Delta RIFAN Nominates 6,500 Farmers For Dry Season Farming
February 18, 2020
By The Tide
The
Delta State chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), says it
has nominated 6,500 farmers for this year’s dry season farming being sponsored
by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The state Chairman of RIFAN, Mr Silver Ejezie said this in an interview with our correspondent in Asaba, yesterday.
Ejezie said that the nominees would be screened by CBN and that successful farmers would be participating in the dry season farming under the CBN-RIFAN Anchor Borrower’s Peogramme.
He said that the list of nominees from the state rose from below 300 to 6,500 farmers because of federal government’s ban on rice importation.
He said that the demand for local rice in the state had steadily risen, adding that farmers had taken advantage of the import ban to make good business from rice farming.
He said that though the list of the farmers had reached the CBN, participants would be required to present their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) for proper documentation.
“I submitted a list of 6,500 rice farmers who will participate in the dry season farming to the CBN in Abuja.
“There will be screening. Farmers are expected to provide their BVN after which they will qualify to receive inputs to participate in the programme.
“The challenge has been the delay in the delivery of inputs and land to cultivate, but the small farmers are operating in cooperatives to secure lands,” Ejezie said.
He said that big farmers would not have to wait for the arrival of inputs from CBN since they had commenced transplanting from nursery to the field.
“As we speak, I have started transplanting from nursery to the field while we wait for arrival of the inputs from the CBN,” he said.
Ejezie expressed the hope that the inputs, including rice seedlings, chemicals, fertilizers, water pumps and herbicides, among others, would be delivered soon to farmers in the state.
The state Chairman of RIFAN, Mr Silver Ejezie said this in an interview with our correspondent in Asaba, yesterday.
Ejezie said that the nominees would be screened by CBN and that successful farmers would be participating in the dry season farming under the CBN-RIFAN Anchor Borrower’s Peogramme.
He said that the list of nominees from the state rose from below 300 to 6,500 farmers because of federal government’s ban on rice importation.
He said that the demand for local rice in the state had steadily risen, adding that farmers had taken advantage of the import ban to make good business from rice farming.
He said that though the list of the farmers had reached the CBN, participants would be required to present their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) for proper documentation.
“I submitted a list of 6,500 rice farmers who will participate in the dry season farming to the CBN in Abuja.
“There will be screening. Farmers are expected to provide their BVN after which they will qualify to receive inputs to participate in the programme.
“The challenge has been the delay in the delivery of inputs and land to cultivate, but the small farmers are operating in cooperatives to secure lands,” Ejezie said.
He said that big farmers would not have to wait for the arrival of inputs from CBN since they had commenced transplanting from nursery to the field.
“As we speak, I have started transplanting from nursery to the field while we wait for arrival of the inputs from the CBN,” he said.
Ejezie expressed the hope that the inputs, including rice seedlings, chemicals, fertilizers, water pumps and herbicides, among others, would be delivered soon to farmers in the state.
Good or bad GM? Scientists say they neither
harm the health nor the environment
17th February 2020
By
·
To prepare their report
they have examined 900 studies
An
ear of GM corn. Image: Pixabay
Genetically modified organisms have
been cultivated for more than 30 years, but their use has not been without
controversy. Now, an exhaustive report by US scientists confirms that these
transgenic plants show no health or environmental risks, although their
resistance to herbicides could pose a serious agricultural problem.
Since the 80s, biologists have used
genetic engineering to create specific characteristics in plants and that they
achieve, for example, lengthen the shelf life of fruits, include greater
vitamin content and have a greater resistance to diseases.
However, it was this last aspect
that had the greatest commercial use. In the fields, the cultivation of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) capable of supporting the use of
herbicides or of being toxic to insect pests has been extended. But the
benefits and risks of these plants were still uncertain.
After examining in depth about 900
studies and other publications on the development, use and effects of the
characteristics of corn, soy and cotton, genetically modified organisms for 30
years, the expert committee of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering
and Medicine The US found no evidence on the differences in health risk between
transgenic and conventional plants.
The scientists, who presented the
work on Tuesday, carefully looked for studies and evidence of the adverse
health effects of the consumption of GMOs or derived foods, but found none.
According to the work done with animals on the chemical composition of
transgenic foods, the researchers reveal that there are no differences in the
health risk between the consumption of transgenic and conventional foods.
In addition, the report emphasizes
that the available epidemiological data do not show associations between GMO
consumption and any chronic disease or condition. In fact, there is evidence
that insect-resistant transgenic crops have brought benefits to humans by
reducing insecticide poisoning.
To all this is added the fact that
GM crops designed for the benefit of health are being developed, such as rice
with higher beta-carotene content and thus avoid blindness and death caused by
vitamin A deficits suffered by people who suffer They live in developing
countries.
Effects on the environment
On the other hand, the use of this
type of plants has not reduced the total diversity of the plants nor the life
of the insects in the farms. The researchers point out in their report that
even in some cases these insect resistant crops have allowed an increase in
insect diversity.
Thus, the scientists also found no
conclusive cause-effect evidence on the environmental problems of transgenics,
even in the transfer of genes between a transgenic plant and a wild relative
species. However, given the complexity of assessing long-term environmental
changes, experts say it is difficult to reach definitive conclusions.
In agriculture, evidence indicates
that genetically modified crops of soybeans, cotton and corn have generally
allowed favorable economic results for farmers, but these have varied depending
on the abundance of pests, agricultural practices and the infrastructure used.
But on farms where management
strategies to resist pests were not maintained, there are insects that are
developing resistance to the type of pesticides. In addition, in many fields
some weeds show resistance to glyphosate, the herbicide to which genetically
engineered crops should be resistant.
For the committee of experts, it is
the product and not the process to improve the genetics of the plant that
should be regulated, as previous reports from the Academy show.
Agriculture
Minister Sets Agribusiness, Youth Empowerment, Loans as Priorities
-
February 17, 2020
Agriculture
Minister Jeanine Cooper: "We intend to prioritize agribusinesses
development, youth empowerment, loans provision for farmers to change the
narratives and perceptions about agriculture."
Clarifies issue relating to
import tariff on rice
The newly confirmed minister of
Agriculture, Jeanine Cooper, has disclosed the development of agribusiness,
encouraging more youths for agriculture activities and the provision of loans
for smallholder farmers to expand production among other things as priorities
for her administration within the next few months.
She said prioritizing these areas
will help change the narratives and perceptions about agriculture in the
country.
“As I mentioned during my
confirmation that agriculture in Liberia is still being practiced at
subsistence level with limited success stories, we intend to work in changing
such narratives and perceptions. This means that we must attract more youths in
the sector and empower smallholder farmers, mainly cooperatives, to produce
more so that they can see agriculture as a business to improve their incomes,”
she said.
She made the disclosure to
the Daily Observer recently in Monrovia in an exclusive interview.
Madam Cooper was nominated by
President George Weah in January 2020, after series of vetting process to
replace former Agriculture Minister, Dr. Mogana Flomo, who was relieved of his
post in June 2019. She was subsequently confirmed by the Senate on February 5,
2020, during a hearing session.
Prior to her appointment, she
served as founder and chief executive officer of Fabrar Liberia, the country’s
largest rice processing company, based in Kakata, Margibi County.
Her company Fabrar is involved in
purchasing paddy rice from farmers, processing it for both the domestic and
export markets.
Agribusiness Development
Many Liberian farmers still
produce crops at low scale due to the lack of capacity. Minister Cooper
believes that, in order for farmers to expand the level of production for
commercial purpose, they must be subsidized to enable them cultivate large
areas of land.
“We shall work with partners and
the Government in the next few months to subsidize farmers, mainly
cooperatives, to make agriculture a business. The commercial possibilities in
which agriculture can drive development is high on my agenda, especially where
we are in the planting season for rice.
She also stated that she is
engaging other partners to assist with machineries to alleviate the constraint
of labor in the rice sector.
“We want to help our farmers,
mainly cooperatives, with land-clearing using machines. The availability of
improved seed is also our major concern to get farmers plant on time,” she
said.
Youth Empowerment in Agriculture
Minister Cooper stressed the need
to revamp programs that are intended to build the skills of young people
in the agriculture sector.
“We are working with our
international partners and other ministries and agencies to revamp training
centers for youth involvement in farming. This will require that we provide the
necessary funding to access equipment to make agriculture attractive for the
youths,” she said.
She said that when the youths are
empowered in agriculture it will reduce the level of unemployment facing the
country’s young people.
Liberia has had a lot of youth
programs over the years, but these have lacked sustainability. Agricultural
training facilities, such as the Tumutu Agricultural Program in Bong County,
the Clay Agriculture Training Center in Bomi and Songai Agriculture Training
Center in Montserrado, are not functional due to lack of funding, something the
new minister might think to revamp. Other institutions like the Booker
Washington Institute, Grand Bassa Community College, Nimba Community College
and the Lofa Community College, once initiated as Centers of Excellence in
Agriculture by the USAID Food and Enterprise Development Program (FED), which
phased out in 2016, could also be strengthened under Minister Cooper’s
administration, with support from partners.
Agricultural Lending
Most commercial banks in Liberia
are not willing to promote credits for smallholder farmers due to risks
involved. But the new Agriculture Minister stated that she is engaging the
commercial banks in the country to see reason to provide loans for farmers in
all areas of agriculture.
“Within the next few months, we
will be working with the banks to provide some soft and long term loans for our
farmers across the value chains at reasonable interest rates,” she said.
According to her, farmers,
especially those engaged in rice production, will need loans to enable them
expand production.
“We have been speaking with
partners to open up the line of credit at commercial banks for agricultural
loans — soft and longer terms — that partners can underwrite some of the risks
and with low interest that farmers can be able to pay. We are hoping to do this
with the commercial banks in the next few days to set up a window as soon as
possible,” Minister Cooper explained.
“It is mainly cooperatives that
will need such assistance to help them move forward. This is a huge task but we
hope that in the next six months we can find tangible results of the
interventions,” she added.
Export Opportunities
Madam Cooper further stated that
she is considering seriously the improvement of the National Standards
Laboratory and other food testing centers to provide opportunity for Liberian
farmers to improve income generation through exports. However, she stressed the
need for the Private sector to drive the initiative.
“It is important for the Private
Sector to run the laboratory and the Government serve as the regulatory body.
This is because where there is no funding, such program spearheaded by the
Government may soon collapse, leaving our farmers deprived,” she asserted.
According to her, when the
Standards Lab is fully equipped, farmers will have better opportunities in
that, they can improve their incomes from the sale of produce through exports.
“This is what we are wishing to
realize, especially those in the rice sector. With the opportunity for research
and testing of farm produce, lives will immensely improve in the farming
sector,” she said.
The Suspension of Import Tariff
on Rice
Meanwhile, Minister Cooper has
clarified that Executive Order 98, which suspends tariff on rice, will in no
wise affect rice production, as being speculated by some local processors.
President George Weah recently
suspended tariff on rice so as to stabilize the price of rice on the local
markets.
But some processors have been
complaining to the Daily Observer that the move by the President will affect local
production.
However, Minister Cooper said the
country’s rice sector lacks the capacity to supply the market and compete with
rice importers. According to her, there is a need for rice producers and
processors to obtain subsidies from the Government to expand their level of cultivation.
This, she believes, will help reduce pave the way for the reduction of rice
imports.
“We want the Government to
provide the needed support for rice farmers and processors so that we can start
to concentrate on Government’s procurement of rice for employees, hospitals and
institutions,” she said.
She said such strategy, when
enhanced, will help the country not to entirely rely on rice import because
farmers can have some level of capacity to supply the market.
Liberia: Amid
Gasoline Shortage, Govt Makes Move to Safeguard Supply of Rice
Although India leads the rice imports in Liberia, the plummet in
a number of ships out of China is triggering concerns for the Weah-led
government already struggling to deal with an ongoing gasoline crisis
Monrovia – In the midst of a massive gasoline shortage crippling the
Liberian economy, the George Weah-led government is said to be taking steps to
avert the potential of what many fear is a major shortage of another basic
commodity, rice on the horizon.
With the volumes of ship leaving
China taking a dip in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak and lingering political
tensions in Lebanon, some economic observers fear the ripple effect could spell
into Liberia which imports a good quantity of rice from India, China and
Lebanon.
Although India leads the rice
imports in Liberia, the plummet in number of ships out of China is triggering
concerns for the Weah-led government already struggling to deal with an ongoing
gasoline crisis.
The Wall Street Journal reported
last week that the coronavirus outbreak is taking a toll on industrial
production as ocean carriers are bracing for financial blows from the
diminished output.
The newspaper quoted Lars Jensen,
head of Denmark-based maritime research group Sea-Intelligence as saying:
“Substantially less cargo is being moved between China and the rest of the
world. Last week we had an additional 30 sailings canceled, with 23 across the
Pacific and the rest to Europe.”
Mr. Jensen said the canceled
trips, which have topped 50 since late January, will delay or reduce shipments
into the U.S., where retailers may see a slowdown in their traditional
restocking of inventories for the spring.
Last week, Sea-Intelligence
reported that more than 350,000 containers have been removed from global
trade since the outbreak of the virus led China to impose large travel
restrictions at the end of the country’s Lunar New Year holiday break.
Companies exporting goods into
China are also facing problems because only a fraction of workers are back at
work to handle goods arriving at ports. That has backed up cargo at terminals
and warehouses at big gateways including Shanghai, Tianjin and Ningbo.
A group representing U.S.
agriculture exporters warned its members this week to ensure that ocean
carriers can store their goods on arrival in China, particularly items like
meat, vegetables and fruit that require refrigeration. American exporters are
seeing cargo backed up even at U.S. hubs because of the congestion in China’s
distribution networks.
The China Association of the
National Shipbuilding Industry said more than 200 deliveries of ships
under repairs or retrofitting could be pushed back. China is the world’s
biggest shipbuilder, with more than 960 vessels set to be delivered this year,
according to data provider Vessels Value.
Government to boost confidence in
rice sector
The government is taking steps to boost confidence in the rice
sector by addressing the issue of gluts and ensuring that rice farmers get
value for money and were motivated to increase production, the Ghana News
Agency has learnt. 
In pursuit of that agenda, and to improve the rice value chain, farmers were being incentivized to produce more paddy rice, while solar-powered millers have been procured for processing, all in an effort to prepare the country towards reducing rice imports.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, Mr Issa Alhassan, the Press Secretary to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the government took delivery of four millers in December and dispatched them to four strategic rice farming areas to address the problem of inadequate capacity for milling paddy rice.
He said the millers, which have been dispatched to New Edubiase and Ejura, both in the Ashanti Region, Yamoransa in the Central Region and Fumbisi in the Upper East Region, were part of efforts by the government to boost the cultivation and consumption of rice locally.
“With the millers around, after harvesting farmers can mill and wait for marketing. This will avoid the incidence of fire burning produce of farmers, issues of moisture and post-harvest losses,” he said.
Currently, he said, the installation of the milling facilities were nearing completion and would be used to mill the paddy for the up-coming dry season as a pilot to test it efficacy and then would be upscale to other rice producing areas in the Upper East and West.
In addition to the four millers, Mr Alhassan said the government had received over 1000 small multipurpose shellers that could process rice.
Commenting on the recent fire, which ravaged the produce of some rice farmers, he hinted that the government was working with the leadership of Peasant Farmers Association (PFA), having already received the details of the affected farmers and preparing for them.
“This is a natural disaster and livelihoods have been lost, so we will put them on some special incentive arrangement and cushion them through the supply of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers,” he added.
Mr Alhassan said that the sector Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, had set up a rice technical team made up of importers, millers, processors and representatives from the Ministry of Finance to discuss the ministry’s drive towards self-sufficiency in rice production by 2022.
The Committee would come out with a comprehensive solution to post harvest loses, processing, marketing, distribution to end rice gluts.
He said the committee made up of the Finance Ministry, National Food Buffer Stock Company, Ghana Inter Professional Rice Body, Jak Foundation, Rice Millers Association, GCB Bank and other Banks commenced work last year and almost ready with their plan.
Mr Charles Nyaba, the Programme Officer of the Peasant Farmers Association (PFA) speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency commended the government for taking steps to ensure the smooth running of the value chain.
He said his outfit would continue to work with the state to better the lives of farmers and urged the government to collaborate more with farmers through PFA especially on the rice technical committee to ensure that the concerns of farmers were captured.
Regarding the new solar-powered milling facilities that were being piloted by the government, he said they would really help rice farmers.
“One of the major problem disturbing milling facilities over the years has been the issue of power. If the new ones have the capacity to deal with the challenge, then it will be the best,” he added.
In pursuit of that agenda, and to improve the rice value chain, farmers were being incentivized to produce more paddy rice, while solar-powered millers have been procured for processing, all in an effort to prepare the country towards reducing rice imports.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, Mr Issa Alhassan, the Press Secretary to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the government took delivery of four millers in December and dispatched them to four strategic rice farming areas to address the problem of inadequate capacity for milling paddy rice.
He said the millers, which have been dispatched to New Edubiase and Ejura, both in the Ashanti Region, Yamoransa in the Central Region and Fumbisi in the Upper East Region, were part of efforts by the government to boost the cultivation and consumption of rice locally.
“With the millers around, after harvesting farmers can mill and wait for marketing. This will avoid the incidence of fire burning produce of farmers, issues of moisture and post-harvest losses,” he said.
Currently, he said, the installation of the milling facilities were nearing completion and would be used to mill the paddy for the up-coming dry season as a pilot to test it efficacy and then would be upscale to other rice producing areas in the Upper East and West.
In addition to the four millers, Mr Alhassan said the government had received over 1000 small multipurpose shellers that could process rice.
Commenting on the recent fire, which ravaged the produce of some rice farmers, he hinted that the government was working with the leadership of Peasant Farmers Association (PFA), having already received the details of the affected farmers and preparing for them.
“This is a natural disaster and livelihoods have been lost, so we will put them on some special incentive arrangement and cushion them through the supply of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers,” he added.
Mr Alhassan said that the sector Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, had set up a rice technical team made up of importers, millers, processors and representatives from the Ministry of Finance to discuss the ministry’s drive towards self-sufficiency in rice production by 2022.
The Committee would come out with a comprehensive solution to post harvest loses, processing, marketing, distribution to end rice gluts.
He said the committee made up of the Finance Ministry, National Food Buffer Stock Company, Ghana Inter Professional Rice Body, Jak Foundation, Rice Millers Association, GCB Bank and other Banks commenced work last year and almost ready with their plan.
Mr Charles Nyaba, the Programme Officer of the Peasant Farmers Association (PFA) speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency commended the government for taking steps to ensure the smooth running of the value chain.
He said his outfit would continue to work with the state to better the lives of farmers and urged the government to collaborate more with farmers through PFA especially on the rice technical committee to ensure that the concerns of farmers were captured.
Regarding the new solar-powered milling facilities that were being piloted by the government, he said they would really help rice farmers.
“One of the major problem disturbing milling facilities over the years has been the issue of power. If the new ones have the capacity to deal with the challenge, then it will be the best,” he added.
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Government-to-boost-confidence-in-rice-sector-869278
Vietnam needs to find new rice markets to replace China, say experts
·
VIETNAM
·
Monday, 17 Feb 2020
Vietnam exported 560,000 tonnes
of rice in January 2020, worth US$270.3 million, according to the General
Department of Customs. - Vietnam News/ANN
HO
CHI MINH CITY (Vietnam News/ANN): Since the novel coronavirus (Covid-2019)
epidemic will surely affect exports to China, diversifying markets is an urgent
requirement for Vietnamese rice exporters, experts have said.
The
winter-spring rice crop harvest has begun in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta.
In
Hậu Giang Province 1,000ha of crops have been marginally affected by salinity
but farmers have harvested hundreds of hectares of rice early, and the yield is
quite high at 7.7 tonnes per hectare.
Prices
have decreased slightly since the beginning of the season earlier this month
because exports to China have ceased, Trần Chí Hùng, director of provincial
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said.
The
price would continue to drop unless new markets are found, he said.
Bùi
Thị Thanh Tâm, general director of VinaFoods 1 Corporation, said five years ago
China was the largest market for Vietnamese rice, but now export markets have
been expanded, meaning the novel coronavirus epidemic would not hit Vietnam's
exports too badly.
The
Philippines became the largest market for Vietnamese rice, buying US$885
million worth last year, according to the General Department of Customs.
Đỗ
Hà Nam, vice chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, said China would
continue to reduce rice imports this year.
But
Vietnam has a chance to ship to Japan this year since the latter wants to
diversify its import sources to other suppliers from countries that have signed
the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
(CPTPP), including Vietnam.
It
now relies much on US supply.
But
to export to Japan, the Vietnamese agriculture sector needs support from the
authorities.
The
Ministry of Industry and Trade focuses on developing markets and negotiating
free trade agreements. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
is in charge of production, including improving quality.
Local
authorities need to guide and encourage farmers to produce organic rice.
Businesses
also need to ensure the quality of the rice they are exporting.
If
these tasks are well co-ordinated, export growth could be ensured, Tâm said.
Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường said global rice exports
now are 36-40 million tonnes a year, with Vietnam accounting for seven million
tonnes, but its export value is not high because of its passive approach.
In
the long term, the agricultural sector should look at reducing the total area
under rice to a level that ensures food security and reasonable export volumes,
he said.
It
also needs to ensure the quality of the grain and packaging, he said.
As
for exports, Vietnam should expand to new markets like Africa and the Middle
East besides regional countries such as Indonesia and Singapore, he said.
Vietnam's
major competitor, Thailand, faces a severe drought, affecting rice production,
while Singapore, which imports 30-40 per cent of its rice from Thailand, is
considering diversifying import sources, MARD said.
Vietnam has shipped the grain to
150 countries and territories in Asia, Africa and the Americas. – Vietnam
News/Asia News Network
Hoodlums attack
Customs personnel over smuggled rice in Ogun
Steve Agbota
Officers and men of Nigeria
Customs Service Ogun State command supported by personnel of the Nigerian Army
on patrol have been attacked by daredevil persons suspected to be rice
smugglers in Ogun State.
In a press statement issued by
the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada the attack took place
at 02:30 hours of Monday, February 17, 2020, after the officers and men of the
command identified a hideout used by unscrupulous elements to stockpile
smuggled rice and other prohibited items.
According to him, in an effort to
evacuate the ‘uncustomed’ goods from the scene, some daredevil criminals shot
sporadically at the officers.
He added: “In the melee that
ensued, one patriotic youth who was assisting the team in the evacuation of the
seized items was hit by a stray bullet and immediately rushed to the hospital
where he is currently receiving medical attention. Furthermore, two official
vehicles attached to the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Customs Service
respectively were equally pelted with bullets (pictures attached).
”However, the team gallantly
responded to the aggression and succeeded in evacuating 110 bags of smuggled
parboiled rice of 50kg each. Also, one suspect was arrested in connection with
the incident and is currently undergoing interrogation.”
Similarly, he hinted that the CAC
Special Taskforce led by ASC I M Lawal made another discovery of new antics
being employed by smugglers to beat ‘the eagle eyes’ of officers and men of the
command.
“Large quantity of smuggled rice
which was carefully concealed in a volvo truck with Chasis number:
YB1E6A2A2JB420916 and registration number: FFF–897 ZC (Ogun state) was
criminally disguised as cassava flour (white elubo), fufu and maize. Further
examination revealed 410 bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each
deceptively packaged in the said vehicle,” he said.
To this end, comptroller of the
command, Agbara Michael assured members of the public that the renewed
hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter the command from discharging its
statutory responsibilities.
He emphatically pledged to decisively
stop all forms of aggressions applied by smugglers in the interest of social
and economic prosperity of our dear country.
Micheal stated that, ”I wish to
express the command’s profound appreciation firstly to the Comptroller General
of Customs and his amiable management, other sister agencies, traditional
leaders, eminent personalities and some host communities for their
unconditional support towards effectively securing our nation against the
nefarious activities of smugglers.”
Rice transport ban affects dozens of
villages in Ann Township
Monday, February 17, 2020
People
from Dar Lat Chaung village-tract and 50 nearby villages in Arakan State’s Ann
Township are facing difficulties because they have been barred from
transporting rice into the area, according to a regional parliamentarian and
affected residents.
The majority of local people from the villages where the restriction has been put in place buy rice from Kan Htauk Gyi, Minbya, and Mrauk-U Township for consumption. But a ban on transportation of rice by inland routes was imposed on February 8, according to a local woman who asked not to be named.
“We do not grow paddy. So we don’t know how to eat without rice. Rice is our staple food. We may suffer starvation if we are banned from carrying rice by motorbikes and water routes,” she said.
“The restriction will make local people’s situations more difficult and this is not a good idea,” said U Kyaw Lwin, an Arakan State legislator for Kyaukphyu constituency.
DMG attempted to contact Colonel Win Zaw Oo, a spokesperson for the Tatmadaw’s Western Command, to seek confirmation of the reported prohibition on rice transport into parts of Ann Township, but his mobile phone was switched off.
Clashes between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army have occurred near the affected villages with some regularity since December last year, with some local civilians fleeing their homes for safer locations.
The majority of local people from the villages where the restriction has been put in place buy rice from Kan Htauk Gyi, Minbya, and Mrauk-U Township for consumption. But a ban on transportation of rice by inland routes was imposed on February 8, according to a local woman who asked not to be named.
“We do not grow paddy. So we don’t know how to eat without rice. Rice is our staple food. We may suffer starvation if we are banned from carrying rice by motorbikes and water routes,” she said.
“The restriction will make local people’s situations more difficult and this is not a good idea,” said U Kyaw Lwin, an Arakan State legislator for Kyaukphyu constituency.
DMG attempted to contact Colonel Win Zaw Oo, a spokesperson for the Tatmadaw’s Western Command, to seek confirmation of the reported prohibition on rice transport into parts of Ann Township, but his mobile phone was switched off.
Clashes between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army have occurred near the affected villages with some regularity since December last year, with some local civilians fleeing their homes for safer locations.
Agencies begin recovery for shortfall in paddy stock
185 rice mills
in Ambala told to deposit around Rs20 crore I Millers asked to pay amount
levied by tomorrowPosted: Feb 18, 2020 06:50 AM (IST)
Nitish
Sharma
Tribune News Service
Ambala, February 17
Tribune News Service
Ambala, February 17
A
total of 185 rice mills in Ambala have been asked by the Food and Civil
Supplies Department, Hafed and Warehousing Corporation to deposit around Rs 20
crore for paddy shortfall detected during physical verification of stock.
We
get paddy with 17 per cent moisture content and it is brought down to 14 per
cent to get rice which is delivered to the FCI while we get benefit of 1 per
cent. Allowing at least 2 per cent driage shortage has been a long-pending
demand. We will approach the High Court. The Deputy Chief Minister has been
saying no recovery will be done from millers having less than 1 per cent
shortage, but officials are asking us to deposit the amount for shortage.
— Raj Kumar Singla, ambala rice miller association president
There
are 193 rice mills in Ambala, with shortfall of 9,401 MT found in 185 rice
mills during physical verification. The other eight mills had excess paddy.
Of
these, 115 rice mills are under Hafed, 72 under the Food and Civil Supplies
Department and six under the Warehousing Corporation.
A
total of 136 rice mills had less than 1 per cent shortage, 34 had 1 per cent to
2 per cent shortage, eight had 2 per cent to 3 per cent shortage, four had 3
per cent to 4 per cent shortage and three had at least 4 per cent shortage. The
rice mills had been allotted 9,09,000 MT paddy for custom milling.
“We
get paddy with 17 per cent moisture content and it is brought down to 14 per
cent to get rice which is delivered to the FCI while we get benefit of 1 per
cent. Allowing at least 2 per cent driage shortage has been a long-pending
demand. We will approach the High Court. The Deputy Chief Minister has been
saying no recovery will be done from millers having less than 1 per cent
shortage, but officials are asking us to deposit the amount for shortage,” said
Raj Kumar Singla, Ambala Rice Miller Association president.
“Show-cause
notices were issued and recovery started. A miller deposited a cheque for Rs
3.50 lakh today. Millers were asked to deposit the amounts by February 19. The
government decided to give the benefit of 1 per cent driage upon full delivery
to the FCI. Nearly 50 per cent of the stock was delivered by rice mills.
Transportation cost was included earlier, but after fresh directions, notices
to exclude it was served,” said Nishant Rathee, District Food and Supplies
Controller.
Covid-19: UAE food safe from
coronavirus, says F&B firms
Waheed Abbas/Dubai
Filed on February 17, 2020 | Last updated on February 17, 2020
at 06.43 am
Visitors at a food stand on the
opening day of the Gulfood 2020 exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Center.
(Photo by M. Sajjad)
The GCC countries are largely
vulnerable to food price fluctuations, as they are highly dependent on food
imports.
Food consumed in the UAE and the
GCC is safe from coronavirus as local companies source their products mainly
from Europe, the USA, Brazil, and the Subcontinent rather than China, say
industry executives.
Speaking on the first-day of the
Gulfood 2020, they assured that despite the fact that this region relies on
foreign food, local and regional companies source products from reliable and
internationally-renowned companies. ("I don't think there is any impact of
coronavirus on the local food market. We are not importing anything from China.
All of our imports are from the well-known companies across Europe and the USA.
In fact, most of local F&B companies are importing from Italy, France,
Germany, Denmark, and Sweden because UAE residents have good purchasing power,
therefore, they always look for high quality products. All companies in the
FMCG sector here are sourcing good products from reliable companies," said
Dr. Ahmed Eltigani, CEO of Al Rawabi Dairy Co.
Rishi Srivastava, group marketing
manager at Sahar Enterprises, which is a subsidiary of Al Kabeer group, said
their company's raw material comes from Brazil and most of the manufacturing is
done locally, hence, ruling out any impact of the coronavirus on the local or
regional food.
"Raw materials for all the
frozen products such as chicken and meat of regional companies come from
Brazil. Therefore, it is quite safe to eat food. It is all halal food under
strict watch of local municipalities. So, it is absolutely safe,"
Srivastava told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Gulfood 2020 exhibition,
which is currently underway at the World Trade Centre.
Sourcing products, especially
consumables, from China has become a big hassle and challenging for foreign
companies due to the coronavirus outbreak. There were 2,009 new cases in
mainland China on Saturday, bringing its total to 68,500. The number of the
dead in mainland China from the virus stood at 1,665 on Sunday evening, according
to the country's National Health Commission.
Kamal Vachani, group director of
Al Maya Group, also ruled out any impact of coronavirus on the local food
industry.
"The UAE food industry is
not dependent on China. We mainly source foods from India. Garlic and ginger
were being sourced from China but we are now shifting to India. Other items
such as corn flakes are coming from the UK and Europe. Some vegetables are
coming from Jordan. Most of the can foods are also manufactured locally here in
Sharjah. To my best of knowledge, food consumed here is safe as it is not
imported from China," he added.
Vachani revealed that there are
some sauces are sourced from China but they can be purchased from other
countries such as South Korea.
Krishna Dhanak, executive
director, Alpen Capital, said the impact of coronavirus will be seen across
industries and geographies given the wide supply-chain network from China to
the rest of the world. "Accordingly, the impact on the trade between the
UAE-GCC and China will be similar to the impact on the global supply-chain from
China," he said.
The GCC countries are largely
vulnerable to food price fluctuations, as they are highly dependent on food
imports. Food prices have rebounded after falling sharply between 2016 and 2017.
Alpen Capital estimated that food demand will grow to 60.7 million tonnes in
GCC by 2023, growing at 3.3 per cent CAGR. Around 85 per cent of GCC food is
imported due to limited arable land, lack of fresh water and arid climate
conditions.
Earlier on Sunday, Sheikh Hamdan
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance,
opened the 25th edition of the expo. More than 5,000 companies are taking part
in the five-day exhibition, bringing F&B players across the globe to Dubai.
Focus more on healthy food
Al Rawabi CEO Dr. Ahmed pointed
out that there is a big shift in consumer behaviour. "Earlier, consumers
used to look at production and expiry dates only. But now they have become
educated and buy a product after checking the ingredients only. So Al Rawabi is
focusing on functional health products," he said.
Priyanka Mittal, direct for KRBL
Limited, the distributor of India Gate basmati rice, said the focusing is to
add more healthy products to its portfolio. She noted that more companies are
focusing on producing healthy products due to growing demand and growing trend
among companies to focus on this segment.
"I think it is a combination
of push and pull - whereby demand from consumers are growing while companies
are also introducing new healthy products as well to woo consumers. Companies
like us want to offer better value and products to the market. So, there is
demand creation that brands do. Once you put the product on the shelf, there is
obviously offtake. There is a consumption that gets created," she said on
the sidelines of Gulfood.
Commenting on why the healthy and
organic products are costlier, she said the retail cost of listing these
products is very high. "The retail margins are very high and offtake is
very low. So retailer wants more money. It is not brand owners that are
capturing bulk of the value. Retailers will have to bring down the margins not
only for basmati rice but also for all products for this category because right
now consumers are seeking value," she said.
- waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com
Mwea
rice farmers target Sh46bn from bumper harvests
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 15 2020
Rice farmers in Mwea. FILE PHOTO
| NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
· The bumper harvest is attributed to favourable climate, good crop
husbandry and constant flow of water.
The Mwea Irrigation Scheme farmers in Kirinyaga have harvested
540,000 metric tonnes of rice worth about Sh45.9 billion going by recent
directive to buy paddy at Sh85 a kilo.
Maurice Mutugi, the chairman of the scheme's Water Users
Association, said the bumper harvest is attributed to favourable climate, good
crop husbandry and constant flow of water.
"The weather was good while there was plenty of irrigation
water in local rivers supplying the scheme, which is the largest in East and
Central Africa," added Mr Mutugi, who advised farmers not to sell their
produce at throw-away prices to brokers who have invaded the area.
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed that unprocessed rice be
bought at Sh85 per kilogramme up from Sh45. He called on farmers not to sell
their produce cheaply to brokers.
“Brokers are already here and the farmers should be careful to
avoid being hoodwinked," the President said.
"Farmers should be patient enough and wait for the
government to start buying their paddy. If they wait for a little bit then they
will make maximum profit and the economy of the area will be vibrant."
Mr Mutugi also attributed increase in production to hard work
among farmers in the scheme which produces 80 per cent of rice consumed in
Kenya. 
"Farmers worked very hard in their rice fields and this too
contributed to high yields," he said.
The chairman however lamented the high cost of production due to
failure by the government to release subsidised fertiliser on time.
REGISTRATION
IS NOW OPEN!
Early Bird
Registration $600 USD
Each Registration Includes:
· Welcome Reception (May 19, 2020)
· Network Reception (May 20, 2020)
· All Networking Coffee Breaks (May 20 & 21, 2020)
· 2 Networking Lunches (May 20 & 21, 2020)
· Entry in All General Sessions
· Simultaneous Translation is available for all sessions in English,
Spanish & Portuguese
· Entry into the RMTC Exhibitor Area
· Access to RMTC Speaker Presentations Post Convention
Known as the most widely
attended conference in the Western Hemisphere, the Rice Market & Technology
Convention is meeting in Panama – home of the 7th Wonder of the Modern World –
the Panama Canal!
On May 19th, the largest and
most diverse group of rice industry professionals will gather at the Hard Rock
Hotel Megapolis in Panama City, to network, collaborate and discuss the hot
topics in the rice world. Renowned speakers from all over the world along
with Sponsors and Exhibitors showcasing the latest technology and services are
gearing up to bring attendees fresh content and information. Attendees
will have many opportunities to network one on one during scheduled coffee
breaks, extended luncheons, and much more. With simultaneous translation
services in both general and breakout sessions, attendees will have every
opportunity to learn from all our speakers.
Standard Registration: $800
February 18 – April 19, 2020
Late/Onsite Registration: $1,000
April 20 – May 19, 2020
Rice Prices
as on :
17-02-2020 10:18:28 AM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in
Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
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Price
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change |
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cumulative |
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%change |
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Rice
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Achalda(UP)
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5.00
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NC
|
123.10
|
2650
|
2620
|
19.91
|
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Jambusar(Kaavi)(Guj)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
43.00
|
3200
|
3300
|
10.34
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Thailand looks to
boost food exports to China
By
-
2020-02-17
Chinese imports of food from
Thailand are set to double in
the second quarter as stocks have been depleted by the coronavirus.
Visit Limlurcha of the Thai Food
Processors Association (TFPA) said Chinese demand for Thai food can be expected
to at least double during Q2 2020.
Thailand’s annual food exports
average Bt1 trillion (US$32 billion) while domestically produced food earns Bt2
trillion within Thailand.
The domestic market is expanding
as the Thai population exceeds 70 million and around 40 million visitors arrive
each year.
Rice is the largest food export,
making up approximately 17.5 per cent of the total, followed by chicken, sugar,
tuna, tapioca flour and prawns.
But Thailand has been told it
risks losing its
place as the world’s second-largest rice exporter this year because of the
strong baht and a lack of varieties to meet changing market demand. India is
the current world leader.
But Vietnam is exporting rice
at lower prices than Thailand and targeting key markets like China, Hong Kong,
the Philippines and Malaysia.
Thai rice exports last month fell
by 40 per cent to 570,000 tonnes compared to January 2019.
Charoen Laothamatas, president of
the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said this year’s rice export target of 7.5
million tonnes was the lowest since 2013 when Thailand exported 6.6 million
tonnes.
In 2019, Thailand exported 7.6
million tonnes of the grain, compared to 11 million tonnes in 2018.
The largest buyer of Thai food is
traditionally Japan, followed by China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Malaysia and the Philippines.
Visit said drought was another
threat to Thai agriculture.
The TFPA has reported that
pineapples, coconuts, longan, rambutan, lychee and sweetcorn were most at peril
from water shortages.
Visit also said the strong baht
was a concern for farmers, with every baht gained against the US dollar cutting
food exports by approximately Bt35 billion (US$1.1 billion).
Last year rice exports fell by 22
per cent, sugar by 13.7 per cent, tinned tuna by 6 per cent and pineapple by
15.7 per cent.
Falling exports were blamed on
weaker global demand, the strong baht and declining food prices.
Thai food exports accounted for
2.5 per cent of the global food trade last year.
Thai food exports to China last
year reached Bt151 billion (US$4.8 billion), an increase of 34 per cent from
2018, making up 14.7 per cent of food exports.
7.5m tons of rice exports
expected this year
14 Feb 2020 l
09:40
|
|||
|
BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai rice
export sector is still not performing well, with January 2020 figure
dropping year-on-year by 40 percent to
570,000 tons. The private sector will be working with the
government
to promote new rice strain
development to meet consumers’ demand better and take back the number one
global rice exporter title the
country once had.
Lt. Charoen Laothamatas,
President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said this year’s projection
for rice exports remains close to the
previous year at 7.5 million tons, worth 4.2 billion U.S. dollars.
The association’s target is in keeping with
the Ministry of Commerce and United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts. Thailand is
likely to remain as the second biggest exporter following India,
who are expected to export 12 million tons
this year.Rice exporters will continue to face challenges
, such as the appreciated Thai
currency and fluctuations,
higher production in other countries such as
China and the quality of Thai rice, which has not
been improved for a long time.As global
customers now prefer more of soft grain rice, other countries
have gained more market share
than the hard grain Thai rice. The government has set up a joint committee,
with delegates from the Ministry
of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Commerce and the
private sector, to develop soft
grain Thai rice, which is expected to be introduced late this year.
The private sector has pledged to
help make Thailand the largest global rice exporter again, and to
promote further development of
Thai Hom Mali Rice to maintain the market share in premium markets.
Thai Rice Exporters Association
Honorary President Chukiat Opaswong said Thai rice exports this year
will receive a positive push from
Indonesia, while the outbreak of novel coronavirus has caused people in Hong
Kong and Singapore to stock up rice at home, increasing market demand.
In 2019, Thailand exported only
7.58 million tons of rice, which is lower than 2018 figure by
11 tons, and is considered a
7-year-low.
|
|||
Vietnam needs to find new rice
markets to replace China, say experts
HO
CHI MINH CITY (Vietnam News/ANN): Since the novel coronavirus (Covid-2019)
epidemic will surely affect exports to China, diversifying markets is an urgent
requirement for Vietnamese rice exporters, experts have said. The winter-spring
rice crop harvest has begun in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta.
In
Hậu Giang Province 1,000ha of crops have been marginally affected by salinity
but farmers have harvested hundreds of hectares of rice early, and the yield is
quite high at 7.7 tonnes per hectare. Prices have decreased slightly since the
beginning of the season earlier this month because exports to China have
ceased, Trần Chí Hùng, director of provincial Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development, said. The price would continue to drop unless new
markets are found, he said. Bùi Thị Thanh Tâm, general director of VinaFoods 1
Corporation, said five years ago China was the largest market for Vietnamese
rice, but now export markets have been expanded, meaning the novel coronavirus
epidemic would not hit Vietnam's exports too badly. The Philippines became the
largest market for Vietnamese rice, buying US$885 million worth last year,
according to the General Department of Customs. Đỗ Hà Nam, vice chairman of the
Vietnam Food Association, said China would continue to reduce rice imports this
year. But Vietnam has a chance to ship to Japan this year since the latter
wants to diversify its import sources to other suppliers from countries that
have signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP), including Vietnam. It now relies much on US supply. But to
export to Japan, the Vietnamese agriculture sector needs support from the
authorities. The Ministry of Industry and Trade focuses on developing markets
and negotiating free trade agreements. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MARD) is in charge of production, including improving quality.
Local authorities need to guide and encourage farmers to produce organic rice.
Businesses also need to ensure the quality of the rice they are exporting. If
these tasks are well co-ordinated, export growth could be ensured, Tâm said.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường said global
rice exports now are 36-40 million tonnes a year, with Vietnam accounting for
seven million tonnes, but its export value is not high because of its passive
approach. In the long term, the agricultural sector should look at reducing the
total area under rice to a level that ensures food security and reasonable
export volumes, he said. It also needs to ensure the quality of the grain and
packaging, he said. As for exports, Vietnam should expand to new markets like
Africa and the Middle East besides regional countries such as Indonesia and
Singapore, he said. Vietnam's major competitor, Thailand, faces a severe
drought, affecting rice production, while Singapore, which imports 30-40 per
cent of its rice from Thailand, is considering diversifying import sources,
MARD said. Vietnam has shipped the grain to 150 countries and territories in
Asia, Africa and the Americas. – Vietnam News/Asia News Network
Thai Rice Export Expected to Drop to 7.5m tons this year
This year’s projection for rice exports remains close to the previous
year at 7.5 million tons, the lowest in seven years since 2013 when Thailand
exported 6.6 million tonnes of rice. 
Thailand risks losing its place as the world’s second biggest rice
exporter this year thanks to weaker competitiveness and a lack of new rice
varieties to cater to changing market demand. The Thai rice export sector is
still not performing well, with the January 2020 figure dropping year-on-year
by 40 percent to 570,000 tons. Lt. Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai
Rice Exporters Association, said this year’s projection for rice exports
remains close to the previous year at 7.5 million tons, worth 4.2 billion U.S.
dollars. The target is the lowest in seven years since 2013 when Thailand
exported 6.6 million tonnes of rice. In 2019, Thailand exported only 7.58
million tons of rice, which is lower than 2018 figure by 11 tons, and is
considered a 7-year-low. The private sector will be working with the government
to promote new rice strain development to better meet consumers’ demand, and
take back the number one global rice exporter title the country once had.
Thailand risks falling to third place
in 2020
The association’s target is in keeping with the Ministry of
Commerce and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts. Thailand
is likely to remain as the second biggest exporter following India, who are
expected to export 12 million tons this year according to Thai News Agency NNT.
But President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association Charoen
Laothamatas said Thailand risks falling to third this year, with Vietnam taking
second place amid stiff competition, relatively higher production costs,
volatile foreign exchange and widespread drought. Other risk factors include
the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would let Vietnam expand export
markets. But The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is expected to make rice consumers,
particularly China, Hong Kong and Singapore, raise their stocks Rice
exporters will continue to face challenges, such as the appreciated Thai
currency and fluctuations, higher production in other countries such as China
and the quality of Thai rice, which has not been improved for a long time. As
global customers now prefer softer grain rice, other countries have gained more
market share than the hard grain Thai rice. The government has set up a joint
committee, with delegates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,
the Ministry of Commerce and the private sector, to develop soft grain Thai
rice, which is expected to be introduced later this year.
Weak demand, pricing hit agri exports in April-December
Shipments down 13 per cent at
$11.64 billion
India’s farm produce exports continued to remain in the red for
the first three quarters of the current financial year, despite a late pick-up
in shipments of basmati rice. Total agri shipments were down by 13 per cent in
dollar terms at $11.64 billion as compared with $13.35 billion in the same
period of the previous year. In rupee terms, the value of shipments for the
April-December 2019-20 period stood 11.51per cent lower at ₹81,901 crore (₹92,558 crore in same period last year). The decline in exports is
mainly on account of weak demand for a majority of the products, including
non-basmati rice, buffalo meat, guargum, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Also a dip in pricing for several of these commodities contributed to the
decline in overall shipments. Basmati shipments stood at 2.83 million
tonnes valued at $2.97 billion for April-December 2019-20 as against 2.86
million tonnes valued at $3.07 billion in same period last year. Average
realisations were down marginally at $1,050 per tonne as against $1,075 per
tonne in the same period last year. Basmati accounted for 25.58 per cent of
total shipments and was the largest product in the APEDA’s farm produce export
basket. Non-basmati rice shipments were down sharply at 3.56 million tonnes as
against 5.73 million tonnes in the same period last year. In value terms,
non-basmati rice shipments were down 37 per cent at $1.45 billion as against
$2.29 billion. Non-basmati accounted for 12.5 per cent of total shipments.
Buffalo meat shipments were lower at 8.9 lakh tonnes in the April-December
period as compared to 9.28 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the
previous year. In value terms, buffalo meat exports stood at $2.51 billion as
against $2.27 billion. Buffalo meat accounted for 21.64 per cent of overall
shipments. Shipments of groundnuts were up both in value and volume. Groundnut
exports during the April-December period stood at 4.54 lakh tonnes (3.57 lakh
tonnes). In value terms, groundnut shipments were up 42 per cent at $489
million ($346 million).
Other major products such as guargum, pulses, fresh vegetables and
fruits saw a contraction during the period. Interestingly, processed vegetables
registered a marginal increase.
New cultivation method promises low cost, high yield
for paddy farmers
· UNB NEWS
· DINAJPUR
· PUBLISH- FEBRUARY 18, 2020,
12:17 AM
· MOMINUL ISLAM - UNB DINAJPUR
CORRESPONDENT
· 216 VIEWS
· UPDATE- FEBRUARY 18, 2020,
12:20 AM
UNB photo
With a steady rise in population
and a subsequent decline in agricultural land and labour, the government has
turned to technology to meet the growing demand for food.
One of the new methods being promoted by the government promises to cut paddy production cost by half and a 15 to 30 percent increase in production.
Another goal of this unique project is to reduce the rising number of unemployment among the young generation by encouraging them to use modern technology and machines, cutting short the hardship of paddy cultivation process.
This method uses machines to produce seedlings and cultivate them using the rice transplant machines. The process will enable farmers to use less water in the production process and cut cost.
The Rural Development Academy, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), recently held an exhibition at Chawkerhat in Birol upazila to promote the process.
One of the new methods being promoted by the government promises to cut paddy production cost by half and a 15 to 30 percent increase in production.
Another goal of this unique project is to reduce the rising number of unemployment among the young generation by encouraging them to use modern technology and machines, cutting short the hardship of paddy cultivation process.
This method uses machines to produce seedlings and cultivate them using the rice transplant machines. The process will enable farmers to use less water in the production process and cut cost.
The Rural Development Academy, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), recently held an exhibition at Chawkerhat in Birol upazila to promote the process.
Organisers said irrigation and water management division of Rural Development Academy in Bogura has been implementing the experimental research project – ‘high yield of paddy by water saving modern technology expansion and management’.
It has already been implemented commercially at 200 sites of 63 upazilas in 40 districts.
Abdul Karim, a farmer from Birol upazila who has been using the new method, expressed satisfaction and described the use of modern machinery as the most suitable process.
“I’m not only getting high yield but also the cost of cultivation has come down significantly,” he said.
Many private companies and businesses have shown interest in the method and took initiative to spread its commercial use. The successful examples of commercial use of the method are already evident in many places including Madhupur of Tangail, Kurigram, Bogura, Dhamrai and Sylhet.
India's GST
collections are below potential: IMF team
Multiple rates, exemptions
and implementation challenges are affecting goods and services tax (GST)
collections in India, an analysis by an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team
has said.
Last
Updated: Feb 17, 2020, 11.24 AM IST
(This story originally
appeared in on Feb 17, 2020)
NEW DELHI: Multiple rates,
exemptions and
implementation challenges are affecting goods and services tax (GST) collections in India, an analysis by an
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
team has said.
The study of India’s resource mobilisation for next five years has estimated that in 2018-19, GST collections were 5.8% of GDP, which was better than some of the comparable developing countries, but far below the potential of 8.2% of GDP, indicating that the efficiency gains from the new regime have not fully accrued.
“The IMF team has estimated that the compliance gap may be of the order of 40%,” a government official told TOI. The team included Ruud de Mooij, Arbind Modi, Li Liu, Dinar Prihardini, and Juan Carlos Benitez.
While it blamed multiple factors for the divergence between actual collections and potential revenue, the assessment flagged exemptions such as those on food articles as an area of concern. Exemptions for food products alone are estimated to cost up to 0.4% of GDP, and it suggested that the government could look at a direct benefit transfer for the bottom of the pyramid segments to tackle this issue.
In fact, a committee of Indian government officers had pointed out that exemptions available to food products were being misused and segments such as basmati rice companies had sought to deregister their brands to avoid paying taxes.
The IMF team has also said that other design flaws — which include multiple rates, as opposed to one or two rates in most countries, and the threshold for businesses to be included in the GST net — reduced the revenue potential and the incentive for compliance. Besides, some of the issues created economic distortions, including refund problems.
While there are four slabs — 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% — there are other rates for bullion and real estate apart from cesses on luxury and sin goods such as cars, tobacco and soft drinks adding to the complexity.
It has also pointed to the debate about implementation challenges such as electronic filing or returns, e-way bills for transporting goods beyond a certain value and cross matching of invoices, which trade and businesses have argued are cumbersome and increase the compliance cost.
With GST collections falling short of the target, the government is seeking to plug leakage and also fix some of the design issues, including the possibility of an upward revision in some of the slabs. While the last meeting of the GST Council rejected the demand for a rate revision, some of the issues are expected to be taken up at next month’s meeting of the ministerial panel.
The study of India’s resource mobilisation for next five years has estimated that in 2018-19, GST collections were 5.8% of GDP, which was better than some of the comparable developing countries, but far below the potential of 8.2% of GDP, indicating that the efficiency gains from the new regime have not fully accrued.
“The IMF team has estimated that the compliance gap may be of the order of 40%,” a government official told TOI. The team included Ruud de Mooij, Arbind Modi, Li Liu, Dinar Prihardini, and Juan Carlos Benitez.
While it blamed multiple factors for the divergence between actual collections and potential revenue, the assessment flagged exemptions such as those on food articles as an area of concern. Exemptions for food products alone are estimated to cost up to 0.4% of GDP, and it suggested that the government could look at a direct benefit transfer for the bottom of the pyramid segments to tackle this issue.
In fact, a committee of Indian government officers had pointed out that exemptions available to food products were being misused and segments such as basmati rice companies had sought to deregister their brands to avoid paying taxes.
The IMF team has also said that other design flaws — which include multiple rates, as opposed to one or two rates in most countries, and the threshold for businesses to be included in the GST net — reduced the revenue potential and the incentive for compliance. Besides, some of the issues created economic distortions, including refund problems.
While there are four slabs — 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% — there are other rates for bullion and real estate apart from cesses on luxury and sin goods such as cars, tobacco and soft drinks adding to the complexity.
It has also pointed to the debate about implementation challenges such as electronic filing or returns, e-way bills for transporting goods beyond a certain value and cross matching of invoices, which trade and businesses have argued are cumbersome and increase the compliance cost.
With GST collections falling short of the target, the government is seeking to plug leakage and also fix some of the design issues, including the possibility of an upward revision in some of the slabs. While the last meeting of the GST Council rejected the demand for a rate revision, some of the issues are expected to be taken up at next month’s meeting of the ministerial panel.
Rice exporters
in India seek European pesticides norms
“In many cases, pesticide
manufacturers are unwilling to register their products in high potential markets
as they find the process costly as well as cumbersome and that it leads to
rejection of export samples,” said a leading rice exporter from Punjab, who did
not wish to be identified.
By
Parshant Krar, ET Bureau|
Last
Updated: Feb 17, 2020, 11.17 AM IST
0Comments
Agencies
Rice exporters in India
have sought a ban on pesticides
that are not registered in foreign markets, a bid to shore up exports to Europe
and the United States.
They are hopeful that the Pesticide Management Bill, 2020 will exhort pesticide manufacturers to register their products in foreign markets such as the US and European Union and help boost shipments from India, the largest producer of premium rice.
“In many cases, pesticide manufacturers are unwilling to register their products in high potential markets as they find the process costly as well as cumbersome and that it leads to rejection of export samples,” said a leading rice exporter from Punjab, who did not wish to be identified. “The rejection of samples hits exporters hard and finally farmers as their produce gets devalued by 20-25%.”
Exporters have sought a ban on pesticides used in paddy cultivation that fail to conform to the latest maximum residue levels (MRL) norms in the key export markets.
The Centre is set to amend the Insecticide Act, 1968 with the Pesticide Management Bill, 2020 to help the industry step up to new global challenges.
“The state had sought a mandate to ban the pesticides based on risk factors and their adverse impact on exports,’” Punjab Food and Drug Administration commissioner KS Pannu told ET. He said the aim is to curtail usage of red triangle pesticides or high toxicity in paddy and other crops. Pannu said the campaign to propagate judicious use of pesticides in Punjab had led to a decrease in usage of pesticide worth Rs 355 crore in the last karif season. “Under the prevailing regulatory framework, states could block the sale of pesticides for 60 days but had no authority to ban them entirely,” he said.
Pesticides are sanctioned by the Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee in India. The Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulator Association of India (PMFAI) has opposed the dilution of the Centre’s authority over sanctioning of pesticides. “It would be detrimental for growth of the industry,” said PMFAI president Pradeep Dave.
The PMFAI has sought compulsory registration of technical grade pesticides of multinational companies to provide a level playing field for indigenous manufacturers. “Export registration of indigenous pesticides should be put on the fast track to realise the potential in global market, which can grow to Rs 40,000-45000 crore in the next four-five years from Rs 18,000 crore at present,” said Pradeep Dave, president, PMFAI.
Basmati rice exports to the EU have shrunk to a third in the past fours as new MRLs have been introduced that have tilted the market toward competitors, including Pakistan. The issue of residue norms has also cropped up in traditional markets such as Saudi Arabia in the past two years.
They are hopeful that the Pesticide Management Bill, 2020 will exhort pesticide manufacturers to register their products in foreign markets such as the US and European Union and help boost shipments from India, the largest producer of premium rice.
“In many cases, pesticide manufacturers are unwilling to register their products in high potential markets as they find the process costly as well as cumbersome and that it leads to rejection of export samples,” said a leading rice exporter from Punjab, who did not wish to be identified. “The rejection of samples hits exporters hard and finally farmers as their produce gets devalued by 20-25%.”
Exporters have sought a ban on pesticides used in paddy cultivation that fail to conform to the latest maximum residue levels (MRL) norms in the key export markets.
The Centre is set to amend the Insecticide Act, 1968 with the Pesticide Management Bill, 2020 to help the industry step up to new global challenges.
“The state had sought a mandate to ban the pesticides based on risk factors and their adverse impact on exports,’” Punjab Food and Drug Administration commissioner KS Pannu told ET. He said the aim is to curtail usage of red triangle pesticides or high toxicity in paddy and other crops. Pannu said the campaign to propagate judicious use of pesticides in Punjab had led to a decrease in usage of pesticide worth Rs 355 crore in the last karif season. “Under the prevailing regulatory framework, states could block the sale of pesticides for 60 days but had no authority to ban them entirely,” he said.
Pesticides are sanctioned by the Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee in India. The Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulator Association of India (PMFAI) has opposed the dilution of the Centre’s authority over sanctioning of pesticides. “It would be detrimental for growth of the industry,” said PMFAI president Pradeep Dave.
The PMFAI has sought compulsory registration of technical grade pesticides of multinational companies to provide a level playing field for indigenous manufacturers. “Export registration of indigenous pesticides should be put on the fast track to realise the potential in global market, which can grow to Rs 40,000-45000 crore in the next four-five years from Rs 18,000 crore at present,” said Pradeep Dave, president, PMFAI.
Basmati rice exports to the EU have shrunk to a third in the past fours as new MRLs have been introduced that have tilted the market toward competitors, including Pakistan. The issue of residue norms has also cropped up in traditional markets such as Saudi Arabia in the past two years.
