MoU inked to boost rice exports to Saudi
KARACHI: Rice Exporters Association
of Pakistan (REAP) and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for long-term institutional
collaboration between the two trade bodies, a statement received here on Monday
said.
“Such visits are necessary to
increase bilateral trade, commerce, and investment between both the countries
and signing of this MoU would be a milestone towards achieving this objective,”
Sheikh Mazen Mohammed Batterjee, vice chairman JCCI, told the signing ceremony
held in Jeddah.
Batterjee also assured Pakistani
rice exporters of Jeddah chamber’s full support in achieving this goal of
common good. Speaking on the occasion, Shah Jahan Malik, vice chairman
REAP, said he was upbeat that after the signing of the agreement Pakistan would
be able to increase its exports to the Saudi market.
“The 14-member joint delegation of
REAP and Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PSJCCI) is
visiting Saudi Arabia from 11-19 May, 2017, as part of trade promotion
activities to increase export of rice to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA),”
the statement said. It added that the delegation members visited the
major super as well hypermarkets and held meetings with their top management.
They also met with major Saudi rice importers of the western region, in
one-on-one business networking session organised by the Consulate of
Pakistan.
“After the meeting, the Pakistan
consulate hosted a biryani dinner for potential Saudi buyers with an aim to
promote Pakistani rice, which is equally famous for its long-grain, aroma, and
taste across the world,” the press release said.
Mian Mehmood, president PSJCCI,
told the media that Saudi Arabia is our major trading partner in food sector
and imports over $1 billion worth of rice every year. “Pakistani rice exporters
should make the most of this opportunity to further increase the share of
Pakistani rice in this market,” Mehmood said. He added that the
PSJCCI is playing a very vital role in promoting trade in all the sectors
between the two brotherly countries.
Appreciating the initiative taken
by the REAP, Shehryar Akbar Khan, Consul General of Pakistan, said the country
was constantly striving to improve its technological-agricultural capacity to
increase volume of its rice exports in the face of stiff competition from its
competitors.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/204577-MoU-inked-to-boost-rice-exports-to-Saudi
NFA seeks to import rice from private suppliers
The National Food Authority Council did not specify an amount, but
demand from the Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, could
underpin prices in its main suppliers and major exporters Thailand and Vietnam.
The NFA had been seeking the council's approval to import as much
as 250,000 tons under government-to-government schemes with Vietnam and
Thailand. The committee which decides on the amount to be imported meets on
Thursday.
"The NFA will shift from government to government importation
to government to private importation, a move that is more competitive, less
corrupt and transparent," the NFA Council said in a statement.
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, who chairs the NFA Council, said
the shift away from governments would ensure accountability. Evasco recently
accused some NFA officials of "making a cash cow out of government-led
rice importations". The NFA management has denied any wrongdoing.
Rice inventories in the Philippines are running low, with
government stockpiles shrinking to the least in more than three years in April,
just enough to cover 10 days of national requirements.
To ensure supply availability throughout the year, especially
during the typhoon season in the last quarter, the council said private traders
can also import up to 805,000 tonnes under an annual quota scheme.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/09/17/luy-unfazed-after-napoles-acquittal-in-illegal-detention-case
Pakistan rice exporters to boost Saudi market share
May 16, 2017
By Syed Mussarat Khalil
Saudi Gazette
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Mian Mehmood, President
of Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PSJCCI), praised Saudi
Arabia›s Vision 2030, saying it is a great vision and we are fully supporting
it.
He was talking to media at
Biryani dinner hosted by the Pakistan Consulate Jeddah for the Saudi buyers at
Park Hayat hotel on Sunday.
He said “Saudi Arabia is our
major trading partner in food sector and imports over $1 billion worth of rice
every year, making great opportunity for our rice exporters and Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan (REAP) to further increase the share of Pakistani rice
in this market.”
He said if we want to cover the
GCC countries also, we should make processing plant inside Saudi Arabia, have
packaging facilities and quality control as well.
He said the Chambers of both
countries are playing a very vital role in promoting trade in all sectors
between the two countries.
At the dinner, the Saudi buyers
appreciated the supreme quality unique aroma and taste of Pakistani rice.
Pakistani rice is part not only of Asian cuisine, but rather equally famous for
its long size and aroma in the Arabian and Continental cuisines.
Earlier, Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan (REAP) and JCCI signed an MoU for long-term
institutional collaboration between the two organizations. In the MoU signing ceremony,
Sheikh Mahzen Batterjie, Vice Chairman, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(JCCI), along with the members of the Food Committee of JCCI, welcomed the rice
exporters’ delegation from Pakistan, According to Arshad Munir Consular (Press)
at Consulate General Pakistan, Batterjie said such bilateral visits are
necessary to increase the bilateral trade, commerce and investment between both
the countries and signing of this MoU would be a milestone towards achieving
this objective. He assured complete support of JCCI toward efforts of the
consulate for achieving this goal.
Buoyed up by an encouraging
response, Shah Jahan Malik, Vice Chairman REAP, who is heading the delegation
from Pakistani, exuded confidence that they would be able to increase their
share in the Saudi market. The delegation was very confident that the visit was
fruitful and they would be able to meet their objective.
The exporters were in Jeddah on
the first leg of their visit to the Kingdom. The 14-member joint delegation of
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (PSJCCI is visiting Saudi Arabia on May 11-19, 2017, as
part of trade promotion activities to increase export of rice to Saudi Arabia.
The delegation members visited the
major supermarkets/hypermarkets and had meetings with their top management
along with their meetings with major Saudi rice importers of the Western
Region, in one-on-one business networking session organized by the Consulate of
Pakistan.
Shehryar Akbar Khan, Consul
General of Pakistan, appreciated the initiative taken by the Rice Exporters of
Pakistan, and said that the country was constantly striving to improve its
technological and agricultural capacity to increase volume of its rice exports
in the face of stiff competition from its competitors and its rice quality
matches the highest international standards.
He expressed the hope that the
exporters will fully utilize the opportunities being offered by the Saudi
market and take the rice export trade trajectory upward in the near future.
http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/pakistan-rice-exporters-boost-saudi-market-share/
Pak rice
exporters sign MoU with Jeddah Chamber
Observer Report
Jeddah
Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan (REAP) and JCCI signed an MoU for long term institutional
collaboration between the two organizations.Sheikh Mahzen Batterjie Vice
Chairman Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), along with the members
of the Food Committee of JCCI welcomed the rice exporters’ delegation from
Pakistan, in the signing ceremony of the MoU. He said that such bilateral
visits are necessary to increase the bilateral trade, commerce and investment
between both the countries and signing of this MoU would be a milestone towards
achieving this objective. He assured complete support of JCCI towards efforts
of the Consulate for achieving this goal.
Buoyed up by an encouraging response, Mr. Shah Jahan Malik Vice Chairman REAP, who is heading the delegation from Pakistani, exuded confidence that they would be able to increase their share in the Saudi market. The delegation was very confident that the visit was fruitful and they would be able to meet their objective.
The exporters were in Jeddah, on the first leg of their visit to the Kingdom. The 14 member joint delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PSJCCI is visiting Saudi Arabia from 11-19 May, 2017, as part of trade promotion activities to increase export of rice to the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The delegation members visited the major Supermarkets/Hypermarkets and had meetings with their top Management along with their meetings with major Saudi rice importers of the Western Region, in one-on-one business networking session organized by the Consulate of Pakistan.
A Biryani Dinner was also hosted by the Consulate for the Saudi Buyers to present Pakistani Rice as part of not only Asian Cuisine rather equally famous for its long size and aroma in the Arabian and Continental Cuisines. The buyers appreciated the supreme quality unique aroma and taste of Pakistani rice.
Mr. Mian Mehmood the President of Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry while talking to media said that Saudi Arabia is our major trading Partner in Food Sector and imports over USD 1 Billion worth of rice every year making great opportunity for our rice exporters and REAP to further increase the share of Pakistani rice in this market. He said that the joint Chamber of both the Countries is playing a very vital role in promoting trade in all the sectors between the two brotherly countries.
Mr. Shehryar Akbar Khan Consul General of Pakistan appreciated the initiative taken by the Rice Exporters of Pakistan, and said that the country was constantly striving to improve its technological and agricultural capacity to increase volume of its rice exports in the face of stiff competition from its competitors and its rice quality matches the highest international standards.
He expressed the hope that the exporters will fully utilize the opportunities being offered by the market of KSA and take the rice export trade trajectory upward in the near future.
Buoyed up by an encouraging response, Mr. Shah Jahan Malik Vice Chairman REAP, who is heading the delegation from Pakistani, exuded confidence that they would be able to increase their share in the Saudi market. The delegation was very confident that the visit was fruitful and they would be able to meet their objective.
The exporters were in Jeddah, on the first leg of their visit to the Kingdom. The 14 member joint delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PSJCCI is visiting Saudi Arabia from 11-19 May, 2017, as part of trade promotion activities to increase export of rice to the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The delegation members visited the major Supermarkets/Hypermarkets and had meetings with their top Management along with their meetings with major Saudi rice importers of the Western Region, in one-on-one business networking session organized by the Consulate of Pakistan.
A Biryani Dinner was also hosted by the Consulate for the Saudi Buyers to present Pakistani Rice as part of not only Asian Cuisine rather equally famous for its long size and aroma in the Arabian and Continental Cuisines. The buyers appreciated the supreme quality unique aroma and taste of Pakistani rice.
Mr. Mian Mehmood the President of Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry while talking to media said that Saudi Arabia is our major trading Partner in Food Sector and imports over USD 1 Billion worth of rice every year making great opportunity for our rice exporters and REAP to further increase the share of Pakistani rice in this market. He said that the joint Chamber of both the Countries is playing a very vital role in promoting trade in all the sectors between the two brotherly countries.
Mr. Shehryar Akbar Khan Consul General of Pakistan appreciated the initiative taken by the Rice Exporters of Pakistan, and said that the country was constantly striving to improve its technological and agricultural capacity to increase volume of its rice exports in the face of stiff competition from its competitors and its rice quality matches the highest international standards.
He expressed the hope that the exporters will fully utilize the opportunities being offered by the market of KSA and take the rice export trade trajectory upward in the near future.
http://pakobserver.net/pak-rice-exporters-sign-mou-jeddah-chamber/
Trade ministry bows to pressure, allows duty
free rice imports
Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives now says
it has allowed the duty-free import of up to 50,000 metric tonnes of
unprocessed rice, commonly known as ‘brown rice’, to boost supplies and check prices amid a
fall in local production.The duty-free imports will be allowed for the initial
four months effective last month.
Prior to the tax waiver, importing a metric tonne of rice in Uganda attracted $345
or 75% of the value of import whichever is higher as a tax irrespective of the
type of rice—husked, milled, processed or packed ready for distribution.Amelia
Kyambadde, the trade ministry said on her twitter handle on May.16 that the
import of brown rice under this scheme shall be within a short period and not
re-exported to the regional markets.
But millers told The Independent that they were already
importing duty-free unprocessed rice especially from Pakistan upon obtaining
importing licences from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries
“As per import license condition, millers will have to commit to
sell the processed rice at Shs3, 000 retail price from their retail outlets,”
she said.
“The import license of unprocessed rice will be limited to a
specific quantity of up to 5,000 metric tonnes per miller currently operating
in Uganda.”
She said her ministry shall issue import licenses to regulate
the import of the agreed volume of the unprocessed rice under some conditions.
But the new developments comes at the time rice millers in the
country are already importing unprocessed rice in response to the Ministry of
Finance’s decision to scrap tax on unprocessed rice on March 30 to tame rising food prices, illustrating how
government entities are uncoordinated in
implementing new initiatives.
Ongoing Ministry of Agriculture imports
Earlier, millers told The Independent that they were already
importing duty-free unprocessed rice especially from Pakistan upon obtaining
importing licences from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries; and thus complicating the whole issue of which ministry is in charge
of licences for rice imports.In a letter dated March 30 to the Uganda Revenue
Authority, Matia Kasaija, the Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic
Development, said the government waived tax on the import of unprocessed rice
effective April 01 for the initial four months to stabilise price of the
commodity, which had risen by about 30% since the beginning of this year.
The surge in the price of the commodity is attributed to the
prolonged drought leading to food shortage in different parts of the country.
The latest National Food Security Assessment Report compiled by an
inter-ministerial team, showed that the food insecurity that had afflicted 1.3
million people in November 2016, had ravaged 10.9 million people by January
2017, with at least 1.6 million Ugandans already suffering food crisis.
“Owing to the food security situation in the country and the need
for an appropriate response, Cabinet approved an import duty waiver for
unprocessed rice among others, to bring down food prices for those who can
afford to purchase on their own,” he said.
https://www.independent.co.ug/trade-ministry-bows-pressure-allows-duty-free-rice-imports/
LSU AgCenter to host rice field
days
By: LSU AgCenter
Posted: May 15, 2017 04:01 PM CDT
Updated: May 15, 2017 04:07 PM CDT
CROWLEY, LA - The LSU AgCenter will hold a series of field days for rice
farmers to provide information on the latest improvements for growing their
crop. AgCenter scientists will explain their work related to fertility, variety
development and controlling rice pests.
“These field days allow us
to tell farmers about the work we are doing to help them improve their crop,”
said Steve Linscombe, director of the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station.
“One of the highlights we will be discussing is our work with the new Provisia
rice technology.”
Upcoming field days are:
— May 25. The Vermilion Parish
Rice Field Day will begin at 3:30 p.m. starting at the Kent Lounsberry Farm
east of Lake Arthur on La. Highway 14 and end at the Klondike fire station.
— May 31. The Southwest Louisiana
Rice Tour will start with speakers at 8:30 a.m. at the Fenton Farmers Cooperative,
followed by talks at the rice research plots located on the Jimmy Hoppe farm
south of Fenton.
— June 1. The Evangeline Parish
Rice Field Day will start at 8 a.m. near Mamou, at research plots located 3.5
miles west of Bieber Farms directly off Bieber Road. Signs will be posted on
Bieber Road directing drivers to the location. The event ends at Bieber Farms.
— June 14. The Acadia Parish Rice
Field Day will be held at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research
Station South Farm. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with presentations and a
field tour starting around 9:30 a.m.
— June 28. The LSU AgCenter H.
Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station Field Day will start with field tours at
7:15 a.m. with the last trailer leaving at 9 a.m., followed by a poster session
and presentations.
— July 6. The St. Landry Rice and
Soybean Field Tour will be held at the Charles Fontenot Farm near Palmetto
beginning at 8 a.m. Signs to the field day location will be posted starting at
Veazey Road in Palmetto off La. Highway 10.
— July 12. The North Louisiana
Rice and Soybean Field Day will be held near Oak Ridge at the Vic Jordan Farm,
starting at 9 a.m. The farm is 2.5 miles east of Oak Ridge on La. Highway 134.
Turn south on Tower Drive, which ends at the plots. The indoor program will
start at 11 a.m. at the Rayville Civic Center, 817 Louisa St., Rayville.
http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/agriculture/lsu-agcenter-to-host-rice-field-days/714295013
Coloured rice
is under the microscope as medical students investigate health benefits
To partake in the study contact
email Esther Callcott at ecallcott@csu.edu.au
ABC Rural
By Cara Jeffery
(ABC Rural: Cara Jeffery)
"The seed coats of coloured
rice are rich in antioxidants and our aim is to test the role of these chemical
compounds in reducing blood clotting, inflammation and chemical damage to cells
in overweight or obese people and in those who have type 2 diabetes," Ms
Callcott said.
CSU medical researchers Kiara Thompson
and Esther Callcott investigate the health benefits of coloured rice in the
Charles Sturt University Functional Grains Centre laboratory.
The researchers are seeking people
to partake in the study who are aged 18 to 65 and are overweight or have type 2
diabetes, non-smokers, who are not pregnant and who do not suffer any chronic
diseases.Participants will be asked to complete a health and food
questionnaire, body measurement, and give a sample of blood.
"Once
we receive the participants blood sample we will add the coloured rice extract
and we will perform multiple tests," Ms Thompson said.
"We'll
perform specific testing in regards to inflammation and cardiovascular
diseases. They are tests that you would normally not get done at your doctors
and the participants will receive all of their results at the end of the
trial."
Coloured
rice samples being used in research at Charles Sturt University Functional
Grains Centre at Wagga Wagga by medical researchers Kiara Thompson and Esther
Callcott who are investigating the health benefits of coloured rice.The results
of the research will be relayed to NSW Department of Primary Industries rice
breeding program, which provided the rice varieties for the study.
"Hopefully
they use the information to breed coloured rice varieties that contain
therapeutic levels of bioactive compounds, which can then be grown on a
commercial scale and made available to consumers in Australia," she said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-05-16/health-benefits-of-coloured-rice-investigated/8527654
Lake Street Capital assumed coverage on shares of RiceBran
Technologies (NASDAQ:RIBT) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday
morning. The firm issued a buy rating and a $2.00 target price on the stock.
Separately, Maxim Group lowered RiceBran Technologies from a buy
rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th.
Ricebran
technologies oribt research coverage started at lake street capital
RiceBran Technologies (NASDAQ:RIBT)
opened at 0.87 on Wednesday. RiceBran Technologies has a 52-week low of $0.69
and a 52-week high of $2.19. The company’s market capitalization is $9.26
million. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $0.85 and its 200-day
moving average price is $0.94.
TRADEMARK VIOLATION WARNING: This
piece was published by BBNS and is the sole property of of BBNS. If you are
accessing this piece on another publication, it was illegally stolen and
reposted in violation of US & international copyright and trademark
legislation. The correct version of this piece can be read at
RiceBran Technologies Company
Profile
RiceBran Technologies is a human
food ingredient, functional food ingredient, packaged functional food and
animal nutrition company. The Company is focused on processing and marketing of
nutrient dense products derived from raw rice, an underutilized by-product of
the rice milling industry. The Company has two operating segments.
https://baseballnewssource.com/markets/ricebran-technologies-ribt-research-coverage-started-at-lake-street-capital/766456.html.
Secretary
Perdue Talks Trade, Farm Bill, and More with USA Rice
By Michael Klein
WASHINGTON, DC -- Secretary of
Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with a delegation from USA Rice today in a
wide-ranging discussion of industry priorities including trade, flooding in the
mid-south, the upcoming Farm Bill, labor shortages in California, food aid, and
the importance of rice research programs.
"With 50 percent of our crop
exported each year, and 20 percent of that going to Mexico, we can't overstate
the importance of the North American Free Trade Agreement," USA Rice
Chairman Brian King told the Secretary at the start of the meeting.
Keith Glover, chairman of USA Rice's
World Market Price Subcommittee, continued the trade theme, reminding the
Secretary about the lack of progress on signing the U.S.-China Phytosanitary
Agreement for rice and the refusal of Iraq to purchase U.S. rice for the last
year, despite a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and the government
of Iraq."The message we gave the President on NAFTA was clear, 'don't go
backwards,'" the Secretary said.
"On China, we don't have any disagreements on the phytosanitary
deal, it's just going to be a question of putting our names on the dotted
lines."The Secretary told the group that moving China forward on rice was
definitely on his radar.
On the issue of Iraq, Perdue offered
that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, "with the full U.S. economy in his
portfolio, has sunk his teeth into agriculture because he understands how much
ag helps with our trade surplus."
Missouri rice farmer Paul T. Combs
discussed food aid saying, "USDA food aid programs are quite important to
the rice industry, and we believe food aid should be food, not cash, which can
more easily be corrupted." Curtis Berry, a Mississippi rice farmer,
stressed the importance of the rice industry's partnership with the Foreign
Agriculture Service (FAS) to promote U.S. rice around the world.
"Those promotion programs are
very important to the rice industry, and we match every dollar we receive from
the government with more than seven dollars from industry, so you can see we
value the programs and believe in them," Berry said.
Sean Doherty, a California rice
farmer, shared his concerns about labor shortages in California as a result of
rhetoric coming out of the White House and also made the case for improved
access to the Japanese market for U.S. rice.
Also on the domestic front, Arkansas
rice farmer Dow Brantley thanked Secretary Perdue for his recent trip to
Arkansas to survey flood damage and reminded him about difficulties with the
"practical to replant" regulations and used it as an opportunity to
share rice priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill, including a safety net
provision that works for rice, as the current Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program
does, and a closer look at current policies that do not work, including the
Actively Engaged provision.
"Really important, I think, is
to give farmers an opportunity to adjust to any rule changes in the new Farm
Bill, we didn't get that last time and it hurt a lot of people," Brantley
said.
Texas rice farmer L.G. Raun talked
about the exceptional conservation story the rice industry has to tell as the
providers of so much habitat. He praised
the work of USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service, stewards of the
Regional Conservation Partnership Program of which the rice industry is a major
beneficiary, and reminded the Secretary of the unique relationship between USA
Rice and Ducks Unlimited that works to preserve habitat and improve water
quality.
Louisiana rice farmer Jackie Loewer
also praised robust rice research programs that are helping the rice industry
remain competitive.
"All the issues you heard about
today are important, but we really have a three-legged stool of trade, safety
net programs, and research on which we sit," said Loewer, who is also the
chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board.
"This could not have been a
better meeting," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "It was apparent to all of us that
Secretary Perdue is going to be a strong advocate for all of agriculture, but
that he also understands the unique challenges confronting the rice industry
and he is going to work with us, both domestically and internationally, to
improve conditions for us."
NFA seeks to import rice from private suppliers
MANILA - The government said it would soon import rice to boost
its stocks ahead of the lean harvest season, and will buy from private
suppliers, not governments, in a bid to increase competitiveness and
transparency.The National Food Authority Council did not specify an amount, but
demand from the Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, could
underpin prices in its main suppliers and major exporters Thailand and
Vietnam.The NFA had been seeking the council's approval to import as much as
250,000 tons under government-to-government schemes with Vietnam and Thailand.
The committee which decides on the amount to be imported meets on Thursday.
"The NFA will shift from government to government importation
to government to private importation, a move that is more competitive, less
corrupt and transparent," the NFA Council said in a statement.
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, who chairs the NFA Council, said
the shift away from governments would ensure accountability. Evasco recently
accused some NFA officials of "making a cash cow out of government-led
rice importations". The NFA management has denied any wrongdoing.Rice
inventories in the Philippines are running low, with government stockpiles
shrinking to the least in more than three years in April, just enough to cover
10 days of national requirements. To ensure supply availability throughout
the year, especially during the typhoon season in the last quarter, the council
said private traders can also import up to 805,000 tonnes under an annual quota
scheme.
Philippines set
to privatise rice imports
16 May 2017 at 16:04
WRITER: REUTERS
A farmer rests in the background as paddy rice is being loaded onto
a truck in Ayutthaya province, Thailand, February 20, 2010.
MANILA, -- In a move that could have a significant impact on
Thailand, the Philippines said on Tuesday it would soon seek rice to boost its
stocks ahead of the lean harvest season -- but it will buy from private
suppliers, not governments, in a bid to increase competitiveness and
transparency.The National Food Authority Council, which regulates the
state-grain buyer the National Food Authority (NFA), did not specify an amount,
but demand from the Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers,
could underpin prices in its main suppliers and major exporters Thailand and
Vietnam.
The NFA had been seeking the council's approval to import as much
as 250,000 tonnes under government-to-government schemes with Vietnam and
Thailand. The committee which decides on the amount to be imported meets on
Thursday.
"The NFA will shift from government to government importation
to government to private importation, a move that is more competitive, less
corrupt and transparent," the NFA Council said in a statement.
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, who chairs the NFA Council, said
the shift away from governments would ensure accountability. Mr Evasco recently
accused some NFA officials of "making a cash cow out of government-led
rice importations". The NFA management has denied any wrongdoing.
Rice inventories in the Philippines are running low, with
government stockpiles shrinking to the least in more than three years in April,
just enough to cover 10 days of national requirements.
To ensure supply availability throughout the year, especially
during the typhoon season in the last quarter, the council said private traders
can also import up to 805,000 tonnes under an annual quota scheme.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1250630/philippines-set-to-privatise-rice-imports
NFA approves G2P rice importation scheme
Published May 16,
2017, 5:58 PM
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
The National Food Authority (NFA)
Council has approved of the importation by the NFA via government to private
(G2P) scheme, Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco announced Tuesday (May 16).
According to Evasco, this is to
augment the agency’s buffer stock for the coming lean months of July to
September.
President Rodrigo Duterte and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco
Jr. (SIMEON CELI JR./Presidential Photo /
However, Evasco said the Council
is still waiting for the National Food Security Committee’s (NFSC)
recommendation on how much volume of rice importation should be activated from
NFA’s remaining 250,000 metric tons stand by authority.The NFSC is set to meet
on Thursday.
Evasco also announced that the
NFA will also shift from government to government (G2G) importation to G2P
importation, a move that is more competitive, least corrupt, and transparent.
“Hence, instead of limiting the
bidders to government counterparts, private suppliers from participating
countries may now be allowed to participate in the bidding,” he said, adding
that this will make the whole process covered by the Government Procurement
Reform Act unlike the current G2G scheme.
“We have to make drastic changes
in order to ensure a corrupt-free and competitive bidding process at the dNGA,”
Evasco explained.
“Instead of a G2G, the Council
will push for a G2P to increase accountability and transparency. While G2G is
exempt from the Government Procurement Reform Act, G2P is not,” he added.
http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/05/16/nfa-approves-g2p-rice-importation-scheme/
NFA allows rice importation through private
sector
By: Leila B. Salaverria -
Reporter / @LeilasINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:39 PM May 16, 2017
The National Food Authority Council (NFAC) has decided to
import rice through the private sector to augment the country’s buffer stock of
its staple food in the coming lean season, a month after President Rodrigo
Duterte ordered a stop to rice importation to protect farmers who had posted a
high yield from their crops.
At the same time, the NFA will intensify
the purchase of local produce from farmers to maintain a good
buffer stock while waiting for the arrival of more stocks from rice
importation, according to Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco.
Evasco
announced on Tuesday the NFAC decision, which he considered less prone to
corruption compared to government-to-government procurement.
He the
decision had Duterte’s approval.The council was just waiting for the
recommendation of the National Food Security Committee on the volume of rice to
be imported.
“This is
unanimous because the President, during the last Cabinet meeting, had been
given the opportunity to listen to the position of the NFA Council where there
is really a need for us to import,” Evasco said in a news briefing. “That’s why
the President said that, since this time NFA will no longer have the monopoly
of importing rice, so we should open importation through private sector.”
This, he
added, was a “policy shift.”
Duterte
earlier fired Evasco’s deputy, Undersecretary Maia Chiara Halmen Valdez, for
supposedly allowing rice importation during the harvest season. Valdez
allegedly overrode the decision of NFA administrator Jason Aquino not to extend
the permits of rice importersj to obtain rice from abroad.
Duterte had
also directed the NFA to buy rice from farmers for the buffer and only allow
importation in case of a supply shortfall.
Asked on
Tuesday if the change in the President’s position vindicated Valdez, Evasco
replied that “to some extent it admits that there is really a need for us to
import.”
He also said
the NFA administrator was present during the NFAC’s meeting on Monday and was
“supportive” of the council’s decision.
ADVERTISEMENT
Aquino
earlier pushed for government to government rice importation, despite the
council’s position to allow private sector importation.
The NFA has
to maintain a rice buffer stock enough for 15 days at any given time, and
enough for 30 days at the onset of the lean months. Evasco said the country’s
daily consumption rate requirement is 32,720 metric tons or 654,600 bags.
According to
Evasco, government-to-private rice importation was “more competitive, least
corrupt, and transparent.”
With private
suppliers allowed to participate in the bidding to be allowed to import rice to
the country, the process would be covered by the procurement law, unlike in a
government-to-government scheme where there is no bidding, he said.
“We have to
make drastic changes in order to ensure a corrupt-free and competitive bidding
process at the NFA,” he added.
As to whether the importation of rice would
be detrimental to farmers, Evasco said the Department of Agriculture should motivate, inspire and
support the farmers to produce enough rice for the Filipinos.
But while the country has yet to achieve rice self-sufficiency,
the NFA would have to import.
“NFA should
buy rice in the meantime that DA has not yet come up wth the formula that the
Philippines would be sufficient with rice,” Evasco said. /atm
https://business.inquirer.net/229665/nfa-allows-rice-importation-private-sector
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 03, 2017
Reuters | May 3, 2017, 01.35 PM IST
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-May 3 Nagpur, May 3
(Reuters) - Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) auction on poor buying support from local millers amid
increased supply from producing belts. Reports about bumper tuar arrival in all
over Maharashtra and weak trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses also affected prices. About 3,900 bags of gram and 2,900
bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources. FOODGRAINS
& PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand
was poor. TUAR * Tuar varieties quoted static in open market here on subdued
demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. * Watana dal reported weak in open market here on lack of buying support
from local traders. * Wheat varieties recovered in open market good seasonal
demand from local traders amid thin arrival from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana. * In Akola,
Tuar New - 3,800-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) - 6,100-6,400, Udid Mogar (clean) -
9,500-10,900, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,100-7,400, Gram - 5,900-6,200, Gram Super
best bold - 8,100-8,400 for 100 kg. * Rice and other commodities moved in a
narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading
activity. Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS
Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 5,250-5,630 5,300-5,760 Gram Pink
Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,400-3,880 3,500-3,940 Moong Auction
n.a. 4,000-4,400 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800
Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,500-1,596
1,500-1,590 Gram Super Best Bold 8,500-8,800 8,500-8,800 Gram Super Best n.a.
n.a. Gram Medium Best 7,800-8,200 7,800-8,200 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill
Quality 5,800-5,900 5,800-5,900 Desi gram Raw 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300 Gram
Yellow 8,000-8,200 8,000-8,200 Gram Kabuli 12,400-13,500 12,400-13,500 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,400-6,600
6,400-6,600 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,500-5,800
5,500-5,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,000-5,400 5,000-5,400 Tuar Gavarani New
4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200 Tuar Karnataka 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Masoor dal best 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800
Masoor dal medium 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold
(New) 7,200-7,500 7,200-7,500 Moong Mogar Medium 6,700-7,000 6,700-7,000 Moong
dal Chilka 5,800-6,600 5,800-6,600 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong
Chamki best 6,900-7,800 6,900-7,800 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New)
9,900-11,000 9,900-11,000 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,800-9,000
7,800-9,000 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,400 5,800-6,400 Batri dal (100
INR/KG) 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,500-3,800
3,500-3,800 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,100 3,000-3,200 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,500
3,300-3,500 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,900-4,400 3,900-4,400 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,950-2,050 1,900-2,000 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,700-1,800
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,350 2,100-2,300 Wheat Lokwan new (100
INR/KG) 1,850-2,050 1,800-2,000 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,350
2,100-2,250 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,150 2,000-2,100 Lokwan
Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,600 3,200-3,500 MP Sharbati Medium (100
INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,500-2,700 Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500
3,000-3,500 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice BPT medium
(100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800
2,500-2,800 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,450 2,250-2,450 Rice Swarna
best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,700 2,600-2,700 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice
HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,800 4,500-4,800 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)
4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200 Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500
4,200-4,500 Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-6,800 6,500-6,800 Rice Shriram
med (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)
10,300-14,000 10,300-14,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,500-7,500
5,500-7,500 Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG) 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900 Rice Chinnor
best 100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)
5,200-5,400 5,200-5,400 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,200 1,900-2,200
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,900 1,800-1,900 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp.
42.1 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 27.5 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST:
Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 43 and
27 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport
costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices
Govt to import 50,000 tonnes of white rice
| Update: 09:32, May 16, 2017
Bangladesh's
state grains buyer issued an international tender on Monday to import 50,000
tonnes of white rice, officials said, its second tender in a week to build
reserves and control prices of the staple.
The
state agency, Directorate General of Food, came up with its first tender for
rice since 2011 as local rice prices hit a record high and state reserves are
at a six-year low.
It plans
to import 600,000 tonnes of rice after flash floods hit fields about to be
harvested, potentially wiping out 700,000 tonnes of crops.
Authorities
are considering waiving the tax on rice imports, Badrul Hasan, the head of the
Directorate General of Food, told Reuters last week.
He said
the state agency also planned to import rice through government-to-government
deals with producers such as Thailand, Vietnam and India because importing via
tenders is a lengthy process.
In
the latest tender, the deadline for offers is May 28 and the rice is to be
shipped in 40 days after the deal is signed, a senior official at the state
grains buyer said.
The
world's fourth-biggest rice producer with more than 30 million tonnes per year,
Bangladesh consumes almost all its production to feed its population of 160
million. It often requires imports, however, to cope with shortages caused by
natural disasters like floods and droughts. (Reporting by Ruma Paul, editing by
Ed Osmond)
http://en.prothom-alo.com/economy/news/148211/Govt-to-import-50-000-tonnes-of-white-rice
Export Summary-Bangladesh seeks white rice;
Iraq buys Australian wheat
Reuters | May
16, 2017, 02.35 AM IST
May 15 (Reuters) - Snapshot of the global export markets for
grains, oilseeds and edible oils as reported by government and private sources
as of end of business on Monday:
RICE TENDER: Bangladesh's state grains buyer issued an
international tender on Monday to import 50,000 tonnes of white rice, officials
said, its second tender in a week to build reserves and control prices of the
staple. The deadline for offers is May 28 and the rice is to be shipped in 40
days after the deal is signed, a senior official at the state grains buyer
said.
WHEAT PURCHASE: Iraq's
state grains board has purchased about 50,000 tonnes of wheat to be sourced
from Australia in a tender which closed last week, European traders said on
Monday.
PENDING TENDERS:
RICE TENDER: Iraq's state grains buyer is seeking to purchase
about 100,000 tonnes of rice to be sourced from the United States, European traders said. Offers
are to be submitted on May 15 and must remain valid until May 21, they said.
RICE TENDER: South Korea's Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade
Corp issued an international tender to purchase around 65,000 tonnes of rice,
European traders said. The tender registration deadline is May 15, they said.
WHEAT AND BARLEY TENDER: Jordan's state grain buyer issued new
international tenders to purchase 100,000 tonnes of hard milling wheat and
100,000 tonnes of animal feed barley both to be sourced from optional origins,
European traders said. Deadline for the wheat tender is May 16 and deadline for
the barley tender is May 17, they said.
WHEAT TENDER UPDATE: Japan's Ministry of Agriculture said it received no offers for feed-quality wheat or barley in a
simultaneous buy and sell (SBS) auction that closed late on May 10. The
ministry had sought 120,000 tonnes of feed wheat and 200,000 tonnes of feed
barley to be loaded by August 31 and arrive in Japanby October 31 in the tender that is
usually conducted weekly. It is seeking the same amounts for each grain to be
loaded and shipped during the same period in a similar tender that will be held
on May 17.
CORN TENDER: Turkey's
state grain agency TMO issued international tenders to purchase and import up to
180,000 tonnes of animal feed corn, European traders said on. The tenders close
on May 18. The TMO will hold 15 separate tenders each for 12,000 tonnes of
corn, with Russia not named as an accepted origin, traders said.
RICE TENDER: Mauritius'
state purchasing agency issued an international tender to buy up to 6,000
tonnes of long grain white rice sourced from optional origins, European traders
said. Tender deadline is May 19, traders said.
RICE TENDER: Bangladesh's state grains buyer issued an
international tender to import 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, state grains
officials said, its first such tender in many years. The deadline for offers is
May 21 and the rice is to be shipped in 40 days after signing the deal, a
senior official at the state grains buyer said.
The head of the state grain buyer said the agency will import
600,000 tonnes of rice in an effort to replenish reserves and rein in prices of
the staple.
(Compiled by Michael Hirtzer)
Arkansas
Farmland Ravaged by Floods; Some Farmers May Not Recover
Mary Kennedy ,
DTN Basis Analyst
5/15/2017 | 11:07 AM CDT
13
Arkansas farmers were devastated by recent flooding,
and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture released a
preliminary estimate of 64.5 million in losses to farmers. That estimate was
just for the costs of seed and herbicides already applied, equipment and labor.
(Photo on the left taken by Andy Jett, Success, Arkansas, over his flooded
farm; photo on the right of the Cache River flooding taken by Joe Christian,
Jonesboro, Arkansas)
On May 2, flooding from heavy rains inundated farm fields, homes
and businesses in Arkansas. The storms caught both livestock and row-crop
farmers at a critical time, according to Randy Veach, president of the Arkansas
Farm Bureau.
"We have livestock farmers who have lost cattle in the
floods, miles of fencing has been washed away and there are many rural roads
and bridges that are impassable. And for the row-crop farmers, this will be a
big blow, as much of the rice and corn had already been planted," Veach
said in a news release on the AFB website.
Andy Jett farms 2,500 acres of rice and soybeans in Clay County,
Arkansas, and Ripley County, Missouri, near Success, Arkansas. "With our
farm being near the Current River and Little Black River, we have seen our
share of floods, but none this severe," he told me on May 8. "We are
facing replanting over 400 acres of our 1,400-plus acres of rice and having to
rebuild nearly all of the levees that we use to irrigate our rice."
The Current River forms in the southeastern portion of the
Missouri Ozarks and flows southeasterly out of the Ozarks into northeastern
Arkansas where it becomes a tributary of the Black River, which flows into the
White River, which heads to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
"The swiftness of the water and our close proximity to the
Ozarks has deposited sand and gravel deposits in our precision-graded fields, a
thing we've never seen before," Jett said. "This issue is going to
have to be addressed before we can even get in to replant. We are usually
finished with rice and planting soybeans around Mother's Day. So we have our
work cut out for us the next few weeks."
Jett told me that, before the flood, he and his brother were
completely done planting rice and had 90% of their soybean fieldwork finished.
"Now, it's gonna be like basically starting over," he said.
On May 10, Jett told me that they're just now getting back in
the field. "We are replanting and have a bulldozer pushing sand and gravel
out of the fields."
Derek Haigwood, who farms corn, milo and rice in Jackson and
Independence counties in northeast Arkansas, told me that the water was 4.5
feet over his levee. "We lost a huge percentage of the crops we had
planted," he said. "We will start back replanting today (May 10).
Probably all soybeans."
North of Wynne, Arkansas, Will Nicholson's farm sits on the west
side of the ridge where he grows cotton, corn and soybeans. "We drain and
dry fast," he said. "Our neighbors on the east side are still
flooding on the St. Francis Bay, and the water over there is still rising. Waters
in the west of the county are going down; the bayou is still high in far west
Cross County, I hear. We had to replant 100 acres of beans this week. Guys are
re-pulling rice levees instead of planting beans."
"Levees or dikes are little mounds you build in a rice
field to hold a flood on the rice. We are rebuilding and reseeding them,"
said Jett.
Here is a link to the University
of Arkansas Extension service weekly rice update on May 12 that addresses
re-pulling and an update on the condition of the rice crop: https://goo.gl/…
Joe Christian, secretary and treasurer of the Arkansas Farm
Bureau, farms 3,500 acres, about half of it rice and the rest soybeans and
corn. He told me, "I farm on the 'forgotten river' in Arkansas, the Cache,
which is probably one of the most politicized rivers in America. I still have
about half my ground in the Cache River bottoms and used to flood out about one
out of seven years. The last five years, I've had some type of flooding that's
caused me to lose some crop. In 2011, there was a record flood and this one may
break it."
Here is a video taken over
northeast Arkansas on May 2: https://www.youtube.com/…. Video is courtesy of the
Arkansas Farm Bureau.
The Cache River runs from the southeast Missouri line about 100
miles to the east-central part of the state into the White River below
Clarendon, Arkansas. Christian told me that the Cache is said to have the most
continuous hardwood trees in the lower 48 states. In the late 1960s, he said,
they started dredging the river from where it flows into the White River north
because of flooding, and they cleaned out seven miles before getting stopped by
State Sen. Dale Bumpers along with Ducks Unlimited and other environmental
groups. To this day, the lower Cache has not changed.
"On the upper Cache from a town called Grubbs (which
Christian farms just north of), it's been cleaned out and maintained by local
Drainage Districts for about 50 miles to the mouth. So the water comes down to
Grubbs and has nowhere to go, but it backs up on about 100,000 acres of
farmland on a big flood like this one. On the lower Cache, the water just
stands on the hardwood timber -- now called the Cache River National Wildlife
Refuge -- for much of the year. Now that it's a national refuge, we cannot
clean the river out, even though it's killing a lot of the timber because water
stands on it too long. So basically, this is a man-made problem that's
affecting a lot of people's livelihood that could be solved with some
compromise from all sides."
Christian told me that he and
other farmers have pinned their hopes for a solution to the Cache on Secretary
of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, who visited on May 7 and flew over the
devastation. On Friday, May 12, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson sent a letter to
secretary Perdue regarding dates for replanting rice and the state's need for
assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the wake of recent heavy
rains and floods. Here is the letter: https://goo.gl/…
Arkansas is the largest rice-producing state in the U.S.
However, the current flooding may change that for this year. Christian told me
that rice can stand sitting in water, but not for this long. Plus, the
insurance replant date of June 10 will likely not be a reality.
"I still have water on my fields as of May 10," said
Christian. "It still has to dry out, and that means with no more
rain."
Christian said that, so far, he isn't seeing any reaction to the
flooding in the rice price, but eventually it may affect the domestic market
because many acres may not be replanted.
Arkansas NASS reported that as of May 7, 92% of the state's rice
crop had been planted, and 77% of the crop had emerged. NASS posted these
comments from some of the Cooperative Extension Service county agents:
"Evaluating rice crop after flooding. Some acres will need to be replanted
and some acres will go back into soybeans. Levees washed out and will have to
be repaired. Had some hail damage to soybeans, corn and cotton. Some cotton
will be replanted," noted agent Branon Thiesse, Craighead County.
"We had an excess amount of water in our area this week.
Nearly 100% of the producers who border a creek or river had their bottom
pastures flooded. Several are waiting to see how much seed they may have lost
and how much weed seed was washed in," noted agent Olivia Foster, Carroll
County.
"Damage will take months to clean up and get the land back
into production," noted agent Darin Henderson, Madison County.
Arkansas Farm Bureau Vice President Rich Hillman is from Lonoke
County and farms rice, soybeans and wheat. In an interview posted on the AFB
website, he said, "Margins are tight; razor thin." He said when
famers have to start over after they've put a crop in and then put in another
crop, they probably have to switch commodities. "You're already behind the
eight ball before you get started," he said.
Hillman noted that some of the towns that are flooded have been
underwater the past three years, and some are still trying to build back
resources from 2011. He said that, in some places, water will exceed the
historical levels seen in 2011.
"Some of the family farms will not be able to come out of
this," said Hillman. "They won't be able to recover from this flood,
and that's why it is so devastating."
Kogi Seeks
World Bank Support to Boost Rice Production
May 16, 2017
Jonathan Eze
Kogi State Government has declared intentions to solicit
support of the World Banks as part of efforts to scale up rice production. This
was revealed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oloruntoba Kehinde
at the weekend.
According to him, the state government was thrilled with
the success recorded by the World Bank in cassava production and its value
chain under the Fadama 111 addition financing in Kogi.
The Commissioner, who described Kogi as ‘a confluence of
opportunities’, blessed with rivers, fertile expanse of land and able-bodied
men, expressed confidence that the World Bank’s intervention would make the
state one of the largest producers of rice in North Central Nigeria.
He stated that areas like Ibaji, Ejiba/Omi Dam, Bassa,
Koton-Karfe, Lokoja, Omala, among others, had abundance of usable farm lands
for rice and aquatic culture.
Kehinde also informed that the state government had asked
for the lease of federal government’s 4,500 hectares land around Omi Dam in
Yagba West and Ibaji Local Government Areas for rice production.
Stallion Farms Bags Outstanding Rice Value Chain Award
Stallion integrated rice value chain approach has been
bequeathed with the Feed Nigeria Summit ‘Agro Processor of the Year Award’ at
the just ended Nigeria Agriculture Awards.
The award, which is its second, after the IBCA-‘Outstanding
Projects and Business Leaders of the Year Award’ bestowed on the company in
March was in recognition of Stallion Popular Farms & Mills Limited
concerted efforts at integrating rice value chain in Nigeria agrarian economy
as well as its dogged resolves to humanise farmed rice and self-sustainability
in food production.
“We owe this accomplishment to President Muhammadu Buhari’s
leadership aptitudes and his agrarian-business agenda”, Stallion Popular farms
& Mills Group Director, Hapreet Singh remarked.
He said the farm is leveraging on the policy impetus of the
federal government’s agricultural transformation agenda to bring sustainable
and scalable growth to farmers.
The farm’s effort to increase cultivated rice yield began
in 2007 and has since been at the forefront of paddy agronomists in the
country, working tirelessly to enhance rice production through scientific
agricultural practices.
Singh, while receiving the award, on behalf of the farm at
the occasion in Lagos, said the company hopes to increase locally farmed rice
to 1.5million tonnes yearly from 450, 000 metric tonnes.
He said the farm has already deployed enhanced milling
activities and set up more milling facilities through structured farming
techniques.
“Our vision has always been to preserve and enhance rice
production in Nigeria by ensuring genetic integrity of seeds, encouraging
scientific agricultural practices and promoting world-class processing
techniques to emerge as industry benchmark for product quality,” Singh said.
Also noting that part of the company’s sustainable efforts
was to integrate rice growing values among the locals, the group director said
it has established procurement and collection centers; introduced co-operative
associations as well as logistics and post-harvest epicenters and marketing
midpoint, while it acts as a catalyst for achievable growth.
A farm division of Stallion West African conglomerate,
Popular Farms & Mills Limited recently established collection centers across
rice producing states in Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa,
Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi to not only help farmers embrace modern farming
techniques but help distribute farm inputs through farmers cooperatives and
associations to inspire rice revolution in Nigeria.
Popular Farm is today renowned for producing premium
varieties of rice from farmed paddy, which are branded and distributed
nationwide as Royal Stallion Shinkafa, Tomato Aroso and Super Champion.
The agrarian establishment however promised to safeguard
timely provision of certified seeds and fertilizers, and offer advisory
irrigation, crop management and buy back mechanism to help farmers get good and
profitable yields from their harvest.
While also thanking Feed Nigeria Summit for creating a
platform to acknowledge real positive change makers in the agrarian sector,
Singh said the creation of integrated agricultural operations such as
world-class rice mills at strategic locations would promote milling and paddy
cultivation in the captive areas and consequently make Nigeria self-sufficient
in rice production.
Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Afam Mbanefo,
who presented the award to the Farm representative, applauded Popular Farms and
Mills expressive commitment towards federal government’s exhaustive agenda in
rice production.
“You have not only supported the country’s agrarian
objective for self-sufficiency in rice production but have also worked
assiduously with local and state governments in ensuring food security. Your
efforts are indeed remarkable,” he said
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/05/16/kogi-seeks-world-bank-support-to-boost-rice-production/
Than Imported Ones - Agric Minister
By Idris Ibrahim
The
Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, on Tuesday gave reasons why imported rice
is still more expensive than locally produced rice, despite government efforts.
Mr.
Ogbeh, while responding to questions at a Town Hall meeting in Abuja, said one
of the major reasons was that most of the imported rice was subsided by the
foreign governments.
He said
most of the imported rice are from Vietnam, India and Thailand.
Thailand
subsides the export of rice, the minister said.
He
explained that the imported rice arrive at about 9,000 per bag, and are then
sold at about N13,000 per bag to consumers unlike the local rice sold at about
N16,000 per bag.
Mr.
Ogbeh also lamented the interest rates for farming loans.
"Our
interest rates in this country is higher that the interest rate in most parts
of the world," he said. Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh
Another
reason for the high cost of local rice, the minister said, is the price of
diesel to run generators in the farms.
"Diesel
went from N180 per litre to N300," he said.
The
minister said the federal government was very considered about the high cost of
local rice and he would be having a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo
and Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun to discuss rice prices among other matters.
The
federal government through its Anchor Borrowers Programme has invested billions
of naira in assisting mainly local rice farmers, with rice being the country's
most consumed food."In the next one month, you'll have Nigerian rice in
the shop at the best price we've ever had," the minister said.
Next
auction for state-held rice called
- 16 May
2017 at 08:00 3,065 viewed2 comments
- NEWSPAPER
SECTION: BUSINESS
| WRITER: PHUSADEE
ARUNMAS
The government yesterday called the second
auction for 1.82 million tonnes of state-held rice that is fit for human consumption.
The
grains put up for the second auction are mixed grade in quality and suitable
for human consumption, including Grade C, which is categorised as substandard
quality for industrial use; Grade P, which has received ministry certification;
and Grades A and B, meaning in slightly poor condition and in need of sorting
for improvement.The Foreign Trade Department yesterday disclosed the terms of reference for interested bidders and is scheduled to allow them to inspect the quality of the stocks at state warehouses until May 19.Interested bidders will be allowed to sign up for vetting on May 22. Qualified applicants are scheduled to propose their bidding prices on May 24.
Results are likely due by the first week of June.
Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said she expects the new bids to draw active interest from potential buyers as the rice represents the government's last stocks fit for human consumption.
The rest is just fit for industrial use, she said, adding that the new supply from off-season rice is yet to enter the rice market.
The government is estimated to hold about 4.82 million tonnes of rice stocks, a sharp drop from the 18.7 million tonnes accumulated during 2011-14.
Since the May 2014 coup until April 19 this year, a combined 11.7 million tonnes of rice have been sold via auctions, fetching 112 billion baht.
From Jan 1 to May 9, Thailand exported 4.1 million tonnes, up 9% from the same period last year, worth US$1.74 billion (60.1 billion baht), up 6% in value.
The government aims to export over 9.5 million tonnes this year.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1250250/next-auction-for-state-held-rice-called
EDITORIAL - Importing rice
(The Philippine Star) | Updated May 17, 2017 - 12:00am
After blowing hot and cold on the
issue, the government has decided that the country needs to import rice. This
time, however, the administration is reportedly avoiding
government-to-government deals, which an official said yesterday were prone to
corruption. Instead the government will source rice from the private sector.
Because of developments in previous
years, corruption is one of the biggest concerns in any decision to import
rice. Despite reports of a bumper rice harvest, officials said yesterday that
the nation’s rice buffer was becoming depleted, necessitating the importation
of the staple.
In the recent past, industry
experts have blamed the Philippine government for pushing up world rice prices
due to massive importations that critics said were not necessary. Lessons
should have been learned from rice scandals in the past. As the government
prefers to resume rice importations, safeguards can be put in place to deter
corruption, discourage price manipulation and rice cartels, and monitor the
actions of public officials involved in negotiations and procurement.
President Duterte, who has promised
a relentless war on corruption, must show that any rice importation under his
watch will be different. Any importation must also balance the needs of local
rice farmers, who are averse to imports, and consumers.
Rice, being the nation’s staple, is
a politically sensitive commodity. The last thing the President should want is
a scandal hitting rice importations approved under his administration. If he
believes importing rice is necessary at this time, he can turn it into a model
of how to go about it properly, without forgetting the welfare of local
farmers, and with no taint of corruption
South Jeolla
farmers call on new administration to stop rice imports
May.17,2017 17:09 KSTModified on : May.17,2017 17:09 KST
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Farmers sow rice seedlings on the concrete tile ground during a
rally on May 16 in front of the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade
Corporation (aT) in Naju, South Jeolla Province. (provided by the
Gwangju-South Jeolla branch of the Korean Peasants’ League)
|
Farmers say rice imports will
lead to further price decreases, endangering farmers’ livelihoods
A
South Jeolla farmers’ group held a demonstration to protest imported rice
bidding that took place a week after the new South Korean administration took
office.
Around
200 farmers with the Gwangju-South Jeolla branch of the Korean Peasants’ League
held a rally on May 16 in front of the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade
Corporation (aT) in Naju, South Jeolla Province, to demand a halt to rice
imports and the dismissal of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Kim Jae-soo.
In
their protest, the demonstrators said the new administration had ignored
farmers’ appeals in going ahead with bidding for the import of 25,000 tons of
rice. They also voiced concerns that “leading examples of bad agriculture
practices” by the Park Geun-hye administration (2013-16) could continue if the
Moon administration does not pay attention to the issue.
As
part of their protest of the bidding, the demonstrators used five planting
machines to sow rice seedlings on the concrete tile ground in front of the aT
offices.
The
farmers also said the administration had made rice imports a “foregone
conclusion” on May 16, after Kim placed an advertisement for bidding on
overseas rice purchases on May 8, two days before the administration took
office.“[Kim] should be dismissed immediately, and attention should be paid to
the farmers‘ voices,” they said.The farmers went on to say the rice imports
were a “repudiation of the will of Baek Nam-ki, the farmer who died opposing
them.” (Baek was a farmer who died last year after being knocked over by a
police water cannon at an anti-Park administration protest.)
“[The
administration] needs to give hope to farmers who are facing fears of
plummeting rice prices as they do their planting,” they said.The farmers
pledged to adopt even stronger protest measures after the busy season ends to
ensure that rice imports are blocked.“At a time when rice stores have been
piling up for three years and rice prices have fallen, [the administration] has
insisted on encouraging prices to fall even more with rice imports, causing
tremendous economic damage to the state and farmers,” said Kim Yeong-sun, head
of the Gwangju branch’s general affairs department.
“Rice
imports are the top example of bad agriculture practices. They threaten our
food sovereignty and must be stopped,” Kim said.In a previous statement on May
15, the Korean Peasants’ League noted that tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) since the
tariffication of rice in 2015 mandate imports of 408,000 tons per year.“Yet
[South Korea] has continued importing food rice even after the import
obligation ended the same year because it is taking its cues from the US,” the
group protested.On May 12, the league presented the Blue House with a petition
demanding that bidding for food rice purchases be overturned.
By
Ahn Gwan-ok, Gwangju correspondent
Please
direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
Ex-Cabinet
official goes against the grain on rice importations
| SunStar Skip to main content SunStar CEBU Wed, May 17, 2017
Cabinet official goes against the grain on rice importations
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 By JEANDIE O. GALOLO
WHILE the 10-point economic agenda of the Duterte administration is
highly commendable to many, an economist sees some gaps that may hamper the
Philippines’ path toward sustained prosperity. In an interview, Cielito Habito,
economist and former socioeconomic planning secretary during the presidency of
Fidel Ramos (1992-1998), said one of the weak spots of the Philippines is its
current policy on quantitative restrictions on rice imports.
“We have a trade policy that gives the National Food Authority
(NFA) a monopoly on rice imports and the effect on that is that rice in the
Philippines is twice as expensive (as that in neighboring countries in
Southeast Asia). The impact on that on the poor is tremendous,” he said in an
interview on the sidelines of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Gearing Up
for External Competitiveness forum in Cebu City Marriott Hotel yesterday.
A quantitative restriction or QR is a special advantage granted by
the World Trade Organization (WTO) to the Philippines, which was initially
intended to allow local farmers to catch up on rice production by setting a
limit on the amount of rice that can be imported. Lifting it, however, would
translate to a free flow of rice imports to the Philippines without a minimum
access volume (MAV). Most of the country’s economic managers believe this will
translate to lower prices of rice. Others, however, maintain that this will put
local farmers at a disadvantage. With the QR now, the MAV is set at 850,000
metric tons.
The QR will expire on June 30. The WTO previously allowed the
Philippines to extend the deadline for the QR twice. First, it was extended in
2005 for 10 years, and when the 2015 deadline came, the government requested
for another two years extension. For Habito, lifting the QR would mean more
affordable rice. Vietnam, which has the lowest production cost for rice, has an
average market price of P21 per kilogram. In the Philippines, the cheapest rice
varieties cost around P35 per kilogram. “Most Cabinet members have recognized
that QR should be removed. But there is a law that needs to be amended to do
that,” the economist added.
Extreme positions Another challenge to this administration is its
tax reform proposal, which has met opposition from some members of Congress.
Among the most controversial provisos, so far, is the removal of tax exemptions
on cooperatives. Habito said that since the Department of Finance proposes to
lower the income tax to 20 percent, it is only proper that the government
removes some tax exemptions on some sectors. Another challenge, he said, is the
Duterte administration’s tendency to take “extreme positions” in labor, with
the issue of ending contractualization, as well as on the environment.
Duterte’s appointee to head the environment department, Gina Lopez, has been
rejected by the Commission on Appointments. “Government policymaking is a
balancing act.
You cannot be in extreme
positions,” the former Cabinet official advised. He said there was no need for
Cabinet secretaries with different positions to disagree publicly. For
instance, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia supports the lifting
of the QR on rice, while Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol wants another
extension. Instead, Habito advised these officials discuss these matters in
private so as not to confuse the public. Generally, however, prospects for the
Philippine economy remain bright. In the end, Habito said, it is the implementation
of the government’s socio-economic agenda, especially on infrastructure
development, that matters most.
Rice prices
rising anew despite ‘good harvest’
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 17,
2017 - 12:00am
It’s almost June. Rice retail prices are inching up again. A repeat
looms of the price surges of June 2013 and 2014. The government could be
repeating past mistakes.
To recount those two consecutive years, the agriculture department
had bragged of dry-season bumper harvests in March-April. Supposedly the
Philippines was fast becoming self-sufficient in rice. Still there were supply
shortages by June. Rates spiked 33 percent per kilo. Consumers howled. Senate
inquiries ensued. Unnamed price manipulators-hoarders were blamed. Yet no one
was indicted for economic sabotage.
In the Senate hearings emerged claims that protectors were abetting
the crooks. Insiders said there were two factions at the National Food
Authority. One was aligned with the vaunted “Goliath of Rice Smuggling.” The
guy was facing lawsuits ranging from electricity theft to importing garbage,
but nothing close to rice staple. The other faction was controlled by a big
trader in Binondo, Manila. So sly was he that he has caused the sacking of NFA
officials since 2014.
There was another bumper crop this March-April 2017. So why are
prices rising?
The answer is in the supply, as usual. Domestic production has
always been short. Rice farmers have been neglected for decades. They hardly
receive help in the form of irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides, high-yield
seedlings, post-harvest facilities, and warehousing. Bureaucrats steal the
meager funds the government plunks into “agricultural competitiveness
enhancement.” The NFA keeps importing rice, by itself or through selected
traders, instead of letting the private sector freely do it. From private rice
imports, the NFA could have earned tens of billions of pesos a year in tariffs.
Add that to its P5-billion annual budget, and the NFA would have had money not
only to buy local harvests but also modernize rice farming. But then, the
kickbacks are in overpriced imports, selective licensing, cargo handling,
sacks, and other items. The past agriculture and NFA chiefs were charged with
P3.2-plunder in 2013-2014, although the Ombudsman sat on the case.
This year the NFA permitted selected traders to bring in 650,000
tons by end-February. For various reasons – suppliers’ delivery lapses,
shipping delays – 150,000 tons missed the deadline. The administrator forbade
them from extending till March. It was already harvest time. Any more rice
imports would have dampened farm-gate prices, and farmers would lose money.
Meantime, the NFA Council ignored the administrator’s request to
import by June 250,000 tons, via government-to-government deals with Thailand
or Vietnam. That's only part of the NFA’s intended 1.3-million-ton import for
the whole of 2017. The Council knew there could be hanky-panky in G-to-Gs.
Vietnam’s counterparts of the NFA, Vinafoods-1 and -2, know only too well the
“kalakaran,”or percentage, that Filipino officials expect.
With each guarding the other, the rice stocks thinned out. The safe
supply level was unmet. It should have been 650,000 tons from the selected
traders, but this fell short of 150,000 tons. Add to that the 1.3 million tons
that NFA committed to buy within 2017, but 250,000 tons of that did not come in
on time. By June there would be shortage of 400,000 tons.
The giant smuggler and rival big Binondo trader know the situation,
of course. The bumper harvest was insufficient to fill domestic demand. There
was a 150,000-ton shortage of private imports before March. With only 500,000
tons brought in, the importers would up their price to recover the cost of the
withheld 150,000 tons. Going in their favor is the much-announced refusal of
the NFA Council to allow the G-to-G of 250,000 tons.
Quietly last week, President Duterte reportedly allowed the entry
of the 150,000 tons earlier debarred by the NFA administrator. The latter in
turn also rushed private imports from India and Pakistan. Timely arrival and
distribution of those imported stocks to the 16 NFA warehouses nationwide would
somehow lessen the domestic supply shortage. But the country will enter the
lean months starting late June.
Come July the country should have lifted its “qualitative
restrictions” on rice. Under a commitment since 2005 to the World Trade
Organization, the NFA no longer may select a few importers under the MAV
(minimum access volume). Anyone may henceforth import, so long as the tariff is
paid. Once pegged at 50 percent, that tariff presently is at 35 percent.
The government is caught in a bind. If it lets in a free-flow of
rice imports, prices would drop from natural competition. Consumers would
benefit, but farmers would go hungry – unless subsidized with the earnings from
the tariffs. If the government continues to restrict imports, the WTO and
agriculture importing countries may impose sanctions. They may ban or tighten
through their own higher tariffs their imports of Philippine sugar, bananas,
pineapples, even semiconductors and overseas Filipino workers.
* * *
Rice imports readied despite bullish grains outlook
Posted on May 17, 2017
HIGHER PRODUCTION of palay and
corn may be sustained this quarter on an increase in harvest area and on
prospects that there will be sufficient rainfall, the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) said yesterday.
Both staple grains are the biggest components of the crop sector
that accounted for 54% of total value of agricultural production in the first
quarter of 2017.
The April issue of PSA’s Rice and Corn Situation and Outlook report showed that palay will likely increase by 11.13% to 4.13 million metric tons (MT) in the second quarter from 3.71 million MT in 2016’s comparable three months.
The second-quarter data will result in a 11.78% uptick to 8.55 million MT in the first semester from 7.65 million MT during the same January-June period in 2016.
PSA similarly sees corn production surging by 44.58% to 1.32 million MT in the quarter ending June from a year-ago’s actual 0.91 million MT, pushing the first-half tally by 30.25% to 3.68 million MT from 2.83 million MT in 2016.
Increments in harvest areas resulting from availability of irrigation water, sufficient rainfall during planting period, and improved access to seeds will boost output, the PSA said.
Ariel T. Cayanan, the Agriculture department’s undersecretary for operations, told reporters on Monday farm production growth could hover around 5% in the second quarter due to favorable weather.
The April issue of PSA’s Rice and Corn Situation and Outlook report showed that palay will likely increase by 11.13% to 4.13 million metric tons (MT) in the second quarter from 3.71 million MT in 2016’s comparable three months.
The second-quarter data will result in a 11.78% uptick to 8.55 million MT in the first semester from 7.65 million MT during the same January-June period in 2016.
PSA similarly sees corn production surging by 44.58% to 1.32 million MT in the quarter ending June from a year-ago’s actual 0.91 million MT, pushing the first-half tally by 30.25% to 3.68 million MT from 2.83 million MT in 2016.
Increments in harvest areas resulting from availability of irrigation water, sufficient rainfall during planting period, and improved access to seeds will boost output, the PSA said.
Ariel T. Cayanan, the Agriculture department’s undersecretary for operations, told reporters on Monday farm production growth could hover around 5% in the second quarter due to favorable weather.
Farm output recovered from a contraction in the fourth quarter, expanding 5.28% in the first quarter from a year ago.
“Planting intentions of palay and corn farmers for the July-September 2017 harvest may surpass their output levels compared to their respective records in 2016,” the PSA said.
NOT GOV’T-TO-GOV’T
Ahead of the lean harvest season that usually starts in July, the government would seek rice to boost its stocks and will buy from private suppliers, not governments, in a bid to increase competitiveness and transparency.
The National Food Authority Council, which regulates the state-grain buyer the National Food Authority (NFA) did not specify an amount, but demand from the Philippines, one of the world’s biggest rice importers, could underpin prices in its main suppliers and major exporters Thailand and Vietnam.
The NFA had been seeking the council’s approval to import as much as 250,000 tons under government-to-government schemes with Vietnam and Thailand. The committee which decides on the amount to be imported meets on Thursday.
“The NFA will shift from government to government importation to government to private importation, a move that is more competitive, less corrupt and transparent,” the NFA Council said in a statement.Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr., who chairs the NFA Council, said the shift away from governments would ensure accountability. Mr. Evasco recently accused some NFA officials of “making a cash cow out of government-led rice importations”. The NFA management has denied any wrongdoing.
Rice inventories in the Philippines are running low, with government stockpiles shrinking to the least in more than three years in April, just enough to cover 10 days of national requirements.
To ensure supply availability throughout the year, especially during the typhoon season in the last quarter, the council said private traders can also import up to 805,000 tons under an annual quota scheme. -- Krista Angela M. Montealegre and Reuters
Government
approves G2P rice imports
By Alexis Romero and
Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 17, 2017 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte has allowed the National
Food Authority (NFA) to import rice from the private sector to augment its
buffer stock for the lean months, an official said yesterday.
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, who oversees the operations of
the NFA, said the NFA Council approved the importation of rice via government
to private scheme (G2P)in a meeting last Monday. He said the decision
represented a policy shift from government to government (G2G) rice
importation, which he described as “prone to corruption.”
“The NFA will also shift from government-to-government importation
to government to private importation (G2P), a move that is more competitive,
least corrupt and transparent,” Evasco said in a press conference yesterday in
Malacañang.“Instead of limiting the bidders to government counterparts, private
suppliers from participating countries may now be allowed to participate in the
bidding, making the whole process covered by the Government Procurement Reform
Act unlike the current G2G scheme,” he said. Evasco said the NFA Council’s
decision to adopt the G2P scheme was unanimous. He said Duterte is supportive
of the move.
“The President, during the last Cabinet meeting, has been given the
opportunity to listen to the position of the NFA Council, that there is a need
for us to import. The President said this time, the NFA would no longer have
the monopoly of importing rice. We should open the importation through the
private sector,” he said. NFA administrator Jason Aquino was present during the
council meeting and was supportive of the decision, Evasco said. Aquino
previously called for the importation of rice through the G2G scheme.
The Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council requires the
NFA to maintain a rice buffer stock good for 15 days at any given time and 30
days at the onset of the lean months of July to September. The country’s daily
consumption rate requirement is 32,720 metric tons or 654,000 bags. Agriculture
Secretary Emmanuel Piñol previously called for the importation of 250,000
metric tons of rice to serve as the country’s buffer stock for the lean months
through the G2G scheme. Piñol said the importation should only be done for the
lean months and that buying rice from local farmers remains the priority.
Evasco said the NFA would have to continue importing rice until the
country becomes rice self-sufficient.
“You know, the Philippines has never been self-sufficient in terms
of rice. Since time immemorial, we have been importing rice. There are two
modes to import rice. One is government-to-government. Unfortunately this G2G
has been abused. This has been used for corrupt practices because there is no
bidding involved,” Evasco said. “We have to make a drastic decision in order to
ensure a corrupt-free and competitive bidding process at the NFA. Hence,
instead of doing a G2G, the council will push for G2P to increase
accountability and transparency,” he said.
Evasco instructed the NFA to ensure that cartels would not
manipulate rice prices.
“I’m calling on the NFA management to really guard against the
emergence of cartels. After all, it’s the NFA that issues the certification of
eligibility and import permits,” the cabinet official said.
Private-led rice importation approved Evasco said the NFA council
has also approved the importation of 805,000 metric tons of Minimum Access
Volume (MAV) of rice this year. MAV is the volume of commodities allowed to be
imported by a member country as ac commitment to the World Trade Organization
(WTO). Aquino previously rejected the extension of rice importation under the
MAV scheme, which has been endorsed by the NFA council.
Last month, Duterte fired Evasco’s undersecretary Halmen Valdez,
who reviewed the NFA’s decision to deny the importation of rice. Duterte said
he could not figure out why Valdez was pushing for importation, which he said
would compete with the farmers’ products.
Evasco believes that the policy shift was an acknowledgement that
there is really a need for the Philippines to import rice
http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/05/17/1700565/government-approves-g2p-rice-imports
Bangladesh Tenders to Import 50,000 Tons of White Rice
Dhaka. Bangladesh's state grains buyer issued an international tender
on Monday (15/05) to import 50,000 tons of white rice, officials said, its
second tender in a week to build reserves and control prices of the staple.
The state agency, Directorate
General of Food, came up with its first tender for rice since 2011 as local rice
prices hit a record high and state reserves are at a six-year low.It plans to
import 600,000 tons of rice after flash floods hit fields about to be
harvested, potentially wiping out 700,000 tons of crops.
Authorities are considering waiving the tax on rice imports,
Badrul Hasan, the head of the Directorate General of Food, told Reuters last
week.He said the state agency also planned to import rice through
government-to-government deals with producers such as Thailand, Vietnam and
India because importing via tenders is a lengthy process.
In the latest tender, the
deadline for offers is May 28 and the rice is to be shipped in 40 days after
the deal is signed, a senior official at the state grains buyer said.The
world's fourth-biggest rice producer with more than 30 million tons per year,
Bangladesh consumes almost all its production to feed its population of 160
million. It often requires imports, however, to cope with shortages caused by
natural disasters like floods and droughts
http://jakartaglobe.id/international/bangladesh-tenders-to-import-50000-tons-of-white-rice/
Riverina rice farming: Leigh Vial is a
veteran of the rice industry
JAMES WAGSTAFF, The Weekly Times
May 16, 2017 7:00pm
DOCTOR, researcher. Nuffield
scholar, board director. Leigh Vial hasn’t struggled with a shortage of hats to
wear over the years.
And now, standing in a rice crop
on the flat Riverina plains of southwest NSW, it’s clear his current choice of
hat, that of farmer, is a perfect fit.While many people eat rice, Leigh lives
and breathes it. He has immersed himself in the industry since his parents
bought their family farm west of Moulamein, in 1970.
A 25-year veteran of the rice industry,
he returned to the farm in 2015 after three years with the Australian Centre
for International Agriculture Research in Laos and four years heading the
International Rice Research Institute’s experiment station project in the
Philippines.
A director of SunRice,
Australia’s rice marketing company since 2015, Leigh said the outlook for rice
was sound despite irrigation reform and competition for water from emerging
summer crops such as cotton.
“We’re certainly in a good area
for growing high-quality rice and that is part of the reason we’re here,” he
said. “In that rice-growing season we get lots of radiation, lots of heat and
there’s no pathogens worth mentioning — it’s rice-growing heaven.”
MIXED ENTREE
THE Vial farm now covers 2428ha,
including 1012ha of grazing country, 810ha of winter crops and, depending on
the year, 120-200ha of rice, with the help of his manager Neville Willox and
his nephew Donald.
In terms of profitability, the
self-replacing Merino flock of 1500 ewes now comes up trumps, prompting Leigh
to say he wished “we had more of them”.
The flock, on Bluebush bloodlines
from Hay, lambs from the last week of May and produces an average 21-22 micron
fleece at shearing in March.
The winter cropping program
comprises wheat, barley, canola and some lentils planted this year under pivot
irrigation. Dryland wheat yields average about two tonnes/ha.
Leigh said the farm, which
receives an annual average rainfall of 300-325mm. was looking a picture of
health following a good spring and solid autumn break.
The wet weather caused a late
start and finish to the rice season, which wrapped up earlier this month. A lot of the crop went into the ground slightly behind schedule
in late October and was followed by a summer that Leigh said was “cool to start
with and that slowed things up”.
AIR SUPPORT
RICE is sown at a rate of
120-150kg /ha. Leigh uses mainstream medium-grain varieties reiziq and sherpa
and occasionally a short-grain variety such as opus which are “a bit more
temperamental”.
With aerial sowing, water goes on
the rice bays a week before sowing. If drill sowing, bays are flushed after
sowing then irrigated every 10 days or two weeks until permanent water is
applied.
“We do both according to the
quality of the layout, according to the duck situation, according to any weed
issues we believe we have,” Leigh said. “Next season will be interesting because there’s clearly a
substantial population of ducks, so maybe more drill sowing.”
The Vials have a 2400-megalitre
water entitlement from the Edward River, which borders the property, and
purchase water on top of that.
In an average year the rice
requires 12-13 megalitres to the hectare, slightly less — 10-11 megalitres a
hectare — for shorter-season varieties.
Rice is harvested in April and
Leigh said the industry benchmark in terms of yields was 10 tonnes/ha with last
year’s cropping surpassing 11 tonnes/ha for the first time.
Rice is delivered to SunRice’s
Moulamein depot.
PRICE POINT
LEIGH described rice prices as
“subdued,”.
SunRice’s indicative price of
$300-$320 a tonne for medium-grain rice this season, down on previous years due
to increased world supply.
“In a global sense, medium-grain
production is up, Californians are back into the room (following several years
of drought) and there’s some parts of the world that are now producing medium
grain that didn’t,” Leigh said.
Leigh said challenges ahead
included water clawbacks under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
The Vials didn’t grow rice in
2006-07 and 2007-08 because of the drought.
“Our production is more variable
than it used to be,” Leigh said. “Once upon a time it was all based around how
much area you could find, now it’s all about water, water, water.”
Leigh said there were about 800
rice businesses delivering to SunRice which had been reasonably stable in
recent years.
He said many traditional rice
growers had switched to cotton in recent years.
“Two decades ago, nearly all the
activities other than rice were something of a side issue,” Leigh said. “Now
cotton is a core user of water, horticulture — particularly the expansion of
nut crops — is a core user. There is no doubt rice production has more
competition for water and that means we must pull up our socks. We must improve
our offering to rice growers to ensure we keep a vibrant industry.”
Leigh said, despite resistance
from some growers, SunRice’s single-desk export marketing system provided
“tangible benefits” to growers, through transport advantages, economies of
scale and “substantial bargaining power in a corrupt and messy global rice market”.
“Rice markets in a global sense
would have to rate No. 1 as the most opaque, corrupt and politically
manipulated markets in the world,” he said.
GLOBAL ROAMING
IN Laos, Leigh led a section of
the ACIAR, under the auspices of AusAID, to carry out agricultural research and
a skills exchange.
Leigh, who completed a PhD while
in Laos, described its rice industry as “pretty primitive” but “rapidly
changing”.
He said Laos’ rice production was
predominantly rain-fed, with a 1500-2000mm the average annual rainfall. But
farm labour is intensive, with Leigh estimating, it would take one person up to
30 days to transplant a hectare.
Given labour rates, which doubled
in Leigh’s time in Laos and had doubled again since, there was a
“machinery-driven evolution taking place”.
On the home front, Leigh is
positive about Australian agriculture, thanks to low interest rates, helping
farmers deal with low commodity prices.
/www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/on-farm/riverina-rice-farming-leigh-vial-is-a-veteran-of-the-rice-industry/news-story/19447676f9bd1cda97dc8e215117ae8b
Conveyor machinery rice mill in thailand
File: #152404912 | Author: auttakorn
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