U.S.A. – Series of colder nights probably delayed rice harvest in north state
Source: Daily Democrat28/01/2013 – The green rice that delayed rice harvest this fall was most likely caused by consecutively cold night temperatures.
Rice grown without paddies can feed drought-stricken communities, expert says
Source: Phys.org29/01/2013 – Consumed by 3 billion people, rice is arguably the world’s most important food staple, and one reason for its popularity is that rice can be grown under flooded conditions that suppress weeds, making cultivation easier.
Davos 2013: Water scarcity is ‘second most important world risk’
Source: The Guardian24/01/2013 – UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon tells Davos that we must appreciate water more as World Economic Forum recognises the scale of the problem – but what is being done?
USA – Rice grown without paddies can feed drought-stricken communities, UF/IFAS expert says
Source: University of Florida News28/01/2013 – Consumed by 3 billion people, rice is arguably the world’s most important food staple, and one reason for its popularity is that rice can be grown under flooded conditions that suppress weeds, making cultivation easier.
Taiwan – 90% of rice noodle brands found to be adulterated
Source: Focus Taiwan28/01/2013 – Inspections conducted by independent consumers’ rights organizations have found that nearly 90 percent of the rice noodle brands sold in Taiwan are not as pure as their makers claim, sometimes containing even less than 20 percent rice.
India – Cong promises free rice to Tripura’s poor
Source: MSN News27/01/2013 – The Congress will provide seven kg rice free of cost to the extremely poor people, 35 kg of rice at the rate of Re 1 to the poor people, and allowances to the jobless youths and farmers in Tripura if voted to the power in the Feb 14 assembly polls. Releasing the…
Pakistán – Govt urged to bail out rice exports
Source: Dawn.com26/01/2013 – Exporters have urged the government to bail out rice exports maintaining that a steep fall was witnessed during the first six months of current fiscal year due to higher local prices.
USA – Colombia TRQ proceeds issued to rice states
Source: The Vindicator25/01/2013 – Colombia Rice Export Quota, Inc. (COL-RICE) last month issued the U.S. share of the net proceeds from administration of the U.S. rice tariff rate quota (TRQ) in Colombia to the six state rice research boards. The U.S. share was $3.19 million, split as follows among the six rice –state boards based…
Laos – Lao rice yield falls short
Source: Radio Free Asia24/01/2013 – Laos’s rice production has fallen short of government targets for the second year running due to natural disasters and a seed shortage, dealing a potential blow to the Southeast Asian nation’s ambition of becoming a rice exporter.
Rice leaves and butterfly wings provide insight insight into nature’s best self-cleaning surfaces
Source: Phys.Org24/01/2013 – Butterfly wings are characterized by shingle-like scales (above), which keep water from pooling, and microgrooves (below), which repel water and reduce surface adhesion. These features help keep the surface free of debris and contaminants. Credit: Scanning electron microscope image (top) and optical profiler rendering (bottom), courtesy Bharat Bhushan and Greg Bixler, Ohio State…