1st december,2020 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

CSIR-IITR, CSIO and IMD organize IISF-2020 Curtain
Raiser events to generate awareness
By India Education Diary Bureau Admin
November 29, 2020
New Delhi:Several curtain raiser events are being organized for generating awareness about the
6thIndia International Science Festival (IISF-2020) to be held virtually this year.
At such an event at CSIR – Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, Dr Shekhar C
Mande, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Director General,
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Chairman, Steering Committee, IISF – 2020, in
his key note address, said that this is a much awaited annual event and in spite of the restrictions
imposed by the Covid-19 global pandemic the event being organized itself signifies the
indomitable spirit of nurturing and celebrating scientific temperament among all the stake
holders.The theme of IISF 2020: “Science for Self Reliant India and Global Welfare is expected
to deliberate on the role of Science, Technology and Innovation to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat
and also provide solutions to global problems, he said.
Smt Neelima Katiyar, Minister of State for Higher Education and Science & Technology,
Government of Uttar Pradesh was the Chief Guest of the function and Smt.Sanyukta Bhatia,
Mayor of Lucknow graced the event as the Guest of Honour.Earlier welcoming the participants,
Dr Saroj K Barik, Director, CSIR – IITR said that the festival is an opportunity for young
scientists to interact, share ideas and collaborate for greater global benefits.
Shri Jayant Sahasrabudhe, National Organizing Secretary and Sri Shreyansh Mandloi,
Organizing Secretary Awadh Prant, Vijnana Bharti also interacted with the participants through
the online mode and urged the schools and colleges to participate in large numbers and use the
IISF platform to understand the intrinsic role of science and technology in our daily lives.In
another function, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow organised an
online curtain raiser ceremony. In this programme, Dr. S.K. Barik, Director, CSIR-NBRI gave
opening remarks and the Organizing Secretary, VIBHA-Awadh Prant, U.P. Er.
ShreyanshMandloi delivered a lecture about the significance of the IISF. Dr. Shekhar C. Mande,
Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR delivered the keynote address. Shri Brijesh Pathak,
Cabinet Minister, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, was the Chief Guest of this event.
In Chandigarh, CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), also organised a pre-
event curtain raiser to IISF-2020. Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General, ICAR,

New Delhi was the chief guest of this virtual event. Dr. Nagendra Prabhu, Associate Professor,
S.D. College, Allepy, Kerala and Dr. Brajendra Parmar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-Indian
Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad delivered the key note lectures. The central theme of this
ogram was “Science for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment”.Similarly, India
Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) organised the IISF’s
Curtain Raiser event on YouTube Channel. MoES is one of the organisers of 6th India
International Science Festival. Dr. M. Mohapatra, DGM, IMD delivered welcome address. Dr.
Shailesh Nayak, Former Secretary, MoES was the chief guest of this event. Theme of this
programme was “Weather and Climate Services for Self Reliant India & Global Welfare”. Dr.
Sathi Devi, Dr. D.S. Pai, Dr. R.K. Jenamani, Shri K.N. Mohan, Dr. A.K. Mitra, Dr. S.D. Attri,
Dr. Ashok Kumar Das and Dr. R.K. Giri were the other speakers of this programme.
India International Science Festival is a unique combination of seminars, workshops, exhibitions,
discussions and debates with several interactive forms of engagement including hands on
demonstrations, dialogues with experts and scientific theatre, music and Poetry. 41 events have
been identified to be held at IISF-2020.This year the festival begins on December 22, 2020 and
culminates on December 25, 2020, the birthdays of world renowned Indian Mathematician
Srinivas Ramanujan and former Prime Minister of the country Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
respectively. Both these stalwarts were deeply committed to the belief that Science and
Technology will always be at the core of the nation’s progress.
https://indiaeducationdiary.in/csir-iitr-csio-and-imd-organize-iisf-2020-curtain-raiser-events-to-generate-
awareness/
LGUs urged to heighten supportfor local rice farmers

To help farmers,especially in the aftermath of three strong typhoons that struck major rice-producing
provinces in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) urges local government units (LGUs) to
heighten support for the rice growers.
“We believe LGU executives are in the best position to assess the needs of our rice farmers,” DA Sec.
William D. Dar said in a statement delivered by his representative Undersecretary ArielCayanan in a
webinar aired on DA- Philippine Rice Research Institute’s (PhilRice) social media page, Nov. 25.
He said that LGUs are the first line of marketing support for farmers.
“Our aim is to have more LGUs participate in the palay buying operations to stabilize palay price,” he
added.
The drop in palay farmgate price owing to various factors besetting the rice sector has prompted DA and
some LGUs to intensify their existing efforts for the local farmers.
DA shared that KADIWA ni Ani at Kita, a marketing platform launched in 2019 that directly links
farmers and fisherfolk to consumers, is a useful tool for the LGUs in buying and selling farmers’ produce.
“For the program to be sustainable, we need to capacitate farmers to become more reliable suppliers, and
DA has proposed a program for this,” Joyce Bengo of DA said.
She shared that DA also proposed a program that will provide financial grant for the procurement of
recirculating rice dryer equipment.
According to her, this program will help command higher farmgate prices of palay to NFA buying
stations and other buyers.
Meanwhile, Atty. Ferdinand Abesamis, representative of Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali, shared
Nueva Ecija provincial government’s Palay Price Support Program (PPSP),an initiative that aims to
stabilize palay price by buying the produce of farmers in their province.
“PPSP is intended to complement the efforts of DA, and it has been relatively successfulin stabilizing
palay farmgate prices as traders were forced to compete with the government’s buying price. When we

started palay buying, the price went up to P13-P15 from P9. This month, many private traders started
buying palay for up to P15/kg,” he said.
Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr., national president of the League of Provinces of the
Philippines (LPP),lauded the efforts of Nueva Ecija provincial government and committed to share
Umali’s presentation to other governors.
“This is what our farmers need now - strong support from the national government and, more importantly,
full support from the LGUs because they are on the ground and can see [firsthand] their province’s
situation on rice production,” he said.
The webinar is part of the series of activities led by DA-PhilRice in celebration of the National Rice
Awareness Month.
A new kind of Ilukano entrepreneurs
It’s a common narrative of success when farmers increase their yield and sell their harvests at a
competitive price. In an industry where the middlemen often take home the biggest share, it may be a
little bit hard to believe that farmers can succeed in marketing their own produce. In just three years,an
Ilukano farm cooperative, reached P2.5M in assets. Unbelievable, but it happened.
Ruthbell Pammit, 56-year-old chair of the Rayuray Farmers’ Agriculture Cooperative (RFAC),walks us
through their journey and on how they have transformed themselves from rice tillers to agripreneurs.
The beginning
An unusual opportunity to lead knocked on Ruthbell’s door in 2017. Upon learning that the Department
of Agriculture- Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) was launching a program in Batac City
to help farmers start their own businesses, Ruthbell gathered some of his farmer-friends and together, they

established a small cooperative with the intention of joining the initiatives under the Rice Business
Innovations System (RiceBIS) Program. With 48 farmer-members,RFAC has become an active
participant of the program for more than three years now.
“RiceBIS implementers guided us on understanding and doing agroenterprise. They were with us from
the day we had our first meeting as a cooperative to learning how to do business, up to deciding on the
enterprise we want to venture into,” Ruthbell recalled.
According to Ruthbell, one of the most important things they’ve learned in business is on producing a
novel product that the consumers need. Due to the congested market for milled white rice in their area,the
cooperative decided to produce brown rice.
“No one sells brown rice in Batac City before us, that’s why we thought to be the first ones to produce
and market brown rice. From then on, everything went up,” Ruthbell recalled.
More than the numbers
Currently, RFAC is the only agricultural cooperative in their area pioneering in brown rice production.
From a leader’s perspective, Ruthbell believes that success is not linear and cannot always be measured
with numbers. For him, the continuous partnership of RFAC with agencies and the quality of their
produce make their enterprise standout.
“DA-PhilRice and the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) were very keen in making sure that we follow
recommended practices in the field and in our production processes to maintain the quality of our
products. We’ve also won the support of our provincial and local government units in selling and
marketing our brown rice,” Ruthbell said.
Ruthbell also shared that RiceBIS provides them with high quality seeds for their brown rice production
and helps them with management tasks like documentation and in recording financial statements.
“Any rice variety can be used to produce brown rice. However,we’ve already proven the soft, chewy,
aroma, and good eating quality of NSIC Rc 160. For us and our suki, those make our brown rice
remarkable,” Ruthbell said.

Because of the cooperative’s good reputation, continuous opportunities came RFAC’s way throughout the
years.
In April 2019, the cooperative secured a stall to sell its products at the city’s public market under the
LGU’s project called One-Barangay-One-Product,providing a steady supply of brown rice in the area.
RFAC sells their packaged brown rice for P65 a kilogram and unpackaged ones for P60/kg. Aside from
brown rice, fresh produce like fruits and vegetables were also sold in their public market kiosk.
In the same year, RFAC managed to become an accredited National Food Authority (NFA) supplier and
sold 5,800kg of dried palay. Their linkage with NFA also helped them avail of a rotovator grant from
DA- Regional Field Office 1.
RFAC also partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to boost their brown rice
enterprise. DOST awarded them a financial and machine grant for their brown rice’s nutritional analysis
and improved vacuum packaging machine in the last quarter of 2019.
“Our financial statements can testify that our once small business is slowly booming but more than that,
the good feedback from our customers is our true measure of success,” Ruthbell stressed.
Widening their reach
Aside from brown rice, RFAC plans to expand their agroenterprise operations. Cooperative members
currently market four primary products: dried palay, milled rice, brown rice, and onion pickles.
With the assistance of their provincial LGU, RFAC also sold their products directly to the consumers in
Metro Manila through the monthly Producers to Consumers (P2C) trade fair and exhibit in Quezon City.

On top of widening their marketing opportunities, members aim to extend their reach to all farmers in
their community, and become an instrument to better their lives so they established a palay trading system
that even non-members from their community can avail. This initiative helped farmers in their area to get
through the challenging time when palay prices dropped last year at less than P14.
“We bought dried palay directly from fellow farmers at a higher price of P16.50, then we sold these
directly to NFA for P19; thus, earning P2.50 per kilogram for our cooperative. That was a win-win
situation because both the farmers and the cooperative were earning,” Ruthbell shared.
Last June 2020, using the cooperative’s community development fund and rice stocks, RFAC also
distributed 3kg of rice each to about 200 persons with disabilities and senior citizens affected by the
lockdown during the pandemic.
“Being able to help farmers in times of need is really life-changing,” he added.
With the bountiful opportunities that pour on RFAC’s path, Ruthbell believes that this was all because of
their decision to organize themselves and unite together. The perseverance and discipline among their
cooperative, seasoned with persistence and faithfulness to their purpose, he said, led them to success.
“Back then, we were just learning the concepts, but now we’re already applying it to our own business.
For farmers like us, that is really uplifting. RiceBIS really changed our lives in many ways possible,” he
said.
RFAC’s story has proven that farmers are the new breed of businessmen. No, they may not be the usual
ones who wear suits or those hustle in the corporate world. They’re agripreneurs - the ones with humble
smiles and genuine expressions as they directly hand consumers the fruits of their blood, sweat,and labor
under the scorching heat of the sun.

Farmers in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA favor mechanized farming
Farmer-partners in the technology demonstrations under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement
Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program promote the use of farm machines to minimize rice production costs.
Following farm recommendations in the demo sites dubbed as Palay Sikatan,farmers Eduardo
Cabago and Jonathan de Guia shared the benefits of using machines on crop establishment.
The said farmers, who offered their farms in Mabitac, Laguna to showcase farm machines and
recommended rice varieties, said they saved P4,000 by using a walk-behind rice transplanter.
"We used to spend P4,500 with manual transplanting. That’s why we’re happy that this machine was
introduced in our community because it has significantly decreased our costs in rice planting," they
said.
Meanwhile, Ismael Abrina from San Vicente, Palawan, said that he only used less than 40kg of
certified inbred seeds in a hectare with the help of drum seeder.
"I still have 10 kg of NSIC Rc 218 left from the 40 kg after using a drum seeder. I also saved time in
seeding because the machine is very efficient," Abrina shared.
The RCEF-Seed Program is a component of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law, signed
by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, which allots P10 billion fund every year for the rice farmers. Sponsored by
Sen. Cynthia Villar, the program is a six-year government initiative to help the farmers compete in
the international rice market.

PhilRice leads the RCEF-Seed Program and is the government’s lead agency on rice research and
development mandated to help ensure a rice-secure Philippines. With eight stations across the
country, its programs and projects are in line with the DA’s “Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita”
battlecry.
Protecting the Yield and SocialLicense to Operate on The Rice Stuff Podcast
By Deborah Willenborg
ARLINGTON,VA -- What do children's books and crop protection products have in common? Well,
they can each help protect the rice industry's investment in itself and both are the topics on the latest
episode of The Rice Stuff podcast,available now.
California rice farmer and creator of Rice Farming TV Matthew Sligar joined the show to explain what
possessed him to write a children's book, "Daddy's Got Dirt: A California Rice Story," and how he hopes
the beautifully illustrated book will bring a better understanding of rice farming to kids in and out of rice
country.
"Fostering a better appreciation of what it takes to farm rice and the care that goes into every crop will go
a long way to helping the reputation of the industry," said Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of
communications and domestic promotion, and co-host of the podcast. "Like everything Matthew does,
he's putting a very specific face on rice farming, and that goes a long way to protecting our social license
to operate as an industry."
Speaking of protection, Rice Foundation Executive Director and podcast co-host Dr. Steve Linscombe
was then joined by some old friends to talk about the safe use of crop protection products.
Weed scientist Dr. Eric Webster,entomologist Dr. Mo Way, and Arkansas rice farmer Sidney Robnett
shared some of their vast knowledge and experience on everything from the difference in preventative
and reactive treatment; coordination of researchers,regulators,and private agri-science companies; and
how growers make on-farm decisions about what products to use and when.
The 2021 season will be here before you know it, so now is as good a time as any to spend some time
with crop protection experts as you think about what you might like to do differently next year.

Sligar's book, that was produced with support from USA Rice, many in the California rice industry, and
The Rice Foundation, can be found on his website at www.ricefarmingtv.com or Amazon.
New episodes of The Rice Stuff are published on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month and can
be found on Apple Podcasts,Google Podcasts,Spotify, and Stitcher. All episodes and additional
information can be found on the podcast's dedicated website
at thericestuffpodcast.com.

The site includes a "Podcast 101" section on the "About" page for people new to the medium and a means
to reach out to the show hosts and guests via the "Talk to Us" button.
From a warehouse shelf to a family’s
Thanksgiving table, the path of a donated
bag of rice

Boxes filled with enough shelf-stable food to feed a person for 14 days were handed out at Seaton
Elementary School on Nov. 23. (Kate Urbank)
By
Theresa Vargas
Columnist
November 25, 2020 at 5:25 PM EST
To see how a bowl of rice ended up on the Thanksgiving table of a D.C. family that was grateful
for it, we have to look back.
To when a 9-year-old girl and her mother stepped into a long line to get donated food for the
holiday.

To when a Seaton Elementary School administrator — a woman who had earlier seen a man
drop to his knees when handed a small bag of groceries — stood in front of a wall of cardboard
boxes, knowing what the 25 pounds of food in each would mean to the families who got them.
To when a volunteer truck driver, who had found herself struggling to feed her own children
during the pandemic, showed up at a warehouse to pick up those boxes.
We have to look back weeks, and months, to actions taken by city officials, agreements arranged
by a nonprofit and a desperate phone call made by a woman who was supposed to spend this
school year teaching children about food but instead has filled her days with trying to make sure
they have enough in their bellies.
AD
“There is just so much need,” Genesis Caplan, the FoodCorps service member at Seaton, says on
a recent afternoon, fighting back tears.
Right now, in these days surrounding a holiday that calls for gathering around a table, we are all
thinking about food: the food we have in front of us. The food we don’t have in front of us. The
food others might have, or not have, in front of them.
But a close look at the path a single bag of rice took from a warehouse shelf to a family’s
Thanksgiving menu shows just how much effort and collaboration it sometimes takes to make
sure people don’t go hungry.
This is the story of that rice, as told by some of the people whose hands it passed through before
reaching that family.
The nonprofit director
The boxes had already been packed and stored in a warehouse in Northwest Washington when
Kate Urbank, the D.C. site director for Food Rescue US, learned about them.
AD
An interagency team of city employees began collecting the boxes in April, when the unknowns
of the coronavirus were leaving grocery store shelves bare. On the team were nutrition experts
who could offer guidance on what items should go into each box based on limited supplies.
Among the foods they picked: dried beans, macaroni, tomato sauce, canned vegetables, shelf-
stable milk, containers of Virginia peanuts and rice.
The boxes were intended to support D.C. residents who might have to quarantine without family
or community help, so each contains enough shelf-stable items to last a person for 14 days. The
city collected more than 60,000 boxes.
As Urbank recalls, there was concern when she got involved that some of the containers of milk
would expire in December. Her organization consists of a network of volunteers who pick up
food that would otherwise go to waste and take it to places where it’s needed. That might involve
hauling the leftovers from a corporate lunch to a church. During the pandemic, it has often meant
cleaning out the kitchens of restaurants that have been forced to close.
AD
Urbank took on the task of finding homes for 5,760 of the boxes, a job that would require
forklifts to pull heavy pallets from the warehouse and trucks big enough to haul them away.
“I didn’t understand how massive this project was going to be,” she says. But she describes it as
a “wonderful dilemma.”
Getting those boxes to the people who needed them, Urbank says, required “layers and layers of
people cooperating.”

Some of the boxes went to a Methodist church. Others went to the organization Food for All DC.
And 120 went to Seaton Elementary School in October, and 200 more arrived there last
Thursday.
The driver
Before the pandemic, Raquel Elizabeth Rodriguez worked in a restaurant. Then it shut down for
five months, and she was left trying to figure out how to pay her bills and feed her 12-year-old
twin sons.
AD
During that time, she joined a crowd of people waiting outside a supermarket that promised to
give away food. For three hours she stood in the heat, not knowing if she would get anything but
unable to walk away.
“At that moment, I didn’t have money for nothing,” she says. “I had no rice. I had no beans. I
had no oil in my house.”
The restaurant has since reopened with limited hours, so she works three to four hours a day. The
pay doesn’t leave her any extra money — not even enough to buy her sons meals at McDonald’s
when they ask, “Mommy, please” — but she says, “It’s okay.” “Other people don’t have
nothing,” she says. “Nothing.”
She volunteers with Food For All DC and says she was eager to drive a truck for the organization
when the opportunity came up. She used to work as a mechanic in El Salvador.
AD
Last Thursday, after the head of Food For All DC agreed to help transport the boxes from the
city’s warehouse to Seaton, Rodriguez picked them up and drove them to the school. Once there,
she, Urbank and a team of school administrators, custodians and parents worked quickly to
unload one box after another.
The school staff
Caplan and Gloria Torrento, known to everyone as “Ms. Daisy,” were among the school staff
members there to receive the boxes.
During a normal year, Caplan would be walking students through the school’s garden and
reminding them during lunch to eat their vegetables. Now, she does culinary demonstrations
online with the second-graders and worries that the imaginary foods they are chopping are the
only ones they will have that day.
“My job is to teach kids about food, but how can I do that if they don’t have food?” she says.
AD
The school, with the support of its PTO, has given out gift cards to families on several occasions,
created a food pantry and started a monthly food-distribution event. By October, Caplan had
spent months calling organizations to see if any could help sustain those efforts. But, she says,
she found one shut door after another, until she reached out to Urbank.
That’s when she learned about the boxes. She requested 120 that month. On the day they were
handed out, they were gone within an hour and a half.
The most difficult part of that day, Torrento says, was that people kept coming and asking, “Do
you have any more?”
Torrento is someone parents and others tend to confide in when hardships hit. She is also the one
they turn to with good news. Recently, Caplan recalls watching her speak to a homeless couple
who was known to camp near the school and seeing them hold up a key. A moment later,

Torrento was whispering to her to prepare them a bag of food that they could make in their new
home. Caplan describes what happened when she handed it to them as “one of the most
heartwarming moments.”
AD
“The gentleman threw himself on the ground and was just thanking us,” Caplan says. “He said,
‘Can I just hug you?’ ”
The school’s staff wanted to do something special for the people who would come to pick up
food the week of Thanksgiving, so they requested 200 more boxes from Urbank and
supplemented them with poultry and bags of produce.
Shortly after the event started Monday, a line wrapped around the school.
The family
About 270 people walked away with food that day. Among them were Korina Jimenez and her
9-year-old daughter.
“When I saw the long line, I said, ‘I have to wait, but it’s good,’ ” she says. She saw it as
meaning that many people would go home that day knowing someone wanted to help them.
“Some days we look around, and we have the feeling we are alone.”
Before the pandemic her husband was employed as a cook in a kitchen, and she worked in the
bakery section of a restaurant. Then she lost her job for seven months, and the restaurant where
he worked closed.
AD
Now she works as a cashier, and he remains home to guide their two children through their
virtual classes. Their 7-year-old son is in second grade, and their daughter is in fourth.
“I just want to say thank you so much for being with us at this time,” Jimenez says of the Seaton
staff and other who made the food donations possible. “Thank you for keeping in your plan our
kids. I feel so thankful for that.”
Shortly after she and her daughter got the box home, the peanuts were being enjoyed as a snack,
and the family had its Thanksgiving menu set.
They would use apples from the produce donation to make a pie. They would cook the chicken
they were given as a main course. And for a side dish, they would prepare the rice with corn. A
can of that, too, came in the box.
Read more from Theresa Vargas:
‘How will we survive this?’: People are making heartbreaking pleas to strangers for help while
Trump turns stimulus talks into a political show
A father of four voted for the first time. Days later, he died alone because of a president’s failure.
A 28-year-old ‘nerd’ in Baltimore invented a new type of mask, and tapped into the strangeness
of this 2020 holiday season
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www.washingtonpost.com/local/from-a-warehouse-shelf-to-a-familys-thanksgiving-table-the-

Indonesia targets lower corn, unhuskedrice output for
2021
Country is targeting unhusked rice production at 58.5mln tonnes in 2021
By Bernadette Christina Munthe, Reuters News
JAKARTA - Indonesia is targeting lower unhusked rice and corn output in 2021, data from the
country's agriculture ministry data showed on Monday.
The Southeast Asian country is targeting unhusked rice production at 58.5 million tonnes in
2021, higher than 2020's estimated output at 55.16 million tonnes, but lower than the 63.5
million tonnes 2021 target set in June.
For corn, the country is targeting output at 24.2 million tonnes next year, lowering their goal
from 26 million tonnes set in June and 30.35 million tonnes set for this year.
The data also showed that Indonesia is targeting palm oil output at 49.51 million tonnes next
year.
(Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe; Writing by Fathin Ungku Editing by Ed Davies)
((fathin.ungku@thomsonreuters.com; +65 8578 6640;))
https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/economy/story/Indonesia_targets_lower_corn_unhusked_rice_output_f
or_2021-TR20201130nL4N2IG13JX4/

Vietnam Nov coffee exports down 37.5%
y/y, rice up 6.8%
By Reuters Staff
1 M I N R EA D
HANOI, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Vietnam exported 70,000 tonnes of coffee
in November, down 37.5% from a year earlier, government data released
on Sunday showed.
The country’s coffee exports in the January-November period fell 3.9%
from a year earlier to 1.41 million tonnes, the General Statistics Office
said in a statement.
Vietnam’s rice exports in November rose 6.8% from the same month
last year to 388,000 tonnes, the GSO said. Rice shipments in the first 11
months of this year fell 2.2% from a year earlier to 5.74 million tonnes.
(Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by William Mallard)
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
https://www.reuters.com/article/vietnam-coffee-exports/vietnam-nov-coffee-exports-down-37-5-y-y-rice-
up-6-8-idINL4N2IE02E

Almost 30,000 hectares of flood-affected rice fields rehabilitated
Rehabilitated rice fields. AKP
Almost 30,000 hectares of flash flood affected rice fields have been rehabilitated and
will produce crops in the coming harvest reason.

The update was shared by Ngin Chhay, Delegate of the Royal Government of
Cambodia in charge of the General Directorate of Agriculture of the Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Like its neighbours, he said, Cambodia has encountered dual natural disasters, namely
drought and floods, and the latter had damaged some 300,000 hectares of rice paddies
in the country.
As the disaster eased, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries conducted
rapid assessment for the rescue of the damaged rice paddies.
By now, about 10 percent of the flood-affected rice paddies have been rehabilitated,
continued the general director.
At the same time, over 6,000 tonnes of rice seeds have been distributed to farmers to
grow in the rehabilitated rice paddy fields and are expected to be harvested in the up-
coming season. Phal Sophanith – AKP
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50787072/almost-30000-hectares-of-flood-affected-rice-fields-
rehabilitated/

Export price ofVietnamese rice at record high
Saturday, 2020-11-28 17:39:31
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The export price of Vietnamese rice has increased by US$20-30 per tonne in
November compared to last month.
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NDO – The export price of Vietnamese rice has increased by US$20-30 per tonne
compared to the previous month, a good signal for farmers and exporting enterprises
in such a difficult year due to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Agricultural Products Processing and Market Development
Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam
exported 5.35 million tonnes of rice in 11 months of 2020 at a total value of US$2.64
billion. The average export price reached US$494 per tonne, up 13% over the same
period last year.
The rice price increase was due to the increasing demand on rice reserves of the
importing countries because of the ongoing complicated developments of the COVID-
19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the rice production in some rice exporting countries such as
Thailand has decreased due of the impact of climate change.
Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development
Tran Cong Thang said that figures show that Vietnamese rice has seen a positive
change in price and added value with its increasing quality gaining recognition from
the world.
“During the time when Vietnam and other countries are being affected by COVID-19,
many Vietnamese agricultural products have suffered declines in terms of the market.
However, rice is one of the bright spots, especially when the export price of
Vietnamese rice is relatively high in addition to the slight price increases in the
domestic market, which are some good signs,” Thang noted.
However, Director of the Agricultural Products Processing and Market Development
Department Nguyen Quoc Toan said that despite the positive signals Vietnam should

not be subjective, and the rice cultivation should follow sustainable standards to
ensure the stable consumption and export of rice.
https://en.nhandan.org.vn/business/item/9344302-export-price-of-vietnamese-rice-at-recor
NOVEMBER 30, 20204:58 PMUPDATED 21 HOURS AGO
Indian PM Modi refuses to back down
on farm reforms despite huge protests
By Sanjeev Miglani
3 M I N R EA D
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Monday resisted calls for the repeal of farm reforms that have ignited
the biggest protests by farmers in years around the national capital,
saying they were being misled and that deregulation would benefit them.
Slideshow ( 5 images )
Thousands of people from the big farming state of Punjab were camped
out on the outskirts of Delhi for a fifth day demanding that they be
allowed to stage protests in the city centre against the new laws that
open up India’s tightly regulated farm produce market.
Farmers who could earlier sell grains and other products only at
neighbouring government-regulated wholesale markets can now sell
them across the country, including to big food processing companies and
retailers such as WalMart.
But farm groups and opposition parties say the government will
eventually abolish the wholesale markets, where growers were assured

of a minimum support price for staples like wheat and rice, leaving small
farmers at the mercy of corporate agri-businesses.
Speaking at a public rally during a visit to his political constituency of
Varanasi in northern India, Modi dismissed the fears as misplaced.
“The new agricultural laws have been brought in for benefit of the
farmers. We will see and experience benefits of these new laws in the
coming days,” he said. He blamed the opposition for spreading rumours
about the future of farmers.
The farm sector contributes nearly 15% of India’s $2.9 trillion economy
and employs around half its 1.3 billion people.
The government says the deregulation of the sector will attract
investment and fix the supply chains that lose a quarter of India’s
produce to wastage.
But Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main opposition Congress party,
said the new laws would benefit big business and accused Modi of crony
capitalism.
“Our farmers are standing up against the black laws, they have reached
Delhi leaving their farms and families behind. Do you want to stand with
them or with Modi’s capitalist friends?” he said in a tweet.
Reporting by Sanjeev Miglani; Editing by Nick Macfie
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-farms-protests/indian-pm-modi-refuses-to-back-down-on-farm-
reforms-despite-huge-protests-idUSKBN28A1GB
Madagascar Price Bulletin, November 2020
Format

Situation Report
Source
 FEWS NET
Posted
30 Nov 2020
Originally published
30 Nov 2020
Origin
View original

Attachments
 Download document(PDF | 1014.44 KB)
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) monitors trends in staple food
prices in countries vulnerable to food insecurity. For each FEWS NET country and region,
the Price Bulletin provides a set of charts showing monthly prices in the current marketing
year in selected urban centers and allowing users to compare current trends with both five-
year average prices, indicative of seasonal trends, and prices in the previous year.
Locally-produced rice is the most important staple food for households in northern and central
Madagascar. Imported rice is a less-preferred substitute, but often consumed by poor
households because it is cheaper than locally-produced rice and expands more during the
cooking. Dried cassava is the primary staple food in the south, although it is consumed in
other parts of the country during the lean season when household food stocks are low. Maize
is the third most important staple and the second most consumed cereal in Madagascar.
Antananarivo, the capital city, is the largest urban market and is the major hub for the
country’s staple food trade networks. Antananarivo is a net consumer of staple food and is
supplied by imports arriving through the port of Toamasina and from key surplus producing
areas throughout the country. Antsirabe, the second urban market, is located in the surplus
rice-producing Vakinankaratra region and one of the markets that supply Antananarivo.
Located on the eastern coast, Toamasina is the main port city of Madagascar where major
quantity of imported commodities comes before traded throughout the country. The southern
Madagascar including Ambovombe, Tsihombe, Amboasary and Fianarantsoa markets are the
main providers of cassava and maize.
https://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/madagascar-price-bulletin-november-2020

Malawi Price Bulletin, November 2020
Format
Situation Report
Source
 FEWS NET
Posted
30 Nov 2020
30 Nov 2020
Origin
View original

Attachments
 Download document(PDF | 1.38 MB)
Maize, rice, and cassava are the most important food commodities. Markets selected represent
the entire geographic length of the country: two markets in each of the north, center, and
south. In the north, Karonga is one of the most active markets in maize and rice and is
influenced by informal cross-border trade with Tanzania. Mzimba is a major maize producing
area in the northern region. Salima, in the center along the lake, is an important market where
some of the fishing populations are almost entirely dependent on the market for staple cereals.
Mitundu is a very busy peri-urban market in Lilongwe. In the south, the Lunzu market is the
main supplier of food commodities such as maize and rice for Blantyre. The Bangula market
in Nsanje district was chosen to represent the Lower Shire area, covering Chikwawa and
Nsanje districts.
https://reliefweb.int/report/malawi/malawi-price-bulletin-november-2020

Pakistan Market Monitor Report - November
2020
Format
Situation Report
Source
 WFP
Posted
30 Nov 2020
30 Nov 2020

Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
• In October 2020, the average retail prices for wheat and wheat flour increased by 5.4% and
3.8%, respectively, while the prices of rice Irri-6 and rice Basmati increased by 0.4% and
0.1%, respectively, when compared to the previous month;
• Headline inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased in October 2020 by
1.70% over September 2020 and increased by 8.91% over October 2019;
• The prices of staple cereals and non-cereal food commodities in October 2020 experienced
negligible to slight fluctuations, except for live chicken and eggs which experienced
significant price increases, when compared to the previous month’s prices;
• In October 2020, the average ToT slightly decreased by 3.6% from the previous month;
• In November 2020, the total global wheat production for 2020/21 is projected at 772.38
million MT, indicating a decrease of 0.7 million MT compared to the projection made in
October 2020.
https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-market-monitor-report-november-2020

Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
• In October 2020, the average retail prices for wheat and wheat flour increased by 5.4% and
3.8%, respectively, while the prices of rice Irri-6 and rice Basmati increased by 0.4% and
0.1%, respectively, when compared to the previous month;
• Headline inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased in October 2020 by
1.70% over September 2020 and increased by 8.91% over October 2019;
• The prices of staple cereals and non-cereal food commodities in October 2020 experienced
negligible to slight fluctuations, except for live chicken and eggs which experienced
significant price increases, when compared to the previous month’s prices;
• In October 2020, the average ToT slightly decreased by 3.6% from the previous month;
• In November 2020, the total global wheat production for 2020/21 is projected at 772.38
million MT, indicating a decrease of 0.7 million MT compared to the projection made in
October 2020.
https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-market-monitor-report-november-2020
Malawi Price Bulletin, November 2020
Format

Attachments
 Download document(PDF | 1.38 MB)
Maize, rice, and cassava are the most important food commodities. Markets selected represent
the entire geographic length of the country: two markets in each of the north, center, and
south. In the north, Karonga is one of the most active markets in maize and rice and is
influenced by informal cross-border trade with Tanzania. Mzimba is a major maize producing
area in the northern region. Salima, in the center along the lake, is an important market where
some of the fishing populations are almost entirely dependent on the market for staple cereals.
Mitundu is a very busy peri-urban market in Lilongwe. In the south, the Lunzu market is the
main supplier of food commodities such as maize and rice for Blantyre. The Bangula market
in Nsanje district was chosen to represent the Lower Shire area, covering Chikwawa and
Nsanje districts.
https://reliefweb.int/report/malawi/malawi-price-bulletin-november-2020
Madagascar Price Bulletin, November 2020
Format
Situation Report

Source
 FEWS NET
Posted
30 Nov 2020
30 Nov 2020
Origin
View original

Nigeria rice field attack kills at least 40 people
by The Associated Press | November 30, 2020 at 4:00 a.m.
0
Follow
Funeral for victims of rice and fishermen farmers that were killed by suspected Boko
Haram in Zaabarmar, Borno, Nigeria, Sunday, Nov 29, 2020. Suspected Boko Haram
militants killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen while they were harvesting
crops in Nigeria's northern Borno State, officials said. (AP Photo/Jossy Ola)

MAIDGURI, Nigeria -- Suspected members of the Islamic militant group Boko
Haram killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen in Nigeria as they were harvesting
crops in the country's northern state of Borno, officials said. One official said the
death toll could rise to about 60 people.
The attack Saturday in a rice field in Garin Kwashebe came on the same day that
residents were casting votes for the first time in 13 years to elect local councils,
although many didn't go to cast their ballots.
The farmers were reportedly rounded up and killed by armed insurgents in retaliation
for refusing to pay extortion to one militant.
Malam Zabarmari, a leader of a rice farmers association in Borno state, confirmed the
massacre to The Associated Press, saying at least 40 people and up to 60 could have
been killed.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari expressed grief over the killings.
"I condemn the killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Borno state. The
entire country is hurt by these senseless killings. My thoughts are with their families
in this time of grief," he said.
Buhari said the government had given the armed forces everything needed "to take all
necessary steps to protect the country's population and its territory."
A member of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Satomi, who represents the Jere
Federal constituency of Borno, said at least 44 burials were taking place Sunday.
"Farmers and fishermen were killed in cold blood. Over 60 farmers were affected, but
we only have so far received 44 corpses from the farms," the lawmaker said.
Boko Haram and a breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, are
both active in the region. Boko Haram's more than decade-long insurgency has left
thousands dead and displaced tens of thousands. Officials say Boko Haram members
often force villagers to pay illegal taxes by taking their livestock or crops but some
villagers have begun to resist the extortion.
Satomi said the farmers in Garin Kwashebe were attacked because they had disarmed
and arrested a Boko Haram gunman on Friday who had been tormenting them.
"A lone gunman who was a member of Boko Haram came to harass the farmers by
ordering them to give him money and also cook for him. While he was waiting for the
food to be cooked, the farmers seized the moment he stepped into the toilet to snatch
his rifle and tied him up," he said.
"They later handed him over to the security. But sadly, the security forces did not
protect the courageous farmers. And in reprisal for daring them, the Boko Haram
mobilized and came to attack them on their farms."
Insurgents also set fire to the rice farms before leaving, he said.
Information for this article was contributed by Bashir Adigun of The Associated
Press.

People attend a funeral for those killed by suspected Boko Haram militants in
Zaabarmar, Nigeria, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. Nigerian officials say suspected
members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram have killed at least 40 rice
farmers and fishermen while they were harvesting crops in northern Borno State. The
attack was staged Saturday in a rice field in Garin Kwashebe, a Borno community
known for rice farming. (AP Photo/Jossy Ola)

Babagana Umara Zulum, center, governor of Borno State, prays during a funeral for
those killed by suspected Boko Haram militants in Zaabarmar, Nigeria, Sunday, Nov.
29, 2020. Nigerian officials say suspected members of the Islamic militant group Boko
Haram have killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen while they were harvesting
crops in northern Borno State. The attack was staged Saturday in a rice field in Garin
Kwashebe, a Borno community known for rice farming. (AP Photo/Jossy Ola)
Topics

Nigeria, Associated Press, Islamic State West Africa province, Muhammadu Buhari
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/nov/30/nigeria-rice-field-attack-kills-at-least-40-
people/#:~:text=MAIDGURI%2C%20Nigeria%20%2D%2D%20Suspected%20members,rise%20to%20a
bout%2060%20people.
Mark your calendars for December 10 & 15,
2020!
The US Rice Producers Association is excited to announce the second & third
installments of RMTC’s Virtual Seminars.
These seminar events will feature presentations by rice industry experts shared via a
live Zoom feed as well as a virtual booth space for our sponsors and exhibitors to
share valuable information and connect one-on-one with attendees.
Register Today and Stay Tuned for Details!
Register for Seminar 2
December 10, 2020
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Register for Seminar 3
December 15, 2020
Click Here to Register

The Rice Market & Technology Convention is an annual event that provides an unprecedented
program filled with world-class economists, scientists,and other members ofthe rice industry. In
addition, the RMTC organizes a seriesofsessions, workshops and other case studies in which all
conference delegateswill have the opportunity to engage in conversation with these world-
renowned experts as well as a wold-class exhibit space.
See Past RMTC Highlights
COVID-19 Causes Rice Market & Technology Convention in Panama
Postponement
After closely monitoring the developments, the 2020 Rice Market & Technology
Convention scheduled to take place in Panama, May 19-21 was postponed due to the
worldwide spread of COVID-19. The new dates will not be announced until
conditions are safe for everyone at home and abroad.
We are all learning what is really “essential” and certainly rice is on that list as
evidenced by the increased demand. This makes our international convention even
more important. Rice farmers, rice millers and the allied businesses from throughout
the world are essential in feeding our communities worldwide.
We thank you for your support and participation over the years. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you, your families, loved ones and citizens during this
crisis. Working together, the world will defeat this virus.
We will continue to monitor progress and keep you informed as to potential new
dates. The USRPA office will remain closed for the foreseeable future but staff
continues to work from home. Please let us hear from you – you can send your
comments and/or questions directly to us at info@usriceproducers.com.
Sincerely Yours,
US Rice Producers Association
https://ricemtconvention.com

You Don’t Need to Worry About the New
Ebola-Like Virus If You Live in the U.S.
By
Korin Miller
November 30, 2020NEW
 Share
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Gevende / Getty Images
Key Takeaways
 The Chapare virus,whichissimilartothe Ebolavirus,recentlycausedasmall outbreakinBolivia.
Scientistshave discoveredthatitcan spreadfromperson-to-person.
 There isno knowntreatmentforthe Chapare virus.
 Expertssaythat people livinginthe UnitedStatesdonothave to worryabout the new Ebola-like
virusunlesstheywill be travelingtoplaceslike Boliviawhere the virushasbeenfound.
Scientists have discovered that a deadly virus found in South America that causes similar
symptoms to Ebola can spread from person to person. Researchers from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) presented their research on the Chapare virus at the annual
meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.1
The research also presented early evidence about the species of rodent that carries the Chapare
virus. The findings included information on how the rodents can spread the virus to humans
directly or to other animals that can then infect humans.
What This Means For You
If you’re not planning to travel to Bolivia any time soon, there’s really no reason to worry about
the Chapare virus. However, if you do travel to the country, it’s a good idea to at least be aware
of the symptoms and take preventative steps to stay safe.

What Is the Chapare Virus?
While the Chapare virus is largely a mystery, the researchers discovered new clues using data
from five infections that occurred near La Paz in Bolivia in 2019. Three of those infections were
fatal.2
Before the recent Chapare virus cases emerged, the only known outbreak of the disease was a
small cluster in Bolivia's Chapare Province in 2003.
The most recent outbreak led infectious disease experts from Bolivia's Ministry of Health, the
CDC, and the Pan-American Health Organization to dive into the origins of the disease. They
also developed a new diagnostic test for the virus.
"Our work confirmed that a young medical resident, an ambulance medic, and a
gastroenterologist all contracted the virus after encounters with infected patients—and two of
these healthcare workers later died," Caitlin Cossaboom, DVM, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist
with the CDC's Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, said in a press release.
"We now believe many bodily fluids can potentially carry the virus."
Ebola: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, andTreatment
The researchers found evidence that the medical resident who died from the virus may have been
infected while she was suctioning saliva from a patient. The ambulance medic who was infected
and survived was likely infected when he resuscitated the medical resident as she was being
transported to the hospital once she developed symptoms.
The CDC's research on the human-to-human transmission of the virus highlights the importance
of making sure that healthcare providers (and anyone else who interacts with patients) avoid
contact with anything that could be contaminated with blood, urine, saliva, or semen.
The researchers also detected viral RNA in the semen of one survivor 168 days after infection,
raising the possibility of sexual transmission.
Are There OtherViruses Like Ebola?
Should You Worry?
If you live in the United States, how likely is it that you would come into contact with the
Chapare virus? “It’s very rare,” Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious disease physician in Akron,
Ohio, and a professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells
Verywell.

According to the CDC, the only documented outbreaks of CHHF have occurred in select regions
of Bolivia.3
Watkins adds that arenaviruses similar to Chaparae that have caused disease in
humans have been found in other areas of South America.
Vaccines YouMight NeedBefore Traveling
Watkins says that Americans shouldn’t stress over the Chapare virus. Outbreaks of the virus
have been limited and occurred many years apart, meaning a pandemic is likely not imminent.
However, if you’re planning to travel to Bolivia, the CDC recommends that you stay clear of
areas that are infested with rodents and avoid touching the bodily fluids of people who are sick.4
How Does the Chapare Virus Spread?
The Chapare virus causes Chapare hemorrhagic fever (CHHF), a viral fever that leads to
bleeding.5
The Chapare virus is a member of the arenavirus family, a class of viruses that usually
spreads to people through direct contact with infected rodents or indirectly through the urine or
feces of an infected rodent.
People can breathe in the virus after it's been stirred up in the air or when they eat food that’s
been contaminated with urine, saliva, or droppings from infected rodents.
An infected person can spread the illness to other people through their bodily fluids or during
medical procedures that aerosolize the infected person’s bodily fluids, like CPR and intubation.5
It’s not clear which type of rodent usually spreads the Chapare virus, but researchers have
detected the virus in pigmy rice rats and small-eared pigmy rice rats near La Paz.
Symptoms of Chapare Virus
Once someone is infected with the Chapare virus, it can take between four and 21 days to
develop symptoms.6
The symptoms of Chapare hemorrhagic fever include:
 Fever
 Headache
 Jointandmuscle pain
 Painbehindthe eyes
 Stomachpain
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Bleedinggums
 Rash
 Irritability
Chapare virus has a high fatality rate: 60% of patients died in the most recent outbreak.6

Chapare Virus Treatment
There is no definitive treatment for the Chapare virus.7
However, the CDC says that medical
personnel should try to keep patients comfortable. Interventions that can be used as supportive
care include:
 Providinghydrationandmanagingshock
 Offeringsedationandpainrelief
 Givingbloodtransfusions(if needed)
https://www.verywellhealth.com/bolivia-chapare-virus-outbreak-human-transmission-5088925
Mediterranean Diet Can
Help Women Reduce
Their Risk of Type 2
Diabetes
Shar e on Pi
nt
er
est
Experts say a plant-based diet can help control blood sugar levels and
other factors that can lead to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. 10’000 Hours/Getty
Images
 Researchers say women who are overweight can reduce their risk
of type 2 diabetes by adopting a Mediterranean style of diet.
 Experts say the plant-based diet helps control blood sugar levels
and other factors that can lead to type 2 diabetes.

 They note there are ways to swap foods in your diet to adhere to a
Mediterranean diet, such as switching from white rice to brown
rice.
A Mediterranean-inspired diet can help women who are overweight reduce
their risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 30 percent.
That’s according to a study published this month in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 25,000 apparently healthy female
healthcare workers from the Women’s Health Study (WHS) at Brigham and
Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts.
The WHS is a completed clinical trial that looked at the impacts of vitamin E
and low-dose aspirin among initially healthy women free from cardiovascular
disease and cancer.
Participants were asked to complete food frequency questionnaires about
their dietary intake to develop a baseline between 0 to 9.
The points were assigned for higher intake of Mediterreanean-inclusive foods
such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish. It also
included moderate intake of alcohol and lower intake of red and processed
meat.
Over the span of more than 20 years, the data collection revealed that more
than 2,300 of the women had developed type 2 diabetes.
While measuring potential underlying biomarkers such as insulin resistance,
lipoprotein metabolism, body mass index (BMI), and inflammation, the study
authors said they found no clear cause and effect.
But they did find that such biomarkers are what contributed most to explaining
this inverse association between the Mediterrenean diet and diabetes risk.

So what does this mean?
“A lot of the benefit we see can be explained through just a few pathways.
And it’s important to note that many of these changes don’t happen right
away,” Dr. Samia Mora, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard and an
associate physician at Brigham’s divisions of preventive medicine and
cardiovascular medicine, said in a news release.
“While metabolism can change over a short period of time, our study indicates
that there are longer-term changes happening that may provide protection
over decades,” she said.
Mediterranean diet basics
Experts say the Mediterranean diet is not a fad.
“A Mediterranean diet is greater than just the foods and is really a way of life,”
said Caroline West Passerrello, MS, RDN, LDN, CLT, a spokesperson for the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“In addition to foods common to Spain, Italy, and Greece, it also includes the
processes involved in obtaining, cooking, and consuming the foods as well as
other lifestyle factors (moderate alcohol consumption, not smoking, being
physically active),” she told Healthline.
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health describes the ideal
Mediterranean diet as having an emphasis on healthy fats, limiting animal
protein, avoiding smoking, moderating alcohol intake, and increasing regular
physical activity.
They say olive oil is recommended as the primary added fat, replacing other
oils and fats such as butter and margarine.

Other foods naturally containing healthful fats are highlighted, such as
avocados, nuts, and oily fish like salmon and sardines.
When it comes to animal protein, they suggest choosing fish at least twice
weekly and other animal proteins such as poultry, eggs, and dairy (cheese or
yogurt) in smaller portions either daily or a few times a week.
Red meat is limited to a few times per month.
Finally, Harvard public health officials say we should be choosing water as the
main daily beverage, but they add that a moderate intake of wine with meals
is permissible.
What nutrition experts think
“This study supports the previous research that shows a diet that focuses on
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can positively influence
those biomarkers and reduce the risk for certain chronic health conditions like
type 2 diabetes,” Passerrello said.
“These biomarkers, like cholesterol levels and amount of inflammation, can be
influenced by diet and lifestyle behaviors,” she added.
However, as the study authors and Passerrello point out, a limitation of this
study is that the results are not generalizable.
“The study population consisted of well-educated, female health professionals
who were predominantly white. Therefore, these particular findings aren’t
necessarily applicable to other ethnicities or men,” Passerrello said.

“Even in the population that was studied, predominantly white females, this
study was based on self-reported dietary intake and weights, and the diet was
only assessed at baseline,” she added.
Despite the study’s limitations, Andy De Santis, a registered dietitian with a
master’s in public health community nutrition, said the health benefits of eating
a higher or “greener” Mediterranean diet can likely a wide variety of people.
“Given the robust nutritional benefits that are associated with a ‘green’
Mediterranean dietary pattern, I see no obvious reasons why this style of
eating would not be protective across broader portions of the population,
although definitive research always helps to increase the confidence in such a
claim,” De Santis told Healthline.
“All of my research and education tells me that whole grains, nuts, seeds,
fruits, and vegetables represent the most viable avenues to either prevent or
manage type 2 diabetes,” he said.
“Within the whole grain/starchy veggie category, emphasizing lower [glycemic
index] selections such as sweet potatoes, barley, quinoa, and steel cut oats
will certainly be helpful,” he added.
Furthermore, De Santis said everyone can benefit from adding more plant
fiber to their dietary pattern.
“There is also a special type of plant fiber, known as psyllium, which is
particularly useful at regulating both blood sugar and cholesterol levels,” he
said.
“It’s sold in a variety of forms and can be added to yogurt, smoothies, and
baked goods to provide a little boost,” he noted.

Why the diet works
“The results of this study don’t surprise me in the least because low glycemic
index, high soluble fiber foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and legumes
have long been considered a cornerstone of good blood sugar management,”
said De Santis.
“And a dietary pattern which emphasizes them above all else will almost
inevitably be protective against the development of type 2 diabetes,” he
added.
The glycemic index measures the effect of food on your insulin and blood
sugar (blood glucose) levels.
Foods may be grouped into low, moderate, and high glycemic index
categories. Higher glycemic foods result in quicker spikes in insulin and blood
sugar.
A Harvard Medical School guide demonstrates how to make everyday
switches from higher glycemic index foods to lower ones.
The guide recommends these swaps:
 white rice for brown or converted rice
 instant oats for steel cut oats
 corn flakes for bran flakes
 baked potato for pasta or bulgur
 white bread for whole grain bread
 corn for peas or leafy greens

“[Low glycemic index] foods help with blood sugar management largely due to
their soluble fiber content,” De Santis said.
“Soluble fiber has a slowing effect on the movement of food through the
digestive system and thus leads to a more modest insulin response,” he
noted.
www.healthline.com/health-news/mediterranean-diet-can-help-women-reduce-their-risk-of-type-2-
diabetes
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
Poverty and honesty are not opposites
by WZB Berlin Social Science Center

Credit: guenterguni/E+
Does poverty cause lying? An international research team led by behavioral economist
Agne Kajackaite from the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Suparee Boonmanunt
(Mahidol University, Bangkok) and Stephan Meier (Columbia Business School)
examined whether poverty-stricken individuals were especially prone to acts of
dishonesty. The researchers ran a field experiment with rice farmers in Thailand which
incentivized cheating during a card game. They found that poverty itself did not cause
individuals to act dishonestly.
Whether income influences ethical behavior is a topic of much debate. One approach
holds that ethical acts are limited to those who can 'afford' them. Poverty, in this view,
causes individuals to behave immorally. Empirically, the question whether poverty
fosters or dampens prosocial behavior, has thus far remained unanswered.
The research team is now shedding new light on this relation. To provide a causal
link between poverty and cheating behavior, the researchers conducted a field
experiment with several hundred rice farmers in Thailand. The experiment consisted of
a simple card game that rewarded individuals financially for lying about a card they had
drawn blindly from a stack. The researchers found that participants cheated to a similar
extent both during periods of relative poverty and relative wealth, that is, before and

after harvesting season. "Contrary to the standard economic model—where no cash
leads to cheating for cash—we show that poverty itself does not lead persons to behave
more immorally", says Agne Kajackaite, head of the research group Ethics and
Behavioral Economics at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
The study also provides evidence for the effectiveness of social interventions. Briefing
subjects on the ethical implications of cheating changed the participants' behavior when
the population was somewhat richer (after harvest), but had no effect when the
population was poorer (before harvest). "This suggests that the timing of interventions to
improve people's behavior matters", Kajackaite explains the study's policy implication.
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-poverty-honesty-opposites.html
How to use rice water for skin
care
There are several ways to use rice water for skin care. A person can:
 wash the face using rice water
 apply rice water as a toner after cleansing
 spritz rice water on the face after pouring it into a spray bottle
 add rice water to baths
 add rice water to a foot soak
Some people also use rice water as a hair conditioner or treatment.
Learn more here about the benefits and uses of rice water for the hair.

Are there any risks?
There is no evidence that fresh rice water is harmful to the skin. However, as
with any beauty product, it is prudent to test the product on a small patch of
skin first.
Rice water remains safe to use for around a week. It is advisable to discard
any rice water that is older than this.
People with rice allergies should not use rice water.
It is worth noting that rice water is not a substitute for medical care. It may
help manage a skin condition, but for proven and effective treatments for
conditions such as eczema, a person should consult a doctor.
When to contact a doctor
A person should consult a doctor if:
 they have patches of dry, flaky, or itchy skin
 they experience adverse effects after using rice water, such as hives or
a rash
 their skin shows signs of infection, such as a painful open wound, red
streaks in the skin, a fever, or a wound that will not heal
If a person experiences swelling in the face and throat or difficulty breathing
after using rice water, they should seek immediate medical attention.

Summary
Rice water is inexpensive to make at home and, in most cases, unlikely to
cause harm. For these reasons, some people may want to try it as part of their
skin care routine.
However, while using rice water is popular, there is little conclusive evidence
to prove it has substantial benefits for the skin. Some may find that it helps
their skin heal from irritation or that it reduces oiliness.
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rice-water-for-the-skin+&cd=1&
You Don’t Need to Worry About the New
Ebola-Like Virus If You Live in the U.S.
By
Korin Miller
November 30, 2020NEW
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Gevende / Getty Images
Key Takeaways
 The Chapare virus,whichissimilartothe Ebolavirus,recentlycausedasmall outbreakinBolivia.
Scientistshave discoveredthatitcan spreadfromperson-to-person.
 There isno knowntreatmentforthe Chapare virus.
 Expertssaythat people livinginthe UnitedStatesdonothave to worryabout the new Ebola-like
virusunlesstheywill be travelingtoplaceslike Boliviawhere the virushasbeenfound.
Scientists have discovered that a deadly virus found in South America that causes similar
symptoms to Ebola can spread from person to person. Researchers from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) presented their research on the Chapare virus at the annual
meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.1
The research also presented early evidence about the species of rodent that carries the Chapare
virus. The findings included information on how the rodents can spread the virus to humans
directly or to other animals that can then infect humans.
What This Means For You
If you’re not planning to travel to Bolivia any time soon, there’s really no reason to worry about
the Chapare virus. However, if you do travel to the country, it’s a good idea to at least be aware
of the symptoms and take preventative steps to stay safe.
What Is the Chapare Virus?
While the Chapare virus is largely a mystery, the researchers discovered new clues using data
from five infections that occurred near La Paz in Bolivia in 2019. Three of those infections were
fatal.2
Before the recent Chapare virus cases emerged, the only known outbreak of the disease was a
small cluster in Bolivia's Chapare Province in 2003.
The most recent outbreak led infectious disease experts from Bolivia's Ministry of Health, the
CDC, and the Pan-American Health Organization to dive into the origins of the disease. They
also developed a new diagnostic test for the virus.
"Our work confirmed that a young medical resident, an ambulance medic, and a
gastroenterologist all contracted the virus after encounters with infected patients—and two of
these healthcare workers later died," Caitlin Cossaboom, DVM, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist
with the CDC's Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, said in a press release.
"We now believe many bodily fluids can potentially carry the virus."

Ebola: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, andTreatment
The researchers found evidence that the medical resident who died from the virus may have been
infected while she was suctioning saliva from a patient. The ambulance medic who was infected
and survived was likely infected when he resuscitated the medical resident as she was being
transported to the hospital once she developed symptoms.
The CDC's research on the human-to-human transmission of the virus highlights the importance
of making sure that healthcare providers (and anyone else who interacts with patients) avoid
contact with anything that could be contaminated with blood, urine, saliva, or semen.
The researchers also detected viral RNA in the semen of one survivor 168 days after infection,
raising the possibility of sexual transmission.
Are There OtherViruses Like Ebola?
Should You Worry?
If you live in the United States, how likely is it that you would come into contact with the
Chapare virus? “It’s very rare,” Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious disease physician in Akron,
Ohio, and a professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells
Verywell.
According to the CDC, the only documented outbreaks of CHHF have occurred in select regions
of Bolivia.3
Watkins adds that arenaviruses similar to Chaparae that have caused disease in
humans have been found in other areas of South America.
Vaccines YouMight NeedBefore Traveling
Watkins says that Americans shouldn’t stress over the Chapare virus. Outbreaks of the virus
have been limited and occurred many years apart, meaning a pandemic is likely not imminent.
However, if you’re planning to travel to Bolivia, the CDC recommends that you stay clear of
areas that are infested with rodents and avoid touching the bodily fluids of people who are sick.4
How Does the Chapare Virus Spread?
The Chapare virus causes Chapare hemorrhagic fever (CHHF), a viral fever that leads to
bleeding.5
The Chapare virus is a member of the arenavirus family, a class of viruses that usually
spreads to people through direct contact with infected rodents or indirectly through the urine or
feces of an infected rodent.
People can breathe in the virus after it's been stirred up in the air or when they eat food that’s
been contaminated with urine, saliva, or droppings from infected rodents.

An infected person can spread the illness to other people through their bodily fluids or during
medical procedures that aerosolize the infected person’s bodily fluids, like CPR and intubation.5
It’s not clear which type of rodent usually spreads the Chapare virus, but researchers have
detected the virus in pigmy rice rats and small-eared pigmy rice rats near La Paz.
Symptoms of Chapare Virus
Once someone is infected with the Chapare virus, it can take between four and 21 days to
develop symptoms.6
The symptoms of Chapare hemorrhagic fever include:
 Fever
 Headache
 Jointandmuscle pain
 Painbehindthe eyes
 Stomachpain
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Bleedinggums
 Rash
 Irritability
Chapare virus has a high fatality rate: 60% of patients died in the most recent outbreak.6
Chapare Virus Treatment
There is no definitive treatment for the Chapare virus.7
However, the CDC says that medical
personnel should try to keep patients comfortable. Interventions that can be used as supportive
care include:
 Providinghydrationandmanagingshock
 Offeringsedationandpainrelief
 Givingbloodtransfusions(if needed)
https://www.verywellhealth.com/bolivia-chapare-virus-outbreak-human-transmission-5088925

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