BAAC predicts Democrat farmer policy adoption Complex rice income guarantee scheme tipped Rice planting at the Sufficiency Economy Learning Centre in Bangkok's Nong Chok district. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul) The state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) expects the new government to adopt a farmers' minimum income guarantee as promised by the Democrat Party, which is tipped to fill the agriculture minister's seat.The annual budget to fund the income guarantee scheme is estimated at 50-60 billion baht a year, on a par with the military-led government's income subsidy, said executive vice-president Somkiat Kimawaha. The outgoing government approved a 56-billion-baht grant to 4.08 million farmers for rice harvest and quality improvements in the 2018-19 crop year, aiming at encouraging a delay in paddy sales to prop up prices. The aid scheme for farmer covers four projects: a loan scheme for farmers who agree to delay their … [Read more...] about BAAC predicts Democrat farmer policy adoption
Predictions 2018 psychic
Ploughing ahead: Sacred oxen predict ‘abundant’ Thai harvest
BANGKOK: Thai astrologers on Thursday (May 9) predicted an "abundant" harvest after a pair of sacred white oxen munched on grass and rice, and slurped up water in an annual ritual watched by newly crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn.The monarch, seated next to his new Queen Suthida, observed the "royal ploughing ceremony" symbolising Thailand's fortunes.The colourful procession, led by two Hindu Brahmin priests, saw two white oxen walk a field to the sound of blaring trumpets.Women, dressed in traditional Thai clothing and carrying trays of jasmine flowers, trailed behind the bulls to the sound of red-clad musicians beating drums.The ceremony, which dates to the 13th century, marks the start of the growing season for Thailand, one of the world's top rice exporters.Royal soothsayers base their predictions on which foods the animals choose to eat after the ploughing.The oxen are offered banana leaf-wrapped bowls of rice, maize, green beans, sesame, liquor, water, and grass.This year, … [Read more...] about Ploughing ahead: Sacred oxen predict ‘abundant’ Thai harvest
Champions League semifinals, first leg: predictions and key battles
LONDON: The Champions League returns and with just four teams left, the path to glory is wide open. Any of the remaining sides has a chance but equally, question marks surrounding their challenge. Can Liverpool crack Lionel Messi & Co. to deny their Treble push? And which of the "underdogs" will prevail in the other semifinal?Here's everything you need to know, from the superheroes and the sidekicks who can decide the ties to the keys for victory.Tottenham vs. AjaxWHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 3 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. BSTBACKSTORY: Ajax are doing their glorious past proud, having eliminated perennial Serie A champs Juventus and Champions League holders Real Madrid to get into the semifinals. The quality, freshness and fearlessness displayed in those matches have made them the neutrals' favorites. They are tied at the top of the Dutch league and in the Dutch Cup final, so they, too, have Treble aspirations.Tottenham have lost more than half the games they have played since Valentine's … [Read more...] about Champions League semifinals, first leg: predictions and key battles
Canadian farmland values jump again in 2018
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By Kelsey Johnson iPolitics Mon., April 29, 2019 The value of Canadian farmland continued its steady climb in 2018 — jumping in every province but two — although demand for land is softening, Canada’s leading agriculture lender says. In its annual Farmland Values Report, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) said the value of Canadian farmland jumped 6.6 per cent in 2018. The increase, according to FCC’s chief economist J. P. Gervais, was driven largely by strategic investments by producers and continued tight supplies. “Whether it means paying a higher price for land that has potential to be more productive or buying in blocks to improve the efficiency of their operations, producers are sharpening their pencils with an eye on variable commodity prices,” Gervais said. Quebec experienced the highest average increase at 8.3 per cent, although that jump was similar to increases seen in 2017 and 2016. Saskatchewan and Alberta both saw land … [Read more...] about Canadian farmland values jump again in 2018
Social media fraud increased 43% in 2018: Report
In a sign that platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are emerging as new public square for criminal deception, a study has found that social media fraud increased 43 per cent in 2018. The results suggest that cyber criminals are increasingly relying on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other legitimate social media and messaging platforms to communicate with each other and sell stolen identities, credit card numbers and other ill-gotten gains. Given the ease of use, absence of fees and other benefits of these platforms, continuation of this trend in 2019 should come as no surprise, said "Current State of Cybercrime - 2019" white paper, released by RSA Security. Trade in stolen identities would gain greater momentum with more stores likely opening on legitimate platforms to sell this type of data, the study said. According to researchers, fraud in the mobile channel has grown significantly over the last several years, with 70 per cent of artifice originating in the mobile channel in … [Read more...] about Social media fraud increased 43% in 2018: Report