Tuesday, September 08, 2015

7th September (Monday),2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

News Headlines...
·         Rich harvest for TN farmer from drip irrigation
·         Essequibo rice millers owe farmers over $632m
·         News Shared by PhilRice
·         Uneven Rain Mars Paddy Cultivation
·         Rice Finds A Welcome Home In Wisconsin Paddies
·         Price rice of commodities flayed
·         Vietnam finds new direction for rice industry
·         Recipe: Tandoori fish with saffron rice
·         Nigerians Gasp Over High Inflation Prices Of Frozen Foods, Fish, Rice SoarPH finalizing rice import plan ahead of El Niño
·         Exports of 10 key agriculture products including coffee, rice in negative zone in July
·         Cambodia's rice exports up 46 pct in 8 months
·         Flood destroys 200 rice farms in Jigawa
·         New Thai rice auction draws 33 buyers to compete
·         Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
·         Rice Production in Arkansas
News Detail...

Rich harvest for TN farmer from drip irrigation

LN REVATHY
COIMBATORE, SEPTEMBER 7:  
Farmers in Govindapuram village, a small hamlet in Dharapuram, Tirupur district have proved that three crops (including rice) can be raised in a year under limited water conditions using drip irrigation.One among them – M Parthasarathy was recently identified for the Innovative Rice Farmer Award, conferred by the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad.He was among the 30 farmers from 16 States across the country to be nominated for the award.Incidentally, Parthasarathy’s guide BJ Pandian, Director, Water Technology Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, said: “growing rice under drip irrigation is a new concept, tested and promoted for adoption by WTC.”Parthasarathy introduced the drip irrigation for rice in a cropping system approach.He raised onion between April – June using drip system, followed by maize between July – September and cultivated rice using the same system in October – February.
(This article was published on September 7, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rich-harvest-for-tn-farmer-from-drip-irrigation/article7625562.ece

Essequibo rice millers owe farmers over $632m

Essequibo rice millers owe Region Two farmers over $632m and the head of the rice board says that the government has made good on all payments so there should be no problem.The government on Thursday released the names of five millers in Region 2 who owe paddy farmers in excess of $632M from the spring crop of this year. The government in a GINA release stated that it “empathises” with the farmers’ frustrations.The government called on Wazeer Hussain of Dry Shore/KSCL to pay out $285,360,540; Ramesh Ramlakhan of Ex-Mouth, $156,584,455; Deonaraine (Evergreen), $135,000,000; Old Mac Guyana Inc, $28,300,000 and La Resource Rice Industry, $27,600,000 owed to farmers.Speaking to farmers, Stabroek News was told that a gathering was held on Thursday outside http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/09/07/essequibo-rice-millers-owe-farmers-over-632m/

News Shared by PhilRice


National Rice R&D to highlight climate change, competitiveness
Around 500 researchers, scientists, members of the academe, students, and farmers will gather at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija for the 28th National Rice R&D Conference, 9-10 September.With the theme, Rice science and technologies for climate change, resiliency, and competitiveness, the conference will bring together some of the brightest minds in the Philippine rice R&D to discuss the latest and cutting-edge innovations in the rice industry.
Dennis G. Dela Torre of the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance will serve as the keynote speaker of the conference.  De La Torre is a consultant of the House of Representatives Special Committee on Climate Change and was former Chief for Research and Policy Development of the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines.
Among the papers to be presented are Coping with Climate Change in the Philippines: Advancements and Challenges in Rice R&D by Dr. Ricardo F. Orge, and Coping with Water Scarcity while Improving Productivity by Dr. Frisco M. Malabanan.
Speakers will expound on the Philippine rice sector’s status and prospects for competitiveness, and rice science, systems and technologies, and promotion for competitive, sustainable, resilient and efficient rice-based farming.
Several high-profile presentations on highly relevant topics will be presented. Dr. Flordeliza Bordey will talk about her study titled Game Changer: Is Philippine rice ready to compete globally? while Dr. Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang will explain the project Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM): An operational system for rice monitoring to support decision-making towards increased rice production in the Philippines.
The R&D projects in support of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program of the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with international and national organizations will also be highlighted.
New PhilRice knowledge products will be launched including the rice technology handouts, climate change kit for farmers and impact videos.
The conference consists of paper and poster presentations will focus on integrated topics in four thematic areas: rice germplasm, grain quality and nutrition, and breeding for improving yields and resistance to stresses; crop management options and high value-added products for increasing productivity and efficiency; technologies, systems, tools, and information for efficient rice-based farming, and reducing climate change effects; technology promotion, partnerships, and impacts on farm productivity and sustainability.
Four plenary sessions and 41 papers for concurrent sessions will be presented along with over 100 technical posters for viewing.
This year, PhilRice added Experts’ Discussion on Rice R&D and Industry Trends and Opportunities and invited several scientists and experts as part of the panel. The new innovation is part of the plenary session on the second day of the conference.
IT students develop soil series app
Agriculturists can soon analyze soil properties through their mobile phones.  Information Technology students from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) developed “SoilMate," a mobile application that can show soil properties, color groups, and productivity.The app has a Geographic Positioning System or GPS feature that can locate the origin of the soil. Starting off within the provinces in Central Luzon, it is expected to guide agriculturists, farmers and researchers to identify the soil series in a specific location through simple steps.Janndel Rosario, Gengee Madarang, and Ramon Rama of CLSU developed the app under the Enclosed Field Category aimed at creating or enhancing an app from PhilRice. The app was based on the guidebook Simplified Keys to Soil Series produced by the Institute.SoilMate was the grand winner in the 2nd AgriHackathon, an application development competition, organized by the Information Systems Division (ISD) of PhilRice.Once fully developed, users can also use the app to identify soil properties and soil management recommendations.
The developers acknowledged that this kind of app is highly technical and needs crowdsourcing. But with guidance from PhilRice, the students hope that they can come up with a solid app that can significantly help our farmers and experts in soil management.Compared to hardcopy literatures of the soil series, ISD Head Jovino De Dios said that a digital version like a mobile app has a higher potential in terms of accuracy on soil identification and analysis.Meanwhile, “Digital Leaf Color Analyzer” won the Open Category developed by Mark Angelo Pitogo, Kier Joseph Navarro, and Roberto Ross Melgar from the Asian Institute of E-Commerce, Gapan City. The app creates a digital leaf color chart using an RGB sensor.
In the Battle Field Category (game development), a time-based simulator called “Purantochi” won first place. The game provides basic knowledge on raising and caring a plant. It was developed by John Walter Galicia, John Carlo Inocencio, Lemuel Ignacio, and Marc Martin from CLSU.“AgriHackathon is our way to gather new ideas and innovations from various groups to create an efficient agricultural information system that we can use in our research and development initiatives,” De Dios said.The competition was sponsored by Smart Communications, S1 Technologies, Microsoft Philippines, PowerNet, and Mobility.
Piolo Pascual is new 'RICEponsible' ambassador
Multi-awarded actor, recording artist, endorser, and producer Piolo Pascual joins the nationwide call for responsible rice consumption as the new RICEponsible Ambassador.  Pascual on 20 August, pledged to promote the advocacies of the Be RICEponsible campaign such as the consumption of brown rice and rice mixed with corn or other staples, appreciation of our farmers’ hard work, and the non-wastage of rice that would all contribute to the country’s rice self-sufficiency stride.During the photo and video shoot at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Pascual expressed his excitement and gratitude in this new undertaking.“Culturally, we love to eat rice. It’s disappointing to know the facts on how much rice is wasted every year. I think it’s about time for us to do something about it. The best way for me to help is by using my influence to send out awareness for people to really value rice in this country,” Pascual said.
He added that he regularly eats brown rice as part of his diet to keep him fit and healthy.Pascual will promote the Be RICEponsible advocacy in photos and videos that will be shown in print advertisements, television, radio and social media. He also committed to personally promote it through his social media accounts,  sing the campaign song, and attend the campaign events as much as he can.According to Hazel V. Antonio, director of the Be RICEponsible campaign, Pascual was chosen because he is a health and wellness icon who embodies the advocacies of the campaign.
“Piolo’s influence to the public can help encourage more Filipinos to be RICEponsible to their bodies and to our country,” she said.Taking off from the National Year of Rice in 2013, the Be RICEponsible is an advocacy campaign that promotes responsible rice consumption by encouraging Filipinos not to waste rice, eat healthier forms of rice, and by valuing the hard work of our farmers.

Uneven Rain Mars Paddy Cultivation

By Express News Service
Published: 07th September 2015 06:43 AM
Last Updated: 07th September 2015 06:43 AM

JHARSUGUDA: The cultivation of paddy in the district has been delayed due to scanty and uneven distribution of rain during the last few months. Farmers are staring at a drought-like situation with the rain playing truant.Cultivation has not been started in several areas of Lakhanpur block. While the farm fields have developed cracks, cultivable land in the block has turned into grazing ground for the cattle. The farmers of the block have urged the Tehsildar to declare Bhanarkhol panchayat and other villages as drought affected.

Agricultural Department sources said the district received 199.14 mm rainfall in June against the normal of 218.8 mm while in July, against the normal rainfall of 385.88 mm, the district received 480.9 mm. The district got 275.4 mm against normal rainfall of 382.9 mm in August. But, due to unequal distribution pattern of rainfall and erratic behaviour of monsoon, paddy cultivation in the region has been severely affected.Similarly, farm work has been halted midway in other blocks of the district due to lack of adequate rain. At many places, large tracts of cultivable land are lying unused with farmers waiting for sufficient rain to start farm work. At some places where farmers had gone for broadcasting after first spell of rain, they are now trying hard to save their crops.
Sources said the district administration had targeted paddy cultivation in 42,600 hectares (ha) of land during current kharif season. Of the targeted area, local paddy was planned to be raised in 100 ha, high yield variety in 42,200 ha and hybrid varieties in 300 ha of land. However, cultivation has been undertaken only in 14,875 ha of land.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Uneven-Rain-Mars-Paddy-Cultivation/2015/09/07/article3014738.ece

Rice Finds A Welcome Home In Wisconsin Paddies

SEPTEMBER 07, 2015 4:32 PM ET
Marquette University scientist Michael Schläppi grows rice in paddies on his lab's rooftop.
Michael Schläppi
A Marquette University molecular biologist is experimenting with growing rice in the Midwest.In the U.S., most rice is grown in Arkansas and California. But with drought conditions in California and the uncertain impacts of climate change, scientist Michael Schläppi has been trying to grow the water-intensive crop in a Wisconsin lab and field.Four years ago, Schläppi began stress-testing rice using special climate-controlled growth chambers here in his Marquette University lab.
iNaoki Shimoyama helps Michael Schläppi dig rice paddies 30 miles north of the Marquette lab in May.
Michael Schäppi
"The main thing is that I'm testing whether they actually flower here, set seeds and the seeds can be harvested on time before winter, before it gets too cold. And then also to measure what the actual yield is," Schläppi says.He slogged through more than 200 varieties of rice — from Australia to Uzbekistan — before hitting on the most promising few. He subjected those to real Wisconsin weather on the rooftop paddies he constructed outside his lab. Planting, this year, started in April."It's a lot warmer than last year. But they survived, they all survived. They flowered when they were supposed to flower. So they can do it," he says. "This line, which is a Russian line, is the one that I think we can grow here in Wisconsin."It's called Krasnodarsky 3352.
One month later, Schläppi expanded his experiment by digging out paddies on a third of an acre on a farm 30 miles north of campus. Schläppi plunks his germinated seedlings in their watery new home. Their bright green shoots gently sway in the breeze. He wove experimentation into his design; Schläppi planted both seeds and seedlings and tested flooded and unflooded paddy systems.Stephen Petro manages this 40-acre farm, a smidgen of which Schläppi occupies. Small-scale urban farmers cultivate the rest, growing vegetables and flowers to sell at market in Milwaukee.Many of those renting land emigrated from Laos, where growing rice is a way of life. Petro says they're watching Schläppi's experiment with keen interest.
"A big thing for a lot of our farmers is there's a cultural component of bringing something that they grew up doing and that they haven't done ... maybe for 30 years back into their lives," Petro says.The bulk of summer passes and September arrives at the farm. Dragonflies light on fully grown paddies.Schläppi says despite an occasional leak and some weed encroachment, plants flowered and rice is forming. He hasn't harvested the crop yet, but Schläppi is already plotting to expand his experiment to a full acre."I should get about 8,000 pounds of rice on an acre, and this Krasnodarsky variety can do that," he says. "It's almost made for Wisconsin."Susan McCouch, professor of plant breeding and genetics at Cornell University, sees promise in Schläppi's experiment.
"This is what I do for a living is to try to understand the genetic attributes the different varieties that are needed for the future might have. Since the climate is becoming less predictable, it's hard to know what the farmers of the future will need in terms of the traits that will enable the crops to be productive and to provide a really healthy food base for this enormous global population," she says.McCouch says scientists like Schläppi with his farmers in Wisconsin could play a crucial role in helping to provide food for that population.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/09/07/438249071/rice-finds-a-welcome-home-in-wisconsin-paddies

Price rice of commodities flayed

Mahila Congress members staging a demonstration in Ramanathapuram on Monday.Photo: L. BALACHANDAR
The district Mahila Congress unit of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee staged a demonstration protesting against rise in prices of essential commodities and demanding total prohibition in the State.As part of the statewide agitation, the demonstration was held at Aranmanai here on Monday. Congress district president ‘Goodluck’ Rajendran and Mahila Congress district president Sagunthala Devi led the protest.They raised slogans against the Central and State governments for failing to check the prices of essential commodities, especially onion under check.Middle and lower middle class people struggled as they had to spend more on the essentials month after month, they said. The protestors also demanded that the State government impose total prohibition in the state and condemned the “move to cripple” women self-help groups. For the women folk, self-help groups provided the livelihood and helped to supplement the family income, they added.
Vietnam finds new direction for rice industry
After 30 years of renovation, Vietnam has obtained great achievements to become one among two top rice exporters in the world. However, rice productivity has reached its peak while the world supply has been increasing forcing the country to find new development direction for this industry. Vietnam has managed to improve rice quality (Photo: SGGP)
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam now exports about 6-7 million tons of rice a year with a turnover of US$2.6-2.8 billion.Professor Vu Van Viet, deputy director of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, said rice production has expanded in area and output not in processing to improve the grain value. Post harvest loss has been high and the most concern is that productivity has reached its peak and been difficult to further increase.
Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, head of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that Vietnam’s rice production has showed signs of less competitiveness than other emerging markets such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia and has been behind traditional producers like India and Thailand.The most weakness of Vietnamese rice is from quality, which has mainly accessed easy markets such as the Philippines and Africa with low export price, which is US$10-15 lower than Thai rice price a ton of the same variety.
Post harvest loss hits 13 percent while it is only 6.1-9.1 percent in Thailand and 6 percent in India, he analyzed.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported difficulties in rice exports since early this year. In August, the export turnover reduced 13.1 percent over the same period last year.Mr. Tran Manh Bao, director general of Thai Binh Seed Company, said despite of export slowdown businesses still have to ask permission to export. In addition, rice land area allocation limit of 3 hectares to a household has been a barrier for farmers who want to attend in large scale production models.
More drastic restructuring
At meetings on agricultural development towards higher added value and sustainable development, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said agricultural restructuring should improve rice value and quality instead of expanding volume and output to improve competitiveness at this time.The ministry has determined that rice would continue to be strength of the agricultural industry.The Government has also set a target to maintain 3.8 million hectares of rice land in an overall plan by 2020, visions till 2030.A national plan should be mapped out to define where rice areas would be for exports, where for local consumption and where would be converted into other crops, say experts.
The Prime Minister has recently permitted to shift part of rice area in the Mekong Delta into maize and other fruit trees with higher value than rice, which Minister Cao Duc Phat said a right policy that not only ensure rice area under planning but also convert new crops back to rice cultivation when necessary.Professor Tran Van Khoi, deputy director of the National Agricultural Promotion Center, said that rice growers have been short of knowledge especially market information.Therefore, it is necessary to improve their awareness of goods production, build a stronger connectivity between farmers and businesses, businesses and businesses from production to consumption phase, and attract investors to agriculture, he suggested.Rice production should be reorganized focusing on developing high quality varieties and Vietnamese rice brand names.Besides, authorized agencies should simplify procedures for rice exporters, preventing interests
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/National/2015/9/115224/

Recipe: Tandoori fish with saffron rice

Banu Kumar, the executive chef of Hues Boutique Hotel in Dubai, shares his secret recipe

Image Credit: Supplied
Tandoori fish with saffron rice.
Published: 14:24 September 7, 2015
By Banu Kumar

INGREDIENTS

King fish fillet (thinly sliced), 350gms/3 pieces
Lemon juice, 70ml
Ginger garlic paste, 25 gms
Salt to taste
Chile powder, 1.5 tsp
Garam masala powder, ½ tsp
Vegetable oil, 125 ml
Basmati rice, 125 gms
Saffron, a pinch
Bay leaf, 2 pieces 

METHOD

1. Add lemon juice and salt to the sliced king fish fillet and leave for 15 minutes.
2. Prepare a marinade of lemon juice, vegetable oil, ginger garlic paste chili powder, Garam masala and salt. Dip the fish in the marinade and refrigerate for two hours.
3. Clean and soak the rice for 20 minutes. In a vessel, heat the oil and add bay leaf, the drained rice and saffron and add water sufficient to cook the rice. Allow to cook for 25 to 30 minutes.
4. Take out the king fish. Roll up firmly and tie with a kitchen thread
5. Pre-heat the oven to 200C, and roast the fish for 15 minutes, basting once or twice with oil
6. Serve the cooked saffron rice with tandoori fish
Gulf News

NEW FOREX POLICY: Nigerians Gasp Over High Inflation Prices Of Frozen Foods, Fish, Rice Soar

By: Our Features Desk   11:49 Am, September 7, 2015

Inside the pots and on most tables across the country, rice, frozen food items like turkey, chicken, gizzards, sausage etc form the contents in most homes. These are some of the food imported meats and grains most Nigerians depend upon for sustenance. Now, at the first hint of the dollar squeeze and restriction over importation of most of the food items, many homes are lamenting that the new forex policy has caused panic inflation that is pricing the meats and rice out of their reach.Daily Times investigation revealed that the restriction has sent the prices of the items up by more than 35 percent in major markets in the city of Lagos from late July to date … and the prices are still rising.

Trust the Nigerian opportunistic system. Barely hours after the FG announcement, the Nigerian Customs and Immigration personnel which had been having field days seizing and confiscating such imports smuggled across the border started a fresh campaign, such that local traders coming in with few cartons of frozen foods or just few bags of rice fell victims in the hands of customs and immigration officials.David Adesanya, one of the major frozen foods dealers at Ikorodu main market mourns that the decision to ban these food items is a negative one that is having adverse effect on Nigerians. He told our correspondent that the hardship importers of the stuffs go through to bring the products into the country was a nightmare before now.
“The major challenge we face is with Custom officials; most times they seize the goods at will and don’t return them to us; sometimes we are compelled by them to pay almost the same price as the seized goods before we get them.“Now, with this new ban, the problem has quadrupled, causing scarcity of the products and as you know, when there is scarcity, there is bound to be a rise in prices,” he said.The price hike is so uniform in all the markets, with insignificant variation that you would think the whole traders in the city had held a meeting to peg the prices.Mrs. Comfort Okorocha, a housewife who had spent hours in the market but unable to buy much, lamented the sharp increase in what she called ‘essential food items’ her family needs to survive.
“The house keeping money my husband gives to me was barely manageable before; now this new policy of a thing has worsen the situation for me. How am I going to manage? My husband has stretched himself to give us what he gets and it would be unreasonable to press him for more.“The prices of all the food items I buy for the upkeep of the family have almost double in some cases. What kind of change is this?” Comfort queried.
A cross section of traders who spoke with Daily Times lamented that the ban may lead to food crisis in Nigeria; saying that most traders that import the banned items have had their goods worth millions of naira confiscated by custom officials.One major raw foodstuffs merchant at Mile 12 market, Obinna Chibuike disclosed that since the federal government publicly announced the ban on importation of certain food items into the country, the traders were forced to jerk the prices so as to cover up for expenses incurred from custom officials and transportation.“I can tell you that since the federal government disclosed their intention to ban importation of food items, importers were forced to increase the prices of such commodities so that they can recover expenses incurred from Custom men while bringing the items into the country,” said he.
Our investigation also revealed that the new policy has caused the quantity of frozen food items like turkey, fish, shrimps, gizzard and prawns that dealers used to import to drop drastically, further causing a price hike.Two major hubs of frozen foods, Orile and Suru-Alaba markets sold one carton of the products at a uniform price of N10,000 up from N7,500 (for turkey) and N9,500 up from N7,000 for chicken.One kilogram of turkey that sold for N750 now sells for N1,000 while chicken sells for N900 up from N700 in the same market as you read this.The cold stores dotted along Oshodi Expressway had only two cold stores with limited stock of the items.
One Nogozie Okereke, a housewife who was there to window shop told our correspondent she used to buy frozen turkey for her family because it was cheap. “But now I don’t buy at all because the prices have gone beyond my reach. I only came today to see if the price may have come down but it has not. Now I make do with meat or fish which also are not cheap.“It would be helpful if our government can create a form of intervention so that those who are trading in this frozen food business can take up livestock production,” Nogozie said.
Rice importation syndicate
MD/CEO of Topman Progress Resources, the big time raw foodstuffs merchant who lost about N1.5 million to the Idimu inferno last June threw some light into the networking syndicate of rice importers and what they (the buyers) are facing in the light of the new policy.“The price of Thailand brand of parboiled rice for example, has shot up since the forex restriction announcement. Most importers are not selling the stock they have at hand; they are hoarding it in the hope that the pressure will force a further increase in price and the strategy is working for them. Every passing day they add money to the cost of a bag of rice of 50kg bag.”A big time bulk buyer, Onomor recently booked and paid for four trailer loads of 600 bags each but had a surprise waiting when he went to take delivery:
“I had paid for four trailer loads at the rate of N7,200 per bag; but when I went to collect, news of the forex restriction and ban on some items came. Because of that the company released only one trailer load at the price I had paid; the remaining three I was forced to pay N500 extra on each bag before they released them to me.
“Now, if you calculate N500 x 600 bags x 3 trailer loads, you will understand what we’re going through. Of course the increase is much; I couldn’t pay at once but before they had the chance to increase again I raised money quickly and collected the remaining three. Just yesterday, I wanted to buy two more trailer loads but they could only give me one.”While some shops sell a 50kg bag for upwards of N12,000, Onomor still stems his price at N8,900 per bag, and for a humane reason:
“Because of the long term customer relationship I have with my suppliers, I can still sell at N8,900 per bag. Some people are selling higher than that.”
Future of rice importation
“Difficult to say because things can change anytime, but one thing is that as far as food is concerned, there can be no stable price, and once it goes up, it takes a very long struggle to come down again. Now the sudden increase and the cost goes to the retail buyer … the common, ordinary man and woman who buys in cups or in small kgs.”
The bleak future
“Food is not like clothes or cars,” Onomor said; “It is a consumable that is essential and compulsory for the rich and the poor. People must eat every day whether you’re on the sick bed or healthy.“So no matter the cost, people will buy but I am afraid what will happen if this situation is allowed to continue. My worry is in the area of crime: to minimise crime, food must not be priced out of peoples’ reach, because a hungry man is not only an angry man, he or she is unpredictable. People will device one crooked way or the other to survive; that is my fear.”
Stockpile
“There is no stockpiling at the price they are selling to us now; besides, no matter what you buy, people will buy it all up because people must eat.”
Beans
“We do not import beans; all of them are sourced locally, but even sourcing it has been risky and difficult for many years because of the Boko Haram problems in the North.“All the areas we buy beans now are in the far North generally but especially at Yobe, Maidugury (Borno State), and Adamawa especially. Because of the harassment of insurgents most of them have fled their farms. This has greatly limited the quantity of beans we can buy at high risk to ourselves.”Gari is not left out of the rising scale. Our correspondent gathered that a bag of 70kg was selling for N5,000 before but has risen to N7,000, depending on the bag of course.Cotonou gari is N8,500 now; the Nigerian gari (Ijebu) gari is N7,000. Onomor said he doesn’t sell much of Delta yellow gari because it is difficult to preserve long enough to sell out.
“On the rice market, the situation is worrisome, but you know that a business man is there to make money; unfortunately, the instability and the state of the economy generally gives the business man better grounds to make more money.” Onomor said.“We have one problem though, the rising cost has forced us to reduce the quantity we buy; instead of buying 100 bags for example, we come down to buying just 50 for nearly the price of the 100. However our confidence is that the price of rice, no matter how high always settles itself, so to speak.”
Of local Abakiliki and Ofada rice
”People have issues with Abakaliki rice because it contains stones so the market for it is very low. If you buy it into your store, you’re on your own.“But Ofada rice is far more expensive than imported parboiled rice. The last time I sold it, one 50kg bag of ofada was N25,000, and that was a long time ago and, before I could sell it, it tied my money down for a long time. Even if you sell one derica of it at N500 you will not make any profit on it.“I don’t know what’s so special about it; most customers don’t go for it anyway so I don’t bother with it. I have not even tasted it one day because anything that costs too much is not my friend. I want to put smiles on the faces of my customers. If I begin to sell a kilo of rice for about N200, you will see the pain in the faces of the people and I don’t like it.
However, some sections of stakeholders see the move by the federal government as timely. A lawyer and public affairs analyst, Barrister G. P. James gave kudos to the FG for the initiative which he said has long been overdue.“The new federal government import policy on foodstuffs is the best way to stem the pressure of the dollar over our Naira.
If you want dollars to transact your business, the policy says, go and fill Form M, pay in your Naira and they give you the dollars. FG has enough dollars so you don’t have to go and mop up dollars from the black market.“If importers want to follow government rules, the forex policies should not cause increase in prices of basic things like foods, but if this government can implement it forcefully, importers will have to play the importation game by the rules. Nigerians must learn to discipline ourselves if this change must work.”

PH finalizing rice import plan ahead of El Niño


September 6, 2015 9:37 pm
by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ


THE interagency Food Security Committee (FCS) is expected to finalize next week its rice importation plan as part of preparations for a possible worst-case scenario in rice production due to the looming El Niño, which could mean a prolonged drought ahead, the National Food Authority (NFA) said.“We need to prepare our supply early so we will not play catch up,” NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay said in a text message.

Dalisay said that the FSC may allow the NFA Council to go ahead with the 250,000 metric ton standby authority for the year.“I think initially they will probably recommend utilizing the 250,000 MT standby authority, which has not been utilized,” he said.The NFA chief also said that discussions were still ongoing whether to schedule the arrival of the volume this year or next year, noting that the country still has adequate supply of the grains until December 2015.“But given the severity of El Niño, they [FSC] will give recommendations if we need to beef up the industry inventory until end of the year,” he added.
The NFA Council, through the recommendation of the FSC, approved a total of 1.8 million MT of rice imports this year – including the 500,000 MT of rice awarded to Thailand and Vietnam in February; the 250,000 MT for the lean season and 250,000 MT reserve volume; and the 805,200 MT private sector imports under the so-called minimum access volume.The approved grain importation still does not include the 300,000 MT under last year’s MAV which arrived earlier this year.Discussions on another round of importation came on the heels of lower production expectations this year as harvest areas contracted due to insufficient water supply and intense heat because of the El Niño phenomenon.

To recall, Philippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said that palay production for 2015 may reach 18.86 million MT, 0.6 percent below the 18.97 million MT output in 2014.In the January-June 2015 period alone, palay production was pegged at 8.32 million MT, which is 0.7 percent or 56 thousand MT lower than the 8.38 million MT output in 2014.
Significant reductions

“Significant reductions in output were noted in SOCCSKSARGEN, MIMAROPA, Caraga, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao,” PSA-BAS said.In SOCCSKSARGEN, the harvest area contracted due to delayed cropping in South Cotabato brought about by the closure of the NIA Aris Dam 2 for the rehabilitation of lateral canals. Also, some areas were damaged by the dry spell. Yield was lower due to insufficient water supply and damage by dry spell.In MIMAROPA, there were damaged areas due to intense heat, while insufficient water supply resulted in lower yield.
 There were reductions of harvest areas and yield in Caraga and Western Visayas due to insufficient water supply and intense heat during the reproductive stage of the crop.In Northern Mindanao, palay crop in some irrigated areas were totally damaged by the dry spell during reproductive stage in Bukidnon, while in Lanao del Norte some areas were not planted due to insufficient water supply. Yield decreased in Bukidnon due to insufficient supply of irrigation water and in Misamis Occidental, palay crop was infested by army worms.For the third quarter of 2015, PSA-BAS expects output to continue its downward trend as probable palay production and harvest area may decline by 0.5 percent and 0.8 percent from their respective levels in 2014. On the other hand, yield may improve from 4.01 MT per hectare to 4.02 MT, or by 0.3 percent.

Based on standing crop, the July- September 2015 production may drop by 14.5 percent from 3.03 million MT in 2014 to 2.59 million MT this year.“Except the Bicol Region, all regions expect decreases in production and harvest areas. These could be attributed to unrealized planting intentions as a result of delayed and inadequate release of irrigation water, late onset of the rainy season, and some areas left in-fallow. These were noted in Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Central Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula and SOCCSKSARGEN,” it said.

The improvement in yield could be traced to the high yielding technology adoption (HYTA) program of the government.On the other hand, farmers’ planting intentions for October-December 2015 production and harvest area indicate positive growth by 5.1 percent each when compared to their respective levels a year ago. Yield is expected to remain at 4.05 MT per hectare.“Production, harvest area and yield are expected to increase in several regions. There will be movement of cropping from the third quarter to the fourth quarter because of delayed plantings caused by insufficient supply of irrigation water and rainfall in the previous quarter. Significant increases in output are expected in Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and SOCCSKSARGEN,” the PSA-BAS said.
The NFA is under fire for the excessive importation of about 2.1 million metric tons of rice for 2015, which lawmakers said jeopardizes the livelihood of some six million farmers and agricultural workers nationwide.

‘Fatal consequences’

In House Resolution 2231, Bayan Muna Partylist Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate said the Department of Agriculture (DA) claimed the country has attained rice self-sufficiency, having a total rice stock inventory of 3.02 million metric tons as of June 1 this year.The figure was 30.9 percent above the 2.31 metric tons in June last year, records from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics showed.

Given the rice self-sufficiency figures provided by the DA, “the approval of excessive importation of a total of 2.1 million MT in rice imports for 2015 is highly irregular and doubtful,” Colmenares said.Colmenares said excessive importation would have fatal consequences to the farmers. Even NFA admitted that the importation would cause the farm-gate price of palay to go down from its current price of P17 per kilo, Colmenares said.The excessive importation would also affect the consuming public, Colmenares added.“The Aquino administration has been marred by its incapability to distribute rice leading to overstocking, which results not only in expiration of these stocks but in potential abuse and supply manipulation as well,” Colmenares said.

“This was the case during the sudden spike in the price of rice and other agricultural products during 2014. Seemingly, the government has not learned anything from that experience,” Colmenares said.The Aquino administration is likewise marred by slow rice distribution that is why, despite the record-setting importation, the consuming public did not benefit from sustainable rice inventories, particularly in the country’s critical areas, according to Colmenares.
Zarate noted that no less than President Aquino questioned the excessive rice importation during the Arroyo administration during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). “Yet,” Zarate said, “the situation worsened during his term.

”Zarate pushed for a congressional inquiry, saying, “It is the primordial duty of Congress to partake in measures or actions that would ensure not only food security to the public, but also their protection from those who try to abuse our resources.”Zarate said the House Committee on Agriculture and Food and the Special House Committee on Food Security should conduct an inquiry and summon officials of NFA, the Bureau of Customs and the Food Security Council to clarify issues relative to the importation and the country’s rice self-sufficiency.
Incoherent direction

“It is highly needed that the NFA, the BOC and the FSC be made to clarify whether or not the pronouncement made by Agriculture Secretary Prospero Alcala that the country is self-sufficient is true or not,” Zarate said.For its part, the Rice Watch and Action Network (R1) believes the reported importation of 2.1 million MT of rice was due to the incoherent direction of the government in addressing the rice problem, with two different agencies running the rice commodity.“The Department of Agriculture is focused more on raising productivity and incomes of farmers while the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agriculture Modernization, where the National Food Authority is currently linked, is just looking at the market side of the equation,” the group said.

R1 said that they have already raised in the FSC their concern for the very high target for importation set by the NFA, considering that the Philippine Statistics Authority reported an increase in rice output in the last season.“We are doubly alarmed that the NFA’s target importation does not even include the target for MAV,” it said, adding that oversupply of imported rice will spell the death of livelihood for local rice farmers and that traders will exploit this situation to drive the farmgate prices of palay at their lowest possible rate.“We believe that the government’s estimates of potential supply gap are without basis. The question is, who gained from this over-importation?”

Meantime, the prices of rice in the market remain at P37 to P45 pesos for kilo.“We received reports that the traders cornered the procurement of palay in the last season because the NFA focused on rice importation. We challenge the NFA to flood the market to press the prices down so that the consumers will benefit from the oversupply during the lean season,” they said.R1 still believes that a major leap in rice production is possible especially if the government will seriously implement its programs designed to achieve rice self-sufficiency.

http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-finalizing-rice-import-plan-ahead-of-el-nino/216661/

Exports of 10 key agriculture products including coffee, rice in negative zone in July

By PTI | 7 Sep, 2015, 03.45PM IST
In all, 10 out of 13 main agriculture products that are closely monitored by the Commerce Ministry, were in the negative zone in July.  NEW DELHI: Exports of as many as 10 agriculture products including coffee, rice, spices and tobacco have recorded negative growth in July due to contraction in prices in the global commodity market. Cereals, oil meals, oil seeds, fruits and vegetables, marine products, dairy and poultry products too recorded negative growth during the month, according to the Commerce Ministry.
 In all, 10 out of 13 main agriculture products that are closely monitored by the Commerce Ministry, were in the negative zone in July. Exporters body FIEO said that low prices of agri-produce in the global market is one of the main reason for India's declining exports. "Prices in the domestic market are much above the global prices making domestic market a better option than exports," said Ajay Sahai, DG & CEO of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). During the month, exports of rice, spices and tobacco declined by 6.7 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 3.41 per cent, respectively.
 Other products which have reported negative growth include other cereals (71.56 per cent), oil meals (43.81 per cent), oil seeds (30.98 per cent), fruits and vegetables (11.38 per cent) and meat, dairy & poultry products (7.34 per cent). Decline in these exports is a key factor for overall contraction in India's merchandise exports.
Agri-products account for over 10 per cent of the country's total exports. As per estimates, outbound shipments of agri-produce in 2010-11 amounted $17.35 billion; $27.43 billion in 2011-12; $31.86 billion in 2012-13 and about $45 billion in 2013-14. India's exports contracted for the eighth straight month by 10.3 per cent in July to $23.13 billion, pushing the trade deficit to $12.81 billion. In order to boost agri-exports, the Commerce Ministry is asking exporters to explore new markets and ship value-added products. Prices of soyameal, a variety of oilmeal, has decreased to $392 per tonne from $509 per tonne in August 2014.
"Our soyameal is costlier by about $100-125 per tonne in the last one year that is why we are outpriced in the global market," Solvent Extractors' Association Executive Directr B V Mehta said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/exports-of-10-key-agriculture-products-including-coffee-rice-in-negative-zone-in-july/articleshow/48856459.cms

Cambodia's rice exports up 46 pct in 8 months

 Saturday, 05 September 2015
 PHNOM PENH, (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported 342,136 tons of milled rice in the first eight months of 2015, an increase of 46 percent from the 233,859 tons over the same period of last year, according to the latest report on Saturday.Three top buyers of Cambodian rice are China, France and Poland, said the report released by the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export.From January to August this year, the country had sold 74,949 tons of rice to China, 45,493 tons to France, and 38,370 tons to Poland, it said, adding that types of exported rice include fragrant rice, white long grain, and parboiled long grain.The Southeast Asian nation produced over 9 million tons of paddy rice per year.
Last year, the country exported nearly 370,000 tons, earning a gross revenue of 247 million U.S. dollars, according to the Ministry of Commerce.In 2010, Cambodia launched a rice promotion strategy, setting a goal of exporting one million tons of milled rice by the end of 2015, however, Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol said early this year that it was unlikely to achieve the self-imposed target due to a lack of milling capacity and funding.
www.khmertimeskh.com/.../cambodia-s-rice-exports-up-46-pct-in-8-mo
Flood destroys 200 rice farms in Jigawa
September 6, 2015
 Flood washed away over 200 rice farms valued at N20 million in Warwade, Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, the village head, Ado Musa, has said.Mr. Musa made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Dutse on Sunday.He said the flood was a result of heavy rainfall caused by tributaries of the dam in the area.“All the rice we planted in over 200 farms at the bank of the dam was destroyed because the dam was overfilled with water.
“We lost rice of over N20 million because we planted on north, south, east and west sides of the dam and the water has submerged it all, and the fishes in dam were feeding on the rice day in day out,” he said.The village head recalled that it was predicted that low rainfall would be recorded in 2015, and as a result, farmers decided to plant the rice close to dam.According to him, the motive behind planting close to the dam is that the farmers can use it to water the rice in case of short rainfall as predicted.He pleaded with the government to assist the victims.

 

New Thai rice auction draws 33 buyers to compete

BY EDITORON 2015-09-07THAILAND
BANGKOK: — The Foreign Trade Department today invited exporters to bid for the sixth round of rice auction totalling 732,806 tons.By noon today, 33 companies showed interest in the auction and submitted their documents for qualification examination by the department. The rices put for auction comprises 10 types of rice, including 5% white rice, ,19% white rice, sticky rice, and jasmine rice.The Foreign Trade Department will announce names of the bidders who are qualified to enter the sixth round of rice auction tomorrow.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new-rice-auction-draws-33-buyers-to-compete
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/new-thai-rice-auction-draws-33-buyers-to-compete/113536/
Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
A comprehensive daily commodity market report for Arkansas agricultural commodities with cash markets, futures and insightful analysis and commentary from Arkansas Farm Bureau commodity analysts.
Noteworthy benchmark price levels of interest to farmers and ranchers, as well as long-term commodity market trends which are developing. Daily fundamental market influences and technical factors are noted and discussed.
Soybeans
High
Low
Cash Bids
889
814
New Crop
885
809


Riceland Foods


Cash Bids
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -
New Crop
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
885.50
877.00
877.25
-2.50
Nov '15
875.75
865.25
866.50
-3.00
Jan '16
879.75
868.75
869.75
-3.75
Mar '16
881.25
870.00
871.00
-3.50
May '16
881.75
872.25
873.00
-3.50
Jul '16
886.50
875.75
876.25
-3.50
Aug '16
885.25
875.00
875.75
-3.50
Sep '16
866.25
863.75
864.50
-3.50
Nov '16
869.75
859.25
859.75
-3.50

Soybean Comment

Soybeans closed lower again today. Soybeans were down 19-cents as the market continues to be pressured by turmoil in China. While things improved over the last couple of days U.S. markets remain fragile and continue to pressure commodity prices. Oil as well as other commodities continue weaken as a stronger dollar and prospects of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates remain a negative for most markets.


Wheat
High
Low
Cash Bids
330
330
New Crop
473
362


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
459.00
455.50
457.75
+1.25
Dec '15
469.75
463.00
467.75
+2.50
Mar '16
478.50
472.00
476.25
+2.50
May '16
484.25
477.75
482.25
+2.75
Jul '16
489.00
482.50
486.75
+2.50
Sep '16
498.25
493.00
496.00
+2.75
Dec '16
512.00
506.50
510.00
+2.50
Mar '17
520.75
+2.25
May '17
523.75
+2.00

Wheat Comment

Wheat price closed slightly higher today as the market continues to try and set a bottom. After losing 8-cents for the week, this week may have marketed a near term low for wheat. However, with slow exports and improving supply outlook we could see additional losses in the wheat market.


Grain Sorghum
High
Low
Cash Bids
367
323
New Crop
367
287



Corn
High
Low
Cash Bids
350
318
New Crop
360
324


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
350.75
346.75
349.50
+1.75
Dec '15
364.75
360.50
363.00
+1.50
Mar '16
376.25
371.75
374.50
+1.50
May '16
383.00
379.00
381.50
+1.50
Jul '16
388.25
384.25
386.50
+1.00
Sep '16
383.25
380.00
381.50
+0.50
Dec '16
391.25
387.00
388.25
+0.25
Mar '17
400.25
398.50
399.25
+0.50
May '17
406.00
405.50
405.75
+0.50

Corn Comment

Corn prices closed slightly higher today; however it was not enough to erase losses on the week as December closed down 12-cents on the week. Corn prices closed slightly higher as talk began to focus on the USDA lowering yields in the September 11 report. Corn prices continue to trade near the bottom of recent trading range and just a few cents above overall contract lows. Until demand picks up we could see prices stay low as it will likely take the USDA a few months to make meaningful adjustments to yields.


Cotton
Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
63
62.5
63.07
-0.05
Dec '15
62.86
62.42
62.62
-0.14
Mar '16
62.56
62.16
62.4
-0.1

Cotton Comment

Cotton futures ended a bit lower. Concerns about the Chinese economy continue to overshadow the smaller U.S. crop for now. From a technical perspective, December is attempting to consolidate just above support at 62 cents. A close below that level would bring the contract low of 61.20 back into play.


Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
1185.0
+5.5
Nov '15
1215.0
1205.5
1211.0
+5.0
Jan '16
1239.0
1235.5
1240.0
+5.0
Mar '16
1265.0
+6.0
May '16
1288.0
+6.5
Jul '16
1304.5
+6.5
Sep '16
1210.0
1210.0
1222.0
+12.5

Rice Comment

Rice futures were little changed today. The weekly export report showed 66,000 metric tons sold to foreign buyers today. USDA says that 26% of the crop had been harvested as of Sunday, August 29. Yield reports are disappointing for a lot of farmers so far this year, which could result in a reduced production total in the next report. November moved back above psychological resistance at $12 and is in position to test resistance around $12.25.


Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
141.250
140.250
140.525
-1.075
Dec '15
143.500
142.600
142.875
-1.000
Feb '16
143.425
142.475
142.775
-0.950
Apr '16
142.250
141.375
141.775
-0.900
Jun '16
134.175
133.300
133.750
-0.775
Aug '16
132.300
131.425
131.800
-0.800
Oct '16
134.500
133.500
133.700
-1.050
Dec '16
135.050
134.400
134.825
-0.950
Feb '17
134.925
-0.200
Feeders:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
202.200
200.900
201.150
-1.400
Oct '15
196.925
195.225
195.625
-1.700
Nov '15
194.000
192.275
192.925
-1.525
Jan '16
187.800
186.100
186.725
-1.475
Mar '16
184.675
183.350
183.925
-1.475
Apr '16
184.925
184.050
184.300
-1.450
May '16
184.325
183.350
183.925
-1.500
Aug '16
184.750
184.000
184.575
-1.675

Cattle Comment

Cattle prices ended the week with more losses today. For the week, live cattle prices were down $6 from last Friday and feeders were down almost $9 from last Thursday. Both markets gapped lower and could see additional losses in the coming weeks that would push both prices back to near contract lows.Hogs
Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
69.900
68.950
69.150
-0.300
Dec '15
64.275
63.225
63.375
-0.650
Feb '16
68.350
67.475
67.625
-0.425
Apr '16
72.000
71.300
71.500
-0.225
May '16
76.450
76.350
76.400
-0.250
Jun '16
80.000
79.450
79.450
-0.350
Jul '16
79.075
78.700
78.700
-0.275
Aug '16
78.475
77.850
77.875
-0.175
Oct '16
67.625
67.475
67.025
-0.450

Rice Production in Arkansas

Rice production reportedly began in Arkansas in 1902 with one acre of rice grown in Lonoke County. However, some historical records suggest that rice was grown in some parts of Arkansas prior to the Civil War.Official state records for rice production have been kept since 1905 for yields, harvested acres, and prices. Rice acreage gradually increased until 1955 when the first government acreage controls stabilized rice production on about 500,000 acres. Marketing quotas were lifted in 1974 and rice acreage increased, reaching a peak in 1981 at 1.54 million harvested acres, which was not surpassed until 1999.  The record harvested acreage for Arkansas was achieved in 2010 with 1.785 million acres. In 2014, Arkansas rice producers harvested 1,480,000 acres and tied the previous year's state average yield record of 168 bu/acre (7,550 lbs/acre).  While Arkansas has led the U.S. in rice acreage and production for years, the 2014 growing season marked the first time that Arkansas accounted for greater than 50% of the U.S. rice acreage and production.  Currently, rice is grown in 40 of the state's 75 counties and ranks as one of the top three crop commodities in cash receipts for Arkansas farmers.The Arkansas rice-producing area is primarily in the eastern one-half of the state. Rice is also produced in the Arkansas River Valley and in the Ouachita and Red River Valleys in southwest Arkansas. The state latitude range is from about 33° N where Arkansas borders Louisiana in the south to 36° 30´ N along the northern border shared with Missouri. The state longitude ranges from 89° 36´ W where Arkansas borders Tennessee and Mississippi to the east to 94° 36´ W along the western border shared with Oklahoma and Texas.

Rice Production Practices

Rice Research and Extension personnel are constantly working to refine and create new recommendations and practices to improve Arkansas rice 

http://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/rice/


Download/View On-Line the above News in pdf format,just click the following link





No comments:

Post a Comment