The new quality specification fixed by the central government for the procurement of paddy has irked rice millers and farmers in Punjab.

The secretary of the Rice Importers Association, Masih Keshavarz said that rice imports have decreased by 80% compared to previous periods, which has led to a shortage of foreign rice in the market.

Reserves set to go up to $ 4b, $787 m from IMF, $150 m from B’desh expected, China Development Bank to lend 2 b renminbi loan.

“Other than rice, which is the biggest product we import from Pakistan, Rwandan importers will be facilitated to import textiles, agriculture machinery, and surgical instruments, among others, from Pakistan,” he added.

ndia’s farmers, despite their ability to produce way beyond the nation’s needs, are struggling to make ends met due to the lack of a decent export turnover.

Going forward, in line with Rwanda’s aim to generate $1 billion in annual agricultural exports by 2024, Ntwari said that NAEB’s major focus will be on supporting increase in productivity and quality of prioritised value chains for export.

The nature of exports has also been a worrying issue. Despite the addition of numerous manufactured products to the mix, raw materials and intermediates continue to take a disproportionately large share of the export basket. Iron ore as well as iron and steel exports have risen significantly this year, with the bulk of supplies going to China.

The Thai Rice Exporters Association president Charoen Laothammatas said exports began looking up after mid-year, with 419,578 tons, valued at 7.47 billion baht, being exported in July, up 7.6% and 4.9% respectively compared to June.

Ghana will be self-sufficient in rice production and will also stop importing maize by 2024, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has assured. He said for

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa introduces emergency regulations to control prices of essential food items as private banks run out of foreign exchange to finance imports.