Crop planting rises 38 per cent in one week
By ET Bureau | Jul 16, 2016, 01.57 AM IST
Rice
cultivation over the past week increased by 51 per cent and is 0.76 per cent
higher than previous year.New Delhi: Planting of crops has jumped 38 per cent
in the past one week as monsoon rains have significantly increased since the
end of June and have covered almost the entire country, raising hopes of much
higher farm production than last year and moderate prices of pulses and rice. Water levels in reservoirs have also filled up to the
average level, which is good for post-monsoon irrigation and hydropower
generation.
The 91 reservoirs that the Central Water
Commission tracks regularly as of Thursday held 45.49 billion cubic meters
(bcm) of water, compared with 54.93 bcm at this time last year and 10-year
average of 45.07 bcm.
Planting of oilseeds jumped 58 per cent in a week, and the area under its cultivation is now 2 per cent more than a year ago, largely due to good rains in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Pulses acreage jumped 55 per cent in a week, and is now 39 per cent higher than last year even though this year's monsoon came late and was scanty till the middle of last month. Overall planting is now 2.08 per cent higher than last year at 55.98 million hectare, official data showed.
Planting of cotton and jute was lower than last year. Rice cultivation over the past week increased by 51 per cent and is 0.76 per cent higher than previous year. North East, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have seen an increase in area under rice cultivation. Water situation in reservoirs have improved significantly.
Now only five reservoirs have negligible water. Four of these — Jayakwadi (Paithon), Bhima (Ujjani), Yeldari and Girna — are in Maharashtra and the fifth, Nagarjuna Sagar, is in Telangana-Andhra Pradesh border.
According to data from the water commission, river basins of Ganga, Godavari and Narmada hold more water than normal, while water level of Sabarmati is normal. Indus, Tapi, Mahi, Krishna, Mahanadi and Cauvery have deficient storage
Nearly 6,000 rice farmers affected by drought
KANGAR: Nearly 6,000 farmers in northern Perlis have had their livelihoods affected as 7,500ha of padi fields remain unproductive due to the drought this year.State Farmers Organisation Authority director Shaidan Nordin said cultivation could only be carried out in 30% of the total of 11,500ha of padi fields in the area, albeit with imperfections.
“The 30% of fields where seeds were sown did not produce good yield; it was difficult for the plants to grow as it is not possible to use fertilisers in dry conditions,” he said.
He said this after opening the annual general meeting of the Paya District Farmers’ Organisation here yesterday.
Shaidan said the farmers began sowing seeds over a month ago, but with only intermittent rain occurring of late, the fields tend to dry up again, and the young plants wilted.
Even vegetable plants could not be grown to enable the farmers to earn a side income during the drought, he added. — Bernama
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/07/18/nearly-6000-rice-farmers-affected-by-drought/
Monsoon blessing: Kharif crop sowing in Maharashtra goes well, except for cane
Healthy monsoon in Maharashtra has led to
sowing operations for kharif crops being completed on around 80% of the area
Dhaval
Kulkarni | Sun, 17 Jul 2016-07:22am , Mumbai , dna
14,942,000
hectares of Kharif crops have been sown (including sugarcane). In some good news for the state, a healthy monsoon in Maharashtra has led to sowing operations for kharif crops being completed on around 80% of the area. A healthy output of kharif crops such as rice, food grains, cereals and oil seeds may revive the rural economy, which saw a negative growth in the state last year due to recurrent drought and agrarian distress.
While sowing of oil seeds, legumes and cotton went well healthy and over 75% of the total area cultivated for these classes of crops has been covered, cultivation of millets and rice is expected to pick up in the coming days. Cultivation of sugarcane was reported to be still languishing.
Trending Now
The total average area under kharif crops in Maharashtra is 14,942,000 hectare, including rice and sugarcane. By Tuesday, sowing operations were completed on 9,716,000 hectare (65.02% of the total) as against just 9,178,300 hectare (61.42%) for the same period in the previous year."As on Saturday, sowing has been completed on 80% of the area. The rainfall has been good in most parts. There are some areas, such as some talukas in Solapur district, which have seen just 25-50% of their average rainfall. But these areas get rainfall in August and see cultivation of rabi jowar," agriculture minister Pandurang Phundkar told dna.
"The initial phase of monsoon has seen healthy sowing operations," said Maharashtra agriculture commissioner Vikas Deshmukh, adding that low-intensity rains were good for crops. "By last week, sowing operations were completed on around 65% area. By now, this may have increased to around 80- 85%. This is more than the sowing that was completed at the same time last year," said a senior official from the state Agriculture Commissionerate.
He added that the paddy sowing in areas such as the Konkan belt was likely to increase in the coming days. "Saplings are small and yet to be transplanted. Paddy transplantation is likely to increase in areas such as in the tribal belt of Pune district – Bhor, Velha and Mulshi – in the coming days," he said.
As on Tuesday, the sowing of rice, bajra, kharif jowar, nachani and maize was 37%, while pulses such as tur, udad, and moong have seen 85% sowing. Oil seeds such as groundnut, til, sunflower and soya bean have been sown on 86% of the area as against 79% for cotton. The acreage of sugarcane, however, has fallen. It has been cultivated on just 11,000 hectare of the 9,78,300 hectares so far. In June, the rainfall in Maharashtra was 79.4% of the normal for the month, but had risen to 130.8% of the average for July so far.
From June onwards, the progressive rainfall has been 104.2% of the average and 39.7% of the normal for the June to September period. From June 1 till date, a total of 222 tehsils in Maharashtra have received over 100% of the average rainfall, while 97 talukas have seen rainfall between 75 and 100%. No talukas have received rainfall below 25% of the average, while it is between 25% and 50% in just five talukas. Just 29 talukas have seen rainfall between 50 and 75%.
Fact check:
Average area on which Kharif crops are sown (including sugarcane): 14,942,000 hectares
Area on which sowing operations have been completed as on July 12, 2016: 9,716,000 hectares
Percentage: 65.02%
Area on which sowing operations were completed as on July 9, 2015: 9,178,300 hectares
Percentage: 61.42%
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-monsoon-blessing-kharif-crop-sowing-in-maharashtra-goes-well-except-for-cane-2235138
Kharif sowing surpasses last year’s acreage on good rains
New Delhi, July 15:
With the
monsoon covering the entire country this week, sowing of kharif crops till July
15, at 559.76 lakh hectares (lh), surpassed last year’s acreage of 548.38 lh as
farmers planted more rice, pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds and sugarcane.
Cotton
was the only crop that witnessed a drop in acreage, at 75.41 lh in the June to
July 15 period this year, compared to 93.22 lh in the same period last year.
Farmers sowed less of the crop due to white fly attacks and delayed rain.
The
sowing data, based on inputs provided by States, was released by the
Agriculture Ministry on Friday.
The
acreage under rice till July 15 was 123.93 lh compared to 122.99 lakh hectares
in the same period last year, as sowing in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh improved.
Sowing
of pulses during this period, at 71.07 lh, was markedly more than the 51.12 lh
of area sown in the comparable period last year. Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Rajasthan were primarily responsible for the increase in sowing
of pulses.
The
acreage under oilseeds till July 15 was 130.12 lh (127.13 lh). Sugarcane
acreage also improved, albeit marginally, to 45.78 lh (44.80 lh).
Jute
acreage was almost at the same level at 7.47 lh (7.67 lh).
Record harvest ahead
According
to the Agriculture Ministry, the country is moving towards a record kharif
harvest with the South-West monsoon expected to be above normal.
The
cumulative rainfall so far in the monsoon season stood at 301.3 mm for the June
1 to July 15 period, about 1 per cent higher than the normal of 298.9 mm for
the period.
A total
of 31 meteorological sub-divisions, accounting for 86 per cent of the
geographical area of the country, have received normal-to-excess rains, whereas
only five sub-divisions received deficient rains for the period.
Among
the sub-divisions that received deficient rains are Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kutch,
Bihar, Assam & Meghalaya and NMMT (Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura).
The pick-up in rains across the country has also resulted in an improvement of
water levels in reservoirs.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kharif-sowing-surpasses-last-years-acreage-on-good-rains/article8855860.ece
New technologies boost rice production
File photo: Farmers working on a rice field
New
technologies introduced to dry season rice farmers at the Daffiama and Sankana
irrigation dams in the Upper West Region have boosted rice production.The
adoptation of the “Feed the Future Ghana Agricultural Technology Transfer (ATT)
project’s” Urea Deep Placement (UDP), rice transplanting, the provision
certified rice seeds, free fertilizers and planting on rolls technologies had
helped increased production compared to the indigenous broadcasting system
known to the farmers.The interventions also allowed more rice to be planted and made weeding and harvesting easier and faster as well as helped to reduce cost and promote maximum utilisation of fertilizer than the traditional broadcasting system.
A plant could develop about 25 to 30 tillers as compared to the traditional method of broadcasting, which produced about 14 tillers.
The project’s goal is to increase the availability of appropriate and affordable technologies to sustainably improve the competitiveness of maize, rice, and soybean value chains in Northern Ghana.
It focused on integrated soil fertility management, seed sector promotion and upscaling of high quality seeds, capacity building in research.
At “Farmers Field Day” at Daffiama in the Daffiama, Bussie, Issa District to evaluate production levels, and benefits of the technologies, the farmers said they were happy with the new innovations introduced to them.
The Field Day brought a number of farmers in the communities to the field to witness the harvesting of the rice, and they expressed interest to participate in the project.
Some of the farmers who interacted with journalists said they were happy with the vigour of the crops and expressed surprise with the high yields.
The farmers promised to put all the 20 hectares irrigable land area into rice cultivation using the technologies.
They however expressed that livestock are destroying the rice and appealed to community members to control the movement of the animals.
The farmers also asked the sponsors of the project to consider fencing the fields to stop stray animals from destroying the crops.
Madam Mabel Bogtege, a rice farmer said at first it was difficult to transplant the rice as that caused her waist pains, but now all had turned to be joy because the quality and quantity of rice on stock is good and beyond her expectation.
“I am going to sell some, keep some as seed and eat the rest”, she said.
Mr Samuel Ayamga Atia, Regional Technical Manager of the ATT, said the project has been introduced in Tono and Vea in the Upper East Region and Bontanga and Golinga in the Northern Region, which yielded positive results.
Farmers implementing the technology are realising rice yields from 24 to 28 bags per an acre of land as compared to the traditional system of broadcasting, which gave them from three to five bags.
He said the project acquired four briquettes machines to produce fertilizers for rice farmers in the Upper East and Northern Regions and that had helped increased rice production to more than 300 per cent.
He said apart from the Daffiama and Sankana communities, 10 other communities have been identified in the region to benefit from the project next season.
The ATT in collaboration with Ghana Irrigation Development Authority had established “Learning Centres” on the fields for rice farmers to see all the best practices that were associated with the technologies.
Mr Tia said the farmers were involved in the training on all the practices such as nursery, transplanting and UDP application, which involved placing urea briquettes at a depth of seven and 10 cm between four rice plants seven to 14 days after transplanting to improve nitrogen fertilization in irrigation rice systems.
“This one time application of the urea significantly reduces the recommended rates of urea while increasing the yields of paddy rice by an average of 15 and 30 per cent,” he explained.
The technology helps to reduce nitrogen losses through run-off, and leaching volatilisation and enhances the availability of nitrogen for the crops, he added.
It also suppress weeds growth thereby reducing cost of weeding while increase yields and reduce cost of fertilizer.
Dr Boubakary Cisse, Rice Seed Expert, USAID Seed Scaling Project said the project’s goal was to stimulate the development of a sustainable rice seed system in Northern Ghana.
He said the project would help improve seed planning and connecting actors along the rice seed value chain, strengthen capacity of rice seed value chain actors and facilitate access to adapted equipment from seed production to conditioning and storage.
He said the project would facilitate access to quality breeder seed for private sector companies intending to produce foundation seed and facilitating access to quality foundation seed for out-growers intending to produce certified seed both at the commercial and informal sectors.
Dr. Cisse announced that the project would produce 6,000 tonnes of certified and quality seed to farmers in the north before it folds up
USAID-Ghana is funding the five years project to increase the competitiveness of rice, maize and soybean value chains, fostering broad-based and sustained economic growth through the increase availability of agricultural technologies and increasing productivity in northern Ghana.
The project focuses on Ghana’s Feed the Future intervention zone covering the Savannah ecological zones of Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
The International Fertilizer Development Centre has been the lead implementer of the ATT project
Rice Prices
as on : 19-07-2016 12:09:41 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Robertsganj(UP)
|
20.00
|
14.29
|
603.00
|
1940
|
1955
|
4.30
|
|
Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)
|
20.00
|
NC
|
818.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
9.52
|
|
Alappuzha(Ker)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
160.00
|
4075
|
4100
|
7.24
|
|
Ranaghat(WB)
|
9.00
|
12.5
|
91.00
|
2150
|
2050
|
10.26
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
7.50
|
7.14
|
1460.60
|
1980
|
1975
|
NC
|
|
Raiganj(WB)
|
6.50
|
-7.14
|
972.50
|
2600
|
2550
|
-1.89
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8869978.ece
Rice Prices
as on : 18-07-2016 08:10:35 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Bangalore(Kar)
|
3356.00
|
9.64
|
146554.00
|
4150
|
4150
|
-3.49
|
|
Jaunpur(UP)
|
500.00
|
1328.57
|
2085.00
|
2030
|
2020
|
1.50
|
|
Shahjahanpur(UP)
|
390.00
|
-40
|
43725.70
|
2250
|
2265
|
12.22
|
|
Gadarpur(Utr)
|
334.00
|
-82.33
|
122187.00
|
1856
|
2160
|
-6.97
|
|
Agra(UP)
|
184.00
|
-4.17
|
6208.00
|
2150
|
2150
|
6.97
|
|
English Bazar(WB)
|
182.00
|
-13.33
|
3427.00
|
2100
|
2000
|
7.69
|
|
Azamgarh(UP)
|
165.00
|
13.79
|
5616.00
|
2165
|
2180
|
6.65
|
|
Kalna(WB)
|
90.00
|
NC
|
1671.00
|
2155
|
2170
|
11.66
|
|
Thodupuzha(Ker)
|
70.00
|
NC
|
3360.00
|
2700
|
2700
|
-6.90
|
|
Bareilly(UP)
|
68.50
|
-21.71
|
8009.10
|
2350
|
2425
|
11.90
|
|
Jangipur(WB)
|
62.50
|
-0.79
|
1131.00
|
2180
|
2185
|
4.31
|
|
Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB)
|
60.00
|
71.43
|
687.00
|
2500
|
2550
|
13.64
|
|
Saharanpur(UP)
|
50.00
|
-19.35
|
5931.00
|
2375
|
2380
|
10.47
|
|
Pandua(WB)
|
48.00
|
6.67
|
2838.00
|
2750
|
2800
|
14.58
|
|
Gauripur(ASM)
|
40.00
|
-13.04
|
2879.50
|
4500
|
4500
|
NC
|
|
Beldanga(WB)
|
38.00
|
-9.52
|
2389.00
|
2350
|
2350
|
2.17
|
|
Chintamani(Kar)
|
35.00
|
-37.5
|
532.00
|
2000
|
1950
|
8.11
|
|
Varanasi(Grain)(UP)
|
30.00
|
-
|
30.00
|
2125
|
-
|
-
|
|
Robertsganj(UP)
|
17.50
|
40
|
583.00
|
1955
|
1950
|
5.11
|
|
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
|
17.50
|
-10.71
|
1222.70
|
2400
|
2400
|
NC
|
|
Kaliaganj(WB)
|
15.00
|
7.14
|
843.00
|
2500
|
2550
|
-0.99
|
|
Jasra(UP)
|
14.00
|
-30
|
649.00
|
2250
|
2225
|
5.88
|
|
Naugarh(UP)
|
14.00
|
33.33
|
834.50
|
2080
|
2075
|
7.22
|
|
Falakata(WB)
|
13.70
|
1.48
|
384.00
|
2100
|
2040
|
NC
|
|
Atarra(UP)
|
13.00
|
-13.33
|
82.50
|
2200
|
2000
|
12.82
|
|
Bankura Sadar(WB)
|
11.00
|
NC
|
158.00
|
2200
|
2220
|
-
|
|
Alappuzha(Ker)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
150.00
|
4100
|
4100
|
7.89
|
|
Deogarh(Ori)
|
9.00
|
NC
|
508.50
|
2500
|
2500
|
NC
|
|
Sheoraphuly(WB)
|
7.50
|
15.38
|
483.85
|
2800
|
2800
|
NC
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
7.00
|
NC
|
1453.10
|
1975
|
1975
|
-0.25
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
6.90
|
1.47
|
1665.40
|
1900
|
1900
|
-
|
|
Firozabad(UP)
|
6.00
|
NC
|
686.00
|
2190
|
2180
|
8.96
|
|
Raibareilly(UP)
|
5.50
|
-35.29
|
319.00
|
2110
|
2080
|
2.93
|
|
Muradabad(UP)
|
5.00
|
-44.44
|
561.20
|
2400
|
2400
|
14.29
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
4.50
|
-35.71
|
1359.10
|
2450
|
2450
|
-
|
|
Unnao(UP)
|
3.50
|
-12.5
|
26.40
|
2190
|
2180
|
1.86
|
|
Alibagh(Mah)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
144.00
|
4000
|
4000
|
150.00
|
|
Murud(Mah)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
216.00
|
3000
|
3000
|
87.50
|
|
Karimpur(WB)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
97.00
|
3150
|
3150
|
NC
|
|
Aroor(Ker)
|
2.00
|
100
|
186.70
|
7700
|
7300
|
-4.94
|
|
Jatni(Ori)
|
2.00
|
NC
|
11.00
|
2250
|
2200
|
-
|
|
Sardhana(UP)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
90.30
|
2350
|
2340
|
10.33
|
|
Shillong(Meh)
|
0.80
|
-20
|
61.80
|
3500
|
3500
|
NC
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8865345.ece
Vilsack Announces USDA Post Added in Havana
Welcome to the neighborhood
By Peter Bachmann
DES MOINES, IA -- On Saturday, U.S. Secretary
of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced during the National Governors Association
Summer Meeting here that USDA would officially be sending a temporary detail to
Havana, Cuba, later this year.
USDA's announcement came following $1.5 million
in funding for such a position included in the Senate's Fiscal Year 2017
agriculture funding bill. The position,
part of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), would be the first step to
providing U.S. agricultural interests with real-time logistics of the Cuban
agriculture industry.
USA Rice and 65 other agricultural
organizations and businesses sent a letter to Congress on April 8 calling for
increased funding specifically to accommodate the USDA personnel in Cuba. The letter emphasized the importance of
having staff in country, saying, "...funding these USDA positions in Cuba
in anticipation of an eventual lifting of the embargo will help to make the
transition process run more efficiently, assist U.S. agribusinesses to regain
the role as Cuba's top exporter, and advance U.S. agricultural interests."
Vietnam has difficulties in meeting rice export target
Jul 18,2016
HANOI,
July 18 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam is facing difficulties in fulfilling target of rice
exports this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on
Monday. In the first half of 2016, Vietnam shipped some 2.69 million tons of rice to the world market, earning 1.21 million U.S. dollars, down 9.8 percent in volume and 5.9 percent in value year-on-year.
Price of Vietnamese 5-percent broken rice from summer-autumn crop during the previous week fell to 360-365 U.S. dollars per ton from 360-370 U.S. dollars per ton a week earlier, Vietnam's state-run news agency quoted the ministry as saying.
The decrease in price of Vietnamese rice was attributed to the shortage of new orders as Thailand is clearing its huge stockpile, accroding to the ministry.
The gloomy situation of rice exports since the second quarter of 2016 has prompted the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) to lower rice export target to 5.65 million tons this year.
The figure decreased from the previous target of 6.5 million tons. As such, this will be the first time in many years that Vietnam saw an under-6-million-ton rice export volume, said the ministry.
The ministry also said there is currently no sign of new contracts from rice importers.
In late April, the Thai government announced a plan to sell over 11 million tons of rice in government stockpiles.
In 2015, Vietnam exported some 6.6 million tons of rice, up 4 percent year-on-year.
Vietnam is one of the most important rice producers and exporters in the world. Rice plays the most important role among agricultural commodities in Vietnam in terms of food security, rural wages and employment, as well as export revenues.
Vietnamese rice has been present in 135 countries and regions worldwide
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=331333
Minister to lead Thai rice promotion in
Singapore
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION July 19, 2016 1:00 am
THE Commerce Ministry will cooperate with
exporters to promote the sale of Thai rice in Singapore, focusing on Hom Mali
(jasmine) rice, speciality rice grains, and products made from rice.
Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn will lead
rice exporters to Singapore from July 26-28, as that market has high purchasing
power and could be a springboard for export of Thai rice to other countries.
"In an attempt to increase the value of
rice export, the government will set up a strategy to promote rice in various
markets. Singapore is one of the targeted markets for increasing sales of Thai
rice as it is a main staple [there], while its consumers have high purchasing
power," she said.
During the mission, Apiradi will meet with rice
importers in Singapore and survey modern traders and restaurants in the country
on the feasibility of getting them to sell Thai rice.
Besides Hom Mali rice, the ministry will
promote other speciality grains such as Riceberry, Sung Yod rice (which is a
geographical-indication product) and organic rice.
Products made from rice will also be promoted,
such as cooked rice for senior people, vitamin-added rice for children,
cosmetics, snacks and supplements, aiming to increase value-added for rice
exports.
Singapore is a major importer of rice from
Thailand, and favours Hom Mali rice.
In 2014, Thailand exported 162,977 tonnes of
rice to Singapore worth Bt4.3 billion. The volume dropped to 128,941 tonnes
worth Bt3.63 billion last year. In the first five months of this year, export
volume dropped 7.9 per cent to 51,194 tonnes, while value dropped 11 per cent
to Bt1.34 billion.
Apiradi said producers should focus more on
adding value to agricultural products including rice. The government will also
support innovation in the rice industry by setting up the country's first rice
institute for commercial operations.
Rice can be developed as a value-added
"super food" in the form of various products. The commercial rice
institute would contribute to adding value to rice so that farmers would
receive more income
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Minister-to-lead-Thai-rice-promotion-in-Singapore-30290868.html
Vietnam’s
rice export in 2016 forecast to drop
Vietnam’s rice export is estimated to drop to
5.65 million tonnes in 2016, down 14 percent against the previous year and
800,000 tonnes lower than initial forecast.
According to the Vietnam Food Association
(VFA), this is the first time since 2009 Vietnam’s rice export may fall below 6
million tonnes.
At present, Vietnam’s big rice importers like
the Philippines and Indonesia are showing no intention of buying more rice.
Meanwhile, the purchasing power of China, which
accounts for nearly 35 percent of Vietnam’s export volume, is declining.
In addition, the export of Vietnamese rice is
facing difficulties caused by fluctuations in exchange rates. The depreciation
of euro is expected to affect exports to Africa, while the weak yuan also
discourages Vietnamese businesses from shipping more rice to China.
A decrease in prices of Thai rice is also
putting pressure on Vietnamese rice exporters.
VFA statistics showed that Vietnam shipped
abroad 2.65 million tonnes of rice in the first half of this year, earning 1.14
billion USD.
China remained Vietnam’s largest rice importer,
accounting for 35 percent of the market share, followed by Africa and
Indonesia.
The European Union and United States markets
still accounted for small proportions in Vietnam’s rice export.
Therefore, Vietnam should try to increase its
rice export to these markets, noted the VFA.
As of late 2016, there are about 1.27 million
tonnes of rice in stock.
However, the rice output of the summer-autumn
crop is predicted to decrease due to long-lasting drought and saline intrusion
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/160665/vietnam-s-rice-export-in-2016-forecast-to-drop.html
Supply and demand estimates, global events impacting crop prices
A closer look at rice, soybeans, cotton, corn
and wheat in July 12 report
Jul 18, 2016 | Delta Farm Press
Released
July 12, the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report
brought the department’s balance sheets up-to-date for rice, soybeans, cotton,
corn and wheat.The markets for these crops, when observed in their respective price charts, appear torn between reflecting fundamentals and normal market participant activity and reflecting the price complexity created by fiscal and monetary intervention required to manage building global risks and uncertainty in a slow growth global economy with declining positive investment options.
As for building supply concerns, the WASDE report shows the productive capabilities of U.S. traditional program crop producers is alive and well. Presently, for some commodities this raises concerns that supply will overshadow demand.
What about farm policy versus risk management? Today’s transitional U.S. farm policy is designed to move U.S. traditional program crop agriculture into a decreasing dependency on the farm bill safety net and an increasing dependency on producing for the market and utilizing advanced risk management strategies. Several takeaways:
- Elevated risk management in today’s slow growth global economy, where ongoing fiscal and monetary intervention is creating increasingly complex levels of price uncertainty is an absolute must.
- Many producers are masters of productivity and business efficiency. That said, all should be aware that many of the world’s best money managers have and are misreading unfolding market price activity and demand for their products due to sustained slow global growth.
- New farm legislation needs to consider potential future overproduction issues.
What does U.S. production show?
- Long-grain rice – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 133 and 183 million cwt respectively, 38 percent increase over 2015/16.
- Soybeans – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 3929 and 3880 million bushels respectively, 1.3 percent decline over 2015/16.
- Cotton – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 12.89 and 15.80 million bales respectively, 22percent increase over 2015/16.
- Corn – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 13601 and 14540 million bushels respectively, 6.9percent increase over 2015/16.
- Wheat – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 2052 and 2261 million bushels respectively, 10.2percent increase over 2015/16.
- Long-grain rice – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 71 and 81 million cwt respectively, 14percent increase over 2015/16.
- Soybeans – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 1795 and 1920 million bushels respectively, 7percent decline over 2015/16.
- Cotton – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 9.20 and 11.50 million bales respectively, 25percent increase over 2015/16.
- Corn – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 1900 and 2050 million bushels respectively, 7.9percent increase over 2015/16.
- Wheat – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 777 and 925 million bushels respectively, 19.1percent increase over 2015/16.
- Long-grain rice – prices 2015/16 and 2016/17, $11.00 and $10.50 per cwt respectively, 4.5percent decrease over 2015/16.
- Soybeans – prices 2015/16 and 2016/17, $9.05 and $9.50 per bushel respectively, 5percent increase over 2015/16.
- Cotton – prices 2015/16 and 2016/17, and $0.58 and $0.59 per pound respectively, 1.7percent increase over 2015/16.
- Corn – prices 2015/16 and 2016/17, $3.65 and $3.40 per bushel respectively, 6.8percent decline over 2015/16.
- Wheat – prices 2015/16 and 2016/17, $4.89 and $3.80 per bushel respectively, 22.3percent decline over 2015/16.
Long-grain production for 2016/17 was raised 2.0 million from 181 million cwt last month to 183 million cwt, which if achieved would be the second highest on record. The record production was 2010’s 183.3 million cwt.
2016/17 long grain beginning stocks were reduced 2.0 million cwt on an increase in 2015/16 exports to 71 million cwt. 2016/17 long grain exports are projected 81 million cwt which if achieved would the highest since 2005.
Ending stocks are unchanged from last month for long-grain at 38.5 million cwt. This is very troublesome as ending stocks have not been this large since 1985.
The long grain rice season-average farm price remained the same as the previous month in a range of $10.00 to $11.00 per cwt.
Global rice supplies for 2016/17 were raised 0.6 million tons and global ending stocks for 2016/17 are raised 0.4 million tons to 107.3 million.
USDA forecast 2016/17 global trade lower, due to expected reduced imports and consumption in Bangladesh, Iran, and Nigeria.
Brazil is the largest rice Producer in Latin America. In their “Grain: World Markets and Trade Report,” USDA Foreign Agricultural Service staff states: “As the largest producer in Latin America by a wide margin, Brazil has been a net exporter for the majority of the past decade. Reversing the recent trend, it is now projected to become a net importer in 2016 for the first since 2010. At that time, excess rain led to a production decline in Rio Grande do Sul, the largest producing region, precipitating a 20 percent rise in imports. Similarly, this year’s heavy rain impacted the recently harvested crop, now forecast at 7.1 million tons, down 15 percent from last year. Consequently, 2016 imports are forecast to more than double to 750,000 tons, with most supplies likely to come from neighboring countries. Exports this year are projected to fall to 700,000 tons. With Brazil becoming a net importer and presenting less export competition, the United States is expected to seize additional opportunities to expand exports, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. The status of net importer is not expected to remain for long, however. In 2017, Brazil’s production levels are forecast to rebound to levels similar to 2 years prior and return the country to its net exporting position. The forecast recovery this time is somewhat more muted than in 2011, as 2017 exports are projected to rise only marginally from the prior year.”
In Nigeria, there is weaker parboiled trade as national policies restrict imports. In the same report cited above, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service staff state: “In 2014, global exports of parboiled rice surged, but have declined every year since then in response to developments in Nigeria. The large majority of Nigeria’s rice imports are parboiled. This country is the second largest importer of rice and the top parboiled rice importer, accounting for around 40 percent of parboiled trade. Nigeria’s imports spiked in 2014, amid lower global prices and strong demand in advance of local elections. However, the purchasing power has eroded as the oil-dependent economy struggles with foreign exchange availability with sharply lower oil prices. In 2015, Nigeria prohibited the use of foreign exchange to purchase rice and maintained a high import tariff, causing imports to plunge. Since March 2016, Nigeria has banned rice importation via land borders, further tightening access to parboiled rice. These policies are expected to persist, causing Nigeria’s rice importation to further contract in 2017. Parboiled rice is processed to preserve nutrients and results in more separate grains when cooked. It typically accounts for less than 20 percent of all exported rice. Thailand and India are the major exporters, whereas the United States and Brazil ship smaller quantities.”
The bottom line is the U.S. long-grain rice sector will be challenged to move a 2016 U.S. long-grain rice crop this size without significant new business
http://deltafarmpress.com/markets/supply-and-demand-estimates-global-events-impacting-crop-prices
Scientists use Texas rivers for rice names
Published 11:56 am, Sunday, July 17, 2016
The green stalks all in a tidy row poked above irrigation water in the July heat, awaiting harvest.The grains of rice inside, which are headed to seven unidentified millers for an opinion of their quality, are the culmination of more than six years of seed cultivation by Rodante Tadien, an assistant professor and rice breeder at the Texas A&M University Agri-Life Center on U.S. 90.
A plaque in front of the plot of rice is labeled "TXEL001."
If the rice succeeds in its milling and is accepted, Tadien will have the honor of naming it.
It's been his practice to name a new rice variety for a river in Texas, though this one won't be revealed until the milling evaluation is done later this year.
There already is a "Neches," which was named by Anna McClung, a former A&M rice scientist who worked at the Beaumont station. She now leads a similar operation in Stuttgart, Arkansas, another major rice-growing area.
"Sabine" also is taken, as are "Brazos" and "Presidio" and "Jacinto," named for the San Jacinto River.
"We will not run out of names," Tadien said.
How about "Trinity?"
"It's on my list," he said.
A rice breeder deals in growing seasons, one after the other, to learn the traits of the seed he is trying to cultivate and to encourage the traits he wants. It's not for people seeking instant gratification.
By contrast, "the farmers are" impatient, said Mo Way, the Beaumont station's entomologist, who studies the pests that endanger crops.
"I wish I had a magic wand," Tadien said. "We're working for the farmers. We love our jobs."On Thursday, Tadien and Way sat in metal folding chairs waiting for tourists on trailers pulled by the station's pickup trucks.
As the trucks pulled up to each stop, the scientists explained what was in back of them.
Way spoke of a pest that migrated from Central and South America and attacked rice crops in the Texas southern rice belt around Brazoria County.
The pests didn't damage the main crop but infested the second, or ratoon, crop, which grows from the stubble of the first-cut harvest.
The pests might not have had enough mass to damage the main crop but wielded sufficient power to destroy 25 percent of the ratoon crop, Way said. The pest hasn't been spotted in Southeast Texas.
"I just want to alert, not alarm," Way told a trailer of tourists. "It was here for one or two years in the late 1950s, early 1960s and then disappeared."
Rice, like wheat, is not a grain crop that is typically genetically modified, mostly because of market resistance, Way said.
The rice breeders prefer "mutation" breeding to produce the results they want, which is a disease-resistant, high-yield grain that also defeats its relative weed known as red rice, which mimics a rice plant, but has no grain within the head of the plant.
Just down the way from Tadien's TXEL001 are stands of other named rices, like Jupiter, from Arkansas.
Louisiana breeders also contribute Cajun names to creations that emanate from research at Louisiana State University.
LSU created a variety called "Jazzman" because New Orleans is famous for jazz. The rice is an aromatic variety. Think "jasmine."
DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/dwallach
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Scientists-use-Texas-rivers-for-rice-names-8383049.php#item-38496
LT Foods acquires 817 Elephant rice brand;
shares up 8%
The company has acquired the same to further
strengthen its existing presence in Canada, USA and Israel. Moneycontrol Bureau
Share price of LT Foods advanced 8 percent intraday Monday as it has acquired
iconic brand 817 Elephant rice brand through its UK subsidiary LT Foods
International. The company has acquired the same to further strengthen its
existing presence in Canada, USA and Israel. LT Foods is one of the country’s
leading processor and exporter of packaged rice foods under the flagship brand
‘Daawat’. The brand is among the top players in the domestic branded Basmati
Rice markets. In the month of June 2016, the company had incorporated a
subsidiary LT Foods International in United Kingdom for strengthening its
presence in Europe. At 11:07 hrs LT Foods was quoting at Rs 301.80, up Rs
17.40, or 6.12 percent on the BSE
THAILAND REMAINS TOP RICE EXPORTER TO HK
July 18, 2016 1:00 am
Thailand is still the top rice exporter to Hong
Kong after claiming a 59.5 per cent market share in the first four months of
the year.That was followed by followed by Vietnam with 27.7 per cent and China
with 4.8 per cent, according to the latest report by the Commerce Ministry's
Department of International Trade Promotion.
In April, Hong Kong imported 30,497 tonnes of
rice globally, up 39 per cent on the same period last year. Fragrant rice
imports amounted to 29,065 tonnes, up by 38.6 per cent, of which 17,196 tonnes
was imported from Thailand, a 59 per cent increase on the 10,828 tonnes from
the same period in 2015.
Thailand accounted for 59.6 per cent of Hong
Kong's fragrant rice imports, followed by Vietnam at 28.5 per cent, Commerce
Minister Apiradee Tantraporn said.
TOT expects Bt11.25 bn loss
TOT expects its revenue reach Bt51.5 billion
this year for a loss of Bt11.25 billion, according to the management report
presented to the board late last week.
TOT posted a loss of Bt6.572 billion during the
first five months of the year, an increase of Bt212 million year on year, due
to a decline in service revenue of 7 per cent year-on-year to Bt10.336 billion.
During that period, its fixed telephone service made revenue of Bt923 million,
while its international Internet gateway service made Bt119 million. Its mobile
phone service suffered a loss of Bt3.64 billion and its Internet data centre
and cloud service lost Bt129 million.
SCG AD CAMPAIGN
Siam Cement Group has launched a new
communications campaign to outline the company's business journey in Myanmar
and reaffirm its long-term commitment towards the country's development. The
"Drawing the Future" campaign started with its first locally produced
TV commercial which details the company's association with Myanmar since 1994.
Attapong Sathitmanotham, country director for
SCG in Myanmar, said: "The campaign is a celebration of all we experienced
alongside its people, and the bright future we see ahead.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/THAILAND-REMAINS-TOP-RICE-EXPORTER-TO-HK-30290825.html
Vietnamese rice export in 2016 forecast to drop
Monday, 07/18/2016, 17:49
Vietnamese
rice export is estimated to drop to 5.65 million tonnes in 2016, down 14%
against the previous year and 800,000 tonnes lower than initial forecast.
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At present, Vietnam’s big rice importers like the Philippines and Indonesia are showing no intention of buying more rice.
Meanwhile, the purchasing power of China, which accounts for nearly 35% of Vietnam’s export volume, is declining.
In addition, the export of Vietnamese rice is facing difficulties caused by fluctuations in exchange rates. The depreciation of euro is expected to affect exports to Africa, while the weak yuan also discourages Vietnamese businesses from shipping more rice to China.
A decrease in prices of Thai rice is also putting pressure on Vietnamese rice exporters.
VFA statistics showed that Vietnam shipped abroad 2.65 million tonnes of rice in the first half of this year, earning US$1.14 billion.
China remained Vietnam’s largest rice importer, accounting for 35% of the market share, followed by Africa and Indonesia.
The European Union and United States markets still accounted for small proportions in Vietnamese rice export.
Therefore, Vietnam should try to increase its rice export to these markets, noted the VFA.
As of late 2016, there are about 1.27 million tonnes of rice in stock.
However, the rice output of the summer-autumn crop is predicted to decrease due to long-lasting drought and saline intrusion.
http://english.vov.vn/trade/vietnamese-rice-export-in-2016-forecast-to-drop-325611.vov
SunRice profit up 5.8pc despite shrinking crop
22 Jun
2016, 9:02 a.m.
Chief executive officer Rob Gordon said 300,000
tonnes of rice sourced from Asia and the US allowed SunRice to service and
maintain expanding branded markets.
Australia’s rice crop may have shrunk
significantly in size last season, but farmer-owned SunRice has managed to defy
challenging grain supply issues to post a 5.8 per cent increase in full year
net profit after tax to $52 million.
Revenue for the food processing and rice
marketing company’s 2015-16 trading year grew almost 2pc to $1.3 billion,
compared to 2014-15.
SunRice has just declared a fully franked total
dividend of 33 cents a share for B-class shareholders, up 6.5pc on the previous
year’s dividend.
The company attributed its improved performance
to a continuing favourable mix of sales into premium branded markets, with
about 90 per cent of Australian rice now sold locally and overseas as branded
lines rather than the bulk commodity sales which were prominent until a few
years ago.
Strong growth in the company’s international
rice and rice food segments were also highlights of the period although sliding
currency trends in Australia, and particularly Papua New Guinea, eroded some
offshore earnings gains
“The business performed well across a range of
markets, with the Middle East, Asia and Australia and New Zealand businesses
delivering positive market share and volume results,” said chief executive
officer Rob Gordon.
SunRice intensified its global sourcing strategies
to compensate for the 690,000 tonne harvest in the Riverina - down from
820,000t in 2014-15 and well below the 1 million-plus tonnes it markets every
year.
“New international supplier arrangements
contributed to approximately 300,000 tonnes of rice being sourced from Asia and
the US, which allowed us to service and maintain our expanding branded
markets,” Mr Gordon said.
“The FY16 (ending April 30) result clearly
demonstrates the increased revenue scale and profitability levels experienced
in FY15 have been maintained as a result of the strategy that was implemented
in FY12.
“This strategy focuses on premium branded
markets and builds capacity and capability across the organisation.
“It has increased the group’s resilience in a
dynamic and challenging operating environment.”
A $24m capital expenditure program in 2015-16
largely focused on improving SunRice’s processing capacity and efficiency, and
is expected to lift production yields and quality.
Final paddy payments to growers for last year’s
rice crop (C15) will be $404 a tonne for medium grain (Reiziq) - a 2.3pc
year-on-year increase, and $534/t for Koshihikari - up 1.7pc.
For shareholders the past trading year’s
shareholder dividend represented a payout ratio of 38pc and a dividend yield of
7.7pc, based on a B-class share price of $4.30 (the closing price on June 20).
http://www.stockjournal.com.au/story/3983588/sunrice-profit-up-58pc-despite-shrinking-crop/?cs=4862#!
CBN to begin new rice project in 14 states
Posted on Jul 18 2016 - 2:22am by Taiwo Hassan
Views: 176
Central Bank of Nigeria CBN
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the Anchor Borrowers’ programme in rice
production to 14 other states in the country as part of the efforts to ensure
food sufficiency in Nigeria. Kebbi was the first state in Nigeria to begin the
Anchor Borrowers’ programme.
The representative of the CBN on the Bank of
Industry (BoI) Board and Executive Director, Corporate Services in the bank,
Jonathan Tobin, disclosed this at a media parley organised by BoI for
journalists in Lagos at the weekend. He revealed that the presidential
directive stemmed from the successful implementation of the CBN’s Anchor
Borrowers’ programme in rice production in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Tobin said that the president had approved that
all the states in the North, including Benue, Cross River, Anambra and Ebonyi
states, commence a fresh Anchor Borrowers’ programme in rice production.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the CBN to commence a replica of the
Anchor Borrowers’ programme in 14 states in the country.
These 14 states are all the states in the
Northern parts of the country, while Benue, Cross River, Anambra and Ebonyi
states are also included. But I think you will get the 14 states,” he said.
Tobin said that fresh funds are being packaged by the apex bank to ensure that
the programme is given all necessary funding to ensure the success of the
scheme.
He said the CBN supported food production
initiative to increase local production of rice and wheat in the country in
line with the Federal Government’s resolve to diversify the economy through
agriculture. The CBN executive said that the main reason for this Anchor
Borrowers’ programme by the apex bank was for it to address some food
commodities that the government is hugely spending so much foreign exchange on
for their imports into the country, such as rice and wheat.
He added that the key objective of the
programme is to quickly address these staple food items that government has
already identified so as to reduce the country’s import base and also to make
rice available for Nigerians. Tobin said that the apex bank is critically
looking at rice, wheat, fish and other food items that are taking toll on the country’s
foreign reserve.
Available statistics indicate that Nigeria can
no longer afford to spend huge foreign exchange on the importation of food
items that can be produced locally in view of decreasing oil revenue. About N1
trillion is spent annually on food imports. According to CBN figures, import of
rice and wheat alone was N428 billion and N307 billion in 2013 and 2014
respectively
https://newtelegraphonline.com/cbn-begin-new-rice-project-14-states/
Venezuelans Tearful Amid Colombia’s Full Shelves And Polite Cops
July 18, 2016 — 6:45 PM PKT
- Thousands flood into Colombia to shop as border briefly opens
- Venezuelans faces shortages of everything from rice to soap
For only the third time in a year, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro had opened the border to neighboring Colombia and tens of thousands seized the opportunity to buy essential items such as rice and shampoo -- goods scarcely available now in once-wealthy Venezuela.
Venezuelans cross the border into Colombia on
July 17.
Photographer: Schneyder Mendoza/Bloomberg
The
Colombian security forces appeared to have been ordered to wage a charm
offensive, smiling and saying “Welcome to Colombia’’ as the Venezuelans
streamed past. At least three women burst into tears when they reached the
Colombian side, and a man shouted “Viva Colombia’’. Some cursed Maduro’s
administration back home which they blamed for reducing them to the point where
to buy products as basic as rice they now need to cross an international
frontier.“We were a nation that was super rich, and now look at us,” said Yorcy Exposito, who said she set out from her home in the city of San Cristobal at 4 a.m. “Our government just needs to go, and not come back. They humiliate us.”
Venezuela has been hit by food riots and outbreaks of looting in recent months as shortages worsen. People line up for hours in the tropical heat only to find that the products they want have sold out. By contrast, the Colombian border town of Cucuta seemed a shoppers’ paradise.
Cornucopia
After the border opened at 6 a.m., thousands streamed across dragging empty suitcases that they hoped to fill with produce. As the frontier was only open to foot traffic for a few hours, most immediately boarded buses provided by local authorities and headed to the shops in downtown Cucuta that had opened early for them.Most Venezuelans in the Los Montes supermarket loaded up on rice, cooking oil and maize flour. Some bought toilet paper, sanitary towels, sunblock, soap and shampoo.
Venezuelans cross the border into Colombia on
July 17.
Photographer: Schneyder Mendoza/Bloomberg
“I’ll
give birth sooner than I’ll find shampoo in Venezuela,’’ said one woman who was
weighing whether to buy a Pantene brand shampoo, adding that she was two months
pregnant.Smuggler and Controls
Venezuela’s government ordered the border
closed last year in a bid to curb the smuggling of gasoline and other
subsidized goods into Colombia. Despite this, shortages have continued to
worsen amid price controls, expropriations of local producers and the drop in
oil prices over the past two years. The economy, which has the world’s largest
oil reserves, is set to contract 8 percent this year, according to the
International Monetary Fund, the deepest slump among all the economies for
which it publishes forecasts.
Demand
to get into Colombia is such that the authorities were forced to open the
border briefly on Saturday after thousands turned up a day early, according to
William Villamizar, governor of the Colombia’s border province of Norte de
Santander.“To avoid a stampede, there could have been deaths or something, they preferred to open it,” Villamizar said in an interview at the border crossing.
Once inside Colombia, many found the shopping easy compared with the long lines, frustrations and sometimes fights they experience in Venezuela.
“To get a kilo of rice, you have to queue for six to eight hours, exposing yourself to mistreatment, people pushing, jumping in line, then when you get to the front they close the store and say everything’s sold out,” said Rosalba Duarte, a nurse from the town of Capacho who said she began queuing at the border at 3 a.m.
Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg
Terminal. LEARN MORE
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-18/venezuelans-tearful-amid-colombia-s-full-shelves-and-polite-cops
07/18/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
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Rice Comment
Rice futures ended higher as the market is
tracking mostly sideways. The WASDE report showed mostly offsetting changes,
but 16-17 ending stocks are projected at their highest level since 85-86 thanks
to large increases in California medium grain stocks. The all rice on farm
average price was lowered, again a result of lower prices in California.
September has bounced off support near $10.25, with the next upside target at
last week’s high of $10.94 ½.
USA Rice Promotes Rice in Food
Aid to Decision Makers
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Ask us anything about food
aid
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ARLINGTON, VA -- At the annual USDA
Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) Attaché Seminar sponsored by the U.S.
Agricultural Export Development Council meeting last week, USA Rice Director of
International Promotion Sarah Moran participated in a panel discussion of food
aid as a tool in developing international markets. Moran gave an overview of
USA Rice as an organization and highlighted fortified rice as a near ideal
vehicle to deliver highly digestible nutrition and essential micronutrients to
undernourished populations.
At the meeting were representatives
of 60+ commodity organizations receiving market development funds from FAS, FAS
Washington staff, and a large number of FAS attachés who will soon be reporting
to overseas posts.
"This venue offered USA Rice
the unique opportunity to introduce fortified rice as a desirable commodity in
a range of food aid scenarios to agricultural attachés stationed around the
globe," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice vice president of international
promotion. "The headquarters staff of FAS and these attachés have a
role in making decisions on the food commodities utilized in in-kind food aid
programs administered by USDA, and as such were a prime target of our food aid
message
USA Rice Daily
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1518
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Sustainability, identity preservation keys to rice future
Jul 18, 2016 | Delta Farm Press
Sustainability is a phrase that seems to have come back into vogue with
marketers trying to sell to millennials who seem to be more environmentally
conscientious than members of previous generations.But sustainability is more than just another marketing term for crop input providers such as Tim Walker, the general manager of Horizon Ag and a former agronomist and rice breeder with Mississippi State University.
“We talk a lot about sustainability in agriculture, especially in the rice industry,” says Dr. Walker. “One of the concerns of my company, and I think probably many others, is making sure that we maintain profitability because without profitability, sustainability becomes very difficult.”
Speaking at Horizon Ag’ Louisiana Field Day on the Christian Richard Farm in Kaplan, La., Dr. Walker said Horizon Ag is in the process of introducing multiple new rice varieties in 2016 and 2017 that it believes will help producers be more sustainable. Those will include CL 153 and CL 172 in 2017 and CL 163, which had a limited introduction in 2016
“These varieties have excellent yield potential, yield potential that is better than a lot of our industry standards are offering today,” he said. “They also have a much improved disease package.”
Dr. Walker said blast disease has become an increasing concern, “especially in areas like south Louisiana where the pressure is usually pretty extensive. These varieties will allow you to maintain yield potential without the threat of losing yield, which is often a substantial yield loss in the case of blast.”
Better sleep with resistance
The blast resistance offered by CL153 and CL172, and the overall stable, high yield potential of the three new Clearfield lines will help farmers “not only sleep well at night, but hopefully realize profits from every acre they grow,” said Walker.Markets are another component of sustainability, he said.
“Especially in the southern United States, more than 50 percent of our rice leaves the country, destined for export market,” he noted. “We’ve had declining export markets in recent years, and a lot of the reason for the decline is because of the quality of the rice we grow has become less over the years.
“We’re very fortunate to have new offerings that will raise the bar for quality back to the standard that was set some 20 to 30 years ago by the U.S. rice industry. We’ve been working with our export customers, we’ve been working with our domestic mills and end users to make sure these varieties are profitable for the growers but also profitable for the industry.”
That’s because there are markets that desire the kind of quality, he says, “All of these things go together to help strengthen our industry so that we can continue to be sustainable.”
Cooking quality is a characteristic that can be difficult to obtain objective measurements on, Dr. Walker said. “What we have done is taken advantage of opportunities to meet with people from other countries”
Cooking demonstrations
During the U.S. Rice Producers Association’s Rice Market and Technology Conference in Houston earlier this summer, Horizon Ag representatives were able to cook rice for attendees from Nicaragua.“The Nicaraguans used to be very important purchasers of our rice to the tune of 100,000 metric tons eight or 10 years ago,” he said. “Unfortunately, over the last few years, we have not moved nearly that much rice to the country. It actually dipped below 1,000 metric tons during that period.
“The rice we cooked for them, especially the Clearfield 172, was rice that really piqued their interest, and they believe it has potential to come back into their country. That’s very good news for the U.S. rice farmer.”
The Horizon Ag representatives did another cooking demonstration for a broader range of attendees, including those from Ecuador, Peru Costa Rica, Columbia, Nicaragua and the United States. Following the demonstration, many of the participants filled out evaluations of the varieties they cooked.
“We have that feedback, and we will use that to go back to our breeding partners and to potential exports, letting them know that here’s rice that people have graded favorably or they have indicated it’s not going to fit in their market.”
New technology needed
Now that Clearfield rice has been in the market for 12 to 14 years growers are beginning to see the need for a new weed control technology that can help them overcome the resistance problems that are beginning to occur in southern rice fields.“We’re very fortunate that BASF has partnered with LSU to develop and bring to market a new tool called Provisia rice,” Dr. Walker noted. “Because of the previous partnership we’ve had with BASF on Clearfield rice, we hope to have an opportunity to help bring Provisia to market. In the near-term that’s something we’re excited about.”
Dr. Walker said farmers need to begin treating rice as more than a commodity that’s sold in bulk to an anonymous buyer. “We do produce a food. Rice typically is not ground up, it’s not processed,” he said. “And it’s a small crop. We’re talking about a 7.5-million-acre crop in the South in a really good year. So we can’t treat it like a commodity. It is a food, and we have to treat it like that.
“We’re going to have to do more identity preservation, especially for these markets that are specific in what they’re looking for. I think that will be a huge part of us going forward and us being successful is being able to demonstrate to the world that we can produce what our customers want and produce it in a way that allow our growers to be profitable.”
For more on Horizon Ag, visit http://www.horizonseed.com/
