Wednesday, July 17, 2019

17th July,2019 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

PBHA, PAD hold seminar on Basmati rice

July 17, 2019
Description: PBHA, PAD hold seminar on Basmati rice
LAHORE   -   Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) in collaboration of the Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) recently arranged an awareness seminar named ‘Khuhaal Kissan’ for the promotion and preservation of basmati rice heritage of the country. Punjab Minister for Agriculture Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial speaking on this occasion appreciated the efforts of PBHA and assured that the government will continue its efforts for the improvement of rice sector and welfare of the farmers. Throwing light on various steps being taken by the Punjab government for the development of the agricultue sector, the Minister said that the rice is not only needed for our food requirement but it also helps the country to fetch foreign exchange through exports. He further said that various schemes have been introduced for bringing down the cost of production and increasing profit of the growers.
Pakistan Agriculture Coalition CEO Arif Nadeem addressing the farmers, spoke about farm mechanization through service provider model in Sindh and roadmap for taking rice exports from $2B to $5B. Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Marketing & Regulatory Authority (PAMRA) Naveed Anwar Bhindar also shared the benefits and future impact of PAMRA. Hundreds of rice farmers and key members of PBHA participated in the seminar. While moderating the Seminar, National Coordinator PBHA Imran Sheikh deliberated the challenges of rice sector especially basmati rice in Punjab. Convener PBHA Shahid Hussain Tarar shared the mission & objectives of PBHA and agreed action plan for promotion and preservation of Basmati rice in production and export. He further advised the farmers to adopt global rice

standard of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) of UNE & IRRI for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability by ensuring food safety.

Seminar to promote, preserve basmati rice heritage held

·      RECORDER REPORT

·      JUL 17TH, 2019

·      LAHORE
Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) in collaboration of the Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) recently arranged an awareness seminar "Khushal Kissan" for promotion and preservation of basmati rice heritage of the country.

Punjab Minister for Agriculture Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial speaking on this occasion appreciated the efforts of PBHA and assured that the government will continue its efforts for the improvement of rice sector and welfare of the farmers.

Throwing light on various steps being taken by the government for the development of the agricultural sector, the minister said that the rice is not only needed for our food requirement but also help the country to fetch precious foreign exchange through exports.

He said that various schemes have been introduced for bringing down the cost of production and increasing profit of the growers.

Arif Nadeem CEO Pakistan Agriculture Coalition addressing the farmers spoke about farm mechanization through service provider model in Sindh and roadmap for taking rice exports from $2B-$5B. Naveed Anwar Bhindar Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Marketing & Regulatory Authority (PAMRA) shared the benefits and future impact of PAMRA.

Hundreds of rice farmers and key members of PBHA participated in the seminar. While moderating the Seminar Imran Sheikh National Coordinator PBHA deliberated the challenges of rice sector especially basmati rice in Punjab.

Shahid Hussain Tarer, Convener PBHA shared the mission & objectives of Pakistan Basmati Heritage Association (PBHA) and agreed action plan for promotion and preservation of basmati rice in production and export. He advised the farmers to adopt global rice standard of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) of UNE & IRRI for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability by ensuring food safety.

Dr Abid Mahmood, DG Research advised the farmers to use certified seed because it will serve as foundation for increasing yield and quality of basmati rice. Dr Anjum Ali Buttar DG Agri Extension shared Prime Minister's agriculture emergency program and appreciated the initiative of PBHA for providing healthy and certified seed on subsidized rate to the farmers.

Rana Nazir Ahmed, former MNA and progressive farmer shared his experience on mechanical rice transplanting and direct seeding of rice.

He advised the farmers to adopt farm mechanization for improving their yield and reducing cost of production.

Shehla Raza, MPA Gujranwala also shared her experience and thoughts for betterment of rice sector.

Professor Dr Ahfaq Ahmad Chattha University of Agri Faisalabad highlighted the impact of climate change on basmati rice and advised the farmers to adjust date of sowing for adapting climate change scenario. Dr Afzal, Country Director CropLife advised the farmers for responsible use of pesticides and its importance for boosting rice export of Pakistan.

Devaluation is not the answer for Pakistan

Published: July 17, 2019
Description: PHOTO: REUTERS
Currency devaluation helps those countries which have a large industrial base or have a substantial export-based economy, where the high valuation of local currency makes them less competitive. Devaluation in such cases makes their products and prices more competitive in the international marketplace.
The devaluation of approximately 32% of the Pakistani Rupee has had no impact on the growth of exports in dollars. Stagnant export statistics are a case in point. The rise in energy prices due to devaluation has increased prices across the board. The increase in foreign debt, in rupees, and its servicing has been the same as devaluation, putting additional pressures on the economy and the government’s budget-making, taking out a major chunk from the 2019-20 budget, leaving very little for development funding.
The main reason for the lack of growth in exports is the decline in industrial base and conversion of the economy to a consumer-based import economy. In the 1960s, Pakistan probably had a larger industrial base as a ratio to GDP than today. Over the last 30 years, balance of payments deficit has been filled mostly by remittances from hardworking overseas Pakistanis and through foreign loans. The import/export gap of nearly $40 billion in its last year alone consumed almost the entire foreign exchange reserves. Even the foreign loans could not help better the economic situation.
Devaluation has also hit Pakistan’s automobile industry. Plants are shutting down temporarily as slow sales are leaving vehicles unsold. The automobile industry, with nearly three million direct and indirect jobs in the country, has been one of the largest job creators, tax contributor to the exchequer and a major contributor to the country’s economy. So much so that one of the largest automobile producers in the world is considering making Pakistan a production hub for exports to the Middle East and Central Asia. But devaluation and its knock-on effect on import duties, sales tax, etc. is killing the automobile industry. If immediate steps are not taken to address this situation, a substantial number of jobs could be lost. While the government should immediately reduce import duties and sales taxes on CKD imports to save the auto industry before job losses incur and industry profits disappear. A delay in taking action could cost the country dearly.
At this point, Pakistan has little room to wiggle for rupee revaluation to reduce the cost of living for the common man. An urgent plan is needed to increase industrial production in the next two years to give a major boost to export. Once exports rise significantly, even the IMF will be more flexible on rupee valuation.
A rapid development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC is probably the answer. Major investment from China and other countries in SEZs could lift Pakistan exports rapidly, provided the industries set up are not for import into Pakistan but are substantially export based.
China imports hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of food items each year. Pakistan has a surplus in wheat, rice, sugar, fruits and other agricultural products which can be readily exported to China. But this will require standardising, grading and proper packing of food and fruits. The quick implementation of agreements already in place with China to help boost agricultural output would help increase food and fruit exports rapidly. Expansion and increase in industrial output of current industrial base, rapid development, the up and running of SEZs and a significant increase in agricultural output will help Pakistan double or triple exports over the next few years.
It is a fallacy that devaluation will help increase exports without a corresponding increase in industrial and agricultural output. Instead of devaluation, Pakistan needs to increase its exports exponentially and eliminate the trade deficit leaving the remittances to be utilised for the repayment of foreign loans.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2019.



District Price Control Committee Finalises Edibles' Rates

 (@ChaudhryMAli88)  
Description: District price control committee finalises edibles' rates


Deputy Commissioner Salwat Saeed has said that provision of edibles on the government fixed rates was a responsibility of the state and the local administration, adding that no one would be allowed to sell edibles at their own rates

SARGODHA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 16th Jul, 2019 ) :Deputy Commissioner Salwat Saeed has said that provision of edibles on the government fixed rates was a responsibility of the state and the local administration, adding that no one would be allowed to sell edibles at their own rates.
Chairing a meeting of the district price control committee here, she said that no check and balance was maintained on the wholesale dealers in the past. The market rates would be decided by the government now so that relief could be provided to people, she added.
She said that the administration would ensure that price lists are issued in urdu and English languages. The shopkeepers would be bound to display these lists on prominent points at their shops.
The DC, taking notice of sale of chemical mixed milk in markets, directed the officials concerned to take action in this regard.
According to the government fixed rates, the prices of per kilogramme Basmati rice has been decided Rs 133, Basmati Rice-386 Rs 68, Daal Channa Rs 103 and 96, Daal Moong 106 and 93, Daal Maash (washed) Rs 148, Daal Moong (washed) Rs 148 per kg.
The price of Mutton fixed at Rs 700 per kg, meat Rs 350 per kg, Baisan Rs 103 per kg, Tandoori Roti 100-gram Rs 7 and simple Naan (100-gram) Rs 9.
The price of White Channa (local) Rs 102 per kg, Milk Rs 70 per litre, yogurt Rs 80 per kg, red chilli Rs 330 kg and Masoor Rs 82 per kg.
She directed the price control magistrates to ensure implementation of the prices and weight of Roti and Naan and also take action against those violating the instructions.
Mechanization transforms Caraga farms
By DA CaragaPublished on July 17, 2019
BUTUAN CITY, July 17 -- Agricultural modernization is one of the key interventions of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to support the farmers and make them more competitive in an open rice market.
The DA-Caraga through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) turned over the 110 units of mechanical rice transplanters to 110 eligible farmer associations and cooperatives from the different provinces in the region with a total worth of ₱30.4 million last July 12 at the DA-Integrated Laboratories Compound, Brgy. Taguibo, Butuan City.
RCEF is a safeguard mechanism of the Rice Liberalization Law wherein ₱10 Billion annual appropriations for the next six years, will be allocated to rice farm machinery and equipment, rice seed development, propagation, and promotion and expanded rice credit.
Description: https://files.pia.gov.ph/source/2019/07/16/da2.jpg
Just in time for the year's first cropping season, DA responds to the call of the rice farmers to make their farming more productive and less laborious by granting them with modern farm facilities. Mechanizing rice farms maximizes land and labor productivity thereby increasing the economic returns to rice farmers.
"DA is distributing first the mechanical rice transplanters so that our farmers will now take charge of their planting schedule and not be dependent on seasonal labors," said DA-Caraga Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Alberto D. Ocampo, Jr.
"Aside from it, we wanted to reduce their workload through the use of the machine. This intervention is for free for eligible farmer groups. Mechanizing our rice farms in the region is our way to reduce their production cost at the same time increase their yield," he added.
According to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), the average cost of production of rice in the country is ₱12.00 per kilogram. With this, DA and its partner agencies aim to bring it down to ₱8 per kilogram through agricultural modernization.
Description: https://files.pia.gov.ph/source/2019/07/16/da4.jpg
"The labor cost during planting season is becoming more expensive it costs us ₱6,000-₱7,000 excluding the pulling of seedlings, aside from the planting contract, laborers also demand free meals," said Felisa C. Hambala, Chairperson, Bayugan 3 Irrigators Association one of the recipients from Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
"We are very thankful to the government that they give attention to our needs because through their assistance labor cost in our farming will reduce," added Hambala.
The PhilMech study revealed with the use of the machine, it can give a yield of 4.71MT/ha compared to the 4.24MT/ha using the direct seeding method and 3.90MT/ha for manual transplanting.
"We are encouraging our farmers to make use of the interventions that they receive from the DA.  The recipients should ensure the safety of the equipment while in their custody and optimize its utilization," said RTD Ocampo.
Necessary operations and management training were also conducted to the beneficiaries to ensure proper and efficient use of the equipment which also includes seedling preparation.
Ultimately, it is the Department's commitment to transform Caraga farmers to become more productive and competitive through strengthened access and use of efficient mechanized rice farming technologies. (Rhea Abao, DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)


Philippine Farmers Seek Review of Rice Law as Prices Plunge

By 
Ditas B Lopez
 and 
Cecilia Yap
 Updated on July 17, 2019, 6:29 AM GMT+5

As rice prices plunge, farmers in the Philippines are asking President Rodrigo Duterte to review a 5-month-old law that paved the way for unlimited imports of the staple grain, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said.
Rice prices at the farm gate dropped to 12-14 pesos ($0.24-$0.27) a kilo from 20 pesos earlier this year, Pinol said on his Facebook account. That would result in an annual loss of about 114 billion pesos ($2.24 billion) for Filipino rice farmers, he said.
The law, signed in February, removed caps on rice imports and boosted supply of the stable grain. The measure was intended to help cool inflation, which in 2018 accelerated to the fastest pace in nine years and triggered one of the most aggressive monetary tightening responses in Asia.
Rough-rice output in the second quarter probably fell 5.6% from a year ago to 3.86 million metric tons, the statistics agency said in a report.

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