Australia – Rice futures exchange proposal draws mixed reviews
Source: The Australian09/11/2010 – Singapore should become the global hub of rice futures and spot trading to defend Asia’s billions from price swings, food riots and shortages.
Indonesian rice crop affected by heavy rains
Source: SOS Children’s Villages16/11/2010 – With the recent natural disasters, the mood in Indonesia was low-key before the arrival of President Obama last week. Images of the destruction caused by Mount Merapi dominated the news and over 250 people are now known to have died following the eruptions. In recent days the volcano’s activity has lessened and exclusion…
Kenya – Rice irigation scheme set to be revamped
Source: Daily Nation16/11/2010 – The government is planning to upgrade a 2,500-acre rice irrigation scheme in Msambweni District in order to boost rice production.
Philippines – Manila sees bigger rice crop, lower imports in 2011
Source: The Vancouver Sun15/11/2010 – The Philippines expects its rice output to grow in the final quarter of 2010 and increase next year, allowing the world’s biggest buyer to more than halve its imports from a record 2.45 million tonnes for this year.
Improved rice availability and reduced environmental impact forecast through new Global Rice Science Partnership
Source: IRRI10/11/2010 – One of the world’s largest global scientific partnerships for sustainable agricultural development has launched a bold new research initiative that aims to dramatically improve the ability of rice farmers to feed growing populations in some of the world’s poorest nations. The efforts of the Global Rice Science Partnership, or GRiSP, are expected to lift…
Global rice experts meet at 3rd International Rice Congress in Hanoi
Source: IRRI09/11/2010 – More than 1,700 top rice scientists, researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives from 66 countries around the world are gathering in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi for the 3rd International Rice Congress (IRC2010) on November 8-12.
‘Doomsday vault’ gets large shipment of rice
Source: msnbc.com08/11/2010 – In hopes of bolstering our defenses in the event of a major food crisis, researchers sent tens of thousands of seeds from different types of rice last week to a “doomsday vault” in the archipelago Svalbard.
Ghana – Give local rice producers reason to expand – Minister
Source: Peace FM Online13/11/2010 – Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, has reiterated the call on Ghanaians to patronise locally produced rice for their naturally rich nutritional value and to give the producers the opportunity to expand production.
Philippines – Filipino inventor turns rice hull, river silt into fire-resistant bricks
Source: loQal.ph12/11/2010 – Many consider rice hull and river silt as waste by-products, but for Emmanuel “Manny” Alkuino, these raw materials can be made into something useful such as durable and fire-resistant bricks.
Global rice strategy to aid the poor
Source: The Sidney Morning Herald11/11/2010 – Global rice researchers have agreed to step up co-operation in an effort to lower food prices and lift tens of millions out of poverty, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said on Thursday.