30th november,2015 daily global,regional & local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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November 30,2015 Vol 5, Issue XI

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Rice News Headlines...

Prospect of Zinc-rich BRRI Dhan-62

64K Tonne Procurement Target for Nabarangpur

16 CAG reports to be tabled in winter session

KAU Research Station Develops Saline-tolerant Rice Variety

Another award for Inquirer Ecija reporter

Pokkali Farming Hit by Urbanisation, High Cost

Flavours of Hong Kong

Breakthrough eco-friendly rice enhancer to benefit farms

Rice still grows on Kauai

News Detail... Prospect of Zinc-rich BRRI Dhan-62

Md Shafayet Hossain

Posted : 28 Nov, 2015 00:00:00

Rice is the staple food for more than half the world's population and about 135 million people of

Bangladesh. In several Asian countries, it provides 50 to 80 per cent of the energy intake of the

poor. Rice provides nearly 48% of rural employment, about two-thirds of total calorie supply and

about one-half of the total protein intakes of an average person in the country.

Rice sector contributes one-half of the agricultural GDP and one-sixth of the national income in

Bangladesh. Almost all of the 13 million farm families of the country grow rice on about 10.5

million hectares. About 75% of the total cropped area and over 80% of the total irrigated area is

planted to rice. Thus, rice plays a vital role in the livelihood of the people of Bangladesh. Behind

this Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has a great contribution through development of

some 76 Modern Rice varieties and improved production practices which earned a very high

reputation in Bangladesh as well as in the world rice community.

Importance of Zinc

Zinc is an essential element that stimulates the activity of about 100 enzymes in the body. It also

supports

l healthy immune system

l synthesising DNA

l wound healing


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l the healthy growth and development of the body during adolescence, childhood and pregnancy.

This mineral is present in a variety of foods that many people consume daily. Generally, when

someone is suffering from a zinc deficiency, it is because the intake is inadequate, because it is

being poorly absorbed into the body or their need for zinc increases. In an average human body,

there is about 2 to 3 grams of zinc. Generally, most adults do not require zinc supplementation if

they eat a healthy diet with vegetables, fruit and some protein sources. Males require more zinc

than women, as the mineral is released when a man ejaculates.

The more sexually active a male, the more zinc is required, as semen has the highest levels of

zinc in the body. In Bangladesh, over 40 per cent children under five are stunted while an

estimated 44 per cent children of the same age group are at risk of zinc deficiency. Considering

the importance of zinc in human health Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) scientists

developed world's first zinc-rich rice variety, BRRI dhan62 for Bangladesh perspective. It was

also reported that Indian scientists from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, have

developed a new zinc bio-fortified rice variety 'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1' named after an Indian

state 'Chhattisgarh'.

History of development of the variety

Dr Md Alamgir Hossain, Principal Scientific Officer at the plant breeding division of the

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), developed the hi-zinc rice with support from

Harvest Plus, a global bio-fortification mission launched in 2004 under the Consultative Group

for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

The newly developed BRRI dhan-62 has been the most-discussed rice variety as it is a zinc-

fortified breed and developed to meet the necessary requirement of micronutrient for a human

body. The variety has been developed by genetically crossing local variety jirakatari with BRRI

dhan39 following two Rapid Generation Advance (RRA) and Pedigree Selection. Later on it was

approved by the National Seed Board (NSB) in the year 2013. It may be further mentioned that it

is not genetically modified rice, thus farmers would be able to produce seeds of the variety as the

other conventional varieties.

Characteristics of the variety

Each kilogram of rice of BRRI dhan-62 contains 19 mg of zinc and 9 per cent protein which will

ensure high nutrition and will play a significant role in prevention of diseases. The most early-

maturing high yielding rice variety (HYV) ever released for Aman season can be harvested

within 105 days. Of the rice varieties of Aman season, BRRI dhan-62 can be cultivated within a

short period. The size of rice is medium. The zinc-enriched rice variety also outpaced two of the

country's best performing Aman season early-mature varieties: BINA dhan7 and BRRI dhan33.

Crop duration from seed to seed is 110-120 days for BINA dhan7 and BRRI dhan33 while BRRI

dhan62 can be reaped in 100 to 105 days with the yield of 3.5 to 4.5 tonnes per hectare if


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nurtured properly. By virtue of early harvesting characteristics the variety is very much helpful

to cultivate various Robi crops like potato, tomato, brinjal, mustard and other vegetables for

additional income before going to Boro.

Availability of the variety

It is reported that the newly developed rice variety has been demonstrated in a wide range of

farmers' fields which performed to be better. After having Breeder Seed of the variety,

Foundation Seed will be produced in BADC Seed Multiplication Farm and then the certified

seeds will be produced in contract grower's field which will be provided to the farmers later on.

Dr Md Shafayet Hossain is Deputy Manager (SP&P), Seed Processing & Preservation Division,

BADC, Dhaka

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/11/28/120947

64K Tonne Procurement Target for Nabarangpur

By Express News Service

Published: 28th November 2015 05:06 AM

Last Updated: 28th November 2015 05:07 AM

NABARANGPUR: Paddy procurement in

Nabarangpur district will begin from December 11. At

least 64,179 tonnes of paddy will be procured from the

district farmers.The district administration will open

47 mandis at different areas and paddy would be

purchased from farmers by Large Area Multi-purpose

Cooperative Societies (LAMPS). Collector Rashmita

Panda said the mandis will be set up in a manner that

farmers would not have to travel longer distance to

sell their produce.The Minimum Support Price (MSP)

has been fixed at `1,410 per quintal and around 20,000

farmers have so far registered for selling their

paddy. Of the total procurement target, Odisha State

Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) would purchase

59,701 tonnes and Tribal Development Cooperative

Corporation (TDCC) will buy 4,478 tonnes.

The Regulated Market Committee (RMC) has been directed to equip the mandis with moisture-

testing equipment, electronic weighing machines and mini graders. To safely stock the procured

paddy, the mandis will be provided polythene sheets and tarpaulins.To make the process

transparent, the RMC has been asked to fix flex banners with information on paddy MSP and


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telephone numbers of Tehsildar, Civil Supplies Officer and RMC officials at the mandis, the

Collector added.BDOs and Tehsildars have been appointed as nodal officers for paddy

procurement while assistant civil supplies officers will supervise the procurement process.

Supply inspectors would be deployed in the mandis to monitor procurement at the purchase

centres,‖ she said. A squad, led by the Sub-Collector, has also been constituted, which will make

random checks at mandis and rice mills during the procurement process.In the last kharif season,

as many as 70 millers had been entrusted with milling of paddy and delivery of rice in the

financial year 2014-15. Of them, 50 millers have made 100 per cent delivery of rice till date.The

remaining millers have been asked to clear their rice delivery by December-end this year.The

Collector informed that payment to farmers would be made in the shape of bank cheque and

Paddy Procurement Automation System (P-PAS) would be available in blocks of Nabarangpur,

Kosagumuda, Nandahandi, Jharigam, Umerkote Raighar and Chandahandi.Through this system,

payment will be transferred to the farmer‘s bank account immediately after purchase.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/64K-Tonne-Procurement-Target-for-

Nabarangpur/2015/11/28/article3150454.ece

16 CAG reports to be tabled in winter session Updated: November 29, 2015 03:25 IST

The Hindu

The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has submitted 16 performance and compliance audit

reports on various sectors to the Union Finance Ministry. File photo

The reports include the audit report on paddy procurement and milling for the Central pool, the

issue on which “The Hindu” reported extensively in March.

The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has submitted 16 performance and compliance

audit reports on various sectors to the Union Finance Ministry, and they will be tabled in

Parliament this winter session.The reports include the audit report on paddy procurement and

milling for the Central pool, the issue on which The Hindu reported extensively in March.The

CAG audited the financial dealings between government agencies and rice mills in eight major

paddy-producing States, probing allegations that millers generated huge sums of unaccounted

wealth by hiding or under-reporting earnings from the sale of by-products such as bran, husk and

broken rice.The PMO had also forwarded to the CAG a complaint filed by RTI activist Gouri

Shankar Jain, who alleged a Rs.10-lakh crore scam.

As per government records, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha,

Haryana, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are among the top contributors to the Central paddy pool.

The Central and State governments procure paddy from farmers at the minimum support price

and give it to the mills for processing of rice, or millers themselves purchase paddy from farmers


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and process it for supply to the government. Under both schemes, the government collects 68 kg

parboiled or 67 kg raw rice per 100-kg paddy.

However, the lack of clarity on the pricing of the rest of the 32-33 kg by-products allowed

unscrupulous millers to generate black money. Among the other CAG reports are the compliance

audit of the National Skill Development Fund and the National Skill Development Corporation.It

was submitted earlier this month along with the reports on the utilisation of the rigs in ONGC;

hydrocarbon exploration efforts by Oil India Limited; and Ratna and R-series hydrocarbon

fields.The Finance Ministry has also received reports on Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, a sanitation

campaign launched under UPA-II, the Navy and the Coast Guard and a two-volume Union Audit

Report of the Railways and utilisation and distribution of safety items in Railways.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/16-cag-reports-to-be-tabled-in-winter-session/article7928287.ece

KAU Research Station Develops Saline-tolerant Rice Variety

By Express News Service




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KOCHI: The efforts by agricultural scientists to develop saline-tolerant rice varieties has bore

fruit at last, with the Rice Research Station (RRS) at the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU)

successfully developing a saline-tolerant variety of ‗Jyothi‘ by introgression of genes that are

tolerant to salinity and iron toxicity.The KAU‘s Rice Research Station at Vyttila achieved this by

introgression of the famous SalTol QTL that is present in ‗pokkali‘, the most saline-tolerant rice

variety in the world, into Jyothi.Jyothi is the most popular rice variety in the State due to its

superior grain quality, but is prone to damage from floods due to lack of saline tolerance. It is

suitable for Kuttanad and Kole lands.

According to KAU vice-chancellor Dr P Rajendran, the SalTol QTL found in pokkali rice

varieties is widely used across the world for developing saline-tolerant rice varieties. ―The

introgression of SalTol into Jyothi, conducted by scientists at the Rice Research Station at

Vyttila was highly successful, with the introgressed Jyothi rice recording a very high yield of 6.2

t/ha. It is a landmark achievement,‖ said the vice-chancellorDr Shylaraj, professor at the Vyttila

RRS, said SalTol QTL was introgressed into Jyothi through Marker Assisted Backcross

Breeding (MABB). ―The advantage of MABB is that it facilitates introgression of the desired

gene/QTL only into the target rice variety, through conventional breeding and selection of the

desired ‗gene introgressed lines‘ through bio-technological methods like SSR molecular marker

screening,‖ he said.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/KAU-Research-Station-Develops-Saline-

tolerant-Rice-Variety/2015/11/29/article3152330.ece

Another award for Inquirer Ecija reporter

Philippine Daily Inquirer

01:27 AM November 29th, 2015

The story on efforts of scientists at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to conserve

traditional rice varieties and those not being used anymore won the Best Agriculture Feature

award for Nueva Ecija-based Inquirer correspondent Anselmo Roque at the ninth Bright Leaf

agriculture journalism awards at the Sofitel Hotel in Manila on Thursday.Roque‘s winning story,

―Saving rice varieties: One grain at a time,‖ was published in the Inquirer Northern Luzon on

Oct. 1, 2014.In the story, Roque, 76, a retired university professor and one of two pioneer

provincial correspondents of the Inquirer, wrote that the work of PhilRice scientists at the

Science City of Muñoz has resulted in the storage of more than 7,129 rice varieties.


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They do this by maintaining the ―PhilRice genebank,‖ composed of the duplicated Philippine

rice varieties at the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna and from their own collection

efforts.As cited by the awards‘ sponsor, Philip Morris International Fortune Tobacco Corp., the

story credited the scientists for developing rice varieties that are ―not only important as building

blocks in breeding new rice varieties but are part of the national heritage as well.‖A

multiawarded writer, Roque has received 15 national awards in agriculture and science

journalism from various award-giving bodies, aside from his three Palanca awards in literature

and one playwriting award (as coauthor) from the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

He has also authored or coauthored 11 books, mostly about agricultural developments and

issues.Another Inquirer correspondent, Baguio-based Frank Cimatu, won the tobacco photo of

the year (regional) award for the community paper Baguio Chronicle. Inquirer Northern Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/743378/another-award-for-inquirer-ecija-reporter

Pokkali Farming Hit by Urbanisation, High Cost

By Dhinesh Kallungal



KOCHI: Though lease-land paddy farming is being conducted successfully in the State for the

past few years, with the total area under cultivation touching a record 2.08 lakh hectare last year,

the buoyancy felt in Kole land/upland paddy farming is not witnessed in pokkali farming, which

received Geographical Indication registration from the GI Registry of India a few years

ago.According to statistics available with the Directorate of Agriculture, the area under pokkali

rice cultivation in the State rose to around 800 hectare last year as a result of sustained

campaigning. While Ernakulam district made 547 hectare of pokkali land arable, Alappuzha and

Thrissur cultivated in around 200 and 23 hectares, respectively.

According to scientists at the Rice Research Station under the Kerala Agriculture University,

there is an extent of 6,500-7,000 hectare of pokkali farms in Kerala, spread mainly in Ernakulam,

Alappuzha, Thrissur and Kannur. But, currently only one tenth of the total area is being used for

cultivation, for various reasons. "If rapid urbanisation has hit Ernakulam, high cost and

traditional practices involved in the farming process have made things difficult for farmers in the

other districts," said Dr Shylaraj, professor at RRS, Vyttila."While the farmers get average yield

of 5-6 tonne rice/hectare in normal paddy farming, pokkali farms give average yield of 2-2.5

tonne. Last year, the Kerala State Seed Development Authority (KSSDA) procured seed from

farmers for `50/kg. Besides, rice cultivated using organic methods in pokkali farms has been


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fetching more price than the other varieties," said Agriculture Department assistant director

Sheela

."Saline-tolerant varieties of rice have been used in pokkali farms as the farms are always under

the threat of saline water intrusion. Around 40 per cent of the rice varieties being used by farmers

are traditional varieties like pokkali, cheruvirippu and chettivirippu, while 60 per cent accounts

for high-yielding varieties like Vyttila-6, Vyttila-7, Vyttila-8 and Vyttila-9," added

Shylaraj."Though there have been a slight growth in pokkali farming, compared to ten years ago,

the growth is not proportionate to the growth in paddy farming in general, which witnessed a big

leap in the past few years with new-generation farmers, various organisations and political

parties promoting paddy farming in a big way," said Sheela, adding that pokkali farming would

need more attention in the coming years.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Pokkali-Farming-Hit-by-Urbanisation-High-

Cost/2015/11/28/article3150421.ece


BY ESTHER CHANDRAN

Saturday, 28 November 2015

Whole Boston Lobster in two flavours, Simmered Papaya with Brown Fungus in Chicken Broth.

Compiled by ESTHER CHANDRAN


Award-winning executive chef Wong Wing Keung and his team from Yee Tung Heen restaurant,

The Excelsior in Hong Kong are presenting popular favourites from their kitchen until Sunday.

The promotion at Lai Po Heen, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur offers the best of Assorted

Chiu Chow Dumplings in Three Styles or the Assorted Hong Kong Dim Sum Platter for lunch.

Both set menus recently won the ―Best of the Best Culinary Awards Competitions – Gold

Award‖ awarded by The Hong Kong Tourism Board 2015.

For dinner, there are highlights like Doubled boiled Honey Locust Fruit Soup with Matsutake

and Assorted Fungus, Whole Boston Lobster in two flavours, Simmered Papaya with Brown

Fungus in Chicken Broth, Braised Rice with Crab Meat and Spring Onion and Chilled Ginger

Milk Custard with Black and Sesame Rolls served with Deep Fried Mini Sesame Balls and Egg

Custard. The lunch set is priced at RM68 nett per person and dinner set is priced at RM388 nett

per person and RM588 nett per person with wine pairing. For reservations, call 03-2179 8885.


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Thali set

Tonka Bean Cafe‘s Thali Set was designed to tantalise the taste buds of diners. The promotion

features a special fish head curry where the fish is simmered in a fragrant, irresistible curry broth,

packed with juicy tomatoes, lady‘s finger and lots of local herbs to give it a well-rounded taste.

The curry is served with omelette, pickled vegetables and basmati rice. The promotion until Nov

30 is available from noon to 2.30pm, priced at RM32 nett per set. Tonka Bean Café is well

known for its extensive buffets that serve a wide array of local, Asian and Western dishes. This

24-hour restaurant is located at Impiana KLCC Hotel and is easily assessable via the air-

conditioned KLCC sky bridge. For reservations, call 03-2147 1111.

CHINA WOK, A3-G1-3A, Solaris Dutamas (Mont Kiara), 1 Jalan Dutamas, KL. (Tel: 03-

6207 9598). Business hours: 11am-9.30pm, daily. Non-halal.Homemade recipes include fish

head noodles, charcoal roasted duck and char siew. Regulars come in search of its award

winning chicken rice, curry fish head and Claypot Lala Pepper Soup.

SOUTH SEA SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, 229, Jalan Dua A, Kampung Baru Subang,

Selangor. (Tel: 03-7846 1401, 7846 5813). Business hours: 11am-11pm, daily.The restaurant

boasts exotic seafood like geoduck, Australian lobster, estuary tiger garoupa, Sri Lankan crab,

Japanese escargot, fresh abalone, mantis prawn and Empurau fish.


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DRAGON-i RESTAURANT, G1.43, Ground Floor Sunway Pyramid, Bandar Sunway.

(Tel: 03-7492 3688) Business hours: 11am-10pm (Mon-Fri), 10.30am-10pm (Sat & Sun).

Non-halal. Customers can feast on a variety of Chinese dishes here. On the menu are some

traditional favourites and dim sum delights.

CHUTNEY MARY RESTAURANT AND BAR, 21-G, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, KL (Tel:

03-2282 9923). Business hours: 11am-11.30pm, daily. Closed on one Monday a month. The

restaurant offers Northern Indian cuisine with a smattering of Western and local dishes, house

specials are Khairi Chicken Special, Chicken Noor Jahani Briyani and Kulfi. Set lunch options

are priced at RM19 nett.

SURISIT THAI KOPITIAM, 17, Ground Floor, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, Taman Tun Dr

Ismail, KL. (Tel: 03-7710 0173). Business hours: 10.30am-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm (Mon-Fri),

10.30am-10.30pm (Sat & Sun). Non-halal. Described as Malaysia‘s one of its kind Thai

kopitiam, the restaurant serves up home-style cooking from its kitchen. During lunch and dinner,

staff are kept on their toes attending to a steady flow of hungry diners who seek affordably

priced Thai food. Among the dishes served here are Tom Yam Ka Moo, Pucuk Paku Yam Pla,

Tauhu Yat Sai and Stir Fried Glass Noodles with Chicken.

HOMST RESTAURANT, 48, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL. (03-7728 0760 -

TTDI, 03-6140 9134 - Kota Damansara, 03-5513 0760 - Shah Alam). Business hours: Noon-

10pm (daily), 5pm-10pm (Friday). Halal. A family styled Chinese Muslim restaurant that is


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known for its sumptuous Malaysian-Chinese fare. Popular dishes include Butter Prawn, Black

Pepper Beef, Wet Butter Chicken, Cantonese kuey teow, Hokkien mee, Sambal Prawn Petai and

various other dishes.

JUST NYONYA Restaurant, 21, Jalan 5/62A, Bandar Manjalara, Kepong, KL. (Tel: 03-

6279 9996) Business hours: Noon–3pm, 6pm–10pm. Closed on Tuesday. Pork free. Serving

all-time Peranakan favourites from Malacca and Penang like curry kapitan, ju hu char, asam

prawns, chilli garam fish, perut ikan and paku masak lemak. For dessert, diners have a choice of

ABC, cendol and sago gula Melaka.

SENTIDOS GASTROBAR, Feast Village, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL.

(Tel: 03-2145 3385). Business hours: Noon-midnight, daily. Pork free. Offers a relaxed

atmosphere with a tantalising selection of hot and cold tapas. There is an extensive wine list and

a range of imported beers.

SIMPLE LIFE HEALTHY VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT, LG-232A, Lower Ground

Floor, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, KL. (Tel : 03-2202 1328 - The Gardens, 03-5611

8596 - Sunway Pyramid/ www.simplelife.com.my) Business hours: 10am-10pm,

daily. Serves vegetarian meals that are organic, natural and nutritious. The restaurant‘s co-

founder developed its recipes by adopting more natural ingredients in the menu, without

compromising on taste and aesthetic values. Popular dishes include Lei Cha with Brown Rice,

Ginger Extract with Brown Rice Mee Sua, Vegetarian Nasi Lemak, curry laksa and popiah.

THE SHIP JALAN SULTAN ISMAIL, 40-1 & 40-2 Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL (Tel: 03-2141

8805) Business hours: Noon-midnight (Sun-Thurs), noon-1am (Fri & Sat). Pork-free. Still a

hit among locals and foreigners. Serves escargots, Chinatown Shark‘s Fin with Crabmeat, steaks

in 18 different styles. Wait staff dress according to rank of sailors on a ship.

TONY ROMA’S, LL1.43, Lower Level One, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, Jalan PJS

11/15, Bandar Sunway, PJ. (Tel: 03-7492 1188). Business hours: 11am-10.30pm, daily. The

people at Tony Roma‘s are passionate about their food, adhering to standards set by the Orlando

training centre. Expect hefty portions and enjoy the selection of refreshing mocktails and

beverages.

PIETRO, Ground floor, Bangunan ECM Libra, 8 Jalan Damansara Endah, Damansara

Heights, KL. (Tel: 03-2093 6433). Business hours: Noon-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm, daily. Pork

free. Pietro now caters to groups of people who want both Italian and also Asian dishes,

following requests from its customers. Some of the recommended dishes are Mushroom Ravioli

Stuffed with Duck, Bouillabaisse Sauce Risotto topped with Spinach and Jumbo King Prawns

and Pistachio Crusted Lamb Rack marinated with Rosemary and Shiraz Reduction.

To submit food listings and food-related queries, please email to [email protected] or call

03-79671388 ext 1322.


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The Star OnLine

Breakthrough eco-friendly rice enhancer to benefit farms

by Edd K. Usman

November 29, 2015

Farms are expected to benefit from a breakthrough environment-friendly rice production

enhancer developed from seaweeds by the Department of Science and Technology

(DOST).DOST Secretary Mario Go Montejo said the agency will expand coverage of multi-

location field trials of the carrageenan fertilizer additive.

image: http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/asasa.jpg

Rice field (File)

The decision to expand the field trials came after such trials conducted in Pulilan, Bulacan

showed that carrageenan, which is extracted from edible seaweed, when added to fertilizers can,

among other benefits, help make rice crops stronger, produce more harvest, and become more

anti-disease resistant.Montejo said an earlier study by an attached agency of the DOST, the

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), was used in research on the use of carrageenan as

fertilizer additive. ―The DOST invests in research and development in agriculture leading to

ensuring food security. Not only do we find ways and means to increase farm yields and make

crops pest-resistant but we also use science and technology to benefit the common ‗tao‘, putting

more food on their table,‖ Montejo said.


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The study of PNRI, which is implementing the Growth Promoter Program, involves the

subjecting of carrageenan to irradiation to degrade the substance‘s particles so that it can be

optimally absorbed by plants. More research, to be funded by the Philippine Council for

Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), is

in the offing.Montejo said the DOST will partner with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in

expanding the field trials.He said the DOST-DA partnership is targeting to further test the

technology on some 4,000 hectares of farms in the next cropping season.

He also said the ―PNRI is developing precision farming methods using nuclear techniques to

determine the right amount and timing of fertilizer application during a crops‘ different growth

stages.‖The study also includes how to optimize irrigation scheduling to make farmers reduce

their cost of their inputs, he added.Meanwhile, the DOST‘s PCAARRD, in citing its Pulilan

research, said, ―Carrageenan plant growth regulator (CPGR) has been found successful in

increasing rice yield by over 65 percent in a multi-location project.‖The trial conducted in

Bulacan by the team of Dr. Gil Magsino of the National Crop Protection Center-University of the

Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB-NCPC) showed what could be a breakthrough in raising rice

productivity and helping in food security.

PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda dela Rosa told the Manila Bulletin the program, which was started

in 2012, is being conducted in multi-locations in Pulilan, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija and three

other areas, including Pagadian City, Zamboanga Peninsula.Dela Rosa said the plant growth

promoter product from seaweeds was derived through irradiation.―We have to make the test in

multi-locations to ensure its efficacy,‖ she said, adding that initial positive results showed

consistency in areas already tested.PCAARRD said test results showed ―on grain weight,

application of three and six bags of chemical fertilizer per hectare, combined with 200 ppm (or

20 mL/L) of CPGR yielded higher grain weight than farmers‘ practice of applying nine bags of

chemical fertilizer per hectare.‖

http://www.mb.com.ph/breakthrough-eco-friendly-rice-enhancer-to-benefit-farms/#ibGHQcv312llKKgr.99

Rice still grows on Kauai

Island continues to show diveristy in agriculture Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2015 12:30 am

Jan Tenbruggencate |

Rice, a traditional Kauai crop, is still grown here — primarily for research.Adam Killermann just

planted a couple of acres of rice in a field near Lihue — continuing a decades-old Kauai‘s

agricultural tradition.A lot of folks, aware of the Haraguchi family‘s renovation of the old rice

mill in Hanalei, know that Kauai was once a big commercial rice producer. The Hanalei rice

fields have long been placed back into the production of taro, although the Haraguchis are

considering replanting some of their taro loi in rice.There‘s still rice being grown elsewhere on

the island — albeit in small patches.


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In recent years the research firm BASF Plant Science has grown rice on leased land on the

Westside of the island, although it recently completed its harvest and doesn‘t have any planted at

this time. BASF site leader Steve Lupkes said the most recent crop was genetically engineered to

increase yields.

The rice Killermann is growing is not genetically engineered.―This is traditional plant breeding.

Each year we grow thousands of breeding lines developed by rice breeders for the California

Cooperative Rice Research Foundation,‖ he said.The few that make the grade and become

varieties (48 since 1969) will be marketed as Calrose rice, but there‘s also some basmati and

jasmine, aromatic long grains.The winter rice work was done for the foundation for many years

in Wailua by an arm of the University of Hawaii, but in recent years has been done by private

farmers. Killermann‘s agricultural firm AJAR is the latest of them. His area supervisor on the

project is Maxwell Manera.

The nonprofit rice research foundation is the research arm of the California rice growing

industry, and it is funded by that state‘s rice growers. They grow winter crops of rice varieties in

Hawaii, since it tends to be too cold for the crop in California winters.

It can take as much as 10 years to develop a new commercial rice variety, and the ability to grow

a crop in winter in Hawaii can cut the cycle time in half, he said.

Breeders are looking for many different traits as they seek new varieties for the industry.

―Important breeding objectives include the incorporation of cooking and grain quality, disease

resistance, high grain and milling yield, seedling vigor, cold tolerance, early maturity, semi-

dwarf plant type and lodging resistance into future rice varieties,‖ says the industry website.

(Lodging is the tendency of a plant to fall over due to its own weight or wind and rain.)

Killermann has several fields that will be flooded like a taro patch once the new rice seedlings

are 4 or 5 inches tall. The flooding keeps weeds down. The crop takes about five months to

mature.

Breeders will return to Kauai in March to inspect and select their preferred lines. Those rice

seeds will be shipped to California for further varietal development.

Some of the rice is directly planted in the field. Some are seeds from hand cross pollination and

are planted in pots to be transplanted into the field later.

Killermann said the fields will be entirely tented with fabric mesh as the rice gets ready to

produce seeds — to keep birds out. Birds, which eat rice grains, have long been a major problem

for rice growers.

It is all part of the remarkable diversity of agriculture on the island. While Kauai‘s economy is

more dependent on tourism than any other Hawaiian county, its diversified agriculture ventures

are holding on, and in some cases even growing. Our island‘s agricultural industry is supported

by a number of organizations, among them the Kauai County Farm Bureau and the Family and

Friends of Agriculture.

•••

Jan TenBruggencate is a communications consultant, author and retired newspaper reporter who

lives on Kauai. He is also a canoe paddler, beekeeper and active volunteer.

http://thegardenisland.com/business/local/rice-still-grows-on-kauai/article_641e3dee-d8a8-5d39-

8c94-b0b677f64537.html

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30th november,2015 daily global,regional & local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine