Saturday, August 11, 2018

11th August,2018 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter



Armed robbers kill rice mill cashier in Jinja
     
Description: A health worker attends to the man who is
A health worker attends to the man who is suspected to be one of the robbers. PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA  
By TAUSI NAKATO
JINJA- A cashier attached to OBK Rice Millers in Jinja Town, has been shot dead by robbers.
Kaweesi Bin Sali was shot at about 7:00pm on Wednesday by armed men who stormed the rice mill premises, according to Mr Asuman Ababiri, an eyewitness.
“They [robbers] entered the office and the workers thought they were looking for someone. Moments later, they shot dead the cashier before taking hostage a female worker and forced her to take them to the manager’s office,’’ Mr Ababiri said. “It is not clear whether they were looking for the manager because after a few minutes, they came back to the cashier’s office and grabbed the woman’s hand bag.”
Mr Lawrence Isabirye, another witness said the two men fled the company premises as several workers fled.
“An accomplice who had a motorcycle was waiting for them. As they tried to jump on the bike, the gun released a bullet which hit the leg of one of the men. The two men abandoned the injured man at the scene as they fled on the motorbike,” Mr Isabirye said.
Ms Sylvia Kitimbo, the woman whose bag was snatched said it contained Shs2 million and two smartphones.
The injured man was taken to Jinja Hospital by good Samaritans who did not know that he was a suspected robber.
After learning that the injured man was in hospital, irate rice mill workers and residents stormed the health facility in an attempt to kill him. They were, however, blocked by police officers.
Jinja District Police Commander, Mr Vincent Irama, said they recovered a gun, a police uniform and some money  at the crime scene.
Mr Irama, however, refuted allegations that the injured man, who is being treated as a key suspect, is a police officer.
tnakato@ug.nationmedia.com


STATE EDITIONS

STEEL SILOS OF 9.50L MT STORAGE TO BE BUILT IN HARYANA

Friday, 10 August 2018 | PNS | Chandigarh | in Chandigarh
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Haryana Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Karan Dev Kamboj on Thursday said that steel silos of 9.50 lakh MT capacity would be built for the safe storage of foodgrains in the State.
“For this, tender process has been started. Approval has been given for the construction of steel silos in Ambala, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jagadhri, Hansi, Uchana, Kurukshetra and Karnal,” the Minister said while talking to the mediapersons here.
So far, the Food and Civil Supplies Department and other procurement agencies of the state have 84.39 lakh MT storage capacity. Kamboj claimed that due to various steps of the department, there is zero wastage of foodgrains from 2016 onwards. In the year 2013-14, out of the total foodgrains procured by the Government, 9549 MT was spoiled, which was reduced to 36 MT in the year 2015-16 and later it was brought to zero, he said adding that disciplinary action has been taken against employees or officials who were responsible for spoilage of foodgrains.
On the issue of defaulters rice millers, the Minister said that FIR had been registered against 94 defaulter rice millers from the year 2013 to 2017.
Besides taking action on rice millers for not delivering the custom milled rice (CMR), actions are also being taken against the concerned inspector and sub-inspector, assistant food and supplies officer, he said.
Delivery of 1,736 tonnes of rice of Kharif crops of rice millers were pending to Food Corporation of India in 2016-17. The State Government has a launched special campaign for recovery from rice millers, resultantly, in the
last two years about 99 per cent CMR has been recovered, the Minister said.
Kamboj also said that the State Government has recovered about Rs 11 crore for pending CMR of 2013-14 and 2015-16, from two rice millers. Besides this, directions were issued to attach property of three other rice millers of Kurukshetra by Deputy Commissioner to the tune of about Rs 25 crore.
Cashless facility pilot project to begin in Pkl
The Minister said that cashless facility would be started as a pilot project in district Panchkula for depot holders and Public Distribution System (PDS) consumers. Thereafter, the scheme would be implemented across the state. For this, current bank accounts of all depot holders are being opened in PNB banks, he added. With a view to ensure providing timely ration to consumers in the state, they have been linked with Aadhaar which has resulted in ousting of 25 lakh fake beneficiaries that has saved Rs 400 crore annually to the State exchequer, Kamboj said.
He further said that no ration cards were printed in the state after 2005.  The present Government has got 80 lakh ration cards printed in four colours namely khaki, yellow, green and pink, he added.
Brick kilns have to adopt zig-zag technique by Oct
“With a view to make the state pollution-free, all the brick kilns would have to adopt zig-zag technique. No Brick Kiln owner would be allowed to use old techniques in brick kilns after October 1,” the Minister said. At present, there are 2741 brick kilns in the state, which adds to air and noise pollution, he said. The Minister said that for the health of the people and to make the state pollution free, the government had formulated a policy for brick kilns in 2017 and every brick would have to follow this policy. So far, 75 per cent of the brick kiln owners have adopted the zig-zag technique.
Action to be taken against vendors for duping consumers
Kamboj said that if any vendor is found weighing sweets alongwith the box, strict action would be initiated against him.
During festival season, some vendors sell sweets by weighing them alongwith the box. If any complaint in this regard is received, action would be initiated against the vendor. The vendors can charge for boxes separately, but they cannot weight sweets or items alongwith box, he said. Under ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ scheme, some vendors were challaned during recent years and Rs 12 lakh was imposed as fine, he added.


A New Type of Fortified Rice Approved for Food Aid 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Fortified rice was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for inclusion in the commodity master list nearly four years ago.  Since that time and through the end of 2017, rice tonnage in food assistance has been increasing as more fortified and regular milled rice has been programmed in USDA's McGovern Dole Food for Education and Food for Progress programs, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Food for Peace Program. 

In 2017, of the 103,000 MT of rice used in global feeding programs, approximately 25 percent or 25,000 MT consisted of fortified rice.  

The World Food Programme (WFP), as well as other relief organizations have expressed interest in increasing their use of fortified rice in global feeding programs.  Additionally, USAID has committed to using all fortified rice in their future programs. 

"While the potential for significant tonnage increase has been present for some time, the fortified rice numbers are lower than what USA Rice had forecast, particularly given the current ongoing global hunger crisis," said Bobby Hanks, chairman of the USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee.  "For the first three quarters of this year, 15,000 MT of fortified rice has been programmed which suggests that tonnage in 2018 will be at the same level or lower than 2017." 

While there are many factors impacting fortified rice tonnage in food aid, USA Rice has worked closely with USDA and USAID leadership, as well as WFP, to ensure that the current commodity specification for fortified rice allows for the use of both extruded and a rinse resistant a fortified rice premix.  

Up until last week, the commodity document only allowed for the use of extruded kernels.  This may be one of the key factors limiting fortified rice tonnage in food aid and possibly limiting the number of companies that bid on food aid tenders to date.  

After years of research, global field testing, and stakeholder meetings, the USDA amended the commodity specification language last week adding the option to use either extruded or rinse resistant coated fortified rice and immediately issued a new tender for fortified rice in Sub-Saharan Africa allowing for either fortification technology.  

"This is definitely a positive step towards increased use of fortified rice in global food aid programs," said Hanks.  "USA Rice looks forward to continued cooperation with our partners at USDA and USAID as we collaborate on shelf life and packaging details for fortified rice to strength its important role combatting both global hunger and malnutrition."
USA  RICE Daily


WASDE Report Released 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Total U.S. rice supplies for 2018/19 are raised slightly from last month due to increased beginning stocks that were mostly offset by a smaller crop.  Beginning stocks are raised 2.5 million cwt on a 3.5-million export reduction for the 2017/18 crop year that is partially offset by increased domestic and residual use.  U.S. rice production is lowered 2.1 million cwt to 210.9 million on the first survey-based yield forecast of the 2018/19 season.  Long grain production is lowered 2.8 million cwt, while combined medium and short grain is raised 700,000 cwt.  The all rice yield forecast is lowered 76 pounds per acre from the previous forecast to 7,523.  Exports for the 2018/19 crop year are lowered 4 million cwt to 98 million on a lack of price competitiveness relative to both Asian and South American exporters.  Ending stocks are raised 1.4 million cwt to 43.6 million and the 2018/19 all rice season-average farm price is lowered $0.20 per cwt at the midpoint to a range of $11.40 to $12.40.

Global supplies for 2018/19 are lowered fractionally on reduced production for Madagascar and Iraq.  World trade is raised slightly, led by higher Pakistan exports and Iraq imports.  Global exports remain record large.  Global consumption and ending stocks are each lowered fractionally.

Read the full report here.  

Rice tariffication to temper inflation
By Leslie Gatpolintan  August 9, 2018, 9:18 pm
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MANILA -- Liberalizing rice trade in the country can significantly temper inflation, the country’s chief economist said.
“If the Senate and Congress can pass the bill on rice tariffication, for example tomorrow, that would have already an impact, very noticeable impact on food inflation especially,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia in a press conference on Thursday.
Pernia believes the proposed replacement of quantitative restriction on rice with tariffication will have a “bigger impact” in addressing inflation because rice has a dominant weight on the food basket of consumers, especially the poorest 30 percent.
“Our inflation is mostly caused by the supply side: the availability of goods, high global oil prices. Those are the main causes of supply side inflation and the unavailability of rice on time,” he explained.
Along with rice import tariffication, Pernia said the lowering of tariffs on selected basic commodities to a uniform five percent agreed among economic managers is intended as a temporary measure to alleviate the high food prices.
Proposed tariff reductions will cover farm products like pork, corn, feed wheat and fish.
“The single rate reduction is a good strategy because it does not affect consumption much. It is easier to monitor and implement. The measure is temporary as the tariffs will revert once we get back to our normal inflation target,” he said.
For her part, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon underscored the need for the country to build up the resilience of its agriculture sector so it will not be weather-dependent.
“We should be doing biotechnology and if we can have more resilient agriculture. What we forecast is that there would be (inflation) tempering towards the fourth quarter especially if it’s the impact of tax reform (law), it should dissipate,” she said in an interview.
The country’s inflation rate picked up to 5.7 percent in July from the previous month’s 5.2 percent, brought about by the spike in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverage. (PNA)

An old Kerala family farm is reviving the near-forgotten navara rice variety

AUGUST 10, 2018 12:52 IST
UPDATED: AUGUST 10, 2018 15:18 IST
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Description: An old Kerala family farm is reviving the near-forgotten navara rice variety
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In Chittur, in the rice bowl of Kerala, the land flattens conspicuously, its evenness heightened by the undulating Western Ghats that loom large in the background. Here the Shokanashini (destroyer of woes), a tributary of the Bharathapuzha, irrigates the dark soil on which grows luscious paddy. Rains fall often here, enhancing the beauty of the landscape. Of late, peacocks have come to roost and their shrill cries are heard ever so often.
Narayanan Unny’s Navara Eco Farm is snuggled in this picturesque scenery. This 125-year-old, 18-acre farm exclusively produces navara, a rice species acclaimed for its medically beneficial properties.
Consumed traditionally during the wet months of karkidakam and used extensively in the famed navara kizhi Ayurvedic treatment, navara is a rice endemic to Kerala.
Not being a staple variety and used mainly as health food, the rice lost its prominence after the Land Ceiling Act of 1967, when paddy acreage was considerably reduced. In 1994, Narayanan Unny quit his computer business in Kozhikode and took charge of the family farm, after the demise of his father.
He found that the rice with a 60-day life cycle, and consumed periodically, had being reduced to production of a mere 50 acres from the 2,000 that it once commanded. “Even pure navara seeds were not available,” says Unny.
He then made and executed a plan for conservation of navara. It began with a search for pure navara seeds, and not finding any, not even at the Rice Research Centre in Pattambi, Unny began seed purification in 15 cents of land, sowing only navara without another rice variety.
He then planted the pure seeds in 12 acres. “I was clear that there was a demand for this wellness rice and that it had to be grown organically.”
Navara paddy is delicate with soft strands that wilt easily and is prone to rice pests. To make it organic, he tried and tested an array of natural pesticides — neem, marigold, tulsi, stale fish mix — but found them wanting in countering pest attacks. Finally, he came up with an innovative method of using a butterfly catching net to manually comb the paddy for pests twice a day. Along with his five colleagues, the workers on his farm, he brushes the paddy daily.
“It is the only successful pesticide-free method,” he says with pride.
In 2003, the process for Organic certification of the farm was started. A year later, he along with all stakeholders, pitched for registration of Geographical Indication of navara. The move brought together farmers, the Kerala Agriculture University, Department of Agriculture, rice millers and traders with CII Kerala facilitating Navara Rice Farmers Society in the process.
In 2007, the rice got its GI branding. “We now have a traditional product which was on the verge of extinction,” says Unny, adding that the price of the rice depends on output.
For him, this journey has been special, of carrying forward the hard work done by three generations of his family. Unny believes that the rice has the potential to conquer the world as a health food.
“It can be a representative ethnic product.”
And so he presents its story, his story in a telling narrative as a PPT to documentary filmmakers, scientists, agriculturists, conservationists, reporters, and chefs, who make a beeline to his farm looking for the rare purple rice.
There are still more challenges ahead, the current one being particularly tricky. Wild boars and the preening peacocks that swarm over his farm destroy the delicate paddy. “Both are protected species. Being the national bird, we are helpless when it comes to them; the peacocks are not so pretty after all,” he says with a sigh.


The scientists said, why not cool the Earth

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Description: Ученые рассказали, почему нельзя охлаждать ЗемлюThis will lead to even worse consequences.
Trying to stop global warming by spraying aerosol particles in the stratosphere was not a very good idea: all of the benefits of slowing warming can be cut by the fall in yields because of the blackout, the authors write.
One of the most popular ideas in the field of geoengineering (directional influence on the Earth’s climate to combat anthropogenic warming) is the mass spraying in the stratosphere of aerosols containing sulphur compounds. It is assumed that such a “stratospheric veil” will reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface, and slow the growth of the average temperature.
Jonathan Proctor (Jonathan Proctor) at the University of California at Berkeley and his colleagues decided to find out how the creation of such a shield from solar radiation will affect agriculture. Because large-scale geoengineering experiments is considered too risky, scientists used natural analogue and the prototype of this process is the eruption of large volcanoes. For example, the volcano Pinatubo erupted in 1991, was thrown into the atmosphere approximately 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide, which reduced global average temperature by about half a degree Celsius.
“Blackout of the planet limits the growth temperature which helps crops grow better. But since plants need sunlight, his blocking could have an impact on growth. For agriculture the negative effects of this method on the scale of equal benefits. That’s about as experimental surgical treatment: the side effects seem no better than the disease,” said Proctor, quoted by the press service of the University.
The scientists compared data on the yields of corn, soybeans, rice and wheat in 105 countries over the period from 1979 to 2009, monitored data of the illumination and satellite observation of aerosols in the stratosphere. In the years there have been two major volcanic eruptions, El Chichon in Mexico in 1982 and Pinatubo in the Philippines 1991. They found that the additional diffusion of light due to aerosols reduced the yield of all crops: for example, after the Pinatubo eruption yield of maize due to changes in ambient light have been reduced by 9.3 percent, and the yield of corn, soybeans and rice — 4.8 per cent (part of the reduction could be offset by favorable plants decrease in temperature).
Then, using climate models, they showed that by mid century the entire gain in yield from a hypothetical “veil” in the form of at least high temperatures will be closed it down because of the deteriorating light. Theoretically, farmers can adapt to reduced illumination, such as choosing more resistant varieties of it, however, the possibility and limits of such adaptation is difficult to assess.
The researchers note that in some previous works spraying atmospheric aerosols was associated with an additional yield increase due to the fact that the scattered light better reaches the leaves inside the crown. Apparently, this effect is weaker than previously thought, because the authors did not see a net increase in the yield over the lifetime of aerosols.
According to scientists, their result does not imply that the method of spraying aerosols should be abandoned, perhaps in other sectors of the economy the positive impact will be substantial. They insist that before proceeding to the experiments, you need to understand the benefits, costs, and risks of geoengineering projects, which while very little is known.

Global Hybrid Rice Seeds Market 2018 Opportunities and Share: Nath, Syngenta, Dupont Pioneer and Bayer CropScience

Description: https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6343ffb234a12497dce105efd444b523?s=140&d=mm&r=g Homer Fleener 24 hours ago
 
Global Hybrid Rice Seeds Market Report 2018 includes a total amalgamation of assessable trends and predicting analysis. This Hybrid Rice Seeds analysis offers an approach for a large number of clients. Employing accredited global Hybrid Rice Seeds market data resources together with various practices and tools to successfully get and study information, our accredited group of analysts, researchers, and advisors has obtained extra efforts in calling the global sector. The Hybrid Rice Seeds report suggests that the newest and also the very consistent statistics necessary for organizations in the global industry as a way to sustain in a competitive sector.
The report introduces the Hybrid Rice Seeds basics: definitions, categories, software and market review; product specifications; fabricating procedures; cost arrangements, development and so forth. Subsequently, it studied the international major Hybrid Rice Seeds industry market requirements, for example, merchandise price, profit, capacity, production, distribution, market and demand growth speed and prediction, etc. In the long run, the report introduced a new Hybrid Rice Seeds SWOT analysis, feasibility, and revenue investigation.
Top Players have been included from the report are: Nath, Advanta, Nirmal Seeds, Bayer CropScience, Dupont Pioneer, Hainan Shennong Gene, Longping High-tech, RiceTec, Hefei Fengle Seed, Zhongnongfa Seed, WIN-ALL HI-TECH SEED, Syngenta, China National Seed Group and SL Agritech
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Application analysis:
Applications 1
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Rice Noodle Market Analysis by 2025: Top Players Like Eskal, Nan Shing Hsinchu, Cali Food, Nature Soy, JFC International

The latest report studies the global Rice Noodle market status and forecast, categorizes the Worldwide Rice Noodle market size (value & volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region.
This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/09/2018 -- The Top key vendors in Rice Noodle Market include are JFC International, American Roland Food Corp., Eskal, Nan Shing Hsinchu, Cali Food, Nature soy, Mandarin Noodle Manufacturing, Ying Yong Food Products, J.D. Food Products, Leong Guan Food Manufacturer.
You Can Download Free Sample Copy of Rice Noodle Market at https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/15658
Apart from this, the valuable document weighs upon the performance of the industry on the basis of a product service, end-use, geography and end customer.
The industry experts have left no stone unturned to identify the major factors influencing the development rate of the Rice Noodle industry including various opportunities and gaps. A thorough analysis of the micro markets with regards to the growth trends in each category makes the overall study interesting. When studying the micro markets the researchers also dig deep into their future prospect and contribution to the Rice Noodle industry.
A high focus is maintained on factors such as demand and supply, production capacity, supply chain management, distribution channel, product application and performance across different countries. The report not only offers hard to find facts about the trends and innovation driving the current and future of Rice Noodle business, but also provides insights into competitive development such as acquisition and mergers, joint ventures, product launches and technology advancements.
A quick look at the industry trends and opportunities
The researchers find out why sales of Rice Noodle are projected to surge in the coming years. The study covers the trends that will strongly favour the industry during the forecast period, 2018 to 2025. Besides this, the study uncovers important facts associated with lucrative growth and opportunities that lie ahead for the Rice Noodle industry.
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On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, including
- Direct Consumption
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On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, and market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into
- Chinese Style
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- Other
Region wise performance of the Rice Noodle industry
This report studies the global Rice Noodle market status and forecast, categorizes the global Rice Noodle market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia India and Other regions (Middle East & Africa, Central & South America).
To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.
In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Rice Noodle are as follows:
- History Year: 2013-2017
- Base Year: 2017
- Estimated Year: 2018
- Forecast Year 2018 to 2025
information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.
Key Stakeholders
- Rice Noodle Manufacturers
- Rice Noodle
- Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers
- Rice Noodle Subcomponent Manufacturers
- Industry Association
- Downstream Vendors
- Available Customizations
Continue..
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- Which countries are expected to grow at the fastest rate?
- Which factors have attributed to an increased sale worldwide?
- What is the present status of competitive development?
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Kerala rains: All shutters opened at Idukki dam

Description: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/incoming/dniwbc/article24654003.ece/alternates/WIDE_660/All%20shutters%20opened%20at%20Idukki%20dam
The Cheruthoni Dam, moments after all the shutters were opened. Credits- Screen capture from Asianet News
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Continued copious inflows and intermittent spells of heavy rain have forced authorities to open the fifth shutter at the Cheruthoni dam, spillway for the Idukki reservoir, largest in Kerala, letting out 14,126 cusecs.The fifth and last shutter has been opened as well, the first time ever since the Idukki came into existence in the mid-1970s.
RELIEF & RESCUE
A press release from the Defence Wing of the Press Information Bureau said that Army and Air Force have swung into action for disaster relief and rescue operations in monsoon-battered Kerala.
Eight columns of the Army have been deployed in different parts of the state. The Army station located at Pangode near here had already deployed one column to Idukki under a Captain rank officer.
They are stationed at Adimali in Idukki where rescue operations are progressing. Defence Security Corps (DSC) Kannur has already deployed to Idukki. So there are two columns operational in the district.
DSC Kannur has also sent out four columns at Iritty (Kannur), Thamarassery (Kozhikode), and the worst-hit and marooned Wayanad and Malappuram districts.
The Indian Air Force has pressed into service two helicopters for search and rescue operation. One Mi-17IV and an Advanced Light Helicopter have been deployed from the Sulur Air Force Base.
IDUKKI WATER LEVEL
Meanwhile, the water level at Idukki has touched 2401.60 ft at 1 pm against a full reservoir level of 2403 feet. The hourly gross inflows are at 31,783 cusecs. Six hourly average net inflows are 17,092 cusecs.
The spillover is 10,594 cusecs with three shutters opened and one shutter lifted as high as 50 cm. The Navy has said that it is upgrading its alert in the constantly evolving scenario.
Opening of the Kakki, Cheruthoni, Idamalayar and Idukki reservoirs may lead to a rise in levels in rivers flowing through downstream districts.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said that all tourists marooned in a resort at Idukki are safe. Earlier today, the US government had warned citizens against travelling to monsoon-ravaged Kerala.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has cancelled all his programmes and will be stationed here in the context of the grave situation and also forecast heavy rains over the next few days as well.
India Met Department (IMD) has warned of another rain-driving low-pressure area to form over the Bay of Bay of Bengal during the next three days
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/kerala-rains-the-fifth-and-last-shutter-opened-at-idukki/article24653420.ece

Pulses, oilseeds lift kharif acreage

OUR BUREAUT+ T-
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But total sowing is still down by 1.5%

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 10
Better-than-usual acreage under pulses and oilseeds has lifted kharif sowing this week even though it continues to be marginally lower than in the corresponding period last year.Till Friday, the total area planted stood at 924.76 lakh hectares (lh), which is about 1.48 per cent lower than 938.66 lh sown during the same period last year, according to the latest sowing data released by the Agriculture Ministry.
The planting of rice was down by 2.85 per cent on lack of rains as compared to last year. While there was a significant increase in transplantation reported from many States, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana and Punjab, the rice acreage was down in West Bengal, Manipur and Assam. The area covered under rice was at 307.78 lh.
Coverage of pulses was done on 124.15 lh – a tad lower than last year’s acreage – but more than a million hectares higher than the normal area sown during the kharif season. While moong and arhar planting looks promising, urad was down by nearly 12 per cent to less than 35 lh.

Description: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/etvhai/article24658841.ece/alternates/FREE_300/bl11AugKhariftblecol

Acreage of oilseeds, driven mainly by a rise in soyabean coverage, was at 162.47 lh, which is over 5 per cent compared to the last kharif season so far.Among coarse cereals, the area under jowar was up 11 per cent from the corresponding week last year, but bajra’s area was lower by the same percentage.The area under cotton cultivation, still down by 3.85 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year, managed to cross 112 lh. While higher acreage under cotton was reported mainly from Telangana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, cultivation was down in Punjab and Karnataka.
The country as a whole received 481.2 mm rainfall against the normal of 535.6 mm and the overall rainfall deficit stood at 10 per cent, the official statement said. The major rainfall deficit States are Gujarat (20 per cent), Jharkhand (25 per cent) and some North-Eastern States.

Kharif crops planted in 92.5 mn hectares, 1.5% lower than last year

Area planted till date covers 87% of the seasonal area of 106 million hectares

Last Published: Fri, Aug 10 2018. 07 08 PM IST
Description: Plantings are lower for crops such as rice, pulses, coarse grains and cotton. Photo: Mint
Plantings are lower for crops such as rice, pulses, coarse grains and cotton. Photo: Mint
New Delhi: Rain-fed Kharif crops have been planted in 92.5 million hectares so far, 1.5% lower than a year ago, according to data released by the agriculture ministry on Friday. Area planted till date covers 87% of the seasonal area of 106 million hectares.
According to latest data, plantings are lower for crops such as rice, pulses, coarse grains and cotton, and higher for sugarcane and oilseeds, compared to the year-ago period. The uneven spread of the June to September south-west monsoon, which waters over half of the Kharif crop area, has led to lower plantings for some crops, including rice.
So far the monsoon has seen a deficit of 11% compared to the normal or 50-year average, with the highest deficiency in rice-growing states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam and Manipur. Rice, the main Kharif crop, has been planted in 30.8 million hectares so far, about 2.8% lower than the 31.7 million hectares last year.
Deficit rains in states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra is likely to impact productivity of cotton. So far, cotton has been planted in 11.2 million hectares, 3.8% lower than the 11.7 million hectares a year ago.
Among pulses, plantings are higher for moong and lower for long duration varieties such as urad and arhar. Overall, planting of different pulses are 2.9% lower year on year, while area under coarse grains is 3.3% less than last year.
Two major crops where plantings are significantly higher are soybean and sugarcane. Planting of soybean and sugarcane is 9% and 1.5% higher, respectively, than last year.
While uneven rains were unlikely to make any significant dents in aggregate foodgrain production, it could possibly spike farm distress in parts of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
Rice stocks decline as of July 1
August 10, 2018 | 7:19 pm
Description: NFA ricePHILSTAR
RICE STOCKS as of the start of July were estimated at 1.99 million metric tons (MT), down year-on-year and month-on-month, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
PSA’s Rice and Corn Stocks Inventory report released on Friday showed stocks as of July 1 were 15.21% lower from 2.35 million MT a year ago and 15.68% down from the previous month’s 2.36 million MT inventory.
Household stocks made up 49.85% of the total inventories, followed by warehouses with a 47.47% share. The National Food Authority (NFA) cornered the remaining 2.68%, with 48.78% of its stocks from rice imports.
The rice stocks as of July 1 are considered sufficient for about 62 days, a drop from last June 1 when stocks were deemed sufficient for nearly 74 days.However, unlike last month when NFA’s stocks could barely last a day, the agency’s latest inventory is estimated to last for about a day on the back of the ongoing unloading of imported rice, which has been hampered by poor weather.
The NFA is mandated to maintain at least 15 days’ worth of buffer stock at any given time and at least 30 days’ worth of buffer stock for lean months, which starts every July.All three sectors posted year-on-year drops, with the NFA recording the sharpest at 65.60%. The commercial sector’s stocks dropped 21.12%, while household inventories slid 0.24%.
Likewise, corn stocks as of July 1 stood at 480,860 MT, lower by 29.66% year-on-year and 18.78% month-on-month.Corn inventory declined year-on-year in all three sectors. Household stocks slid 7.03%, while commercial and NFA stocks dropped 31.42% and 100%, respectively.
Month-on-month, the PSA reported a 22.88% drop in commercial warehouse corn stocks which offset the 29.25% increase in household stocks. — A.G.A. Mogato


Red Cross warns of food crisis in North Korea as crops fail in heat


FILE PHOTO: North Korean farm in the field, along the Yalu River, in Sakchu county, North Phyongan Province, North Korea, June 20, 2015. REUTERS/Jacky Chen
The world’s largest disaster relief network warned of a risk of a “full-blown food security crisis” in the isolated country, where a famine in the mid-1990s killed up to three million people. It said the worrying situation had been exacerbated by international sanctions imposed due to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.In a statement issued in Geneva, the IFRC said there had been no rainfall since early July as temperatures soared to an average 39 Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) across the country, whose official name is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The next rain was expected in mid-August.

The population of 25 million is already stressed and vulnerable with malnutrition among children that could worsen, stunting their growth, it said.“This is not yet classified as a drought, but rice, maize and other crops are already withering in the fields, with potentially catastrophic effects for the people of DPRK,” said Joseph Muyamboit, the IFRC’s program manager in Pyongyang.“We cannot and must not let this situation become a full-blown food security crisis. We know that previous serious dry spells have disrupted the food supply to a point where it has caused serious health problems and malnutrition across the country.”North Korea called last week for an “all-out battle” against the record temperatures threatening crops, referring to an “unprecedented natural disaster”.
Drought and floods have long been a seasonal threat in North Korea, which lacks irrigation systems and other infrastructure to ward off natural disasters.In Seoul, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said it had no specific information on the situation in the north, but that the Red Cross had notified them of the heat wave last week.The IFRC was helping the national Red Cross to support 13,700 of the most vulnerable people at risk, in South Hamgyong and South Pyongan provinces. It had deployed emergency response teams and 20 water pumps to irrigate fields in the hardest-hit areas, it said.David Beasley, the head of the U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP), visited North Korea in May to look into boosting food distributions to hungry women and children, in the latest sign of an opening.About 70 percent of North Koreans are “food insecure”, meaning they struggle to avoid hunger, and one in four children under five is stunted from chronic malnutrition, the WFP said at the time. A 2015 drought worsened the situation, it said.
Reporting and writing by Stephanie Nebehay; additional reporting by Josh Smith in Seoul; Editing by Catherine Evans

Death toll rises to 29 as Kerala remains under water

Description: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/incoming/teptdl/article24659501.ece/alternates/WIDE_660/aluvajpg
An aerial view of the flooding in Aluva. As heavy rain continued to lash Kerala, and water levels in reservoirs rose, all the shutters of the Idukki dam were opened on Friday   -  PTI

 

All rivers in the State in spate; 54,000 left homeless

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUGUST 10
Dam reservoirs and rivers overflowed, sections of highways collapsed and homes were swept away in severe flooding in more than half of Kerala, after days of incessant rain left nearly 54,000 people homeless and killed at least 29, officials said on Friday.
Five columns of the Army were deployed in the State’s seven severely-hit northern districts, out of Kerala’s 14, to help evacuate people and to build makeshift bridges even as the Navy’s Southern Command was put on alert after water level in the Periyar river rose amid concern that parts of Wellingdon Island in Kochi could be inundated.
Casualties
Almost all 40-odd rivers in the State are in spate, officials said.
Northern and central Kerala have been battered by heavy rains since August 8, which has left 29 people dead, including three today. Of them, 25 died in landslides and four in drowning. State officials said a total of 53,501 people are now housed in 439 relief camps across the State.
Tourists were barred from entering the hilly Idukki district after roads caved in at many places.
Army engineers are building small bridges to evacuate people stranded at various places in Kozhikode and Wayanad.
Red alert in Idukki
A red alert was issued for Idukki and its adjoining districts in view of the possibility of release of more water from the Idukki reservoir.
At least 50 tourists, including 24 foreigners, stranded at the Plum Judy resort at Munnar since Wednesday were rescued and taken to safer places, State Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said.
People living downstream of the Periyar river in Kochi, and the Cheruthoni river in Idukki have been alerted. Water levels had crossed the maximum storage capacity of 24 reservoirs out of the State’s 58 dams, forcing officials to release water from them, including three of the Idukki reservoir.
Description: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/hi8l7j/article24659491.ece/alternates/FREE_615/BL11STATESCHERUTHONI
The fifth shutter of the Cheruthoni dam in Idukki was opened on Friday

All five shutters of the Cheruthoni dam, part of the Idukki reservoir, the biggest arch dam in Asia, were opened today. One shutter was opened yesterday after a gap of 26 years; the fifth was opened after 40 years.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reviewed the flood situation and relief works being undertaken by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the NDRF in the morning.
Due to the increase in the water level at Idukki dam, “it is essential to release water three times more than what was being released now,” Vijayan said, adding that this will lead to rise in the water levels of the Periyar river and its tributaries. He appealed to people to be vigilant.
Vijayan has cancelled all his public functions till August 12, and will monitor the situation from the State capital.
Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons Kannamthanam said he discussed the flood situation in Kerala with Home Minister Rajnath Singh this morning. Singh also spoke with Vijayan, and will make an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Sunday.
Central help
“The Government of India is providing all the required assistance, including the services of the armed forces, disaster management team and other required assistance. Any other immediate assistance requested by the Government of Kerala will be provided,” Alphons said in a Facebook post.
Colonel Ajai Sharma, Commandant of DSC Centre, who is overseeing relief and rescue operations, said five columns of the Army have been deployed in the northern districts since last night.
Small bridges have been constructed to evacuate stranded people in various places in Kozhikode and Wayanad areas, and rescue operations are currently under way. “The situation is under control,” he said.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/death-toll-rises-to-29-as-kerala-remains-under-water/article24659492.ece
/ A DAY AGO
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- AUG 10, 2018
Reuters Staff
AUGUST 10, 2018 / 2:22 PM
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-August 10, 2018

Nagpur, Aug 10 (Reuters) – Gram and Tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on lack of demand from local millers amid high moisture
content arrival. Downward trend in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and release of stock from
stockists also pushed down prices.
About 300 bags of desi gram and 250 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, 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 and tuar Karnataka recovered in open market here on renewed demand
      from local traders. 

    * Batri dal prices moved down in open market on poor demand from local trader.
                                                                           
   * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,950-4,025, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,700-5,850, Udid Mogar (clean)
    – 6,900-7,600, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,300-8,100, Gram – 4,050-4,100, Gram Super best
    – 5,200-5,300

   * 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                  3,550-4,000         3,600-4,080
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                3,400-3,800         3,400-3,850
     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        1,850-1,952         1,900-2,000
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,000-6,200        6,000-6,200
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            5,600-5,800        5,600-5,800
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            4,150-4,250        4,150-4,250
     Desi gram Raw                4,150-4,250         4,150-4,250
     Gram Kabuli                8,000-10,000        8,000-10,000
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             6,000-6,200        6,000-6,200
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        5,700-5,900        5,700-5,900
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        5,500-5,750        5,500-5,750
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        5,200-5,450        5,200-5,450
     Tuar Gavarani New             4,050-4,150        4,000-4,100
     Tuar Karnataka             4,450-4,550        4,400-4,500
     Masoor dal best            4,900-5,200        4,900-5,200
     Masoor dal medium            4,700-4,800        4,700-4,800
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold (New)        7,500-8,500         7,500-8,200
     Moong Mogar Medium            6,500-7,300        6,500-7,300
     Moong dal Chilka New            5,800-6,500        5,800-6,500
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            7,500-8,500        7,500-8,500
     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 6,800-8,000       6,800-8,000
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    5,000-5,500        5,000-5,500   
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        4,200-4,500        4,200-4,500    
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,500-5,700        5,600-5,800
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          3,600-3,700         3,600-3,700
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            5,000-5,100        5,000-5,100
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    5,300-5,600        5,300-5,600  
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        2,000-2,100        2,000-2,100
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    2,000-2,050        2,000-2,050  
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         2,250-2,400           2,250-2,400        
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,400-2,500        2,350-2,450   
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,150-2,350        2,100-2,300
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,800        3,200-3,800   
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,400-2,800        2,400-2,800          
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)        2,100-2,200        2,100-2,200
     Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)        3,400-3,800        3,400-3,800   
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,800-3,000        2,800-2,900       
     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,800-3,000        2,800-3,000     
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,600-2,800        2,600-2,800  
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      2,500-2,600        2,500-2,600    
     Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)        4,000-4,400        4,000-4,400    
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        3,600-3,900        3,600-3,900       
     Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)      5,200-5,500        5,200-5,500
     Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)    4,500-4,800        4,500-4,800      
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,500-14,000        9,500-14,000    
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    5,000-7,500        5,000-7,500   
     Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)    6,600-7,000        6,500-7,000   
     Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)    6,200-6,400        6,100-6,300       
     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. 29.3 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 24.6 degree Celsius
Rainfall : 1.2 mm
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and
minimum temperature would be around and 29 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)