10th September, 2014 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.
com
News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874

10
th
September , 2014

TOP Contents - Tailored for YOU
Latest News Headlines
Floods swamp rice and cotton fields, could spark price hike
Rice import plans from Myanmar
Malaysia buys 200,000 tonnes of rice from Thai exporters
Malaysia buys 200,000 tonnes of rice from Thai exporters, in
talks to buy more
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sep 10
Price control, rice, export growth among urgent tasks for new
minister
Thousands of rice plantations in Phayao inundated
Bernas buys Thai rice
New Sigappi paddy variety creating interest among growers
China: Soothing Buddhist music said to boost rice crop
Govt baits Turkish investors into rice production
TDRI says don't quote us in rice probe
Rice husks to pump energy to the grid
Rice farmers alarmed by falling prices
Modern research methods handy to boost rice production
Premium fragrant rice developed for Australian conditions
House Passes Bill Rejecting EPA's Waters of the U.S.
Proposed Rule
National Rice Month Promotional Item of the Week!
California rice farmer: Drought may make us 'quit'
David's Daily Dish: Everything's nice like gumbo on rice; but it's also good for other stuff
Kitchen Counselor: Out with ramen, in with basmati

Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com

NEWS DETAILS:
Floods swamp rice and cotton fields, could spark price hike
By Imran Rana
Published: September 10, 2014
People wade through floodwaters at Pindi Bhatian, some 105 kilometers northeast of Lahore in Punjab province
on September 9, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
FAISALABAD:
The torrential rains and ensuing floods that have swamped vast swathes of central Punjab are feared to
bring down production of key crops, leading to shortage of food and other commodities besides increase
in their prices.

Cotton and rice plantations, among other crops, have been damaged by the heavy
showers and many farmers have suffered hefty losses, discussions with
government officials and agriculture sector players reveal.Most of the farmers
solely bank on farming to feed their families and have no other source of income.
Initially, they were excited when rains arrived as the showers would have left a
good impact on their crops.

The farmers usually have no savings to cultivate their crops again and look after their families as 80% of
landowners are small farmers having less than 12.5 acres of land, agricultural experts say.Most of the peasants
own less than five acres of land and they cannot bear heavy losses. Assistance from the government is the only
way that could revive their livelihood, experts added.Controlling floodwaters, ravaging through Punjab and
threatening Sindh as well, has emerged as a new challenge for the government, which already faces issues such
as a weakening economy, political uncertainty and power shortages.Floods have wreaked havoc in several
areas of Punjab, destroying standing crops over thousands of acres, killing livestock and washing away
hundreds of villages, said an official of the Punjab Agriculture Department while talking to The Express
Tribune.

The scale of devastation suggested that the farmers had suffered millions of rupees worth of losses, he
added.Agricultural experts fear widespread damage to the rice and cotton belt as well as to other plantations.
Many rice fields have been submerged and the overflowing Chenab and Jhelum rivers could sweep away the
cotton crop in the southern belt of Punjab.Consumers have already started complaining about shortage of
commodities in the grain and weekly markets.

Vegetable fields have also been swamped on a large scale.Gujranwala district has so far been the worst hit area
in Punjab. Here, the raging floodwaters have destroyed paddy fields over 50,000 acres and affected 10,000
acres sown with other crops, said Hameed Chaudhry, District Officer of the Punjab Agriculture Department
Gujranwala.Agriculture land in nearby areas of Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad and


Sheikhupura had also been adversely affected, he added.Chaudhry, however, said it was difficult to come up
with a loss estimate at this stage and it could only be made once the water receded.In Faisalabad and adjoining
areas, rains and floods had hit crops of corn, rice and vegetables, said Basheer Afzal Warraich, District Officer
of the Punjab Agriculture Department Faisalabad

.Floods in Ravi River destroyed 1,033 acres of rice field, sugarcane cultivated over 542 acres, corn on 1,095
acres and cotton on 85 acres in Tandlianwala tehsil of Faisalabad, he added.Besides the crops, infrastructure has
also been torn apart in over 100 villages in Chiniot and Jhang districts because of floods in Chenab River.A
large number of cattle also perished in the deluge, which may lead to increase in their prices before Eidul Azha,
which is less than a month away, an expert pointed out.The government did not learn any lesson from the
destruction caused by the previous floods in the country, say some angry farmers. The devastation caused to the
agriculture sector could have been averted had the government built water reservoirs and an effective drainage
system, they say.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10
th
, 2014.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation
Rice import plans from Myanmar

Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Sept 10 Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan today
confirmed that India is planning to import rice from neighbouring Myanmar to tide over the crisis in the North
Eastern States of Manipur and Mizoram following ensuing disruption of train services.Addressing a press
conference, Paswan said that India is exploring the possibility of importing rice from Myanmar because the
Lumding-Silchar train service is going to be disrupted owing to gauge conversion works.

The import would be for a limited purpose to supply rice to Manipur and Mizoram for a short period of time,
official told newsmen.In this regard, the government has floated an exploratory tender on September 8 to
evaluate market prices.This will be the first time in almost three decades the country will import rice.According
to officials, 20,000 tonnes of rice will be imported per month starting October and tenders are likely to be
floated by the State trading enterprises on behalf of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Despite having sufficient stocks, the government has to import rice as work is going on to convert the railway
line between Lumding and Silchar to broad gauge, officials said.To meet the requirements of these States,
which have deficient paddy production, the FCI will have to move the grains via road ranging 400-600
km.Moving the grains via National Highway 44 from Guwahati, which connects these States, is challenging
due to hilly terrains and landslide prone areas, a source said.Considering these aspects, there is a need to have
supplementary stock to avoid any supply crisis in these areas. Therefore, it has been decided to import rice from
Myanmar, which is well connected via road to Manipur and Mizoram, sources said. Moreover, the neighbouring
country also has surplus stocks, they added.


Malaysia buys 200,000 tonnes of rice from Thai exporters
Published: 10 September 2014
Malaysian's state procurement body, Bernas, has bought 200,000 tonnes of Thai rice
via private deals from Thai exporters for prompt shipment, exporters said on
Wednesday.The rice was fresh grains from the current 2014 off-season crop, which
was harvested during July/August and kept in private exporters' warehouses. It was not
from the government stocks.
Thailand grows rice throughout the year. Its off-season crop, or third-smallest crop, is grown mostly in well
irrigated areas in the central part of country and produces around 2-3 million tonnes a year.Bernas is also in
talks to buy another 200,000 tonnes of rice from Thai government stocks on a government-to-government deal,
traders said."Bernas' representatives are due to be in Bangkok over the next few weeks to talk about further
details to buy Thai rice via governmental channel," said a senior Thai government official who asked not to be
named as he was not authorised to talk to the media.
Malaysia is one of Thailand's traditional buyers of rice, importing around 100,000-300,000 tonnes each
year.Malaysian purchases dropped substantially to 60,000-155,000 tonnes over the past few years, when a
controversial Thai rice-buying scheme push Thai prices to uncompetitive high rates and encouraged Malaysia to
switch to buy from Vietnam. Reuters, September 10, 2014.
Malaysia buys 200,000 tonnes of rice from Thai exporters, in talks to
buy more

September 9, 2014 11:06 PM
BANGKOK, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Malaysia's state procurementbody, BERNAS, has bought 200,000 tonnes of
Thai rice via privatedeals from Thai exporters for prompt shipment, exporters said onWednesday.The rice was
fresh grains from the current 2014 off-seasoncrop, which was harvested during July/August and kept in
privateexporters' warehouses. It was not from the government stocks.Thailand grows rice throughout the year.
Its off-seasoncrop, or third-smallest crop, is grown mostly in well irrigatedareas in the central part of country
and produces around 2-3million tonnes a year.BERNAS is also in talks to buy another 200,000 tonnes ofrice
from Thai government stocks on a government-to-governmentdeal, traders said."BERNAS's representatives are
due to be in Bangkok over thenext few weeks to talk about further details to buy Thai ricevia governmental
channel," said a senior Thai governmentofficial who asked not to be named as he was no authorised totalk to the
media.Malaysia is one of Thailand's traditional buyers of rice,importing around 100,000-300,000 tonnes each
year.Malaysian purchases dropped substantially to 60,000-155,000tonnes over the past few years, when a


controversial Thairice-buying scheme push Thai prices to uncompetitive high ratesand encouraged Malaysia to
switch to buy from Vietnam.
(Reporting by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sep 10
Wed Sep 10, 2014 3:58pm IST
Nagpur, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Gram prices in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) zoomed up on increased buying support from local millers amid tight
supply from producing regions. Healthy rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and reports about weak
monsoon which affected standing crop also activated stockists, according to sources.
* * * *
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram Kabuli recovered strongly in open market on increased festival season demand
from local traders amid weak overseas supply.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market on subdued demand from local traders amid
ample supply in ready position.

* Moong varieties suffered heavily in open market on poor demand from local traders
amid profit-taking selling by stockists at higher level.

* Udid varieties reported strong in open market on good seasonal demand from local
traders amid thin supply from producing regions.

* In Akola, Tuar - 5,000-5,200, Tuar dal - 6,900-7,100, Udid at 7,200-7,300,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 8,000-8,500, Moong - 7,200-7,600, Moong Mogar
(clean) 8,700-9,400, Gram - 2,700-2,900, Gram Super best bold - 3,800-4,000
for 100 kg.

* Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading
activity, according to sources.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction 2,200-2,840 2,120-2,715
Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction n.a. 4,410-5,140
Moong Auction n.a. 5,200-5,500
Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500


Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold 3,900-4,200 3,900-4,200
Gram Super Best n.a.
Gram Medium Best 3,700-3,800 3,700-3,800
Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.
Gram Mill Quality 3,500-3,600 3,500-3,600
Desi gram Raw 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000
Gram Filter new 3,600-3,800 3,600-3,800
Gram Kabuli 8,200-9,700 8,000-9,500
Gram Pink 7,200-7,400 7,200-7,400
Tuar Fataka Best 7,400-7,500 7,400-7,500
Tuar Fataka Medium 7,100-7,300 7,100-7,300
Tuar Dal Best Phod 6,700-6,900 6,700-6,900
Tuar Dal Medium phod 6,500-6,600 6,500-6,600
Tuar Gavarani 5,100-5,200 5,100-5,200
Tuar Karnataka 5,300-5,400 5,300-5,400
Tuar Black 8,200-8,500 8,200-8,500
Masoor dal best 6,600-6,700 6,600-6,700
Masoor dal medium 6,300-6,450 6,300-6,450
Masoor n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold 9,000-10,000 9,200-10,000
Moong Mogar Medium best 8,500-8,800 8,800-9,000
Moong dal super best 7,800-7,900 7,800-8,000
Moong dal Chilka 7,700-7,900 7,700-7,900
Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best 8,000-9,000 8,000-9,000
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 8,500-8,800 8,200-8,700
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,400-8,000 7,400-7,800
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 6,900-7,300 6,800-7,200
Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,200-5,000 4,200-5,000
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,800-3,100 2,800-3,100
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,450 3,250-3,450
Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,350 3,250-3,350
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,900 4,400-4,900
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,200-1,500 1,200-1,500
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,700-1,800
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,300-1,500 1,300-1,500
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,450 2,100-2,450
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,850-2,000 1,850-2,000
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,200 2,800-3,200
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,350 1,950-2,350
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,200-1,300 1,200-1,300
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,800 1,500-1,800
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500 3,000-3,500
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,800-2,000


Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200
Rice HMT Shriram (100 INR/KG) 4,900-5,500 4,900-5,500
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,500-13,500 10,500-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,300-10,000 7,300-10,000
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,400-5,700 5,400-5,700
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,600 1,400-1,600
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,700-1,800

WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 25.3 degree Celsius (77.5 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
22.6 degree Celsius (72.7 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - 96 per cent, lowest - 93 per cent
Rainfall : 1.6 mm
FORECAST: Cloudy sky. Rains may occur. Maximum and Minimum temperature likely to be around 25
and 22 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but
included in market prices.)

Price control, rice, export growth among urgent tasks for new
minister
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation September 10, 2014 1:00 am
Newly appointed Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikalya and Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn
have a host of important issues to address, with urgent decisions needing to be made on some, and long-term
development plans needing to be drawn up in relation to others.Their priority tasks include controlling the cost
of living and goods prices, selling and managing huge rice stockpiles of up to 18 million tonnes, driving up rice
prices in the market and reducing the cost of production for farmers, and stimulating overall export growth.
The current retail price-freeze agreement between consumer-goods manufacturers and the Commerce Ministry
is scheduled to end in November. Santichai Santawanpas, deputy director-general of the Internal Trade
Department, said the agency would urgently seek the new ministers' consideration of whether to continue the
measure or allow goods prices to increase.The government will also have to take into consideration the
consequences of next year's rise in the rate of value-added tax, which will result in a higher burden for
consumers.


It needs to consider carefully whether to allow prices to increase or to maintain the price-freeze policy, which
could damage manufacturers and traders.Moreover, the government needs to drive up and then stabilise the
prices of major crops - mainly rice, rubber, maize and cassava.With the next main rice-harvest season starting in
late October, the new ministers must consider their policy for the crop carefully because, if the government
continued to sell off its stockpile, market prices would fall - to the detriment of farmers.However, if the
government delayed selling rice, an enormous quantity in the warehouses would continue to deteriorate in
quality, besides which the authorities would have the added burden of handling high stockpile costs.
Chookiat Opaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the government needed
to manage its rice stockpiles as well as ensure that prices for the new crop did not fall significantly and hurt
farmers.The deputy commerce minister is aware of the stockpile-management problem and is consulting with
exporters over how to promote Thai rice exports this year and next, he said."Apiradi has called for the
association's cooperation to outline strategies in promoting Thai rice exports. The government needs to work
closely with the private sector to manage rice stocks within a suitable period, as well as prices, so that it does
not face huge stockpiles and high operating costs," Chookiat said.
The government should also create a sustainable plan to stabilise rice prices and reduce farmers' production
costs without any subsidy measures, he added.On the broader front, overall Thai exports shrank by 0.42 per cent
in the first seven months of the year. The government therefore needs to find measures to stimulate shipments to
the targeted level of 3.5-per-cent expansion, or 1.9 per cent at the very least, for the full year.Amid the slowing
global economic recovery - mainly in China and Asean - and the approaching loss of Generalised System of
Preferences (GSP) tariff benefits in the European Union, the new ministers must rapidly find new creative
strategies and plans to drive Thai shipments.Paiboon Ponsuwanna, vice chairman of the Thai National Shippers
Council, said the government should look beyond this year's exports and draw up plans for next year's
performance.Pornsilp Patchrintanakul, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the government
should find new strategies to drive export growth.
The resumption of negotiations over a free-trade agreement(FTA) between Thailand and the EU is also needed,
because the country will lose its GSP benefits by the end of this year, he said.However, as it is a military-led
government, the current administration may find it difficult to get the EU to agree to further FTA talks at this
time, he added.Another key task in Chatchai's and Apiradi's in-trays is how to increase Thailand's competitive-
ness with a view to facilitating trading and investment growth and turning the Kingdom into an Asean
hub.Additionally, the ministers need to solve the bad reputation that the country and some industries have in
regard to labour issues, given that the United States has downgraded Thailand to its list of the worst countries
for human trafficking.
The Commerce Ministry must also stringently suppress violation of intellectual property rights (IPR) as well as
enforce relevant laws, in order to show the government's sincerity in combating infringement and punishing


violators.Washington has for a number of years maintained Thailand on its Priority Watch List of countries it
deems to be weak in their efforts to solve IPR problems.Thailand is seen as lacking stringent laws to punish
violators, which has put at risk its GSP benefits for exports to the US.
Date : 10 2557
PHAYAO, 10 September 2014 (NNT) -- Several thousand rais of rice fields in the northern province of Phayao
have been submerged due to the release of excessive amount of water from Kwan Phayao lake.Provincial
governor Chuchart Keelapaeng visited affected areas after he had ordered the opening of water gates to release
a mass of water from the Kwan Phayao lake into the Ing River several days ago, causing the river to overflow
and ravage thousands of rai fields.According to Chuchart, Kwan Phayao has reached its full water-containing
capacity; therefore, it is necessary to release an excessive amount to surrounding areas.However, he has ordered
authorities to deliver help and relief measures to affected farmers to lessen effects on their fields. Chuchart
hopes if there is not much rain during the next several days, the damage will be contained to a manageable
level.
Bernas buys Thai rice
BANGKOK, Sept 10:
State procurement body Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) has bought 200,000 tonnes of Thai rice via private
deals from Thai exporters for prompt shipment, exporters said today.The rice was fresh grains from the current
2014 off-season crop, which was harvested during July/August and kept in private exporters warehouses. It
was not from the government stocks.Thailand grows rice throughout the year.
Its off-season crop, or third-smallest crop, is grown mostly in well irrigated areas
in the central part of country and produces around 2-3 million tonnes a
year.Bernas is also in talks to buy another 200,000 tonnes of rice from Thai
government stocks on a government-to-government deal, traders said.Bernas
representatives are due to be in Bangkok over the next few weeks to talk about
further details to buy Thai rice via governmental channel, said a senior Thai
government official.Malaysia is one of Thailands traditional buyers of rice,
importing around 100,000-300,000 tonnes each year.Malaysian purchases
dropped substantially to 60,000-155,000 tonnes over the past few years, when a controversial Thai rice-buying
scheme push Thai prices to uncompetitive high rates and encouraged Malaysia to switch to buy from Vietnam.


New Sigappi paddy variety creating interest among growers
M. J. Prabu
The Hindu NEW RELEASE: The International Rice Research Institute recorded its appreciation for the release of this
new variety. Photo: Special Arrangement
Cauvery delta region, considered to be the granary of Tamil Nadu, is prone to many natural calamities like
uncertain monsoon rains, periodical floods etc. Under these circumstances, a new rice variety named Sigappi
has been developed by researchers at Annamalai University to get better yields under submerged conditions. It
is 150-154 days under irrigated condition and is ideally suited for samba (khariff) season in Tamil Nadu.
Better yield
With the North East Monsoon affecting the livelihoods of small and
medium farmers of Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur
districts, this semi dwarf, erect, and nonlodging variety gives higher
productivity of 3.4 tonnes per hectare even if fields get submerged in
water during monsoon for 10-12 days continuously, says Dr.RM.
Kathiresan, Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture,
Annamalai University.Being similar to the traditional popular variety
called Ponmani, released nearly a decade back, the Sigappi variety has
white coloured short and bold grains, is best suited for making idli and
dosa and fetches a good price. It is also found to be resistant to leaf folder, stem borer and moderately
susceptible to green leaf hopper, brown spot, rice Tungro disease and rice blast, according to him.
The main reason for developing an alternative variety to Ponmani for Samba season was a long felt need
among delta farmers. In these regions the choice among rice varieties with fine grains that suit the requirement
for lunch purposes are comparatively more than the options for rice varieties that suit tiffin purposes (idly and
dosa making) with bold grains and better dough making quality, and Sigappi variety suited well, explains Dr.
Kathiresan.
Market
A kg of this paddy is priced at Rs.20 to 23 and Rs.30 to 32 as rice today in local market. When sold for seed
purpose, it fetches a price of Rs.35 to 40 per kg. Though most of the rice varieties generally withstand partial
submergence for prolonged duration, complete submergence is intolerable for more than a day or two.It also
gives a straw yield of six tonnes per hectare, on an average, and the straw remains unaffected even after ten
days of complete submergence under water.The package of practices for cultivation is again similar to any long
duration samba variety, with a seed rate of 30 kg / hectare, spacing. The rice was distributed free of cost to


farmers in delta regions under different schemes implemented by the University. This has resulted in farmers
exchanging the seeds among themselves thereby increasing the area under its cultivation.
Appreciation
The International Rice Research Institute recorded its appreciation to the University for the release of this new
variety.It could also be a suitable variety for consideration under new seed subsidy scheme, if released by State
Variety Release Committee. Sigappi would certainly serve the best interest of Cauvery delta farmers as it
protects their livelihood and economic interests at times of natural calamities, says Dr. Kathiresan.Especially,
in villages like Keelathirukallipalai of tsunami affected parangipettai block this variety has made a significant
farm impact.Previously, local varieties grown there it did not produce better yield, after the tsunami so many
switched over to this variety and they observed this variety to be better.
From an acre the farmers have been able to harvest 2 tonnes under normal conditions. In case of flash floods
they can get 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes of grain from an acre, whereas from other varieties, less than one tonne alone
could be expected.In Thalaignayiru and Vattakudi villages of Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district, the Sigappi
variety is being tried under direct sowing conditions. It is also a perfect choice for integrated rice farming
designs such as paddy, fish and poultry integration.
Seed distribution
For the ensuing season free seeds have been distributed to more than 100 farmers and nearly 150 farmers are
cultivating it. It is also suitable for growing in other parts of the country which are prone to flooding during
monsoon, according to Dr. Kathiresan.
For more details contact Dr. RM. Kathiresan, Professor,Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture,
Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar 608 002, email: rmkathiresan.agron@gmail.com, phone:04144
239816, mobile:9655188233.
China: Soothing Buddhist music said to boost rice crop
By News from Elsewhere... ...media reports from around the world, found by BBC Monitoring
Chinese farmers claim soothing music makes rice fields green
Farmers in a village in East China's Fujian Province have claimed that Buddhist music
playing in the fields has helped them to increase their rice production.Output in Liangshan
village went up by 15% after residents installed 500 lotus-shaped speakers in the rice
paddies to engulf the crops in a wave of soothing mantras, the Global Times newspaper
reports. Local authorities say the musical rice fields also yielded larger grains, while the silent paddies with no
music suffered from pests.


There's no scientific consensus on the effect music has on plants, but
researchers at the China Agricultural University have backed the experiment,
saying certain sound waves - such as those found in the rhythmic chanting of
mantras - can stimulate the pores on a plant's leaves to help absorb more
sunlight. "Only positive music aids growth, while rock music would probably
harm it," a local agriculture officer says.Not everyone agrees with this
assertion. Last year, Chris Beardshaw, one of Britain's leading gardeners,
announced that playing a constant diet of heavy metal helps flowers to bloom. He said an experiment he
conducted showed that a continuous playlist of Black Sabbath songs worked wonders on a greenhouse full of
plants.
Use #NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports

Govt baits Turkish investors into rice production
By ghanaweb on 10 Sep 2014
Ghanaian authorities are drumming up the country's potential as net exporter of rice to the Turkish private
sector with the hope to attract them to take advantage of arable lands and low cost of labour to invest in
commercial cultivation of the cereal in Ghana for export.
The Director of Exports at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), Mr Charles Folikumah, and the General
Manager of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Mr Stephen Normeshie, are hopeful that Turkish
investors will agree to partner their counterparts in the country, or at least set up independently to benefit from
that potential.
The initiative is part of series of promotional strategies being used by Ghanaian officials participating in the
Izmir International Trade Fair in Turkey to court that country's investor community into Ghana.The annual fair,
which is the oldest trade show in Turkey, is being organised by a company set up by the Izmir Metropolitan
Municipality.This year's edition is the 83rd in a row and has attracted participants from across the globe to
display products ranging from food and beverages to electronics, automobiles and clothes to buyers and
investors.
Import substitution
Last year, the import bill of rice, now a staple food in Ghana, was about US$374 million in 2013, data from the
Ministry of Trade and Industry indicates. Import of sugar, wheat, tomato products, frozen fish, poultry and
vegetable cooking oils amounted to US$1.5 billion in the same year, almost half of the amount earned from the
country's non-traditional exports (NTEs). Mr Folikumah said the trend was worrying."The whole idea is import
substitution. What we are saying is, they (Turkish companies) have the technology and the expertise. but we
have the arable lands so why dont we convince them to partner with us, cultivate the product and export it to


their country," he said.He added that the ministry was confident the initiative would get a positive response
from the Turkish business community.
TDRI says don't quote us in rice probe
Research paper not evidence, NACC told
Published: 10 Sep 2014 at 06.00 | Viewed: 606 | Comments: 1
Newspaper section: News
Writer: Post Reporters
Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) president Somkiat Tangkitvanich yesterday urged the
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) not to use the institute's rice research paper as evidence in its
rice-pledging scheme investigation. Mr Somkiat's request comes after the TDRI rice research paper became a
subject of debate between the NACC and the Office of Attorney-General (OAG) after the two agencies
disagreed over an indictment against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged negligence of duty
in failing to deal with alleged graft and losses in the rice-pledging scheme.
The controversial scheme was one of the flagship policies of the previous government. Last week,
prosecutors rejected an NACC indictment recommendation and called for a joint OAG-NACC panel to re-
investigate the case.It claimed the NACC's evidence was incomplete, saying the commission submitted only a
brief summary of the rice research paper compiled by TDRI researcher Nipon Puapongsakorn.Mr Somkiat said
there was an increasing amount of confusion after the rice research paper was raised by the NACC in its
investigation. Some references alluded to the TDRI and he felt the need to clarify certain points.
The TDRI is an institute putting out research primarily centred on government policies and its aim is to expose
flaws and come up with ways to solve them, he said.Its role is different from the NACC which has to find and
determine the validity of evidence.Mr Somkiat said the NACC should not cite the TDRI's research paper as
evidence to try and prove allegations.Evidence in an academic paper differs from evidence in a criminal or
political investigation under the NACC's jurisdiction, he said."An academic paper may serve as a starting point
to help the NACC set the [investigative] framework in a complicated case.
"An academic study uses statistical information to prove a theory while evidence used in a legal case is defined
by the law, which is something that academics don't pay attention to. The academics' work is not to find faults,"
Mr Somkiat said.He said he believed the NACC would be able to find sufficient evidence to substantiate the
allegations against those involved in the rice corruption probe."The NACC's role is to deter and combat
corruption. I want to see it work thoroughly and carefully and communicate clearly with the public to establish
and maintain its credibility," he said.Mr Somkiat also said that Mr Nipon, who is the lead researcher in the rice-
pledging scheme, is expected to clarify matters soon.He said he agrees with research findings about problems in


the scheme, one of which was rampant corruption.Meanwhile, the NACC yesterday named 10 people to work
on the joint committee to re-investigate Ms Yingluck's handling of the rice-pledging scheme.
The NACC team is headed by the agency's secretary-general Sansern Poljiak. It will work with 10 people
appointed by the OAG, led by deputy attorney-general Wuthipong Wiboonwong.Mr Sansern said the joint panel
will examine the NACC report to identify which parts are incomplete, investigate further and re-submit the
report to the OAG.If the joint panel cannot agree on matters, he said the NACC can file the case with the court
itself or have lawyers do so on its behalf.In rejecting the recommendation to indict, the OAG said the NACC
needed evidence which clearly shows Ms Yingluck could have scrapped the rice-pledging scheme and that she
did nothing to stop corruption.
Rice husks to pump energy to the grid
Wed, 10 September 2014
Chan Muyhong
Malaysian company PMTI Energy (Cambodia) Co has signed a 10-year deal to supply Electricite du Cambodge
with 48,000 megawatts of energy derived from rice husks every year.Phou Puy, president of PMTI, told the
Post yesterday that about 70 per cent of the power generated from his biomass plant would be supplied to his
own rice-milling company, Baitang Plc, as well as several other rice millers in Battambang province. The
remaining power, Puy said, would be sold to EdC.We have an abundance of rice husks, which can be turned
into power, Puy said. It is important for local rice millers because it will cost less than the power supplied by
the state, he added.
For now, we are selling the remaining power to EdC, but I also plan to discuss with other rice millers where
they can exchange their rice husk for power. Puy said that his biomass plant could generate 10 megawatts of
power per hour at his biomass plant and that he was selling it to EdC for $0.09 per kilowatt.Ty Thany, executive
director at the Electricity Authority of Cambodia, confirmed yesterday that EdC planned to make use of the
PMTI energy source during the dry season when the Kingdoms dams produce less power.
Though the amount is small, it helps us to reduce dependence on the imported power from Thailand and
Vietnam, he said. Kan Khunthy, CEO of Brico, a rice milling company in Battambang, said yesterday that the
high cost of power remained an issue for rice millers in Cambodia. I welcome it if the rice-husk plant is going
to be a success and can supply power at a lower price, Khunthy said.
Rice farmers alarmed by falling prices
September 9, 2014 By Staff Writer
Dear Editor,


Harvesting of the present rice crop has commenced in Region Two where farmers are making full use of the
sunny weather. At the moment, we have seen a drop in the price paid for each grade of paddy, which poses a
serious threat to the earning position of the farmers. This is a bold move by rice millers; it is not clear what is
responsible for this drop in price, but it was reported that the millers were engaged in talks.
Over the past year, there has been a general decline in the paddy prices paid by all the millers. When margins
were higher farmers expanded paddy production, however, recent changes in the price of paddy could sharply
reduce production, more especially if the prices continue to decline.These growing uncertainties and falling
farm prices have alarmed farmers; the cost of production and the debt crisis have been unacceptably high for
them. We therefore believe that the government and GRDB should not only retain the $4,000 per bag price, but
also try to negotiate for higher prices.
The analysis of farmers costs for fertilizers, insecticides, manual labourers, reaping, transportation, ploughing
and land preparation, etc, indicate these are extremely high and farmers are not recovering their total costs.The
major strategies identified for Guyana to become more competitive in the rice export market are to improve the
paddy value by 30% and increase the farmers returns in direct proportion to their increase in yield. Production
of higher quality rice would also increase the returns to the rice industry. With increased attention to these
factors, Guyana would be in a strong position to compete effectively in the Caribbean and other nearby markets.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
Modern research methods handy to boost rice production
President stresses REAP to play vital role in rice production, export
Staff Reporter
Tuesday, September 09, 2014 - KarachiPresident Mamnoon Hussain on Monday said differences are not
solved on the streets and disagreements are settled through dialogue in the elected parliament. He hoped that
annoyed people will return to the parliament as the objective of politics is to restore confidence and satisfaction,
it does not mean chaos. He was addressing the 6th Export Trophy Awards 2012-13, ceremony organised by
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), at a hotel here.
He said rice is one of the favourite crops throughout the world, and Pakistan also earns 10 per cent of its total
foreign earnings from rice export. Pakistans foreign earnings can be further increased, if modern and research-
based methods are followed in rice production, he added. He called for paying attention to research in rice
production so as to overcome the weakness in specific areas and said the REAP can play a significant role by
establishing research cells. President Mamnoon Hussain said that research is not a static process and
organisations like REAP should provide their feedback to the research institutions.


He expressed pleasure that Pakistan was exporting rice to 103 countries and suggested that more markets be
explored.He said the government has launched various projects for power generation to cater for domestic and
commercial needs of the consumers. As development projects are completed, the situation will surely be much
better and all of us should cooperate with the government in development and betterment of the country, he
said. He termed political stability and law and order imperative for development of any country. Pakistan Army
and the government are making all out efforts to maintain peace across the country, he noted.He said we are in a
state of war and Pakistan Army is successfully targeting terrorists in the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb Exercise.
There is a need to stand firm behind our army, he said. President Mamnoon Hussian said the central
government is providing all out support to the Sindh government to maintain peace and control law and order in
Karachi. He said he has been told that overall law and order situation was much better in Ramazan-ul- Mubarak
and business activities were also better than the previous year. He also advised women to pursue their careers in
the professions of their choice but keep their cultural values and traditions in mind. He was of the view that
problems do exist in every society but we should realise our own responsibility to play our role in the countrys
development.
The President suggested that all segments of society should strive together to eliminate corruption.Earlier, the
President distributed trophies and gold medals among the winners of REAPs 6th Export Trophy Awards.
Addressing the occasion, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP),
S.M. Munir congratulated REAP and rice exporters for achieving the mark of rice export of two billion dollars.
Acting Chairman REAP, Chela Ram Kewlani said the rice exporters are facing different problems due to law
and order situation.
Premium fragrant rice developed for Australian conditions
A new premium rice variety has been developed for Australia.
Called Topaz, the premium fragrant rice variety has been developed by the NSW DPI in partnership with
RIRDC, SunRice and Rice Research Australia.Fragrant rice is one of the fastest-growing rice markets globally
and is the largest segment of the Australian rice market. Marketed as a premium rice variety, Topaz is set to
create new opportunities in the higher value markets both domestically and overseas.In market testing in Hong
Kong, Topaz outperformed other fragrant rice varieties for taste, appearance and flavour.Through years of R&D
and on-farm trials Topaz has been bred specifically for Australias temperate rice-growing conditions. The new
variety will be available to Australias rice growers in October 2014 and should be appearing on supermarket
shelves from mid-2015.
House Passes Bill Rejecting EPA's Waters of the U.S. Proposed Rule
Kid playing in a puddle


Hey kid, got a permit for that?

WASHINGTON, DC -- In a 262-152 vote with 35 Democrats voting 'yes',
the House of Representatives passed The Waters of the U.S. Regulatory
Overreach Protection Act of 2014, sending a clear signal to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the body does not support the
Waters of the U.S. rule as drafted.The Overreach Protection Act, which
Representative Steve Southerland (R-FL) introduced in July, does not
require the EPA to draft a new rule, but it would require the agency to
consult with states and local authorities to develop recommendations for the scope of Clean Water Act
jurisdiction, and determine whether those goals could be reached under the existing statutory framework.

EPA's proposed rule, which seeks to better define the waters covered by the nearly 40-year old Clean Water
Act, has been under fire since it was released in April. Though EPA has said the rule will do little more than
clarify the existing statute, groups including agriculture have expressed concerns it will be used instead to
regulate even the smallest ditches and puddles. The proposed rule states that rice fields are exempt, however,
there is no mention made of exempting the network of ditches and canals that carry the water to and from the
fields. Also, the proposal appears to regulate any water in a floodplain.The USA Rice Federation is drafting
comments on the original rule and supporting the Overreach legislation in order to reduce the regulatory impacts to the
industry.

National Rice Month Promotional Item of the Week!
He doesn't just
cook up statistics
Cook in style with our Reach for Rice full length apron in royal blue. This 100% cotton apron has an
adjustable neck strap, waist ties and three waist-level pockets. Reach for Rice in the kitchen this
September and all year long with this festive apron.Order these and other promotional items at the
USA Rice Online Store.

Contact: Katie Mah


California rice farmer: Drought may make us 'quit'
Mark Koba | @MarkKobaCNBC
Mardis Coers | Getty Images
Rice harvest in the Sacramento Valley, Calif.
California's ongoing drought is claiming another victim: the state's rice
crop.Nearly 25 percent of California's $5 billion rice crop will be lost this
year due to lack of water, say experts. And while analysts say the loss is not
a crisis just yet, at least one rice producer is ready to call it a day. "If we
keep going through this drought, it may make us quit and sell the ranch,"
said Sherry Polit, who grows organic rice with her family on 1,500 acres in
the Northern California town of Maxwell."We had droughts before, but this
is like the third bad one in a row," explained Polit, who also grows organic
olives. With surface water sources drying up from lack of rain, the problem for rice producers is having enough
water available to fill rice paddies, said Jim Morris, communications manager for the California Rice
Commission. It's not a case of the crop being damaged, he said, so much as it's been reduced as farmers cut
back on planting.To try and make money, some California rice produc

David's Daily Dish: Everything's nice like gumbo on rice; but it's also
good for other stuff
As the old saying goes, "Rice is nice" and as a strong proponent of using rice in as many was as possible, I offer a recipe
for a new and fun way to eat rice. (File photo)
By David Holloway | dholloway@al.com

on September 10, 2014 at 2:00 AM, updated September 10, 2014 at 10:12 AM
When I started a discussion yesterday about rice and how to cook it perfectly every time, I had no intention of
this turning into a "thing."But after I finished that treatise on rice, I started nosing about and found out that my
time for such a reasoned approach to rice-cooking is spot on. September, the entire month, has been designated
as Rice Month by the folks in the Central Office to make such lofty designations.


That means while my musings appear to be prescient, I have to confess that I
had no idea that it was appearing in this virtual space during the month-long
celeb ration of one of my favorite foods. But since appearances are more
important than facts, I decided to continue to plumb the depths of rice recipes
and see what we could come up with.It helps that I like rice. A lot. And any time
I get to talk about rice and ways to use it in recipes, well let's just say that I
consider that time well spent.Rice is a very important part of cookery in my
realm. Any good gumbo cook will attest to the need for a good pot of rice to go
with the gumbo. (Nothing gets my goat more than ordering a bowl or cup of gumbo in a restaurant and it be
served without a decent serving of rice to soak up the tasty gumbo juice.)
Evidently rice is a very popular foodstuff around the world. It is found in some form or other in just about every
cuisine in the world.My favorite type of rice is medium-grain white rice. Long grain may be more popular, but
for my money medium is the best for just about everything that I cook. In the spirit of full disclosure, I confess
that the vast majority of the rice cooked in my tony West Mobile home is brown rice.
But when nobody is looking and I get the chance, I still prefer the fluffy goodness of perfectly cooked medium
grain white rice.Rice is also good for things other than gumbo, jambalaya, rice pudding and other delicacies
native to this region. It makes a great side dish and you don't need me to tell you about the joys of a tasty
chicken and rice casserole.Here is a tasty recipe from the good folks at the USA Rice Council, a group charged
with promoting domestic rice and to that end, they provide on their website a ton of tasty and easy recipes for
rice.
Oriental Rice Pilaf
6 servings
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 3/4 cups beef broth
1 cup uncooked rice
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/3 cup diced red pepper
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
Cook onion and garlic in oil in 2- to 3-quart saucepan over medium heat until onion is tender. Add broth, rice,
soy sauce and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil; stir once or twice. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until rice is
tender and liquid is absorbed.
Stir green onions, red pepper and sesame seeds into cooked rice; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.


Kitchen Counselor: Out with ramen, in with basmati

Pilaf cooked with Saffron brand parboiled basmati rice. The grains elongate more than twice their size and
remain fluffy and separate. (Photo by Gholam Rahman)
By Gholam Rahman
If you keep up with what is happening in the media, you probably already heard that regularly eating ramen
noodles is likely to make you prone to heart problems.That bit of news has not escaped the hawk eyes of some
PR firms pushing basmati rice. They have pegged their promotion to it and are offering those fragrant, long-
grained rice from India and Pakistan as a healthful and easy alternative.

As for us, they are preaching to the choir. Rice, including basmati, as well as
wheat bread, mostly whole-wheat, have been the staples of families like ours
from that part of the world.In America, too, basmati is gaining in popularity, not
only because of the growing number of immigrants from that subcontinent and
the Middle East, but also because Americans are falling for the charms of its
fragrance and svelte-and-slender shape. Even insular Texas rice farmers were
beguiled enough to cross their own best with the Indian variety to develop the
hybrid Texmati.Fragrance is in fact built into the Indian rices name. The first syllable bas is Hindi for
fragrance; the second part mati stands for possessor, queen or mother.

A quick pointer on the correct pronunciation: The accent should be either on the first syllable bas
(pronounced bahs) or the last ti (with the t pronounced softly); it should never be on ma which should
in fact be an indeterminate schwa sound.Let us now turn to some other facts about the rice.Authentic basmati is
grown only in the foothill regions of the Himalayan mountain range in India and Pakistan, regions that have the
right combination of rainfall pattern and soil characteristics somewhat like the Darjeeling tea.

Those are the factors supposed to impart the bas in basmati; and the rice we used decades ago when we first
came to the U.S. was just that fragrant. You cooked the rice in the kitchen and someone sitting in the bedroom
would swoon over the wafting aroma. Alas, that is now a disappearing quantum. Is it the high-yield fertilization
being used now? Is it the rampant adulteration? But then, our aging power of perception is dimming too!

Anyway, basmati rice is lower in the glycemic index than other rices and also has a better nutritional profile.
Recently, Consumer Reports found that out of all the rice it tested, basmati had the least amount of arsenic. As
with other rices, two kinds of basmati are available the raw and the parboiled. Most basmatis are aged, some
as much as two years.Although all basmati rice is healthy, the parboiled basmati offers even better health
benefits because much of the brans nutrients are driven into the center of the grains in the steaming process.

Of all the basmati rice brands we have tried over the years, I find the Zebra from Pakistan about as good as any,
both its raw and parboiled varieties. Others we like are Royal and Amira.

Pointers on cooking basmati


Wash the rice in several changes of water until the water runs clear; soak the rice for at least 30 minutes, but an
hour or more if they are parboiled and aged.For cooking just plain rice, it is much better to choose the lots-of-
water method, since you can vary the time until the grains are done to your liking.For pilafs, you should choose
the absorption method, since any excess water cannot be drained.One cup dry rice served 3 generously.
Leftovers can be frozen and reheated very successfully.

BASMATI PILAF

Serves 6
1 cups basmati rice, preferably parboiled
3 tablespoons canola oil, with 2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced with a half-inch ginger piece
4 to 5 whole cardamom pods
3 to 4 whole cloves
1 large piece cinnamon stick, broken in pieces
2 to 3 bay leaves
3 cups water, approximately

A few threads saffron, mashed in 2 teaspoons rose water (optional)
Slivered almonds and golden raisins for garnish (optional)

Wash and soak the rice as above. In a 5-quart Dutch oven, heat the oil and butter and fry the onion slices,
stirring frequently, until golden brown. With a slotted spoon, take out most of the fried onion and spread it on a
board to crisp, leaving some behind.Add the garlic, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves. Fry,
stirring, until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice, drained well, and cook stirring, until the rice grains
turn somewhat translucent.Stir in the water, and bring the pot to boil.

Immediately reduce heat, stir and cover the pot partially. Let cook over medium heat, stirring a couple of times
at the beginning, until much of the water is absorbed and steam holes have developed, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Fully cover the pot, reduce heat to low and cook until a few rice kernels test done and all the water has been
absorbed. Sprinkle a small amount of water, cover and steam until done to taste.Sprinkle the saffron-rose water
mixture over the top and carefully fluff the rice with a two-pronged fork. Spread half of the almond and raisins
over the pilaf in the pot, reserving the rest to garnish the serving platter before bringing it to the table.

Advertising SPECS & RATES
Contact: Advertising Department
Mujahid Ali
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2874

10th September, 2014 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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