4th February,2019 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter

·       Monday, 04 Feb 2019

US-China trade war: Pakistan gets chance to boost exports of food products

By Salman Siddiqui

Published: February 3, 2019

This picture shows a selection of Pakistani dishes. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan, which is struggling to achieve a dramatic turnaround by reining in excessive imports and boosting sluggish exports to fix the faltering economy, is likely to partially achieve the goal in the wake of opportunities emerging due to the US-China trade war.

The two biggest economies of the world have made 62% ($360 billion) of bilateral trade expensive by slapping additional tariffs on thousands of each other’s goods since July 2018 and have caused a slowdown in the global economy, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

“For Pakistan, the imposition of these cross-tariffs offers some interesting opportunities as well as challenges. On a positive note, key food items, such as rice, seafood and soybean (both seeds and oil), have come in the crosshairs, which offer an opportunity to Pakistan to reduce its trade deficit,” the SBP said in its first-quarter report on the state of economy for fiscal year 2018-19.

Among the thousands of goods on which additional tariffs have been imposed by the two countries, three product categories may provide benefit to Pakistan’s exports which are seafood, rice and cotton (raw cotton, fabric and yarn). “Specifically, American seafood exports to China are now much costlier as a result of the tariffs, as are Chinese exports of rice and cotton items to the US,” the central bank said.

Seafood

China is a major global importer of seafood products and imported 16.3% of its overall seafood imports from the US in 2017 (worth $1.3 billion).

“It mainly imports lobsters, oysters, flatfish and sardines, all of which are now attracting additional tariffs, and all of which are also exported by Pakistan,” it said.

Pakistan’s global exports of these products amounted to $338.9 million in FY18 and constituted 75.1% of the country’s overall seafood exports. “As the US seafood exports to China have now become much costlier, Pakistani exporters might increase their presence in the Chinese market,” the SBP said.

Soybean

China is the world’s largest importer of soybean and the US is the second largest producer and exporter of the commodity, after Brazil. Importantly, soybean is the largest export product from the US to China.

Soybean was among the first items targeted by China when the first round of retaliatory tariffs went into effect in July 2018. China then shifted its demand for soybean to Brazil and Argentina. As a result, soybean export prices of Brazil and Argentina have spiked whereas those of the US have plunged.

“This presents an opportunity for edible oil mills in Pakistan to reduce their imports of soybean oil and seed in value terms by diverting their purchases to the US, where the prices are falling,” the SBP pointed out.

Encouragingly, there are indications that this switch is already taking place. Brazil’s share in Pakistan’s overall soybean imports (both seeds and oil) fell to 49.5% in FY18 from 58.4% in FY17 whereas the share of the US rose to 45.4% from 32.1%.

“Further enhancing soybean imports from the US will yield more FX (foreign exchange) savings for Pakistan,” it said.

Iron and steel

On the other hand, the volatility in iron and steel prices in recent months after the imposition of tariffs by the US presents a challenge from Pakistan’s perspective.

In September 2018, with anti-trade measures in full swing, the US targeted the bulk (49.1%) of iron and steel products that it imported from China and imposed additional tariffs on them. Steel prices in China were falling during the first half of 2018 as uncertainty loomed about the extent of the protectionist measures that would be adopted by the US. Further downward pressure came from a cooling off in China’s economy this year, which has impacted its demand for steel.

However, Chinese steel prices have been rising since August 2018, partly as a result of an expected drop in steel production in winter months as the country tries to limit harmful emissions and control smog.

“All of this uncertainty has created challenges for Pakistan as the unit value of the country’s iron and steel imports (both scrap and finished products) has been rising, though with significant fluctuations. Even though Pakistan imports most of its steel from China, the unit value of its steel imports has not dipped.”

Nonetheless, a slowdown in broader economic activity, as Pakistan tries to stabilise its economy, has already stalled the demand for imported iron and steel products. “In Q1-FY19, quantum imports of these items have already dropped 10.1% on a year-on-year basis,” the SBP said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2019.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1902642/2-us-china-trade-war-pakistan-gets-chance-boost-exports-food-products/

Rice millers set $5-billion export target for 2023

By Our Correspondent

Published: February 3, 2019

Rice. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: Pakistan has had enough power plants and road infrastructure and now the government will develop the agriculture sector with the help of Beijing under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), remarked Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries, Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Saturday.

He was talking to members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) which included its Chairman Safder Hussain Mehkri, former chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo and others. The adviser appreciated the new target of exporting $5 billion worth of rice, assuring rice millers that the government would provide full support.

Dawood said the Japanese were also willing to help Pakistan in the agriculture sector, adding that in 2003, when he visited the REAP office, rice exports were only $300 million and now they had crossed $2 billion.

“People at REAP are not ordinary, they are visionary people who keep thinking about boosting their sector,” remarked the PM adviser. “Let us meet every quarter or six months to discuss and take a step forward to this goal.”

Earlier, the REAP chairman revealed that the rice exporters were aiming to ship $5 billion worth of the commodity by 2023.

“Farmers who use modern technologies get a yield of 70 maunds (40 kg) per acre as compared to regular farmers who get a yield of 40 maunds per acre,” said Arif Nadeem, CEO of Pakistan Agriculture Coalition. Rice exporters said the sector needed backward integration and the industry and government should join hands in order to train farmers in new ways of farming.

Pakistan’s seeds were degenerating and these should be replaced with better seeds, they said. Farming practices in the country are also obsolete, which should be modernised.

According to the exporters, the rice crop in the country is damaged as it does not have modern drying and storage facilities. Rice mills are also in need of adopting innovative ways of processing.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2019.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1902623/2-rice-millers-set-5-billion-export-target-2023/

Rice millers set $5-billion export target for 2023

By Our Correspondent

Published: February 3, 2019

Rice. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: Pakistan has had enough power plants and road infrastructure and now the government will develop the agriculture sector with the help of Beijing under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), remarked Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries, Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Saturday.

He was talking to members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) which included its Chairman Safder Hussain Mehkri, former chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo and others. The adviser appreciated the new target of exporting $5 billion worth of rice, assuring rice millers that the government would provide full support.

Dawood said the Japanese were also willing to help Pakistan in the agriculture sector, adding that in 2003, when he visited the REAP office, rice exports were only $300 million and now they had crossed $2 billion.

“People at REAP are not ordinary, they are visionary people who keep thinking about boosting their sector,” remarked the PM adviser. “Let us meet every quarter or six months to discuss and take a step forward to this goal.”

Earlier, the REAP chairman revealed that the rice exporters were aiming to ship $5 billion worth of the commodity by 2023.

“Farmers who use modern technologies get a yield of 70 maunds (40 kg) per acre as compared to regular farmers who get a yield of 40 maunds per acre,” said Arif Nadeem, CEO of Pakistan Agriculture Coalition. Rice exporters said the sector needed backward integration and the industry and government should join hands in order to train farmers in new ways of farming.

Pakistan’s seeds were degenerating and these should be replaced with better seeds, they said. Farming practices in the country are also obsolete, which should be modernised.

According to the exporters, the rice crop in the country is damaged as it does not have modern drying and storage facilities. Rice mills are also in need of adopting innovative ways of processing.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2019.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1902623/2-rice-millers-set-5-billion-export-target-2023/

No millers, paddy distress sale continues in J’singhpur

Locals alleged that farmers are in distress over the issue even after two months of opening of the mandis.

Published: 03rd February 2019 02:56 AM  |   Last Updated: 03rd February 2019 09:39 AM  |  A+A A-

By Express News Service

JAGATSINGHPUR:  At a time when both the State and Central governments are in the race for offering incentives to farmers, ryots in the district alleged harassment by rice millers over fair price for their paddy.
While there are not enough millers in the district to custom mill paddy, farmers have resorted to distress sale due to harassment at the procurement centres. As no millers from the district expressed interest in lifting paddy this year, the district administration had roped in millers from other districts for the purpose. The paddy procurement was started from December 7. 

Locals alleged that farmers are in distress over the issue even after two months of opening of the mandis. The rice millers are seeking concession and even deducting two to three kg rice per quintal on the grounds of moisture content and fair average quality (FAQ) norms during procurement, they said.

Officials of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) said farmers are selling paddy at `1,000 to `1,200 per quintal instead of the minimum support price (MSP) of `1,750 fixed by the Government. Due to non-availability of millers in the district, farmers and purchase committees of all PACS are forced to allow paddy procurement on their own will.

Mudupur Cooperative Society secretary Santosh Mohanty said though there is a provision not to deduct paddy from farmers’ produce, similar situation also prevails in the area. Farmers of Gopinathpur cooperative society in Biridi block have expressed their dissatisfaction over the issue.Farmers’ leader Bansidhar Patnaik alleged that the practice is rampant in all 105 PACS of eight blocks. If the farmers protest, the millers refuse to lift paddy from the mandis. Harried farmers are being forced to sell their produce below the MSP due to lack of millers. Moreover, farmers are spending sleepless nights to guard the sacks of paddy at the mandis, he added.

Assistant Civil Supply Officer Salauddin Khan said there is no provision to deduct paddy from farmers’ produce during procurement. If PACS or panchayats or Regulated Market Committees find impurities or moisture in paddy, they should send back the bags to farmers, he added.Meanwhile, the State Government’s decision to stop paddy procurement from February 28 has been resented by the farmers. Last year, paddy procurement was started in November and concluded in April.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/feb/03/no-millers-paddy-distress-sale-continues-in-jsinghpur-1933643.html

10 rice millers did not bring rice, thamaya notice

Dainik Bhaskar

 Feb 03, 2019, 02:20 AM

Durg Bhilai News - After the purchase of paddy in the district, now the rains millers have started tightening. The district has found 10 million people who have ...

After the purchase of paddy in the district, now the screws have been started on Rice Millers. There are 10 millers in the district who have raised the paddy lifting from the purchasing centers but after the milling, the quantity of fixed rice is not deposited in the NAN or FCI. The records of these 10 million were not available. After this, the Food Department issued notice to these 10 millers and sought the response.

Investigation of the stock: Paddy procurement has been completed in the district. Within a month, all the 118 mills in the district have to be investigated.Nan Bhavanesh Yadav issued the order

Notice to these Millers

The department has notified the Bhavya trading company Durg, Navkar Rice Mill Kolihapuri, Shraddha Industries Chandkhuri, Venkatesh Industries Chandkhuri, Maruti Foods Sevati, Gurunanak Trading Dhadha, Sant Hardas Industries, Borgaon, Sant Hardas Rice Mill Bordagaon, Gangapendi Processor Murmunda, Sayan Lakshmi Rice Milla Gave.

Bring to the Milling Boom

https://www.bhaskar.com/chhattisgarh/bhilaidurg/news/chhattisgarh-news-millers-paddy-shraddha-industries-chandkhuri-sayan-lakshmi-rice-got-nan-bhavanesh-yadav-cp-dipankar-borgaon-district-rice-millers-purchasing-centers-nan-durg-sant-hardas-rice-mill-vadgaon-trust-trading-company-fci-navkar-rice-mill-kolihapuri-government-food-department-sant-hardas-industries-venkatesh-industries-chandkhuri-gangapendi-processors-murmunda-gurunanak-trading-dhadha-maruti-foods-sevati-purchase-milling-investigation-arrival-paddy-screws-mills-rice-response-notice-quantity-order-.html

Eating less white rice may not cut diabetes risk, studies show

One of the new studies found no link between total white rice intake and the risk of Type 2 diabetes when controlled for variables like age, gender, Body Mass Index and other food intakes.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

PUBLISHED

FEB 3, 2019, 5:00 AM SGT

Substitute foods, if not chosen correctly, could turn out to be unhealthier choices instead

Rei Kurohi

Cutting down on white rice to lower your risk of diabetes? It may be more important to pay attention to what you are eating in place of it.

Two new studies by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Duke-NUS Medical School have shown that those who ate less rice also ate more of everything else to maintain the same calorie intake.

Some ate more red meat and poultry to feel full, but such a diet has a higher risk of diabetes, said Professor Rob Martinus van Dam, domain leader of epidemiology at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in NUS, one of the co-authors.

Others ate more noodle dishes, which are often cooked in sauces that are high in sugar, salt and oil.

Despite a lower rice intake, these substitutes could increase their risk of diabetes, said Prof van Dam.

On the other hand, those who ate more whole grains and vegetables in place of rice had a decreased risk.

Professor Koh Woon Puay, director of the Centre for Clinician-Scientist Development at Duke-NUS Medical School and a co-author of the studies, said: "The risk depends more on the overall quality of a person's diet. Recommendations to reduce white rice consumption may be effective only if the substitute foods are considered carefully."

Dr Annie Ling, group director of policy, research and surveillance at the Health Promotion Board (HPB), said the findings lined up with the HPB's recommendation to eat more brown rice.

Data for the new studies came from the ongoing Singapore Chinese Health Study started in 1993 by NUS. It involved about 45,400 Chinese Singaporeans who did not have diabetes, cancer or cardiovascular diseases when they were recruited between 1993 and 1998. Over an average of 11 years, more than 5,200 developed diabetes.

"It is important to look at diet in totality, and not overly focus on any individual component," said Dr Ling. "Some tend to make up for eating less rice by eating more unhealthy food. We must be mindful of how the deficit is made up."

The studies follow a series of research linking white rice intake to diabetes.

In 2016, the HPB cited studies by the Harvard School of Public Health which showed that each plate of white rice eaten daily on a regular basis raises the risk of diabetes by 11 per cent.

And, in 2007, the Shanghai Women's Health Study found that women who ate more than 300g of rice a day had a 78 per cent higher risk of diabetes compared with those who ate less than 200g a day.

But these studies may not have adjusted for other risk factors like red meat and poultry consumption, said Prof Koh.

She said a 2017 follow-up study in Shanghai found that a higher intake of refined grains was not linked to a higher risk of diabetes when adjusted for other factors.

Similarly, one of the new studies found no link between total white rice intake and the risk of Type 2 diabetes when controlled for variables like age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI) and other food intakes. The higher risk associated with white rice may thus be attributable to what is eaten with the rice. Over 90 per cent of diabetics have Type 2 diabetes, the result of blocked or reduced insulin receptors.

The second study, also involving Prof van Dam and Prof Koh, used established diet quality indices to determine the quality of a person's dietary pattern. They then measured the link between diet quality and diabetes risk.

A list of 165 food items and beverages were identified, covering about 90 per cent of what is commonly eaten in Singapore. They were scored according to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (Dash) diet index.

Data for the new studies came from the ongoing Singapore Chinese Health Study started in 1993 by NUS. It involved about 45,400 Chinese Singaporeans who did not have diabetes, cancer or cardiovascular diseases when they were recruited between 1993 and 1998. Over an average of 11 years, more than 5,200 developed diabetes.

The participants' diets were ranked according to how often and how much of a given food they ate on average. Those who ate more whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables scored higher. Those who had more processed and red meats, sugary drinks and sodium scored lower.

The top 20 per cent, who had relatively "higher quality" diets, were nearly 30 per cent less likely to develop diabetes compared with the bottom 20 per cent.

The proportion of each item as a part of a consistent dietary pattern was found to be more important than the absolute intake, said Prof Koh, who is also the principal investigator in the Singapore Chinese Health Study.

This means one does not have to cut out unhealthy foods entirely, as long as they are eaten in moderation, she added.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/eating-less-white-rice-may-not-cut-diabetes-risk-studies-show

Price of local and imported rice goes down by Tk2 in Hili

 Halim al Razi, Hili

Published at 01:29 am February 3rd, 2019

Various breeds of rice are displayed by traders at Hili Bazar Dhaka Tribune

Sources at the land port said although rice import has been inactive due to high tax rates, the high quality 'Shampakatari" and "Najirshail' breed of rice used to be imported in 10-15 trucks every day

Prices of different types of rice have fallen at Hili Land Port over the last few days by Tk2 per kg following decline in demand for imported rice, and a decline in the price of local rice varieties.

Sources at the land port said although rice import has been inactive due to high tax rates, the high quality "Shampakatari" and "Najirshail" breed of rice used to be imported in 10-15 trucks every day.

But a fall in their demand resulted in zero rice import on Wednesday and Thursday.

Anup Basak, a rice trader at Hili Bazar, said that prices of different kinds of rice which were high have gone down.

He added that the local "Swarna" rice is now being sold at TK29-30 per kg, having gone down by Tk2 in less than a month. Another breed, Ratna, which was sold at Tk34 per kg a month earlier, is now being sold at Tk32 per kg.

The Miniket variety of rice is currently being sold at Tk46 per kg,  which was previously sold for Tk48 per kg.

Lalit Keshera, a rice importer at the land port, said the government's initiatives to dissuade traders from importing rice by hiking import taxes from 3 to 28% has discouraged all traders from importing rice.

Despite this, demand for Shampakatari and Najirshail encouraged some to import 10-15 trucks every day. But as the prices dipped in the local market, they have again lost motivation to import the two breeds, ceasing import altogether for the last few days, he added.

Public relations officer at the land port, Sohrab Hossain, acknowledged that no rice was imported for the last few days

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2019/02/03/price-of-local-and-imported-rice-goes-down-by-tk2-in-hili

Price of local and imported rice goes down by Tk2 in Hili

 Halim al Razi, Hili

·       Published at 01:29 am February 3rd, 2019

Various breeds of rice are displayed by traders at Hili Bazar Dhaka Tribune

Sources at the land port said although rice import has been inactive due to high tax rates, the high quality 'Shampakatari" and "Najirshail' breed of rice used to be imported in 10-15 trucks every day

Prices of different types of rice have fallen at Hili Land Port over the last few days by Tk2 per kg following decline in demand for imported rice, and a decline in the price of local rice varieties.

Sources at the land port said although rice import has been inactive due to high tax rates, the high quality "Shampakatari" and "Najirshail" breed of rice used to be imported in 10-15 trucks every day.

But a fall in their demand resulted in zero rice import on Wednesday and Thursday.

Anup Basak, a rice trader at Hili Bazar, said that prices of different kinds of rice which were high have gone down.

He added that the local "Swarna" rice is now being sold at TK29-30 per kg, having gone down by Tk2 in less than a month. Another breed, Ratna, which was sold at Tk34 per kg a month earlier, is now being sold at Tk32 per kg.

The Miniket variety of rice is currently being sold at Tk46 per kg,  which was previously sold for Tk48 per kg.

Lalit Keshera, a rice importer at the land port, said the government's initiatives to dissuade traders from importing rice by hiking import taxes from 3 to 28% has discouraged all traders from importing rice.

Despite this, demand for Shampakatari and Najirshail encouraged some to import 10-15 trucks every day. But as the prices dipped in the local market, they have again lost motivation to import the two breeds, ceasing import altogether for the last few days, he added.

Public relations officer at the land port, Sohrab Hossain, acknowledged that no rice was imported for the last few days.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2019/02/03/price-of-local-and-imported-rice-goes-down-by-tk2-in-hili

Trader accuses state of illegally detaining his Sh250 million rice

Feb. 04, 2019, 12:15 am

By MOSES ODHIAMBO

Director of Criminal investigations George Kinoti./FILE

An importer has accused the government agencies of withholding his consignment of rice illegally a week after a court ordered that he takes control of his goods.

Phoenix Global has been fighting for the release of the 10,000 tonnes of rice valued at about Sh250 million.

The rice was confiscated by a multi-agency team at the height of the operation to rid the country of counterfeit goods in 2018.

The importer accuses the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) of defying court orders allowing him to pick the consignment.

Judge Eric Ogola of the Mombasa High Court on January 24, granted the company the order after Kebs failed to prove that the rice was unfit for human consumption.

In the case, Phoenix had sued Kenya Revenue Authority, Kebs, DCI, Attorney General, Anti-Counterfeit Agency, and Financial Reporting Centre.

The company said it lost Sh53 million as a result of the manner in which the investigative agencies handled the produce.

The importer further says the rice requires fumigation but police officers at their warehouse have locked them out.

Judge Ogola, in this regard, awarded the petitioner Sh15 million in damages.

The judge ruled that Kebs meets the cost arising from storage charges, financial and interest costs, staff salary, loss of business, and sampling.

“Kebs failed to recognise the results of the verification from its own agents. Kebs has not sacked or complained to the said agents and has also done local verification that does not indict the petitioner,” Ogola said in his ruling.

“I am satisfied that the blame in this petition must fall solely on Kebs. KRA has done its statutory duty and cannot be blamed for Kebs’ shortcomings.”

The importer, in its submissions, said the bone of contention was on the grading of the rice and not the suitability for consumption.

KRA and Kebs had claimed the consignment, which originated largely from Thailand and Pakistan, had aflatoxin.

“The DCI set parameters which Kebs was to use in conducting the test yet the results produced in court do not address this concern,” Ogola said.

The judge held that the rice was properly verified and a pre-verification certificate issued in conformity.

“There is no valid reason why the said rice is still held in the Mitchell Cotts warehouse,” Ogola said adding that the difference in grain size is negligible to warrant the destruction of the consignment.

The government last year escalated  checks on foods imports after it emergedthat sugar poisoned with heavy metals had been shipped into the country as human food.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2019/02/04/trader-accuses-state-of-illegally-detaining-his-sh250-million-rice_c1888899

US-China trade war brings good chance for Pakistan

  04 Feb 2019 - 1:07

Internews

KARACHI:  Pakistan, which is struggling to achieve a dramatic turnaround by reining in excessive imports and boosting sluggish exports to fix the faltering economy, is likely to partially achieve the goal in the wake of opportunities emerging due to the US-China trade war.

The two biggest economies of the world have made 62 percent ($360bn) of bilateral trade expensive by slapping additional tariffs on thousands of each other’s goods since July 2018 and have caused a slowdown in the global economy, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

“For Pakistan, the imposition of these cross-tariffs offers some interesting opportunities as well as challenges. On a positive note, key food items, such as rice, seafood and soybean (both seeds and oil), have come in the crosshairs, which offer an opportunity to Pakistan to reduce its trade deficit,” the SBP said in its first-quarter report on the state of economy for fiscal year 2018-19.

Among the thousands of goods on which additional tariffs have been imposed by the two countries, three product categories may provide benefit to Pakistan’s exports which are seafood, rice and cotton (raw cotton, fabric and yarn).

“Specifically, American seafood exports to China are now much costlier as a result of the tariffs, as are Chinese exports of rice and cotton items to the US,” the central bank said. China is a major global importer of seafood products and imported 16.3 per cent of its overall seafood imports from the US in 2017 (worth $1.3bn).

“It mainly imports lobsters, oysters, flatfish and sardines, all of which are now attracting additional tariffs, and all of which are also exported by Pakistan,” it said. Pakistan’s global exports of these products amounted to $338.9m in FY18 and constituted 75.1 percent of the country’s overall seafood exports.

“As the US seafood exports to China have now become much costlier, Pakistani exporters might increase their presence in the Chinese market,” the SBP said. China is the world’s largest importer of soybean and the US is the second largest producer and exporter of the commodity, after Brazil. Importantly, soybean is the largest export product from the US to China.

Soybean was among the first items targeted by China when the first round of retaliatory tariffs went into effect in July 2018. China then shifted its demand for soybean to Brazil and Argentina. As a result, soybean export prices of Brazil and Argentina have spiked whereas those of the US have plunged.

“This presents an opportunity for edible oil mills in Pakistan to reduce their imports of soybean oil and seed in value terms by diverting their purchases to the US, where the prices are falling,” the SBP pointed out.

Encouragingly, there are indications that this switch is already taking place. Brazil’s share in Pakistan’s overall soybean imports (both seeds and oil) fell to 49.5 percent in FY18 from 58.4 percent in FY17 whereas the share of the US rose to 45.4 percent from 32.1 percent.

“Further enhancing soybean imports from the US will yield more FX (foreign exchange) savings for Pakistan,” it said.

On the other hand, the volatility in iron and steel prices in recent months after the imposition of tariffs by the US presents a challenge from Pakistan’s perspective. In September 2018, with anti-trade measures in full swing, the US targeted the bulk (49.1 percent) of iron and steel products that it imported from China and imposed additional tariffs on them.

Steel prices in China were falling during the first half of 2018 as uncertainty loomed about the extent of the protectionist measures that would be adopted by the US. “All of this uncertainty has created challenges for Pakistan as the unit value of the country’s iron and steel imports (both scrap and finished products) has been rising, though with significant fluctuations.”

https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/04/02/2019/US-China-trade-war-brings-good-chance-for-Pakistan

Business groups back rice tariffication move

 February 03, 2019 at 06:40 pm by Julito G. Rada

The business sector has expressed support to the proposal seeking to impose tariffs on rice imports in lieu of quantitative restrictions, the Department of Finance said over the weekend.

DoF Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino II said business organizations  forwarded a copy of their joint statement expressing their support for the rice tariffication bill to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III last month.

“Consumers must be freed from food supply apprehension and provided with price stability at an affordable level. This measure will address those concerns through free and open competition,” they said in the joint statement. 

The statement was signed by the Management Association of the Philippines, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Judicial Reform Initiative, Makati Business Club, Philippine Investment Funds Association and the Semiconductor and Electronic Industries in the Philippines Inc.

http://manilastandard.net/business/banking-report/286880/business-groups-back-rice-tariffication-move.html

Inflation likely down anew in January – poll

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

FEBRUARY 04, 2019

·       INFLATION LIKELY DOWN ANEW IN JANUARY – POLL

Inflation likely continued to ease in January due to lower oil prices and reduced supply pressures, economists polled by The Manila Times said.

Projections for the month ranged from 4.3-4.9 percent with a 4.5-percent average — lower compared to the 5.1-percent consumer price growth recorded in December.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has also indicated that inflation likely slowed anew in January, last week issuing a 4.3-5.1 percent forecast.

Official inflation data is scheduled to be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority tomorrow, February 5.

Moody’s Analytics economist Katrina Ell, who offered the highest inflation forecast of 4.9 percent, said key interest rates were likely to be kept unchanged when the BSP’s policymaking Monetary Board meets two days later.

“We think that inflation will remain on a bumpy downtrend in 2019,” she added.

A decision to keep policy settings steady is “widely expected … not least because CPI (consumer price index) growth is well past the peak and expected to keep cooling in 2019,” Ell continued.

“We attach a 40-percent probability that the central bank will reverse some of the tightening in the first half of 2019. Flagging domestic demand has been under pressure so would be an important contributor. But given that inflation remains above the central bank’s 2 to 4 percent target range, this could be pushed out to later in 2019.”

DBS economist Masyita Crystallin, meanwhile, forecast an easing to 4.7 percent due to lower oil and rice prices.

“We think the trend is going to continue this year. Government has implemented the second tranches of fuel price hike[s] as planned because oil price stayed below $80 (based on the Mean of Platts Singapore ),” she said.

Crystallin noted that pressure from fuel prices would likely continue to hover in the background. Rice prices will also pose some risks depending on the weather.

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), ANZ Research and the University of Asia & Pacific all said inflation likely slowed to 4.5 percent last month.

BPI Vice-President and lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. said inflation decelerated as the “increase in oil prices this year is not as significant as we saw the same time last year.”

“Food prices are also rising at a more modest pace this year compared to January 2018,” he added.

UA&P economist Victor Abola also attributed an expected slowdown to lower crude oil prices, further noting that “despite the increase in excise taxes, the downtrend in inflation rate will continue throughout the year.”

ANZ Research, in a report, said lower inflation would be caused by an “easing in supply pressures.”

“The pace of decline in annual inflation will slow going forward. We expect inflation to remain near the central bank’s 4-percent upper limit over the coming months,” it said.

ING Bank Manila and HSBC Global Research both had the lowest inflation forecasts of 4.3 percent.

ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa also believes that lower crude prices were a factor along with the government’s move to hike rice imports.

“Whenever inflation is driven by cost push factors (global oil prices and shortage of rice), once the supply bottlenecks are mitigated or removed, inflation tends to dissipate very quickly,” Mapa said.

“Global oil prices have come off from their peaks in 2018 … and rice imports have helped augment local production. Furthermore, the impending rice tarrification law awaiting signature of the President will also help keep rice prices, which account for 10 percent of inflation, in check,” he added.

Mapa said the slowdown would continue moving forward, albeit at a more muted pace.

“[A]s long as food items see price pressures contained, we will see inflation glide back to within target by 2Q 2019,” he added.

HSBC Global Research also attributed lower inflation to oil and rice price reductions.

”Rice prices have continued to decline, which is a positive development as this was one of the biggest contributors to high inflation in 2018. Meanwhile, the rise in domestic pump prices in January has been more moderate compared to the same month last year, despite additional excise taxes,” it noted.

Headline inflation will likely average 3.3 percent in 2019, HSBC said, lower than the 5.2 percent posted last year.

https://www.manilatimes.net/inflation-likely-down-anew-in-january-poll/506381/

2019 Dry Season: NIRSAL Supports Rice Farmers With Early Input Supply

 February 4, 2019

By JOHN ADENIYI 

The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) has commenced proactive measures to ensuring that farmers receive necessary inputs on time for a successful 2019 farming season.

According to NIRSAL, thousands of smallholder farmers in various states of the country have received input packages for rice and tomatoes under the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

NIRSAL is driving the process in its capacity as a Participating Financial Institution (PFI) under the ABP, part of the agricultural transformational initiatives of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration being driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Speaking at the recent flag-off of input distribution to thousands of farmers in Sokoto, the managing director/chief executive of NIRSAL, Mr Aliyu Abdulhameed stated that NIRSAL’s mandate to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty through agriculture informs its commitment to the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. “Ensuring food security and creating jobs in the country is our goal.

Abdulhameed was represented at the event by head of Project Monitoring, Reporting and Remediation Office (PMRO), Mr. Zahraddeen Muazu. He also said that the ABP is meant to provide a strong springboard for food security and wealth creation through off take market-linked commercial agricultural production by smallholder farmers and pleaded with them to work closely with NIRSAL’s PMROs   who have specialized capacity in the area of farm-level risk  management, project monitoring, and extension services, and to put the knowledge gained from the continuing capacity building and training workshops organized by NIRSAL during the regular Field Practice meetings.

NIRSAL has already launched Dry Season input supply in various states over the last two weeks and will continue with the input supply distribution this week in Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba and Kano States. In the coming weeks, the ABP input distribution will move to Anambra, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ondo and Zamfara State, where cassava, maize, cocoa, rice and poultry farmers will receive input supplies ahead of the early Wet Season.

This new approach of very early season and on- time Input supply system was proposed by NIRSAL to the CBN and was expeditiously approved by the Governor of the CBN thus breaking the jinx of late season Input supply as was being previously experienced by farmers

Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Sokoto State Chapter, Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu, represented by the Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Tambari, applauded NIRSAL and the CBN for this new system of very early input supply and timely distribution, saying it would provide farmers early head start for the season thus giving them sufficient time to anticipate and exert control over field risk events. He added: “We hope that this early input supply system is concluded soon so that the majority of rice farmers receive inputs by the end of February,” he said.

 Over 3000 rice farmers, who have benefited from the ABP input distribution, so far are set to plant this February and hope for high yields at harvest time. Mallam Dauda Iliyasu, a rice farmer from Taka Kune, Goronyo LGA, said “We are happy to receive these inputs especially early in the year. This is the first time farmers in Goronyo LGA will benefit from government intervention”. He added that “in the past, we could not farm rice during the dry season, but now with the help of NIRSAL, we are not afraid to plant rice in the dry season, because we have received water pumps, fertilizers and good seeds to do dry season farming.” Other farmers affirmed that they expect a bumper harvest early in June.Also present at the Input Distribution exercise were representatives from the CBN, Sokoto State Agricultural Development Project, and National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC).

In previous years, most rice farmers failed to plant on time due to the late distribution of inputs, resulting in poor yields. The ABP was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015 and has continued to pave the way for big gains in the agriculture sector in terms of food production, job creation and contribution to national GDP. 

Since its launch, national rice production has grown remarkably, with paddy production reaching a period high of 5.7million metric tonnes in 2017. In terms of milled rice, that is 3.7million metric tonnes. This demonstrates that self-sufficiency in rice production can be achieved in Nigeria.

With concerted efforts being made to combat challenges of previous years, a new milestone is anticipated this year. The inputs being distributed to rice farmers now include seeds, crop protection products, NPK & urea fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, petrol water pumps and mechanization services.

  A general approach adopted by NIRSAL in primary production is to align with Agricultural Commodity Ecological Areas (ACEAs). For NIRSAL, that is a fundamental layer of risk management. Thus, this dry season rice farming was designed to work in tandem with the natural in the ecological areas such as topography, nearness to water bodies for irrigation and so on.

https://leadership.ng/2019/02/04/2019-dry-season-nirsal-supports-rice-farmers-with-early-input-supply/

Kenyans criticise Judge Ogola's order on condemned rice

MONDAY FEBRUARY 4 2019

     

Mombasa High Court Judge Eric Ogola. He has been criticised for ordering the release of rice Kebs certified as unfit. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

·       The social media users accused the court of disregarding findings of a government agency charged with ensuring quality.

·       Mr Gerald Wambua said that the multiagency team should have destroyed the rice after failing to meet the required standards.

By BRIAN OCHARO
More by this Author

The Judiciary has yet again come under sharp criticism after the Mombasa High Court last week ordered the release of 10 million kilograms of imported rice that Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) had condemned for destruction.

Justice Eric Ogola ordered the release of 10,327 tonnes of rice valued at more than Sh250 million, which is being held at a warehouse in Mombasa by a multiagency team.

The judge’s order for the release of the rice to Phoenix Global Kenya Ltd means that the commodity can be distributed for sale despite the quality issues the multiagency team raised.

And Kenyans have taken to social media to criticise the decision, accusing the Judiciary of issuing orders that could see the public consume bad rice detrimental to their health.

HEALTH

The social media users accused the court of disregarding findings of a government agency charged with ensuring quality and termed the Judiciary as the enemy within against the war on graft.

In a tweet, Dr Auma Obama, sister of former US President Barack Obama, appeared not to believe that the court ordered the release of goods unfit for human consumption despite protests from Kebs.

“If you are a Kenyan, and even if you’re not, please spread the word. Is it possible that a judge can defeat justice? Hopefully fake news,” she posted on her Twitter account.

Another user, Mula Geophrey @mula_geophrey, said: “Maybe he (judge) meant to be sold for non-human consumption purposes such as fodder, manure and energy production,” in a reply to Dr Auma’s comment.

Mr Gerald Wambua, another netizen, said in a tweet that Kebs, KRA, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, AG and the Anti-Counterfeit Agency should have just destroyed the rice after failing to meet the required standards.

https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Order-on-condemned-rice-earns-Judge-Ogola-flak/1056-4964902-11kcl00z/index.html

PAU scientists awarded

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 1

The Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers, New Delhi conferred ‘ISAE TEAM AWARD 2018’ to scientists of Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, PAU. The team comprising Manjeet Singh, Manpreet Singh, HS Sidhu, Rajesh Goyal, GS Manes, Aseem Verma and JS Mahal have been awarded for their work ‘Super straw management system (SMS): An innovative solution for in-situ management of paddy residue in rice-wheat system’.

The award was presented by Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR during 53rd annual convention of ISAE and International Symposium on Engineering Technologies for Precision and Climate Smart Agriculture’ held at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (India) from January 28-30. Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, PAU, and Dr Ashok Kumar, Dean College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, PAU congratulated the team for its achievement.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/pau-scientists-awarded/722508.html

Agriculture minister for taking new rice varieties to farmers’ doorsteps

 Tribune Desk

·       Published at 01:02 am February 3rd, 2019

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

'We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production'

Agriculture Minister M Abdur Razzak called for increasing safe food production by taking the newly developed rice varieties and associated technologies to the doorsteps of the farmers.

“We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production,” he said.

He was inaugurating the Annual Research Review Workshop 2017-18 of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute in Gazipur, according to a press release issued on Friday.

The minister asked the BRRI scientists to develop more rice varieties and appropriate technologies that can withstand adverse environmental effects such as salinity, drought, cold, flood and water resurge.

Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture M Nasiruzzaman presided over the inaugural session while Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation M Fazle Wahed Kondker, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Dr M Kabir Ikramul Haque and Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Mir Nurul Alam joined the programme.

BRRI Director (Research) Dr Tamal Lata Aditya presented a keynote paper in the workshop.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2019/02/03/agriculture-minister-for-taking-new-rice-varieties-to-farmers-doorsteps

3K cattle breeding centres soon in State’

Sunday, 03 February 2019 | Mrituanjay Kumar | Ranchi

Agriculture Minister Randhir Singh today said that a total of 3,000 cattle breeding centres will be set up to promote indigenous cattle and Jharkhand will be converted into an organic State by 2028 because only cow-based farming can ensure sustainable soil health and enhance nutritional content in farm produce.

The Minister, who was Chief Guest of the three-day Agrotech Kisan Mela at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU), inaugurated the fair here on Saturday and said that the phenomenal growth in agriculture registered in the last four years was a result of combined and dedicated efforts of farm scientists and farmers and support of the State government.

Singh said that Jharkhand is changing its image from mineral reach State to exemplary performance in agriculture as according to the Niti Ayog’s report it has registered 19 per cent growth in agriculture sector during last four years which is highest amongst the 29 states of the country as per the report of Niti Aayog.

“Jharkhand has also been selected for Krishi Karman Award of 2018 by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare for record increase in production of rice. Earlier, this State was given Krishi Karman Award for in 2012-13 for performance in pulse production,” he added.

Welcoming the guests, BAU Vice Chancellor Parvinder Kaushal said that all the 24 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of the State have been asked to adopt at least one village of their area for development as model village by implementing the recommendations enumerated in the strategic document prepared by the Jharkhand State Coordination Committee, for Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022. He said diversification towards high-value crop was a must for increasing farmers’ income at a faster pace.

Five farmers honoured on the occasion for innovative practices included Savita Devi of Balumath, Latehar, Sukhdev Maharaj of Ghatshila, East Singhbhum,  Baijnath Oraon of village Ekamba, Kanke, Rajkishore Mahto of Nawadih, Lohardaga, Krishna Kumar of Angada, Ranchi and Rita Devi of Gola, Ramgarh.

The mega event has been organized in collaboration with Jharkhand-based ICAR institutes such as Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Namkum, Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Garhkhatanga, Namkum, National Bureau of Plant genetic Resources, Ranchi, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Research Centre Ranchi, Plandu and Central Rainfed Upland Rice Research Station, Hazaribagh.

The academic programmes, technologies products and services of BAU and research institutes have been displayed in 11 thematic stalls entitled integrated farming system, crop production and diversification, post harvest technology and value addition,  natural resource management, organic farming, ICT, marketing and agribusiness management, secondary agriculture, KVKs of Jharkhand, livestock management. Besides, 100 commercial stalls have also been put up with their products and services.

Andhra Pradesh to ensure quality of PDS rice

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedFeb 3, 2019, 6:20 am IST

UpdatedFeb 3, 2019, 6:20 am IST

The teams will inspect the rice in various godowns, rice mills and other facilities where rice meant for PDS is secured.

 The teams will inspect the rice in various godowns, rice mills and other facilities where rice meant for PDS is secured.

Rajahmundry: In order to ensure a supply of quality rice that is correctly weighed to people through public distribution system at fair price shops, the state government has constituted district-level task force teams headed by district supply officer. This follows complaints of supply of inferior quality rice.

The state government issued GO 9 recently appointing the district supply officer, deputy collector (district vigilance cell), district manager, APSCSCL, assistant controller (legal metrology) and assistant manager (technical), APSCSCL as members of each team.

The teams will inspect the rice in various godowns, rice mills and other facilities where rice meant for PDS is secured.

According to officials, each rice bag needs to have declarations from rice miller at the time of delivery that mentions the name and address of the manufacturer or packer, common or generic name of the commodity, net quantity, month and year of packing and consumer care number.

If any issue is detected in supply of rice, a report will be submitted to the district collector concerned who would initiate necessary action against the millers and others.  A copy of the report will also be sent to the commissioner of civil supplies and also to the controller of legal metrology to initiate suitable action against those who flout the norms.

Based on the guidelines, task force teams have started inspection of rice godowns and started booking cases against the rice millers and others for flouting a series of norms mentioned above.

East Godavari district supply officer P. Prasada Rao said, “We have carried out some eight to 10 inspections so far and two cases were booked recently. Though we delayed a bit in taking up inspections earlier due to preoccupation wi

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/030219/andhra-pradesh-to-ensure-quality-of-pds-rice.html

Truck, illegal paddy seized; 1 arrested

Sunday, 03 February 2019 | PNS | JAGATSINGHPUR

A truck owner was arrested and his truck along with 56 MT paddy seized for carrying illegal paddy for milling on Saturday.

The paddy was sold to a rice mill in Chhatia under Jajpur district from different mandis of Jagatsinghpur district and transported to the mill in truck with fake registration number.

The arrested was identified as Kalim Uddin, a resident of Neulpur village under Jajpur district. His seized truck bears registration No. OD-05AG-4325, Jagatsinghpur SDPO Prakash Chandra Pal told.

According to SDPO Pal, Uddin uses his trucks on hiring basis to shift paddy to rice millers from Mandis. Taking clues from millers, the police nabbed Uddin though mobile tracking on Friday who supplied trucks for illegal paddy transporting to Baragarh from Jagatsinghpur earlier.

The police rushed to Chhatei on Friday and seized the paddy from rice mill East Zone Industry. The paddy was lifted from Biridi and Tirtol mandis.

There are about seven cases in different police stations in Jajpur and Chudwar for illegally lifting paddy from Mandis against Uddin. He will be forwarded to court on Sunday, said SDPO Pal.

https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/truck--illegal-paddy-seized--1-arrested.html

Agriculture minister for taking new rice varieties to farmers’ doorsteps

 Tribune Desk

·       Published at 01:02 am February 3rd, 2019

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

'We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production'

Agriculture Minister M Abdur Razzak called for increasing safe food production by taking the newly developed rice varieties and associated technologies to the doorsteps of the farmers.

“We would to take the new rice varieties and technologies to the farmers’ doorsteps along with increased subsidies for ensuring safe food production,” he said.

He was inaugurating the Annual Research Review Workshop 2017-18 of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute in Gazipur, according to a press release issued on Friday.

The minister asked the BRRI scientists to develop more rice varieties and appropriate technologies that can withstand adverse environmental effects such as salinity, drought, cold, flood and water resurge.

Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture M Nasiruzzaman presided over the inaugural session while Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation M Fazle Wahed Kondker, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Dr M Kabir Ikramul Haque and Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Mir Nurul Alam joined the programme.

BRRI Director (Research) Dr Tamal Lata Aditya presented a keynote paper in the workshop.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2019/02/03/agriculture-minister-for-taking-new-rice-varieties-to-farmers-doorsteps

Agri minister pledges increased subsidy

February 03, 2019 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:11 AM, February 03, 2019

Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque yesterday promised to increase subsidy for the agriculture sector, and reiterating his call to meet the challenge of increasing safe food production by taking newly-developed rice varieties and associated technologies to farmers' doorstep.

While inaugurating the Annual Research Review Workshop 2017-18 of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur, he asked scientists at the institute to develop more rice varieties and appropriate technologies that can help crops survive adverse environmental effects such as salinity, drought, cold, flood and water resurge. 

Md Nasiruzzaman, secretary to the agriculture ministry, presided over the inaugural session while Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Md Fazle Wahed Kondker, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Dr Md Kabir Ikramul Haque and Director General of Department of Agricultural Extension Mir Nurul Alam joined the programme as discussants. BRRI Director General Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir delivered the welcome address while BRRI Director Dr Md Ansar Ali delivered vote of thanks. BRRI Director (Research) Dr Tamal Lata Aditya presented the keynote paper of the workshop.

Experts and officials from different government and non-government organisations along with university students and farmers' representatives attended the workshop, the technical sessions of which will continue for the next five days.

https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/agri-minister-promises-increased-subsidy-1696654https://fashionjournal24.com/top-manufactures-of-indica-long-shaped-rice-market-from-2019-to-2024/