22nd November, 2021 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newseltter

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter
22nd November ,2021 Vol 6 Issue 11
1|www.ricepluss.com , www.riceplusmagazine.blosgspot.com
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874
Editorial Board Rice News Headlines…

 Health Expenses: People dig deeper into their pockets
Chief Editor
 Hamlik  Bandi Sanjay faults offering Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia to ryots
 Checking recycled PDS grains can save Centre ₹24,000 cr
Managing Editor  HC wants list of ‘Miniket’ ‘Nazirshail’ rice millers
 Abdul Sattar Shah  Nutrition-rich fortified rice will be made available in the open market:
 Rahmat Ullah Minister
 Rozeen Shaukat  Pakistan China Friendship Forum established
 Explained: Telangana's paddy crisis and KCR's first dharna in 7 years
English Editor
 Maryam Editor  Boosting national food security
 Legal Advisor  3 workers burnt in N’ganj rice mill fire
 Advocate Zaheer Minhas  Akshata introduces black rice to Sri Lanka
 Sri Lanka Ends Farm Chemical Ban As Organic Drive Fails
Editorial Associates
 Apathetic governance, agonised farmers
 Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid
 Farmers' friend
 Javed Islam Agha
 Zahid Baig(Business Recorder)  Farmer’s Orientation and Rice Cafeteria Participatory Evaluation
 Dr.Akhtar Hussain Conducted at IRRI-SARC
 Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui  Suryapet: Congress mocks BJP, TRS over paddy procurement
 Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)  6 injured in oil, gas company’s fire in SW Iran
 Islam Akhtar Khan  Shikarpur’s potential for diversified agriculture
 Shipping Activity At Port Qasim
Editorial Advisory Board
 DPCC Re-fixes Rates Of Commodities
 Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim
Assistant Professor, Gomal  Polishing rice to convert to miniket: HC seeks list of auto rice mill
University DIK owners
 Dr.Hasina Gul  Why Rs 20 lakh not given to Telangana farmers who committed
Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK suicide: Bandi Sanjay
 Dr.Hidayat Ullah  Give Rs 20 lakhs to kin of farmers died in Telangana due to your wrong
Assistant Professor, University
decisions: BJP to KCR
of Swabi
 Dr.Abdul Basir
Assistant Professor, University of
Swabi
 Zahid Mehmood
PSO,NIFA Peshawar
 Falak Naz Shah
Head Food Science & Technology
ART, Peshawar
Health Expenses: People dig deeper into their pockets

Ministry study finds the out-of-pocket cost in Bangladesh highest in South Asia
Staff Correspondent
Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:00 AM Last update on: Mon Nov 22, 2021 02:37 AM
Bangladesh's out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure has continued to rise, leaving a

sizeable population with catastrophic medical bills, found a recent study by the health ministry.
Between 2015 to 2020, the OOP -- which is the expense for treatment borne directly by a patient
where neither public nor private insurance covers the full cost of the health good or service -- has
increased to 68.5 percent from 67 percent, according to the study.
This is the highest among Saarc nations, said the technical study conducted by the Health
Economics Unit (HEU) of the health ministry to bring down OOP in the country. The findings of
the study were shared yesterday at an event styled "Pathways to Reduce Household OOP
Expenditure".
Thanks to the rising OOP, 16.4 percent of the households avoid getting medical help even when
needed, 24.4 percent of families (at 10 percent income level) are facing catastrophic health bills
and 4.5 percent of the people are pushed into poverty every year.
About 64 percent of the OOP expenditure goes for medicine, whereas it is 28 percent in India.
The excessive outlay on medicine is because of two reasons: irrational prescription and
aggressive marketing, said Md Nurul Amin, director of research at HEU, in his keynote
presentation at the event.
As much as 60 percent of the patients take medicines by self-medication and excessive
prescription by informal providers like drug sellers and quacks, while 25 percent of the patients
are victims of prescription of costly non-listed drugs.
About 58 percent of the employees of pharmaceutical companies are engaged in marketing and
distribution, found the study. For instance, in 2010, 27 percent of the pharmaceutical companies'
revenue was spent on marketing.
To curtail the cost of medicine, the researchers recommended revising and expanding the list of
emergency medicines and following the treatment protocol by the physicians.
Inpatient and outpatient services account for 12 percent and 11 percent of OOP expenditure
respectively.
There is a target to halve the OOP expenditure to 32 percent by 2032, according to the Health
Financing Strategy 2012-2032.
But, it is on the rise, meaning Bangladesh's target for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2032
is unlikely to be met.
Financial risk protection for the people is one of the three aspects for UHC and the country is
worse day by day in this. It has done well in terms of population coverage, service coverage.
The excessive tests for diagnosis are one of the main causes for increased OOP, said Health
Minister Zahid Maleque at the event.
Disease diagnosis accounts for 8 percent of OOP expenditure.
"We are working to reduce the diagnosis cost. I would urge the private healthcare service
providers for help in this regard," he added.
Patients are forced to seek services from private diagnostic centres and hospitals due to
inadequate primary healthcare systems in rural and urban areas.
Statistics show that only 3 percent of the patients get medicine from the government hospitals
while only 14.9 percent of the tests are done there, Amin said.
To eliminate poverty, there is no alternative to addressing the underlying factors of high OOP, he
told The Daily Star.
To reduce the OOP expenditure, the researchers recommended coordination between community
clinics and Upazila Health Complexes by introducing e-health services, ensuring efficiency of
the public healthcare facilities and introducing social health insurance system.
They also recommended introducing an accreditation system for private healthcare facilities to
control healthcare costs and standards and making use of generic names in prescriptions
mandatory to discourage the drug-makers from aggressive marketing.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/health-expenses-people-dig-deeper-their-
pockets-2235411+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Bandi Sanjay faults offering Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia to ryots
BYTELANGANA TODAY
PUBLISHED: 21ST NOV 2021 9:34 PM
Hyderabad: At a time, when the ruling TRS party was demanding the Central government to
make its stand clear on crop cultivation in Yasangi season, BJP State president Bandi Sanjay said
the issue could be discussed in February next.
There was enough time for discussing the procurement of Yasangi season and other issues. But
before that, the State government should expedite Vanakalam paddy procurement, he said at a
press conference here on Sunday.
This apart, while all sections across the country were welcoming Chief Minister Chandrashekhar
Rao‘s decision to offer Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia to the farmers‘ families, the BJP State president found
fault with the decision.
The Chief Minister was demanding the Central government to announce Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia to
the farmers‘ families. Prior to that, he should offer ex-gratia to the families of farmers, who lost
their lives in Telangana in the past, the BJP State president said. He further objected to the TRS
party‘s claims that the Centre had withdrawn the three farm laws following the Chief Minister‘s
protest at dharna chowk three days ago.
―Did the Chief Minister protest on behalf of Telangana farmers or Punjab farmers‘ welfare,‖
asked Bandi. While BJP was striving for farmers‘ welfare, TRS was staging a protest for the
benefit of a few rice millers, he charged.
Regarding the TRS party‘s demand to refer the river water sharing issue to a tribunal, the BJP
State president said there was a procedure to be followed for referring the matter to the tribunal.
The Chief Minister had delayed the exercise to withdraw the case in Supreme Court, eventually,
things got delayed, he defended and claimed that Central Government was committed for SC
categorisation.
Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the
link to subscribe.
https://telanganatoday.com/bandi-sanjay-faults-offering-rs-3-lakh-ex-gratia-to-ryots
Checking recycled PDS grains can save Centre ₹24,000 cr
Prabhudatta Mishra New Delhi | Updated on November 21, 2021
This makes up 12% of subsidy dues to FCI from Centre

The Centre is likely to save over ₹24,000 crore or more than 12 per cent of this year‘s subsidy
dues to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) if it is able to check recycling of grains sold through
ration shops getting into the central pool through regular procurement channels.
The Centre plans to procure from five major States — Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana and Odisha — nearly 7.2 million tonnes (mt) more rice than their combined
marketable surplus of 20.61 mt, according to a Food Ministry source. The marketable surplus of
these States varies between 50 and 75 per cent of their respective production in the kharif season.
―Based on the consumption, the marketable surplus is estimated and there cannot be
procurement beyond the quantity available in the market. It is a matter of investigation to find
out the source of grain even though the government has made it mandatory to pay the farmers
through their bank accounts,‖ the official said.
Plugging leakages
Given the current acquisition cost of ₹32/kg in terms of rice, the total savings would be ₹24,155
crore, the official added.
The leakages can be plugged by reforming the custom milled rice (CMR) system, experts said. In
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, paddy is mainly procured by State governments
and their agencies. After getting the paddy milled from rice millers, the grain comes to the
central pool stock, managed by the FCI.
The Centre has pruned procurement target of rice by about 10 mt for 2021-22 (October-
September) after purchasing nearly half the output last year.
Rice production has been estimated at 122.27 mt for 2020-21 crop year (July-June). The
procurement in terms of rice touched a record 49.1 per cent of the output in 2020-21, up from
38.1 per cent in 2018-19 amid farmers‘ protest against the Centre‘s three farm laws which were
repealed on Friday.
Already, rice procurement in Telangana has become a political issue as the target for the State
has been cut to 4 mt for 2021-22, from last year‘s actual purchase of 9.45 mt.
―The biggest drawback of the current procurement system is that it has left out many farmers
from receiving the benefits of MSP in States such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and
Tamil Nadu.
The procurement target in these States is below their respective marketable surplus,‖ said a
former FCI Chairman. Balancing the procurement in States is a political exercise as the
government has budgetary constraint in increasing the purchases, he said.
As the government shifted liabilities on account of the NSSF loan for FCI to the Budget (for
FY22), apart from free distribution of additional foodgrains for eight months, the food subsidy
outgo rose to ₹4.23-lakh crore in the RE of 2020-21 from ₹1.16-lakh crore (BE). The food
subsidy has been estimated at ₹2.42-lakh crore for 2021-22 (BE), of which FCI alone may
require about ₹1.93-lakh crore.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/checking-recycled-pds-grains-can-save-centre-
24000-cr/article37614594.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
HC wants list of ‘Miniket’ ‘Nazirshail’ rice millers

It also wants a research report within four months on whether there is any risk to public
health from consuming this rice
TBS Report
21 November, 2021, 09:55 pm
Last modified: 21 November, 2021, 09:59 pm
Representational image. Picture: Pixabay

The High Court (HC) has asked the government to submit a list of auto rice millers who
make and market the 'miniket' and 'nazirshail' rice, polishing different varieties of rice.
DG of Directorate of National Consumers' Rights Protection (DNCRP), DG of BSTI, and the
director of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) were asked to comply with the order
within four months.
On a public interest writ petition of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a bench of
Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir on Sunday issued the order.
The court also directed that a research report be submitted within four months on whether there
is any risk to public health due to trimming or polishing the rice and whether the nutritional
value of food is lost.
At the same time, the court issued a rule to explain why directives or guidelines may not be
given to stop the making or marketing of rice with lessened nutritional value.
The Cabinet Secretary, the PM's Principal Secretary, Secretaries to Home, health, agriculture,
and commerce ministries, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), the
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the DG of Department of Environment, the
Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BRRI), the deputy
commissioners and superintendents of police of seven districts, and the president/secretary of
Auto Rice Mill Owners Association, have all been tasked to respond to the rule within three
weeks.
The writ petition stated that according to experts' opinion in reports published in various media –
including BBC Bangla – and the report of the Ministry of Food, the amount of zinc in rice is
greatly reduced due to over-polishing and pruning. Even the nutrient content is greatly reduced.
According to experts, the fear of various diseases – including type-2 diabetes – is increasing as
people are having rice with high carbohydrate due to the trimming of the upper part of the rice.
Therefore, it is necessary to ban the making and marketing of these rice for the sake of public
health
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:7XrHVuChiaAJ:https://www.tbsnews.
net/bangladesh/court/hc-wants-list-miniket-nazirshail-rice-millers-
332803+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Nutrition-rich fortified rice will be made available in the open

market: Minister
Our Bureau New Delhi | Updated on November 22, 20
Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union Minister of State for Food and Public Distribution - The
Hindu
Ashwini Kumar Choubey says move part of government‘s strategy to move from food security to
nutrition security
The government plans to make the nutrition-rich fortified rice available
in the open market, Union Minister of State for Food and Public
Distribution Ashwini Kumar Choubey has said. ―In the coming years,
we will try to make available fortified rice not only in PDS shops but
also in open markets. The government is seriously working on this,‖
Choubey said.
During fortification of rice, micro nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B12
and iron are added to the regular rice. While there is no change in how
the rice tastes, it becomes nutritious and will help take care of prevailing
malnourishment in the country.
This is part of government‘s strategy to move from food security to nutrition security, the
minister said after inaugurating Food Corporation of India (FCI)'s quality control lab at
Gurugram. ―From food security we are moving towards nutrition security. Hon'ble prime
minister had announced to complete this by 2024. But recently we and other senior reviewed the
plan of action about fortified rice. We have planned to achieve the target before 2024,‖ Choubey
said.
The goal of providing fortified rice through public distribution system (PDS) shops will be
completed before the deadline, he said.
Scheduled to be completed in three phases, 35 lakh tonnes of fortified rice will reach intended
beneficiaries under National Food Security Act by 2022 in the first phase.
In the second phase, 175 lakh tonnes fortified rice will be distributed in 291 backward or
aspirational districts in the country. In the third phase, all the 80 crore beneficiaries of NFSA will
be covered, the minister said. The Centre distributes about 375 lakh tonnes of rice annually under
NFSA and other welfare schemes.
Food Corporation of India‘s (FCI) Chairman and Managing Director Atish Chandra said that the
corporation was tasked with the job of fortifying rice in April and the same is being carried out
smoothly. ―In co-ordination with States and rice mills, more than 16 lakh tonnes of fortified rice
we have produced are being made available (to the beneficiaries) through ICDS (Integrated
Child Development Scheme) and MDM (Mid-Day Meal) schemes. FCI is also providing
fortified rice for the pilot project which has been run for its validation,‖ Chandra said.
On testing facilities of FCI, Chandra said that many of the company‘s centres are currently
manual but are being automated. In line with the plan, moisture meters are being automated.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/nutrition-rich-fortified-rice-will-be-
made-available-in-the-open-market-minister/article37612
Pakistan China Friendship Forum established

NOVEMBER 21, 2021
In the backdrop of CPEC phase-II on agriculture cooperation, a first of its kind ―Pakistan China
Friendship Farm‖ is inaugurated with fervor and fanfare, Gwadar Pro reported on Saturday.
Acting Consul General of China in Lahore Peng Zhengwu in collaboration with provincial
lawmaker (MPA) Ch. MuneebulHaq and federal lawmaker (MNA) unveiled ―Pakistan China
Friendship Farm‖ in Okara (City of Punjab), known as land of agriculture for corn crop, rice crop
and potato crop. Okara, which is 150 kilometers away from Lahore, is famed for livestock and
milk production in the whole country.
He was accompanied by a Chinese delegation comprising consulate officials and representatives
from Chinese companies. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Peng Zhengwu said that relevant
theoretical framework for further materialization of Pakistan China Friendship Farm is to be
designed and strategized in consultation with Agro-based Chinese companies and Pakistan
farmers & traders in coming days.
He said that currently Pakistan China Friendship Farm will only have its symbolic presence.
―With efforts of both Chinese enterprises and Okara agriculturists will shape up the ‗Farm‘ into a
physical platform for the groundbreaking of their agriculture join ventures,‖ he added. He said
that it is an initiative to provide a chance to let Pakistani and Chinese traders and farmers put
their action together to lay the foundation of modern agriculture in Pakistan.
The Chinese delegation headed by Peng Zhengwu was invited for the visit by MNA and
President of PML-N Kissan wing ChRiazulHaqJuj, MPA ChMuneebulHaq and senior member
of PMLN ChFiaz Zafar.
Mr. Peng Zhengwu and his delegation were given a rousing welcome by citizens of Okara and
the whole city was decorated with Chinese and Pakistani flags.
Mr. Peng Zhengwu inaugurated a state-of-the-art digital X-Ray machine donated by China to
OPWA foundation. He was given a briefing on the machine‘s operations by the staff.
After, the Chinese delegation visited Municipal Corporations office where the city‘s residents
greeted them with great fervor.
MPA ChMuneebulHaq and senior member ChFiaz Zafar while addressing the gathering the
gathering remarked that Pak China friendship was higher and stronger than the Himalayas and
was not to be weakened at any cost.
He asked for Okara to be made a twin city with a Chinese city and setting up an industrial park.
He also requested that Okara be turned into a solar city and requested for the formation of an
Agricultural forum here.
At the end to commemorate the occasion, Acting Consul General of China in Lahore Peng
Zhengwu and his delegates were presented with shields.
The Chinese delegation was comprising of Zhengbang Agriculture Pakistan Pvt Ltd GM Mr.
Zhang Shilu, Zhengbang Farm Pakistan Pvt Ltd GM Mr Shi Linkun, Sichuan Litong Food Co,
Ltd Administrative Director Mr Zhang Hongjian, Hubei Huimin Agriculture Technology Co Ltd
GM Wang Qiang, Challenge Apparels Limited GM Ms Chen Yan and Administrative Director
Mr Fei Baoming.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/844381/pakistan-china-friendship-forum-established/
Explained: Telangana's paddy crisis and KCR's first dharna

in 7 years
Farmers have grown more rice than the Centre can purchase
By Rahul Devulapalli Updated: November 20, 2021 20:18 IST
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao,
centre left, participates in a dharna demanding the Indian government procure the state's entire
paddy stock, in Hyderabad, India, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 | AP
In Telangana, what should have essentially been an issue between state and centre has turned
into a political slugfest between the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the BJP and the
Congress.
On Thursday, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) staged a protest flanked by cabinet
ministers and top party leaders at Indira Park, in the heart of Hyderabad. This was the KCR's first
dharna as CM in seven years. He criticised the NDA-led Union government for its agricultural
policies and warned that this was only the beginning of a long struggle.
Some distance away, the Congress party also protested, accusing the TRS and the BJP of being
hand-in-glove and of fooling people. In turn, the BJP has mounted attacks on the TRS
government over the last few days.
Timeline of a political blame-game
Days after tasting defeat in a by-poll, KCR lashed out at state BJP leaders for misleading state
farmers. Earlier, the local unit of the BJP demanded that the state government procure the Kharif
10 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m
paddy yield from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP). It also opposed the state
government‘s advisory to farmers to stop cultivating paddy in the future.
Countering this, the CM accused the BJP of provoking farmers and says that it was the centre‘s
FCI (Food Corporation of India) which was not procuring the processed paddy from them as is
the norm. KCR dared the state BJP leaders to promise that they will ensure that the centre buys
the rice and warned them to not disturb the farm economy of the state. The CM wrote a letter on
Wednesday to the Prime Minister complaining that the FCI had procured 19 per cent lesser rice
that was produced in the current Kharif season when compared to the last season. Through his
letter, the CM urged the centre to enhance the FCI‘s target for rice procurements to 90 per cent
of the state‘s production and also complete the balance procurements of rice of last season‘s
Rabi. Simply put, the state BJP and TRS are pinning the responsibility of procurements on each
other.
No demand for parboiled rice
Telangana's Civil Supplies department operates thousands of paddy procurement centres where
farmers can sell their produce. Due to the ongoing crisis, fewer procurement centres have been
opened for farmers.
After procuring the paddy, the department sends it to private rice mills for processing after which
the FCI procures and stores the rice grains for use in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
During Kharif season (monsoon), almost all the paddy crops cultivated in the state are raw rice
of either fine or common varieties. During the Rabi season (winter), it is mostly the common
variety of rice that is cultivated. It is then processed into parboiled rice in mills to ensure lesser
breakage which is a common occurrence because of the weather. The recovery rate of paddy to
rice is usually around 65 per cent during Kharif and 62 per cent during Rabi; if parboiled rice is
done away with, the recovery rate would fall to around 52 per cent during Rabi with raw rice.
This is the reason why parboiled rice is favoured during Rabi.
The area under paddy cultivation has increased exponentially in Telangana, thanks to the
commissioning of various irrigation projects. In 2015, 53 lakh acres were under paddy
cultivation during Rabi and Kharif seasons. Now, it has almost doubled to 1.05 crore acres. The
total paddy production for this year‘s Rabi and Kharif was 2.5 Crore tonnes, the highest ever.
The centre had procured 43 lakh MT of rice in 2014 which increased to 94.54 lakh MT in 2021.
The FCI godowns overflowing with rice grains have enough stock to last the next few years,
according to officials.
The issue is one of supply and demand. Through multiple missives and oral statements, the
centre has stressed since the beginning of the year that they would not accept parboiled rice, as
they have surplus stock. Parboiled rice is mostly consumed in Kerala, parts of Tamil Nadu and
Chhattisgarh, and in a few other states that cultivate this variety. While the needs have more or
less remained stable, the production of parboiled rice has significantly risen in Telangana. The
FCI is yet to lift the balance of 5 lakh MT parboiled rice from the last Rabi season. Even if the
state or the centre procures the rice, what they will do with it is the question. Most importantly,
with the onset of Rabi, the farmers are still in a dilemma as they have to choose between shifting
to new crop varieties or repeating the previous cultivation pattern which may not be feasible. If
there is a ban on parboiled rice then it affects the millers too who have to look for alternatives to
generate revenues.
Low prices in private markets
Small and marginal farmers have been badly affected by the crisis. The MSP of raw rice, its
variants and parboiled rice, is around Rs 1,950 per quintal. With only a few procurements centres
operating, the delay in procurements is forcing farmers to sell in the private market, in some
places for as little as Rs 1,300 per quintal.
The Punjab comparison
The Telangana government wants the centre to procure 90 per cent of the paddy as they did in
Punjab. But comparing both states in terms of paddy production may not be right, say,
agriculture activists. In Punjab, paddy production has increased only marginally, from 167 lakh
tonnes in 2016 to 171.6 lakh tonnes in 2021, unlike in Telangana where both production and land
under cultivation have gone up significantly. In addition, Punjab only grows paddy in Kharif.
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/11/20/explained-telanganas-paddy-crisis-and-kcrs-first-
dharna-in-7-years.html
Boosting national food security

21 November, 2021
The NIPHM building complex in Anuradhapura

The National Institute of Post-Harvest Management (The Institute of Post-Harvest Technology)
functioning under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, was established on June 19, 2000
by the Extraordinary Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka No. 1137/10 to
carry out post-harvest research and development on agricultural crops.
The institute has taken over the functions of the Rice Processing Research and Development
Centre (RPRDC) of the Paddy Marketing Board at Anuradhapura, which was set up with FAO/
UNDP assistance in 1976. The new Institute has been assigned the functions and responsibilities
for carrying out post-harvest research and development on
not only rice and grains, but also on other field crops,
vegetables, fruits, spice crops and cut flowers.
The National Institute of post-Harvest Management is
supposed to serve as the coordinating body to bring
together all agencies concerned to identify and prioritise
the research needs and implementation of programs for
the development of postharvest technology in Sri Lanka.
Its vision is to be the centre of excellence in sustainable
postharvest development for national food security.
The mission of the National Institute of Post-Harvest
Management (NIPHM) is sustainable development of
national food security through efficient and effective
postharvest technological interventions to strengthen the
supply and value chains of the agricultural produce and
products with high quality and safe food to cater to the
domestic and export markets at a competitive price.
Goals
The NIPHM is focused on achieving three goals:
Reduction of postharvest losses in perishables to 25
percent and durables to five percent by 2025, Distribution of fruits and
development of agro-based industries and strengthening vegetables
institutional governance.
Among the objectives are technology development and
adoption for minimisation of postharvest losses in
perishables and durables including 15 fruit crops, 10
vegetable crops, paddy and 10 other field crops, standardisation and improvement of quality and
safety food, developing a knowledge hub for postharvest research and development in the
SAARC region, development of post-harvest technologies for agro-based industries,
development of educational and training programs for people to adopt postharvest loss reduction
technologies.
The objectives are achieved by the institute via its major activities: research and development,
training, extension, consultancy and other services which are linked to the development of
supply and value chains of agricultural crops. The institute focuses its activities on harvesting,
handling, storage and preservation, primary and secondary processing, product development,
packaging, quality assurance and by-product utilisation of agricultural crops.
The research and development program of the institute is directed towards solving technological
and socio-economic problems confronting the postharvest industry. Research program includes
fundamental and applied demand driven research institutionally and collaborative with national
and international universities and other institutions. Technologies developed via the research
program are introduced to the stakeholders and implemented in the postharvest industry through
development projects.
Extension network
The Technology Transfer Division of the NIPHM carries out its extension activities through
islandwide district offices in liaison with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian
Service, Provincial Councils, Mahaweli Authority, rural development projects and Non-
Governmental Organisations. The islandwide extension network consists of eight district offices
in major crop producing areas such as Anuradhapura, Ambanpola, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya,
Ampara, Hambantota, Kilinochchi and Colombo. The institute conducts production and
extension oriented residential and non-residential training programs for farmers, collectors of
fruits and vegetables, wholesalers, traders, processors, extension personnel, students from
universities and other educational institutes and beneficiaries of government organisations and
other Non-Governmental Organisations. The training of the NIPHM aims at updating knowledge
and to ensure effective technology transfer to stakeholders involved in the supply chain and the
value chain.
The institute provides
consultancy and other services
including laboratory and
engineering services to public,
private and cooperative sector
organisations involved in the
post-harvest industry. Services
are provided to establish new
processing plants, modernise
mills and plants and to solve
technological problems
encountered by rice millers
Laboratory testing at the NIPHM and food processors.
The NIPHM helps prepare
technical report, feasibility report and special reports for any agro-food processing industry. It
supports the stakeholders by providing laboratory and engineering services, especially for quality
control in industrial products and process lines. Laboratory services consist of chemical, physical
and microbiological services, whereas engineering services consists of machinery and equipment
testing and evaluation and operator training.
Laboratories
The institute is equipped with physical, chemical, food processing and microbiological
laboratories with modern technologies. It has a workshop with experienced staff for machinery
design and fabrication and a grain processing plant for process engineering research and
development work. A pilot processing plant for secondary processing and product development
research is also available.
The NIPHM has completed nearly 100 research projects from 2017 to 2020 on different aspects
of postharvest industry. The findings are being adopted by the stakeholders of the supply and
value chains. These include collaborative research with universities and other institutes, both
local and foreign as well as the research funded by the private sector in the fields of postharvest
technology of durables and perishables, food processing and product development, postharvest
pathology and entomology.
Some important research findings of the NIPHM which are being adopted by the post-harvest
industry are: rice flour milling machinery; novel rice or rice flake based food products including
rice cake, biscuits and other confectionaries; rice ice cream and vegetarian sausages; maturity
indices for harvesting of cabbage, beans, moringa, capsicum, luffa and lime to ensure optimum
field yield, processed yield and product quality; dehydration and preservation technologies for
fruits, vegetables, herbal and medicinal crops to minimise losses and enhance product quality;
nonhazardous technologies for fruit ripening; storage technologies for durables and perishables;
rice flaking machine, pulse dehuller and other machines for medium scale process lines; spice
processing technologies and ornamental flower preservation technologies.
Main development projects by the institute from 2017 to 2021 are: improvement of supply and
value chain management practices of mango, guava, papaya, banana, management of supply and
value chain of agricultural produces, determination of heavy metal contaminants of economically
important food commodities and training of trainers on post-harvest loss reduction of agricultural
food crops in major agricultural institutions. Most projects and programs have been conducted to
improve supply chains of economically important agricultural commodities.
Post-harvest losses
Serious post-harvest losses

and quality deterioration occur during all stages of the horticulture supply chain. Surveys have
revealed that the post-harvest loss in fruit and vegetables ranges from 30 - 40 percent which
amounts to 0.39 million metric tons per annum. The value of the loss is estimated at Rs 17,500
million. The value of the fruits and vegetables which could be saved annually by reducing post-
harvest losses during transportation by 10 percent is Rs 5,800 million. Next to paddy, the
horticulture sub-sector is the most prominent in the agriculture sector as fruits and vegetables.
Many farmers earn their livelihood through fruit and vegetable growing.
Agriculture plays a major role in the Sri Lankan economy. Many research and development
activities on agriculture are being conducted. But a high degree of post-harvest losses tends to
retard this development creating many problems. The situation affects the income generated
through agriculture employment, quality of fresh and processed agricultural produce at the farm
gate and consumer prices.
Cut flowers last only for a few days, therefore, are unable to keep natural beauty and
attractiveness in decorations. Flowers end up with a short post-harvest life because of early
senescence, wilting, petal falling, ethylene production and vascular blockage by air and micro-
organisms. Appropriate preservation techniques could help extend the vase life and reduce post-
harvest losses. There is a lack of readily use techniques for shelf-life improvement of cut flowers
in the country. Ready-to-use and easily available compounds are crucial in decorations. A study
is to develop a ready-to-use formula to improve quality and vase life of cut flowers which have
short life.
Techniques
Mango is a major fruit crop in the country, but due to its rapid ripening process, it has a short
shelf life. It represents a serious constraint for efficient handling and transportation. Techniques
for storage of mangoes have to be standardised and employed to enhance the storage life.
Edible coatings act as a barrier, decrease gas exchange between fruit and the surrounding
atmosphere, resulting in modified internal atmosphere as well as decreased water loss. Edible
coatings are used as a postharvest management tool to maintain fruit quality and minimise the
size of non-biodegradable packaging materials. A research has been designed to extend the shelf
life of mangoes by application of edible wax coating, IPHT bio-wax, chitosan coating and Gum
Arabic as postharvest treatments on storage life and quality of mango fruit.
The NIPHM aims to deliver better laboratory services to a wide range of clients to eliminate food
safety issues encountered along the supply and value chain management activities such as heavy
metal contaminations, pesticide residues, microbiological contaminations, nutritional quality
losses and some other physical quality changes including moisture content and firmness changes.
A project for laboratory upgrading was initiated. A Microbiology laboratory and a food
processing laboratory were upgraded with modern facilities and a laboratory accreditation
process was initiated.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2021/11/21/features/boosting-national-food-security
3 workers burnt in N‘ganj rice mill fire

Staff Correspondent | Published: 20:20, Nov 20,2021 | Updated: 23:29, Nov 20,2021
At least three workers were burnt in a boiler explosion at an auto rice mill in Rupganj of
Narayanganj on Saturday afternoon.
The injured were taken to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in
Dhaka.
The injured are in critical condition, said the hospital resident surgeon SM Ayub Ali.
Hazrat Ali suffered burns all over the body, Belayet Hossain 95 per cent and Sirajul Islam 65 per
cent, said Ayub Ali.
Fire service deputy assistant director Tanharul Islam said that the blast took place at City Rice
Mill in Rupganj at about 2:00pm.
He said that the boiler might have blasted due to overheat.
Five units of firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the flame at about 5:30pm, he said.
Earlier on Friday morning, seven workers of a cotton factory suffered burn injuries as a fire
broke out in Dhamgor Monirbari area of Bandar in Narayanganj.
The seven were admitted to the same hospital.
And seven more injured by the smoke of the fire were given first aid.
https://www.newagebd.net/article/155222/3-workers-severally-burnt-in-narayanganj-rice-mill-
fire
Akshata introduces black rice to Sri Lanka

0
21 November, 2021
Akshata Black Rice - ‘Forbidden Rice’

For the first time, Sri Lanka has its own brand of black rice grown organically. With a sales
growth of 35% from the time of its introduction to the market, Akshata owners Grains ‗N‘ Green
(Pvt) Ltd. has also seen a growth of its rice brand to the country‘s Top 5. Akshata has achieved a
considerable brand growth.
The healthy black rice variety is grown in its own fields and is available at high-end
supermarkets such as Spar, Glowmart and askshatastore.com and is promoted by Akshata as
‗ForbiddenRice.‘
Black rice is known as the Caviar of Rice not only due to its high price. but also because of its
rarity.
Managing Director of Grains N Green, Roshan Perera states, ―It was a proud moment for the
company and Sri Lanka as this type of rice was thought of as virtually impossible to grow here,
but after two years of trial and error a select group of farmers were able to harvest it with our
guidance which goes to prove that nothing is impossible in this blessed land.‖
Perera said, ―Akshata was also the first to harvest large scale heirloom rice varieties such as
Suwandal, Kuruluthuda and Pachchaperumal which are now household names although they had
been grown over 2000 years ago but had unfortunately become almost redundant once the
chemically dependant rice varieties were introduced for commercial benefits.
―Many companies have now followed suit and have flooded the market with lower standard
products, I would not put it past them to now steal these seeds from our farmers and copy this
variety as well, but as you know the best form of flattery is imitation,‖ he said. Food nutritionists
consider black rice as a modern super food, Researchers have found that black rice reduces
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), the free radicals produced in the body which is the cause of
many diseases. Black rice is black in color due to the presence of the anthocyanin pigment on the
outer layers (bran) of the rice kernel. Black rice is rich in tocopherols (vitamin E), iron and
antioxidants. Black rice has high levels of protein, fiber, vitamins (Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, folic
acid) and minerals (iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorous and selenium) compared to that of white
rice.
The major essential amino acids present in black rice are lysine and tryptophan. It also possesses
lot of health benefits such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, lipid oxidation,
anti-diab
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2021/11/21/business/akshata-introduces-black-rice-sri-lanka
Sri Lanka Ends Farm Chemical Ban As Organic Drive

Fails
Sun 21st November 2021 | 02:40 PM
Colombo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2021 ) :Sri Lanka abandoned its
quest to become the world's first completely organic farming nation on Sunday, announcing it
would immediately lift an import ban on pesticides and other agricultural inputs.
The island country has been in the grips of a severe economic crisis, with a lack of
foreign exchange triggering shortages of food, crude oil and other essential goods.
Authorities had already walked back restrictions on fertiliser imports last month for tea, the
country's main export earner.
But ahead of planned farmer protests in the capital, Sri Lanka's agricultural ministry said it
would end a broader ban on all agrochemicals including herbicides and pesticides.
"We will now allow chemical inputs that are urgently needed," ministry secretary Udith
Jayasinghe told the private news First tv network.
"Considering the need to ensure food security, we have taken this decision." Vast tracts of
farmland were abandoned after the import ban, first introduced in May.
Shortages have worsened in the past week, with prices for rice, vegetables and
other market staples having doubled across Sri Lanka.
Supermarkets have also rationed rice sales, allowing only five kilograms (11 Pounds) per
customer.
Farmers' organisations had planned to march on the national parliament in Colombo on Friday to
demand the import of essential chemicals to protect their crops.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had justified the import ban by saying he wanted to make Sri
Lankan farming 100 percent organic.
The policy was introduced after a massive hit to the cash-strapped island's economy in the wake
of the Covid-19 pandemic, with tourism earnings and foreign worker remittances drastically
falling.
Authorities attempted to save foreign exchange by last year banning a host of imported goods,
including some food and spices.
Sri Lanka also shut its only oil refinery last month after running out of Dollars to import crude.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/miscellaneous/sri-lanka-ends-farm-chemical-ban-as-organic-d-
1406575.html
Bangladesh manufactures cost-saving combine

harvester
Reaz Ahmad
 Published at 11:59 pm November 20th, 2021
Bangladesh's first locally made combine harvester, designed and manufactured by

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and Janata Engineering, is being field tested at a
BADC farm in Chuadanga Courtesy
Local manufacturers say they can export surplus after meeting local demands if govt
provides policy, funding supports
Bangladesh on Friday successfully field-tested its first-ever locally manufactured full-
fledged combine harvester, rekindling hopes to substantially reduce its import
dependency for agricultural machineries.
The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Janata Engineering jointly designed
and manufactured the combine harvester, capable of reaping, threshing, gathering,
winnowing and packing paddy right on the fields in quick time.
The combine cuts up to 70% of costs the farmers have to, otherwise, bear for
accomplishing the same tasks manually.
The modern combine harvester, or simply combine, is a versatile machine designed to
efficiently harvest a variety of grain crops. The name derives from its combining a
number of separate harvesting operations — reaping, threshing, gathering, winnowing,
packing — into a single process. Combine harvesters are one of the most economically
important labour-saving inventions, significantly reducing the fraction of the population
engaged in agriculture.
Under the government-provided farm mechanization subsidy program, Bangladeshi
farmers bought 2,300 farm implements in the last financial year, and 1,762 of them were
combine harvesters. But all of the combines were imported and costly, and farmers still
had to bear a substantial cost to manage 50% matching fund upon getting the other half as
government subsidy.
The government has a plan to help farmers procure as many as 50,000 farm mac hines by
2025 under the current farm mechanization subsidy program, but high costs of imported
combines remain a big concern as farmers can ill-afford the matching fund.
Both BRRI and Janata Engineering now hope if they get necessary policy support and
financial support from the government, Bangladesh can manufacture the combines at
much cheaper prices, meet domestic demand and also export abroad.
They say the successful manufacturing of the one unit that was pressed into operation on
a trial run on Friday is a clear demonstration of Bangladesh‘s capacity to manufacture
world-class combines.
Customized to suit Bangladesh‘s fragmented tilling lands and muddy rural roads of the
Haor region, the BRRI-Janata built combine is more efficient in terms of its maneuv ering
capacity, and comparable to any of the imported ones when it comes to its crop
harvesting efficiency.
The next step
Md Ole Ullah founded Janata Engineering in Chuadanga back in 1992 and steered it
through many odds over the last three decades, finall y earning for his farm machinery
manufacturing unit an ISO standard and Bangabandhu Agriculture Award last year.
Ullah told Dhaka Tribune on Saturday that Janata had been trying to develop a locally
built combine since 2015 and had some success already by 2019 but thanks to BRRI
supports and collaboration that since January this year together they worked hard to
finally build a full-fledged combine harvester, which can reap and process paddy of each
acre of paddy field in just one hour.
Janata Engineering Managing Director Md Ole Ullah has firm conviction that if the
government diverts even a third of its over Tk3,000 crore farm mechanization subsidy to
finance the farm implement manufacturers, they will be able to procure capital
machineries, build modern manufacturing unit and start commercially producing the
combines meeting not only the local demand but also export some surplus.
Ullah, also an executive body member of the farm implement manufacturers association,
said he is also in favour of resource-pooling and manufacturing combines in collaborative
manners by multiple manufacturers together.
BRRI Director General Dr Shahjahan Kabir was present, among others, to witness the
field trial of the combine held on Friday at the Bangladesh Agricultural Development
Corporation‘s (BADC) farm in Noornagar, Chuadanga.
Dr AKM Saiful Islam, who heads the "Strengthening Farm Machinery Research Activity
for Mechanized Rice Cultivation Project" and serves as a principal scientific officer at
BRRI, spearheaded the combine harvester manufacturing initiative.
He told Dhaka Tribune on Saturday: ―We field-tested it on Friday and got a very good
result. It‘s efficient and has a comparative advantage over the imported ones when it
comes to adapting to Bangladesh‘s fragmented tilling plots.‖
―The one we developed has a cutting width of 1.5 metre and can move freely in small
land areas, the percentage of grain damage is hardly 1%, while unthreshed grain
percentage is also less than 1%,‖ added Dr Saiful.
Both Ole Ullah and Saiful said in a rough estimate that once manufactured in bulk
commercially, the combine will cost somewhere in between Tk16 lakh and Tk20 lakh.
Currently, some of the combines that are being imported from China and sold here cost in
the range of Tk28 lakh to Tk30 lakh and farmers have to bear half the price even after
government provided subsidy covers the remaining half.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/agriculture/2021/11/20/bangladesh-manufacturers-
cost-saving-combine-harvester
Apathetic governance, agonised farmers

BYTELANGANA TODAY
PUBLISHED: 21ST NOV 2021 12:00 AM
By Singireddy Niranjan Reddy
The Central government has dealt a death blow to the Telangana farmer by declaring that it
would not buy ‗parboiled rice‘ produced by the State from the ensuing Yasangi season. This
unanticipated announcement has alarmed the farmers of the State as Telangana produces only
‗parboiled rice‘ in the Yasangi season. Not buying the parboiled rice in Yasangi effectively
means not buying a single grain from the State in this season.
To facilitate the distribution of rice to citizens, the Central government has been buying and
accumulating rice produced in the States through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), for
decades. For effective distribution through the ration shops, the Central government has also
been encouraging the production of parboiled rice crop and paying better rates for it. In the case
of ‗fine rice‘, the yield is less, the duration of crop growth and maturity is longer; expenditure
and loss is more. On the other hand, yield is more but the loss is negligible in the case of
parboiled rice. Considering these advantages, millers prefer buying parboiled rice over fine rice.
As the demand is more for it, they buy the entire available parboiled rice and farmers happily
grow it.
After achieving Statehood, the conditions in Telangana have improved enormously and farmers
have been growing more crops of the parboiled rice varieties, facilitated by the increased water
resources and monetary help from the State government. Farmers of Telangana have also been
exporting parboiled rice. But the sudden announcement of the Centre refusing to buy the
parboiled rice has hit them hard.
TS for Farmers
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had not only taken up the completion of the long pending
irrigation projects on a war footing but also designed and completed the Kaleshwaram project,
the largest irrigation project in the world, in just three-and-a-half years. It provides water for
irrigation to most of the Telangana farms. Being a farmer himself, Chandrashekhar Rao knows
the requirements of irrigation; so, in addition to water for irrigation, he implemented
uninterrupted supply of free power, quality seeds and fertilizers, and launched quite a few
farmer-friendly schemes.
For example, under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, farmers are given Rs 10,000 per acre as
investment support and under the insurance scheme, Rythu Bima, farmers get Rs 5 lakh in case
of any unfortunate death. Research inputs from the State agricultural university have also
enormously extended the cultivated area of the farms and the yield of the crops.
In the past, the parboiled rice of Telangana was exported to Kerala and Tamil Nadu as it is their
staple food. The FCI used to buy the yield and supply to the two States. But in recent times, they
are locally producing rice sufficient for their requirement. In this context, the Central
government has the responsibility to devise alternative methods to buy and distribute or export
the parboiled rice produced by Telangana.
But the Centre has struck a sudden blow to the farmers by refusing to buy the parboiled rice after
the crop has been produced and that too without giving them sufficient time nor the required
advice to turn to other crops in demand. This refusal shows not only neglect towards the farming
community of Telangana, but also its antagonistic and inimical attitude towards the State.
Weird Argument
The Central government is putting forward a weird argument that it had already declared that it
would not buy the parboiled rice. The argument is far from the truth as the production of
parboiled rice has increased due to the Central government‘s ―Out Turn‖ regulation of 67% of
the parboiled rice to be taken by the government.
During the rainy season, 66-69 kg per quintal of different varieties of rice produced is taken
through the ―Out Turn‖ method. But the rice produced in Yasangi in Telangana amounts to just
50-55 kg per quintal through the ―Out Turn‖ method. Instead of correcting this discriminatory
method, the Central government‘s action of refusing to take even this amount of rice from
Telangana is simply inappropriate.
The farming community of Telangana has suffered unbearable losses in the past decades due to
the lack of even minimum resources of water and power. As soon as the State was formed, the
agriculture sector was given the highest priority. The State‘s innovative schemes made the
farmers, who migrated to towns for a livelihood, return to their native places and concentrate on
tilling their lands. These few years have seen the farming community prosper; it has improved
the rural ambience. Other vocations, which are primarily village-based, are also thriving.
Alternative Crops
Scientists and agricultural experts of Prof Jayashankar Agricultural University of Telangana are
researching ‗Crop Colonies.‘ The Telangana government is encouraging the production of
alternative crops of oilseeds and pulses. Its target is to reach 20 lakh acres of land for palm oil
cultivation by 2024-2025. The farming community is enthusiastic to grow cotton and pulses such
as red gram, black gram, green gram and sesame. The cultivation of red gram has grown from 2
lakh to 10 lakh acres. The TRS government has a clear and effective agricultural plan and is
turning the attention of the farmers to reduce the cultivation of rice and cultivate other alternative
crops.
The Telangana government is the first State government to establish a Market Research Analysis
Wing to study and locate the national and international requirements of crops and raw food
products; and, it is encouraging farmers to adopt the cultivation of crops that are in high demand
in the market. Before the beginning of the cultivable season, the government is educating farmers
on scientific assessments.
In the past four months, Ministers for Agriculture, Civil Supplies, Industries and the Chief
Minister himself, along with officials concerned, met Central ministers several times and
requested them to rescue the farmer community from this irreparable loss. Leave alone giving a
suitable reply to the State, the Central ministers have not shown even an iota of concern.
BJP’s Double Game
While the Centre is outrightly refusing to buy rice produced in Telangana, the State-level leaders
of the BJP are provoking farmers to cultivate only paddy in Yasangi. Understanding the double
game played by the BJP, the State government has thrown a challenge to the State level leaders
of the saffron party to get a written commitment from the Central government that it will procure
paddy cultivated here. Acting deaf to the challenge, the BJP leaders are continuing their antics.
Adding insult to the injury, they are attacking the centres where farmers are trying to sell the
crops of the rainy season. It is not only incomprehensible how a national political party could be
so insensitive to the plight of the State‘s farmers, but also intriguing as to how the State level
leaders of the very same party could be so destructive to the interests of a community that feeds
the entire nation.
Shanta Kumar Committee
The main reason for the present chaotic situation in Telangana is the lack of vision and
understanding of the Central government. The Modi government had appointed the Shanta
Kumar Committee on August 20, 2014. The Committee submitted its report in 2015, making
several valuable suggestions such as strengthening the FCI, gathering and storing agricultural
produce and fixing minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The Committee had clearly said the
MSP for crops followed at present is favourable only to rice and wheat; and hence, farmers
would prefer cultivating them as long as that system continues and the other crops are not given
the same preference.
The Committee also observed that there is a dearth of pulses and oilseeds; and, they should be
cultivated more. If this has to happen, the Central government should fix the MSP for these crops
and encourage farmers to take up their cultivation. The Committee categorically stated that the
diversification of crops is not possible if the government does not encourage with its farm
favourable regulations and buy all the crops – 100% — produced by farmers.
The crux of the problem lies in the Central government‘s declaration that it would buy only 20%
to 50% of crops of the States for the MSP. The Telangana government has written a number of
letters to the Centre to permit the purchase of 100% of the crops cultivated with MSP. As the
Centre never heeded the requests, the Telangana government has been buying 100% of crops
through organisations like MARKFED, bearing the losses in order to rescue the farmers.
Mandate of FCI
The FCI focuses on gathering and storing the crops from the States; in addition, if the buffer
storage is beyond the limit, the organisation should sell the excess crops in the national or
international public markets. The main purpose of this strategy is to take care of farmers.
India imports cooking oils worth Rs 70,000-1 lakh crore per annum. This amount could be saved
if the Indian farmers are encouraged to cultivate oilseed crops by giving them incentives.
The national policy on commerce and business and the policy on MSP could be coordinated to
eradicate or at least alleviate the losses of the Indian farmers. But in these six years, the Central
government has not reviewed these policies, leave alone revising them.
The Committee strongly recommended to the government to provide incentives to increase the
production of crops and improve their average import. Though the Committee had categorically
stated remedies to improve the situation and help the farming community, the Centre has not
heeded it a bit. It is not willing to offer its cooperation to the States. It announces the MSP and
washes its hands of it.
Lessons from other Nations
A Central minister publicly declared that the stored grains are in excess. He is not even aware
that it is their own immaturity and inactivity that they did not enable the FCI to take the stored
produce to public markets and dispose of. It is neither difficult nor impossible to do it. For
example, African countries use parboiled rice as their staple food and they do not produce
enough. And, it is only the Central government that has the authority and responsibility to export
these excess crops to other countries.
Everyone accepts that the farmer is the backbone of any country and it is the ultimate truth that
we all survive on the food that comes from the soil. There may be alternatives to anything; but,
there is no alternative to mother, mother earth and the food provided by the farmer through his
divine job of working in the soil. The responsibility of governments, therefore, multiplies
multifold to protect the farmer and safeguard his interests. The Central government ought to
respond. It should not only immediately buy the rice produced in Yasangi but also help
Telangana in diversification of crops.
https://telanganatoday.com/apathetic-governance-agonised-farmers
Farmers' friend
Read Next
By Maan D'Asis Pamaran

November 21, 2021
Chrystel Ilano-Acuña Owner Rice Delivery PH

"...to make your business successful, you have to be hands on; you can't rely on your workers to
do it all. You have to be able to do it on your own."
While it takes only a few minutes to cook rice and have it ready on the table for a hot meal, so
much work and effort go into producing this staple of the Filipino diet.
Chrystel Ilano-Acuña's family has been in the rice business for decades — the fruit of the labor
of the clan's grand matriarch Margarita Escueta. "My Lola Itay, as we called her, got into the rice
mill business when she was in her teens as she managed the rice mill of her parents, former
Laguna mayor Pedro Escueta and Mamerta Gonzales," says Chrystel. "When she got married,
she decided to be a rice trader with her husband, paying the warehouse lot rental monthly."
With hard work and perseverance, she was able to put up six rice mills that were passed on to her
daughters. "However, she did not give them capital, so, they all had to learn how to grow them
and start from scratch until they were able to buy their own trucks and machinery," says
Chrystel. To be able to stay up to date and expand, the siblings had to modernize, which enabled
them to produce rice more efficiently and cater to different kinds of customers such as
corporates, concessionaires and LGUs, apart from the usual wholesale and retail customers.
"They also had to improve the packaging and support the local farmers by assisting them with
funds to ensure that the rice brands were sustained," Chrystel adds. "Then, they also planted their
own red, black and brown rice palay to cater to those who preferred healthier options than white
rice."
Brown rice (above) is also being offered by Rice Delivery PH, besides the usual white rice
variety. Chrystel (left) in the company warehouse. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
With expertise in digital marketing, Chrystel has taken the business to the next level by bringing
their products online through Rice Delivery PH, which has a Facebook and Instagram page,
along with presence on selling sites Lazada and Shoppee. The older generation is very supportive
of her move, she says. "They were open to exploring new ways of reaching new audiences and
being able to deliver the items nationwide."
Next-gen ideas
Chrystel, a communication arts degree graduate from the De La Salle University of Canlubang
and who also took an accelerated class at the International Institute of Digital Marketing, has
always been entrepreneurial. She recalls: "When I was about six or seven years old, I made a
paper sign and posted it outside our gate to sell my stationary. When I was in grade school, I
would go to the market and find things that I could sell to my aunties' and mom's friends.
"It was just the environment I was brought up in. I joined my very first bazaar when I was in
college, and there I was, manning the booth alone, while studying for my exams the next day,"
she beams. "I always knew that I wanted to help our rice business grow, and I was always
amazed at how it got so successful without any marketing efforts in place. Being in the
marketing field and an online seller, I decided to pursue the business and bring the convenience
of ordering freshly milled rice online and having it delivered right to your doorstep."
Besides prompt, same-day delivery, she also guarantees the quality of her products. She shares a
tip on how to tell if one is receiving new stocks. She says: "Freshly-milled rice should be shiny
and slippery when touched. If the rice is powdery or dusty ("madarak na"), then that's old
stocked rice."
Chrystel, who is also the marketing communications and digital marketing manager of Chroma
Hospitality, adds: "In the hospitality industry, customer service is always our focus, giving the
best service, experience and product to our guests. I was able to apply this to my own customers
in terms of assuring quick deliveries, quick chat response and only delivering the best freshly
milled rice. Because of this, during the short span of doing business online I was able to get
repeat orders."
She draws inspiration from her grandmother's work ethic. She remembers her Lola Itay, who
passed away in 2009, saying: "Even in her old age, she would help the boys to spread out the
palay (unmilled) grains to dry in the sun and sew the sacks that held palay, bran, and the milled
rice, because there were no automatic bag sewers during her time.
"From her hard work, I learned that to be able to make your business successful, you have to be
hands on; you can't rely on your workers to do it all. You have to learn the ins and outs of the
business and be able to do it on your own."
Farmers' dedication
Despite juggling the online rice venture and her hotel position with family duties that include
raising three children with her husband Jacques, Chrystel is happy to be of service to both the
consumers and farmers. "I've had customers from all over the country, and it's nice to suddenly
see familiar names, who order and support the business. When I see a former colleague's name or
an acquaintance, I add a little note to them saying thank you for supporting our local farmers.
Chrystel‘s late Lola Itay Escueta (center in red) with her entrepreneur-daughters Elizabeth Ilano,
Honor Atienza, Myrna Realista, Irene De Leon, Erly Abalos and Susie Salandanan. (Not in
phoyo is Marissa Alinsod). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
"They are very simple and hard-working people, who would travel far just to bring their harvest
and sell it to the rice millers. I have always been in awe of how dedicated they are in planting
and harvesting palay. I just hope the next generation still pursues and continues their legacy. We
need more farmers; we need more fields; and we will always need and eat rice."
When the pandemic hit, the challenge was to ensure fast deliveries even through the strict
lockdowns, which she was able to mitigate with the help of reliable logistics partners. Pre-
pandemic, the challenge was mostly about local supply. "Our farmers' rice fields were affected
by sudden typhoons. Imported rice also had lower prices than our own locally-harvested rice."
Her advocacy is to help the local agriculture industry, which is being battered by importation.
"This has greatly affected local farmers in terms of their low pricing, but we continue to support
them because this also means supporting their livelihood, their families, their children and even
the next generation. This is what everyone should realize.
Chrystel vows to continue her family's legacy. "I still have so many years to gain the same
experience and stability that our business has attained. I still have so much more to learn in terms
of the business, but one thing they always remind me not to forget is to practice honesty and
integrity.
"For many years, our family has been well known for supplying the best quality rice and most
trustworthy millers. I hope I to achieve the same reputation someday."
About me
Role model
I have a lot of role models in life when it comes to business and relationships. I admire how my
mom Elizabeth and her six sisters Tita Irene, Tita Susie, Tita Myr, Tita Erly, Tita Patty and Tita
Honor remain supportive, generous and close to each other. I think my Lola Itay ingrained that in
them. Up to this day, they are more than just sisters, but each other's best friends even if each has
their own families.
Goal
To be able to support and see my children live their dreams. I hope I can pass on, not only the
hard-working trait, but also the desire to always choose family first before anything.
First paying job
Marketing communications assistant at Acacia Hotel Manila
Morning ritual
Praying for guidance to be able to conquer the day and making my iced coffee — I can't start the
day without it.
Special skills
Multi-tasking. I think all moms can relate!
Time spent on social media
Since my work and business rely on social media, I spend approximately between four and five
hours a day on it.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/21/business/sunday-business-it/farmers-
friend/1822991
Farmer’s Orientation and Rice Cafeteria

Participatory Evaluation Conducted at IRRI-SARC
KJ Contributor Updated 20 November, 2021 4:43 PM IST Published on 20 November, 2021
4:28 PM IST
Farmers Orientation
Two days program on farmer orientation training and Participatory Varietal Evaluation (PVE) of
Rice Varietal Cafeteria was organized at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia
Regional Center (IRRI SARC) on 11thand 12thNovember.
Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation under AGGRi project, the programme witnessed
the presence of several agricultural experts and administrators who enlightened the farmers on
rice seed system, value chain, new varietal development and adoption, best rice
cultivation practices. Progressive farmers and seed chain actors (eg. dealers, seed producers)
from Varanasi and Chandauli districts attended the event. Krishi Vigyan Kendra Varanasi,
Kaushambi from Uttar Pradesh and Banka, Jehanabad from Bihar were virtually connected along
with farmers of those areas. In 2 days, a total of 60 farmers were connected through online and
75 farmers in person at IRRI, SARC.
Rice varietal cafeteria (RVC) provides a space where farmers and other stakeholders interact,
discuss, give feedback, learn, and decide on their varietal preferences and choices through
participatory engagement and evaluation procedure.The RVC laid at ISARC showcased new,
improved rice varieties of high potential challenged beside old, locally grown varieties. The trial
included high-yielding, climate-resilient, nutrient-rich, traditional, aromatic rice varieties, which
is being collected from 11 public research institute and Agricultural Universities across India
engaged in rice research as NARES partner of IRRI.
Rice Cafeteria Participatory Evaluation

The program was inaugurated by Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, Director, IRRI, SARC in the presence of
Dr. Swati Nayak, Scientist, Lead Seed Systems South Asia, Dr. P.K. Singh, Professor, Banaras
Hindu University (Plant Breeding), Dr. M.P. Yadav, Director, NSRTC; Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy
Director, Department of Agriculture; Ashwini Kumar, District Agriculture Officer, Varanasi. In
the beginning all the eminent guests addressed and encouraged the participants with their noble
and enriched experiences on rice status in India. Dr. Kuntal Das, Senior Specialist, Seed Systems
India, planned and conducted the program at IRRI, SARC. Ashwani Kumar (IAS) Joint
Secretary (Seeds) Government of India with his gracious presence addressed and encouraged the
farmers followed by visit of Crop Cafeteria on 12th November. A detailed training to farmers was
provided on quality seed production in both the days. Participants were also given relevant IRRI
published knowledge brochures, booklets, flyers, pictorial guide on rice cultivation, crop
protection and seed production.
Both the days, participants evaluated 36 rice varieties planted in 2 replications, which include
primarily flood-tolerant (Swarna Sub 1, Ranjit Sub 1, Samba Mahsuri Sub 1, Bina 11), drought-
tolerant (SahbhagiDhan, Bina Dhan 17, SabourArdhajal, Swarna Shreya, Swarna Shakti Dhan),
Deepwater adaptation (CR 508), Biotic stress-tolerant (RP Bio 226) nutrient-rich/Bio-fortified
(CGZR 2, Zinco Rice, DRR 49) and high yielding varieties (SabourSampanna, Rajendra
Mahsuri, MTU 1224, BRRI 69, Swarna Samridhi, HUR 1309, SHIAT Dhan 4) along with local
popular varieties (Sarju 52, Chintu, BPT 5204, Moti), etc.
During the field visit, the participatory selection process was followed where participants were
divided into small groups of 15 members each and were led by experts to successfully evaluate
the basic performance-dependent features of diverse rice varieties.
Through visual observations and physical examinations, stakeholders assessed various features
of plants and gave ratings in 1-5 scale. All the scoring data will be consolidated to arrive at the
overall preference ranking of each variety evaluated. This analysis will act as a decision support
tool for seed system team to position, advance and scale new improved rice varieties in seed
chain. The analysis will be further strengthened through data to be gathered through crop cuts
which will provide rationalized decisions on fitment of a variety to specific geography. The
farmers are happy and satisfied with this two day training program and will committed to apply
these learning from IRRI in the coming days.
https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/farmer-s-orientation-and-rice-cafeteria-
participatory-evaluation-conducted-at-irri-sarc
Suryapet: Congress mocks BJP, TRS over paddy

procurement
Hans News Service | 20 Nov 2021 6:33 PM GMT
Nalgonda MP Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday visited several PACS and IKP paddy
procurement centres in Suryapet district and interacted with farmers present there.
Suryapet: Nalgonda MP Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday visited several PACS and IKP paddy
procurement centres in Suryapet district and interacted with farmers present there.
Addressing the farmers, MP Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that both BJP at the Centre led by
Prime minister Narendra Modi and the TRS led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao at State
had miserably failed in the timely procurement of paddy.
He also alleged that BJP and TRS parties have been playing political dramas whereas the paddy
farmers in the state have been left to the mercy of the rice millers.
Due to the delay in Kharif paddy procurement and unseasonal rains in many parts of the state,
the paddy was drenched and now the IKP centres / PACS centres / rice millers were refusing to
buy the paddy due to more moisture content, he added.
Rice millers were illegally deducting 3 or 4 kgs on the basis of waste / moisture content, he
alleged.
The MP questioned as to why KCR is talking of rabi crop when the task at hand is to
immediately procure Kharif paddy?
He said that it appears that KCR is colluding with rice millers to benefit them and cause a loss to
the paddy farmers.
Congress party will fight for the paddy farmers till every grain is procured at MSP of Rs. 1,960
per quintal and also demands that no restrictions should be imposed on paddy cultivation in Rabi
crop, The MP demanded that CM KCR have to pay compensation of Rs. 25,000 per acre.
https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/suryapet-congress-mocks-bjp-trs-over-paddy-
procurement
6 injured in oil, gas company’s fire in SW Iran

6 injured in oil, gas company’s fire in SW Iran
TEHRAN: At least six people were injured after a fire broke out in the Oil and Gas Exploitation
Company of Masjed Soleiman city in Iran‘s southwestern Khuzestan province on Sunday,
according to a statement by the company.
In the incident, an employee of the company suffered burns injuries who was sent to Ahvaz city
for further treatment, said the statement.
Four other employees and one of the firefighters were affected by inhaling smoke and gas from
the fire, who were discharged from hospital after treatments, it said.
Firefighters quickly arrived to the scene, it said.
https://www.bolnews.com/latest/2021/11/6-injured-in-oil-gas-companys-fire-in-sw-iran/
Shikarpur‘s potential for diversified agriculture

Mohammad Hussain Khan
Published November 22, 2021 -
Gone are the days when Shikarpur used to bask in the glory of its marvellous past. It used to be a
famous trade centre for the entire region. This perhaps remains the only walled city of Sindh but
unfortunately faces ravages of time. Despite its strategic position, Shikarpur is considered one of
the backward districts of Sindh. It is located on the right bank of the mighty Indus.
The history of Shikarpur, once the centre of knowledge and learnings, was influenced by its
geography. It was located at the confluence of Mughals in North and East, the Safavids (Iran) to
the West and various Afghan and Central Asian kingdoms to the Northwest. Historically,
Shikarpur was known for its architectural marvels. Its old inhabitants — mainly Hindus — had
contributed to the city‘s infrastructure building. Its name is derived from the word shikar
(hunting) as it had plenty of forests.
The city has been included in the 2008 and 2010 World Monuments Watch List of ‗100 Most
Endangered sites‘ published by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). In 2014, it has made the
list for the third time in less than six years. The WMF website says Shikarpur became the hub of
a major financial network stretching from the Indian subcontinent to Central Asia and beyond.
Durrani Afghans took control of it in the mid-19th century and fostered the creation of a melting
pot for merchants of diverse origins — Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim.
While the district struggles to see its old glory restored, a social stigma, however, remains
attached to it. Shikarpur, now, is also bracketed with the infamous jirga system. Some of the
leading lights of tribes find their roots in this district and continue to rule the roost regardless of
democratic or unelected dispensation in the country. This tribal influence in the area has refused
to die down despite repeated court orders against jirgas, a parallel judicial system.
If oilseed issues of research, development and marketing are addressed the area can improve its
yield to lessen Pakistan’s import bill of edible oil
―Shikarpur is infamous from the women perspective. Poor women are killed as kari‖ (honour
killings) or trafficked,‖ argues women rights activist Amar Sindhu. We have reports of
imprisonment of lal aurtain —women who seek shelter of some tribal chief after having been
declared as kari but later they are sold, she says.
Mahars, Durranis, Bhayyo, Jatoi, Sudhranis and other clans are the second names of Shikarpur‘s
deeply rooted jirga system. They, of course, are educated men with large landholdings and are
cultivating lands in a riverine area known for its soil fertility due to heavy silt deposits by the
Indus river.
Shikarpur has also produced men of letters like iconic Sindhi poet Shaikh Ayaz. Sindh‘s chief
minister Allah Bux Soomro was from Shikarpur before the partition. He was assassinated there
in 1943. His nephew Illahi Bux Soomro served as speaker National Assembly. Most Soomros,
Shaikhs, Jatois and Mahars prefer living — like many other baronial landlords — in urban
centres like Karachi and Islamabad. But they use their native city as their political base to
maintain a firm stranglehold over politics and subsequently governance in successive civil and
military regimes. But then every cloud has a silver lining.
Shikarpur matters as an important area in terms of agriculture production — mainly rice. Of total
Sindh‘s rice acreage (750,529ha recently) Shikarpur has a share of 15 per cent with 117,264ha as
per statistics compiled by Hina Shahid in EU funded survey 2018.
Coarse and basmati varieties of rice are produced as a mono-crop in the Kharif season. Wheat as
a Rabi crop is sown on residual moisture of rice crop as growers lack options for alternative
crops. Veggies are grown with okra being transported to Quetta‘s market usually.
Guddu barrage‘s right bank Begari Sindh (BS) feeder feeds Shikarpur district mainly. It has a
designed discharge of 14,764 cusecs to irrigate 1,001,910 acres of land in its command. The
large riverine area is connected with Shikarpur which is famous for its achaar (pickles), qulfi
faluda (ice cream) and a soft drink. Pickles are Shikarpur‘s identity across Pakistan, nay the
world.
―Besides rice, we have the potential for oilseed crops as well but we lag only because we don‘t
have a market here,‖ says Arsala Seelro. He has been cultivating canola in Shikarpur regularly
until five years back but then had to give up after realising that an inadequate price is offered by
buyers. ―Our produce is taken to Punjab from here for marketing and we didn‘t get an adequate
price to meet our cost of production and earn some money as well,‖ Seelro contends. He also
believes that monopoly by ricer millers also leads to cartelization that seeks to deny a just price
for the rice crop.
A veteran rice grower, Haji Ameer Bux Pahore subscribes to Seerlo‘s view. ―We cultivate coarse
and basmati variety but the price regime isn‘t in our favour‖, he says. He points out that
Shikarpur doesn‘t get the required flows. This area is under the non-perennial command of the
canal and wheat was sown on paddy crop‘s residual moisture. ―We feel lucky if we get
additional flows after rice crop harvesting,‖ he says. He also sheds light on the fact that
Shikarpur had once witnessed tobacco cultivation. Quality of tobacco was also fine, he adds.
Sunflower cultivation was given some attention in the backdrop of the super floods of 2010 that
had led to mass-scale displacement from right bank districts including Shikarpur. Standing paddy
crop was badly hit as well. Growers in flood-affected right bank districts were given an
opportunity to go for sunflower cultivation under the United States Agency for International
Development funded project for the cultivation of corps on 100,000 acres in flood-hit districts in
a collaborative effort with Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB). ―Later we learnt that sunflower yields
are declining fast but no research was conducted as to why it is happening. As a result, growers
lost interest in oilseed crops that can serve as an alternative to imported oil, involving
expenditures of foreign exchange,‖ says SAB vice president Mahmood Nawaz Shah.
Shikarpur has the potential for diversified agriculture. For instance, researchers can recommend
alternate crops in addition to wheat. Likewise, if oilseed crops issues of research, development
and marketing are addressed the area can come up with a better yield of oilseed crops —
sunflower and canola chiefly — to lessen Pakistan‘s import bill of edible oil. But these areas are
not yet given attention.
As per the 2018 project livestock population, the Sindh livestock department estimates
Shikarpur‘s share in Sindh‘s cattle and buffalo population as 1.80pc and 2.18pc respectively and
0.70pc in sheep and 1.21pc in goats.
Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, November 22nd, 2021
https://www.dawn.com/news/1659547/shikarpurs-potential-for-diversified-agriculture
Shipping Activity At Port Qasim

Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) 44 minutes ago Mon 22nd November 2021 | 01:54 PM
Four ships namely, KOI, Teera Bhum, Fox and Young Glory scheduled to load/offload
Containers, Rice and Coal, arrived at Port Qasim and berthed at Container Terminal,
Multi-Purpose Terminal and Bulk Terminal respectively
KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -
22nd Nov, 2021 ) :Four ships namely, KOI,
Teera Bhum, Fox and Young Glory scheduled to
load/offload Containers, Rice and Coal, arrived
at Port Qasim and berthed at Container
Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal and Bulk
Terminal respectively.Meanwhile four more
ships, Lyon-II, Wolverine, Star Gaia and Chem
Harvest carrying Containers, Coal and
Palm oil also arrived at outer anchorage of the
port during the same day.
A total of eleven ships were engaged at PQA
berths during the last 24 hours, out of them six
ships, Teera Bhum, Cap Carmel, Simaisma,
KOI, PS Augusta and Spring Queen left the port on Monday morning.
Cargo throughput of 183,381 tonnes, comprising 140,422 tonnes imports cargo and 42,959
tonnes export cargo, including containerized cargo carried in 4,576 Containers (2,100 TEUs
Imports and 2,476 TEUs export) was handled at the port during last 24 hours.
There are 17 ships at Outer Anchorage of Port Qasim, out of them three ships, Arvika,
PS Augusta and Athens Glory & two more ships CMA CGM Rabelais and Chemroad Sakura
carrying Coal, Edible oil, Containers and Chemicals are expected to take berths at PIBT, LCT,
QICT and EVTL respectively on Monday, while three more ships, Cap Carmel, Teera Bhum and
Simaisma with Containers and Natural Gas are due to arrive at Port Qasim on Tuesday.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/shipping-activity-at-port-qasim-1407144.html
DPCC Re-fixes Rates Of Commodities

Sun 21st November 2021 | 10:50 PM
FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2021 )
:District Price Control Committee (DPCC) has re-fixed wholesale and retail prices of various
daily use commodities.
Chairing the DPCC meeting, Deputy Commissioner Ali Shehzad said that price of besan (gram
powder) was reduced up to Rs.3 and now it would be sold at Rs.122 per kg in wholesale and at
Rs.128 per kg in retail.
Similarly, gram white (big) will be sold at Rs 175 per kg and Rs 182 per kg, white gram (small)
at Rs.155 and Rs 161 per kg, black gram (big) at Rs 116 and Rs 122 per kg, black gram (small)
at Rs 111 and Rs 116 per kg, gram pulses (big) at Rs 121 and Rs 127 per kg, gram pulses (small)
at Rs 116 and Rs 122 per kg, Maash pulses (imported, washed) at Rs 229 and Rs 236 per kg,
Maash pulses (imported unwashed) at Rs 211 and Rs 218 per kg, lentil pulses (big) at Rs 167 and
Rs 173 per kg, lentil pulses (small) at Rs 182 and 188 per kg, rice super basmati (old) at Rs 128
and Rs 134 per kg, rice ari at Rs 55 per kg, milk at Rs 95 per kg, yoghurt at Rs 100 per kg, meat
at Rs 950, beef at Rs.
450 per kg, Roti (100 gram weight) at Rs. 7.
The prices of fruits and vegetables will be issued on daily basis after auction whereas the prices
of poultry products will be provided by the Livestock Poultry Association to the
Secretary Market Committee at 7 a.m. daily, he added.
Deputy Commissioner said that price control magistrates were active to ensure price mechanism
and strict action would be taken against overcharging and profiteering.
He also asked the consumers to get their complaints registered through toll free number
080002345 if they found profiteering at any shop. Their complaints would be resolved quickly,
he concluded.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/dpcc-re-fixes-rates-of-commodities-
1406930.html
Polishing rice to convert to miniket: HC seeks list of

auto rice mill owners
Star Digital Report
Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:14 PM Last update on: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:19 PM
Star file photo

The High Court today directed the government to prepare a list of owners of auto rice mills
of seven districts -- who are selling rice in the market in the name of miniket and najirshail
varieties, by polishing normal rice in machines -- and submit before it in four months.
The deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) of seven districts --
Rangpur, Kushtia, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Jashore, Gopalganj, and Netrokona -- have been tasked
to prepare the list.
In response to a writ petition, the court wanted to know whether there were any health risks to
people and damage of nutrition standard of food due to the production of varieties of rice by
polishing them in the mills.
Chairman of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and director
generals of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research
Institute (BARI) have been ordered to submit the research reports on this issue before the HC in
the same period.
The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in
three weeks why their inaction to stop the production and selling rice in the name of "miniket"
and "najirshail" varieties by polishing normal rice in machines should not be declared illegal and
why they should not be directed to stop such activities.
The bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the order and
rule following a writ petition filed by rights organization Human Rights and Peace for
Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking necessary directives.
Lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared for the writ petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Kazi
Mynul Hasan represented the state.
:https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/agriculture/news/polishing-rice-convert-
miniket-hc-seeks-list-auto-rice-mill-owners-2235401
Why Rs 20 lakh not given to Telangana farmers who

committed suicide: Bandi Sanjay
Sribala Vadlapatla / TNN / Updated: Nov 22, 2021, 08:18 IST
BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar

HYDERABAD: BJP state chief
Bandi Sanjay questioned chief
minister K Chandrasekhar Rao‘s
announcement on paying Rs 3
lakh each to the families of
farmers who died during the
protest against the three farm
laws. Sanjay asked, ―why he
couldn‘t pay Rs 20 lakh
compensation to farmers and
unemployed youth who
committed suicide in the state.‖
In a press conference on Sunday, Sanjay said that CM does not care about paying compensation
to Telangana martyrs.
―Even though NCRB data shows that Telangana is among the top states in the country with a
high number of farmer suicides, they are not given huge compensation. Where does CM get
money for farmers elsewhere?,‖ he asked.
Taking potshots at the TRS‘ claim that farm laws were repealed after CM KCR sat on a dharna,
Sanjay remarked, ―We should applaud him for doing so, isn‘t he the same person who changed
his stance on farm laws numerous times, once he was supporting farm laws and then he was
opposing it.‖
Karimnagar MP demanded that the state government speed up the paddy procurement in the state
on a war footing.
He asked the CM, ―Is it not true that the Union government has committed to procure 40 lakh
tonnes of rice but the state government has failed to make arrangements?‖
He alleged that the state administration is attempting to defend the interests of the state‘s rice
millers, claiming that ―because of TRS shortcomings, farmers in the state have problems
cultivating and selling the paddy.‖
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/bandi-why-rs-20l-not-given-to-t-farmers-
who-committed-suicide/articleshow/87837611.cms
Give Rs 20 lakhs to kin of farmers died in Telangana

due to your wrong decisions: BJP to KCR
ANI | Updated: Nov 21, 2021 22:26 IST
BJP Telangana Chief Bandi Sanjay. (Photo/ANI)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], November 21 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Telangana
chief Bandi Sanjay on Sunday slammed Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao for announcing a
compensation of Rs 3 lakhs for families of farmers who died during the farmer's agitation.
Sanjay said the Chief Minister should provide Rs 20 lakhs to families of those farmers who
allegedly died in the state due to KCR's wrong decisions.
"He should first provide Rs 20 lakhs each to the bereaved families in Telangana. What is being
given to farmers in Telangana? Ex-gratia should be first given to the families of farmers who
died due to the wrong decisions of K Chandrashekhar Rao and then he should ask Centre to give
what he had demanded earlier," the BJP leader said while addressing a press conference.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the withdrawal of the three Central farm
laws, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Saturday said the state government will
provide Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia to the bereaved families of farmers who lost their life in farmers'
agitation.
He further remarked that the state is ranked four in the country when it comes to farmer suicides.
Questioning the Mahadharna held by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Sanjay said, "Was
the protest for Telangana farmers or the farmers in Delhi?"
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) held a Mahadharna (protest) against the Centre over the
farmers' issues on Thursday.
Sanjay questioned the state government regarding paddy procurement in the state and alleged
that it has not responded to BJP's questions on the same.
Attacking the Chief Minister for questioning the Centre on purchase of grain, he said, "Did the
Centre not agree to buy 40 lakh metric tonnes of grains? Why is KCR going to Delhi? What
work does he have there?"
Earlier on Saturday, Rao had said that there was no response from the Centre on the purchase of
grain. He demanded that the Centre should give clarifications enhancement of Paddy
Procurement for Kharif as requested by Telangana and purchase of boiled rice in Rabi.
"We are going to Delhi tomorrow. We will meet the Union Ministers and officials and the Prime
Minister if possible," he added.
Sanjay asserted that "BJP thinks of the welfare of the farmers and TRS thinks of the welfare of
rice millers". (ANI)
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/give-rs-20-lakhs-to-kin-of-farmers-died-in-
telangana-due-to-your-wrong-decisions-bjp-to-kcr20211121222645
Pakistan-China Friendship Farm

Yasir Habib Khan
November 21, 2021

In a bid to ramp up efforts for enhancing agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and China
under Phase-II, another milestone progress which has finally taken shape is the conceptual
launch of the Pakistan-China Friendship Farm. The Pakistan-China Friendship Farm has set the
tone for Pakistan-China agricultural cooperation.
Okara, known as the land of agriculture, was chosen for the birth, formalisation and
materialisation of the Pakistan-China Friendship Farm. No doubt, the credit goes to Chinese
Consulate Lahore under the leadership of acting Consul General of People‘s Republic of China
Lahore Peng Zhengwu and Okara Farmers‘ leader and provincial lawmaker Muneeb ul Haq. The
Pakistan-China Friendship Farm is designed to play a pivotal role in integrating Chinese agro-
based companies with Pakistan farmers, agriculturists, exporters and businessmen to help tap all
avenues in the domain of digital & corporate agriculture that are still unexplored and
undiscovered.
Given the scenario, Pakistan farmers are going to be the main beneficiary of the innovative
agricultural advancements, digitalisation, intercropping, seed technology, state-of-the-art agro-
industrial machines, laser land-levelling techniques and the hybrid crop mechanism. Modern
livestock and dairy developments are the other benefits to be availed by Pakistani traders.
In terms of the conceptual launch of the Pakistan-China Friendship Farm, acting Consul General
of the People‘s Republic of China Lahore, Peng Zhengwu visited Okara on special invitation of
MPA Muneeb ul Haq and MNA Fiaz Zafar. Mr Peng was accompanied by a Chinese delegation
consisting of the Chinese consulate Lahore, political section Chief Mr Du Ye and consular
Attache Mr Chen Bo. Other delegates were Zhengbang Agriculture Pakistan Pvt Ltd GM Mr
Zhang Shilu, Zhengbang Farm Pakistan Pvt Ltd GM Mr Shi Linkun, Sichuan Litong Food Co,
Ltd Administrative Director Mr Zhang Hongjian, Hubei Huimin Agriculture Technology Co Ltd
GM Wang Qiang, Challenge Apparels Limited GM Ms Chen Yan and Administrative Director
Mr Fei Baoming.
Addressing the gathering, Acting Consul General of the People‘s Republic of China Lahore Peng
Zhengwu said that the relevant theoretical framework for the further materialisation of Pakistan-
China Friendship Farm is to be designed in consultation with agro-based Chinese companies,
Pakistani farmers and traders in the coming days. MPA Ch Muneeb ul Haq and senior member
Ch Fiaz Zafar, while addressing the gathering, requested China to invest in Okara. They
demanded that Okara be made a twin city with a Chinese city and wanted an industrial park to be
set up. Under CPEC phase-II, Pakistan and China have already signed an MoU to enhance
cooperation in the agricultural sector. The agreed areas of joint working under the MoU include
technology transfer and collaboration in R&D, enhancing agriculture trade and cooperation in
the agricultural, livestock and dairy industries. An average yield of wheat is only 3 tonnes per
hectare in Pakistan, which can be improved substantially by using seeds of the high-yield, anti-
drought variety with resistance to insects and pests. As for rice cultivation, China‘s hybrid rice
technology is recommended. For sugar cane and potatoes, the virus-free tissue culture sapling is
a good choice.
China has many technologies suitable for crops in Pakistan, including compound planting, smart
agriculture, water-saving irrigation and greenhouses. Recently, two Pakistani students from
China‘s Sichuan Agricultural University, used the maize-soybean strip intercropping technology
in Punjab, which has achieved satisfactory results. Greenhouse planting can also promote the
development of vegetables, edible fungus and flowers in Pakistan. Taking advantage of
agricultural machinery, agricultural materials, China‘s fertiliser and pesticide, Pakistan should go
for green pesticides and organic fertilisers to reduce pollution from agricultural non-point
sources. It is also encouraging that China and Pakistan are closely working together to promote
the trade of agricultural products. To date, China and Pakistan have signed the quarantine risk
protocols for rice, citrus and mangoes. The two sides need to accelerate the signing of protocols
for onions, potatoes and cherries as well.
Pakistan must make good use of e-commerce and strengthen commercial promotions and
marketing to inform the Chinese market more about its high-quality agricultural products. It is
hoped that with agricultural cooperation, the Pakistan-China trade imbalance might be improved
and bilateral trade could soon reach more than $30 billion. If it reaches $100 billion with several
years of effort, Pakistan will become China‘s largest trading partner in the South Asian
subcontinent. The Pakistani government and enterprises should strengthen promotion in the
Chinese market by participating in exhibitions and holding exhibitions so that Chinese importers
and consumers can better understand the best Pakistani products. Lastly, while actively exploring
the Chinese market, Pakistan needs to take further measures to improve transportation, product
packaging, inspection and quarantine regulations.
https://nation.com.pk/21-Nov-2021/pakistan-china-friendship-farm

22nd November, 2021 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newseltter

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

22nd November, 2021 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newseltter

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

22nd November ,2021 Vol 6 Issue 11

Editorial Board Rice News Headlines…

Health Expenses: People dig deeper into their pockets

Bangladesh's out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure has continued to rise, leaving a

Bandi Sanjay faults offering Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia to ryots

Checking recycled PDS grains can save Centre ₹24,000 cr

Prabhudatta Mishra New Delhi | Updated on November 21, 2021

This makes up 12% of subsidy dues to FCI from Centre

HC wants list of ‘Miniket’ ‘Nazirshail’ rice millers

Representational image. Picture: Pixabay

Nutrition-rich fortified rice will be made available in the open

Pakistan China Friendship Forum established

Explained: Telangana's paddy crisis and KCR's first dharna

By Rahul Devulapalli Updated: November 20, 2021 20:18 IST

Boosting national food security

The NIPHM building complex in Anuradhapura

Serious post-harvest losses

3 workers burnt in N‘ganj rice mill fire

Akshata introduces black rice to Sri Lanka

Akshata Black Rice - ‘Forbidden Rice’

Sri Lanka Ends Farm Chemical Ban As Organic Drive

Bangladesh manufactures cost-saving combine

Bangladesh's first locally made combine harvester, designed and manufactured by

Apathetic governance, agonised farmers

By Singireddy Niranjan Reddy

By Maan D'Asis Pamaran

Chrystel Ilano-Acuña Owner Rice Delivery PH

Farmer’s Orientation and Rice Cafeteria

Rice Cafeteria Participatory Evaluation

Suryapet: Congress mocks BJP, TRS over paddy

6 injured in oil, gas company’s fire in SW Iran

Shikarpur‘s potential for diversified agriculture

Shipping Activity At Port Qasim

DPCC Re-fixes Rates Of Commodities

Polishing rice to convert to miniket: HC seeks list of

Star file photo

Why Rs 20 lakh not given to Telangana farmers who

BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar

Give Rs 20 lakhs to kin of farmers died in Telangana

BJP Telangana Chief Bandi Sanjay. (Photo/ANI)

Pakistan-China Friendship Farm

November 21, 2021

You might also like