Thursday, September 10, 2015

10th September,2015 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Global Rice Quotes
September 9th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade   355-365                ↔
Vietnam 5% broken        320-330                ↔
India 5% broken               365-375                ↔
Pakistan 5% broken        315-325                ↔
Myanmar 5% broken      415-425                ↔
Cambodia 5% broken     420-430                ↔
U.S. 4% broken                 530-540                ↔
Uruguay 5% broken        535-545                ↔
Argentina 5% broken     530-540                ↔

Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken      330-340                ↔
Vietnam 25% broken      315-325                ↔
Pakistan 25% broken      290-300                ↔
Cambodia 25% broken   405-415                ↔
India 25% broken             340-350                ↑
U.S. 15% broken               500-510                ↔

Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd     350-360                ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd          415-425                ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd                 355-365                ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken             570-580                ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken          545-555                ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken    NQ         ↔

Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%   810-820                ↔
Vietnam Jasmine             450-460                ↔
India basmati 2% broken              NQ         ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken       NQ         ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails     830-840                ↔

Brokens
Thailand A1 Super            305-315                ↔
Vietnam 100% broken   310-320                ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd          275-285                ↔
Cambodia A1 Super        355-365                ↔
India 100% broken stxd                 300-310                ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens      NQ         ↔
U.S. pet food     335-345                ↔
Brazil half grain NQ         ↔



All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Philippines Issues Tender to Import Another 750,000 Tons of Rice

Sep 09, 2015
The Philippines' National Food Authority (NFA) today issued a tender to import another 750,000 tons in addition to the 1.8 million tons already planned to be imported this year as part of efforts to prepare for the intensifying El Nino, according to Reuters.
The NFA is seeking offers from the governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia for the supply of 25% broken well-milled rice before September 17, 2015. The state grains agency is seeking delivery of the first 250,000 tons of rice before the year end and the remaining 500,000 tons in the first quarter of 2016.
The agency is keen on maintaining buffer stocks in anticipation of an intensifying El Nino, which is likely to cut down rice production in the country. “There is no better option than being prepared,” the NFA reportedly said in a statement. “Drought due to El Nino is predicted to intensify beginning October and will last until May 2016,” it added.
The local weather bureau cautioned that the El Nino event could be as severe as the 1997-98 event, which reduced the Philippines' rice harvest by nearly 24%. It also cautioned that the current event could be one of the strongest events since 1950.
Extra purchases by the Philippines are expected to increase rice export prices in Asia, which have fallen in recent months.

U.S. Researcher Experiments with Rice Growing in Wisconsin

Sep 09, 2015
U
While, Arkansas, California, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana are the main rice growing states in the U.S., a Marquette University researcher proved that rice could be grown in Wisconsin state in the U.S. Midwest region, according to www.wgbhnews.org.
The researcher Michael Schläppi successfully grew a Russian rice variety called 'Krasnodarsky 3352' in his lab and field. He fixed on the variety after stress-testing around 200 rice varieties from various countries to know whether they would be suitable to the Wisconsin weather. He tested them in various climatic conditions. 
He began planting seedlings on the rooftop in April this year and a month later shifted the germinated seedlings to a field in about one-third acre. Throughout the summer he observed that the rice crop survived well and is now ready for harvest. He is expecting a yield of around 8,000 pounds per acre (9 tons per hectare).
With the success of the experiment, the researcher is planning to extend the experiment to one acre land. The 'Krasnodarsky 3352' variety is made for Wisconsin, he told reporters.

Indian Basmati Rice Exporters Struggle to Cope with Oversupply and Lower Prices Ahead of 2015 Harvest

Sep 09, 2015
Indian basmati rice exporters are concerned of oversupply of stocks from the kharif 2014 crop, falling prices and lower demand ahead of the harvest of the kharif 2015 crop, which is likely to begin from the end of September, according to local sources.
According to data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA), export prices of basmati rice have declined to around $950-1,000 per ton this year, down about 18% from around 1,220 per ton last year. The prices are said to have fallen due to excess supplies.
Basmati rice farmers had increased acreage of basmati in 2014 kharif season to around 2.13 million hectares from around 1.8 million hectares in 2013 in anticipation of higher prices based on higher returns received for the 2013 crop. They received as much as Rs. 4,000 per quintal (around $600 per ton) in 2013-14 crop year (October - September). However, prices tumbled to as low as Rs. 1,600-1,700 per quintal (around 4240 - $255 per ton) in the 2014-15 crop year partly due to a temporary ban imposed by Iran, which accounts for about 38% of India's basmati rice exports. All these factors led to an oversupply of stocks.
Local sources say exporters are competing against themselves to clear stocks before the new harvest arrives.
Meanwhile, Iran's removal of ban on Pakistani rice after the lifting of US sanctions is likely to impact India's basmati rice exports. Though the volume of basmati and processing facilities in Pakistan are limited, its increased participation in global market is expected to dent profits of Indian rice exporters.
A senior official in APEDA told local sources that big brands are in a position to insulate themselves from price corrections, but unorganized players are likely to be more affected. He stressed on the importance of investing in branding in order to retain position in the international market.

Third 'Ente Risi Open Day' to Demonstrate Use of Drones in Precision Farming

Sep 09, 2015
The Rice Research Center of the Ente Nazionale Risi, the National Agency for Rice, is organizing the third Ente Risi Open Day in Castello d'Agogna (Pavia) on September 10, 2015.
The Ente Risi Day is divided into two parts. In the morning, a conference titled "A comparison among international researchers for a competitive rice growing sector" will be held. Several international and Italian researchers are expected to participate. In the afternoon there will be a visit to the Ente Risi testing fields where a demonstration of the use of drones for precision farming has been arranged. The National Research Council (CNR) researchers will also present the Hermes (Satellite services for agriculture) project, which is supported by the European Union and the Ente Risi.
The day aims at bringing together researchers from different countries. "The significance of this day is to bring together researchers from different nationalities who bring to the attention of the whole scientific chain the results related to common problems in a spirit of cooperation and mutual synergy," says the Ente Nazionale Risi Commissioner.

U.S. Dominates Turkey Rice Imports in First Six Months of 2015

Sep 09, 2015
The U.S. has reportedly dominated Turkey rice imports during the first six months of 2015. Of the 208,000 tons imported by Turkey, U.S. rice accounts fro about 71,500 tons or 34% of the total rice imports during the period, according to USA Rice Federation.
The Turkish imports have increased despite increased acreage due to enhanced promotional activities by the USA Rice Federation. The Federation laid stress on increased promotion during the summer. It reached almost 2.4 million Turkish consumers through its articles and recipes featuring U.S. grown rice. It also organized in-store promotions in the market, with 16 demonstrations at two hypermarkets. It could reach aboue 10,000 customers that way.
Turkey imports mostly medium grain rice.

India Rice Sellers Increase Some of Their Quotes; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today

Sep 09, 2015
India rice sellers increased their quotes for 25% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $340-$350 per ton today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.             
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $320 - $330 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton, about $50 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $315 - $325 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is shown at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $315- $325 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $340 - $350 per ton, up about $5 per ton from yesterday and about $50 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $290 - $300 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $355- $365 per ton, about $60 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $415 - $425 per ton.                                                                                                                                                                                                       
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is indicated at around $305 - $315 per ton, about $5 per ton from premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $300 - $310 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $300 - $310 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $275 - $285 per ton.

Brazil Exports 719,112 Tons of Rice in First Eight Months of 2015


Sep 09, 2015
Brazil has exported around 719,112 tons of rice in the first eight months (January – August) of 2015, according to data released by the Rice Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IRGA).
In August 2015, Brazil exported around 117,342 tons of rice, up about 70% from around 68,979 tons exported in July 2015.

Senegal remained the largest importer of Brazilian rice in August 2015 with around 38,226 tons, or about 32.5% of Brazil's total rice exports during the month. Nicaragua accounted for around 20,007 tons (about 17% of Brazil's total exports during the month); Switzerland accounted for around 14,706 tons (about 12.5% of Brazil's total exports during the month); Gambia accounted for 11,764 tons (about 10% of Brazil's total exports during the month); and Benin accounted for around 8,456 (about 7% of Brazil's total exports during the month).

Costa Rica (5,351 tons), Peru (4,154 tons), South Africa (2,794 tons), U.S. (2,721 tons), Bolivia (1,380 tons), Cape Verde (1,141 tons), Trinidad and Tobago (863 tons) Saudi Arabia (732 tons), Chile (726 tons), S. VIC. And Grenadines (589 tons), Panama (588 tons), Angola  (538 tons), Honduras (515 tons), Belgium (257 tons), Barbados (184 tons), Ant. Netherlands (110 tons) and others (1,165 tons) accounted for the remaining 21% of Brazil's total rice exports in June 2015.
Brazil exported around 1.24 million tons of rice in 2014, up about 2.4% from around 1.209 million tons exported in 2013, according to data from IRGA.

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Find Follow-through Buying Interest Following Yesterday's Technical Breakout


Sep 09, 2015

Chicago rough rice futures for Nov delivery settled 19 cents per cwt (about $4 per ton) higher at $12.465 per cwt (about $275 per ton). The other grains finished the day mostly lower; Soybeans closed about 0.8% lower at $8.7225 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.6% lower at $4.7225 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.2% higher at $3.6900 per bushel.

U.S. stocks traded lower Wednesday, failing to extend a rally in global markets amid talk of stimulus overseas. The major averages traded lower in early afternoon trade. Earlier, they gave up their opening rally of about 1% to dip into negative territory. Traders also eyed the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) which showed the number of job openings was a record 5.8 million, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said. The key nonfarm payrolls report Friday reinforced expectations that labor conditions are strong enough to support a rate hike, which could possibly come as soon as the Federal Reserve's meeting next week. Earlier, stocks opened sharply higher following strong gains in markets overseas.

China's Ministry of Finance said the government will strengthen fiscal policy, boost infrastructure spending and speed up reform of its tax system, adding to other steps to re-energize sputtering growth. Japanese stocks also rallied on back of comments by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the government aims to lower the corporate tax rate.


The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 27 points, or 0.17%, at 16,520. The S&P 500 traded up 4 points, or 0.21%, at 1,973, with consumer discretionary leading six sectors higher and utilities the greatest decliner. The Nasdaq traded up 16 points, or 0.34%, at 4,828. Gold is trading about 1.3% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2.8% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.2% higher about  1:15pm Chicago time.Tuesday, there were 587 contracts traded, up from 207 contracts traded on Friday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Tuesday increased by 180 contracts to 9,872.
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9th September ,2015 Daily global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplsu Magazine

News Headlines...

 


·         Pakistan Planning to Barter Rice for Energy with Iran
·         Pakistan’s agriculture-based products get good market in China
·         Export of basmati rice hit by competition with India: National Assembly body told
·         Monsoon rains revive in southern peninsula, central India: IMD
·         Philippines to import more rice as strong El Niño event looms
·         Oversupply, lower prices to affect realisations of basmati exporters
·         PH rushes to import rice, sees El Nino among strongest since 1950
·         Aurora farmers urged to postpone rice planting
·         Philippines issues tender to import 750,000 T rice
·         To Find New Rice Species, Scientists Head to Remote Tropical Swamps
·         Adverse weather, a challenge to rice science
·         How to ensure rice self-sufficiency in Nigeria, by processors
·         Farmers asked not to plant crops seek help
·         Lower sales volume, prices seen at latest rice auction
·         Nitrogen Use Efficient Rice Demonstrates an Average Yield Increase of 30 Percent in Four Years of Field Trial
·         Adverse weather, a challenge to rice science
·         Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Sep 09
·         Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

 

 

News Detail...

 

Pakistan Planning to Barter Rice for Energy with Iran

9/8/2015 
FARS News Agency
TEHRAN (FNA)- Members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) are pressing the government to make arrangements for rice export to Iran in exchange for the money Pakistan has to pay for electricity import.A senior official of REAP said they had proposed to the government to allow the export of surplus rice to Iran by transferring the amount due against the government to theexporters until a proper currency transfer arrangement and an effective, efficient and reliable formal banking channel were restored, the Express Tribune reported on Tuesday."Yes, we have requested the authorities to devise a mechanism for rice export to Iran and pay the outstanding bills for Iranian electricity supply to the exporters," said a REAP representative on condition of anonymity because the proposal was at an early stage.

"If the Pakistan and Iranian governments agree, theexporters will soon export one million tons of basmati rice," he said. Prior to the economic sanctions imposed on Iran by western countries, Pakistan had been exportingabout 700,000 tons of basmati to Iran annually and it was the largest market for Pakistani rice.At present, Pakistan has four million tons of surplus rice, of which 3.2 million tons are non-basmati and 700,000 tons are basmati. Pakistan owes more than $100mln to Iran for electricity import.An official of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research confirmed that the proposal had been received.

"Our ministry is in discussion at the highest level and a decision will be taken soon," he said.Meanwhile, a statement issued by REAP Chairman Rafique Suleman and other members has drawn the government's attention to the sharp drop in rice exports.Citing the export figures for July received from statistics section of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Suleman said shipments fell 14 percent in terms of quantity and 27 percent in value.He pointed out that rice exports faced a lot of challenges during the last fiscal year and if corrective measures were not taken by the government, the current year would also be very tough.

The exporters have, however, welcomed the decision of the Iranian government to lift the ban on rice imports from Pakistan in the backdrop of a gradual removal of international sanctions. Rice exports will restart from October this year.However, Suleman believes that the decision will prove ineffective until a proper currency transfer arrangement and an effective and reliable formal banking channel is put in place.At present, almost 90 percent of rice is imported from India even though imports from Pakistan are more economical.Owing to low demand in the international market, rice prices were declining to a critical level that was inflicting heavy losses.
 http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2440279647

 

Pakistan’s agriculture-based products get good market in China

Pakistan’s agriculture-based products find good prospects in Chinese market, provided the relevant departments and the businessmen could develop effective liaison with their counterparts here. The role of Department of Quarantine needs to make more effective and big private business Houses in Pakistan must come to China to make proper survey of the Chinese market, said Muhammad Yasin, a Pakistani businessmen who has succeeded to make his way in  Chinese market by trading some food items.

Yasin , who is in China for the last about 25 years, first learnt Chinese language, acquainted himself with the China’s business rules and regulations and later started importing some other food products from Pakistan. In an interview, he attributed his success story to his continuous efforts and little support from Pakistani embassy in Beijing. Like him, there are few other Pakistanis who came here as students but now have settled themselves as businessmen.He was highly optimistic about marketing of Pakistan’s agriculture-based products in China, provided the relevant departments of the two countries could persistently pursue to overcome certain hurdles in developing business here. For the last ten years, we have been exporting around three to five lac Irri-6 rice to China but this year it was stopped since rice’s import quota for Pakistan could not be fixed by the Chinese side, due to lack of seriousness and proper coordination at the part of the relevant departments in Pakistan.

Yasin proposed, Pakistan should arrange an exclusive food exhibition in Pakistan for the Chinese businessmen to show them their export-strength in agriculture sector. Pakistani farmers should know the needs of the Chinese market, so that they could grow products accordingly.He also underlined the need of reviewing and updating of the agreements that were signed by the two countries long ago, in order to modify them according to the latest needs. Some of the agreements are not practicable due to certain reasons, he contended.Citing their growing exemplary bilateral ties at the diplomatic and military levels, Yasin said these do not match with our trade which is in favour of China. In order to correct the balance of payment position, he said Pakistan food and agriculture departments need to focus on export of agriculture goods and their bi-products.

With serious some efforts, we can capture the local market, because China is ready to deepen its economic ties with Pakistan.He was of the view that China should also relax its visa policy so that people-to-people interaction could be increased and Pakistan could take the advantage of China’s rich economic strength.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2015/09/09/national/pakistans-agriculture-based-products-get-good-market-in-china/


Export of basmati rice hit by competition with India: National Assembly body told


September 08, 2015
The Ministry of Commerce on Monday told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances that the export of non-basmati rice to Iran had increased as compared to basmati rice. The committee, which met here with Muhammad Afzal Khokhar in the Chair, was briefed by the ministry about rice export. The ministry told that there was a decline in export of basmati rice due to competition with India. It said that efforts were being made to increase the export of fine quality rice to Iran. However, the committee expressed concern over the decrease and emphasised the need to arrest the recent declining trend in the export of basmati rice.
The committee was also told that the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron) in consultation with the Interior Ministry and National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), had submitted an operational plan to register one million unregistered Afghans. It may be mentioned here that during the 25th Tripartite Commission meeting, bilateral consultations were held between Afghanistan and Pakistan on March 10, 2015, where both sides agreed to document unregistered Afghans in Pakistan with technical support from Nadra and verification by the Afghan authority.

Moreover, Nadra has submitted a Letter of Intent for a mutual agreement with Safron, which is being considered by the Interior Ministry. The committee was also told that the registration of Afghan refugees, which was to start in August 2015, could not be initiated and awaiting approval from the Interior Ministry. An official of the interior ministry said that the ministry was optimistic that the process would be completed within two to three months. The committee directed the interior ministry that matters pertaining to issuance of computerised national identity cards (CNICs) to Afghan nationals and other aliens should be stopped. 



 

Monsoon rains revive in southern peninsula, central India: IMD

NEW DELHI, SEPT 9:  
Monsoon rains have revived in the worst-hit central India and southern peninsula regions that would help boost kharif crops and water level in reservoirs, a top official of MeT Department said today.Monsoon deficit has been at 12 per cent so far this season (June 1 to September 2).However, the rain deficit in the southern peninsula and central India was 22 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.Southern peninsula comprises states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, while Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat are part of central India.“Monsoon rains have already revived from today in southern peninsula and central India. More rains are likely in this region as pressure is building in the Bay of Bengal and moving into inland by September 15,” IMD Director General L S Rathore told reporters.Revival of monsoon rains augur well for kharif crops and would also help narrow rainfall deficit in September, he said.The rain deficit in September is 50 per cent.
Rathore said that the overall monsoon deficit for June-September period is expected to be 12-14 per cent below normal as projected earlier.Water level in reservoirs in southern peninsula is very low and revival in rains will help, he added.“For the country as a whole, cumulative rainfall during monsoon season till September 2 has so far been 12 per cent below the Long Period Average (LPA).
Rainfall activity was less than normal in all the broad homogeneous regions of India except east and northeast India, where it was near normal,” IMD had said in a statement last week.MeT department had forecast that the season (June to September) rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 88 per cent (±4 per cent) of LPA.Agriculture, which contributes about 15 per cent to the country’s GDP and employs more than half of the population, is dependent on monsoon as only 40 per cent of the cultivable area is under irrigation.Despite deficit rains, the total sowing area under kharif crops as on September 4 was at 998.67 lakh hectares compared with 979.40 lakh hectares in the year-ago period. Sowing of pulses has increased 11 per cent while paddy acreage has risen marginally by over 1 per cent so far.
(This article was published on September 9, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-rains-revive-in-southern-peninsula-and-central-india-imd/article7632887.ece

Philippines to import more rice as strong El Niño event looms


THE GOVERNMENT is moving to beef up buffer stock by importing an additional 750,000 metric tons (MT) of rice by early next year, the National Food Authority (NFA) said yesterday, as the country braces for an El Niño event that could turn out to be worse than the last “strong” episode in 1997-1998.
A boy carries a sack of rice from a store in Manila in this photo taken yesterday. -- Reuters
The Interagency Food Security Committee (FSC) has allowed the NFA to proceed with procurement of 250,000 MT by yearend and 500,000 MT by the first quarter of next year via state-to-state deals, according to the statement.“There is no better option than being prepared,” the grains procurement agency said, adding that “the looming impact of El Niño” prompted the FSC, chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority, to grant the authority to proceed with the importation.“Drought due to El Niño is predicted to intensify beginning October and will last until May 2016.”The FSC last May gave the NFA standby authority for the importation of 250,000 MT.
“FSC recommendation is a result of the assessment made by an Interagency El Niño Task Force on the impact of the El Niño in the local rice production,” the statement read.“Another 500,000 MT of rice has been approved also by the FSC for importation for the projected deficit in production for the year 2016, but shipment of the additional volume will be made early next year.”The same statement quoted NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay as saying that invitations to submit offers have been sent to neighboring countries. Existing bilateral rice agreements allow the Philippines to import from Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.Angel G. Imperial, Jr., director of NFA for public affairs, said in a text message yesterday that the “government-to-government negotiations will be done on Sept. 17.”NFA is bidding out the supply of 250,000 MT of well-milled rice with 25% brokens for this year; and 500,000 MT of the same rice variety next year.Rice will be delivered on a staggered basis, with the first 125,000 MT due by the end of November and another 125,000 MT by the end of December.

Next year’s shipments, meanwhile, will involve 175,000 MT each by the end of January and February, and the 150,000 MT balance by the end of March.Stocks to be procured this month will bring the total volume of rice contracted for this year to 1.787 million MT. This includes the 500,000 MT imported in February and 250,000 MT in June, both via the government-to-government procurement scheme.
It also covers private sector importation under the minimum access volume (MAV) commitment for this year. The government last July contracted 187,000 MT under the MAV-omnibus origin scheme and 600,000 MT under the MAV-country specific quota.“The total volume of rice imported is within the gap estimate of the country’s palay production of 18.86 million MT...,” the NFA said.NFA’s Mr. Dalisay added that the country has sufficient stocks until yearend, but explained that the government is rushing to bring in the projected volume needed in an effort to beat a possible spike in international rice prices.
“To maintain the stability of rice stock and price, the government will start negotiating... now when rice prices in the international market are still low and stable,” said Mr. Dalisay.The NFA head also said that rice prices could jack-up once demand from other countries shoots up due to El Niño.The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration earlier warned that the currently developing El Niño episode that could last till February or May next year could be the worst since the 1997-1998 event.The state weather bureau also noted that the country is currently progressing towards a strong El Niño that is expected to start next month and last until May next year.
PAGASA forecasts as of Aug. 25 showed that moderate to severe drought could affect Metro Manila and 64 of the country’s 81 provinces by the end of February.Crop damage from heat had already begun to take its toll on total farm output, which crawled just 0.73% last semester against the government’s 3.3-4.3% full-year growth target for 2015.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=philippines-to-import-more-rice-as-strong-el-ni&241o-event-looms&id=115033

Oversupply, lower prices to affect realisations of basmati exporters
Traders are yet to exhaust the kharif 2014 stock, which has led to oversupply
Komal Amit Gera       |  Chandigarh
September 9, 2015      Last Updated at 10:53 IST

Basmati exports from India may log volume growth this year, but the average realisation per tonne is expected to be lower for the kharif 2015 crop. Even as harvesting of basmati paddy (mainly grown in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh) would start from last week of September, traders are yet to exhaust the kharif 2014 stock, which has led to oversupply.Competition among Indian exporters to grab share in the international market has also triggered price-reversal of the long-grain aromatic rice from India.Export prices have dropped $220 per tonne this year, a fall of 18% over the last year.

 The average realisation per tonne, which was close to  $1,220, is now $950-1000 per tonne as per average value of contracts being registered currently with APEDA (Agri and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority).While there has been no variation in demand by importing countries, prices have plunged due to excess supplies.Lured by the high returns of an average 1,295 a tonne in the international market for the basmati varieties, PUSA 1121 and PUSA 1509, traders purchased every single grain from the farmers during kharif 2013. The area under basmati also increased from 1.8 million hectare to 2.13 million hectare in the last two years, anticipating an upward trend in prices. This resulted in additional supplies and now the Indian basmati exporters are competing amongst themselves to clear the stocks.

Ashwani Arora, Director LT Overseas (Dawaat Brand Basmati), said, “We are expecting a year-on-year growth of 15% but this may not translate into same proportion in value terms as the prices have declined.” Arora’s company registered an export turnover of Rs 1,300 last year but he is skeptical about retaining the same margins.Pakistan is also emerging as a competitor after the lifting of US sanctions on Iran.Iran accounts for 38% of India’s basmati exports. Although the availability of basmati and processing facility in Pakistan is limited but increase in Pakistan’s participation in global market can dent profits of Indian exporters.

The exporters have a cushion as the purchase price of basmati has also dwindled from Rs 4,000 per quintal in kharif 2013 to about Rs 1,600-1,700 per quintal in the current season.A senior official in APEDA said that Indian exporters can retain the high price in the international market due to the unique qualities (aroma and length) of basmati but they need to invest in branding. The big brands are able to insulate themselves from price corrections, but unorganised players are likely to be more affected, he added.Basmati exports are among the top foreign exchange earners for the country.

Business Standard

 

PH rushes to import rice, sees El Nino among strongest since 1950

September 9, 2015 - 11:06 AM
Article Highlights:
For the Philippines, bigger rice stocks will ensure steady local supply and retail prices, helping keep a lid on inflation."Drought due to El Nino is predicted to intensify beginning October and will last until May 2016," it added.The El Nino, or a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, can lead to heavy rains and floods in South America but scorching weather across Asia and east Africa.The current episode could be as severe as the 1997-1998 El Nino, which triggered a 24 percent drop in the Philippines' rice harvest, the local weather bureau said, while cautioning that the event could be among the strongest since 1950.Bidders for the 750,000-tonne supply have until Sept. 17 to submit offers, the state grains agency NFA said.
http://www.minibalita.com/reader/31105/2/PH-rushes-to-import-rice%252C-sees-El-Nino-among-strongest-since-1950

 

Aurora farmers urged to postpone rice planting

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 09/09/2015 6:38 PM
MANILA - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) advised farmers from Aurora to postpone planting rice due to the expected drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon.NIA appealed to farmers in Aurora, especially those who depend on the water coming from NIA Dam in San Luis, to postpone rice planting as the dam has yet to recover from the dry spell experienced in the past few months.According to Marianito Bulloso, NIA Senior Water Resources Facilities Technician in Aurora, residents and farmers should not ignore the effects of El Nino.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/09/15/aurora-farmers-urged-postpone-rice-planting

Philippines issues tender to import 750,000 T rice


Wed Sep 9, 2015 2:06am GMT

MANILA, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The Philippines' state grains procurement agency said on Wednesday it would import an additional 750,000 tonnes of rice via an auction that will close on Sept. 17, preparing to boost buffer stocks in anticipation of a strong and prolonged El Nino.The National Food Authority (NFA) is seeking offers from the governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia for delivery over a five-month period starting in November, spokesman Angel Imperial said, confirming an earlier report by Reuters.The Philippines, once the world's biggest rice buyer, has suffered crop losses in recent months due to dry weather induced by an El Nino weather event, which is expected to peak between October and January.
(Reporting by Erik dela Cruz; Editing by Richard Pullin)

To Find New Rice Species, Scientists Head to Remote Tropical Swamps

A remote peninsula in northern Australia beckons a rice research expedition

A juvenile crocodile in a Cape York peninsula river, the region where researchers recently looked for wild rice species (Jeffrey L. Rotman/Corbis)
SMITHSONIAN.COM 
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 9:00AM
Crocodiles, snakes, dengue-carrying mosquitos, leeches and late-season cyclones are all the dangers that researchers face when venturing into the remote peninsula of Cape York in northern Australia. While these dangers face many a field expedition, these researchers were not actively in search of perilous species but rather hoping to find something much more innocuous: new varieties of rice, reports Lisa M. Hamilton for The California Sunday MagazineRice is a staple food for more than half the world’s population and climate change may make it even more important (corn doesn’t do as well with elevated carbon-dioxide levels). Yet the crop isn’t impervious to the effects of a changing climate — Hamilton points out that flooding threatens one-eighth of the world’s rice fields. Increases in salinity from rising seas, water scarcity, disease and weeds will affect fields in many other cases.

To keep rice a viable crop, researchers are looking into wild rice varieties for genetic diversity that might help one crop survive the salty intrusion of water in fields near a coast. One such researcher, Robert Henry of the University of Queenland led an expedition into the wilds of Cape York to search for the wildest wild rice.Hamilton explains that such a trek is needed because even wild rice relatives have been genetically contaminated by cultivated crops. In most of Asia, wild Oryza has been partially tamed. Cape York, far from rice fields, offers a unique opportunity. Read the whole article at The California Sunday Magazine for descriptions of swamps and savannah during the dry season, oppressive heat, the list of gear needed to sustain researchers, journalist and guides, and the unexpected fervor that hunting for wild rice plants can cultivate

Adverse weather, a challenge to rice science


 Wednesday, September 09, 2015
RICE research and development should be more vigorous in the provinces where farmers are at the forefront of coping with changes in the way rice is grown, a prominent rice expert said.This is especially true in changing and adverse climate conditions, said Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, the new Executive Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).With the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), PhilRice is developing Golden Rice. Using the tools of modern biotechnology, researchers have incorporated in the Golden Rice the genes from corn and a common soil microorganism so that it produces beta carotene, a source of vitamin A. It will benefit Filipinos who suffer from vitamin A deficiency.Protacio also believes that rice farmers should diversify in order to earn more.

The 1.04 hectare average rice farm should raise more than just the crop and go for raising chickens, ducks, fish and high-value crops.In an interview with Science Philippines, he said rice science faces R&D hurdles.To start with, there are fewer rice farmers. The land available for rice cultivation is also shrinking, going to urban expansion and subdivisions.One way of coping with the challenge is to increase the harvest even while fewer farmers are planting in the same or even in smaller plots. The average rice yield is 4 tons per hectare, harvested in 2014 from 4.7 million hectares.“We want to increase yields to 10 tons per hectare, or at least 8 tons per hectare with high yielding varieties and hybrid rice,” Protacio said. “We need to intensify cultivation and increase output per unit area and we need to increase the yield per hectare.

”The average hybrid rice yield in the Philippines is 6 tons to 8 tons per hectare. In 2014 hybrid rice was planted in 235,000 hectares, with 15 percent developed by publicly-funded R&D in PhilRice, IRRI, Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology and state universities and colleges; the rest came from private seed companies.Even conventional high-yield varieties raise yields. “It is achievable as shown by PhilRice’s Palayabangan program which has led some farmers to harvest 10 tons per hectare at a cost of P5 to produce a kilogram of rice,” Protacio said. (SciencePhilippines)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on September 10, 2015.

How to ensure rice self-sufficiency in Nigeria, by processors

By Ahmed Dio Agbo | Publish Date: Sep 10 2015 4:18AM | Updated Date: Sep 9 2015 11:46PM

Trucks loading rice from combine harvesters at Olam’s rice farm in Doma, Nasarawa state
A foremost stakeholder in the Nigerian rice value chain has listed eight ways to boost domestic rice production so as to ensure self-sufficiency. Dropping the hint recently in Abuja, the Chairman, National Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (NRMAN) and Chief Executive Officer of Umza Rice, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, maintained that the advice must be seriously considered if the country was truly desirous of halting rice importation in the near future.The eight ways to ensure rice self-sufficiency, according to Alhaji Abubakar, include the provision of improved seeds and seedlings to ensure higher yield, provision of adequate tractors/equipment, and improvement in mechanisation, access to land, as well as land clearing services by the government. Others are access to fund at low interest rate, access to quality inputs such as fertilizer and agrochemicals, access to market and market expansion.

The chairman lamented the high cost of rice production, which he attributed to the high cost of fund and power, among others.“We can operate because of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) credit facility window at 9 per cent interest rate. At a commercial interest rate of between 20 to 24 per cent, no rice miller can survive,” the rice miller noted, adding, “And we have to buy diesel to power the mills with generators. This is apart from the high cost of transportation and other infrastructural challenges. It is very difficult to compete with foreign millers under this environment.

”The chairman said 21 rice mills were established in four years, and if that trend continues under a good investment climate, in the next few years, many mills will spring up and the country will be exporting rice.He hailed the CBN for placing rice paddy on the restriction list for accessing foreign exchange for the importation of the commodity, saying the policy would go a long way in boosting rice production and processing in the country.http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/agriculture/how-to-ensure-rice-self-sufficiency-in-nigeria-by-processors/110187.html

Farmers asked not to plant crops seek help

9 Sep 2015 at 14:19 2,315 viewed

Rice farmers in Ayutthaya are appealing for state assistance after irrigation authorities again asked growers in the Chao Phraya River basin not to plant new crops because of the low water levels in four main dams.The plea was made by Rattana Khongsomkaew, chair of a group of irrigators using the Nakhon Luang water supply and maintenance project.She said on Wednesday the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) had recently warned of crop losses in rice planting areas in Chai Nat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Uthai Thani and Ayutthaya provinces this year because of the shortage of water in the Bhumibol, Sirikit, Pasak Chonlasit and Kwai Noi dams.

Farmers were aware of the water situation, but needed government assistance if they were expected to again delay planting a crop, she said.Early this year, the RID had asked farmers to stop planting a second rice crop. In mid-year another warning had been issued, requesting farmers not to plant an off-season crop, she said.Farmers did not know how they could pay off their debts if they did not grow a rice crop. Alternative careers promoted by the government could not help all farmers, she said.She urged the government to more efficiently manage the water in the four main dams. Water downstream from the dams should be efficiently allocated for agriculture, household and factory use, to prevent a war over water, Mrs Rattana said.
According to the RID’s water coordination and monitoring centre, the Bhumibol dam reservoir held 4,374 million cubic metres of water, or 32% of its capacity, as of Wednesday. The Sirikit dam had 4,029 million cu/m, or 42% of its holding capacity.The Pasak Chonlasit dam had 112 million cu/m, or 12%, and the Kwai Noi dam 241 million cu/m, or 26%. Narongkorn Somton, director of the  Regional Irrigation Office 12, said in a letter issued to governors of Chat Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Uthai Thani and Ayutthaya provinces on Sept 7 that the amount of usable water at the four major dams was just 1,955 million cu/m. The dams discharged 16 million cu/m per day.

He cited the Meteorological Department as forecasting lower than average rainfall this month, and said there would be only a small amount of water flowing into several reservoirs. Once the rainy season ended, the four major dams could not allocate water to irrigate farmland.In the letter, Mr Narongsak sought cooperation from farmers in those provinces, asking that they refrain from growing rice continuously. Natural water sources should be reserved for home consumption. He also urged people to use water economically, to ensure the maximum benefit.
In Chai Nat, a riverfront house in Muang district developed cracks and the rear of the structure collapsed when a kilometre-long section of the Chao Phaya riverbank subsided. The river is receding by about 10cm a day, eating away at the banks as it falls.

Chalor In-muang, 60, owner of the house, said she and her family had been forced to evacuate to a safer area.The elderly woman said the river level was the lowest she had ever seen it, and she had lived in the area for 15 years. During that time she had been forced to repair her house three times, at a cost of more than 400,000 baht.This time, she would not have it fixed, as her family feared for their lives if they remained living there and the river bank continued to collapse.Ekkasit Sakdeethanaporn, director of the Chao Phraya Dam project, said the water level upstream of the dam at tambon Bang Luang of Sapphaya district of Chai Nat had dropped by 10cm to 13.59 metres above mean sea level on Wednesday.
 It was 41cm below the critical 14 metre point. The water level in downstream areas had fallen to 5.90 metres.The dam had reduced its discharge rate at 70 cubic metres of water per second, he said.On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked people to closely follow the water situation, pointing out the amount of water held in several major reservoirs was unusually low this year. He also instructed state agencies to help create a better public understanding of the water situation.
A riverfront house in Chai Nat collapses as the water in the Chao Phraya River keeps receding, causing soil erosion along the river banks. (Photo by Chudate Seehawong)

Bangkok Post

Lower sales volume, prices seen at latest rice auction

9 Sep 2015 at 07:51
NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS
A farmer checks the harvested paddy at a field in Nong Chok area of Bangkok in January 2015. (Bangkok Post file photo)

The Commerce Ministry has sold 246,793 tonnes of rice for 2.33 billion baht in its latest auction yesterday, which attracted 33 bidders.That volume accounts for 33.7% of the 732,806 tonnes of rice put up for the sixth tender the ministry called this year.Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the department agreed to sell various kinds of rice from the 43 warehouses to 14 buyers who passed the floor-value price criteria.The grains are mainly 155,211 tonnes of 5% white rice at an average price of 9,885 baht a tonne and 79,567 tonnes of broken white rice at 8,642 baht a tonne.The ministry will seek final approval from the National Rice Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, to sell the rice together with a decision to sell the remaining 13.5 million tonnes of state stocks.

Since Gen Prayut took office, the Commerce Ministry has held 10 auctions, with 4.55 million tonnes sold for 49.6 billion baht.The auctions including the six this year are part of attempts to speed up disposal of 18 million tonnes of state stocks accumulated from rice-pledging schemes run from 2011-14.Ms Duangporn admitted the ministry could not sell as large a volume of rice in this latest auction as in previous ones. Selling prices are also lower than in the earlier auctions.She attributed the decline to weak global rice prices due to harvesting season, which starts next month.Of the 13.5 million tonnes of rice now left, 5.9 million tonnes have been classified as low quality or rotten.

"Market prices are low, and the quality of our stocks is decreasing, so we need advice from today's National Rice Policy Committee meeting on better methods of unloading the grains," Ms Duangporn said.She foresees the harvest season making it difficult for the ministry to sell rice at a satisfactory price.The committee will also be asked to approve rice sales to the Philippines, which is set to buy 750,000 tonnes of 25% white rice from foreign sellers.Regarding the present weak prices, Chookiat Ophaswongse, an honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said it would be more difficult for the ministry to sell rice by the warehouse or other large amounts from now on."Global prices don't look set to increase, and the huge stock in Thailand is one factor behind this," he said.He suggests the authorities unload good-quality rice in small volumes of no more than 200,000 tonnes before the harvest season."Sales must pause when the fresh grains are harvested in October and November," Mr Chookiat added.
Bangkok Post


Nitrogen Use Efficient Rice Demonstrates an Average Yield Increase of 30 Percent in Four Years of Field Trial

 

-- Major Yield Increase Has the Potential to Change the Economics of Rice Production and Enhance Food Security --
September 09, 2015 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time
DAVIS, Calif. & PALMIRA, Colombia & NAIROBI, Kenya--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Four years of field trials with a leading line of Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE) rice have demonstrated an average 30 percent yield increase over conventional controls. These results were reported jointly today by Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., an agricultural technology company, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). CIAT has been testing the novel rice lines using Arcadia’s NUE trait at the center’s research fields in Colombia.
“Yield increases of this magnitude have the potential to significantly change the economics of rice production, benefitting farmers, rural economies and food security simultaneously”
In this most recent field trial under irrigated upland conditions and 50 percent of normal nitrogen fertilizer application, the leading NUE rice line out-yielded the conventional control lines by 34 percent. In the three previous years of trials under both irrigated lowland and upland rainfed conditions, the leading line out-yielded control lines by 22, 30 and 33 percent, respectively.Over the four years of field trials, the average yield increase for the leading NUE rice line was 30 percent over the conventional controls. In the fourth-year trial, two additional NUE rice lines increased grain yield by 24 to 28 percent at 17 percent of normally applied nitrogen fertilizer in Colombia, and by 10 to 22 percent at 50 percent of normal nitrogen application.

“Yield increases greater than 15 percent from a single trait are very rare in agriculture,” said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia. “For our NUE trait in rice, we now have a solid history over four years of independent field testing at CIAT showing consistent yield increases well above 20 percent. These results in NERICA rice, combined with our results in other types of rice, demonstrate the major yield increase opportunity from our NUE trait in all major types of rice.”“Yield increases of this magnitude have the potential to significantly change the economics of rice production, benefitting farmers, rural economies and food security simultaneously,” Rey added.

 “Together with our seed company partners, Arcadia is working diligently to bring commercial seed with our NUE trait to farmers in rice and several other major crops.”Arcadia currently has five NUE products, including NUE rice, in Phase 3 of product development. The company recently completed the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Early Food Safety Evaluation for the NUE trait, which establishes the foundation of trait safety data for future regulatory approvals of the trait in all crops globally.Rice is the world’s most valuable crop, grown on 165 million hectares globally with a harvest value of $429.3 billion in 2013. The crop plays a critical role in food security for more than half of the world’s population.

 In a recent report, the International Food Policy Research Institute predicted that sustainable maintenance of food security in the face of climate change and population growth will require a combination of technologies that target broad-based yield improvement, improved nitrogen use efficiency, and abiotic stresses such as heat and drought.Arcadia’s NUE trait was developed to help farmers increase crop yields per unit of applied nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer is a key input to the global agricultural industry for increasing crop yield, but conventional crops typically utilize less than half of nitrogen fertilizer applied.

Much of the remainder moves through the soil and enters ground and surface water systems, or volatilizes into the air as a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Arcadia’s NUE trait enables plants to produce higher yields while reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture.The NUE rice field trials in Colombia are part of a five-year collaboration between Arcadia, CIAT and AATF under the Nitrogen-use Efficient, Water-use Efficient and Salt Tolerant (NEWEST) rice project. The collaboration is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative.

About Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.

Based in Davis, Calif., with additional facilities in Seattle, Wash. and Phoenix, Ariz., Arcadia Biosciences (NASDAQ: RKDA) develops agricultural products that create added value for farmers while benefitting the environment and enhancing human health. Arcadia’s agronomic performance traits, including Nitrogen Use Efficiency, Water Use Efficiency, Salinity Tolerance, Heat Tolerance and Herbicide Tolerance, are all aimed at making agricultural production more economically efficient and environmentally sound. Arcadia’s nutrition traits and products are aimed at creating healthier ingredients and whole foods with lower production costs. The company was recently listed in the Global Cleantech 100 and was previously named one of MIT Technology Review's 50 Smartest Companies. For more information, visit www.arcadiabio.com.

About the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

CIAT is an international agricultural research organization focused on eco-efficient agriculture that is, farming systems that better harness the available resources to be more competitive and to sustainably increase productivity, while leaving a smaller environmental footprint. CIAT significantly contributes to major global initiatives that seek to reduce rural poverty, strengthen food security, improve human health and nutrition, and sustainably manage natural resources throughout the developing world. For more information, visit www.ciatnews.cgiar.org.

About The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is a not-for-profit organization that facilitates and promotes public/private partnerships for the access and delivery of appropriate agricultural technologies with potential to increase the productivity of resource-poor smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, visit www.aatf-africa.org.

About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.

About Feed the Future
Feed the Future is the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative. With a focus on smallholder farmers, particularly women, Feed the Future supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur economic growth and trade that increase incomes and reduce hunger, poverty and under nutrition. For more information, visitwww.feedthefuture.gov.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to Arcadia’s NUE trait and the regulatory process for such trait. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance.

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: Arcadia’s and its partners’ ability to develop commercial products incorporating its traits, including the NUE trait, and complete the regulatory review process for such products; Arcadia’s compliance with laws and regulations that impact the company’s business, and changes to such laws and regulations; Arcadia’s future capital requirements and ability to satisfy its capital needs; and the other risks set forth in Arcadia’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including the risks set forth in Arcadia’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and other filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.
Jeff Bergau
jeff.bergau@arcadiabio.com
+1-312-217-0419
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150909005548/en/Nitrogen-Efficient-Rice-Demonstrates-Average-Yield-Increase#.VfizOxFViko

Adverse weather, a challenge to rice science

 Wednesday, September 09, 2015
RICE research and development should be more vigorous in the provinces where farmers are at the forefront of coping with changes in the way rice is grown, a prominent rice expert said.This is especially true in changing and adverse climate conditions, said Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, the new Executive Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).With the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), PhilRice is developing Golden Rice. Using the tools of modern biotechnology, researchers have incorporated in the Golden Rice the genes from corn and a common soil microorganism so that it produces beta carotene, a source of vitamin A. It will benefit Filipinos who suffer from vitamin A deficiency.

Protacio also believes that rice farmers should diversify in order to earn more. The 1.04 hectare average rice farm should raise more than just the crop and go for raising chickens, ducks, fish and high-value crops.In an interview with Science Philippines, he said rice science faces R&D hurdles.To start with, there are fewer rice farmers. The land available for rice cultivation is also shrinking, going to urban expansion and subdivisions.One way of coping with the challenge is to increase the harvest even while fewer farmers are planting in the same or even in smaller plots. The average rice yield is 4 tons per hectare, harvested in 2014 from 4.7 million hectares.

“We want to increase yields to 10 tons per hectare, or at least 8 tons per hectare with high yielding varieties and hybrid rice,” Protacio said. “We need to intensify cultivation and increase output per unit area and we need to increase the yield per hectare.”The average hybrid rice yield in the Philippines is 6 tons to 8 tons per hectare. In 2014 hybrid rice was planted in 235,000 hectares, with 15 percent developed by publicly-funded R&D in PhilRice, IRRI, Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology and state universities and colleges; the rest came from private seed companies.Even conventional high-yield varieties raise yields. “It is achievable as shown by PhilRice’s Palayabangan program which has led some farmers to harvest 10 tons per hectare at a cost of P5 to produce a kilogram of rice,” Protacio said. (SciencePhilippines)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2015/09/09/adverse-weather-challenge-rice-science-429376

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Sep 09


Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC & Open Market-September 9
 
Nagpur, Sept 9 Gram prices reported down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing
Committee (APMC) here on poor buying support from local millers amid high moisture content
arrival. Release of stock from stockists and weak trend in Madhya Pradesh gram prices also
affected sentiment, according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Desi gram raw recovered in open market on renewed demand from local traders. Fresh 
     enquiries from South-based traders also pushed up prices.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar varieties zoomed up in open market here on festival buying support from local 
     traders amid tight supply from producing regions. Weak overseas arrival also jacked 
     up prices here. 
 
   * Udid varieties reported strong in open market on good buying support from local 
     traders amid thin arrival from producing regions.
                                                                                       
   * In Akola, Tuar - 9,700-10,100, Tuar dal - 13,800-14,100, Udid at 9,100-9,300, 
     Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,400, Moong - 7,600-7,800, Moong Mogar 
    (clean) 9,200-9,800, Gram - 4,600-4,900, Gram Super best bold - 6,100-6,300 
     for 100 kg.
 
   * Rice, wheat and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading 
     activity, according to sources.
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                   4,300-5,200         4,400-5,290
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                n.a.                8,000-9,200
     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,000-6,400
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,500-6,800        6,500-6,800
     Gram Super Best            n.a.                
     Gram Medium Best            5,900-6,100        5,900-6,100
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Mill Quality            5,800-5,900        5,800-5,900
     Desi gram Raw                5,150-5,200         5,100-5,150
     Gram Filter new            6,200-6,400        6,200-6,400
     Gram Kabuli                6,400-7,500        6,400-7,500
     Gram Pink                6,800-7,000        6,800-7,000
     Tuar Fataka Best             14,500-14,800        14,000-14,500
     Tuar Fataka Medium             13,300-13,900        13,000-13,600
     Tuar Dal Best Phod            12,900-13,100        12,600-12,800
     Tuar Dal Medium phod            12,300-12,800        12,000-12,500
     Tuar Gavarani New             10,200-10,400        10,000-10,200
     Tuar Karnataka             10,400-10,800        10,200-10,600
     Tuar Black                 12,100-12,300           12,100-12,300 
     Masoor dal best            8,200-8,700        8,200-8,700
     Masoor dal medium            7,900-8,300        7,900-8,300
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold               9,600-9,900         9,600-9,900
     Moong Mogar Medium best        8,200-8,800        8,200-8,800
     Moong dal Chilka            8,700-8,900        8,700-8,900
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            8,400-9,200        8,400-9,200
     Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG)    11,300-11,900       11,200-11,800
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    10,500-10,900        10,400-10,800
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,200-9,700        9,100-9,600
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,200-5,600        5,200-5,600
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)           4,000-4,200         4,000-4,200
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)        3,200-3,450        3,200-3,450
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)        3,000-3,200         3,000-3,200
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,300-3,600        3,300-3,600
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,500        1,400-1,500
     Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG)    1,650-1,750        1,650-1,750
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)        1,350-1,550           1,350-1,550
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,400        2,250-2,400
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)    1,950-2,100        1,950-2,100
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,400-3,700        3,400-3,700
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,750-2,900        2,750-2,900        
     Rice BPT best(100 INR/KG)        3,100-3,300        3,100-3,300
     Rice BPT medium(100 INR/KG)        2,800-3,000        2,800-3,000
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)        1,700-1,900        1,700-1,900
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,000-2,300        2,000-2,300
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      1,900-2,000        1,900-2,000
     Rice HMT best(100 INR/KG)        3,500-3,900        3,500-3,900
     Rice HMT medium(100 INR/KG)        3,200-3,300        3,200-3,300
     Rice HMT Shriram best(100 INR/KG)    4,800-5,100        4,800-5,100
     Rice HMT Shriram med.(100 INR/KG)    4,000-4,500        4,000-4,500     
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    8,000-10,000        8,000-10,000
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,000-7,500        7,000-7,500
     Rice Chinnor best (100 INR/KG)    5,200-5,400        4,900-5,100
     Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)    4,700-5,000        4,400-4,800
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,100-2,350        2,100-2,350
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)        2,400-2,500        2,400-2,500
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 33.0 degree Celsius (91.4 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
22.6 degree Celsius (72.7 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - 98 per cent, lowest - 71 per cent.
Rainfall : 19.4 mm
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 34 and 23 degree Celsius respectively.
 
Note: n.a.--not available
 
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/09/09/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL4N11F2ZD20150909
Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
A comprehensive daily commodity market report for Arkansas agricultural commodities with cash markets, futures and insightful analysis and commentary from Arkansas Farm Bureau commodity analysts.
Noteworthy benchmark price levels of interest to farmers and ranchers, as well as long-term commodity market trends which are developing. Daily fundamental market influences and technical factors are noted and discussed.
Soybeans
High
Low
Cash Bids
910
856
New Crop
899
818


Riceland Foods


Cash Bids
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -
New Crop
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
894.00
882.50
882.75
-8.00
Nov '15
885.75
870.75
872.25
-7.00
Jan '16
888.75
874.75
876.00
-6.25
Mar '16
890.50
877.25
878.50
-5.50
May '16
892.00
879.50
880.50
-5.25
Jul '16
894.75
883.00
884.25
-4.75
Aug '16
891.75
881.75
883.00
-5.00
Sep '16
878.50
870.25
871.00
-4.25
Nov '16
873.25
863.00
864.75
-5.00

Soybean Comment

Soybeans closed lower today. Another crop conditions report that showed a good crop and even has some speculating the USDA may again raise yields this month. With prices near contract lows and uncertainty surrounding China more supplies in this market would be detrimental to prices.


Wheat
High
Low
Cash Bids
--
--
New Crop
483
458


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
470.25
463.00
462.00
-3.25
Dec '15
481.00
471.00
472.25
-2.75
Mar '16
487.75
479.00
480.25
-2.75
May '16
492.50
484.25
485.50
-2.50
Jul '16
496.50
488.75
490.25
-2.25
Sep '16
504.25
498.00
499.75
-1.50
Dec '16
517.50
512.00
512.00
-2.25
Mar '17
522.75
521.50
521.50
-2.00
May '17
516.50
516.50
519.50
-5.25

Wheat Comment

Wheat prices closed lower again today. While there is not expected to be major revisions to the U.S. balance sheet the market could see more increases in global supplies which would continue to keep the pressure on prices and could push wheat to new contract lows.


Grain Sorghum
High
Low
Cash Bids
383
340
New Crop
383
352



Corn
High
Low
Cash Bids
378
323
New Crop
358
330


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
359.25
353.25
356.50
+1.50
Dec '15
372.50
366.00
369.00
+0.75
Mar '16
383.75
377.25
380.25
+0.50
May '16
390.75
384.25
387.50
+0.75
Jul '16
395.75
389.75
392.50
+0.50
Sep '16
390.50
385.00
388.00
+1.25
Dec '16
396.75
391.00
394.50
+1.25
Mar '17
407.00
403.75
404.75
+1.00
May '17
411.50
410.00
411.00
+1.00

Corn Comment

Corn prices closed slightly higher today. The market continues to hold lows set following the August USDA report. With another report scheduled for Friday and the USDA continued reporting of 68-percent of the crop rated good to excellent we are not likely to see major adjustments in the corn supplies this month. Supplies will remain ample which will continue cause concerns over the carryover in this year's crop.


Cotton
Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
63.94
63.15
63.32
0.03
Dec '15
63.63
62.86
62.92
-0.36
Mar '16
63.39
62.61
62.68
-0.26

Cotton Comment

Cotton futures ended lower after trading was confined within Tuesday’s range. The US agricultural attaché forecasts for China added to the negative undertone. Cotton imports are expected to be only 5.75 million bales due to an only weak recovery in cotton use and a tight import quota. From a technical perspective, December is attempting to consolidate just above support at 62 cents. Resistance begins at 64 cents.


Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
1222.0
1222.0
1221.5
+20.5
Nov '15
1261.5
1220.0
1246.5
+20.0
Jan '16
1290.0
1250.0
1275.0
+19.5
Mar '16
1297.0
+17.0
May '16
1315.5
+13.0
Jul '16
1327.0
1320.0
1330.5
+13.0
Sep '16
1251.0
+13.5

Rice Comment

Rice futures posted sharp gains today. News that the Philippines is in the process of re-evaluating the volume of rice that will need to be imported in the 2016 marketing year. Previous recommendations were based upon a relatively weak El Nino weather pattern, which has since intensified. The Philippines is one of the largest rice importers in the world. Harvest is well under way in the US, with 35% of the crop in the bins as of Sunday, September 6. November shattered previous resistance at the August high of $12.34, finally running out of steam at $12.61 ½.


Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
144.425
142.675
142.775
-0.700
Dec '15
146.700
144.775
144.825
-0.950
Feb '16
146.525
144.975
145.000
-0.625
Apr '16
145.325
143.825
143.900
-0.550
Jun '16
136.850
135.575
135.650
-0.425
Aug '16
134.750
134.200
134.225
+0.175
Oct '16
137.100
136.450
136.800
+0.650
Dec '16
137.650
137.000
137.400
+0.550
Feb '17
136.700
136.000
136.750
+0.750
Feeders:
High
Low
Last
Change
Sep '15
205.000
203.250
203.675
-0.625
Oct '15
200.750
198.225
198.225
-1.300
Nov '15
197.900
195.575
195.575
-1.175
Jan '16
191.800
189.625
189.625
-1.025
Mar '16
188.900
187.100
187.100
-0.775
Apr '16
188.150
187.550
187.550
-0.650
May '16
188.250
187.325
187.325
-0.700
Aug '16
188.500
187.675
188.000
-0.200

Cattle Comment

Cattle prices gave back a small amount of yesterday's large gains. Prices remain on the defensive and continue to have difficulty maintaining gains as a strong dollar and record imports from Australia remain a drag on prices.


Hogs
Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
69.375
68.300
69.075
+0.300
Dec '15
64.150
63.075
63.650
+0.050
Feb '16
68.750
67.750
68.200
0.000
Apr '16
72.325
71.500
71.800
-0.075
May '16
77.000
76.375
76.450
-0.300
Jun '16
80.350
79.800
80.025
-0.175
Jul '16
79.500
79.175
79.450
+0.200
Aug '16
78.700
78.050
78.650
+0.325
Oct '16
67.400
67.000
67.000
-0.300


http://www.arfb.com/ag-markets-statistics/report/

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