21st March 2022 Daily Gloabal Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter
21 March ,2022 Vol 7 Issue 3
1|www.ricepluss.com, www.riceplusmagazine.blosgspot.com
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874
Harnessing data and artificial intelligence to benefit

rice industry
21 MARCH 2022
Charles Sturt University is working closely with industry partner SunRice to develop a model to
predict rice quality at harvest time.
 Charles Sturt University is working closely with industry partner SunRice to develop a
model to predict rice quality at harvest time
 The model aims to boost returns to the industry by allowing better management of
storage and milling
 The research comes as Charles Sturt is shortlisted for the Australian Government’s
Trailblazers Universities program
The rice harvest is underway and game-changing Charles Sturt University research is being put
to the test to predict grain quality and provide timely information for processing.
Charles Sturt PhD student Allister Clarke from the Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and
Environment, is working with leading Australian food business SunRice and the Food Agility
Cooperative Research Centre.
He said the research is focusing on one of the key measures of rice quality, whole grain yield
(WGY), which represents the percentage of grains that remain un-broken during the milling
process.
―Rice needs to be stored, dried and milled before the WGY can be appraised,‖ Mr Clarke said.
―That means that growers don‘t know the pay grade of their crop until months after harvest and
that the rice can‘t be segregated for quality as it‘s delivered.
―Our model can change that by giving processors and growers‘ information about quality as the
rice is delivered from the farm.‖
Mr Clarke‘s research uses satellite and climate data, historical rice production, harvest and
milling information, along with machine learning algorithms to develop models to predict whole
grain yield.
―This is the second year the model has been tested during rice harvest,‖ Mr Clarke said.
―The aim is to be able to provide information for SunRice to be able to predict the quality of the
crop to manage storage and processing to maximise returns.
―But we also want to be able to provide information to the growers about how their management
and harvest decisions impact the WGY.‖
Mr Clarke said the research also demonstrates the benefits that can be gained in harnessing data
across the value chain.
―This research wouldn‘t have been possible without the decades of information that‘s been
captured from the paddock right through the milling process,‖ Mr Clarke said.
“I’m excited about the potential this area of research holds for other crops and industries in
using the wealth of data across value chains to improve agricultural and food production.”
The CEO of SunRice‘s Global Rice business unit, Belinda Tumbers, said the research project
would deliver benefits for growers and SunRice, and was part of the industry‘s broader research,
development and extension efforts.
―The Australian rice industry is world class. We grow some of the highest quality Japonica-style
varieties anywhere in the world while already using 50 per cent less water than the global
average. SunRice takes that rice and transforms it into valued-added branded products at our
facilities in the Riverina which are then marketed and sold in some 50 global markets.
―This position is underpinned by our research, development and extension into projects like this
one, which are focused on productivity improvements for our growers on-farm, and throughout
the entire supply chain.
―The Australian rice industry has just released a new five-year roadmap to guide the next phase
of our research, development and extension efforts – focused on achieving an aspirational water
productivity target of 1.5 tonnes of rice per megalitre by 2026.
―This new plan will assist us in maintaining the high quality of our rice varieties, while
increasing focus on water-use efficiency. We are investing in four important areas of research,
including optimising genetic improvement of our rice varieties, targeted agronomy and farming
systems and investments in capacity improvement, as well as coordinated industry extension.‖
The Gulbali Institute is a strategic investment by Charles Sturt to drive integrated research to
optimise farming systems, enhance freshwater ecosystems and improve environmental
management, to deliver benefits across Australia and globally.
The research comes as Charles Sturt University has been shortlisted for a share of $242.7 million
in federal government funding under the Australian Government‘s Trailblazer Universities
Program.
The University‘s ‗Reshaping Australian Manufacturing: Food and Beverage Commercialisation
Hub‘ project would assist with the national interest of supporting Australia‘s economic recovery
from the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/harnessing-data-and-artificial-intelligence-to-benefit-rice-
industry
PAU suggests 8 new varieties of rice, other crops

PR 131 and PR 130 of rice, PAU Bt 2 and Bt 3 of cottonUpdated At: Mar 21, 2022 09:10 AM
(IST)
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 20
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed and recommended eight new varieties
of rice, cotton, maize, mash and fodder for general cultivation in Punjab. These include PR 131
and PR 130 of rice, PAU Bt 2 and PAU Bt 3 of cotton, Punjab Baby Corn 1 of maize, Mash 883
of mash, SL 45 of fodder (sorghum) and PCB 166 of fodder (bajra).
Play
The varieties were approved after thorough discussion during a meeting of the State Variety
Approval Committee for Field Crops, held under the chairmanship of Dr Gurvinder Singh,
Director of Agriculture and Farmers‘ Welfare, Punjab. Director of Research Dr AS Dhatt and
Director of Extension Education Dr Ashok Kumar also attended the meeting.
The PR 131 variety of rice is a high yielding and lodging tolerant variety. The PAU Bt 2 is a Bt
cotton variety has inbuilt resistance against spotted and American bollworms.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/pau-suggests-8-new-varieties-of-rice-other-crops-
379302
Stock indices as of March 21, 2022

March 22, 2022
https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/03/22/business/stock-watch/stock-indices-as-of-march-21-
2022/1837080
Major boost for Central Region RVCI project: KOICA

hands over machinery to rice farmers
Date: Mar - 21 - 2022 , 05:19
BY: Shirley Asiedu-Addo
Category: General News
An end to the drudgery of working on rice farms is in sight for rice farmers in the Central
Region, as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has handed over the
machinery support component of the Rice Value Chain Improvement (RVCI) project at a
ceremony at Okyereko last Thursday.
The machinery include two tractors, 10 rice reaper binder combined harvesters, 10 rice threshers,
18 power tillers and accessories, 18 rice winnowers and 30 water pumps to enhance irrigation on
the farms. Other items are a mini combined harvester, laser land leveller, knapsack sprayers and
motorised mist blowers, a transplanter, a seed drill and till seed planter.
It is expected that the equipment and machinery will ease the laborious work involved in rice
farming for the farmers in the five beneficiary districts under the RVCI project.
The farmers at Okyereko also received their share of certified improved AGRA rice seeds for
planting.
Excited beneficiaries
The excitement of the farmers was palpable.
Women farmers jumped, others danced and waved clothes in excitement as the machinery was
handed over to the farmer-based organisation symbolically to mark the handover of equipment to
the five districts working under the RVCI project in the region.
Maame Adwoa Arkoh is one of the women farmers who danced the most about the gesture, and
she told the Daily Graphic she had dreamt of the day the work would be eased by improved
technology for so long and was happy to see it become a reality.
"I am not as old as I look. It is the hard menial farm work that has had its toll on me," she said.
Maame Arkoh, who is only 25, said she had cultivated rice at Okyereko over the years with
almost every stage of the production, from farm to table done manually.
"Usually, you cannot do it alone and you have to get labourers to help at a cost. Harvesting an
acre of rice can take three days with four people working on it.
https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/major-boost-for-central-region-rvci-project-
koica-hands-over-machinery-to-rice-farmers.html
Rice farmers receives free machinery and equipment

Published on: March 20, 2022
By Jastine Angelo Don
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Center
for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), distributed 16,167 free machinery
and equipment to qualified farmers‘ cooperatives and associations.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, PhilMech Director Dionision Alvindia noted some 682,502
farmers nationwide were recipients of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund's (RCEF)
Mechanization Program as of December 2021.
"We just need to clarify that while these are free, we call on the farmers to please join groups as
we prioritize farmer cooperatives and associations as beneficiaries of the program," Alvindia
said.
Alvindia expressed that his office had already procured 19,542 machinery. Among these were
wheel tractor, hand tractor, PTO-driven disc plow/harrow, precision seeder, walk-behind
transplanter, riding type transplanter, rice reaper, combine harvester, and impeller rice mill.
"Our goal is to reduce the production cost of rice farmers so they can save up some for their
savings and other farm needs. These (pieces of) machinery, which are given by the government
for free, are meant to make the farmers' lives more convenient, work will be faster, and there will
be more yield compared to manual or traditional way of farming," Alvindia added.
Of the P10-billion RCEF budget, P5 billion goes to farm machinery and equipment, P3 billion to
inbred seed, P1 billion to farm credit, and P1 billion to training.
The DA emphasized the RCEF Mechanization Program helps the rice farmers to raise the output
of palay or unmilled rice while lowering production costs.
Alvindia cited that these accomplishments are due to the signing into law of the Republic Act
No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019. (JAFD/PIA-IDPD)
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:rPZfbZayFNEJ:https://pia.gov.ph/news
/2022/03/20/rice-farmers-receives-free-machinery-and-
equipment+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Vietnamese rice exports signal a favourable year
Asia News Network | Publication date 21 March 2022 | 07:22 ICT
Farmers in the southern Vietnamese province of Hau Giang harvest paddy. Experts are optimistic
about rice exports as consumption is expected to exceed output. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY
Vietnamese rice exports have been increasing significantly in the first months of 2022, signalling
a favourable year for the country‘s produce.
Data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) showed that the country
exported 974,556 tonnes of rice worth nearly $469.26 million in the first two months of the year,
up 48.6 per cent and 30.6 per cent against the same period last year, respectively.
Vietnam‘s largest rice export market during the period was the Philippines, with the exports to
the country rising by 110 per cent in volume and 82 per cent in value. It was followed by China
with 81,880 tonnes.
Among the exports, Loc Troi Agricultural Products JSC, a subsidiary of Loc Troi Group,
recently completed its first delivery this year with more than 4,500 tonnes of rice worth more
than $3 million to its long-term partners in Italy, France, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Philippines and Kuwait.
In the early days of 2022, Trung An High-Tech Agriculture JSC also exported more than 11,000
tonnes of rice to South Korea.
Pham Thai Binh, director-general of the Trung An company, expected the rice export market in
2022 to be more favourable than in 2021 thanks to increasing demand following the recovery of
the supply chains.
In addition, global uncertainties, including the recent armed conflict between Russia and
Ukraine, would also cause people in many countries to pay more attention to food reserves, Binh
forecast.
Experts forecast both rice output and consumption in the global market would increase this year.
They even said that in the next one or two weeks, rice export market will be busier. Besides,
export prices are also expected to rise again when importers step up their purchases.
Specifically, according to the January 2022 report of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
released recently, global rice output in the 2021-2022 crop is forecast to hit 509.9 million tonnes,
an increase of more than 2.6 million tonnes compared to the previous crop. Meanwhile, global
rice consumption in the 2021-2022 period is projected at 510.3 million tonnes, up nearly 7.8
million tonnes compared to the previous year.
Instead of volume, Vietnamese rice exporters have been focusing more on quality to better
access the European market to capitalise on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
According to the GDVC, though the country‘s rice export volume to the EU last year inched up
only 0.8 per cent against the previous year to 53,910 tonnes, the crop‘s export value surged 21.6
per cent to $38.07 million.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade‘s Import-Export Department attributed the high value to the
success of Vietnamese rice exporters in taking advantage of the EVFTA.
The export price of Vietnamese rice gained the strongest increase of 20.3 per cent to $781 per
tonne on average among the top 10 rice suppliers for the EU in the first nine months of 2021.
The price hike was thanks to an increase in exports of Vietnamese high-quality and speciality
rice varieties such as fragrant rice, ST24 and ST25.
Experts said Vietnam‘s rice exports this year will continue to better exploit the advantages from
the EVFTA to boost shipments to the European market. The EU currently accounts for only a
small ratio of the country‘s total rice exports with one per cent in volume and 1.3 per cent in
turnover.
According to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), Vietnam‘s rice exports in 2022 to the EU
market will be more than 60,000 tonnes because the bloc‘s rice importers have had a better
assessment about the quality of Vietnamese rice. Besides, Vietnamese rice has already gained a
number of traditional customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Poland.
Vietnam expects to export an estimated 100,000 tonnes of broken rice to the EU each year when
the bloc fully liberalises broken rice imports.
According to experts, under the EVFTA, enterprises with large and high standard cultivation
areas such as Loc Troi, Tan Long and Trung An will be the largest beneficiaries.
The VFA said the country this year will further focus on improving rice quality while keeping
the crop‘s volume unchanged against last year at six-to-6.3 million tonnes.
10 | 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
VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/vietnamese-rice-exports-signal-favourable-year
Rice imports rise by a fifth in first two months
BYJASPER Y. ARCALAS
MARCH 21, 2022
The country‘s rice imports in the first two months of the year jumped by a fifth to 560,266.99
metric tons (MT) from last year‘s 462,573.95 MT, according to the latest government data.
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data released to the public showed that 280,405.712 MT of rice
entered the country in January and 279,861.278 MT arrived last February.
During the two-month period, eligible rice imports and traders used a total of 762 sanitary and
phytosanitary import clearances (SPS-ICs).
BPI data also indicated that 46,576 MT of rice were imported in the first three days of March,
raising the total volume imported since the start of the year to 606,842.99 MT. Over 90 eligible
rice importers and traders purchased the staple from abroad during the period.
Vietnam remained as the country‘s top supplier of imported rice as it accounted for 74 percent of
the total volume from January 1 to March 3 or about 448,627.3 MT. It was followed by Thailand
and Pakistan with 61,504.875 MT and 37,170 MT, respectively.
Manila-based Bestow Industries Inc. was the top rice importer during the period, accounting for
71,195 MT, followed by Pioneer Agritrade Resources Inc. which imported 29,660 MT.
The government, through the Tariff Commission (TC), has started its formal investigation into
the merits of extending the lower tariff rate on rice imports, which benefits grain exporters
outside of the Asean region. Last year, President Duterte issued Executive Order 135 which
lowered the tariff on rice imports to 35 percent until the end of May.
The National Economic and Development Authority has proposed the extension of the validity
of the lower tariff rate until the end of the year.
The BusinessMirror broke the story that the country‘s rice imports last year expanded by 32
percent to 2.771 million MT, the second-largest import volume recorded by the Philippines.
BPI data showed that total rice imports last year rose by 672,000 MT from the 2.099 MMT
recorded in 2020.
Vietnam remained as the country‘s top supplier of rice as it accounted for 85 percent of the total
import volume or about 2.36 MMT.
The country‘s rice imports from Vietnam last year rose by 29 percent from 1.828 MMT in 2020,
based on BPI data.
Davao-based Nan Stu Agri Traders was the top rice importer last year, accounting for
169,774.95 MT, followed by Manila-based Bestow Industries Inc. with 129,339.28 MT.
A total of 154 entities imported rice from Cambodia, China, India, Italy, Japan, Korea,
Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam last year. The figure was
lower than the 193 entities recorded in 2020.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/03/21/rice-imports-rise-by-a-fifth-in-first-two-months/
IMF asked Pakistan to show how it would fund $1.5 billion

subsidy package
By Asif Shahzad
ISLAMABAD, March 20 (Reuters) - The International Money Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to
explain how it would fund a $1.5 billion subsidy package announced by Prime Minister Imran
Khan, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said on Sunday.
Additional Reporting by Syed Raza Hasan; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman & Shri
Navaratnam
https://www.reuters.com/business/imf-asked-pakistan-show-how-it-
would-fund-15-bln-subsidy-package-minister-2022-03-20/
Rising oil prices are a challenge for Pakistan: IMF
Published On 19 March,2022 11:42 pm
Talks are underway with Pakistan on economic reforms, says IMF spokesperson.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Spokesperson for the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Gerry Rice on Saturday said that Pakistan‘s economy is facing external challenges.
In an online news conference the IMF spokesperson said that discipline must be ensured and
economic goals must be achieved.
Talking about the economic condition of Pakistan he said that the country‘s economy is facing
external challenges, adding that rising oil prices are a challenge for Pakistan.
He further added that as petrol becomes more expensive, food items can become more expensive
and the rising food prices will further increase inflation.
While mentioning the talks with Pakistan he said that the sixth review with Pakistan was
successfully concluded and one billion dollars were even released after it.
Talks are underway with Pakistan on economic reforms and they are moving in a positive
direction, said Gerry Rice.
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/645983-Rising-oil-prices-are-a-challenge-for-Pakistan-IMF-
Good Commodities Valuing $3.43 Billion Exported In 7 Months

On Mar 20, 2022
ISLAMABAD- Food group exports from the country during first 07 months of current financial
year witnessed about 20.33% growth as compared to exports of corresponding period of last
year. During the period from July-February, 2021-22, different food commodities valuing $3.433
billion were exported as against the exports of $2.588 billion of same period last year. During the
period under review, about 2.179 million tons of rice valuing $1.539 billion was exported as
compared to exports of $1.337 billion of same period last year, according the data of Pakistan
Bureau of Statistics. In last 07 months, rice exports grew by 15.07% and exports of Basmati Rice
grew by 30% as 490,352 metric tons of Basmati rice valuing $432.289 million was exported
against the exports of 345,764 metric tons valuing $330.173 million of same period last year.
Meanwhile, over 2.584 million tons of rice other then Basmati worth of $1.107 billion was
exported during the period under review as compared to exports of 2.153 million tons valuing
$1.007 billion of same period last year, it added. Meanwhile, the exports of other food
commodities including fish, fish preparation grew by 6.48% and 100,129 metric tons of fish and
fish value added products worth $267.486 million were exported as compared to 112,395 metric
tons valuing $251.199 million of same period last year, it added. The exports of leguminous
vegetables (pulses) recoded 100% increase as 77 metric tons of pulses valuing $0.067 million
were exported, whereas its exports in same period of last financial year was at zero. On the other
hand, imports of food goods into the country also recorded 20.24% growth in first 07 months of
current financial year as $6.426 billion were spent on the import of food commodities as against
$5.344 billion of same period last year.
https://nation.com.pk/2022/03/20/food-commodities-valuing-3-43-billion-exported-in-7-months/
Pakistan’s Exports Reach $100 Million Per Day in February

By ProPK Staff | Published Mar 20, 2022 | 7:52 am
Pakistan‘s exports reached $100 million per day in February, which is an impressive record for
the economy. This was stated by Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul
Razak Dawood while presiding over a consultative meeting to discuss the trade trends for the
financial year 2021-22.
The adviser was informed that according to the provisional figures compiled by the Pakistan
Bureau of Statistics (PBS) exports from Pakistan during February 2022 grew by 7.9 percent to
$2.820 billion as compared to $2.614 billion in January 2022. They increased by 36.4 percent as
compared to $2.068 billion in February 2021. He was informed that for the first time, export
reached $100 million per day in February 2022.
He was informed that there were indications that the growth in imports has started to decline.
The imports in February 2022 decreased by 2.14 percent to $5.907 billion as compared to $6.036
million in January 2022.
He was briefed that important exports commodities showed substantial double-digit growth in
February 2022 over February 2021. These included knitwear (grew by 57 percent), readymade
garments (64 percent), bed wear (43 percent), cotton cloth (73 percent), non-basmati rice (51
percent), cotton yarn (17 percent), towels (44 percent), rice basmati (67 percent), made-ups excl.
towels & bedwear (22 percent) and plastic materials by 119 percent.
The adviser was informed that in terms of markets, Pakistan‘s exports to the United States grew
by 25 percent, United Arab Emirates (118 percent), Netherlands (94 percent), Germany (60
percent), Italy (102 percent), Spain (90 percent), United Kingdom (27 percent), China (17
percent), Bangladesh (62 percent) and Turkey (157 percent).
Dawood expressed his satisfaction with the growth of exports and advised the officials of the
Ministry of Commerce to monitor export growth so that the momentum is maintained and
necessary interventions are made if and when necessary.
https://propakistani.pk/2022/03/20/pakistans-exports-reach-100-million-per-day-in-february/
Fourth ITI train departs for Turkey
Khalid HasnainPublished March 20, 2022 - Updated a day ago
THIS file photo shows the first Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train at Margalla Railway
Station in Islamabad during the inauguration ceremony on Dec 22, 2021.—Dawn
LAHORE: The fourth Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train carrying various
high-value products in six containers has departed from Pakistan for Turkey.
On the other hand, nine trains carrying rice have reached to Iran via Taftan so far since the
resumption of the international freight train operation on December 21 last year.
―The fourth ITI train having composition of three 40-feet long containers first reached at
Rohri/Sukkar. Another train having goods in three containers reached from Karachi that were
attached with the ITI train,‖ an official source in Pakistan Railways told Dawn on Saturday.
―The train is likely to reach Istanbul via Tehran (Istanbul) by next week,‖ the official, requesting
anonymity, added.
Talking about the goods being exported to Turkey from Pakistan via ITI rail network, he said the
products included a huge quantity of pink salt which is not only used in Turkey but also in other
European countries.
He said earlier to this, the third train had reached Istanbul from Islamabad last month via Lahore,
Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Sukkur, Spenzand, Sibi, Nushki, Taftan (Pakistan) and Zahidan and
Tehran (Iran) despite encountering heavy snowfall on its way. The ITI train operation were
resumed successfully on Dec 21, 2021, after being latent for nearly a decade,‖ he added.
The first ITI train had reached Turkey in first week of January followed by another that reached
the final destination in last week of the same month. Under an arrangement, before reaching
destination, the goods loaded on the train are supposed to be shifted to other wagons compatible
with the Iranian and Turkish rail/gauge system.
Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2022
https://www.dawn.com/news/1680873
Kazakhstan to host summit for Pakistani companies in May:

Ambassador
News desk
-
March 19, 2022
Kazakhstan will host a trade summit for Pakistan in Atakent Expo Centre, Almaty in May this
year to provide opportunity for Pakistani companies to show case their products to business
community of Kazakhstan.
This was stated by Ambassador of Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin, who
called on the Federal Minister of National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam on Friday.
The Ambassador informed that over 60 Pakistani companies from various sectors such as
agricultural machinery, agricultural products sports goods, surgical instruments, handicrafts,
confectionary to attend the expo.
Fakhar welcomed the Ambassador of Kazakhstan and said that Pakistan looks forward to taking
the relationship with Kazakhstan to the next level , adding that the current trade between
Kazakhstan and Pakistan is the most Pakistan has with any Central Asian country however, it is
far below its true potential.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan should take advantage of the opportunity at hand and ensure maximum
cooperation, Imam said adding that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries can be of
immense benefit to Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
Both sides also discussed the MoU signed between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic
of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research on the cooperation in
the field of agriculture.
Fakhar stressed cooperation in the field of livestock breeding and plant cultivation, agricultural
products trade, quarantine and plant protection, veterinary medicine and agricultural research.
He said that Pakistan has excess rice and potato which can be exported to Kazakhstan.
Speaking on the occasion Yerzhan Kistafin showed keen interest in importing rice from Pakistan
and said thatthat Kazakhstan already imports rice from Russia and so it would be beneficial for
them to directly import from Pakistan.—APP
https://pakobserver.net/kazakhstan-to-host-summit-for-pakistani-companies-in-may-ambassador/
Tailwater recovery research shows significant water savings
in row rice
By John Lovett U of A System Division of Agriculture
Posted 3/19/22
Fast factsArkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher develops recirculated
irrigationPatented tailwater recovery irrigation uses less water than common flooded-field
riceMore consistent …
http://newtoncountytimes.com/stories/tailwater-recovery-research-shows-significant-water-
savings-in-row-rice,59970
We do not have food security. We are only secure in rice

production to an extent'
Dr Mohammed Asaduzzaman, former research director at Bangladesh Institute of
Development Studies (BIDS), sat with The Business Standard to discuss why we lag behind
neighbouring countries in terms of agricultural productivity, our dependence on food
import, loss of agricultural land and other issues
If Bangladesh is self-sufficient in rice production, why would we import rice? Photo: Wikimedia
Commons
It is often said that Bangladesh has attained food security even though we continue to
import a large number of essentials from the global market, leaving us susceptible to the
vagaries of global price volatility.
Recently, The Business Standard talked to Dr Mohammed Asaduzzaman, former research
director at Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).
The agro-economist talked about why we lag behind neighbouring countries in terms of
agricultural productivity, dependence on food import, loss of agricultural land and other issues.
https://www.tbsnews.net/interviews/we-do-not-have-food-security-we-are-only-secure-rice-
production-extent-387906
Cooperative nets much yearly from growing organic rice

SGGPSunday, March 20, 2022 14:51
The Long Hiep Cooperative in the Mekong Delta Province of Tra Vinh’s Tra Cu District
has gradually grown and netted hundreds of millions of Vietnam dong per year from
growing organic rice though it faced many various difficulties, lack of investment capital,
application of technology at first.
Young man Tram Minh Thuan visits organic rice field

After graduating with a master's degree in food technology, young man Tram Minh Thuan
worked for a time to gain experience, then returned to his hometown in Long Hiep Commune in
Tra Cu District to establish Long Hiep cooperative. In 2018, the cooperative went into operation
but faced many difficulties because people did not trust this model initially. Thanks to the
support of local government and scores of organizations, the cooperative has gradually grown
gaining residents‘ trust.
The cooperative had 61 members, the farming area was about 50ha, now it has expanded to
120ha with 72 members, specializing in cultivating rice varieties OM 18, OM 5451, ST24, and
ST25. The cooperatives focus on producing high-quality, organic rice, grown by exploiting the
natural productive power of paddy fields without relying on pesticides or chemical fertilizers in
combination with giant freshwater prawn farming.
According to the cooperative‘s plan, normal rice is grown in a large field in Long Hiep
commune, which is less susceptible to saline intrusion while organic rice is grown in an area of
about 20 hectares in Dong Xuan commune in Duyen Hai District, where salinity is affected. In
the saline area, the cooperative will also raise freshwater shrimp.
Organic rice cultivation has a lower yield than normal rice production, but many farmers prefer
growing organic rice in saline areas because without using pesticides and chemical fertilizers,
farmers can breed freshwater prawns. In addition, the cooperative promised to buy all organic
rice according to the market price and pay farmers an extra of VND500 a kilogram of rice they
buy.
According to Mr. Thuan, the cooperative will continue to invest in growing organic rice by
expanding the area of organic rice cultivation and developing the clean rice supply chain. The
expansion of organic rice cultivation area not only helps the cooperative to develop but also
helps farmers not to be forced to sell rice at lower prices to traders.
In addition, the cooperative has constantly improved the value of clean rice production chains in
saline areas with typical clean rice products and rich flavors investing in rice seeds and providing
microbiological fertilizers for farmers to produce according to the technical process.
An aerial view of an organic rice field
This approach helps cooperative members reduce investment costs and increase productivity by
10-20 percent. The cooperative proposed to buy organic rice at high prices, farmers are more
excited. Currently, the price of organic rice is about VND7,500 per kg widely consumed.
The profits of the cooperative have increased year by year, in 2021 alone, the revenue reached
VND3.2 billion (US$139,708), bringing hundreds of millions of Vietnam dong in profit, said
Thuan.
Thanks to his contributions to the province‘s growth, Mr. Tram Minh Thuan has just been
elected as Vice Chairman of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Tra Vinh Province. In
addition, Mr. Thuan also entered the top 100 outstanding young entrepreneurs nationwide in
2021 and was one of 56 typical young people to receive the 2020 Luong Dinh Cua Award.
Mr. Le Van Dong, Deputy Director of Tra Vinh Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development, said that the Long Hiep cooperative is highly appreciated by functional sectors.
From this effect, the province is continuing to replicate and develop many similar models in the
area.
By Quoc An – Translated b
https://www.sggpnews.org.vn/national/cooperative-nets-much-yearly-from-growing-organic-
rice-97999.html
NA Chairman attends celebration of military factory's

anniversary
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on March 19 attended a ceremony to mark the
65th anniversary of Z111 Factory under the General Department of Defense Industry (March 19,
1957 - 2022) in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa.
VNA Saturday, March 19, 2022 17:01
Hanoi (VNA) - National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on March 19 attended a
ceremony to mark the 65th anniversary of Z111 Factory under the
General Department of Defense Industry (March 19, 1957 - 2022) in the north-central province
of Thanh Hoa.
The top legislator handed the Fatherland Defence Order, first class, to the factory in recognition
of its achievements in research, development and production of new and modern weapons.
and equipment.
Congratulating the unit on its excellent achievements, NA Chairman Hue highlighted the
importance of military scientific and technical research in general and science and technology in
defence industry development in particular, suggesting that the factory pay attention to
researching and building an innovation centre to create a breakthrough in military science
research and application, towards promoting the development of the defence industry; and
training and developing high-quality human resources.
He also agreed with orientations and construction and development tasks raised by the general
department and the factory, saying that agencies need to closely follow guidelines and
resolutions of the Party, and policies and laws of the State on building and developing the
defence industry, contributing to upholding the fine tradition of the defence industry./.
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/na-chairman-attends-celebration-of-military-factorys-
anniversary/223763.vnp
farmers' tribute: Motherland's map in agriculture land

in Khulna
Khalid Umar Malik
20th March 2022, 12:06 GMT+11
KHULNA, Bangladesh - Farmers in Khulna's Rupsha Upazila have recreated the map of
Bangladesh by cultivating a new rice variety, "Bangabandhu Dhan-100," in two different colors
to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of
the Nation.
Purple-colored paddy was used to create the border, while green paddy created the map's body.
On World Food Day in 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a new variety of paddy
developed by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute scientists to commemorate the birth centenary
of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
With the help of local officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), fifteen
farmers from the upazila took the initiative to recreate the map.
The farmers also used the purple paddy to write "Mujib Shotoborsho Bangabandhu Dhan-100" in
the map's body.
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/272404488/farmers-tribute-motherland-map-in-
agriculture-land-in-khulna
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, visits Pampore Saffron fields,

inaugurated rice mill at Patalbagh Pampore
By KR Desk on 12:31 am March 20, 2022\
PAMPORE: Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and

Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir Nazir Ahmad Ganaie visited Saffron fields at Galander and
Patalbagh in Pampore area of South Kashmir‘s Pulwama district on Saturday.
The Vice Chancellor was invited to Saffron fields and Patalbagh by young progressive farmer
and member of Kisan advisory board Irshad Ahmad Dar.
The vice Chancellor discussed various developemental projects with the farmers of the area.
During the visit Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad Ganaie met with youth and various
farmers including progressive farmer and member of Kisan advisory board Irshad Ahmad.
The vice chancellor and his team of officers were welcomed by Irshad Ahmad Dar.
Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir was accompanied by Director Extension Dr Dil Mohammad
Maqdoomi, Director Research Dr Sarfraz Ahmad, Director Planing Dr Haroon and other
officials.
The Vice Chancellor also inaugurated a rice mill at Patalbagh village of Pampore.
‖ Taking to Kashmir Reader Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad said that a number of
youth from Patalbagh and villages of Pampore area are in contact with our university SKUAST
Kashmir, it was because of the efforts of these young people like Irshad Ahmad Dar that
government notified Patalbagh as organic village,
‖ Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Nazir Ahmad Ganie said, adding that the youth are in constant
contact with Director Extension.
He told Kashmir Reader that the youth have taken farming as means of earning their livelihood
and they are progressive farmers who don‘t run after government jobs.
‖ Today we visited the area to review the work of our progressive farmers,‖ he said, adding that a
young farmer, Suhail Ahmad who is a post graduate in commerce , has set up a rice mill.
He appreciated Suhail and wished him best luck before inaugurating the rice mill.
He also appreciated the youth of the area for bringing glamour in agriculture by shifting focus
from subsistence farming to commercial farming like dairy, sheep farming and apiculture.
He said that you are not moving but coming back to farming which is a very good sign for
agriculture.
https://kashmirreader.com/2022/03/20/vice-chancellor-skuast-visits-pampore-saffron-fields-
inaugurated-rice-mill-at-patalbagh-pampore/
Maha season harvest to drop by 40%
By Sunimalee Dias
The Sri Lankan government is desperately trying to buy food to feed its people while bracing for
a 40 per cent loss in paddy yield from the Maha season as a result of which analysts believe
authorities will be compelled to increase rice imports.
Rice is the staple food of the Sri Lankan people and with the largest cropping season having
ended authorities have found that they will not have enough food to feed its citizens as a result of
which they have turned to India and Myanmar to fill the rice warehouses.
The crop forecast by the Department of Agriculture indicated a 30 per cent loss but it is learnt
now that official figures are likely to indicate a higher yield loss in paddy amounting to 40 per
cent.
Sri Lanka requires about 185-196, 000 MT of rice per month and so authorities need to fill the
gap on the reduced supply of locally produced rice.
A government needs to provide food to its people and maximise on contribution to food security
but whether it is affordable is another question, Peradeniya University Crop Science Snr. Prof.
Buddhi Marambe told the Business Times.
Purchasing more imported rice would mean more foreign exchange going out of the country, he
noted.
Demand for rice increases particularly during the New Year holidays in April and when school
holidays are around.
Cabinet approval was granted to import 300,000 MT of rice and 30,000 MT had been imported
from Myanmar and it is likely that India‘s US$1 billion credit line will also prioritise on rice. Sri
Lanka had already imported rice from India as well.
Sri Lanka has always adopted the ad hoc policy of protecting farmers during the good times and
its consumers during the bad times.
In this respect, authorities bracing themselves for a crisis in terms of a food shortage have been
running hither and thither to buy rice for Sri Lanka. This was clearly evident when during their
bad times some of their good friends like China refused to grant 1 million MT of rice despite the
two countries marking a 70 year relationship, analysts said.
In this respect the government liberalised the import of rice, clearly indicating the government‘s
desperation in getting food on the table. This allows for importers to bring rice into the country
with the aim of filling the gap in rice shortage.
Last year Sri Lanka enjoyed a good harvest that produced 3,061,394 MT of paddy during the
Maha season in 2020/2021.
However, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage refused to accept there is a shortage
and insisted that the government is importing rice to control the price of rice in the local market
due to the ―rice mafia‖.
https://www.sundaytimes.lk/220320/business-times/maha-season-harvest-to-drop-by-40-
476808.html
New, possibly arboreal rice rat species discovered in

Ecuador
Date:
March 18, 2022
Source:
Pensoft Publishers
Summary:
Three expeditions led an international research to the Cordillera de Kutukú, an isolated
mountain range in Ecuador, to find just one specimen of the previously unknown species.
The find in the Amazonian side of the Andes underlines the valuable biological role of
this mountainous region.
Share:
FULL STORY
"In total, the expeditions to the Kutukú region in southeastern Ecuador involved 1,200 trap
nights, but only one specimen of the new species Mindomys kutuku was found," says Dr. Claudia
Koch, curator of herpetology at the LIB, Museum Koenig Bonn, explaining the effort that went
into locating the rare animal. From the collected specimen, the dry skin, skeleton and tissue were
preserved for the collections. Preservation will allow future research to detect environmental
changes, learn more about the ecology of the animals and plants -- and securely document the
new species description, which was published in late February in the journal Evolutionary
Systematics. The rice rat genus Mindomys was previously considered monotypic and included
only the type species Mindomys hammondi. This species is known from only a few specimens,
all of which were collected in the foothill forests of the Andes in northwestern Ecuador.
Using computed tomography images obtained for the new species at LIB and for the holotype
(specimen from which a species was described) of M. hammondi at the Natural History Museum
in London, the researchers Jorge Brito of the Instituto Nacional de la Biodiversidad (INABIO),
Claudia Koch, Nicolás Tinoco from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) and
Ulyses Pardiñas from the Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución del Sur (IDEAus-CONICET) were
able to compare the skulls of the two species in great detail in a 3D model and distinguish
between the two species.
The adult male of M. kutuku measures just under 35 cm from snout to tip of tail, of which the tail
makes up about 20 cm. It has a dark reddish-brown dorsal coloration and a pale yellow ventral
fur.
Since the only specimen found was captured with the help of a ground trap set, it could not be
observed in its habitat. Thus, as with its sister species M. hammondi, which was described in
1913, virtually nothing is known about the natural history of the new species. The scientists
suspect that both of them could be arboreal species. A tail that is significantly longer than the
body length and also covered with long hairs could be two features that indicate an arboreal
lifestyle. However, aboreality is the least studied way of life within the New World mice and a
reliable study of the anatomical aspects typical of this way of life is still lacking.
Previously, Mindomys records were restricted to the western Andean foothills of Ecuador. The
Kutukú material now shows that the genus also occurs on the Amazonian side of the Andes and
underscores the valuable biological importance of the isolated mountain ranges in eastern
Ecuador.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Pensoft Publishers. The original text of this story is licensed under
a Creative Commons License. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
1. Jorge Brito, Claudia Koch, Nicolás Tinoco, Ulyses F. J. Pardiñas. A new species of Mindomys
(Rodentia, Cricetidae) with remarks on external traits as indicators of arboreality in
sigmodontine rodents. Evolutionary Systematics, 2022; 6 (1): 35
DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.76879
Cite This Page:

 MLA
 APA
 Chicago
Pensoft Publishers. "New, possibly arboreal rice rat species discovered in Ecuador."
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 March 2022.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220318110252.htm>.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220318110252.htm
KNUST Scientists find cancer-causing substances in street-

vended fried rice
Source: Kwasi Debrah
18 March 2022 2:50pm
Scientists at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have advised that
food should be prepared at low temperatures.
This comes on the back of a research by the Food Science and Technology Department of KNUST
which found cancer-causing substances in street-vended fried rice.
Benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz-a,h-anthracene are the most potent cancer-causing substances formed through
food burning.
The Scientists sought to find out the presence of these substances in street-vended fried rice.
The substances were also detected in fried chicken samples of street-vended fried rice.
The Lead Scientist, Gloria Mathanda Ankar-Brewoo said ―As for the food, it was found in the soup
because we use the dried fish. And for the fried rice, as we stir fry. All those activities contributed to the
formation of the pyrines.‖
The scientists have therefore recommend food preparation at relatively low temperatures to prevent
charring.
https://www.myjoyonline.com/knust-scientists-find-cancer-causing-substances-in-street-vended-
fried-rice/
Food Fight: The Green Revolution And The Battle Over

GMOs
|
Posted By Tim Hains
On Date March 17, 2022
Via Kite & Key Media: Imagine being able to prevent childhood blindness with rice. No, this
isn‘t a biblical miracle. It‘s the reality of genetically modified organisms.
A 2015 Pew survey found that a majority of Americans don‘t think GMO foods are safe to eat.
But the same poll found a notable exception to that trend. 88% of scientists said they were safe to
eat.
Why? Scientists know that almost any organism that humans have domesticated has already been
genetically modified. Thanks to generations of selective breeding, for instance, many of the
foods you love … are nothing like they were in nature. In fact, GMOs allow that process to
happen with more precision than conventional techniques.
That‘s not the only agricultural benefit of GMO foods. Genetically modified crops can have
higher yields, greater resistance to pests, and more nutritional value. In the face of public
opposition, however, many of those innovations are being delayed — and the costs are being
borne by some of the world‘s most vulnerable people.
"Many of us have the luxury of not thinking of it as a problem because we‘ve made such
incredible strides in reducing hunger in the last several decades. We‘ve never been able to get so
much food to so many people. Although it‘s worth remembering that how good that progress
looks really depends on where you live," the video reports.
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Z5g93cJ-
AKQJ:https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2022/03/17/food_fight_the_green_revolution_an
d_the_battle_over_gmos.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Easy meals to prepare for Christmas and Boxing Day
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Thai fried rice. PHOTO/COURTESY

By A. Kadumukasa Kironde II
What you need to know:
 This Christmas season we have come up with a selection of recipes from which you can select
and tailor your own menu.
For that matter, you may choose just a couple of items to add to your own menu repertoire. Not
every family can afford the likes of roast turkey or beef Wellington.
Pumpkin is in season and pumpkin soup would be an excellent starter if you have a few guests
over and you want to something different and formal.
Thai fried rice
This hot and spicy dish is easy to prepare and can be had as a meal unto itself. Serves 4
Ingredients:
220 grams Thai jasmine rice. Basmati rice is a substitute.
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 good size onion, chopped
1 small red or yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into ¾ inch cubes
340g skinless and boneless chicken breasts, cut into ¾ inch cubes
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 knob ginger, crushed
1 tbsp. curry paste which cans be substituted with a good quality curry powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tap ground turmeric
2 tbsp. fish sauce
2 eggs beaten

Kabira capitalises on the Indian cuisine
Dining Dec 19

Tamarai Restaurant and Tea bar: The Sunday roast
Life Dec 19
Salt and ground black pepper
Fried basil leaves, to garnish
Variations:
Feel free to add 60g frozen peas to the chicken in step three if you so wish. Naturally, you may
use fresh peas if you have them in stock
Method
1. Put the rice in a sieve and wash thoroughly under cold running water and then put the rice in a
heavy-bottomed pan and add 6 ¼ cups of boiling water. Return to a boil and then simmer gently
leaving the pan uncovered, for 8 – 10 minutes, drain well. Spread out the grains on a tray and set
aside to cool.
2.Heat a wok until hot and add at least 2 tbsps. of the oil and swirl it around. Add the onion and
red pepper and stir fry for about 1 minute.
3.Add the chicken (with the peas if you are using them), garlic, ginger, curry paste and spices
and stir fry for 2 – 3 minutes
4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the rice which would have cooled down by now, fish
sauce and seasoning, Stir fry for 2 – 3 minutes until the rice is very hot.
5.Make a well in the centre of the rice and add the remaining oil. When hot, add the beaten egg
and allow to cook for about 2 minutes until lightly set then stir in the rice.
6. Sprinkle over the fried basil leaves and serve at once.
Pilau
1 tumpeco of white rice, cooked and preferably cold
1 sliced onion
2 teaspoons of garlic, crushed
Sliced ginger
Chili if so desired
Ground cinnamon
Cardamom (whole)
Cumin
Black pepper
Cooked peas
Boiled potatoes, quartered
Meat, preferably boneless
Tomato paste
Vegetable oil
Fresh cilantro
Method
1. Make sure that the white rice is completely separated and this can best be done by hand.
Each grain must be apart. This recipe best works when the rice is cold. Have the meat already
cooked and set aside.
2. Heat a saucepan and fry the onions, garlic, ginger until the onions become translucent. Add
the chili, cumin, whole cardamom, black pepper and the cooked potatoes and the peas if you are
using them. Add the tomato paste and continue to stir fry for about 5 minutes. Add a bit of salt
and taste and correct seasoning.
3. Add the white rice to the mixture and stir fry until the rice is hot and all the spices can be
tasted and there should be a strong presence of cardamom. Add the coarsely chopped cilantro
and heat through and taste and correct seasoning before serving.
4. The rice should have a nice brownish hue to it as well as a wonderful fragrance of the pilao
masala ingredients.
Braised matooke with or without meat (katogo)
Serves 4
Ingredients:
20 very mature peeled fingers of matooke (The more mature the better the outcome)
2-Carrots chopped
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 medium sliced onions
A few sprigs of chopped cilantro
1 sliced courgette
¼ kilo fresh garden peas
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 chopped celery stalk
1 large sliced green pepper
10-chopped garden eggs (entula)
Vegetable oil
5 medium size chopped tomatoes
4 tbsp. tomato paste
Salt to taste
4 tablespoons ghee
Two bunches washed and chopped dodo
1 bay leaf
Method
1.Put the matooke into a heavy saucepan and then add water and bring to a boil. Do NOT add
salt. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for at least an hour; the longer the better.
2.In the meantime, heat some vegetable oil in a medium size saucepan and fry the garlic and
onions and then add the rest of the vegetables including the salt and pepper. Add a bit of stock or
water and simmer gently over low heat for forty-five minutes. Correct the seasoning.
3. As soon as the matooke is done drain the water and reserve some of it in case you need to
add a bit more to the vegetable mix. Immediately after draining the matooke add the vegetables
and the return your saucepan to the cooker. Once it begins to boil reduce the heat at once and
cook for another half hour. Serve hot.
Summer garden beef salad
Summer garden salad. PHOTO/COURTESY

Green onion dressing (see below)
Basic recipe
3 cups julienne strips cooked lean beef fillet or boneless chicken strips
2 cups cooked fresh whole kernel corn or canned corn
1 cup cooked fresh French beans or better still, Chinese pea pods
1 cup julienne strips plum tomatoes
2 thinly sliced and separated onions
1 cup julienne strips zucchini (about 1 or 2 medium)
1 cup green or yellow bell pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
6 to 10 lettuce leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Green onion dressing
½ cup chopped spring onions (6 or so medium)
½ cup plain yogurt
¼ cup white wine or apple juice
¼ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Place all the ingredients in a blender or a food processor, cover and blend for about 30 seconds
Prepare the green onion dressing and toss with the remaining ingredients shown in the basic
recipe except for the lettuce leaves and chives. Serve the salad on lettuce leaves and sprinkle
with chives. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/dining-recipes/easy-meals-to-prepare-
for-christmas-and-boxing-day-3656952
Illegal extraction of sand along Rice Canal continues

PPI 21 Mar, 2022
LARKANA: The menace of unlawful sand lifting continues to hit the residents hard of OPF
Colony and other nearby areas of Larkana. Sand is being lifted through tractor-trolleys, heavy
dumpers and even on donkeys but the relevant authorities have taken no notice of this issue
which is constantly creating environmental pollution apart from infecting the people with ENT
and asthma diseases.
During a visit to the affected areas on Sunday, it was found that tractor-trolleys and dumper
drivers and donkey owners were lifting the sand from Rice Canal with the help of heavy
machinery. This sand it later sold to different areas of the city for earth-filling of plots. It is also
used by brick-kilns located around Airport Bypass near Chooharpur village. Due to sand
particles in the air, bikers are the worst affected because it directly hits their eyes. People also
inhale it which is also hazardous for asthma patients. Even the hotels/ restaurants along the
Railway Crossing Road are facing trouble.
In the past residents had held protest demonstrations to stop this malpractice because due to rash
driving of tractor drivers several accidents had occurred. Later, the district administration took
notice, arrested a few and warned them not to life sand from Rice Canal but these people ignored
the warning and resumed their sand lifting business.
Since there is no irrigation water in the Rice Canal it has become very easy for the sand
contractors to operate anywhere without fear of law. There are estimated 350 tractor trolleys
lifting sand regularly in this area.
Some residents of OPF and other nearby colonies including Aijaz Katpar, Hafeezullah, Abdul
Samad, and Lutuf Ali said that they have made several complaints to the district administration
but no stern action has so far been taken in this regard.
Ahmed Ali Soomro, Assistant Commissioner and Assistant Director, Anti-Encroachment Cell,
Larkana, said that since his posting 22 months ago he has arrested many tractor trolley drivers
and taken their vehicles in custody but the malpractice still continues.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40161978/illegal-extraction-of-sand-along-rice-canal-
continues
‗Pakhala Dibasa‘ amid the sizzling summer
Updated: March 20th, 2022, 12:37 IST
Bhubaneswar: With mercury gradually rising day by day, a number of Odia families
residing across the globe are celebrating March 20, Sunday as „Pakhala Dibasa‟. The
Day is being observed since 2012.
The typical diet and Odia staple food „Pakhala‟, which is widely eaten in most of the
households in Odisha, is a time-tested recipe to beat the sizzling heat of summer.
It is also an immunity booster to fight against viruses including Covid-19, a study earlier
conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Bhubaneswar showed.
Pakhala is prepared by leaving cooked rice in water and then it is allowed to ferment
overnight. The fermented water is a storehouse of microbes which in turn by-produce
short-chain fatty acid (SCFA).
The typical Odia dish can be tried in various ways by adding a wide variety of flavours to
it like Saja Pakhala, Basi Pakhala, Dahi Pakhala, Chupuda Pakhala, Sugandhi Pakhala,
Amba Kasi Pakhala, Malliphula Pakhala, Ghee Pakhala and Mitha Pakhala.
The term Pakhala has been derived from Pali word „pakhaliba‟ and Sanskrit word
„prakshyalana‟ which means „wash‟.
It is not only preferred in Odia households, but also the most revered deities – Lord
Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra love Pakhala. The Holy Trinity is
served the dish during many occasions in a year as per the Vaishnavite temple tradition.
It is pertinent to mention, Pakhala (water-soaked and fermented rice) has several

necessary ingredients to fight against viral attacks and is a magical immunity booster
too, a group of researchers at the AIIMS had previously said.
According to additional professor of Biochemistry and Head of the AIIMS Center of

Clinical Microbiome Research (CCMR) Balamurugan Ramadass, who had spearheaded
the study, Pakhala has anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, fatty acids present in the
„Torani‟ (fermented water of soaked-rice) have potencies to help one‟s body to fight
against Covid-19, the researcher had added.
A scholarly article in this regard was also published by the team of researchers at
CCMR, which carried out the study under AIIMS.
“Pakhala certainly boosts our body‟s immunity. I, myself drink at least 500ml of Torani
every day before leaving for my work. Not only it boosts immunity in the body, but also
the anti-inflammatory property present in the dish can help relieve our pain and bring
down our fever,” Ramadass had said.
Pakhala has Lactobacillus bacteria too that can help create antibodies in our body. It
can also aid in stopping the malnutrition issues – especially during the development of
fetus in ovary, the researcher had further said.
https://www.orissapost.com/pakhala-dibasa-amid-the-sizzling-summer/

21st March 2022 Daily Gloabal Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

21 March ,2022 Vol 7 Issue 3

Harnessing data and artificial intelligence to benefit

PAU suggests 8 new varieties of rice, other crops

Tribune News Service

Stock indices as of March 21, 2022

Major boost for Central Region RVCI project: KOICA

The excitement of the farmers was palpable.

Rice farmers receives free machinery and equipment

Vietnamese rice exports signal a favourable year

Asia News Network | Publication date 21 March 2022 | 07:22 ICT

Rice imports rise by a fifth in first two months

IMF asked Pakistan to show how it would fund $1.5 billion

Rising oil prices are a challenge for Pakistan: IMF

Published On 19 March,2022 11:42 pm

Good Commodities Valuing $3.43 Billion Exported In 7 Months

Pakistan’s Exports Reach $100 Million Per Day in February

Fourth ITI train departs for Turkey

Khalid HasnainPublished March 20, 2022 - Updated a day ago

Kazakhstan to host summit for Pakistani companies in May:

We do not have food security. We are only secure in rice

Cooperative nets much yearly from growing organic rice

Young man Tram Minh Thuan visits organic rice field

NA Chairman attends celebration of military factory's

farmers' tribute: Motherland's map in agriculture land

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, visits Pampore Saffron fields,

PAMPORE: Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and

Maha season harvest to drop by 40%

New, possibly arboreal rice rat species discovered in

Cite This Page:

KNUST Scientists find cancer-causing substances in street-

Food Fight: The Green Revolution And The Battle Over

Thai fried rice. PHOTO/COURTESY

Summer garden salad. PHOTO/COURTESY

Illegal extraction of sand along Rice Canal continues

‗Pakhala Dibasa‘ amid the sizzling summer

Updated: March 20th, 2022, 12:37 IST

It is pertinent to mention, Pakhala (water-soaked and fermented rice) has several

According to additional professor of Biochemistry and Head of the AIIMS Center of

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