Japan
weather bureau declares first El Nino in five years
TOKYO
A surfer looks at waves as storm
clouds move in from the Pacific Ocean at Sydney's Manly Beach August 26, 2014.
CREDIT:
REUTERS/DAVID GRAY/FILES
The Japan Meteorological Agency
(JMA) forecast last month that the possibility of an El Nino pattern forming
this winter was higher than the 50 percent it had projected in its previous
monthly prediction.But on Wednesday it said that an El Nino had emerged between
June and August, continuing into November."We can't tell whether or not El
Nino will continue until spring, but we can say that there is a higher chance
of it continuing in the winter," said Ikuo Yoshikawa, a JMA forecaster.
The Japanese weather bureau does
not classify or predict the size of El Nino, he said.Last week, the Australian
Bureau of Meteorology said that climate models suggest El Nino weather
conditions would occur over the next three months, although related weather
patterns are already being witnessed.The U.S. weather forecaster also projected
last week a 65 percent chance of El Nino conditions during the Northern
Hemisphere winter and into spring, up from a 58 percent chance predicted early
in November.(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Alan Raybould and Joseph
Radford)
Not a good time: Rice growers anxious over fluctuating price
By Imran Rana
Published: December 10, 2014
The ongoing year has proved to be one of the worst for rice
growers amid lower prices and uncertainty among buyers who are expecting
further reduction. PHOTO: ONLINE
Last year, the price of Basmati paddy of Kainat variety was Rs3,500-Rs4,000
per 40 kg, 86 variety Rs2,600-Rs3,000 and super variety was sold at Rs3,000 to
3,500 per 40 kg. The super variety is now available at Rs1,400 to
1,500.Exporters are concerned over the situation and say that they are unable
to sell last year’s stock that was purchased at a much higher cost.The two to
three year old rice fetches good price and is sold at high rates in
international markets. Pakistani exporters have 25 per cent of the last year’s
stock that, if sold at current rates, will incur huge losses.
Former Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) vice
chairman and a well-known exporter Taufiq Ahmad said this year buyers are
frightened to buy paddy due to the fluctuating costs, while across the border,
India has had a bumper rice crop.The Basmati rice is being sold in the
international market at $1,300 to $1,500 per ton, depending upon the variety.
Pakistani rice price was $100 to $200 per ton below the Indian rice.“Pakistani
exporters would have had an edge if price was the same as last year,” he
said.Talking about the non-Basmati rice, he said last year the price of
non-basmati rice was $500 to $550 per ton. This year the price would settle
around $400 per ton.“Indian rice has edge over Pakistani rice due to good
packing, labelling and the use of latest technology.
Our millers and exporters must follow the trend to compete in
international market,” said Ahmad.He said Iran is a big market for Pakistani
and Indian rice. The country produces only 25 per cent of its consumption and
imports the rest from neighbouring countries.“Pakistan is the fourth largest
exporter of rice in the world and has the potential to increase exports to
Iran.”Recently, a delegation of the Iranian Rice Importers Association visited
paddy crop fields in Lahore to ensure quality standards were being met, adding
that banking transactions between the two countries must be smooth.
Published in The Express
Tribune, December 10th, 2014.
Source with thanks:http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/238898924/3whzPMWqY7Kl_PNi
Pakistan, Iran sign 5 MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation
By Web Desk
Published: December 9, 2014
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran
on Tuesday signed five agreements with a view to enhance cooperation in diverse
fields and improve trade ties between the two countries, Radio Pakistan reported.
The premier identified that there are vast opportunities of
increasing the volume of trade between the two neighbouring countries.Earlier,
Iran’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance Dr Ali Tayyebnia called on the
prime minster in Islamabad.Iranian Minister is in Islamabad to attend the 19th
session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission.The premier expressed
hope that the JEC session would open new areas of cooperation while fortifying
the existing initiatives. During the meeting both sides agreed upon increasing
mutual investment and bilateral trade between the two countries.Pakistan for expanding Preferential Trade Agreement with Iran.Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir told the Iranian
finance minister that Pakistan wished to make the current Preferential Trade
agreement with Iran effectively operational and expand it by including more
items of trade in the reduced tariff list.
This despite the fact
that international sanctions have hampered trade ties with Iran.Emphasising on
engaging in a constructive dialogue to develop trade relations between the two
countries on mutually beneficial terms, the Dastgir said that Pakistan wants to
enhance the limited trade base between the two countries, which currently
stands at $217 million.Trade between Pakistan and Iran currently comprises
mainly oil and gas from Iran and rice from Pakistan. Dastgir said Pakistan
wants to enhance the trade base to include meat, fruits, textile, surgical
items, sports goods, gems and jewelry in addition to rice as regular items of
trade.
The minister was of the opinion that owing to sanctions, the two
countries can initially use barter as preferential mode of trading until a
suitable and recognised mechanism of payment is chalked out.During the meeting,
the Iranian side proposed the establishment of border markets to facilitate the
trade among local communities residing in the border provinces of the two
countries, adding that initially four such markets can be set up which may be
increased depending upon their efficacy in the first phase.Tayyebnia also
proposed a plan to develop Joint Economic Zones which would have the necessary
facilities to attract investment. Dastgir proposed a Gawadar-Chahbahar Joint
Economic Zone which would have the potential to grow immensely.
Pakistan urged Iran to initiate dialogue among relevant
authorities to develop mutually recognised standards and specifications which
would be accepted across the two countries.Both sides agreed to develop better
data exchange systems between them to improve coordination between the two
sides.They also agreed to develop additional border posts to facilitate trade
and movement of visitors across the border. Currently, there is only one
crossing point at Taftan.
Source with thanks:http://tribune.com.pk/story/804227/pakistan-iran-sign-5-mous-to-enhance-bilateral-cooperation/
Rice exports: If policies are changed
slowly, the cost will be high
VietNamNet Bridge – In late 19th century and early 20th century,
Vietnam was a major rice exporting country in Asia, together with Burma (now
Myanmar). After prolonged wars, Vietnam has become the biggest rice importer in
the world, with 500,000 to 1 million tons per year.In 1989, after more than
half a century of importing rice, Vietnam again became a rice exporter, with an
extremely impressive number of 1.4 million tons. The country has been exporting
from 3 to 4 million tons of rice annually and has retained the title "the
world’s 2nd largest rice exporting country".
- Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi, former Chair
of An Giang province.
From the left: Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi,
Dr. Vu Trong Khai and Prof. Vo Tong Xuan.
Milestones of Vietnamese rice
VietNamNet: Looking back on 25 years of export of rice, it would be a mistake
if we did not mention the historical moment in 1989, the first year we exported
rice again after 50 years, with 1.4 million tons of rice and a revenue of about
$310 million. In the previous year 1988 Vietnam still had to import 500,000
tons of rice and earlier the country imported up to 1 million tons a year.Prof.
Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: At
that time, the world was also in shortage of rice so it became a prominent
event when Vietnam abruptly turned from a rice importer into a rice exporter. I
still remember that after 1989, the Association of American Rice Millers
invited me to attend their meeting in Florida to speak about Vietnam’s "overnight"
magical change. Many international businesses were there to learn and to
collaborate with Vietnam to bring our rice to the international market.
The most interesting thing was that
they took me to the headquarters in Washington, to the technical room where 30
telex machines worked 24/7. The guide said, in this room, they received all the
information about rice export deals throughout the world. They knew every
detail about each rice shipment at every port worldwide. They told me that in
1989, Vietnam exported up to 1.89 million tons, not 1.4 million tons as Vietnam
reported.
The world food industry recorded
Vietnam’s rice exports in 1989 as a major event in the world. The leading rice
trading company in the world, the Belgium-based Schepens Company, also
invited me to their headquarters and they were also interested in doing
business with Vietnam.
Dr. Vu Trong Khai: Vietnam’s huge success originated from Resolution 10 of the
Politburo in 1988 with a major change of recognizing "peasant households
as single autonomous units".
Previously, we kept struggling with
rice shortages and hunger. We not only had to import rice but also sold rice
produced in the Mekong Delta to buy broken rice at cheaper prices. That was the
situation in the late 1980s.The change in policy has produced marvelous
results, which shows that Vietnam’s potential in agriculture is enough to feed
the nation and have a surplus for export. There is no mention of the policies
to enhance production capacity. However, as that policy was issued quite late,
we had to pay a high price.
Now we cannot change the fact that,
because of the nation's hunger, the slow "untying" policies we
destroyed the rare natural ecology of Dong Thap Muoi and Long Xuyen Quadrangle.
The price we paid for this was very expensive.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi: The gains were clear and it had great significance during
extremely difficult circumstances of the country at that time, when hunger
lasted for 10 years. Thanks to the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy, in 1989 we had
enough rice to eat and then export, from which the export volume increased
continuously.
However, the losses were also huge.
With that achievement, sometimes we were too excited and an official of the
Ministry of Agriculture - Rural Development declared: "Vietnam maintains
food security for the world". Meanwhile, later the export of rice reduced
when rice quality for export, rice prices, and profit from rice export was not
high, and did not match with the output. It is an extremely important thing
that we have ignored.
Does Vietnam ensure food security
for the world?
VietNamNet: The public opinion also wondered why Vietnam has the
responsibility to "keep food security for the world", while
Vietnamese farmers - who directly produce the rice - suffer losses and they
were not helped by "the world".
Prof. Dr. Vu Trong Khai: Vietnam does not have such commitment. We have no obligation or
binding with the "keeping of food security for the world." I knew
that when he heard that stateme
nt, former Minister of Agriculture
and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo said: "Do not force farmers to sacrifice
in a nonsensical way!”
The world does not force Vietnam to
hold that "responsibility" and nobody recognizes Vietnam’s
"merit" of exporting a lot of rice at cheap prices.
Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: In a quarter century Vietnamese farmers produced a lot of rice and
sold it at cheap prices to world consumers. However, it is due to Vietnam’s
poor management and development policies, not because we intentionally
"helped" the world. Meanwhile our rice producers are not treated
satisfactorily when they engage in this task.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi: This is an issue of economic management science rather than a
general stance or moral ambiguity.
VietNamNet: A question to Prof. Vo Tong Xuan – some experts said that if we
sell rice at current prices, the Vietnamese State is subsidizing foreign
consumers. Could you explain this point?
Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: Vietnam’s rice prices today do not cover minimum costs. In the
future, rice prices must fully cover the cost, especially the depreciation cost
of irrigation works and transportation costs as other countries do. Rice
farmers have to pay irrigation costs and water fees. This is an important
adjustment to terminate state subsidies for rice buyers. Until now, rice buyers
have been exempted from water costs.Doing so, farmers would sell rice at high
prices, as the Thai have been doing, and the state will collect water fees to
finance the purchase of rice of the 20% of the population who are not farmers.
If there is the political will to implement this strategy, Vietnamese rice will
be sold at its true value.
VNN
Source with thanks:http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/special-reports/118253/rice-exports--if-policies-are-changed-slowly--the-cost-will-be-high.html
The latest
from the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation
Hanna Raskin Email @hannaraskin
Dec 10 2014 6:00 am
Gold rice blows in the wind at the
Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center on Savannah Highway in
Charleston,SC (GRACE BEAHM/STAFF)
. Before a Jesuit priest in 1839 returned from
the Philippines with samples of 43 different rice varieties, the only rice
grown in Italy was known as Nostrale, meaning "ours." But the
Italians apparently shared what was theirs, since records show Nostrale rice
was present in Charleston as early as 1748. The foundation is now looking into
growing it.. Chinquapins, a species of chestnut, are thriving on Dafuskie
Island. The foundation is continuing to support the planting of trees. (And
while members likely didn't need any positive reinforcement on that score, Old
Village Post House chef Forrest Parker and sous chef Tim Pettit served a
pre-meeting snack of chinquapin flour blinis topped with apple butter and
country ham.)
. The foundation is exploring what happens when
SRI techniques are applied to heritage rice. SRI, a growing methodology that
calls for more labor and less water, has amplified yields in areas around the
world where irrigation is scarce. But Clemson University's Brian Ward - the
newest member of the foundation's board - discovered the modern system isn't
entirely compatible with Carolina Gold rice, which was developed to be grown in
the traditional manner. When he subjected Carolina Gold to SRI, he produced
half as much rice as when he relied on flooding for production.
. Sapelo Island has gained tremendous
recognition for its production of red peas, an effort initially encouraged by
Atlanta's Linton Hopkins and since embraced by chefs across the Southeast. But
site visits by foundation members suggested the scope of the pea project was too
small and too seasonal to reshape the island's economy in dramatic and
permanent fashion. They began poking into Sapelo's past to uncover other crops
which once enjoyed island heydays: Turns out the area was once known for dates,
arrowroot and wild oranges.
But the most promising of the lot was purple
ribbon sugar cane. The problem for the foundation is making sure the cane
matches up with its historical source, which requires testing its DNA against a
verified cultivar. "The real glitch is we don't have a vouchered herbarium
specimen," Steve Kresovich explained, adding that museums are reluctant to
part with even a "paper punch"-sized sample of the collections
they're supposed to protect. The search for a cross-checkable strain continues.
Source with thanks: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20141210/PC0301/141219999/1177/the-latest-from-the-carolina-gold-rice-foundation
VIDEO
Rice, ducks
go together in solving hunger
BY SEF CARANDANG
POSTED ON 12/10/2014 2:08 PM | UPDATED 12/10/2014 6:00 PM
DUCKLINGS AT WORK. No pesticide can beat them
in pest management. Farmers use ducks to control pests in ricefields so they
can serve safe and healthy rice on their tables. Photo by Jose Apollo Pacamalan
MANILA, Philippines — Ducks. Have
you ever given them some thought?
In the Philippines, agriculture is a
crucial sector for poverty reduction. 70% of poor Filipinos are in the rural
areas where agriculture – often subsistence farming and fishing – is the
primary and often only source of income. Thus, creating a sustainable and
competitive agricultural industry is a key focus of the Philippine Development
Plan, as this will bring inclusive growth to a large segment of the
population.But how can we help create a robust agricultural industry that will
ensure that the current and next generation of Filipinos, especially the poor,
will have plentiful, nutritious and affordable food?
One of the local solutions is
ducks. (WATCH: Ducks in action)
The integrated rice-duck farming
system (IRDFS) is about growing rice and ducks together in an irrigated paddy
field. The paddling movement of the ducks stimulates the rice plants to produce
more grains, while the duck manure fertilizes the soil and eventually
eliminates the need for any form of fertilizer.The ducks also eat harmful
insects and weeds, including the dreaded golden snail (kuhol), which is
their favorite snack.Jose Apollo Pacamalan is the leading expert in IRDFS in
the Philippines, having brought home the technology from Japan – thanks to
Japanese organic farmer and social entrepreneur Dr Takao Furuno in 1997. (READ: PH road to rice self-sufficiency)
For the past 16 years, Pacamalan
has been convincing farmers to trade in their expensive and harmful chemical
sprayers for week-old ducklings that will work in their rice fields. Pacamalan
represents the Philippines in the International Rice-Duck Farming Network which
includes Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and Bangladesh.
Better income, environment,
health
What is also exciting is that
this farming system has inspired the growth of social enterprises along an integrated
rice and duck industry value chain such as rice-duck farms, duck breeder farms,
hatcheries, duck meat and egg processing and retail.All of these contribute to
rural economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive.As much as 21% of
greenhouse gas emissions worldwide consist of methane gas that is released
primarily by flooded rice fields. This is because flooding cuts off the oxygen
supply to the soil and accelerates the decomposition of organic matter,
releasing methane into the atmosphere. (READ: How climate change threatens food
security)
Studies in China show that ducks
in the rice paddies effectively reduce the emission of the greenhouse gas
methane, ultimately contributing to the alleviation of global warming. And
because IRDFS eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, synthetic
pesticides, and herbicides, the physical and chemical properties of the soil
are improved over time.In the Philippines, ducks in the rice fields also help
address schistosomiasis, a chronic public health disease affecting farmers,
local folks and freshwater fisherfolk and their families, and is endemic in
select parts of the country.
The ducks eat the
schisto-carrying snails, helping decrease its population, and thus reducing
infection and re-infection of the disease to humans.
#RiceDuckMovement
Aside from food preparation, the
women were also provided inputs on basic nutrition, breastfeeding,
environmental sanitation, and family planning through mother’s classes.Based on
reports from school teachers and nurses, the average school attendance of the
children in all the participating barangays improved significantly from 57% to
72% in Esperanza, and from 64% to 73% in Trento.Integrated rice-duck farming is
an innovative, out-of-the-box, local solution that has already been proven
effective and needs to be shared with more Filipino farmers and
policymakers.Help us harness the enduring spirit of the Filipino poor – the
small-scale farmers who are at the heart of efforts to create a food-secure
world – by working with them, raising their incomes and making them part of the
solution.
There a number of ways you can
help:
·
Share this information with your
family, friends, networks, and local politicians.
·
Visit and like the #RiceDuckMovement Facebook page and
help us share the good news on IRDFS.
·
If you would like to make a
donation through direct bank deposit, please emailriceduckph@gmail.com.
We can then send you the necessary account details. – Rappler.com
Sef Carandang is a development
worker passionate about sustainable agriculture (especially if it involves rice
and ducks!), women economic empowerment, rural development, and youth
empowerment.
How else can we fight hunger?
Report what your LGU is doing, recommend NGOs, or suggest creative solutions
like the #RiceDuckMovement. Send your stories and ideas to move.ph@rappler.com.
Be part of the #HungerProject.
Government
to release export plan in January 2015
Myanmar seeks to expand its
exports. Containers at Asia World port in Yangon. Photo: Hein Htet/Mizzima
“We will submit the National Export Strategy to the cabinet in
the last week of December this year. After that, we will release it to the
public,” Dr Maung Aung said.The strategy includes the necessity to promote the
country’s main export commodities, the hotels and tourism sector, and
supporting services.The national export items comprise of rice, beans and
pulses, edible oil crops, marine products, textiles and clothes, timber and
forest products, and rubber. The plan includes the promotion
of export support such as marketing, financial services for production and
export, and the improvement of product quality.
The strategy seeks to fully develop export promotion within five
years.U Ye Min Aung, general secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation said
those in the export sector should do what they can now before implementing the
strategy, expressing concern for farmers whose crop production is subject to
the weather and might find it hard to increase production.Representatives of
the agriculture and livestock breeding sectors have stressed the need for speed
in light of a strategy that is set to be implemented within five years, given
the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Free Trade Area will shortly come
into force in 2015.
Last modified on Wednesday, 10
December 2014 19:57
Low capital
affects rice production
Limited (PVL), formerly Quality Grain Project
(QGP), rice producers at Aveyime in the North Tongu District, is facing
challenges due to low capital inflow.The company is also not getting support
from the government, Nana Atto Dadzie, PVL Board Chairman said when members of
the Council of State, who were on a familiarization tour of major farm
plantations in Lower Volta Basin, visited the company.
He said the funding history of the company, its
associates “and the huge bad press, remain a hangover on the health of investment
into it”.Nana Atto Dadzie said the company had been seeking an injection of
some $6 million-$18 million fresh capital the past few years without success.“The
state of equipment PVL inherited from QGP is as old as 15-20 years and cannot
support the firm’s current 250 hectares under plantation,” he said.Nana Atto
Dadzie said currently PVL produces 10% of the country’s annual rice needs and
has the capacity to increase to it to 50% when the needed recapitalization is
got.
He said with its 60,000-tonne capacity rice
mill, PVL, using the out-grower system as well, could increase production to
about 5000 hectares.Mr. Kojo Osae-Addo, PVL General Manager, said the erratic
power supply is also a huge challenge.Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Council Chairman,
said that something needed to be done to enable the company increase
production.She said the government was doing everything to shore up local
production to help reduce rice imports.
Source with thanks : http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=338513
RIB calls
for change in rice production strategy
No! It doesn’t work out this way because after
you’ve stopped giving the people those inputs what do they do? They revert to
their old ways of doing things and at the end of the day, the delivery becomes
reversed.“So we are trying to promote fee-based interventions – that if you’re
a farmer you must be prepared to pay for some things that you need because you
know at the end of the day this is an investment that will allow you to improve
your output and you will make money” he said.The Chief Executive Officer of the
John Kufuor Foundation, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, who is the initiator of
the dialogue, implored on government to make sure it gives all those in the
value chain the necessary impetus to produce more.
“From our statistics it’s clear that 40% of
farmers are ready to produce more than necessary only if they can get the
necessary inputs including fertilizers, tractors and harvesters and all that -
and of course also supporting the millers and the marketers and all that. Then
certainly I think we can overcome.“The fact is that we have done it before so
there’s no magic to it. The policies of the early 70s are there to see, so I
don’t see why we cannot begin to overcome this challenge that we face as a
nation,” he said.
Source with thanks : http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/artikel.php?ID=338524
USA Rice
Presents Conservation Achievement Award
From left:
George Dunklin,
DU CEO Dale Hall, and
USA Rice CEO Betsy Ward
"Farmers are, by definition,
conservationists," said LaGrande.
"As we continue to see farm policy evolve, we realize conservation
and coalition-building is front and center.
And USA Rice's partnership with Ducks Unlimited is a perfect example of
this new model emphasizing agriculture's role in preservation of natural
resources."The historic stewardship partnership between USA Rice and Ducks
Unlimited was formed in 2013 so the groups could work collaboratively to
conserve critical natural and economic resources. Earlier this year, the partnership submitted
their first national Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) proposal
outlining the planning, design, and installation of conservation practices on
working rice lands. RCPP approval is
scheduled to be announced by year's end.
Contact:
Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444
USA Rice
Selects Nicholas Schafer as Scholarship Winner
The 2014 NRM Scholarship Grand Prize winner
Nicholas Schafer flanked by DowAgro Sciences' Leslie Roberts (l) and USA Rice
CEO Betsy Ward
Schafer's promotion educated children from his
community about the intricacies of rice farming and the origin of their
food. As part of his promotion, he
invited children to his family farm to give them a behind-the-scenes look into
the various stages of rice farming. Schafer said, "It's not just something
that you get from a grocery store. There's
a lot behind it and they need to understand the importance of where it comes
from.""Our partnership with Dow AgroSciences for this scholarship
reaps immediate rewards, both for the young people who participate and for the
communities who benefit from their positive contributions," says Amy
Doane, USA Rice's director of membership and marketing.
Contact:
Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446
Delta States
Irrigation Conference Next Week
SIKESTON, MO -- Mark your calendar for the 2014
Delta States Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow held next week, December
17-18 at the Miner Convention Center here.
The Delta States Irrigation Consortium is a group of universities and
agencies dedicated to improving irrigation practices and enhancing profitability
for irrigators in the MidSouth. For more
information and to register for the conference, go to the website.
WASDE Report
Released
The 2014/15 long-grain rice season-average farm
price range is projected at $12.00 to $13.00 per cwt, down 20 cents per cwt on
each end from last month. The combined
medium- and short-grain farm price range is projected at $18.50 to $19.50 per
cwt, down 50 cents per cwt on each end.
The all rice season-average farm price is forecast at $14.00 to $15.00
per cwt, down 20 cents per cwt on each end.
The drop in the price outlook is due mostly to an unexpected substantial
drop in October prices reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
in Agricultural Prices published on November 26 and price expectations for the
remainder of the marketing year.
Global 2014/15 rice supply and use are changed
little from a month ago. Global rice
production is projected at 475.2 million tons, up 200,000 from last month due
primarily to increased forecasts for China and South Korea, partially offset by
a reduction for Indonesia. China's rice production is forecast at a record
144.5 million tons, up 500,000 tons from last month, and up more than 1 percent
from last year. The revision is based on
production estimates recently released by China's National Bureau of
Statistics. Indonesia's 2014/15 rice
crop is forecast at 36.5 million tons, down 500,000 from last month, but up
slightly from 2013/14. The Philippine
2014/15 rice crop is forecast at 12.2 million tons, unchanged from last month,
but up nearly 3 percent from last year.
Typhoon Hagupit struck the Philippines on December 6 and tracked through
some rice growing areas, but missed the larger producing regions. Initial reports from the government of the
Philippines indicated that the storm had little impact on the overall rice
crop. However, USDA will continue to
assess the damage and offer a more complete supply and use analysis in next
month's supply and demand report. Global rice consumption for 2014/15 is
forecast at a record 482.9 million tons, down slightly from last month. Global trade is raised 400,000 tons based
largely on increased imports by Indonesia; with exports raised for Burma,
China, Thailand, and the United States.
World 2014/15 ending stocks are raised 600,000 tons, largely due to
increases for China and Vietnam, partially offset by reductions for Burma,
Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States. Stocks are also raised for Sri
Lanka and South Korea.
Read the complete report here.
CCC
Announces Prevailing World Market Prices
|
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity
Credit Corporation today announced the
following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted
for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan-gain
(MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop,
which became effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Prices
are unchanged from the previous announcement.
This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates:
The next program announcement is scheduled for December 17. |
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|
CME
Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
|
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|
CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for December 10
|
Arsenic toxicity: Reducing accumulation in
rice grains
Scientists at Okayama University have
uncovered a protein naturally found in rice which could help limit the amount
of arsenic absorbed by rice plants from water and soils. Their research could
lead to a way of limiting arsenic accumulation in the food chain. Arsenic is a
highly toxic element derived from both natural and human sources, the
accumulation of which can trigger cancer and skin diseases in humans. A key
human health concern is the contamination of drinking water and soils with
arsenic, a phenomenon which is particularly prevalent in South and South-East
Asia where rice is grown in contaminated water and soils. Rice plants are
particularly good at absorbing arsenic, and the chemical accumulates heavily in
the rice grains, subsequently transferring to the food chain.
Now, Jian Feng
Ma and co-workers at Okayama University, together with scientists in Korea and
Switzerland, have identified a transporter protein in rice called OsABCC1 which
appears to restrict the accumulation of arsenic in rice grains, suggesting a
strategy for limiting arsenic accumulation.Ma and his team focused on phloem
cells found in the plant's nodes, where arsenic accumulates from the root
system before being transferred to the grains. Through a series of experiments,
the researchers found that knocking out OsABCC1 gene resulted in 13-18 times
more As accumulation in the grains, indicating that this transporter played a
vital role in limiting arsenic accumulation in the grains.In this way, OsABCC1
also protects future generations of the rice plants, which can be grown from
grains with lower arsenic levels. Over-expression of OsABCC1 could generate
rice plants with high arsenic-tolerant and low accumulation in future. Explore
further: Gene critical to the development of low arsenic plants identified by
scientists
More information: "A rice ABC
transporter, OsABCC1, reduces arsenic accumulation in the grain." PNAS
2014 111 (44) 15699-15704; published ahead of print October 20, 2014, DOI:
10.1073/pnas.1414968111
Journal reference: Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences
Provided by Okayama University
PHL rice
output could still reach 4.28 MMT in Q1 2015’
December 10, 2014
THE country’s unmilled rice
production would still reach 4.28 million metric tons (MMT) in the first
quarter of 2015 despite the havoc wreaked by Typhoon Ruby on farmlands in the
Visayas and southern Luzon.Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson U.
Palad said in his report that the 52,034 metric tons (MT) of rice crops damaged
by the typhoon would not cause a significant dent on palay output. Palay
destroyed by the typhoon was estimated at P890.92 million.“Losses in palay are 1.21 percent of the first quarter 2015 national
production target,” Palad said in his report.
“These are minimal and losses in
[typhoon-affected] areas will have no critical impact on the national palay
production target,” he added.In its November report, the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA) said palay production is projected to reach 4.28 MMT. This, however, is
0.6 percent lower than the 4.31 MMT produced in the first quarter of 2014.PSA said harvest area could decline by 2.5 percent to 1.13
million hectares in 2015 from 1.16 million hectares in 2014. Yield, however,
may improve to 3.79 MT per hectare, or by 2 percent, from 3.72 MT per hectare.The
DA also expressed confidence that Philippine corn output would still reach 2.28
MMT in January to March 2015. This is 0.3 percent higher than the 2.27 MMT
produced in the same period in 2014.
PSA said harvest area is foreseen
to grow by 0.7 percent to 710,330 thousand hectares. Yield, however, may drop
to 3.22 MT in 2015 from 3.23 MT recorded in the first quarter of 2014.Palay production for 2014 is forecast at 18.88 MMT, 2.4 percent
higher than last year’s production of 18.44 MMT.PSA said the
increase could be attributed to the improvement in yield to 3.98 MT per hectare
from 3.89 MT.Harvest area, however, may contract slightly to 4.74 million
hectares in 2014 from 4.75 million hectares recorded a year ago.The projected
output for the July-to-December period may reach 10.5 MMT, 0.5 percent higher
than last year’s record of 10.44 MMT.Based on standing crop, palay output in
the July-to-September period could reach 3.03 MMT, 10 percent lower than the
3.36 MMT produced a year ago.In the fourth quarter alone, PSA said output could
go up by 5.5 percent to 7.47 MMT from 7.08 MMT posted in the same period last
year.
Source with thanks: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phl-rice-output-could-still-reach-4-28-mmt-in-q1-2015/
A Visit to
Maui Brick Oven
POSTED BY HANNAH ANDERSON ON TUE, DEC 9, 2014 AT 12:42 PM
Maui Brick Oven, a restaurant in Maui,
Hawaii, that serves healthful, gluten-free dishes, including brick-oven pizzas,
has opened a new location in Germantown.
The restaurant’s interior has a modern, Pacific-inspired brightness. The staff was friendly and helpful, giving detailed answers to my questions about some of the menu items.I visited the restaurant on the second day of its soft opening at the end of November. The menu features rice bowls, salads, brick oven pizzas, and finger foods like coconut shrimp, chicken satay, and chicken tenders. I ordered the Bi Bim Bowl ($11), which was a bowl of basmati rice and broth topped with a fried egg, pickled kimchi, portabella mushroom, candied carrots, and crispy kale. My uncle ordered the Kalua Pig pizza ($16), which had a thin gluten-free crust covered in barbecue sauce, braised pork shoulder, caramelized onions, and mozzarella cheese (they can also substitute vegan Daiya cheese).
On
their own, the ingredients in the Bi Bim Bowl were pretty tasty (the crispy
kale and candied carrots were delicious), but overall, the bowl could have used
a little more flavor – maybe some extra seasoning in the broth or a little hot
sauce spritzed over top to bring the flavors together. My uncle’s pizza had a
hearty serving of barbecue on it, and he gave it two thumbs up.About half of
the menu is vegan or has a vegan option, making Maui Brick Oven a good option
if you hold to a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet, or if you’re just
looking for a healthier place to dine out.
