全球农业一周资讯 - XXXVI

1. Pakistan allocated Rs201bn to purchase 1.8 million tons of wheat

With lower-than-targeted wheat sowing, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday allocated Rs201 billion procurement of 1.8 million tonnes of wheat through Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) to bridge the shortages. It is expected that the company will supply 640000 tons of wheat to the market before the wheat harvest season on April 1, leaving a carry-over inventory of 1.33 million tons of wheat.

2. Farmers, ranchers, processors supported by new Canada-B.C. partnership

B.C. farmers and food processors will receive increased food security support over the next five years through a new agreement between the governments of Canada and British Columbia. Through Sustainable CAP, more than $140 million will be invested in strategic initiatives, a 25% increase over the previous funding agreement. Demand-driven, business-risk management programs are estimated to provide $330 million in support to farmers over the lifespan of Sustainable CAP.

3. Tamil Nadu unveils organic farming policy with focus on promoting chemical-free agriculture

Aimed at conserving soil health, agro-ecology and biodiversity, the Tamil Nadu government has rolled out the organic farming policy towards ‘chemical-free organic agriculture’ in the state, thereby providing safe food for the people. Organic farming would encourage mixed farming as the components are interdependent. Nutritional crops like millets, pulses and vegetables will be encouraged to ensure nutritional security. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) would be promoted to reduce the input cost towards purchase of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides, it said.

4. Wheat Ym2 is oriented from Aegilops sharonensis and confers resistance to soil-borne Wheat yellow mosaic virus infection to the roots

A joint study reports the isolation of the resistance gene Ym2 using a positional cloning approach, supported by transgenic complementation. A sequence analysis suggests that Ym2 was inherited not from Aegilops speltoides, but rather from the more distant relative Aegilops sharonensis. It has provided novel information as to how the Ym2 region arose during the course of the evolution of cultivated wheat.

5. AMAPKKK gene from rice, RBG1res, confers resistance to Burkholderia glumae through negative regulation of ABA

Japanese researchers detected a gene, Resistance to Burkholderia glumae 1 (RBG1)，and found that RBG1 encodes a MAPKKK gene whose product phosphorylates OsMKK3. The findings suggest that RBG1res contributes to resistance to these bacterial pathogens at the seed germination stage via a unique mechanism.

6. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology donor repair base editing confers glyphosate resistance to rice (Oryza sativaL.)

Indian researchers describe the development of glyphosate-resistant rice lines through CRISPR-Cas9–based genome editing. The results highlighted that the efficacy of GATIPS mutations in OsEPSPS has tremendously contributed in glyphosate resistance, enhanced aromatic amino acids, and improved grain yields in rice. These results ensure a novel strategy for weed management without yield penalties, with a higher probability of commercial release.

7. The CCT transcriptional activator Ghd2 constantly delays the heading date by upregulating CO3 in rice

Chinese researchers found that Ghd2 activates CO3 expression by binding to the CO3 promoter through its CCT domain. The results suggest that Ghd2 directly binds to the downstream gene CO3, and the Ghd2-CO3 module constantly delays heading date via the Ehd1 mediated pathway.

8. Phytochromes mediate germination inhibition under red, far-red, and white light in Aethionema arabicum

Australian researchers screened a mutant collection of A. arabicum and identified koy-1, the gene for a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the phytochrome chromophore. Comparison of hormone and gene expression indicated a dual role of phytochromes in light-regulated seed germination.

9. China's Ministry of Commerce responds to the issue of the Black Sea Grain Transport Agreement: China supports the parties concerned to continue to maintain communication on this matter

In response to the issue of the Black Sea Food Transport Agreement at a regular press conference on March 16, Shu Jueting, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce of China, said that China supports the parties concerned to continue to maintain communication on this issue and strive to find solutions that meet their concerns.

10. UN World Food Program: Hunger Threatens Half of Syria's Population

According to data from the United Nations World Food Programme, more than 50% of the population (12.1 million people) in Syria are currently experiencing food shortages, and another 2.9 million people are at risk of hunger.The effects of 12 years of conflict and the recent devastating earthquake have led to food shortages. The price of basic food has doubled in one year, 12 times higher than three years ago.

11. The Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations gave the conditions for extending the food agreement in 60 days

According to the letter from the Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, Vasili Nebinja, to the Under Secretary General of the United Nations, Martin Griffith, and the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Rebecca Greenspan, Moscow will only consider the possibility of extending the food agreement in 60 days if tangible progress is made in the implementation of the Russian part.

12. African, Caribbean and Pacific countries ready to show the true potential of their fisheries and aquaculture sectors

A key fisheries and aquaculture development programme implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted significant potential to boost these sectors in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, Guyana and the Marshall Islands, making them more self-sufficient, creating jobs and preserving biological stock levels.

13. Green Climate Fund approves new projects worth $145.3 million for climate action in Bolivia, Cambodia and The Philippines

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) decision to approve funding for three new projects in Bolivia, Cambodia and the Philippines, valued at $145.3 million.