Wednesday, May 13, 2020

13th May,2020 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter




REAP, LCCI congratulate Chela Ram Kewlani

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) has congratulated Chela Ram Kewlani, a leading rice exporter and businessman of Pakistan, on his appointment as Chairman Minorities Commission of Pakistan. REAP Chairman Shahjahan Malik and Pir Syed Nazim Hussain Shah in a statement issued here Friday said that Chela Ram is a leading rice exporter for two decades and led rice exporters' apex body too. He had always played a very active role in promoting religious harmony and is a social worker and generous philanthropist.
Meanwhile, the LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh in a separate statement thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for appointing leading Rice Exporter of Pakistan Chela Ram Kewlani as Chairman of Minorities Commission of Pakistan.
PHILIPPINES SEES END-2020 RICE STOCKS AT 3.3 MLN T, HIGHEST IN 10 YEARS
5/11/2020
MANILA, May 12 (Reuters) - The Philippines will end the year with a rice inventory of 3.3 million tonnes, a government official said on Tuesday, as the world's biggest rice importer ramps up purchases of its staple food while also trying to boost domestic output.
An inventory of that size would be the Philippines' biggest year-end stockpile in 10 years, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed.
"Going into the lean months and onto December 31, 2020, we have enough supply of food, and that includes our major staple – rice," Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement. The lean months are from July to September, when the local rice harvest is usually low.
The projected year-end inventory can cover national consumption for 94 days, he said.
The projection takes into account the 300,000-tonne rice imports now being undertaken by the government, the first by the state since the Philippines lifted a two-decade-old quantitative restrictions on rice imports last year.
The additional rice imports would raise the Southeast Asian country's total imports so far this year to a record 3 million tonnes, exceeding last year's purchases estimated at 2.9 million tonnes. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
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PH to import 300,000 MT of rice
By: Karl R. Ocampo - Reporter / @kocampoINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:52 AM May 12, 2020
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government will now push through with its plan to import 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from Vietnam after the Vietnamese government decided to finally resume exporting rice to Asean countries to maintain adequate food supply in the region amid the new coronavirus pandemic.
The volume is on top of the 2.7 million MT of rice approved by the Bureau of Plant Industry this year, bringing the expected volume of rice imports to 3 million MT.
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The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) pronouncement came just after weeks of assuring consumers that the country had enough rice supply. The DA projected last month a 94-day buffer stock by yearend.
Since the National Food Authority can no longer import rice under the rice tariffication law, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the government-to-government importation would be undertaken by the Philippine International Trading Corp. under the Department of Trade and Industry

PhilRice warns farmers vs. rice plant viruses

Updated May 12, 2020, 8:58 AM

By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Farmers should watch out for certain types of viruses that may infect rice plants, as there is no known treatment as yet to some of these viruses, according to an expert of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
Description: (PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Plant pathologist Jennifer Niones of the Department of Agriculture’s PhilRice cited four types of viruses — namely,  tungro, dwarf, grassy stunt, and ragged stunt — which farmers must guard against to minimize significant yield losses.
Tungro virus is an extremely damaging rice disease occurring in South and Southeast Asia that leads to 70-100 percent yield loss. Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) cause this disease, Niones said. As infected plants cannot be treated, farmers must consider preventive measures especially if their area had past incidences of tungro infestation, she said.
Dwarf virus, which was first observed in the rice fields of Midsayap, Cotabato, could reduce yield by 50 to 80 percent, especially when it strikes down at vegetative stage. Infected plants show pronounced stunting, increased tillering, and shortened darker green leaves  with fine chlorotic specks, Niones said.
She noted that the spread of dwarf virus could be prevented through plowing of the fallowed rice field and synchronous planting.
She added that applying insecticide to rice seedlings before transplanting could also be an option, while areas infected during the previous cropping season should be immediately plowed.
The grassy stunt virus could cause stunting and yellowing of the plant. This virus is commonly spread by nymph and adult brown plant hopper.
This virus, Niones said, frequently affect fields where year-round and continuous rice growing is practiced. Although plants can be infected in all growth stages, infection usually happens during the tillering stage, she said.
Niones pointed out that the virus can be managed through planting brown plant hopper-resistant rice varieties.
The populations of brown plant hopper should also be immediately managed, while infected fields should be plowed right after harvest to reduce the virus source, she added.
Another virus also transmitted by the brown plant hopper, Niones said, is the rice ragged stunt virus, which can bring up to 80 percent yield losses. It could cause severe stunting during early crop stages, green leaves with darker than the normal color that appears to have jagged uneven edges, and appearance of yellow to yellow-brown leaves that twist into spiral shapes at the base of leaf blades.
Like the tungro virus, ragged stunt virus-infected plants cannot be treated so preventive rather than direct-control measures should be implemented, she added.
Niones noted that to manage the four types of viruses, infected plants should be immediately removed once the disease is detected.
“They can be prevented by practicing a fallow period of at least one month between each crop to reduce the pests’ food supply; reducing their populations. Resistant varieties should also be considered but insecticide should only be applied when needed,” she said.

Gov’t allots P313.5-M to boost rice output in E. Visayas

By Gerico Sabalza  May 12, 2020, 5:42 pm
Description: https://files.pna.gov.ph/category-list/2020/05/12/rice-farm.jpg
HIGHER YIELD. A rice farm in Pagsang-an village Abuyog, Leyte. The Department of Agriculture on Tuesday (May 12, 2020) said the national government allocated PHP313.5-million to increase the rice production in Eastern Visayas amid the global health crisis. (PNA photo by Gerico A. Sabalza)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allocating PHP313.5-million to increase rice production in Eastern Visayas.
This is part of the national government’s PHP8.5-billion Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) to ensure food sufficiency amid the coronavirus pandemic by boosting domestic production of rice, DA Eastern Visayas director Angel Enriquez said Tuesday in a statement.
“From this, we will be starting the distribution of hybrid seeds and fertilizer in time for the onset of planting season in some areas in Northern Samar and Biliran,” she added.
The RRP will cover a total of 112,035 farmers in the region through its three component sub-projects.
A total of 139,249 bags of inorganic fertilizers worth PHP139.2-million will be distributed under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that will complement the inbred seeds of the Philippine Rice Research Institute involving 69,625 hectares of rice areas in the region.
Those farmers excluded in the RCEF will be supported through the Expanded Inbred Rice Production subproject, with a corresponding target of 9,565 hectares for certified seeds and 9,603 for good seeds.
Under the Expanded Hybrid Rice Production subproject, at least 10,820 bags of hybrid seeds and 67,320 bags of inorganic fertilizer will be distributed.
This is on top of the 11,620 hybrid seeds under the regular hybridization program implemented in the region that will cover a total of 22,440 hectares of rice areas.
“We should not rely on other countries for our rice requirements because there are indications that Thailand and other Asian countries may not be able to export their rice as they need to secure first their own domestic food requirements,” Enriquez said.
The RRP is part of the PHP31-billion supplemental budget of the national government to bankroll the Plant, Plant, Plant Program or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Covid-19 program.
This aims to increase the country’s rice production by December 2020 by reaching 22.12 million metric times (MMT) of palay equivalent to 13.51 MMT of rice or 93 percent of the country’s total demand at 14.46 MMT. (PNA)

Rice farmers in parts of Philippines get cash subsidies

Philippine Information Agency
12th May 2020, 18:38 GMT+10
CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Philippines, May 12 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture in partnership with local government units and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is distributing a P5, 000 cash subsidy to rice farmers tiling one hectare or less in three municipalities and Tabukm to help augment their needs.
Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Domingo Bakilan said the province is now on its second release through LBP cash card.
"More than 1,200 farmers that composed the second batch of recipients received today the assistance under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) of the Department of Agriculture", he said Tuesday.
The first release was received by the first batch of 614 farmers.
He said the municipalities covered under this program are Rizal, Pinukpuk, Tanudan and Tabuk City. "The remaining beneficiaries will receive the same subsidy, maybe to reach five batches," Bakilan said.
Aimed to help farmers affected by the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, 7,847 rice farmers from the four covered areas are eligible to receive the assistance based on the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture, said Fevelyn Apil Macadaeg of DA-CAR-RFO.
Aside from RFFA, she said the Department of Agriculture will continue helping small rice farmers boost their productivity and increase their income through the department's other major programs such as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, the SURE Aid loan assistance program, and continuous palay-buying through the National Food Authority. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

Vietnam resumes rice exports to Phl, ASEAN countries
By DAPublished on May 12, 2020
QUEZON CITY, May 12 -- The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has resumed rice exports to the Philippines and other members of ASEAN to maintain adequate food supply in the region and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Description: https://files.pia.gov.ph/source/2020/05/12/vietnam-resumes-rice-exports-to-phl-asean-countries.jpgAgriculture Secretary William Dar said they  welcome the decision by Vietnam to resume its rice export policy and take into account the difficulties faced by various stakeholders during this crisis. Photo by DA

“We welcome the decision by Vietnam to resume its rice export policy and take into account the difficulties faced by various stakeholders during this crisis,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
He thanked Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, who furnished him a copy of a letter by Vietnam Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh, dated 4 May 2020, assuring the Philippines of delivery of 400,000 metric tons (MT) of rice contracted in April.
In his letter, Minister Tran said that on April 28, 2020, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved the resumption of rice exports to the Philippines and other ASEAN countries, starting on May 1, 2020.
“I hope the new decision by our Prime Minister will contribute to the joint efforts by ASEAN Member States in maintaining adequate food supply to ASEAN Community to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen ASEAN’s internal unity,” Minister Tran said.
For his part, Secretary Dar said: “Indeed, Vietnam is making a valuable contribution in strengthening ASEAN cooperation and internal unity. We need to keep the regional market open for trade and ensure the sustainability of the supply chain among ASEAN member-states, especially for food and other essential goods.”
From January 1 to May 1, 2020, the Philippines has contracted 666,480 MT of rice from Vietnam, of which 218,300 MT has been delivered, leaving a balance of 448,180 MT, according to the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) that issues the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) for rice imports.
“This means that Vietnamese rice exporters will commence fulfillment of their contracts with Philippine importers, and consider future supply deals under an existing bilateral trade agreement,” Secretary Dar said.
Since January 2020, the DA-BPI has issued SPSICs covering 2.7 million MT, of which about 729,000 MT has arrived, with 1.189 million MT to be delivered this month and the rest in succeeding months.
In a related development, Secretary Dar said that the DTI’s Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) has officially opened the government-to-government rice importation for the supply of 300,000 MT of rice, which will serve as buffer stock during the lean months.
The PITC has already sent communications to Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Cambodia, added Secretary Dar, who also serves as chairperson of the IATF Task Group on Food Security. (TM/DA


Vietnam reaffirms pledge to resume rice exports to PH

May 12, 2020

The Vietnamese government  has reassured the Philippines of its commitment to resume rice exports beginning May 1, in fulfillment of the earlier consensus reached by the region’s economies to keep their markets open and enhance regional cooperation in strengthening the sustainability of regional supply chains, especially in this time of a global crisis spawned by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

In his letter to Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III, Vietnamese Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh said this decision to carry out the earlier commitment by member-states of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations was reached last April 18 after “considering thoroughly assessment findings on (Vietnam’s) domestic rice supply” and the recommendations of his Ministry.
“I hope the new decision by our Prime Minister (Nguyen Xuan Phuc) will contribute to the joint efforts by ASEAN Member States in maintaining adequate food supply to ASEAN Community to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen ASEAN’s internal unity,” Tran said in his letter to Dominguez last May 4.
An earlier letter received by the DoF chief from  Tran last April 13 informed him of the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s approval of the Philippines’ rice export quota of 400,000 metric tons  for the month of April.
In his May 4 letter, Tran said that as chairman of the ASEAN this year, Vietnam “attaches great importance to realizing its commitments” in the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN’s Economic Resilience in Response to the Outbreak of Covid-19 released last March 10, and to the Declaration of the Special ASEAN Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019 by the ASEAN Leaders issued last April 14.
The Vietnamese minister noted that these accords “require us to keep ASEAN’s market open for trade and investment, enhancing cooperation among ASEAN member states in strengthening the resiliency and sustainability of regional supply chains, especially for food, medicines and other essential supplies.”
“In this spirit, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam has seriously taken into account and reported to the Government of Viet Nam on the difficulties faced by various stakeholders as well as mounting concerns from importing countries being parts of the rice supply chains with import from Viet Nam, including particularly concerns from the Philippines,” he said in his letter.
“On 18 April 2020, after considering thoroughly assessment findings on domestic rice supply and recommendations by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam, H.E. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc decided to fully resume rice export from 1 May 2020,” Tran added.
During the April 14 Special ASEAN Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019 held online, President Duterte called on his fellow Southeast Asian leaders to ensure that the region is ready for future disease outbreaks by improving and expanding ASEAN’s mechanisms to cover public health emergencies,” and to keep trade open to “ensure the supply chain connectivity and the smooth flow of goods within our region”.
“We are particularly concerned with food security in this period of lockdowns. Our most urgent priority is ensuring sufficient supply of rice for our people. ASEAN must remain open for trade. Crisis or no crisis, as no country can stand alone,” the President said during the summit.
“Food security is key in maintaining socio-economic and political stability, especially at a time of great difficulty for our people. We can ignore this only at our own risk,” he added.
In their declaration following the Special ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN leaders resolved to “remain committed to keeping ASEAN’s markets open for trade and investment, and enhance cooperation among ASEAN Member States and also with ASEAN’s external partners with a view to ensuring food security, such as the utilization of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), and strengthening the resiliency and sustainability of regional supply chains, especially for food, commodities, medicines, medical and essential supplies”.
The ASEAN leaders also  resolved to “task our Economic Ministers and Senior Economic Officials to explore an arrangement to preserve supply chain connectivity, particularly amongst ASEAN Member States, that provides for trade to continue for the smooth flow of essential goods, including medical, food and essential supplies; ensures our critical infrastructure for trade and trading routes via air, land and sea ports remain open; and refrain from imposing unnecessary restrictions on the flow of medical, food and essential supplies, in accordance with the rights and obligations under the World Trade Organization covered agreements, the ASEAN T


Rice Prices

as on : 13-05-2020 12:34:13 PM

Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals
Price

Current
%
change
Season
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Gadarpur(Utr)
2064.00
-54.69
89950.00
2664
2670
-21.07
Mandya(Kar)
617.00
111.3
909.00
2580
2680
-
Manjeri(Ker)
290.00
NC
8700.00
3500
3500
NC
Vasai(Mah)
193.00
451.43
1204.00
3250
3410
-5.80
Bangarpet(Kar)
117.00
-48
3694.00
2000
2100
-
Gondal(UP)
107.50
7.5
5055.50
2400
2400
-2.04
Allahabad(UP)
80.00
5.96
1776.50
2500
2520
8.70
Lucknow(UP)
79.00
-9.2
3881.00
2450
2460
-7.20
Solapur(Mah)
70.00
-
265.00
3670
-
-
Ghaziabad(UP)
70.00
16.67
1386.00
2700
2700
NC
Barhaj(UP)
64.00
-3.03
7650.00
2520
2520
8.15
Aligarh(UP)
50.00
25
3245.00
2550
2550
1.19
Varanasi(Grain)(UP)
50.00
11.11
1782.00
2600
2590
8.79
Sehjanwa(UP)
50.00
25
1927.50
2580
2600
19.44
Fatehpur(UP)
46.30
42.46
1852.70
2415
2410
5.00
Lakhimpur(UP)
45.00
12.5
1742.00
2420
2430
4.31
Firozabad(UP)
38.50
4.05
978.10
2590
2610
-
Pilibhit(UP)
38.00
26.67
46783.50
2590
2610
4.86
Puranpur(UP)
37.50
78.57
1895.00
2585
2615
4.66
Chintamani(Kar)
35.00
-14.63
1295.00
2200
2200
15.79
Manvi(Kar)
35.00
16.67
425.00
1950
1800
-
Jumpuijala(Tri)
30.80
-61.88
227.10
3100
3050
-
Holenarsipura(Kar)
25.00
150
74.00
2100
2200
-
Khalilabad(UP)
25.00
NC
1180.00
2540
2530
12.89
Asansol(WB)
25.00
-1.57
792.89
2850
2850
-6.56
Durgapur(WB)
25.00
4.17
705.35
2850
2850
NC
Jaunpur(UP)
24.50
36.11
1009.70
2500
2460
6.84
Basti(UP)
22.00
37.5
1025.50
2540
2550
8.09
Balrampur(UP)
22.00
NC
601.00
2400
2400
4.35
Honnali(Kar)
20.00
-37.5
231.00
3000
3140
-
Sangli(Mah)
20.00
-
20.00
4250
-
-
Muradabad(UP)
18.00
-21.74
954.00
2590
2600
2.57
Gazipur(UP)
17.00
-15
1771.00
3180
3170
-2.45
Sirsaganj(UP)
17.00
25.93
625.00
2600
2640
-5.45
Rasda(UP)
17.00
13.33
329.00
2410
2440
995.45
Jafarganj(UP)
16.00
-23.81
765.00
2420
2450
12.04
Atarra(UP)
15.00
-25
594.50
2380
2350
4.39
Sitapur(UP)
14.70
-2
805.00
2430
2430
2.97
Bahraich(UP)
11.00
NC
920.30
2410
2410
0.42
Amroha(UP)
10.00
-9.09
93.50
2600
2610
NC
Karvi(UP)
7.00
-22.22
431.00
2395
2380
5.27
Milak(UP)
6.00
20
75.80
2580
2590
-
Achalda(UP)
4.00
-33.33
217.10
2500
2450
13.12
Jhijhank(UP)
4.00
-50
175.50
2530
2530
-
Jahangirabad(UP)
3.50
NC
154.00
2650
2650
1.92
Dahod(Guj)
3.00
-88.97
688.40
4300
4400
2.38
Sindhanur(Kar)
3.00
NC
22.00
3100
3800
-
Khurja(UP)
3.00
-6.25
191.90
2665
2650
0.95
Mawana(UP)
3.00
50
105.20
2620
2615
-
Chitwadagaon(UP)
3.00
-14.29
405.00
2430
2450
15.71
Bharwari(UP)
2.80
7.69
59.10
2560
2550
-
Balarampur(WB)
1.81
-1.09
16.43
2680
2650
2.68
Islampur(WB)
1.70
21.43
612.30
3350
3450
-
Panichowki(Kumarghat)(Tri)
1.60
14.29
24.50
2960
2970
-
Anandnagar(UP)
1.60
23.08
179.50
2525
2515
7.45
Raiganj(WB)
1.60
6.67
518.00
3300
3350
-
Lalganj(UP)
1.50
50
227.50
2300
2300
-
Muskara(UP)
1.40
NC
46.10
2300
2360
1.77
Azamgarh(UP)
1.20
-99.14
3611.20
2565
2560
4.69
Alibagh(Mah)
1.00
NC
63.00
4200
4200
NC
Murud(Mah)
1.00
NC
62.00
4200
4200
NC
Atrauli(UP)
0.70
-
0.70
2540
-
-
Risia(UP)
0.60
-33.33
60.40
2420
2410
-


Italian rice puts pasta in the shade during pandemic
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Description: A picture taken on May 8, 2020 shows a rice plantation near Robbio, Lombardy, during the country's lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. See detail
A picture taken on May 8, 2020 shows a rice plantation near Robbio, Lombardy, during the country's lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus.
Europe's top rice producer Italy has seen consumption of the staple rise throughout the coronavirus pandemic, putting even pasta in the shade.
It's not just popular at home either -- China itself has even signed a deal to import Italian rice.
The Chinese have their eyes on varieties used to make typical risotto dishes such as medium-grained Carnaroli, Arborio, Roma or Baldo.
"It is because our rice is better quality than that cultivated in China," says Stefano Greppi, Pavia province president at Italy's main agricultural union Coldiretti.
Himself the owner of a nearby rice farm, Greppi welcomes the recent signing, during the pandemic, of an agreement allowing Italy, which produces more than half of European rice output, to export rice to China.
That is a boon for producers in the provinces of Pavia, Lombardy, Vercelli and Novara (both in Piedmont) which account between them for 95 percent of national production.
"It's a bit like selling ice cream to the eskimos," quipped daily Il Corriere della Sera the day after the export protocol was signed in April.
"The doors of the huge Chinese market are opening to rice (and risotto) cultivated in the countryside around Pavia," added the newspaper, explaining that "native imitations of Italian risotto" already exist in China.
Spread over 220,000 hectares and cultivated by 4,200 producers in all, Italian rice production totals an annual 1.5 million tons. The country boasts more than 200 varieties in all, each with its own peculiarities.
Even so, Europe is a mere lightweight when it comes to global production. It has just 0.4 percent of the total world output of 500 million tons a year, 90 percent of that Asia-based.
Read also: Book a table for fast food? Burger King trials post-lockdown app in Italy
Outstripping pasta
With the wind in its sails internationally, Italian rice is also making good headway at home. Consumption soared 47 percent during the first six weeks of the coronavirus pandemic -- sometimes outstripping demand even for pasta in that period, according to Coldiretti.
"During the COVID-19 emergency, people rediscovered rice and also risotto, which has always been a bit snubbed in Italian cuisine," Stefania Buffa, a 27-year-old rice farmer from Robbio in Lombardy, told AFP.
Sergio Lombardi, 63, who owns a farm in the same area, explains that "the region can count on water reserves and a constant supply throughout the duration of rice cultivation, which is not possible in many regions of Italy."
Sown in spring, Italian rice is harvested between September and October.
Rice was introduced into the country's north in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, who took upon themselves the task of improving what was then unsanitary and wooded terrain prone to malaria outbreaks. The rice crop benefited from the arrival of canals, whose layout Leonardo da Vinci designed.
Mechanization then brought further crop advances.
Up until the 1950s and 1960s, people came from the south of Italy, particularly women, dubbed "mondine" or seasonal pruners, to cultivate the Po plain.
Their harsh working conditions inspired the famous protest song "Bella ciao" as well as neo-realist films including Bitter Rice (Riso Amaro, 1949) notably featuring Silvana Mangano and Vittorio Gassman.

World cereal utilisation reduced by 24.7 MT: FAO

By: Rajesh Ravi | 
Published: May 12, 2020 7:17:06 AM

The reduction stems mainly from a 22.4 million tonne downward revision to the 2019-20 maize utilisation, mostly in the United States of America and China, reflecting a sudden slowdown in feed and industrial demand.

Description: World cereal utilisation,covid 19 impact, Food and Agriculture Organization,united nations, European Union, food consumption, industrial demand
Description: https://rtbpass-us.andbeyond.media/akshayapatra_320X50.jpg
FAO’s estimate for 2019 world cereal production still stands at around 2 720 million tonne, rebounding from the reduced 2018 level by 65.3 million tonne (2.5 %), mostly on increases in wheat, maize, and barley outputs.
World cereal utilisation for 2020 has been reduced by 24.7 million tonne since the previous report of April, as a result of Covid-19 impact on economic growth, energy markets, and, to a lesser extent, feed demand, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations said in a report.
The reduction stems mainly from a 22.4 million tonne downward revision to the 2019-20 maize utilisation, mostly in the United States of America and China, reflecting a sudden slowdown in feed and industrial demand.

The forecast for total wheat utilisation in 2019-20 has also been subject to a downward revision, with cuts to industrial use, especially in the European Union, more than offsetting upward revisions for Canada. World wheat utilisation in 2019-20 is expected to exceed the previous season’s level by 9 million tonne (1.2%), supported by anticipations of rising food consumption.
Lowered food intake forecasts for Nigeria, combined with expected reduced industrial use in China, have resulted in a 1.5 million tonne cut in the forecast for world rice utilisation in 2019-20. Despite the revision, world rice total use would still exceed the 2018-19 record by 0.7%, largely on the back of an expansion in food intake in Asia.
FAO’s estimate for 2019 world cereal production still stands at around 2 720 million tonne, rebounding from the reduced 2018 level by 65.3 million tonne (2.5 %), mostly on increases in wheat, maize, and barley outputs.
FAO’s forecast for world cereal stocks by the close of the 2020 seasons has been revised upwards by 22.6 million tonne to 884 million tonne, now pointing to a likely increase of 13.6 million tonne (1.6 %) from their opening levels and a global cereals stocks-to-use ratio of 31.6 %, up from 30.7 % published last month.
The anticipated Covid-19 induced contraction in industrial and feed uses could push US maize stocks to a record 62 million tonne, which would be 5.6 million tonne (10%) above their opening levels.
World wheat inventories are still forecast to remain above their opening level, by 1 million tonne (0.4%), as downward revisions in the European Union are offset by predicted increases in the Russian Federation and Turkey.
World rice stocks are expected to approach an all-time high of 183 million tonnes. India is foreseen to account for much of the anticipated rise in the major rice exporters’ inventories in 2019-20, compensating for expected drawdowns in the US and Vietnam, as well as in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Nigeria.

Rome-based FAO’s forecast for 2020 world wheat production points to an output of roughly 762.6 million tonnes, a comparable level to the 2019 production which, if materialized, would be the second highest on record. Smaller harvests are expected in the European Union, North Africa, Ukraine and the US. These declines will likely be compensated by production rebounds foreseen in Australia and Kazakhstan as well as bigger harvests in the Russian Federation and several countries in Asia, in particular India.

PH to import 300,000 MT of rice

By: Karl R. Ocampo - Reporter / @kocampoINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:52 AM May 12, 2020
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government will now push through with its plan to import 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from Vietnam after the Vietnamese government decided to finally resume exporting rice to Asean countries to maintain adequate food supply in the region amid the new coronavirus pandemic.
The volume is on top of the 2.7 million MT of rice approved by the Bureau of Plant Industry this year, bringing the expected volume of rice imports to 3 million MT.
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The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) pronouncement came just after weeks of assuring consumers that the country had enough rice supply. The DA projected last month a 94-day buffer stock by yearend.
Since the National Food Authority can no longer import rice under the rice tariffication law, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the government-to-government importation would be undertaken by the Philippine International Trading Corp. under the Department of Trade and Industry.

Gov’t allots P313.5-M to boost rice output in E. Visayas
By Gerico Sabalza  May 12, 2020, 5:42 pmDescription: https://files.pna.gov.ph/category-list/2020/05/12/rice-farm.jpg
HIGHER YIELD. A rice farm in Pagsang-an village Abuyog, Leyte. The Department of Agriculture on Tuesday (May 12, 2020) said the national government allocated PHP313.5-million to increase the rice production in Eastern Visayas amid the global health crisis. (PNA photo by Gerico A. Sabalza)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allocating PHP313.5-million to increase rice production in Eastern Visayas.
This is part of the national government’s PHP8.5-billion Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) to ensure food sufficiency amid the coronavirus pandemic by boosting domestic production of rice, DA Eastern Visayas director Angel Enriquez said Tuesday in a statement.
“From this, we will be starting the distribution of hybrid seeds and fertilizer in time for the onset of planting season in some areas in Northern Samar and Biliran,” she added.
The RRP will cover a total of 112,035 farmers in the region through its three component sub-projects.
A total of 139,249 bags of inorganic fertilizers worth PHP139.2-million will be distributed under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that will complement the inbred seeds of the Philippine Rice Research Institute involving 69,625 hectares of rice areas in the region.
Those farmers excluded in the RCEF will be supported through the Expanded Inbred Rice Production subproject, with a corresponding target of 9,565 hectares for certified seeds and 9,603 for good seeds.
Under the Expanded Hybrid Rice Production subproject, at least 10,820 bags of hybrid seeds and 67,320 bags of inorganic fertilizer will be distributed.
This is on top of the 11,620 hybrid seeds under the regular hybridization program implemented in the region that will cover a total of 22,440 hectares of rice areas.
“We should not rely on other countries for our rice requirements because there are indications that Thailand and other Asian countries may not be able to export their rice as they need to secure first their own domestic food requirements,” Enriquez said.
The RRP is part of the PHP31-billion supplemental budget of the national government to bankroll the Plant, Plant, Plant Program or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Covid-19 program.
This aims to increase the country’s rice production by December 2020 by reaching 22.12 million metric times (MMT) of palay equivalent to 13.51 MMT of rice or 93 percent of the country’s total demand at 14.46 MMT. (PNA)


Rice farmers in parts of Philippines get cash subsidies

Philippine Information Agency
12th May 2020, 18:38 GMT+10
CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Philippines, May 12 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture in partnership with local government units and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is distributing a P5, 000 cash subsidy to rice farmers tiling one hectare or less in three municipalities and Tabukm to help augment their needs.
Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Domingo Bakilan said the province is now on its second release through LBP cash card.
"More than 1,200 farmers that composed the second batch of recipients received today the assistance under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) of the Department of Agriculture", he said Tuesday.
The first release was received by the first batch of 614 farmers.
He said the municipalities covered under this program are Rizal, Pinukpuk, Tanudan and Tabuk City. "The remaining beneficiaries will receive the same subsidy, maybe to reach five batches," Bakilan said.
Aimed to help farmers affected by the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, 7,847 rice farmers from the four covered areas are eligible to receive the assistance based on the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture, said Fevelyn Apil Macadaeg of DA-CAR-RFO.
Aside from RFFA, she said the Department of Agriculture will continue helping small rice farmers boost their productivity and increase their income through the department's other major programs such as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, the SURE Aid loan assistance program, and continuous palay-buying through the National Food Authority. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)


Easing of curbs: Mandi arrivals pick up, but harvesting hit by labour shortage

Published: April 20, 2020 5:50:54 AM

Truck drivers, traders, retailers, transporters and other stakeholders, who were facing problems in inter-state movement of any commodities, have been asked to seek help from the call centre.

Description: https://images.financialexpress.com/2020/03/1-555.jpg

As on April 16, daily arrivals of rabi crops such as wheat, paddy, masur, chana and mustard have been much below the levels a year ago.
By Prabhudatta Mishra
Daily arrivals of rabi crops have suddenly improved over the past week – one-to-four times for wheat, masur, chana and mustard and 10 times in the case of barley – after mandis across the country reopened on April 15. However, more steps may be required to bring normalcy into the agriculture supply chains as the arrivals are still 23-90% lower than the year-ago levels (see chart).

Description: https://images.financialexpress.com/2020/04/20Rabi-crops-arrivals.jpg
“In some places where harvesting is already done, farmers are not ready to bring their crops to mandis due to the fear of getting infected by coronavirus. In many other places, harvesting is yet to be in full steam, due to various restrictions and non-availability or shortage of labour,” said a government official. The easing of restrictions on the agriculture sector has shown some results, but return to normalcy will take time, he said.
As on April 16, daily arrivals of rabi crops such as wheat, paddy, masur, chana and mustard have been much below the levels a year ago, even as record harvest is expected of most of them. Only the arrivals of maize, largely grown in Bihar, are above last year’s level.
“There are no combine harvesters (machines) available for wheat. Without labour, it is very difficult to harvest this key rabi crop,” said Anil Singh, a farmer in Mitai village near Hathras. Many other farmers in the village too are waiting for the arrivals of harvesters to do the cutting, he said.
Though the government had relaxed the movement of combine harvesters during the lockdown period as early as on March 25, the actual movement of these machines haven’t started in most places yet as the police blocked inter-state movements and the drivers haven’t reported for duty. The home ministry on April 4 allowed the opening of “shops of agricultural machinery, its spare parts (including its supply chain) and repairs and shops for truck repairs on highways, preferably at fuel pumps, can remain open in order to facilitate transportation of farm produce”.
“As the lockdown was initially announced without any comprehensive plan, all sorts of problems came out. While in many places, the police stopped farmers from harvesting crops, trading of grains and oilseeds in mandis remained closed. Only some quantity of fruits and vegetables were allowed,” said Sudhir Panwar, president of Kisan Jagriti Manch. The phase-wise relaxations for the agriculture sector proved that the government was not prepared, not even aware of what was required, Panwar said.
On April 15, the Centre launched a call centre to facilitate transportation of agriculture produce for inter-state movement of perishables like fruits and vegetables as also inputs like seeds, pesticides and fertilisers. Truck drivers, traders, retailers, transporters and other stakeholders, who were facing problems in inter-state movement of any commodities, have been asked to seek help from the call centre.
Of course, the farmer distress due to these steps have got partially addressed by way of assorted sops delivered to them. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, some `16,930 crore have been disbursed to nearly 8.5 crore farmers via the direct benefit transfer (DBT) route since March 24. Railways have also introduced 67 new routes for running 236 parcel specials to supply essential commodities, including perishable horticultural produce, agricultural inputs like seed, fertiliser and pesticides, milk and dairy products at fast speed which will facilitate FPOs/traders and companies for continuity of supply chain across the country.
 However, a plan to allow farmers trade outside mandis through the e-NAM portal from the premises of warehouses and FPOs is yet to be implemented. Panwar said such initiatives have to be publicised at a wide scale so that farmers know there are options available outside mandis where they can sell.

PhilRice warns farmers vs. rice plant viruses
Updated May 12, 2020, 8:58 AM
 By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Farmers should watch out for certain types of viruses that may infect rice plants, as there is no known treatment as yet to some of these viruses, according to an expert of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
Description: (PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Plant pathologist Jennifer Niones of the Department of Agriculture’s PhilRice cited four types of viruses — namely,  tungro, dwarf, grassy stunt, and ragged stunt — which farmers must guard against to minimize significant yield losses.
Tungro virus is an extremely damaging rice disease occurring in South and Southeast Asia that leads to 70-100 percent yield loss. Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) cause this disease, Niones said.
As infected plants cannot be treated, farmers must consider preventive measures especially if their area had past incidences of tungro infestation, she said.
Dwarf virus, which was first observed in the rice fields of Midsayap, Cotabato, could reduce yield by 50 to 80 percent, especially when it strikes down at vegetative stage. Infected plants show pronounced stunting, increased tillering, and shortened darker green leaves  with fine chlorotic specks, Niones said.
She noted that the spread of dwarf virus could be prevented through plowing of the fallowed rice field and synchronous planting.
She added that applying insecticide to rice seedlings before transplanting could also be an option, while areas infected during the previous cropping season should be immediately plowed.
The grassy stunt virus could cause stunting and yellowing of the plant. This virus is commonly spread by nymph and adult brown plant hopper.

Ghana's Rice Farmers Might Benefit From COVID Pandemic

By Stacey Knott
May 12, 2020 02:26 PM
Description: FILE - Women sweep rice at a small processing plant in the northern Ghanaian town of Bolgatanga, Feb. 1, 2008.
ACCRA, GHANA - Rice plays a huge role in diets in Ghana, from the famous West African jollof rice to rice and stew - but most of these grains are imported.
In 2019, Ghana launched Eat Ghana Rice, a campaign aimed at supporting the local rice industry, but imports still dominate.

Demand for local rice has been on the increase in Ghana as a result of the campaign. But in markets across the West African nation, imported brands still dominate.

Rice industry insiders say locally grown grain may soon see a boost from an unexpected supporter: the coronavirus pandemic. 

With COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, some nations have temporarily banned exports of the grain to ensure food security. 

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana says the bans have sent imported rice prices soaring. 

Samson Asaki Awingobit, the association’s executive secretary, said “During the lockdown period, we saw that imported rice prices had gone high, so it has affected the Ghanaian consumers. Of course, the cost of rice has gone up.”

Awingobit said the high prices are making local rice more competitive, which could boost Ghana’s rice production and food security. 

Rice experts say the average Ghanaian eats about 40 kilograms of rice per year and Ghana’s farmers meet about half the country’s demand. 

Aiming for self-sufficiency
Rice breeder Maxwell Darko Asante says the gap, and supply disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, show why more investment is needed in local rice.

“As science is driving the way we deal with this pandemic, it should apply to crop scientists as well, where the government should begin to pay more attention to crop science and crop research, and especially rice because we spend so much money importing rice,” Asante said.

Since 2017, Ghana has strengthened local food production through its Planting for Food and Jobs program.

The program supplies subsidized rice seeds and fertilizer to Ghana’s farmers to boost agriculture and food security. 

Ghanaian officials say the program is helping meet their target of boosting rice production to self-sufficiency by 2023. 

For the past decade, rice farmer Abena Abedi has worked with small-holder farmers to promote Ghana’s rice. She supports their planting and then buys, processes, packages, and markets the local grain.

“The farmers have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that they can produce in abundance. If we are able to develop more lowlands, if we are able to rehabilitate the irrigation schemes we have available, if we are able to give stimulus packages to rice value chain drivers - they will be able to buy the surplus off the farmers immediately and pay them,” she said.

Abedi said a jump in demand for local rice after last year’s Eat Ghana Rice campaign proves the market potential.  

While the coronavirus pandemic has been disruptive, she said she hopes the outbreak will inspire more support for rice farmers across Ghana as a buffer against food insecurity and a boost to the local industry. 


Lack of WTO Appeals Process May Invite Rice Trade Violations

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -- When a country believes another is violating its trade commitments, it can take the issue to the World Trade Organization (WTO), that provides a neutral forum to litigate and settle disputes.  These disputes are reviewed by panels of experts, who make recommendations to the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body.  If a country that's party to the dispute disagrees with the panel, they can go to an appeals process, managed by the Appellate Body.

The U.S. has raised concerns with certain Appellate Body rulings and practices, and in an attempt to force change, the U.S. began blocking confirmations for Appellate Body members in 2017.  As of December 2019, the Body had too few members to function and hear new appeals.  However, member countries still have the right to appeal panel recommendations under WTO rules, so at this point any request to appeal effectively kills a dispute without a conclusion.  

And now it seems the strategy may have backfired.  In March, the European Union, Canada, China, and Mexico, along with 12 other WTO member countries joined together here to announce the formation of the "Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement" or MPIA for short.  This new arrangement is just government jargon for "parallel appeals process without the U.S."  Last month, the total members jumped to 19 and is likely to continue growing.

Why does this wonky international trade drama matter for U.S. rice?  It is no secret that rice, as the world's most widely consumed grain, is also one of the world's most manipulated crops.  With widespread reliance on rice comes government efforts to ensure adequate supply, often through incentives to farmers to plant rice and subsidies that guarantee profitability or encourage exports.  Nearly every government provides some form of support for their rice farmers to make sure their industry stays afloat, and in many cases, these safety nets are legal under WTO rules, but in many cases, they are not.

USA Rice has never been shy about leveling the playing field when it comes to trade, the U.S. rice industry can be competitive on many levels if everyone played by the rules.  After many years of calling on the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to "throw the flag" on the bad actors, they picked China and won at the WTO. Twice.  Those important wins were just the start of building cases against leading rice exporters that have achieved their dominance by providing levels of support that violate WTO rules.

"The U.S. rice industry has clearly been hurt by WTO-inconsistent and trade-distorting policies in other rice-producing countries," said Ben Conner, partner at DTB Associates and USA Rice trade consultant.  "India, China, Thailand, Bangladesh, Brazil, and others all come to mind when we think about rice export subsidies, heavy input subsidies, price support schemes, and other practices that drive overproduction and exports, while limiting market opportunities for U.S. producers."

Conner added that, "U.S. agriculture depends on a predictable and binding international dispute settlement system.  The U.S. Trade Representative has identified some legitimate problems with the Appellate Body but convinced virtually no one that its goal is not a permanently crippled appeals system.  New cases will still be possible and important, but until the appeals problem is fixed there will be the risk that these cases cannot conclude, and trade violations will continue to fester."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rice-producing countries are scrambling to shore-up stocks and instituting new and questionable policies, making the time ripe for trade distorting WTO violations.
USA Rice Daily

WASDE Report Released   

WASHINGTON, DC -- For the 2019/20 market year, exports are reduced 1 million cwt to 98 million and the all rice season-average farm price (SAFP) is lowered $0.20 per cwt to $13.00.  The 2020/21 outlook for U.S. rice is for larger supplies, exports, domestic use, and ending stocks.  U.S. 2020/21 all rice production is projected at 216.2 million cwt, up 17 percent from the previous year.  Partly offsetting the increased 2020/21 crop is a 32 percent decrease in beginning stocks.  The total 2020/21 rice supply is projected at 279.3 million cwt, up 7 percent from last year.  U.S. 2020/21 total use is projected at 237.5 million cwt, up 3 percent from the previous year with both domestic and residual use and exports higher.  All rice ending stocks for 2020/21 are projected at 41.8 million cwt, up 37 percent from the previous year's low level.  The 2020/21 SAFP is projected at $12.90 per cwt, down $0.10 from the 2019/20 revised SAFP.

World production for 2020/21 is projected at 502.0 million tons, a record, and up nearly 2 percent from the previous year.  Thailand and China lead production increases with crops raised 2.4 million tons and 2.3 million tons, respectively.  The largest production declines are for the Philippines and Brazil.  Global rice consumption is projected at a record-large 498.1 million tons, up 7.9 million from the previous year.  Global exports for 2020/21 are projected at 45.2 million tons, up 2.8 million tons from the previous year.  With supplies rising more than use, global 2020/21 ending stocks are a record- large 184.2 million tons with China and India respectively holding 64 and 21 percent.

Go here to read the full report.

DA probes reports of ‘foul-smelling’ NFA rice stocks

INQUIRER.net / 10:44 AM May 13, 2020
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will investigate reported cases of old or foul-smelling rice stock from the National Food Authority (NFA), as the government tries to ensure food security amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During the online hearing of the House committee on agriculture and food, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said he will look into the allegations voiced by Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing, drawing from her personal experience in distributing rice subsidy for her constituents.
According to Suansing, they opted to buy rice from rice millers after receiving reports from their constituents about the off smell of NFA rice.
“I am sorry to tell you Secretary Dar, it’s from NFA. Kasi po kami ay namigay ng bigas (we distributed rice), I am supposed to buy from NFA—limited to 100 sacks so we opted to buy sa (from) rice millers at P1,850,” Suansing said.
“Mr. Chair, I would like to request Secretary Dar to do investigation. This is what is happening in the field,” she added.
This was backed by Quezon 1st District Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, who chairs the committee, and Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
“With the indulgence of the honorable Suansing, Secretary, I had the same predicament also. ‘Yung naranasan po namin but it was part of the first batch, so siguro around March or April, first week (Our experience was part of the first batch of distribution around March or first week of April),” Enverga said.
“‘Yun yung mga may ganung cases na may amoy yung NFA rice. But succeeding stocks were okay naman (There were similar cases with regard to smelly NFA rice but succeeding stocks were okay),” he added.
Dar said that NFA has stopped importing rice and that rice are bought from local farmers.
“Give us the details as an entry point kasi diba ang NFA hindi na po nag-import ng bigas. Lahat po ay binili dito sa local o domestic and dapat kung maganda ang warehousing nila, walang problema sa amoy,” Dar said.
(Give us the details as an entry point because NFA is no longer importing rice. All rice were bought locally so if their warehousing is okay, there should be no problem with the smell.)
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Suansing, however, said that the reported smelly rice were “Thai rice” that were previously imported by the government, to which Dar vowed to conduct an investigation.
“Gusto po naming imbestigahan yun (We want to investigate it),” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Dar said they will work with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in controlling the price of rice.
“Mayroon tayong (We have a ) price freeze, actually ongoing, ire-revisit namin yun at (we will revisit that and) we will do what is possible,” Dar said.
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1,900mts rice being produced every day at BSCIC industrial areas: Ministry

  • UNB News
  • Dhaka
  • Publish- May 12, 2020, 06:48 PM
Description:  1,900mts rice being produced BSCIC industrial areas Ministry of Industries ,  1,900mts rice being produced BSCIC industrial areas Ministry of Industries,  Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC)
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) across the country has been producing 1,900 metric tonnes rice every day.
Rice mills at thirteen BSCIC industrial areas among 76 across the country are producing rice in the country to keep the market stable, said a press release from the Ministry.
Among those, Pabna BSCIC industrial area is producing 600mts rice, Rajshahi 550mts, Dinajpur 400mts, Naogaon 120mts, Khulna 103mts, Kurigram, 27mts, Cox’s Bazar 25mts, Jamalpur 23mts, Gaibandha 20mts, Sherpur 18mts, Rajbari 9mts, Gopalganj 3mts tonnes and Bagerhat BSCIC is producing two metric tonnes of rice every day after maintaining health directives.
Md Kamal Parvez, officer, Pabna BSCIC industrial area, said 39 rice mills are producing 600mts rice worth Tk 2.76 crore are being produced every day.
Meanwhile, Tunnel Vitamin rice in Khulna, rice production for Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), World Food Programme, Food Friend Programme, and government’s relief programme is ongoing.
Sheikh Riazul Islam, officer, Khulna BSCIC industrial area, said rice from this industrial area is being provided in 30 district including Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Jashore. 
Mohammad Ataur Rahman, president, Naogaon BSCIC Industries Malik Samity, said the Boro paddy collection is ongoing. The production will be increased when the collection is completed, he added.
Md Anwarul Azim, officer, Naogaon BSCIC Industrial area, said the government will procure rice from all the BSCIC industrial areas of the country and a contact is already signed with rice mill owners in this regard.
Rice mills at BSCIC industrial areas have been contributing significantly during this coronavirus crisis.
Earlier on April 30, the government announced that it will procure 11.5 lakh metric tonnes of rice (boiled and non-boiled) and eight lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the current Boro season.
Besides, some 10 lakh metric tonnes of boiled rice will be procured at Tk 36 per kg, 1.5 lakh metric tonnes of non-boiled (atap) rice at Tk 35 per kg and six lakh metric tonnes of paddy at Tk 26 per kg from millers.
Meanwhile, the government will also procure 75,000 metric tonnes of wheat from local markets in the season.

Telangana to regulate farming

Rythu Bandhu to only those who cultivate crops suggested by govt; regulated paddy farming from this monsoon

By AuthorTelanganaToday  |  Published: 13th May 2020  1:02 amUpdated: 13th May 2020  1:24 am
Description: https://cdn.telanganatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/KCR-9.jpg
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao at a review meeting at Pragathi Bhavan on Tuesday.
Hyderabad: In a major move aimed at making agriculture a more profitable venture through scientific cultivation based on market demands, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday said the State government has decided to implement regulated farming in the State from the upcoming Vaanakalam season, beginning with paddy.
As a first step towards the regulated farming, the Chief Minister said the government decided to take up paddy cultivation in about 50 lakh acres in the State commencing from this Vaanakalam season. Besides cultivating both fine and coarse varieties of paddy, Telangana Sona variety alone would be cultivated in about 10 lakh acres. It was also decided to cultivate cotton in 50 lakh acres and red gram in 10 lakh acres. The government would guide farmers on what crops should be cultivated in which area and to what extent. The State government would extend Rythu Bandhu benefits and ensure MSP only to farmers who follow the directions of the State government, Rao said.
The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting held by the Chief Minister at Pragathi Bhavan on crop colonies and cultivation of alternative crops. The Chief Minister would hold a video conference with field-level officers to discuss the issues in this regard on May 15.
The State government also decided to promote the cultivation of vegetables in farmlands near urban areas. Farmers would be guided on varieties of vegetables to be cultivated based on location and extent of area.
New Seed Regulatory Authority
The government also decided to set up a new Seed Regulatory Authority in the State that will ensure only seeds of crops identified by the government are sold. Seed producers and traders would also be instructed to strictly adhere to the State government guidelines in this regard. If required, the State government would bring about necessary amendments in the existing Telangana Seeds Act. Chandrashekhar Rao would soon hold an exclusive meeting with the representatives of seed companies in this regard.
Action against spurious seeds
Taking further steps to protect farmers, the State government decided to act stringently against those selling spurious and fake seeds. Observing that spurious seeds of cotton and red chilli were likely to enter the market, the Chief Minister directed flying squads to conduct surprise checks across the State commencing Wednesday. The Intelligence Wing would also keep surveillance on such cases. Cases would be registered under the Preventive Detention Act against those involved in the production and sale of spurious seeds. Description: https://cdn.telanganatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/farming-gfx.jpg
Comprehensive Agriculture Policy
In tune with the new Comprehensive Agriculture Policy, both the Agriculture and Marketing Departments will be revamped. While Prof Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University will conduct more research on the required crops for cultivation in the State, the Rythu Bandhu Samithis will actively coordinate with the farmers on all agricultural issues. Apart from simplifying maintenance of godowns in the State, the government will also take measures to increase the capacity of rice mills in the State. The Chief Minister will soon hold a meeting with the representatives of the Rice Millers Association in this regard.
Video-conference with field-level officials
Further, Chandrashekhar Rao will convene a video conference with the field-level officials on May 15 and discuss the proposed regulated cultivation in the State to seek their suggestions. District Collectors, District Agriculture Officers, District Rythu Bandhu Samithi chairperson, Seed Development Corporation Officer and other district-level officers, besides mandal-level officers comprising Mandal Agriculture Officer and Agriculture Extension Officers, along with Rythu Bandhu Samithi chairpersons from mandal and village levels, will participate in the meeting.
Earlier, the Chief Minister observed that agriculture continues to be a major livelihood for a majority of citizens in the State as well as the country. While farmers were not getting remunerative price for their crop, he stated that people were shelling out huge amounts to purchase essential commodities. He emphasised the need to rethink and come up with a new strategy to make agriculture profitable for farmers.
“Unfortunately, none of the political parties which led the previous governments in India made no focussed attempts to bring agricultural reforms. But the Telangana government has been making numerous efforts to improve the conditions. Besides resolving all pending problems, we are bringing reforms to change the entire manner in which cultivation was taken up earlier,” he said. He pointed out that the State government had overcome power crisis and constructed several irrigation projects, besides purchasing the entire crop for Yasangi season during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Chandrashekhar Rao reiterated that there was no other option but promote alternative crops through crop colonies to ensure the survival of farmers in the country. He attributed the lack of remunerative price for crops to cultivation of the same crop by all farmers without prior planning. “Farmers must cultivate crops to meet market demand. I have been suggesting this for the past 20 years to different national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh, but none acted on it. It’s high time we took the leap,”
he added. He wanted Telangana to become a role model in crop colonies for the entire world.
The Chief Minister said farmers cannot cultivate the same crop en masse and dump it in the market seeking a remunerative price. Instead, he wanted them to cultivate crops as per the market demand and reap profits. “The State government will guide farmers in choosing the crop to meet the market demand and accordingly, they should cultivate only these crops. Farmers must change their mindset and be prepared for constructive reforms in agriculture,” he added.
________________________________________


Study finds only 2pc farmers benefit from govt's direct grain purchase programme

Special Correspondent
Description: Study finds only 2pc farmers benefit from govt's direct grain purchase programme
File Photo
Only two percent farmers are getting the benefit of the government's direct food grain procurement programme, says a survey report on Boro farmers. The Bangladesh government has decided to procure 19.5 lakh tonnes of Boro paddy and rice — both boiled and non-boiled — from farmers to ensure fair price of food grains.
Most of the public money is pocketed by the country's rice mill owners and middlemen (popularly known as fariah) due to lack of proper monitoring in the government's procurement policy.
As a result, the businessmen are benefitting instead of the country's farmers, according to a survey report prepared by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Policy Research and Strategy Support Program (PRSSP).
The study titled 'Boro Rice Procurement in Bangladesh: Implications for Policy' was conducted with the consent of the Ministry of Agriculture and financial support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The main objectives of the study was to—assess to what extent Boro farmers were able to sell their paddy to the government at the announced procurement prices; evaluate the efficacy of the direct paddy procurement from farmers by the government, in order to help farmers overcome low paddy prices in the future; and examine ways to improve the foodgrain procurement system. This report presents IFPRI’s study findings and identifies policy options to address the study objectives.
IFPRI Country Director Akhter U. Ahmed and its Associate Research Fellow of Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division M. Mehrab Bakhtiar made the study report after consulting with around 1,400 people of 43 highest Boro growing districts of the country.
While talking to The Independent, Akhter U. Ahmed said they had submitted the study report to the ministries of agriculture and food last Sunday.
"The high officials concerned have assured us of taking necessary measures in this regard," he added.
Akhter U. Ahmed said the report also suggested that the government should buy 31 lakh tonnes of paddy directly from the farmers instead of buying rice from the millers.
"If the government buys paddy directly from the farmers they will get its benefit," he said adding that it would also help the government to ensure fair price of paddy during the harvest period.
When contacted, Food Ministry's Secretary Dr Nazmanara Khanum told this correspondent that they had received the study report of the IFPRI, an international agency.
“We are planning to analyze the report and take necessary measures in this regard. However, we will need the consent of the country's Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC)," she said.
The recommendation of the study will then be placed before the committee for its approvals, she added.
She also informed that they had already taken measures to buy paddy directly from the farmers.
"Earlier the government bought rice from the rice millers. Now, the Food Ministry is buying 8 lakh tonnes of paddy directly from the farmers to ensure fair price. If it's viable the government must consider it," she said.
Boro paddy, a dry season irrigated crop, is planted from December to early February and harvested between April and May.
In 2018-19, the total production of rice in country was 3.64 crore tonnes, of which Boro rice accounted for 53.8 percent, Aman 38.6 percent and Aus only 7.6 percent.
In 2019, paddy price in Bangladesh dropped due to a bumper harvest of Boro. Average paddy price was only Tk 17.42 per kg in January 2019 after Aman harvest but declined by 22 percent to Tk13.56 per kg in May 2019, according to Department of Agriculture Marketing (DAM 2020) report.
Farmers complained that they did not receive price support from the government, when paddy prices did not cover their production costs.
While the farmers were not getting Boro production costs, the Directorate General of Food (DGF) bought rice from its enlisted rice millers following the allotment in districts and upazilas on their paddy production, rice mill capacity, and target of procurement.
On April 25, 2019, the DGF instructed the District Controllers of Food (DC Food) to procure 1.5 lakh tonnes of paddy from farmers, 10 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice and 1.5 tonnes of atap (non-boiled) rice from rice millers before 31 August 2019.
The prices were set at Tk 26 per kg for paddy, Tk 36 per kg for parboiled rice and Tk 35 per kg for atap rice.

Rice sector looks to up exports

| Publication date 12 May 2020 | 22:45 ICT
The government and the private sector are jointly studying the feasibility of lowering paddy production costs and refining milled rice export plans to increase the competitiveness of Cambodia’s market. POST STAFF
The government and the private sector are jointly studying the feasibility of lowering paddy production costs and refining milled rice export plans to increase the competitiveness of Cambodia’s market.
Ministry of Commerce secretary of state Sok Sopheak on Monday said ongoing discussions are aimed at identifying the challenges and giving the Kingdom’s rice sector a competitive edge.
He was speaking at a meeting on rice production costs with representatives from the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) and the Cambodian Agricultural Value Chain Program.
“[The discussion] analyses the value chain of the rice sector, from farming, drying and milling processes until the export stage, as well as the shipping documentation process for exports to target countries in Europe and [elsewhere],” said Sopheak.
He said the stakeholders discussed the impact on the export value of Cambodian mill rice, including electricity issues, transport from warehouse to port, port costs, and shipping costs from ports to import destinations countries.
At the same time, he encouraged the private sector to continue to work with the ministry to address the challenges in the rice sector, he said.
CRF vice-president Chan Sokheang told The Post on Tuesday that the study aims to boost competition with major rice producers in the ASEAN region and promote the goal of one million tonnes of rice exports by 2022.
“We have a general overview of local production costs, focusing on Phka Romduol paddy, Sen Kra’op paddy, and white rice.
“We discussed this in order to bring the production value chains between Cambodia and our neighbours to similar levels, especially as we want to further increase Cambodia’s white rice exports,” he said.
At the same time, he called on the government to boost financial assistance to enable rice millers to buy and store paddy rice to process for export.
“We would like to request that the government, the National Bank of Cambodia and commercial banks provide loans to the agricultural sector because it contributes nearly $10 billion per year to the economy.
“But the loans that the banks offer to the agricultural sector are miniscule compared to what they provide for the industrial, garment and construction sectors,” said Sokheang.
Cambodia exported 300,252 tonnes of rice to the international market in the first four months of this year – equivalent to $210 million – the highest export volume in the past decade, said a CRF report.
The export volume is 40.46 per cent over the 213,763 tonnes reported in the same period last year, it said.
China accounted for 41 per cent of exports or 122,094 tonnes, the EU and the UK 32 per cent or 97,337 tonnes, ASEAN countries 13 per cent or 37,428 tonnes and other countries 14 per cent or 43,339 tonnes.
The Kingdom’s rice exports to international markets amounted to 620,106 tonnes last year, slightly down 0.97 per cent from 626,225 tonnes in 2018. Revenue was $501 million, down 4.3 per cent from $524 million in 2018.


PHL opens G2G rice importation round with Asean states, India



Description: https://businessmirror.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rice-unload-nonoy-696x430.jpgWorkers unload tons of rice to be distributed to Quezon City barangays affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. (NONOY LACZA)

THE country has initiated its 300,000-metric ton (MT) government-to-government (G2G) rice importation after state-run Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) sent a formal communication to trade partners to participate in the bidding.
In a statement on Monday, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the PITC “has officially opened” the G2G importation, which seeks to boost domestic supplies during the lean months, or when harvest is minimal.
The PITC, the country’s trading firm, is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.
“The PITC has already sent communications to Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Cambodia,” Dar said.
The government also welcomed Vietnam’s recent decision to resume its rice exports to keep food supply stable in the Asean region and help its neighbors cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We welcome the decision by Vietnam to resume its rice export policy and taking into account the difficulties faced by various stakeholders during this crisis,” Dar said.
Citing a letter of Vietnam’s Trade Minister Tan Tuan Anh to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, Dar said Vietnam will resume the shipment of 400,000 MT of rice that were contracted in April to the Philippines.
“Indeed, Vietnam is making a valuable contribution in strengthening Asean cooperation and internal unity. We need to keep the regional market open for trade and ensure the sustainability of the supply chain among Asean member-states, especially for food and other essential goods,” Dar said.
“This means that Vietnamese rice exporters will commence the fulfillment of their contracts with Philippine importers, and consider future supply deals under an existing bilateral trade agreement,” Dar added.
The Philippines has imported over 700,000 MT of rice from January to April, with private traders and corporations cornering bulk of the volume, latest Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed.
About 139 eligible rice importers—of which 86 are private traders, corporations and firms—brought in 728,979.07 MT of rice during the four-month period, latest BPI data analyzed by the BusinessMirror showed.
The rice imports were sourced from Cambodia, India, Italy, Myanmar, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam, BPI data showed.
The 86 private traders imported about 60 percent or 442,998.38 MT of the total volume, with Sodatrade Corp. leading the list with a total volume imported of 34,759.5 MT.
The rest, or 285,981 MT of rice, was imported by cooperatives and associations, mostly led by farmers, BPI data showed.
Only a little over a quarter was imported by all eligible importers out of the 2.702 MMT approved volume by the government. Due to this, around 1.973 MMT of rice is still expected to arrive this year, BPI data indicated.
Vietnam accounted for 86.76 percent or about 632,482.85 MT of the total imports from January to April, BPI data showed.
The DA has been urging the private sector to continuously apply for SPS-IC and bring in rice shipments to ensure that the country has sufficient stockpile during and beyond the enhanced community quarantine amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Centre sets up new body to promote rice exports

Vishwanath Kulkarni Bengaluru | Updated on May 12, 2020 Published on May 12, 2020
To give further impetus to rice exports, the Centre has set up a new body – Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF), under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Promotion Development Authority (Apeda).
Rice, both basmati and non-basmati variety, is the largest commodity in India’s agri-export basket. Shipments stood at $7.77 billion in 2018-19, with basmati exports at $4.72 billion and non-basmati at $3.05 billion. Final export figures for 2019-20 are yet to be released by Apeda.
“Considering the importance of export of rice, its inherent potentials and the multifarious issues, which are faced in the process, it is decided to constitute a Rice Export Promotion Forum,” an Apeda notification said.

Stakeholders

The new body will comprise representatives from the rice industry, exporters, officials from Apeda, Commerce Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and Directors of Agriculture from major rice producing states such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
“The EPF will make concerted efforts to identify, document particulars and reach out to stakeholders across the entire production/ supply chain of export of rice for increasing these exports significantly to the global market, through various interventions,” the notification said.
EPF will monitor, identify and anticipate developments pertaining to production and exports and recommend necessary policy measures. It will be in touch with rice producers, exporters and other relevant stakeholders and hear their problems, and facilitate, support and provide solutions to them.

Competitive edge

The move assumes significance as rice is the only agri-commodity from India currently that maintained its competitiveness in the overseas market. The exports of other grains such as wheat and mai
ze are unviable due to the higher production costs.
India, the second largest produce of rice in the world, has been the largest exporter of the cereal after the shipments of the non-basmati were allowed from 2011.
India’s production has been going up steadily over the past several years. From around 96 million tonnes in 2010-11, rice production is seen touching a record 117.47 million tonnes in 2019-20, per Second Advance Estimates.

Smugglers machete Customs officer over seized rice
On May 13, 20209:37 amIn Business, News Kindly Share T
his Story: Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest Share By Godwin Oritse Smugglers machete Nigeria Customs Service OPERATIVES of the Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, patrol team on surveillance were last week attacked by smugglers who matcheted a member of the team after it seized 35 bags of 50kg of smuggled parboiled rice at Ilashe village in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. A statement signed by the Command’s Public Relation Officer, Maiwada Abdullahi, said that during the operation, the team intercepted 35 bags of 50kg rice each ferried by a convoy of motorcyclists (popularly known as okada). READ ALSO:Rivers Police rescue Nollywood actor from kidnappers’ den in Rivers According to Abdullahi, on their way out of the area, the smugglers mobilised themselves in an overwhelming number, launching a vicious attack on the team with assorted weapons. In an effort to repel the attack and avoid bloodshed, one officer of the Customs, Assistant Superintendent Chidi Johnson, was brutally matcheted, sustaining deep cuts in various parts of his body. The wounded officer was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention, and luckily he is responding to treatment. Abdullahi stated that the operatives, however, arrested five suspects in connection with the incident and that these suspects were currently undergoing interrogation. The Command’s spokeman said: “It is instructive to note that Friday, May 8, was a date set aside for total lockdown in Ogun State due to the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find it unfortunate and strange, that the daredevil smugglers who have no regards for laws of the land or the disease ravaging the global community resorted to crossing the border through illegal routes to perpetrate such nefarious activites in total disregard of the health and economic well being of Nigerians. “Principally, we seize this opportunity to enjoin the faceless unpatriotic smuggling cartels to stop using uninformed youths as cannon fodders in their nefarious trade. We challenge them to bring their own biological children to attack personnel of the service and have a taste of the consequences of such act.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/05/smugglers-machete-customs-officer-over-seized-rice/







Basmati export down due to shortage of cargo containers

“The demand for basmati rice increases during April - June in the Middle East countries due to Ramadan. Generally, 4-4.5 lakh tonnes of basmati rice is exported monthly during this period. But now it has halved to 2 lakh tonnes due to non-availability of cargo containers,” Vinod Kaul, executive director of All India Rice Exporters Association, told ET.

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, ET Bureau|
Last Updated: May 12, 2020, 11.21 AM IST
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Description: Untitled-17Exports of basmati rice was halted for a week after the lockdown started on March 25.
KOLKATA: India’s basmati rice exports have halved to 2 lakh tonnes per month on a shortage of cargo containers at the ports. The shortage of containers comes at a time of ample demand from the Middle East countries. Basmati rice exporters said there is a 50%-60% shortage in cargo containers at ports, which slowed down movement of basmati rice from the country to export destinations.

“The demand for basmati rice increases during April - June in the Middle East countries due to Ramadan. Generally, 4-4.5 lakh tonnes of basmati rice is exported monthly during this period. But now it has halved to 2 lakh tonnes due to non-availability of cargo containers,” Vinod Kaul, executive director of All India Rice Exporters Association, told ET.

Kaul said most basmati rice is exported through Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat. “Exports happen through other ports as well. Everywhere there is a shortage of containers as most of them used to come from China. Now that much imports are not happening from China, there is a shortage of containers.”

“Also, those who have imported goods have not been able to empty the containers due to shortage of labour,” said Gautam Miglani, owner of Haryana-based LRNK, a leading rice exporter. Exports of basmati rice was halted for a week after the lockdown started on March 25. Miglani said prices of container have shot up as there is scarcity in supply and demand is high.

“Earlier, a 20 ft container to Dubai used to cost us Rs 62,000. Now the same container is being available at Rs 82,000, a 32% spike. The containers to European Union are costing us another Rs 30,000 more. But we cannot stop exports as we have entered into the contract and the letter of credits (LCs) have been opened,” he added.




Basmati export down due to shortage of cargo containers

“The demand for basmati rice increases during April - June in the Middle East countries due to Ramadan. Generally, 4-4.5 lakh tonnes of basmati rice is exported monthly during this period. But now it has halved to 2 lakh tonnes due to non-availability of cargo containers,” Vinod Kaul, executive director of All India Rice Exporters Association, told ET.

By
, ET Bureau|
Last Updated: May 12, 2020, 11.21 AM IST
0Comments
Description: Untitled-17Exports of basmati rice was halted for a week after the lockdown started on March 25.
KOLKATA: India’s basmati rice exports have halved to 2 lakh tonnes per month on a shortage of cargo containers at the ports. The shortage of containers comes at a time of ample demand from the Middle East countries. Basmati rice exporters said there is a 50%-60% shortage in cargo containers at ports, which slowed down movement of basmati rice from the country to export destinations.

“The demand for basmati rice increases during April - June in the Middle East countries due to Ramadan. Generally, 4-4.5 lakh tonnes of basmati rice is exported monthly during this period. But now it has halved to 2 lakh tonnes due to non-availability of cargo containers,” Vinod Kaul, executive director of All India Rice Exporters Association, told ET.

Kaul said most basmati rice is exported through Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat. “Exports happen through other ports as well. Everywhere there is a shortage of containers as most of them used to come from China. Now that much imports are not happening from China, there is a shortage of containers.”

“Also, those who have imported goods have not been able to empty the containers due to shortage of labour,” said Gautam Miglani, owner of Haryana-based LRNK, a leading rice exporter. Exports of basmati rice was halted for a week after the lockdown started on March 25. Miglani said prices of container have shot up as there is scarcity in supply and demand is high.

“Earlier, a 20 ft container to Dubai used to cost us Rs 62,000. Now the same container is being available at Rs 82,000, a 32% spike. The containers to European Union are costing us another Rs 30,000 more. But we cannot stop exports as we have entered into the contract and the letter of credits (LCs) have been opened,” he added.



India Grain: Spot basmati prices up on firm bulk demand; maize falls

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Tuesday, May 12

By Sampad Nandy

NEW DELHI – Prices of Pusa 1121 basmati paddy rose today across key spot markets as demand from bulk buyers, including millers, was robust amid limited supply, traders said. 

Arrivals are usually subdued at this time, as most farmers and stockists exhaust the stocks with them. This year, restrictions on movement due to the lockdown have also limited supply, Amritsar-based trader Ashok Sethia said.    

Anticipation of a further extension in the nationwide lockdown is also seen pushing demand from millers to procure more stocks for some weeks in advance, he said. Currently, the lockdown is in place till Sunday. India has so far reported 70,756 COVID-19 cases, with deaths nearing 2,300.  

Any sharp rise in prices at spot markets is unlikely due to the possibility of a decline in demand from West Asian countries in the coming days despite Ramzan, Delhi-based trader Anand Goyal said. Restrictions on movement due to the lockdown and recent steps by Iran to withdraw subsidy on rice imports could also hit exports, Goyal said.

On the Indian Commodity Exchange, however, the May basmati paddy contract ended at 3,346 rupees per 100 kg, down 0.6%. The contract is seen trading between 3,321 rupees and 3,384 rupees per 100 kg during the next few sessions, Acumen Capital Managing Director Akshay Agarwal said.

Prices of maize fell further in major spot markets as demand from feed makers remained subdued, traders said. Arrivals in Nashik were pegged steady at 700-800 bags (1 bag = 100 kg) and in Nizamabad, supply was largely unchanged at 700-800 bags.

Bulk purchases by the poultry industry and animal feed makers have been hit as consumption of poultry products has declined due to rumours that broilers and eggs are carriers of COVID-19, Nizamabad-based trader Amrutlal Kataria said.   

An outbreak of African Swine Fever in Assam is also seen hitting demand in northeastern states as culling pigs is the only option, he said.

A decline in feed consumption due to the virus may also hit demand for maize which is a key component of animal feed in the region, Patna-based trader Avinash Kumar said. So far, over 13,000 pigs have died due to the virus in Assam.    

Prices of mill-quality wheat in Jaipur were unavailable today as spot markets in Rajasthan are shut. Traders in Rajasthan are protesting the state government's decision to impose 2% farmers' welfare fee on the purchase of agricultural produce, particularly grains. 

Markets in Indore and Kanpur were shut because of the lockdown. 

Prices of the staple foodgrain are seen declining further in the coming days as the slower pace of government procurement is exerting supply pressure on spot markets, Kota-based trader Aniket Mehta said.  

In Jaipur, prices of bajra were largely steady due to lack of triggers, traders said.

Following are today's prices of wheat, maize, paddy, and bajra in rupees per 100 kg, in key wholesale markets, and the change from the previous day of trade:

Commodity
Market
Price
Change
Wheat
Indore
1,830-1,860*
Wheat
Jaipur
1,700-1,720*
Maize
Nashik
1,400-1,450
(-)20-30
Maize
Nizamabad
1,400-1,440
(-)20-30
Pusa 1121 basmati paddy
Amritsar
2,980-3,020
30-50
Bajra
Jaipur
1,750-1,800

*Spot markets for wheat in Indore and Jaipur were shut today

End

Edited by Avishek Dutta

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Rice supply adequate for 2020
By DA Published on May 12, 2020
QUEZON CITY, May 12 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) reassures the public that the country’s rice supply is adequate for the entire year with a comfortable level of inventory.
“Going into the lean months and onto December 31, 2020, we have enough supply of food, and that includes our major staple – rice,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.
“We remain consistent that our total projected supply of rice by end of December 2020 would be 17.994 million metric tons (MMT), while our total projected demand would be 14.668 MMT, leaving a year-end inventory of 3.326 MMT,” said the DA chief.
“This, in turn, serves as our beginning inventory in January 2021, which is good for 94 days’ supply,” he added.
The DA estimated the projected 2020 year-end supply using three components, namely:
Beginning stock in January 2020 or the surplus in December 2019;
Total domestic palay production, from January to December 2020; and
Total rice imports, January to December 2020, including the 300,000 MT to be imported by the DTI’s Philippine International Trading Corp. under a government-to-government arrangement.
The respective figures are gathered by the DA’s Field Operations Service (FOS) from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bureau of Customs (BOC) on rice imports, other relevant government agencies, and DA regional field offices (RFOs) in tandem with local government units (LGUs), on palay production.
The PSA’s supply utilization accounts of selected agricultural commodities showed that, of the total rice demand, an average of only 88 percent (%) serves as food or what is actually eaten, the remaining 12% is alloted for seeds, feeds and industrial uses.
Hence, of the total projected demand of 14.488 MMT, the actual rice that would be consumed as food would only amount to 12.9 MMT.
Further, the PSA reported that on average, a Filipino consumes a total of 118.81 kilograms (kg) annually. This is equivalent to 325.5 grams of milled rice daily.
With a current population of 108.66 million Filipinos, the country’s total annual consumption would amount to 12.9 MMT.
“We hope this will clarify issues on our rice supply, demand, and consumption situation. Again, we assure the nation that the DA is doing its best to secure the country with enough and affordable food for all. Our programs to make this happen are already in place to help our farmers and fisherfolk,” Secretary Dar concluded.  (ML/ DA)

Philippines seeks extra 300,000 tonnes of rice imports amid pandemic

Pio Maosaka Uncategorized 1 Minute
The Philippines, the world’s top rice buyer, is seeking to import another 300,000 tonnes of the staple food to boost state stockpiles while battling the coronavirus pandemic and ahead of its own lean season in the third quarter. The planned government-to-government deal would raise the Southeast
https://writingideasstoriespicturesandothers.wordpress.com/2020/05/12/philippines-seeks-extra-300000-tonnes-of-rice-imports-amid-pandemic/

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