Reps probe Stallion Group, Popular Foods, Olam over N43b import
duty evasion
By Luke Ajulo
February 27, 2015 00:26:08am GMT |
National Assembly
WorldStage
Newsonline-- The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a motion
to investigate all investor companies involved in rice importation under
the new policy. Specifically, three major companies-Stallion Group, Popular
Foods and Olam Nig Lt were said to have exceeded their approved quota and
evaded payment of import duties to the Federal Government to the tune of about
N43 billion.
The investigation was expected to ascertain the exact
amount owed government by the affected companies.In addition, the investigation
would ascertain the approved quota for each importer against their excess
imports in metric tons.Appropriate measures for recovering the debt would also
be recommended by the investigation panel. The decision of the lawmakers
followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna)
who accused major importers of conniving with foreign investors to undermine
the nation's economy.He said: "Stallion Group, Popular Foods and Olam Nig
Ltd in collusion with their foreign investors have imported rice exceeding
their approved quota and thus owe the Federal government about N28.399 billion.
"Stallion Group and Popular Foods with an unpaid
outstanding import duty of over N15 billion have imported another 85,000mts of
rice into the country."The actions of the companies are capable of
scuttling the country's self-sufficiency drive in rice production and act and
also deny the Federal government the needed revenue on import duties".The
motion was unanimously adopted when it was out to voice vote by the Speaker,
Aminu Tambuwal.The report on the investigation was expected to be turned in
three weeks.
House to Probe Rice Importers
27 Feb 2015
Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal
Muhammad Bello in Abuja
The House of Representatives Thursday
resolved to investigate companies involved in rice importation under the
federal government policy aimed at encouraging investment in local rice
production.
The crux of the matter that precipitated the motion that led to
the resolution was the allegation that some companies in concert with some
foreign investors have imported the commodity in a manner that exceeded “their
approved quota and thus owe the federal government about N28,399 billion.
”The companies fingered are:
Stallion Group, Popular Foods and Olam Nigeria Limited. The House regretted
that Stallion Group/ Popular Foods, with an unpaid outstanding import duty of
over N15 billion, has imported another 85,000 metric tonnes of rice into the
country.Hon. Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna) expressed concern “that the actions of
these companies are capable of scuttling the nation’s self-sufficiency drive in
rice production and an act which deny the federal government the needed revenue
on import duties.”
PhilRice
Agusan is best branch station anew
February 26, 2015
REMEDIOS
T. ROMULADEZ, Agusan del Norte, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- PhilRice Agusan received the
top prize in the 2014 Best Station contest – an annual internal competition
organized by the Institute to elevate and improve the modalities in promoting
new technologies in rice production. It also aims to highlight the best-fit
practices of the stations in rice Research and Development (R&D).PhilRice
Agusan was also recognized for successfully and creatively executing the
Intensified Rice-Based Agri-bio Systems (IRBAS) program in support of
PhilRice’s major advocacy, the Rural Transformation Movement (RTM).RTM aims to
help reduce poverty by promoting diversified farming and agri-business ventures.
Nucleus
estates will be put up to give farmers access to support services including
training, inputs, custom services, technologies, product development and
packaging, and marketing.“I thank the PhilRice management for organizing this
contest and all my colleagues for keeping our station beautiful,” said Abner T.
Montecalvo, station manager.PhilRice Midsayap and Batac placed second and
third, respectively, and were cited for creating a strategic research direction
and for continually improving their internal systems and processes in
accordance with Integrated Management Systems standards. PhilRice has three ISO
certifications.The following awards were also given: Most Improved Field Day to
Los Baños; Most Interactive Field Day to Negros; and Most Innovative External
Linkage to Bicol.
The judges traveled across the country to evaluate each station
based on the following: IRBAS (Rural Transformation Campaign Execution); level
of mechanization; organization of field day; varietal demo; client satisfaction;
innovations; internal processes and financial reports; housekeeping and safety;
state of infrastructure; income generation; and station management.The judges
were Dr. Rex Navarro, former director for communications of the International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT); Dr. Genaro San
Valentin and Thelma Padolina, PhilRice consultants; Charlene Tan, founder of
Good Food Community; and Donald Mateo, from the Philippine Center for
Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).
PhilRice Agusan had earlier received the Best Field Day (2011) and
Best Station awards (2013).
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a government
corporate entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through
Executive Order 1061 on November 5, 1985 (as amended) to help develop
high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice
for all Filipinos. (PhilRice Web Team/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Philippines to import 500,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand and
Vietnam
Friday, 27 February 2015 08:40
The Philippines
will sign deals with Thailand and Vietnam to import 500,000 tonnes of rice as
the country looks to boost buffer stock ahead of the lean harvest season
According to the USDA, the Philippines may import 1.6mn tonnes of
rice in 2015. (Image source: Paul Suesskind/Flickr)
According to the country’s National Food Authority (NFA), the
country is expected to sign the contracts for the rice deal on or before 10
March 2015.NFA is an agricultural agency, which is responsible for ensuring the
food security of the country and the stability of supply and price of
rice.“Thailand had offered to sell 100,000 tonnes of rice worth US$780 per
tonne. The prices were lower than Vietnam’s offers, but Vietnam agreed to match
Thailand’s bid and the country will ship the remaining 150,000 tonnes of rice.
All shipments will arrive in the Philippines by 30 April 2015,”
added NFA.In 2015, NFA may import rice between 500,000 tonnes to 600,000
tonnes. The NFA currently imports most of the rice requirement for buffer
stocking.Despite record high domestic harvests in recent years, including last
year’s output, the Philippines remains one of the world’s biggest rice buyers.
In 2014, the Philippines imported around 1.7mn tonnes of rice.
Rice stockpiles to be cleared in
2 years
Despite delaying a plan to
release rice under an auction, the Commerce Ministry is confident it will be
able to clear huge stocks within two years, said Commerce Minister General
Chatchai Sarikulya.He said that the ministry planned to release up to 18
million tonnes of rice via auctions and negotiate with rice-import countries to
receive huge amounts under government-to-government (G-to-G) contracts.The
general said that Thailand had between 17-18 million tonnes stockpiled, and it
recently negotiated to sell 2 million tonnes to China.Although the ministry
wanted to clear the warehouses, Chatchai said, the government would carefully
consider all proposed contracts through the G-to-G and bidding processes to ensure
transparency and prevent contracts defaulting.
If any bidder were found have a
suspect background, the ministry would not sell rice to that dealer.Under the
plan to clear rice stocks, the ministry previously announced it aimed to sell
about 10 million tonnes under many methods this year, including selling about
one million tonnes via general auction each month.However, the ministry could
sell only about 500,000 tonnes through an auction in January, and will on March
6 open the second auction for one million tonnes after missing the February
auction date.Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade
Department, said that the ministry had already sold more than two million
tonnes of rice in the first two months of the year.Of those, she said about 1.5
million tonnes was sold under G-to-G contracts.
She said that the government was
confident of releasing rice amounts as planned because many traders were
interested in joining the government's auctions due to the main harvest season
ending.Moreover, she said that in August the ministry would release low-grade
rice grain to the market to supply the manufacturing sector.
Thailand offers lowest rice bid
price
By | Feb. 27, 2015 at 11:05pm
Thailand on Friday offered the
lowest bid to supply 500,000 metric tons of rice to the Philippines this year
to boost Manila’s buffer stocks for the lean season.The National Food Authority
invited Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to supply rice under a
government-to-government procurement deal. Cambodia did not join the
auction.The NFA Council earlier agreed to import 250,000 metric tons with 25
percent brokens and 250,000 MT with 15 percent brokens of well-milled long
grain white rice to augment the country’s stock, especially during the lean
season that starts in July.
The NFA said 50 percent of the
volume awarded would be delivered not later than March 31 this year, while the
balance would be shipped not later than April 30, 2015Thailand offered to
supply 100,000 metric tons with 15 percent brokens at $441 per metric ton,
while Vietnam tendered 250,000 metric tons at $442.50 a ton.Both offers were
below the reference price of $442.94 per metric ton.NFA special assistant to
the administrator Patricia Galang-De Jesus said Vietnam agreed to match the
offer of Thailand for the remaining 150,000 metric tons at $441 per metric ton.
For the 25 percent brokens,
Thailand offered to supply 100,000 metric tons at $421 per metric ton while
Vietnam tendered 250,000 tons at $424.50 a ton.The NFA said both offers were
also lower than the $425.85 per metric ton reference price.“For the 25 percent
brokens, Vietnam also agreed to match the offer of Thailand for the remaining
150,000 metric tons at $ 421 per metric ton,” De Jesus said.NFA procurement
committee chairman Piolito Santos said the agency would recommend the results
of the government-to-government offers for final approval of the NFA
Council.“We expect to complete the issuance of notice of award not later than
March 3. The signing of contract will not be on March 4 to 10,” Santos said.
Pricey rice may mar auction
27 Feb 2015 at
07:45 3,885 viewed0 comments
NEWSPAPER
SECTION: BUSINESS
| WRITER: PHUSADEE
ARUNMAS
The government's ambitious attempt to sell its
rice stocks could hit a snag as demand ebbs for costly Thai grains.Thailand is
likely to face difficulty selling rice now that global market demand is slowing
amid greater supply and price competition, said Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary
president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.World rice trade is estimated
at 41 million tonnes this year, down from an earlier forecast of 42 million
tonnes, he said.
Worse still, Vietnamese rice prices have
dropped significantly, with 5% white rice quoted at US$350 a tonne. The price
of Thai 5% white rice, meanwhile, is as high as $400-405 a tonne."We
expect most buying nations are now delaying their purchases to wait and see
about the rice price situation," Mr Chookiat said.As a result, he predicts
tepid participation from bidders in the state's second rice auction of an
additional 1 million tonnes to take place next week, with the government
selling 400,000 tonnes at best.Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the
Foreign Trade Department, said the government was set to call the second
auction for an additional 1,008,837 tonnes next Thursday.
The total includes 762,700 tonnes of 5% white
rice, with the rest comprising 10% white rice, 15% white rice, 25% white rice,
10% white glutinous rice and broken rice.The rice up for sale will be available
at 124 state warehouses in 33 provinces, with the names of qualified bidders
announced next Friday.The government sold about half the nearly 1 million tonnes
of rice put up during the year's first auction last month.The plan is to
dispose of 17 million tonnes of rice in state stockpiles within two years,
with 10 million tonnes to be sold this year.Sales this year will consist of
both premium-grade rice (60%) and substandard grains (40%).Keep
up-to-date with the latest on coup d'etat with Bangkok Post SMS News. Call *4513910
Courtesy:
Bangkok Post
B10bn
budget to aid farmers' co-ops
27 Feb 2015 WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
The government plans to spend about
10 billion baht to promote the business roles of rice and palm growers'
cooperatives nationwide. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Related search
Agricultural
cooperatives, rice farmers, palm oil
The
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives plans to spend 9.9 billion baht on
improving the business capabilities of rice and oil palm farmers' cooperatives
over the next five years.Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong
Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya said on Thursday the government intended to strengthen
the organisations of rice farmers and palm growers, who made up a substantial
proportion of the farming community.
About 6.5
billion baht would fund projects to enable rice growers' cooperatives in 19
provinces to gather and process more paddy. Their
paddy collection capabilities should increase from 450,000 tonnes in 2014 to
948,000 tonnes by 2019, and their rice processing capability should rise from
53,000 tonnes in 2014 to 134,000 tonnes in 2019, Mr Pitipong said.Members of
rice farmers' cooperatives grew rice in 26 million rai of land, which accounted
for 48% of all paddy fields in the country, and they produced 11.3 million
tonnes of grain, about 39% of the national crop, the minister said.
About
3.4 billion baht would be spent to promote the integration of palm plantations,
increase palm oil production, and support growers' capabilities for gathering
and processing palm nut yields. Keep up-to-date with the latest on coup d'etat
with Bangkok Post SMS News. Call *451391000 to subscribe – 39 baht/month (7
days free, available in Thailand only) Bangkok Post SMS News: Deliver only
trustworthy news on SMS
Courtesy: The Bangkok
Post
In
Victory for Farmers, USDA Extends Base Acre and Yield Update Deadline
WASHINGTON,
DC -- Today Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a one month extension
for producers to update yield history and reallocate base acres for the new
commodity programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. The previous cutoff date had been today, but
the new deadline is now March 31, 2015."This flexibility provided by the
department is greatly appreciated by farmers in every state and region, but is
especially important to those of us in rice producing regions as we are already
in the field preparing ground for this year's crop," said John Owen, a Louisiana grower and
Chairman of the USA Rice Federation Producers' Group.
"Without this extension, thousands of
farmers would not have the opportunity to align the new programs with their
most recent plantings and yields and would be substantially disadvantaged in
what looks to be a rough few years in farm country due to depressed commodity
prices."If no changes are made to yield history or base acres by March 31,
2015, the farm's current yield and base will be used. Additionally, a program election of ARC or
PLC coverage also must be made by March 31, 2015, or there will be no 2014
payments for the farm and the farm will default to PLC coverage through the
2018 crop year.
"I hope everyone takes these
deadlines seriously," Owen said, "if all the owners and producers
involved in an operation aren't on the same page and haven't signed the proper
documentation, no financial assistance will be available for losses from last
year's crop." Owen encouraged all
growers to visit or call their local FSA office today.
Contact: Ben Mosely (703) 236-1471
World
Market Price Meeting Covers Reporting Mechanisms, Thailand, South Korea and
More
Keith Glover
WASHINGTON, DC -- Yesterday morning, the World Market Price
Subcommittee convened to discuss planting prospects for the coming year, rice
price reporting to National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and trade
issues facing the rice industry.Representatives from NASS answered questions
and clarified reporting guidelines.
ccurate reporting of prices received by farmers is especially important
this year for the successful execution of programs under the 2014 farm bill.
"It is critically important the prices reported reflect what farmers are
actually receiving for their rice," said Subcommittee Chairman Keith
Glover.
"This will ensure U.S. farmers enrolled
in the new ARC/PLC programs will be covered for losses due to uncontrollable
price declines, which is the intent of the program." The U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) updated the group on the
ongoing Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. At the subcommittee's request, FAS also
shared information on Thai rice stocks and their Rice Paddy Pledging program as
well as South Korea's progress implementing new tariff rates.The 2013-15 USA
Rice Foundation Leadership Class also attended the meeting, having graduated
from their two-year program earlier in the week.
They saw first-hand the variety of topics covered by the World
Market Price subcommittee, and how members work with government officials to
tackle tough issues facing the U.S. rice industry.Chairman Glover was pleased
with the depth of topics discussed on Thursday, saying, "We expressed our
most sincere appreciation to USDA and NASS for working with the U.S. rice
industry."
Contact: Kristen Dayton (703) 236-1464
USA
Rice Launches Flickr Account: Get Up
Close and Personal with USA Rice
Calling all shutterbugs!
ARLINGTON, VA -- Ready for your close up? The USA Rice Federation is launching its
Flickr account, a popular website designed to optimize the process of sharing
photos publicly."Flickr is an effective way to organize pictures into
photo albums based on location and event," explained Michael Klein, USA
Rice's vice president for marketing, communications, and domestic promotion."We're
going to provide a structured platform for USA Rice members, the media, and
nutrition professionals to access and download high resolution images that
depict the many dimensions of the rice industry.
"USA
Rice's Flickr account debuts with an extensive array of pictures from the
recent Government Affairs Conference and will be frequently updated with
pictures of USA Rice conferences and events.
Flickr will also serve as an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the
rice industry that will keep our members informed about everything that is
happening at USA Rice. Klein added he's looking forward to including images of
rice production to help tell the industry's story, and members are encouraged
to submit pictures from their rice operations for inclusion.To submit images
for consideration, email Colleen Klemczewski at cklem@usarice.com. A link to the Flickr account will be added to
the USA Rice website in an effort to make it easily accessible to USA Rice
members and the public.
Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446
Japan
Announces Results of 13th Ordinary Import Tender in FY 2014
|
Millers take brunt of blockade
700 rice mills in Pabna shut as
transport cost goes up
Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu, Pabna
Things may not
seem that bad in the capital, but elsewhere the almost two-month-long blockade
coupled with frequent hartal has hit every aspect of people's lives very hard.
With inter-district communications snapped, businesses have come to a
near-halt, education is in tatters, farmers are counting heavy losses and
people venture out of their homes in constant panic. In this series, we look at
how the blockade and shutdown are affecting public life outside Dhaka.
Three of the four mills in Joynagar village in Pabna
were closed after the non-stop blockade began early last month. Photo: Star
Like most businesses of the
country, commercial rice milling in Pabna district has been hit hard by the
ongoing blockade and hartals by the anti-government alliance.Millers are
counting hefty losses due to a sharp rise in transportation cost and drop in
sales.As a result, around 700 out of 800 rice mills in one of the largest rice
producing districts of the country have been closed after the BNP-led alliance
began the countrywide transport blockade on January 6, said Idris Ali Bishwas,
president of Pabna Rice Mill Owners' Association.
Over 10,000 people have lost their
jobs in the process, he told The Daily Star recently."Due to the shortage
of transports, processed rice could not be sent to markets across the country.
On the other hand, millers could not bring paddy from the wholesale markets to
their mills," said Main Uddin, district food controller of Pabna.The
district's Ishwardi upazila alone has 650 rice mills, over 500 mills of which
have been shut down since the blockade began, said Fazlur Rahman Malitha,
president of Ishwardi Rice Producers' Association.
The mill, is now open but operating with 10 people,
half its usual workforce. The photos were taken a few days ago. Photo: Star
He said rice millers are
incurring huge losses due to the fall in prices of rice. The rising volume of
import of rice from India also dealt another blow.Miller Touhidul Islam of
Joynagar village said he had lost Tk 2 lakh as his mill was closed from January
10 to February 20."Over 200 sacks of rice, processed early January, have
remained stacked in my warehouse. I cannot sell them due to a shortage of
transports. As I could not sell rice, I can't buy paddy. So, I had to keep my
mill closed."
However, Touhid last week bought
some paddy in Jessore, but he had to count the transport cost twice the usual
rate as most truck owners are not operating their vehicles, fearing attacks by
blockaders. Opposition blockaders have firebombed and damaged over a thousand
vehicles in their bid to cripple the country's communications and supply
networks.And those, who are operating vehicles defying the odds, are charging
double the normal fare.
"Due to the rise in
transport cost, the production cost of each sack of rice has increased by Tk
200-300," Touhid said. "On the other hand, local retailers are
reluctant to pay the additional price. Rather, they are going for the cheaper
rice imported from India."At retail level, imported coarse rice is being
sold at Tk 28-29 per kg while the local variety is being sold at Tk 35-36 per
kg.
What's worse for Touhid is that
he could not pay the installments of bank loans."In a normal situation, I
would earn Tk 2 lakh a month. But now I earn nothing," he said, urging the
political parties to resolve the current crisis as quickly as possible for the
sake of businesses.Mizanur Rahman Babu, also from Joynagar, has kept his mill
shut for two weeks now."If I run the mill, I would face a loss of Tk 1.5-2
lakh every month. But if the mill is closed, then the loss will be Tk
30,000-40,000 … So, it is better to keep the mill shut,” said Mizan.
The rice millers fear they would
face an even direr situation if the political stalemate continues."If the
[political] situation does not become normal soon, most rice millers would face
huge financial losses, as they have to repay bank loans even if there is no
production at all," said Idris of Pabna Rice Mill Owners' Association.
First Global Pesticide Runoff Map Shows Streams At Risk
LEIPZIG, Germany, February 27, 2015 (ENS) – The
application of insecticides poisons streams in roughly 40 percent of the global
land surface, new research reveals. Streams in the United States, the
Mediterranean, Central America and Southeast Asia are most at risk.These
findings are drawn from the first global map to be modeled on insecticide
runoff to surface waters, which has just been published in the journal
“Environmental Pollution” by an international team of scientists.
Application of pesticide on the
West Bank (Photo courtesy Helmholtz Center)
Until now the global extent of the potential water pollution from
the application of insecticides has remained largely unknown, according to the
authors, who are researchers from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental
Research and the University of Koblenz-Landau together with scientists from the
University of Milan, Aarhus University and Aachen University. “Our analysis
provides a global map of hotspots for insecticide contamination that are a
major risk for biodiversity in water bodies.
To our knowledge this is the first study that
assesses insecticide contamination of water bodies on a global scale,” says Professor
Dr. Matthias Liess from the Helmholtz Center, who serves on the scientific
advisory board for Germany’s National Action Plan on Sustainable Use of Plant
Protection Products.The authors estimate that about four million tons of
agricultural pesticides are applied annually around the world, equating to an
average of 0.27 kilograms per hectare of the global land surface.Pesticide
contamination of streams kills their invertebrate inhabitants such as insects,
crustaceans, snails and worms. These small creatures are often used as
indicators of the health of streams.“We know from earlier investigations that
pesticides can reduce the biodiversity of invertebrates in freshwater
ecosystems by up to 42 percent and that we can expect an increased application
of pesticides as a result of climate change,” explains Dr. Liess.
He warns also of an increase in the application of pesticides in
many developing countries as farmers switch from traditional agricultural
practices to more intensive ones.The researchers produced several world maps.
The vulnerability map only takes into account the geographic and climatic
background.The risk map shows the risks from this natural vulnerability through
human land use.“The risks of insecticide exposure to water bodies increased
significantly the further South one travelled on a North-South gradient in
Europe, North America and Asia, mainly driven by a higher insecticide
application rate as a result of higher average temperatures,” said Dr. Mira
Kattwinkel, a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and
Technology.
Because the economy and the population are growing rapidly in many
countries of the southern hemisphere, scientists expect a higher insecticide
application rate in those countries in the future to cover an increase in
agricultural production.Daily rainfall intensity, terrain slope, and
insecticide application rate play an equally important role as well as the
crops cultivated,” explains junior professor Dr. Ralf Schäfer from the University
of Koblenz-Landau.“In order to test such complex models, we therefore carried
out control measurements of insecticide contamination in freshwater ecosystems
from four different regions,” he said.In Southeast Asia, countries such as the
Philippines or Vietnam are greatly affected.
Helmholtz Center researchers are looking into solutions for such
regions together with the International Rice Research Institute, in an attempt
to reduce pesticide application rates.One approach could be to revitalize the functioning
of ecosystems so that the natural competitors of rice pests can help to avoid
their mass reproduction and subsequent harvest yield losses.In another
approach, buffer zones along the edges of water bodies where chemicals are not
applied can reduce the negative impacts of pesticides.The researchers intend to
use the global map to sensitize citizens and authorities about this issue in
vulnerable regions and to stimulate local investigations.
CME
Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
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CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for February 27
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APEDA Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on
26-02-2015
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APEDA Statistics
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More from this Week's Government
Affairs Conference
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Devant: 500
acres in Felicity for rice farming
By Joel Julien
joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Feb 26, 2015 at
9:51 PM ECT
FIVE hundred acres of land in Central Trinidad previously
earmarked to house a military hospital and support battalion for the
Trinidad and Tobago Regiment have now been approved for rice produc-tion, Food
Production Minister Devant Maharaj has said.The land has the potential of
producing some $6 million worth of rice, Maharaj said.Maharaj made the
announcement at the weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the
Prime Minister in St Clair yesterday.The land in question, which is located in
Felicity, Chaguanas, was previously owned by Caroni 1975 Ltd.
“Cabinet approved 500 acres of agricultural lands at Felicity,
Chaguanas, to be utilised by the Ministry (of Food Production) for rice
cultivation. Under the Ministry’s Food Production Action Plan 2012-2015, rice
has been identified as a key staple to betargeted for increased local
production,” Maharaj said.“One of the main approaches taken to ramp up this
production is to increase the land area under rice production by utilising all
available potential rice-growing areas,” he said.Maharaj said the area in
question was previously allocated to the Ministry of National Security but
because nothing has been done with it, Cabinet instead opted to hand the land
over to the Food Production Ministry.“The parcel of land formerly owned by
Caroni 1975 Limited was previously allocated to the Ministry of National Security
in 2006 for the establishment of the support and service battalion of the
Trinidad and Tobago Regiment and military hospital,” Maharaj said.
“However since then to now, no action has been taken with
respect to further development and the land remainedunderutilised,” he said.
Maharaj said the soil in the area is “ideally suited” for rice cultivation.“The
Ministry of Food Production has identified that the soil type in this area
consists of Frederick and Bejucal clays, which have been identified by soil scientists
as ideally suited for rice cultivation,” Maharaj said.“When brought into
commercial rice cultivation, this 500-acre parcel of land can produce some
2,800 tonnes of paddy or an equivalent of 1,700 tonnes of rice, valued at
approximately $6 million,” he said.
Maharaj said this will have a “significant impact” on the local
rice industry.“This will indeed have a significant impact on the local rice
industry and directly and indirectly through the various activities associated
with bringing these lands into full commercial rice production,” he
said.Maharaj said the Food Production Ministry was currently working with the
Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to rectify the water woes currently being
experienced by local rice farmers.
www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Devant-500-acres-in-Felicity-for-rice-farming-294305261.html
Armed militias in Karachi not acceptable: Nawaz
* PM says ongoing operation in Karachi will not be
abandoned half way; peace will be restored in city by 2018 * Power of gun rests
with government, not militants
February
27, 2015
KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif said on Thursday that armed militias in Karachi are not acceptable.
He said the ongoing operation in
the port city would not be left half way and would continue till its logical
end. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Ninth Expo Pakistan here, the
prime minister said the government was firm in eradicating militancy and had
decided to take solid steps to ensure peace in the country.
He said the ongoing operation in
the port city would not be left half way and would continue till its logical
end. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Ninth Expo Pakistan here, the
prime minister said the government was firm in eradicating militancy and had
decided to take solid steps to ensure peace in the country.
The prime minister said the
decisive moment had come to bring Karachi’s peace back and make the city free
from the hold of militants. “We are determined that the power of gun would rest
with the government, not with the militants,” he said. He vowed that Karachi
would soon be rid of major crimes including kidnapping for ransom.The prime
minister mentioned Zarb-e-Azb operation being successfully carried out in North
Waziristan, and said the decision for this operation should have been taken
much earlier. He said peace in the country would guarantee economic revival and
prosperity. To the foreign investors attending the Expo Pakistan, Sharif said
Pakistan was successfully encountering the spillover security challenges.
“Pakistan is swiftly been brought back to normalcy,” Sharif said and urged the
businessmen to set up industrial units in Pakistan and benefit from the
investment-friendly environment. The Prime Minister said Pakistan would
overcome its energy crisis by the end of 2017.
Nawaz Sharif Thursday said his
government was committed to make Pakistan the preferred destination for
business and hoped in next three years the country’s exports would rise to US
50 billion. Addressing the launch of Expo Pakistan, country’s biggest trade
fair, showcasing largest collection of Pakistan’s export merchandise and
services, he said that Pakistan was a land of business opportunities. “We offer
our foreign buyers a very competitive sourcing option. The captains of our
industry have carved out their niche in the world market due to their
production efficiencies and business ethics.”The Prime Minister said his
government was dedicated and committed to economic development of Pakistan.
“I and my team are actively engaged to bring
in long term reforms in socio-economic sectors of Pakistan. We are well aware
of the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and will do our utmost to
vindicate the trust reposed in us,” the Prime Minister said. He said owing to
consistent efforts, his government has succeeded in enhancing Pakistan’s
exports to its highest ever turnover of over US $ 25 billion during the fiscal
year 2013-14.
“I am sure our entrepreneurs will
maintain and further accelerate this growth momentum to achieve export level of
US$ 50 billion within three years,” the Prime Minister said.The Prime Minister
said that the government recently approved its Textile Policy, aimed at doubling
exports of textiles and clothing sector from existing US$ 13 billion to US$ 26
billion by the year 2019. He said that Asia was gradually emerging as the new
global economic hub and Pakistan was fortunate to be located in the high
economic growth neighbourhood. He said that Pakistan was currently not part of
this highly competitive economic growth activity but was fully resolved to
achieve a similar target. The prime minister particularly highlighted the
performance of Pakistani textile and apparel industry and said it was
considered amongst the world’s leaders.
The bed sheets, quilt covers,
T-shirts and jeans produced in Pakistan were sold at international leading
chain stores from discounters to upscale outlets and under leading brand names.
Prime Minister said that Pakistan has modern rice milling and processing
industry and its exotic Basmati rice has made its mark in the world market. All
these production advantages offer “unlimited business opportunities” that has
been aptly chosen as the slogan of EXPO Pakistan.
He said as an incentive to adding
profitability to business ventures, Pakistan has effectively negotiated the
bilateral, multilateral and pluri-lateral trading arrangements with many
regions and countries in the world enabling its products to enter the foreign
markets at lower tariffs. In this regard he mentioned the South Asian Free
Trade Agreement (SAFTA) that was in operation and aimed at liberalizing trade
with its South Asian neighbors.
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