Saturday, October 14, 2017

14th October,2017 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine

Pakistan all set to become major rice producerDescription: Pakistan all set to become major rice producer

Cultivation of hybrid rice in Punjab can increase production to double digit


Iftikhar Alam
Pakistan is likely to witness a revolution in paddy production in next couple of years because of Chinese cooperation with the governmentand private sector in the field.
While the modern hybrid rice varieties are already being sown over 1.5 million acres of land in Sindh, the seed is all set to be commercially launched in different districts of central and southern Punjab in upcoming season. Since the hybrid rice average yield is more than 100 maund per acre, the cultivation if adopted in Punjab could increase the annual rice production of the country to double digit. The country is 11th largest rice producer in the world with per year production of around 6 million tons.
A world leading Chinese company, Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture, and Guard Agriculture Research & Services Limited are actively involved in bringing revolution in the country’s rice production. The government has also entered into an agreement with China and 12 hybrid rice scientists arrived here to train local scientist and farmers on hybrid rice cultivation technologies to improve per acre crop productivity.
“Farmers in large part of Sindh are already getting average 100 maund per acre yield of hybrid rice but the traditional IRRI variety being sown in Punjab gives maximum 50 to 60 maund per acre yield,” said Shah Rukh Malik, a senior executive of the Guard Company. Since the crop could be sown over four million acres in Punjab, the company with Chinese cooperation aims to introduce varieties in the province. “We are focusing in Okara and Sahiwal districts in first stage. We believe farmers of the area will get a bumper crop on planting hydrid seed,” he added.
China is world’s major consumer of rice in the world and it imports 30 percent to 40 percent of its demand from Pakistan. The country’s rice export to neighbour country could become double if its farmers adopt modern method of agriculture. “We have the potential to become major seed exporter of this region to increase our per acre yield of rice. No one could stop Pakistan to become major rice exporter of the region if seed revolution reaches in Punjab,” said Shah Rukh.
Making Pakistan a hub of rice production is part of agriculture policy under CPEC. Private sector and Chinese experts are largely contributing to achieve this target. Different areas in Sindh have witnessed a revolution in paddy yield during last couple of year due to hybrid rice cultivation.
He cited the example of Sindh’s Golarchi area of Badin district where according to him hybrid rice is being sown on 450,000 acre, almost 80 percent of cultivation land. The per acre yield is around 120 maund and in some cases to over 140 maund in the area, he said. The bumper crops have brought a pleasant change in the lifestyle of the local community in last couple of years. The company executive and Chinese experts committed to develop every rice cultivation area of the country like that of Golarchi




emedy in sight to end straw burning in northern India?

A joint effort is under way by Indian and US scientists to end the harmful practice of rice and wheat straw burning in Punjab and convert the crop residue into a product of value to benefit the farmers.

By: IANS | Bengaluru | Published: October 13, 2017 2:09 PMGoogle Plus
Description: indian scientists, us scientists, rice and wheat straw, Punjab, crop residue, Haryana crop burning, burning crop residue, crop residue burning pollution, stubble burning, delhi stubble burning, delhi high court, gas chamber, punjab stubbleAbout 35 million tonnes of rice straw are burned in Punjab and Haryana each season, with Punjab contributing 55 per cent. (Source: IE)
A joint effort is under way by Indian and US scientists to end the harmful practice of rice and wheat straw burning in Punjab and convert the crop residue into a product of value to benefit the farmers. Ever since machines replaced manual harvesting in the late 1980s, rice farmers in Punjab and Haryana have been burning the left-over stalks to quickly ready the fields for the next planting. About 35 million tonnes of rice straw are burned in Punjab and Haryana each season, with Punjab contributing 55 per cent. This extensive crop residue burning — lasting for more than three weeks every year during October and November — has been contributing to atmospheric pollution over the entire Indo-Gangetic plains with implications for global warming and the health of people in the adjacent National Capital Region. Punjab’s farmers, already burdened with burgeoning debts, are now threatened with fines and possibly prison sentences for rice straw burning. The Indo-US team expects to simultaneously address the farmers’ agony and environmentalists’ concern by introducing a century-old thermo-chemical process called “torrefaction.”This is a low-cost process that turns organic waste into “biochar”, a kind of charcoal from biomass. The process requires no external energy and consumes all the smoke-causing emissions from the agricultural residue.
MIT scientists Ahmed Ghoniem, Alexander Slocum, and Kevin Kung have successfully built and validated a laboratory-scale torrefaction reactor and are currently working on scaling it up to a pre-commercial prototype capable of processing 20 kg of biowaste per hour. Once the prototype is validated at MIT, it will be tested in India using locally available feedstock such as rice straw, Chandra Prakash, a biotechnologist and one of the Indian promoters of this project, told this correspondent in an email. The joint project, which is supported by the TataTrusts and the MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design, seeks to specifically design the technology to be deployable in the Indian context. “This technology therefore has the potential to reduce the contribution of rice straw burning to smog formation in cities, at the same time turning the agricultural waste valuable as a solid fuel (as a charcoal or coal substitute) that can increase farmers’ income,” Prakash said, adding that the technology would eventually be deployed in Haryana too and would also be employed to check the scourge of farmers in the two states burning the residue of the wheat crop.
The Punjab-based institutions involved in the joint venture are the Centre of Innovative & Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB) — under the central government’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT); Sangha Innovation Centre (SIC), a start-up of the Sangha group of companies that grow rice, potatoes and maize in 5,500 acres in the Jalandhar area and will soon have its research centre in CIAB’s Mohali premises; and the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). While MIT will conduct the research, design and prototype implementation, local support and expertise will come — besides Prakash — from Jaswant Raj Mathur, an agronomist at SIC; Sudesh Kumar, a biochemist and biotechnologist at CIAB; and Mahesh Kumar, an agriculture engineer at PAU. Existing technologies to convert agricultural residue into useful products through incinerators, gasifiers, and anaerobic digesters are big-sized, centralised and complex to operate. The MIT prototype, being portable, can be effectively deployed in rural areas where a centralised processing unit is difficult and capital-intensive.
“A mobile torrefaction reactor, similar to a harvester combine, can go from farm to farm rather than farmers carrying their straw to a centralised location,” Prakash said. He said that ideally, multiple low-cost locally-made torrefaction units could be deployed in a decentralised manner and the biochar aggregated for marketing to run the operation in a profitable and sustainable mode without government subsidies. When this solution is widely scaled, it is expected to contribute to a reduction in urban smog by lowering emission sources in the rural agricultural areas. “In addition, this process is expected to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and so help India meet its low-carbon goals.” Among the beneficiaries are Punjab farmers who can potentially get Rs 6,000 ($92) additional income per acre through selling the straw.If all goes as planned, adoption of MIT’s innovation in torrefaction to prevent paddy straw residue burning in Punjab will become a reality “hopefully by the next crop season”, Prakash said. For the reccord, the Haryana government announced on Thursday it will spend Rs 12 crore for the management of the paddy and wheat crop residue in the state to prevent farmers from burning the stubble

http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/remedy-in-sight-to-end-straw-burning-in-northern-india/893113/

ZimbabweRice Imports Stabilise On RBZ Intervention


By Ndakaziva Majaka
Ayan Trading Limited (Ayan), the Mutare-based importer of Mariana rice, says it is set to receive US$10 million worth of letters of credit (LCs) from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to guarantee payments to international suppliers.
Ayan -- which supplies over a quarter of Zimbabwe's 200 000 tonne annual rice demand -- sent its workforce on unpaid leave in August following acute foreign currency challenges which resulted in suppliers refusing to deliver rice to the firm. The company currently has a US$6 million foreign payments backlog.
Finance director, Ntokozo Moyo, on Monday told The Financial Gazette that the company had now recalled all its workers following clearance of a portion of its foreign payments backlog.
"We had sent our workers home on unpaid leave because we had stopped receiving supplies as a result of failing to pay foreign suppliers. However, to date we have managed to pay about $1,5 million to suppliers with the assistance of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe" Moyo said.
"In fact, we are also expecting to receive LCs worth $10 million around next week from the $600 million Afreximbank (African Export and Import Bank) facility."
The firm has been receiving US$300 000 weekly which only covers 20 percent of its US$6 million monthly requirements -- under an allocation system put in place by the central bank to manage the allocation of foreign currency to the industrial sector and other critical areas of the economy for imports.
"We have since moved from this position thanks to the Afreximbank facility. In fact, we anticipate rice prices to go down in the coming months. Prices were being pushed by the inability to pay suppliers. As it stands we expect supplies to start coming in by the 15th (of October) which essentially means we will go back into production," he said.
The firm has been failing to meet this demand on the back of payment challenges.
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe says demand for rice has surged 300 percent from 50 000 tonnes per year in 2007 to 200 000 tonnes per year in 2016.
Moyo said the hard currency shortages had "dealt a heavy blow to us as a manufacturer and even affected market share".
"However, we are optimistic that by December we will have gained lost ground," said Moyo.
During a closed door meeting with RBZ governor John Manguya last month, retailers informed the central bank that local firms risked mass closure if foreign suppliers were not paid.
"As it stands at the moment, we may end up retrenching because we are not producing. Our employees are home on unpaid leave and suppliers won't deliver to us, so the situation is dire... Prices will obviously go up," Moyo had said in the meeting.
However, Mangudya had assured them the situation was likely to improve as the country had started drawing down on a US$600 million nostro stabilisation facility.
The RBZ has been working on a number of initiatives to meet forex requirements for productive foreign payments. The US$600 million Afreximbank facility is complemented by a US$150 million letters of credit facility to support importation of critical raw materials and products such as fertilisers and feedstock for the manufacturing of cooking oil
http://allafrica.com/stories/201710130546.html


Illegal paddy exports putting rice mills out of business
KYAW KO KO 13 OCT 2017
Description: A worker at a rice mill in Egypt. Illegal exports by Chinese traders are putting rice mills in Mandalay out of business. Photo: EPA
A worker at a rice mill in Egypt. Illegal exports by Chinese traders are putting rice mills in Mandalay out of business. Photo: EPA
In Mandalay Region, which is one of the main paddy producers of Myanmar, almost every rice mill has shuttered due to illegal direct paddy exports, according to the regional Rice Millers Association.In Myanmar, direct paddy exports are not permitted. However, Chinese traders have been exporting paddy directly to China after buying the crops from farmers at good prices. As a result, local rice millers have had trouble obtaining sufficient paddy for processing. That has resulted in losses and forced them to halt operations, the association’s chair, U Ngwe Aung, said on October 11.
Livestock owners are also feeling the squeeze. As Chinese traders snap large volumes of paddy, there is less available to be processed into animal feed.
“The Chinese traders export paddy directly to their country. As a result, our mills have been forced out of business.  As far as we know, direct paddy export is never allowed in Myanmar. But Chinese traders are now ferrying the crop to their country by the truckload. Everyone knows about it but no action has been taken,” said U Ngwe Aung.
He said the association has already informed the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce Department, to no avail.
“If this situation continues, the public will also be affected as this will result in a loss of tax revenue for the government. We can’t know how many tonnes of paddy were taken out from the country. They bought paddy from all the farms last year. This year, I think things may worsen,” said U Ngwe Aung.
While the rice mills have suffered from the illegal exports, farmers, on the other hand, are gaining from the rising demand. U Myint Aung, a paddy farmer from Patheingyi township said paddy prices were good during the previous year’s rainy harvest season and prices are still good even before harvest season this year.
“We got good paddy prices last year. Prices are also good even before harvest season this year. So it is good for farmers. Now paddy price is about K550,000 for 100 baskets. When it comes to harvest season, paddy brokers come to paddy fields and offer good prices,” he said.
Still, despite good prices for farmers, if such illegal paddy exports continue, the risk is paddy shortages in the domestic market and an accompanying surge in price, said Mandalay Region Rice and Paddy Traders Association’s general secretary U Sai Kyaw.
If the government wants to allow direct paddy exports, it should make it official with strict supervision, he added.
“Illegal paddy export to China has risen the most in Mandalay Region. Like last year, if it continues happen this year, both livestock farms and millers will have difficulties. Rice traders associated with them may also be affected. This is akin to smuggling as the country also can’t earn tax revenue. The government should manage properly if it is necessary. We want the authorities to do so in this year’s harvest season,” said U Sai Kyaw.
Currently, rainy season paddies have started harvesting in Singaing township and rainy paddies will be harvesting in Ayeyarwady, Sagaing and Bago regions in coming November and December.
“In years when we had good cash flows we used to stockpile as much paddy as we could buy. But we can’t buy this year because paddy prices are too high. Now rice mills have stopped so mill workers are now jobless,” said a rice mill owner Ko Bo Bo from Patheingyi township

https://www.mmtimes.com/news/illegal-paddy-exports-putting-rice-mills-out-business.html

U'khand farmers block highway, throw paddy on road

Aakash Ahuja| TNN | Oct 13, 2017, 22:34 IST
RUDRAPUR: Hundreds of agitated farmers disrupted traffic on national highway-87 in Udham Singh Nagar district, regarded as the food bowl of Uttarakhand, for several hours on Friday in protest against government centres not giving them the due price for their cultivated paddy crop and the decision of rice mill owners to stop purchase of paddy due to what they termed 'flawed government policies regarding rice mills.'

The farmers also blocked the entrance of the grain mandi in Rudrapur town using their tractors and emptied gunny bags containing the paddy produce on the road. Similar protests were held by farmers in Sitarganj and Kashipur towns of the district as well. The farmers alleged that since the last 20 days, they were not able to sell their produce despite heavy arrival of crop in the mandis. As a result, nearly 70,000 tonnes of paddy grown in the district was lying in the fields and could end up getting spoilt, they claimed.

Jail Singh, one of the agitating farmers told TOI, “This year the harvest has been better compared to the previous five years. However, it has not benefited us as the produce has not been sold and our crop has already started to decay.”

The district has 98,565 hectares of land under paddy cultivation and on an average 31.46 quintals of paddy is cultivated per hectare. Farmers in the area have long complained about the 'tardy rates offered by the government' for their produce as well as lack of facilities at government procurement centres. Bharat Chawla, a farmer from village Maharajpur, said, "Even though the central government promised to pay 1.5 times of the cost incurred on our crops, it has just proved to be a political stunt and there has been no increase in the price that we are offered."


Lack of facilities at procurement centres as well as bribes to be paid at every step have also incensed the farmers. "Purchase centres have become white elephants as they lack facilities like adequate gunny bags, drying machines and unloading space. Then there is the issue of delayed payment. Even after one year, I have not received my previous payment from the government,” said Tejender Singh Virk, a farmer from village Fazalpur Mehraula


Adding to the farmers' woes, around 570 rice mills in the district have stopped purchasing paddy from the state agencies from Friday citing the “flawed policies of the government regarding rice mills.” Shyam Agrawal, secretary of the Rudrapur rice millers' association, said that they have a six-point list of demands from the government which included an increase in the moisture limit of the crop that came to them as well as revision in transportation charges. "Till these demands are met, our mills will not pick paddy," he said.


Farmers said that with no sale happening and their crop piling up, they were moving towards a desperate situation. "How am I going to repay my loan, if no one buys my crop? The whole produce will soon get spoiled and I will be left staring at a huge loss," said Kulwinder Singh, who had come to the grain mandi in Rudrapur on Friday with 16 tonnes of paddy.


Meanwhile, Lalit Mohan Rayal, regional food controller (RFC), said that "the situation will be resolved soon." "The procurement target will be achieved within the coming days. We are also in talks with the rice mill owners and will soon resolve the issue of them not accepting paddy from the government agencies. The farmers will not suffer,” Rayal said

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/ukhand-farmers-block-highway-throw-paddy-on-road/articleshow/61073037.cmsSat Oct 14, 2017 Hyderabad, India

Civil Supplies Dept launches WhatsApp Centre


Description: Civil Supplies Dept launches WhatsApp Centre

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HANS INDIA |    Oct 13,2017 , 07:09 PM IST

Civil Supplies Dept launches WhatsApp Centre

Hyderabad:   IT Department Principal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan inaugurated the WhatsApp Centre at Civil Supplies Bhavan here on Friday.

 Speaking on the occasion, Jayesh Ranjan said, “With the help of Civil Supplies Department WhatsApp No. 7330774444 people can send short messages, images, audio, video clippings to Civil Supplies WhatsApp Control Room. Ten to fifteen Telangana government departments are using technology to great effect and getting best results. Civil Supplies Department is one of them”.

 The Telangana Civil Supplies Department has also decided to use WhatsApp to receive complaints from public about the various services undertaken by the Department and its stakeholders like farmers, rice millers, Godown owners, Transporters and Fair Price Shop Dealers.

 With the help of Civil Supplies Department WhatsApp No. 7330774444 people can send short messages, images, audio, video clippings to Civil Supplies WhatsApp Control Room. The complaint will be forwarded to the concerned officer on WhatsApp, get their immediate response and inform the complainant about action taken. The general public can complain on corrupt practices of department officers, unduly closed F.P. Shops, shortage of ration, diversion of essential commodities, injustice to farmers, about epos machines etc.,

 WhatsApp will be very useful for beneficiary make notice to the higher officials in solving problems pertaining in Ration cards, information about goods supplied on ration cards, corrupt practices of the officers immediately.

 A control room has been set up in the Civil Supplies Bhavan which will be monitored by three members on the complaints being received on a 24x7 basis.

 For the past 10 months, 15 Groups of WhatsApp for officers have played a vital role in ensuring timely action, coordination and solution of problems throughout the State.  Earlier, there used to be a gap between the Head office and the Districts with very little communication between them, except for official communications and meetings.  Also, there used to be communication gap between the Civil Supplies Department and the Civil Supplies Corporation officers.  These 15 groups have bridged all these gaps and broken the walls.

 

With a view to prevent diversion of PDS rice which is going on for decades together, a Command Control Centre with the latest technology has been designed to watch every movement of vehicles involved in stage-I i.e., stocks moved from Buffer godowns to MLS points and Stage – II transportation of PDS rice and other commodities moved from MLS Points till the commodities reach the Fair Price Shops. Meanwhile, the Civil Supplies Department has decided to install 1715 HD cameras in 171 MLS Points/Godowns in the State wide. It came to an agreement with Telangana State Technology Services (TSTS).

 The Civil Supplies Department has taken steps to plug loopholes in the existing system of PDS and strengthen the system to avoid diversion of PDS rice and other essential commodities by utilizing the latest technology available. With the success of implementation of CCTV Cameras in Nine godowns in Greater Hyderabad zone, department decided to install at all godowns state wide. The facility of seeing the operations on video wall will also be extended to all the Joint Collectors in the State offices in the near future.

 The implementation of CCTV Cameras in 171 MLS Points will be taken up in a 4 Phases. Phase – 1 will cover 43 godowns in Mahabubnagar, Ranga Reddy districs; Phase – 2 will cover 54 godowns in Medak, Nalgonda, Karimnagar; Phase-3 will cover 34 godowns in Warangal, Khammam and Phase-4 will cover 40 godowns in Nizamabad, Adilabad districts. About Rs. 50 crore are expected to be spent on installation of these CCTV Cameras in first phase

Prevent problems in paddy purchase: Collector

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By AuthorTelanganaToday  |   Published: 13th Oct 2017  10:20 pm
Description: Collector Dr. Satyanarayana Speaking in Paddy Purchasing Meeting held at KamareddyCollector Dr. Satyanarayana Speaking in Paddy Purchasing Meeting held at Kamareddy
Nizamabad: Speaking at a review meeting organised by the Kamareddy district administration here on Friday on paddy procurement at Ayyappa Function Hall, Kamareddy Collector Satyanarayana said that the district administration should take strict action to prevent problems for farmers from purchasing paddy to rice milling during the Kharif and Rabi seasons. Other officials like DCCB chairman Patwari Gangadhar, District Civil Supply Officer Ramesh, Civil Supply Corporation DM Gangadhar and Kamareddy, Yellareddy and Banswada RDOs participated in the meeting.
Satyanarayana said that the district administration should be aware of the problems in paddy procurement during the kharif season and prevent problems for the farmers. He said that rice millers should pay the amount for procuring paddy to the farmers within 48 hours, provide two trucks to each sector for loading and unloading and that the cooperative, marketing, revenue and civil supplies departments must ensure success in paddy procurement.
The Collector said that 195 paddy purchase centres are being established in Kamareddy district and nine soya bean purchasing centres are being established at Madnoor, Jukkal, Pitlam, Gandhari, Kamareddy, SS Nagar, Tadwai and Banswada, five cotton purchase centres are being established, four at Madnoor mandal and one at Kamareddy mandal
https://telanganatoday.com/prevent-problems-paddy-purchase-collector

 

Rice millers association of US Nagar to close shop from today

Aakash Ahuja| TNN | Oct 12, 2017, 22:30 IST
RUDRAPUR: Around 570 rice mill owners in Udham Singh Nagar have decided to halt operations from October 13 and not accept paddy from government procurement agencies. The decision was taken in a meeting of the Rice millers association of the district on Thursday. The association took the decision citing the “flawed policies of the government regarding rice mills.”


Devi Shankar Agrawal, president of the Rudrapur Rice Millers Association said that “the processing capacity of rice mills is higher than the daily purchase targets of the government procurement agencies as a result of which the amount of paddy being sent to mills for processing is falling short and inflating cost of processing leading to loss for mills.” “The government has introduced a new policy of buying paddy on its own and then sending it to mills for processing. This is impractical, as conditions attached with it are unacceptable,” he added.


The association also plans to approach mill owners from other parts of the state and persuade them to join the protest. A mill owner PD Agrawal alleged that untimely payments from the government agencies are also affecting their business. “Around Rs 50 crore is yet to be paid to us from the last year’s kharif season.”


The owners also want revision in moisture limit and transportation charges. Shyam Agrawal, secretary of the association, said that the association had issued a six-point list in this regard


Talking to TOI, Niraj Kherwal, district magistrate, Udham Singh Nagar said he will be take up the issue faced by the mill owners with the regional food controller (RFC) when he is back to Rudrapur on Friday. Meanwhile, RFC Lalit Mohan Tayal could not be contacted despite several attempts.
 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/rice-millers-association-of-us-nagar-to-close-shop-from-today/articleshow/61057458.cms
Description: http://ad.beritasatumedia.com/ads/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=0&campaignid=0&zoneid=37&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fjakartaglobe.id%2Fasia-pacific%2Fasia-rice-vietnams-prices-low-supply-market-eyes-philippine-imports%2F&cb=39682ef316
Description: http://img.beritasatu.com/cache/jakartaglobe/909x605-2/2017/10/2017-09-14T130346Z_1912184570_RC1D66DA7D90_RTRMADP_3_ASIA-STORM-VIETNAM-907x605.jpg Bengaluru. Low supplies boosted rice prices in Vietnam this week amid prospects of fresh purchase interest from the Philippines, while deals with Bangladesh remained the sole bright spot for the otherwise subdued demand in top Asian exporters.Traders in Vietnam quoted the benchmark 5-percent broken rice at $390-395 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) Saigon, up from the $385-$390 last week.
"Supply is low after the summer-autumn crop was completely harvested, bringing prices up. Some sellers held back grains in an attempt to make larger profits," a trader in Ho Chi Minh city said."As for trading, Philippines will import rice from Vietnam, Thailand and other countries under the MAV (Minimum Access Volume) 2017. I think they'll buy around 290,000 tonnes from Vietnam, same as last year."
However, another trader said no deals have been finalized.The Philippines opened the rice import scheme, Minimum Access Volume 2017, in August to private traders in Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and India, the National Food Authority (NFA) said on its website.As of late September, importers in the Philippines have applied to buy over 2.2 million tonnes, mostly from Thailand and Vietnam, according to the NFA document.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh, which has emerged as a major importer this year after floods damaged its crops and sent domestic rates soaring, has finalized deals to import 250,000 tonnes of parboiled rice from Thailand and India.
Bangladesh has also approved the purchase of 100,000 tonnes from Myanmar, setting aside a rift over an ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis. In India, the 5 percent broken parboiled rice prices eased by $2 per tonne to the $400-$403 level on expectations of a rise in supply.
"From the end of this month, supplies from the new season crop will rise," said an exporter in Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Thailand's benchmark 5-percent broken rice prices dropped to $380-$388 a tonne, FOB Bangkok, from the $385-$390 range last week, traders said."With the exception of Bangladesh, there hasn't been much demand from other countries. We expect Bangladesh to demand more rice until the end of the year," said a Bangkok-based trader.Thai prices are likely to remain stable, traders said, even as the market takes stock of the impact of recent floods in the country.
"It is still too soon to tell whether there will be damage to crops because most of the rice has already been harvested," said Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association
http://jakartaglobe.id/international/asia-rice-vietnams-prices-low-supply-market-eyes-philippine-imports/



Central Sulawesi has surplus production of rice commodity

Palu (ANTARA News) - Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola stated that the food security condition, especially with regard to the production of rice commodity in the province, has recorded a surplus in the last five years.

"We have 1,103,168 tons of unhulled paddy, and when converted, it will produce 597,210 tons of rice for the total population of 2,950,189 people," the governor remarked here on Friday.

According to Djanggola, if the per capita consumption need of the population is some 139.15 kilograms per year, then Central Sulawesi needs some 410,519 tons of rice, and there is still a surplus of some 86,691 tons.

He noted that Central Sulawesis surplus rice is mostly traded with other regions and islands, such as Gorontalo Province, North Maluku, East Kalimantan, and North Kalimantan.

The governor also expressed support for one of the programs that is currently being intensively implemented for achieving food self-sufficiency to realize national food sovereignty and make Indonesia a global food barn by 2045.

Central Sulawesi is one of the 34 provinces that is expected to support and contribute to the food security program, Djanggola added.(*)




Farmers Rice Milling Company Celebrates 100th Anniversary
By Kane Webb

LAKE CHARLES, LA -- The 100th anniversary celebration for Farmers Rice Milling Company was held Wednesday at the newly expanded packaging and distribution facility here.  More than 450 people attended the event including employees, partners, producers, customers, and local dignitaries.

A ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the newly completed 55,000-square-foot expansion at the facility kicked off the celebration.  Next, Nanette Noland, Farmers Rice Milling Company president, welcomed guests and presented the company history before recognizing long-time employees with 20+ years of service.  "This 100 years has been possible because of all of your hard work, sacrifices, and dedication to not only your own families, but to ours as well," said Noland. 

The company's $13.4-million expansion began back in 2013 to modernize the rice mill and boost processing speed and volume, allowing the mill to be more competitive and tap into new markets throughout the world.

"Farmers Rice Milling Company has a long history of buying rice from Louisiana farmers, which is the heart and soul of our business," said Ann Stone, CEO of Farmers Rice Mill.  "We are looking forward to continuing our tradition of innovation, quality, and excellence for the next 100 years."

Farmers Rice Milling processes and mills rough rice at the Lake Charles facility, and then packages and distributes clean rice to customers from the site.  The mill sells rice to national and international customers as far away as Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, and has the capacity to process more than 800 million pounds of rice per year.

"A hundred years in business is significant and means Farmers Rice Milling Company has established a reputation for quality and fairness for Louisiana rice farmers," said local producer Jackie Loewer, who attended the celebration.  "They are a vital part of the rice industry in this area."

           
Rice farmer Leo LaGrande (far left) leads a master class
Leadership Class Heads West to California Rice Country
By Chuck Wilson

SACRAMENTO, CA -- Late last month, the 2016/18 Rice Leadership Development Class completed Session Three of the program, a comprehensive tour of California's Central Valley rice country, including an overview of rice marketing and production practices, crop diversity, conservation and environmental issues, as well as a close look at rice harvest.

"As a California producer, it's my privilege to show my fellow class members around our region," said Imran Khan who hails from Chico.  "Touring the unique growing regions here lets everyone see first-hand both the rewards and difficulties of farming in California.  

The week-long program consisted of farm and mill visits, observation of water systems here, and meetings with representatives of the California Rice Commission, California Rice Research Station, and Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, as well as other activities. 

"Having an opportunity to view the water districts in California's rice country was very interesting," said Arkansas producer Allen McLain.  "While their recent drought is over, their delivery infrastructure ensures that when water is available it can be moved to where it is needed."

"The complexity of issues the local rice industry out here faces is daunting," said Sidney Robnett, a farmer from Arkansas.  "From water and air quality issues, to wildlife preservation, to water availability, and increased cost of production for producers, it appears to be a delicate political and regulatory balance."

Class members also got to experience rice harvesting at Montna Farms after traveling to Lundberg Family Farms to observe their operation in Richvale.  Sun Valley Rice Company in Arbuckle hosted a tour of their mill where they process brown sprouted rice, and the class also toured PGP International in Woodland to see the many ways rice is used as an ingredient. 

"The diversity of crops that are planted so close to each other out here is amazing to me," said class member Sunny Bottoms, a technical service rep with Horizon Ag.

Members of this class are producers Michael Bosworth, Olivehurst, CA; Imran Khan, Chico, CA; Allen McLain, Abbeville, LA; Sidney Robnett, Stuttgart, AR; Brandon Truax, Gillett, AR; and industry-related members Sunny Bottoms, Dumas, AR, with Horizon Ag; and Kris Riggs, Jonesboro, AR, with Anheuser Busch.

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.

Polyculture project launched in Myanmar

Rob Fletcher
 13 October 2017, at 9:00am
Description: Rob FletcherA new project that aims to improve the productivity, profitability and development outcomes of systems that combine the culture of fish and rice in Mayanmar has been launched by WorldFish today. The ACIAR-funded project, ‘Development of rice fish systems in the Ayeyarwady Delta’, will involve input from WorldFish and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), as well as the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. By bringing the skills and knowledge of rice and fish scientists together it seeks to encourage a more integrated approach to improving the benefits for farmers and fishers from the rice-fish system as a whole.
Rice-fish systems are diverse, spanning capture fisheries and aquaculture, with fish and rice growing concurrently in rice fields and canals or, alternatively, fish raised between rice crops. The systems are common in many South and Southeast Asian countries, as well as in some areas of Africa.
WorldFish has developed several approaches to increasing fish production and productivity in rice-fish systems. In northwest Bangladesh, culturing carp species and mola in homestead ponds connected to rice fields led to a 3.5-fold increase in total fish production compared to stand-alone ponds, as well as a higher nutritional quality of the production. In Cambodia, improved governance and management of community fish refuges have led to increased fish production and fish species diversity in the surrounding flooded rice fields, resulting in increased fish consumption in the communities.
Description: A fish pond in the Ayeyarwady Delta  A fish pond in the Ayeyarwady Delta
 “This new strategic alliance, cemented today with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) will aim to align management of rice and fish systems, which in Myanmar, have been previously been managed independently,” said Michael Phillips, Director of Science and Aquaculture at WorldFish. “The work will play an important role in developing global learning on rice-fish systems under the CGIAR Research Programs of FISH and RICE.”
“This joint research initiative will support the Ministry’s goals by providing an evidence-base for informed decision-making and policy development and building local farming and scientific capacity,” said Grant Singleton, IRRI Principal Scientist and Program Leader of the ACIAR-funded MYRice project. “Further, it is a demonstration of IRRI’s commitment to deliver tailor-made, efficient solutions that address the specific needs of the partners and countries we work with.”
Since 1965, IRRI has been working with the Myanmar government to improve the country’s rice sector by developing modern rice varieties and best rice production practices. Recent surveys of IRRI’s MYRice farmer beneficiaries have shown an increase of 20% in yield and 30% in income.
IRRI has on-going initiatives in the major rice-producing areas in Myanmar: providing small farmers with better access to rice varieties that can cope with the effects of climate change; building the capacity of farmers and agricultural researchers and extension staff to become sustainable, self-sufficient and resilient; and, enhancing grain quality and farm productivity.
Mostly focused on the Ayeyarwady delta, the rice-fish project will benefit small-scale rice farming households, and fishers, through diversification of production, enhanced resilience and delivering increased farmer incomes, improved food and nutrition security and enhanced gender equity
https://thefishsite.com/articles/polyculture-project-launched-in-myanmar

Canada seeks more bilateral trade with Pakistan



Updated October 13, 2017
SIALKOT: High Commissioner of Canada in Pakistan, Perry John Calderwood, on Thursday stressed the need for boosting bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.Addressing a meeting of exporters held at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), he urged Pakistani exporters to explore the trade markets of Canada. “There is a huge potential for bilateral trade between the two countries,” he added.
Mr Calderwood said Canada intends to increase its mutual trade volume with Pakistan from $1 billion to at least $3bn, for which both countries must take necessary measures.
“Several Canadian multinationals have already invested billions of dollars in various sectors in Pakistan, including solar energy and information technology,” the high commissioner said.
He assured Pakistani exporters that they will get easy access to Canadian markets.
Welcoming the Canadian envoy, SCCI Acting President, Abdul Waheed, in his speech said, “The balance of trade is in favour of Canada at the moment. Canada’s expertise in industrial and economic sectors and its human welfare index is one of the best in the world and we wish to benefit from its capabilities and skills in our capacity building for exports, manufacturing sectors and transfer of technology and knowledge base to the SMEs.”
Mr Waheed added that Canada should encourage mutual exchange of trade delegations and single country exhibitions of Pakistani products in Canada.The Canadian envoy assured local businessmen of Canada’s will for investment and joint ventures in the value-added industries of Sialkot which would be beneficial for both sides.“We firmly believe that with Canadian technology and Pakistani craftsmanship, we could do wonders in the international markets”, said SCCI Vice President, Abid Ahmed Khawaja.
On the occasion, Sialkot’s business community urged for establishing strong business-to-business and people-to-people linkages between Pakistan and Canada. They further called for technology transfers and knowledge sharing for improving the small- and medium-enterprise sector in Pakistan.
Bilateral trade between the countries amounted to $856 million in 2015-16 and $911.6m in 2016/17. Pakistan’s major exports to Canada include rice, textiles, cotton yarn, carpets, synthetic fabrics, medical/surgical instruments, sports goods, jewellery, iron, steel and chemicals.
Earlier in the day, Mr Calderwood visited leading industrial units manufacturing sports goods and surgical instruments.
Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2017
https://www.dawn.com/news/1363404

Pakistan gross financing need for 2017-18 is $18b rather than $31b: Finance Ministry

51
Description: https://pakobserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Pak-rupee.jpg
Muhammad Arshad
Islamabad
Finance Ministry, Wednesday, rejected report of an international financial institution about economy of Pakistan, saying that Pakistan’s gross financing need for 2017-18 was about $18 billion (5.3% of GDP) rather than $31 billion (9% of GDP).An international financial institution in recently released report pointed out that the increased vulnerability of external account and risk to macroeconomic stability given the widening current account deficit. The report projected gross external financing needs of Pakistan at 9% of GDP i.e. $31 billion for the fiscal year 2018. The gross financing requirements have been worked out by taking into account the portfolio investment of 4% of GDP i.e $13.8 billion. The report has further projected deterioration of the external sector in current fiscal.
However, a spokesman to Finance Ministry stated that that the report was based on misinterpretation of standard definition of the gross financing needs of the country. The report was also a misstatement of performance of external account for the two months of current fiscal year. As per the international reporting standards, portfolio investment is not included while calculating the gross financing needs of a country.
As per international standards, a country’s gross financing need is an aggregate of current account deficit plus debt servicing of the year. Based on this standard, Pakistan’s gross financing need for 2017-18 is about $18 billion (5.3% of GDP) rather than $31 billion (9% of GDP) as mentioned in the said report. As of Sept.2017, the total portfolio investment is $6.6 billion. i.e. 1.94% of GDP rather than $13.8 billion (4% of GDP). Again it is a misstatement of facts.
The spokesman added it is pertinent to mention here that the report itself has pointed out that “improving the external balance hinges upon the revival of exports, slowdown in imports and stable remittance flows”. This is precisely what has been achieved in the first two months of current financial year, i.e. exports and remittances have improved and imports have slowed down.
Exports during July-August 2017-18 stood at $3.93 billion as against $3.34 billion the same period of last year showing a growth of 17.7%. The items showing increase in exports during July-August, 2017 are rice 20%, textile group 7% and other manufacturers 21%. Much of this growth is coming from value added sectors.
The spokesman went on to say imports during July-August, 2017-18 stood at $8.996 billion as against $9.738 billion over the preceding year (May-June 2016-17). Thus growth in imports has shown deceleration of 7.6% over the preceding two months.
Workers’ remittances during July- August, 2017-18 stood at $3.50 billion as against $3.09 billion during the same period of last financial year, showing an impressive increase of 13.2%. Growth in remittances is coming from USA, UK, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Foreign Direct Investment during July-August, 2017-18 stood at $457 million as against $179 million in the same period of last year, showing a massive increase of 154.9%.
As a result of improvement in these key economic indicators, the current account deficit during July-August, 2017 stood at $2.60 billion as compared to $3.10 billion in May-June, 2017 showing a substantial improvement of 16.2%. With these positive trends strengthening in coming months, current account deficit would improve significantly which will also improve FX reserves of the country.
The spokesman said that while external account has shown strong performance in the first two months of current fiscal year, misinterpreting data to deliberately paint negative picture is uncalled for.

https://pakobserver.net/pakistan-gross-financing-need-2017-18-18b-rather-31b-finance-ministry/

 

Arkansas Rice Festival set for Saturday

Thursday, October 12th 2017, 8:14 pm PKTFriday, October 13th 2017, 4:49 pm PKT
Posted by Mallory Jordan, Anchor - Reporter
WEINER, AR (KAIT) -
Description: (Source: Tisha Westerman) A full li Description: (Source: Tisha Westerman) ne-u Description: (Source: Tisha Westerman) p is planned for a town festival in Poinsett County.
The 41st Annual Arkansas Rice Festival is Saturday, Oct. 14, in Weiner.According to the festival website, the event observes the rich heritage of rice farming in Arkansas and celebrates the harvest season.Everything kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony and then the parade at 11 a.m.There will be a duck calling clinic, duck calling contest, and rice cook-off.
At 1 p.m., the wiener dog race and show will take place at the contest stage.A number of musical performances are also planned to include Sobriety Check Band, Znydall Wayne Raney Band with Doug Greeno, and the street dance headliner is the Tony Spinner Band.The Arkansas Rice Festival Pageant is on the main stage from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Art and photo exhibits will be in the commercial building and there will be a car show at the Weiner Baptist Church.


Restoring Livelihoods in Villages After Floods

Involving the weaker sections in finding farming methods that work in conditions of floods and water-logging goes a long way in renewing livelihoods.

Description: Credit: GEAG
The flood water does not drain quickly and leaves harmful sandy rubble, instead of fertile silt, in many areas. Credit: GEAG
As soon as flood waters recede in any place, the topic of vanishes almost entirely from media discussions. However, for those affected by the flood, the real challenge is renewing their livelihood after the waters recede.
As the flood-affected people return to their villages, many find their houses collapsed and fields water-logged. The rubble deposited in the fields makes cultivation difficult. Instances of land erosion due of floods have increased in recent years. All this leaves farmers with no resources to arrange for seeds and other inputs for the next cropping season. However, it is very important to plant the crops in time or food shortages can extend for several months.
Some of these problems can be reduced to an extent by timely relief and compensation, but even those remain far from adequate. Voluntary efforts to provide relief have also declined in recent years.
Repairing the collapsed houses before winter sets in is important or the cold may have a heavy toll. A few years ago, I visited the flood-affected areas of Bihar three months after the water had receded and saw that many victims were still struggling to survive under polythene sheets in the cold weather. Lack of proper guidelines on how to deal with post-flood challenges accentuate problems in villages. 
Description: https://i0.wp.com/thewire.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DSC00153.jpg?zoom=1.25&resize=640%2C480&ssl=1
The role of outside help in ensuring that the next crop is cultivated in a satisfactory way after flood waters recede has become more important. Credit: GEAG
For several centuries, the deposition of silt by floodwaters on farmlands has helped in increasing its fertility and productivity, making conditions conducive for a good yield in the next cropping season. This is still true to some extent but other factors have intervened to make the situation more complicated. The floodwater does not drain quickly and leaves harmful sandy rubble instead of fertile silt in many areas. With the decreasing self-reliance of farming systems and increasing dependence on outside inputs – including seeds – it becomes more difficult to find the resources for cultivating the next crop following the serious damage caused by floods.
Hence, the role of outside help in ensuring that the next crop is cultivated in a satisfactory way has become more important. The timely supply of seeds will go a long way in mitigating farmers’ losses.
Whenever careful and sustained efforts were made with the involvement of the weaker sections to find farming methods that work in conditions of floods and water-logging, encouraging results were achieved. Good yields were obtained even in very difficult conditions. In this context, the sustained work of the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG) in villages of eastern Uttar Pradesh has been particularly helpful as it has emphasised working with women farmers and the weaker sections.
Description: https://i1.wp.com/thewire.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DSC05070-copy.jpg?zoom=1.25&resize=675%2C506&ssl=1
Voluntary efforts to provide flood relief have declined in recent years. Credit: GEAG
One of the efforts by the GEAG was adopting loft farming in which farmers develop lofts or stilts using wooden sticks on which climber crops like bitter gourds and bottle gourds take support for growing. The produce does not go bad even if the fields being waterlogged. Another option has been to adopt mixed farming organic systems that cut down heavily on the costs of agri-chemicals. The less suitable farming plots in flood and water-logged areas remain uncultivated when costs are high, but once the costs come down, people find it viable to cultivate these less productive fields as well. Another option has been to integrate fish and poultry farming in such a way that the wastes and by-products of one sub-system become the inputs of another system. This ensures that scarce resources get utilised in the best possible way.
R.H. Richaria, former director of the Central Rice Research Institute in Cuttack, had pioneered the technology of clonal propagation of rice in the specific context of India. By using this technology, seeds can be available very quickly after floods. Such technologies need to be used to ensure that the flood-affected people get adequate help in renewing their life and livelihood.
Bharat Dogra is a freelance journalist who has been involved with several social movements and initiatives.

https://thewire.in/187156/restoring-livelihoods-villages-floods/

 

Global Rice Transplanter Machines Market 2017YanmarIsekiKubota, TYM, Jiangsu World Agriculture Machinery

  

The Report entitled Global Rice Transplanter Machines Market 2017 analyses the crucial factors of the Rice Transplanter Machines market based on present industry situations, market demands, business strategies adopted by Rice Transplanter Machines market players and their growth scenario. This report isolates the Rice Transplanter Machines market based on the key players, Type, Application and Regions.
The Rice Transplanter Machines industry research report mainly focuses on Rice Transplanter Machines industry in global market. The major regions which contribute to the development of Rice Transplanter Machines market mainly cover Rice Transplanter Machines market in North America, Rice Transplanter Machines market in the United States, Rice Transplanter Machines market in Europe, Rice Transplanter Machines market in China and Japan.
Rice Transplanter Machines Market 2017: Leading Players and Manufacturers Analysis
Yanmar
Iseki
Kubota
4 TYM
Jiangsu World Agriculture Machinery
6 CLAAS
7 Shandong Fuerwo Agricultural Equipment
8 Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery
9 Dongfeng Agricultural Machinery
10 Changfa Agricultural Equipment
Rice Transplanter Machines Market: Type Analysis
Mechanical
Manual
Rice Transplanter Machines Market: Application Analysis
Commercial
Household
The Rice Transplanter Machines report provides the past, present and future industry trends and the forecast information related to the expected Rice Transplanter Machines sales revenue, Rice Transplanter Machines growth, Rice Transplanter Machines demand and supply scenario. Furthermore, the opportunities and the threats to the development of Rice Transplanter Machines market are also covered at depth in this research document.
Initially, the Rice Transplanter Machines manufacturing analysis of the major industry players based on their company profiles, annual revenue, sales margin, growth aspects is also covered in this report, which will help other Rice Transplanter Machines market players in driving business insights.
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The fundamental details related to Rice Transplanter Machines industry like the product definition, cost, variety of applications, demand and supply statistics are covered in this report.
Competitive study of the major Rice Transplanter Machines players will help all the market players in analyzing the latest trends and business strategies.
The deep research study of Rice Transplanter Machines market based on development opportunities, growth limiting factors and feasibility of investment will forecast the market growth.
The study of emerging Rice Transplanter Machines market segments and the existing market segments will help the readers in planning the business strategies.
Finally, the report Global Rice Transplanter Machines Market 2017 describes Rice Transplanter Machines industry expansion game plan, the Rice Transplanter Machines industry data source, appendix, research findings and the conclusion


Remembering King Bhumibol: The father of the land Description: https://www.thephuketnews.com/photo/listing/2017/1507108600_1-org.jpg

Throughout his 70 years on the throne, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej devoted himself to the development of Thailand in many areas. The sight of King Bhumibol in the countryside, with a camera around his neck and holding a map, was familiar to all Thais.

The Phuket News

Saturday 14 October 2017, 02:00PM

The sight of King Bhumibol in the countryside, with a camera around his neck and holding a map, is familiar to all Thais.

King Bhumibol was deeply involved in the development of Thailand’s agricultural industry, energy industry and water management systems as a means of improving the people’s living conditions. Here we will look at just some of the many aspects of the late King’s tireless dedication to improving the lives of his subjects.

                                                Invention

The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej invented many devices with appropriate technology to improve the people’s living conditions and the environment. He became the world’s first monarch to apply for, and be granted, a patent for his own invention.

The Cabinet on November 21, 2006, approved a proposal by the National Research Council of Thailand to present King Bhumibol with the title “Father of Thai Invention”. The decision was meant to honour King Bhumibol and encourage Thai people to follow in his footsteps. It was also intended to urge young people to create social capital in terms of inventions and to promote cooperation among inventors.

The late King’s first patent was granted on February 2, 1993, for his invention, which is referred to as “Chaipattana Aerator, Model RX-2”. The Chaipattana Aerator is a paddle-wheel machine in the form of a floating buoy that helps add oxygen to water. It was awarded first prize by the National Research Council of Thailand in July 1993.

Eight years later, in 2001, a second patent was presented to him in 2001 for another aerator, referred to as “Chaipattana Aerator, Model RX 5C”. This invention is a prototype of a mechanical oxidation device for use in water treatment. King Bhumibol’s inventions helped save the country’s foreign currency in imports of wastewater treatment equipment as well.                                                              

                                                    Energy

The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency has adopted the vision of the late King Bhumibol as a guideline for working out Thailand’s Alternative Energy Development Plan.

Director-General of the Department Praphon Wongtharua said that the Alternative Energy Development Plan, 2015-2036, focuses on encouraging the maximum use of alternative energy in order to reduce oil imports. Power generation from biomass is part of the plan, and it has been carried out in all parts of the country.

King Bhumibol’s Royal Initiative on alternative energy development dates back more than three decades. At that time, crude oil prices increased sharply, causing many countries to turn to alternative fuels as a solution.

In 1979 King Bhumibol instructed the Royal Chitralada Project to embark on experimentation with biogas production from dairy cow manure and dead plants, which were fermented for a period of time. The process created a mixture of gases, which were usable as fuel, and represented not only a viable utilisation of surplus materials, but also an alternative to fossil fuels.

After his observation of the biogas production experiment, King Bhumibol in 1985 entrusted officials with undertaking a study on ethyl alcohol or ethanol production from sugarcane to cope with possible oil shortages in the future. The study showed that the transformation of sugarcane into ethanol as an alternative energy source was viable. Then King Bhumibol offered a fund for the construction of facilities and equipment for further research into ethanol production from sugarcane.

King Bhumibol found that palm oil could be used as an alternative to diesel and his formula was tested and introduced. His initiative led the public and private sectors to further develop biofuel into commercially viable products, especially ethanol and biodiesel.

Recognised as the “Father of Energy Development in Thailand”, King Bhumibol not only proposed ideas but also put them into practice. He made use of leftover materials as well. For instance, rice husks from rice mills were turned into charcoal as a form of fuel. Cow dung from his cattle pens at Chitralada Villa was used to produce biogas to generate power for factories there.

King Bhumibols innovation on biodiesel from the extraction of palm oil won the Gold Medal with mention from Brussels Eureka 2001 in Belgium. Inspired by King Bhumibol’s initiative to develop alternative fuels to replace imported fossil fuels the Government has encouraged various communities to produce biodiesel for their own use to reduce energy costs.

                                         Water

Literally meaning “monkey cheek,” kaem ling is a well-known flood-control project initiated by the late King Bhumibol, who observed that most monkeys, when they obtain bananas, usually store them in their cheeks. They would chew and swallow them later as needed.

King Bhumibol modelled the concept for water retention after the way monkeys eat bananas by temporarily storing excess water during heavy rains and afterwards gradually draining it. This technique helps alleviate the flood problem effectively. It also helps store water to ease drought problems.

King Bhumibol believed that reservoirs built on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, which flows through Bangkok to the sea, could hold excess floodwater in the monsoon and release them into the sea at low tide. He suggested that the Royal Irrigation Department construct large water retention reservoirs near the coast to store water.

New water gates were also constructed to release water into the sea during low tide and closed during high tide to prevent seawater from flooding reservoirs and the surrounding areas. The kaem ling project proved its ability to hold excess water to help alleviate drought.

King Bhumibol, who was honoured as the Father of Water Resource Management, was long involved in water resource development and management. Since his accession to the throne in 1946, he worked to improve the standards of living of the Thai people, particularly farmers, whose lives depend greatly on having adequate supplies of water for their farming.

King Bhumibol initiated many projects to develop water resources for agricultural and other purposes. The water issue forms part of Thailand’s national agenda, and the royal holistic approach is emphasised in the country’s integrated water resource management for sustainability.                                          

                                           Agriculture

The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been honoured as the “Father of Thai Rice Research and Development” for his great contribution to research and development, which led to food security and economic, social, and cultural stability.

The Cabinet, during its meeting in October 2016, approved the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to honour two kings of the Royal House of Chakri: King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

According to the proposal, King Chulalongkorn, who was the grandfather of King Bhumibol, has been honoured with the title “Father of Thai Rice Reform”. He initiated the reform of rice production and development, which greatly benefited rice cultivation and trade in Thailand.

During his reign from 1868 to 1910, King Chulalongkorn introduced comprehensive and progressive reforms. He established the Ministry of Agriculture to support rice production and improve the quality of rice and rice trade. The King laid the foundation for a modern irrigation system and introduced the use of rice farming machines on a trial basis.

His abolishment of slavery resulted in an increase in a workforce for rice production. The King established an agriculture school to produce personnel for various divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture. He also provided scholarships to enable students to study overseas in various agricultural fields.

As for King Bhumibol, he initiated rice research and development in various royally initiated projects. He suggested the re-introduction of the annual Royal Cultivating Ceremony and the Royal Ploughing Ceremony to boost the morale of Thai farmers.

The late King Bhumibol devised the “new theory” approach to advance agricultural practices, making the management of small agricultural areas become more efficient. He used appropriate technology to introduce rainmaking to ease drought and solve various soil problems to help in cultivation, especially rice farming.

Rice was one of the first agricultural crops studied at Chitralada Villa to find the best cultivation methods to recommend to farm communities. King Bhumibol requested that different strains of seed be gathered from all over Thailand for testing. He gave support to the Thai Rice Foundation and the International Rice Research Institute and also offered a fund to the Department of Rice each year for rice research.

King Bhumibol travelled to all corners of the country to visit farmers and provide them with assistance. The royal policy was to sustain the occupation of rice farming as Thailand’s cultural heritage and its wisdom and as the foundation of the country’s sustainable development.




Rice Transplanter Machine Market – Growth & Forecast to 2021 with CAGR 9.35% With Market trends, Market Driver and Key Players


13 OCTOBER  2017
HTF Announces the Publication of its Research Report – Global Rice Transplanter Machine Market 2017-2021
HTF recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global rice transplanter machine market: Kubota, Iseki, and Yanmar
Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: TYM, Jiangsu World Agriculture Machinery, CLAAS, Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery, Changfa Agricultural Equipment, Shandong Fuerwo Agricultural Equipment, and Dongfeng Agricultural Machinery.
Commenting on the report, an analyst from HTF’s team said: “The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is Product innovation. Manufacturers are increasingly coming up with more varied products. For instance, Kubota launched a new rice-seedling transplanter that enables unskilled drivers to move it straight along with the machine. In an agreement with telecommunications giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone group, Kubota is also developing auto-driving farm machines that use GPS. The company aims to roll out unmanned tractors around 2018.”
Request a sample report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/742143-global-rice-transplanter-machine-market
“The analysts forecast the global rice transplanter machine market to grow at a CAGR of 9.35% during the period 2017-2021.”
According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is Shift toward mechanization. Mechanization, which involves mechanically transferring saplings from trays to the soil, is set to revolutionize the production of rice. This technique enhances productivity by 20%-30%, reduces the overall cultivation cost, and increases the profitability for farmers by doing away with the extensive manual labor associated with rice cultivation. It will change the scenario of rice production on a mass scale by reducing the drudgery associated with preparing the field, transplanting, cutting crops, and threshing paddy.
Further, the report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is Lack of finances for small farmers to replace old machinery. Agricultural machinery such as tractors, rice transplanters, and harvesters are capital-intensive and a major investment for most farmers. The quality and after-sales services of such machinery are another concern, and most farmers belong to the low-income bracket. Also, agriculture is largely carried out in rural areas, and there is still an inadequacy of service-centers for proper maintenance.
The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.
Buy this report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=742143
PART 01: Executive summary
PART 02: Scope of the report
PART 03: Research Methodology
PART 04: Introduction
•           Market outline
•           Global agricultural machinery market
PART 05: Market landscape
•           Market overview
•           Five forces analysis
PART 06: Market segmentation  by distribution channel
•           Global rice transplanter machine market by distribution channel…Continued
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"Father of Hybrid Rice" awards certificates to foreign students

Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-14 13:32:57|Editor: Yang Yi

CHANGSHA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-one foreign students have received certificates after completing a 45-day training program on Green Super Rice, according to Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center.
An award ceremony was held at the center on Friday. Yuan Longping, China's "Father of Hybrid Rice" presented certificates to the students from Thailand, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Panama, Pakistan and other countries.
The training was jointly run by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. The students studied breeding, seed production and high-yield cultivation of Green Super Rice, a mix of varieties and hybrids adapted to difficult growing conditions. They also worked with crops in experimental fields in Huaihua and Zhangjiajie, in central China's Hunan Province.
"I learnt a lot from this training. I will teach farmers in my hometown what I have learnt here," said Sousa Eduardo, a student from Panama.
Over 6,000 students from developing countries have joined the more than 100 similar training programs that have been run since 2000, said Huang Dahui, associate dean of Longping High-Tech International Training Institute.
"Our training programs have not only shared advanced technology with developed countries, but also strengthened friendship between China and other countries," Huang said.


Ofada rice with beef sauce

October 14, 2017
Description: Ofada, rice, Ofada rice

Ofada rice is a whole grain, unpolished rice with a mild, nutty flavour with only the husk of the grain removed and it is more nutritious than ordinary rice. The health benefits of brown rice, also known as Ofada rice, make it also a medicine for preventing cancer and managing diabetes. Ololade Alabi writes.
From the streets of Ikenne and Illisan in Ogun State to Oke Ado area in Ibadan, to several parts of Lagos and other cities across Southern Nigeria, a variety of rice that is served in leaves has continued to make waves. There are even websites exclusively dedicated to its sales. It is called Ofada rice, deriving its name from a village (Ofada) in Ogun State, where it was first cultivated in Nigeria.
It is also grown in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. It is often served with a “Ayamase” or “obe-ata-iru” (Pepper, locust beans stew). These are specially prepared for Ofada rice consumption. Research has shown that the starch in Ofada rice has medicinal benefits, which include prevention and regulation of diabetes, colon cleansing, weight loss, calorie intake regulation, protection against cancer due to the presence  of trace selenium, prevention of candidia, overgrowth  lowering of blood pressure and migraine treatment. Ofada rice is also called brown rice in some circles. It is the local Nigerian unpolished rice and is affordable and easily accessible.
Ingredients of Ofada rice and beef sauce
•4 cooking spoons of palm oil
•12 red scotch bonnet pepper {Ata rodo}
•1 green bell pepper
•2 heaped table spoon of locust beans {iru}
•500g assorted meat, 500g beef {red meat}
•Crayfish : 3 table spoon ground
•1 red onion
•2 knorr cubes
•500g Ofada rice, depending on consumption
•3 { red bell pepper also known as tatashey}
•Salt to taste
Preparation of Ofada rice and beef sauce
         Rinse the beef and assorted meat with clean water, and dice into small bits, place in a medium sized pot. Add the seasoning cubes, salt to taste, diced onion and 2-3 cups of water. Leave to cook till tender for about 3 minutes. Set aside.
         Remove the seed from the red bell pepper. Wash all the red bell pepper thoroughly with clean water including the red scotch bonnet { ata rodo} and place in a blender. Blend partly rough.
         Pour the pepper puree in an empty pot and cook till all the liquid evaporates, leaving the puree concentrated puree. Then set aside.
         Before cooking Ofada rice, remove the stones. Wash the sorted rice severally with clean water and place in a small pot. Add some water just enough to cover the rice. Parboil for 10 minutes and turn out into a clean bowl.
         Wash the parboiled rice with clean water and turn back into the pot. Add some salt and clean water. Boil till the rice softens.
         An empty medium sized pot, heat the palm oil for about 10- 13 minutes. This process is known as bleaching of the palm oil. Note that bleaching is best done in a ventilated kitchen, for safety purposes.
         Add the pepper puree and locust beans {iru} and stir, fry for 5 minutes.
         Add the assorted meat stock including the assorted meat and beef, crayfish (whole and grounded)
         Taste to see if you need some more salt, stir and cover the pot.
         Turn down the heat and leave to simmer for about 15 minutes.
         Dish, serve and enjoy your meal




Big boost for farmers, short duration basmati fetches higher yield, market price
Since the introduction of 1121 variety in 2006, the country’s Basmati rice exports have risen sharply.
Description: basmati rice, farmersThis year, out of the estimated 2 million hectare of basmati rice planted area, 1509 variety was sown in around 10% of areas. Pritam Singh, a farmer from Urlana village in Panipat district of Haryana has reasons to smile after getting higher yield for the short duration basmati rice variety — PUSA 1509 sown in this kharif season in his 12 acres of land. Singh is also expecting a higher return for cultivating a new variety which was first introduced four years back, as this basmati paddy variety is currently fetching around `2,500-3,000 per quintal from around Rs 1,800-2,000 per quintal a year back. “For the first time since we started cultivation of new basmati rice variety, the yield has been in the range of 25-30 quintals per acres against an average of around 18 quintals per acre in the last couple of years,” Singh told FE.

Due to lesser time of around 120 days taken for maturing of PUSA 1509 basmati variety against more than 140 days variety of PUSA 1121, thousands of farmers especially in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh have taken additional crop like pulses between harvesting of wheat and sowing of paddy. According to A K Singh, principal scientist with Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) which has developed both the basmati rice varieties, 1509 variety also helps farmers to save additional cost of water or irrigation and other inputs. This year, out of the estimated 2 million hectare of basmati rice planted area, 1509 variety was sown in around 10% of areas. “In case of delayed monsoon, 1509 variety could be planted by end of July or middle of August while in case of 1121 variety, the sowing has to begin by end of June the usual time for entry of south-west monsoon into northern India,” Singh said. Since the introduction of 1121 variety in 2006, the country’s Basmati rice exports have risen sharply. Exports of the aromatic long-grained rice rose from `2,792 crore in 2006-07 to `21,604 crore in the last fiscal. Of the total around 4 million tonne of basmati rice exports, the PUSA 1121 has more than 70% share. It’s unfair for the farmers not to grow new Basmati variety till they get another alternate crop, an official with the Punjab agriculture department said. In Punjab and Haryana, groundwater has depleted to alarming levels because of excessive usage in growing paddy and wheat. This has forced the two states to ban usage of groundwater in the summer month of June for rice sowing, so that the monsoon rains can be used in July.

Besides that, Punjab, which grows common paddy variety in 2.9 million hectare, is planning to shift at least a million hectare to alternate crops in the next five years.
Date: 14-Oct-2017

Big boost for farmers, short duration basmati fetches higher yield, market price

Since the introduction of 1121 variety in 2006, the country’s Basmati rice exports have risen sharply.

Description: basmati rice, farmersThis year, out of the estimated 2 million hectare of basmati rice planted area, 1509 variety was sown in around 10% of areas. Pritam Singh, a farmer from Urlana village in Panipat district of Haryana has reasons to smile after getting higher yield for the short duration basmati rice variety — PUSA 1509 sown in this kharif season in his 12 acres of land. Singh is also expecting a higher return for cultivating a new variety which was first introduced four years back, as this basmati paddy variety is currently fetching around `2,500-3,000 per quintal from around Rs 1,800-2,000 per quintal a year back. “For the first time since we started cultivation of new basmati rice variety, the yield has been in the range of 25-30 quintals per acres against an average of around 18 quintals per acre in the last couple of years,” Singh told FE. Due to lesser time of around 120 days taken for maturing of PUSA 1509 basmati variety against more than 140 days variety of PUSA 1121, thousands of farmers especially in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh have taken additional crop like pulses between harvesting of wheat and sowing of paddy. According to A K Singh, principal scientist with Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) which has developed both the basmati rice varieties, 1509 variety also helps farmers to save additional cost of water or irrigation and other inputs. This year, out of the estimated 2 million hectare of basmati rice planted area, 1509 variety was sown in around 10% of areas. “In case of delayed monsoon, 1509 variety could be planted by end of July or middle of August while in case of 1121 variety, the sowing has to begin by end of June the usual time for entry of south-west monsoon into northern India,” Singh said. Since the introduction of 1121 variety in 2006, the country’s Basmati rice exports have risen sharply. Exports of the aromatic long-grained rice rose from `2,792 crore in 2006-07 to `21,604 crore in the last fiscal. Of the total around 4 million tonne of basmati rice exports, the PUSA 1121 has more than 70% share. It’s unfair for the farmers not to grow new Basmati variety till they get another alternate crop, an official with the Punjab agriculture department said. In Punjab and Haryana, groundwater has depleted to alarming levels because of excessive usage in growing paddy and wheat. This has forced the two states to ban usage of groundwater in the summer month of June for rice sowing, so that the monsoon rains can be used in July.Besides that, Punjab, which grows common paddy variety in 2.9 million hectare, is planning to shift at least a million hectare to alternate crops in the next five years.

Rice Production to Drop by 200,000 Tons from 2016

Write : 2017-10-13 15:14:35 Update : 2017-10-13 15:41:36
Description: Rice Production to Drop by 200,000 Tons from 2016
South Korea's rice production is expected to drop by some 200-thousand tons compared to last year.
The Korea Rural Economic Institute(KREI) on Friday forecast that the country’s farmers will produce a total of three-million-995-thousand tons of rice this year for an on-year drop of 202-thousand tons.
The institute cited unfavorable climate conditions, including daylight hours and average temperature, as major factors.

It said, however, 250-thousand tons of rice will be left unconsumed due to a gradual decline in demand

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Ec_detail.htm?No=130806

 

Central Sulawesi has surplus production of rice commodity

Palu (ANTARA News) - Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola stated that the food security condition, especially with regard to the production of rice commodity in the province, has recorded a surplus in the last five years.

"We have 1,103,168 tons of unhulled paddy, and when converted, it will produce 597,210 tons of rice for the total population of 2,950,189 people," the governor remarked here on Friday.

According to Djanggola, if the per capita consumption need of the population is some 139.15 kilograms per year, then Central Sulawesi needs some 410,519 tons of rice, and there is still a surplus of some 86,691 tons.

He noted that Central Sulawesis surplus rice is mostly traded with other regions and islands, such as Gorontalo Province, North Maluku, East Kalimantan, and North Kalimantan.

The governor also expressed support for one of the programs that is currently being intensively implemented for achieving food self-sufficiency to realize national food sovereignty and make Indonesia a global food barn by 2045.

Central Sulawesi is one of the 34 provinces that is expected to support and contribute to the food security program, Djanggola added.(*

Bill setting high rice tariffs vice QR advances in House

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The Philippines is inching closer to finally scrapping the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice after a substitute bill mandating its abolition has been approved by a technical working group (TWG) in the House of Representatives.
The TWG created by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food approved on Wednesday the substitute bill that would amend Republic Act (RA) 8178, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the law which enabled the government to impose the rice QR since 1996.
Under the substitute bill, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror, the Philippines will impose a 400-percent bound tariff rate on imported rice once the QR on the staple is abolished.
“In lieu of the QR on rice, the maximum bound rate shall be as notified by the Philippines to the [World Trade Organization, or WTO],” the substitute bill read.
The House Committee on Agriculture and Food will deliberate over the substitute bill once Congress resumes session after its Halloween break.
Once the substitute bill is enacted into law, the country’s minimum access volume (MAV) for rice shall revert to its 2012 level at 350,000 metric tons (MT), from the current 805,000 MT.
“Upon the effectivity of this act, the MAV will revert to its 2012 level at 350,000 MT, as indicated in the Philippines’s commitment to the WTO,” the substitute bill read.
Under the bill, the Philippines will impose a bound tariff rate of 35 percent for rice originating from the Asean region, regardless of its volume. Manila would also impose a 40-percent bound tariff most-favored nation (MFN) rate for in-quota rice imports from countries that do not belong to the Asean.
A 400-percent bound tariff MFN rate shall apply for rice imports outside the MAV of 350,000 MT sourced from non-Asean member-countries, according to the bill.
Notably, the substitute bill indicates that the National Food Authority (NFA) will be allowed to import rice without having to secure certification from the NFA Council. However, the NFA shall only import rice for the sole purpose of securing its buffer stock.
“The [NFA] shall only undertake the direct importation of rice for the purpose of ensuring fod security and maintaining sufficient national buffer stocks,” the bill read.
Furthermore, the substitute bill stipulated that the private sector can import rice, provided that they would comply with the NFA’s rules and regulations.
“For importation other than maintaining buffer stock, the [NFA] shall allocate import quotas among certified and licensed importers,” it read.
The President is vested with the power to modify the tariff rates imposed on the country’s rice imports, upon the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the NFA Council. The President, through an executive order, can adjust the applied tariff rates on rice only when Congress is not in session.
Also, the President is allowed to immediately reduce rice tariffs in times of “imminent or forecasted shortage”.
“In the event of any imminent or forecast shortage, or such other situation requiring government intervention, the President is empowered for a limited period of time and/or a specified volume, to allow the importation of rice at a lower applied tariff rate, to address the situation,” the bill read. “Such order shall take effect immediately, and can be issued even when Congress is in session.”
The President is also empowered to restrict the entry of imported rice to protect the local sector from sudden or extreme price fluctuations due to unexpected surges of imports.
“The President may, following a recommendation from the DA and the NFA Council, impose temporary regulations or restrictions on the volume of imports of rice for a temporary period through the imposition of a rice safeguard tariff sufficient in level to address the situation,” the bill read.
The bill stipulated that the DA and the NFA Council shall craft the rules and regulations governing the special safeguard on rice.
House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Party-list Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. of Anac-IP earlier told the BusinessMirror that they plan to approve the bill on third and final reading before the end of the year.
The authority to set bound tariffs is vested in Congress. But, under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the President, upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority, has the power to modify the tariffs applied on Philippine imports.
The Philippines is under pressure to convert its QR on rice into ordinary customs duties after its waiver on the special treatment on rice expired on June 30. The WTO General Council approved the waiver, which allowed Manila to keep its rice QR until June 30, on the condition that the Philippines will subject its rice imports to ordinary custom duties by July 1.
In March the Philippines informed WTO members that it is facing delays in converting the QR because it has not amended RA 8178, which imposed the import caps on rice indefinitely. As a sign of “goodwill” to its trading partners, President Duterte signed Executive Order 23 in July to extend the concessions made by the Philippines in securing the waiver in 2014

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- October 13, 2017

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-October 13 Nagpur, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor buying support from local millers amid high moisture content arrival. Easy condition on NCDEX in gram, weak trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses and release of stock from stockists also pulled down prices. About 600 of gram bags and 400 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor. TUAR * Tuar Karnataka reported down in open market on lack of demand from local traders amid good supply from producing belts. * Moong Chamki reported down in open market on poor demand from local traders. * In Akola, Tuar New - 3,850-3,925, Tuar dal (clean) - 5,900-6,200, Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,800-8,500, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,900-7,200, Gram - 5,000-5,025, Gram Super best - 7,800-8,300 * Wheat and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak deals. Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 4,400-5,270 4,400-5,350 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,400-3,800 3,400-3,920 Moong Auction n.a. 3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,586-1,664 1,590-1,675 Gram Super Best Bold 8,000-8,500 8,000-8,500 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 5,200-5,400 5,200-5,400 Desi gram Raw 5,000-5,100 5,000-5,100 Gram Kabuli 12,500-13,200 12,500-13,200 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,700-6,000 5,700-6,000 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,200-5,400 5,200-5,400 Tuar Gavarani New 3,800-3,900 3,800-3,900 Tuar Karnataka 4,200-4,500 4,300-4,600 Masoor dal best 5,200-5,400 5,200-5,400 Masoor dal medium 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500 Moong Mogar Medium 6,200-6,800 6,200-6,800 Moong dal Chilka 5,500-6,100 5,500-6,100 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 6,900-7,400 7,000-7,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,700 8,000-8,700 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,500-7,500 6,500-7,500 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,600 5,600-6,600 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,100 2,900-3,100 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,400 3,800-4,400 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,850 1,700-1,850 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,100-2,300 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400 2,200-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,600 3,100-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,700 2,200-2,700 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500 3,000-3,500 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,800-2,900 2,800-2,900 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400 2,200-2,400 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,600 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,600 3,250-3,600 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,000 4,600-5,000 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500 4,200-4,400 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-14,000 10,000-14,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,600 4,400-4,600 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,700-2,000 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 33.2 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 23.8 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rains or thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 34 and 24 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices)

Country keeps focus on enhancing rice yield

By APP
Published: October 13, 2017

Description: Rice. PHOTO: REUTERS
Rice. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: The government is fully focused on enhancing per acre yield of rice to boost exports of the commodity, said Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan.
Speaking at a training course on hybrid rice technology, he said new rice varieties would help farmers to increase their yield, which would enable the country to export more to other countries.
To improve rice variety, it was necessary to have good quality seeds as they would increase the crop’s yield, the minister added. “Pakistan will continue to encourage the private sector to engage in agricultural research.”
Bosan said rice was among major crops of the country and had a big share in exports, hence, the government would continue to make all-out efforts to increase production.
The training course was initiated in mid-September by Pakistan and China to work together on the awareness programme for introducing hybrid rice for productivity enhancement, profitability and extra surplus for exports.
The hybrid rice seed has been developed by Chinese researchers. Accordingly, seminars were arranged by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc) and China Yuan LongPing High-Tech Agriculture in all four ecological zones of the country.
The purpose of the seminar was to understand exact hybrid seed requirements of Pakistan for different regions and showcase the hybrid rice varieties. Speaking on the occasion, Parc Chairman Dr Yusuf Zafar said cooperation between Pakistan and China under CPEC had led to exports of hybrid rice for the first time.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2017.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1529730/country-keeps-focus-enhancing-rice-yield/


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