.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/rs-38-cr-paddy-missing-from-mills-117592
Rice millers need not visit any office for online registration:
Ashu
Online registration has been facilitated on anaajkharid.in to avert the possibility of spread of
covid 19, says Punjab minister
CITIES Updated: Jul 24, 2020 20:32 IST
HT Correspondent
Hindustan Times, Chandigarh

Chandigarh Punjab food and civil supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Friday appealed
all rice millers of the state not to visit any district and field office for any work related with
registration.
He added elaborate arrangement had been made for online registration of rice mills on
https://anaajkharid.in to avert the possibility of spread of covid 19 and to bring about
transparency. He added no office was to be visited for works regarding Registration of New Rice
Mills; Capacity Enhancement of existing Rice Mills; De novo Registration in case of change of
Partnership/Constitution of Rice Mills; Registration of Lessee Rice Mills; Submission of CMR
Security; Submission of Levy Security; Application to issue Release Order and Online deposit of
Non-refundable RO fee, and others.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/rice-millers-need-not-visit-any-office-for-online-
registration-ashu/story-dmGGgV4ydW3CUAFJM6mtRI.html
Middlemen earn crores by diverting PDS rice PV
Satyanarayana Hans News Service |
24 July 2020 11:00 PM IST x PDS rice seized by Task Force police in Khammam (File
Photo) HIGHLIGHTS Public Distribution System (PDS) rice, meant to be distributed to the
people living below poverty line, is taking sidetrack and earning crores of rupees for middlemen
Khammam: Public Distribution System (PDS) rice, meant to be distributed to the people living
below poverty line, is taking sidetrack and earning crores of rupees for middlemen. Thanks to the
officials, who supposed to prevent the illegal transportation of PDS rice, are turning a blind eye
to these illegal activities. It is learnt that middlemen are transporting the PDS rice to rice millers
and to some beer manufacturing units and earning huge profits. A middleman, who don't want to
disclose his name, said that they purchase rice from ration shop dealers and beneficiaries for Rs 5
per kg and sell the same for Rs 14 to Rs 15 per kg. The middlemen have been transporting the

rice to Andhra Pradesh through vehicles and some rice is being shifted to port in Kakinada of
Andhra Pradesh. Illegal transportation of PDS rice to other States became a big business and
more middle people are entering into this trade, which is giving huge profits. Of late, illegal rice
transportation was slowed down due to police checking, but earlier it was a very profitable
business. It was said that middlemen will visit colonies and small hamlets and collect rice from
poor people by paying Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kg and shift the rice to a stock point. Later, this rice will
be transported to another State in bulk quantities. The illegal business is rampant during ration
distribution period. A Raju, resident of Khammam, said that PDS rice is not edible, which is
thick, hence they will sell it to middlemen, who come to their doorsteps to purchase. "We will
buy fine rice in the market to consume," he added. It's learnt most of the people, who are getting
PDS rice, are not eating it and prefer to sell it to either ration shop dealers or middlemen. The
State government had introduced a biometric system to control bogus cards but ration shop
dealers are taking fingerprints of the beneficiaries by paying Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kg and selling it to
middlemen for Rs 7 to Rs 10 per kg. Police task force registered as many as 37 cases and seized
PDS rice worth Rs 42 lakh in recent days. Task Force Assistant Commissioner of Police Ganta
Venkata Rao said, "We are keeping an eye on middlemen and nabbing them while shifting the
rice". We will increase vigil on illegal rice transportation and nab the culprits, he added.
https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/khammam-middlemen-earn-crores-by-diverting-
pds-rice-635404
Nigeria: Rice Farmers Begin Sale of Paddy to Kano Millers
24 JULY 2020
Daily Trust (Abuja)
By Ibrahim Musa Giginyu
Kano — The Kano chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) on Thursday
commenced the sale of paddy rice funded under the federal government's agricultural
intervention Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) at a price lower to Kano rice millers.

Speaking during the sale, the RIFAN Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Haruna Aliyu, disclosed that
the association had, under its recovery processes of the anchor borrower programme in the state
recovered over 60, 000 bags of paddy adding that, the association has since commenced sales of
the paddy to rice mills across the state.
"Today we are witnessing sales of the recovered paddy to small and medium scale rice mills in
the state. The good news here is that, this is coming at a point when the federal government
under the CBN has issued guidelines on non-interest loans to SMEs and this will enable the rice
mills to strengthen their capacity as we are selling the paddy below the open market price," said
the chairman.
According to him, the process will be an ongoing proceeding as the association keeps making
recovery.
He charged beneficiaries of the ABP in the state that have not started making repayment to do so
with immediate effect as the association has begun prosecuting defaulters.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202007240054.html
Govt to procure more goods from local producers – Ofori-
Atta
Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has told
Parliament on Thursday July 23 that the
government will expand procurement from local
producers for its goods and services. Presenting
the mid year budget statement to the House, he
said : ―Government will inject liquidity into the
system to ease cash flow difficulties of
businesses and protect workers by honouring
obligations to contractors and suppliers in a
timely manner.
―Building on recent good experience of sourcing from the pharmaceuticals and textile & garment
sectors, Government will expand procurement from local producers for its goods and services.‖

Government will intensify support for farmers through the Planting for Food and Jobs and
Rearing for Food and Jobs programmes,
He further stated that : ―We will aggressively facilitate access to financing for rice millers to
enable them to purchase paddy from rice farmers.
―In addition, we will provide financial support to the National Buffer Stock Company and Ghana
Commodity Exchange to enable them store and trade stocks as needed to smoothen out supplies
on the market.‖
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Govt-to-procure-more-goods-from-local-
producers-Ofori-Atta-1015789
The South and South-East Asia seeds market is projected to
register a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period 2020-
2025
ReportLinker
GlobeNewswireJuly 24, 2020
Several factors such as improvements in the agricultural sector, seed production, trade, and
international agreements, along with the developments in seed technology that have increased
the momentum of the industry’s growth.
New York, July 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of
the report "South and South-East Asia Seed Market - Growth, Forecasts and Trends (2020 -
2025)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05934744/?utm_source=GNW
Six countries, namely India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh are
considered as the seed hubs, based on the concentration of production, breeding and processing
activities by index companies in these countries, among the Southeast Asian region. The Non-
GM/Hybrid Seeds? segment has been witnessed to dominate the market owing to the increased
demand for food over the past years. To meet this growing demand, the enhancement of crop

yield has become a necessity.
The major players in the market are Bayer Crop Science SE, Syngenta International AG, Corteva
AgriScience, BASF SE, and Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd among others.
Key Market Trends
Increasing Adoption of Hybrid Seed and Government Support
The willingness and interest to grow hybrid crops are, to a large extent, governed by government
legislation and policy in many of the countries studied. Pakistan is both a producer and importer
of hybrid crops and products. The Pakistani seed sector is dependent on two key regulations, the
Seed Amendment Act 2015 and the Plant Breeders Rights Act 2018. In 2016, the Pakistan
National Assembly adopted a Plant Breeders‘ Rights Act to encourage the development of new
plant varieties and to protect the rights of breeders of such varieties. The Act provides protection
for new plant varieties while at the same time respecting the right of farmers to save, use,
exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds. This ensures farmers get access to high-quality hybrid
seeds alongside being able to use ingeniously produced ones. The rising import of hybrid seeds is
a direct impact of these measures. The National Assembly Standing Committee on National
Food Security and Research banned the import of genetically modified (GM) seeds of maize,
owing to health and environmental issues, in 2019. This may act as a driver for the use of hybrid
seeds as an alternative to these GM seeds for keeping the yield constant.
The Non-GM/Hybrid Seeds? Segment Dominate the Market
In the South and Southeast Asian region, the demand for food has increased exponentially over
the past years. For the purpose of meeting this demand, enhancement of crop yield has become a
necessity by maintaining the safety standards by governments. The Philippines is home to the
International Rice Research Institute and is one the most prolific users of hybrid rice seed in the
region to meet rising demands. Green Revolution in India has promoted the use of hybrid seeds
in India. The fast-growing population in the country has increased the demand for domestically
produced hybrid seeds compatible with the climate conditions.
Hybrid rice seeds imported to Pakistan are expensive than that produced locally. The limited
landholdings of farmers reduce their ability to purchase these hybrid seeds. The Agricultural
Innovation Program launched by the government is expected to increase the adoption of hybrid
maize seeds by farmers. This is expected to further increase the domestic hybrid seed production
in the country. The use of hybrid seeds has been increasing over the years in the south and
southeast Asian region with the increasing global demand for organic products and the need for
enhanced crop yield in the region. This continued trend is expected to increase the market for
hybrid-non-GMO seeds in the region.
Competitive Landscape

South and South-East Asia seed market is fragmented, because of the presence of a large number
of local players marketing certified seeds. However, there are segments within the market, which
are consolidated such as in maize and vegetables. The major players in the market are Bayer
Crop Science SE, Syngenta International AG, Corteva AgriScience, BASF SE, and Nuziveedu
Seeds Ltd among others.
Furthermore, increasing investments in the seed market by prominent companies, are further
intensifying the growth of the seed market. For instance, in 2016, Sakata Seed Corporation, a
Japan-based company, invested USD 138 million in India, to expand its business operations,
which helped in escalating the market share in India.
Reasons to Purchase this report:
- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support
Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05934744/?utm_source=GNW
About Reportlinker
ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the
latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/south-south-east-asia-seeds-192400342.html
Italy to temporarily regularise undocumented Pakistani workers
Italy is home to the largest Pakistani diaspora in the EU
By Shahzad Paracha
July 23, 2020
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Pakistan to Italy Jauhar Saleem on Thursday said that the Italian
government has decided to temporarily regularise undocumented Pakistani migrants working as
agricultural and domestic helpers in the country.

The ambassador of Pakistan to Italy talking to Pakistani and Italian media said that the Italian
government has decided to temporarily regularize all undocumented migrants working in Italy‘s
agricultural sector or as domestic helpers. The workers will also be allowed for health coverage.
Pakistani undocumented workers residing in Italy are set to be among the main beneficiaries of
the scheme.
The ambassador said that the Pakistani embassy in Italy is facilitating Pakistani workers to
complete their required documentation so that they can benefit from the scheme. He added that
the embassy has stayed functional even during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The ambassador further said that Pakistan has registered a visible growth in the Italian market
during FY20 despite Covid-19 propelled lockdowns disrupting the global supply chain.
Italy is currently the eighth largest economy in the world and the third-largest economy in the
European Union (EU) with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2 trillion. The country is home
to the largest Pakistani diaspora in the EU and is Pakistan‘s ninth-largest export destination.

He said that Italy‘s economy has been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The IMF has
projected a 9 to 11 per cent contraction in the Italian economy whereas the Italian Central Bank
has projected a 9 to 13 per cent decline in Italy‘s GDP this year, he added.
The ambassador stated that in FY19 Pakistan had a trade deficit of $164 million with Italy.
However, during FY20, despite Covid-19 Pakistan reported a trade surplus with Italy of $210
million. For FY20, Pakistan‘s exports to Italy stood at $731 million while imports from Italy
stood at $521 million.
Pakistan‘s major exports to Italy include textile, leather, rice and ethanol. Pakistan currently
holds a 38 per cent share in the Italian rice market. The ambassador further stressed on the need
to promote Pakistani products in the Italian market.
The ambassador further mentioned that Italy‘s investment in Pakistan increased to $56.4 million
in FY20, compared to $51.9 million in the previous year. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from
Italy was primarily aimed at the energy, pharmaceutical, chemical and Information Technology
sectors. He further informed that Italy plans to invest in Pakistan‘s renewable energy sector.
Jauhar Saleem said that Italy is the largest contributor of home remittances to Pakistan from the
EU. Remittances from Italy registered a 29 per cent growth in 2019-20. In total Pakistani
workers contributed $142.9 million in home remittances during FY20.
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/07/23/italy-to-temporarily-regularise-undocumented-
pakistani-workers/
Pakistan records trade surplus with Italy
Development comes despite trade disruption due to Covid-19
Our CorrespondentJuly 24, 2020
ISLAMABAD:

Despite the Covid-19-fuelled lockdown and supply chain disruption, Pakistan has fared quite
well by registering a visible growth in the Italian market in FY20, said Ambassador of Pakistan
to Italy Jauhar Saleem.
Speaking to the Pakistani and Italian media, Saleem said Italy was the eighth largest economy
of the world with gross domestic product (GDP) of $2 trillion. It is the third largest economy in
the European Union (EU) after Germany and France and the ninth top export destination for
Pakistan as it hosts the largest Pakistani diaspora in the EU.
Italy is facing tough times due to the widespread impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its
economy and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a 9-11% contraction in the
Italian economy whereas the Italian central bank is anticipating a decline of 9-13% in its GDP
this year.

The ambassador pointed out that in FY19 Pakistan had a trade deficit of $164 million with
Italy. However, in fiscal year 2019-20, despite the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown in the
country, Pakistan managed to record a trade surplus of $210 million.
―So, the balance of trade is in Pakistan‘s favour now. In FY20, Pakistan‘s exports to Italy were
$731 million and imports stood at $521 million.‖
Pakistan mainly exported textile, leather, rice and ethanol to Italy. ―Pakistan is a market leader
in rice and it holds 38% share in the Italian market as the country exports rice worth $62
million,‖ the envoy added.
Thailand has a share of 12% with $19 million worth of export to the Italian market whereas
India ranks at number three with a 10% share and $17 million worth of exports. Saleem also
shared the strategy to promote Pakistani goods in the Italian market.
Talking about Italian investment in Pakistan during 2020, the ambassador said it had increased
by 45% compared to the previous year. The investment jumped to $56.4 million in FY20.
Foreign direct investment from Italy was mostly concentrated in energy, pharma, chemical and
IT sectors. A major investment went to the energy sector.
―Italy has planned to invest in renewable energy in Pakistan. Pakistan‘s embassy in Rome is
facilitating these new investment projects.‖
The ambassador said Italy had become the largest contributor from the EU to home remittances
to Pakistan. In FY20, the remittances grew 29%, which was far higher than the growth in
overall remittances.
The envoy revealed that the embassy had undertaken a number of initiatives so that Pakistani
labour force could stay in Italy even during the lockdown instead of returning back to their
home country.
―This strategy has delivered and with the improving market conditions, Pakistanis are back to
work and worker remittances have registered 77% growth in June 2020.‖

Responding to a question, Saleem said the Italian government had decided to temporarily
regularise the migrants working in the agriculture sector and as domestic helpers to fill the gap
in key jobs, and allow health coverage to the workers.
Pakistan‘s undocumented workers are among the main beneficiaries of this scheme.
The ambassador stressed that Pakistan was enhancing areas of cooperation with Italy.
Currently, Italy is providing technical assistance in textile, leather and marble sectors. Pakistan
is working to expand it to dairy and livestock, olives and olive products, plastics, processed
food and construction sector.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256381/pakistan-records-trade-surplus-with-italy
India Needs To Attract More Investments If Economy
Further Needs Sustainable Reforms And Inclusive Growth:
IMF
International Monetary Fund has said that though India is improving in business rankings, further
economic reforms are necessary to attract investments.
By: ABP News Bureau | 24 Jul 2020 08:51 AM (IST)
International Monetary Fund
New Delhi: As India gears up to reopen its economy completely, the International
Monetary Fund’s Chief Spokesperson Gerry Rice said that India requires further
economic reforms for sustainable and inclusive growth. His comments come at a time when
companies such as Facebook and Google have pledged USD 20 billion FDI in India.
―Concerted efforts have been made in recent years, in India, to strengthen the business climate
and encourage investment in trade, and these have helped to attract investment and improve the
current account financing mix and also help to contain external vulnerabilities,‖ said Rice in a

report by PTI.
According to him reforms such as the National Goods and Services Tax have helped improve
India‘s ranking for ease of business. But he feels that there are several more areas which require
further work to attract investments.
.―Relevant reforms have included the new bankruptcy code, the National Goods and Services
Tax. These have helped to gain in India‘s doing business ranking, moving up rapidly in the
World Bank‘s Ease of Doing Business index, up to 63 in 2020, from 100 in 2018, significant
progress there, indeed,‖ said Rice.
He added, ―And, nonetheless, further economic reforms, including labour, product mixed land,
and others, and additional infrastructure investment are necessary, in our view, to attract even
more investment, and to ensure sustainable and more inclusive growth in India,‖ he said in
response to the question.
The pandemic has severely impacted the global economy. Many countries including India were
under months or lockdown which has hampered economic growth. Countries are trying to revive
their economy by gradually opening up markets. The IMF had recently projected India‘s growth
rate at -4 in an update to the World Economic Outlook.
"Our projection for fiscal year ‘20-2021 was revised down, as was the case for most countries
driven by the impact of the pandemic. Further outbreaks could require additional lockdowns, and
concerns about the virus could also dampen consumer confidence and delay the economic
recovery. Again, this is the case not just in India, but in many countries," said Rice in the report.
Tags:economyimfIndia Economyinternational monetary fund
https://news.abplive.com/news/india/india-needs-further-economic-reforms-for-more-
investments-says-imf-1294274
IBB varsity researches into improved rice variety
July 23, 2020 Abdulsalam Mahmud Education

A research team from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), in Niger state,
has commenced a study into improved production and processing technologies on profitability
and productivity of smallholder paddy farmers and rice processors.
The exercise will be carried out in some selected states in the north-central geo-political zone, as
part of efforts to boost food security in the country.
Making a presentation at a one-day workshop organised by the Centre for Applied Sciences and
Technology Research (CASTER) of the university, winner of the national research fund
grant, Professor Alimi Foloronso Lawal, disclosed that the research was in line with the federal
government‘s policy on increased food production to fight hunger and poverty in the country.
Lawal, who is the Principal Investigator on the study, further explained that Nigeria is endowed
with rich ecological resources that when fully utilised could make herself sufficient and feed
other nations.
According to the don who is also the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, the study was aimed at
improving rice value chain in Nigeria, that would in turn increase the income of farmers, ensure
food sufficiency and reduce poverty.

The research project leader, further pointed out that the study would cover Niger and Nasarawa
states, and would be expected to be completed by the next three months.
Lawal thanked the university management for according the research team unwavering support
and cooperation.
In his remarks, the vice chancellor, Adamu, stated that if there is any study worth undergoing at
this critical period of ravaging hunger and poverty caused by COVID-19, it should be the one
being embarked on by Lawal-led team.
He assured the research team of management‘s full support for the success of the project, urging
them to work assiduously towards ensuring that results of the study would greatly improve the
quality of rice production and processing in Nigeria.
Adamu, expressed delight with the spirit of teamwork demonstrated by the scientists on the
study, and charged them to maintain the tempo.
Earlier, Director of CASTER, Professor Nuhu George Obaje, reiterated the determination of the
centre to stimulate viable research projects that would be beneficial to the state and the country at
large.
He pointed out that concerted efforts were on top gear to facilitate other research initiatives that
would make IBBUL rub shoulders with high-ranking universities on the globe.
The director, adjudged the research project on improved rice production and technology process
initiated by Lawal as timely.
He equally lauded the determination demonstrated by the members of team on the study.
https://www.blueprint.ng/ibb-varsity-researches-into-improved-rice-variety/
SCIENTISTS DISCOVER FIRST ACTIVE METHANE LEAK
FROM THE SEA BED IN ANTARCTICA
The seepage of the methane was first discovered in 2011 by a team of divers but studies on the
site began only in 2016.

FP TRENDINGJUL 24, 2020 13:56:43 IST

The main constituent of natural gas - methane - is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases. By
trapping heat, this short-lived pollutant significantly contributes to the global climate crisis.
Scientists have discovered the first active seepage of methane into the atmosphere from the
ocean floor and it is a matter of grave concern.
The findings were published in a peer-reviewed journal called the 'Proceedings of the Royal
Society B' on Wednesday, 22 July 2020.
Map of Antarctica that shows the Ross sea. image credit: Wikipedia
Methane can leak into the atmosphere from various natural and man-made sources like fossil
fuels, wetlands, gas hydrates under the sea bed and rice paddy fields. A large amount of the gas
remains stored under the oceans and Antarctica is estimated to contain nearly a quarter of the
total marine methane.
Researchers have found the active methane leak seeping from the floor of Ross Sea in
Antarctica. Although there exist certain microbes which can consume the gas before it reaches
the atmosphere, only a small number had arrived at the spot, especially after five years.
The seepage of the methane was first discovered in 2011 by a team of divers but studies on the
site began only in 2016. The seepage of the methane, as well as the cause of it, is a mystery
Dr Andrew Thurber, an oceanographer at Oregon State University, US, led the study and spoke
to The Guardian on the discovery. He said ―It is not good news. It took more than five years for
the microbes to begin to show up and even then there was still methane rapidly escaping from
the seafloor.‖
―The methane cycle is absolutely something that we as a society need to be concerned about,‖ he
added. ―I find it incredibly concerning.‖
The release of methane from frozen underwater pockets can mean that the impact of global
heating has become ―unstoppable‖. There is a chance that the gas had started leaking due to the
ocean getting heated. But the mystery lies in the fact that the Ross Sea is yet to ―warm
significantly‖.
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/scientists-discover-first-active-methane-leak-from-the-
sea-bed-in-antarctica-8632351.html
Rural Resilience in Times of High Stress
By Lesley Dixon

ARLINGTON, VA -- In recent years, the medical and scientific communities have come to
recognize that farming is one of the most high-stress vocations in the country, with suicide rates
alarmingly higher than most other industries. A new online course called "Rural Resilience:
Farm Stress Training" is combating this serious problem in the agriculture community by
teaching participants stress management, suicide awareness, and how to communicate with
farmers suffering from stress.
It is completely free, self-paced, and accessible to anyone with a computer and an internet
connection, even on a busy schedule.
The course is sponsored by Farm Credit, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National
Farmers Union, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension System, and
features content created by Extension professionals at Michigan State University, the University
of Illinois, the University of Wisconsin, Montana State University, and South Dakota State
University.
"Rural Resilience: Farm Stress Training" teaches participants to recognize the signs and
symptoms of stress and suicide as well as ways to support and effectively communicate with
farmers and farm workers who may be under stress. The course also seeks to reduce the stigma
related to mental health issues, bringing together the specific needs and concerns of the
agriculture world with evidence-based approaches in behavioral health.
The goal of the course is to give farmers, their families, and their communities the mental health
tools and resources they need during stressful times. Affordable and accessible online courses
like this are especially important in rural areas, where many residents lack ready access to
hospitals, much less mental health services.
"The health and well-being of our rice farmers is a top priority of USA Rice, and it's encouraging
to see so many new resources becoming available to those who do the hard work of feeding our
country and the world every day," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.
In March of 2019, USA Rice joined a coalition of dozens of agriculture organizations in signing
a letter calling for Congress to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
(FRSAN) included in the 2018 Farm Bill. At the 2019 USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little
Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Shimi Kang, an award-winning Harvard-trained physician, researcher, and
author, gave the keynote speech on the public health crisis of stress and stress-related illness.

"Rural Resilience: Farm Stress Training" is available for free through DL2 Open Courses, and
takes approximately two hours and 45 minutes to complete.
may less June start It
Largest Rice-Producing Countries
By Steph Wright on July 23 2020 in World Facts
Farm laborers planting rice in paddies in rural Tamil Nadu. Image credit:
CherylRamalho/Shutterstock.com
 China, India, and Indonesia are the top three rice producing countries in the world.
 In 2018 and 2019, China produced over 148 million metric tons of milled rice.
 During the years 2015-2016, the total rice production of India exceeded 104 million
tons. West Bengal is the largest rice producing state in India.
 Rice is grown in all provinces in Thailand. In 2016, the Chaopraya basin produced
approximately 3.78 million tonnes of rice.

Rice is the seed of two grass species: Oryza sativa (Asian rice) and Oryza glaberrima (African
rice). Although there are two species, there are over 40,000 varieties found across the world.
Long grain, Basmati, wild, and jasmine are just some of the popular types of rice. 95% of the
world‘s rice is eaten by humans and over half of the world‘s population is dependent on rice as a
staple food. Rice is cooked by boiling and can be eaten on its own, but it is typically eaten
alongside main dishes. The countries that consume the most rice are China, India, Indonesia,
and Bangladesh. To find out the countries that are the largest producers of rice, read on below:
6. Thailand
Rice is grown in all provinces in Thailand. In 2016, the Chaopraya basin produced
approximately 3.78 million tonnes of rice. Thailand is famous for growing jasmine rice, which is
popular across the world for its stickiness and its popcorn aroma. The country exports around
100,000 tons of its rice to Japan who use it to make crackers and wine. Despite the Covid-
19 pandemic, Thailand expects to export between 7-8 million tonnes of rice in 2020. The
production of rice contributed to around 15% of Thailand‘s agricultural GDP.
5. Vietnam
Green Terraced Rice Field in Sapa, Vietnam. Image credit: Gnomeandi/Shutterstock.com
Vietnam is one of the largest rice producers in the world. The crop is grown in the rich deltas of
the Mekong and Red River in the north and south of the country. 80% of the people who live in
the provinces around the Mekong Delta are involved in rice cultivation. Around 82% of
Vietnam‘s arable land is used to cultivate rice, and in 2010, Vietnam produced 38.7 million
metric tons of rice and exported 6.6 million metric tons to the Philippines, China and some
countries in Africa.
4. Bangladesh
Bangladesh's milled rice production from 2019 to 2020 was estimated at 35.2 million tonnes.
The grain is the staple food for approximately 135 million people across the country and the rice
sector contributes to half of the country's agricultural GDP and one-sixth of Bangladesh's
national income. Bangladesh exports its rice to countries all around the world; in 2017, Sri Lanka
purchased 50,000 tonnes. The regions of Aman, Boro and Aus is where the majority of
Bangladesh's rice is grown.
3. Indonesia

Indonesia is the world‘s third-largest producer of rice. The production of the seed mostly takes
place on the islands of Java and Sumatra, with nearly 60% of the production coming from
Sumatra alone. Rice is grown by approximately 77% of all farmers, who typically use a sickle or
knife to harvest the crops. In 2018/19, Indonesia produced 37.1 million metric tons of rice. Rice
is produced by smallholder farmers rather than state-owned enterprises - 90% of Indonesia‘s rice
production comes from smallholder farms.
2. India
Indian paddy farmer cleaning the dry husks from the paddy by the air movement. Image
credit: MTD/Shutterstock.com
During the years 2015-2016, the total rice production of India exceeded 104 million tons. West
Bengal is the largest rice producing state in India. In 2016, the state produced 15.75 million tons
of rice over a cultivable area of 5.46 million hectares. India is the world‘s leading exporter of
Basmati rice, with 4.4 million tons exported in 2018-19. It is also the second-largest rice
consuming country, with an estimated 100 million metric tons of rice consumed each year. Over
65% of the Indian population eat rice and rice production is the main source of income and
employment for over 50 million people.
1. China
Worker in a flooded rice field on January 18, 2008 in Hainan. Image credit:
TonyV3112/Shutterstock.com
China is the world‘s largest producer of rice. It is also the first country in the world to
successfully produce hybrid rice, bred from two different types of plants. In 2018 and 2019,
China produced over 148 million metric tons of milled rice. The crop primarily grows in
provinces such as Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, and Sichuan by the Yangtze River, where almost 95%
of China‘s rice is grown using traditional methods. Due to a number of factors such as climate
change, scarcity of labor, and the overuse of chemicals and fertilizers, the Chinese
government and officials will need to establish more sustainable and productive methods for
rice farming. Approximately 65% of China‘s population consumes rice as a staple food.
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/largest-rice-producing-countries.html

Weedy Rice Survey 2020
Underway
JULY 24, 2020 INDUSTRY, RADIO REPORTS
The University of California Cooperative Extension
Rice Team is out in the fields surveying for weedy
rice. The team will be using the opportunity to collect
samples and provide an update on the extent of infestation. The California Rice Commission has
played a significant part in making the survey possible. Rice Farm Advisor for Sutter, Yuba,
Placer and Sacramento Counties Whitney Brim-Deforest explained that they are taking a
different approach to this year‘s weedy rice survey.
Listen to the radio report below.
http://agnetwest.com/weedy-rice-survey-2020-underway/
FRIDAY-FAKEAWAY-HOT-AND-TASTY-LAMB-
MADRAS
For hot curry lovers, the lamb or chicken madras is an all-time favourite. Why not make your
own with this amazing Friday Fakeaway that can be cooked or your hob, oven or in your slow
cooker?
Just hot enough so you can enjoy the flavours of the spices used to create it, but still with that
pleasant heat that hot curry lovers want, there is no denying the madras is a classic.
If I want something hot and only a curry will do it is what I turn to – and it is really easy to make
it home.
Unlike some of our other fakeaways which can be cooked in a flash, this one will take you
slightly longer as the flavours need time to combine to create that authentic taste.
But I promise you, it won‘t be a disappointment.

The madras is believed to have originated in the south of India, being named after the city
Madras (now Chennai), but bizarrely it is not a curry name used or eaten in India itself.
Although the spices and flavours definitely hail from what is used in the Indian sub-continent,
the name is more than likely to have been invented in a British restaurant before coming into
common usage.
Remember you can use less spice for a milder dish.
This is also a great way of introducing your children to curry and lamb. I cooked this for my 14-
year-old by reducing the amount of chilli and it made a delicious aromatic curry which she
loved. It was the first time she had tried lamb and really enjoyed it.
Top tip: When buying fresh ginger you always tend to have too much. Remove the skin with a
teaspoon and place what you don‘t need in a small bag or cling film in the freezer and use as you
require in the future.
Lamb Madras
This is my interpretation and how I like to make it, whether it is authentic enough is for you to
decide. Adapt as you see fit. Dry spices can be substituted for the fresh ones, but it simply will
not taste the same.
(Serves 2)
Ingredients
 1 tbsp oil
 300g lamb, cubed
 2 onions, sliced

 2 cloves of garlic
 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
 2 chillies
 1 tsp of cumin seeds
 1 tsp coriander seeds
 1 tsp turmeric
 3 cloves
 3 cardamom pods
 1 tsp sugar
 1 tsp garam masala
 100ml water
 1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
 Salt and pepper to taste
Try this with chicken too.
Method
1. Using a pestle and mortar, spice grinder or grater, mash your ginger, garlic, chillies,
cumin seeds and coriander seeds with some salt until they form a rough paste.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry off your cubes of lamb until nicely browned on all
sides and remove with a slotted spoon.
3. Add the onions to the pan (if there isn‘t enough oil after cooking the lamb add a little
more) and cook on a medium heat until they begin to brown and caramelise (around eight
minutes).
4. Add your garlic, ginger and chilli mix and cook for around two to three minutes. Then
add your dry spices and cook for another minute.

5. Add your water to the pan and deglaze it getting all the amazing flavours off the bottom.
6. Either transfer to slow cooker or casserole dish if you are cooking in the oven. Add the
lamb, the chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper and sugar, mix together and pop on the lid.
7. Set your slow cooker to the low setting and cook for a minimum of eight hours (I did
mine overnight for 12). If in oven set the temperature for about 160-170c and cook for
three to four hours. What you want to achieve is the tomatoes and spices having
developed from a red colour into a darkish brown sauce that will taste amazing.
8. Serve with boiled or basmati rice and a basic fresh salad of tomato and cucumber as a
refresher.
If you want chicken madras simply substitute the lamb for chicken and reduce the cooking
time by an hour if cooking in oven (for slow cooker gauge by how your own appliance works,
mine would be about six hours). If you like it hotter, add some dry chilli powder when you are
frying off the dry spices.
Rain surplus at 6% as monsoon enters last week of July
Vinson Kurian Thiruvananthapuram | Updated on July 24, 2020 Published on July 24, 2020
Many parts of Chennai received heavy rains during the total lockdown on Sunday, July 19,
2020. - Bijoy Ghosh

East and North-East parts of India to see heavy rainfall
Satellite pictures this (Friday) noon showed a huge bank of clouds over Maldives and adjoining
Lakshadweep along with a band of strong south-westerly winds and looking to hit the Kerala and
Karnataka coasts.
An advance streak of the clouds had reached the Kerala coast between Kannur and Kozhikode
and extended into Mysuru, Bengaluru and adjoining Rayalaseema/Telangana.
To the South, small parcels of clouds hung over the stretch between Kollam and
Thiruvananthapuram, with intermittent showers being reported at many places. The build-up is
being attributed to the presence of a helpful cyclonic circulation persisting over Lakshadweep
and the adjoining South-East Arabian Sea off Kerala, with clouds massing up first over the
Maldives to the South-West.
Rains for East, North-East
Alongside, a cyclonic circulation has sustained over Bangladesh and adjoining plains of Bengal
in India, which is capable of whipping in moist southerly to south-westerly winds from the Bay
of Bengal. This would trigger fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls
over East and North-East India during the next five days, an India Meteorological Department
(IMD) update said.
Listen to the weather forecast
Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is also forecast over Odisha,
West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and
Tripura until tomorrow (Saturday) and over Konkan, Goa and Madhya Pradesh during the next

4-5 days. Light to moderate isolated/scattered rainfall over North-West India is set to increase
from Saturday.
Early advantage lost
As July, considered the rainiest of the four monsoon months enters its final week, the monsoon
has been able to sustain a surplus of six per cent (see data visualisation). Its best phase till date
has been in June when the surplus was at a peak around 30 per cent thanks to rainfall conjured up
by Cyclone Nisarga that chose to careen along the West Coast rather than spin away to the outer
seas.
As per IMD data available for rain till date (June 1-July 23), 27 States have received normal to
excess rainfall while only 10 nurse varying deficits. In the South, Kerala is the lone State with a
deficit (-26 per cent) while in Central India, the Union Territories of Dada & Nagar Haveli (-40
per cent) and Daman & Diu (-25 per cent) join the list. North-West India too shows some deficit,
especially in the hilly areas.
Deficit persists in N-W India
So we have the States of Jammu & Kashmir (-55 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (-34 per cent) and
the Union Territory of Ladakh (-53 per cent) in the deficit category while the desert Rajasthan (-
24 per cent) is the latest to join the list. In the North-East, Nagaland (-20 per cent), Manipur (-45
per cent) and Mizoram (-33 per cent) have been in deficit right from the word go, like the States
in the North-West.
Extended range outlook by the IMD for the rest of July said that the South-East Peninsula (States
of Tamil Nadu, most parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh) may receive above normal rainfall

while it would be below normal over the West Coast (Kerala, Coastal Karnataka and West
Maharashtra) and East-Central India (Odisha, Chhattisgarh and most of Madhya Pradesh).
However, North-East India, East India and adjoining eastern parts of North-West India (the
North-Eastern States, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and East Rajasthan) could witness above
normal rainfall during this phase and normal for West Rajasthan while the below normal rainfall
could continue to hold over the hilly regions across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal
Pradesh.
Published on July 24, 2020
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rain-surplus-at-6-as-monsoon-
enters-last-week-of-july/article32181013.ece
OECDWarnsthatCartelizedRicePricingAffectsthePoorestHouseholdsinCosta
Rica
BY
TCRN STAFF
-
JULY 23, 2020
The most recent analysis by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) on Costa Rica insists that exemptions to free competition rules, such as those granted to
the rice sector, are regressive and inefficient for the country‘s economy.

The organization’s economist, Alberto González, assured that the improvement in competition
in this sector would have a negative impact not only on productivity, but also on the social
outcome.
―If you stick to competition and move to international prices, particularly lower-income
households would be the most benefited,‖ he said. ―Some estimates suggest that current
regulations in the rice market imply a transfer from consumers to producers, which
represents 8% of their income for the poorest households,‖ the study adds.
Likewise, the analysis discussed by members of the OECD and the Executive Branch establishes
that, on average, Costa Rica’s tariffs are 4% higher than in other OECD countries.
Precisely, part of the higher tariffs apply to some agricultural products such as rice, meat and
dairy products.
The Planning Minister, Pilar Garrido, assured that the Economic Council is taking up the issue of
distortions to specific markets, with the help of reports made by the Commission to Promote

Competition (Coprocom). ―It is working hand in hand with the Ministry of Economy and with
the authority that was created for these purposes,‖ said Garrido.
https://thecostaricanews.com/oecd-warns-that-cartelized-rice-pricing-affects-the-poorest-
households-in-costa-rica/
Excessive' summermonsoonrains inAsia displacemillions, causeat
least 500 deaths
China, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh have all recorded devastating flooding in recent weeks
By Travis Fedschun | Fox News
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean has your FoxCast.
Weeks of heavy rainfall that's
spawned devastating flooding across parts of South
Asia can be seen in new imagery from NASA after
millions were displaced.The International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, or IFRC,
said Wednesday that more than 9.6 million people
have been impacted by the flooding, with about 500
dying so far in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
―People in Bangladesh, India and Nepal are
sandwiched in a triple disaster of flooding, the
coronavirus and an associated socioeconomic crisis of
loss of livelihoods and jobs," said Jagan Chapagain,

secretary-general of the IFRC. "Flooding of farmlands and destruction of crops can push millions
of people, already badly impacted by COVID-19, further into poverty.
Chapagain warned that South Asia could face a humanitarian crisis in the weeks ahead.
In a map released by NASA on Thursday, "excessive" rainfall totals by satellite estimates emerge
over the region using data from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission.
Estimated rainfall amounts since early June can be seen across South Asia. (NASA)
"The darkest reds indicate places where GPM detected rainfall totals exceeding 100 centimeters
(40 inches) during this period," NASA notes. "Due to averaging of the satellite data, local
rainfall amounts may be significantly higher when measured from the ground."
Particularly high rainfall totals have been observed over northeastern India, where the state of
Asam has seen 35 inches of rain between June 1 and July 22, about 20 percent more than normal.

The floods in northeast India have inundated most of Kaziranga National Park, home to an
estimated 2,500 rare one-horned rhinos. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Some 2.5 million people were affected by floods in Assam and at least 113 have died, authorities
said.
A flood affected family takes shelter on the roof of their submerged house along river
Brahmaputra in Morigaon district, Assam, India, Thursday, July 16, 2020. (AP
Photo/Anupam Nath)
More than 100 animals, including rare rhinos, have died in floods that have submerged
Kaziranga National Park. More rain is expected in the next few days.
Heavy rain since early June has also led to devastating flooding across south-central and eastern
China, where record flooding and landslides have taken place.

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, water flows out from sluiceways at
the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River near Yichang in central China's Hubei
Province, Friday, July 17, 2020. (Wang Gang/Xinhua via AP)
In Bangladesh, experts say this year‘s monsoon is going to last longer than usual because more
waters are expected to rush in from upstream India.

More than 9.6 million people across South Asia have been affected by severe floods, with
hundreds of thousands struggling to get food and medicine, officials and aid organizations
said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
In Kurigram, one of the worst affected districts in northern Bangladesh, thousands of people
have taken shelter at higher ground, leaving their flooded homes.
In this photograph provided by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC) shows IFRC volunteers reaching flood affected communities with
drinking water and other support in Kurigram, Bangladesh, July 16, 2020. (IFRC via AP)
―Many people are not having three meals a day," Mizanur Rahman Soikat, a volunteer for the
Bidyanondo Foundation, a local charity, told the Associated Press. "The government and
volunteer groups are trying to give them food and medicine, but it is getting harder to keep track
of the affected people because of rising waters.‖
The monsoon pattern develops annually across the region, but this year the low-pressure systems
have been noted to be "especially strong," bringing much more moisture from the Indian and
Pacific Oceans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/summer-monsoon-rain-asia-nasa-satellite-image-rainfall-
millions-displaced-severe-weather-floods-disaster
Rice sowing up 17% so far this Kharif season
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Area planted to rice rose 17.33 per cent to 220.24 lakh hectare so far in
the kharif season of the 2020-21 crop year (July-June) from 187.70 lakh hectare in the year-ago
period, the agriculture ministry said on Friday.
Rice is the main kharif (summer) crop. Sowing of kharif crops begins with the onset of
southwest monsoon from June, while harvesting starts from October onwards.
"Government of India is taking several measures to facilitate the farmers and farming activities
at field level during COVID-19 pandemic. There has been satisfactory progress of sowing area
coverage under kharif crops," the ministry said in a statement.
Of the total rice area covered so far, higher planting area was reported from Uttar Pradesh where
farmers have sown rice in 6.50 lakh hectare, followed by Jharkhand (6.10 lakh hectare), Madhya

Pradesh (5.98 lakh hectare), Bihar (5.66 lakh hectare), Chhattisgarh (3.57 lakh hectare), West
Bengal (2.80 lakh hectare) and Telangana (2.50 lakh hectare).
Besides rice, pulses planting has gone up significantly. Total area covered under various kharif
pulses increased 25.74 per cent to 99.71 lakh hectare area so far this kharif season as against
79.30 lakh hectare in the year-ago period.
Similarly, area sown to coarse cereals has increased by 14 per cent to 137.13 lakh hectare area so
far in this kharif season compared to 120.30 lakh hectare a year ago.
Oilseeds coverage has increased by 24.56 per cent to 166.36 lakh hectare from 133.56 lakh
hectare in the said period.
Among cash crops, area sown to sugarcane increased to 51.54 lakh hectare so far this kharif
season as compared to 51.02 lakh hectare during the corresponding period of last year.
Cotton planting increased by 22.50 per cent to 118.03 lakh hectare area so far this season as
compared to 96.35 lakh hectare during the corresponding period of last year.
Area sown to jute and mesta increased marginally to 6.94 lakh hectare area from compared to
6.84 lakh hectare in the said period.
Total area coverage under all kharif crops increased 18.50 per cent to 799.95 lakh hectare so far
this kharif season from 675.07 lakh hectare in the year-ago period.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has reported that the live water storage in 123 reservoirs
in different parts of the country was 155 per cent of the corresponding period of the last year, the
ministry added. PTI LUX MKJ
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/rice-sowing-up-17-so-far-this-kharif-season/1902055
Rice Prices
as on : 24-07-2020 04:09:34 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
Manjeri(Ker) 290.00 NC 11020.00 3500 3500 NC
Mandya(Kar) 252.00 -65.15 5110.00 2450 2300 -
Sultanpur(UP) 200.00 NC 7307.00 2375 2350 -13.64
Dadri(UP) 110.00 15.79 1650.00 5950 5950 -
Gondal(UP) 104.00 -7.56 7809.50 2420 2420 -1.22
Bindki(UP) 100.00 NC 5760.00 2540 2540 12.39
Lohardaga(Jha) 90.00 -17.43 1354.00 2550 2550 -
Kasimbazar(WB) 65.00 -1.52 1462.00 2680 2675 1.13
Ghaziabad(UP) 60.00 20 2565.00 2840 2830 -2.91
Barhaj(UP) 60.00 -33.33 10066.00 2570 2570 7.53
Allahabad(UP) 55.00 22.22 2532.50 2450 2500 NC
Birbhum(WB) 55.00 -5.17 371.00 2540 2530 5.83

Aligarh(UP) 50.00 25 4242.00 2540 2550 NC
Azamgarh(UP) 50.00 66.67 5321.70 2575 2585 5.10
Kopaganj(UP) 49.00 22.5 1682.00 2580 2590 5.52
Choubepur(UP) 45.00 -10 2226.35 2580 2600 -3.55
Kandi(WB) 45.00 -30.77 1555.50 2660 2650 4.31
Saharanpur(UP) 39.00 14.71 2555.50 2730 2730 -6.19
Mainpuri(UP) 36.00 -10 3934.50 2580 2570 -1.90
Teliamura(Tri) 35.00 -22.22 489.00 2900 2800 NC
Meerut(UP) 33.00 -5.71 820.50 2800 2800 -5.72
Lakhimpur(UP) 33.00 10 2744.00 2450 2460 5.15
Faizabad(UP) 32.00 -13.51 1505.00 2450 2450 3.16
Guskara(Burdwan)(WB) 31.00 -3.12 404.00 2550 2500 -
Muradabad(UP) 30.00 -14.29 1552.00 2620 2600 0.77
Hardoi(UP) 30.00 -33.33 8432.80 2460 1845 -3.91
Beldanga(WB) 30.00 NC 1450.00 2700 2700 5.88

Mathura(UP) 28.00 -6.67 2981.50 2560 2550 -0.39
Bankura Sadar(WB) 28.00 -20 2229.00 2600 2600 8.33
Firozabad(UP) 27.50 -14.06 1618.10 2580 2575 -
Muzzafarnagar(UP) 26.00 18.18 4456.00 2780 2775 -5.76
Katwa(WB) 25.80 0.78 295.90 2550 2500 -
Naugarh(UP) 25.00 150 3741.00 2570 2580 5.98
Tamkuhi Road(UP) 25.00 495.24 360.00 2500 2150 11.11
Shamli(UP) 25.00 19.05 1167.40 2780 2780 0.72
Sehjanwa(UP) 25.00 -28.57 2468.50 2575 2570 19.21
Jhijhank(UP) 25.00 66.67 386.50 2530 2540 -
Agra(UP) 21.00 5 3433.50 2630 2600 2.73
Bharthna(UP) 20.00 17.65 2309.00 2550 2550 -3.04
Balrampur(UP) 19.00 18.75 1094.00 2430 2425 5.65
Utraula(UP) 19.00 -5 483.70 2420 2420 -
Jasra(UP) 18.00 28.57 48.00 2530 2515 1.20

Nawabganj(UP) 18.00 -5.26 754.00 2420 2420 51.25
Paliakala(UP) 17.50 -12.5 630.00 2425 2440 4.98
Gazipur(UP) 17.00 6.25 2137.50 3240 3240 0.93
Farukhabad(UP) 15.00 7.14 1129.00 2520 2500 -6.67
Unnao(UP) 15.00 - 15.00 6650 - 95.59
Etawah(UP) 14.00 7.69 2570.50 2535 2535 -4.34
Sahiyapur(UP) 14.00 -30 2502.00 2560 2560 6.67
Jangipura(UP) 13.00 8.33 644.00 2580 2600 10.26
Devariya(UP) 12.50 13.64 1048.50 2570 2570 8.21
Bahraich(UP) 12.20 52.5 1108.00 2440 2440 0.62
Rampur(UP) 12.00 -14.29 639.50 2630 2630 3.14
Rasda(UP) 12.00 20 506.00 2575 2540 1070.45
Badayoun(UP) 11.00 83.33 1087.50 2600 2625 4.00
Mawana(UP) 10.00 -16.67 250.20 2775 2770 -
Kayamganj(UP) 10.00 -9.09 1952.00 2510 2490 -4.92

Karvi(UP) 9.50 46.15 610.50 2415 2445 1.68
Soharatgarh(UP) 8.50 -5.56 1531.20 2575 2565 6.85
Mohamadabad(UP) 8.50 -22.73 839.30 2500 2510 -
Ajuha(UP) 8.00 -11.11 378.00 2480 2480 3.33
Bijnaur(UP) 7.50 25 275.00 2600 2600 9.70
Etah(UP) 7.00 -17.65 422.50 2570 2560 0.39
Raibareilly(UP) 7.00 -12.5 1575.50 2460 2465 12.33
Holenarsipura(Kar) 6.00 -25 121.00 2100 2100 -
Tundla(UP) 6.00 50 270.00 2580 2550 NC
Atarra(UP) 5.00 -28.57 837.50 2420 2400 2.98
Kasganj(UP) 5.00 -16.67 478.50 2580 2570 1.18
Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB) 5.00 -50 1171.00 2800 2800 1.82
Jayas(UP) 4.70 23.68 720.80 2300 2300 13.86
Mahoba(UP) 4.70 11.9 455.10 2470 2460 9.05
Chandoli(UP) 4.50 -10 82.70 2585 2575 10.94

Dahod(Guj) 4.00 -84.85 979.60 4200 4200 -2.33
Jahangirabad(UP) 4.00 NC 240.50 2640 2640 -1.31
Mirzapur(UP) 4.00 -20 294.00 2675 2650 10.77
Fatehpur(UP) 3.80 -15.56 2275.20 2515 2510 7.48
Fatehpur Sikri(UP) 3.60 20 139.50 2550 2580 -0.78
Bareilly(UP) 3.50 -30 1985.50 2590 2575 4.65
Tulsipur(UP) 3.50 16.67 90.10 2400 2420 -
Akbarpur(UP) 3.40 -2.86 395.10 2450 2450 3.81
Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP) 3.40 3.03 600.50 2500 2500 NC
Naanpara(UP) 3.20 -28.89 659.60 2460 2450 10.81
Nanjangud(Kar) 3.00 NC 11.00 1700 1700 -
Achalda(UP) 3.00 -25 337.90 2500 2500 13.12
Buland Shahr(UP) 3.00 200 160.90 2685 2655 -0.56
Chitwadagaon(UP) 3.00 -25 471.10 2560 2670 21.90
Mothkur(UP) 2.80 180 14.60 2490 2500 -

Kosikalan(UP) 2.80 7.69 240.40 2550 2550 -0.78
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB
)
2.80 -37.78 128.70 3400 3400 13.33
Auraiya(UP) 2.50 25 250.60 2500 2530 -1.96
Khurja(UP) 2.50 212.5 211.60 2660 2644 -1.85
Baberu(UP) 2.00 33.33 84.40 2420 2420 8.76
Safdarganj(UP) 2.00 NC 84.50 2450 2420 -
Charra(UP) 1.80 -5.26 116.10 2560 2560 1.39
Panichowki(Kumarghat)(Tri) 1.50 15.38 53.90 2880 2950 -
Wazirganj(UP) 1.50 150 51.00 2580 2600 -
Muskara(UP) 1.30 8.33 76.10 2350 2400 1.08
Alibagh(Mah) 1.00 NC 90.00 4200 4200 90.91
Murud(Mah) 1.00 NC 89.00 4200 4200 90.91
Champaknagar(Tri) 1.00 25 1.80 3100 3100 -
Lalganj(UP) 1.00 25 271.80 2350 2350 -

Gurusarai(UP) 0.90 28.57 22.60 2485 2485 7.58
Bharuasumerpur(UP) 0.80 -33.33 26.10 2500 2500 28.21
Khair(UP) 0.80 -20 75.30 2590 2580 -0.38
Maudaha(UP) 0.80 -20 33.20 2365 2350 NC
Gandacharra(Tri) 0.70 -56.25 7.90 2800 2760 -
Achnera(UP) 0.70 NC 41.00 2580 2570 -1.15
Atrauli(UP) 0.70 -12.5 6.70 2550 2550 -
Published on July 24, 2020
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article32182823.ece
A critical situation': Bangladesh in crisis as monsoon floods
follow super-cyclone
Despite flood planning efforts hundreds have been killed and millions hit as third of land is
submerged by non-stop rain
Global development is supported by
About this content
Kaamil Ahmed
Fri 24 Jul 2020 06.30 BSTLast modified on Fri 24 Jul 2020 06.33 BST

Flood-affected people get on a boat to cross a stream in Jamalpur, Bangladesh, July 18, 2020.
REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters
Bangladesh could be plunged into a humanitarian crisis as it undergoes the most prolonged
monsoon flooding in decades while it is still recovering from the effects of super-cyclone
Amphan.
Despite the UN has lauding its new initiatives for early intervention aimed at preparing
communities for crisis, 550 people have been killed and 9.6 million affected by the disaster in
Bangladesh, Nepal and north-eastern India, according to the International Federation of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent.
Bangladesh‘s ministry for natural disasters has estimated that a third of the country is already
underwater, with heavy rains set to continue until the end of July. The UN has estimated that this
flooding could be the most protracted since 1988.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, executive director of the Bangladeshi NGO Coast, said the country
was far more prepared for flooding than in the past, but that populations in flooded areas might
end up in dire need because of a combination of existing localised and national crises.
Fighting cyclones and coronavirus: how we evacuated millions during a pandemic
Sheikh Hasina and Patrick Verkooijen

He said incomes had already been hit by the government‘s closure of 25 state-owned jute mills,
mostly in northern areas that have been flooded, and by the Covid-19 pandemic.
―The country has been locked down for four months and that has had a serious impact. Forty per
cent of rural income was coming from urban areas and then suddenly labourers and rickshaw
pullers weren‘t sending money home,‖ said Chowdhury.
―Almost a third of the population has dropped under the poverty line. This will have an impact
on food security and purchasing power, this is a critical situation we have to overcome.‖
He said local organisations had exhausted funds
responding to the pandemic so the UN and
international organisations would need to step
in, especially to support farmers whose crops
may be damaged before the August rice harvest.
A woman and a young girl sit in their flooded
house in Sunamganj, north-eastern Bangladesh,
earlier this month. Photograph: Munir Uz
Zaman/AFP/Getty Images
The UN said it had been trying to pre-empt damage to livelihoods by predicting where support
needed to be sent ahead of time, using advances in data and forecasting analytics.
That had allowed the release of relief worth $5.2m (£4m) from its reserve fund for humanitarian
emergencies to counter severe flooding over the past week in the form of cash, hygiene and
health kits, and equipment to protect farmers‘ materials from water damage.
The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Mark
Lowcock, said the organisation should no longer be taken by surprise when disasters hit.
―Doing something before crises hit can save more lives and costs less money. Plus it‘s far more
dignified for the people we‘re helping,‖ he said.

―If we know a flood is about to hit, why
wouldn‘t we give river communities the means
to get themselves, their livestock and their tools
out of harm‘s way before the deluge comes,
instead of waiting until they‘ve lost everything,
then try and help?‖
Sheikh Rokon, founder of the campaign group Riverine People, said the monsoon was essential
to life in Bangladesh, recharging water levels and giving life to seasonal wetlands, but that
environmental changes were making life harder for communities.
―River erosion makes the situation worse. They lose everything but hope and have to struggle for
days. This year, riverine communities across the Brahmaputra and Teesta river basins are facing
severe erosion,‖ he said. ―A very small riverine community, the water Gypsy, live in the rivers,
on boats. Floods makes their life and livelihoods harder.‖
Swept away ... flooding from Super-cyclone Amphan in Khulna, Bangladesh, in May this year.
Photograph: Habib/Zeppelin/Sipa/Rex/Shutterstock
Rokon said communities usually had little time to prepare, which usually involves moving their
belongings to areas protected by embankments.
The World Food Programme‘s executive director, David Beasley, said improving planning to act
on forecasts would help families in the long run.
―Year after year, floods devastate Bangladesh. The waters not only swallow up homes and lives
but with them progress and hope for the Bangladeshi people,‖ said Beasley. ―I cannot stress
enough how important it is to equip communities to prepare and protect themselves against such
disasters.‖
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https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jul/24/a-critical-situation-bangladesh-in-
crisis-as-monsoon-floods-follow-super-cyclone
Sri Lanka rough rice forecast for 2020 minor season up 11-
pct
Friday July 24, 2020 10:39:32
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka‘s paddy (rough rice) harvest for the 2020 Yala minor cultivation
season is expected to rise 11 percent to 1.721 million metric tonnes, the state agricultural office
said, while the annual forecast is 4.772 million metric tonnes, up 3.3 percent.
The final output for the Maha cultivation season for 2020 was estimated at 3,051 million metric
tonnes, around the same level as last year‘s 3.073 million tonnes.

The Department of Agriculture said, 430,000 hectares out of a target of 475,000 hectares or 90
percent, had been sown by May.
The reported extent is 29 percent higher than the average sown extent for the past three years at
the same time.
The final estimate for the 2020 Yala season may be revised on the crop losses and cultivated
area. By June 488 hectares had been damaged by floods.
The Yala harvest is expected to begin from the end of July from Batticaloa and Kurunegala
districts. (Colombo/July24/202)
https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rough-rice-forecast-for-2020-minor-season-up-11-pct-72316/
Price Floor for 100 Tins of Rice Set at K520,000
ByMyanmar Business Today
July 24, 2020
Leading Committee for Farmers‘ Rights Protection and Promotion on July 23 has set a price
floor for 100 tins (1tin = 46 lbs.) of unhusked rice at K520,000. The rice must be free from dust,
sand, and small stones and moisture content must not be over 14 percent.
The renewed price floor is for 2020 rainy season grown rice and 2021 summer grown rice.
Rice traders must buy the rice at the price floor rate when the market price is lower than the price
floor or buy at the market price when rice price is lower than the price floor.
The price floor for unhusked rice in 2019 was set at K500,000. The country started imposing a
price floor in 2018.
Myanmar, whose staple food is rice, has over 17 million acres of rice fields.

Written by Tayzar Bhone Myint/ Translated into English by Min Thu Aung
https://mmbiztoday.com/price-floor-for-100-tins-of-rice-set-at-k520000/
RPT-Asia Rice-Thai rates rise; virus outbreak raises concerns
for Indian exporters
Shreyansi Singh
JULY 24, 2020 / 3:52 PM
(Repeats story published on July 23 with no changes to text)
* Thai rice exporters cut 2020 forecast to lowest in 20 years
* Demand from China expected to rise - Vietnamese trader

25th july,2020 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

25th july,2020 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

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