The return of the native rice variety
DECEMBER 30, 2018 21:32 IST
Farmers benefit from low input
costs
R. Yuvasenthilkumar, a
post-graduate in organic agriculture, near Modakurichi in Tamil Nadu, used to
raise paddy varieties such as IR 20 and ADT 38 on his two-acre farm till 2012.
Having developed an interest in
native varieties — specifically, ones that grow without the use of fertilizers
— he went on a quest for almost a year looking for such paddy varieties. He
tried cultivating varieties from the delta areas. However, the yield was not
satisfactory. Then, he learnt from elders in his locality that before the 1970s,
they used to grow varieties such as Tiruchengode Sambha and Ayan Sambha.
However, the seeds for these varieties were not available locally.
In 2014, he got 50 gm of seed
imported by the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University from the International Rice
Research Institute, Manila, for each of the 33 varieties native to the middle
Cauvery basin.
The seeds were tried out and it
was decided to go in for Tiruchengode Sambha and Ayan Sambha.
In four years, 45 acres belonging
to 12 farmers came under the Tiruchengode Sambha native variety of rice in the
Erode-Kodumudi-Tiruchengode belt. Last year, the variety was grown on 11 acres
for commercial use. The average yield per acre was 1,700 kg and it was a
135-day crop. “We do not use even green manure,” he said. This year, this
variety of paddy would be raised on 33.8 acres for commercial purposes.
Farmers are able to get viable
price for this rice in the market. One of the advantages for them is that they
do not have to spend on fertilizers or pesticides. The paddy straw, got after
the harvest, is almost double the quantity compared with the normal varieties,
he said.
One more variety
Mr. Yuvasenthilkumar and a group
of his friends formed the River Basin Foundation in 2014 mainly to promote the
native varieties. This year, they have sown Ayan Sambha on one acre on a trial
basis.
Native varieties of paddy are
highly localised. They grow in a particular area during a particular season in
a year. For instance, for the Tiruchengode Sambha, the seeds should be sown
between August 15 and October 15, he claims.
The foundation plans to promote
native varieties of paddy, pulses and oilseeds by identifying interested
farmers and expanding area under these. It helps sustain the local varieties,
he says.
According to B. Shivakumar, a businessman-turned
agriculturist and founder of Madras Iyer Thottam, who grows several traditional
varieties of vegetables on 12 of his 70-acre farm in Sathyamangalam, yield in
terms of number of vegetables per kg is higher in these varieties.
For instance, one kg of
traditional brinjal will have 40 to 45 pieces against 18 to 20 in a hybrid
variety grown with chemicals. He switched over to organic cultivation and
traditional varieties over three years ago. “In the case of brinjal, we tried
six to seven varieties and decided to go in for the Sathyamangalam brinjal as
it is the most accepted and disease resistant,” he says. Farmers will not spend
on fertilizers or pesticides and the price realisation for the produce is also
relatively higher in the market. “The nutritional value is high in these
varieties of vegetables and farmers will gain in the medium to long term,” he
says.
From 'rice bunny' to
'back up the car': China's year of censorship
Online freedom has come under
sustained assault from Beijing in 2018, with references to Xi Jinping’s new
powers among the prohibited phrases
Mon 31 Dec 2018 02.00 GMT
Social media companies have helped the internet crackdown,
promising to police ‘harmful information’. Illustration: Getty/Guardian Design
Team
China stepped up its campaign
in 2018 to control what news and information its citizens can see.
While censors continued
heavyhanded control for any content deemed dangerous for social stability,
including Peppa Pig videos and the letter “n”,
regulators also deployed more sophisticated methods, going beyond Chinese
social media and working harder to curate and shape what Chinese residents
consume.
Authorities have been forcing
activists on Twitter to delete their accountsand
shutting down the social media accounts of university professors. Apolitical
content is coming under more scrutiny. In October, almost 10,000 social media
accounts for outlets publishing entertainment and celebrity news were closed.
The country’s largest internet
companies have also stepped up self-censorship. The messaging platform WeChat
issued a statement in November, promising to step up its policing of “politically
harmful information” while in April, the boss of Jinri Toutiao, a
content aggregator, issued a public apology more
similar to self-criticisms in Mao Zedong’s era.
WeChat groups were regularly shut
down and users sending messages to friends often found themselves the victim of
censorship when their messages appear not to go through.
“WeChat group takedowns and news
item deletions are happening with greater regularity across a shifting slate of
topics,” said Rui Zhong, a programme assistant at the Kissinger Institute on
China.
These were some of the banned
phrases this year:
‘Amend the constitution’
At the March annual meeting of
China’s national legislature, lawmakers voted almost unanimously to abolish
term limits for the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, allowing him to stay in
power indefinitely.
In the leadup to the meeting and
afterwards, phrases like “amend the constitution”, “I don’t agree”,
“proclaiming oneself emperor” and the letter “n” were censored. “Emigration”
and “Winnie the Pooh”, a reference to Xi that has been censored off and on over
the years, was also blocked.
‘Back up the car’
In September, Chinese economist
Wu Xiaoping released a controversial commentary arguing that the utility of the
country’s private sector had been exhausted and such companies should now step
aside.
Commentators quickly criticised
Wu’s proposal as “driving history backwards” to a time of a command economy. As
a result, the term “back up the car” was also censored.
In addition to domestic issues,
Chinese regulators also tried to limit how much the US-China trade war was
discussed, and censored certain types of articles and comments on US
vice-president Mike Pence’s polemical speechon China, and the arrest
of senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.
“Censorship focus shifted from
local issues to China’s global image, foreign affairs and economy,” said
King-wa Fu, head of Weiboscope and WeChatscope at Hong Kong University’s School
of Journalism and media studies, a project analysing Chinese censorship.
‘Rice bunny’
In January, a woman named Luo
Xixi published allegations against a professor who forced himself on her when
she was a student 12 years ago. Inspired by her account and the subsequent
firing of the professor, other women began posting under the hashtag #MeToo or
in Chinese version, woyeshi #我也是 .
When that phrase was censored,
internet users began using a homonym mitu#米兔 or “rice bunny’. That too was blocked. Still
the movement expanded and has led to revelations against professors,
journalists, heads of NGOs, the head of a large Buddhist monastery and a
well-known CCTV host.
‘Quangong carbon leakage’
In November, officials in
Quanggang in the southern Fujian province reported a spillage of C9, a crude
oil that is toxic to humans, off the coast of Fujian.
Local residents posted photos and
accounts online of residents being sent to the hospital, arguing that the leak
was more serious than officials claimed. Internet searches for “Xiamen Quangong
carbon leakage” were blocked and video and posts related to the spill were
deleted.
Officials initially reported that
only seven tonnes of the chemical were dumped into the water. At a press
conference later that month authorities admitted that almost 70 tonnes had been
spilled.
As 2018 draws to a close….
… we’re asking readers to make an
end of year or ongoing contribution in support of The Guardian’s independent
journalism.
Three years ago we set out to
make The Guardian sustainable by deepening our relationship with our readers.
The same technologies that connected us with a global audience had also shifted
advertising revenues away from news publishers. We decided to seek an approach
that would allow us to keep our journalism open and accessible to everyone,
regardless of where they live or what they can afford.
More than one million readers
have now supported our independent, investigative journalism through
contributions, membership or subscriptions, which has played such an important
part in helping The Guardian overcome a perilous financial situation globally.
We want to thank you for all of your support. But we have to maintain and build
on that support for every year to come.
Sustained support from our
readers enables us to continue pursuing difficult stories in challenging times
of political upheaval, when factual reporting has never been more critical. The
Guardian is editorially independent – our journalism is free from commercial
bias and not influenced by billionaire owners, politicians or shareholders. No
one edits our editor. No one steers our opinion. This is important because it
enables us to give a voice to those less heard, challenge the powerful and hold
them to account. Readers’ support means we can continue bringing The Guardian’s
independent journalism to the world.
Please make an end of year
contribution today to help us deliver the independent journalism the world
needs for 2019 and beyond. Support The Guardian from as little as £1 – and it
only takes a minute. Thank you
China Green Light on U.S. Rice Seen as
‘Goodwill’ Trade Gesture
Stock
Markets11 hours ago (Dec 30, 2018 07:20PM ET)
© Reuters. China Green Light on U.S. Rice Seen as
‘Goodwill’ Trade Gesture
(Bloomberg) -- China, the world’s top rice producer and consumer,
is allowing imports of the grain from the U.S. in a move seen as “a goodwill
gesture” while negotiations continue to resolve a trade war between the two
countries.
Registered U.S. suppliers can export rice to the Asian country
with effect from Dec. 27, according to a statement from China’s customs
administration on Friday. That follows the conclusion of a phytosanitary
agreement and comes before a resumption of bilateral trade discussions in China
in January.
“This is a goodwill gesture from the Chinese government before
the talks,” said Ma Wenfeng, an analyst with Beijing Orient Agribusiness
Consultant Co. But U.S. prices are not competitive compared with supplies from
Thailand and Vietnam, China’s main suppliers, and import volumes will probably
be limited, said Ma. U.S. supplies would also still be subject to retaliatory
tariffs.
China is the world’s biggest rice importer, according to data
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with purchases estimated at 5 million
metric tons in the 2018-19 year. Seven U.S. suppliers have registered to export
to China, including Farmers’ Rice Cooperative and American Commodity Company
LLC, China’s customs said in a separate statement.
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Niu Shuping in
Beijing at nshuping@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anna Kitanaka
at akitanaka@bloomberg.net, James Poole
China Green Light on U.S. Rice Seen as
‘Goodwill’ Trade Gesture
Stock
Markets11 hours ago (Dec 30, 2018 07:)
© Reuters. China Green Light on U.S. Rice Seen as
‘Goodwill’ Trade Gesture
(Bloomberg) -- China, the world’s top rice producer and
consumer, is allowing imports of the grain from the U.S. in a move seen as “a
goodwill gesture” while negotiations continue to resolve a trade war between
the two countries.
Registered U.S. suppliers can export rice to the Asian country
with effect from Dec. 27, according to a statement from China’s customs
administration on Friday. That follows the conclusion of a phytosanitary
agreement and comes before a resumption of bilateral trade discussions in China
in January.
“This is a goodwill gesture from the Chinese government before
the talks,” said Ma Wenfeng, an analyst with Beijing Orient Agribusiness
Consultant Co. But U.S. prices are not competitive compared with supplies from
Thailand and Vietnam, China’s main suppliers, and import volumes will probably
be limited, said Ma. U.S. supplies would also still be subject to retaliatory
tariffs.
China is the world’s biggest rice importer, according to data
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with purchases estimated at 5 million
metric tons in the 2018-19 year. Seven U.S. suppliers have registered to export
to China, including Farmers’ Rice Cooperative and American Commodity Company
LLC, China’s customs said in a separate statement.
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Niu Shuping in
Beijing at nshuping@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anna Kitanaka
at akitanaka@bloomberg.net, James Poole
Government working on ease of living while keeping middlemen at bay:
Modi
Government
working on ease of living while keeping middlemen at bay: Modi
Varanasi, Dec 29 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Saturday said the Central and state governments are working full-time
to ensure that all projects and schemes rolled out are centred around ease of
living and ease of doing business besides keeping middlemen at bay.
Addressing a summit of the ‘One
District One Project’ (ODOP) in his parliamentary constituency, the Prime
Minister said that ODOP was an extension of Make in India with the potential of
“firmly placing Uttar Pradesh on the world map”.
In an oblique reference to the
Congress regime, the Prime Minister said his government was committed to
keeping middlemen away by making necessary changes in the government system by
making it more transparent. He asked people if “some people were being troubled
because of a tradition of allowing the middlemen.”
When the gathering responded with
an applause, Modi said for the prosperity of the nation, some pain has to be
borne to keep middleman at bay. He also lauded the Union telecom ministry for
launching a digital pension project, saying it would benefit pensioners immensely,
reflecting the citizen-centric approach of his government.
“This is our approach to minimum
government and maximum governance,” the Prime Minister said. People can now
track the pension status on their mobile phone and don’t have to made rounds of
offices for pension-related issues.
Referring to strides taken in
different sectors under the present regime, the Prime Minister said internet
connectivity had increased to 65 per cent in the past two years and India now
had 50 crore active internet users. This, he said, was special because the
growth of internet was equally big and significant in villages.
Under his government, he said,
1.25 lakh panchayats have been connected by broadband of which 29,000 villages
are in Uttar Pradesh.
Purchases by government
departments had been shrouded in doubts and charges of favouritism, he said,
adding government’s e-market place (GEM) can enable the smallest of traders to
sell their products. “This is the best platform for the MSME sector,” Modi
said.
Online loans up to Rs 1 crore are
now being disbursed in 59 minutes without any red-tape or exploitation, the
Prime Minister said.
The quality of Ganga water has
considerably improved as tested by scientists. He said while schemes had been
made for long, the Ganga remained polluted, but not any longer. “Jab niyat saaf
hai to Ganga bhi saaf hogi (if the intention is clear, the Ganga will be
cleaner),” he said as people applauded and raised slogans of ‘Har Har Mahadev’.
Talking about the industry in
Varanasi and nearby areas, Modi said there were 1.5 lakh weavers and 70,000
power looms in the region, and that right from funds to facilitation in
marketing their produce, the state and the Union government were working out
things for the weavers. “We will keep extending job opportunities through such
schemes,” he said.
Uttar Pradesh’s MSME Minister
Satyadev Pachauri informed the Prime Minister that so far loans worth Rs 5345
crore had been given to 65,000 artisans in the state and that Rs 75,000 crore
loans will be disbursed by banks in the state.
The Prime Minister laid the
foundation stones for 14 infrastructure projects and inaugurated 12 projects,
totalling Rs 279 crore.
Earlier Modi inaugurated the International Rice Research
Institute and interacted with scientists.
Alvi
stresses use of modern farm technology
December 29, 2018
KARACHI: Describing agriculture as
backbone of the country’s economy, President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday stressed
for the use of modern technology to enhance agricultural productivity keeping
in view the less water resources.
While addressing the Rice Exporters
Award ceremony at Governor House, he said the cultivation of rice and other
agricultural commodities could be enhanced through research in agriculture
sector.
The awards distribution ceremony
was arranged by the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).
The president said since Pakistani
rice was well recognised the world over, the government would facilitate the
rice exporters in every way.
He said despite less-resources
better cultivation of crops could be ensured through effective policies and
productive ways.
The president appreciated the
holding of Rice Exporters Award as a good step towards further encouraging the
exporters of this commodity.
He said the rice crop was a
sensitive crop from seed germination till final outcome phase. The global
demand of rice had been surging every year and in order to cope with the modern
requirements, necessary steps must be taken, he added. The president said that
the rice crop of Pakistan was of outstanding quality in 1970s and was admired
around the world. He said that Pakistan faced problems in cultivation of rice
owing to shortage of water.
“Research must be done in the field
of mechanised farming and agronomics in order to improve the yield of rice
besides converting it from water-expensive crop to low or moderate water
consuming crop,” stressed the president.
He said that losses in the
cultivation of rice crop must be eradicated and emphatically called for
submitting a holistic proposal, categorically catering the issues of rice
industry, so that improvement in crop quality could be achieved.
Published in Dawn, December 29th,
2018
Pakistan Market Price Bulletin,
December 2018
REPORT
from World Food Programme
Published on 28 Dec
2018 —
H i g h l i g h t s
·
In November 2018, the average
retail price of wheat increased by 0.5% while it decreased by 0.1% for wheat
flour, from October 2018; the prices of rice Irri-6 decreased by 0.1% and rice
Basmati increased by 0.4 in November 2018 when compared to the previous month;
·
Headline inflation based on the
Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased in November 2018 by 0.11% over October
2018 and increased by 6.50% over November 2017;
·
The prices of staple cereals and
most of non-cereal food commoditiesin November 2018 experienced negligible to
slight fluctuations when compared to the previous month’s prices;
·
In November 2018, the average ToT
slightly increased by 2.6% from previous month;
·
In December 2018, the total
global wheat production for 2018/19 is projected at 733.41 million MT,
indicating a decrease of 0.10 million MT compared to the projection made last
month
Pakistan Tunisia talks to
proceed ahead for finalizing PTA
DECEMBER 29, 2018
Adel Elarbi, Ambassador of
Tunisia in Pakistan was invited for meeting by Secretary Commerce Mohammad
Younus Dagha Friday to discuss bilateral trade issues and proceed ahead with
remaining work on Preferential Trade Agreement.
Tunisian Ambassador mentioned the
warm, cordial and brotherly relations between the two countries and desired to
make the trade relations commensurate with the political relations. Tunisian
Ambassador appreciated the “Look Africa Policy” of Ministry of Commerce and
assured his full cooperation for any proposed bilateral engagements.
Dagha, Secretary Commerce warmly
reciprocated the sentiments of Tunisian side and emphasized on boosting the
existing trade ties. Secretary Commerce emphasized the need for holding 3rd
meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade and signing of Preferential Trade
Agreement (PTA) between the two countries. Request List of Pakistan for the
proposed PTA was presented to the Ambassador. He assured to expedite the
submission of Request List by Tunisian Ministry of trade followed by expert
level talks. He expressed interest in exporting Tunisian olive oil, dates and
fertilizer to Pakistan. Secretary Commerce explained that Pakistan desires to
make Tunisia, a hub for enhancing exports to North Africa under Look Africa
Policy, which was appreciated by the Tunisian Ambassador.
Secretary Commerce also shared
Ministry of Commerce’s plan of holding a Single Country Exhibition in Tunis in
2019 with the Ambassador along with visit of high level officials and requested
him to ensure fruitful participation of Textile business delegates from Tunis
in the TEXPO 2019 (11-14th April 2019 in Lahore). Tunisian Ambassador welcomed
the suggestion of holding single country exhibition in Tunis and assured cooperation
for making this exhibition a successful regional event. Pakistan will exhibit
textiles, sports goods, rice, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments etc. in the
exhibition.
Both sides emphasized that in
order to translate excellent brotherly relations into meaningful economic and
trade cooperation, early conclusion of PTA and frequent engagements at G2G and
B2B level coupled with trade promotional activities will be ensured. Both sides
also agreed on cultural exchanges/ participation of cultural troupe in major
events in near future.
All about having her cake By Grace Bondad Nicolas
Cakes are considered as staples
in just about every occasion for most Filipinos. For Merle Mendoza Balicao, it
is literally her bread and butter as her brand has become a landmark at her
hometown in Los Baños Laguna.
Merle started Mer-Nel’s Cake
House and Variety Shop in 1996. Mer-Nel is a combination of her name and that
of supportive husband, Nelson. With the lofty objective to make Mer-Nel’s known
nationwide and to become part of every Filipino occasion and celebration, Merle
focused on her mission to provide fine customer service and put emphasis on
offering high quality and affordable products while providing more job
opportunities as their business continues to grow.
Merle started her career as a
food service employee in a canteen at the University of the Philippines, Los
Baños, Laguna from 1979 to 1989, while Nelson started as a baker at the
International Rice Research Institute cafeteria, also in the same town. So,
they do know a thing or two about the industry they’re involved in.
Merle
Mendoza Balicao of Mer-Nel’s Cake House and Variety Shop
Starting with just three
employees in 1986, Mer-Nel’s now operates with three branches in Laguna with
over 100 employees. The branch includes a multiple-story events place and
restaurant along Barangay Maahas, Los Baños, one branch at SM Calamba City and
one at Barangay Batong Malake in Los Baños, Laguna.
When asked if she considered
herself as an entrepreneur, Merle said; “Entrepreneurs are people who choose to
run their own business rather than work as employees. An entrepreneur is
someone who creates a business from scratch, with all the risks and rewards it
implies. It is my personal conviction that, yes, I consider myself as
entrepreneur.”
Merle inspiration is her family,
her children and her clients, and still see herself establishing additional
shops in every town in Laguna and beyond. “I see myself helping many people and
putting up bigger commissary and into franchising,” she added.
When asked about what makes
Mer-Nel’s different from other similar pastry establishments,”I always wanted
to give my best and I listened to our customers concern and their advices. My
husband is very hardworking, my children are also in our company. The lord has
also given us loyal and hardworking employees.”
Because of the success of
Mer-Nel’s, its operations was featured on several television. Merle has also
been recognized with several awards already, the latest of which was the
special award under Asia Leaders Awards 2018 held at Makati Shangrila Hotel
last November.
As for her advice to budding
entrepreneurs? “You must be hardworking, persevere, listen to your customers,
love your employees, be a strong leader, focus, keep on learning new
technologies, you must have passion, know what you’re doing, be honest to your
customers, do not spend more than you’re earning, be humble, and lastly, always
pray.
PM attacks Cong on loan waiver promises
calls them lollipops
PTI December
29, 2018 17:28 IST
(Eds: More quotes, new intro)
Ghazipur (UP), Dec 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress of misleading farmers on loan waivers, saying its governments had handed over “lollipops” instead of what was promised.
"Be wary of the Congress and its lies,” he said at a public meeting here after laying the foundation stone for a medical college and releasing a postal stamp on legendary king Suheldev.
On a day's visit to the Purvanchal region, his second trip to Uttar Pradesh this month, Modi said the Congress promised loan waivers to lakhs of farmers, but the JD(S)-Congress coalition that came into power did not deliver.
“Lollypops were handed over. The loan waiver was given to only 800 farmers,” he claimed.
He said the “lollypop company” had similarly “forgotten” the promises it made before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress has in the past denied similar charges made by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Modi’s recent remarks on farm loans follow the waivers announced by the Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh after this month’s assembly polls.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi recently said his party would not let Modi rest till he writes off farm loans across the country.
Modi claimed that under the Congress rule, loans were given to people who were not eligible, while farmers were forced to go to private lenders and fall into debt traps.
The prime minister described himself again as a ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) of the people, a term ridiculed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
“This chowkidar of yours is toiling very hard day and night, and with honesty, to brighten your future and that of your children,” he said.
"Because of this chowkidar, some thieves are having sleepless nights. It is your faith and blessings on me that will take the thieves to their rightful place one day," he said.
He described Maharaja Suheldev as a brave warrior.
“Maharaja Suheldev is among those bravehearts who had struggled for the honour of `Maa Bharti’,” he said.
“All people hailing from the deprived and the exploited sections of society seek inspiration from him. Remembering him strengthens the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas (inclusive development)," he said.
The PM's rally here is also being seen as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party to woo the Rajbhar community, which reveres Maharaja Suheldev.
However, BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has distanced itself from the event. SBSP chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed he was not invited in time.
Modi said his government will not let the memory of those who defended the country and worked for society to fade away.
"There are bravehearts of the country who have not been given the due respect by the previous governments. Our government is paying tribute to them,” he said.
"Several important steps have being taken to transform Purvanchal into a big medical hub and to strengthen small industries in UP," Modi said.
He said when a government works with transparency and public interest is put above self-interest, big tasks are accomplished effectively.
"Today even the poorest of the poor are heard. The government has been able to lay the foundation of a strong monument," he said.
Modi mentioned Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana and said for the first time healthcare had been given so much emphasis.
The prime minister listed several agriculture-related projects for the region.
These include the International Rice Research Institute in Varanasi, cargo centres in Varanasi and Ghazipur, a fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur and the Bansagar irrigation project.
Modi slammed the Congress for not implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission on minimum support price for crops.
He said the government has now fixed the minimum support price of 22 crops at one and a half times the cost of production.
Mentioning connectivity projects, Modi said work is in full swing for the Purvanchal Expressway.
The recently opened waterway between Varanasi and Kolkata would also benefit Ghazipur, he added.
PTI NAV SMI ASH
Ghazipur (UP), Dec 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress of misleading farmers on loan waivers, saying its governments had handed over “lollipops” instead of what was promised.
"Be wary of the Congress and its lies,” he said at a public meeting here after laying the foundation stone for a medical college and releasing a postal stamp on legendary king Suheldev.
On a day's visit to the Purvanchal region, his second trip to Uttar Pradesh this month, Modi said the Congress promised loan waivers to lakhs of farmers, but the JD(S)-Congress coalition that came into power did not deliver.
“Lollypops were handed over. The loan waiver was given to only 800 farmers,” he claimed.
He said the “lollypop company” had similarly “forgotten” the promises it made before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress has in the past denied similar charges made by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Modi’s recent remarks on farm loans follow the waivers announced by the Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh after this month’s assembly polls.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi recently said his party would not let Modi rest till he writes off farm loans across the country.
Modi claimed that under the Congress rule, loans were given to people who were not eligible, while farmers were forced to go to private lenders and fall into debt traps.
The prime minister described himself again as a ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) of the people, a term ridiculed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
“This chowkidar of yours is toiling very hard day and night, and with honesty, to brighten your future and that of your children,” he said.
"Because of this chowkidar, some thieves are having sleepless nights. It is your faith and blessings on me that will take the thieves to their rightful place one day," he said.
He described Maharaja Suheldev as a brave warrior.
“Maharaja Suheldev is among those bravehearts who had struggled for the honour of `Maa Bharti’,” he said.
“All people hailing from the deprived and the exploited sections of society seek inspiration from him. Remembering him strengthens the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas (inclusive development)," he said.
The PM's rally here is also being seen as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party to woo the Rajbhar community, which reveres Maharaja Suheldev.
However, BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has distanced itself from the event. SBSP chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed he was not invited in time.
Modi said his government will not let the memory of those who defended the country and worked for society to fade away.
"There are bravehearts of the country who have not been given the due respect by the previous governments. Our government is paying tribute to them,” he said.
"Several important steps have being taken to transform Purvanchal into a big medical hub and to strengthen small industries in UP," Modi said.
He said when a government works with transparency and public interest is put above self-interest, big tasks are accomplished effectively.
"Today even the poorest of the poor are heard. The government has been able to lay the foundation of a strong monument," he said.
Modi mentioned Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana and said for the first time healthcare had been given so much emphasis.
The prime minister listed several agriculture-related projects for the region.
These include the International Rice Research Institute in Varanasi, cargo centres in Varanasi and Ghazipur, a fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur and the Bansagar irrigation project.
Modi slammed the Congress for not implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission on minimum support price for crops.
He said the government has now fixed the minimum support price of 22 crops at one and a half times the cost of production.
Mentioning connectivity projects, Modi said work is in full swing for the Purvanchal Expressway.
The recently opened waterway between Varanasi and Kolkata would also benefit Ghazipur, he added.
PTI NAV SMI ASH
Varanasi: Narendra Modi Dedicates Rice
Research Institute to Nation
PM Narendra Modi during | (Photo Credit: Twitter)
Varanasi, December 29: With an aim to double
farmers' income, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the IRRI South Asia
Regional Centre (IRRI SARC) in Varanasi on Saturday. The Prime Minister
dedicated the country the 6th IRRI SARC campus here which will serve as a hub
for rice research and training in South Asia and SAARC region.
This new Centre is expected to deliver advanced research,
teaching and services in order to improve crop production, seed quality and the
nutritional value of rice. It will also work with national partners to enhance
farmers' knowledge and income. Not only that, the education and training arm of
IRRI SARC, IRRI Education, will also teach scientists and agriculture leaders
about the latest technologies and innovations for sustainable farming; and
laboratories for digital crop monitoring and assessment, and demonstration
fields where variety testing is conducted. PM Narendra Modi Teleconference: BJP to Filter Questions After Puducherry
Party Worker's 'Embarrassing' Query.
PM Modi to visit Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. He
will dedicate 6th International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional
Centre (ISARC) campus to the nation in Varanasi&attend One District,One
Product Regional Summit at Deendayal Hastakala Sankul in Varanasi.
The major aim of IRRI is to
improve livelihood and nutrition, abolishing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition
among those countries which depend on rice-based agri-food systems. Speaking at
the inaugural function, Dr. Matthew Morell, IRRI Director General stated,
"This is a landmark moment for India and IRRI. This state-of-the-art rice
research centre will catalyze South-South collaboration, strengthen the
research expertise and capacity of rice-growing countries in the region, and
contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals."
"It is only through the
support of our network of global partners, such as the Government of India,
that knowledge and innovations gained at this centre can be speedily tailored
to meet needs of farmers in India, across South Asia and across Africa."
he added.
Moreover, IRRI SARC facilities
will include the Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA), a suite
of modern laboratories where rice grains are assessed for ;quality and
nutritional value and sensory evaluations for grain taste, texture, and aroma
are conducted; on-site facilities. The inaugural function was graced by Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and several other
dignitaries.
PM Modi dedicates
International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional Centre to nation
Ani29 December 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
visited 6th International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional Centre
campus in Varanasi today. Prime Minister dedicated the institute to the nation.
He was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik.
The hi-tech campus will serve as a hub for training and rice research in South
Asia and SAARC. PM Modi is on his Uttar Pradesh visit to inaugurate several
developmental projects.
Rice
exports from India witnesses a downward trend owing to elections
India is the world's largest
rice exporter and in 2017, it had accounted for 25% of the global rice trade
valued at US$ 7.73 billion, primarily due to its competitive cost advantage
Virendra
Singh Rawat | Lucknow Last Updated at December 29,
2018 22:52 IST
Belying
expectations of upswing, the rice exports from India have witnessed a downward
trend owing to elections that took place in some states and upcoming general
elections apart from global geopolitical factors in the ongoing season.
While
global factors pertain to recessionary trends in key export markets and
persisting payments issue with Iran, the domestic factors include among others,
big traders avoiding taking long positions due to impending Lok Sabha election
in the early months of 2019, as a caution before the results could reflect in
amended export terms with any change in political equations.
India
is the world’s largest rice exporter and in 2017, it had accounted for 25% of
the global rice trade valued at US$ 7.73 billion, primarily due to its
competitive cost advantage. India’s net rice exports touched 12.7 million
tonnes (MT) last year. Basmati exports had stood at about 4 MT with almost 80%
of the consignment going to the Gulf countries, including Iran.
The
decline started from August this year ahead of state elections. Although
arrival of new season crop was also awaited. And during april-November 2018,
exports of basmati and non-basmati are down 6 per cent to $4.67 bn. All the
fall has been attributed to lower exports of non-basmati rice. Devendra
Vora of Friendship Traders, New Bombay based rice exporter, told Business
Standard that the state elections that ended and coming 2019 Lok Sabha poll has
been a major reason for the “big players” shying away from holding long
positions in domestic market for export related procurements since a change in
political equations could bring radical changes in export policies.Owing to basmati crop loss coupled with higher purchase price, the net availability of the crop for exports was on the lower side but realised value has improved while non-basmati exports have fallen in quantity and even realisation was lower. Vpora said that, “the recessionary trend in export markets, including Iran and Europe contributed to weaker sentiments. Environment in rice export market has been comparatively subdued than last year due to several factors, including low international demand and higher purchase price in India resulting lower viability, which dented the cost competitiveness to some extent,” Vora added.
In the past, the change of government brought about export ban on staple food grains, which caused economic loss to exporters holding large inventories meant for exports. “At the same time, the banks have become jittery about extending credit to exporters due to stricter norms. This has resulted in complex paper works and delays, which has also affected trade,” a north India based exporter said.
Drip Capital, a US-based trade finance company, in its research report ‘Rice Commodity Insights’ outlining the evolving dynamics in the Indian rice export market in 2018, forecast the current decline in rice exports was part of a regular annual cycle.
“There is little need for panic, as demand and export volumes should rise into 2019,” the report said.
The lingering process of payment terms with Iran has played its part in pulling down rice exports. Iran’s annual basmati import market is pegged at almost a MT.
“The Iran market is still to open to potential, since their payment norms are not clear yet and are in the process of being finalised,” Kohinoor Foods joint managing director Gurnam Arora said. Iran, which had been facing wide ranging US sanctions, was allowed barter deals and trade valued in Rupee terms.
Commenting on the China market, Arora said exporters were getting enquiries from China, mainly for long grain rice and that the country would take some more time to become a major export destination.
“We need to explore the China market with roadshows and exhibitions before it attains scale in the next 1-2 years,” he added. A few months back, a buyer-seller meet was organised in China, where some Indian rice exporters had participated, while the Dragon has approved about two dozen domestic rice millers for the purpose.
Agricultural production can be
improved through mechanized farming: President Alvi
ByAPP
December
29, 2018
🔊 Listen to Article
ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Dr
Arif Alvi has stressed the need to adopt modern technology in the agriculture
sector to increase per acre yield. Addressing an award ceremony of Rice
Exporters Association in Karachi, he said that agricultural production could be
improved through mechanized farming and better agriculture policy.
The
president suggested establishing ‘seed bank’ to provide quality seeds to the
growers for a better crop. He said the shortage of agricultural water was the
main problem which could be resolved by using effective water management.
Arif
Alvi appreciated the efforts of Rice Exporters Association for increasing the
rice exports by using their own resources. Later, the president distributed
awards among prominent rice exporters and companies.
Earlier
this month, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum
Khusro Bakhtyar said that the agriculture cooperation will be expanded between
Pakistan and China under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Khusro
Bakhtyar said that the government was committed to promoting the a 
griculture sector
griculture sector
Varanasi: Narendra Modi Dedicates Rice
Research Institute to Nation
PM Narendra Modi during | (Photo Credit: Twitter)
Varanasi, December 29: With an aim to double
farmers' income, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the IRRI South Asia
Regional Centre (IRRI SARC) in Varanasi on Saturday. The Prime Minister
dedicated the country the 6th IRRI SARC campus here which will serve as a hub
for rice research and training in South Asia and SAARC region.
This new Centre is expected to deliver advanced research,
teaching and services in order to improve crop production, seed quality and the
nutritional value of rice. It will also work with national partners to enhance
farmers' knowledge and income. Not only that, the education and training arm of
IRRI SARC, IRRI Education, will also teach scientists and agriculture leaders
about the latest technologies and innovations for sustainable farming; and
laboratories for digital crop monitoring and assessment, and demonstration
fields where variety testing is conducted. PM Narendra Modi Teleconference: BJP to Filter Questions After Puducherry
Party Worker's 'Embarrassing' Query.
PM Modi to visit Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. He
will dedicate 6th International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional
Centre (ISARC) campus to the nation in Varanasi&attend One District,One
Product Regional Summit at Deendayal Hastakala Sankul in Varanasi.
The major aim of IRRI is to
improve livelihood and nutrition, abolishing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition
among those countries which depend on rice-based agri-food systems. Speaking at
the inaugural function, Dr. Matthew Morell, IRRI Director General stated,
"This is a landmark moment for India and IRRI. This state-of-the-art rice
research centre will catalyze South-South collaboration, strengthen the
research expertise and capacity of rice-growing countries in the region, and
contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals."
"It is only through the
support of our network of global partners, such as the Government of India,
that knowledge and innovations gained at this centre can be speedily tailored
to meet needs of farmers in India, across South Asia and across Africa."
he added.
Moreover, IRRI SARC facilities
will include the Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA), a suite
of modern laboratories where rice grains are assessed for ;quality and
nutritional value and sensory evaluations for grain taste, texture, and aroma
are conducted; on-site facilities. The inaugural function was graced by Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and several other
dignitaries.
Relax yield norms:
Rice millers to govt
Eye
Rs 580-crore additional profit; Khattar does their bidding, writes to Paswan
Dec 30, 2018, 12:08 AM; last updated: Dec 30, 2018,
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 29
After arm-twisting the state government to stop
conducting physical verification of their stock following recovery of PDS rice,
rice millers in the state are now eyeing additional profits of Rs 580 crore by
pressuring it to relax norms for custom milling of rice.
Under pressure
from the strong rice millers’ lobby, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has
already written a demi-official letter to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan, requesting him to relax norms of
yield of rice from paddy in custom milling from 67 kg per quintal to 64 kg.
A similar letter has been written to the Food
Corporation of India (FCI) by the state government. Notably, a large majority
of big rice millers are located in Karnal, Khattar’s Assembly segment.
“It is highly
unlikely that the FCI will relax norms as it will have to give similar
relaxation to Punjab, where paddy procurement is three times that of Haryana.
Millers are pressuring the state government to provide this benefit from its
own funds. Millers are giving the example of Uttar Pradesh, where the total
procurement of paddy is hardly 3 lakh MT,” said sources.
The sources said
with elections to the state Assembly less than 10 months away, millers are
hopeful that their demand will be accepted by the state government.
Rice millers
have 58.5 lakh MT belonging to state procurement agencies, against which they
have to deliver 39.2 lakh MT of rice to the government after custom milling.
If the demand of
rice millers is accepted, they will have to deliver 1.76 lakh MT rice less than
the quantity earlier agreed upon, which would amount to a financial burden of
over Rs 580 crore to the state government.
According to the
sources, there are about 1,100 millers in the state, of which 200 are big
millers. If the demand is accepted, each of them is set to get an additional
benefit of between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore.
Besides this,
millers are demanding extension of deadline for delivery of rice from March 31
to June 30 without holding charges, citing delay in start of milling due to
rain in November.
The sources said
poor quality rice, including PDS rice, had again started coming to Haryana from
Uttar Pradesh and other states and some unscrupulous millers mixed it with
freshly milled rice to earn more profit.
In October,
millers had gone on strike after recovery of PDS rice from some mills and
forced the government to stop physical verification of their establishments as
a precondition for starting custom milling.
Opposing the
millers’ demand, Gurnam Singh Charuni, president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union,
alleged that the millers had already exploited farmers in the name of moisture
in paddy at the time of procurement and were now claiming benefits from the
government.
“If the
government wants to alter norms, it should be at the time of procurement. The
parameter of moisture content in paddy should be increased from 17 per cent to
19 per cent,” he said.
Vinod Goel,
senior vice-president of the Haryana Rice Millers and Dealers Association, said
they had purchased paddy during untimely rain.
“This affected
the quality and yield of paddy. The moisture in paddy led to discolour, broken
and damaged grain. In such circumstances, we are not able to return 67 kg rice
per quintal to the FCI after milling. The UP Government has recently relaxed
norms and reduced it to 64 kg rice per quintal,” he said.
Asked about the
demand of extending the three-month period for delivery of rice after milling,
he said due to work to rule in the FCI from October to December 10, they were
not able to deliver their rice to the FCI as only a few trucks were allowed to
unload rice, resulting in delay in delivery.
China
allows first US rice imports ahead of talks
China opened its rice market when it joined the World Trade
Organization in 2001. (Reuters)
Updated 29 December 2018
REUTERS
December 29, 2018
BEIJING: China has opened the door
to imports of rice from the US for the first time in what analysts took to
signal a warming of relations between the world’s two biggest economies after a
frosty year marked by tensions and tit-for-tat tariffs.
The green light from Chinese
customs, indicated in a statement posted on the customs authority’s website,
comes in the run-up to talks between the countries in January after US
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a moratorium
on higher tariffs that would affect trade worth hundreds of billions of
dollars.
It was not immediately clear how
much rice China, which imports rice from within Asia, might seek to buy from
the US. But the move, which comes after years of talks on the matter, follows
pledges from China’s commerce ministry earlier this week of further US trade
openings.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see
importers trying to move rice into China from California but I don’t know if it
will be in breathtaking quantities right away,” said Stuart Hoetger, an analyst
and rice trader based in California.
As of Dec. 27, imports of brown
rice, polished rice and crushed rice from the United States are now permitted,
as long as cargoes meet China’s inspection standards and are registered with
the US Department of Agriculture.
The USDA on Dec. 11 forecast US rice
production at 6.93 million tons while Chinese rice imports were estimated at 5
million tons. Rice makes up only a small portion of US agricultural exports,
which are dominated by shipments of soybeans, grain, tree nuts and meat.
“The permission for US rice suggests
an improving US and China relationship,” said Cherry Zhang, an agriculture
analyst with consultancy JCI. Zhang said she expected any imports would likely
be ordered by state-owned companies.
Officials at a government-affiliated
think tank in Beijing said the price of US rice was not competitive, compared
with imports from South Asia, and said the move to formally permit imports from
the US should be interpreted as a goodwill gesture.
China opened its rice market when it
joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, but a lack of phytosanitary
protocol between China and the US effectively banned imports, according to
trade group USA Rice.Nonetheless, in July China formally imposed additional
tariffs of 25 percent on US rice, even though imports were not permitted atthe
time.
China customs gives green light for US
rice imports
Published December 29, 2018, 6:54 PM
By Agence France-Presse
China’s customs administration
announced Friday it had approved US rice imports, a move that comes during a
90-day tariff truce between the two countries which are engaged in a bruising
trade war.
US rice that meets inspection and quarantine requirements will
be allowed to enter the country, according to a notice by China’s customs
authority (AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
US rice that meets inspection and
quarantine requirements will be allowed to enter the country, according to a
notice by China’s customs authority released Friday and dated December 27.
Requirements for US rice
exporters include registration with the US Department of Agriculture and
adherence to US and Chinese phytosanitary laws and regulations.
The approval comes more than a
year after the two countries agreed on a phytosanitary protocol that would allow
US rice imports in China for the first time.
Relations between China and the
US have continued to thaw following a truce agreed by both leaders on the
sidelines of the G20 in Buenos Aires.
Earlier this month, China’s major
state-owned grain stockpiler said it had resumed buying US soybeans, and
Beijing announced it would suspend extra tariffs added to US-made cars and auto
parts starting January 1.
On Thursday, China said that
trade negotiators from China and the US are planning to meet in January for
talks.
China allows US rice imports for first time ahead of
trade talks
29.12.2018
China is allowing rice imported from the U.S. for the first time
ahead of trade talks between the two nations, Reuters reported Friday.
Trade talks are scheduled for sometime next month, according to China. President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had announced that they would be halting the implementation of more tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days as the two sides seek to resolve their disputes.
As of Dec. 27 the U.S. can export brown, polished and crushed rice to China, although according to Reuters it is still unclear how much can be sent.
This change may be indicative of improved trade relations between the two nations.
“The permission for U.S. rice suggests an improving U.S. and China relationship,” Cherry Zhang, an agriculture analyst with consultancy JCI, told Reuters.
China technically opened its rice market when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, but protocol issues between the U.S. and China basically banned imports, per Reuters.
http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/china-allows-us-rice-imports-for-first-time-ahead-of-trade-talks
Trade talks are scheduled for sometime next month, according to China. President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had announced that they would be halting the implementation of more tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days as the two sides seek to resolve their disputes.
As of Dec. 27 the U.S. can export brown, polished and crushed rice to China, although according to Reuters it is still unclear how much can be sent.
This change may be indicative of improved trade relations between the two nations.
“The permission for U.S. rice suggests an improving U.S. and China relationship,” Cherry Zhang, an agriculture analyst with consultancy JCI, told Reuters.
China technically opened its rice market when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, but protocol issues between the U.S. and China basically banned imports, per Reuters.
http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/china-allows-us-rice-imports-for-first-time-ahead-of-trade-talks
Prices Of Imported Rice Still High After Christmas
By Iseghe Ajayi
December 30, 2018
Imported
Rice
Contrary to the expectations that
prices of imported rice which skyrocketed barely a week to Christmas would
witness a decline as after the celebrations, owing to low demand, the reverse
is the case.
Visits to various markets across
some states indicated that prices of the commodity still remained high.
Despite the complaints of low patronage
by most of the traders, they did not bring down the prices, blaming the high
cost on high cost of transporting the commodity to selling points.
Some of them however, believed
that reducing prices of the commodity would affect their principal adversely.
During the week, prices of a
100kg bag of imported rice at the Ogbeogologo Market, Asaba, that went for as
high as between N19,500 and N20,000 last week remained unchanged.
A man named Ndubuisi Igho, who
trades in the commodity at the Ogbeogologo Market, Asaba, said high demand
because of the Christmas celebrations coupled with high cost of logistics were
responsible for the exorbitant prices.
But a lady who came to shop for
food items said that once the festive period is over, traders had no option than
to reduce prices of imported rice if they really desire to recoup their money
or principal as failure to do so would ease some of them out of business.
The same could be said for Ose
Market, Onitsha, especially with the prices of a 50kg bag of imported rice
still going for between N18,500 and N19,000, indicating no significant variance
from what was sold in the previous week.
Mr. John Obinna at the Ose
Market, Onitsha, linked the hike to the season of celebrations which is usually
seen by traders as a period to hike purchases especially staple food such as
imported rice owing to high demand and penchant for it by consumers.
The situation had always left
traders with no option than to up their purchases due to increased patronage
but that of this year was not really encouraging as purchases were done mostly in small measures due to lack of money.
At the Umuahia Main Market, Abia
State, prices of a 50kg bag of imported rice that sold within the region of
N19,500 and N20,000 last week declined slightly to between N19,000 and N19,500.
Many of the traders at the
Umuahia Main Market, Abia State, said the slight reduction had not translated
into huge sales due to the state of the economy.
But Mrs. Abigail Uchechukwu, who
came to buy the commodity at the Umuahia Main Market, said that prices of
imported rice since the ban by the Federal Government had not been favourable.
According to her, the slight
increase in the prices of the commodity prior to Christmas was not shocking
news.
That of Itam Market, Uyo, still
remained high, currently going for between N17,500 to N18,500 of which many of
the traders attributed to high cost of logistics.
The trend was not different from
that of the Northern Region, although quite cheaper because of the penchant for their local delicacy. For example, the price of
a 50kg bag of imported rice In Dawanau Market, Kano, that
attracted N15,500 last week reduced by 5 percent and currently ranged
from N14,700 to N15,000 depending on the quality and haggling power of the customer.
In Markarfi Market, Kaduna,
prices of a 50kg bag of imported rice still remained stable at between N15,500
and N16,000 from what was sold last week.
Enebeli, a trader at Markarfi
Market, Kaduna, linked the hike to high cost of transporting the commodity from
neighbouring countries and inadequate supply.
Visit to the Bodija Market,
Ibadan, revealed that prices of the commodity witnessed a slight decline from
what was sold in the previous week. For instance, a 50kg bag of rice that was
sold for between N16,500 and N17,500 last week dropped marginally to between
N16.000 and N16,500 within the review week. Many of the traders attributed the
slight reduction to low patronage owing to lack of purchasing power.
For that of Lafenwa Market, Ogun
State, prices of 50kg bag of imported rice were still stable at between N14,500
and N15,000. Mr. Ibrahim Disu, a trader at the Lafenwa Market, Ogun State,
opined that the Christmas celebrations did not have an adverse effect on the
prices of the commodity due to low demand occasioned by lack of money.
At the Ejigbo Market, Osun State,
the commodity prices declined marginally from what was sold previously. For
example, prices of a 50kg bag of commodity that went for between N16,500 and
N17,500 last week dropped to N16,000 during the week, of which most of the
traders attributed to poor sales.
In Lagos, visits to popular
markets such as Mile 12, Daleko and Iddo indicated that prices of a 50kg bag of
imported rice which increased rapidly prior to the Christmas celebrations
decreased during the week to between N14,000 and N14,500 from N15,000 sold last
week. Traders ascribed the reduction to low patronage and lack of purchasing
power.
Mr. Emeka Orji who retails in all
kinds of grains at the Oshodi Market, said most of the traders had no choice
than to reduce the prices of the commodity to increase patronage and recover
their money despite procuring the commodity at an exorbitant rate.
Is
the Stock Market Open on New Year's Eve?
Getty Images
The stock market is open for
regular trading on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. However, the bond market closes early
on New Year's Eve, at 2 p.m. ET. New Year's Day is a stock market holiday. The
bond market is also closed on Tuesday.
The following is a schedule of all
stock market and bond market holidays for 2018. Please note that regular
trading hours for the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq Stock Market
are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern on weekdays. The stock markets close at 1 p.m.
on early-closure days; bond markets close early at 2 p.m.
2018 Market
Holidays
|
Date
|
Holiday
|
NYSE
|
Nasdaq
|
Bond Markets
|
|
Jan.
1
|
New
Year's Day
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
Jan.
15
|
Martin
Luther King Jr. Day
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
Feb.
19
|
Presidents
Day/Washington's Birthday
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
March
29
|
Maundy
Thursday
|
Open
|
Open
|
Early close
(2 p.m.) |
|
March
30
|
Good
Friday
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
May
25
|
Friday
Before Memorial Day
|
Open
|
Open
|
Early close
(2 p.m.) |
|
May
28
|
Memorial
Day
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
July
3
|
Day
Before Independence Day
|
Early close
(1 p.m.) |
Early close
(1 p.m.) |
Early close
(2 p.m.) |
|
July
4
|
Independence
Day
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
Sept.
3
|
Labor
Day
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
Oct.
8
|
Columbus
Day
|
Open
|
Open
|
Closed
|
|
Nov.
12
|
Veterans
Day (Observed)
|
Open
|
Open
|
Closed
|
|
Nov.
22
|
Thanksgiving
Day
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
Nov.
23
|
Day
After Thanksgiving
|
Early close
(1 p.m.) |
Early close
(1 p.m.) |
Early Close
(2 p.m.) |
|
Dec.
5
|
President
Bush Funeral
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
Dec.
24
|
Christmas
Eve
|
Early close
(1 p.m.) |
Early close
(1 p.m.) |
Early Close
(2 p.m.) |
|
Dec.
25
|
Christmas
Day
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
Dec.
31
|
New
Year's Eve
|
Open
|
Open
|
Early Close
(2 p.m.) |
Holiday
observations
When a holiday falls on a weekend,
market closures are dictated by two rules:
§ If the holiday falls on a Saturday, the market will
close on the preceding Friday.
§ If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the market will close
on the subsequent Monday.
Water requirements of early-maturing rice varieties
Monday, December 31, 2018
THE PRODUCTION of farmers whose
areas are troubled by drought or insufficient water supply will be greatly
affected. Because of the problem, farmers
with insufficient water supply are advised to adopt early-maturing varieties or
with maturity days less than 110 this coming dry season.
Early-maturing varieties require
lesser water, as they can mature faster than other inbred varieties, says
Philippine Rice Research Institute’s (PhilRice’s) in-house agriculturist and
Text Center lead agent Fredierick M. Saludez.
A rice crop that matures in 100
days will require approximately 1,000-mm of water while a crop that matures in
150 days will require 50 percent more.
For rainfed and irrigated areas, using
these varieties will reduce the water needed and the number of days in
supplying water.
Farmers in irrigated areas are
recommended to plant the following varieties, include PSB Rc 4 (Molawin), Rc 8
(Talavera), Rc 10 (Pagsanjan), Rc 82 (Peñaranda), NSIC Rc 118 (Matatag 3), Rc
120 (Matatag 6), Rc 130 (Tubigan 3), Rc 134 (Tubigan 4), Rc 140 (Tubigan 6), Rc
144 (Tubigan 8), Rc 146 (PJ7), Rc 148 (Mabango 2), Rc 152 (Tubigan 10), Rc 154
(Tubigan 11), Rc 238 (Tubigan 21), Rc 242 (Japonica 2), Rc436 (Tubigan 37), Rc
438 (Tubigan 38), and Rc 440 (Tubigan 39).
While the PSB Rc 12 (Caliraya),
Rc 14(Rio Grande), and NSIC Rc 192(Sahod Ulan 1) are suitable in rainfed areas.
Average yield of these varieties
ranges from 4 to 10 tons per hectare.
They mature between 105 and 110
days compared with 115-125 days for other varieties.
Reduction in yield happens when
rice plants are exposed to various stresses like drought, especially during the
flowering stage.
With the early-maturing
varieties, this is less likely to happen.
A series of studies from the
PhilRice’s Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division showed an average of 64
percent yield reduction, under drought condition, during dry season from 2015
to 2018.
PhilRice also recommended
water-saving technologies, such as the alternate-wetting, and drying (AWD).
AWD is a water-saving technology
that reduces the use of irrigation water without penalizing crop yield.
Based on studies, rice farmers in
lowland areas can save water by up to 50 percent, if properly implemented.
Locally available materials such
as bamboo or PVC tubes with 4 inch diameter and 25-cm in length are used to
install AWD.
A farmer from Masinloc, Zambales
testified that the AWD is an effective, as it helped him save water in
irrigating his farm.
It was learned that he used to
irrigate his area twice a week.
But with the AWD, he found out
that he can just pump water once a week.
Technology promoters advised that
farmers should also put holes (3-5mm) to serve as a water passage, around the
tube with 5cm distance.
This will be inserted into the
soil up to the 15cm marked for dry season and 20cm marked for wet season.
The researchers said that farmers
will just have to wait until the water subsides down to the bottom of the tube
before the next irrigation./PN
Evolving global demand &
geopolitical relations driving new avenues for Indian rice exporters: Report
Evolving global demand & geopolitical relations driving new
avenues for Indian rice exporters: Report
New Delhi, Dec 27 (KNN) Despite, rice being exempted from GST, exporters are unable to
access the credit they need to finance their workings, said Drip Capital report
on ‘Rice Commodity Insights’-outlining the evolving dynamics in the Indian rice
export market in 2018.
It said “While GST has had
minimal impact on rice exports (courtesy rice being exempt from GST), exporters
are still facing credit issues, potentially affecting their future growth.”
The report said “Evolving global
demand and geopolitical relations driving new avenues and growth for Indian
rice exporters.”
It said that the fresh markets
are also opening for Indian rice exporters, with China being touted as a major
opportunity.
However, Drip Capital’s research
shows exporters will start seeing benefits from Chinese trade only in the
long-term.
According to the findings of
report, India exported 26.3% of the world’s total rice exports, valued at
US$5.5 billion, in 2017 alone.
The country also has a massive
competitive advantage in the international rice trade, it added.
The report further pointed that
the current decline in rice exports over the last few months is part of a regular
annual cycle.
It said “Overall export volumes
of rice have also improved compared to last year- by end of Q3 2017, there had
been 58,736 shipments, valued at US$5.8 billion; the calendar year 2017 saw
78,300 rice export shipments overall, valued at US$7.39 billion.”
In comparison, by the end of
September (Q3) 2018, 62,112 shipments had been logged, with a value of US$6.875
billion, report added.
Thus, there seems to be little
need for panic, as demand and export volumes should continue rising into 2019.
Further, report highlighted that
the Punjab is top rice exporter, contributing over 30% of country’s exports.
Exports to Bangladesh have seen
stellar growth, despite a slump in April-September this year; overall shipments
to Bangladesh in the first three quarters have grown $91.7 million
year-on-year, said report.
Based on heavy increases in
demand, the research report also suggests six other potential market
opportunities for Indian exporters – Qatar, Yemen, Israel, the Philippines,
Kenya, and Ukraine.
Rice is the most widely consumed
staple food in the world and the third-most-produced agriculture commodity in
the world (over 740 million tonnes as of 2016).
One of the rice exporter from
Mumbai said “India, as an agricultural country, is getting more educated [sic],
as farmers are starting to grow products specifically aimed to meet consumption
patterns and tastes of different markets.”
He said that the Chinese rice
tastes are very different given their preference for sticky rice, but with the
potential for more trade in the future, there is a possibility farmers will
start growing those varieties to meet demand.
Hence, China could pan out as a
viable export market, but only in the long term, he added.
Co-founder and Co-CEO, Drip
Capital, Pushkar Mukewar, added, “As per Drip Capital data, the top 100 rice
exporters from India have exported shipments worth over $183 million so far in
this quarter (as of November 2018).”
As the annual seasonal demand
from the Middle East picks up, and more non-basmati rice gets shipped to China,
Indian rice exporters can expect business to pick up in the coming months, he
added.
However, he said that the
exporters are unlikely to see the due benefits from this increased opportunity
if they are unable to access the credit they need to finance their workings.
Drip Capital is a US-based trade
finance company, leveraging technology to provide collateral-free post-shipment
finance to SME exporters with instant approvals and minimal documentation.
https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/knowledge-resource/evolving-global-demand-geopolitical-relations-driving-new-avenues-for-indian-rice-exporters-report
District
administration to crack down on black market sale of PDS rice
TNN | Updated: Dec 29, 2018, 12:16 IST
Collector S Rajamani said that if anyone is found indulging in selling and buying rice meant for free distribution through 1,213 fair price shops in civil supplies and consumer protection department in the district, they would be prosecuted under Tamil Nadu Scheduled Commodities (Regulation of distribution by card system) Act, 1982. The collector emphasized that even government officials colluding with rice smugglers would not be spared.
The smart cards of department have been divided into five catagories – priority households (PHH- all commodities including sugar), PHH-AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) (all commodities including 35 kg rice), Non-PHH (all commodities including rice), NPHH-S (all commodities except rice- option for Sugar) and NPHH-NC (no-commodity).
Each card in PHH and NPHH is entitled to 20 kg of rice every month while PHH-AAY card is eligible for 35 kg free rice. Collector warned the status of the card would be changed to NPHH-NC.
In Trichy, around 1.2 crore kg of rice are distributed to around 7.24 lakhs cards out of 7.95 lakh cards every month. While majority of the poor families fully utilize the free rice for their own purpose, most of middle class people neglect them citing its poor quality. However, the officials maintained that the free rice is on a par with others available in the market.
Officials said the rice provided free to priority households (PHH) cards are either sold to rice mills for making flour or to some poor people. On an average, one can gather around 100 kg a month. “Though we seized some quantity of rice, we could not get the details of person who sold them. We can act only on information,” said an official.
Social worker S N Kamakodi Sundar said the several middle class people gave the free rice to their housemaid and poor people known to them. “The poor people sell the rice to the Idly batter manufacturers for Rs 10 per kg,” he said.
The practice of feeding the milch cows with the gruel made out of PDS rice is rampant among the farmers in villages in the district for several years now.
Though the cost escalation of cow feeds is said to be one of the reasons for adding the rice gruel to the menu, the soaked rice mixed rice water (vaicha kanji) dish was being offered to the cattle previously.
Since the price of normal quality cooking rice has touched around Rs 35 and the best quality reached Rs 60, people have started going for PDS rice that is available at throwaway price.
PM
inaugurates Rice Research Institute, to improve production of crop
It will also work with
national partners to enhance farmers' knowledge and income and deliver advanced
research, teaching and services in the connection
ANI
| Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India]
Last Updated at December 29,
2018 19:20 IST
·
ALSO READ
·
It will also work with national partners to enhance farmers’ knowledge and income and deliver advanced research, teaching and services in the connection.
With an aim to double farmers’ income, the Prime Minister dedicated the country the 6th IRRI SARC campus here which will serve as a hub for rice research and training in South Asia and SAARC region.
Not only that, the education and training arm of IRRI SARC, IRRI Education, will also teach scientists and agriculture leaders about the latest technologies and innovations for sustainable farming; and laboratories for digital crop monitoring and assessment, and demonstration fields where variety testing is conducted
The major aim of IRRI is to improve livelihood and nutrition, abolishing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition among those countries which depend on rice-based agri-food systems.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Dr. Matthew Morell, IRRI Director General stated, “This is a landmark moment for India and IRRI. This state-of-the-art rice research centre will catalyze South-South collaboration, strengthen the research expertise and capacity of rice-growing countries in the region, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“It is only through the support of our network of global partners, such as the Government of India, that knowledge and innovations gained at this centre can be speedily tailored to meet needs of farmers in India, across South Asia and across Africa.” he added.
Moreover, IRRI SARC facilities will include the Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA), a suite of modern laboratories where rice grains are assessed for ;quality and nutritional value and sensory evaluations for grain taste, texture, and aroma are conducted; on-site facilities.
The inaugural function was graced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and several other dignitaries.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the
Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a
syndicated feed.)
First Published: Sat, December 29 2018. 17:15
IST
·
Read
More On
Rice exports from
India witnesses a downward trend owing to elections
India is the
world's largest rice exporter and in 2017, it had accounted for 25% of the global
rice trade valued at US$ 7.73 billion, primarily due to its competitive cost
advantage
Virendra
Singh Rawat | Lucknow
Last Updated at December 29,
2018 22:52 IST
·
ALSO READ
·
Belying expectations of upswing, the rice exports from
India have witnessed a downward trend owing to elections that took place in
some states and upcoming general elections apart from global geopolitical
factors in the ongoing season.
While global factors pertain to recessionary trends in
key export markets and persisting payments issue with Iran, the domestic
factors include among others, big traders avoiding taking long positions due to
impending Lok Sabha election in the early months of 2019, as a caution before
the results could reflect in amended export terms with any change in political
equations.
India is the world’s largest rice exporter and
in 2017, it had accounted for 25% of the global rice trade valued at US$ 7.73 billion,
primarily due to its competitive cost advantage. India’s net rice exports
touched 12.7 million tonnes (MT) last year. Basmati exports had stood at about
4 MT with almost 80% of the consignment going to the Gulf countries, including Iran.
The decline started from August this year ahead of state
elections. Although arrival of new season crop was also awaited. And during
april-November 2018, exports of basmati and non-basmati are down 6 per cent to
$4.67 bn. All the fall has been attributed to lower exports of non-basmati
rice.
Devendra Vora of Friendship Traders, New Bombay based
rice exporter, told Business Standard that the state elections that ended and
coming 2019 Lok Sabha poll has been a major reason for the “big players” shying
away from holding long positions in domestic market for export related
procurements since a change in political equations could bring radical changes
in export policies.
Owing to basmati crop loss coupled with higher purchase
price, the net availability of the crop for exports was on the lower side but
realised value has improved while non-basmati exports have fallen in quantity
and even realisation was lower. Vpora said that, “the recessionary trend in
export markets, including Iran and Europe contributed to weaker
sentiments. Environment in rice export market has
been comparatively subdued than last year due to several factors, including low
international demand and higher purchase price in India resulting lower
viability, which dented the cost competitiveness to some extent,” Vora added.
In the past, the change of government brought about
export ban on staple food grains, which caused economic loss to exporters
holding large inventories meant for exports. “At the same time, the banks have
become jittery about extending credit to exporters due to stricter norms. This
has resulted in complex paper works and delays, which has also affected trade,”
a north India based exporter said.
Drip Capital, a US-based trade finance company, in its
research report ‘Rice Commodity Insights’ outlining the evolving dynamics in
the Indian rice export market in 2018, forecast the
current decline in rice exports was part of a regular annual cycle.
“There is little need for panic, as demand and export
volumes should rise into 2019,” the report said.
The lingering process of payment terms with Iran has
played its part in pulling down rice exports. Iran’s annual basmati import
market is pegged at almost a MT.
“The Iran market is still to open to potential, since
their payment norms are not clear yet and are in the process of being
finalised,” Kohinoor Foods joint managing director Gurnam Arora said. Iran,
which had been facing wide ranging US sanctions, was allowed barter deals and trade
valued in Rupee terms.
Commenting on the China market, Arora said exporters were
getting enquiries from China, mainly for long grain rice and that the country
would take some more time to become a major export destination.
“We need to explore the China market with roadshows and
exhibitions before it attains scale in the next 1-2 years,” he added. A few
months back, a buyer-seller meet was organised in China, where some Indian rice
exporters had participated, while the Dragon has approved about two dozen
domestic rice millers for the purpose.
First Published: Sat, December 29 2018. 12:18
IST
Read more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/67294263.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
https://www.latestly.com/india/politics/varanasi-narendra-modi-dedicates-rice-research-institute-to-nation-563818.html
