2nd july,2020 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

2July,
2020
Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Rice Farmers Still Struggling - AATF Study
The use of farmer-saved seeds, lack of machinery to support commercializationand
low use of fertilizers remainsome of the many challenges rice farmers face, a study
by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) reveals.
A statement signed by Madam Nancy Muchiri, Communications and Partnerships Unit,
of AATF copied to the Ghana News Agency said the study further showed that with
climate change, there were many rice farms that were being abandoned in the respective
countries due to high accumulation of salt, leading to salinity.
It said the results of the study confirmed the fact that as African farmers were beginning
to innovate, increase productivity, and drive unprecedented progress across entire

economies, climate change—as well as a surge of new pests and diseases—threatened the
gains.
The said abiotic constraints associated with soil nutrient depletion and imbalances
contributed significantly to low rice productivity in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and many
more African countries.
It said only 9 per cent and 10 per cent of sampled rice producing communities in Nigeria
and Uganda respectively, practised exclusive irrigated rice farming and that all the three
countries were affected by droughts since most of the farmers practised rain fed
agriculture leading to low yields.
It noted that more than half of the sampled farmers in Ghana (52 per cent), Nigeria (78
per cent) and 83 per cent in Uganda used farmer-saved seeds for subsequent production.
―The high use of saved seeds was linked to low yields in crops. Other reasons included;
lack of money to procure other inputs (fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides) to
guarantee yields,‖ it emphasized.
According to the statement, there was an emerging trend of youth increasingly taking up
roles in rice farming in the three countries with Ghana recording 46 per cent, Nigeria 52
per cent, Uganda 47 per cent, which was an indication of labour availability and signals
the sustained future of rice farming.
The statement quoted Dr Kayode Sanni, Rice Project Manager at AATF as saying, ―For
Africa to achieve desired growth in its agriculture sector and to create jobs for the youth
and achieve food security, there is need to put in place reforms necessary to unlock
agriculture's potential.
―These reforms include; access to land, improvement of infrastructure, enhancement of
extension services and farmer education, access to markets, finance and good quality
seeds and adoption of new technologies‖.
He said rice was an important food staple and a major source of carbohydrates in Sub-
Saharan Africa (SSA) region, adding that in Nigeria and Ghana, it was the second most
important cereal consumed and the third in Uganda.
Dr Sanni said rice was grown on a meagre 11 per cent and two per cent of Nigeria and
Ghana's arable land respectively; while in Uganda, it was grown on a total land area of
95,277ha.
He said in all three countries, 80 per cent of the rice was produced by small scale farmers
cultivating an area less than three hectares.

―Despite the high number of people engaged in rice production and the area of land
allotted for rice farming, the average yield of 2.1 MT/ha during the period of 2012 – 2018
(USDA, 2018), is still extremely low compared to yields of 5.0 MT /ha in Asia,‖ he said.
―This low yield has led to the three countries being net importers of rice, especially from
Asia. Further, this yield rate remains far below the potential productivity for rice in the
region and this is attributable to abiotic and biotic stresses‖.
According to Dr Sanni, there was potential for increasing the yields of rice in SSA
through the development of improved rice varieties with the ability to do well and
produce more grains per hectare under the different adverse environmental and soil
conditions of SSA.
The report recommends the need to invest in new farming technology for Africa—from
better seeds to digital tools to machinery—as the best opportunity for transforming
African agriculture into an engine of economic growth that will have benefits far beyond
the farm sector;and use of new rice varieties and other innovations to ensure farmers can
adapt to climate change, address the challenges to help them improve productivity.
---GNA
https://www.modernghana.com/news/1013612/rice-farmers-still-struggling-aatf-
study.html
Japan Violet’ to weed out wild rice menace
Staff Reporter
KASARAGOD, July 02, 2020 23:44 IST
Updated: July 02, 2020 23:44 IST
The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Pilicode, has implemented an
innovative programme for eradicating the wild rice menace in paddy fields using Japan
Violet, a rice variety, in Kasaragod district.
T. Vanaja, Associate Director of Research, said because of the wild rice, a majority of
farmers were reluctant to cultivate the first crop as the weed was a major problem during
the season.

Dr. Vanaja said as part of the project, the research station had distributed 300 kg of Japan
Violet seeds for cultivation on 10 acres at Thimiri Vayal Padasekharam.
Sixteen groups, consisting of farmers, students, members of youth clubs had joined the
effort to remove the wild rice.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/japan-violet-to-weed-out-wild-rice-
menace/article31974608.ece
GIEWS Country Brief: China 30-June-2020
Source
 FAO
Posted
30 Jun 2020
Originallypublished
30 Jun 2020
Origin
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FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
 Production of 2020 wheat crop forecast at
near-average level
 Cereal import requirements in 2019/20 forecast at
below-average level
 Prices of rice and wheat remained generally stable
since beginning of 2020
 African Swine Fever outbreak severely affected pig industry in 2018 and 2019
Production of 2020 wheat crop forecast at near-average level
Harvesting of the 2020 main winter wheat crop is ongoing and was completed at the
end of June, while harvesting of the spring wheat crop will take place in July and
August. Since the beginning of the cropping season in September, precipitation
amounts and irrigation water availability have been near the average in most main
producing areas. In the northern parts of the country, snow coverage during the winter
months has been adequate to protect crops from winterkill and boosted soil moisture
during the critical spring months. Localized damages to standing wheat crops were
reported in Henan and Hubei provinces, due to below-average rains in April and a cold
spell in late spring. The 2020 wheat production is preliminarily forecast at 134 million
tonnes, close to the average level.
Harvesting of the 2020 early double rice crop just started, while the single and late
double crops, for harvest between September and November, are currently being
planted. Overall, the area sown is forecast to stabilize, after contractions registered in
2018 and 2019, as the Government approved, for the first time in six years, an increase
in Government purchase prices for Indica paddy.
Planting of the 2020 maize crop was completed in April in the South and will continue
until the end of June in the North, where the bulk of the production is concentrated.
The planted area is estimated close to the five-year average, mainly driven by
Government support measures. Overall, production prospects are favourable as
weather conditions were near the average and supported crop development in the main
producing areas. According to official information, some concerns remain due to the
potential widespread impact of Fall Armyworm (FAW) infestations.
Cereal import requirements in 2019/20 forecast at below-average level

Total cereal import requirements in the 2019/20 marketing year are forecast at 18.8
million tonnes, about 20 percent below the five-year average.
Imports of rice in 2020 calendar year are forecast at 2.6 million tonnes, about 33
percent below the previous year‘s level, on account of the ample availabilities from the
2019 paddy harvest and large carryover stocks. Imports of wheat in the 2019/20
marketing year (July/June) are forecast at 3.5 million tonnes, close to the five-year
average, due to ample domestic availabilities from large inventories. Among imports
of coarse grains in the 2019/20 marketing year (October/September), imports of maize
are forecast at 3.5 million tonnes, slightly above the five-year average, reflecting
strong demand from the feed industry. By contrast, imports of barley and sorghum are
forecast at 5.5 and 2.5 million tonnes, about 20 and 40 percent, respectively, below the
five-year average. The expected sharp decline of barley and sorghum imports reflects
their substitution by maize for feed use.
Prices of rice and wheat remained generally stable since beginning of 2020
Prices of Indica and Japonica rice were generally stable from January to April 2020
and decreased marginally in May, reflecting adequate market availabilities. Overall,
prices of rice in May were below their year earlier levels.
Prices of wheat and wheat flour have been generally stable since the beginning of the
year, mainly due to large supplies from the 2019 bumper output and favourable
expectations of the 2020 wheat harvest.
African Swine Fever outbreak severely affected pig industry in 2018 and 2019
The country, which is the largest producer and consumer of pork meat in the world,
has been severely affected by several African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in 2018
and 2019. In an effort to contain the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Affairs has reported that about 1.2 million pigs were culled since the
outbreak started in August 2018. Animal losses due to the ASF has caused substantial
reduction of farmers‘ income, raising concerns over the livelihood activities and the
food security situation of millions of people dependent on pig farming. Small-scale
hog farmers, who rely on the production of pig meat for their own consumption as well
as for income generation, are among the most affected as they usually lack the
expertise and/or the financial resources necessary to protect their herds from the
disease. In the country, about 130 million households are engaged in pig farming and
about 30 percent of the national pig output is produced by small-scale producers.
COVID-19 and measures adopted by the Government
In an attempt to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government
adopted several measures, including large-scale mobility restrictions at national level,

social distancing and closure of educational institutions. Starting from mid-February
2020, the Government has gradually removed mobility and activity restrictions,
prioritizing the essential sectors and industries that are important for the national
economy. As of late May 2020, social distancing remains in place in parts of the
country, micro-level and international travel remains restricted.
In May 2020, the Government announced the implementation of several packages to
support the national economy. These include a CNY 4.2 trillion (USD 594 billion)
support package for:
 Epidemic prevention and control, including production of medical equipment.
 Disbursement of unemployed insurance, also to migrant workers.
 Tax relief and waived social security contributions.
The People‘s Bank of China has been providing monetary support of CNY 1.8 trillion
(USD 255 billion) at low interest rates to micro, small and medium enterprises
producing essential products and services for the daily necessities and to the
agricultural sector.
The Government has also taken measures to provide financial relief to the affected
households, businesses and regions facing difficulties to repay loans. The main
measures include:
 Encouragement of lending to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including
uncollateralized SME loans from the local banks.
 The delay of loan repayments, with the deadline extended to the end of March 2021,
and easing of loan size restrictions for online loans and other credit support measures
for eligible SMEs and households.
 The encouragement of lending of higher Non-Performing Loans (NPL) and reduced
NPL provision coverage requirements.
https://reliefweb.int/report/china/giews-country-brief-china-30-june-2020
Vietnam exports huge rice haul over five-month period
 01.07.2020, 13:19,
 Business / Finance

The opening four months of the year saw the Philipppines take the lead as the largest
importer of Vietnamese rice, making up 40.5% of the overall market share with 902,100
tonnes valued at US$401.3 million, an increase of 11.4% in volume and 26% in value.
Moreover, the value also went up in other markets such as China and Indonesia, a 2.7-
fold increase, Taiwan (China), up 67.9%, and Ghana, with a rise of 39.3%.
Indeed, the average price of rice during the first four months of the year increased on year
by 10% to US$470.2 per tonne. The price of 5% broken rice hit yearly highs of between
US$450 and US$460 per tonne.
In terms of the global market, the export price of Indian rice hit its highest level in recent
years thanks to strong demand from African and Asian countries. Elsewhere, the price of
Thai rice plunged due to drought and fierce competition from both Indian and
Vietnamese suppliers.
Within the domestic market, the price of rice in the Mekong Delta underwent a slight
increase, with the Vietnamese Government allowing the export of rice through
international border gates, road, rail, sea, waterways, and air.
Meanwhile, the price of rice in the Mekong Delta surged by VND200 to between
VND5,500 and VND6,900 per kg, depending on their type.

https://vietreader.com/business/finance/3333-vietnam-exports-huge-rice-haul-over-five-
month-period.html
Palay output falls in January-March
ByThe Manila Times
July 1, 2020
The country‘s production of the seasonally adjusted palay (unmilled rice) reached 45.06
million metric tons (MT) in January-March this year, significantly lower that its levels in
the previous quarter and in the same period in 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA) said.
In its report titled ―Seasonally Adjusted Palay/Rice Production and Prices,‖the PSA said
palay output for the first three months of 2020 was down by 7.36 percent from 48.64
million MT in October-December last year and 3.18 percent lower from last year‘s 46.54
million MT.

The deseasonalized farmgate price of palay during the period slightly decreased by 0.18
percent to P16.24 per kilo as against its level in the previous quarter. Likewise, it was
down from last year‘s P19.74 per kilo.
The wholesale price for rice contracted by 1.47 percent to P37.48 per kilo year-on-year,
PSA said. Year-on-year, it also fell by 9.71 percent from P41.51 per kilo.
On the other hand, its equivalent retail price at P41.30 per kilo was 1.31 percent and
11.85-percent lower from its level in the previous quarter and the same period in 2019,
respectively.
For this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to increase the country‘s
rice self-sufficiency from the current 87 percent to 93 percent.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar had said the DA was mainly banking on its P8.5-
billion Rice Resiliency Program (RRP), a part of its Plant, Plant Plant program, which
will yield an extra 1 million MT of rice and help improve the country‘s self-sufficiency
level.
He said the government was also expecting to boost local farmers‘
competitiveness through the various programs under the Rice Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund (RCEF), a major component of the ―Rice Tariffication Law.‖ It

includes distribituion of seeds, fertilizers, and farm machineries to farmers nationwide,
among others.
Cambodia's rice export up 41 per cent in first half of 2020
 ASEANPLUS NEWS
 Wednesday, 01 Jul 2020
11:56 AM MYT
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodia exported 397,660 tonnes of milled rice in the first
half of 2020, up 41 per cent over the same period last year, according to an official report
released on Tuesday (July 1).
China remained the largest buyer of Cambodian rice, said the report from the Secretariat
of One Window Service for Rice Export.
Cambodia shipped 147,949 tonnes of milled rice to China during the January-June period
this year, up 25 per cent over the same period last year, it said, adding that the Chinese
market absorbed 37 per cent of Cambodia's total rice export.
The report also showed that the kingdom exported 135,576 tonnes to the European
market during the period, up 45 per cent, and 52,987 tonnes to the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) market, up 47 per cent.
Ngin Chhay, director general of agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, said recently that the Covid-19 pandemic had driven high demand for
Cambodian rice.
He predicted that the country's rice export to the international market is expected to reach
at least 800,000 tonnes in 2020, an estimated rise of 29 per cent from 620,106 tonnes last
year.
The Southeast Asian country produced about 10 million tonnes of paddy rice last year,
according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. With this amount, the

kingdom saw paddy rice surplus of about 5.6 million tonnes in equivalent to 3.5 million
tonnes of milled rice. - Xinhua
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/07/01/cambodia039s-rice-
export-up-41-per-cent-in-first-half-of-
2020#:~:text=PHNOM%20PENH%20(Xinhua)%3A%20Cambodia,on%20Tuesday%20(
July%201).
Cambodia’s milled-rice exports up 32.5% amid COVID-19
pandemic
The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network / 03:23 PM July 02, 2020
A Cambodian farmer transplants rice seedlings in the paddy field. Cambodia‘s milled-rice
exports gained 32.51 per cent to 410,563 tonnes in the first half of this year from the
310,366 tonnes shipped in the same period last year. Post Staff
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia‘s milled-rice exports gained 32.51 percent to 410,563
tonnes in the first half of this year from the 310,366 tonnes shipped in the same period last
year.

Their combined value was $264.5 million, Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) secretary-
general Lun Yeng told The Post onWednesday.
On a yearly basis, the Kingdom shipped 45.19 percent more milled rice to the EU market,
25.20 percent more to the Chinese market, 47.69 percent more to the Asean market and
79.26 percent more to other markets, said a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestryand Fisheries
report, citing data compiled from phytosanitary certificates.
General Directorate of Agriculture director-general Ngin Chhay told The Post that paddy
varieties bred from pure line selectionof traditional varieties led to the surge in exports to
cater to the rising international demand amid the Covid-19 epidemic.
The rise in exports extended to newly-opened markets such as Hong Kong and Australia,
cracking the 40,000 tonne mark, he said.
―The rise in milled-rice exports can be attributed to the purity and calibre of Cambodia‘s
fragrant rice varieties, which dovetails with the markets‘ needs.
―Of note is the new ‗01‘ variety of paddy grain which the ministry only recentlyreleasedto
farmers. Its quality is recognizedthroughout the EU and Chinese markets, leading to a
further boost in exports there.
―We‘ve observed that the number of orders coming in from the European market is higher
than in previous years, with buyers stocking up [on milled rice]during the Covid-19
outbreak. The market for Cambodian rice in Asean has also grown,‖ said Chhay.
The ministry report said the Kingdom now ships milledrice to 56 countries, with the
largest importers being China and the EU nations.
It exports the grain to 24 EU countries, six Asean members and 25 other destinations.
The Kingdom‘s four largest milled-rice exporters inthe first half were City Rice Import
Export Co Ltd (accounting for 50,199 tonnes; up 12.62 percent year-on-year), Baitang
(Kampuchea) Pld (29,349 tonnes;up 7.38 percent), Primalis Corp Ltd (32,393 tonnes;up
8.15 percent) and Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co Ltd (31,867 tonnes;up 8.01 percent).

CRF‘s Yeng said rice exports are likely to end the year at around 800,000 tonnes with
demand remaining high during the secondhalf of this year.
―The fact of the matter is that the market is growing as it always has, with no slowdown in
sight. Our key markets, such as Malaysia, are [importing milled rice]at a very good pace as
they always have,‖ he said.
Rice exports reached 620,106 tonnes last year, a 0.97 percent drop from the 626,225 tonnes
in 2018, a ministry report said.
Their combined value was $501 million, down 4.3 percent from $524 millionin 2018.
The Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expectedto be finalized by
the end of the year will boost the Kingdom‘s export volume and also draw more
investment in raw material supplies and diversify the industrial sector, analysts said.
Ministry of Commerce secretaryof state Sok Sopheak on Tuesday said that once the
Cambodia-China FTA comes into effect, it will play a significant role in diversifying
export markets and increasing shipments of the Kingdom‘s agro-industrial products to the
world‘s largest market.
Sopheak, who is also the chairman of the working group handling FTA talks between
Cambodia and China, was speaking at an Economic and Financial PolicyCommittee
meeting concerning the negotiations. The committee is under the Ministry of Economy and
Finance.
He said: ―This agreement will also accelerate the process of regional and global economic
integration, expanding Cambodia‘s involvement in the value chain as well as maximizing
its potential to draw in investors and serve as a production base for export to the Chinese
market.‖
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
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https://business.inquirer.net/301512/cambodias-milled-rice-exports-up-32-5-amid-covid-
19-pandemic
Water from Cambodia’s irrigation canals accessible by 62%
of total farm land
A well irrigated paddy field. Phen Rattanak
As of mid-2020, Cambodia‘s irrigation systems have been accessible by about 62 percent
of the total 2,957,400 hectares of farm land throughout the country.
This was said by Lim Kean Hor, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology recently,
who added that the coverage is expected to further increase when 12 big irrigation
development projects are completed in 2023.
In 2019, irrigation water covered 1,835,422 hectares of farm land across Cambodia,
including 537,077 hectares for rice growing in the dry season, and 1,298,345 hectares for
rice growing in the rainy season, continued the minister.
If compared to irrigation coverage between 1967 and 2019, the accessibility rose by 81
percent.
The minister also underlined the Royal Government of Cambodia‘s efforts in
rehabilitating and developing Cambodia‘s irrigation system to support and expand the
country‘s agricultural development. Lim Nary – AKP
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50739924/water-from-cambodias-irrigation-canals-
accessible-by-62-of-total-farm-
land/#:~:text=As%20of%20mid%2D2020%2C%20Cambodia's,farm%20land%20throug
hout%20the%20country.
Iran lowers import tariff for semi-milled rice as price soar

Tuesday, 30 June 2020 5:24 PM [
Last Update: Tuesday, 30 June 2020 5:40 PM ]
Iranian government cuts tariffs on imports of semi-milled rice amid surge in prices in the
local market.
The Iranian government has ordered a substantial reduction in tariffs imposed on
imports of rice amid price hikes in the local market that came following a decision
earlier this month to stop subsidizing rice imports.
Local media reports on Tuesday said that the Iranian Cabinet had decided to lower tariff
on imports of semi-milled rice to 4 percent.
They said the Iranian customs office (IRICA) would continue to maintain a tariff of 10
percent on imports of wholly milled rice.
In early June, Iran lowered tariffs on rice imports from 26 percent to 10 percent after it
stopped subsidizing rice imports.
However, the decision pushed the prices up as traders were now forced to obtain foreign
currency needed for imports in a secondary exchange market where prices have soared to
highs never seen in decades.
That also caused concerns among critics who said rice consumers would foot the bill for
changing rules on imports through rising prices in the local market.
Prices of rice, a staple of the Iranian households, have soared in recent weeks as some
varieties of the premium-quality rice grown in northern Iran is being sold at a price of
350,000 rials ($1.75) per kilogram.
Iran has mainly imported rice from India, a country where farmers and exporters have
been normally content with Iranian tariffs of up to 40 percent.
However, recent changes in tariffs have come with other measures, including tougher
checks and controls on quality of rice imported from countries like India while the
government has encouraged importers to tap into markets in other rice producing nations.
Press TV‘s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:
www.presstv.ir

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/06/30/628608/www.presstv.ir
GIEWS Country Brief: Uzbekistan 30-June-2020
Source
 FAO
Posted
30 Jun 2020
Originallypublished
30 Jun 2020
Origin
View original

Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
 Favourable production prospects for 2020 wheat crop
 Cereal production in 2019 estimated slightly above average
 Slightly above-average wheat imports forecast in 2020/21 marketing year
Favourable production prospects for 2020 wheat crop
Harvesting of the 2020 winter cereals, mainly wheat, planted between September and
November 2019, is ongoing and is expected to be completed by mid-August 2020.
Weather conditions were overall favourable throughout the season and the 2020 wheat
output is preliminarily forecast at a near-average level of 6.3 million tonnes.
Planting of the 2020 spring grains, mainly maize and rice, is nearing completion and
harvesting of early-planted crops is expected to start in August.
Cereal production in 2019 estimated slightlyabove average
Harvesting of the 2019 cereals finalized in September 2019 and the aggregate output is
estimated at an above-average level of 8.2 million tonnes. Wheat output in 2019 is set
at 6.8 million tonnes, 5 percent above the five-year average, due to larger-than-average
plantings and favourable weather conditions during the season, which had a positive
impact on yields.
Slightly above-average wheat imports forecast in 2020/21 marketing year

In the 2020/21 marketing year (July/June), wheat import requirements are forecast at 3
million tonnes, 7 percent above the five-year average. Over the last years, the country
decreased its imports of wheat flour (which declined by more than 70 percent between
2011/12 and 2019/20) and raised its purchases of high quality wheat grain from
Kazakhstan, due to increased local milling capacities. This allows the country to
satisfy its domestic needs of wheat flour and to export the exceeding production of
wheat flour to neighbouring countries.
On 23 October 2019, the Government approved the Agriculture Development Strategy,
valid for the period 2020-2030. The Strategy aims at the development and
implementation of national policies to ensure food security, food safety and healthy
diets. It also provides for the transition to market pricing for all agricultural products,
including grains, as well as for the abolition of State procurement of cotton and wheat.
COVID-19 and measures adopted by the Government
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has taken a number of
measures, including restricting the entry and exit from the country, imposing
quarantine and self-isolation measures, suspending international events and
conferences.
To facilitate imports and ensure an adequate availability of domestic supplies, on 3
April 2020, the Government adopted the Decree 5978, which eliminates the import
tariffs on a number of food commodities, including wheat flour, sugar, meat and dairy
products, until 31 December 2020.
On 6 April 2020, the Ministry of Finance announced the adoption of tax reduction
measures to support small and medium size enterprises and entrepreneurs that are
facing the negative economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.
On 30 April 2020, the World Bank approved a USD 200 million financing programme
to support the implementation of economic development policies in response to the
health, social and economic crisis due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
https://reliefweb.int/report/uzbekistan/giews-country-brief-uzbekistan-30-june-2020
Mozambique Food Security Outlook, June 2020 to
January 2021
Source

 FEWS NET
Posted
1 Jul 2020
Originallypublished
30 Jun 2020
Origin
View original

Attachments
Crisis (IPC Phase 3) likely to persist in Mozambique through early 2021
Key Messages
 Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes persist in the semiarid areas of southern Mozambique
following crop failure and/or significantly below-average main season production. As
the conflict intensifies in Cabo Delgado, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes also persist in
this area, as an increasing number of people are displaced and lose access to their
typical food and income sources. Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are mostly present
in areas where poor households are still recovering from previous shocks (cyclones,
floods, and drought). In all other areas of the country, Minimal (IPC Phase 1)
outcomes are expected due to favorable food availability and access. Beginning in
October 2020, food security is likely to deteriorate across southern Tete and other
southern and central areas as poor households will have exhausted their below-average
food stocks much earlier than usual and be employing unsustainable coping strategies
driving Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes.
 As of June 29, Mozambique has 883 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Measures to
mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in thousands of poor households in
urban and peri-urban areas losing sources of income. A recent IPC analysis carried out
by the Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition (SETSAN) and partners
estimated that approximately 15 percent of the population of Maputo and Matola are
facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes.
 In May, the price of maize grain in central and northern markets decreased or remained
stable. In the south, the price of maize grain has started to decrease due to increased
supply of maize grain from the central region. However, the price of maize grain in

these areas remains 20-60 percent above the five-year average. The price of maize
meal and rice remained stable in May, except in Maputo, where the price of rice rose
by 40 percent likely due to some temporary supply constraints.
https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-food-security-outlook-june-2020-
january-2021
Govt to strengthen vigilance to keep rice market stable:
Sadhan
Jago News Desk Published: 1 July 2020, 08:52 PM | Updated: 1 July 2020, 08:55 PM
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder Wednesday said government would strengthen
vigilance to keep rice market stable.
He made the comments while speaking a meeting titled ‗Discussion on keeping rice
prices stable in the market‘ this morning through video conference from his government
residence in Dhaka, reports BBC.
The food minister said,this year bumper crop of paddy has been harvested in Boro
season. So there is no reason for the rice market to be unstable this season.
If necessary, measures will be taken to import rice officially, he added.

Addressing the rice mill owners at the meeting, the food minister said, keep the rice
market stable and supply rice to government warehouses as per the agreement made with
the government.
He also said, always the profit is not same. Everyone is in danger during this pandemic.
Now there is an opportunity to serve the people , so come forward with a service
mentality.
The Minister directed the divisional commissioners to take necessary steps to monitor the
price of any paddy being sold from Millgate.
Calling for timely delivery of rice, the minister said, to set a weekly and fortnightly
ceiling- when and how much rice will be delivered to the government food warehouse..
Mentioning the government is giving incentives to all businessmen Sadhan said the mill
owners can also take the opportunity of this incentive but officially the price of rice will
not be increased.
The minister thanked all the officers and employees of the Food Department for their
tireless work and said, no officer and employee should misbehave with any farmer or
miller while collectingpaddy and rice and not to get involved in corruption.
Among others, Divisional Commissioners of eight divisions of the country, two
representatives each of the Divisional Rice Mill Owners‘ Associations of eight divisions,
Director General of the Food Department, Regional Food Controllers, senior officials of
the Ministry Food and Food Department were present at the meeting.
https://www.jagonews24.com/en/national/news/50686
ARKANSAS FARMER SAYS RICE CROP IS LOOKING
GOOD
July 2, 2020 By Meghan Grebner Filed Under: Crops, Human Interest, News
At midway through the growing season, Arkansas farmer Dow Brantley says the rice
crop is looking pretty good. ―We were off to a slow start with another wet spring,‖ he
says. ―But the crop is clean and looks good. We‘re back to what I‘d call our normal
acres. We have 1.4 million acres in Arkansas and that‘s a big increase from last year.‖
He also raises corn, soybeans, and cotton. ―Our corn is a couple of weeks away from
terminating irrigation and we‘re about 5 weeks away from harvest,‖ he says. ―Corn looks
great and cotton is just starting to bloom so there‘s a long way to go yet on our cotton
crop.‖

Brantley farms about 30 miles southeast of Little Rock, Arkansas.
https://brownfieldagnews.com/news/arkansas-farmer-says-rice-crop-is-looking-good/
Strain: USMCA Major Victory for Agriculture
Sharlee Jacobs
Baton Rouge, La. (July 1, 2020) – Today, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
(USMCA) goes into effect. Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike
Strain, D.V.M., said it is also a major victory for Louisiana farmers and ranchers.
―USMCA modernizes the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by
increasing market access for American farmers and ranchers. It also supports fair trade
practices and includes key provisions increasing markets for U.S. rice, wheat, dairy,
poultry, eggs and many other agricultural products,‖ said Strain. ―Louisiana stands to
benefit by increased trade in grains, rice and textiles.‖
Strain added, ―As we cope with a global pandemic, the USMCA provides food security
by markedly increasing our capacity for trade with two of our largest trading partners in
the world. It also enhances rural economic development as we are an export nation.‖
Strain was instrumental in the Tri-National Agricultural Accord, in Ontario, Canada in
2016 and Guadalajara, Mexico in 2017 where he led a delegation of senior agricultural
leaders and signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada and Mexico which
became a foundation for discussion on USMCA. The Tri-National Agricultural Accord
consists of senior state and provincial agricultural officials from Canada, the United

States, and Mexico who meet annually to work collaboratively on agricultural trade and
development issues.
Canada and Mexico are the first and second largest export markets for United States food
and agricultural products, totaling more than $39.7 billion food and agricultural exports
in 2018. These exports support more than 325,000 American jobs.
Strain said Louisiana exported goods valued at over $3.57 billion to Canada and $9.22
billion to Mexico in 2018. The top Louisiana export products to Canada and Mexico
include $ 4.9 in petroleum and coal products, $2 billion in chemicals, $1.2 billion in
agricultural products and $720 million in oil and gas.
Rice is one of Louisiana‘s largest crops. More than one-third of rice grown in the United
States is exported to Mexico, accounting for over 900,000 metric tons. Additionally,
Mexico imports significant amounts of poultry and eggs, corn, soybeans and cotton from
the United States including Louisiana.
https://kadn.com/strain-usmca-major-victory-for-agriculture/
Agri department assures of enough rice supply after gov't halts
importation
Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 02 2020 02:30 PM

Stall owners start to pack up their goods at the Trabajo market in Sampaloc, Manila, a
few hours before the ―hard lockdown‖ on April 23, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN
News/File
MANILA - The Philippines has enough rice supply, the Department of Agriculture
assured the public Thursday, after Malacañang announced that it would no longer push
through with its plan to import 300,000 metric tons of rice under a government-to-
government scheme.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said there are enough stocks for 82 days as he noted
that the government would have enough supply of the staple grain coming in for the
whole year.
"As of this month, mayroon pa tayong 82 days to last...Mayroon po tayong sapat na
pagkain," he said in a virtual press briefing.
(We have enough stocks for 82 days as of this month. We have enough food.)
The Palace earlier this week said the country no longer needs to import 300,000 metric
tons of rice since there is enough supply to go around.
It can be recalled that the government's pandemic task force approved the importation of
rice in March as a contingency.

The Philippine International Trading Corp was supposed to arrange the purchase through
government-to-government arrangements.
Dar said the agriculture department is working to increase the production of local farmers
especially during the coronavirus pandemic as food security remains a priority.
"We are going to work with and assist the domestic producers, the farmers and fishers to
level up their production," he said.
The agriculture department earlier said that the country's total annual consumption of rice
would amount to 12.9 million tons, with the current population of 108.66 million
Filipinos.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/02/20/agri-department-assures-of-enough-rice-
supply-after-govt-halts-importation
Indonesia expects to increase rice stockpile to 22 mln tons this year
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-03 00:14:27|Editor: huaxia
JAKARTA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia estimated that its rice stockpile would be over
22 million tons by this year and would not import the staple food, officials said on
Thursday.
The upbeat expectation came amid a threat of global food shortage caused by a long
drought amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO).
Indonesia has produced 16 million tons of rice during the first grand harvest time which
ended in June and expected to produce up to 15 million tons of the staple during the
second grand harvest season this year, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin
Limpo said.
In addition to the productions, there is also a total of 7.49 million tons of last year's rice
stockpile which was expected to carry over this year's stock.
The FAO has warned of a long drought which would be much longer than that usually
hitting countries. Enditem
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2020-
07/03/c_139184252.htm#:~:text=Indonesia%20expects%20to%20increase%20rice%20st

ockpile%20to%2022%20mln%20tons%20this%20year,-
Source%3A%20Xinhua%7C%202020&text=JAKARTA%2C%20July%202%20(Xinhua
),food%2C%20officials%20said%20on%20Thursday.
Indonesia sees higher rice output in 2021, lower
corn output
JUNE 22, 2020
JAKARTA, June 22 (Reuters) - Indonesia‘s Agriculture Ministry data
presented at the parliament on Monday:
* Indonesia is targetting 63.5 million tonnes output of unhusked rice in
2021, up from this year‘s target of 59.15 million tonnes
* Indonesia is targetting 26 million tonnes output of corn next year, down
from a 2020 corn production target of 30.35 million tonnes.
https://www.reuters.com/article/indonesia-rice/indonesia-sees-higher-rice-output-in-
2021-lower-corn-output-
idUSL4N2DZ2BM#:~:text=*%20Indonesia%20is%20targetting%2026%20million,target
%20of%2030.35%20million%20tonnes.
Indonesia July-Dec rice production targeted at 12.5-15 mln tonnes
 CONSUMER GOODS AND RETAIL
1:41 PM / 11
JAKARTA, July 2 (Reuters) - Indonesia‘s rice production over July to
December is targeted at 12.5-15 million tonnes, agriculture minister
Syahrul Yasin Limpo told a virtual press briefing on Thursday.
Limpo said Indonesia‘s ending stock in December is forecast to stand
at 6.1 million tonnes. (Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe;
Writing by Fathin Ungku)

https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL4N2E91JG
Careful planning needed for rice crop: expert
Chia sẻ | FaceBookTwitter Email Copy Link
02/07/2020 08:35 GMT+7
Le Thanh Tung, deputy head of the Department of Plant Cultivation, under the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, speaks on the need to develop a long-
term plan to cope with drought in the south-central region.
Illustrative image. – Photo moitruongvadothi.vn
Do you have any comments following your recent working visit to some south-central
provinces regarding summer-autumn rice production?
In these days, all coastal provinces in the south-central region are being hit by a serious
drought. However, the level of seriousness varies from one province to another.
For example, rice production in Binh Thuan Province totally depends on water coming
from local rivers and reservoirs. In a year, Binh Thuan farmers plant rice paddy in three

crops. That‘s why the summer-autumn rice crop this year will have to delay a bit. Right
now, farmers in Binh Thuan have just started their summer-autumn crop and the water
shortage problem only occurs at the beginning of the crop. That‘s why it would present a
bit problem for the farmers when they start to transplant the rice crop.
For other provinces, the farmers could delay the summer-autumn crop a little bit and wait
for the rain to come.
According to our experience, if there is no rain in the coming days Binh Thuan should cut
some 20,000ha of its rice production plan.
However, for Ninh Thuan Province, farmers should only conduct one crop in a year due
to the serious drought which has occurred there.
According to the weather forecast, the south-central region will face a big problem of
water shortages in the coming summer-autumn crop. Do you have any recommendations
for farmers there?
Regarding non-structure projects, the Department of Crop Production has come up with
four solutions.
First, farmers should only start their crops in areas which are close to irrigation projects
to make sure they have enough water for their crops.
Second, farmers should plant only short duration rice varieties. Instead of using the rice
variety of 110 days, farmers should use the rice variety of 90 days. This means farmers
could reduce one round of irrigation for the rice.
Third, to use more organic fertiliser for the rice plants. As we all know, organic fertiliser
not only gives nutrients to the rice plants but also keeps moisture in the soil.
Fourth, last but not least, it is important to apply a very important technique in irrigation
for the rice plants – one period with more water followed by a period of less water. This
way of watering will help keep the soil always damp.
However, these four ideas must go with having a good water irrigation system to help
farmers be proactive in their irrigation mission for the rice plants to grow properly.
Will you please explain a little bit about the restructuring of crop structures?
The restructuring of the crop structure in the south-central coastal region is compulsory
due to the hydrometeorological conditions there.
However, in the restructuring of any crops, we have to take into consideration to see
whether the plants are suitable for the soil conditions and also the market for the
products.
For example, Khanh Hoa Province is well known for its mangoes and their mangos
already have geographic indication. VNS

https://vietnamnet.vn/en/society/careful-planning-needed-for-rice-crop-expert-
653050.html
Drought poses threat to rice crop in Banteay Meanchey
Khouth Sophak Chakrya | Publication date 02 July 2020 | 21:41 ICT
Residents pump water for irrigation in Banteay Meanchey province. faceboook
More than 1,300ha of paddy in Banteay Meanchey province‘s Mongkol Borei district has
been damaged and another 13,000ha affected by a shortage of irrigation water, district
governor Roth Da Sinong said on Wednesday.
Da Sinong told The Post that drought has caused some water sources to dry up, leaving
many families across the district facing a shortage of clean water. Rice fields in Soeu,
Chamnoam and Bot Trang communes, he said, have been wiped out.
―I checked the situation on Tuesday and the 13,000ha of winter rice could be destroyed in
the next week if it does not rain,‖ he said.
He said Banteay Meanchey provincial authorities are collaborating with the Battambang
provincial authority to pump water from the Bavel Dam in Battambang province to rice
fields facing shortages.
Da Sinong said water pumped from other areas should go to the people, not rice farmers.
―Pumping water from other areas at this time should support only the daily life of the
people. It‘s not to irrigate rice fields because many of our families are short of clean
water,‖ he said.
Although some areas are facing water shortages for irrigation, rainy season rice
cultivation in the province has seen rapid growth.
Farmers have cultivated 252,320ha of rice, equal to 96 per cent of the cultivation plan‘s
270,000ha as of Thursday, said Banteay Meanchey provincial Department of Agriculture
director Pang Vannaseth.
In one Mongkol Borei district, he said, farmers have cultivated more than 50,000ha of
rice while the area faced water shortages.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology is forecasting medium to strong rains
in the country from July 4 to 7.
The national wet season rice crop reached almost 1.8 million hectares, equivalent to
69.24 per cent of the 2.5 million hectare plan.
Export of agriculture products has increased more than four million tonnes, according to
a report on the cultivation of rainy season rice obtained by The Post on Wednesday.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/drought-poses-threat-rice-crop-banteay-
meanchey?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=d9e1a2e3ea3fdc1cb273c104eaf32ee55b4a5a6d-
1593781054-0-Aco3vd_Ez6B-
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P5ZZEQ1buPTeBQnwMjpBzgVcp-8bpd8_6Rc8qFyYnuZapPoRyjw52lx0LL-
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ayMTIhQ9d5dlHBDODcwCOiHJe83SWaIRPmd4XaMuF9aO79lDpZGyDoP5sSLvJrXl
vCP-
EsvdpU_gSJH6ZetEvMjQ2jWMZJpnSMy5Kh0lKHxp2kIIf6pP5fe0Y8biakmPTH5hEQ
X5HM70Vq6mojIhBHGNfKQpvbr33ZHhjnlmbOgrvTp
CRF requests year-long loans for rice millers
Thou Vireak | Publication date 02 July 2020 | 21:42 ICT
The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) has asked the state-owned Agricultural and Rural
Development Bank (ARDB) to extend its loan repayment period to 12 months to help
rice millers buy paddy.
The request was made on Wednesday at a meeting with Cambodia Chamber of
Commerce (CCC) Kith Meng on the progress and impact of Covid-19 on the private
sector at the CCC.
CRF president Song Saran told The Post that the current ARDB loan repayment period is
too short and could hinder its members‘ ability to purchase paddy from farmers.
He said he stressedto the CCC that the upcoming harvest season would be especially
harsh, with members scrambling to buy a slow supply of paddy.

―Most of our members say the repayment period goes by too quickly and it is not
effective in helping buy paddy,‖ he said. ―We suggest offering longer [repayment terms]
on loans for stockpiling.‖
Saran said the rice sector needs between $80 and $120 million in capital investment to hit
the big one-million-tonne milestone in milled-rice exports.
Chan Pich, general manager of rice miller and exporter Signatures of Asia Co Ltd, said
approval of the CRF‘s request would be a boon for the private sector‘s paddy purchase
target.
He said his company plans to buy 200,000 tonnes of the new fragrant variety of paddy
Sen Kra‘op during its harvest season, which begins next month.
―We would like a longer [repayment] period to make the best use of our loans. The time
is too tight, leaving us in a precarious position. Giving us as long as a year would be a
real blessing,‖ he said.
ARDB CEO Kao Thach could not be reached for comment on Thursday. However, the
CRF‘s Saran said ARDB had accepted the proposal and promised to forward it to the
government for review and approval.
In March, the ARDB released a $50 million fund to provide low-interest loans to
enterprises and entrepreneurs in the agricultural industry ranging between $10,000 and
$300,000.
The government in May decided to cut the annual interest rates from six to five per cent
for working capital and from 6.5 to 5.5 per cent for capital investment, without service
charges.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/crf-requests-year-long-loans-rice-
millers?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=e57fadd568d4b4703fcfdbf926d603cc51db3751-
1593781058-0-Aas6bagbzaj9abAAAwjHK_8mRHNKRztjIURiiBGfMa3X-
YW0yE6ywfhxJJZYEgyRMkMSagtJomagHjzms3yafAhqmk33We22B2U_gxHf2a-
LVtgbhumfXZ__Whe0TVbc-jtVAg-
YnDToef4j03gPEFJgchUWOOQn5W7pcCQLS5085o__oug2KwIEIi-W6_PPmM7-
QvjUYLqlFNF9yqYeSEg2bHHrMISQhNfvc-4EqXqZ0q9G3lKAkfgLE8n0aDmlY_R1-
gZw256dDKbYE757TI_YvMV16rzhv6g6wCIqAsMsyiPSzGa9JJnCiZTSIPrUVT8hOJw
-5s4v3CLS6dooq1Q

RPT-Asia Rice-Thai rates slip as demand drops, rains
hamper Vietnamese harvest
Shreyansi Singh
 JULY 3, 2020
(Repeats from Thursday July 2)
* Rains in Mekong Delta hamper Vietnamese harvest-trader
* India rates flat amid moderate demand, appreciating rupee
* Bangladesh could import rice as domestic prices soar
By Shreyansi Singh
BENGALURU, July 2 (Reuters) - Thai rice export prices fell to the lowest
in a month this week as demand sagged, while Vietnamese rates rose as
persistent rain continued to hamper the harvest.
Thailand‘s benchmark 5-percent broken rice prices RI-THBKN5-P1 slipped
to $480-$515 from $514-$520 last week.
Prices fell to the lowest level since late-May, with traders also attributing the
dip to a weaker baht.
―There is very little demand for Thai rice right now in the overseas market,‖
a Bangkok-based trader said.
However, Thai rates were still higher than those of competitors Vietnam and
India after a drought hammered production earlier this year.
―The supply concern will continue until new supply enters the market, most
likely early next month, until then our rice prices (will) remain higher than
our competitors,‖ another rice trader said.

In Vietnam, rates for 5% broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 rose to $415-$450 per
tonne on Thursday from last week‘s $405-$450 range.
The winter-spring rice prices were unchanged from last week at $450 per
tonne, while rates for the ongoing summer-autumn harvest rose to $415-
$420 per tonne, from $405-$410, traders said.
―Demand for Vietnamese rice remains weak, but prices of the summer-
autumn harvest have edged up because persistent rain in the Mekong Delta
has slowed down the harvest,‖ a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said,
adding rain is forecast to subside from mid-July which would lead to better
rice quality.
Prices for top exporter India‘s 5 percent broken parboiled variety RI-
INBKN5-P1 were unchanged at $373-$378 per tonne.
―Demand is moderate. We could not lower prices due to appreciating
rupee,‖ said an exporter based at Kakinada in southern state of Andhra
Pradesh.
The Indian rupee on Thursday hit a two-month high, trimming traders‘
margin from overseas sales.
Bangladesh could import rice to rein in soaring domestic prices, the
country‘s food minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar said, while the
government struggled to secure supplies locally.
―We will be compelled to import rice if the millers don‘t supply at the rate
fixed by the government,‖ he said.
The government is procuring rice at 36 taka ($0.43) a kg locally. (Reporting
by Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Khanh Vu in Hanoi
and Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok; editing by Arpbn Varghese and Jane
Merriman)
https://www.reuters.com/article/asia-rice/rpt-asia-rice-thai-rates-slip-as-demand-drops-
rains-hamper-vietnamese-harvest-idUSL4N2E92R1

Thai farmers are trying a new, climate-friendly way to grow rice
TOPICS:Rice FarmingSustainable Farming
Photo: PxFuel
JULY 2, 2020 0
A new initiative in central Thailand is getting farmers to help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from rice paddies—a significant source of methane—by changing the way they
farm. The new practices save water and money and make more efficient use of fertilizers
and herbicides.
By Skylar Lindsay
A new agricultural program in central Thailand is working with farmers to change the
way they grow rice, in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies while
saving water, time and money.
The program, backed by the Thai government and German development agency
GIZ, aims to get 100,000 households in the plains of Thailand to adopt a rice farming
method called alternate wetting and drying, in which paddies are only flooded
intermittently, rather than for most of the season.

Traditional lowland rice farming releases a significant amount of greenhouse gases, as
organic matter decomposes under the water of flooded paddies and emits methane.
Alternating between wetting and drying means the rice farms emit less methane and use
less water—water that would often be piped in using diesel-powered pumps. Though the
emissions from rice farming are dwarfed by those from fossil fuels or the livestock
industry, farmers who change their practices can still have an impact.
―Farmers are a small player, but we want to take part in the fight against climate
change,‖ said Sawanee Phorang, a farmer in Suphanburi taking part in the project.
According to the groups behind the new program, changes to farming practices could cut
methane emissions from rice paddies by up to 70%. GIZ estimates the project will cut
emissions by the equivalent of 1.73 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide over five
years.
After a successful pilot last year, the new program is rolling out across Chainat, Ang
Thong, Pathumthani, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya and Singburi provinces, with the help of the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
―In other commodities like cocoaand coffee, there is a more developed sustainability
standard,‖ said GIZ‘s Suriyan Vichitlekarn, a Bangkok-based agriculture and food
expert. ―For the rice sector, until about 10 years ago, there wasn‘t any clear standard.‖
While addressing methane emissions is an important step, sustainability standards for rice
would also have to address the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and the fact that
farming practices vary widely between lowland and upland Southeast Asia.
New rice farming practices make better use of water and reduce the need for
pesticides
The program, called Thai Rice NAMA (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action), also
includes water conservation and biodiversity initiatives as well as other tools for farmers.
One key piece is the introduction of laser land levelling, in which farmers use laser
measurements to make their rice paddies flatter. The process is normally expensive, but a
Thai state-owned bank has pledged to grant farmers interest-free loans for the program.
Level rice paddies are more efficient, allowing farmers to use far less water, fertilizer and
pesticides. This last benefit is especially important given the high levels of synthetic
pesticide and fertilizer use in Thailand.

Thailand backed down late last year from its attempt to ban pesticides that contain the
cancer-causing chemical glyphosate. Glyphosate is the main ingredient in the
controversial herbicide Roundup, once sold by Monsanto and now owned by Bayer.
The Thai government moved to ban the chemical because it endangers both farmers and
consumers, as the carcinogenic residue remains in fruits, vegetables and grains even as
they arrive at market.
But the campaign was met with strong opposition and intervention by the US
government, which promotes food policies primarily shaped by the lobbying and interests
of agrichemical firms.
Under the Thai government‘s ban, nearly 70% of US agricultural exports to Thailand
would no longer comply with the country‘s health requirements. The US government‘s
opposition to the chemical ban was driven largely by this potential loss of trade worth 51
billion baht (US$1.65 billion).
Reducing the need for pesticides, especially those that contain carcinogenic chemicals,
could prove crucial for Thai farmers and consumers. According to the Thai
government‘s Rice Department, the country has 3.7 million farming households,
cultivating 10 million hectares of rice paddies.
Program part of broader push for sustainable rice
The initiative is backed by a 530 million baht (US$17.1 million) budget as part of the
broader Asia-wide Sustainable Rice Landscapes Initiative, which aims to cut
greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation, restore degraded land and conserve
biodiversity. Backed by IRRI and UN Environment, it focuses on farming practices—like
new paddy management techniques—alongside government policy changes and private
sector incentives.
In Thailand, the program also promotes locally-tailored nutrient and pest management
practices. ―They allow the farmers to enjoy such benefits as higher crop yields and
reduced farming costs,‖ said Doojduan Sasanavin, Thailand‘s deputy permanent
secretary of the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, at the program‘s launch last
year.
Though the program asks farmers to change the way they‘ve grown rice for generations,
some are drawn to the benefits from alternate wetting and drying, as well as leveling.
―Although we have an adequate supply of water through the Chao Phraya River, we don‘t
have enough during the dry season so we need to take measures,‖ explained Winai
Jaengan, head of Phraojen village in Chainat.

Farmers use underground irrigation to make it through until the next rainy season. ―This
is costly for us because it needs more fuel to pump the water out. Additionally, the
farmers use small walking tractors which takes time and more cost to level the field,‖ he
added.
As the program‘s backers work to spread the climate-friendly practices beyond the initial
100,000 households, this efficiencyargument will likely prove crucial in scaling up their
impact.
https://www.aseantoday.com/2020/07/thai-farmers-are-trying-a-new-climate-friendly-
way-to-grow-rice/
Rice bowl of Sabah waterlogged
 NATION
 Thursday, 02 Jul 2020
Harvest destroyed: Makdin at his flooded padi field. — Bernama
KOTA BELUD: Kota Belud, the ―rice bowl‖ of Sabah, is looking at RM29mil in losses
after nearly 7,000ha of padi fields were severely damaged by floods that hit the district
following heavy rainfall.
Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area director Salmah Labulla said that
the estimated losses were calculated based on the potential yield, current market price and
the costs involved in cultivation.
―Based on aerial view, we found the entire area of about 7,000ha of padi fields have been
affected by the floods with losses estimated at RM29mil, ‖ she said.
On Saturday, heavy rainfall left 11 districts and 152 villages in Sabah flooded, including
Kota Belud, Tenom, Beaufort, Papar, Tuaran and Penampang.
Salmah said that almost half the padi fields in Kota Belud, which were about to be
harvested, were covered in mud.

She said that the 3,000 affected farmers would be given assistance of between RM800
and RM1,000 per hectare each, based on the age of their crops through the disaster relief
programme.
In the meantime, several measures must be implemented to prevent such problems from
recurring, Salmah said.
They include looking at the need for a dam to control water levels and deepening the
rivers in Kota Belud.
Farmers expressed their sadness at seeing the damage to their crop, which was mere days
away from being harvested.
Perin Rahil said that 2ha of his padi fields were damaged and his losses were estimated at
about RM11,000.
For Amran Sibin, assistance from the government was very much needed to ease his
burden.
Another farmer, Makdin Umpong, who was set to harvest his crop this week, was
saddened by the calamity but he accepted it as something that couldn‘t have been
predicted. — Bernama
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/07/02/rice-bowl-of-sabah-waterlogged
Drones and helicopters are battling India's fast-spreading
locust swarm
India is using a helicopter and 12 drones to spray insecticides to protect crops from a
swarm of locusts.

India
Explore the latest strategic trends, research and analysis
 India has been using drones and helicopters to spray insecticides, in a bid to
protect their crops from a swarm of locusts.
 The decision was made after swarms invaded Gurugram, a satellite city of the
capital New Delhi.
 Farmers have also been warned of a new wave of locusts coming across the Indian
Ocean from Somalia.
India have deployed a helicopter and a dozen drones spraying insecticide to stop desert
locusts that have spread to nine heartland states of the world‘s second-biggest producer of
rice and wheat.

A desert locust feeding on a plantation.
Image: REUTERS/Feisal Omar
The move came after swarms invaded Gurugram, a satellite city of the capital New Delhi,
during the weekend, prompting people to criticise authorities for not quickly containing
the outbreak.

The government has also placed an order for five new helicopter-mounted spray systems
from Britain to install in Indian Air Force helicopters, Agriculture & Farmers‘ Welfare
Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said.
India, battling its worst desert locust outbreak for decades, pressed into service 12 drones
to track the movement of locusts and spray insecticides on the swarms.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has amended rules to allow state government officials to
use drones at night, a step that experts have said may help neutralise the locusts.
The government had already been using specialist vehicles and fire engines for spraying
operations in at least nine densely populated states in the north, centre and west.

The locust infestation has not caused significant damage so far because it has fallen in the
lean season - the gap between the previous harvest and the next planting season. But
some farmers have complained about crop losses in a few districts of the desert state of
Rajasthan.
The federal government said it had provided financial assistance to the Rajasthan
government against the locusts.
It said representatives from India, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have had weekly talks
to try to stem locust swarms across the wider region.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization has warned of a new wave of locusts
coming across the Indian Ocean from Somalia just as farmers are planting an array of
summer crops.
Syrian government raises state-subsidized sugar, rice prices by more than double on
July 1
The Syrian‘ government‘s Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protectionissued a
decision on July 1, 2020, more than doubling the prices of sugar and rice, which have
respectively increased from 350 Syrian pounds per kilogram of sugar to 800 Syrian
pounds (approximately 0.32 dollars) and from 400 Syrian pounds for a kilogram of rice
to 900 Syrian pounds (approximately $ 0.36). These steep price rises were introduced
under the pretext of keeping pace with the Central Bank‘s new exchange rate for the US
dollar, which has been set at 1,250 Syrian pounds.
The corporation earlier announced rationing of foodstuffs, with each family to receive no
more than four kilograms of sugar and three kilograms of rice per month; these are
distributed via the electronic ‗smart cards‘ launched by the Syrian government, under the
pretext of enabling citizens to purchase sugar, rice, heating material and cooking fuel in
an organized and planned manner at state-subsidized prices
This rise comes while the average monthly income for a worker in Syria stands at 60,000
Syrian pounds (approximately US $19), with no corresponding increase in
salaries. These unprecedented rises in the prices of basic foodstuffs leads the Syrian

Network for Human Rights to believe there are causes for concern over possible
widespread and deliberately engineered famine and malnutrition among Syrians.
We emphasize that while the Syrian regime is increasing food prices and reducing
availability of foodstuffs for Syrian citizens in the areas under its control, it is still
spending millions of dollars every week on the expenses and salaries for its security
bodies, which continue to practice arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture
against citizens, along with additional expenditure, also totaling millions of dollars, on
the ongoing military build-up surrounding the governorate of Idlib.
In reality, the ruling regime will remain wholly indifferent to the suffering of the Syrian
people, even if obtaining staples such as rice and sugar become a dream for them. The
international community must act to reduce the duration of this suffering by taking
further effective political steps in order to help achieve an active political transition
implemented according to a strict timetable by all parties toward democracy and human
rights which can guarantee stability, the return of IDPs and refugees, and the relaunching
of the economy.
http://sn4hr.org/sites/news/2020/07/02/syrian-government-raises-state-subsidized-sugar-
rice-prices-double-july-
1/#:~:text=The%20Syrian'%20government's%20Ministry%20of,from%20400%20Syrian
%20pounds%20for
Despite COVID-19 outburst, agri sector expands by 2.67pc

-PR
July 01, 2020
LAHORE-Though the covid-19 pandemic struck a devastating blow to a low economic
base country like Pakistan, certain sectors here survived while giving hopes of recovery
to the national economy.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2019-20, there was no significant impact of
Covid-19 on the agriculture sector as the sector grew by 2.67 per cent.
Positive growth of 2.90 per cent in important crops was observed due to an increase in
production of wheat, rice, and maize at 2.45 per cent, 2.89 per cent, and 6.01 per cent,
respectively. Similarly, the increase has been witnessed in Fertilizer (5.81 per cent),
Leather products (4.96 per cent), Rubber products (4.31 per cent), Paper & Board (4.23
per cent) and Non-metallic mineral products (1.82 per cent). Besides these sectors, the
pharmaceuticals also remained functional during the pandemic and in fact registered
growth.
The PES 2019-20 disclosedthat the pace of contraction diminished in the pharmaceutical
sector as it registered 5.38 per cent decline during July to March in FY-2020 as compared
to 8.66 per cent decline in the corresponding period. Also, the pharmaceutical sector
recorded the highest sales in March while it fetched $1.3 million Foreign Direct
Investment in April 2020. Once the textile industry was leading exports of the country

but now the pharmaceutical sector has been identified as the sector that could enhance the
country‘s exports to boost the country‘s foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan‘s
pharmaceutical industry is an essential, high technology and a strategically important
industry and at the present growth rate the market size for pharmaceuticals will double in
the next 10 years in Pakistan.
But the impact of the pandemic will be severe in the coming months as the IMF has
revised down its world GDP projections and now expects a contraction of 4.9 per cent in
2020. ―Apart from the last three months, the next twelve months will also be very tough
for the Pakistan economy,‖ said Taha Khan Javed, Head of Equities at Al Meezan
Investment. The outlook for Pakistan GDP is also precarious with growth for next fiscal
year expected to be only 1-2 per cent, much below the normal growth 3-5 per cent we
have seen in the past, he added. He said that because of slowdown in economic activity
especially in the informal sector it is expected that millions of people will be
unemployed, while exports will also remain under pressure.
Yet, he added, few industries including the pharmaceuticals of the country can play a
vital role in their capacity to help the national economy. While suggesting a way forward
in this regard, Taha said that the pharmaceutical industry should ramp up their production
capacity.
RPT-Asia Rice-Thai rates slip as demand drops, rains
hamper Vietnamese harvest
7/2/2020
By Shreyansi Singh
BENGALURU, July 2 (Reuters) - Thai rice export prices fell to the lowest in a month
this week as demand sagged, while Vietnamese rates rose as persistent rain continued to
hamper the harvest.

Thailand's benchmark 5-percent broken rice prices <RI-THBKN5-P1> slipped to $480-
$515 from $514-$520 last week.
Prices fell to the lowest level since late-May, with traders also attributing the dip to a
weaker baht.
"There is very little demand for Thai rice right now in the overseas market," a Bangkok-
based trader said.
However, Thai rates were still higher than those of competitors Vietnam and India after a
drought hammered production earlier this year.
"The supply concern will continue until new supply enters the market, most likely early
next month, until then our rice prices (will) remain higher than our competitors,‖ another
rice trader said.
In Vietnam, rates for 5% broken rice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> rose to $415-$450 per tonne on
Thursday from last week's $405-$450 range.
The winter-spring rice prices were unchanged from last week at $450 per tonne, while
rates for the ongoing summer-autumn harvest rose to $415-$420 per tonne, from $405-
$410, traders said.
"Demand for Vietnamese rice remains weak, but prices of the summer-autumn harvest
have edged up because persistent rain in the Mekong Delta has slowed down the harvest,"
a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said, adding rain is forecast to subside from mid-July
which would lead to better rice quality.
Prices for top exporter India's 5 percent broken parboiled variety <RI-INBKN5-P1> were
unchanged at $373-$378 per tonne.
"Demand is moderate. We could not lower prices due to appreciating rupee," said an
exporter based at Kakinada in southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
The Indian rupee on Thursday hit a two-month high, trimming traders' margin from
overseas sales.
Bangladesh could import rice to rein in soaring domestic prices, the country's food
minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar said, while the government struggled to secure
supplies locally.
"We will be compelled to import rice if the millers don't supply at the rate fixed by the
government," he said.

The government is procuring rice at 36 taka ($0.43) a kg locally. (Reporting by Rajendra
Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Khanh Vu in Hanoi and Panu Wongcha-um in
Bangkok; editing by Arpbn Varghese and Jane Merriman)
https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/rpt-asia-rice-thai-rates-slip-as-demand-
drops-rains-hamper-vietnamese-harvest
RPT-Asia Rice-Thai rates slip as demand drops, rains hamper
Vietnamese harvest
7/2/2020
By Shreyansi Singh
hamper the harvest.
weaker baht.
based trader said.

rice trader said.
$410, traders said.
overseas sales.
supplies locally.
https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/rpt-asia-rice-thai-rates-slip-as-demand-

Virtual Rice Field Day today
Don Groth
Wed, 07/01/2020 - 12:02pm
CROWLEY
Normally, farmers from throughout the area are flocking to the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse
Caffey Rice Research Station today for the annual rice field day event.
Things are different under the ―new normal.‖
This year the field day activities will be held online only because of the challenges
caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The internet presentations by Rice Research Station faculty will be available for viewing
beginning today at www.LSUAgCenter.com/ricefieldday(link is external).
―This virtual field day will allow our scientists to make their presentations just like they
have in the past,‖ said Don Groth, station resident coordinator. ―We concluded this is the
best option to keep our stakeholders and the public informed of the work we are doing at
the Rice Research Station.‖
Groth cited several advantages. Viewers can watch the presentations later on YouTube,
and presenters will be able to include graphics in the talks that will add to the content.
The field tour will include talks on disease, insects, weeds, variety development, and an
update on hybrid breeding and agronomics. For the first time, the field day will include a
talk by Mark Shirley, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant crawfish specialist, who is
overseeing research at the station‘s South Farm.
Also, poster presentations will be available in PowerPoint.
The event will wrap up with talks by Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture;
Mike Salassi, AgCenter associate vice president for plant and animal sciences; Richard
Fontenot, chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board; and Mike Strain,
commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Groth said he is hopeful the 2021 field day can return to a live event.
https://www.stmarynow.com/lifestyle/invasive-apple-snails-threaten-rice-crawfish
Despite Going Virtual, Rice Well Represented in Louisiana
Farm Bureau Convention Elections
By Kane Webb
LAKE CHARLES, LA -- In a year of "firsts", here are a few more.

Last week would have marked the 98th Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
(LAFB) Meeting, but safety and health concerns and restrictions on gatherings as a result
of the pandemic, sent this usually crowded New Orleans event into cyberspace for the
first time.
Also, for the first time in more than three decades, the organization electeda new
president, behind Mr. Ronnie Anderson's retirement. Jim Harper, a rice, grain, and sugar
producer from Rapides Parish was elected as the 12th president of the storied
organization.
"I'm honored and humbled to begin this new chapter in Farm Bureau history," Harper
said. "For nearly a century, Farm Bureau has been there for Louisiana farmers and I only
hope to live up to that legacy in the next 100 years."
Harper had served as First Vice President of the Farm Bureau and served on various
committees within the organization. He also holds board positions in the American
Sugarcane League, The Central Rice Growers Association, and the Rapides Parish Soil
and Water District, where he is chair.
Evangeline rice and grain producer Richard Fontentot, was re-electedto his position as
3rd Vice President. Fontentot serves on several USA Rice Boards and committees, and is
also the chair for the Louisiana Rice Research

Board.
Fontenot said: "This year was different to say the least! COVID may have cancelled a
lot of things, but agriculture wasn't one of them. Adjusting to attending meetings virtually
has been tough, but we all still have jobs to do: protecting the interests of our agriculture
industries together as an organization, especially in times like this."
Due to the cancellation of the in-person meetings, the LAFB Commodity Groups were
not able to gather in New Orleans as they normally do, but Chairman Donald Berken of
Jeff Davis parish said, "the group will continue to keep our members informed on
important rice issues through email, calls, and virtual meetings, until we get the chance to
gather in-person again."

While "firsts" are often a great and notable thing, let's hope we look back on 2020 and the
many conventions, conferences, and meetings that COVID scuttled, preventing our
chances to gather together and connect in person, and say it was the "first and only!"
USA Rice Daily
Asia Rice-Thai rates slip as demand drops, rains hamper
Vietnamese harvest
7/2/2020
By Shreyansi Singh
hamper the harvest.
weaker baht.
based trader said.
rice trader said.

$410, traders said.
overseas sales.
supplies locally.
© Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Click For Restrictions -
http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/asia-rice-thai-rates-slip-as-demand-
Toxic hand sanitizers: Why you should check for 'methanol'
content in your hand rub
By FPJ Web Desk

Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred
vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system
or death.
Representational Image
What began as an infectious outbreak in China in December 2019, soon covered the
entire world. In the absence of any specific cure for the COVID19, methods like washing
hands frequently with soap and using hand sanitizers are recommended by WHO along
with social distancing.
However, the selectionof products that are both effective and safe for the skin is of the
utmost importance. Recently, the US Food and Drugs Administration warned consumers
about toxic hand sanitizers. FDA also came up with the list of 9 sanitizers and alerted
consumers for not using them.
These 9 sanitizers according to the FDA have "potential presence of methanol (wood
alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested."
Ishtiaq Baig appointed Chairman Pak-Morocco BC

KARACHI: Leading businessman, philanthropist and Hon. Consul General of Kingdom
of Morocco, Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, has been appointed Chairman Pak Morocco Business
Council of FPCCI. A letter in this regard has been issued by President FPCCI Anjum
Nisar. He had been appointed as Chairman Pak Morocco Business Council for the last
many years. Ishtiaq Baig is also the Chairman of Pak Morocco joint business council and
instrumental in enhancing bilateral trade between Morocco and Pakistan. He recently
took a delegation of 20 Pakistani leading businessmen to visit Morocco to explore export
opportunities. A biryani festival was recently organized in Morocco by him with the
collaboration of Embassy to promote the Pakistani rice; the event was a great success. He
is also the former Vice President of FPCCI. In recognition of his services to promote
bilateral trade and relations between the two countries, the government of Kingdom of
Morocco has conferred upon him the Moroccan Civil Award ‗Wissam Alawi‘.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/680814-ishtiaq-baig-appointed-chairman-pak-
morocco-bc
Fact Check: Did Budweiser employee urinate in beer tank
for 12 years?
By FPJ Web Desk
A section of Twitter also fell for it and rolled out some hilarious memes.

A news article by The Hans India has made it to the top Twitter trends for quoting a
satirical piece on beer brand Budweiser.
According to the report, an employee named Walter Powell (alias) revealed that he has
been peeing inside the beer tanks for the last 12 years.
It further mentioned that Powell worked Budweiser Brewery Experience (Fort Collins,
CO), and maintained that the production at other facilities remains untouched and free of
urine. "It is like a Russian roulette, sometimes when I am with my friends, and they ask
for Budweiser, I blush and say to myself, poor guys".
While the brewery hasn‘t clarified on their end, it can be assumed that the news is untrue
and is blown out of proportion since a website didn‘t bother to fact check.
In 1876, German-born Adolphus Busch and his friend Carl Conrad developed a
"Bohemian-style" lager (Budweiser), inspired after a trip to Bohemia and produced it in
their brewery in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the years, Budweiser has become one of the
largest-selling beers in the United States.
It is produced using barley malt, rice, water, hops and yeast. Malt gives colour and the
sugar that is needed for the beer to ferment. Yeast is a key in the flavour. The hops give
the beer spice, aroma and bitterness. Another ingredient is rice, helping Budweiser
achieve crispness in its flavour. Finally, there is the water, which is filteredto make sure
it's pure.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/fact-check-did-budweiser-employee-urinate-in-
beer-tank-for-12-years
Food and water security in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the world‘s largest producers of wheat, rice, livestock and a number of
other agricultural products. It is a food surplus country with stable food availability. Food
security is poor, however, as access to food is limited by poverty and high levels of
inflation. As a result, Pakistan has alarmingly high rates of malnutrition, particularly
among women and children. Nearly half of the children living in Pakistan experience
stunted growth and most of them suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Although the

Pakistani government has taken some steps to reduce food insecurity, such efforts are
subject to political whims, economic realities or, in some cases, prove simply ineffective.
Pakistan‘s water security is also under considerable pressure. Most water sources are
over-exploited, due to the increasing population, a large number of agricultural practices
and poor management. Pakistan‘s extensive irrigation system is also one of the least
efficient in the world and loses up to 60 percent of the water it transports. Climate change
is also predicted to put pressure on water supplies. Although it is not projected to reduce
inflow into water bodies, it is likely to increase variability, leading to more severe floods
and droughts. Water quality is also poor and water supplies are often tainted with faecal
contamination, pesticides or industrial runoff. As a result, water-borne illnesses are
common and a leading cause of death.
https://nation.com.pk/02-Jul-2020/food-and-water-security-in-pakistan
PARC chief inaugurates mechanical transplanting of rice
By News desk
July 1, 2020
Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Chairman PARC Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan inaugurated mechanical transplanting of
rice during his recent visit at Varpal Chatha District Gujranwala. The Chairman, PARC
observed the functioning of mechanical Rice transplanter and counted number of
seedlings/fingers cut of the seedlings mat.
On the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC discussed about the
medium used in plastic trays for raising of rice seedlings. He emphasized on the
improvement of composition of seedlings medium for providing good start to the rice
plant.
He advised to use peat and organic material like farm compost in trays for raising sturdy
seedlings. The Chairman also visited Galaxy Rice Mills and MESKAY & FEMTEE

warehouse of Kubota mechanical transplanter. He also observed the functioning of
Kubota machines and gave valuable suggestions for improvement of the technology.
https://pakobserver.net/parc-chief-inaugurates-mechanical-transplanting-of-rice/
Chineseagronomy expert dreams of return to
Pakistan
Carly Stevenson | June 30, 2020
Dai Yingnan (2nd from right) with local children sitting beside a paddy field. Photo:
Courtesy of Dai Yingnan
Four months after Dai Yingnan returned to China from Pakistan, he became so eager to
go back to the paddy fields in Pakistan. ―I cannot live this way anymore as I‗ve had no
field to plough since I came back to China,‖ he cried out loud in a short video posted on
his Douyin account, China‗s hit short video platform.
The post-1990s young man spends six to seven months a year in Pakistan to promote
hybrid rice. Due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, he has been ―stranded‖ in China since
the Spring Festival.
Dai uploaded some 500 short videos on his Douyin account and the most common scenes
are paddy fields, muddy feet and beaming local farmers sitting by paddy fields.
Feeding the world
―My job is to promote hybrid rice seeds to Pakistani farmers, and provide them follow-up
consultation and training services,‖ Dai told the Global Times, adding that hybrid rice
helps local farmers increase production 50 – 100 percent compared with traditional rice
varieties.
After his graduation from Hunan Agriculture University in 2017, Dai was recruited to
Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co with Yuan Longping, China‗s ―Father of
Hybrid Rice‖ serving as its honorary chairperson, and was later dispatched to Pakistan.
Dai Yingnan observes hybrid rice in a paddy field in Pakistan. Photo: Courtesy of Dai
Yingnan
After spending three years in Pakistan, Dai has travelled across the country, observing
test fields, introducing hybrid rice seeds to local farmers, and training them. ―We don‗t
have weekends, and I could spend days on the road visiting farmers one by one in various
counties,‖ said Dai. He often ate one meal a day.

His efforts paid off as farmers embraced planted hybrid rice seeing a better harvest. ―Four
months ago, it was a whole bunch of dry land here, now it has become an oasis,‖ Dai said
in a short video.
After introducing rice seeds, Dai and his team members would rent land to act as an
experimental field to collect data during the growth of hybrid rice under the local
environment, and train local farmers on how to do it. ―We would test hundreds and
thousands of varieties of hybrid rice every year and promote those with better
performance,‖ he said.
Local farmers were also employed to manage experimental fields. However, due to
different working cultures and language barriers, the experiment didn‗t go smoothly in
the beginning. ―Sometimes they forgot to irrigate or fertilize, and when we required them
to count the exact number of grains in a rice spike, they would give us an approximate
number instead,‖ he said.
―For farmers, it is important to buy good seeds,‖ Dai said.
In the beginning, most farmers hesitated to choose hybrid rice as its cost is 100 to 300
yuan ($14-43) higher than regular rice per mu. After getting to know the yield of hybrid
rice, they literally swarmed to the field to see the crop that would bring them more
money.
―After knowing the estimated yield of hybrid rice, they were so thrilled and started
dancing in the field,‖ Dai said on his social media.
When Pakistani farmers saw Dai‗s hybrid rice had such a high germination rate for the
first time, they cried out, ―Unbelievable! Chinese hybrid rice is really good, almost no
dead seeds. We all love China‗s hybrid rice.‖
After winning trust from local villagers, Dai and his team started to train them on how to
plant hybrid rice.
Dai told the Global Times that planting hybrid rice even changed Pakistani farmers‗
working manner and philosophy.
―Hybrid rice requires excessive attention to yield highly such as irrigating and fertilizing
on time, while most Pakistani farmers believe that a harvest depends on God‗s will. So
they sowed the seeds and prayed to God for a good harvest, which resulted in poor
management and low yield,‖ said Dai, adding that farmers didn‗t see any good harvest
that year.

―So, farmers gradually realized that their corn yield increases as long as they put effort
into it,‖ said Dai. They would treat us with their best tea after the harvest.
After hybrid rice becomes popular in Pakistan, farmers in more countries will love it.
Local farmers swarm to the paddy field in Pakistan, yearning to know more about
Chinese hybrid rice. Photo: Courtesy of Dai Yingnan
Indissoluble bond
Born in a village in Northeast China‗s Liaoning Province, Dai has built a tight bond with
paddy fields as he would work in them with his parents since he was a child, which made
him develop natural feelings towards farming life and empathy for the hardship of
farmers.
―Since I was a child, my father told me to study hard and never do farm work again,‖ he
said. However, he chose to learn agronomy at Hunan Agriculture University as few
students would compete for the major, which would allow him to attend the university.
The idea of becoming a farmer again after receiving an undergraduate degree bothered
him shortly after entering the university. A conversation with Yuan Longping in an
interview during his college studies dispersed his confusion. ―The esteemed man told me
that agriculture that sustains the life of the people is the foundation of a country, while it
is also a slow-growing industry that requires time and devotion,‖ said Dai. ―He
encouraged me to seek truth in the fields.‖
After the first novelty of life in a new country dissipated, and the hardship and boredom
of life in rural Pakistan became prominent, he also felt lost and confused when he stood
by the fields. ―I will spend my most precious 20 years here, which means all the benefit,
convenience, and life I could have enjoyed in China would be limited,‖ Dai told the
Global Times.
Dai Yingnan (R) poses for a group photo with a Pakistani farmer. Photo: Courtesy of Dai
Yingnan
―Now that I have spent three years in Pakistan, I realized that I am really doing a great
job which not only benefits myself, but also benefits the people of other countries,‖ he
said.
Dai never concealed his love and passion for the paddy fields and his job. ―I have spent
my most precious years in Pakistan, and sometimes I even forget my original aspiration
of planting rice here,‖ he wrote on his social media.

Dai is still single since he spends most of his time in a year abroad. His girlfriend broke
up with him because he chose Pakistan over her. In the following years, he had several
dates, and all of them fell through because he had to return to Pakistan.
―Now I am back in China but missing the happy days in Pakistan, getting up, eating a
meal and going to the paddy fields,‖ he said.
―If I were allowed to choose my path in life, I would choose the paddy fields once again,‖
said Dai.
Newspaper headline: Life away from the field
https://pinevillevoice.com/chinese-agronomy-expert-dreams-of-return-to-pakistan/
Playing And Planting: Nepal Celebrates Paddy Day
Tue 30th June 2020 | 08:21 PM

Splashing mud and drinking local rice beer, Nepali farmers this week celebrated
National Paddy Day to mark the beginning of the rice-planting season, despite some
coronavirus lockdown measures still inplace
Tokha, Nepal, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2020 ) :Splashing mud
and drinking local rice beer, Nepali farmers this week celebrated National Paddy Day to
mark the beginning of the rice-planting season, despite some coronavirus lockdown
measures still in place.
Traditional farming songs and laughter echoed in the air as farmers waded into
waterlogged fields to sow green paddy.
"It is an important day for us. Our family and friends all came together in the fields to
plant and have fun," farmer Ramesh Dongol, 35, told AFP.
Nepali farmers across the country mark the 15th of the Nepali month of Asar every year
with celebrations.
Standing on fields flooded by the onset of monsoon, the farmers dance and sling mud on
each other as they plant the seedlings.
Locals also feast on curd and beaten rice, traditionally eaten on the day.
A staple food, rice accounts for almost half of cereal production in Nepal.
The country produced over five million tonnes of paddy last year, according to the
agriculture ministry.
Government data shows that early 70 percent of Nepal's population depends directly on
agriculture, and the sector contributes to about a third of the country's GDP.
This year, lockdown measures against coronavirus have disrupted farm supplies, creating
shortages of seeds and fertilisers, prompting worries for the country's agricultural
production.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/playing-and-planting-nepal-celebrates-paddy-
961663.html
Keep rice market stable: Food Minister to mill owners

UNB News
 Dhaka
 Publish- July 01, 2020, 07:14 PM
 UNB NEWS - UNB NEWS
 354 Views
 Update- July 01, 2020, 08:47 PM
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday asked the mill owners to
keep the rice market stable.
Warning millers that the government will take tough action if there is any attempt to
destabilise the rice market, the minister reiterated that if necessary, rice will be imported.
He said that bumper crop of paddy has been harvested this boro season. So, there is no
reason for rice market destabilisation.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a meeting titled 'Discussion on
Stabilising Rice Prices in the Market' via video conference from his official
residence on Minto Road.
The meeting was also attended by the Divisional Commissioners of eight divisions, two
representatives each from the Divisional Rice Mill Owners Association, the Director
General of the Food Department, Regional Food Controllers, and senior officials of the
Ministry of Food and Food Department.

Addressing the rice mill owners present at the meeting, the food minister asked them to
keep rice market stable and to supply rice from government warehouses as per agreement
with the government.
―If you do not follow these, the overnment will be forced to import rice. But the
government does not want to import, if the government imports rice, the rice mills as well
as farmers will suffer loss.‖
The Director General of the Department of Food has already been instructed to mark
mills into A, B, C categories to identify mills which will come forward at this time. Then,
they will be evaluated as per the category, he added.
The Minister directed the Divisional Commissioners to take necessary steps to verify and
monitor the price of any paddy being sold from millgat
http://www.unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/keep-rice-market-stable-food-minister-to-
mill-owners/53950
Spurt in domestic, export demand pushes basmati price by
10% in a month
Demand shot up sharply since start of Unlock 1.0 as Stockists rushed to fill their
pipelines amid uncertainty in market operations over exploding number of Covid-
19 cases
Dilip Kumar Jha | Mumbai Last Updated at July 1, 2020 18:57 IST

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