Daily Archives: September 5, 2012

Researchers identify gene that improves rice yields in poor soil

Source: Reuters22/08/2012 – A gene that raises rice yields by enhancing root growth and nutrient absorption in low quality soils has been identified in a species of rice in India and successfully introduced into other rice varieties, researchers reported on Thursday.

India – Iran curbs drive rice exporter to Africa: Corporate India

Source: Bloomberg23/08/2012 – India’s biggest basmati rice exporter, plans to seek new markets in Africa to counter international sanctions against Iran and revive profit amid sliding grain prices.

India – Farmers prefer to sow rice, sugar cane

Source: LiveMint.com21/08/2012 – Notwithstanding the drought, farmers have preferred to sow sugar cane and rice instead of opting for less water-intensive crops such as coarse grains and pulses.

Tokyo – China’s short grain rice output surges to 65 mil. tons

Source: Equities.com20/08/2012 – China’s production of short grain japonica rice, a staple food for Japanese, grew just over 40 percent in a decade to nearly 65 million tons in 2011, a level more than six times greater than Japan’s annual production, according to a recent survey by a Japanese think tank.

Pakistán – No shortage of rice this year, rumors baseless

Source: Business Recorder19/08/2012 – The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has advised the SME rice exporters not to be perturbed by the false rumors about crop shortage and informed them that the crop is a little late but satisfactory yield is expected and there will be more than enough crop for exports and…

Philippines – No rice crisis repeat — Alcala

Source: Business World19/08/2012 – A severe drought in the United States is unlikely to affect the Philippines and could even open up export opportunities, a Cabinet official claimed.

Madagascar – Rice farming provides livelihood to elderly woman in Madagascar

Source: UN16/08/2012 – Abeline Razanamamy is an elderly widow living in central Madagascar. She is determined not to rely on anybody else for her survival.

Sri Lanka – Farmer-oriented rice research ensures sustainability

Source: Sunday Observer19/08/2012 – Rice research in Sri Lanka is now more farmer-oriented and today research is based on addressing the issues faced by farmers and achieving national targets, said the Deputy Director, Research of the Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI), S.W. Abeysekara.

India – Jharkhand may face 40% rice shortfall: Scientist

Source: Hindustan Times18/08/2012 – Jharkhand might face a 40% shortfall of rice yield this year due to delayed monsoon, an agriculture scientist said in Jharkhand on Saturday. “Transplantation of paddy picked up only in the last fortnight in Jharkhand following good rains. The delay in monsoon by 20 to 25 days had caused harm to paddy…

Japan – ‘Rice paddy art’ reaches new heights of sophistication

Source: The Asahi Shimbun19/08/2012 – In the hands of a true “artiste,” just about anything can be transformed into a canvas for creative expression–even a rice paddy.