Thursday, August 18, 2016

18th August,2016 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine



Govt asked to form rice export company

By Webmaster -
August 17, 2016

Staff Reporter
Karachi—President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) Mian Zahid Hussain on Monday expressed concern over falling rice exports terming it damaging for the economy. Rice exports have witnessed a fall of 8.60 percent during financial year of 2016 by fetching 2.035 billion dollars which should be a matter of concern for the stakeholders and Govt. should intervene immediately by forming a separate Rice Export Company from private sector to handle all rice related issue, he said.

Hussain expressed worries over the future of the country’s rice exports as some major markets have been lost while some others are under threat. Pakistan has missed annual rice export targets for five years necessitating government intervention before it is too late as 3,861,406 metric tonnes of rice was exported in 2016 as compare to the corresponding period in which 4,262,216 metric tonnes of rice was exported, he said.He noted that the highest shipments recorded took place in 2009-10 when earnings from rice exports stood at $2.2bn. Since then, the exports have remained almost stagnant and now it is going down.

Government must come forward to save the second highest foreign exchange earning sector and provide incentives to growers many of who are switching to other crops while enable exporters to regain their competitiveness in the international market, he demanded. He said that all the major stakeholders including rice growers, traders, millers and exporters have suffered because of the low demand of Pakistani rice in the international market therefore all should be facilitated through, a Rice Export Company
http://pakobserver.net/govt-asked-to-form-rice-export-company/


Businessmen concerned over falling rice exports

August 16, 2016
ISLAMABAD - President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) Mian Zahid Hussain on Monday expressed concern over falling rice exports, terming it damaging for the economy.Rice exports have witnessed a fall of 8.60 percent during financial year of 2016 by fetching 2.
035 billion dollars which should be a matter of concern for the stakeholders, he said.Mian Zahid Hussain expressed worries over the future of the country’s rice exports as some major markets have been lost while some others are under threat.Pakistan has missed annual rice export targets for five years necessitating government intervention before it is too late as 3,861,406 metric tonnes of rice was exported in 2016 as compare to the corresponding period in which 4,262,216 metric tonnes of rice was exported, he said.
He noted that the highest shipments recorded took place in 2009-10 when earnings from rice exports stood at $2.
2bn.Since then, the exports have remained almost stagnant and now it is going down.Government must come forward to save the second highest foreign exchange earning sector and provide incentives to growers many of who are switching to other crops while enable exporters to regain their competitiveness in the international market, he demanded.
He said that all the major stakeholders including rice growers, traders, millers and exporters have suffered because of the low demand of Pakistani rice in the international market therefore all should be facilitated.
Rice farmers deserve all the facilities rival nations are offering to their farmers including affordable seeds, pesticides, electricity, water and dryers while they should be given direct subsidy as indirect subsidies are less effective.Our competitors were able to raise their exports by benefitting from market-oriented or demand-driven research, said Mian Zahid Hussain
http://nation.com.pk/business/16-Aug-2016/businessmen-concerned-over-falling-rice-exports

Rice exports: Pakistan loses market to India

August 17, 2016
Pakistan has lost Iranian rice market to India due to lack of proper transaction channels and relatively high prices, which have negatively affected exports, rice exporters told Business Recorder. Earlier, Iran was importing about 0.6 million tonnes of rice from Pakistan, however India has taken over this market and as a result Pakistan rice exports declined, said senior vice Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Noman Ahmad Sheikh.

Talking to Business Recorder, he said the main reason behind this market loss was lack of proper transaction system between Pakistan and Iran; however the latter has developed proper channels with India, thus facilitating the whole process. Further Pakistan Research Institutes have failed to develop a single seed during last two decades contrary to India where a lot of new seeds have developed.


Due to outdated seed in the country, per acre yield declined and cost of production increased, said Sheikh adding that Pakistani rice prices are higher in the international market due to high cost of production and are resultantly losing market share.However, the REAP officer bearer said that Pakistan is going strong in China rice market which would help in achieving about $2.5 billion rice exports in the current year. He said that government has neither incentivized rice exporters directly nor intervened/procured rice, however gifted about 0.6 million tonnes to China which helped recovery from gloomy market with respect to prices.

A delegation recently visited China and received a overwhelming response, said Sheikh adding that exporters are terming the new market a good omen which would certainly increase country's exports and bring foreign exchange earnings. He said Irri-6 market is stable; however Basmati rice has witnessed a major decline with respect to value and quantity over the past year in the country.


The country's rice exports declined by 12.3 percent in value, despite favourable 7.6 percent growth in quantity during 2015-16, mainly because of fall in commodity prices in the international market. Basmati rice declined by 27.9 percent in value and 7.5 percent in quantity, while other varieties under rice group witnessed a decline of 5.9 percent in value and improved by 9.9 percent in quantity, compared to the corresponding period of 2014-15. Depressed prices and rising cost of production encouraged farmers to substitute rice with fodder and maize.


Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in a statement expressed concern over falling rice exports terming it damaging for the economy. Rice exports have witnessed a fall of 8.6 percent during financial year 2016 by fetching $2.035 billion which is a matter of concern for the stakeholders. He urged the government to intervene immediately by forming a separate Rice Export Company from private sector to handle all rice related issues.


Zahid Hussain expressed concern over the future of the country's rice exports as some major markets have been lost while some others are under threat. Pakistan has missed annual rice export targets for five years necessitating government intervention before it is too late as 3.86 million metric tonnes of rice was exported in 2016 compared to 4.26 million metric tonnes on the corresponding period of the year before, he said.
He noted that the highest shipments took place in 2009-10 when earnings from rice exports stood at $2.2 billion. Since then, the export has remained almost stagnant and now it is going down.
Government must come forward to save the second highest foreign exchange earning sector and provide incentives to growers many of who are switching to other crops; and the government must enable exporters to regain their competitiveness in the international market, he demanded.
http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/75768/

Procurement for China: TCP rejects first lowest bid on technical grounds

August 17, 2016
Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), rejecting first lowest bid on technical ground, has finalised deal with responsive bidders for procurement of 10,000 tons Long Grain White Rice (PK-386) at a price of Rs 47,950 per metric ton for China.n order to ensure timely export of rice to China as a gift, the TCP has asked successful bidders that shipment of the cargo be completed and Bill of Lading be submitted in a period of 18 days from the date of issuance of letter of award of bid. As the tender has been awarded on Tuesday August 16, successful bidders are required to dispatch cargo in next 18-days.

TCP's bid evaluation committee met on Tuesday to evaluate the bids received for export of 10,000 tons long grain white rice (PK-386) in containerized bagged shipment on cost insurance and freight (CIF) basis to China. The bids were evaluated on the basis of lowest price on CIF basis [exclusive of withholding tax (1%) and Export Development Surcharge (0.25%)] subject to conformity of the bid with all the terms and conditions of the tender document.

The lowest bid was submitted by M/s Chappal Traders, which agreed to supply 3,500 tons Long Grain White Rice (PK-386) at a price of Rs 46,692 per metric ton. However, the first lowest bid was found non-responsive on technical grounds and accordingly rejected by the TCP.Sources said that M/s Chappal was successful bidder in the first tender opened on August 10 for said procurement. It won the tender by quoting lowest price of Rs 41,392 per metric ton on CIF basis. However, after getting contract award letter, it imposed some conditions for supply of 10,000 tons Irri-6 and defaulted. Secondly, as per tender term and conditions, each bidder was required to deposit 1% bid security, which was also not deposited by M/s Chappal Traders in the second tender. Thirdly, TCP asked for minimum quantity of 2,000 tons or multiples therefore with a maximum quantity of 10,000 metric tons. However, it submitted bid for 3,500 per ton.


As the M/s Chappal Trader was defaulted in the first tender, submitted bid without security and its bid was not multiple of 2,000 tons, TCP's bid evaluation committee declared its bid non-responsive. Second lowest offer was received from M/s Garib Sons, which submitted three bids ranging Rs 47,950 to Rs 49,950 per metric ton for cumulative supply of 6,000 tons rice. As the second bid was responsive, on TCP request M/s Garib Sons agreed to supply 6,000 tons rice at single rate of Rs 47,950 per ton.In order to complete the procurement of 10,000 tons, TCP also offered other bidders for prices matching. M/s Meskey & Femtee Trading and M/s KK Rice accepted TCP's offer and agreed for supply of 4,000 tons long grain white rice (PK-386) at Rs 47,950 per metric tons.

As per tender term and conditions, the TCP will be liable to pay the withholding taxes (1 %) and Export Development Surcharge (0.25 percent), if not exempted by the Government of Pakistan.The successful bidders are required to furnish a performance bond of 5% of the bid value in a pay order or demand draft or bank guarantee within two working days of issuance of letter of award of the bid for due and satisfactory performance of the contract.The performance bond will be forfeited without notice in case the successful bidder commits any breach of contract or fails to fulfil any terms and conditions of the contract. The performance bond shall be released within 15 days after the successful performance of the contract.
http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183:pakistan/75812:procurement-for-china-tcp-rejects-first-lowest-bid-on-technical-grounds/?date=2016-08-17

Depression forms in the Bay, to drive up rain in East India

Vinson Kurian
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17:  
Strong monsoon conditions in the North-West Pacific/South China Sea and the Bay of Bengal to their west have combined to throw up a monsoon depression in the Bay this morning. An India Met Department update said that it would intensify further into deep depression, the second successive time that a storm that powers to just below cyclone rank has developed in the Bay during the past week. The US Joint Typhoon Warning Centre has raised an alert for a storm building in tandem in the South China Sea close to Hong Kong and assessed as 'medium' the chances of its development as a typhoon (cyclone).
The west-ward bound movement of typhoons in the South China Sea have been found to have implications for the Bay, part of the same monsoon system, before and after their genesis or subsequent landfall. Meanwhile, the depression in the Bay is located 160 km south-east off Digha in West Bengal and 220 km east-southeast off Balasore in Odisha this morning, the Met update added. It is forecast to cross coast and travel in a west-northwest track into West Bengal/Odisha, Jharkhand, East Madhya Pradesh and adjoining Uttar Pradesh over the next couple of days.
It will bring flooding rain into the region to the nearly total exclusion of a rain-deficient South Peninsula, although some rain is indicated variously for Konkan-Goa and Coastal Karnataka. India Met has also maintained a watch for a follow-up low-pressure area in the Bay around August 20 apparently in the wake of the South China Sea storm making a landfall over the southern parts of China and Hong Kong.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/depression-forms-in-the-bay-to-drive-up-rain-in-east-india/article8998293.ece

Punjab farmers opt for paddy over cotton this kharif season

Updated: Wednesday, August 17, 2016, 17:54 [IST] Chandigarh, Aug 17: Farmers of Punjab, where a massive whitefly attack occurred last year, have opted for paddy this year and about 30.10-lakh hectare land has been sown during the ongoing kharif season. Decline in cotton acreage because of fear of whitefly pest and lesser area under other crops against targeted area are being attributed to increase in acreage in paddy.

Punjab farmers opt for paddy over cotton With completion of the crop sowing, area under paddy has grown to 30.10 lakh hectares in current kharif season as against 29.75 lakh hectares last season. The target for current kharif season for paddy was set at 27.10 lakh hectares, an official of Punjab Agriculture department said. "...this time is an all-time high acreage in the state. The major reason...has been the reduction in cotton acreage during current kharif season," he said. Besides, the area under basmati crop has also dipped by 35 per cent because of low prices fetched by growers, thus forcing growers to sow traditional varieties of paddy. Area under basmati was 4.90 lakh hectares as against 7.63 lakh hectares of acreage.

"After facing damage in cotton crop last year because of whitefly pest, growers this year brought down acreage under cotton and preferred to sow ordinary and common varieties of paddy which is a risk free crop because of assured marketing," Punjab State Farmers Commission, economist, P S Rangi said today. Read More: Agriculture Ministry demands Rs 11,000 cr more to implement PMFBY "Growers even shifted area under basmati to common varieties after they failed to fetch remunerative returns from aromatic varieties. These factors primarily led to increase in area under paddy," he said. State government had launched crop diversification programme which has been pushing growers to shift area under paddy to other crops like cotton, maize, basmati, sugarcane, pulses.

As far as other crops are concerned, area under maize stood at 1.45 lakh hectares as against the target of 2 lakh hectares. Similarly, sugarcane area was recorded at 96,000 hectares. In neighbouring state Haryana, area under paddy was 12.46 lakh hectares in current kharif season as against 12.24 lakh hectares of area last year. In 2014-15, area under paddy was 12.87 lakh hectares. Like in Punjab, area under cotton also went down in Haryana to 5.23 lakh hectares as against acreage of 5.83 lakh hectares last year. The state has set a target of 6.20 lakh hectares of area under fiber. However, Bajra crop has seen upswing in acreage to 4.85 lakh hectares as against 3.80 lakh hectares last year. But area under guar crop dipped to 2.61 lakh hectares in comparison to 3.67 lakh hectares last season in Haryana.


http://www.oneindia.com/india/punjab-farmers-opt-paddy-over-cotton-this-kharif-season-2184590.html

Govt on overdrive to promote new paddy, pulse varieties

Pratiksha Ramkumar | TNN | Aug 17, 2016, 07.20 AM IST
The Tamil Nadu government has increased the minimum support price for paddy
COIMBATORE: The central government is on an overdrive to promote newer high-yielding varieties of pulses and paddy across the country and slowly phase out older varieties. To that end, it is offering several incentives including discounts on seeds of the new varieties purchased from the government and subsidies on every tonne of crop produced. The government has announced a subsidy of Rs 8,000 per tonne of paddy produced with seed varieties that are less than 10-years-old. While this is a subsidy for grain production, farmers have also been offered better discounts and incentives for buying newer variety seeds from the agriculture department. While seeds of certified high-yielding paddy varieties will be sold at a discount of Rs 10 per kg, pulse seeds of varieties less than 15-years-old will be offered a discount of Rs 25 per kg.

"Farmers need to have bought seeds of the variety ADT 49 (released in Ambasamudram) from the agriculture department and produced the grains of that variety," said the deputy director of agriculture, Mohammed Iqbal. "The discounts on the seeds are also attractive because paddy seeds usually sold at Rs 24 per kg will cost only Rs 14 per kg and pulse seeds which cost Rs 85 to Rs 90 per kg will come down by a sizeable Rs 25 per kg, giving farmers an Rs 500 subsidy for a hectare," he said.

Besides ADT 49, the agriculture department is promoting six new varieties of pulses - which include CO7 and CO8 (released in Coimbatore) for green gram, CO(RG)7 for red gram, CO6 and VDN 5 for black gram and CO(CP)7 for cow pea.

Five of the six varieties, released in Coimbatore in the last decade, are believed to be suitable for the district's soil and climatic conditions and have additional benefits too. "For example, CO7 gives a yield of Rs 900 kg per hectare and is a bunch variety which all matures uniformly, making it labour-friendly," said an agriculture officer. "VDN 5 is also resistant to yellow mosaic virus," she said.


Experts say such initiatives are critical to promote newer varieties. "Farmers hesitate to try out the new seeds because they are too attached to age-old varieties. Often traders also reduce the farm gate price for grains of new rice varieties," he said. "So in situations like this, a subsidy is advantageous."


"The newer variety have guaranteed germination, easily achieve optimum population per square metre, have a good yield and are resistant to yellow mosaic virus, all of which the varieties which are over two decades old don't enjoy," said head of TNAU's pulses department, Kannan Babu.


The farmers, however, are divided on this issue. While Oothukuttai-based farmer, D Deivasigamani, says newer varieties tried regularly by him are more pest resistant and give him as much as 300 kg more per acre, other farmers doubt the new varieties. For example, Maharashtra-based farmer Subhash Palekar, the father of zero budget farming, says promotion of new varieties is a conspiracy to make farmers dependent on seed and fertilizer selling corporations. "The new varieties which call themselves hybrid and high yielding do not produce seeds for the next season of cultivation and require only store-bought fertilizers, making the farmer dependent on store-bought items. When our soil and weather do not change every year, why should the seeds we plant change?" he said during an earlier interaction with TOI

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Govt-on-overdrive-to-promote-new-paddy-pulse-varieties/articleshow/53732735.cms

MANa to boost rice sufficiency

  • August 17, 2016
  • Elsa S. Subong
ILOILO CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture is launching a six-month initiative to boost rice production of rainfed areas in the region.Dubbed as Maunlad na Agrikultura sa Nayon (MANa), the initiative seeks to lay down the foundation for rice self-sufficiency program of the Duterte Administration.DA-6 Regional Director Remelyn Recoter said through MANa, the department will use science-based tools to facilitate gathering of accurate information by direct observation in the farms.“The data will ultimately serve as a foundation for reliable programs and interventions for the agriculture sector,” Recoter said.MANa will also enhance production of hybrid rice to all irrigated rice farmers by giving all seeds, fertilizers and insurance coverage to ensure 10-14 percent increase in production and income in a cycle of five cropping seasons.
“With the initiative, there will be an expansion of one million hectares nationwide for irrigated areas,” Recoter said.She added that the areas will come from rainfed and unutilized lands, which will be provided with small scale irrigation projects, in coordination with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).The bureau will validate potential irrigable areas and will produce color-coded agriculture guide map.This guide map will determine a particular commodity or agricultural activity best suited in an area based on geography, climate and soil conditions.
Moreover, the National Food Consumption Quantification Survey will be conducted to determine what food and the volume of food commodities a certain area consumes to better determine the region’s food requirement.Director Recoter also said that there will be intensified dissemination of agricultural technology, continuing financing programs like the Sikat Saka, ACPC programs, Agriculture and fisheries Financing Programs and agrarian reform financing.“Along with these are the provision of marketing activities, collaboration for the protection of watershed areas and enforcement of agri-fishery laws,” Recoter said.  (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/911471342009/mana-to-boost-rice-sufficiency


Vietnam shifts towards high-quality rice export

Thursday, 08/18/2016, 08:53
Vietnam will restructure its export rice products towards increasing the proportion of high-quality, high-value, organic, highly-nutritious rice and products made from rice. The direction is highlighted in a draft on the strategy for developing Vietnam’s rice export market in the period 2016-2020 with a vision to 2030, which has been released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). According to the draft, from 2016, the export rice production will focus on long-grain white rice and high-quality rice with 5 to 10% of broken grains and reduce rice with more than 15% of broken grains. By 2020, the low-quality white rice export proportion in the total volume of export rice will be reduced to 15%.
http://english.vov.vn/trade/vietnam-shifts-towards-highquality-rice-export-328477.vov

Rains, flooding leave south Louisiana agriculture reeling

Floods hit just as crops reached harvest
Aug 16, 2016 David Bennett | Delta Farm Press
  • A check of Louisiana crop conditions in midst of floods.
  • Southwest region crops hit especially hard.
A combine and other implements stranded in standing water off highway 165, north in Ouachita Parish, early season, 2016. Photo by Tammi Arender.With harvest bearing down, south Louisiana producers were looking to close out a difficult 2016 growing season in a positive manner. Then, August rains arrived and flooding soon followed leaving mandatory evacuation orders, road closings and crops underwater.The perilous conditions continue. The forecast for the week of August 15 calls for a 60 percent to 80 percent chance of daily rain.“I’m doing a crop assessment, right now,” says Dan Fromme, LSU grain and cotton specialist, from the road. “Most of the state’s corn, grain sorghum and cotton is outside the flooding, farther north. We came out pretty well with those three crops – they escaped the bulk of the rain. It could have been much worse. Unfortunately, I’m hearing rice and sugarcane have been affected much more.
“It’s unfortunate for folks from New Orleans over to around Lafayette. Things are okay here, though, knock on wood.”
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Indeed, for southwest Louisiana agriculture, the flooding is especially devastating.“About 75 percent of our rice is located in southwest Louisiana,” says Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice specialist. “A lot of the area got 18 to 24 – even more than 24 – inches of rain. That caused a lot of flooding, including rice fields. Water from many of the initial rains actually did begin to recede before backwater flooding moved in from bayous, streams and rivers.”
Note: Harrell has written an in-depth report on the flooding with photos. Read it.
Harrell and colleagues have been trying to determine how rice is reacting. “I’ve been talking to Extension agents and consultants in each of the affected parishes. Initial estimates -- at least for the bigger rice-producing parishes like Acadia, Jeff Davis and Vermillion -- are that around 20 percent of the first crop was still in the field prior to flooding.
“Water that goes over the headed rice, or rice that lodges and lays over in the water, can definitely cause economic damage. If it’s mature, it won’t take long for the grain in the heads to sprout. If it drains early enough, the rice can still be harvested even though the quality will suffer. There is a market for at least some of that type of rice – things like pet food. Rice that’s submerged for an extended period will rot, become rancid.
“From Evangeline and St. Landry parishes south we could be looking at around a 20 percent loss of rice.”
http://deltafarmpress.com/management/rains-flooding-leave-south-louisiana-agriculture-reeling



Local rice production to reach 2.7mmt in 2017


Local rice production has been projected to reach 2.7 million metric tons in 2017 if government policy of restricting importation is strictly adhered to, according to Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The report said that government policy of limiting rice importation has led to a drop in the importation of the commodity by as much as 300,000 metric tons in the first half of 2016.
The country, known for agricultural product exports in the 1960s, grew to become the world’s second largest rice importer with the advent of oil exploration. Report has it that between 2005 and 2015, Nigeria’s monthly import bill rose from N148 billion to N917 billion.
The recent drop in the importation of the commodity, according to analysts, means savings of foreign exchange and a good omen to local production, which is increasingly trying to meet demand.
Emmanuel Ijewere, Coordinator, Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), said it is good for the country, adding that Nigerian farmers can now sell their rice. He noted that about six years ago the country had only one rice mill, but today it has increased to 16.
According to him, if the limit on importation of rice was not done, which has made Nigeria trying to be self-sufficient in rice production, those mills will not be there and the country would have been providing jobs for farmers in Indonesia, Malaysia and the likes.
“The policy is good for our farmers who can now sell their rice and improve on their production. Six years ago, Nigeria had only one integrated mill, today Nigeria has 16, this is very good, let them ban rice importation so that we can improve on what we have. That is the only way to go”, he reckoned.
Tade Falade, Managing Director, Kingsway Quality Foods, described the drop in the importation of rice as a wonderful development. “We want Nigerians to patronise their own rice. You must have heard about Kebbi/ Lagos rice where the Lagos State government will do the processing and Kebbi will supply the rice that will make Nigeria to tackle food insufficiency instead of relying on importation.
“We can now be consuming our own locally produced rice and it is good for the country and the economy. We are spending huge amount of money importing rice; that money can be used for other things, which will improve the economy”, he noted.
Adeniyi Sola-Bunmi, Managing Director, Highhill Agribusiness Development Centre, said it is a positive development which agribusiness activist like him have been clamouring for.He said the way it is going, the drop in importation is good for the country because it will actually ginger local production.“Presently, Dangote is rolling out, other stakeholders are also rolling out their rice, so if we can continue in this momentum I see import dropping 50 percent in the next two years,” he said.Recently, Lagos and Kebbi State governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as part of efforts to ensure Nigeria is self-sufficient in rice production. The partnership, according to the states, would culminate in the production of 70 percent of Nigeria’s rice requirement annually.
The Lagos State government has invested in rice production at Itoikin, Igbogun around Lekki Local Council Development Area as well as a multi-million naira rice mill at Imota. However, outputs from these places are grossly inadequate in meeting local demands.The Lagos-Kebbi rice partnership, in line with national call for economic diversification, is intended to bring about national food sufficiency, security as well as creation of employment and wealth distribution for the benefits of both states and the nation as a whole
https://www.today.ng/business/168586/local-rice-production-reach-2-7mmt-2017





Rice mission: from the Mississippi Delta to Honduras

Horizon Ag, Ricetec and Mississippi farmers team up with Borderless Brigade
Aug 17, 2016 David Bennett | Delta Farm Press
  • Horizon Ag, Mississippi farmer team up with Borderless Brigade.
  • Rice bagged at new mill, shipped to needy in Honduras.

When Tim Walker called his friend Mike Wagner to pitch a humanitarian project, the Horizon Ag general manager was pretty sure it wouldn’t be a hard sell. He was right.A resident of Sumner, Miss., Wagner’s family “has always liked doing things in the community – Mom and Dad both pushed the importance of that. So, this was in my wheelhouse.”There had recently been a mission emphasis at Walker’s church. “I sat down next to a guy and we began visiting. He asked what I did and I told him I’m in the rice business. He said, ‘That’s interesting. We actually give a lot of rice to folks in Honduras every year.’ It just went from there. He said, ‘that’s one of our largest expenses. We try to provide rice for needy families.’”
It turns out the man at Walker’s church was Tommy Taylor, head of Byhalia, Miss.-based Borderless Brigade. The organization’s mission statement says it is to “equip and dispatch multifunctional skilled brigades to meet basic human needs in practical ways to impoverished communities regardless of location. This is accomplished through meeting the medical, dental, optical, nutritional, clothing and shelter needs of individuals and by providing veterinary care for their livestock and pets. Borderless Brigade is your emissary equipping, embracing and enhancing lives wherever sent.”
Intrigued by Taylor’s work, Walker thought maybe he could help. “The critical cog in the wheel ended up being Mike Wagner,” says Walker. “Mike’s a rice farmer, has built a mill and was very willing to help. He milled the rice, bagged it and helped us get the logos on the bags.”
Besides his parents, Wagner points to recently deceased Tunica, Miss., farmer Penn Owen as a huge influence. “He gave of himself and his time selflessly. He took me under his wing and taught me the ropes, so to speak. We did everything from visiting and testifying before officials and lawmakers in Washington urging them to match grower check-off funds to putting our feet in Latin America.
“Penn was very popular down there and was kind of the face of the U.S. rice farmer. When he died in early spring, some of the first praise for his life came in from folks he knew in Central and South America. FECARROZ – the rice organization of Latin America -- sent flowers and condolences.”

The mill

Wagner traveled south of the border for “eight or 10 years to help however I could – and people there need the assistance. But in the back of my head I wondered ‘why aren’t we doing some of this in our own backyard? There are plenty of folks in the United States that need help, as well.’”
Wagner had been interested in vertically integrating and started looking at building a rice mill. Not long after it was built, Walker called.
“I’ve known Tim for years – a fine gentleman with a brilliant mind that he focuses on rice,” says Wagner. “He and I share information on varieties sometimes – I’m always looking for varieties that might work for the markets I try to address. Out of that, Tim told me about Borderless Brigade and asked if I’d be interested in working with them. Absolutely! So we bought bags, bagged it up and ordered labels.
“It was a pleasure doing that. It was kind of coming full circle for me. I learned so much from traveling down to Latin America and the fruit of that education, all that work, ended back up in Latin America.”
Where did the rice come from?
“Every year, we end up with a little extra seed production,” says Walker. “That’s typically sold to a mill. We thought we’d just use some of that seed.
“The way it worked out, though, is Mike had grown the same variety on his farm. Rather than freighting rice from our seed production location, we just worked out a deal.”
What about the actual delivery in Honduras?
“The Borderless Brigade took care of the logistics of getting the rice into the country,” says Walker. “We sent down 3,000 1-kilo bags that will go to families that are in poverty. There is such great need there.
“There’s a family at my church that goes down there every year. The last time I spoke with them, the rice had cleared customs down there and was waiting for the Borderless Brigade team to get there for the distributions.”

The farm

It turns out Wagner doesn’t just give rice in Latin America. “I believe we’ve given over 15,000 pounds away in the state – to a number of worthy organizations -- over the past 18 months.”
Wagner’s son, Lawrence, is newly out of Mississippi State University “and we’re trying to get him inured to the farm and rice marketing.”
The family’s operation isn’t typical. “We bought land that no one else wanted and flat-graded a lot of it,” says Wagner. “When I began farming it was out of my own pocket and, in the mid-80s there was a move to LISA (Low Input Sustainable Agriculture). We still kind of practice that. One reason is economy but it also got us to where we are.
“We’re very proud of our water conservation efforts. There is also very little inputs. Geese and ducks do a lot of the fertilizing work for us. They also stomp the straw down.
“We use a little herbicide, but we’re about as green as you can get without being certified organic.”
The Wagners also grow Group 3 public variety soybeans. “We’ve learned to plant them very thick. Dryland, they’ll make 20 to 50 bushels. Two years ago, we cut some 78-bushel irrigated beans. The system works, although it isn’t perfect. I feel you can save one to three irrigations. If you’re growing Group 5s, you could shave four or five irrigations.”

Plans?

Does Walker want to continue assisting Borderless Brigade?
“We want to, that’s for sure. The Horizon Ag owners are generous people and, certainly, from a rice standpoint, Honduras is a major export destination for U.S. rice anyway.
“We’ll be looking for opportunities to come alongside (the brigade) and help. As long as we have the ability to do so, we will.
“If folks want to help, please encourage them get in touch with Borderless Brigade. They have the boots on the ground, have the contacts in customs, and know the ins and outs.”


http://nation.com.pk/business/16-Aug-2016/businessmen-concerned-over-falling-rice-exports



Researchers aim to improve hybrid rice quality

Reporter: Wu Guoxiu CCTV.com
08-16-2016 17:38 BJT
As the Olympic Games take place in Brazil, the agricultural world is holding its very own Olympics too. The Crop Science Congress is a meeting which takes place every four years in selected countries. Researchers however don't come to compete, but to check out information displays and to take part in discussions. At this year's event, which takes place in Beijing, many have called for an improvement in hybrid rice quality.

China's Honglian type hybrid rice has been introduced at the congress. It's one of two major hybrid rice types in the country. One of the researchers here says that the rice sells well in south eastern Asian countries and in parts of Africa.

"The Honglian Type hybrid rice has an outstanding sales performance in south east Asia. Its yield is 50 per cent more than local rice, and it is of very good quality as well. It also doesn't spoil in high temperatures," said Professor Li Shaoqing from Hl Hybrid Rice Research Group, Wuhan University.

China is a world leader in hybrid rice research and technology. Since the 1970s, hybrid rice breeds have been exported to dozens of countries, including the US, Indonesia and Brazil.
But some think hybrid rice doesn't taste as good as organic rice.
Now researchers are focusing just as much on quality as they are on high yield and pest resistance.

"The main problem is that consumers across the world have very different expectations of quality. Some like firm rice, some like sticky rice. The breed should be able to solve that problem each time they are producing a new variety," said Matthew Morell, director general of International Rice Research Institute.

Agrictultural experts are already tackling world hunger and climate change - and now, new strains of high quality, environmentally-friendly rice. And it shouldn't be too long before these new technologies being developed make the move from the lab to the farm.

http://english.cctv.com/2016/08/16/VIDElgDIFTOvRWyCjvAKHV0e160816.shtml




Mexico Cooking Videos Make Preparing Arroz Look Easy 





Great idea for dinner tonight
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- Following the trend of quick how-to cooking videos that are so popular on social media, USA Rice has produced four such videos for the crucial Mexican market.  USA Rice consistently hears from Mexican consumers that their rice recipe repertoire is limited, and that helping them think about new ways to use rice will lead to increased consumption and sales.  With this in mind, USA Rice chefs created interesting new, mouth-watering rice dishes for the videos that are educational, engaging, and relatively easy.  

The four videos are Black Paella, a Spanish recipe popular on social media; Stuffed Pumpkins with Brown Rice, a simple vegetarian recipe that uses few ingredients to create a healthy, complete protein rice dish that is gluten-free, vegan, and on-trend with summer diets; Seafood Rice that makes use of fresh seafood, asparagus, poblano peppers, and vegetables - all ingredients that are readily available in Mexican grocery stores; and Gluten-Free Rice Cupcakes that uses rice flour as a substitute for regular flour, making this dessert the ideal choice for people with celiac disease and those looking for a healthier cupcake option.

"The key with the new videos is to convince consumers that cooking something new isn't difficult or time-consuming," said Gaby Carbajal, USA Rice promotions contractor for Mexico.  "They see a recipe come together very quickly, it's colorful, and done in 60 seconds.  If it can be done in a video, people believe they can do it at home.  And the recipes we chose to feature use common ingredients that most people are familiar with and probably already have in their pantries."

Carbajal said the videos are being promoted on several social media platforms in Mexico and the U.S. and she is working on the next four videos in the series.

Ebonyi,Home of Rice
Photo: P.Tumwebaze
By Benjamin Nworie
Benjamin Nworie writes that Ebonyi State has for years enjoyed the bragging rights of being called the home of local rice production in Nigeria.
Ebonyi State is one of the most agrarian of the states in Nigeria. Made up predominantly of farmers, with savanna and semi tropical vegetation, humid, sandy and marshy soil, the state is blessed with moisture land for growing of varieties of cash and food crops, such as rice, yam, cassava, cocoyam. Among the agricultural potential, the production of the famous Abakaliki rice has made the state so popular and a beehive of commercial hub. No visitor comes to Abakaliki, the state capital, without testifying the high quality of Abakaliki rice compared with other rice produced locally and internationally. The Abakaliki rice is blessed with so many nutritional values, which is gotten from the salinity in the land of Abakaliki rice mill. It is even better and graded higher by those that know its nutritional values.
Apart from its nutritional value, the Abakaliki rice is naturally salted with good taste. The reputation of Abakaliki rice is derived from its superior taste. Rice production no doubt has created jobs from which a lot of people feed their families. There are a lot of jobs people do in Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry including technical/professional and unprofessional/causal works, as well as others who sell their wares in the area.
Before and after Ebonyi State was created in 1996, agriculture had remained the mainstay of the daily living and earnings of its people. The Abakliki Rice Mill as it is popularly called is adjudged to be the first indigenous company since the creation of the state in 1996. During the creation of the state, at least Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry is equally the only existing industry in the state.
The company started as Abakaliki Rice Mill in 1967 on No. 60-65
Gunning Road Abakaliki. The first milling engine procured for milling of Abakaliki rice was bought by one Mr. Anekwe Bestman. The relocation of the mill to its present site was done under one Hon. P. O. Nwike, who was then the Executive Chairman, Abakaliki Local Government Area in the then Anambra State. Signatories to the statement include the Chairman, Joseph Ununu; Administrative Secretary, Nwede Richard; Secretary, Usulo Emmanuel and Fidelis Igwe. However, on November 15, 1977, the land used for the construction of the rice mill was leased by the Abakaliki Local Council to Rice Mill Abakaliki, for 99 years upon payment of valuable consideration.
In September, 1989, the Rice Mill Association Abakaliki was registered as a company with the incorporation name - Rice Mill Company Nig. Ltd with registration number RC. 136,800. But on January 1, 2000, customary right of occupancy with respect to the entire area of land measuring 1938.464 square metres occupied by the company was issued by the Government of Ebonyi State.
Inside the rice mill established in 1957 lies an expanse of land measuring 1938.464 square metres, various workers abound - machine operators, dust carriers, bag stickers, off loaders, barrow pushers, on-loaders, accountants, water suppliers, security men and a host of others.
Chief Sunday Oketa, said he started the rice mill business at the age 18. As a child, Oketa recalled he joined the industry as a "dust carrier" and later trained for one year and six months as a machine operator. "My father was alive then and he was one of the founders of
the rice mill," he said, adding that the entire family members were trained properly in farming.
"Early in 1971, we sold a bushel of rice at 10 Naira here and by then there was nothing like foreign rice. All Ebonyi people were farmers; we never knew any other handwork except farming. And when you come here, you see enough rice, food stuff such as cassava, yam and that's why we name Ebonyi State, the Food Basket of the Nation," Oketa told.
He remembered that way back in the 1980s; people from as far as Lagos, Benin, Port Harcourt usually come to buy Abakaliki rice. "In those days, 15 trailer load of the commodity, 50 to 60 Mercedes Benz 911 lorries, aside other small vehicles such as pick-up vans leave the
mill every day," Oketa said, adding that the importation of foreign rice into Nigeria "is killing business here."
Indeed, many are familiar with the popular Abakaliki rice which is believed to have a higher nutritional value than the imported polished and parboiled rice, and possibly the best in the world as certified by American experts. The rice is parboiled locally and processed by the small scale milling machines.
A notable rice farmer and Commissioner for Information and state Orientation, Dr. Emmanuel Onwe noted that more than 80 per cent of Abakaliki rice is grown organically because the soil in vast swathe of areas in the state is so fertile that the need for chemically-based
fertiliser does not exist and it's now government policy to prioritise agriculture in absolute terms, and ensuring that everything else yields way to this policy.
Onwe noted that the drive and target of the Umahi's administration was to produce and supply 10 per cent of the over six million metric tons of rice consumed in Nigeria annually.
"The administration borrowed N2 billion to invest in encouraging farmers, public and civil servants as well as the youth and women to undertake farming of a number of crops but especially rice very seriously. The injection of agro inputs and equipment such as seeds, herbicides, fertilizer, tractors, plus the necessary mechanical implements have enabled our citizens to put additional 20,000 hectares of land into rice cultivation this season," he said.
The rice milling machines were situated in such a way that it formed a cluster and people from far and near bring their rice produce there for milling. Most times, the centre is also a market where people buy or sell rice. Virtually in all communities and local council areas, milling machines are situated with commercial activities, especially for residents outside the capital city that may find it difficult to access the Abakaliki Rice Mill.
This large cluster of rice milling industry is owned and managed by private individuals and cooperative societies who have their milling machines, while government only collects royalties/levies from them. Usually, people come from far and near to the mill to buy or sell rice on a daily basis.
People from the north including neighbouring states such as Enugu, Imo, Abia and Anambra always come to buy rice in Abakaliki in very large quantities. The reason for the high patronage is not only that Abakaliki rice has been identified to have a unique taste when
compared to foreign rice and other kinds of rice being patronised by people, it is cheap and affordable.
The price defers depending on the quality of the rice and specie. Currently, due to the ban on importation of foreign rice, the cost of a bushel of rice is sold for N10,000 and above, depending on the quality, as against N4,000 a year ago.
But the continued production of Abakaliki rice became endangered in the past administration of former Governor Martin Elechi, due to the face-off between the Abakaliki Rice Mill Company and Ebonyi State Government on the planned relocation of the rice mill to the three rice clusters in each of the senatorial zones of the state.
The chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill, Mr. Joseph Ununu noted that the policy of relocation of the rice mill and its attendant cases of threats and intimidation have brought untold hardship to them and the trauma precipitated the untimely death of 15 rice millers as a result of heart failure.
One of the patrons, Chief Chukwuka Okonwko, slumped and died shortly after hearing the news of the relocation. Mr. Elias Nwogu, 40, a father of six, said he has trained some of his children in both secondary and university from the proceeds of the rice business which he has been engaged in since the age of 15.
Okonkwo said he wanted to sell his milling engine, but nobody indicated interest to buy it and that was how the man died. The engine was estimated at N1.6 million, but nobody could buy it even at N300,000 and that broke his heart; because the rice mill is moving out and everybody is afraid," he said.
Mr. Augustine Obasi, father of four kids is one of the workers at the rice mill and hails from Ezza North local Government Area of the state. Born in the mid-1970s, he said he joined the rice business in 1991 but lamented the government decision to move them.
For Mrs. Eucharia Ogwutor, she said since joining the business in 1989 she has been buying from the farmers to do the final processing. "Ikwo Village is very far from here. No buyer would like to carry his money and go to such a distant place to buy. If Governor Elechi relocates the rice mill from here, people should just forget about the Abakaliki rice," she said.
However, respite came with the emergence of Engr. David Umahi, as the governor of Ebonyi State. With the dwindling oil revenue, the present administration has reemphasised the need to revert to agriculture which was the mainstay of the Nigeria economy before the discovery of oil.
In line with his vision for agricultural revolution in the state, Umahi has procured 40 tractors for rice production. The Ebonyi State Government has earmarked 40,500 hectares of land for rice cultivation this farming season spread across the 13 council areas in the state. Each of the LGAs has 2,500 hectares mapped for the rice production while IFAD has six thousand hectares and FADAMA, 2,000 hectares.
This feat if actualised would boost food security in the state. Already, all public servants have been directed to go into farming. Public primary and secondary schools and teachers have also been directed to have farms as basis for promotion.
ThisDay

Rice price goes up

Millers, traders cite public procurement, flood as reasons

A retailer with different varieties of rice at Bahadurbazaar in Dinajpur. Traders say that government rice procurement coupled with recent floods caused a supply shortage and an increase in rice price. Photo: Star
Star Report
Prices of rice have edged up amid the government's ongoing purchase, falling supply from farmers and flood in the country's northern region, said millers and traders.
In Dhaka, retail prices of coarse rice rose by 6.45 percent to Tk 32-34 per kg from Tk 30-32 a month ago, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing.
Prices of the staple also soared in Rangpur and Dinajpur due to supply shortages as millers prefer delivering to government warehouses at Tk 32 a kg, reports our Dinajpur correspondent.
Fine rice, including miniket and paizam, has also become dearer. A 50 kg bag of fine rice was selling between Tk 2,400 and 2,600 at a rice wholesale market in Mahiganj of Rangpur town on Sunday, up from between Tk 2,000 and Tk 2,200 two to three weeks ago, said traders.
According to some buyers and traders, prices of coarse rice have increased by nearly Tk 6 per kg in some areas of Rangpur and Dinajpur over the last two to three weeks. On Sunday, the commodity was trading at up to Tk 33 each kg, up from Tk 26 two to three weeks ago.
“How come prices go up so fast? Is there any rule?” questioned an annoyed Ibrahim Ali in Bahadurbazaar of Dinajpur town.
He claimed of buying a kg of BR-11 rice for Tk 33 this week, which he could get for Tk 26 two weeks ago at the rice markets in Bahadurbazaar. He blamed syndication of traders for the price hike.
Visiting the markets in the area on Sunday, The Daily Star found that coarse and medium-grain rice was traded at between Tk 1,600 and Tk 1,800 per 50 kgs. Some traders said the same quantity of rice was sold between Tk 1,300 and 1,500 two to three weeks ago.
“The current price is quite high for me,” said Masud Rana, a rickshaw puller in Rangpur. He urged the government to look into the matter.
Early this month, the Directorate General of Food started procuring rice as per contracts with millers. The food office aims to buy five lakh tonnes of parboiled rice and 50,000 tonnes of sundried rice from the boro crop, harvesting of which ended in June.
The office earlier bought 6.69 lakh tonnes of paddy at Tk 23 per kg during the boro season.
As of August 16, the food office bought 44,763 tonnes of rice, according to food ministry data. The government procures rice to create a stock and to give price support to growers.
KM Layek Ali, general secretary of Bangladesh Auto, Major and Husking Mills Association, said rice prices increased owing to rising prices of paddy. The government's procurement of paddy was the main reason behind the price spiral, he pointed out.
Prices of almost all varieties of paddy rose by up to Tk 300 each maund (40 kilograms) since the end of the boro season, he said, adding that the market saw poor supply of coarse paddy since the beginning of public procurement.
He said marginal farmers do not have paddy in their hand now. “Big-scale farmers and traders who hold back their stock now have paddy,” he added.
Some traders said big-scale farmers and stockists have slowed down the supply of paddy assuming that import of rice would be very expensive due to duty hike by the government.
“Many millers are also buying from local markets to deliver rice to public warehouses,” said Layek.
The government imposed 25 percent duty on rice import in the current fiscal year to protect interest of farmers.
Sheikh Abul Kashem, secretary of Rangpur Rice Millers Association, said big merchants were holding their stock. He hoped supply would improve by the end of this month.
Abdur Rashid, owner of Matin Rice at Mohammdapur Krishi Market in Dhaka, said prices of the staple have been on the rise since the Eid-ul-Fitr early last month. He attributed the price hike to higher paddy prices.
Prices of fine and medium quality rice increased by Tk 4-6 per kg since May this year owing to spike in paddy prices, said Nirod Boron Saha, a wholesaler and commission agent in Naogaon, one of the main rice trading hubs in the country's north.
Saha, also president of Dhan O Chal Aratdar O Byabosayee Samity in Naogaon, blamed the price spiral on slow supply of paddy from big farmers and traders.
He said higher prices of coarse rice might affect low-income and working class people.
“But the price hike is not abnormal. Increase in prices appears to be tolerable from the view point of increased wages of day labourers,” he added.
http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/rice-price-goes-1271653

Free food stalls get raw deal, traders favoured

Published: 18th August 2016 05:26 AM
Last Updated: 18th August 2016 05:26 AM
Volunteers supplying free food and water packets to devotees in Wadapally ghat in Nalgonda on Wednesday | Express Photo
WADAPALLY(NALGONDA): A miffed lot of volunteers providing free food and water packets to devotees at Wadapally Pushkar ghat packed up and left on Wednesday.
Rice mill owners, volunteer groups like Arya Vysya Sangham said that there were no takers for their lemon rice and milk. They alleged that they were forced to set up shop near the parking lot which was quite far away from temples and ghats. The organisations said that they had requested officials for a place for their stalls closer to the ghat but officials had granted permission only a day ago.
Arya Vysya Sangham members added that officials however had given permission to private owners selling coconuts, water bottles, soft drinks and the like to set up their shops near the ghats and temples. Rice millers alleged that officials had accepted bribes from shop owners in exchange for a good place to conduct their businesses.
A member of one such voluntary organisation that they had wanted to serve the pilgrims who had come from far away places to the ghats. He added that the devotees would be famished after the dip and darshan and that the organisation would serve by replenishing their energies. He lamented that they were disappointed at not being given a chance to serve them.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/Free-food-stalls-get-raw-deal-traders-favoured/2016/08/18/article3584738.ece

600 brilliant ideas in one place

The Nation August 18, 2016 1:00 am

Even cricket burgers hold a certain allure at the Thailand Research Expo
A STRAIN or rice that grows anywhere in any weather and socks that repel fungus are among the 600 innovations on view at the 11th annual Thailand Research Expo at Central World's Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre.
The National Research of Thailand (NRCT) and other research networks are hosting the event, continuing through August 21, daily from 8 to 6, and dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen for her birthday. The theme is "Research development toward stability, prosperity and sustainability".
"People tend to see research as being far removed from their homes, but actually it's very close to home," says NRCT secretary-general Sukanya Theerakullert."All research is aimed at improving the quality of life since, if people enjoy good living conditions, the country prospers too. Research leads to innovations, new products and greater income, so everyone benefits. It strengthens society and creates a sustainable development."One of the stars of Research Expo 2016 is Tubtim Choompae (Gor Khor 69) rice, developed by Ronnachai Changsri of the Choompae Rice Research Centre in Khon Kaen. It flourishes in all weather conditions regardless of geographical location. Tubtim Choompae derives from Khao Dok Mali 105 and Sungyod rice, both indigenous to Pattalung. The red seeds are resistant to the destructive fungus known as rice blast and generate a high yield of 970 kilograms per rai. When cooked, the rice is red, high in healthy antioxidants and sticky, making it ideal for certain kinds of dishes and snacks.

Natthaporn Sonpuek and her team at Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University may have found a way for Thailand to reduce its dependence on imported colour dyes. They've developed extracts from natural domestic components suitable for dyeing fabric, as in batik production.

A light blue comes from butterfly-pea blossoms, dark brown from betel palm and pink from the peacock flower, and all the colours retain their natural vibrancy, making them as appealing as any artificial hue but without the harmful chemical additives. Natural dyes are also cheaper, so production costs are reduced.

Meanwhile the Royal Thai Air Force has come up with socks that resist fungus and odour. Wing Commander Chupong Chailak, head of its Quartermaster Directorate's Research and Experiment Division, led the project.

Athlete's foot has been the scourge of military missions since soldiers first began wearing boots. The Air Force researchers believe they're found a solution by coating socks with zinc oxide, which prevents bacteria and fungus, and a layer of micro-capsules containing scent that reduces odour. The innovation could be applied when the socks are being woven or worn and make them last three days.

If you're still hungry after studying socks, you might want to try a hamburger or northern-style spicy sausage made not with pork but crickets. Dr Darunsak Tatiyalabham of Varaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University reckons householders can cut their shopping bills substantially with this insect substitute.

Also useful for the home is kitchenware sculpted from palm-fruit shells, an environmentally friendly alternative conceived by Assistant Professor Dr Singha Indrachuto of Kasetsart University.

Assistant Professor Umaporn Upara at Maejo University has made vinegar, wine and brandy using myrtales, a plant with preservative properties. This idea came out of the Plant Genetic Conservation Project initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

And Assistant Professor Puntarika Ratanatriwong of Naresuan University has developed a line of "spice pastes" ready to use in the kitchen.

This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of innovations on display at the exposition, and it's not just academic researchers participating - anyone can submit an idea. Business and investment opportunities abound, with many of the discoveries awaiting commercial application.

Find out more at www.ResearchExpo.NRCT.go.th and www.NRCT.go.th.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/600-brilliant-ideas-in-one-place-30293164.html




Cambodia holds emergency meeting on rice

           17 Aug 2016 at 21:16 5,209 viewed0 comments
           WRITER: KHMER TIMES Women plant rice on a paddy field at Kampong Chhnag province, Cambodia, on Aug 6, 2016. (Reuters photo)

Cambodia’s beleaguered rice sector has convened an emergency meeting to tackle falling rice exports and help rice millers currently in financial doldrums due to severe shortage of funds to buy harvested rice from farmers to be milled for export.Hean Vanhan, deputy general director of the Agriculture Department, told the Khmer Times that the top agenda in the emergency meeting was the issue of falling rice exports.While not going into details, Vanhan said rice production was down due to the drought earlier this year and this contributed to the shortfall of paddy rice supply for millers to process for export.Vanhan also blamed the slowdown in international markets and added: “The flow of cheaper priced rice imported from Vietnam and Thailand made problems bigger.”“The meeting focused on strengthening the CRF [Cambodia Rice Federation] and drew up an action plan on how we can work together to tackle this crisis,” he said.

The country’s rice exports fell by 6.9% from 312,317 tonnes in the first seven months last year to 292,277 tonnes in the same period this year, according to a report from the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export Formality.In June, the government agreed to make out loans of between $20 million and $30 million to help rice millers purchase rice from farmers after the harvest this November to store in warehouses and process them for export. But two months later, none of the loans have been made and rice millers are becoming very anxious.
Hun Lak, CRF’s vice-president, told the Khmer Times the current crisis in Cambodia’s rice sector was caused by domestic and external market factors.

“We spent the whole morning talking about this with the Agriculture Ministry. The external factors are falling international markets for rice and the flooding of cheaper priced rice from neighbouring countries. The domestic factors involve lowering rice production costs, amidst lower supply of paddy rice for milling,” said Lak.
Lak pointed out that high electricity rates were eating significantly into the production costs of rice millers.
“We are trying to find ways to lower the cost of electricity. We want the electricity rate to be reduced to less than 400.60 riel (10 cents) per kilowatt hour for the agricultural sector,” he said.

Residents in rural areas pay higher electricity rates than those living in town, who pay 20 cents per kilowatt hour. In comparison, farmers in Vietnam pay about 10 cents per kilowatt hour.Lak said Cambodia needed to learn from its neighbours on how to lower rice production costs, despite falling exports.“When we look at Vietnam and Thailand, we see that they have lower production costs than us. They can lower the price of their rice, when global prices are depressed, and still survive. We, however, seem to have a problem with that,” he said.

Lak said the meeting also wanted to see better inter-ministerial cooperation to tackle the country’s rice sector crisis.“We [CRF] want all the ministries from agriculture, mines and energy, commerce, water resources and public works to be involved. Let’s all work together,” he said.In March, rice millers and exporters wrote to the government urging intervention to prevent Vietnamese companies from snapping up high-quality Cambodian rice and flooding the Cambodian market with low-grade grain.

Researchers aim to improve hybrid rice quality



2016-08-17 11:24CCTV Editor: Feng Shuang

如果不能正常播放,请从官方网站载插

As the Olympic Games take place in Brazil, the agricultural world is holding its very own Olympics too. The Crop Science Congress is a meeting which takes place every four years in selected countries. Researchers however don't come to compete, but to check out information displays and to take part in discussions. At this year's event, which takes place in Beijing, many have called for an improvement in hybrid rice quality.
China's Honglian type hybrid rice has been introduced at the congress. It's one of two major hybrid rice types in the country. One of the researchers here says that the rice sells well in south eastern Asian countries and in parts of Africa.
"The Honglian Type hybrid rice has an outstanding sales performance in south east Asia. Its yield is 50 per cent more than local rice, and it is of very good quality as well. It also doesn't spoil in high temperatures," said Professor Li Shaoqing from Hl Hybrid Rice Research Group, Wuhan University.
China is a world leader in hybrid rice research and technology.
Since the 1970s, hybrid rice breeds have been exported to dozens of countries, including the US, Indonesia and Brazil.
But some think hybrid rice doesn't taste as good as organic rice.
Now researchers are focusing just as much on quality as they are on high yield and pest resistance.
"The main problem is that consumers across the world have very different expectations of quality. Some like firm rice, some like sticky rice. The breed should be able to solve that problem each time they are producing a new variety," said Matthew Morell, director general of International Rice Research Institute.
Agricultural experts are already tackling world hunger and climate change - and now, new strains of high quality, environmentally-friendly rice. And it shouldn't be too long before these new technologies being developed make the move from the lab to the farm.
ourne15–17°C
Melbourne researchers have developed an iron and zinc-fortified rice that could revolutionise the health of billions of people on the planet. Picture: Thickstock
VIC News

New iron-powered rice could improve the lives of billions, thanks to Melbourne Uni research

IAN ROYALL, Herald Sun
Subscriber only
MELBOURNE researchers have developed an iron and zinc-fortified rice that could revolutionise the health of billions of people on the planet.
Recent overseas field tests on the modified rice have shown iron and zinc levels in the grains four times higher than normal white rice.
Dr Alex Johnson from Melbourne University’s School of BioSciences said rice was a common daily food for two billion people but it was low in iron and other micronutrients leading to what he called “hidden hunger”.
But researchers found a key gene that allowed the intake of iron from the soil into the rice grain.
After years of lab and greenhouse tests, plants were successfully grown in the Philippines and Colombia with high iron levels and high yields.
“It’s really satisfying when you see the results from the lab show up in the field,’’ Dr Johnson said.
Subsequent research has shown that humans absorb the iron from the super rice.
It is hoped that the modified plants can soon be introduced in crops in Bangladesh where 80 per of land is used to grow rice and iron deficiency is widespread.
The research is funded, in part, by Harvest Plus, which is backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The theme of hidden hunger and micro nutrients will part of the department’s offering at the university’s open day on Sunday.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/new-ironpowered-rice-could-improve-the-lives-of-billions-thanks-to-melbourne-uni-research/news-story/2c66e840e53add78ee7af0d1738cb818



Marcos in context

posted August 18, 2016 at 12:01 am by  Danilo Suarez
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The Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani has sparked a polarizing, heated debate. Much of the protests are based on the abuses committed by the military during Martial Law. I remember that the theory proffered by the previous administration against FM was that while there was no direct evidence linking him to the abuses during that time, he was responsible for creating a climate which fostered such violations. However, as one of those who was already an adult during that era, I can say that the FM’s decision then to declare Martial Law was a prudent decision which any self-respecting leader could have made under the same circumstances. During that time, the communist movement was practically knocking at the doorstep of Metro Manila. This was during the time that the Communist movement was at its peak and the South East Asia Treaty Organization was still in existence. The Seato was a response to the demand that Southeast Asia be protected against communist expansionism, especially as manifested through military aggression in Korea and Indochina and through subversion backed by organized armed forces in Malaysia and the Philippines. The worldwide threat of communism at that time provided the violent context by which Martial Law was declared, something that is lost in the debate.
Moreover, there is no question that it was during the time of FM that much of the beloved infrastructure that we are still using now was built. Setting aside the fact that he was the longest serving president, a study found that on a per-year basis, he led all the presidents in infrastructure investments. Only Fidel Ramos bested him in road building for a period of one year. FM’s infra record was not only marked by sheer volume; they were of quality and interrelated and complemented sector-development objectives. If one is familiar with the Quezon City area, you can locate our specialty hospitals, such as the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, just across each other. Road networks and bridges that are still being used now were constructed during FM’s time, such as, the Manila North Diversion Road, precursor of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex), the Marcos Highway to Baguio and the San Juanico Bridge that links the islands of Samar and Leyte. In order to foster our cultural heritage, FM’s administration built the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theatre, Philippine International Convention Center, Makiling Center for the Arts (National Arts Center), Malacañang ti Amianan in Laoag, Nayong Pilipino, Museum for Native Art in Tacloban, and Palace in the Sky. I read an anti-Marcos argument that goes along the line that FM’s supporters should not use his infra-building record to claim that he is the best president we ever had since those were built using public funds anyway. This line of reasoning totally misses the point. The real success of FM’s infrastructure legacy is his vision and legacy of building so much within a span of time, at such quality, and with such cohesive planning. After all, all our previous presidents also had at their disposal public funds to build the proper infrastructure – but were they able to match FM’s infra success rate?
And let us not forget Masagana 99, against the backdrop of the previous administration’s repeated failure to achieve its promise of rice self-sufficiency. Masagana 99  promoted the planting of  varieties of rice developed by the International Rice Research Institute. It was so called because of the target of 99 cavans [4,900 kilos] per hectare per season for irrigated rice. That was the only time that the Philippines achieved rice self-sufficiency and it was even able to export rice from 1977-1978.
I do not imagine the preceding to be enough to persuade anti-Marcoses to change their mind. Nor it is my intention. I have come to accept that when it comes to this issue, everything is yellow to the jaundiced eye. I only ask that all our arguments, too much colored by emotion, be put in the proper context that was prevailing at that time.
http://thestandard.com.ph/opinion/columns/over-sight-by-danilo-suarez/213617/marcos-in-context.html

Record caFe: We’re open to private partnership for GM crop research: ICAR DG

Trilochan Mohapatra took over as secretary, department of agricultural research and education, and director general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in February.

By: Vivian Fernandes | Published: August 18, 2016 6:10 AM


A molecular geneticist, Trilochan Mohapatra is known for developing the first high-yielding basmati rice variety resistant to bacterial leaf blight and for genome sequencing of rice and tomato.
Trilochan Mohapatra took over as secretary, department of agricultural research and education, and director general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in February. A molecular geneticist, he is known for developing the first high-yielding basmati rice variety resistant to bacterial leaf blight and for genome sequencing of rice and tomato. In an interview with Vivian Fernandes, he adds that we need PPPs in biotech and for seed multiplication. Excerpts:
×
With weather getting more erratic and population set to increase, how is ICAR preparing for food and nutrition security?
Agriculture contributes to GHG emissions, particularly low-land rice. It emits methane, which is more earth warming than carbon dioxide. Direct-seeded rice (without transplantation) and System of Rice Intensification (SRI) can help reduce these emissions. But these cannot be applied in every situation as rice is cultivated in a variety of ecologies, from upland to deep water. Even with rice-wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), where there is no water stagnation, we have to reduce emissions.
Will it happen through conservation agriculture?
With conservation agriculture you retain soil moisture, sequester carbon in the soil instead of releasing it in the atmosphere (as smoke and soot), and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers. We can have C4 crops like maize, sorghum and sugarcane, which are more efficient in photosynthesis than rice and wheat. But there are research efforts to bring C4 photosynthesis to rice as well. It is one of the areas ICAR is focusing on. There are several institutions engaged in changing the anatomy of the rice plant to increase the concentration of CO2 in the tissue so more photosynthesis can occur.
Why can’t we use the tools of (GM)?
Without recombinant DNA technology, it can’t happen. Even the regulatory environment is not favourable…
At this point, we have limitations but we are overcoming them. Science should not stop. When it comes to commercialisation, one can see what best can be done. But this is at the concept validation stage. Experiments should continue.
ICAR was at the forefront of the Green Revolution. Why is it missing in action in the gene revolution?
Not exactly, activities have been going on. There is a need to improve efficiency and speed. There are many laboratories which are involved in validation of gene functions. But the public system cannot match private companies in funding, infrastructure and the critical mass of people focused on a project.
What are ICAR’s focus areas in agri-biotech?
We are testing genes for C4 photosynthesis in rice. We are trying to improve nitrogen use efficiency (a) through nitrogen-fixing bacteria, (b) plant and rhizobia interaction, and (c) by manipulating host genetic mechanisms. With regard to phosphorus use efficiency, the genes and markers are available and we are doing the breeding. We have had very good success.
ICAR has more than 100 institutes. Why can’t it focus on a few critical crops like pulses?
In pulses, the problem of pod borer is serious. We have a focused programme on GM pulses where we can use Bt genes, which has been proven safe in cotton (against bollworm). We are making tur resistant to pod borers.
That is happening at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat… It is doing work on chickpea (chana). The Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, has identified 6-7 events (mutated transgenic cells). Event selection will happen next. In 3-4 years, we should be able to deliver it to the farmers if the regulatory system approves.
Political leaders are wary of GM technology because they see it as the preserve of private companies. If ICAR gets into the field, will there be less resistance?
DU (South Campus) has created transgenic mustard with NDDB funding. It has gone through all the tests. It is a product of the public system. The bio-safety dossier is ready. Once it is placed in the public domain and comments come, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) will, probably, take a final call. That should happen ideally before the mustard sowing season in October.
Is hybrid vigour in it proven?
They have recorded more than 20% heterosis (yield enhancement). But I am not really worried by heterosis in this particular hybrid (Dhara Mustard Hybrid 11) as we can back-cross and generate better ones if this seed is deregulated and allowed for cultivation. This has happened in (Bt) cotton. More than 1,500 hybrids have been released in 10 years. It is a record for India. Public and private can join and create newer combinations.
You told reporters recently there should be PPPs in research. Can you elaborate?
We need PPPs in biotech and for seed multiplication. Gone are the days when the public system could meet all the seed needs of the country. Today, the National Seed Corporation and state seed corporations cannot supply enough because seed replacement rates are increasing. Some farmers want to change them every year.
The second area is having partnerships for GM research … partnering with multinationals, if they can put in money and we can do research together to solve a particular problem.
It happened in Bt brinjal… 
There the event was provided (by Mahyco India) and it was back-crossed. It was not at the stage of gene discovery.
Political leaders are reluctant to allow private companies to charge for plant traits. The agriculture ministry virtually issued a compulsory licence on Bt cotton using the Essential Commodities Act. It capped the trait fees. In fact, a former IAS official, Pravesh Sharma, said the government should acquire critical technologies and provide them free to farmers…
That is one way to deal with it. But we can partner from the very beginning and have an understanding on how to share credit, and how to make it (a desirable trait) a thing of public good.
Is there such a mindset in ICAR?
This is what our mindset is. Certainly, there must be partners who are ready for it. We need to develop more transgenic events than the public system is handling at this time. Also, bio-safety study is not easy. The public system can involve the private sector.
Why can’t ICAR do field trials on behalf of private trait developers?
If I have a sponsored project, I will be very happy. For (GM) mustard we did field trials in Punjab, Delhi and Bharatpur. There are a few issues. For event selection and confined field trials, state government NOC is required. What we are planning is to create sites, where selections can happen before it goes to GEAC. When the event is approved, we have to go back to GEAC. We have to see ways and means to rationalise that process.
Have you spoken to the Department of Biotechnology and the ministry of environment?
We are discussing. Two rounds of meetings are over. There is quite a bit of evolution. The agriculture minister says whatever has been approved by the environment ministry for release, we will not have difficulty in promoting that.
Agri-biotech is an important area of science. Because of the uncertainty, are you finding it difficult to attract talent?
This is one point which is being discussed among scientists and also the political leaders. This is a wonderful science, it has tremendous potential.
What about golden rice fortified with beta carotene for vitamin-A?
I don’t know when it will go to consumer. ICAR has it. It is sitting there. The day we get approvals, we will do the needful.
Politicians are wary of agri-biotech. Shouldn’t ICAR educate them?
This country needs an awareness programme for the public, the political system and even educated people like scientists … even they do not understand. We have discussed this with the department of biotechnology and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe-columnist/record-cafe-were-open-to-private-partnership-for-gm-crop-research-icar-dg/350506/

Integrated Management System Policy Statement
PhilRice adheres to a system of quality management, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety in its research and development to advance rice science and ensure quality technologies and services.
As proof the Institute’s quality of service, PhilRice has three certifications: ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management), ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management), and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series).
- See more at: http://www.philrice.gov.ph/about-us/ims-policy/#sthash.iBppoOXl.dpuf
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/about-us/ims-policy/

Rice Prices

as on : 17-08-2016 08:10:42 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals
Price

Current
%
change
Season
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Bazpur(Utr)
1207.00
503.5
47464.21
1929
2175
5.76
Gadarpur(Utr)
651.00
-30.15
133242.00
2432
1525
30.26
Kanpur(Grain)(UP)
650.00
85.71
11930.00
2125
2190
-1.62
Gondal(UP)
368.00
3.66
14626.10
2080
2070
4.79
Agra(UP)
210.00
17.98
6596.00
2220
2200
8.82
Jaunpur(UP)
200.00
-33.33
4750.00
2220
2220
11.56
Faizabad(UP)
140.00
40
4449.50
2270
2250
9.66
Basti(UP)
110.00
13.99
5931.00
2080
2080
7.77
Pilibhit(UP)
110.00
12.24
20743.50
2240
2240
2.05
Siliguri(WB)
91.00
-1.09
6778.00
2600
2600
-
Aligarh(UP)
80.00
NC
5260.00
2400
2380
15.94
Ghaziabad(UP)
80.00
NC
3675.00
2350
2340
8.80
Rampurhat(WB)
80.00
-11.11
1344.00
2250
2250
-
Thodupuzha(Ker)
70.00
NC
3780.00
2800
2800
12.00
Jangipur(WB)
63.50
0.79
1320.10
2225
2225
6.97
Cachar(ASM)
60.00
50
2820.00
2500
2500
-7.41
Saharanpur(UP)
56.00
-18.84
6313.00
2420
2430
11.78
Ballia(UP)
50.00
25
7850.00
2060
2070
2.23
Hapur(UP)
50.00
-16.67
436.00
2300
2300
8.49
Beldanga(WB)
50.00
25
2743.00
2500
2450
8.70
Gajol(WB)
47.50
7.95
1177.50
3100
3000
21.57
Bareilly(UP)
46.50
66.07
8176.60
2400
2400
10.34
Pandua(WB)
45.00
NC
3015.00
2750
2750
12.24
Sitapur(UP)
41.20
-19.22
7882.20
2220
2218
5.31
Partaval(UP)
40.00
NC
1692.00
2150
2150
11.11
Gazipur(UP)
40.00
25
2713.50
2150
2150
7.50
Haathras(UP)
40.00
-66.67
895.00
2390
2300
16.02
Garbeta(Medinipur)(WB)
26.00
-
26.00
2550
-
-
Jalpaiguri Sadar(WB)
25.00
NC
889.00
2650
2650
-7.02
Meerut(UP)
24.00
-40
688.50
2370
2375
10.23
Jhargram(WB)
24.00
-
24.00
2400
-
-
Chorichora(UP)
20.00
NC
448.15
2180
2230
8.46
Kaliaganj(WB)
20.00
NC
958.00
2650
2650
6.00
Alipurduar(WB)
20.00
NC
678.00
2300
2300
4.55
Kolaghat(WB)
20.00
-9.09
1006.00
2450
2475
6.52
Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)
20.00
NC
978.00
2450
2475
16.67
Wansi(UP)
18.00
-10
107.50
2110
2095
8.21
Purulia(WB)
18.00
-50
2436.00
2500
2440
6.84
Dhekiajuli(ASM)
17.00
6.25
1368.60
2200
2250
10.00
Naugarh(UP)
17.00
NC
915.50
2110
2100
9.33
Yusufpur(UP)
15.00
-25
1030.00
2075
2070
4.80
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
12.00
33.33
2114.00
3400
3400
-
Kolar(Kar)
11.00
-52.17
179.00
4260
3875
4.18
Kasganj(UP)
11.00
10
737.00
2150
2150
8.04
Pukhrayan(UP)
10.00
NC
288.50
2215
2210
0.23
Raiganj(WB)
10.00
-9.09
1030.00
2700
2700
3.85
Deogarh(Ori)
9.00
NC
553.50
2500
2500
NC
Uluberia(WB)
8.60
-8.51
234.60
2400
2400
NC
Firozabad(UP)
8.00
NC
739.10
2260
2260
11.33
Mirzapur(UP)
7.50
7.14
1558.10
1975
1970
1.28
Bolangir(Ori)
7.20
-4
359.90
2400
2300
4.35
Dibrugarh(ASM)
7.00
2.94
1440.80
2450
2450
-
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
7.00
268.42
149.80
4200
4300
2.44
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
6.60
-57.42
1791.60
1900
1900
-
Bohorihat(ASM)
6.00
50
287.40
2400
2350
14.29
Nimapara(Ori)
6.00
50
261.00
2000
2000
5.26
Raibareilly(UP)
5.50
NC
349.00
2100
2120
1.45
Rura(UP)
5.00
11.11
169.70
2170
2170
-3.34
Islampur(WB)
4.20
31.25
343.00
2350
2350
9.30
Chengannur(Ker)
4.00
-20
698.50
2600
2500
4.00
Achnera(UP)
3.00
-90
33.00
2100
2090
3.45
Fatehpur Sikri(UP)
3.00
-91.18
58.00
2120
2060
5.47
Jagnair(UP)
3.00
-90.91
63.00
2120
2130
4.43
Siyana(UP)
2.50
25
120.00
2240
2240
10.34
Balarampur(WB)
2.20
10
91.70
2480
2480
11.71
Aroor(Ker)
2.00
NC
220.70
7300
7300
5.80
Jeypore(Ori)
1.50
-16.67
139.00
4200
4100
2.44
Shillong(Meh)
1.20
NC
69.00
3500
3500
NC
Mawana(UP)
1.20
20
30.40
2390
2395
11.16
Kurara(UP)
1.20
-
1.20
1925
-
-
Kalimpong(WB)
1.20
71.43
44.00
2600
2600
13.04
Bishenpur(Man)
1.20
-40
62.60
2900
2500
3.57
Lakhimpur(UP)
1.10
NC
205.25
2390
2370
11.16
Melaghar(Tri)
1.00
-50
128.30
2650
2550
12.77
Kasipur(WB)
0.60
-25
46.90
2500
2440
12.61
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8998743.ece

Rice Prices

as on : 18-08-2016 12:49:54 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals
Price

Current
%
change
Season
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Thodupuzha(Ker)
70.00
NC
3850.00
2800
2800
12.00
Vasai(Mah)
57.00
137.5
205.00
2520
2730
-3.08
Beldanga(WB)
45.00
-10
2788.00
2500
2500
8.70
Cachar(ASM)
20.00
-66.67
2840.00
2500
2500
-7.41
Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)
20.00
NC
998.00
2450
2450
16.67
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
16.20
145.45
1807.80
1900
1900
-
Jeypore(Ori)
12.00
700
151.00
4200
4200
2.44
Dibrugarh(ASM)
11.00
57.14
1451.80
2450
2450
-
Raiganj(WB)
9.00
-10
1039.00
2750
2700
5.77
Chengannur(Ker)
8.00
100
706.50
2400
2600
-4.00
Aroor(Ker)
2.00
NC
222.70
7300
7300
5.80
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9002581.ece





        APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1538

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 15-08-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Maize
1
Ghanpur (Telangana)
Local
1325
1325
2
Martur (Andhra Pradesh)
Hybrid
1450
1500
3
Gorakhpur (Madhya Pradesh)
Local
1326
1326
Paddy(Dhan)
1
Pulpally (Kerala)
Other
1500
1700
2
Sainthia (West Bengal)
Common
1400
1430
3
Jajpur (Orissa)
Other
1410
1500
Mousambi
1
Jagraon (Punjab)
Other
2300
2700
2
Mechua (West Bengal)
Other
2900
3000
3
Sirsa (Haryana)
Other
2200
2500
Cabbage
1
Mannar (Kerala)
Other
2500
2700
2
Sahaspur (Orissa)
Other
1100
1200
3
Jagraon (Punjab)
Other
900
1000



08/17/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Rice

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


Futures:

ROUGH RICE


High
Low
Last
Change





Sep '16
1050.5
1015.5
1022.5
-21.0
Nov '16
1056.5
1032.0
1040.5
-10.5
Jan '17
1062.5
1057.5
1066.0
-9.5
Mar '17


1091.0
-7.0
May '17


1113.0
-5.0
Jul '17


1133.5
-2.0
Sep '17


1126.5
-2.0

Rice Comment


Rice futures were lower but traded within a relatively narrow range within Tuesday's range. The market is reacting to heavy rains in Louisiana and other areas of the Delta and the potential impact that will have on the crop there. The condition report released Monday showed 65% rated good to excellent. Louisiana farmers have harvested 55% of the crop there. The weather will certainly delay harvest and could result in disease pressure and quality issues as well, but the full impact cant be known until the flood waters recede. Last weeks production report showed a reduction due to a decreased yield projection.


The average yield was decreased to 7,659 pounds per acre, down from 7,680 pounds in the July report. A decrease in production, beginning stocks and import projections resulted in a decrease in the ending stocks estimate, which is now 54.7 million cwt. Exports and domestic use were unchanged. Recent price losses resulted in the average farm price estimate down 80 cents on either end to $10.40-$11.40


USA Rice Daily, Wednesday, August 17, 2016


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