WORLD - An international team of researchers from Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom has successfully created a strain of genetically modified (GM) rice that will produce HIV-neutralizing proteins. According to Crop Biotech, the scientists have been developing possible treatments for people infected with HIV. Their efforts to produce a vaccine against the…
NIGERIA - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Anchor Borrowers' Programme (ABP) has unveiled US$2.75 million loan to local farmers in efforts to enhance the production of rice, maize, soybeans and cassava, according to an article on This Day. The first phase of the program seeks to benefit a total of 1,250 local…
COTE D’IVOIRE - AfricaRice, a Pan-African rice association has launched a US$2 million project aimed at boosting food, nutrition security through productive and sustainable use of inland valleys for rice-based systems in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. Additionally, the project called “Capitalizing the inland valley potential for food and nutrition security for smallholder farmers in West…
SOUTH AFRICA - South Africa-based multinational retail company, Woolworths Holdings Limited has recalled a frozen savory rice mix as part of a worldwide product recall issued by the Hungarian Food Safety Agency (HFSA) following listeria outbreak in Europe, according to Reuters. The recall comes after one of Woolworths suppliers was identified as the likely source…
NIGERIA - The Federal government has said that it has allocated more than US$29 million to purchase ten large integrated rice milling machines by December 2019 with an aim to boost rice production in ten states. An article by the Guardian reported that according to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Audu Ogbeh, benefiting states…
INDIA – Nestlé India, a food and beverages company, has announced the launch of NESPLUS - a range of wholegrain and multigrain nutritious and delicious breakfast cereals for the entire family. According to the company, in line with the vision to introduce products rooted in nutrition, health and wellness, it will be adding Nestlé Breakfast…
USA - GR2E Golden Rice, a provitamin-A biofortified rice variety, has completed its third positive food safety evaluation by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). In an official statement by Crop Biotech, the US FDA announced that it concurred with the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) assessment regarding the safety and nutrition of…
TANZANIA - China’s CHONG Zhongyi Co Limited and St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance novel rice production in the country. The main agenda of the MoU is to promote best practices in rice production in the Lake Zone regions. As part of the agreement, the two will…
ASIA - The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the government of Nepal have signed a collaborative five-year agreement that seeks to achieve rice sustainability while ensuring food security and nutrition. The project aims at increasing grain yield build technical skills and capabilities, and promote a more market-driven seed system for climate resilient rice varieties.…
EGYPT - The government of Egypt has announced the decision to import milled and paddy rice to increase supply of the commodity as well as prevent potential price shock to consumers. A June 13 USDA report indicated that grain hoarding, which resulted in the decline in the volume of rice being offered to the country’s…
