West
Bengal government comes up with new type of rice, 'Muktoshri'
By Sutanuka
Ghosal, ET Bureau | Updated: Nov 10, 2016, 01.33 PM IST
WASDE Report Released
Global rice supplies for 2016/17 are raised 1.3 million tons on a 500,000-ton increase in production and higher beginning stocks. The increased beginning stocks are largely on reduced 2015/16 Indian domestic use. Trade for 2016/17 is cut 200,000 tons and domestic use is up 200,000 tons. With supplies rising faster than total use, world ending stocks are raised 1 million tons.
Cuba possibilities discussed
HIDE CAPTION
Dr. Eric Wailes
Shea Higgerson/Stuttgart Daily Leader
Monday
Posted
Nov 7, 2016 at 7:08 AM
Wailes presented members and guests at the meeting with some
observations he made about Cuba during his visit. He said the population in
Cuba is about 11.3 million with zero growth. The country is a lower, middle
income country. Imports contribute to approximately 80 percent of Cuba's food
supply, with agriculture being approximately 4 percent of its gross domestic
product and 20 percent of its employment. Approximately 70 percent of the land
in Cuba is state-owned and state enterprises account for 85 percent of the rice
area.
By Shea Higgerson / Stuttgart Daily Leader
Dr. Eric Wailes, a University of
Arkansas Department of Agricultural Economics Distinguished Professor and L.C.
Carter Endowed Chair, presented an assessment, based on a recent trip to Cuba,
on the constraints, challenges and opportunities for U.S. exports to Cuba
during the 73rd annual Producers Rice Mill membership meeting Thursday at the
Grand Prairie Center.
Wailes presented members and
guests at the meeting with some observations he made about Cuba during his
visit. He said the population in Cuba is about 11.3 million with zero growth.
The country is a lower, middle income country. Imports contribute to
approximately 80 percent of Cuba’s food supply, with agriculture being
approximately 4 percent of its gross domestic product and 20 percent of its
employment. Approximately 70 percent of the land in Cuba is state-owned and
state enterprises account for 85 percent of the rice area.
Cuba currently imports
approximately 400,000 to 600,000 metric tons of rice per year, according to
Wailes.
“It’s not as big of a market as
Mexico, but it would certainly be an important, good size market for U.S.
rice,” he said.
Related content
Producers
meeting held on Nov. 3
November 7, 2016
Rice exports into Cuba are
currently dominated by Vietnam, Wailes said, however, Brazil has made a big
entry into the Cuban rice market. Currently, the U.S. exports poultry legs and
quarters, maize and soybeans into Cuba, but the Trade Sanctions Reform and
Export Enhancement Act (TSRA) requires that Cuba pay cash up front before
agriculture or medicine products even leave the U.S. to be shipped to Cuba.
Wailes said Rep. Rick Crawford is
currently working to pass a bill that would ease the requirements of the TSRA,
which Wailes said could potentially be very helpful to the U.S., but entering
the market still poses a challenge, especially with the U.S. embargo.
“Even if we got Crawford’s bill
passed…re-entry into this Cuba market is not going to be easy from our
perspective,” he said.
Wailes said there has been a
“mind shift” in terms of how Cuban leadership has approached management of the
country and government, post-Fidel Castro. He said Raúl Castro has been more
efficient with resources. Since 2008, approximately 4.5 million acres of unused
land has been contracted out to individual farmers and there has been a large
transfer of public land to cooperatives.
Cuba has about 40 small rice
mills in a concentrated area, which Wailes said he believes are not efficiently
organized to keep milling costs competitive, but are being upgraded. All rice
in Cuba is irrigated, with about 2.57 million acre feet of water for rice,
using mainly surface water.
All rice in Cuba is also highly
subsidized. Producers receive approximately $68 per ton above their cost of
production. Rice is channeled through a ration system to consumers, who receive
their first five pounds of rice for approximately one cent per pound, according
to Wailes.
“The government intervenes very
heavily on this key food staple for both producers and consumers,” Wailes said.
Wailes also advised that the
yield gap is large. He said rough rice yields about 63 bushels per acre, which
is 37 percent or Arkansas’ yield, which is approximately 166 bushels per acre.
He said the reasons for this include insufficient equipment, the large size of
farms, planting methods, inadequate land preparation, variable supply of
irrigation water, inadequate supply of inputs and lack of training of rice
farmers due to there being virtually no extension service. Wailes said Cuba is
not a competitive rice producer and he believes the country will continue to
import about 400,000 to 600,000 metric tons of rice per year.For information on
the business portion of the meeting, visit www.stuttgartdailyleader.com or pick up Monday’s edition of the Stuttgart Daily Leader.
Thai Navy to Buy and Help Harvest Rice as Farmers Strugglei
"If grain prices have fallen
we will help where we can to purchase. Where farmers lack labor we will send
groups to help," Vice Admiral Jumpol Lumpikanon, a spokesman for the Royal
Thai Navy, told reporters.The admiral did not say how much rice the navy would
buy, or where the budget would come from.
Last week Manas Kitprasert, head
of the Thai Rice Millers Association, resigned after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha
said that rice millers and politicians were colluding to drive down rice prices
for political reasons.
Manas denied the accusations.The
junta has asked millers to buy rice from farmers at "reasonable
prices", and soldiers have visited rice millers to "seek
cooperation".The party of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra won an
election in 2011 in part by appealing to rice farmers with a populist scheme to
buy their grain at above-market rates.Yingluck's administration was removed by
the military in the 2014 coup.Thailand remains politically divided between the
county's urban middle classes and royalist-military elite and supporters of
populist governments ousted in 2006 and 2014 coups
http://jakartaglobe.id/international/thai-navy-buy-help-harvest-rice-farmers-struggle/
Farmers risk lives to harvest basmati rice
along IB
8/11/2016
BEIN-GLARD (Samba), Nov 7:
Harvesting the paddy crop particularly the aromatic basmati rice cultivated near the International Border in R S Pura border belt amid relentless shelling by Pakistani Rangers has made farmers sitting ducks of the firing from across the border.Most areas in and around the R S Pura belt are extremely fertile and best suited for basmati cultivation. A total of 17,742 hectares having standing paddy crop has been affected due to the shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers.
The paddy crop grown in the area is worth Rs 130 crore.
“The basmati rice grown in Jammu and Kashmir is now under threat from Pakistan”, an official of the Agriculture department said, adding, farmers are anxious that “if there is no one to harvest, the crop will wither within a fortnight”.With the crop ripe, farmers have been risking their lives to harvest the paddy.
54-year-old Sham Lal has rushed to his fields along with few family members to cut the paddy growing close to the International Border in R S Pura border belt of Jammu district.“We are helpless. We cannot afford to lose our crops. Our family is dependent on these crops. We are risking our lives to harvest the standing crops”, Lal said.Like Lal, several marginal farmers living along the borderline are working overtime to speedily complete harvesting of the crops.
Bein Gallard Sarpanch Ram Paul, whose hamlet was shelled by Pakistani Rangers few days ago, says farmers in border areas are forced to risk their lives to harvest their ripe crops as they depend on them for livelihood.
“In the absence of labourers and machines, they are reluctant to come with their families and undertake harvesting.The border farmers have taken it on themselves to harvest their standing crops and in the process have become sitting ducks for the Pak Rangers”, Paul said.
However, like them the farmers owning big agriculture land are not so lucky as they await paddy cutting machines and labourers, who have fled the farmlands following Pakistani shelling and firing and are reluctant to return to commence farming in the border belt of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.
Jabowal Sarpanch Avtar Singh said farmers owning bigger farmlands are helpless in this situation as on one side the Pak troops resorted to shelling and firing and on other side labourers and machine operators have refused to join them in harvesting.“We await labourers and machines. Security forces say the sound of the tractor instantly invites the sounds of the gun from across the other side of the International Border”, he added.Singh said that in case of manual harvesting, it will take weeks but if machines for harvesting comes to their fields along with labourers, it will take few days.
“There is a threat to the ready-to-harvest paddy from shelling
as it can result in fire which may perish the whole fields”, he said.Kali Dass,
sarpanch of Bhudwal hamlet along the LoC in Pallwanwala sector, feels it is a
curse for him to live in the area as they are targeted every time during the
harvesting time.“We are unfortunate people. We were uprooted during three wars,
Kargil war, Operation Parakaram and every time when Indo-Pak relations”, he
said.“People particularly youth go to villages in the morning from their camps
and carry out harvest work till evening. Situation is bad for us.
We don’t known when we will become victims of Pak shelling and
firing during farming”, he said, adding but “We have no choice but to risk our
lives if we have save our only resource— paddy”.Officials said most areas in and
around the R S Pura belt are extremely fertile and best suited for basmati
cultivation.
As per estimates each hectare of this fertile land produces not less than 18 quintals of Basmati.A total of 17,742 hectares of area having standing paddy crop has been affected due to shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers, official said.The majority of the affected area falls in Jammu district followed by Samba and Kathua districts.In Jammu district, the farmers have not been able to harvest crops on 13,322 hectares and in Samba district standing crops on 3770 hectares besides in Kathua district crop on 650 hectares of land has been affected due to shelling.
As per estimates each hectare of this fertile land produces not less than 18 quintals of Basmati.A total of 17,742 hectares of area having standing paddy crop has been affected due to shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers, official said.The majority of the affected area falls in Jammu district followed by Samba and Kathua districts.In Jammu district, the farmers have not been able to harvest crops on 13,322 hectares and in Samba district standing crops on 3770 hectares besides in Kathua district crop on 650 hectares of land has been affected due to shelling.
http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/farmers-risk-lives-harvest-basmati-rice-along-ib/
Wild Rice Stovetop Dressing
Yield: 4 servings
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 link sweet Italian turkey
sausage, casing removed
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup butternut squash cubes
½ teaspoon dried thyme, or 1 teaspoon
fresh thyme, chopped
½ teaspoon dried rubbed sage, or
1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, or 2
teaspoons fresh chopped rosemary
1 ¼ cup wild rice blend (usually
wild rice and basmati mixed)
¾ cup chicken or turkey broth
¾ cup water
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup chopped toasted pecans
Salt and pepper
1. Cook the sausage in the olive oil in a large saucepan over
medium high heat, until meat is golden, about 4 minutes. Add in the celery and
onion and cook until softened, about 3 more minutes. Add the garlic, squash
cubes, herbs and rice blend and saute for 1 minute. Add the broth and water,
and raise temperature to high and bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, stir the rice once, and then cover and reduce the
temperature to low and allow to simmer gently, covered tightly, for 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat, toss in the dried cranberries (quickly covering again) and
let sit covered tightly for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, stir, taste for
seasoning, add toasted pecans and serve.
Per serving: 314 calories; 9g fat; 4mg cholesterol; 554mg sodium; 58g
carbohydrate; 6g fiber; 8g sugar; 7g protein.
http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/recipes/wild-rice-stovetop-dressing/article_3f2c21c0-4a59-502f-a171-fa135271000e.html
GI Registry holds
meeting to decide on GI tag for Basmati rice from Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh farmers and APEDA met the
registry to put forward their arguments
In a hearing on August, this year, the high court has questioned
why the State has not approached the GIRegistry after
the IPAB has asked the registry to
reconsider the claims of the State afresh.
When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday both the parties
informed the high court that they have presented their arguments with the
registry in meetings held last month and further meetings are arranged for
three days in November. The court posted the matter for directions in
January 2017.
Madhya Pradesh has claimed that 13 out of its 51 districts has
been cultivating Basmati rice and is entitled to receive the GI protection.
APEDA claimed that the rice has been
grown and produced in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. And submitted the data to
establish its claim in this region and opposed the claims of Madhya Pradesh.
Following the IPAB order in favour of the APEDA's
claims, on February 15, 2016, the GI Registry has issued an order
registering the GI for Basmati for the geographical
demarcation provided by the APEDA. The State of Madhya Pradesh has filed a
petition with the Madras High Court seeking direction to set aside the
IPAB's order.
Breaking the vicious rice-subsidy
cycle
November 10, 2016 01:00
By The Nation
By The Nation
Backed by consumers, farmers can take several steps to ensure
they get fair pay without burdening the country.
The government has set aside a budget of more than Bt60 billion
for measures aimed at curbing market supply and stabilising rice prices. The
move came after a decline in the prices of the grain, which the government
initially blamed on perceived collusion between politicians and rice
millers.With all the fuss surrounding the issue of tumbling rice prices,
citizens might wonder why Thailand continues to subsidise the price more than
three decades after the first such support programme was introduced by the
government of Prem Tinsulanonda. Trillions in taxpayers’ money has been spent
in the ensuing 35 years to help prop up the price of rice, which seems to be in
a perennial state of oversupply.
Thailand now produces 25 million tonnes of rice annually and the
population consumes between eight and nine tonnes a year. But consumption keeps
declining as more and more Thais turn to other food grains, chiefly wheat. The
country thus faces a surplus rice supply exceeding 15 million tonnes each year.
Of that, about 10 million tonnes is earmarked for export, maintaining
Thailand’s status as one of the world’s rice-exporting giants.The obvious ideal
is to grow enough rice to meet domestic demand and avoid excessive oversupply,
and thus crucially save all the money spent on subsidising rice prices.
Subsidies only encourage farmers to grow more rice than we need,
since they’re assured that the government will shore up the price whenever its
market value decreases. If there is no attempt to curb supply, this vicious cycle
of subsidies, oversupply and price crises will continue endlessly, and billions
more of taxpayer’s money will have to be sacrificed.What’s standing in the way
of common sense is the insistence among some politicians and businesspeople
that rice subsidies continue – the greedy rationale being that they’re
the
ones who benefit most. Corrupt politicians collude with unscrupulous rice millers and exporters to make money from subsidy scheme.
ones who benefit most. Corrupt politicians collude with unscrupulous rice millers and exporters to make money from subsidy scheme.
A key factor in any effort to change the system is politicians’
reliance on the farming community as a voter support base. Thailand has an
estimated 3.7 million farming households – more than 15 million people, almost
a quarter of the population. Earning their support at election time has always
been pivotal in Thai politics, and candidates and their parties have never been
able to kick the habit of buying farmers’ votes, if not through cash handouts
on the campaign trail then through generous rice subsidies. The latter is, of
course, always done at the expense of other taxpayers.
It would be better if rice farmers weren’t so quick to sell
their freshly harvested paddy to millers or middlemen. In doing so they are
playing along with an unstable system and helping to create an oversupply,
which in turn depresses market value. They should rather insist on working with
local agricultural cooperatives or other community enterprises to get their
rice milled so that the husked rice can be sold directly to consumers. And in
the meantime the farmers need to reduce the pricing risk they face annually by
diversifying in terms of the crops they |grow.
It is encouraging to see farmers now being broadly encouraged by
the populace to sell their rice directly to consumers. The notion is likely
impractical for large quantities, but it will hopefully get the message across
to more growers and consumers that it’s worth promoting and supporting direct
sales. The farmers get fairer prices for their crop and the consumers can buy
rice more cheaply. Producers should next add extra value by offering
processed rice products, backed initially with technical assistance from state
agencies.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/opinion/today_editorial/30299596
MRF announces official rice
prices
Submitted by Eleven on Wed,
11/09/2016 - 22:06
Writer: Nilar
The Myanmar Rice Federation on Monday announced
official rice prices based on types of paddy.The federation said it would buy
rice from Ayeyawady Region at the price starting at K850,000 to K900,000 per
100 baskets for paddy from last year. For Manaw Thukha, Sin Thukha, Hmawbi 2,
Hmawbi 3 and Sin Thwel paddy, the federation will pay K420,000 per 100 baskets
and Shwebo Pawsan harvest from last year will fetch K1.25 million per 100
baskets.
The federation also said it would buy Yadana
Toe rice from Bago Region at the price of K350,000 per 100 baskets. For Manaw
Thukha, the federation will pay K360,000, for Sin Thukha K380,000 and for
Kayinma Htaiksaung K385,000, all per 100 baskets.From Yangon Region, the
federation will pay K440,000 per 100 baskets for Emehta. For Yarkyaw, the
federation will pay K470,000, for Sin Thukha K440,000 and for Manaw Thukha
K470,000, all per 100 baskets.
Translated by Nyein Chan
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/6541
Numerous Factors Dent Thai
Rice Prices
BANGKOK (Bangkok Post) – While Thailand’s
government and farming industry have blamed each other for the sharp drop in
rice prices, a leading economist says the tumbling prices, particularly for
premium fragrant rice, stem from diverse factors.Somporn Isvilanonda, a senior
fellow at the Knowledge Network Institute of Thailand, believes the tumbling
prices, particularly for premium fragrant rice, can be attributed to issues at
home and abroad.“Over the past several months, demand and supply for hom mali
rice and other aromatic varieties have changed, resulting in reduced prices,”
he said.“One of the key reasons is shrinking consumption by premium rice
consumers like the US, Asia, Africa and the Middle East,” Mr. Somporn said.
“Their weak economies have led them to buy other
lower-grade rice and cereals, including Vietnam’s aromatic rice, which is much
cheaper.” Some 3.5 million tons of milled rice –
excluding basmati rice from India and Pakistan –is traded globally. Around 60
percent of that comes from Thailand, 37 percent from Vietnam and the rest from
Cambodia, he said.Vietnam’s aromatic rice prices are currently quoted at about
$570 to $650 per ton.
Thai hom mali rice fetched, on average, $1,008
per ton on the export market in 2015. Late last year prices dropped to $980 per
ton, further hitting $770 a ton in September and then $725 by the end of
October.
Mr. Somporn said speculation among millers,
traders and exporters is also to blame for tumbling rice prices. “Millers
in the northeast and central regions are the primary holders of hom mali rice
stocks, while exporters normally buy rice once they secure orders,” he
said.“Therefore, holding large stocks leads millers to face higher risks from
price volatility than exporters. Under current conditions, certain groups of millers
are possibly suffering from hefty losses from such speculation,” said Mr.
Somporn.
He added that many millers who failed to
dispose of their existing rice stocks have suffered as stocks amassed, keeping
them from buying rice from this year’s main crop.More importantly, he said,
millers do not have the ability to fix their own selling price, as exporters
normally fix buying prices via rice brokers.The buying prices set by rice
brokers fell to only 15 to 17 baht per kilogram ($0.42 to $0.48) in October,
considerably lower than 24 to 25 baht per kilogram ($0.68 to $0.71) set earlier
this year.Millers are the key paddy buyers from farmers hence have to cut their
buying prices for paddy accordingly.
On the supply side, the new harvest of hom mali
rice, particularly in the northeast, has contained up to 30 percent moisture
because of the considerable rainfall during the harvest season, forcing a shift
to using harvesters and threshers instead of labors.“With high moisture plus
drastic changes in the rural paddy trading system caused by the previous
government’s rice pledging scheme, which killed central markets and drying
grounds to reduce moisture, farmers have to rely on rice mills after harvest,”
he said.
There is also the knock-on effect of reduced
quality.“With relatively high-moisture rice, millers have to use drying
machines to reduce the moisture. The drying process dissolves the aromatic
substances in the hom mali paddy, eliminating once the paddy is milled,” he
said. “That’s why Thai people themselves complain that hom mali rice is not as
aromatic as in the past.”More importantly, Mr. Somporn said genuine hom mali
rice is becoming scarce and existing state-run rice seed centers cannot provide
enough quality seed supply to farmers.In addition, the varieties collected by
the farmers or sold on the market are mostly substandard, he said.
“The future of Thai hom mali rice is being
burdened by those factors,” said Mr Somporn. “If the export market lacks
confidence in aromatic quality of Thai hom mali rice, it will be difficult to
recover the prices we’ve enjoyed earlier. We’re afraid that non-organic hom
mali growers in the northeast will be hardest hit from the price slump. It will
be difficult to survive in a long run if the price fall is prolonged.”Duangporn
Rodphaya, director-general of Foreign Trade Department, concurred that the
falling rice prices were due to the massive supplies, high moisture and the
sluggish global economy
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/31816/numerous-factors-dent-thai-rice-prices/
Rice Prices
as on :
10-11-2016 12:12:51 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Bolpur(WB)
|
180.00
|
NC
|
2000.00
|
2250
|
2250
|
-
|
|
Cachar(ASM)
|
120.00
|
200
|
4110.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
-18.52
|
|
Siliguri(WB)
|
95.00
|
5.56
|
8690.00
|
2700
|
2700
|
-
|
|
Rampurhat(WB)
|
80.00
|
NC
|
2800.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
31.43
|
|
Saharanpur(UP)
|
70.00
|
2.94
|
6711.00
|
2280
|
2275
|
9.62
|
|
Silapathar(ASM)
|
53.00
|
NC
|
1485.90
|
3000
|
3000
|
NC
|
|
Nadia(WB)
|
50.00
|
NC
|
1520.00
|
3350
|
3350
|
15.52
|
|
Gazipur(UP)
|
40.00
|
14.29
|
3576.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
9.18
|
|
Khatra(WB)
|
38.00
|
11.76
|
1377.00
|
2550
|
2550
|
10.87
|
|
Lakhimpur(UP)
|
35.00
|
-12.5
|
823.00
|
2180
|
2170
|
-0.91
|
|
Gauripur(ASM)
|
32.00
|
-5.88
|
3268.80
|
4500
|
4500
|
NC
|
|
Bishnupur(Bankura)(WB)
|
28.00
|
-6.67
|
406.00
|
2350
|
2350
|
-
|
|
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
|
21.00
|
5
|
1375.50
|
2300
|
2300
|
15.00
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
17.00
|
115.19
|
2225.70
|
1900
|
1900
|
NC
|
|
Dhilwan(Pun)
|
14.00
|
-
|
28.00
|
2000
|
-
|
-
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
11.00
|
-33.33
|
151.40
|
2250
|
2250
|
-
|
|
Golaghat(ASM)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
371.50
|
2300
|
2200
|
-6.12
|
|
Deogarh(Ori)
|
9.00
|
NC
|
622.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
NC
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
7.50
|
7.14
|
1814.10
|
2165
|
2170
|
8.79
|
|
Chandoli(UP)
|
5.00
|
11.11
|
259.50
|
2145
|
2140
|
14.10
|
|
Karanjia(Ori)
|
4.80
|
-20
|
485.00
|
2800
|
2800
|
-3.45
|
|
Darjeeling(WB)
|
3.30
|
32
|
174.50
|
2950
|
2950
|
5.36
|
|
Kalyanpur(Tri)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
25.10
|
2800
|
2800
|
12.00
|
|
Bishenpur(Man)
|
1.10
|
10
|
28.90
|
3100
|
2900
|
6.90
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9328137.ece
Rice Prices
as on :
09-11-2016 08:10:41 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Bhivandi(Mah)
|
2100.00
|
-4.76
|
167835.00
|
2680
|
2200
|
30.73
|
|
Gadarpur(Utr)
|
500.00
|
-71.31
|
191418.00
|
1993
|
2056
|
8.02
|
|
Bolpur(WB)
|
180.00
|
NC
|
1640.00
|
2250
|
2250
|
-
|
|
Kalipur(WB)
|
85.00
|
-9.57
|
8519.00
|
2350
|
2300
|
20.51
|
|
Vasai(Mah)
|
83.00
|
7.79
|
658.00
|
2870
|
2720
|
10.38
|
|
Rampurhat(WB)
|
80.00
|
-11.11
|
2640.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
31.43
|
|
Nadia(WB)
|
50.00
|
NC
|
1420.00
|
3350
|
3350
|
15.52
|
|
Kasimbazar(WB)
|
48.00
|
NC
|
2913.00
|
2450
|
2450
|
8.89
|
|
Beldanga(WB)
|
46.00
|
-8
|
4168.00
|
2450
|
2450
|
8.89
|
|
Cachar(ASM)
|
40.00
|
NC
|
3870.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
-18.52
|
|
Lakhimpur(UP)
|
40.00
|
5.26
|
753.00
|
2170
|
2230
|
-1.36
|
|
Khatra(WB)
|
34.00
|
-5.56
|
1301.00
|
2550
|
2550
|
10.87
|
|
Bishnupur(Bankura)(WB)
|
30.00
|
-25
|
350.00
|
2350
|
2350
|
-
|
|
Gauripur(ASM)
|
25.00
|
-1.96
|
126.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
-12.00
|
|
Anandnagar(UP)
|
25.00
|
25
|
270.00
|
2185
|
2175
|
8.17
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
16.50
|
22.22
|
129.40
|
2250
|
2250
|
-
|
|
Dhekiajuli(ASM)
|
16.00
|
-5.88
|
1567.10
|
2300
|
2290
|
15.00
|
|
Champadanga(WB)
|
14.00
|
-
|
28.00
|
2750
|
-
|
7.84
|
|
Islampur(WB)
|
12.00
|
NC
|
478.90
|
2450
|
2450
|
19.51
|
|
Kaliaganj(WB)
|
11.00
|
NC
|
1155.00
|
2675
|
2675
|
-0.93
|
|
Pavagada(Kar)
|
10.00
|
-
|
20.00
|
3137
|
-
|
-
|
|
Raiganj(WB)
|
9.00
|
NC
|
1046.00
|
2725
|
2725
|
-0.91
|
|
Bolangir(Ori)
|
8.00
|
14.29
|
472.40
|
2400
|
2300
|
NC
|
|
Muradabad(UP)
|
8.00
|
NC
|
604.70
|
2320
|
2310
|
0.87
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
7.90
|
-14.13
|
2191.70
|
1900
|
1900
|
NC
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
7.00
|
40
|
1799.10
|
2170
|
2175
|
9.05
|
|
Chengannur(Ker)
|
6.50
|
-13.33
|
612.00
|
2300
|
2400
|
-8.00
|
|
Tusura(Ori)
|
6.50
|
NC
|
448.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
-4.17
|
|
Karanjia(Ori)
|
6.00
|
25
|
475.40
|
2800
|
2800
|
-3.45
|
|
Jeypore(Ori)
|
5.00
|
150
|
333.90
|
4200
|
4200
|
2.44
|
|
Chandoli(UP)
|
4.50
|
-10
|
249.50
|
2140
|
2145
|
13.83
|
|
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
|
4.00
|
-42.86
|
2402.00
|
3000
|
3000
|
-3.23
|
|
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
|
3.00
|
-23.08
|
316.70
|
4100
|
4100
|
-3.53
|
|
Jahangirabad(UP)
|
2.00
|
NC
|
28.00
|
2250
|
2260
|
-
|
|
Kalimpong(WB)
|
1.50
|
7.14
|
53.60
|
2650
|
2650
|
17.26
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9323278.ece
Nigeria: How Nigeria Can
Attain Sufficiency in Rice Production - Owoeye
By Chika Izuora
As the federal government embarks on measures
to boost local rice production in the country, experts are of the view that
attaining self-sufficiency in rice production may take long because efforts are
not being taken in the right direction.The chief executive officer of Elephant
Group Limited, Tunji Owoeye, speaking in Lagos at a one-day seminar on
"Sustainable Agriculture Under Economic Recession," organised by the
Nigerian Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ), observed that the gap
between demand and supply of rice is huge and that except priority is given to
key areas in the production cycle, it would take so long to achieve the dream.
Owoeye, who spoke through a senior partner with
OIT Fash Consults, Dr Rotimi Fashola, put national rice demand at an excess of
six million tonnes while local farmers total output is barely above three million
tonnes, adding that "with our population growth rate the gap would be
wider in the next few years if something urgent is not done."
Suggesting the way forward, he noted that
countries that are currently self-sufficient in rice production adopted three
major strategic initiatives and models that could still be applied in Nigeria.
First, he said, irrigation is key to all-year-round rice production and
discouraged the practice of rain-fed agriculture that is solely dependent on
rain and planting once. "The rainy season is short, less than five months
in some areas," he said, "so we lose the remaining seven months. If
you are able to grow a crop that lasts three to four months on the field under
irrigation, it means you can grow it at least two times in a year."
Owoeye also said that mechanisation is key to
boosting local rice production as it removes the drudgery associated with rice
farming and reduces drastically losses during production and at harvest. With
mechanised method, production is more efficient while large rice production is
better practised as against small parcels of land cultivated by a majority of
Nigerian farmers, he explained. He also suggested that government should
prioritise production in ecologies that are appropriate for the production of
rice. In other words, in places that have water bodies that can support lowland
rice production he said farmers should not plant other crops except rice
ROK, Philippines collaborate on mechanization
Published November 9, 2016, 10:01
PM
By Zac B. Sarian
We can expect more Filipino
farmers to mechanize their operations in the coming years as Korean
agricultural machinery manufacturers collaborate with PhilMech to develop
appropriate machines and equipment for local agriculture.The Korean
Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) and the Philippine Center
for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) recently signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) to join forces in upgrading farm
mechanization in the country.
One of the priorities under the
MOU is the establishment of an agricultural mechanization complex where the
different machines and equipment are showcased. The complex could also become a
training center for farm mechanization practitioners.There will also be collaborative
research on machinery development, exchange of experts and provision of
technical support, facilitation of study tours, workshops, symposia, training
courses and exhibitions on subjects of mutual interest.
The two parties will also
encourage the involvement of concerned agencies, the academe, scientific and
business communities and non-government organizations of their respective
countries to generate broad support to and increased interest in the activities
covered by the cooperation.The private sector will also play an important role
in the achievement of the goals of the MOU. One example is the collaboration of
Eugene T. Gabriel of Agri Components Corporation of Isabela and the WeCan
Global Company of Korea which manufactures rotavators and other farming
equipment.
Under a memorandum of agreement
between Agricom and WeCan, Gabriel has placed an initial order of 100 unite of
rotavators that are not fully assembled. Assembly will be done by workers in
Isabela and attachments that can be fabricated in the Philippines will also be
made in the Philippines with the guidance of PhilMech and Korean experts. One
example is the rice field leveler which is attached behind the rotavator.This
particular attachment will eliminate one process in the land preparation for
rice. Normally, after plowing and rotavating, a third process is the leveling
by means of a carabao-drawn implement. This is now eliminated by the leveler
that is attached to the rotavator.
According to Gabriel, the
assembling of rotavators in the Philippines will give employment to local
workers. At the same time, the selling price of the equipment will be about 20
percent cheaper.Another area of research and development will be the
development of village-level machines and equipment. One of the suggestions is
the development of a village-level corn mill to process white corn for human
consumption. This should be useful to farmers in the Visayas and Mindanao where
many people prefer to eat white corn.In this connection, possible collaboration
will be between PhilMech and Lee-Wha Industry headed by Seok Jin Lee. Lee-Wha
is the leading manufacturer of compact rice mills in Korea.More about the
agricultural machinery trade show next time.
·
Cuba possibilities discussed
Dr. Eric Wailes
Shea Higgerson/Stuttgart Daily Leader
Monday
Posted
Nov 7, 2016 at 7:08 AM
Wailes presented members and guests at the meeting with some
observations he made about Cuba during his visit. He said the population in
Cuba is about 11.3 million with zero growth. The country is a lower, middle
income country. Imports contribute to approximately 80 percent of Cuba's food
supply, with agriculture being approximately 4 percent of its gross domestic
product and 20 percent of its employment. Approximately 70 percent of the land
in Cuba is state-owned and state enterprises account for 85 percent of the rice
area.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/20161107/cuba-possibilities-discussed
New study: Global rice husk
ash market forecasts from 2016 to 2021 with industry chain structure,
competitive landscape, new projects and investment analysis
Published: 10 November 2016
Submitted by The Market Reports
The Rice Husk Ash industry
development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.
The Global Rice Husk Ash Industry 2016 Market Research Report is
a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Rice Husk Ash
industry. With around 150 tables and figures this report provides key
statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance
and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.
Development policies and plans are discussed as well as
manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also
analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand
Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.
Complete report with detailed table of content is available at:www.themarketreports.com/report/global-rice-husk-ash-market-professional-survey-report-2016
Companies like Guru Metachem, Wadham Energy Limited Partnership, Agrilectric
Power, Rescon, Ricehuskash.com, ricehusk.com, Rice Husk Ash, Guru Metachem, J.M
Biotech, Sunson and more are profiled in the
terms of product picture, specification, capacity, production, price, cost,
gross, revenue, and contact information.
Global Rice Husk Ash Market report provides a basic overview of
the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry
chain structure. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand
analysis is also carried out.
Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed
and overall research conclusions offered.
Table of Contents:
1 Industry Overview of Rice Husk Ash
2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Rice Husk Ash
3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Rice Husk
Ash
4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Rice Husk Ash by
Regions, Types and Manufacturers
5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Rice Husk Ash
by Regions, Types and Manufacturers
6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis
of Rice Husk Ash by Regions, Types and Applications
7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Rice Husk
Ash
8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Rice Husk Ash
9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Rice Husk Ash
10 Industry Chain Analysis of Rice Husk Ash
11 Development Trend of Analysis of Rice Husk Ash
12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Rice Husk Ash
13 Conclusion of the Global Rice Husk Ash Industry 2016 Market
Research Report
Category: Market Research ReportsCompany profile: The Market Reports aims to provide the best industry and market reports to a seeker. We are looking forward to a place where we are the one stop destination for all the report seekers irrespective of any country, category, domain, etc. We are always open on call and email (24*7) to your queries and very clean with the business methodology. Since we are dealing with so many Publishers, we can actually give you what suits best in accordance to your requirements.
For more information:
https://www.whatech.com/market-research/food-beverage/225900-new-study-global-rice-husk-ash-market-forecasts-from-
Assam down town University awarded
joha, black rice research project
TNN | Updated: Nov 10, 2016, 07.13 AM IST
"The research team will explore the antioxidant and hypolipidemic effectiveness of a few Joha and black rice varieties. The biomolecues associated with the rice varieties and their significant function in controlling cholesterol and other lipid profiles related to cardiovascular diseases will be studied," an AdtU official said. tnn
HUGE
Special to the USA Rice Daily
WASHINGTON, DC -- President-Elect Trump is known to make frequent use of that word but in the case of last night it was the textbook definition of the term.Aside from the gut feelings of some personal friends, perhaps, the conventional wisdom we all consistently heard from all the major political prognosticators was that it would be nearly if not totally impossible for Donald Trump to win the White House.
Everyone seemed to discount the possibility that Trump's rust-belt strategy, significantly based on his opposition to trade deals including the Trans Pacific Partnership, could pay off despite polls in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin showing close contests, some even within the margin of error.
As of the close of business on election day, Democrats were absolutely confident that Secretary Clinton would break the 300 mark in the electoral college, retake the Senate albeit by a small margin, and take a big bite out of Speaker Paul Ryan's House majority.
Negative down-ballot pressure, it was thought, would doom the reelection chances of at least the four GOP senators from Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, while Democrats would hold on to Sen. Reid's seat in Nevada, giving Democrats the 50 votes they would need to regain control of the Senate, with a Vice President Kaine on speed dial to break any tie. Plus, Democrats smelled blood in the water in Indiana, Missouri, and North Carolina and some even felt they had a shot at knocking out Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a rising star in the GOP whom Democrats were eager to unseat in order to take the polish off.
The House GOP majority was never believed to be in any real danger given the small handful of competitive races, about 37 out of 435, with the Democrats required to win nearly all of them to wrest control of that chamber. It just wasn't in the cards and most pundits put the damage to the GOP in the low double digits but allowing that the list of Republican casualties could grow.
But, when the dust began to settle last night, ahem, this morning, it was Trump whose electoral college votes soared to near the 300 mark. Moreover, the Democrats managed to defeat just one Republican senator (Illinois) while hanging onto what many believed was the only Democratic-held seat in real contention (Nevada) - only last night was it revealed just how close the senate contest in Colorado was, with the Democratic incumbent there winning against an unknown, unfunded opponent by a margin closer than Occam's razor. In New Hampshire, however, another potential Democratic pick up opportunity does still exist, although the Democrat leads the incumbent Republican by just over 700 votes and the race is still too close to call. There is also still a run-off election in Louisiana where the Republican leads based on last night's returns.
Meanwhile, House GOP losses appear to be confined to just seven. Four races are yet to be decided but the Republican holds the lead in each. The two upsets were the defeat of a twelve-year House incumbent from Florida who apparently got snuck up on by a young political novice, and a Freedom Caucus sort from New Jersey who was next in line to chair the Budget Committee.
Impacts on Committees of Importance to Agriculture
Parochially speaking, Senate Agriculture
Committee Members, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), John Boozman (R-AR), Chuck
Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), and John Thune (R-SD) all coasted to
victory last night, while Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) won a surprisingly
close race.
Retention of Senate control by the GOP means Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) will presumably want to keep the helm of the Appropriations Committee and, in turn, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) will continue to hold the gavel at the Agriculture Committee. While Democrats are not term-limited as chairmen or ranking member, they do leave for greener committee pastures from time to time. However, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has made clear she intends to remain Ranking Member of the Agriculture panel.
Senator Stabenow will not only need to partner with Chairman Roberts on the development and passage of the next Farm Bill but she must do so in a politically charged environment as seven of the nine Democratic members of the Senate Agriculture Committee face reelection in 2018, including Senator Stabenow. Plus, there are two other Democratic senators representing GOP farm states who will be up in 2018. In total, Democrats will defend 25 seats in 2018 compared to the Republicans' eight, making this coming election cycle potentially tough sledding for Senate Democrats. No Republican member of the Senate Agriculture Committee faces reelection in 2018. Democrats will undoubtedly press hard for a Farm Bill and Republicans will be on the hot spot to deliver.
Over on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and, as previously mentioned, Senators Hoeven and Leahy, coasted to reelection, while Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) won a closer than earlier anticipated race against a guy best known for his ability to assemble an assault rifle while blind-folded.
So, in sum, there are no membership changes to either panel that would result from last night's election.
On the other side of the dome, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) were both reelected last night and expected to continue to lead the panel. Rep. Conaway coasted in with 90 percent of the vote while Rep. Peterson had a much closer race than usual, reminding those who care about agriculture not to take good friends like Rep. Peterson for granted.
As for the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, perhaps the biggest question is who will serve as Chairman should Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) be selected by his conference to serve as Chairman of the full Committee? Rep. Aderholt has reportedly expressed interested in the top post as has Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ). Due to retirements, there are three subcommittee posts that will lack chairmen and a fourth should either Rep. Aderholt or Frelinghysen assume the full Committee chairmanship. The next four members on the full Committee without a chair include Reps. Kevin Yoder (R-KS), who weathered a fairly close race last night, Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL). Subcommittee GOP members Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and David Young (R-IA) also weathered close calls last night.
In terms of leadership, after a stellar evening for Republicans, one would not anticipate any desire for a shake up in either the Senate or House although there has reportedly been talk among both Freedom Caucus members and folks upset with Speaker Ryan's handling of Mr. Trump after the famous "locker talk" recording that some House Republicans might like to consider other potential Speakers. Be that as it may, Rep. Ryan is likely stuck with arguably the worst job in Washington. On the Democratic side, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is the heir apparent to Senator Reid and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) currently serves as whip. The question is whether members of the Democratic caucus will want more liberal representation in some leadership capacity.
Retention of Senate control by the GOP means Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) will presumably want to keep the helm of the Appropriations Committee and, in turn, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) will continue to hold the gavel at the Agriculture Committee. While Democrats are not term-limited as chairmen or ranking member, they do leave for greener committee pastures from time to time. However, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has made clear she intends to remain Ranking Member of the Agriculture panel.
Senator Stabenow will not only need to partner with Chairman Roberts on the development and passage of the next Farm Bill but she must do so in a politically charged environment as seven of the nine Democratic members of the Senate Agriculture Committee face reelection in 2018, including Senator Stabenow. Plus, there are two other Democratic senators representing GOP farm states who will be up in 2018. In total, Democrats will defend 25 seats in 2018 compared to the Republicans' eight, making this coming election cycle potentially tough sledding for Senate Democrats. No Republican member of the Senate Agriculture Committee faces reelection in 2018. Democrats will undoubtedly press hard for a Farm Bill and Republicans will be on the hot spot to deliver.
Over on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and, as previously mentioned, Senators Hoeven and Leahy, coasted to reelection, while Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) won a closer than earlier anticipated race against a guy best known for his ability to assemble an assault rifle while blind-folded.
So, in sum, there are no membership changes to either panel that would result from last night's election.
On the other side of the dome, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) were both reelected last night and expected to continue to lead the panel. Rep. Conaway coasted in with 90 percent of the vote while Rep. Peterson had a much closer race than usual, reminding those who care about agriculture not to take good friends like Rep. Peterson for granted.
As for the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, perhaps the biggest question is who will serve as Chairman should Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) be selected by his conference to serve as Chairman of the full Committee? Rep. Aderholt has reportedly expressed interested in the top post as has Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ). Due to retirements, there are three subcommittee posts that will lack chairmen and a fourth should either Rep. Aderholt or Frelinghysen assume the full Committee chairmanship. The next four members on the full Committee without a chair include Reps. Kevin Yoder (R-KS), who weathered a fairly close race last night, Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL). Subcommittee GOP members Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and David Young (R-IA) also weathered close calls last night.
In terms of leadership, after a stellar evening for Republicans, one would not anticipate any desire for a shake up in either the Senate or House although there has reportedly been talk among both Freedom Caucus members and folks upset with Speaker Ryan's handling of Mr. Trump after the famous "locker talk" recording that some House Republicans might like to consider other potential Speakers. Be that as it may, Rep. Ryan is likely stuck with arguably the worst job in Washington. On the Democratic side, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is the heir apparent to Senator Reid and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) currently serves as whip. The question is whether members of the Democratic caucus will want more liberal representation in some leadership capacity.
Impacts on Committees of Importance to Agriculture
Parochially
speaking, Senate Agriculture Committee Members, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT),
John Boozman (R-AR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), and John Thune
(R-SD) all coasted to victory last night, while Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
won a surprisingly close race.
Retention of Senate control by the GOP means Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) will presumably want to keep the helm of the Appropriations Committee and, in turn, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) will continue to hold the gavel at the Agriculture Committee. While Democrats are not term-limited as chairmen or ranking member, they do leave for greener committee pastures from time to time. However, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has made clear she intends to remain Ranking Member of the Agriculture panel.
Senator Stabenow will not only need to partner with Chairman Roberts on the development and passage of the next Farm Bill but she must do so in a politically charged environment as seven of the nine Democratic members of the Senate Agriculture Committee face reelection in 2018, including Senator Stabenow. Plus, there are two other Democratic senators representing GOP farm states who will be up in 2018. In total, Democrats will defend 25 seats in 2018 compared to the Republicans' eight, making this coming election cycle potentially tough sledding for Senate Democrats. No Republican member of the Senate Agriculture Committee faces reelection in 2018. Democrats will undoubtedly press hard for a Farm Bill and Republicans will be on the hot spot to deliver.
Over on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and, as previously mentioned, Senators Hoeven and Leahy, coasted to reelection, while Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) won a closer than earlier anticipated race against a guy best known for his ability to assemble an assault rifle while blind-folded.
So, in sum, there are no membership changes to either panel that would result from last night's election.
On the other side of the dome, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) were both reelected last night and expected to continue to lead the panel. Rep. Conaway coasted in with 90 percent of the vote while Rep. Peterson had a much closer race than usual, reminding those who care about agriculture not to take good friends like Rep. Peterson for granted.
As for the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, perhaps the biggest question is who will serve as Chairman should Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) be selected by his conference to serve as Chairman of the full Committee? Rep. Aderholt has reportedly expressed interested in the top post as has Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ). Due to retirements, there are three subcommittee posts that will lack chairmen and a fourth should either Rep. Aderholt or Frelinghysen assume the full Committee chairmanship. The next four members on the full Committee without a chair include Reps. Kevin Yoder (R-KS), who weathered a fairly close race last night, Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL). Subcommittee GOP members Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and David Young (R-IA) also weathered close calls last night.
In terms of leadership, after a stellar evening for Republicans, one would not anticipate any desire for a shake up in either the Senate or House although there has reportedly been talk among both Freedom Caucus members and folks upset with Speaker Ryan's handling of Mr. Trump after the famous "locker talk" recording that some House Republicans might like to consider other potential Speakers. Be that as it may, Rep. Ryan is likely stuck with arguably the worst job in Washington. On the Democratic side, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is the heir apparent to Senator Reid and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) currently serves as whip. The question is whether members of the Democratic caucus will want more liberal representation in some leadership capacity.
Retention of Senate control by the GOP means Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) will presumably want to keep the helm of the Appropriations Committee and, in turn, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) will continue to hold the gavel at the Agriculture Committee. While Democrats are not term-limited as chairmen or ranking member, they do leave for greener committee pastures from time to time. However, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has made clear she intends to remain Ranking Member of the Agriculture panel.
Senator Stabenow will not only need to partner with Chairman Roberts on the development and passage of the next Farm Bill but she must do so in a politically charged environment as seven of the nine Democratic members of the Senate Agriculture Committee face reelection in 2018, including Senator Stabenow. Plus, there are two other Democratic senators representing GOP farm states who will be up in 2018. In total, Democrats will defend 25 seats in 2018 compared to the Republicans' eight, making this coming election cycle potentially tough sledding for Senate Democrats. No Republican member of the Senate Agriculture Committee faces reelection in 2018. Democrats will undoubtedly press hard for a Farm Bill and Republicans will be on the hot spot to deliver.
Over on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and, as previously mentioned, Senators Hoeven and Leahy, coasted to reelection, while Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) won a closer than earlier anticipated race against a guy best known for his ability to assemble an assault rifle while blind-folded.
So, in sum, there are no membership changes to either panel that would result from last night's election.
On the other side of the dome, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) were both reelected last night and expected to continue to lead the panel. Rep. Conaway coasted in with 90 percent of the vote while Rep. Peterson had a much closer race than usual, reminding those who care about agriculture not to take good friends like Rep. Peterson for granted.
As for the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, perhaps the biggest question is who will serve as Chairman should Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) be selected by his conference to serve as Chairman of the full Committee? Rep. Aderholt has reportedly expressed interested in the top post as has Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ). Due to retirements, there are three subcommittee posts that will lack chairmen and a fourth should either Rep. Aderholt or Frelinghysen assume the full Committee chairmanship. The next four members on the full Committee without a chair include Reps. Kevin Yoder (R-KS), who weathered a fairly close race last night, Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL). Subcommittee GOP members Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and David Young (R-IA) also weathered close calls last night.
In terms of leadership, after a stellar evening for Republicans, one would not anticipate any desire for a shake up in either the Senate or House although there has reportedly been talk among both Freedom Caucus members and folks upset with Speaker Ryan's handling of Mr. Trump after the famous "locker talk" recording that some House Republicans might like to consider other potential Speakers. Be that as it may, Rep. Ryan is likely stuck with arguably the worst job in Washington. On the Democratic side, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is the heir apparent to Senator Reid and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) currently serves as whip. The question is whether members of the Democratic caucus will want more liberal representation in some leadership capacity.
Possible Agriculture Secretaries
There is naturally
much speculation on who President-Elect Trump will select as his Agriculture
Secretary. This usually amounts to nothing more than a guessing game,
although there are some names that are often listed as possibilities in this
instance, including Kansas Governor Sam Brownback; former Nebraska Governor
Dave Heinemann; former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue; former Texas Governor
Rick Perry; Nebraska businessman and rancher Charles Herbster; Iowa
agri-businessman Bruce Rastetter; and a handful of Hoosiers such as Kip Tom, a
successful farmer who ran for Congress recently; Ted McKinney, the director of
the Indiana Department of Agriculture; Don Villwock, the President of the
Indiana Farm Bureau; Chuck Conner, president of the National Council of Farmer
Cooperatives and Deputy Secretary under George W. Bush; and Mike McCloskey of
Select Milk Producers, Inc. and Fair Oaks Farms. Mr. McCloskey and, I am
sure, the other Hoosiers on the list have come to know Vice President-Elect
Mike Pence who, when he was in the House, served as an exemplary Member of the
House Agriculture Committee and as a whip for the 2002 Farm Bill.
The President-Elect on Policies Affecting Agriculture
Presidential
candidates don't spend much time anymore talking about farm policy as they once
did but the President-Elect has made statements supportive of farm policy,
including crop insurance, the Renewable Fuels Standard, revoking environmental
regulations such as the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) and the Clean Power plan
rules, enacting tax relief including the repeal of the death tax and capital
gains tax relief, and making significant investment in infrastructure. He
has also stated that he would be very deferential to the Agriculture Committees
on farm policy details. And, of course, Mr. Trump has also stated his
strong opposition to TPP, NAFTA, and similar trade agreements.
The 115th Congress
Were this a piece about what to expect had
Secretary Clinton been elected President with a Republican House and/or Senate,
I would have probably written that we ought to expect more of the same.
However, I do not mean that critically of either in that case. I simply
would have meant that the stand-off between a Democratic President and an at
least partially Republican Congress would have continued.
But, the results of last night's elections mean something altogether different: namely, hang onto your Make America Great Again hats because there is a lot to do, a pathway to do it, and a whole lot of pent up demand amongst GOP lawmakers to make it happen.
Of course, unilaterally, the new President can unwind regulations and executive orders unilaterally put in place by his predecessor. Prime examples are WOTUS and Climate regulations. The President-Elect has certainly said he would do just that.
Both Mr. Trump and Congressional Republicans are eager to do tax reform and this may certainly be one of those areas where their philosophical interests may converge nicely with popular opinion, although with the caveat that bringing down rates on a budget neutral basis means closing a lot of "loopholes" that don't look like loopholes to those who are using them.
Mr. Trump and Congressional Republicans are also eager to deliver on their promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and, given premium increases and significant attrition among providers operating in the risk pool, this, too, may gel nicely with popular opinion.
Increased funding on infrastructure is also a big promise of the President-Elect and Congressional Republicans have already expressed willingness to use additional revenues generated by the growth resulting from tax reform on infrastructure.
Appointing Constitutional originalists in the mold of the late Justice Antonin Scalia will also be a top mutual priority.
The President-Elect and GOP lawmakers have also talked about the need for deficit reduction. However, where the two have parted company is on the need for changes to Social Security and Medicare where Mr. Trump has said he opposes alterations and GOP lawmakers say changes are necessary since both programs will be insolvent within the near future (2028, 2029). How the two sides reconcile their difference on this matter is important because of the sheer size of these programs which would make meaningful deficit reduction without their being in the mix both extremely difficult and awfully hard on those programs upon which the extra burden would fall. Food Stamps would presumably be part of the mix and, of course, this has repercussions for the Farm Bill rewrite expected to take place in the next Congress.
Trade, too, is another example where the President-Elect and the vast majority of Republican lawmakers take a different point of view. Reconciling differences over how to proceed on a U.S. trade agenda will be a difficult needle to thread since the states that gave Mr. Trump his margin of victory are comprised significantly of voters who strongly believe their families and communities have suffered terribly on account of trade agreements. TPP and T-TIP are the most immediately affected.
For those of you who have gotten used to stalemate, I would predict a change of scenery. Politicians make promises every election season and voters often numb to their going unfulfilled. But one gets the unmistakable impression that Trump backers took very much to heart the promises he made and one also gets the sense that he is going to move heaven and earth to try and honor them.
I am persuaded that either through the use of reconciliation - which allows the Senate to move legislation on a simple majority - or through changes in the Senate rules to navigate around the 60-vote threshold, the President-Elect and the GOP Congress are going to want to make a lot of headway on their priorities over the next two years. Under either approach they could get around Democratic opposition much as President Obama and Congressional Democrats did on the Affordable Care Act, though I anticipate institutionalists far and away preferring reconciliation over a change in rules. Moreover, renegade GOP members may have become accustomed to challenging their Leadership but it's hard to imagine Mr. Trump countenancing defections on his side for long.
As for the Farm Bill rewrite, it may well be delayed and extended in favor of tackling bigger stuff or its passage may be hastened as part of a broader legislative agenda which could involve both roses and thorns. Recall that in 2005, for example, the Republican White House and Congress at least considered giving the Farm Bill a small haircut in a reconciliation process in exchange for a 10-year reauthorization.
In sum, the President-Elect is saying all the right things about agriculture, farmers, and ranchers and he has staked out many good position on issues affecting agriculture. Where the rub may lie is how that favorable approach and policy are affected by other policies being pursued.
But, two things are for sure. First, Trump apparently digs farmers and ranchers and by the looks of last night's results farmers and ranchers dug him back.
And, second, all signs point to the 115th Congress being bigly, phenomenal, or huge, believe me
But, the results of last night's elections mean something altogether different: namely, hang onto your Make America Great Again hats because there is a lot to do, a pathway to do it, and a whole lot of pent up demand amongst GOP lawmakers to make it happen.
Of course, unilaterally, the new President can unwind regulations and executive orders unilaterally put in place by his predecessor. Prime examples are WOTUS and Climate regulations. The President-Elect has certainly said he would do just that.
Both Mr. Trump and Congressional Republicans are eager to do tax reform and this may certainly be one of those areas where their philosophical interests may converge nicely with popular opinion, although with the caveat that bringing down rates on a budget neutral basis means closing a lot of "loopholes" that don't look like loopholes to those who are using them.
Mr. Trump and Congressional Republicans are also eager to deliver on their promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and, given premium increases and significant attrition among providers operating in the risk pool, this, too, may gel nicely with popular opinion.
Increased funding on infrastructure is also a big promise of the President-Elect and Congressional Republicans have already expressed willingness to use additional revenues generated by the growth resulting from tax reform on infrastructure.
Appointing Constitutional originalists in the mold of the late Justice Antonin Scalia will also be a top mutual priority.
The President-Elect and GOP lawmakers have also talked about the need for deficit reduction. However, where the two have parted company is on the need for changes to Social Security and Medicare where Mr. Trump has said he opposes alterations and GOP lawmakers say changes are necessary since both programs will be insolvent within the near future (2028, 2029). How the two sides reconcile their difference on this matter is important because of the sheer size of these programs which would make meaningful deficit reduction without their being in the mix both extremely difficult and awfully hard on those programs upon which the extra burden would fall. Food Stamps would presumably be part of the mix and, of course, this has repercussions for the Farm Bill rewrite expected to take place in the next Congress.
Trade, too, is another example where the President-Elect and the vast majority of Republican lawmakers take a different point of view. Reconciling differences over how to proceed on a U.S. trade agenda will be a difficult needle to thread since the states that gave Mr. Trump his margin of victory are comprised significantly of voters who strongly believe their families and communities have suffered terribly on account of trade agreements. TPP and T-TIP are the most immediately affected.
For those of you who have gotten used to stalemate, I would predict a change of scenery. Politicians make promises every election season and voters often numb to their going unfulfilled. But one gets the unmistakable impression that Trump backers took very much to heart the promises he made and one also gets the sense that he is going to move heaven and earth to try and honor them.
I am persuaded that either through the use of reconciliation - which allows the Senate to move legislation on a simple majority - or through changes in the Senate rules to navigate around the 60-vote threshold, the President-Elect and the GOP Congress are going to want to make a lot of headway on their priorities over the next two years. Under either approach they could get around Democratic opposition much as President Obama and Congressional Democrats did on the Affordable Care Act, though I anticipate institutionalists far and away preferring reconciliation over a change in rules. Moreover, renegade GOP members may have become accustomed to challenging their Leadership but it's hard to imagine Mr. Trump countenancing defections on his side for long.
As for the Farm Bill rewrite, it may well be delayed and extended in favor of tackling bigger stuff or its passage may be hastened as part of a broader legislative agenda which could involve both roses and thorns. Recall that in 2005, for example, the Republican White House and Congress at least considered giving the Farm Bill a small haircut in a reconciliation process in exchange for a 10-year reauthorization.
In sum, the President-Elect is saying all the right things about agriculture, farmers, and ranchers and he has staked out many good position on issues affecting agriculture. Where the rub may lie is how that favorable approach and policy are affected by other policies being pursued.
But, two things are for sure. First, Trump apparently digs farmers and ranchers and by the looks of last night's results farmers and ranchers dug him back.
And, second, all signs point to the 115th Congress being bigly, phenomenal, or huge, believe me
