Exports of
Basmati rice fall
October 20, 2016
The exports of Basmati rice have registered a decline of 40.54
percent during last five years from 1,137,943 metric tonnes in 2010-2011 to
676,630 metric tonnes in 2014-15 while non-Basmati rice exports have witnessed
a growth of 19.15 percent from 2,563,664 metric tonnes to 3,054,680 metric
tonnes during the same period.The Rice Research Institute (RRI) Kala Shah
Kaku's sources said the Basmati rice exports in term of value has declined from
US $1.137 billion in 2010-11 to US $676, 630 million in 2014-15 against the
non-Basmati rice whose exports have increased from $1.138 billion to $1.167
billion during the same period.
The boost in non-Basmati rice exports was mainly because of the increment in Hybrid cultivated area in Sindh, Guard Agricultural Research & Services (pvt) Ltd, Shahzad Ali Malik said. Quoting the figures of the Ministry of National Food Safety and Research, Malik in a presentation given to Lahore Economic Journalists Association, said that hybrid area of cultivation has increased in Sindh form 84300 hectares in 2008-09 to 3, 022, 000 hectares in 2014-15 showing a growth of 258-percent.
He said the hybrid rice cultivation area is being increased rapidly due to high per acre yield up to 120 mounds. He revealed that Irri (International Rice Research Institute) production is persistently witnessing a decline that has dwindled from 19,493,000 tonnes in 2008-09 to 11,615,000 tonnes in 2014-15 showing a negative growth of 40.41 percent. "We have started hybrid rice seed production with 20 acres in 2005 in Sindh but now the area of seed production has increased to 900 acres in the Sindh province.
He said the Guard Agricultural Research & Services is aggressively working on research to develop extra long grain Basmati rice to 8mm, heat tolerant, drought tolerant and salinity resistant verities. The success in developing drought tolerant and salinity verities would not be less than a revolution which would help enhance rice exports from Pakistan besides uplifting the farmers' life, he said.
Shahzad Ali Malik said that his company has entered into a joint venture with Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Company Limited China headed by founder of hybrid rice Professor Yuan Longping while transfer of Chinese hybrid rice technology to Pakistan was made way back in 1999. "The research, particularly in the agriculture sector, is a lengthy job that requires high degree of patience" he added. We set up rice research centres in Golarachi (Sindh) in 1999, in Larkana (Sindh) in 2003, Kandh Kot (Sindh) in 2005 and Manga Mandi (Punjab) in 2012, he maintained.
He said the hybrid rice technology has resulted in double the yield of Irri rice and double the farmers' income. Malik said that his company is now working on enhancing the per acre yield of 8mm rice to 80-100 mounds in Punjab whose seed would commercially be available in 2019. " We would not only restrict to rice but evolved a plan to include other crops like wheat, maize, oil seed of sunflower besides vegetable crops including tomato and chili" he disclosed. To a question, he said the Guard Basmati Rice is currently being exported to 38 countries.
He was of the view that Pakistan Agriculture Research Council was the appropriate organisation for granting approval of seed varieties but due to the 18th Amendment, the agriculture department has come under the domain of provincial government. He, however, urged the authorities concerned to designate an impartial body to approve/certify the seed for commercial purpose. The Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku (a public sector organisation) which is also a competitor of private sector should be restricted to the evaluation role rather than granting approval of rice varieties, he demanded
http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/94757/
India Rice exports rise during April-August
Commodity Online | October 19 2016
UPDATED 16:50:01 IST
UPDATED 16:50:01 IST
India Rice exports rose during the period
April-August of current fiscal year (FY) 2016-17, according to data released by
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
(APEDA).
The country's Basmati export surged over 5
percent from April to August at 1,77,5684 tons versus 1,678,797 tons a year
ago. Non-Basmati shipment stood at 3,008,238 against 2,983,915 tons previous
year.http://www.commodityonline.com/news/india-rice-exports-rise-during-april-august/11266
Farmers all smiles over fair
prices
Farmers harvest an early variety of aman paddy
at a field of Charimanpara in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur. Photo: Star
Our Correspondent, Dinajpur
Harvesting of the early aman paddy started in these two districts a week ago.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) officials in the districts, around 2,56,750 and 72,310 acres were brought under aman cultivation in Dinajpur and Joypuraht to produce 6,85,647 and 1,93,102 tonnes of rice respectively.
Farmers cultivated early varieties of aman on 70,000 acres this year with the hope of good profit as the last paddy season was not good for them due to the low price.
Mozahar Ali of Joyanti village under Joypurhat Sadar upazila said he cultivated Bina -7 on his four acres of land. He started harvesting the paddy on October 11, and is expecting better price for his produce, he added.
Paddy price was low when boro harvesting began across this region, but now the price is stable, said Belal Hossain of Dadra village, who sold 10 maunds of paddy for Tk 6,500. The price of paddy is around Tk 600 to Tk 650 per maund, he added.
Shahidul Islam of Puranpoil area said he got 50 maunds of paddy from an acre. Farmers will start planting winter crops like potatoes and tomatoes after harvesting paddy, said Julfiquar Ali of the village.
In Dinajpur, the farmers who cultivated the early varieties of paddy have been passing busy days in harvesting and threshing their paddy.
Farmers of Chirirbandar upazila said the weather was not favourable when they started cultivating the paddy. The weather was adverse at the onset of the season, there was no rain, and irrigation was greatly disrupted due to load-shedding, but finally they got healthy yield, said Shahinur Rahman of Satnala village.
Additional Deputy Director of Joypurhat DAE Abu Hossain said his office is expecting a healthy yield this aman season.
Irresponsible rice trade
liberalization
Philippine
Daily Inquirer / 12:10 AM October 20, 2016
A plan
to liberalize rice trade, by imposing a 35-percent tariff on the produce, by
June next year is definitely irresponsible—and disastrous.On Oct. 17, this
issue was discussed at the Senate hearing on agriculture chaired by Sen.
Francis Pangilinan.The government’s reckless actions when the too rapid agriculture trade liberalization occurred in compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) many years ago come to mind. The accompanying safety nets promised by the government were never given.
Liberalized trade with a low 35 percent tariff will only worsen our poverty situation. Our government is supposed to help farmers, not harm them.
Fair tariff
Of course, tariff is preferred over quantitative restrictions or cap on imports. But it must be a fair tariff.
Studies have shown that a rice tariff of 70 percent is appropriate as it will give rice imports equal footing with our produce.
The suggested 35 percent rate is therefore irresponsible.
But if this is the only level acceptable to WTO members, we must then be given at least two years to prepare for this very low rate.
Our government has not prepared our farmers for this. Sadly, our agriculture governance is littered with too many cases of corruption, incompetence and indifference to our farmers’ sad plight.
Consider the table below, created with the help of Dr. Flordeliza Borday.
Farmers want and deserve a fair deal from our government. They have not gotten this. There is gross mismanagement in agriculture governance.
It is irresponsible for our government to subject our rice farmers to a 35-percent tariff as early as June next year, when the government has not delivered its share through providing our farmers a level playing field. The government must deliver this during at least a two-year extension.
This can be done with a clear roadmap with the necessary budget support. We have not seen this yet.
Senator Pangilinan asked government agencies what would happen if the 35-percent tariff would be implemented next year. An Alyansa Agrikultura leader recommended the private sector should be given a chance to submit its own scenarios, with rice farmers and scientists providing the major inputs. This is necessary for the Senate to have a complete view in addressing food security, rural poverty and farmer welfare.
Governance
It is essential that good agriculture governance likewise be addressed. During the hearing, Alyansa Agrikultura cited the lack of a detailed rice roadmap with location—specific plans and budget. An effective management system is also sorely lacking today.
A recent irrigation study cited by UPLB Dean Arnold Elepano showed that with more than an annual National Irrigation Agency budget of P20 billion, 34,000 new irrigated hectares were provided. But 70,000 hectares lost irrigation, resulting in a net deficit of 36,000 hectares. In spite of this, the NIA budget was increased from P28.8 billion last year to P32.7 billion this year, with a proposal for P36.4 billion next year. With governance like this, we can say goodbye to good agriculture prospects.
To use a phrase often said by President Duterte, irresponsible agriculture governance “must stop.” It is unjust for the farmers to suffer for the failings of government. If the farmers cannot get a fair rice tariff in 2017, the government must provide them with a well implemented roadmap with the appropriate budget and management system during at least a two-year postponement of the 35 percent tariff rate. Only then can we say that we have a responsible government that helps, rather than harms, the farmers.
http://business.inquirer.net/216990/irresponsible-rice-trade-liberalization
Curbing rice price
manipulation
Sen.
Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday called for the creation of an inter-agency task
force to combat the manipulation of rice prices.Pangilinan made the proposal
following reports that the buying price of palay ranges from a low of P 13 to a
high of P18.“I see this as a matter where we need to intervene. There should be some agency that our farmers can go to for help. Maybe we can put together an inter-agency task force to look into this, consisting of the National Food Authority (NFA), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Department of Agriculture (DA),” Pangilinan said.
The issue came to light during a recent Senate hearing on quantitative restrictions on rice.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol reported that some traders threaten farmers not to buy their palay because of supposed damage caused by the rains.
“The Philippine rice sector is peculiar because the harvest season is visited by rains. That is why traders question farmers’ palay because they are wet,” Piñol said.
Rice traders, however, would agree to buy the palay if it is sold at a lower price.
“Traders still buy farmers’ wet palay at lower price because they do not have dryers,” he added.
Pangilinan asked for additional information to determine if there is a need for a separate Senate hearing on the issue.
“Maybe the DA can help us with the information so that, if we need to call a second hearing specifically on that matter, then we will call a second hearing so that we can put a lid on it,” he said.
“Let us know if you have initial findings that you think can help us so that we can also be guided here in the Senate. The Agriculture Committee will be more than willing to cooperate and coordinate,” he said.
http://www.mb.com.ph/curbing-rice-price-manipulation/#30vPyrhW8isZH3Ok.99
Too Low Rice Reserves
Indonesia Cause Risky Situation
19 October 2016 |
Rice reserves in Indonesia need to be pushed to
higher minimum levels. Currently the nation's rice stocks are estimated to
range between 300,000 - 400,000 tons (per year). Given that Indonesia's
agricultural output is being plagued by weather phenomenons, the existing low
level of rice reserves can cause major problems. Rice, the favorite staple food
crop of the Indonesian people, can cause accelerated inflation in times of
shortages and push the millions of people living just above the poverty line
into full poverty.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy,
has not seen conducive weather over the past one and a half years. After a
prolonged drought (caused by El Nino), Indonesia is now plagued by
wetter-than-usual weather conditions due to La Nina (these conditions also give
rise to more insect plagues). As a result rice
production in Indonesia is affected negatively. Obviously, it also
has a big impact on the lives of the Indonesian rice farmers who will see lower
earnings but see production costs rising (if they decide to combat insects).
China, India and Japan offer good examples.
Japan, for example, has a population that numbers only about half of that of
Indonesia - while the Japanese consume much less rice compared to Indonesians -
and yet authorities in the land of the rising sun maintain the nation's rice
reserves at about 1.1 million tons.
A sufficient level of rice reserves is required
(1) in times of natural disasters (Indonesia being located on the Pacific Ring
of Fire implies that natural
disasters occur frequently), (2) for market operations in time of
high rice price volatility, and (3) international support (when a regional peer
experiences a disaster and is in need of rice supplies).
Rice
Reserves:|
Country
|
Rice Reserves
(mln tons/year) |
Per Capita
Consumption (kg/year) |
Population
(millions) |
|
China
|
50
|
60
|
1,379
|
|
India
|
20
|
81
|
1,296
|
|
Japan
|
1.1
|
50
|
127
|
|
Korea
|
1.0
|
40
|
51
|
|
Indonesia
|
0.35
|
124
|
255
|
In Indonesia state procurement agency Bulog
(National Logistics Agency) holds the monopoly on imports and exports of rice.
This agency is also tasked to monitor the distribution process and to safeguard
rice price stability in the country. Indonesia has persistent troubles to
achieve rice self-sufficiency, one of the nation's biggest ambitions. Often,
authorities need to import rice from Thailand or Vietnam (both blessed by a
huge rice surplus) to keep the rice reserves at a safe level.
Dr Husein Sawit, Chairman of the Indonesian
Agency for Agriculture Research and Development (IAARD) within the Ministry of
Agriculture, informed that it is often stated that Bulog has 1.8 million tons
of rice reserves (reportedly sufficient to meet Indonesians' rice demand for
seven months). However, these reserves also include the rice supplies for
Indonesia's Raskin program (the program that
offers subsidized rice for the poor, a program that will end in January 2017)
and therefore total reserves need to be lifted in order to avoid problems. A
desired level would be 1.3 million tons of rice reserves. However, this will
require a much higher budget allocation (perhaps up to IDR 7 trillion) from the
central government. Sawit emphasizes that the government can let the rice
reserves rise gradually.
Earlier, Indonesian Minister for Agriculture
Amran Sulaiman said Indonesia will see a rice surplus this year with an
expected production figure of 76 millions of unmilled tons of rice, supported
by the government's efforts to increase the size of rice fields and improve
infrastructure (irrigation and long storage). If Indonesia will indeed see a
rice surplus it would be wise if the government purchases the surplus and uses
it to strengthen its rice reserves that are stored at Bulog.
Rice
Production Indonesia:|
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
|
Indonesian Rice
Production¹ |
60.3
|
64.4
|
66.4
|
65.4
|
69.1
|
71.3
|
70.9
|
75.4
|
Sources: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture
http://www.indonesia-investments.com/news/todays-headlines/too-low-rice-reserves-indonesia-cause-risky-situation/item7282
SunRice and Government
Celebrate Rice Exports to the Middle East
Riverina
rice growers, NSW parliamentarians, government and industry officials enjoyed a
Middle Eastern themed dinner at a SunRice hosted event in Sydney on Monday 17
October to celebrate the important and expanding role NSW-grown rice plays in
markets around the world. The evening also highlighted how collaboration
between the rice industry and NSW Government has played an important role in
underpinning this international success. Left to right: Riverina rice growers Ermes Salvestro and John Bonetti with NSW Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Niall Blair MLC and SunRice CEO Rob Gordon and Riverina rice growers Ian Sutherland and Warren Lang.
Guests dined on a three course Middle Eastern-themed meal featuring Riverina grown rice marketed under the Sunwhite brand. Sunwhite is one of the leading consumer brands in the Middle East and its sales have grown considerably over the past few years. SunRice exported more than 120,000 tonnes of branded product to Middle East markets during the 2016 financial year compared to 97,000 tonnes in 2013, representing an increase of almost 25% over three years.
Sunwhite is also an outstanding example of partnership between the NSW Government, Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC), SunRice and Australian rice growers. Central to Sunwhite's success is the Reiziq rice variety, which was specifically developed to suit the temperate climate of the Riverina region and to appeal to Middle Eastern consumers. Reiziq's development and promotion has demonstrated how research and development partnerships contribute significantly to the economic resilience of rice-growing regions in rural NSW, the NSW economy and Australia's GDP more broadly.
SunRice CEO Rob Gordon and General Manager, Consumer Markets, David Keldie, addressed guests, which included the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Niall Blair MLC, and highlighted the importance of the Middle Eastern market for SunRice, Riverina rice growers and regional communities.
'Over three million tonnes of rice are consumed per annum in the Middle East. SunRice is the market leader in the Japonica segment, with a 33% share with the Sunwhite brand. Over the past year, driven by our ongoing investment, including the opening of an office in Dubai, we continued to deliver exceptional growth in the region, including strong market share gains in all markets across the Gulf Co-operative States and Jordan. For example, Sunwhite has a total market value share approaching 60% in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
'As a part of SunRice's strategy to respond to consumer trends, in September we launched our popular brown rice chips in the Middle East in response to increasing demand for healthy snacking options, with the shelves in a major retailer emptied almost as quickly as they were filled. We expect that around 100 tonnes of the chips will be sold in the Middle East this year through major grocery and convenience retailers in over 1,000 different outlets across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait.
'Our success in the Middle East demonstrates the important contribution Australia's rice industry makes to the country's export economy, as well as regional NSW, where SunRice proudly employs almost 700 staff, predominantly in the Riverina.'
Media inquiries:
Sally Edgar, Sauce Communications: 0425 247 133 or sally@saucecommunications.com.au
www.publicnow.com/...
We didn’t ban importation of rice, but….FG
By Funmi Olasupo
“Let me therefore start by
restating the fact that importation of rice into Nigeria is not banned. What we
have is restriction on the point of entry to our Sea Ports only,” he said.
It may be recalled that in
April 2016, the Nigeria Custom Service introduced the ban on the importation of
rice through the land borders.
The CG noted that the reversal
of the policy introduced in October 2015 was informed by the high level of non
compliance by the rice importers, who resorted to large scale smuggling of the
product.“Five months down the line, it has become imperative to raise this
alarm that importers of rice through the boarders are still up in arms against
the economy.
“As you may be aware, we
remain firm in our resolution to enforce the restriction of rice imports only
to our sea ports, we have recognized our anti-smuggling patrols to provide
additional capability and bite. We have reconstituted our compliance teams
created to compliment our Federal Operation Units and the regular resident
officers deplored at our boarder commands, ” Col. Ali said.
Also speaking, the Ag.
Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Control agency, NAFDAC
Mrs. Yetunde Oni said that rice and some other products imported to the country
were not registered making it to often fell below standard.“It is pertinent to
state that records have shown that rice products imported through the sea ports
are registered and are of good quality as pounced by statutory reports from
NAFDAC laboratories whilst those smuggled through the land boarders are
unregistered and largely substandard.
“In the first quota we got
N21bn representing 54 per cent of appropriation for the main ministry that was
released and in the month of July. The late release of budget release slowed
down our performance because of the Procurement Act of 2007, we have to go
through the processes a little bit earlier.“However, the Minister expressed
optimism of the sector and said, “The National Bureau of Statistics published
the performance of the economy a month and half ago of the second quota and
agriculture recorded a growth of 4.5 per cent in an economy that is under
recession, and we may be approaching 6.2 per cent when the result is next
published. And that means Nigerians have responded to the call on agriculture
than any other sector in the history of this country.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/didnt-ban-importation-rice-fg/
Rice Harvest Season Reveals Hopes, Suffering of
Egyptian Farmers
October
19, 2016
Farmers at Qaransho village in Basion area in
Gharbeya governorate harvested their rice crops in late September, ending a
season which they described as “one of the best in recent years.” Surrounded by
waves of joy and excitement, farmers and their families worked to gather the
rice grains from huge fields.
https://egyptianstreets.com/2016/10/19/rice-harvest-season-reveals-hopes-suffering-of-egyptian-farmers/
Rice Harvest Largely Escapes
Flood Damage
The damage to the country’s rice crops from the
recent heavy rains is likely to be small, according to provincial officials, as
the Agriculture Ministry stressed that flood damage to rice crops was under
control.As the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology continue to warn of
flooding this week, nationwide officials yesterday were upbeat about the
expected size of this year’s rice harvest, and stressed that flood damage to
crops had been minimal.Banteay Meanchey provincial agriculture department head
Taing Vannaset said that only 120 hectares of rice fields in Phnom Srok
district had been affected by flooding.
“The flood has hit the area for 10 days and
rice plants were damaged by the flooding,” Mr. Vannaset said. “Authorities
cannot save the flooded rice plants because they are completely destroyed.”Flooding
in the district happens each rainy season, he said, due to the farmers planting
on low-ground near a lake, and the damage was therefore to be expected.Vy
Samnang, Kampong Speu provincial governor said that a similar area of rice
fields had been damaged in the past week.“Only 140 hectares of rice fields have
been damaged in Kong Pisei district due to flooding in the last few days,” Mr.
Samnang said. “The authorities are ready to help farmers who lost their rice
crop in the floods by providing them with new crops and other assistance.”
He, too, was optimistic that rice crops would
be higher than expected for the year.Chan Sophal, Battambang provincial
governor, said that his important rice-producing province had escaped flood
damage.“In the province as a whole this year, rice fields have not been
confirmed hit by any flooding,” he said, adding that the harvest was actually
on track to be above predictions.
“We have prepared the irrigation system well to help farmers as you could see in the beginning of rice cultivation. Farmers have surplus paddy rice and have flooded the market with it.”Mak Thoeun, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture’s agriculture department, said that though there had been reports of damage, the situation appeared to be improving.“The rice plants will be damaged if the fields are flooded for over a week,” Mr. Thoeun said. “As I have seen the flood situation in some provinces is getting better now, so the damage to rice plants is expected to be only mild.”
Despite this, he said that the ministry had
prepared reserve food and crops for any farmers affected by flooding.Last year,
Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Palin, Pursat, Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kep, and
Kampot provinces all suffered flooding that damaged crops, houses and
infrastructure.While damage to rice crops may have been minimal so far this
year, the heavy rains over the past week have been damaging.The heavy rain in
Kampong Speu province caused the sides of the Ou Treng reservoir to burst on
Sunday, releasing eight million cubic meters of water. Local authorities
predicted that some 300 hectares of rice fields might be affected, and 126
families had to be evacuated after their houses were damaged. Elsewhere in the
province on Sunday, rains were blamed for damage to two kilometers of National
Road 4.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/30962/rice-harvest-largely-escapes-flood-damage/
Jica ties up
with IRRI, PhilRice to train agri extension workers
The Japan International Cooperation Agency
(Jica) said it will develop courses for agriculture extension workers in poor
countries together with the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) and
the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
Jica said in a statement it has
inked a new cooperation agreement with Irri and PhilRice for the development of
courses for agriculture extension workers.
The training courses will be part
of the ongoing Jica-assisted Extension Capacity Development for Rice Food
Security in Africa (2016-2019) that aims to strengthen the rice-seed sector in
the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) member-countries.
The program is now on its second
phase and has trained nearly 180 extension agronomists and professionals
from Africa.
“Jica is pleased that our partnership with Irri and PhilRice
continues to bear fruits as they now share their knowledge and expertise with
other regions, like Africa,” Jica Chief Representative Susumu Ito said during
the signing ceremony of the project.
Under the agreement, Irri and
PhilRice will design, develop and implement training courses for the remaining
components of the training program. Participants from the program are expected
to learn quality rice-seed production, postharvest handling and quality-rice
breeding under the training program.
“The three-party cooperation
between Jica, PhilRice and Irri is an important milestone for Irri-Japan
partnership, which dates back to 1960,” Irri Director for External Relations
Corinta Guerta said.
Jica has been supporting Irri and
PhilRice for many decades. Japanese scientists have shared knowledge with Irri
experts, while Jica continues to extend development assistance to PhilRice
since the 1960s to benefit the Filipino farmers.
The Japanese agency’s grant aid
to PhilRice helped establish and upgrade facilities, including research
laboratories, gene bank and seed-storage laboratory, and farm mechanization
equipment. Through technical cooperation, Jica also dispatched scientists in
PhilRice and, likewise, trained Filipino rice scientists in Japan in the 1980s.
This year Jica, along with
African heads of state and leaders of international organizations, concluded
the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, where they
agreed to further pursue assistance for inclusive development of Africa.
The sub-Saharan African region
currently has the highest prevalence of undernourishment in the world, at 23.2
percent, or one in every four people, making agriculture productivity an urgent
issue, data from the Food and Agriculture Organization showed
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/jica-ties-up-with-irri-philrice-to-train-agri-extension-workers/
Irresponsible rice trade
liberalization
Philippine
Daily Inquirer / 12:10 AM October 20, 2016
A plan
to liberalize rice trade, by imposing a 35-percent tariff on the produce, by
June next year is definitely irresponsible—and disastrous.On Oct. 17, this issue was discussed at the Senate hearing on agriculture chaired by Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
The government’s reckless actions when the too rapid agriculture trade liberalization occurred in compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) many years ago come to mind. The accompanying safety nets promised by the government were never given.
ADVERTISEMENT
The latter is a major reason why we have a 40-percent rural poverty rate today, more than double the 19 percent of Vietnam and the 14 percent of Indonesia and Thailand.
Liberalized trade with a low 35 percent tariff will only worsen our poverty situation. Our government is supposed to help farmers, not harm them.
Fair tariff
Of course, tariff is preferred over quantitative restrictions or cap on imports. But it must be a fair tariff.
Studies have shown that a rice tariff of 70 percent is appropriate as it will give rice imports equal footing with our produce.
The suggested 35 percent rate is therefore irresponsible.
But if this is the only level acceptable to WTO members, we must then be given at least two years to prepare for this very low rate.
Our government has not prepared our farmers for this. Sadly, our agriculture governance is littered with too many cases of corruption, incompetence and indifference to our farmers’ sad plight.
Consider the table below, created with the help of Dr. Flordeliza Borday.
http://business.inquirer.net/216990/irresponsible-rice-trade-liberalizationتک اسلام
Millers to submit memo to
Collector on Oct 21
|
Source: The
Hitavada Date: 20 Oct 2016 10:34:10
|
Staff
Reporter,
RAIPUR,
Oct 19,
Rice millers from all the districts
have unanimously decided to submit a memorandum on October 21 at 11.30 am to
their respective Collectors to shut down their mills in support of their
four-point demands.
Rice millers have been demanding revision in the existing Kharif Marketing 2016-17.
Their demands include reduction of custom milling rate, price cuts on gunny bags, slashing of transportation charges and reduction in out-turn ratio (Jhadti) percentage.Chhattisgarh State Rice Mill Association President Yogesh Agrawal and General Secretary Devraj Sankhla informed that this year the State Government has increased 40 per cent electricity tariff and 30 per cent labour wages.
Rice millers have been demanding revision in the existing Kharif Marketing 2016-17.
Their demands include reduction of custom milling rate, price cuts on gunny bags, slashing of transportation charges and reduction in out-turn ratio (Jhadti) percentage.Chhattisgarh State Rice Mill Association President Yogesh Agrawal and General Secretary Devraj Sankhla informed that this year the State Government has increased 40 per cent electricity tariff and 30 per cent labour wages.
Besides this, custom milling rate of Arwa has been reduced Rs 15
per quintal whereas Rs 32.37 per gunny bag will be realised from the millers
instead of earlier Rs 10 per sack. Millers said that the gunny bags have got
government marks.
Therefore, they do not want to keep it and it has no usage for
them. Millers said that they do the custom milling of paddy, not the business
of gunny bags. Similarly, the LRT slab of transportation has not been improved.
The millers are facing a lot of problems with the government taking 67-68 per
cent out-turn ratio (jhadti) from Arwa, Usna millers. Association has put up
their four-point demands before the Chief Minister and other cabinet ministers
but no initiative has been initiated so far to redress their grievances
http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2016/10/20/Millers-to-submit-memo-to-Collector-on-Oct-21.aspx
10/19/2016
Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Long Grain Cash Bids
|
||
|
Long Grain New Crop
|
||
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rice Comment
Rice futures
were unchanged to lower today. The monthly supply/demand report showed
increased beginning stocks, and production resulting in a net increase in
ending stocks for the 16/27 marketing year. Ending stocks are now forecast to
be 120.7 million metric tons. Export sales were 43,100 tons for the week, down
slightly from a week ago and certainly not enough to spark buying interest.
USDA reports that 93% of the crop is now harvested. November continues to fail
near resistance between $10.45-$10.50.
First Delegation of Cuban Farmers Visits
Arkansas Rice Country
By Mark Isbell
HUMNOKE, AR -- A group of Cuban farmers hosted
by Winrock International traveled to Arkansas rice country this week in the
first official visit of Cuban farmers to the United States in more than 50
years. The group's first stop was Isbell
Farms where in addition to touring the farm and watching post-harvest
operations, the group discussed irrigation techniques, planting methods, and
the important role of rice in the Cuban diet.
The common agricultural brotherhood and sisterhood between farmers from
these two nearby countries was apparent in spite of language differences."Farmers
are farmers no matter where they are from," said Jeremy Jones, a rice
farmer from England, Arkansas, who joined in hosting the group. "Whether you are from Cuba or the United
States, farming is the common language we speak."The five Cuban farmers
who make up the delegation will be in the state for the rest of the week
visiting other farms and agriculture related industries as important personal
connections between our two countries continue to develop.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- A delegation of USA
Rice members and staff visited here last week to participate in the Biannual
Symposium of the UK Rice Association, where more than 100 members of the UK
rice trade, including importers, wholesalers, and retailers servicing the
mainstream and ethnic markets gathered.
Meryl Kennedy-Farr, president of Kennedy Rice
Mill, Kennedy Rice Dryers, Planters Rice Mill, and Delta Land and Farm
Management, gave a presentation on U.S. rice production and outlook, saying the
2016/17 crop is projected to be the second largest on record with a 20 percent
increase in planted acres to 3.1 million this year. She said U.S. prices are, and should remain,
competitive as a result, and she stressed the importance of the UK market to southern
long grain producers.
USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward focused
on consumer trends in the U.S., including their views on genetically modified
organisms, food safety, diet and nutrition, and food preferences, among other
topics. Ward showed several videos of
consumer interviews, both hidden camera and "man on the street"
style.
Additional presenters shared views on the
serious challenges ahead for the UK as a result of last summer's Brexit vote; a
world rice market outlook; and one food company shared its perspective on
meeting demands for sustainable rice production while keeping costs down and
production up.
"The UK Rice Symposium is an excellent
event with informative presentations and unparalleled networking
opportunities," said Ward. "We
were able to connect with local trade, discuss new opportunities, and further
build and solidify our relationships here."
Following the symposium, USA Rice hosted a
dinner meeting with key importers in the UK rice industry, including S&B
Herba Foods, Westmill, Tilda, Veetee, Riceworks, as well as the UK FAS Minister
Counselor, and representatives of the UK Rice Association.
On the following day, USA Rice members and
staff conducted market visits in the ethnic as well as mainstream wholesalers
and retailers to see how U.S. rice is sold in these market segments.
"The most important market for U.S. rice
sales here in volume terms is still the ethnic sector, including Chinese and
Afro-Caribbean communities," said Hugh Maginnis, vice president of
international for USA Rice, who attended the symposium. "However, we are quite excited that
since 2015, two identified U.S. long grain rice brands are also available in
the mainstream retail segment in selected Tesco and Asda shops, expanding our
consumer base."
Maginnis said USA Rice supports both market
segments in cooperation with the local U.S. rice importers with promotional
activities to further increase U.S. rice sales and further establish a brand
equity for U.S.-grown rice.
Shopping the Asda rice aisle (from left):
Eszter Somogyi, Hugh Maginnis, Johnny Sullivan, and Meryl Kennedy-Farr
USA Rice Shares Production Outlook and Consumer Trends at UK
Rice Symposium
LONDON, UNITED
KINGDOM -- A delegation of USA Rice members and staff visited here last week to
participate in the Biannual Symposium of the UK Rice Association, where more
than 100 members of the UK rice trade, including importers, wholesalers, and
retailers servicing the mainstream and ethnic markets gathered.
Meryl Kennedy-Farr, president of Kennedy Rice Mill, Kennedy Rice Dryers, Planters Rice Mill, and Delta Land and Farm Management, gave a presentation on U.S. rice production and outlook, saying the 2016/17 crop is projected to be the second largest on record with a 20 percent increase in planted acres to 3.1 million this year. She said U.S. prices are, and should remain, competitive as a result, and she stressed the importance of the UK market to southern long grain producers.
USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward focused on consumer trends in the U.S., including their views on genetically modified organisms, food safety, diet and nutrition, and food preferences, among other topics. Ward showed several videos of consumer interviews, both hidden camera and "man on the street" style.
Additional presenters shared views on the serious challenges ahead for the UK as a result of last summer's Brexit vote; a world rice market outlook; and one food company shared its perspective on meeting demands for sustainable rice production while keeping costs down and production up.
"The UK Rice Symposium is an excellent event with informative presentations and unparalleled networking opportunities," said Ward. "We were able to connect with local trade, discuss new opportunities, and further build and solidify our relationships here."
Following the symposium, USA Rice hosted a dinner meeting with key importers in the UK rice industry, including S&B Herba Foods, Westmill, Tilda, Veetee, Riceworks, as well as the UK FAS Minister Counselor, and representatives of the UK Rice Association.
On the following day, USA Rice members and staff conducted market visits in the ethnic as well as mainstream wholesalers and retailers to see how U.S. rice is sold in these market segments.
"The most important market for U.S. rice sales here in volume terms is still the ethnic sector, including Chinese and Afro-Caribbean communities," said Hugh Maginnis, vice president of international for USA Rice, who attended the symposium. "However, we are quite excited that since 2015, two identified U.S. long grain rice brands are also available in the mainstream retail segment in selected Tesco and Asda shops, expanding our consumer base."
Maginnis said USA Rice supports both market segments in cooperation with the local U.S. rice importers with promotional activities to further increase U.S. rice sales and further establish a brand equity for U.S.-grown rice.
Meryl Kennedy-Farr, president of Kennedy Rice Mill, Kennedy Rice Dryers, Planters Rice Mill, and Delta Land and Farm Management, gave a presentation on U.S. rice production and outlook, saying the 2016/17 crop is projected to be the second largest on record with a 20 percent increase in planted acres to 3.1 million this year. She said U.S. prices are, and should remain, competitive as a result, and she stressed the importance of the UK market to southern long grain producers.
USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward focused on consumer trends in the U.S., including their views on genetically modified organisms, food safety, diet and nutrition, and food preferences, among other topics. Ward showed several videos of consumer interviews, both hidden camera and "man on the street" style.
Additional presenters shared views on the serious challenges ahead for the UK as a result of last summer's Brexit vote; a world rice market outlook; and one food company shared its perspective on meeting demands for sustainable rice production while keeping costs down and production up.
"The UK Rice Symposium is an excellent event with informative presentations and unparalleled networking opportunities," said Ward. "We were able to connect with local trade, discuss new opportunities, and further build and solidify our relationships here."
Following the symposium, USA Rice hosted a dinner meeting with key importers in the UK rice industry, including S&B Herba Foods, Westmill, Tilda, Veetee, Riceworks, as well as the UK FAS Minister Counselor, and representatives of the UK Rice Association.
On the following day, USA Rice members and staff conducted market visits in the ethnic as well as mainstream wholesalers and retailers to see how U.S. rice is sold in these market segments.
"The most important market for U.S. rice sales here in volume terms is still the ethnic sector, including Chinese and Afro-Caribbean communities," said Hugh Maginnis, vice president of international for USA Rice, who attended the symposium. "However, we are quite excited that since 2015, two identified U.S. long grain rice brands are also available in the mainstream retail segment in selected Tesco and Asda shops, expanding our consumer base."
Maginnis said USA Rice supports both market segments in cooperation with the local U.S. rice importers with promotional activities to further increase U.S. rice sales and further establish a brand equity for U.S.-grown rice.
Rice Farming's
High-Tech Makeover
OCTOBER 19, 2016 07:09 AM
It’s a town that sits 45 miles
southeast of Little Rock. With a population of just over 9,000, Stuttgart,
Ark., ground zero for U.S. rice production.
“Every farmer in the area farms
some acreage of rice,” says Bryan Houghton, of Greenway Equipment, the local
John Deere dealer.
As harvest rolls along this fall,
farmers are mudding the crop out, and yields aren’t shattering any records.
“There are a lot of blanks on the
head,” says Derek Bohanan as he sits behind the wheel of the combine. “It's not
a disaster, but it's nothing to brag about.”
During the growing season, water remains a vital resource. Water management is a huge part of what these farmers do on a daily basis.
During the growing season, water remains a vital resource. Water management is a huge part of what these farmers do on a daily basis.
“Virtually all of our water is
dependent on irrigation,” says Marshall Stewart, President of Greenway
Equipment.
“Water is a big issue because we can't grow rice without water,” says Stuttgart, Ark., farmer Terry Dabbs.
“Water is a big issue because we can't grow rice without water,” says Stuttgart, Ark., farmer Terry Dabbs.
Terry’s son, Trent, adds that
their operation relies 100% on surface water on their farm.
“So, we have to manage the water
we have coming out of our reservoirs, because once it's gone, we're done,” he
says.
That need has also changed the way Greenway Equipment does business because it no longer just sells farm equipment. The company now must cater to the water needs of farmers.
“In every challenging time, there are opportunities out there,” Stewart says. “It's our job to find those opportunities. We'll go in and we'll analyze the field, we'll look at the rate flow on the well, so we'll calculate for the producer what size hole he needs to punch all the way down the pipe line, to figure out where it will all come out and water at the same period of time.”
Ag technology has made valuable contributions in this regard. For example, with TerraCutta and the ability to have GPS Landforming through iGrade controllers on John Deere tractors, farmers can now make small changes to the elevation surface of their fields. They can also take out holes and water-holding areas that reduce yields.
Other technology like drones also make water conservation a little easier. “It helps with checking water,” says David Petter, an area farmer. “We are very conservative of water. I can set up and do a couple hundred acres of checking water level without getting out of the pickup, which saves us a lot of time.”Technology has helped Petter with efficiency – and peace of mind.
“John Deere offers on our sprayer a documentation of how we spray: the time, what’s put out,” he says. “It’s all set up, and at the end of the day, you can print a report. It records everything the EPA asks for in a report.”
Technology inside the combine is also gaining pace, helping improve efficiency for these Arkansas farmers.
“I can remember harvesting, on a good day, it was 2,000 bushels a day,” says Robert Petter. “And today, we're harvesting right at that an hour.”For these farmers, GPS guidance and other precision technologies aren’t new, but they have been a big boost to their bottom lines. Greg Peterson, host of Machinery Pete TV, says new machine sales have slowed in this part of farm country. But across the country, he has seen upgrades in equipment also taper off.
That need has also changed the way Greenway Equipment does business because it no longer just sells farm equipment. The company now must cater to the water needs of farmers.
“In every challenging time, there are opportunities out there,” Stewart says. “It's our job to find those opportunities. We'll go in and we'll analyze the field, we'll look at the rate flow on the well, so we'll calculate for the producer what size hole he needs to punch all the way down the pipe line, to figure out where it will all come out and water at the same period of time.”
Ag technology has made valuable contributions in this regard. For example, with TerraCutta and the ability to have GPS Landforming through iGrade controllers on John Deere tractors, farmers can now make small changes to the elevation surface of their fields. They can also take out holes and water-holding areas that reduce yields.
Other technology like drones also make water conservation a little easier. “It helps with checking water,” says David Petter, an area farmer. “We are very conservative of water. I can set up and do a couple hundred acres of checking water level without getting out of the pickup, which saves us a lot of time.”Technology has helped Petter with efficiency – and peace of mind.
“John Deere offers on our sprayer a documentation of how we spray: the time, what’s put out,” he says. “It’s all set up, and at the end of the day, you can print a report. It records everything the EPA asks for in a report.”
Technology inside the combine is also gaining pace, helping improve efficiency for these Arkansas farmers.
“I can remember harvesting, on a good day, it was 2,000 bushels a day,” says Robert Petter. “And today, we're harvesting right at that an hour.”For these farmers, GPS guidance and other precision technologies aren’t new, but they have been a big boost to their bottom lines. Greg Peterson, host of Machinery Pete TV, says new machine sales have slowed in this part of farm country. But across the country, he has seen upgrades in equipment also taper off.
“We have begun to see a few softer prices around the country on same late-model used equipment,” he says.Peterson says historically, harvest season typically brings softer prices.“Late summer into early October has been a great time to buy over the years,” he says. “Prices tend to be a little weaker, because we're just waiting to see how the harvest comes out and how yields are.”
In this area, more equipment has flooded the market, some not by choice. “There's already a lot of late-model used equipment on the dealer lots, so you interject two or three stressed farm auctions with late model equipment, it can affect things,” Peterson says.With the 2016 crop in the rear view mirror, area farmers say despite the lower rice prices, it’s a crop they’ll continue to grow.
“I hate to say it's what we know,
but it probably does go back to that,” says Bohanan. “We tried corn in 2013,
had good luck with it, but there's no receiving elevator in town and the
closest is in an hour away.”
http://www.agweb.com/article/rice-farmings-high-tech-makeover-naa-tyne-morgan/
