11th february,2021 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter
1 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m
February 11 ,2021 Vol 2 Issue 13
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874

Editorial Board
Chief Editor
 Hamlik
Managing Editor
 Abdul Sattar Shah
 Rahmat Ullah
 Rozeen Shaukat
English Editor
 Maryam Editor
 Legal Advisor
 Advocate Zaheer Minhas
Editorial Associates
 Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid
 Javed Islam Agha
 Zahid Baig(Business Recorder)
 Dr.Akhtar Hussain
 Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui
 Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)
 Islam Akhtar Khan
Editorial Advisory Board
 Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim
Assistant Professor, Gomal
University DIK
 Dr.Hasina Gul
Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK
 Dr.Hidayat Ullah
Assistant Professor, University
of Swabi
 Dr.Abdul Basir
Assistant Professor, University of
Swabi
 Zahid Mehmood
PSO,NIFA Peshawar
 Falak Naz Shah
Head Food Science & Technology
ART, Peshawar
Rice News Headlines…
 Exports decline
 DA gives P42-M machinery to Agusan Norte
rice farmers
 Annual Arkansas Meeting Covers Rice Issues
from Local, State, and Federal Perspective
 IIT-BHU Researchers Invent Eco-Friendly
'Adsorbent' From Rice Husk That Can Help
Clean Ganga
 New variety of rice BRRI Dhan 100 to be
released soon
 DA gives P42-M machinery to Agusan Norte
rice farmers
 Rice Par-boilers in UER to receive improved
rice stoves
 Non-basmati rice exports doubled to Rs 22,856
cr during Apr-Dec 2020
 Nigeria rice farmers could face court over
unpaid loans

Exports decline
11 Feb 2021
EDITORIAL: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data for January 2021 indicates a 9.89 percent
fall in exports compared to December 2020 – from 2.366 billion dollars to 2.13 billion dollars –
with the trade deficit narrowing by 1.44 percent to 2.6 billion dollars in January against 2.639
billion dollars in December 2020. Total exports July-January 2020-21 were 14.2 billion dollars
while the comparable figures for the year before were 13.49 billion dollars with the deficit of
14.96 billion dollars in 2020-21 against 13.820 billion dollars in 2019-20.
Exports have risen as per government sources due to: (i) a rupee-dollar parity that made import
of raw materials financially viable again; however this raised imports – from 27.3 billion dollars
July-January 2019 to 29.2 billion dollars in the comparable period of 2020. In other words, while
exports rose by 8.1 percent during this period imports rose by 14.85 percent – a trend that is
projected to rise unless policies are revised; and (ii) the diversion of many orders from India
reeling under the onslaught of Covid-19 to Pakistan – a situation that Pakistani exporters have

taken advantage of but, at the same time, it is relevant to highlight the fact that several textile
exporters have complained recently that the gas load management plan would seriously impact
on their ability to meet orders.
This data indicates two rather disturbing elements. First and foremost, the upfront severe
contractionary policies implemented in compliance with terms of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) programme in 2019-20 (pre-Covid) - including a discount rate of 13.25 percent and
a tax target of 5.5 trillion rupees - reduced the current account deficit with its impact on imports
including raw material imports much greater than on fueling exports the rupee depreciation
notwithstanding at a great cost to the productive sectors. This resulted in a massive reduction in
demand for credit (the GDP was downgraded to 1.5 percent last year), a very high inflation rate
impacting negatively on the general public’s pocketbook (projected at 13 percent in the budget)
and last but not least a rise in the budget deficit with implications on the government borrowing
from the domestic market (domestic debt rose from 16.5 trillion rupees to 23 trillion rupees in
two years), internationally (total debt envisaged by the economic team pre-Covid-19 was 38.5
billion dollars in 39 months alone – a historic high). Business Recorder had repeatedly argued
that reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund should be more phased out to
minimize their significant negative fallout but to no avail.
Post-Covid-19 while governments around the world supported expansionary policies Pakistan’s
economic team leaders have managed a relaxation in their pre-Covid contractionary policies. The
prevalent 7 percent discount rate is about half the earlier 13.5 percent yet it is well above the
consumer price index of 5.7 percent and core inflation of 5.4 percent in January 2021 as per the
PBS (though the State Bank of Pakistan, to its credit, has announced low borrowing costs for
some productive sectors, particularly major exporters). Tax target at 4.9 trillion rupees
presupposes a rise of GDP well above the rate of 1 percent projected by the multilaterals and
even the 2 percent optimistic rate projected by the government.
Secondly, the current account deficit continues to register a positive trend this year and this is
attributed to a massive rise in remittances. Again research carried out by multilaterals as well as
the State Bank of Pakistan indicates that remittances are likely to decline in months and years to
come mainly due to global factors and therefore reliance on this item may decline.
Apart from the contractionary policies exports remain hostage to access to utilities and their
frequent rate rises that make our exports uncompetitive internationally. Foreign policy also plays
a role in exports and in this context it is relevant to note that our rice exports, previously the bulk
of basmati rice was exported to the Middle East, have declined by 38 percent in the current fiscal
year though the Chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan noted that “Chinese buying
of Pakistan’s non-basmati rice kept our exporters busy in September and December 2020.”
As the current account deficit has been contained the focus of the government must shift towards
growth in the economy for which it shall have to engage with the IMF for appropriate waivers as
well as a gas load management plan that does not seek to penalize the country’s productive

sectors. It is critical to remember that the trade deficit is not only a function of Covid-19 but of
monetary and fiscal policies as well as those being implemented in the power sector.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40062675/exports-decline
DA gives P42-M machinery to Agusan Norte rice farmers
By Alexander Lopez February 10, 2021, 7:18 pm
FARM MECHANIZATION. Thirteen four-wheel tractors, 11 hand tractors, 18 floating tillers,
and other types of production and harvest machinery worth PHP42.38 million are distributed by
the Department of Agriculture in Caraga and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development
and Mechanization to 15 rice-based farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Agusan del Norte
on Wednesday (Feb. 10, 2021) in Taguibo, Butuan City. DA-13 officials underscore the
importance of mechanization in cutting post-harvest losses and in increasing productivity. (Photo
courtesy of DA-13 Information Office)
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13) released on
Wednesday several farm equipment worth PHP42.3 million to various rice farmers’ cooperatives
and associations in Agusan del Norte.
DA-13 executive director Abel James Monteagudo and Postharvest Development and
Mechanization (PhilMech) director Baldwin Jallorina led the turnover of 13 four-wheel tractors,
11 hand tractors, 18 floating tillers, six rice-combine harvesters, two walk-behind transplanters,
three riding-type transplanters, and a precision seeder.
In his message, Monteagudo said the DA continues to deliver the appropriate agricultural
engineering technology to the rice farmers in Caraga.
“You are now receiving the fruit of the implementation of Rice Tariffication Law. The rice tariff
revenues are allocated to programs that will raise the productivity, profitability, and global
competitiveness of the rice farmers in Caraga Region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jallorina emphasized the importance of mechanization in rice farming, saying it will
"ease the drudgery in rice production," from land preparation to harvesting.
“We are encouraging our FCAs to make use of the interventions that they receive from the DA.
The recipients should ensure the safety of the equipment while in their custody and optimize its
utilization,” he added.
Among the beneficiaries was the group of Nicolas N. Licuna, president of Sayadion-Cuyago

Irrigators Association Inc., based in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.
Licuna's group received PHP4.9 million worth of farm equipment consisting of a four-wheel
tractor, three floating tillers, a riding-type rice transplanter, and a rice combine harvester.
“We are grateful for the support that we received from the government. This could reduce our
rice production cost and improve the quality of our produce. This will serve the 85 hectares of
rice area of our members, and we can also extend our services to the nearby barangays,” Licuna
said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1130288
Annual Arkansas Meeting Covers Rice Issues from Local,
State, and Federal Perspective
By Emily Woodall
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The Arkansas Rice Farmers and Arkansas Rice Council held their annual meeting
on Monday via virtual platform with more than 100 attendees.
A key rice producer
The first speaker, USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward, gave an update on the organization’s
activities throughout 2020 and policy priorities for 2021. Despite challenges and changes brought about
by the COVID-19 pandemic, USA Rice maintained a full schedule of advocacy for the U.S. industry, in
addition to conducting four successful international webinars and launching a new podcast, The Rice
Stuff, with episodes airing twice monthly. Ward also gave a snapshot of new high-ranking Biden
Administration officials in key agencies and reported on meetings her staff has had with the Biden
transition team and cabinet nominees.
Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward delivered a state briefing that included discussion of voluntary
smoke management, Arkansas’s CFAP activity to date, state irrigation projects, and an update on the
Abandoned Pesticide Program.
Providing an overview on national affairs and activities was U.S. Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member
Senator John Boozman who discussed trade, the Biden Administration’s focus on climate, and
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) III. Boozman reported that CFAP legislation was passed
last year and therefore those funds will be available to producers for that purpose and cannot be used for
other programs. Row crop producers will be eligible for $20 per acre payments; however, signups are on
hold until Tom Vilsack, Biden’s nominee for secretary of agriculture, is confirmed and sworn in.

Arkansas Senate Ag Committee Chair Ronald Caldwell and House Ag Committee Chair DeAnn Vaught
gave updates on pending state legislation. Vaught said the process of getting items on the legislative
agenda is slower this year due to COVID-19.
Finally, Arkansas Rice Council President Dow Brantley of England talked about the state checkoff
programs and the nearly $20,000 worth of scholarships distributed to Arkansas students made possible
through the sale of the Rice Council specialty license plates. He reported that the meeting’s presenting
sponsor, Greenway Equipment, was in its third year of a successful fundraising campaign to benefit the
Arkansas Foodbank, the Foodbank of NEA and the Southeast Missouri Foodbank.
USA Rice Daily

IIT-BHU Researchers Invent Eco-Friendly
'Adsorbent' From Rice Husk That Can Help Clean
Ganga
Improving water quality can reduce global water-borne diseases caused due to heavy metals is also a severe
problem worldwide.
 :FEBRUARY 10, 2021, 19:11 IST
Researchers at the School of Biochemical Engineering of IIT-BHU have synthesised an eco-friendly
'adsorbent' which can remove toxic heavy metal ions such as hexavalent chromium from waste water.
This is a new eco-friendly product has been synthesised from rice husk through several
modifications. The researchers claim that this eco-friendly and inexpensive adsorbent rice husk can
help clean the Ganga.
The adsorbent has been synthesised by Dr. Vishal Mishra and his PhD students Veer Singh and Jyoti
Singh, and has proved effective adsorption-cum-reduction of hexavalent chromium. This work has
also been published in the 'Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering'.
Dr. Mishra said that the hexavalent chromium is responsible for several types of health problems in
the human body like various types of cancers, kidney and liver failure. This adsorbent is effective in
removal of toxic metal ions from wastewater as compared to other conventional methods and, that
too, in less time.
Besides, this adsorbent can easily be separated from solution and can be used in the next adsorption
cycle. Regarding the socio-economic aspect of this research, Dr Mishra said, "The research is
focused on the cost-effective, eco-friendly method for removal of heavy metal ions from water. Rice
husk is easily available worldwide." Adsorbent is synthesised from the rice husk and its surface is
modified through iron doping.
"In developing countries, water-borne diseases are a major problem. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), each year, 3.4 million people, mostly children, die from water-related diseases.
Improving water quality can reduce global water-borne diseases caused due to heavy metals is also a
severe problem worldwide," he added.
A water resources ministry report says that about 239 million people across 153 districts in 21 states
drink water that contains unacceptably high levels of toxic metal ions.
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/iit-bhu-researchers-invents-eco-friendly-adsorbent-from-
rice-husk-that-can-help-clean-ganga-3415688.html

New variety of rice BRRI Dhan 100 to be released soon
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka | Published: 10:39, Feb 10,2021
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute is going to release a high-zinc fortified rice, BRRI Dhan 100,
which will fulfill nutritional and minerals demand of people.This particular rice variety will be
released formally as soon as possible during the Mujib year. The decision was taken at the 104th
meeting of the National Seed Board at the agriculture ministry conference room in Dhaka on
Tuesday, according to an official release.
The demand for zinc is very important. Because of deficiency of zinc-rich food many people
suffer from diarrhea and the BRRI invented the rice variety to meet the need of people.
BRRI Dhan-100, containing 25.70 milligram zinc in per kilogram rice, will be cultivated during
the boro season with maximum yield of 7.69 tonnes in per hectare breaking all the previous
records of the zinc fortified rice cultivated during the Aman season, said agriculture secretary M
Meshbahul Islam, also president of the National Seed Board.
The new zinc fortified variety will help to fulfill the zinc deficiency as most of the nutrition
include calorie, protein and minerals of the poor people comes from the rice, said the official
during the meeting.
According to nutritionists, common symptoms of the zinc deficiency is increased rates of
diarrhea. Zinc deficiency also effects the skin and gastrointestinal tract; brain and central nervous
system, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems.
Terming the zinc fortified rice variety as the reflection of our long-cherished expectation, the
BRRI scientists said the duration of the variety was 148 days and yield was more compared to
BRRI Dhan 29, adding that the variety was expected to be more popular among the farmers due
to its exorbitant production and nutritional quality.
Additional secretary Kamlaranjan Das, additional secretary and director general (seed) Balai
Krishna Hazra, BADC chairman M Sayedul Islam, BRRI DG M Shahjahan Kabir, and BJRI DG
ASM Anwarul Haque, among others, were present at the meeting.
https://www.newagebd.net/article/129764/new-variety-of-rice-brri-dhan-100-to-be-released-soon
DA gives P42-M machinery to Agusan Norte rice farmers
By Alexander Lopez February 10, 2021, 7:18 pm

FARM MECHANIZATION. Thirteen four-wheel tractors, 11 hand tractors, 18 floating tillers,
and other types of production and harvest machinery worth PHP42.38 million are distributed by
the Department of Agriculture in Caraga and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development
and Mechanization to 15 rice-based farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Agusan del Norte
on Wednesday (Feb. 10, 2021) in Taguibo, Butuan City. DA-13 officials underscore the
importance of mechanization in cutting post-harvest losses and in increasing productivity. (Photo
courtesy of DA-13 Information Office)
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13) released on
Wednesday several farm equipment worth PHP42.3 million to various rice farmers’ cooperatives
and associations in Agusan del Norte.
DA-13 executive director Abel James Monteagudo and Postharvest Development and
Mechanization (PhilMech) director Baldwin Jallorina led the turnover of 13 four-wheel tractors,
11 hand tractors, 18 floating tillers, six rice-combine harvesters, two walk-behind transplanters,
three riding-type transplanters, and a precision seeder.
In his message, Monteagudo said the DA continues to deliver the appropriate agricultural
engineering technology to the rice farmers in Caraga.
“You are now receiving the fruit of the implementation of Rice Tariffication Law. The rice tariff
revenues are allocated to programs that will raise the productivity, profitability, and global
competitiveness of the rice farmers in Caraga Region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jallorina emphasized the importance of mechanization in rice farming, saying it will
"ease the drudgery in rice production," from land preparation to harvesting.
“We are encouraging our FCAs to make use of the interventions that they receive from the DA.
The recipients should ensure the safety of the equipment while in their custody and optimize its
utilization,” he added.
Among the beneficiaries was the group of Nicolas N. Licuna, president of Sayadion-Cuyago
Irrigators Association Inc., based in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.
Licuna's group received PHP4.9 million worth of farm equipment consisting of a four-wheel
tractor, three floating tillers, a riding-type rice transplanter, and a rice combine harvester.
“We are grateful for the support that we received from the government. This could reduce our
rice production cost and improve the quality of our produce. This will serve the 85 hectares of
rice area of our members, and we can also extend our services to the nearby barangays,” Licuna
said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1130288+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

Rice Par-boilers in UER to receive improved rice stoves
By
Ghana News Agency
Feb 9, 2021
A Canadian non-governmental organization, SOCODEVI under its project dubbed
‘PROCED’, has procured over 500 rice parboiling stoves to be donated to women undertaking
rice processing in its project areas in the Upper East Region.
This comes after the organization partnered rice par-boilers in the region to form a Cooperative, to
roll out an improved, but simple and cost effective technology for rice par-boiling.
The cooperative dubbed “BBN Cooperative” is made up of about 1,409 women rice par-boilers
drawn from 59 Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) in three districts, Bolgatanga Municipality,
Bawku district and Navrongo districts (BBN) in the region.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Raphael Asuure, the Cooperative
Advisor for PROCED project, said the project since its launch, had built the capacity of the women
on simple technological ways to hygienically parboil rice.
He said the beneficiaries had in the pilot phase in December last year successfully produced some of
the improved parboiled rice after they were trained on how to process it.

“The end product comes out well and does not lose its nutritional value”, he added. He was
optimistic that the newly procured but yet to be distributed stoves, would help the women to process
paddy rice in larger quantities to satisfy the public and more specifically for those who have interest
in locally produced rice.
Mr Asuure said the Cooperatives generally contributed to the improvement of living standards of
women globally while providing essential infrastructure in areas that were being neglected by
governments and investor-driven enterprises.
He said the PROCED project, which was expected to last for five years would partner the BBN
Cooperative to focus its efforts on the sustainability of the economic operations of processing paddy
rice and packaging it to be marketed in all cities across Ghana.
The stove uses rice hull as fuel and it is noted to be faster and more efficient and hygienic than the
local stoves.
It is used by placing a pot of water on it to boil before rinsed paddy rice is then put into a perforated
metal basin and placed on top of the pot, well covered, to allow steam to parboil it.
https://newsghana.com.gh/rice-par-boilers-in-uer-to-receive-improved-rice-stoves/
India's Modi invites protesting farmers for talks on
farm bills
By Mayank Bhardwaj
FEBRUARY 10, 20216:09NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Wednesday invited protesting farmers for talks to address growers’ concerns about three new
agricultural laws that seek to deregulate the country’s vast farm sector.
Slideshow ( 2 images )
Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping out on main highways on the outskirts of New
Delhi for more than two months in a bid to force the government to withdraw the new laws they
say benefit private buyers at their expense.
Defending the laws passed by his government in September, Modi said: “The laws give farmers
the freedom to directly sell produce to buyers, unshackling them from the age-old restriction of
selling crops only through wholesale markets.”

The laws were designed to give an option to farmers, without weakening existing wholesale
markets, Modi told parliament. Lawmakers from the main opposition Congress party walked out
of parliament, expressing solidarity with the protesting farmers.
Protesting farmers accuse the government of introducing the laws to help large private retailers.
Growers say the laws will gradually make traditional wholesale markets irrelevant and farmers
will be left at the mercy of private buyers.
Modi said India’s agriculture sector needed investment to help modernise the food supply chain
and improve infrastructure, critical to raising farmers’ incomes, and India’s private sector should
not be viewed with suspicion.
“India’s private sector has played an important role in the nation’s welfare, and we need wealth
creators here,” he said.
Stressing the need to switch to profitable crops such as fruit and horticulture, Modi said Indian
farmers needed to look beyond growing rice and wheat.
After years of bountiful harvests, India struggles with bulging inventories of rice and wheat
worth billions of dollars that lie unsold in government warehouses.
Modi also asked protesters and their supporters to stop vandalising toll plazas and
telecommunication masts.
Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Catherine Evans and Alex Richardson
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-farms-protests-idUSKBN2AA1LH

Non-basmati rice exports doubled to Rs 22,856 cr during
Apr-Dec 2020
Exports of non-basmati rice more than doubled to Rs 22,856 crore during April-December 2020-21 as against
Rs 10,268 crore in the same period of the previous year, according to the commerce ministry.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/non-basmati-rice-exports-doubled-to-rs-22-
856-cr-during-apr-dec-2020-121021001426_1.html#:~:text=%C2%ABBack-
,Non%2Dbasmati%20rice%20exports%20doubled%20to%20Rs,cr%20during%20Apr%2DDec%202020
&text=Exports%20of%20non%2Dbasmati%20rice,according%20to%20the%20commere%20ministry.
Nigeria rice farmers could face court over unpaid
loans
Wed, February 10, 2021, 5:10 AM
Nigerian officials say they are planning to take thousands to court after more than a
million farmers were given cash and tools as part of scheme to boost local
production.
https://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-rice-farmers-could-face-131020770.html+&cd=

11th february,2021 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

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