Imported Indian rice and spice contain
'worrying' levels of chemicals, says report
COLLETTE DEVLIN
Last updated 18:39, October 28 2016
Tests on imported Indian foods sold in
Australian supermarkets found "worrying" levels of chemicals that made
them unfit for consumption, says an Australian media report.New Zealand food
safety officials say they will look into an Australian report that some Indian
food imports breach safety standards. Australia's SBS Punjabi Radio said tests
it had commissioned on Indian foods sold in Australian supermarkets found two
products failed to meet Food Standards Australia New Zealand standards.
The radio station reported that Kohinoor brand
basmati rice contained Buprofezin, an insecticide banned in Australia, and that
popular Indian spice brand MDH had pesticides above the accepted Australian
limit.The products are sold by a number of online stores in New Zealand and in
some supermarkets.READ MORE: Wellington spice store that exploited migrant
worker placed in liquidationSBS Punjabi Radio commissioned the independent lab
tests as part of a wider investigation into the safety of Australia's food
imports.
It said its reporters also found banned
substance Betel Nut readily available in a Melbourne grocery store.Ministry for
Primary Industries (MPI) monitoring director Allan Kinsella said the ministry
was not aware of the SBS investigation and did not have details of what was
investigated or the research carried out.But he said it would follow up to
ensure there were no food safety or suitability issues of concern to New
Zealand consumers.
"The standard process is for the relevant
Australian authority – in this case Victoria Health and the Department of
Agriculture – to investigate," he said. "If further action is needed,
there are agreements in place between New Zealand and Australian food
regulatory authorities about sharing information on food safety issues,"
he said.MPI's food residue surveillance programme operates under the Food Act
and tests for the presence of more than 400 pesticides, conformance to New
Zealand residue limits and good agricultural practice, he said.Countdown
spokesman James Walker said although the supermarket stocked Kohinoor rice
products, it had not received any notifications from food safety authorities in
New Zealand.The levels of residue mentioned with regards to the Kohinoor rice
products in the Australian media were well below those set in New Zealand's
food safety regulations, he said.
"The safety of our customers is always
paramount, and we understand there are no health concerns with Kohinoor rice
products in New Zealand."Countdown did not stock any of the other products
mentioned in the SBS report.Foodstuffs spokeswoman Antoinette Laird said it
stocked Kohinoor Brand Basmati Rice products in a few selected stores."We
understand the product on our shelves falls within the Ministry for Primary
Industries food safety requirements. We will continue to monitor this with our
supplier and MPI and will act accordingly if the situation should change,"
she said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/85858812/Imported-Indian-rice-and-spice-contain-worrying-levels-of-chemicals-says-report
Enhancing rice production
Officiating director general of Department of Agriculture (DoA), Ganesh B Chettri, said that currently the farmers in the country face problems controlling weeds in paddy fields and resort to using synthetic herbicides.
“The project is expected to help farmers solve the weed problem in paddy fields,” Ganesh B Chettri said. “The idea is to discourage farmers from using pesticides in paddy fields and replace it with organic solutions.”
Rice is an important crop for the Bhutanese. The department expects at least some solutions after the end of the project period in 2019. “The wetland in the country is limited therefore we need to focus on the available wetland for rice cultivation to intensify production.”
To produce organic fertilisers from different agricultural products such as defatted soya bean seeds and mustard cakes are some of the other objectives of the project.
National Organic Programme (NOP) coordinator, Kesang Tshomo, said that some agricultural value additions such as making of tofu from soya bean and oil extraction from mustard or rapeseed will also be explored. Different crop rotations including green manuring with legumes will also be tried to control the weeds and to enhance rice productivity.
Kesang Tshomo said that weed management is one of the biggest challenges in farming system in the country. “Solutions obtained through the project will be very crucial for organic agriculture sector development in the country and to strengthen the long-term organic farming vision of the country.”
The agriculture research centres at Bajo in Wangdue and Yusipang in Thimphu will be the key implementers of the three-year project – Creation of Active Local Communities through the Introduction of Organic Agriculture with the System of Circulating Natural Materials in Bhutan. Staff with the research centres and some selected farmers will be involved in the field implementation.
Japanese experts will assist and guide Bhutanese researchers to conduct the trial. Two staff with the DoA are currently being trained in Japan.
The research centres will work in collaboration with the National Organic Programme, National Plant Protection Centre and National Soil Service Centre. High, mid and low altitude places in the country have different weed problems. Trail locations will be prioritised accordingly.
To start with, the project will be implemented in Thimphu and Paro and then spread to other dzongkhags by local staff and selected farmers.
The director of Civil Institute of Organic Rice Cultivation in Japan, Mitsukuni Inaba, said that the project’s method had been developed in Japan in order to overcome the tragedy of the nuclear accident in Fukushima in March 2013.
Japan developed organic agriculture with the system of circulating local materials by cycle cropping of rice-wheat-soy beans. However, consumers stopped purchasing soya beans in the area near Fukushima fearing radioactive contamination.
The Japanese processed the soya beans and rapeseeds to remove radioactive cesium from the oil extracted from the crops. It was found that the defatted soya beans and rapeseeds are excellent materials for organic fertilizer. The soya beans contain 45 percent protein and can be utilised as organic nitrogen fertilizer for rice cultivation without damaging the development of rice plant roots.
The project is expected to increase rice yield by 150 percent without any use of herbicide and human labour.
“We hope to establish this method by experimental trials in research and development centres in Bhutan and the techniques will be spread among the farmers in Bhutan. The nation’s goal of going 100 percent organic can be achieved,” Mitsukuni Inaba said
Department defends rice substitution with maize
The department’s director-general Mr Somchai
Charnnarongkul said Thursday that the plan aims to reduce rice production which
is oversupply and, at the same time, to increase maize production which is not
enough to meet domestic need and, hence, the need to import the grains to make
up the shortfall.
Pointing out at the advantages of maize, he
explained that maize consumes less water than rice, using 500-700 cubic metres
of water per rai compared to rice which requires between 1,200-1,500 cubic
metres of water per rai.
Moreover, he said that maize generates better
income for farmers than rice does as the price of rice depends on the demand of
overseas marketsThe Agricultural Extension Department has defended its plan to
reduce rice production and, instead, increase maize production which will bring
more income for farmers.
The
department’s director-general Mr Somchai Charnnarongkul said Thursday that the
plan aims to reduce rice production which is oversupply and, at the same time,
to increase maize production which is not enough to meet domestic need and,
hence, the need to import the grains to make up the shortfall.Pointing out at the advantages of maize, he explained that maize consumes less water than rice, using 500-700 cubic metres of water per rai compared to rice which requires between 1,200-1,500 cubic metres of water per rai.
Moreover, he said that maize generates better income for farmers than rice does as the price of rice depends on the demand of overseas markets.
The Agricultural Extension Department has eyed rice farmland where farmers tend to plant several rice crops each year to be converted to maize plantation, said Mr Somchai, adding that there are an estimated eight million rai of such rice farmland scattering in 31 provinces and, of these, only two million rai have access to irrigation.
The department has launched a pilot project to experiment maize cultivation in rice farmland and the result is encouraging with yield estimated at between 900-1,000 kgs per rai which is translated into 2,000-4,000 baht profit per rai.
Mr Somchai assured that maize farmers need not be worried that their maize crops would not be saleable because there are buyers.
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/department-defends-rice-substitution-with-maize/Rice
farmers throw in towel after prices hit 10-year low
Rice farmers urge haste on storage scheme
28 of october 2016
The
government is being urged to speed up the implementation of measures to curb a
sharp fall in price of Thai Hom Mali rice, particularly this year's pledging
scheme for farmers with their own rice barns
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-
Oct 28
Nagpur
Foodgrain Prices Open- Oct 28
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.
TUAR
* Tuar black prices firmed up in open market on good demand from local traders amid
weak supply from producing region.
* Wheat mill quality recovered in open market on increased festival season demand from
local traders amid weak supply from producing belt like Punjab and Haryana.
* In Akola, Tuar New - 6,300-6,400, Tuar dal (clean) - 10,800-11,700, Udid -
9,700-10,000, Udid Mogar (clean) - 11,400-11,700, Moong -
6,100-6,300, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,800-7,200, Gram - 9,000-9,500,
Gram Super best bold - 12,400-12,700 for 100 kg.
* Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals,
settled at last levels as a majority of traders are in Diwali holiday mood.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Available prices
Previous close
Gram Auction
7,400-9,460
7,500-9,600
Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
5,000-5,400
5,000-5,500
Moong Auction
n.a.
6,400-6,600
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold
12,500-13,000
12,500-13,000
Gram Super Best
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
11,800-12,100
11,800-12,100
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a
Gram Mill Quality
10,200-10,500
10,200-10,500
Desi gram Raw
9,900-10,100
9,900-10,100
Gram Yellow
13,300-13,700
13,300-13,700
Gram Kabuli
13,700-15,000
13,700-15,000
Gram Pink
13,000-13,500
13,000-13,500
Tuar Fataka Best-New
11,500-12,000
11,500-12,000
Tuar Fataka Medium-New
10,900-11,200
10,900-11,200
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New
9,500-10,200
9,500-10,200
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New
8,500-9,000
8,500-9,000
Tuar Gavarani New
6,600-6,700
6,600-6,700
Tuar Karnataka
6,800-6,950
6,800-6,950
Tuar Black
11,900-12,400
11,800-12,300
Masoor dal best
6,400-6,500
6,400-6,500
Masoor dal medium
6,000-6,200
6,000-6,200
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New)
6,800-7,200
6,800-7,200
Moong Mogar Medium
6,300-6,600
6,300-6,600
Moong dal Chilka
6,200-6,500
6,300-6,500
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
6,500-7,000
6,500-7,000
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 11,000-12,100
11,000-12,100
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)
9,500-10,500
9,500-10,500
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
7,300-7,600
7,300-7,600
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
6,400-6,800
6,400-6,800
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
4,700-4,900
4,600-4,800
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
2,800-2,900
2,800-2,900
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,400-3,600
3,400-3,600
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)
4,000-4,500
4,000-4,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,000
1,900-2,000
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)
1,950-2,050
1,900-2,000
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,750-1,950
1,750-1,950
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)
2,250-2,450
2,250-2,450
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,250
1,950-2,250
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)
n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)
3,300-4,000
3,300-4,000
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)
2,400-3,000
2,400-3,000
Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)
2,800-3,250
2,800-3,250
Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)
2,300-2,650
2,300-2,650
Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)
2,200-2,500
2,200-2,500
Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,450
2,100-2,450
Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)
1,800-2,000
1,800-2,000
Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)
3,450-3,800
3,450-3,800
Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)
2,600-3,000
2,600-3,000
Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)
4,200-4,500
4,200-4,500
Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG)
3,800-4,100
3,800-4,100
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)
8,700-13,300
9,000-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)
6,300-7,800
6,500-8,000
Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)
5,300-5,600
5,300-5,600
Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)
4,900-5,100
4,900-5,100
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,200
1,900-2,200
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,850
1,700-1,850 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 32.4 degree Celsius (90.3 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp. 14.1 degree Celsius (67.4 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a. Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 33 and 14 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices) ATTN : Diwali Holidays - Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain market of Nagpur APMC and oil market in Vidarbha will be closed between October 29 and November 1 on the occasion of Diwali festival
http://in.investing.com/news/commodities-news/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open--oct-28-78355
Rice Farming TV: Episode 11
Friday,Posted
Oct 28, 2016 at 8:58 AM
Rice Farming TV aims to Promote the California
Rice Industry with weekly videos. What’s happening this week in rice:
How Rice is Harvested!
California Rice harvest 2016 has begun and the
harvesting will not stop until the rice is in the barn! Take a high-definition,
up close look at the total process of harvesting rice. A complete overview of
what it takes to cut, load and deliver the rice from the fields to the
dryer/mill.
For previous episodes click here: www.ricefarmingtv.com
Matthew Sligar, producer of Rice Farming TV, is
a third generation rice farmer in Butte County and was born and raised in
Gridley
http://www.gridleyherald.com/article/20161028/NEWS/161029562
The Rice Market Anomaly that is China
ARLINGTON, VA --
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), global rice
production declined by 6.65 million tons in 2015/16, which USDA reports led to
reduced consumption of rice in animal feeds and to some extent in food,
particularly in India and Thailand. That situation was reversed in the
latest USDA forecast with production forecasted to rebound by 11.17 million
tons in 2016/17 to a new record of 482.26 million tons. Ending stocks are
forecasted to rise 5.1 million tons to 120.7 million tons or a little more than
25 percent of consumption.
That is the global situation, now let's focus on the anomaly that is China's rice market. Production is forecasted to rise one percent to 146.5 million tons while consumption remains flat at 144 million tons. Add imports to the equation and ending stocks are set to rise by 7.2 million tons to 71 million tons or the equivalent of 60 percent of global ending stocks. In other words supplies in the market, not counting carry-in stocks, will exceed consumption by 7.2 million tons, or nearly the size of the 2016 U.S rice crop.
You need look no further than the recently announced U.S. challenge to rice production subsidy policy in China to understand how this anomaly has arisen. The domestic price guaranteed to the farmer set by the government is significantly higher than the price of rice in nearby countries with exportable supplies of rice. As a result, China has become by a wide margin the largest importer of rice in the world, even though self-sufficient in rice production. In fact, in previous years the "official" import numbers have understated imports by probably a million tons or more that crossed the border from Vietnam unaccounted for and paying no import duty.
Can this trend continue? Simply put it cannot. China has essentially capped imports at 5.3 million tons, the level agreed to when China joined the World Trade Organization. This Tariff Rate Quota allows this level of imports at a tariff of one percent and a 13 percent value added tax (VAT). Continually growing stocks is not sustainable. Either of three things must happen to alleviate the oversupply situation: 1) the production subsidies will be reduced to lower the incentive for local production; 2) imports will decline; or, 3) rice will be used for industrial processes such as animal feed (which is a policy adopted by Japan), ethanol, or other industrial use.
USA Rice continues to monitor progress toward market access, but at the same time is preparing ground for entering the market by identifying and building relationships with major rice importers through trade servicing activities. USA Rice is also building interest in U.S. rice in China by participating in food shows demonstrating the variety of rice types available from the U.S.
USA Rice is planning trade seminars in China to coincide with when market access is gained, and is also planning to bring major importers to the U.S. for them to get a better understanding of the U.S. rice industry to build confidence in the U.S. as a reliable trading partner with high quality rice to sell
That is the global situation, now let's focus on the anomaly that is China's rice market. Production is forecasted to rise one percent to 146.5 million tons while consumption remains flat at 144 million tons. Add imports to the equation and ending stocks are set to rise by 7.2 million tons to 71 million tons or the equivalent of 60 percent of global ending stocks. In other words supplies in the market, not counting carry-in stocks, will exceed consumption by 7.2 million tons, or nearly the size of the 2016 U.S rice crop.
You need look no further than the recently announced U.S. challenge to rice production subsidy policy in China to understand how this anomaly has arisen. The domestic price guaranteed to the farmer set by the government is significantly higher than the price of rice in nearby countries with exportable supplies of rice. As a result, China has become by a wide margin the largest importer of rice in the world, even though self-sufficient in rice production. In fact, in previous years the "official" import numbers have understated imports by probably a million tons or more that crossed the border from Vietnam unaccounted for and paying no import duty.
Can this trend continue? Simply put it cannot. China has essentially capped imports at 5.3 million tons, the level agreed to when China joined the World Trade Organization. This Tariff Rate Quota allows this level of imports at a tariff of one percent and a 13 percent value added tax (VAT). Continually growing stocks is not sustainable. Either of three things must happen to alleviate the oversupply situation: 1) the production subsidies will be reduced to lower the incentive for local production; 2) imports will decline; or, 3) rice will be used for industrial processes such as animal feed (which is a policy adopted by Japan), ethanol, or other industrial use.
USA Rice continues to monitor progress toward market access, but at the same time is preparing ground for entering the market by identifying and building relationships with major rice importers through trade servicing activities. USA Rice is also building interest in U.S. rice in China by participating in food shows demonstrating the variety of rice types available from the U.S.
USA Rice is planning trade seminars in China to coincide with when market access is gained, and is also planning to bring major importers to the U.S. for them to get a better understanding of the U.S. rice industry to build confidence in the U.S. as a reliable trading partner with high quality rice to sell
10/28/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
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High
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Low
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Long Grain Cash Bids
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- - -
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- - -
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Long Grain New Crop
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- - -
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- - -
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Futures:
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Rice Comment
Rice futures ended the week with across the
board losses that took the market back toward support at lows charted earlier
in the week. For November, that low is $9.81. Weekly export sales improved this
week, with a total of 79,000 tons sold to foreign buyers. The crop is 97%
harvested at this point, with most of what remains to be harvested in
California.
Chhattisgarh
ready to serve two green rice varieties
Cherrupreet Kaur| TNN | Updated: Oct 29, 2016, 09.26 AM IST
RAIPUR: Scientists of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) of Raipur are in the process of officially
registering unique Tilkasturi and Korma green varieties of rice, discovered by
two farmers - Rohit Sahu and Prahlad Sahu - who are based in Durg and Dhamtari districts, respectively.
Since the rice varieties have been discovered by these farmers, the agricultural university will give them royalty after the varieties get notified and registered by New Delhi-based Protection of Plant Varieties And Farmers' Rights Authority.
As per IGKV scientists, the Tilkasturi and Korma varieties of green colour rice have been sent for testing to the Indian Institute of Rice Research in Hyderabad to test their nutritional content.Talking to TOI, IGKV's Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding's principal scientist Dr Deepak Sharma said, "These green varieties of rice are rare of the rarest thing, which I have never come across in my entire career. IGKV is in the process of commercialising the products, as it will bring fame to the farmers of Chhattisgarh. These rice varieties are soft in quality and highly aromatic while the husk is also very thin. After being cooked, the natural green colour and aroma will appeal to rice eaters."
"These green rice grows to a height of 125 centimetres and takes 135 days to mature while total yield is four tonnes from an acre of land. It is suitable for cultivation in all seasons," said Prahlad.
Since the rice varieties have been discovered by these farmers, the agricultural university will give them royalty after the varieties get notified and registered by New Delhi-based Protection of Plant Varieties And Farmers' Rights Authority.
As per IGKV scientists, the Tilkasturi and Korma varieties of green colour rice have been sent for testing to the Indian Institute of Rice Research in Hyderabad to test their nutritional content.Talking to TOI, IGKV's Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding's principal scientist Dr Deepak Sharma said, "These green varieties of rice are rare of the rarest thing, which I have never come across in my entire career. IGKV is in the process of commercialising the products, as it will bring fame to the farmers of Chhattisgarh. These rice varieties are soft in quality and highly aromatic while the husk is also very thin. After being cooked, the natural green colour and aroma will appeal to rice eaters."
"These green rice grows to a height of 125 centimetres and takes 135 days to mature while total yield is four tonnes from an acre of land. It is suitable for cultivation in all seasons," said Prahlad.
The farmer who has been growing
this variety since 15 years, said, "Korma variety should be kept
unpolished. Only then
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/Chhattisgarh-ready-to-serve-two-green-rice-varieties/articleshow/55126125.cms
Rice smuggling goes unabated
By R Bhoopati | THE HANS INDIA | Oct 28,2016 , 10:08 PM
IST
Nizamabad: There seems to no end to the
smuggling of rice from fair price shops in the district as it is going on
unabated. Although the officials of the
Enforcement Directorate, Revenue and Civil Supplies Department conducted
several raids and seized bags of rice hoarded illegally in godowns and fair
price shops, they are unable to put an end to it as it is going on with the
connivance of some unscrupulous officials, rice millers and benami dealers
according to an action plan or well thought out strategy and helping it to
cross the borders of Nizamabad.
There are a total of 87 fair price shops in the
Nizamabad district and out of these, 12 were found to be run by benami dealers.
Ten others were involved in cases relating to bogus ration cards.
Although the government appointed in-charges
for the fair price shops, four of them were again found to be benamis and these
benamis formed a criminal nexus with the corrupt officials and politicians so
that their activities could be carried out in a smooth manner. Even the Deputy
Tahsildars and other middlemen are helping in the smuggling of rice.
They get prior information on the time of
bringing the rice to the mandal level stock (MLN) points and divert it to other
areas outside the district in vehicles before the arrival of the enforcement
directorate sleuths.
Even though it is an open secret that the
officials know about such illegal activities they are remaining silent and
indifferent.
Furthermore, the corrupt fair price shop
dealers are not even leaving out the fine rice meant to be supplied in
government schools for the mid-day meals scheme. There are a total of 2274
government schools and 183 residential hostels in the district. Around 2.25 lakh students study in these
schools and they require 1175 metric tonnes of rice.
Taking advantage of such a situation, the
unscrupulous ration dealers and middlemen are indulging in smuggling. The
locals alleged that a political leader in Nizamabad was running six benami fair
price shops and though he was involved in several cases, no action was taken
against him. However, speaking to the media, NIzamabad RDO Yadi Reddy said
action would be taken against those who indulge in smuggling of rice if
people lodge any complaint
http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Nizamabad-Tab/2016-10-28/Rice-smuggling-goes-unabated/261547
No more rice
imports this year: President Jokowi
Sabtu, 29 Oktober 2016 14:56 WIB | 453 Views
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
(ANTARA)
Boyolali (ANTARA News) -
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has assured that Indonesia will not import rice
at the end of this year because the countrys rice stock is adequate until May
2017.
Rice production has increased dramatically from some 1,030,000 tons during September to October 2015, to 1,990,000 tons in October 2016.
Rice production has increased dramatically from some 1,030,000 tons during September to October 2015, to 1,990,000 tons in October 2016.
The increase was merely thanks to prime paddy seed utilization and adequate rainfall.The government will focus on increasing the rice stocks before deciding to export rice later, he said, after witnessing a grand harvesting of Super Jajaran Legowo-type paddy in Trayu village, Banyudono sub-district, Boyolali.
Boyolali is also a pilot project for Inpari 32 paddy variety."Later, if it is successful, we will expand it and multiply it in order to significantly increase the national rice production," the president said.At noon, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana were scheduled to observe the 36th anniversary of World Food Day to be held at the Boyolali square.Boyolali is known as a region which has successfully implemented the food production diversification program. The district produces among other things Tongkol 2 Prolific hybrid maize and Jajar Legowo-type paddy.
Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo and Head of the Presidential Staff Teten Masduki joined the presidential entourage.FAO celebrates World Food Day each year on October 16 to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945.
Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the United Nations (UN) calendar.These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all.FAOs global message for World Food Day 2016 is "Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too."It resonates with the crucial time in which the day will be observed, just before the next UN Climate Change Conference, COP 22, from November 7 to 18, 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/107467/no-more-rice-imports-this-year-president-jokowi
Rice farmers selling land as rice prices hit 10-year low
28
Oct 2016 at 17:44
WRITER:
JON
FERNQUEST
ORIGINAL
SOURCE/WRITER:
With sudden fall in rice prices, farmers forced to sell land
to cover debts for seeds, fertilisers & insecticides.
Rice farmers selling land as rice prices hit 10-year low
28/10/2016 Chudate Seehawong and Online Reporters
CHAI NAT - Farmers in Chai Nat province have started putting up "for sale" signs on their farmland amid plummeting rice prices.
The decisions came after they could no longer shoulder losses and needed cash to repay bank loans.
LOSING MONEY ON THE RICE THEY GROW
Earlier, farmers in tambon Wat Khok, Manorom district, in the Central province of Chainat asked the government to help them cope with slumping paddy prices, which averaged 6,200-6,300 baht a tonne.
At this level, they suffered losses and urged prices above 8,000 baht, their break even point.
"I need the money to repay debts as selling rice doesn't cover costs."
"I suffered losses for every crop due to high prices of fertilisers, insecticides and seeds," said Pirom, whose family name was not revealed.
FARMERS MUST SELL LAND TO REPAY DEBTS
Millers now pay farmers only 6,000 baht a tonne for paddy, he added.
"I have no choice but to sell land since it will be seized anyway if i can't repay the debts," he said, meaning that his land had been used as collateral for loans and would be taken if those loans could not be paid back.
RICE PRICES SUDDENLY FELL
Prices of jasmine paddy (Hom Mali) from the 2016/17 crop fell by as much as 1,000 baht a tonne in a week to 6,800-9,000 baht, depending on humidity (moisture), as of Oct 26, according to a Commerce Ministry survey.
White rice paddy also dropped by the same margin to 7,400-7,700 baht a tonne.
And the prospects continue to look bleak for farmers.
Jasmine rice futures contracts for contracts to be delivered in December were at 15,800 baht a tonne, which translates into 8,000 baht for paddy. (A tonne of paddy yields roughly 500-660 kilogrammes of milled rice.)
LOWEST PRICE IN 10 YEARS TRIGGERED BY INCREASED OUTPUT
The export price of Jasmine rice at $490 a tonne, based on the futures price, is the lowest in 10 years, triggered by increasing output in almost all exporting countries.
The ministry, however, is optimistic, saying at these levels, the prices would hit the bottom and should begin to pick up next year.
MEASURES TO ADDRESS FARMERS' PROBLEMS
Authorities have launched some measures to address farmers' problems.
Millers were asked to buy 400,000 tonnes of jasmine paddy in November and December at close to market prices. However, exporters have yet to give details on their planned purchases from millers.
The millers also urged to speed up the barn pledging measure for 2 million tonnes to prop up prices at 11,700 baht, so farmers can start pledging their output with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) (see today's article on this subject here).
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1121528/rice-farmers-throw-in-towel-after-prices-hit-10-year-low
Rice farmers urge haste on storage scheme
- 28 Oct 2016 at 07:44 2,056 viewed5 comments
- NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS
| WRITER: PHUSADEE
ARUNMAS
The government is being urged to speed up the
implementation of measures to curb a sharp fall in price of Thai Hom Mali rice,
particularly this year's pledging scheme for farmers with their own rice barns.
Vichai Srinawakul, vice-president of Thai Rice Millers Association, said
they are calling on the government to step up declaring the exact time frame
for the so-called rice barn pledging scheme for Hom Mali rice so that rice
farmers can begin pledging their paddy with the Bank for Agriculture and
Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).The scheme, once announced, will encourage rice farmers not to rush in releasing their new harvested to the market.
"The government must clarify to rice farmers measures to encourage them to delay disposing their paddy and give choices to farmers who agree to delay their disposal," he said.
He cited the BAAC's plan to spend about 9.98 billion baht to pledge the farmers' barn rice at 11,700 baht per tonne plus storage fee at 1,500 baht a tonne for Hom Mali paddy and glutinous paddy, targeting a combined 2 million tonnes of paddy.
Domestic prices of Thai Hom Mali paddy fell yesterday to only 9,500 baht per tonne, the lowest in 10 years.
The fall was partially attributed to relatively low purchase prices set by rice exporters, at only 15,800-16,600 tonnes of milled rice per tonne. Normally, milled rice fetches a minimum of 20,000 baht a tonne.
Charoen Laothamatas, president of Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the price fall was mainly because the Hom Mali paddy released this period is mostly of poor quality, with as much as 30% moisture.
In a move to cooperate with the government in managing domestic rice prices, rice exporters last week agreed to buy 200,000 tonnes of Hom Mali rice and store it in warehouses during November and December, the period when new supply from the country's annual harvest season starts flowing into the market.
The cooperation came shortly after the government announced a pause in its efforts to dispose of state rice stocks to curb any adverse impact on domestic prices.
Exporters will ask for the government's financial support in interest rate subsidies and warehousing fees worth a combined 60 million baht.
According to a source from Commerce Ministry, Deputy Commerce Minister Suvit Maesincee called a meeting with millers yesterday to inquire into paddy trading development and paddy production so the government could introduce more measures to handle the impact of the new supply.
Rice farmers throw in towel after prices hit 10-year low
• 28 Oct 2016
at 16:52 4,729 viewed17 comments
• WRITER:
CHUDATE SEEHAWONG AND ONLINE REPORTERS
'For sale' signs are seen on several plots in Manorom
district, Chai Nat province, on Friday after rice prices plunge to record low
levels for an extended period. (Photos by Chudate Seehawong)
CHAI NAT - Farmers in Chai Nat
province have started putting up "for sale" signs on their farmland
amid plummeting rice prices.The decisions came after they could no longer
shoulder losses and needed cash to repay bank loans.Earlier, farmers in tambon
Wat Khok, Manorom district, in this Central province asked the government to
help them cope with slumping paddy prices, which averaged 6,200-6,300 baht a
tonne.At this level, they suffered losses and urged the prices above 8,000
baht, their break-even point."I need the money to repay debts as selling
rice doesn't cover the costs. I suffered losses for every crop due to high
prices of fertilisers, insecticides and seeds," said Pirom, whose family
name was not revealed.Millers now pay farmers only 6,000 baht a tonne for
paddy, he added.
"I have no choice but to sell
land since it will be seized anyway if i can't repay the debts," he said.A
Commerce Ministry survey found the prices of jasmine paddy from the 2016/17
crop fell by as much as 1,000 baht a tonne in a week to 6,800-9,000, depending
on humidity, on Oct 26.White rice paddy also dropped by the same margin to
7,400-7,700 baht a tonne.And the prospects continue to look bleak for farmers.Jasmine
rice futures for contracts to be delivered in December were at 15,800 baht a
tonne, which translates into 8,000 baht for paddy. A tonne of paddy yields
roughly 500-660 kilogrammes of milled rice.The export price at $490 a tonne
based on the futures prices is the lowest in 10 years, triggered by increasing
output in almost all exporting countries.
The ministry, however, was
optimistic, saying at these levels, the prices would hit the bottom and should
begin to pick up next year.Authorities have launched some measures to address
farmers' problems. Millers were asked to buy 200,000 tonnes of jasmine paddy in
November and December at close to market prices. However, exporters have yet to
give details on their planned purchases from millers.The millers also urged
speeding up the barn pledging measure for 2 million tonnes to prop prices at
11,700 baht so farmers can start pledging their output with the Bank for
Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives immediately.
Rice farmers urge haste on storage scheme
• 28
Oct 2016 at 07:44 2,568 viewed5 comments
• NEWSPAPER
SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS
A jute sack is being filled with milled rice at
a plant in Chachoengsao province. Millers are urging the government for clear
measures to help tackle falling Hom Mali rice prices. SONTHANAPORN INCHAN
The government is being urged to speed up the
implementation of measures to curb a sharp fall in price of Thai Hom Mali rice,
particularly this year's pledging scheme for farmers with their own rice barns.Vichai
Srinawakul, vice-president of Thai Rice Millers Association, said they are
calling on the government to step up declaring the exact time frame for the
so-called rice barn pledging scheme for Hom Mali rice so that rice farmers can
begin pledging their paddy with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural
Cooperatives (BAAC).The scheme, once announced, will encourage rice farmers not
to rush in releasing their new harvested to the market.
"The government must clarify to rice
farmers measures to encourage them to delay disposing their paddy and give
choices to farmers who agree to delay their disposal," he said.He cited
the BAAC's plan to spend about 9.98 billion baht to pledge the farmers' barn
rice at 11,700 baht per tonne plus storage fee at 1,500 baht a tonne for Hom
Mali paddy and glutinous paddy, targeting a combined 2 million tonnes of paddy.Domestic
prices of Thai Hom Mali paddy fell yesterday to only 9,500 baht per tonne, the
lowest in 10 years.The fall was partially attributed to relatively low purchase
prices set by rice exporters, at only 15,800-16,600 tonnes of milled rice per
tonne. Normally, milled rice fetches a minimum of 20,000 baht a tonne.Charoen
Laothamatas, president of Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the price fall
was mainly because the Hom Mali paddy released this period is mostly of poor
quality, with as much as 30% moisture.
In a move to cooperate with the government in
managing domestic rice prices, rice exporters last week agreed to buy 200,000
tonnes of Hom Mali rice and store it in warehouses during November and
December, the period when new supply from the country's annual harvest season
starts flowing into the market.The cooperation came shortly after the
government announced a pause in its efforts to dispose of state rice stocks to
curb any adverse impact on domestic prices.Exporters will ask for the
government's financial support in interest rate subsidies and warehousing fees
worth a combined 60 million baht.According to a source from Commerce Ministry,
Deputy Commerce Minister Suvit Maesincee called a meeting with millers
yesterday to inquire into paddy trading development and paddy production so the
government could introduce more measures to handle the impact of the new
supply.
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