Thursday, October 27, 2016

27th October,2016 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine

Minister urges growers, rice millers to work towards value addition

October 27, 2016

Sohail Anwar Khan Sial, Provincial Minister for Agriculture, has urged the growers and rice millers to jointly work for value addition in rice. A high delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) under the leadership of Mahmood Moulvi, Chairman REAP, met Sohail Anwar Khan Sial at his office to discuss various issues.

During the meeting Members of Managing Committee Haji Abdul Rauf Chappal, Abdul Latif Piracha as well as members from Growers and Rice Millers were also present. During the meeting various suggestions and proposals for the betterment of rice trade have been discussed. Chairman REAP appreciated the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture to gather all the stakeholders of rice trade on the table and listening to their issues & problems and seek their solutions.

During the meeting, the Minister for Agricultural also agreed with REAP proposal for handing over of two Rice Research Institutes to REAP to run on Public Private Partnership basis. He assured REAP that Ministry of Agricultural will send his summary to Chief Minister Sindh for formal approval.

He hoped that in this way opportunity for employment will be generated as well as other development work will be improved in Sindh, besides resumption of the Research & Development work on rice which is stagnant since many years. Minister for Agriculture also urged the growers and rice millers to jointly work for value addition in rice and produce better quality rice, so that we can fetch more and more foreign exchange for our beloved country. The Minister appreciated the role of REAP towards the generation of valuable foreign exchange which is the back bone of our country's economy

http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/97032/

Indonesia may abolish licensing system for onion & chilli imports

A government official in Indonesia reported Tuesday 25 Oct., that the country may abolish the licensing system for importers of some food commodities and put in place a tariff system in order to open its economy."At this moment, we are reviewing the trade regime for important commodities such as rice, sugar, beef, chillies, onions and two other commodities," Denni Purbasari, deputy chief of staff at the executive office of the president, said during the launch of the World Bank's Indonesia Economic Quarterly report.

"We are looking at the possibility of changing from licensing regime to tariffs, such that everybody can play to import the commodities," she said.Indonesia's food trade restrictions and other policy interventions impose a massive "tax" on consumers, the World Bank said in the report.

In 2015, the cost burden from the system on Indonesian consumers was estimated at $36 billion, much higher than the $22 billion estimate for the entire European Union, the report said.

Currently, the Indonesian government has a quota system for the import of food commodities it considers important. Only the state procurement agency Bulog is allowed to import non-premium rice. Importation of white sugar is limited to state-owned companies appointed by the government.

The import quota is decided, based on domestic food production data, compiled by the Agriculture Ministry. But ministry officials routinely inflate the rice production data to present a rosy picture to the government to keep farm subsidies flowing, a senior government official told Reuters earlier this year.

The World Bank said Indonesia needs to rebalance its food security policy, highlighting, not only the trade barriers on some commodities, but also the government's approach on public spending to increase productivity.

Source: bangkokpost.com

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/165696/Indonesia-may-abolish-licensing-system-for-onion-and-chilli-imports

Letting ‘quantitative restriction’ go is a tough but sensible choice

BY THE MANILA TIMES ON ON OCTOBER 27, 2016

THE proposed lifting of the “quantitative restriction,” or QR, on rice has become a tense issue, pitting the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, which largely favors lifting the QR, against farmers’ advocates, who say that the restriction on rice imports is necessary support for the Philippines’ impoverished rice farmers.QR is a special advantage given the Philippines under the World Trade Organization (WTO), which sets a limit on the amount of rice that can be imported at a reduced tariff. This amount, called the Minimum Access Volume (MAV), is set at 850,000 metric tons.

Up to that amount, rice imports can only be charged a tariff of 35 percent; above that amount, the tariff can be 50 percent, plus the shipments must have the prior approval of the National Food Authority (NFA). Along with the QR allowance, the Philippine rice sector is also free from other WTO rules of agricultural liberalization.The QR is set to expire in July 2017; it has been extended twice, in 2005 for 10 years, and in 2015 for two more. The rationale behind granting the QR in the first place and then extending it for a number of years was to allow the Philippine rice sector to “catch up” to its potential trade competitors, an acknowledgement of how critical the grain is to our country’s well-being.

Even a cursory look at the plight of most Filipino rice farmers is clear evidence that QR hasn’t worked; government support for farmers has fallen woefully short, and the Philippines has a number of natural disadvantages – less land available for rice farming, and far less natural irrigation – compared with competitors like Thailand and Vietnam that no form of import restrictions short of an outright ban could overcome. NFA importation on a government-to-government basis annually exceeds the MAV anyway, thoroughly undermining the purpose of the restriction, and worse yet, is not counted against the restricted volume.

Even though advocates of maintaining QR assert that an open market will force Filipino rice farmers into unfair competition with cheaper imports, the unfortunate reality is that QR has boxed them into that very situation for years, and that letting it expire, despite the risks, might very well be the most economically sensible move the government could make.Unfortunately, it seems nearly impossible to have a sensible debate about the relative merits and disadvantages of QR in the current political climate, in which advocates of keeping the restriction in place insist on conflating what should be an economic issue with political complaints. QR is just one tool that can be used to support the farming sector; keeping it will not make up for manifold shortcomings in government efforts over the past few decades. As a matter of fact, the argument could be made that the existence of QR actually discouraged government from doing more, behind the misguided belief that the partial cover from the biggest threat to Filipino farmers – outside competition – was an adequate form of support.

The second and very real problem is that the government may have no choice. Granting another extension of QR is up to the WTO, and the organization has been very vocal over the past year in expressing its alarm at growing protectionist measures around the world. When the last extension was granted last year, it was with a clear warning that it was done against the WTO’s wishes and better judgment, and that the Philippines should make the most of what would likely be the last accommodation.

All things considered, although it will not be a harmless decision, the better choice for the long term is to let the QR lapse. Doing so will improve the Philippines’ position within the WTO, and in a sense, hold the government’s feet to the fire to turn its agricultural advocacy rhetoric into real action

http://www.manilatimes.net/letting-quantitative-restriction-go-tough-sensible-choice/293338/

Ad Campaign Underway in Saudi Arabia: Making Life in the Kitchen Easier

By Eszter Somogyi

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA -- USA Rice initiated a month long advertising campaign here that will reach 80 percent of the population in this, Saudi Arabia's second largest city and an important commercial hub and the principal gateway to the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

The campaign includes six huge unipoles (12 feet x 42 feet), as well as animated advertisements on 11 high definition screens all positioned on highly frequented roads next to traffic lights, to enhance exposure. The outdoor media elements are supported with an "in-mall campaign" featuring backlit posters urging consumers to opt for U.S.-grown rice with messages of convenience for the home cook.

"U.S. Rice: Easy cooking, to make your life easier!" proclaims one of the ads. The ads are appearing in 80 locations in the top 10 indoor malls in Jeddah, each with hypermarkets where consumers can shop for groceries nearby.

The campaign is supported by Abu Bint, one of the premier rice brands in the Middle East.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially in its western and southern regions, is a loyal consumer of U.S.-grown rice, with a preference for long grain parboiled rice, but also purchasing some U.S. medium grain.

USA Rice works together with several identified local U.S. rice brands to increase sales and maintain consumer loyalty to U.S. origin, especially against a growing preference for basmati rice in the country.

Chef de Riz Named at International Rice Festival

By Randy Jemison

Paying homage to the Chef de Riz

CROWLEY, LA -- Despite major flooding that inundated much of rice country in August and threatened cancellation of this year's Rice and Creole Cookery, the contest proceeded as scheduled last Friday and was a huge success. One hundred and forty-nine dishes were entered in the cook-off held at the 80th Annual International Rice Festival. Joshia Dietz of Lafayette claimed the title of Chef de Riz (Cooker of Rice).

Overall winners from the rice-dish categories included: Ian McElwee, children's division; Kullen Mouton of Branch, intermediate division and Junior Chef winner; Anna Esquivel, teen division; and Blake Vidrine of Crowley, adult division.

"The summer rains caused extensive damage to the facility where we hold the contest and destroyed many of our files we use to organize the event," said Letha Vincent, contest organizer. "However, with the support of the festival board of directors and the Jeff Davis Parish Volunteers for Family and Community Club, we were able to pull it together again this year and even double the amount of entries.

Philippine Farm Minister: No Urgent Need to Import Rice After Typhooni

Manila. The Philippine farm minister said on Monday (24/10) there was no urgent need to import rice despite huge crop losses from Super Typhoon Haima hitting major rice-growing provinces last week."As of the moment I don't think so," Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said at a press briefing when asked if the government needs to allow more rice imports on top of the 250,000 tonnes the state grains agency recently bought from Vietnam and Thailand.

"Cagayan Valley is actually one of our major rice production areas but the good thing is that some of our farmers were able to harvest their palay (unmilled rice) ahead of the typhoon," Piñol said, referring to one of the northern regions hit hard by Haima

http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/international/philippine-farm-minister-no-urgent-need-import-rice-typhoon/

ASIA RICE-PRICES WEAK DESPITE CHINA PURCHASE, MANILA DEMAND PROSPECTS

10/26/2016

* Vietnam's 5 pct broken rice prices narrow to $350/T

* China resumes purchases in cross-border trade

* Thai 5 pct broken rice prices steady at $350-$354/T

* India's rice prices ease on sluggish export demand

By Ho Binh Minh

HANOI, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Asian rice prices were largelysubdued this week on thin buying demand despite purchase ofVietnamese grain by China and the likelihood of demand emergingfrom the Philippines, traders said on Wednesday.The Thai market also remained dull, with quotations steadyeven after the commerce ministry cited a smaller harvest and
also said the country's trade talks with Malaysia and Indonesiawill support prices.Thai benchmark 5 percent broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> stoodunchanged in the past week at $350-$354 a tonne, free-on-board(FOB) basis.

"There is no demand, so the market is rather quiet," atrader in Bangkok said.Vietnamese rice prices eased after a short rally last weekat the end of the Mekong Delta crop harvest while most buyerswere looking at Thai or Pakistani grain, traders said.Demand has improved just recently after China resumed itsgrain imports via cross-border trade earlier this month,
Vietnam's agriculture ministry said in its October report.Vietnam's 5 percent broken rice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> pricesnarrowed to $350 a tonne, FOB basis, against $350-$355 a week
ago, of which $355 was the highest since Aug. 31."Vietnamese rice has now lost its competitive edge againstThai rice," a trader at a foreign firm in Ho Chi Minh City said,
citing similar quotations of Thai rice.Vietnamese traders said they were monitoring possible demandby the Philippines, which is assessing the country's rice supply
and will decide shortly if more imports are needed.

Vietnam's January-October rice exports will drop 21.2percent from a year ago to an estimated 4.22 million tonnes,mostly sold to China, Ghana and the Philippines, the agricultureministry said.In India, the world's top rice exporter, the 5-percentbroken parboiled rice <RI-INBKN5-P1> prices edged down to$364-$374 per tonne, from $367-$377 last Wednesday due tosluggish export demand and on expectations of a bumper crop.

"Since prices are correcting, some buyers are delayingpurchases expecting further drops," said an exporter based atKakinada in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh."Expectations of a bumper Indian crop are also puttingpressure on prices," he added.India's non-basmati rice exports in April to August, thefirst five months of its fiscal year, edged up 0.8 percent froma year ago to 3 million tonnes.Thailand's shipment so far this year hit 7.9 million tonnes,

nearing its goal of 9.5 million tonnes.(Reporting Ho Binh Minh in HANOI; Additional reporting byPatpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK and Rajendra Jadhav in
MUMBAI; Editing by Sunil Nair)

http://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/asia-rice-prices-weak-despite-china-purchase-manila-demand-prospects

NFA to purchase palay from typhoon-affected farmers in Regions 1, 2, 3

by BusinessMirror - October 26, 2016

The National Food Authority (NFA) said it has started buying storm-damaged palay in Regions 1, 2 and 3 that were severely affected by Typhoon Karen (international code name Sarika) and Supertyphoon Lawin (international code name Haima).

The agency’s officer in charge, Tomas Escarez, said he has authorized field offices in the three regions to procure storm-damaged palay (SDP) from farmers. Field offices will be allowed to procure SDP for a period of one month.

The NFA said its base price for SDP is P11 per kilogram, but this will depend on its qualities, such as moisture content and purity. SDP with more than 80-percent damaged and discolored kernels will no longer be bought by the agency.

“The NFA’s procurement of SDP is in addition to our intensified buying operations in the 35 surplus areas across the country identified by the Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA],” Escarez said in a statement.

These surplus areas include Abra, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, San Jose and Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo.

The food agency attached to the Office of the President buys palay at the government support price of P17 per kg, plus a maximum of P0.70 per kg for incentives, P0.20 for drying fee, P0.20 for delivery fee and P0.30 for cooperative development-incentive fee.

Escarez said the funds that will be used in procuring SDP will come from the Calamity Fund or the President’s Social Fund. He also assured farmers that the NFA has the needed funds to buy their SDP using its regular cereal-procurement fund, while the agency awaits the money from the national government.He also directed concerned NFA field officials to mobilize their procurement teams; prepare the necessary logistical requirements; and coordinate with their local government units and farmers’ organizations in identifying priority areas for the procurement of SDP.

As of October 24, the NFA said it has released a total of 25,075 bags of rice to relief agencies and LGUs for distribution to affected families in typhoon-hit areas.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/nfa-to-purchase-palay-from-typhoon-affected-farmers-in-regions-1-2-3/

Rice output likely rose 16.2% in Q3

by Jasper Y. Arcalas - October 26, 2016

The country’s ummilled-rice output may have expanded by 16.2 percent to 2.963 million metric tons (MMT) in the third quarter, from 2.55 MMT recorded a year ago, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).The latest forecast, however, is 500 metric tons (MT) lower than the 2.964 MMT projected by the PSA in its July report.

“Possible reduction in palay production may be attributed to the damaged areas in Pampanga and Pangasinan due to monsoon rains in August and tropical storm Carina in Cagayan province,” the PSA said.

“Infestation of rat and black bugs in Zamboanga Sibugay, brown plant hopper in Aurora and occurrence of bacterial leaf blight, rice blast and weeds in Iloilo may affect palay production,” it added.

The PSA also said there was insufficient water supply during the vegetative and reproductive stages of the staple in Batangas, Quezon, Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras, which may result in lower output of these provinces.

“Harvest area may contract by 114 hectares, from 751,370 hectare, while overall yield may stabilize at 3.95 MT per hectare,” the PSA said.

“About 214,000 hectare of the updated standing crop have been harvested. Almost 1,537 hectare, or 80.6 percent, of the planting intentions for the October to December 2016 crop have been realized,” the PSA added.

The agency also lowered its corn production forecast by 1.3 percent to 2.66 MMT, from its July round forecast of 2.7 MMT. The new forecast is still higher than last year’s production of 2.41 MMT by 10.6 percent.

“The combined effects of dry spell/drought and tropical storm resulting to damaged areas may bring down corn production in Isabela and Cagayan,” the PSA said.

“Infestations of locusts, corn borers and rats in Cebu, Negros Oriental and South Cotabato, respectively, may cause the reduction in yield,” it added.

The PSA said harvest area may contract to 973,400 hectare, from 974,400 hectare, while yield may fall to 2.73 MT per hectare, from 2.77 MT per hectare.

“Dry spell were experienced in Kalinga and Quezon, which may also result to the decrease in corn output,” the report read.

The PSA added that about 435,500 hectare of the updated standing crop have been harvested and around 457,800 hectare, or 70.6 percent, of the planting intentions for the October to December 2016 harvests have
materialized.

The prolonged dry spell caused the country’s rice and corn output to decline in the second quarter of the year, according to data from the PSA. In the April-to-July period, the PSA said the production of the crops subsector, which accounts for nearly half of farm output, shrank by nearly 5 percent.According to the PSA, unmilled-rice output in the second quarter declined by 6.1 percent to 3.96 MMT, from 3.71 MMT, while corn output fell by 10 percent to 911,000 MT, from 1.01 MMT posted in April to June 2015.The dismal performance of the crops subsector during the period caused Philippine farm output to decline by 2.34 percent, the PSA said. Jasper Y. Arcalas

Jasper Y. Arcallas is a graduating Journalism student of the University of Santo Tomas and has been contributing to the BusinessMirror. Like his story online via the BusinessMirror Millennials Universe (BMMU) Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Millennial-Universe/435594193285671. Follow BMMU on Twitter via @millennial_U or Instagram (type Millennial Universe). E-mail comments or story to millennialuniverse@yahoo.com and the editor at dennis.estopace@gmail.com

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/rice-output-likely-rose-16-2-in-q3/

Philippines Mulls Extra 250,000 T in Rice Imports: Officially

Manila. Philippine authorities are keeping an eye on the country's rice supply and will decide shortly if more imports of the staple grain are needed after two typhoons hit major rice-producing provinces this month, an official said on Tuesday (25/10).The country's grains procurement agency National Food Authority (NFA) has a stand-by authority to import another 250,000 tonnes of rice in addition to the 250,000 tonnes it bought recently from Vietnam and Thailand, said Diwa Guinigundo, the deputy governor of the country's central bank.

The central bank is represented in the NFA Council, the inter-agency panel that approves rice importation.

The council "will be monitoring the situation within the month and on the basis of our assessment, decide accordingly," Guinigundo told Reuters, without giving any further details on the timing of the NFA's next rice import deal.

The central bank is closely watching domestic rice prices, which account for 9 percent of the consumer basket, making the commodity an "important determinant of inflation," Guinigundo said in separate interview with local news channel ANC.

The NFA Council has yet to see any damage report after Super Typhoon Haima hit some of the country's rice-growing regions last week, Guinigundo said in the ANC interview.

"Depending on the magnitude ... I think the NFA has sufficient buffer at this point to make sure that prices of rice and other commodities will be more or less stable," he said.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said on Monday there was no urgent need to import rice, although his department said the damage inflicted by Super Typhoon Haima on agriculture and fisheries had reached 10.2 billion pesos ($212 million), with the biggest losses seen in rice, corn and vegetables.

Haima, the 12th storm to hit the Philippines this year, came just days after Typhoon Sarika also slammed into the northern provinces, damaging $62 million worth of crops.

The Southeast Asian country, one of the world's biggest rice importers, is hit by an average of 20 storms every year.

http://www.jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/international/philippines-mulls-extra-250000-t-rice-imports-official/

Rice exports hit US$1.9 billion

Wednesday, 10/26/2016, 10:37

VOV.VN - Vietnam exported 368,000 tons of rice in October to get US$164 million, bringing the total rice export volume for 10 months leading up to November to 4.2 million tons with a value of US$1.9 billion, down 21.2% in volume and 16.9% in value against the corresponding period last year.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam had to lower the export target from more than 6 million tons to 5.7 million tons, however, it is very difficult to reach the target.This is the first time since 2009 that the country’s rice exports dropped to below 6 million tons.The average export price in nine months was US$449 per ton, up 4.8% over the same period last year.

China remained the largest importer of Vietnam rice with 35.4% of market shares. Vietnam shipped 1.35 million tons of rice to China to earn US$613.8 million in the first nine months of this year, down 23% in volume and 13.9% in value.

Rice exports to many other markets like the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, the US and Ivory Coast also dipped sharply. However, exports to Ghana saw a strong growth of 36% (making up 11% of the country’s total exports).Indonesia ranked fourth among importers of Vietnam rice with 8.2% of market shares. Vietnam exported 359,400 tons to the market to get US$142.5 million, up 21.5 times in volume and 22.5% in value against the same period last year.

VOV

http://english.vov.vn/market/rice-exports-hit-us19-billion-334856.vov

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Oct 26

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC & Open Market-October 26

Nagpur, Oct 26 Gram and tuar prices firmed up in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and

Marketing Committee (APMC)auctions on increased demand from local millers amid weak supply from

producing region. Fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and enquiries from South-based

millers also pushed up prices, according to sources.

    FOODGRAINS & PULSES

    GRAM

   * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market on subdued demand from local traders amid

     ample stock in ready position.

     TUAR

   * Tuar gavarani reported higher in open market on good demand from local traders amid

     thin arrival from producing belt.

   * Moong Chamki recovered in open market on good festival season buying support from

     local traders amid tight supply from producing region.

   * In Akola, Tuar New - 6,300-6,400, Tuar dal (clean) - 10,800-11,700, Udid -

     9,700-10,000, Udid Mogar (clean) - 11,400-11,700, Moong -

     6,100-6,300, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,800-7,200, Gram - 9,000-9,500,

     Gram Super best bold - 12,400-12,700 for 100 kg.

   * Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in

     scattered deals, settled at last levels.

 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close

     Gram Auction                6,800-8,500         6,600-8,500

     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600

     Tuar Auction                5,000-5,600         5,000-5,500

     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,400-6,600

     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500

     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800

     Gram Super Best Bold            12,500-13,000        12,500-13,000

     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.

     Gram Medium Best            11,800-12,100        11,800-12,100

     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a

     Gram Mill Quality            10,200-10,500        10,200-10,500

     Desi gram Raw                9,800-10,000        9,800-10,000

     Gram Yellow                 13,300-13,700        13,300-13,700

     Gram Kabuli                13,700-15,000        13,700-15,000

     Gram Pink                        13,000-13,500        13,000-13,500

     Tuar Fataka Best-New             11,500-12,000        11,500-12,000

     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        10,900-11,200        10,900-11,200

     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        9,500-10,200        9,500-10,200

     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        8,500-9,000        8,500-9,000

     Tuar Gavarani New             6,550-6,650        6,500-6,600

     Tuar Karnataka             6,800-6,950        6,800-6,950

     Tuar Black                 11,800-12,300        11,800-12,300

     Masoor dal best            6,400-6,500        6,400-6,500

     Masoor dal medium            6,000-6,200        6,000-6,200

     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.

     Moong Mogar bold (New)        6,800-7,200         6,800-7,200

     Moong Mogar Medium            6,300-6,600        6,300-6,600

     Moong dal Chilka            6,200-6,500        6,300-6,500

     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.

     Moong Chamki best            6,500-7,000        6,400-6,900

     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 11,000-12,100       11,000-12,100

     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    9,500-10,500        9,500-10,500

     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        7,300-7,600        7,300-7,600

     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        6,400-6,800        6,400-6,800

     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          4,600-4,800         4,600-4,800

     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            2,800-2,900        2,800-2,900

     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,400-3,600           3,400-3,600

     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    4,000-4,500        4,000-4,500

     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,000        1,900-2,000

     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    1,900-2,000        1,900-2,000

     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         1,750-1,950        1,750-1,950

     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,450        2,250-2,450

     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   1,950-2,250        1,950-2,250

     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.

     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,300-4,000        3,300-4,000

     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,400-3,000        2,400-3,000

     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    2,800-3,250        2,800-3,250

     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,300-2,650        2,300-2,650

     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,200-2,500        2,200-2,500

     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,100-2,450        2,100-2,450

     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      1,800-2,000        1,800-2,000

     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,450-3,800        3,450-3,800

     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,600-3,000        2,600-3,000

     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    4,200-4,500        4,200-4,500

     Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG)    3,800-4,100        3,800-4,100

     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    8,700-13,300        9,000-13,500

     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    6,300-7,800        6,500-8,000

     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    5,300-5,600        5,300-5,600

     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    4,900-5,100        4,900-5,100

     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,200        1,900-2,200

     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,700-1,850        1,700-1,850

WEATHER (NAGPUR)

Maximum temp. 34.0 degree Celsius (93.2 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

18.1 degree Celsius (64.6 degree Fahrenheit)

Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : Nil

FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 34 and 18

degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but

included in market prices)

http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL4N1CW3IK

Rice Prices

as on : 27-10-2016 12:38:13 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)	6414.00	58.06	181444.00	2000	1826	-2.68
Allahabad(UP)	100.00	-28.57	5290.00	2240	2240	-0.88
Siliguri(WB)	90.00	-5.26	8136.00	2700	2700	-
Saharanpur(UP)	78.00	-8.24	6035.00	2280	2300	6.54
Silapathar(ASM)	57.00	16.33	971.90	3000	3000	NC
Pandua(WB)	48.00	6.67	3122.00	2800	2800	16.67
Beldanga(WB)	47.00	-6	3780.00	2500	2600	7.53
Lanka(ASM)	45.00	50	3360.00	2000	2000	12.68
Gauripur(ASM)	40.70	-6.86	2866.80	4600	4500	2.22
Cachar(ASM)	40.00	-50	3270.00	2200	2200	-18.52
Partaval(UP)	25.00	-27.54	1466.50	2100	2100	6.33
Wansi(UP)	25.00	-87.5	330.50	2110	2100	9.33
North Lakhimpur(ASM)	19.50	52.34	2020.10	1900	1900	NC
Sahiyapur(UP)	19.50	21.88	82.00	2105	2100	-
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)	18.00	NC	2330.00	3000	3000	-
Dibrugarh(ASM)	9.00	-25	1732.20	2450	2450	-
Mirzapur(UP)	8.00	6.67	1702.10	2185	2180	10.35
Muradabad(UP)	8.00	-20	588.70	2310	2300	5.48
Raiganj(WB)	7.00	NC	964.00	2730	2730	-5.86
Chengannur(Ker)	6.50	44.44	558.00	2300	2400	-8.00
Chandoli(UP)	6.50	30	184.50	2165	2160	14.55
Arakalgud(Kar)	6.00	100	26.00	1636	1500	-
Jeypore(Ori)	6.00	NC	246.50	4300	4400	4.88
Ahirora(UP)	6.00	-96.25	192.50	2150	1975	9.69
Karanjia(Ori)	5.50	-8.33	423.60	2800	2800	-3.45
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)	4.00	11.11	233.50	4200	4300	-1.18
Karjat(Mah)	3.00	-25	10.00	4000	3000	33.33
Jahangirabad(UP)	2.50	25	17.00	2265	2260	-
Aroor(Ker)	2.00	100	203.70	6900	7300	-2.82
Jajpur(Ori)	0.75	1.35	446.24	2500	2000	NC

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9275292.ece

Anambra Surpasses 2016 Rice Production Target

The Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Afam Mbanefo, said on Monday that the state has reached self-sufficiency in rice production. Mr. Mbanefo made the disclosure at a Commodity Alliance Forum/Consultative meeting organized by the state Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Awka.The commissioner recalled that the state government had earlier targeted production of 210,000 metric tons of rice per annum.

“Based on the calculation of our expected yield, we are expecting to realize over 236,000 metric tons of rice in 2016 based on the production capacity.”Mr. Mbanefo said the calculation was based on expected yield of 35 per cent of over 14,300 farmers and the activities of programs like the VCDP and FADAMA.He said the expected yield also included the activities of rice investors in the state, including Coscharis farms, Joseph Agro, and others.He said the state government was passionate about revolutionizing agriculture and making it wealth creator, especially for unemployed youth willing to venture into the sector

http://www.informationng.com/2016/10/anambra-surpasses-2016-rice-production-target.html

Rice Farming TV: Episode 9

Rice Farming TV aims to Promote the California Rice Industry with weekly videos. What’s happening this week in rice:

The Wives of Rice Farmers

With the 2016 Rice Harvest well underway it's time to give credit to the most important support system a farmer has...his wife (her husband) or significant other. Without such support a healthy lifestyle would not be possible during these long days, long months.

Thank you to all the wives, husbands, moms and dads for supporting the farmer in their family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_hYEN1Lgk&spfreload=5

For previous episodes click here: www.ricefarmingtv.com

Matthew Sligar, producer of Rice Farming TV, is a third generation rice farmer in Butte County and was born and raised in Gridley.

http://www.gridleyherald.com/article/20161014/NEWS/161019767

Reconciliation ecology could end California’s water wars
by Eric Miller, CVBT Correspondent

October 25, 2016 9:01pm

A careful foot can step anywhere, the Chinese proverb goes, so long as the foot moves in a direction that is good. But the direction of one person or group may not be idealistic to another. Therein is the problem, a conflict of ideology.

In California and most of the West, those conflicts have boiled over into water wars that have lasted for generations. But there might be a solution. It’s taking shape in the Sacramento Valley.October 1 marked the start of California’s new Water Year and the end of yet another drought year. From 2010 through 2016 California encountered only one “wet” year in a mix of below normal, dry or critically dry years. Last year we learned a new term, snow drought, where most precipitation landed in California as rain instead of snow. Reservoirs filled, but not quite enough, while groundwater basins throughout parts of the state continued to drop, draining California water users’ temperament.

Ideological stances about who’s conserving, who’s not, or when and if new storage projects are built, exacerbate when conversations delve into discussions about the environment, sensitive species, or the economy. It’s humans over fish. Urban needs over agriculture. Environment over ag or urban over environment or environment over everything.

Whether we’re debating fish, birds, frogs, people, or Species A over Species B, ideological differences fill California’s sandbox. Some ideological extremists argue that California’s environment should return to a natural pristine state and that we should back pedal to pre-Statehood conditions, while others argue that man’s needs are more important than the environment. To them the only things that matter are jobs, money, and their chosen way of life. Ideological extremism exists at the fringe in all camps, be it government, the conservation community, the agricultural community, or the public in general.

The reality is that California’s sandbox isn’t getting larger. Other than beachfront property that has slid into the Pacific, California’s borders haven’t changed much the past 166 years. From April 2010 to July 2015 the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the Golden State gained 1.6 million people, about the same population as all of Idaho. Our headcount now is estimated to be 39.1 million. We gained an Idaho without breaking a sweat and, according to the California Department of Finance, are projected to reach nearly 50 million by 2050.

So how is it conceivable to unravel human impacts on California’s environment? Unless the California border closes and we all emigrate, what are we to do? We are already here and part of the land’s ecology and biodiversity. It’s clear that we’re not going back and what we’ve been doing hasn’t worked. New ways are starting to emerge, however, and projects are getting done to make things better.

Industry leaders in the Sacramento Valley are willing to break a sweat to preserve the region’s ecology. Their projects, relatively small in capitalistic measures, have regional benefit but set national precedents. In collaboration with forward thinking governmental agencies and conservation groups, these leaders are investing time, political chits, and resources to address environmental and socioeconomic concerns. In addition to “snow drought,” add “reconciliation ecology” to the vernacular.

“The concept of reconciliation ecology is to apply benefit to all creatures,” says Les Canter, “to increase biodiversity in the environment.” Mr. Canter, part owner of River Garden Farms, grows rice, walnuts, oilseed, corn, and alfalfa among other crops on agricultural lands in Yolo and Colusa Counties.By definition, reconciliation ecology studies ways to encourage biodiversity in human dominated ecosystems. Consider for example a bird house. Humans place bird houses as a substitute habitat in areas devoid of trees or brush. Motivations may vary, whether it’s to propagate a species or perhaps the simple fact that people just like birds.

“For the last ten years,” Mr. Canter continues, “our company has focused on sustainability. We’re concerned about groundwater levels and water quality. We’ve installed test wells to monitor groundwater levels, drawdown and rebound. Prior to 2014 when drought impacts really became apparent, the overseeing resource agencies, as well as conservation groups and ag interests, primarily operated within their silos.” The agencies Mr. Canter refers to include federal and state agencies, each having a specific and narrow focus.“Consider the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) which focuses on anadromous fish [salmon], versus the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, which focuses on flood control and navigable waters, versus the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which focuses on species management like Delta smelt. The focuses of these agencies, let alone state agencies, are often times diametrically opposed. Everyone butted heads.”

Mr. Canter continues, “An example is winter run salmon. One position, or theory, was that the fish needed more water flushing through the Delta. Water volume isn’t the sole answer though. Biological studies commissioned by the Northern California Water Association revealed that not one particular thing was harming the fishery but rather a multitude of things -- salinity, temperature, predation, upstream habitat, geomorphology, channelization, river flow velocity -- a whole bunch of things. In 2014, reasonable and courageous people within the Sacramento River Settlement Contractors, conservation groups, and agencies started talking and working together to solve problems.”

Mr. Canter touts several projects on the Sacramento River where humans have helped to reconcile local ecology, such as the Nigiri Project near the Yolo Bypass.

The Nigiri Project seeks to optimize habitat benefits for salmon and water birds while maintaining farming on the largest floodplain in the Sacramento Valley. Named after a Japanese cuisine, Nigiri is a form of sushi with a slice of fish atop a compact wedge of rice. In Yolo County the “Nigiri Project” is the collaborative effort between farmers and researchers to help restore salmon populations by reintroducing them during winter to floodplains that are farmed with rice during summer.

The target area, recognizable to commuters along Interstate 80 between Davis and Sacramento, is the 60,000 acre Yolo Bypass. Among the Nigiri Project’s goals are to create a multi-benefit revenue model to sustain agriculture in the Yolo Bypass, to maintain bypass flood control capacity, to improve seasonal floodplain habitat for fish and waterfowl, to increase bypass outflows to improve the Delta food web, and to improve adult fish passage and reduce juvenile stranding.

“Essentially, the juvenile salmon rear and hold over in flooded rice fields until they can move on,” says Mr. Canter. Scientists from the University of California-Davis Center for Watershed Sciences have monitored the study since 2011, which involves a consortium of landowners, conservation groups, and public agencies.

Results are encouraging. For four consecutive winters, experiments conducted on rice fields at the Knaggs Ranch property on the Yolo Bypass documented the fastest growth of juvenile Chinook salmon ever recorded in the Central Valley.

“Without this type of experimentation and innovation, we [farming community] would continue to be frustrated,” explains Mr. Canter. “But when people cooperate we can achieve success. In this case, the parties used rice ground to create habitat. It’s unnatural but then again the young fish don’t care where they live, they just want to live. Some parties, mired in their ideology, just want to sue. They litigate, block, and impede progress. But groups like CalTrout, the California Rice Commission, and Ducks Unlimited exemplify what can happen if we simply talk through issues with governing agencies. What affects outcomes is when people come together with a common goal and a can-do mindset. Another good example is the Painter’s Riffle project on the Sacramento River near Redding.”

Completed in December 2014, the Painters Riffle Anadromous Fish Habitat and Enhancement Project arose from interagency relationships between the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, NMFS, Bureau of Reclamation, Federal and State Wildlife Agencies, Northern California Water Association, City of Redding, Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and conservation groups. In short, the project involved the repositioning of a gravel bar located downstream of the State Highway 44/299 Bridge in Redding.

Initially constructed in 1986, Painter’s Riffle successfully produced fish nests resulting in up to 750,000 young salmon before they migrated to sea for the first time. For 25 years Painter’s Riffle helped the survival of winter-run and spring-run Chinook salmon and fall-run Chinook salmon, important to the commercial fishing industry. But in 2011 Painter’s Riffle was blocked and filled with gravel during a large storm event. The unstable gravel filled the channel and buried the Painter’s Riffle spawning habitat.That prompted the Painters Riffle Anadromous Fish Habitat and Enhancement Project.

“The project received accolades from the Bureau of Reclamation,” says Thad Bettner, General Manager for the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District. “The work involved a multitude of agencies but all shared a common goal to support salmon re-establishment and CVPIA operations.”

Mr. Bettner explains that it’s typically not regulators’ role to collaborate. “Regulators focus on a specific issue central to their mission whether it’s permitting, regulating, mandating, or monitoring. One of the best take-aways from the Painter’s Riffle Project is that we’re slowly breaking down uncommunicative silos. We [all parties] now expect good communication.” Built in three weeks during low water flows, the project required a six-month lead time to permit. Total project costs were approximately $200,000.

“Small projects like this are contagious,” adds Mr. Bettner, “and starting small got us success. We [agencies] all respected each other’s roles and hierarchy but slowly built trust and delivered. We’re seeing fish use Painter’s Riffle. They’re spawning and that’s positive. And the agencies are monitoring results.” Mr. Bettner explains that no opponents protested the project. “After successes like this, we’re more confident to try larger projects.”

Slow rolling projects requiring years of involvement consume stakeholders over a hundred miles away in the Feather River Basin. A sub basin of the Sacramento River watershed, representatives from Federal and State agencies, utilities, and non-governmental organizations such as American Whitewater, have attended thousands of hours of meetings addressing the relicensing of hydroelectric projects along the Feather River, ranging from and including Lake Almanor near Lassen National Park downstream into the Feather River Canyon above Lake Oroville, headwaters for the State Water Project.

Dave Steindorf, California Stewardship Director for American Whitewater, has participated in the relicensing of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) facilities within the region the past fifteen years. Facilities include powerhouses operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company that require reliable flow regimes to spin hydropower turbines. At best, the FERC relicensing process moves at glacial speed, which eschews many stakeholders from participating due to costs, fatigue, or frustration. The Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986 endows that American Whitewater has a seat at the negotiation table and a voice in the process. The Act puts recreation and wildlife on equal footing with power generation. With a focus on river stewardship and recreation, American Whitewater has worked with utilities and regulatory agencies throughout the United States to promote recreational uses including fishing, rafting and kayaking.

“I’ve been involved in negotiating more than twenty FERC licenses in California,” says Mr. Steindorf. “This effort resulted in a hundred recreation flow releases in California in 2016 on river systems like the Feather, Pitt, Mokelumne, and Kern,” he adds. For the Feather River, an army of scientists has tried to resolve the optimum flows for fish and frogs, specifically the Foothill yellow-legged frog. “What we’ve discovered,” explains Mr. Steindorf, “is that river flows necessary for frogs and fish are great for recreation.”

The Foothill yellow-legged frog is a riverine amphibian with habitat ranging from northern Oregon, California, and into Baja California, Mexico at elevations as high as 6,300 feet. Adults range in size from one and a half to three inches, small enough to fit in the palm of a human hand. The frogs lay eggs in a river’s main stem [channel] and winter upstream within tributaries. The gestation period ranges from fourteen to twenty-one days. They generally breed from late April to July. Among the threats to the frogs are dams, diversions, water development, mining, timber harvesting, road development, and pollution.

“The frogs survive best on natural snowmelt hydrographs,” continues Mr. Steindorf. “When hydropower demands alter the timing and duration of river flows, particularly precipitous drops in flow during spring, it clashes with frog breeding. For two reaches on the Feather River it became possible to manage resources that have multiple benefits. The frogs survive while recreational boaters catch a wave.”Water management within ephemeral drainages also fall within the guise of reconciliation ecology, if not for fish or frogs, but for wetlands.

Over ten years ago Butte County’s sanitary landfill needed more space, not for burying garbage but to develop ancillary operations. The landfill serves a population of over 200,000 but needed a place to better manage and detain storm water generated on-site. As part of its facility footprint, the county developed a five acre seasonal wetland which was permitted through the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The wetland is designed in a step system where the lower area can be dredged but the upper area remains untouched. Water quality monitoring occurs downstream below the spillway if discharges result from storm events.

“The pond properly functions,” says Bill Mannel, Deputy Director of Butte County’s Waste Management Division. “No water comes into contact with garbage. We do not disturb the upper wetland area. The floor consists of grasses. Trees surround the pond.” Canada geese, ducks and wild turkeys are observed during cooler wetter months, coming and going with the seasons. Adds Mr. Mannel, “We are very mindful of our storm water management.”

All who play inside California’s sandbox are responsible to negate ecological harm. Not only is it mandated, but it’s the right thing to do. As California’s population grows new systems must be monitored for older systems that have changed.

“How do you define the environment?” asks Mr. Canter. “I look out the window and see fields and forests. That’s what we have.” Mr. Canter mulls his role as a businessman and as a parent. “Parenthood has focused me on what I do and how I do it. I’m more sensitive to the younger generation. We must be collaborative and not be dragged down by people who won’t get along with the program. We can’t get mired in ideology. River Garden Farms is now working on a juvenile salmon rearing project in the Upper Sacramento River, a project that involves a myriad of federal, state, local agencies, and conservation groups that are eager to achieve success. My kids are interested in what I’m doing. Everything must be sustainable because when I’m gone this will be theirs.”

No matter one’s background, we as a populace are accountable. The concept of reconciliation ecology casts a broad net. Mr. Canter sums it best, “We’re here now. Humans possess incredible problem solving capabilities. Can’t we figure out how to fix this ecosystem together?”

About the writer

Eric Miller is a freelance writer based in Chico who writes about business innovation and people who make a difference. He has industry experience in waste management and water resources. Contact him at eric@etcguy.com, via LinkedIn or visit his humor blog at www.etcguy.com.

http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=31469

Idyllic scenery of Wuzhen 'water town'

Source:People's Daily Online Published: 2016/10/25 21:33:28

Located in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, Wuzhen is an ancient town with over 6,000 years of history. It is a typical water town in the Yangtze River Delta, built around a series of canals. The land and water of Wuzhen is known to be agriculturally abundant, boasting plentiful rice and fish. It is also a traditional center of silk production. In 1991, Wuzhen was named as a renowned historical and cultural town in Zhejiang province. From 2014, it became the permanent site of the World Internet Conference. (Photo/People.cn)

World Internet Conference. (Photo/People.cn)" src="http://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0//attachment/2016/2016-10-25/ae13017f-b887-4563-b5d0-b89890e42842.jpeg" />

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1013685.shtml

CV anand asksr rice millers business honestly

After holding a series of meetings with millers, the Commissioner convened a special meeting on October 25 and put forth the following proposals before them and the final decision will be taken after discussing with Finance Minister Etela Rajender. Only on delivery of 100% CMR dues the government will consider lifting of criminal cases, 6A cases and recovery under RR Act. If the millers deliver 100% CMR dues before November 30, cases will be lifted and seized mills will be re-opened and allot paddy for custom milling as per milling capacity.

If they deliver 75% CMR dues now, paddy will be allotted for custom milling as per milling capacity provided the balance 25% CMR is delivered before January 31, 2017. Those who deliver 50% CMR dues now, the balance 50% should be delivered before March 31, 2017. No. relaxation is allowed for the millers who deliver CMR below 100 MT. Millers have to deliver CMR in their own gunnies.

Those who are not in a position to deliver CMR, they are allowed to permit cash as per the market rate. On these proposals, millers represented to exempt payment of interest delivery of 50% CMR dues in the present Kharif season and the balance 50% in the ensuing Rabi season.

Responding to the request of the millers, the Civil Supplies Commissioner informed them that due to on-delivery of CMR as per schedule, Civil Supplies Corporation was forced to pay interest running into crores on cash credit and hence there was no possibility of exempting interest. While disagreeing with the proposal of millers, he advised them to make best use of the opportunity given by the Government.

The Commissioner advised the millers to do their business honestly and rice milling industry should not get bad name in the eyes of public for the illegal activities of 10 out of 100 millers as the rice milling industry is also a part and parcel of CS department, Government will always extend its full cooperation as long as they do business honestly. The Commissioner assured them that there will not be any problems form their staff and the government will always extend full cooperation. Finally the Commissioner of Civil Supplies advised the millers to have social responsibility towards the society without looking at everything on commercial angle and help in realizing the goal of Bangaru Telangana under the able leadership of K. Chandrashekar Rao. (NSS)

http://www.siasat.com/news/cv-anand-asks-rice-millers-business-honestly-1050496/

APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1584

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 25-10-2016
Domestic Prices			Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product	Market Center	Variety	Min Price	Max Price
Rice
1	Dibrugarh (Assam)	Other	2000	2900
2	Manjeri (Kerala)	Other	3000	3900
3	Sainthia (West Bengal)	Common	1860	1890
Wheat
1	Haveri (Karnataka)	Local	1800	1800
2	Dehgam (Gujarat)	Other	1675	1750
3	Sangli (Maharashtra)	Other	2000	2800
Banana
1	Jagraon (Punjab)	Other	2400	2800
2	Karad (Maharashtra)	Other	1000	1500
3	Thanesar (Haryana)	Other	1500	2200
Carrot
1	Manjeri (Kerala)	Other	2700	3000
2	Bonai (Orissa)	Other	1000	1500
3	Jagraon (Punjab)	Other	1600	1900
Source:agmarknet.nic.in

6 places in the UAE to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights

Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and is auspicious for new beginnings

Image Credit: WikiCommons

Published: 13:00 October 26, 2016

Note: Sale or purchase of fireworks is illegal in the UAE

The name

Diwali is derived form ‘deepavali’, a Sanskrit word which translates to a row (avali) of lights or lamps (deep). The festival is celebrated with scores of small lamps or lights decorating houses and buildings, even on rooftops and outside doors and windows.

The Diwali night

The night of Diwali is the darkest night of autumn, the new moon night of the Hindu lunar month ‘Kartik’. The lighted lamps are believed to illuminate the path for Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi to find her way to your home.

Days of celebration

Dhanteras The first day starts off with cleaning and renovation of all houses and building premises. New clothes and ornaments are purchased. This day is believed to mark the birth of the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. Rangolis or colourful floor patterns are drawn and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in worship of the goddess.
Choti Diwali Also known as Naraka Chaturdasi, this is the eve of the main festival. Rangolis are drawn and the preparation of Diwali sweets starts. Women decorate their hands with henna and pujas are held.
Diwali Lakshmi puja, a worship ritual for the goddess is held on this day. People wear their best clothes and come together to light crackers and fireworks. After the celebrations, there are family feasts and endless plates of sweets to devour.People also distribute sweets as a mark of goodwill and brotherhood. Indian soldiers on the border distribute sweets to their Pakistani counterparts and they return the goodwill with assortments of Pakistani sweets.

Padwa The day after Diwali sees the celebration of the mutual love and affection between husbands and wives. The Hindu god, Krishna is also worshipped on this day.
Bhai Dhuj In north-east India and Nepal, this day celebrates the relationship between sister and brother through various rituals and exchange of gifts.

The stories

There are many stories around this festival. It is believed that the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi was born on the Dhanteras day and on Diwali, it is believed that she visits and blesses her devotees.
Another story in northern India is that Diwali is commemorative of the kingdom of Ayodhya, which was lit up with lights to welcome their long exiled king and Hindu god, Rama. In Bengal and some southern states, Diwali is associated with the Hindu goddess, Durga. Jains and Sikhs also celebrate this auspicious time with their own story renditions.

Things to do in the UAE for Diwali

You have a lot of great options to celebrate this Diwali in style with your friends and family.

1. Chor Bazaar Restaurant, Dubai

From a stunning ambience to the mouthwatering Diwali buffet menu and the traditional market-style live cooking stations, Chor Bazaar is the place to be for Diwali.
Location Movenpick, Ibn Battuta Gate, Dubai Dates October 30 to November 1 Cost Dh180 (with soft drinks) Dh280 (with house beverages) Timings 7pm to 11pm Contact +971 4 444 5613 Emaildine.ibnbattuta@moevenpick.com

2. Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi

The ‘festival of lights’ at the Ferrari World will see the iconic red roof lit up and dhol drummers building the mood up for guests. Bollywood inspired dance acts, laser beam shows, henna and Rangoli art work along with a DJ playing all-time favourite Bollywood beats will make the celebration one to remember. The celebrations will be from 11am to 8pm on weekdays and 11am to 10pm on weekends.
Location Yas Island Dates October 28 to November 5 Cost From Dh275 per person Tickets here

3. The Eatery, Dubai

Enjoy a special Diwali menu with multiple options featuring festive, bold, seasonal north and south Indian flavors, with live entertainment from a local DJ spinning the latest Bollywood tunes. The menu offers a wide selection for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian epicureans and is served with freshly made Indian breads and steamed basmati rice. During the Diwali celebrations, the restaurant will be decorated with earthen lamps, known as diyas, and guests will be welcomed with a traditional Rangoli displayed at the entrance. Kids will be well looked after at the Children’s Corner complete with face-painting and cartoons.
Location The Eatery, Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Dubai Dates October 28 Timing 12.30pm to 3.30pm Cost Dh90 (includes soft beverages and juices) Dh199 (house beverages) Contact +971 4 501 3115 Emaildtn.restaurants@fourpoints.com

4. Mint Leaf of London, Dubai

The starry skyline view of Dubai along with a Diwali inspired menu awaits you at the Mint Leaf of London in Dubai. The five-course set menu features traditional Indian dishes made with a modern twist in their open kitchen and is priced at Dh245 per person.
Location Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC Dates October 27 to 31 Timings 12pm to 1am Cost Dh245 per person Contact +971 4 706 0900 Email reservations@mintleafdubai.com

5. Art of Spice at Pullman Dubai

While not an exclusive Diwali event, this one is a must for your event calendar if you love Indian cuisine. The best part is that renowned chef Sweety Singh who created the menu will host diners for the night and will continue to do so for an entire month thereon. Sitar music and a stunning art exhibition (Colours of Pride) by Indian artists seal the deal for us.
Location Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre, Dubai Cost Dh120 per person Dates October 28 (Launch night) Every Friday onwards till November 29 Timing 7.30pm to 11pm Contact +9714 294 1222 Email H2022@accor.com

6. Spice & Ice, JLT Dubai

Experience an authentic Indian-style Diwali celebration in the heart of the city, with scrumptious Diwali-themed food plates, decadent Indian mithai (sweets), followed by night long dancing. Spice and Ice will serve a three-course set meal with unlimited house beverages. Following dinner, guests can dance the night away to Bollywood tunes spun by Gurpreet Singh.
Location Spice & Ice, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Cost Dh229 per person (includes unlimited house beverages) Dates October 28 Timings Dinner 8pm to 12pm; Music and dance Until 3am Contact +971 4 421 135

http://gulfnews.com/guides/going-out/events/6-places-in-the-uae-to-celebrate-diwali-the-festival-of-lights-1.1615600

Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

Rice

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

Futures:




	High	Low	Last	Change

Nov '16	1009.0	981.0	999.5	+16.0
Jan '17	1036.0	1005.0	1026.0	+16.5
Mar '17	1053.0	1036.5	1050.5	+16.5
May '17			1074.0	+16.5
Jul '17			1093.0	+16.5
Sep '17			1101.5	+17.5
Nov '17			1101.5	+17.5

Rice Comment

Rice futures recovered a bit today, but have not negated the negative chart action from earlier in the week. On Monday, November charted a bearish key reversal and violated uptrending support in the process, which could signal a move toward a retest of support at the contract low of $9.35. Weekly export sales of 69,600 metric tons was an improvement from last week, but not enough to spark buying interest. The crop is 97% harvested at this point, with most of what remains to be harvested in California.

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