Dark Matter DNA Vital for Rice Reproduction

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Daily Rice e-Newsletter
Global Regional and Local Rice News
May 19 ,2020
Vol 11 , Issue 6

Study finds 'dark matter' DNA is vital for rice reproduction
Regions of DNA that give rise to non-coding RNA are required for proper development of plant
reproductive organs.
OKINAWA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (OIST) GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
VIDEO: THE STAMENS IN MUTANT STRAINS CONTAIN ANTHERS - THE PART OF THE STAMEN
THAT HOUSES POLLEN - THAT ARE SHORTER AND MORE CURLED THAN IN WILDTYPE
STRAINS. view more
CREDIT: OIST
Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)
have shed light on the reproductive role of 'dark matter' DNA - non-coding DNA sequences that
previously seemed to have no function.
Their findings, published today in Nature Communications, have revealed that a specific non-
coding genomic region is essential for the proper development of the male and female
reproductive organs in rice.
"Rice is one of the major global crops and is the staple food in many countries, including Japan,"
said Dr. Reina Komiya, senior author of the research paper and associate researcher from the
OIST Science and Technology Group. "Further research into how these genomic regions affect
plant reproduction could potentially lead to increased productivity and more stable yields of
rice."
Many previous developmental studies have focused on genes - the sections of DNA that
provide instructions for making proteins. But in complex creatures like plants and animals, a
large fraction of the genome - typically between 90-98% - doesn't actually code for proteins.
The vast expanse of this 'junk DNA' has long puzzled biologists, with many dubbing it the 'dark
matter' of the genome. But recent research suggests that many of these non-coding genomic
regions may have a function after all, giving rise to non-coding RNA.
Scientists have now identified numerous types of non-coding RNA, ranging from small
molecules only 20-30 nucleotide bases in length to long molecules of over 200 nucleotides.
Although studies show that non-coding RNA plays a vital role in the regulation of gene

expression - the process where a gene's instructions are used to make RNA or protein - the
precise function of each specific non-coding RNA remains poorly understood.
Dr. Komiya is particularly interested in reproduction-specific RNAs. "These are non-coding RNAs
that are produced as the reproductive system forms. I wanted to uncover what role they play in
the development of stamens and pistils, the male and female reproductive organs in plants."
Making mutants
In the study, Dr. Komiya's group focused on a reproduction-specific microRNA - a major class of
small non-coding RNAs - called microRNA2118.
The scientists created mutant rice strains by deleting a region of the genome that contains
multiple copies of the specific DNA sequence that gives rise to microRNA2118. They found that
the mutant strains were sterile and showed abnormalities in the structure of the stamens and
pistils.
"This means that the role of microRNA2118 in the proper development of the stamens and
pistils is essential for plant fertility," said Dr. Komiya.
Revealing RNA and probing proteins
In order to delve deeper into how microRNA2118 controlled development of the anther, the
scientists then identified which other molecules were affected by microRNA2118.
They found that microRNA2118 triggered the cleavage of long non-coding RNA, producing
many tiny RNA molecules, called secondary small RNAs.
"Interestingly, these small RNAs were rich in uracil, one of the four nucleotide bases found in
RNA, which is very unusual compared to other small RNAs," said Dr. Komiya. "We hope to find
out the exact function of these small RNAs - and whether this difference in nucleotide
composition is important - in further research."
The scientists also discovered that two Argonaute proteins that were only produced in the
stamen were dependent on the presence of microRNA2118. Previous research has shown that
Argonaute proteins team up with small RNAs to carry out many regulatory functions, such as
silencing genes and cleaving RNA.

Dr. Komiya's group therefore proposes that the Argonaute proteins may interact with
microRNA2118 to trigger production of the secondary small RNAs. The proteins may also
interact with the secondary small RNAs to silence specific regions of the genome. The team
hopes to elucidate exactly how the Argonaute proteins and secondary small RNAs affect
development of the plant reproductive system in further research.
"Reproduction is an important phenomenon of passing genetic information to the next
generation and is essential for maintaining a stable yield supply. However, development of the
reproductive system is complicated, and many aspects remain unknown," concluded Dr.
Komiya. "This study shows that non-coding RNAs, derived from regions of the genome that
were thought to be non-functional, are vital for plant reproduction. Exploring non-coding RNAs
further is an exciting and important area of research."
###
* This research was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Strategic
Creative Research Promotion Project PRESTO (creation of next-generation basic technology for
control of plant life phenomena in the field) and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on
Innovative Areas (RNA taxonomy).
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/oios-sf061720.php
The problem with shotguns
By: Cielito F. Habito - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:07 AM June 19, 2020
After three months of immobilizing the economy to flatten the COVID-19 curve, we have nothing
to show for it but a battered economy and a pandemic curve that’s anything but flat.
Perhaps thinking that lockdown was enough, crucial testing and tracing received less attention
than our more successful neighbors gave.

A reader described it as a shotgun solution that harmed too many people, when we could have
used more focused rifle approaches like other countries used with far better results, and without
choking their economies the way we did.
The problem with shotgun solutions is that they make governments complacent and lazy, as it’s
far easier than figuring out and pursuing creative and effective rifle-focused cures. My favorite
illustration had been our decades-old approach to “helping” our 2 million rice farmers, in an
effort to achieve full rice self-sufficiency.
While that’s a worthy goal, it’s how we tried to achieve it that was all wrong—through a policy
that hurt 100 million consumers in the process. Many thought the way to do it was to block
imports and shield domestic producers from competition. What it did was to allow domestic rice
prices to rise steadily over time until it reached 2-3 times what our neighbors pay for the same
staple.
We could have given focused and effective help for our rice farmers to match the productivity of
their counterparts in our neighbors, what with all the superior agricultural scientists we have,
who actually taught many of their scientists. But government chose to allow them to slide into
inefficiency, low productivity, and high costs, the effect of tightly controlling imports that only
helped farmers by raising their prices.
Thus, we got by without providing them enough credit financing, and other needed support like
irrigation, farm-to-market roads, mechanization, and postharvest facilities. Thankfully, we finally
came to our senses and put the deadly shotgun aside, forcing our agriculture authorities to buckle
down on rifle fixes, unburdening all of us consumers in the process.
Another example has been our tax breaks and other fiscal incentives aimed to attract
investments. Over the years, we gave them out rather liberally, ultimately at great cost to
taxpayers’ pockets. We came up with an Investment Priorities Plan in the name of selectivity, but
for many years, that list was faulted for being a virtual catch-all. UP economist Dr. Renato Reside

has tracked through the years how these fiscal incentives were for many firms redundant and
little more than wasted gifts that never really made a difference.
Meanwhile, government got complacent in fixing the real things that made investors elusive—
poor infrastructure, bad governance, and bad taxation. The pending CREATE tax reform package
will change that, with more regionally competitive tax rates, and the capability to grant more
flexible, rifle-focused incentives. It has passed the House, and our senators will hopefully pass it
soon as well.
Still another shotgun has to do with the decades-old cry that it’s cheaper to ship corn from
Bangkok to Manila than from Mindanao to Manila, for lack of competition.
The law on cabotage that prohibits foreign ships from moving cargo within the country hurts
domestic producers, especially farmers, as a feed miller in Luzon, for example, would rather bring
in corn from Thailand rather than source it from Mindanao where there’s lots of it.
Filipino consumers are also hurt by higher commodity prices that embody the higher costs
incurred in moving them across our islands.
Cabotage is yet another shotgun policy that effectively sacrifices the interests of the wider
majority of Filipinos as it tries to protect a few local shippers—even as there could be more rifle-
focused ways to support the latter.
The amendment to the 1936-vintage Public Service Act would change that, by delisting domestic
shipping as a public utility where the Constitution bars foreign competition. That’s another
shotgun due to go soon.
Testing and tracing, focused support to our farmers and shippers, flexible, targeted incentives,
and more—it’s time government dusted off its other rifles. They get far better results.
cielito.habito@gmail.com

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https://opinion.inquirer.net/130933/the-problem-with-shotguns#ixzz6PoIHFCgX
Three Vietnamese female scientists in Top 100 Asian
researchers
A group of three local female scientists have been named among a list consisting of the 100
most outstanding researchers of the year, as compiled by the magazine Asian Scientist of
Singapore.
VNA Friday, June 19, 2020 07:41
The magazine ranked Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Van at 23rd position for synthesising novel
nanomaterials which can enhance the efficiency of fuel cells.
She is currently working at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and
Environment.
The second Vietnamese scientist to make the list is Dr. Tran Thi Hong Hanh, who is ranked in
32nd position in terms of the rankings.
Dr. Hanh has been hailed for her research on the use of finger chromatography as a means of
assessing the quality of medicinal herbs sold commercially throughout the nation.

Coming in at 87th position is Dr. Pham Thi Thu Ha whose research is renowned for utilising
molecular markers as a means of developing high-yielding salt-tolerant rice varieties in affected
areas throughout the Mekong Delta./.
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/three-vietnamese-female-scientists-in-top-100-asian-
researchers/175128.vnp
Windstorm wreaks havoc in Fazilka’s Jalalabad, rice mills
damaged
Rice mill owners who were already struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic said the damage
was another setback
Damaged rice mills in Jalalabad in Fazilka on Friday. (HT Photo )Updated: Jun 19, 2020
13:47 IST
By Gaurav Sagar Bhaskar , Hindustan Times/Ferozepur
A strong windstorm wreaked havoc in Jalalabad, a sub-division of Fazilka, on Thursday night.
The gusty winds damaged around six rice mills, including KG Rice Mill, ML Rice Mill, Kissan
Solvex and Midda Industries.
Sahil Midda, a rice miller, said, “The mills’ boundary walls fell, a portion of the building
collapsed in at least two rice mills and machinery and stock were damaged.”
Many boundary walls fell during the windstorm on Thursday night. ( Representative Image/HT )
Rice mill owner Sumit Aggarwal said, “The sheds were blown away around midnight. However,
no loss of life was reported.”
“We were already struggling due to the pandemic and the windstorm has worsened the
situation,” said mill owner Rajesh Kumar.

An insurance company’s senior official, on condition of anonymity, said, “We have received
intimations from different rice mill owners in Jalalabad area about severe loss to their
properties following last night’s windstorm.”
The building and machinery of rice mills was damaged in the storm on Thursday. ( HT Photo )
“The exact value of loss can be revealed only after an assessment is conducted,” he said.
Repeated attempts to contact the Jalalabad sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) proved futile.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/windstorm-wrecks-havoc-in-fazilka-s-jalalabad-
rice-mills-destroyed/story-duVhwH7rHT3pfg4KnxN4TO.html.
Cerano herbicide damage on M-206 vs. M-105
 Author: Bruce Linquist
Published on: June 18, 2020
This year we are conducting a study at the Rice Experiment Station to look at
lodging differences between M-206 and M-105. There has been anecdotal evidence that M105
is more susceptible to lodging than M-206. We want to quantify this and see if we can manage
N to reduce lodging if need be. Anyways, with this experiment, we have both of these varieties
side-by-side in experimental plots. We used Cerano as part of the herbicide program. You
can clearly see from the picture that M-206 is more susceptible to Cerano bleaching than M-
105. Ray talked with Kent McKenzie about this and he also said he had seen similar findings.
Anyway, we thought this might be interesting information for you.

This year we are conducting a study at the Rice Experiment Station to look at
lodging differences between M-206 and M-105. There has been anecdotal evidence that M105
is more susceptible to lodging than M-206. We want to quantify this and see if we can manage
N to reduce lodging if need be. Anyways, with this experiment, we have both of these varieties
side-by-side in experimental plots. We used Cerano as part of the herbicide program. You
can clearly see from the picture that M-206 is more susceptible to Cerano bleaching than M-
105. Ray talked with Kent McKenzie about this and he also said he had seen similar findings.
Anyway, we thought this might be interesting information for you.
https://english.cambodiadaily.com/business/cambodia-china-to-trade-rice-in-local-currencies-
165657/
Police arrest fleeing boyfriend whose lover dies after rice
meal
ON JUNE 18, 20206:17 PMIN NEWS
A plate of rice By Shina Abubakar – Osogbo The Osun state police command has confirmed the
arrest of Malik Ayo who was said to have been on the run due to the death of his girlfriend,
Faderera, after a rice breakfast. It also disclosed that the remainder of the meal consumed by
the deceased and her friend, Kemisola, has been sent to the laboratory for analysis. According
to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Yemisi Opalola, who spoke with journalists on
Thursday, the runaway boyfriend has been arrested and is in the custody. She added that Police
investigation has commenced with the analysis of the rice to know its content adding that the
boyfriend is also cooperating with the investigating team.
Is APC about to be twice beaten thrice shy? Vanguard had reported that Faderera Adewumi, a
300-level student of Mathematics Education from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti with her
friend, Kemisola visited her boyfriend in Iree and died after consuming a rice breakfast on
Tuesday. Her friend Kemisola, also survived stomach pains was said to have claimed that the
rice was purchased from a food vendor by Malik, who initially fled before he was arrested. It
was gathered that before help could reach the duo, Faderera had died and her body evacuated
to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.

/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/06/police-arrest-fleeing-boyfriend-whose-lover-dies-
after-rice-meal/
Coronavirus Northern Ireland: Eating well to boost your mood
during the pandemic
Posted by NewryTimes News
editor@newrytimes.com
Thursday, June 18th, 2020
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to eat healthily in order to boost both
our physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Feeling good comes from a variety of lifestyle factors including taking exercise, the food we eat
and how much sleep we are getting,” said Laura Taylor, Health Improvement and Wellbeing
Senior Officer with the PHA.
“Getting the balance right can help us cope a little bit better with the everyday stresses we
face.”

Serotonin, the feel-good hormone, is partly made from a protein found in foods called
tryptophan.
Tryptophan is present in a variety of foods such as dairy, fruits and vegetables, oily fish, eggs
and grains such as wheat, rice and barley.
“Researchers continue to study the effect of foods on our serotonin levels but in the meantime,
there is nothing stopping us including these foods as part of a healthy balanced diet,” added
Laura.
Here are some ways we can use food to help boost our mood:
Startthedaywithagoodbreakfast
A number of studies report the health benefits of regularly eating breakfast.
Breakfast helps kick-start our metabolism in the morning by providing that much-needed
energy boost after a night’s sleep.
It helps keep our blood sugar levels steady so we are not craving sugary snacks by 10 am.
Carbohydrates
Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates are great energy providers.
High fibre versions (eaten regularly throughout the day) are a great option as they stabilise our
blood glucose levels and help keep us feeling full for longer.
Foods such as breakfast cereals and bread are fortified with a number of different vitamins and
minerals that help us meet our daily requirements.
Fruitandveg
We all know that eating five portions of fruit and veg a day is good for us but did you know that
folate, a vitamin found in fruit and veg, may be particularly good at helping to keep our mood
stable, especially in older people?
Good sources are green leafy vegetables, oranges and other citrus fruits, along with other foods
like liver, beans and fortified breakfast cereals.
Proteins
Foods containing protein include beans, peas, fish, eggs, red meat, poultry and nuts.
These foods are a great source of B Vitamins, iron and selenium. B Vitamins help our body
release energy from the food we eat, iron helps carry much-needed oxygen to our blood and
selenium is important for many bodily functions.
B deficiency has been linked with tiredness, feeling irritable and depression and lack of iron in
our diet can result in iron deficiency anaemia.
One of the main symptoms of this condition is fatigue.
Lack of selenium may also increase the feelings of low mood and depression.
It is therefore important to eat foods rich in protein every day.
Omega3

Researchers continue to investigate the link between oily fish consumption and protection
against depression.
Although not conclusive there are other health benefits to eating oily fish so it is worth
including 1-2 portions each week.
Oily fish varieties include salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines.
Caffeine
Caffeine is found in tea and coffee.
It is a stimulant and drinking it can make us feel more alert and less tired.
Many of us enjoy a cup of tea or coffee first thing in the morning to help wake us up, but
caution is needed as too much caffeine has been associated with increased heart rate and
feelings of anxiety.
It can also interrupt sleep and getting a good night’s sleep is crucial in helping people manage
their stress.
Stayinghydrated
Many of us don’t drink enough throughout the day.
If you don’t drink enough you may find it difficult to concentrate or stay focussed.
Water is the best option followed by milk.
Tea, coffee and juices count but these may contain caffeine and/or sugar so best to limit these
throughout the day.
“When feeling low, many of us reach for a bar of chocolate, biscuits or cake,” said Laura.
“We associate these foods with comfort and reward.
“Eating these when we are feeling down in the dumps gives us a feeling of satisfaction and
contentment.
“Also, our blood sugars rise and give us that much-needed boost in energy.
“However, the feeling is short-lived and as our blood glucose drops we may feel a slump in both
energy and mood.
“It is worth remembering that no food is a bad food and if you are craving chocolate then eat
some but just try to limit the amount you consume and how often,” she added.
The Public Health Agency’s Choose to Live Better website has over 80 tasty, simple recipes
at www.pha.site/recipes the site includes recipes for starters, mains desserts and snacks and
the recipes are easy to follow.
http://newrytimes.com/2020/06/18/coronavirus-northern-ireland-eating-well-to-boost-your-
mood-during-the-pandemic/

Find out the Nutritional Value of Red Rice in Kerala
Aiswarya R Nair 19 June, 2020 1:02 PM IST
Red rice popularly known as Matta rice in Kerala is considered as a delicacy in Southern
India. Matta rice is the unprocessed or unpolished rice, which is high in fibre and nutrients, and
keeps sugar levels in check, particularly when had with an increased quantity of vegetables.
The Palakkad matta rice is one of the select varieties that has been awarded the GI tag from the
state.
This is a special variety of rice that gets its red colour due to its anthocyanin content. This rice is
generally unhulled or partially hulled rice, which has a red husk. It has a nutty flavour and has a
high nutritional value.
This variety of rice mostly prospers in black cotton soil and humid weather conditions.
Over the last decades, many households in South India have started using polished white rice
abstaining traditional brown rice and red rice varieties.
Raktashali, Thai Red Cargo Rice, Bhutanese Red Rice, Camargue Red Rice (grown in France),
Kerala Matta Rice are a few varieties of red rice.
A study conducted by researchers from the Kerala Agricultural University in 2018 revealed that
Pokkali rice was among the best species due to its nutritional value. In 2015, an Indian Institute
of Management-Kozhikode (IIMK) graduate had started a website and android app to sell the
famous Palakkadan matta rice grown on his 10-acre farm.
The website (dakshfam.com) and the android app (available on Google Play by the same name)
have become instant hits and Prabhal Mohandas, the new age farmer, is now selling the rice
directly to buyers across the country without the help of any distributors. He sells 150-200 kg of
organically grown rice per month for Rs 100 per kg.

Nutritional value of Red rice:
 One-quarter cup consists of 2grams of fibre. Fibre helps in lowering the risk of diabetes,
heart disease and obesity.
 Has a low glycemic index, and high fibre content thus helps in regulating blood sugar
levels as well as insulin production.
 Magnesium content in the rice helps maintain blood pressure, and reduce the risk of
heart attacks.
 Iron quantity boosts immunity levels
 Red rice consists of anthocyanin, manganese and zinc thus protecting the body from
harmful effects of free radicals, which are formed inside the body and damage body
cells and tissues.
This fluffy rice with its rose-coloured hue and unique texture is clearly an acquired taste.
https://krishijagran.com/health-lifestyle/find-out-the-nutritional-value-of-red-rice-in-kerala/
Planned rice importation needs Duterte approval —Palace
Published June 18, 2020 7:23pm
By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News
The government’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of rice needed authorization from
President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said Thursday.
Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Agriculture
Secretary William Dar have already submitted a request to the Office of the President for the
transaction to push through.

“Nagkaroon po ng documented bid processes ahead of time para po masiguro na
makukumpleto natin ang pag-aangkat ng bigas by July 15 pero walang Notice of Award na napa-
issue po ang PITC [Philippine International Trading Corporation] without authorization from the
President,” Roque said in a televised briefing.
The importation will reportedly cost P7.45 billion.
Under the implementing rules and regulations of the Rice Tariffication Law, the President, in
the event of a rice supply shortage, may direct the Secretary of Trade and Industry and the PITC
to purchase the needed rice supplies from domestic and foreign sources to enhance market
competition and stabilize rice prices
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/743242/planned-rice-importation-needs-
duterte-approval-palace/story/
Rice deals in riel and yuan?
June 18, 2020
Sok Chan / Khmer Times
Rice deals between Cambodia and China ‘will save money’. AFP
The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) discussed ways
to use the Chinese Yuan and the riel in rice exports between China and Cambodia.
CRF vice president Chan Sokheang told Khmer Times the CRF also talked with the representative
of the NBC to promote the local currency for domestic consumption and transactions. He said
all the transactions with the rice millers and farmers will use riel.
All rice exporters may soon have an alternative choice of payment either in US dollars (the
international currency of trade) or yuan. However, Sokheang said there were barriers to using
the yuan for cross-border transactions previously, therefore, the discussions with the NBC were
to resolve previous issues.

“The government as well as the National Bank of Cambodia are encouraging transactions in
either Chinese yuan or Khmer riel, but there are some conditions for which the use of both
currencies is not easy, especially regarding the exchange rate and the banks which play the role
for the cash settlement. Therefore, we proposed these issues to the NBC for resolution,”
Sokheang added. “After there is a solution, we will start piloting it,” he added.
China also has strict capital controls.
“If we can trade with Chinese yuan and Khmer riel, we will benefit from the exchange rate risk.
At present, exports of milled rice to China have been conducted in US dollars, but when the
buyers sold the products in the Chinese market they get Chinese yuan. Then they exchange the
Chinese yuan to US dollars to pay the Cambodia sides. Therefore, there is a loss on the
exchange rate,” he added.
Sokheang said that for the first five months of the year Cambodia exported milled rice to China
at a total value of $71 million. Therefore, the use of yuan and riel for the cross-border
transactions will be beneficial for both traders – Cambodia and China – and they also enable the
expansion of Cambodian milled rice to the Chinese market.
Long Vibunrith, deputy director of the Exchange Management Department at the National Bank
of Cambodia, thanked the CRF for supporting the mechanism to conduct transactions in yuan
for rice exports – a request from the Central Bank of China.
Both parties agreed on the proposal to set up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to begin
transactions in yuan and riel at the meeting attended by the Chinese Central Bank, the
Cambodia Central Bank (NBC) and commercial banks.
Vibunrith said that there might be an MoU signing ceremony during the Asia-Europe Summit in
November, when the leaders of Cambodia, Hun Sen, and China, Xi Jinping, meet each other.
The Cambodia Rice Federation has also suggested to the NBC to fix the exchange rate between
riel and the yuan one month ahead of enacting the deals because it is the main barrier for
foreign trade.
In 2017, the NBC and the People’s Bank of China (PBC) urged investors and traders to use the
yuan and the riel in transactions involving both nations. The yuan-riel exchange rate was
officially launched in September 2017 during the China-Asean Expo in Nanning, Guangxi
province. The initiative is widely expected to bolster economic relations between both
countries, improve efficiency and security and save costs when exchanging currencies.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50735451/rice-deals-in-riel-and-yuan/

Pakistan’s rice exports may surpass 4 million tonnes in FY20
Pakistan’s rice exports may surpass 4 million tonnes in FY20
Reported by: `CT Report June 18, 2020
LAHORE: Amid Covid-19 pandemic, food security has become the first priority across the globe,
cashing on which Pakistan is likely to achieve the highest volume of rice exports (4 million
tonnes) in FY20.
This was stated by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Shahjahan Malik
while talking with media.
He informed that Pakistan’s basmati exports rose 12.88pc to 92,454 tonnes in May 2020, as
compared to 81,902 tonnes in the same month of last year.
Cumulatively, in the 11 months (July-19 to May-20) of this fiscal year, basmati rice exports
witnessed a phenomenal increase of 42.59pc, from 597,639 tonnes during the 11 months of
last fiscal to 852,177 tonnes during the period under review.
However, Malik shared, the country’s non-basmati exports in 11MFY20 remained lower by
200,000 tonnes when compared with last year.
“Overall, in this fiscal year, our rice exports will cross 4 million tonnes.”

He said that FY20 has been a satisfactory year for the country’s basmati rice exporters, as
Pakistan, for the first time in history, achieved the milestone of over 100,000 tonnes of basmati
exports in a month (109,140 tonnes of basmati rice were exported in April alone).
“We could have touched the magical figure of 1 million tonnes of basmati rice exports had the
Pakistani rice was not more expensive than India; Indian rice is cheaper by $40/60 per tonne for
C1121 steamed rice. Our overall basmati exports will be around 920,000 tonnes in FY20, much
better than our last year’s exports of over 600,000 tonnes.”
Malik informed that domestic as well as international demand had spiked due to panic buying
amid Covid-19, owing to which Pakistan’s exports to European Union (EU) and GCC region
countries increased.
“The country’s overall rice exports are currently hovering around $2.2 billion and the
government and the exporters are trying to take it up to $5 billion by 2023,” he maintained.
Malik noted that the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation had recently warned of
the second locust attack in Pakistan in July this year.
“As cultivation of paddy rice initiated recently in Pakistan, the crop will be in flowering stage in
Sindh and south Punjab during July and this poses a huge threat to the country’s rice crop,” he
said. “So, the department of plant protection, which falls under the Ministry of National Food
Security, must ensure aerial spray and other measures. However, with only one aeroplane in
working condition, this seems highly unlikely.”
Meanwhile, talking to this scribe, Muntazir Mehdi, a rice farmer from Chakwal, requested also
the food security department to safeguard his rice crop from the swarms of locusts, as this was
his only source of income.
“We have been hearing from experts that locusts’ swarms would be four times bigger this time
around…so we urge the prime minister to order timely measures in order to save our crops
from the wrath of locusts,” he added.
https://customstoday.com.pk/pakistans-rice-exports-may-surpass-4-million-tonnes-in-fy20/
Cambodia predicted to export 800,000 tonnes of rice in 2020
The Cambodia Rice Federation has predicted that the value of rice exports to the European
market may decline by around 10 per cent this year to $180 million. Hong Menea. Sketched
by the Pan Pacific Agency.
PHNOM PENH, Jun 18, 2020, Xinhua. Cambodia’s rice exports are expected to reach 800,000
tonnes in 2020, an estimated rise of 29 percent compared to 2019, according to China’s Xinhua
News Agency, Vietnam News Agency reported.

It quoted Ngin Chhay, an official from the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, as saying that his country had seen a remarkable increase in rice exports in the first
five months of this year due to high demand from the international market as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The Southeast Asian nation exported a total of 356,097 tonnes of rice to 54 countries and
territories around the world during the January-May period, up 42 percent over the same
period last year.
China and European remained the biggest importers of Cambodian rice in the last five months,
with the volumes of 136,825 tonnes and 122,010 tonnes, up 25 percent and 51 percent,
respectively.
According to the ministry, the country harvested 10 million tonnes of paddy rice last year. With
this amount, Cambodia saw paddy rice surplus of about 5.6 million tonnes, equivalent to 3.5
million tonnes of rice.
Tags: Cambodia, Vietnam
https://panpacificagency.com/news/southeast/06/18/cambodia-predicted-to-export-800000-
tonnes-of-rice-in-2020/
Pabna rice procurement in limbo
12:00 AM, June 18, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:53 AM, June 18, 2020
Prices at government purchase centres lower than market, say millers, farmers

A good portion of the LSD godown in Pabna Sadar upazila lies empty as there is very little
response from farmers and millers to sell paddy and rice to government-run procurement
centres in the district. Photo:
Star
Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu
When the government is planning to store sufficient food grains for ensuring support in the
wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rice procurement drive in Pabna faces a hurdle due to
alleged irregularities by a section of officials and 'low prices' offered to millers and farmers.
The government's rice procurement programme started over a month late on June 8 in
Ishwardi upazila, the biggest hub of rice mills in the district, due to the irregularities in selecting
suppliers.
This year Pabna food controller's office set a target to procure 24,571 tonnes of rice in the
district, including 15,162 tonnes in Ishwardi, through 11 government-run centres, and 681 rice
millers including 425 in the upazila got contract for the purpose.

"But dozens of closed mills, which abandoned husking paddy years ago, were included in the
list of rice suppliers in exchange of bribe," Md Mizanur Rahman Mahalder, owner of Redwan
Enterprise in Ishwardi upazila, told The Daily Star.
Following his written allegation submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Pabna
deputy commissioner (DC) about the irregularities on May 3, the authorities stopped
procurement programme in the upazila for the sake of investigation.
"After investigation we removed 45 mills from the previous list as they failed to fulfil conditions.
Then procurement drive started in Ishwardi upazila on June 8. The upazila food officer was
withdrawn due to the earlier fault in the list," said Iqbal Bahar, district food controller.
"Most of the millers are not showing interest to supply rice to procurement centres despite
having contract for it. If any mill owner violates contract, we will take action," he said.
Since start of the procurement drive on June 8, only 765 tonnes of rice has been procured in
Ishwardi.
Rice traders said they are not interested to supply rice to government centres due to the poor
price.
"Government is paying Tk 36 for a kg of rice but our production cost is Tk 39," Fozlu Malitha,
president of upazila rice mill owners association.
Meanwhile, farmers have brought only 28 tonnes of paddy (rice before husking) to government
procurement centres in the district since the collection drive began on April 26 with a target to
procure 6,695 tonnes of paddy in the district this season.
"Government price of paddy is Tk 26 per kg but it is selling for Tk 29 to Tk 30 in the local market
for the last few weeks," said Md Kamruzzaman, a farmer of Durgapur village in Sujanagar
upazila."I supplied paddy to a government's procurement centre last year but now I am not
interested to sell the crop there due to the low price.

"Besides employees at government centres often decline to receive paddy directly from us,
claiming that it contains huge moisture. But the problem is solved if we take the help of their
brokers. Besides, the price money is not paid timely," he said.
Talked with The Daily Star, Pabna DC Kabir Mahamud said, "No irregularity will be tolerated in
government's food procurement programme. We will take action if there is any specific
allegation."
"The procurement is getting late as Pabna farmers harvested the crop late. We are expecting
fulfilment of the target," said the official, also president of district food procurement
committee.
https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/pabna-rice-procurement-limbo-1916281
Food Minister: Govt to procure rice at previously fixed rates
Tribune Desk
Published at 09:12 pm June 17th, 2020

File photo of Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder Collected
The minister came up with the remarks at a meeting via video conference with Barisal
division officials in the morning, reports UNB
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday said that the government
would procure rice or paddy at rates previously announced by the government and the
prices would not be hiked.
The minister came up with the remarks at a meeting via video conference with Barisal
division officials in the morning, reports UNB.
Farmers are getting proper price due to bumper yield of Boro crops under the
monitoring and direction of the government, he said, adding: “Procurement should be
sped up to maintain the market price.”
Legal action will be taken against any kind of irregularities in procuring the rice and
paddy, he warned.
Requesting mill owners, Majumder said it is time to help people during coronavirus and
step forward with an attitude of providing service.
This year’s procurement must be farmer-friendly and zero tolerance will be shown over
the standard, the minister said, adding that no farmer should sell their production to
middle-men or syndicates.
Directorate General of Food, Additional Directorate General, commissioner of Barisal
Division, Regional Food controller, deputy commissioners of Barisal, Pirojpur, Barguna,
Jhalakathi, Bhola, and Patuakhali districts were present at the video conference
meeting.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/06/17/food-minister-govt-to-procure-rice-
at-previously-fixed-rates

India rice prices hit over two-month low on weaker rupee,
muted demand
Shreyansi Singh
JUNE 18, 2020 / 8:18 PM / UPDATED
(Reuters) - Indian export rice prices fell to their lowest in more than two months this week due
to a weaker rupee and muted demand, while mounting supplies from an ongoing harvest
weighed on Vietnamese rates.
A worker collects boiled rice to spread it for drying at a rice mill on the outskirts of Kolkata,
India, January 31, 2019. Picture taken January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/Files
Top exporter India saw rates for its 5% broken parboiled variety fall to $366-$372 per tonne,
the lowest since March 26, from $368-$373 last week.The rupee has fallen more than 6% this
year, prompting exporters to cut rates.
“Even after lowering prices, there is no improvement in demand,” said an exporter based at
Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
India’s rice production could surge to a record as farmers are expanding the area under paddy
because of good monsoon rains.
Demand weakened for Vietnam rice as well, with rates for the country’s 5% broken rice slipping
to $450 per tonne, the lowest in nearly two months. Prices had hit an eight-year high of $475
on June 4 as rains hampered harvest.
“Demand from foreign buyers has weakened this week,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City
said.Domestic supplies are building up amid the summer-autumn harvest, other traders said,
adding that Vietnam could export 2.3-2.5 million tonnes from the harvest after securing enough
for local consumption.
Prices of Thailand’s benchmark 5% broken rice eased to $505-$525 a tonne on Thursday, from
$505-$533 last week, with traders attributing the slip to a stronger Baht.

“Demand remains flat because our prices are higher than India and Vietnam,” said a Bangkok-
based rice trader.
Concerns over supply lingered after a drought hampered production earlier this year.
“More rains this monsoon season will vastly improve supply, but the market is still slightly
concerned, hence the high prices,” another rice trader said.
Stocks in Bangladesh, the world’s fourth-biggest rice producer, will likely fall by 8.33% in 2021
because of the coronavirus pandemic, threatening food security, the Food and Agriculture
Organisation said earlier this month.
Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Khanh Vu in Hanoi and Panu
Wongcha-um in Bangkok; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu
https://in.reuters.com/article/asia-rice/india-rice-prices-hit-over-two-month-low-on-weaker-
rupee-muted-demand-
idINKBN23P2QE#:~:text=(Reuters)%20%2D%20Indian%20export%20rice,harvest%20weighed%
20on%20Vietnamese%20rates.&text=Prices%20had%20hit%20an%20eight,4%20as%20rains%2
0hampered%20harvest.
India's rice output could hit record as farmers expand area
UNE 18, 2020 / 1:42 PM
Rajendra Jadhav

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India’s rice production is likely to surge to a record high as farmers are
expanding the area under paddy because of good monsoon rains and after the government
raised the price at which it will buy the new-season crop.
FILE PHOTO: Farmers plant saplings in a rice field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, July 5,
2019. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo

Higher output by the world’s biggest rice exporter could dampen domestic prices and make
exports more competitive, compensating for lower supplies from rivals Thailand and Vietnam.
It could also force India’s state-run agencies to ramp up purchases from farmers even as
inventories are bulging.
“Farmers are interested in rice. They are likely to expand area due to government support. In
the new marketing year, we could produce as much as 120 million tonnes,” said B.V. Krishna
Rao, president of India’s Rice Exporters Association.
The government raised the price at which it will buy new-season rice from farmers by 2.9%.
India, which produced a record 117.94 million tonnes of rice in 2019/20, has started planting
the summer-sown crop as the monsoon has spread to main rice-growing areas in the south and
east.
The good monsoon rain and rising exports due to a rally in global prices have been encouraging
Indian farmers to plant more rice, said Nitin Gupta, vice president for Olam India’s rice
business.
Rice prices in Thailand and Vietnam, the second and third biggest exporter of the grain
respectively, hit multi-year highs this year due to limited supplies.
Unlike its competitors, India has a massive surplus for export and it will get bigger in the new
season, Gupta said.State-run agencies were holding 27.4 million tonnes of rice and another 21
million tonnes of un-milled paddy, according to the state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI).
But another record harvest could dampen domestic prices and force the FCI to buy nearly half
of the output from farmers, said Rao.
Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Robert Birsel
https://www.reuters.com/article/india-rice-output/indias-rice-output-could-hit-record-as-
farmers-expand-area-idINKBN23P1BD

Monsoon showers enable timely sowing of Kharif crop
Birsa Agriculture University, farmers expect rice yield to cross 50 lakh tonnes, others to cross 60
lakh tonnes
By Pinaki Majumdar in Jamshedpur
 Published 18.06.20, 7:34 PM
 Updated 18.06.20, 7:34 PM
Farmers sow paddy in Patamda block of East Singhbhum district Bhola Prasad
Impressive showers in the pre-monsoon months (April and May), coupled with arrival of a
timely monsoon and a normal forecast by the IMD, have raised hopes of a good Kharif harvest
this year.
The Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) at Kanke on the outskirts of Ranchi is expecting a bumper
Kharif harvest.
“This year we are finding extremely favourable conditions for Kharif crops. Rain in the pre-
monsoon months was more than average normal (average March-May rain in Jharkhand is
around 115mm). This helped farmers in irrigation and preparing fields to sow Kharif crops. The
timely arrival of monsoon on June 13 and subsequent rains covering most districts has proved
to be a boon. Jharkhand has achieved surplus rain, which will help in sowing of Kharif crops,
predominantly rice, which requires stagnation of water in lowlands. The Al Nino conditions are
favourable and according to the IMD forecast we are expecting well-distributed rain in July and
August,” said A. Wadood, a weather scientist and an agriculture expert at the university.
According to Wadood, they are expecting a bumper crop yield of over 50 lakh tonnes of paddy
(rice).
Apart from rice, the total Kharif crop yield, including pulses, maize, oilseeds and coarse cereals,
is expected to cross 60 lakh tonnes.
Under normal conditions Jharkhand produces 40 lakh tonnes of paddy during the Kharif season.

Last year, the production dipped to 34 lakh tonnes. Though the states experienced normal rain
last year, distribution was uneven and there had been a delay with the monsoons arriving after
a delay of 11 days.
Statistics revealed that in 2011,timely sowing and adequate monsoon rains in June and July
resulted in record production of 52 lakh tonnes of paddy in the state.
Data from the state agriculture department revealed that so far sowing of Kharif crops have
been completed on around 10,000 hectares of land.
Last year, the sowing and transplantation work was yet to begin this time in June.
The total area under paddy cultivation in the state is 18 lakh hectares, while coverage area of
pulses is around 6 lakh hectares.
Maize comprises 3.12 lakh hectares while oilseeds and coarse cereals cover 60,000 and 40,000
hectares respectively.
Panchanan Mahato, a farmer in Patamda block of East Singhbhum, said, “We had started
preparing land for Kharif crops taking advantage of a good shower in the pre-monsoon months.
The timely arrival of monsoon and the prevailing light to moderate rain is helping us.”
He said because of the good spell of rain in April and May, the land retained sufficient moisture
which made ploughing and sowing easy for farmers and that they were expecting a good
output.
The IMD’ Ranchi centre has good news in store. “We are expecting fairly widespread rains over
Jharkhand till June 23 as the monsoon trough is active. Heavy rain is also expected at a few
isolated pockets Two weather systems, a cyclonic circulation and a low pressure trough, are
also assisting in rainfall activity,” said S.D. Kotal, a director of Ranchi Meteorological Centre.
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/jharkhand/monsoon-showers-enable-timely-sowing-
of-kharif-crop-in-jharkhand/cid/1781963?_ga=2.257371523.902623419.1592567644-
1899158468.1592567643

Ram Vilas Paswan appeals to people to boycott Chinese
products
Speaking to reporters, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan expressed concerns over illegal
imports of sub-standard Chinese products like diyas and furniture. The government would
strictly implement the quality rules framed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
PTI|
Last Updated: Jun 18, 2020, 05.10 PM IST
Ram Vilas Paswan
NEW DELHI: Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday appealed to people to boycott
products from China and also directed officials of his ministry not to procure any Chinese
products for day-to-day office use.
The comments from the Food and Consumer Affairs Minister come against the backdrop of
heightened border tensions between India and China. "I want to appeal to everyone that the
way China is behaving, we boycott all Chinese products," Paswan said and emphasised that the
Centre would strictly implement the BIS quality rules on products imported from China.
Speaking to reporters, he expressed concerns over illegal imports of sub-standard Chinese
products like diyas and furniture. The government would strictly implement the quality rules
framed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The BIS, under the aegis of the Consumer
Affairs Ministry, has framed over 25,000 quality rules for different products so far.
"When our goods reach abroad, they are checked. Our Basmati rice exports get rejected, but
when their goods come to India, there is no strict quality control," the minister said.
The new BIS law, passed in Parliament in 2016, empowers the Centre and the BIS to promote a
culture of quality of products and services through mandatory or voluntary compliance with
Indian standards. The law provides for widening the scope of conformity assessment,
enhancing penalties and making offences compoundable besides recalling of the products
including with ISI marked, but not conforming to relevant Indian Standards.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ram-vilas-paswan-urges-people-to-
boycott-chinese-products/articleshow/76443871.cms?from=mdr

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