Poor returns force farmers to give up 1121 basmati variety
A farmer sows paddy in Karnal. Tribune photograph
Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service
Karnal, June 16
After witnessing a drastic fall in the rates of several basmati varieties in the last kharif season, distressed farmers of the karnal region, popularly known as the rice bowl, have preferred non-basmati varieties this growing season.
Farmers have not sown basmati varieties such as PB-1509, 1121, C-30 and have instead preferred several PR varieties of non-basmiti rice.
Farmers said they had spent a huge amount on the production of basmati paddy, but hadn’t even got half of their investment back. They said they could not bear more losses due to the fall in the rates of basmati varieties and were sowing PR varieties of non-basmati rice for which they would at least get government rates.
“The basmati experiment went bad for me in the last kharif season,” said Joginder Singh, a farmer from Baldi village.
Joginder said he had cultivated basmati varieties such as 1509 and 1121 last year in around 15 acres but had replaced them with PR-14 variety this year. He said he had received Rs 1,300-1,400 per quintal for 1509 variety and Rs 1,500-1,600 per quintal for 1121 variety in 2015-16, while he had received Rs 2,500 for 1509 and Rs 2,300 for 1121 in 2014-15.
He said the basmati varieties remained a gamble for farmers as these were dependent on private traders.
The Baldi farmer said most of the farmers of the region had adopted non-basmati varieties such as PR-13, 14, 27, 45, 127 and hybrid varieties.
Balwan Singh, a farmer from karnal, said he had cultivated basmati 1121, 1609 and C-30 on around 20 acres in the last season, but they did not give him the desired results. He said he had preferred non-basmati varieties this season.
Ravinder, another farmer from Baldi village, said they were forced by traders to sell their basmati varieties at throwaway prices in the last season so they had sown rice varieties which give at least minimum support prices.
He said the cost of the production of paddy had shown a twofold increase as the land lease had become dearer at Rs 50,000 per acre from Rs 30,000 per acre two years ago.
He said the rates of diesel and fertilisers had also increased as compared to the last year.
Besides, transplanting cost has increased from Rs 1,500 per acre two years ago to Rs 3,000 per acre and the harvesting labour has increased from Rs 3,500 per acre last year to Rs 6,000 per acre this year, he said.
The government should keep keep a check and stop exploitation of farmers by private traders, the Baldi farmer added.
Rice basmati remain up on rising demand, tight stocks
PTI | Jun 17, 2016, 02.10 PM IST
New Delhi, Jun 17 () Rice basmati prices remained firm for the second straight day on rising demand from retailers against tight stocks position on fall in supplies from producing regions.
Maize also strengthened on increased offtake by consuming industries.
Traders said rising demand against tight stocks position on restricted supplies from producing regions mainly kept rice basmati prices higher.
In the national capital, rice basmati rice common and Pusa-1121 variety increased to Rs 5,800-6,000 and Rs 4,700-5,650 against last close of Rs 5,750-5,950 and Rs 4,675-5,600 per quintal, respectively.
Non-basmati rice permal raw, wand,sela and IR-8 also settled higher at Rs 2,000-2,050, Rs 2,175-2,250, Rs 3,000-3,050 and Rs 1,870-1,880 as compared to previous levels of Rs 1975-2025, Rs 2,150-2,225, Rs 2,800-2,900 and Rs 1,840-1,850 per quintal, respectively in line with rice basmati trend.
Other bold grains like maize advanced by Rs 25 to Rs 1,565-1,575 per quintal.
Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,270-2,820, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,800-1,805, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,810-1,815, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 275, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275, Roller flour mill Rs 960-970 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,020-1,030 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,070-1,080 (50 kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati common new Rs 5,800-6,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,700-5,650, Permal raw Rs 2,000-2,050, Permal wand Rs 2,175-2,250, Sela Rs 3,000-3,050 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,870-1,880, Bajra Rs 1,630-1,635, Jowar yellow Rs 1,850-1,950, white Rs 3,500-3,600, Maize Rs 1,565-1,575, Barley Rs 1,670-1,675. SUN KPS PRB MKJ
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Rice-basmati-remain-up-on-rising-demand-tight-stocks/articleshow/52793938.cms
PhilRice, PCC forge ties to increase farmers’ income
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has partnered with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to help the farmers increase their productivity by integrating dairy enterprise in rice production.
The partnership is in support to PhilRice’s Palayamanan Plus, an intensified rice-based production system that focuses on increasing profitability in the rice environments through integration and diversification of farming components such as rice-based crop production, mushroom, livestock, and organic production for higher crop productivity, value-adding, and marketing.
During the MOA signing, PCC turned over five pregnant purebred dairy buffaloes to support the livestock production of Palayaman Plus, June 6.
“Dairy is not a separate entity. It goes hand-in-hand with rice production. Rice straw can be eaten by carabaos. Their manure can be used by farmers for vermicomposting. Viable dairy enterprises help the rice farmers boost their income,” said Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, PCC executive director.
PhilRice and PCC will conduct basic and applied research to study rice and dairy buffalo-based production management that smallholder farmers could easily replicate.
“We hope that the enterprise will continue to progress to serve as a good model for rice farmers,” said Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, PhilRice executive director. For more information on Palayaman Plus, farmers may contact the PhilRice Text Center at 0920-911-1398.
Bio-pesticides help manage rice pests, diseases – study
A research study found bio-pesticides or organic pesticides effective in managing rice pests and diseases.
Often, bio-pesticides are used in vegetables. But the study titled Bio-pesticides: Pest management in rice conducted by PhilRice Isabela, and Northern Cagayan Experiment Station (NCES) proved that they can also be effective in managing rice pests.
Bio-pesticides are compounds derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms that contain natural deterrents and anti-microbial properties that help ensure good plant growth. They also inhibit the growth, feeding, and development or reproduction of a pest or pathogen.
“Infestation in rice causes 20-50% loss due to pests and 10-30% due to diseases,” said Gracia B. Amar, study team lead and senior science research specialist from PhilRice Isabela.
Amar’s team used PSB Rc72H (Mestiso 1) as the test variety in an irrigated lowland area of 3,000 m2.
They chose the following bio-pesticides in conducting the study: effective microorganism (EM), lactobacilli (lactic) acid, fermented fruit juice (FPJ), biodegradable soap plus water, and metarizhium.
Bio-pesticides and targeted pests and diseases based on the results of the study.
Bio-pesticides Target pests and diseases
Effective microorganism (EM) Bacterial leaf blight (BLB), and bacterial leaf streak (BLS)
Lactobacilli (lactic) acid Bacterial diseases, and flies/maggots
Fermented fruit juice (FFJ) Green leaf hopper (GLF), caterpillar, and fungal diseases
Biodegradable soap plus water Whorl maggot
Metarizhium Leaf folder, whorl maggot, white-backed planthopper (WBPH), brown planthopper (BPH), and GLH
Advantages and disadvantages
According to Amar, bio-pesticides only affect target pests, and contain less toxic compounds compared to chemical pesticides.
“They are also sustainable and environment-friendly because they decompose quickly,” Amar added.
However, making bio-pesticides is laborious. Using them also needs repeated application as it takes time before they show effects on insect pests and diseases.
Findings
Amar said that among the treatments, EM consistently reduced the number of diseased leaves while the biodegradable soap reduced lesion length.
The highest reduction on diseased leaves were also observed on plots sprayed with EM and FFJ. The other treatment found effective was lactic acid which caused considerable reduction in lesion length and number of diseased leaves.
“This technology will help our farmers who work in irrigated lowland condition for pest management,” Amar concluded.
For more information on how to make bio-pesticides, contact:
Gracia B. Amar
0997-103-9422
Senior Science Research Specialist
PhilRice-Isabela
FG Urged To Reverse Ban On Rice Importation Through Borders
— Jun 16, 2016 6:25 pm | Leave a comment
A freight forwarder, Alhaji Tajudeen Adetayo, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to reverse the policy banning rice importation through the border posts.
He made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) In Lagos.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in October 2015 lifted the ban on rice importation through the borders but the service went back to the ban in March 2016, due to heavy smuggling of the commodity..
Adetayo, who is Chairman, Freight Forwarders Association Badagry (FFAB), pleaded that government should allow duty payment on rice through the border posts to generate more revenue.
According to him, a committee should be inaugurated by the Federal Government to look into issue of rice importation in the country.
He noted that the Ogun Command of the Customs Service generated over N1 billion within the short period the ban on rice through the border posts was lifted.
Adetayo said that some people would continue to smuggle as long as government imposed a restriction on rice importation through the border posts.
“Banning rice imports is not a good omen. When Nigeria has sufficient foods, then importation of rice can be banned,’’ he told NAN.
Adetayo added that Customs could not man all the porous routes alone.
The freight forwarder said that activities at the border posts were also low due to the high exchange rate and the ban on rice, which had given room for smuggling.
According to him, as at today, the exchange rate is as high as 1 million CFA to N620,000.
“From Cotonou, a Starlet car with Duty Paid Value is now above N1 million. It is now better to buy a car in Lagos,’’ Adetayo said.
He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene so that importers would be able to raise foreign exchange at cheaper rates.
The freight forwarder, however, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to dismantle the 30 road blocks between Idiroko, Ajielete and Ilase.
He described the road blocks as major hindrance to trade, adding that a journey of one or two hours, might take five hours on the road.
“We do travel to Benin Republic and Togo with three to four check points to Togo.
“On roads leading to the border posts, the Police, Customs, everybody is at the check points
“Customs officers have the right to be at the road blocks but the Police should not be there,’’ Adetayo told NAN.
The freight forwarder commended the Divisional Police Officer, officers and men of the Idiroko Divisional Police Office, saying that they had been doing their best in terms of security.
“Car snatching, stealing have become minimal at the border posts. Commercial motorcyclists no longer move after 8.30 p.m. due to restriction of their movements,’’ NAN quotes him as saying. (NAN)
Mahendra Persaud deserves his national award
By Staff Writer
June 17, 2016
Dear Editor,
I felt elated when I saw Dr Mahendra Persaud’s name mentioned as a national awardee. I must endorse the national awards committee for making the admirable recommendation that such an accolade be given to an agricultural scientist. Dr Mahendra is an accomplished, enterprising, dedicated and very young research scientist at the Burma Rice Research station. His achievements came about as a result of trial and error, but he triumphed in the end. The rice industry and the farmers benefited in special ways, so too the country at large.
This young plant breeder has been working relentlessly to propagate high-yielding hybrid varieties with resounding success. He is a home-grown scientist, not an expatriate who has been seconded to the Guyana government by the United Nations to do a short stint at the Burma research facilities and then leave. Dr Mahendra was trained in India and he is very ambitious given the level of training he has received.
Dr Persaud is also an acknowledged grass-roots scientist. He meets with rice farmers in their paddy fields in his pursuit of broadening his knowledge about the farmers’ needs and in order to strengthen their resolve to do better. He is approachable and always willing to help. For every successful person there are sure to be detractors of some sort; no man has ever been able to please all humanity. When a country has people who are endowed with such scientific and technical skills, we must see such individuals as our future trail-blazers and an important asset.
I would like to implore Dr Mahendra to keep working on paddy strains that are drought tolerant and improve on varieties, as he did in the case of GRDB #10 ‒ it is very high yielding. But it goes down flat at harvesting time if the rain falls heavily. The best agronomic practice to avoid this disappointing situation is to strengthen the root base and stalk, while the leaves must be less prolific. GRDB #10 has been in very great demand among rice farmers countrywide.
I have harvested and used for paddy seedlings, plots that took a serious battering from the recent El Niño weather conditions. There were lots of unfilled paddy pads because of on-and-off water in the fields, but the results have been very good germination. The crop looks very promising.
Together we grow, together we eat, and together we survive!
Yours faithfully,
Ganga Persaud
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/opinion/letters/06/17/mahendra-persaud-deserves-national-award/
Global rice starch market forecast to 2021 detailed in new research report
Published: 17 June 2016
Submitted by The Market Reports WhaTech - Max
With around 150 tables and figures this report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.
The Global Rice Starch Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Rice Starch industry.
Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.
Complete report with detailed table of content is available at: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/global-rice-starch-industry-2016-market-research-report
Companies like BENEO, Ingredion, AGRANA, Thai Flour, Bangkok Starch, WFM Wholesome Foods, Golden Agriculture, Anhui Lianhe, Anhui Le Huan Tian Biotechnology and more are profiled in the terms of product picture, specification, capacity, production, price, cost, gross, revenue, and contact information.
Global Rice Starch Market report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out.
The Rice Starch industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.
Report available at: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/buy-now/67446
Table of Contents:
1 Industry Overview of Rice Starch
2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Rice Starch
3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Rice Starch
4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Rice Starch by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Rice Starch by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Rice Starch by Regions, Types and Applications
7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Rice Starch
8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Rice Starch
9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Rice Starch
10 Industry Chain Analysis of Rice Starch
11 Development Trend of Analysis of Rice Starch
12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Rice Starch
13 Conclusion of the Global Rice Starch Industry 2016 Market Research Report
Inquire about this report: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/ask-your-query/67446
CSIR labs to come up with new rice variety, anti-malaria drug
TNN | Jun 17, 2016, 01.18 AM IST
Lucknow: The CSIR-run laboratories will come up with some key consumer products over the next two years. These would include arsenic-free rice and anti-malarial drug.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research instruction (CSIR) has directed institutes coming under it to speed up research and introduce products and technologies that will benefit the people. CSIR's 'Fast track translation project' aims to provide immediate benefit to the society by delivering products in short period by 'completing the last mile from lab to market'.
Three CSIR-run institutes in Lucknow -- National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) -- are working on such products and technologies.
NBRI is working on arsenic-free rice variety, 'Muktashree', in collaboration with Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, West Bengal. This rice would be safe for human consumption even if grown in regions with poisonous elements in groundwater and soil. In addition, NBRI is also working on anacardic acid, a potential molecule that will increase cotton fibre yield and in turn, raise farmers' income. NBRI is also working on an opium poppy plant variety which will aid in manufacturing of life-saving drugs.
CIMAP will make its early mint technology available to farmers. It will aid in increasing productivity of menthol mint by about 30% along with cutting down production cost by 30%. The facility of Technology Business Incubation Centre (TBIC) for manufacturing of herbal products.
Meanwhile, CDRI is working on three different drugs that will provide treatment for osteoporosis, malaria blood clotting. All the three drugs are in final phase of completion
It is here!!!– African Rice- leading the African Rice Revolution
The story is told that in the colonial era, “brothers” from West Africa particularly from the Sene-Gambia area and coastal Sierra Leone who were sent to the United States were employed at the highest rates because of their prior knowledge and expertise in the rice culture.
Rice has been cultivated for over 3500 years in different parts of the continent and it is no wonder that the African tongue and taste buds are so familiar with rice. The sad thing is that rice was never developed as an industry on the continent and this continues to this day.
Statistics indicate that total consumption of imported rice in 2015 was 26 million tonnes. There are other alarming statistics on the state of African rice consumption and importation that were shared at one of the plenary sessions by Dr Harold Roy- Macauley, Director General of Africa Rice Centre during a presentation at the 7th African Agriculture and Science Week and General Assembly (AASW7 and GA) of FARA, in Kigali Rwanda.
Currently, rice is the staple food of more than 80 percent of the population of Sub- Saharan Africa. Africa is not producing enough rice though a great number of the people live on rice. The Rice Sector is also more likely than any other sector of the economy to bring sustainable levels of food security.
According to Dr Roy-Macauley, with the exception of Egypt, most African countries are insufficient in rice. Rice self insufficiency is a serious problem, perhaps gradually creeping into a crisis.
The Africa Rice Centre believes that achieving self sufficiency is a measure of local and global food security and Africa and the world must pay attention to that.
The Good news
Now, the good news is that Africa Rice Centre, through the Africa Riceing initiative is seeking to work with Africa to achieve rice self sufficiency on the continent. “Africa Riceing is a strong concept in the making” says Dr. Roy-Macauley.
How is Africa Rice going to achieve this for the continent? According to him, Africa Rice Centre is approaching its initiative as a business. A business model on this has been developed. The situation is that Rice demand will continue to grow due to population increase and so will income expected from the industry. It is estimated that by 2025, 22 million tonnes of rice will be milled.
If the Africa Rice Centre proceeds with the Africa Riceing initiative from West Africa where rice imports are greatest and expand to all corners of the continent, average yield will increase. Indeed, using technology with policy and institutional support, Africa’s paddy rice production in 2025 will increase by 77 million tonnes per year.
Good Business
Making business sense out of this, investment of 22 billion dollars with a promise of a return of a whopping $61 billion is good business. Now, the icing on the cake. This figure, according to Dr Roy-Macauley excludes additional benefits from high prices, improvement in quality to attract high price among others.
Africa Rice Centre has a plan to achieve this. The plan includes increase in rice cultivation to about 6 million hectors, application of science and technology, strategies carefully thought out and tools among others. When all measures are put in place to increase rice production, Africa will be able to produce 27 million tonnes by 2015.
For Dr Roy-Macauley, the Africa Riceing agenda demonstrates how technology and innovations delivered through rice research with support of its partners, could be used to ensure food and nutrition security, Revenue generation and youth and women employment
Project launched to teach farmers dairy production
THE PHILIPPINE Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has partnered with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to help farmers increase their income by integrating dairy enterprise in rice production.
“Viable dairy enterprises help the rice farmers boost their income,” said Dr. Arnel del Barrio, PCC executive director in a statement.
PhilRice and PCC will conduct basic and applied research to study rice and dairy buffalo-based production management that smallholder farmers could easily replicate, according to the statement.
During the signing of the memorandum of agreement on June 6, the PCC turned over five pregnant purebred dairy buffaloes to support the livestock production of Palayaman Plus, an intensified rice-based production system that aims to transform rice farming communities into rural economies composed of rice-based enterprises.
“Dairy is not a separate entity. It goes hand-in-hand with rice production. Rice straw can be eaten by carabaos. Their manure can be used by farmers for vermicomposting, “ Mr. del Barrio added.
“We hope that the enterprise will continue to progress to serve as a good model for rice farmers,” Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, PhilRice executive director was quoted as saying in the statement. -- Janina C. Lim
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=project-launched-to-teach-farmers-dairy-production&id=129139
IRRI to help Nepal attain rice sufficiency
Friday, June 17, 2016
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna -- The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) recently hosted the four-day official visit of Nepal’s Secretary of Agricultural Development (MoAD) Uttam Kumar Bhattarai and his delegation to strengthen collaboration in helping Nepal's goal of attaining rice sufficiency.
IRRI officials described on Thursday the visit of the Nepalese agriculture official to the world’s premier rice research institute headquarters here as an opportunity “to pave the way for stronger collaboration, particularly in helping Nepal attain rice self-sufficiency.”
IRRI and Nepal currently have several major activities among them the Stress-Tolerant Rice for Africa and South Asia (Strasa) project which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Accelerating the Adoption of Stress-Tolerant Varieties (ASTV) by smallholder farmers in Nepal through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding.
The IRRI partnership with Nepal also embarked on the Improved Crop Management and Strengthened Seed System for drought-prone rain-fed lowlands in South Asia, funded by the European Commission-International Fund for Agricultural Development (EC-IFAD).
During the visit, Secretary Bhattarai and his entourage of senior Nepalese government officials from various agencies met with IRRI top officials that resulted in the strengthening of Nepal’s host agreement to further boost work on rice production and capacity building of national partners.
The discussions also highlighted the dissemination of the stress-tolerant rice varieties in various districts of Nepal through the Strasa and USAID-ASTV projects.
IRRI officials also conducted a joint meeting with the Nepalese delegation at the Asian Development Bank where they explored sources of funding to expand research and development activities to improve Nepal’s rice sector.
The Nepalese delegation also toured IRRI's Zeigler Experiment Station, International Rice Genebank, Grain Quality and Nutrition Center, and rice breeding and postharvest facilities.
The tours showcased areas where IRRI can help Nepal in its efforts to sustainably increase rice production and reduce rice importation.
IRRI officials Dr. Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general for communication and partnerships, and Jacqueline Hughes, deputy director general for research, welcomed the Nepalese delegation during the visit.
Joining them were Corinta Guerta, IRRI director for external relations and IRRI scientists Abdel Ismail David Johnson and Umesh Singh.
The four-day visit was facilitated by the Strasa and USAID-ASTV projects as part of the efforts to enhance collaboration and awareness of national program leaders in South Asia. (PNA)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/06/17/irri-help-nepal-attain-rice-sufficiency-479989
CSIR labs to come up with new rice variety, anti-malaria drug
TOI
Lucknow
Fri,17 Jun 2016
Summary: NBRI is also working on an opium poppy plant variety which will aid in manufacturing of life-saving drugs.CIMAP will make its early mint technology available to farmers. Lucknow: The CSIR-run laboratories will come up with some key consumer products over the next two years. This rice would be safe for human consumption even if grown in regions with poisonous elements in groundwater and soil. It will aid in increasing productivity of menthol mint by about 30% along with cutting down production cost by 30%. In addition, NBRI is also working on anacardic acid, a potential molecule that will increase cotton fibre yield and in turn, raise farmers' income.
Lucknow: The CSIR-run laboratories will come up with some key consumer products over the next two years. These would include arsenic-free rice and anti-malarial drug.The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research instruction (CSIR) has directed institutes coming under it to speed up research and introduce products and technologies that will benefit the people. CSIR 's 'Fast track translation project' aims to provide immediate benefit to the society by delivering products in short period by 'completing the last mile from lab to market'.Three CSIR-run institutes in Lucknow -- National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) -- are working on such products and technologies.NBRI is working on arsenic-free rice variety, 'Muktashree', in collaboration with Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, West Bengal.
This rice would be safe for human consumption even if grown in regions with poisonous elements in groundwater and soil. In addition, NBRI is also working on anacardic acid, a potential molecule that will increase cotton fibre yield and in turn, raise farmers' income. NBRI is also working on an opium poppy plant variety which will aid in manufacturing of life-saving drugs.CIMAP will make its early mint technology available to farmers.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/CSIR-labs-to-come-up-with-new-rice-variety-anti-malaria-drug/articleshow/52787614.cm
FG Urged To Reverse Ban On Rice Importation Through Borders
Jun 16, 2016 6:25 pm
A freight forwarder, Alhaji Tajudeen Adetayo, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to reverse the policy banning rice importation through the border posts.
He made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) In Lagos.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in October 2015 lifted the ban on rice importation through the borders but the service went back to the ban in March 2016, due to heavy smuggling of the commodity..
Adetayo, who is Chairman, Freight Forwarders Association Badagry (FFAB), pleaded that government should allow duty payment on rice through the border posts to generate more revenue.
According to him, a committee should be inaugurated by the Federal Government to look into issue of rice importation in the country.
He noted that the Ogun Command of the Customs Service generated over N1 billion within the short period the ban on rice through the border posts was lifted.
Adetayo said that some people would continue to smuggle as long as government imposed a restriction on rice importation through the border posts.
“Banning rice imports is not a good omen. When Nigeria has sufficient foods, then importation of rice can be banned,’’ he told NAN.
Adetayo added that Customs could not man all the porous routes alone.
The freight forwarder said that activities at the border posts were also low due to the high exchange rate and the ban on rice, which had given room for smuggling.
According to him, as at today, the exchange rate is as high as 1 million CFA to N620,000.
“From Cotonou, a Starlet car with Duty Paid Value is now above N1 million. It is now better to buy a car in Lagos,’’ Adetayo said.
He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene so that importers would be able to raise foreign exchange at cheaper rates.
The freight forwarder, however, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to dismantle the 30 road blocks between Idiroko, Ajielete and Ilase.
He described the road blocks as major hindrance to trade, adding that a journey of one or two hours, might take five hours on the road. “We do travel to Benin Republic and Togo with three to four check points to Togo.“On roads leading to the border posts, the Police, Customs, everybody is at the check points“Customs officers have the right to be at the road blocks but the Police should not be there,’’ Adetayo told NAN.The freight forwarder commended the Divisional Police Officer, officers and men of the Idiroko Divisional Police Office, saying that they had been doing their best in terms of security.“Car snatching, stealing have become minimal at the border posts. Commercial motorcyclists no longer move after 8.30 p.m. due to restriction of their movements,’’ NAN quotes him as saying. (NAN)
http://leadership.ng/news/536842/fg-urged-reverse-ban-rice-importation-borders
SHIPPING POSITION: Petroleum products lead imports at Lagos port On June 17, 20163:23 amIn NewsComments By Godwin Oritse Lagos—SEVEN more vessels laden with various cargoes including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), arrived at Lagos ports waiting to discharge. *Maritime *Maritime According to the yesterday’s shipping position of the Nigerian Ports Authority made available to Vanguard, showed that three other ships waiting to berth would discharge container-laden goods and bulk gypsum. In the ship data document, about 27 other ships containing petroleum products, food items and other goods were being expected at the ports from between now and end of t he month. NPA explained that other expected ships brought in general cargoes, bulk sugar, buck wheat, petrol, frozen fish and base oil. Besides the expected arrival of the ships, 21 other ships are currently at the ports discharging wheat, bulk fertiliser, bulk rice, trucks, general cargoes, petrol, sugar, aviation fuel, diesel and crude palm olein. Bulk rice and bagged rice had not been coming into Lagos ports for over a month.
Besides the expected arrival of the ships, 21 other ships are currently at the ports discharging wheat, bulk fertiliser, bulk rice, trucks, general cargoes, petrol, sugar, aviation fuel, diesel and crude palm olein. Bulk rice and bagged rice had not been coming into Lagos ports for over a month. Meanwhile petroleum products have continued to dominate imports in the Western zone of the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) as a total of 469,837 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS) were imported in June.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/shipping-position-petroleum-products-lead-imports-lagos-port/
Abolition of exchange controls – Will it help the country?
June 16, 2016, 12:00 pm
By Dr. Janaka Ratnasiri
During the recent no-confidence debate on the Finance Minister, the Prime Minister (PM) was reported to have said in the Parliament that country’s exchange controls would be removed before the next budget in November (Sunday Island, 12.06.2016). He added that "Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves were expected to double to USD 12 billion by the end of this year thanks to loans and grants from China, India and Japan, and that the government planned to raise about USD 4.2 billion offering bonds to foreigners". Apparently, the justification was to attract more investors.
Finance Minister’s address at Hong Kong
The Finance Minister (FM), too, has made a similar statement while delivering a keynote address at the 2016 Asian Investment Conference held last April in Hong Kong. He was heard saying that he aimed to turn capital (Colombo) into a financial hub modeled after Hong Kong and Singapore and that exchange controls would be abolished and invited investors to deposit their surplus money in Sri Lanka guaranteeing its safety, particularly from those living in Asia (https://www.credit-suisse.com/microsites/conferences/aic/en/blog/sri-lanka-finance-minister-we-are-back-in-business.html). Similar sentiments were also expressed by the Central Bank Governor (CBG) giving the same justification (The Island, 14.06.2016).
Listening to what the FM and the PM have said, one wonders whether there is any necessity to abolish exchange controls altogether merely to attract foreign investors. If attracting foreign investors whether to start up industries or new business ventures or to safe-keep their money, the ministers could have said that such investors be exempted from existing exchange controls instead of promising exchange controls would be totally abolished like in Singapore or Hong Kong. The picture the FM has painted in the Hong Kong forum that exchange controls were an impediment to bring investors is not correct.
Are exchange controls really an impediment?
The exchange control regulations have not been an impediment to foreign investments as so many investors have come and gone over the years taking whatever returns they have earned with them. The only difference is that an investor cannot at present walk into a bank and remit his entire balance out of the country with no question asked. He has to first get exchange controller’s approval which is granted readily after it is confirmed that he has met his commitments – payment of employees’ salaries, EPF contributions, payments to raw material suppliers and taxes to the government etc. Does the FM want all this verifications done away with and allow an investor to take away his money without honoring his commitments?
I believe that in other countries where exchange controls are relaxed, governments, unlike ours, would not have had to depend on foreign loans to build up their foreign exchange reserves. With far reaching vision, planning and integrity of their leaders, they have been able to build up adequate foreign exchange reserves which enabled them to relax their exchange controls. But, is the situation similar here? It is indeed sad to hear the PM saying that the government would abolish exchange controls allowing people to remit money as much as they wish to saying that money borrowed from friendly countries is available for that purpose!
Country’s balance of payment
The external trade has been performing poorly over the years with the import-export deficit deteriorating from USD 4,825 million in 2010 to USD 8,430 million in 2015, a 75% increase (M/Finance Annual Report 2015). According to this report, the total external reserves which amounted to US$ 9.3 billion by end 2015 were sufficient to meet only 4.6 months of imports. Even this reserve was built up from loans taken from several countries as well as from lending institutions like the IMF and ADB.
Under such a critical situation with regard to external reserves, how prudent is it to remove exchange control regulations for whatever the reason? Won’t it open a floodgate, draining the little foreign exchange we have? The trio (PM, FM & CBG) should realize that the balance the country has now is mainly contributed by the blood and sweat of our housemaids slaving in the middle-east and not so much by the affluent business community most of whom are now given tax exemptions by the FM. The trio has no moral right to allow the rich to squander this money on jaunts abroad and sustain luxury lifestyles. President Sirisena should intervene to stop them from ruining the country’s economy.
Way to create a healthy balance of payment
The policymakers, both politicians and administrators, seem to be oblivious to so many opportunities the country has to improve the external trade balance but not doing anything about it. A few of them were highlighted in the writer’s article, Sustainable Economy, which appeared in The Island of 10th, 14th and 28th August 2015. In this article, only a few sectors – tea, fisheries, electronics and energy – were covered. But, there are many more opportunities available where the export earnings could be increased and imports reduced and create a healthy external balance, but such initiatives need government intervention, which unfortunately is not forthcoming.
In 2015, Sri Lanka has imported USD 2,296 million worth of textiles. At one time Sri Lanka had several textile factories in Veyangoda, Pugoda, Thulhiriya and Wellawatta. Except Thulhiriya others were razed to the ground. Was it the incompetency of Sri Lankans to manage textile manufacturing or corruption that led to their closure? At least a part of this money could have been saved had those factories had been in operation. If Thulhiriya could do that under private management, there is no reason why others couldn’t.
Sri Lanka has also imported in 2015 USD 251 million worth of milk foods and USD 253 million worth of sugar. There is a potential to reduce both these amounts by producing them locally but not done for various reasons. The local production of sugar is less than 10% of the country’s requirements, but this could be enhanced easily. Increasing their production locally will provide more employment to the rural poor, but again importing goods are more attractive to decision makers than local production.
Conflict between imports and production
The issue is that policymakers are ready to support imports rather than local production and make the produce available to the people. For example, in 2014 and 2015, sums of USD million 282 and 135 respectively, were spent on rice imports while it has been in the range of USD 18-24 million only annually during 2011 – 2013 (M/F AR 2015). Why was there a sudden increase in rice imports in 2014 and 2015? Do people prefer imported rice to the local varieties?
Readers may recall that the country has recently had a surplus rice production but there is no mechanism to purchase, store and market it to the people at reasonable prices after processing. As a result, surplus rice probably after spoilage was sent to animal feed factories. What prompted the policymakers to import such large quantities of rice when there was a surplus production in the country? The answer is simple – imports yield more commissions!
According to the editorial of the Sunday Divaina of 12.06.2016, some of the institutions where corruption prevails come under the purview of ministers who are themselves alleged to be most corrupt. The editor further says that they and corrupt officials could plunder the institutions and raze them to the ground. This is exactly what happened during past regimes when several factories including ceramics, textiles, plywood, paper and many more were literally razed to the ground. The army’s central armoury at Salawa was built on the razed plywood factory premises!
Failure to attract foreign investors in the past
From the time the free trade zones were set up in the country several decades ago, regime after regime was wooing foreign direct investments (FDI) by offering many tax benefits and infrastructure facilities. Some have set up ventures but not to the level the other countries in Asia have achieved. Before the FM invites investors to Sri Lanka offering free exchange transactions, he should examine the real reasons for the poor response to previous calls for investments.
According to Central Bank data, FDIs amounting to USD 1,066 million were received in 2011 which increased to USD 1,581 million in 2014, showing a healthy positive growth. However, in 2015, it declined to USD 970 million. The exchange control issue cannot come into play all of a sudden. Then was it the change of government and the investors’ loss in confidence in the new government? It appears that the FM’s appearance at the Hong Kong meeting was a damage control exercise. The question is whether it will work.
Hurdles investors have to face
Setting up an industry or a development project in areas such as energy, petroleum, highways needs clearance at different levels even before the project commences. These range from Grama Niladaris at the bottom to the Cabinet at the top. In between are the Divisional Secretary’s Office, Pradesheeya Sabha Chairman, Provincial Council Chairman, Central Environmental Authority and various government departments and institutions if any of them is likely to get affected such as forest, archeology, coast conservation, wildlife, BOI, and sustainable energy authority etc. The FM should study how speedy these institutions perform in granting clearance to projects and what is expected unofficially of the investor to improve the speed. It is no secret that at all these places there are vultures waiting to get their share.
Once operations commence, there are many hurdles an industrialist or a project proponent has to overcome to export his products or keep the project running. These include getting the products certified, payment of taxes due including VAT refunds, importing raw materials and exporting the finished products through the customs. The FM should add these institutions also to the above list. It is not seldom that one reads in the media about corrupt practices taking place therein.
Create corruption-free country to attract investors
The FM, at the end of his address, said that he was planning to attend the forum next year and by that time, Sri Lanka would be a robust financial centre. With all exchange controls removed, he was expecting more investors to come. Instead, if he could say next year that Sri Lanka has eliminated corruption altogether at all levels, I am sure more investors would flock to the country, because corruption has been the main obstacle for investors to do business here, despite his theme, "Sri Lanka is back to business".
Will the FM be able to make Sri Lanka free from corruption? The President gave an outline of his plans to achieve this at the recent London Summit on Corruption. Will he get the support of his Cabinet members to eliminate corruption? He can do it by exercising his executive powers, but will he?
If the President wants to see the country prosper economically, he has no choice but to bring to justice the corrupt without leaving it to various commissions and officials who have not demonstrated any urgency in the matter. He should stop making public utterances on corruption but get down to work himself, first starting at the Cabinet level to make the country free of corruption. The newspaper editors cannot then point their fingers at them branding them as the most corrupt in the country
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=poll-resutls&page=poll-resutls&code_title=22&ex_four=voted
Rice growers say southern NSW rice production has halved but are hopeful of a good year
Vic Country Hour
By Emma Brown
Posted Fri at 7:55am
Rice growers in southern New South Wales are hopeful irrigation allocations will allow them to plant a crop this year.
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
Audio: Rice farmers Peter Kaylock and Leigh Vial on the outlook for the rice season (ABC Rural)
Unlike most cereals, rice isn't planted until the summer.
Last year the area under rice was greatly reduced due to high water price and low availability.
Moulamein rice grower Leigh Vial said the price of rice and high yields would be attractive to many farmers, despite a predicted zero allocation forecast for the start of the next water year.
Mr Vial said rice yields in his region could be around 11 tonnes per hectare but the high cost of water has shrunk the region's rice industry.
"A long term trend is maybe half of what it used to be," he said.
"We probably need to see 20, maybe 30 per cent allocation by Christmas time or not much later than that to be able to plant a rice crop.
"But there's certainly more crystal-ball gazing than there used to be.
"We've left about 200 hectares open which is substantially more than we grew in this last rice crop, which was 50 hectares."
Rice farmer Peter Kaylock said he was hopeful this year would turn out to be a positive one for rice crops, with good autumn and early winter rain falling in the catchment regions.
He said the variations in water price and availability was a challenge for the industry, but rice production remained his farm's primary crop.
"There's certainly a willingness to buy water if the price is affordable and everybody's got to work out what that cut off is," he said.
"This year certainly has been a good start but most people have made the best of it.
"If the weather predictions are right going forward we certainly look to being on track to have an average year."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-17/rice-outlook/7520488
Solidarity! Vietnam Donates 5,000 Tons of Rice to Cuba
Published 17 June 2016
The donation follows almost six decades of friendship and cooperation between the two political and economic allies.
Vietnam and Cuba signed a document confirming the delivery of 5,000 tons of rice from the Southeast Asian to the Caribbean country, Thursday.
A Vietnamese delegation led by National Reserve General Director Pham Phan Dun was welcomed in Havana by the Cuban government, which held a ceremony in thanks of the donation.
The shipment was delivered to the port of Santiago de Cuba and is part of a pledge made last September by president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Truong Tan Sang, during a visit to the island.
In that visit, Tan Sang also announced that his country would help Cuba further agricultural development.
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Solidarity-Vietnam-Donates-5000-Tons-of-Rice-to-Cuba-20160617-0017.html
Land for rice tilling: how much is enough?
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s agriculture and rice tilling in particular has been under so much pressure that it will have to undergo restructuring.
According to the World Bank (WB), Vietnam only needs 3-3.2 million hectares of paddy land to ensure its food security and rice export.
When calculating the volume of rice Vietnam needs for domestic consumption and export, the WB’s group of researchers considered many scenarios about supply, with different possible land areas and yields, and scenarios about demand, with different rice consumption per capita.
There are three scenarios for rice consumption: 100 kilos per capital per annum, 120 kilos and 140 kilos.
When income improves, people will consume less rice, leading to lower rice demand.
Vietnam’s agriculture and rice tilling in particular has been under so much pressure that it will have to undergo restructuring.
Researchers have found that, with 3.8 million hectares of paddy land in 2025-2030, Vietnam would still have 6-8 million tons of rice that could be exported.
Meanwhile, with 3.2 million hectares, Vietnam would have 4 million tons for export, and of 3 million hectares, it would have one million ton re for export.
As such, the researchers have suggested retaining 3.2 million hectares of paddy land, considering this the safest way to ensure food security.
WB also pointed out that Vietnam’s agriculture now needs to undergo restructuring to improve productivity and increase value for its farm produce.
Vietnam grows rice on 7.6-7.7 million hectares and with an average yield of 57.8 quintal per hectare, the total output is 44.5 million tons.
According to MARD, Vietnam plans to reduce the land area for rice cultivation by 100,000 hectares to make room for other annual crops, such as corn and plants for animal feed.
Experts believe that in order to improve the quality of rice and farm produce, the State needs to change the way of management.
It should set up standards for rice quality and allow enterprises to provide seeds under the market mechanism. If so, farmers would be able to choose the best seed suppliers and grow rice at the most reasonable cost.
To ensure rice consumption, the State should set up programs on collecting rice for stockpiles and buy rice from farmers at best prices.
“With such organization, farmers would be able to estimate profits they can expect, which would make them feel secure about production,” said Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, an expert.
Tuan noted that there have been big changes in consumers’ tastes. It is difficult to sell hybrid rice despite low prices, and it is easier to buy high-quality products despite the high prices.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/157794/land-for-rice-tilling--how-much-is-enough-.html
Egyptians Pay Too Much for Food Due to Needless Rules, U.S. Says
Megan Durisin megandurisin
June 17, 2016 — 2:48 AM PKT Updated on June 17, 2016 — 9:01 AM PKT
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Women buy bread from the window of a bakery in Cairo.
Photographer: Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg
Unnecessary and burdensome regulations will leave Egypt, the world’s largest wheat buyer, with more than $860 million in direct costs and lost export earnings this year while its citizens pay more for their food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Costly tender requirements, confusion over wheat-import policies and curbs on the export of rice were cited by the U.S. agency’s Foreign Agricultural Service in a June 8 report that was published Thursday. The country could increase earnings and lower import costs if it complied with international standards, according to the report.
"Egypt’s unorthodox agricultural measures lead to spending cash it cannot afford and missed market opportunities for some of its key commodities," the USDA said. "The end result is higher food prices paid by Egypt’s overburdened consumers, in complete dissonance with the government’s efforts and trumped up claims that it’s trying to make food more affordable."
The country subsidizes wheat for its 88.5 million citizens and buys the grain in regular tenders. Those tenders, closely watched by the global commodities trade, have been disrupted this year after Egypt rejected some cargoes because of new limits on the permissible amount of ergot, a fungus. It turned away shipments of Canadian and Polish grain as recently as this month.
A zero-tolerance policy on ergot “puts Egypt out of step with the rest of the international trading community,” and traders are submitting bids at a premium to market prices amid the confusion, the USDA said. The country also incurs extra costs by regularly sending six-member teams overseas to clear wheat purchases, something that other importing countries don’t do, the agency said.
Restrictive trade policies on rice are estimated to cost about $500 million in lost revenue this year, the USDA said.
“The government implores producers to avoid price hikes, instead of focusing its efforts aligning its practices to those of the global trading community,” USDA said.
No one at the Egyptian embassy in Washington could be reached for comment.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-16/egyptians-pay-too-much-for-food-due-to-needless-rules-u-s-says
Iran’s imports fall by 13.5%
16 June 2016 14:44 (UTC+04:00)
Access to paid information is limited
http://en.trend.az/iran/business/2546537.html
06/16/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
06/16/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
.
Soybeans
High Low
Cash Bids 1167 1095
New Crop 1158 1109
Riceland Foods
Cash Bids Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
New Crop Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
Futures:
SOYBEANS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1160.00 1128.50 1134.50 -21.50
Aug '16 1158.50 1128.00 1133.50 -21.50
Sep '16 1147.50 1116.50 1123.75 -21.25
Nov '16 1142.75 1108.25 1119.25 -19.25
Jan '17 1137.00 1106.25 1117.00 -18.75
Mar '17 1097.50 1075.25 1083.75 -13.75
May '17 1087.50 1065.00 1071.75 -15.50
Jul '17 1085.00 1061.25 1068.75 -16.25
Aug '17 1050.50 -15.75
Soybean Comment
Soybeans closed sharply lower again today as the new crop contract has given back all of its gains over the last 10 sessions. Pressure from speculators combined with a neutral export sales report pushed new crop prices back near $11. While soybeans continue to see a correction, there remains a bullish undertone to the market. With U.S. soybeans trading at discount to South American soybeans the expectations remains that the U.S. could see record exports in 2016/17. The one thing making the market nervous at this time is the potential for additional acres in the Acreage Report at the end of the month. If the USDA cuts acreage less than expected soybeans could see another sharp rally.
________________________________________
Wheat
High Low
Cash Bids 482 452
New Crop 483 458
Futures:
WHEAT
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 479.50 471.00 472.50 -5.00
Sep '16 491.50 483.25 484.75 -4.75
Dec '16 511.25 503.00 504.25 -6.00
Mar '17 530.00 522.75 523.50 -6.75
May '17 542.50 535.00 535.50 -7.00
Jul '17 551.75 544.25 545.00 -7.00
Sep '17 553.00 552.50 552.50 -6.75
Dec '17 570.50 564.00 564.50 -5.75
Mar '18 579.00 579.00 575.75 -5.25
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices closed lower again today as prices traded near support at $4.70. While we saw sharp losses in soybeans and losses also in corn wheat was unwilling to test recent lows near $4.64. Wheat continues to weaken as large supplies and lackluster demand plague the market.
________________________________________
Grain Sorghum
High Low
Cash Bids 394 394
New Crop 385 351
________________________________________
Corn
High Low
Cash Bids 440 414
New Crop 440 431
Futures:
CORN
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 429.75 420.50 425.25 -3.75
Sep '16 435.25 425.50 430.50 -3.50
Dec '16 441.00 431.25 435.75 -3.75
Mar '17 446.00 437.00 440.75 -3.75
May '17 448.00 439.75 443.00 -4.00
Jul '17 450.00 441.50 445.00 -4.00
Sep '17 414.75 409.00 412.00 -1.75
Dec '17 412.50 406.00 409.75 -0.75
Mar '18 418.50 414.00 416.50 -0.75
Corn Comment
Corn prices closed lower today despite another bullish export sales report. Corn prices remain strong, but outside pressures are weighing on corn prices. All markets saw non commercial selling today as traders prepare for next weeks vote in Britain to leave the EU. The corn market continues to face bullish fundamentals both on the supply side and demand side, but uncertainty from speculators could increase the volatility in coming days.
________________________________________
Cotton
Futures:
COTTON
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 63.77 62.3 63.3 0.7
Oct '16 65.43 64.5 65.38 1.05
Dec '16 65.16 63.4 64.93 1.31
Cotton Comment
Cotton futures are having a hard time picking a direction, with December charting a bullish reversal in today's trade. The market needs to close above the high of 66.30 cents set on Monday when the market charted a bearish reversal in order to suggest further gains are possible. Uptrending support is near 62.60 cents currently. In last week’s report, USDA forecast weaker cotton mill use in the U.S. The USDA continues to forecast U.S. Cotton stocks at more than 4 million bales this year and next. Global demand remains sluggish despite a 1.7 million bale decline in global stocks primarily caused by a 2 million bale decrease in China cotton stocks, which were the result of lower production forecasts, not increased demand.
________________________________________
Rice
High Low
Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -
Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -
Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1172.0 1127.5 1131.0 -30.5
Sep '16 1199.5 1155.5 1158.5 -30.5
Nov '16 1186.0 1180.0 1182.5 -30.5
Jan '17 1205.0 -30.0
Mar '17 1225.0 -28.5
May '17 1238.5 -29.5
Jul '17 1251.5 -29.5
Rice Comment
July rice barely missed charting a bearish key reversal today. The only element missing was a lower low, as the market found support at Wednesday's low of $11.27 1/2. July will have resistance at the recent high of $11.87 1/2 on a rebound. The USDA supply/demand report did show an increase in short and medium grain rice exports, but also forecast an increase in long grain rice imports. With forecast for another big crop in 2016/17, rice needs to see additional demand develop as we approach the fall. The USDA is forecasting sharp increases next year over the current year, however, export sales are still lackluster. Net sales for this week totalled 59,400 tons for the 15-16 marketing year and 21,200 tons for the 16-17 marketing year.
________________________________________
Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:
LIVE CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Jun '16 117.750 115.575 117.275 0.000
Aug '16 113.875 111.750 113.350 -0.225
Oct '16 113.775 111.675 113.300 -0.225
Dec '16 114.750 112.650 114.050 -0.375
Feb '17 114.575 112.600 113.875 -0.575
Apr '17 114.000 112.250 113.450 -0.425
Jun '17 107.775 106.250 107.200 -0.350
Aug '17 105.875 103.750 105.000 -0.550
Feeders:
FEEDER CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Aug '16 140.800 136.900 139.625 -0.625
Sep '16 139.975 136.325 138.525 -0.900
Oct '16 138.575 135.400 137.150 -0.975
Nov '16 135.250 132.400 133.875 -1.100
Jan '17 130.650 127.850 130.100 +0.075
Mar '17 127.050 125.000 127.050 -0.275
Apr '17 126.475 126.400 126.475 -0.800
May '17 127.750 -0.075
Cattle Comment
Cattle prices closed lower again today. Continued weakness in beef prices and overall weakness in all commodities continues to weigh on cattle prices. Both live and feeder cattle started the day out down near the limit, but found some late support and managed only modest losses today. The market remains in a downtrend and continues to test recent lows as prices continue to search for bullish news to support prices.
________________________________________
Hogs
Futures:
LEAN HOGS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 87.450 86.250 87.075 +0.250
Aug '16 89.675 88.450 89.500 +0.700
Oct '16 74.600 73.725 74.500 +0.350
Dec '16 67.175 66.475 66.950 +0.075
Feb '17 69.975 69.175 69.750 +0.075
Apr '17 72.375 71.800 72.225 +0.150
May '17 76.125 +0.100
Jun '17 79.850 79.450 79.850 +0.200
Jul '17 79.150 79.150 79.150 +0.150
________________________________________
06/17/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Soybeans
High Low
Cash Bids 1147 1074
New Crop 1144 1089
Riceland Foods
Cash Bids Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
New Crop Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
Futures:
SOYBEANS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1160.00 1132.50 1159.50 +25.00
Aug '16 1160.75 1132.00 1160.00 +26.50
Sep '16 1152.50 1121.50 1151.75 +28.00
Nov '16 1149.00 1116.50 1148.25 +29.00
Jan '17 1146.75 1114.00 1146.00 +29.00
Mar '17 1108.25 1084.25 1107.50 +23.75
May '17 1093.25 1069.50 1092.25 +20.50
Jul '17 1089.00 1067.25 1087.75 +19.00
Aug '17 1058.00 1058.00 1065.75 +15.25
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Soybean Comment
Soybeans ended the week sharply higher today as strong demand and dry weather helped support prices. Despite today's sharp increases, soybeans still fell 14.5-cents compared to last week. While the market remains worried about additional acreage being added in the acreage report later this month, forecast for dry weather could offset some of the potential production gains. Weather will remain the main driver for prices in the coming weeks; however, the market failed last week near $12 and will need strong demand to continue to show the market is willing to pay higher prices for soybeans.
________________________________________
Wheat
High Low
Cash Bids 482 446
New Crop 478 453
Futures:
WHEAT
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 482.50 472.50 481.25 +8.75
Sep '16 495.75 485.00 494.75 +10.00
Dec '16 514.00 504.25 513.00 +8.75
Mar '17 532.75 523.00 531.25 +7.75
May '17 543.00 534.50 542.75 +7.25
Jul '17 552.75 543.00 552.00 +7.00
Sep '17 559.50 +7.00
Dec '17 571.00 562.75 571.25 +6.75
Mar '18 582.75 +7.00
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices posted modest gains today when you compare today's wheat gains to corn and soybean markets. Weather remains bullish for both spring and winter wheat in the U.S., which could lead to further building of stocks. On the demand side, U.S. wheat has shown little ability to drum up new demand even at recent lower prices.
________________________________________
Grain Sorghum
High Low
Cash Bids 390 390
New Crop 391 347
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
________________________________________
Corn
High Low
Cash Bids 436 410
New Crop 440 425
Futures:
CORN
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 438.25 423.50 437.75 +12.50
Sep '16 443.50 428.25 442.75 +12.25
Dec '16 449.00 433.50 448.75 +13.00
Mar '17 452.75 440.00 452.50 +11.75
May '17 454.25 443.00 454.00 +11.00
Jul '17 455.00 444.50 455.00 +10.00
Sep '17 420.25 413.75 420.00 +8.00
Dec '17 417.25 410.50 416.75 +7.00
Mar '18 423.00 +6.50
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Corn Comment
Corn prices recovered yesterday's losses and then some, for the week December corn closed 18-cents higher and remains at multi month highs. Weather continues to fuel volatility as new reports of more hot dry weather have prices higher. Along with concerns of tightening supplies, the market continues to see strong demand as exports, domestic feed and ethanol continue to surge recently. As we approach the acreage report, corn prices are likely to remain firm as traders expect smaller acreage than was forecast in the perspective planting report.
________________________________________
Cotton
Futures:
COTTON
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 65.1 63.11 64.57 1.27
Oct '16 66.97 65.21 66.25 0.87
Dec '16 66.64 64.66 65.92 0.99
Memphis, TN Cotton and Tobacco Programs
Cotton Comment
Cotton futures exploded higher today, but closed near the middle of the day's trading range. Uptrending support is near 62.30 cents for December, and the market will need to close above today's high of 66.64 cents in order to suggest further upside is possible. In last week’s report, USDA forecast weaker cotton mill use in the U.S. The USDA continues to forecast U.S. Cotton stocks at more than 4 million bales this year and next. Global demand remains sluggish despite a 1.7 million bale decline in global stocks primarily caused by a 2 million bale decrease in China cotton stocks, which were the result of lower production forecasts, not increased demand.
________________________________________
Rice
High Low
Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -
Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -
Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1134.0 1126.5 1129.5 -1.5
Sep '16 1161.0 1155.0 1156.0 -2.5
Nov '16 1184.0 1180.0 1180.0 -2.5
Jan '17 1203.5 -1.5
Mar '17 1224.0 -1.0
May '17 1239.0 +0.5
Jul '17 1253.0 +1.5
Rice Comment
Rice futures traded in a very narrow range before closing lower. July will have resistance at that high of $11.87 1/2, and has support near $10.75. The USDA supply/demand report did show an increase in short and medium grain rice exports, but also forecast an increase in long grain rice imports. With forecast for another big crop in 2016/17, rice needs to see additional demand develop as we approach the fall. The USDA is forecasting sharp increases next year over the current year, however, export sales are still lackluster. Net sales for this week totalled 59,400 tons for the 15-16 marketing year and 21,200 tons for the 16-17 marketing year.
________________________________________
Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:
LIVE CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Jun '16 117.975 116.500 116.725 -0.550
Aug '16 114.450 112.275 112.550 -0.800
Oct '16 114.300 112.375 112.650 -0.650
Dec '16 115.100 113.275 113.575 -0.475
Feb '17 114.825 113.200 113.475 -0.400
Apr '17 114.375 112.825 112.950 -0.500
Jun '17 107.250 106.475 107.000 -0.200
Aug '17 105.475 104.525 104.600 -0.400
Feeders:
FEEDER CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Aug '16 140.800 137.050 137.425 -2.200
Sep '16 139.500 136.275 136.650 -1.875
Oct '16 138.000 135.100 135.450 -1.700
Nov '16 134.600 131.850 132.200 -1.675
Jan '17 130.075 127.425 127.750 -2.350
Mar '17 127.150 124.975 125.175 -1.875
Apr '17 126.225 126.225 125.775 -0.700
May '17 125.675 -2.075
Arkansas Prices
Arkansas Weekly Livestock Summary
Cattle Comment
Cattle prices posted sharp losses again today. Cattle prices took it on the chin this week as August live cattle settled $4.80 lower than last week and August feeder futures posted a weekly loss of $8.12 1/2. While cash cattle has not shown this dramatic of a drop, the lower futures are putting pressure on cash prices. Futures have seen little support to move higher as demand and beef prices remain weak.
________________________________________
Hogs
Futures:
LEAN HOGS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 87.300 86.075 86.175 -0.900
Aug '16 89.925 89.050 89.175 -0.325
Oct '16 74.500 74.100 74.325 -0.175
Dec '16 66.900 66.225 66.425 -0.525
Feb '17 69.575 68.875 69.000 -0.750
Apr '17 72.000 71.450 71.525 -0.700
May '17 75.900 -0.225
Jun '17 79.450 79.000 79.000 -0.850
Jul '17 79.075 78.400 78.475 -0.675
Hog Comment
________________________________________
Shell Eggs
Daily Midwest Regional Eggs
More
5 of 28
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1497
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 15-06-2016
Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price
Wheat
1 CZCE Wheat Futures (USD/t) 353
2 NYSE Liffe Feed Wheat Futures (USD/t) 156
3 GFO, HRW, DAT Ontario (USD/t) 158
Guar Gum Powder
1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3675
2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1075
3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2195
Peanuts
1 South Africa, HPS 70/80 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t) 2064
2 South African, HPS 40/50 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t) 1950
3 Argentinean 38/42 runners, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 1400
Source: oryza, agra-net For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 15-06-2016
Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price
Jowar(Sorghum)
1 Kalol (Gujarat) Other 1750 2420
2 Khargone (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1471 1496
3 Udaipur (Rajasthan) Other 1400 1425
Maize
1 Haveri (Karnataka) Local 1580 1650
2 Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1490 1861
3 Sangli (Maharashtra) Other 1700 1750
Mousambi
1 Manjeri (Kerala) Other 3200 3400
2 Taura (Haryana) Other 2500 2500
3 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 3000 4000
Carrot
1 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 2000
2 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 500 900
3 Solan (Himachal Pradesh) Other 1000 2000
Source:agmarknet.nic.in
For more info
Floriculture Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 31-05-2016
Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High
Rose Flower Package: bunched 10s
1 Boston Ethiopia Assorted Colors 13.50 13.50
Orchid Flower Package: bunched 10s
1 Boston Thailand Dendrobium 10 10
Lilies Flower Package: per bunch
1 Boston California Asiatic Type 13.50 13.50
Sunflower Package: per stem
1 Boston Mexico Large Head 2.00 2.00
Source:USDA
A farmer sows paddy in Karnal. Tribune photograph
Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service
Karnal, June 16
After witnessing a drastic fall in the rates of several basmati varieties in the last kharif season, distressed farmers of the karnal region, popularly known as the rice bowl, have preferred non-basmati varieties this growing season.
Farmers have not sown basmati varieties such as PB-1509, 1121, C-30 and have instead preferred several PR varieties of non-basmiti rice.
Farmers said they had spent a huge amount on the production of basmati paddy, but hadn’t even got half of their investment back. They said they could not bear more losses due to the fall in the rates of basmati varieties and were sowing PR varieties of non-basmati rice for which they would at least get government rates.
“The basmati experiment went bad for me in the last kharif season,” said Joginder Singh, a farmer from Baldi village.
Joginder said he had cultivated basmati varieties such as 1509 and 1121 last year in around 15 acres but had replaced them with PR-14 variety this year. He said he had received Rs 1,300-1,400 per quintal for 1509 variety and Rs 1,500-1,600 per quintal for 1121 variety in 2015-16, while he had received Rs 2,500 for 1509 and Rs 2,300 for 1121 in 2014-15.
He said the basmati varieties remained a gamble for farmers as these were dependent on private traders.
The Baldi farmer said most of the farmers of the region had adopted non-basmati varieties such as PR-13, 14, 27, 45, 127 and hybrid varieties.
Balwan Singh, a farmer from karnal, said he had cultivated basmati 1121, 1609 and C-30 on around 20 acres in the last season, but they did not give him the desired results. He said he had preferred non-basmati varieties this season.
Ravinder, another farmer from Baldi village, said they were forced by traders to sell their basmati varieties at throwaway prices in the last season so they had sown rice varieties which give at least minimum support prices.
He said the cost of the production of paddy had shown a twofold increase as the land lease had become dearer at Rs 50,000 per acre from Rs 30,000 per acre two years ago.
He said the rates of diesel and fertilisers had also increased as compared to the last year.
Besides, transplanting cost has increased from Rs 1,500 per acre two years ago to Rs 3,000 per acre and the harvesting labour has increased from Rs 3,500 per acre last year to Rs 6,000 per acre this year, he said.
The government should keep keep a check and stop exploitation of farmers by private traders, the Baldi farmer added.
Rice basmati remain up on rising demand, tight stocks
PTI | Jun 17, 2016, 02.10 PM IST
New Delhi, Jun 17 () Rice basmati prices remained firm for the second straight day on rising demand from retailers against tight stocks position on fall in supplies from producing regions.
Maize also strengthened on increased offtake by consuming industries.
Traders said rising demand against tight stocks position on restricted supplies from producing regions mainly kept rice basmati prices higher.
In the national capital, rice basmati rice common and Pusa-1121 variety increased to Rs 5,800-6,000 and Rs 4,700-5,650 against last close of Rs 5,750-5,950 and Rs 4,675-5,600 per quintal, respectively.
Non-basmati rice permal raw, wand,sela and IR-8 also settled higher at Rs 2,000-2,050, Rs 2,175-2,250, Rs 3,000-3,050 and Rs 1,870-1,880 as compared to previous levels of Rs 1975-2025, Rs 2,150-2,225, Rs 2,800-2,900 and Rs 1,840-1,850 per quintal, respectively in line with rice basmati trend.
Other bold grains like maize advanced by Rs 25 to Rs 1,565-1,575 per quintal.
Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,270-2,820, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,800-1,805, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,810-1,815, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 275, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275, Roller flour mill Rs 960-970 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,020-1,030 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,070-1,080 (50 kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati common new Rs 5,800-6,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,700-5,650, Permal raw Rs 2,000-2,050, Permal wand Rs 2,175-2,250, Sela Rs 3,000-3,050 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,870-1,880, Bajra Rs 1,630-1,635, Jowar yellow Rs 1,850-1,950, white Rs 3,500-3,600, Maize Rs 1,565-1,575, Barley Rs 1,670-1,675. SUN KPS PRB MKJ
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Rice-basmati-remain-up-on-rising-demand-tight-stocks/articleshow/52793938.cms
PhilRice, PCC forge ties to increase farmers’ income
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has partnered with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to help the farmers increase their productivity by integrating dairy enterprise in rice production.
The partnership is in support to PhilRice’s Palayamanan Plus, an intensified rice-based production system that focuses on increasing profitability in the rice environments through integration and diversification of farming components such as rice-based crop production, mushroom, livestock, and organic production for higher crop productivity, value-adding, and marketing.
During the MOA signing, PCC turned over five pregnant purebred dairy buffaloes to support the livestock production of Palayaman Plus, June 6.
“Dairy is not a separate entity. It goes hand-in-hand with rice production. Rice straw can be eaten by carabaos. Their manure can be used by farmers for vermicomposting. Viable dairy enterprises help the rice farmers boost their income,” said Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, PCC executive director.
PhilRice and PCC will conduct basic and applied research to study rice and dairy buffalo-based production management that smallholder farmers could easily replicate.
“We hope that the enterprise will continue to progress to serve as a good model for rice farmers,” said Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, PhilRice executive director. For more information on Palayaman Plus, farmers may contact the PhilRice Text Center at 0920-911-1398.
Bio-pesticides help manage rice pests, diseases – study
A research study found bio-pesticides or organic pesticides effective in managing rice pests and diseases.
Often, bio-pesticides are used in vegetables. But the study titled Bio-pesticides: Pest management in rice conducted by PhilRice Isabela, and Northern Cagayan Experiment Station (NCES) proved that they can also be effective in managing rice pests.
Bio-pesticides are compounds derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms that contain natural deterrents and anti-microbial properties that help ensure good plant growth. They also inhibit the growth, feeding, and development or reproduction of a pest or pathogen.
“Infestation in rice causes 20-50% loss due to pests and 10-30% due to diseases,” said Gracia B. Amar, study team lead and senior science research specialist from PhilRice Isabela.
Amar’s team used PSB Rc72H (Mestiso 1) as the test variety in an irrigated lowland area of 3,000 m2.
They chose the following bio-pesticides in conducting the study: effective microorganism (EM), lactobacilli (lactic) acid, fermented fruit juice (FPJ), biodegradable soap plus water, and metarizhium.
Bio-pesticides and targeted pests and diseases based on the results of the study.
Bio-pesticides Target pests and diseases
Effective microorganism (EM) Bacterial leaf blight (BLB), and bacterial leaf streak (BLS)
Lactobacilli (lactic) acid Bacterial diseases, and flies/maggots
Fermented fruit juice (FFJ) Green leaf hopper (GLF), caterpillar, and fungal diseases
Biodegradable soap plus water Whorl maggot
Metarizhium Leaf folder, whorl maggot, white-backed planthopper (WBPH), brown planthopper (BPH), and GLH
Advantages and disadvantages
According to Amar, bio-pesticides only affect target pests, and contain less toxic compounds compared to chemical pesticides.
“They are also sustainable and environment-friendly because they decompose quickly,” Amar added.
However, making bio-pesticides is laborious. Using them also needs repeated application as it takes time before they show effects on insect pests and diseases.
Findings
Amar said that among the treatments, EM consistently reduced the number of diseased leaves while the biodegradable soap reduced lesion length.
The highest reduction on diseased leaves were also observed on plots sprayed with EM and FFJ. The other treatment found effective was lactic acid which caused considerable reduction in lesion length and number of diseased leaves.
“This technology will help our farmers who work in irrigated lowland condition for pest management,” Amar concluded.
For more information on how to make bio-pesticides, contact:
Gracia B. Amar
0997-103-9422
Senior Science Research Specialist
PhilRice-Isabela
FG Urged To Reverse Ban On Rice Importation Through Borders
— Jun 16, 2016 6:25 pm | Leave a comment
A freight forwarder, Alhaji Tajudeen Adetayo, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to reverse the policy banning rice importation through the border posts.
He made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) In Lagos.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in October 2015 lifted the ban on rice importation through the borders but the service went back to the ban in March 2016, due to heavy smuggling of the commodity..
Adetayo, who is Chairman, Freight Forwarders Association Badagry (FFAB), pleaded that government should allow duty payment on rice through the border posts to generate more revenue.
According to him, a committee should be inaugurated by the Federal Government to look into issue of rice importation in the country.
He noted that the Ogun Command of the Customs Service generated over N1 billion within the short period the ban on rice through the border posts was lifted.
Adetayo said that some people would continue to smuggle as long as government imposed a restriction on rice importation through the border posts.
“Banning rice imports is not a good omen. When Nigeria has sufficient foods, then importation of rice can be banned,’’ he told NAN.
Adetayo added that Customs could not man all the porous routes alone.
The freight forwarder said that activities at the border posts were also low due to the high exchange rate and the ban on rice, which had given room for smuggling.
According to him, as at today, the exchange rate is as high as 1 million CFA to N620,000.
“From Cotonou, a Starlet car with Duty Paid Value is now above N1 million. It is now better to buy a car in Lagos,’’ Adetayo said.
He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene so that importers would be able to raise foreign exchange at cheaper rates.
The freight forwarder, however, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to dismantle the 30 road blocks between Idiroko, Ajielete and Ilase.
He described the road blocks as major hindrance to trade, adding that a journey of one or two hours, might take five hours on the road.
“We do travel to Benin Republic and Togo with three to four check points to Togo.
“On roads leading to the border posts, the Police, Customs, everybody is at the check points
“Customs officers have the right to be at the road blocks but the Police should not be there,’’ Adetayo told NAN.
The freight forwarder commended the Divisional Police Officer, officers and men of the Idiroko Divisional Police Office, saying that they had been doing their best in terms of security.
“Car snatching, stealing have become minimal at the border posts. Commercial motorcyclists no longer move after 8.30 p.m. due to restriction of their movements,’’ NAN quotes him as saying. (NAN)
Mahendra Persaud deserves his national award
By Staff Writer
June 17, 2016
Dear Editor,
I felt elated when I saw Dr Mahendra Persaud’s name mentioned as a national awardee. I must endorse the national awards committee for making the admirable recommendation that such an accolade be given to an agricultural scientist. Dr Mahendra is an accomplished, enterprising, dedicated and very young research scientist at the Burma Rice Research station. His achievements came about as a result of trial and error, but he triumphed in the end. The rice industry and the farmers benefited in special ways, so too the country at large.
This young plant breeder has been working relentlessly to propagate high-yielding hybrid varieties with resounding success. He is a home-grown scientist, not an expatriate who has been seconded to the Guyana government by the United Nations to do a short stint at the Burma research facilities and then leave. Dr Mahendra was trained in India and he is very ambitious given the level of training he has received.
Dr Persaud is also an acknowledged grass-roots scientist. He meets with rice farmers in their paddy fields in his pursuit of broadening his knowledge about the farmers’ needs and in order to strengthen their resolve to do better. He is approachable and always willing to help. For every successful person there are sure to be detractors of some sort; no man has ever been able to please all humanity. When a country has people who are endowed with such scientific and technical skills, we must see such individuals as our future trail-blazers and an important asset.
I would like to implore Dr Mahendra to keep working on paddy strains that are drought tolerant and improve on varieties, as he did in the case of GRDB #10 ‒ it is very high yielding. But it goes down flat at harvesting time if the rain falls heavily. The best agronomic practice to avoid this disappointing situation is to strengthen the root base and stalk, while the leaves must be less prolific. GRDB #10 has been in very great demand among rice farmers countrywide.
I have harvested and used for paddy seedlings, plots that took a serious battering from the recent El Niño weather conditions. There were lots of unfilled paddy pads because of on-and-off water in the fields, but the results have been very good germination. The crop looks very promising.
Together we grow, together we eat, and together we survive!
Yours faithfully,
Ganga Persaud
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/opinion/letters/06/17/mahendra-persaud-deserves-national-award/
Global rice starch market forecast to 2021 detailed in new research report
Published: 17 June 2016
Submitted by The Market Reports WhaTech - Max
With around 150 tables and figures this report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.
The Global Rice Starch Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Rice Starch industry.
Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.
Complete report with detailed table of content is available at: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/global-rice-starch-industry-2016-market-research-report
Companies like BENEO, Ingredion, AGRANA, Thai Flour, Bangkok Starch, WFM Wholesome Foods, Golden Agriculture, Anhui Lianhe, Anhui Le Huan Tian Biotechnology and more are profiled in the terms of product picture, specification, capacity, production, price, cost, gross, revenue, and contact information.
Global Rice Starch Market report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out.
The Rice Starch industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.
Report available at: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/buy-now/67446
Table of Contents:
1 Industry Overview of Rice Starch
2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Rice Starch
3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Rice Starch
4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Rice Starch by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Rice Starch by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Rice Starch by Regions, Types and Applications
7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Rice Starch
8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Rice Starch
9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Rice Starch
10 Industry Chain Analysis of Rice Starch
11 Development Trend of Analysis of Rice Starch
12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Rice Starch
13 Conclusion of the Global Rice Starch Industry 2016 Market Research Report
Inquire about this report: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/ask-your-query/67446
CSIR labs to come up with new rice variety, anti-malaria drug
TNN | Jun 17, 2016, 01.18 AM IST
Lucknow: The CSIR-run laboratories will come up with some key consumer products over the next two years. These would include arsenic-free rice and anti-malarial drug.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research instruction (CSIR) has directed institutes coming under it to speed up research and introduce products and technologies that will benefit the people. CSIR's 'Fast track translation project' aims to provide immediate benefit to the society by delivering products in short period by 'completing the last mile from lab to market'.
Three CSIR-run institutes in Lucknow -- National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) -- are working on such products and technologies.
NBRI is working on arsenic-free rice variety, 'Muktashree', in collaboration with Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, West Bengal. This rice would be safe for human consumption even if grown in regions with poisonous elements in groundwater and soil. In addition, NBRI is also working on anacardic acid, a potential molecule that will increase cotton fibre yield and in turn, raise farmers' income. NBRI is also working on an opium poppy plant variety which will aid in manufacturing of life-saving drugs.
CIMAP will make its early mint technology available to farmers. It will aid in increasing productivity of menthol mint by about 30% along with cutting down production cost by 30%. The facility of Technology Business Incubation Centre (TBIC) for manufacturing of herbal products.
Meanwhile, CDRI is working on three different drugs that will provide treatment for osteoporosis, malaria blood clotting. All the three drugs are in final phase of completion
It is here!!!– African Rice- leading the African Rice Revolution
The story is told that in the colonial era, “brothers” from West Africa particularly from the Sene-Gambia area and coastal Sierra Leone who were sent to the United States were employed at the highest rates because of their prior knowledge and expertise in the rice culture.
Rice has been cultivated for over 3500 years in different parts of the continent and it is no wonder that the African tongue and taste buds are so familiar with rice. The sad thing is that rice was never developed as an industry on the continent and this continues to this day.
Statistics indicate that total consumption of imported rice in 2015 was 26 million tonnes. There are other alarming statistics on the state of African rice consumption and importation that were shared at one of the plenary sessions by Dr Harold Roy- Macauley, Director General of Africa Rice Centre during a presentation at the 7th African Agriculture and Science Week and General Assembly (AASW7 and GA) of FARA, in Kigali Rwanda.
Currently, rice is the staple food of more than 80 percent of the population of Sub- Saharan Africa. Africa is not producing enough rice though a great number of the people live on rice. The Rice Sector is also more likely than any other sector of the economy to bring sustainable levels of food security.
According to Dr Roy-Macauley, with the exception of Egypt, most African countries are insufficient in rice. Rice self insufficiency is a serious problem, perhaps gradually creeping into a crisis.
The Africa Rice Centre believes that achieving self sufficiency is a measure of local and global food security and Africa and the world must pay attention to that.
The Good news
Now, the good news is that Africa Rice Centre, through the Africa Riceing initiative is seeking to work with Africa to achieve rice self sufficiency on the continent. “Africa Riceing is a strong concept in the making” says Dr. Roy-Macauley.
How is Africa Rice going to achieve this for the continent? According to him, Africa Rice Centre is approaching its initiative as a business. A business model on this has been developed. The situation is that Rice demand will continue to grow due to population increase and so will income expected from the industry. It is estimated that by 2025, 22 million tonnes of rice will be milled.
If the Africa Rice Centre proceeds with the Africa Riceing initiative from West Africa where rice imports are greatest and expand to all corners of the continent, average yield will increase. Indeed, using technology with policy and institutional support, Africa’s paddy rice production in 2025 will increase by 77 million tonnes per year.
Good Business
Making business sense out of this, investment of 22 billion dollars with a promise of a return of a whopping $61 billion is good business. Now, the icing on the cake. This figure, according to Dr Roy-Macauley excludes additional benefits from high prices, improvement in quality to attract high price among others.
Africa Rice Centre has a plan to achieve this. The plan includes increase in rice cultivation to about 6 million hectors, application of science and technology, strategies carefully thought out and tools among others. When all measures are put in place to increase rice production, Africa will be able to produce 27 million tonnes by 2015.
For Dr Roy-Macauley, the Africa Riceing agenda demonstrates how technology and innovations delivered through rice research with support of its partners, could be used to ensure food and nutrition security, Revenue generation and youth and women employment
Project launched to teach farmers dairy production
THE PHILIPPINE Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has partnered with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to help farmers increase their income by integrating dairy enterprise in rice production.
“Viable dairy enterprises help the rice farmers boost their income,” said Dr. Arnel del Barrio, PCC executive director in a statement.
PhilRice and PCC will conduct basic and applied research to study rice and dairy buffalo-based production management that smallholder farmers could easily replicate, according to the statement.
During the signing of the memorandum of agreement on June 6, the PCC turned over five pregnant purebred dairy buffaloes to support the livestock production of Palayaman Plus, an intensified rice-based production system that aims to transform rice farming communities into rural economies composed of rice-based enterprises.
“Dairy is not a separate entity. It goes hand-in-hand with rice production. Rice straw can be eaten by carabaos. Their manure can be used by farmers for vermicomposting, “ Mr. del Barrio added.
“We hope that the enterprise will continue to progress to serve as a good model for rice farmers,” Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, PhilRice executive director was quoted as saying in the statement. -- Janina C. Lim
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=project-launched-to-teach-farmers-dairy-production&id=129139
IRRI to help Nepal attain rice sufficiency
Friday, June 17, 2016
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna -- The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) recently hosted the four-day official visit of Nepal’s Secretary of Agricultural Development (MoAD) Uttam Kumar Bhattarai and his delegation to strengthen collaboration in helping Nepal's goal of attaining rice sufficiency.
IRRI officials described on Thursday the visit of the Nepalese agriculture official to the world’s premier rice research institute headquarters here as an opportunity “to pave the way for stronger collaboration, particularly in helping Nepal attain rice self-sufficiency.”
IRRI and Nepal currently have several major activities among them the Stress-Tolerant Rice for Africa and South Asia (Strasa) project which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Accelerating the Adoption of Stress-Tolerant Varieties (ASTV) by smallholder farmers in Nepal through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding.
The IRRI partnership with Nepal also embarked on the Improved Crop Management and Strengthened Seed System for drought-prone rain-fed lowlands in South Asia, funded by the European Commission-International Fund for Agricultural Development (EC-IFAD).
During the visit, Secretary Bhattarai and his entourage of senior Nepalese government officials from various agencies met with IRRI top officials that resulted in the strengthening of Nepal’s host agreement to further boost work on rice production and capacity building of national partners.
The discussions also highlighted the dissemination of the stress-tolerant rice varieties in various districts of Nepal through the Strasa and USAID-ASTV projects.
IRRI officials also conducted a joint meeting with the Nepalese delegation at the Asian Development Bank where they explored sources of funding to expand research and development activities to improve Nepal’s rice sector.
The Nepalese delegation also toured IRRI's Zeigler Experiment Station, International Rice Genebank, Grain Quality and Nutrition Center, and rice breeding and postharvest facilities.
The tours showcased areas where IRRI can help Nepal in its efforts to sustainably increase rice production and reduce rice importation.
IRRI officials Dr. Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general for communication and partnerships, and Jacqueline Hughes, deputy director general for research, welcomed the Nepalese delegation during the visit.
Joining them were Corinta Guerta, IRRI director for external relations and IRRI scientists Abdel Ismail David Johnson and Umesh Singh.
The four-day visit was facilitated by the Strasa and USAID-ASTV projects as part of the efforts to enhance collaboration and awareness of national program leaders in South Asia. (PNA)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/06/17/irri-help-nepal-attain-rice-sufficiency-479989
CSIR labs to come up with new rice variety, anti-malaria drug
TOI
Lucknow
Fri,17 Jun 2016
Summary: NBRI is also working on an opium poppy plant variety which will aid in manufacturing of life-saving drugs.CIMAP will make its early mint technology available to farmers. Lucknow: The CSIR-run laboratories will come up with some key consumer products over the next two years. This rice would be safe for human consumption even if grown in regions with poisonous elements in groundwater and soil. It will aid in increasing productivity of menthol mint by about 30% along with cutting down production cost by 30%. In addition, NBRI is also working on anacardic acid, a potential molecule that will increase cotton fibre yield and in turn, raise farmers' income.
Lucknow: The CSIR-run laboratories will come up with some key consumer products over the next two years. These would include arsenic-free rice and anti-malarial drug.The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research instruction (CSIR) has directed institutes coming under it to speed up research and introduce products and technologies that will benefit the people. CSIR 's 'Fast track translation project' aims to provide immediate benefit to the society by delivering products in short period by 'completing the last mile from lab to market'.Three CSIR-run institutes in Lucknow -- National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) -- are working on such products and technologies.NBRI is working on arsenic-free rice variety, 'Muktashree', in collaboration with Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, West Bengal.
This rice would be safe for human consumption even if grown in regions with poisonous elements in groundwater and soil. In addition, NBRI is also working on anacardic acid, a potential molecule that will increase cotton fibre yield and in turn, raise farmers' income. NBRI is also working on an opium poppy plant variety which will aid in manufacturing of life-saving drugs.CIMAP will make its early mint technology available to farmers.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/CSIR-labs-to-come-up-with-new-rice-variety-anti-malaria-drug/articleshow/52787614.cm
FG Urged To Reverse Ban On Rice Importation Through Borders
Jun 16, 2016 6:25 pm
A freight forwarder, Alhaji Tajudeen Adetayo, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to reverse the policy banning rice importation through the border posts.
He made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) In Lagos.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in October 2015 lifted the ban on rice importation through the borders but the service went back to the ban in March 2016, due to heavy smuggling of the commodity..
Adetayo, who is Chairman, Freight Forwarders Association Badagry (FFAB), pleaded that government should allow duty payment on rice through the border posts to generate more revenue.
According to him, a committee should be inaugurated by the Federal Government to look into issue of rice importation in the country.
He noted that the Ogun Command of the Customs Service generated over N1 billion within the short period the ban on rice through the border posts was lifted.
Adetayo said that some people would continue to smuggle as long as government imposed a restriction on rice importation through the border posts.
“Banning rice imports is not a good omen. When Nigeria has sufficient foods, then importation of rice can be banned,’’ he told NAN.
Adetayo added that Customs could not man all the porous routes alone.
The freight forwarder said that activities at the border posts were also low due to the high exchange rate and the ban on rice, which had given room for smuggling.
According to him, as at today, the exchange rate is as high as 1 million CFA to N620,000.
“From Cotonou, a Starlet car with Duty Paid Value is now above N1 million. It is now better to buy a car in Lagos,’’ Adetayo said.
He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene so that importers would be able to raise foreign exchange at cheaper rates.
The freight forwarder, however, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to dismantle the 30 road blocks between Idiroko, Ajielete and Ilase.
He described the road blocks as major hindrance to trade, adding that a journey of one or two hours, might take five hours on the road. “We do travel to Benin Republic and Togo with three to four check points to Togo.“On roads leading to the border posts, the Police, Customs, everybody is at the check points“Customs officers have the right to be at the road blocks but the Police should not be there,’’ Adetayo told NAN.The freight forwarder commended the Divisional Police Officer, officers and men of the Idiroko Divisional Police Office, saying that they had been doing their best in terms of security.“Car snatching, stealing have become minimal at the border posts. Commercial motorcyclists no longer move after 8.30 p.m. due to restriction of their movements,’’ NAN quotes him as saying. (NAN)
http://leadership.ng/news/536842/fg-urged-reverse-ban-rice-importation-borders
SHIPPING POSITION: Petroleum products lead imports at Lagos port On June 17, 20163:23 amIn NewsComments By Godwin Oritse Lagos—SEVEN more vessels laden with various cargoes including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), arrived at Lagos ports waiting to discharge. *Maritime *Maritime According to the yesterday’s shipping position of the Nigerian Ports Authority made available to Vanguard, showed that three other ships waiting to berth would discharge container-laden goods and bulk gypsum. In the ship data document, about 27 other ships containing petroleum products, food items and other goods were being expected at the ports from between now and end of t he month. NPA explained that other expected ships brought in general cargoes, bulk sugar, buck wheat, petrol, frozen fish and base oil. Besides the expected arrival of the ships, 21 other ships are currently at the ports discharging wheat, bulk fertiliser, bulk rice, trucks, general cargoes, petrol, sugar, aviation fuel, diesel and crude palm olein. Bulk rice and bagged rice had not been coming into Lagos ports for over a month.
Besides the expected arrival of the ships, 21 other ships are currently at the ports discharging wheat, bulk fertiliser, bulk rice, trucks, general cargoes, petrol, sugar, aviation fuel, diesel and crude palm olein. Bulk rice and bagged rice had not been coming into Lagos ports for over a month. Meanwhile petroleum products have continued to dominate imports in the Western zone of the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) as a total of 469,837 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS) were imported in June.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/shipping-position-petroleum-products-lead-imports-lagos-port/
Abolition of exchange controls – Will it help the country?
June 16, 2016, 12:00 pm
By Dr. Janaka Ratnasiri
During the recent no-confidence debate on the Finance Minister, the Prime Minister (PM) was reported to have said in the Parliament that country’s exchange controls would be removed before the next budget in November (Sunday Island, 12.06.2016). He added that "Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves were expected to double to USD 12 billion by the end of this year thanks to loans and grants from China, India and Japan, and that the government planned to raise about USD 4.2 billion offering bonds to foreigners". Apparently, the justification was to attract more investors.
Finance Minister’s address at Hong Kong
The Finance Minister (FM), too, has made a similar statement while delivering a keynote address at the 2016 Asian Investment Conference held last April in Hong Kong. He was heard saying that he aimed to turn capital (Colombo) into a financial hub modeled after Hong Kong and Singapore and that exchange controls would be abolished and invited investors to deposit their surplus money in Sri Lanka guaranteeing its safety, particularly from those living in Asia (https://www.credit-suisse.com/microsites/conferences/aic/en/blog/sri-lanka-finance-minister-we-are-back-in-business.html). Similar sentiments were also expressed by the Central Bank Governor (CBG) giving the same justification (The Island, 14.06.2016).
Listening to what the FM and the PM have said, one wonders whether there is any necessity to abolish exchange controls altogether merely to attract foreign investors. If attracting foreign investors whether to start up industries or new business ventures or to safe-keep their money, the ministers could have said that such investors be exempted from existing exchange controls instead of promising exchange controls would be totally abolished like in Singapore or Hong Kong. The picture the FM has painted in the Hong Kong forum that exchange controls were an impediment to bring investors is not correct.
Are exchange controls really an impediment?
The exchange control regulations have not been an impediment to foreign investments as so many investors have come and gone over the years taking whatever returns they have earned with them. The only difference is that an investor cannot at present walk into a bank and remit his entire balance out of the country with no question asked. He has to first get exchange controller’s approval which is granted readily after it is confirmed that he has met his commitments – payment of employees’ salaries, EPF contributions, payments to raw material suppliers and taxes to the government etc. Does the FM want all this verifications done away with and allow an investor to take away his money without honoring his commitments?
I believe that in other countries where exchange controls are relaxed, governments, unlike ours, would not have had to depend on foreign loans to build up their foreign exchange reserves. With far reaching vision, planning and integrity of their leaders, they have been able to build up adequate foreign exchange reserves which enabled them to relax their exchange controls. But, is the situation similar here? It is indeed sad to hear the PM saying that the government would abolish exchange controls allowing people to remit money as much as they wish to saying that money borrowed from friendly countries is available for that purpose!
Country’s balance of payment
The external trade has been performing poorly over the years with the import-export deficit deteriorating from USD 4,825 million in 2010 to USD 8,430 million in 2015, a 75% increase (M/Finance Annual Report 2015). According to this report, the total external reserves which amounted to US$ 9.3 billion by end 2015 were sufficient to meet only 4.6 months of imports. Even this reserve was built up from loans taken from several countries as well as from lending institutions like the IMF and ADB.
Under such a critical situation with regard to external reserves, how prudent is it to remove exchange control regulations for whatever the reason? Won’t it open a floodgate, draining the little foreign exchange we have? The trio (PM, FM & CBG) should realize that the balance the country has now is mainly contributed by the blood and sweat of our housemaids slaving in the middle-east and not so much by the affluent business community most of whom are now given tax exemptions by the FM. The trio has no moral right to allow the rich to squander this money on jaunts abroad and sustain luxury lifestyles. President Sirisena should intervene to stop them from ruining the country’s economy.
Way to create a healthy balance of payment
The policymakers, both politicians and administrators, seem to be oblivious to so many opportunities the country has to improve the external trade balance but not doing anything about it. A few of them were highlighted in the writer’s article, Sustainable Economy, which appeared in The Island of 10th, 14th and 28th August 2015. In this article, only a few sectors – tea, fisheries, electronics and energy – were covered. But, there are many more opportunities available where the export earnings could be increased and imports reduced and create a healthy external balance, but such initiatives need government intervention, which unfortunately is not forthcoming.
In 2015, Sri Lanka has imported USD 2,296 million worth of textiles. At one time Sri Lanka had several textile factories in Veyangoda, Pugoda, Thulhiriya and Wellawatta. Except Thulhiriya others were razed to the ground. Was it the incompetency of Sri Lankans to manage textile manufacturing or corruption that led to their closure? At least a part of this money could have been saved had those factories had been in operation. If Thulhiriya could do that under private management, there is no reason why others couldn’t.
Sri Lanka has also imported in 2015 USD 251 million worth of milk foods and USD 253 million worth of sugar. There is a potential to reduce both these amounts by producing them locally but not done for various reasons. The local production of sugar is less than 10% of the country’s requirements, but this could be enhanced easily. Increasing their production locally will provide more employment to the rural poor, but again importing goods are more attractive to decision makers than local production.
Conflict between imports and production
The issue is that policymakers are ready to support imports rather than local production and make the produce available to the people. For example, in 2014 and 2015, sums of USD million 282 and 135 respectively, were spent on rice imports while it has been in the range of USD 18-24 million only annually during 2011 – 2013 (M/F AR 2015). Why was there a sudden increase in rice imports in 2014 and 2015? Do people prefer imported rice to the local varieties?
Readers may recall that the country has recently had a surplus rice production but there is no mechanism to purchase, store and market it to the people at reasonable prices after processing. As a result, surplus rice probably after spoilage was sent to animal feed factories. What prompted the policymakers to import such large quantities of rice when there was a surplus production in the country? The answer is simple – imports yield more commissions!
According to the editorial of the Sunday Divaina of 12.06.2016, some of the institutions where corruption prevails come under the purview of ministers who are themselves alleged to be most corrupt. The editor further says that they and corrupt officials could plunder the institutions and raze them to the ground. This is exactly what happened during past regimes when several factories including ceramics, textiles, plywood, paper and many more were literally razed to the ground. The army’s central armoury at Salawa was built on the razed plywood factory premises!
Failure to attract foreign investors in the past
From the time the free trade zones were set up in the country several decades ago, regime after regime was wooing foreign direct investments (FDI) by offering many tax benefits and infrastructure facilities. Some have set up ventures but not to the level the other countries in Asia have achieved. Before the FM invites investors to Sri Lanka offering free exchange transactions, he should examine the real reasons for the poor response to previous calls for investments.
According to Central Bank data, FDIs amounting to USD 1,066 million were received in 2011 which increased to USD 1,581 million in 2014, showing a healthy positive growth. However, in 2015, it declined to USD 970 million. The exchange control issue cannot come into play all of a sudden. Then was it the change of government and the investors’ loss in confidence in the new government? It appears that the FM’s appearance at the Hong Kong meeting was a damage control exercise. The question is whether it will work.
Hurdles investors have to face
Setting up an industry or a development project in areas such as energy, petroleum, highways needs clearance at different levels even before the project commences. These range from Grama Niladaris at the bottom to the Cabinet at the top. In between are the Divisional Secretary’s Office, Pradesheeya Sabha Chairman, Provincial Council Chairman, Central Environmental Authority and various government departments and institutions if any of them is likely to get affected such as forest, archeology, coast conservation, wildlife, BOI, and sustainable energy authority etc. The FM should study how speedy these institutions perform in granting clearance to projects and what is expected unofficially of the investor to improve the speed. It is no secret that at all these places there are vultures waiting to get their share.
Once operations commence, there are many hurdles an industrialist or a project proponent has to overcome to export his products or keep the project running. These include getting the products certified, payment of taxes due including VAT refunds, importing raw materials and exporting the finished products through the customs. The FM should add these institutions also to the above list. It is not seldom that one reads in the media about corrupt practices taking place therein.
Create corruption-free country to attract investors
The FM, at the end of his address, said that he was planning to attend the forum next year and by that time, Sri Lanka would be a robust financial centre. With all exchange controls removed, he was expecting more investors to come. Instead, if he could say next year that Sri Lanka has eliminated corruption altogether at all levels, I am sure more investors would flock to the country, because corruption has been the main obstacle for investors to do business here, despite his theme, "Sri Lanka is back to business".
Will the FM be able to make Sri Lanka free from corruption? The President gave an outline of his plans to achieve this at the recent London Summit on Corruption. Will he get the support of his Cabinet members to eliminate corruption? He can do it by exercising his executive powers, but will he?
If the President wants to see the country prosper economically, he has no choice but to bring to justice the corrupt without leaving it to various commissions and officials who have not demonstrated any urgency in the matter. He should stop making public utterances on corruption but get down to work himself, first starting at the Cabinet level to make the country free of corruption. The newspaper editors cannot then point their fingers at them branding them as the most corrupt in the country
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=poll-resutls&page=poll-resutls&code_title=22&ex_four=voted
Rice growers say southern NSW rice production has halved but are hopeful of a good year
Vic Country Hour
By Emma Brown
Posted Fri at 7:55am
Rice growers in southern New South Wales are hopeful irrigation allocations will allow them to plant a crop this year.
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
Audio: Rice farmers Peter Kaylock and Leigh Vial on the outlook for the rice season (ABC Rural)
Unlike most cereals, rice isn't planted until the summer.
Last year the area under rice was greatly reduced due to high water price and low availability.
Moulamein rice grower Leigh Vial said the price of rice and high yields would be attractive to many farmers, despite a predicted zero allocation forecast for the start of the next water year.
Mr Vial said rice yields in his region could be around 11 tonnes per hectare but the high cost of water has shrunk the region's rice industry.
"A long term trend is maybe half of what it used to be," he said.
"We probably need to see 20, maybe 30 per cent allocation by Christmas time or not much later than that to be able to plant a rice crop.
"But there's certainly more crystal-ball gazing than there used to be.
"We've left about 200 hectares open which is substantially more than we grew in this last rice crop, which was 50 hectares."
Rice farmer Peter Kaylock said he was hopeful this year would turn out to be a positive one for rice crops, with good autumn and early winter rain falling in the catchment regions.
He said the variations in water price and availability was a challenge for the industry, but rice production remained his farm's primary crop.
"There's certainly a willingness to buy water if the price is affordable and everybody's got to work out what that cut off is," he said.
"This year certainly has been a good start but most people have made the best of it.
"If the weather predictions are right going forward we certainly look to being on track to have an average year."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-17/rice-outlook/7520488
Solidarity! Vietnam Donates 5,000 Tons of Rice to Cuba
Published 17 June 2016
The donation follows almost six decades of friendship and cooperation between the two political and economic allies.
Vietnam and Cuba signed a document confirming the delivery of 5,000 tons of rice from the Southeast Asian to the Caribbean country, Thursday.
A Vietnamese delegation led by National Reserve General Director Pham Phan Dun was welcomed in Havana by the Cuban government, which held a ceremony in thanks of the donation.
The shipment was delivered to the port of Santiago de Cuba and is part of a pledge made last September by president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Truong Tan Sang, during a visit to the island.
In that visit, Tan Sang also announced that his country would help Cuba further agricultural development.
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Solidarity-Vietnam-Donates-5000-Tons-of-Rice-to-Cuba-20160617-0017.html
Land for rice tilling: how much is enough?
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s agriculture and rice tilling in particular has been under so much pressure that it will have to undergo restructuring.
According to the World Bank (WB), Vietnam only needs 3-3.2 million hectares of paddy land to ensure its food security and rice export.
When calculating the volume of rice Vietnam needs for domestic consumption and export, the WB’s group of researchers considered many scenarios about supply, with different possible land areas and yields, and scenarios about demand, with different rice consumption per capita.
There are three scenarios for rice consumption: 100 kilos per capital per annum, 120 kilos and 140 kilos.
When income improves, people will consume less rice, leading to lower rice demand.
Vietnam’s agriculture and rice tilling in particular has been under so much pressure that it will have to undergo restructuring.
Researchers have found that, with 3.8 million hectares of paddy land in 2025-2030, Vietnam would still have 6-8 million tons of rice that could be exported.
Meanwhile, with 3.2 million hectares, Vietnam would have 4 million tons for export, and of 3 million hectares, it would have one million ton re for export.
As such, the researchers have suggested retaining 3.2 million hectares of paddy land, considering this the safest way to ensure food security.
WB also pointed out that Vietnam’s agriculture now needs to undergo restructuring to improve productivity and increase value for its farm produce.
Vietnam grows rice on 7.6-7.7 million hectares and with an average yield of 57.8 quintal per hectare, the total output is 44.5 million tons.
According to MARD, Vietnam plans to reduce the land area for rice cultivation by 100,000 hectares to make room for other annual crops, such as corn and plants for animal feed.
Experts believe that in order to improve the quality of rice and farm produce, the State needs to change the way of management.
It should set up standards for rice quality and allow enterprises to provide seeds under the market mechanism. If so, farmers would be able to choose the best seed suppliers and grow rice at the most reasonable cost.
To ensure rice consumption, the State should set up programs on collecting rice for stockpiles and buy rice from farmers at best prices.
“With such organization, farmers would be able to estimate profits they can expect, which would make them feel secure about production,” said Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, an expert.
Tuan noted that there have been big changes in consumers’ tastes. It is difficult to sell hybrid rice despite low prices, and it is easier to buy high-quality products despite the high prices.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/157794/land-for-rice-tilling--how-much-is-enough-.html
Egyptians Pay Too Much for Food Due to Needless Rules, U.S. Says
Megan Durisin megandurisin
June 17, 2016 — 2:48 AM PKT Updated on June 17, 2016 — 9:01 AM PKT
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Women buy bread from the window of a bakery in Cairo.
Photographer: Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg
Unnecessary and burdensome regulations will leave Egypt, the world’s largest wheat buyer, with more than $860 million in direct costs and lost export earnings this year while its citizens pay more for their food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Costly tender requirements, confusion over wheat-import policies and curbs on the export of rice were cited by the U.S. agency’s Foreign Agricultural Service in a June 8 report that was published Thursday. The country could increase earnings and lower import costs if it complied with international standards, according to the report.
"Egypt’s unorthodox agricultural measures lead to spending cash it cannot afford and missed market opportunities for some of its key commodities," the USDA said. "The end result is higher food prices paid by Egypt’s overburdened consumers, in complete dissonance with the government’s efforts and trumped up claims that it’s trying to make food more affordable."
The country subsidizes wheat for its 88.5 million citizens and buys the grain in regular tenders. Those tenders, closely watched by the global commodities trade, have been disrupted this year after Egypt rejected some cargoes because of new limits on the permissible amount of ergot, a fungus. It turned away shipments of Canadian and Polish grain as recently as this month.
A zero-tolerance policy on ergot “puts Egypt out of step with the rest of the international trading community,” and traders are submitting bids at a premium to market prices amid the confusion, the USDA said. The country also incurs extra costs by regularly sending six-member teams overseas to clear wheat purchases, something that other importing countries don’t do, the agency said.
Restrictive trade policies on rice are estimated to cost about $500 million in lost revenue this year, the USDA said.
“The government implores producers to avoid price hikes, instead of focusing its efforts aligning its practices to those of the global trading community,” USDA said.
No one at the Egyptian embassy in Washington could be reached for comment.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-16/egyptians-pay-too-much-for-food-due-to-needless-rules-u-s-says
Iran’s imports fall by 13.5%
16 June 2016 14:44 (UTC+04:00)
Access to paid information is limited
http://en.trend.az/iran/business/2546537.html
06/16/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
06/16/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
.
Soybeans
High Low
Cash Bids 1167 1095
New Crop 1158 1109
Riceland Foods
Cash Bids Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
New Crop Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
Futures:
SOYBEANS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1160.00 1128.50 1134.50 -21.50
Aug '16 1158.50 1128.00 1133.50 -21.50
Sep '16 1147.50 1116.50 1123.75 -21.25
Nov '16 1142.75 1108.25 1119.25 -19.25
Jan '17 1137.00 1106.25 1117.00 -18.75
Mar '17 1097.50 1075.25 1083.75 -13.75
May '17 1087.50 1065.00 1071.75 -15.50
Jul '17 1085.00 1061.25 1068.75 -16.25
Aug '17 1050.50 -15.75
Soybean Comment
Soybeans closed sharply lower again today as the new crop contract has given back all of its gains over the last 10 sessions. Pressure from speculators combined with a neutral export sales report pushed new crop prices back near $11. While soybeans continue to see a correction, there remains a bullish undertone to the market. With U.S. soybeans trading at discount to South American soybeans the expectations remains that the U.S. could see record exports in 2016/17. The one thing making the market nervous at this time is the potential for additional acres in the Acreage Report at the end of the month. If the USDA cuts acreage less than expected soybeans could see another sharp rally.
________________________________________
Wheat
High Low
Cash Bids 482 452
New Crop 483 458
Futures:
WHEAT
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 479.50 471.00 472.50 -5.00
Sep '16 491.50 483.25 484.75 -4.75
Dec '16 511.25 503.00 504.25 -6.00
Mar '17 530.00 522.75 523.50 -6.75
May '17 542.50 535.00 535.50 -7.00
Jul '17 551.75 544.25 545.00 -7.00
Sep '17 553.00 552.50 552.50 -6.75
Dec '17 570.50 564.00 564.50 -5.75
Mar '18 579.00 579.00 575.75 -5.25
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices closed lower again today as prices traded near support at $4.70. While we saw sharp losses in soybeans and losses also in corn wheat was unwilling to test recent lows near $4.64. Wheat continues to weaken as large supplies and lackluster demand plague the market.
________________________________________
Grain Sorghum
High Low
Cash Bids 394 394
New Crop 385 351
________________________________________
Corn
High Low
Cash Bids 440 414
New Crop 440 431
Futures:
CORN
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 429.75 420.50 425.25 -3.75
Sep '16 435.25 425.50 430.50 -3.50
Dec '16 441.00 431.25 435.75 -3.75
Mar '17 446.00 437.00 440.75 -3.75
May '17 448.00 439.75 443.00 -4.00
Jul '17 450.00 441.50 445.00 -4.00
Sep '17 414.75 409.00 412.00 -1.75
Dec '17 412.50 406.00 409.75 -0.75
Mar '18 418.50 414.00 416.50 -0.75
Corn Comment
Corn prices closed lower today despite another bullish export sales report. Corn prices remain strong, but outside pressures are weighing on corn prices. All markets saw non commercial selling today as traders prepare for next weeks vote in Britain to leave the EU. The corn market continues to face bullish fundamentals both on the supply side and demand side, but uncertainty from speculators could increase the volatility in coming days.
________________________________________
Cotton
Futures:
COTTON
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 63.77 62.3 63.3 0.7
Oct '16 65.43 64.5 65.38 1.05
Dec '16 65.16 63.4 64.93 1.31
Cotton Comment
Cotton futures are having a hard time picking a direction, with December charting a bullish reversal in today's trade. The market needs to close above the high of 66.30 cents set on Monday when the market charted a bearish reversal in order to suggest further gains are possible. Uptrending support is near 62.60 cents currently. In last week’s report, USDA forecast weaker cotton mill use in the U.S. The USDA continues to forecast U.S. Cotton stocks at more than 4 million bales this year and next. Global demand remains sluggish despite a 1.7 million bale decline in global stocks primarily caused by a 2 million bale decrease in China cotton stocks, which were the result of lower production forecasts, not increased demand.
________________________________________
Rice
High Low
Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -
Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -
Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1172.0 1127.5 1131.0 -30.5
Sep '16 1199.5 1155.5 1158.5 -30.5
Nov '16 1186.0 1180.0 1182.5 -30.5
Jan '17 1205.0 -30.0
Mar '17 1225.0 -28.5
May '17 1238.5 -29.5
Jul '17 1251.5 -29.5
Rice Comment
July rice barely missed charting a bearish key reversal today. The only element missing was a lower low, as the market found support at Wednesday's low of $11.27 1/2. July will have resistance at the recent high of $11.87 1/2 on a rebound. The USDA supply/demand report did show an increase in short and medium grain rice exports, but also forecast an increase in long grain rice imports. With forecast for another big crop in 2016/17, rice needs to see additional demand develop as we approach the fall. The USDA is forecasting sharp increases next year over the current year, however, export sales are still lackluster. Net sales for this week totalled 59,400 tons for the 15-16 marketing year and 21,200 tons for the 16-17 marketing year.
________________________________________
Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:
LIVE CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Jun '16 117.750 115.575 117.275 0.000
Aug '16 113.875 111.750 113.350 -0.225
Oct '16 113.775 111.675 113.300 -0.225
Dec '16 114.750 112.650 114.050 -0.375
Feb '17 114.575 112.600 113.875 -0.575
Apr '17 114.000 112.250 113.450 -0.425
Jun '17 107.775 106.250 107.200 -0.350
Aug '17 105.875 103.750 105.000 -0.550
Feeders:
FEEDER CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Aug '16 140.800 136.900 139.625 -0.625
Sep '16 139.975 136.325 138.525 -0.900
Oct '16 138.575 135.400 137.150 -0.975
Nov '16 135.250 132.400 133.875 -1.100
Jan '17 130.650 127.850 130.100 +0.075
Mar '17 127.050 125.000 127.050 -0.275
Apr '17 126.475 126.400 126.475 -0.800
May '17 127.750 -0.075
Cattle Comment
Cattle prices closed lower again today. Continued weakness in beef prices and overall weakness in all commodities continues to weigh on cattle prices. Both live and feeder cattle started the day out down near the limit, but found some late support and managed only modest losses today. The market remains in a downtrend and continues to test recent lows as prices continue to search for bullish news to support prices.
________________________________________
Hogs
Futures:
LEAN HOGS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 87.450 86.250 87.075 +0.250
Aug '16 89.675 88.450 89.500 +0.700
Oct '16 74.600 73.725 74.500 +0.350
Dec '16 67.175 66.475 66.950 +0.075
Feb '17 69.975 69.175 69.750 +0.075
Apr '17 72.375 71.800 72.225 +0.150
May '17 76.125 +0.100
Jun '17 79.850 79.450 79.850 +0.200
Jul '17 79.150 79.150 79.150 +0.150
________________________________________
06/17/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Soybeans
High Low
Cash Bids 1147 1074
New Crop 1144 1089
Riceland Foods
Cash Bids Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
New Crop Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -
Futures:
SOYBEANS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1160.00 1132.50 1159.50 +25.00
Aug '16 1160.75 1132.00 1160.00 +26.50
Sep '16 1152.50 1121.50 1151.75 +28.00
Nov '16 1149.00 1116.50 1148.25 +29.00
Jan '17 1146.75 1114.00 1146.00 +29.00
Mar '17 1108.25 1084.25 1107.50 +23.75
May '17 1093.25 1069.50 1092.25 +20.50
Jul '17 1089.00 1067.25 1087.75 +19.00
Aug '17 1058.00 1058.00 1065.75 +15.25
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Soybean Comment
Soybeans ended the week sharply higher today as strong demand and dry weather helped support prices. Despite today's sharp increases, soybeans still fell 14.5-cents compared to last week. While the market remains worried about additional acreage being added in the acreage report later this month, forecast for dry weather could offset some of the potential production gains. Weather will remain the main driver for prices in the coming weeks; however, the market failed last week near $12 and will need strong demand to continue to show the market is willing to pay higher prices for soybeans.
________________________________________
Wheat
High Low
Cash Bids 482 446
New Crop 478 453
Futures:
WHEAT
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 482.50 472.50 481.25 +8.75
Sep '16 495.75 485.00 494.75 +10.00
Dec '16 514.00 504.25 513.00 +8.75
Mar '17 532.75 523.00 531.25 +7.75
May '17 543.00 534.50 542.75 +7.25
Jul '17 552.75 543.00 552.00 +7.00
Sep '17 559.50 +7.00
Dec '17 571.00 562.75 571.25 +6.75
Mar '18 582.75 +7.00
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices posted modest gains today when you compare today's wheat gains to corn and soybean markets. Weather remains bullish for both spring and winter wheat in the U.S., which could lead to further building of stocks. On the demand side, U.S. wheat has shown little ability to drum up new demand even at recent lower prices.
________________________________________
Grain Sorghum
High Low
Cash Bids 390 390
New Crop 391 347
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
________________________________________
Corn
High Low
Cash Bids 436 410
New Crop 440 425
Futures:
CORN
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 438.25 423.50 437.75 +12.50
Sep '16 443.50 428.25 442.75 +12.25
Dec '16 449.00 433.50 448.75 +13.00
Mar '17 452.75 440.00 452.50 +11.75
May '17 454.25 443.00 454.00 +11.00
Jul '17 455.00 444.50 455.00 +10.00
Sep '17 420.25 413.75 420.00 +8.00
Dec '17 417.25 410.50 416.75 +7.00
Mar '18 423.00 +6.50
Arkansas Daily Grain Report
FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Corn Comment
Corn prices recovered yesterday's losses and then some, for the week December corn closed 18-cents higher and remains at multi month highs. Weather continues to fuel volatility as new reports of more hot dry weather have prices higher. Along with concerns of tightening supplies, the market continues to see strong demand as exports, domestic feed and ethanol continue to surge recently. As we approach the acreage report, corn prices are likely to remain firm as traders expect smaller acreage than was forecast in the perspective planting report.
________________________________________
Cotton
Futures:
COTTON
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 65.1 63.11 64.57 1.27
Oct '16 66.97 65.21 66.25 0.87
Dec '16 66.64 64.66 65.92 0.99
Memphis, TN Cotton and Tobacco Programs
Cotton Comment
Cotton futures exploded higher today, but closed near the middle of the day's trading range. Uptrending support is near 62.30 cents for December, and the market will need to close above today's high of 66.64 cents in order to suggest further upside is possible. In last week’s report, USDA forecast weaker cotton mill use in the U.S. The USDA continues to forecast U.S. Cotton stocks at more than 4 million bales this year and next. Global demand remains sluggish despite a 1.7 million bale decline in global stocks primarily caused by a 2 million bale decrease in China cotton stocks, which were the result of lower production forecasts, not increased demand.
________________________________________
Rice
High Low
Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -
Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -
Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 1134.0 1126.5 1129.5 -1.5
Sep '16 1161.0 1155.0 1156.0 -2.5
Nov '16 1184.0 1180.0 1180.0 -2.5
Jan '17 1203.5 -1.5
Mar '17 1224.0 -1.0
May '17 1239.0 +0.5
Jul '17 1253.0 +1.5
Rice Comment
Rice futures traded in a very narrow range before closing lower. July will have resistance at that high of $11.87 1/2, and has support near $10.75. The USDA supply/demand report did show an increase in short and medium grain rice exports, but also forecast an increase in long grain rice imports. With forecast for another big crop in 2016/17, rice needs to see additional demand develop as we approach the fall. The USDA is forecasting sharp increases next year over the current year, however, export sales are still lackluster. Net sales for this week totalled 59,400 tons for the 15-16 marketing year and 21,200 tons for the 16-17 marketing year.
________________________________________
Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:
LIVE CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Jun '16 117.975 116.500 116.725 -0.550
Aug '16 114.450 112.275 112.550 -0.800
Oct '16 114.300 112.375 112.650 -0.650
Dec '16 115.100 113.275 113.575 -0.475
Feb '17 114.825 113.200 113.475 -0.400
Apr '17 114.375 112.825 112.950 -0.500
Jun '17 107.250 106.475 107.000 -0.200
Aug '17 105.475 104.525 104.600 -0.400
Feeders:
FEEDER CATTLE
High Low Last Change
Aug '16 140.800 137.050 137.425 -2.200
Sep '16 139.500 136.275 136.650 -1.875
Oct '16 138.000 135.100 135.450 -1.700
Nov '16 134.600 131.850 132.200 -1.675
Jan '17 130.075 127.425 127.750 -2.350
Mar '17 127.150 124.975 125.175 -1.875
Apr '17 126.225 126.225 125.775 -0.700
May '17 125.675 -2.075
Arkansas Prices
Arkansas Weekly Livestock Summary
Cattle Comment
Cattle prices posted sharp losses again today. Cattle prices took it on the chin this week as August live cattle settled $4.80 lower than last week and August feeder futures posted a weekly loss of $8.12 1/2. While cash cattle has not shown this dramatic of a drop, the lower futures are putting pressure on cash prices. Futures have seen little support to move higher as demand and beef prices remain weak.
________________________________________
Hogs
Futures:
LEAN HOGS
High Low Last Change
Jul '16 87.300 86.075 86.175 -0.900
Aug '16 89.925 89.050 89.175 -0.325
Oct '16 74.500 74.100 74.325 -0.175
Dec '16 66.900 66.225 66.425 -0.525
Feb '17 69.575 68.875 69.000 -0.750
Apr '17 72.000 71.450 71.525 -0.700
May '17 75.900 -0.225
Jun '17 79.450 79.000 79.000 -0.850
Jul '17 79.075 78.400 78.475 -0.675
Hog Comment
________________________________________
Shell Eggs
Daily Midwest Regional Eggs
More
5 of 28
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1497
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 15-06-2016
Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price
Wheat
1 CZCE Wheat Futures (USD/t) 353
2 NYSE Liffe Feed Wheat Futures (USD/t) 156
3 GFO, HRW, DAT Ontario (USD/t) 158
Guar Gum Powder
1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3675
2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1075
3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2195
Peanuts
1 South Africa, HPS 70/80 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t) 2064
2 South African, HPS 40/50 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t) 1950
3 Argentinean 38/42 runners, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 1400
Source: oryza, agra-net For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 15-06-2016
Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price
Jowar(Sorghum)
1 Kalol (Gujarat) Other 1750 2420
2 Khargone (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1471 1496
3 Udaipur (Rajasthan) Other 1400 1425
Maize
1 Haveri (Karnataka) Local 1580 1650
2 Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1490 1861
3 Sangli (Maharashtra) Other 1700 1750
Mousambi
1 Manjeri (Kerala) Other 3200 3400
2 Taura (Haryana) Other 2500 2500
3 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 3000 4000
Carrot
1 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 2000
2 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 500 900
3 Solan (Himachal Pradesh) Other 1000 2000
Source:agmarknet.nic.in
For more info
Floriculture Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 31-05-2016
Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High
Rose Flower Package: bunched 10s
1 Boston Ethiopia Assorted Colors 13.50 13.50
Orchid Flower Package: bunched 10s
1 Boston Thailand Dendrobium 10 10
Lilies Flower Package: per bunch
1 Boston California Asiatic Type 13.50 13.50
Sunflower Package: per stem
1 Boston Mexico Large Head 2.00 2.00
Source:USDA
No comments:
Post a Comment