China offers high-yielding rice variety to boost Pakistan’s food
security
CHANGSHA, China: Prof Yuan
Longping, globally known as ‘Father of the Hybrid Rice’, has claimed to have
developed Super-Hi Hybrid Rice seed, having more than double the yield
potential of the paddy varieties currently under cultivation around the world.“We
have recently developed a very successful Super-Hi Hybrid Rice variety with a
yield potential of 18 tons per hectare,” said Longping in a rare conversation
with the visiting Pakistani journalists.
“This latest tier variety can help
Pakistan in increasing rice yield very significantly and China will be happy to
share newly developed very high-yielding rice variety with its friendly
neighbor.” The typical production of presently sown hybrid rice in China
and Pakistan is around 7-8 tons per hectares. The Chinese expert observed that
down the line, China wanted to help Pakistan in developing latest super-hi
hybrid variety of rice for cultivation in local conditions.
“I think this new variety is the
toughest ever in commercial large scale trials in terms of yield and this
development and sharing its benefits have been a part of my lifelong wishes,”
said he pointing to a rice plant sown in a pot in a corner of his room for
demonstration purpose.
Prof Longping, 86, is a simple-looking
man who’s pioneering research has ended famine and hunger from the world most
populous country and other regions. Known as one of the world’s outstanding
scientists in agricultural science, he worked hard for combating food shortages
and hunger through his successful development of high-yielding rice varieties.
The United Nations (UN)
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the UN World Intellectual
Property Organization, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well
as academic and non-governmental institutions in the US, Japan, Great Britain
and other countries, conferred on him nine honorary titles and prizes.
He received the 2004 World Food
Prize for his breakthrough achievement in developing the genetic materials and
technologies essential for breeding high-yielding hybrid rice varieties. He
continues his innovative scientific work as Director-General of the China
National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Center in Changsha, Hunan
Province, China.Longping is widely acknowledged as the first person to discover
how to achieve fast growth with greater yield and stress resistance. In 1964,
he happened to find a natural hybrid rice plant that had obvious advantages
over others. Greatly encouraged, he began to study the elements of this
particular type. In 1973, in cooperation with others, he was able to cultivate
a type of hybrid rice species which had great advantages.
It yielded 20 percent more per unit
than that of common ones. And then he never looked back. His untiring efforts
on the front of research continue. Now, about half of China’s rice production
area is planted with hybrid rice. Worldwide, more than fifth of rice comes from
rice species created by hybrid rice following Longping’s breakthrough
discoveries. China has recently built a sprawling Hybrid Rice Museum to solely
highlight his work. This facility includes extensive demonstration of his
several rice varieties sown in fields.
While warmly welcoming ‘Pakistani
friends’ at his institute, he said that one of his friends from Pakistan told
him that hybrid rice varieties are performing well in their country. “The area
of hybrid rice in Pakistan is about 200,000 hectares and per hectare yield of
hybrid rice is as high as eight tons, which is very good,” said Longping. However,
he said, the currently Pakistan needed to further increase the yield of the
hybrid rice varieties.
“The new breakthrough in increasing
yield of hybrid rice will help Pakistan augmenting its production,” he
observed.To a query about the role of hybrid rice role in ending hunger from
the world, he said, China has opened the doors for all to take the advantages
of the high-yielding hybrid rice varieties. “Our government has allowed us to
spread the benefits of hybrid rice to other nations, especially developing
countries,” said the Chinese scientist.
He added that it was his pleasure
to help Pakistan in this regard. “I have heard many very good things about
Pakistan. And I am very happy that hybrid rice varieties are performing very
well in your country,” the expert said.Replying to a question, Longping said,
he did not face any obstacles in his quest for the hybrid rice seed. “Now our
focus is on the development of disease-resistance and stress-tolerant
super-high hybrid rice varieties,” the professor said replying to another
query.
Referring to climate change and its
impact on agriculture, he said, the planet is becoming warmer and warmer due to
climate change. “We are working on heat-tolerant varieties, which can be sown
in Pakistan where temperature is generally very high in summer. Hot weather at
flowering stage is not good for hybrid rice and it should be lower than 38
degrees. Same is the case with growing problem of water scarcity,” Longping
explained.
On Pakistan-China friendship, the
‘father of hybrid rice’ emphatically said there was a ‘very good friendship and
relationship between China and Pakistan.’ “This friendship continues helping
each other. Pakistan also is a very good country and China has a good friend in
the neighborhood,” said the elderly agronomist. In the next breath, Longping
wished Pakistan to become better and better and a leading nation.
Mansoor Ahmad, the leader of
Pakistan media delegation, in his welcome note said that Prof Longping has done
a great job for ending food scarcity from China as well as the whole world by
introducing hybrid rice.
At the end, Fakher Malik, a veteran
journalist, presented the renowned scientist a well-painted portrait of
himself. Thanking, the Pakistani journalists for this gesture of goodwill, the
Chinese scientist, said he would keep this portrait in his office as a reminder
of this wonderful occasion.
IranRice Imports at 760,000 Tons Last Year
Around 760,000 tons of rice were
imported into Iran during the last fiscal year that ended on March 20, 2017, a
deputy minister of agriculture said. “This is a remarkable achievement, as four
years ago when President Hassan Rouhani took office, rice imports stood at 2
million tons [per year],” Yazdan Seif was also quoted as saying by Mehr News
Agency. Iranians consume about 3.2 million tons of rice every year. The
government periodically places a ban on imports during the harvest season to
support local farmers.
https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic-economy/70861/rice-imports-at-760000-tons-last-year
Pakistan,Indonesia opt for concession on 20 items
Re-negotiation under PTA
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia have agreed
on concession for 20 different items during bilateral negotiation under
Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
Both sides discussed 20 tariff lines and
Indonesia agreed to give concession on major exports from Pakistan including
rice, textile, ethanol, kinnow and mangoes during renegotiation on PTA, senior
official of Ministry of Commerce told APP here on Sunday.
Concession on 20 tariff lines was major success
of Pakistan and now Pakistani kinnow export to Indonesia will increase from 18
to 35 million tons and mangoes exports will increase to 10 million tons in a
year, he said. The official said that before PTA, Indonesia granted only two
months for export of Pakistan's kinnows and mangoes but now after
renegotiation, Pakistan can export these fruits to Indonesia for the whole year
and any time-limit was removed.
Replying to a question, he said that Pakistan
and Indonesia have current annual trade volume of $170 million which is
expected to increases after renegotiation on PTA between the two countries.
Pakistan wants the same concessions from Indonesia which is getting from other
countries like China, India, Sri Lanka and ASEAN countries, he said.
Both the countries agreed to expand PTA and go
for a Free Trade Agreement between them, the official said. He said the
Pakistan-Indonesia Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed in February
2012. Under the PTA, Indonesia allowed Pakistani kinnow to be shipped to
Tanjung Port of Jakarta, he added.
He said that through these steps, Pakistani
agricultural products will gain greater market access in Indonesia
http://nation.com.pk/business/21-Aug-2017/pakistan-indonesia-opt-for-concession-on-20-items
Basmati
overtakes buffalo meat as top export commodity
Export of buffalo meat was affected by a short-lived ban on sales
of cattle at mandis
Basmati rice has regained
the tag of top commodity export from India, overtaking buffalo meat in the June
quarter. Since 2014-15, buffalo meat had
surpassed basmati rice as India’s top export commodity because of suspension of
fresh orders by Iran, which consumes nearly a fourth of India’s aromatic rice
exports.
Iranian traders suspend fresh orders for basmati rice during the
harvesting of the country’s rice crop. This year, however, they continued
imports of basmati rice. In contrast, export of buffalo meat was affected by a
short-lived ban on sales of cattle at mandis.
According to the the
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda)
estimates, India exported basmati rice worth $1.26 billion (Rs 8,168 crore)
between April and June, up from $934 million (Rs 6,196 crore) in the same
quarter a year ago. Buffalo meat exports were $849 million (Rs 5,473 crore)
during the quarter against $823 million (Rs 5,445 crore) in the same period
last year.
“Indian exporters used to execute orders on “documents against
acceptance”, which was stopped by the government because overseas buyers’
re-negotiated terms after shipments reached them. So there were corrections in
export of basmati rice over the last few years. Now overseas buyers are
purchasing commodities on spot cash,” said an Apeda official."Iranian
buyers have continued their purchases even during their own rice harvesting
season. That has resulted in an increase in basmati rice exports in
April-June,” he added.
Exports of basmati rice rose
to 1.26 million tonnes in April-June from 1.18 million tonnes in the
corresponding quarter a year ago. The average realisation from basmati rice
jumped 28 per cent to $1,009 a tonne this year from $787 a tonne last
year.Exports of buffalo meat declined to 279,409 tonnes in April-June from
280,869 tonnes in the corresponding quarter last year. Average realisation
increased by 3.75 per cent to $3,039 this year from $2,929 last year.
Buffalo meat exporters faced
supply problems due to the Centre’s ban on animal sales, which was stayed by
the Supreme Court after a few weeks.
Overseas buyers are hesitant to place orders for Indian buffalo meat
because of the policy changes. “The growth of India’s buffalo meat exports
depends upon consistency in government policy,” said Bushran Zakariya,
director, Zakariya Agro, a Kanpur-based buffalo meat exporter.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/basmati-overtakes-buffalo-meat-as-top-export-commodity-117082100832_1.html
Agriculture
FAO distributes 51 bags of rice seeds to
Anambra farmers
By . | Publish Date: Aug 21 2017 2:06PM
The Food and Agricultural
Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with Africa Rice Nigeria has distributed 51
bags of improved rice seeds to 50 farmers in Anambra to boost production.Mr
Andrew Ikhadeunu, FAO National Project Coordinator, Rice Value Chain, told
newsmen in Awka on Monday that the beneficiaries were earlier selected and
trained in February.
“They were given demonstration plots
for planting. Now they have harvested, we are following it up with the improved
seeds of 51 bags of rice for them,’’ he said.Ikhadeunu said that the aim was to
support the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development which is the facilitator
of the programme to empower rice farmers in the state.“There is need for us to
come out of hunger. If we are to put an end to massive rice importation, there
is need to empower some Nigerians with such intervention programme.
’’We look at it that there is need
for us to support the farmers. We look at the states that have potentials, and
Anambra state is one of them,’’ he said.According to him, other benefiting
states in the programme are Abia, Ekiti, Edo, Nassarawa and Jigawa.
He urged the beneficiaries to resist
the temptation of selling the rice seeds, adding, “what you have is the best
and with your cooperation, we can achieve food sufficiency in the
country."Dr Francis Nwilene, Regional Representative of Africa Rice
Nigeria said that the target was for each state of Nigeria to be self
sufficient in rice production.Nwilene, who was represented by Mr Jide Oladejo,
one of the scientists in FAO, said that the major challenges of rice production
in Nigeria were impurities.
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/agriculture/fao-distributes-51-bags-of-rice-seeds-to-anambra-farmers/210984.html
13 types of crops improves yield,
vigor and short life cycle of Rice & Wheat: Scientist
BY M L VERMA
AUGUST
21, 2017
Scientist discovered 13 different
types of crops which could improve the yield, vigour and short lifecycle of
principal cereals and food-grain likely to bring revolution in the field Rice
and Wheat cultivation in various parts of the Country. This was stated by Dr.
P. L. Gautam former vice chancellor of G.B. Pant University and Technology
Pantnagar (Uttrakhand) while delivering popular lecture series at Govt. Degree
College, Bilaspur organised by Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology
and Environment today.
Dr. Gautam who had been work with
National Bureau of Plant Genetics Resources shared his experience with the
students and emphasised at the determination to do something is must and can
bring out great differences in your own life and also in others. “As a
scientist, I discovered 13 types of crops with improved yield, vigour and short
life cycle could make the revolution in the field of rice and wheat cultivation
in various parts of the country.” he informed.
He emphasised that science not
only enhances your knowledge and understanding and also changes the way of
thinking and in this language plays a vital role. ”In order to encourage
students in developing scientific attitude and also to take up science and
technology in the future.” he said. He narrated the discoveries and inventions
of several great scientists like Archimedes Galileo, Newton, Albert Einstein,
Charles Darwin, Marie Curie etc. These scientists were from the humble
background not great students in schools but had the zest of discovery. Dr.
Manoj Kumar Patairiya, Director, CSIR, National Institute of Science
Communication and Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya, Director, CSIR, National Institute
of Science Communication and Information Resources, said in life we don’t need
to be the great scientist but we need to have the scientific analytical
temperament.
He gave an example of
drinking water which could be purified by using several layers of clean cotton
cloth which could prevent about 65% of water-borne diseases. Rest could be
taken care of if we stop throwing industrial waste and effluent in water
bodies. Students must question their teachers and seek reasons. Accepting thing
as told is not scientific. He also quoted an example of death due to
carbon-monoxide poisoning in newspapers. Proper reporting with reasons is not
done. Several lives are lost due to repeated similar accidents such small
science would bring big impact. The lecture was attended by about 400 college
and school students.
http://www.himvani.com/news/2017/08/21/13-types-of-crops-improves-yield-vigor-and-short-life-cycle-of-rice-wheat-scientist/
USA Rice Launches Sustainability Award
ARLINGTON, VA - While insiders know U.S.-grown rice is one of the
most sustainable and responsibly grown crops in the world, telling that story
to those who are unaware is increasingly important. To help recognize the
crop's unique environmental qualities and the men and women who improve rice's
sustainability every day, USA Rice has launched a new Sustainability Award to
identify and promote prime examples.
The USA Rice Sustainability Award is open to individuals or
entities with significant involvement in the U.S. rice industry and with a
history of promoting and advancing sustainability through innovative practices
and demonstrated leadership in the sustainability community.
"Rice farming today, by definition, is sustainable, but we
think it's important to recognize leaders in the field, both internally and
externally," said Jennifer James, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the
USA Rice Sustainability Committee that created the new award category.
"We are looking for men and women and companies who embody sustainability
by their actions and who are willing to share their vision of the future and
commitment to the environment with others and help others follow in their
footsteps."
James said the award committee is now accepting nominations
through September 29, 2017 and that the award
will be presented at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in San Antonio, Texas
on December 10, 2017.
The application form can be found here.
In Memory: Ray Stoesser
The rice industry has lost a great friend and advocate with the
passing on August 18, 2017 of Ray Edward Stoesser, 68, of Dayton, Texas.
Ray was born October 9, 1948 in Dayton and began rice farming in
his junior year of high school. He
continued farming through the summers while he attended Baylor University,
graduating in 1971 with a BBA and a wife - Eileen Jarett of Corpus Christi.
In 1972, he began farming full-time in Eastgate, Texas with his
father, Eddie, brother, Jack, and cousin, Roger Brown.
Ray's farm, and family, expanded quickly. In 1976, the farm added acreage in Raywood on
the Devers Canal and Ray and Eileen had their first son, Neal. Son Grant would follow ten years later. Neal began farming with Ray in 1994, and
Grant started farming with him in 2003.
Over the years, Ray had been honored many times for his
contributions to the rice industry and he held numerous leadership positions
within the industry.
He served as president of the Texas Rice Council, Past Chairman of
the Board of Directors of the U.S. Rice Producers Association, Board Member of
the Texas Rice Producers Board, Board Member of the Texas Rice Research
Foundation, and Board Member of the American Rice Growers Dayton Division. He
has also served as President of the Liberty County Farm Bureau, Former Board
Member of the First National Bank of Dayton, and Member of the Texas Soybean
Association.
In 1997, Ray was honored as Rice Farmer of the Year at the Winnie
Rice Festival. In 2010, the Texas State House of Representatives presented Ray
with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service on the State Board of the
Coastal Water Authority, and in 2016 the Texas Senate recognized his
contributions to the Texas Rice Industry.
In 2015, the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice
Conference named Ray the "National Rice Farmer of the Year."
Ray was an active and vocal advocate for the U.S. rice industry,
traveling to Washington, DC annually to lobby on behalf of the industry and
taking many foreign trips to support and promote U.S.-grown rice.
Ray leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Eileen Jarett Stoesser;
sons, Neal and Grant and their wives, Meredith and Laci, and grandchildren,
Nate, Jed, Wes, Jase and Ford, as well as four sisters and numerous nieces,
nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Memorials in Ray's name may be made to the First Baptist Church
Scholarship Program, 202 East Houston, Dayton, Texas 77535.
Jennifer James Talks
Sustainability
USA Rice Launches Sustainability Award
By Michael Klein
ARLINGTON, VA - While insiders know U.S.-grown rice is one of the
most sustainable and responsibly grown crops in the world, telling that story
to those who are unaware is increasingly important. To help recognize the crop's unique
environmental qualities and the men and women who improve rice's sustainability
every day, USA Rice has launched a new Sustainability Award to identify and
promote prime examples.
The USA Rice Sustainability Award is open to individuals or
entities with significant involvement in the U.S. rice industry and with a
history of promoting and advancing sustainability through innovative practices
and demonstrated leadership in the sustainability community.
"Rice farming today, by definition, is sustainable, but we
think it's important to recognize leaders in the field, both internally and
externally," said Jennifer James, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the
USA Rice Sustainability Committee that created the new award category. "We are looking for men and women and
companies who embody sustainability by their actions and who are willing to
share their vision of the future and commitment to the environment with others
and help others follow in their footsteps."
James said the award committee is now accepting nominations
through September 29, 2017 and that the award will be presented at the USA Rice
Outlook Conference in San Antonio, Texas on December 10, 2017.
Nigeria: Special Report - How Nigerian Companies Raked Billions
After CBN Switched Off Dollar Tap On 41 Items
Photo: Premium Times
Central Bank of Nigeria.
By Bassey Udo
"Our product is about 25 per cent cheaper than that of the
Chinese, our main competition, although we consider our quality top of the
range," said Rotimi Sokeni, chairman of Baton.The company's smallest
dispensers costs less than N100, while a pack of 250 sticks go for less than
N200. With about N300, one can take the mega size of 700 sticks."We set
out with the idea to ultimately get to a point where Nigeria could stop
importation of wood, paper and pulp products by employing locally available
'wood' as raw materials to produce a basket of high quality, cost effective
products for import substitution and export," Mr. Sekoni said.
Baton's staff exclude other seasonal employees of at least 400
people involved in its operations and process value chain. The company hopes to
keep a pay roll of about 450-500 full time staff soon.The company owes its
thanks to the CBN policy. The plan to limit dollar use for importation of items
such as toothpicks, besides conserving foreign exchange for other more pressing
needs, also served to help local manufacturers.
The affected 41 items included rice, cement, margarine, palm
kernel/palm oil products/vegetable oils, meat and processed meat products,
vegetables and processed vegetable products as well as poultry (chicken, eggs,
turkey), private airplanes/jets, Indian incense, tinned fish in sauce
(Geisha)/sardines), cold rolled steel sheets, galvanized steel sheets, roofing
sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans, metal boxes and containers enamelware, steel
drums, steel pipes and wire rods (deformed and not deformed).
Others are iron rods and reinforcing bars, wire mesh, steel nails,
security and razor wire, wood particle boards and panels, wood fiber boards and
panels, plywood boards and panels, wooden doors, furniture, toothpicks, glass
and glassware, kitchen utensils, tableware, tiles (vitrified and ceramic),
textiles, woven fabrics, clothes, plastic and rubber products, cellophane
wrappers, soap and cosmetics, tomatoes/tomato pastes and Euro bond/foreign
currency bond/share purchases were also affected.
Instant impact
While CBN did not ban the importation of the affected items, it
allowed interested importers to source forex outside the official window at a
higher cost. As the policy came into force, many local manufacturers of
affected items said they felt instant impact.
Psaltry International Limited, PIL, an agro allied manufacturing
company based in Ado Awaye, a rural community in Oyo State, said the policy
brought the most dramatic turnaround in its profit.
The firm began production from its 20-tons per day starch
factory in 2012, but for years, returns were poor due to low patronage.
Majority of Nigerian companies, particularly multi-national conglomerates like
Unilever, Nestle, and Nigerian Breweries, that used starch in their operations,
preferred to import to meet their needs.
The company struggled to cover costs, as the meagre income
realised from poor sales were barely sufficient to take care of overheads and
repayment of interest on the N264 million loan from First Bank in 2012 to
construct the first production line, Yemisi Iranloye, its chief executive,
said.
Ms. Iranloye said shortly the policy came into force, demand for
product from customers rose.
"With our clientele spanning over 50 multi-national
conglomerates in Nigeria, including Unilever, Nestle, and Nigerian Breweries,
the company could barely meet about 10 per cent of their demand," she
said.
Few months later, the company's turnover jumped from less than
N400 million the previous year to over $3.5million (about N1.2 billion) by
December 2015.
The company's asset base, comprising factory, farm land and
equipment, for the corresponding period stood at about $5million (about N1.6
billion), a review of the company's financial records showed.
Since 2015, Ms. Iranloye said PIL's operatons saved more than $7
million (about N2.1 billion) in forex for the country, an amount used by its
new clients a year earlier on importation of their starch when the CBN policy
was not in place.She said since the policy, PIL had grown in geometric
progression, almost tripling its production figures in almost three years of
the CBN policy.
From 300 workers, including 200 permanent and 100 temporary
staff before 2015, she said PIL now has 650 farmers, cultivating over 2,500
hectares of cassava as at 2015.
Besides, she said since then, the figure has increased to over
5,000 farmers, harvesting 18-20 tons per hectare of cassava every year, with
plans to increase to an average of 25-30 tons by end of 2017, to meet growing
demand.The multiplier effect of the expanding demand for the company's starch,
as a result of the restriction on FOREX to companies that were importing the
substitute, could also be seen on the Ado Awaye community and environs.
Apart from buying cassava from out-growers in the immediate
community, no fewer than 2,000 registered and unregistered farm families,
marketers, labourers, traders, transporters, and retail input suppliers are
involved in the company's cassava supply value chain.
To boost its capacity to meet the demand from its growing
clientele, Ms. Iranloye said PIL in 2016 took another N500 million loan from
First City Monument Bank, FCMB, to build the second production line.
"Because we are growing and expanding rapidly in the last
three and a half years, thanks to the CBN policy, we are planning to take a
third facility to continue to expand our production capacity.
"Our story has significantly
changed today. Prior to CBN's policy restricting FOREX for importation of the
41 items, no farmer in this community could count N100, 000 cash as income.
"Today, because we have a lot
market for our products, we have enough money at our disposal to buy up all the
cassava the small farmers in the community and environs supply to us.
"It is enough incentive for the
people to be motivated to cultivate more, with some supplying over N3million
worth of cassava every year. Their economy has been impacted significantly.
They are now able to send their children to school," Ms. Iranloye said.
Impact spreads
The impact of the policy has not
been limited to PIL alone. Other businesses that were struggling to keep their
heads above the waters also have positive stories to tell.
Roy Deepanjan, managing director,
CHI Limited, a Lagos-based foods, beverages and dairy products manufacturers,
said those who had been patronising the imported variety of CHI's chain of
products reverted to their local blends.
CHI Limited is an affiliate of
Tropical General Investment, TGI, conglomerate, with business interests
spanning food, healthcare, agriculture, engineering and other industries.
With increased demand for CHI's
products, the managing director said the company is now investing in local raw
materials, like palm oil plantations and margarine, meat and beef. Fruits used
for food drinks production are from CHI farms across the country.
He said the high price of the
imported brand of the company's line of products is a blessing in disguise.
With the CBN policy, most Nigerians prefer its products with local blends, like
Chivita, Lucozade Boost and the like, which is comparatively cheaper, though of
equal quality.
With the CBN policy, Mr. Deepanjan
said CHI found it was more cost effective to source for raw materials locally
and produce its products.
"The CBN policy has helped
limit competition from imported variety of our products," Mr. Deepanjan
told PREMIUM TIMES.
"Before now, stocks of our
products used to take a long time before they were exhausted, because consumers
preferred the imported alternatives. The competition was stiff and harsh.
Today, it's hard to see our products left for days after production.
"We are constantly under
pressure to expand production to cope with growing demand. This means we must
employ more hands in our effort to produce to meet our ever-growing demand.
"Between June 2015 and now, we
have created over 2,500 direct employments across Nigeria, more than the total
figure in almost 10 years before the policy was introduced. The indirect
employees in the company's business value chain, including transporters,
distributors and marketers are over 70,000.
"What I can say is that the CBN
policy has done the Nigerian economy one of the greatest good. Without it,
every dollar spent to import products that rivaled CHI's were indirectly
financing the survival of rival company's abroad and creating employment for
those economies, while killing our local industries and fueling unemployment back
home," Mr. Deepanjan said.
Numbers adding up
The Nigerian economy thrives on
imports, often to the detriment of the local economy. Reputed to be one of the
world's largest producers of hydrocarbon, but the NNPC's monthly financial and
operations reports for June 2017 showed Nigeria imports more than 70 per cent
of refined petroleum products it consumes daily.
The government spent over N7
trillion on importation of consumable and household items in 2015 alone, the
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, said
recently.
Details of the import bills included
N6.7 trillion on goods and services for which the country has capacity to
produce locally; N1.09 trillion on foods and drinks; N1.5 trillion on spare
parts; N123.01 billion on leather shoes and clothes and N399 billion on
household items.
Further breakdown of the figures
showed Nigeria's import bill during the year, for food items, like wheat,
sugar, rice, milk and fish, stood at about N901 billion per month.
The CBN Annual Report 2015 showed
the demand for FOREX for fuel imports and other purposes by individuals and
corporate entities rose astronomically during the period, from $3.2 billion
monthly to $5billion.
The high import bills, particularly
for food and other items that could be produced locally, accounted for the
sharp decline in the country's external reserves, from $34.2 billion to $28.28
billion during the period.
The restriction of access to FOREX
by importers of 41 items was one of CBN's alternative strategies to:
conserve FOREX hitherto used to fund
such imports, to reactivate local industries, create jobs and save the Nigerian
economy from sinking, amid falling oil money.
The policy appears to be achieving
its goals. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said at the 16th Conference of Speakers
and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, Africa Region in Abuja recently
that Nigeria's rice importation dropped by over 80 per cent in the last two
years.
Also, the NBS Foreign Trade in goods
statistics for the first quarter of 2017 speak of the huge impact of the CBN
intervention on the economy. The report said Nigeria's total trade volume for
the period stood at about N5.3 trillion, a 12.3 per cent growth from about
N4.72 trillion in the third quarter of 2016.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
Further details showed that when
compared with the data in the first quarter of 2017, total imports of
manufactured goods was lower by 3.3 per cent, compared with equivalent
manufactured goods exports, which recorded a massive 45 per cent increase, more
than the value in the last quarter of 2016.
In terms of raw materials, the NBS
said total imports reduced by 11.3 per cent in the last quarter of 2016 against
exports, which recorded a 25 per cent reduction in first quarter of 2017.
For agricultural goods, the
statistics agency said total imports grew by 1.96 per cent in the first quarter
of 2017, compared to the fourth quarter in 2016. Total exports grew in value by
as high as 82 per cent, compared with the corresponding periods.
Specifically, imports of some of the
items included in the CBN's 41 items list, like boilers, machinery and
appliances parts, for the first quarter of 2017 stood at 19.8 per cent;
vehicles and aircraft parts as well as vessels (5.3 per cent) and vegetable
products (5.2 per cent).
Compared to exports, vehicles and
aircraft parts as well as vessels was 0.6 per cent; vegetable products (0.4 per
cent); plastic rubber and other articles (0.2 per cent), while prepared
foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and vinegar, tobacco was 1.7 per cent increases
as at June 2017.
Meeting customers' demand
For Tempo Foods and Packaging
Limited and Tempo Paper Pulp & Packaging Limited, the 41 items policy by
the CBN saved it from continuing to be victim of dumping of foreign products in
Nigerian market.
The deputy managing director of
Tempo Group of the Otta, Ogun state-based manufacturers of packaging and foods
products, Nassos Sidirofagis, said since the introduction of the policy more
than two years ago, Tempo Group has witnessed significant changes in the demand
for its products.
"Although we are in the middle
of a serious economic crisis, which makes it difficult to see the full impact
of the policy yet, the country is moving in the right direction.
"The introduction of the policy
by CBN made Tempo Group to declare profit for the first time last year in many
years," the deputy managing director said.
With the profit, he said the company
was able to acquire another automated machine to expand its operations and
production to meet growing demand.
"This could not have happened
three to four years ago. We are a good example of Nigerian companies that were
losing money due to importation and dumping of competing products. Today, we
have been exporting our products since the second half of 2016," Mr. Sidirofagis
said.
The vice president, OLAM Nigeria
Limited, Regie George, said the impact of the CBN policy could be seen in the
company's numbers, and the number of new projects in the last two years to cope
with expanding market.
The Iganmu, Lagos-based company
involved in local farming, importation, distribution and milling of rice, said
it has since started a brand new animal feeds business and hatchery in Kaduna.
"The policy has significantly
enhanced our rice production capacity to a commercial farm in Nasarawa State.
We have 3,500 direct staff, apart
from over 7,000 seasonal workers. We have 18 processing units and 115
warehouses, focused on procuring primary commodities, like cashews, cocoa and
shea nut," Mr. George said.
Mr. George said the company has
continued to invest in its 10,000 hectare farm with integrated mill, directly
employing about 950 people, and producing about 36,000 metric tons of rice pay
annum, raising its production figures by almost 50 per cent in the last two
years.
"The policy has created a lot
of consciousness among Nigerians about the need to be self-sufficient in
domestic production of goods and services. With the policy, we have about $160
million of new investments in the country, including an animal feed business,
with feed mills and integrated hatchery in Kaduna.
"We have enhanced our rice
production capacity through our commercial arm in Nassarawa state as well as
double the numbers in the agricultural out-growers programme, in partnership
with CBN under its ADP.
"We have over 5,000 farmers in
6,000 hectares of farmlands in Nassarawa, Benue and Kaduna States. The farmers
are getting better productivity.
"Our rice production capacity
has increased all over the country since the introduction of the CBN policy. We
have doubled our milling capacity, and already working on a dairy/beverage
plants. Our profitability has been enhanced. Several thousands of jobs have
been created for Nigerians," Mr. George said.
Also, the general manager, Labana
Rice Mills in Kebbi State, Abdullahi Zuru, said the CBN FOREX restriction
policy has made significant impact on the company's operations in particular
and country's economy in general.
Prior to the policy, Mr. Zuru said
only Nigerians who could afford to travel to India, Thailand and China, were
importing and flooding the country markets with rice. The profit made benefited
only individual importers.
But, since the CBN policy, he said
the number of Nigerians returning to farming, to produce rice and other
agricultural products, has been amazing.
"Imported items, particularly
rice, are now produced in Nigeria in large volumes and sold to indigenous rice
millers.
"Today, with CBN's support,
Labana Rice Mills Limited is operating two rice mills, with processing capacity
from the mills increasing by about 250 per cent since last year, to about 320
tons per day.
"Instead of empowering the rice
producers in Thailand, India and China, and creating jobs for their economies,
the reverse is the case today.
"Massive employment
opportunities, in terms of the farmers, transporters transporting the products
to town, from town to market; from market to the various processing factories.
"We were not producing to
capacity before now. We had to reduce the staff, leaving only about 10 to 20
per cent. But, the market has improved significantly. We are not producing and
storing anymore. We are now selling.
"Since the FOREX restriction
policy, we have increased the number of employees by about 50 per cent.
"More people employed, more
production and procession, distribution and sales outlets - manufacturers,
transporters, loaders, distributors, sub-distributors and retailers," Mr.
Zuru said.
The managing director of Kano-based
Umza International Farms Limited, Mohammed Abubakar, described the CBN policy
as "a perfect idea at the right time."
"The issue should not be impact
of the policy. Rather, how CBN would sustain the policy in the long run.
Reversal now will be suicidal.
"A lot of Nigerians have taken
advantage of the growing appetite for local products as a result of the policy
to invest massively in the reactivation of their moribund companies. Nigerians
are now looking inwards to produce local substitutes to some of the 41 items on
the CBN list.
"We should look for more
products to add to the list. It will help industries survive and the Nigerian
economy continue to grow. We can never survive as a nation by importing what we
eat. Survival comes when we eat what we grow.
"With the CBN policy, Nigerians
will begin to think of how to generate more new jobs for the people. CBN should
expand the scope of the policy to cover other items whose importation served as
a drain to scarce FOREX in the past," he said.
On how the policy has impacted his
company, Mr. Abubakar said the growing market for paddy rice has more than
tripled, not only his company's production, but also the country's.
"What was impossible for
several years when importation of other brands of rice were being allowed in
the country has become possible, with Nigeria already on its way to
self-sufficient in rice production.
"A bag of paddy rice, which
used to cost N2,000 six years ago, today sells for about N10,000, because the
quality is comparable to any imported brand. If CBN sustains the policy, in
three to four years, importation of rice will become history in Nigeria,"
he said.
Since the policy was introduced, Mr.
Abubakar said the only challenge Umza is facing has been inability to meet its
customers' growing demand.
"Before 2015, we used to have
tons of rice in our warehouse waiting for buyers. Today, buyers pay money in
advance and wait patiently for the production of their order. We now employ
over 200 people, excluding casual labourers, farmers and drivers to deliver on
orders.
"With the policy, farmers are
encouraged to take agriculture as serious business. Most Nigerians who were
involved in farming were at the level of subsistence. Now, people are resigning
from other jobs to go into big time farming.
"Extension services to farmers
have improved. Seeds quality has improved. Off-taking stocks have increased.
There are lots of transformation and
improvement. Utilization capacity of rice mills has taken a leap.
"Rice importation was a major
drain for billions of the country's scarce FOREX every year. We were importing
3-4 million tons of rice every year from countries that did not even have as
much potentials as Nigeria. With the CBN policy, these resources have been
saved for the country.
He said Umza, which produces the
Sarauniyya Golden Rice brand in Kano, today operates at almost 100 per cent of
its installed capacity, and stockpiles about 150,000 metric tons of paddy from
rice farms in Kano, Jigawa, Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa States.
The CBN policy, which supports the
federal government's drive to promote agricultural development and food
sufficiency, he noted, resulted in the opening of at least 15 new mills across
the country, with combined production capacity of over 300 metric tons of rice
per annum.
Some concerns
Some business operators argue that
despite the policy, importers were still buying dollars from the black market
to import the 41 products.
"To make the policy more
effective, the CBN needs to go a step further by outright banning the
importation of tooth picks and the other 40 items on the list once and for
all," Mr. Sekoni of Baton Nigeria advised.
"If the CBN policy is
sustained, I believe we will be able to expand and grow. The policy has to be
consistent across the country and legislative cycles across administrations to
build a real sustainable industrial base in the country," he said.
Although the National President,
Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ayoola Oduntan, said the policy could affect
producers with no alternatives to their imported raw materials in the CBN list,
he however acknowledged its strategic importance.
Mr. Oduntan, who is also the Group
Managing Director, GMD of Amobing Nigeria Limited, and Amo Farm Sieberer
Hatchery Limited, Awe Oyo, said the policy has encouraged a lot of Nigerians to
begin to think like industrialists.
"Prior to the policy, full
chickens were being smuggled into the country unchecked. That has since
stopped. The high exchange rate has made it difficult for poultry products to
be smuggled into the country anymore. Export of similar products has started to
receive more attention," he said.
Mr. Oduntan told PREMIUM TIMES since
the policy, export of food items from Nigeria has resumed in a significant
scale.
He said what was required was policy
consistency and government continued direct intervention in
agriculture."More than 80 to 85 per of the raw materials used in the
poultry industry are sourced locally. The 10 per cent needed to keep the
industry vibrant, to meet the needs of Nigerians and generate export, cannot
fetch the FOREX to do it.
"The policy has made the
industry develop capacity to support various value chains - from transporters,
to limestone supplier, palm kernel cake, retailers of chicken, loaders and
off-loaders," he said.
The chief executive, Beloxxi
Industries Limited, Obi Ezeude, described the CBN policy on FOREX restriction
as the best for the Nigerian economy.
Although Mr. Ezeude said margarine,
one of the company's raw materials for manufacturing biscuit, was among the 41
items affected by the CBN policy. He said the policy has compelled the company
to find local alternative, to continue production.
He advised the CBN to constantly
review the list as the economic variables change, to identify and support those
Nigerian businesses with capacity to easily impact the economy.
Deputy Group Managing Director, GMD,
Coscharis Rice Farms in Anambra State, Okey Nwude, said the CBN policy not only
helped the company expand the scope of its investment in agriculture, but also
created opportunity for Coscharis Technology to take advantage of the policy to
build an assembly plant for the Ford brand of cars in Nigeria.
The chairman of Coscharis Group,
Cosmas Maduka, said the decision to fund farmers to cultivate 3,000 hectares of
rice in Anambra state was inspired by the CBN policy and the need to join
efforts in producing foods Nigerians eat.
"We would not have gone into
rice production if the CBN policy was not in place. The policy has made
Nigerians, producers and consumers, to look inwards. Producing and milling rice
in Nigeria has removed the mentality of waiting for imported rice.
"The policy has triggered a lot
of interest in mechanized farming. It has also bolstered national pride that
Nigerian products are good enough for local consumption and exports.
"Encouraging large companies to
go into mechanized farming has set the country on the path of food
sufficiency," he said
http://allafrica.com/stories/201708220050.html
Basmati overtakes buffalo meat as top export
commodity
Export of
buffalo meat was affected by a short-lived ban on sales of cattle at mandis
Dilip Kumar Jha
| Mumbai August 22, 2017 Last Updated at 01:46 IST
Buffalo
meat prices jump by 14% within a week on supply disruptionIndia's loss is
Brazil's gain: Cattle trade ban hits buffalo meat exportsGST impact: 5% rate to
squeeze margins of basmati rice exportersCleaver falls on sale, purchase of
cattle for slaughter
Basmati
rice has regained the tag of top commodity export from India, overtaking
buffalo meat in the June quarter.Since 2014-15, buffalo meat had surpassed
basmati rice as India’s top export commodity because of suspension of fresh
orders by Iran, which consumes nearly a fourth of India’s aromatic rice
exports.Iranian traders suspend fresh orders for basmati rice during the harvesting
of the country’s rice crop. This year, however, they continued imports of
basmati rice. In contrast, export of buffalo meat was affected by a short-lived
ban on sales of cattle at mandis.
According
to the the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority (Apeda) estimates, India exported basmati rice worth $1.26 billion
(Rs 8,168 crore) between April and June, up from $934 million (Rs 6,196 crore)
in the same quarter a year ago. Buffalo meat exports were $849 million (Rs 5,473
crore) during the quarter against $823 million (Rs 5,445 crore) in the same
period last year.
“Indian
exporters used to execute orders on “documents against acceptance”, which was
stopped by the government because overseas buyers’ re-negotiated terms after
shipments reached them. So there were corrections in export of basmati rice
over the last few years. Now overseas buyers are purchasing commodities on spot
cash,” said an Apeda official.Iranian buyers have continued their purchases
even during their own rice harvesting season. That has resulted in an increase
in basmati rice exports in April-June,” he added.
Exports
of basmati rice rose to 1.26 million tonnes in April-June from 1.18 million
tonnes in the corresponding quarter a year ago. The average realisation from
basmati rice jumped 28 per cent to $1,009 a tonne this year from $787 a tonne
last year.
Exports
of buffalo meat declined to 279,409 tonnes in April-June from 280,869 tonnes in
the corresponding quarter last year. Average realisation increased by 3.75 per
cent to $3,039 this year from $2,929 last year.Buffalo meat exporters faced
supply problems due to the Centre’s ban on animal sales, which was stayed by
the Supreme Court after a few weeks.
Overseas
buyers are hesitant to place orders for Indian buffalo meat because of the
policy changes. “The growth of India’s buffalo meat exports depends upon
consistency in government policy,” said Bushran Zakariya, director, Zakariya
Agro, a Kanpur-based buffalo meat exporter.
Anchor
Borrowers’ Programme: Kano laments failure of rice farmers to repay loan
Prof. Mahmoud Daneji, the
Managing Director, Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority,
expressed the concern at a news conference in Kano on Monday.The Kano State
Government has expressed concern over the failure of rice farmers in the state
to refund over N900 million loan they took to boost rice production.The loan
came under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
Prof.
Mahmoud Daneji, the Managing Director, Kano State Agricultural and Rural
Development Authority, expressed the concern at a news conference in Kano on
Monday.Daneji said: “I am not happy to say that some of our rice farmers that
benefitted from the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme are yet to refund over N900
million.“A total of N906 million was disbursed to the farmers but regrettably
not up to N6 million was recovered from the money as most of the farmers think
that it is a national cake.”
The
KNARDA boss said in spite farmers’ failure to repay the loan, the state
government was determined to boost agricultural production and had placed
emphasis on extension services.
Daneji
said: “This state has no fewer than 1,800 extension agents that work directly
with farmers in the state.“If the extension link is missing, then farmers or
agriculture will not develop, hence government’s decision to recruit more
extension workers.“Within the last one and a half years, we have recruited 729
extension workers to support farmers across our 44 local government areas.”
According
to Daneji, the state is not too far from meeting the United Nations
recommendation of one extension worker to 250 farmers.He said the state
currently had a ratio of one extension worker to 300 farmers.Daneji commended
SG 2000 for training 100 new extension workers, adding that the state
government had established five Farmer Information Centres to be inaugurated
soon.In his remarks, the SG 2000 Country Director, Prof. Sani Ahmed-Miko, said
the visit to farmers in the three states had afforded the team the opportunity
to interact with farmers.
According
to Ahmed-Miko, the visit also gave journalists the opportunity to hear from the
beneficiaries of the SG 2000 intervention programmes, especially on the
improved production technologies being promoted.The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme
was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015.It is aimed at
creating linkages between the anchor companies involved in processing and
small-holder farmers of the required key agricultural commodities.
The
thrust of ABP is the provision of farm inputs in kind and cash (for farm
labour) to boost the production of Small Holder Farmers in the commodities.It
is intended to also stabilise inputs supply to agro-processors and address the
country’s negative balance of payments on food.The loans granted to SHFs are to
be repaid with the harvested produce that shall be mandatorily delivered to the
designated collection centres in line with the provisions of the Agreement
signed in the ABP.
The
produce to be delivered must cover the loan principal and interest.The loan
targets SHFs in groups/cooperatives and engaged in the production of identified
commodities across the country.
https://theeagleonline.com.ng/anchor-borrowers-programme-kano-laments-failure-of-rice-farmers-to-repay-loan/
Chefs go head to
head in rice challenge
BEE STAFF
Top-rated chefs will compete August
24 in the Lord of Rice culinary challenge at Ten22, 1022 2nd Street, Old
Sacramento. The winner receives a cash prize and a trip to Macau, mainland
China to help judge the "World's Best Rice" competition. The local
event includes live music, food samples and beer and wine sampling. 5 – 9:30
p.m. Tickets $49 lordofrice.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/food-drink/article167148002.html
Africans
Have Heated Views About Rice, Just Ask Mark Zuckerberg
A simmering debate about how to prepare jollof, a West-African dish,
prompts a ‘Super Bowl’ between rival nations. ‘Time to crown the real king’
By Joe Parkinson
Aug. 20, 2017 2:04 p.m. ET
Across West Africa, one of the
world’s spiciest food fights is getting hotter, snaring politicians, pop stars
and even Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg: Who makes the best jollof rice?
From Senegal to Sierra Leone,
Ghana to Nigeria, households have for centuries boasted of their nation’s
pre-eminence in preparing bowls of jollof—a sticky orange-colored delicacy made
from fluffy rice and a chili-infused stew that has strong echoes in...
TO READ THE FULL STORY
https://www.wsj.com/articles/africans-have-heated-views-about-rice-just-ask-mark-zuckerberg-1503252259
UPDATE:
Minnesota changes wild rice rules from sulfate to sulfide
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota would
measure how much wild-rice-killing sulfide is in the water of specific
wild-rice lakes and rivers when setting pollution regulations, and not just the
sulfate that spurs sulfide production, under a proposal that could impact the
state’s mining industry.
The Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency announced the new rule Monday that, if made final, will apply to any
industry that discharges sulfate pollution to waters that hold wild rice.
Instead of the current statewide
sulfate limit for all wild-rice lakes and rivers of 10 parts per million, the
state is now proposing to use a 120 parts per billion sulfide as the benchmark
for wild rice to thrive.
Based on the chemical nature of each wild-rice water, namely how
much iron and carbon it has, the PCA says it will develop a separate sulfate
pollution discharge limit for each lake and river downstream of industries with
sulfate discharge. The aim is to keep harmful sulfides below 120 parts per
billion.
Scientists decades ago found that
wild rice usually doesn't grow well in waters with high sulfate content. In
recent years scientists, including John Pastor at the University of Minnesota
Duluth, found that sulfates are converted to toxic sulfides in some waters and
that it’s actually the sulfides that inhibit wild rice.
But that conversion into sulfides
can vary from lake to lake. Higher levels of iron in the sediment can lead to
less sulfide — higher levels of organic carbon can lead to more sulfide.
“We believe the changes we’re
proposing are an innovative and precise approach to protecting wild rice,” said
John Linc Stine, PCA commissioner, in announcing the proposed rules. “The
proposal also allows for flexibility in permitting for facilities that
discharge to wild-rice waters.”
The PCA on Monday also released
its list of 1,300 lakes and rivers considered officially wild-rice waters, and
the only places the state regulation would apply. The lakes and rivers
currently have wild rice or had it anytime since 1975. The PCA also unveiled a
process to add or subtract lakes and rivers from that list in the future.
About 350 of those wild-rice
waters are downstream of industries that discharge sulfate and the most likely
to be affected by the changes.
The proposed changes could make
it easier for some Iron Range mining operations to meet their water pollution
discharge regulations, but it will depend on the chemical nature of the lake or
river that they release pollution into.
“For some facilities that
discharge sulfate, it could be that they don’t have to make any changes in
their discharge” because the waters they discharge into are not as sensitive to
creating sulfides, said Shannon Lotthammer, who directs the environmental
analysis and outcomes division at the PCA.
Facilities upstream of more
sensitive wild-rice waters with high sulfides may be required to reduce their
sulfate discharge, Lotthammer said.
The PCA published the proposed
changes in the State Register on Monday. The proposed rule will be the subject
of public hearings overseen by an administrative law judge held in October with
public comments accepted into November.
The announcement comes after
years of scientific review, political debate and court actions spurred by
complaints from Minnesota's mining industry that the 10 parts per million
sulfate limit was unnecessary and overly burdensome. The rule had been on the
state’s books since the 1970s but had rarely been enforced until environmental
groups began challenging proposed water pollution permits for Iron Range
taconite iron ore processing centers.
As efforts to enforce the sulfate
limit increased, critics said it could stifle or even shut down some
businesses. Some taconite and sewage plant discharges are much higher than 10
parts per million. In 2010, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of five
taconite plants, sued the state, saying the 10 parts per million sulfate
standard was arbitrary and illegal. But the state court of appeals in 2012
upheld the current rule and kept it in place pending the latest PCA review.
Sulfates are ions or salts that
can come from decaying plants and animals as well as some mineral deposits and
industrial processes such as mine discharges; mine stockpiles and waste piles;
tanneries; steel mills; pulp mills; sewage-treatment plants; and textile
plants. When sulfate levels are high in the water around the roots of wild-rice
plants, they can spur the production of hydrogen sulfide, which can starve the
plant of nutrients. Wild rice generally suffers when sulfide levels hit 150-350
parts per billion. Those levels begin to occur when the surrounding water has
sulfate starting at 4-16 parts per million.
The PCA proposal gained critics
on both sides of the issue Monday.
Kelsey Johnson, president of the
Iron Mining Association of Minnesota coalition of iron ore producers, said
early estimates are that the new regulation “could have devastating economic
implications for communities in Northeast Minnesota that discharge into wild
rice waters — including municipal wastewater treatment facilities and the iron
mines.”
Johnson and other critics said
Monday the PCA should have waited for an economic impact study on the new
regulation before settling on a course of action.
Environmental groups say the
state should simply enforce the current 10 parts per million rule on sulfate,
which scientists agree would protect all waters and is more easily enforced.
“WaterLegacy is strongly opposed
to the MPCA’s proposal to eliminate Minnesota’s existing 10 parts per million
limit on sulfate pollution and replace it with an unenforceable and unprotective
equation,” said Paula Maccabee, attorney for the group. “Protection of wild
rice requires that Minnesota regulators have the backbone to enforce existing
water quality rules, rather than finding a way to circumvent or weaken the
rules whenever a powerful industry objects to controlling its pollution.”
Written comments on the plan will
be accepted through Nov. 2 to minnesotaoah.granicusideas.com/discussions or
mail to: Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 64620, St. Paul, MN
55164-0620 (Docket 80-90030-34519.)
Hearings are scheduled for Oct.
23 in St. Paul; Oct. 24 in Virginia; Oct. 25 in Bemidji; and Oct. 30 in
Brainerd. For more information go to
pca.state.mn.us/water/protecting-wild-rice-waters
www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/4315280-update-minnesota-changes-wild-rice-rules-sulfate-sulfide+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Iraq seeking 30,000 tonnes of rice in purchase
tender
Reuters | Aug
20, 2017, 08:35 PM IST
(Adds detail, background)
BAGHDAD, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Iraq's
state grain buyer has issued an international tender to buy 30,000 tonnes of
rice, a government source said on Sunday.The deadline for offers is Aug. 27 and
rice is being sought from all origins, the source said.Offers should remain
valid until Aug. 31.
Iraq made no purchase in its previous attempt to buy rice, which
closed on July 30.The country has been struggling to import grain for its food
subsidy programme after introducing new payment and quality terms that left
trading houses unwilling to participate in its international tenders.
Iraq is expected to produce about 250,000 tonnes of rice this
year, suggesting that there will be a shortfall of about 1 million tonnes that
will need to be covered by imports. (Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by David Goodman)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/iraq-seeking-30000-tonnes-of-rice-in-purchase-tender/articleshow/60146761.cms
Rice
millers, exporters urge govt to reduce market fee from 4 pc to 2 pc
Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service
Karnal, August 19
Rice millers and exporters today urged the
state government to reduce the market fee from 4 per cent to 2 per cent to
ensure ease of doing business. They said the relief would not only check tax
evasion but also help in bringing transparency. They demanded abolition of
electricity fee of Rs 170 per Kv per month and urged the government to charge
Rs 5 per unit from them.Rice millers and exporters across the state held a
state-level meeting here today on the sidelines of Food Show India-2017 and an
award ceremony for contributions to the growth of the rice industry.
Vijay Setia, president of the All-India Rice
Exporters Association (AIREA), raised the demand for 2 per cent reduction in
the market fee. He said, “We don’t want complete exemption from tax or fee as
we know it is necessary for the development of the nation. But we want it
halved to provide relief to the industry”.
Setia said the government should allow all
commission agents to procure paddy from farmers, which would also promote the
genuine billing system.
Hansraj Singhal, president of the Haryana Rice
Millers and Dealers Association, raised the issue of the charge of Rs 170 per
Kv per month and termed it as a burden on them. He said it was a fixed charge
and the government should abolish it. Instead the government should charge Rs 5
per unit from the millers.
Ajay Sharma, managing director of Lama Rice,
counted the challenges facing the rice industry and said the export of Indian
rice was increasing due to its high quality and packaging. There is need to
educate farmers about the appropriate use of pesticides and fertilisers.
Companies dealing in pesticides and fertilisers should come forward to educate
farmers.Jewel Singla, chairman of the association, urged the Union government
to grant interest free loan up to Rs 10 crore to every miller to upgrade their
mills.
Tushar Aggarwal, project head of the food show,
said they organised such events to make the millers and the exporters aware
about the latest technologies of the rice industry.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/rice-millers-exporters-urge-govt-to-reduce-market-fee-from-4-pc-to-2-pc/454308.html
South Asia Faces Fury
of Floods
Women
with goats come out of their submerged house, in Shibaloy, Manikganj district,
Bangladesh. Credit: Farid Ahmed/IPS
- Aid
agencies warn of a serious unfolding humanitarian crisis as floodwaters
continue to inundate new areas of three South Asian countries, forcing millions
of people to flee their homes for shelters.
The death toll from drowning, snakebite, house
collapse and landslide triggered by monsoon rains and floods rose to over 600
people, officials said on Aug. 19.
In Bangladesh, farmers are bearing the brunt of the
ongoing flooding as the country’s agriculture department estimated rice and
other crops cultivated in half a million hectares of land in 34 districts were
washed away.
More than 16 million have been affected by
monsoon floods in Nepal, Bangladesh and India, with many of them either
displaced or marooned without food or electricity.
In many areas, although the floodwater has
started receding, rivers are still swelling.
A large number of displaced have taken refuge
in squalid makeshift camps and are staying in extremely unhygienic conditions,
according to aid agencies.
Road and rail communications in the affected
areas have been also severely disrupted. Thousands of educational institutions
have been forced to close, while submerged hospitals are unable to assist flood
victims even as water-borne diseases are spreading.
“This is fast becoming one of the most serious
humanitarian crises this region has seen in many years and urgent action is
needed to meet the growing needs of millions of people affected by these
devastating floods,” said Martin Faller, Deputy Regional Director for Asia
Pacific, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC).
“Millions of people across Nepal, Bangladesh
and India face severe food shortages and disease caused by polluted flood
waters,” Faller said in a statement.
The aid agency Oxfam said there was urgent need
for supplies like drinking water, food, shelter, blankets, hygiene kits and
solar lights.
Bangladesh authorities said more than a third
of the country was submerged, and water levels in major rivers were still
rising, inundating new areas every day.
The premises of a school inundated by floodwater in Shibaloy,
Manikganj district, Bangladesh. Credit: Farid Ahmed/IPS
In Bangladesh, flooding by major rivers has
surpassed the levels set in 1988, the deadliest floods the country had seen to
date.
According to the disaster management department
control room of the Bangladesh government, at least 98 people died in
August.The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief estimated that more than
half a million people in Bangladesh were affected by flooding.In Bangladesh,
farmers are bearing the brunt of the ongoing flooding as the country’s agriculture
department estimated rice and other crops cultivated in half a million hectares
of land in 34 districts were washed away.
Abdul Hamid, a farmer in Rangpur district, said
he had cultivated rice in 10 bighas of land, but it was completely ruined by
floods. “I don’t know how to recover the loss,” he said, adding that his house
was also destroyed.In India, over 11 million people have been affected by
floods in four states across the north of the country. India’s meteorological
department is forecasting more heavy rain for the region in the coming days.
The flood situation in parts of India’s
northern West Bengal remained grim until August 18, with many rivers still
flowing well above the extreme danger level despite improvement in the overall
situation in the region, Rajib Banerjee, West Bengal’s minister for irrigation
and waterways, told IPS on Aug. 19.“The situation in Malda still looks
grim and remains as a matter of concern as the water of the River Mahananda
continues to rise,” he said.
The situation in villages in the Indian state
of Assam is very serious, as embankments of rivers in many areas have been
breached, forcing hundreds of families to flee their houses. Poor people,
mostly farmers, were the chief victims and many took refuge on roadsides and embankments.
Children on a boat come to their two-storey tin-roofed house
half of which is submerged in flood water, in Shibaloy, Manikganj district,
Bangladesh. Credit: Farid Ahmed/IPS
Thousands of people in northern Uttar Pradesh
in India, where the authorities sought military help, were also badly affected
and many of them still remained marooned.
Bihar, the worst-hit district in India, also
estimated over 150 dead and half a million displaced in the past couple of
weeks.
“In Nepal, government recorded 134 dead and 30
missing in flood-affected areas,” a senior journalist and director of news and
current affairs of Nepal’s ABC News TV, Dr. Suresh Achaya, told IPS.Some 14
districts out of 75, mostly located along the border with India, were badly
affected, Acharya said.In Nepal, many areas remain cut off after the most
recent destructive floods and landslides on Aug. 11 and 12. Villagers and
communities are stranded without food, water and electricity though the
government said it had been providing the victims with foods and other support.
In the flood-hit areas, thousands of people had
taken shelter in schools, temples and sides of roads and embankments.
The Nepalese ministry of agricultural
development estimated that floodwaters had washed away rice and other crops
worth Rs. 8.11 billion (77 million dollars) and feared the crop damage could
cast a long shadow on the economy.
The Nepalese government, at a meeting with
chief secretary Rajendra Kishore in the chair on Aug. 18, decided to
accept foreign support and aid to meet the need.Scientists attribute the deadly
floods in South Asia to a changing climate, which they believe increased the
magnitude of the current flooding many-fold.“The untimely floods being
experienced in Nepal, India and Bangladesh can definitely be attributed to
climate change-induced changes in the South Asian monsoon system,” Dr Saleemul
Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development
(ICCCAD), told IPS.
The countries in the region have already been
taking the brunt of changing climate that caused extreme weather patterns
increasing the daily rainfall amount, droughts, untimely flooding and frequent
tropical storms.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/08/south-asia-faces-fury-floods/
Rice import
deals with more states soon: Minister
21.08.2017
Food Minister Advocate Md Qamrul Islam said on Thursday the
government will import rice from some other countries under
government-to-government (G2G) arrangement.It will sign memorandums of
understating (MoUs) to this effect soon."We will import rice from some
other countries. We will sign MoUs soon for importing rice to reduce its prices
in the local market," he told at a workshop organised by the Bangladesh Food
Safety Authority (BFSA) at the Bangladesh Institute of International and
Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital.
The BFSA organised the workshop on 'the role of media in ensuring public health safety by sacrificing animals in a hygienic way' during the upcoming Eid-ul- Azha. Earlier, the government signed MoUs with Vietnam and Cambodia for importing rice.t decided on August 16th last to reduce further the import duty on rice by 8.0 per cent to 2.0 per cent for easing the price of the staple food in the country.
The BFSA organised the workshop on 'the role of media in ensuring public health safety by sacrificing animals in a hygienic way' during the upcoming Eid-ul- Azha. Earlier, the government signed MoUs with Vietnam and Cambodia for importing rice.t decided on August 16th last to reduce further the import duty on rice by 8.0 per cent to 2.0 per cent for easing the price of the staple food in the country.
The government has fixed the target to import 1.5 million tonnes
of rice and 0.5 million tonnes of wheat in the fiscal year (FY) 2017-18.Member
of the BFSA Md Mahbub Kabir delivered the address of welcome while Chairman of
BFSA Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque presided over the workshop.The food minister
called upon the media to write stories on safe food imbued with the spirit of
patriotism."We have decided to import rice ... it does not mean that there
is crisis of food in the country. We have sufficient stock of food grain,"
he said.
The discussants in the workshop suggested slaughtering of
sacrificial animals in the city corporation-designated areas or nearby hygienic
places (drain) by maintaining religious rituals during the upcoming Eid.It also
suggested dumping of wastes of cattle heads under earth or keeping those in
designated places for maintaining environment free from pollution.The
slaughtering of sacrificial animals, process and preservation of meat must be
in a scientific and hygienic ways, they added.Chairman of BFSA Mohammad
Mahfuzul Hoque stressed the need for creating mass awareness through joint
efforts especially by media for ensuring safe food for consumers.
National Team Leader of IFSB, FAO, AKM Nurul Afsar, member (law and policy) of BFSA Md Abdul Baten Miah and chief veterinary officer of central veterinary hospital Dr Md Abdul Halim among others, were present
http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/rice-import-deals-with-more-states-soon-minister
Bangladesh rice tender draws lowest
offer of $407.89/T
Reuters Staff
DHAKA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The lowest
offer in the tender from Bangladesh to import 50,000 tonnes of rice was from
trading house Regington International at $407.89 a tonne, on a cost, insurance
and freight (CIF) liner out basis, officials at the state grains buyer said on
Monday.
Nine other trading houses competed
for the tender issued by Bangladesh's Directorate General of Food that closed
on Sunday.
Bangladesh, the world's
fourth-biggest rice producer, has emerged as a major importer of the staple
grain this year due to depleted stocks and record high local prices following
floods. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Richard Pullin)
https://in.reuters.com/article/bangladesh-rice-tender-idINL4N1L72A6
Farmers
seek fair share of rice allocations
By Ramon Efren Lazaro (The Philippine Star) | Updated August 20,
2017 - 12:00am
CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines –
Central Luzon farmers’ cooperatives are reiterating their call to the National
Food Authority to provide them fair allocations from the rice importations that
the country will procure.Simeon Sioson, president of the Federation of Central
Luzon Farmer’s Cooperative based in San Miguel town, told the STAR they were
hoping the minimum access volume (MAV) rice importation for this year would be
different from the rice allocations made in 2015.Sioson said only 10 farmer
cooperatives were allocated 12,500 metric tons while big-time traderswere given
176,000 MT under the 2015 MAV rice importation program.
In a letter sent to National Food
administrator Jason Laurena Aquino dated June 12, 2017, Sioson identified the
traders as Alchemo Philippines, Arvin International Mktg., and Philmico Foods
Corp.Sioson said they were wondering why their rice allocation was small, which
accounted for 18 percent of the total rice importation volume compared to the
82 percent allocated to medium and big-time traders.
At that time, the processing fee
imposed by NFA on rice importation was P50,000 regardless whether the importer
has a small or big volume allocated to them.
“This is very unfair to the
farmers,” Sioson said.In 2012, the NFA Council implemented equal volume rice
allocation among small and big-time traders but things changed the following
year and the rice allocations suddenly favored big-time traders to the
disadvantage of farmer-cooperatives.The farmer-cooperatives in Central Luzon
are not asking for extra favor from the NFA council, Sioson said.
“All we want is fair treatment in
the equal volume of distribution of the rice importation program of the
government,” he added.
http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2017/08/20/1730708/farmers-seek-fair-share-rice-allocations
USDA, USTR
Announce Expanded Access for U.S. Rice Exports to Colombia
August 17, 2017
News Releases
USDA 0084.17
Contact: USDA Press
Phone: (202) 720-4623
Email: press@oc.usda.gov
Email: press@oc.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2017 – U.S. Department of
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and the U.S. Trade Representative Robert
Lighthizer today announced an agreement reached with the government of Colombia
to allow for expanded market access for U.S. exports of paddy rice.
A previous agreement in 2012
between both countries enabled exports of U.S. paddy rice to Colombia, but
under strict and costly requirements related to phytosanitary concerns.
The new agreement lifts these requirements and expands access beyond the
single port of Barranquilla, which was the only port previously open to U.S.
exporters.
The new agreement reflects the
close trade ties between the United States and Colombia, and the high quality
and safe rice produced by the U.S. rice industry. The agreement, combined
with preferential access under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
(CTPA), will further accelerate increased U.S. exports of food and agriculture
to Colombia.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said:
“Today’s announcement is another
great testament of our determination to expand export opportunities for
America’s farmers and ranchers and to ensure fair trade with our international
partners. This agreement expands opportunities for U.S. rice producers in the
important Colombian market. It also underscores the value of improved
relationships to solve problems, based on a solid trade agreement that benefits
both parties and on a commitment to science-based rule-making.”
U.S. Trade Representative,
Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, said:
“I welcome this new agreement and
the expanded market access and opportunity it will afford to U.S. exporters of
paddy rice.
“This outcome is a result of the
Administration’s efforts to enforce international trade commitments on behalf
of the American people, and to deepen our bilateral ties with key trading
partners, particularly allies like Colombia.”
Background:
Colombia is the United States’
12th-largest export market for food and agricultural products, with exports
valued at over $2.4 billion in 2016 – a sharp increase over exports prior to
completion of the CTPA, when Colombia ranked as the 26th market for U.S. food
and agricultural exports in 2011, with an associated value of $1.12 billion.
Exports of milled rice to Colombia have increased dramatically since
entry into force of the CTPA in 2012, averaging $79 million per year compared
to $3 million in 2011.
Exports of paddy rice since 2012,
when the CTPA entered into force and the letter exchange provided for market
access, have constituted a small but growing share of total U.S. rice exports
to Colombia, reaching $15 million in 2016. Under the new agreement on
paddy rice, costly and unnecessary fumigation and processing requirements are
rescinded, and access expanded to all ports of entry in Colombia.
Paddy rice, also known as “rough
rice,” is the whole rice grain, along with its hulls. It is harvested
directly from rice fields or paddies and transported or exported to processing
facilities. As part of the processing, the protective hull is removed,
leaving only the actual rice kernel for consumption. By leaving the
sturdy hull on, it is possible to store the kernels for several months without
incurring product losses due to spoiling or infestation.
https://www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/usda-ustr-announce-expanded-access-us-rice-exports-colombia
Move on to
import 0.8m tonnes rice, says Food Secretary
21 Aug 2017, 22:09:41
The government has initiated a process of importing 800,000
tonnes (MT) rice out of planned 1.5
million while 250,000 MT has already reached the country, said a top official
on Monday."We have already lined up a process to import an estimated
800,000 MT rice and the process of importing another 700,000 MT is expected to
begin as soon as possible," Food Secretary Kaikobad Hossain told the state
news agency BSS.
He said some 250,000 MT rice has already reached the country from
Vietnam, another 250,000 MT would be imported from Cambodia and the remaining
300,000 MT would be imported through bidding.The consignment of some 550,000 MT
rice will arrive in the country by the end of September, he said, adding that
the process of importing the remaining 700,000 MT would begin as soon as
possible.
Meanwhile, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with Russian Federation to import 300,000 MT wheat, said the food
official, adding that the wheat would reach the country within the next three
months.On Wednesday, the government decided to import 1.5 million MT rice and
500,000 MT wheat at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee
(FPMC) at the Secretariat.
To this end, the government has further lowered the import duty on
rice to 2 per cent from the earlier 10 to encourage import and to tackle any
food crisis.Two months ago, the government slashed the import duty on rice to
10 per cent against the backdrop of a major market instability and storage of
the prime staple.
"This decision of the government does not mean there is a food
crisis in the country," Food Minister Quamrul Islam said after the FPMC
meeting. "In fact, there is no food shortage in the country."The Food
Minister hoped that the combined efforts will help ease the price of rice in
the market. In 2016-17 fiscal, the country imported 5,823,460 MT food grains in
the public and private sectors.Of the total import, 392,840 MT rice was brought
in the public sector while 5,430,620 MT wheat and rice in the private sector.
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/08/21/80370/Move-on-to-import-0.8m-tonnes-rice,-says-Food-Secretary
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