Today's Top Rice News: Cambodia Tests Exports, Saudi Eyes Pakistan Rice Sector, Japan Backs Laos Satellite Farming

By Megha Bajaj

Cambodian Rice & Pepper Exporters Can Now Test Products Domestically

According to reports, the export of Cambodian rice and pepper to international markets will become easier following an announcement by the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), with support from the Australian government, that it is now offering new testing services for heavy metals in water and pesticide residues in rice and pepper. Notably, this milestone indicates that producers of rice and pepper – some of Cambodia’s significant agri-food exports – now have the option to complete ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited tests in-country, decreasing costs and turnaround times, and lowering contamination risks. IPC is the first laboratory in Cambodia to install two state-of-the-art instruments for pesticide residue testing: the Agilent 6495D Triple Quadrupole LC/MS and the Agilent 7010C Triple Quadrupole GC/MS. Their ultra-high sensitivity and accuracy enable testing aligned with Australian, EU and US standards. Resultingly, IPC now serves as a one-stop testing provider for exporters seeking to meet the requirements of many major international markets. IPC director Professor André Spiegel stated that this achievement reflects our strong commitment to delivering high-quality laboratory testing services. It strengthens our capacity to protect public health, improve food safety and support Cambodia’s agri-food sector in complying with both national and international standards, ultimately benefiting local producers and consumers. He appreciated the financial and technical assistance provided by the Australian government through the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development.

Saudi Arabia Looks For Investment in Pakistan’s Rice Sector

Recently, Saudi Arabia has shown interest in investing in corporate farming in Pakistan’s rice sector, ensuring a stable, reliable rice supply through structured, long-term arrangements between the two countries. The issue emerged for discussion in a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Assistant Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Ibrahim Al-Mubarak on Wednesday. Moreover, the meeting reviewed and advanced bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and joint engagement in regional markets. Furthermore, an official announcement released after the meeting noted that the Saudi side expressed interest in pursuing corporate farming in the rice sector. Not only this, but it was also observed that Pakistan already meets the required quality standards, and that investment in corporate-scale farming, mechanisation, storage, and logistics could support steady rice exports to Saudi Arabia. Discussions on agriculture and food security stressed cooperation in rice, fodder (including alfalfa), meat, and selected agricultural products. Apparently, both sides also examined the potential role of Saudi financing institutions in supporting export-linked agricultural and infrastructure projects in Pakistan, particularly those structured around guaranteed off-take arrangements with Saudi Arabia. The meeting also reviewed corporate farming and mechanisation as long-term responses to productivity constraints, including in crops such as cotton, where declining yields and high labour input costs have weakened competitiveness.

Japan Supports Satellite Imagery for Improving Rice Cultivation in Laos

Lao and Japanese agricultural experts have discussed the use of satellites in rice farming and the evaluation of rice harvests in Laos using space-based technologies. The application of satellite technology is an efficient way to examine the rice planting areas, cut costs, and gather useful data. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries partnered with Laos’ Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to organise a workshop on the topic. Notably, the workshop took place in Vientiane on Tuesday (Feb 10) and was attended by agriculture officials from across the country. Director General of the Lao Ministry’s Planning and Cooperation Department, Dr Boundeth Soutthavilay, thanked the Japanese government agencies and experts for their generous support in organising the workshop and sharing valuable information. He was hopeful that the technology could be used to provide accurate and timely information for use in agriculture and forestry development plans, especially in the gathering of agricultural statistics. This could be of immense benefit for Laos and other ASEAN member countries, he added. In 2023, the Japanese government advised Laos to use the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) to assess the area of land under cultivation. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have provided technical assistance and funding for many agricultural statistics projects together with food security information systems in ASEAN member countries.