30 August, 2016 Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Daily
Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter
August 30,2016
Vol 7 , Issue VIII
Global, Regional & Local

Rice E-Newsletter
www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Today Rice News Headlines...
Rice: the grower-exporter conflict of interest
Time to devise mechanism for protection of origin linked products
Anyone can grow Basmati rice? No, which is why this MP proposal
has opened a political and economic battle
Move to enact long-delayed GI law
Assam flood-tolerant rice set for global exposure
41 banned items: Over N1bn worth of rice trapped in Cotonou
warehouses
Scientists hope new varieties can start Africa rice revolution
Crawford Bill: SAM Reporting Requirements for Farmers Could be
DUNS(O)
2016-17 Miss Arkansas Rice Announced
Annual Rice Field Day scheduled for Wednesday
Kerala college joins genome project
Experts: Africa rice revolution on the horizon
News Detail...
Rice: the grower-exporter conflict of interest
Editorial Board
Chief Editor
Hamlik
Managing Editor
Abdul Sattar Shah

Rahmat Ullah
Rozeen Shaukat
English Editor
Maryam Editor
Legal Advisor
Advocate Zaheer Minhas
Editorial Associates
Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid

Javed Islam Agha
Ch.Hamid Malhi
Dr.Akhtar Hussain
Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui
Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)
Islam Akhtar Khan
Editorial Advisory Board
Ahmad Fraz Khan
With the rice season just around the corner, farmers might fare better with an
initial indication of improved prices for their crop.The hybrid coarse
varieties, which were sown in April in the central Punjab area, have gained
an almost 50pc price increase from Rs600 to Rs900 per 40kg in the last
two weeks. This is despite the fact that early paddy always fetches a lower
price as it contains more moisture.
Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim
Assistant Professor, Gomal

University DIK
Dr.Hasina Gul
Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK
Dr.Hidayat Ullah
Assistant Professor, University of
Swabi
Dr.Abdul Basir
Assistant Professor, University of
For basmati, the Punjab government has been engaged in marathon sessions
with the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) and farmers to arrive
at an agreed and reasonable price. Reap is offering Rs1,500 per Kg. The
farmers, however, are sticking to Rs1,700 per 40kg. Even if the Reap offer is
accepted by farmers, it would represent a 36pc increase over Rs1,100 per
40kg average price last year.
Swabi
Zahid Mehmood
PSO,NIFA Peshawar
Falak Naz Shah
Head Food Science & Technology

2
ART, Peshawar

The context for better rice price was set this year by two factors. Firstly, Iran opened its market
after a hiatus of three years and helped clear the rice glut with exporters. According to Reap,
almost 250,000 tonnes were sent to Iran before July 22, when it slapped a ban on imports
because its own crop was arriving in the domestic market.
Farmers and government officials think that exporters are painting a gloomy export picture
for some reason. Otherwise, the situation is not that bad
Secondly, the Punjab government held a number of trilateral meetings (involving the agriculture
department, exporters and farmers) to ensure that basmati price does not hurt farmers. The
provincial government arrived at the price of Rs1,700 per maund, after including a 25pc profit
for farmers. The cost of production has come down by almost Rs150 per maund this year
because of various official interventions, including subsidy on fertiliser, reduced diesel prices
and reduced rates of electricity for tube-wells.
All these factors have created conducive business environment especially because rice trade,
particularly the basmati variety, has been in a crisis for the last few years; in which all major
stakeholders farmers, shellers and exporters were hit. But last year, exporters made some
money when domestic prices crashed.
However, exporters still maintain that it might be a tough year for exports. Iran has banned
import from Pakistan, initially for four months, but it can be longer than that if their crop turns
out to be a healthy one. In the largest market for rice the Gulf region the Indian dumping
of rice is a major problem. Exports to other regions are almost negligible and do not offer much
hope.
However, farmers and government officials think that exporters are painting a gloomy export
picture for some reason. Otherwise, the situation is not that bad. Irans ban will soon be lifted
because only two Iranian provinces are allowed to sow rice, which cannot cater to their own
demand of 3m tonnes. So, one cannot rule the market out for the rest of the season. The Gulf
might have had its financial crisis, but ethnic clientele, the main consumer of basmati rice, is still
big enough, and rich enough, to help sustain imports from Pakistan.

Pakistan exported 3.2m tonnes in 2014-15 and was able to increase it to 3.7m tonnes next year,
earning $1.86bn. On average, basmati export prices sustained a level of $900 per tonne, which
translates into Rs2,500 per 40kg for paddy.
Farmers are demanding only Rs1,700 per 40 kg, leaving a healthy margin for exporters. If an
exporter still concedes that export figures will not be less than last year, they could cross the
$2bn mark due to international price trends.
The government sponsoring negotiations between farmers and exporters is a healthy sign, but
only offers a seasonal solution. The huge subsidies that the government has offered in the last
one year, is also not sustainable model. Farming still needs to be modernised.
Published in Dawn, Business & Finance weekly, August 29th, 2016
Time to devise mechanism for protection of origin linked

products
By Afshan S. Khan
August 29, 2016

Islamabad
To devise specific rights protection measures for origin linked products in country including
Basmati Rice, Sialkot footballs, Sindhi Ajrak, Multan Mango and many others, Intellectual
Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan has drafted a standalone Graphical Indication protection
law to devise an effective mechanism to avert issues relating to ownership and quality of
product.
According to details, Draft Geographical Indication Bill 2016 will provide protection to the
products originating from a specific area, whose quality or reputation is attributable to its place
of origin like Basmati Rice, Sialkot footballs, Sindhi Ajrak, Multan Mango and many other
products, revealed in a consultative session held by IPO in collaboration with PREIA, USAID.
The session was headed by Asad Hayaud Din, Additional Secretary Ministry of Commerce,
while representatives from TDAP, REAP, SMEDA, PIPRA were also present on this occasion.

The draft of GI Protection Bill was presented to the stakeholders including representatives from
Chambers, trade associations, public organisation, Attorney firms and private sector.
Currently Geographical Indications are being protected under collective mark system of
Trademark Ordinance, 2001. However, there are certain limitations regarding the right of
application, control mechanism and other matters. IPO Pakistan has drafted a standalone GI
protection law to devise an effective mechanism for the protection of origin linked products in
the country.
The panelists hailed the long overdue legislation for the protection of indigenous products of
Pakistan which have recognition in the national and international markets. It was highlighted that
the absence of GI law is posing many issues to the traders regarding the ownership of Basmati
Rice and other origin linked products in the global markets. The panelists proposed to constitute
a committee of stakeholders to formally review the Draft GI protection Bill. The panelists also
highlighted that the GIs should be registered in the name of government bodies, as the
associations do not represent the interests of all stakeholders and may lead to subsequent
litigations.
The News
Anyone can grow Basmati rice? No, which is why this MP

proposal has opened a political and economic battle
Krishnakumar Tomar, a science graduate was one of the first to grow Basmati in Badi, which
falls in Raisen district. When he harvested his crop 14 years back, he had no idea where to sell it.
By: FE Online | Updated: August 25, 2016 12:18 PM
The states that have been issued the GI tag mainly millers and farmers in Punjab and Haryana
are vociferously opposed to extending the same to MP.Krishnakumar Tomar, a science graduate
was one of the first to grow Basmati in Badi, which falls in Raisen district. When he harvested
his crop 14 years back, he had no idea where to sell it. With no local takers, he was told he could
get a good price for it at Delhis Narela mandi or Kota in Rajastha. I wondered whether it was
worth the trouble going all the way there, recalls Tomar. The long road journey to Narela may
only have further sowed seeds of doubt over his decision to switch from growing regular highyielding paddy, he told The Indian Express. But today, basmati is my main crop, who grows
Pusa Basmati-1 (PB-1) on his entire 35-acres farmland.
Tomar is among the many farmers in this area having assured irrigation, thanks to the Barna
Dam completed in the late 1970s who have stopped planting regular paddy or soyabean in the
kharif season. They have prospered by switching to a crop that is now a bone of contention
between Madhya Pradesh (MP) and the northern states led by Punjab and Haryana. At the heart
of the dispute is MP staking claim for inclusion of 13 of its districts from Morena, Bhind,
Sheopur, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri and Guna in the north to Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore,
Hoshangabad, Narsinghpur and Jabalpur in the central-south in the Geographical Indication
(GI) area officially demarcated for basmati cultivation.
As of now, only seven states in the Indo-Gangetic plains on the foothills of the Himalayas
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh and two districts of
Jammu & Kashmir have been granted GI certification rights for growing basmati. The states
that have been issued the GI tag mainly millers and farmers in Punjab and Haryana are
vociferously opposed to extending the same to MP. Their contention is that the state neither has a
history nor the specific agro-climatic conditions suitable for basmati cultivation. But for farmers
here, basmati is what has brought them prosperity that was non-existent till a decade ago. Tomar
may have, then, struggled to dispose of his crop. But that changed with the entry of millers, who
sensed an opportunity to procure basmati from MP at rates lower than what it cost in the
traditional northern belt.

There is no dearth of buyers for basmati, unlike wheat, where we are entirely dependent on the
government. Nor do we have to go to any procurement centre to sell, as the company agents
come to us directly to purchase from our doorstep. And the basmati crop does not fail from less
or more rains, which is not so with soyabean, notes Sunil Sharma. The Class XI-pass Sharma
owns a Mahindra Bolero SUV, while his friend and fellow-farmer Mukesh Chouhan drives a
Scorpio. Many people in these parts have purchased four-wheelers and even property 100 km
away in Bhopal. It is all only due to basmati, he points out.
According to Rajesh Rajora, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) in the MP government, the state
has submitted evidence, including documents and publications dating back to the British era, to
prove that basmati was being cultivated in the relevant districts long enough to warrant a GI tag.
That evidence was, however, not accepted by the Intellectual Property Appellate Board, which,
in an order on February 5, directed the MP government to file additional evidence. The latter has
since challenged the order and the matter is currently before the Madras High Court. All this
wrangling comes even as basmati exports from India have shown a decline in the last couple of
years, after posting a more than ten-fold jump to over Rs 29,000 crore between 2006-07 and
2013-14
The Financial Express
Move to enact long-delayed GI law

Ashfak Bokhari
THE unabated rhetoric and pledges by ministers and officials concerned about protecting
ownership rights of goods and commodities of specific geographic origin, basmati in particular,
have been more in focus in the past decade than the governments indifference in enacting the
geographical indication law.
This indifference seemed to be abating for a while when on Aug 17 the Intellectual Property
Organisation (IPO)-Pakistan with the collaboration of USAID held a consultative session on the
draft of Geographical Indication bill, 2016.
Representatives from chambers, trade associations, public organisations, law firms and the
private sector took part in discussion. An IPO press release said the absence of a GI law was
causing many problems to traders regarding the ownership of basmati rice and other originlinked products in the international markets. The meeting decided to form a committee of
stakeholders to formally review the draft and expedite passage of the bill.

The absence of GI law, one may note, has also led to shrinking investment in basmati rice
processing, especially in Punjab, during the last decade. Earlier, inflow of new investment along
with GI certification was expected to open new markets in the Middle East, Far East, Europe and
North America for Pakistans basmati rice.
The absence of a GI law has also led to shrinking investment in basmati rice processing,
especially in Punjab, during the last decade
Similar efforts were also made in the past but without any desired results. For instance, in 2001 a
fast-track route was adopted by concerned officials by drafting an ordinance on Geographical
Indications law. But it was decided it would not be implemented after legal experts showed
dissatisfaction and termed the draft vague and ambiguous.
Commerce minister Khurram Dastgir Khan recently directed his ministry officials to revive the
issue with the IPO but no action was taken. However, the minister will now have a better access
to the IPO as its administrative control was transferred to the commerce division from the
cabinet division on July 25, 2016.
It is worth recalling that a diplomatic conference in Geneva held in May 21, 2015 had adopted
what came to be known as the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin
and Geographical Indications.The Act allows international registration of GIs, in addition to
appellations of origin, and permits accession to the Lisbon Agreement by certain
intergovernmental organisations.
The new GI agreement drafted by the World Intellectual Property Organisation is expected to
herald a new era of trade of GI products.
It was the patenting of basmati rice in 1996 by a US company, RiceTec, which woke India,
Pakistan and other developing countries to the danger that lay ahead: centuries-old basmatis
survival.
RiceTec in its claim stated that basmati is a generic name and cannot be protected as a
geographical indication. The company had been using the term Basmati as a generic term for a
considerably longer period. It had produced and marketed Texas Basmati and American

Basmati and had been exporting the products for 15 years with no objection ever previously
raised, a company statement had said.
However, while India took the threat to basmati seriously, Pakistan just ignored it. India wasted
no time in enacting a GI law, called the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and
Protection) Act, 1999, coupled with the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and
Protection) Rules, 2002.
The Act became operational on September 5, 2003. Pakistan neither passed the important
legislation nor established a GI registry.
Before this act, there was no separate legislation for GIs specifically. However, certification
trademarks (CTM) were seen to be more focused on protecting indication of sources. In the
Indian context, the most common geographical name protected under the CTM system, prior to
the GI Act, was Darjeeling Tea.
The narrative that the trade mark law enjoys the same status as the geographical indication law
was promoted by IPO-Pakistan soon after its formation in 2005 and granted ownership of
basmati to Basmati Growers Association. But this was not accepted by the European Union and
some other countries.
In 2006, commerce secretaries of India and Pakistan agreed to form a joint study group to
explore the possibility of a joint registration of basmati as a geographical indication. The move
also had the support of the All India Rice Exporters Association and the Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan.
Under WTO rules two countries can apply together for registering a product or good as a GI
under the homonymous provision. A year later Indian commerce minister Kamal Nath took up
the proposal with his Pakistani counterpart Humayun Akhtar but nothing came off.
In 2008, commerce secretaries once again got together to seek a joint GI for basmati. But the
talks came to a halt after relations between the two countries deteriorated in the wake of terrorist
attacks on Mumbai on November 26, 2008.
There are many products in Pakistan that can be registered as geographical indications. They
include basmati rice, Sindhri mango, Shikarpuri pickles, Qasuri methi, Bannu spices, Chinniot
furniture, Sialkots footballs, Multani halva, Hala ki ajrak, Sargodhas kinno, Chaunsa mango,
wild mushrooms of Swat, Neeli Ravi buffalo and Chaman grapes etc.

India has also accorded IP protection to at least two varieties of mangoes which are
homonymous to indigenous Pakistani varieties Fazli Mango of West Bengal and Dussehri
Mango of Uttar Pardesh.
Published in Dawn, Business & Finance weekly, August 29th, 2016
http://www.dawn.com/news/1280522/move-to-enact-long-delayed-gi-law
Assam flood-tolerant rice set for global exposure

Pankaj Borthakur
JORHAT, Aug 29 - In what may turn out to be an

inspiring story for the flood-hit farmers and
agricultural scientists of the region, the Philippinesbased International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is
seeking to promote two flood-tolerant rice varies,
which were genetically developed by a group of
scientists in the Titabor-based Regional Agricultural
Research Station (RARS) of Assam Agricultural
University (AAU).It may be mentioned here that
during experimentation both the varieties of rice were
found to be yielding profit for farmers in the floodaffected paddy-fields of Sivasagar district.
The two varieties of rice Bahadur Sub-1 and Ranjit Sub-1 were found to be flood-tolerant for
a maximum period of 12 days even during submergence because of their improvised genetic
qualities.Most recently, the IRRI officials have sought to promote both these rice varieties
among the farmers across the globe. I think Ranjit Sub-1 and Bahadur Sub-1 will yield good
results for the farmers of flood-hit areas of Eastern India and many other agrarian areas of the
world, said principal scientist Dr Sanjay Kumar Chetia of Titabor RARS.The IRRI is an
international agricultural research and training organisation with its headquarters in the
Philippines and offices in seventeen countries. It is best known for its work in developing rice
varieties that contributed in the Green Revolution in the 1960s that pre-empted famine in the
Asian subcontinent.
10

As the farmers of the State suffered severe loss due to the flood, AAU scientists persistently
engaged themselves in developing these rice varieties so that the farmers get better yields under
submerged conditions. According to them, the rice varieties will give better results in the areas
that witness periodic floods during the monsoon season.
It has been learnt that the IRRI authorities have taken initiative to place these two rice varieties
in the national seed chain so that the Union Ministry of Agriculture can recommend and produce
adequate quantity of seeds of both these submergence-tolerant varieties of rice.
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of Sivasagar district conducted an experimentation of Ranjit
Sub-1 and Bahadur Sub-1 at a paddy field in the Lakwa area. KVK officials said these two rice
varieties could tolerate submergence for several days during the experimentation and produced a
good quantity of rice even in adverse conditions
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=aug3016/at057
41 banned items: Over N1bn worth of rice trapped in

Cotonou warehouses
Posted on Aug 30, 2016
By Isaac Anumihe
Over 50 million bags of imported rice, worth about N1 billion, are now trapped in various
warehouses in Cotonou, Benin Republic, since the Federal Government began implementation of
the ban on foreign rice in Nigeria.Several importers who violated the governments import
restrictions are now biting their fingers as they can no longer push the imported commodities
into Nigerian markets through the borders.
One of the importers told Daily Sun that many of them have lost their collaterals to the banks
because they cannot service their loans.We have lost a lot. The banks are not giving us
breathing space. They have confiscated all our belongings, he said.
Daily Suns investigations revealed that the new Controller General of Customs (CGC), Colonel
Hameed Ali, had threatened to discipline the Customs Area Controller in charge of Seme
Border, Victor Dimka, if any grain of imported rice finds its way into the Nigerian market.To
demonstrate his seriousness, Ali, last week, signed an agreement with the Beninoise
government to the effect that any ship from Benin ports must be escorted by the Benin Customs
11

and handed over to Nigerian Customs. He threatened to stop trade relations with Benin Republic
if the government continues to allow contraband goods into Nigerian markets.
This tough stance by the Nigerian government had pitted the importers against their bankers
because most of the importers borrowed to import the goods. They had targeted the ember
months the Eid el Kabir and Christmas festivities to flood Nigerian markets with imported
rice.
The products, Daily Sun learnt, have been warehoused for over six months under an
unwholesome condition, leading to deterioration in quality.Recall that after the ban, Nigerian
government had placed 70 per cent duty rate and 60 per cent levy on all banned 41 items as
against Benins 5 per cent levy and 10 per cent duty rate on them.On August 12, 2015, the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a directive stopping some imported goods and services
from the list of items valid for forex in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Markets. This policy
implies that those who import such items can no longer buy foreign currency from the official
window to pay their overseas suppliers.
This means they will have to source forex from the parallel market or Bureau de Change to pay
for their imports.But Daily Sun investigations reveal that the locally-produced rice is scarce in
the market because the supply side cannot meet the demand.To this end, a 40kg rice now goes
for between N12,000 and 13,000
http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2016/08/41-banned-items-over-n1bn-worth-of-rice-trapped-in-cotonouwarehouses/
Scientists hope new varieties can start Africa rice revolution
August 29, 2016
By Isaiah Esipisu
NAIROBI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The first hybrid rice varieties developed in subSaharan Africa are yielding up to four times more than other improved varieties, say scientists,
who are using web-based tools to identify the right climate conditions to maximise
harvests.The 15 hybrids, bred in Kenya and Tanzania, are also tolerant to diseases and the high
temperatures found in Kenya's western Lake Region and coastal areas.
12

Local farmers have always depended on imported hybrid rice varieties, particularly from Asia,
which sometimes do not adapt well to conditions in sub-Saharan Africa.
As the climate shifts and arable land shrinks under population pressure, experts say there is a
need for more innovative ways to produce food.
Africa's food deficit is projected to increase to 60 million metric tonnes by 2020 if no action is
taken, according to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Joe DeVries, director of an AGRA programme to strengthen Africa's seed systems, said
productivity on the continent is limited by the fact that farmers have a narrow choice of
improved varieties.
Most of them (are) planting varieties that were released more than 30 years ago, he said.
Denis Kyetere, executive director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF),
which has developed the new hybrids in a public-private partnership, said hybrid technology
had revolutionised rice production in Asia, especially in China.
Asias productivity dramatically increased from an average of 1.89 metric tonnes per hectare in
1949 to 6.71 tonnes per hectare in 2012.
With this technology, we look forward to Africa being able to feed Africa, said Kayode
Sanni, project manager for rice at the AATF. In 2014, Africa imported 12 million tonnes of
rice, mostly from Asia, he noted.
The AATF, in collaboration with private firm Hybrids East Africa Limited, has so far
developed 140 hybrid rice varieties using African parent lines.
Of these, 15 each yielding 7 to 10 tonnes per hectare - have been presented to the Kenya
Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) for national performance trials.
U.S.-based aWhere Inc, a partner in the hybrid rice project, has developed web-based tools that
allow scientists to determine when and where to conduct breeding, seed multiplication and
seed production to take advantage of the best climate conditions.
BEATING EXPECTATIONS
Improved inbred rice varieties, such as the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) lines, are already in
use on African farms.With this method, two different parent varieties are cross-bred, and their
offspring are selected through several cycles of self-pollination, or inbreeding, to get the
13

desired result.The end product has the ability to reproduce itself through self-pollination
because the rice plant flowers contain both the male and female organs.
With hybrid varieties, the parent plants are crossed separately with new varieties, and the
offspring from those crosses are united to produce a first-generation hybrid seed, which
performs better than both parents. The process is repeated each time.
Currently, the average yield of inbred rice varieties in sub-Saharan Africa is 2.3 tonnes per
hectare. But in trials, some of the new hybrids have produced between 7 and 10 tonnes per
hectare, said Sanni, more than the breeders had hoped for.
I think it is a tremendous breakthrough, he added.
One potential problem is that seeds harvested from hybrid plants are not recommended for
replanting because their superior performance is lost due to genetic separation, resulting in a
lower yield.
That means farmers do not save seed from their harvest to plant again, and seed companies
must cross the parent materials every season to produce new hybrid seed for planting.
This has always been a setback - particularly for farmers who cannot afford higher prices of
hybrid seeds. But through this project, we have developed an innovative way of helping the
poor farmers, so that they can borrow the seed and pay (it) back only after harvest, said John
Mann, managing director for Afritec Seeds Ltd, which is testing more than 100 hybrid varieties
under the AATFs Breeding by Design project.
EAGER FARMERS
Although farmers will have to buy seeds each time they plant, the extra profit from the hybrids'
higher yield is expected to be far higher than the cost of the seeds, said Sanni.
Apart from Egypt, which has been producing hybrid rice on a commercial scale for over a
decade, no other African country had succeeded in developing its own local hybrid rice.
Egyptian farmers have improved the countrys average rice production to almost 10 metric
tonnes per hectare, a feat praised by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and others.
Farmers who are participating in the trials in East Africa are eagerly waiting for the hybrid
seeds to be officially released for commercial use probably in less than a year, after two
seasons of trials by KEPHIS.
14

We have already set aside money to buy the new breeds, said Charles Wawo, a rice farmer
and chairman of the Ahero Irrigation Scheme Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society in Kisumu
County in western Kenya.
Kenya and Tanzania will be the first beneficiaries of the new hybrid varieties. Trials will then
be rolled out in other countries in East, West and Southern Africa, Sanni said.
(Reporting by Isaiah Esipisu; editing by Megan Rowling. Please credit the Thomson Reuters
Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's
rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org
https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-hope-varieties-start-africa-rice-revolution-080733669.html
Crawford Bill: SAM Reporting Requirements for Farmers

Could be DUNS(O)
By Peter Bachmann
WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier this summer, House Committee on

Agriculture Members Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Ann Kuster (D-NH)
introduced H.R. 5451, a bill that would exempt farmers from the
unnecessary reporting requirements for voluntary conservation
programs. Currently, farmers and landowners participating in voluntary
conservation programs through the USDA's Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) are required to maintain a Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number and register each year for the
federal government's System for Award Management (SAM). This
practice is burdensome, time consuming, and costly. Leo LaGrande, a
California rice farmer and chairman of the USA Rice Farmers
Conservation Committee, shared his views on the process, "It's a practice
that's good in theory, to provide oversight of federal spending, but in
reality the SAM and DUNS requirements disincentivize voluntary
conservation." "The registration systems for SAM and DUNS are
complex and were designed to hold military defense contractors with
billion dollar government contracts accountable for the funds they
receive, not to police a farmer with a small cost-share contract with
NRCS," said LaGrande. "Not only does the registration process take up
valuable time for growers every year, but after registering, their contact information is put in a public
database and they're flooded with solicitations via phone, email, and mail."
15

LaGrande concluded, "USA Rice is encouraged by Congressman Crawford's legislation and supports any
efforts to improve the locally-led, voluntary, and incentive-based approach to private land
conservation. Exempting us from these regulations will help to keep rice farmers at the forefront as
stewards of the land."A companion bill to H.R. 5451 is expected to be introduced later this session in the
Senate.
2016-17 Miss Arkansas Rice Announced

By Chuck Wilson
BRINKLEY, AR -- Craighead County 16year old Madison Gibson was named Miss
Arkansas Rice at the state contest last
Saturday. She is the daughter of Scott and
Karie Gibson of Jonesboro.The first and
second runner-ups were, Libby Thornhill of
Cross County and Dawsyn Smith of
Jackson County, respectively.Contestants
were judged on rice promotion, rice
cooking skills, and knowledge of the
industry. Representatives from ten counties
participated in the contest -- which has
been held for 55 years.
The other
contestants were Torri Dumond of Arkansas County; Kristen Lanni of Jefferson County; Chloe Griffith of
Lee County; Lacy Smith of Lonoke County; Libby Wilkison of Monroe County; Alexandria Rawls of St.
Francis County; and Gabriella Winkler of Woodruff County.
Contest judges were Keith Cleek, Regional Program Associate Family and Consumer Science,
Cooperative Extension Service; Helena; and Judy Riley, retired Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service,
El Paso.
The goal of the Miss Arkansas Rice program is to encourage youth interest in rice cookery and rice
promotion as well as to publicize the importance of the Arkansas rice industry to the state's economy.
Prizes for this year's contest were: Miss Arkansas Rice $1,000, first runner-up $600, and second runnerup $400. Each contestant that competed in the state contest received $100.
The Arkansas Rice Council sponsors the annual contest in cooperation with the Arkansas Farm Bureau
and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.Market Information.
16
USA Rice Daily, Monday, August 29, 2016

Annual Rice Field Day scheduled for Wednesday
Posted: 08/26/16, 5:18 PM PDT
The annual Rice Field Day will be Wednesday at the Rice Experiment Station on Highway 162
near Biggs.Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by a meeting with reports from the
California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation, the Rice Research Trust, and the California
Rice Research Board. It will conclude with the presentation of the California Rice Industry
Award.From 9:30 to noon, field tours will be conducted of the research nurseries. The tours will
be followed by a luncheon at noon. There is no charge for this event, hosted by the California
Cooperative Rice Research Foundation, the University of California, and the United States
Department of Agriculture.
For more information go to www.crrf.org or by call the Rice Experiment Station at 868-5481.
http://www.orovillemr.com/general-news/20160826/annual-rice-field-day-scheduled-for-wednesday
Kerala college joins genome project

DECCAN CHRONICLE.
Published Aug 30, 2016, 6:20 am IST
Updated Aug 30, 2016, 7:22 am IST
The research would shed light on the genetical transformations of various kinds of rice
EMEA College, Kondotty
MALAPPURAM: The department of biotechnology at the EMEA College, Kondotty, in

Malappuram is joining hands with a major global research project on genomes of the
planthoppers affecting paddy cultivation. The project led by Chinas Zijingang Universitys
Institute of Insects Studies would study the genomes of rice planthoppers in Asian countries. The
EMEA College will carry out research on planthoppers in Indian paddy.
Dr K. Mashkoor, the department head, has been invited to join the project in recognition of his
earlier studies and papers he published in various international research journals. He has some 20
internationally published research papers in the field of biotechnology to his credit. Zijingang
professor Chuan-Xi Zhang heads the project which would examine the genome and population
of the diversity of the rice brown planthopper.
17
The research would shed light on the genetical transformations of various kinds of rice
planthoppers and its resistance to pesticides. The genetical structure and evolution will also be
examined in detail, says Dr Mashkoor. Various species of rice planthoppers have been reported
as a menace in various Asian countries and have been destroyed millions of tonnes of rice crops
globally. These insects transmit virus diseases and can cause massive damages to the paddy
cultivation. This genome research would lead to findings on why the planthoppers pose recurrent
threats to rice crops in many countries which is are yet to be determined despite extensive
research, he said
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/science/science/300816/kerala-college-joins-genome-project.html
Experts: Africa rice revolution on the horizon
30 Aug 2016 at 07:00 872

NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION
NAIROBI: The first hybrid rice varieties developed in sub-Saharan Africa are yielding up to four
times more than other improved varieties, say scientists, who are using web-based tools to
identify the right climate conditions to maximise harvests.The 15 hybrids, bred in Kenya and
Tanzania, are also tolerant to diseases and the high temperatures found in Kenya's western Lake
Region and coastal areas.Local farmers have always depended on imported hybrid rice varieties,
particularly from Asia, which sometimes do not adapt well to conditions in sub-Saharan Africa.
18
As the climate shifts and arable land shrinks under population pressure, experts say there is a
need for more innovative ways to produce food.Africa's food deficit is projected to increase to 60
million metric tonnes by 2020 if no action is taken, according to the Alliance for a Green
Revolution in Africa (AGRA).Joe DeVries, director of an AGRA programme to strengthen
Africa's seed systems, said productivity on the continent "is limited by the fact that farmers have
a narrow choice of improved varieties.
"Most of them (are) planting varieties that were released more than 30 years ago."Denis Kyetere,
executive director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), which has
developed the new hybrids in a public-private partnership, said hybrid technology had
revolutionised rice production in Asia, especially in China.Asia's productivity dramatically rose
from an average of 1.89 metric tonnes per hectare in 1949 to 6.71 tonnes per hectare in
2012."With this technology, we look forward to Africa being able to feed Africa," said Kayode
Sanni, project manager for rice at the AATF.
In 2014, Africa imported 12 million tonnes of rice, mostly from Asia, he noted.The AATF, in
collaboration with private firm Hybrids East Africa Limited, has so far developed 140 hybrid
rice varieties using African parent lines.
Of these, 15 -- each yielding 7 to 10 tonnes per hectare -- have been presented to the Kenya Plant
Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) for national performance trials.Broomfield, Coloradobased aWhere Inc, a partner in the hybrid rice project, has developed web-based tools that allow
scientists to determine when and where to conduct breeding, seed multiplication and seed
19

production to take advantage of the best climate conditions.Improved inbred rice varieties, such
as the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) lines, are already in use on African farms.
With this method, two different parent varieties are cross-bred, and their offspring are selected
through several cycles of self-pollination, or inbreeding, to get the desired result. The end
product has the ability to reproduce itself through self-pollination because the rice plant flowers
contain both the male and female organs.With hybrid varieties, the parent plants are crossed
separately with new varieties, and the offspring from those crosses are united to produce a firstgeneration hybrid seed, which performs better than both parents. The process is repeated each
time.
"Currently, the average yield of inbred rice varieties in sub-Saharan Africa is 2.3 tonnes per
hectare. But in trials, some of the new hybrids have produced between seven and 10 tonnes per
hectare,'' said Sanni, more than the breeders had hoped for."I think it is a tremendous
breakthrough," he added.One potential problem is that seeds harvested from hybrid plants are not
recommended for replanting because their superior performance is lost due to genetic separation,
resulting in a lower yield.That means farmers do not save seed from their harvest to plant again,
and seed companies must cross the parent materials every season to produce new hybrid seed for
planting."This has always been a setback -- particularly for farmers who cannot afford higher
prices of hybrid seeds. But through this project, we have developed an innovative way of helping
the poor farmers, so that they can borrow the seed and pay (it) back only after harvest," said John
Mann, managing director for Afritec Seeds Ltd.
The Bangkok Post
20

30 August, 2016 Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

30 August, 2016 Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Daily

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Global, Regional & Local

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Abdul Sattar Shah

Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid

Editorial Advisory Board

Ahmad Fraz Khan

Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim

Assistant Professor, Gomal

Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK

Falak Naz Shah

Head Food Science & Technology

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Time to devise mechanism for protection of origin linked

August 29, 2016

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Anyone can grow Basmati rice? No, which is why this MP

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Move to enact long-delayed GI law

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Assam flood-tolerant rice set for global exposure

JORHAT, Aug 29 - In what may turn out to be an

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

41 banned items: Over N1bn worth of rice trapped in

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Scientists hope new varieties can start Africa rice revolution

August 29, 2016

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Crawford Bill: SAM Reporting Requirements for Farmers

WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier this summer, House Committee on

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

2016-17 Miss Arkansas Rice Announced

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Kerala college joins genome project

MALAPPURAM: The department of biotechnology at the EMEA College, Kondotty, in

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Experts: Africa rice revolution on the horizon

30 Aug 2016 at 07:00 872

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen