17th october,2020 daily gloabl 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
October 17 ,2020 Vol 11 Issue 10
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…
 Pakistan to challenge India’s claim of GI tag to Basmati rice in EU, MPs told
 Fortifying cultured meat: Beta-carotene produced by cow muscle cells
 Despite parallels with golden rice, the researchers flag the potential for
different applications
 MSP, government procurement important part of country''s food security:
PM Modi
 Dong Thap inaugurates first advanced rice farming project
 2021 PLC & ARC Enrollment Open
 Only Sri Lanka state agencies to import basmati rice from Pakistan
 Fried Rice Dog Chain Replacing Shuttered Bergen County Doughnut Shop
 SATHOSA, LAK SATHOSA TO IMPORT BASMATI RICE
 Rice exporters slam abrupt freight rate hike
 Bumper Rice Crop in Iraqi Kurdistan
 Pakistan's Efforts To Capture Indian Basmati Market In Iran Might Backfire As
Tehran Runs Out Of US Dollars
 Modi’s Reforms Could Help Turn India Into Food-Export Powerhouse
 Sathosa, Lak Sathosa to import Basmati rice
 Crop Report: Bengal 2020-21 kharif rice crop seen up 4%, maize 23%
 Much needs to be done to reap the benefits of Cambodia-China Free Trade
Agreement
 13 killed, over 12,000 evacuated in Cambodia due to flash floods: spokesman
 Asia Rice-Vietnamese rates gain on hopes of deal with Philippines
 Undervalued rice imports cost gov’t P2.2-B in lost revenue – FFF
 Safeguard duty on rice, corn sought
 DA to ban cooperatives from importing rice
 Senate panel OKs reso on cash aid for rice farmers from excess tariffs
 Saline soil rice breed breaks yield record in E China
 Plant genetic engineering to fight 'hidden hunger'
 ‘Golden meat’: Scientists create healthier beef products enhanced with plant
nutrients
 Global Machinery PTE Limited Grows In Fiji
 India: Exports in Sept rise 6% as garments, drugs, rice improve performance
 Gov’t sets postaudit of all rice importers
 Agri chief Dar to bar farmer co-ops from importing rice amid ‘dummy-for-
traders’ issues
 Modulating pathogen functions control sheath blight disease: study
 China's achievement in poverty alleviation 'spectacular success': former U.S.
diplomat
 Echo from the past makes rice paddies a good home for wetland plants
 Dagupan City starting to welcome back visitors

News Detail…
Pakistan to challenge India‘s claim of GI tag to Basmati
rice in EU, MPs told
Imran Ali Kundi
October 17, 2020
ISLAMABAD-The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was informed on
Friday that Pakistan would challenge the India‘s claim of Geographical Indication
(GI) tag to Basmati rice in the European Union (EU). The Senate committee, which
met under the chair of Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, has discussed the application
to the EU by India for registration of GI tag of Basmati rice and the steps taken by the
government of Pakistan in this regard.

As per the Indian application, basmati is special long grain aromatic rice grown and
produced in a particular geographical region of the Indian sub-continent. India has
also referred other reports to show that the Basmati rice is of Indian origin without
mentioning that the same is produced in Pakistan.
The Committee was informed that Pakistan is producing high quality rice and exports
0.7 metric tonnes every year. Pakistan exports 50 percent of rice the EU. Advisor to
the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that
Pakistan‘s parliament has approved GI rules in last year, which was approved by India
few years back. He further said that Pakistan will vehemently oppose India‘s
application in the European Union and restrain India from obtaining exclusive GI tag
of basmati rice.
https://nation.com.pk/17-Oct-2020/pakistan-to-challenge-india-s-claim-of-gi-tag-to-basmati-rice-in-eu-
mps-told
Fortifying cultured meat: Beta-carotene produced by
cow muscle cells
Despite parallels with golden rice, the researchers flag
the potential for different applications
16 Oct 2020 --- Cow muscle cells can be engineered to produce
beta-carotene, which the human body can then usually convert
into vitamin A. This method, published in Metabolic
Engineering, shows how cell-cultured meat might be able to
surpass the nutritional profile of conventionally farmed meat.
Andrew Stout, lead author of the study and biomedical
engineering PhD student at Tufts University,
tells NutritionInsight that he expects other nutrients could also
be produced similarly.
―That is one of the things about this that I am the most excited
about. Putting plant genes into mammalian cells is pretty
untraveled scientific territory. There is a lot of space to explore
other nutrients, flavor compounds and color compounds, for example.‖

A double-duty effect
In this initial research stage, beta-carotene was used due to its role as an antioxidant.
―There is significant evidence for oxidative processes being involved in meat consumption‘s
connection to colorectal cancer. Therefore, the antioxidant nature of beta-carotene and the other
carotenoids made them promising candidates for this proof-of-concept.‖
Those same oxidative processes are major contributors to meat‘s quality degradation over time,
for example, off-flavors and color degradation. Therefore, beta-carotene offered a ―double-duty‖
effect.
As the scientists have not produced enough cells to eat, it is unknown whether the taste would be
altered. However, Stout flags that it is a possibility and notes that there is a color change in the
cells.
―They turn slightly yellow. They are usually white-ish and need to be colored anyway for a
cultured meat product.‖ Beef with beta-carotene would likely appeal to consumers who can pay
more for better-for-you offerings.
Slashing carcinogenicity
According to Stout, this engineering technique allows nutritional benefits to be imparted directly
onto a cultured meat product in a way that is likely infeasible through animal transgenics and
conventional meat production.
Rather than simply mimicking meat currently found in the grocery store, cell-cultured meat
products are capable of assuming different shapes, textures, nutritional profiles and bioactivities.
Another way this can be used is to reduce carcinogenicity. The researchers saw a reduction in
lipid oxidation levels when a small pellet of these cells was cooked while they were expressing
and producing beta-carotene.
―Because that lipid oxidation is one of the key mechanistic proposals for red and processed
meats‘ link to diseases such as colorectal cancer, I think that there is a pretty compelling
argument to be made that this could potentially reduce that risk,‖ says Stout.
Golden rice comparisons
The scientists used the same carotenoid pathway exploited in golden rice, prompting
comparisons between the two foodstuffs. Notably, issues ranging from farmer adoption to
successful vitamin A conversion have prevented golden rice‘s effective use.
While golden rice was an inspiration to Stout, he stresses that different motives and
considerations are at play.
One notable difference is that golden rice was developed to address vitamin A deficiency, which
is common in many regions facing poverty.
―This work isn‘t aimed at combating vitamin A deficiency, since – at least for the foreseeable
future – cultured meat (and indeed, often conventional meat) isn‘t an economical option for
people facing vitamin A deficiency,‖ adds Stout.
However, he hopes that the cost can ultimately be driven down so that the product can be widely
accessible.
Occupying a unique role
In Stout‘s opinion, the ―genius‖ of golden rice was its ability to fit into the staples of the diets of
people who faced the deficiency.
―This product wouldn‘t do that. Here, a comparison could be that this might fit into the diets of
those who face other diet-related diseases, particularly those associated with a lot of red meat
consumption like colorectal cancer.‖

Additionally, a large part of the problems that golden rice ran up against was asking growers to
substitute this new product for something they were already growing, selling and eating. From a
farmer‘s perspective, this was without much incentive to do so.
However, cultured meat is not something that people are already growing, selling and eating. In
contrast, it is an as-yet-unrealized product in development. However, commercialization of
several cultured meats is on the horizon as scientifically-backed start-ups around the
world continue R&D and work toward scaling up.
―Exploring ways to enhance it at this stage can go hand in hand with that development in a way
that‘s pretty different from the golden rice story,‖ says Stout.

There is also a difference in terms of consumers as cultured meat already asks for a behavior
change. ―It already has to do work to convince people to buy it and has a ‗neophobia‘ factor to
contend with.‖
Earlier this year, a survey revealed that 72 percent of Generation Z Australians viewed cultured
meat with disgust, although acceptance is flourishing in France and Germany.
Meanwhile, KFC‘s embracing of cultured meat was lauded as being ―very positive for consumer
acceptance.‖
Nonetheless, Stout anticipates that the portion of consumers who would be okay with cultured
meat but draw the line and cultured meat plus beta-carotene would be fairly low. ―Of course, it
could be different from a regulatory standpoint, but that‘s another story.‖

Issues ranging from farmer adoption to successful vitamin A conversion have prevented golden
rice‘s effective use.
Fatty pairings
Another issue with golden rice is in order to convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, it must be
metabolized, and blood serum levels of retinol need to increase. However, vitamin A is fat-
soluble, which is something that many vitamin A-deficient people lack.
While this new type of cultured meat does not aim to address deficiency, adding beta-carotene to
an animal product means it is more likely that there will be ample fat.
―Nutrients have different bioavailability in different food matrices. There‘s a lot of evidence of
nutrients having higher bioavailability when plant foods are eaten alongside higher-fat foods and
animal products. Therefore, engineered cultured meats could hold some interesting implications
for nutrient uptake,‖ says Stout.
Commercialization potential?
Stout explains that the commercialization of this specific technology is predicated on the
commercialization of cultured meat as a whole.
The next steps for that revolve around bringing down the cost of cell culture and bringing up the
achievable scale.
―There‘s some benefit that nutritionally-enhanced cultured meats could offer the field as a whole
in terms of increased product value and potentially offsetting cost disparity with conventional
meat.‖
David Kaplan, Stern Family Professor of Engineering at the Tufts University School of
Engineering and corresponding author of the study, adds that consumers may be more willing to
pay for a cultured meat product if it has added health benefits.
However, Stout acknowledges that many companies are focusing on matching conventional meat
before doing anything fancy with it.
―I like to say that if we view cultured meat as meat v2.0, then this would be meat v2.1,‖ he
concludes.
By Katherine Durrell
This feature is provided by FoodIngredientsFirst‘s sister website, NutritionInsight.
To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com
https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/fortifying-cultured-meat-beta-carotene-produced-by-
cow-muscle-cells.html
MSP, government procurement important part of country''s food
security: PM Modi
(Eds: Removing word in intro)
16 OCTOBER 2020 Last Updated at 3:17 PM | SOURCE: PTI
New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the government is
committed to procure agri crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP) as it is an important part of
the country''s food security.

Efforts are being made to improve mandi infrastructure so that MSP buying continues in a
scientific way, he said, adding that recent agri reforms reflect India''s commitment to global food
security.
"MSP and government procurement are an important part of the country''s food security. It is
important that it continues to function with better facilities and in a scientific way. We are
committed towards this," Modi said after releasing a commemorative coin of Rs 75
denomination on the 75th anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Noting that wholesale mandis or Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) have
their own identity and strength, Modi said these mandis were in place for years in the country
and their infrastructure is being improved.
He said about Rs 2,500 crore investment was made in the last six years to boost mandi
infrastructure. Even IT infrastructure is being built to connect mandis with electronic National
Agriculture Market (eNAM).
"The recent three big agri reforms are major steps towards expanding agriculture and increasing
farmers'' income," he said, adding that the reforms in the Essential Commodities (EC) Act will
make mandis more competitive, enhance farmers'' income and address the problem of food
wastage.
Further, Modi said that earlier farmers did not have access to mandis and were forced to sell their
produce to middlemen.
"Now, the market will reach the doors of small farmers and ensure higher prices. They (farmers)
will be free from middlemen and consumers will also benefit," he said.
The recent law on contract farming will also benefit farmers by protecting them from price
volatility as they can enter into a contract to sell their produce at a pre-determined price with
private entities prior to sowing. Farmers'' interests are protected if there is any breach of contract,
he added.
Lauding farmers'' initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic that has helped the country fight
malnutrition, Modi said farmers have broken the previous record in foodgrains production this
time. Similarly, the government has broken past records in procurement of wheat, rice and
pulses.
"Farmers, agri scientists, anganwadis'' asha workers have played an important role in our efforts
to address malnutrition. Even during the corona crisis, we are fighting malnutrition due to their
efforts," he said.
In the last seven to eight months, the government distributed free ration worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore
to 80 crore people although there is less discussion about it at the global level.
"Free ration given in India is higher than the population of Europe and the US," Modi said.
He also mentioned that the government has implemented ration card portability scheme ''One
Nation, One Ration Card'' in 28 states and union territories. Prior to 2014, the food law was
rolled out in only 11 states.
To address malnutrition, the government is promoting crops with high nutrition. Millets like ragi,
jowar, bajra are being promoted.
Modi, who released 17 new bio-fortified varieties of eight crops on the occasion of World Food
day on Friday, said these varieties are being made available to farmers across the country and
will help boost production of high-nutrition crops.
Prior to 2014, only one variety used to reach farmers but now 70 varieties are reaching farmers,
he said.

According to him the acceptance of India''s proposal by FAO to declare 2023 as International
Year of Millets will not only promote high-nutrition food and its availability but also benefit
rain-fed small farmers in the country.
The UN agency FAO has seen India''s fight against malnutrition closely. Earlier, efforts were
made in silos but now multidimensional approach is being adopted to address malnutrition issue
in India, he added.
Modi also recalled the contribution of Indian civil service officer Binay Ranjan Sen who started
the World Food Programme when he was Director General of FAO during 1956-1967 and that
programme has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2020.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Women and Child Development Smriti Irani,
Ministers of State for Agriculture and senior FAO officials were present in the virtual event. PTI
LUX MJH RAM DRR DRR DRR
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/msp-government-procurement-important-part-of-
countrys-food-security-pm-modi/1956532
Dong Thap inaugurates first advanced rice farming project
The Dong Thap province People‘s Committee has held a ceremony to celebrate the Mekong
Delta province‘s first advanced rice farming project that uses modern techniques in all
production stages and uses irrigation water efficiently.
VNA Friday, October 16, 2020 10:17
A drone is used to spray pesticides on a rice field under the province’s first advanced rice
farming project in Thap Muoi district. (Photo: VNA)
Dong Thap (VNA) - The Dong Thap province People‘s Committee has held a ceremony to
celebrate the Mekong Delta province‘s first advanced rice farming project that uses modern
techniques in all production stages and uses irrigation water efficiently.
The project is being implemented on 170ha by the My Dong 2 Commune Co-operative in Thap
Muoi district.
Under the project, participating farmers use machines and smart devices for all production stages
such as sowing seeds, fertilising, harvesting and post-harvest handling.
Participating farmers use slow-release fertiliser buried in soil as well as smart devices that use
alternate wet and dry irrigation methods to save water.
They are also using smart devices to monitor brown plant hoppers, which are the main pests on
rice fields.

The use of drones to spray pesticides helps farmers reduce the quantity of pesticide by 10 – 20
percent compared to traditional spraying methods.
Rice produced under the project has traceable origin and is guaranteed sales outlets under
farming contracts.
The production cost of rice planted under the project is about 4,266 VND a kilogramme, nearly
400 VND lower than the production cost under traditional methods.
The project is estimated to offer a profit of 15.8 million VND (680 USD) per hectare a crop, up
nearly 10 million VND (430 USD) compared to rice planted under traditional methods.
The project also creates conditions for farmers to exchange farming techniques, which reduces
pollution and pesticide residue in rice fields.
Nguyen Thanh Hung, Vice Chairman of the provincial People‘s Committee, said that advanced
techniques, modern machines and information technology, as well as linkages among farmers,
scientists and rice companies are also being applied.
The project has reduced production costs, improved production efficiency, and protected the
environment and farmers' health.
He said the province‘s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and local authorities

should expand the project to other localities.
The Mekong Delta province, one of the delta‘s largest rice producers, has more than 200,000ha
of land devoted to growing rice.
The province‘s farmers grow a total of more than 520,000ha of rice in three rice crops a year
with an annual paddy output of more than 3.3 million tonnes./.
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/dong-thap-inaugurates-first-advanced-rice-farming-project/188693.vnp
2021 PLC & ARC Enrollment Open
By Jamison Cruce
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened enrollment for the Price
Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs for crop year 2021 this
past Tuesday. Starting this year, farmers have the option to annually select which program to
enroll in on a crop-by-crop basis for PLC or ARC-County. Selecting ARC-Individual requires
the whole farm be enrolled in that program.
"Although commodity prices are starting to show a glimmer of improvement, recent depressed
prices and drops in revenue compounded by the effects of the pandemic have seriously impacted
the bottom line for most agricultural operations," said Richard Fordyce, Administrator of
USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). "Through safety-net programs like ARC and PLC, we can
help producers mitigate these financial stressors and keep the ag industry moving forward. Make
time over the next few months to evaluate your program elections and enroll for the 2021 crop
year."
According to USDA, if an election is not submitted
by the deadline of March 15, 2021, the election
defaults to the current election for crops on the farm
from the prior crop year."These farm safety net
programs are vital to the economic health of many
farms given the prolonged period of low rice prices,"
said Nicole Montna Van Vleck, California rice
farmer and USA Rice Farmers chair. "While we
don't want to rely on these programs, we're
appreciative for the support they provide when
needed."
USA Rice Daily
Depleting balance in rupee-rial account chokes export of
basmati rice, tea to Iran

Shobha Roy Kolkata | Updated on October 14, 2020 Published on October 14, 2020
Payments worth ₹2,000 cr to basmati rice exporters stuck, say industry insiders
Export of basmati rice and tea is likely to be severely impacted this year due to issues with Iran
which is one of the major importers of the two commodities. Delayed payments from Iran on the
back of the ―depleting balance‖ in the rupee-rial trade account is the problem.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/depleting-balance-in-rupee-rial-
account-chokes-export-of-basmati-rice-tea-to-iran/article32856455.ece
Only Sri Lanka state agencies to import basmati rice from
Pakistan
Tue, Oct 13, 2020, 08:20 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Oct 13, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has received cabinet nod to import
Basmati Rice under Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement.
Under the provisions of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement, 6000 metric tons of
Basmati rice can be imported annually and the private sector has also been given
permission to import Basmati Rice under this provision.
However, complaints have been received regarding various irregularities in the importation of
rice committed by importing rice which does not belong to the prescribed categories, according
to the government.
Considering these facts, the proposal made by the Minister of Trade to import rice under this
facility only by the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation and the CWE was approved
by the Cabinet of Ministers.
http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/528347027/s41GVYLXAdiRgvDE
Consumer support of farmers grows as a result of COVID-19
USDA has begun issuing payments for the 2019 crop year. Southern medium and long grain rice
farms should expect to begin to receive assistance next month.
For more information, click here.
Consumer support of farmers grows as a result of COVID-19
A recent Cargill study found a majority of consumers stand ready to rally around farmers in
support of their efforts to put food on tables around the globe. Consumer recognition for the
challenges and expectations farmers face grew amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as processing and
transportation bottlenecks, especially in the protein industry, stretched the global food supply. In
the latest Feed4Thought survey, Cargill found nearly one-third of consumers in the U.S., Brazil,
Vietnam, and Norway have a renewed appreciation for animal agriculture.

―When consumers experienced bare shelves at grocery stores, they were reminded of the critical
role livestock and aquaculture farmers play in global food security,‖ said David Webster,
president of Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health.
Cargill found 71 percent of consumers express concern about the pandemic‘s disruption of the
food system, and that two in three consumers acknowledge an increased pressure on animal
farmers to supply safe, affordable protein since COVID-19‘s onset.
These new challenges have not, however, deterred consumers‘ faith in farmers: an overwhelming
majority of consumers (84 percent) indicated they were generally confident in farmers to meet
demand and feed growing populations. More than half of consumers indicate they feel positively
toward/appreciative of farmers, with one-third saying that their perceptions have improved as
compared to pre-pandemic. This high confidence and increased appreciation toward farmers
suggest that COVID-19 may be acting as a catalyst in strengthening the relationship between
consumers and farmers.
With this also comes consumers‘ growing recognition of farmers‘ roles and responsibilities.
Beyond the critical role of feeding the world, consumers also see farmers as stewards of the
earth‘s natural resources (47 percent), animal care experts (42 percent), technologically savvy
(21 percent) and professional businesspeople (20 percent).
―On a day-to-day basis, farmers play multiple roles,‖ Webster said. ―They work to keep their
animals healthy and free of disease, protect the earth‘s resources and manage their operations
sustainably, provide employment and run a profitable business.‖
The study suggests respondents believe technology can help farmers address the challenges they
face. Of those surveyed, 29% would like to see farmers prioritize technology that improves
animal health and wellbeing, while 28% would like to see technology that improves overall food
safety.
Technology and innovation continue to help farmers overcome challenges.
 Real-time scans in poultry houses use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning,
giving farmers insights to maximize animal comfort, health and improved efficiency.
 Companies like Cainthus are investing in computer vision technology. When farmers have
access to real-time data, they can make more informed decisions that can improve nutrition,
enhance animal well-being and comfort, and ultimately increase milk component yields.
 The new, portable EWOS SalmoNIR technology from Cargill uses near-infrared spectroscopy
to provide salmon farmers with real-time data on fat content, pigment, omega-3 and other
important parameters, helping them make better, quicker farm management and nutrition
decisions.
The study also found that technology desired by consumers varies across markets. In Vietnam,
consumers reported the strongest technology requirement, with 36% of the respondents
expecting farmers to be tech-savvy. The U.S., too, may be showing increased connection
between farmers and technology, especially among younger generations who were more likely to
desire technology that improves animal health and well-being.
Nearly a quarter of younger Americans (Gen Z, ages 18-23) look to source their food from farms
using the latest technology, which is significantly higher than older cohorts, especially baby
boomers.
―Agriculture has always been a technology industry,‖ said Webster. ―But as consumer support of
farmers continues to grow, we see an opportunity to create a dialogue that provides greater

visibility into the innovative advancements we‘re seeing in agriculture today and highlighting the
important role technology will play in the future of our food.‖
https://www.agdaily.com/news/consumer-support-farmers-covid-19/
Fried Rice Dog Chain Replacing Shuttered Bergen County
Doughnut Shop
Cecilia Levine
10/13/2020 9:50 a.m.
ChungChun Rice Hot Dog Photo Credit: @fuwud_bae
A Korean fried rice dog restaurant is replacing a shuttered doughnut shop in Bergen County.
ChungChun Rice Dogs will be moving in to the Livingston Street space formerly occupied by
Honeybee Donuts in Norwood, BoozyBurbs reports.
Established in 2019, ChungChun specializes in a Korean rice dog -- similar to an American corn
dog. The difference is that ChungChun's spicy sausages are fried in a rice flour batter.
Customers have the option to get mozzarella cheese instead, of half cheese half hot dog.
The batter-dipped sticks are then coated with a variety of toppings such as crispy fried potatoes,
squid ink, ramen and more.
The restaurant has other locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Arcadia and more.
No word yet on an opening date.
ChungChun Rice Dogs, 450 Livingston St., Norwood
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/northernvalley/business/fried-rice-dog-chain-replacing-
shuttered-bergen-county-doughnut-shop/795917/
SATHOSA, LAK SATHOSA TO IMPORT BASMATI
RICE
LOCAL NEWS
The Government has decided to hand over the importation of Basmati rice to ‗Sathosa‘ and ‗Lak
Sathosa‘, Environment Minister Mahinda Amarawera said.
Responding to a question by a journalist at a press conference at his Ministry yesterday, he said
this decision was taken as there were irregularities in the previous method of importing Basmati
rice.
―The decision to import over 5,000 metric tons of Basmati rice was not new, as it has been done
every year. We don‘t produce Basmati rice variety in the country, except for a small quantity
cultivated by a few farmers. However, this rice variety is being used by tourist hotels and other
food processing institutes. To meet this demand, several importers were assigned to import the

necessary stocks previously, but irregularities such as obtaining commissions had been reported
by way of that process. Accordingly, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena presented a Cabinet
paper to hand over the importation of Basmati rice to ‗Sathosa‘ and ‗Lak Sathosa‘. It is a good
move. However, this message was not properly communicated to the public,‖ he explained.
He added that certain groups were criticising the progressive decisions of the incumbent
Government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also
giving false interpretations to them.
https://www.onlanka.com/news/sathosa-lak-sathosa-to-import-basmati-rice.html
Rice exporters slam abrupt freight rate hike
LAHORE: Rice exporters on Wednesday urged the government to operate low-cost shipping
service en-route to China, a major consumer of Pakistani rice, as high fright charges by private
companies made it challenging and costly for them to meet export orders this year.
Rice exporters have made deals with Chinese buyers on good rates, which need to be completed
during October to December.
―However, shipping companies suddenly increased container charges by almost three times,‖
said a spokesman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap).
Exporters demanded of the government to operate ships of Pakistan National Shipping
Corporation on China route as they face abnormally high freight rates and shortage of containers.
Amid some progress in rice export, traders said high cost of shipping consignments and non-
availability of containers are posing a serious challenge to the outbound shipments.
―Abrupt and steep rise in freight cost and non-availability of containers create an uncertain and
risky environment, which will make it hard for exporters to meet delivery commitments of
foreign buyers,‖ said the spokesman.
Rice exports grew 5.1 percent during the last fiscal year of 2019/20. About 4.2 million tons of
rice worth $2.2 billion was exported during the year, according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of
Statistics.
The country earned $791 million by exporting about 890,207 tons of basmati rice as against
exports of 659,571 tons valuing $635 million a year earlier. Besides, 3.3 million tons of non-
basmati rice worth $1.4 billion was also exported during the last fiscal year as against the exports
of 3.5 tons valuing $1.4 billion.
―Exporters will not be able to compete in international markets and as they are afraid of
cancellation of export orders, which ultimately result in loss of huge foreign exchange to our
country,‖ said the Reap spokesman.
The association asked the minister for maritime affairs in particular and government in general to
take notice and intervene in the matter and play their vital role for the relief of rice export sector,
which is the second largest source of foreign exchange earner.
The spokesperson said the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation should operate ships on
Chinese route to enable ―us to finalise shipments on time‖.

An upswing in rice exports have been seen in recent years due to multiple factors. And most
importantly, this trend is likely to continue in near future at least. Demand of Pakistani coarse
and fine rice varieties have particularly sown upward trend from regional countries like China,
Iran and Sri Lanka lately.
Sri Lanka‘s cabinet of ministers recently approved a proposal to import 6,000 tons of basmati
rice annually under the provision of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka free trade agreement.
Reap said the government should also explore other opportunities, including growth in demand
in Iran.
https://agriculture.einnews.com/article_detail/528443996/WnDqPav2AfvufCVc?n=2&code=Vu
ZLay2YinrVF2-
0&utm_source=NewsletterNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Basmati+Rice+News&
utm_content=article
Bumper Rice Crop in Iraqi Kurdistan
Date
10/15/2020 9:13:53 PM
(MENAFN - Iraq Business News) From Rudaw . Any opinions expressed are those of the
author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News .
Kurdistan Region rice farmers harvest bumper crop
Rice harvest season has begun in the Kurdistan Region, and farmers in Erbil's Harir sub-district
say there's been a boom in production this year."We're making a lot of profit," Mawlud Hassan, a
farmer in Harir said.
https://menafn.com/1100965681/Bumper-Rice-Crop-in-Iraqi-Kurdistan

Pakistan's Efforts To Capture Indian Basmati Market In
Iran Might Backfire As Tehran Runs Out Of US Dollars
byM R Subramani-Oct 16, 2020 07:56 PM
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Snapshot
 There is an issue with receipt of payments from Iran due to banking reasons.
Media reports said this is primarily because Central Bank of Iran is delaying allocation of the
currency in which Iranian traders buy basmati rice and tea.
Pakistan‘s battle against India has now extended to the basmati rice export market. But it could
land the former's exporters in a mess.
No doubt, India has put Islamabad on the backfoot by applying for Geographical Indications (GI)
tag in the European Union where Pakistan had been enjoying an edge till now.
https://swarajyamag.com/business/pakistans-efforts-to-capture-indian-basmati-market-in-iran-
might-backfire-as-tehran-runs-out-of-us-dollars

Modi‘s Reforms Could Help Turn India Into Food-Export
Powerhouse
October 16, 2020
Bloomberg
Of all the controversial reforms Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sprung on the market,
the recent laws to liberalize farm sales could turn out to be the most far-reaching.
In a fractious and unruly session last month, parliament passed three laws that some say could
pave the way for India to upend the global food trade, while others fear it will wreck the
livelihoods of millions of farmers. Within days, rural groups and opposition leaders launched
public protests.
The move toward a free market for farm sales goes to the heart of a system that directly affects
more than half of the nation‘s 1.37 billion people, altering government controls that millions of
families have come to rely on, but that have hobbled the nation‘s efforts to productively farm one
of the largest areas of fertile land on earth. If they succeed, India could not only feed itself, but
become a major food exporter.
―We need private sector investment in technology and infrastructure for Indian agriculture to
realize its full potential and compete better in the global marketplace,‖ said Siraj Chaudhry,
managing director and chief executive officer of agriculture services company National
Collateral Management Services Ltd. But the government must make its intent very clear to win
over skeptics. ―This is a major policy change that impacts a large and vulnerable section of the
population.‖
India processes less than 10% of its food production and loses about 900 billion rupees ($12.3
billion) a year due to wastage from inadequate cold storage, said Amitabh Kant, chief executive
officer at government think tank NITI Aayog.
Modi has a long resume of contentious policy steps, including a ban on high-value cash notes,
the biggest tax reform since independence in 1947 and the world‘s toughest coronavirus
lockdown rules. The latest seems mild by comparison: a set of amendments to laws that govern
the purchase, sale and storage of farm produce.
Yet eight opposition lawmakers were suspended for unruly behavior when the new bill was
passed and groups representing farmers and political parties organized demonstrations, sit-ins
and tractor rallies in grain-producing states such as Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
Shiromani Akali Dal, a long-term supporter of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which rarely
went against the decisions of Modi‘s coalition, quit the government. It said farmers fear the
measures will eventually kill the government‘s price support regime for crops and leave them at
the mercy of big corporations that would control the market.
Modi and his ministers say the concerns are baseless and the price guarantee program will
continue. His administration even raised some minimum prices for winter crops to try to reassure
farmers that the price supports aren‘t in jeopardy.
It‘s a highly emotive subject in India. The government sets price floors for more than two dozen
crops and buys mainly wheat and rice for its welfare programs together with some pulses and
oilseeds to prevent distress sales by farmers. The massive subsidies help distribute staples to the
poor through a chain of more than 500,000 fair-price shops.

The issue has become even more heated because of the pandemic. The disruption to farms and
supply chains has exposed weaknesses in the government welfare system, which is hampered by
bureaucracy, underfunding and archaic distribution facilities.
Farmers point out that, while the government‘s guaranteed prices are often considered
benchmarks, private buyers don‘t have to pay them.
―We are disappointed,‖ said Charanjeet Singh, who grows rice, wheat and vegetables on his farm
in the northern state of Haryana. ―The government should guarantee that all farmers, irrespective
of whether they are selling in the designated grain markets or to private buyers, will get at least
the minimum support price.‖
Contract Farming
Analysts and industry experts say the new policy has the potential to change the face of Indian
agriculture, which has been hampered by low yields and inefficient smallholdings, by
encouraging more contract farming. That‘s a system where private companies agree prices for
crops with farmers prior to the harvest or even before sowing, and offer loans, provide quality
seeds and encourage mechanization.
The new rules would also make it easier to sell crops in other states or abroad. Farmers would
get a more stable income and the increased production would boost exports and revenue, they
say.
―Overall, the reforms should benefit farmers and encourage contract farming,‖ analysts at
Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. said in a report. ―As private sector participation increases
over the years, the Indian agriculture sector‘s supply chain and infrastructure would improve.‖
Farming has lagged behind other sectors of India‘s economy. The rural poverty rate is about 25%
compared to 14% in urban areas, according to World Bank data. Underinvestment has made the
food supply vulnerable, a fact that is being underlined as the coronavirus spreads across the
country.
Food inflation accelerated 9.7% in September as COVID-19 hit the nation‘s already fragile
supply chains. While supporters of the farm reforms say the changes would make the system
more robust in future, others argue that the crisis reinforces the need for a safety net for farmers.
‘End of the Road’
―It will be the end of the road for the food security program,‖ said Kannaiyan Subramaniam,
general secretary of a farmers union in southern India, who grows gooseberries, potatoes and
other vegetables. ―In the long run, corporations will monopolize trade, production and stockpiles.
The government will succumb to pressure from the WTO and get rid of the public grain
procurement.‖
Before the new amendments, farmers in most states were restricted from selling their crops
outside government-facilitated wholesale markets and faced legal hurdles in transporting
harvests to other states.
Central to the reforms is an amendment to the Essential Commodities Act, a 1955 law that some
say is the root of India‘s agricultural inefficiency.
―It was an anti-farmer policy,‖ said Atul Chaturvedi, president of the Solvent Extractors‘
Association of India, which represents vegetable-oil processors. ―This one act stymied the
growth of Indian agriculture big time.‖
When prices rose due to demand, the law‘s price-control measures kicked in, discouraging
investment to increase production, said Chaturvedi, who is also executive chairman of Shree
Renuka Sugars Ltd. The government would also sometimes ban exports of some farm goods to

control local prices, as well as limiting the ability to store crops. Farmers suffered huge losses
when production, especially of perishable commodities, surged.
Some critics of the amendments to the law say the new situation could be worse for farmers.
Corporates and multinational companies buy agricultural products at a cheaper rate and sell at
higher prices, ―squeezing both ends by hoarding and black marketeering,‖ said the All India
Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, a farmers‘ pressure group. ―There is no penalty for
failure to honor contracts.‖
If the government can push through the reforms while retaining the support of farming
communities, it could create a platform for wide-scale improvements in the nation‘s food output,
The country is already the world‘s largest producer of milk and the second-biggest grower of
wheat, rice and some fruits and vegetables. It‘s also one of the biggest exporters of cotton, rice
and sugar.
If India can raise productivity to global norms, the country could become ―an important link in
global food supply chains,‖ NITI Aayog‘s Kant wrote in a newspaper article. The new reforms,
he said, set the stage for India to become ―a food-export powerhouse.‖
https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/32064-modis-reforms-could-help-turn-india-into-
food-export-powerhouse
Sathosa, Lak Sathosa to import Basmati rice
Friday, October 16, 2020 - 01:09
The Government has decided to hand over the importation of Basmati rice to ‗Sathosa‘ and ‗Lak
Sathosa‘, Environment Minister Mahinda Amarawera said.

Responding to a question by a journalist at a press conference at his Ministry yesterday, he said
this decision was taken as there were irregularities in the previous method of importing Basmati
rice.
―The decision to import over 5,000 metric tons of Basmati rice was not new, as it has been done
every year. We don‘t produce Basmati rice variety in the country, except for a small quantity
cultivated by a few farmers. However, this rice variety is being used by tourist hotels and other
food processing institutes. To meet this demand, several importers were assigned to import the
necessary stocks previously, but irregularities such as obtaining commissions had been reported
by way of that process. Accordingly, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena presented a Cabinet
paper to hand over the importation of Basmati rice to ‗Sathosa‘ and ‗Lak Sathosa‘. It is a good
move. However, this message was not properly communicated to the public,‖ he explained.
He added that certain groups were criticising the progressive decisions of the incumbent
Government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also
giving false interpretations to them.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2020/10/16/local/231620/sathosa-lak-sathosa-import-basmati-rice
Crop Report: Bengal 2020-21 kharif rice crop seen up 4%,
maize 23%
Thursday, Oct 15, 2020
–Bengal pegs '20-21 kharif rice crop 13.3 mln tn vs 12.8 mln yr ago
–Bengal pegs '20-21 kharif maize crop 350,000 tn vs 285,000 tn
–Bengal pegs '20-21 kharif food grain output 14.0 mln tn vs 13.3 mln
–Bengal pegs '20-21 kharif pulses output 155,000 tn vs 126,500 tn
By Sampad Nandy
NEW DELHI – West Bengal's rice output in the 2020-21 (Jul-Jun) kharif season is seen over 4%
higher on year at 13.3 mln tn, a senior official with the state's agriculture department said. Rice is
the largest crop in the grain basket of the state.
The estimated increase in output in the state during the season is primarily due to a rise in the
area under the staple foodgrain and ample rainfall during the Jun-Sep monsoon season. During
Jun-Sep, West Bengal recorded 1,463.5 mm rainfall, 4% above normal.
During the kharif season, overall acreage under paddy in the state was nearly 8% higher on year
at 4.3 mln ha.
The state has pegged maize output at 350,000 tn, 23% higher from the previous year. Maize
production is seen rising sharply this year due to an increase in acreage under the coarse grain in
the state. Acreage under maize was 51% higher on year at 65,000 ha.

Pulses output in the kharif season is expected to jump 23% on year to 155,000 tn, the official
said.
Total production of food grains has been pegged at 14.0 mln tn, 5% higher than last year, the
official said.
Jute production is seen at 7.70 mln bales, marginally lower than 7.71 mln bales pegged for last
year. The state is the largest producer of jute.
The following is the first advance estimate of output in West Bengal for the 2020-21 (Jul-Jun)
crop year, in tn, compared with year-ago figures, and year-on-year change:
Crops
2020-21
(1st estimate)
2019-20
(4th estimate)
YoY change
(in %)
Rice 13,325,000 12,796,000 4.1
Maize 350,000 285,000 22.8
Other cereals 10,950 9,800 11.7
Pulses 155,000 126,500 22.5
Total Food grain** 13,996,000 13,347,500 4.9
Jute* 7,700,000 7,706,000 (-)0.1
**Total food grains may not match as some minor crops have not been included.
* Jute output measured in bales (1 bale = 180 kg)
End
Edited by Ramya J.S. D'Rozario
Cogencis Tel +91 (11) 4220-1000
Send comments to feedback@cogencis.com
http://www.cogencis.com/newssection/crop-report-bengal-2020-21-kharif-rice-crop-seen-up-4-
maize-23/#:~:te
Much needs to be done to reap the benefits of Cambodia-
China Free Trade Agreement
Ek Tha /
Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (3rd L) meets with Cambodian
Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong (3rd R) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Oct. 11,
2020. (Xinhua/Mao Pengfei)

Both governments and their peoples see the new Cambodia-China trade deal as a golden
opportunity and the need to make the most out of it. We can be sure the world is watching how
two of Asia‘s closest allies will translate the deal into actual implementation for mutual interest.
Each country sees the other as a good complement to their own: Cambodia has investment
potential, thanks to the country‘s agricultural crops with vast arable land and young labour force.
China has finance, technical expertise, and a large market. However, one must bear in mind that
this trade deal would have not come about without the ironclad ties forged since the Cold War.
It also reaffirms the two nation‘s joint commitment to put diplomatic ties in place since 1958.
They reached a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2010 and nine years later inked a 2019-
2023 action plan to build the two-country‘s shared future. Their ties cover a number of measures
in the areas of economy, people-to-people relations, politics, security and mutual cooperation.
The new deal is another plus to the existing legal framework of the ASEAN-China Free Trade
Area (ACFTA) established in 2010, which paved the way for the export of thousands of different
goods to China.
The world is watching us. Some wrongly interpret that, with the CCFTA, Cambodia has put
aside its valuable ties with the EU, US and instead embraced China. But, Cambodia has made it
clear: She wants to make friends with all for mutual interests based on equal treatment and
respect for each other‘s independence and sovereignty.
Despite the world still facing COVID-19, which has killed more than 1 million out of more than
38 million confirmed cases, storm clouds have also covered the skies of these two Asian nations,
nothing prevented them from reaching this golden deal as part of China Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI) launched in 2010 by China‘s President Xi Jinping.
PM Hun Sen instructed his officials to arrange quickly the signing ceremony through video
conferencing, ahead of the arrival of China‘s foreign minister Wang Yi, so that both commerce
ministers can see each other as he and Wang Yi witnessed the signing.
The deal, inked on 12th October 2020, sends a powerful message to Cambodia‘s friends that she
has gained entry into a strong Chinese market of more than 1.3 billion consumers. Two-way
trade value was $8 billion in 2019 from more than $7 billion in 2018, thanks to ACFTA, and
with the new trade deal, there are hopes exports to China will increase by as much as 25 per cent
a year, and reach $10 billion by 2023.
Cambodia‘s Industrial Development Policy (2015–2025) has been put in place to address the
coming challenges, promote productivity and find markets for its products, such as rice, sugar,
rubber, black pepper and fresh-water fish to livestock, and others. Cambodia has 6 million tonnes
in rice paddy a year in surplus from domestic consumption.
It is a great opportunity for the nation. Cambodia needs to work as clusters when it comes to
such commodities. She needs more silos and better equipped rice mills for rice processing,
packaging, as well as logistics, and so forth.
Foreign investors must join hands with Cambodia to translate this opportunity into reality for
mutual benefit by technology and knowledge transfer when implementing the deal. This will
help Cambodia. With China‘s new assistance package of $141 million to improve our
productivity, value-added products, business efficiency and other factors, Cambodia can only
gain.
Nearly 48,000 registered companies and enterprises, local and foreign in Cambodia, must be
ready to take advantage of the trade deal to be implemented by 2021.

The government has taken measures to provide loans and support with technical and legal
assistance for local companies, Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), so that they can take
advantage of exporting 340 items to China, of which 95 per cent are now tariff-exempt. The
remaining 5 per cent will be exempted over the next five to ten years.
Cambodia has allocated $500 million in loans, including $300 million for financing support and
$200 million will go to credit guarantee projects. So far this year, Cambodia has exported more
than 300,000 tonnes of milled rice to China, less than its target of 400,000 tonnes.
Among those 8,547 tariff lines of China, there are only 181 lines not included in tariff
elimination and reduction schedules. They need to work closely to promote these products too,
after the deal takes effect. We have the opportunity, now let us have the will.
Ek Tha is a Standing-Vice Chairman of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit, spokesman of
the Council of Ministers, advisor to the Ministry of Information.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50773839/much-needs-to-be-done-to-reap-the-benefits-of-
cambodia-china-free-trade-agreement/
13 killed, over 12,000 evacuated in Cambodia due to flash
floods: spokesman
Source: Xinhua Published: 2020/10/16 8:53:58
1

People walk through a flooded street in Dangkor district in the Southwestern suburb of Phnom
Penh, Cambodia on Oct. 15, 2020. Thirteen people have been killed and 12,376 others evacuated
in Cambodia after a tropical storm-triggered rains caused flash floods in 19 of the kingdom's 25
cities and provinces, a spokesman said on Thursday.Photo:Xinhua
Thirteen people have been killed and 12,376 others evacuated in Cambodia after tropical storm-
triggered rains caused floods in 19 of the kingdom's 25 cities and provinces, a spokesman said on
Thursday.
Seak Vichet, a spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), said
that since the beginning of the month, 193,268 people have been affected by the floods, and
12,376 others have been evacuated to safer ground.
"The floods have killed 13 people so far, including five children," he told Xinhua, adding that the
worst-hit provinces included northwestern Battambang, Pursat, and Banteay Meanchey as well
as southern Kandal.
The floods have also inundated 47,923 houses and 186,689 hectares of rice and other crops, he
said, adding that so far, 12,958 hectares of the affected rice and other crops have been destroyed.
People walk through a flooded street in Dangkor district in the Southwestern suburb of Phnom
Penh, Cambodia on Oct. 15, 2020. Thirteen people have been killed and 12,376 others evacuated
in Cambodia after a tropical storm-triggered rains caused flash floods in 19 of the kingdom's 25
cities and provinces, a spokesman said on Thursday.Photo:Xinhua

Transportation has also been disrupted, as several major roads in the worst-hit provinces have
been closed to avoid damaging their surfaces.
Water Resources and Meteorology Minister Lim Keanhor said on Thursday that further rain,
wind, and high waves are forecast from Oct. 17 to 19 because the kingdom is suffering from the
impact of tropical storm Saudel, which could lead to further flooding.
"People living in plains, along waterways and near mountains, fishermen and sea travelers
should be extra-vigilant to avoid any possible dangers," he said in a press release.
Floods usually hit Cambodia between August and October. Last year, Mekong River and flash
floods claimed 30 lives, as storms killed eight people and injured 131 others, according to the
NCDM.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1203674.shtml
Asia Rice-Vietnamese rates gain on hopes of deal with
Philippines
OCTOBER 15, 20205:36By Sumita Layek
* Thai rice quoted at $445-$480/tonne vs $470-$475 last week
* Philippines to buy 300,000 tonne of Vietnamese rice- trader
* Rains to delay harvesting, lower output in India- exporter
* Heavy rains damage ripening rice paddy in Bangladesh
Oct 15 (Reuters) - Vietnamese rice export prices rose this week on prospects of a new order from
the Philippines, while weaker demand pushed down rates of the Thai variety for a seventh
straight week.
Vietnam's 5% broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 prices rose to $485-$490 per tonne versus last week's
$470.
―Domestic rice prices have risen recently as traders are buying in anticipation of a move by the
Philippines government to buy 300,000 tonnes soon,‖ a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said.
However, weaker demand kept trading relatively muted this week, another trader said.
The country‘s rice exports in September fell 36.4% from the previous month to 385,429 tonnes,
government data showed. For the January-September period, it fell 1.4% year-on-year to 4.99
million tonnes.
Thailand's benchmark 5% broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 prices fell for a seventh straight week to
$445-$480 a tonne from $470-$475 last week.
Traders in Bangkok attributed the decline mainly to a sustained period of low demand, while
they expected new supply towards the end of the month to further weigh on the market.
Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety RI-INBKN5-P1 rates remained unchanged at
$376-$382 per tonne, even as heavy rainfall in southern states hit the paddy crop primed for
harvest.
―In many coastal districts, paddy crop has been damaged. This is set to delay harvesting by a few
weeks and could lower production as well,‖ said an exporter based in Kakinada in the southern
state of Andhra Pradesh.

Heavy rains also damaged paddy in neighboring Bangladesh, agriculture officials said, adding it
was a little early to know the exact extent of crop losses in the country, where prices of the staple
grain keep rising.
While market insiders have said the government needs to start importing rice without any delay,
a decision on that was still pending, according to food ministry officials.
Reporting by Sumita Layek in Bengaluru, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai,
Ruma Paul in Dhaka, and Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok; Editing by Arpan Varghese and
Amy Caren Daniel
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/asia-rice/asia-rice-vietnamese-rates-gain-on-hopes-of-deal-with-
philippines-idINL4N2H62YQ
Undervalued rice imports cost gov’t P2.2-B in lost revenue –
FFF
THE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) said the
government lost P2.2 billion worth of tariffs due to
undervalued rice imports.
In a statement Friday, FFF National Manager Raul
Q. Montemayor said a recent analysis of import data
from the Bureau of Customs (BoC) indicates that
1.75 million tons of rice amounting to P34 billion
were imported between January and August.
FFF said 81% of those imports had declared values
that were lower than the BoC‘s reference prices and standard rates for shipping and insurance,
resulting in P2.2 billion in unpaid tariffs.
―Imports were undervalued by only 17% on the average in 2019. But in just the first eight
months of 2020, estimated tariff losses already exceed the calculated under collection for the
whole of 2019. About 32% of imports in 2020 were undervalued by 20% or more, compared to
only 7% in 2019,‖ Mr. Montemayor said.
Tariffs are charged on the free-on-board or point of origin prices of imports in addition to freight
and insurance costs.
The FFF said declared import costs for 2020 amounted to P18.28 per kilogram, lower than
P22.75 per kilogram if BoC and standard rates were implemented.
―Because of the lower cost declarations, importers were able to reduce their tariff payments by
20% on the average,‖ Mr. Montemayor said.
Mr. Montemayor claimed that around 6% of imports in 2020 did not specify complete data on
the quality and grade of rice imports, which made it difficult to check the declared values against
BoC reference rates.
―In other cases, the BoC itself did not have reference prices for particular grades of rice coming
from certain countries. In 2019, only 5% of imports had missing information,‖ Mr. Montemayor
said.
FFF added that the BoC was unable to improve its classification system for rice imports amid
inconsistencies in its handling of shipments.

The FFF said that in 2020, eight different tariff lines were used for rice shipments with content of
5% brokens, which made up 74% of total volumes imported.
―As in 2019, a large volume of rice imports in 2020 continued to be categorized under tariff
headings normally applied to broken rice used for animal feed. The BoC has yet to convene a
working group to determine the proper tariff codes for different rice grades, despite an agreement
to do so during a virtual dialogue with the FFF in early July this year,‖ Mr. Montemayor said.
Meanwhile, the FFF urged the BoC to better manage the undervaluation of imports and other
errors in processing rice imports.
―We appreciate the BoC‘s reported efforts to retrieve uncollected tariffs and penalize importers
who habitually tried to undervalue their imports in 2019. However, these initiatives will not be
meaningful if undervaluation goes on unabated and actually intensifies in the meantime,‖ Mr.
Montemayor said.
―This will also deprive farmers of much-needed funding for support measures that will help them
adjust to cheap imports,‖ he added.
Asked to comment, Vincent Philip C. Maronilla, the BoC assistant commissioner heading the
Post Clearance Audit Group and bureau spokesman said the agency is looking into the
undervaluation of rice imports.
―The Post Clearance Audit Group has also recommended certain importers of rice to be
subjected to post clearance audit covering year 2020,‖ Mr. Maronilla said in a mobile phone
message.
With the passage of Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law that permitted the
unrestricted entry of rice imports if they pay tariffs, an annual budget of P10 billion was
allocated yearly for six years that will be used to increase the competitiveness of rice farmers.
In addition, tariff collections in excess of P10 billion each year can be allocated to other support
measures to help farmers adjust to the effects of rice imports. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/money/business/undervalued-rice-imports-cost-govt-p22-b-in-lost-
revenue-%E2%80%93-fff/ar-BB1a5vK5
Safeguard duty on rice, corn sought
October 16, 2020, 5:00 AM
by Madelaine B. Miraflor
As palay prices continue to go down and the alleged entry of tons of smuggled corn began
eating up a portion of the domestic demand, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food
Inc. (PCAFI) asked the Philippine government to immediately implement safeguard
measures for the producers of the country‘s two main staple foods.
In a statement, PCAFI President Danilo V. Fausto said he has been seeking an audience
from the Department of Agriculture (DA) regarding the plight of farmers.
He said the DA should at least consider implementing a tariff increase on imported farm
commodities, mainly rice, so as to support local farmers.

For corn, DA should ―at least‖ prohibit imported corn to coincide with the harvest, he
added.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that palay prices fell to as low
as P12 per kilogram (/kg) in some areas in the country during the third week of September,
which means some farmers barely made money during this harvest season.
This, since in order to produce a kilo of rice in the Philippines, Filipino rice farmers have to
spend P12.72, which is higher compared to the production cost of farmers in Vietnam and
Thailand at P6.22/kg and P8.86/kg, respectively.
Under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which allowed unlimited rice importation in the
country, in order to protect the Philippine rice industry from sudden or extreme price
fluctuations, a special safeguard duty on rice shall be imposed in accordance with Safeguard
Measures Act.
This means that when the prices of local palay are low, the government could increase the
tariff imposed on imported rice to discourage traders from purchasing more cheaper
imported rice.
Meanwhile, for corn, there has been an alleged smuggling issue involving thousands of
metric tons of the staple that are scheduled to enter the Philippines, which Philippine Maize
Federation Inc. (PMFI) already raised to the DA.
PMFI President Roger Navarro, who is also a PCAFI member, said corn shipments are
expected to arrive in the country soon but Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director George
Y. Culaste has denied this claim, saying that no permit has been issued for incoming corn
importations.
―This leads us to assume that this coming corn is smuggled,‖ Navarro said.
Expected to arrive soon are the following corn shipments: 6,000 metric tons (MT) for
General Santos arrival; 20,000 MT, Cagayan de Oro; 50,000 MT, Bicol; and 30,000 MT,
Iloilo.
―We reported this to DA Secretary [William] Dar, and we are awaiting his action. These
corn shipments will strike the fatal blow to the corn farmers who painstakingly harvested a
huge 3.5 million tons, wet season crop,‖ Navarro said.
Navarro said he fears that DA‘s inaction on the plummeting corn price forebodes a collapse
of the
sector.
Worst, he said, the DA appears to be attempting to hide the problem of farmers experiencing
low corn price.
―To my mind, this is not a good indication. [DA‘s trying to cover up the truth] tries to tell
the people to keep quiet as it intentionally tries to hide the problem and the reality,‖ said

Navarro.
―We cannot hide the truth that we have a problem in agriculture. In effect, DA is building a
high wall. But the crack on the wall runs down that it may suddenly collapse—shattered and
badly broken. I don‘t want to see that happen,‖ he added.
On Thursday, Rodolfo Pancrudo, a corn farmer, asked the government to help poorer corn
farmers who are being ―killed‖ by illegal smugglers and importers.
Pancrudo owns Pancrudo Farm in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and is a former vice president
of banana-exporting multinational Unifrutti.
Smuggling, according to him, may be the ultimate plight of farmers since they do not enjoy
corn support price anymore, something that National Food Authority (NFA) implements
prior to the implementation of RTL, which stripped the state-run grains agency‘s regulatory
power.
Pancrudo also asked the government to provide farmers with mechanical dryers and storage
facilities because this should enable them to hold their sale of corn and wait until prices
become more profitable.
―Traders haggle for the lowest price and tell farmers, ‗Your corn is of low quality‘. That‘s
why farmers are forced to sell their corn even at only P9 per kilo because they need money.
Otherwise, the harvest will just go to waste since there are no post-harvest facilities,‖ he
added.
https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/16/safeguard-duty-on-rice-corn-
sought/#:~:text=This%20means%20that%20when%20the,purchasing%20more%20cheaper%20i
mported%20rice.
600K rice farmers may get P5K cash aid from RCEF surplus — Villar
Approximately 600,000 rice farmers may get P5,000 each if the more than P3 billion excess
collection of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the Rice Tariffication Law will be included as
cash assistance under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2021, Senator Cynthia Villar
said Friday. Video from SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES' YOUTUBE ACCOUNT Visit us at
https://www.inquirer.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/inquirerdotnet Twitter:
https://twitter.com/inquirerdotnet
DA to ban cooperatives from importing rice
By: Cathrine Gonzales - Reporter / @cgonzalesINQ
INQUIRER.net / 02:45 PM October 16, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to ban farmers‘ cooperatives
from importing rice in order to avoid being abused by rice traders wanting to circumvent the rice
tariffication law.
Secretary William Dar made this commitment during a hearing of the Senate committee on
agriculture Friday, as committee chair, Senator Cynthia Villar noted that cooperatives are being
used by unscrupulous rice importers to avoid compliance to tariff laws.
―I will issue the order not to allow now coops and associations to import [rice],‖ Dar said during
the hearing.
Villar said those behind cooperatives are the ones being made liable for violations of some rice
traders who try to skirt tariff regulations.
―They said if you use the coop, you are not paying tariff, ‗di ba? Kaya ginagamit na ng rice
importers ‗yung coop. Noong araw ginagamit na ‗yang coop na ‗yan, tapos ang ini-import nila is
less than what was indicated. They ask for import permit na maliit tapos nag-i-import sila ng
more,‖ she said.
(They said that if you use the coop, you are not paying tariff, right? That‘s why the rice importers
use the coop. Before, they also use cooperatives and import less than what was indicated. They ask
for import permit for a less volume of rice but import more.)
―Nahuli ngayon kasi smuggling ‗yun, so since the import permit ay binigay sa coop, ang nakulong
ay ‗yung mga coop. Kaya dapat takutin ‗yang mag coop na ‗yan, and in fact the Bureau of
Customs is warning na kapag merong nahuli dyan, ‗yung coop ang makukulong,‖ she added.
(They were flagged because it‘s considered smuggling, so since the import permit was given to the
coop, the ones jailed were members of the coop. That‘s why cooperatives should be urged to take
caution, and in fact the BOC is warning that members of cooperatives will be the ones made liable
once the act of smuggling is noticed by authorities.)
Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan suggested that cooperatives instead go directly with local
government units if they plan to sell rice.
―Part of the reason na ginagawa ‗yan ng coops ay dahil sila ay na-a-anggihan, meron silang
kinikita,‖ he said.
(Part of the reason why coops do that is because they also earn something from it.)
―Doon (LGUs) po natin dalhin ang mga cooperatives. Wag na sila mag-import. Magbenta na sila
direkta sa LGUs at ‗yung LGUs bumili na rin direkta sa kanila,‖ he added.
(Let is bring the transaction of coops to LGUs. They should not import. They should just sell to
LGUs and LGUs should buy directly from them.)
Dar, in response, said the DA will heed the senator‘s suggestion
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1348746/da-to-ban-cooperatives-from-importing-rice-to-avoid-
trader-abuse#ixzz6b71m9zlL
Senate panel OKs reso on cash aid for rice farmers from
excess tariffs
By: Cathrine Gonzales - Reporter / @cgonzalesINQ
INQUIRER.net / 12:57 PM October 16, 2020

Farmers from Guimba town in Nueva Ecija province harvest palay to ensure food security amidst
the COVID-19 pandemic but the average palay prices this season plunges to 13 pesos a kilo due to
the effects of the Rice Tariffication Law. – CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A joint resolution authorizing the use of excess collection of the Bureau
of Customs (BOC) under the rice tariffication law as cash assistance for rice farmers to be included
in the General Appropriations Act of 2021, has been approved at the committee level of the Senate.
Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture, noted that Senate Joint
Resolution No. 12 will help rice farmers cope up with the adverse effects of the coronavirus
disease pandemic to their livelihoods.
―We move to approve this Senate resolution that we are giving all the excess, whether it‘s 2019,
2020 or wherever, to the cash assistance to the rice farmers owning 1 hectare [of land] and below
which is numbering 600,000, para matulungan naman natin sila in this time of pandemic and
oversupply of rice in the Philippines,‖ she said during the joint hearing of the Committees on
Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, Finance and Ways and Means on Friday.
Senator Imee Marcos then seconded the motion.
However, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the cash assistance should not be fixated on the
600,000 rice farmers estimated by Villar.
―The data that we have is about 1.1 million farmers ang nasa category ng 1 hectare and below,‖
Dar said during the hearing.
The joint resolution, introduced by Vilar, noted that Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice
Tariffication Law which took effect in 2019 mandated the earmarking of P10 billion yearly for the
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) aimed at modernizing the rice sector.

The law provides that if the annual traffic revenues from rice importation exceed P10 billion in any
given year within the six year period following the effectivity of the Act, the excess tariff revenues
shall be earmarked by Congress and included in the GAA of the following year for the rice farmer
financial assistance, titling of agricultural lands, expanded crop insurance program on rice, and
crop diversification program.
Villar, citing information from BOC, said the collection on revenues of the bureau under the Rice
Tariffication Law from January to September 2020 is already at P13.68 billion.
―I saw in the budget of [Department of] Agriculture, they are putting another amount of more than
P1 billion for crop diversification, which I think we should put na lang (instead) on the financial
assistance to rice farmers together with this tentative P3.6 billion,‖ she also said.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1348675/senate-panel-oks-reso-on-cash-aid-for-rice-farmers-from-
excess-tariff
Saline soil rice breed breaks yield record in E China
A team of Chinese agronomists led by Yuan Longping, dubbed the "father of hybrid rice," has
set a record in rice output grown on saline-alkali soil in east China's Jiangsu Province.
The rice breed, developed by Yuan's team, achieved a yield of 802.9 kg per mu on average, or
12.04 tonnes per hectare, in three plots of saline soil in Rudong County in east China's Jiangsu
province.
It is a record output for rice grown on saline soil in China, said Fang Fuping, a researcher with
the China National Rice Research Institute.
Yuan's team had successfully developed varieties of saline-alkali tolerant rice in 2017 with the
previous highest yield reaching 620.95 kg per mu.

China has about 100 million hectares of saline-alkali soil, of which about one-fifth could be
ameliorated to arable soil.
(Cover: The rice grown on saline soil is harvested in Rudong County in east China's Jiangsu
province. /VCG )
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-10-15/Saline-soil-rice-breed-breaks-yield-record-in-E-China-
UC9FzSpQdi/index.html
Plant genetic engineering to fight 'hidden hunger'
Date:
October 16, 2020
Source:
University of Göttingen
Summary:
More than two billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient malnutrition due to
deficiencies in minerals and vitamins. Poor people in developing countries are most
affected, as their diets are typically dominated by starchy staple foods, which are
inexpensive sources of calories but contain low amounts of micronutrients. Researchers
now explain how plant genetic engineering can help to sustainably address micronutrient
malnutrition.
Share:
FULL STORY
More than two billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient malnutrition due to
deficiencies in minerals and vitamins. Poor people in developing countries are most affected, as
their diets are typically dominated by starchy staple foods, which are inexpensive sources of
calories but contain low amounts of micronutrients. In a new Perspective article, an international
team of scientists, involving the University of Göttingen, explains how plant genetic engineering
can help to sustainably address micronutrient malnutrition. The article was published in Nature
Communications.
Micronutrient malnutrition leads to severe health problems. For instance, vitamin A and zinc
deficiency are leading risk factors for child mortality. Iron and folate deficiency contribute to
anemia and physical and cognitive development problems. Often, the people affected are not
aware of their nutritional deficiencies, which is why the term 'hidden hunger' is also used. The
long-term goal is that all people are aware of healthy nutrition and have sufficient income to
afford a balanced diet all year round. However, more targeted interventions are required in the
short and medium term.
One intervention is to breed staple food crops for higher micronutrient contents, also known as
'biofortification'. Over the last 20 years, international agricultural research centres have
developed biofortified crops using conventional breeding methods, including sweet potato and
maize with vitamin A, as well as wheat and rice with higher zinc content. These crops were

successfully released in various developing countries with proven nutrition and health benefits.
However, conventional breeding approaches have certain limitations.
In the Perspective article, the scientists report how genetic engineering can help to further
enhance the benefits of biofortified crops. "Transgenic approaches allow us to achieve much
higher micronutrient levels in crops than conventional methods alone, thus increasing the
nutritional efficacy. We demonstrated this for folates in rice and potatoes," says Professor
Dominique Van Der Straeten from Ghent University, the article's lead author. "We also managed
to reduce post-harvest vitamin losses significantly," she adds.
Another advantage of genetic engineering is that high amounts of several micronutrients can be
combined in the same crop. "This is very important, as poor people often suffer from multiple
micronutrient deficiencies," says co-lead author and 2016 World Food Prize Laureate Dr
Howarth Bouis from the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Genetic engineering can also help to combine micronutrient traits with productivity-enhancing
agronomic traits, such as drought tolerance and pest resistance, which are becoming ever more
relevant with climate change. "Farmers should not have to make difficult choices between crops
that either improve nutrition or allow productive and stable harvests. They need both aspects
combined, which will also support widespread adoption," says co-author Professor Matin Qaim
from the University of Göttingen.
The authors acknowledge that genetic engineering is viewed skeptically by many, despite the
fact that the resulting crops have been shown to be safe for human consumption and the
environment. One of the reasons for the public's reservations is that genetic engineering is often
associated with large multinational companies. "Biofortified crops may possibly reduce some of
the concerns, as these crops are developed for humanitarian purposes," state the authors. "Public
funding is key to broader acceptance."
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Göttingen. Note: Content may be edited for style and
length.
Journal Reference:
1. Dominique Van Der Straeten, Navreet K. Bhullar, Hans De Steur, Wilhelm Gruissem, Donald
MacKenzie, Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Matin Qaim, Inez Slamet-Loedin, Simon Strobbe, Joe Tohme,
Kurniawan Rudi Trijatmiko, Hervé Vanderschuren, Marc Van Montagu, Chunyi Zhang,
Howarth Bouis. Multiplying the efficiency and impact of biofortification through metabolic
engineering. Nature Communications, 2020; 11 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19020-4
Cite This Page:
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University of Göttingen. "Plant genetic engineering to fight 'hidden hunger'." ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 16 October 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201016090222.htm>.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201016090222.htm

‘Golden meat’: Scientists create healthier beef products
enhanced with plant nutrients
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com
October 16, 2020Animals, Food, Science & Technology
by Chris Melore
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Mass. — Red meat fans are probably used to hearing about all the
links their favorite beef products have to poor health. Researchers at Tufts University say they‘ve
created a way for health-conscious meat lovers to have their cake and eat it too. The team has
genetically engineered cow muscle cells to produce the same nutrients found in plants.
Just like golden rice has been engineered to include beta carotene, scientists are now doing the
same with cell-cultured meat. Beta carotene is a provitamin in carrots and tomatoes which beef
cells do not naturally produce. Scientists created golden rice in the 1990‘s as a way of enhancing
the nutritional value of white rice, which also lacks this precursor to vitamin A.
―Cows don‘t have any of the genes for producing beta carotene,‖ says lead author Andrew Stout
in a press release. ―We engineered cow muscle cells to produce this and other phytonutrients,
which in turn allows us to impart those nutritional benefits directly onto a cultured meat product
in a way that is likely infeasible through animal transgenics and conventional meat production.‖
Are cows now walking around with plant nutrients in them?
The short answer is no. The Tufts University team focused their study on cultured meat, which is
created by harvesting muscle cells from living cows. Instead of slaughtering the animals,
scientists painlessly feed and nurture harvested cells until they multiply to create muscle tissue.
Biologically, this is the same tissue humans consume when they eat red meat. Unlike regular
meat however, scientists can alter cultured meat‘s shape, texture, and nutritional profile to fit the
customer‘s tastes.
Using the same techniques that creates golden rice, researchers maneuvered the cow cells into
producing beta carotene as well. Stout adds this proves scientists can create a meat alternative
that is nutritionally superior to farmed meat.
Can ‘golden meat’ fight cancer?
Another benefit of this genetic breakthrough, study authors find, is the lack of cancer-causing
agents in the meat.
―We saw a reduction in lipid oxidation levels when we cooked a small pellet of these cells when
they were expressing and producing this beta carotene,‖ Stout reports.
The biomedical engineering PhD student explains that lipid oxidation is one of the key factors
linking processed meats to diseases like colorectal cancer.
―I think that there is a pretty compelling argument to be made that this could potentially reduce
that risk.‖
Can cultured meat compete with the food industry?
The one obstacle researchers note when it comes to putting more nutritious and sustainable
foods on people‘s tables is the cost. While the Tufts team finds costs on cellular agriculture have

dropped significantly, the meat industry still has the upper hand in terms of pricing. Much of
this, they say, comes from heavy subsidies given to meat producers.
―It will likely be challenging for cultured meat to be competitively competitively priced with
factory farmed meat right out of the gate,‖ Stern Family Professor of Engineering David Kaplan
says. ―A value-added product which provides consumers with added health benefits may make
them more willing to pay for a cultured meat product.‖
The study appears in the journal Metabolic Engineering.
https://www.studyfinds.org/golden-meat-healthier-beef-products-plant-nutrients/
Global Machinery PTE Limited Grows In Fiji
A demand in the Agricultural sector was then identified; it is when A Hussain Group decided to
venture out into Agro Machinery.
By Renu Radhika
16 Oct 2020 15:01
Global Machinery PTE Limited are now the Agents of ―Farmtrac Tractors‖ in Fiji.
Global Machinery PTE Ltd Director Hazeem Hussein said this range of tractors is available in
the range of 28.5HP to 90 HP and is known for pulling bigger traction with greater efficiency.
Mr Hussein said the prices are affordable for the farmers.
He said the brand new Framtrac tractors are based on previous Ford models and are beneficial
and affordable to the farmers as we are geared into agriculture farming and machinery.
―We are determined to work hand in hand with the farmers and provide them the best of products
in order for the farmers to mechanise their farms to gain productivity. We provide Full back
service together with onsite farm servicing for Farmtrac Tractors. Farming is the future all Fiji is
looking for, to be successful farmer you need to have the right equipment and we are glad for
such equipment,‖ he said.
Mr Hussein said Escorts India are the manufacturers of Farmtrac Tractors in India, and it is
manufactured in the world‘ largest Tractor manufacturing plant under one roof. Farmtrac
Tractors are also the only Indian Tractor company to have a manufacturing plant in Poland.
―In March we announced our partnership with Escorts India and now we are the sole agents for
Farmtrac Tractors in Fiji.
Mr Hussein said it is equipped with modern engineering and machines with extreme power and
traction, Farmtrac is a tractor that remains ahead of its time.
He said it has a high performance, versatile, rugged machine with maximum comfort for the
driver.
We have also Partnered with World Renowned Brand ―SHAKTIMAN‖ for Farm Implements.
Shaktiman is the worlds largest manufacturer of Rotary Tillers and Other Farm Implements.
Future plans
Global Machinery PTE Limited currently has a dealership in Labasa Town, and will open its new
branch in Sigatoka by the end of this month.
This will allow them to cater for the western farmers.

Background
A Hussain Group Of Companies established some 45 Years ago and is a family owned business.
Now into its third generation, A Hussain Group is diversifying from its core hardware business
to many other ventures to fulfil demand and offer continuous supply of various products
covering major industries in Fiji Islands.
Global Machinery PTE Ltd
A demand in the Agricultural sector was then identified; it is when A Hussain Group decided to
venture out into Agro Machinery.
A new division was then opened in 2016 known as Global Machinery PTE Ltd.
Based in Labasa, Global Machinery PTE Ltd has expertise in supplying of Rice Harvester
machines to farmers in Fiji.
Through the years Global Machinery is now a major dealer in rice harvester machines, tractors,
farm implements, industrial machinery and forklifts.
They said their aim is to become a one stop shop for Agro and Industrial Machinery while
providing the best and most efficient after sales support.
Feedback: renu.prasad@fijisun.com.fj
https://fijisun.com.fj/2020/10/16/global-machinery-pte-limited-grows-in-fiji/
India: Exports in Sept rise 6% as garments, drugs, rice
improve performance
in World Economy News 17/10/2020
Sectors such as readymade garments, drugs and pharmaceuticals, iron ore,
rice, cereals, carpets and engineering goods pulled up the country‘s total
goods exports in September by 5.99 per cent (year-on-year) to $27.58 billion
following a six-month continuous decline in shipments due to Covid-19
disruptions, as per quick estimates released by the Commerce & Industry
Ministry.
Imports during the month, however, declined 19.6 per cent to $30.31 billion shrinking the trade
deficit by 76.66 per cent to $2.72 billion compared to $11.67 billion in September 2019.
The numbers announced by the Commerce & Industry Ministry are in line with the September
trade data shared by Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal earlier this month based on
preliminary data compiled by the government.
Some relief
Some exporters point out that while the reversal in trend for exports in September is a matter of
relief, the challenges in external trade would continue given the present state of global health
emergency and its economic impact on the major economies. ―Engineering exports too have
shown a positive trend of 5.44 per cent for September, although the major turnaround has come

about thanks to a sharp increase in pharma exports, for understandable reasons,‖ said Mahesh
Desai, Chairman, EEPC.
Exporters body FIEO said the export growth in September reflected the improved world trade
projection of the World Trade Organization and provided hope, but reduced imports was a
concern. ―Reduction in import of precious metals including gold, silver, pearls, precious and
semi-precious stones along with leather used as raw material for gems and jewellery and leather
& leather product exports during the month does not augur well for these major labour-intensive
sectors of exports,‖ FIEO stated.
Imports of transport equipment, machinery, petroleum products, pearls and precious and semi-
precious stones and chemicals posted a steep decline in September.
Major commodities that registered a fall in exports during the month include cashew, gems &
jewellery, man-made yarn, mica, coal& other ores, minerals including processed minerals,
marine products, leather, tea and fruits & vegetables, as per the data.
Total exports down in H1
Total exports for April-September 2020-21 were 21.31 per cent lower at $125.25 billion
compared to the same period last fiscal. Imports in April-September 2020-21 were 40.06 per cent
lower at $148.69 billion compared to April-September 2019-20.
Trade deficit in April-September 2020-21 was $23.44 billion which was almost a fourth of
$88.92 billion in the comparable period last year.
Source: The Hindu Business Line
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/india-exports-in-sept-rise-6-as-garments-drugs-rice-
improve-performance/
Gov’t sets postaudit of all rice importers
By: Karl R. Ocampo - Reporter / @kocampoINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:00 AM October 17, 2020
Following reports that rice traders were undervaluing their imports to evade paying higher taxes,
the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it would issue audit letters to all importers beginning this
month as the agency intensifies its post-audit operations.
Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said in a phone interview that the postaudit
would look into historical records of importers, adding that part of the recommendation was to
blacklist or permanently block erring companies from participating in the rice trade.
Maronilla said the agency was not at liberty yet to divulge the basis for this recommendation,
citing the Data Privacy Act, although more than 40 importers have already been charged for
undervaluation between January and March last year.
These companies were ordered to pay a combined P1.4 billion and while some of these importers
were now preparing to pay these charges, Maronilla said the majority had filed a motion for
reconsideration.

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) asserted that undervaluation has worsened this year,
claiming that around P2.2 billion in rice duties have already been lost between January and August
despite reforms in the valuation and classification system of BOC.
FFF alleged that 81 percent of the shipments declared values lower than the BOC‘s reference price
and standard rates for shipping and insurance. Declared import costs this year averaged P18.28 a
kilo instead of P22.75 a kilo if BOC‘s standard rates were applied.
―The extent of undervaluation actually increased compared to 2019 … Imports were undervalued
by only 17 percent on average in 2019 but in just the first eight months of 2020, estimated tariff
losses already exceeded the calculated under-collection for the whole of 2019. About 32 percent of
imports in 2020 was undervalued by 20 percent or more, compared to only 7 percent in 2019,‖ FFF
national chair Raul Montemayor claimed.
Maronilla noted that most of the entities undervaluing imports were farmer cooperatives that were
being used as dummy accounts by other firms, given that cooperatives were given tax exemptions.
Last year, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said they were working toward blacklisting these
firms and farmer groups. No updates have been made since.
He added that there were hundreds of these associations that could be guilty of participating in
such a scheme.
https://business.inquirer.net/309723/govt-sets-postaudit-of-all-rice-importers#ixzz6b7zp0OeW
Agri chief Dar to bar farmer co-ops from importing rice
amid ‘dummy-for-traders’ issues
ByJasper Y. Arcalas
October 16, 2020
File photo: Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar during a virtual meeting with BusinessMirror
reporters.
AGRICULTURE Secretary William D. Dar said on Friday he will issue an order barring
farmers‘ cooperatives and associations from importing rice amid issues that they are being used
as fronts or dummies by unscrupulous traders.
Dar made the pronouncement during the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food hearing on
a joint resolution to allocate all tariffs collected — in excess of P10 billion from rice imports —
as direct cash assistance to farmers tilling 1 hectare and below.
In the same hearing, Dar disclosed that the Department of Agriculture (DA) was already
studying whether to continue to allow cooperatives to import rice under the liberalized rice trade

regime amid concerns that they are used as dummies by traders.
He revealed that their ―orientation‖ is to ban cooperatives from importing rice.
But a few minutes after, Dar immediately made the pronouncement that, ―I will issue an order
not to allow coops and associations to import.‖
The issue on coops was raised anew earlier this week by Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, head of the
agriculture committee. She told the DA to closely monitor the farmer cooperatives amid reports
that many of them are being used by rice traders and importers to buy from abroad.
―There are a lot of co-ops importing rice again. Is that right? Cooperatives importing rice without
tariffs? Ha? Is that right? Ha?‖ she asked the department, represented by Dar and Undersecretary
Ariel T. Cayanan, at a virtual hearing last Monday.
Besides paying the farmer groups a measly amount in exchange for using their permits, these
unscrupulous businessmen also cheat the government by undervaluing their imports, an earlier
investigative story by the BusinessMirror had showed.
The BusinessMirror broke the story last year that unscrupulous traders continue to use farmers
cooperatives‘ and associations as their fronts and dummies even after the rice industry was
liberalized. (Read the award-winning story here:https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/10/31/pre-
and-post-rice-trade-liberalization-law-big-traders-gaming-farmer-groups/)
The latest pronouncement of Dar is the latest in the string of stories published by the
BusinessMirror on the country‘s rice importation system, particularly issues on undervaluation

17th october,2020 daily gloabl regional local rice e newsletter

17th october,2020 daily gloabl regional local rice e newsletter

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