Rice prices mark fresh rise
FE Report
Prices of rice, especially of the coarse
varieties, have increased further in the city markets as elsewhere in the
country, which traders attributed to a substantial rise in the paddy price at
the growers' level.
However, market analysts have said there is no
valid reason for the hike in rice prices as the country has adequate supply of
the staple.They urged conducting strict market monitoring to combat any
simulated shortage.According to them, importers and millers should be brought
under strict monitoring to protect market from being volatile.
Coarse varieties of rice like Swarna and BR-11
were selling between Tk36 and Tk40 a kg at the retail level on Sunday against
Tk34-Tk 35 two days back.Prices of the medium quality rice like Brridhan-28,
29, Paijam, Kajol Lata, Parija and Ratna increased by Tk2-Tk3 to Tk40-Tk45 a kg
in the city kitchen markets in the last seven days.
Fine varieties like Miniket, Najirshail and
Kataribhog remained static maintaining higher rates.
Miniket of different qualities were traded at
Tk46-Tk 54 a kg and Najirshail at Tk48-Tk 57 a kg in the city.
Monibur, a grocer at Mirpur Section-2 in the
city, told the FE that prices of coarse varieties witnessed an upward trend for
the last few days in the wholesale markets.
He said per 100 kg sack of good quality Swarna
increased to Tk3700 on Saturday which was Tk3350-Tk3400 a few days back.
Asadulla, joint secretary of Badamtoli O Babu
Bazar Chaul Aratdar Malik Samity, an association of rice wholesalers in the
city, said prices have been increasing gradually at the mill gates in Kushtia,
Pabna, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari and Jessore.
He said the rate of Swarna was Tk37.5 to Tk38
in Rangpur and Dinajpur on Sunday morning.
Brridhan-28 sold at Tk42-Tk42.5 at the mill
gates and the price might increase further in Dhaka, he said.
Secretary of Bangladesh Auto Major Husking Mill
Owners Association KM Layek Ali said paddy prices increased by Tk150-Tk200 a
sack (75 kg) in the last two weeks.
He said Brridhan-28 paddy was selling at Tk1750
a sack (75 kg) which means per kg milled rice will be available at Tk40.
Swarna paddy is selling at Tk1500-Tk1550 a sack
while price of milled Swarna rice is at least Tk35 a kg.
He said production of Brridhan-28 declined
notably in the last Boro season causing the recent hike in prices.
Production of rice seemed to have declined in
the just ended Aus season as prices remained higher, he added.
He said prices will come down within a few
weeks after the new Aman paddy harvest hits the market.
Md Hazrat Ali, a Nilphamari-based trader, said
import of coarse rice has almost stopped following 25 per cent import duty.He
said cost of Indian Swarna will be Tk36-Tk 37 a kg--- which is same as the
local prices.Md Azizul Islam, a Rangpur-based rice miller, said many of the
importers and their allied traders are now active to force the government for a
duty cut in rice import.The government should be cautious about them as they
are creating supply crunch of paddy in the market, he claimed.Consumers
Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said the
government should conduct strict monitoring to protect market from any
artificial shortage.
Stores and godowns of big importers, millers
and traders should be kept under watch to combat any simulated crisis, he said.
Agricultural Economist Prof Golam Hafiz Kennedy
said the government should take policies which could benefit farmers, traders
and consumers.
He pointed out that local production of rice
declined to 34.57 million tonnes in the financial year 2015-16 from 34.7
million tonnes but it is still a surplus against an annual demand of 31.0
million tonnes.
He said there is no valid reason for such
high-rated hike in rice prices which has directly been hurting poor consumers.
He said the millers should grow tendency to
make less profit which could also help both farmers and consumers.
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/10/03/47984/Rice-prices-mark-fresh-rise
Paddy arrives in Haryana
While the government
procurement agencies purchased 3,11,590 tonnes of paddy, millers and dealers
have purchased 7,231 tonnes (MT) of paddy.
By: PTI | Chandigarh |
Published:October 1, 2016 9:52 pm
Over 3 lakh
tonnes of paddy has arrived in various market yards of Haryana this year
so far against 1.42 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. A
spokesman of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said
that out of total arrival of 3,18,821 tonnes, 3,16,973 tonnes of paddy was
leviable. While the government procurement agencies
purchased 3,11,590 tonnes of paddy, millers and dealers have
purchased 7,231 tonnes (MT) of paddy.
Referring to
arrival of Paddy in the mandis of different districts, he said that so far,
1,55,780 MT of paddy has arrived in Kurukshetra, 52,949 MT in Karnal,
52,894 MT in Kaithal, 40,371 MT in Ambala, 16,097 MT in Yamunanagar, 498
MT in Jind and 232 MT paddy has arrived in Panchkula. He said that
out of the total arrival, 1,64,541 MT of paddy has been purchased by Food,
Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, 89,152 MT by HAFED, 39,639
MT by the Haryana Agro-industries Corporation and 18,258 MT has
been purchased by the Haryana Warehousing Corporation.He said that farmers
have been advised to clean and dry their produce properly before bringing
it to the market so that they do not have to face any problem
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/paddy-arrives-in-haryana-3060273/
In Africa, Vietnam's rice
exporters see a rising market
By Bui Hong Nhung
October 1, 2016 | 08:00 pm GMT+7
A man dries unhusked rice on a road in front of
his home. Photo by REUTERS/Samrang Pring.
Shipments
to African countries surged while the Chinese market became more and more
challenging.
The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) is planning
to increase rice exports to African countries to make up for a sharp decline in
the Chinese market.China remains the biggest buyer of Vietnamese rice,
accounting for a third of all shipments. However, exports to this market in the
first eight months fell 21.4 percent year-on-year to 1.18 million tons,
according to the agriculture ministry.Sales to some African markets, on the
other hand, increased significantly.Exports to Ghana, now the second largest
buyer of Vietnamese rice, surged nearly 37 percent to 343,000 tons during the
period. Shipments to Angola, another potential market, rose 4.6 times in volume
and 3.6 times in value.
According to VFA, Ghana’s demand for rice is
around 1.6 million tons per year and the country depends on imports to cover
more than half of that amount. Among its suppliers, Vietnam offers lower prices
than Thailand and India.Hoang Lam, manager of Hung Lam Joint Stock Company, one
of the first Vietnamese rice companies that sell to Ghana, said the West
African nation as well as other African countries favor affordable,
medium-quality varieties. This means Vietnamese companies have good chances to
expand their market share in Africa over the next few years.VFA said it’s
necessary to turn to Africa to ease the dependence on the Chinese market, where
the management of border trade has been tightened and there’s a strong
competition from a number of suppliers.
Preliminary data from the agriculture ministry
showed that Vietnam’s rice exports fell 16.4 percent year-on-year to 3.76
million tons in the first nine months. The value also went down by 12.5 percent
to $1.69 million.
For the first time in eight years, VFA has
lowered its annual forecast for rice exports. Shipments of the whole year are
now expected to be around 5.6 million tons, compared 6.6 million tons last
year.
Sale of
locally produced rice on increase – Nigerian Farmer
Photo Credit: Agro Nigeria
A large scale rice farmer in Asaba, Raymos
Guanah, on Sunday observed that demand for locally-produced rice was on the
increase.Mr. Guanah, the Chief Executive Officer of Raymond Guanah Farms,
Illah, near Asaba, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Asaba that such a
positive development was heart-warming.He said that local rice was now well
processed and cheaper than imported one, hence the increase in
demand.“Nigerians are beginning to be more aware that there is so much
difference between the locally-produced rice and the imported rice. Local rice
is very nutritious.“The rice we produced last year had been bought off and we
have nothing left in stock,” he said.
Mr. Guanah, a former Commissioner for Lands in
Delta, noted that one of the reasons for the increased patronage was because
the rice processed in the farm contained no stone or sand.He said, “because of
the increased patronage in 2015, we are expanding our farm this year and this
will result in more harvest at the end of this farming season.“In 2014, we
cultivated 100 hectares of land and we harvested about 300 tonnes of rice while
in 2015, we cultivated 300 hectares and harvested about 900 tonnes.
“This year, we are expanding our cultivation to
600 hectares and the essence of this is to have more rice to sell.”
Mr. Guanah said that the multi-million Naira
processing mill the State Government inaugurated in the farm in 2014 had the
capacity to produce about 200 of 50 kg bags of rice per day.Residents of Asaba
and environs now prefer local rice, which sells for N17,000 per 50 kg bag to
the imported brands which is sold for between N21,500 and N23,000 per bag.
Fall in crop output may raise basmati rice
prices further
By Madhvi Sally, ET Bureau | Updated: Oct 03, 2016, 09.02 AM
IST
NEW
DELHI: Rates may further firm up as Iran
is likely to lift ban on imports of the aromatic rice from India; prices jump
30% in Punjab and Haryana markets. A shortfall in
arrivals of basmati crop across the rice bowl of Punjab and Haryana has seen a
30% jump in prices quoted for the new crop signalling consumers of the aromatic
long rice to prepare to pay more ahead of the festive season. Traders and
exporters said prices can further firm up with Iran likely to lift a ban
currently on imports of basmati
rice from India. Iran has emerged as one of the largest importers of Indian
basmati rice in recent years.
"By November, we can expect basmati prices to further increase as international buying will begin and production expected to be lower than the previous year," said Sabyasachi Majumdar, senior vice-president, Indian Credit Ratings Agency.
He said domestic consumers might see a slight increase in prices and current discounts ranging from 10-20% being offered by branded players might be reduced or withdrawn.
Basmati millers and retailers said it was too early for them to speak about prices as crop arrivals were expected to pick up in a fortnight. However, they felt that it was a good year for farmers. "The opening price for the basmati 1509 variety this season is higher than the previous year. It's a good year for farmers who suffe red a loss last year due to excess production," says Priyanka Mittal, director at KRBL, which owns India Gate basmati brand.
"Once Iran opens imports of Indian basmati by November 25, we can see a further increase in prices," she says, adding traders should exert caution and not jump the market in hope of making speculative gains. Vinod Goel, a trader in Karnal Mandi of Haryana, said the 1509 basmati variety was being sold by farmers at Rs 1,750-1,900 a quintal compared at Rs 1,400 a year ago. The popular basmati variety 1121 crop was less by over 2030% than last year as farmers had gone for parmal variety.
"Farmers should be the beneficiaries this year and see an increase of 20% over the previous year. For consumers, it might be a 5% increase in prices," adds Kuber Seth, director, DCP India, which sells basmati under the Asbah brand.
Seth said farmers will not be able to get the 2014 level prices, when basmati was quoted at Rs 10,000 a quintal. "The investors' sentiment is not to buy basmati for the entire year by OctoberNovember, as we currently do, but to buy as per their demand."
India is the leading exporter of basmati rice to the global market. The country exported 4.05 million tonnes of the aromatic long grain basmati rice worth Rs 22,718.44 crore in 2015-16. Vijay Setia, former president of All India Rice Exporters' Association also added that basmati prices will be in the range of Rs 2,200-2,700 per quintal. Due to the cash crunch with Indian exporters and banks not ready to restructure loans or lend money to non-performing units, the industry was looking for government support.
"By November, we can expect basmati prices to further increase as international buying will begin and production expected to be lower than the previous year," said Sabyasachi Majumdar, senior vice-president, Indian Credit Ratings Agency.
He said domestic consumers might see a slight increase in prices and current discounts ranging from 10-20% being offered by branded players might be reduced or withdrawn.
Basmati millers and retailers said it was too early for them to speak about prices as crop arrivals were expected to pick up in a fortnight. However, they felt that it was a good year for farmers. "The opening price for the basmati 1509 variety this season is higher than the previous year. It's a good year for farmers who suffe red a loss last year due to excess production," says Priyanka Mittal, director at KRBL, which owns India Gate basmati brand.
"Once Iran opens imports of Indian basmati by November 25, we can see a further increase in prices," she says, adding traders should exert caution and not jump the market in hope of making speculative gains. Vinod Goel, a trader in Karnal Mandi of Haryana, said the 1509 basmati variety was being sold by farmers at Rs 1,750-1,900 a quintal compared at Rs 1,400 a year ago. The popular basmati variety 1121 crop was less by over 2030% than last year as farmers had gone for parmal variety.
"Farmers should be the beneficiaries this year and see an increase of 20% over the previous year. For consumers, it might be a 5% increase in prices," adds Kuber Seth, director, DCP India, which sells basmati under the Asbah brand.
Seth said farmers will not be able to get the 2014 level prices, when basmati was quoted at Rs 10,000 a quintal. "The investors' sentiment is not to buy basmati for the entire year by OctoberNovember, as we currently do, but to buy as per their demand."
India is the leading exporter of basmati rice to the global market. The country exported 4.05 million tonnes of the aromatic long grain basmati rice worth Rs 22,718.44 crore in 2015-16. Vijay Setia, former president of All India Rice Exporters' Association also added that basmati prices will be in the range of Rs 2,200-2,700 per quintal. Due to the cash crunch with Indian exporters and banks not ready to restructure loans or lend money to non-performing units, the industry was looking for government support.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/211790-sale-locally-produced-rice-increase-nigerian-farmer.html
In Africa, Vietnam's rice
exporters see a rising market
By Bui Hong Nhung
October 1, 2016 | 08:00 pm GMT+7
A man dries unhusked rice on a road in front of
his home. Photo by REUTERS/Samrang Pring. Shipments to African countries
surged while the Chinese market became more and more challenging. The
Vietnam Food Association (VFA) is planning to increase rice exports to African
countries to make up for a sharp decline in the Chinese market.
China remains the biggest buyer of Vietnamese
rice, accounting for a third of all shipments. However, exports to this market
in the first eight months fell 21.4 percent year-on-year to 1.18 million tons,
according to the agriculture ministry.Sales to some African markets, on the
other hand, increased significantly.Exports to Ghana, now the second largest
buyer of Vietnamese rice, surged nearly 37 percent to 343,000 tons during the
period. Shipments to Angola, another potential market, rose 4.6 times in volume
and 3.6 times in value.
According to VFA, Ghana’s demand for rice is
around 1.6 million tons per year and the country depends on imports to cover
more than half of that amount. Among its suppliers, Vietnam offers lower prices
than Thailand and India.
Hoang Lam, manager of Hung Lam Joint Stock
Company, one of the first Vietnamese rice companies that sell to Ghana, said
the West African nation as well as other African countries favor affordable,
medium-quality varieties. This means Vietnamese companies have good chances to
expand their market share in Africa over the next few years.VFA said it’s necessary
to turn to Africa to ease the dependence on the Chinese market, where the
management of border trade has been tightened and there’s a strong competition
from a number of suppliers.
Preliminary data from the agriculture ministry
showed that Vietnam’s rice exports fell 16.4 percent year-on-year to 3.76
million tons in the first nine months. The value also went down by 12.5 percent
to $1.69 million.
For the first time in eight years, VFA has
lowered its annual forecast for rice exports. Shipments of the whole year are
now expected to be around 5.6 million tons, compared 6.6 million tons last year.
FG
Launches CBN Rice Anchor Borrowers’ Programme In Imo
Channels Television.
Updated October 2, 2016
Updated October 2, 2016
The programme was launched on Sunday at the Imo
State International Conference Centre in Owerri, the state’s capital in
southeast Nigeria.Governor Rochas Okorocha explained that the aim was to
provide food and guarantee food security in the country.He added that the
development was also targeted at empowering the teeming unemployed youths and
create the much needed dividends of democracy to the people.Governor Okorocha
called on the people of the state, especially farmers to support the programme,
which he described as a “laudable gesture by the CBN”.He stressed the need for
Nigerians to embrace agriculture as Nigeria battles with recession, disclosing
that the sum of nine billion Naira has been earmarked to support farmers in the
state for the programme.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Water
Resources in the state, Udo Aguoha, also highlighted the benefits of the
programme.The event was witness by the Kebbi State Governor, Sen. Abubakar
Bagudu and representatives from the CBN led by the Head of Development Finance,
Mrs Nkechi Osuji.Mrs Osuji revealed that Kebbi State government had already
gotten access to 20 billion Naira credit facility on the programme.With the
support, she expressed hope that the state government would harvest at least
one million tonnes of locally made rice by the end of 2016.Governor Bagudu, on
his part, corroborated Osuji’s disclosure.e commended the Federal Government
for the intervention programme, saying it would help to cushion the effect of
the economic recession in Nigeria.The Rice Anchor Borrowers’ programme is an
initiative of the Federal Government through the CBN and its primary aim is to
provide credit facilities to rice farmers.It is targeted at encouraging local
production, reduce rice importation as well as providing food and job security
for the citizenry
10/03/16 Farm
Bureau Market Report
|
Soybeans
Riceland Foods
Soybean
Comment
Soybeans closed sharply higher
today as the market is again testing resistance near $9.76. If the market is
able to break this resistance their next objective would be to test the
September high near $9.90. There are various report that recent weakness has
spurred new international buying, so the market will be looking for
additional sales to help fuel the current rally.
While last week’s demand number
for the fourth quarter of 2015/16 were an impressive 55% above the previous
year, a production forecast of 4.2 billion bushels remains on the horizon and
is weighing on prices. Soybeans need this strong demand as more saber
rattling from China this weekend point towards more domestic support for
their soybean industry. If these supports materialize they could have a
significant impact on soybean imports longer terms as they would negatively
impact China soybean imports.
Wheat
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices failed to follow
corn and soybeans higher today. Wheat prices closed with sharp losses today
as prices fell back below support at $4. Prices remain under pressure from
negative fundamentals. While today’s export inspections beat expectations,
exports were down almost 8.8 million bu from last week. After some strong
export sales in September, the market appears less convinced the strength
will continue in the near term as the dollar is beginning to trend higher.
Wheat prices have support at $3.90, followed by support at contract lows near
$3.86.
Grain Sorghum
Corn
Corn Comment
Corn prices continue to move
higher today as prices closed at their highest level since July 20. The market continues to be
supported by strong demand in the fourth quarter of 2015/16, which was
followed up with a bullish export inspection report today. This strong demand
has temporarily changed the narrative of the market from large supplies to
strong demand. While this has pulled December corn to its highest level in almost
11-weeks, the market got a reminder of how good this year crop looks in this
afternoons crop progress report.
Cotton
Cotton
Comment
Rice prices gapped higher to
end the week on a positive note. 73% of the crop has been harvested
nation-wide, and in Arkansas 84% of the crop was in the bins as of Sunday. Export sales were 46,800 tons for
the week. November continues to have support at the low of $9.35, with
resistance near $10, but is trending higher within those confines.
Rice
Rice Comment
Rice futures posted solid gains
today. 82% of the crop has been harvested nation-wide, well ahead of the 5
year average of 69%. In Arkansas, 91% of the crop was in the bins as of Sunday, compared with a 5 year average of
74%. Export sales were 46,800 tons for the week. November's close above $10
brings resistance around $10.50 back into play.
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2016 Louisiana Rice Farmer of the Year Announced
"Just like with any job there are challenges," said Leonards. "Farming is an occupation built on faith and hard work. Every day is a new adventure. If it's in your blood, it runs deep. It's what I love. It might sound crazy, but when rice is growing, there's a certain smell. There's nothing like it."
Leonards is a member the Acadia Parish Rice Growers Association, Louisiana Rice Growers Association, Acadia Parish Farm Bureau, Louisiana Farm Bureau, and the U.S. Rice Federation, and has served on the Acadia Parish Rice and Soybean Advisory Board.
ThinkRice Social Media ContestWraps Up
ARLINGTON, VA --
During the month of September, rice growers and millers posted their best rice
images on various social media channels with the hashtag #ThinkRice as part of
a special National Rice Month contest hosted by USA Rice. After reviewing
the many captivating videos and pictures submitted by members across rice
country, USA Rice has selected Michael Bosworth as the contest winner.
Bosworth, a California grower and member of the 2015-2017 Rice Leadership Development Class, regularly posts engaging images and short videos of his rice farming operation on social media to directly communicate with consumers. His posts help tell the story of U.S. rice from farm to table, and educate the public about how their food is grown and the sustainable practices Bosworth, and other U.S. rice farmers, employ to produce a top quality crop.
"I think we are fortunate to have a consumer base that is interested in reconnecting with the farmers and ranchers who grow their food and we have a great tool in social media to help us communicate directly with them," said Bosworth. "We have an incredible opportunity to engage and educate our customers and the general public about how we grow rice and the positive impact we make as an industry on the environment and local economy."
It was an eventful National Rice Month and USA Rice's #ThinkRice Social Media Contest received remarkable images that gave special insight into what life is like for rice farmers throughout the United States. Entries ranged from sunsets on the farm, families gathering together during harvest, wildlife nestled between rows of rice, and more. All of the images from the contest can be viewed on the USA Rice Facebook page.
For winning the contest, Bosworth is receiving a complimentary registration to the 2016 USA Rice Outlook Conference that will be held December 7-9 in Memphis, Tennessee. Registration for the event is now open!
Bosworth, a California grower and member of the 2015-2017 Rice Leadership Development Class, regularly posts engaging images and short videos of his rice farming operation on social media to directly communicate with consumers. His posts help tell the story of U.S. rice from farm to table, and educate the public about how their food is grown and the sustainable practices Bosworth, and other U.S. rice farmers, employ to produce a top quality crop.
"I think we are fortunate to have a consumer base that is interested in reconnecting with the farmers and ranchers who grow their food and we have a great tool in social media to help us communicate directly with them," said Bosworth. "We have an incredible opportunity to engage and educate our customers and the general public about how we grow rice and the positive impact we make as an industry on the environment and local economy."
It was an eventful National Rice Month and USA Rice's #ThinkRice Social Media Contest received remarkable images that gave special insight into what life is like for rice farmers throughout the United States. Entries ranged from sunsets on the farm, families gathering together during harvest, wildlife nestled between rows of rice, and more. All of the images from the contest can be viewed on the USA Rice Facebook page.
For winning the contest, Bosworth is receiving a complimentary registration to the 2016 USA Rice Outlook Conference that will be held December 7-9 in Memphis, Tennessee. Registration for the event is now open!
Rice Prices
Share
as on :
03-10-2016 08:10:26 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
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Arrivals
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Price
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change |
Season
cumulative |
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Rice
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Baxirhat(WB)
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220.00
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-2.22
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1405.00
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2400
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2400
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-
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Mathabhanga(WB)
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110.00
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10
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5890.00
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2450
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2450
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25.64
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Saharanpur(UP)
|
63.00
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-7.35
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4911.00
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2260
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2280
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4.63
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Beldanga(WB)
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50.00
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NC
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2924.00
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2450
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2450
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5.38
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Kondotty(Ker)
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25.00
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NC
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175.00
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2500
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2600
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-10.71
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Giridih(Jha)
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12.58
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NC
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270.90
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3500
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3500
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NC
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Nilagiri(Ori)
|
10.00
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NC
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498.00
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2300
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2300
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NC
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North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
9.80
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-43.02
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1716.50
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1900
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1900
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NC
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Muradabad(UP)
|
7.00
|
-50
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480.70
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2420
|
2380
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11.01
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Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
5.90
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-16.9
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1504.40
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2450
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2450
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-
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Jeypore(Ori)
|
5.50
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-21.43
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174.90
|
4100
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4200
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26.15
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Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
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5.00
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66.67
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174.90
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4100
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4200
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-3.53
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Karimpur(WB)
|
3.00
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NC
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100.00
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3150
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3150
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NC
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http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9179649.ece
Want Cleaner
Rice Paddies? Find a Flock of Ducks
Farmers in China, Japan, Iran, and France are
beginning to return to ancient methods of rice farming using more birds and
fewer pesticides.
RELATED STORIES
View Images
Ducks patrol rice paddies in Nigata, Japan for bugs and weeds.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JTB MEDIA CREATION, INC./ALAMY
By Coco Liu
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 3, 2016
At 6 o’clock in a recent summer morning, Tang
Zhengqing is already on his way out, with seven ducks waddling in front of him.
They walk in pouring rain, cross bridges and streams, and slip on muddy roads
for nearly 20 minutes. The destination? Rice paddies several kilometers away.
Rain or shine, Tang has followed this routine
for three years. “In the past, I didn’t care where my ducks would be; But now I
want to make sure they all go to my rice paddies,” the 60-year-old says, while
leading the ducks to the right track with a bamboo stick.
Tang’s ducks carry a special mission—They
guard crops from insect attacks and are responsible for weeding. With ducks
tearing up weeds, preying on pests and leaving their manure behind as organic
plant food, rice growers like Tang can eliminate the need for artificial
fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.
This technique—known as integrated rice-duck
farming—is not entirely new. Growing ducks and rice together in irrigated paddy
fields was documented in China some 600 years ago, and Chinese farmers
practiced it for centuries until they were lured away by quick fixes like
synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and chemical pesticides. But as the use of
industrial technologies has posed a growing
threat to the
environment in recent years, some farmers have turned to ancient wisdom to feed
the world’s hungry.
Takao Furuno, a Japanese farmer, wrote a
step-by-step guidebookteaching
how to steer away from chemical-dependent rice production by embracing the
power of ducks in modern times. Across Asia, tens of thousands of rice growers
follow suit, so do villagers in France and Iran.
Such practice has also inspired professionals in other fields: Winemakers in South
Africa, for instance, have hired an army of 800
Indian runner ducks to
patrol their vineyards.
And in the small southern Chinese village of
Xiangyang, the journey to revive integrated rice-duck farming began with a
man’s burning desire for high-quality food.
Liu Shangwen, a 37-year-old
environmentalist-turned-entrepreneur, came up with the idea of producing
high-quality food in 2012, shortly after his initial business approach—building
a platform to sell such food—failed because of a lack of supply. A fan of
China’s ancient farming history, he began searching for clues from the past that
might help.
“Rice is a staple food in China, and I’ve
heard of enlisting ducks to produce organic rice from my previous work,”
explains Liu. To bring the practice back to life, Liu and his team researched
ancient literature and reached out to university professors for advice. It
turned out the best teachers for such technique are actually the people they
wanted to teach—farmers themselves.
“Back in the 1970s, there were no chemical
pesticides and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in the village,” says Tang, one
of the first participants in Liu’s rice-duck farming program. Tang said his
family used to enrich the soil with composts and make pesticides out of herbs.
“Ducks also helped a lot, by eating or crushing snails. At that time, insect
attacks were barely a concern,” he recalled.
For Tang and other villagers who lived through
that period, the introduction of the integrated rice-duck farming simply means
going back to the tradition. Weeks-old chicks are let loose as the farmers
begin to plant rice. They swim and waddle on the waterlogged arena, bumping and
tweaking the plants. All the rocking and rolling help produce healthy grains,
Tang says. And when the crops begin bearing fruit, it’s time to keep ducks
away, for the reason that the once loyal guards of rice paddies will soon
become thieves.
Although the villagers have inherited most of
the technical know-hows from their ancestors, there were many learning moments,
too. Some farmers reported ducklings damaging the young crops. Others lost
ducks to weasels and street dogs.
Still, the use of the integrated rice-duck
farming has grown in popularity. Liu said when he rolled the program out in
2012, only seven farmers took part. Now, the number of participants has climbed
to more than 50, with many more on the waiting list.
Most farmers have chosen this technique
because the produced rice can be sold at higher prices. Liu’s company,
Guangzhou-based Rice Harmony, brands the rice as eco-conscious and targets
families and restaurants in the Pearl River Delta in southern China where the
emerging middle class has stronger purchasing power and more awareness of
environmental concerns and the food supply. It is not yet available out of
China.
Integrating ducks into rice farming has also
helped farmers cope with the impacts of climate change. Temperatures in the
hilly region of Xiangyang have increased in recent years, and so have the
number of insect attacks. In 2013, a rice grower not far from Tang’s field lost
two-thirds of yields to pests, despite the intensive use of chemical
pesticides. In contrast, “insect attacks did not bother me at all,” Tang said,
adding that his ducks did a really good job in spotting and killing the pests,
with little help from biopesticides.
This year, Tang launched a fledgling movement
that aims to change farmers’ attachment to pesticides. By completely stopping
pesticide use in his own rice paddies, Tang wants to demonstrate how capable
ducks are. While it is too early to know if the approach will work, he says the
reduction in using pesticides have already made a difference.
“We didn’t see egrets in the village for more
than ten years, but now some are coming back,” Tang says, pointing out an egret
nearby. “The use of toxic chemicals has scared them away,” he continues. “But
as we spray less pesticides, more birds return. I recently even saw pheasants
in my rice paddies.”
Tang believes other wildlife will also return
eventually. “The environment will change as people change, and people in this
village are changing,” Tang says, his words echoed by “Quack-quack-quack” from
ducks in his field.
Coco Liu is an award-winning journalist
writing most often about energy and climate change. She is based in Hong Kong
and has reported widely from across Asia. Coco loves changemakers and
solution-oriented stories
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/09/want-cleaner-rice-paddies--consider-ducks/
Direct market available for
Ilonggo rice farmers
Monday, October 03, 2016
By
TWO famers’ groups in Iloilo will surely get a fair market value
of their palay produce after signing an agreement with local millers and
traders in ensuring long-term marketing agreement.
The memorandum of agreement signing was held September 29 after
the province of Iloilo was identified as a site in the country for the
implementation of Better Rice Initiatives Asia-Fostering Agriculture and Rice
Marketing by Improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (Bria-Farmers) project
supported by the agriculture department, Agricultural Training Institute,
Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit.
The parties agreed on setting quality control standards of palay
with 28 percent moisture content during wet cropping season, and 25 percent
moisture content during the dry season, guaranteed price of at least P0.50 per
kilogram higher than the prevailing market price, and among other matters which
are beneficial to the members of the farmers’ associations and the rice millers
and traders.
The first component of the project known as Better Rice
Production has concluded in October last year.
Other Bria sites are in Southern Leyte and Aurora, Quezon. Six
towns in Iloilo are included in the project implementation namely: Leganes,
Mina, Oton, Pototan, Sta. Barbara and Zarraga.
During the project launching, farmer Lupo Señolay, chairman of
the Lapayon Farmers’ Association, signed the MOA with Glicerio Gallos Jr., rice
miller and trader based in Guihaman, Leganes, while Inocencio Sta. Cruz,
chairman of Bangga Dawis Farmers’ Association inked the same deal with
Department of Agriculture Regional Technical Director Manuel Olanday as the
Chairman of the Iloilo Rice Processing Complex Management Board.
As the next one, the Better Market Linkage component aims to
discover options for direct marketing channels for rice and by-products and
facilitate the formation of farmer organizations and access to market price
information for the farmers
Pinoy farmers not ready for
lifting of WTO rice import limits — Agri Chief
Published October 4, 2016 11:59am
By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News
The Philippines is not ready to have the rice importation quota
lifted, considering that Filipino farmers must be prepared for such an eventuality,
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said Tuesday.
"I disagree with the view that will lift the QR (quantitative restriction) at this point in time, because the Filipino farmer is not prepared," Piñol told a Senate hearing on the department's proposed budget for 2017.
The government plans to lift the QR on rice importation, which is supposedly good for the economy. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/580359/money/economy/removing-rice-importation-quota-good-for-economy-neda-official
The QR has been in place since the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, capping the amount of Philippine rice imports.
The country has a minimum access volume (MAV) of 805,000 metric tons (MT). The MAV is "the volume of a specific agricultural product that is allowed to be imported with a lower tariff as committed by the Philippines to the WTO under the Uruguay Round Final Act.
Of the total volume, 755,000MT is country-specific with Vietnam and Thailand accounting for the bulk while 50,000 MT is omnibus volume which may be imported from other sources.
The MAV carries a 40 percent tax, while imported rice exceeding the quote is taxed at 50 percent.
These were the conditions approved by the WTO in 2014, when the Philippines able to extend its QR to July 2017.
Removing the QR at this point would have a negative impact on the livelihood of rice farmers, Piñol noted. "Ang problema, pag nasaktaan ang mga Filipino farmers at umayaw sa farming, there will come a time when the country will be vulnerable to the manipulations of top rice-importing countries."
The Cabinet official said he need to prepare the rice farmers until 2019. "Hindi naman ako nagmamadali pero bigyan niyo naman ako ng dalawang taon. Give me two years before you lift the QR."
For her part, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Cynthia Villar said Piñol must renegotiate the terms with the WTO, considering that the QR is set to expire July next year
"I disagree with the view that will lift the QR (quantitative restriction) at this point in time, because the Filipino farmer is not prepared," Piñol told a Senate hearing on the department's proposed budget for 2017.
The government plans to lift the QR on rice importation, which is supposedly good for the economy. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/580359/money/economy/removing-rice-importation-quota-good-for-economy-neda-official
The QR has been in place since the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, capping the amount of Philippine rice imports.
The country has a minimum access volume (MAV) of 805,000 metric tons (MT). The MAV is "the volume of a specific agricultural product that is allowed to be imported with a lower tariff as committed by the Philippines to the WTO under the Uruguay Round Final Act.
Of the total volume, 755,000MT is country-specific with Vietnam and Thailand accounting for the bulk while 50,000 MT is omnibus volume which may be imported from other sources.
The MAV carries a 40 percent tax, while imported rice exceeding the quote is taxed at 50 percent.
These were the conditions approved by the WTO in 2014, when the Philippines able to extend its QR to July 2017.
Removing the QR at this point would have a negative impact on the livelihood of rice farmers, Piñol noted. "Ang problema, pag nasaktaan ang mga Filipino farmers at umayaw sa farming, there will come a time when the country will be vulnerable to the manipulations of top rice-importing countries."
The Cabinet official said he need to prepare the rice farmers until 2019. "Hindi naman ako nagmamadali pero bigyan niyo naman ako ng dalawang taon. Give me two years before you lift the QR."
For her part, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Cynthia Villar said Piñol must renegotiate the terms with the WTO, considering that the QR is set to expire July next year
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/583693/money/economy/pinoy-farmers-not-ready-for-lifting-of-wto-rice-import-limits-agri-chief#sthash.S80fEgi2.dpuf
Commodity
Report Oct. 3
Published October 3, 2016
Today’s commodity report: National Weekly Rice Summary, California Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report and other commodity end of the day market numbers.
The October & November 2016 Class
2, 3 and September 2016 Class 4a, 4b priceshave been posted on the
CDFA website.
National Weekly
Rice Summary
In California, medium grain
milled rice prices steady. Second head and Brewers prices steady. Rice
by-products: Rice Bran prices steady to firm as supplies are limited; rice
hulls prices steady to weak due to competing commodities in same market.
CME Rough Rice settlements for
Friday 30th, Nov 16 closed .115 higher at 9.885; Jan 17 closed .115 higher at
10.125; Mar 17 closed .115 higher at 10.36. US dollar index on Friday settled
at 95.42.
California
Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report
Benchmark prices are 14 cents
lower for Jumbo, 6 cents lower for Extra Large and Large and 2 cents higher for
Medium and Small. Trade sentiment is steady to lower. Offerings and supplies
are moderate. Demand is light to moderate. Market activity is slow. Small
benchmark price 66 cents.
Shell egg marketer’s benchmark
price for negotiated egg sales of USDA Grade AA and Grade AA in cartons, cents
per dozen. This price does not reflect discounts or other contract terms.
|
RANGE
|
|
|
JUMBO
|
126
|
|
EXTRA LARGE
|
110
|
|
LARGE
|
115
|
|
MEDIUM
|
86
|
Shell Eggs:
Daily National Egg Market
***No Report Available***
Today’s
Commodity Market ending market numbers:
Corn
December Corn ended at $3.46 gaining 9 1/4 cents, March ended at $3.55 3/4 up 9 1/4 cents.
Soybeans
November Soybeans ended at 9.73 increasing 19 cents, January ended at 9.78 gaining 18 3/4 cents.
Wheat
December Wheat ended at $3.95 1/2 down 6 1/2 cents, March ended at $4.17 1/4, decreasing 7 1/2 cents.
Rough Rice
November Rough Rice ended at 10.065 gaining 0.18, January ended at 10.305 up 0.18.
Live Cattle
October Feeder Cattle ended at $98.925 gaining $0.025 and December ended at $99.975 losing $0.15 and February ended at $100.375 decreasing $0.225.
Feeder Cattle
October Feeder Cattle ended at $124.325 gaining $1.175 and November ended at $119.425 decreasing $0.225 and January ended at $116.025 down $0.80.
Lean Hogs
October Lean Hogs ended at $48.925 down $0.10, December ended at $44.175 gaining $0.20.
Class III Milk
October Class III Milk ended at $15.16 losing $0.05, November ended at $15.45 down $0.18, December ended at $15.37 decreasing $0.13.
#2 Cotton
December #2 Cotton ended at 68.52 up 0.44, March ending at 69.01 gaining 0.47.
Sugar #11
March sugar #11 ended at 22.67 decreasing $0.33, May ended at 21.95 down $0.21.
Orange Juice
November Orange Juice ending at 196.90 down $8.10, January ended at 195.10 losing $8.05.
December Corn ended at $3.46 gaining 9 1/4 cents, March ended at $3.55 3/4 up 9 1/4 cents.
Soybeans
November Soybeans ended at 9.73 increasing 19 cents, January ended at 9.78 gaining 18 3/4 cents.
Wheat
December Wheat ended at $3.95 1/2 down 6 1/2 cents, March ended at $4.17 1/4, decreasing 7 1/2 cents.
Rough Rice
November Rough Rice ended at 10.065 gaining 0.18, January ended at 10.305 up 0.18.
Live Cattle
October Feeder Cattle ended at $98.925 gaining $0.025 and December ended at $99.975 losing $0.15 and February ended at $100.375 decreasing $0.225.
Feeder Cattle
October Feeder Cattle ended at $124.325 gaining $1.175 and November ended at $119.425 decreasing $0.225 and January ended at $116.025 down $0.80.
Lean Hogs
October Lean Hogs ended at $48.925 down $0.10, December ended at $44.175 gaining $0.20.
Class III Milk
October Class III Milk ended at $15.16 losing $0.05, November ended at $15.45 down $0.18, December ended at $15.37 decreasing $0.13.
#2 Cotton
December #2 Cotton ended at 68.52 up 0.44, March ending at 69.01 gaining 0.47.
Sugar #11
March sugar #11 ended at 22.67 decreasing $0.33, May ended at 21.95 down $0.21.
Orange Juice
November Orange Juice ending at 196.90 down $8.10, January ended at 195.10 losing $8.05.
http://agnetwest.com/2016/10/03/commodity-report-oct-3/
Rice Seed
Market in United State research report and Design Guidelines Overview
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016 - 360 Market Updates
The Rice Seed Market research report is a professional and in-depth study on the
current state of the Rice Seed industry.
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provides a basic overview of the Rice Seed market including definitions,
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history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.
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thoroughly with respect to three points, viz. raw material and suppliers,
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After the basic information, the
Rice Seed market report sheds light on the production. Production plants, their
capacities, production and revenue are studied. Also, the Rice Seed market
growth in various regions and R&D status are also covered.
Top Key players of Rice Seed
Market:
·
Dupont
·
Bayer
·
NUZIVEEDU
·
Kaveri
·
Mahyco
·
RiceTec
·
Krishidhan
·
Rasi Seeds
·
JK seeds
·
Syngenta
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Further in the report, the Rice
Seed market is examined for price, cost and gross. These three points are
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price is for various types, applications and region is also included. The Rice
Seed Industry for major regions is given. Additionally, type wise and
application wise figures are also given.
Import and Export Data of Rice
Seed Market Report by Countries:
·
North America
·
China
·
Europe
·
Japan
·
Southeast Asia
·
India
Development policies and plans
are also discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Rice
Seed market report also states import/export, supply and figures as well as
cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and
Japan), and other regions can be added.
Then, Rice Seed market report
focuses on major leading industry players with information such as company
profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost,
revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, and downstream
consumer’s analysis is also carried out. What’s more, the Rice Seed industry
development trends and marketing channels are analysed.
For each player, product details,
capacity, price, cost, gross and revenue numbers are given. Their contact
information is provided for better understanding.
Finally, the feasibility of new investment
projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. In a word,
the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a
valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals
interested in the market.
In this Rice Seed market research
report traders and distributors analysis is given along with contact details.
For material and suppliers also, contact details are given. New investment
feasibility analysis is included in the report.
No. of Report pages:132
Price of Report: $3800
For Pre-Order Enquiry on Rice Seed market, Ask@ http://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/10303922
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360 market Updates is the credible source for gaining the market research reports that will exponentially accelerate your business. We are among the leading report resellers in the business world committed towards optimizing your business. The reports we provide are based on a research that covers a magnitude of factors such as technological evolution, economic shifts and a detailed study of market segments.
360 market Updates is the credible source for gaining the market research reports that will exponentially accelerate your business. We are among the leading report resellers in the business world committed towards optimizing your business. The reports we provide are based on a research that covers a magnitude of factors such as technological evolution, economic shifts and a detailed study of market segments.
http://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/122312/rice-seed-market-in-united-state-research-report-and-design-guidelines-overview
Swiss group
opens rice machinery plant
·
SHARE :
·
·
·
Switzerland’s
Buhler Group opened a factory to manufacture rice-processing machinery at the
Long Hau-Hoa Binh Industrial Park in Long An province, Vietnam, last week.
The 10,000-square-metre factory employs more than 200 workers.
Vietnamese milled-rice production is expected to hit 50 million tonnes this year, with more than 5,000 processors operating in the country, making it the fourth-largest rice-producing country in the world, according to Buhler's figures.
The new factory is expected to help rice processors make products of higher quality that meet export standards, strengthening Vietnam's position in the international market and enabling it to face competition from Thai and Cambodian rice producers, Buhler said in a press release.
Vietnamese milled-rice production is expected to hit 50 million tonnes this year, with more than 5,000 processors operating in the country, making it the fourth-largest rice-producing country in the world, according to Buhler's figures.
The new factory is expected to help rice processors make products of higher quality that meet export standards, strengthening Vietnam's position in the international market and enabling it to face competition from Thai and Cambodian rice producers, Buhler said in a press release.
Demand for rice-processing solutions that enable processors to
improve their rice quality to meet export requirements while enhancing food
safety and quality standards for domestic consumption has never been greater,
said Rustom Mistry, chairman and managing director of Buhler Vietnam. -Viet Nam
News
Developer set to install
railway corridor posts
Giant Rail Company on Friday signed a contract with a Laotian company to install railway-route corridor posts for a planned line linking the country's central province of Savannakhet to the Vietnamese border.
The move is one step closer to the start of construction of the 220-kilometre railway to be built by Malaysian investor Giant Consolidated Ltd, which is |expected to cost US$5.5 billion |to $6 billion.
The installation of corridor posts along the proposed railway, which includes 11 mixed-development zones on 4,100 hectares |of land along the route in Savannakhet, is expected to |be completed within three |months from the beginning |of October.
Speaking during the signing |ceremony, Malaysian Ambassador Than Tai Hing, who is to |complete his mission in Laos in coming months, said this |project had the full support of the government of Malaysia.
He said he hoped to see physical construction of the project begin soon. - Vientiane Times
Borgward delivers
car for sale in Laos
German automaker Borgward Group on Friday launched the Borgward BX7 at the "Vientiane International Motor Expo", with Laos the first Asean country to have the new vehicle.
The company plans to expand sales of the sport-utility vehicle throughout Laos in 2018, with a focus on the main provinces, and is targeting the middle- and upper-income group of customers.
The company is offering the SUV at a special price during the promotion period and many |customers have already |made bookings, it says. |- Vientiane Times
Developer set to install
railway corridor posts
Giant Rail Company on Friday signed a contract with a Laotian company to install railway-route corridor posts for a planned line linking the country's central province of Savannakhet to the Vietnamese border.
The move is one step closer to the start of construction of the 220-kilometre railway to be built by Malaysian investor Giant Consolidated Ltd, which is |expected to cost US$5.5 billion |to $6 billion.
The installation of corridor posts along the proposed railway, which includes 11 mixed-development zones on 4,100 hectares |of land along the route in Savannakhet, is expected to |be completed within three |months from the beginning |of October.
Speaking during the signing |ceremony, Malaysian Ambassador Than Tai Hing, who is to |complete his mission in Laos in coming months, said this |project had the full support of the government of Malaysia.
He said he hoped to see physical construction of the project begin soon. - Vientiane Times
Borgward delivers
car for sale in Laos
German automaker Borgward Group on Friday launched the Borgward BX7 at the "Vientiane International Motor Expo", with Laos the first Asean country to have the new vehicle.
The company plans to expand sales of the sport-utility vehicle throughout Laos in 2018, with a focus on the main provinces, and is targeting the middle- and upper-income group of customers.
The company is offering the SUV at a special price during the promotion period and many |customers have already |made bookings, it says. |- Vientiane Times
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/asean&beyon/Swiss-group-opens-rice-machinery-plant-30296785.html
Direct market available for
Ilonggo rice farmers
Monday, October 03, 2016
By
TWO famers’ groups in Iloilo will surely get a fair market value
of their palay produce after signing an agreement with local millers and
traders in ensuring long-term marketing agreement.
The memorandum of agreement signing was held September 29 after
the province of Iloilo was identified as a site in the country for the
implementation of Better Rice Initiatives Asia-Fostering Agriculture and Rice
Marketing by Improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (Bria-Farmers)
project supported by the agriculture department, Agricultural Training
Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit.
The parties agreed on setting quality control standards of palay
with 28 percent moisture content during wet cropping season, and 25 percent
moisture content during the dry season, guaranteed price of at least P0.50 per
kilogram higher than the prevailing market price, and among other matters which
are beneficial to the members of the farmers’ associations and the rice millers
and traders.
The first component of the project known as Better Rice
Production has concluded in October last year.
Other Bria sites are in Southern Leyte and Aurora, Quezon. Six
towns in Iloilo are included in the project implementation namely: Leganes,
Mina, Oton, Pototan, Sta. Barbara and Zarraga.
During the project launching, farmer Lupo Señolay, chairman of
the Lapayon Farmers’ Association, signed the MOA with Glicerio Gallos Jr., rice
miller and trader based in Guihaman, Leganes, while Inocencio Sta. Cruz,
chairman of Bangga Dawis Farmers’ Association inked the same deal with
Department of Agriculture Regional Technical Director Manuel Olanday as the
Chairman of the Iloilo Rice Processing Complex Management Board.
As the next one, the Better Market Linkage component aims to
discover options for direct marketing channels for rice and by-products and
facilitate the formation of farmer organizations and access to market price
information for the farmers
Sha studies rice breeding in
Stuttgart
HIDE
CAPTION
Xueyan Sha is a rice breeder at Stuttgart's University of
Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center.
Photo Submitted
Monday
Posted
Oct 3, 2016 at 3:11 PM
Share
By Dawn Teer / Stuttgart Daily Leader
Editor's Note: This is the third
Q&A article featuring local scientists and research from Stuttgart's
University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center.
Education: Ph.D. Louisiana State University (LSU)
Field of study or expertise: Rice breeding
Hometown: Sha says Crowley, Louisiana is his adopted hometown while
Suzhou, China is his original hometown
Related content
Indonesia learns valuable rice research, other topics
through Stuttgart scientists
September 28, 2016
Hardke talks being a rice agronomist, helping farmers
with production
September 26, 2016
Assistant Professor Ehsan Shakiba studies breeding,
genetics in Stuttgart
September 21, 2016
Family: Wife, Xue Jin; daughter, Rebecca and; son, Devin
When did you become interested in rice research?
Childhood, because my home was
surrounded by rice paddy fields.
What courses did you take that steered you into the field that
became your career?
Back then, agricultural science was
among the least competitive majors to get accepted in college admission.
However, I fell in love with the plant genetics and breeding during college and
did well in coursework. After I obtained my masters degree in plant genetics
and breeding in 1987, I was offered a lecturer job at the same Chinese
university doing both teaching and research. After seven years, I felt that I
needed to shape my skills in plant pathology in order to attack the devastating
rice diseases through breeding. That landed me at LSU for a Ph.D. degree in
plant health, which I finished in 1999. After spending 18 years in Louisiana,
including 12 years as a rice breeder at LSU, I joined the University of
Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center (UARREC) in 2012.
What do you do at UARREC?
I am a rice breeder, breeding for
new rice cultivars.
What are you currently working on or developing? And why?
New and improved medium-grain, semi
dwarf, long-grain and hybrid rice varieties with good yield potential, superior
quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress.
What research that you have done has been able to help the
average rice farmer?
The medium-grain variety Jupiter,
which I released at LSU has been widely grown by Arkansas rice growers in last
five years. Aromatic variety Jazzman-2 and Della-2 are also grown in Arkansas
on limited acreage.
What are some of the research differences between what you do
and the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center?
While Dale Bumpers National Rice
Research Center focused on germplasm preservation and characterization, we are
working on the new varieties to help Arkansas rice growers to improve their
bottom line — increased productivity and profitability.
What are some of the collaborations with DBNRRC?
Maintain and improve the standard
cooking quality of United States rice and incorporate the novel resistance
genes from world collection into Arkansas rice.
What would people be surprised to learn about your job and what
you do?
The Kellogg’s rice cereal bars and
snacks are processed by using the medium-grain rice created by my research
program.
Do you have a support staff that assists you in your research?
Who are they and what do they do?
I am fortunate to have a
professional, dedicated and hard-working team, which includes research
associate Tony Beaty, Jill Bulloch and Jared Williams along with part-time
research assistants Emily Carr and Jennifer Clemons. They conduct the daily
operation of my program including planting, research field management,
harvesting, crossing, seed cleaning/inventory/package, sample milling,
greenhouse management, winter nursery selection/harvesting and equipment
maintenance/modification. It is a year-round job to keep the program running
effectively and efficiently
