Daily Archives: September 19, 2012

Expert group gives a thumbs down for Asian rice futures

Source: The Wall Street Journal13/09/2012 – A debate is reigniting over how to avoid a repeat of the 2008 food crisis, when rice prices hit a record high of $1,000 per metric ton, as academics and traders scoff at suggestions that futures trading could help smooth out wild swings in the market.

Thailand – Farmers urge specialised rice zones

Source: The Nation11/09/2012 – Farmers have urged the Agriculture Ministry to create rice zones so that better breeds can be developed, as the government’s high subsidies have emboldened farmers to ignore quality and concentrate on quantity instead, critics say.

USA – Crossroads rice producers say ratoon crop helps

Source: Victoria Advocate.com12/09/2012 – When it comes to most things ag, a producer has one shot per season to make a healthy crop.

Namibia – Rice project to be expanded

Source: All Africa10/09/2012 – The Kalimbeza Rice Project on the banks of the Zambezi River will soon be transformed into a full-scale rice production project, where production will be expanded and rice harvested, processed and distributed to a much larger market.

USA – Minnesota: Wild rice tolerance for sulfate under intense scrutiny

Source: TwinCities.com08/09/2012 – In canning jars, cattle troughs and 100 lakes across Minnesota, scientists are working at breakneck speed to unravel the relationship between the state’s iconic wild rice plant and something called sulfate.