'Rice ATM' feeds Vietnam's poor during lockdown

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - A Vietnamese entrepreneur in Ho Chi Minh City has invented a 24/7 automatic dispensing machine providing free rice for people out of work following an ongoing nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Vietnam has reported 262 COVID-19 cases, and no deaths so far, but as a result of a 15-day social distancing program that began on March 31 many small businesses have been shuttered and thousands of people temporarily laid off from work.

Nguyen Thi Ly's husband was among those who have lost their job.

"This rice ATM has been helpful. With this one bag of rice, we can have enough for one day," said the 34-year-old mother of three children. "Now, we only need other food. Our neighbors sometimes gave us some leftover food, or we have instant noodles."



The machine distributes a 1.5kg (3.3lb) bagful of rice from a small silo to waiting workers, many of whom are street sellers or people who earned a living from cash-in-hand jobs like housekeeping or selling lottery tickets.

Hoang Tuan Anh, the businessman behind the idea, had initially donated a batch of smart doorbells to hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City before turning his technological expertise to food distribution.

Similar "rice ATMs" have been set up in other big cities like Hanoi, Hue and Danang, according to state media.

Employees monitoring the rice ATM declined to comment, but Anh told state media he wanted people to feel they still had access to food and resources, despite the current economic difficulties they found themselves in.

"I refer to this machine as a 'rice ATM' because people can withdraw rice from it, assured that there are still good people out there who want to give them a second chance," he said.

While many in the Communist-ruled country can rely on a social safety-net, and the government has introduced a stimulus package designed to help society’s most vulnerable, some people living on the margin, like Ly and her family, have not received enough support.

"I read about this rice ATM on the internet. I came to check it out, and couldn’t believe it came out for real. I really hope the sponsors would keep doing this until the end of the pandemic," said Ly, adding that her family's biggest problem was now paying their rent.

-reuters-

Rice for quarantined communities

City workers on Tuesday pack rice in bags for distribution to quarantined communities in Marikina City amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Agriculture on the same day proposed the importation of some 300,000 metric tons of rice to ensure food security in the country during the crisis. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Panic-buying hits Singapore after virus alert raised

SINGAPORE - Anxious Singapore shoppers formed long lines at grocery stores Saturday and cleared the shelves of essential items, after the city-state raised its alert level over China's coronavirus outbreak.

Since emerging late last year, the virus has killed over 700 people and infected more than 34,000 in China, and spread to many other countries.


Singapore, which has reported 33 cases, raised its alert level Friday to "orange" -- the same as during the deadly 2003 SARS outbreak, indicating the virus is severe and passes easily between people.

The announcement triggered panic in the city-state of 5.7 million starting late Friday, with shoppers -- many wearing masks -- rushing to stock up on items including rice, noodles and toilet paper.

Pictures circulating on social media showed empty shelves in some stores, carts filled with goods and long lines at counters, which continued into Saturday.

"I'm afraid that if they further raise the alert level, we will not be able to go out," a 50-year-old housewife, who did not want to be named, told AFP after leaving a grocery store.

The highest level on Singapore's 4-point scale for dealing with disease outbreaks is "red," one above "orange."

There were, however, ample stocks of other items such as fruit, meat, fish and alcohol.

The government urged calm, with Trade Minister Chan Chun Sing saying there was no need to rush out to buy crucial supplies.

"There is no risk of us running a shortage of essential food or household items," he wrote on Facebook.

Singapore raised its alert level amid a growing number of virus cases in citizens with no recent travel history to mainland China and no known links to previous infections.

Hong Kong has also been hit by a wave of panic-buying in recent days as it seeks to battle the virus, with supermarket shelves frequently emptied of crucial goods.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

'No fake rice, just fake news', rice traders say

NO FAKES: There is no fake rice, just fake news, rice retailers said in a press briefing on Friday.

"There is no such thing as fake rice, only fake news. There is no actual fake rice discovered mula 2015 hanggang ngayon ," James Magbanua, national president of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (GRECON), said in a press conference.

The National Food Authority backed the group's claim that no fake rice managed to enter the Philippine market.

"A total of 6 rice samples were subjected to analysis...the result of all samples are totoong rice, there is no fake rice," NFA administrator Jason Aquino said.

Magbanua said there is no incentive for rice producers and retailers to sell fake rice as "it is costlier to produce fake rice by putting plastic additives."

He said the hoax was made to take advantage of rice retailers.

"Merong bumibili ng isang kilo lang pero ibabalik dahil fake rice daw ito. Pinipilit na palitan ang fake rice ng isang kaban kung hindi irereport daw sa gobyerno. Kinikikilan lang kami," Magbanua said.

The group urged the public to be more discerning before believing articles they read online.

The group also called on lawmakers to pass measures that will penalize those who generate and share false and unverified information.

"It is time to consider a legislative measure against those who create fake news, especially news that affect our economy."

On Thursday, a bill that seeks to penalize any person or group who maliciously spreads false news or information in traditional and online media platforms was filed at the Senate.

Under Senate Bill 1492 any person proven guilty of creating or distributing fake news will face a fine ranging from P100,000 to P5 million and 1 to 5 years of imprisonment.

Violators who have aided and encouraged fake news meanwhile will be fined P50,000 to P3 million and imprisoned from 6 months to 3 years.

If the offender is a public official, he will be made to pay twice the amount of fine and serve twice the period of imprisonment. He will also be disqualified from holding any public office.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Vietnam, Thailand win NFA bid to supply 500,000-MT rice

MANILA, Philippines - Vietnam yesterday won the majority share of the 500,000 metric tons (MT) of the programmed importation for buffer stocking this year after agreeing to match Thailand’s price offer to be able supply the balance of the requirement.

The National Food Authority’s (NFA) government-to-government procurement committee yesterday awarded the supply of a total of 300,000 MT to Vietnam Southern Food Corp., while the supply of a total of 200,000 MT was awarded to Thailand, which was represented by its Department of Foreign Trade.

The NFA yesterday received offers for the procurement of 250,000 MT of well-milled, long grain white rice at 25 percent brokens and 250,000 MT at 15 percent brokens.

The rice stock would be used for the country’s mandatory buffer stocking requirement for the lean season that starts in July. The government is required to maintain a buffer stock of at least 30 days—but ideally 90 days—for use during the lean season.

The total volume would be purchased through government-to-government procurement deals with countries that have procurement agreements with the Philippines like Thailand and Vietnam that submitted offers yesterday.

Cambodia, which also has a rice supply agreement with the Philippines, did not submit offers.

The NFA Council is set to award the supply of 100,000 MT to Thailand for 15 percent brokens and 150,000 MT to Vietnam. Thailand offered $441 per MT against the government’s budget of $442.9 per MT. To be able to supply the balance, Vietnam lowered its first offer of $442.5 per MT to march Thailand’s offer.

The council is also set to award the supply of 100,000 MT to Thailand for 25 percent brokens and 150,000 MT to Vietnam. Thailand offered $421 per MT against the government’s budget of $425.85 per MT. To supply the balance, Vietnam likewise lowered its first offer of $424.50 to match Thailand’s offer.

Half of the total importation volume should be delivered to the Philippines not later than March 31, 2015, while the other half should be delivered not later than April 30, 2015.

The NFA Council is set to approve the award on March 2 and should issue the notice of award not later than March 3, said procurement committee chairman Piolito Santos.

The winning bidders should be able to sign the contract between March 4 to March 10, after which, they would be able to proceed with the delivery.

Malou De Leon, marketing officer of the commercial affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy, said Thailand is not able to supply a larger volume because of supply commitments to other countries.

Under the terms of reference, the next best bidder may match the offer of the best bidder to supply the balance of the volume of the former unable to do so.

Read more on the Philippine Star

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Japanese rice is the new safe luxury food in China

SHANGHAI/TOKYO - First it was European infant formula, then New Zealand milk. Now Chinese consumers are adding Japanese rice to the list of everyday foods they will bring in from abroad at luxury-good prices because they fear the local alternatives aren't safe.

The volume of rice imported from China remains small - 160 tonnes last year, according to Japan's National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations.

But that is more than triple the total in 2013, a trend that illustrates Chinese consumers' dwindling confidence in the safety of the country's own agricultural produce.

"Chinese rice farmers use pesticides," said a seller identified as Ying Ying, who started offering Japanese rice on the Taobao online marketplace last August. "Japanese rice isn't polluted by heavy metals."

Pollution from industrialization has exacted a heavy toll on China's soil and water. In May 2013, officials in Guangdong province in southern China said 44 percent of rice samples contained excessive levels of the metal cadmium.

A study by the Ministry of Environmental Protection last April estimated that 16.1 percent of China's soil was contaminated. In parts of the country, soil pollution is so bad that some rice farmers refuse to eat what they grow.

After the cadmium revelations, some Chinese consumers began to see rice from Thailand as an affordable and safe substitute.

In contrast, Japanese rice is neither cheap nor easy to find in China. Japanese rice imported by Chinese grain trader COFCO sells for 74 Chinese yuan ($12) a kg on PinStore, an online supermarket run by Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp . Domestic rice sells there for as little as 7.5 yuan per kg.

As demand grows, Chinese consumers are increasingly turning to online platforms such as Taobao, run by Alibaba, to buy rice directly from individuals in Japan.

One person seems to have paid as much as 1,499 yuan ($241) for five kg, according to Taobao.

Steep prices, though, are no deterrent for some.

"Much tastier than Chinese rice. Worth every cent - great texture and taste," one delighted buyer wrote on Taobao.

To meet demand, some Chinese producers now say they use Japanese seeds and promote their rice as a safer alternative to purely domestic strains.

Zhejiang Xinxie Yueguang Agricultural Science and Technology says its Echizen brand rice is safe and grown with "water from pure sources and strict quality control". The packaging says the rice is a Japanese variety.

But Echizen rice is grown in Changxing county, a hub of lead-acid battery production in eastern Zhejiang province. Battery production can be highly polluting.

Li Jun, general manager at Zhejiang Xinxie Yueguang, insisted the company's rice had passed tests for lead, cadmium, mercury, pesticides and other chemicals by state inspectors.

The company had also found other areas to grow rice where there was less concern about pollution, Li said.

The Chinese eat around 120 million tonnes of rice a year and the country imported more than 2.2 million in the first 11 months of 2014, including 1.2 million tonnes from Vietnam and 626,000 tonnes from Thailand, customs data shows.

Japan is a small rice exporter - just 3,777 tonnes in January to November 2014, according to agriculture ministry data - but it is looking to boost shipments to Asian countries as part of a wider push to export more agricultural products.

However, if the trend to China looks encouraging, any further increase through normal export channels may be slow: the Chinese authorities have given just one Japanese rice mill clearance to send polished rice.

Others have begun an application process but that has stalled. Some would-be suppliers have been waiting for three years, a Japanese government official said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why rice is now a popular ingredient in cosmetics, drinks

TOKYO - Rice has become an increasingly popular ingredient in a variety of cosmetic products and beverages amid a decrease in consumption of what used to be Japan's main staple.

In June 2012, Kose Provision Co. launched lotions and creams containing extracts made by fermenting and maturing rice.

The affiliate of major cosmetics maker Kose Corp. claims that the cosmetics series dubbed "Maihada" are effective in moisturizing skin.

The lineup, which is available only on a mail order basis, has gradually become popular and the number of members who have signed up for the online shop has exceeded 100,000, according to officials of Kose Provision.

The officials also explained that its members include those who shifted from European and U.S. cosmetics brands, believing that the Maihada series made from rice must be safer and better for their skin.

"With more and more consumers pursuing safe cosmetics, we sought to develop unique products made from Japanese materials, which we assumed no rivals would think of," said Yosuke Takahashi, an official in charge of product planning at Kose Provision.

Takahashi said the company has received a number of inquiries about the Maihada series from consumers abroad in English and Chinese.

Kirin Beverage Co., meanwhile, released in May this year a sugar-free tea made 100 percent from domestic rice. By steaming and roasting rice, the tea tastes slightly sweet and has the flavor of roasted rice.

Since it is free of caffeine and sugar, the "Nippon Komecha" has been enjoyed by children and people who drink it before going to bed, according to the major beverage maker.

The tea is the first 100 percent pure rice soft drink, according to Momoko Azuma, a Kirin Beverage official who developed the product.

"Since it has a strong rice flavor, some consumers have told us that they use the beverage when making bread or as soup stock," Azuma said.

In Japan, rice consumption has been diminishing over the years as society is rapidly aging and an increasing number of consumers prefer Western food over traditional Japanese dishes.

A recent survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry showed that single households spent an average 10,367 yen on rice a year, lower than 13,022 yen on bread and even 13,018 yen on supplements.

Against this backdrop, the Prince Park Tower Tokyo hotel in Tokyo's Minato Ward has organized an event to promote rice consumption.

In the event held in early November, about 30 women learned proper ways to wash and boil rice and tasted five different rice brands.

The women kept throwing questions at the instructor, such as, "What kind of water will you recommend when washing rice?" or "How should I preserve rice?"

The participants also enjoyed a buffet of salads and desserts made from rice.

One of the women, a 27-year-old public office worker said, "I often have bread for breakfast, but am now interested in eating the rice brands I especially enjoyed here."

A hotel official, who planned the event, said, "We hope our hotel can serve as a source of information to help people realize the greatness of rice once again."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Golden Rice' research continues despite militants' attack

MANILA - Research work on an experimental rice variety will continue despite an attack by militants who destroyed a test farm in Camarines Sur Thursday, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said Saturday.

IRRI said on Twitter that although the test farm in Pili town was vandalized, it has completed several field trials of the "Golden Rice" and others are still ongoing.

The institute, an international independent research and training organization with headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, has developed various rice varieties and crop management techniques since 1960 to help farmers and consumers.

Militants belonging to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and other leftist groups opposing genetically-modified (GM) crops raided the farm and uprooted Golden Rice plants on Thursday, agriculture officials said.

IRRI, in a statement, denounced the attack.

"We are all disappointed and saddened by the action as many people in the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Rice Research Institute, IRRI and our other partners locally, nationally, and internationally have been working hard on the field trials to help us continue our research to improve nutrition," the institute said.




Dr. Bruce Tolentino, IRRI's deputy director general for communications and partnership, also posted a video statement to announce that scientists' work on the rice variety will continue.

"Earlier today one of our Golden Rice field trials located in the Bicol region of the Philippines was vandalized. We are really disappointed that our Golden Rice field trial was vandalized, but it is just one trial and we will continue our Golden Rice research to improve human nutrition," he said.

"Golden Rice field trials are part of our work to see if Golden Rice can be a safe and effective way to reduce vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines – to reduce malnutrition,” Tolentino said. "Vitamin A deficiency is horrible and unnecessary, and we want to do our part to help to reduce it."

The project is being undertaken through a partnership between the IRRI, the Department of Agriculture, and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

According to IRRI, vitamin A deficiency affects approximately 1.7 million children (or 15.2%) aged 6 months to 5 years in the Philippines.

It added that subclinical vitamin A deficiency affects one out of every 10 pregnant women in the country.



Rice with beta carotene

IRRI said the "Golden Rice" is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A when eaten.

"Research so far indicates that eating about one cup a day of Golden Rice could provide half of an adult's vitamin A needs," it added.

The new rice variety, whose grains are golden in color, was developed through genetic modification techniques using genes from maize and a common microorganism.

It was invented by Professor Ingo Potrykus of the Institute for Plant Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and Professor Peter Beyer of the University of Freiburg in Germany.

IRRI is developing various varieties of the Golden Rice on a non-profit basis through royalry-free access from Swiss firm Syngenta AG.

The IRRI's research work and tests on the new rice variety are overseen by the Department of Science and Technology's National Committee on Biosafety.

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry is also strictly monitoring field trials.

Militants, however, believe that Golden Rice is not the solution to nutritional deficiencies, especially among the poor.

Greenpeace Philippines, in a briefing paper on the project, claimed that the new rice variety diverts attention and resources away the real cause of vitamin A deficiency, which are mainly poverty and lack of access to a more diverse diet.

It said money spent on the project should instead be used to promote home gardening and Vitamin A pills.

It claimed that the rice is ecologically dangerous as it may "contaminate" traditional rice varieties, and other rice relatives.

Greenpeace also said Golden Rice may even worsen malnutrition because people may eat only the rice instead of other vitamin-rich food plants.

"Despite all the hype about Golden Rice, it still remains unproven whether daily consumption of [it] would actually improve the vitamin A status of people who are vitamin A deficient," the environmental organization said.

IRRI, however, has allayed Greenpeace's concerns.

The institute, which has helped develop 60% of current rice varieties being planted worldwide, said "Golden Rice" will only be released to farmers for cultivation after national regulators have determined that it is safe for the environment.

"Based on six years of study so far, the genetic trait that produces beta carotene in the rice grain does not appear to make Golden Rice plants stronger than other rice varieties. Therefore Golden Rice is unlikely to harm biodiversity by becoming a weed," the IRRI said.

"Golden Rice is also unlikely to impact biodiversity by endangering wild rice through cross-pollination (outcrossing, or gene flow) for reasons that apply to all cultivated rice," it added.

IRRI also cited peer-reviewed studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stating that Golden Rice is an effective source of vitamin A for adults and children.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Rice quota stays even after June 30 - NFA

MANILA – The National Food Authority on Friday said it will not issue import permits for rice in excess of the Philippines’ minimum access volume, even though the quota for the staple ends on June 30.

Angelito Banayo, administrator of state-run NFA, told reporters that the agency will observe the MAV pending the results of negotiations with other countries opposed to an extension of the Philippines’ quantitative restriction on rice.

“We will not accept any application that is outside MAV. We’ll see if there will be a reaction from the exporting country,” Banayo said.

“Any attempts, if ever, to ship cheaper rice outside the allowed volume, they will still have to pay the higher tariff rate,” he said.

MAV is the minimum volume of rice allowed to enter the Philippines at reduced tariffs.

The country’s MAV is set at 350,000 metric tons, which is slapped an import duty of 40 percent.

Banayo said rice-exporting countries may appeal the Philippines’ quantitative restriction before the World Trade Organization, adding that the government will have to wait for a decision from the global trading body.

“This will test how the WTO decides on the issue,” he said.

The Philippines has asked other Asean member-countries as well as other major trade partners for the retention of the QR on rice, citing the need to prepare Filipino farmers for international competition and the government’s goal of rice self-sufficiency.

An extension of the QR will allow the Philippines to limit the volume of rice imports, preventing the influx of cheap rice from other countries.

The government is asking for a five-year extension, but like Korea, may get a three-year extension.

As in previous bids to extend the rice QR, Manila has offered other rice-producing countries certain trade concessions, such as greater access to the Philippine market of other products.

China, India and Pakistan earlier objected to the Philippine bid for an extension of the rice QR.

source: interaksyon.com

Rice Subsidy

OZAMIZ CITY, Philippines (PIA) – A total of P5.62 million in rice subsidy was released for the Cash for Training/Cash for Work Program of 1,879 farmers/fisherfolk beneficiaries in the city in 2011. Of the amount, P2.29 million or 40.75 percent was spent for the rice subsidy of 702 farmers who attended the first batch of the four-day training on farming skills and on Disaster Management, and other relevant topics, Ludie Salud A. Raras, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) officer, said. Under the program, participants were paid the minimum daily wage of P257 for them to buy rice for the duration of the training.

Childrens' Party

ILIGAN CITY (PIA) – Around 2,500 children from the evacuation centers and communities affected by tropical storm “Sendong” celebrated this city’s biggest party recently. The children who survived the catastrophe were gathered at the gymnasium of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology to celebrate the day’s activity dubbed “Paraisong Pambata.” Amazed by the presence of mascot characters, the children nevertheless had diverted their attention from the flash flood devastation, to looking at the exotic dance performed by the mascots where they later joined and danced to the tune of latest hit sound.

System Upgrade

DAVAO CITY – The country’s second business-friendly city recognized by a World Bank report in 2011, aims for more reforms in processing business permits this year by cutting some three to four steps from its current flow of issuing licenses. Tristan Dwight Domingo, business bureau chief here, said this proposal to shorten the process was introduced to Mayor Sara Z. Duterte in November, 2011, and received positive response from the local executive. “We have the whole year to iron this out. (With this development) we need funding, manpower, and technology to be able to reach this goal,” Domingo said. (Mick Basa)

Science Seminar

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Science educators in this city recently convened for a three-day Division Level Science Research Seminar-Workshop at the Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School to promote science and technology awareness among the educators here. The seminar also aimed at encouraging skill enhancement on the conduct of research work, and applying correct statistical tools and the type of work conducted. The research involved a purposive, organized, and planned program of activities that result in the acquisition of new knowledge. Several topics about science were discussed during the seminar like Research Process, Research Ethics, and Statistical Data Analysis. (Nonoy Lacson)

Early Listing

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) here has successfully conducted the early registration day on Sunday in nine school divisions in Region-11. DepEd Davao spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said only few were able to register but everything was peaceful throughout the registration day. Atillo said they were thankful to private sectors, local government units, especially churches, for providing assistance to those who needed help in terms of communication. The early registration was open to all incoming qualified Grade 1 and first year high school students and out-of-school youth.

source: mb.com.ph