UNISAME DEMANDS PROMPT INCLUSION OF RICE SECTOR IN 0 RATING
Jun 10, 2016 | thaver
The
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged the federal commerce
minister engineer Khurram Dastagir to use his good office and influence the
federal finance minister (FM)Ishaq Dar to comprehend the need for 0 rating the
rice sector urgently to enable compete in global market and regain lost
markets.President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver has pointed out that the SME rice units and SME farmers are in jeopardy due to high cost of production mainly because of heavy levies on farm inputs, poor logistics and orthodox systems of cultivation, irrigation and harvesting. As a result more than 1000 units have closed down.
The yield per acre is much lower than neighboring countries due to various factors such as inferior seeds and deteriorating soil. There are no new seed varieties and insignificant research on seeds.
Rice exports is the second largest foreign exchange earner and if facilitated with access to finance, insurance to enable exports to third world countries and 0 rating the rice sector for all taxes and levies the exports will double and the sector would again be able to stand on its feet to meet the challenges.
Thaver said we fail to understand why the FM did not include the rice sector for 0 rating in the budget and why he is unable to comprehend the turmoil and hardships the sector is under going due to decline in global buying and also due to no proper financial agreement with Iran which is major buyer of our super basmati rice.
Our super basmati growers, millers, processors and exporters have suffered at the hands of our main competitor due to lack of government support. The commerce ministry needs to examine the shortcomings and play its role to revive the exports of super basmati or in future the farmers will not grow this variety and it will become extinct.
Basmati is our heritage and considered the best rice in the world due to its aroma, taste, length and look and deserves the best attention of the government and Pakistan cannot afford to ignore the lost position under any circumstances.
UNISAME has also urged the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) chairman Shahid Rashid to look into the geographical indication (GI) issue and the registrar of trade marks to declare the basmati trademark in favour of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) as a state entity and resolve the matter in the best interest of the nation.
The SME rice farmers, millers, processors and exporters expect the government to take the rice sector seriously and resolve the issues failing which the rice sector will suffer irreparable loss.
A stitch in time saves nine and the stakeholders have reiterated their demand for prompt positive steps to save the white and parboiled rice industry
http://www.unisame.org/unisame-demands-prompt-inclusion-of-rice-sector-in-0-rating/Ramazan Package attracts huge customers at Utility Stores
City ReporterIslamabad—Outlets of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) of twin cities, witnessed a virtual frenzy of consumers at the advent of holy month of Ramazan for buying essential items at discounted prices.The government had announced Rs 1.75 billion subsidy on 22 items, to be available at all outlets of USC across the country, in order to facilitate people during the holy month.The items included wheat flour, cooking oil, Ghee, sugar, pulses, gram, gram flour, dates, rice, beverages, tea, and syrups, etc.The substantial decrease in prices of essential items under the Ramazan Package of the government has attracted crowds of buyers, especially from the middle- and lower-middle income group who were out to buy specially wheat flour, sugar, Ghee, cooking oil and gram flour.
People, specially for lower income group, have appreciated the government for announcing a Ramazan Package of Rs.1.75 billion for providing relief to the people specially the common man.Manager of Utility Super Store, G-9 Markaz, Anwar Zaib told media that the sale of the store, had witnessed over 500 per cent surge after the implementation of Ramazan Package.
He said that arrangements had been made to provide the discounted items to the people throughout the holy month of Ramazan.
“There will be no shortage of goods at the stores in Ramazan,” he added.
However, a buyer at a utility store in Sadiqabad area of Rawalpindi told this scribe that sugar was not available at the store which was the main kitchen item during Ramazan.
When the manager of the branch was asked about the shortage of sugar, he said that 25 bags, each containing 50 kilogram of sugar, was unloaded in the Wednesday morning but due to high demand, the stock was sold within 3 hours.
Under Ramazan Package utility Ghee, oil is available from Rs 115-125 per kg, compared to 125-175 per kg market prices, Dall Channa is being sold at Rs 120 per kg compared to 150-160 per kg in the open market, Dall Moong (washed) on Rs 148 per kg compared to Rs170-180 per kg while Dall Mash (washed) is available on Rs 273 per kg compared to Rs 280-290 per kg in the market.
Similarly, Dall Masoor is being sold at Rs115 per kg compared to Rs160-180 per kg in the market, white gram at Rs115 per kg compared to Rs160-180 per kg in the market, gram flour at Rs120 per kg against Rs155-160 per kg, black gram at Rs 110 per kg against Rs140-145 per kg, Sella broken at Rs40 per kg compared to Rs55-60 per kg whereas mash shell per kg is available at Rs258 compared to Rs270-280 per kg.
Likewise, Masoor (whole) is being provided at Rs120 per kg against Rs145-155 per kg, dates at Rs.160 per kg against 200-240 per kg, Rice (super basmati) at Rs 72 per kg against Rs 80 to 100 per kg, rice (super sella) at Rs72 per kg against Rs80-100 per kg, broken rice is available at Rs48 per kg against Rs55-60 per kg, squashes and syrups (1500ml) at Rs.265 against Rs295, squashes and syrups (800ml) at Rs152 against Rs170, black tea at Rs.603 per kg against Rs.690 per kg, milk (tetra pack) at Rs. 102 liter kg against 110 per liter while all USC spices are available on 10 percent discount.
Meanwhile, Minister for Industries and Production, Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi in a statement said that the subsidy package of USC was an effort to frustrate designs of some elements who are involved in raising the prices of commodities during the holy month.
He said that the government was committed to providing relief to the people, adding that the Ramzan Package had been initaited by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif back in 1990s and was followed by the successive governments.
The minister said that he would personally visit USC outlets to addresses certain issues and specific grievance of the public in terms of quality and cost of USC items.
The Minister asked media persons that to bring it to his notice any complaint regarding the prices and quality of items at the USC outlets for immediate action
http://pakobserver.net/2016/06/09/ramazan-package-attracts-huge-customers-at-utility-stores/
India Agri Business Fund invests Rs 100 crore in Parijat Ind
PTI | Jun 9, 2016, 05.32 PM IST
New
Delhi, June 9 () Rabobank-promoted private equity fund 'India Agri Business
Fund II' has invested around Rs 100 crore in agrochemical firm Parijat
Industries to acquire a minority stake.Rabo Equity Advisors, the investment advisors for PE fund 'India Agri Business Fund II', announced an "undisclosed investment" into Parijat Industries to acquire minority stake.
Sources said that an investment of about Rs 100 crore has been made in Parijat Industries.
This is the second investment by India Agri Business Fund II, Rabo Equity advisors said in a statement.
The first investment, which was also of about Rs 100 crore, was announced last week in Cremica Food Industries.
India Agri Business Fund II is a USD 200 million private equity fund targeted at expansion/growth of Indian food and agri-business companies in India across the value chain.
The fund sponsored by Rabobank along with pedigreed anchors namely CDC Group and Asian Development Bank.
Commenting on the investment, Rabo Equity Advisors CMD Rajesh Srivastava said that it expects Parijat to be a leading agrochemical player in the high potential sector.
"We are especially excited at the company's export forays and new products expected to be launched in the domestic market over the next few years," he added.
Parijat is looking to achieve sales of Rs 1,500 crore by 2021 and also expand its domestic distribution network to 10,000 retail points in three years from 4,500 at present.
"Our team at Parijat is committed to exponentially growing its domestic presence besides the international footprint. We are delighted to have Rabo Equity as our partner and hope to leverage their extensive domain knowledge and global outreach in the food and agri sector," said Keshav Anand , Chairman & Managing Director, Parijat Industries.
Rabo Equity Advisors currently advises two
funds in India, IABF I and IABF II. India Agri Business Fund I, a USD 120
million fund which is invested in 10 companies across sectors like
biotechnology, warehousing, edible oils, dairy and basmati rice. MJH MKJ
Rabo's agri PE fund picks up equity in Parijat Industries
Parijat is looking to achieve sales of Rs 1500 crore by 2021 and also expand its domestic distribution network to 10,000 retail points in three years
BS
Reporter | Mumbai June 9, 2016 Last Updated at 18:14 IST
MFs cut allocation to Maruti Suzuki by 25 bps
FUND PICK: UTI Equity Fund Fund Pick: Axis Long Term Equity Fund Green equity
fund eyes global players Equity account addition for funds at 17-month low
•
Rabo Equity Advisors, Investment Advisors for
India Agri Business Fund, has picked up a minority stake in Parijat Industries,
Parijat said in a note. Although, the note is silent on amount invested,
sources said, total amount comes to Rs 100 crore. Parijat is an Indian
agrochemical player with extensive global presence in 70 countries, 6
international offices, exclusive distribution networks in India, Russia and the
CIS and West Africa. Parijat is looking to achieve sales of Rs 1500 crore by
2021 and also expand its domestic distribution network to 10,000 retail points
in three years from 4,500 at present, thereby expanding its presence throughout
the country.
Rabo's India Agri Business Fund II is a $200
million private equity fund targeted at Indian food and agribusiness companies.
It is sponsored by Rabobank along with its anchors CDC Group and Asian
Development Bank. This is the second investment by the fund, with the first
investment announced last week in the food condiments sector.Rabo Equity
Advisors'first fund is the size of $120 million which has invested in 10
companies across sectors like biotechnology, warehousing, edible oils, dairy
and basmati rice. Some of the existing portfolio companies are Prabhat Dairy,
LT Foods and Vacmet. Rabo Equity has an exclusive knowledge sharing agreement
with Rabobank which gives it an unfettered access to the vast knowledge pool
and network of Rabobank.
Rabo
Equity invests $15 mn in Parijat Industries
BY PTI
Rabobank-promoted private equity fund 'India
Agri Business Fund II' has invested around Rs 100 crore in agrochemical firm
Parijat Industries to acquire a minority stake.Rabo Equity Advisors, the
investment advisors for PE fund 'India Agri Business Fund II', announced an
"undisclosed investment" into Parijat Industries to acquire minority
stake.Sources said that an investment of about Rs 100 crore has been made in
Parijat Industries.
This is
the second investment by India Agri Business Fund II, Rabo Equity advisors said
in a statement.
The first investment, which was also of about
Rs 100 crore, was announced last week in Cremica Food Industries.
India Agri Business Fund II is a USD 200
million private equity fund targeted at expansion/growth of Indian food and
agri-business companies in India across the value chain.
The fund sponsored by Rabobank along with
pedigreed anchors namely CDC Group and Asian Development Bank.
Commenting on the investment, Rabo Equity
Advisors CMD Rajesh Srivastava said that it expects Parijat to be a leading
agrochemical player in the high potential sector.
"We are especially excited at the
company's export forays and new products expected to be launched in the
domestic market over the next few years," he added.
Parijat is looking to achieve sales of Rs 1,500
crore by 2021 and also expand its domestic distribution network to 10,000
retail points in three years from 4,500 at present.
"Our team at Parijat is committed to
exponentially growing its domestic presence besides the international
footprint. We are delighted to have Rabo Equity as our partner and hope to
leverage their extensive domain knowledge and global outreach in the food and
agri sector," said Keshav Anand, Chairman & Managing Director, Parijat
Industries.
Rabo Equity Advisors currently advises two
funds in India, IABF I and IABF II. India Agri Business Fund I, a USD 120
million fund which is invested in 10 companies across sectors like
biotechnology, warehousing, edible oils, dairy and basmati rice
Making Ghana net rice exporter; 2020 looms large
Government has said it is poised to cut the rice import bill of
about US$600million and make the country net exporter by 2020, and there is no
time to waste.When he visited Scotland in March, President Mahama told
parliamentarians there that “We’ve taken rice from the production of 30 to 60%
as I speak and so gradually we’re reducing rice import to Ghana”.Current
production is said to hover around 290,000metric tonnes whilst, according to
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Ghanaians, in 2014,
consumed a total of 754,698 metric tonnes of rice, with imports making up 52
per cent. Smuggling was not accounted for.
The USDA forecasted in January 2015 that between October 2014 and September 2015, Ghana would import 600,000 metric tonnes of rice to augment the country’s needs.A number of challenges stand in the way of the country’s ambitious attempt at reversing the over-importation of a commodity that has overtaken other traditional meals as a staple, especially in urban areas.
Challenges
The Food and Agriculture Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Limuna argues that efforts at increasing local rice production to curb over-reliance on importation of the commodity is being undermined by lack of adequate infrastructure—specifically rice processing mills—in rice-producing communities of the country
For the 2014/15 farming season, farmers in the three northern regions had thousands of bags of rice locked up in warehouses due to the unavailability of mills to process the commodity, a situation that compelled the farmers to use manual means of rice processing which do not meet market standards.Ghanaian consumers often cite the presence of stones and paddy rice in locally produced rice, aside price, as the reason they opt for imported brands.
According to the Minister, the situation is an impediment to government’s quest to motivate rice farmers into boosting local production of the commodity to cushion food security, aside from robbing the farmers of their primary source of livelihood.He said: “Lack of rice-processing plants in the Northern Region is making it difficult to produce to feed the nation and produce quality rice that meets market specifications.The few in the region are defunct—a situation that has compelled government to continue spending huge sums of money to import similar goods to meet demands of the population. This is affecting income generation of the local rice farmers, aside from discouraging most of the farmers from venturing into the rice sector only to incur debt.”
There are also other production constraints, such as land tenure problems, removal of subsidy on inputs, absence of water control systems which consequently leads to high-risk and non-intensive cropping practices.Other problems include low yields and low profitability, reduction of the productive capacity of the soil, coupled with over liberalization of rice trade in Ghana.Locally cultivated rice is often unattractive to prospective buyers or consumers, and sometimes not available to them at all.Rice is important to the country’s economy and agriculture, accounting for nearly 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The rice producing area totals about 45% of the total area planted to cereals. The rice sector is an important provider of rural employment.
Imported rice is also perceived to be of better quality than local rice and thereby reported to command higher prices.Esoko, a company the promotes the use of telecommunications in the agri value-chain, reports, however, that the price of imported rice saw a continuous reduction of about 20 percent in February.Its Ghana Commodity Index attributes the decline in the price of imported rice to an increase in demand for local rice by consumers.Gov’t strategic policies for rice
Government has said its strategy is to focus on some of the bottlenecks along the rice value chain that have inhibited the growth of the rice industry.The strategy is targeting improvements in seed systems, fertilizer marketing and distribution system, harvesting access and maintenance system and research and technology dissemination.Others include community mobilization, farmer-based organisation and credit management system, as well as monitoring and evaluation.According to Dr. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, for effective and comprehensive implementation of the strategy and its proposed interventions, it had become necessary to revise the document to include emerging issues facing the sector, so it would be an organic document.
He said since it was launched in 2010, it had been one of the documents guiding rice development in Ghana, as many areas identified in the strategy document were being applied by some stakeholders in their operations.He said a number of interventions had been designed, focused on areas which include; rice sector support project with emphasis on the development of water harvesting and regulatory structure supported by AFD, rice seed scaling project, supported by USAID, improvement and scaling up of the system of rice intensification in Ghana supported by World Bank.
Other interventions are; West Africa seed programme supported USAID/West Africa, Enhanced Access to quality rice seed initiative supported by World Bank/, EDAIF sponsored rice project, preparation of the rice seed road map, supported by CARD, inland valley rice development project supported by AfDB and the Nerica Rice Dissemination project supported by AfDB
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Making-Ghana-net-rice-exporter-2020-looms-large-446046
Scientists trying to tweak photosynthesis to boost rice yields
Coimbatore, June 9:
How does
one get a better yield of the paddy? By supercharging its photosynthesis, hope
researchers at the International C4 Rice Consortium. The researchers are trying
to make rice plants switch to a more efficient C4 pathway during photosynthesis
— the process by which plants produce food — instead of following the usual C3 pathway.
“Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere into sugar using sunlight. In most plants, including rice, carbon
dioxide is first fixed into a compound with three carbon atoms. This is
commonly referred to as C3 pathway,” said Paul Quick, C4 Rice Centre,
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines.
C4
photosynthesis involves alterations to biochemistry, leaf anatomy and cell
biology and makes the photosynthetic process more efficient. It leads to the
formation of a four-carbon compound, thus minimising the loss of carbon
dioxide, Quick explained.
But how
does this help? In hot summers, particularly in drought-like conditions, there
can be a drastic reduction in the carbon dioxide being converted into sugar,
due to an energy-intensive process called photorespiration. Plants that solely
depend on the C3 pathway for carbon fixation face negative effects of
photorespiration, including the loss of carbon dioxide.
“The C4
pathway has a number of inherent benefits: such as increasing the yield by up
to 50 per cent (in C4 plants), doubling water-use efficiency, enhancing
nitrogen efficiency by 260 per cent and improving radiation-use efficiency by
50 per cent,” said Quick. He was speaking on the sidelines of a seminar, ‘Development
of C4 Rice: Progress and Prospects, organised by the Centre for Plant
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
The
TNAU, informed sources say, intends to be one of the many global partners of the
consortium in developing C4 rice, an IRRI project that is funded by the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Incidentally,
Quick visited the TNAU facility here to review the capacity and the initial
research undertaken by the varsity’s scientists.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/tnau-gearing-up-to-become-a-part-of-c4-rice-consortium/article8709300.ece
Asia Minute: Drought Hits Regional Rice Prices
Credit Wikipedia Commons
Continuing
drought conditions in parts of Asia have hit farmers and livestock producers
for months. And now there are signs that parched weather is translating to
higher prices for rice. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
Listen
Listening...
1:27
It may
not show up in your plate lunch just yet, but the global price of rice is on
the rise. The Nikkei Financial Review reports the cost of rice from
Thailand is up nearly 20% from the start of the year….its biggest jump in eight
years.Overall, global rice prices are rising more slowly….but some futures contracts are approaching levels last seen nearly a year and a half ago. This is one more situation you can blame on the weather---the top three rice exporters in the world have all been suffering from drought. That includes India, Thailand and Vietnam….which together account for nearly 60% of the global rice trade, according to the International Grains Council. The end result may be the first decline in world rice production since 2010.
Rice consumption is also changing—at least in some parts of Asia. South Koreans now eat less than half the amount of rice they did thirty years ago. That news came from the South Korean government this week…which reports the per capita break down means the average Korean now consumes a little less than two bowls of rice a day. One side effect: more rice available for export. The Yonhap news agency reports South Korean rice was exported to China earlier this year….for what Yonhap says is the first time in history
http://hawaiipublicradio.org/post/asia-minute-drought-hits-regional-rice-prices
Paddy fields vanish in Kerala’s rice bowl
‘Palakkad district has lost 1,03,980 hectares in last 4 decades’
Though
Palakkad district is still considered the traditional rice bowl of Kerala, its
paddy fields are vanishing at an alarming rate with farmers taking to other
lucrative crops and the real estate mafia altering the land-use patterns.
According to studies done by the geography department of the Government College
in Chittur, near here, the district has lost 1,03,980 hectares of paddy fields
in the last four decades.
The
decline in paddy cultivation and large-scale reclamation of traditional rice
fields have started adversely affecting groundwater availability in the
district. As paddy fields can regulate atmospheric temperature to some extent,
study by the department attributes the increasing daytime temperature in
Palakkad district to large-scale reclamation of paddy fields.
“The
district had 1,83,181 hectares of rice fields in the beginning of the 1970s. At
present, it has hardly 79,201 hectares. Even the Kerala Conservation of Paddy
Land and Wetland Act of 2008 to conserve paddy fields has failed to arrest the
trend,” said Richard Scaria, an assistant professor with the department.
Dangerous trend
“Though
rice fields in Palakkad constitute hardly 38.51 per cent of the acreage under
paddy cultivation, it still accounts for 62 per cent of rice production in the
State,” he said. As per surveys conducted by the department, about 25 hectares
of rice fields are reclaimed every year to cultivate cash crops and to convert
to real estate. If the trend continues, paddy fields in Palakkad will
“disappear” in another 35 years.
Lack of
government support, delay in release of procurement price, climate change
impact, and change in land-use patterns are preventing farmers from continuing
with paddy cultivation.
Besides,
there is a growing preference among farmers for ginger cultivation. Rice fields
are being leased out to farmers from outside the State to cultivate ginger.
Real estate lobbies buy paddy fields from farmers at cheap rates and convert
them to housing plots. “The farmers are forced to sell the fields owing to loss
in paddy cultivation,” says farmers’ leader Muthalamthode Mani.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/paddy-fields-vanish-in-keralas-rice-bowl/article8710604.ece
On day 2, monsoon makes steady progress along West Coast
Insat satellite image at 14.00 IST.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 9:
The
South-West monsoon has maintained steady progress along the West Coast of the
country a day after its onset was declared over Kerala.
The
primary atmospheric features that determine the health of the monsoon system
are intact, and the prognosis is that they will continue to remain so during
this weekend and into the next.
The
offshore trough off the Kerala-Karnataka coast persisted and gave a good
account of itself in driving heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala during
the 24 hours ending Thursday morning.
The
offshore trough is forecast to be in good shape until June 16, up to which date
forecasts are available.
Good spread
Rain occurred at most places in Kerala and Lakshadweep. Heavy to very heavy rainfall reports have come in from Vaikom and Enamackel (12 cm each) Piravom (11 cm); and Nilambur and Kakkanadu (10 cm each) in Kerala.
Rain occurred at most places in Kerala and Lakshadweep. Heavy to very heavy rainfall reports have come in from Vaikom and Enamackel (12 cm each) Piravom (11 cm); and Nilambur and Kakkanadu (10 cm each) in Kerala.
According
to the Met, the monsoon covered the whole of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and most
parts of Coastal Karnataka on the second day.
Seasonal
rains have also entered more parts of South Interior Karnataka, some parts of
Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The
northern limit of the monsoon passed through Honnavar, Anantapur and Ongole.
Progression of the monsoon indicates that more areas of the peninsula will come
under its footprint in quick time.
Rains
are expected to cover the whole of Coastal Karnataka, southern parts of Konkan and
Goa, North Interior Karnataka, more parts of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra
Pradesh during the next two days.
An
outlook from the Thiruvananthapuram Met office said that heavy (7-11 cm) to
very heavy (12-20 cm) rainfall is likely at one or two places in Kerala until
Friday morning.
Squally weather
Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 45-55 km/hr and gusting to 60 km/hr is likely along and off the Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep until Friday afternoon. Fishermen have been advised to be cautious.
Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 45-55 km/hr and gusting to 60 km/hr is likely along and off the Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep until Friday afternoon. Fishermen have been advised to be cautious.
On
Thursday, a cyclonic circulation located off the Karnataka-Goa coast was more
or less intact.
Global
models have put this under close watch for any signs of intensification.
However,
a counterpart circulation in the Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh and
Odisha coasts has weakened.
It has
been replaced by a fresh circulation over the North Bay of Bengal and
Bangladesh, which might help keep the Bay of Bengal ‘arm’ of the monsoon in
contention
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/monsoon-advances-into-more-parts-of-karnataka-andhra-pradesh/article8709632.ece
Thai NLA approves draft law on rice reserves
[google-translator]
NLA
approves draft law on rice reservesBANGKOK, 10 June 2016 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has given a nod to a bill that would allow for the establishment of a regional organization on rice reserves in Thailand.
NLA members today convened their meeting to deliberate a draft law in support of operations of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Secretariat which had earlier been passed by the vetting committee. The draft law mandates that the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Secretariat be set up in Thailand as proposed by the country.
The main objective of the bill is to build reserves of rice for consumption in times of emergency and for distribution within the ASEAN Plus Three grouping as part of humanitarian assistance, thereby ensuring food security within the region. If enacted, the draft law would also provide convenience for related officials who are foreigners in traveling in and out of Thailand while performing their duties.
After deliberation, 178 members of the legislature voted for the bill while four others abstained.
— NNT 2016-06-10
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thai-nla-approves-draft-law-on-rice-reserves/144935/
Inaccurate Reporting Raises
Unsubstantiated Concern for U.S. Rice in Mexico
By Jim Guinn
P
rice check aisle 2
|
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - There was a
story today online that Mexico had reduced tariffs to zero for all types and
forms or rice regardless of origin. This story was inaccurate.
When the Secretariat of Economy
re-imposed duties on Asian origin rice in December 2014, the government of
Mexico reserved the right to set up a global tariff rate quota system (TRQ) for
basic food products, including rice.
A Presidential decree posted in the
official newspaper of the government of Mexico, Diario Oficial,
indicated a TRQ would be established for rice and several other food products
at a zero tariff to counter price spikes or supply issues related to those
commodities.
This gives the Mexican government
the flexibility to allow duty free access of imports under a TRQ system, should
they decide at some future date that high rice prices require such
action.
This decree, however, is just the
first step in a process of establishing the TRQ. The next step is
actually fleshing out the TRQ mechanism that must also be submitted to the
Federal Regulatory Improvement Commission (COFEMER) before being published for
public comment in the Diario Oficial explaining in full how the TRQ
would operate. This process takes time.
The third step is actual imposition
of the TRQ which would be up to the government of Mexico and would only be
utilized in situations where the availability or access to such products is inadequate,
to ensure sufficient supplies of affected commodities in the market.
U.S. rice and South American
origins already enter the market duty free. USA rice, with the help of
colleague at the Mexican Rice Council and the U.S. Embassy here will continue
to monitor the situation.
Making Ghana net rice exporter;
2020 looms large
When he visited Scotland in March, President Mahama told parliamentarians there that “We’ve taken rice from the production of 30 to 60% as I speak and so gradually we’re reducing rice import to Ghana”.
Current production is said to hover around 290,000metric tonnes whilst, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Ghanaians, in 2014, consumed a total of 754,698 metric tonnes of rice, with imports making up 52 per cent. Smuggling was not accounted for.
The USDA forecasted in January 2015 that between October 2014 and September 2015, Ghana would import 600,000 metric tonnes of rice to augment the country’s needs.
A number of challenges stand in the way of the country’s ambitious attempt at reversing the over-importation of a commodity that has overtaken other traditional meals as a staple, especially in urban areas.
Challenges
The Food and Agriculture Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Limuna argues that efforts at increasing local rice production to curb over-reliance on importation of the commodity is being undermined by lack of adequate infrastructure—specifically rice processing mills—in rice-producing communities of the country
For the 2014/15 farming season, farmers in the three northern regions had thousands of bags of rice locked up in warehouses due to the unavailability of mills to process the commodity, a situation that compelled the farmers to use manual means of rice processing which do not meet market standards.
Ghanaian consumers often cite the presence of stones and paddy rice in locally produced rice, aside price, as the reason they opt for imported brands.
According to the Minister, the situation is an impediment to government’s quest to motivate rice farmers into boosting local production of the commodity to cushion food security, aside from robbing the farmers of their primary source of livelihood.
He said: “Lack of rice-processing plants in the Northern Region is making it difficult to produce to feed the nation and produce quality rice that meets market specifications.
The few in the region are defunct—a situation that has compelled government to continue spending huge sums of money to import similar goods to meet demands of the population. This is affecting income generation of the local rice farmers, aside from discouraging most of the farmers from venturing into the rice sector only to incur debt.”
There are also other production constraints, such as land tenure problems, removal of subsidy on inputs, absence of water control systems which consequently leads to high-risk and non-intensive cropping practices.
Other problems include low yields and low profitability, reduction of the productive capacity of the soil, coupled with over liberalization of rice trade in Ghana.
Locally cultivated rice is often unattractive to prospective buyers or consumers, and sometimes not available to them at all.
Rice is important to the country’s economy and agriculture, accounting for nearly 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The rice producing area totals about 45% of the total area planted to cereals. The rice sector is an important provider of rural employment.
Imported rice is also perceived to be of better quality than local rice and thereby reported to command higher prices.
Esoko, a company the promotes the use of telecommunications in the agri value-chain, reports, however, that the price of imported rice saw a continuous reduction of about 20 percent in February.
Its Ghana Commodity Index attributes the decline in the price of imported rice to an increase in demand for local rice by consumers.
Gov’t strategic policies for rice
Government has said its strategy is to focus on some of the bottlenecks along the rice value chain that have inhibited the growth of the rice industry.
The strategy is targeting improvements in seed systems, fertilizer marketing and distribution system, harvesting access and maintenance system and research and technology dissemination.
Others include community mobilization, farmer-based organisation and credit management system, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
According to Dr. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, for effective and comprehensive implementation of the strategy and its proposed interventions, it had become necessary to revise the document to include emerging issues facing the sector, so it would be an organic document.
He said since it was launched in 2010, it had been one of the documents guiding rice development in Ghana, as many areas identified in the strategy document were being applied by some stakeholders in their operations.
He said a number of interventions had been designed, focused on areas which include; rice sector support project with emphasis on the development of water harvesting and regulatory structure supported by AFD, rice seed scaling project, supported by USAID, improvement and scaling up of the system of rice intensification in Ghana supported by World Bank.
Other interventions are; West Africa seed programme supported USAID/West Africa, Enhanced Access to quality rice seed initiative supported by World Bank/, EDAIF sponsored rice project, preparation of the rice seed road map, supported by CARD, inland valley rice development project supported by AfDB and the Nerica Rice Dissemination project supported by AfDB
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Making-Ghana-net-rice-exporter-2020-looms-large-446046
PhilRice pushes six new flood-tolerant rice varieties
posted June 09, 2016 at 12:01 am by
Ferdie G. Domingo
Dr. Norvie Manigbas, head of the PhilRice’s plant breeding and biotechnology division, named the submergence-tolerant varieties as PSB Rc14, Rc68, NSIC Rc9, Rc222, PSB Rc18, NSIC Rc194.
Manigbas said PSB Rc14, Rc68, NSIC Rc9 and Rc222 stand 100 centimeters at most and have strong stems that can endure strong winds of between 40 to 60 kilometers per hour.
The PhilRice official said rain-fed areas are prone to flooding and the varieties suited for these are PSB Rc18 (Ala), which can withstand 5-7 days of complete submergence; NSIC Rc194 (Submarino 1), which can survive, grow and develop even after 10-14 days of complete submergence; and PSB Rc68 (Sacobia), a submergence-tolerant and a drought-resistant variety.
Rc222 yields up to 10 tons per hectare, while Rc18 yields a maximum of 8.1 tons per hectare. Rc194 yields 3.5 t/ha., Rc14 6.1 t/ha., and Rc68 4.4 t/ha.
Manigbas said what is phenomenal is that when submerged during the vegetative stage, these varieties can recover, with farmers getting maximum harvests even under stressful conditions.
He also asked farmers to reduce fertilizer application, adding that while fertilizers are beneficial to plants, they may cause lodging when used in high amounts.
“Fertilizers cannot be maximized, as there is a limited amount of sunlight during the rainy season. Depending on soil analysis results and recommended nutrient requirement rates, it is better to reduce fertilizer application rates by 20-30 percent in wet season,” Manigbas explained.
For rainfed crops, he encouraged farmers to practice synchronous planting in their communities as this reduces incidence of pests and diseases in a specific area and minimizes yield loss.
Manigbas explained that in the case of irrigated lowlands, land preparation should be done at the onset of heavy rains so that fields are well-soaked in water. Levees and dikes should be repaired to avoid water loss.
Farmers can use the “dapog” (wet bed) method for seed establishment depending on field conditions.
PhilRice also suggests proper drainage to avoid flooding, the use of machines during land preparation, harvesting, threshing, and drying to save time and labor.
“Time is vital during the wet season especially during harvest. As the rain usually comes in the afternoon, we suggest the use of combine harvester to hasten harvesting operations. If it is unavailable, farmers can use reaper and collect the straws for threshing,” he said.
Manigbas emphasized the importance of finishing field operations in the shortest possible time to prevent yield loss.
The PhiliRice official also recommended drying of palay in flatbed dryers and on nylon nets or canvas for easier turnover when the rain comes.
“The general rule is to harvest and thresh the crop within a short period of time and dry the seeds to a desired moisture content [usually 14 percent],” Manigbas noted.
New foundation seed facility nears completion
The $8.6 million facility will be part of the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart. Glenn Bathke, program director at the center, said the new facility will be key in making varieties of rice, soybean and wheat foundation seeds, developed by UofA division of Ag researchers, available to seed companies for purchase.
Photo Courtesy of the University of ArkansasThe
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's new Foundation Seed
Facility in Stuttgart is scheduled to go into full operation in August.
· By
Ryan McGeeney
UofA Division of Ag
UofA Division of Ag
Posted Jun. 8, 2016 at 9:32 AM
STUTTGART
Agricultural research and extension in Arkansas
will soon take a great stride forward as the University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture prepares to open its new Foundation Seed Facility for
operation in early August.
The $8.6 million facility will be part of the
Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart. Glenn Bathke, program director
at the center, said the new facility will be key in making varieties of rice,
soybean and wheat foundation seeds, developed by UofA division of Ag
researchers, available to seed companies for purchase.
“This is a giant leap forward from our original
seed processing facility, which was built in 1951,” Bathke said. “It’s much
safer and efficient."
The facility will manage the certified
foundation seeds produced by the UofA Division of Ag, which require inspections
throughout the entire process, from the field to the point of sale, Bathke
said. The facility will be capable of processing as much as 250 bushels of seed
an hour, including pre-cleaning, cleaning, sizing and other steps in ensuring
the high quality of as many as 25 varieties of seed each year.
“We’ll be able to handle more varieties as
well, so we can keep our seed portfolio updated much more effectively,” Bathke
said.
Bathke said technicians for machinery involved
in the seed handling process are currently onsite to help manage the
installation process. There is still plenty of work to be done before the
scheduled Aug. 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony, he said, but things are moving
according to plan.
Tours of the facility will be included as part
of the 2016 Arkansas Rice Expo, taking place Aug. 10, based at the Grand
Prairie Center in Stuttgart.
For more information about the 2016 Arkansas
Rice Expo, contact the Rice Research and Extension Center at (870) 673-2661.
Fast Facts:
• New facility capable of cleaning, sorting and
storing dozens of varieties of rice, soybean and wheat foundation seeds
• Facility scheduled to open Aug. 9
• Facility tours will be part of 2016 Rice Expo
in Stuttgart
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20160608/NEWS/160609773
Why Indonesia may not buy 1 mn tonnes (mt) of rice from India
Not only is FCI’s price likely to be uncompetitive, it may not be able to ensure timely delivery which is a ‘must’ for Indonesia
By: Tejinder Narang | Updated: June 9, 2016
12:45 PM
Indonesia/BULOG has purchased non-basmati rice in the past from Indian private exporters, as shown in the accompanying table.There have been many news reports of an upcoming G2G export deal between India and Indonesia, of 1 million tonnes (mt) of non-basmati rice from the stocks of FCI through one of the PSUs-either STC or MMTC. The buyer is Indonesia’s state-run logistics agency, BULOG, which undertakes annual imports of 1.5-2 mt of rice for meeting any supply-demand mismatch and stabilising the domestic price. Barring a few exceptions, most of Indonesia’s rice imports are from Thailand and Vietnam.
Indonesia/BULOG has purchased non-basmati rice in the past from Indian private exporters, as shown in the accompanying table.The experience of the private trade in dealing with the rigid and inflexible terms of BULOG was very challenging and almost all traders either suffered a loss of profit or outright loss after the deal was carried out. Under Indonesian contracts:
> the delivery schedule (arrival of rice at the discharge port) is very sacrosanct,
> any late arrival of the ship at the destined port may be rejected outright for acceptance and then the entire cargo may have to be offloaded at another country or re-consigned to Indian ports even if the establishment of letter of credit is delayed by the buyer in favour of the seller, and
> quality is checked by BULOG inspectors at the load port and then again cargo condition is reviewed at discharge ports before releasing final 10% payment, notwithstanding furnishing of 10% performance bank guarantee by the seller. In short, 20% payment is subject to deductions at buyer’s choice for lack of compliance to any of the contractual terms.
BULOG, being a governmental agency, has no discretion in relaxing the agreed terms, unless force majeure is justified and accepted.
Therefore, BULOG’s standard terms of contract must be minutely studied for their implications before India proceeds with any export agreement.
FCI normally carries 25% broken non-basmati white rice, while the Indonesians prefer 10%-15% broken rice. So, unless the government directs FCI to upgrade stocks-which will cause the price to shoot up sharply from its current cost of $486/tonne or R32,670/tonne ex-warehouse. Upgrading one million tonnes of grain through domestic rice millers is a humongous exercise and scheduling or synchronising it with an export contract is a taxing job.
With upgradation and re-bagging, the cost of FCI rice will rise to beyond-$500/tonne, plus port-handling costs and shipping freight, while Indian private trade will be able to supply at $368 fob/tonne (around R25,000/tonne) in Kakinada and a freight of $25/tonne, or at $393/tonne. Thai and Vietnam fob values (around $360/tonne fob) will compete with Indian private quotes, given the advantage of freight rates lower by about $10/tonne. Pakistan, too, is in the fray, quoting 15% broken rice at $365/tonne fob.
Commercially, it doesn’t make any sense for BULOG to ink a deal with FCI at such uncompetitive prices. There is no competent Indian authority to subsidise rice exports from government holdings when the private sector can export without any such subvention. India’s annual exports of non-basmati rice have been at 7-8 mt in the recent past, with basmati rice shipments at 3.5-4 mt. Its private trade (totalling 11-11.5 mt) is one of the largest in the world. (The global rice trade is approximately 42 mt.)
Domestic procurement is the forte of FCI, while it has never been exposed to rice exports directly. All exports of FCI in 2000-05 were through private trade or through PSUs who also retained privates as back-to-back parties. In this instance, though MMTC/STC may be directly dealing with BULOG as the contractual party, they too will depend upon the (in)efficiency of the FCI. All the links in the chain-FCI, PSUs and BULOG-are government agencies and thus carry the least potential for flexibility when any complications crop up in the course of deal-implementation/shipment.
In 2010 and 2011, Bangladesh approached India for FCI rice of about 0.5 mt, to be supplied through a PSU. FCI’s response was that the buyer may arrange to lift grain from their stocks on an “as is where is basis” at economic cost while other parties-Indian PSUs and and the Bangla government-take care of the rest. “As is where is” means that quality and specifications are not guaranteed by FCI. Despite intervention from the highest level of the government and multiple visits of Bangla officials to India, the talks failed. No contract could be signed.
Considering FCI doesn’t have the rice of the specification BULOG desires, and the price of what it offers will be much higher than that of rice from competing origins like Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and Indian private trade, too, why would any party, let alone BULOG, shell out more than $100/mt higher, that too on account of Indian local taxes, storage costs and other incidentals. Furthermore, BULOG, being a very reputed procurement agency, is fully aware of the nuances of dealing with Indian PSUs-the selection of a vendor for upgrading, re-bagging, local transportation will only follow a long-drawn tender process.
Any buyer would require a seller with a good track record of performance; even more so in this case, as availability of food grain in Indonesia is critical for socio-political reasons. No purchaser will dare to take a chance if the timely delivery of grain of an acceptable quality is doubtful. Will the G2G rice-deal with Indonesia even take off? That is the big question.
The author is a grains trade analyst
Why Indonesia may not buy 1 mn tonnes (mt) of rice from India
Not only is FCI’s price likely to be uncompetitive, it may not be able to ensure timely delivery which is a ‘must’ for Indonesia
By: Tejinder Narang | Updated: June 9, 2016
12:45 PM
Indonesia/BULOG has purchased non-basmati rice in the past from Indian private exporters, as shown in the accompanying table.
There have been many news reports of an upcoming G2G export deal between India and Indonesia, of 1 million tonnes (mt) of non-basmati rice from the stocks of FCI through one of the PSUs-either STC or MMTC. The buyer is Indonesia’s state-run logistics agency, BULOG, which undertakes annual imports of 1.5-2 mt of rice for meeting any supply-demand mismatch and stabilising the domestic price. Barring a few exceptions, most of Indonesia’s rice imports are from Thailand and Vietnam.Indonesia/BULOG has purchased non-basmati rice in the past from Indian private exporters, as shown in the accompanying table.
The experience of the private trade in dealing with the rigid and inflexible terms of BULOG was very challenging and almost all traders either suffered a loss of profit or outright loss after the deal was carried out. Under Indonesian contracts:
> the delivery schedule (arrival of rice at the discharge port) is very sacrosanct,
> any late arrival of the ship at the destined port may be rejected outright for acceptance and then the entire cargo may have to be offloaded at another country or re-consigned to Indian ports even if the establishment of letter of credit is delayed by the buyer in favour of the seller, and
> quality is checked by BULOG inspectors at the load port and then again cargo condition is reviewed at discharge ports before releasing final 10% payment, notwithstanding furnishing of 10% performance bank guarantee by the seller. In short, 20% payment is subject to deductions at buyer’s choice for lack of compliance to any of the contractual terms.
BULOG, being a governmental agency, has no discretion in relaxing the agreed terms, unless force majeure is justified and accepted.
Therefore, BULOG’s standard terms of contract must be minutely studied for their implications before India proceeds with any export agreement.
FCI normally carries 25% broken non-basmati white rice, while the Indonesians prefer 10%-15% broken rice. So, unless the government directs FCI to upgrade stocks-which will cause the price to shoot up sharply from its current cost of $486/tonne or R32,670/tonne ex-warehouse. Upgrading one million tonnes of grain through domestic rice millers is a humongous exercise and scheduling or synchronising it with an export contract is a taxing job.
With upgradation and re-bagging, the cost of FCI rice will rise to beyond-$500/tonne, plus port-handling costs and shipping freight, while Indian private trade will be able to supply at $368 fob/tonne (around R25,000/tonne) in Kakinada and a freight of $25/tonne, or at $393/tonne. Thai and Vietnam fob values (around $360/tonne fob) will compete with Indian private quotes, given the advantage of freight rates lower by about $10/tonne. Pakistan, too, is in the fray, quoting 15% broken rice at $365/tonne fob.
Commercially, it doesn’t make any sense for BULOG to ink a deal with FCI at such uncompetitive prices. There is no competent Indian authority to subsidise rice exports from government holdings when the private sector can export without any such subvention. India’s annual exports of non-basmati rice have been at 7-8 mt in the recent past, with basmati rice shipments at 3.5-4 mt. Its private trade (totalling 11-11.5 mt) is one of the largest in the world. (The global rice trade is approximately 42 mt.)
Domestic procurement is the forte of FCI, while it has never been exposed to rice exports directly. All exports of FCI in 2000-05 were through private trade or through PSUs who also retained privates as back-to-back parties. In this instance, though MMTC/STC may be directly dealing with BULOG as the contractual party, they too will depend upon the (in)efficiency of the FCI. All the links in the chain-FCI, PSUs and BULOG-are government agencies and thus carry the least potential for flexibility when any complications crop up in the course of deal-implementation/shipment.
In 2010 and 2011, Bangladesh approached India for FCI rice of about 0.5 mt, to be supplied through a PSU. FCI’s response was that the buyer may arrange to lift grain from their stocks on an “as is where is basis” at economic cost while other parties-Indian PSUs and and the Bangla government-take care of the rest. “As is where is” means that quality and specifications are not guaranteed by FCI. Despite intervention from the highest level of the government and multiple visits of Bangla officials to India, the talks failed. No contract could be signed.
Considering FCI doesn’t have the rice of the specification BULOG desires, and the price of what it offers will be much higher than that of rice from competing origins like Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and Indian private trade, too, why would any party, let alone BULOG, shell out more than $100/mt higher, that too on account of Indian local taxes, storage costs and other incidentals. Furthermore, BULOG, being a very reputed procurement agency, is fully aware of the nuances of dealing with Indian PSUs-the selection of a vendor for upgrading, re-bagging, local transportation will only follow a long-drawn tender process.
Any buyer would require a seller with a good track record of performance; even more so in this case, as availability of food grain in Indonesia is critical for socio-political reasons. No purchaser will dare to take a chance if the timely delivery of grain of an acceptable quality is doubtful. Will the G2G rice-deal with Indonesia even take off? That is the big question.
The author is a grains trade analyst
Narok residents ask for reduction of alcohol price in 2016/17 budget
By Citizen Reporter, Citizen Digital
Published on 8 June 2016
Speaking in Narok, the residents said basic needs such as food and education have become more expensive than expected, resulting in heavier financial burdens to common wananchi.They further called for the reduction in the taxation and price of alcohol to allow common wananchi to afford the leisure drink and combat the sale of killer brews.They also called for greater allocation to infrastructure to ensure roads are kept in good condition, which they say will translate to more earnings from tourism and agriculture sectors.
The residents also feel that teachers who
contribute a lot to the country’s GDP should have a salary increase to match
other civil servants.They further noted that corruption should be eliminated,
with those implicated facing prosecution for their crimes.On education, those
interviewed by Citizen Digital expressed hope that free education would be
actualized with proper funding, adding that second hand clothes should also be
zero rated to boost the industry and make them affordable.The residents decried
wastage of human resources, saying that some functions are performed by both
the national government and county governments, saying this duplication of
roles should be eliminated.
They are also hoping for creation of more jobs
with this new budget, saying unemployment has resulted in an increase in the
crime rate.
Other people called for greater fund allocation
to conservation of the environment and water sources saying they should be
prioritized.The residents also blamed politicians for empty promises on
important projects during campaigns that continue to hurt the county’s economy.Finance
CS Henry Rotich is expected to present an historic 2.2 Trillion 2016-2017 Kenya
budget which comes barely 15 months to the General Election.Elsewhere, Rice
farmers in Mwea, Kirinyaga County have urged the government to increase duty on
imported rice in this year’s budget.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Mwea
Rice Growers Multipurpose SACCO Chairman Pius Njogu Kathuri, raised
concern over cheap rice imports in the country that are negatively impacting
the price of rice from local rice growers.The government should increase import
duty on rice, so that the rice that is being grown by Mwea farmers and other
rice farmers gets a market,” said Kathur
TNAU gearing up to become a part of C4 Rice consortium
June 9, 2016:
The
International C4 Rice Consortium is working towards improvement in rice yield
by engineering the rice plant photosynthesis. The supercharged process called
C4 photosynthesis is expected to boost plants’ growth by capturing
carbon-dioxide and concentrating it in specialised cells in the leaves.
"This
would allow the photosynthetic process to operate much more efficiently than
they do now. C4 photosynthesis involves alterations to biochemistry, leaf
anatomy and cell biology," Paul Quick, C4 Rice Centre, International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, said.
The
consortium is striving to switch rice from using the C3 photosynthetic pathway
to a more efficient C4 pathway.
"C4
pathway has a number of inherent benefits such as increasing the yield up to 50
per cent (in C4 plants), doubling water use efficiency, enhancing nitrogen
efficiency by 260 per cent and improving radiation use efficiency by 50 per
cent," he explained on the sidelines of a seminar on "Development of
C4 Rice: Progress and Prospect", organised by the Centre for Plant
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Explaining
the concept of C3, C4 pathways, he said: "Photosynthesis is the process by
which plants convert cabon-dioxide from the atmosphere into sugar using
sunlight. In most plants, including rice, carbon-dioxide is first fixed into a
compound with three carbon atoms. This is commonly referred to as C3 pathway.
The
enzyme that fixes carbon-dioxide into sugar can also react with oxygen in an
energy wasting process known as photorespiration. Photorespiration occurs when
temperatures soar, under conditions of drought - causing a dramatic reduction
in the carbon-dioxide that is converted into sugar. Plants that solely depend
on C3 pathway for carbon fixation face negative effects of photorespiration,
including wasteful loss of carbon-dioxide.
Instead
of direct carbon fixation like in C3 pathway, the C4 pathway involves steps to
bind with the carbon-dioxide to form 4 carbon compounds. This will help
minimise loss of carbon-dioxide," Quick explained.
The
consortium is working with many partners globally towards development of C4
rice. The project is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Foundation to
IRRI.
TNAU,
according to informed sources, wants to be a part of this consortium. Quick
incidentally visited the facility here to see the capacity and the initial
research undertaken by the farm varsity scientists.
(This article was published on June 9, 2016)
No immediate need for rice importation for PHL — Piñol
Published June 8,
2016 10:06pm
By TED CORDERO, GMA News
The Philippines has ample rice supply for the
next three and a half months, according to incoming Department of Agriculture
(DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.
“I was assured by the National Food Authority
(NFA) that there is no need for us to import additional rice as of the moment,”
Piñol told reporters in a briefing on Wednesday.“I was informed by (NFA) that
we have a buffer stock good for 103 days.”The incoming DA chief noted that the
rice stocks were kept by the NFA, private millers (commercial warehouses), and
households.
Piñol also gave credit to outgoing Secretary
Proceso Alcala for the decrease in the volume of imported rice.“In fairness to
him (Alcala)...in fact, the importation of rice has significantly lowered from
a high of 2.4 million metric tons, this year we are only projected to import
about 1.8 million metric tons,” he said.The incoming DA chief said they will
also oversee areas affected by the El Niño phenomenon like Mindanao.
The Philippines is among the biggest rice
importers in the world, according to the US Department of Agriculture.The
country's annual rice imports reached around 1.7 million metric tons,
mainly from neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam. — BAP,
GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/569274/money/economy/no-immediate-need-for-rice-importation-for-phl-pinol#sthash.LyV4vTrE.dpuf
No urgent need to import rice – Piñol
by Reuters
June 9, 2016 (updated)
June 9, 2016 (updated)
The Philippines, one of the world’s biggest
rice buyers, has no urgent need to import rice for now given ample domestic
supply, incoming agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol said yesterday.
The Philippines regularly imports more than a
million tonnes of rice a year, mostly from Thailand and Vietnam, although
incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte is aiming to make the country
self-sufficient within one to two years.
“I was informed by the National Food Authority
(NFA) that we have supply good to last for about 103 days. I think there is no
need to import rice for now,” Piñol told reporters in a joint media briefing
with his predecessor, Secretary Proceso Alcala.
AGRI TALK – Incoming Agriculture Secretary
Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Piñol (left) listens intently as incumbent Secretary Proceso
Alcala explains a point during a transition meeting at the Department of
Agriculture (DA) head office in Quezon City Wednesday. (Mark Balmores)
Rice
purchases by the Philippines could reach 2 million tons this year, the biggest
in six years, following a damaging drought, according to a forecast by the
United States Department of Agriculture.Importing rice is a politically sensitive issue in the Philippines where nearly half of the population works in the agriculture sector.
Import tariffs for private traders are as high as 35 percent to protect local farmers, although the government is sometimes forced to import tariff-free supplies quickly if the local crop takes a hit.
Piñol said the government needs about P30 billion ($651 million) to immediately rehabilitate the farm sector following a dismal first-quarter performance.
“We will boost rice production by focusing on irrigation,” he said, adding that the annual shortfall in domestic production versus demand now stands at around 1.8 million tons.
Some
500,000 tons of rice which the state’s NFA bought from Vietnam and Thailand
arrived in the first quarter. Outgoing President Aquino has given the agency
standby authority to import an additional 500,000 tons if needed, although the
incoming administration has said it will review those plans
http://www.mb.com.ph/no-urgent-need-to-import-rice-pinol/#AHXm6rKGPdB3bTFk.99
http://www.mb.com.ph/no-urgent-need-to-import-rice-pinol/#AHXm6rKGPdB3bTFk.99
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1491
International Benchmark Price
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06/09/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Soybeans
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash Bids
|
1188
|
1117
|
New
Crop
|
1173
|
1120
|
Riceland Foods
Cash
Bids
|
Stuttgart:
|
Pendleton:
|
New
Crop
|
Stuttgart:
|
Pendleton:
|
Futures:
|
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soybean Comment
Soybeans closed lower today too as improving
wether forecast dominated talk today. With only modest losses today soybeans
continue to maintain their strength, but need some additional bullish
fundamental support which prices could get in tommorows USDA report. The market
remains in danger of a correction as prices are oversold.
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash
Bids
|
534
|
481
|
New
Crop
|
525
|
500
|
Futures:
|
|
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Wheat Comment
Wheat prices saw profit taking today as corn
and soybeans failed to provide support. Fundamentals remain bearish for wheat
and are unlikely to any improvement with tommorows USDA report.
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash Bids
|
397
|
396
|
New
Crop
|
382
|
360
|
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash
Bids
|
441
|
416
|
New
Crop
|
440
|
430
|
Futures:
|
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Corn Comment
Corn prices closed lower today as rain was
added back to the forecast. This was enough to overshadow the bullish export
estimate. The market will be closely watching tomorrow's
USDA report to see if global supplies tighten, which could offer U.S. Corn
additional export opportunities.
Futures:
|
|
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Cotton Comment
Cotton prices closed lower today as the market
is seeing some technical selling ahead of tomorrow's
USDA report. While exports were lower than last week they remain ahead of th
pace to meet USDA's current export forecast. Prices remain oversold technically
and may face difficulty maintaining gains if tomorrow's
report is viewed neutral or bearish.
High
|
Low
|
|
Long
Grain Cash Bids
|
||
Long
Grain New Crop
|
||
Futures:
|
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Rice Comment
Rice prices continue to give back gains
following Monday's sharp move higher. The market again
saw another disappointing export sales report which continues to showcase
issues with U.S. competitiveness in the global market. The market needs a
bullish USDA report tomorrow to help support prices and
prevent a retesting of last week's lows.
Futures:
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Live Cattle:
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Feeders:
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Cattle Comment
Cattle prices closed mixed today as prices
remain volatile given the weak product prices and continued strength in the
cash market relative to futures. Cattle prices continue to search for bullish
fundamental news to help prices maintain recent lows.
Futures:
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