·
TCP scraps
rice tender
·
Pakistan has
sent a ship to Cuba today carrying 15000 thousand tons of rice to help Cuba
·
Protect rice
diversity before it is too late
·
Vietnam
hopeful about rice export in 2016
·
El Niño to
damage P21.8 billion worth of crops in first-half 2016
·
Irrigation
chief says drought worst in 22 years but there will be water for consumption
·
Nagpur
Foodgrain Prices Open-Feb 02
·
Protect rice
diversity before it is too late
·
Rice exports
increase sharply in January
·
DPM Somkid and
6 ministers visit Oman and Iran
·
Local Rice
Prices Climb Ahead of Chinese New Year
·
Rice Prices
·
02/02/2016
Farm Bureau Market Report
·
APEDA RICE
COMMODITY NEWS
·
Slovak Oyster
Supper -- Eat Good and Feel Good Doing It
·
Thru traffic
again
·
Hoarding
suspected as rice meant for PDS pile up with millers
News Detail...
TCP scraps rice tender
February 02, 2016
RECORDER REPORT
Following the directives of the federal government,
the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Monday announced that it has
cancelled the rice procurement tender. Last week, the state-run grain trader
invited fresh sealed bids (under Public Procurement Rules, 2004) from
companies/partnership/sole proprietors dealing in export of rice for purchase
of 15,000 tons long grain white rice (IRRI-6) on Cost and Free on Board (C&FoB)
basis up to the port of Cotonou, Benin, packed in polypropylene (PP) woven bags
as per provided specification.
As per the TCP announcement, the tender was to open on February 3, 2016, however, the state-run grain trader Monday cancelled the tender without quoting any reason. Sources said the tender has been cancelled on the directives of the ministry of commerce.
As per the TCP announcement, the tender was to open on February 3, 2016, however, the state-run grain trader Monday cancelled the tender without quoting any reason. Sources said the tender has been cancelled on the directives of the ministry of commerce.
Prime Minister Office of Islamic
Republic of : Pakistan has sent a ship to Cuba today carrying 15000 thousand
tons of rice to help Cuba in this hour of need....
02/01/2016
| 06:31am US/Eastern
Pakistan has sent a ship to Cuba today carrying
15000 thousand tons of rice to help Cuba in this hour of need . The decision
was taken under the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who is
reported to have said that Pakistan will extend all possible assistance and
help to Cuba. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is reciprocating Cuba with
the same good well spirit as Cuba did by sending teams of doctors during the
earthquake hit our country.The ship carrying the rice includes 10000 tons of
Irri 6 and 5000 tons of Basmati rice.
Prime Minister's Office of the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan issued this content on 17 January 2016 and is solely responsible
for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and
unaltered, on 01 February 2016 11:30:11 UTC
Protect
rice diversity before it is too late
Bharat Dogra
| 02 February, 2016
In
personal life it would be considered a huge tragedy if we lost an invaluable
treasure simply because its value was not realised in time. Yet at the national
level, we seem to be quite oblivious to the dangers of losing invaluable
biodiversity possibly for all times to come, as is evident from the highly
careless attitude towards the loss of numerous plant species at a rapid
pace.Nowhere is this callous neglect more evident than in the case of our most
important food crop - rice. India has been blessed with highly favourable
agro-climatic conditions in which diverse rice cultivation can flourish. These
favourable conditions were utilized by hundreds of generations of farmers to
nurture a fabulously rich diversity of rice varieties and cultivars, each of
these known to farmers of various regions for their numerous qualities.
With
the advance of formal disciplines of botany, agronomy, various life sciences
and agricultural research conducive opportunities should have been available to
use more advanced methods to protect this great heritage of rice varieties in
field conditions backed by scientific cataloguing and conservation.Unfortunately
what has happened is that instead of adopting protective policies to nurture
this bio-diversity with care, highly destructive policies were unleashed which
led to the loss of thousands of rice-varieties and their sub-varieties in field
conditions so that farmers now find it extremely difficult to get them.During
the last five decades the government supported by some international
institutions has put all resources into spreading exotic fertilizer responsive
dwarf varieties (mistakenly called HYVs). With the support of government
subsidies and extension efforts these have spread over a wide area despite
several problems including higher susceptibility to pests and diseases. This
has led to the ouster and loss of many valuable indigenous rice varieties.
This
tragic story started in 1965-66 at the time when the Central Rice Research
Institute (CRRI) Cuttack was ready with plans to improve rice cultivation
significantly using indigenous varieties. If these plans had succeeded, India
would have emerged as a world leader in rice, showing the path of eco-friendly
farming progress based on protection of bio-diversity. But this was not liked
by some international institutions who wanted to spread the exotic HYVs
dependent on high doses of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other expensive
agri-chemicals.On 15 March 1966 the director of CRRI wrote a confidential and
extremely important letter to the Director General, Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, Delhi. “The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Manila, has been sending a lot of rice experimental material from time to time
into this country”, this letter said, “and these are grown in several states.
It has come to my notice that most of this material are susceptible to a very
peculiar disease, not known to this country so far; it is suspected to be (a)
virus”.
Having
sounded this warning the author went on to state, “I may point out that in the
last Rice Research Workers’ Conference during November 1965, I.R. 9-60 has been
recommended as one of the donor parents for hybridization programme in the
various rice-growing states. But this material, as has already been reported
earlier, has been observed by me at CRRI and two other centres to be infected
with the yellowing disease at an early vegetative phase. I may also inform that
from some source of information I have learnt that I.R. 9-60 is not only
susceptible to Tungru virus, but also to bacterial blight. As such it is not a
desirable material for being used as a donor parent; if used, it may spread
diseases whereever the material is grown. Under these circumstances it would
soon be beyond our control.
“That
some sort of inoculum of this dreadful disease is getting built up in the
country is evident from the fact that Taichung Native-I which was not showing
the yellowing of leaves in the early vegetative phase of the summer crop of
last year, has now exhibited it. Since the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has
a huge programme of speedily spreading this variety in the near future, timely
action has to be taken against any future catastrophe of the kind being
observed now.”
Unfortunately,
these warnings and recommendations were ignored by the top authorities, and
instead the writer of this letter was pre-maturely retired from his senior post. The pest and disease susceptible
varieties were allowed to be spread.
All
this proved very harmful for India’s agriculture, and the results become
evident all too soon. The massive damage became so worrying that a special task
force on rice breeding was constituted of eminent experts in 1979 to examine
the issue. These experts met at the CRRI in February.Dr. R.H. Richharia, one of
the most eminent rice scientists in the world, was called back from retirement
to head this task force. This task report stated clearly and firmly, “Most of
the HYVs are derivatives of T(N) 1 or I.R. 8 and, therefore, have the dwarfing
gene of dee-geo-woo-gen. This narrow genetic base has created alarming
uniformity, causing vulnerability to diseases and pests. Most of the released
varieties are not suitable for typical uplands and low lands which together
constitute about 75 per cent of the total rice area of the country.
To
meet these situations, we need to reorient our research programmes and
strategies.”Referring to this problem of narrow genetic base, the task force
says, “A cursory look at the pedigree of the different rice varieties released
in India reveals that a very narrow germplasm base is involved. It is also
noticed that many times the same female parent is involved in the cross
combination.”
Thus
even though the earlier warnings were now confirmed by the actual experience of
about 13 years and supported by the country’s eminent rice-breeders represented
in the task-force, these warnings were largely ignored and the official rice
programme/policy centred on exotic dwarf HYVs with a narrow genetic base
continued as before.
Dr.
Richharia emphasised that wisdom of local farmers regarding diverse rice
varieties should be utilised as the major resource for improving rice
cultivation. He emphasised that rice farmers who possess intimate knowledge of
their rice varieties should be involved in the research effort, “even to guide
us with their inherent gift.”“A special advantage associated with indigenous
high-yielding rice germplasm identified for different tracts and situations is
that it possesses a good level of resistance to environmental stress and common
diseases and pests, coupled with local preference for palatability.”
Dr.
Richharia wrote, “It may be of interest to record that during our survey in the
Chhattisgarh area we came across rice growers in the remote area, maintaining a
large collection of rice varieties, year after year, associated with local
customs. This also explains how thousands of varieties are being descended down
for centuries. Naturally such collections served as ‘local treasuries’, but in
the absence of an organisation to encourage such endeavours, the valuable rices
are fast disappearing,...”From many parts of the country there are reports that
now farmers are unable to get seeds of highly valued indigenous varieties. The
younger generation of farmers is ignorant about our great heritage of rice
bio-diversity, although earlier this knowledge was passed on from generation to
generation.
This
tragic loss of rice diversity can worsen if genetically modified (GM) varieties
are introduced, efforts for which have already been launched by very powerful
interests.
Clearly
we need to wake up to the responsibility of protecting indigenous rice varieties
with a sense of urgency before it is too late.(The writer is a freelance
journalist who has been involved with several social initiatives and
movements.)
http://www.thestatesman.com/news/opinion/protect-rice-diversity-before-it-is-too-late/120653.html
Vietnam hopeful about rice export in 2016
VietNamNet
Bridge – Vietnam will have various advantages in exporting rice this year
though it may have to compete with Thai rice in the global export market when
Thailand sells rice at stock.
|
|
|
Rice for export.
Vietnam is hopeful about rice export in 2016. (Photo: VNA)
|
Vietnam
Food Association (VFA) chairman Huynh The Nang said Thailand's government has
announced the sale of rice at stock in the near future. This will be one of the
factors to pull the world rice prices down and may create negative impacts on
Vietnam's rice exports.However, Vietnamese rice still can compete with Thai
rice in traditional markets such as China, Indonesia and the Philippines
because Thailand has a low volume of white rice while the demand from those
markets is for imported white rice, Nang said.Huynh Van Thon, chairman of Loc
Troi Group, said not all enterprises in the traditional markets want to import
rice at inventory, therefore, Vietnamese rice exporters still have a chance to offer
their new rice to those markets.
Nguyen
Van Tien, general director of An Giang Export and Import Joint Stock Company,
agreed that there is a risk in reducing the world price of rice this year to
compete with Thai rice at inventory, but how this action will affect the world
market will depend on the Thai government's operating policy on the rice at
inventory. If Thailand uses old rice at stock to produce ethanol and animal
feed, it will not affect the world market.
Huynh
Minh Hue, VFA general secretary, quoted the US Department of Agriculture as
saying that the global rice output in the 2015-16 crop declined by 1.9 percent
to 469.3 million tonnes, a second straight year of decline. El Nino was a major
factor, causing smaller crops in many rice production countries.Global
consumption will, meanwhile, rise by 0.5 percent to 484.6 million tonnes,
making it the third consecutive year when consumption will exceed production,
leading to a depletion of stockpiles."In general, rice consumption of
Vietnam this year will be better," Nang said.This year, the association
will focus on boosting exports to near and traditional markets in Asia,
including mainland China and Southeast Asia, and increasing exports of fragrant
rice to Hong Kong and Singapore, Hue said.
It
would strive to expand its fragrant rice market share in Africa and gradually
retrieve the market for white rice, he said.It will work to enable Vietnamese
rice to penetrate new markets, especially countries that have free trade
agreements with Vietnam, said Hue, adding that the association will this year
focus on building a rice value chain and brands.Tien said the Asian market has
demand for rice but Vietnam will face intense competition from Thailand and
Pakistan while export of fragrant and high grade rice is expected to increase
strongly this year due to high demand from China and Africa.
He
called on the government to step up quality checks of exports to safeguard the
country's prestige and to sell to demanding markets.The association should also
provide enterprises with up-to-date market forecasts and trends, he said. The
government should crack down on the use of chemicals in rice
production.According to the association, Vietnam's rice exports this year,
excluding border trade, are expected to remain at last year's 6.5 million
tonnes.Last year, exports fetched 2.68 billion USD, a decrease of 3.94 percent
in value despite a marginal increase in volumes as prices dropped. Asian
countries were the main buyers, accounting for 74.5 percent of exports, followed
by Africa (13.77 percent), and the US (6.72 percent), Hue said
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/150529/vietnam-hopeful-about-rice-export-in-2016.html
El Niño to
damage P21.8 billion worth of crops in first-half 2016
February
2, 2016
By Mary Grace Padin
Drought caused by El Niño could slash first-semester palay
output by 900,000 metric tons (MT) and corn production by 500,000 MT, according
to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Based on computation done by the BusinessMirror using the
National Food Authority’s (NFA) buying price, the value of the 1.4 million MT
of rice and corn that may be damaged by El Niño could reach P21.8 billion.Christopher
Morales, officer in charge of the DA’s Field Operation Service, told the
BusinessMirror the department’s projection does not yet take into account the
two typhoons that hit the country in the last quarter of 2015.
“The estimated damage may be lower as rainfall brought by the
last two typhoons that hit the country increased water in our dams,” Morales
said at the sidelines of the Special Committee on Climate Change’s meeting at
the House of Representatives on Monday.El Niño started affecting the country in
March last year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).As early as May 2014, however,
Pagasa had already warned that the Philippines could be affected by El Niño.
Data from the DA showed that as of August 13, El Niño had already damaged P3.32
billion worth of crops. The corn sector bore the brunt of the extreme weather
event and recorded losses amounting to P2.21 billion, while rice farmers lost
P1.09 billion.
Earlier, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Field Operations
Edilberto de Luna said farmers’ apprehension over the ill effects of El Niño
has caused them to forego planting, which could cause farm output to drop this
year.Farmers have been apprehensive over the availability of irrigation water
for their crops. The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) cut off irrigation
water for Central Luzon farms in May after Angat Dam’s water level breached the
180-meter critical level.Last October NWRB agreed to allocate irrigation water for
14,000 rice farms upon the request of the National Irrigation Administration
(NIA).
On Tuesday the agency attached to the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources revealed that it has agreed to increase the NIA’s
allocation for irrigation water to 36 cubic meters per second (cms) this month
from 35 cms in January.“Farmers in Bulacan and some parts of Pampanga are also
assured that sufficient amount of water will be apportioned in their whole
cropping calendar. However, allocation for irrigation may decrease as the
harvesting season approaches,” NWRB said in a statement.The agency also
increased the allocation of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to
44 cms in February from 42 cms. Despite the increase in allocation, the NWRB
urged the public to continue their water-conservation measures.
“Everyone must not be complacent in the utilization of the
precious water resource because there is a possibility that the El Niño may
extend beyond June 2016,” NWRB said.The DA had earlier requested funds from the
national government to mitigate the ill effects of El Niño. Morales, however,
said the P2.1 billion it sought from the Department of Budget and Management
has not yet been released.“The DA has projected we are going to need P3 billion
to roll out El Niño-mitigation measures. We already have a regular allocation
of P900 million for 2016, but this is not enough. We have requested the P2.1
billion to augment the deficit,” he said.
Morales said the DA hopes the budget could be released before
February so the agency could roll out interventions to boost farm output
Irrigation chief says drought
worst in 22 years but there will be water for consumption
Irrigation chief says drought
worst in 22 years but there will be water for consumption
BANGKOK: — This year’s drought
is likely to be the worst in 22 years but the water stored in the country’s
four main dams will be enough to meet the need of water for consumption, said
Mr Suthep Noipairote, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, on
Tuesday.
Water stored in Bhumibol, Sirikit, Pasak Cholasit and Kwae Noi
Bamrungdaen is now measured at 3,489 million cubic metres compared to 6,300
million cubic metres of the same period last year. Although there will be enough water
for consumption, Mr Suthep admitted that there won’t be enough water for
agriculture. However, farmers who have planted their second rice crops covering
2-3 million rai, including about 800,000 rai in irrigated area will take care
of themselves without help from the government, he said.
Mr Suthep is optimistic that rains will come in mid-May in time
for the start of the main rice crop cultivation because the effects from El
Nino have eased. Although the arrival of cold spells on different occasions in
recent weeks have resulted to drought, he said that the cold fronts have also
brought rains.
However, he cautioned the next rainy season would not bring enough
water to fill the main dams and, therefore, cloud seeding is necessary to bring
more rains.Regarding measures to help ease drought effects among farmers, the
Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has mapped out three measures
which include 72 billion baht for one tambon one SME projects; 6 billion baht
in emergency credit to help farmers suffering from drought and community credit
programme for farmers in 26 provinces in Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river
basins.
Source:
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/149168
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/irrigation-chief-says-drought-worst-in-22-years-but-there-will-be-water-for-consumption/130439/
Nagpur
Foodgrain Prices Open-Feb 02
Nagpur, Feb 2 Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on lack of demand from local millers amid increased
supply from producing regions. Easy condition in Madhya Pradesh pulses, good overseas arrival
and high moisture content supply also pulled down prices, according to sources.
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Desi gram raw recovered in open market on renewed demand from local traders amid
good recovery on NCDEX.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders
amid ample stock in ready segment.
* Major rice varieties reported down in open market here on lack of demand from local
traders amid good supply from producing regions like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
* In Akola, Tuar New - 8,000-8,200, Tuar dal New - 12,500-13,700, Udid -
12,600-13,600, Udid Mogar (clean) - 14,900-16,700, Moong -
8,400-8,600, Moong Mogar (clean) 9,400-9,700, Gram - 4,100-4,200,
Gram Super best bold - 5,300-5,700 for 100 kg.
* Wheat and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals,
settled at last levels.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction 3,200-3,825 3,400-4,000
Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction 6,500-8,270 6,600-8,360
Moong Auction n.a. 6,400-6,600
Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000
Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.
Gram Medium Best 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600
Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a
Gram Mill Quality 4,400-4,500 4,400-4,500
Desi gram Raw 4,450-4,550 4,400-4,500
Gram Filter new 4,500-4,900 4,500-4,900
Gram Kabuli 6,000-8,000 6,000-8,000
Gram Pink 6,500-7,300 6,500-7,300
Tuar Fataka Best-New 12,800-14,000 12,800-14,000
Tuar Fataka Medium-New 12,200-12,600 12,200-12,600
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 12,000-12,250 12,000-12,250
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 11,500-11,800 11,500-11,800
Tuar Gavarani New 8,100-8,500 8,100-8,500
Tuar Karnataka 8,600-9,000 8,600-9,000
Tuar Black 13,000-13,300 13,000-13,300
Masoor dal best 6,400-6,600 6,400-6,600
Masoor dal medium 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200
Masoor n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New) 9,600-10,000 9,600-10,000
Moong Mogar Med 9,000-9,300 9,000-9,300
Moong dal Chilka 8,400-9,100 8,400-9,100
Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best 8,500-8,700 8,500-8,700
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 16,000-17,000 16,000-17,000
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 13,400-14,500 13,400-14,500
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 9,600-9,900 9,600-9,900
Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,550-5,900 5,550-5,900
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,400-4,600 4,400-4,600
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,400 3,250-3,400
Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,600 3,100-3,600
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,700-1,800
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,675-1,760 1,675-1,760
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,650-1,850 1,650-1,850
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,500 2,100-2,500
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,250 1,950-2,250
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,600-3,900 3,600-3,900
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200
Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,850 2,800-2,900
Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,250 2,100-2,300
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,800-2,000
Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,300-2,500
Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 2,000-2,200
Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,450 3,200-3,500
Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,600-2,900
Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,500 4,200-4,500
Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,100 3,800-4,150
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,800-11,700 9,800-11,700
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,800-8,000 7,800-8,000
Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG) 4,700-4,850 4,800-5,000
Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,400 4,200-4,600
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,100 1,800-2,100
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,700-1,800
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 36.4 degree Celsius (94.3 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
15.6 degree Celsius (60.0 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : n.a.
FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 35 and 15 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N15H2W6
Protect rice diversity before it is too late
Bharat Dogra
| 02 Februay, 2016
In personal life it would be considered a huge tragedy if we lost an
invaluable treasure simply because its value was not realised in time. Yet at
the national level, we seem to be quite oblivious to the dangers of losing
invaluable biodiversity possibly for all times to come, as is evident from the
highly careless attitude towards the loss of numerous plant species at a rapid
pace. Nowhere is this callous neglect more
evident than in the case of our most important food crop - rice.
India has been blessed with highly favourable agro-climatic
conditions in which diverse rice cultivation can flourish. These favourable
conditions were utilized by hundreds of generations of farmers to nurture a
fabulously rich diversity of rice varieties and cultivars, each of these known
to farmers of various regions for their numerous qualities.With the advance of
formal disciplines of botany, agronomy, various life sciences and agricultural
research conducive opportunities should have been available to use more
advanced methods to protect this great heritage of rice varieties in field conditions
backed by scientific cataloguing and conservation.Unfortunately what has
happened is that instead of adopting protective policies to nurture this
bio-diversity with care, highly destructive policies were unleashed which led
to the loss of thousands of rice-varieties and their sub-varieties in field
conditions so that farmers now find it extremely difficult to get them.
During the last five decades the government supported by some
international institutions has put all resources into spreading exotic
fertilizer responsive dwarf varieties (mistakenly called HYVs). With the
support of government subsidies and extension efforts these have spread over a
wide area despite several problems including higher susceptibility to pests and
diseases. This has led to the ouster and loss of many valuable indigenous rice
varieties.This tragic story started in 1965-66 at the time when the Central
Rice Research Institute (CRRI) Cuttack was ready with plans to improve rice
cultivation significantly using indigenous varieties. If these plans had
succeeded, India would have emerged as a world leader in rice, showing the path
of eco-friendly farming progress based on protection of bio-diversity.
But this was not liked by some international institutions who
wanted to spread the exotic HYVs dependent on high doses of chemical
fertilizers, pesticides and other expensive agri-chemicals.On 15 March 1966 the
director of CRRI wrote a confidential and extremely important letter to the
Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Delhi. “The
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Manila, has been sending a lot of
rice experimental material from time to time into this country”, this letter
said, “and these are grown in several states. It has come to my notice that most
of this material are susceptible to a very peculiar disease, not known to this
country so far; it is suspected to be (a) virus”.Having sounded this warning
the author went on to state, “I may point out that in the last Rice Research
Workers’ Conference during November 1965, I.R. 9-60 has been recommended as one
of the donor parents for hybridization programme in the various rice-growing
states.
But this material, as has already been reported earlier, has been
observed by me at CRRI and two other centres to be infected with the yellowing
disease at an early vegetative phase. I may also inform that from some source
of information I have learnt that I.R. 9-60 is not only susceptible to Tungru
virus, but also to bacterial blight. As such it is not a desirable material for
being used as a donor parent; if used, it may spread diseases whereever the
material is grown. Under these circumstances it would soon be beyond our
control.
“That some sort of inoculum of this dreadful disease is getting
built up in the country is evident from the fact that Taichung Native-I which
was not showing the yellowing of leaves in the early vegetative phase of the
summer crop of last year, has now exhibited it. Since the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture has a huge programme of speedily spreading this variety in the near
future, timely action has to be taken against any future catastrophe of the
kind being observed now.”Unfortunately, these warnings and recommendations were
ignored by the top authorities, and instead the writer of this letter was
pre-maturely retired from his senior
post. The pest and disease susceptible varieties were allowed to be
spread.All this proved very harmful for India’s agriculture, and the results
become evident all too soon.
The massive damage became so worrying that a special task force on
rice breeding was constituted of eminent experts in 1979 to examine the issue.
These experts met at the CRRI in February.Dr. R.H. Richharia, one of the most
eminent rice scientists in the world, was called back from retirement to head
this task force. This task report stated clearly and firmly, “Most of the HYVs
are derivatives of T(N) 1 or I.R. 8 and, therefore, have the dwarfing gene of
dee-geo-woo-gen. This narrow genetic base has created alarming uniformity, causing
vulnerability to diseases and pests. Most of the released varieties are not
suitable for typical uplands and low lands which together constitute about 75
per cent of the total rice area of the country. To meet these situations, we
need to reorient our research programmes and strategies.
”Referring to this problem of narrow genetic base, the task force
says, “A cursory look at the pedigree of the different rice varieties released
in India reveals that a very narrow germplasm base is involved. It is also
noticed that many times the same female parent is involved in the cross
combination.”Thus even though the earlier warnings were now confirmed by the
actual experience of about 13 years and supported by the country’s eminent
rice-breeders represented in the task-force, these warnings were largely
ignored and the official rice programme/policy centred on exotic dwarf HYVs
with a narrow genetic base continued as before.Dr. Richharia emphasised that
wisdom of local farmers regarding diverse rice varieties should be utilised as
the major resource for improving rice cultivation.
He emphasised that rice farmers who possess intimate knowledge of
their rice varieties should be involved in the research effort, “even to guide
us with their inherent gift.”“A special advantage associated with indigenous
high-yielding rice germplasm identified for different tracts and situations is
that it possesses a good level of resistance to environmental stress and common
diseases and pests, coupled with local preference for palatability.”Dr.
Richharia wrote, “It may be of interest to record that during our survey in the
Chhattisgarh area we came across rice growers in the remote area, maintaining a
large collection of rice varieties, year after year, associated with local
customs.
This also explains how thousands of varieties are being descended
down for centuries. Naturally such collections served as ‘local treasuries’,
but in the absence of an organisation to encourage such endeavours, the
valuable rices are fast disappearing,...”From many parts of the country there
are reports that now farmers are unable to get seeds of highly valued
indigenous varieties. The younger generation of farmers is ignorant about our
great heritage of rice bio-diversity, although earlier this knowledge was
passed on from generation to generation.This tragic loss of rice diversity can
worsen if genetically modified (GM) varieties are introduced, efforts for which
have already been launched by very powerful interests.Clearly we need to wake
up to the responsibility of protecting indigenous rice varieties with a sense
of urgency before it is too late.
(The writer is
a freelance journalist who has been involved with several social initiatives
and movements.)
Rice
exports increase sharply in January
|
|
HCM CITY (VNS) — Viet Nam exported nearly 315,000
tonnes of rice as of January 28, an increase of 46 per cent compared with the
same period last year, according to the Viet Nam Food Association.The rice
exports were shipped at US$127 million in free on board (FOB) value and $135
million in cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value, up 39 and 42.5 per cent,
respectively.According to the association, the increase in rice exports last
month was due to the fact that Viet Nam's rice exporters had to complete government-to-government
deals with the Philippines and Indonesia.Last year, Viet Nam exported 6.5
million tonnes for $2.68 billion, a decrease of 3.9 percent in value. Asian
countries were the main buyers, accounting for 74.5 per cent of exports,
followed by Africa (13.7 percent), and the US (6.7 per cent).The association
forecast that rice export volume this year excluding border trade is expected
to remain the same as last year's. — VNS
http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/281951/rice-exports-increase-sharply-in-january.html
DPM Somkid and
6 ministers visit Oman and Iran
DPM Somkid and 6 ministers
visit Oman and Iran
BANGKOK, 2 February 2016, (NNT)
– Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and six ministers are conducting an
official visit to the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The delegation will seek new markets for Thai agricultural
products in these countries. Initially, Thailand hopes to export at least
300,000 tons in rice to Iran, while the Middle Eastern nation provides for
Thailand’s energy security.Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantraporn revealed that
the trade value between Thailand and Oman is worth about 1.1 billion US
dollars. She said Thailand’s key exports to the nation include automobiles,
auto parts and chemical products.Ms. Apiradee pointed out that trade value
between Thailand and Iran was 600 million US dollars before international
sanctions slashed it in half. She expects Thailand will sell more rubber, sugar
and rice to these target nations.
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/dpm-somkid-and-6-ministers-visit-oman-and-iran/130356/
Local Rice Prices Climb Ahead of Chinese New Year
By Tuesday, February 2, 2016 |
Price tags are attached to
different types of rice offered for sale in Rangoon, November 29, 2011. (Photo:
Damir Sagolj / Reuters)
RANGOON — Due to high demand on the
eve of the Chinese New Year, traders are selling more rice on the China border
instead of within Burma, causing the price of the staple grain to rise at
home.Higher demand from China, Burma’s biggest rice buyer, is directing more
rice exports through the Muse-Ruili crossing on the Shan State-China border in
preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year, which begins on February 8 and
will last for two weeks.With more stock diverted to China, some markets have
raised rice prices for local consumers. In areas of Arakan and Mon states,
residents reported that the cost of a standard basket of rice increased
500-1000 kyats (US$0.40-$0.80).
A rice basket in Mon State holds 16 pyi, or just over 40 liters, and
previously cost 14,000-15,000 kyats ($10.80-$11.60).“There is high demand in
the market these days, and though we’re looking for more rice, the supply and
demand do not match. That’s why a basket of rice is going up more than 500
kyats,” said Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, a rice trader in Mon State’s Kalathut village.Dr
Soe Tun, Vice Chairman of the Myanmar Rice Federation, estimates that about
4,000-5,000 tons of rice are being routed through the Muse-Ruili trading hub
every day. Like Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, he linked this to a temporary five to ten
percent rise in prices within Burma.“Demand in China is getting high. That’s
why rice prices have increased a little bit, but I can say that it will go down
again in the next few days,” he said.
Merchants began directing more rice
through the Muse-Ruili trading hub during the last week of January. Chan Tha
Oo, a rice trader in Muse, confirmed that the greater demand for rice from the
Chinese side of the border became evident late last month. This resulted in an
increase in rice prices in border areas by 500-600 kyats, raising the cost of a
50-kilogram rice bag to almost 29,000 kyats ($22.50).But as official holidays
begin in China, Chan Tha Oo said he believes trade will soon come to a
halt.“The Chinese stop trading three or four days [ahead of the New Year],” he
explained.Despite increased exports, he added there was no shortage of rice,
and therefore no need for people to worry, a claim echoed by Dr. Soe
Tun.“Summer’s paddy [harvest] has not yet surfaced in the market, so we’re
still consuming old rice. It will be okay later,” he said.
Figures from the Ministry of
Commerce put Burma’s total rice exports at more than 1.7 million tons in the
2014-15 fiscal year, bringing in nearly US$645 million. Rice was shipped to
China and Japan, as well as over 60 countries within ASEAN, Africa and Europe
http://www.irrawaddy.com/burma/local-rice-prices-climb-ahead-of-chinese-new-year.html
Rice Prices
as on : 02-02-2016 08:10:31 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Gondal(UP)
|
1625.00
|
976.16
|
7642.60
|
2025
|
2000
|
-2.17
|
|
Bazpur(Utr)
|
890.76
|
38.49
|
14886.86
|
2200
|
2207
|
57.14
|
|
Burdwan(WB)
|
472.00
|
-
|
2489.00
|
1700
|
-
|
-
|
|
Etawah(UP)
|
450.00
|
-25
|
12320.00
|
2255
|
2255
|
2.97
|
|
Kanpur(Grain)(UP)
|
320.00
|
12.28
|
4425.00
|
2125
|
2150
|
1.19
|
|
Manjeri(Ker)
|
290.00
|
NC
|
4350.00
|
3000
|
3000
|
-9.09
|
|
Memari(WB)
|
263.00
|
-
|
1794.00
|
1700
|
-
|
-
|
|
Guskara(Burdwan)(WB)
|
258.00
|
-
|
1798.00
|
2130
|
-
|
-
|
|
Pilibhit(UP)
|
248.00
|
-17.33
|
14498.00
|
2190
|
2195
|
-6.41
|
|
Allahabad(UP)
|
240.00
|
14.29
|
3530.00
|
2085
|
1980
|
2.71
|
|
Srirampur(ASM)
|
180.00
|
50
|
3575.00
|
2950
|
2980
|
-
|
|
Bahraich(UP)
|
166.00
|
-5.68
|
1767.50
|
2080
|
2075
|
NC
|
|
Sitapur(UP)
|
162.00
|
20
|
3237.00
|
2220
|
2225
|
5.26
|
|
Bareilly(UP)
|
118.50
|
-34.89
|
5200.50
|
2110
|
2125
|
0.48
|
|
Agra(UP)
|
115.00
|
-17.86
|
2601.00
|
2140
|
2080
|
4.39
|
|
Kalipur(WB)
|
95.00
|
31.94
|
2164.00
|
2150
|
2150
|
-
|
|
Kalna(WB)
|
93.00
|
-
|
605.00
|
1770
|
-
|
-6.84
|
|
Chandabali(Ori)
|
85.00
|
NC
|
680.00
|
1800
|
1800
|
NC
|
|
Saharanpur(UP)
|
82.00
|
13.89
|
2703.00
|
2030
|
2030
|
-4.25
|
|
Aligarh(UP)
|
75.00
|
-6.25
|
1040.00
|
2170
|
2170
|
17.30
|
|
P.O. Uparhali Guwahati(ASM)
|
74.00
|
13.85
|
1553.00
|
2100
|
2100
|
-19.23
|
|
Barabanki(UP)
|
71.00
|
-
|
71.00
|
2035
|
-
|
-
|
|
Thodupuzha(Ker)
|
70.00
|
NC
|
910.00
|
2600
|
2600
|
6.12
|
|
Achalda(UP)
|
70.00
|
7.69
|
1865.00
|
2245
|
2240
|
-
|
|
Gajol(WB)
|
67.50
|
3.85
|
734.00
|
2800
|
2800
|
-8.20
|
|
Lanka(ASM)
|
60.00
|
-14.29
|
1245.00
|
1725
|
1725
|
-
|
|
Nadia(WB)
|
50.00
|
NC
|
750.00
|
3200
|
3200
|
3.23
|
|
Siliguri(WB)
|
48.00
|
33.33
|
237.00
|
2600
|
2600
|
-
|
|
Kasimbazar(WB)
|
45.00
|
2.27
|
699.00
|
2300
|
2320
|
-11.54
|
|
Jambusar(Guj)
|
36.30
|
-
|
553.15
|
3600
|
-
|
-
|
|
Palghar(Mah)
|
36.00
|
89.47
|
378.00
|
3061
|
2150
|
-
|
|
Balrampur(UP)
|
34.00
|
-10.53
|
756.00
|
2125
|
2125
|
1.43
|
|
Cachar(ASM)
|
30.00
|
-25
|
1000.00
|
2700
|
2700
|
NC
|
|
Udala(Ori)
|
27.00
|
-32.5
|
516.00
|
2700
|
2700
|
-
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
27.00
|
-10
|
651.50
|
1915
|
1910
|
2.41
|
|
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
|
26.00
|
-13.33
|
526.00
|
3000
|
3000
|
-
|
|
Vasai(Mah)
|
26.00
|
-18.75
|
58.00
|
2840
|
2860
|
-
|
|
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
|
25.10
|
36.41
|
501.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
-11.54
|
|
Haldibari(WB)
|
25.00
|
NC
|
366.50
|
2350
|
2350
|
-11.32
|
|
Sirsa(UP)
|
23.00
|
-14.81
|
144.00
|
2020
|
2020
|
-
|
|
Jalpaiguri Sadar(WB)
|
23.00
|
-4.17
|
435.00
|
2700
|
2725
|
-4.26
|
|
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
|
22.00
|
NC
|
106.00
|
1850
|
1850
|
-
|
|
Tinsukia(ASM)
|
20.00
|
NC
|
85.00
|
2200
|
2100
|
-
|
|
Khair(UP)
|
20.00
|
33.33
|
69.00
|
2150
|
2150
|
-
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
18.90
|
46.51
|
678.50
|
1900
|
1900
|
-
|
|
Karvi(UP)
|
18.50
|
48
|
73.00
|
2125
|
2125
|
18.06
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
16.00
|
-22.33
|
441.80
|
2550
|
2550
|
-
|
|
Raiganj(WB)
|
13.00
|
-13.33
|
459.00
|
2730
|
2700
|
-
|
|
Medinipur(West)(WB)
|
13.00
|
-18.75
|
275.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
-4.00
|
|
Dahod(Guj)
|
11.00
|
-72.08
|
649.30
|
3900
|
4100
|
-2.50
|
|
Mannargudi(Ker)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
265.00
|
3100
|
4600
|
-
|
|
Nilagiri(Ori)
|
10.00
|
42.86
|
236.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
4.35
|
|
Baberu(UP)
|
10.00
|
66.67
|
70.00
|
2100
|
2125
|
-
|
|
Jahanabad(UP)
|
10.00
|
-16.67
|
138.50
|
2140
|
2150
|
-
|
|
Kaliaganj(WB)
|
10.00
|
-16.67
|
308.00
|
2650
|
2600
|
-
|
|
Hazaribagh(Jha)
|
9.80
|
-
|
24.10
|
2945
|
-
|
-
|
|
Champadanga(WB)
|
9.00
|
-50
|
339.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
-
|
|
Chalakudy(Ker)
|
8.00
|
-
|
52.00
|
2600
|
-
|
-
|
|
Bhivandi(Mah)
|
8.00
|
NC
|
112.00
|
3550
|
3070
|
108.82
|
|
Katwa(WB)
|
8.00
|
-5.88
|
34.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
-4.17
|
|
Pukhrayan(UP)
|
7.50
|
-
|
42.50
|
1980
|
-
|
-0.50
|
|
Chengannur(Ker)
|
7.00
|
16.67
|
289.00
|
2450
|
2600
|
-15.52
|
|
Bolangir(Ori)
|
7.00
|
NC
|
79.50
|
2300
|
2200
|
-4.17
|
|
Buland Shahr(UP)
|
7.00
|
-30
|
202.00
|
2055
|
2040
|
0.98
|
|
Karanjia(Ori)
|
6.50
|
8.33
|
124.30
|
2600
|
2900
|
4.00
|
|
Tusura(Ori)
|
6.00
|
NC
|
82.00
|
2300
|
2200
|
-11.54
|
|
Rura(UP)
|
5.60
|
1.82
|
40.60
|
2190
|
2170
|
6.57
|
|
Silapathar(ASM)
|
5.50
|
5.77
|
425.30
|
3000
|
3000
|
NC
|
|
Jeypore(Ori)
|
4.40
|
22.22
|
114.80
|
325
|
325
|
-
|
|
Farukhabad(UP)
|
3.50
|
-22.22
|
148.50
|
2200
|
2200
|
1.62
|
|
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
|
3.40
|
-56.96
|
109.70
|
3250
|
4100
|
NC
|
|
Islampur(WB)
|
3.20
|
6.67
|
144.20
|
2150
|
2150
|
-
|
|
Visakhapatnam(AP)
|
3.00
|
-
|
3.00
|
3000
|
-
|
-
|
|
Aroor(Ker)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
91.00
|
6900
|
6900
|
-25.81
|
|
Alibagh(Mah)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
51.00
|
3750
|
3750
|
134.38
|
|
Murud(Mah)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
37.00
|
2750
|
2750
|
71.88
|
|
Melaghar(Tri)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
62.30
|
2350
|
2350
|
-
|
|
Karimpur(WB)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
27.00
|
3150
|
3150
|
NC
|
|
Siyana(UP)
|
2.00
|
-20
|
39.00
|
2050
|
2060
|
0.49
|
|
Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB)
|
1.80
|
28.57
|
27.40
|
2600
|
2600
|
-
|
|
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
|
1.00
|
-33.33
|
16.60
|
2000
|
2000
|
-16.67
|
|
Kalimpong(WB)
|
1.00
|
25
|
13.60
|
2450
|
2450
|
-
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8184225.ece
02/02/2016 Farm Bureau
Market Report
Rice
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Long Grain Cash Bids
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
Long Grain New Crop
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rice Comment
Rice was higher across the board,
but traded within Monday’s wide range. March continues to
find resistance at $11.50. A close above $11.50 could signal a move toward a
retest of the $12 area, while support is at the recent low of $10.65. Weekly
exports were a disappointing 22,700 metric tons, down 46% from the previous
week and 57% from the prior 4-week average.
APEDA
RICE COMMODITY NEWS
|
International
Benchmark Price
|
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|
Price
on: 02-02-2016
|
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Slovak
Oyster Supper -- Eat Good and Feel Good Doing It
By Josh Hankins
SLOVAK, AR -- In this small agricultural community north of
Stuttgart, the annual Slovak Oyster Supper, a 50+ year tradition for many
around the state, doesn't disappoint but you've got to come prepared.
Prepared for the Slovak
Oyster Supper is an empty stomach, warm coat and boots, responsible
transportation, a knack for communicating with all walks of life, a glass
half-full attitude, especially about standing in long, outside winter lines,
and, if you plan on dining in (they also have a drive-thru), enjoying fare and
fellowship without the wives or girlfriends.
This 'men only' gathering is the main fund raiser for the Slovak Knights
of Columbus Council but also raises money for other charities and organizations
in the area.
The Supper draws local
residents, most of whom are behind the counters volunteering, city dwellers, if
they are able to find tickets to the sold-out event, politicians, accountants,
farmers, and a multitude of vocational backgrounds. Though the company may be diverse, the
conversation is not. The supper
typically takes place towards the end of duck season, and most are interested
in sharing reports on how the season stacked up around the state, while deliberating
very complex theories on why it was better or worse than years past. The
Supper menu consists of and is delivered in this order at the serving line:
large pile of fries, coleslaw, big gulp cup full of fried oysters, smaller cup
of raw oysters, and ice cold beverages.
The oysters were fresh, and those fried were done to perfection, which
is quite the feat when handling a crowd this large.
The fried oysters were
prepared using local Riceland's own fish fry oil, which is very fitting for the
event. In the early 1900's the
introduction of rice farming to the small community of Slovak helped fuel the
economic boom of the area and the rice industry has remained as the mainstay
crop supporting the economic stability to this day.
This conservation specialist
did brave the lines and cold and it was worth it because once inside I not only
ate well but enjoyed talking with growers about duck hunting, yes, but also
conservation, tailwater recovery, and the Regional Conservation Partnership
Program that will mean so much to the rice farmers here and around the country.
If you've never been to the Slovak Oyster Supper, start the
conversation for tickets now, and clear the calendar on the last Friday of
January, because it's a valuable part of Arkansas history that is well worth
the drive to Prairie County.
Dining in
Thru traffic
again
Mexico Trade Stoppage Averted
By Sarah Moran
Mexico is the largest export
market for U.S. rice, taking 20 percent of the volume worldwide and with a
total 2015 value estimated at more than $300 million. The new GOM regulations specifically targeted
bagged product with an estimated 2015 market value of more than $100 million.
Those familiar with the
situation informed USA Rice that the GOM's well-meaning new regulation was
untenable and would literally close that border for months and, if implemented
across all border points, would stop all bagged U.S. rice exports to Mexico
until decision makers at SENASICA (Mexico's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) equivalent) could be reached to review the regulation.
Although most GOM
administrative offices were officially closed for the December holidays, Marvin
Lehrer, USA Rice's representative in Mexico, immediately took action to
mitigate the urgent trade problem.
Within days, exporters informed USA Rice that the GOM had rescinded
the new regulations and bagged commodity flow would continue as normal. Lehrer continues to serve as the point person
and in-country liaison doing follow-up on the recent resolution to lift
restrictions on the entry of U.S. rice into Mexico.
He said, "A key element
of the success was the very personal and trusting relationship USA Rice has
built up with key elements of the Mexican trade. This strong association allowed a free flow
of information and the enlisting of the trade as allies in providing correct
information for the GOM to help resolve the issue.
Hoarding
suspected as rice meant for PDS pile up with millers
Tuesday 02
February 2016 02:55 PM IST
by Joji Simon
Kochi: In a suspected case of hoarding,
about half of the total 34,000 metric tonnes of matta variety of rice meant for
Public Distribution System (PDS) is found to be lying in different rice mills
across the State after wholesale ration dealers refused to collect the
stock. Though the stock meant for distribution in February was supposed to
be collected by January end, the dealers have so far picked up only 59.64 per
cent of the rice procured and processed by the Kerala State Civil Supplies
Corporation (Supplyco) under the paddy procurement scheme. That means as much
as 13,721 tonnes of rice, i.e., 40.36 per cent of the total stock, have not
claimed by the dealers even after making payment. It is learnt that the
Supplyco is planning to file a complaint with the Food Corporation of India
(FCI) against the erring wholesale dealers.
The unprecedented trend has triggered
speculations that the dealers were trying to jack up their prices by creating
an artificial scarcity of rice and diverting the commodity to the black market
ahead of the assembly elections. Rice meant for PDS is distributed through
mills in the seven districts of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram,
Thrissur, Palakkad, Kottayam and Idukki. In the remaining seven districts, the
wholesale ration dealers purchase the rice directly from FCI warehouses.The
district-wise percentage of the uncollected rice is: Ernakulam (52.76),
Pathanamthitta (50.01), Malappuram (45.84), Thrissur (45.14), Palakkad (32.61),
Kottayam (31.66), and Idukki (2.37).
The Supplyco had issued the releasing order for the month of
February several weeks ago after rationing out the stock to the wholesale
dealers. The procured rice is being distributed among APL cardholders (10
kg for Rs 8.90 per kg), Antodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries (35 kg for Re 1 per
kg), and the other BPL cardholders (25 kg for Rs 2 per kg). The wholesale
dealers purchase the rice from the authorised mills by paying Rs 8.40, 45
paise, and Re 1, respectively. Lack of supply of rice will cause shortage in
the ration outlets in these seven districts in February.
The reluctance to collect the stock despite making full
payment is seen as an attempt to derail the rice distribution scheme. The
dealers will be able to collect the stocks later and sell it at a higher price
while the mill owners can sell it as branded rice by charging more. As the
payment was already made, the government cannot take over the stock to
distribute it through ration outlets.
The Supplyco is now looking forward to the FCI to interfere
and initiate action against the dealers. A Karnataka Bulldozers' wicket
falls and Kerala Strikers' player Munna, team manager Idavela Babu, non-playing
captain Mohanlal and team advisor Pankaj Chandra Senan celebrate it during the
CCL match between Kerala Strikers and Karnataka Bulldozers in Kochi. Photo: EV
Srikumar
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