8th November,2017 daily global regional local rice e-newseltter by riceplus magane

India rice starts moving in Sri Lanka, shortages over

The first batch of low priced rice out of the huge 100000 MT Indian rice tranche has been offloaded and is now moving within Sri Lankan retail market, ending any supply fears. Meanwhile, the open international tender call for 200,000 MT rice in three varieties, also successfully closed in Colombo last week. By the weekend of October 4-5, a total of 20,000 MT tranche of parboiled ‘nadu’ rice sent by an Indian private sector supplier to the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) of Sri Lanka have been offloaded at Port of Colombo and been distributed to CWE warehouses.

The value of the received 20000 MT rice stock is US $ 8.9 Mn (SL Rs 1.36 Bn). This rice stock is now being re-distributed from CWE warehouses to Lanka Sathosa outlets to be sold at only Rs 74 per kilo. Any consumer purchasing more than 25 kilos of this rice from Lanka Sathosa can buy them even lower-only Rs 73 per kilo. Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen addressing a press briefing on 1 November in Colombo, highlighting his efforts to end rice supply shortages through yet another global tender call, said: “Our international tender to import 200,000 MT rice closed yesterday 31 October. Rice samples submitted with tender bids are being forwarded to ITI for lab tests.” The latest tender is, unlike previous “Government to Government” (G2G) tenders, a “Sri Lanka government to local and international private sector” call. A total of 34 local and international private sector suppliers have quoted for the 200,000 MT tender, that closed on 31 October and announced initially on 19 October.

The Ministry has forwarded all the submitted quotes to the Cabinet Appointed High Powered Tender Board which will compare prices of these international and local private sector suppliers with “government to government” prices quoted in previous G2G tender calls, before making final selections. The international tender was floated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on the directions of government’s Cost of Living Committee. The Cabinet Appointed High Powered Tender Board is expected to pick the qualifying suppliers for this 200,000 MT international tender by this Friday 10 October. Private sector suppliers from Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, India, and Vietnam quoted. Several Sri Lankan suppliers too submitted their bids in this 200,000 MT total which consists of three varieties-90000 MT Parboiled Nadu rice, 60000 MT Samba (Parboiled) rice and 50000 MT White Raw rice.

Author Name: http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/india-rice-starts-moving-in-sri-lanka-shortages-over/

Wheat slips on higher supply, rice basmati edges up

PTI | Nov 7, 2017, 14:32 IST

New Delhi, Nov 7 () Wheat prices fell by Rs 20 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on sufficient stocks position due to pick-up in arrivals from growing regions against reduced offtake by flour mills.

However, rice basmati went up on stockists' buying.

Traders said besides adequate stocks position on increased supplies from producing belts, reduced offtake by flour mills, mainly led to the decline in wheat prices.

In the national capital, wheat MP (desi) and wheat dara (for mills) settled lower at Rs 2,145-2,355 and Rs 1,835 -1,840 from previous levels of Rs 2,145-2,375 and Rs 1,855- 1,860 per quintal respectively. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by Rs 30 to Rs 1,830-1,835 per 90 kg.

Atta flour mills, maida and sooji also quoted lower at Rs 980-990, Rs 1,025-1,030 and Rs 1,060-1,080 instead of Rs 1,000-1,010, Rs 1,030-1,040 and Rs 1,080-1,100 per 50 kg respectively in line with wheat trend.

On the other hand, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety went up by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,900-8,000 and Rs 6,400-6,500 per quintal respectively.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):

Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,145-2,355, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,835-1,840, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,830-1,835, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 980-990 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,025-1,030 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,060-1,080 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,900-8,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,400-6,500, Permal raw Rs 2,250-2,300, Permal wand Rs 2,300-2,350, Sela Rs 2,500-2,700 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,900-1,925, Bajra Rs 1,160-1,165, Jowar yellow Rs 1,350-1,400, white Rs 2,700-2,800, Maize Rs 1,300- 1,305, Barley Rs 1,540-1,550. SUN KPS SBT

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/wheat-slips-on-higher-supply-rice-basmati-edges-up/articleshow/61544371.cms

India's Rice exports rose by 30% in Apr-Sept

India Infoline News Service | Mumbai | November 07, 2017 12:04 IST

India's shipments of Rice rose by over 30% in dollar terms and 25% in rupee terms during April-September as European buyers built inventories in anticipation of tighter quality tests effective November 1.

   

India's shipments of Rice rose by over 30% in dollar terms and 25% in rupee terms during April-September as European buyers built inventories in anticipation of tighter quality tests effective November 1.India's total farm exports jumped by 13 per cent during April-September primarily driven by Rice, both basmati and non-basmati, which contribute nearly 44 per cent to the country’s annual farm shipments, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said.The value of Basmati Rice exports jumped to $2.13 billion in April-September from $1.63 billion in the same period a year ago. Exporters’ realisation rose to $997 a tonne from $789 a tonne last year. Rice exports were 2.13 million tonnes in April- September, up from 2.07 million tonnes in the same period of 2016.The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in a communication to APEDA, said Basmati Rice from India needed to pass through a pre-shipment residue test for 22 pesticides from November 1. APEDA clarified that the minimum residue limit for propiconazole was under review.

https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-top-story/india-s-rice-exports-rose-by-30-in-apr-sept-117110700610_1.html

 

Rice production hit by floods in Northeast

Economy November 07, 2017 01:00

By The Nation

Floods have affected the outlook for rice crops in the 2017-18 fiscal year.

Hom Mali rice production in 2017-18 year is expected to be 7.16 million tonnes, about 11.28 per cent lower than anticipated.

Sticky rice production is projected to reach 5.73 million tonnes of paddy rice, about 39 per cent lower than the target. The estimates came from a nationwide survey.

Chatchai Sarikulya, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, said that production of both types of rice was forecast to be lower than the target plan due to mid-year floods in the Northeast.

According to Thai Rice Exporters’ Association, Hom Mali rice is expected to sell in the range of Bt12,500-Bt13,000 per tonne.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30330959Nagpur

 

Foodgrain Prices Open- November 08, 2017

Reuters | Nov 8, 2017, 13:40 IST

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-November 8 Nagpur, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Gram prices recovered strongly in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on increased seasonal demand from local millers amid weak supply from producing regions. Fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and reported demand from South-based millers also helped to push up prices, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. TUAR * Tuar gavarani showed weak tendency in open market here on lack of demand from local traders. * Wheat MP Sharbati best and medium varieties reported higher in open market here on good buying support from local traders and weak arrival from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar New - 3,950-4,050, Tuar dal (clean) - 5,900-6,100, Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,900-8,400, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,000-7,300, Gram - 4,500-4,550, Gram Super best - 7,300-7,500 * Other varieties of wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,700-4,600 3,620-4,450 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction n.a. 3,550-4,110 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 1,600-1,650 1,600-1,680 Gram Super Best Bold 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 6,600-7,000 6,600-7,000 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,800-3,900 3,800-3,900 Desi gram Raw 4,750-4,850 4,750-4,850 Gram Kabuli 12,500-13,200 12,500-13,200 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,000-5,300 5,000-5,300 Tuar Gavarani New 3,950-4,100 4,000-4,150 Tuar Karnataka 4,300-4,600 4,300-4,600 Masoor dal best 5,100-5,400 5,100-5,400 Masoor dal medium 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500 Moong Mogar Medium 6,300-6,600 6,300-6,600 Moong dal Chilka 5,600-6,200 5,600-6,200 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,800 8,000-8,800 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,500-7,000 5,500-7,000 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,100-6,300 5,100-6,300 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,300 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,800 3,400-3,800 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,750-1,900 1,750-1,90 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,100-2,300 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,450 2,200-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,150 1,900-2,100 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,600 3,000-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,700 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) 4,700-5,000 4,700-5,000 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,400 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) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 4,700-5,000 4,700-5,000 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 32.2 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 16.3 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 32 and 16 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices)

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-november-08-2017/articleshow/61559636.cms

Rice imports hit US$1.2bn …800% increase since 2007

November 7, 2017

 

The nation’s value of rice imports reached US$1.2billion in 2015, an 800 percent increase from US$152million in 2007, the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said.

“I have been able to assemble data which clearly confirm that over the past ten years the volume and value of food imports have gone beyond alarming proportions.

“An examination of the individual items reveals even more disturbing trends. The value of rice imports has escalated eight-fold – from US$152million in 2007 to a peak of US$1.2billion in both 2014 and 2015.

“In the same period, the volume of rice imports climbed from 441,000 metric tonnes to 630,000 metric tonnes,” he said at the 4th National Rice Festival held in Accra.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie described the development as worrying, saying it not only puts pressure on the nation’s trade balance but has also made the economy vulnerable to global price increases and supply shortages in the rice market.

A report by the Oxford Business group indicates, though, that domestic rice production has increased by 12 percent over the 2010-15 period – although consumption has increased by double that rate over the same timeframe.

The report adds that Ghana imports between US$300million and US$500million of rice annually.

This, Dr. Owusu Afriyie said, is not good for the country; and said further that plans are currently being rolled out by government to address the situation.

Some of the programmes, he said, include provision of imported seeds, supply of fertilisers, provision of dedicated extension services, marketing strategy and the infusion of electronic platforms in the undertaking of all activities involving food and agriculture.

He also added that the Korean government, after conducting a study on rice production in Ghana, has offered the nation US$9million to begin extensive rice production in the Central Region.

Again, he said, the ministry is facilitating revision of the National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) to reflect government’s vision for the rice sector and serve as a guide for all projects and interventions in the rice sector.  

The rice festival

Speaking on the theme ‘Ghana rice for food, Ghana rice for jobs’, President of the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) Mr. Imoro Amoro urged consumers to patronise locally produced rice as it has advanced from its once-poor state to match international standards.

He also urged government to lead the consumption of local rice by ensuring that all public institutions such as government institutions and agencies, schools, hospitals, among others, patronise it.

“We are appealing for government to use its purchasing power to procure Ghana rice for all schools, and other government agencies should ensure that Ghana rice is the first choice for all rice procurement for the country. This will pave the way for other private companies and individuals to follow the steps of government,” he said.

The two-day festival brought together stakeholders of the rice sector: including rice farmers, processors, sack-designers, tools and equipment manufacturers, among others.

Thailand Join Forces With Alibaba In Selling Thai Rice Online

 BANGKOK, Nov 6 -- The Thai Agriculture Ministry has joined hands with Alibaba to promote Thai jasmine rice to Chinese consumers through the online channel, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported. Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chutima Bunyapraphasara said after attending "TMALL 11.11 Thai Hom Mali Rice Promotion" in Hangzhou, the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang Province that the 11.11 shopping festival, held by Alibaba Group will help promote Thai jasmine rice to Chinese consumers. Thai jasmine rice is only popular among China’s coastal cities, but the distribution of Thai rice through Alibaba’s online channel could support Thai high-quality rice to be more accessible to Chinese consumers. The online platform will help Thai farmers to sell rice at good prices and Chinese consumers will in return receive high quality rice at reasonable prices, she said. -- BERNAMA

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/706378-thailand-join-forces-with-alibaba-in-selling-thai-rice-online.html

Captain called into action after crop burning ban goes up in flames as paddy fields slowly smoulder in Punjab and Haryana

• Sources said there is little to no implementation of National Green Tribunal ban 
• In many villages farmers are said to continue burning with 'token penalties'
• Farmers claimed that residue from the hybrid PR14 variety had already been burnt and now straw from Basmati rice is about to be set ablaze
• That's despite Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's government recently claiming that crop residue in Punjab had fallen by a significant 30 per cent 
• See more news from India at www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-5055737/Crop-burning-ban-goes-flames-Punjab-Haryana.html#ixzz4xkpyh900

Wheat slips on higher supply, rice basmati edges up

New Delhi, Nov 7 () Wheat prices fell by Rs 20 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on sufficient stocks position due to pick-up in arrivals from growing regions against reduced offtake by flour mills. However, rice basmati went up on stockists' buying. Traders said besides adequate stocks position on increased supplies from producing belts, reduced offtake by flour mills, mainly led to the decline in wheat prices. In the national capital, wheat MP (desi) and wheat dara (for mills) settled lower at Rs 2,145-2,355 and Rs 1,835 -1,840 from previous levels of Rs 2,145-2,375 and Rs 1,855- 1,860 per quintal respectively. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by Rs 30 to Rs 1,830-1,835 per 90 kg. Atta flour mills, maida and sooji also quoted lower at Rs 980-990, Rs 1,025-1,030 and Rs 1,060-1,080 instead of Rs 1,000-1,010, Rs 1,030-1,040 and Rs 1,080-1,100 per 50 kg respectively in line with wheat trend. On the other hand, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety went up by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,900-8,000 and Rs 6,400-6,500 per quintal respectively. Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,145-2,355, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,835-1,840, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,830-1,835, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 980-990 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,025-1,030 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,060-1,080 (50 kg). Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,900-8,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,400-6,500, Permal raw Rs 2,250-2,300, Permal wand Rs 2,300-2,350, Sela Rs 2,500-2,700 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,900-1,925, Bajra Rs 1,160-1,165, Jowar yellow Rs 1,350-1,400, white Rs 2,700-2,800, Maize Rs 1,300- 1,305, Barley Rs 1,540-1,550. SUN KPS SBT

Author Name: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/wheat-slips-on-higher-supply-rice-basmati-edges-up/articleshow/61544371.cms

Date: 07-Nov-2017

Aman output likely to fall

Farmers worked hard to recoup flood losses, yet Aman yield projected to be 3.5 lakh tonnes less than last year's

♦ Aman cultivated on 58 lakh hectares this year   ♦ 1.3cr tonnes of Aman output expected   ♦ Overall rice shortfall will be 14 lakh tonnes

Bangladesh is bracing itself for another less productive rice season as the United States Department of Agriculture predicts decline in acreage and yield of Aman. Aman is the most important rice season in the country after Boro. A USDA field report has forecasted 1.3 crore tonnes of Aman production this year. It is 3.5 lakh tonnes less than last year's yield. The recent report has also noted fall in Aman acreage from last year's 59 lakh hectares to 58 lakh this year. Overall, the USDA has projected 3.31 crore tonnes of rice output in the country this fiscal year, down by 14 lakh tonnes from last year's.

Officials at the agriculture ministry, however, preferred not making any projections right away. Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said, "Only six percent Aman has so far been harvested. I don't like to make a projection at this stage. A lot depends on the weather." She expressed optimism that the rice output would be moderately good as farmers tried hard to recoup flood losses during the very early stage of Aman transplantation. Thanks to the rain last month and subsequent cooler weather, the pest infestation in Aman has largely been subdued as well, Matia added. Farmers are going for a full-swing harvesting of Aman, the rain-fed monsoon grain that typically contributes 38 percent to the country's yearly rice output, within a week.    Earlier, the food ministry said the country had lost 20 lakh tonnes of rice due to the fungal attack -- blast -- and flash floods in north-eastern haor region during the last Boro season. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the second spell of flood this year has severely affected 208 upazilas and nearly 8,260,000 people.  The agriculture sector suffered the most. The government estimates that flooding completely washed away over 1 lakh hectares and partially damaged another 5 lakh hectares.  The floods and the blast prompted the government to go for large-scale rice import from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, India and Myanmar. The private sectors are also already on an import spree with rice import hitting the all-time high of 14 lakh tonnes in just first four months of this fiscal year. Prices of coarse rice that had peaked in July-August period have come down but are still high by at least 30 percent, comparing to last year's market prices of the staple. The USDA and the agriculture ministry attributed the losses faced by farmers to floods. They, however, said crop losses would be "nothing alarming" as farmers tried hard to recoup them by going for late and secondary planting. Officials at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and the International Rice Research Institute also lauded the farmers for going for rice varieties that are submergence-tolerant and can withstand 15 to 17 days of stagnant water.  

THE USDA REPORT

The USDA report said, "The impact [of flood] on food supplies and livelihood of farmers has been dramatic. Those estimates may actually be conservative: according to the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team [HCTT], the area of crop damage was 650,000 hectares. "Of the damage, the crops most affected were Aus, Aman, Aman seedbed, seedling, jute, and vegetables. The secondary flooding also destroyed freshly planted Aman paddy and seedbeds, which dealt a fresh blow to farmers. "The resultant shortage of seedlings caused a price shock and in turn replanting of Aman rice were down sharply from market needs: some farmers switched to early winter crops instead of the costly seedlings," the report said.   Late planting and the use of less productive local variety rice seeds would result in poor output, the USDA forecast says. It also noted that though the transplanting of Aman was completed quite late in the season owing to an atypical monsoon this year, favourable weather for growth of Aman rice indicated a likely good harvest. The USDA report adds, "Massive amounts of crops lost to flooding imposed economic hardship on millions of farmers and households. The flooding affected 34 out of the 64 administrative districts of the country. "Heavy late monsoon rains in the upstream provinces of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal in India caused flooding in the north-eastern districts of Bangladesh."

Author Name: http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/aman-output-likely-fall-1487869

Rice imports hit US$1.2bn; 800% increase since 2007

Dr. Afriyie Akoto urged government to lead the consumption of local rice by patronizing it

The nation’s value of rice imports reached US$1.2billion in 2015, an 800 percent increase from US$152million in 2007, the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said.“I have been able to assemble data which clearly confirm that over the past ten years the volume and value of food imports have gone beyond alarming proportions.
“An examination of the individual items reveals even more disturbing trends. The value of rice imports has escalated eight-fold – from US$152million in 2007 to a peak of US$1.2billion in both 2014 and 2015.

“In the same period, the volume of rice imports climbed from 441,000 metric tonnes to 630,000 metric tonnes,” he said at the 4th National Rice Festival held in Accra.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie described the development as worrying, saying it not only puts pressure on the nation’s trade balance but has also made the economy vulnerable to global price increases and supply shortages in the rice market.

A report by the Oxford Business group indicates, though, that domestic rice production has increased by 12 percent over the 2010-15 period – although consumption has increased by double that rate over the same timeframe.

The report adds that Ghana imports between US$300million and US$500million of rice annually.

This, Dr. Owusu Afriyie said, is not good for the country; and said further that plans are currently being rolled out by government to address the situation.

Some of the programmes, he said, include provision of imported seeds, supply of fertilisers, provision of dedicated extension services, marketing strategy and the infusion of electronic platforms in the undertaking of all activities involving food and agriculture.

He also added that the Korean government, after conducting a study on rice production in Ghana, has offered the nation US$9million to begin extensive rice production in the Central Region.

Again, he said, the ministry is facilitating revision of the National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) to reflect government’s vision for the rice sector and serve as a guide for all projects and interventions in the rice sector.

The rice festival

Speaking on the theme ‘Ghana rice for food, Ghana rice for jobs’, President of the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) Mr. Imoro Amoro urged consumers to patronise locally produced rice as it has advanced from its once-poor state to match international standards.

He also urged government to lead the consumption of local rice by ensuring that all public institutions such as government institutions and agencies, schools, hospitals, among others, patronise it.

“We are appealing for government to use its purchasing power to procure Ghana rice for all schools, and other government agencies should ensure that Ghana rice is the first choice for all rice procurement for the country. This will pave the way for other private companies and individuals to follow the steps of government,” he said.

The two-day festival brought together stakeholders of the rice sector: including rice farmers, processors, sack-designers, tools and equipment manufacturers, among others

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Rice-imports-hit-US-1-2bn-800-increase-since-2007-598079

Rain ravages Bangladesh rice planting area

November 7, 2017 - by Eric Schroeder

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Heavy and prolonged rain in Bangladesh have hurt prospects for rice area and production in the nation, according to an Oct. 30 Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Total area planted to rice in Bangladesh is estimated at 11.372 million hectares in 2017-18, down from 11.748 million hectares in 2016-17, according to the USDA. Meanwhile, production of rice is forecast at 33.150 million tonnes, down from 34.578 million tonnes in 2016-17.

“Massive amounts of crops lost to flooding imposed economic hardship on millions of farmers and households,” the USDA noted in the GAIN report. “After a devastating early flash flood in March, a second monsoon caused heavy flooding in July and especially August. The flooding affected 34 districts out of 64 administrative districts of the country. Heavy late monsoon rains in the upstream provinces of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal in India caused flooding in the north-eastern districts of Bangladesh. Out of 90 river water level monitoring stations in the country, 30 stations showed readings above the danger level of flooding. In one river, Jamuna at Bahadurabad point, the flood level reached 135 cm above the danger level, the highest flooding on record.”

Citing government of Bangladesh data, the USDA said flooding completely washed away an estimated 100,000 hectares and partially damaged another 500,000 hectares. The most affected areas were Aus rice, Aman rice, Aman rice seedbed, seedling, jute and vegetables, the USDA said.

Bangladesh, which once was a major rice producer, has become a major rice importer, the USDA said. Bangladesh currently has several government-to-government rice import deals in place, including with Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, India and Thailand, the USDA noted in the report. In the case of India, it is the first rice trade deal between the countries in a decade.

http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2017/11/Rain_ravages_Bangladesh_rice_p.aspx?ID={03A0E8D9-2FB8-4A71-945D-C5A9CF0B1CB3}&cck=1

Elimination of Certain Co-op Deductions Could Doom Proposed Tax Reform Legislation 

By Lydia Holmes

WASHINGTON, DC -- Last Thursday Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced a huge tax reform bill he says will simplify the tax code, lower individual rates, and create jobs.  The "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" includes several obvious wins for agriculture including the repeal of the estate tax and maintaining stepped-up basis for the inheritance of farm property, however, there are still questions about how beneficial the tax plan will be for farmers and ag businesses.

"We are worried that provisions in the House tax bill could hamper growth for many farms and ranches, and could actually increase the amount of taxes these operations pay," said Jeff Wald, CEO of K·Coe Isom, an agricultural accounting and consulting firm, who emphasized that the bill would remove or alter many deductions used by farmers and ranchers today, such as interest deductibility and immediate expensing. 

One particular provision continues to be a point of contention - the elimination of the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (Sec. 199), or DPAD, used by farm co-ops.  The DPAD is a deduction that applies to proceeds from agricultural products that are manufactured, produced, or grown by farmers.  There are special provisions that allow cooperatives to pass the benefit of the deduction directly through to their farmer members.  According to the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the deduction returns nearly $2 billion annually to rural areas in all 50 states.

"Our co-op members pass the Section 199 deduction back to their individual farmer owners, most of whom are not organized to pay taxes under the corporate code, thus the corporate rate reduction in the package won't reach them.  But if Section 199 goes away, a tax hike will reach them," said Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president of government affairs.  "With the agricultural economy where it is - the deepest slump since the Great Depression - farmers can't afford the increase in their tax burden that the repeal of Section 199 would lead to." 

Mosely continued, "This legislation is obviously complex and we'll be weighing in throughout the process in hopes to improve it.  At the end of the day to our farmers, tax reform means that the amount they pay in taxes every year goes down.  If taxes stayed about the same after reform, they'd probably wonder what all the fuss was about.  But if their taxes go up that would be nonstarter."

This week the bill will go through a committee markup in the House where there is potential for change and amendment.  Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch plans to release a version for his Committee to consider after the House Ways and Means Committee completes their deliberations. 

USARICE DAILY

Tiny Bees Loom Large In Tree Reproduction, Texas Scientists Say

Smallest bees cover distances just as far as larger pollinating cousins, playing tiny matchmaker role in long-distance tree love.

By Tony Cantu (Patch Staff) - Updated Nov 7, 2017 10:15 am ET

AUSTIN, TX — Long-distance love affairs can be tough, especially for trees. But University of Texas at Austin scientists have found that tiny bees play a much larger role in keeping the flames of arbor romance alive than previously believed.

The size of ladybugs, those tiny bees play a critical role in what's essentially sex between plants. In a finding that might make Maury Povich proud, UT-Austin researchers discovered their key role following one of the most detailed paternity tests in wild trees ever conducted, university officials said Monday.

The research yields new insight into how the pollinating insects promote genetic diversity essential for plants' adaptation in the face of disease, climate change and other threats relevant for agriculture and reforestation efforts worldwide, officials said.

In the scientists study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers identified pathways that hundreds of wild bees traveled to and from the trees they pollinated across a forest area of more than 2.5 square miles, officials explained.

To biologists' great surprise, the smallest bees managed to cover distances just as far as their larger pollinating cousins, frequently acting as tiny matchmakers for trees separated by more than a mile, scientists acknowledged. Moreover, in half of the cases where a pair of trees separated by a significant distance created a fruit together, the pollen had been carried by a bee no bigger than a grain of rice, scientists found.

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"Size isn't everything," said Shalene Jha, an associate professor of integrative biology and the primary investigator on the study. "These little bees are responsible for major beneficial impacts in terms of reproduction and gene flow."

The mapping of trees, bees and genetic markers took roughly four years and spanned three sections of a tropical rainforest near the Panama Canal, scientists explained. The area of study was 10 times the size of most previous research projects attempting to map pollen movement mediated by bees, researchers noted.

"If you work in a small portion of forest, you're only capable of measuring pollen movement in a small area," Jha said. "We picked up the signal about how far these little bees move because we started doing work that was commensurate with the scale at which they're actually flying."

More than 85 percent of plants, including nearly two-thirds of food crops, rely on bees and other pollinating insects for sexual reproduction. UT-Austin scientists noted that most studies of pollinating insects have focused primarily on larger bees, which carry the most pollen and, thus, help plants produce the most fruit and seeds.

But consider this: There are tens of thousands of bee species. Jha and her team wanted to understand more about the function of smaller bees among the dizzying array of species. Among their discoveries, UT-Austin scientists found that tiny bees pay more visits to flowers than their larger counterparts, and they cover remarkable distances as they pollinate.

Stated another way to illustrate their pollinating prowess: Bees as small as a few millimeters move pollen across areas more than a million times their body size, scientists learned. To put that in human perspective, an average adult person would need to travel from spots about as far apart as Los Angeles and Chicago to cover an equivalent distance.

Because these long-distance matches help prevent inbreeding among closely related plants, the far-flying bees aid trees in having a thriving new generation of offspring to replace them, scientists said.

"We haven't traditionally asked how pollinators influence the way genes are passed on across generations, but it's incredibly important for long-term population persistence," Jha said. "We typically look at seeds or the number of seeds when we want to know a bee's role in pollination service, but not 'who are the fathers of these seeds?' "

But really, is lineage information important to know? Are such paternity tests really necessary? In a word, yes. Jha said that knowing the parents of any given seed or plant is essential. Farmers and foresters have long used this sort of information to plan not only for quantity in output but also quality — juicier or larger fruits in a crop, for example, or faster-growing trees in a forest.

That knowledge is especially critical among biodiversity hot spots, such as Panama where Miconia trees play a central role in the nation's rainforests. In the past half-century alone, deforestation has reduced the proportion of forest in the country by almost 30 percent, causing erosion and other challenges in an economically vital watershed surrounding the Panama Canal.

Jha believes the new study sheds light both on how pollinators of all sizes can help to promote plant reproduction and reforestation in places like Panama, and how small pollinators help plants in ecosystems worldwide, she said.

Bee species in most places, including the U.S. tend to vary in size and in pollinating behaviors in ways that are similar to the species studied in Panama, Jha noted. Because smaller bees have often shown more resilience than their larger cousins to threats such as habitat destruction, it's helpful to know their potential as pollen dispersers in the face of other bees' decline, she added.

Postdoctoral researcher Antonio Castilla was first author on the paper with Jha. The study's co-authors were UT Austin graduate students Nathaniel Pope and Megan O'Connell, UT Austin undergraduate Maria Rodriguez, Jha lab outreach coordinator Laurel Trevino, and the University of Panama's Alonso Santos.

Partial funding support was provided by the National Science Foundation.

>>> Image: A stingless bee visits a Miconia tree near Soberania National Park, Panama. Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin spent nearly four years mapping trees, bees, and pollen to reveal how different pollinators aid in the sexual reproduction of trees in one of the most detailed pollinator-mediated paternity tests in wild plants. Antonio Castilla/UT-Austin.

https://patch.com/texas/north-austin/tiny-bees-loom-large-tree-reproduction-texas-scientists-say

 

Preference for wheat, rice limiting Punjab farmers' incomes

Moreover, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Punjab at constant prices has risen by just 11.6 per cent in the six years to 2015-16

Sanjeeb Mukherjee  |  New Delhi Last Updated at November 8, 2017 01:31 IST

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Scientists in Punjab feel that the central government’s ambitious goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022 could be ‘difficult’ to achieve in the state because of the high productivity levels of wheat and rice and an extremely high cropping intensity, almost 204 per cent, that makes diversification to other crops challenging.

Moreover, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Punjab at constant prices has risen by just 11.6 per cent in the six years to 2015-16, while to double farmers’ incomes, the GSDP from agriculture (crops and livestock) needs to rise from an estimated Rs 87,532 crore in 2015-16 to over Rs 175,064 crore in 2022.  The GSDP in the crop sector rose by 2.9 per cent in Punjab, while for livestock it increased by 32.3 per cent in the last six years.

Making a presentation during a seminar on Doubling Farmers’ Incomes by 2022 last week, scientists from Punjab Agricultural University, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research’s (ICAR’s)  Central Institute for Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, and Guru Angad Dev Animal and Veterinary Sciences University said managing the declining water table and overcoming the adverse impact of climate variability were some of the major challenges in the state.

Punjab with 4.2 million hectares of net sown area, of which 99 per cent is irrigated, is among the foremost agricultural states in the country. 

In 2016-17, rice and wheat was grown in almost 82 per cent of the state’s net sown area. 

Punjab’s annual productivity in paddy is a high 61.9 quintals per hectare, while in wheat it is 50.5 quintals per hectare.  

The presentation showed that encouraging cultivation of high-value crops like vegetables, fruits and agro-forestry, which yield better returns; promoting integrated farming systems in small and marginal farms; rationalising the use of chemical fertilisers; and raising yields of important crops through technological innovation were some of the measures through which farmers’ incomes could be doubled in the state by 2022. 

It also noted that reducing the use of pesticides, raising capital expenditure on farm machinery, promoting precision agriculture technologies and encouraging adoption of subsidiary occupations were some of the other ways in which incomes could be doubled.

The scientists also listed yields of various crops by agro-climatic zones that could potentially be raised by 2022 to enhance farmers’ incomes across the state.  

The Centre has embarked on an ambitious target of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022. 

A draft strategy paper released by the ministry of agriculture a few months ago estimated the average income of agriculture households in 2015-16 at Rs 96,703 at current prices, while at 2011-12 prices it was estimated at Rs 74,108. Incomes are planned to increased with the help of additional public and private investment.

The first four volumes of the 14-part draft report also showed that the targeted increase in incomes would lead to increasing the share of farm income in total farmer household income from 60.2 per cent in 2015-16 (the base year) to 69.22 in 2022-23 across all states.

www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/preference-for-wheat-rice-limiting-punjab-farmers

Wheat slips on higher supply, rice basmati edges up

PTI | Nov 7, 2017, 14:32 IST

New Delhi, Nov 7 () Wheat prices fell by Rs 20 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on sufficient stocks position due to pick-up in arrivals from growing regions against reduced offtake by flour mills.

However, rice basmati went up on stockists' buying.

Traders said besides adequate stocks position on increased supplies from producing belts, reduced offtake by flour mills, mainly led to the decline in wheat prices.

In the national capital, wheat MP (desi) and wheat dara (for mills) settled lower at Rs 2,145-2,355 and Rs 1,835 -1,840 from previous levels of Rs 2,145-2,375 and Rs 1,855- 1,860 per quintal respectively. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by Rs 30 to Rs 1,830-1,835 per 90 kg.

Atta flour mills, maida and sooji also quoted lower at Rs 980-990, Rs 1,025-1,030 and Rs 1,060-1,080 instead of Rs 1,000-1,010, Rs 1,030-1,040 and Rs 1,080-1,100 per 50 kg respectively in line with wheat trend.

On the other hand, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety went up by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,900-8,000 and Rs 6,400-6,500 per quintal respectively.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):

Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,145-2,355, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,835-1,840, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,830-1,835, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 980-990 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,025-1,030 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,060-1,080 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,900-8,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,400-6,500, Permal raw Rs 2,250-2,300, Permal wand Rs 2,300-2,350, Sela Rs 2,500-2,700 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,900-1,925, Bajra Rs 1,160-1,165, Jowar yellow Rs 1,350-1,400, white Rs 2,700-2,800, Maize Rs 1,300- 1,305, Barley Rs 1,540-1,550. SUN KPS SBT

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/wheat-slips-on-higher-supply-rice-basmati-edges-up/articleshow/61544371.cms

With Asean meet in Metro Manila, spend a 5-day breather in these destinations

By: the Inquirer Bureaus - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:22 AM November 08, 2017

A pedestrian walks pass a colorful ASEAN signage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CPP) complex in Pasay City as the country prepares to host the leaders summit next week.
INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Metro Manila workers and residents will have a five-day breather as world leaders converge on Manila next week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.

With time to spare and, hopefully, with their bonuses in, they can head off to vacation destinations near and far for that much needed break.

Southern, central and northern Luzon offer a variety of activities to do and places to see, without having to burn pockets or spend much time on the road.

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Southern Tagalog

In Cavite province, tourist destinations and accommodations are looking forward to the rush of vacationers, said Lani Diesta, tourism officer of Tagaytay City.

Tagaytay’s “tourism strip,” the 28-kilometer stretch from the city rotunda to the boundary of Nasugbu, Batangas province, is dotted with coffee shops, hotels, spas, art museums and restaurants.

“Just don’t forget to pack your jackets,” Diesta said, warning guests of low temperatures this time of year.

Among the best known places to relax in is Nurture Wellness Village. The facility offers accommodation and a 6,000-square-meter organic farm of medicinal plants and vegetables.

The provincial government promotes heritage tours that remind people of the Philippine Revolution. There are eight historical museums, the most popular of which is Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit town, a few minutes’ ride from the Cavite Expressway.

Guides also offer a walking tour to the traditional “pandayan” or bolo-making street.

In Carmona town, there is paragliding in Barangay Lantik. This activity may be your best chance to unleash the thrill-seeker in you since paragliding is available only from November to April.

Batangas is where you’ll find a quick dose of that “vitamin sea”—even in a “ber” month. The town of Mabini, known for its diving spots, has rebuilt itself quickly since the series of earthquakes in April. The beaches of Laiya in San Juan town have been the province’s major attractions.

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But if you prefer to cuddle in breezy weather, visit Lipa City, a two-to three-hour travel from Manila. Find the best “lomi” or “goto” at Lomi King, Gotohan sa Barangay or Aling Tessie’s.

The Farm at San Benito in Barangay Tipakan is a “holistic wellness destination” that offers detoxification procedures, yoga retreats and complete amenities for a rejuvenating five-day break.

Golfers may spend their days off at Malarayat Golf and Country Club or at Summit Point Golf and Country Club. Both are open even to nonmembers.

Rizal

Rizal province is a next-door destination for Metro Manila residents, especially nature-trippers. The town of Tanay offers outdoor activities, such as spelunking at Calinawan Cave or swimming in Daranak Falls.

Close by, at Baras town, is Masungi Georeserve, a conservation area with a three to four-hour full round trail amid rock formations. The facility includes a hanging bridge, rope courses and the “sapot,” a large weblike platform on which to view the Laguna de Bay.

Antipolo City has its iconic cathedral at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Spend the night in one of the hotels and inns overlooking Metro Manila and try not to miss Pinto Art Museum, a 1.2-hectare gallery of modern and contemporary art.

Laguna province is known for its day-tour destinations, such as the world-class theme park Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosa City. Nuvali area offers activities, such as trail biking, horseback riding and koi feeding.

Further south is a nature trip on bamboo rafts or “balsa” in Pandin Lake, one of the seven interconnected lakes of San Pablo City. There are a number of natural falls to choose from in Majayjay, Cavinti, Pagsanjan and Pangil towns.

Paete is known for its traditional woodcarving. Spend a day in this town and bring home cheap but beautifully handcrafted Christmas decorations.

In Calamba City and Los Baños town, let the hot, natural springs warm you up this month. But try not to lose patience over the heavy traffic.

Wake up to majestic Mount Makiling or stroll the panoramic Pili drive that leads to the International Rice Research Institute.

Northern and central Luzon

Hundred Islands National Park at Alaminos City in Pangasinan offers snorkeling, diving, banana boat rides and kayaking. Tourists can also try the zip lines, wall climbing and rappelling.

They can also visit Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija province and discover technologies that changed farming through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), and Tilapia Science Center.

PhilRice exhibits will teach tourists about the different varieties of rice. Its five-hectare “Future Rice Farm” is also a major attraction.

Nine kilometers away is CLSU, proclaimed in 2001 as the “Agro-tourism Site for Luzon.” It has an agricultural museum that houses rice and vegetable planting implements, indigenous utensils, and hunting and fishing tools.

In Bulacan province, Angat Dam in Norzagaray town was opened as an ecotourism site in 2016, providing a view of the Sierra Madre mountains, the zigzag road and the Bitbit River and bridge at the foot of the dam.

In City of Malolos are “Kalutong Bulakenyo” restaurants, such as Bistro Malolenyo and Bahay Tisa, whose menus feature the favorite cuisine of revolutionary heroes.

In Tarlac province, visitors can go to The Farmhouse in Capas town, an agritourism farm that offers accommodation facilities. Guests can take part in farm work, such as planting rice, milking cows and feeding hogs or touring the farm on a carabao-drawn cart. Food is served in a farm-to-table restaurant.

The adventurous can trek to Mount Pinatubo via Barangay Santa Juliana, 22 km from the town center of Capas.

Spiritually inclined families can visit Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose town. A 9.14-meter statue of the Risen Christ is found in the 29-hectare pilgrimage park.

Alternative CamSur sites

An hour away by plane from Metro Manila is the Bicol region, where unspoiled beaches and nature greet visitors.

At Naga City in Camarines Sur province, tourists may try church visits starting with Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. The Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia is the home of the original image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia, locally called “Ina” (Mother).

The old churches in Milaor, Bombon, Calabanga and Libmanan towns are also popular to tourists.

Aguirangan Island in Presentacion town is perfect for the adventurous type. Tourists can enjoy the white sand beaches of Caramoan and Atulayan Island in Sagñay town.

Mt. Isarog Natural Park is open to trekkers. —Reports from Maricar Cinco, Rey Anthony Ostria, Anselmo Roque, Carmela Reyes-Estrope and Gabriel Cardinoza

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/943825/with-asean-meet-in-metro-manila-spend-a-5-day-breather-in-these-destinations