Fatima
Fertilizer holds rice seminar
LAHORE
(PR): Recently, Fatima Fertilizer, in association with government of Punjab and
Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku, orgranised ‘Dhaan (rice) Seminar’ in
Gujranwala. The seminar brought together more than 3000 farmers. Chief guests
included Secretary Agriculture, DG Agriculture, DG Agriculture Extension, DG
Agriculture Research, President Kissan Ittehad, MNA Zafarwall, Hafizabad and
Gujranwala.
The
seminar focused on latest rice production technology, pest control and balanced
use of Sarsabz Nitrate Fertilizers. Secretary agriculture asked farmers to
start incorporating latest technology as that was the only way their prosperity
could be guaranteed. For this purpose, the government of Punjab is setting up
72 Hi-Tech Mechanization Service Centers in partnership with Fatima Fertilizers
all over Punjab. Latest agri farm machinery and services will be rented out to
farmers through these centers. At the end of the program, Fatima Fertilizer
distributed 4 Umra tickets, 1 tractor, 2 motorcycles and other gifts among
farmers through lucky draws.
http://nation.com.pk/business/27-Sep-2017/corporate-corner
Rice exporters heavily reliant on Chinese market
Last update 07:38 | 26/09/2017
China is now Vietnam’s largest rice importer and the local rice
export sector will continue depending on the neighboring market in the coming
years.
Farmers harvest paddy (unhusked rice) on a Mekong Delta farm in
this file photo. China is now Vietnam’s largest rice importer
According to statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Vietnam exported 1.38 million tons of rice worth US$623 million to
China in January-July, up 33% and 31% compared to the same period last year
respectively.
The rice shipments to the northern neighbor accounted for 41% of
the country’s total.
Vietnam also sells rice to other ASEAN markets. Malaysia was the
second biggest rice importer in the first seven months of 2017, accounting for
7.3% of Vietnam’s total export volume.
Malaysia spent US$111 million purchasing 288,700 tons of rice from
Vietnam, surging twofold in volume and 78% in value from a year earlier.
Ghana is a key African market for Vietnamese rice. However, this
market is showing signs of slowdown.
Last year, Ghana was the second largest buyer of Vietnamese rice,
making up 11.5% of Vietnam’s total shipments, as it imported 504,000 tons
valued at US$249 million, up 39% in volume and 34.5% in value against
2015.
However, Vietnam’s rice exports to Ghana in the first seven months
of this year dipped 29% over the year-ago period.
In January-August, Vietnam exported a total of 3.96 million tons
of rice worth US$1.75 billion, up nearly 20% in volume and 17.5% in value
year-on-year.
However, the contracted export volume was 5.1 million tons, so
nearly 1.2 million tons of rice was not shipped to customers.
Therefore, the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) has revised the 2017
rice export target from 5.2 million to 6.5 million tons for the second time
this year.
In July, the rice export volume was adjusted up to 5.7 million
tons due to favorable market conditions.
SGT
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/187125/rice-exporters-heavily-reliant-on-chinese-market.html
Jump in Rice
Imports – says Iran
More than 1 million tons of rice worth $963 million were imported
into Iran during the five months to August 22, registering a 79% and 102.5%
growth in weight and value respectively compared with the corresponding period
of last year. With more than 696,000 tons, India was the main exporter followed
by Pakistan, the UAE, Thailand, Turkey and Iraq, ISNA reported. Imports are
taking place while every year and during the rice harvest season, the
government bans rice imports in support of local farmers and domestic
production.
“The ongoing seasonal ban on rice imports will be in effect until
Nov. 21,” Deputy Agriculture Minister Yazdan Seif recently said, noting that
the ban went into effect in August. Traders who have already registered orders
can import their cargos after the deadline. During the ban period, no imports
will take place, Mehr News Agency quoted Seif as saying. Abbas Keshavarz, also
a deputy agriculture minister, said nearly 2.3 million tons of rice have been
produced in the country in the current Iranian year (started March 21).
Iranians consume 3 million tons of rice a year. The two northern provinces of
Gilan and Mazandaran are home to a majority of Iran’s paddy fields.
Author Name: https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic-economy/73203/jump-in-rice-imports
RDB closes bidding on rice
storage facilities
Tue, 26 September 2017
Tue, 26 September 2017
Employees
use a forklift to stack pallets of rice at a storage and processing plant on
the outskirts of Phnom Penh in 2015. Heng Chivoan
The state-run Rural Development
Bank (RDB) received a total of 10 proposals from Cambodian agricultural firms
expressing interest in developing rice storage and drying facilities across
three provinces using government-backed low-interest loans, a bank official
said yesterday.
Kao Thach, chief executive of
RDB, said six more companies submitted proposals for the $15 million finance
package after the bank extended the application deadline from September 8 to
September 22 due to a low response. Only four companies submitted proposals
during the initial three-week call for submissions.
“Now that we have received enough
proposals for selection, we will finalise the agreements and announce the
[awarded] companies in October, as well as the location of the facilities,”
Thach said, adding that the loans would be disbursed to only three companies.
The three proposed facilities are
set to be constructed in the provinces of Kampong Thom, Prey Veng and Takeo,
each with the capacity to store 50,000 tonnes of paddy rice and dry
approximately 1,500 tonnes of rice daily.
The storage facilities are
intended to alleviate the stress on farmers and millers when rice stockpiles
begin to stack up and are expected to be operational by the start of the next
harvest season in January.
Song Saran, CEO of Amru Rice,
said his firm submitted a proposal to build and operate a $5 million facility
in Kampong Thom province on 25,000 square metres of land that would include
four different warehouses.
“My proposal shows a five-year
and 10-year plan that would insure the capacity of storage and stabilise the
market for farmers,” he said.
Saran added that the construction
of adequate storage and drying facilities was imperative if Cambodia’s rice
sector hopes to compete internationally on price when dealing with
government-to-government bids.
Earlier this year RDB awarded a
$15 million low-interest loan to Thanakea Srov (Kampuchea) Plc, the operator of
the Cambodian Rice Bank, to expand its rice storage warehouse in Battambang
province.
The warehouse is set to be the
first privately owned centralised storage facility with a capacity to store
200,000 tonnes of wet paddy rice and to process 3,000 tonnes of paddy rice
daily.
Contact author: Cheng
Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rdb-closes-bidding-rice-storage-facilitiesers and industry-related professionals who meet the
eligibility requirements are encouraged to complete the application process for
the 2018 Rice Leadership Development program soon. Deadline for applying is
Oct. 7.
Members of the next class of rice
producers and industry members will be announced during an awards luncheon at
the 2017 USA Rice Outlook Conference, which will be held in San Antonio in
December.
“The Rice Leadership Development Program gives
young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry
with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills training,”
says Chuck Wilson, who has directed the program for the USA Rice Federation.
During a two-year period, class
members attend four one-week sessions that are designed to strengthen their
leadership skills.“Board rooms across the country, as well as leadership
positions all around the rice industry are populated with alumni of the
program,” says Wilson. “Every graduate agrees, time spent in this program
is well worth it, resulting in a better, more complete understanding of the
industry, and it opens participants’ eyes to practices and customs going on
beyond their farm gate or company, but that are supremely relevant to their
development as an industry leader.”
The class is comprised of five
rice producers and two industry-related professionals chosen by a committee of
agribusiness leaders evaluating their applications, reviewing letters of
recommendation and conducting personal interviews with the finalists.
Candidates must be 25-45 at the
time of application and derive their primary livelihood from some aspect of the
rice industry.
The program is sponsored by John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc.,
and American Commodity Company through The Rice Foundation and managed by the
USA Rice Federation. For more information on the program and an application
form, visit usarice.com and click on the Leadership Program
icon.
Rice production at 72% of self-sufficiency level: Ahmad Shabery
Posted
on 26 September 2017 - 09:54pm
KUALA LUMPUR: Rice production in the country has reached 72% of the
self-sufficiency level, still eight percent short of the 80% target.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad
Shabery Cheek said the 80% target sufficed as about 20% of consumers did not
opt for locally produced rice.
"It is quite normal for 10 to 15% of consumers in countries
where rice is the staple not opting for locally produced rice. Depending on
their tastes, they might prefer Siamese rice, fragrant rice and others.
"So if the self-sufficiency level is 100%, where are we
going to send the excess stocks? If we want to export to other countries, is
our rice competitive enough to compete in the international market?," he
told reporters after opening the National Padi Conference 2017 here today.
As such, he said that productivity in rice production must
increase to meet the 80% target, noting that production increased from 1.9
million tonnes in 1990 to 3.5 million tonnes last year.
Ahmad Shabery said Malaysia should also stress on products based
on high-quality rice, like beauty creams which held huge export potential.
The three-day conference aims to discuss ways to boost the padi
and rice industry in the country.
At the event, Ahmad Shabery also launched a book on Standard
Operating Procedures to reduce wastage of rice after harvest, especially during
transportation, drying, milling, and storing.
On a separate matter, he said that his ministry was assessing
losses suffered by padi farmers in Kedah due to the latest round of flooding in
the state.
"About 700ha of padi fields
were affected. We will find a way to help the affected farmers based on an
existing formula," he said. — Bernama
Cambodia,
Bangladesh to strengthen trade
Chea Vannak / Khmer Times Share:
Cambodia and
Bangladesh are seeking to strengthen cooperation on trade and enhance and
expand trade and business partnerships via a deal which will be signed in
October.
The Cambodia Chamber of Commerce
(CCC) and its Bangladesh counterpart will sign a memorandum of understanding on
trade in October during an official visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina to Phnom Penh, according to the CCC.
CCC director general Ngoun Meng
Tech said yesterday that the relevant parties from each country have discussed
and prepared documents related to the trade deal which will pave the way for
the two parties from each county to explore opportunities for investment.
“Under the deal, we will work
together to seek investment opportunities, particularly to boost the trade
activities of each other,” Mr Meng Tech said. “Trade leaders will come and meet
to discuss what sectors they are interested in for investment.
“Our trade leaders also can start
seeking investment opportunities in Bangladesh.”
Cambodia’s stable economic growth
is one of the main factors why Bangladesh wishes to reach a trade deal with
Cambodia, Mr Meng Tech said.
Soeng Sophary, a spokesperson at
the Ministry of Commerce, said that although the two-way trade between the
countries is flat, the MoU on trade cooperation will help increase trade flows.
“The amount of bilateral trade is
still flat, but when we have new ties, the amount of trade will increase. We
call that a win-win approach,” Ms. Sophary said.
“Bangladesh and Cambodia have the same status of LDCs [less
developed countries], we need each other although we are competitors in the
garments sector, but in other sectors we need Bangladesh to help us, like the
rice deal we reached recently.”
Cambodia and Bangladesh recently reached a deal to import one
million tonnes of milled rice from Cambodia over five years starting from 2017.
Each year Cambodia will export 250,000 tonnes of milled rice – 200,000 tons of
white rice and 50,000 tons of parboiled rice per year.
“While our export markets are the
same in the EU, in terms of basic trade, however, such as agriculture products,
we need each other,” Ms Sophary said.
The rice deal between Cambodia
and Bangladesh is only the start of the growing trade volume, Ms Sophary added,
saying she hoped more will be coming.
An agreement on trade and investment
between Cambodia and Bangladesh was signed in 2004, but two-way trade volume is
still limited. According to figures from the Bangladesh embassy, total trade
between the two countries was valued at $6 million in 2015.
Deadline for Rice Leadership applications approaching
Rice producers and
industry-related professionals who meet the eligibility requirements are
encouraged to complete the application process for the 2018 Rice Leadership
Development program soon. Deadline for applying is Oct. 7.
Members of the next class of rice
producers and industry members will be announced during an awards luncheon at
the 2017 USA Rice Outlook Conference, which will be held in San Antonio in
December.
“The Rice Leadership Development
Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S.
rice industry with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills
training,” says Chuck Wilson, who has directed the program for the USA Rice
Federation.
During a two-year period, class
members attend four one-week sessions that are designed to strengthen their
leadership skills.
“Board rooms across the country,
as well as leadership positions all around the rice industry are populated with
alumni of the program,” says Wilson. “Every graduate agrees, time spent in
this program is well worth it, resulting in a better, more complete
understanding of the industry, and it opens participants’ eyes to practices and
customs going on beyond their farm gate or company, but that are supremely
relevant to their development as an industry leader.”
The class is comprised of five
rice producers and two industry-related professionals chosen by a committee of
agribusiness leaders evaluating their applications, reviewing letters of
recommendation and conducting personal interviews with the finalists.
Candidates must be 25-45 at the
time of application and derive their primary livelihood from some aspect of the
rice industry.
The program is sponsored by John
Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc., and American Commodity Company through The Rice
Foundation and managed by the USA Rice Federation. For more information on the
program and an application form, visit usarice.com and
click on the Leadership Program icon.
6 grants awarded to support
development of biobased products
Grants are from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
USDA’s National Institute of Food
and Agriculture (NIFA) announced six grants totaling nearly $21.1 million to
support the development of new jet fuel, biobased products and biomaterials
from renewable sources on Sept. 22. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture
and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
“Our nation has made great
strides in promoting the bioeconomy,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy.
“Today’s investments will help speed the development of regional systems for
sustainable bioenergy, bioproducts, and biomaterials production, and create a
strong workforce needed to support the bioeconomy.”
The Agriculture and Food Research
Initiative is America’s flagship competitive grants program for foundational
and translational research, education, and extension projects in the food and
agricultural sciences. These grants are awarded through the Sustainable
Bioenergy and Bioproducts Challenge Area, which supports integrated
public/private partnerships that lead to industrial production of biobased
materials, products and fuels to create jobs, stimulate rural economic
vitality, improve existing agricultural systems and contribute to our nation’s
energy security.
Grants being announced today, by
state, include:
·
University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, $7,026,000
·
University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, $7,026,000
·
University
of Missouri, Rolla, Missouri, $32,000
·
North
Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, $2,750,000
·
The
Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $2,750,000
·
Oklahoma
State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, $1,500,000
·
Project
details can be found at the NIFA website.
Among the grants, the University
of Florida project will identify and deploy regionally adapted carinata (an
oilseed member of the mustard family) as the basis of a biofuel and bioproduct
supply chain that will produce biobased jet fuel for civil and military
aviation, industrial chemicals, and animal feed. The work will result in
sustainable commercialization of carinata in the Southeast as well as training
a workforce to support it.
The University of Arizona project
supports the further development of a domestic source for natural rubber from a
desert shrub guayule (pronounced why-oo-lee) which can be grown on marginal
lands and in addition to rubber latex can produce sugars that may be made into
biobased jet fuel, and a resin that can be made into valuable industrial
chemicals. Bridgestone USA a major tire manufacturer is a key partner on the
project.
A North Carolina State University
project will use online courses to prepare students and teachers from
underrepresented and rural areas to meet the workforce demands and advance the
future of bioenergy and bioproducts in America's bioeconomy.
The University of Florida and
University of Arizona projects are consortia-based Coordinated Agricultural
Projects, and each is anticipated to receive up to $15 million over the
duration of their five-year projects.
Since 2010, NIFA, has awarded
more than $164 million through the Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts
Challenge Area.
NIFA’s mission is to invest in
and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal
challenges.
Source: USDA NIFA
Pakistan seeks
greater share in Iranian rice market
Tehran, Sep 26, IRNA -
Pakistan produces favorable-quality rice and looks to boost export to the
Iranian market, said president of Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Talking to Iran Daily in
Quetta of Baluchistan Province, Abdul Wadood Achakzai said Pakistani rice is of
better quality than the Indian product adding that Pakistani rice can have a
bigger share in the Iranian market.
The official also called for
facilitating exports from Pakistan to Iran and hoped the 30-percent reduction
in tariffs rate would be implemented soon.
He pointed to preferential
trade agreement (PTA) between Iran and Pakistan and said talks are underway
with officials to include Pakistani rice in the list of PTA items.The official
said both countries are working on free trade agreement (FTA) which can help
the private sector.
Achakzai further said mango,
rice and textile products are the main exports to Iran while the main imports
from Iran include petrochemical products, electricity and liquefied natural
gas.He said that his office is working with its Iranian provincial counterpart
at Zahedan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture to extend
border markets.“I had meetings with Abdolhakim Rigi, the head of Zahedan
chamber in Quetta and Zahedan on development of border markets,” Achakzai said.A
participant in the Quetta Chamber Of Commerce and Industry meeting, Ajmal Khan
Achakzai from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority affiliated
to Ministry of Industries and Production of Pakistan said his country needs
more Iranian oil and gas products to develop its industry.
He hoped to import Iranian
oil and gas products at reduced rates by lowering transit prices.The official
said that Iran-Pakistan trade currently stands at $1.2 billion of which about
$400 million pertains to Pakistan’s exports to Iran.
He said that both countries
have planned to increase the annual trade turnover to $5 billion.Last week,
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a meeting with Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in
New York discussed strengthening of relations between the two countries.
The premier said while
pursuing a policy of good neighborliness, Pakistan is committed to
strengthening relations with Iran.
Reaffirming Iran’s
commitment to strengthen ties with Pakistan, Rouhani underlined that both
countries should work closely in the areas of border management, trade and
investment.The Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Quetta, Baluchistan was
established in 1972.
There are 42 pioneering
members who initially took part in the process. The chamber was registered with
Directorate of Trade Organization, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad under Section
3 of the Trade Organization Ordinance, 1961 on March 12, 1973 with their
Memorandum and Article of Association published and registered.
9060**1377
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@IrnaEnglish
http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82677499
Feature: Good quality rice seeds
- Key to achieve high yields
Rice has become one of the most staple crops in Ghana. The local
production is not able to meet the increasing demands. As a result, the country
imports annually 600,000 metric tonnes of milled rice on average.This is
notwithstanding the fact that a number of farmers engage in rice production
especially in the northern part of the country.
It has been identified that most of the rice farmers fail to adopt good farming practices in terms of proper land preparation techniques and the use of quality seeds for improved yields.Failure to plant high quality rice seeds does not only result in poor yields but also affects the quality of rice produced thus resulting in red-rice, rice with different shapes, which is difficult to mill and cook well amongst others.
Many of the rice farmers have been sensitized on the need to undertake good land preparation techniques and plant quality seeds of improved varieties such as AGRA Rice and Jasmine, which guarantee high yields. However, majority of them are yet to embrace these modern techniques of rice farming.This is why some of the development partners in the rice sector in the country including AfricaRice, have singled out Abanga Farms for praise for adhering to good farming practices as well as planting quality seeds to ensure high yields.
Abanga Farms, located in the Northern Region, has cultivated a 1,200-acre rice farm at Guo in the North Gonja District as part of efforts to increase domestic rice production as well as ensure food security in the country.AGRA Rice, which is being promoted by AfricaRice under the Rice Seed Scaling project, is the variety planted on the field, and it is already at booting stage.
Abanga Farms employed modern mechanized techniques as well as good agronomic practices to ensure high yields.
The Rice Seed Scaling project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is aimed at improving seed planning and connecting actors along the rice seed value chain, as well as strengthening capacity of rice seed value chain actors to stimulate the development of a sustainable rice seed system in the northern part of the country.
Mr Boubakary Cissé, Seed Expert and Country Coordinator of the Rice Seed Scaling project underscored the importance of commercial rice farming to the viability and sustainability of the rice seed system advising farmers to embrace the right methods of land preparation to ensure high yields.
He, therefore, advised rice farmers to emulate Abanga Farms by ensuring the planting of quality rice seeds as well as adopting good agricultural practices for high yields.
Mr William Boakye-Acheampong, Northern Regional Director of Department of Agriculture commended Abanga Farms for adhering to good practices in undertaking its commercial rice farm.
Mr Boakye-Acheampong advises rice farmers to create blocks on their fields to allow for easy irrigation or maintaining moisture level on rice fields to support the growth of the crop.
It is the hope of all that rice farmers will embrace the right methods of land preparation as well as planting quality seeds to guarantee high yields. This will ultimately make the country self-sufficient in rice production to reduce rice importation into the country. This will also ensure improved income for farmers, lead to job creation and food security in the country.
It has been identified that most of the rice farmers fail to adopt good farming practices in terms of proper land preparation techniques and the use of quality seeds for improved yields.Failure to plant high quality rice seeds does not only result in poor yields but also affects the quality of rice produced thus resulting in red-rice, rice with different shapes, which is difficult to mill and cook well amongst others.
Many of the rice farmers have been sensitized on the need to undertake good land preparation techniques and plant quality seeds of improved varieties such as AGRA Rice and Jasmine, which guarantee high yields. However, majority of them are yet to embrace these modern techniques of rice farming.This is why some of the development partners in the rice sector in the country including AfricaRice, have singled out Abanga Farms for praise for adhering to good farming practices as well as planting quality seeds to ensure high yields.
Abanga Farms, located in the Northern Region, has cultivated a 1,200-acre rice farm at Guo in the North Gonja District as part of efforts to increase domestic rice production as well as ensure food security in the country.AGRA Rice, which is being promoted by AfricaRice under the Rice Seed Scaling project, is the variety planted on the field, and it is already at booting stage.
Abanga Farms employed modern mechanized techniques as well as good agronomic practices to ensure high yields.
The Rice Seed Scaling project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is aimed at improving seed planning and connecting actors along the rice seed value chain, as well as strengthening capacity of rice seed value chain actors to stimulate the development of a sustainable rice seed system in the northern part of the country.
Mr Boubakary Cissé, Seed Expert and Country Coordinator of the Rice Seed Scaling project underscored the importance of commercial rice farming to the viability and sustainability of the rice seed system advising farmers to embrace the right methods of land preparation to ensure high yields.
He, therefore, advised rice farmers to emulate Abanga Farms by ensuring the planting of quality rice seeds as well as adopting good agricultural practices for high yields.
Mr William Boakye-Acheampong, Northern Regional Director of Department of Agriculture commended Abanga Farms for adhering to good practices in undertaking its commercial rice farm.
Mr Boakye-Acheampong advises rice farmers to create blocks on their fields to allow for easy irrigation or maintaining moisture level on rice fields to support the growth of the crop.
It is the hope of all that rice farmers will embrace the right methods of land preparation as well as planting quality seeds to guarantee high yields. This will ultimately make the country self-sufficient in rice production to reduce rice importation into the country. This will also ensure improved income for farmers, lead to job creation and food security in the country.
Basmati rice to
remain costlier this year on lower output estimates
The price increase
might hurt exports of this aromatic rice which remained a favourable choice for
consumers in Iran, Saudi Arabia and European countries.
Basmati sowing likely to go up 25% in FY18 on high demand, normal
monsoonGST impact: 5% rate to squeeze margins of basmati rice exportersBasmati
overtakes buffalo meat as top export commodityBasmati rice shares in focus; LT
Foods, KRBL hit new highsREI Agro goes in for liquidation
•
The prices of basmati paddy and rice are likely to remain firm this
year due to estimates of lower output following erratic monsoon rainfalls in
its major growing regions.
Data compiled by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) showed
India’s cumulative rainfalls this season was 5 per cent lower than the long
period average (LPA) with the northwest India recorded a massive 11 per cent
less rainfalls this year til September 20. According to industry sources, major
basmati paddy growing area received much lower than needed rainfalls this
season which not only hit overall sowing area but also plants in the field.
The price increase might hurt exports of this aromatic rice which
remained a favourable choice for consumers in Iran, Saudi Arabia and European
countries.
“During the current season, there has been rainfall deficit in the
key basmati rice producing states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana over the
previous year’s monsoon season till mid-September 2017 as well as lower water
reservoir levels in Uttar Pradesh. These factors can translate into lower paddy
production in the current crop season, and thus the paddy prices are likely to
open firm in the oncoming procurement season,” said Deepak Jotwani, Assistant
Vice President, Icra.
Meanwhile, India’s basmati rice exports have witnessed a rebound in
the current fiscal with Q1 FY18 registering a 32 per cent growth in exports
contributed by 25 per cent increase in realisations and 7 per cent increase in
volumes. This comes after a three year consecutive decline in basmati exports
till FY2017 (Rs 21,605 crore). In the past, despite the volumes holding firm,
the exports have been adversely impacted by pressure on realisations (from peak
of Rs 77,988 a tonne in FY2014 to Rs 54,011 a tonne in FY2017), driven by lower
demand in the global market as well as lower paddy prices over the procurement
seasons of FY2015 and FY2016.
Gurnam Arora, Joint Managing Director, Kohinoor Foods Ltd, said,
“Basmati rice is likely to remain firm this year on lower output estimates.”
An Icra report said that basmati rice exports in the current fiscal
have been encouraging, especially driven by demand from Iran. The Middle
Eastern countries are the biggest importers; and also a source of volatility in
demand. Demand from Iran, the second largest importer has been fairly volatile,
primarily on account of import bans imposed from time to time. In Q1FY2018,
Iran has been the primary contributor to growth in industry exports –
contributing around 40 per cent to the total. However, from August 2017, Iran
has again discontinued importing Basmati rice from India.
Resumption of imports by Iran, which is anticipated around the
procurement season, would be critical for the overall demand for Basmati rice.
Any delay in the same could dampen the paddy procurement in the upcoming season
as well as subdue the exports outlook for H2FY2018 and FY2019. This is
especially material in the light of decline in volume sales from other key
market - Saudi Arabia (13 per cent of total exports in Q1FY2018 as against 20
per cent in FY2017).
On the supply side, during the last procurement season of
October-December 2016, basmati paddy prices had firmed up by 20-25 per cent
across varieties, on the back of relatively lower production.
Meanwhile, the demand concerns in the form of Iran import ban and
sluggishness from other key geographies would be overcome and export volumes in
FY2018 to be around 4.1 million tonnes (4 per cent higher than FY2017). In
addition, higher paddy prices in the last procurement season and likelihood of
firm prices in the upcoming procurement season are expected to push up the
average realisations in FY2018. As a result, export value is expected to grow
to around Rs 26,000 crores in FY2018, a jump of 21 per cent over FY2017.
Meanwhile, India’s basmati rice output is estimated to have
declined by over 18 per cent to eight million tonnes (mt) for 2016-17, compared
to 9.8 mt the previous year
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/basmati-rice-to-remain-costlier-this-year-on-lower-output-estimates-117092600339_1.html
26 SEPTEMBER 2017 Last Updated at 2:57 PM
Rice basmati remains up on increased offtake
New Delhi, Sep 26 Rice basmati
prices advanced by Rs 100 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on
increased offtake by stockists to meet rising demand from stockists and rice
mills against tight supplies.
However, other grains remained
steady in thin trade.
Traders said increased buying by
stockists, driven by rising demand from stockists and rice mills against tight
stocks position on fall supplies from producing belts mainly kept rice basmati
prices higher.
In the national capital, rice
basmati common and Pusa 1121 variety rose further by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,000-7,100
and Rs 5,750-5,800 per quintal respectively.
Following are today's quotations
(in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,100-2,350,
Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,760-1,765, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,765-1,770,
Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour
mill Rs 950-960 (50 kg), Maida Rs 990-1,000 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,030-1,040 (50
kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs
10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common
new Rs 7,000-7,100, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,750-5,800, Permal raw Rs 2,200-2,225,
Permal wand Rs 2,250-2,275, Sela Rs 2,300-2,400 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,850-1,875,
Bajra Rs 1,180-1,185, Jowar yellow Rs 1,400-1,450, white Rs 2,800-2,900, Maize
Rs 1,280-1,285, Barley Rs 1,430-1,440.
USA Rice Annual Awards Luncheon
Packs a Punch
September 26, 2017
By Michael Klein
2016 Award Winners (from left):
Steve Linscombe, Gary Sebree, and Richard Fontenot
ARLINGTON, VA -- The annual USA Rice
Outlook Conference is the largest rice gathering in North America, and while
innovative programming and exciting speakers always fill the two-day event, a
highlight for many is the inspiring annual Rice Awards Luncheon, set this year
for Monday, December 11, at noon.
"When many people in the rice
industry are still trying to contend with disasters created by Hurricanes
Harvey and Irma, it's really uplifting to be able to present the Rice
Awards," said Vicky Boyd, Editor of Rice Farming magazine. "These annual recognitions highlight
some of the most positive achievements associated with our industry."
Every year at the luncheon Rice
Farming bestows three awards: Rice Farmer of the Year, the Rice Industry Award,
and the Rice Lifetime Achievement Award, and choosing the honorees is never
easy.
"This year, as in years' past,
we had a strong group of nominations submitted," Boyd explained. "Although it makes judging really tough
because each person is worthy in his or her own right, it also reflects
positively on the industry that there are so many accomplished leaders."
Boyd said the three recipients also
will be featured in a special section included in the December issue of Rice
Farming magazine and she thanked Horizon Ag and USA Rice for their continued
support of the Rice Awards.
The luncheon is also the time the
new Rice Leadership Development Program class is announced."It's always
exciting when we read the names of the new class members in a room packed with
alumni, lifetime achievement award winners, and others who have dedicated their
lives to the rice industry," said California rice farmer Charley Matthews,
Jr., chairman of The Rice Foundation that oversees the Leadership Development
Program. "The application process
for the program is grueling but it's worth it, and we always start things off
by warmly welcoming these young men and women into the family."
USA Rice is also slated to present a
brand new award this year, the USA Rice Sustainability Award that will be
presented to the individual or entity with a history of promoting and advancing
sustainability through innovative practices and demonstrated leadership in the
sustainability community. (Nominations
are still being accepted and the form can be found here.)
The Annual Rice Awards Luncheon is
included for all registered Outlook Conference attendees and guests. Meeting materials can be found here.
Quote of the Day
"Only
those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can
go."
- T.S. Eliot
Waste disposal in Rice
Canal deprives Larkana residents of potable water
By Hafeez Tunio
Published: September 26, 2017
Water in the Rice Canal that runs
through Larkana city is no longer potable owing to the disposal of waste in it
over the years. PHOTO: COURTESY JAMAL DAWOODPOTO
LARKANA: Around 5,000 years ago, the people of Mohen
Jo Daro had an underground sewerage system with proper disposal of solid waste
but today we deal with waste by flinging it out into a sweet water canal.
This was
stated by Prof Ameer Ali, a teacher of agriculture at Dokri College, who was
pointing his finger at Rice Canal, which flows through Larkana city, the
hometown of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whose
party has been ruling the province for the last nine years.
For many
historical and geographical reasons, Larkana is a privileged city. It is
located near Mohen Jo Daro, which was the home of the ancient Indus Valley
civilisation. The city stands out for its archaeological sites, political
history, rich culture and booming agriculture. Among such praise-worthy
attributes, there was a stream of sweet drinking water running through the
city, called Rice Canal. However, today, water in the canal is no longer
potable owing to the disposal of waste in it over the years. People throwing
garbage into the canal and buffaloes swimming in it is a frequent sight these
days.
“Now, the
water [available to the residents] is not fit for human consumption. One of the
reasons for this is this contaminated canal whose water also penetrates
underground and makes underground water impure. It is causing harmful impact on
our health and we all are victims of it,” Prof Ali bemoaned.
Unending waste disposal
Despite
spending of billions of rupees under the Larkana package, no solution has been
reached to stop waste disposal in the Rice Canal. According to an
estimate, around 22 million gallons per day (MGD) of waste of the city is being
disposed in the canal.
Local
journalist Hanif Suhaq said not only human waste, but hospital and animal waste
is also being released into it. “Whenever we raise this issue before PPP
ministers, they blame General (retd) Musharraf’s tenure for the start of this
practice. No one tries to stop it,” he said.
Abdul Rasool
Abro, a government teacher, has bored around five hand pumps in various
locations in Sacchal Colony in order to get freshwater, but all in vain.
People
throwing garbage into the canal and buffaloes swimming in it is a frequent
sight these days. PHOTO: COURTESY JAMAL DAWOODPOTO
“The water
that poured out of the hand pumps in the summer was not only fresh but also
cold. Whether you believe or not, on scorching hot days we were not able to
take baths because of its coldness. Now, the water smells whenever we push the
hand pump,” Abro said, recalling his childhood days.
“There are 28
pumping stations in the city that release their waste into this canal. Apart
from this, the waste of Chandka Teaching Hospital is also being released into
the canal without any treatment,” local councillor Khan Muhammad Panhwar said,
adding that the Supreme Court’s judicial commission was also informed about the
situation and it expressed dismay over it but no tangible result has been seen
so far.
Lahori
Mahallah, Peoples Colony, Shaikh Zaid Colony and Sacchal Colony are the
worst-affected areas in terms of the polluted underground water.
Accusations and clarifications
In a
petition, a resident of Larkana, Bashir Ahmed, has alleged that the PPP
government spent around Rs90 billion from 2008 but most of the funds were
bungled. “There was a provision to divert the city’s waste somewhere else where
the government had to install treatment plants [so that the water could be
treated] before its release for agriculture, but the funds were
misappropriated,” he claimed, adding that four oxidation plants in the city
were set up in late 1990s but all of them are either non-functional or occupied
by influential people.
While
defending his government, Larkana Municipal Corporation Mayor Mohammad Aslam
Shaikh said the waste of 24 pumping stations has been diverted to other
stations located outside the city where artificial methods are being used to
filter sewage water. “We have set up a few ponds near Aqil, Pir Shah Road,
Mahar Wada and Mashori Sharif where using traditional procedure, physical
particles are separated and then the water is released for agriculture,” the
mayor said, adding that since there was no industrial waste, there was no need
for treatment plants.
Deputy
Commissioner Kashif Ali Tipu refuted the reports that Rs90 billion was spent in
Larkana. “People have exaggerated the figures. The government has hardly spent
Rs23 billion in the last nine years,” he said, adding that the entire drainage
system of Larkana is being revamped and most of the sewage water is not being
released into the Rice Canal.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1515983/waste-disposal-rice-canal-deprives-larkana-residents-potable-water/
Canada’s GSP, NAFTA pushes up Pak trade deficit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been
cultivating trade deficits in its bilateral trade relationship with Canada for
several years as the North American nation doesn’t treat its exports and
imports under tariff preferential schemes, officials said on
Monday.
Annual trade between the two
countries staggers below one billion dollars – a little over one percent of
Pakistan’s total trade volume of around $74 billion. Officials said Pakistani
authorities told their Canadian counterparts that the lower exports to Canada
were due to its preferential trade with US and Mexico under the North America
Free Trade agreement (NAFTA) as well as generalized system of preferences
(GSP), granted only to the World Bank-designated least developing countries,
including Bangladesh – Pakistan’s arch rival in foreign textile markets.
Trade data, available with The
News, showed that Pakistan’s share in Canadian global imports of $471 billion
is negligible. Total bilateral trade between Pakistan and Canada stood at
$857.89 million in 2011/12 as the former’s exports fetched $211.229 million,
while imports stood at $646.59 million, indicating that the trade balance was
in favour of the latter.
Bilateral trade significantly
dropped to $355.8 million in 2012/13 as exports stood at $215.81 million and
imports $139.9 million, depicting a trade surplus for Pakistan. In 2013/14, the
bilateral trade recovered to $431.8 million mainly in favour of Pakistan. In
the subsequent years, trade balance, however, remained in favour of Canada. Bilateral
trade stood at $657.7 million in fiscal 2014/15 mainly in favour of Canada to
the tune of $201 million. It amounted to $856 million in 2015/16 and $911.6
million in 2016/17, benefiting Canada of $423 million and $462 million,
respectively.
Officials said the balance of trade
has been tilting towards Canada since fiscal 2006/07 owing mostly to imports of
oil seeds and machinery. There was a brief relief in 2012/13 and 2013/14
after decline in imports of oil seeds, aircraft equipment and parts, machinery,
vegetables and vegetable preparations, medical/surgical instruments, road
vehicles and parts, coal, and chemical materials.
“Yet again, we are facing trade
deficits,” an official of the commerce ministry said. Pakistan’s major
items of exports to Canada include rice, textile made-ups, apparel and cloth
(knitted and crocheted), hosiery, cotton yarn, carpets, synthetic fabrics,
medical/surgical instruments, sports goods, jewellery, iron and steel, fruit
and fruit preparations, spices, and chemicals.
The country’s imports from Canada
are wheat, vegetables and vegetable preparations, including pulse, machinery
and its parts, oil seeds, crude minerals, chemicals, pharmaceutical products,
pulp and paper waste, old clothing and rags, coal, coke and briquettes and iron
and steel products. Officials said Trade Development Authority of
Pakistan (TDAP) identified Canada as a potential export market as exports to
the country have been rising since 2009.
TDAP is also organising businessmen
participation in an annual SIAL Food Show in Montreal scheduled in May next
year. SIAL Canada is the leading name in the agri-food industry, with more than
850 national and international exhibitors from 50 countries hosting over 15,000
buyers from Canada, the United States, and 60 other countries.
“Pakistan may request the Canadian
side to work in coordination with TDAP for promotion of select products,
particularly agro-processed food, seafood, apparel, gems and jewelry in the
Canadian market,” the ministry’s official said.
“As a follow-up to the meeting of
the Canadian High Commissioner with the Minister for Commerce, we are preparing
a plan in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, for which technical
assistance will be sought from the Canadian side.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/232497-Canadas-GSP-NAFTA-pushes-up-Pak-trade-deficit
Food exports
surge over 30pc to $512.321mln in two months
The food exports from Pakistan have surged
by 30.06 percent during the first two months of the current fiscal year
compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The country earned $512.321 million by
exporting various food commodities during July-August (2-17-18) compared to the
exports of $393.926 million in July-August (2016-17), showing growth of 30.06
percent, according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The food products that contributed in positive
growth in trade included Rice, exports of which grew by 40.36 percent from
$159.543 million last year to $223.937 million current year.
Among the rice products, the exports of basmati
rice increased by 10.35 percent, from $$56.857 million to $62.741 million while
the exports of other rice commodities increased by 56.98 percent, from $102.686
million to $161.196 million.
The exports of fish and fish preparations
increased from $29.486 million to $35.273 million, showing growth of 19.63
percent while the exports of vegetables went up from $18.888 percent to $20.538
percent, an increase of 8.74 percent.
Tobacco exports expanded by 27.29 percent from
$0.700 million to 0.891 million while the exports of wheat witnessed cent
percent growth as its exports were recorded at $0.323 million during the first
two months of current year compared to zero exports of last year.
Pakistan export oil seeds, nuts and kernals
worth $0.5.410 million during the first two months of current year compared to
$3.468 million, showing an increase of 56 percent, while the sugar exports
witness hundred percent growth as Pakistan exported the commodity worth $32.313
million against zero exports of last year.
Meanwhile, the food products that witnessed
negative growth trade during the period under review included fruits, the
exports of which decreased by 18.24 percent, from $60.981 million to $49,861
million.
The exports of spices decreased by 21.28
percent from $9.753 million to $7.678 million while the exports of meat and
meat preparations decreased by 3.46 percent, from $31.625 million to $30.530
million.
It is pertinent to mention here that overall
merchandise exports from the country witnessed positive trend for the second
consecutive month and grew by 11.80 percent during the first two months of the
current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of the last year.
The exports from the country during July-August
(2017-18) were recorded at $3.497 billion against the exports of $3.128 billion
during July-August (2016-17), showing growth of 11.8 percent.
The imports into the country also increased by
24.85 percent by going up from $7.839 during the first two months of last
fiscal year to $9.787 billion during the current year.
Based on the figures, the trade deficit during
the first two months of the current fiscal year was recorded at $6.290 billion
which indicated an increase of 33.52 percent when compared to the deficit of
$4.711 billion during the same period of last year
http://nation.com.pk/business/26-Sep-2017/food-exports-surge-over-30-to-512321mln-in-two-months
Food aid, face
masks dispatched to Bali as 57,000 flee volcano
KARANGASEM, INDONESIA: Vehicles
laden with food, masks and bedding have been dispatched to help more than
57,000 people who have fled a volcano on the tourist island of Bali, as rising
magma and increased tremors fuel fears of an imminent eruption.Mount Agung,
about 75 kilometres (47 miles) from the Indonesian tourist hub of Kuta, has
been rumbling since August, threatening to erupt for the first time since 1963.
“The chance that an eruption will
happen is quite big. But it cannot be predicted when it will happen,” Sutopo
Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the disaster mitigation agency, said.
The increased frequency of
tremors shows the magma continuing to move towards the surface, with the
mountain entering a “critical phase”, the spokesman said.
The Indonesian Center for
Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said there has been an increase in
volcanic tremors, with a total of 564 recorded Monday.
Evacuees have packed into
temporary shelters or moved in with relatives. Some 2,000 cows have also been
evacuated from the flanks of the volcano.
Balinese residents, international
NGOs and the government have begun organising aid.
Vehicles filled with noodles,
mineral water and blankets have been sent to the evacuation centres, while
residents around the island have been collecting donations for those affected.
Bali’s “sister village” programme
and tradition of communal assistance means evacuees have been able to stay in
villages outside the danger zone.
Around 62,000 people lived in the
danger zone prior to the evacuations, according to the disaster mitigation
agency.
I Ketut Subandi, head of
logistics at the village of Tana Ampo, said basic food items like rice, instant
noodles, cooking oil and water were most needed.
“This morning we were worried
because we had limited rice supply, but now we have received more rice stocks
from donors,” Subandi said.
Indonesia’s national disaster
agency has dispatched 640,000 face masks, 12,500 mattresses, 8,400 blankets, 50
tents, and has a budget of $75,000 for assistance.
The central government has set
aside a relief fund of nearly $150 million in case of an eruption.
Officials announced the highest
possible alert level on Friday due to the increasing volcanic activity, and
told people to stay at least nine kilometres away from the crater.
“Our preparedness will be the key
for the mitigations of volcanic risks,” Devy Kamil, a senior official at
Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, told media
agencies.
Trekking tours on the mountain
have been cancelled by operators but officials have otherwise been at pains to
assure tourists the island is safe.
The airport in Bali’s capital
Denpasar, through which millions of foreign tourists pass every year, has not
been affected, but several countries including Australia and Singapore have put
out a travel advisory.
Mount Agung is one of more than
120 active volcanoes extending the length of Indonesia, which straddles the
Pacific Ring of Fire.
It last erupted in 1963, killing
nearly 1,600 people and sending ash as far as the capital Jakarta.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/09/26/food-aid-face-masks-dispatched-to-bali-as-57000-flee-volcano/
Not importing tomatoes
from India ‘good decision’
September 26, 2017
LCCI says move will encourage
local farmers to grow more, help save foreign exchange. PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(LCCI) hailed the announcement made by Minister for National Food Security and
Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan of not importing tomatoes from India, saying
that the move would help local farmers and save foreign exchange for Pakistan.
Currently,
Pakistan is faced with a shortage of tomatoes in the domestic market. While
imports from India fill the gap each year, the move to bar containers from
entering the country from across the border have created a bigger demand-supply
gap. Local vendors are currently waiting for Sindh’s produce to reach the
market.
However, the
decision, which has led to a massive surge in tomato prices in the domestic
market with per-kilo rates hovering around Rs200 in Karachi’s urban areas, was,
deemed the “right one” by LCCI President Abdul Basit who said that the country
has the resources to feed the population.
“Therefore,
local growers should be facilitated to the maximum and their issues should be
resolved on a priority basis,” Basit said in a statement issued on Monday. “The
government needs to increase the cropped area to avoid any crisis-like
situation.
“We cannot
afford to stay where we are today in terms of cropped area and per hectare
yield because we are already running short of per capita food availability.”
The LCCI said
that though almost 43% labour force is dependent upon agriculture, the yield
gap in the four major crops of Pakistan is three times compared to the best
producers in the world such as China and Egypt.
“Low yield
has contributed to poverty in rural areas besides forcing the country to import
agriculture produce to feed its population.”
The LCCI
president argued that the fact that China produces two times more cotton and
wheat per hectare and Egypt produces around three times more rice and sugarcane
per hectare than Pakistan does should be an eye-opener.
“Large-scale
introduction of hybrid seeds and mechanised farming, high efficiency irrigation
systems such as drip irrigation and reduction in wastage of crop through
introduction of privately owned storage facilities and cold storage facilities
are recommended to improve the yield,” the LCCI president added.
Referring to
the changing dynamic, Basit said this was the age of bio technology and
Pakistan has tremendous potential to emerge as a leader in this field. However,
the government, private sector and researchers would have to work together to
achieve this goal, he added.
He lamented
that owing to insufficient utilisation of biotechnology, Pakistan is losing
out.
“There are
400 research institutions in the country but their performance is not up to the
mark,” the LCCI office-bearers concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th,
2017.
U.S. Could Export Rice to China for First Time,
But Is It a Done Deal?
By Tyne
Morgan September 25, 2017 | 9:35 am EDT
As U.S. rice farmers bring in a
new crop, rough rice prices have rallied a dollar since June. While U.S. prices
vary, farmers rely heavily on consistent consumption at home each year.“The biggest market is the domestic U.S. market overall,” said
Johnny Sullivan, Producers Rice Mill, located in Stuttgart, Ark. “That's where
I'd say about 60 percent of the rice grown in the U.S. stays in the U.S.”
September is National Rice Month, celebrating the various uses of
rice. The grain is gluten free, and also features whole grain qualities. It’s
those traits that mills say are helping the crop grow in popularity
domestically.
“Many ingredients that are made from rice are also gluten free for
additives, for nutritional bars and different things such as that,” said Sullivan.
Once the American made rice leaves the field, it’s processed in
the mill and turned into popular products like beer. Sullivan says consumers of
Budweiser or Bud Light are already a big supporter of home-grown rice.
“Anheuser-Busch is virtually the largest buyer of rice in the
world,” said Sullivan.
From brews to puppy food, milled U.S. rice is growing in use.
“Even puppy rations use a large amount of rice now because they
found that it's very soothing to the puppy's tummies,” said Bill Reed of Riceland
Foods, the world’s largest rice miller.
What doesn’t get consumed domestically needs a home, and today,
there are a few countries that top the export list.
“Most of our rice is marketed into the export markets in the
Western hemisphere - many of the Caribbean Islands, as well as Central America
are big rice eaters,” said Reed.
“Most of that rice in California is consumed domestically, and
then about 25 percent is shipped to Japan,” said Chris Crutchfield, CEO of
American Commodity Company, based in Williams, Calif.
The rice industry says they’re lockstep with the rest of
agriculture on current trade deals like NAFTA, urging the administration to do
no harm in agriculture’s slice of current trade pacts.
“Mexico is our largest market,” said Crutchield. “Almost of its
rough rice market or raw material market, and then Canada’s is our third
largest.
Another scrutinized deal that Crutchfield fears could potentially
pose fallout for rice is South Korea.
“That’s a deal that rice was excluded from,” said Crutchield.
“While we don't necessarily have a say in the technical aspect of the
agreement, we do export a lot rice to South Korea every year, and if we get
into some sort of a trade, that could have a negative effect on the overall
trade aspect.”
Crutchield says rice producers want to protect current markets
already in place, but as some key buyers wane, it’s encouraging the industry to
find new markets.
“Iraq is still purchasing U.S. rice, but four years ago [the
country] was buying several hundred thousand tons of rice a year - this past
year they bought 30,000 tons,” said Crutchfield. “With the loss of those
markets, you either need a resumption of trade or you need to pick up new
markets.”
In Sullivan’s eyes, Cuba is one market that could come back on board,
ideally positioned to take on more exports from the rice belt in the Southeast.
“Cuba buys somewhere between 500,000 and 600,000 tons per year,”
he said. “They import that much rice U.S. rice crop, and the U.S. proximity to
Cuba is the closest that there is which takes out the logistic issues.”
An even bigger potential buyer would be the world’s most populous
country – China.
“China is a monster of a market,” said Sullivan. “The facts are
based on the consumption rates of rice in China that in a 14-day period they
could eat the entire U.S. crop. So, it's an unreal market.”
“There's no doubt that China needs rice,” said Crutchfield. “Over
the last 10 years they’ve gone from being a competitor of the U.S. and others
on the export stage, to being the world's largest importer of rice”
The Trump administration paved the path for trade to China this
year when leaders signed a deal in July, agreeing to start exporting rice to
China for the first time ever. It was a deal more than a decade in the works
and happened after both U.S. and China agreed on “phytosanitary protocol,”
which helps put more parameters around terms of sanitary conditions for U.S.
milled rice.
“One of the things that was unique about this phytosanitary
agreement was this is first time the United States government has ever allowed
a foreign government to send inspectors to the United Sates to review and
inspect potential facilities or individual companies,” said Crutchield.
The U.S. calling the deal a major win, but the reality is little
progress has been made since that initial step with the signing in July.
“Taking 11 years to get the first step behind us and being able to
see how many steps we have in front of us is a little disconcerting,”
Crutchfield said.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently set an aggressive
timeline, saying the first shipment of U.S. rice could hit within the next
three months. Crutchield is hopeful that’s the case.
“If they move forward in any kind of a timely fashion, we can see
that happen,” he said. “My most realistic estimate would be to say that I’m
confident we'll see some rice from the 2017 crop be exported from the United
States to China.
Once the first shipment breaks through, Crutchfield thinks the
demand growth is huge, possibly turning into a 6 figure market in the future
http://www.agprofessional.com/contact/AgPro-Contact-Us.html
RICE FARMING: A green way to cut
cost
12:00
AM, September 26, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:18 AM, September 26, 2017
Bangladeshi scientists have developed the perfect blend of
decomposable waste, biochar, friendly bacteria and rock phosphate to make two
most-used chemical fertilisers in the country's paddy fields largely
unnecessary.
A group of soil scientists at the Bangladesh Rice Research
Institute (BRRI) yesterday said use of the newly developed bio-organic
fertiliser would eventually eliminate 100 percent usage of triple super
phosphate (TSP) and reduce urea usage for rice production by 30 percent.
Not only would this help reduce the use of chemical fertiliser, it
would significantly cut the government's yearly fertiliser subsidy of Tk 9,000
crore.
It would also help keep the environment clean and green as it
would use kitchen waste and cut down carbon emission.
The Soil Science Division of BRRI successfully field-tested the
efficacy of this bio-organic fertiliser on paddy in all three rice-growing
seasons -- Boro, Aus and Aman.
The tests were done over the last one year at BRRI's compound and
the fertiliser is now on trial at farmers' fields in Barisal, Patuakhali,
Rajshahi and Kishoreganj.
Umme Aminun Naher, a BRRI principal scientific officer (PSO) and
mastermind behind the bio-organic fertiliser, told The Daily Star yesterday
that the blend has 10 beneficial bacteria.
About 15 percent of it is biochar (charcoal used as a soil
amendment) and five percent rock phosphate, she said, adding that the rest was
decomposable household vegetable waste.
She said their trials had shown that the use of bio-organic fertiliser
did not have any impact on rice yields and was at par with production level
achieved through chemical fertiliser usage.
Naher pointed out that the fertiliser would help reduce carbon
emissions. Greenhouse gasses are emitted during chemical fertiliser production
and its use, she said.
Research revealed that the production of one kg of urea and TSP
fertiliser emits about six kg of CO2 in the air, said the Unesco-ISTIC
(International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South
Cooperation) award-winning scientist.
She said, "We are using the same rock phosphate, which is a
key ingredient in TSP, but in our process the beneficial bacteria make the rock
phosphate soluble. Other bacteria that we are using help compost waste, fix
nitrogen from the air and help the paddy plant grow."
The biochar is produced by burning rice husk, she added.
Neither Naher nor Jatish Chandra Biswas, the head of the BRRI Soil
Science Division, could give a clear idea on the cost of the fertiliser.
They, however, said the cost of production should be much lower
than chemical fertilisers as "we are using household wastes, cheap biochar
and bacteria and little amount of rock phosphate, which is available in the
market for Tk 5 per kg".
They said the fertiliser would add organic matter and beneficial
microbes to maintain soil health. Soil quality would increase with direct
application of carbon via biochar.
Research findings indicate that application of chemical
fertilisers for a long time decreases the populations of free-living nitrogen
fixing bacteria, organisms that solubilise phosphate as well as other
beneficial bacteria.
Md Imran Ullah Sarkar and Afsana Jahan are the two other soil
scientists of the BRRI team that developed the fertiliser after several years
of research, lab tests and field trials.
Jatish told The Daily Star that to move forward with the product,
BRRI would first make a patent application. Once they had the patent, they
would provide interested enterprises with the technology so that the fertiliser
reached all farmers in the country.
The decomposing process of the waste, bacteria, biochar and
phosphate would generate a considerable amount of biogas and people would be
able to tap into it, once it is produced commercially on a large scale, he
said.
BRRI Director General Md Shahjahan Kabir told The Daily Star
yesterday that as a first step, BRRI would soon approach the Gazipur City
Corporation to go for bio-organic fertiliser production.
"We are (BRRI headquarters) located in Gazipur and we will
approach the local city authorities to make the best use of the decomposable
waste collected each day. That will have a demonstrative effect on other places
in the country," said Kabir.
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/rice-farming-green-way-cut-cost-1467745
Rice
worth US$ 223.937mn exported in two months
ISLAMABAD: Rice worth US$ 223.937
million has been exported during the first two months of current financial
year. During the period from
July-August, 2017 rice exports from the country grew by 40.36 percent as
compared to the exports of the same period of last year, according the data of
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In last
two months around 428,993 metric tons of rice worth US$ 223.937 million was
exported as compared to the exports of 380,861 metric tons valuing US$ 159.543
million, it added.
Meanwhile, the exports of basmati rice grew by 10.35 percent and about
59,433 metric tons of basmati rice worth US$ 62.741 million was exported as
compared to the exports of 59,192 metric tons valuing US$ 56.857 million of
same period last year. The exports of
rice other than basmati also witnessed an increase of 58.98 percent, around
369.580 metric tons of rice costing US$ 161.198 million was exported as
compared to the exports of 251,669 metric tons worth US$ 102.888 million of
last year. On month on month basis, rice
exports from the country grew by 53 percent in August, 2017 as compared to the
same month of last year, the data reveled.
About 227,998 metric tons of rice
worth US$ 116.041 million exported in August as compared to the exports of 146,769 metric tons valuing
US$ 75.569 million of same period last year.
Meanwhile, basmati rice worth US$ 86.290
million was exported last month, which grew by 2.15 percent as compared to the
same month of last year. Exports of
basmati rice was recorded at 28,482 metric tons in the month of August as
compared to the exports 30,446 metric tons of same period last year. During the period from July-August 2017, food
group exports of the country increased by 30.6 percent as compared to the exports
of the same period of last year. Country
earned US$ 512.321 million by exporting different food commodities during first
two-months of current financial year as compared to the earnings of the
corresponding period of last year.
http://www.brecorder.com/2017/09/26/371564/rice-worth-us-223-937mn-exported-in-two-month/
In the
Philippines, a Chinese hybrid rice program highlights the 'win-win' policy
26.09.2017
Three hours from traffic-choked
Manila is the Science City of Muñoz in the province of Nueva Ecija, a land of
lush greenery and known as the center of agricultural research and innovation
in the Philippines.
The Rise of Chinese Aid series
The Rise of Chinese Aid series
As China continues to grow as a global power, so too does its footprint on the development sector. Its rise comes at a moment when the status quo is shifting in the aid industry. Traditional standard bearers such as the U.S. and EU may still drive the majority of funds and set the agenda, but protectionist policies and changing domestic priorities are setting in motion significant changes.
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Among the city’s structures is the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Training (PhilSCAT), launched in 2003 and a result of technical cooperation between China and the Philippines. The program’s aim is to explore the potential of Chinese hybrid rice varieties in the country, as well as introduce China’s modernized farming technologies to local farmers. The center is a 10-hectare property composed of buildings that serve as a workshop, lodging for Chinese experts and office space for PhilSCAT staff members. Part of the property is an experimental land area for hybrid seed varieties.
While other Chinese aid-funded projects here have come under fire for alleged corruption, PhilSCAT’s work has avoided such accusations. The center is a rare development program between China and the Philippines. In its office lobby is a wall-to-ceiling painting showing two white birds and a shower of rice grains on Philippine farmers. On the adjacent wall hangs a plaque that says, in Filipino, that the artwork serves as a symbol of friendship between the two nations.
PhilSCAT through the decade
The need to rapidly grow more food in the Philippines is dire. With more than 100 million people to feed, the country ranks 13th in the world in terms of population. Prime agricultural land is increasingly being converted to highways, residential areas and commercial centers. In order to address this, the government placed a two-year moratorium on the conversion of 4.7 million hectares agricultural land in 2016. The Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, is eyeing 1 million hectares for hybrid rice production by 2018.
The government believes hybridization is a key element in reaching the Philippines’ rice self-sufficiency goals. Many agronomists and industry players believe hybrid rice varieties produce higher yields than inbred ones, whose yield performance, they said, had plateaued over the years. Some hybrid varieties produce twice as much rice per hectare, making them an attractive option for a heavy rice-consuming country such as the Philippines. The country’s population growth and dwindling space for agriculture due to industrialization have created an imbalance between rice demand and supply and PhilSCAT fits perfectly into the country’s push for seed hybridization.
The PhilSCAT center was built with a $5 million grant from China’s Ministry of Agriculture, and an estimated $2.9 million of counterpart funding from the Philippine government. It is one of the few known Chinese-aid funded projects in the Philippines that come in grant form and whose establishment is far from the showy economic and infrastructure projects China is often known for in countries where it has an aid presence. The project has been renewed twice and is set to continue into its third phase after China’s Ministry of Commerce approved a new $10 million grant to expand its operations.
“We will build a laboratory to develop super hybrid rice, which we will test for quality, resistance to pests and diseases, and yield,” said Dr. Carlos Abon, Jr., head of technology and product development at the center.
There are also plans to “recreate” PhilSCAT or set up a satellite branch in Davao Oriental in the island of Mindanao.
Photo by: Jenny Ravelo / Devex
In over a decade of operations, PhilSCAT has made a number of breakthroughs. The center was able to identify Chinese hybrid rice lines that can be adapted in the Philippines and were eventually certified by the country’s National Seed Industry Council as seed varieties. It was also able to produce hybrid seed varieties using local seeds.
The center distributed farm machinery from China to cooperatives in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Isabela, all in grant form. Its staff members conduct regular technological training and demonstrations for farmers, sometimes in collaboration with experts from the the Central Luzon State University and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), a government research and development entity that creates high-yielding rice varieties, but at a lower cost. Over the years, hundreds of farmers have received training on everything from hybrid rice seed production to modernized ways of rice farming, including the repair and maintenance of farm machinery that was provided by the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture. Mechanized agriculture is a priority of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Due to its modest budget and set mandate, PhilSCAT’s contributions to the Philippines’ goal of rice self-sufficiency has been limited. The center has developed a number of hybrid rice varieties that have received approval from the NSIC, but because of its mandate as a research facility, it has a smaller land area for production.PhilSCAT has turned to the private sector for assistance in expanding production. For its Mestizo 38 hybrid rice variety, for example, PhilSCAT entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with two seed entities, Prasad Seeds Philippines Inc. and the Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative, to produce and commercialize the said variety.
Private sector involvement in hybrid rice production is common in the Philippines, and is often welcomed by the government given the private sector’s resources and capacities to produce at a much larger scale. Private sector companies are seen by the government as partners in the push for rice self-sufficiency. Industry watchdogs, however, warn of downsides to over-reliance on the private sector. It allows for wider corporate control over the food system.
“Seeds are a political commodity. If you own them, you’re very powerful,” Jean Lugasip, program manager for Visayas and Mindanao at NGO Rice Watch and Action Network (R1), told Devex. R1 advocates more government support for grassroots-led innovation on the research and development of high-yielding, high-quality rice seed varieties.
China’s tied agricultural aid
Read more Devex coverage on the Rise of Chinese aid:
▶ WHO proposes partnerships with China along Silk Road
▶ China's role in the race to connect the next billion
▶ Through China, a green financing leader emerges
▶ Pakistan's $100B deal with China: What does it amount to?
▶ DevExplains: Chinese aid
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The transfer of Chinese technology in agriculture is not new. In Africa, training centers have been operational for decades. Since the turn of the century, China has regularly launched or incorporated hybrid rice programs in technical cooperation.
This technology transfer, however, has been criticized by civil society organizations and perceived as openings for Chinese business interests, even though China has often labeled such programs as assistance for countries trying to reach rice self-sufficiency.
Genetic Resources Action International, a small international nonprofit that analyzes trends in food systems, captured the business aspect of China’s hybridization promotion in an article published in 2010.
“It is often not realized that China’s international hybrid rice activities are almost always led by private Chinese seed companies, and mostly often by one company — LPHT,” according to the article. “Over the years, with the support and blessing of the government, this state-owned company has grown into a major multinational corporation, with 26 subsidiaries, and a listing on the Shenzhen stock exchange, with a large stake now owned by the world’s fourth-largest seed company, Vilmorin Limagrain of France.”
The article identifies the different Asian countries — such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar — that import most of the seeds for their hybrid rice programs from China.
PhilSCAT’s case is no different. The parental lines the center has been using to develop hybrid rice varieties come from China’s Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co. Ltd.
As hybrid seeds lose their vigor when replanted — they won’t be able to produce the same number of yields — PhilSCAT will require imports of the Chinese hybrid rice lines to continue producing the same hybrid rice varieties. Not only will this create reliance on imports, it is also in contrast to the government’s goal of rice self-sufficiency, one that is not measured by the ability to meet the country’s rice demands alone.
“Self-sufficiency is about ensuring food being served is safe and that farmers are earning enough for producing them,” R1’s Lugasip said.Patricia Bernal, information officer for knowledge management at PhilSCAT said, however, that not all of their varieties were produced using Chinese hybrid rice lines. Mestizo 38, she noted, is produced using local hybrid parental rice lines — and that is done with help from modern technologies and knowledge shared by Chinese experts.
“We were able to see and develop local hybrid rice varieties for our own purposes,” she said.
Of the 79 hybrid rice varieties currently available in the Philippines and approved by the NSIC, however, it is unclear how many were developed using local versus imported hybrid parental rice lines. Breeders of these varieties — public or private — often don’t disclose parental lines to the public, said Joanne Caguiat, senior science research specialist and head of the three-line hybrid rice breeding project at PhilRice.
PhilRice and the International Rice Research Institute continue to develop the genetic diversity of local hybrid parental lines. Most of the seven hybrid rice varieties PhilRice was able to develop from 2011 onwards were mostly produced using local hybrid parental lines, said Caguiat.
“The Philippines can produce and develop its own hybrids using local parental lines,” Caguiat told Devex. “It’s just that China’s seed lines can produce higher yields. In addition, China has a long and vast research and experience when it comes to hybrid rice production compared with the Philippines.”
Locally bred hybrid rice varieties produce 6 tons per hectare on average while those from China can produce as much as 14 tons per hectare, she said.
Bernal stressed that under the terms of their agreement with seed companies, hybrid rice varieties developed by the center will need to be sold at a low price given that the variety is cultivated by a public entity.
This means the Indian company, Prasad Seeds, and the Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative will have exclusive rights to market Mestizo 38, but they will have to do so at a rate of 3,800 Philippine pesos ($75) for 18 kilograms of hybrid seeds — good for one hectare. By comparison, private companies usually sell hybrid varieties at PhP4,800 to PhP5,000 (roughly $100) for the same amount of seeds, Bernal said.
This is clearly not the case for other of their
cultivated hybrid rice varieties.During PhilSCAT’s first five years, staff
members and experts tested more than 50 Chinese hybrid rice lines on different
farms across the country. The goal was to find varieties that could adapt well
to local conditions. At the end of this period, scientists were able to select
three Chinese hybrid rice lines that would become Mestizo 12, Mestizo 13 and
Mestizo 14 rice varieties in the Philippines.
But for all its efforts, PhilSCAT did not get
to keep any of the three hybrid rice varieties. Yuan Longping High-Tech, which
supplied the Chinese hybrid rice seeds PhilsCAT tested, sold them to the
private sector, said PhilSCAT’s Abon. Mestizo 12 was procured by vegetable seed
producer Allied Botanical Corp. Mestizo 13 was sold to Pioneer, a U.S.-owned
hybrid rice seed company.
Abon said he doesn’t know what happened to
Mestizo 14 or what the terms for selling the two other hybrid rice varieties.
He said PhilSCAT didn’t get any royalties from both sales.
“I don’t know why. They said there was no
Memorandum of Agreement [barring Longping from selling the varieties],” he told
Devex in Filipino.
Bernal agreed.
“We can’t run after it since there weren’t any
signed MOAs,” she told Devex. She did say the negotiations were under the
guidance and supervision of PhilSCAT’s Chinese co-director, Cheng Liangji.
Mestizo 14, it turns out, is also now with
Longping-Allied Hybrid Research and Development Inc., a merger between Yuan
Longping High-Tech and Allied Botanical. It has exclusive distribution rights
for Mestizo 14 in the Philippines.
Bernal said Yuan Longping High-Tech has also
ventured into seed production in the Philippines as they now know the areas and
networks where PhilSCAT conducted technology demonstrations and adaptability
trials for hybrid seed varieties.
Different project, same rhetoric
Activities at PhilSCAT underscore a familiar
perception often associated with Chinese assistance: mixing aid with commercial
interests.
China is known to use development assistance
for diplomacy, as well as business. It is not uncommon for Chinese-funded
projects to be contracted to Chinese companies or state-owned enterprises.
Materials used for infrastructure projects come from China, and the government
often insists on hiring its own experts on any of these projects and programs.
In PhilSCAT’s case, materials for the buildings
in the 10-hectare property came from China, as did the hybrid seed varieties
they tested, the machinery they use for farming, and the experts who conduct
hybrid testing and machinery training.
Dennis Trinidad, professor of international
relations at De La Salle University in Manila, explains the logic behind
China’s strategy:
“The main concern [of China] is to simply look
for opportunities for its state-owned enterprises. So, if there’s a state-owned
enterprise that would want to get the contract, the Chinese government is
willing to finance. And this is because the nature of the project is tied. It’s
always tied. And the projects are always awarded to a Chinese company,” he told
Devex. “It’s primarily business. Chinese state-owned enterprises get contracts
because of Chinese assistance, so imagine, that’s a huge [sum of] money.”
Trinidad said it is “always beneficial” for the
Philippines to have a wide variety of financing sources given its immense
development needs. But given the corruption often linked to Chinese aid
programs, he emphasized the importance due diligence in recipients’ contracts
and engagements with the nontraditional donor.
“It’s up to the recipient country. [If they
don’t provide due diligence], then, basically, China will just implement. Then
after implementing, they will run. After they get the money, they will run,” he
said.
The Philippines’ due diligence practices will
be tested as several Chinese-funded projects are set to be implemented in the
country in the next few years. President Duterte secured a multibillion aid
package and several investment projects during his visit to Beijing in 2016.
Some of these ventures are in the area of agriculture — hybrid rice production
even — but many of them are huge infrastructure projects worth billions of
dollars.
PhilSCAT’s case, however, exemplifies China’s
win-win approach to development.
“The assistance provided was tied to Chinese
agricultural equipment. It was also an opportunity to promote Chinese
technology in agriculture,” Trinidad said.
He noted that very few donor countries under
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Development
Assistance Committee provide technical assistance on agriculture because many
of them have little or no experience in rice cultivation. China has a vast
resources in this area.
“It's a win win for the Philippines obviously
because there is a need to increase our agricultural productivity and
self-sufficiency,” he added.
PhilSCAT’s Abon agrees. The center comes with
strings attached, such as its right to sell the hybrid rice varieties Mestizo
12, 13 and 14, whose profits could have been in the range of millions of
dollars. But he insists that the Philippines has benefited massively, though
not always in monetary terms. Chinese assistance was key in training
researchers and farmers on modernized hybrid rice production and farming
technologies.
“When it comes to rice, they are helpful,” he
said. But of course some of their deals, he noted, “involve large sums of
money.”
The grassroots organizations Devex reached out
to — those working with and for the benefit of farmers — remain wary.
Cris Panerio, national coordinator for
Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura, a farmer-led network
composed of people’s organizations, NGOs and scientists “working towards the
sustainable use and management of biodiversity through farmers’ control of
genetic and biological resources, agricultural production and associated
knowledge,” admit they are not familiar with PhilSCAT and its work, but they
are against the generally aggressive push for hybridization in the country.
“The common argument with hybrids is that they
produce higher yields and are necessary for rice self-sufficiency,” he said.
“But hunger in rural areas is not a function of production, but a function of
distribution.”
The approach to the Philippines’ agricultural
problem should be holistic and not entirely just about technologies. Until
then, the impact of such development projects will remain minimal, Paneiro
said. But with the Philippine government’s continued push for hybridization and
mechanized farming, programs such as China’s agricultural assistance is likely
to continue and expand.
http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/in-the-philippines-a-chinese-hybrid-rice-program-highlights-the-win-win-policyDaily
Jang Epaper
ACC to look into govt officials'
'link'
Says its chairman
Iqbal
Mahmood
In recent months, price of rice
went up as some traders hoarded rice illegally.
“We've received the allegation.
Today [Tuesday], we've decided to inquire into the allegation,” said ACC
Chairman Iqbal Mahmood.
He said this while addressing a
discussion titled “Corruption Free Government Service: Nature of Corruption
Allegation” at Rangamati Deputy Commissioner's office, according to a press
release.
ACC will conduct the inquiry in
light with the Essential Articles (Price Control and Anti-Hoarding) Act.
Those who will be found involved in hoarding food illegally will be brought
under the law.
“Bribing some government officials,
some businessmen are hoarding essential foods and increasing its price,” said
Iqbal.
He said, “Through increasing price,
they are looting public money. Anti-Corruption Commission will take exemplary
legal action against them.”
As rice prices have gone up further
in the last four days, the government said there are conspiracies afoot to
destabilise the rice market.
Food Minister Qamrul Islam said a
section of unscrupulous businessmen and rice millers started using tricks to
hike rice prices. The government would take steps to stabilise the rice market,
he said
Rice worth US$
223.937 million exported in two-months
Rice exports from the country grew by 40.36 percent
during July and August this year.
ISLAMABAD (APP) - Rice worth US$
223.937 million has been exported during the first two months of current
financial year.During the period from July-August, 2017 rice exports from the
country grew by 40.36 percent as compared the exports of the same period of
last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
In last two months around 428,993
metric tons of rice worth US$ 223.937 million exported as compared the exports
of 380,861 metric tons valuing US$ 159.543 million, it added.
Meanwhile, the exports of basmati
rice grew by 10.35 percent and about 59,433 metric tons of basmati rice worth
US$ 62.741 million exported as compared the exports of 59,192 metric tons
valuing US$ 56.857 million of same period last year.
The exports of rice other then
basmati also witnessed an increase of 58.98 percent, around 369.580 metric tons
of rice costing US$ 161.198 million exported as compared to the exports of
251,669 metric tons worth US$ 102.888 million of last year.
On month on month basis, rice
exports from the country grew by 53 percent in August, 2017 as compared the
same month of last year, the data reveled.
About 227,998 metric tons of rice
worth US$ 116.041 million exported in August as compared the exports of 146,769
metric tons valuing US$ 75.569 million of same period last year. Meanwhile,
basmati rice worth US$ 86.290 million exported in last month, which grew by 2.15
percent as compared the same months of last year.
Exports of basmati rice was
recorded at 28,482 metric tons in month of August as compared the exports
30,446 metric tons of same period last year.
During the period from
July-August 2017, food group exports from the country increased by 30.6 percent
as compared the exports of the same period of last year.
Country earned US$ 512.321
million by exporting different food commodities during first two-months of
current financial year as compared the earnings of the corresponding period of
last year
·
Golden rice – a miracle tarnished
by irresponsible activism
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE
THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL
“Their eyes tell their sad stories as ghostly white irises give
way to vacant stares. We can look at them but they can’t look back at us.
They’ve gone blind because of malnutrition.,” V. Ravichandran, a farmer in Tamil Nadu, India, describing
children suffering from vitamin A deficiency
This is a dual tragedy — first, because more than two-thirds of
the children referred to in Ravichandran’s commentary will be dead within a
year — blindness from vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is an early sign of
life-threatening debilitation — and second, because VAD could be prevented with
an accessible, modern agricultural technology.
The most elegant and practical approach to preventing
VAD is a group of genetically engineered rice varieties known as Golden Rice
because of its color, which is imparted by the presence of beta-carotene, the
precursor of vitamin A.
Rice is a food staple for hundreds of millions, especially in
Asia. Although it is an excellent source of calories, it lacks certain
micronutrients necessary for a complete diet. In developing countries, 200 —
300 million children of preschool age are at risk of vitamin A deficiency,
which increases their susceptibility to infections such as measles and
diarrheal diseases. Every year, about half a million children become blind as a
result of VAD and 70 percent of them die within a year of losing their sight.
In the 1980s and 1990s, German scientists Ingo Potrykus and
Peter Beyer developed the “Golden Rice” varieties that are biofortified, or enriched,
by the introduction of genes that enable the edible endosperm of rice to
produce beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. Rice plants produce beta
carotene in the leaves but not in the grains, so Potrykus and Beyer inserted
two genes – one
from a bacterium, the other from corn —
that causes beta-carotene to be synthesized in the edible part of the plant as
well.
Given its ability to prevent the scourge of VAD, Golden Rice could
make contributions to human health on a par with the Salk polio vaccine but
irrational, self-interested, relentless opposition to the testing and
widespread availability of Golden Rice has been high on the agenda of activists
like Greenpeace, which makes millions per year behemoth with offices in more
than 40 countries, whose PR machine is focused on denying millions of children
in the poorest nations the essential food nutrients they need to stave off
blindness and death.
They have intimidated government officials by fomenting
grassroots opposition to regulatory approvals of Golden Rice and other
genetically engineered crop varieties; and too often, regulators have dragged
their feet or capitulated.
Greenpeace has fiercely opposed genetic engineering applied to
agriculture from the early days of molecular genetic engineering —
recombinant DNA technology, or “gene-splicing,” to produce so-called GMOs. In
1995, the organization announced that it had “intercepted a package containing
rice seed genetically manipulated to produce a toxic insecticide, as it was
being exported . . . [and] swapped the genetically manipulated seed with normal
rice.” [I. Meister, “Uncontrolled Trade in Genetically Manipulated Products,”
press release, April 7, 1995].
The rice seeds stolen by Greenpeace had been genetically
improved for insect resistance and were en route to the International Rice
Research Institute in the Philippines from the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology in Zurich. The modified seeds were to be tested to confirm that they
would grow and produce high yields of rice with far lower applications of
chemical pesticides.
Greenpeace has ignored the scientific
consensus about the safety of genetically engineered crops, the result of
hundreds of risk-assessment experiments and extensive real-world experience. In
the United States alone, more than 90 percent of all corn, soy and sugar beets
are genetically engineered, and in two decades of consumption of trillions of
servings of food from genetically engineered plants around the world, not a
single health or environmental problem has been documented.
Greenpeace has variously alleged that the levels of
beta-carotene in Golden Rice are too low to be effective or so high that they
would be toxic. But feeding trials have shown the rice to be highly effective
in preventing VAD, and toxicity is virtually impossible because conversion of
beta-carotene to vitamin A ceases when vitamin A levels in the blood rise above
normal.
With no rational basis for its antagonism, the organization has
been forced to adopt a “fake news” strategy of trying to scare off the
developing nations that are considering adopting the lifesaving products.
In a 2012 screed, Greenpeace claimed,
“If introduced on a large scale, golden rice can exacerbate malnutrition and
ultimately undermine food security.” Psychiatrists call this projection: The
real threat to the poor and vulnerable is not genetic engineering; it’s
Greenpeace and its ilk. In 2014, economists Justus Wesseler and David Zilberman
calculated the impact of the delays in the regulatory approval of Golden Rice.
They found that
the absence of Golden Rice in the prior decade caused the loss of at least
1,424,680 life-years in India alone. If Greenpeace’s actions were
perpetrated by government officials, they would be called crimes against
humanity.
Henry I. Miller, a physician and
molecular biologist, is the Robert Wesson Fellow in Scientific Philosophy and
Public Policy at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution; he was the founding
director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology.
http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/352498-golden-rice-a-miracle-tarnished-by-irresponsible-activism
Aerobic rice
cultivation to save water
Mandya (Karnataka) [India], Sept
27 (-NewsVoir): This kharif season, due to monsoon deficit in Karnataka, the
government had recommended farmers to not go for Paddy cultivation.
Renowned agriculture scientist
Dr. H. E Shashidhar, has developed Aerobic Rice variety and farming practice
that doesn't require nursery, transplantation, puddling or standing water for
Paddy cultivation. Aerobic Rice variety ARB6 was released while he was at
UAS-GKVK and has shown excellent results.
Dr. Shashidhar is an agriculture
scientist of international repute with decades of field and academic
experience. A graduate from the UAS (University of Agriculture Sciences,
Bangalore), he earned his Post-Doctoral Research scroll from Texas Tech
University, USA and also served as Director of Research at Barwale Foundation,
Hyderabad. His research work has covered lesser water consumption and
development of exclusive variety of rice with an Intellectual Property tag,
endorsed by NBPGR.
Dr. Shashidhar has several awards
and citations to his credit and these include Best Rice Worker, Gold medal
conferred by the Rotary Club of Bangalore South, Certificate of Merit from
Rockefeller Foundation, USA and one more from DBT, New Delhi for Securing
Funding. He has organised as well as participated in scores of conferences and
symposia both at home and abroad, and presented highly informative papers.
Keeping in view the aspects of
good seedling vigour, responsive to high input and toleration of flooding, the
Manila-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and also the National
Rice Research Institute (NRRI) (formerly Central Rice Research Institute)
located at Cuttack in India have endorsed the aerobic rice cultivation systems.
Dr. Shashidhar's work on Aerobic
Rice development has heralded a farmer-friendly technology to produce high
yields of paddy with better grain quality, and grain yields per unit land area
and time, with 50 percent less consumption of water besides 70 percent less of
nitrogen inputs with the Aerobic Rice cultivation practices. These techniques
are being relayed from the lab to farm after extensive field trials.
Based on lab and field trials,
following prominent features of direct seeded, Aerobic Rice has been observed:
•Good Quality of Paddy (Rice and
Fodder)
•Over 50 percent reduction in
water usage
•70-85 percent reduction in
fertilizer and pesticides because no runoff due to excess water
•Reduction in cultivation cost
because no nursery, no transplantation, no need to pump too much water
•Less water helps reduce incidence
of pests and diseases
•Massive reduction in greenhouse
gas emissions
In a recently concluded event on
September 23, 2017 at H. Kodihalli in Mandya, Dr. H E Shashidhar educated
farmers and relevant stakeholders on aspects pertaining to Aerobic farming. He
is currently touring farms in Mandya and Hassan districts to continue his
endeavor. (-NewsVoir)
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/aerobic-rice-cultivation-to-save-water/1155526
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