18-19 Feb Ricerice News

18 and 19 February 2022
Kisumu machine fabricator invents rice

husk cookstoves to conserve
environment
Alex Odundo, the Olex-techno enterprise director, says they are ecosystem
friendly and the invention will be a gamechanger
In Summary
•He says it seeks to promote the use of biodegradable solid waste materials as an
alternative to wood fuel and charcoal.
•Odundo says many households still use either charcoal or firewood to cook, hence the
rising consumption of wood fuel and charcoal.
MODERN SOLAR POWERED: A sample of the modern solar powered rice husk cookstoves.
Image: FAITH MATETE
A machine fabricator in Alendu, Kisumu, has discovered a new way to conserve the environment
through modern solar-powered rice husk cookstoves.
Alex Odundo, the Olex-techno enterprise director, says the invention will be a gamechanger.
The enterprise produces ecosystem friendly cookstoves which rely on unused waste materials as
biofuel.
This helps save the environment from encroachment that comes as a result of deforestation.
He says it seeks to promote the use of biodegradable solid waste materials as an alternative to wood
fuel and charcoal.
Odundo says many households still use either charcoal or firewood to cook, hence the rising
consumption of wood fuel and charcoal.
On most occasions, rice husk which is the outermost layer of the paddy grain usually separated from
the rice during milling is wasted or dumped near the mills.
Most farmers after clearing their rice fields, struggle with the waste that ends as heaps some near the
mills.
However, people have realised the benefits and can be used in various products such as building
materials, fertilisers and fuel.
How it works
When cooking, the cookstove is fixed with a small electric fan which is then connected to a solar
panel that gives it the power to propel the fan to regulate oxygen levels.
The fan is there to help the stove burn the rice husk without smoke, so there is a strong fire.
The cookstove can alternatively be connected to a rechargeable battery especially at night to generate
the energy needed to drive the mortar hosting the fun, this is when there is no sunlight.
“I am confident this invention if fully embraced by the community, will help in the reduction of
environmental threats, ” Odundo said.
The stove is made from either stainless steel or metals and crafted into various types according to
sizes.
It comprises domestic size, hotel size and institutional sizes that can be used in schools or any other
size depending on the users.
Odundo aims to reach schools, hotels, hospitals and individual households with the project.
Individual’s household cookstoves retail from between Sh2,500 and Sh 5000 depending on the size.
They contain a solar panel and a small battery.
“We normally sell the rice husk stoves in Ahero close to the irrigation schemes because we get a lot
of waste from there. They can use these stoves in burning those husk they currently see as waste,” he
says.
“The already burnt material (husk) which is the biochar, can be used to make fertilisers.”
Odundo says the biochar business also creates employment.
Betha Christine uses the rice husk stove, which she says is the best for her fries business.
She says she has been using the cookstove for more than two months and she is making profits.
Christine says the cookstove is fast, efficient and cheap.

“Using this cookstove is cheaper as compared to charcoal or wood, in a day, she uses a bag of 90kgs
to prepare two pales full of potatoes,” she says.
“I purchase a bag of 90kg rice husk at Sh50 unlike when I use to purchase wood worth 300 per day
meaning am saving much at the same time keeping the environment clean including my
surrounding”.
Christine says the rice cookstove is faster, helps keep the fire burning quite long and one needs to add
husk through the funnel and the propeller does its work.
She says it is less toxic to the environment and produces a stronger fire that lasts long during cooking
time.
Currently, Kilimo Trust, a nonprofit organization that focuses on agricultural development on

regional, trade, nutrition and food is implementing a two-year project.
The project is dubbed Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Rice Initiative for Climate-Smart Agriculture in
partnership with IKEA foundation of Netherlands(funders), public and private sector.
The project aims to increase the adoption of sustainable rice production practices for 5,000
smallholder rice farmers and other value chain actors in Kenya and Uganda.
The project has promoted the use of innovative technologies and management practices for
sustainable rice farming systems, generated empirical evidence of developed and tested business
models in the use of products and by-products of rice farming systems to drive scaling up the models.
Anthony Mugambi, the project team leader, Kenya, says the number of fast-food vendors and
farmers using the rice husk utility stoves is 57, within Nyanga'nde in Nyando subcounty 32 and 25
satellites shopping centres.
He said they want the husk to benefit the counties and farmers in areas where rice is grown.
Mugambi while presenting during the R4Icsa project’s learning and reflection in Kisumu said the
number of innovations promoted in the project includes husk stove prototype, super burner, bio-
effective microbes, biochar gasification, and biochar fortification amongst others.
Some of the targeted beneficiaries include 2,000 farmers in Kenya, prototype fabricators and by-
product handlers (carbonators, biochar fortifiers and utilisers, animal feed processors).
“Amongst others, the project sought to promote the adoption of the SRP standards to reduce the
environmental footprint associated with rice production and train rice farmers how to use the would-
be waste, rice by-products (straws, husks, bran),” he said.
He said the rice production and/or milling process produces many by-products, particularly straws,
husks and bran.
However, utilisation is curtailed by limited awareness of the benefits of rice by-products, limited
research and dissemination within the EAC on the economic and other benefits of investing in rice
by-products and technologies not readily available.
During the project implementation feasibility studies to provide evidence-based data to the private
sector, policymakers, researchers and farmers on the economic viability of the rice by-products was
done.
This will create awareness and enhance the utilisation of the by-products for economic and
environmental benefits within the region.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris

https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/nyanza/2022-02-18-kisumu-machine-fabricator-invents-rice-husk-
cookstoves-to-conserve-environment/
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(Scott Suchman for The Washington Post/food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington
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Mushroom, White Bean and Rice Skillet
Total time:45 mins
Servings:4
By Aaron Hutcherson
February 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EST
A hearty, filling, one-pot meal can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights, and this recipe is
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Benchmark: Government's delay causing uncertainties ahead of

planting season – PFAG
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Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana said the delay by

the government will affect production
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has expressed disquiet at the government’s delay in
publicly rescinding the decision to suspend implementing a reversal of the benchmark value discounts
policy.
The delay, according to the association, threatens the operations of over 200,000 smallholder farmers
who are uncertain as they wait for the rainy season to start planting by end of the first quarter of the year.
Already, the PFAG, General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) and Rice Millers Association of Ghana
(RMAG) have warned that an estimated 100,000 persons who are directly engaged in rice value chain
activities stand a risk of losing their livelihoods if the benchmark discount policy reversal is not
implemented as planned.
Narrating the uncertainties among smallholder farmers to the B&FT in an interview, the Head of
Programmes and Advocacy at PFAG, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, lamented that, already, prices of agro-inputs
have gone up by as high as 200 per cent – creating a sceptical atmosphere whether to go ahead in
preparation for the new season or not.
He stated that rice farmers, for example, are worried and unable to plan for the future since they are
scared of losing out on cheap imports.
“A lot of my colleague rice farmers are very worried and they don’t know what the future holds for them
because of the government’s inability to come out and publicly state its plans. As I speak to you a lot of
the rice farmers are planning to reduce their farm size because there is no need to locally produce more
rice for it to go waste due to cheap imports,” he said.
Dr. Nyaaba explained that farmers are very calculative in forecasting to avoid losses.
He pointed out that lack of clarity on the government’s policy concerning the benchmark value only goes
to reinforce the perception that government is not ready to protect local rice farmers from the influx of
cheap, imported rice.
Citing the poultry industry as an example, Dr. Nyaaba said livestock farmers are counting their losses as
the poultry industry goes down on its knees. “Look at the cost of poultry feed now. Our farmers are no
longer growing the maize and the soya beans to prepare the feed because, at the end of the day, the
cheap frozen chicken will be imported into the country,” he said.
He cautioned that the country risks food shortages if measures are not put in place to clearly announce
the government’s decision through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture so as to reassure farmers.
Engaging Technical Team
Following a joint press statement from the PFAG, GAWU and the RMAG, Dr. Nyaaba said a government
Technical Team was made to meet members of the associations. According to him, even though they had
a fruitful discussion, there is still no public announcement on the government’s decision on the policy to
direct the discussion forward.
Such uncertainties, he said, create doubts among smallholder farmers and players in the rice value chain
leaving them questioning whether the government is committed to protecting local rice producers and
millers.
He stated that even though there are some rumours that duties on some items have been increased at
the ports to protect local producers, members of the association are unaware of the specific items since
there is no official communication from the government.
He urged the government to see the issues raised by players in the agricultural sector as an emergency
to avoid food shortages.
Related Articles:
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Benchmark-value-discounts-Govt-s-delay-
causing-uncertainties-ahead-of-planting-season-Smallholder-farmers-1472060
Grown In The USA Highlight Reel
By Deborah Willenborg
ARLINGTON, VA – If you follow USA Rice on Twitter and/or Facebook, you’re well acquainted with last
year’s social media campaign, “Sustainability Saturday,” a weekly story or fact from different segments
of the U.S. rice industry that emphasized a long-standing commitment to conservation and climate-
smart agriculture.
“This year we’re doing something new with that real estate – celebrating users of U.S.-grown rice,” said
Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of marketing, communications, and domestic promotion. “From
major corporations to small mom & pop restaurants, if you use U.S.-grown rice, we’re going to send
some love your way!”
The new “Grown In The USA” campaign, aka GITUSA, started in January with a shout out to Anheuser-
Busch, the largest user of U.S.-grown rice and a strong supporter of agricultural sustainability and the
Rice Stewardship Partnership.
“In the first post, @RiceArkansas was tagged to boost engagement, and we used a new hashtag:
#nowyouknow,” said Klein. “And now that you know, we encourage you to follow, like, and share to
help spread the word about GITUSA.”
Other posts have featured restaurant chains such as P.F. Chang’s and Roti; Crowley, Louisiana’s annual
Rice Ball held within one mile of Falcon Rice Mill and Supreme Rice Mill; and John “Shoostie” Shuster
who carried the flag for Team USA at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and led the curling
team to gold in 2018 after he added rice to his personal nutritional program.
“If you are aware of some place or product or person that should be promoted, let us know with a
picture and a social media handle and any other relevant information we should share,” said Klein. "And
be sure to check out our special post for the President's Day weekend."
And now you do
Heavy loaded truck with chaff

(Husk of wheat and rice) is
moving at Mirpurkhas road
may cause of any mishap
needs to attention concern
authority in the city
Thu, 17 Feb 2022, 5:49 PM
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APP25-170222 HYDERABAD: February 17- Heavy loaded truck with chaff (Husk
of wheat and rice) is moving at Mirpurkhas road may cause of any mishap
needs to attention concern authority in the city. APP Photo by Akram Ali
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Why You Should Consider Alternatives to

Infant Rice Cereal
While Gerber and Earth's Best have reduced arsenic levels, they are still not low enough, CR says
By Kevin Loria
February 17, 2022
 49 shares of the article

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Photo: Consumer Reports
Two brands of infant rice cereal—Gerber and Earth’s Best—have lowered the levels of inorganic arsenic in their products, new tests from
Consumer Reports show. The companies had come under fire over the past year by lawmakers, state attorneys general, and consumer
groups for the amount of the heavy metal in their rice cereals.
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But even at these new, relatively lower levels, the amounts of arsenic are still above what many experts recommend, says Brian Ronholm,
director of food policy at Consumer Reports, and are much higher than what’s found in other infant grain cereals, such as oatmeal.
M ORE O N HE AV Y MET AL S
Heavy Metals in Baby Food: What You Need to Know

Arsenic and Lead in Juices
Report Finds Problems With Heavy Metals in Baby Food
Herbs and Spices May Contain Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead
Arsenic and other heavy metals can build up in the body, which can be especially dangerous to babies and young children. Inorganic arsenic
is the more harmful type. Cumulative exposure is linked to behavior problems, ADHD, lower IQ, and increased risk for skin and bladder
cancer.
“Manufacturers should be more aggressive in trying to lower inorganic levels,” Ronholm says. “If it is not feasible, they should stop selling it
and ensure the wide availability of safer alternatives.”

Growing Pressure
In October, CR called on five baby food companies to suspend making and selling rice cereal because of its high arsenic levels. That
request was made after a series of recalls and a pair of congressional reports that found alarmingly high levels of arsenic and other heavy
metals in certain baby foods produced by these companies. Previous tests by CR and other organizations had shown similar results.
Also that month, New York state Attorney General Letitia James, along with attorneys general from 22 other states, petitioned the Food and
Drug Administration to lower its limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal from the current 100 parts per billion to a lower, more protective
one. The attorneys general also want the FDA to speed up plans to set limits on other heavy metals in baby food. They cited evidence,
including from CR’s tests, that manufacturers can achieve lower levels in their rice cereal products.
In response to CR, several manufacturers said they were suspending or had already stopped selling infant rice cereal—leaving two major
players, Gerber and Earth’s Best, made by Hain Celestial, on the market. Both companies told CR they had taken steps to reduce the levels
of heavy metals in infant rice cereals.
To assess how successful those efforts were, CR tested infant rice cereal made by both companies.
Still Too Much Arsenic
CR tested three samples from different lots of the rice cereals offered by each company.
Inorganic arsenic levels in Earth’s Best Organic Infant Rice Cereal averaged 66.4 ppb. Gerber’s Single-Grain Rice Baby Cereal averaged
62.9 ppb and its Organic Single-Grain Rice Baby Cereal averaged 61.1 ppb.
These are lower than in previous tests for infant rice cereals made by both companies. For example, tests of three lots of cereals conducted
by CR in 2012 found average inorganic arsenic levels of 152 ppb for an Earth’s Best product and 106.8 ppb and 68.4 ppb for two Gerber
products. And tests cited in the September congressional report found average inorganic arsenic levels of 87.4 ppb in Gerber’s conventional
rice cereal and 65.6 ppb in its organic rice cereal.

Both companies told CR their products meet the current government limit for inorganic arsenic, as confirmed in CR’s recent tests. A
spokesperson for Gerber said, “Parents are encouraged to serve a variety of infant cereal grains, including rice, wheat, and oat, as part of a
balanced diet for little ones.” A spokesperson for Hain Celestial said Earth’s Best infant rice cereal is part of a “portfolio of safe and nutritious
products.”
While these declines are welcome, CR’s experts say there is still plenty of room for improvement. They say the FDA set the limit at 100 ppb
because of the increased risk for cancer caused by long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic at that level. But that limit didn’t fully take into
account research showing that neurological damage can occur at lower levels.
In addition, they say other infant cereals have lower levels. For example, in CR’s 2018 tests, infant oatmeals ranged from 7.1 ppb to 30 ppb;
these products included cereals from Gerber and Earth’s Best.
“Infant rice cereal could be responsible for more than half of all exposure to inorganic arsenic in infants and toddlers if they ate it daily,”
Ronholm says, referring to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. “Significantly
reducing inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal would be a very effective way to address this issue and provide assurances to parents.”
“While it’s not yet clear what is the lowest attainable level for inorganic arsenic in rice cereal, companies should strive to achieve the lowest
levels possible,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at CR. “The goal should be to have no measurable
levels of any heavy metal in baby foods,” he says.

Protect Babies From Arsenic Exposure
Sign CR’s petition to Gerber and Earth’s Best to suspend the sale of infant rice cereals until more protective standards and testing
are in place for inorganic arsenic.

Tips for Limiting Arsenic Exposure in Babies
While it’s important to avoid heavy metal exposure, parents need to feed their children, and there’s no reason for panic. Parents can take
steps to limit the amount children get in their diets. (See more advice on reducing exposure.)
Limit your child’s intake of the highest-risk foods. These include not just rice cereal but also rice itself and other products made with it,
such as rice puffs and rice cakes. Other foods often high in arsenic include sweet potatoes, apple juice, and grape juice. Eating other whole
grains such as oatmeal is a safer option for young children.
Don’t assume “organic” foods have less arsenic. Many parents purchase organic food because they believe the products are safer. But
at least when it comes to heavy metals, as CR’s recent and previous tests have shown, organic products don’t necessarily have lower
levels.
Be wary of claims that imply a product is safer. On Feb. 17, New York Attorney General James issued a letter (PDF) demanding that
baby food company Holle USA stop advertising its baby foods as being “lead free” and having “[n]o detectable traces of heavy metals.” Lab
testing ordered by the attorney general’s office of Holle USA baby food products found detectable levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead.
Feed kids a wide variety of foods. Eating a wide variety of foods can help ensure that your children get the nutrients they need, and it can
stop them from overconsuming foods that may have higher levels of heavy metals.
For 85 years, we have been fighting to make sure you get a fair deal and safe
products. Our scientists, engineers, journalists, and researchers work
tirelessly to bring consumers like you trusted information, so you have the
answers you need. Not just so you can buy an appliance or car with
confidence, but also so that you can know what’s safe for you and your
family. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the support of our members to
help raise the standards of the products and services we use every day. Every
donation, no matter the size, contributes to this work. Please support
Consumer Reports today — even a gift of as little as $3 will help. Thank you.
Fifth-graders present
research on Black
historical figures
 By LINDSEY HODGES [email protected]
 Feb 18, 2022
 Comments
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1 of 12
Buy Now
Demetria Little tells her classmates about her research Thursday morning.
 LINDSEY HODGES | INDEX-JOURNAL
Buy Now
Ah'zyion Thomas reads his first-person monologue to his classmates Thursday morning.
Buy Now
Jayden Hamilton listens to a classmate read their first-person monologue Thursday morning.
Buy Now
Zyron Tolbert, left, presents his monologue on Jackie Robinson Thursday. Listening at right is Hunter
Gerrity.
Buy Now
Acqurion Sanders tells his classmates about Booker T. Washington on Thursday. INSET: Carter

Southerland reads his first-person monologue on George Washington Carver.
 PHOTOS BY LINDSEY HODGES | INDEX-JOURNAL
Buy Now
A Rice Elementary student tells a classmate about Madam C.J. Walker.

Buy Now
Gisella Mendoza, dressed as mathematician Katherine Johnson, reads her first-person monologue
Thursday morning.
Buy Now
Acqurion Sanders tells his classmates about Booker T. Washington on Thursday.

Buy Now
Hunter Gerrity wore his Sunday best to give a monologue as abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass.
Buy Now
Sel'vionte Harris listens as another student presents his research on a historical Black public figure.
Buy Now
Jayden Hamilton, right, and Ah'zyion Thomas talk about their research at Rice Elementary.
Buy Now
Willow Fisher presents her research to her classmates Thursday.

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A recent research project at Rice Elementary taught students about a variety of

Black public figures, including one with roots in Greenwood County.
Students researched Black musicians, athletes, civic leaders and journalists

who all changed the world and presented their findings to their classmates.
Laura Patterson said every year she’s been teaching, she’s always done some
sort of research project for Black History Month.
This year, her fifth-graders were able to pick from a list of people and research
them online and in books.
They learned to take notes, cite their sources, write rough drafts and make
revisions, along with using their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
They had multiple presentation options: a slide show, first-person monologue,

newspaper article, brochure, poster or biography in a bag. Some students
dressed as the figures they talked about.
Patterson said she tried to steer the kids toward people they may not know
about.
Amarie Statom researched musician Miles Davis and said Davis “was a major
influence to the world.”
He hadn’t had a chance to listen to any of the jazz giant’s music yet, but
planned to, and mentioned he had learned the Davis’ music often sounded like
people when they talk.
Statom said of Black history: “They shaped history.”
“Most people wouldn’t even be in this school if some of them weren’t even
alive,” he said.
Patterson said one student did his project on Benjamin E. Mays, a civil rights
and education leader who was born in Greenwood County and was mentor to
Martin Luther King Jr., along with heading Morehouse College in Atlanta.
“That really is helping them understand we have somebody right here that had
a huge impact on the civil rights movement and with Martin Luther King Jr.,”
Patterson said.
Student Madyson Holmes did her project on journalist and activist Ida B.
Wells.
“I think she is a really good person for what she did for fighting for the rights
of women and African Americans,” Holmes said.
She learned that Wells was passionate about education and opened the first
African American kindergarten in Chicago and led an anti-lynching crusade in
the United States. She also learned that Wells has a statue formed after her.
Contact staff writer Lindsey Hodges at 864-943-5644 or on Twitter @LindseyNHodges.

https://www.indexjournal.com/news/fifth-graders-present-research-on-black-historical-figures/
article_fefcf25d-3d66-5123-bb5e-a3c5f81235ef.html
Mill Owner Among Two Killed In

Jaffarabad Firing
Published February 17, 2022 | 08:57 PM
Two persons including the rice owner was killed while two others injured on
Thursday in a firing incident occurred in Osta Mohammad area of Jaffarabad district,
police confirmed
QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Feb, 2022 ) :Two persons
including the rice owner was killed while two others injured on Thursday in
a firing incident occurred in Osta Mohammad area of Jaffarabad
district, police confirmed.
They said that unknown armed men opened fire at people sitting inside the local rice
mill.
In a result, the mill owner and another person were killed instantly while two other
suffered critical injuries.
Soon after the incident, the police reached the site and shifted the bodies
and injured to the civil hospital.
Cause of killing is yet to be ascertained. Further probe was underway.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/mill-owner-among-two-killed-in-jaffarabad-fir-1472678.html
Food group imports up by
20.87%, reach to $2.952b
By
News desk
-
February 18, 2022
Food group exports from the country during 07 months of current financial year increased
by 20.87% as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-January, 2021-22 different food commodities worth $2.952
billion exported as against the exports of $2.444 billion of same period last year.
According the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the food group exports witnessed about
14.31% growth on year on year basis in January, 2022 as compared to same month of last
year. During last 7 months exports of all major food items recorded positive growth as
exports of rice grew by 11.16%, fish.—APP
https://pakobserver.net/food-group-imports-up-by-20-87-reach-to-2-952b/
Engro Corp. Posts Massive Profit of

Rs. 52.61 Billion For CY2021
By ProPK Staff | Published Feb 17, 2022 | 1:13 pm


Pakistan’s premier conglomerate, Engro Corporation announced its financial results

for the year ended 31 December 2021.
ADVERTISEMENT
Overview of Financial Performance
The company recorded a consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 52.61 billion,
showing an increase of 19 percent as compared to Rs. 44.11 billion in 2020.
On a consolidated basis, Engro Corporation’s revenue grew by 25 percent to Rs.

311.59 billion in 2021 from Rs. 248.82 billion in 2020, translating to an EPS of Rs.
48.50 per share (2020: Rs. 43.57 per share).
The company on a standalone basis achieved a 14 percent higher profit after tax
(PAT) of Rs. 18.52 billion in 2021 against Rs. 16.30 billion in 2020, translating into
an earning per share (EPS) of Rs. 32.14 per share (2020: Rs. 28.29 per share).
In 2021, Engro Corporation’s standalone revenue increased from Rs. 15.00 billion in
2020 to Rs. 20.68 billion in 2021, exhibiting a substantial growth of 38 percent.
Higher revenue was primarily due to higher dividends received from Engro Polymer
& Chemicals Limited (EPCL) and Engro Fertilizers Limited (EFERT), which in turn,
were driven by strong underlying business performance.
ALSO READ
PAC Surpasses NAB with Recoveries of Rs. 544 Billion

Engro Corporation announced a final cash dividend of Rs. 1 per share for the year.
This is in addition to the Rs. 24 per share dividend that has already been announced
during the financial year, bringing the cumulative payout to Rs. 25 per share.
ADVERTISEMENT
Portfolio Performance Review

Fertilizers
The domestic market witnessed strong agricultural sector performance in 2021.
Resultantly, EFERT achieved a historical milestone of the highest ever urea sales of
2,295 KT in 2021 against 2,057 KT in 2020. Due to the turnaround of the Base and
Enven plant, urea production during the year reduced from 2,264 KT in 2020 to 2,105
KT in 2021.
ALSO READ
Oil Price Hike to Unleash Floodgates of Inflation: RCCI

Phosphates sales stood at 366 KT, whereby a steep rise in international prices
dampened local demand. On an overall basis, EFERT achieved its highest ever PAT
of Rs. 21.09 billion in 2021, demonstrating a growth of 16 percent from Rs. 18.13
billion in 2020.
Petrochemicals
EPCL announced commercial operations of its new PVC plant and VCM
debottlenecking during March and June 2021, respectively. PVC capacity increased
by 100 KT to 295 KT per annum, while VCM capacity increased by 50 KT to 245 KT
per annum.
These initiatives enabled EPCL to achieve record domestic PVC sales of 207 KT
alongside the highest ever PVC exports of 19 KT, translating into an export value of
$28 million. During the year, international PVC prices increased significantly due to
supply disruptions. However, supplies to the domestic PVC downstream market
continued uninterrupted due to EPCL’s steady production.
ALSO READ
3 Companies Interested in Setting Up LNG Terminal in Gwadar

EPCL recorded sales of Rs. 70.02 billion as compared to Rs. 35.33 billion in 2020.
PAT increased from Rs. 5.73 billion in 2020 to Rs. 15.06 billion in 2021, showing an
increase of 163 percent attributable to increased volumetric sales, efficient operations,
and higher international prices.
Telecommunication Infrastructure
During the year, Engro Corporation formed a dedicated platform for connectivity and
telecom infrastructure initiatives by the name of Engro Connect (Pvt.) Limited
(EConnect).
ADVERTISEMENT
EConnect is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Engro and now holds complete ownership

of Engro Enfrashare (Pvt.) Limited (Enfrashare), which is Pakistan’s largest
independent telecom tower company.
Enfrashare continued to expand its national footprint and achieved a scale of 2,246
operational B2S towers with a 1.1x tenancy ratio while catering to all
four Mobile Network Operators in Pakistan. Enfrashare built over 75 percent of the
total new B2S towers that were deployed in the country during the year 2021. This
increase in the portfolio led to a growth of 3x in revenue in comparison with last year.
The business has secured orders to reach a scale of 3,300+ sites by the end of 2022.
ALSO READ
Shaukat Tarin Assures Full Facilitation of Qatari Investment in Pakistan
Foods & Rice

FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL) demonstrated a topline growth of
18 percent, recording sales of Rs. 52.09 billion as compared to Rs. 44.16 billion in
2020. The gross margin increased to 16 percent from 12 percent last year, translating
into an increase in PAT from Rs. 0.18 billion in 2020 to Rs. 1.80 billion in 2021.
The business demonstrated an overall increase of 10x in profitability driven by cost-

saving initiatives, leveraging e-commerce channels, improved reach/route to markets,
increased marketing spend, and market penetration to enhance brand equity.
Engro Eximp Agriproducts (EEAP) surpassed industry growth of 16 percent in the

brown rice segment and recorded 21 percent growth versus last year. As a key
contributor to foreign reserves, the business continued its focus on exports, generating
a revenue of $18.8 million through the international sale of 24 KT rice against 28 KT
last year. Given the supply chain constraints in the international market, the business
pivoted its supply to the local market and increased domestic sales by 39 percent to 13
KT during 2021.
Energy & Power

Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) supplied 3.8 million tons of coal to
Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) during the year. EPTL achieved availability of
83 percent with a load factor of 80 percent and dispatched 4,225 GWh to the national
grid during the year.
ADVERTISEMENT
ALSO READ
Rupee Defies Expectations to Recover Against US Dollar Despite Surprises

Last Night
The Phase II expansion of SECMC’s mine to 7.6 million tons per annum is underway,
with 71 percent of the overburden removed from the site. Phase III expansion of the
mine to 12.2 million tons per annum has also been approved during the year.
Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (EPQL) plant dispatched a Net Electrical Output
of 851 GWh to the national grid with a load factor of 46 percent compared to 30
percent last year due to higher offtake from the Power Purchaser. EPQL’s revenue
increased by 26 percent due to the higher dispatch and load factor, which was offset
by the absence of a long-term debt servicing component. The business posted a PAT
of Rs. 1.59 billion for the current period compared to Rs. 2.08 billion for 2020.
Terminals
Engro Elengy Terminal (Pvt.) Limited (EETL) successfully completed Pakistan’s
first-ever Dry-Docking activity of FSRU Exquisite at Qatar dockyard with minimum
outage during the switchover between the two FSRUs. During the Dry-Docking
period, FSRU Sequoia enabled gas supply continuity, ensuring national energy
security.
ALSO READ
SBP Expands Export Refinance Scheme to Improve Exports and Forex Inflows
The LNG terminal handled 72 vessels during 2021, in line with last year, delivering
216.2 bcf re-gasified LNG into the SSGC network with an availability factor of 96.5
percent. The terminal contributed 15 percent towards Pakistan’s total gas supply
during the year.
The chemicals terminal throughput volumes normalized to 1,280 KT against 1,142

KT last year, which was offset by lower LPG volumes. Overall, the profitability of
both the LNG and chemical storage terminals business remained stable during 2021.
Get the ProPakistani App now & scroll through your favourite content
faster!
ALSO READ
 Remittances Still Above $2 Billion Despite 14.9% Drop in January

 Gas Shortfall Causes $250 Million Loss for Textile Sector in December Alone
 Petrol Sales Break All Previous Records
 Unilever Foods Profits Up by 6.3% in FY 2017
 Jubilee Life Insurance Posts 22% Growth in Profits for 2017
https://propakistani.pk/2022/02/17/engro-corp-posts-massive-profit-of-rs-52-61-billion-for-cy2021/
Engro Corporation FY 2021 Results






 0
Shares
pr
FEBRUARY 18, 2022
Pakistan’s premier conglomerate, Engro Corporation (PSX: ENGRO) announced its
financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021.
During 2021, Engro Corporation’s standalone revenue increased from PKR 15.00 billion
in 2020 to PKR 20.68 billion in 2021, exhibiting a substantial growth of 38pc. Higher
revenue was primarily due to higher dividends received from Engro Polymer &
Chemicals Limited (EPCL) and Engro Fertilizers Limited (EFERT), which in turn were
driven by strong underlying business performance. Resultantly, the company achieved
a 14pc higher PAT of PKR 18.52 billion in 2021 against PKR 16.30 billion in 2020,
translating into an EPS of PKR 32.14 per share (2020: PKR 28.29 per share).
On a consolidated basis, Engro Corporation’s revenue grew by 25pc to PKR 311.59

billion in 2021 from PKR 248.82 billion in 2020. The Company posted a PAT of PKR
52.61 billion in 2021, which is 19pc higher than PKR 44.11 billion in 2020, translating to
an EPS of PKR 48.50 per share (2020: PKR 43.57 per share).
Engro Corporation announced a final cash dividend of PKR 1/- per share for the year.
This is in addition to the PKR 24/- per share dividend that has already been announced
during the financial year, bringing the cumulative payout to PKR 25/- per share.
Portfolio Performance Review
Fertilizers: Domestic market witnessed strong agricultural sector performance in 2021.

Resultantly, EFERT achieved a historical milestone of highest ever urea sales of 2,295
KT in 2021 against 2,057 KT in 2020. Due to the turnaround of Base and Enven plant,
urea production during the year reduced from 2,264 KT in 2020 to 2,105 KT in 2021.
Phosphates sales stood at 366 KT whereby a steep rise in international prices
dampened local demand. On an overall basis, EFERT achieved its highest ever PAT of
PKR 21.09 billion in 2021, demonstrating a growth of 16pc from 18.13 billion in 2020.
Petrochemicals: EPCL announced commercial operations of its new PVC plant and
VCM debottlenecking during March and June 2021, respectively. PVC capacity
increased by 100 KT to 295 KT per annum while VCM capacity increased by 50 KT to
245 KT per annum. These initiatives enabled EPCL to achieve record domestic PVC
sales of 207 KT alongside highest ever PVC exports of 19 KT translating into an export
value of USD 28 million. During the year, international PVC prices increased
significantly due to supply disruptions, however, supplies to domestic PVC downstream
market continued uninterrupted due to EPCL’s steady production.
EPCL recorded sales of PKR 70.02 billion as compared to PKR 35.33 billion in 2020.
PAT increased from PKR 5.73 billion in 2020 to PKR 15.06 billion in 2021 showing an
increase of 163pc attributable to increased volumetric sales, efficient operations and
higher international prices.
Telecommunication Infrastructure: During the year, Engro Corporation formed a

dedicated platform for connectivity and telecom infrastructure initiatives by the name of
Engro Connect (Pvt.) Limited (EConnect). EConnect is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Engro and now holds complete ownership of Engro Enfrashare (Pvt.) Limited
(Enfrashare), which is Pakistan’s largest independent telecom tower company.
Enfrashare continued to expand its national footprint and achieved a scale of 2,246
operational B2S towers with a 1.1x tenancy ratio while catering to all four Mobile
Network Operators in Pakistan. Enfrashare built over 75pc of the total new B2S towers
that were deployed in the country during the year 2021. This increase in the portfolio led
to a growth of 3x in the revenue in comparison with last year. The business has secured
orders to reach a scale of 3,300+ sites by the end of 2022.
Foods & Rice: FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL) demonstrated a

topline growth of 18pc, recording sales of PKR 52.09 billion as compared to PKR 44.16
billion in 2020. The gross margin increased to 16pc from 12pc last year, translating into
an increase in PAT from PKR 0.18 billion in 2020 to PKR 1.80 billion in 2021.
The business demonstrated an overall increase of 10x in the profitability driven by cost
saving initiatives, leveraging e-commerce channels, improved reach / route to markets,
increased marketing spend and market penetration to enhance brand equity.
Engro Eximp Agriproducts (EEAP) surpassed industry growth of 16pc in the brown rice
segment and recorded 21pc growth versus last year. As a key contributor to foreign
reserves, the business continued its focus towards exports, generating a revenue of
USD 18.8 million through international sale of 24 KT rice against 28 KT last year. Given
the supply chain constraints in the international market, the business pivoted its supply
to the local market and increased domestic sales by 39pc to 13 KT during 2021.
Energy & Power: Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) supplied 3.8 million tons
of coal to Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) during the year. EPTL achieved an
availability of 83pc with a load factor of 80pc and dispatched 4,225 GwH to the national
grid during the year.
The Phase II expansion of SECMC’s mine to 7.6 million tons per annum is underway
with 71pc of the overburden removed from the site. Phase III expansion of the mine to
12.2 million tons per annum has also been approved during the year.
Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (EPQL) plant dispatched a Net Electrical Output of
851 GwH to the national grid with a load factor of 46pc compared to 30pc last year due
to higher offtake from the Power Purchaser. EPQL’s revenue increased by 26pc due to
higher dispatch and load factor which was offset by the absence of long-term debt
servicing component. The business posted a PAT of PKR 1.59 billion for the current
period as compared to PKR 2.08 billion for 2020.
Terminals: Engro Elengy Terminal (Pvt.) Limited (EETL) successfully completed

Pakistan’s first-ever Dry-Docking activity of FSRU Exquisite at Qatar dockyard with
minimum outage during the switchover between the two FSRUs. During the Dry-
Docking period, FSRU Sequoia enabled gas supply continuity ensuring national energy
security.
The LNG terminal handled 72 vessels during 2021, in line with last year, delivering
216.2 bcf re-gasified LNG into the SSGC network with an availability factor of 96.5pc.
The terminal contributed 15pc towards Pakistan’s total gas supply during the year.
The chemicals terminal throughput volumes normalized to 1,280 KT against 1,142 KT

last year which was offset by lower LPG volumes. Overall, profitability of both the LNG
and chemical storage terminals business remained stable during 2021.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/887651/engro-corporation-fy-2021-results/
ASIA RICE-VIETNAM RATES RISE AS
ACTIVITY PICKS UP, INDIA MARKET
SUBDUED
2/17/2022
* Baht strength drives Thai rates to highest since July 2021
* India loses out to cheaper offers from Myanmar, Pakistan - dealer
By Seher Dareen
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Prices of rice exported from Vietnam rose to a two-

month high this week as market activity picked up again following the
holidays, while low demand kept Indian rates near a one-month low.
Vietnam's 5% broken rice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> was offered at $400 per

tonne on Thursday, the highest since mid-December and up from $395 a
week ago.
"Prices have edged up slightly as trading activity is resuming following

the Lunar New Year Holiday and demand is seen picking up," a trader
based in Ho Chi Minh City said, adding that traders were buying
moderate amounts from farmers ahead of the upcoming winter-spring
harvest.
Some traders said they will be joining a tender issued by South Korea's
state-backed Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp to purchase an
estimated 72,200 tonnes of rice.
Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety <RI-INBKN5-P1> was

unchanged at $368-$374 per tonne, holding near the lowest in more
than a month as demand was muted from key buyers.
"White rice buyers are shifting to Myanmar and Pakistan because of

lower prices," said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm.
Indian farmers are likely to harvest a record 127.93 million tonnes,
compared with 124.37 million tonnes the year before.
Meanwhile, rain-fed rice output in neighbouring Bangladesh is expected

to rise to 15 million tonnes this year, as farmers raised acreage to cash in
on higher prices and favourable weather, according to the country's
Agriculture Ministry.
But despite the good crops and reserves, Bangladesh has been battling
high domestic prices of the staple.
Thailand's 5% broken rice prices <RI-THBKN5-P1> were quoted at

$410-$420 per tonne, up from $407-$415 last week, mainly due to a
change in the exchange rate, traders said, with the baht having gained
1.7% versus the dollar from Feb. 11 till Thursday.
But a Bangkok-based trader said prices could soon weaken as the off-
season harvest begins. (Reporting by Seher Dareen in Bengaluru,
Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Rajendra
Jadhav in Mumbai and Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Editing by Devika
Syamnath)
© Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Click For Restrictions

- http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
Read more about
Markets Newswire
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https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/update-1-argentina-grain-inspectors-announce-strike-
monday-no-effect-on-shipments
February 18, 2022 13:00
$2.3m of Rice Exported in 10

Months
$2.3m of Rice Exported in 10 Months
.....
A total of 1,731 tons of rice worth $2.3 million were exported from Iran
to 27 countries during the current Iranian year’s first 10 months (March 21,
2021-Jan. 20), according to the spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Customs Administration.
“Canada with 314 tons worth $429,060, Iraq with 368 tons worth $403,013,
Germany with 245 tons worth $350,215, Turkey with 216 tons worth
$289,403, Australia with 168 tons worth $246,271, the UAE with 133 tons
worth $189,364 and the UK with 77 tons worth $106,545 were the seven
biggest export destinations for Iranian rice,” Rouhollah Latifi was quoted as
saying by ISNA.
Other countries that purchased rice from Iran include Austria, Jordan, Estonia,
Slovakia, Afghanistan, Italy, South Africa, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Denmark,
Romania, Switzerland, Finland, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, Georgia, Malaysia,
Norway and the Netherlands.
Latifi noted that 50 tons of rice husks worth $25,729 were exported to
Pakistan during the same period.
https://financialtribune.com/articles/domestic-economy/112570/23m-of-rice-exported-in-10-months
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Florida International plays Rice on home

slide
By Associated Press
Yesterday at 2:44 a.m. EST
Rice Owls (14-11, 6-7 C-USA) at Florida International Panthers (14-12, 4-9 C-USA)
Miami; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Florida International aims to break its three-game home losing streak
with a win over Rice.
The Panthers have gone 10-4 at home. Florida International is eighth in C-USA scoring
72.2 points while shooting 43.5% from the field.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/florida-international-plays-rice-on-home-slide/
2022/02/18/901902ce-908e-11ec-8ddd-52136988d263_story.html
Photo: KFC JapanFood
KFC Japan releases official

onigiri rice ball, miso ramen
rice recipes
Feb. 15 06:20 am JST 4 Comments
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

TOKYO
There’s arguably no from-overseas fast food chain that Japan has accepted to
enthusiastically as KFC, and that cultural appreciation goes both ways. So
while the Colonel’s fried chicken is a viable meal as-is in Japan, KFC also
periodically releases official recipes for how to use its signature poultry as an
ingredient in traditional Japanese dishes.
They’ve just released a new batch of recipes, so let’s check out some of the
tastiest-looking, starting with tori gobo okowa onigiri, or chicken and
burdock root rice balls.
Ingredients:
● Original recipe KFC fried chicken (2 pieces)
● Rice (360 milliliters)
● Sliced carrots and burdock root (70 grams)
● Kirimochi rice cake sheets (50 grams)

● Soy sauce (1 tablespoon)
● Mirin (2 tablespoons)
Mirin (a type of cooking sake), kirimochi, and burdock root aren’t too hard to
find at Japanese food specialty stores outside Japan, and often you can find
packs of pre-cut carrots and burdock together, called a kinpira gobo pack.
Step 1: Start by washing the rice and slicing the mochi into 1-centimeter
squares.
Step 2: Next, put the rice into your rice cooker, along with the soy sauce and
mirin. Next add the chicken (still on the bone), carrots, burdock root, and,
last, the mochi slices. Then close your rice cooker’s lid and cook everything
like you would a pot of regular rice.
Step 3: Once the rice cooker is done, transfer the contents to a bowl. Remove
the chicken from the bone, put the meat back in the bowl, and stir everything
together. Once you’ve got a uniform distribution of ingredients, form the
mixture into rice balls, and you’re ready to eat!
Pretty easy, huh? So easy that we should still have plenty of energy left over to
try our hand at making miso chicken ramen takikomi gohan, or miso ramen-
seasoned chicken rice.
Ingredients:
● Original recipe KFC fried chicken (2 pieces)
● Instant miso ramen (1 pack)
● Rice (360 milliliters)
● Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
● Green onions
Takikomi gohan is another Japanese dish where you stick a bunch of extra
ingredients into the rice cooker, and this one is also a snap to make.
Step 1: Put rice and necessary amount of water into the rice cooker. Add miso
ramen broth base (i.e powder) and salt, then stir. Add chicken (still on bone).
Finally, break the dry, uncooked ramen into small pieces and add them. Close
the rice cooker lid and cook as usual.
Step 2: Once the rice cooker is done, remove chicken from bone and stir
everything together. Top with sliced green onions, and you’re all done.
As you can see, KFC Japan is really big on the idea of rice cooker dishes. They
even recommend combining the same amounts of chicken and rice (two pieces
and 360 milliliters) with two packs of creamy tarako cod roe pasta sauce and
half a teaspoon of salt in the rice cooker, then crowning it with
shredded shiso (Japanese basil), like in the picture below.
▼ Add in the KFC okonomiyaki and ramen soup from a previous

recipe batch, and you’ve got your weekday dinners planned out.
KFC Japan says each of the recipes serves three to four people, just the right
amount for a meal with some friends with broad palates or leave yourself with
some tasty leftovers if you’re dining solo.
Source: KFC Japan via IT Media
Insert images: KFC Japan
https://japantoday.com/category/features/food/kfc-japan-releases-official-onigiri-rice-ball-miso-ramen-
rice-recipes
Rice cooker maker Zojirushi wins board

fight with Chinese investor
Major shareholder loses another push to install hand-picked directors
Zojirushi rice cookers at an electronics store in Kyoto. (Photo by Kento Hirashima)
SEI MATSUMOTO, Nikkei staff writerFebruary 18, 2022 01:36 JST
OSAKA -- Investors in Zojirushi again voted down director appointments

proposed by a major Chinese shareholder in a general meeting Thursday,
handing the Japanese appliance maker another win in its running battle with
the fund.
Ace Frontier had proposed adding former Yamagata Prefecture Gov. Hiroshi

Saito and Kwansei Gakuin University professor Toshihiko Ishihara to the
board. The picks were opposed by Zojirushi's management.
The fund argued adding the two would help bring international perspectives to
the board. Ace Frontier has been criticizing Zojirushi for its slow overseas
expansion and shareholder returns out of sync with its earnings.
The fund, headed by a member of the founding family Chinese appliance

maker Galanz Group, holds a total interest of 15.51% in Zojirushi together with
investors including Galanz's Japanese arm.
Zojirushi held its general shareholders meeting Thursday in Osaka. (Photo by Sei Matsumoto)
"It's the wrong decision from a long-term perspective," Liang Huiqiang, head
of Ace Frontier and deputy director at Galanz, told Nikkei after the meeting.
"We will actively engage with management and push for them to improve."
The fund will consider divesting its stake if there is no sign of improvement,
Liang said.
Galanz previously clashed with Zojirushi in 2020, when Ace Frontier proposed
adding former Bank of Japan official Satoshi Nagano to the board. That
was rejected as well.
Zojirushi's proposals at Thursday's meeting, including a poison pill takeover

defense, all passed. "Going forward, we will work to live up to our
shareholders' expectations," the company said.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Rice-cooker-maker-Zojirushi-wins-board-fight-with-
Chinese-investor
Negros Occidental gets rice, seeds for

typhoon-hit localities
NEGROS. Negros Occidental receives 695 packs of rice and 10,820 kilograms of rice seeds to be distributed to
typhoon-hit localities. (Capitol photo)
February 17, 2022
- A A +
THE Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Negros Occidental has donated 695 packs of 10-
kilogram milled rice to the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental on Wednesday afternoon,
February 16, 2022.
The province also received 10,820 kilograms of rice seeds from the Oriental Mindoro Seed Producers
Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
This was through the coordination efforts of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, PhilRice-Negros,
Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro, Office of the Civil Defense, Philippine Coast Guard in Iloilo
and Bacolod, and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The donations were received by Executive Assistant to the Governor Francis Velez.
It will be distributed to typhoon-affected local government units as the province continues its relief
operations every week. (PR)
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1921238/bacolod/business/negros-occidental-gets-rice-seeds-for-
typhoon-hit-localities
A-Listers at the A-State Agribusiness Conference
By Deborah Willenborg
JONESBORO, AR – More than 350 Arkansas ag leaders gathered here yesterday for the Annual A-State
Agribusiness Conference and the mood was relatively upbeat despite the many challenges facing
agriculture generally and rice specifically.
Conference director and professor of ag economics Dr. Bert Greenwalt kicked the conference off with
greetings and thank yous to the many sponsors who keep the event free for attendees, including USA
Rice that has been a sponsor for 21 of the conference’s 28 years.
USA Rice's Michael Klein raises expectations for rice opportunities
The general session began with Chelsie Keys, senior professional staff at the Senate Agriculture
Committee for Senator John Boozman, providing in depth updates of climate legislation, federal
spending, and a look ahead at the next Farm Bill.
Keys said Senator Boozman and Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow are planning field hearings this
spring, in Michigan in April and Arkansas in May.
USA Rice Outlook Conference mainstay Jim Weisemeyer took the stage next to give his detailed analysis
of ag policy in Washington as he approaches his 50th year covering the industry.
Among the thoughts he shared were that many analysts predict the U.S. House and Senate will swing
back to Republican control following this year’s midterm elections and that President Trump will throw
his hat in the ring to be the 2024 GOP presidential nominee but is not a shoo-in.
The conference then broke into three concurrent sessions: Cotton Issues and Market Outlook; Poultry
and Livestock Trends and Issues; and Rice, Soybean and Grain Issues and Market Outlook.
Grayson Daniels, vice president for grain sales and procurement at Riceland Foods, shared his analysis of
rice, soybeans, and corn prices, stocks, carryover, and even price projections, though he cautioned that
factors change daily and his projections will as well.
USA Rice Vice President of International Sarah Moran walked attendees through the top U.S. export
markets for rice and talked about some of the promotion activities her group undertakes in key markets
such as Mexico and Central America. She also drove home how checkoff dollars and additional support
from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service help promote U.S. rice in about 20 markets.
Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of communications and domestic promotion, then gave an
overview of activities undertaken domestically to encourage greater consumption of U.S.-grown rice in
the foodservice, consumer, and nutrition space. He also provided an update on rice pretenders that
continue to infiltrate grocery stores and USA Rice plans to expand consumer research.
Finally, attendees at the General Session and at the speaker and sponsor dinner the evening before
were treated to Dr. Mickey Latour, dean of the College of Agriculture at Arkansas State University,
sharing his exciting vision for the school, including plans that are underway to help A-State recruit top-
tier talent into the ag profession and more.
Carolina Gold Rice Rush

February 16, 2022 amtouche
Nutty. Sweet. Beautifully chewy. We’re not describing a box of chocolates, we’re talking
about Carolina Gold Rice. This heirloom crop covered thousands of acres in the
Tidewater Region of North Carolina in the 1800s before a series of hurricanes wiped out
crop production.
After a 100-year hiatus, Carolina Gold Rice is making a comeback in North Carolina
thanks to some ambitious Pamlico County farmers who are growing rice as much for the
ducks as they are for the grains.
In our latest episode of Farms, Food and You, we’ll talk to Tommy Wheeler of Tidewater
Grain Company and Angela Post, NC State Extension Specialist in small grains, about
the comeback of Carolina Gold Rice and lessons they’re learning about how best to
grow this not so new, but definitely reemerging, crop in North Carolina.
https://cals.ncsu.edu/news/carolina-gold-rice-rush/
Niger State Inaugurates N40m Rice Mill

For Women
LATEST NEWS
By Agency Report On Feb 17, 2022

1 25
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Niger State Government inaugurated a rice mill worth N40 million for Kwakuti Women
Rice Processing Cooperative in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state on
Thursday.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Ibrahim Panti, inaugurated
the facility.
“Government welcomes the collaboration between it and other development partners,

for the completion and equipping of the rice processing centre,’’ he said.
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He listed the partners as the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Value
Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), and the Raw Materials Research and
Development Council (RMRDC).
Panti said the facility would improve the quality of milled rice to meet the requirements
of the local and international markets.
“It is interesting to note that prior to this intervention, the Kwakuti women processors
had no modern milling equipment.
“With this intervention, the project has provided enabling and neat environment for
processing rice,’’ he said.
The commissioner explained that the facility has parboiling shed, drying slab, milling
and de-stoning machines.
POLL
He added that the gesture would enhance rural socio-economic development and
improve tremendously, the livelihood of the rural poor, especially women.
In his remarks, Dr Idris Gbogan, Permanent Secretary in the ministry said that the IFAD-
assisted VCDP had achieved a lot in the state.
He listed some of the achievements as the production and boosting of rice processing
in Bida, Wushishi, Katcha, Kontagora, Shiroro, Edati, Borgu and Mokwa local
Government Areas of the state.
He said the VCDP-Additional Financing (VCDP-AF) provided processing infrastructure in

three new benefiting LGAs of Edati, Borgu and Mokwa.
He added that the VCDP-AF had supported more than 30,000 farmers in the state with
high quality seeds, improved cassava stem cuttings, tractors, power tillers and
processing equipment.
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The permanent secretary also noted that the programme had provided capacity building
for participating farmers and linked them to off-takers
In his remarks, Prof Hussaini Ibrahim, Director-General, RMRDC, said the council
embarked on partnerships with various processors of commodities to put up common
facilities to reduce their operational costs.
“The operation of this common facility entails that the processors will pay a token for
their commodities to be processed.
“The money realised from these charges shall be used to buy spare parts,
fuelling, payment of electricity and water bills,’’ he said.
Ibrahim said the arrangement would help the beneficiaries to replace the machines
when they wear out.
Earlier, Dr Mathew Ahmed, the state’s Programme Coordinator said that the building and
equipment was established at the cost of N40 million.
He explained that the VCDP provided the three buildings housing the equipment and
machines such as milling and de-stoning machines, while the RMRDC provided the
drying and parboiling equipment.
He said that the programme would subsidise the centre with 70 per cent of the cost of
its establishment, while the beneficiaries would pay the balance of 30 per cent.
He said the facility has capacity to process 25 tonnes of rice per day.
Hajiya Mairo Ibrahim, a member of the cooperative society in her remarks thanked the
collaborators for the gesture.
Ibrahim promised that the facility would be used judiciously for the benefit of users and
to further boost economic activities in the state. (NAN)
https://independent.ng/niger-state-inaugurates-n40m-rice-mill-for-women%EF%BF%BC/
GENERAL NEWS
Bauchi allocates 15,000 hectares of

land for rice production
Published
11 hours ago
on
February 17, 2022
By
NNN
The Bauchi state government has allocated 15,000 hectares of land to two indigenous

millers to speed up rice production in the state.
Information and Communication Commissioner Alhaji Dayyabu Chiroma stated this in
an interview with the Nigerian News Agency on Thursday in Bauchi .
Chiroma said 10,000 hectares of land have been allocated to Tiamin Rice Mill and
another 5,000 to Umza International Ltd.
He said the gesture was to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to encourage
self-sufficient rice production.
The commissioner said the gesture was also part of a deliberate attempt to encourage
investment in agriculture and increase the state’s revenue base .
“The companies will not only help transform the lives of local farmers, but also provide
employment opportunities.
“People can get fresh, quality rice from local markets, as well as improve business
across the state.
“Investors will benefit from incentives such as free land for the installation of factories
and manufacturing industries.
“The private sector has a key role to play in expanding the state industrial base,” he
said.
According to him, investments like the rice mill will accelerate the state government’s
drive to achieve sustainable industrial growth through effective utilization of agriculture
and water resources in the state.
Chiroma reiterated the state government’s commitment to ease of doing business, to
encourage investment in the agricultural and mining sectors.
It will be recalled that Tiamin Rice had established a mega mill in Bauchi and a rice
plantation in Udubu in the Gamawa local government area of the state.
While Umza announced plans to invest around $100 million in paddy rice and industrial
sugarcane cultivation in the state.
Short Link: https://wp.me/pcj2iU-3Ibe
https://nnn.ng/bauchi-allocates-hectares/
Step up rice lifting process to FCI’

Friday, 18 February 2022 | Staff Reporter | RAIPUR

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Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain on Thursday told Collectors to step up the
process of depositing custom milled rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Instructions have also been given to transport the remaining paddy from the paddy
procurement centers at the earliest.
The Chief Secretary was reviewing the Food Movement Work Plan under the
Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection at Mantralaya
Mahanadi Bhawan.
Officials of FCI, Railways and the Food Department attended the meeting.
Jain directed the Collectors to ensure depositing the rice in the godowns as per the set
target of FCI so that rice milled by millers can be deposited in the stipulated time.
He also sought necessary action after reviewing the problems faced in transportation
and storage of rice.
The Chief Secretary directed the railway officials to make available sufficient quantity of
rakes as per the target.
Similarly, instructions have been given to ensure time bound work of rake movement by
the FCI so that the vehicles for transportation can be arranged for the rice millers.
The Chief Secretary called for arranging adequate warehouses in Mungeli, Dhamtari,
Kawardha, Bemetara and Kanker districts.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/---step-up-rice-lifting-process-to-fci---.html
Why You Should Consider Alternatives to
Infant Rice Cereal
While Gerber and Earth's Best have reduced arsenic levels, they are still not low enough, CR says
By Kevin Loria
February 17, 2022
 49 shares of the article

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Photo: Consumer Reports

Two brands of infant rice cereal—Gerber and Earth’s Best—have lowered the levels of inorganic arsenic in their products, new tests from
Consumer Reports show. The companies had come under fire over the past year by lawmakers, state attorneys general, and consumer
groups for the amount of the heavy metal in their rice cereals.
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But even at these new, relatively lower levels, the amounts of arsenic are still above what many experts recommend, says Brian Ronholm,
director of food policy at Consumer Reports, and are much higher than what’s found in other infant grain cereals, such as oatmeal.
M ORE O N HE AV Y MET AL S
Heavy Metals in Baby Food: What You Need to Know
Arsenic and Lead in Juices
Report Finds Problems With Heavy Metals in Baby Food
Herbs and Spices May Contain Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead
Arsenic and other heavy metals can build up in the body, which can be especially dangerous to babies and young children. Inorganic arsenic
is the more harmful type. Cumulative exposure is linked to behavior problems, ADHD, lower IQ, and increased risk for skin and bladder
cancer.
“Manufacturers should be more aggressive in trying to lower inorganic levels,” Ronholm says. “If it is not feasible, they should stop selling it
and ensure the wide availability of safer alternatives.”

Growing Pressure
In October, CR called on five baby food companies to suspend making and selling rice cereal because of its high arsenic levels. That
request was made after a series of recalls and a pair of congressional reports that found alarmingly high levels of arsenic and other heavy
metals in certain baby foods produced by these companies. Previous tests by CR and other organizations had shown similar results.
Also that month, New York state Attorney General Letitia James, along with attorneys general from 22 other states, petitioned the Food and
Drug Administration to lower its limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal from the current 100 parts per billion to a lower, more protective
one. The attorneys general also want the FDA to speed up plans to set limits on other heavy metals in baby food. They cited evidence,
including from CR’s tests, that manufacturers can achieve lower levels in their rice cereal products.
In response to CR, several manufacturers said they were suspending or had already stopped selling infant rice cereal—leaving two major
players, Gerber and Earth’s Best, made by Hain Celestial, on the market. Both companies told CR they had taken steps to reduce the levels
of heavy metals in infant rice cereals.

To assess how successful those efforts were, CR tested infant rice cereal made by both companies.
Still Too Much Arsenic
CR tested three samples from different lots of the rice cereals offered by each company.
Inorganic arsenic levels in Earth’s Best Organic Infant Rice Cereal averaged 66.4 ppb. Gerber’s Single-Grain Rice Baby Cereal averaged
62.9 ppb and its Organic Single-Grain Rice Baby Cereal averaged 61.1 ppb.
These are lower than in previous tests for infant rice cereals made by both companies. For example, tests of three lots of cereals conducted
by CR in 2012 found average inorganic arsenic levels of 152 ppb for an Earth’s Best product and 106.8 ppb and 68.4 ppb for two Gerber
products. And tests cited in the September congressional report found average inorganic arsenic levels of 87.4 ppb in Gerber’s conventional
rice cereal and 65.6 ppb in its organic rice cereal.
Both companies told CR their products meet the current government limit for inorganic arsenic, as confirmed in CR’s recent tests. A
spokesperson for Gerber said, “Parents are encouraged to serve a variety of infant cereal grains, including rice, wheat, and oat, as part of a
balanced diet for little ones.” A spokesperson for Hain Celestial said Earth’s Best infant rice cereal is part of a “portfolio of safe and nutritious
products.”
While these declines are welcome, CR’s experts say there is still plenty of room for improvement. They say the FDA set the limit at 100 ppb
because of the increased risk for cancer caused by long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic at that level. But that limit didn’t fully take into
account research showing that neurological damage can occur at lower levels.
In addition, they say other infant cereals have lower levels. For example, in CR’s 2018 tests, infant oatmeals ranged from 7.1 ppb to 30 ppb;
these products included cereals from Gerber and Earth’s Best.
“Infant rice cereal could be responsible for more than half of all exposure to inorganic arsenic in infants and toddlers if they ate it daily,”
Ronholm says, referring to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. “Significantly
reducing inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal would be a very effective way to address this issue and provide assurances to parents.”
“While it’s not yet clear what is the lowest attainable level for inorganic arsenic in rice cereal, companies should strive to achieve the lowest
levels possible,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at CR. “The goal should be to have no measurable
levels of any heavy metal in baby foods,” he says.

Protect Babies From Arsenic Exposure
Sign CR’s petition to Gerber and Earth’s Best to suspend the sale of infant rice cereals until more protective standards and testing are in place for
inorganic arsenic.
Tips for Limiting Arsenic Exposure in Babies
While it’s important to avoid heavy metal exposure, parents need to feed their children, and there’s no reason for panic. Parents can take
steps to limit the amount children get in their diets. (See more advice on reducing exposure.)
Limit your child’s intake of the highest-risk foods. These include not just rice cereal but also rice itself and other products made with it, such
as rice puffs and rice cakes. Other foods often high in arsenic include sweet potatoes, apple juice, and grape juice. Eating other whole grains
such as oatmeal is a safer option for young children.
Don’t assume “organic” foods have less arsenic. Many parents purchase organic food because they believe the products are safer. But at least
when it comes to heavy metals, as CR’s recent and previous tests have shown, organic products don’t necessarily have lower levels.
Be wary of claims that imply a product is safer. On Feb. 17, New York Attorney General James issued a letter (PDF) demanding that baby
food company Holle USA stop advertising its baby foods as being “lead free” and having “[n]o detectable traces of heavy metals.” Lab testing
ordered by the attorney general’s office of Holle USA baby food products found detectable levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead.
Feed kids a wide variety of foods. Eating a wide variety of foods can help ensure that your children get the nutrients they need, and it can stop
them from overconsuming foods that may have higher levels of heavy metals.
For 85 years, we have been fighting to make sure you get a fair deal and safe
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tirelessly to bring consumers like you trusted information, so you have the
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family. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the support of our members to
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Kevin Loria
I'm a science journalist who writes about health for Consumer Reports. I'm interested in finding the ways that people can transform their health for the
better and in calling out the systems, companies, and policies that expose patients to unnecessary harm. As a dad, I spend most of my free time trying to
keep up with a toddler, but I also enjoy exploring the outdoors whenever possible. Follow me on Twitter (@kevloria).
https://www.consumerreports.org/baby-food/why-you-should-consider-alternatives-to-infant-rice-
cereal-a8571897937/
Weedy Rice Identifcation Videos and UCCE Rice Youtube Channel
 Author: Whitney Brim-DeForest
Published on: February 18, 2022
We have recently produced a series of videos on weedy rice identification in California. Each
video is biotype-specific. Our UC Rice YouTube Channel also has many other recordings from our
virtual meetings and webinars.
Weedy Rice Type 1
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=51607
Area under the cereal touches normal acreage of 31 lakh acres
Like thousands of other farmers in Telangana, Vilas Bhukya was in a dilemma --

whether or not to cultivate paddy . And this was for a reason -- with the Union
Government making it clear that it is not going to buy any parboiled rice this rabi
season, the State Government asked its farmers to shun paddy.
But Vilas and thousands of his peers decided to go ahead with paddy, with a
difference. He distributed his five-acre farm equally between fine varieties and
varieties suited for parboiled rice. As a result, the area under paddy in the State, which
was to be cut down to 15-20 lakh acres in the season, has crossed the 30-lakh acre
mark, surprising many.
The Centre said it would not be able to procure parboiled rice during the rabi season is
it has stocks for nearly 3-4 years. Also, Telangana does not consume parboiled rice
and States consuming the variety have their own arrangements.
On the other hand, farmers in the State are converting paddy to parboiled rice as
milling it to white rice results in a higher percentage of broken. This is because the
grain is exposed to very high temperatures during March-April. One way of finding a
solution to this problem is to modernise rice bills, which will result in the State having
to meet the expenses. All these have led to controversies and Centre-State dispute.
Though initially there were signs of a significant drop in sowing, the area under paddy
has equalled the normal area under the crop. According to the latest figures, paddy has
been sown on 31 lakh acres, which is normal for the season. The area is expected to
grow a little further before the sowing season ends in the next few days.
Though this is 36 per cent less than last year’s acreage of 49 lakh acres, the extent of
paddy sowings is higher than the State’s target, which was to reduce the paddy area to
about 20 lakh acres. Telangana Rythu Sangham leader S Malla Reddy had asserted
that the farmers would not cut down the area under paddy despite the government’s
warning. “There is a scope for procurement considering the size of the country and
opportunities for exports,” he said.
Interestingly, about one-third of the 31 lakh acres is covered by fine varieties, which
face no issues. While asking the farmers to shun paddy in the rabi season, the State
Government had asked them to grow paddy only if they had tie-ups with millers.
Safe bet
Asked why farmers went ahead and planted paddy, T Devender Reddy, President of
South India Millers Associations, said paddy was always a safe bet for farmers. “It’s
the only crop that provides an assured income. This must be one reason for them to go
with paddy,” he said. He, however, suggested farmers should go for varieties that
have demand in the market. “The dependence on the government procurement should
go,” he said. Another reason is that it is not very easy for a paddy farmer to shift to
other crops. “The fields prepared for paddy are not suitable immediately for other
crops. Restoration will take 2-3 years,” an agricultural scientist said.
Published on February 17, 2022
rice (commodity)
cultivation
Telangana
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No rice price hike during Ramadan,

predicts food secretary
FE REPORT | Published: February 17, 2022 10:26:14 | Updated: February
18, 2022 18:43:44
Food Secretary Dr Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum on Wednesday assured that
the prices of rice would not increase during the upcoming holy month of
Ramadan.
She gave the assurance while talking to reporters at her Secretariat office.
"I can assure you (journalists) that the prices of rice would not increase during
Ramadan this year because the food-friendly programme of the government
will start in March," Dr Nazmanara said.
"As many as five million families would get 30 kg rice each under the
programme. So there is no chance of rice price hike during the month of
fasting," she added.
Asked what would be the government initiative in case rice prices increase
inevitably during Ramadan in line with the present high rate of the main
staple, she said, "If we (government) see that situation, we would increase the
number of open market sale (OMS) outlets."
She asserted that the government always shows liberal attitudes as regards the
food issues and it (the government) would start selling rice at increased
volumes at subsidised rate in the open market.
"And if necessary, the government is ready to import rice considering the

interest of the consumers," she said.
She, however, straightaway ruled out the possibility of rice import right now
by the government.
The country has now over two million tonnes of food stock in the public silos,
she said.
If the government takes move to import rice, the critics might through into
question the government's claim of the present sufficient food stock in the
country, she added.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had earlier suggested
that the government import rice though they expressed satisfaction at the
country's overall food production, she said.
"We (the government) don't want to import (rice)-- if we can fulfill our
requirement within our means then it will be easier for us to establish that we
are self-sufficient," she added.
Even though there is a stock of over two million tonnes of food, millers are
ready to sell rice to the government, she continued.
"So prices of the coarse varieties of rice would not increase further; rather
those would come down after arrival of the newly-harvested Boro, " she said.
She expressed optimism that if any untoward situation dose not happen newly-
harvested Boro rice would hit the market in April next that will help prevent
further price escalation of rice.
Admitting the present price spiral of different varieties of rice, she said it
would be brought under control through increased supply (of rice). Prices of
different varieties of rice in the market are now high.
Coarse varieties of rice were selling at around Tk50 per kg while fine varieties
at between Tk60 and Tk 65 a kg in the city's retail markets on Wednesday.
[email protected]
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/no-rice-price-hike-during-ramadan-predicts-food-secretary-
1645071974
RPT-ASIA RICE-VIETNAM RATES RISE

AS ACTIVITY PICKS UP, INDIA MARKET
SUBDUED
2/17/2022
(Repeats with no changes to text)

By Seher Dareen


week ago.

harvest.




Syamnath)

https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/update-1-argentina-grain-inspectors-announce-strike-
monday-no-effect-on-shipments
LGUs: key partners of DA-PhilRice in RCEF implementation

Local government units (LGUs) in the 42 target provinces of the Rice Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program were recognized for their outstanding contribution in
the rollout of the certified seeds to the rice farmers.
In distributing the seeds, Crisostomo Rabaca, provincial agriculturist of Zambales said that
the systematic implementation of the RCEF-Seed Program enabled them to properly perform on
the ground.
“Your agency’s system — from planning, delivery, distribution, up to monitoring and

evaluation, is convenient for us and friendly for our farmers. More importantly, RCEF greatly
contributed to the increase of high-quality seeds utilization in our province. Around 16% of our
total area harvested in 2018 were planted with farmers’ home-saved seeds. This reduced
significantly to 5% in 2019, and in 2021, it is only at 0.06%! We commit to continue working with
you as we aim to achieve 100% high-quality seed utilization this 2022,” Rabaca pronounced
during the program’s annual review and workshop held this week.
According to Dr. John de Leon, executive director of the Department of Agriculture-

Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), the combined efforts of the Institute, its
partner-LGUs, other implementing agencies, seed growers’ cooperatives and associations, and
the legislators were instrumental in achieving the program’s goals amidst the pandemic.
“All the hard work we’ve done together in RCEF (and the DA’s National Rice Program) has
paid off. Together, we have enabled and empowered our rice farmers to achieve yet another
milestone. For the second year in a row, our rice farmers produced an all-time high record
production of 19.96 million metric tons of palay,” he said.
Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, DA-PhilRice RCEF Program Management Office head, reported that
based on analysis, the contribution of RCEF-Seed to the country’s overall rice production for the
2021 dry and wet seasons (DS / WS) is estimated between 15% and 23%. Its contribution to the
production of its target provinces can be as high as 38-59%.
In 2021 DS, 1.65 million bags were distributed to more than 600,000 farmers. In 2021 WS,
1.76 million bags were distributed to more than 700,000 farmers. The total area planted with
RCEF seeds for both seasons reached 466,578ha and 572,203ha, respectively.
During the review, which was hosted in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the provincial
and municipal/city LGUs and their respective local agriculture offices, which achieved high rates
of seed delivery and distribution under set categories, were awarded with plaques and
certificates of appreciation.
Kalinga, Biliran, and Maguindanao topped the provinces under the small-scale category, or
those with a seed allocation of 20,000 bags and below. Zambales and Davao del Norte also
won in the medium-scale category or those with allocation of more than 20,000 and less than
40,000 bags. Pampanga, South Cotabato, and Surigao del Sur ranked first in the large-scale
category or those with more than 40,000 bags allocation.
City/municipal (C/M) LGUs were also awarded based on their percent delivery and
distribution.
Small scale C/M LGUs had an allocation of 1,000 seed bags or below. Winners in this
category include Aguinaldo, Ifugao; Pugo, La Union; Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya; Dinalungan,
Aurora; Patnanungan, Quezon; San Jacinto, Masbate; Malay, Aklan; Corella, Bohol; and
Kawayan, Biliran. Recognitions were also given to the representatives of San Miguel,
Zamboanga del Sur; Calamba, Misamis Occidental; Caraga, Davao Oriental; T’boli, South
Cotabato; Barobo, Surigao del Sur; and Buldon, Maguindanao.
Medium scale C/MLGUs had more than 1,000 but less than 5,000 bags allocation.
Recipients were Rizal, Kalinga; Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Nagtipunan, Quirino; San Marcelino,
Zambales; Siniloan, Laguna; San Fernando, Masbate; and San Enrique, Negros Occidental.
Cited municipalities also include Biliran, Biliran; Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay; Baroy, Lanao del
Norte; New Bataan, Davao de Oro; Banga, South Cotabato; Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan
del Norte; and Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Large scale C/MLGUs had more than 5,000 bags allocation. Awardees include Tabuk City,
Kalinga; Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; Candaba, Pampanga; Oas, Albay; Panay, Capiz; and
Calbayog City, Western Samar. Efforts of the implementers in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay;
Salvador, Lanao del Norte; New Corella, Davao del Norte; Surallah, South Cotabato; and Tago,
Surigao del Sur were also lauded.
The RCEF-Seed Program is a component of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law,
which allots P10 billion fund every year for the rice farmers. Sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Villar,
the program is a six-year government initiative to help the farmers compete in the international
rice market.
DA-PhilRice leads the RCEF-Seed Program and is the government’s lead agency on rice
research and development mandated to help ensure a rice-secure Philippines. With eight
stations across the country, its programs and projects are in line with the DA’s “Masaganang
Ani, Mataas na Kita” battlecry. For more information about the Institute’s program, queries can
be sent thru PhilRice Text Center (0917 111 7423) or email [email protected].//
February 14, 2022 15:52 IST
Updated: February 18, 2022 12:48 IST
Sunflower farms are being set up in different parts of Kerala to attract tourists
and for extracting oil
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SP Sujith in his sunflower farm | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Sunflower farms are being set up in different parts of Kerala to attract tourists
and for extracting oil
Sunflower tourism is taking root in Kerala with two farmers — SP Sujith from
Alappuzha and Ameer Babu of Malappuram — taking the lead to put the State on the
map of sunflower cultivation. Although done on a small scale, their fields have seen
domestic tourists making a beeline to see the flowers in bloom. In addition, farmers in
Kollam, Palakkad, Idukki and Wayanad have also turned to sunflowers as a source of
revenue.
Sujith, a recipient of the Kerala government’s award for the best young farmer of
2015, grew sunflower on 2.5 acres at Kanjikuzhi, near Cherthala, in January 2021. “I
bought the seeds from Tamil Nadu, it was an experiment. The result was beyond my
expectations. Then I began farming sunflowers in four more plots, measuring about
six acres in and around Cherthala,” says Sujith, 35. He conducted flower shows,
charging ₹10-20 per head from visitors. The fifth plot is being readied on another two
acres.
Ameer Babu at his sunflower farm at Karinjapadi in Malappuram | Photo Credit: Special
arrangement
For Ameer, it was his second attempt at growing the crop. “The first set planted in
2018 was washed away in the flood. Two months ago, I tried again, with seeds from
Vijayawada,” says Ameer, 43. Now the two-acre farm in Karinjapadi is a tourist
destination. “I have tried to grow crops that are not commonly cultivated in Kerala,
such as onions and carrots. I wanted to try sunflower as well having seen its fields in
Karnataka. Once the flowers bloomed, there has been a flood of visitors, thanks to
social media platforms and vloggers. The flowers will be harvested soon and I plan to
do it on a big scale in the coming months,” says Ameer.
Also Read
Meet the Telangana farmer who switched from cultivating pulses to creating a flower-rich field for
everyone to enjoy
Farm tourism
Sujith is hopeful of more people taking up sunflower cultivation and has explored the
possibility of farm tourism. One such programme was held at Cherthala as part of the
annual festival at Arthungal Church, where the public could go horse riding, visit an
agriculture expo, try fishing and so on.
“Many people who came to the flower shows have bought seeds and saplings from us.
The Agriculture Department and panchayat officials have been supportive of my
endeavours,” adds Sujith. Known for trying to grow crops new to Kerala on his land,
such as shallots, grapes, water melon, and basmati rice among others, he was also in
the news for successfully implementing floating raft agriculture (Raft is set up on
bamboo frames that are held together by coir geotextile with a bed of degraded water
hyacinth).
Visitors at Ameer Babu’s sunflower farm at Karinjapadi in Malappuram | Photo Credit: Sakeer
Hussain
Also in Alappuzha is the Thiruvizha Devaswom Farm Tourism project where a

sunflower garden is an attraction. An initiative of a group of farmers, the project
spread across 15 acres has a marigold garden, horse riding facilities, fish pond, and a
tree house on its premises. “Sunflowers are in full bloom for 15-20 days. We are
growing it in different phases so that all plants do not flower at the same time,” says
Jyothish Kanjikuzhi, one of the farmers in the project.
Sunflower grows well in well-drained and fertile soil. Frequent irrigation is not
necessary. “In summer it takes 45-50 days for the plants to flower whereas in January-
February it takes 30 days,” Sujith says.
Attappady in Palakkad district used to have a flourishing sunflower cultivation until a

decade ago. It eventually withered away due to lack of support and climatic
conditions. But a handful of farmers restarted the cultivation last year. “Although
there has been no large-scale cultivation, tribals have been growing sunflower in their
hamlets on small patches for the seeds. They eat the seeds. Now farmers are coming
forward to do it on a bigger scale. In 2021, we had eight farmers in the fray. Some
private dealers have come forward to procure the seeds,” says Latha R, assistant
director of agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Agaly.
Farmers in Munnar and Vattavada in Idukki district have been cultivating sunflower
on a small scale along with other crops over the last few years. Recently Horticorp
(Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation) grew sunflower on 10
cents in Munnar and the seeds were sold to those who came to visit the nearby
strawberry farm.
A roadside garden
Meanwhile, Wandoor in Malappuram district might soon have a sunflower garden in

every household. Thanks to Ambalappadi Koottam, a citizens’ forum in the town.
A view of the sunflower garden by the roadside at Wandoor in Malappuram | Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
In December, members of the forum set up a sunflower garden on 30 cents of a vacant

plot by the roadside. The state highway passes by the town and when the stretch was
rubberised, the roadside had ended up as a dumping yard for construction waste,
causing accidents. “Ambalappadi Koottam cleared the mess. The waste collected was
used to landfill this plot. Since we couldn’t do anything permanent on the land
because it is government property, we decided to do short-term cultivation. That’s
how sunflower came into the picture,” says Muringathu Hariharan, a farmer.
Retired hands, teachers, autorickshaw drivers, and government officials are among the
members of the forum. “We planted 500 saplings and they flowered in December.
Those who passed by made a stopover to see our garden and take selfies. When the
flowers were in full bloom, we conducted cultural programmes in the evenings at the
venue. The seeds collected after the harvest will be distributed to houses or groups
who are interested in growing the crop,” he says.
St Jude Ayalkoottam at Moolankavu in Wayanad too was in the news for setting up a
sunflower garden by the roadside.
Edible oil
Although it is an oilseed crop, the state has to go a long way in extracting oil, because
of the lack of mills to extract oil from sunflower seeds. So several farmers give away
the seeds as bird feed.
SP Sujith (centre) with the sunflower heads harvested from his farm | Photo Credit: Special
Arrangement
However, Sujith has managed to manufacture oil from the flowers harvested from his
land. “We get 250-300 seeds from a big of flowers. I approached a coconut oil mill
nearby and got 12 kg oil from 63 kg seeds,” says Sujith. He sold the oil at ₹500 per
kg.
According to Latha, farmers in Attappady are depending on mills in Tamil Nadu for
extracting the oil.
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Printable version | Feb 18, 2022 12:52:11 pm |

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/keralas-date-with-sunflower-
cultivation/article65048120.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/keralas-date-with-sunflower-cultivation/
article65048120.ece+&
Kolambi Bhaat: An Authentic Prawn-
Rice Recipe For Sea-Food Lovers
Trust us or not, if you are a seafood lover, this recipe is the one you must try! We are sure this
recipe will get you hooked.
हिंदी में पढ़ें
 Gauri Rohatgi
 Updated: February 15, 2022 15:35 IST
Read Time:2 min

'Kolambi' means prawns, whereas 'bhaat' stands for rice.
Highlights
 Maharashtrian cuisine is filled with delectable recipes.

 Here we bring you Kolambi Bhaat recipe to try at home.
 Take a look.
Think Maharashtrian cuisine and your mind will automatically start wandering
around a riot of flavourful delicacies arising out of the incredibly diverse culinary
offerings of the state. From ever-popular vada pav and misal pav to
various chicken curries and seafood recipes like bombil fry and more, you will
find a wide range of delicacies available in this cuisine- be it for vegetarians or
non-vegetarians. However, the aforementioned recipes are quite popular and
ubiquitous in Maharashtra. This state has so much to offer apart from these
signature dishes. One of them is the very amazing Kolambi Bhaat.
As the name suggests, 'Kolambi' means prawns, whereas 'bhaat' stands for rice.
This recipe involves prawns and rice along with a variety of spices. Much
like prawn pulao, the masala base here is made with powdered spices and goda
masala which is a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, cassia and
coconut all roasted until nutty and light brown. Wondering how to make it? Click
here.
Kolambi Bhaat Recipe: How To Make Kolambi Bhaat
Trust us or not, if you are a seafood lover, this recipe is the one you must try! We
are sure this recipe will get you hooked. To start with the recipe, take a bowl, add
the prawns along with the turmeric powder and pinch of salt.
Ads by
Now, in a small saucepan, add the basmati rice along with the water. Bring to a
boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes until all the water has dried up. Now, in a
blender add the garlic and ginger along with a splash of water and blend until a
fine thick paste.
For the full recipe, click here.
For more Maharashtrian recipes, click here.
If you are a seafood lover and want to try making seafood at home, click here for
recipes.
Now that you know everything, it's time for you to try this recipe at home and let
us know how you liked it in the comment section below. Happy Cooking!
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/kolambi-bhaat-an-authentic-prawn-rice-recipe-for-sea-food-lovers-
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A hearty, filling, one-pot meal can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights, and this recipe is
no exception. Two pantry staples — canned beans and rice — form the base of this dish,
and it’s bursting with mushroom flavor thanks to the pairing of canned fungi and a retro
recipe shortcut: condensed cream of mushroom soup.
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Boosting agricultural productivity

Published: February 18, 2022 22:07:09
The third-largest sector in terms of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) share
after the manufacturing and service, the agriculture's contribution to the
economy has been on the decline over the past decade. In fact, during the
period, its contribution has fallen from the previous 17 per cent to 12.6 per
cent in 2020, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statics (BBS). Since the
sector's role is crucial to the country's food security, the challenges now
facing agriculture from burgeoning population and climate change call for
meeting those with urgency. The added concern at this point is that the amount
of arable land is decreasing rather than increasing. According to an estimate,
between 1970 and 2019, the amount of arable land has shrunk from 8.837
million hectares to 7.967 million hectares.
Under the circumstances, to meet the growing demand for food grains and
other agricultural produces, the best option left is to increase productivity of
the land available at the moment. Now, the ratio of Bangladesh agriculture's
output to the average of labour and capital inputs, or what is otherwise called
Total Factor Productivity (TFP), being at 1.23, one can say that it is up to the
mark, since the global average is at 1.18. Even so, it is still below India's at
1.24 and China's 1.4, which means, the productivity levels of their agriculture
are better than ours. So, our agriculture's productivity cannot be said to be
satisfactory. This is for the simple reason that it is one of the world's highest
recipients of public finance. The reasons are far too obvious. Input costs, for
example, for irrigation water in Bangladesh agriculture, are very high
compared to the standard. This is mostly due to the famers' misplaced notion
about water-use.
Small wonder that it adds to the production cost at the expense of efficiency
and, hence, of productivity. To get around the shortcomings, the focus should
be turned to modern agricultural practices including improved water resource
management, efficient application of irrigation water, inorganic fertilisers,
pest control measures, etc. At the moment there is no authority dedicated to
the task of monitoring agricultural productivity but it should get the priority.
This is despite the fact that the government has no dearth of institutions to
help agriculture in general. Side by side with it, extension efforts need to be
enhanced to introduce new varieties of HYV rice from among some 38
developed so far by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).That is
because the farmers' choice over the years have been limited to a handful of
HYV rice types including BR11 and BR1. This has led to the use of the same
kind of rice seeds over and over again to the detriment of soil fertility and
hence its productivity.
A lack of crop diversity is another contributing factor to the low productivity

of land. All these and other issues related to the state of the country's
agriculture came under the review of a recent Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO)-initiated virtual conference in the city. What came out of
the webinar is that the per capita investment in Bangladesh's agriculture at
US$16 is one of the lowest in the South and Southeast Asian region. So is the
case with per capita value addition. Evidently, what it all boils down to is the
urgency of increased investment and budgetary allocations for agriculture and
agricultural research. Another imperative is to remove malnutrition through
adoption of beneficial policies in agriculture.
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/editorial/boosting-agricultural-productivity-1645200429
National Development and Reform

Commission: the minimum purchase
price of rice rose

Consumer StaplesUpdated 10 hours ago (GMT+8)· EqualOcean
According to the latest news from the national development and Reform
Commission, the state will continue to implement the minimum purchase price
policy in the main rice producing areas in 2022. Taking into account the
factors such as grain production cost, market supply and demand, domestic
and foreign market prices and industrial development, with the approval of the
State Council, the minimum purchase prices of early indica rice (third class,
the same below), medium and late indica rice and japonica rice produced in
2022 are 124 yuan, 129 yuan and 131 yuan per 50kg, up by 2 yuan, 1 yuan
and 1 yuan respectively.
This text is a result of machine translation.

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Rising petrol price makes 28 essential
commodities costlier
Milk, lentils, rice, ghee become costlier in tandem with hike in petroleum products
Our CorrespondentFebruary 19, 2022
PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The prices of 28 essential commodities have climbed rapidly due to
the record-hitting fuel costs, resulting in inflation of 18.09 per cent
on an annual basis.
As a direct effect of the hike in the prices of petroleum products, the prices on
everyday conveniences such as milk, pulses, ghee, and lentils have shot up,
according to the federal bureau of statistics.
The report says that in the last one week, 28 essential commodities, which
include milk, yoghurt, powdered milk, flour, firewood, rice and tea, have
become costlier. The stables also include mustard oil, tomatoes, chicken,
garlic, mutton, beef, cooking ghee and lentils.
Meanwhile, 11 essential commodities, including potatoes, onions, eggs, sugar
and flour have become cheaper, and the cost of 12 commodities remained
stable.
On Tuesday, the prices went dearer as the government approved an increase
of up to Rs12.03 per litre in the prices of petroleum products, taking that of
petrol to a record level of Rs159.86 per litre effective from February 16.
Read Businessmen urge govt to review petrol price hike
The price of petrol broke all previous records by reaching the Rs160 per litre
mark, tightening the squeeze on consumers.
On the other hand, the statistics report said that the price of chicken climbed
to 2.89 per cent, ghee 1.08 per cent, petrol 8.12 per cent, high-speed diesel
6.52 per cent, garlic 10.53 per cent, tomato 4.35 per cent and matches 2.17 per
cent.
However, the potato became cheaper by 0.89 per cent, onion 1.39 per cent,
lentils 0.11 per cent, eggs 5.31 per cent, sugar 0.59 per cent, red chilli powder
5.41 per cent, garlic 0.82 per cent, and flour by 0.27 per cent cheaper.
According to the weekly inflation report, the inflation rate increased by 0.22%
during the recent week, taking the overall inflation rate to 18.09% on an
annual basis.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2344287/rising-petrol-price-makes-28-essential-commodities-costlier
RPT-ASIA RICE-VIETNAM RATES RISE
AS ACTIVITY PICKS UP, INDIA MARKET
SUBDUED
2/17/2022
(Repeats with no changes to text)
By Seher Dareen


week ago.

harvest.




Syamnath)

Rice exports go up 11.16pc

APPPublished February 19, 2022 - Updated about 9 hours ago

2
ISLAMABAD: Rice exports from the country increased by 11.16 per cent
to 2.179 million tonnes in the first seven months of current financial year
(7MFY22) from 2.179m tonnes in the same period last year, trade data
shared by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed on Friday.
During July-January 2021-22, over 2.179m tonnes of rice valuing $1.286 billion
was exported as against the exports of 2.179m tonnes valuing $1.157bn in
7MFY21.
Exports of Basmati rice also increased by 28.58pc in 7MFY22. A total 414,190

tonnes of Basmati rice valuing $362.183m was exported in the period against
exports of 293,761 tonnes worth $281.675m in 7MFY21.
The country earned $924.668m by exporting about 2.138m tonnes of rice

other then Basmati in 7MFY22 as against the exports of 1.886m tonnes worth
$875.959m of same period last year.
On year-on-year basis, rice exports witnessed significant growth of 13.30pc as

434,382 tonnes of rice valuing $220.078m was exported in January as
compared the exports of 329,999 tonnes worth $194.245m of same period last
year.
The exports of Basmati rice also grew by 08.97pc in month of January as

62,734 tonnes of above mentioned commodity valuing $58.086m exported as
against the exports of 60,609 tonnes costing $53.305m of same month of last
year.
It is worth mentioning here that food group exports from the country during
7MFY22 increased by 20.87pc as compared to the exports of the
corresponding period of last year. Commodities worth $2.952bn were
exported in the period as against the exports of $2.444bn in 7MFY21.
The exports of food group from the country witnessed about 14.31pc growth
on year on year basis in January as compared to same month last year.
During the period under review, exports of all major food items recorded
positive growth as exports of rice grew by 11.16pc, fish and fish preparation
5.08pc, fruits 11.60pc, vegetables 11.36pc spices 22.94pc, meat and meat
preparation 1.68pc, respectively.
Meanwhile, food group imports into the country also recorded an increase of
about 21.32pc during July-Jan FY22 as food commodities costing $5.629bn
imported as against the import of $4.639bn of same period last year.
The food group imports into the country on year on basis also recorded about
13.05pc growth in January as against the imports in the same month in 2021.
During month of January different food commodities valuing $830.844m

imported as compared the import of $734.953m of same period last year.
In 7MFY22 imports of soyabean oil increased by 34.70pc, palm oil 55.75pc,

sugar 49.84pc, pulses 14.94pc, tea imports into the country grew by 5.48pc as
corresponding period of last year.
Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2022
https://www.dawn.com/news/1675862/rice-exports-go-up-1116pc
FEATURED: How Japan-

funded project has transformed
livelihoods of rice farmers in
Rwamagana
By
Patrick Nzabonimpa
Published : February 17, 2022 | Updated : February 18, 2022
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Photos: Dan Nsengiyumva
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For years, Olive Mukashema, a resident in Kigabiro Sector, Rwamagana
District was growing rice in a traditional way due to fear of losing water for
irrigation during dry season and insufficient skills on how she could tackle
the issue.
However, when Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2019

rolled out its project dubbed Water Management and Capacity Building in
Rwanda (WAMCAB), Mukashema benefited from it.

She said that through the training provided through WAMCAB, she has been
able to shift from subsistence to commercial farmer and has been taught to
preserve water for irrigation which increased her rice produce.
“When this project came, I expanded my rice farm because I was able to get
water for my crop all year round. I used to cultivate on half hectare but I have
expanded to a full hectare. I have been able to build myself a house in
Rwamagana city while I used to rent."
Mukashema also revealed that she used to earn Rwf 1.2 million from her
harvest, which was not enough investment for inputs during the next season
but now, she harvests six tons on a hectare and earns Rwf 2.4 million after
paying all expenses.
The project involves the International Water Users Organisation (IWUO)

which Mukashema belongs to. It is not only being implemented in
Rwamagana but also in Ngoma and Gisagara districts.
It is a 5-years project which started in March 2019 and will end in February
2024 is expected to cost over Rwf21 billiom.
As part of it, the Cyaruhogo model site in Rwamagana district includes

schemes in Bugugu, Cyimima, Gashara and Cyaruhogo marshlands where
paddy rice is grown.
The site includes Cyaruhogo Dam which is nine-metre deep, 301 metres wide
and contains 58,000 cubic metres of water.
Speaking after touring the site, Imai Masahiro, the Japanese Ambassador to

Rwanda said that agriculture development is one of the four areas where the
Japanese government is assisting Rwanda.
“While we contribute to sustainable growth, poverty reduction and job
creation, we can never overlook the importance of agriculture in the
development and growth of Rwanda’s economy. We all agree that the key to
development of the agriculture sector is improvement of productivity and
profitability. It also contributes to poverty reduction,” he said.
“In view of this, Japan provides a wide range of support, from construction of
infrastructure such as irrigation facilities to technical cooperation for capacity
strengthening in the area of irrigation scheme management, both of which
were presented today.”
He also added “WAMCAB showcases a good PPP model, which is quite
innovative in Agriculture sector. The Project not only improves agricultural
production, but motivates farmers and reduces the burden of local
government.”
According to Radjabu Mbonyumuvunyi, the Mayor of Rwamagana

district, before the project, the marshlands in Rwamagana were being used
inaptly, adding that there are some valley dams that were drying up due to
reduction in water level.
He noted that only 260 hectares were being cultivated in the four schemes in
the district, adding that they have now increased to 340 and other farmers
have also started cultivating vegetables alongside the valley.
"Courtesy of the project, the number of farmers have increased from less than
1000 to around 1300. They used to harvest 3.5 tons of rice on a hectare but,
as we enhance irrigation activities and carry out regular follow-ups, we
expect to harvest 7 tons on a hectare," he said.
He noted that farmers no longer sell the rice only in the eastern area but also
in other areas like Southern province where companies buy rice from
Cyaruhogo which, to him, shows how the projects have led to increment of
rice produce and employment of residents.
He said that they plan to add a touristic space alongside the dam since it is
near Rwamagana city where people can come and enjoy life.
Theogene Zirimwabagabo who also farms at the Cyaruhogo marshland
declared that he has expanded his farm from 10 acres to 20 acres and can now
harvest around a ton of rice which puts Rwf 200,000 in his pocket.
He said that he has built himself a house and can now pay school fees for his
children. He thanked the WAMCAB project and IWUO for contributing to
his development, adding that he seeks to earn Rwf500,000 per harvest by
2024.
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livelihoods-rice-farmers-rwamagana
Niger State inaugurates N40m rice
mill for women
Julius Jegede February 17, 2022 3 min read
Local rice farmers
By Obinna Unaeze
Niger State Government inaugurated a rice mill worth N40 million for Kwakuti Women
Rice Processing Cooperative in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state on
Thursday.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Ibrahim Panti, inaugurated
the facility.
“Government welcomes the collaboration between it and other development partners,

for the completion and equipping of the rice processing centre,’’ he said.
He listed the partners as the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Value
Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), and the Raw Materials Research and
Development Council (RMRDC).
Panti said the facility would improve the quality of milled rice to meet the requirements
of the local and international markets.
“It is interesting to note that prior to this intervention, the Kwakuti women processors
had no modern milling equipment.
“With this intervention, the project has provided enabling and neat environment for
processing rice,’’ he said.
The commissioner explained that the facility has parboiling shed, drying slab, milling and
de-stoning machines.
He added that the gesture would enhance rural socio-economic development and
improve tremendously, the livelihood of the rural poor, especially women.
In his remarks, Dr Idris Gbogan, Permanent Secretary in the ministry said that the IFAD-
assisted VCDP had achieved a lot in the state.
He listed some of the achievements as the production and boosting of rice processing in
Bida, Wushishi, Katcha, Kontagora, Shiroro, Edati, Borgu and Mokwa local Government
Areas of the state.
He said the VCDP-Additional Financing (VCDP-AF) provided processing infrastructure in

three new benefiting LGAs of Edati, Borgu and Mokwa.
He added that the VCDP-AF had supported more than 30,000 farmers in the state with
high quality seeds, improved cassava stem cuttings, tractors, power tillers and processing
equipment.
The permanent secretary also noted that the programme had provided capacity building
for participating farmers and linked them to off-takers
In his remarks, Prof Hussaini Ibrahim, Director-General, RMRDC, said the council
embarked on partnerships with various processors of commodities to put up common
facilities to reduce their operational costs.
“The operation of this common facility entails that the processors will pay a token for
their commodities to be processed.
“The money realised from these charges shall be used to buy spare parts,
fuelling, payment of electricity and water bills,’’ he said.
Ibrahim said the arrangement would help the beneficiaries to replace the machines when
they wear out.
Earlier, Dr Mathew Ahmed, the state’s Programme Coordinator said that the building and
equipment was established at the cost of N40 million.
He explained that the VCDP provided the three buildings housing the equipment and
machines such as milling and de-stoning machines, while the RMRDC provided the
drying and parboiling equipment.
He said that the programme would subsidise the centre with 70 per cent of the cost of
its establishment, while the beneficiaries would pay the balance of 30 per cent.
He said the facility has capacity to process 25 tonnes of rice per day.
Hajiya Mairo Ibrahim, a member of the cooperative society in her remarks thanked the
collaborators for the gesture.
Ibrahim promised that the facility would be used judiciously for the benefit of users and
to further boost economic activities in the state. (NAN)
https://www.nannews.ng/2022/02/17/niger-state-inaugurates-n40m-rice-mill-for-women/
Rice Valuing $1.286 Billion

Exported, Exports Up By 11.61% In
7 Months
Faizan Hashmi Published February 18, 2022 | 04:12 PM
Rice exports from the country during first 07 months of current financial year
increased by 11.16% as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Feb,

2022 ) :Rice exports from the country during first 07 months of current financial year
increased by 11.16% as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-January, 2021-22, over 2.179 million tons of rice valuing
$1.286 billion exported as against the exports of 2.179 million tons valuing
$1.157 billion of same period last year.
According the trade data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the exports of
Basmati rice also increased by 28.58% in last 07 months as 414,190 metric tons of
Basmati rice valuing $362.183 million exported as against the exports of 293,761
metric tons worth $281.675 million of same period last year.
Meanwhile, country earned $924.668 million by exporting about 2.138 million tons of
rice other then Basmati as against the exports of 1.886 million tons worth
$875.959 million of same period last year.
On year on year basis, the exports of rice also witnessed significant growth of 13.30%
as 434,382 metric tons of rice valuing $220.078 million exported in January, 2022 as
compared the exports of 329,999 metric tons worth $194.245 million of same period
last year.
The exports of Basmati rice also grew by 08.97% in month of January, 2022 as 62,734
metric tons of above mentioned commodity valuing $58.086 million exported as
against the exports of 60,609 metric tons costing $53.305 million of same month of
last year.
It is worth mentioning here that food group exports from the country during first 07
months of current financial year increased by 20.
87% as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of last year as different
food commodities worth $2.952 billion exported as against the exports of
$2.444 billion of same period last year.
The exports of food group from the country witnessed about 14.31% growth on year
on year basis in January, 2022 as compared to same month of last year.
During the period under review, the exports of all major food items recorded positive
growth as exports of rice grew by 11.16%, fish and fish preparation 5.08%, fruits
11.60%, vegetables 11.36% spices 22.94% , meat and meat preparation 1.68%
respectively.
Meanwhile, food group imports into the country also recorded increase of about
21.32% during July-January, 2021-22 as food commodities costing
$5.629 billion imported as against the import of $4.639 billion of same period last
year.
The food group imports into the country on year on basis also recorded about 13.05%
growth in January, 2022 as against the imports of January, 2021.
During month of January, 2022, different food commodities valuing
$830.844 million imported as compared the import of
$734.953 million of same month last year.
In last 07 months imports of soyabean oil increased by 34.70%, palm oil 55.75%,
sugar 49.84% ,pulses 14.94%, tea imports into the country grew by 5.48% as
corresponding period of last year.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/rice-valuing-1286-billion-exported-exports-1473194.html
Step up rice lifting process to FCI’
Friday, 18 February 2022 | Staff Reporter | RAIPUR

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Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain on Thursday told Collectors to step up the
process of depositing custom milled rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Instructions have also been given to transport the remaining paddy from the paddy
procurement centers at the earliest.
The Chief Secretary was reviewing the Food Movement Work Plan under the
Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection at Mantralaya
Mahanadi Bhawan.
Officials of FCI, Railways and the Food Department attended the meeting.
Jain directed the Collectors to ensure depositing the rice in the godowns as per the set
target of FCI so that rice milled by millers can be deposited in the stipulated time.
He also sought necessary action after reviewing the problems faced in transportation
and storage of rice.
The Chief Secretary directed the railway officials to make available sufficient quantity of
rakes as per the target.
Similarly, instructions have been given to ensure time bound work of rake movement by
the FCI so that the vehicles for transportation can be arranged for the rice millers.
The Chief Secretary called for arranging adequate warehouses in Mungeli, Dhamtari,
Kawardha, Bemetara and Kanker districts.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/---step-up-rice-lifting-process-to-fci---.html
February 18, 2022
Pailin stops rice imports thanks to landmine clearance
Chhun Sunly / Khmer Times

Nga Ly Hong, Director of Pailin Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology. Council of
Ministers
Click here to get Khmer Times Breaking News direct into your Telegram
FacebookTwitterEmailShare
Pailin province no longer has to rely on importing rice from Thailand with it
converting the minefields into agricultural lands.
A Baseline Survey Report outlining the demining achievement in the province
revealed a total of 83,646,806 square metres that have been cleared of landmines
which had 80,869 antipersonnel mines, 792 anti-tank mines, and 94,652 Explosive
Remnants of War.
The cleared landmines have been handed over to the people in the province to do
farming, especially planting of rice.
Cambodian Mine Action Authority and Victim Assistance (CMAA) first vice-
president Ly Thuch said yesterday that Pailin is one of the targeted provinces that they
cleared of all landmines and converted for safe agricultural farming
“Some 70% of the land that CMAA cleared of mines has been handed over to farmers
to grow various types of crops,” he said, adding the people of Pailin are happy that
they get to plant crops without fearing landmines.
The landmines had also caused 46 casualties with five people killed, 32 injured, and
nine suffered amputations
Speaking at the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit yesterday, Pailin Provincial
Department of Water Resource director Nga Lyhong confirmed that Pailin is no
longer importing rice from Thailand because farmers can now plant rice three times a
year.
He said they have also built irrigation systems to support the farmers to have
sufficient water in their agricultural farms.
“We really appreciate and commend CMAC and CMAA for helping to clear the
landmines and give the land to farmers,” he added.
He said that in 1999, the people of Pailin imported rice from Thailand but now the
farmers can cultivate their lands and feed 16,588 families or 71,483 people in the
province.
He added the province has three big irrigation systems which can irrigate 6,500
hectares of land during the rainy season and 4,000 hectares in the dry season.
Pailin Provincial Department of Agriculture director Say Sophat said that in 1999
there were no farmlands in the province due to mines underground and now it has a
total of 110,473 hectares of land of which 77,000 hectares can be used during the
rainy season and 33,473 hectares during the dry season. Sophat said Pailin’s longan’s
annual yield is about 43,650 tonnes per year.
He attributed the province’s achievement in the field of agriculture to the support and
cooperation of the government, private sector, developing partners, and the agriculture
association.
FacebookTwitterEmailShare
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501027309/pailin-stops-rice-imports-thanks-to-landmine-clearance/
E. Visayas rice farmers get P385.2-M cash
aid
By Sarwell Meniano February 18, 2022, 1:50 pm
Share
CASH AID. Rice farmers in Eastern Samar receive cash assistance during the distribution on Feb. 10,
2022. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has release PHP385.2 million cash assistance to small
rice farmers in Eastern Visayas affected by the health crisis. (Photo courtesy of DA Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has released PHP385.2 million cash
assistance to small rice farmers in Eastern Visayas to ease their burden caused by the coronavirus
disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The agency held initial releases in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, and Eastern Samar. Distribution of
cash aid is ongoing in Samar province while disbursement in Northern Samar will kick off next week,
Rodel Macapañas, assistant chief of DA’s regional planning, monitoring and evaluation division said
in an interview Friday.
The target is to complete the release of cash aid to 58,684 rice farmers in the region within the year
under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program. The disbursement started in
November last year.
“While we encourage farmers to use the money for farming purposes, we don’t set conditions on
how they would spend the money. The objective is to unburden our rice farmers from present
economic challenges,” Macapañas told the Philippine News Agency.
Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the RFFA provides PHP5,000 cash
assistance to small rice farmers that cultivate land not exceeding two hectares. A beneficiary should
be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.
The amount is being sourced out from the accumulated excess tariff in 2019 and 2020 under the
Rice Tariffication Law amounting to PHP7.6 billion.
The tariff automatically appropriates PHP5 billion for the provision of farm machinery and
equipment, PHP3 billion for certified inbred seeds, PHP1 billion for credit, and PHP1 billion for
training and extension, or a total of PHP10 billion.
The benefit has been distributed through the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land
Bank of announced. These banks may utilize conduits, particularly countryside financial institutions,
cooperatives, accredited remittance centers, rural banks, and other conduits that the DA and the
government banks may agree upon.
The Rice Tariffication Law approved in February 2019 removed quantitative restrictions on rice
imports and replaced them with a 35 percent import tariff. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1168060#:~:text=Under%20the%20Rice%20Competitiveness
%20Enhancement,for%20Basic%20Sectors%20in%20Agriculture.
Rice farmers continue to get fertilizer

subsidy
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BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya: Fertilizer subsidy for rice farmers in

Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) will continue as prices of the farm input
remain high, the Department Agriculture Regional Field Office-2
(DA-RFO2) said.
Narciso Edillo, DA-RFO2 executive director, said fertilizer supply

coming from other countries has dwindled.
"The fertilizer program under Rice Resiliency Project 2 or RRP2 will
be sustained to continue the region's rice production during this dry
planting season," Edillo said.
Edillo said the transport cost remains expensive and countries

producing fertilizers prioritize their domestic agriculture and reduce
its quota for export.
"The increase in transport expenses in the delivery of fertilizers from

its country of origin to local dealer's level has affected local fertilizer
prices, causing a tremendous increase in the price of fertilizers," Edillo
explained.

360p geselecteerd als afspeelkwaliteit
Bataan helps lessen fertilizer price surge
Edillo also explained that farmers who had previously been provided
supply of free seeds and are registered with the agency's Registry
System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) are qualified to
receive supply of free fertilizers from the DA.
Dr. Marvin Luis, DA-RFO2 rice coordinator, explained that those who

had previously been provided supply of free seeds and are registered
with the agency's RSBSA can avail of the fertilizer discount voucher.
Also responding to queries as to why the voucher could not be

converted into cash, Luis cited Republic Act (RA) 11639 or the
"General Appropriations Act," which under the agricultural input aid
must be given as a fertilizer discount voucher.
He also explained that as according to RA 11203 or the "Rice
Tariffication Law," farmers are not included as beneficiaries to receive
free fertilizers because assistance from them is included in the regular
program like in the case of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya where inbred
seeds are used.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/02/19/news/regions/rice-farmers-continue-to-get-fertilizer-
subsidy/1833469
1. OME
2. COMMODITIES
3. ARTICLE
AGRICULTURE|18 FEBRUARY, 2022
China issues 2022 minimum purchase prices for some

rice products
The total volume of rice purchased at the minimum purchase price for 2022 will
be limited to 50mln tonnes

A worker falls asleep among heaps of rice sacks at a wholesale market in Jakarta May 3, 2008. Image used for
illustrative purposes.
REUTERS/Supri
By Emily Chow and Beijing newsroom, Reuters News
BEIJING- China's state planner on Friday issued the minimum purchase prices for some
rice products for 2022.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) set the minimum purchase
prices for early indica, late indica and japonica rice at 124 yuan, 129 yuan and 131 yuan
per 50kg respectively.
That works out at a minimum purchase price of 2,480 yuan ($392.14), 2,580 yuan and
2,620 yuan per tonne respectively. The prices are also higher than those set for 2021,
signalling increasing support for production of the crop.
The total volume of rice purchased at the minimum purchase price for 2022 will be
limited to 50 million tonnes, with 20 million tonnes for indica rice and 30 million tonnes
for japonica rice, the NDRC said.
China had called for an increase in rice production at the start of the COVID-19
pandemic amid concerns over food security in the world's most populous country. A
government working group said that regions with good growing conditions should
restore double-cropping of rice and that planted acreage of early crop rice should be
expanded.
($1 = 6.3243 Chinese yuan renminbi)
(Reporting by Emily Chow and Beijing newsroom Editing by David Goodman)

(([email protected]; +862120830020; Reuters Messaging:
[email protected]))
https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/
China_issues_2022_minimum_purchase_prices_for_some_rice_products-TR20220218nL1N2UT0RLX1/

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