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Magtanim ay 'di
biro
Editorial cartoon by Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 10
2019 06:04 PM | Updated as of Sep 10 2019 08:48 PM
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“Magtanim ay ’di biro
Maghapong nakayuko
’Di man lang makatayo
'Di man lang makaupo."
Maghapong nakayuko
’Di man lang makatayo
'Di man lang makaupo."
Indeed, planting rice in the Philippines has never been fun to
most Filipino rice farmers, as the popular folk song goes.
And that's because we failed to modernize rice farming in the
Philippines. The problems now being traced to the Rice Tariffication Law have
been there for years, so it would be wrong to blame this new law for the
decades-old problems in the rice sector.
Rice production hasn't been able to keep up with our relatively
high population growth, resulting in the Philippines becoming the world's
largest rice importer in recent years.
The Rice Tariffication Law comes with a P10-billion Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), but this may have come a little too
late.
With the entry of cheaper imported rice (even with 35 percent
tariff), local palay
prices have dropped in several
areas, causing hardship to Filipino rice farmers and their families.
While the Rice Tariffication Law may turn out to be a loss to
over 2 million Filipino rice farmers, it is turning out to be a boon to the
over 100 million Filipino rice consumers. Inflation dropped to 1.7 percent in August, the
slowest in 3 years partly because of low food prices.
Some economists suggest that the Rice Tariffication Law should
be given more time. They say it may just be what the country needs to finally
modernize its rice sector.
Unless we build the physical and social infrastructure needed to
make our rice farms competitive--irrigation, mechanization, farm-to-market
roads, farmers' training, strong cooperatives, drying facilities, marketing
support, efficient bureaucracy, we will always be singing the same old, poor
farmer song.
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modernization
Villar
wants rice farmers to avail of 4Ps benefits
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To help ease
difficulties faced by Filipino farmers with the transition to the ‘tariffied’
rice importation regime, Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said that the
Department of Social Welfare and Development can use the P28-billion rice
subsidy under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to buy rice from
local farmers.
Villar, chairperson of
the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said this can be realized if the DSWD
would revisit a proposal to provide actual rice to the government’s conditional
cash transfer program beneficiaries.
Aside from health and
education grants, she said 4Ps household-beneficiaries are entitled to a
20-kilo rice subsidy per month but were given cash instead of rice.
“Last year, this
proposal was shelved because of logistical requirements,” said Villar.
But the senator said
she wants the DSWD to take another look at this especially now that they are looking
for ways to help our farmers to cope up with the transition phase of the Rice
Tariffication Law.
“Perhaps, even if it’s
difficult, let’s do this to help them,” said Villar.
The Nacionalista Party
senator said if the proposal pushes through, local farmers will now have a
market for their rice produce and will be cushioned by the effects of the entry
of cheaper rice imports.
“I hope, given our
situation now, our government will be more receptive of this proposal as we
wait for the full benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law to be felt by the
local industry,” Villar said.
Republic Act 11203,
which took effect in March this year, replaced the quantitative restriction on
the importation of rice with tariffs, which is collected to fund the
P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
Among the benefits
local farmers will get from the full and proper implementation of the law is
increased productivity and incomes through farm mechanization, production of
inbred seeds, access to cheap credit and improved skills.
Last year, a plan was
devised where local farmers will produce rice for 4Ps beneficiaries in their
community.
Rice will be available
from the ‘Bigasan ng Bayan’ which the Department of Ariculture will open within
the area, doing away with transport costs.
Villar has been
advocating for a CCT program tied up with agriculture like what is being done
in Thailand.
"In Thailand,
they require 6 million school children to drink 200 ml. of milk everyday, which
brought up their dairy industry," Villar said.
Villar said she hopes
DSWD would look beyond the logistical difficulties and give more weight to the
potential benefits it would bring to farmers.
FSII urges adoption of hybrid rice to increase rice productivity
New Delhi
[India] September 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): Federation of Seed Industry of India
(FSII) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized a seminar on 'Seed
Technology Innovation for Sustainable Rice Production' in New Delhi today.
The
objective of the seminar was to discuss ways to enhance rice productivity
sustainably and improve farmers' profitability in India. Union Minister of
State for Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare, Kailash Choudhary was present at
the event.
Other
eminent guests present at the event were Dr Prem Kumar, Minister of
Agriculture, Government of Bihar, Dr SK Malhotra, Agriculture Commissioner,
Government of India and VK Gaur, Chairman and Managing Director, National Seed
Corporation. Other participants at the event were senior government officials,
farmer organizations scientists and industry representatives.
Rice is one
of the primary crops of India and is therefore critical to increase its
productivity. Among the rice-growing countries in the world, India has the
largest area under paddy - 43.86 million hectares and ranks second by producing
163 MT (million tonnes) just next to China which holds the first position and
produces 203 MT.
In India, up
to 25 per cent of yield losses in rice crop are due to the disease and insect
pest infestation. Further, low planting density, poor agronomic practices, and
weed management, low seed replacement rate etc are also leading to low rice
productivity.
The major
challenge is however posed by its production; one kg of rice requires 2000-3000
litres of water. Therefore, average water inputs for India's rice production of
163 MT stands at 327 thousand billion litres. Since 90 per cent of the
cultivated land in India belongs to marginal, small and medium farmers, it is
essential for the country to make effective technologies and processes
available to them.
Deliberations
at the seminar brought forward the need for long-term research investments in
bringing more productive hybrids with improved grain characters, strengthen
seed production systems by geographic diversification and take up more
intensive promotion of hybrid in new areas through PPP mode. Further, the State
Government's support is also essential to increase acreage under hybrid rice in
all states.
"Government
is always thinking about finding ways to increase the income of farmers, as
they do not get the requisite timely profits due to multiple issues. Farmer
awareness regarding new technology and techniques is essential to realize the
benefits in this sector. We also need to work together to change the perception
of the farming profession. Farming needs to be branded in a way that more
youngsters are interested in taking up agriculture as a profession", said
Kailash Choudhary.
"Growing
rice is very expensive in India and we have not been able to reach our full
potential due to several limitations. Support through policies will facilitate
the adoption of technologies and sustainable practices to achieve our goal of
doubling farmer's income", said Dr M Ramasami, Chairman, FSII.
"Hybrid
rice is one of the most feasible and practically adaptable approaches for the
farmers as it gives 20-35 per cent additional yield and is environmentally
sustainable. It requires less water and nitrogen as they grow in short
duration, are stress-tolerant and are better adapted in rainfed conditions.
Hybrids have been key in increasing productivity of maize and cotton in India
but not in rice so far", said Ram Kaundinya, Director General, FSII.
"Technologies
like Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) also hold tremendous benefits. It can cultivate
rice in a sustainable manner by reducing water inputs, labour costs and can
increase yields. For example, farmers use on an average 50 litres/acre of
diesel for transplanting rice in the northern region. DSR gives an opportunity
to save approximately 15 litres/ha of diesel consumption by eliminating
puddling operations in the northern region alone", said Dr Shivendra
Bajaj, Executive Director, FSII.
India's
agricultural exports have increased from Rs 2,15,396 crores in 2015-16 to Rs
2,50,273 crores in the financial year 2017-18 registering a growth of nearly
16.19 per cent. This success can be primarily attributed to the higher exports
of rice (both basmati and non-basmati) followed by raw cotton, oil meals,
castor oil, etc. To surpass these records while growing rice sustainably,
farmers will have to adopt and given access to new technologies and
advancements in the field.
This story
is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content
of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Singapore’s
imports of Thai rice 'easily met' by alternative sources but climate change
could affect food security
image:
data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==
A Thai farmer
stands in a paddy field that was hit by drought. (File photo: AFP)
10 Sep 2019 06:18AM (Updated: 10 Sep 2019 05:58PM)
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SINGAPORE:
Singapore’s imports of Thai rice can be easily met by alternative sources, said
the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in response to CNA queries about
recent reports of severe droughts in Thailand that had affected rice production
there.
“Singapore’s
demand for rice is very small compared to total global rice production. For example,
we account for only 1.2 per cent, 1.2 per cent and 0.6 per cent of Thailand,
Vietnam and India’s total rice exports in 2018 respectively,” an MTI spokesman
told CNA.
“Over the years,
we have been deliberate in our diversification strategy. Besides Thailand,
Vietnam and India, we also import rice from Myanmar, Cambodia, Japan and the
US. Some of these source countries, such as the US, are less affected by
domestic shortages and will alleviate any shortages from other source
countries.”
READ: When the rain
doesn’t come: Thailand in grip of severe drought as monsoon season fails to
deliver
WATCH: Thailand’s rice
producers look to diversify income | Video
According to MTI,
the Rice Stockpile Scheme (RSS) ensures an adequate supply of rice in the
market during supply disruption, and all white rice, basmati rice, ponni rice
and parboiled rice are classified as stockpile-grade rice.
“Importers are
required to store two months’ worth of imports in government-designated
warehouses,” said the spokesman.
An NTUC FairPrice
spokesman told CNA that socio-economic factors and unfavourable weather
conditions have affected supply and prices of rice from Thailand over the past
year.
The spokesman
said FairPrice has limited the price increase over the past year to about
5 per cent on average, across its range of housebrand rice from
Thailand.
“This is due to
various strategies such as stockpiling and forward buying to protect consumers
from supply and price fluctuations.”
NTUC FairPrice
also imports rice from Vietnam, India, Australia, USA, Pakistan,
Japan and Cambodia, said the spokesman.
The supermarket
chain has seen “growing acceptance” from its customers for rice from countries
other than Thailand.
“For example, the
sales mix for Thai rice had decreased from about 90 per cent 10 years ago
compared to about 75 per cent today. Concurrently, we have seen increased
popularity of rice from Vietnam, which makes up about 15 per cent of our rice
sales today,” the spokesman added.
READ: Singapore aims to produce
30% of its nutritional needs by 2030, up from less than 10%
READ: Floating rice: The
climate-resilient alternative for Cambodia’s food production
For now,
consumers in Singapore can still cope with some price increases because of the
country's relatively higher household incomes compared to most other
countries, said Professor Paul Teng, adjunct senior fellow of food security in
the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological
University.
But the big
threat to Singapore’s food security comes when large importing countries like
China and Indonesia also suffer shortages in their food (rice) production, he
added.
“They will be in
the market then to import huge volumes of rice and take up almost all that is
available in the marketplace.”
Only a small
amount of rice, or 7 to 10 per cent of total global production, is traded, so
any natural or man-made phenomenon that reduces rice production in main rice
exporting countries like India, Vietnam and Thailand has implications, said
Prof Teng.
“Importing
countries like Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia will all be competing for
the reduced amount of rice. The problem is exacerbated if rice crops in the big
importing countries like Indonesia and the Philippines are also affected by
climate change and production in those countries are also reduced,” he added.
FOOD SECURITY VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
The Singapore
Food Agency (SFA) noted that the country's food security is vulnerable to
global driving forces and trends, such as population growth, rising
urbanisation and incomes, disease outbreaks, resource scarcity and
increasingly, climate change.
“Singapore
imports over 90 per cent of our food. We are exposed to global price and supply
fluctuations as well as threats of food supply disruption and food
contamination internationally,” said an SFA spokesman.
“These vulnerabilities
will become more acute overtime; as global crop and fishery yields are
estimated to decline with the changing climate.”
Citing January
2018 when Malaysia’s leafy vegetable production was affected by a monsoon, the
spokesman said Singapore’s supply of vegetables from Malaysia decreased by
about 20 per cent as compared to the same period the year before. According to
the SFA, Malaysia supplied about 70 per cent of Singapore’s total leafy
vegetable import in 2017.
“Nevertheless,
there was no significant impact to Singapore as importers have alternative
sources like Thailand and China that were not affected by the monsoon to meet
local demand and stabilise supply,” said the SFA spokesman.
READ: Land parcels in Lim
Chu Kang awarded for vegetable, quail egg farming: AVA
READ: Typhoon Mangkhut
destroys rice, corn and fish – but what has this got to do with Singapore?
Aside from
diversification, the spokesman said SFA also focuses on growing local produce
as well as overseas.
“Local production
will help mitigate our reliance on imports and serve as a buffer during supply
disruptions to import sources. Our agri-food industry needs to transform into
one that is highly productive and employs climate-resilient and sustainable
technologies,” said the spokesman.
“We envisage
farming to become more like manufacturing – where production takes place within
a controlled environment with a defined input. The result is an assured and
consistent output, and a predictable way to address the effects of climate
change and extreme weather.”
Venturing
overseas also opens up new markets and helps local farms overcome land
constraints, said the SFA spokesman.
“Produce from
local farms, which are established overseas could also be exported back to
Singapore, contributing to our food security.”
Prof Teng said
“time-tested actions” like building stockpiles, diversification, farming
overseas and technology-enabled indoor farming of selected food types in
Singapore could boost food security.
He noted that the
government could put early warning systems for food insecurity based on
monitoring and computer modeling, to give Singapore a head start on sourcing
for supplies.
“It is also
imaginable that indoor farms to enable more community-based farming be
supported by the government so that more citizens take ownership of their food
security for some food items,” he added.
Prof Teng noted
that in the longer term, climate change will affect the types of crops and
animals that Singapore’s traditional food sources can grow, as well as the
nutritive value of the exported food.
As for rice, he
believes the real problem will surface when total global rice production has
decreased due to climate change, but rice consumption continues to increase due
to population growth and more people switching to eating rice, away from their
traditional foods like taro, maize and plantain.
For alternatives,
Prof Teng said wheat and potato are better for the environment as they require
less water to produce the same amount, compared to rice.
“In the longer term, while rice remains the preferred
staple food for most Singaporeans, it may behoove us to consider reducing our
per capita consumption of rice and replace it with more wheat and potato.”
Source: CNA/hw
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-imports-of-thai-rice-easily-met-by-alternative-11887182https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-imports-of-thai-rice-easily-met-by-alternative-11887182
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-imports-of-thai-rice-easily-met-by-alternative-11887182https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-imports-of-thai-rice-easily-met-by-alternative-11887182
TCP plans setting up rice
cleaning, processing mills in Karachi
KARACHI: The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has planned to
setup rice cleaning, processing and milling units in Karachi in partnership
with the private sector, an official said.
“In this regard, TCP would provide cemented buildings and
structures at National Highway and Landhi Industrial Area to the interested
parties on rental basis,” the official said. Trading in rice both in domestic
and international markets has become more quality conscious, even in the local
markets buyers now demand quality rice.
“In order to meet the challenges under the WTO (World Trade
Organisation) regime, it is now very essential for the country to put together
its rice production and marketing strategies to match the demand of the
international markets,” the official said.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the
country’s overall rice exports in the year ended June 30, 2019 clocked in at
$2.069 billion, up 1.67 percent against the exports of $2.035 billion in the
previous year. Some 537,133 tons basmati rice and 3.545 million tons other
varieties of rice were exported from the country. Pakistan earned $2.074
billion in FY19 up from $ 2.035 billion, showing 2 percent compared to last
year.
Rice is Pakistan’s third largest crop in terms of area sown, after
wheat and cotton. About 11 percent of Pakistan’s total agricultural area is
under rice. Pakistan is a leading producer and exporter of Basmati and IRRI
rice (white long grain rice). Rice ranks second among the staple food grain
crops in Pakistan and exports are a major source of foreign exchange earnings.
The country grows a relatively high quality of rice to fulfil
domestic and export demand. Traditionally, 40 to 45 percent of the crop is used
for local consumption, with the balance exported.
According to a report issued by the Trade Development Authority of
Pakistan (TDAP), the milling industry made significant investments in
state-of-the art processing machinery, but Pakistan exports most of its rice in
bulk with no modern packaging and branding.
“Export companies could be doing more to develop brands and a more
significant presence in foreign markets,” the TDAP report said. The export
industry was comprised of a large number of relatively small firms which were
often family-run and accustomed to traditional trading practices.
“However, that is changing and Pakistan’s rice exporters are
becoming increasingly active advocates for their industry and their trade
interests. With time, the industry is expected to adopt more strategic and
brand-based approaches to rice exporting,” it concluded.
Rice: An
Essential Ingredient of Sabor USA
GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA --
Last week, USA Rice made headlines here at the annual Sabor USA event that
brings together U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service
(FAS) cooperators to promote U.S. ag products. This year, 21 cooperators
participated in the event that ranged from California wines to U.S. rice.
The event was strategically located in the middle of Plaza Cayala and drew large crowds from a nearby marathon. The atmosphere was cheerful and energetic as people gathered around booths for samples and information about the U.S. products on display.
One of the most popular booths was the giant paella at the front of the tent prepared by USA Rice and the U.S. Rice Producers Association to promote U.S. rice. U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Luis Arreaga and Minister Counselor Todd Drennan stopped by to assist in preparing the paella that provided more than 2,000 servings to attendees.
That evening, USA Rice celebrity chef Javier Rodriguez took to the stage for a 45-minute presentation to demonstrate a quick and easy rice recipe that the whole family can enjoy. From start to finish the audience was fully engaged in the tricks and tips that Chef Javier offered. Upon completion of the recipe, he invited audience members on stage for samples and reactions to the dish. Members of the crowd also received samples and one-pound bags of long grain rice, complements of Agroindustrias Albay, an importer of U.S. rice and supporter of USA Rice promotional activities.
"Sabor USA events and online resources are fantastic tools to showcase U.S. products abroad," said Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice manager of international promotion who attended the event and helped prepare the paella. "This two-pronged strategy is essential for cooperators such as USA Rice to spread awareness about our products, which in turn complements our own promotional efforts. We will continue to collaborate with FAS Guatemala to expand the reach of Sabor USA throughout the region, and to have a direct, positive effect on U.S. rice visibility abroad."
Guatemalans' per capita consumption of rice is about 17 pounds annually. Domestic production covers about 20 percent, and the majority of the 80 percent that is imported comes from the U.S. The U.S. exports more than 100,000 MT annually; 120,000 MT in 2018, valued at $37 million.
The event was strategically located in the middle of Plaza Cayala and drew large crowds from a nearby marathon. The atmosphere was cheerful and energetic as people gathered around booths for samples and information about the U.S. products on display.
One of the most popular booths was the giant paella at the front of the tent prepared by USA Rice and the U.S. Rice Producers Association to promote U.S. rice. U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Luis Arreaga and Minister Counselor Todd Drennan stopped by to assist in preparing the paella that provided more than 2,000 servings to attendees.
That evening, USA Rice celebrity chef Javier Rodriguez took to the stage for a 45-minute presentation to demonstrate a quick and easy rice recipe that the whole family can enjoy. From start to finish the audience was fully engaged in the tricks and tips that Chef Javier offered. Upon completion of the recipe, he invited audience members on stage for samples and reactions to the dish. Members of the crowd also received samples and one-pound bags of long grain rice, complements of Agroindustrias Albay, an importer of U.S. rice and supporter of USA Rice promotional activities.
"Sabor USA events and online resources are fantastic tools to showcase U.S. products abroad," said Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice manager of international promotion who attended the event and helped prepare the paella. "This two-pronged strategy is essential for cooperators such as USA Rice to spread awareness about our products, which in turn complements our own promotional efforts. We will continue to collaborate with FAS Guatemala to expand the reach of Sabor USA throughout the region, and to have a direct, positive effect on U.S. rice visibility abroad."
Guatemalans' per capita consumption of rice is about 17 pounds annually. Domestic production covers about 20 percent, and the majority of the 80 percent that is imported comes from the U.S. The U.S. exports more than 100,000 MT annually; 120,000 MT in 2018, valued at $37 million.
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