Ensuring PHL food security
The Philippines will once again
reclaim its title as one of the top importers of rice this year, thanks to the
removal of the quantitative restriction on rice. Traders can now freely import
rice following the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11203,
which removed the QR, starting March 5. Because of this, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projected that the country’s purchases this year will make it the second-largest buyer of the staple, just behind China (See, “Rice imports this year seen reaching 3 MMT,” in the BusinessMirror, June 13, 2019).
which removed the QR, starting March 5. Because of this, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projected that the country’s purchases this year will make it the second-largest buyer of the staple, just behind China (See, “Rice imports this year seen reaching 3 MMT,” in the BusinessMirror, June 13, 2019).
The same USDA report noted the
increase in traders’ purchases of the staple, particularly from Vietnam, a
traditional source of imported rice for the Philippines. More orders could be
placed in the coming months, as there is now an incentive for traders to bring
in more rice. The National Food Authority (NFA) is no longer selling rice as
the new law has reduced its role to buffer stocking.
The entry of more imports will
benefit consumers, as this would ensure stable prices. Latest data from the
Philippine Statistics Authority showed that despite the end of the
harvest season in May, there was no dramatic swing in rice prices. In previous
years, the staple becomes more expensive after farmers have harvested their
crop. This was not the case this year, as prices remained stable in almost all
regions, according to the PSA’s survey of regional centers.
While the data is encouraging for
consumers, it does not bode well for local rice planters. In a report, the PSA
said the average farm-gate price of unhusked rice fell by 13.7 percent to
P18.20 per kilogram, from last year’s P21.08 per kg during the fourth week of
May. There are reports that the decline is steeper in some areas, as farmers
claimed that traders bought their crop at only P14 per kg. This, at a time when
prices should have recovered as farmers have concluded harvest and the El Niño
phenomenon slashed output in some rice-producing areas.
By now, the government should
have been helping local planters prepare for the influx of rice imports. As it
is, the hands of agencies mandated by RA 11203 to help make the sector
competitive are tied because the national government has yet to beef up the
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. The RCEF is supposed to be made up of
tariffs collected from imports. Pending the collection of these tariffs, the
national government has agreed to front-load P10 billion so agencies could
start rolling out interventions for the sector.
Delays in implementing the
necessary interventions to help planters could drive them away from farming and
encourage them to accept construction jobs, which guarantee a minimum wage.
Particularly vulnerable are small farmers who are always at the mercy of loan
sharks. For a 1-hectare farm, planters need to spend P49,745, according to the
latest data from the PSA. To plant twice a year, farmers need to raise some
P100,000 for fertilizer, pesticides, hired labor, seeds and other costs.
Raising production capital is
particularly difficult for planters tilling a 1-hectare farm, as the return on
investment is pegged at P23,000 per cropping season. This is why small farmers
turn to loan sharks, so they can continue planting palay. With the NFA now out
of the local rice trade and the private sector importing more, planters can no
longer rely on the government to help stabilize farm-gate prices.
Allowing more imports via the
rice trade liberalization law is good for consumers but could spell doom for
farmers, particularly if the government can’t put in place the necessary safety
nets. Inflation has eased in recent months and there are indications that it
will continue to decelerate as food prices have stabilized. The only way to
ensure that inflation will continue to fall within the government’s target is
to have a steady supply of staples, which is why we need to strengthen local
food production. The Philippines should not just rely on other countries for
its food security
NFA welcomes new administrator
by Aileen Cerrudo | Posted on Wednesday, June 19th, 2019
Judy
Carol L. Dansal
The National Food Authority (NFA)
council member Judy Carol L. Dansal took her oath as the new NFA Administrator
on Tuesday afternoon (June 19). Dansal will replace Jason Laureano Y. Aquino.
NFA Officer-in-Charge
Administrator Tomas R. Escarez welcomed the new NFA administrator on his
Facebook. He also announced that he will revert back to his position as deputy
administrator.
Dansal previously served as NFA
deputy administrator for marketing operations.
Piñol orders NFA to purge co-ops list, probe erring workers
by Marje Pelayo | Posted on Monday, May 6th, 2019
Agriculture
Secretary Manny Piñol
MANILA, Philippines – The
Department of Agriculture (DA) has started probing farmers’ cooperatives
accredited by the National Food Authority (NFA).
Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol
on his social media post on Thursday (May 3) said that some farmer leaders in
Central Luzon are complaining against traders who are using the names of
inactive cooperatives to be able to sell paddy rice to the NFA.
According to the Secretary,
traders in Central Luzon buy fresh palay to farmers at P15 per kilogram then
sell them to NFA at P20.70 including the incentives.
Piñol emphasized that under the
Rice Tariffication Law, the NFA is mandated to buy palay from legitimate
farmers and not from traders, that’s why he wants to know if there are bogus
cooperatives included in the NFA’s list.
Meanwhile, the Secretary said the
price of NFA rice in the market remains— and should stay— at P27 per kilogram.
“The president has given a
directive that NFA should continue selling at P27 even if the rice that we will
be using were already be the local rice,” Piñol said.
He said the NFA’s buffer stock of
imported rice will be enough until September.
By then, local farmers will
supply rice and low-priced rice will remain in local
The NFA has already purchased up
to three million bags of palay from January to April this year.
The agency targets to procure up to 30 million bags of palay
through the entire year. – Marje Pelayo (with details from Rey Pelayo)
https://www.untvweb.com/news/pinol-orders-nfa-to-purge-co-ops-list-probe-erring-workers/
Researchers Develop Two-Step Method for Green Fuel
Tuesday,
18 June 2019
An international collaboration led by scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in Japan
has developed a two-step method to more efficiently break down carbohydrates
into their single sugar components, a critical process in producing green fuel.
The researchers published their results on April 10th in the
American Chemical Society journal, Industrial &
Engineering Chemical Research.
The breakdown process is called saccharification. The single
sugar components produced, called monosaccharides, can be fermented into
bioethanol or biobutanol, alcohols that can be used as fuel.
"For a long time, considerable attention has been
focused on the utilization of homogenous acids and enzymes for
saccharification," said Eika W. Qian, paper author and professor in the
Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering at the university.
"Enzymatic saccharification is seen to be a reasonable prospect since it
offers the potential for higher yields, lower energy costs, and it's more
environmentally friendly."
The use of enzymes to break down the carbohydrates could
actually be hindered, especially in biomass such as rice straw. A byproduct of
rice harvest, rice straw consists of three complicated carbohydrates: starch,
hemicellulose and cellulose. Enzymes cannot approach hemicellulose or
cellulose, due to their cell wall structure the and surface area, among other
characteristics. They must be pre-treated to become receptive to the enzymatic
activity, which can be costly.
One solution is the use of solid acid catalysts, which are
acids that cause chemical reactions without dissolving and becoming a permanent
part of the reaction. They're particularly appealing because they can be
recovered after saccharification and reused.
In order to maximize the resulting yield of sugar from rice
straw, the researchers developed a two-step process - one step for the
hemicellulose and another for the cellulose. The first step requires a gentle
solid acid at low temperatures (150 degrees Celsius and below), while the
second step consists of harsher conditions, with a stronger solid acid and
higher temperatures (210 degrees Celsius and above).
Overall, the two-step process not only proved effective, it
produced about 30 percent more sugars than traditional one-step processes.
"We are now looking for a partner to evaluate the
feasibility of our two-step saccharification process in rice straw and other
various materials such as wheat straw and corn stoke etc. in a pilot
unit," Qian said. "Our ultimate goal is to commercialize our process
to manufacture monosaccharides from this type of material in the future."
The other authors are Luh Putu Pitrayani of the Anglo Chinese
School Jakarta in Indonesia; Xiuhui Wang and Thanh Tung Nguyen, both of the
Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering at the Tokyo
University of Agriculture and Technology in Japan; Sen Li of the Shanghai
Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. in China; and Jianglong Pu of
the College of Biological, Chemical Sciences and Engineering at Jiaxing
University in China.
Climate change affects major crops in India: Study
By
-
19/06/2019
NEW YORK, June 18: India’s grain
production is vulnerable to climate change, say scientist who have found that
the yield of the country’s rice crop can significantly decline during extreme
weather conditions.
Researchers from Columbia
University in the US studied the effects of climate on five major crops in
India: finger millet, maize, pearl millet, sorghum and rice.
These crops make up the vast
majority of grain production during the June-to-September monsoon season —
India’s main grain production period — with rice contributing three-quarters of
the supply for the season.
Taken together, the five grains
are essential for meeting India’s nutritional needs, researchers said.
The study, published in the
journal Environmental Research Letters, found that the yields from grains such
as millet, sorghum, and maize are more resilient to extreme weather.
Their yields vary significantly
less due to year-to-year changes in climate and generally experience smaller
declines during droughts.
However, yields from rice,
India’s main crop, experience larger declines during extreme weather
conditions.
“By relying more and more on a
single crop — rice — India’s food supply is potentially vulnerable to the
effects of varying climate,” said Kyle Davis, an environmental data scientist.
“Expanding the area planted with
these four alternative grains can reduce variations in Indian grain production
caused by extreme climate, especially in the many places where their yields are
comparable to rice,” Davis said.
“Doing so will mean that the food
supply for the country’s massive and growing population is less in jeopardy
during times of drought or extreme weather,” Davis.
Temperatures and rainfall amounts
in India vary from year to year and influence the amount of crops that farmers
can produce.
With episodes of extreme climate
such as droughts and storms becoming more frequent, it is essential to find
ways to protect India’s crop production from these shocks, Davis said.
The team combined historical data
on crop yields, temperature, and rainfall.
Data on the yields of each crop
came from state agricultural ministries across India and covered 46 years
(1966-2011) and 593 of India’s 707 districts.
The researchers also used
modelled data on temperature and precipitation. Using these climate variables
as predictors of yield, they then employed a modelling approach to estimate
whether there was a significant relationship between year-to-year variations in
climate and crop yields.
“This study shows that
diversifying the crops that a country grows can be an effective way to adapt
its food-production systems to the growing influence of climate change,” said
Davis.
“And it adds to the evidence that
increasing the production of alternative grains in India can offer benefits for
improving nutrition, for saving water, and for reducing energy demand and
greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture,” he said. (PTI)
W OF ANCHOR BORROWER’S LOAN
SCHEME
Farmers call for review of Anchor
Borrower’s loan scheme
June 18, 2019
0
0 0
Rice farmers in Anambra state have called for the review of
Central Bank of Nigeria’s anchor Borrower’s loan scheme.
The Farmers commended the initiative created by the Central Bank
of Nigeria that affords registered farmers to access the loan facility but
called for an overhaul of the process to ensure rice farmers have access to the
loan at the appropriate time.
The rice producers acknowledged the fact that the CBN is
creating massive intervention funds for farmers, but insists that the biggest
challenge remains that the farmers are not able to assess this facilities.
This, according to experts and farmers say it remains the bane
to one of the major policies of the current administration towards moving the
country away from a mono economy to multi-dimensional one.
President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to hint that the
priority accorded would be accorded to agric production in his administration
which he said would remain primarily in a bid to achieve food self-sufficiency,
economic revival and jobs’ creation.
These development hence the need that the chairman of the
Anambra Rice producer and millers Association states some of the challenges
farmers undergo in the process of trying to assess the CBN loan facility
through the financial institutions.
He lamented that the CBN initiate was laudable but got impeded
by the operations of most financial institutions that exercise what they call
artificial scarcity and delay before the fund are disbursed to right farmers.
artificial scarcity and delay before the fund are disbursed to right farmers.
He urged government to explore the opportunity of massive
employment creation which farming creates in the society by providing support
in the acquisition of machinery as it is practice in other parts of the world
Scientists develop 'super spud'
in a bid to prevent stunting
Could a 'super' potato, fortified with iron and
zinc, tackle malnutrition? CREDIT: BLOOMBERG
17 JUNE 2019 •
11:39AM
Follow
Scientists are creating a “super
potato”, fortified with iron and zinc, in a bid to tackle malnutrition in
developing countries.
Millions of people around the
world suffer micronutrient deficiencies – a lack of essential vitamins and
minerals. This can lead to stunting in children, who then go on to suffer
cognitive delays, weakened immunity and disease. Pregnant women who lack
micronutrients are more likely to have babies with defects or low birthweight.
Potato is a staple crop in many
parts of the world and researchers at the International Potato Centre (CIP) in
Peru believe that a biofortified variety could have an important role to play
in improving diets.
After rice and maize potato is
the third most consumed food in the world so increasing its micronutrient
content would make a significant difference to people’s health around the
globe, said Dr Oscar Ortiz, director of the CIP.
“Potato already has proteins,
iron, zinc and vitamin C and it is also an extremely good source of fibre. It’s
a well balanced food if consumed boiled or baked. But we can make it even
better,” he said.
Potatoes may have developed an
image problem in recent years with the move to “low carb” diets but Dr Ortiz
believes this is mainly because of the way they are consumed as chips or fries.
Work on biofortification of the
potato began in 2004 as researchers looked through a gene bank of around 200
varieties from countries around the Andes - where the potato originated.
Researchers identified 16 native
varieties with high levels of iron, zinc and vitamin C and then spent more than
a decade crossing these types with each other to produce varieties with even
higher levels of micronutrients.
These were then crossed with
other types of potato with high yields and good resistance to disease such as
blight. These varieties have 40 to 80 per cent more iron than types currently
grown in the Andes.
Now these potatoes are being
tested to see if they grow in other parts of the world: clones are being grown
in Rwanda and Kenya and will soon be introduced to Bhutan, Bangladesh and
Nepal.
Researchers are also conducting
bioavailability testing to see whether the increased iron content of the potato
is absorbed by the human body. Once this is confirmed Dr Ortiz believes that
the new varieties will be available within the next two years.
“If we can confirm this, which is
a critical milestone, the potato will be available in 2021,” he said.
Studies show that consuming 600g
of these potatoes a day, as is common in most areas of the Peruvian highlands,
could provide up to 75 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of iron and
zinc.
“We are not saying only eating
potato will solve the iron deficiencies of the world but it will be part of a
diverse diet where other sources of nutrients are needed,” he added.
CIP’s approach has already been
tested with sweet potato fortified with vitamin A – groundbreaking work
which in 2016 won the World Food Prize, the “Nobel prize” for food.
New research has shown that since
2013 more than 2.3 million households in Africa and Asia have been given sweet
potato cuttings to grow themselves.
“Their work has shown that 120g
of sweet potato a day can provide 100 per cent of a child’s daily vitamin A
intake. It’s a really good example of how biofortification can contribute to
reducing micronutrient deficiency,” said Dr Ortiz.
The biofortified sweet potato
also contains high levels of vitamins B6 and C, manganese and potassium.
Dr Ortiz added that fortifying
food at source was better than doing it during the production process. The UK
government has announced it intends to fortify flour with folic acid to reduce the number of
babies born with spina bifida or anencephaly, where the majority of the brain
never develops.
“If it becomes part of the diet
and is consumed every day it is a much more sustainable way of accessing
micronutrients. Sweet potatoes and potatoes are cultivated by vulnerable people
who are far away from governments so having these crops is a better option for
them,” he said.
Dispelling falsehoods about GM crops
Updated: June 17, 2019 11:20:19 AM
What India can
learn from the Philippines, which set up a Biotech Program Office in 2000 to
promote the responsible use of agri-biotechnology to sustain food security
Dispelling falsehoods about GM crops
With Prakash Javadekar taking charge of the environment ministry
from the inert Harsh Vardhan, and hopes kindling of genetically-engineered
brinjal and mustard being approved for cultivation, one wishes the government
had a specialised communication agency for advocacy and outreach to create
public opinion favourable for agri-biotechnology.
Although India approved Bt cotton, genetically-engineered to be
toxic to the American bollworm, in 2002, and permitted another variant in 2006
(both of which farmers have embraced enthusiastically), those opposing these
have been so successful in demonising the technology that no other crop—Bt
brinjal, herbicide-tolerant (HT) cotton, or GM mustard—have got the nod for
cultivation.
Javadekar is known to be in favour of the science. In December
2015, he told me that he was “determined” to approve GM mustard. But before he
could take a decision, he was shifted to the ministry of human resource
development. Any positive moves he makes now will be met with strong opposition
from anti-GM activists, including the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, one of the 36
organisations affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the mentor of the
ruling party.
Over the past 15 years, both the UPA and NDA governments stalled;
they did not approve new GM crops. Only a few political leaders support the
technology. But farmers are restive. They’ve planted large tracts with illegal
HT cotton. In May, a farmer in Haryana was forced to destroy his illegal Bt
brinjal crop, which he found profitable because it required very few sprays
against the fruit and shoot borer. On June 10, the Shetkari Sanghatana, founded
by the pro-market and pro-technology Sharad Joshi, defied the law and planted
illegal HT cotton and Bt brinjal near Akola in Maharashtra, demanding
time-bound approvals and certainty in access to agri-biotechnology.
The government could learn from the Philippines, which set up a
Biotech Program Office in 2000 to promote the responsible use of
agri-biotechnology to sustain food security. It was educative to meet its
director-coordinator Annalyn Lopez during a visit to Manila in April at the
invitation and expense of CropLife Asia, which represents the
agri-biotechnology industry in this part of the world.
Apart from overseeing research and development in biotech,
developing skills in officials to regulate GM crops, and promoting policy
research and advocacy, the Biotech Program Office strives for public
understanding and acceptance of agri-biotechnology. “Communicating health and
safety to laypeople is difficult as biotech is sophisticated,” says Lopez. “We
are communicating to people who may not have a background in science.”
Both India and the Philippines are democracies, although the
latter has a history of military dictatorships. India was first off on GM
crops. It approved Bt cotton in 2002. The Philippines permitted GM corn
resistant to the Asiatic corn borer in 2003. About 70% of yellow corn (there is
a white variety, too) grown in the Philippines is GM corn, says Lopez. From
50,000 hectares in 2004, it now covers 642,000 hectares, with 470,000 farmers
planting it. That’s 46% of the Philippines’ corn area. In India, 93% of the
cotton planted in 2017 was of the GM kind.
Both India and the Philippines have strong anti-GM groups. In the
Philippines, they have vandalised Golden Rice trials. Greenpeace moved its
Supreme Court against Bt brinjal trials, which, in 2013, halted the trials,
nullified the 2002 biosafety regulations, and temporarily halted all
applications for authorisation of GM crop trials, commercialisation and
imports. In 2016, it lifted its injunctions and recognised the newly-issued
biosafety regulations. India’s Supreme Court is also quite adversarial.
Lopez says partnerships are important. Her office has enlisted TV
broadcasters and print media journalists. It gives awards for biotech
journalism since 2006. It publishes a biotech magazine with uplifting
testimonials. In 2011, it teamed up with the network of rural radio
broadcasters. Many towns have declared their support for biotechnology. Lopez
says her office has developed courses to educate their chief executives. In
association with the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, it pushes for
regulation based on science and evidence. The International Rice Research
Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute are partners for Golden
Rice bio-fortified with pro-Vitamin A beta carotene.
The Biotech Program Office encourages high school and college
students to opt for biotechnology courses. It has developed curricula for them.
It holds short films, jingle-making and public-speaking contests on biotech for
them. A computer game—biotech crops vs zombies—has been developed. Students
participated in a fashion show with clothes made of GM corn kernels and cobs.
Lopez says her office reaches out to politicians who are neutral
or don’t have a stand on GM crops. They may be the chairperson of a committee
in Philippines’ Congress or influential in their political party. Once an
appointment is secured, she makes sure that good communicators are fielded.
These need not be scientists. They may be farmers who have a good story to tell
about how GM corn has benefited them. Politicians are taken to farms so they
can see for themselves that GM corn is no different from the non-GM variety.
Regulators are also invited to engage with politicians; they explain the
regulatory process and but don’t do advocacy so their integrity is not doubted.
Since the Philippines is strongly religious, Lopez says her office
engages with religious leaders, too. Because of its outreach, a Catholic priest
has become a member of a technical advisory committee on biosafety. A
representative was also sent to an international halal conference, which said
GM food is kosher because it does not contain pork.
In fact, through a presidential proclamation back in 2005, the
National Biotechnology Week is also being regularly celebrated.
But well-funded NGOs pose a challenge, says Lopez. There are legislative proposals to disallow GM crops. Resolutions against them have been passed by local bodies. There is fake news in the social media. Consumers have low exposure to factual information. “We have our own voice, make our own choice, and assert the right to technology. That is what we are driven by,” says Lopez.
But well-funded NGOs pose a challenge, says Lopez. There are legislative proposals to disallow GM crops. Resolutions against them have been passed by local bodies. There is fake news in the social media. Consumers have low exposure to factual information. “We have our own voice, make our own choice, and assert the right to technology. That is what we are driven by,” says Lopez.
In India, there is strong support for GM crops in scientific
circles. The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) has passed a
resolution in favour of the technology. It has supported GM mustard and even written
to the Prime Minister not to withhold approval.
The apex regulator, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), has recommended release of Bt brinjal and GM mustard for commercial cultivation. It has asked the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) in Bengaluru to study and report Bangladesh’s experience with Bt brinjal, so it can revisit the moratorium on release imposed in 2010.
The apex regulator, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), has recommended release of Bt brinjal and GM mustard for commercial cultivation. It has asked the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) in Bengaluru to study and report Bangladesh’s experience with Bt brinjal, so it can revisit the moratorium on release imposed in 2010.
The English national dailies have favoured GM crop technology
through their editorials, though their reporters tend to support the activists.
But support for agri-biotechnology is diffused. The Department of Biotechnology
has not invested in advocacy and outreach, though it funnels money to
agricultural universities, almost all of which have departments of
agri-biotechnology. At last year’s National Eligibility Test (NET), which is a
gateway for assistant professorships in state agricultural universities, the
most number of candidates were from the discipline of agri-biotechnology. But
the choke on regulatory approvals makes all that teaching and research a
humongous waste.
In 2015, Karnataka’s expert committee on agricultural
biotechnology had advised the state government to set aside Rs 10 crore to
support NGOs with acceptable proposals on public outreach so that correct
information about the safety and benefits of GM crops could be communicated to
the public and misinformation spread by anti-GM activists could be countered.
The committee was headed by M Mahadevappa, a well-known rice scientist and
former vice-chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. It
also wanted public outreach cells in agricultural universities for creation of
awareness about biotechnology. The BJP’s recent Lok Sabha
election campaign is a case study in marketing. Javadekar could take some cues
from it.
The author blogs at
www.smartindianagriculture.com
Paddyy To Be Sown On 3.17 Lakh Acres In Sialkot
SIALKOT, June 16 (UrduPoint /
Pakistan Point News - APP - 16th Jun, 2019 ) ::Over 3.17 lakh acres of land
would be brought under paddy crop in four tehsils of Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial of Sialkot district during the Kharif crop season.
Sources in Agriculture Department told APP on Sunday that the department had chalked out a well-knitted plan for
attaining the fixed target of the crop.
The Agriculture department had initiated a training programme for the paddy
growers about preparation of nurseries and cultivation of paddy crop aimed at
attaining the fixed target in Sialkot district.
Special training will be imported
to the paddy growers in 1,442 villages of Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial tehsils of Sialkot district.
Special training teams were
visiting all villages for imparting training to the rice growers for
enhancing per acre yield, sowing of paddy nurseries, utilisation of
irrigation water, pesticides and fertilizers as well as about different verities
of paddy in the district
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/paddy-to-be-s
Export reforms make way, apparently
we need automation first
The new NSW system may be all the rage, but with Pakistan's
epidemic export system rot, do we have the cart before the horse?
-
In December 2018, erstwhile
finance minister Asad Umar, while chairing the first meeting of the steering
committee, approved the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW)
system in Pakistan by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Customs’ Wing. On May
28 2019, FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi revealed to a group of journalists and
development partners that the NSW will become operational by 2021.
The announcements were met with
great enthusiasm at a gathering of officials and stakeholders including
Member Customs Operations Dr Jawwad Uwais Agha, World Bank Country
Director Patchamuthu Illangovan, Project Director Imran Mohmand, and economists
and resident officials from the Asian Development Bank. Everyone present touted
the idea that the NSW will be helpful in improving trade and “provide a
comprehensive solution for imports, exports, transit trade, trade through
border customs stations and air cargo.” But what actually is the NSW? How it is
expected to work? What is the likelihood of it working in Pakistan? And can it
be expected to impact Pakistan’s export sector woes in any positive way?
The project is to be completed at
an approximate cost of $163 million (around Rs 25 billion or 25,000 million Pak
Rupees). This is clearly a major undertaking. For context, the amount is
equivalent to the money allocated for the Green Line Bus project (Rs 24.6
billion), approximately 5 times the funds given for the Karachi water supply
scheme (Rs 9.6 billion), and almost three times the Prime Minister’s National
Health Programme (Rs 8.179 billion). But where these projects, with their
significantly lower funding, have clear goals for the public, the NSW still
wades murky waters regarding exactly what it is supposed to do.
It is pertinent to mention here
that the establishment of NSW system by 2022 is a basic requirement under the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement to which Pakistan
is a signatory. The question, therefore, is not whether to establish such a
system or not, but what are the prerequisites that need to be included in the
business plan before its formal approval to avoid it becoming another PSM or
PIA, and what will its impacts be once it is in place.
Operational and Business model of
NSW
The business model for execution
and operations as well as alignment of participating departments had been
approved by the Steering Committee back in April, 2019. The draft legislation for
NSW has been prepared while the functional, revenue and technical models are
expected to be finalized by June, 2019. Though the government has allocated
funds in the upcoming PSDP, however, customs is currently providing funds from
its GD (goods declaration) service fee to fast track the NSW implementation.
The operational model of NSW is
such that 48 trade regulators have been, or are being, taken on board whereby
all their operations will be conducted through the NSW. Under the new system,
all 48 regulatory bodies are to retain their respective powers while their
functions will be carried out through electronic access to the NSW. What will
happen to the payments being made by the traders, whether they will go to the
respective bodies, stay with NSW, or be divided in some specific proportion, is
yet to be determined. Whether there will be a registration cost payable by the
traders wishing to join NSW, and if so how much, is also to be decided. The
details shared by those spearheading the project about how NSW is expected to
earn were also hazy at best.
To understand how the business
model of NSW might work – if decided and established properly – we can take the
example of a similar single window operation from Singapore, which has proven
to be a success story.
Singapore’s one window model is
known as TradeNet and has been operational since January 1989. Back in 1987, it
cost north of 20 million Singapore Dollars in direct capital costs for TradeNet
(USD 10 million as per the exchange rate back in the day); [For NSW these are
estimated to be $163 million today]. The business model then dictated that any
company wanting to join TradeNet had to pay a monthly fee of S$20
(approximately USD 14) and per transaction cost of S$2.88 (approximately USD
1.99). (This has been a transition of a one-time connection fee of S$750 and a
monthly charge of S$30 around the turn of the decade).
Assuming ceteris paribus for
factors above and beyond the subscription fee, in Pakistani currency, this
would amount to approximately Rs 2,000 monthly subscription fee and about Rs
300 per transaction, such as permit applications, origins applications and so
on. NOCs (No objection certificates), licenses and other statutory requirements
are a different game altogether, but they will certainly cost more than this.
In a bird eye’s view, therefore, NSW does seem to have the potential to bring
cost advantages for traders in Pakistan, since Rs 2,000 is surely far less than
the logistical costs it takes for importers and exporters to travel to Karachi,
Islamabad, and provincial capitals for clearances and permit applications.
However, as of now the financial
model of National Single Window is unclear – perhaps even to the organizers and
managers themselves. During the event where the FBR chairman updated concerned
parties with the progress of the project, Customs member Agha claimed that this
one window operation will reduce the costs for every department involved, and
will also bring about reduction in the costs paid by the traders. But his presentation
only mentioned “cutting costs through reducing delays and informal payments”.
At the same time, Project Director Imran was of the opinion that the fees
charged to those facilitating from the NSW will make this model a
self-sufficient one. The running cost estimates as given by the FBR are $22.5
million per annum, amounting to approximately Rs 3.3 billion. It is interesting
to note here, that WB Country Director Patchamuthu Illangovan did not shy away
from raising his concerns over another public sector entity being formed in
Pakistan despite so many examples available of public sector projects bleeding
money. He suggested that the FBR outsource NSW to a third party to prevent yet
another organization dependent on state cash. Needless to say, the suggestion
was not taken kindly by the Customs member or the FBR officials present at the
time, but that does not discount the very real risks attached to the
implementation of this new system. It is also notable that the Singaporean
example is also a public-private partnership. In 2007, the Singapore customs
adopted a public-private partnership model for the revamping of TradeNet. NSW
can learn from its own mistakes from other projects, or learn from other
countries for exact same projects and avoid all the financial ditches. However,
if precedent is an indicator, it is likely to do neither.
The malady of exports
That’s about it for the future of
NSW as an entity itself, but what is important to look at is the impact i will
have on the public as well as the economic dynamics of the country. NSW from
the very beginning has been dubbed a breakthrough in improving the trade
climate of Pakistan. And that climate hasn’t always been very productive.
For starters, Pakistan’s imports
are relatively inelastic. According to trade data report released by the
Pakistan Business Council, one-fourth of our imports constitute petroleum
products, (23.18% in FY2018 and 26.17% in FY2019), followed by machinery,
chemicals, and food. Together, these categories constitute about 70% of our
imports. Unfortunately, our exports also seem to have an inelastic demand with
textiles making up approximately 60% of total exports. Why? Because for decades
the overvaluation of Pakistan Rupee has been blamed as the cause of lack of
competitiveness of Pakistan’s products in the international market. However,
despite the devaluation of PKR, and even with incentives being offered by the
government, the export figures showed an 11.13 percent decline in March 2019,
as shown by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. From a value of $2.227 billion in
March 2018, exports fell to $1.979 billion in march 2019. This happened despite
Pakistani currency losing almost one-third of its value against the dollar
since December 2017, when our exports seemed to have hit the hardest blow. The
problems are much rooted much deeper than just the currency value and the
delays in the clearances – important as these factors may be.
Pakistan is lagging behind its
neighbors and trading partners in economic growth. South Asia continues to be
the fastest growing region with 7 percent growth projected for 2019, according
to the World Bank’s economic update. However, Pakistan’s economic growth is
expected to decelerate to 3.4 percent in the same time period, and even more
so, by 2.7 percent, in the fiscal year 2020. The trade deficit is also
projected to remain elevated during 2019. https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/06/17/export-reforms-make-way-apparently-we-need-automation-first/SIALKOT, June 16 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 16th
Jun, 2019 ) ::Over 3.17 lakh acres of land would be brought under paddy crop in
four tehsils of Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial of Sialkot district during the Kharif crop season.
Sources in Agriculture Department told APP on Sunday that
the department had chalked out a well-knitted plan for attaining the fixed
target of the crop.
The Agriculture department had initiated a training programme for the paddy
growers about preparation of nurseries and cultivation of paddy crop aimed at
attaining the fixed target in Sialkot district.
Special training will be imported
to the paddy growers in 1,442 villages of Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial tehsils
of Sialkot district.
Special training teams were
visiting all villages for imparting
training to the rice growers for enhancing per acre yield, sowing of paddy
nurseries, utilisation of irrigation water, pesticides and fertilizers as
well as about different verities of paddy in the district
Pakistan mangoes recently obtained permission for export to China
According to the economic attache of the Chinese embassy in
Pakistan the second phase of the Sino-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement comes into
effect this month. After negotiations in the second phase are concluded, many
more top-quality Pakistan fruits will enter the vast Chinese market. The first
shipment from Pakistan to China mainly consists of agricultural products. Aman
Ullah Khan, CEO of Pakistan Gelutong Trade and Commerce Co., Ltd., stated that
Pakistani mangoes will likely enter the Chinese market soon.
Aman Ullah Khan also explained that the duty free project worth 1
billion USD mainly applies to agricultural products, including sugar, rice, and
fruit. The Pakistan Foreign Trade Association will benefit from this agreement,
and the competitive position of Pakistan products in the Chinese market will
grow stronger.
Source: ce.cn
own-on-317-lakh-acres-in-sialko-646205.html
Louisiana Makes Truth in Labeling the Law
By Kane Webb
BATON ROUGE, LA -- With final passage and signature of SB152 -
Truth in Labeling, Louisiana has made it official and joins the growing list of
states protecting consumers from mislabeling of products and demanding
manufacturers adhere to "truth in labeling."
"It is our responsibility to protect the consumer and the
integrity of the agriculture food product," said the state's Agriculture
and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain.
"The consumer has the right to know what they are buying and the
public has entrusted us to let them know they are being told the truth about
the product they are buying."
The new law takes effect on October 1, 2020.
"We want to thank the bill's co-sponsors, Senator Thompson and
Representative Stefanski, along with Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
Dr. Mike Strain for their leadership," said Jackie Loewer, Louisiana rice
farmer and chair of the Louisiana Producers Group. "They reached out to us [Louisiana rice
producers] and the other agricultural commodities, to make sure this
legislation was beneficial to both the farmer and the consumer in addressing
the issues we face with the increasing mislabeling trend."
While the legislation covers a wide range of commodity products,
the establishment of a "standard of identity" for rice and the other
commodities, is a significant step in the efforts to get the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to adopt similar
standards for the American consumer. 
Ross Thibodeaux, a rice farmer from Midland, testified about rice
pretenders before the state's House Ag Committee, saying, "We are proud of
our stellar reputation as an industry, and it should be no wonder that anyone
in the food business would gladly want to tout this marketing message that
consumers have come to trust and respect.
Various food companies have become increasingly emboldened in their
marketing and sales strategies to advertise their vegetable products as if they
were rice. Let me be clear, rice is a
grain."
USA Rice has been raising the issue of rice pretenders and the need
for a federal Standard of Identity (SOI) for rice with FDA for several
years. USA Rice maintains that an SOI is
needed to combat deceptive and misleading advertising of these non-rice
products and will continue to press the issue.
"The Louisiana law just adds to our arsenal of tools to press for
more action against offending products and as more states join the ranks of
Arkansas and Louisiana it helps shine a light on the issue at a national
level." said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.
Webinar
Registration
Conservation Program Opportunities for Rice - UAEX Food &
Agribusiness Webinar
Description
Great strides have
been taken over the years to conserve our nation’s working ricelands with
significant reductions in land, water, and energy use. As new conservation
tools and programs emerge they present an opportunity to keep building on those
accomplishments, but finding those opportunities is often the challenge. Also,
learn about the USA Rice – Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership’s new
opportunities for rice farmers.
Presenter: Josh Hankins is the Director of Grower Relations and Rice Stewardship Partnership for USA Rice. Josh is headquartered in Arkansas and leads efforts to deliver on-the-ground conservation initiatives, assisting rice producers with increased on-farm energy and nutrient use efficiencies, water and soil conservation and wildlife management. His efforts through public-private partnerships have helped bring in over $50 million of conservation funding to the rice farming industry.
Josh has wide-ranging work experience in the fields of agriculture, finance, and medicine. Josh grew up in Faulkner County, AR, received his degree from Pepperdine University in California, and lives in Little Rock with his wife and two daughters.
Presenter: Josh Hankins is the Director of Grower Relations and Rice Stewardship Partnership for USA Rice. Josh is headquartered in Arkansas and leads efforts to deliver on-the-ground conservation initiatives, assisting rice producers with increased on-farm energy and nutrient use efficiencies, water and soil conservation and wildlife management. His efforts through public-private partnerships have helped bring in over $50 million of conservation funding to the rice farming industry.
Josh has wide-ranging work experience in the fields of agriculture, finance, and medicine. Josh grew up in Faulkner County, AR, received his degree from Pepperdine University in California, and lives in Little Rock with his wife and two daughters.
Time
Fuel for the Fight, Rice Drives One of
Thailand's Most Famous Muay Thai Kickboxers
PR NewswireJune 18, 2019
BANGKOK, June
18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of
Commerce, Thailand has introduced a project
called "Think RICE, Think THAILAND" to encourage international
community to pay attention to consumer health and to raise awareness on the
national crop by providing a wider range of knowledge, ranging from national
agricultural history, standards and Thai rice quality. Buakaw Bunchamek,
one of Thailand's most famous Muay Thai kickboxers
who fought in both Muay Thai and K-1
kickboxing all over the world, shared how Thai rice has always fueled him for
every fight.
Fuel for the Fight, Rice Drives One of Thailand’s Most Famous
Muay Thai Kickboxers
More
Hailing from the rural Thai
province of Surin, his source of energy lies in the rice fields that surround
his training camp. He planted them himself too. "As a farmer's child, I
definitely have a strong connection with rice. Looking at the paddies makes you
feel at home, closer to nature. You can let go physically and mentally after
you've tired yourself out from training, and don't have to always focus on
being exhausted from practice," says Buakaw.
Thai Hom Mali rice is Buakaw's
go-to rice. A single of bowl of Thai Hom Mali rice provides roughly 200 calories
-- it's why Buakaw estimates rice to make up 70- 80% of his diet. "Rice is
a staple that everyone in Thailand eats. Boxers in training
need carbohydrates," he says.
What's more, Thai Hom Mali rice
is the ideal complement to Thai food. "The rice that I grow now is from my
parents' fields," says Buakaw. "It goes well with Kaprow (stir-fried
Thai basil and minced meat) and many other Thai dishes. After a fight, I
usually go back home for some downtime and ask my family to make Nam
prik pla thu (mackerel with shrimp paste chili paste), Pla ra (fermented
fish), and vegetables."
In a world where fighters are
exploring the boundaries of nutrition and sports science, Buakaw demonstrates
the importance of simplicity and tradition. "Based on my own experience,
Thai Hom Mali rice is the best strain of rice from this region. I have tried
rice from other countries, but nothing can beat Thai Hom Mali rice," says
the champion.
Think Rice, Think Thailand.
Thai Hom Mali Rice's Unrivalled
Quality Keeps People Coming Back for More
PR NewswireJune 18, 2019
BANGKOK, June
18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of
Commerce, Thailand, has introduced a project called
"Think RICE, Think THAILAND" to encourage international
community to pay attention to consumer health and to raise awareness on the
national crop by providing a wider range of knowledge, ranging from national
agricultural history, standards and Thai rice quality. Mr. Saminder
Bedi, Business Head for Rice in Thailand for Phoenix Global, shared
how Thai Hom Mali rice's unrivalled quality became a global favourite.
Mr. Saminder Bedi, Business Head for Rice in Thailand for
Phoenix Global
More
"Our business operations
bring us into contact with customers globally," says Mr. Saminder Bedi. "Exports to Africa alone count for as much as 45% of Thailand's total exports of rice. It is, therefore, the region of
focus and a key to our geographical segmentation, along with the US, Europe and key countries in the Middle East and Asia. All these regions have a very
large consumer base for Thai Hom Mali Rice. As one of the dominant players in
the rice business, we cater to their demand."
"Thai Hom Mali Rice is
a global favourite because of two reasons. One, it's pleasing to the taste.
Two, it's pleasing to the eye. Our clients are confident we can deliver the
product, because Thailand is known to consistently
produce good quality Thai Hom Mali Rice."
This dependability is the result
of the high standards set by the Thai government. The government ensures that
only certified Thai Hom Mali Rice seeds are used and only planted in the
regions where the weather and soil conditions are perfect for growing Thai
Hom Mali Rice.
Once the rice is ready for
export, there is a rigorous inspection and approval process. Every inspection
agency and inspector in Thailand needs to be licensed,
Before the rice is shipped, samples are collected at Thai ports and the rice is
tested to ensure quality control. QR codes are also used for traceability.
"The consistent track record
of quality has resulted in a large customer base who are loyal to Thai Hom Mali
Rice. And the number of customers continues to grow worldwide. Customers will
not opt for other brands of rice. There is no substitute for the delicious
taste, soft texture or fragrant aroma of Thai Hom Mali Rice."
Think Rice, Think Thailand.
Start the conversation
Rice Prices
as on :
18-06-2019 11:18:14 AM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Durgapur(WB)
|
92.00
|
-31.85
|
1008.00
|
2800
|
2850
|
1.82
|
|
Asansol(WB)
|
90.00
|
-26.23
|
2126.00
|
2900
|
3000
|
NC
|
|
Gazipur(UP)
|
38.00
|
-30.91
|
4661.50
|
3280
|
3260
|
-
|
|
Lakhimpur(UP)
|
32.00
|
28
|
1273.50
|
2310
|
2350
|
-0.86
|
|
Kishunpur(UP)
|
21.00
|
110
|
172.00
|
1800
|
1800
|
NC
|
|
Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP)
|
14.00
|
180
|
143.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
11.11
|
|
Soharatgarh(UP)
|
6.00
|
-29.41
|
387.00
|
2425
|
2420
|
17.15
|
|
Sehjanwa(UP)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
221.60
|
2160
|
2160
|
-
|
|
Nautnava(UP)
|
1.50
|
25
|
240.60
|
2200
|
2230
|
-
|
|
Jambusar(Kaavi)(Guj)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
44.00
|
3000
|
3200
|
-
|
Published
on June 18, 2019
op-end rice
prices on the boil
Prices of preferred non-basmati
rice varieties such as Sona Masuri and Kolam have risen by up to a fifth over
the past few weeks on supply squeeze. This is mainly on account of reduced
output in the previous cropping season in the drought-affected regions of
eastern Karnataka and Vidarbha, where these varieties are mostly grown.
Also the tardy progress of
southwest monsoon and concerns over projection of rainfall this year has aided
the upward price trend with farmers and millers holding back their stocks,
sources said.
Water crisis
Scanty rainfall last year coupled
with lack of canal water for irrigation had impacted the paddy cultivation in
districts such as Bellary, Koppal, Raichur and Yadgir in Eastern Karnataka.
“While the kharif transplantation
was hit by the delay in release of water last year, farmers could not take up
paddy cultivation during the rabi season as there was hardly any water in the
canals,” said Chamras Malipatil, President of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha -
Hasiru Sene.
However, there’s no dearth of
paddy stocks, he said. “Large farmers, stockists and millers are holding the
stocks from previous crops,” Malipatil said, adding that newer storage
techniques, including improved fumigation, are helping them hold the stocks.
Traditionally, the prices of the
preferred varieties go up during this time of the year by about ₹2 per kg as the supply slows down. However, the extent of
increase has more than doubled to around ₹5 per kg this year, says RC Lahoti, President, Bengaluru
Wholesale Food Grain & Pulses Merchants’ Association.
Interestingly, the prices of
other varieties such as Salem Idly has also gone up this year. “Prices may come
down when the farmers start releasing the stocks in October-November,” Lahoti
said.
Srikar Nag of Raichur Rice Mills
Association, blamed the unplanned release of water for irrigation from the dams
on the Tungabhadra and the Krishna rivers in the region for the shortfall in
the crop. “Though the Tungabhadra dam got filled up, farmers could hardly take
advantage of it due to the unplanned release of waters by the government,” said
Nag.
Abysmal water
levels
Water levels have reached the
dead storage levels in Tungabhadra reservoir, where accumulation of silt has
reduced the storage capacity. While the shortfall in last year’s kharif crop
was estimated at 30-40 per cent, farmers could hardly harvest a tenth of the
rabi crop, he said.
As a result, the supplies to the
rice mills in Raichur have drastically reduced, forcing some mills to fetch
paddy from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Nag said. Consecutive droughts in
Nagpur region, where the Kolam variety is grown, has also hit the supplies of
the premium variety, he added.
Vikram Shreeram of Shriya Rice
Mills in Raichur said the price correction ranged between ₹2-6 per kg at the mill, depending on the varieties. The shortage
of paddy has hit the processing of 70-odd rice mills in Raichur, which have
reduced their production by half. “The 70-odd mills used to load about 400-500
tonnes of processed rice every day. Presently, we are not even loading 150-200
tonnes a day,” he added.
Srinivas Jayanthi, a trader in
Bengaluru said the price fluctuation continues on a daily basis.
The steamed variety of sona
masuri has seen the highest increase from around ₹33 a kg a month ago to aound ₹41-42 per kg now. “Prices could ease depending on the progress
of monsoon,” he added.
India’s rice production for
2018-19 is seen at a record 115.63 million tonnes. Bulk of the paddy produced
in India is that of common variety, which is used for supply of rice through
the public distribution system. Trade sources estimate that about a fourth of
rice produced in India is of premium variety including basmati. However, the
production figures for preferred varieties like sona masuri and kolam were not
readily available.
Pu
Odisha
seeks more time for rice supply to FCI
OSCSCL
has urged the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department to move the FCI for
extension of the time limit for delivery of rice procured during kharif
marketing season 2018-19.
Published: 18th June 2019 07:14
AM | Last Updated: 18th June 2019 07:14 AM | A+A A-
Paddy cultivation in Cuttack. (File Photo |
EPS)
BHUBANESWAR: The state government is
likely to move the Centre for extending delivery period of Custom Milled Rice
(CMR) as the supply of the food grain to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is
likely to be delayed.
Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited
(OSCSCL) has urged the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department to move
the FCI for extension of the time limit for delivery of rice procured during
kharif marketing season 2018-19.
The delay in delivery of rice by September 30
may not be possible due to various factors including damage to rice mills
caused by cyclone Fani.
In a communication to Secretary of Food
Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, Managing Director of OSCSCL Saroj
Kumar Samal stated that mill premises in coastal districts of Khurda, Puri and
Jagatsinghpur have been ravaged by the cyclone damaging the stock of paddy and
rice.
ALSO READ: Kharif
crop plan for Odisha's Mayurbhanj
The corporation has also cited inadequacy of
space to stock rice of record procurement of paddy during the kharif season.
The state government has procured 62 lakh tonne
of paddy during the period.
Some of the godowns, which usually accommodate
the rice, have also been damaged.
Since repair work is underway, it will be
difficult to stock huge quantities of rice in absence of store houses.
Stay up to date on all the latest Odisha news
with The New Indian Express App. Download
now
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TAGS
/ 2:09 PM / A DAY AGO
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUNE 18, 2019
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-June 18, 2018 Nagpur,
June 18 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices reported down in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) on lack of demand from local millers
amid increased supply from producing belts. Sharp fall on NCDEX in gram,
downward trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses and high moisture content arrival also
pushed down prices in limited deals. About 850 bags of gram and 350 bags of
tuar reported for auction, according to sources.
GRAM
* Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was
poor.
TUAR
* Tuar gavarani declined further in open market here on lack of
demand from local
traders.
* Udid varieties reported weak in open market on poor buying
support from local
traders.
* In Akola, Tuar New – 5,900-6,100, Tuar dal (clean) –
8,400-8,600, Udid Mogar (clean)
– 6,700-7,600, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,700-8,400, Gram –
4,500-4,600, Gram Super best
– 6,200-6,400 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a
narrow range in
scattered deals and settled at last levels in limited trading
activity.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for
100 kg
FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction 3,900-4,150 3,900-4,210
Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction 4,900-5,685 4,850-5,700
Moong Auction n.a. 3,950-4,200
Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction n.a. 2,200-2,500
Wheat Lokwan Auction 1,800-1,895 1,800-1,895
Wheat Sharbati Auction n.a. 2,900-3,000
Gram Super Best Bold 6,400-6,600 6,400-6,600
Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.
Gram Medium Best 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200
Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a
Gram Mill Quality 4,300-4,400 4,300-4,400
Desi gram Raw 4,450-4,550 4,450-4,550
Gram Kabuli 8,300-10,000 8,300-10,000
Tuar Fataka Best-New 8,700-8,800 8,700-8,800
Tuar Fataka Medium-New 8,300-8,500 8,300-8,500
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 8,000-8,200 8,000-8,200
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 7,500-7,800 7,500-7,800
Tuar Gavarani New 5,750-5,950 5,800-6,000
Tuar Karnataka 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300
Masoor dal best 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600
Masoor dal medium 5,200-5,300 5,200-5,300
Masoor n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,800-8,500 7,800-8,500
Moong Mogar Medium 6,800-7,200 6,800-7,200
Moong dal Chilka New 6,500-7,600 6,500-7,600
Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best 8,000-9,000 8,100-9,000
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,000-7,800 7,200-8,000
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,500 5,800-6,500
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,200-4,600
Mot (100 INR/KG) 5,100-6,600 5,100-6,600
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 5,450-5,650 5,450-5,650
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 6,700-6,900 6,700-6,900
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,600
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,300 2,200-2,300
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500 3,000-3,500
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,900 2,600-2,900
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500 3,100-3,500
Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,900 2,500-3,000
Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,200 2,800-3,200
Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000
Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700
Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400
Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,600 4,100-4,600
Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,600-3,900 3,600-3,900
Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400
Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800
Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,000 4,600-5,000
Rice Shriram New (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,500-13,500 8,500-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,000 5,000-7,000
Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-7,200 6,500-7,200
Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400
Rice Chinnor New (100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,350-2,550 2,350-2,550
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,050-2,250 2,050-2,250 WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 41.4 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 28.3 degree Celsius Rainfall :
Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature likely to be
around 41 degree Celsius and 28 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.—not
available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices,
but included in market prices)
Year's
1st rice harvest
Posted : 2019-06-18 16:15
Updated : 2019-06-18 16:15
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A
farmer harvests rice with a combine harvester at a greenhouse in Icheon,
Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. The harvest came much earlier than the usual time
of fall, as rice planting also took place earlier thanks to warm temperatures
in the greenhouse. Yonhap
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Heat, rain delay leave
rice growers worried
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 17,
2019 23:10 IST
Farmers seek more than 8 hours of
uninterrupted power supply to sustain crops
With the advent of the paddy transplantation season in Punjab and Haryana, an expected delay in monsoon and the ongoing
heatwave have left farmers worried.
Monsoon is likely to hit the two States by the first week of
July, five-six days later than its usual onset, according to the India
Meteorological Department.
Water-guzzling crop
“Paddy is a water-guzzling crop and hence a delay in the rains
would mean an increase in the cost of cultivation for the farmers. Dependency
on the groundwater would also rise,” said Surinder Pal, director,
IMD-Chandigarh.
“Also, this year the temperatures have been slightly higher than
previous year. On an average, between mid-April and mid-June, the region has
seen a 0.5 degree Celsius rise in temperature against last year. Besides, the
summer has been abrupt. The water levels in the dams are good, which could ease
the situation,” he added.
Fearing adverse impact of the changes in the climatic conditions
on the crops, farmers’ unions in Punjab are now demanding an uninterrupted
supply of electricity beyond eight hours that the State government has assured
to provide.
“The eight-hour power supply to run tube wells for paddy won't
help farmers this year. The government needs to provide electricity beyond
that. With temperatures on the rise and a delay in the rains, the cost to
sustain the crop is all set to go up for the farmers,” said Harmeet Singh of
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadian).
“A minimum of 10 hours of uninterrupted water supply is
required, only then would the farmers be able to sustain their crops. In the
absence of power supply, the farmers will have to irrigate their fields with
diesel-operated generators, which would raise the cost of inputs,” he said.
The State government has made arrangements for 14,000 MW, with
the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited anticipating the demand to be around
13,500 MW.
BKU demand
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh said,
“First of all, the government needs to develop a mechanism to provide
uninterrupted power supply. There have been instances when as soon as the power
demand peaks, the system trips. The government should ensure 10 hours of
electricity for the paddy crop otherwise the farmers would suffer losses this
season.”
Economist sees
favorable rice price outlook
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LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell, far left, tells
farmers at the Vermilion Parish rice field day on June 11 about fertilizer
strategies they should consider for their rice crop.
·
At stop on the field tour during the Acadia Parish rice field
day on June 12, LSU AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster talks about a study of
herbicide effectiveness on aquatic weeds.
·
LAKE
ARTHUR — An LSU AgCenter economist had good news for rice farmers at the
Vermilion Parish rice field day on June 11.
“Optimism
is high that with recaptured market share in core markets, the outlook for rice
is positive from a price standpoint,” Michael Deliberto said.
He
told farmers American rice has become more competitive, which could allow the
U.S. to regain market share in Latin America.
The improved trade outlook combined with decreased U.S. rice acreage has led
the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase its projected long-grain price
to $10.50 per hundredweight and the medium-grain price to $11 cwt., a 50-cent
increase from the previous USDA estimate, Deliberto said.
Iraq
has agreed to buy 120,000 metric tons of U.S. rice, but it’s unclear if that
country will consistently be an American customer.
The
prospect of selling rice to China remains viable, but no deals have been
reached yet, Deliberto said.
China
has been selling rice in Puerto Rico, and China has become taking away U.S.
market share in the Mediterranean.
At
the Acadia Parish rice field day on June 12, farmers heard about extensive weed
research being conducted at the South Farm of the AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice
Research Station. AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster showed farmers several
herbicide studies he is conducting with his graduate students.
Graduate
student Sam Rustom has a study of mixing Loyant with Provisia.
One
study is looking at the rates of Loyant that can damage soybeans from drift.
Small droplets of Loyant, 2,4-D and dicamba can damage nearby crops. “If you’re
putting Loyant out next to a soybean field, be very careful. It takes only a
small amount to get activity,” Webster said.
Another study is being conducted to see if rice seed germination is affected by
late-season herbicide applications.
Testing
also is being conducted on herbicide timing and rates for a wide range of
products, said graduate student Connor Webster.
AgCenter
rice breeder Adam Famoso said two Clearfield lines are possible candidates for
release as varieties.
The
line 2097 has a yield increase over CL153 by 5%, but the grain quality is an
issue with a higher amount of chalk. Another line, 2195, has 3% to 5% less
yield than CL153 but with better grain quality than 2097, he said.
Foundation
seed is being grown for both lines, Famoso said, so if either is released at
the end of this year, seed production could start in 2020. “At the end of the
season, we’ll make a final decision,” he said.
A
new Provisia variety was approved this year, but work continues on more
possibilities with the Provisia technology. “We’ve got plenty of other lines in
the Provisia pipeline,” Famoso said.
AgCenter
plant pathologist Don Groth said he has received sheath blight disease reports.
“It’s actually getting a later start compared to previous years,” he said.
Fungicide-resistant sheath blight can be controlled with Elegia. Amistar Top
didn’t work as well as expected last year, but more research is being done to
see if its effectiveness can be improved, Groth said.
It
appears this won’t be a bad year for Cercospora. But Cercospora will become
apparent earlier on late-planted rice, he said.
AgCenter
rice specialist Dustin Harrell said heavy rainfall this spring has created more
challenges for growing rice. Most of it was planted the third week of March.
“We were fighting the weather from the get-go,” he said.
The
last big rain probably claimed 200 acres of rice, and one farmer has had his
crop submerged three times after heavy rains this year.
“It’s
all been about fighting the water,” said Andrew Granger, AgCenter agent in
Vermilion Parish.
Some
uneven emergence of rice plants has occurred on some fields, probably from cool
soil temperatures, Harrell said.
AgCenter
entomologist Blake Wilson said the seed treatment Fortenza used with Cruiser
Maxx has been as effective as Dermacor against rice water weevils, but it has
no activity on stem borers.
Stem borers can take away as much as 5% to 10% of crop yield.
Dermacor
can even be effective on stem borers in the ratoon crop, Wilson said.
AgCenter
plant pathologist and soybean specialist Boyd Padgett said research is being
done to find flood-tolerant soybean varieties.
Soybeans
can survive flooding for 48 to 96 hours, depending on conditions.
Padgett
recommended farmers wait four to five days before deciding whether they will
replant a soybean field that has flooded.
Engineers for social
good to be recognized
Manila Water Foundation
·
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·
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Dr. Ricardo Orge works as an
agricultural engineer from the Philippine Rice Research Institute. His most
recent work, a machine for processing rice hull, has enabled farmers from Nueva
Ecija and Bulacan to speed up their income-generating activities and address
environmental and climate change concerns.
In line with this, Manila Water
Foundation (MWF) collaborates with the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) to highlight Filipino
engineers who work for the social good through its biennial award-giving body –
the MWF Prize for Engineering Excellence.
Now on its third run, the MWF Prize for
Engineering Excellence continues its search for engineers whose projects have
created positive social impact and enabled change in marginalized communities
and sectors. Since 2015, the Prize has awarded six engineers, including Orge.
As the country’s first and only
recognizing body that acknowledges Filipino engineers from all disciplines, the
winners will receive a cash prize of P500,000, a special medal, and a
trophy.
Interested
nominees and nominators may download the entry forms by clicking here.
The deadline for the submission of entries is on June 28, 2019.
Watch this video to know more:
