Wednesday, May 23, 2018

23rd May,2018 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter

IFC, Mars Foods support sustainable rice in Cambodia

May 23, 2018 - by Holly Demaree-Saddler
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PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Mars Food and Battambang Rice Investment Co., Ltd (BRICo), launched a partnership to promote sustainable development of Cambodia’s rice industry. The partnership will work toward improving rice production and enhancing linkages with the global rice value chain and will help Cambodia’s agri-sector expand market access and increase export value.

According to IFC, rice is Cambodia’s most important crop, engaging 80% of farmers. Cambodia’s rice exports have grown tenfold since 2010, due to raised industry standards, improved efficiency of rice millers and re-processors, and streamlining of export procedures, among others. However, the sector would like to further increase the rice export value by improving rice yield and quality, adopting sustainable farming and processing practices, and enhancing value chain linkages. In addition, with climate change threats, there is an urgent need to shift to a more sustainable way of growing rice, IFC said.
IFC and Mars Food along with its local rice supplier Battambang Rice Investment Co., Ltd. (BRICo) — a rice mill from Cambodia’s rice bowl of Battambang — kick-started the advisory project on May 22. By helping farmers conform to agricultural standards and practices developed by the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) and improving famers’ adoption of technology and climate smart agriculture practices, the project is expected to result in a 20% increase in yield and a 25% increase in income by 2025. Over the next three years, the partnership expects about 9,000 smallholder farmers to benefit from exposure to sustainable farming practices, climate smart agriculture technologies and financial literacy training disseminated by the project.
Luc Beerens, global sustainable sourcing director at Mars Food
“This partnership with IFC, and Mars’ commitment to sustainable sourcing, is a key part of Mars’ Sustainable in a Generation Plan,” said Luc Beerens, global sustainable sourcing director at Mars Food. “We strive for all of our high-quality rice to be sourced from farmers working toward the Sustainable Rice Platform standard. IFC’s work to advance sustainability in Cambodia’s rice sector, particularly among smallholder farmers, will make the country’s rice more attractive to international rice buyers like Mars Food in the future. IFC’s global supply chain expertise make them a natural partner for us.”
The project further seeks to improve farmers’ adoption of climate smart agriculture, including planting seeds, technologies, and services. It will build a sustainable rice supply chain, adopt better pesticide and fertilizer practices, and employ better post-harvest methods.
“The aim is to integrate small farmers and SMEs into a more effective rice value chain by providing them with better access to improved inputs, technology, knowledge and markets, better firm linkages and training,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR. “Building on our earlier support to Cambodia’s rice sector, this project will further help the industry achieve its full potential by boosting its export of traceable, sustainable, and high-quality rice products.” http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2018/05/IFC_Mars_Foods_support_sustain.aspx?ID={8C79C7C0-3174-40A5-B0EC-A526BFA1212B}

EAC countries join efforts to increase trade on staple foods

By Racheal Nabisubi, Noah Jagwe
Added 22nd May 2018 05:50 PM
The three-year project worth sh22.2b agricultural covers Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.
PIC: (L-R)Head of Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Nuhu Haibu,shares a moment  with   the Second Deputy Prime minister Moses Ali and  the State minister for East African Julius Maganda on Monday. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)  

FOOD 
                                               
KAMPALA - The East African Community has launched the Regional East African Trade in staples (REACTS-II)project that will increase production of staple food to reduce  importations from non-member states.

The three-year project worth sh22.2b agricultural covers Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.

It is aimed at helping 300,000 small holder farmers across the three countries. The project is funded by Kilimo Trust with support from Alliance from Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Speaking at the launch on Monday, the Deputy Prime minister, Moses Ali, presiding over the event said the project was timely as it will provide alternative guaranteed markets for farmers and formalise business in agriculture in the EAC partner states.

“At the moment our farmers are held hostage by the middlemen and Uganda has no arrangement to buy from farmers as it was before liberalisation, in the 80s. We thought that with the introduction of the Warehouse Receipt System, this situation would be addressed,” Moses noted.

He added that this will reap maximum benefits from national and regional trade.

Moses further added that concerted efforts must be made to address the supply side constraints related to quantity, quality and regular supplies at competitive prices compared to imports from outside the region.

He also noted that Kenya and Rwanda always experience an annual deficit of more than 400,000MT and 150,000MT respectively yet Uganda normally has a surplus of food.  

“Uganda has a comparative advantage having suitable agro-ecologies for production of maize and beans and a ready market for these products in the neighbouring countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, DRC and South Sudan,” he said.

He said the governments of Uganda, together with other EAC member states will continue eliminate the challenges to regional trade such as long border procedures for agricultural products, inadequate capacity of customs agencies to assess compliance with standards.

The Country-team leader Kilimo trust-Uganda, Birungi Korutaro said the gaps in regional trade are normally bridged by imports from outside the region.

In 2014, the EAC imported 566,662MT of maize, 86% of which was in form of maize grain and seeds. Kenya alone accounted for 293,073MT of the imports (ITC, 2015).

Birungi said EAC region had a target to raise the share of intra-regional trade in the total regional market for food products to 30%, intra-EAC trade stood at 11% in 2015 (EAC Food Security Action Plan: 2010-2015).

She further noted that the low regional trade is attributed to the supply-side aspects, quantity; quality and regularity of supplies.

But also transport networks, road conditions and other logistic infrastructure, quality storage, means for quality control and other basic value-addition processing facilities.

“There is need to increase focus on agribusiness at the national and Regional partnerships and also private sector players for effective and efficient implementation coordination by taking advantage of synergies,” Birungi added.

What others say

Ambassador Philip Idro, director Upland rice millers Uganda said Africa imported $45 billion worth of food including milk, rice and maize which can be grown within the region.

“We cannot afford losing $45b of food every year. Where does that money go when it comes here? It is just eaten. But that’s 45,000 factories of a hundred thousand dollars which in one year is enough to enough to change industrialisation programme for Africa,” Idro said.

He said a number of people forget about the big regional market within Africa but instead look at the European market.

Josephine Bungei, the chairperson Cheptarit Star Women Group that deals in cereals across the East Africa region argued that some of the agriculture products from East African countries have been found to be of unacceptable quality for human consumption.

“We have been crying over maize that comes from Uganda. It has to be well sorted so that it lacks aflatoxins which often subject it to rejection,” Bungei said.

Ashe noted that once this is improved, we shall be happy.

Maganda Julius Wandera, Minister of state for East African Community Affairs said it is better for the EAC countries to do trade within themselves other than going for markets outside so that we can improve on trade and benefit the local farmers.


Boro rice procurement continues in Gaibandha

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BD Post Country Desk
The government has started procuring Boro rice in Sadullapur upazila in Gaibandha.
The Department of Food has been procuring Boro rice and paddy since May 20 and the process continues in full swing. It will continue till August.
The Boro rice procurement drive began in the upazila amid much enthusiasm. On the occasion, upazila food department and upazila administration organised a function on the premises of a food godown in the upazila headquarters on May 20.
Chairman of Sadullapur upazila Saidur Rahman Munshi formally inaugurated the rice procurement drive as the chief guest, while assistant commissioner (Land) Sanjoy Kumar Mohanta and general secretary of upazila Awami League Shahriar Khan Biplob were present at the event as the special guests.
Upazila food controller Mofakkharul Islam chaired the function. The government has fixed the target of procurement of a total of 1,514 tonnes of boiled rice and 96 tonnes of Atap rice from the millers through two purchasing centers of the upazila during the current Boro season.
Price of per kg of parboiled rice and Atap rice has also been fixed at Tk 38 and Tk 37 respectively, said officials of the department.
On the opening day, 60 tonnes of parboiled rice had been purchased from the millers.
M. Amzad Hossain, district controller of food, told the media that the government had fixed a target to procure 21,616 tonnes of boiled rice from 870 millers and 733 atap rice from 62 millers during the current Boro season. The rice procurement would continue in the district till August, he added
http://www.thebangladeshpost.com/national/28967

 High earnings last year drive farmers to grow more basmati

By Prashant Krar
ET Bureau|
May 22, 2018, 09.47 AM IST

High earnings last year drive farmers to grow more basmati

By
Prashant Krar
Editor, The Economic Times
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May 22, 2018, 09.47 AM IST

The area under basmati had come down by 7-10 per cent in the last year due to low international prices in 2016.

CHANDIGARH: Basmati rice is set to gain acreage in India, largest exporter of the premium rice, as the farmers earned higher remuneration in the last season. Farmers in basmati-belt states are growing more of the cereal instead of cotton and regular rice compared to the last year.

The forecast of normal monsoon in India is also enticing farmers in rice growing states of Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir to grow more basmati. A normal monsoon boost output of other crops including cotton and farmers earned less than expected in the fibre crop in the last season.

“The increase in area of basmati is on expected lines after farmers earned well in the previous year,” Vijay Sethia, president All India Rice Exporters Association told ET. He said that the area would increase by more than 10 per cent this season.

Despite the revival in basmati cropping pattern, the exporters are anxious of challenges in international trade including stagnant market, looming US sanctions on Iran and newer European residue norms. Sethia urged for stricter regularisation of pesticides in the country to meet newer residue norms in international trade. “The government needs to regularise pre-harvest chemicals to boost the stagnant basmati trade,” he said.

The area under basmati had come down by 7-10 per cent in the last year due to low international prices in 2016. In Punjab, second largest grower of basmati, the area of basmati is expected to increase by more than 20 per cent as farmers are keen to grow more basmati than the last year. Basmati was grown on around 5-lakh hectares in the last season in the state.

Lower than anticipated earning from cotton last season is also exhorting farmers to grow rice in Punjab. “The area under basmati is expected to increase as demand has been firm in the last year and farmers got higher procurement rates,” Jasbir Singh Bains, director of agriculture for Punjab said.





IFC and Mars Food to promote sustainable rice production in Cambodia

The project is expected to result in a 20 percent increase in yield and a 25 percent increase in income by 2025 .


Devdiscourse News Desk 22 May 2018, 10:05 AM Cambodia




  • Partnership to promote sustainable development of Cambodia’s rice industry. (Image Credit: YouTube)
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group has partnered with Mars Food, a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. and Battambang Rice Investment Co., Ltd (BRICo) to promote sustainable development of Cambodia’s rice industry. 80 percent of farmers in Cambodia are engaged in rice farming, the new partnership will help Cambodia’s agri-sector expand market access, increase export value, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The project is expected to result in a 20 percent increase in yield and a 25 percent increase in income by 2025 by assisting farmers with new agricultural standards and practices developed by the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) and improving farmers’ adoption of technology and climate-smart agriculture practices Cambodia’s rice exports have grown tenfold since 2010, with the raised industry standards, improved efficiency of rice millers and re-processors, and streamlining of export procedures, among others.
However, with new sustainable farming, processing practices, and enhanced value chain linkages, the rice production value could be further increased. In addition, with climate change threats, there is an urgent need to shift to a more sustainable way of growing rice.
“The aim is to integrate small farmers and SMEs into a more effective rice value chain by providing them with better access to improved inputs, technology, knowledge, and markets, better firm linkages and training,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC Country Manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR. “Building on our earlier support to Cambodia’s rice sector, this project will further help the industry achieve its full potential by boosting its export of traceable, sustainable, and high-quality rice products.” 
IFC has been supporting Cambodia’s rice sector over the past few years by helping to add value to every step of the supply chain, with key interventions at the farming, milling and export stages.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/8338-ifc-and-mars-food-to-promote-sustainable-rice-production-in-cambodia
Amidst Uncertainty on Trade with China, Rice Sees Possibilities
By Jesica Kincaid
 WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. trade with China returned to the headlines this week after a weekend of talks between the U.S. and Chinese governments.  U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the looming trade war between the two countries was being put on hold, and while the specifics of the agreement were not announced, the Chinese government committed to "significantly increase" its purchases of American products and services.

According to Mnuchin, the two countries also agreed to "meaningful increases" of U.S. agriculture and energy exports. 

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross took a cautious approach to these changes stating, "This is not a definitive agreement.  This is what we hope will be a path forward.  If it doesn't work the tariffs will go into effect.  So nothing's been lost at all."

At a U.S.-China Agricultural Trade Forum hosted here on Monday, researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers discussed the current agriculture trade situation between the United States and China. 

On all three fronts - research, industry, and policy - there was general agreement that trust and transparency are the most important factors to achieve safe, effective food trade systems.  These characteristics will bring stability to the process that has become very unpredictable in the past several months.

As if underlining the discussion of uncertainty of the ag trade world, panelists learned of a series of President Donald Trump's tweets published just that morning in which he wrote, "China has agreed to buy massive amounts of ADDITIONAL Farm/Agricultural Products - would be one of the best things to happen to our farmers in many years!" and "Under our potential deal with China, they will purchase from our Great American Farmers practically as much as our Farmers can produce."

Across the board it was agreed that these statements must be approached cautiously.  But if the claims are accurate, panelists insisted that in addition to ensuring an initial bulk purchase of U.S. agricultural products materializes, it must also be tied to a plan for the future.

USDA's Ted McKinney at the dais

Against this backdrop, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney is leading a trade delegation to China this week.  The trade mission is visiting Guangzhou and Shenzhen, two cities where more than 70 percent of rice imports enter China.

USA Rice Vice President International Sarah Moran is with the delegation and said, "The traders I've met with here are optimistic for an imminent improvement in trade relations between our two countries and are anxious to import U.S. rice.  They value our rice for its high quality, strong food safety standards, and the fact that we don't grow any GM rice."
USA Rice has confirmed that the U.S. embassy in Beijing delivered to Chinese officials earlier this month completed food safety questionnaires from U.S. suppliers and asked that China allow imports from the United States to begin without delay.

While the exact impact on U.S. rice is unclear, it is very clear that thanks to continued pressure from USA Rice, the U.S. and Chinese governments appear as close as ever to ironing out their differences and actually beginning the export of U.S. rice to the largest rice consumer on earth.
Rice Webinar:  Thursday May 24  

Tune in Thursday, May 24 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, for a new rice webinar hosted by Dr. Bobby Coats, with the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas.  USDA economist Nathan Childs will present the first official USDA global and U.S. rice market forecasts for 2018/19, including calendar year 2019 world rice trade.
 
Go 
here to register for the webinar.
USA Rice Daily

Why do you have levees in a rice field?

We finished up planting all of our rice just as it has stopped raining in our area.  There have been few scattered showers but nothing to speak of on our farm.  The soil is too dry to plant soybeans so we are doing what we need to do which is lay polypipe to irrigate our corn and flush water over the rice fields.  I will talk more about the corn irrigation in a later post but today I want to answer the most common question we get from people is why do you have levees in the rice fields?
It’s all about the water!  Rice grows in a flooded environment and to be the most efficient we need the levees to hold the water at a consistent depth throughout the field.  Because the Earth is not flat, we must build (or pull) a levee along the contours of elevation in the field.
You can look at a topographic map of the State of Arkansas here.  Although the eastern side of the state appears flat compared to the western side we still have enough slope to need levees to achieve the shallow flood required for rice production.  Thankfully we do have a hard-pan of soil just a few inches down that provides a barrier of sorts for the soil to hold the water.  And in addition to that, the most efficient fields have a heavy clay soil which also holds water very well.  This can be good and bad for us because those soils hold the spring rain water longer and make it difficult to get it planted and harvested in the fall.  But they are the very best for growing rice!  Go figure!! Anyway, this is why we traditionally grow rice in my area of the state.
Ok, so back to the levees- why are they crooked and why are some straight?  Remember the levee is following the contour at a certain elevation.  So when the levee is crooked that elevation is meandering around the field and when it is straight the landowner has precision leveled the field.  This means they have moved the soil around so that the elevation falls at a consistent rate throughout the field.  For example, the topo map would have all parallel lines in a precision level field and that’s what the levees follow!  The closer together the levees are the steeper the fall and the further apart they are means the field is flatter.
Hillside with curvy levees
Do you build the levees after you plant the field or before?  The answer for us here in NE Arkansas is after.  In other growing regions they leave the levees up permanently.  We rotate our crops between rice and soybeans mainly so we tear them down after the crop to be able to plant soybeans the following year.  To find the levees position you must know the elevation.  There are several methods to do this but I
Precision leveled field with straight levees
will explain the method we use on our farm.  The tractor that is planting maps out the elevation of the field while planting.  It is a good time to map it since that tractor will cover the entire field and be able to make a good map.  We space our levees a certain elevation apart and when you enter your desired fall in elevation into our software program it “draws” the levees out.  This program is then used to drive the tractor in the correct locations to build the actual levees.  Technology has made us much more efficient in this process.  Fewer passes with equipment in the field which equates to fewer people needed for the job and no problems finding the elevations.
Screen in the tractor that drives the correct elevations to build the levees
There are also many implements that can be used to build, pack and seed the levees.  Yes seed!  Even though we have planted the field we want to make sure the levees make rice too!  By adding more rice seed as the levee building equipment passes over the levees we can insure rice production on the levees.  Every acres counts!  Here are a couple of implements we use in our heavy clay soils to build the best levees.
Levee squeeze Levee packer and seeder







On top of the levee packer is a red box that holds the rice seed.  As the tractor drives down the levee, seed is distributed out over the levee.
As I was finishing this post we received a nice rain on most of the farm.  Thank you Lord!  What a gift for us at this time of year!  We are now able to turn off most irrigation wells and save on the cost of watering.  Our crew will be working to make sure we do not have standing water for too long in any of the fields at this point.  Then we can get back to planting soybeans and hopefully end our planting season.
http://fieldgoodlife.com/2018/05/21/why-do-you-have-levees-in-a-rice-field/

CRISPR-edited rice plants produce major boost in grain yield

May 22, 2018 by Brian Wallheimer, Purdue University

Jian-Kang Zhu’s research team used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to silence a suite of genes in rice, leading to a variety that yields as much as 31 percent more grain. Credit: Purdue University
A team of scientists from Purdue University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to develop a variety of rice that produces 25-31 percent more grain and would have been virtually impossible to create through traditional breeding methods. The team, led by Jian-Kang Zhu, a distinguished professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue and director of the Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, made mutations to 13 genes associated with the phytohormone abscisic acid, known to play roles in plant stress tolerance and suppression of growth. Of several varieties created, one produced a plant that had little change in stress tolerance but produced 25 percent more grain in a field test in Shanghai, China, and 31 percent more in a field test conducted on China's Hainan Island.
Their findings were published early online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Zhu's team, which includes Purdue's Ray A. Bressan, a distinguished professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, silenced suites of pyrabactin resistance 1 (PYR1)/PYR1-like (PYL)/regulatory components of ABA receptor (ACAR) genes, or simply, PYL genes. These genes enhance tolerance of abiotic stresses, such as drought, soil salinity and other environmental factors, but also inhibit growth.
Since plants have evolved to create genetic redundancies, especially for traits required for survival, knocking out one gene in the PYL family might not have much effect on stress tolerance or growth since redundant genes can kick in to provide a similar function. Crafting the right knockout combination, however, led to a plant that uses just the right redundancies to hold onto its stress-tolerance characteristics but reduces the growth inhibition.
"There is lots of evidence that although each PYL gene may have an individual specialty in function, by and large they also share some common functions," Zhu said. "When you remove one, others will function as a replacement."
The CRISPR/Cas9 technology allows plant breeders to quickly and accurately snip portions of DNA out of a sequence, editing the DNA code. The method allowed Zhu's team to modify multiple genes at one time, something that would have taken decades to do with traditional methods without a guarantee that the resulting plants would have the desired characteristics.
"You couldn't do targeted mutations like that with traditional plant breeding. You'd do random mutations and try to screen out the ones you don't want," Bressan said. "It would have taken millions of plants. Basically, it's not feasible. This is a real accomplishment that could not have been done without CRISPR."
The improved rice plants created in these experiments come from a common research line. The next step is to use CRISPR/Cas9 to edit the same genes in elite varieties of rice to determine if those will also show similarly improved yield.
"If this holds true for the varieties that farmers currently use, this big increase in yield would be very important," Zhu said. "It would really help produce a lot more grains to feed more people."
More information: Chunbo Miao et al. Mutations in a subfamily of abscisic acid receptor genes promote rice growth and productivity, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1804774115 

Best Vegetarian Fare 2018 – Willows Plant-Based Eatery
Best Vegetarian Fare 2018 – Willows Plant-Based Eatery

Willows Plant-Based Eatery

Best Vegetarian Fare

Wholesome food; fresh local organic. That’s why customers like Willow’s Plant Based Eatery so much. WPBE was opened in 2015 by Willow Mauck. Mauck believes that animals are friends and not food, growing up as a vegan most of her life. Her experience preparing many vegan dishes is exemplified in each and every dish on the
menu. From the quick and light Easy Breezy (Rice noodles, cabbage, cucumbers, sesame seeds, and peanut sauce) to the hearty Big Splash bowl(Garlic-Ginger Seitan, broccoli, avocado, served with basmati rice) there is something sure to satisfy any appetite. At Willows Plant Base Eatery the food is more than just a diet. Willows embodies the spirit of the Vegan lifestyle. From using the finest, fresh local organic ingredients in all of the meals, to local artwork displayed on the walls the amount of passion for food, culture and local ambiance really shines through. There’s even a friendly canine mascot! On any given day you will find Willows faithful dog Kuma posted up in the corner waiting to great guests with a cheerful woof, and wagging tail.

‘Congress must hasten passage of rice tariff bill’

In Photo: Photo shows NSIC Rc 222, one of the rice varieties developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute. An official of the Department of Agriculture on Monday urged Congress to hasten the approval of a bill that would replace import caps on rice with tariffs.
Lawmakers should fast-track the approval of a bill that would scrap the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice so that the Philippines could immediately comply with its commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano on Monday again called on the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of the rice tariffication bill.
“What we are saying is that the rice tariffication [bill] should be passed as soon as possible. Let’s not mingle it with other issues, such as the reorganization of the NFA [National Food Authority],” Serrano told reporters in an interview at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
“Everyone has agreed that we must tariffy, but that doesn’t mean we have to dissolve the NFA. That’s a different issue,” he added.
At the House of Representatives, the rice tariff bill that would scrap the QR on rice is already up for plenary deliberations.
This, after the House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles of the First District of Davao City, together with the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Party-list Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. of Anac-IP, endorsed in February for plenary approval the unnumbered substitute bill, which seeks to replace the rice QR with tariffs.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, is yet to release its version of the rice tariff bill after a series of meetings have already been held.
After approving their respective versions of the rice tariffication bill, the Senate and the House of Representatives will transmit their bills to a bicameral conference committee to consolidate their versions and to discuss the divergent provisions.
The passage of the law allowing the tariffication of rice is included in the priority bills identified as urgent by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. It is also one of the priority measures of Congress.
A Geneva trade official, who was privy to the proceedings of the WTO Committee on Agriculture meeting in February, said the Philippine delegation had informed WTO member-countries that lawmakers are “fast-tracking and prioritizing” the amendment of Republic Act (RA) 8178.
RA 8178, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, had allowed the Philippines to continue imposing rice quotas even after the country’s waiver on the special treatment on rice had lapsed on June 30, 2017.
The Philippines is under pressure to convert its QR on rice into ordinary customs duties after its waiver on the special treatment on rice expired last year.
The WTO General Council approved the waiver, which allowed Manila to keep its rice QR until June 30, on the condition that the Philippines will subject its rice imports to ordinary custom duties by July 1, 2017.
In March last year, the Philippines informed WTO members that it is facing delays in converting the QR because it has not amended RA 8178, which imposed the import caps on rice indefinitely.
To avoid possible trade disputes, President Duterte issued an executive order which retained the country’s rice concessions as “a sign of goodwill” to the country’s trade partners while RA 8178 is being amended.
However, economists and government officials have noted that retaining the concessions is not a guarantee that trading partners will not file a complaint against the Philippines before the WTO for not converting the QR into tariffs.
Farm-gate price of palay
The average farm-gate price of unmilled rice continued to go up and rose to a 32-month high of P20.96 per kilogram (kg) during the first week of May, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Figures from the PSA shows that average farm-gate price of the staple during the period was 9.05 percent higher than the previous year’s price of P19.22 per kg.
PSA data showed that this was the highest average farm-gate price of palay since it reached P20.91 per kg in the third week of September 2015, when rice output was slashed by El Niño. In 2015 rice production fell by 4.31 percent to 18.14 million metric tons, from 18.96 MMT recorded in 2014.
The last time the average farm-gate price of palay breached P21 per kg was in the second week of September, when it reached P21.01 per kg.
From May 2 to 8, the PSA said the highest average farm-gate price of paddy was recorded in Nueva Ecija at P25.15 per kg. The lowest was recorded in Romblon and Compostela Valley at P15 per kg.
The monitoring report of the PSA also showed that the retail price of well-milled rice rose by 0.21 percent to P43.86 per kg, from P43.77 per kg recorded a week ago. The figure was 5.48 percent higher than the P41.58-per-kg quotation recorded in the same week of 2017.
“This week’s average wholesale price of well-milled rice was quoted at P41.14 per kg,” the PSA said.
“It fell by 0.05 percent, from previous week’s level of P41.16 per kg. Compared to the same period in the previous year, it went up by 6.91 percent,” the PSA added.
The average retail price of regular-milled rice remained at P40.04 per kg, according to the PSA. “At the retail trade, the average price of regular-milled rice at P40.04 per kg inched up by 0.02 percent, from previous week’s level. Similarly, it recorded an increment of 7.29 percent, from a year-ago price level of P37.32 per kg.”


https://securityboulevard.com/2018/05/agro-espionage-how-china-tried-to-steal-u-s-rice-research/


Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 | CAGR, SWOT Analysis, Survey, Growth, Economic Impact and Forecast to 2023

FOOD AND BEVERAGESHEALTH BY NANCY PALMA ON MAY 21, 2018
The Global Basmati Rice Market Report By Marketdesk.org scrutinizes the overall market synopsis globally, their restraining factors, drivers, major challenges, opportunities, latest trends to stabilize the global Basmati Rice market situation, future developmental plans, and values pertaining to various marketing stats. This global Basmati Rice market report also enables users to make a decision and considering the overall market feasibility. It also offers thorough information on market size, product, key players, various application and major geographical regions. In addition, the report provides the pricing structure of raw materials, latest market updates, import and export information, consumption, and production stats. The Basmati Rice market is valued at USD XX million in 2018 and is projected to extend at USD XX million by 2023, with rising CAGR of XX% from 2018 to 2023. However, the Basmati Rice market is an outcome of a detailed investigation and also the report offers quality viewpoint related to this market.
Market analyst identifies the major market players of the global Basmati Rice industry that comprises various strategical plans implemented by the key players to withstand in the competitive market. Additionally, recent trends, upcoming developmental plans and obstacles in case any in the global Basmati Rice market are anticipated to boost the evolving market manufacturers to portray their approaches and plans in a well-regulated way. The examination covers the current market length of the Basmati Rice market and their development rates in moderate of 5-year record facts along employer profile of key players/manufacturers. The inclusive and exclusive statistics by using sections of global Basmati Rice market shows off and helps to display the future benefit and come to a decision major choices for improvement. The facts on improvements, facilities round commercial enterprise sectors and materials, limits, innovations, CAPEX pattern and the changing framework of the Basmati Rice market.
It offers information on patterns and enhancements, and spotlights on business industries and materials, limits and developments, including the changing situation of the Basmati Rice market. Also, numerous community and neighborhood dealers are positioning forth unique program objects for differed end-clients. The new vendor competitors in the market are enquiring that its challenging to manage the regular merchants in mild of value, dependability, and inclinations in innovation.
Major Market Manufacturers In Basmati Rice Market:
KRBL Limited
Amira Nature Foods
LT Foods
Best Foods
Kohinoor Rice
Aeroplane Rice
Tilda Basmati Rice
Matco Foods
Amar Singh Chawal Wala
Hanuman Rice Mills
Adani Wilmar
HAS Rice Pakistan
Galaxy Rice Mill
Dunar Foods
Sungold
Furthermore, the Global Basmati Rice Market report provides the market-segmentation in conditions of application/end users with consumption (sales), products type with development, CAGR (%), and historical and projected market.
Market Forecasts From 2018 to 2023 As Well As Market Volumes, Value Consumption Is Provided By Regions, By Types, And By Applications:
Regions including North America (Canada, Mexico, and the USA), Europe (Germany, France, Russia, UK, and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, South Korea, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan), South America (Argentina and Brazil), The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Nigeria).
Market By Product Type:
Indian Basmati Rice
Pakistani Basmati Rice
Kenya Basmati Rice
Other
Market Analysis By Applications:
Direct Edible
Deep Processing
In that case, the study covers market scale the global Basmati Rice market combined with the outlook of historical data with income, capacity, and production. The study not simply only provides basic information of company profiles of key manufacturers in the industry but also offers you with product pictures, their requirements, overall revenue, capacity, development, revenue, price, gross border market share, size, their competition and details of these key players.
Scope Of The Global Basmati Rice Market Report Is Defined:
To show a review of the Global Basmati Rice industry which consolidates definition, arrangement, and division of the Global Basmati Rice advertise
To survey the market size and offer concerning worth and volume
The report specifies producing price structure analysis with the data of material, suppliers, and downstream client data. Besides, producing plants analysis, capacity, producing plants distribution, R&D status, company profiles are further within the worldwide Basmati Rice market.
Key Queries Answered Within The Report Includes:
1. What are the key factors driving the worldwide Basmati Rice market?
2. What will the market size and also the rate be in 2023?
3. What is the competitive situation to promote growth?
4. What are the key market trends affecting the expansion of the worldwide Basmati Rice market?
5. Who are the key vendors within the global Basmati Rice market?
6. What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the manufacturers within the worldwide Basmati Rice market?
Looking in-depth at this report, supported the product, it’s clearly seen that the report displays the production speed, price, revenue, and market share additionally as of the product type. And the emphasis is ordered on the top users, additionally as on the applications of the merchandise. it is one report that hasn’t shied far from taking an essential inspect the present standing and future outlook for the consumption/sales of those products, by the top users and applications. Not forgetting the market share management and rate of growth of worldwide Basmati Rice market, per application.
Table of Contents:-
1. Industry Overview of Basmati Rice
2. Global Basmati Rice Size by Type and Application (2018-2023)
3. Manufacturers (Top Players) Profiles
4. Global Basmati Rice Competition Analysis by Players
5. United States Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook
6. EU Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook
7. Japan Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook
8. China Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook
9. India Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook
10. Southeast Asia Basmati Rice Development Status and Outlook
11. Market Forecast by Regions, Types, and Applications (2018-2023)
12. Basmati Rice Dynamics
13. Market Effect Factors Analysis
14 Research Finding/Conclusion
15 Appendix
Browse Comprehensive Information, Detailed TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts, and Companies Mentioned Here: http://marketdesk.org/report/global-basmati-rice-market-2018-hc/8112/#toc
Thank you For Visiting This Report | Team Marketdesk.org

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Punjab Agri Dpt Advises Farmers To Sow Certified Varieties Of Paddy For Max Yield

 
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2018 ) :Punjab Agriculture department has advised the farmers to sow certified varieties of paddy for getting maximum yield. The spokesman of the department Najaf Abbas said, the certified varieties of paddy includes KS-282, ARI 9, ARI 6, and Nayyab 2013 while Basmati varieties include Super basmati, Basmati 515, Chenab basmati, Nayyab basmati 2016 and Noor basmati.
He said that hybrid varieties include Y-26, Pride-1, Shehan Shah-2 and PHB-71, Radio pakistanreported. The spokesman said that unsuitable varieties include Super fine, Kashmira, Malta and Hero. The farmers should not sow unsuitable varieties at all because rice produced through these varieties is not of good quality, he added.

Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 | Scope of Current and Future Industry 2025

Global Basmati Rice Market Forecast 2018-2025
Basmati Rice Market  report provides an in detail study of Manufactures in the market which is based on the various objectives  associated with an organization such as Analysis, Market Share, Regional Market Performance, Product Specification, and the Company Introduction.
The Basmati Rice industry research report analyses the supply, sales, production, and market status comprehensively. Production market shares and sales market shares are analysed along with the study of capacity, production, sales, and revenue. Several other factors such as import, export, gross margin, price, cost, and consumption are also analysed under the section Analysis of Basmati Rice production, supply, sales and market status.
In this report, the global Basmati Rice market is valued at USD XX million in 2018 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2018 and 2025.
This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering
KRBL Limited
Amira Nature Foods
LT Foods
Best Foods
Kohinoor Rice
Aeroplane Rice
Tilda Basmati Rice
Matco Foods
Amar Singh Chawal Wala
Hanuman Rice Mills
Adani Wilmar
HAS Rice Pakistan
Galaxy Rice Mill
Dunar Foods
Sungold
On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into
Indian Basmati Rice
Pakistani Basmati Rice
Kenya Basmati Rice
Other
By Application, the market can be split into
Direct Edible
Deep Processing
By Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)
North America
China
Europe
Southeast Asia
Japan
India
Further report delivers a thorough study considering following parameters
Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region
Market Analysis Market Drivers and Opportunities
Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers
Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders
Basmati Rice Market Effect Factors Analysis
Summary of the report:
Basmati Rice market report comprises key factor which can be useful for any new player in the industry. It is possible due to comparative analysis and overview that is provided in the report. By focusing on all the details in the report, it is more than enough for any newcomers entering the industry so that they can get a better knowledge and study the market before making any difficult decision. The report will provide answers to the queries regarding current market Scope, developments, Competitions, opportunities, cost, revenue and estimations.
For more inquiry contact our sales team at sales@qymarketinsights.com


Textiles grow at 8% as overall Pakistan exports rise by 14%

ISLAMABAD: Exports of textile and clothing products recorded an eight per cent growth year-on-year to $11.2 billion in the 10 months of 2017-18, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday.
The partial revival in the export proceeds is the outcome of the cash subsidy offered under prime minister’s exports enhancement package. The growth is recorded despite non-clearance of refunds/rebate of exporters. A hefty amount of refund/rebate has already been released in 9MFY18, reports Dawn.
Data show the main driver of growth was the value-added textile sector as exports of ready-made garments went up 11.96pc in value and 13.44pc in quantity while those of knitwear edged up 14.65pc in value and 3.7pc in quantity during these 10 months. Exports of bedwear went up 4.77pc in value and 3.17pc in quantity.
The exports of towels posted a paltry growth of 0.52pc in value and 6.7pc in quantity while those of cotton cloth went higher by 1.12pc in value and 4.2pc in quantity during the period under review.
In the category of primary commodities, exports of cotton yarn witnessed an increase of 7.2pc while those of yarn other than cotton recorded a rise of 33.7pc.
Exports of made-up articles, excluding towels, increased 7.3pc whereas art, silk and synthetic textile exports grew 83.09pc during the period under review.
However, exports of tents, canvas and tarpaulin dipped over 39.7pc while proceeds from raw cotton surged by 31.97pc.
The total export proceeds posted a growth of 13.65pc to $19.2bn in July-April 2018 from $16.89bn over the corresponding period of last year. The non-textile exports went up by 21.2pc to $8bn in July-April 2018 from $6.6bn in the same period of last year.
Data show a mammoth increase of 128.96pc in exports of petroleum products, which along with petroleum crude and naphtha, led the increase in overall sector sales.
Exports of carpets and rugs fell by 5.12pc during July-April FY18 from a year ago. Foreign sales of sports goods went up by 7.3pc during the period under review, with football exports higher by 8.8pc. Tanned leather exports, however, shrank by 4.2pc in July-April from a year ago.
Leather products’ exports increased by 6.78pc during this period and were mainly led by sales of leather gloves. Footwear exports rose by 11.15pc during the period under review despite facing strong competition especially from Chinese exporters in Europe in spite of preferential market access.
Exports of surgical goods and medical instruments grew by 14.42pc and engineering goods by 11.78pc during these 10 months. Foreign sales of gur (jaggery) soared by 26.76pc, handicrafts 40.28pc, jewellery 10.95pc and molasses 215.98pc while the exports of cement fell by 9.37pc, and furniture 12.28pc during the period under review.
In the food basket, exports of rice witnessed an increase of 24.77pc owing to higher foreign sales of both basmati and non-basmati rice.
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/05/22/textiles-grow-8-overall-pakistan-exports-rise-14/

Basmati Rice Market Set for Rapid Growth and Trend, by 2022

The study of the Basmati Rice market by HTF MI provides the market size information and market trends along with factors and parameters impacting it in both short- and long-term. The study provides a 360° view and insights, outlining the key outcomes of the industry. These insights help the business decision-makers to formulate better business plans and make informed decisions for improved profitability. In addition, the study helps venture capitalists in understanding the companies better and make informed decisions. Some of the key players in the Basmati Rice market are KRBL Limited, Amira Nature Foods, LT Foods, Best Foods, Kohinoor Rice, Aeroplane Rice, Tilda Basmati Rice, Matco Foods, Amar Singh Chawal Wala, Hanuman Rice Mills, Adani Wilmar, HAS Rice Pakistan, Galaxy Rice Mill, Dunar Foods & Sungold.
Key Points Covered in Basmati Rice Market Report:
United States Basmati Rice Overview, Definition and Classification
Market drivers and barriers
United States Basmati Rice Market Competition by Manufacturers
United States Basmati Rice Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)
United States Basmati Rice Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2018-2023)
United States Basmati Rice Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type
United States Basmati Rice Market Analysis by Application
United States Basmati Rice Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis
Basmati Rice Manufacturing Cost Analysis
Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers
Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders
Standardization, regulatory and collaborative initiatives
Industry roadmap and value chain
Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1020986-united-states-basmati-rice-market-1
Market forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets, product-type and by application/end-user categories:
By Product Types: Indian Basmati Rice, Pakistani Basmati Rice, Kenya Basmati Rice & Other
By Application/ End-user: Direct Edible & Deep Processing
Regional Markets: The West, Southwest, The Middle Atlantic, New England, The South & The Midwest
List of Companies Mentioned: KRBL Limited, Amira Nature Foods, LT Foods, Best Foods, Kohinoor Rice, Aeroplane Rice, Tilda Basmati Rice, Matco Foods, Amar Singh Chawal Wala, Hanuman Rice Mills, Adani Wilmar, HAS Rice Pakistan, Galaxy Rice Mill, Dunar Foods & Sungold
Basmati Rice Market Effect Factors Analysis chapter specifically concentrates on Technology Progress/Risk, Substitutes Threat, Technology Progress in Related Industry, Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Changes and Economic/Political Environmental Changes that defines the growth factors of the Market.
The highest & slowest growing market segments are outlined in the study to provide valuable insights of each core element of the market. New market players are beginning to emerge and are accelerating their transition in Basmati Rice Market.
The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report
Research Methodology: The Basmati Rice market has been analyzed by utilizing the optimum mix of secondary sources and benchmark methodology along with an irreplaceable blend of primary insights. The real-time assessment of the market is an integral part of our market sizing and forecasting methodology. Our industry experts and panel of primary participants have helped in compiling relevant aspects with realistic parametric estimations for a comprehensive study.
What’s in the offering: The report provides detailed information about the usage and adoption of Basmati Rice in various applications, types and regions/country. With that, key stakeholders can find out the major trends, drivers, investments, vertical player’s initiatives, government initiatives toward the product adoption in the following years, along with the details of commercial products available in the market. Moreover, the study provides details about the major challenges that are going to have an impact on the market growth. Additionally, the report gives complete details about the business opportunities to key stakeholders to expand their business and capture revenues in the specific verticals. The report will help companies interested or established in this market to analyze the various aspects of this domain before investing or expanding their business in the Basmati Rice market.
Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. 
About Author:
HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the “Accurate Forecast” in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their “Goals & Objectives”.

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Anadolu Agency: Turkey distributes Ramadan aid across Pakistan
Photo courtesy: (www.a.com.tr)
Updated 21 May 2018
ARAB NEWS PAKISTAN
May 21, 201820:06
May 20: Anadolu Agency report by Behlul Cetinkaya states that a foundation linked to Turkey's top religious body distributes aid across Pakistan during the holy month of Ramadan, a representative said on Sunday. Abdullah Ucak, a representative of the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) said that 1,800 packages, which contain rice, oil, sugar, and pasta, have been distributed in Pakistan’s Karachi, Talagang, Peshawar, Behra, Wazirabad, and Mirpur. “The products in the packages are enough for a family during Ramadan,” Ucak said. 

 

Updated 21 May 2018
ARAB NEWS PAKISTAN
May 21, 201819:44
May 20: The Express Tribune report by News Desk states that Karachi’s Archbishop Joseph Coutts is set to be appointed as a cardinal by Pope Francis on June 29. The announcement was made during Pentecost celebrations after the holy mass by the Vatican head. Coutts will be the second Pakistani archbishop to be honoured with the position after the death of cardinal Joseph Cordeiro back in 1994.

Turkey distributes Ramadan aid across Pakistan

ANADOLU AGENCY
ISLAMABAD
May 20, 2018
A foundation linked to Turkey's top religious body distributes aid across Pakistan during the holy month of Ramadan, a representative said yesterday.Abdullah Uçak, a representative of the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) said that 1,800 packages, which contain rice, oil, sugar and pasta, have been distributed in Karachi, Talagang, Peshawar, Behra, Wazirabad and Mirpur in Pakistan.
"The products in the packages are enough for a family during Ramadan," Uçak said. He added that 2,200 people so far have also been offered iftar meals.
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/2018/05/21/turkey-distributes-ramadan-aid-across-pakistan


Pakistan's textile exports jump 8pc

Mubarak Zeb KhanUpdated May 22, 2018
ISLAMABAD: Exports of textile and clothing products recorded an eight per cent growth year-on-year to $11.2 billion in the 10 months of 2017-18, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday.
The partial revival in the export proceeds is the outcome of the cash subsidy offered under prime minister’s exports enhancement package. The growth is recorded despite non-clearance of refunds/rebate of exporters. A hefty amount of refund/rebate has already been released in 9MFY18.
Data show the main driver of growth was the value-added textile sector as exports of ready-made garments went up 11.96pc in value and 13.44pc in quantity while those of knitwear edged up 14.65pc in value and 3.7pc in quantity during these 10 months. Exports of bedwear went up 4.77pc in value and 3.17pc in quantity.
The exports of towels posted a paltry growth of 0.52pc in value and 6.7pc in quantity while those of cotton cloth went higher by 1.12pc in value and 4.2pc in quantity during the period under review.
In the category of primary commodities, exports of cotton yarn witnessed an increase of 7.2pc while those of yarn other than cotton recorded a rise of 33.7pc.
Exports of made-up articles, excluding towels, increased 7.3pc whereas art, silk and synthetic textile exports grew 83.09pc during the period under review.
However, exports of tents, canvas and tarpaulin dipped over 39.7pc while proceeds from raw cotton surged by 31.97pc.
The total export proceeds posted a growth of 13.65pc to $19.2bn in July-April 2018 from $16.89bn over the corresponding period of last year. The non-textile exports went up by 21.2pc to $8bn in July-April 2018 from $6.6bn in the same period of last year.
Data show a mammoth increase of 128.96pc in exports of petroleum products, which along with petroleum crude and naphtha, led the increase in overall sector sales.
Exports of carpets and rugs fell by 5.12pc during July-April FY18 from a year ago. Foreign sales of sports goods went up by 7.3pc during the period under review, with football exports higher by 8.8pc. Tanned leather exports, however, shrank by 4.2pc in July-April from a year ago.
Leather products’ exports increased by 6.78pc during this period and were mainly led by sales of leather gloves. Footwear exports rose by 11.15pc during the period under review despite facing strong competition especially from Chinese exporters in Europe in spite of preferential market access.
Exports of surgical goods and medical instruments grew by 14.42pc and engineering goods by 11.78pc during these 10 months. Foreign sales of gur (jaggery) soared by 26.76pc, handicrafts 40.28pc, jewellery 10.95pc and molasses 215.98pc while the exports of cement fell by 9.37pc, and furniture 12.28pc during the period under review.
In the food basket, exports of rice witnessed an increase of 24.77pc owing to higher foreign sales of both basmati and non-basmati rice.
Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2018

https://www.dawn.com/news/1409209/textile-exports-jump-8pc

CSW junior named finalist in International BioGENEius Challenge

Preeti Krishnamani takes on one of the world's most pressing food-security issues.
 By Holly Quinn / REPORTER
Preeti Krishnamani is heading to BIO 2018 as a finalist in the International BioGENEius Challenge.
Preeti Krishnamani, a junior at Charter School of Wilmington, is one of only 15 finalists from the U.S., Canada and Germany selected for the International BioGENEius Challenge, recognizing outstanding research by high-school students in biotechnology. She will showcase her research at BIO 2018, which begins June 4, 2018.
Krishnamani’s project is titled “Effects of Silicon Amendments on the Concentration and Adsorption Properties of Iron-Oxides in Paddy Soils.” To put it simply, her research aims to reduce poisonous contamination of the world’s rice supply.
Or, in her words:
Arsenic contamination in rice plants threatens food security and human health worldwide. While scientists discovered that incorporating silicon in soil decreases arsenic uptake directly, the effects of silicon on iron-oxide minerals that control arsenic cycling in the soil−rice nexus have not been studied. My research investigates how different silicon-rich materials (amendments), specifically rice residues like rice husk and rice husk ash, impact the formation of iron-oxides and alter their arsenic adsorption properties.
“I feel honored to represent Delaware in the International BioGENEius Challenge,” said Krishnamani. “When I first learned about this issue after attending a seminar my mentor gave at UD last spring, I was shocked, yet compelled. As an Indian-American, rice is a very important part of my culture and lifestyle, so I knew I wanted to get involved in some way and become a part of the solution.”
Krishnamani’s involvement with STEM goes back to her early childhood. “My love and obsession for Legos is what got me excited about STEM,” she said. “Through elementary and middle school, I loved building and coding robots for FIRST Lego League (FLL) competitions. … I remember the first year I participated, the theme was ‘Food Factor’ (food contamination). This is what got me thinking actively about the issues that I am working to solve today.”
Her mentor, Dr. Angelia Seyfferth of the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, provided Krishnamani the opportunity to join her lab. “It allowed me to delve into a problem to which I have a special connection, and work across scientific disciplines to create a positive, sustainable impact on society,” she said.
In addition to STEM, Krishnamani has an interest in business, both of which shape her plans for the future. “In my vision to bridge the gap between science and management, I see myself blending my passions for materials science and business in the future, to serve my community through meaningful innovation,” she said.

Rice Noodle Sales Market Research 2018: Potentially Growing Significant Business Opportunities with Potential Analysis 2023

The newest research report global Rice Noodle Sales market illustrates pin point sharp market insights includes detailed Rice Noodle Sales industry aspects forecast over a period from 2018 to 2023. It conducts a fervent study of business positions to offer in detail knowledge of Rice Noodle Sales business habits of past, present, and future.
Description
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Size, Status and Forecast 2018-2023
The Research begins with the Overview of Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Analysing Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers. The Research also provide Information about Manufacturers, Market Competition, Cost, Market Effect Factors with Market Forecast (2018-2023). This enables the buyer of the report to gain a telescopic view of the competitive landscape and plan the strategies accordingly.
The following Companies as the Key Players in the Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Research Report 2017:
Company 1
Company 2
Company 3
Company 4
And Many More…
Get a Sample of Rice Noodle Sales Market research report from
Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions:
·       North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)
·       Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.)
·       Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam))
·       South America (Brazil etc.) & Middle East and Africa (North Africa and GCC Countries)
Secondly the study, besides estimating the Rice Noodle Sales market potential till 2018-2023, analyzes on who can be the market leaders and what partnerships would help them to capture the market share. The Rice Noodle Sales Industry report gives an overview about the dynamics of the market, by discussing various aspects such as drivers, restraints, Porter’s 5 forces, value chain, customer acceptance and investment scenario
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market by Classification (2018-2023)
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Size by Type and Application (2018-2023)
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Size by Type (2018-2023)
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Size by Application (2018-2023)
Potential Application of Rice Noodle Sales in Future
Top Consumer/End Users of Rice Noodle Sales
Enquiry for Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Report at:
Key Points Covered in Rice Noodle Sales Market Report:
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Research Report 2018
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Competition by Manufacturers
Global Rice Noodle Sales Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)
Global Rice Noodle Sales Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2018-2023)
Global Rice Noodle Sales Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Analysis by Application
Global Rice Noodle Sales Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis
Rice Noodle Sales Manufacturing Cost Analysis
Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers
Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders
Market Effect Factors Analysis
Global Rice Noodle Sales Market Forecast 2018-2023
The Rice Noodle Sales industry research report analyses the supply, sales, production, and market status comprehensively. Production market shares and sales market shares are analysed along with the study of capacity, production, sales, and revenue. Several other factors such as import, export, gross margin, price, cost, and consumption are also analysed under the section Analysis of Rice Noodle Sales production, supply, sales and market status.
Place a Purchase Order For Single User License at:https://www.marketreportsworld.com/purchase/11014022
Lastly, The Rice Noodle Sales Market report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years, the Report also brief deals with the product life cycle, comparing it to the relevant products from across industries that had already been commercialized details the potential for various applications, discussing about recent product innovations and gives an overview on potential regional market shares.

Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Research 2018: Top Global Players Competition with Production, Consumption, Revenue and Gross Margin 2023


The newest research report global Short-Grain Rice Seed market illustrates pin point sharp market insights includes detailed Short-Grain Rice Seed industry aspects forecast over a period from 2018 to 2023. It conducts a fervent study of business positions to offer in detail knowledge of Short-Grain Rice Seed business habits of past, present, and future.
Description
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Size, Status and Forecast 2018-2023
The Research begins with the Overview of Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Analysing Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers. The Research also provide Information about Manufacturers, Market Competition, Cost, Market Effect Factors with Market Forecast (2018-2023). This enables the buyer of the report to gain a telescopic view of the competitive landscape and plan the strategies accordingly.
The following Companies as the Key Players in the Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Research Report 2017:
Company 1
Company 2
Company 3
Company 4
And Many More…
Get a Sample of Short-Grain Rice Seed Market research report from
Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions:
·       North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)
·       Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.)
·       Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam))
·       South America (Brazil etc.) & Middle East and Africa (North Africa and GCC Countries)
Secondly the study, besides estimating the Short-Grain Rice Seed market potential till 2018-2023, analyzes on who can be the market leaders and what partnerships would help them to capture the market share. The Short-Grain Rice Seed Industry report gives an overview about the dynamics of the market, by discussing various aspects such as drivers, restraints, Porter’s 5 forces, value chain, customer acceptance and investment scenario
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market by Classification (2018-2023)
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Size by Type and Application (2018-2023)
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Size by Type (2018-2023)
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Size by Application (2018-2023)
Potential Application of Short-Grain Rice Seed in Future
Top Consumer/End Users of Short-Grain Rice Seed
Enquiry for Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Report at:
Key Points Covered in Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Report:
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Research Report 2018
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Competition by Manufacturers
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2018-2023)
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Analysis by Application
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis
Short-Grain Rice Seed Manufacturing Cost Analysis
Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers
Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders
Market Effect Factors Analysis
Global Short-Grain Rice Seed Market Forecast 2018-2023
The Short-Grain Rice Seed industry research report analyses the supply, sales, production, and market status comprehensively. Production market shares and sales market shares are analysed along with the study of capacity, production, sales, and revenue. Several other factors such as import, export, gross margin, price, cost, and consumption are also analysed under the section Analysis of Short-Grain Rice Seed production, supply, sales and market status.
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Lastly, The Short-Grain Rice Seed Market report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years, the Report also brief deals with the product life cycle, comparing it to the relevant products from across industries that had already been commercialized details the potential for various applications, discussing about recent product innovations and gives an overview on potential regional market shares.


Millers take first, second in 1600; Rice Lake sweeps team titles

May 21, 2018
CAMERON — As expected, the Ashland distance runners had strong days at Monday’s WIAA Division 2 Cameron Track and Field Regional.The top four individuals in each event advance to Thursday’s Colby Sectional.

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Isoka farmers worry about rice prices

May 22, 2018
KELLY NJOMBO, Isoka
LACK of price stabilisation and mechanisation along the rice value chain is among the major challenges affecting the growth of the sub-sector in Isoka district.Some rice farmers in the area have now resorted to selling unshelled rice at a cheaper price, as majority do not have the capacity to buy a processing or rice polishing machine.
The farmers said despite producing rice in large quantity, there is limited access to markets and processing machines, such that the crop often goes to waste.Patrick Mutambo, one of the farmers, said rice farmers are forced to sale the unshelled crop as low as K4 per five litre meda.
“We are calling on Government to intervene in our situation because we are really suffering, like earlier mentioned, we do not have machinery to process our rice, and http://epaper.daily-mail.co.zm/

EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Rice Packaging Machines Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application Forecast to 2025

MarketResearchNest.com adds “EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Rice Packaging Machines Market Report 2018” new report to its research database. The report spread across 119 pages with multiple tables and figures in it.

This comprehensive Rice Packaging Machines Market research report includes a brief on these trends that can help the businesses operating in the industry to understand the market and strategize for their business expansion accordingly. The research report analyzes the market size, industry share, growth, key segments, CAGR and key drivers.
 New vendors in the market are facing tough competition from established international vendors as they struggle with technological innovations, reliability and quality issues. The report will answer questions about the current market developments and the scope of competition, opportunity cost and more.
Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Rice Packaging Machines for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast)
 Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux;
Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;
Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.

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 Rice Packaging Machines in its database, which provides an expert and in-depth analysis of key business trends and future market development prospects, key drivers and restraints, profiles of major market players, segmentation and forecasting. A Rice Packaging Machines Market provides an extensive view of size; trends and shape have been developed in this report to identify factors that will exhibit a significant impact in boosting the sales of Rice Packaging Machines Market in the near future. 
Top manufacturers/players, sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player: 
ANKO FOOD MACHINE, Zaccaria, Milltec, Lianyungang Huantai Machinery, Satake, Suzumo, Milltec, Premier Tech, SATAKE Group, General Kinematicsâ€Å½, Shanghai Kunbu Packaging Machinery

Market by Product Type:
Fully Automated
Semi-automated

Market by Application:
Factories
Other Moreover, the research report assessed market key features, consisting of revenue, capacity utilization rate, price, gross, growth rate, consumption, production, export, supply, cost, market size & share, industry demand, export & import analysis, and CAGR
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The research report provides in-depth analysis on:
·       The estimated growth rate along with size and share of the Rice Packaging Machines Market during the forecast period.
·       The prime factors expected to drive the Rice Packaging Machines Market for the estimated period.
·       The major market leaders and what has been their business winning strategy for success so far.
·       Significant trends shaping the growth prospects of the Rice Packaging Machines Market.
                                                                                                                              Key Rice Packaging Machines market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. 
The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. 
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 Industry Analysis:                   
A machine is something what makes work easy; it’s a tool which can be used to operate any task. When defined mechanically the equipment’s are used to design a machine. Normally the equipment are the set of tools used to perform a specific task.
 The industrial revolution has been made possible due to the manufacturing of machines and equipment’s. About 50 % of the employees are production workers. The different kinds of challenges to the industry include the climbing cost of the Raw materials, emission control regulations and the shortage of skilled workers. The market is very competitive with manufacturers seeking to anticipate demands to deliver the products faster and provide increased services. The machines and parts produced are used in other sectors of small scale and large scale industries.

Divisions over data continue, while rice imports continue

Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Tue, May 22 2018 | 02:34 am
Six months ago President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ordered the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) to improve the credibility of the country’s rice production data but so far to little avail, prompting other institutions to raise the issue. The differences between rice production data and the real market situation have led to several classic problems surrounding the country’s most important source ...

Agriculture minister reluctant to comment on new rice import permit


The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Tue, May 22, 2018 | 08:15 am
Workers unload Vietnamese rice at Tenau Port in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Feb. 13. (Antara/ Kornelis Kaha)
Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman is reluctant to comment on the fresh issuance of an import permit for 500,000 tons of rice, saying that the importation of rice is not his authority.
“Ask me when Indonesia will export rice again [not about rice imports],” said Amran in Jakarta on Monday when he was asked to comment on the rice import permit issued by the Trade Ministry to the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).
The rice is expected to be imported before July, in addition to the 500,000 tons that had been imported earlier this year.
Amran said his ministry would focus on food production, the introduction of agriculture technology and the mentoring of farmers to provide them with better infrastructure and facilities to improve their productivity.
“About the high rice price, it is also our question,” said Amran, as quoted by kompas.com in Jakarta, adding that the stocks for Ramadhan and the Idul Fitri holiday were secure.
He said the rice stock was higher than normal. “We have prepared the stocks 20 to 30 percent higher than the stocks of other months.”
Trade Ministry international trade director general Oke Nurwan said the ministry had issued a permit for Bulog to import rice following a decision made during a meeting at the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister.
The rice, which will be imported from several countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, India and Pakistan, was expected to curb the price, which was still above the price ceiling decided by the government, Oke added. (bbn)

 

Price of rice in Mwea drops 21 per cent on improved production

MONDAY MAY 21 2018
     
Mwea rice traders wait for customers. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NMG 

In Summary

·       The volume of rice imports last year rose to 353,082 tonnes from 261,819 in the same period in 2016, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.Mwea scheme accounts for 80 per cent of Kenya’s rice production and plays a major role in the supply of the grain in a country that relies on imports to bridge deficits.
·       Kenya produces 150,000 tonnes a year leaving a deficit of 250,000.
·       Rice consumption has been growing 10 per cent yearly and now stands at 400,000 tonnes, according to State data.
By GERALD ANDAE
The price of rice in Mwea Irrigation Scheme has dropped 21 per cent due to improved production.The cost of a kilo of the commodity at the scheme has fallen from Sh170 in May last year to Sh140. However, the drop is relatively insignificant given that production has almost tripled from 25,369 tonnes in the 2016/2017 season to 75,094 tonnes in the 2017/2018 crop year. Rice production in the previous season was substantially affected by drought and increased irrigation in upstream River Thiba which serves 80 per cent of Mwea’s irrigated area.
“There was a change in irrigation water distribution in the current season resulting in a drastic improvement in rice productivity, especially in the tail end units of the scheme,” said the National Irrigation Board (NIB), which manages the scheme.
Shortage of rice in the country last year saw the price hit a high of Sh200 per kilo at the scheme. The cost was even higher in shops with a kilo retailing at over Sh250.
NIB said there was a slight improvement in river flow during the peak irrigation periods of October, November and December for the main crop and January and February for the ratoon crop.
The price of paddy (unprocessed rice) from the current crop is Sh70 per kilo, with farmers at the expansive scheme estimated to earn Sh5.4 billion from the produce.
The volume of rice imports last year rose to 353,082 tonnes from 261,819 in the same period in 2016, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Mwea scheme accounts for 80 per cent of Kenya’s rice production and plays a major role in the supply of the grain in a country that relies on imports to bridge deficits.
Kenya produces 150,000 tonnes a year leaving a deficit of 250,000.
Rice consumption has been growing 10 per cent yearly and now stands at 400,000 tonnes, according to State data.

Agricultural Trade Liberalization Undermined Food Security

Published on 21 May 2018 

Africa has been transformed from a net food exporter into a net food importer, while realizing only a small fraction of its vast agricultural potential.
© Credit: Busani Bafana/IPS
By Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Anis Chowdhury
KUALA LUMPUR AND SYDNEY, May 21 2018 (IPS) - Agriculture is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) notes, ‘From ending poverty and hunger to responding to climate change and sustaining our natural resources, food and agriculture lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda.’
For many, the answer to poverty and hunger is to accelerate economic growth, presuming that a rising tide will lift all boats, no matter how fragile or leaky. Most believe that market liberalization, property rights, and perhaps some minimal government infrastructure provision is all that is needed.
The government’s role should be restricted to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring open trade and investment policies. In such a business-friendly environment, the private sector will thrive. Accordingly, pro-active government interventions or agricultural development policy would be a mistake, preventing markets from functioning properly, it is claimed.
The possibility of market failure is denied by this view. Social disruption, due to the dispossession of smallholders, or livelihoods being undermined in other ways, simply cannot happen. 
Flawed recipes
This approach was imposed on Africa and Latin America in the 1980s and 1990s through structural adjustment programmes of the Bretton Woods institutions (BWIs), contributing to their ‘lost decades’. In Africa, the World Bank’s influential Berg Report claimed that Africa’s supposed comparative advantage lay in agriculture, and its potential would be best realized by leaving things to the market.
If only the state would stop ‘squeezing’ agriculture through marketing boards and other price distortions, agricultural producers would achieve export-led growth spontaneously. Almost four decades later, Africa has been transformed from a net food exporter into a net food importer, while realizing only a small fraction of its vast agricultural potential.
Examining the causes of this dismal outcome, a FAO report concluded that “arguments in support of further liberalization have tended to be based on analytical studies which either fail to recognize, or are unable to incorporate insights from the agricultural development literature”.
In fact, agricultural producers in many developing countries face widespread market failures, reducing their surpluses needed to invest in higher value activities. The FAO report also noted that “diversification into higher value added activities in cases of successful agriculture-led growth…require significant government intervention at early stages of development to alleviate the pervasive nature of market failures”.
Avoidable Haitian tragedy
In the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010, former US President Bill Clinton apologized for destroying its rice production by forcing the island republic to import subsidized American rice, exacerbating greater poverty and food insecurity in Haiti.
For nearly two centuries after independence in 1804, Haiti was self-sufficient in rice until the early 1980s. When President Jean-Claude Duvalier turned to the BWIs in the 1970s, US companies quickly pushed for agricultural trade liberalization, upending earlier food security concerns.
US companies’ influence increased after the 1986 coup d’état brought General Henri Namphy to power. When the elected ‘populist’ Aristide Government met with farmers’ associations and unions to find ways to save Haitian rice production, the International Monetary Fund opposed such policy interventions.
Thus, by the 1990s, the tariff on imported rice was cut by half. Food aid from the late 1980s to the early 1990s further drove food prices down, wreaking havoc on Haitian rice production, as more costly, unsubsidized domestic rice could not compete against cheaper US rice imports.
From being self-sufficient in rice, sugar, poultry and pork, impoverished Haiti became the world’s fourth-largest importer of US rice and the largest Caribbean importer of US produced food. Thus, by 2010, it was importing 80% of rice consumed in Haiti, and 51% of its total food needs, compared to 19% in the 1970s.
Agricultural subsidies
While developing countries have been urged to dismantle food security and agricultural support policies, the developed world increased subsidies for its own agriculture, including food production. For example, the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supported its own farmers and food production for over half a century.
This has been crucial for ensuring food security and safety in Europe after the Second World War. For Phil Hogan, the EU’s Agriculture & Rural Development Commissioner, “The CAP is at the root of a vibrant agri-food sector, which provides for 44 million jobs in the EU. We should use this potential more”.
Despite less support in some OECD countries, farmers still receive prices about 10% above international market levels on average. An OECD policy brief observed, “the benefits from agriculture for developing countries could be increased substantially if many OECD member countries reformed their agricultural policies. Currently, agriculture is the area on which OECD countries are creating most trade distortions, by subsidising production and exports and by imposing tariffs and nontariff barriers on trade”.
Double standards
If rich countries can have agricultural policies, developing countries should also be allowed to adopt appropriate policies to support agriculture, to address not only hunger and malnutrition, but also other challenges including poverty, water and energy use, climate change, as well as unsustainable production and consumption.
After all, tackling hunger is not only about boosting food production, but also about enhancing capabilities (including real incomes) so that people can always access sufficient food.
As most developing countries have modest budgetary resources, they usually cannot afford the massive agricultural subsidies common to OECD economies. Not surprisingly then, many developing countries ‘protect’ their own agricultural development and food security.
Hence, a ‘one size fits all’ approach to agricultural development, requiring the same rules to apply to all, with no regard for different circumstances, would be grossly unfair. Worse, it would also worsen the food insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment experienced by most African and other developing countries.
Jomo Kwame Sundaram, a former economics professor, was Assistant Director-General for Economic and Social Development, Food and Agriculture Organization, and received the Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought in 2007._
Anis Chowdhury, Adjunct Professor at Western Sydney University (Australia), held senior United Nations positions in New York and Bangkok.

House speaker urges government to consolidate rice data

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Tue, May 22, 2018 | 12:44 pm
House of Representatives Speaker Bambang Soesatyo (second left) and Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman (second right) appear in a group photograph marking a rice harvest on Jan. 29 in Banyuasin, South Sumatra.
House of Representatives Speaker Bambang Soesatyo has called on the government to consolidate its data on rice stocks, following different statements from government officials on whether the country needed to import rice or not.
Bambang questioned the persistently high price of rice, even though the government imported 500,000 tons of rice earlier this year and would soon import another 500,000 tons of the commodity.
“Logically, when the imported rice arrives, the price should be pressured,” Bambang said on Monday in Jakarta as quoted by kompas.com.
Earlier, in response to the government's plan to import rice, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said the nations rice production was adequate to meet domestic needs. “We have prepared 20 to 30 percent higher stocks than stocks in other months,” Amran said on Monday.
Last week, the Trade Ministry's international trade director general Oke Nurwan announced the plan to import another 500,000 tons of rice. He added that the decision to issue an import permit was made during a meeting at the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister.
Bambang said Indonesia needed accurate, consolidated food data to avoid controversial policies.
“Indonesia has no valid food data that can be a reference for all stakeholders. This makes government institutions like the Agriculture Ministry, the Trade Ministry and the State Logistics Agency use their respective data,” he added, noting that these institutions all had different data.
He called on President Joko Widodo to summon the related ministers and officials to end the controversial statements they had made about the government's policies. (bbn)
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/05/22/house-speaker-urges-government-to-consolidate-rice-data.htmlhttp://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/05/22/house-speaker-urges-government-to-consolidate-rice-data.html

Kenya faced with shortage of rice as floods destroy irrigation scheme

21.05.2018
Heavy rains have caused extensive damage of canals that supply water to the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, and is also likely to cause delay in planting of the crop. This is after the main canal from Nyamindi River, which supplies water to the larger section of the scheme, was washed away.
The planting season, which was supposed to start next month, is, therefore, likely to delay because farmers cannot prepare land without water. Peter Karanja, a farmer from Karaba, said all the fields were lying fallow because land preparation was done using rotavators, which only work in flooded fields.
“Had there been water to flood the fields in April, we would have now been through with rotavation to give way for seedbed preparations next month and then start transplanting the seedlings in July,” Mr Karanja said. Behind schedule Avoid fake news! Subscribe to the Standard SMS service and receive factual, verified breaking news as it happens. Text the word 'NEWS' to 22840 The scheme’s Water Users Association Vice-Chairman Peter Chege said with land preparation already one month behind schedule – and with about Sh200 million for repairs of the damaged infrastructure not available – farmers should expect a major shortfall in production. The National Irrigation Board (NIB) Scheme Manager Innocent Ariemba said if planting does not take place in July, the crop would not give maximum yield due to a change in climate. “By September/October, the warm climate which prevails is ideal for the rice crop to flower. When this does not happen due to late planting, the yields will certainly fall significantly below what the scheme produces.” Ariemba said in a normal season, the expansive scheme produces an average of 80,000 metric tons of paddy rice. He warned that a national rice shortage was inevitable following the Quelea bird invasion in the Ahero scheme, which produces about 10 per cent of the country’s rice.
“Since the national rice consumption stands at about 500,000 metric tons annually – with the country producing just about 100,000 metric tons, and which will not be realised this time round – consumers will have to do with the imported commodity,” said Ariemba.

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/kenya-faced-with-shortage-of-rice-as-floods-destroy-irrigation-scheme

Lower rice prices starting June – NFA

The average price of commercial rice is now at P40 to P43 per kilo, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority
Ralf Rivas
Published 7:10 PM, May 22, 2018
 7:12 PM, May 22, 2018
RICE STOCK. Workers pile sacks of rice at a National Food Authority warehouse. Rappler file photo
MANILA, Philippines— The National Food Authority (NFA) assured consumers that rice prices will drop starting June, as 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from Vietnam and Thailand are expected to arrive next week.
“In the terms of reference for government-to-government (G2G) scheme, [rice should arrive] between May 31 and June 15,” said NFA spokesperson Rex Estoperez.
Estoperez previously admitted that there were lapses in the decision-making processes that led to the high prices of rice in the market.
However, he said there’s no room for "finger pointing for now," and the agency "will prepare now for the lean months."
The NFA currently has zero inventory of rice.
Private sector comes in
The agency opened the bidding for the second batch of 250,000 MT of imported rice on Tuesday, May 22, through government-to-private (G2P) scheme.
Twenty-one companies have expressed interest in participating in the bid. However, two companies from Vietnam and one from UAE withdrew.
Three companies failed to submit all of the required documents, but are expected to file a motion for reconsideration.
The G2G mode of procurement is generally cheaper compared to G2P.
NFA Deputy Administrator Judy Carol Dansal said the agency opted to purchase from the private sector because "lean months is coming, it would be judicious for the NFA to procure immediately."
The NFA is expected to announce the winners before the end of May.
P6.5 billion has been allotted for the next importation. The agency is looking for a bidder that will offer less than the amount.
The agency has set $498.25 as the reference price. The lowest bids range from $461 to $469.
Should all plans push through, the country will have 500,000 MT of rice that will last for 15 days.
Private dealers reign
Despite the upcoming replenishment of supply, the imports are still nowhere near President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching order to build up the rice buffer stock to last 60 days, equivalent to 1.9 million metric tons.
Estoperez previously admitted that the 60-day buffer stock would be “too much,” but vowed to comply with the directive of the President.
For almost two months now, consumers have relied on private traders for the cheapest rice in the market amid the tight supply of the staple from the NFA.
Traders have volunteered to supply cheap rice in the market at P39 per kilo after Duterte ordered them to help the government.
However, that price is still far off the usual P25 to P30 per kilo of NFA rice consumers are used to.
The price is also quite close to the average rice prices in the market. As of the first week of May, the price of regular-milled rice climbed to P40.04 per kilo, while well-milled rice increased to P43.86 per kilo, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Prices of regular-milled rice and well-milled rice have increased by 5.48% and 7.29%, respectively, from the same period last year. – Rappler.com

The 2018 Riverina rice harvest performs better than originally thought according to SunRice

MAY 22 2018 - 2:00PM
Talia Pattison

  •  
THE Riverina’s rice harvest will be slightly bigger than first predicted. 
SunRice is reporting the forecast for this year’s harvest of 600,000 has been extended by about 25,000 tonnes thanks to strong yields across the board, as well as different rice varieties. 
So far, 615,000 tonnes have been delivered to SunRice’s Australian Grain Storage (AGS) depots across the Riverina, with a further 10,000 tonnes expected by the end of May, when harvest is likely to be completed.
While overall yields for the season are yet to be confirmed, a standout result was a 14.8 tonnes per hectare yield achieved for a medium grain Reiziq crop grown in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, which outstripped the region’s five-year average of 11.7 tonnes per hectare by 3.1 tonnes/hectare.
Highlighting Australian rice growers’ reputation as the world’s most water efficient, this high yielding crop was grown using only 9.6 megalitres of water (1.5 tonnes being produced per megalitre), which far exceeds the targeted industry benchmark of 1 tonne/1 megalitre of water. 
Across the Riverina this season, it was relatively common for growers to achieve yield to water usage rates of around 1.25 tonnes per megalitre.
This particular crop generated a gross profit margin of approximately $3,700/ha or $380 per megalitre of water.

Premium speciality varieties shine

TOP performing varieties this harvest were Doongara (used for SunRice’s Low GI range sold in Australia and exported around the world) and Opus (a short grain rice preferred for Japanese cuisine).
·       Doongara is predominantly grown in the MIA
·       Opus is grown in the Murray Valley and this year performed on par with Reiziq
·       Koshihikari, a premium short grain preferred for the restaurant sushi market, also performed well in the Eastern Murray Valley where it is mainly grown
·       Medium grain Reiziq continues to deliver solid yields
·       Reiziq continued to outperform, achieving the following results across the various regions where it is grown:
·       MIA: top 20 per cent of growers achieved 13.5 tonnes/hectare, up 1.8 tonnes/hectare on the five-year average (for reiziq). 

Key drivers of the 2018 harvest

SUNRICE general manager AGS, grower services and agronomic development, Tom Howard said key drivers for the 2018 harvest results were a combination of excellent ground preparation, use of precision agriculture technologies to manage fertiliser and water applications, and favourable growing conditions.
“We are delighted with the results of the 2018 rice harvest,” he said.
“It is a testament to the skills of our growers, who use the latest, most efficient farming techniques and technologies, that this year’s yields have bumped up our original crop forecast by around 4 per cent, which is an outstanding outcome.
“However, the very hot weather experienced at the beginning of April will result in greater variation in whole grain yields, on average, for the 2018 crop than the results that were recorded last year.
“This season has again proven that Riverina rice growers are the best in the world, not only for productivity but for water use efficiency as a result of top irrigation layouts, technology usage and exceptional management.”

Wide door for Vietnamese rice export

Tuesday, 05/22/2018, 16:16
With improved product quality and consecutive win of export contracts, doors are wide open for Vietnamese rice.
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, rice export grew 23.8% in volume to over 2.2 million tonnes, earning US$1.11 billion, up 39.7% in value in the first four months of this year, a high figure over the past five years.

It was partly attributable to Vietnam’s winning of rice export contracts, including 141,000 tonnes in January and 300,000 tonnes in April to Indonesia, which will be delivered from May – July.

In early May, Vietnam won another contract of shipping 130,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines.

Apart from traditional markets, new markets such as Bangladesh, Turkey and Iraq also posted Vietnamese rice import growth, increasing from 11 to 91 times in volume and from 16 to 61 times in value.

During May, a number of export contracts from the private sector are expected to be signed with hundreds of thousands of tonnes in volume. They also seek opportunities in markets signing free trade deals with Vietnam such as the Republic of Korea and Australia, said the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).

Compared to 2017, Vietnam’s rice export prices moved up nearly 15% to over US$500 per tonne.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said demand for high-quality products such as glutinous rice, japonica and broken rice is rising. Last year, low and medium-quality white rice export only accounted for 3.88% and 8.24% of the total.

The VFA suggested the government, ministries and agencies diversify markets to facilitate rice export, which should be responsibility of not only the Ministry of Industry and Trade but the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also.

Rice basmati rises on good demand

The News Scroll 22 May 2018  Last Updated at 2:37 pm
New Delhi, May 22 Rice basmati prices firmed up by Rs 100 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on emergence of stockists' buying following uptick in demand.
However, bajra and maize ended lower on reduced offtake by consuming industries.
Traders said upbeat buying, driven by pick up in demand against restricted supplies from producing belts, mainly attributed the rise in rice basmati prices.
In the national capital, rice basmati common and Pusa--1121 variety went up by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,200-7,300 and Rs 6,500-6,600 per quintal, respctively.
On the other hand, bold grains like bajra and maize eased by Rs 15 each to Rs 1,250-1,255 and Rs 1,285-1,290 per quintal, respectively.
Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,060-2,260, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,740-1,745 Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,745-1,750, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 230-260, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 930-940 (50 kg), Maida Rs 950-960 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,030-1,040 (50 kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,200-7,300, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,500-6,600, Permal raw Rs 2,375-2400, Permal wand Rs 2,475-2,525, Sela Rs 3,050-3,150 and Rice IR-8 Rs 2,025-2,075, Bajra Rs 1,250-1,255, Jowar yellow Rs 1,650-1,700, white Rs 2,850-2,950, Maize Rs 1,285-1,290, Barley Rs 1,470-1,480.