US NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER EXPRESSES
CONCERN OVER LOC ESCALATION
Saturday, 10 December 2016 23:53
WASHINGTON: US National
Security Adviser Dr Susan Rice on Friday expressed concern over the increasing
escalation at the Line of Control (LoC) and said the United States stood for
dialogue and meaningful cooperation among the countries of the region.She was
speaking to Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM)
who is currently on a visit to Washington for post-election meetings with the
US lawmakers.Dr Rice and SAPM discussed wide ranging issues of mutual interest
in the areas of peace and security, counter terrorism, defense and economic cooperation
at a meeting held at the White House. Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani was also
present.
The recent escalation on the
border and cease fire violations by the Indian forces were also discussed.
Fatemi particularly mentioned the killing of innocent civilians, as a result of
indiscriminatory fire by the Indian forces across the LoC and the Working
Boundary. Dr Rice stressed that the United States attached the highest
importance to its relations with Pakistan and expressed satisfaction with the
progress made by both in enhancing their cooperation in multiple fields.She
appreciated Pakistan's efforts to promote peace and stability in the region and
commended its participation in the Heart of Asia Conference held in Amritsar
last week.
Fatemi briefed Dr Rice on
Pakistan's unprecedented successes in counter-terrorism, highlighting the
sacrifices rendered by the people and security forces. He also drew the
attention of Dr Rice to the massive and systematic human rights violations in
the Indian Occupied Kashmir.The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister is in
Washington on the first high level visit from Pakistan after the November
elections in the United States
http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/world/331236-us-national-security-adviser-expresses-concern-over-loc-escalation.html
Cut down on rice imports to support local sector
By Isaac Kalua
Updated Mon, December 12th 2016 at 00:15 GMT +3
Updated Mon, December 12th 2016 at 00:15 GMT +3
Last week, we drove to Embu for the installation of Prof
Paul Musili Wambua as chancellor of the University of Embu. I was thrilled that
such a profound leader would now be in the driver’s seat of the young and
promising university - Congratulations! My thrill was, however, disturbed when
we drove past a small village near Sagana known as “munoa mana”. The village’s name
means ‘one who labours in vain’ in Kamba. This caused me to reflect deeply
about the hundreds of rice farmers that we journeyed through Mwea. Many were
spreading their rice and husks beside the road to dry and hopefully entice
motorists to stop and purchase. Most farmers looked worn out and beaten, like
their labours were definitely in vain.
Mwea’s farmers should be a critical part of Kenya’s
middle class because their rice constitutes more than eighty percent of locally
produced rice, which in turn meets less than a third of Kenya’s rice demand of
540,000 metric tonnes per year. To fill the demand gap, Kenya imports at least
70 per cent of the rice it needs, mainly from Pakistan. Does it make sense that
every time seven out of 10 Kenyans purchase rice, most of that money ends up in
Pakistan instead of Mwea, Ahero or Tana Delta regions?
Isn’t it telling that although Kenya’s rice production
has tripled in the last seven years to nearly 150,000 tonnes in 2015, the rice
farmers’ revenue hasn’t tripled? For us to change this unfortunate scenario, we
need to produce more locally, import less and ensure that rice farmers will be
the key beneficiaries of this changed equation.
In 2014, the government took concrete steps to revise the
National Rice Development Strategy of 2008 to involve our devolution system.
This Strategy seeks to double rice production by 2018. To do this, the strategy
rightly notes that in the post-harvesting phase, cutting, threshing, winnowing,
drying, storage, milling, grading and packaging should all be dully mechanized
and handled in technologically optimal fashion. The Strategy further emphasizes
that development of rice varieties, ‘will be oriented towards consumer demand
to enhance domestic market.’
To objectify this strategy and pull rice farmers into
tangible abundance, I suggest we dissuade ourselves off our addiction to
imported rice with an attitude.
Our current lopsided importation of rice is only
benefiting a few individuals at the expense of local farmers. This must
urgently stop and we endure the pain that will result because, no pain, no
gain. This pain of temporary rice scarcity may force public and private sector
players in the rice sector to respond by truly doubling rice production by
2018. If we do this, Kenya’s rice farmers in general and Mwea’s in particular
will never have to labour in vain. Think Green, Act green!
GIEWS
Country Brief: Cambodia 12-December-2016
REPORT
Published on 12
Dec 2016
FOOD
SECURITY SNAPSHOT
·
Increased rains boost prospects for 2016 main season rice
output
·
Rice exports in 2016 forecast above last year’s level
·
Rice prices increased seasonally in October
·
Large numbers of people affected by the lingering effects
of prolonged drought in 2015 and 2016
Increased rains boost prospects
for 2016 main season rice production
Harvesting of the 2016 main (“wet”) paddy crop, which
normally accounts for about 80 percent of the national annual production, just
started and is expected to continue until the end of February. Although dry
weather conditions at the start of the season between May and July caused some
delay of planting activities, rains resumed from August, allowing planting pace
to pick up and boosting yield prospects. According to latest official
estimates, as of early November, some 2.6 million hectares were sown to main
paddy crop, 2 percent above last year’s level. Improved rains also benefited
water availabilities for the 2016 mostly irrigated secondary (“dry”) paddy
crop, currently being planted and to be harvested from March 2017. Assuming
average growing conditions prevail, FAO forecasts the 2016 aggregate rice
production at 9.5 million tonnes, slightly above last year’s level and a new
record.
The bulk of the 2016 maize crop was harvested by October.
FAO’s latest estimate put the aggregate 2016 maize production at 750 000
tonnes, implying a strong recovery after two years of sharply-reduced outputs.
This is the result of a larger area sown, as well as, improved yields,
reflecting favourable weather conditions and Government input support,
including the distributions of subsidized water pumps and fertilizers.
Rice exports in 2016 forecast
above last year’s level
Rice exports in the 2016 calendar year are forecast by
FAO at 1.25 million tonnes, 4 percent above last year’s level, mainly
reflecting increased border trade with Viet Nam. By contrast, maize shipments
in 2016 are anticipated to be three times lower than their level last year, due
to the sharply reduced production in 2015. Maize exports are expected to return
to normal levels at 140 000 tonnes in 2017, in line with a recovery in 2016
output.
Rice prices increased
seasonally in October
Wholesale prices of rice increased in most markets in
October, supported by seasonal tightness, but remained below their year‑earlier
levels. In an attempt to boost prices paid to farmers during the 2016 main
harvest, the Government approved in late September a special loan package of
USD 27 million to rice millers to buy rice paddy from farmers. The total
includes USD 20 million from the Government’s budget and USD 7 million from the
state-run Rural Development Bank. On the loans provided to rice millers, the
Government will charge an annual interest rate of 8 percent.
Large numbers of people
affected by lingering effects of drought in 2015 and 2016
The impact of the prolonged drought from early 2015 to
mid‑2016 has resulted in an increased level of food insecurity in the affected
areas. According to official estimates, approximately 2.5 million Cambodians
and 18 out of 25 provinces, were affected by the drought. Although rains
improved from late July over most of the country, bringing relief to the
drought affected areas, farming households with little resilience and low
agricultural productivity have not recovered fully and may require some
humanitarian assistance
http://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/giews-country-brief-cambodia-12-december-2016
Paddy
stocks may pile up as millers face cash crisis
By V L Syamsundar | THE HANS INDIA | Dec 13,2016 , 03:01 AM
IST
Guntur: Paddy purchase by rice millers, which typically
begins in the second week of December, is likely to be hit by the cash crunch.
The millers are worried on how to get cash to pay not only farmers, but also
for transportation and labour. A mill owner needs cash in lakhs only to pay
lorry owners and hamalis.
And then, the big test comes: payment of cash to farmers
within a week of paddy purchase. Sources in rice milling industry, they cannot
issue cheques or transfer money electronically as most millers do zero business
and do not show genuine accounts fearing taxes.
________________________________________
Highlights:
• Paddy
purchasing begins in the second week of December and continues till June next
year. But business is brisk in the first three months only as farmers need cash
urgently to repay loans and meet their expenses
• Millers say
due to cash crunch, they may not be able to pay even to lorry owners and
hamalis, let alone farmers who ask for at least 25 per cent of money
immediately after the sale
• Issuing of
cheques and electronic transfer to farmers is ruled out as both millers and
farmers have their own fears regarding them
________________________________________
Apart from this, farmers too would not accept no-cash mode
of money payment as many of them have no accounts or reluctant to deposit money
in account fearing adjustment towards loans by banks.Rice millers say it is
difficult for them to get cash in the prevailing circumstances. They say
farmers demand at least 25 per cent of the cash as soon as they sell paddy to
meet their immediate needs. If they can’t pay, the farmers may not sell the
produce. The rice millers, who normally continue to buy paddy till June next
year, feel that the cash crunch may continue for at least three months.
But paddy purchasing is more in the first three months only.
Milling industry sources say purchasing activity will pick up very slowly this
season due to shortage of cash and this will make both millers and farmers
suffer. The district administration decided to open 37 paddy purchasing centres
in the district from December 14. Depending upon the requirement, some more
centres will be opened. Guntur city Rice Millers Association president Chekuri
Sambasiva Rao said it was not possible
to make payments to farmers by cheques.
“When they demand cash, we should give some cash
immediately. Only then they sell paddy. It is difficult to purchase paddy
without cash. We have to pay transport charges, unloading, loading charges
immediately. If we export to other States, we will get payments after some
time. With demonetisation having its impact in all States, it may take more
time than normal. We home some relief is on the way as bank officials are
planning to liberalise the current accounts,” he added. District Supply Officer
E Chittibabu said, “Civil Supplies Corporation will issue cheques to the farmers
who sold their paddy its counters. They cheques will be handed over to farmers
within three days for paddy purchase
”http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-12-13/Paddy-stocks-may-pile-up-as-millers-face-cash-crisis/268456
Nigeria:
Automobile Import Ban Through Land Borders - Threat or Trophy?
By Crusoe Osagie and
Eromosele Abiodun
The recent announcement on the ban on
importation of vehicles through land borders may have been music to the ears of
a segment of the automobile sector, but auto dealers say it has no benefit in
the long term for government and the common man.On Monday, December 5, the
federal government announced the prohibition of importation of vehicles, new
and used, through land borders.This was contained in a statement issued by the
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi.
The statement said there was a
presidential directive restricting all vehicle imports to Nigerian Sea Ports
only and the order would take effect from January 1, 2017.
According to Adeniyi, "The
restriction on importation of vehicles follows that of Rice, whose imports have
been banned through the land borders since April 2016. Importers of vehicles
through the land borders are requested to utilise the grace period up till
December 31, 2016 to clear their vehicle imports landed in neighbouring
ports."
The government may have, with this
restriction, acceded to one of the requests made by Nigerian Automotive
Manufacturers Association (NAMA) to ease their operations.
The Chairman of NAMA, Mr. Tokunbo
Aromolaran, had last week stated that manufacturing has been tough in this
environment for the reason that specific attention has not been paid to,
"Our own peculiarities. All the people that we compete against operate in an
environment that makes it easy for them to access the things they need to put
together to add value to their various environment, but here, you have to build
your own power station, roads, water system, coming through the port is a hell,
inflation affects us too, at 21 per cent, and when you put all these together,
the cost of production is naturally higher."
Aromolaran, who is the Managing Director
of VON Automobiles Limited, said if the government wants to encourage the auto
sector then, "there should be preferential policies to ensure that people,
who are getting Nigerians employed and assisting to put food on the table in
millions of homes, should be encouraged to grow and grow faster. When they get
past that threshold, then they can compete with anybody. Now, we are not able
to compete and that is why it is easier to import. For those who prefer to
import, it is easy business. Nigerians are suffering; we are seeing people
working in other countries while our own people are walking in the streets."
He said if not that VON was strong
enough; they would have been down-sizing by now because, "there is no
business. But we have taken a stance that we will keep our workers because we
have spent millions training them and it does not make sense to invest in people
and let them go."
He added: "Right now, we are
bleeding. That is why working in manufacturing in this country right now is not
the best situation you can have. We are hoping that government looks at the
policy again that surrounds manufacturing, let's have some preferential
interest rates, let's look at the foreign exchange allocation to allocate to
sectors that generate something back for the country. We spend a lot of money
paying for invisibles, most of our dollars pay for things nobody sees, and if
they are not there we wouldn't miss a thing. But there are those things that
add value to us and if we can look at our policies again and redirect them,
Nigeria will be better for it."
Aromolaran noted that the preferential
duties given to auto manufacturers through the Auto Policy should be improved
upon, explaining that, "for those of us who assemble either from
completely knock down or semi knock down, government, through the Auto Policy,
has put in place preferential duties; it was part of the suggestions we made to
encourage local production. That has helped so far, but we need to carry it
further, the reason being that if we don't achieve the volumes, then what we
want in terms of lower prices will not manifest and what we are hoping is that
Nigerians would be channelled towards buying locally produced cars, which means
less of cars that have been used by other people for 10-15 or more years
abroad; we are not second-class people; Nigerians are proud, hardworking
people; they should have the opportunity to also buy brand new cars when they
have worked hard in their lives."
He said: "If the policy can be made
wholesome, there is no need having a duty rebate alone, they must give us a
wholesome environment where we can thrive, then the government will enjoy the
benefit of it."
Dealer Knock Policy
However, major car dealers in both new
and used vehicles who did not want their names mentioned for fear of backlash
from government knocked the policy saying that it will have devastating impact
on ordinary Nigerians and the economy.
They said the policy will have the most
impact on used cars, the segment of the market where most Nigerians operate.
According to the dealers, the decision
is not good for the sector and will make it difficult for Nigerians to own cars.
"The policy is the product of poor
thinking. How can a government crush the biggest segment of a sector?
"They are taking these decisions
without even consulting the real stakeholders and operators of the sector.
Instead they are using consultants and professors from the universities to make
decision on a sector they know only a little about.
"Also, government is thinking only
about revenues and they are mortgaging economic growth," they said.
The dealers also noted that the decision
was also taken in the interest of a small segment of the auto industry claim to
be auto manufacturers but in fact are not manufacturing any cars in Nigeria.
"Only Innoson is doing some level
of automobile manufacturing in Nigeria. All the others are at best just fixing
lights, bumpers and trunk and they call it manufacturing.
"Ask any of these so called auto
manufacturers to show you their assembly lines and you will see that they are
adding zero value. For one Korean auto dealer if you investigate them, you will
see that their vehichle service area is much larger than their so called auto
assembly plant.
"To have a modest auto assembly
plant you need nearly a billion dollars investment, which none of them can
afford to make in the country at the moment.
Customs Take a Stand
Speaking on the plans put in place to
enforce the policy, The Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Customs Service
(NCS), Seme Command, Taupyem Sechang said: "We are increasing our
intelligence and surveillance capability. With better coordinated intelligence,
enforcement is easier. We are leaving no stone unturned including checking the
ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) to ensure goods manufactured outside
the sub regional bloc are not smuggled under the scheme's cover." On the plan to stop smuggling, he said:
"Under our new Comptroller we have evolved an unrelenting round the clock
anti smuggling approach. We are doing it successfully on the ban on rice.
Automobiles will not be different. Seme is now the most difficult place to
smuggle. Perpetrators are seeking alternative routes in other borders and they
are not finding it easy. We hope to deploy more officers strategically and we
have started with the yuletide approaching.
"The Customs Area Commander (CAC)
insists on uncompromising discharge of all directives from our Comptroller
General (CGC) and the government. Enforcing ban on motor vehicles import
through the borders will not be different here in Seme border. Why are we here?
Part of our function is to fight smuggling. Smugglers are risk takers and they
should expect massive seizures and arrests if they dare our resolve.
Enforcement is one of our key functions here. Our preventive anti-smuggling
drive is causing economic havoc in a neighboring country."
He also stated that the policy will not
impact negatively on customs revenue given the experience from the ban on
importation of rice through the land borders.
Furthermore, he said: "When a ban
was placed on rice importation through the border, everyone thought revenue will
drop drastically. The CAC and his team deployed tact and intelligence in
blocking all possible areas of revenue leakage. In November we surpassed our
target by ensuring collection of all revenue due to government. We facilitate
legitimate trade without compromising national security. Volume of trade in
Seme is higher than that of any other border and we will continually maximise
duty collection. Whatever revenue target the government sets for us in 2017, we
will pursue it as achievable feat."
He also warned that anybody shipping
Nigerian bound car from Benin Republic is taking a serious economic risk
stressing that, "more than ever before, we are set for more sustained
enforcement."
Tough Times for Importers
Meanwhile, while the federal
government's decision may have gladden the hearts of members of NAMA and ship
owners, some importers who have relied on the Benin Republic borders to bring
vehicles into the country are not happy. Some importers who spoke to THISDAY
want the decision rescinded because of the economic situation in the country at
the moment. An importer, Eze Chukwuyem, posited that the policy is coming at
the wrong time, "stressing, this is the worst Christmas present one can
ever have. After spending money in the festive period what can we do in January
when the policy will take effect?" Another importer, Friday Aigbiremolen
who sells used cars at Berger urged the federal government to have a rethink
because enough vehicles are not being manufactured locally to fill the gap for
the imported ones when the policy takes effect.
According to him, "How many
vehicles are being manufactured locally? All they do here is assemble cars,
again how many Nigerians can afford brand new cars with their salaries and the
economic situation in the country. You cannot just wake up and say all cars
must come into the country through the seaport. Most Nigerians can only afford
cars brought into the country through land borders because they are
cheaper."
Benin Republic Groans
It is not just Nigerian importers and smugglers
that will feel the pinch, the federal government policy banning vehicle
importation into Nigeria through land borders will further tighten the Benin
Republic economy already groaning due to similar ban on rice importation.
THISDAY had exclusively reported
recently that rice worth over $3 billion destined for the Nigerian markets are
stuck in various warehouses in Benin Republic due to federal government refusal
to allow its importation through land borders and fierce customs anti smuggling
drive.
The annual routine of importing rice
into the neighbouring country from July to December to make massive sales in
Nigeria during yuletide has hit a brick wall this year as Controller General of
Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (RTD.) has insisted that his men tighten the
frontiers.
From January most of the cars landing in
the Cotonou Port meant for Nigerian use will also be stuck.
THISDAY checks revealed that Seme
Customs is set to deploy officers in the vehicle seat unit into full anti
smuggling and legitimate trade facilitation functions.
There are fears in Cotonou that by
January over 7000 unit of cars will be in the popular car markets.
Seme Border as Transit Point
Nigeria shares major border frontiers
with Benin Republic at Seme Border (Lagos), Idiroko (Ogun), Shaki (Oyo),
Chikanda (Kwara) and other smaller openings. Prominent among them is Seme,
where the highest volume of trade and largest smuggling opportunity exists
because of its easier access to Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital city.
Seme Border, which hitherto was a major
transit point for foreign rice importation and smuggling also became a no go
area for the commodity as almost daily seizures of 50kg bags of it have taken a
good portion of the government warehouse .
A recent visit to Benin reveals that most
of the warehouses where the bagged rice were kept before shipment into the
country are now battling for space.
Some consignments of imported rice into
the small West African country that had no space at the usual and popular
stores were moved to makeshift storage areas and are exposed to rains, weevils
and other unhygienic forms of storage.
Popular warehouses no longer receive
rice shipments as thousands of bags earlier delivered to them since July could
not be evacuated into Nigeria as planned and as the usual case in previous
years.
Popular Cherika warehouse in Akpakpa
near Cotonou with a capacity to hold 25,000 bags is fully loaded with Thailand
rice with no hope of evacuating them into Nigeria except government relaxes its
policy disallowing rice imports through border or customs softening their round
the clock enforcement in Seme.
Defezi warehouse close to the Cotonou
Port with is filled with over 40,000 units of 50kg bags of Indian and Thailand
rice. Defezi got occupied earlier due to its proximity to the port but was not
evacuated as the owners could not risk entering Nigeria with it.
Cica warehouse in Missebo area of the
Cotonou outskirts that suffered lack of patronage in the past due to distance
from Seme border and bad road presently has over 15,000 bags.
Some are getting molded, caked with
their bags torn and quantity reduced while under storage in several odd
arrangements endlessly awaiting shipment into Nigeria.
While hope of smuggling them into
Nigeria gets dim by the day, there is a conscious efforts at attempting the
smuggling of the commodity without using bags.
The unwholesome methods requires pouring
grains of rice into various compartments of vehicles like the booths, bonnets,
inner part of the doors, under the seats and other spaces meant for spare tyres
and tools.
Sources disclosed that attempts to try
bringing in some hundreds of bags failed as the trial smuggling bags ended up
inside the customs warehouse in Seme and Idiroko as seizures.
The seized rice, some of which are
closed to expiring and unwholesome for human consumption have become bad and
unqualified for donation to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps as was
done in the recent past.
Over 37,000 bags of rice have so far
been seized in Seme and Idiroko between January and September 2016 with a
recent clamp down on 13 vehicles at a go in the Ogun State area all laden with
smuggled rice.
At the major stores, a downturn of
business activities has hit various traders and workers who make brisk
businesses from rice coming into Nigeria.
From the owners of the rice to the
transporters, loaders, landlords and operators of warehouses, there is a
general lull as it has been a season of stockpiling without transiting.
They expressed frustration not mainly
with the government policy but more on what they described as Seme Customs lack
of cooperation.
Customs Stand on Ban
The Nigeria Customs Service had in an
October 2016 press statement reiterated government's ban on rice importation
through the borders. The statement signed by Adeniyi, reinforced its resolve to
protect government's attempt to improve local rice capacity.
Part of it read: "We like to
reiterate the position that importation of Rice remains banned through our Land
Borders, and we have the commitment of Partner Government Agencies and
Stakeholders to enforce this restriction. While this restriction is in force,
Rice imports through the Ports are still allowed subject to payment of extant
charges.
"It is equally important to restate
the confidence of the Nigeria Customs Service in the ability of Nigerian Rice
Producers to fill the existing sufficiency gaps in the supply of the product.
The Service has noted with satisfaction the ongoing Rice Revolution undertaken
by many state governments, and strategic interventions by federal government
agencies.
"The Service is convinced that the
bumper harvests expected from these efforts will address the supply gap in
2017. It is our belief that continuous waste of scarce forex on a commodity that
can be produced locally makes no economic sense, most especially at a period of
recession. The Service will therefore advocate a total Ban on Rice Importation
into Nigeria with effect from 2017."
Loud Cries in Benin
THISDAY investigation revealed that there
are loud cries in Benin over what is going on at Seme and other borders. A
respondent simply identified as Mr. Sewanu said things have taken a turn for
the worse as their opportunities tied to bringing rice into Nigeria have been
stalled.
Sewanu said: "You can see we are
idle here because rice is not entering Nigeria through Seme Border. Now they
have added vehicles, this means that we can't work. Each day we come here, it
is in prayer that the customs should cooperate with our bosses so we can have jobs
to do to survive.
"By this time of previous years,
thousands of bags of rice enter Nigeria from here and more ships will be
discharging at the Cotonou Port on daily basis. But this year is different,
nothing is working. Seme Customs people have spoiled the business for us. We
don't want to take the risk of transporting rice through any other border
because Lagos is the largest market. Once you enter through Seme, you are
already in the market. 'If this continues, we may die of hunger. Benin customs
in Krake cooperate with us but the Customs in Nigeria are our only headache. We
want the Controller removed. He is making things difficult, "Sewanu
lamented.
A visit to the border showed smooth
processing of imports into Nigeria. Also, the banks have become a beehive of
activities as people rush to pay for customs duties for items not on Nigeria's
import prohibition list.
While the stockpiling of imported rice
continues to increase in Cotonou and neighbouring towns, there may never be a
market for them as they face the risk of either being expired or going bad due
to poor storage condition.
STOAN Hails FG
Just like NAMA, the Seaport Terminal
Operators of Nigeria (STOAN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for
banning the importation of vehicles into the country through the land borders.
STOAN Chairman, Vicky Haastrup, while
reacting to the ban announced by the federal government penultimate Monday said
the move, if well implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service, will reduce the
smuggling of vehicles into Nigeria and revive the operations of
Roll-On-Roll-Off (RORO) terminals in the country.
RORO terminals are specialised port
terminals that handle all types of vehicles.
Haastrup asked the government to take a
step further by scrapping the high import duty regime imposed on vehicles by
the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013.
"We are confident of the ability of
President Muhammadu Buhari to turn the economy around. The earlier ban on
importation of rice and now of vehicles, through the land borders is a welcome
development. We are happy that the President has listened to our appeal to
reverse incongruous policies inherited by his government from the former
administration and which have deprived Nigerian ports of cargoes to the
advantage of the ports of neighbouring countries. In addition to this ban
through the land borders, we appeal to the President to return the import
duties on vehicles to 20 per cent from the prohibitive 70 per cent tariff
imposed by the former administration.
"The reversal to the old tariff
will serve as an incentive for Nigerians to import legitimately through the
seaports and make appropriate payments to government. This will boost revenue
collection by the Nigeria Customs Service. It will also lead to the return of
lost jobs at the affected ports. We also appeal to Customs officers at the
border posts to support the Federal Government and the NCS leadership by
ensuring that no smuggled vehicle finds its way into the country through the
land borders from 1st January 2017 when the new policy is expected to come into
effect, "Haastrup said.
Haastrup said since 2014 when the 70 per
cent hike in the tariff of imported vehicles came into effect, Nigeria had lost
80 per cent of its vehicle cargo traffic to the ports of neighbouring
countries.
"Since the high tariff was
introduced, importers have resorted to landing their vehicles at the ports of
neighbouring countries and smuggling them into Nigeria without paying
appropriate duties to government. This amounted to huge revenue loss to
Customs. The policy also led to loss of more 5,000 direct and indirect jobs at
the affected port," the STOAN Chairman said.
Impact of Smuggling
Smuggling severely harms the economy of
a country in multidimensional ways. It undermines the local industry,
discourages legal imports and reduces the volume of revenues collected from
duties and levies by the state. Unfortunately a parallel underground economy
has taken roots in Nigeria.
A major proportion of the revenue to be
collected by the federal government is being lost, over and above the adverse
impact that the smuggled items cause to local industry. Obviously this cannot
be done without connivance of the corrupt officials including those in the law
enforcement agencies and everyone is aware of it but no action is being taken.
Markets and Shops across the country are
flooded with smuggled goods of any and all descriptions. Smuggled items through
the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Yobe borders form a major part of the informal
economy volume of which ranges between 50 to 60 per cent of the formal economy.
Smuggling has assumed an alarming proportion and turned out to be a parallel
economy, which is depriving the country of its rightful levies including excise
and customs duty worth hundreds of billions of naira.
As a result of the activities of
smugglers, thousands of industrial units have been rendered sick, due to the
availability of smuggled goods in open markets. Smuggling has now become a
routine part of all economic activities in Nigeria which hardly raises any eye
brows nor stirs the slightest fear of the law. Nigeria is facing the challenge
of measuring and countering enormous revenue leakages and black money -- its
size estimated to be three time the regular economy.
Illegal Importation of Goods
Meanwhile, a report by the World Bank on
the level of illegal importation of goods into Nigeria from neighbouring Benin
Republic and other West African countries showed the alarming rate of smuggling
and the impact on the nation's economy.
Experts believe this should be a major
concern to the federal government and the agencies responsible for management
of the nation's economy. According to the World Bank, an astonishing $5 billion
(N1.45 trillion) worth of assorted goods are smuggled into Nigeria through
Benin Republic alone every year.
This amount represents about 15 per cent
of total smuggled goods through that border. The World Bank report also claims
it has enough evidence that over $400 million (N116 billion) representing about
25 per cent of the total current annual revenue collected by the Customs
Service is lost through nefarious smuggling across the sub-regional borders.
The report, which was prepared by two of
the World Bank's leading experts on the African Transport Unit also noted that
smuggling into Nigeria will further hamper the operational efficiency of the
Customs Service and cause more revenue losses if urgent steps are not taken by
government to tackle it. It advised a liberalisation of trade policies which
encourage smuggling across the borders.
Experts told THISDAY that the report is
troubling but not surprising, considering the increasing rate of smuggling
across our borders, especially along the Benin republic axis.
"A combination of factors accounts
for this unhealthy trend. One of them is the high cost of clearing goods in our
ports and the laxity of enforcement of anti-smuggling laws by those charged
with responsibility in the country. It is not unkind to say that the integrity
of some of the customs and immigration officials statutorily charged with
policing our borders is suspect.
Many compromise their positions. Bad
eggs among them are more concerned with lining their own pockets than checking
smuggling activities, thereby denying government much-needed revenue.
"Therefore, the World Bank report
should not be ignored. It should be treated as a wake-up call to address
systemic difficulties in checking smuggling through the Benin Republic borders,
and others in the region. In this regard, information exchange is vital. This
has become crucial because available statistics reveal that 13 per cent of
traffic of goods from the port in Cotonou, the capital of Benin Republic, is
destined for Nigeria, while about 75 percent of the containers that land at the
Cotonou Port are headed for our country.
"We also believe that the current
rate of smuggling through the West African sub-region is encouraged by tariff
differentials. This has made it more economically viable for importers to
patronise other ports in the sub-region rather than Nigerian ports. Government
should seriously look into the problem with a view to formulating better
policies to redress the situation, "said a top player in the maritime
sector who do not want his name in print.
He added: "Also, government should
take a hard look at some of the treaties of the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS). Some of these treaties encourage free movement of
people without addressing its harmful effects. Often, this freedom of movement
undermines the economy of other countries through unbridled smuggling of goods.
"All in all, the World Bank report
should be seen as a roadmap for designing new strategies for our country's
trade policy initiatives with neighbouring countries. This is crucial because
inability to adequately check smuggling into Nigeria can undermine both
national and economic security of the country, with attendant broad political
implications."
Mis-invoicing of International Trade
It is not just smuggling that is
destroying developing economies. Terrorism, human trafficking, and drug
smuggling have long painted a gritty picture of crime in the developing world.
However, new details are coming to light about another much less visible form
of crime and its adverse effects on developing countries. Fraudulent financial
transactions, in particular the mis-invoicing of international trade
transactions, are having a significant impact on most African economies.
According to a report published by
Global Financial Integrity (GFI) on mis-invoicing and the Impact of Revenue
Loss, the mis-invoicing of international trade transactions has allowed for the
fraudulent movement of at least $60.8 billion in and out of the five African
countries alone between 2002 and 2011.
Mis-invoicing is a form of trade-based
money laundering that includes the over and understatement of import and export
values on official forms and records. Firms engaging in international trade in
developing countries often conduct these fraudulent transactions in order to
evade tariffs and taxes, collect additional export-related tax credits and subsidies,
or move large amounts of capital in and out of countries illegally.
Mis-invoicing can typically be as simple
as altering the values on the books for a given transaction. For example, a
firm may understate the value of an import shipment in invoices and records in
order to pay lower tariffs or overstate the value of an export shipment in
order to gain more export credits and subsidies than the shipment actually
earned.
Experts believe catching those that
engage in mis-invoicing is typically difficult for developing countries.
"Often times mis-invoicing can be performed effectively by making very
small augmentations to the prices of common goods. If a firm augments the value
of its goods by only one or two dollars per unit, even the best customs officers
would be unlikely to notice it, and the benefits of such an augmentation could
still add up significantly in large volumes.
"However, this is only trade
mis-invoicing in its mildest form. In many cases, firms engaging in
mis-invoicing and other forms of money laundering send their transactions
through anonymous shell companies in tax havens and developed countries in
order to further disguise their activities, allowing them to augment values
much more as the important details of the transactions disappear without a
trace behind a shield of secrecy and anonymity, "said National President
of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents
(NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201612120533.html
PLASTIC RICE JITTERS ... Customs imposes ban
on rice imports
December 12, 2016
A ban has been
placed on the clearance of rice at all ports of entry.Jamaica Customs Agency
(JCA) made the announcement today following reports that plastic rice is now on
the island, and has made its way into some pots.
http://jamaica-star.com/article/20161212/plastic-rice-jitters-customs-imposes-ban-rice-imports
Scientists helping Filipino
farmers adapt to climate change
ALABANG, Muntinlupa City, December 13 —Current practices of
Filipino rice farmers including the varieties they use are continuously being upgraded by the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to help them adapt to the
unpredictable effects of climate change.
This was an observation from Dr. Yoichiro Kato, a rainfed
lowland agronomist at IRRI, during his presentation at the recent 10th Annual
Scientific Forum and Meeting, organized by the Philippine Association of Career
Scientists, Inc. (PACS). The event attracted Kato and other international and
national scientists from different disciplines who shared insights from their
research activities in improving farmers’ planting practices.
Kato, when discussing other adaptive measures for growing
rice under the current Philippine weather and climate conditions, cited Central
Thailand's rice farming model, which uses a number of the dynamic farming
approaches recommended by IRRI.
He also shared his three-step research philosophy for
agricultural science: (1) know your own target; (2) get robust evidence; and
(3) understand reasons behind the results. “This is my personal strategy to
effectively implement basic researches in rice agronomy,” Kato said.
Dr. Ricardo Orge, from the Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice), presented his study on coping with climate change in the
Philippines. He gave an overview of
Palayamanan, a PhilRice initiative on water-saving technology for diversified and
integrated system of farming. Orge’s
presentation stimulated a discussion on budget limitations for rice-farming
research.
According to Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, Scientific Career
Council Executive Secretary Academician, research and development (R&D) in
the Philippines are lagging behind in the number of R&D personnel per
million persons in the population. This
lags far behind other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and
needs to be remedied.
Other prominent scientists from leading rice research
centers in the country discussed how they are providing far-reaching
technological solutions in line with the Forum’s theme, Reinforcing science and
technology capacities for sustainable community development,
The Philippine Scientific Career System and the National
Academy of Science and Technology collaborated with PACS in sponsoring the
forum (IRRI/PIA)
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/641481591390/scientists-helping-filipino-farmers-adapt-to-climate-change
Surge in methane threatens climate, scientists say
Experts cite increased
livestock and ag production
Author: By Reed Alexander for CNN
Published On: Dec 12
2016 12:00:26 AM PST Updated
On: Dec 12 2016 06:04:43 AM PST
While the
world has been working to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change,
there's been a troubling spike in another dangerous gas.
Methane levels
in the atmosphere are rising faster than at any point in the past two decades,
according to new research.The findings are presented by the newly-released
Global Methane Budget published Monday -- part of an effort by 100
international scientists to understand just how much methane is rising, and
why.While methane is less prevalent in our atmosphere than carbon dioxide,
according to a statement from the Global Carbon Project, it "(traps) 28
times more heat."Robert Jackson, a co-author of the report and Stanford
University professor, said: "I think (people) should be concerned. At the
same time we are trying to stabilize carbon dioxide emissions, methane is
heading in the opposite direction."
"It is
dire," he added.
Dangerous
spike
Researchers
say methane gas emissions spiked during 2014 and 2015 at astonishing levels.Concentrations
in the atmosphere increased by 10 or more parts per billion, a significant
surge from the 0.5 parts per billion by which had been recorded in the early
2000s.
The surge was
first noticed in 2007, and since then the levels have gotten much worse.
The exact
reasons behind the increase are unclear, but, in an editorial published in the
journal Environmental Research Letters, scientists cite agricultural production
and increasing livestock, alongside fossil fuel exploration.
"Many
people would point the finger at the oil and gas industry first -- but
agricultural sources are bigger," Jackson said.
Rice
production and livestock both emit methane into the atmosphere, but Pep
Canadell, another co-author of the editorial, says that there are challenges in
curtailing the spread of methane from either source.
"Countries
are very concerned -- particularly less developed countries -- to ensure that
there's enough food production, excess food production, to meet all (their) needs,"
Canadell said.
"Constraining
greenhouse gases is an additional pressure on countries that mainly have opted
not to do much about it so far, because the priority has been to secure the
levels of food production that are required," he said.
What
happens now?
Scientists are
calling on the international community to commit to preventing any further
increase in methane emissions.
Otherwise,
they say the objectives of the Paris climate agreement, which went into effect
in November, could be in jeopardy.
Greenhouse gas
emissions must stop completely in order to stabilize the climate, Canadell
warned.
"The
entire package of greenhouse cases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane)
should be at peak emissions. And, from now on, they should start going down all
the way to zero by the end of this century," he said.
If they don't,
temperatures could rise in excess of the two degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels set forth by the Paris agreement. And the results of that
could be disastrous -- droughts, floods, global warming, severe weather.
Uncertain
future
One solution
Jackson has proposed is that the agriculture sector look at new innovations
that enable rice to be grown with less flooding, which would help to cut
methane emissions.
"Most
rice is grown in flooded areas. Methane is given off in flooded soils. If we
could grow rice that required less flooding, we'd slash methane
emissions," he said.
Canadell said
countries like China had emerged as leaders against climate change, and raised
concerns over what might happen if US climate policy shifts under the incoming
presidential administration.
http://www.kxly.com/news/surge-in-methane-threatens-climate-targets-scientists-say/42765552
2016 Rice Award Winners Recognized at USA Rice Outlook
Conference
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Gary Sebree |
MEMPHIS, TN -- The USA Rice Outlook Conference is where the
U.S. rice industry meets, to share information, network, and honor the
accomplishments of industry leaders at the annual Rice Awards Luncheon. This
year's awards ceremony celebrated three individuals for their contributions and
achievements: Richard Fontenot, farmer of the year, Dr. Steve
Linscombe, rice industry award winner and Gary Sebree, rice lifetime
achievement award.
Richard Fontenot is a fifth generation rice farmer whose family legacy in Evangeline Parish is one of innovation, conservation, and industry advocacy. He and his brother, Neal, operate R & N Farms growing rice, soybeans, and crawfish, and also run a precision leveling business. Their family tradition of being at the forefront of modernization began in the early 1900s and continues today with Fontenot's work with rice researchers, equipment dealers, and youth programs such as 4-H and FFA. Off the farm, Fontenot is an active advocate for the rice industry, serving on the Louisiana Rice Research Board as well as the board of directors of USA Rice and USA Rice Farmers. He says, "Without the support and counsel of my family, I would not have been able to participate in rice industry and agriculture advocacy activities."
Richard Fontenot is a fifth generation rice farmer whose family legacy in Evangeline Parish is one of innovation, conservation, and industry advocacy. He and his brother, Neal, operate R & N Farms growing rice, soybeans, and crawfish, and also run a precision leveling business. Their family tradition of being at the forefront of modernization began in the early 1900s and continues today with Fontenot's work with rice researchers, equipment dealers, and youth programs such as 4-H and FFA. Off the farm, Fontenot is an active advocate for the rice industry, serving on the Louisiana Rice Research Board as well as the board of directors of USA Rice and USA Rice Farmers. He says, "Without the support and counsel of my family, I would not have been able to participate in rice industry and agriculture advocacy activities."
Over the last thirty years, Louisiana's rice yield has nearly doubled - from 3,800 pounds in 1983 to 7,500 pounds in 2015 - thanks in large part to Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter Rice Research Station, and his rice breeding program. Linscombe and his staff have developed 32 new rice varieties that have dramatically improved production practices and environmental advantages for farmers in Louisiana and around the world. According to Fred Zaunbrecher, a farmer and member of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, the widespread use of varieties originating from the AgCenter is evidence of the facility's impact on the rice industry.
Gary Sebree was recognized for his successful farming operation in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and also for his industry leadership role at both the state and national level over the past 50 years. As a visionary in conservation practices, innovative technology, and trade relationships, Sebree has been instrumental in crafting policy that will affect generations to come. He explained, "I've been fortunate because farming has never been a job, and I don't plan to give it up but want to hang around long enough to hand over the operation to my grandson who also wants to farm."
"Rice Farming magazine is proud to sponsor the annual Rice Awards along with Horizon Ag and USA Rice," says Editor Vicky Boyd. "Since 1992, rice industry leaders have been recognized for their dedication, determination and innovation in the U.S. rice industry. As they have done in the past, award recipients continue to provide leadership and inspiration to all segments of the U.S. rice industry. It's our pleasure to honor these outstanding people for their contributions and achievements.
Experts
Push for Agricultural Insurance
Experts
are pushing for agricultural insurance to be employed in the near future to
help strengthen the agriculture sector, particularly the rice sector with its
plummeting prices and limited access to foreign markets.Sok Puthyvuth,
president of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), said on Friday that Cambodian
farmers should have agricultural insurance as a tool to ensure a fair price for
their products.The agriculture sector needs insurance in the near future, he
said, but issues in the sector need to be addressed prior to implementation.
“We
need to have this insurance in the future,” he said. “But we don’t know how
much an insurance package costs because the price depends on information,
production situation and planting know-how. Also we have to check many other
aspects to ensure the price is acceptable and can protect those [companies].”The
CRF and relevant parties have already discussed the possibility of establishing
insurance services for agricultural products.
“We have discussed with relevant parties about this, but many risks have been found, so some banks and insurance companies don’t dare step in until they’ve collected enough information and have a clearer understanding,” Mr. Puthyvuth added.“If they provide this insurance now, the price of insurance will be too high and won’t be acceptable.”The push for agricultural insurance comes at the same time the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries is promoting contract farming with the aim of ensuring a price for farmers near market price.According to the ministry, contract farming is a linkage between three parties including farmers or farmer communities, rice millers and provincial authorities.
Chandran
Nair, CEO of the Hong Kong-based think tank Global Institute for Tomorrow which
just completed a two-week study on rice in Cambodia, said it would be better if
Cambodia had agricultural insurance.However, he said insuring agricultural
products was difficult and advised the implementation of contract farming ahead
of insurance.“Of course it is much better but it is not easy at the moment to
get insurance companies to provide this,” Mr. Nair said. “But if you do
contract farming and say you have 3,000 farmers together, then a large
insurance company is willing to sell insurance products.” Related to
agricultural insurance, there are NGOs and an insurance company already
offering the service to the agriculture and sub-agriculture sectors.
Forte Insurance has offered insurance for agricultural products such as rubber, corn, cassava and rice in Battambang province since early 2015. The Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC) introduced micro-insurance to help farmers. Under the scheme, farmers pay an insurance fee at the beginning of the growing season depending on land size and CEDAC provides technical consulting on planting. Insurance fees are returned if crops are damaged by drought or climate change.
Forte Insurance has offered insurance for agricultural products such as rubber, corn, cassava and rice in Battambang province since early 2015. The Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC) introduced micro-insurance to help farmers. Under the scheme, farmers pay an insurance fee at the beginning of the growing season depending on land size and CEDAC provides technical consulting on planting. Insurance fees are returned if crops are damaged by drought or climate change.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/32993/experts-push-for-agricultural-insurance/
Rice millers pass
health check for China trade
Mon, 12
December 2016
More than
half of 50 rice millers that applied for export permits to China passed a
health and safety inspection by a visiting Chinese team, though they will have
to wait for official confirmation from the Beijing government before they can
begin exporting, an Agriculture Ministry official said yesterday.Hean Vanhan,
undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, said four inspectors
from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine (AQSIQ) visited Cambodia last week to inspect local rice mills. The
team determined that 27 Cambodian millers satisfied China’s sanitary and
phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and would be eligible to export their product to
the Chinese market.“In order for us to export to China, they have to check and
ensure that our rice production does not have any adverse impact on health or
contain any pests,” he explained. “We are now waiting for an official statement
from China in order to confirm that the rice millers can begin exporting.”
Hun Lak,
vice president of the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF), said greater control
over the quality of Cambodian rice milling would help improve the capacity of
the millers, but it could also prove problematic for smaller millers.“Checking
the quality of rice milling and checking for pests is the right methodology for
strengthening the capacity of Cambodia’s rice millers, and meeting the Chinese
requirements helps build up the reputation of Cambodian rice,” he said. “But
this still poses a challenge for the millers that cannot afford to meet those
standards due to limited capacity.”
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rice-millers-pass-health-check-china-trade
Computer-based biology
uncovers secrets to rice growth
By Hussain
Ather
Published 12/11/16 3:36pmUpdated 12/11/16 7:06pm
Volker Brendel, professor of biology and computer
science, looks at strings of numbers on a dark computer screen. Behind the data
lie the solutions to hunger and malnutrition.At the crossroads of computer
science and biology, bioinformatics scientists use software to study genetics
down to the nucleotide — a single base of DNA.Brendel, recently named a fellow
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, uses a mix of
experimental and computational work to study rice genetics with the hopes of
addressing global issues in hunger and malnutrition.“The plant breeders and the
plant genomics scientists are working together really heavily to figure out
what are the sensible approaches to potentially increase the yield and in
particular to make the plants more resistant to stresses,” Brendel said.
Working with rice researchers
from Iowa to the Philippines, Brendel studies the genomes, the genetic material
of an organism, that make each plant the way it is.The global quantity of rice,
a major source of food in the world, can easily be lost due to pathogens or
high salt concentrations, Brendel said.Plants, sensitive to these changes in
their environment, respond to these changes depending on their biological
makeup.“Even a small change in temperature will bring in different tolerances
in plants,” Brendel said.As population worldwide increases and the amount of
arable land available doesn’t, scientists like Brendel work to make rice
resistant to these stresses and, in turn, increase the crop’s yield.
In bioinformatics,
experimental scientists extract DNA from crops in the lab and upload the
information to computer databases.Computational scientists then use software
and data analysis to study the biological phenomena, such as proteins that
control genetic expression or locations of DNA transcription into RNA — a
precursor to proteins.One such computational method, RNA-Seq, studies the RNA
from experimental samples to identify areas of genetic expression in DNA.
Brendel uses RNA-Seq to
compare genetic expression between salt-resistant and salt-tolerant rice to
figure out what genetically makes these plants different.With a balance of
these two phases, experimental and computational, these scientists uncover ways
to optimize plant growth.With the immense size of these genomes, each 300
million nucleotides, Brendel’s lab harnesses the power of computers.“The
Chinese have sequenced 3,000 rice genomes,” Brendel said, “Overall there are
150,000 in the world.”Brendel said scientists are still figuring out the best
ways to analyze these 3,000 genomes.“For a particular biologist this is a
treasure trove but they have no idea what to do with it,” Brendel said.Taylor
Raborn, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab, helped introduce the lab to
experimental work two months ago.“In order to investigate the problems you
wanna investigate you have to be close to the sources of the data,” Raborn
said.Raborn studies methods to identify promoters, areas of DNA that begin
transcription, and, in turn, where genetic expression is controlled.
Improving on previous
studies, Raborn has worked to study the promoters for genes in plant growth
with precision.In Brendel’s lab, Raborn is involved in all stages of the
process.Brendel also encourages undergraduate science students to learn basic
computer programming, such as through his spring 2017 course BIOL L388: Digital
Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics. This
course would teach students the basics of bioinformatics.
“It is absolutely
essential that biologists learn to work with computers as early as possible,”
Brendel said.In addition to access to online data of plant genomes or
biological features, Brendel said students should learn how to perform data
analysis using computational software.“We have the compute facilities that make
all of this possible,” Brendel said about IU’s research resources. “We get all
the help you can think of.Brendel also works to overcome issues of
reproducibility, the capacity of an experiment for reproduction by other
scientists, in bioinformatics.The lab members document their work thoroughly
through workflows, Brendel said.
These workflows are plans
of every step of the process, from notes in computer code to re-evaluating
extraction methods.Providing open source details of these processes, Brendel’s
lab fosters communication and analysis between other scientists with greater
ease and addresses these issues of reproducibility.“We take pride in our work,”
Brendel said. ”We try to turn everything that we do into basically into a
workflow that gives reproducible or scalable results.
http://www.idsnews.com/article/2016/12/computer-based-biology-uncovers-secrets-to-rice-growth
New
dwarf variety for resisting over wetting
THE HANS INDIA |
Dec 11,2016 , 11:47 PM IST
Nellore: Farmers in coastal districts who are subjected to
the wrath of severe natural disasters can heave a sigh of relief with a new
variety developed by agricultural scientists to avoid total losses due to
floods. In fact, rice crop expires within days of submergence as a result of
over wetting.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh is highly vulnerable to unexpected
disasters such as floods, heavy rains and even drought. Floods ravage the
entire crop leaving the farmers in dire straits during cyclones and other
disasters. Scientists of local rice research station have developed a new
variety, NLR 3513, which can withstand such natural calamities and prevent
losses to the farmers.
Excessive and extensive use of water apart from low
resistance to over-wetting has proved to be major disadvantages in rice
cultivation. These problems created apprehensions among the farmers about the
fate of their crop and their own future prospects. With the objective of
addressing these concerns and solve such problems, scientists developed the new
variety.
According to Dr Y Suryanarayana, Principal Scientist,
Regional Agriculture Research Station, “NLR 3513 is suitable for the rainy
season, Kharif, in coastal areas of the state. It is a high-yielding variety
and resistant to pest and diseases. This variety is basically very short in
size and can sustain problems like lodging during floods accompanied by gales.
Farmers can at least get minimum yield in the event of such
unanticipated climatic factors.” He added that this variety is getting good
response from the farmers. It is common for paddy farmers in coastal districts
to face crop damages due to over wetting. Now, the mini kits are being distributed
to the farmers from Krishna district to Srikakulam for testing long-variety
rice such as Swarna, and flood resistant crops.
According to scientists, rice is a rare crop which can
sustain even during somewhat wet conditions compared to other crops which fail
to give yield under such conditions. But, it may encounter a regular problem in
coastal regions due to unrestrained flooding because rice cannot survive in
inundated under water conditions for a long period of time.
So, the farmers have either to make the lands free from
water logging or to sow wet-resistant varieties for continuous yield to avoid
farm related losses. Scientists are now suggesting direct sowing for all rice
varieties and advising them to change their traditional method of cultivation.
According to scientists, by adapting to direct sowing farmers can not only
decrease the input cost but also get them considerable yield.
Many districts in the state have already been following this
method. In Nellore, farmers in southern parts of the district like Naidupet,
Sullurpet, and Venkatagiri and some parts of Tamilnadu have taken up direct
sowing method. However, delta farmers continue to follow old and traditional
methods because of lack of awareness on the best practices that could save water
and investment, agricultural scientists say.
By P V Prasad
Surge in methane threatens climate targets, scientists say
Posted: Dec 12, 2016 8:57 PM PSTUpdated: Dec 12, 2016 9:58 PM PST
While the world has been
working to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change, there's been a
troubling spike in another dangerous gas. Methane levels in the atmosphere are
rising faster than at any point in the past two decades, according to...
By Reed Alexander for CNN
Robert
Jackson, a co-author of the report and Stanford University professor, said:
"I think (people) should be concerned. At the same time we are trying to
stabilize carbon dioxide emissions, methane is heading in the opposite
direction."
"It
is dire," he added.
Dangerous
spike
Researchers
say methane gas emissions spiked during 2014 and 2015 at astonishing levels.Concentrations
in the atmosphere increased by 10 or more parts per billion, a significant
surge from the 0.5 parts per billion by which had been recorded in the early
2000s.The surge was first noticed in 2007, and since then the levels have
gotten much worse.The exact reasons behind the increase are unclear, but, in an
editorial published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, scientists
cite agricultural production and increasing livestock, alongside fossil fuel
exploration."Many people would point the finger at the oil and gas
industry first -- but agricultural sources are bigger," Jackson said.
Rice
production and livestock both emit methane into the atmosphere, but Pep
Canadell, another co-author of the editorial, says that there are challenges in
curtailing the spread of methane from either source."Countries are very
concerned -- particularly less developed countries -- to ensure that there's
enough food production, excess food production, to meet all (their)
needs," Canadell said."Constraining greenhouse gases is an additional
pressure on countries that mainly have opted not to do much about it so far,
because the priority has been to secure the levels of food production that are
required," he said.
What
happens now?
Scientists
are calling on the international community to commit to preventing any further
increase in methane emissions.Otherwise, they say the objectives of the Paris
climate agreement, which went into effect in November, could be in jeopardy.Greenhouse
gas emissions must stop completely in order to stabilize the climate, Canadell
warned."The entire package of greenhouse cases (carbon dioxide, nitrous
oxide, and methane) should be at peak emissions. And, from now on, they should
start going down all the way to zero by the end of this century," he said.
If they
don't, temperatures could rise in excess of the two degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels set forth by the Paris agreement. And the results of that
could be disastrous -- droughts, floods, global warming, severe weather.
Uncertain
future
One
solution Jackson has proposed is that the agriculture sector look at new
innovations that enable rice to be grown with less flooding, which would help
to cut methane emissions."Most rice is grown in flooded areas. Methane is
given off in flooded soils. If we could grow rice that required less flooding,
we'd slash methane emissions," he said.Canadell said countries like China
had emerged as leaders against climate change, and raised concerns over what
might happen if US climate policy shifts under the incoming Presidential
administration.
"There
are two components here," he said. "(Methane) emissions in the US
have been declining for the last number of years," he noted, "...but
there's another component -- not following the leadership of President
Obama.""In effect, what's going to happen to other countries if the
perception is that the US is not doing as much as the US promised before, and
therefore other countries may not do the things they promised to do?" he
said. "This is all a question mark. We don't know."He also added that
the focus on climate change, including reducing methane emissions, must be on
stabilizing the climate -- not fixing it, per se. That goal would be
unattainable."Whatever damage we do now is irreversible in human time
scales," he said.
Global rice noodle sales
market forecasts from 2016 to 2021 scrutinized in new research
Published: 12 December 2016
Submitted
by The Market Reports
Development
policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of
Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export
consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.
The Global Rice Noodle Sales Industry 2016 Market
Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of
the Rice Noodle Sales industry. With around 150 tables and figures this report
provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source
of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the
market.
Complete report with detailed table of content is available
at:www.themarketreports.com/report/global-rice-noodle-sales-market-report-2016
Companies like JFC International, American Roland Food Corp., Eskal, Nan
Shing Hsinchu, Cali Food, Nature soy, Mandarin Noodle Manufacturing, Ying Yong
Food Products, J.D. Food Products, Leong Guan Food Manufacturer and more are profiled in the terms of product picture,
specification, capacity, production, price, cost, gross, revenue, and contact
information.
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market report provides a basic
overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications
and industry chain structure. Upstream raw materials and equipment and
downstream demand analysis is also carried out.
The Rice Noodle Sales industry development trends and
marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment
projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.
Table of Contents:
1 Industry Overview of Rice Noodle Sales
2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Rice Noodle
Sales
3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of
Rice Noodle Sales
4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Rice
Noodle Sales by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Rice
Noodle Sales by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price
Analysis of Rice Noodle Sales by Regions, Types and Applications
7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Rice
Noodle Sales
8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Rice Noodle Sales
9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Rice Noodle
Sales
10 Industry Chain Analysis of Rice Noodle Sales
11 Development Trend of Analysis of Rice Noodle Sales
12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Rice
Noodle Sales
13 Conclusion of the Global Rice Noodle Sales Industry
2016 Market Research Report
News From
Category: Market Research Publishers and RetailersCompany profile: The Market Reports aims to provide the best industry and market reports to a seeker. We are looking forward to a place where we are the one stop destination for all the report seekers irrespective of any country, category, domain, etc. We are always open on call and email (24*7) to your queries and very clean with the business methodology. Since we are dealing with so many Publishers, we can actually give you what suits best in accordance to your requirements
https://www.whatech.com/market-research/food-beverage/236867-global-rice-noodle-sales-market-forecasts-from-2016-to-2021-scrutinized-in-new-research
Rice Syrup Market - Global
Industry Analysis, Competitive Insight & Key Drivers; Research Report
2016-2024
Rice syrup Market Overview
View exclusive Global strategic Business report:
www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag...
Rice syrup Market: Market Dynamics
Sourced from fermented cooked rice, rice syrup contains low
glycemic content which does not affect the sugar level like normal table sugar
does which is one of the driving factors for rice syrup market. Rice syrup is
considered to be a nutritive sweetener owing to the number of minerals included
in it such as phosphor and magnesium. Rice syrup is also a rich source of
protein content and vitamin B which serves as a curing agent for damaged hair
and nails and also mental stability. The nutritional factor of rice syrup acts
as a major driver that contributes to the increasing demand for rice syrup
market globally.
However, the growth of global rice syrup market is hindered
by a critical restraint. Rice syrup is a derivate of brown rice which contains
traces of arsenic and hence the rice syrup produced from it too contains some
amount of arsenic which can cause serious harm to human bodies such as cancer.
Rice syrup Market: Market Segmentation
Rice syrup market is segmented on the basis of raw material
type which includes:
Brown Rice
White Rice
Certified Organic Rice
Rice syrup market is segmented on the basis of food and
beverage application which includes:
Baking
Confectionary
Beverages
Processed Foods
Dairy Products
Ice-Creams
Browse Full Report With ToC:
www.transparencymarketresearch.com/rice-syrup-market.html
Rice syrup is derived from three types of rice including
brown rice, white rice, and certified organic rice. Rice syrup is produced by
cooking the rice starch combined with saccharifying enzymes. Rice syrup is
widely used as a sweetener in the food and beverage industry. Rice syrup is
used as a sweetener in bakery products such as cakes, muffins, and biscuits, in
confectionary products such as jellies, chocolates, and candies. Rice syrup is
also used as a table top sweetener in beverages such as tea, health drinks, and
juices. Processed foods, dairy products, and ice creams also use rice syrup as
a natural sweetener.
Rice syrup Market: Regional Outlook
Regional coverage for rice syrup market includes North
America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding
Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America account
for the maximum demand for the rice syrup market owing to the growing health
consciousness among consumers. APEJ poses to be a potential market for rice
syrup attributed to the increasing population of health conscious people and
consumers' need for a sugar alternative that is less harmful.
Rice syrup Market: Market Players
Few players in the global rice syrup market include Wuhu
Deli Foods Co. Ltd., Axiom Foods, Wuhu Haoyikuai Food Co. Ltd, California
Natural products (CNP), Cargill, ADM, ABF Ingredients and others.
About Us
Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence
company, providing global business information reports and services. Our
exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides
forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR’s experienced
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This release was published on openPR.http://www.openpr.com/news/394015/Rice-Syrup-Market-Global-Industry-Analysis-Competitive-Insight-Key-Drivers-Research-Report-2016-2024.html
Batuhan:
Challenge to Briones
Monday, December 12, 2016
I WAS reading a piece in a Manila business publication,
written by my former Asian Institute of Management (AIM) professor Mario “Mayo”
Lopez. In his column, he talked about Bongbong’s delusion in comparing the
legacy of his late dictator father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., to that of the late
Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew’s.
Bongbong likes to talk about how, had his father not been
deposed by the popular “People Power” uprising, which forced him to flee the
country for the safety of Hawaii, the dictator would have turned the
Philippines into the
next Singapore of Asia.
next Singapore of Asia.
This is short of saying by the junior Marcos that all of
the leaders who succeeded his father took the country backwards rather than
forwards, in terms of economic prosperity.Professor Mayo, in quoting from the
book of Lee Kuan Yew, stated that nothing could be further from the truth.And I
would be one with my former professor here in saying that Bongbong could not be
any more delusional in his Lee Kuan Yew comparison.Last week, I spoke about how
former education chief Bro. Armin Luistro missed the chance to educate our
youth about the horrors of the Martial Law years.
As a result of our secretary’s “soft” approach to the
teaching of this period in our history, we were unable to shape the collective
consciousness of the generation that eventually bought into the Marcos “fake
news” stories, and ended up almost voting the strongman’s son into the second-highest
post of the land. Not only that, they also bought into the “strongman” antics
of the current president, choosing him instead of his more conventional and
civilized rivals.
The problem with people buying into the son’s Lee Kuan
Yew delusion is also one of education, albeit being more of a quality rather
than a “slant” issue.
First is a problem of history.Even when Singapore was
still part of the Malayan Federation (what would eventually become today’s
Malaysia), the Philippines was already the rising star of the region.Proof of
the pudding is the establishment in the Philippines of multilateral bodies and
educational institutions in the Philippines, that were meant to serve the needs
of Asia. Some examples of these are the Asian Development Bank (Asia’s
development bank), the Asian Institute of Management (Asia’s business school),
and the International Rice Research Institute (Asia’s rice research institute).However,
during the reign of Marcos Jr.’s father, all of our advantages over our Asian
neighbors like Singapore were all wiped out. We became the laughing stock of
our neighbors, who made fun of our subservience to a family that brought our
country to ruin.Then there is a problem of economics.
A lot of the “fake news” stories glorifying the Marcoses
talk about how the exchange rate versus the US dollar, for example, was very
low during the time of Marcos, and how it is at the level that it is today. All
this supposedly pointing to the mismanagement of the economy after Marcos. What
hogwash, to say the least!
I don’t want to launch into Economics 101 here and talk
about the factors behind foreign exchange rate determination, but suffice it to
say that anyone competently educated in economics fundamentals would not even
read, much less heed stories comparing FX levels during the Martial Law years
and today.
So here is a challenge to Secretary Leonor Briones, who
is known to be a progressive. Teach our youth proper history. And educate them
in correct economic theory. Only in this way will they be able to sift fact
from fiction, like the one that Bongbong Marcos is peddling about his
dictator-father’s true legacy.(Belated greetings to my sister, Aleli Batuhan
Castaneros, who celebrated her birthday last Dec. 6. Happy Birthday, and
wishing you many more to come. God bless!)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/12/12/batuhan-challenge-briones-514614
Cows and rice farming targetted in alarmist climate change
research
Dec 12, 2016 09:35 AM GMT+0530
PARIS,
Dec 12 (Reuters) - Global methane emissions from agriculture and other sources
have surged in recent years, threatening efforts to slow climate change, an
international study has found.Researchers led by French Laboratoire des
Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE) reported that methane
concentrations in the air began to surge around 2007 and grew precipitously in
2014 and 2015.In that two-year period methane concentrations shot up by 10 or
more parts per billion (ppb) annually, compared with an average annual increase
of only 0.5 ppb during the early 2000s, according to the study released by the
Global Carbon Project, which groups climate researchers.Marielle Saunois, lead
author of the study and assistant professor at Université de Versailles Saint
Quentin, said that the increase in methane emissions could threaten efforts to
limit global warming.
"We should do more about methane emissions. If we want to stay below a 2 degrees (Celsius) temperature increase, we should not follow this track and need to make a rapid turnaround," she said in a statement.Methane is much less prevalent in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2) -- the main man-made greenhouse gas -- but is more potent because it traps 28 times more heat. The report did not say to what extent methane contributes to global warming.
"We should do more about methane emissions. If we want to stay below a 2 degrees (Celsius) temperature increase, we should not follow this track and need to make a rapid turnaround," she said in a statement.Methane is much less prevalent in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2) -- the main man-made greenhouse gas -- but is more potent because it traps 28 times more heat. The report did not say to what extent methane contributes to global warming.
CO2 emissions are expected to remain flat for the third year in a row in 2016, thanks to falls in China, the Global Carbon Project said last month.Saunois said that while the reasons behind the methane surge are not well understood, the most likely sources are cattle ranching and rice farming. Cows expel large quantities of methane and the flooded soils of rice paddies are homes for microbes that produce the gas.She cited data from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization indicating that livestock operations worldwide expanded from producing 1.3 billion head of cattle in 1994 to nearly 1.5 billion in 2014, with a similar increase in rice cultivation in many Asian countries.
Robert Jackson, a co-author of the paper and Professor in Earth System Science at Stanford University, said that methane can come from many different sources, including natural sources such as marshes and other wetlands, but about 60 percent comes from human activities, notably agriculture.A smaller portion of the human contribution, about a third, comes from fossil fuel exploration, where methane can leak from oil and gas wells during drilling."When it comes to methane, there has been a lot of focus on the fossil fuel industry, but we need to look just as hard, if not harder, at agriculture," Jackson said.
Rice exports
drop to decade low in 2016
Vietnam’s rice export has reduced to a ten-year record low
this year, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Export volume was estimated to
reach 4.54 million tons for the last 11 months, dropping 25 percent compared to
the same period last year. Value was down 20 percent.Most businesses have
failed to obtain their export targets with a huge volume of rice in stock.The
Vietnam Food Association has been forced to lower this year export target to
5.7 million tons, a reduction of 800,000 tons over plan. However experts said
that the country was unlikely to reach the adjusted norm.At present, China is
still the top import market of Vietnamese rice.
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2016/12/122094/
Global
food prices lower in November
02:16 AM December 12, 2016
Global food prices showed a slight
decrease in November as production forecasts for corn and rice show that the
staple grains were on course for record volumes.The Food and Agriculture
Organization, in the latest update of its Food Price Index, said November
prices “marked a mild departure from a steady rise over the course of 2016.”FAO’s
index is trade-weighted and tracks international market prices for cereals,
vegetable oils, dairy, meat and sugar.The index recorded a steady rise in the
first half of 2016, dipping slightly in July. From then, the index again ran a
series of increase from August to October.
In November, the index averaged
171.3 points, down 0.4 percent or 1.3 points from the 172.6 points in October.“The
month-to-month small decline marked a departure from an almost uninterrupted
rising trend in the index since the start of the year,” the FAO said.“November’s
easing was driven by a sharp dip in sugar prices, which more than offset a
strong rebound in the prices of vegetable oils,” the UN agency added.However,
the November figure was still 10.4 percent or 7.3 points above the 164 points
recorded in the same month of 2015.The Cereal Price Index —which covers grains
including rice—averaged 141.4 points in November, decreasing by 0.6 percent
from October and 7.9 percent below the previous year’s level.
“The strengthening US dollar and
ample supplies contributed to the generally weak tone lingering in cereal
markets,” the FAO said.“International rice prices remained close to multi-year
lows reached in October, amid relentless pressure applied by new-crop arrivals
and sluggish demand,” it said.
The FAO said the projection for world cereal production in 2016 was raised to 2.6 billion tons, an increase of 1.7 percent above the 2015 output mainly on account of forecast record output levels for rice and corn.For rice alone, the FAO is expecting 498.5 million tons of milled grains produced in 2016
The FAO said the projection for world cereal production in 2016 was raised to 2.6 billion tons, an increase of 1.7 percent above the 2015 output mainly on account of forecast record output levels for rice and corn.For rice alone, the FAO is expecting 498.5 million tons of milled grains produced in 2016
Can Tho, RoK association
cooperate in rice production
Tuesday, 12/13/2016, 09:19
Representatives from the Can Tho city People’s Committee
and the Korean Food and Rice Association met in the Mekong Delta locality on
December 12 to discuss ways to expand cooperation in rice processing and
export.
According to Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam, Can Tho has become a potential destination for enterprises from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and many firms decided to pour investment into the locality. Notably, Tae Kwang Industrial Co., Ltd constructed a US$171.48 million plant to produce semi-finished sport shoes in the Hung Phu 2B Industrial Park in Cai Rang district.
The RoK Government also invested in many big projects in
Can Tho like the Vietnam-Korea Incubator Park in the Tra Noc 2 Industrial
Park, and a water supply plant in Vinh Thanh district, Nam said. For his part, Chairman of the Korean Food and Rice
Association Kim Nam Doo said the establishment of the association’s
representative office in Can Tho is a strategic decision as the city is a
food and rice centre in the Mekong Delta region. The office will serve as a bridge promoting partnership between
Vietnamese food firms and member enterprises of the association in the time
ahead, he affirmed. Can Tho boasts 115,000 ha of agricultural land and
90,000 ha of which is for rice cultivation. Can Tho produces 1.4 million
tonnes of rice, with over 1 million tonnes being shipped abroad every year
through 26 rice export enterprises.The city’s export turnover to the RoK
is estimated to hit US$30.3 million in 2016, while import value will be US$4.2
million
http://english.vov.vn/economy/can-tho-rok-association-cooperate-in-rice-production-339180.vov
Rabi sowing higher than
last year, lower than 5-yr average
Economists
fear demonetisation drive could affect sowing due to shortage of cash
NEW DELHI,
DECEMBER 9:
A
higher acreage of wheat, pulses and oilseeds has pushed up sowing in the
ongoing rabi season by 7.63 per cent to 472.63 lakh hectares (lh), compared
with 438.9 lh in the same period last year.However, when compared with the last
five years’ average sowing, the total acreage this rabi season has gone down by
2.64 per cent, with all crops, apart from pulses, posting lower figures.Sowing
of rice and coarse cereals, which comprise a small part of the total rabi
sowing so far, was lower this year compared with the previous year.
Sowing
of pulses increased to 80.867 lh (74.05 lh) and the past five years’ average of
77.39 lh.
Rice
acreage has declined to 8 lh (10.98 lh) and the previous five years’ average of
10.02 lh.
Acreage
under oilseeds increased to 72.22 lh (65.71 lh).
Sowing
of coarse cereals this season declined to 44.83 lh compared with 49.13 lh in
the comparable period last year and the previous five years’ average of 47.18
lh.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rabi-sowing-so-far-higher-than-last-year-lower-than-5yr-average/article9420348.ece
Rice millers pass health check for China
trade
Mon,
12 December 2016
More
than half of 50 rice millers that applied for export permits to China passed a
health and safety inspection by a visiting Chinese team, though they will have
to wait for official confirmation from the Beijing government before they can
begin exporting, an Agriculture Ministry official said yesterday.Hean Vanhan,
undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, said four inspectors
from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine (AQSIQ) visited Cambodia last week to inspect local rice mills. The
team determined that 27 Cambodian millers satisfied China’s sanitary and
phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and would be eligible to export their product to
the Chinese market.
“In
order for us to export to China, they have to check and ensure that our rice
production does not have any adverse impact on health or contain any pests,” he
explained. “We are now waiting for an official statement from China in order to
confirm that the rice millers can begin exporting.”Hun Lak, vice president of
the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF), said greater control over the quality of
Cambodian rice milling would help improve the capacity of the millers, but it
could also prove problematic for smaller millers.“Checking the quality of rice
milling and checking for pests is the right methodology for strengthening the
capacity of Cambodia’s rice millers, and meeting the Chinese requirements helps
build up the reputation of Cambodian rice,” he said. “But this still poses a
challenge for the millers that cannot afford to meet those standards due to
limited capacity.”
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rice-millers-pass-health-check-china-trade
New
Certificate of Origin for Rice to EU
Rice producers
and exporters to the European Union must use a new kind of certificate of
origin beginning January 1. “Producers or exporters who have been
exporting rice to the EU are required to use a new type of Certificate of
Origin for exports as the new online request has not been inserted into the ministry’s
system,” a notice from the Commerce Ministry said.
The ministry
could not be reached for comment yesterday.The EU is one of the Kingdom’s major
markets. Every product manufactured in Cambodia, excluding weapons, can be
exported to the EU tariff-free. Rice exports from Cambodia rose 3.3
percent in the first 10 months of the year to 421,000 tons of milled rice from
408,000 tons in the same period last year, according to data from the Ministry
of Agriculture.Song Saran, president of rice exporter Amru Rice (Cambodia),
told Khmer Times that Cambodia would be able to comply with the requirement
because the country has followed and implemented their demands in the past.
“When there is
a requirement from the EU, we have to follow and practice it. If not, we cannot
enter their markets,” he said.“The EU is the main market for Cambodia. We
export from 70 to 80 percent to the EU,” he added. “My company mostly exports
rice to the EU and has exported about 40,000 tons of rice to the EU so far this
year.”Khan Kunthy, CEO of rice exporter BRICo, said his company as of October
had exported about 6,000 tons of rice to international markets this year with
his main markets being in Europe and the US.“We produce only jasmine and
fragrant rice. We are not interested in the Asean market because they consume
white rice, except Malaysia,” he said.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/32991/new-certificate-of-origin-for-rice-to-eu/
Scientists helping Filipino
farmers adapt to climate change
December 13, 2016
ALABANG, Muntinlupa City, December 13 —Current practices of
Filipino rice farmers including the varieties they use are continuously being upgraded by the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to help them adapt to the
unpredictable effects of climate change.This was an observation from Dr.
Yoichiro Kato, a rainfed lowland agronomist at IRRI, during his presentation at
the recent 10th Annual Scientific Forum and Meeting, organized by the
Philippine Association of Career Scientists, Inc. (PACS). The event attracted
Kato and other international and national scientists from different disciplines
who shared insights from their research activities in improving farmers’
planting practices.
Kato, when discussing other adaptive measures for growing
rice under the current Philippine weather and climate conditions, cited Central
Thailand's rice farming model, which uses a number of the dynamic farming
approaches recommended by IRRI.He also shared his three-step research
philosophy for agricultural science: (1) know your own target; (2) get robust
evidence; and (3) understand reasons behind the results. “This is my personal
strategy to effectively implement basic researches in rice agronomy,” Kato
said.
Dr. Ricardo Orge, from the Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice), presented his study on coping with climate change in the
Philippines. He gave an overview of
Palayamanan, a PhilRice initiative on water-saving technology for diversified
and integrated system of farming. Orge’s
presentation stimulated a discussion on budget limitations for rice-farming
research. According to Evelyn Mae
Tecson-Mendoza, Scientific Career Council Executive Secretary Academician,
research and development (R&D) in the Philippines are lagging behind in the
number of R&D personnel per million persons in the population. This lags far behind other members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations and needs to be remedied.
Other prominent scientists from leading rice research
centers in the country discussed how they are providing far-reaching
technological solutions in line with the Forum’s theme, Reinforcing science and
technology capacities for sustainable community development,The Philippine
Scientific Career System and the National Academy of Science and Technology
collaborated with PACS in sponsoring the forum (IRRI/PIA).
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/641481591390/scientists-helping-filipino-farmers-adapt-to-climate-change
jamaica Customs Ceases Clearance of Rice at Ports with Immediate
Effect
Photo: JIS PhotographerCommissioner of the Jamaica Customs Agency, Major Richard Reese,
gives his remarks at the 14th annual customs seminar of the Jamaica Chamber of
Commerce’s (JCC) Customs Tariff and Port Users Committee, held at the Jamaica
Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on September 24.(File photo)
In
keeping with recent media report of the distribution of rice, including
‘plastic rice’ in Jamaica, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) wishes to advise
that the organisation has temporarily ceased the clearance of rice at all ports
of entry.In keeping with this matter, the JCA has convened a meeting with the
relevant Regulatory Agencies, including the Bureau of Standards (BSJ), the
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health and the
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in order to verify this breach, and the
mechanisms for moving forward.The meeting is currently taking place at the
JCA’s Head Office, Myers’ Wharf, New Port East.
In the
time being, members of the public are urged to call the JCA or the BSJ and
report if they have bought this product or are aware of the place of
distribution, so that steps can be taken for the removal of the product from
the market.The media will be further advised as it relates to the discussions
emanating out of the meeting and the decisions taken.A public advisory will
also be issued with a view to protecting the health and safety of the
population.
Rice Prices
as on : 09-12-2016 08:10:29 PM
Arrivals
in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Gadarpur(Utr)
|
1320.00
|
4300
|
202460.00
|
1670
|
2756
|
-16.92
|
|
Akbarpur(UP)
|
120.00
|
-42.86
|
660.00
|
2150
|
2170
|
7.50
|
|
Kalna(WB)
|
97.00
|
NC
|
1532.00
|
2970
|
2940
|
-
|
|
Cachar(ASM)
|
80.00
|
60
|
4930.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
-18.52
|
|
Vasai(Mah)
|
80.00
|
166.67
|
878.00
|
2760
|
2810
|
6.15
|
|
Kalipur(WB)
|
80.00
|
5.26
|
11445.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
11.63
|
|
Silapathar(ASM)
|
59.00
|
15.69
|
1705.90
|
3000
|
3000
|
NC
|
|
Gazipur(UP)
|
37.00
|
-28.85
|
4100.00
|
2230
|
2200
|
10.12
|
|
Raiganj(WB)
|
35.00
|
2.94
|
1613.00
|
2575
|
2575
|
-2.83
|
|
Saharanpur(UP)
|
30.00
|
-6.25
|
7373.00
|
2275
|
2275
|
10.98
|
|
Karimganj(ASM)
|
20.00
|
-50
|
2240.00
|
3100
|
2300
|
51.22
|
|
Ulhasnagar(Mah)
|
20.00
|
150
|
593.00
|
2500
|
7000
|
-
|
|
Alipurduar(WB)
|
20.00
|
NC
|
904.00
|
2350
|
2350
|
6.82
|
|
Champadanga(WB)
|
18.00
|
50
|
1461.00
|
2800
|
2800
|
14.29
|
|
T. Narasipura(Kar)
|
16.00
|
NC
|
121.00
|
1500
|
1725
|
NC
|
|
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
|
12.00
|
-7.69
|
2650.00
|
3000
|
3000
|
NC
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
10.10
|
-34.42
|
2462.30
|
1900
|
1900
|
NC
|
|
Kolaghat(WB)
|
7.00
|
-12.5
|
1401.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
8.70
|
|
Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)
|
7.00
|
NC
|
1364.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
8.70
|
|
Uluberia(WB)
|
6.00
|
15.38
|
343.60
|
2450
|
2450
|
-2.00
|
|
Chengannur(Ker)
|
5.00
|
-23.08
|
729.00
|
2500
|
2300
|
NC
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
4.50
|
-10
|
430.60
|
2250
|
2250
|
-
|
|
Darjeeling(WB)
|
3.20
|
6.67
|
205.50
|
2950
|
2950
|
5.36
|
|
Lakhimpur(UP)
|
2.00
|
-23.08
|
557.15
|
2160
|
2150
|
0.70
|
|
Thoubal(Man)
|
2.00
|
233.33
|
51.90
|
2700
|
3100
|
8.00
|
|
Kalimpong(WB)
|
1.10
|
NC
|
69.20
|
2600
|
2600
|
10.64
|
|
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
|
0.80
|
14.29
|
103.40
|
2500
|
2500
|
13.64
|
|
Kasipur(WB)
|
0.80
|
-27.27
|
57.40
|
2200
|
2200
|
-12.00
|
|
Shillong(Meh)
|
0.60
|
-25
|
100.60
|
3700
|
3600
|
5.71
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9419603.ece
amaica
Customs Ceases Clearance of Rice at Ports with Immediate Effect
·
Email
Story Highlights
- In keeping with recent media
report of the distribution of rice, including ‘plastic rice’ in Jamaica,
the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) wishes to advise that the organisation
has temporarily ceased the clearance of rice at all ports of entry.
- Members of the public are urged to
call the JCA or the BSJ and report if they have bought this product or are
aware of the place of distribution, so that steps can be taken for the
removal of the product from the market.
In keeping with recent media
report of the distribution of rice, including ‘plastic rice’ in Jamaica, the
Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) wishes to advise that the organisation has
temporarily ceased the clearance of rice at all ports of entry.
In keeping with this matter, the
JCA has convened a meeting with the relevant Regulatory Agencies, including the
Bureau of Standards (BSJ), the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Fisheries,
the Ministry of Health and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in order to verify
this breach, and the mechanisms for moving forward.
The meeting is currently taking
place at the JCA’s Head Office, Myers’ Wharf, New Port East.
In the time being, members of the
public are urged to call the JCA or the BSJ and report if they have bought this
product or are aware of the place of distribution, so that steps can be taken
for the removal of the product from the market.
The media will be further advised
as it relates to the discussions emanating out of the meeting and the decisions
taken.
A public advisory will also be
issued with a view to protecting the health and safety of the population
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