Rice prices drop 20pc on rupee appreciation, low

export demand

ISLAMABAD: Following a significant reduction in the prices of sugar and wheat, the prices of
different varieties of rice have also witnessed a 20pc drop mainly due to an appreciation of
Pakistani Rupee and reduction in international demand.

Although the reduction in rice prices comes as a relief for local consumers, growers and
exporters seemed little concerned about the development.

“There has been a tradition in the market that whenever the value of dollar rises, traders increase
the price of rice. The price hike earlier this year was in anticipation that rupee will further
devalue against dollar. But the recent declining trend in the value of dollar has caused a
reduction in the prices of rice,” said Taufiq Ahmed Khan, a leading exporter of rice.

Another factor that contributed to reduction in prices was the penetration of Indian rice in the
international market; product of neighboring country is being sold at comparatively lower prices.
“When India, which produces the same varieties of rice, dumps the product in the international
market, it takes time for Pakistan to adjust the price,” said the exporter.
Besides, Khan said, lower demand of rice in the global market, where the product was largely
exported during the initial months of Covid-19 pandemic, also caused a reduction in domestic
market prices.

It may be noted that rice importers, in a bid to store food items in the wake of Covid-19, had
ordered larger volumes of the product. In the next few months, the demand in international
market is likely to remain stagnant.

As per market sources, the price of rice-old (1121) has come down from Rs5,800 per 40kg to
Rs5100 per 40kg, witnessing a reduction of Rs700. Similarly, the price of super rice-old has
decreased from Rs5,200 per 40kg to Rs4,000 per 40kg.

The price of sella rice (1121) has reduced by almost Rs500 per 40kg.

Likewise, the price of 386 rice, a popular non-basmati variety, has decreased from Rs3,000 per
40kg to around Rs2,700 per 40kg, whereas paddy prices have declined by Rs200 per 40kg.

Owing to the sudden drop in prices, growers fear that they may not be able to get a return “even
for their input cost” this season.

“We had good production of basmati rice this year owing to an increase in cultivation area as
well as per acre yield, but availability of carryover stock from the last season has caused
exporters to take precautions, resulting in less orders from the EU countries,” a grower informed
this scribe.

Paddy (super), which opened at Rs2,400 per maund last year, is being traded at Rs2,000-2,100
per maund this year, while Kainat (1121), which opened at Rs2,200-2,300 per maund last year, is
currently being traded at Rs1900-2000 per maund this year.

Growers, middlemen and other stakeholders have urged the government to allow Pakistan
Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) or the Trading Corporation of
Pakistan (TCP) to purchase paddy or rice so that the prices can be lifted to a suitable level.

https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/11/25/rice-prices-drop-20pc-on-rupee-
appreciation-low-export-demand/

More funds to boost PH rice production

Published November 25, 2020, 11:38 PM
by  Manila Bulletin
 When William Dar took over as secretary of the
Department of Agriculture in August, 2019, he
proposed a new strategy for agriculture built
around eight programs – modernization of
agriculture, industrialization of agriculture,
promotion of exports, farm consolidation,
roadmap development, infrastructure
development, higher budget and investments in
agriculture, and legislative support.The first two
were the key parts of the program —
modernization and industrialization — to be
attained through increased infrastructure,
increased exports, and farm consolidation. But
after all the planning, the ultimate need was
funding. And this, over the years, has been the
biggest problem of the Department of
Agriculture.

In the National Budget for 2020, education, as mandated by the Constitution, was given the
biggest amount – ₱692.6 billion for the Department of Education, state universities and
colleges, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Skills and Development
Authority.
The next highest amounts were ₱581,7 billion for the Department of Public Works and
Highways, ₱241.6 billion for the Department of the Interior and Local Government, ₱200.5
billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development, ₱192.1 billion for the
Department of National Defense, ₱175.9 billion for the Department of Health, and ₱100.6.
billion for the Department of Health.

The Department of Agriculture had ₱64.7 billion, later raised to ₱79.9 billion.

For next year, 2021, the Department of Agriculture asked for a budget of ₱284.4 billion, but
the DA budget proposed in Malacañang’s National Expenditure Program is only ₱66.4
billion. It doesn’t look like Secretary Dar’s hopes and ambitions for agriculture in the
country are going to be realized in 2021.

Last Friday, Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said
her committee is pushing for a budget of ₱15.5 billion for a National Rice Program, and ₱10
billion for a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Specific amounts will be used for the
distribution of hybrid seeds, inbred seeds, fertilizers, training, research and development,
equipment, irrigation, and other programs specifically for rice production.

This special allocation for the RCEF, she said, is mandated by the Rice Tariffication Act
which replaced the rice quota system of rice importation with tariffs in January, 2019. This
law, we might recall, helped stop the zooming inflation that hit 6.7 percent in September,
2018.

We welcome these funds for agriculture, on top of the regular budget for the department.
One day, we hope, we will be able — with these special funds — to produce more rice with
better certified seeds, more and better irrigation, modern farm methods and equipment,
better trained farm workers, and an organized system of production and exports – in general,
the modernization of Philippine agriculture.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/more-funds-to-boost-ph-rice-production/

DA-7 launches ‘hybrid rice derby’ in Bohol

Published November 26, 2020, 10:34 AM
by  Minerva Newman
BATUAN, Bohol – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Visayas has launched
the “Regional Hybrid Rice Derby” in Batuan town in Bohol Province with the aim of
boosting rice production in Central Visayas.
 PH
OTO FROM DA-7/ MANILA BULLETIN

DA-7 regional executive director Atty. Salvador Diputado opened the “derby” with the
ceremonial ribbon-cutting and the actual planting of rice in the paddy led by him and other
local officials.

Diputado said that this is another rice derby conducted in Bohol, this time in Batuan, for
farmers to see and experience the goodness of planting hybrid rice. 

“Farmer-cooperator who will have a high yield during the field day in February next year
will receive a prize and the winning seed company will be awarded with a seed
procurement,” Diputado added. 

The six seed companies that joined the rice derby will showcase their best hybrid rice
varieties with their respective cultural practices and other technologies to enhance rice
productivity. 

Participating seed companies in the rice derby are Bayer, SL Agritech Corp., Seed Works,
Longping, Hatao, and Leads Agri. 
DA-7 introduced the 11 rice-based clusters for the various rice interventions/inputs such as
seeds, fertilizer, machinery, irrigation projects, and training. 

Hybrid Rice Cluster for District 1 called as Catigbian Cluster is composed of Catigbian,
Balilihan, Sikatuna, Corella, Cortes, Alburburque, Baclayon, Maribojoc, Antequera , Loon ,
Calape, and Tubigon. 

District 2 is composed of two clusters, Talibon Cluster and Ubay Cluster. Ubay Cluster
includes Ubay, Carlos P. Garcia, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Trinidad and Bien Unido; while
Talibon Cluster has Danao, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin, Sagbayan, and San Isidro. 

District 3 has three clusters, the Carmen Cluster which has Carmen, Batuan, Bilar, Loboc,
Loay, and Sevilla; Jagna Cluster with Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia Hernandez, Duero, and
Siera Bullones; and the Mabini Cluster composed of Pilar, Alicia, Candijay, Guindulman,
and Anda. 

Cecile Opada, DA-7 rice focal person said that each cluster has been positioned to receive
next year hybrid rice seeds good for 50 hectares and fertilizer from DA to maximize
production.

Diputado said local officials led by Batuan Mayor Antonino Jumawid and rice farmers of
Bohol expressed their gratitude to Secretary William Dar for the assistance they received.  

Hybrid rice is a product of a cross between two genetically instinct rice parents. When the
right parents are selected, the hybrid will have both greater vigor and yield than either of the
parents, Diputado said.

One of the rice farmers, Benjamin Alcala of Poblacion Norte, Batuan, expressed his
gratitude to DA-7 and the seed company for choosing him as the cooperator of the derby.   A
farmer-cooperator of the derby receives fertilizers and maintenance essentials from the seed
company.  

Alcala said that they will do their best and pray for a huge harvest resulting from the rice
derby. 

CAPTION:  Hybrid rice derby led by DA-7 regional executive director Atty. Salvador
Diputado and local officials in Batuan town, Bohol. 
https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/26/da-7-launches-hybrid-rice-derby-in-bohol/

DA lauds Cebu business group’s support to rice

tariffication law
By Christine Cudis  November 25, 2020, 6:02 pm
File photo from DA Communications Group

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday acknowledged the Cebu

Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (CCCI) support to Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) which,
the group said, is beneficial to both rice farmers and consumers.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar described the support from one of the country’s biggest and
most prominent business organizations as a big boost for the RTL.

"We at the Department of Agriculture sincerely welcome the expression of support of the Cebu
Chamber of Commerce and Industry to RTL and RCEF," the secretary stated in a Viber message
to reporters on Wednesday.

The Cebu business group said that Republic Act 11203, popularly known as RTL, is a
sustainable, win-win solution to easing the plight of farmers and consumers.

It commended the RTL for benefitting over 100 million Filipino consumers who can now better
afford the country’s staple.

Cebu CCI President Felix Taguiam, in his letter to DA early November, cited the Department of
Finance (DOF) report on Filipino consumers gaining around PHP21 billion from lower retail
prices for rice following RTL’s enactment.

The amount is on top of the PHP42 billion saved from lower overall inflation, as rice accounts
for a major portion of the "consumer food basket”.

The business organization also took into account that 3 million farmers are also experiencing the
adverse effects of RTL.

However, Taguiam said the effects are only short-term, saying the annual PHP10 billion Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) will “build on the foundation and strengthen the
competitiveness of the country's rice industry”.

“The way forward is to help our farmers increase their harvest at lower cost of production as this
will improve their profitability and competitiveness,” Taguiam said.
The RTL, authored by Senator Cynthia Villar, created the RCEF that allotted PHP10 billion
yearly for six years, starting 2019, with the provision of PHP5 billion worth of farm machinery
and equipment to rice farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs).

RCEF has also PHP3 billion for inbred certified palay seeds, and PHP1 billion each for credit,
and training and extension. It is pooled annually from rice import tariffs, the law’s implementing
rules and regulations stated.

DA also said the RTL lifted the quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice and placed it under a
general tariff regime. It aims to protect farmers by imposing tariffs on imported rice and then
pooled under RCEF to make Filipino farmers competitive by providing them needed machinery,
inbred seeds, credit assistance, and training and extension services.

“After six years of successful implementation of RTL and RCEF, we expect to raise the
productivity of farmers from the current national average harvest of four metric tons (MT) per
hectare (ha) to at least six MT/ha. Secondly, we should have reduced the average production cost
-- by 30 percent, from the current PHP12 to PHP14 per kilogram (kg) to PHP8 to PHP10/kg -- to
ensure bigger profit margins for farmers,” Dar said. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1122928

Three more matches decided in Happy Cow Pakistan Polo

Cup
OUR STAFF REPORT
November 26, 2020

LAHORE   -  Pricemeter.pk, Remounts and Diamond Paints/FG Polo carved out contrastive
victories in the Happy Cow Polo for Peace II for Pakistan Polo Cup 2020 matches played here at
the Lahore Polo Club ground on Wednesday. 

The first match of the day proved to be a thrilling one as Pricemeter.pk beat Samba Bank by a
narrow margin of 4-3½. Mannuel Carranza played key role in the winning team’s triumph with
his classic contribution of three goals while the remaining one came from Sufi Muhammad
Haroon. For the losing side, which had a half goal handicap advantage, Edward Banner Eve
banged in a brace and Syed Muhammad Turab Rizvi struck one goal. 

The second encounter of the day saw Remounts overpowering Colony team by 10-3½. Kian Hall
and Imran Shahid were the joint heroes from the winning side, as both contributed with a quartet
each while Jamie Le Hardy scored a brace. For the losing team, which was enjoying a half goal
handicap advantage before start of the match, James Fewster, Mian Hussain Iftikhar and Naveed
Sheikh converted one goal each. 

Punjab CM Buzdar inaugurates Firdous Market underpass

Helped by heroics of Mir Huzaifa Ahmed, Diamond Paints/FG Polo overpowered D Polo by 8-1.
Mir Huzaifa emerged as top scorer with a classic contribution of four goals for the winning team
while Mian Abbas Mukhtar scored two goals and Tom Brodie and Saqib Khan Khakwani
slammed in a goal apiece. The only goal for D Polo was struck by Lt Col Omer Minhas. 

Today (Thursday), the only match of the day will be played between AOS team and Guard
Rice/Platinum Homes here at the Lahore Polo Club ground at 2:00 pm.

https://nation.com.pk/26-Nov-2020/three-more-matches-decided-in-happy-cow-pakistan-polo-cup
Bangladesh receives offers in tender to buy 50,000 T of
rice

The tender was Bangladesh’s first of its type for three years

Workers sun dry paddy at a rice processing mill after reopening amid concerns over the coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) outbreak in Munshiganj, outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 8, 2020.
Reuters/Mohammad Ponir Hossain

By Michael Hogan and Ruma Paul, Reuters News

HAMBURG - The lowest offer in the tender from Bangladesh's state grains buyer to purchase
50,000 tonnes of rice which closed on Thursday was estimated at $416.00 a tonne CIF liner out,
traders said in initial assessments.

Offers are still being considered and no purchase had yet been reported, they said.

The tender was Bangladesh’s first of its type for three years amid dwindling rice supplies and a
surge in prices.

Bangladesh plans to import 300,000 tonnes of rice amid a potential shortfall in output after
floods destroyed its crop.

The country is the world's third-biggest rice producer but relies on imports to cope with
shortages caused by natural disasters such as floods or drought.

Traders said the lowest price of $416.00 a tonne was offered by trading company P.K. Agri Link
for rice sourced optionally from India, Thailand, Vietnam or Myanmar.

Other participants in the tender included Agrocorp International, which offered $416.85 a tonne,
also for supplies optionally from India, Thailand, Vietnam or Myanmar.
Sukhbir Agro Energy offered $419.95 a tonne for rice from India, Pakistan, Thailand or
Vietnam.

Swiss Singapore Overseas offered $421.49 a tonne for Indian rice and KRBL offered $427.50 a
tonne also for Indian supplies.

All prices are for CIF liner out terms, which involve ship unloading costs. Price offers in the
tender have to remain valid up to Dec. 10. The rice is to be shipped within 40 days of contract
signing.

A separate tender from the country to purchase 50,000 tonnes of rice closes on Dec. 2.

(Reporting by Michael Hogan and Ruma Paul; Editing by Jan Harvey)

((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging:
michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/
Bangladesh_receives_offers_in_tender_to_buy_50000_T_of_rice-TR20201126nL1N2IC0O6X1/

International grocery store coming to Lorna Road

BY JON ANDERSON

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

 
Photo by Jon Anderson.

Hadi Sultan stands outside Alabama Halal FoodsInternational, a grocery store he is opening at
3150 Lorna Road that will specialize in Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern food and drinks.
He hopes to open by the end of 2020.
Photo by Jon Anderson.

Sultan shows off a story written about his former Taste of Pakistan restaurant he ran in Texas.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began to hit hard in March, Hoover resident Hadi Sultan and one
of his sons began having trouble getting halal meat for the Pakistani and Indian restaurant they
own in The Plaza at Riverchase.

Halal meat is meat that is prepared in accordance with Islamic law.

The shortage opened Sultan’s eyes to a business opportunity, prompting him to open a grocery
store in Hoover that specializes in Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern food and drinks.

The store, called Alabama Halal Foods International, is at 3150 Lorna Road, Suite 108, in a
3,800-square-foot spot formerly occupied by People’s Choice Discount Catering, next to the
Hoover Police Operations Center.

Sultan hopes to have the grocery open by the end of the year.
The new store will be a supply source for their restaurant, Kabob-Licious Indo-Pak Grill, but
also will help serve a growing demand for Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern food in the
Birmingham-Hoover area, he said.

It sometimes can be particularly difficult to find halal meat, Sultan said. There are a couple of
international markets in Homewood that carry it, as well as Jubilee Groceries in the Village on
Lorna, but Alabama Halal Foods will have more Mediterranean options than Jubilee Groceries,
he said.

For those who are unfamiliar, Islamic law requires that for meat to be acceptable for eating
(halal), it must come from animals that were alive at the time they were slaughtered, and all
blood must have been drained from the carcass. Also, the animal must be slaughtered with a cut
to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe, and the meat must be dedicated in the name of
Allah before the slaughter takes place.

The meat must not come from pigs, boars, dogs, snakes, monkeys, carnivorous animals with
claws and fangs (such as lions, tigers and bears), birds of prey with claws, rats, woodpeckers,
mules, domestic donkeys, poisonous and hazardous aquatic animals, and animals that live on
both land and water (such as frogs and crocodiles).

Sultan said his grocery will specialize in goat, lamb, beef and chicken that comes fresh from
Atlanta twice a week and fresh fish from the Gulf of Mexico three times a week.

Many of the other grocery items will be sourced from the United States, but Alabama Halal
Foods International also will carry Basmati rice (a long-grain rice from India and Pakistan) and
spices and soft drinks from India, Pakistan and the Middle East, Sultan said.

There is a growing group of people from those countries in the Birmingham area, especially in
Hoover, Sultan said.

But he said his primary target market is Americans. Seventy percent of the customers at Kabob-
Licious are American, he said.

Sultan originally is from Pakistan, where he was in the leather clothing business. He and his
family moved to the United States in 1998 due to riots and violence associated with political and
ethnic disputes, he said. He and his wife, Zubeda, opened a restaurant called Taste of Pakistan in
Euless, Texas, in 1999. They sold the restaurant in 2004 to focus on dollar stores and cell phone
stores they owned.

In 2006, they moved to Hoover and went into the convenience store business. They currently
own Citgo gas stations in Hayden and Bremen. They have three sons, two of whom are married,
and four grandchildren.

Sultan said he loves living in Hoover and believes there is a lot of opportunity here.

https://hooversun.com/businesses/international-grocery-store-coming-to-lorna-road/

3 BIG THINGS TODAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020

GRAINS, SOYBEANS SLIGHTLY LOWER OVERNIGHT; BRAZIL LONG-TERM
PRECIPITIATION ‘INCONSISTENT.’
By  Tony Dreibus
11/25/2020

1. GRAINS AND SOYBEANS SLIGHTLY LOWER IN OVERNIGHT TRADING

Grains and soybeans were modestly lower in overnight trading as investors weigh the lack of
large export sales recently against dry weather in parts of South America.

Exporters have reported sales of 100,000 metric tons of corn in the past week but no large sales
of soybeans in more than two weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A sale of 334,000 metric tons of corn was reported on Monday, and sales totaling 289,270 metric
tons of the grain were reported on Friday, the government said. On Nov. 18, a sale of 140,000
metric tons of corn to an unnamed country was reported.

The last time a sale of more than 100,000 metric tons of soybeans was reported was on Nov. 9,
the USDA said. Exporters are required to report export sales topping 100,000 metric tons of a
single commodity.

Demand, however, had been strong until the recent dry spell, which could be underpinning
prices.
Also keeping futures from falling too far are concerns about dry weather in parts of South
America.

Rains yesterday were near expectations in growing areas in Brazil, and some rains this week
should favor the states of Mato Grosso, Goias, and Minas through Thursday, forecaster Maxar
said in a report on Tuesday.

Still, dryness and crop stress will increase in central and northwestern growing areas of the South
American country, Maxar said in its report.

Soybeans earlier this week hit the highest price in more than four years while corn reached a 16-
month high.

Corn futures for December delivery fell 2¢ to $4.30½ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board
of Trade.

Wheat futures for December delivery lost ½¢ to $6.17 a bushel while Kansas City futures
declined 1¼¢ to $5.69½ a bushel.

Soybean futures for January delivery fell ¼¢ to $11.91 a bushel overnight. Soymeal was up
$1.90 to $398.80 a short ton, and soy oil added 0.21¢ to 37.93¢ a pound.

**
                Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant | More options
               

**
2. LONG-TERM WEATHER OUTLOOK SHOWS ‘INCONSISTENT’ RAINS IN
BRAZIL
The long-term outlook for Brazil and Argentina looks ominous while precipitation for wheat in
the U.S. Plains is expected to be limited, according to Commodity Weather Group.

Rainfall in Brazil, the world’s biggest exporter of soybeans, is expected to be “inconsistent”

throughout the South American summer, increasing crop risks because of lower soil moisture
reserves, the forecaster said in its Ag Seasonal Outlook report this week.

In Argentina, the risk of corn and soybean losses is increased due to continued heat and dry
weather, CWG said.

“Greater odds for persistently hot (and) dry weather conditions to prevail in much of Argentina
(or) Uruguay, with notable corn/soy/rice losses,” the report said. “Most persistent dryness in
Brazil extends into corn/soy/rice areas of Rio Grande do Sul.”
In the U.S., meanwhile, precipitation will be limited in the central and southern Plains, the
forecaster said, where hard-red winter wheat is overwintering.

Winterkill chances are limited due to a lack of more widespread cold weather, but there are still
concerns for the winter-wheat crop, CWG said. The dry weather is expected to impede wheat
growth.

Spring rains are expected to be almost normal in much of the eastern Midwest, eliminating
concerns about wetness in the region, but in the western Midwest the weather patterns are
forecast to be drier, the group said in its report.

**

3. STRONG WINDS, FREEZING FOG MAY DEVELOP IN PARTS OF OKLAHOMA

AND ARKANSAS
Strong winds are expected and some freezing fog may develop in parts of northeastern
Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas today and tonight, according to the National Weather
Service.

Winds will gust frequently to 25 to 35 mph today and some patchy fog or some freezing fog may
develop late Wednesday night, the NWS said in a report early this morning.

Farther north in eastern Iowa, meanwhile, it’s going to be a wet day today, though rain and fog
will lift heading into Thanksgiving Day.

The only thing in the forecast for the area overnight is perhaps some fog that could be dense at
times, the agency said.

https://www.agriculture.com/news/three-big-things/3-big-things-today-november-25-2020

We Plan To Cultivate 7.5m Metric Tonnes Of Rice This Year’s

Dry Season ― RIFAN
LATEST NEWS

By Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna On Nov 25, 2020

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has declared its plan to cultivate 7.5 million
metric tons of paddy rice in this year’s dry season irrigation farming.It said already the farming
has commenced in some selected states in the country.
Its National President, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Goronyo stated this while speaking with
newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday.He said the participating states include Niger, Katsina,
Sokoto Zamfara and Kano have since commenced the cultivation in their respective states.

Goronyo stated that “every year we conducted single dry season farming but this year, we had a
plan to have two phases of dry season farming because of the availability of water everywhere as
a result of the heavy flooding we experienced this year.”

He said with the intervention of the CBN they expect each hectare to give them 5 metric tons of
rice,” he explained.According to him, the activities of phase one dry season farming has since
commenced from this month of November and, is expected to the run-up to the end of February
2021, and will be ready for harvesting.

Equally, the second phase of the programme according to him will start from the month of
February ending up to the end of May 2021 and is expected to be ready for harvesting.

Alhaji Aminu Goronyo stated that, by putting together what their farmers would produce both in
phase one and phase two of the dry season farming programme, they expected to cultivate 7.5
million metrics tons of rice.

He believes that if they succeeded in producing these figures, it will cover all the loses they incur
as a result of flooding they experienced this year.

He then commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for directing the Central
Bank of Nigeria CBN, to give them all that they required towards the success of this year’s dry
season rice farming in the country.

He said the CBN governor called them for a meeting and without wasting much of their time, he
recommended and gave them all the necessary support through the CBN intervention funding
programme.Goronyo further disclosed that they have since distributed the high-breed seeds and
other farm inputs to rice farmers who were expected to cultivate 9.5 million hectares of
farmland.

“We are enthusiastic about dry season irrigation farming because, we are sure of high yields,” he
stated.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern towards the development of the
agricultural sector through the introduction of the CBN’s various intervention programmes,
aimed at aiding the activities of rice production in the country.
“This has helped our farmers in so many ways and, we are able to cultivate and produce more
than enough rice for our local consumption and even export it to our neighbouring countries,” he
declared.

He said they have successfully engaged 750,000 farmers into rice dry season farming in the
phase one programme and, they were expected to cultivate 1.5 million hectares of farmland.

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The British Parliament at the Westminster Hall held a debate on ‘e-petition 554150, relating to Nigeria
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Seven hybrid rice varieties approved for cultivation
By  News desk
 -
November 25, 2020

Observer Report

Islamabad

The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC)
here Tuesday approved and recommended seven rice hybrids varieties for commercial
cultivation in the country.
The VEC meeting held here chaired by Member Plant Sciences, PARC Dr Ghulam Muhammad
Ali and discussed in length the availability of hybrid rice varieties for commercial cultivation.
National Coordinator (Rice) of PARC presented the working paper for all the eleven proposals of
rice hybrids for recommendation to the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.
The representatives of national and multinational seed companies including Chairman Seed of
Pakistan and Executive Director Crop Life Pakistan attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Ali said that verity evaluation was vital for enhancing the
productivity of all major and minor crops in country to fulfill the domestic requirements as well
as for exporting.
He emphasized the importance of quality seed production for enhancing the productivity and
profitability of farmers and appreciated the role of seed companies for making efforts to improve
the potential of rice hybrids in Pakistan. Using latest technique of genome based breeding by
design; NIGAB scientists in collaboration with international scientist and Chinese partners have
developed Green Super Rice, he said adding that the yield potential of selected rice varieties
ranges from 80 to 120 mounds per acre.
Dr Ali, explained that with extra long grain there are good chances to capture the export market
of rice internationally.
This project was very important to rapidly enhance the yield of rice.
He advised the scientists to adopt advance biotechnology tools as genomics strategy for rapid
yield enhancement of other crops such as wheat, sugarcane, oil crops, and horticultural crops.

https://pakobserver.net/seven-hybrid-rice-varieties-approved-for-cultivation/
Newly-completed diversion dam to boost rice
production of farmers in Bohol
Published November 25, 2020, 11:09 AM
by  Minerva Newman
CEBU CITY – Rice farmers in Guindulman, Bohol Province can now look forward to a
steady water supply for their farmlands with the turnover of the newly-completed diversion
dam worth P4-million to the rice farmer/members of Awihaw Lombog Farmers Irrigators
Association (ALFIA) in Guindulman town which is expected to distribute water supply to
around 20 hectares of rice land in Awihaw, Barangay Lombog.

PHO
TO FROM DA-7/ MANILA BULLETIN

Department of Agriculture (DA-7) regional director Atty. Salvador Diputano disclosed this

to Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the
Visayas (OPAV) during the “Laging Handa” Network Briefing News on Tuesday.

Diputado said the newly-completed diversion dam was turned over to the association on
November 17 and is seen to boost the rice production in Guindulman and its neighboring
towns.  Most farmers in the locality depended on rainwater to irrigate their rice farm lands.

“The Awihaw diversion dam is one of the six ongoing agricultural infrastructure projects of
DA Secretary William Dar in Guindulman, Bohol amounting to more than P71 million and
the establishment of these irrigation systems hopes to help rice farmers increase their
income and maximize yield,” Diputado said.
He added that the projects include the construction of other diversion dams in different sites,
two units of small water impounding projects, solar powered irrigation system, and farm-to-
market roads.

Guindulman Mayor Maria Fe Piezas thanked the DA for the project and said that her town
can now contribute to the increased production of rice as the Province of Bohol is
considered as the top rice producing province in Central Visayas.

OPAV Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino said that investing in farm infrastructure like
irrigation systems helps idle lands become more productive, which benefits the farmers.  

“Rural productivity is one of the key goals in the government’s thrust to boost the
agriculture industry. These much-needed farm infrastructure facilities help our farmers
increase their output and income,” Dino said. 

He said the latest infrastructure assistance supports the “Plant, Plant, Plant” program of
Agriculture Secretary William Dar that aims to ensure food security and help farmers
increase their production. 

Diputado bared that the DA will build more agricultural infrastructures to help the farm
sector improve rural productivity and increase the income of local farmers through the
agency’s agri-industrialization strategy. 

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/newly-completed-diversion-dam-to-boost-rice-production-of-farmers-in-
bohol/#:~:text=Newly%2Dcompleted%20diversion%20dam%20to%20boost%20rice%20production
%20of%20farmers%20in%20Bohol,-Published%20November%2025&text=Diputado%20said%20the
%20newly%2Dcompleted,Guindulman%20and%20its%20neighboring%20towns.

Newly-completed diversion dam to boost rice

production of farmers in Bohol
Published November 25, 2020, 11:09 AM
by Minerva Newman
CEBU CITY – Rice farmers in Guindulman, Bohol Province can now look forward to a
steady water supply for their farmlands with the turnover of the newly-completed diversion
dam worth P4-million to the rice farmer/members of Awihaw Lombog Farmers Irrigators
Association (ALFIA) in Guindulman town which is expected to distribute water supply to
around 20 hectares of rice land in Awihaw, Barangay Lombog.

PH
OTO FROM DA-7/ MANILA BULLETIN

Department of Agriculture (DA-7) regional director Atty. Salvador Diputano disclosed this

to Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the
Visayas (OPAV) during the “Laging Handa” Network Briefing News on Tuesday.

Diputado said the newly-completed diversion dam was turned over to the association on
November 17 and is seen to boost the rice production in Guindulman and its neighboring
towns.  Most farmers in the locality depended on rainwater to irrigate their rice farm lands.

“The Awihaw diversion dam is one of the six ongoing agricultural infrastructure projects of
DA Secretary William Dar in Guindulman, Bohol amounting to more than P71 million and
the establishment of these irrigation systems hopes to help rice farmers increase their
income and maximize yield,” Diputado said.

He added that the projects include the construction of other diversion dams in different sites,
two units of small water impounding projects, solar powered irrigation system, and farm-to-
market roads.

Guindulman Mayor Maria Fe Piezas thanked the DA for the project and said that her town
can now contribute to the increased production of rice as the Province of Bohol is
considered as the top rice producing province in Central Visayas.
OPAV Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino said that investing in farm infrastructure like
irrigation systems helps idle lands become more productive, which benefits the farmers.  

“Rural productivity is one of the key goals in the government’s thrust to boost the
agriculture industry. These much-needed farm infrastructure facilities help our farmers
increase their output and income,” Dino said. 

He said the latest infrastructure assistance supports the “Plant, Plant, Plant” program of
Agriculture Secretary William Dar that aims to ensure food security and help farmers
increase their production. 

Diputado bared that the DA will build more agricultural infrastructures to help the farm
sector improve rural productivity and increase the income of local farmers through the
agency’s agri-industrialization strategy. 

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/newly-completed-diversion-dam-to-boost-rice-production-of-
farmers-in-bohol/#:~:text=Newly%2Dcompleted%20diversion%20dam%20to%20boost%20rice
%20production%20of%20farmers%20in%20Bohol,-Published%20November
%2025&text=Diputado%20said%20the%20newly%2Dcompleted,Guindulman%20and%20its
%20neighboring%20towns.

Rice importations hit 1.92 MT in 2020

November 25, 2020, 2:30 PM
by  Madelaine B. Miraflor

With less than two months left for the year, the Philippines’ 2020 total rice imports so far
stood at nearly 2 million metric tons (MT), coming from the usual countries like Vietnam
and some unusual ones like China.

As of November 13, 2020, 1.92 million MT of rice already entered the country, compared to
the P1.85 million MT that the country imported during the same period last year, data from
the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).  
The country’s biggest supplier of imported rice remains to be Vietnam, which exported 1.66
million MT of the staple during the period.

Next to Vietnam are Myanmar (137,314 MT), Thailand (67,824 MT), China (26,130 MT),
and India (10,278 MT).

Since China is also a largely rice importing country, Federation of Free Farmers (FFF)
National Manager Raul Montemayor thinks that the rice imported from China could be a
donation.

“China is too big. Sometimes, it is cheaper for one region to import than to get stocks from a
distant surplus region. The region with surplus [of rice] can then export,” Montemayor said.

In 2019, China was next to the Philippines as the second largest rice importer in the world,
while also having 1.4 billion population.

But in May, a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report of the US

Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed that for the market year 2020 to 2021, global
rice production will rise amid larger crops in China, Southeast Asia, and the United States.

Global trade, too, is forecast up at the third largest volume, with Philippines still
maintaining its status as the world’s largest rice importer.

“Global rice area is forecast to rise in 2020 to 2021. Area expansion is primarily based on
resumption of planting in previously dry areas of Southeast Asia, more early-crop planting
in China, and a substantial rebound in the United States. Yield is forecast to rise marginally.
Production is up by more than 8 million tons to a new record,” USDA said.  

Last year, the Philippines only imported rice from Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, India,
Pakistan, Spain, and Italy.

At the time, the Philippines imported 2.9 million MT, making it the world’s biggest rice
importer in 2019.

For this year, aside from China, the country so far imported rice from Korea, Singapore,
Cambodia, Taiwan, and Japan too.
 When asked for a comment, DA Spokesperson Noel Reyes was also confused why importers
would buy rice from China, when “there are cheaper sources”.

A few weeks ago, the DA made a decision to stop issuing sanitary and phytosanitary import
clearances (SPSICs) on rice in order to regulate the entry of rice imports.

Of the total rice imports so far, only 2,618 sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances
(SPS-ICs) on rice were used, which means that there are still 1,986 unused SPSIC for this
year, or equivalent to 1.82 million MT of rice.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/rice-importations-hit-1-92-mt-in-2020/#:~:text=With%20less%20than
%20two%20months,some%20unusual%20ones%20like%20China.

Webinar: Farm Income and Financial Forecasts,

December 2020 Update

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Time: 1:00 PM EST
Duration: 1 hour
Speaker: Carrie Litkowski
 
USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) releases farm income statement and balance sheet
estimates and forecasts three times a year. These core statistical indicators provide guidance to
policymakers, lenders, commodity organizations, farmers, and others interested in the financial
status of the farm economy. ERS' farm income statistics also inform the computation of
agriculture's contribution to the U.S. economy's gross domestic product.
 
During this webinar, Economist Carrie Litkowski will provide an updated farm sector income
and wealth forecast for calendar year 2020. See the latest Farm Income Forecast.
 
To join, please visit the webinar registration page here.
 

Conferences

 Overview
 Webinar: Rural America at a Glance, 2019 Edition
 Webinar: Farm Income and Financial Forecasts, November 2019 Update
 Webinar: Household Food Security in the United States - 2019

 2020 Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Conference

 Last updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2020

For more information, contact: Carrie Litkowski

https://www.ers.usda.gov/conferences/webinar-farm-income-and-financial-forecasts-december-2020-
update/

Freight trains set to bring 25 lakh gunny bags for rice

District witnesses record procurement of 11.42 lakh MT paddy
 Nov 26, 2020 08:10 AM (IST)

A huge rush of passengers at Jalandhar railway station on Day 2 of the resumption of rail services.
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 25

With the freight trains having resumed operations on Tuesday in Jalandhar, the Food and Civil
Supplies Department is set to get the supply of 25 lakh gunny bags, which were stuck in West
Bengal due to the halting of trains.

The Jalandhar district has procured a record 11.42 lakh MT paddy from the grain markets in this
paddy season and the same figure was around 10 lakh MT paddy during the last year.
The district had a need of around 5,000 bales of new gunny bags (500 gunny bags in one bale)
and officials and rice millers were concerned about the procured paddy as the shelling was also
started by the latter.

However, the almost entire paddy crop has been procured from the markets in Jalandhar by
procurement agencies with the Food and Civil Supplies Department managing the situation
effectively by allowing the use of the gunny bags of the previous procurement season.

A spokesperson said the 25 lakh new gunny bags would be used to pack the rice following the
shelling of paddy which would be sent to the other states. He said only new bags can be used to
pack the rice and the gunny bags would be reaching Jalandhar within a day. A major chunk of
the procured paddy would now be sent to the other state via specials after the milling, he added.

The millers of the region expressed gratitude towards the state government for the restoration of
the goods’ train services as the new gunny bags would be available within a day.

Trains rescheduled

 Cancelled trains: Due to the agitation by farmers, only one train has been cancelled-04653
(New jalpaiguri - Amritsar express), that was scheduled to commence it's journey on
November 27.
 Short terminated trains: 08237 (Korba – Amritsar express) to be short terminated at Ambala.
Consequently, the 08238 Amritsar – Korba express will short originate from Ambala and
remain partially cancelled between Ambala-Amritsar-Ambala. 02715 (Nanded- Amritsar
express) to be short terminated at NewDelhi.

Diverted trains: 02904 (Amritsar- Mumbai Central express special), 02903 (Mumbai Central-
Amritsar express), 04649 / 73 (Jaynagar – Amritsar express special) diverted to run via Beas-
Tarntaran - Amritsar, 04650 /74 ( Amritsar- Jaynagar express special) diverted to run via
Amritsar- Tarntaran- Beas.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/freight-trains-set-to-bring-25-lakh-gunny-bags-for-rice-
176065

Rice Farmers Urged To Use High-Quality Seeds

By Featuresdesk (MD)

November 26, 2020

 

November 26, 2020

As farmers recover from the onslaught of recent typhoons, researchers from the Department of
Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urge rice farmers to plant high-
quality inbred seeds of a recommended variety as this helps increase yield by 10-15%.

Fredierick Saludez, DA-PhilRice agriculturist said that the use of high-quality inbred seeds
results in high germination rate, lower seeding rate, more vigorous seedlings, and more efficient
crop establishment.

“Crops from high-quality seeds are resistant against pests and diseases. They also grow, mature,
and ripe uniformly, which leads to more efficient harvesting activities,” Saludez said in a recent
Palay Aralan session aired through the agency’s social media page.

Saludez said that observing the characteristics of seeds can help farmers differentiate the high-
quality seeds from the low-quality ones.

“High-quality seeds are relatively pure, have fewer weed seeds, free from visible seed-borne
diseases, full and uniform in size, and have at least 85% germination rate. Low-quality seeds, on
the other hand, have plenty of impurities such as weed seeds, seeds of other crop species, and
inert materials like soil. They are damaged, deformed, have visible seed-borne pests and
diseases, and low germination,” he explained.

Currently, farmers in typhoon-stricken areas are prioritized under the Rice Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund – Seed Program, and are receiving free high-quality inbred rice seeds.

Farmers are further advised to make sure that seeds they use are certified by the Bureau of Plant
Industry-National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSCQS).

“If there are no accredited seed growers in the locality, high-quality seeds may be sourced from
farmers who can produce their own high-quality seeds. Farmer-produced seeds should pass
germination re-test to determine their quality. The re-test may be done by the farmer or
NSCQS,” Saludez stressed.

In addition, researchers recommend that seeds to be used are of recommended varieties.

“Recommended varieties are adapted to local conditions. They are resistant to pests and biotic
stresses like drought and flood, have produced relatively stable and high yield in adaptability
trials, and are acceptable to farmers,” Saludez said.

He explained that recommended varieties also have high demand in the local market.
“Farmers often prefer new varieties, believing that they yield better. However, a variety may be
released based on reasons other than yield such as good eating quality and resistance to pests,”
he said.

He added that recommended varieties suit the environment, address a prevailing local field
problem, or have performed well in at least two seasons of adaptability trials.

“If these factors are considered in choosing the seeds you plant, coupled with other good farming
practices, there is a good chance that you’ll reap an abundant harvest,” he concluded.

http://pageone.ph/rice-farmers-urged-to-use-high-quality-seeds/

UK gives £81 MILLION of taxpayers' cash a year to

CHINA
Tens of millions of pounds of our cash is being ploughed into China's vast economy every year –
on schemes including opera and rice production.In an unprecedented audit, the Mail has
uncovered £81million in aid sent to the world's second largest economy.

It exposes how the UK taxpayer is boosting China's prosperity despite the British

Government being at loggerheads with Xi Jinping's regime over Beijing's approach to Hong
Kong, human rights violations against Uighur Muslims and the controversy surrounding
telecoms giant Huawei.

In the first day of its investigation into public sector expenditure yesterday, the Mail revealed
how £5.6billion is wasted.

The investigation found that £81million in aid has been sent to China to help fund schemes such
as rice production

Today, we reveal how British cash is helping the Chinese overtake us as the world's largest
producer of wind energy, protecting their cities from floods – after the UK suffered one of the
worst years of flooding on record – and funding a programme, begun three years ago, to tackle a
possible pandemic breaking out there.

The findings are part of our joint investigation with the TaxPayers' Alliance. The £81million
relates mostly to 2019-20.

China's GDP is almost five times greater than the UK's and, despite the coronavirus pandemic
originating there, it is the only large economy expected to prosper this year.
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the defence select committee, said: 'Given how Beijing
has leveraged its economic might to abuse international standards and norms, we should no
longer be funding any aid programmes in China.'

He added that 'China's errant behaviour should warrant consideration of sanctions' instead.

Grants of more than £200,000 have been made to the country to fund opera that will strengthen
ties between China's countryside and its cities

The Arts and Humanities Research Council awarded a grant of £21,732 for the creation of a
Chinese mascot in the city of Shanghai

Aardman Animations, the Bafta and Oscar-winning studios, is working with Chinese companies
to create Shaun The Sheep In Shanghai

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'A country that is set to become the largest
economy in the world, with plans to become the most powerful and threatening military power,
guilty of widespread persecution of minority groups and aggressive behaviour to its neighbours –
and UK Government officials, in the middle of an economic crisis, are sending them money.

'In what world is this not inept, incompetent and dangerous?'

In his spending review tomorrow, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to signal that the UK will
temporarily suspend its target of spending 0.7 per cent of national income on international aid.
But it is thought that China will continue to receive vast sums until at least 2023.

Much of the audited funding was administered by the Department for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy (BEIS) via the Newton Fund – which was branded 'poorly designed' and '[not]
a good use of UK aid' by aid watchdog ICAI.

A Government spokesman, for BEIS, said: 'Funding through the Newton Fund supports British
scientists and researchers working across the world to tackle global issues such as climate change
and driving economic growth and prosperity.'

Yesterday, the Mail revealed how Whitehall spends taxpayers' money on bonuses, exit payments,
lavish foreign trips and fine dining. 

Tory MP David Davis said: 'The Daily Mail has done a public service in exposing this waste and
the Treasury should move quickly to get a grip on it. Britain today is living beyond its means to
the tune of over £100billion.

'There's no excuse for gross wastage of taxpayers' money at a time when we are struggling to
cover the necessary and important costs of government.'

Shaun the sheep and paddy fields: Where the money's spent
From Shaun the Sheep in Shanghai to Shakespeare in Beijing – while China dwarfs Britain's
economy, we've been funding its prosperity, whether that's boosting its arts industry or helping it
produce rice.

China – a military superpower with a space programme – is on course to have the world's largest
economy within a few years. In spite of this, British taxpayers' money is used to bolster the
superpower.

Here, some of the most jaw-dropping examples of how YOUR money is being spent, are laid
bare.

PANDEMIC PREVENTION

The British taxpayer was – incredibly – funding schemes in China three years ago to avert a
global pandemic like coronavirus.

Almost £900,000 was funnelled there with the aim of preventing an outbreak.

In 2017, £506,107 was allocated for a five-year study led by scientists at the Pirbright Institute,
one of Britain's leading infectious diseases laboratories, to investigate bird flu and virus
transmission in China.

Shanghai mascot that cost you £22k 

The friendly-looking little blue figure was used by Shanghai to promote its World Expo back in
2010

The design of a mascot for the city of Shanghai has been bank-rolled by British taxpayers to the
tune of £22,000.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council awarded a grant of £21,732 for the creation of a
Chinese mascot, whose inspiration is 'Haibao', the friendly-looking little blue figure which
Shanghai used to promote its World Expo back in 2010.

The six-month funding period which began in February last year will aid the cultural sector of
Shanghai – which is China's financial hub as well as the country's largest city. 

The UK Research and Innovation grant report, entitled 'Co-Designing a Hybrid 'Creature' as an
Asset for Shanghai's Performing Arts and Screen Industries' notes that the mascot 'could be used
to aid the commercial growth of Shanghai's creative industries'.

The report on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website by the
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which funded the study, says:
'Avian influenza viruses... continue to cause severe economic losses to poultry production in
China, and are increasingly isolated from humans and are therefore considered zoonotic viruses
with pandemic potential.'
Zoonotic viruses 'jump' from animals to humans, as has happened with bats and Covid-19.

A separate grant of nearly £378,892 was awarded in 2018 for a three-year research project in
China to 'gene edit pigs to prevent a novel virus infecting humans'.

Pirbright scientists aimed to edit the genes of a pig that was immune to influenza viruses because
'infections of pigs by avian influenza viruses can pre-empt the emergence of a novel influenza
virus that infects humans.'

The report for the grant pointed out: 'Indeed the last influenza pandemic in 2009 had its most
recent origin in pigs.'

It added: 'China is a major pig producer, where pigs are reared in large holdings under sometimes
crowded conditions; a perfect breeding ground for the evolution and emergence of new strains of
virus.

'The high population in China, its geography and its climate make it a hotspot for emergence of
influenza viruses.'

China also received at least £5.5millon over four grants, for the years 2018-22, for research to
tackle antibiotic resistance.

FUNDING FLOOD DEFENCES

As Britain struggled with serious flooding this year, more than £1million of UK taxes were
diverted to help flood prevention and coastal defences in China. 

The Newton Fund awarded two grants of £291,089 and £111,626 for coastal defence of the Pearl
River Delta, one of China's most important trade ports.

The project's report says the region 'is exposed to typhoons from the South China Sea, as well as
being one of the areas with a high density population most exposed to sea level rise'.

Two other grants of £290,963 and £351,649 were allocated to protect Shanghai – China's
financial hub and the country's largest city – and the sprawling metropolitan area surrounding the
Yangtze River Delta against flood risk.

MAKING THE WEATHER PAY

The taxpayer-funded Meteorological Office has awarded £4million over four years for UK
scientists to model China's climate and assist its economy.

Britain's national weather forecaster is part of the Climate Science for Service Partnership China
(CSSP China), which has spent millions since 2014 on British scientists mapping China's climate
and weather.
£200k opera grant hits the wrong note

The grants were sent to strengthen ties between China's countryside and its cities 

Grants of more than £200,000 have been made to fund opera to strengthen ties between China's
countryside and its cities in a bid to boost its economy still further.

China has more than 300 types of musical theatre, traditionally performed in rural areas. The UK
taxpayer-subsidised scheme will encourage urban opera.

President Xi Jinping believes co-ordinating urban and rural development, particularly in the arts,
is crucial to bolstering China's overall economic health.

More than £166,000 was given to revive Shanghai All-Female Yue Opera even though the city,
China's financial hub, already had its own yue opera group which has performed around the
world.

In yue opera, pictured, one of the most popular forms of musical theatre in China, all roles –
including those of men – are typically performed by women.

The CSSP China describes itself on the Met Office website as 'a scientific research project that...
[supports] climate and weather resilient economic development and social welfare through
strong strategic partnerships harnessing UK scientific expertise'.

CASH TO BOOST WIND POWER

Millions have been earmarked for the research and development of offshore wind farms in
China. The UK is currently the world's largest producer of wind energy but China is set to
overtake it by next year.

The £3.5million funding is being awarded over four years, ending in 2021, via the Newton Fund
in five separate grants.

China is constructing more offshore wind capacity than the rest of the world combined, and is
predicted to reach 52-gigawatt (GW) capacity by the end of the decade while Britain climbs to
40.3GW.

BOOSTING APPLE HARVESTS

A total of £338,391 will be spent over four years (2018-22) on technology to help China plant
apples.

The project, called 'Red Apple', is intended to 'improve yield and quality and reduce wastage in
the apple supply chain, thereby reducing economic and social risks associated with apple
production in North East China'. The technology will be scaled up to other Chinese fruit crops
including pears.
A £1million campaign has been launched by the Global Challenges Research Fund to encourage
Chinese families to eat sweet potatoes and prevent obesity.

THE BARD IN BEIJING

All the world's a stage, and nowhere more so than China, where Shakespeare plays have been
funded by British taxpayers. 

More than £290,000 was allocated to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in China last year,
according to Arts Council England's latest annual account (2019-20).

The RSC has a long-standing relationship with China and last year embarked on a six-month tour
of 13 Chinese cities, staging a musical of Roald Dahl's Matilda. In 2016 the RSC began its First
Folio project, which aimed to complete 36 Chinese translations of Shakespeare's works by 2023.

It debuted with a Mandarin production of King Lear at China's National Centre for the
Performing Arts in Beijing in 2017.

In 2018 it began two years of its Chinese Cultural Exchange programme, staging The Tempest,
Twelfth Night and Hamlet in cities across China.

We even pay to help them produce rice! 

If there is one thing you'd imagine the Chinese need no help with, it is growing rice.

Yet UK taxpayers are paying nearly £500,000 to show the world's biggest consumer of the crop
how it can produce even more.

British scientists are helping Beijing create 'the world's first digital fully connected rice mill' to
increase yields.

The aim is to use artificial intelligence in rice milling across China 'with substantial production
increases and cost benefits to the Chinese rice processing supply chain'.

The Newton Fund, managed by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy,
has awarded £478,906 over two years to help the world's second largest economy produce its
staple food.

The project, which began last year, involves Sheffield Hallam University and Jiangnan
University working with China Grain Wuhan Scientific to transform a rice processing plant in
Zhejiang province near Shanghai in eastern China.

On the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website, the project authors say: 'Data
analytics, AI, machine learning, auto-tuning... [will] optimise mill management and production'.
Technology will aid temperature control, milling and husk separation. Aston University in
Birmingham will assist in upscaling and manufacturing the technology.

Aardman character's £500k trip to the east

Aardman Animations is working with Chinese companies to adapt Shaun the Sheep

Some £41million was spent through the British Council to 'research and promote the
development of arts and culture' in China between 2016 to 2020.

The Newton Fund has awarded £1,041,856 to China's arts and cultural venues since 2018, with
£321,562 earmarked for the financial year 2020-21, and £48,172 beyond that.

The projects include 'remaking ethnic heritage in China's creative economy', and informing
people of their urban heritage through graphic images.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council offered a £5million UK-China Creative Industries
Partnership Development grant over a four-year period.

Shaun the Sheep, the British animation, is being adapted in China for £500,000.

Aardman Animations, the Bafta and Oscar-winning studios, is working with Chinese companies
to create Shaun The Sheep In Shanghai.

Through artificial intelligence, it will transform Shaun the Sheep from a screen-based animation
into an 'immersive experience... that can be enjoyed by a wide [family] audience in China...
while recognising China's cultural context and value'.

Shaun the Sheep, pictured, first appeared in A Close Shave in 1995 alongside Wallace and
Gromit, and is watched in 180 countries, including China.

Last year, a grant of £25,203 was awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to
create the 'location-based, mixed-reality cinema experience'. In February a second grant of
£434,219 was awarded by the AHRC for funding until next July.

https://www.nation.lk/online/uk-gives-81-million-of-taxpayers-cash-a-year-to-china-25751.html

Seven hybrid rice varieties approved for commercial

cultivation
APP
November 25, 2020
ISLAMABAD   -  The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of Pakistan Agriculture Research
Council (PARC) here Tuesday approved and recommended seven rice hybrids varieties for
commercial cultivation in the country. The VEC meeting held here chaired by Member Plant
Sciences, PARC Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali and discussed in length the availability of hybrid
rice varieties for commercial cultivation.

National Coordinator (Rice) of PARC presented the working paper for all the eleven proposals of
rice hybrids for recommendation to the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.
The representatives of national and multinational seed companies including Chairman Seed of
Pakistan and Executive Director Crop Life Pakistan attended the meeting. Speaking on the
occasion Dr Ali said that verity evaluation was vital for enhancing the productivity of all major
and minor crops in country to fulfil the domestic requirements as well as for exporting. He
emphasised the importance of quality seed production for enhancing the productivity and
profitability of farmers and appreciated the role of seed companies for making efforts to improve
the potential of rice hybrids in Pakistan.

Using latest technique of genome based breeding by design; NIGAB scientists in collaboration
with international scientist and Chinese partners have developed Green Super Rice, he said
adding that the yield potential of selected rice varieties ranges from 80 to 120 mounds per acre.
Dr Ali, explained that with extra long grain there are good chances to capture the export market
of rice internationally.

This project was very important to rapidly enhance the yield of rice as desired in Prime Minister
Rice productivity enhancement Initiative, he added. He advised the scientists to adopt advance
biotechnology tools as genomics strategy for rapid yield enhancement of other crops such as
wheat, sugarcane, oil crops, and horticultural crops. 

He also stressed the need to develop like Green Super Rice techniques to improve local animal
breeds through genomics based research. Afterwards the procedures for management of National
Uniform Yield Trials and related business were discussed in detail for evaluating the
hybrids/varieties of rice for the coming crop. Representatives of seed companies appreciated the
role of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council for devising a transparent procedure for testing of
rice hybrids in Pakistan for the benefits of farmers as well as rice sector in Pakistan.

https://nation.com.pk/25-Nov-2020/seven-hybrid-rice-varieties-approved-for-commercial-cultivation

Paddy procurement to begin from Dec 1 in

Chhattisgarh
The procurement of paddy from farmers for the ongoing Kharif season
in Chhattisgarh will begin on December 1, an official said on
Wednesday.
English News 

Print

Raipur: The procurement of paddy from farmers for the ongoing Kharif season in Chhattisgarh
will begin on December 1, an official said on Wednesday.State Chief Secretary R P Mandal on
Tuesday held a meeting with all divisional commissioners, district collectors and other officials
concerned through video conferencing to take stock of preparations for the procurement drive,
the public relations department official said.
The state government has set a target of procuring 90 lakh metric tonne of paddy at an estimated
cost of around Rs 22,500 crore from farmers for which 2,205 procurement centres under primary
cooperative societies have been set up, he said.

As many as 15 quintals of rice per acre will be procured from every registered farmer, he said.

Due to shortage in supply of gunny bags, the government has directed officials concerned to
collect around one lakh gunny bags from the Public Distribution System (PDS) and around two
lakh old gunny bags through rice millers for procurement of paddy,.

In the meeting, officials informed that 42,000 gunny bags from PDS and 1.23 lakh gunny bags
from rice millers have been arranged so far, he said.
Besides, around 70,000 HDPE/PP (high-density polyethylene/ polypropylene) gunny bags are
also being arranged, the official said.

The chief secretary has asked all the collectors to arrange computers and other gadgets at the
procurement centres and ensure farmers do not face any trouble in the process.

During the meeting, he also took a review of construction of platforms at paddy procurement
centres, the official said.

The opposition BJP in the state had earlier slammed the ruling Congress over the “delay” in
commencing the paddy procurement drive, saying farmers had already begun harvesting crops
since October end and they lack storage space.

“It seems the Congress government has no intention to provide benefit to farmers. Either the
farmers will have to sell their crops to middlemen or lack of proper storage would result in
damage to their crops,” BJPs state unit chief Vishnu Deo Sai had said.

Sai had also alleged that the state government was making excuses citing unavailability of jute
sacks.

https://www.clipper28.com/en/paddy-procurement-to-begin-from-dec-1-in-chhattisgarh/

UK Sent £81 Million in Foreign Aid to Communist

China: Report
1,447AFP via Getty Images

Kurt Zindulka
24 Nov 2020

The United Kingdom has reportedly been sending millions of pounds sterling to the communist
Chinese state in foreign aid, subsidising one of the world’s largest economies as well as one of
the most totalitarian regimes on Earth.
Despite the growing tension between the two countries over China’s violation of the Sino-British
Joint Declaration on Hong Kong and the UK’s decision to ban Chinese telecom Huawei from its
5G network, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has continued to ship millions to the
dictatorship in Beijing.

An investigation carried out by the TaxPayers’ Alliance in conjunction with the Daily

Mail, revealed that £81 million of British taxpayer money was sent to China, mostly between
2019 and 2020.

Stunningly, the report revealed that Britons spent £900,000 on preventing pandemics in China.
The funding also went to study ‘zoonotic’ viruses which jump from animals to humans, as was
believed to be the case with the Wuhan virus that continues to devastate the British economy.

Cash was also shipped to the world’s second-largest economic power to subsidise their
agriculture industry, including projects funding research on rice production and apple harvesting.

The UK government splashed out on projects from British scientists to help China develop “the
world’s first digital fully connected rice mill”, using artificial intelligence to yield “substantial
production increases and cost benefits to the Chinese rice processing supply chain”.

A further £1 million in taxpayer money was spent on a campaign by the Global Challenges
Research Fund to convince Chinese families to eat sweet potatoes in order to prevent obesity.

UK Foreign Aid Spent on Five-Star Hotels and Chinese

Restaurants https://t.co/J9eV3li3iy pic.twitter.com/vu8PlWWmP6

— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) December 9, 2016

The Conservative Party chairman of the defence select committee, Tory MP Tobias Ellwood,
said of the spending of taxpayer’s money: “Given how Beijing has leveraged its economic might
to abuse international standards and norms, we should no longer be funding any aid programmes
in China.”

Ellwood went on to say that rather than funding the CCP, “China’s errant behaviour should
warrant consideration of sanctions”.

Conservative MP David Davis said: “There’s no excuse for gross wastage of taxpayers’ money
at a time when we are struggling to cover the necessary and important costs of government.”

In more examples of foreign aid handouts, the British Council spent some £41 million to
“research and promote the development of arts and culture” in China between 2016 to 2020.

Last year, over £290,000 was given to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to stage
productions of The Bard in China, according to Arts Council England.
Another £500,000 was spent on adapting Shaun the Sheep, a Wallace and Grommit animated
spin-off, for the Chinese market. The project in Shanghai aims to use AI to create an “immersive
experience… that can be enjoyed by a wide [family] audience in China… while recognising
China’s cultural context and value”.

Farage: ‘We Didn’t Free Britain From Brussels Only to Bow Before
Beijing’ https://t.co/OKk4oxCxjP

— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) February 23, 2020

More money still was spent on helping the superpower develop its wind energy industry, despite
predictions that China will surpass the UK in that capacity by the end of the year.

The communist nation is constructing more wind farms than the whole world combined, yet
Britain granted £3.5 million in four separate projects through the Newton Fund to bolster China’s
energy production.

A government spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(BEIS) said: “Funding through the Newton Fund supports British scientists and researchers
working across the world to tackle global issues such as climate change and driving economic
growth and prosperity.”

The revelations come as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is planning to introduce
a temporary cut the UK’s foreign aid budget from 0.7 per cent of GDP to 0.5 per cent, in light of
the economic devastation caused by the Chinese coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reportedly pushed for the foreign aid spending to return to
normal levels by as soon as 2022. However, China is expected to continue receiving aid money
until at least 2023.

The former leader of the Conservative Party, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, said: “A country that is set
to become the largest economy in the world, with plans to become the most powerful and
threatening military power, guilty of widespread persecution of minority groups and aggressive
behaviour to its neighbours – and UK Government officials, in the middle of an economic crisis,
are sending them money.”

‘Unacceptable’: £98 Million UK ‘Aid’ Injection for Space Exploration Power

India https://t.co/lqMpJX7n2p

— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) September 3, 2018

Follow Kurt Zindulka on Twitter here: @KurtZindulka

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/11/24/uk-sent-81-million-communist-china-foreign-aid-repor
Louisiana Rice Miller Appointed to Grain Inspection
Advisory Committee  
By Jamison Cruce
 
WASHINGTON, DC -- Philip Bertrand, general manager of Farmers Rice Milling Company
(FRM) in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been appointed to serve as an alternate to the United
States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (GIAC) by
Secretary Sonny Perdue.

The committee advises USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) on the programs and
services it delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act.  Recommendations by the committee
help AMS to better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing
marketplace.

"I'm honored to be appointed to this position to represent the rice industry on the GIAC," said
Bertrand.  "It's important that we have a seat at the table to make sure our voice is heard on
issues related to grain standards."

The Grain Inspection Advisory Committee is comprised of 15 members appointed by the

Secretary of Agriculture who represent all segments of the grain industry.  They include grain
producers, processors, merchandisers, handlers, exporters, consumers, grain inspection agencies,
and scientists.

https://www.usarice.com/news-and-events/publications/usa-rice-daily/article/usa-rice-daily/2020/11/25/
louisiana-rice-miller-appointed-to-grain-inspection-advisory-committee

TAMING THE RUNAWAY INFLATION

 Tribune Desk

 Published at 12:17 am November 25th, 2020

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week, the government floated an international tender to purchase 50,000

tonnes of rice

Workers sun dry Aman paddy at a rice processing mill in Dhamrai. The rain-fed rice
output or Aman crop is expected to fall as much as 15 per cent this year due to repeated
floods and excessive rainfall. Last week, the government floated an international tender
to purchase 50,000 tonnes of rice, its first in three years amid dwindling supplies and a
surge in prices of the staple grain. The prices of the grain have spiralled about 50 per cent
since March, amid the coronavirus pandemic that has pushed local prices to record highs
due to panic buying. Subsequently, inflation hit a five-year high of 6.4 per cent in
October. Last month, food inflation climbed 84 basis points to 7.3 per cent, largely due to
the increase in the price of rice.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2020/11/25/taming-the-runaway-inflation
Govt sets SSL target for rice output at 75% by 2025

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 at , Economy | News

The raise is to safeguard the country’s food security, while reducing its dependency on imported
foods, says minister

pic by BERNAMA
THE Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (MAFI) is raising Malaysia’s self-sufficient level
(SSL) target for rice production to 75% by 2025, an objective which will be outlined in the 12th
Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said this is to safeguard the country’s food security,
while reducing its dependency on imported foods.
“MAFI’s main agenda is transformation and modernisation of the agriculture industry, with one
of its objectives being to raise the SSL as well as increase the industry revenue.
“For the 12MP in the next five years, MAFI has identified several directions which will focus on
rice production, ruminants, agriculture and fisheries,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He was responding to a query by Datuk Mohd Salim Sharif (Barisan Nasional-Jempol) on the
government’s direction to transform the country’s agricultural sector with regard to the SSL for
food production.
The target is a step-up from the current goal of 73% as stated in the 12MP’s strategy paper for
the domestic paddy industry.
In 2008, the government declared 17 varieties of paddy seeds where 15 were produced by the
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, while the other two varieties were
produced by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Currently, the production of recognised paddy seeds through nine government-approved
producers stood at 74,000 tonnes for each season, while the requirement of paddy farmers is
72,000 tonnes.

Kiandee said in the 12MP — the economic guidance for Malaysia which will last until 2025 —
MAFI identified several directions and initiatives which focus on the paddy industry, agriculture,
ruminants and fisheries.
Among the initiatives are optimise land usage, increase adoption of modern technological
application, widen the quality of paddy seeds and establish high-value vegetable and fruit
commodities for domestic usage and export.
The ministry also planned to increase the ruminant and dairy production through the
establishment of the National Ruminant Board.
“The aspirations will be supported by technology enhancement within the industry, financial
assistance and increase of local farmers, of which will strengthen the agrofood sector to raise
Malaysia’s food dependency on local production.
“The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the National Ruminant Board, which is currently
in the developing stage and is expected to guide the increase of the ruminant and dairy
production,” Kiandee said.
He added that in line with the aspirations, the ministry targets to achieve a 70% SSL for local
vegetable production and 50% for the ruminant industry in the next five years.
Presently, Malaysia’s SSL for ruminants, which included beef and mutton, is at 23%, while the
local production stood at 4.54 tillion tonnes.
During the tabling of Budget 2021, the government announced a RM4.79 billion allocation for
MAFI, involving a management expenditure of RM3.28 billion and development expenditure of
RM1.51 billion.
https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/11/25/govt-sets-ssl-target-for-rice-output-at-75-by-2025/
WFP Cambodia Country Brief, October 2020
Format

Situation Report

Source
 

 WFP

Posted
 

25 Nov 2020

Originally published
 

25 Nov 2020

Origin
 

View original

Attachments
  Download document(PDF | 270.92 KB)

In Numbers

1,291 mt of food distributed (estimated)

US$ 0 cash-based transfers made

US$ 1.3 million six months (November 2020 to April 2021) net funding requirements

54,046 people (52% female) assisted In October 2020

Flood response

Cambodia experienced large-scale flash floods across 14 provinces in October. As co-chair

and secretariat of the Cambodia Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF), WFP organized
humanitarian coordination meetings with UN and INGO members, released six flood situation
reports and facilitated a joint rapid assessment with the National Committee for Disaster
Management (NCDM). This enabled the HRF to produce a flood response plan in cooperation
with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

With support from the US embassy and the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), WFP also provided immediate food assistance to 2,550 acutely-
affected IDPoor households in 78 villages of Pursat province. WFP, in partnership with
NCDM and local authorities provided 50 kg of rice and 2.2 kg of canned fish to each
household.

School Feeding

WFP and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) conducted a third round of
takehome ration food distributions to 39,653 primary school children and 1,643 school cooks
from IDPoor households participating in school feeding. Each household received 25 kg of
rice, 1 litre of vegetable oil and 2 kg of canned fish. The ration aims to fill a food
consumption gap for poor families since the suspension of school meals since March.

To prepare for the resumption of school feeding, WFP and MOEYS conducted a feasibility
assessment in two provinces to determine school readiness to implement school feeding
postCOVID-19. The joint high-level mission and the technical-level discussions with school-
meal implementers and communities led to the decision to resume the programme from
January 2021.
https://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/wfp-cambodia-country-brief-october-2020