38% Decrease In Basmati Rice Export During The First

Quarter

Web Desk

Pakistan’s rice exports have declined in the first half of the current fiscal year due to lower prices
offered by India for non-basmati during the Coronavirus epidemic and higher freight and
shipment rates from October 2020.
According to the report, compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year, during July-
December 2020-21, the country’s total rice exports decreased by 10% in terms of volume to
1.824 million tons and 6.74% in terms of price, $963 million. Out of the total exports, basmati
rice exports declined by 38% to 265,672 tonnes as compared to the same period of the previous
financial year and by 31% to $262 million in non-basmati rice.
Exports fell 3% to 1.558 million tonnes and 7.45% to $700 million. Rice Exporters Association
of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Abdul Qayyum Paracha told: “Pakistani basmati is very popular
in European markets because the level of pesticides in our local crop is lower than in India by
EU standards,” he said. He said that the ray of hope for exports has been increasing since
November 2020, which was 78,160 tonnes, $76 million during October 2020, while in October it
was 43,032 tonnes, $41 million.
“I hope that the second half of FY 2021 will be much better than the first half as many things
have improved and will be largely dependent on rice prices,” he added. Europe accounts for 40%
of total basmati exports, which are also being exported to Gulf countries, Australia, the United
States, etc. Non-basmati markets include China, African countries, the Far East, etc. Pakistan
produces 7.4 million tonnes of rice annually, of which more than 4 million tonnes is exported
while the rest is used locally. The country exported 4.166 million tonnes of rice in fiscal year
2020, earning $2.17 billion.

Web Desk
https://www.researchsnipers.com/38-decrease-in-basmati-rice-export-during-the-first-quarter/

New variety of rice BRRI Dhan 100 to be released soon

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka | Published: 10:39, Feb 10,2021
      

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

IN BRIEFS
Wednesday, 10 February 2021 | PNS
Cm expresses grief over Journalist’s death

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed deep grief at the demise of Shri
Ram Adhir, a Bhopal-based journalist and litterateur. Ram Adhir passed away on Monday
night.Chief Minister Chouhan said that Ram Adhir, originally a resident of Arvi (Maharashtra),
made Madhya Pradesh his work place and served in various newspapers. He also made a special
place in literary journalism. He was the editor of Sankalp Rath, a magazine focused on the song
genre. Ram Adhir's contribution to journalism and literature will always be remembered.Chief
Minister Chouhan has prayed to God for peace to the soul of late Ram Adhir and give courage to
his heartbroken family to bear this immense grief.

Public Works Min meets CM over tea

Bhopal: Public Works Minister Gopal Bhargava discussed with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh
Chouhan over tea at the Mantralaya on Tuesday. Minister Bhargava discussed the measures that
can be adopted to ensure quality and economy in the ongoing construction works in the
department. Minister Bhargava suggested setting up a separate agency for drawing-design and
estimation.Minister Bhargava said that this will help in ensuring mutual accountability and
credibility. Minister Bhargava described the discussion as positive, meaningful and result
oriented.

Govt to protect interest of Rice Millers: CM

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that it is the duty of the state government
to ensure that rice millers are not harmed, farmers get their rights and the right quality rice is
available to common people. Every effort will be made by the state government to protect the
interests of the rice millers of the state. The Central Government will also be made aware of their
problems. Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the delegation of Rice Millers of the state at
the Mantralaya.It is noteworthy that the millers of the state have some difficulties in depositing
rice after paddy milling for which some suggestions were made by the Madhya Pradesh Chaval
Udyog Mandal before the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan. Among them a prominent suggestion
related to making custom milling from the Ushna mills of the state and to deposit the Ushna rice
with the Food Corporation of India and the incentive amount of one hundred rupees per
quintal.Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bisahulal Singh, Principal Secretary Faiz Ahmed
Kidwai, departmental officers, acting president of Madhya Pradesh Chaval Udyog Mahasangh
Ashish Agarwal and other representatives of the Mahasangh were present in the meeting.

HDC calendar epitomises State’s heritage

Bhopal: Public Works, Cottage and Village Industries Minister Gopal Bhargava has said that the
calendar of 2021 prepared by the Handicrafts Development Corporation is a unique collection of
historical, archaeological and cultural heritage along with handicraft activities of the state. He
said this on the occasion of the release of the calendar in his office at the Mantralaya.Managing
Director of Sant Ravidas Hastshilp Vikas Nigam Rajiv Sharma and other officers were present
on the occasion.Managing Director Rajiv Sharma said that the work of promoting local
handicraft activities has been done through the calendar along with the digital calendar of the
Madhya Pradesh government. He said that the Bhedaghat Waterfall, the temples of Khajuraho,
the Ram Temple of Orchha, the temples of Maheshwar as well as the sarees of Maheshwar, the
Dharoji and Zari work of Bhopal, the brass work of Tikamgarh and Datia, the stone, the
terracotta, the papermacei work of Gwalior are depicted.

https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/state-editions/in-briefs-in-briefs-2021-02-10.html

In Briefs 2021-02
SC panel meets agribusinesses for views on farm laws
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI , FEBRUARY 09, 2021 20:30 IST

: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

It has previously met some farmers’ associations and farmer-producer

organisations

The Supreme Court-appointed panel to examine the three contentious farm reform laws
met representatives of 18 agribusinesses on Tuesday, as part of its consultations with
stakeholders. It has previously met some farmers’ associations and farmer-producer
organisations, which are largely in favour of reforms but has yet to meet any of the
unions that have been protesting on Delhi’s borders for two and a half months,
demanding the repeal of the laws.

At its sixth round of consultations on Tuesday, the panel met representatives of Amul,
ITC, Suguna Foods and Venkateshwara Hatcheries, as well as industry lobby groups
such as the CII and the FICCI. Other stakeholders who gave their views included
associations representing seafood exporters, rice millers and exporters, poultry feed
makers, grain and pulses traders , cotton mills and traders, and manufacturers of
tractors and fertilisers.

State-run bodies such as the Food Corporation of India, the Agricultural and Processed
Food Products Export Development Authority and the Marine Products Export
Development Authority were also asked to give their views on the laws.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-panel-meets-agribusinesses-for-views-on-farm-
laws/article33794269.ece
 Researchers create rice that captures more CO2 with 30
percent more yield

09 Feb 2021 --- Scientists in China and Japan have developed a method to increase paddy field-
grown rice yield by over 30 percent while sequestering more CO2 and using less fertilizer than
traditional varieties.

Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan and Nanjing Agricultural University in China

achieved this functionality by increasing the expression of the plasma membrane proton pump
gene OSA1 in the rice plant, which was previously found to influence stomatal opening.

CO2 intake in plants occurs exclusively through the stomata, which are holes on the leaves'
surface.

By increasing nutrient uptake and stomatal opening, the researchers were able to increase the rate
of photosynthesis thereby speeding up growth and yield with less resources. 

This new genetics-based approach detailed in Nature could improve crop efficiency for more
types of plants to increase the food supply while mitigating the overproduction of CO2. 
Rice with the overexpressed OSA1 gene had a 25 percent increase in its CO2 storage
capacity compared to wild rice.New functionality 
The group of scientists found the proton pump overexpressed rice, when compared to a wild
strain, took up over 20 percent more mineral nutrients through its roots and opened its stomata
over 25 percent wider when exposed to light. 

On further analysis, they found that its carbon dioxide storage capacity (the indicator of
photosynthesis activity) increased by over 25 percent. Its dry weight (biomass) increased by 18
to 33 percent in hydroponic laboratory growth.
Testing rice in the field
With this determined, the researchers set out to find if the results could be replicated under
realistic growing conditions. 

They conducted yield measurement exercises at four separate rice farms over the course of two
years, finding that the rice with the overexpressed OSA1 gene had a yield over 30 percent higher
than that of the wild strain. 

They also discovered that even if the level of nitrogen fertilizer was reduced by half, it still
produced a greater yield than the wild strain did with normal levels of nitrogen.

Capturing more CO2

As they take in mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium through their roots,
plants simultaneously absorb carbon dioxide through the stomata on their leaves and grow
through photosynthesis. 

Photosynthesis enables, not only the farming of plants for food, but the exchange of carbon
dioxide and management of the earth’s environment. 

While these early-stage models have been created through genetic modification (GM), the
researchers anticipate that future generations will use genome editing or chemical engineering
instead.

https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/researchers-create-rice-that-captures-more-co2-with-
30-percent-more-yield.html

Fermented soy helps lower cholesterol in RCT

By Nikki Hancocks 

09-Feb-2021 - Last updated on 09-Feb-2021 at 09:53 GMT

Getty | chaded2557

Consuming fermented soy daily can decrease total and LDL cholesterol levels, and may offer a
dietary strategy to manage blood lipids, according to an industry funded study.

An increased consumption of plant-based foods has been associated with a reduced risk of
cardiovascular disease (CVD).

As high-protein foods, the benefits of soy can occur as a consequence of soy displacing other
protein foods in the diet such as saturated-fat containing meat and dairy, from the effect of the
soy protein itself, or, from the effect of the other constituents of soy (soluble fibers,
oligosaccharides, minerals, bioactive phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acids)

The dietary intake of isoflavones is associated with favorable CVD risk reductions in some
population studies. Many traditional forms of soy foods consumed by East Asians are fermented
products and fermentation increases digestibility and isoflavone bioavailability. 

However, few intervention trials have explored fermented soy foods and products for their lipid-
lowering effects.

In the current randomised, crossover, intervention study, researchers at Nutrition Research

Center of Loma Linda University, US, investigated the effect of a commercial non-probiotic
fermented soy product on blood lipids in adults with cardiovascular risk biomarkers.

A sample of 21 women and 6 men (aged 29–75 y) exhibiting at least two risk factors of CVD,
consumed two packets (12.5 g each) daily of a fermented powdered soy product, or an isoenergic
control powder made from germinated brown rice for 12 weeks each (with a 2-week washout
period between).

The researcher found that consumption of the fermented soy product resulted in a significantly
greater mean change from baseline compared to the germinated rice in total cholesterol of −0.23
mmol/L compared with 0.14 mmol/L, respectively; and low density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol −0.18 mmol/L compared with 0.04 mmol/L respectively.

A concomitant increase in HDL cholesterol in the germinated rice group and a decrease in ApoB
in the fermented soy group were observed, but changes in the total cholesterol:HDL ratio,
LDL:HDL ratio or the ApoB:ApoA1 ratio did not differ between treatments.

The ratio of total cholesterol:LDL decreased in men in the fermented soy group. 

The report concludes: "In this randomized controlled dietary intervention study, we reported
evidence that the consumption of 25 g per day of a fermented soy powder produces clinically
relevant reductions in the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations of approximately
7% each compared to the comparison with germinated brown rice powder...

"These results are noteworthy from a preventive perspective considering that our participants
consumed their habitual diets, and although elevated lipids were one of the inclusion criteria for
the study, participants had relatively normal baseline total cholesterol (mean ~5.2 mmol/L) and
LDL-cholesterol (mean ~3.0 mmol/L) concentrations. It has previously been demonstrated that
greater cholesterol reductions may be expected with dietary modifications in individuals with
hypercholesterolemia.

"The hypolipidemic effect of fermented soy may be mediated through a synergistic interaction
between soy protein, its phytoestrogens and other soy components and may be enhanced by
process of microbial fermentation. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and to
further investigate the biological processes that contribute to these effects."
The study was funded by Beso Biological Research Inc., Diamond Bar, CA, USA, which sells
the soy beverages studied.

Weaknesses of this study include: the much larger proportion of females to male participants, the
differing macronutrient composition of the two studied powders, and the sharp odor of the
fermented soy supplement which may have impacted compliance in some participants.

Fermentated food research

Fermentation modifies soybean properties in various ways such as in its digestibility, nutrient
content, and isoflavone chemical configuration as well as enhancing the bioavailability of its
phytoesterogen components.

In the current study, the fermented soy product tested was relatively rich in bioavailable
isoflavone, as evidenced by the significantly higher urinary excretion of daidzein, genistein and
glycitein on the fermented soy intervention.

In a prospective study from Japan, a higher intake of fermented soy products was associated with
a lower risk of CVD mortality in both men and women aged 45–75 years. In another cohort,
natto intake was significantly inversely associated with the risk of mortality from cardiovascular
disease. 

Source: Nutrients

https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2021/02/09/Fermented-soy-helps-lower-cholesterol-
in-RCT

Bangladesh's imports picking up

 JASIM UDDIN HAROON | Published:  February 10, 2021 08:22:38 |

Updated:  February 10, 2021 16:37:36
File photo used for representational purpose only

Bangladesh's imports have started picking up for the first time since the Covid-19
pandemic paralysed the national economy, according to shipping executives.

Imports surged in January by 5.0-6.0 per cent in terms of goods, not in value, driven
by a substantial rise in commodities meant for the Ramadan beginning in April.

They said many feeder vessels with goods have been waiting at Singapore port for
mother vessels to be bound for Bangladesh.

However, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said the opening of letters of credit or LCs for
imports has increased by 2.56 per cent (f.o.b) last December.

On Sunday, it said six months' import from July to December 2020 was 0.8 per cent
lower than that of the corresponding period in 2019.

Total import in value was $28.8 billion during the period under review, showed the
central bank data.

The BB said rice import ballooned to $44.2 million, a rise of nearly 1,900 per cent
(in terms of LC opening).
During the July-December time in 2019, rice import was valued just $2.2 million.

Fresh fruit and dry fruit, edible oil, medicine and drug imports were higher than the
July-December 2019 period, according to the BB data. It, however, said wheat,
sugar and pulse imports were lower in the July-December 2020 period.

Bangladesh has doled out aggressive stimulus to support the domestic demand in the
virus-infected economy.

In the meantime, the Chattogram-based private container depots, who handle 38 key
import products, said they are seeing some improvement in the overall imports.

Seventeen depots handled an estimated 30,000 TEUs of imports last January which,
they believe, is almost equivalent to that of the pre-pandemic level.

They said food commodities, poultry feed raw material and raw cotton were seen at
the depots.

Shipping executive Capt AS Chowdhury said, "We've intelligence (report) about the
picking up of imports as our HQs informed us of it."

Shahed Sarwar, deputy managing director at Crown Navigation, a local agent of K-

Line, said: "All vessels being berthed at the port are full of imports."

"The trend of import is definitely better than June, July or August," he told the FE.

The improvement in imports indicates Bangladesh's accelerating economic recovery,

mainly driven by a substantial surge in consumer products and industrial needs, said
Centre for Policy Dialogue director (research) Dr Khondker Golam Moazzem. He
said the import of capital machinery and other industry-related goods is yet to pick
up.

Mr Moazzem himself calculated a ratio between LC opening and its settlement of

the July-December data.

"I found that the ratio is over 1.0 per cent for consumer goods over 2019 while the
industry-related goods import ratio is less than 1.0 per cent or even 0.6-0.7 per
cent."

He said the values the central bank provided had some sort of "price effect" as the
international market of commodities has remained volatile in recent times.

However, import of cement clinkers and lime jumped to 10 per cent, signalling that
the construction sector is improving as fiscal stimulus boosts domestic demand.
On the other hand, importers said they have been importing essential commodities
for the Ramadan market.

The international market has remained up coupled with the global container crisis,
they added.

"But we're procuring commodities like chickpea, lentil and oil," said Mostafa
Haider, a director at TK Group, one of the leading commodity players in
Bangladesh.

BSM Group chairman Abul Bashar Chowdhury said the global market of key
essentials is high partly because of higher buys by China and drought in South
America.

"But we're procuring from overseas market and some goods have already landed in
Chattogram to meet the domestic demand," he mentioned.

jasimharoon@yahoo.com

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladeshs-imports-picking-up-1612923757

SC appointed panel on farms laws holds discussions

with industry
By IANS|   Published: 10th February 2021 4:46 am IST
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The expert committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to facilitate
discussions on the three farm laws, on Tuesday held meetings with 18 stakeholders, including
representatives from various industries.

Committee member, Dr Pramod Joshi told IANS that in the meeting, which was also attended by
other panel members, Ashok Gulati and Anil Ghanwat, representatives from the private sector
also gave their suggestions. This was the seventh meeting of the committee.

In a statement after the talks, the committee said that they held discussions, via video
conferencing, with members of various agro-processing industries, agro-processing cooperatives
and purchase agencies on Tuesday.

These included Amul, ITC, the Food Corporation of India, Suguna Foods, Venkateshwara
Hatcheries, industry chambers CII and FICCI, the Marine Products Export Development
Authority, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, the
Horticulture Products Exporters Association, the All India Rice Millers Association, the All
India Rice Exporters Association, the Tractors Manufacturers Association, the Cotton
Association of India, the Fertiliser Association of India, the India Pulses and Grain Association,
and the India Poultry Feed Manufacturers Association.

The committee is tasked with holding discussions with various stakeholders, including the
protesting farmers over the three laws, whose implementation has been stayed by the top court,
and to submit its recommendations to the court.

https://www.siasat.com/sc-appointed-panel-on-farms-laws-holds-discussions-with-industry-
20868

The Rice Stuff Podcast Examines U.S. Rice Industry

Sustainability Goals

By Deborah Willenborg

ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. rice industry is rightly

proud of its sustainability record, growing more rice
on less land with less inputs and without the use of
 genetically modified plants.  You can bet any
industry taking a leadership role in sustainability and
conservation is not going to be the kind of industry
that rests on its laurels. And you would be right.

Dr
. Dustin Harrell

The industry set aggressive 15-year goals on soil loss, energy and water use, greenhouse
gas emissions, and more. Dr. Dustin Harrell, resident director of the Louisiana State
University AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, and a member of the team
that helped establish the new targets, joins the current episode of The Rice Stuff podcast to
discuss the metrics and what went into them.

“Having a top scientist like Dustin on to explain why he thinks these new goals are
difficult but attainable is going to be eye-opening for folks, even if they are well-versed in
these issues,” said Dr. Steve Linscombe, a cohost of the podcast and himself an acclaimed
rice scientist.

Lydia Holmes, director of sustainability for USA Rice and a show cohost, added how
important it is to put the new goals in the context of historical achievements.

“I think every bit of savings, every accomplishment is important, but some people will
look at these goals and think they sound low,” said Holmes. “‘Reducing soil loss by eight
percent? That’s it?’ Remember, that’s on top of the 28 percent the industry already
reduced soil loss between 1980 and 2015. Dustin helps put all of this into perspective.”

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.

WASDE Report Released

WASHINGTON, DC -- The outlook for 2020/21 ‌

U.S. rice this month is for stable supplies and
domestic use, lower exports, and higher ending
stocks. Exports are lowered by 1 million cwt to 93
million, all for long grain on the continued sluggish
pace of sales and shipments for long grain milled
rice. Projected 2020/21 all rice ending stocks are
raised by an equivalent amount to 39.4 million
cwt. The projected 2020/21 all rice season-average
farm price is raised $0.20 per cwt to $13.40 with
increases in the NASS prices reported to date and
price expectations for the remainder of the marketing
year.

The 2020/21 global outlook is for larger supplies, higher consumption, increased trade,
and reduced stocks. Rice supplies are raised 800,000 tons to 682.3 million, primarily on
higher rice production for Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines as global production is
raised to a record high 504 million. World 2020/21 consumption is increased 2.2 million
tons to a record 504.2 million. The largest increase is for China, where more old-crop rice
is expected to be fed due to rising domestic corn prices.

World trade is raised 900,000 tons to 46.3 million as higher exports by India more than
offset reduced exports by Thailand. India’s exports are increased to a record 15 million
tons as its supplies remain ample and its export prices continue to be the most competitive
among major exporters. Projected 2020/21 world ending stocks are lowered 1.4 million
tons to 178.1 million, primarily on higher domestic use for China and larger exports for
India.
 Go here to read the full report.

Basmati exports plunge by 38pc in 1HFY21

Aamir Shafaat KhanPublished February 9, 2021Updated a day ago

   

Pakistan’s rice exports remained subdued in the first half of the current fiscal year (1HFY21) due
to low prices offered by India for non-basmati. — AFP/File

• Overall rice exports fall by 10pc in July-December

• Rival’s low prices, costly freight key reasons

KARACHI: Pakistan’s rice exports remained subdued in the first half of the current fiscal year
(1HFY21) due to low prices offered by India for non-basmati and issues of higher freight and
shipments from October 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The country’s overall rice export plunged by 10 per cent in quantity to 1.824 million tonnes and
6.74pc in value to $963m in July-Dec 2020-21 versus the same period in the last fiscal year.
Out of total exports, the share of basmati exports plunged by 38pc in quantity to 265,672 tonnes
and 31pc in value to $262m while non-basmati exports fell by 3pc in quantity to 1.558m tonnes
and 7.45pc in value to $700m in 1HFY21 as compared to the same period last fiscal.

Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) Abdul Qayum Paracha
told Dawn: “Chinese buying of Pakistan’s non-basmati rice had kept our exporters busy in
September to December 2020.”

He said Pakistani basmati also enjoys an edge in the European markets as the level of pesticides
in our local crop is low as per the European Union’s standard as compared to the high level of
India.

He said a ray of hope has emerged from rising exports during Nov 2020 to 78,160 tonnes valuing
$76m from 43,032 tonnes fetching $41m in Oct 2020 while non-basmati exports improved
sharply to 379,944 tonnes with export earnings of $154m in November as compared to 220,674
tonnes fetching $98m in October 2020.

“I hope that the second half of FY21 proves much better than the first half as things appear to
improve and much will depend on rice prices,” he said.

In overall basmati exports, Europe holds 40pc share. The commodity is also being exported to
Gulf countries, Australia, US, etc. Non-Basmati markets include China, African countries, Far
East, etc.

Pakistan produces 7.4m tonnes of rice annually out which over 4m tonnes is exported while the
rest is consumed locally. Country exported 4.166mn tonnes of rice in FY20 which earned
$2.175bn out of which basmati exports stood at 890,207 tonnes valuing $790m while non-
basmati exports were 3.275m earning $1.384bn.

Meanwhile, Reap has successfully filed the Reasoned Statement in opposition to India’s claim on
the Geographical Indicator (GI) tag for Basmati on Feb 5 this year. Filing a Reasoned Statement
would be the second step after filing the Notice of Opposition initially on Dec 7, 2021.

The third step is the cooling off period of three months after which the hearings in DG
Agriculture of European Commission will commence.

Filing the Reasoned Statement takes Pakistan one step closer to protecting its trade of Basmati.
Since Basmati rice fetches higher prices than non-Basmati rice in international markets, India has
attempted to block Pakistan’s trade in the EU by registering as the sole owner of Basmati’s GI.

Pakistan has opposed this claim to protect its trade of Basmati.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1606296/basmati-exports-plunge-by-38pc-in-1hfy21
Making sense of inflation data
Mohiuddin AazimPublished February 8, 2021Updated 2 days ago

Three economic things can add to or subtract from the political capital of politicians in power.
These are: economic growth, employment levels and inflation. — Reuters/File

Three economic things can add to or subtract from the political capital of politicians in
power. These are: economic growth, employment levels and inflation.

When a government aims to achieve a certain level of economic growth, it normally adds to
inflationary pressures in the economy. But on the other hand, it can create more jobs as well. If
the economy starts growing without creating enough jobs but pushing up inflation in the process,
this jobless growth starts giving headaches to policymakers.

That was what we saw in 2018-19, the first year of the PTI’s maiden government. And when
economic growth and employment levels decline, as they did in 2019-20, policymakers are
further perturbed and people in power watch in helplessness the depletion of political capital. In
2020-21, the government is trying hard to achieve 2.1 per cent economic growth after the last
year’s 0.4pc contraction.

But this modest economic recovery, even if it is achieved, is not expected to reduce joblessness
to pre-2018-19 levels. PTI policymakers know this and are eager to see inflation under control to
minimise the public outcry amidst a slow and, to a large extent, still-jobless economic recovery.  
That was perhaps why Prime Minister Imran Khan and Planning and Development Minister
Asad Umar took so much pride in the recent fall in consumer and core inflation and shared this
good news with the nation with a political pinch — that is, inflation numbers had fallen below
the levels they inherited.

Comparing just one month’s general inflation and ‘urban core inflation’ numbers with slightly
higher numbers from July 2018 makes little sense

But here is a crude reality check: food inflation remained in double digits in the past 17 months
— and ranged between 10.4pc and 19.5pc for urban consumers and between 12.6pc-23.8pc for
rural consumers — before coming down to single digits last month.

Despite the fact that national average consumer inflation increased just 5.7pc year-on-year in
January, food inflation stood far higher at 7.3pc in urban areas and at 7.2pc in rural areas. As
recently as December 2020, food inflation in urban and rural areas stood at 12.6pc and 13.4pc,
respectively.

More disturbingly, non-food, non-energy core inflation that fell to 5.4pc in January in urban
areas — and made top government officials jubilant — was way higher at 7.8pc in rural areas,
according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The PBS calculates food inflation through
changes in food items included in a broad list of consumer items whose price-changes are
monitored for calculating the consumer price index or CPI. In other words, 7.3pc and 7.2pc food
inflation for urban and rural areas represent general food inflation.

The PBS calculates inflation through another index, which is known as the sensitive price index
or SPI. It gives an idea of how prices of essential items of daily use, mostly food items, behave.
Measured through this index, yearly inflation in January stood at 7.7pc. The PBS does not
calculate separately the food inflation number obtained through the SPI. But since the SPI basket
itself comprises a larger number of food items — 32 out of total 51 — and since 28 out of those
32 items depicted a rising trend in January 2020 vs January 2019, it is safe to assume that 7.7pc
SPI inflation is primarily the outcome of higher food prices.

Food inflation stood far higher at 7.3pc in urban areas and at 7.2pc in rural areas in January 

People generally don’t know exactly which food items are in the SPI basket of essential items.
That’s why they often show disbelief when SPI inflation falls. Here we have a full list of these
essential food items: wheat flour, basmati and non-basmati rice, plain bread of average size, beef
with bone, mutton, boiler chicken, loose fresh milk and curd, Nido powdered milk in a 390-gram
polybag, eggs, mustard oil, cooking oil, Dalda or Habib vegetable ghee in 2.5kg tin packing,
Dalda/Habib vegetable ghee in polybag packing, bananas, Masoor, Moong, Mash and gram
pulses, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, sugar and Gur, National or Shan salt, National’s chili powder
in 200gm packing, garlic, Lipton Yellow Label tea in 190gm packing, cooked beef and cooked
Dal and ordinary prepared tea sold at “average hotels” (whatever it means).

Most people also don’t know exactly which items are in the “food and beverage” sub-basket of
main CPI basket. The list of these items is lengthier than that of the essential food items and it
also include wheat (in addition to wheat flour), fish, dry fruits, a few items of confectionary,
almost all widely used fruits (and not just bananas), almost all local fresh vegetables, a fairly
large number of condiments and spices, Nestle water, Coke and Pepsi — and even women’s
favourite pickles and men’s favourite honey. This list of food and beverage items is used for
calculating food inflation in urban areas as part of consumer inflation with the base year of 2015-
16. The one used for measuring food inflation in the rural areas is a bit different but is equally
heavy and diverse.

The fact that food inflation number for January has fallen into single digits after 17 months is, in
itself, newsworthy. And, if top government officials are eager to take credit for this, they can.

But comparing just one month’s general inflation and “urban core inflation” numbers with
slightly higher numbers they had inherited back in July 2018 makes little sense.  

This makes little sense because in January, 28 out of 32 most essential food items that people in
even the lowest income group use showed sharp yearly increases — sugar 20.4pc, plain wheat
bread 14.5pc, to quote just two of them.

What makes these number look too bad is that sugar and wheat crises have hit the nation thrice
during less than three years of the PTI government. And, every time these crises pushed up
wheat flour and sugar prices too high for the common people and did not moderate substantially
after the government’s intervention. 

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, February 8th, 2021

https://www.dawn.com/news/1606113/making-sense-of-inflation-data

Tanzania: Rice Demand in Zanzibar a Boon for Morogoro

Farmers

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8 FEBRUARY 2021
Morogoro — Rice farmers have exuded confidence that they will sell enough rice to Zanzibar
after the latter decided to stop imports from Asia.
Morogoro Region, which is among the top rice producers in the country, will benefit from
supplying their produce to the semi-autonomous Indian Ocean archipelago.
Zanzibar's rice demand currently stands at 80,000 tonnes per year, but the country only produces
about 23,000 tonnes.
The gap is currently filled by imports from Tanzania mainland and partly from Asia.
Rice is the main staple food in Zanzibar where the current demand stands at 61.3 kilogrammes
per person annually.
But gracing a three-day workshop of rice processors here, the Morogoro Regional
Commissioner, Mr Loata Ole Sanare, said he had held talks with Zanzibar's Second Vice
President Hemed Suleiman Abdallah over the possibility of Morogoro farmers supplying rice to
the Isles.
"The Second Vice President assured me that he will ask rice importers to visit Morogoro Region
and meet with rice processors to seal the business deal," he told 50 participants of the workshop.
The participants were taken from Malinyi, Kilombero, Ifakara, Kilosa, Ulanga and Mvomero
districts.
Repoa and Rice Council of Tanzania organised the workshop.
Mr Sanare said the government was working hard to ensure that smallholder rice farmers, millers
and processors were making profits out of the produce so that they can contribute to the
economic growth through paying taxes.
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He told rice the processors to list down the challenges that they were facing in their daily
undertakings so that the government could work on them.
The Ifakara District commissioner, Mr Ismail Mlawa, told participants to take such workshops
seriously and that they should be willing to share the knowledge with their counterparts in their
respective farming communities.
According to Repoa's senior communications specialist Godfrey Kalagho, the training was part
of the organisation's research programme, which aimed at building the capacity of policy makers,
producers and processors.
"Ultimately, this should contribute towards achieving competitiveness of local products within
and outside the country," he said.
The programme is funded by the European Union under the Secretariat of the Organisation of
Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (OACPS).
It is implemented by Repoa and the University of Erasmus, Rotterdam, in The Hague (ISS).
Recently, the government convened the Task Force for the National Rice Development Strategy
II (NRDS II) in Morogoro, which aimed at scaling up the rice production to meet the growing
regional and international demand.
The region is also putting in much effort to double the production from two tonnes to four tonnes
per hectare.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202102090020.html
Rice farmers call on govt to reduce the cost of hiring tractors
Rice farmers in Delta State have appealed to the state government to take drastic actions in
reducing the cost of hiring tractors.

Published
 1 day ago

on
 February 9, 2021

By
 Omokolade Ajayi 

The Chairman of Delta State Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Mr. Sylvanus
Ejezie, has tasked the Delta State Government to reduce the cost of hiring tractors in the state.

Mr, Ejezie revealed this while speaking during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN). He explained that this decision will help to enhance rice cultivation, and ensure food
security in the state.
According to him, the expenses farmers incur during land preparation are set to be compounded
significantly by the cost of hiring a tractor, to speed up land preparation during this planting
season.

He added that the state government needs to take drastic actions to ensure that the cost of hiring a
tractor is reduced to the lowest level that will support optimal rice cultivation during the farming
season, as the reduction in this cost would serve as an incentive for farmers to cultivate more
farmlands.

Ejezie stressed that this move is necessary as farmers in the state hire tractors for land
preparation at N20,000 per day, in addition to other expenses

The chairman of RIFAN, Delta State chapter said:

“We expect that each of the 1,000 farmers in the state will produce four tonnes of rice per
hectare. No fewer than 1,000 farmers have been profiled to benefit from the agricultural loan
under the CBN anchor borrowers programme. All the materials were promptly supplied last
year.
“Following our devastating experience last year when a flood washed away almost everything
we planted, we took advantage of the dry season farming and are already harvesting. I want to
commend Gov. Okowa for his support to farmers. He provided me with the first borehole in my
farm when he (Okowa) was Commissioner for Agriculture in the state.
“To increase our effort in dry season farming, I dug extra two boreholes in order to provide
irrigation cover for the eight-hectare of rice that I cultivated this dry season. In order not to
suffer the same fate we suffered last year, we have advised our members to commence land
preparation for this year’s farming season early enough.’’
What you should know
 Delta State chapter revealed last year that it would be targeting 28,000 MT of rice from
this year’s dry season farming, the chairman of the association disclosed that no fewer
than 7,000 farmers registered to take part in the dry season farming in the state.
 This ambitious move is expected to cushion the shortfall in rice production in the
country, as farmers incurred huge losses during the wet season farming last year, due to
the heavy flood which washed off a sizeable amount of their cultivation.
https://nairametrics.com/2021/02/09/rice-farmers-in-delta-state-call-on-govt-to-reduce-the-cost-
of-hiring-tractors/

India’s MSP operations are compliant with WTO rules: Goyal

Our Bureau  New Delhi | Updated on February 09, 2021  Published on February 09, 2021
Piyush Goyal

Clarifications on e-commerce policy being considered

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) operation that the government is currently carrying out is

“completely compliant’’ with WTO rules as the country is protected by a ‘peace clause’ earlier

negotiated, Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said.

On possible changes to the e-commerce policy, the Minister said the Centre was considering

certain clarifications to ensure that e-commerce companies worked in the true spirit of the law

and rules that had been laid down.

FY21 estimates well below FY20 actuals; BIMARU among big beneficiaries in FY22

A combination of fuel-efficiency, lower road tax and sops will help consumers

“We have a peace clause for public procurement purposes. We are permitted to buy from the

market place. The MSP operations that we are currently doing are completely WTO compliant,”

Goyal said at a press conference on Tuesday answering a question on the government’s

assurance to farmers on MSP continuation and its implications at the WTO.

India's MSP for rice is under scrutiny at the WTO with members such as the EU and the US

contending that the country has crossed its de minimis limit and also stating that the `peace

clause' had not been properly used meeting all given conditions.

Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan defended India's subsidies by pointing out that these were

mostly within permitted limits and were also much lower than the subsidies given by rich

countries. “To the extent, because of public procurement for food security, if we exceed the de

minimis limit, we have the peace clause. Our subsidies are within the WTO limit and are

moderate compared to what the developed countries give. The distortion caused by developing

countries’ subsidies is of minimal quantum compared to the West,” he said.

No change in policy

Elaborating on the government’s stance on e-commerce, the Minister said that while no change

in e-commerce policy was being planned per se, there were certain complaints from consumers

and small retailers about certain practices of e commerce companies that were under

investigation and needed to be addressed.

“We are considering certain clarification to ensure that e-commerce works in the true spirit of the

law and as per rules that have been laid down. E-commerce is supposed to provide an agonistic

platform so that buyers and sellers can trade with each other. The platform should not become

part of the trading transaction,” he said.

The e-commerce companies should not fund transactions, have algorithms which give preference

to one over the other or promote their own products, Goyal said. The platform should provide all

data that is required for the consumer to make a free and rational choice. “We believe buyers and

sellers should be given an opportunity to trade with each other. The platform is only a service

provider. Those who break that law will have to respond to our concerns and correct their

business practices at the earliest,” he added.

The Minister also talked about developments at the WTO and said that India was happy that

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was going to be the new Director General. Goyal said that he had several

opportunities in the past to interact with her and found her to be very sensitive to demands and

requirements of the developing world and the LDCs.

He said that India had a lot of expectations and hoped that the WTO Appellate Body will be put

in place quickly and the benefit of special & differential treatment for developing countries will

continue either for perpetuity or a long period of time.

On the on-going fisheries negotiations, Goyal said that India believes that subsidy restrictions

should be based on ‘polluter pays’ principle so that developing countries have policy space and

can continue to give support proportional to that developed countries have been giving for a

significant period of time.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/indias-msp-operations-are-compliant-with-wto-
rules-goyal/article33794782.ece

Egypt's rice production rises 53.8% during 2018/19

 The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) - CC
CAIRO – 9 February 2021: The Egyptian Central Agency for Mobilization and Statistics
(CAPMAS) announced an increase in rice production by 53.8 percent during 2018-2019
 
CAPMAS said in a statement, Tuesday, that the area of the cultivated rice crop reached 1.3
million feddans in 2018-2019 compared to 0.9 million feddans in 2017/2018, marking an
increase of 51.9 percent.
 
Production amounted to 4.8 million tons in 2018/2019, compared to 3.1 million tons in
2017/2018, with an increase of 53.8%.
 
It stated that the total cropped area is 16.2 million feddans in 2018/2019 compared to 16.1
million feddans in 2017/2018, with an increase of 1 percent, while the total cultivated area
reached 9.3 million feddans in 2018/2019 compared to 9.2 million feddans in 2017/2018, with
marking an increase of Its rate is 1.5 percent.
 
He pointed out that the wheat crop area amounted to 3.1 million feddans in 2018/2019 compared
to 3.2 million feddans in 2017/2018, with a decrease of 0.7 percent, and the amount of
production reached 8.6 million tons in 2018/2019, compared to 8.3 million tons in 2017/2018,
with an increase of 2.5  percent.
 
The tomato crop area reached 408.7 thousand feddans in 2018/2019 compared to 416 thousand
feddans in 2017/2018, with a decrease of 1.8 percent, and production amounted to 6.79 million
tons in 2018/2019 compared to 6.78 million tons in 2017/2018, marking an increase of 0.3
percent.
 
The potato crop area reached 422.6 thousand feddans in 2018/2019 compared to 408.1 thousand
feddans in 2017/2018, with an increase of 3.6 percent, and production amounted to 5.2 million
tons in 2018/2019 compared to 5 million tons in 2017/2018, with an increase of 4.8 percent.
 
The fruitful area of orange crop reached 292 thousand feddans in 2018/2019 compared to 296.5
thousand feddans in 2017/2018, marking a decrease of 1.5 percent, and production amounted to
3.07 million tons in 2018/2019, compared to 3.09 million tons in 2017/2018, a decrease of 0.6
percent.
 
The fruitful area of the banana crop recorded 72.6 thousand feddans in 2018/2019 compared to
69.8 thousand feddans in 2017/2018, an increase of 4.1 percent, and the production amount
reached 1.33 million tons in 2018/2019 compared to 1.29 million tons in 2017/2018, an increase
of 2.9 percent.
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/3/98414/Egypt-s-rice-production-rises-53-8-during-2018-
19#:~:text=CAPMAS%20said%20in%20a%20statement,an%20increase%20of
%2051.9%20percent.

Rice mill owners seek reduction in electricity fixed charges

M Soundariya Preetha

COIMBATORE, FEBRUARY 09, 2021 15:12 IST

With higher paddy yields this year, the mills will need more electricity for
processing, and have asked Tangedco for a reduction in fixed costs

The higher paddy crop yield this year is presenting a challenge to rice mill owners in
Tamil Nadu.

According to K.S. Jagadeesan, honorary president of Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners
Association, the mills have been asking the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution
Corporation (Tangedco) permission for sanctioned demand up to 150 KW. They need
more electricity as they will be processing more paddy this year. The mills had sought
the additional supply at the old rate up to 112 KW, and for the additional load at HT
rates.
 The 3,000-odd rice mills in the State will be processing more paddy this year, but most
of these mills are small or medium-scale enterprises, running on less than 112 KW of
the sanctioned demand. They have the capacity to process one tonne an hour. Less than
10 % of the mills have High Tension (HT) electricity connections.

Mills in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on the other hand, are large-scale, with the
capacity to process 10 tonnes of paddy an hour. These run on HT connections and
operate throughout the year.

However, Tangedco issued an order recently asking the mills to pay ₹350 a KW as
fixed charges from 0-150 kw. The mills, whether they are in operation or not, will have
to shell out ₹45,000 a month approximately towards fixed charges, says Mr.
Jagadeesan seeking a reduction in the charges.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/rice-mill-owners-seek-reduction-in-
electricity-fixed-charges/article33791201.ece

Southeast Asia's economics of rice

Arief Subhan

Februari 9, 2021 07:08 MYT

This love affair with the seed of the grass species, oryza sativa is not only rooted in the tangible
world but has its own mystical, non-corporeal underpinnings to it. -Filepix

It is perhaps a truism to say that rice is the staple food of Southeast Asia.

This love affair with the seed of the grass species, oryza sativa is not only rooted in the tangible
world but has its own mystical, non-corporeal underpinnings to it.

Such a relationship is observed through the worshipping of Dewi Sri; the goddess of rice,
fertility, and wealth by communities prior to the advent of Islam in modern-day Indonesia.

In today’s world, this spiritual adulation has now turned into economic endeavour with the
cultivation and export of rice.

Among some ASEAN member countries, rice cultivation and export has become an important
contributor to their respective Gross Domestic Product (GDPs).

The Asian Development Bank has projected that total rice output in ASEAN will grow at
1.37percent annually, from nearly 110.5 million tonnes in 2010-2011 to 128.3 million tonnes by
2021-2022.
In addition, most of this projected output is contingent on improved yields, increasing by 1.22
percent per annum.

Almost all Southeast Asian countries have some form of self-sufficiency policy. For example,
Brunei Darussalam has set a 60 percent target for its rice self-sufficiency plan over the longer
term, ideally achieved by 2035.

As such, the implementation of policies directed towards achieving high levels of self-
sufficiency has improved since the 2007/2008 food price crisis.

Amidst the rice pledging scheme that caused much brouhaha in Thailand about a decade ago,
‘The Land of Smiles’ still retains top spot as the region’s largest exporter of rice.

This scheme was introduced by Yingluck Shinawatra in her 2011 election campaign for the Pheu
Thai Party, and was subsequently implemented after she attained the mandate to lead the nation.

One of the components within the scheme is the direct buying of unmilled rice by the Thai
government from farmers, at approximately twice the market rate.

It is argued that such a move would put money into the pockets of poor farmers and stimulate
domestic demand.

However, according to a report by the Global Legal Monitor, the government would end up
having to provide subsidies amounting to a whopping US$9.375 billion, an amount that would
surely place a burden on the Thai economy.

Considering the fact that two-fifths of Thais work in agriculture (with most of them being rice
farmers), the incumbent leader of Thailand, General Prayuth Chan-ocha has not done away with
the aforesaid scheme, rather he has re-evaluated it.

His state budget for subsidies is less than 10 percent of what was implemented prior.

Chan-ocha has realised that he needs to implement policies that will facilitate an equilibrium in
supply and demand.

This is to avoid excessive price fluctuations and a heavy burden on public finances when market
intervention is necessary to ease the hardships of farmers.

Thai rice exports usually average 10 million tones a year, with white rice making up half of that
amount.

It is interesting to note that in 2017, Thailand exported 11.7 million tonnes of rice(an all-time
record), up to approximately 14.8 percent year-on-year.
As for 2018, this country copious with natural resources, exported around 11.2 million tonnes of
rice, indicating a holding back of supply through Chan-ocha’s smart recalculation of the plan
implemented by his predecessor.

Another point of concern is the quality of rice piling up in Thailand’s warehouses.

There are growing claims that substandard rice of a different grain has contaminated the stocks.

Criminal groups and less than honest officials are said to have smuggled in thousands of tonnes
of cheap grain from Cambodia and Myanmar, in the hope of taking advantage of the
government’s generosity.

The significance of rice economics in the region is further exemplified by Indonesia’s production
of this commodity.

Agriculture Minister of the Republic, Amran Sulaiman pointed out that the country had produced
more rice than it needed in 2017, meeting President Joko Widodo’s target of rice self-
sufficiency.

Not only that, Sulaiman also mentioned that rice production in January 2018 reached 8 million
tonnes, more than the average monthly consumption of 2.5 million tonnes.

We need to also realise that for some, the consumption of rice is a choice, while for others it is a
necessity.

For many struggling families in most Southeast Asian countries, having a surplus of rice to sell
to the market will enable them to temporarily rise above the poverty line.

Considering the multifaceted nature of rice economics in the region, it is important that proper
regulation be put in place and implemented so as to do away with the tampering of rice
stockpiles.

Also, rice schemes ought to be thoroughly studied by governments and regulating bodies before
their implementation.

As in the case of Thailand during Shinawatra’s rule, an attempt to pander to the whims and
fancies of the agribusiness sector and fulfilling an election campaign promise made prior to
being elected, has had damaging repercussions on the country’s economy.

General Prayuth’s timely re-evaluating of the scheme has to a certain extent prevented more
serious financial implications on Thailand’s economy.

Such a situation ought to be taken as a lesson with regards to the precarious nature of rice
economics in the region.
Arief Subhan is a Research Assistant for the Political Futures Experts Group (PFEG) based at the
International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC).

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the position of Astro AWANI.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2021/02/09/cascadian-farm-supports-sacramento-
valley-project.html

REAP files reasoned statement in opposition to India’s claim

on GI tag for Basmati
KARACHI: Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has successfully filed the Reasoned
Statement in opposition to India’s claim on the Geographical Indicator (GI) tag for Basmati on
February 5, 2021.

Filing a Reasoned Statement, submitted in European Union, was the second step after filing the
Notice of Opposition initially on December 7, 2021. The third step is the cooling-off period of
three months after which the hearings in DG Agriculture of the European Commission will
commence.

Filing the Reasoned Statement takes Pakistan one step closer to protecting its trade of Basmati.
Since Basmati rice fetches higher prices than non-Basmati rice in international markets, India has
attempted to block Pakistan’s trade-in EU by registering as the sole owner of Basmati’s GI.
Pakistan has opposed this claim to protect its trade of Basmati.

REAP has carried on its reputation as a responsible and effective association by standing up to
preserve the heritage of Pakistan.
REAP has taken this step on behalf of rice exporters and farmers of Pakistan who are at the risk
of losing a billion-dollars’ worth of income. Pakistan has a thriving industry of export of
Basmati, thus making Pakistan one of the top five exporters of rice in the world.

In order to protect Pakistan’s Basmati heritage, REAP has already filed a Notice of Opposition
against India’s claim on GI of Basmati Rice in the European Union on December 7, 2020.

Pakistani rice exports competitor India had sought the protection of Basmati Rice as a GI product
in the EU in a mala fide attempt to deter Pakistan’s growing export and appreciation of Basmati.

Pakistan has a thriving industry of export of Basmati rice, thus making Pakistan one of the top
five exporters of rice in the world.

In addition, Pakistan’s export of Basmati to the EU has almost doubled in the last five years and
it has outpaced India’s exports of the same period, therefore India is using mala fide practices to
hit Pakistan’s rice exports to EU countries and file GI claim in EU.

It may be mentioned here that GI is a sign used on products that have a specific origin and it
increases the product's reputation and developing countries like the EU are using GI labeling to
boost the value of the product. The GI tag is an exclusive right to sell the products in registered
markets.

 https://www.dawn.com/news/1606296