Saturday, February 20, 2016

فروری ۲۰۱۶،۱۹ ڈیلی رائس ای نیوز لیٹر منجانب رائیس پلس میگزین

Today Rice News Headlines...

Reap demands inclusion of rice exporters in zero-rated regime

·         Rice consignments: Kenya Port Authority agrees to waive demurrages

·         Exporters seek zero-rating status

·         Incentive: Rice exporters demand zero-rated tax regime

·         Gov’t finds ways to hasten unloading of Vietnam rice

·         Rice Prices

·         Chinese firm to build rice mill, research institute in Akwa Ibom

·         Agro forest food diversity festival organized

·         Price of imported rice declines

·         Yemen central bank stops guarantees for rice, sugar imports - sources

·         02/19/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

·         Their Bags are Packed and They're Ready to Go to...Cuba

·         Futures and Commodity Market News

·         Madhya Pradesh moves high court over GI tag for Basmati


News Detail...
Reap demands inclusion of rice exporters in zero-rated regime
February 19, 2016LAHORE - The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan has written a letter simultaneously to the finance ministry as well as the commerce ministry, insisting the authorities to also grant zero rating status to rice exporters. REAP chairman, in the letter, appreciated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for accepting demand of zero rated regime restoration for five export sectors, and demanded inclusion of rice exporters in zero rated regime also. The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan appreciated positive gesture of government which will save the exporters from a lot of troubles but demanded immediate inclusion of rice exporters in this zero rated facility. Five export sectors include- textile, leather, carpets, sports goods and surgical instruments.He said that rice exporters also contribute major share in export earnings and are providing employment to millions.Ch Shafique said that rice export sector is the 2nd largest export commodity, but despite earning of about $2 billion valuable foreign exchange annually, rice exporters are not given the benefits and other commodities' exporters are being facilitated. 
Earlier, in a meeting held at REAP office on Thursday, Shafique Ch also requested Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, and the Federal Board of Revenue to also grant zero rated facility to rice export sector and exempt them from sales tax and income tax on utilities for rice export.


Rice exporters are facing financial difficulties after withdrawal of zero rating facility and their millions of rupees have been stuck up. The meeting was attended by a large number of member exporters who complained to the chairman about the liquidity problems due to pending refund claims. The members said that huge amounts are still stuck up in refund claims, squeezing finances and causing cash-flow problems. Inviting attention of the REAP Chairman, the members termed the liquidity crunch a major stumbling block in the way of improving exports. They said that the rice exporters have been facing unprecedented challenges for years and consequently, their capacity has been severely impaired.


Exports, both in quantity and value terms, could not pick up pace and have stood below targets.Withdrawal of the zero rating facility and imposition of sales tax would be detrimental to business activities.

http://nation.com.pk/business/19-Feb-2016/reap-demands-inclusion-of-rice-exporters-in-zero-rated-regime

 

Rice consignments: Kenya Port Authority agrees to waive demurrages

February 19, 2016
Kenya Port Authority (KPA) has agreed to waive port demurrages on Pakistani rice consignments, stuck at the Kenyan seaport due to cancellation of license of two harbour yards. The rice consignments of over 1,300 containers carrying 37,000 tons rice cargo have been held up at Kenyan seaport since January 20, 2016 as license of two port yards namely Auto Ports Container Freight Station (CFS) and Portside CFS have been cancelled and release of rice consignments linked with 100 percent examination. Exporters said the abrupt closure of two CFS yards disrupted the normal cargo clearance at Mombasa Port. Accordingly, the delay in the release of the cargo forced the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to intervene and safeguard the interests of rice exporters of Pakistan.


The value of rice consignments is approximately $13 million and all local taxes and duties have already been paid. Representing the rice exporters, Rafique Suleman, Chairman FPCCI Rice Export Committee and immediate past chairman REAP is currently in Kenya to resolve the issue. On behalf of REAP, Suleman is making efforts for early release of rice containers without examination. afique Suleman told Business Recorder over the phone from Kenya that Pakistan High Commission Nairobi has arranged urgent meetings with several port officials to ensure the timely release of consignments. "I together with Amir Mohyuddin Commercial Counselor met Madam Catherine Muturi, Managing Director, Kenya Port Authority (KPA), Soodi KIFWA, Operation Manager, KPA and Eric Gitonga, Chairman, KIFWA Mombasa at KPA MD's office Wednesday and discussed the issue in detail," Suleman said.

During the meeting, it was agreed that KPA will waive all demurrages and storage/re-marshalling charges that may have accrued due to the policy change, however, the waiver will be given only to the container, details of which will be provided by REAP. Accordingly, KPA has asked REAP to provide the details of Bill of Lading along with container numbers of the consignments lying at the KPA, Suleman said. He said another meeting was held with Robert - a representative of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stationed at KPA, to outline the procedure for releasing and removing the balance containers of Pakistani rice exporters. Meetings with KPA and KRA representatives were very fruitful and created a way forward to clear the held up cargo that was nominated to the closed CFSs, he added. "We have also asked for a deadline of 15th March, 2016 for removing the balance rice consignments from KPA without any storage or additional charge and KPA officials are almost agreed to it," Suleman said. He said Eng. Khurram Dastgir Khan Federal Commerce Minister has also taken prompt action and approached the top Kenyan authorities to resolve the issue on an urgent basis. 


Suleman also appreciated the efforts being made by Raza Bashir Tarar, High Commissioner of Pakistan at Nairobi, Amir Mohyuddin and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TDAP and for their active involvement to resolve this critical issue in the larger interest of survival of rice export industry. Meanwhile, Khurram Dastgir in a letter sent to Amina Mohamed cabinet secretary ministry of foreign affairs and international trade Kenya, has requested early release of Pakistani rice consignments without additional charges. Dastgir has also asked for withdrawal of 100 percent examination condition imposed on stuck rice consignments. 

http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/17843/


February 19, 2016
LAHORE: Rice exporters on Thursday demanded of the government to give zero-rating status to the sector, saying there are serious liquidity problems due to pending refund claims.Members of the Rice Exportes Association of Pakistan (Reap), in a meeting, said huge amounts are still stuck in refund claims, squeezing finances and causing cash-flow problems.  Muhammad Shafique, chairman of Reap, said appreciated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for accepting demand of zero-rated regime restoration for the five export sectors, which include textile, leather, carpets, sports goods and surgical instruments.  Shafique said rice exporters also contribute major share to export earnings and are providing employment to millions.  REAP Chairman said rice export sector is the 2nd largest export commodity, but despite earning of around two billion dollars worth of valuable foreign exchange annually, rice exporters are not given the benefits.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/99249-Exporters-seek-zero-rating-status

Incentive: Rice exporters demand zero-rated tax regime

Published: February 19, 2016
Exporters are facing liquidity crunch as huge tax refund claims are stuck with FBR. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has asked the government to award the second-largest export industry zero-rated sales tax status as exporters are facing liquidity crunch in the face of pending tax refund claims.“REAP members are terming the liquidity crunch a major stumbling block in the way of improving exports, as huge amounts are still stuck in refund claims with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), squeezing finances and causing cash-flow problems,” said REAP Chairman Muhammad Shafique.
Praising the restoration of zero-rated tax regime by the prime minister for five sectors – textile, leather, carpet, sports goods and surgical goods, he called for inclusion of the rice exporters in the list.“Rice exporters contribute a major share to the country’s export earnings and are providing direct and indirect employment to millions,” he said.“Rice is the second largest export commodity, but despite earning $2 billion annually, we are not being given benefits while exporters of other commodities are facilitated.”
The association has already written letters to the finance minister and commerce minister, pressing them to count the sector among zero-rated exporting industries and exempt the rice exporters from sales tax and income tax on utility services.Shafique pointed out that the exporters had been facing unprecedented challenges for years and consequently their capacity had been severely impaired. “Exports, both in terms of volume and value, could not pick up pace and currently stand below the target. Absence of the zero-rated facility and imposition of sales tax would be detrimental to the business activities,” he remarked.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th,  2016


Gov’t finds ways to hasten unloading of Vietnam rice

This part of the sea fronting the Malacanang sa Sugbo building is being eyed by Cebu Ports Authority general manager Edmund Tan as the proposed berthing area for the 5 foreign cargo vessels carrying sacks of imported rice that cannot dock at the Cebu International Port due to its limited space. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The National Food Authority (NFA) and Cebu Port Authority (CPA) have identified measures to expedite the unloading of some 240,000 sacks of Vietnamrice from two vessels that have been unable to dock because of the lack of berthing space at the Cebu International Port.Vice Admiral Edmund Tan, general manager, said they have offered NFA another berthing space  at the Malacañang sa Sugbo near Pier 1. This will be available by next week.“I was thinking of using the back of Malacañang as berthing area for one of   the vessels of the National Food Authority,” he told reporters at the Capitol yesterday.Tan said he already wrote to the Office of the President asking for permission to use the Malacañang sa Sugbo berthing space. There has been no reply yet.

“I’m willing to risk having a vessel dock there (even without permission). Even if they don’t respond, at least I already told them about it,” he said.The CPA has assigned only one berthing space at the Cebu International Port to the NFA, allowing vessels to dock and unload one at a time. This has caused a delay in the unloading of the shipment.NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay, in a separate phone interview, said that “if it’s urgent,” CPA agreed to assign another berthing space to NFA as soon as it’s vacated.“We just have to notify them within 36 hours if it’s urgent. Then, isi-singit nila kami,” he said.Three of the five vessels from Vietnam were supposed to have finished unloading as of yesterday, Dalisay said.

He said two more vessels have yet to unload, each carrying 120,000 bags or 6,000 metric tons of rice. The remaining 12,000 metric tons are valued at P122 million.“We had this (shipment) sent to Cebu because Cebu is a hub. These will be pre-positioned in key areas in the Visayas in preparation for El Niño,” Dalisay said.The shipment is part of the 500,000 metric tons of rice that government expected to be delivered this quarter as part of the 750,000 metric tons of rice that NFA was allowed to import last year to beef up buffer stock in anticipation of the El Niño phenomenon. NFA already took delivery of 250,000 metric tons in the last quarter of last year.
Nestor Rey Alcoseba, NFA 7 assistant regional director, said Central and Eastern Visayas regions were allotted 157,900 metric tons, or nearly 3.2 million bags that will all be unloaded in Cebu.

Central Visayas will get 104,000 metric tons while Eastern Visayas was allotted 53,900 metric tons.Alcoseba said a total of 12 vessels have arrived in Cebu since November last year. Seven have finished unloading while the five vessels from Vietnam, which arrived last month yet, have been unable to dock and were being anchored in the waters off Talisay City.The vessels are: Vina Ship Ocean with 214,000 bags; Truong Minh Glory with 135,000 bags, Thanh Cong with 130,000 bags, My An with 151,000 bags and Tan Binh with 190,000 bags.Yusop Uckung, deputy manager of CPA, said they earlier offered NFA a berthing space at Pier 2, but the grains authority declined due to security reasons.

Alcoseba said pilferage is rampant in Pier 2. One vessel almost had an accident in the area, he added.Tan, for his part, said CPA will install a cyclone-wire tent to protect the goods once these are unloaded at the back of the Malacañang sa Sugbo.Aside from security guards hired by the Office of the President, Tan said nobody is in the area while the building has been condemned.Uckung earlier said the international port can accommodate only two vessels at a time because a portion has been set aside for domestic use while the northern portion is silted.

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/86606/govt-finds-ways-to-hasten-unloading-of-vietnam-rice

 

Rice Prices

Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals
Price
Current
%
change
Season 
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Gadarpur(Utr)
965.00
192.42
61821.00
2325
2325
-5.68
Asansol(WB)
133.50
1.14
791.50
2450
2450
-
Durgapur(WB)
132.00
-
535.00
2400
-
0.84
Mathabhanga(WB)
110.00
10
2550.00
1950
1950
-
Devariya(UP)
100.00
-9.09
1040.00
2085
2085
3.22
Dhing(ASM)
94.00
9.3
1955.20
1800
1800
-
Kalipur(WB)
80.00
-11.11
2856.00
2050
2050
-6.82
Cachar(ASM)
40.00
-33.33
1300.00
2700
2700
NC
Mirzapur(UP)
26.00
-5.45
912.50
1920
1915
2.13
Lohardaga(Jha)
22.50
-6.25
466.00
1765
1860
-4.08
Dibrugarh(ASM)
20.00
81.82
627.30
2400
2400
-
Partaval(UP)
20.00
-33.33
914.50
2075
2075
7.79
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
16.60
-40.71
855.30
1900
1900
-
Naugarh(UP)
16.00
3.23
393.50
2060
2065
9.87
Champadanga(WB)
15.00
25
448.00
2350
2350
-12.96
Ranaghat(WB)
15.00
-
33.00
1850
-
-24.49
Bijnaur(UP)
13.00
-27.78
338.00
2200
2200
-
Raiganj(WB)
12.00
NC
530.00
2750
2750
-
Bampada(Ori)
10.00
NC
100.00
2600
2500
-
Barikpur(Ori)
10.00
NC
70.00
2400
2400
-4.00
Muradabad(UP)
10.00
-9.09
336.50
2245
2230
13.67
Deogarh(Ori)
9.00
-5.26
269.00
2500
2500
NC
Cherthalai(Ker)
7.50
-11.76
212.50
2300
2300
-14.81
Tanakpur(Utr)
7.00
16.67
131.10
2300
2100
6.98
Chengannur(Ker)
6.00
-7.69
345.50
2400
2400
-17.24
Silapathar(ASM)
5.70
5.56
454.30
3000
3000
NC
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
5.00
150
51.10
2000
2000
-9.09
Jhansi(UP)
5.00
25
143.50
2100
2100
7.69
Jeypore(Ori)
4.10
-16.33
146.90
410
325
-
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
3.90
14.71
143.50
3250
3250
NC
Aroor(Ker)
3.00
NC
118.70
7000
7000
-24.73
Perinthalmanna(Ker)
2.90
NC
42.30
2600
2600
-
Siyana(UP)
2.00
-20
56.00
2045
2040
1.24
Sardhana(UP)
1.20
NC
48.50
2070
2165
NC
Kalimpong(WB)
0.80
-42.86
18.00
2400
2400
-14.29
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8257157.ece

 

Chinese firm to build rice mill, research institute in Akwa Ibom


Posted By: Uyoatta Eshieton: February 19, 2016
Chinese investors are to establish an integrated rice mill in Akwa Ibom State to boost production.
Chairman, Heilongjiang Hegang Sanjiang Plain Rice Group, Heilongjiang, China, Mr. Wang Jingxin, stated this when the delegation visited the  Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Nathan Matthew Ekaette, in  Uyo, the state capital.Accompanied by the Consular-General of Nigerian Embassy in China, Ambassador Ali Ocheni, the Trade Commissioner in the Embassy, Mr. A. Agboluaje, Jingxin  spoke of plans to set up a rice research institute in the state.

He said they were in the state to scout for investment opportunties in the rice value chain.For a start, he said the company is embarking on a pilot production on 500 hectares of farmland, thereafter expand to 10,000 hectares.Responding, Ekaette assured the team of government’s preparedness to support them with an enabling environment, adding that Akwa Ibom has a large fertile swamp land of over 100,000 hectares suitable for rice cultivation.The Commissioner took group on a tour of the moribund government-owned rice farm at Mbiabet Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area. After an assessment of the farm and its adjoining land, the team said there was no need to take soil samples for testing as the luxuriant nature of rice and grasses were indicators of high fertility of the soil.

However, the Chinese investors  demanded the construction of a 40-kilometre Odoro Ikpe-Mbiabet Ikpe-Ikot Essiyere Road leading to the farm, clearing of a 500-hectare swamp land and that state government officials undertake a facility tour of the company’s holdings in China to ascertain its capacity as well sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the company and the state government.
http://thenationonlineng.net/chinese-firm-to-build-rice-mill-research-institute-in-akwa-ibom/

Agro forest food diversity festival organized
| Jajpur | 20 February, 2016
In order to encourage the conservation of biodiversity and ethnicity, the Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM) of Tata Steel in Jajpur district of Odisha organised an agro forest food diversity festival ‘Prajatiya Khadyotsav’.
The one-day event showcased an array of agro-food diversities among different ethnic groups of Odisha. M S Swaminathan Research Foundation’s (MSSRF) Odisha unit Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre of Koraput led by its senior scientist Dr Kartik Lenka displayed 100 rare near extinct indigenous collections ofpaddy like Khuji, Jhupuramundi, Chitipiti, Butuki, etc. Besides tribal farmers of Koraput, Raimati Ghiuria having 40 indigenous varieties of rice Alasikba, Duburaj, Bagadichudi, Cheteka, etc and 12 varieties of finger millets Silijanha, Janha, etc. and Tularam Balia having collection of 97 indigenous varieties of paddy like Jakasaru, Muktabali, Haladichudi, etc shared their experiences. An exhibition and cooking of ethnic and age old traditional food of more than 60 varieties were displayed.
There were 22 varieties of traditional cake called Pithain local parlance, 5 types of rice,13 types of ethnic curry, 15 types of roots, tubers and many more.There was also live cooking demonstration by tribal ladies how to prepare unique mouthwatering tribal food. Dr Prasad Das, Sr Scientist, Odisha Biodiversity Board said programmes like these will go a long way in promoting the cause of biodiversity and create more awareness on it among the people of the state. Pankaj Satija, General Manager, Operations, Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division, Tata Steel said this is part of a series of similar events we have been doing here like Spot the Species, Leaf Identification, Green Therapy, Jaibakala Vividhata to contribute our bit to the National Biodiversity Target 1 which aims, by 2020,a significant proportion of the country’s population, especially the youth, is aware of the values of biodiversity.
While Dr. Paramananda Patel of Academy of Language and Tribal Culture, Bhubaneswar, Government of Odisha spoke on tribal culture and food habits, Dr B B Panda, Sr Scientist of Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack explained to the locals how new quick growing paddy varieties can be cultivated in water scarce areas. Sharing her experience Ghiuria, the young tribal organic farmer of Koraput, said as we develop hybrid variety of paddy and other food grains, it is also equally important to conserve indigenous species to maintain the natural biodiversity.
Echoing her thoughts Laxmi Marandi, a tribal lady who had displayed tribal food ‘Lau simba pitha’, a variety of rice pan cake prepared with vegetables, at the exhibition said we should preserve our food diversity for posterity so that they can know their roots.
http://www.thestatesman.com/news/odisha/agro-forest-food-diversity-festival-organised/124769.html#m6UipTlxfvuQB34W.99http://www.thestatesman.com/news/odisha/agro-forest-food-diversity-festival-organised/124769.html

Price of imported rice declines

For the third week of February, imported rice recorded the highest drop of twenty percent.A five kilogram bag of imported rice is now selling at 21 cedis 90 pesewas.This was followed by local rice which lost five percent to close the week at 6 cedis 80 pesewas per medium size tin.Groundnut and cowpea followed with 4 and a percentage drop in price respectively.Meanwhile the prices of yam, maize and gari made gains of between 3 and 7 percent.Also, the price of tomato which has been declining for the past three consecutive weeks, increased by one percent to close the week at 6 cedis 90 pesewas per medium size tin. Similar declines were recorded by fresh tubers of cassava and soya beans.

On the various markets, a medium size tomato tin full of fresh tomatoes lost 7 percent in Accra to close the week at 9 cedis 30 pesewas; it lost 4 percent in Techiman to close at 7 cedis.The commodity however gained 24 percent in Kumasi to close the week at GHS 6. cedis 20 pesewas. It also gained 2 percent in Takoradi to close the week at 11 cedis. The price however remained the same in the other markets.The price of a medium size tin of maize lost 3 percent in Kumasi to close the week at 5 cedis but increased by 18 percent in Takoradi to close the week at 10 cedis and also gained by 17 percent in Bawku to close the week at 3 cedis 50pesewas.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Price-of-imported-rice-declines-417036


Yemen central bank stops guarantees for rice, sugar imports - sources


DUBAI

Feb 19 Yemen's central bank has told traders and local banks it will no longer provide lines of credit for the import of sugar and rice at the official exchange rate, merchants and local bankers said on Friday.The move takes immediate effect and is likely to further deepen the country's humanitarian crisis. Yemen is in the midst of a war between the Iran-allied Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa, and President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government, which is backed by an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia.One merchant told Reuters that until the beginning of February, the central bank had covered all the country's import needs of medicine, wheat, rice, sugar and milk at the official exchange rate of 215 riyals to the dollar.


"With this decision, the lines of credit would be limited to wheat and medicines only," said the merchant, who asked not to be named.A banker confirmed this, saying the central bank had explained it was no longer able to provide cover for imports at the official rate and had asked merchants to buy foreign currency on the black market, where the rate is 256 riyals to the dollar.The U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has warned of a "staggering" crisis, saying famine looms as over half the population, or some 14.4 million people, are short of food.
(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari in Cairo, writing by Sami Aboudi)
http://www.reuters.com/article/yemen-security-imports-idUSL8N15Y4BS


02/19/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

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


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Mar '16
1103.5
1083.5
1102.0
+16.0
May '16
1130.5
1111.0
1129.5
+16.5
Jul '16
1153.0
1153.0
1157.0
+16.0
Sep '16
1168.5
+15.0
Nov '16
1186.5
+15.0
Jan '17
1199.5
+15.0
Mar '17
1199.5
+15.0
   

Rice Comment

Rice future recovered a bit in early dealings today. The average expected price for long grain is now $11.00-$11.60/cwt, and mid-south medium grain is expected to bring $11.70-$12.30. The market is anxiously awaiting the results of an Iraqi tender for U.S. origin only rice. May has downtrending resistance at $11.58


Their Bags are Packed and They're Ready to Go to...Cuba
By Deborah Willenborg



ALEXANDRIA, LA -- Louisiana's state office for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that they are holding a second sign-up period to collect Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications.The EQIP applications will be accepted through the National Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project funded by NRCS and coordinated by USA Rice, Ducks Unlimited, and more than forty additional partners and sponsors.USA Rice Stewardship Partnership Coordinator Josh Hankins told growers, "In Louisiana we're focusing our efforts on voluntary EQIP practices that improve irrigation water management, control sediment and nutrient runoff, and provide habitat for wildlife all within production ricelands.  We want to reduce overall groundwater usage and ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of farmers' minds when they make operating decisions."

"This partnership between USA Rice, Ducks Unlimited, and NRCS is providing a great opportunity for rice producers to address water quantity and quality, as well as wildlife habitat on their farm," said Kevin Norton, Louisiana's state conservationist. "Interested rice producers need to visit their local NRCS office as soon as possible."Rice farmers will only have until March 2 to submit applications to their local NRCS office, and since this is the second sign-up period, Hankins advises that less funding will be available.Eligible areas for this special funding opportunity include:  Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Madison, Morehouse, Rapides, Richland, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermilion, and West Carroll.



By Deborah Willenborg

WASHINGTON, DC -- Fast on the heels of last week's U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) one-year anniversary is the announcement that President Obama will be visiting Cuba next month "to build on the progress we have made toward normalization of relations with Cuba."Also headed to Cuba is USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely who is traveling there in April as part of a USACC delegation scheduled to meet with Cuban officials, farmers, and academic and business leaders.

Mosely said, "In Cuba, as anywhere, good relationships often make the difference. That's why we've been so active in Cuba at the annual Havana Trade Fair since the 1990s, and it's why we travel frequently to the Island.  Strengthening our relationships with officials and the trade there will be a focus of my trip this spring."Ben Noble, executive director of Arkansas Rice, will be in Cuba the same week, accompanying a group of U.S. legislators including rice-state Congressmen Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Ralph Abraham (R-LA).Noble said, "There was a time when Cuba was the top destination for U.S.-grown rice.  With more than 11 million people just 90 miles from the U.S., the Cuban market for rice is real.  The U.S. ndustry has the crop and the shipping capability to capitalize on this market so the sooner the embargo ends, the better for American rice farmers."Mosely concluded, "Ending the embargo with Cuba is also a top priority on USA Rice's 2016 legislative agenda which comes into sharp focus next week when 120 farmers, millers, and merchants come to
Washington for the USA Rice Government Affairs Conference."




Futures and Commodity Market News
Indian PM Modi pushes crop insurance at farmers' rally in Madhya Pradesh 

Bhopal, Feb 19, 2016 (EFE via COMTEX)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed a rally of over 500,000 farmers in the central Madhya Pradesh province to encourage farmers to join a new crop insurance scheme that aims to ease debts after extreme weather conditions since October have caused major crop losses.Farmers arrived for the rally in Bhopal on Thursday on thousands of buses, tractors and bikes. Modi announced his new Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme, or 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojna' in Hindi, according to local news on Friday."I have eight bigha land (1.3 hectares) and my crop has failed. I don't know what to do now. I have come here to get compensation for my loss. I am expecting to get a cheque," said Magilal, a 60-year-old farmer from Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, as quoted by The Hindustan Times.

The new insurance plan promises to give farmers 25 percent of the insurance amount from losses immediately with no caps on maximum payment, and additionally provide relief to agricultural households for times when crops fail to grow, such as during dry spells."The first and foremost priority is to restore the faith of farmers in the crop insurance scheme," said Modi, adding that the government also plans to launch a new digital platform where farmers can access the prices of crops nationwide, to reach other markets.The government-backed programs come after months of growing concern by farmers and the state government over increasing erratic weather conditions, including monsoons and drought, which have hurt major crops such as soybean, pulses and rice paddy and which caused basmati rice production to fall by an estimated 20 percent this year, according to the Madhya Pradesh Agricultural Department.
Agencia EFE S.A        


Madhya Pradesh moves high court over GI tag for Basmati

 

The original application for a GI tag for Basmati filed by Apeda had excluded the areas of Madhya Pradesh

By: FE Bureau | Chennai | February 19, 2016 12:07 AM

Paving the way for yet another long-stretched litigation, the Madhya Pradesh government has moved the Madras High Court against the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) order that directed the Registrar of Geographical Indications (GI) to issue a GI tag for Basmati rice in India, taking into account the original application filed by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), which excluded the areas of Madhya Pradesh.
While the Madhya Pradesh government has appealed for the setting aside of the IPAB order, the state has also sought an interim stay on the order pending the disposal of the writ petition. The court, which admitted the appeal, issued a notice to Apeda. Apeda has been asked to reply within next three week’s time.
Significantly, the GI Registry, Chennai, on February 15 had issued a certificate of GI for Basmati rice in favour of Apeda, following the IPAB directive.The court has also made it clear that the GI Registry, which was told by the IPAB to reconsider the plea of the stakeholders from Madhya Pradesh for inclusion in the geographical area of Basmati cultivating area afresh and render a decision in another six months, would proceed with the directive of the tribunal.The court said that irrespective of the appeal in the court, the GI Registry will have to continue with the task. The court has subsequently adjourned the further hearing of the appeal in April.

The counsel for Madhya Pradesh, while moving the writ petition, appealed that the February 5 order of IPAB is liable to be set aside it evidences non-application of mind by the tribunal. The impugned order does not appreciate the evidence by either party before directing registration of GI in favour of Apeda and relegating the petitioner’s case alone to the GI Registry.Madhya Pradesh, while seeking a stay of the IPAB order pending disposal of the writ plea, submitted that its implementation will result in causing irreparable harm to Madhya Pradesh and its 80,000 Basmati farmers. The state has also asked the court to dispense with the impugned IPAB order.
In its writ petition, Madhya Pradesh claimed that the state currently produces around one million tonne of Basmati rice in a single paddy season and the order of IPAB would result in immediately altering the status quo which will be detrimental to the state and its 80,000 Basmati farmers and their families.

It added that the IPAB order erroneously presumed that the state never challenged the areas claimed by Apeda as traditional Basmati cultivation areas. The state argued that Apeda has not mapped the exact area where Basmati has been grown and gave a blanket protection to some of the states while it did not pay heed to the request of Madhya Pradesh to include 13 specific districts in the GI application.IPAB on February 5 order had directed the registrar of geographical indications (GI) to issue certificate of GI for Basmati rice in India within four weeks’ time, taking into consideration the original application filed by Apeda.

The Financial Express

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