Boosting trade ties with
Pakistan is important to our growth
BY JULIUS BITOK Updated Tuesday, July 21st 2015 at 05:57 GMT +3
Share this story: Kenya and Pakistan have long enjoyed strong diplomatic ties,
underpinned by robust commercial activities. Currently, trade between the two
countries is worth about Sh81.8 billion ($800 million) annually, with Pakistan
being a leading importer of Kenya’s tea, and more than 80 per cent of the rice
imported into Kenya coming from Pakistan. Data from the Kenya Bureau of
Statistics shows that in 2014, tea accounted for more than 95 per cent of total
exports from Kenya to the South Asian nation. Pakistan is the fourth-leading
destination for Kenya’s goods after Uganda, Tanzania and Britain. In 2013, we
exported goods worth Sh37.8 billion to Pakistan. And in 2014, the country was
the leading importer of our products in Asia, buying goods worth Sh47.7
billion, an increase of Sh9.9 billion over 2013.
Strategic deals Aside from tea, other high-potential export
commodities from Kenya to Pakistan include coconuts, dry nuts, mangoes, fresh
flowers and powdered milk. Pakistan can, through strategic deals, sell to Kenya
pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment, textiles, farm machinery and sports goods
at favourable terms. Several factors underpin trade between the two countries,
including a strong commitment from the two nations to grow their ties. This is
driven mainly by the fact that bilateral relations have become a key cog in
transforming the two economies. These bilateral relations have been sustained
by a raft of agreements. For instance, rice from Pakistan attracts 35 per cent
duty, while commodities from other markets face higher levies. On its part,
Pakistan imposes 5 per cent import duty on Kenyan tea.
See Also: The paradox of foreign investment in Kenya A second
reason our relations are bound to improve is the ongoing integration of East
African economies, which is shaping the region into a huge market for goods and
services. With a population of more than 100 million, the five-nation East
African Community is attracting investors from all corners of the globe.
Pakistani traders and investors have the opportunity to expand their engagement
with Kenya to gain a foothold in the region and cash in on its potential. Kenya
is East Africa’s financial and technology hub, and a gateway to the region,
with most imports and exports going through the busy Mombasa port. The
country’s position in East Africa, and its stature in Africa, was further
boosted by last year’s rebasing, which saw Kenya leap into middle-income status
and become the continent’s ninth largest economy, up from 12th.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000169890/boosting-trade-ties-with-pakistan-is-important-to-our-growth
9th SME FORUM TO BE HELD ON 25th AUGUST 2015 IN
LAHORE
Jul 18, 2015 | Thaver
Dear ALL,
We are pleased to inform you that the 9th Pakistan SME
Forum 2015 (www.shamrockconferences.net) will be held on August 25, 2015 in
Lahore. Organized in consultation with UNISAME and the support of the State
Bank of Pakistan, the SME Forum has evolved into an effective and strong
platform to promote the cause of SMEs in Pakistan.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND: Please register at
conferences@shamrockcom.net – Thank you
Menin Rodrigues
Chairman
9th Pakistan SME Forum 2015
Chairman
9th Pakistan SME Forum 2015
http://www.unisame.org/9th-sme-forum-to-be-held-on-25th-august-2015-in-lahore/
UCCE Rice
Production Workshop, July 24, Yuba City
Friday, July 24, 2015 • Yuba City, CA
The UCCE Rice Production Workshop covering the principles and
practices of rice production will be held July 24 in Yuba City, Calif.
The workshop location is The Refuge Restaurant, 1501 Butte House
Rd.
Agenda:
8:30 - Sign in, pick-up class material
9:00 - Introduction, workshop overview
9:10 - Rice growth and development
9:30 - Land formation, water management
9:50 - Tillage, planting, stand establishment
10:10 – Break
10:30 - Variety selection
11:00 – Invertebrates
11:30 – Diseases
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Fertility
2:00 - Weeds
3:00 – Adjourn
A $100 prepaid enrollment is required, and is limited to 75
people.
DPR and CCA continuing education credits requested.
For more information, contact UCCE Farm Advisor Cass Mutters at
(530) 538-7201 and rgmutters@ucdavis.edu.
http://westernfarmpress.com/ucce-rice-production-workshop-july-24-yuba-city?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+July+21%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
All private companies
allowed for C-Grade Thai rice auctions
All private companies allowed
for C-Grade rice auctions
BANGKOK, 22 July 2015 (NNT) –
The Minister of Commerce announced that all companies are allowed to bid in the
C-Grade in-stock rice auction, and has appointed the Permanent-Secretary to
inspect the government’s rice warehouses on Wednesday.
The Minister of Commerce Gen Chatchai Sarikulya has revealed that
the government’s auction on C-Grade in-stock rice will be open to all private
companies, including traders and millers. He added that the regulation and
agreements for private participation have already been clarified.
He mentioned that the in stock rice
must be inspected for fungi, and added that contaminated rice will also be
supplied to the industrial sector for energy production of ethanol or biomass,
due to the fact that contaminated rice cannot be consumed or used to feed
animals. Meanwhile, the Permanent-Secretary of Commerce Ministry is
set to lead the media to inspect the C-Grade rice warehouses on
Wednesday.C-Grade is a category that the rice grain quality has
deteriorated.The Minister of Commerce has added that the price of unmilled rice
is poised to rise from the current 10,000 baht, while the Department of Foreign
Trade has been ordered to discuss with rice exporters and millers to help push
the price of rice and to expanding rice exports during the later half of this
year.Rice exporters of Thailand are set to visit Africa during 25-30 July 2015,
to discuss more trade negotiations and cooperations with African rice importers.
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/all-private-companies-allowed-for-c-grade-thai-rice-auctions/108154/
PDS Scam: SC Asks
Ex-MLA to Move Chhattisgarh HC or Lodge FIR
Published: 20th July 2015 08:26 PM
Last Updated: 20th July 2015 08:28 PM
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today asked a former legislator and
others, who have sought a court- monitored CBI probe in alleged scam to the
tune of Rs 36,000 crore in the public distribution system in Chhattisgarh, to
either move the High Court or lodge an FIR in the case.A bench headed by
Justice T S Thakur, however, kept the petitions for hearing on July 27 and
asked the petitioners to provide more information in support of their
claims.Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state of Chhattisgarh,
vehemently opposed the pleas by terming them as the part of "political
vendetta".The bench, during brief hearing, also asked senior lawyer and
former Minister Kapil Sibal as to whether he was appearing in the case to
settle political score, saying "are you fighting political battle through
this?"
"I will leave the case if that is the impression. In fact,
two Congress people are also involved," Sibal responded.The bench, also
comprising Justices V Gopala Gowda and R Banumathi, asked about the petitioners
and directed them to go to the Chhattisgarh High Court or lodge an FIR and then
come to it, if nothing happens there.Referring to the Vyapam scam, Sibal said
that influential persons in the states were involved and the state police
cannot do justice to the investigation.He also referred to the alleged recovery
of a diary during the probe and said the names of various recipients of illegal
monies are mentioned.The bench then said "You (Sibal) know the fate of the
Jain Hawala diary.""This is a serious scam," Sibal said adding
that several persons have been made accused in it.The Attorney General alleged
that Sibal was not stating the complete facts of the case.One of the petitions
was filed by former MLA Virendra Pandey from Chhattisgarh seeking a court-monitored
probe into the alleged PDS scam.The Chhattisgarh anti-corruption bureau (ACB)
is probing the alleged irregularities in supply of rice through the PDS in the
state.
Pandey, in his plea, has sought transfer of the probe in
Chhattisgarh's PDS scam to the CBI, claiming that the PDS scam has
"engulfed Chhattisgarh casting a long and dark shadow over credibility and
integrity" of the government itself.The plea also claimed the recent
developments have shown that the investigation agency ACB has been carrying out
the probe "just in order to safeguard the main perpetrators of the crime
who happen to be high dignitaries of Chhattisgarh.""In the present
case, all the officials of Civil Supplies Corporation Raipur, Chhattisgarh from
field level to senior officers are involved in the illegal act of procuring,
transporting and storing of rice."These officers are misusing their
authority to illegally recover money from the rice millers during procurement
and transportation of rice and other food grains as well," it said.Under
PDS, essential commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene and salt and
other commodities notified by the State Government are sold to ration
cardholders through the Fair Price Shops at concessional rates.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/PDS-Scam-SC-Asks-Ex-MLA-to-Move-Chhattisgarh-HC-or-Lodge-FIR/2015/07/20/article2930781.ece
Rice prices to rise' amid
lower supply, high demand
Petchanet
Pratruangkrai
The
Nation July 22, 2015 1:00 am
The price of Thai rice is expected to climb steadily into next
year, mainly because of the impact of drought on the world market as well as
production in Thailand.However, there are still some factors that could
suppress the price including the world economy, the financial problems in some
countries, and the oil price, as it affects the purchasing power of some
rice-importing nations.The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) announced
yesterday that Thailand should be able to export between 9.5 million and 10
million tonnes of rice this year, as drought has increased demand in many
countries, while Thailand has plenty of rice stocks.
TREA president Charoen Laothamatas said Thailand should be able to
export at least 9.5 million tonnes of rice worth not less than US$4.77 billion
(Bt165 billion)."The drought will encourage higher rice prices in the
world market and domestically amid higher demand amid lower production in
Thailand and many countries. In Thailand alone, rice output is expected drop by
15-20 per cent or about 2 million to 3 million tonnes from the drought,"
he said.He said the price of rice had bottomed out and should increase in the
future after lower production, while higher demand by many importers such as
the Philippines and Indonesia. Thailand shipped 4.5 million tonnes of rice in
the first half, down by 1.1 per cent year on year. During the same period,
India shipped 4.24 million tonnes, while Vietnam exported 2.42 million tonnes.
The association expects the domestic rice price to be above Bt9,000
per tonne of white paddy in the second half, up from the current level of about
Bt8,500, while the export price for white rice should be above $400 a tonne, up
from $390 now. According to an updated "World Markets and Trade"
report released this month by the US Department of Agriculture, global rice
trading is expected to decrease slightly from 43.42 million tonnes last year to
43.72 million tonnes this year. World production will drop from 478.18 million
tonnes to 476.28 million tonnes, consumption will rise from 481.47 million
tonnes to 484.69 million tonnes, and global ending stocks will be lowered from
107.36 million tonnes in 2014 to 98.95 million tonnes this year.
Charoen said that with more demand but less supply of rice, it was
a good opportunity for Thailand to release rice from its stocks. The country
holds huge stockpiles of up to 15 million tonnes of rice, and releasing it now
should not drive down the price too much.However, there are still some worrying
factors that could hit the rice price. The European Union is still recovering
slowly from the last financial crisis, while declining oil prices in the world
market have lowered purchasing power in some rice-importing countries, mainly
Nigeria but also elsewhere in Africa and the Middle East.
Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the association, said
the baht's depreciation had stabilised the export price of rice. However, the
domestic price of paddy should increase soon as it has already bottomed out and
the drought should help drive it back up.To promote sustainable development of
the rice industry, the association urged the government to manage rice stocks
with high efficiency to ensure minimum impact on the market price of the grain.
The government should accelerate negotiations with its counterparts
in rice-importing countries for rice-sale contracts. It should promote Thai
rice overseas, especially Hom Mali rice (jasmine rice), and stabilise the baht,
as well as reduce obstacles or trade regulations and conditions on rice trading
to many markets.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Rice-prices-to-rise-amid-lower-supply-high-demand-30264932.html
Jute department seeks DoE’s help to stop polythene bag production
Abu Bakar
Siddique
The Department of Jute has sought the Department of
Environment’s help in stopping the production of polyethene or poly bags and
sacks in the country as it prepares to implement the Mandatory Jute Packaging
Act 2010.“We have sent a letter at the Department of Environment authorities
asking for their cooperation in stopping poly bag production, and we are going
to sit in a meeting in this regard soon,” said Mohammad Kefaetulla, director at
the Department of Jute.The environment authorities can help by not permitting
poly bag producers to produce the plastic bags and sacks which are used to
package rice, sugar, fertiliser and many other products, sources said.The
government enacted the jute packaging act in January last year aiming to revive
the jute industry, making it mandatory for the country’s agriculture sector to
make all kinds of packaging with jute material.The law says that paddy, rice,
wheat, maize, fertiliser and sugar must be packaged in jute bags. Violation of
the law will result in a maximum sentence of one year in jail or a fine of
Tk50,000 or both for using non-degradable synthetics to package commodities.
However, the government’s move to implement the Mandatory Jute
Packaging Act 2010 has stumbled due to lack of cooperation from rice mill
owners, the major instruments in implementing the act.Most of the rice mills in
the country are still using contraband plastic sacks that are also detrimental
to the environment.“Implementation of the act has been slow just because rice
mill owners, who are not interested in packing their products in jute sacks,
have been blocking the initiative,” Kefaetulla said last month.Asked about the
Department of Jute’s letter, Department of Environment Director General Raisul
Islam Mondal told the Dhaka Tribune that his department would lend all its
support to the jute sector.
The Department of Environment is the authority responsible to
issue environmental clearance to any kind of industry which produces industrial
goods, including poly bags.According to the Department of Jute, around 750
million jute bags are to be used annually and 50% of the jute production will
be consumed locally once the packaging act is implemented.Sources from
Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) claimed that the sector would regain
strengths overnight if only 20% of the businesses started using bags made of
“the Golden Fibre of Bengal.”Kefaetulla said rice millers use around 1.4
million synthetic sacks annually for packaging their products; if these sacks
could be replaced with jute sacks, it could make a significant difference.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/jul/21/jute-department-seeks-does-help-stop-polythene-bag-production
AP rice mills to stop supplies to
Consumer fed, Supply
Decision follows dues of over
Rs.100 crore
With dues from the State government crossing Rs.100 crore, rice
mills based in Andhra Pradesh have decided to stop supplies to the Kerala State
Cooperative Consumer Federation (Consumerfed) and the Kerala State Civil
Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) with immediate effect.At a press conference
here on Monday, general secretary of the Quilon Rice Brokers Association G.
Satheesh said the decision was taken by the East Godavari District Rice Millers
Association (EGDRMA).
No payment in 3 years
Payments had not been made for the past three years and the
arrears came to more than Rs.100 crore.Mr. Satheesh said that Kollam-based rice
brokers were the prime stockists of the AP-based rice mills in south Kerala and
that the press conference was called under directions from the EGDRMA. Supplies
for south Kerala reach Kollam by rail freight.Mr. Satheesh said the EGDRMA
representatives had met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other Ministers in the
past six months with requests for clearing of dues. But no payments were
made.The decision was not to supply rice to any State government
organisation.However, the EGDRMA had said that the situation would not lead to
shortage or price rise of rice in the open market.Rice would be supplied at the
existing rate to the open market. The AP rice millers had said that they had
ample buffer stock of rice and that if there was demand more rakes would be
despatched for the open market next month to meet the Onam-related demands.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:WO3Gu2AoLbAJ:www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ap-rice-mills-to-stop-supplies-to-consumerfed-supplyco/article7446089.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
PH rice sufficiency is desirable,
attainable
By | Jul. 21, 2015 at 12:01am
In articles written in another newspaper, a friend of mine who
has worked for both the government and the private sector has written about the
issue of whether a policy of self-sufficiency in rice makes economic sense for
this country.My friend’s position is that such a policy, which has been a
fixture in successive Philippine development plans, does not make economic
sense. By all means government plans should make generous provision for the
agricultural sector’s needs, he argued, but Filipino farmers should just do the
best thing they can and accept the idea of other countries supplying this
country’s annual rice supply shortfall. This country should not be despondent
over the fact that Filipino farmers are unable to supply all of the nation’s
rice needs and should simply strive to support the most efficient farmers. Rice
self-sufficiency, he concluded, should not be regarded as an inviolable goal.
With all due respect I disagree with my friend and colleague. My
inability to agree with him stems not from any obsession with the idea of rice
self-sufficiency but from a firm belief that this country has the capability to
produce all the rice it needs. It has approximately 3,000,000 hectares devoted
to rice and corn cultivation, around 50 significant rivers capable of providing
irrigation water, abundant technology—the world’s leading rice research
facility, the International Rice Research Institute, is located in this
country—a government agricultural extension structure and adequate supplies of
basic farm inputs. With all of these availabilities, it is extremely difficult
to comprehend the Philippine rice industry’s inability to produce grain
sufficient to meet this country’s requirement.
My economist colleague was correct in pointing out that the
rice-growing areas of the Philippines are not of equal productive capability
and that the same amount of investment will yield a higher output in some
rice-growing areas than in others. An agricultural policy that invests
resources in--and expects high outputs from--both premier and marginal
rice-growing areas is thus bound, in his view, to result in
failure.Self-sufficiency is attainable, but the rational path to that result is
not the unselective expenditure of resources but the concentration of spending
on rice-growing areas with the highest yields per unit of investment. These
areas have already been identified by government agricultural experts.They
include the Cagayan River valley (especially Isabela), the Bicol River basin,
Quezon, Mindoro, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Central Mindanao. These areas
still have fertile soil and are well drained by rivers. They are the best
rice-growing areas in the nation.
The concept of the government agricultural planners was that
these high-productivity areas would supply the rice needs of the surrounding
provinces, viz., Iloilo would take care not only of that province’s needs but
also of the needs of all the Panay Island provinces and the Bicol River basin
would answer for the needs of the Bicol provinces.The administration of
Ferdinand Marcos has the right approach to maximizing the benefits from foreign
assistance to Philippine agriculture. It agreed with the foreign donors that
each of them would answer for the investment requirement of a specific
rice-growing area.
Thus, it was agreed that USAID (the United States Agency for
International Development) would answer for the investment requirement of the
Bicol River basin, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) would take
care of the financial needs of Central Mindanao, and so on. The Department of
Agriculture, with the full support of Neda (National Economic and Development
Authority) made certain that the concept would be successfully implemented.Rice-sufficiency
in this country is not pie in the sky. It is achievable. But the way to get
there is not by constantly deriding the notion--citing other nations’ thriving
rice industries--but by more judicious use of national resources available for
Filipino rice farmers.
E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/07/21/ph-rice-sufficiency-is-desirable-attainable/
PH says private
traders apply to import 300,000 T rice
Reuters
Posted
at 07/21/2015 11:35 AM
MANILA - Private rice traders in the Philippines are seeking to
import around 300,000 tonnes of the staple food, mostly from Vietnam and
Thailand, an official of the state grains procurement agency told Reuters on
Tuesday.The volume is a little more than a third of the maximum 805,200 tonnes
that traders can import with 35 percent tariff before the Nov. 30 deadline, but
will nonetheless help boost domestic supply at a time local harvest is
seasonally weak.The Philippines, a major rice importer, has been boosting
buffer stocks to keep retail prices stable especially during the traditional
lean harvest season starting this month."Maybe the entire volume will not
be taken considering that importers are not interested to buy from other
countries like China, Australia, India, Pakistan (and) El Salvador," said
Piolito Santos, manager at NFA's Grains Marketing Operations department.
Traders have until July 30 to apply to import rice with quality not lower than 25 percent broken.Rice export prices in Thailand, the world's second-biggest supplier after India, extended gains last week on concerns that a drought may cut domestic output, while demand from private Philippine firms has also pushed up prices in No. 3 exporter Vietnam.Under the guidelines, traders can import up to 293,100 tonnes each from Thailand and Vietnam, up to 50,000 tonnes each from China, India and Pakistan, 15,000 tonnes from El Salvador and the rest from any other countries.The NFA has so far bought a total of 550,000 tonnes from Vietnam and 200,000 tonnes from Thailand in government-to-government deals this year.The agency also has permission from President Benigno Aquino to import an additional 250,000 tonnes if a drought brought on by the El Nino weather phenomenon intensifies and hurts local rice production.Latest government data show local rice prices have fallen around 5 percent from a year earlier, when the retail costs shot up dramatically due to damage to supply chains from Super Typhoon Haiyan in late 2014 and the government's failure to import additional volumes on time.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/21/15/ph-says-private-traders-apply-import-300000-t-rice
SunRice tests farmer
shareholder support for listing
·
ELI
GREENBLAT
·
THE
AUSTRALIAN
·
JULY 21,
2015 8:30AM
SunRice has had ‘very positive
response’ to the potential capital structure. Picture: Andy Rogers
SUNRICE, one of Australia’s last
remaining export monopolies, has begun a poll of its farmer shareholder base as
it gauges support for plans to list its shares on the stock exchange and invite
new investors to its register.
If the SunRice board gains approval
from A-class and B-class shareholders for a capital restructure, the company
could list on the ASX by the end of the year.The business handles about
700,000-800,000 tonnes of rice a year on behalf of farmers, as well as selling
other snack foods under the Always Fresh label.The move follows a string of
agricultural businesses floating on the market including Murray Goulburn, Australia’s
largest dairy company, which raised $500 million in fresh equity in a partial
ASX float. The Australian recently reported that cooking legend Maggie Beer
planned to list her food business.A shift from the illiquid National Stock
Exchange to the ASX would create a sizeable new company for the main board.
Last financial year, SunRice posted
sales of $1.25 billion and an after-tax profit of $43.42m, up 46 per cent. As
part of its journey to the ASX, SunRice has conducted rounds of briefings with
its farmer and investor shareholders and will now conduct a phone poll to test
the level of support for a capital restructure and listing.SunRice chairman
Laurie Arthur said the group had received a “very positive response” to the
potential capital structure, which would preserve grower shareholder control.
“This new structure represents a
significant opportunity to change the way we fund SunRice’s growth and build
an Australian-controlled food company of scale that can compete in global
markets to benefit all growers and shareholders,” Mr Arthur said. “As we
approach the final stages of the capital structure review, feedback from our
shareholders will be crucial in informing whether or not we move forward with
the new structure and bring it back to shareholders to vote on.”
Under a proposal before investors,
existing B-class shares would become B preference shares held by a new SunRice
fund, which would be listed on the ASX.The fund would then issue B securities
that could be traded on the ASX and give holders economic rights including
dividends. Shareholder growers with A-class shares would preserve their control
of the company.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/sunrice-tests-farmer-shareholder-support-for-listing/story-fnkeqfxg-1227450359711
Prolonged Thailand drought threatens
global rice shortage
Prolonged drought in Thailand may lead to a
shortage in world rice supply if adaptation methods to raise rice production are not taken,
scientists warn. The drought is putting pressure on Thailand’s
economy, the word’s largest rice exporter. Although the nation’s Royal
Irrigation Department has estimated rainfall in late July, farmers have been
advised to delay planting until August to meet water demands for
public consumption.
Shaobing Peng of Huazhong Agriculture University in China
believesclimate change is now affecting the seasonal weather
in Thailand. “Global mean surface air temperature has increased by
0.5 degree Celsius in the twentieth century and will continue to increase by
1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius this century. We need to think of more holistic
and adaptive measures aside from drought
management such as heat-resistant seeds,” adds Peng, a former senior crop
physiologist at the International Rice Research Institute.
He says, as an added pressure, world rice production will have
to increase by one per cent annually to meet the increasing demand for
the commodity. To adapt to climate change, the Thai government has initiated plans to
introduce drought-resistant seeds. But these seeds are not reusable and can be
costly to poor farmers who are not receiving direct financial aid. Government-supplied seeds are
also limited, forcing farmers to obtain their seeds from
private suppliers.
With 60 million rai (960,000 hectares)
of land reserved for paddy still barren, many farmers are resorting to
secondary crops to make sufficient income. “Farmers are aware of
climate change and they have been complementing their crop production with
sugarcane, cucumber, long beans and tilapia. Their main source of income still
comes from rice yields, and with only 10 per cent of farmers receiving
government-funded seeds, it still leaves the majority saving their seeds from
the previous year,” says Jintana Kawasaki from the United
Nations University. Thailand’s rice production problems also have
economic and political ramifications. Although agriculture production only
accounts for nine per cent of the country’s GDP (gross domestic product),
majority of the population rely on agriculture for food and income. In 2014,
rice exports accounted for 1.3 per cent of GDP. Rice exports declined
drastically in 2011 when then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s
administration introduced a price support programme.
The policy managed to boost rural
income in the short term as the government bought grains from farmers, boosting
domestic prices. This resulted in a decline in the value of rice exports, from
200 billion Thai baht in 2011 (US$6 billion) to less than US$4.4 billion
in 2012. “The situation for Thailand’s rice export industry is
improving but they are facing competitors from neighbouring countries which
offer cheaper prices,” says Luxmon Attapich, senior country economist at the
Asian Development Bank’s Thailand resident mission.
The Economic Intelligence Center, the research centre for Siam
Commercial Bank, predicts that Thailand’s economic growth forecast might be 0.4
per cent lower this year due to the drought.
http://www.eco-business.com/news/prolonged-thailand-drought-threatens-global-rice-shortage/
Jigawa communities welcome Dangote's proposed rice
project
By Innocent Senyo
July 20, 2015 18:27:35pm GMT |
WorldStage Newsonline-- Jigawa
State Government and host communities have expressed support for the
Dangote Rice project expected to be the largest in Africa. They gave their
backing for the take off of the project during a series of town hall
sensitization meetings with management of the Dangote Rice Farming
Limited.According to the farming plan released during a sensitization town hall
meetings with some host communities by the Dangote Rice farming Limited, the
rice project at Kaffin Hausa has a five year plan to achieve between 175,000
and 200, 000, hectares of rice grown twice a year.The communities specially
expressed satisfaction and delight at the choice of their area for the project
just preparations commenced in the state which is one of the states,
where the company, for a start, is cultivating 600 hectares of land for
commercial rice farming by November.
Jigawa state government was
particularly excited at the Out-Grower part of the plan that would see Dangote
Rice helping farmers with implements to cultivate and grow rice which would
also be bought from them by Dangote rice, a project, the state government would
compliments its agenda of job creation and poverty reduction at the grassroots
in the state.Already, multi million dollars worth state of the arts equipment
for the commencement of the rice project is expected in a location in Kaffin
Hausa local government area of Jigawa state for the project with potentials of
thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities.The rice project has a plan
to follow a due process for the development of the 20,000 hectares of land for
rice farming in order to produce and sell high quality parboiled rice in the
Nigerian market
Management of the Company, led by
Alhaji Mohammed Bello said the Dangote Rice project has the objective of
becoming the leaders in rice farming in the world and also boost the Nigerian
economy, encourage self sustainability and import substitution in rice.He said
the that company was set to reduce importation of rice into Nigeria by
investing to become the largest farming operations in the world by 2020 with
excess of 150,000 hectares of land spread around three to five states.According
to him, Dangote Rice Company will produce and sell one million tons of high
quality parboiled rice within the next five years and at the same time
supporting and developing Nigerian rice farmers through the out-grower plan
that will generate employments.
The management of the Company
expressed appreciation to the government of the state for its willingness to
come to the aid of the company to ensure a smooth the off of the project.While
meeting with the communities and some of those whose settlements fall within
the government reserved area earmarked for the project, Bello pleaded for
maximum co operation of the people to realize the project, describing the
decision by Alhaji Dangote to delve into the project as laudable.He promised
that the people would experience a new dawn in all areas of their life as a
people as the Company would be ready to give them a new lease of life better
than they are currently experiencing.
The sensitisation meeting has
taken the Company and state government officials to some 15 communities
including, Ciyayi, Gafaya, Wiwi and Auno villages in Kaffin Hausa local
government area of the state. Community leaders, described the rice
project as a transformation project that they could not but support.They urged
Dangote Rice company to put machinery in motion and commence cultivation as the
project would provide thousands of jobs for their youths who usually abandon
the communities for big cities like Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Kano in search of
better living.
They assured that the Project would
be safe and that Dangote could go and sleep because they would do all within
their power to protect and make it flourish.In his remark, Alhaji Hamisu Sabo,
the Director of Jigawa Investment, an investment agency of the state
government, said the state government “has been encouraging and supporting
Dangote Rice project because it is a project that will make a difference in the
lives of the people of the state.”He stated that the decision to establish the
rice project in Jigawa was a boost to the development agenda of the new
government in the state, pointing out that job creation and poverty reduction
are a cardinal objectives of the state government agenda.
http://worldstagegroup.com/index.php?active=news&newscid=23475&catid=30
AP EDA INDIA (News)
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PH says private
traders apply to import 300,000 T rice
Reuters
Posted
at 07/21/2015 11:35 AM
MANILA - Private rice traders in the Philippines are seeking to
import around 300,000 tonnes of the staple food, mostly from Vietnam and
Thailand, an official of the state grains procurement agency told Reuters on
Tuesday.The volume is a little more than a third of the maximum 805,200 tonnes
that traders can import with 35 percent tariff before the Nov. 30 deadline, but
will nonetheless help boost domestic supply at a time local harvest is
seasonally weak.The Philippines, a major rice importer, has been boosting
buffer stocks to keep retail prices stable especially during the traditional
lean harvest season starting this month."Maybe the entire volume will not
be taken considering that importers are not interested to buy from other
countries like China, Australia, India, Pakistan (and) El Salvador," said
Piolito Santos, manager at NFA's Grains Marketing Operations department.Traders
have until July 30 to apply to import rice with quality not lower than 25
percent broken.
Rice export prices in Thailand, the world's second-biggest
supplier after India, extended gains last week on concerns that a drought may
cut domestic output, while demand from private Philippine firms has also pushed
up prices in No. 3 exporter Vietnam.
Under the guidelines, traders can import up to 293,100 tonnes
each from Thailand and Vietnam, up to 50,000 tonnes each from China, India and
Pakistan, 15,000 tonnes from El Salvador and the rest from any other
countries.The NFA has so far bought a total of 550,000 tonnes from Vietnam and
200,000 tonnes from Thailand in government-to-government deals this year.
The agency also has permission from President Benigno Aquino to
import an additional 250,000 tonnes if a drought brought on by the El Nino
weather phenomenon intensifies and hurts local rice production.Latest
government data show local rice prices have fallen around 5 percent from a year
earlier, when the retail costs shot up dramatically due to damage to supply
chains from Super Typhoon Haiyan in late 2014 and the government's failure to
import additional volumes on time
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/21/15/ph-says-private-traders-apply-import-300000-t-rice
Rice Wednesday is Back in
Mexico
If it's Wednesday,
it's U.S.-grown rice!
MEXICO
CITY, MEXICO -- The popular USA Rice "Rice Wednesday" promotion is
underway here at La Chilanguita, a chain with 11 restaurants in high traffic
areas in Mexico City and Mexico State, including its most popular location,
Masaryk, the most exclusive area in Mexico City. The promotion began last month and runs through
December. Patrons of La Chilanguita can choose between four rice entrees: Arroz
a La Tumbada (a dish from Veracruz combining rice and seafood), Arroz Frito
(fried rice), Morisqueta (a spicy rice dish from Michoacán) and paella. The restaurant reports the most popular rice
dish, generating many repeat visits, is the USA Rice paella. So popular, in fact, the managers of several
locations have chosen to serve the paellas with U.S.-grown rice on Sundays as
well.
Angel Donovan, Executive Chef of La Chilanguita, enjoys working
with U.S.-grown rice. He included a popular rice ceviche from his restaurant in
the USA Rice "Great Chefs" cookbook in 2014 and has appeared on the
Arroz Gourmet TV Shows.
"Since the promotion started, it has inspired me to create new
rice dishes to include in the daily suggestions, and the most popular options
will become a staple on the menu," Donovan said.
La
Chilanguita purchases nearly 1,500 pounds a month of U.S. long grain and
parboiled rice from Schettino, one of the largest millers/packers in Mexico.
Contact: Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457
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CME
Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
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Riceland Class Visits USA Rice
Headquarters
Riceland Getting In-Depth at USA Rice ARLINGTON, VA-- Rice farmers
from Arkansas taking part in the Riceland In-Depth program visited USA Rice
headquarters yesterday for a briefing on the structure and work of the U.S.
rice industry's national association. The class met with USA Rice staff for a
briefing on government affairs, trade, promotion and communications activities.
In welcoming the group, USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward
stressed the importance of education and engagement for young rice farmers
through programs like Riceland In-Depth.
"I commend you for taking part in this program and being
proactively informed on the issues that affect you as rice farmers," Ward
said. "Those are the issues USA Rice is here to work on every day, and we
appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in person."
The group's study session in Washington, D.C. also included
meetings with administration officials and congressional offices.
Contact: Trish Alderson
(703) 236-1472
Government allows bulk exports of rice bran oil,
removes quantitative restrictions
By
PTI | 21 Jul, 2015, 11.30PM IST
The
government allowed bulk exports of rice bran oil and removed quantitative
restrictions on out-bound shipments of organic edible oils.NEW DELHI: The
government today allowed bulk exports of rice bran oil and removed quantitative restrictions on out-bound shipments of
organic edible oils. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has
approved the Commerce Ministry's proposal to "allow unrestricted exports
of rice bran oil in bulk", sources said. It removed the "quantitative
restrictions of 10,000 tonnes per annum on exports of organic edible
oils", they added. Although India is a major importer of edible oils, the
Centre has allowed bulk exports of rice bran oil to help small rice millers
realise better price as demand of this cooking oil remains limited in the
domestic market. India imports over 10 million tonnes of vegetable oil --
largely edible -- annually, which is some 60 per cent of the country's total
demand. Edible oil exports have been prohibited since March 17, 2008. Certain
exemptions have been allowed from time to time.
The government has now decided to allow bulk exports of rice bran oil, considered as premium edible oil with limited consumption in India, without any restrictions of minimum export price or consumer packs, sources said, adding that this would not increase the cost of rice. Industry body Solvent Extractors Association Executive Director B V Mehta welcomed the move. He said, "This would help rice farmers as well as the country in realising full potential in this segment. India produces one million tonne (mt) of rice barn oil, but we have capacity to reach 1.6 mt." On organic edible oils, the quantitative restrictions have been lifted to send a clear message to investors and the growers to invest in organic exports. The exports will be subject to export contracts being registered and certified as 'organic' by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/government-allows-bulk-exports-of-rice-bran-oil-removes-quantitative-restrictions/articleshow/48165144.cms
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