Nigeria, Ghana, Others to Benefit from $3.3m Rice Production Grant
10 Feb 2015
Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Mrs. Fidelia Njeze
Dele Ogbodo in Abuja
Four African countries-Nigeria,
Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania - are to benefit from the $3.3 million grant
provided by Bill and Melinda Gates (BMGF) and the German Development
Cooperation (BMZ), under their Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) project.The
implementing institutions of the grant are led by GIZ, Technoserve, the John A.
Kufuor (JAK) and Kili Trust (KT). The project, which will end in 2017 is
targeting about 120,000 small scale rice producers, while secondary
beneficiaries are the rural service providers and rice millers.
The initiative is geared towards improving their sourcing
capacity of quality supply.Speaking on the establishment of the Nigeria/ECOWAS
Rice Sector Policy and Regulation Advocacy Platform in Abuja, CARI’s project coordinator,
Mr. Stefan Kachelriess-Matthess, stated that the main instrument for the
implementation of CARI across the four countries on the matching grant will be
on the basis of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Kachel-Matthess said: "The projects are implemented at two levels of support, we support up to 40 percent of implementation cost and our Nigerian partners in the private sector have to provide 60 per cent of the implementation cost."In her remarks, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, who was represented by Mrs. Jael Kpatuwak expressed the hope that the CARI project will address coordination failures, create better linkages among rice value chain actors, the result which, she said, will lead to increase in the economic returns for all stakeholders.She said the sector holds the key to getting Nigeria out of poverty as it provides food security, employment for the teeming population and creating the platform for a diversified economy towards an industrialisation revolution.
Njeze said: “this focus on rice commodity is most strategic for
Nigeria and the West African sub-region which imports close to 50 percent of
rice from foreign countries outside the shores of the African continent.“In the
last couple of years, Nigeria spent approximately N1 billion daily on rice
importation. This has led to the export of our jobs and financial resources
meant for the transformation of the domestic rice sector in order to achieve
self-sufficiency and exports.
”According to her, the German Development Cooperation has been a
major partner to NEPAD in the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa
Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), adding that GIZ had supported the
organisation Nigeria’s CAADP country team orientation workshop in 2011.Also
speaking at the event, the ECOWAS Commissioner of Agriculture, Environment and
Water Resources, Dr. Lapodini Marc Atouga, represented by a Director at the
Commission, said rice consumption in the last two years in the sub-region had
increased from 7 to 7.7 million tons, pointing out this clearly shows that
production is not matching up with the consumption as it has to depend on
international imports for 40 per cent of its rice supply with Thailand and
Vietnam as the leading suppliers of the commodity to the region.
As a way of achieving its regional Agriculture Investment
Programme (RAIP), he said the Commission went a step further to develop
projects and programmes that will increase rice production and productivity in
the region.While commending the various initiatives, he said ECOWAS welcomes
the setting up of an advocacy platform for rice in Nigeria.He said: "I
will like to commend GIZ/CARI foor this timely initiative. The need to have a
permanent and functional platform to promote rice development cannot be
overemphasised."With the current interventions on rice in the West Africa
region we must all endeavour to build sustainable rice value chains with access
to finance, technology and knowledge to move the region from a rice deficit to
a rice surplus one."
Source with thanks:http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-ghana-others-to-benefit-from-3-3m-rice-production-grant/201423/
Where has the RM300 rice subsidy gone?
2015-02-09
14:22
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
Sin Chew Daily
Kedah Regency Council deputy
chairman and two rice millers have lodged a report to the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry
Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob over suspected power abuse in handling rice
subsidy, exposing drawbacks in the RM500 million subsidy for Super Tempatan
ST15% broken rice. Poor people are unable to purchase subsidied rice, due to
allegedly pocketing problems involving senior officials in the
government.However, Ismail Sabri, who was severely criticised recently for
harming racial harmony due to his boycott call, has distanced himself from the
allegation, claiming that he has no supreme decision-making power in the
government’s ST15% national rice subsidy programme.
He said that the supply of the
subsidised rice is handled by the commission led by the Ministry's
Secretary-General. As the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister, how
could Ismail Sabri pass the buck just like that? The accusation does not seem
to be baseless as it was openly pointed out by the Kedah Regency Council deputy
chairman, who is a rice miller himself.It was reported that the Kedah Regency
Council deputy chairman has his rice supply quota cut from 1,000 tons to 100
tons as he refused bribery while the supply of other rice millers were
completely cut off. It is believed that many other millers are facing the same
problem, showing that corruption problems in the rice subsidy programme has
become increasingly serious.
The government implements the ST15%
national rice subsidy programme and subsidies 60,000 tons of rice each month,
with RM750 subsidy for each ton. However, rice millers receive only RM450 for
each ton while the other RM300 was said to have passed to specific officials in
the Ministry. If such a saying is true, it shows the existence of corruption
practices and who are the so-called specific officials? The MACC must
investigate where has the RM300 gone.
The purpose of the government to
spend RM500 million for rice subsidy each year is to allow the poor buy cheap
rice, helping them to ease financial burden. The intention is good, but has
unfortunately been abused by corrupt officials and unscrupulous rice millers,
who turn ST15% broken rice into ST5% rice to gain profits from it, causing
ST15% rice can no longer be seen in the market, and the poor still need to buy
expensive rice. The government's subsidy has only benefited the senior
officials. The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has failed to properly
implement the rice subsidy programme and many problems have derived from it.
The Minister's capability should be questioned.
To solve the problem of abusing rice subsidy, the government must
make a thorough reform, such as revoking the quota system for Bumiputera rice
millers. The Ministry allegedly allows only Malay rice millers to enjoy the
subsidy while shutting the door to Chinese rice millers, rather allowing Malay
millers to store up to 6,000 tons of rice and Chinese rice millers to face
shortage of supply. Unfair policy is also a factor causing corruption and abuse
of power.Since Kedah Regency Council deputy chairman has lodged a report
against the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister and officials, we hope
that the MACC can launch a thorough investigation on involving wholesalers,
millers and officials in the ministry to lift the doubts of the people, as well
as allow the poor to enjoy the rice subsidy.
Source with thanks:http://www.mysinchew.com/node/105893
Where has the RM300 rice subsidy gone? — Sin Chew
Daily
PUBLISHED:
FEBRUARY 10, 2015 10:29 AM
FEBRUARY 10 — Kedah Regency
Council deputy chairman and two rice millers have lodged a report to the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Agriculture and Agro-Based
Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob over suspected power abuse in
handling rice subsidy, exposing drawbacks in the RM500 million subsidy for
Super Tempatan ST15 per cent broken rice.
Poor people are unable to
purchase subsidied rice, due to allegedly pocketing problems involving senior
officials in the government.However, Ismail Sabri, who was severely criticised
recently for harming racial harmony due to his boycott call, has distanced
himself from the allegation, claiming that he has no supreme decision-making
power in the government’s ST15 per cent national rice subsidy programme. He
said that the supply of the subsidised rice is handled by the commission led by
the Ministry’s Secretary-General. As the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry
Minister, how could Ismail Sabri pass the buck just like that? The accusation does
not seem to be baseless as it was openly pointed out by the Kedah Regency
Council deputy chairman, who is a rice miller himself.
It was reported that the Kedah
Regency Council deputy chairman has his rice supply quota cut from 1,000 tons
to 100 tons as he refused bribery while the supply of other rice millers were
completely cut off. It is believed that many other millers are facing the same
problem, showing that corruption problems in the rice subsidy programme has
become increasingly serious.The government implements the ST15 per cent
national rice subsidy programme and subsidies 60,000 tons of rice each month,
with RM750 subsidy for each ton. However, rice millers receive only RM450 for
each ton while the other RM300 was said to have passed to specific officials in
the Ministry. If such a saying is true, it shows the existence of corruption
practices and who are the so-called specific officials?
The MACC must investigate where
has the RM300 gone.The purpose of the government to spend RM500 million for
rice subsidy each year is to allow the poor buy cheap rice, helping them to
ease financial burden. The intention is good, but has unfortunately been abused
by corrupt officials and unscrupulous rice millers, who turn ST15 per cent
broken rice into ST5 per cent rice to gain profits from it, causing ST15% rice
can no longer be seen in the market, and the poor still need to buy expensive
rice. The government’s subsidy has only benefited the senior officials. The
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has failed to properly implement
the rice subsidy programme and many problems have derived from it. The
Minister’s capability should be questioned.
To solve the problem of abusing
rice subsidy, the government must make a thorough reform, such as revoking the
quota system for Bumiputera rice millers. The Ministry allegedly allows only
Malay rice millers to enjoy the subsidy while shutting the door to Chinese rice
millers, rather allowing Malay millers to store up to 6,000 tons of rice and
Chinese rice millers to face shortage of supply.
Unfair policy is also a factor
causing corruption and abuse of power.Since Kedah Regency Council deputy
chairman has lodged a report against the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry
Minister and officials, we hope that the MACC can launch a thorough
investigation on involving wholesalers, millers and officials in the ministry
to lift the doubts of the people, as well as allow the poor to enjoy the rice
subsidy. — Sin Chew Daily
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and
does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
Source
with thanks:http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/where-has-the-rm300-rice-subsidy-gone-sin-chew-daily#sthash.fMyQdn2j.dpuf
AMTek Microwaves lends equipment for research in rice drying, processing
Posted: Monday, February
9, 2015 12:00 am
Bringing in a microwave to dry
harvested rice could do more than just get the job done faster. Researchers at
the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture seek to use it to
prevent cracking of dried rice kernels and maintain milling quality.The Food
Science Department is working with equipment on loan from AMTek Microwaves of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to determine the capabilities.
“This is new for rice, especially
for drying rice,” said Griffiths Atungulu, an assistant professor of grain
processing and engineering in the department who is leading the research
effort. “Traditionally, rice has been dried in the U.S. using natural air
in-bin, and heated-air, high-temperature cross-flow drying systems. The
microwave is another potential new technology. We are working with AMTek to see
how we can optimize the new technology to maintain quality of the dried rice.”
Atungulu sees considerable
potential for microwave drying and the benefits it can offer in rice
processing. Microwave dryers use volumetric heating—heating the entire kernel
nearly all at once—that may allow for rapid drying. The volumetric heating of
rice accorded by microwaves reduces chances of high moisture content gradients
developing in the rice kernels, which in turn reduces the likelihood of kernels
cracking from stress.
When such cracking is prevented,
the kernels are less susceptible to breakage during milling. Breakage can
reduce the rice milling yield, which has a negative economic impact for rice
producers and processors.“One of the things we look for is to dry rice quickly,
but in ways that maintain rice quality in terms of milling, nutrition, sensory
and functionality.” Atungulu said. “Rice milling quality is very sensitive to
moisture content and temperature gradients encountered during drying. This
particular equipment is designed with modular processing features, which we
hope to optimize with an optimal goal that rice could be dried to safe storage
moisture content in a single pass and not introduce huge moisture content gradients
that might produce fissures or cracking.
”Atungulu also sees some potential
for using the technology to achieve not only drying but also disinfestation and
decontamination of any insects that may be deleterious to rice quality during
storage.The research project being pursued by Division researchers would be on
a pilot-scale using the AMTek microwave and other facilities on campus. The
results could be applicable on a larger industrial scale. Atungulu said it is
important to experiment with various bed-layer thicknesses on the conveyor belt
to determine drying characteristics. The microwave energy supplied to mass
amounts of rice such as would be the case in a scaled-up process should take
into account the thickness of the rice bed and initial moisture content.“Those
are some of the parameters we need to define very carefully.
” Atungulu said. “What is that
optimal bed thickness? What intensity of heat does the microwave correspond to
that will give us desired drying duration and product quality for rice at a
given initial moisture content? Those must be determined before anyone can
begin thinking about scaling up for industry.”The research team expects to work
on the project while testing different cultivars of rice and at different
seasons. The company’s equipment is on loan throughout that process, said
Stephen Rogers, AMTek vice president.
AMTek joined with the Division of
Agriculture after the company was asked by a foreign nation to develop a rice
drying machine, Rogers explained. He said AMTek personnel weren’t familiar with
rice drying techniques, but then they discovered papers on the topic written by
Atungulu and Terry Siebenmorgen, director of the Division’s Rice Processing
Program.“So we contacted them and have been working to establish this relationship
to have them help us figure out how to dry rice using microwaves,” Rogers said.
The project is expected to take three years.
Source with thanks:http://www.hpj.com/general/article_b8c35268-edbe-522c-b18a-4c25d673071c.html
Authentic American Rice Logo Debuts
in Mexico
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- The USA Rice Federation officially unveiled
the first ever American rice origin seal for an overseas market at a trade and
press breakfast event here last Thursday.
The purpose of the logo is to allow the Mexican consumer to easily
identify the high quality, consistency, and safety of American-origin rice,
heretofore difficult for the public. The logo kick-off for "Arroz
Americano Autentico" drew more than 40 members of the Mexican rice trade,
as well as representatives of the U.S. Embassy, Agricultural Trade Office,
Mexican Rice Council, major packers, millers, culinary school directors, magazine
editors, supermarket reps, and TV and newspaper reporters.
"I love the logo which clearly identifies
the U.S. as the quality origin of rice, and kudos to USA Rice for the
initiative," said Joseph Lopez, Acting Minister Counselor for Agricultural
Affairs and Director of the U.S. Agricultural Trade Office in
Mexico."We're the largest importer of U.S. paddy rice and we are
interested in the growth of our brands," said Karen Reiterhart, Marketing
Manager of Schettino Hermanos. "We
consider the logo is going to help distinguish our brand as the highest quality
and safest in the market."
"The
logo lets the consumer distinguish the high quality, food safety, and research
that goes into American rice," said Guillermo Cardenas, Director General
of Agri-Grain, a key importer of U.S. rice, and President of Consejo
Agroalimentario de Productos Básicos, a trade group of major importers,
wholesalers, and distributors of basic commodities. "Congratulations to USA Rice. We look forward to using the new logo for our
leading U.S.-origin rice brand," said Alejandro Alvarez, Director General
of La Merced, the second most popular rice brand in Mexico.USA Rice Vice
President of International Promotion Jim Guinn, attended the event and said,
"The Authentic American Rice quality seal will be promoted by USA Rice in
Mexico specifically emphasizing the quality, versatility, safety, and
consistency of U.S. rice. Co-promotions
are being planned for those packers and distributors that utilize the
logo."
Contact:
Marvin Lehrer (210) 663-0360
Source
with thanks:USA Rice Federation
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice
Futures
|
Source with thanks:USA Rice Federation
CAMBODIA PRESS-Rice federation may rely on banks, govt for capital -
Cambodia Daily
The Cambodian Rice Federation plans
to borrow at least $400,000 for international marketing campaigns if it fails
to meet its goal of raising $777,000 for the plans through export fees on
members, Cambodia Daily reported, citing president Sok Puthyvuth.Puthyvuth said
the federation may turn to commercial banks or the government to cover costs,
or even look further afield, it reported.
(http://bit.ly/1KyvIdX)
----
NOTE: Reuters has not verified this
story and does not vouch for its accuracy. (Compiled by Phnom Penh Newsroom;
Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)
Source with thanks:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-2945385/CAMBODIA-PRESS-Rice-federation-rely-banks-govt-capital--Cambodia-Daily.html
Egyptian rice exporters say tariff is too high
Mon Feb 9, 2015 7:42am GMT
"Effectively, what you are doing is paying the government
around $480 a tonne to export while the value of the rice is around $400 which
makes you end up with a cost and freight price of around $880 a tonne,"
another rice exporter, Adham El Welely, executive director of El Welely group,
said.Egypt, which produced around 4.3 million tonnes of rice in the 2014
season, only consumes around 3.3 million tonnes.Egyptian medium grain rice
mainly competes with U.S., Russian and Italian rice on the international market
with some rice from those countries selling for around $750 a tonne.
"We used to export around 120,000 tonnes a year before the
ban was imposed, mainly to Middle East markets such as Syria, Turkey, Kuwait
and Dubai," El Welely said.El Welely has licences to export around 5,000
tonnes under the new system and has so far exported around 1,000 tonnes, mainly
to Syria.Egypt first imposed a ban on exports in 2008 saying it needed to save
the rice for local consumption and wanted to discourage rice farmers from
growing the crop to save water.However, rice exporters have complained that the
ban on free exports has led to illicit trading.
"When smugglers sell the rice at $750 a tonne they make an
almost 100 percent profit on it and there are a million ways they find to do
that," Karim Otabachi, import and export manager of Egyptian grains trader
Wakalex said.One way is to buy cheaper Indian rice for re-export and then
substitute those exports with Egyptian rice, leaving the Indian rice to be sold
on the local market instead. ($1 = 7.6300 Egyptian pounds) (Editing by Greg
Mahlich)
Source with thanks:http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL5N0VJ0FD20150209?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0
Investors eye Myanmar's rich potential
for rice growing
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION February 9, 2015 1:00 am
MYANMAR may go back to being one of the world's major rice
exporters in five to 10 years, as many Thai and foreign investors are looking
to expand in rice mills and farms in the country.Thai traders and experts all
believe that Myanmar has great potential to become a major rice producer in the
near future because it has plenty of land with good quality soil for raising
rice, abundant water and a strategic location for distributing rice. Vichai
Sriprasert, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said
last week that some rice millers and exporters have started exploring Myanmar
to establish mills and parboiled rice processing plants after realising the
country's potential to produce large quantities of the commodity for export.
Thai investors are studying Myanmar's investment laws and
regulations. Once all issues are clarified, they can start investing in a few
years," he said. Most investors are considering setting up large-scale
rice mills to make their investment worthwhile. To build a large mill that
processes up to 500 tonnes of rice a year, an investment of up to Bt300 million
is required, not including the cost of land. The areas that Thai rice traders
are eyeing are around Yangon and in rice-growing areas along major rivers in
Myanmar, such as the Ayeyarwaddy River and Bago, which flows through the
central region, the Thanlwin or Salween River, which connects to Thailand, and
the Sittaung River, which lies in the east-central part of the country.
Besides the existing rice growing areas, 40 million to 50 million
rai of land in the country could be developed and promoted for growing
rice.Other foreign investors that are also keen on investing in the farming
industry, including rice, come from mainland China, Japan and Korea, and from the
Middle East.Myanmar used to be the world's largest rice supplier before the
1980s. However, after the military government closed the country, local farmers
shunned rice, as the returns became less attractive. However, to invest in rice
or other farming businesses, Thai companies need to form a joint venture with
local operators, as local farming businesses are restricted to only Myanmar
citizens.Chareon Laothammatas, president of the association, said that with the
food security policy of many foreign governments, many rice importing countries
are looking to expand to developing countries including Myanmar and other
countries in Asean.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, Myanmar is projected
to export 1.3 million-1.5 million tonnes of rice this year, up from about 1.3
million tonnes last year. In 2014-15, rice production in Myanmar is forecast to
increase by 1 per cent to 12.16 million tonnes in anticipation of continued
expansion of the growing area. The construction of eight dams, which were targeted
to be completed last year, and the renovation of drainage canals in flood zones
and deep-water areas in the Ayeyarwaddy region, are likely to increase the
planting acreage for dry season rice.Aat Pisanwanich, director of the Centre
for International Trade Studies, said Myanmar is one of the high-potential
countries that have attracted the interest of many Thai investors and rice is
one of the potential businesses.
Rice production in Myanmar is cheaper than in Thailand, while
Myanmar has many positive factors including plenty of space, water supply and a
location to support rice growing and exporting.The study found the cost of rice
production in Myanmar is about Bt7,122 per rai, and could be lower after state
dams are built and operating.
The centre's study also forecast that Thailand would lose a total
of Bt87.5 billion (or Bt8.7 billion per year) in rice exports to 2022 if a
serious effort is not made to develop the industry. The Thai share of the world
market is tipped to drop to 2.3 per cent from 2.5 per cent last year.
The lost market share will go to neighbouring countries - Vietnam
and Myanmar. Thailand's market share in Asia would slump from 1.3 per cent in
2013 to just 0.3 per cent in 10 years because other rice-exporting nations -
mainly Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar - will play a more significant role in
supplying the continental market.
Source with thanks:http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Investors-eye-Myanmars-rich-potential-for-rice-gro-30253650.html
China to help build rice mills
Published on Monday, 09
February 2015 08:22
Under a contract signed between
Myanmar and China, 200-tonne advanced rice mills will be built in Nyaungdone,
Ayeyarwady Region, according to the Myanmar Rice Millers Association (MRMA).“Myanmar Rice Miller Company is formed under the MRMA. The
company has signed an agreement with the China CAMC Engineering Co (CAMCE).
Under the agreement, both sides will cooperate on the construction of the
international-standard rice mills. Afterwards, we will carry out rice grinding
and then export quality rice to China as well as to other international
markets,” said Nay Lin Zin, joint secretary from the MRMA.
The construction will start this
year and is due to be completed by 2017. “We have brought the plots of
land for the first rice mill in Sarmalauk in Nyaungdone, and will build two
200-tonne rice mills. As a first step, we will build a 200-tonne rice mill,” he
added. Under the deal between the Myanmar Rice Federation and the Chinese
firm, COFCO, China will purchase 100,000 tonnes of rice at the market price
after the completion of the work. The MRF will coordinate the direct sales of
rice with COFCO, with both sides preparing the grinding and export of the rice
types and quality favoured in China.
Source with thanks:http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8967:china-to-help-build-rice-mills&catid=33:business&Itemid=356
H1 rice import on meteoric rise
Yasir Wardad
Rice
import surged 440 per cent in the first half (H1) of the current financial
year, traders said, in a peculiar paradox while the government has opted for
and already begun export of the staple.Millers lament that the rice import on
such a large scale is posing a serious threat to local rice mills.Food Ministry
officials said the volume of imports in the July-January period of the current
financial year (FY'15) surpassed the overall import made in the FY
'14.Bangladesh Bank's latest data shows private traders imported rice worth
$248.5 million (settled LCs) in July-December period of the current fiscal. The
figure was only $46.1 million in the corresponding period of the FY '14.
The
overall import of rice amounted to $377.22 million in the FY '14.The
central-bank data shows that private importers brought in rice worth $60
million just in December.An official at the Directorate-General of Food (DGoF)
said importers brought 0.72 million tonnes of rice in the July-January period
of the FY '15. The overall import in the FY '14 was 0.371 million tonnes.Local
millers have almost trembled down as nearly 60 per cent of mills were forced to
stop their operation in the peak 'rice-milling season' following the import
coupled with the ongoing political turmoil that severely hampered
transportation, said leading mill owners.
Secretary
of Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mills Owners' Association (BAMHMOA), the
biggest platform of the country's rice millers, KM Layek Ali said that the
sector was in a big trouble due to the import and the ongoing blockade.He
pointed out that the government fixed Aman-rice price at Tk 33 per kilogram
while the importers brought rice at prices below Tk 27-28 per kg from
India."The millers are facing an uneven competition which may have a
disastrous impact on market stability in future," he said.He made a
disconcerting disclosure that 60 per cent out of 20,000 mills across the
country stopped their operation. It will, in his assumption, have a serious
impact on the market as prices of the staple may shoot up significantly.
Shahidur
Rahman Patwary Mohan, an executive member of BAMHMOA, said: "Apart from
imports, the ongoing political turbulence also has battered our
business."He said in peak seasons like Boro and Aman farming, millers husk
nearly 60,000 tonnes of paddy per day (for three months) which has been reduced
to just 15,000 tonnes.The milling crash occurred as orders from Dhaka,
Chittagong and elsewhere in the country are being cancelled in fear of
vandalism on highways. He said truck owners were not willing to run their
vehicles and the owners who were taking risks were charging double fares.
According
to him, in addition to about 22 million farmers, nearly 7.0 million people are
directly involved with rice milling while another 4.0 million indirectly depend
on it.The industry leader said: "The mill owners and the workers are
passing a tough time due to the imports and blockades."Most of the mills
depend on bank loans and count interest of 17-19 per cent which is adjusted on
a three-month basis. And "hundreds of millers will turn loan defaulters,
if this present trend continues".
Economist
Dr Md Enamul Hoque said the government should have checks and balances on local
production, supply and price trend before initiating a perfect rice import
policy. "It is necessary to safeguard the local rice mills which are the
compulsory segment for ensuring food security in the country."According to
the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, overall rice production in the last
financial year (FY'14) was at an all-time high of 34.35 million tonnes against
the local demand for 31.0 million tonnes.
Source with thanks:http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/02/09/80249
Research and Markets: Global Rice
Seed Industry Report 2014
February 9, 2015
DUBLIN — Research
and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jnp62f/global_rice_seed) has announced the addition of the "Global Rice Seed Industry Report 2014" report to their offering.The report provides an overview of the
industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry
chain structure. The rice seed market analysis is provided for the
international markets including development trends, competitive landscape
analysis, and key regions development status.Development policies and plans are
also discussed and manufacturing processes and cost structures analyzed.
Rice seed industry import/export
consumption, supply and demand figures and cost price and production value
gross margins are also provided.The report focuses on nineteen industry players
providing information such as company profiles, product picture and
specification, capacity production, price, cost, production value and contact
information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand
analysis is also carried out. The rice seed industry development trends and
marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment
projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Rice Seed Industry Overview
2. Rice Seed International and China Market Analysis
3. Rice Seed Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants
Analysis
4. Rice Seed Production by Regions By Technology By
Applications
5. Rice Seed Manufacturing Process and Cost Structure
6. 2009-2014 Rice Seed Productions Supply Sales Demand
Market Status and Forecast
7. Rice Seed Key Manufacturers Analysis
8. Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis
9. Rice Seed Marketing Channels Analysis
10. 2015-2020 Rice Seed Productions Supply Sales Demand
Market Status and Forecast
11. Rice Seed Industry Development Proposals
12. Rice Seed New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis
13. Global Rice Seed Industry Research Conclusions
Companies Mentioned
·
Bayer
·
CP
Seed
·
China
National Seed
·
Dabeinong
·
Dupont
Pionner
·
Gansu
Dunhuang Seed
·
Grand
Agriseeds
·
Grand
Agriseeds Technology, Inc
·
HEFEI
FENGLE SEED
·
Hancock
Farm & Seed Company
·
Jiangsu
Dahua
·
Kester's
Nursery
·
Longping
High-tech
·
Nidera
·
Syngenta
·
The
Great Northern Wilderness Kenfeng seed Limited by Share Ltd
·
Winall
Hi-tech Seed
·
Zhongnongfa
Seed
·
Goldoctor
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jnp62f/global_rice_seed
Cheated
'Rice Berry' farmers paid
Published: 9 Feb 2015 at 17.18
Online news: General
Writer: Chinnawat Singha
Farmers in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam district
have received overdue money from their rice berry. (Bangkok Post photo)
PHITSANULOK - A
group of farmers who delivered their crops of a new strain of grain, Rice
Berry, to a wholesaler but did not get paid have finally received the first
down payment on their harvests. The 71 farmers last year delivered a total of
600 tonnes of Rice Berry, a new strain of premium quality rice, to Amporn Pholthao.They said he
persuaded the group to grow the new strain and promised them a high price. Five
months after delivering their grain the farmers still had not received any
money, so they sought for help from the agricultural ministry’s local
office.The farmers, assisted by agriculture officials, have so far sold 200
tonnes of their rice, earning 1.18 million baht in total, The money was
distributed to between the farmers on Monday by Anan Kittrattanwasin, the chief
of Bang Rakam district.
Farmers show
their overdue money received on Monday. Direk
Yimhoi, chief of the district’s Agricultural Extension Office, said the office
would try to find buyers for the remaining rice at 11,000 baht a tonne, and
hoped to market the grain, a form of black rice, in the near future.He
suggested farmers who want to invest in new crops or new projects should first
consult his office to prevent problems. His staff could assist with technical
issues and quality examination, and with marketing.
In
July 2012 it was announced Thai scientists had developed new rice strains with
a high anti-oxidant component that could help
prevent the development of cancer and thalassemia.Rice Science Centre
then-director Apichart Vanavichit earlier said the new strains, Rice Berry and
Sin Lek, were full of anti-oxidants, iron and magnesium substances based on a
clinical test by Kasetsart University.The bran and bran oil of Rice Berry
contained lupeol that could help prevent cancer cell development or even kill
the cells, he said.
Source with thanks: The Bangkok Post
Paddy procurement target fixed
It has been planned to procure
five lakh tonnes paddy through Direct Purchase Centres (DPC) established to
benefit farmers in Thanjavur district during the current harvest season. With
samba harvest in full swing, staff at the DPCs in many places are having their
hands full as the heavy arrivals reflect the positive response from
farmers.Paddy has been raised in over 1.35 lakh hectares under samba and
thalady crops in Thanjavur district this season. Harvest has peaked in many
regions of the district as so far over 55,000 hectares have been completed.
On the remaining 85,000 hectares,
harvest would be undertaken soon for which the Agriculture Department, district
administration, and the State Government were extending all facilities to
farmers by offering them remunerative price for their produce, Dr. Subbaiyan
said.Based on the demand from farmers, the TNCSC has established 308 DPCs
across the district through which so far 60,000 tonnes of paddy had been
procured from farmers against which Rs. 8.75 crore has been disbursed to the
suppliers. To monitor the procurement process, 14 flying squads had been
pressed into service
Source with thanks:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/paddy-procurement-target-fixed/article6870288.ece
|
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 09-02-2015
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Product
|
Market Center
|
Variety
|
Min Price
|
Max Price
|
|||||
|
Maize
|
|||||||||
|
1
|
Amirgadh (Gujarat)
|
Other
|
1410
|
1410
|
|||||
|
2
|
Athani (Karnataka)
|
Local
|
1150
|
1200
|
|||||
|
3
|
Saharsa (Bihar)
|
Other
|
1400
|
1450
|
|||||
|
Jowar (Sorgham)
|
|||||||||
|
1
|
Haveri (Karnataka)
|
Local
|
1100
|
1130
|
|||||
|
2
|
Botad (Gujarat)
|
Other
|
1000
|
1000
|
|||||
|
3
|
Kota (Rajasthan)
|
Other
|
1470
|
1500
|
|||||
|
Papaya
|
|||||||||
|
1
|
Batala (Punjab)
|
Other
|
1500
|
1600
|
|||||
|
2
|
Palampur(Himachal Pradesh)
|
Other
|
1800
|
2000
|
|||||
|
3
|
Dadri(Uttar Pradesh)
|
Other
|
1400
|
1620
|
|||||
|
Brinjal
|
|||||||||
|
1
|
Chala (Kerala)
|
Other
|
2800
|
2850
|
|||||
|
2
|
Jowai (Meghalaya)
|
Other
|
2000
|
4000
|
|||||
|
3
|
Bonai (Orissa)
|
Other
|
1500
|
2000
|
|||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Price on 09-02-2015
|
|||||||||
|
Product
|
Market Center
|
Price
|
|||||||
|
1
|
Ahmedabad
|
309
|
|||||||
|
2
|
Namakkal
|
290
|
|||||||
|
3
|
Hyderabad
|
275
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Price on: 09-02-2015
|
|||||||||
|
Product
|
Benchmark Indicators Name
|
Price
|
|||||||
|
Apricots
|
|||||||||
|
1
|
Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK
(USD/t)
|
6125
|
|||||||
|
2
|
Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK
(USD/t)
|
4875
|
|||||||
|
3
|
Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)
|
3625
|
|||||||
|
Currants
|
|||||||||
|
1
|
Greek provincial, CIF UK (USD/t)
|
1619
|
|||||||
|
2
|
Greek Vostizza, CIF UK (USD/t)
|
1739
|
|||||||
|
Honey
|
|||||||||
|
1
|
Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
|
4360
|
|||||||
|
2
|
Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
|
4310
|
|||||||
|
3
|
Australian extra light/light amber, CIF
NW Europe (USD/t)
|
5340
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Price on 09-02-2015
|
|||||||||
|
Product
|
Market Center
|
Origin
|
Variety
|
Low
|
High
|
||||
|
Mangoes |
Package: flats 1 layer
|
||||||||
|
1
|
Atlanta
|
Peru
|
Kent
|
11
|
12
|
||||
|
2
|
Detroit
|
Ecuador
|
Kent
|
9
|
10
|
||||
|
3
|
Miami |
Peru
|
Kent
|
10
|
10
|
||||
|
Cabbage |
Package: 50 lb cartons
|
||||||||
|
1
|
Atlanta
|
Florida
|
Round Green Type
|
10
|
13
|
||||
|
2
|
Detroit |
Georgia
|
Round Green Type
|
12
|
14.50
|
||||
|
3
|
Miami |
Florida
|
Round Green Type
|
11
|
12
|
||||
|
Apples |
Package: cartons tray pack
|
||||||||
|
1
|
Atlanta
|
Idaho
|
Red Delicious
|
10
|
10.50
|
||||
|
2
|
Baltimore |
New York
|
Red Delicious
|
22
|
22
|
||||
