29th November, 2021 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter
29 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…

 Climate-hardy gene-edited rice varieties are nearly ready for
Chief Editor
introduction — but EU Farm to Fork legislation might hold them back
 Hamlik
 Climate change will cause corn, wheat and soybeans crops to go
Managing Editor haywire by 2030
 Abdul Sattar Shah  Decline in oil prices to bode well for Pakistan’s economy: Fawad
 Rahmat Ullah  Two Myanmar-China Border Crossings Re-open For Trade
 Rozeen Shaukat  Black rice production in Assam now
 Ravinder Bhogal’s recipe for honey and lemon roast chicken with
English Editor
 Maryam Editor jewelled pilau rice
 Legal Advisor  Don’t deride Sri Lankan scientists
 Advocate Zaheer Minhas  Asif Ali Gohar: A Call To Investors To Invest In Vegan Leather
 They propose to genetically modify rice to adapt it to climate change
Editorial Associates  Black rice production in Assam now
 Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid
 Businessmen want implementation of barter trade with Iran
 Javed Islam Agha
 Zahid Baig(Business Recorder)  Baghel to urge PM to procure par-boiled rice
 Dr.Akhtar Hussain  Pakistan, Russia to sign facilitation agreement on gas pipeline
 Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui  Telangana paddy procurement crisis: Farmers stare at uncertain
 Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF) future
 Islam Akhtar Khan  Centre: Paddy procurement from Telangana to continue
 Revanth asks Telangana to use revenue from liquor applications to
Editorial Advisory Board
procure paddy
 Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim
Assistant Professor, Gomal  Ryots asked not to raise paddy in rabi
University DIK  Telangana govt asks farmers not to cultivate paddy after Center’s
 Dr.Hasina Gul snub
Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK  Accept our paddy, beg Telangana farmers; no space, say millers
 Dr.Hidayat Ullah  798 Rythu Bharosa Kendrams set up to procure paddy
Assistant Professor, University
 Asif Ali Gohar: A Call To Investors To Invest In Vegan Leather
of Swabi
 Dr.Abdul Basir  After Centre's push, Telangana govt tells farmers not to grow paddy
Assistant Professor, University of  How do scientist know what's farm fire, what's not
Swabi  Chinese Agricultural Commissioner honoured with Global Ambassador
 Zahid Mehmood Award
PSO,NIFA Peshawar
 Falak Naz Shah
Head Food Science & Technology
ART, Peshawar
Climate-hardy gene-edited rice varieties are nearly ready for

introduction — but EU Farm to Fork legislation might hold
them back
Infobae | November 29, 2021
Credit: Giz
This article or excerpt is included in the GLP‘s daily curated selection of ideologically diverse
news, opinion and analysis of biotechnology innovation. It is posted under Fair Use guidelines.
Scientists and the rice sector are ready to use the new gene editing tools to develop rice varieties
more adapted to climate change, although they fear that European legislation will put a brake on
transgenic rice.
This has been expressed by more than a hundred international experts in rice genetics who have
met in Barcelona (Spain) in the framework of the 18th International Symposium on Functional
Rice Genomics.
The CSIC research professor at the Center for Research in Agrigenomics (CRAG), Blanca San
Segundo, responsible for the organization of the congress, explained that ―rice, the main food for
many of the world‘s population, is a crop that, on the one hand it contributes to climate change,
and on the other hand it is especially threatened by it.‖
According to San Segundo, in Mediterranean regions, climate change translates into an increase
in the salinity of soils, a lack of water resources and a higher incidence of pests that affect rice
fields.
…
―To overcome these difficulties, it is necessary to introduce new strategies to maintain the
competitiveness of rice cultivation, without affecting these natural spaces,‖ defended San
Segundo.
[Editor‘s note: This article was originally published in Spanish and has been translated and
edited for clarity.]
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/11/29/climate-hardy-gene-edited-rice-varieties-are-nearly-
ready-for-introduction-but-eu-farm-to-fork-legislation-might-hold-them-back/
Climate change will cause corn, wheat and soybeans crops to

go haywire by 2030
todayuknews
The world‘s crop staples, including corn, wheat and soybeans, are likely to be drastically
impacted by climate change as soon as 2030, ‗several decades sooner than estimated,‘ according
to a newly published study.
The research — stemming from NASA scientists — notes that in a high greenhouse gas
emissions scenario, corn crop yields will drop a staggering 24 percent.
Corn is considered ‗the most important global crop in terms of total production and food security
in many regions,‘ according to the study.
Scroll down for video
Soybeans and rice are also set to be negatively impacted, though the models created by the
researchers give varying levels of impact, ranging from a decline of 2 percent to as low as 21
percent.
Crop staples like corn, wheat and soybeans will be drastically impacted by climate change as soon as next
decade
In a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario, corn yields will drop 24 percent by 2030
Soybeans and rice are also set to be negatively impacted, though the models give varying levels of
impact. Wheat crop yields could increase, but the output will be uneven around the globe and will not last
forever
Rice could see a drop from 23 percent growth to 2 percent growth or as low as a 15 percent
decline.
However, wheat crops could grow 17 percent, the researchers concluded.
‗We introduce the concept of climate impact emergence to the field of agriculture impacts,
highlighting that major shifts in global crop productivity due to climate change are projected to
occur within the next 20 [years], several decades sooner than estimates based on previous model
projections,‘ the authors wrote in the study.
The researchers used advanced climate and agricultural modeling to look for changes in yields
based on several factors, including projected increases in temperatures, changing rainfall patterns
and a rise in carbon dioxide concentrations.
‗We did not expect to see such a fundamental shift, as compared to crop yield projections from
the previous generation of climate and crop models conducted in 2014,‘ said the study‘s lead
author Jonas Jägermeyr, a crop modeler and climate scientist at NASA‘s Goddard Institute, in a
statement.
Jägermeyr was especially concerned at the projected decline in corn, adding, ‗a 20% decrease
from current production levels could have severe implications worldwide.‘
The study‘s lead author Jonas Jägermeyr was especially concerned at the projected decline in corn,
adding, ‗a 20% decrease from current production levels could have severe implications worldwide‘
Rice could see a drop from 23 percent growth to 2 percent growth or as low as a 15 percent decline.
However, wheat crops could grow 17 percent, the researchers concluded
Although wheat crop yields will increase globally, it will be uneven and will not last forever,
according to the study.
South Asia, the southern U.S., Mexico and parts of South America will be able to grow the crop
longer, as will certain parts of the northern U.S., Canada and other East Africa.
However, the gains may start to ‗level off mid-century,‘ NASA said in the statement.
Although wheat crop yields will increase globally, it will be uneven and will not last forever, according to
the study. South Asia, the southern U.S., Mexico and parts of South America will be able to grow the
crop longer, as will certain parts of the northern U.S., Canada and other East Africa. However, the gains
may start to ‗level off mid-century,‘ NASA said .
‗Even under optimistic climate change scenarios, where societies enact ambitious efforts to limit
global temperature rise, global agriculture is facing a new climate reality,‘ Jägermeyr added.
‗And with the interconnectedness of the global food system, impacts in even one region‘s
breadbasket will be felt worldwide.‘
The researchers used the climate model simulations from the International Climate Model
Intercomparison Project-Phase 6 (CMIP6) and simulations for 12 crop models from Columbia
University‘s Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) to come up
with their findings.
All five of the CMIP6 models looked at Earth‘s atmosphere to greenhouse gas emissions through
the year 2100, while the MgMIP models were based on real-life biological responses to the crops
in indoor and outdoor experiments.
In total, approximately 240 simulations were created for each crop.
‗What we‘re doing is driving crop simulations that are effectively growing virtual crops day-by-
day, powered by a supercomputer, and then looking at the year-by-year and decade-by-decade
change in each location of the world,‘ the study‘s co-author, Alex Ruane, added.
The researchers also looked at what impact higher CO2 would have on photosynthesis and water retention
and found it would be positive, though ‗often at a cost to nutrition‘
The researchers also looked at what impact higher CO2 would have on photosynthesis and water
retention and found it would be positive, though ‗often at a cost to nutrition,‘ particularly for
wheat moreso than corn.
The scenarios put forth by the study suggest that ‗current food production systems will soon face
fundamentally changed risk profiles,‘ however, the researchers note this could change with
different inputs, such as economic incentives, changing farming practices and breeding hardier
crops.
The study was published earlier this week in the scientific journal Nature Food.
The study comes as governments around the world gather for the United Nations Climate
Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he thinks the world is likely to miss the 2.7°F (1.5°C)
climate change target, as set out in the aims of the Paris Agreement.
Earlier this year, a significant portion of the globe dealt with a crippling heat dome exacerbated
by climate change, causing temperatures to get as high as 114°F in Italy, Spain and Greece and
possibly resulting in the death of 1 billion sea creatures in the Pacific Ocean.
Last month, the medical journal Lancet said health problems linked to climate change are getting
worse, creating a ‗code red‘ situation where droughts impact food production and rising
temperatures lead to diseases like malaria and cholera spreading around the world.
THE PARIS AGREEMENT: A GLOBAL ACCORD TO LIMIT TEMPERATURE RISES
THROUGH CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS
The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control
and limit climate change.
It hopes to hold the increase in the global average temperature to below 2°C (3.6ºF) ‗and to
pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C (2.7°F)‘.
It seems the more ambitious goal of restricting global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F) may be more
important than ever, according to previous research which claims 25 per cent of the world could
see a significant increase in drier conditions.
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change has four main goals with regards to reducing
emissions:
1) A long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C
above pre-industrial levels
2) To aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the
impacts of climate change
3) Governments agreed on the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognising
that this will take longer for developing countries
4) To undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science
Source: European Commission
Most Related Links :
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Decline in oil prices to bode well for Pakistan‘s economy:

Fawad
Business Recorder 27 Nov, 2021
Oil prices in the international market have come down says the information minister. BR
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that the drop in
oil prices would bode well for Pakistan's economy.
Talking to media persons on Saturday, the minister, while briefing on the economic situation of
the country, said that fortunately, oil prices in the international market have come down.
He said that the effect of the decline in oil prices on the economy would be seen in two months.
―If the trend continues, and oil prices continue to decline, it will have a positive impact on
Pakistan's economy,‖ said Fawad.
Oil prices plunged $10 a barrel on Friday, their largest one-day drop since April 2020, as a new
variant of the coronavirus irked investors, fanning concerns that a supply surplus could swell in
the first quarter.
Brent crude settled down $9.50, or 11.6%, to $72.72 a barrel, a weekly decline of more than 8%.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled down $10.24 on Friday, or 13.1%, at $68.15 a
barrel.
Meanwhile, the federal minister said that Pakistan's economic problems are declining and the
economy is moving towards stability.
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
The government spokesperson lauded the role of Saudi Arabia for providing financial assistance
to Pakistan. Under the $4.2-billion Saudi funding facility, $3 billion will be deposited in
Pakistan's central bank and $1.2 billion will be used for to finance the oil derivatives trade.
―The agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is also in its final stages all these
developments will bring economic stability in the country,‖ said the minister.
He added that food prices have also fallen this week registering a decline of 0.67%.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ended November 25, recorded a decrease of
0.67 percent due to decrease in the prices of tomatoes (15.42 percent), onions (7.43 percent),
chicken (6.62 percent), sugar (1.87 percent), wheat flour (0.95 percent), LPG (0.73 percent), and
rice Irri (0.59 percent), says the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
However, inflationary pressure has persisted in Pakistan for months with the rupee nearing its
historic low once again on Friday. Headline inflation clocked in at over 9% in October with
expectations higher for the figure in November.
This story first appeared in Business Recorder on November 27 2021
https://www.aaj.tv/news/30272261
Two Myanmar-China Border Crossings Re-open For Trade

Faizan Hashmi 2 days ago Sat 27th November 2021 | 06:47 PM
Two Myanmar-China border crossings have

re-opened for trade after the movement of
goods was suspended for almost seven months
due to Covid-19 restrictions, officials said
Yangon, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News
- 27th Nov, 2021 ) :Two Myanmar-
China border crossings have re-opened for trade
after the movement of goods was suspended for
almost seven months due to Covid-19
restrictions, officials said.Five shipping
containers of produce were exchanged on Friday
at the Kyin San Kyawt border gate, around 11
kilometres (6.8 miles) from the
northern Myanmar city of Muse.Min Thein, vice-
chair of the Muse Rice Wholesale Centre, said an estimated 800,000 bags of rice had been in
limbo since the border was shut in April.
"It will take one month to export all these rice bags," he told AFP.China says it will allow more
trucks to cross next week.Elsewhere in Myanmar's Shan state, the Chinshwehaw border gate also
re-opened for commerce Friday, the Chinese embassy in Yangon said.
"China-Myanmar border trade is trying to return to normal as soon as possible," the embassy
posted on Facebook alongside pictures of container trucks and officials in full plastic protective
gear.
The border shutdowns came as a huge blow to Myanmar's agricultural export sector with
hundreds of millions of Dollars in revenue lost.
The country's economy has tanked since February's military coup sparked widespread protests,
bloodshed and international sanctions.
Myanmar typically exports seafood, fruit and rice to China via land routes while it receives
electronics, medicine and construction materials in return.
The trade disruptions increased the cost of living for families living in Myanmar border towns.
"food and clothes that come from China now have a higher price," a woman from Muse told
AFP.
"We have many difficulties as our income cannot keep up with the price of goods."
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/two-myanmar-china-border-crossings-re-open-fo-
1412088.html
Black rice production in Assam now

Posted By: Gopi November 28, 2021
New Delhi/Guwahati, Nov 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Black rice is well suited for Assam soils and
weather conditions, carrying a huge opportunity for its commercial production. The World Bank-
funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation project (APART), has begun production
of new black rice varieties from different states of India.
The crop is expected to be harvested within the next week from the project wherein the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has embarked on this ambitious collaboration with
the Government of Assam under the APART, IRRI said in a release.
Amongst the many varieties available, black rice has seen increasing market demand in different
parts of the country due to its high nutritional value. India being a predominantly rice producing
nation, has a plethora of varieties, each having different nutritional properties, characteristics,
and climatic preferences.
"In this Sali season (rice grown in winters), IRRI - under APART - provided 60 kg of Manipuri
black rice, 30 kg of Kalamalifula and 22 kg of Kalavati amongst a few selected farmers of
Goalpara district in Assam. The Manipuri black rice variety is introduced from Manipur whereas
other two black rice varieties namely Kalamalifula and Kalavati were introduced from Odisha,"
the release said.
The seeds of these varieties were sown on a total area of 17.6 bighas of land, comprising
Manipuri black rice in 10 bigha, Kalavati in 3.6 bigha and Kalamalifula in 4.0 bigha as
demonstration plots.
These demonstrations are aimed to link the farmers with the buyers for higher returns and to
make available good quality seed for future use. "With the current demand for black rice due to
its high nutritional value and health benefits, IRRI under APART aims at increasing areas with
black rice production in the coming days," the release said.
"IRRI has also introduced the crop cafeteria of the premium quality rice (PQR) varieties along
with the indigenous rice varieties for comparative analysis, evaluation and selection. The purpose
of the crop cafeteria is to provide an opportunity to the farmers and extension functionaries to
select the best performing varieties of their preference for further adoption on their fields," said
Dr Kanwar Singh, resident coordinator & Senior Associate Scientist II at the IRRI.
Source: IANS
https://www.socialnews.xyz/2021/11/28/black-rice-production-in-assam-
now/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Ravinder Bhogal‘s recipe for honey and lemon roast chicken

with jewelled pilau rice
Ravinder Bhogal
Sat 27 Nov 2021 03.30 EST
Dried fruits are a speciality of the Levant, and bring festive luxuriousness to these dishes of
fragrant roast chicken and nutty, chewy jewelled pilau rice
Ravinder Bhogal's perfumed honey and preserved lemon roast chicken with quince. Photograph:
Louise Hagger/The Guardian. Food styling: Emily Kydd. Prop styling: Jennifer Kay. Photo
assistant and retouching: Sophie Bronze. Food styling assistant: Jessica Geddes.
Fresh and dried seasonal fruits such as quinces, cranberries, figs, apples, pears, raisins, prunes, dates and
currants are obvious choices for cakes and pastries, but shouldn‘t be reserved exclusively for puddings.
When they are combined with heady spices such as saffron, cinnamon and cardamom, they bring an
ambrosial lusciousness to roast meats and poultry, stews and curries, and rice and grain pilafs. This
imaginative and delicious way of adding fruit to savoury dishes has long been popular in North Africa
and across the Middle East, and feels opulent and celebratory, making it ideal for the festive period.
Perfumed honey and preserved lemon roast chicken with quince
Across the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean, quinces are highly prized, but in Britain we don‘t
really seem to know what to make of this sweetly scented fruit that‘s inedible when raw. Here, as the
chicken cooks, the quince caramelises in the fat, honey and spices, and imparts its own unique perfume
and flavour to the dish.
Christmas roast turkey and trimmings, with an Ottolenghi twist – recipes
Prep 45 min
Cook 1 hr 10 min
Rest 15 min
1 x 1½kg chicken
Sea salt and pepper
100g unsalted butter
1 heaped tsp ground ginger
1 heaped tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp allspice berries, ground
1 tsp saffron strands, pounded
½ tsp turmeric
A generous grating of nutmeg
5 fat garlic cloves, peeled
1 preserved lemon
2 tbsp clear honey
1 red onion, unpeeled and cut in half
1½ lemons, the ½ lemon juiced and the whole lemon cut in half
2 bay leaves
4 quinces, peeled and cut into wedges
200ml chicken stock
A few drops of good-quality rose water (I like Cortas)
Season the chicken all over, including inside the cavity, with salt and pepper. Heat the oven to 200C/180C
fan/390F/gas 6.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over a low heat, then stir in the ginger, cinnamon, allspice, saffron, turmeric
and nutmeg. Blitz the garlic and the flesh and skin of the preserved lemon until finely chopped, then add
to the melted butter. Stir well and leave to infuse gently over a low heat for five minutes. Whisk in the
honey, then set aside to cool.
Massage the skin of the chicken, pinching and loosening it over the breast area, then push your fingers
under the breast skin and pull it away from the flesh, taking care not to tear it. Anoint the chicken with the
melted butter, and push the pulpy lemon and garlic mix under the loosened breast skin. Stuff the onion,
lemon and bay leaves in the cavity.
Lay the quince in a roasting tray, then pour over the lemon juice. Lay the chicken breast side down on top
and pour the stock over the fruit. Roast for half an hour, then turn the chicken breast side up and baste
with the cooking juices. Cover tightly with foil and roast for another half an hour (by roasting it upside
down first, the juices from the fatty skin underneath the chicken drip down and baste the meat, meaning
the breast will be moist and succulent).
Remove the foil and roast for 10 more minutes to crisp up the skin. Remove, sprinkle with rose water,
cover tightly with foil and rest for 10–15 minutes before carving. The rose water will add a wonderful
perfume and gentle sweetness to this already fragrant dish.
 UK readers: click to buy these ingredients from Ocado
Jewelled nut and cranberry rice pilaf
Ravinder Bhogal‘s jewelled nut and cranberry rice pilaf.

The rice is cooked in the Persian-style to get a crust, or tahdig. Along with the textural contrast of fluffy
rice, soft fruits and crunchy nuts, this makes for a sensational crowdpleaser that‘s delicious as a side to the
chicken or even on its own with a dollop of yoghurt.
Prep 15 min
Soak 30 min
Cook 50 min
Serves 4-6
300g basmati rice
Sea salt, to taste
60g ghee (I love Superghee)
50g flaked almonds
6 cardamom pods, bruised
1 tsp cumin
1 cinnamon quill, broken up
1 red onion, peeled and finely sliced
5cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely sliced into matchsticks
50g each dried cranberries and golden raisins, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes, then drained
1 large pinch saffron, soaked in 150ml hot water
50g nibbed pistachios
1 large handful finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Soak the rice in a large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Drain, then par-cook in a pan of boiling salted
water for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold running water to refresh, drain again and set aside.
Heat the ghee in a wide casserole over a medium heat. Fry the almonds until golden, then remove with a
slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
Add the cardamom, cumin and cinnamon to the pot, fry briefly until fragrant, then add the sliced onions
and saute until caramelised.
Add the ginger, fry until fragrant, then add half the rice and spread evenly in the base of the pan. Cook,
without stirring, until a golden crust forms on the bottom – this will take eight to 10 minutes – then scatter
over the cranberries and sultanas, and pile the remaining rice in the centre of the pan to form a mound. Do
not stir.
Pour in the saffron water, cover the pan with a lid and leave cook for 15 minutes. Take off the heat and set
aside, still covered, to steam for about five minutes. Garnish with the nuts and parsley, and serve warm
with the chicken.
Fiona Beckett‘s drinks match I‘m tempted to suggest an orange wine to go with this exotic recipe – it
tends to go particularly well with quince – but that might be a step too far for Christmas. White Rhône or
Roussillon would be a less challenging choice: try Domaine Lafage Centenaire 2020 (£11.60
vinvm.co.uk), a luscious blend of grenache and roussanne or, from next month, Aldi‘s Vacqueyras Blanc
2020 (£9.99, 13.5%), which is part of that supermarket‘s new Winemaster‘s Lot range.
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/nov/27/honey-lemon-roast-chicke
Don‘t deride Sri Lankan scientists

2021/11/29
By
Dilshan Nadeera
I have been watching with interest the exchange of views among several parties that commenced
with the Article written by Prof. Chandre Dharmawardana to which Mr. Chris
Dharmakeerti responded. My name and some of my research publications have been quoted in
these exchanges. I myself responded to Prof. Dharmawardena stating that I don‘t belong to the
‗Natha Deviyo Group‘ and he has kindly said that he never did so. I‘m sorry for my mistake.
Yes, Prof. Dharmawardhana, Dr. Waidyanatha and myself have known each other for over 50
years. Both of them were a couple years senior to me and were serving as junior temporary staff
members at the University of Ceylon, Colombo (at that time) when I was a final year undergrad
student following a special degree. Immediately after my graduation I was appointed to the
academic staff of the University of Ceylon
Peradeniya (later University of Peradeniya) and continued to serve the University for 40 years
until my retirement in 2006. During this period, I was the Head of the Dept of Botany (five
times), Dean, Graduate Studies, Dean Faculty of Science and acting Vice Chancellor during the
most difficult period of 1989/90. While attached to the UoP, I made use of sabbatical and
vacation leave to work at the International Rice Research Institute Philippines, the International
Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, and at the
Washington State University and the San Jose State University in the USA. I‘m not trying to
brag, but writing all this to educate people like Bodhi Dhanapala who write derogatory, baseless
insinuations in his emails as if we are petty thieves.
I share the patent on Prof Gamini Seneviratne‘s innovation Biofilm Biofertiliser (BFBF) on
invitation because I was the supervisor for his PhD research studies during which he learnt a lot
on soil microbiology and also gave him useful advice at the time he was venturing to study
rhizosphere microorganisms and develop multi-microbial inoculants. I have not participated in
the large-scale field trials he conducted with BFBFs. I think he has effectively replied to his
critics, subsequently supported by Prof. Ben Basnayake.
Now I will focus on my own work which also has come under scrutiny. Prof. Dhamawardana
quotes some of my publications of 2012 and 2016 where he claims that I have written only of ‗a
potential or encouraging results‘ but not for large scale application by farmers. I fully agree.
Those are publications on cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and Azolla. Even today my position
is they only have a potential which has yet to be realised and not yet ready to be recommended
for the farmers. What I wrote about applying N2-fixing biofertilisers refer to Rhizobial
inoculants which form symbiotic root nodules with leguminous crops. Please read my write up
carefully and you will find a statement that ‗out of all N2-fixing organisms and systems
application of rhizobial inoculants was the most successful. This technology is nothing new. In
fact, it is more than 125 years old! The first rhizobial inoculant with the commercial name
Nitragin was patented in the USA in 1896 by Nobbe and Hiltner. Afterwards, this technology
was adopted worldwide. Howeison and Herridge (2005) reported that Australia is
annually saving 3 billion dollars by the judicious use of rhizobial inoculants. Sri Lanka imports
40% of our mung bean requirements from Australia.
We adopted the technology of using rhizobia native to Sri Lanka and embedding them in a local
carrier material (modified coir dust) which enabled us to field test and eventually recommend it
for large scale application. In adopting this technology for Sri Lanka, we have gone through
several years of study. Commencing with basic studies of isolation, purification, characterisation
and identification of rhizobia from local legumes (crop and wild) we have built up a germplasm
of rhizobial isolates.
These have been authenticated and screened under greenhouse conditions to select the best
strains for different crops, field tested in small plots in collaboration with the Department of
Agriculture at HORDI and other research stations. In the final stages of transfer of technology,
the most promising strains were used in large-scale field trials, some of which were conducted
with the participation of farmers under our strict supervision and those of the field officers of the
Plenty Foods company. It is after more than 20 years of painstaking research studies that we
were able to get a breakthrough and transfer rhizobial inoculant technology to Sri Lankan
farmers.
The Department of Agriculture got confidence in our products in 2017. That year they used our
inoculants for extensive field cultivation of soybean. Their trials were successful and we were
presented with a CD containing 100 photos of their cultivations with our inoculants. Two such
photos are reproduced with this article.
Today, the best customers for our inoculants are the Central and Provincial Departments of
Agriculture. Our team at the NIFS, which produces and market these inoculants (with the
approval of the NIFS Board of Management) was felicitated a few months back by the Governor
of the Central Province for the services rendered to the bean farmers from Hanguranketha to
Welimada for low cost, eco-friendly bean cultivation. It is not easy to get a new technology
accepted by farmers. By August this year we have supplied inoculants for more than 15,000
acres and more orders are coming. All these results of our work with rhizobial inoculants were
presented at the Post-`Covid international symposium of the NSF and eventually published in its
Proceedings. This is the Kulasooriya et al (2021) publication I have quoted in my write up.
I believe I have provided enough evidence to show that our efforts are to provide as much as
possible some technologies based upon local resources for low cost, eco-friendly crop production
and not a scam as some expatriates seem to think. They must not make baseless insinuations
against genuine local scientists.
Prof. S. A. Kulasooriya
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:k5ZHHkhScikJ:island.lk/dont-
deride-sri-lankan-scientists/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Asif Ali Gohar: A Call To Investors To Invest In Vegan

Leather
By
GetNews
Published
November 26, 2021
Hamburg, Germany – Asif Ali Gohar has a keen interest in looking for vegan leather
substitutes for a long time now. He is originally from Karachi, Pakistan, but he moved to
Germany when he was twelve years old. Three years later, Asif turned vegan because he did not
like that we kill animals for food.
Such conscious and mindful thinking is what made him take an interest in this process at a young
age. However, a high school project was a significant catalyst that grew Asif‘s interest in vegan
alternatives to leather. During this time, Asif began exploring how leather could be manufactured
without having to kill animals.
After high school, Asif began studying at the University of Hamburg, where his major was
business administration. During his time in college, Asif began testing rice as a substitute for
leather. He was doing this at home without any investment, and he finally found a way to convert
rice to a leather simile.
Asif uses rice as the primary agent that works as a substitute for leather. However, other
ingredients help this process even better, including yeast and acetic acid bacteria, to make the
vegan leather solid. The primary reason why Asif chose rice was of his heritage and the
following facts:
 Pakistan is one of the leading leather producers with more than $870 million in exports.
That totals to 4% of Pakistan‘s GDP
 Pakistan is the tenth biggest rice exporter. It contributes 8% to the world rice trade
Because of these facts, Pakistan is the best place where Asif can look for contacts to make vegan
leather. After all, vegan leather is the future, and Pakistani investors can jump on this bandwagon
earlier than other countries. Moreover, it will help leather and rice businesses to enhance their
exports and trade even further.
A Call To Investors:
If you are an investor in Pakistan looking to enhance leather exports, Asif Ali Gohar has the ideal
opportunity for you. Any leather or rice manufacturer or producer can contact Asif to help his
venture and your business. Moreover, your investment will open up new trading opportunities as
you can begin to dip your hands in the international vegan leather market.
Many foreign countries are already working on vegan leather substitutes, and soon real leather
will be obsolete. Pakistani leather and rice producers can use Asif‘s venture to stay in alignment
with the international market and gain a competitive advantage. You can use this to increase
leather and rice exports even further in no time. So, if you are looking to make an investment in
the future of leather, you can contact Asif Ali Gohar.
Asif is passionate about changing the world of leather, and your investment can help him. But, of
course, it will also help you dip your hands in the international vegan leather market and enjoy
the profits. For more information, please feel free to get in touch with Asif today.
Media Contact
Company Name: Headlineplus
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: Send Email
Country: Germany
Website: https://www.instagram.com/talentsbysafa/
https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/asif-ali-gohar-a-call-to-investors-to-invest-in-vegan-
leather
They propose to genetically modify rice to adapt it to

climate change
By Newsroom Infobae
November 11, 2021
File image of a group of flamingos feeding in a rice field in the surroundings of La Albufera
Natural Park (Valencia). EFE / Manuel Bruque
Barcelona (Spain), Nov 11 (EFE) .- Scientists and the rice sector are ready to use the new gene
editing tools to develop rice varieties more adapted to climate change, although they fear that
European legislation will put a brake on a rice transgenic.
This has been expressed by more than a hundred international experts in rice genetics who have
met in Barcelona (Spain) in the framework of the 18th International Symposium on Functional
Rice Genomics, focused on the impact of climate change on the cultivation of this cereal .
During the symposium, the first to be held in Spain and the third in Europe and in which Asian
representatives have had to participate telematically due to the restrictions to travel due to the
covid, industrialists, farmers, scientists and the administration have discussed the challenges that
climate change poses for the sector.
The CSIC research professor at the Center for Research in Agrigenomics (CRAG), Blanca San
Segundo, responsible for the organization of the congress, explained that "rice, the main food for
many of the world's population, is a crop that, on the one hand it contributes to climate change,
and on the other hand it is especially threatened by it ".
According to San Segundo, in the Mediterranean regions, climate change translates into an
increase in the salinity of the soils, a lack of water resources and a higher incidence of pests that
affect rice fields.
This makes it necessary to use fertilizers and pesticides to maintain high production levels in an
increasingly competitive market due to pressure from Asian countries.
Furthermore, in Spain, there is the paradox that rice is grown in areas of environmentally
protected natural spaces (Natural Parks of Delta del Ebro and Albufera de Valencia and Doñana
National Park), which are likely to receive the direct impact of use indiscriminate use of
agrochemicals.
"To overcome these difficulties it is necessary to introduce new strategies to maintain the
competitiveness of rice cultivation, without affecting these natural spaces," defended San
Segundo, who has pointed to the exploitation of the natural genetic variability of rice.
In the symposium they have presented results of sequencing studies of the genomes of thousands
of varieties of cultivated and wild rice, which allow us to know the genetics and biology behind
agronomic traits such as plant resistance to pyricurialosis (a disease produced by a fungus),
tolerance to salinity or the nutritional quality of the grain.
This knowledge can be translated into new varieties of rice that are more environmentally
sustainable, obtained through traditional breeding techniques or by biotechnology, according to
experts.
"At the symposium we have seen that using the CRISPR gene editing tool is absolutely feasible
in rice and can bring you many advantages: varieties improved in starch and amylose content,
more tolerant to salinity or resistant to some of the most common pathogens", according to the
CRAG scientist.
"All of this - he has pointed out - must be done in parallel to recovering varieties that may be
better adapted to current environmental conditions and needs."
Josep Maria Casacuberta, CSIC researcher at CRAG and expert on issues at the European Food
Safety Authority, explained that current European legislation "does not adjust well" to the use of
new genomic editing tools and that, in addition, it does "It is practically unfeasible, due to the
high cost and time, to approve genetically edited crops in Europe."
However, the researchers have explained that the genetic modifications that could be introduced
into crops using the CRISPR tool could be the same as those produced by traditional
mutagenesis methods, which are considered safe by the European Directive itself.
The participants in the symposium agreed that "it is necessary to update this legislation based on
current scientific knowledge, and train the consumer to understand that plants, like us, also have
genes and mutations."
https://www-infobae-com.translate.goog/america/agencias/2021/11/11/proponen-modificar-
geneticamente-el-arroz-para-adaptarlo-a-cambio-climatico
Businessmen want implementation of barter trade with Iran

KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry‘s (FPCCI)
Businessmen Panel has called for early implementation of barter trade mechanism signed
between Pakistan and Iran during the 9th Joint Trade Committee meeting held in Tehran to jack
up the bilateral trade to $5 billion annually, a statement said on Saturday.
Businessmen Panel chairman Mian Anjum Nisar said that Pakistan and Iran have signed an
agreement early this month during the visit of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and
Trade Abdul Razak Dawood to Tehran and the two countries had decided to initiate barter trade
within a month.
―All the relevant departments, particularly the central bank, instead of creating obstacles, should
start working on [the] implementation of the barter trade through approved crossing points
without any further delay, removing all bottlenecks for the smooth trade.‖
The FPCCI‘s former president appreciated Islamabad, as well as Tehran for taking serious
initiatives to remove hurdles to bilateral trade, asking Iran to also take benefits of the China-
Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. To meet the objective of barter trade mechanism both
parties must finalise an international mechanism to remove the impediments in the barter trade.
The barter trade is, in fact, a right decision, which could boost Pakistan‘s foreign exchange
reserves through escalation in exports, he added.
Mian Anjum Nisar said due to the lack of banking channels with Iran, some issues were existing
in trade with Tehran. The barter trade issue with Iran has now been resolved, which is a welcome
step for both the Muslim neighbouring nations.
The BMP chairman said the governments of Pakistan and Iran had decided that a barter trade
mechanism will be established between the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
Zahidan Chamber of Commerce and Industry or any other counterpart chambers, identifying
over 50 items for bilateral trade with rice and petroleum products at the top of the list.
The barter trade could be done via land route through legal Customs notified border crossing
points without any monetary transaction under the barter trade arrangement.
According to the agreement, the Pakistani importers will pay Pakistani exporters in lieu of goods
and services exported by them in rupees and the same mechanism will apply on the Iranian side.
On imports and exports of goods by either side, the party will submit documentary evidence such
as goods declaration to the focal persons at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
its counterpart Zahidan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other such chambers.
BMP presidential candidate of the FPCCI elections Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that Pakistan can
import liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran in exchange for rice under a barter arrangement
endorsed by the two countries.
―We will export rice to Iran and import LPG from there, as it is purely a barter deal. Iran faces
sanctions imposed by the United States, making it difficult for the global and regional countries
to broaden and deepen their trade ties with the administration in Tehran.‖
He also said the country‘s exports had increased 30 per cent, adding that more growth could still
be achieved by adopting product and geographical diversification.
Sheikh said that the efforts should also be initiated to sign a free trade agreement between Iran
and Pakistan, as both countries wanted to boost bilateral trade and economic relations to
strengthen regional economy.
He lauded the efforts of Razak Dawood, saying he played a vital role in increasing the trade
volume between the two countries and asked the businessmen to cement trade relations for
benefitting from each other‘s experience and boost trade activities between the countries.
The businessmen of Pakistan wanted to further strengthen bilateral trade between the two
countries by signing a free trade agreement, installation of an effective banking channel,
establishment of markets at the border region, elimination of illegal trade, exchange of business
delegations and organising joint trade exhibitions.
Sheikh invited the Iranian businessmen to invest in Pakistan in hydel power generation, marble,
mining, match, furniture, honey, gems and other sectors, saying that the promotion of regional
trade was the need of the hour.
There‘s a huge potential to further boost trade between Pakistan and Iran, which currently stands
at $359 million, he added.
https://www.bolnews.com/latest/2021/11/businessmen-want-implementation-of-barter-trade-
with-iran/
Baghel to urge PM to procure par-boiled rice
Saturday, 27 November 2021 | Staff Reporter | RAIPUR

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said he has sought time from the Prime
Minister to request him to also procure ‗Usna‘ (par-boiled) rice from the state.
The Central government has in principle granted permission to procure 61.65 lakh tonnes of
‗Arwa‘ rice to the Central pool but has stopped taking ‗Usna‘ (par-boiled) rice from this year, he
said.
So, Baghel said he and his Cabinet have sought time Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put
forward the demand.
Chhattisgarh Food and Civil Supplies Minister Amarjeet Bhagat earlier sought appointment with
Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal but the latter declined to meet,
Baghel said.
He said the state has 461 mills producing Usna (par-boiled) rice and has a milling capacity of
5.93 lakh tonnes. It will cause losses to millers and workers.
This year's target of paddy procurement is 105 lakh tones. The procurement will start in
Chhattisgarh from December 1.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/state-editions/baghel-to-urge-pm-to-procure-par-boiled-
rice.html
Pakistan, Russia to sign facilitation agreement on gas

pipeline
Several matters discussed in the intergovernmental commission meeting in Yekaterinburg
Irshad AnsariNovember 26, 2021
Russia has agreed to allow import of grains and rice from Pakistan on basis of technical
information.
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Russia agreed on Friday to develop and sign a facilitation agreement and
statutory documents of the Special Purpose Company (SPC) for the construction of the
―Pakistan Stream‖ gas pipeline, early next year.
During the three day meeting of the Russian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade,
Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation held in Yekaterinburg, Russia also agreed to
allow import of grains and rice from Pakistan.
A number of bilateral issues were discussed in the meeting, according to a statement issued here.
At the talks, the Pakistani side was led by Economic Affairs Minister Omer Ayub Khan, while
the Russian delegation was led by Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov.
The meeting noted that the bilateral trade turnover had increased by 45.8% compared to 2019 to
$789.8 million, but still it did not correspond to the existing potential. They agreed to continue
joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in the field of trade and investment.
The two sides agreed to develop and sign the facilitation agreement for the ―Pakistan Stream‖
gas pipeline by February 15 and sign statutory documents of the Special Purpose Company
(SPC) for the construction of the pipeline, by January 31.
In order to establish legal grounds for the development of customs cooperation, the two sides
agreed to continue joint work aimed at signing an agreement regarding cooperation and mutual
assistance in customs matters and the unified system of tariff preferences of the Eurasian
Economic Union.
The Russian side confirmed its interest in supplying and after-sales service of the Russian civil
aircraft to the Pakistan‘s state-owned and private organisations. It was also agreed that the draft
agreement between the two countries on international road transport would be finalised.
Both the sides agreed to cooperate in the field of pharmaceuticals; education, communications
and information technologies and the international information security. Pakistan also expressed
interest in connecting to the financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia (SPFS).
The Pakistan delegation included Economic Affairs Secretary Asad Hayauddin, Pakistan‘s
Ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan, and the representatives of the ministries of energy and
commerce Federal
Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant departments. The Russian side included
representatives of energy, trade, economy, agriculture, railways etc.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2331185/pakistan-russia-ink-key-agreements-on-economic-
cooperation
Telangana paddy procurement crisis: Farmers stare at

uncertain future
Telangana has produced 10.6 million tonnes of paddy during the Rabi season but the Food Corporation of
India has refused to purchase more than 6 million tonnes.
NEWS PADDY PROCUREMENT SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021 - 20:16
TNM Staff Follow @thenewsminute

The Union government stating that they will not purchase paddy from Telangana has farmers in
the state now staring at an uncertain future. On Friday, November 26, Union Minister for
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal made it clear that the Union
government will not purchase paddy from Telangana or declare the annual paddy procurement
target, which was the two primary demands raised by Telangana's delegation of ministers.
―We do not know what to do. There seems no hope, and we do not know whom we should
protest against. Our worry is whether the state government will at least purchase the produce
from the Kharif season,‖ lamented K Narayana, a farmer leader from the Rythu Aikya Vedika.
The delegation of ministers from Telangana had met the Union Minister in New Delhi
anticipating a positive response. However, the talks failed, following which Agriculture Minister
Niranjan Reddy expressed his disappointment. ―The Centre (Union government) already gave a
letter stating that it will procure 40 lakh tonnes of Kharif rice. We requested the Union Minister
to increase this target. But he did not give any concrete assurance. The attitude of the Centre is
very painful and disappointing,‖ Niranjan Reddy had said.
Niranjan Reddy said that if the Union government had given the annual paddy procurement
target, they would be able to communicate it with the farmers in the state and prepare them. The
Union government, however, failed to give these details, he said.
Piyush Goyal also said that he will not be able to give any assurance on the enhancement of
procurement of paddy from the Kharif season.
―Hundreds of farmers across the state have produced paddy. Now, what will happen to it? The
rice millers are also exploiting the situation and causing us losses,‖ Narayana said.
Telangana has produced 10.6 million tonnes of paddy during the Rabi season. The Food
Corporation of India has refused to purchase more than 6 million tonnes of paddy from the state.
The surplus production of paddy has affected farmers severely, who are queuing up at
procurement centres demanding the state government purchase the remaining stock.
In protest, the Congress party launched a two-day agitation on Saturday, November 27 at Dharna
Chowk, Hyderabad. Telangana Congress president Revanth Reddy blamed Chief Minister K
Chandrasekhar Rao for the present crisis and said that he has caused the disaster. Revanth
alleged that KCR is taking revenge on the farmers who defied his appeal last year and went
ahead with paddy cultivation.
Revanth alleged that both the TRS and BJP were in cahoots. ―The Telangana delegation
complained about the Telangana BJP urging farmers to produce paddy, for which the Union
Minister said that they will not make such statements further. What do you understand from this?
That both TRS and BJP clearly want to kill paddy farmers.‖
On Friday, a protest was led by the Rythu Aikya Vedika in Jagtial district, in which at least
10,000 farmers had participated. The farmers had taken out a rally to the District Collector‘s
office demanding the government procure paddy and maize which were getting damaged due to
the rains. Despite hours of protest, the District Collector did not meet the farmers or give them
any assurance.
Meanwhile, on Friday, November 26, the police stopped paddy trucks coming from Andhra
Pradesh at the Gadwal border and sent them back, as additional paddy coming from the
neighbouring state would further accentuate the crisis.
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/telangana-paddy-procurement-crisis-farmers-stare-
uncertain-future-158115
Centre: Paddy procurement from Telangana to

continue
DECCAN CHRONICLE. | DC CORRESPONDENT
PublishedNov 28, 2021, 6:47 am IST
UpdatedNov 28, 2021, 7:14 am IST
The Central government and the FCI decided not to procure parboiled rice from Telangana at all
Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar — Twitter
HYDERABAD: The Centre on Saturday clarified that the paddy procurement in
Telangana state would continue to take place as before at the existing MSP (minimum support
price) as per the MoU signed between the Telangana state government and the Food Corporation
of India (FCI).
A clarification issued by the spokesperson, department of food and public distribution,
Government of India, on Saturday, said, "It is to bring to the notice of all that a factually wrong
news is being spread around in a section of media that the Centre stopped paddy procurement
in the Telangana state. The department of food and public distribution clarified that all paddy
procurement in Telangana will continue as before at the existing MSP."
However, this clarification created more confusion as it did not specify whether it was about
kharif or rabi procurement or both.
It was only on Friday that Union food minister Piyush Goyal during his talks on paddy
procurement issue with the Telangana state government's delegation comprising of ministers S.
Niranjan Reddy, Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Ch Malla Reddy categorically stated that the Centre
would not procure paddy from Telangana state in rabi and also did not declare ongoing kharif
paddy procurement target.
With the Centre's clarification creating confusion, chief secretary Somesh Kumar sprung into
action to clear the air surrounding paddy procurement. In a press release issued here, the chief
secretary said, ―The Central government and the FCI decided not to procure parboiled rice from
Telangana at all. However, paddy grown in Telangana in the Yasangi (rabi) season is suitable
only for parboiled rice due to seasonal conditions. Therefore, it is pertinent that farmers should
not take up paddy cultivation in Yasangi. However, farmers who have tie-ups with seed
companies, rice millers or for self-consumption can take up paddy at their own risk."
The Chief Secretary held a video conference along with DGP M. Mahender Reddy with all the
district collectors, SPs, CPs, additional collectors, district agriculture officers, district supply
officers etc. on paddy procurement from BRKR Bhavan on Saturday.
"Certain instances of paddy coming from other states to our PPCs have been noticed. The
collectors and SPs/CPs are directed to ensure that no outside paddy is taken in the Telangana
PPCs. It will act against the interest of Telangana farmers. It is known that the Centre has
allotted only 40 lakh MTs of rice as target for procurement of Vanakalam 2021 (kharif) paddy
production," he stated.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/281121/centre-paddy-procurement-from-ts-to-
continue.html
Revanth asks Telangana to use revenue from liquor

applications to procure paddy
Raising questions about the ‗over-hyped‘ Delhi visit of the Chief Minister, he alleged that BJP
leaders had stopped visiting IKP centres after KCR‘s tour.
Published: 28th November 2021 09:32 AM | Last Updated: 28th November 2021 09:32 AM
Despite political rifts, TPCC leaders Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy and
Revanth Reddy share a light moment during the Vari Deeksha staged at Indira Park in
Hyderabad on Saturday.
By Express News Service
HYDERABAD: Referring to the massive amount of funds generated from liquor applications,
TPCC president A Revanth Reddy said that if the State government was serious about providing
succour to farmers, half those funds was enough to procure paddy from farmers.
Addressing party workers and farmers who had gathered in large numbers on the first day of the
‗Vari Deeksha‘ programme organised by TPCC‘s Kisan Cell at Indira Park, Revanth said that
KCR didn‘t have the right to continue as the Chief Minister, if he failed to procure paddy from
farmers.
Raising questions about the ‗over-hyped‘ Delhi visit of the Chief Minister, he alleged that BJP
leaders had stopped visiting IKP centres after KCR‘s tour. ―The TRS and BJP are two sides of
the same coin and incompetency on the part of both Modi and KCR are causing hardship to
farmers. They both will be hanged at the Ambedkar statues, if they fail to procure the paddy in
time,‖ he cautioned.
Former TPCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, while criticising the Chief Minister for the
inordinate delay in purchasing the paddy, expressed doubts over whether the government had
colluded with the rice millers. ―By delaying the purchase, the government has been forcing the
farmers to sell off their produce to millers at `1,300 or `1,400 per quintal, while the MSP is
`1,960 per quintal,‖ he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The deeksha aimed to mount pressure on the government to procure paddy and will continue on
Sunday as well. It received support from Left parties like CLP (ML) New Democracy,
independent farmers organisation Rythu Swarajya Vedika and other groups. Congress leaders,
including Revanth, camped at Dharna Chowk for the night.
Modi, KCR will be hanged: TPCC chief
Raising questions about the CM‘s ‗over-hyped‘ Delhi visit, he said, ―The TRS and BJP are two
sides
of the same coin and incompetency on the part of both Modi and KCR are causing hardships to
farmers. Both of them will be hanged at Ambedkar statues, if they fail to procure the paddy in
time‖
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2021/nov/28/revanth-asks-
telanganato-use-revenue-from-liquor-applications-to-procur
Ryots asked not to raise paddy in rabi

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, NOVEMBER 28, 2021 00:12 IST
Speed up kharif procurement, Chief Secretary tells officials
A day after the Union government made it clear to the State government that it would
not procure parboiled rice from Telangana from this year with an advice against
cultivating paddy this rabi season, the State government has given a call to the farming
community against taking up paddy cultivation in rabi.
Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar along with Director General of Police M. Mahender
Reddy held a video conference on Saturday with all District Collectors,
Superintendents of Police, Commissioners of Police, Additional Collectors, District
Agriculture Officers, District Supply Officers and others on procurement of paddy
pertaining to the recent kharif season and on educating farmers against taking up paddy
cultivation this rabi season.
The Chief Secretary explained that the Union Government represented by Food
Corporation of India (FCI) had decided not to procure parboiled rice from Telangana
from now on. He however stated that paddy grown in Telangana in Yasangi (rabi)
season was suitable only for processing as parboiled rice due to the local seasonal
conditions.
As a result, it had become imperative to the farming community not take up paddy
cultivation in rabi. However, farmers who have tie-up either with seed companies or
rice millers could cultivate paddy in rabi. Besides, farmers could also raise the crop for
self-consumption or at their own risk.
On the ongoing exercise of procurement of paddy produce in kharif, the Chief
Secretary told the officials to speed up procurement. He told the District Collectors to
ensure the procurement exercise happens smoothly and told them to take decision on
opening paddy procurement centres (PPCs) as per requirement. He also told the
Collectors and other senior officers to visit PPCs regularly to resolve issues, if any.
No from other States
The Chief Secretary also cautioned the officials against allowing paddy from the
neighbouring States stating that certain instances of paddy from other States coming to
PPCs were noticed already. He instructed the Collectors, SPs and CPs to ensure that no
outside paddy is purchased/produced in Telangana PPCs.
He said allowing paddy from other States at PPCs in Telangana would be against the
interests of the State‘s farmers. He also stated that the Centre had indicated about lifting
only 40 lakh tonnes of raw rice of the recent kharif season.
On milling of paddy purchased at PPCs, the Chief Secretary told the Collectors to speed
up milling of paddy to process it as custom milled rice (CMR). It is also important to
dispatch CMR immediately after processing to ensure that there is no shortage of space
for paddy stock coming from PPCs.
KCR to brief party MPs
Meanwhile, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will discuss the refusal of Centre to
buy paddy from the State in the ongoing rabi at a meeting of the parliamentary party of
TRS on Sunday. He will guide the TRS MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the
party strategy in the winter session of the Parliament, which is beginning from Monday,
a release said.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/ryots-asked-not-to-raise-paddy-in-
rabi/arti
Telangana govt asks farmers not to cultivate paddy after

Center‘s snub
News Desk| Published: 28th November 2021 3:16 pm IST
Photo: PTI
Hyderabad: With the Centre turning down the Telangana government‘s demand to procure
paddy, the state government here has asked farmers not to produce the crop during the Rabi
season.
The Telangana government has also imposed restrictions on paddy crops coming in from other
states, as district collectors and superintendents of police have been ordered to prevent such
vehicles from entering the state. According to the government, these steps are being taken to
protect the interest of the farmers in the state.
According to a Times of India report, Telangana chief secretary Somesh Kumar said, ―Farmers
who have tie-ups with seed companies and rice millers or for self-consumption can take up
paddy cultivation at their own risk. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will not procure
parboiled rice from Telangana.‖
Kumar has asked district collectors to open t procurement centers in order to the farmers. He also
asked them to visit the centers on a regular basis. However, the Food Corporation of India (FCI)
maintained that it would purchase paddy from the state, as per the MoU signed with the Centre.
An FCI official clarified the issue saying, ―A factually wrong news is being spread around that
the Centre has stopped paddy procurement in Telangana for the Kharif season. The department
of food and public distribution has clarified that paddy procurement in Telangana will continue
as before at the existing MSP.‖
It is said that the center would procure approximately 40 metric tonnes of paddy from the state.
However, the state has been warned not to pressurise the center to buy the parboiled rice
https://www.siasat.com/telangana-govt-asks-farmers-not-to-cultivate-paddy-after-centers-
snub-22321
Accept our paddy, beg Telangana farmers; no space,

say millers
Upset farmers are recording the voices of millers as they reject their paddy and are sharing them
online in hope of government intervention.
Published: 29th November 2021 09:25 AM | Last Updated: 29th November 2021 09:25
AM |
Bags of paddy piled up at a storage facility. (Representational photo| EPS)
By Express News Service
KARIMNAGAR: The fate of farmers who had brought their Kharif paddy to procurement
centres over two weeks ago hangs in the balance as rice millers continue to refuse their crop.
Ellala Rajashekar, a farmer from Itkyala village in Jagtial district, had filled his gunny bags with
42.5 kg of paddy each and had unloaded them at an IKP centre about 15 days ago. As he
returned home, he received a phone call from the IKP centre, stating that rice millers weren‘t
accepting his produce as there‘s excess paddy in his bags.
Ordinarily, a bag can have 40 kg of paddy in it. But farmers usually stuff another 2 kg of paddy,
citing moisture content and dust, so they can sell their produce off quickly. Another farmer
named Ganga Reddy said that if the millers force them to remove 2 kg of paddy from every bag,
they will face heavy losses.
Upset over the developments, farmers have begun recording the voices of millers as they
verbally reject their paddy and are circulating it across social media platforms, in hopes of
government intervention. They want the State to help them sell their existing Kharif produce and
give them directions on what to cultivate in the Rabi season.
We are not at fault, claims rice millers
ADVERTISEMENT
Rice millers, meanwhile, claim that they‘re ready to accept paddy from farmers but there‘s not
enough space to store them. ―If the Food Corporation of India (FCI) lifts custom milled rice from
our mills, we will have enough space to stock the paddy procured from the farmers,‖ said Rice
Millers‘ Association State joint secretary Boinpalli Narsing Rao.
―This is a technical issue. Farmers should understand our concerns too. The government should
take necessary action to resolve this issue. We are unnecessarily being blamed,‖ he said. In the
erstwhile Karimnagar district, there are 700 rice mills that work with parboiled and raw rice. It
is, in fact, the second-highest rice mill zone in Telangana after Nalgonda district
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2021/nov/29/accept-our-paddy-beg-
telangana-farmers-no-space-say-millers
798 Rythu Bharosa Kendrams set up to procure paddy

Chowdari Lakshmana Rao
Hans News Service | 28 Nov 2021 7:05 PM GMT
HIGHLIGHTS
Paddy procurement started at all 798 Rythu Bharosa Kendrams (RBKs) set up across the
district. Previously paddy purchasing centres (PPC) were arranged to procure paddy from
farmers as they were facing trouble to carry their produce to PPCs.
Srikakulam: Paddy procurement started at all 798 Rythu Bharosa Kendrams (RBKs) set up
across the district. Previously paddy purchasing centres (PPC) were arranged to procure paddy
from farmers as they were facing trouble to carry their produce to PPCs. Payment of transport
charges also became an issue earlier. Now, the government changed the system to procure paddy
and improved RBKs as PPCs and farmers can easily carry their produce at RBKs available
locally at their respective grama panchayat limits. Paddy crop is cultivated in an extent of 4.93
lakh acres across the district during the kharif season which reached to harvesting stage. Total
paddy procurement target fixed as 8 lakh metric tonnes across the district this year. Payment for
the paddy produce will be deposited in the farmers' accounts within 21 days after procurement
and rice millers will not be involved in this regard. Moisture content can be allowed up to 17 per
cent per quintal paddy produce and officials directed millers not to create any trouble after
procurement of paddy in the name of quality and moisture.
https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/798-rythu-bharosa-kendrams-set-up-to-
procure-paddy-71
Asif Ali Gohar: A Call To Investors To Invest In Vegan

Leather
By GetNews
Published:November 26, 2021
Hamburg, Germany – Asif Ali Gohar has a keen interest in looking for vegan leather
substitutes for a long time now. He is originally from Karachi, Pakistan, but he moved to
Germany when he was twelve years old. Three years later, Asif turned vegan because he did not
like that we kill animals for food.
Such conscious and mindful thinking is what made him take an interest in this process at a young
age. However, a high school project was a significant catalyst that grew Asif‘s interest in vegan
alternatives to leather. During this time, Asif began exploring how leather could be manufactured
without having to kill animals.
After high school, Asif began studying at the University of Hamburg, where his major was
business administration. During his time in college, Asif began testing rice as a substitute for
leather. He was doing this at home without any investment, and he finally found a way to convert
rice to a leather simile.
Asif uses rice as the primary agent that works as a substitute for leather. However, other
ingredients help this process even better, including yeast and acetic acid bacteria, to make the
vegan leather solid. The primary reason why Asif chose rice was of his heritage and the
following facts:
 Pakistan is one of the leading leather producers with more than $870 million in exports.
That totals to 4% of Pakistan‘s GDP
 Pakistan is the tenth biggest rice exporter. It contributes 8% to the world rice trade
Because of these facts, Pakistan is the best place where Asif can look for contacts to make vegan
leather. After all, vegan leather is the future, and Pakistani investors can jump on this bandwagon
earlier than other countries. Moreover, it will help leather and rice businesses to enhance their
exports and trade even further.
A Call To Investors:
If you are an investor in Pakistan looking to enhance leather exports, Asif Ali Gohar has the ideal
opportunity for you. Any leather or rice manufacturer or producer can contact Asif to help his
venture and your business. Moreover, your investment will open up new trading opportunities as
you can begin to dip your hands in the international vegan leather market.
Many foreign countries are already working on vegan leather substitutes, and soon real leather
will be obsolete. Pakistani leather and rice producers can use Asif‘s venture to stay in alignment
with the international market and gain a competitive advantage. You can use this to increase
leather and rice exports even further in no time. So, if you are looking to make an investment in
the future of leather, you can contact Asif Ali Gohar.
Asif is passionate about changing the world of leather, and your investment can help him.
But, of course, it will also help you dip your hands in the international vegan leather
market and enjoy the profits. For more information, please feel free to get in touch with
Asif today
https://usnewswire.org/2021/11/26/asif-ali-gohar-a-call-to-investors-to-invest-in-vegan-
leather/
After Centre's push, Telangana govt tells farmers not
to grow paddy
Koride Mahesh / TNN / Updated: Nov 28, 2021, 05:38 IST
HYDERABAD: After the Centre made it clear that it would not procure parboiled rice in the
forthcoming rabi season, the Telangana government has asked farmers not to cultivate paddy in
the rabi season.
The government has also decided not to allow paddy from other states to land at the procurement
centres in the state and directed district collectors and superintendents of police to prevent
vehicles carrying paddy from entering into the state. The government said it had taken this step
to protect the interests of Telangana farmers.
"Farmers who have tie-ups with seed companies and rice millers or for self-consumption can
take up paddy cultivation at their own risk," chief secretary Somesh Kumar said on Saturday. He
said the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will not procure parboiled rice from Telangana.
The CS said this was decided during a video-conference FCI held with district collectors,
agriculture and civil supplies departments officials. M Mahendar Reddy, DGP, was also present
at the meeting.
Sources said the state government took the decision after a delegation led by agriculture minister
S Niranjan Reddy, ministers Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Ch Malla Reddy, and Somesh Kumar failed
to extract any assurance from the Centre on enhancement of paddy procurement quota when it
met Union food minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi on Friday.
The Centre was also evasive on setting an annual target for procurement.
Open new paddy procurement centres: CS tells collectors
As the farmers were concerned over delay in procurement of paddy in the current kharif season,
the CS directed the collectors to open new paddy procurement centres (PPCs), if required, and
visit them regularly. Collectors have also been asked to speed up milling of paddy to rice to
avoid space shortage for new procurement.
Earlier in the day, FCI said the Centre would procure paddy from Telangana as per the MoU
entered with the state government at the existing minimum support price (MSP) for the current
kharif season.
Denying that the Centre had totally stopped procurement, FCI officials said: "A factually wrong
news is being spread around that the Centre has stopped paddy procurement in Telangana for the
kharif season. The department of food and public distribution has clarified that paddy
procurement in Telangana will continue as before at the existing MSP."
The FCI had entered into an agreement with the state government to procure 40 lakh metric
tonnes of paddy in this kharif season. It had also taken an undertaking from Telangana that the
state will not insist on the FCI to buy boiled rice in the rabi season. During the meeting with
Telangana ministers on Friday, Goyal is believed to have told them that the Centre cannot buy
boiled rice as there was no market for it in the country.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/after-centres-push-telangana-govt-tells-
farmers-not-to-grow-paddy/articleshow/87956254.cms
How do scientist know what's farm fire, what's not
Priyangi Agarwal
TNN
Nov 28, 2021, 11:45 IST
Scientists separate fire from fire from satellite images to zero in on farm residue burning
cases
NEW DELHI: At the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling
from Space (CREAMS) Laboratory at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), scientists
are busy counting India‘s stubble fires. But how do they know what is stubble fire and what
isn't? Though complex, this is how it is done.
Three US satellites — SNPP VIIRS, Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS — pass over India during
the night and the scientists collate the data. After the satellites capture the images of all fire
counts, the scientists spend hours analysing them and removing those that are not active paddy
residue burning cases.
―There are many brick kilns in north India and the fires in these are also captured. Similar is the
case with solar parks where the solar panels heat up and are reflected as fires in the satellite
imagery. Farmers across the country burn other crop residue too, such as in sugarcane fields in
UP by November-end,‖ explains Vinay Sehgal, principal scientist and in-charge of CREAMS
laboratory. ―However, a forest fire burns for hours to days, while paddy residue burning is for
around 20 minutes to an hour.‖
https://www.urduvoa.com/a/covid19-booster-may-protect-against-variants-27nov2021/6330
Chinese Agricultural Commissioner honoured with
Global Ambassador Award
Last Updated: 2021-11-28 18:42 | Gwadar Pro
by Muhammad Asif Noor
As a public diplomacy initiative, the Diplomatic Insight Group organised the 4th Global
Ambassadors Award Ceremony to acknowledge the services of ambassadors and diplomats,
heads of international organisations, businessmen for the promotion of the people-to-people
communication, business, trade, and constructive bilateral relations with their respective states
and missions.
As a result of outstanding contribution towards building Pakistan‘s strong partnership on

agriculture with China, on behalf of the people of Pakistan, the Diplomatic Insight Group
conferred an award to Dr Gu Wenliang, Agricultural Commissioner, Embassy of the People‘s
Republic of China in Pakistan. This was a humble tribute to his hard work and commitment to
promoting agriculture cooperation especially as we are in the second phase of CPEC.
Owning a PhD in Agronomy in 2012, from Hainan University, China, with a major in Plant
Molecular Genetics, Dr Gu Wenliang is the perfect person to be the Agricultural Commissioner
at the Embassy of People‘s Republic of China in Pakistan.
Initially, he served as a Researcher at the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences

from 2012 to 2019 and then works as the Agricultural Commissioner at the Embassy of the
People‘s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In Pakistan, he has focused on the agricultural exchange and cooperation between the two
countries, promoting close ties including chambers of commerce, research institutes, and
businesses groups, and implementing agricultural cooperation projects under CPEC.
Along with it, promoting agricultural trade has always remained the prime objective of Dr Gu
Wenliang. From promoting the export of Pakistani rice, mangoes, citrus, and aquatic products to
China, addressing policy barriers in the inspection and quarantine of agricultural products like
onions, potatoes, cherries, dried chilli peppers, and dairy products, connecting agricultural
traders from both countries, he has worked tirelessly.
In the end, his efforts for facilitating agricultural investment cooperation must not be left
unnoticed. He has worked days in and out for building the China-Pakistan agricultural and
industrial cooperation information platform to facilitate bilateral investment in the agricultural
sector.
He has also devoted himself to coordinating Chinese enterprises to implement development

projects on contract farming and FMD free zones in Pakistan, and connecting Pakistani
companies with Chinese companies in the areas of seed, pesticides and fertilizers, mechanisation,
irrigation, and food processing.
This article originally appeared on Gwadar Pro.
（Editor:Fu Bo）
http://en.ce.cn/Insight/202111/28/t20211128_37121972.shtml

29th November, 2021 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

29 November ,2021 Vol 6 Issue 11

Editorial Board Rice News Headlines…

Climate-hardy gene-edited rice varieties are nearly ready for

Climate change will cause corn, wheat and soybeans crops to

Decline in oil prices to bode well for Pakistan‘s economy:

Two Myanmar-China Border Crossings Re-open For Trade

Two Myanmar-China border crossings have

Black rice production in Assam now

Ravinder Bhogal‘s recipe for honey and lemon roast chicken

Ravinder Bhogal‘s jewelled nut and cranberry rice pilaf.

Don‘t deride Sri Lankan scientists

Asif Ali Gohar: A Call To Investors To Invest In Vegan

They propose to genetically modify rice to adapt it to

Businessmen want implementation of barter trade with Iran

Baghel to urge PM to procure par-boiled rice

Saturday, 27 November 2021 | Staff Reporter | RAIPUR

Pakistan, Russia to sign facilitation agreement on gas

Several matters discussed in the intergovernmental commission meeting in Yekaterinburg

Irshad AnsariNovember 26, 2021

Telangana paddy procurement crisis: Farmers stare at

NEWS PADDY PROCUREMENT SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021 - 20:16

TNM Staff Follow @thenewsminute

Centre: Paddy procurement from Telangana to

Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar — Twitter

Revanth asks Telangana to use revenue from liquor

Ryots asked not to raise paddy in rabi

HYDERABAD, NOVEMBER 28, 2021 00:12 IST

Telangana govt asks farmers not to cultivate paddy after

Accept our paddy, beg Telangana farmers; no space,

Bags of paddy piled up at a storage facility. (Representational photo| EPS)

798 Rythu Bharosa Kendrams set up to procure paddy

Asif Ali Gohar: A Call To Investors To Invest In Vegan

Published:November 26, 2021

How do scientist know what's farm fire, what's not

by Muhammad Asif Noor

As a result of outstanding contribution towards building Pakistan‘s strong partnership on

Initially, he served as a Researcher at the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences

He has also devoted himself to coordinating Chinese enterprises to implement development

This article originally appeared on Gwadar Pro.

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