Saturday, September 12, 2020

12th September,2020 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

 Balaghat Collector orders for reopening of sealed rice mills

 

 

   

 

 

 


Description: Balaghat Collector_1 

Date :12-Sep-2020

 

A new development has come to fore in the scam of supply of poultry grade rice in custom milling by mill owners of Balaghat and Mandla district. On the orders of Principal Secretary, Food Department, Collector of Balaghat has ordered for opening of all those mills and godowns which were earlier sealed after the complaints. As a matter of fact, no action was taken against the rice millers. Earlier, the Collector had ordered for sealing of mills and godowns and lodging of FIR against rice millers but when inquiry was handed over to Economic Offences Wing (EOW) then no FIR was lodged by the district administration. The EOW teams has only scrutinised the documents of the rice millers but in between orders has been issued for opening of the rice mills.

 

MLA and State Mining Development Corporation Chairman Pradeep Jaiswal, former MP Kankar Munjare, former MLA Kishore Samrite and Madhu Bhagathas demanded CBI inquiry into the rice scam. But now with opening of the rice mills and godowns, now millers can easily shift the sub standard rice stock from their mills and godowns.

It is known fact that in the rice scam, along with millers, many officers and employees of Waraseoni and Balaghat would be under the scrutiny and then their political patronage would be under the net . Hence it seems that planned action is being taken to save all those involved in this scam and poor people who were provided inferior quality rice would not get justice.

 

Rice Industry Federation is indirectly pressuring the State Government. The federation has informed that millers have contract with the Civil Supply Corporation, Mark Fed for custom milling and it does not state which quality of rice to be taken, its guideline is decided by the government. Hence the administration does not have information of this contract. As per the contract, if quality of rice supplied is not good, then it can be changed and in previous years it has been done also. The contract does not have provison of sealing the mills, godown or lodging FIR on the millers.

SDM, Waraseoni, Sandeep Singh and his team opened the seal of the warehouse at Nevargaon. Warehouse owner Gambhir Sancheti informed that he had submitted a litigation before the High Court against the action of district administration. He had also presented his part before Food Department then order were issued for opening of the warehouse and reconnection of the power supply. Hence now all the sealed 18 rice mills and warehouse of the area have been opened once again. Now Federation would withdraw its litigation from the High Court.

 

Local media has raised their protest when they were not allowed by district administration for coverage when seal of mills and warehouse were being opened by officers.

https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2020/9/12/Balaghat-Collector-orders-for-reopening-of-sealed-rice-mills.html

 

 

Reducing postharvest loss and waste among smallholder rice farmers

10Sep 2020

Correspondent

The Guardian

Reducing postharvest loss and waste among smallholder rice farmers

​​​​​​​IN 2017 Christopher Chahe of Idodi village of Iringa District in Iringa region lost four sacks of rice, about half of his harvest year. A good part of the loss was occasioned by a leaking roof in a room where he had stored the crop after harvesting resulting in most of the rice rotting.

Using machines like combine harvesters reduces crop loss and waste (File photo)

But mice also accounted for the loss. Poor storage has been a major problem to rice farmers that has made them suffer heavy losses and dashed their hopes of reducing poverty and attaining food sufficiency.

“We also lost a good part of the crop due to waiting for good prices in the market but in due course poor storage damaged the crop and reduced its quality. Eventually we ended up selling a small amount of rice at a very low price,” says Chahe.

However three years down the road things have changed. Rice farmers in Idodi village, all of whom are members of the village’s irrigation scheme,now store their crop in one warehouse which is secure and safe thanks to the RICE project that is funded by the European Union and implemented by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Tanzania (FAO Tz) in partnership with the Rural and Urban Development Initiative (RUDI) and smallholder rice farmers.

The Project for improving competitiveness and increasing postharvest management capacity of smallholder farmers in the rice value chain (RICE) is implemented in 12 schemes of smallholder farmers inIringa District.It aims to reduce poverty among farmers by building their capacity to withstand competition in production and marketing.

In Iringa District and indeed in many parts of Tanzania, rice is grown largely by smallholder farmers who face a number of challenges in thevarious stages of production.

One of them is postharvest losses arising from bad harvesting and storage methods as well as poor infrastructure. Poor storage and transportation of the crop also account for substantial losses.

A briefing paper by FAO estimated that about 40 percent of the rice crop is lost in the postharvest period.It is also evident that farmers lack collective power for accessing markets and bargaining for good prices for their produce as a result of which they have remained poor over the years despite their hard work.

The RICE Project thus focuses on building the capacity of the smallholder farmers and other stakeholders in the rice value chain in order to enable them to identify and address these challenges by using inclusive approaches that bring together all the partners including government and private sector.  The ultimate aim is to reduce rural poverty by improving competitiveness among smallholder rice farmers in Iringa District.

It also seeks to increase competitiveness in the rice value chain and improve the capacity to reduce postharvest losses among the farmers by strengthening the managerial capacities of smallholder farmers’ cooperative associations and strengthening innovative, sustainable and inclusive market systems. Postharvest losses will also be reduced by provision and rehabilitation of facilities and coordination of activities along the rice value chain.

“Now we keep our harvest in the warehouse where it is safe and we can thus afford to wait for prices to get better instead of selling in a hurry at a low price for fear of incurring losses through damage and waste. We are also in a better position to bargain directly with buyers as we have got rid of middlemen” says Chahe

The project goals also rhyme with FAO Tz’s 2017-2020 Country Programming Framework, the priority areas of which include increasing agricultural production and productivity for food and nutrition security as well as improving market access for increased incomes.

The significant improvement in rice production and productivity has been attained through a number of things. One of them has been public education and awareness among farmers to enable to understand not only the importance of using better farming methods at every stage of growing rice but also the improved economy that would see them reduce poverty at individual and family level.

Traditional farming methods also led to poor land use that became unproductive in the long run. Framers also used plenty of low quality seeds that produced a small amount of crop while poor storage facilities exposed the crop to rain, mice and insects. It was imperative to take action that would make rice farming more productive and address poverty at individual and family level. 

Things began to change for the better in 2018 after farmers had been provided, loans, education on new farming technologies and better storage of the harvest. These provided incentives for women and the youth to turn to rice farming as their major activity. “Now farmers don’t have to run around looking for buyers and neither have buyers to move from one individual farmer to another in order to get the amount of rice they need and negotiate for prices; they simply go the warehouse where they will get the amount of rice they want at a price agreed upon by farmers,” explains the village executive officer.

“We have about 3,000 rice farmers here. Almost all of them have abandoned traditional farming methods and adopted new ways from preparation of farms, planting, weeding, harvesting and storing the crop. No wonder a farmer can now harvest an average of between 16 and 20 bags of rice from one hectare, up from only six bags three years ago,” explains Felix Tulianje, the Village Executive Officer.

The village is now finalizing plans to install a rice milling machine in order to add value to the rice crop and thus get better prices in the market. By installing and subsequently using the machine farmers in Idodi village will have a competitive edge over other rice producers in the district in negotiating better prices due to value addition. This is besides the advantage of their ability to negotiate prices with one voice and thus avoiding vulnerability to tricks employed by buyers to individual producers.

As the project draws the curtain in December this year, individual farmers and cooperatives have recorded significant success in raising incomes and alleviating poverty “In total, there are at least 10,000 beneficiaries including smallholder women, men and youth from 11 groups. There are processors and other actors in rice value chain,” explains Annaviola Walter who works with RUDI as business advisor to the RICE project.

“About 2,896 farmers, 41percent of whom are women, have successfully managed to apply proper postharvest management methods while 46 women and 9 youth groups have identified and implemented various income generating activities along the rice value,” she adds. Such activities include provision of harvesting and transporting crops from farms to storage facilities.

A total of 11 schemes out of 12 have improved their record keeping and accounts in rice production process while1794 farmers from different villages and organizations have been trained on proper postharvest, storage and marketing methods for rice.

“And in order to guarantee safety and security of crops stored in warehouses, the project has trained 13 Warehouse Managers on proper warehouse management methods and linked buyers from Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Iringa and Mbeya regions with farmer organizations in order to increase competitiveness in the rice trade. Reducing postharvest losses and waste goes beyond proper storage,” says Ms. Walter.

With increased awareness of the need to raise productivity and reduces losses and waste, farmers in Idodi now bring their crops for storage in the warehouse where they pay only 1,000/- for every bag of rice for as long as it remains in the warehouse. “The warehouse accommodates only about 3,000 bags of rice and it is already full, with the harvest season not over. We expect to get ten tons this season, which means we will have to store the crop in warehouses that belong to other villages,” Ibrahim Kisegendo, the warehouse manager.

Some individuals produce as many as 48 bags of rice from one hectare and this has not gone down well with their neighbours. “This has brought contempt and soured up relations; those who produce a lot are suspected of using witchcraft although it is well known that they following instructions given by agriculture experts,” says the warehouse manager.

Nevertheless, the project has faced challenges at its implementation. Some farmers are still stuck to traditional farming methods despite the low yields they are experiencing.Others were reluctant to store their harvest in the village warehouses because they were worried about the safety of their crop. “The warehouses were used to keep old machinery and impounded livestock that ventured into farms. In some villages they were used as lockups for suspected criminals before they were taken to police stations. But now that awareness is high and rice production has increased there isn’t enough space in the warehouses to accommodate all the rice crop,” says the Business Advisor.

The project has introduced new agriculture machinery to smallholder farmers and many of them have adopted it. These machines help to reduce waste and crop losses during planting, weeding, harvesting and transportation to warehouses. The demand for these machines has risen drastically in the period of project implementation but supply is so low. “This is one problem we have to deal with in remaining period of the project. We have to establish a reliable supply chain that will meet the farmer’s demands,” says Ms. Walter.

According to Ms. Walter another major challenge facing farmers now is lack of market for their crop. “This year has been particularly good for rice farmers in the country with the result that the market is flooded with goods. At present many buyers have gone to Shinyanga Region where farmers have had a bumper crop and very few are coming to this part of the country. The prices are still very low and it might take quite some time to pick up,” she explains

Yet the future is bright for smallholder farmers in Iringa District. Those who have taken part in implementing the RICE project have reaped benefits that were beyond their reach. Village and scheme leaders know how to look for markets and negotiate good prices for agriculture inputs and their crops, and they know how to reduce waste and avoid postharvest losses of their crop. “In the course of implementing this project individuals have raised their incomes by 70 percent on average. Others have raised their incomes by more than 100 percent so none of them would want to slide back to previous poverty levels,” says Ms. Walter.

 

Crop planting rises 5.7% to a new record of 110.45 million hectares, bumper harvest likely

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Crop planting rises 5.7% to a new record of 110.45 million hectares, bumper harvest likely

ET BureauLast Updated: Sep 12, 2020, 07:56 AM IST

Crop area is likely to increase further as rice planting is still continuing, although at a slow pace as the monsoon season is coming to an end. Sowing of pulses, coarse cereals, millets and oilseeds is almost over.

Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said timely preparation to supply inputs like seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, machinery and credit has made it possible for large coverage even during pandemic lockdown conditions.

New Delhi: Crop planting has expanded to a new record of 110.45 million hectares, rising 5.7% over last year and setting the stage for another bumper harvest.

Crop area is likely to increase further as rice planting is still continuing, although at a slow pace as the monsoon season is coming to an end.

Sowing of pulses, coarse cereals, millets and oilseeds is almost over. The final sowing figures for kharif season will be finalised on October 1, 2020 as monsoon is likely to start retreating from western Rajasthan around mid-September.

Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said timely preparation to supply inputs like seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, machinery and credit has made it possible for large coverage even during pandemic lockdown conditions.

“Credit goes to farmers. They responded well to our schemes and programmes and created a record amid adverse situation,” he said.

The higher coverage of area is also due to above normal rainfall this year.


“The actual rainfall received in the country is 7% more than the normal rainfall. There was less precipitation in July but June and August saw more than normal rainfall helping cultivation of crops in all parts of the country,” said a senior agriculture ministry official.

The key reservoirs and dams across the country are also brimming due to good distribution of rainfall. This will help farmers in the coming Rabi season as well as in the next Kharif season also.

“The live water storage available in 123 reservoirs in the country is 102% of live storage of corresponding period of last year,” he said.



The official said that the country is likely to get bumper production this year.

“Planting looks healthy across the country except in few pockets of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat where there are reports of crop damages due to excessive rains and floods. However, overall the situation looks better,” he said

Rice prices hit 18-months peak as coronavirus strains export logistics

Sep 11 2020, 09:23 ist

  • updated: Sep 11 2020, 09:23 ist

Representative Image. Credit: Pixabay Photo

Rice export prices in top hub India rose to their highest in nearly 18 months this week as supplies remained constrained due to pandemic-induced disruptions, while Bangladesh may have to import the staple after natural calamities damaged crops.

India's five per cent broken parboiled rice prices <RI-INBKN5-P1> climbed to $387-$394 per tonne from last week's $384-$390.

With the top exporter now behind only the United States in the tally of Covid-19 cases, exporters have been grappling with limited availability of containers and mill workers at its biggest rice handling port of Kakinada on the east coast.

"Coronavirus outbreak has affected rice milling in Andhra Pradesh and loading operations at Kakinada. Limited supplies are available for exports though demand is robust," said a Kakinada-based exporter.

In neighboring Bangladesh, domestic prices have risen up to 20 per cent over a month amid fears of a production shortfall.

Excessive rainfall in March-April, cyclone Amphan in May and three spells of floods in June-July damaged most crops, of which 70 per cent was paddy, according to agricultural ministry officials.

Bangladesh needs to start importing rice without any delay, sources familiar with the matter said.

In Vietnam too, low domestic supplies pushed prices for five per cent broken rice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> to $490-$495 a tonne on Thursday from $490 last week.

"Domes

tic supplies are very low at the moment, while some exporters continue to fulfill their contracts signed earlier with customers from Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Africa," a trader in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang said.

Traders expect prices to come down in the coming weeks ahead of the autumn-winter harvest.

Adding to demand woes, another trader said the Philippines could suspend rice purchases at least until November to support domestic prices of an ongoing harvest there.

In Thailand, benchmark five per cent broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> prices eased to $487-510 per tonne on Thursday from $500-$513 last week amid muted demand

 

 

Bengaluru: Doctors find polished rice link to newborns’ heart ailment

Sunitha Rao R | TNN | Sep 12, 2020, 12:16 IST

TimesPoints

BENGALURU: A study conducted by Bengaluru’s researchers has found a link between mother’s diet and baby’s heart functioning.
As per the study, consumption of polished rice, a staple in South India, leads to Vitamin B1 deficiency among newborns, causing heart ailments. The polishing strips the rice of its most nutritious outer layer rich in Thiamine or Vitamin B1.

The six-year-long study conducted by Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) investigated 250 babies below six months of age admitted with signs of fast breathing, vomiting, inability to take breath feed in the hospital.
The researchers looked into why so many babies had developed the life-threatening disease. An evaluation showed severely elevated pressure in the right side of the heart and the blood vessels in the lungs. The condition was referred to as ‘pulmonary hypertension’.

Rahul Gandhi aides get a leg-up in Congress rejig; session to elect president next

Congress on Friday effected a major organisational reshuffle that saw a clear leg-up for Rahul Gandhi’s confidants, including those from the old guard while laying down a clear roadmap for an AICC session to elect the new party president with the naming of an election authority. Crucially, Ghulam Nabi Azad has been dropped as general secretary in charge of Haryana.

 

LAC stand-off: Army holding firm on Pangong heights despite PLA poke & prod

In the days following the Indian Army’s surprise move in taking control of key heights in the Pangong Tso area and ahead of the S Jaishankar-Wang Yi meeting, China repeatedly poked and prodded along the border in a bid to test the Indian response. The big deployments in the Chushul area meant to intimidate and dislodge freshly acquired Indian positions failed to deter India.

 

The study has been published in the Journal of Archives of Diseases in Childhood, the lead authors of which are pediatric cardiologists Dr Usha MK, associate professor, Dr Jay Ranganath, a professor who worked on it for six years from 2013 to 2019.
Of the 250 babies, 231 recovered when they were treated with Thiamine supplement injection or Vitamin B1. The babies were tracked for 60 months after their treatment at the institute and there was no occurrence of pulmonary hypertension. While seven babies died, 12 did not respond to thiamine supplement. Of the 238 babies who responded to Thiamine, 155 were male and 83 female.
According to the researchers, severe pulmonary hypertension causing right heart failure can occur due to thiamine deficiency in exclusively breastfeeding infants. “We did a prospective observational study of infants presenting with severe pulmonary hypertension without any significant heart or lung disease. Intravenous thiamine was administered to all the babies based on clinical suspicion. Clinical improvement with complete resolution of pulmonary hypertension was noticed within 24-48 hours,” Dr Usha said.
Most of the babies were brought in when they were very ill. Among the 231 recovered babies, four had to be put on ventilator. After being administered thiamine intravenous injection, the babies improved dramatically and were weaned off ventilators within 5-6 hours, said the researchers.
Thiamine deficiency was seen largely among babies from Andhra Pradesh, North East, Orissa, Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Chitradurga and Tumakuru where the staple diet is rice, Dr Ranganath said, adding that no such cases were seen among patients from Kerala where polished rice is not used.
According to the researchers, the high degree of the diagnosis was based on clinical clues as the mothers of all these babies were malnourished. High degree of awareness among paediatricians is required for timely recognition of this easily treatable condition, they said.
The right diet
According to the SJICSR researchers, outer layers of cereals, legumes, pulses, potato, lean meat, milk and nuts are all rich sources of Thiamine.
Speaking to TOI, Dr C N Manjunath, director of the institute, said the research plays an important role in educating the public about the right diet and suggesting the government to ensure policy modification to include thiamine supplements during pregnancy.
Dr Ranganath said it is also essential to provide thiamine supplement to breast-feeding mothers for six months. “The diet during the post-partum period is determined by cultural beliefs and taboos. Consumption of polished rice, lack of dietary diversity and food taboos contribute to thiamine deficiency,” Dr Ranganath said.
“As a part of the dietary restrictions, new mothers are denied dal, vegetables, legumes, pulses and to this day in most parts of Karnataka and a few parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh,” said Dr Manjunath.
He said pregnant women must be provided with diet rich red rice, parboiled rice, ragi, millets, vegetables and abundant milk, which can prevent life-threatening disease among the newborn.
"Thiamine supplement can save babies who have developed signs of heart failure but have no structural defects in heart and lungs. It can effectively bring down infant mortality rate in such cases," said Dr Manjunath.

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Mother's polished rice diet is bad for infants' heart: Study

Suraksha P, DHNS,

  • Sep 12 2020, 01:04 ist
  • updated: Sep 12 2020, 09:01 ist

Researchers have found a link between polished rice diet of mothers and infants' health.

Infants below six months of age are exclusively breast-fed. So, mother’s food habits play an important role in their well-being. In the southern and northeastern parts of India, the staple food is polished rice.

Consumption of polished rice, which is bereft of the nutritious outer layer rich in Vitamin B1, deprives breast milk of nutrition. This directly leads to heart failure in new born babies, a study has found.

The largest study conducted by the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICR) over six years, showed this alarming link between maternal diet and heart function. Paediatric cardiologists Dr Usha MK Sastry and Dr Jayranganath M undertook this study.

During this period, 250 babies below six months of age were admitted with problems of rapid breathing, vomiting and inability to breast feed.  Evaluation revealed elevated pressures in the right side of the heart and the blood vessels of the lungs. 

Called Pulmonary Hypertension is related to the deficiency of a vitamin in the breast milk and can be treated with a common, easily available vitamin called Thiamine or Vitamin B1. Of the 250 babies who were admitted to the hospital, 230 had dramatic and complete improvement and were cured of the disease.

This research was recently published in a leading journal: The Journal of Archives of Diseases in Childhood.

Dr C N Manjuanth, director, SJICR, said, “Providing new mothers with a diet rich in red rice, parboiled rice, ragi, millets, with abundant milk and vegetables can provide a robust diet rich in all vitamins, improve the quality of breast milk and can prevent this life threatening disease in the vulnerable new born.”

 

https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/mysterious-new-findings-on-dark-matter-leave-scientists-confounded-886280.html

Agri exports fell by 1.8% in Jun qtr

1 min read . Updated: 10 Sep 2020, 11:40 PM ISTSayantan Bera

The decline was despite a 70% increase in the export of non-basmati rice and a 61% rise in the export of sugar

 

 

Agri exports fell by 1.8% in Jun qtr

Description: Wheat and rice production (Mint)Wheat and rice production (Mint)

NEW DELHI : Lower exports of livestock and marine products led the decline in India’s agriculture exports in the June quarter of 2020-21, according to an analysis of government data.

Exports of major farm products were recorded at 43,894 crore between April and June, a fall of 1.8% from the year-ago period.

The overall decline in value is despite a 70% increase in the export of non-basmati rice and a 61% increase in the export of sugar.

Higher exports of rice and sugar are likely to benefit farmers, but they also stand to lose as livestock exports fell by 44% to 3,668 crore, while marine exports fell by 16% to ₹8,926 crore.

Description: Source: DGCIS and APEDA website

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Source: DGCIS and APEDA website

The overall decline in farm exports was expected due to the covid-19 pandemic, which hit global demand and supply chains.

However, the numbers, computed by Mint from data published by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, are in sharp contrast to the numbers put out by the agriculture ministry.

Export of farm commodities increased sharply by 23% to 25,552 crore between March and June, the ministry said on 18 August.

“Even during the difficult time of the lockdown, India took care not to disturb the world food supply chain and continued to export," the ministry said.

It selected a four-month period of March to June as the reference period for analysis, but the difference in the value of exports is probably because of the exclusion of marine and livestock products, which witnessed a significant decline.

During this period, exports of buffalo meat and marine products fell by a steep 46% to 11,890 crore.

An analysis of the export numbers for the June quarter shows that the export value of cereals went up by 19%, while that of pulses and processed fruits and vegetables grew by 23%. Export of sugar increased by 61%, export of other processed foods and tea fell by 16% and 28%, respectively.

India has set itself an ambitious target of achieving $60 billion of farm exports by 2022. The Centre’s export strategy focuses on catering to niche global markets of wellness foods, development of ‘Brand India’ and an emphasis on value addition. India’s farm export basket accounts for just 2.15% of global agricultural trade, according to the Economic Survey.

https://www.livemint.com/industry/agriculture/agri-exports-fell-by-1-8-in-jun-qtr-11599760205226.html

Colombia Chef Webinar Series Now Available On Facebook   

 

 

By Asiha Grigsby

 

ARLINGTON, VA -- USA Rice recently turned a challenge into an opportunity with the creation of the first-ever Virtual Chef Webinar Series in Colombia.  In previous years the annual workshops for professional chefs have taken place in-person in major cities such as Bogota and Cartagena, but this year, the events went online to allow greater participation and to respect restrictions put in place due to COVID-19.  

"These four webinars reached more than 2,100 registered online attendees," said Sarah Moran, USA Rice vice president international.  "The objective was the same online as it was live -- to provide a technical education for professional chefs and rice importers on how to cook U.S. rice and to emphasize the benefits of using it in their businesses."  

Originally streamed via Zoom, the webinar series is now available on the USA Rice Colombia Facebook page.
Description: C:\Users\abc\Downloads\unnamed.jpg
Chef Daniel Riveros, a USA Rice culinary ambassador in Colombia, was the host for sessions that featured special guests including Pablo Restrepo, owner of the foodservice company, "Practic Food;" Ana Santa Fit, an Instagram chef influencer; Luz Dary Cogollo, an expert in traditional cuisine; Mariana Briceno, a catering specialist; and Tono Shinozaki, the corporate chef for Best Choice Company, a U.S rice importer.   Each guest shared their personal recommendations on how to incorporate rice as an essential ingredient in a variety of recipes.

"Colombia is an important emerging South American market for U.S -grown rice," said Moran.  "Imports have been strong since the 2012 U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement which allows a duty-free quota for U.S. rice.  USA Rice conducts multiple promotions there each month to engage with consumers and trade professionals."

In 2019, the U.S. exported 147,000 MT of rice valued at nearly $50 million to Colombia, and auctions for licenses to export duty-free rice have brought more than $80 million to the United States' six rice research boards to fund research projects for the benefit of the U.S. rice industry.

 

WASDE Report Released   

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- The outlook for 2020/21 U.S. rice this month is for lower beginning stocks, with increased production, imports, and total use.  The August 21 NASS Rice Stocks report reduced 2020/21 beginning stocks by 2 million cwt.  Imports for 2020/21 are raised 800,000 cwt to 36.8 million on expectations of continued strong demand for combined medium and short grain varieties.  In the September Crop Production report, NASS raised the 2020/21 rice crop by 6.9 million cwt to 225 million on increased harvested area.  The average all rice yield is down 71 pounds per acre to 7,529 pounds.  Long grain production is raised 9.8 million cwt to 168.9 million, and combined medium and short grain production is cut 3 million cwt to 56 million.  With the increased supplies, domestic and residual use and exports are each raised 2 million cwt, all long grain.  All rice ending stocks are increased by 1.6 million cwt to 45.9 million and the season-average farm price is dropped $0.10 per cwt to $12.60.  

Foreign 2020/21 rice supplies are lowered fractionally with several, mostly offsetting, production changes led by a 1-million-ton increase for India and a 1.4-million-ton reduction for Thailand.  The India change is based on updated government statistics, and Thailand's smaller crop reflects limited water supplies in irrigated production areas.  Global exports are up fractionally led by a 1-million-ton increase for India that is offset by a 1-million-ton decrease for Thailand; both changes are based on each country's production revisions.  With supplies down and global utilization virtually unchanged, global ending stocks are lowered 400,000 tons to 184.8 million but remain record large.

Go here to read the full report.  

 

 

Nine Vietnamese fragrant rice varieties given tariff quotas in EU

 

11/09/2020    08:55 GMT+7

Nine Vietnamese fragrant rice varieties will enjoy tariff export quotas to Europe under the Europe-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) agreement.

Description: Nine Vietnamese fragrant rice varieties given tariff quotas in EU

As part of the agreement, the EU will give Viet Nam a quota of 80,000 tonnes of rice with a zero-per-cent tax rate per year, including 30,000 tonnes of milled rice, 20,000 tonnes of unmilled rice and 30,000 tonnes of fragrant rice.

The EU will also fully liberalise broken rice, helping Viet Nam export an estimated 100,000 tonnes to the EU annually.

For products made from rice, the EU will bring the tax rate down to 0 per cent after three to five years.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) would co-ordinate with localities and exporters to review the list of fragrant rice varieties and amend and supplement where necessary to meet production requirements, said Nguyen Nhu Cuong, director of the Plant Cultivation Department under (MARD).

Rice plantations in Mekong Delta provinces account for about 25 per cent of the total cultivated area, equivalent to about 1 million hectares. Fragrant rice output is estimated at 5.5 million tonnes.

The amount of fragrant rice exported to the EU was entitled to a preferential tariff quota of 30,000 tonnes, equivalent to 1.2 per cent of the rice produced in the region, so the export potential for fragrant rice remained very high, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh.

If we complied with EU regulations and exported 30,000 tonnes of fragrant rice and 80,000 tonnes of rice in general with high prices, it would help improve the efficiency of rice production in Viet Nam, added Doanh.

The deputy minister noted that after the Government issued Decree 103/2020/ND-CP on the certification of fragrant rice varieties exported to the EU, the ministry quickly issued a decision on certification for rice exporters to this market.

Three units have already submitted their documents to the ministry and their certification was completed within five days. Enterprises can submit registration documents through the public administration service portal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, or by post. Enterprise certification is completely free.

Businesses with fragrant rice listed in the EVFTA agreement with orders to export fragrant rice needed to submit their documents to the Plant Cultivation Department quickly to complete procedures for exports to the EU, said Doanh. — VNS

https://vietnamnet.vn/en/business/nine-vietnamese-fragrant-rice-varieties-given-tariff-quotas-in-eu-666350.html

 

 

Overseas Vietnamese seek to export farm produce, medical equipment amid Covid-19

 

SGGPFriday, September 11, 2020 17:28

The Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Abroad (BAOOV) in association with the Malaysia Business Chamber Vietnam on September 10 held an online seminar to remove and find the solution to import and export agricultural products, medical equipment, and supplies of Vietnam into the Malaysian market amid the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Description: Many overseas entrepreneurs participated in the seminar. (Photo: SGGP)

Many overseas entrepreneurs participated in the seminar. (Photo: SGGP)

The seminar attracted the participation of representatives from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Udon Thani in Thailand, and enterprises of Vietnam and Malaysia.

Participants in the seminar focused on discussing, exchanging, and commenting on the key contents, including two-way trade between Vietnam and Malaysia and its strengths, Vietnam's export experience, and highlights of trade between Vietnam and the world on medical equipment and supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic and the next two years, Halal certification and the strengths of Halal products - products that Muslims are allowed to eat, drink, and use - in the Malaysian market, and the advantages and disadvantages when importing Vietnamese goods into the Malaysian market.

Mr. Pham Quoc Anh, Vietnam Trade Counselor in Malaysia, said the structure of the types of goods exchanged and imported between Vietnam and Malaysia is not competitive but complementary, so there are many growth opportunities. The main products that Malaysia exports to Vietnam include electric machines, mechanical machinery and equipment, plastics and plastic products, gasoline, and oil of all kinds. Meanwhile, the main products that Vietnam exports to Malaysia are rice, bags, footwear, textiles, aquatic products, coffee, and tea.

Description: Overseas Vietnamese seek to export farm produce, medical equipment amid Covid-19 ảnh 1The Halal food industry attracts attention of overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs. (Photo: SGGP)

According to Mr. Anh, Malaysia is a fairly large market with a population of nearly 32 million people and a high per-capita income. This is a country with extremely good trade relations with Muslim countries, such as Indonesia and countries in the Middle East. Therefore, when entering the Malaysian market, it means there will be an opportunity to penetrate the Halal product market with an annual demand of more than US$2 trillion.

Besides, Malaysia is an industrialized country that has a huge import demand for food products, such as rice, coffee, vegetables, aquatic products, and confectionery, so although the Covid-19 pandemic has been affecting greatly to world trade in general and trade between the two countries in particular, it still opens up opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to bring these products into the Malaysian market. And currently, Vietnam is one of the largest suppliers of the aforesaid products to the Malaysian market.

Exchanging and sharing experiences of Vietnam about the highlights of trade between Vietnam and the world on medical equipment and supplies amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Peter Hong, Permanent Vice President of the BAOOV said that in recent months, Vietnam has controlled well the Covid-19 pandemic, creating positive impacts on Vietnam's reputation and position in the world. This is a golden opportunity for the world to know Vietnam as one of the safe destinations for business investment, as well as trade promotion activities in the coming time. However, the situation of the pandemic in many markets in Europe, the United States, and the ASEAN has not been controlled, so the application of pandemic prevention measures greatly affects the import and export activities of Vietnam. Therefore, solutions to boost exports and diversify export markets are extremely necessary for the business community, especially import-export businesses, in the post-pandemic period.

At the seminar, overseas entrepreneurs also exchanged experiences and shared about making full use of trade agreements to promote exports. Of which, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) are two of the remarkable trade agreements that Vietnam needs to focus on research and evaluation to make the most of opportunities to promote import and export activities. Especially, Vietnam should focus on exporting to markets and regions that have controlled the pandemic early and have had free trade agreements with it.

By Tran Manh – Translated by Thuy Doan

https://sggpnews.org.vn/business/overseas-vietnamese-seek-to-export-farm-produce-medical-equipment-amid-covid19-88407.html

 

Overseas Vietnamese seek to export farm produce, medical equipment amid Covid-19

SGGPFriday, September 11, 2020 17:28

The Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Abroad (BAOOV) in association with the Malaysia Business Chamber Vietnam on September 10 held an online seminar to remove and find the solution to import and export agricultural products, medical equipment, and supplies of Vietnam into the Malaysian market amid the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Description: Many overseas entrepreneurs participated in the seminar. (Photo: SGGP)

Many overseas entrepreneurs participated in the seminar. (Photo: SGGP)

The seminar attracted the participation of representatives from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Udon Thani in Thailand, and enterprises of Vietnam and Malaysia.

Participants in the seminar focused on discussing, exchanging, and commenting on the key contents, including two-way trade between Vietnam and Malaysia and its strengths, Vietnam's export experience, and highlights of trade between Vietnam and the world on medical equipment and supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic and the next two years, Halal certification and the strengths of Halal products - products that Muslims are allowed to eat, drink, and use - in the Malaysian market, and the advantages and disadvantages when importing Vietnamese goods into the Malaysian market.

Mr. Pham Quoc Anh, Vietnam Trade Counselor in Malaysia, said the structure of the types of goods exchanged and imported between Vietnam and Malaysia is not competitive but complementary, so there are many growth opportunities. The main products that Malaysia exports to Vietnam include electric machines, mechanical machinery and equipment, plastics and plastic products, gasoline, and oil of all kinds. Meanwhile, the main products that Vietnam exports to Malaysia are rice, bags, footwear, textiles, aquatic products, coffee, and tea.

Description: Overseas Vietnamese seek to export farm produce, medical equipment amid Covid-19 ảnh 1The Halal food industry attracts attention of overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs. (Photo: SGGP)

According to Mr. Anh, Malaysia is a fairly large market with a population of nearly 32 million people and a high per-capita income. This is a country with extremely good trade relations with Muslim countries, such as Indonesia and countries in the Middle East. Therefore, when entering the Malaysian market, it means there will be an opportunity to penetrate the Halal product market with an annual demand of more than US$2 trillion.

Besides, Malaysia is an industrialized country that has a huge import demand for food products, such as rice, coffee, vegetables, aquatic products, and confectionery, so although the Covid-19 pandemic has been affecting greatly to world trade in general and trade between the two countries in particular, it still opens up opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to bring these products into the Malaysian market. And currently, Vietnam is one of the largest suppliers of the aforesaid products to the Malaysian market.

Exchanging and sharing experiences of Vietnam about the highlights of trade between Vietnam and the world on medical equipment and supplies amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Peter Hong, Permanent Vice President of the BAOOV said that in recent months, Vietnam has controlled well the Covid-19 pandemic, creating positive impacts on Vietnam's reputation and position in the world. This is a golden opportunity for the world to know Vietnam as one of the safe destinations for business investment, as well as trade promotion activities in the coming time. However, the situation of the pandemic in many markets in Europe, the United States, and the ASEAN has not been controlled, so the application of pandemic prevention measures greatly affects the import and export activities of Vietnam. Therefore, solutions to boost exports and diversify export markets are extremely necessary for the business community, especially import-export businesses, in the post-pandemic period.

At the seminar, overseas entrepreneurs also exchanged experiences and shared about making full use of trade agreements to promote exports. Of which, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) are two of the remarkable trade agreements that Vietnam needs to focus on research and evaluation to make the most of opportunities to promote import and export activities. Especially, Vietnam should focus on exporting to markets and regions that have controlled the pandemic early and have had free trade agreements with it.

By Tran Manh – Translated by Thuy Doan

https://sggpnews.org.vn/business/overseas-vietnamese-seek-to-export-farm-produce-medical-equipment-amid-covid19-88407.html

 

Ministry asks for improvement in rice export management

By Trung Chanh

Friday,  Sep 11, 2020,07:11 (GMT+7)

Description: https://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Uploads/Articles/78471/61c2b_unnamed.jpg

A man carries a rice bag on his back at the Ba Dac rice market in Tien Giang Province’s Cai Be District. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked the Import-Export Department to improve the management of rice exports - PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

CAN THO – The Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked the Import-Export Department to improve rice export management policies in line with market-oriented dynamics and ensuring enough rice for circulation and the national reserves.

According to the ministry’s Directive 13 on national food safety until 2030, meat, eggs, milk seafood, vegetables, fruits and beverages must be adequate, diverse and safe, contributing to the country’s economic development, improving the living conditions of local residents and maintaining political and social stability.

The ministry has also targeted boosting investments in agriculture and rural development; applying hi-tech methods in the production, processing, preservation and circulation of products to improve their quality and reduce their prices and diversifying processed food products so that consumers can get enough nutrients at appropriate prices.

In addition, the added value of products should be increased to help farmers improve their incomes and living conditions.

Therefore, the ministry has come up with several tasks for its subordinates in the coming period. The Import-Export Department, in particular, must coordinate with the departments of foreign and domestic markets and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to foster the production in value chains.

The department was also asked to cooperate with the departments of foreign and domestic markets and the Department of Ecommerce and Digital Economy to develop a database of food safety and provide forecasts about the consumption trends of food and foodstuffs by foreign markets.

In addition, the department must work with the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Finance to review and develop policies for rice growers and enterprises producing and trading in rice.

The Import-Export Department must coordinate with other ministries and agencies to issue sanctions against individuals and organizations violating regulations on national food security.

Regarding rice export management hiccups in the recent past, the Ministry of Industry and Trade on March 24 proposed resuming rice exports, only a day after suggesting the suspension of rice exports, citing food security amid the complicated development of Covid-19.

Tran Quoc Khanh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, explained that statistics of the ministry and localities and enterprises were different.

It was not until May 1 that rice exports were normalized.

https://english.thesaigontimes.vn/78471/ministry-asks-for-improvement-in-rice-export-management.html

 

 

 

Govt fails to reach rice purchase target despite extended deadline

Description: https://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2017/09/15/22_rice_150917_0001.jpg/ALTERNATES/w640/22_Rice_150917_0001.jpg
The government is falling behind its target in buying 2.1 million tonnes of Boro rice despite an extended deadline.

Description: https://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2020/06/11/rongpur-paddy-110520-03.jpg/ALTERNATES/w640/rongpur-paddy-110520-03.jpg

Millers are refusing to sell rice to the government, breaching their contracts, as the price offered by the government does not match the market price. Under the circumstances, the government cannot reach its target to buy rice. Bangladesh has produced 20 million tonnes of Boro rice this year.

Floods and the coronavirus epidemic harmed the rice mills, pushing them into losses.

The government plans to take necessary action against those who did not comply with the contracts. The government will, however, assess if the millers could not supply rice due to adverse weather.

The Food Planning and Monitoring Committee under the Ministry of Food decided to purchase 1.9 million tonnes of Boro rice this year, setting the prices of Boro paddy at Tk 26 per kg and parboiled and Atap or sundried rice at Tk 36. Later, the government raised the purchase target to 2.1 million tonnes.

The authorities began to buy Boro paddy on Apr 26 and Boro rice on May 7. The collection, scheduled to finish by Aug 31, was extended to Sept 15.

According to the Ministry of Food, the government bought 888,917 tonnes of rice, including 213,067 tonnes of Boro rice, 598,748 tonnes of parboiled rice and 88,604 tonnes of sundried rice as of Sept 8.

Description: https://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2014/05/10/02_chatal_b-baria_100514_0012.jpg/ALTERNATES/w640/02_Chatal_B+Baria_100514_0012.jpg

Government warehouses have stored more than 1.41 million tonnes of grains, including 1.14 million tonnes of rice and 269,000 tonnes of wheat.

Some people did not fulfil their commitment to sell paddy and rice to the government, Food Secretary Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum told bdnews24.com.

"Husking mills couldn't buy paddy due to bad weather and an increase in the market price this year. What action can we take against them as their business is already suffering? We have no plan to take action against them but motivate them instead."

The government is taking necessary steps against those automatic rice mills that never sold rice under contract, the food secretary said.

"We have given directives to the finance ministry, deputy commissioners and other government bodies to ensure that those millers who didn't sell rice to the government breaching their contracts, never get the incentive package provided by the government."

The government is listing those who sold rice under contract and those who did not. "In future, we'll provide an incentive for those who supplied the full quantity of rice to the government and deprive those who didn't," Nazmanara said. Description: https://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2014/05/10/02_chatal_b-baria_100514_0012.jpg/ALTERNATES/w640/02_Chatal_B+Baria_100514_0012.jpg

Many millers did not sell rice to the government as the market price was higher than the government price. "We need to consider the market situation while applying the contract clauses. We'll identify the defaulters considering the entire situation after the rice collection deadline is over," she said.

"We'll scrutinise why some people could not sell the rice to the government at all; whether they did not have the capacity or there were other factors. There won't be equal measures taken for all. We'll evaluate and decide the form of punishment."

bdnews24.com asked the food secretary if the price fixed by the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee has caused any problem.

"The committee finalises the price based on the production cost of paddy and rice fixed by the Ministry of Agriculture," she said.

"The market price is higher. In an open market economy, traders fix the prices. Rice prices should not shoot up if we take production and demand into account. Traders have illogically hiked the prices, forcing consumers to pay more."

Description: https://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2017/09/15/22_rice_150917_0001.jpg/ALTERNATES/w640/22_Rice_150917_0001.jpg

Traders buy rice from millers and then sell it to the wholesale and retail market, the secretary said. The commerce ministry must see why the rice that cost Tk 30 per kg sells for Tk 40 per kg.

"We've written to the commerce ministry asking the authorities to look into the issue. We've seen that production did not decrease, demand did not increase — we fixed the prices accordingly. We're trying our best to enable people to buy rice at the price we fixed. But we can't fix the rice price in an open-market economy. If the market price becomes exorbitant, we supply the rice under OMS or other programmes to control it."

They are yet to have the full information on the quantity of grains stored by all the farmers, traders and millers in the country, said Nazmanara.

"Those who cannot bear a financial loss didn't sell rice to the government. This time they can't sell rice to the government even if it puts them in jail," said Layek Ali, general secretary of Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mill Owners Association.

"Why would the millers sell rice to the government at Tk 36 per kg when the same rice is sold at Tk 41-42 in the market amid the coronavirus pandemic?"

Many of the millers will have to sell out their mills if they want to supply rice at the government rate, said Ali. "Many mills are struggling for their existence during the pandemic and floods. We don't know what is going to happen."

The millers appealed to the food ministry several times to increase the rice prices, which was never considered, an official of the ministry said, asking not to be named. So, the millers did not sell their rice to the government anymore, he said.

Besides the millers, people have a large quantity of food grains stored with them, though the exact amount is not known, said Sarwar Mahmud, director-general of the Food Directorate.

"It's hard to assume what quantity of grains people are storing. As there has been a bumper harvest this year, the grains must be stored somewhere.

https://bdnews24.com/economy/2020/09/11/govt-fails-to-reach-rice-purchase-target-despite-extended-deadline#:~:text=The%20government%20is%20falling%20behind,not%20match%20the%20market%20price.

Sowing of pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds almost over; rice growing still in progress: Govt

By: PTI | 

September 11, 2020 4:58 PM

The ministry attributed the record progress in kharif sowing to timely prepositioning of crop inputs, credit and adoption of technologies besides good rainfall.

Description: The final sowing figures for the kharif season are expected to be closed on October 1.s

The final sowing figures for the kharif season are expected to be closed on October 1.

Sowing of pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds is almost over, while rice planting is still in progress in the ongoing kharif 2020 season notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, the agriculture ministry said on Friday.

Sowing of kharif crops has not been impacted by the pandemic and there has been record area coverage under the summer crops, it said in a statement.

Total area sown to all kharif crops rose 5.68 per cent to 1,104.54 lakh hectare so far in the current kharif season as against 1,045.18 lakh hectare in the year-ago, it added.

The final sowing figures for the kharif season are expected to be closed on October 1.

Normally, sowing of kharif crops begins with the onset of the southwest monsoon from June and harvesting from October. Rice is the main kharif crop.

Stating that rice sowing is still continuing, the ministry said that so far, the area sown to this crop has increased 7.59 per cent to 402.25 lakh hectare as against 373.87 lakh hectare A year ago.

Sowing of pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds is almost over, it added.

As per the latest data, area under pulses has increased by 4.64 per cent to 137.87 lakh hectare from 131.76 lakh hectare, while that of coarse cereals by 1.28 per cent to 179.70 lakh hectare from 177.43 lakh hectare in the said period.

Area under oilseeds has increased sharply by 10.76 per cent to 195.99 lakh hectare so far in the 2020 kharif season from 176.91 lakh hectare in the year-ago.

Among cash crops, sugarcane area has increased marginally to 52.46 lakh hectare, while that of cotton by 2.12 per cent to 129.30 lakh hectare this year.

The ministry attributed the record progress in kharif sowing to timely prepositioning of crop inputs, credit and adoption of technologies besides good rainfall.

https://www.financialexpress.com/market/commodities/sowing-of-pulses-coarse-cereals-and-oilseeds-almost-over-rice-growing-still-in-progress-govt/2080901/

 

Brazil’s Agricultural Minister Says Government Took Steps to Control Rice Price

Minister Tereza Cristina has secured the supply of the product on shelves.

By Lachlan Williams

 

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina said yesterday, September 10th, that the government has taken the required measures to try to contain the rise in the price of rice and prevent a shortage of the product on supermarket shelves.

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https://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/brazils-agricultural-minister-says-government-took-steps-to-control-rice-price/

 

Brazil opens to tariff free rice, following price complaints from consumers

Friday, September 11th 2020 - 08:38 UTC

Up until now, all rice imports from outside the Mercosur bloc faced a 12% import duty on milled rice and a 10% duty on paddy rice

Brazil’s Executive Secretary of the Foreign Trade Board, “CAMEX,” voted on Wednesday to provide duty-free access for up to 400,000 tons of paddy and milled rice from all origins, effective this week through December 31, 2020. The measure was officially published in Brazil’s Official Gazette of the Federal Government and responds to growing consumer complaints about the retail price of rice, which with beans are staple for a majority of Brazilians.

Up until now, all rice imports from outside of the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), including the United States, faced a 12% import duty on milled rice and a 10% duty on paddy rice. During this three-month period, U.S. exports will be more competitive without the import tariffs, however, they will still be subject to a slew of internal value-added and transportation-related taxes.

“With rice coming out of the fields now, we are well-equipped to assist Brazil in filling this supply void,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. “This turn of events provides a unique opportunity for both paddy and milled rice sales.”

Ward added, “We also understand that this temporary tariff suspension is an effort to stabilize prices due to COVID-19 increased rice purchases and a drought-related supply shortage in Brazil, but we’re hopeful it will establish a precedent for importers there to turn to U.S. rice as a viable option in the future.”

Potential U.S. exports to Brazil will continue to face competition from that country’s South American neighbors, as well as major Asian exporters, who will also benefit from the limited duty-free access. U.S. exports to Brazil over the last decade have averaged less than 1,000 tons annually.

https://en.mercopress.com/2020/09/11/brazil-opens-to-tariff-free-rice-following-price-complaints-from-consumers

 

 

Brazil's Bolsonaro says he will not interfere in rice market

By Reuters Staff

 

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020BRASILIA, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday he will not interfere in the market for rice, saying supply and demand should dictate the market, as domestic prices for the food staple soar.

A day earlier Brazil trade body Camex eliminated import tariffs for a quota of 400,000 tonnes of rice through the end of the year. (Reporting by Jake Spring and Pedro Fonseca Editing by Chris Reese)

https://www.reuters.com/article/brazil-politics/brazils-bolsonaro-says-he-will-not-interfere-in-rice-market-idUSS0N2F003T

 

 

Madagascar: A Higher-Yield Rice Variety Moves Madagascar Further On the Path to Self-Sufficiency

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11 SEPTEMBER 2020

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Rome)

 

PRESS RELEASE

How South-South Cooperation helps ensure food security for family farmers

Madagascar has a rich history of rice cultivation. Outside of Asia, Madagascar has the longest tradition of rice production, and this staple is cultivated in almost all districts of the country. For the Malagasy people, rice is a core part of their diet: many families eat it three times a day, and most of it is homegrown. On special occasions, Ranonapango may be served - a traditional drink made from toasted rice and boiling water.

In Madagascar, however, people earn less than US 1.90 per day on average, and the Malagasy population is severely affected by food insecurity, including food shortages. Domestic production of rice, for example, still does not meet the needs of the island, and the country has to rely heavily on imported rice to help ensure national food security.

Hopefully, not for much longer however: Madagascar has set itself the goal of being rice self-sufficient by the end of 2020.

Cooperation, cooperation, cooperation

To work towards this, an FAO South-South Cooperation project began in late 2019 between China and Madagascar. Chinese experts on rice production came to Madagascar to introduce a greater-yielding type of rice, as well as to provide training to farmers on how to grow and harvest it.

The new kind of rice seeds are better suited to the Malagasy subtropical climate, which consists of a hot and rainy season between November and the end of March and a cooler dry season from May to October. This Weichu rice variety has been especially developed to fit the climatic and soil conditions of Madagascar.

Modeste Rabenarivo is a 54-year-old rice farmer from Mahitsy in central Madagascar, where he has a 3 000 square metre plot of land. He has always been very interested in new farming techniques and methods, and when the FAO project began nearby, the idea of growing a new variety of rice piqued his interest.

"As soon as I learned that [the rice] could yield eight, nine or ten tonnes per hectare, I immediately joined the project," Modeste says.

Across three areas of the island, 124 rice farmers took part in the project, working together with a Chinese expert team, to benefit from both theoretical and field training on rice cultivation. So far, the participants are happy with the results.

"What reassures me about this rice," Modeste continues, "is that the two-month-old plants already have more than six leaves, so they're already growing well."

"After training on seed preparation, as well as nursery management like water control, fertilizer supply and use of products against insects, critters and weeds, I had the idea of transplanting earlier to see the potential of this rice. I am motivated to adopt this variety," Modeste enthuses.

To date, the harvest has yielded approximately 8.45 tonnes on average per hectare compared to the 2.8 tonnes per hectare that was harvested before the project. Alain Randrianarivelo, who has farmed rice for more than 20 years, says, "I think this new variety of rice is the future of our agriculture. The yield obtained is breathtaking."

Self-sufficiency - for 2020 and after

The South-South project is not just concentrated on the three pilot areas, it also aims to have a long-term effect on rice-growing in Madagascar in general. To this end, technicians from Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery have also taken part in the training, in order to implement the approach in other areas of the country. Nearly 70 managers and technicians from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries also followed these training courses in the field in order to better disseminate the techniques. The project aims to train at least 1 000 farmers, in order to bring the average rice yield up from 2.8 tonnes per hectare to between 8 and 12 tonnes.

Government minister Lucien Ranarivelo is positive about the South-South collaboration with China, stating: "This technology is widely used in several countries and is one of the conditions that has allowed China to be self-sufficient in food. The collaboration affects the technical aspects of seed production in Madagascar; training is provided, and we apply this training and use the seeds directly."

For Modeste, an increased production from his rice fields would mean the world. As a father of three, it would mean being able to send his children to school, a feat not all farmers can manage. It also means that in the long run, he can save some money and do less strenuous activities for his retirement.

For Madagascar as a country, this new variety will allow it to be self-sufficient by significantly reducing the level of rice imports.

In the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the positive effects will play an even more important role: food production self-sufficiency, which guarantees food security, is key in the recovery plan.

FAO's South-South cooperation projects encourage countries to share expertise, knowledge and solutions. Working together is key to creating a stronger, more resilient global agricultural sector, improving food security and livelihoods for all.

https://allafrica.com/stories/202009110839.html

 

Kharif paddy acreage tops 40 m ha

 

Our Bureau  Bengaluru | Updated on September 11, 2020  Published on September 11, 2020

Why growers of plantation crops need weather-based insurance

The 8% increase from previous year raises the prospect of a bumper harvest

Acreages of paddy, the main cereal crop for the kharif cropping season, crossed 40 million hectares on Friday, marking an increase of 8 per cent over the previous year, as more farmers have taken up planting in States such as Telangana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, among others.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kharif-paddy-acreage-tops-40-m-ha/article32583559.ece

 

India rice prices hit 18-month peak as coronavirus strains export logistics

 

With the top exporter now behind only the United States in the tally of COVID-19 cases, exporters have been grappling with limited availability of containers and mill workers at its biggest rice handling port of Kakinada on the east coast.

Rice export prices in top hub India rose to their highest in nearly 18 months this week as supplies remained constrained due to pandemic-induced disruptions, while Bangladesh may have to import the staple after natural calamities damaged crops.

India's 5 percent broken parboiled rice prices climbed to $387-$394 per tonne from last week's $384-$390.

With the top exporter now behind only the United States in the tally of COVID-19 cases, exporters have been grappling with limited availability of containers and mill workers at its biggest rice handling port of Kakinada on the east coast.

"Coronavirus outbreak has affected rice milling in Andhra Pradesh and loading operations at Kakinada. Limited supplies are available for exports though demand is robust," said a Kakinada-based exporter.

In neighboring Bangladesh, domestic prices have risen up to 20 percent over a month amid fears of a production shortfall.

Excessive rainfall in March-April, cyclone Amphan in May and three spells of floods in June-July damaged most crops, of which 70 percent was paddy, according to agricultural ministry officials.

Bangladesh needs to start importing rice without any delay, sources familiar with the matter said.

In Vietnam too, low domestic supplies pushed prices for 5 percent broken rice to $490-$495 a tonne on Thursday from $490 last week.

"Domestic supplies are very low at the moment, while some exporters continue to fulfill their contracts signed earlier with customers from Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Africa," a trader in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang said.

Traders expect prices to come down in the coming weeks ahead of the autumn-winter harvest.

Adding to demand woes, another trader said the Philippines could suspend rice purchases at least until November to support domestic prices of an ongoing harvest there.

In Thailand, benchmark 5 percent broken rice prices eased to $487-510 per tonne on Thursday from $500-$513 last week amid muted demand.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/india-rice-prices-hit-18-month-peak-as-coronavirus-strains-export-logistics-5823721.html

 

 

Brazil opens to tariff free rice, following price complaints from consumers

 

Friday, September 11th 2020 - 08:38 UTC

Description: Up until now, all rice imports from outside the Mercosur bloc faced a 12% import duty on milled rice and a 10% duty on paddy riceUp until now, all rice imports from outside the Mercosur bloc faced a 12% import duty on milled rice and a 10% duty on paddy rice

Brazil’s Executive Secretary of the Foreign Trade Board, “CAMEX,” voted on Wednesday to provide duty-free access for up to 400,000 tons of paddy and milled rice from all origins, effective this week through December 31, 2020. The measure was officially published in Brazil’s Official Gazette of the Federal Government and responds to growing consumer complaints about the retail price of rice, which with beans are staple for a majority of Brazilians.

Up until now, all rice imports from outside of the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), including the United States, faced a 12% import duty on milled rice and a 10% duty on paddy rice. During this three-month period, U.S. exports will be more competitive without the import tariffs, however, they will still be subject to a slew of internal value-added and transportation-related taxes.

“With rice coming out of the fields now, we are well-equipped to assist Brazil in filling this supply void,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. “This turn of events provides a unique opportunity for both paddy and milled rice sales.”

Ward added, “We also understand that this temporary tariff suspension is an effort to stabilize prices due to COVID-19 increased rice purchases and a drought-related supply shortage in Brazil, but we’re hopeful it will establish a precedent for importers there to turn to U.S. rice as a viable option in the future.”

Potential U.S. exports to Brazil will continue to face competition from that country’s South American neighbors, as well as major Asian exporters, who will also benefit from the limited duty-free access. U.S. exports to Brazil over the last decade have averaged less than 1,000 tons annually.

https://en.mercopress.com/2020/09/11/brazil-opens-to-tariff-free-rice-following-price-complaints-from-consumers

 

 

Blockchain Helps Trace Thai Rice – and Makes the System Much Safer

 

 

Blockchain Helps Trace Thai Rice – and Makes the System Much Safer

The Thailand Trade Policy and Strategy Office recently revealed a plan to incorporate blockchain technology in tracking exported agricultural goods to enhance its credibility. One of the first products to be tracked with the blockchain platform would be organic rice.

The proposal is undergoing the budget approval stage, and TPSO is putting more effort discussing relevant topics with experts from related industries, including finance and blockchain.

To prepare for the implementation of the platform, which is tentatively scheduled to start in the middle of 2021, TPSO has conducted interviews with more than 5,000 farmers in Surin province and convinced them to take part in the project.

After the first pilot on organic rice receive positive results, the project will cover other agricultural products as well.

Thailand Will be Tracking Rice With Blockchain

In particular, an inclusive system will be built to automatically monitor the whole process from the cultivation of rice, to harvesting and processing before export.

Blockchain technology is integrated into the system and connects every step. After going through a number of inspections, a traceable certificate will be issued, which is able to provide all the information regarding the product’s farming location, cultivation method, packaging process.

Thanks to that, buyers can identify whether the rice is organic or if the quality surpasses necessary standards.

Finding Problems Fast

In case buyers find problems in any stage that affect the qualifications of the organic rice, they have the right to reject the deal. Therefore, the blockchain system plays as a just supervisor to guarantee the reliability of the Thai’s exported products, and gain the trust from their importers.

This project’s announcement was released at the time Thailand had entered an outburst international trade period with China, one of their favorable rice import partners. In addition, China showed their willingness to open up the gate for other agricultural products from Thailand, such as fruits, pork, and cattle.

China also expressed its support for the effort to improve the quality and standards by adopting blockchain technology in tracing product origin from Thailand.

Blockchain has been used by many companies to track the food supply chain – including Walmart – which found that the system was far batter than existing alternitives.

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Description: https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/866db745873e685786d73f56a964b5cd?s=150&d=blank&r=g

Nicholas Say

Nicholas Say grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a father that would read him the Wall St. Journal.

He has traveled extensively around the world and been lucky enough to study a wild global economy as it shifts into what can only be described as “scrumtrulescent”.

Nicholas spent many years in the Southern Cone of South America, sometimes in the middle of absolutely nowhere, draining a whiskey bottle as he dreamed of a better way of living.

Now he lives in the Far East and writes on a variety of subjects. He supposes that ‘nowhere’ is perhaps the only truth there is.

https://bitboycrypto.com/blockchain-helps-trace-thai-rice-and-makes-the-system-much-safer/

 

 

Madagascar: A Higher-Yield Rice Variety Moves Madagascar Further On the Path to Self-Sufficiency

11 SEPTEMBER 2020

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Rome)

 

How South-South Cooperation helps ensure food security for family farmers

Madagascar has a rich history of rice cultivation. Outside of Asia, Madagascar has the longest tradition of rice production, and this staple is cultivated in almost all districts of the country. For the Malagasy people, rice is a core part of their diet: many families eat it three times a day, and most of it is homegrown. On special occasions, Ranonapango may be served - a traditional drink made from toasted rice and boiling water.

In Madagascar, however, people earn less than US 1.90 per day on average, and the Malagasy population is severely affected by food insecurity, including food shortages. Domestic production of rice, for example, still does not meet the needs of the island, and the country has to rely heavily on imported rice to help ensure national food security.

Hopefully, not for much longer however: Madagascar has set itself the goal of being rice self-sufficient by the end of 2020.

Cooperation, cooperation, cooperation

To work towards this, an FAO South-South Cooperation project began in late 2019 between China and Madagascar. Chinese experts on rice production came to Madagascar to introduce a greater-yielding type of rice, as well as to provide training to farmers on how to grow and harvest it.

The new kind of rice seeds are better suited to the Malagasy subtropical climate, which consists of a hot and rainy season between November and the end of March and a cooler dry season from May to October. This Weichu rice variety has been especially developed to fit the climatic and soil conditions of Madagascar.

Modeste Rabenarivo is a 54-year-old rice farmer from Mahitsy in central Madagascar, where he has a 3 000 square metre plot of land. He has always been very interested in new farming techniques and methods, and when the FAO project began nearby, the idea of growing a new variety of rice piqued his interest.

"As soon as I learned that [the rice] could yield eight, nine or ten tonnes per hectare, I immediately joined the project," Modeste says.

Across three areas of the island, 124 rice farmers took part in the project, working together with a Chinese expert team, to benefit from both theoretical and field training on rice cultivation. So far, the participants are happy with the results.

"What reassures me about this rice," Modeste continues, "is that the two-month-old plants already have more than six leaves, so they're already growing well."

"After training on seed preparation, as well as nursery management like water control, fertilizer supply and use of products against insects, critters and weeds, I had the idea of transplanting earlier to see the potential of this rice. I am motivated to adopt this variety," Modeste enthuses.

To date, the harvest has yielded approximately 8.45 tonnes on average per hectare compared to the 2.8 tonnes per hectare that was harvested before the project. Alain Randrianarivelo, who has farmed rice for more than 20 years, says, "I think this new variety of rice is the future of our agriculture. The yield obtained is breathtaking."

Self-sufficiency - for 2020 and after

The South-South project is not just concentrated on the three pilot areas, it also aims to have a long-term effect on rice-growing in Madagascar in general. To this end, technicians from Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery have also taken part in the training, in order to implement the approach in other areas of the country. Nearly 70 managers and technicians from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries also followed these training courses in the field in order to better disseminate the techniques. The project aims to train at least 1 000 farmers, in order to bring the average rice yield up from 2.8 tonnes per hectare to between 8 and 12 tonnes.

Government minister Lucien Ranarivelo is positive about the South-South collaboration with China, stating: "This technology is widely used in several countries and is one of the conditions that has allowed China to be self-sufficient in food. The collaboration affects the technical aspects of seed production in Madagascar; training is provided, and we apply this training and use the seeds directly."

For Modeste, an increased production from his rice fields would mean the world. As a father of three, it would mean being able to send his children to school, a feat not all farmers can manage. It also means that in the long run, he can save some money and do less strenuous activities for his retirement.

For Madagascar as a country, this new variety will allow it to be self-sufficient by significantly reducing the level of rice imports.

In the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the positive effects will play an even more important role: food production self-sufficiency, which guarantees food security, is key in the recovery plan.

FAO's South-South cooperation projects encourage countries to share expertise, knowledge and solutions. Working together is key to creating a stronger, more resilient global agricultural sector, improving food security and livelihoods for all.

https://allafrica.com/stories/202009110839.html

 

 

 

The UAE's sustainable food plan involves growing rice

 

With the UAE almost wholly reliant on food imports, food security is a national priority.

In recent months, the Covid-19 pandemic has heightened domestic concerns as global supply chains of imports were disrupted.

The crisis also prompted renewed debate about how best to boost local agriculture and foster farming innovation.

Searing summer temperatures, little rainfall and a landscape dominated by arid desert, has meant that the UAE’s agricultural activities have been relatively restricted to small areas.

Grassroot thinking

That could soon change, however, say academics at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University, who are developing ‘artificial soil’, made up of almost 90% desert sand.

Their goal is for the product to be used by local, and eventually regional farmers, to grow plants & vegetation.

The soil created in the laboratory resembles the texture, porosity & fertility of soils found in Thailand & Ukraine.

If patent approved, scientists in the capital are optimistic that it has the potential to transform the UAE’s burgeoning home-grown crops sector.

To dig deeper into the topic, Inspire Middle East’s Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham caught up with Associate Professor, Dr. Saeed Alkhazraji, a passionate innovator who helped co-create the earth.

Dr. Saeed Alkhazraji speaks to Inspire Middle East

He began by explaining the soil’s unique qualities, which should be given extra consideration in light of the UAE’s extreme weather conditions.

“Farmers have to be aware that any crop they're trying to grow [here] needs to be dealt with in a specific way, to allow them to maximize their yield,” he said. “For example, if they want to grow a plant that is difficult to grow in the UAE, perhaps you need to use a greenhouse along with the soil that we are making.”

The soil’s potential to contribute to the local food supply chain, is significant, the Professor went on to tell Euronews.

“There are many different crops that are challenging to grow in the UAE, crops that sustain human lives, like rice and wheat - because of their excessive need for water.” said Dr. Saeed Alkhazraji. “The soil that we developed can allow us to have better water management, because it allows us to have a higher water retention than typical soils around the UAE.”

Desert rice

With rice a food staple of the UAE, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment recently announced a joint research programme with the Republic of Korea, aimed at cultivating rice in the desert.

The seeds were sowed back in 2019, cultivated using a water-saving drip irrigation system, and the rice was recently harvested.

Preliminary results for the first project of its kind in the region, indicated a yield of 763kg of rice per 1,000 square metres.

This prompted the Ministry to say that, if successful on a large scale, the project had the potential to shape the future of agriculture and be replicated in other arid regions.

Sharjah’s organic growth

The location of the rice initiative was the emirate of Sharjah, which according to scientists, is an emerging hotbed of agricultural innovation in the UAE.

It is also home to the Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park, a place which supports famers & harnesses new technology to produce sustainable local food all year round.

The Park notably contains a 150-square metre farm, and an eco-friendly Merlin Agrotunnel, capable of producing a ton of organic fruits & vegetables each month.

In keeping with the country’s environmental and sustainable farming goals, all produce is irrigated with seawater desalinated via solar energy.

SRTI’s CEO, Hussain Al Mahmoudi, predicts that in the next 5 years at least 30 percent of the UAE’s food will be domestically produced.

Hussain Al Mahmoudi monitors the crops at SRTI

He told Inspire that continuous research and development into new farming innovations & agricultural technology will accelerate the sector’s growth in the years ahead.

“Since the inception of the Park, we've started to promote things like hydroponics technology, aquaponics technology & tunnel farming. And they've all taken off,” he said. “At the moment, we are [also] using Artificial Intelligence to study how aquaponics works, with relation to fish. How the fish really move and how much food they eat.”

Sustainable agriculture

When asked about the economic feasibility of large-scale farming projects in the UAE, and how production and harvesting costs could be kept down, Al Mahmoudi had this to say:

“I think the feasibility is there, because the UAE has an abundant amount of land. A lot of farmers in the UAE, especially the national ones, get free land. If you couple this with the cost of doing business here, it is also relatively low compared to other parts of the world. There’s also the fantastic infrastructure - in terms of ports and airports and storage and other things.”

On the subject of the UAE being one of the world’s top rice importers, SRTI’s CEO is convinced that producing home-grown rice would be game-changing for the domestic market.

“I think we can play a strategic role in growing rice,” he said. “We have the infrastructure, both soft infrastructure and public sector, to really become a regional player in producing rice and ensuring food security.”

SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA: FAMILY GATHERING

Australian Ellie took this photo of her family picking radishes in Al Ain.

With contributions from Nancy Sarkis and Arthur de Oliveira.

www.euronews.com/2020/09/11/the-uae-s-sustainable-food-plan-involves-growing-rice-developing-soil

https://menafn.com/1100784943/Rice-Powder-Market-Aims-to-Expand-at-Double-Digit-Growth-Rate-Burapa-Prosper-Thai-Flour-Industry

 

Balaghat Collector orders for reopening of sealed rice mills

 

 

   Date :12-Sep-2020

 

 

 


Description: Balaghat Collector_1

A new development has come to fore in the scam of supply of poultry grade rice in custom milling by mill owners of Balaghat and Mandla district. On the orders of Principal Secretary, Food Department, Collector of Balaghat has ordered for opening of all those mills and godowns which were earlier sealed after the complaints. As a matter of fact, no action was taken against the rice millers. Earlier, the Collector had ordered for sealing of mills and godowns and lodging of FIR against rice millers but when inquiry was handed over to Economic Offences Wing (EOW) then no FIR was lodged by the district administration. The EOW teams has only scrutinised the documents of the rice millers but in between orders has been issued for opening of the rice mills.

 

MLA and State Mining Development Corporation Chairman Pradeep Jaiswal, former MP Kankar Munjare, former MLA Kishore Samrite and Madhu Bhagathas demanded CBI inquiry into the rice scam. But now with opening of the rice mills and godowns, now millers can easily shift the sub standard rice stock from their mills and godowns.

It is known fact that in the rice scam, along with millers, many officers and employees of Waraseoni and Balaghat would be under the scrutiny and then their political patronage would be under the net . Hence it seems that planned action is being taken to save all those involved in this scam and poor people who were provided inferior quality rice would not get justice.

 

Rice Industry Federation is indirectly pressuring the State Government. The federation has informed that millers have contract with the Civil Supply Corporation, Mark Fed for custom milling and it does not state which quality of rice to be taken, its guideline is decided by the government. Hence the administration does not have information of this contract. As per the contract, if quality of rice supplied is not good, then it can be changed and in previous years it has been done also. The contract does not have provison of sealing the mills, godown or lodging FIR on the millers.

SDM, Waraseoni, Sandeep Singh and his team opened the seal of the warehouse at Nevargaon. Warehouse owner Gambhir Sancheti informed that he had submitted a litigation before the High Court against the action of district administration. He had also presented his part before Food Department then order were issued for opening of the warehouse and reconnection of the power supply. Hence now all the sealed 18 rice mills and warehouse of the area have been opened once again. Now Federation would withdraw its litigation from the High Court.

 

Local media has raised their protest when they were not allowed by district administration for coverage when seal of mills and warehouse were being opened by officers.

https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2020/9/12/Balaghat-Collector-orders-for-reopening-of-sealed-rice-mills.html

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