Stallion Group Denies Evading Import
Duties
07 Aug 2015
Logo of Stallion Group
Crusoe Osagie

It stated that the rice companies had also issued a bond to
secure the customs from any potential proven obligation, contending that there
was no question of any fraud or evasion.The company said contrary to the
impression in public domain, the companies never sought or received any
“waivers” from the federal government.“Stallion will never evade or avoid any
lawfully due obligations in any of its business transactions in any country,”
the statement added.It stated that as a law-abiding group with international
operations in several countries, it strictly complies with all applicable law,
rules and regulations.Stallion Group disclosed that it remained committed and undaunted
in it resolve to support the government to achieve its lofty resolve to grow
the economy particularly in the enhancement of the rice value chain and the
quest for self-sufficiency and food security.
The statement read: Stallion is a pioneer in the fully
integrated rice value chain in Nigeria with existing operating capacities of
430,000 metric tonnes,
backward integration operations, a countrywide distribution system and firm investment plans to reach a targeted production of 1.50 million tonnes of rice within the next three years.“As an early starter since 2007, the group has played a key role in enhancing local rice production in the country, complementing the efforts of the federal government through its Agricultural Transformation Agenda.“The appropriate ministries of the federal government have duly certified the group’s rice companies, as bonafide investors and integrated rice millers with proven backward integration programme.
backward integration operations, a countrywide distribution system and firm investment plans to reach a targeted production of 1.50 million tonnes of rice within the next three years.“As an early starter since 2007, the group has played a key role in enhancing local rice production in the country, complementing the efforts of the federal government through its Agricultural Transformation Agenda.“The appropriate ministries of the federal government have duly certified the group’s rice companies, as bonafide investors and integrated rice millers with proven backward integration programme.
“ Our companies have presented all documents and facts to the
all the relevant ministries and authorities with its position with full
transparency and compliance to the requirements.“Likewise, we will present all
the information/documentation to the proposed committee constituted by the
House of Representatives and assure the fullest cooperation.”The company quoted
copiously from Section 11 of the Customs, Excise Tariff (Consolidation) Act No.
4 of 1995 which provides as follows: “Notwithstanding the provisions of section
12 of this Act, the President may on the recommendation of the tariff review
board by order; (a) impose, vary or remove any duty or levy; (b) add to or vary
any of the schedules; (c) delete the whole or any part of any of the schedules;
(d) substitute a new schedule or schedules thereto.’”
It said: “In exercise of his powers under section 11,
with effect from 26 May 2014, the President amended the duty rate on rice under
HS Code 1006 as follows: (a) for investors with rice milling capacity and
verifiable backward integration programme shall attract 10% duty rate and levy
of 20%. (b) other importers would import at duty rate of 10% and levy of
60%.“The above approval was communicated to Customs, other agencies of the
federal government and members of the trading public vide Ministry of Finance
Circular No BD/FP/TT/50/1/99 dated 8th July, 2014.
“Acting on the above approval, a number of millers that
satisfied the stipulated criteria proceeded to import substantial quantities of
rice for which duty and levies wereduly charged and paid. The duty applicable to
Popular Farms and Mills Limited and Masco Agro Allied Industries Limited was
that applicable to millers as the companies own rice mills in Kano, Lagos and
Makurdi with cumulative milling capacity of 430,000 metric tonnesper annum.
“The circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance did not
categorically state that there would be quota allocations to the millers. It
merely stated that Importation of Rice by millers shall attracts 10% duty rate
with a levy of 20% and will be limited to the national supply gap to be
determined by a committee (for a period of four years).“The millers therefore
proceeded to import rice and to pay duty and levy at the prevailing rate of 10%
and 20% respectively. In view of the amendment of the duties and levies on
rice, the Nigeria Customs Service immediately started accepting declarations
from importers of rice by virtue of section 37(1) and (2)(a) of the Customs and
Excise Management Act Cap C45 2004 which mandates Customs to charge duty at the
prevailing rate being the rate approved by thePresident as stated above.
“The process continued until November 2014 when the Federal
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development came up with quota allocations to
millers. At this time the millers had already imported substantial quantities
of rice for which duties and levies were paid in accordance with the prevailing
duty and levy rate. These transactions were certified by Customs, payments were
collected, goods cleared and released from customs control.
“ It was therefore with significant shock to the industry, when
the former Minister of Agriculture unilaterally conducted a rice allocation in
December 2014 (7 months after the policy commenced), and then backdated the
issuance of this allocation retrospectively to May 2014. It then communicated
these to Nigerian Customs and Ministry of Finance as the official position of
the Inter-ministerial Committee (which was misleading).
As a result of this flawed process, Popular Farms and Mills
Limited and Masco Agro Allied Industries Limited were then asked to pay extra
duties (in addition to the earlier N17.15 billion already paid), under the
claim they over imported during a period when no allocations were given by
government. Essentially, the companies were asked to pay backdated duties on
rice that had already been imported,
distributed, and sold in Nigeria, between May and December 2014. They are asked to “pay duties again” for rice they had already paid duties upon.”
distributed, and sold in Nigeria, between May and December 2014. They are asked to “pay duties again” for rice they had already paid duties upon.”
White bread could lead to depression, research finds
Older women
who eat white bread and rice found to have greater risk of depression,
according to research
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The refined carbohydrates in white bread trigger a hormonal
response in the body to reduce blood sugar levels, which may also cause
depression in post-menopausal women Photo: Alamy
9:14AM BST 07 Aug 2015
White bread and rice could
increase the risk of depression in older women, suggests new research.But whole
grain foods, roughage and vegetables could cut it.Hormone changes prompted by
refined foods may reduce blood sugar levels and prompt symptoms of depression,
according to the study.The findings, published in journal The American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition, could pave the wave for depression being treated and
prevented using nutrition. Around three in every 100 people in the UK suffer
from depression.
In a study that included data
from more than 70,000 post-menopausal women, scientists found a link between
refined carbohydrate consumption and depression.When people consume carbohydrates
their blood sugar levels rise to varying degrees.The glycemic index (GI) scale,
of 1-100, measures the amount of sugar found in the blood after eating. The
more highly refined the carbohydrate, the higher its score on the GI
scale.Refined foods such as white bread and white rice trigger a hormonal
response in the body to reduce blood sugar levels. The response may also cause
or exacerbate mood changes, fatigue and other symptoms of depression.
A clear link between high GI
scores and consumption of added sugars and refined grains were associated with
increased risk of depression in the women.Meanwhile, diets packed with dietary
fiber, whole grains, and vegetables led to a decreased risk.The researchers
said further study is needed to examine the potential of this novel option for
treatment and prevention, and to see if similar results are found in the
broader population.Study author Dr James Gangwisch, of Columbia University,
said: "This suggests that dietary interventions could serve as treatments
and preventive measures for depression."Further study is needed to examine
the potential of this novel option for treatment and prevention, and to see if
similar results are found in the broader population."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11789103/White-bread-could-lead-to-depression-research-finds.html
UNISAME URGES 9th SME CONFERENCE TO SEEK
PRIORITY FOR SECTOR
Aug 7, 2015 | Thaver
The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises
(UNISAME) intends to present a road map to the government for the uplift of the
micro, small to medium sized entrepreneurs and present a 13 points doable
agenda at the 9th SME Conference 2015 to be held on 25th August 2015 at a local
hotel in Lahore.President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver appreciated the efforts of
Menin Rodrigues chairman Shamrock Conferences and his team for giving the
stakeholders an opportunity to highlight the real issues of the SME sector
every year for the last 9 years. This conference is all the more meaningful as
the planning ministry is revisiting the SME Policy 2007 and working on Vision
2025.He elaborated that as key note speaker at the forum he would advocate the
cause of the SMEs.
The government needs to facilitate the sector
wholeheartedly as it is the majority sector, backbone of the economy, the
engine of growth and the back forte of the large sector. The SMEs are into
farming, manufacturing, trading and services and playing important role in the
primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy. There is urgent need
for focus on each of these areas for rapid growth of the sector.Enlisting the
requirements of the sector the Union has proposed a 13 points agenda in the
shape of a road map for submission to the policy makers who are expected at the
forum.
The officials of the State Bank of Pakistan
(SBP), SMEDA, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform (MoPD&R), SME
Bank and other important stakeholders will speak and enlighten the participants
at the forum.The Union will stress the need for implementation of the SME
Policy 2007 in letter and spirit for educating the SMEs about the new
technologies in production, management, marketing, accounting & inventory
control.
And for encouraging the SMEs to modernize and
make plans for balancing and replacement of their units and arrange transfer of
technology.And for facilitating the SMEs through banking, leasing,insurance as
these are the pillars for growth. The country needs modern banking, leasing and
insurance facilities. The strengthening of the SME Bank is very important for
meeting the access to finance requirements of the sector.The SMEs in order to
progress need law and order and protection and need to feel safe. Protection
squads are needed in industrial areas and important markets.The infrastructure
definitely needs to be improved.The SME sector is dependent on logistics which
encompasses transportation, warehousing and collateral management.
The need for alternate energy is being felt
due to the energy crisis. The wind, solar and biomass energy systems are
required as alternate energy and must be promoted fully.There is an urgent need
of industrial estates in all the provinces. The special economic zones must
facilitate the SMEs to purchase land on easy payment facility.The government
should adopt a policy of fair taxation and also give tax benefit to innovative
industries and new units.The SMEs need their own chamber of commerce and also
their own export promotion bureau. There is need for e_ Commerce and the Trade
Development Authority of Pakistan and SMEDA are requested to set up the SME
gallery for global exposure of SME products.The NPO, EDB, SMEDA, PCSIR and TDAP
are all dedicated institutions and working hard for the promotion and
development of the SMEs together with the commercial banks but they all need to
co-ordinate with one another for integrated efforts.
The above is not an easy task and for this
the government should strengthen and equip the Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Authority (SMEDA) and broaden its scope to enable it to reach the
SMEs involved in manufacturing, trading and services.Thaver urged the immediate
need for priority for the sector which could change the destiny of Pakistan if
motivated, encouraged, supported and facilitated scientifically on modern
lines.UNISAME expects the chairman Shamrock Conferences Menin Rodrigues to
plead for priority for the sector which it truly deserves at the forum to
invite the attention of Prof Ahsan Iqbal the federal minister for planning,
development and reform who is invited as the chief guest for the event.
http://www.unisame.org/unisame-urges-9th-sme-conference-to-seek-priority-for-sector/
Alleged fake rice
was contaminated
ALLEGED FAKE RICE found in Davao
City was contaminated due to food mishandling, the National Food Authority
(NFA) said on Thursday, declaring that the case was isolated and that there is
no fake rice in the country.
“In total, the case is isolated and no other cases have been
reported elsewhere except for Davao,” Presidential Assistant for Food Security
and Agricultural Modernization Francis N. Pangilinan told reporters in Filipino
during a press briefing in Quezon City. “It wasn’t fake rice; it was
contaminated.”Jocelyn M. Sales, NFA Food Development Center director, said the
rice samples from Davao City were positive for dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a
plasticizer or a chemical compound used in making flexible plastics.
“DBP is not a component of cooked rice sample, but an external contaminant due to food mishandling,” she said in the same press briefing.The 25-gram rice sample did not contain any material of plastic origin, she further explained.“Starch component of the allegedly fake rice samples were similar to rice,” Ms. Sales said.The series of freezing, thawing and heating of the sample rice resulted in retrogradation.“When frozen, cooked rice was removed from the refrigerator until it was transferred inside the chiller of the refrigerator. [Then] the large ice crystals thawed, leaving a styrofoam-like structure,” she said. “When the thawed previously frozen cooked rice was squeezed with hand, water oozed out.”The earlier conclusion that the fake rice was an isolated case was based only from the government’s qualitative analysis.
The government further conducted scientific or laboratory tests
undertaken by the Food Development Center, Philippine Rice Research Institute,
International Rice Research Institute, Research Institute for Tropical
Medicine, and Food and Drug Administration.The samples were positive for rice
DNA, according to the DNA analysis conducted by the Philippine Rice Research
Institute.In a statement on Thursday, the NFA said it responded to over a
hundred reports and complaints about suspected fake rice, but none of the
samples tested proved positive of any contamination.Ms. Sales said the public
should avoid placing hot food in plastic containers because it’s not
safe.Meanwhile, NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay said it has enough rice
stocks for the lean months, July to September.The NFA is ready to “quickly
respond” to any emergency need for rice during this traditionally
calamity-prone months, he said. -- Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza
APEDA News India
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INDIA
EASES EXPORT RESTRICTIONS ON ORGANIC EDIBLE OIL, RICE BRAN OIL
The move is expected to trigger a
hike in the price of rice bran in the market and help small rice millers to get
better bargain on the product.
The government has removed
quantitative cap on the export of organic edible oil and overseas shipment of
rice bran oil in bulk, giving a major boost to small rice millers across the
country.
“Export of rice bran oil in bulk
has been exempted from the prohibition on export of edible oils. Also, the
quantity ceiling on export of organic edible oils has been removed,” the
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a fresh notification.
https://www.thedollarbusiness.com/govt-eases-export-restrictions-on-organic-edible-oil-rice-bran-oil/
Rice Thickness Grading
8/7/2015 - by Susan Reidy
One of the goals of rice processing is to avoid overmilling of
rice by carefully controlling the degree of milling and thus maximizing milled
rice yield and head rice yield.Monitoring lot-to-lot variability and adjusting
milling parameters is one strategy for reducing variability in degree of
milling among lots. Size-grading techniques, such as thickness grading, could
also reduce milling variability.
Researchers from the University of Arkansas Rice Processing
Program in Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S., examined whether thickness grading
could concentrate and partition chalky and fissured kernels to secondary
processing streams in order to improve milling yields of the primary processing
stream. Research was conducted by Brandon C. Grigg, manager, Rice Quality
Laboratory, and Terry Siebenmorgen, professor and director, University of
Arkansas Rice Processing Program.They found that removing the fissured and
chalky kernels did significantly improve milling yield. However, researchers said
the economic and logistic impacts on commercial milling operations have yet to
be considered.
Importance of rice thickness
Thickness grading of rice has been proposed as a means of improving kernel uniformity by removing the thinner kernels to be used for applications such as flour.Previous research has shown that thin kernels often break during milling. When thin kernels were removed prior to milling, there was a trend of improved milled rice yield and head rice yield.When fractioned as rough rice prior to milling, thin kernels yielded a lower surface lipid content and head rice yield, compared to thicker kernels milled for the same duration, previous research has shown. Thinner kernels would thus possibly require a shorter milling duration, possibly resulting in reduced breakage and increased milling yield, if milled as a separate process stream.
Chalkiness may also be associated with thin, incompletely-filled
kernels. Chalkiness has been linked to the process of starch accumulation in
the rice endosperm.Head rice yield is also reduced by kernel fissuring, which
may result from rapid moisture adsorption by kernels of low moisture content in
the field or due to conditions during the drying process. Prior research has
shown that thicker, bolder kernels were more susceptible to fissuring than
thinner kernels.
Research method
Research method
Researchers used four lots of long-grain rice cultivars (pureline
Wells and hybrid XL753), of both superior and inferior milling quality. Lots
were cleaned, conditioned and graded using a laboratory-scale precision sizer
equipped with rotary screens.The resulting thickness fractions included thin
(less than 2 mm), medium (2-2.05 mm) and thick (more than 2.05 mm).Following
thickness grading, milling and physical properties were determined for each
thickness fraction. An analysis was conducted for each fraction to determine
the milling duration needed to reach the desired degree of milling.Unfractioned
and fractioned rough rice were dehulled. The resulting brown rice samples were
milled for different durations to develop relationships between degree of
milling and milling duration.
Following milling, researchers measured head-rice surface lipid
content and determined milled rice yield and head rice yield. Head rice was
separated from broken kernels using a sizing device.Researchers then examined
physical properties including bulk density of rough rice. Brown rice properties
were determined by dehulling four rough rice samples.Using a scanning system,
brown rice chalkiness as a percentage of kernel area was determined. Fissured
kernel percentage was visually determined using a grain scope. A kernel was
counted as fissured if one or more fissures were detected.Statistical software
was used to analyze the data.
Results
Unfractioned milled rice yields of superior and inferior lots within each cultivar were not different. However, differences in the head rice yields were substantial, with the superior Wells cultivar being 27 percentage points greater than the inferior sample of the same cultivar. The XL753 superior head rice yield was 15 percentage points greater than the inferior sample.The reduced head rice yield was due to the chalkiness and the fissured kernel percentage (see Figure 1, page 82). There was significantly greater chalkiness observed in the inferior lots, as well as a greater fissured kernel percentage.
Results
Unfractioned milled rice yields of superior and inferior lots within each cultivar were not different. However, differences in the head rice yields were substantial, with the superior Wells cultivar being 27 percentage points greater than the inferior sample of the same cultivar. The XL753 superior head rice yield was 15 percentage points greater than the inferior sample.The reduced head rice yield was due to the chalkiness and the fissured kernel percentage (see Figure 1, page 82). There was significantly greater chalkiness observed in the inferior lots, as well as a greater fissured kernel percentage.
Thickness grading of rough rice resulted in mass percentages for
the >2 mm fractions ranging from 57% to 77%, about 10 percentage points less
across the range of lots than the 66% to 89% observed by researchers
previously. See Figure 2a and 2b (this page).For all lots, the >2 mm kernels
comprised the majority of the mass. For both cultivars, there was a trend for a
greater mass of thicker kernels in the lots with inferior milling quality.
Since chalkiness has been shown to be more prevalent in thinner kernels,
decreased head rice yield for the unfractioned, inferior lots may be associated
with increased fissuring of the thicker, bolder kernels.
A further thickness grading of the >2 mm kernels was added to
determine if the greater portion of fissured kernels was concentrated in the
very thickest kernels. This would enable the thickness fraction to be
partitioned and transferred to an alternate processing stream, such as
parboiling.The >2 mm fraction was thickness graded with a 2.05 mm screen,
resulting in the previously described thin, medium and thick kernel fractions.
This potentially created a medium kernel stream with reduced fissured kernels,
reduced chalkiness, and improved milling characteristics.The mass percentage of
the thin kernels ranged from 25% to 42%. The superior lots had the greatest
mass percentages of thin kernels, about 42%. The mass percentage of medium
kernels generally exceeded that of thin kernels and was greater than that of
thick kernels.
A trend existed for greater mass percentage of thick kernels in
inferior lots.Milled rice yield increased with increased kernel thickness for
all lots, agreeing with previous research. For superior lots of both cultivars,
there no differences in milled rice yield between medium and thick kernels.
However, for the inferior lots, the milled rice yield of thick kernels was
greater than that of medium kernels. See Figures 3a and b (page 85).For the
superior lots, milled rice yields of both thick and medium kernels exceeded
those of unfractioned rice. Therefore, removing the thin kernels increased
milled rice yield for inferior and superior rice lots. For inferior lots, the
thick kernels had greater milled rice yield and medium kernels had equivalent
milled rice yield when compared to unfractioned rice.
The head rice yields of thin kernels were significantly less than
those of medium kernels. The general trend for decreased head rice yields of
thin kernels occurred even though the degree of milling was the same as medium
and thick kernels.Counter to the trends seen in milled rice yields, head rice
yields of thick kernels were significantly less than medium kernels, with the
exception of the superior Wells lots. Those lots showed a 1.5 percentage point
decrease in head rice yields of thick kernels.The head rice yields of medium
thickness kernels followed the same pattern of milled rice yields.For superior
lots, head rice yields of medium kernels were significantly greater than
unfractioned rice, while for inferior lots, head rice yields of medium kernels
were statistically equivalent to those of unfractioned rice.
In superior lots, head rice yields of thick kernels trended
greater than unfractioned rice while inferior lots were less than unfractioned
rice.Trends for milling yields across the three thickness fractions may be
explained by the associated physical properties.
Bulk densities of thin kernels were significantly less than those of medium and thick kernels.
Bulk densities of thin kernels were significantly less than those of medium and thick kernels.
This is likely a result of more completely filled kernels and
greater relative mass of endosperm associated with the medium and thick
kernels.For chalkiness, the overall trend was a reduction in chalkiness with
increased kernel thickness.The fissured kernel percentage varied by cultivar,
increasing with increased thickness fraction for both Wells lots, while no
differences were observed in the XL753 variety.
Conclusions
Thickness grading of rough rice resulted in fractions with distinct properties. For all lots, there was a trend of increasing milled rice yield with increasing kernel thickness. Head rice yields did not necessarily follow the same trend.While head rice yields of medium kernels were greater than those of thin kernels for all lots, head rice yields of thick kernels tended to be less than medium kernels due to increased fissured kernels in the thick fractions.Milled rice yield was significantly linked to bulk density.
However, head rice yields were linked to physical properties
primarily kernel defects such as chalkiness and fissured kernel
percentage.Thickness grading of long grain rough rice could concentrate chalky
and fissured kernels and partition them into alternative processing streams,
thereby improving the milling yields.
http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/Features/2015/08/Rice_Thickness_Grading.aspx?ID=%7B4DF24E84-2F3D-4ED3-A330-69892EC84841%7D&cck=1
http://bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=alleged-fake-rice-was-contaminated&id=113028
USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Begin RCPP Project Implementation
Application Form
It's time
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Monday, USA Rice and
Ducks Unlimited (DU) will officially kick off implementation of their Regional
Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) joint project, "Sustaining the
Future of Rice", that was announced in January 2015.RCPP is funded through
the 2014 Farm Bill and administered by the USDA's Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS). The USA Rice-DU project matches private and
federal funding to help pay for conservation work completed through NRCS's
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship
Program (CSP).USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited were awarded $10 million in Federal
funding with $6.8 million contributed by nearly 40 partner organizations and businesses.
"Our two organizations have worked very
hard over the last year-and-a-half to make sure this project is a
success," said Jeff Durand, a Louisiana rice grower and the USA Rice
chairman of the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Stewardship Partnership. "It's
important that as many rice farmers sign-up and submit applications as possible
this year to make sure they get a chance to participate."
California rice grower and the Ducks Unlimited
chairman of the partnership, Al Montna, echoed his enthusiasm for the project."We
cannot stress enough the close relationship between waterfowl and the rice
industry and how much they need each other," he said. "What's good
for rice is good for ducks, and vice versa, and the RCPP is a natural fit for
our vital conservation efforts. We look forward to continuing this strong,
successful partnership beyond this first project."
Next week's implementation will begin with
sign-ups opening for EQIP applications for ricelands in Arkansas and
Mississippi. Applications will be due to local NRCS offices in qualifying
counties by October 16, 2015 to be ranked and awarded funding."This is a
two-year project, but funding is limited and we want to ensure farmers have
enough time to install the necessary EQIP practices," said Durand.The
other four states covered by the partnership: California, Louisiana, Missouri,
and Texas, will begin their EQIP sign-ups later this fall. Sign-up for CSP is
set to begin in each of the six rice states late in 2016.
Contact: Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475
USA Rice Briefs Grand Prairie Region Rice Farmers
on Export Opportunities, Challenges
Marvin Lehrer
Lehrer leading a
retail tour in Mexico in 2013
STUTTGART,
ARKANSAS - This week USA Rice's Marvin Lehrer was the principal speaker at the
annual RiceTec appreciation dinner held here at the Grand Prairie Center. Nearly ninety local rice farmers attended the
event to hear about the opportunities and challenges in moving rice to the key
nearby markets of Mexico, Cuba, Central America, and Colombia.
"Mexico
remains the top market for U.S.-grown rice, but we need to focus on promoting
U.S. rice as s a high quality, consistent, and safe product to ensure we hold
on to our market share," Lehrer said.Lehrer turned his attention to Cuba,
an exciting market he knows well. "The Cuban market will take some time,
but all the signs from Havana and Washington point to changes over the next
several years that will result in U.S. rice again appearing in Cuban
homes," he said. "USA Rice, bolstered by support from the industry,
continues to lead efforts in that direction."
Discussing other
markets in the region, Lehrer stated, "Colombia is a resounding success
story and a great example of how well-executed trade agreements can create new,
vibrant markets for us." "We appreciate USA Rice's strong efforts in
opening markets, promoting our product and being with us to inform farmers of
developments in the key export markets," said Wes Long, District Sales
Manager, RiceTec.
Contact: Chuck
Wilson (870) 509-1200TDRI
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
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TDRI suggests rice research centre
Thai market share gouged by Vietnam
Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)
fellows are urging the government to establish a Rice Market Development
Institute to enhance scientific research, disseminate credible information to
farmers and entrepreneurs and improve the competitiveness of Thai rice
cultivation.Nipon Poapongsakorn, a distinguished fellow at the TDRI, said a
finalised proposal will be submitted to the Commerce Ministry after discussions
at a seminar yesterday. It wants the ministry to forward the proposal to the
National Rice Policy Committee and the cabinet for deliberation."We prefer
this institute is established during this government's tenure because elected
governments are interested in subsidies, and there would be no interest in
long-term research development," he said.
Thailand is losing its market share in the
global rice market, especially for high-quality rice, because of fierce
competition from Vietnam, which offers a variety of rice types at a lower price
than Thailand, said Mr Nipon.He said Thai rice farmers and small and
medium-sized entrepreneurs had a hard time receiving credible rice market
information, hindering their decision-making. A lack of public research on the
rice market also hurts Thai rice competitiveness."Thailand has never had
any research on rice marketing and there is no major programme dedicated to
rice research. If research on how chemistry can induce softness into different
rice types is successful, it would boost sales," said Mr Nipon.He said the
institute could disseminate information on rice output, market demand, climate
forecast and laws in importing and exporting countries. It could also connect
private and public players both domestically and overseas, said Mr Nipon.
The institute should be set up as a foundation
to prevent political interference and foster flexible management, he said,
citing the Thai Tapioca Development Institute as an example. Mr Nipon said it
should be chaired by the commerce permanent secretary to facilitate cooperation
with the bureaucracy and receive government funding for its first six years,
after which it should be self-sufficient.
He envisions a committee of seven members
representing relevant sectors.A study concluded creating such an institute
would incur medium-term benefits estimated at 16.8 billion baht compared with
investment capital of 2 billion baht over the initial six years, said Asst Prof
Isriya Bunyasiri of the agricultural and resource economics department of
Kasetsart University.Rice marketing research is not meant to be used to compete
with Thailand's rice producers, but rather for genetic research and processing
procedures to improve the quality of exports, increasing Thailand's rice market
share, she said.Political interference in Thai public entities
dictates the institute must be an independent organisation, said Mr
Nipon.
link:http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/647244/tdri-suggests-rice-research-centre.
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