China has developed a "waterfalls" rice or variety with grains overflowing from the panicle of the “super hybrid rice” that may yet address the world’s problems on food security. This was disclosed by Prof. Yuan Long Ping, China’s national treasure and father of hybrid rice, during the recent 1st National Hybrid Rice Congress held at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here.

A sharp surge in price of dairy products pushed overall food cost one percentage point higher in March, UN reported Thursday, noting world wheat production remained on track to reach its second highest level ever barring adverse weather. In its latest monthly Food Price Index (FPI), UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said dairy component of the index, which carries a 17 percent weight in the overall calculations, jumped by 22 points to 225 - one of the largest recorded changes - due to Oceania's hot, dry weather that cut into production of milk and its various by-products.<

The agricultural sector is going through tough times with its contribution to Namibia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) far less compared to previous years. The Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) in its latest newsletter dated for April 2013 said the GDP contribution of the agricultural sector has decreased from 9 per cent in 1990 to 4,5 per cent currently. The livestock sector, which is the biggest in agriculture, contributes to 7 per cent hereto.

Speakers at a forum stressed the need for transformation of agricultural land by adopting genetic revolution in the country. A forum in connection with the Farmers Day was organised by Monsanto Pakistan in collaboration with University of Agriculture, Faisalabad at Agronomy Farm on Thursday. Dr Iqrar Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Monsanto Pakistan’s Mirza Aamir and Technology Development Officer M Atif Majeed spoke on the occasion.