New 3D-printed sensor can detect glyphosate

in beverages
September 14, 2021

Rese
archers tested the glyphosate sensor on samples of orange juice that they spiked with
the herbicide for the study. Photo by Bob Hubner, WSU Photo Services.
By Sara Zaske, WSU News
PULLMAN, Wash. – A newly developed, low-cost sensor can detect and accurately
measure the amount of the widely used and controversial herbicide, glyphosate, in
droplets of liquid in a laboratory test.
Washington State University and DL ADV-Tech engineers developed the sensor
device, which uses nano-sized tubes, and tested it on samples of orange juice and rice
beverages that they spiked with the herbicide for the study. The glyphosate sensor
uses technology that is similar to that used in glucose tests that can quickly measure
blood sugar levels from a pinprick of blood.
Ultimately, that is the goal for this sensor: to test human samples for monitoring
glyphosate exposure, but in the study published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics,
researchers first showed the sensor’s potential for testing beverages.
“We started to develop this sensor for health monitoring, but it also can be used for
food safety and environmental monitoring,” said Yuehe Lin, professor in WSU’s
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and the study’s corresponding
author. “We designed it to be portable and used 3D-printing to make it small and
compact, so that it can be used anywhere—in the lab or in the field.”

Yuehe Lin
Before this new development, methods of detecting and measuring herbicides like
glyphosate often relied on meticulous preparation of samples and expensive scientific
equipment like mass spectrometers. Other methods involve using biological
antibodies to attract and bind the herbicide molecules, which is also expensive with
materials that need to be carefully stored to prevent degradation of the natural
components.
The sensor developed by the research team uses electrically conducting polymer
nanotubes that are imprinted with molecule-sized cavities that can bind glyphosate
molecules – essentially mimicking the biological antibodies. These nanotubes are then
coated on a 3D-printed sensor device that uses an electric current to quantify the
glyphosate concentration. Because it uses an artificial antibody instead of biological
one, the sensor doesn’t need special storage, and the sensing materials are relatively
inexpensive.
The researchers tested the sensor on samples of orange juice and rice beverages that
they spiked with known levels of glyphosate. They found the sensor had the ability to
detect the herbicide with high sensitivity and specificity.
 Shichao Ding
“For the next step, we want to use the sensor to detect glyphosate in some human
samples such as blood, saliva or urine,” said Shichao Ding, a WSU doctoral candidate
in Lin’s lab and first author on the paper. “We will also continue to develop some new
nanomaterials to enhance its sensing performance.”
Glyphosate has been approved for use by many regulatory agencies including the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, which issued a statement in 2020 that it is safe for
use at recommended levels. Yet, some groups and studies have raised concerns about
glyphosate’s health and environmental risks, and the World Health Organization’s
International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as “probably
carcinogenic to humans.”
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Media contacts:
 Yuehe Lin, WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 509-335-
8523, yuehe.lin@wsu.edu
 Sara Zaske, WSU News and Media Relations, 509-335-4846, sara.zaske@wsu.edu
https://news.wsu.edu/2021/09/14/new-3d-printed-sensor-can-detect-glyphosate-beverages/

"The Seeds" - The China-Africa

Friendship on Madagascar's 'New
Banknote'
By Global TimesPublished: Sep 15, 2021 11:59 AM
   
In the vast rice fields of Mahitsy, Madagascar, local farmers are harvesting rice. They
gather the roots of the ripe crops in one hand and cutting them skillfully with a sickle
in the other. Then they lift the crops high above and beat them on the ground
repeatedly, for the ripe grains to fall off one by one. With the sound of "bang,bang", 
this beautiful and fertile land is filled with the joy of harvest. 

These crops are hybrid rice from China. Before they were introduced into
Madagascar, the country, with 80 percent of its population living on agriculture and
two-thirds of its arable land growing rice, still sought a solution to the low yield of
local rice.

Madagascar's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Fanomezantsoa

Lucien Ranarivelo once identified the lack of quality seeds and technical training as
two bottlenecks for rice plantation in the country. As part of the solution, a hybrid rice
demonstration center for Madagascar was established in August 2007. It was
undertaken by China's Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and was one of the
10 major agricultural demonstration zones to be built by China for African countries.
It was a concrete effort by the Chinese government to fulfill its solemn commitments
made at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2006.

Madagascar, located to the east of the African continent and in the west of the Indian
Ocean, is the largest island in Africa and the fourth largest island in the world. It has
tropical rainforest climate along its southeastern coast, tropical highland climate in its
central part, and tropical steppe climate in the west. Such diverse weather patterns are
vastly different from the climate in China. How can Chinese hybrid rice thrive in
Madagascar? The answer was implied by Yuan Longping in the preface of his
book Extraordinary Rice (Feichangdao), "'The real Tao does not stay unchanged.'
Likewise, each strain of hybrid rice must adapt to its unique living environment.
There is no rice strain that can grow in all kinds of environment. Innovation and
change are always needed to help new rice strains adapt to new environment."

In order to find high-yielding seeds that can grow in the various climates of
Madagascar and localize the plantation of hybrid rice, Hu Yuefang, a Chinese expert
from the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, spent 10 years in almost all rice-
growing areas in Madagascar. Under the guidance of Academician Yuan Longping,
Hu and his team successfully cultivated three high-yielding hybrid rice strains that fit
the local climate and soil conditions. The strains show stronger resistance to diseases
and insects and greater potential of yields, and were soon approved by the local
government, representing an important step in the localization of hybrid rice in
Madagascar.
Yuan Longping and his Madagascan friends in a hybrid rice field

"Teaching one how to fish is better than giving him fish." For the Madagascan people
to grow localized high-yielding hybrid rice, the Chinese project team hired many local
people to share with them planting techniques, from sowing to transplanting, from
weeding to pest control and harvesting. Hu Yuefang said, "It is important to adopt a
meticulous and science-based training approach. We show them what to do in every
step and pay great attention to detail." In this spirit, the Chinese experts toured the test
fields on motorbikes and pickup trucks everyday to tutor the local staff in the field.

On 9 December 2019, at the opening ceremony of the first Forum on China-Africa

Agricultural Cooperation, Yuan Longping made a brief speech, where he announced
that the planting area (of hybrid rice) in Madagascar reached 20,000 hectares and the
average yield per hectare 8 tons, an increase of 100 to 300 percent compared with the
local varieties. Madagascar today has Africa's largest area of hybrid rice cultivation
with the highest yield. It is also the first African country that has set up a full
industrial chain of hybrid rice production.

The success of hybrid rice in Madagascar has also been a story of improved livelihood
for many Madagascan people. Njala, a local employee at the Mahitsy Hybrid Rice
High-Yield Demonstration Training Base, had this story to tell: "I have grown a lot of
hybrid rice in my own field, and the harvest has been very good. I have been working
with the company for 10 years, and my income keeps growing. I have saved some
money over the years and started to build a new house." Randall, the "man of hybrid
rice" in Alafah Village, Ambatondrazaka, successfully planted hybrid rice after
attending training courses and knowledge-sharing workshops. With the money he
made, he has moved into a red brick house, quite admired by other villagers. One
could hardly believe that only a few years ago he and his family were huddling in a
small thatched hut. In 2010, Randall planted one hectare of hybrid rice and harvested
more than 7 tons of rice, a yield three times that of the local rice. By the end of 2014,
his planting area had exceeded 20 hectares. More than 20 farmers in the same village
followed him to plant hybrid rice, scaling up the planting area to more than 200
hectares.

"Thanks to a seed, people of Madagascar have had their rice bags and wallets stuffed".
In Madagascar today, rice is seen as the best gift to guests. In August 2017, Sahuri,
Director-General of the Plant Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Animal Husbandry and Fisheries of Madagascar, and his delegation gave Yuan
Longping, father of hybrid rice, such a present - the new Madagascan banknote of the
largest denomination with a bunch of hybrid rice printed on its back.

"Rice is the most important food crop for the people of Madagascar. The planting area
of the Chinese hybrid rice in Madagascar is expanding. The people of Madagascar no
longer suffer from hunger! To thank you, the people of Madagascar have chosen rice
as the new pattern on our banknotes." Sahuri said with excitement.
The new version of Madagascan note bears Chinese hybrid rice

Today, "hybrid rice" researchers are still working hard in the fields of Madagascar.
Their efforts were not hindered by the COVID pandemic. In May 2019, the only
overseas branch of the China National Hybrid Rice R&D Center was established in
Madagascar. The China-FAO South-South Cooperation Programme Madagascar
Project was launched at the end of the same year. The story of China-Africa
friendship behind hybrid rice is still unfolding, not only in Madagascar, but also in
Cameroon, Burundi, Senegal and other African countries.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/
202109/1234322.shtml Meat Production
Generates 28 Times More Emissions
Than Growing Plants
It's the latest study to compare the environmental impact of plant-based and animal-based foods

by Jemima Webber18 hours ago

Share:
Print
 The meat industry is to blame for a vast amount of greenhouse gas
emissions, a new study has found. Credit: Adobe. Do not use without
permission.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Anew study has found that the global production of meat is responsible
for 28 times more greenhouse gas emissions  than plant-based foods, The
Guardian reports. The findings echo similar studies and reaffirm the
importance of updating the food system.
The study
The major study , which was published in Nature Food, looked at the
impact of global food production on the planet. 
Researchers analyzed data from more than 200 countries, including
information on 171 crops and 16 animal products.
The study dove into various sectors involved in the food production
chain, including growing crops to feed livestock, the use of fertilizers,
and the transportation of products.
Researchers found that food production accounts for 35 percent of all
emissions, generating 17.3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases every
year. 
This is more than double the emissions generated by the US.
Meat industry’s emissions
Scientists identified meat as a particular point of concern. The process of
raising animals for food makes up 57 percent of all food production-
related emissions, they found. 
In contrast, growing and producing plant-based food for human
consumption generates half as many emissions – 29 percent of the food
system’s total. 
Some foods are more damaging than others. Beef, for instance, is
responsible for a quarter of the food system’s emissions. But even the
largest plant-based emitter, rice, is still significantly smaller, making up
12 percent of the system’s emissions.
Raising animals for food ‘isn’t very efficient’, the study’s lead author
said. Credit: Adobe. Do not use without permission.
Inefficient system
Further, the researchers estimate that most of the cropland on Earth is
used to grow crops to feed livestock, not people. 
Lead study author Xiaoming Xu spoke to The Guardian about the
findings.
“To produce more meat you need to feed the animals more, which then
generates more emissions. You need more biomass to feed animals in
order to get the same amount of calories. It isn’t very efficient,” Xu said.
Climate scientist Atul Jain, who co-authored the paper, told The
Guardian: “This study shows the entire cycle of the food production
system, and policymakers may want to use the results to think about how
to control greenhouse gas emissions.”
Jain later added: “A lot of this comes down to personal choice. You
can’t just impose your views on others. But if people are concerned
about climate change, they should seriously consider changing their
dietary habits.”
It’s a sentiment shared by other researchers too. 
A 2019 analysis , which was the largest of its kind to date, looked at the
environmental impact of the food system. 
After analyzing data from nearly 40,000 farms, researchers concluded
that plant-based foods are drastically better for the climate than animal-
based ones. 
In fact, lead researcher Joseph Poore stated that ‘a vegan diet is probably
the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth’.
RELATED VEGAN & PLANT-BASED NEWS
https://plantbasednews.org/news/environment/meat-production-emissions-plants/
 

johnpaul26 mins ago

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 Random Article
 Home/Tech/Apple states that a security flaw has been fixed.Cyber analysts warn that zero-click threats will
continue
Tech

Apple states that a security flaw

has been fixed.Cyber analysts
warn that zero-click threats will
continue
martinricker10 hours ago

Cyber security analysts Apple After the company issues an emergency security patch on Monday,
users will immediately update their mobile phone, computer and watch software to prevent hackers
from accessing their devices without their knowledge.
Researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab said in a new report that Israeli spyware
company NSO Group used what was called a “zero-click exploit” to access the phones of unnamed
Saudi activists. rice field. Researchers at Citizen Lab have called the exploit a “Force dentry” and
said it has been in use since February. It also revealed that NSO Group’s flagship product, the
Pegasus spyware program, was used to infect activist devices.
“A typical cyberattack requires the user to engage in malicious content (such as clicking on a
malicious link), but a zero-click exploit does not require interaction with the device owner himself.” ,
Said Lisa Plaggemier, Interim Secretary-General of National. The Cybersecurity Alliance told CBS
News. “This means it’s virtually impossible to know if an individual is at risk,” she added.
NSO Group is well known in the cyber world, formerly funded and operated as a US company, but
later returned to Israel. Hackers could use the zero-click exploit to install Pegasus spyware on the
target device by sending a message or making a phone call.

The new iPhone X was unveiled at a media event held at Apple’s new headquarters in Cupertino,
California, on September 12, 2017.
Josh Edelson / AFP / Getty Images

“Once installed, Pegasus gives CBS News a variety of controls that allow it to pick up data and
activate processes such as cameras and microphones on iOS or Android devices,” said Jerry Ray,
COO of cyber firm SecureAge. Told. According to Ray, the main difference between this NSO
Group exploit and previous exploits is the access route. In this example, it was the text sent via
iMessage, but previous attempts required a phone call.
“Given all the apps that could pose a weakness that could be exploited by actors like NSO Group,
this could update the number of decimal places in countless apps in the future. There is, “says Ray.
Citizen Lab describes NSO Group as a “prolific” seller of espionage technology to governments
around the world, stating that its products, including Pegasus, are regularly associated with
surveillance abuse. In 2019, Citizen Lab helped WhatsApp discover violations targeting at least
1,400 phones due to the absence of voice calls. Recently, Citizen Lab said Pegasus spyware was used
to hack 36 personal phones of Al Jazeera journalists, producers, anchors and executives.
“We will continue to provide intelligence and law enforcement agencies around the world with life-
saving technology to combat terrorism and crime,” NSO Group said in a brief statement to CBS
News.
However, a cybersecurity analyst who spoke with CBS News disagreed with NSO Group’s framing.
“The company states that its spyware can only be used by authorized law enforcement groups to
target terrorists and criminals, but many questions have been raised about the authenticity of this
statement.” Said Pragemier. “This needs to act as a big awakening call for device makers and
technology providers as a whole. The zero-click threat is here and stays here,” she added.
Apple, which provided an update to patch security issues on Monday, acknowledged Citizen Lab for
helping the company address the issue quickly.
“Attackes like the one described are very sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often
have a short shelf life, and are used to target specific individuals.” Ivan Krsić, Head of Security
Engineering and Architecture at Apple, said in a statement. “That means it’s not a threat to the
overwhelming majority of users, but we’re constantly striving to protect all our customers and
constantly adding new protections to our devices and data.” He added.
Earlier this year, Apple revealed that a total of over 1 billion active iPhones and over 1.6 billion
Apple devices are in active use. Apple says recent vulnerabilities are unlikely to affect the majority
of customers, but cybersecurity analysts say the breach is still very hunted down.
“Apple deliberately tried to prevent Pegasus from running on iOS 14, but the malware still managed
to exploit a software vulnerability,” said Caroline Wong, chief strategy officer of cybersecurity firm
Cobalt. I told CBS News. “The spread of this vulnerability is alarming,” she added.
Apple states that a security flaw has been fixed.Cyber analysts warn that zero-click threats will
continue
Source link Apple states that a security flaw has been fixed.Cyber analysts warn that zero-click
threats will continue
https://texasnewstoday.com/apple-states-that-a-security-flaw-has-been-fixed-cyber-%E2%80%8B
%E2%80%8Banalysts-warn-that-zero-click-threats-will-continue/460541/

Rice Market to reach worth us ybn

by 2029
Rice Market report presents an in-depth assessment of the Rice Market including enabling
technologies, key trends, market drivers, challenges, standardization, regulatory landscape,
operator case studies, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, and strategies.
A detailed overview of Rice Market offers historical, current, and projected market size regarding
volume and value along with recent industry trends and developments in the Rice Market. The report
also provides information on the competitive landscape and strategies for key players and products
along with potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth. The
report tries to give a neutral perspective on market performance and must-have information for
players to sustain and enhance their market footprint. On the basis of recent developments and past
data, the report prophesies future revenue, growth, and trend of the Rice Market. Additionally, it
emphasizes faster-growing segments and emerging trends in the market.
Report Coverage:
The research study of the Rice Market covers Introduction, product scope, market outline, market
openings, market hazard, significant market-main thrust alongside the top makers and examinations
their business, sales, and value choices for the term 2021 and 2028. Also, the report presents the
cutthroat idea of the market by talking about the opposition among the main makers. The report
investigations the market with the assistance of deals, income, and share information for 2021 and
2028.
For More Information About This Rice Market Ask For A PDF Sample
@ https://www.stratagemmarketinsights.com/sample/12235 
Market players have been discussed and profiles of leading players including Top Key
Companies: Golden Rice, Capital Rice Group, Thanasan Group, Ake Rice Mill Co., Ltd,
Alobha, Kohinoor, Lal Qilla, Daawat, ADM Rice
Regional Outlook: Rice Market
A comprehensive analysis of the Rice Market has been provided in the present study. Regionally
analyzed are Taiwan, Russia, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan,
South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, China, and Brazil. This report shows that from the
standpoint of the global economy, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the rest
of the world make up the top five. This report aims to evaluate factors such as environmental factors,
economics, struggles of social issues, and technical developments, which were taken into
consideration as part of the evaluation of a region’s growth. Researchers have studied the data of
regional production, revenue, and manufacturers from across the country. Revenue and volume
estimation takes into account regional differences in the forecast period.
Impact of Covid-19: Rice Market
• This report compares the impact that Coronavirus has on the Rice Market and includes some
specific examples.
• The Covid-19 virus has caused widespread illness in countries across the world since the outbreak
began in the late fall of 2019, resulting in the declaration of a worldwide health emergency by the
World Health Organization. Global Rice Market losses will be severe with Coronavirus disease
already affecting it.
• Among the many negative consequences of the chaotic environment have been the closing of
restaurants, flight cancellations, travel bans, restriction on indoor events, drops in business
confidence, volatile stock markets, emergency declarations, and an increase in anxiety among
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Buy the full report (including a full table of contents, list of tables and figures, charts and
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Our research ranks investment centers of the market by considering their returns, future demands,
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Our research and insights help our clients in identifying compatible business partners.
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Note:- Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in Market
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Contact Us:
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Stratagem Market Insights
Tel: US +1 415 871 0703 / JAPAN +81-50-5539-1737
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AJ
https://manometcurrent.com/rice-market-to-reach-worth-us-ybn-by-2029/
Folk rice: Researchers spot dozen
Indian paddy varieties that can boost
nourishment
These traditional varieties of rice are on the verge of extinction from farm fields
 

NEXT NEWS ❯
By Susan Chacko
Published: Wednesday 15 September 2021

As many as 12 folk varieties of Indian rice examined by researchers can supplement

the nutritional demand of important fatty acids in undernourished mothers, a recent
study has claimed.
These can further supplement the arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA) in neonates through breast-feeding. DHA and ARA are fatty acids found in
breast milk, as well as in some foods, like fish and eggs.
These rice varieties can be more cost-effective and reliable than marketed formula
foods, according to the study published in Current Science and titled Rare and
neglected rice landraces as a source of fatty acids for undernourished infants.
The study looked at the nutritionally important fatty acids (FA) in 94 indigenous rice
landraces / varieties of India, which are at the risk of disappearing. They are cultivated
by a few marginal farmers.
Qualitative and quantitative analyses of FAs based on gas chromatography-mass
spectrometric analysis revealed they contributed significantly in meeting daily
nutrition.
These traditional rice landraces can add essential FAs in the staple diet and provide
for FA requirement in the normal brain development in infants.
In India, many folk varieties like Athikaraya, Dudh-sar, Kayame, Neelam samba,
Srihati, Maharaji and Bhejri are known in folk medicine to enhance milk production
in lactating women. Other traditional varieties like Kelas, DudheBolta and Bhutmoori
are rich in iron and can be included in diet of mothers to treat anaemia.
Rice contains various classes of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, starch and a small
amount of protein.
Researchers from India, Canada and the United States, who conducted the study,
recommended incorporation of these traditional landraces into India’s food and
agriculture policy.
The late RH Richharia, one of the leading experts on rice in India, documented and
collected 19,000 rice varieties. According to his estimate, India was home to 200,000
varieties of rice.
High-yield hybrids pushed out indigenous rice varieties and many of these varieties,
called landraces are nearing extinction in India.
Tilak Chandan is a thick, small-grained rice famous for its fragrance and cultivated in
Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnore and Rampur.
Bindli, a once famous rice variety of Uttar Pradesh is now virtually out of cultivation,
with only a few farmers cultivating it in the plains of Pauri district, Uttarakhand. It
can be cultivated under rain-fed, irrigated as well as waterlogged conditions.
Kalanamak, a scented rice variety grown in Uttar Pradesh, is fast going out of
cultivation.
Samples of 94 landraces of rice or folk varieties were sourced from different
geographical regions of India and conserved in the germplasm bank of Basudha Farm,
Rayagada district, Odisha. 
Nutrition and economics go hand in hand
The first export consignment of Bao-dhaan (red rice) from Assam was sent to the US
in March 2021. The iron-rich red rice is grown in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam,
without the use of any chemical fertilizer.
Experts hope that the exports would enhance incomes of farming families of the
Brahmaputra flood plains.
Seven rice varieties of North East India — Meghalaya lakang, Chingphourel,
Manuikhamei, Kemenyakepeyu, Wainem, Thekrulha, and Koyajang — has the
potential to resist leaf and neck blast disease in rice plants.
The Global Hunger Index 2020 — calculated on the basis of total undernourishment
of the population, child stunting, wasting and child mortality — placed India at the
94th spot among 107 countries.
In situ conservation of these neglected and vanishing landraces of rice, rich in
nutrients, is a cheaper option than high-yielding varieties (HYVs). It helps address the
problem of undernutrition in under five children in India.
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/food/folk-rice-researchers-spot-dozen-indian-paddy-varieties-that-
can-boost-nourishment-79027

That baseless attack on CBN

Governor Emefiele
14th September 2021
 
in National, Opinion
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By Engr Mamman Maisalati
It was not any surprising to see some bread and butter youths organisations craving for crumbs
by churning out all manner of press statements on issues they know nothing about.
This is the same thing that came to mind when we stumbled on a poorly-crafted media release
calling for the resignation of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin
Emefiele within 48 hours, on Monday.
As usual, this incident wouldn’t have deserved any reaction if not for the identity of the
organization – Arewa Youth Assembly. The identity of the promoters of that warped media
engagement namely, the north and Islam, necessitated this intervention.
Despite the cascading erosion pervading our socio-cultural and religious ecosystem, we never
envisaged a situation where northern youths would allow their conscience and energy to be
hijacked by some unscrupulous elements for devilish reasons.
This intervention is not to attack this youth group, but instead, to guide them and work towards
salvaging them from the grip of those economic predators who are on the verge of extinction due
to the innovative reforms being championed by the Buhari administration and executed by the
CBN under Chief Emefiele.
In as much as we know the extent of these economic predators can go in undermining the CBN
reforms, we thought using a northern youths organisation to stoke ethnic and religious tension by
peddling barefaced unintelligent lies and harebrained innuendoes, is not only against the northern
interest, but also onslaught on our cultural and religious ethos and beliefs.
It is instructive to state here that those elements who are now going helter-skelter because the
economic reforms being undertaken by the CBN have blocked all their criminal avenues of
fleecing the nation, have now devised a means of fighting through the instrumentality of these
gullible northern youths.
For the record, it is expedient to educate these northern youths on some of the reforms by the
CBN and how deeply entrenched it went in protecting our economy and preserving our security
and integrity.
The COVID -19 pandemic has already triggered the deepest recession since the 1930s, according
to experts. In many developing countries, millions of families already spend upwards of half of
their income on food in normal circumstances, according to WFP.
Importantly, countries that rely heavily on imported food to meet demand, including sub-Saharan
Africa, face disproportionate risk from supply chain failures, especially in the face of border-
crossing closures.
One doesn’t need a clairvoyant to tell him why Nigeria doesn’t suffer from food shortages in the
period when the coronavirus pandemic locked down the country.
Previous policies and actions taken by the Buhari administration through Emefiele’s CBN were
fully responsible for this respite. They are basically the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP)
launched by the president in 2014, coordinated and supervised by the CBN under the able
leadership of Chief Emefiele; and the closure of land borders by the president.
It is public knowledge that the ABP launched in 2014 by President Buhari has empowered rice
farmers and processors in the country and resulted in a significant boost in rice production in the
country.
Data from the CBN shows that the ABP has added six million metric tons to rice supply in the
country annually and created nearly six million direct jobs in a year. Official statistics from the
Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) reveals that about two million direct jobs are
created every cropping season. And Nigeria has three cropping seasons in a year, all of them
fully funded by the CBN. These jobs are restricted to only the production value chain of rice, and
not include millions of other jobs created in the processing, packaging, transport, marketing
sectors of the rice ecosystem.
Courtesy Emefiele’s reforms, over 100 integrated rice millers are currently working across the
country, providing thousands direct and indirect jobs. This is not to mention over 50 fertilizer
plants, hiring thousands and counting.
The ABP has so far saved Nigeria a whooping sum of N369 billion per annum, while the country
consumes N1.5 billion worth of rice every day. This breakthrough has saved the country the
challenge of sourcing forex or devaluing our currency to finance this monstrous import wage
bill.
In all honesty, Nigeria was able to feed itself in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic courtesy
Emefiele’s agricultural revolution, which was further strengthened with the closure of Nigerian
land borders.
It is worrying to see northern youths being misled into attacking an institution/individual that
benefited them the most. The Emefiele’s silent revolution is reincarnating the Nigerian pyramids
all over the country. The biggest pyramid in Nigeria was unveiled in Kebbi state. This pyramid
was a rice pyramid. Before that of Kebbi, other rice pyramids were built and unveiled in many
states across the country.
Through ABP alone, Nigeria became Africa’s biggest producer of rice. It surpassed Egypt which
hitherto occupied that position.
President Buhari truly understands and appreciates the fact that a nation can hardly sustain its
economic growth without a strong agricultural base and the reasons are obvious, hence his
support to CBN’s reforms.
Agriculture, which is the mainstay of the north, provides food, raw materials and employment
and it is believed that agriculture is the largest provider of employment, and it is estimated that
more than 65 percent of industries and business activities are supported by agriculture at primary
and secondary levels.
It’s therefore amazing for a northern youth’s organization to launch a baseless war on Chief
Emefiele who is championing this reform that converts millions of northern peasants to
millionaires. It is even more worrisome when these unprovoked and misguided attacks are
coming at the midst of the Value Added Tax (VAT) war, launched by some southern state
governors against the 19 northern states.
Chief Emefiele, after his appointment, had promised to boost provision of improved seedlings
and access to finance for rural farmers in the agricultural sector, across 10 commodities: Rice,
maize, cassava, cocoa, tomato, cotton, oil-palm, poultry, fish, and livestock/dairy.
This singular CBN policy has burnished our image internationally, saving the country the
challenges of securing foreign exchange to service multi-billion rice import bills, among others.
What Emefiele requires at this critical period is our collective support, not dragging his
reputation into the murky waters of politics, or distracting him from delivering on his mandate.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/that-baseless-attack-on-cbn-governor-emefiele/

PHL unfazed by delays in delivery of rice

imports amid record yield
 BYJASPER Y. ARCALAS
SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
3 MINUTE READ

A shopkeeper carries a sack of rice at a retail store in Las Piñas City.

9
The Philippines, the world’s second-largest importer of rice, has approved the
importation of 3.844 million metric tons (MMT) of the staple as of end-
August, but total shipment arrival is less than half of the volume applied by
traders and importers.
Latest Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed that the agency approved
4,091 sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC) for rice imports
from January to August, corresponding to a total volume of 3.844 MMT.
The approved volume for importation during the eight-month period was 2.86
percent lower than the 3.737 MMT approved by the BPI to import in the
same period of last year.
BPI data showed that Elite Impex Distributor Inc. led all registered rice
importers and traders in terms of applied rice import volume with 247,560
MT (220 SPS-ICs) followed by Nan Stu Agri Traders that was able to secure
232 SPS-ICs with a corresponding volume of 158,392 MT.
However, BPI data showed that despite the increase in applied import
volume, the total rice import arrival from January to August fell by 1.13
percent to 1.66 MMT from 1.679 MMT recorded in the same period of last
year.
BPI data showed that 127 eligible importers and traders imported rice from
13 countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, China, India, Italy,
Pakistan, among others.
Vietnam remained as the country’s top rice supplier during the eight-month
period at 1.444 MMT followed by Myanmar at 120,908.9 MT, based on BPI
data.
Davao-based Nan Stu Agri Traders led all importers in terms of import
arrival as the company brought in 87,812 MT of staple during the eight-
month period, based on BPI data. Lucky Buy and Sell, another Davao-based
importer, was the second-largest importer of rice from January to August
with a total import volume of 84,724 MT, based on BPI data.
The United States Department of Agriculture (DA) has maintained its rice
import forecast for the Philippines at 2.1 MMT for this year and next year,
making the country the second-largest buyer of the staple for three
consecutive years.
The country’s rice imports this year declined on the back of record-level
domestic rice harvest coupled by logistical problems due to global shipping
problems such as lack of containers and vessels as well as high freight costs.
The BusinessMirror earlier reported that the National Economic and
Development Authority (Neda) is growing wary of shipment delays affecting
the country’s rice imports.
Neda Undersecretary Mercedita A. Sombilla said they are monitoring the
stretching delays in the country’s rice imports, a result of the global shipping
problem arising from lack of vessels and containers and Covid-19-related
mobility restrictions, but industry players and experts dismissed its possible
adverse impact on the country’s supply of the staple.
Shipping industry players confirmed to the BusinessMirror that they are
observing delays in the arrival of imports from Southeast Asian countries,
including Vietnam, the country’s top rice supplier.
International reports are also noting a mounting pressure on Vietnam’s
logistics system with port operations, such as loading and unloading of
goods, being affected by the rising Covid-19 outbreaks in Ho Chi Minh City
that has spread to southern provinces as well.
However, industry watchers and experts pointed out that the Philippines’s
rice supply would not suffer any serious damage—or even the slightest
impact—from Vietnam’s logistical problems as the country is on-track to hit
record palay harvest of 20 MMT this year.
Image courtesy of Nonie Reyes
PHL unfazed by delays in delivery of rice
imports amid record yield
BYJASPER Y. ARCALAS
SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
3 MINUTE READ
A shopkeeper carries a sack of rice at a retail store in Las Piñas City.
9
The Philippines, the world’s second-largest importer of rice, has approved the
importation of 3.844 million metric tons (MMT) of the staple as of end-
August, but total shipment arrival is less than half of the volume applied by
traders and importers.
Latest Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed that the agency approved
4,091 sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC) for rice imports
from January to August, corresponding to a total volume of 3.844 MMT.
The approved volume for importation during the eight-month period was 2.86
percent lower than the 3.737 MMT approved by the BPI to import in the
same period of last year.
BPI data showed that Elite Impex Distributor Inc. led all registered rice
importers and traders in terms of applied rice import volume with 247,560
MT (220 SPS-ICs) followed by Nan Stu Agri Traders that was able to secure
232 SPS-ICs with a corresponding volume of 158,392 MT.
However, BPI data showed that despite the increase in applied import
volume, the total rice import arrival from January to August fell by 1.13
percent to 1.66 MMT from 1.679 MMT recorded in the same period of last
year.
BPI data showed that 127 eligible importers and traders imported rice from
13 countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, China, India, Italy,
Pakistan, among others.
Vietnam remained as the country’s top rice supplier during the eight-month
period at 1.444 MMT followed by Myanmar at 120,908.9 MT, based on BPI
data.
Davao-based Nan Stu Agri Traders led all importers in terms of import
arrival as the company brought in 87,812 MT of staple during the eight-
month period, based on BPI data. Lucky Buy and Sell, another Davao-based
importer, was the second-largest importer of rice from January to August
with a total import volume of 84,724 MT, based on BPI data.
The United States Department of Agriculture (DA) has maintained its rice
import forecast for the Philippines at 2.1 MMT for this year and next year,
making the country the second-largest buyer of the staple for three
consecutive years.
The country’s rice imports this year declined on the back of record-level
domestic rice harvest coupled by logistical problems due to global shipping
problems such as lack of containers and vessels as well as high freight costs.
The BusinessMirror earlier reported that the National Economic and
Development Authority (Neda) is growing wary of shipment delays affecting
the country’s rice imports.
Neda Undersecretary Mercedita A. Sombilla said they are monitoring the
stretching delays in the country’s rice imports, a result of the global shipping
problem arising from lack of vessels and containers and Covid-19-related
mobility restrictions, but industry players and experts dismissed its possible
adverse impact on the country’s supply of the staple.
Shipping industry players confirmed to the BusinessMirror that they are
observing delays in the arrival of imports from Southeast Asian countries,
including Vietnam, the country’s top rice supplier.
International reports are also noting a mounting pressure on Vietnam’s
logistics system with port operations, such as loading and unloading of
goods, being affected by the rising Covid-19 outbreaks in Ho Chi Minh City
that has spread to southern provinces as well.
However, industry watchers and experts pointed out that the Philippines’s
rice supply would not suffer any serious damage—or even the slightest
impact—from Vietnam’s logistical problems as the country is on-track to hit
record palay harvest of 20 MMT this year.
Image courtesy of Nonie Reyes

Beating the Rice Mafia with

Competition Law

DR. THASHIRA GUNATILAKE

on 09/14/2021
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Rice has played a vital role in Sri Lanka for many centuries not only because it is the staple diet
but also because paddy cultivation has been the main source of livelihood for many people. Rice,
as the final consumption product, has significant importance. However, farmers do not get a fair
selling price for paddy while consumers cannot buy rice at a reasonable retail price. This dispute,
known as the rice crisis, has given rise to an ongoing dialogue between many stakeholders in the
country.
Efforts to find solutions have been made without understanding the underlying questions and
factors. Competition law is a crucial segment that was missing in past attempts to find a solution
to the rice crisis.
Why is there a rice crisis?
Until around 1996, the intervention of the government played a vital role in the rice market. The
main government institutions, the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) and the Multi-Purposes
Corporative Societies (MPCS), were exercised authority over the market with the assistance of
the government. The PMB was empowered to guarantee a price to farmers and to provide rice to
consumers at an avoidable price. However, with the closure of the PMB and the implementation
of the open market economy, the power that government institutions had over the market
gradually weakened and private players took over.
This resulted in the government losing the controlling power over the rice price and shifting it to
private players such as millers. Farmers were compelled to rely mainly on private millers
because they did not possess the economic and technical infrastructure to process the paddy
harvested and supply rice to consumers. Most farmers sell their paddy to private mill owners
who supply rice to the market; they have large storage facilities, purchasing power and the
economic stability. Because only a few large scale millers have these advantages, they enjoy a
monopoly in the market with little competition.
The major reason behind low competition is the ability dominant private millers have to engage
in anti-competitive practices that prevent small scale millers from purchasing paddy such as
exclusive supply agreements, horizontal cartel practices and compelling farmers to sell paddy
only to them. Such anti-competitive practices have resulted in excluding rival firms and reducing
the number of millers in the market.
The millers become the main suppliers of rice to the market where they engage in more anti-
competitive practices such as restrictive trade agreements, cartel and abusive monopoly practices
to reduce competition by small scale millers at the point of selling rice to consumers. Thus,
dominant millers possess the upper hand in deciding the price to consumers; they control the rice
market and force consumers to pay higher rice prices.
Unless anti-competitive practices by dominant millers are controlled and regulated, it is
impossible to find a permanent solution for the rice crisis. It is important to see how relevant
authorities have managed and regulated the rice mafia.
The solution so far
The focus of many governments has been to control the price of rice in the market by imposing a
fixed retail price. Controlling the price of consumable products falls within the ambit of the
Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No.09 of 2003. Section 20(5) of the Act, which deals with
consumer protection, has been the main legal provision used since it empowers the Consumer
Affairs Authority to impose a maximum retail price for essential goods which traders cannot
exceed.
The Consumer Affairs Authority has identified some rice variants as essential goods and fixed a
maximum retail price for them to maintain a fair retail price and secure consumer welfare.
The term consumer welfare refers to two interconnected factors – the maintenance of low prices
and the high number of outputs in the market. Both factors must be maintained simultaneously to
reach consumer welfare. Having a fixed retail price with the use of Section 20(5) alone would
address the issue only to an extent because even if dominant market players have to release rice
to the market below the fixed retail price, the question remains as to how effective it would be to
safeguard consumer welfare if monopoly firms exercise anti-competitive practices. For instance,
if retail prices are imposed on popular rice variants, millers could encourage suppliers and
consumers to buy other types of rice instead of the ones that have a fixed price. Monopoly
millers could use anti-competitive practices such as making structural arrangements with
suppliers and consumers, misusing monopoly power to create a shortage of government-
regulated rice types and engaging in cartel practices. Thus, suppliers and consumers would have
to purchase rice variants made available by monopoly millers for a higher price and monopoly
firms would be in a position to manipulate the rice market, create a shortage of rice and thus
impose higher rice prices. However, the rice market would automatically adjust to maintain a fair
price and healthy competition to secure consumer welfare if anti-competitive practices are
restricted. Having fixed a retail price for rice under consumer protection alone will not provide a
permanent solution unless anti-competitive practices are properly regulated.
The way forward
The main objective of competition law is to maintain healthy competition in the market to secure
consumer welfare. However, protecting traders is not the objective of competition law.
Consumer welfare under the competition law is achieved by maintaining low prices and a high
number of outputs by restricting anti-competitive practices. Thus, the meaning of consumer
welfare has a direct link to the concept of consumer harm. Competition law aims to prohibit any
anti-competitive practice such as restrictive trade agreements, abuse of monopoly and mergers
that would result in consumer harm. Anti-competitive practices not only result in reducing the
number of outputs in the market but also lead to an increase in the rice price.
Competition law is a good mechanism to regulate the rice market to safeguard consumer welfare
because it operates against both high prices and output restrictions. As fixing high retail prices
and output restriction are the main issues in the rice market, it is only competition law that can
capture and control both negative outcomes.
Part III of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No.09 of 2003 is designed to operate against
consumer harm by maintaining healthy competition in the market. The legal provisions found in
Part III of the Act is the best solution the Consumer Affairs Authority has to capture and control
any anti-competitive practice exercised by private millers that could operate against consumer
welfare. These provisions could be used to capture any restrictive trade agreement and abuse of
monopoly power exercised by private millers.
There cannot not be a permanent solution to the rice crisis created by the rice mafia unless the
Consumer Affairs Authority uses competition law, along with retail price fixing, to guarantee
consumer welfare.
https://groundviews.org/2021/09/14/beating-the-rice-mafia-with-competition-law/

Political mafia new avatar of PDS rice smugglers

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | RAVINDRA SESHU
PublishedSep 15, 2021, 2:31 am IST
UpdatedSep 15, 2021, 6:56 am IST
The collected PDS rice is being stored in small sheds amid fields particularly in Madhira, Vemsoor,
Sattupalli, Kallur and Penuballi mandals
 Sources disclosed to Deccan Chronicle that hundreds of youth in villages of Khammam
have been recruited to collect rice from individual beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 5 to Rs 8 per
kilo. Representatonal Image. (PTI)
Kakinada: While smuggling of public distribution system (PDS) rice by millers and PDS
dealers had once been common, it has now got curbed to a large extent by introduction of
biometric system at PDS outlets.
However, smuggling of rice being supplied to poor among people has now been taken over
by politically backed individuals. Their mafia have formed illegal networks through which
they procure hundreds of tonnes of ration rice from beneficiaries belonging to each and every
ward and colony of Khammam and neighbouring mandals. PDS rice thus collected is being
stored in small sheds amid fields particularly in Madhira, Vemsoor, Sattupalli, Kallur and
Penuballi mandals, which border Andhra Pradesh.
 
From here, this PDS rice gets transported to neighbouring AP with police and staff at border
check posts turning a blind eye. The same rice is even exported abroad, including Africa,
through the Kakinada port.
Sources disclosed to Deccan Chronicle that hundreds of youth in villages of Khammam have
been recruited to collect rice from individual beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 5 to Rs 8 per kilo.
Using two-wheelers, these youth transport the rice thus collected to sheds located amidst
fields along the AP-Telangana border. Once 15-20 tonnes of rice get accumulated, the
 consignment is transported in trucks to AP. It is suspected that these trucks pass through
Chintalapudi in West Godavari district.
 
N. Appa Rao, a social activist from Nagulavancha in Chintakani mandal, said, “No police or
vigilance officials can object to shifting of rice on two-wheelers. I myself have noticed tens
of people transporting PDS rice on two-wheelers.”
According to an estimate, around 10 politically connected people and musclemen are
involved in transporting rice illegally from Khammam town. Another 25 smugglers are
stationed in various mandals. Whenever the quantity touches a lorry load, these people
transport the rice to Kakinada, where exporters buy the rice for around Rs 20 per kg. A
syndicate of these exporters pays lakhs of rupees to silence police and officials in their area.
Exporters ship the rice abroad, particularly to African countries, where it is sold for
approximately Rs 30 a kg.
 
Sources said two ships with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes transport the rice abroad from
Kakinada every month.
Nearly 1.79 lakh quintals of PDS rice is being distributed to 4.16 ration cardholders in
Khammam district. Ten percent of it is reportedly being smuggled to Kakinada. Telangana
Rice Millers Association vice-president Bomma Rajeswara Rao said, “It is a fact that dons
have now entered the illegal rice business. A few rice millers too are involved in this racket,”
he confessed.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/150921/political-mafia-new-avatar-of-pds-rice-
smugglers.html

Arkansas rice exported to China

for the first time
AGRICULTUREBUSINESS
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)  12 hours ago 197 views 
 Tags:
 Arkansas rice
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The top U.S. rice producing state has for the first time exported rice to China, the largest global
rice importing country. Tim and Robin Ralston of Atkins-based Ralston Family Farms,
announced the shipment Tuesday (Sept. 14). Gov. Asa Hutchinson is slated to visit the farm later
this week.
Through a contract with a private importer in China, the first shipment of rice from Ralston
Family Farms arrived in China in late July 2021. A second shipment is being scheduled with
future shipments planned on regular intervals to meet demand. The rice will be sold on the retail
market under the label of Ralston Family Farms.
“The Ralstons’ rice is more than a commodity, and growing rice is more than a job for the
family. Rice has been part of their lives for 10 generations, and when they exported their first
shipment to China in July, they were shipping a piece of their heart and their heritage. The rice
raised in the Arkansas soil will enrich lives in China, and perhaps shrink the distance between
our nations and our cultures. Everybody loves rice, and it’s a good development for Arkansas
and the Ralstons that the people across the ocean will have our rice to enjoy,” said Gov.
Hutchinson.
Although China is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of rice, it remained
closed to U.S. rice imports until recently. After more than a decade of efforts by the U.S. rice
industry to establish a trading relationship with China, the U.S. and China signed a Phase 1
Economic and Trade Agreement in January 2020 that expanded the potential for access to
China’s rice market.
Rice consumption in China is so rampant that it’s estimated the country’s population could
consume the entire Arkansas rice crop in 13 days, which has made it an attractive ag market for
the Natural State.
“Export markets are vital to Arkansas agriculture, our state’s largest industry, “said Wes Ward,
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture. “We are proud of the Ralston family on this significant
accomplishment, and we are optimistic that we will see additional market access for Arkansas
agricultural commodities to China in the future.”

(photo from Ralston Family Farms)

The Ralston family has been farming for over 10 generations. Ralston Family Farms, a family
owned and operated business located near Atkins in the Arkansas River valley, is vertically
integrated, meaning they control their product from the seed placed in the ground to the package
that is placed on the shelf. Because Ralston Family Farms only mills and packages rice they
grow, they provide customers 100% traceability. Ralston Family Farms launched its specialty
rice varieties in January 2018. The brand has grown to include U.S. distribution in more than
5,000 retail supermarkets.
“We are humbled to be stewards of what we believe to be among the very best rice available
while utilizing farming practices that protect our land, our water, and fossil fuels. We practice
sustainability in every step of our process.” said Robin Ralston. “We are honored to know that
the product we at Ralston Family Farms have devoted our lives to will be shared across the
world.”
Arkansas rice exports accounted for $722 million of the state’s total of $3.1 billion in agricultural
exports. Despite the state’s position as the top rice producing and exporting state, farmers in
2021 dropped the number of rice acres in Arkansas. Decade high prices for corn and soybeans
prompted the shift. Arkansas rice growers planted about 18% fewer acres this year, falling from
about 1.46 million acres in 2020 to about 1.24 million acres. Nationally, rice acreage fell by
about 10%, from 3 million acres planted in 2020 to about 2.7 million acres in 2021. This includes
long, short and medium grain rice.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/09/arkansas-rice-exported-to-china-for-the-first-time/

Latest Coronavirus: Less than

100,000 US Covid Hospitalization
on Day 3 Running
bernardblack1 day ago
 Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Pinterest

Current evidence does not indicate the need for Covid-19 booster jabs in the general population,
according to a new report from a panel of leading scientists.
Researchers analyzed studies on vaccine efficacy and said the available data did not provide reliable
evidence that protection against serious post-inoculation disease was significantly reduced. ..
Published in the medical journal The Lancet on Monday, this report was written by people such as
World Health Organization Soumya Swaminathan, Ana-Maria Henao-Restrepo, and Mike Ryan.
“The benefits of primary Covid-19 vaccination clearly outweigh the risks, but risks can arise if
boosters are introduced too quickly or too often,” scientists said. rice field.
“Therefore, current evidence does not appear to indicate the need for booster immunity in the general
population, which remains highly effective against serious illness,” they continued.
A recent study of the Israeli experience during the first three weeks of August “suggested the
effectiveness of a third dose” compared to two doses.
However, very short-term protective effects do not necessarily mean long-term benefits of value, the
researchers said.
According to the report, Israel was less effective against serious illnesses in people vaccinated in
January or April than in those vaccinated in February or March. It shows the difficulty of interpreting
various data. “
Scientists have called for careful and public scrutiny of evolving research to ensure that boosting
decisions are communicated by credible science rather than politics.
“Even if boosters are shown to ultimately reduce the mid-term risk of serious illness, current vaccine
supplies have been vaccinated earlier than when used as boosters in vaccinated populations. It could
save more lives if used in a non-vaccinated population, “said scientists.
Latest Coronavirus: Less than 100,000 US Covid Hospitalization on Day 3 Running
Source link Latest Coronavirus: Less than 100,000 US Covid Hospitalization on Day 3 Running
https://eminetra.com/latest-coronavirus-less-than-100000-us-covid-hospitalization-on-day-3-running/
739861/

Biden to Nominate Almond Elaine Trevino

Alliance's Elaine Trevino as USTR

Chief Ag Negotiator
By Peter Bachmann

WASHINGTON, DC -- Yesterday, the Biden Administration

announced their intention to nominate Elaine Trevino as the
chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative. The ag negotiator is ranked as an
ambassador, responsible for conducting and overseeing
international negotiations related to trade in agricultural
products.

Trevino currently serves as president of the Almond Alliance of California, advocating on regulatory
and legislative issues in areas of international trade, food safety, water quality and availability, crop
protection, air quality, worker safety, and supply chain, all things that are also important to the rice
industry. Prior to this role, she served as deputy secretary at the California Department of Food and
Agriculture for Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis.  She was responsible for oversight
of the international export and trade programs, specialty crop block grant funding, division of marketing
services, and plant health and pest prevention.

“As a leader in California agriculture, Elaine is very familiar with the California rice industry and the
importance of trade, and I think she will be able to hit the ground running in Washington,” said Tim
Johnson, president and CEO of the California Rice Commission. “Over the last year, she has helped
lead the way on the local and federal levels to address port congestion, supply chain disruptions, and
excessive costs, all of which have been major priorities for the U.S. rice industry.”

In addition to her responsibilities for the Almond Alliance, Trevino also serves on the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee providing advice to the Administration on
U.S. trade policy, including implementation and enforcement of existing U.S. trade agreements and
negotiating objectives for new trade agreements.

Dow Brantley, an Arkansas rice farmer and former chair of USA Rice, also serves on the Agricultural
Policy Advisory Committee and said of Trevino: “Elaine has been a valuable part of our Advisory
Committee and has firsthand knowledge of what kinds of complex trade issues are facing the variety of
U.S. commodities represented, including rice. It is vital that we have a chief ag negotiator in place soon
to ensure that agricultural priorities are represented in the Administration’s trade talks and trade policy
development.”
Once Trevino’s nomination paperwork is officially sent to the Senate Finance Committee, she will be
subject to a confirmation hearing, followed by affirmative votes by both the Committee and the full
U.S. Senate. If confirmed, she would be the first woman of color and the first Latina in this position.

The Rice Stuff Podcast Reviews Rice Dr. Dustin Harrell at the LSU
Agcenter Rice Research Station
Research
By Deborah Willenborg

ARLINGTON, VA – Good research is the foundation of any

successful undertaking, and the U.S. rice industry is no
different. Researchers across the six rice states at land grant
universities and elsewhere probe the mightiest of all grains to
gain insights into how to grow it more efficiently, how to
make it more nutritious and delicious, how to make it cook
consistently, and at the end of the day, yield more with fewer
inputs.

The newest episode of The Rice Stuff podcast puts rice research itself under the microscope as USA
Rice’s Dr. Steve Linscombe, who himself spent more than three decades as a rice researcher, pulls the
curtain back on this important sector of the rice industry.

Dr. Dustin Harrell with Louisiana State University, Dr. Bob Scott with the University of Arkansas, and
the recently retired Dr. Kent McKenzie of the California Rice Experiment Station join Steve to share
the science behind the science, and some of the great returns growers have received as a result of
supporting research through their state check off programs.

California rice farmer Kim Gallagher weighs in on all that research has done for her operation and
speculates that without it, she probably wouldn’t be farming rice at all. She’s not alone in that
observation.
 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.

‫کا‬
The Rice Stuff Podcast Reviews Rice Dr. Dustin Harrell at the LSU
Agcenter Rice Research Station
Research
By Deborah Willenborg

ARLINGTON, VA – Good research is the foundation of any

successful undertaking, and the U.S. rice industry is no
different. Researchers across the six rice states at land grant
universities and elsewhere probe the mightiest of all grains to
gain insights into how to grow it more efficiently, how to
make it more nutritious and delicious, how to make it cook
consistently, and at the end of the day, yield more with fewer
inputs.

The newest episode of The Rice Stuff podcast puts rice research itself under the microscope as USA
Rice’s Dr. Steve Linscombe, who himself spent more than three decades as a rice researcher, pulls the
curtain back on this important sector of the rice industry.

Dr. Dustin Harrell with Louisiana State University, Dr. Bob Scott with the University of Arkansas, and
the recently retired Dr. Kent McKenzie of the California Rice Experiment Station join Steve to share
the science behind the science, and some of the great returns growers have received as a result of
supporting research through their state check off programs.

California rice farmer Kim Gallagher weighs in on all that research has done for her operation and
speculates that without it, she probably wouldn’t be farming rice at all. She’s not alone in that
observation.
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.