17th June,2021

Daily Rice News

Afghanistan — where lies Pakistan’s interest?

Afghanistan — where lies Pakistan’s interest?

Inam Ul Haque June 17, 2021

 The writer is a retired major general and has an interest in International Relations and
Political Sociology. He can be reached at tayyarinam@hotmail.com and tweets
@20_Inam

The Afghan debate is marred by misinformation, disinformation and

manipulated analyses. On the one hand is the ‘noisier group’ — comprising
members of CIA, Pentagon, the contractor community and at least 12
American lawmakers having financial stakes linked with contractors, and
heavy weights like Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice. This group asks for an
“inclusive political settlement”, where “distrustful” Taliban should share
power expansively with Ashraf Ghani and his cabal. Their Pakistani
interlocutors hide behind cliches like “Afghan-owned, Afghan-led solution”
etc. 
They overplay the Taliban threat to the Afghan Constitution, Afghan women and
minorities, citing the dreadful rollback of the freedoms, won by women/minorities
under the US/western influence. Hardly a day goes by without an article/news in the
mainstream US/western media, citing urbanite, mostly non-Pashtun Kabuli womenfolk,
lamenting the potential loss of freedoms after foreign forces leave. They want the
occupiers’ protection against their countrymen… feeling no shame in occupation. 
There is a perceptible shift in Pakistan’s Afghan policy, urging the Taliban to reconcile
“on international terms” for ceasefire, peace and inclusivity. This policy recalibration
appears hasty and perhaps “forced”. However, the consequent appeasement drive seems
to have died its expected death, after Ghani, Amrullah Saleh and Hamdullah Mohib, et
al kept sticking to their poisonous guns against Pakistan, targeting the movers and
shakers of this change of heart. 
Certain reinforcing developments include appointment of a US national, Dr Moeed
Yusuf as Pakistan’s NSA and the Senate testimony by David F Helvey (Assistant
Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Affairs), about Pakistan’s willingness to offer
overflight rights and land access to (any) residual US forces inside Afghanistan after
September 2021. The last time, air/ground lines of communications (A/GLOCs) were
offered in 2001, Pakistan did so after under UN Resolution and international support.
The Taliban, naturally took exception to this offering, terming basing and support
hostile activities. One hopes Islamabad and Rawalpindi are on the “same page” even if
in different “paragraphs”.
The other (less noisy) group of stakeholders comprises realists with deep insight in the
region especially Afghan demography, political anthropology and social economy. These
realists argue Afghanistan needs to be nudged towards a “practically possible solution”
in the short-term, as its traditional conflict resolution mechanism (CRM) stands badly
mauled by extensive social breakdown of traditional authority and institutions. They,
however, realise that future Afghan political dispensation should and would be dictated
by ground realities, particularly the military situation. This group favours pragmatic
policy rationalism over wishful thinking and non-sustainable goals. They consider
ending violence and protecting life/property more important than trivialities like
Constitution, women right and minorities etc. 
Realists cite “humanization” of the Taliban by the US after decades of demonisation and
the consequent Doha peace deal as indications of US pragmatism. They see President
Joe Biden’s decision to stick to withdrawal, despite extensive and continuing noise by
the first group, as realistic. Biden had called the Taliban an “indigenous political force”
as early as 2009.
Without getting into the “what and how” debate about the Afghan predicament, some
broad conclusions need to be re-stated. Washington Papers had extensively covered (as
commented upon by this scribe) the US strategic policy misdirection, futility of its
nation-building, nurturing corruption in Afghanistan, the sorry state of Afghan security
forces and drug trafficking etc. 
The US had pursued contradictory goals of reconciliation, defeating the Taliban and
establishing a strong central government. Reconciliation was/is not possible without
Taliban, representing a crucial rural Pashtun constituency. Likewise, Afghans have
resisted a strong Centre and the new state (if any) is “foreign to many Afghans” as it tries
to displace and replace local, traditional institutions. Centralisation also leads to
corruption, where elites are able to buy access and favour through elections… which
produce imperfect solutions for most societies.
The second issue is of an Afghan Constitution that “reimagined the Afghan state, once
decentralised but stable for generations, into a super-centralised presidency meant to
rule every corner of Afghanistan directly from Kabul.” Again historically, culturally and
traditionally, Afghanistan was a confederation of tribes under Ahmadzai/Muhammadzai
monarchy; where the king — an equal among equals — drew strength from the Pashtun
tribes and not the other way round. 
The third misconception is the role of women in future Afghanistan. Women do exercise
immense power in the traditional Afghan/Pakhtun sociology. She is revered as a mother
(adeke mor), adored as a wife (janan/sanamjan), nurtured as a daughter (gulalai) and
respected as a sister (khorjan)… and protected with life in all cases. The 21st century
Taliban leadership — compared to their older folks — read the situation
differently, given their social media exposure and their stated dependence on continued
US/western financials, and intelligence/military support (against ISIS) etc.
That brings us to the revealed US behaviour of “leaving but not leaving Afghanistan.” If
media reports are to be believed, the US plans to leave behind an army of paid
contractors to outsource the war inside Afghanistan after September 2021. Reportedly, a
private security company (Triple Canopy with Constellis as its parent company.
Constellis owns Academi, the new name for Blackwater) is hiring armed guards for
Afghanistan deployment. The withdrawal also does not include “some” special forces. 
US, France and Germany are already cultivating Ahmed Massoud, 32, the Sandhurst
educated son of late Ahmed Shah Massoud, for intelligence-gathering… much like they
cultivated his father, the fabled lion of Panjshir. 
The US is also contacting regional countries for bases (possibly Tajikistan, Kazakhstan
and Uzbekistan) and logistics (Pakistan) to retain the ability to respond inside
Afghanistan. This is ostensibly aimed at bolstering Ghani, hedging against Taliban take-
over, pressurising Pakistan, keeping cost-effective presence in the region to watch China
and Russia, and placate the noisy group.
For Pakistan, this situation offers certain lessons and pointers. First, any local or foreign
grouping to coax/challenge Taliban would be at best a time-sensitive irritation akin to
the dying pangs of a failed order. Aligning with it (directly or indirectly) is bad strategy
and reinforcing failure.
Second, only Afghan Taliban can keep Afghanistan under order, united and peaceful.
The US/West is hedging just to see their efficacy. Taliban challengers (ISIS, RAW, NDS,
US-backed strongmen) do not have any chance, just like the 50-nation alliance in the 20
long years.
Third, the Taliban enjoy the strength of their cause (national liberation); have the will to
fight and die for it and; are “their own men”. Being rational, they take advice “as
needed”, according to recent social media interview of their spokesman, Sohail Shaheen.
Leverages have changed with altered military balance. Withdrawing our support at this
critical time (if so) would go in their long historic memory as another betrayal.
Fourth, re-orienting a long-held policy midway (if so) is poor strategy and recipe for
disaster. Alienating the Taliban and their consequent alliance with TTP is never in our
interest. India would be the ultimate beneficiary.
Fifth, a sharia-complaint future political order in Afghanistan under Taliban should not
be our concern, as we have all along supported an “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned”
solution.
Some U-turns are tricky and consequential.    
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2305705/afghanistan-where-lies-pakistans-interest-1

REAP’s ‘Virtual Rice Expo 2021’ gets overwhelming

response
Recorder Report 17 Jun 2021
KARACHI: First ever Virtual Rice Expo 2021, organised by Rice Exporters Association
of Pakistan (REAP) has got overwhelming response as more than 1500 persons from 75
countries applied for registration.

Due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic situation, rice exporters are restricted from
travelling and attending trade gatherings worldwide, REAP is the first association of
Pakistan which has organised first ever Virtual REAP Rice Expo 2021 on Wednesday
June 16, 2021 for the promotion of Pakistani rice exports.

Launching ceremony of the expo was held at REAP House Karachi in presence of office
bearers and leadership of the association.

Abdul Qayum Paracha Chairman REAP, Ex-Chairmen Rafique Suleman and Abdul
Rahim Janoo, Convener REAP Committee Faisal Anis, Deputy Convener Farhat
Rasheed, Faisal Choudhary Member Managing Committee (MC) REAP, whereas
persons connected through Zoom video Link included Malik Faisal Jahangir, Senior
Vice Chairman, Shahzad Ali Malik & Ch Samee Ullah Naeem Ex-Chairman REAP, Ali
Hussam Asgher, Mahesh Raja Manglani, Safder Mehkri, Chela Ram Kewlani, Raza
Amjad, Kazim Khandwala, Noman Arif and other MC members were connected through
Zoom Video link.

Trade & Investment Counsellor appointed in Embassies of Pakistan in many countries

have extended their support and arrange to send invitations to rice importers in their
respective countries.

REAP has received overwhelming response from around the Globe. More than 1500
persons applied for registration from 75 countries. Out of which more than 400
International participants were logged in and attended this Expo. REAP also invited
many prominent international speakers to share their expertise with the participants.

Nor Ramsuri Bin Abdul Rahman Head Logistics Department, Amirdine Mohamed
Technical Advisor ONICOR Comoros, Judy Carol L Dansal Administrator M/s. National
Food Authority (NFA) Philippines, V Subramanian M/s. The Rice Traders, (TRT)
Singapore, Heshmati Poor Managing Director M/s ETKA Organisation Iran and Abdul
Razzaq Khuraiji, CEO M/s. Al Shawnee Rice Trading Saudi Arabia were some of the
prominent speakers.

This event due to its unique nature has become one of the most successful events in the
history of REAP.

REAP hoped that participants get benefits from the inspirational keynote speakers and
take advantage of unparalleled networking opportunities between Pakistani Exhibitors
with international buyers. “We will see a substantial increase in rice exports from
Pakistan to many countries of the world,” they said.

REAP has also thanked Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, Trade

Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Trade & Investment /Commercial
Counsellors in all Pakistani Embassies /High Commissions to make this event a great
success.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40100769/reaps-virtual-rice-expo-2021-gets-overwhelming-
response

Experts Advise Sowing Of Registered Paddy

Varieties Till June 25
  Wed 16th June 2021 | 05:50 PM

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jun,

2021 ) :Agriculture experts have advised farmers to complete sowing of specific
registered paddy varieties till June 25, however,added that other two varieties including
Shaheen Basmati and Kissan Basmati could be sown till June 30 for better production.
In an agriculture advisory for the second fortnight of June for paddy farmers, experts said
that varieties that should be sown on or before June 25 included Super Gold, Super
Basmati 2019, Super Basmati, Basmati 515, Chenab basmati, Punjab basmati, PK-1121
Aromatic, Niab basmati 2016 and Noor Basmati, says an official release issued by
the agriculture spokesman on Wednesday.
Spokesman said that thick rice varieties' nursery including Irri-6, KS-282, KSK-133,
Niab Irri-9, Niab 2013 and KSK-434 should be shifted to production field by July 7. He
advised farmers not to sow unregistered or unapproved varieties.
Farmers should apply anti-fungus medicine to seed before sowing to save
crop from diseases. Water should be applied rights after sowing in case of dry field and
apply weedicides next day that work during pre-germination duration. Spray of
weedicides should be repeated after 15-18 days and if they re-emerge, another spray be
applied after 40 days. Field should have water at the time of spray. Water be applied 3-24
hours after spray and should remain there for three to four days.
For Basmati varieties, one and half bag of DAP, two bags of Urea and a bag of SOP
should be applied per acre. DAP and SOP should be applied completely at the time of
sowing and three-fourth of a Urea bag be applied after 30-35 days after removing weeds
completely. Remaining Urea be applied after 55-60 days at the rate of half or three-fourth
of a bag per acre if needed.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/experts-advise-sowing-of-registered-paddy-var-1279070.html
Egypt raises price of subsidized vegetable oil as
commodity markets surge

 The ministry said that global markets for raw oilseeds had recently seen a “notable increase”

CAIRO: Egypt has raised the price of subsidised vegetable oils by 23.5 percent to 21 Egyptian
pounds ($1.34) per one liter bottle effective June 1 following a jump in raw material costs
globally, the Supply Ministry said on Sunday.
The ministry said that global markets for raw oilseeds had recently seen a “notable increase” and
that a committee would be formed to review prices every three months.
Egypt, which imports 95 percent of its vegetable oil needs through state buyer GASC, offers
buyers a blend of soybean and sunflower oil covered by its extensive subsidy program, which
also includes staples such as bread and rice.
“Prices should soften a bit later on this year. Not much of a downside though and that’s why they
decided to go ahead and raise prices instead of waiting for the sharp decrease that never came,”
one trade source said.
A one-liter bottle of blended soybean and sunflower oil available to Egyptians who qualify for
subsidies previously cost 17 pounds per bottle. The ministry also said there would be a new 800
ml bottle available for 17 pounds.
The new prices would allow the government to break even if not make a marginal profit, traders
said. One trader said the pricing change could make private sector products more competitive.
“Bottles of pure sunflower oil or soybean oil are sold at regular supermarkets for not much
higher than 21 pounds, which means consumers can opt to by them unsubsidised and use their
credit to purchase other goods,” an Egyptian trader said.
More than 60 million of Egypt’s 100 million population qualify for the food subsidy program
and the government has allocated 87.8 billion pounds for commodities subsidies in the financial
year beginning July 1.
Egypt’s strategic supplies of vegetable oils were sufficient to last five months, the supply
ministry said. At its last tender for vegetable oils, GASC bought 10,000 tons of sunflower oil.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1867381/business-economy

'Yuan revolutionised rice production in world'

 FE REPORT | Published:  June 17, 2021 10:27:21

File photo of hybrid rice

Chinese rice scientist Yuan Longping greatly contributed to reducing hunger

from China as well as from many parts of the world through inventing modern
hybrid rice seeds, speakers at a webinar on Wednesday said.
Agronomist Prof Yuan Longping, known as the father of the hybrid rice seed,
passed away on May 22, 2021, in the central province of Hunan in China at
the age of 91.

The webinar was organised by the Bangladesh Seed Association (BSA)

commemorating late scientist Yuan and his contribution to world agriculture
and food security.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming spoke as the chief guest while

BSA President Abdul Awal Mintoo chaired the webinar.

Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University Prof Lutful Hasan,

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Prof Shahidur Rashid
Bhuiyan, Research Fellow at China National Hybrid Rice Research and
Development Center Mr Liaofuming, Secretary-General of China National
Seed Trade Association Wiehong Tian (Alison), Director General (Seed) of
the Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh, Balai Krisna Hazra, Head, Hybrid
Rice Div, BRRI, Bangladesh, Dr Jamil Hasan Tushar, China National Seed
Association President Yanqiu Zhang, Director General of Rice Research
Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Science, China, Mr. Mao
Changxiang, former agriculture secretary, Bangladesh, Anwar Faruque,
Bangladesh Krishi Bank Chairman Md Nasiruzzaman, Country Chief of IRRI,
Bangladesh, Dr. Humanth Bhandary, ACI Managing Director Dr FH Ansarey,
Seed Technologist and Seed Regulation Specialist Shahjahan Ali, senior
journalist, Bangladesh Television, Rezaul Karim Siddique, Bangladesh
Agricultural Journalists' Forum Secretary Shahid Shaheen and BSA Executive
Director Fakhrul Islam also joined the event and spoke.

Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming said shortly after a serious nationwide famine

in the 1960s, Yuan devoted himself to researching how to boost harvests, thus
inventing the world's first high-yielding hybrid rice strain in 1973, which was
later grown on a large scale in China and other countries to substantially raise
output.

"The technology has expanded largely to 9.0 per cent of global rice acreage
with 20 per cent of world production," he said.

In China, where rice is the staple for the majority of the 1.4 billion
population, the accumulated planting area of hybrid rice has exceeded 16
million hectares, or 57 per cent of the total planting area of rice, helps feed an
extra 80 million people per year, said Mr Jiming.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/yuan-revolutionised-rice-production-in-world-1623904041

Yuan Longping: Simple life, great

legacy
 Reaz Ahmad

Published at 11:12 pm June 16th, 2021

Yuan Longping Collected

The Father of Hybrid Rice, who passed away on May 22 this

year, left behind a massive legacy of innovation to combat
global food crisis

The world knows him as the Father of Hybrid Rice. His invention
revolutionized the global hunger landscape in an era when an agricultural
"green revolution" came as a rescue to mankind stalked by famines and
acute food shortage in many parts of the world. 

Thanks to Chinese agronomist Yuan Longping’s development of the first

hybrid rice varieties in the 1970s, the world has witnessed millions of poor
people lifted out of hunger. Hybrid rice varieties – with 20-30% higher yield
potentials compared to their inbred counterparts – have ever since been
grown in dozens of countries in Asia, Africa and America – boosting food
security and diminishing the high risk of famines in many parts of the world.

Weeks after Longping’s demise (he died on May 22 this year at the age of
91), a galaxy of luminaries from the scientific fraternity was joined by the
Chinese ambassador in Dhaka on Wednesday, celebrating his life and
cherishing fond memories of the Father of Hybrid Rice. They noted that he
had lived a simple life, leaving behind a great legacy.

Scientists, academics and farm sector entrepreneurs from Bangladesh,

China and the Philippines joined the virtual commemoration held under the
aegis of Bangladesh Seed Association (BSA).

The power of a person’s life is in the stories he or she leaves behind. When
loved ones die, we tend to think about their legacy, about the meaning of
their lives.

Dignitaries participating at Wednesday’s commemorative event recalled

how Yuan Longping lived a modest life and would always dream of a day
when not a single soul in this world would go without food. China’s envoy to
Bangladesh Li Jiming said when many pundits in the West wrote books
wondering “who will feed China?”, Yuan Longping gave the answer by not
only enriching the food basket of China but also that of other countries. 

He said that today 60% of China’s yearly rice output came from hybrid
varieties and such hybrid rice varieties were also being grown on over eight
million hectares of land in countries other than China. The ambassador,
however, reminded all that the mission had not fully been accomplished yet
as, in a world ravaged by the pandemic, still one in every eight people went
to bed hungry.
Bangladesh rather started late in cultivating hybrid rice. Back in the late
1990s, when the government provided policy support to private seed
companies in Bangladesh to go for hybrid rice seed imports, it earned the
government lots of criticism. But fast forward to 2021, Bangladesh is
growing an extra one million tons of rice – in most conservative estimates
– from hybrid rice varieties each year. Some of the pioneers in introducing
hybrid rice in Bangladesh also attended the Longping Commemoration
event on Wednesday.

Among the world’s rice-growing nations, China alone grows hybrid rice on
over 16 million hectares of land today, while it is also grown on eight million
hectares of land elsewhere, including one million hectares in Bangladesh.
Last year, China developed a new generation of hybrid rice with 14 tons of
yield potential per hectare. Till the end of his life, Yuan Longping had a
dream of taking this yield potential to up to 18 tons per hectare.

In an overpopulated country like Bangladesh, where land is scarce and

three-fourths of all farmland are occupied by rice, high yield-potential
hybrids can help grow more from less land, thereby releasing some land for
other crops to be grown.

Dr. Jauhar Ali, who heads the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium at IRRI,
Philippines, recalled how he worked closely with Yuan Longping, a World
Food Prize laureate, when the latter helped introduce hybrid rice technology
in India in the late 1980s. “He wouldn’t avail cars for the ride to the rice
fields, neither would he stay in five-star hotels. I saw him always riding a
bicycle and staying in the guestrooms of research stations,” he said. IRRI’s
representative in Bangladesh, Dr Humanth Bhandary, said Longping was a
pioneer of the green revolution and had also helped IRRI develop its hybrid
rice research.  

Chairperson of Longping Hi-Tec Seed company, Hefei, China, Ms Fan Ling;

Vice Chairman of Winall Hi-tec Seed China, Jiang Sanqiao; President of
China National Seed Association, Yanqiu Zhang; Secretary of Prof. Yuan
Longping China National Hybrid Rice R&D Center, China, Dr Yang Yaosong
also recalled Prof Yuan Longping’s contribution in lifting millions out of
poverty and hunger. 

Secretary-General of China Seed Trade Association Alison Wiehong Tian

emphasized a furthering of cooperation between the farm sectors of
Bangladesh and China for their mutual benefit.  

Bangladesh Seed Association President Abdul Awal Mintoo; Managing

Director of Lal Teer Seed Ltd Mahbub Anam; Chairman of Supreme Seed Md
Masum; Chairman of Mollika Seed Company, FR Malik, Managing Director of
ACI Seed Ltd Dr FH Ansarey; Sher e Bangla Agricultural University Vice-
Chancellor Prof Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan; Chairman of Bangladesh Krishi
Bank Chairman Nasiruzzaman; former agriculture secretary Anwar Faruque;
Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agriculture University Prof Lutful Hasan;
Country Head of HarvestPlus Bangladesh Khairul Bashar; Bangladesh Rice
Research Institute’s Hybrid Rice Division head Dr Jamil Hassan Tushar,
among others, also spoke at the event – all emphasizing the need for
further increasing hybrid rice acreage in Bangladesh and pursuing frontier
research. 

What’s hybrid rice? 

Hybrid rice is a type of Asian rice that has been crossbred from two very
different parent varieties. Hybrid rice typically displays heterosis or "hybrid
vigour," so when grown under the same conditions as comparable inbred
rice varieties, it can produce up to 30% more yield. To produce hybrid rice
seed in a large quantity, an inbred sterile rice variety is fertilized with fertile
pollen from a different variety. High-yielding rice, including hybrid rice, is
one of the most important tools for combating global food crises.   

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/agriculture/2021/06/16/yuan-longping-simple-life-great-
legacy

Consumer advocacy group urges parents to not

give babies rice cereal
By CNN Staff
Updated: 21 hours ago

(CNN) - A popular brand of baby food was recalled last week because of high levels of arsenic
and a consumer advocacy group is urging parents not to use rice cereal at all.

“What we’ve done out of habit, isn’t necessarily best for babies,” Jane Houlihan, research
director for the consumer advocacy group Healthy Babies Bright Futures, said.

It’s often a baby’s first solid food, but the group is urging parents to stay away from it.

“If you choose a rice cereal from the grocery store, you really don’t know if it has high arsenic or
not,” Houlihan said. “You don’t know if the company’s tested or what the decision the
company’s made about the arsenic in their product.”

Last week, Beech-Nut recalled one lot of rice cereal after finding that it exceeded the Food and
Drug Administration’s arsenic limits.

No other Beech-Nut products are affected by this recall and no illnesses related to these product
codes were reported. The company, however, also announced it will stop selling baby rice cereal
altogether.

“Arsenic is a really common contaminant in soil,” Houlihan said. “It’s everywhere, but rice
happens to be particularly effective at picking it up from the soil and absorbing it, and so infant
rice cereal has higher levels of arsenic than almost any baby food on the market.”

The FDA first proposed the limit on arsenic in infant rice cereals in 2016, when studies found
47% of infant rice cereals sampled from retail stores in 2014 contained 100 parts per billion of
arsenic or more.

Even low levels of arsenic can harm a baby’s developing brain.

“If you’ve been serving infant rice cereal, there’s no need for panic or immediate concern,”
Houlihan said. “The important thing is the make sure throughout your child’s infancy, you’re
doing what you can to reduce lead and arsenic exposures.”

The Healthy Babies Bright Futures organization says alternatives include oatmeal or multi-grain
cereals or simply pureeing fruits and vegetables.

https://www.wibw.com/2021/06/16/consumer-advocacy-group-urges-parents-not-give-babies-rice-
cereal/

Untapped Rice Varieties Could Sustain Crop Supplies In Face Of Climate

Change
 June 17, 2021  

By Eurasia Review
Local rice varieties in Vietnam could be used to help breed improved crops with higher resilience to
climate change, according to a new study published in Rice.Earlham Institute researchers are part of
an international collaboration with genebanks and rice breeders in Vietnam – championed by the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to help abolish world poverty and hunger – are aiming to
identify varieties that can survive an increasingly unpredictable climate.
The new genomic data they have generated will significantly support efforts to breed resilient rice
crops for optimum global production.

The unparalleled geography and history of Vietnam, together with its diverse range of ecosystems
and latitudinal range, means it has been blessed with a vast diversity of rice landraces.

Rice production in Vietnam is of enormous value, both as an export commodity and a daily food
staple for the more than 96 million people who live there. An important part of diets worldwide, rice
is a healthy, versatile and cheap carbohydrate.

However, climate change is threatening its wide availability, with the country’s unique geography
and environments putting Vietnam at particular risk.

Critically, it is the world’s poorest that are most dependent on this crop, who are also under the most
threat from climate change – amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting food and nutrition
security for billions of people.

Green super rice

To fully understand the uniqueness and potential of this native crop diversity, the research team
analysed 672 Vietnamese rice genomes; 616 were newly sequenced, which encompass the range of
rice varieties grown in the diverse ecosystems found throughout Vietnam.

The team of scientists discovered a previously overlooked ‘I5 Indica’ large rice subpopulation in
some regions of Vietnam, which had not been used before to produce the more common elite rice
varieties resulting from previous rice improvement studies.

These locally adapted rice varieties provide a potential source of novel genes that carry important
agronomic traits, which can potentially be leveraged by future rice breeding programmes.

This will help with a new generation of ‘Green Super Rice’, designed to lower production input
while enhancing nutritional content and suitability for growing on marginal lands – resulting in a
sustainable and resilient rice to better withstand extreme weather conditions.

First author Dr Janet Higgins at the Earlham Institute, said: “Vietnam has a rich history in rice
breeding, especially at the local level. The adaptation to multiple environmental conditions and
regional preferences has created a wide range of varieties.

“Studies like this suggest that this diversity constitutes a largely untapped and highly valuable
genetic resource for local and international breeding programmes.”
To understand how rice diversity within Vietnam relates to worldwide varieties, the team analysed
nine landrace subpopulations that were likely adapted to the demands in the different regions of
origin.

They then compared this new data to the previous global study on rice diversity in Asia, consisting of
fifteen worldwide Asian subpopulations (from 89 countries) in the publicly available ‘3000 Rice
Genomes Project’. From this, the Earlham Institute researchers discovered how the new rice varieties
native to Vietnam were related to the global Asian data set – leading to the I5 Indica subpopulation
finding.

Sustainable rice breeding

This genetic diversity is a highly valuable resource when the highest rice production areas in the
low-lying Mekong and Red River Deltas are enduring increasing threats from climate changes –
unpredictable weather patterns, increasing sea levels causing overflow of saltwater, and
consequential drought in the upland areas.

Dr Higgins, explains: “Improved varieties, which are high yielding but can also be grown
sustainably, are needed to ensure we can continue to meet the worldwide demand for rice. Salt
and drought tolerance are related critical traits which need to be addressed in order to secure
future rice production.

“This requires agronomic, smart crop management practices and genomic solutions to stop the
vicious cycle of rice contributing to global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions from crop
fields, and areas of production being threatened by climate change.

“We are now analysing the Indica I5 subpopulation in further detail. We hope to try and detect
regions of the genome which have been selected in the Indica I5 subpopulation and relate these
to traits of interest for sustainable rice crops.

“It would be fantastic if the IRRI were in a position to incorporate some of the Indica I5 varieties
from Vietnam we describe in our study in their future breeding programmes. We believe this
new data will massively help optimise sustainable rice production for global demand while
protecting our planet.”

The paper ‘Resequencing of 672 Native Rice Accessions to Explore Genetic Diversity and Trait
Associations in Vietnam’ is published in the journal Rice.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/17062021-untapped-rice-varieties-could-sustain-crop-
supplies-in-face-of-climate-change/

Strong Appetite for Multiple U.S. Rice Types in the UK

By Sarah Moran
LONDON, UK – Building on the success of recent promotions focused on U.S.-grown long grain
rice here, USA Rice has expanded those efforts to include medium grain and wild rice across the
target ethnic and mainstream retail chains.

Paddle faster,

the UK market is growing

“Traditionally, the UK program focuses heavily on promoting U.S. long grain, including milled
and parboiled, that make up about 90 percent of all U.S. rice exports to the UK,” said Eszter
Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “In response to increasing
demand for different rice types by importers as well as local consumers, we extended
campaigns to include medium grain as well as wild rice and mixes. New social media platforms
are helping to increase awareness, followers, and engagement for all U.S. rice varieties sold
here.”

An array of promotional activities, in collaboration with local importers and supporting local
U.S. rice brands sold in different segments of the market, includes digital advertising on online
grocery platforms, a LinkedIn campaign, a billboard campaign throughout major UK cities, and
point-of-sale promotions in hundreds of ethnic shops and supermarkets.

U.S.-grown rice has a loyal customer base across the UK’s Asian wholesale sector, and
throughout June, USA Rice, in cooperation with a local U.S. rice brand, is conducting a major
campaign based on the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, a global celebration of a patriotic scholar,
poet, and politician named Qu Yuan who lived around 2,500 years ago.

“The UK is a culturally diverse market and consumption habits are strongly influenced by the
ethnic origin of the customers,” said Somogyi. “This diversity provides a unique potential for
growth for different types of U.S. rice in this market, and we look forward to working together
with all the different players to continue to grow sales.”
The UK is the largest single market for U.S. rice sales on the European continent. Last year sales
totaled 27,170 MT, with a value of $15.4 million.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/06/15/nkorea-North-Korea-FAO-food-shortage-
outlook/7091623779898/

Increasing exports is the key factor

From the NewspaperPublished June 16, 2021 - Updated a day ago

IT is encouraging that the country has witnessed a considerable growth in
its exports in the 2020-21 fiscal compared to the the previous financial year.
However, the exports have still fallen short of the target despite the country
possessing a huge potential.

Pakistan’s major exports comprise agro-based commodities, which depend largely on

the quality of crop, but the erosion of the industrial base and the phenomenon of de-
industrialisation over the years, coupled with debatable imports, have left the country
with little surplus for export.

The onslaught of the import of chemicals, toys, plastics and allied industrial products
from China has resulted in the closure of the local nascent units in these sectors.

Modern international trade has become scientific and highly competitive, requiring
compliance with a wide range of rules and standards. The removal of barriers in terms
of tariff and quota has given way to non-tariff barriers (NTBs).

It is lamentable that the country has only lately obtained the intellectual property right
(IPR) for Basmati rice and a case is still pending adjudication before the relevant forum
in Europe. Our fruit exports were stopped as the orchards failed to follow standardised
techniques. The same was true of our exports in terms of fisheries and livestock. The
quality of engineering products, such as fans, has come under questioning. And, orders
of shirts were cancelled by Japan because the machines used in the production process
did not meet the standards.

Another major obstacle is that our entrepreneurs lack global exposure and continue to
conduct trade along primitive lines. They need to be more professional and change their
inward-looking approach and reliance on rent-seeking. The absence of innovation, lack
of research and development (R&D), non-compliance with IPR, and un-skilled labour
add to the cost of the goods, and result in substandard production, causing problems in
international markets.

The national private sector must realise that the way of conducting trade has changed
altogether. International buyers have become more knowledgeable than ever, and tend
to purchase only the goods that are in line with their specifications.

Moreover, the business entities in Pakistan may also operate at massive scales by
deploying automated equipment with modern manufacturing setups, providing training
to its staff and enhancing their skills.

The emphasis should be on capturing diversified markets on the basis of production and
product quality that should match international rules and regulations. On its part, the
government must establish a facilitating environment for potential exporters.
Shahid Ali Abbasi
Additional Collector of Customs
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2021

https://www.dawn.com/news/1629651/increasing-exports-is-the-key-factor

Pak, India agree to share ownership of Basmati rice

June 14, 2021 
In a rare agreement between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan, which have
a history of long-time rivalry with disputes on every front from sea to land,
exporters from both sides of the border have mutually agreed to share the
ownership of the regions prized Basmati rice, a solution considered the most
workable to reach the European markets.

“There has to be a joint ownership, which is a logical solution to the

dispute,” said Faizan Ali Ghouri, a Pakistani rice exporter.

The fight between India and Pakistan over the claim of the origin of Basmati
rice has a long history, as this variety is produced largely on both sides of
the border.

India has filed a claim in the European Union (EU) seeking a geographical
indication (GI) tag for Basmati rice. Pakistan, on the other hand, has
opposed India’s claim and has filed a request for a protected GI tag.

“There is no logic in both countries’ claim for the sole exclusivity of Basmati
rice. Although its origin is Pakistani Punjab, it is grown in both sides of the
border. Therefore, a joint ownership is the only viable solution to the long-
standing dispute,” said Ghouri.

“The EU buyers also prefer joint ownership of the rice variety as they want
to keep both New Delhi and Islamabad on board in terms of commodity
exports,” he added.

Ghouri’s views were seconded by Ashok Sethi, the director of Punjab Rice
Millers Export Association in India, who also suggested that both the
countries should jointly protect the Basmati heritage.

“India and Pakistan are the only two countries which produce Basmati in the
world. Both should jointly work together to save the heritage and protect the
GI regime of the rice,” said Sethi.

It is pertinent to mention that EU had recognised Basmati as a joint product

of India and Pakistan in 2006.

Both Pakistan and India make good money from their respective exports of
Basmati rice. Pakistan annually earns $2.2 billion, while India makes about
$6.8 billion from Basmati exports.
“Both countries export Basmati rice. India, in its application to the EU, has
never stated that it is the only Basmati producer in the world,” insisted Vijay
Sethi, a New Delhi-based exporter.

While both sides still have their own historical details on the origin of
Basmati, it is rare to see two arch-rivals, who are not ready to come to the
table for talks until their demands are met, come down to a mutual
agreement.

Pakistan demands India to reverse its August 5, 2019 decision that changed
the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and
bifurcated it into two Union Territories by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A,
as a benchmark to make way for dialogue and address other issues between
the two countries.

India, on the other hand, demands Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism

and take decisive action against terror elements, which it claims, enjoy the
support of the establishment.

https://agriculture.einnews.com/article_detail/543769476/SdIOHUSqqktnyw35?
n=2&code=VuZLay2YinrVF2-
0&utm_source=NewsletterNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Basmati+Rice+News&u
tm_content=article
Local Vietnam Rice Genomes Improve Crop
Resilience, Withstands Climate Change
Ron Jefferson Jun 16, 2021 12:42 AM EDT

Experts from Earlham Institute are among the international collaborators of

genebanks and rice breeders in Vietnam.The group is promoted by the
International Rice Research Institute or IRRI to end world hunger and cut the
poverty line of middle to low-income countries. Recently, the institutes conducted
research that aims to specify the right, resilient varieties that can withstand the
impending changes in Earth's climate.

The data gathered by the team from the genes that they have generated from the
research will be an important key to backup breed survivability of rice crops to
the extent of being globally available, reports Science Daily.

Vietnam Agriculture's Rice Genome

(Photo : Pixabay / Pexels)

Vietnam has the perfect regions to conduct the study. The country is placed in
strategic geography suited for growing rice. The biodiversity and range of
ecosystems prove that the rice crops from which the country produces will be
sustainable in the future.

Like other Southeast Asian neighbors, Vietnam's rice production is among the
largest industry in the country. SEA countries including Vietnam commonly have
rice as a daily food staple and export commodity. Almost 70 million people are
eating rice daily in Vietnam alone, having the crop as part of healthy diet
maintenance that serves as a cheap carbohydrate. Rice consumers across other
countries, especially in the western countries where there aren't many rice crops,
are increasing in numbers.

Among the biggest challenges, we face today is climate change. What's worse, is
that it also targets rice availability. The crisis puts the world's most affordable
sustenance by targeting the ecosystems in regions that grow the crops, including
Vietnam.
Most poverty-stricken countries that heavily rely on the crop are not excluded
from the impending threat of climate change. And with the current pandemic, the
disruption of food security intensifies.

The agriculture experts analyzed almost 700 rice genomes from Vietnam to
determine the potential of the native crop. Among the variants of rice data, more
than 600 are already confirmed to be sequenced, as shown as well in a previous
report by PhysOrg.

I5 Indica, Green Super Rice to Sustain Global Food Demand and

Withstand Climate Change
The team discovered I5 Indica, a huge rice subpopulation that was overlooked.
Until the initial study published in the journal Springer entitled Resequencing of
672 Native Rice Accessions to Explore Genetic Diversity and Trait Associations
in Vietnam, the rice strain was not used to put together a better, elite rice variety.

The local rice varieties adapted from the subpopulation are a possible source of
great genes that contain beneficial traits that can be a potential alternative to rice
breeders. The process will help sustain a new generation of rice that lowers the
production input while at the same time increasing nourishments.

This type of rice, also known as Green Super Rice, can also be suitable in
desolated regions that have little to no agricultural value. Ultimately, the new rice
can be a sustainable source of food that can manage to withstand the harsh
weather conditions due to climate change.

Earlham Institute expert and principal author of the study Janet

Higgins emphasized that Vietnam is among the rich rice breeders to date, which
is proven by the history of their local farming. Agricultural suitability in the country
allowed the strains to adapt to various environmental settings, such as
unpredictable, extreme weather conditions. It can also be the solution to address
the worldwide demand for rice.

The new, untapped rice Indica I5 will undergo further research to develop an
agronomic, smart, and eco-friendly way to grow the crop. Higgins added that the
study will also determine the structure of the genomes and that will help other
rice crops become sustainable, optimizing rice production for greater food
demand, while also protecting the planet.

https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/31734/20210616/local-vietnam-rice-genomes-improve-crop-
resilience-withstands-climate-change.htm

Inequality in Food System Living income gap in

Pakistan’s rice value chain
By

 News desk

 -

June 16, 2021

Staff Reporter

Karachi
Oxfam in Pakistan has published a report “Living Income Gap in Rice Value Chain” to
highlight the challenges women growers and workers are facing to sustain the quality
standards of rice; while receiving low farm gate prices and facing health and hygiene
issues.

Behind the food we buy are millions of people who grow, catch and process it, passing it
along a supply chain until it ends up in our homes.

But in a global food industry worth trillions of dollars, far too many of the women and
men behind our food are being forced into lives of hardship and suffering, working long
hours in inhumane conditions for little reward.
Oxfam in Pakistan’s Country Director, Syed Shahnawaz Ali said, “Most workers and
farmers interviewed by Oxfam for our report do not earn a decent living wage or income.
Some do not even earn a monthly minimum wage.

In Pakistan, the Gender Transformative and Responsible Agribusiness Investments in

South East Asia (GRAISEA) program is working to ensure respect for human rights and
inclusion of small-scale producers in agricultural value chains.

Our aim is that supermarkets take their record sales as an opportunity to create a more
sustainable and resilient global food supply chain – to genuinely put hard policies and
action behind improving and respecting women across their supply chains.”

Supermarkets have emerged as the standout winners from the pandemic, while women,
workers and farmers at the other end of the global food supply chain continue to face
escalating outbreaks and lack of protections from Covid-19. It is another case of
inequality worsening, and again the exploitation of women is endemic.

Any significant Covid-19-related support to the workers and farmers who continued
throughout the crisis to provide produce and keep supply chains going was limited.

What is equally as horrifying is the pervasive and systemic exploitation of women in

supermarket supply chains.

In Pakistan, rice farming is a key source of income for smallholder producers and their
families, especially women.

However, hundreds of farmers and workers who produce our food are forced to work
long hours in inhumane conditions.

https://pakobserver.net/inequality-in-food-system-living-income-gap-in-pakistans-rice-value-
chain/

Bangladesh gets offers in 50,000 tonne wheat

purchase tender- trade

C O N TR I B UT O R S

Ruma Paul  Reuters
Michael Hogan  Reuters

PUBLISHED

JUN 16, 2021 8:31AM EDT

Bangladesh's state grains buyer received the lowest price offer estimated at $335 a tonne

CIF liner out in an international tender to purchase and import 50,000 tonnes of wheat

which closed on Wednesday, traders said.

Adds detail from paragraph four

DHAKA, June 16 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's state grains buyer received the

lowest price offer estimated at $335 a tonne CIF liner out in an international
tender to purchase and import 50,000 tonnes of wheat which closed on
Wednesday, traders said.

No purchase has yet been made and the offers are still being considered.

The lowest offer was believed to have been submitted by trading house
Shoubhik.

Traders reported that two other offers were submitted in the tender, by
Bagadia Bros at $352.90 a tonne CIF liner out and Agrocorp at $359.59 a
tonne CIF liner out.

Bangladesh has issued a series of wheat and rice tenders in past months.
The country is importing rice and wheat to shore up its depleted reserves after
repeated floods last year damaged its crops, sending local prices to record
highs.

CIF liner out terms include ship unloading costs for the seller.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul in Dhaka and Michael Hogan in Hamburg, editing by

Louise Heavens)

((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters

Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the
author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/bangladesh-gets-offers-in-50000-tonne-wheat-purchase-tender-
trade-2021-06-16

Agriculture industry hails Aust-UK FTA

Fraser Barton

Published: Wednesday, 16 June 2021 11:45 AM AEST

Canegrowers say the trade deal will give producers the best access to British markets
since 1073. Credit: AAP

Australia's agricultural industry has welcomed a free trade deal with the UK that's
expected to grow exports substantially in years to come, particularly for rice, beef and
sugar.

The proposed UK-Australia free trade agreement will provide tariff-free access for
80,000 tonnes of Australian sugar while boosting the previous 9,925-tonne quota to the
European Union prior to Brexit.

It will also allow Australian beef into the UK market, with exports projected to double or
even triple once the deal is ratified.
Moreover, 99 per cent of Australian goods including wine and short and medium grain
milled rice will enter the UK duty-free when the agreement comes into effect - expected
by July next year.

Canegrowers chairman Paul Schembri says the agreement will allow for sugar trade to
grow by over 20,000 tonnes annually for the next eight years,

"Australian sugar hasn't had this kind of access since 1973 when the UK joined the then
European Common Market," he said in a statement.

"Australian sugar is of high quality, sustainably and ethically produced and well placed
to top up local beet sugar production so that UK refiners can meet domestic
consumption demands.

Sugar is Australia's second-largest export crop after wheat, with a total annual revenue
of almost $2 billion.

Around 95 per cent of sugar produced in Australia is grown in Queensland with the
remainder in northern New South Wales.

Beef tariffs will also be eliminated after ten years and Cattle Council of Australia
President Markus Rathsmann says once the deal is set in stone demand for exports to
the UK will jump.

He also says the deal expands Australia's free trade agreements to 27 countries,
representing nearly a third of the world's population.

Meanwhile, the president of the Rice Grower's Association of Australia, Rob Massina,
noted the deal was one of the most significant market access outcomes for rice exports
that Australia has seen.

"We typically, as a commodity, get left off any foreign trade agreements," he told AAP.

"To have access into a higher value market such as the UK for Australian rice producers
is absolutely critical.

"This will make us far more effective going into a market that's free of quotas and tariffs,
hopefully."

The Australian Sugar Milling Council believes with 85 per cent of raw sugar buyers
overseas, the industry will be buoyed by the prospect of an immediate access gain of
80,000 tonnes.

"Annual improvements leading to full access after eight years is a positive outcome for
Australia's sugar industry," ASMC CEO David Pietsch said.
"Australia's access to the UK sugar markets has been historically poor, with just 9,925
tonnes allowed under the old EU Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) pre-Brexit."

Mr Pietsch added Australia's position and focus on supplying the Asian region would not
change as a result of the deal.

However, it was vital to continue to grow market options for the industry.
https://7news.com.au/business/agriculture/agriculture-industry-hails-aust-uk-fta-c-3125698

Farmers rue lack of proper rice market

    16-Jun-2021

By Our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Jun 15 : Lack of proper market for rice has emerged a matter of deep concern as
farmers who had bumper harvest are unable to sell surplus rice for their sustenance and
agricultural activities next season.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, some farmers contended they are extremely discouraged to
continue rice cultivation due to absence of a proper market even as productivity has been
greatly enhanced with the endorsement of high yielding seeds and new agricultural methods
over the years.

Highlighting their grievances, the farmers continued that it takes a great deal of effort and
monetary expense in cultivating rice and a good harvest is deemed to be the fruit of their
efforts.

But unfortunately, many farmers are finding it hard to dispose their products in the market due
to absence of a reliable market where they can sell the yield and generate money for
sustenance, other family expenses and future cultivation cost.

Not only this, many of the farmers had to endure hardships in procuring a bag of fertilizer every
year, they said while adding that cost of fertilizers, pesticides, weedicides, daily labour charges
for tilling, weeding and harvesting besides transportation charges has risen to an
unprecedented level.

As such farmers, who are already facing financial crunches due to unavailability of rice market
are left in the lurch and demoralised, they continued.
Noting that only 7.41 percent of the State's geographical area is arable with 72 percent of the
52 percent of arable land in the valley portion predominantly used for cultivation of rice, the
farmers asked what would happen to the fields when farmers start giving up cultivation of rice.

They also asked what will be the use of Acts and laws framed to protect agricultural lands if
farmers have to endure hardships to carry forward agricultural practices.

https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/6/16/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Jun-15-Lack-of-
proper-market-for-rice-has-emerged-a-matter-of-deep.html

Villar rejects farmers’ group criticisms over lower

rice tariffs

posted June 15, 2021 at 10:20 pm

by Macon Ramos-Araneta

Senator Cynthia Villar has rejected accusations by the Federation of Free Farmers that
she deliberately remained silent on Executive Order 135 issued by President Rodrigo
Duterte on May 15.

“By alleging that I have remained silent and thus supports the lowering of tariff on rice is
unacceptable,” Villar said.

The FFF earlier called out Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture
and Food, for her alleged inaction on the order imposing lower rice tariffs.

Effectively, EO 135 would mean that all imported rice without distinction as to country of
origin and volume would be subjected to 35 percent tariff for a period of one year
instead of 40 percent for in-quota and 50 percent for out-quota.
The government said this was done to help “diversify the country’s market sources,
augment rice supply, maintain prices affordable and reduce pressures on inflation.”

But stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including local farmers, bewailed the order,
stressing this would be an added burden to them.

In her letter to FFF, Villar said she has always been a staunch supporter of the local
agricultural industry and has sought for the improvement of the welfare of Filipino
farmers.

The senator added she has been pushing for legislation that empower and enrich the
lives of Filipino farmers.

The senator said FFF itself noted she opposed the proposed tariff cut during the Tariff
Commission hearing on February 4. Villar said she has made her position against the
EO in several hearings, correspondences and meetings with Agriculture Secretary
William Dar, other members of the executive department and her fellow senators.

Regarding Senate Resolution No. 726 which urges Duterte to withdraw the controversial
EO, Villar said she cannot tackle it in the Senate since the proposed resolution was not
referred to her committee. It was, instead, referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.

“I want to reassure our rice farmers that I will continue to take into the highest
consideration their welfare in the exercise of my functions. While the issuance of the
questioned EO is under the

President’s power, I will do everything in my power to work on other aspects of

agriculture that would counter the ill effects of the EO on the rice sector,” Villar said.

https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/357229
North Korea short 860,000 tons of food this year,
U.N. agency says

By

Elizabeth Shim

North Korea’s agricultural output declined in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, the Food and
Agriculture Organization said in a new report Tuesday. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License
Photo

June 15 (UPI) -- North Korea is short 860,000 tons of food, and the
situation could get worse in August, according to the United Nations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization said Tuesday  in its report, Food

Supply and Demand Outlook in 2020/21, that the country has formal plans
to import 205,000 tons of food. Aggregate food crop production is
expected to reach about 5.6 million tons. The food supply may be
insufficient for the population.

"The uncovered food gap is estimated at about 860,000 tons, equivalent to

approximately 2.3 months of food use," the report said.

The FAO said despite floods and typhoons that wiped out crops, North
Korea engaged in expanded planting in 2020, "which mostly offset yield
losses due to floods and storms."
Production of rice, a major staple in the country, was 10% below the five-
year average, with the steepest drop in output reported in South Pyongan,
South and North Hwanghae, North and South Hamgyong Provinces. The
regions account for about 60% of the country's rice output, the Food and
Agriculture Organization said.

Corn, another key source of food, is estimated to have reached 2.2 million
tons, closer to the five-year average than other crops. Soybean production
was slightly above average at 230,000 tons, the agency said.

The estimate from the agriculture organization comes after a report from
South Korea's Korea Development Institute, which forecasted similar
numbers.

KDI had said in June even if North Korea imports 200,000 to 300,000 tons
of grain and requests anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 tons of food from
U.N. agencies, the country still will be short 700,000 tons to 1 million tons
of food this year.

North Korea's border with China remains shut, Kyodo News reported
Sunday.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/06/15/nkorea-North-Korea-FAO-food-shortage-
outlook/7091623779898/
State retains price control on 51 items
List to be proposed for cabinet approval

PUBLISHED : 16 JUN 2021 AT 04:00

NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS
WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

A customer browses fresh produce at Ying Charoen market in Bangkok's Bang Khen
district. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)

The government has retained its price control on 51 products and services while

pledging to come up with more stringent measures on four products including

vegetables and fruits, as well as imported steel bars and DDGS (distiller's dried grains

with solubles).

The meeting of the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services chaired by

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit yesterday decided to maintain the price control
list for 51 items, 46 of which are products and five services. The list would be later

proposed for cabinet approval.

The price control list covers essential items for daily use such as food, consumer

products, farm-related products (fertilisers, pesticides, animal feed, tractors and rice

harvesters), construction materials, paper, petroleum and medicines.

Listed foods include garlic, rice paddy, milled rice, corn, eggs, cassava, wheat flour,

powdered/fresh milk, sugar, vegetable/animal oil and pork, while listed services include

delivery services for online businesses, agriculture-related services, medical services and

other healthcare services, and payment services at service points.

According to Mr Jurin, the Central Committee also yesterday agreed to tighten its grip

on DDGS, a byproduct of bioethanol fermentation, which uses dry milling technology

for starch-rich grains such as corn, wheat and barley; three steel items -- steel bar, tin-

plated steel and chrome steel; music copyright, and vegetables and fruits.

Traders are required to provide information of DDGS imports to responsible authorities

electronically, while steel bar traders need to report how much was imported, the

production volume, sales volume and remaining stocks on a monthly basis.

Imported tin-plated steel and chrome steel, meanwhile, will need to meet new standards

of the Thai Industrial Standard Institute.

For music copyright, rights owners need to provide additional details such as the

lyricist's name and melody and the expiry date of the contract in a move to protect

copyright owners.

In addition, the committee has imposed new measures on fruits and vegetables

comprising tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, cabbages and nine other fruits including

rambutan, mango, durian, mangosteen, longan, longkong, lychee, orange and pineapple.

Traders are required to display the daily buying prices of such agricultural products at

8am. Daily buying price displays will allow farmers to make a decision before harvesting

their products.

Meanwhile, Mr Jurin said the meeting also agreed to set up a sub-committee to consider

an appropriate structure for the gross profit or commission fee applied to food vendors

by online food delivery platforms to prevent operators from profiteering. It will be

tasked with finding the best solutions to ensure fairness to all parties. The director-

general of the Internal Trade Department would be the sub-committee chairman.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2132979/state-retains-price-control-on-51-items

Gov. Abbott’s Border Wall Proposal Is More Political Than

Practical, Experts Say
Gov. Greg Abbott said the state will open an online donation portal later this
week to fund the wall, but political scientists and his critics question the
timing.
ANDREW SCHNEIDER / LUCIO VASQUEZ
 | POSTED ONJUNE 16, 2021, 12:51 PM
 AP Photo/Eric Gay

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference where he provided an update to
Texas’ response to COVID-19, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Austin, Texas.

Updated Wednesday 6:11 p.m. CT

The state of Texas has allocated just over $1 billion for "border security" in its latest budget, and
Gov. Greg Abbott said he plans to build a border wall in Texas as part of that strategy, while
crowdfunding some of the costs.
But political scientists and the governor’s critics are skeptical of Abbott’s plan, saying it’s
legally and financially improbable, and more likely spurred by his own bid for reelection and
possible aspirations for a 2024 presidential run.
“If he’s going to try to win across the country, he needs to first win in his home state,” said Mark
Jones, a political science fellow with Rice University’s Baker Institute. “The announcement is
what’s important, not actually constructing the wall.”
When then-President Donald Trump first announced that he would construct a wall along the
U.S.-Mexico border, he told taxpayers it would cost no more than $12 billion. Instead, reporting
from the Texas Tribune found a quickly skyrocketing price tag, with contracts for parts of the
wall costing billions more than projected.
State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, said even if the entirety of the $1.1 billion in state funds was
used on a proposed wall, the money wouldn't do much.
"The border wall, as far as the efforts under Trump have shown, is…going to cost something like
$100 million a mile,” he said.
The Texas-Mexico border is more than 1,200 miles in length, according to the state
transportation department's website.
During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Abbott announced the state of Texas would
solicit public donations to fund the project through the use of an online donation portal.
Abbott added the project would begin once a program manager was hired by the Texas Facilities
Commission.
He also said the Texas Department of Criminal Justice would transfer $250 million from its
general revenue fund to the governor’s office as a down payment for the project, according to a
letter provided by the governor’s office.
A second letter, addressed to President Biden, demanded the return of any land taken by the
federal government during its previous attempt to build the border wall under President Trump.
If returned, Abbott said those property owners can voluntarily use it to help build the wall.
The governor rejected the notion that his plan was nothing more than "political theater."
"Anyone who thinks this is politics doesn’t have a clue what’s going on on the border,” Abbott
told reporters. “Anyone who thinks this is politics doesn’t care about American citizens or Texas
residents.”
It wouldn't be the first instance of crowdfunding for a proposed wall. In 2018, former White
House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon raised $25 million from private donors to do just that.
The Justice Department later found Bannon and others funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars
to themselves from the fund.
Abbott said the sole purpose for the money would be to pay for the construction of the border
wall, and added that the donations would be deposited into a fund overseen by his office.
The move comes ahead of a potentially tough GOP primary for the incumbent governor. Former
Texas state Sen. Don Huffines has already declared his candidacy, and others — including Texas
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and former state GOP Chair Allen West — have also
teased a run.
Even if the passage of $1.1 billion in border funding out of a nearly $250 billion budget doesn't
do much to jumpstart wall construction, it's still likely to be something Republicans can run on
when facing reelection, according to Joshua Blank from the University of Texans at Austin's
Texas Politics Project.
"It's not exactly clear what all of this money does or how effective it is at actually reducing
border crossings," Blank said. "It's more symbolic than anything else."
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2021/06/16/400746/texas-will-solicit-
donations-to-fund-construction-of-border-wall-governor-says/