USA – Rice farmers preparing for heavy rain, high wind
Source: Kait8.com28/08/2012 – Rice farmers in Region 8 are preparing for the possibility of heavy rain and high winds as Tropical Storm Isaac approaches land.
China – Spread of genes from GM rice ‘unavoidable but slow’
Source: SciDev.Net22/08/2012 – The spread of genes from genetically modified (GM) crops to neighbouring wild plants, although inevitable, may not happen as quickly as feared, according to a study conducted in Chinese rice fields.
Wild rice gene gives yield boost
Source: BBC News22/08/2012 – A gene from wild Indian rice plants can significantly raise the yield of common varieties in nutrient-poor soils.
Japan – Fukushima starts radiation checks on rice
Source: The Daily Yomiuri26/08/2012 – The Fukushima prefectural government on Saturday began checking all bags of rice for radiation in Nihonmatsu, home to the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
USA – Minnesota wild rice harvest hurt by June flooding
Source: TwinCities.com25/08/2012 – June’s massive rainstorm was too much for many of the region’s wild rice stands, which flooded and never recovered, experts are saying as the annual rice harvest arrives.
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…