Friday, March 11, 2016

10th March 2016 Daily Global regional and local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

03/10/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

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


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Mar '16
1009.5
997.0
1010.5
-3.5
May '16
1055.5
1020.0
1034.5
-4.0
Jul '16
1078.0
1050.0
1062.0
-3.5
Sep '16
1070.0
1065.0
1078.5
-3.0
Nov '16
1093.5
-4.5
Jan '17
1108.0
-6.0
Mar '17
1108.0
-6.0
Description: DTN Description: CME Group Description: Click here for info on Exchange delays.
Rice Comment
Rice futures continued lower today, despite weekly exports that were a marketing year high. Sales last week were 145,800 metric tons, with Japan and Venezuela the top buyers. However, this weeks WASDE report lowered US exports by another 2 million cwt, bringing the estimate to an even 100 million cwt. That left carry out up 2 million cwt at 43.9 million cwt. Global rice supplies for 15/16 were raised 1.8 million tons due to increased production.



Drought to damage almost half a million rice fields in central Thailand

BY EDITORON THAILAND

Drought to damage almost half a million rice fields in Central Plain
Description: 100308-wpcf_728x409.jpg
BANGKOK: — Drought which is affecting several parts of Thailand will ruin almost half a million rai of rice fields in the central region.
This was disclosed by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya at a meeting yesterday to discuss the drought situation. Gen Chatchai said rice fields likely to be affected by the water shortage are those grown off-season, while farmers who grew their seasonal crops won’t be affected as they were all harvested.They are rice fields grown along the Chao Phraya river in the Central region, and more than 400,000 rai are expected to be damaged by drought.According to the minister, off-season rice covered a total of 3.05 million rai along the Chao Phraya River, 1.98 million rai of which was grown within the irrigation zone and the remaining planted outside the zone.
Rice harvest is finished only for 940,000 rai of off-season rice fields,he said.He said he has ordered the deputy permanent secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives to work out long term water use and farming areas in all provinces by this month.
Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/154436

Japan says El Nino weakens, to return to normal weather in summer

TOKYO

Japan's weather bureau said on Thursday the El Nino weather pattern, which is often linked to heavy rainfall and droughts, was expected to continue weakening and that there was a high possibility the weather would return to normal by summer.The Japan Meteorological Agency projected a similar forecast last month.El Nino - a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific - can trigger drought in Southeast Asia and Australia and floods in South America, hitting production of key foods such as rice, wheat and sugar.
(Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-weather-elnino-japan-idUSKCN0WC0FK

Commerce minister puts rice ball in Hun Sen’s court

Description: Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol speaks at a private sector development forum in Phnom Penh last year. Photo supplied

Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol speaks at a private sector development forum in Phnom Penh last year. Photo supplied
Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol has forwarded a report on urgent actions required to address the rice sector’s woes to Prime Minister Hun Sen, suggesting a limit on rice imported and making available cheap capital to distressed millers.The report, which was submitted yesterday, picks up four urgent measures from a nine-point action plan sent to Chanthol by a group of millers and exporters, whose initiative is called CRISIS (Cambodian Rice Industry Survival Implementation Strategy).The suggestions in Chanthol’s report mirror those made by the CRISIS group on Monday and include a 100,000 tonne a year restriction on imports of milled rice from the Kingdom’s neighbouring countries, which the group says is not a violation of any World Trade Organisation regulations.
The report also suggests increased monitoring of rice imports at border entry points and imposition of punitive action on millers found guilty of mixing local and imported rice for export.To tackle the sector’s financial problems, the report asks that the government facilitate access to $250 million in loans at a lower rate of 4 per cent, lowering electricity prices for millers to 400 riel per kilowatt hour, and negotiating access to the Laem Chabang port in Thailand to reduce logistics costs.The high costs of loans – 8 to 10 per cent at commercial banks and between 20 to 30 per cent with microfinance lenders – has lead to nearly 40 per cent of millers going bankrupt in the last three years, the report states.
CRISIS member and CEO of Battambang-based rice miller Brico Kann Kunthy said the group was consulted before the minister decided to send only four of the nine suggestions made, which he said were a top priority.“We had to select the urgently required measures of the nine important actions we submitted to the minister,” he said. “We hope to get positive results on at least some of the four points.”Kunthy said CRISIS would work with the Cambodia Rice Federation’s (CRF) proposed committee to find solutions for the rice sector’s problems, despite the CRF proposing only two suggested actions at a press conference it held on Wednesday.“Even though our issues are different from the ones they submitted, it is still a push to get action from the government”, he said.“We have to deal with the short-term challenges first, but the CRF always focuses on long-term plans,” he said.
In response to criticism of its handling on the rice sector, the CRF proposed that rice importers should have a licence and facilitation for a loan package from the Rural Development Bank for $20 to $30 million.This followed a meeting of CRISIS and Chanthol last week, where the group not only highlighted the problems in the sector, but were also critical of the functioning of the CRF, calling for structural and electoral reforms before elections are held in May for the next mandate.
CRISIS, which started in February and initially called itself RISKS (Rice Industry Strategic Key Solutions), has increased its members from 18 last week to 24 this week, with members coming from the rice producing provinces of Battambang, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey and Prey Veng.
Contact author: Cheng Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/commerce-minister-puts-rice-ball-hun-sens-court

Global rice trade is projected to decline in 2016

3/10/2016 - by World Grain Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.— Global trade in rice is expected to decline for the second consecutive year in 2016, reflecting reduced exports from India, Australia, Cambodia, and the U.S., and softening demand, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service said in a February 2016 report.Reduced imports by Nigeria — the world’s second-largest rice import market — account for the largest share of the decline in global rice trade. Imports by Nigeria are expected to fall 17% in 2016, the result of a recent increase in import tariffs, declining oil revenues, and foreign exchange restrictions. Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, the E.U., Nepal, and Sri Lanka are also expected to reduce rice imports this year.
The decline in global trade comes despite further growth in demand by China, the world’s largest rice importing country, as well as expanded imports by the Middle East and Indonesia. Rice imports by China have been at record high levels since 2012 and are expected to grow 4% in 2016, reflecting prices that are lower in the global market than the domestic market, stock-building efforts by the government, and quality concerns regarding domestic rice
http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2016/03/Global_rice_trade_is_projected.aspx?ID=%7B7DA785FD-1A09-4448-80E9-530291E81CCB%7D&cck=1

Local technologies enhance rice drying, milling


March 10, 2016
Two locally-developed technologies that aims to address the most common post-harvest problems of Filipino rice farmers   are now being commercialized by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).PhilMech Executive Director Rex Bingabing said the two technologies –  the fluidized bed dryer and brown rice huller — will be very beneficial to local farmers.
“The moment local companies begin fabricating the two technologies, farmers and millers can to efficiently dry and mill rice,” Bingabing said.The fluidized bed drying system was built to accommodate large volumes of high-moisture paddy rice for drying during the rainy months, when drying under the sun is not possible.The technology allows hot air or gas flow to pass through wet paddy rice for a short duration which results to fluidization on the drying bed, eliminating grain clumping and results to uniform efficient drying.
PhilMech field tests show that the optimal drying time for palay with 24 percent moisture content to 14 percent final moisture content using the fluidized bed dryer can be attained in about three hours, compared to the eight to 12 hours required in conventional mechanical drying.“With the fluidized bed dryer, drying time is significantly reduced by 52 percent and consequently the drying cost is likewise lessened,” Bingabing explained.Powered by a biomass furnace that uses rice hull as energy source the machine that has a capacity to dry 500 kilograms (kg) per hour of wet paddy rice at a cost of P0.63 per kilogram.
”In addition there is no risk in overheating the grains since drying temperature can be preset. Because of this, the quality of grains dried using the fluidized bed drier is better compared to conventional mechanical driers,” Bingabing said.The dryer is fully automated, requires low energy, and made of locally available materials.The second technology — the brown rice huller — was developed to address the milling needs of farmers’ and retailers’ as a response to growing demand from consumers.

http://www.mb.com.ph/local-technologies-enhance-rice-drying-milling/#2H41ZhtqzAsu71sX.99

Scientists attribute rising methane levels to agriculture

A breakthrough in understanding about the causes of climate change has today been published online in the prestigious international journal Science.The findings of a study initiated by NIWA scientists, rule out fossil fuel production as the major cause in the rise of methane levels in the atmosphere since 2007.The research, led by NIWA atmospheric scientist Hinrich Schaefer, has concluded that increasing levels of methane in the atmosphere since 2007 are most likely due to agricultural practices, and not fossil fuel production as previously thought.Methane is a greenhouse gas and one of the major contributors to climate change. The amount of methane in the earth’s atmosphere is estimated to have increased by about 150 per cent since 1750.
NIWA scientists first noticed trends occurring in the data collected at NIWA’s clean air monitoring stations at Baring Head in Wellington and Arrival Heights in Antarctica.
With only Southern Hemisphere data to go on, the scientists began to collaborate with the University of Colorado in the US, and Heidelberg University in Germany whose scientists were taking similar measurements in a number of locations across the world.
"We wanted to put all the data together, then calculate the global average for each year and look at how that has changed over time," Dr Schaefer said.
Between 1999 and 2006 scientists observed a plateau in the amount of methane in the atmosphere. The amount had been steadily increasing since pre-industrial times but then levelled out for about seven years. After 2006 it began to rise again and continues to do so.
Dr Schaefer said there were three broad questions the scientists sought to answer: 
- Were there methane sources that diminished when the plateau began in 1999?
- What were they?
- What has been driving the renewed growth since 2006?
"We found we could distinguish three different types of methane emissions. One is the burning of organic material, such as forest fires. Another is fossil fuel production - the same processes that form natural oil and gas - and the third is formed by microbes which come from a variety of sources such as wetlands, rice paddies and livestock."
Around the time the plateau in methane emissions occurred, economic collapse in the Soviet Union caused oil production to decline dramatically - a factor that could now be detected in atmospheric analysis but is of no great surprise to the scientists.
However, analysis since 2006 rules out fossil fuel production as the source of methane increasing again.
"That was a real surprise, because at that time the US started fracking and we also know that the economy in Asia picked up again, and coal mining increased. However, that is not reflected in the atmosphere," Dr Schaefer said.
"Our data indicate that the source of the increase was methane produced by bacteria, of which the most likely sources are natural, such as wetlands or agricultural, for example from rice paddies or livestock."
Previously published studies had determined that the methane originated from an area that includes South East Asia, China and India - regions that are dominated by rice production and agriculture.
"From that analysis we think the most likely source is agriculture."
"If we want to mitigate climate change, methane is an important gas to deal with. If we want to reduce methane levels this research shows us that the big process we have to look at is agriculture.
"The good news is that if the source was wetlands, we couldn’t do anything about it. But there is ongoing research that is looking at reducing methane production in agricultural practices."
There is also another important consideration in the mix. Naturally produced methane sources are particularly sensitive to changes in climate and Dr Schaefer says wetlands produce more methane if there is more rain and if it is warmer. Thawing permafrost produces methane and methane is also found in ice-like structures in ocean sediments.
"Which means that global warming could result in more methane being produced from these natural sources. You could have a situation where humans are causing global warming which causes natural methane sources to emit more methane, contributing to further warming.
"We don’t see that, not yet. Our findings at least give us an angle to tackle the problem."
However, Dr Schaefer stressed it would be wrong to conclude that the study gives fossil fuel a clean bill.
"If fossil fuel production picks up again that may change the situation dramatically."
To read the paper see:
www.sciencemag.org
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/246059

U.S. rice exports fall too short


When Japan's year began last April 1, MAFF allocated approximately 100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to the SBS system. SBS is designed in theory to provide importers and foreign suppliers direct access to consumers versus rice imported under the ordinary minimum access tenders which initially end up in government warehouses.


By Michael Klein
USA Rice Federation

Posted Mar. 10, 2016 at 12:49 PM 

ARLINGTON, Virginia
As Japan's fiscal year sets to close at the end of this month, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) will once again increase the amount of rice imported under the so-called ordinary minimum access tenders because of very poor performance under the Simultaneous-Buy-Sell, or SBS, System.When Japan's year began last April 1, MAFF allocated approximately 100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to the SBS system. SBS is designed in theory to provide importers and foreign suppliers direct access to consumers versus rice imported under the ordinary minimu








New Conservation Stewardship Program Finalized 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published its final Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) rule in the Federal Register.The CSP was updated following the guidelines set by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill and after reviewing nearly 500 comments on the Interim Rule, the agency is finally ready to put the new rule into effect.

CSP is known as the USDA's largest conservation program by acreage.  Since its inception in the 2008 Farm Bill it has provided financial assistance on more than 70 million acres of working lands.  The program has been utilized by U.S. rice farmers since it was first introduced and provides a number of enhancements that work particularly well on rice-growing operations.USA Rice submitted comments to NRCS regarding the Interim Rule asking for payment equity for using existing versus new conservation practices and more transparency in the ranking process for CSP applications.  The final rule did this by removing the much-criticized and complex Conservation Measurement Tool and using a public set of ranking criteria similar to the process used by EQIP.  

Jeff Durand, Louisiana rice farmer and co-chair of the USA Rice Ducks Unlimited Stewardship Partnership, shared his thoughts, "Conservation definitely comes at a cost but CSP gives us as rice farmers the opportunity to cost-share some of the expenses for implementation and maintenance of enhancements and practices that keep our industry sustainable."Durand added, "Earlier this year, USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited put together the Rice Growers' Conservation Handbook that outlines the CSP and EQIP practices that are most commonly used by rice farmers and provides some additional background information on the programs.

"Last month, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $150 million available to enroll 10 million new acres in CSP for Fiscal Year 2016.  Applications are due to local NRCS offices by March 31.  Vilsack said of the CSP, "[It is one of the most] popular programs with producers because it results in real change on the ground by boosting soil and air quality, conserving clean water, and enhancing wildlife habitat."The Stewardship Partnership's Sustaining the Future of Rice project through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program will also offer the opportunity for rice farmers to sign-up for CSP later this year in all six rice-growing states.


In Memory:  Penn Owen
USA Rice was saddened to learn of the passing of Penn Owen, a longtime Mississippi rice leader.  Owen was born on August 4, 1935 in Memphis, TN, and graduated from Vanderbilt University.  He is survived by his wife, Norma, their three children, and seven grandchildren.Owen began his professional career at Union Planters National Bank in Memphis, but spent most of his life directing his family's farming operations in Tunica, MS.  In addition to his work promoting the Delta region, Owen served on the USA Rice Council Board of Directors and on the International Promotion and Domestic Policy Committees."Penn was a visionary who helped shape the modern U.S. rice industry and was instrumental in Rice Council efforts promoting U.S. rice here and around the world," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.  "He will be remembered for his commitment to rice farmers and for advocating so effectively on their behalf in Washington."
A private graveside service will be held at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Tunica. Friends are invited to a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. March 19 at Memphis Hunt & Polo Club, 650 S Shady Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120.USA Rice extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Penn Owen.





          Rice Prices

as on : 10-03-2016 08:10:35 PM
Manufacturers from China - Discover Ready-made Goods in China Contact Manufacturers For Export
www.globalmarket.com
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)
3009.00
63.62
75710.00
2100
2120
14.13
Siliguri(WB)
460.00
15
1962.00
2600
2600
-
Samsi(WB)
300.00
500
15260.00
2800
2900
-
Gondal(UP)
257.00
42.78
10324.10
2050
2015
0.99
Sainthia(WB)
167.50
-4.07
342.10
1755
1850
-
Bahraich(UP)
154.00
6.21
3060.50
2075
2080
NC
Ballia(UP)
150.00
25
6120.00
1975
1980
NC
Sitapur(UP)
145.00
-3.33
5336.00
2160
2160
NC
Pilibhit(UP)
140.00
42.86
16944.00
2195
2185
-6.40
Birbhum(WB)
138.00
-2.95
1449.20
1800
1750
-8.16
Shahjahanpur(UP)
136.00
23.64
39669.30
2200
2210
7.06
Basti(UP)
131.00
4.8
3795.50
2060
2080
5.64
Bareilly(UP)
116.00
34.88
6122.00
2175
2175
4.82
Kalipur(WB)
105.00
16.67
3555.00
2000
2000
-4.76
Aligarh(UP)
90.00
5.88
2060.00
2120
2150
10.99
Nalbari(ASM)
83.00
-1.19
524.50
2000
2000
NC
Ghaziabad(UP)
80.00
33.33
1810.00
2120
2075
-0.24
Thodupuzha(Ker)
70.00
NC
1610.00
2650
2650
8.16
Mainpuri(UP)
70.00
-6.67
677.00
2010
2010
4.69
Dhing(ASM)
69.00
-25
2370.20
1800
1800
-16.28
Coochbehar(WB)
65.00
0.78
785.50
2100
2100
-2.33
Golaghat(ASM)
50.00
42.86
175.00
2400
2300
-
Kasimbazar(WB)
45.00
NC
1187.50
2320
2320
-9.02
Gazipur(UP)
43.00
16.22
1152.00
1930
1930
4.89
Karimganj(ASM)
40.00
-50
1260.00
2200
2200
-26.67
Gauripur(ASM)
36.00
-21.74
2114.50
4500
4500
-
Purulia(WB)
36.00
20
1434.00
2200
2180
-7.56
Dadri(UP)
34.00
-2.86
1409.00
2120
2070
-0.24
Lanka(ASM)
30.00
-25
1880.00
1750
1750
-
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
30.00
20
1090.00
3000
3000
-
Jhargram(WB)
29.00
16
237.00
2700
2700
-3.57
Bindki(UP)
27.00
-37.21
1933.00
2265
2245
9.42
Kesinga(Ori)
25.00
-58.33
310.00
2400
2600
NC
Haldibari(WB)
25.00
-16.67
571.50
2350
2350
-11.32
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
24.80
31.22
1019.20
1900
1900
-
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
23.40
-4.88
766.60
2300
2300
-11.54
Mekhliganj(WB)
19.50
-2.5
430.50
2050
2050
-
Alipurduar(WB)
19.00
5.56
270.00
2200
2200
2.33
Firozabad(UP)
17.00
6.25
404.00
2110
2120
3.94
Kasganj(UP)
15.00
25
469.00
1920
1940
-6.34
Kannauj(UP)
15.00
7.14
235.30
2180
2190
0.46
Yusufpur(UP)
15.00
NC
432.00
1900
1890
-0.52
Divai(UP)
14.00
NC
213.00
2060
2075
2.23
Pukhrayan(UP)
14.00
-6.67
114.50
2020
2020
-8.18
Champadanga(WB)
14.00
-6.67
556.00
2300
2300
-13.21
Jahanabad(UP)
13.00
8.33
190.50
2220
2200
12.41
Dibrugarh(ASM)
12.50
-37.5
802.80
2400
2400
-
Mirzapur(UP)
12.00
-7.69
1076.00
1935
1925
0.26
Raiganj(WB)
12.00
9.09
629.00
2860
2875
19.17
Bampada(Ori)
10.00
NC
130.00
2500
2500
-
Barikpur(Ori)
10.00
NC
90.00
2500
2500
4.17
Pundibari(WB)
9.50
5.56
130.00
2050
2050
-3.53
Deogarh(Ori)
9.00
NC
306.00
2500
2500
NC
Rampur(UP)
9.00
-25
340.50
2215
2205
8.31
Bhivandi(Mah)
8.00
NC
216.00
3550
3570
111.31
Dibiapur(UP)
8.00
NC
85.00
2250
2260
3.21
Raibareilly(UP)
7.50
-25
231.00
2060
2070
3.00
Chengannur(Ker)
7.00
NC
389.50
2400
2500
-14.29
Buland Shahr(UP)
7.00
NC
299.00
2040
2050
0.49
Muradabad(UP)
6.00
-25
370.50
2250
2230
13.35
Rura(UP)
5.00
11.11
66.60
2200
2210
4.76
Islampur(WB)
4.00
33.33
198.40
2150
2150
-
Imphal(Man)
3.30
NC
137.60
2900
2900
NC
Aroor(Ker)
3.00
NC
148.70
6900
6800
-25.81
Karimpur(WB)
3.00
-70
43.00
3150
3150
NC
Perinthalmanna(Ker)
2.90
NC
59.70
2500
2500
-19.35
Jeypore(Ori)
1.50
-40
23.90
3250
1700
-12.16
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
1.50
NC
73.10
2000
2000
-9.09
Sardhana(UP)
1.20
20
56.90
2150
2150
2.87
Shillong(Meh)
1.00
42.86
37.00
3500
3500
NC
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8336239.ece





Rice Prices

as on : 11-03-2016 12:56:28 PM
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)
3552.00
18.05
79262.00
2139
2100
16.25
Kanpur(Grain)(UP)
425.00
1.19
7490.00
2120
2140
-3.20
Bazpur(Utr)
300.00
-75
24788.41
1200
1900
-42.83
Gondal(UP)
249.00
-3.11
10573.10
2060
2050
1.48
Srirampur(ASM)
160.00
14.29
4005.00
2500
2950
-1.96
Mathabhanga(WB)
120.00
NC
2900.00
1950
1950
2.63
Kalipur(WB)
110.00
4.76
3665.00
2050
2000
NC
Lanka(ASM)
40.00
33.33
1920.00
1750
1750
-
Jaunpur(UP)
35.00
-7.89
1019.00
1960
1950
0.51
Udala(Ori)
34.00
161.54
652.00
2700
2700
8.00
Gazipur(UP)
30.00
-30.23
1182.00
1940
1930
-4.90
Purulia(WB)
30.00
-16.67
1464.00
2200
2200
-8.33
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
25.00
-16.67
1115.00
3000
3000
-
Jayas(UP)
25.00
-
65.00
2025
-
-
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
25.00
13.64
399.00
1850
1850
-13.95
Firozabad(UP)
18.00
5.88
422.00
2100
2110
3.45
Kolaghat(WB)
18.00
12.5
404.00
2300
2300
9.52
Dibrugarh(ASM)
16.00
28
818.80
2400
2400
-
Champadanga(WB)
16.00
14.29
572.00
2350
2300
-11.32
Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)
16.00
-11.11
442.00
2300
2300
15.00
Bijnaur(UP)
14.00
27.27
388.00
2210
2210
-
Kannauj(UP)
13.50
-10
248.80
2180
2180
0.46
Mirzapur(UP)
13.00
8.33
1089.00
1925
1935
-0.52
Deogarh(Ori)
9.50
5.56
315.50
2500
2500
NC
Raibareilly(UP)
8.00
6.67
239.00
2070
2060
3.50
Chengannur(Ker)
7.00
NC
396.50
2600
2400
-7.14
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
6.60
-73.39
1025.80
1900
1900
-
Perinthalmanna(Ker)
2.90
NC
62.60
2500
2500
-19.35
Darjeeling(WB)
2.50
-7.41
60.10
2800
2800
3.70
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
2.00
33.33
75.10
2000
2000
-9.09
Sardhana(UP)
1.00
-16.67
57.90
2140
2150
2.15
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8341526.ece


Indian artists thrive at Dubai Global Village


The Indian pavilion attracts thousands of visitors daily. While the 340 odd stalls here buzz with activity, these four seasoned artists are winning hearts and also being rewarded handsomely
Published: 18:05 March 9, 2016
The mother–son duo have been part of the Global Village for 15 years, impressing visitors with their masterful henna work. Hailing from the state of Rajasthan, they are highly proficient in both traditonal Indian as well as Arabic henna designs.“People here like our work and there’s a strong demand for Indian designs among the visitors. We have a steady stream of customers daily and they keep us busy,” says Guddi as she and Bittu adorn the hands of Afghan expat Mora Akhtar and her mother Ramila with intricate henna motifs.
The two customers are elated with the result, not least because they have been given a 50 per cent discount – Dh15 for one side instead of Dh30.“I have a tough life at home and every dirham I make is important. Every year I take home at least Dh10,000 at the end of the season after paying for accommodation and food,” says Guddi.
Karayil Sadanandan, the caricaturist
Karayil Sadanandan recently left a job with a publishing firm where he worked as a cartoonist so he could dedicate more time doing caricatures at the Global Village. “There is a lot more money here,” he says. “I make around Dh15,000 a month, something I could never imagine in my previous job.”As we chat, an Egyptian couple approach him to do their caricature. After both parties settle for a price of Dh60, Sadanandan picks up the pencil and goes about his craft. He adds a bit of colour to the image with marker pens. In 10 minutes the caricature is done. The couple are happy with the outcome and flash a big smile. “To me their smile is the biggest compliment,” says Sadanandan, who hails from Kerala.

Jagdish Lal, the rice grain artist
Having one’s name etched on a grain of rice brings luck and happiness, says Jagdish Lal from New Delhi who has come to the Global Village for the 16th time. “This is like my second home. I work here for nearly six months in a year,” he tells XPRESS. He shows us a 000-sized brush which he says has been with him for years. “This is what earns me the bucks.”He picks a long grain of Indian basmati rice and starts etching a name on it. “I can write up to 26 characters.”
 When finished, he puts it inside a glass tube with oil. The oil helps the grain stay in place while the glass acts like a magnifying lens, showing the name clearly. “People use this as a key chain or pendant.” Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_22
Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_02He says his earnings at Global Village have helped him fund the education of his children, adding he takes home at least Dh17,000 every season (he charges Dh15 a grain.) “In India, I make only half of that or even less in a year.”
Joby Chacko, the portrait maker
Joby Chacko from Kerala makes no bones about how fortunate he is to be showcasing his art at the Global Village. Coming here for 15 years, Chacko says he get richer by Dh150,000 at the end of every season.Charging Dh100 for a charcoal portrait, Joby says he does at least 10 of them in a day. “On weekends, the number doubles. This year with the rupee devaluating, I will be taking home a lot more money.”
Gulf news people
 Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_11Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_18

Asia Frontier Capital's Travel Report To Iran

Description: Asia Frontier Capital Ltd.
Long only, value, growth at reasonable price, long-term horizon
Iran has two stock exchanges, and over 600 listed shares with a market capitalization of USD 140 billion.The market is trading at a discount to other frontier/emerging markets.Due to the ongoing sanctions, US investors are not allowed to invest in Iran directly currently.Dedicated Iran equity funds (including Asia Frontier Capital) are in the process to be launched for non-US investors - but not yet launched due to the FX transfer issues.Short-term alternatives: The french car manufacturer Peugeot.
In line with our process of being on the ground in the countries we invest in, Thomas Hugger (CEO and Fund Manager the AFC Asia Frontier Fund), traveled to Iran to attend a conference in Tehran.
Having waited anxiously for three hours at the Dubai Airport for the final leg of my journey to Iran, I was eager to board the Emirates B-777 flight to Tehran. Espen, an investor in our AFC funds, wrote a report of his trip to Iran for ourJuly 2015 AFC newsletter and had compared what he saw with the popular movie "Argo". I was looking forward to forming my own impressions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country rich in history, crippled by economic isolation, and now attracting the interest of foreign investors in the wake of sanctions relief.
The flight seemed no different from other routes arriving and departing from Dubai, though there was a noticeably large representation of women, the majority of whom were not wearing hijabs or headscarves. I was one of the few Westerners on board. The plane was nearly at full capacity, and I saw Russians, Italians, Chinese, Koreans, and another Swiss compatriot, but no Americans or British. After tasting my first delicious Persian meal (and sipping my last beer for a while), we began our descent from the 1 hour 40 minute flight, and to my surprise, there was no change in appearance of my fellow female passengers. Even after touching down at the huge Tehran International Airport, there was still no change.
We arrived at the small international terminal building, and only when the airplane door opened did the women suddenly down their colorful headscarves. Many of the women barely covered half of their heads! I knew this trip was going to be very different from my previous travels to conservative Middle Eastern countries.

No comments:

Post a Comment