Sri Lanka to import rice from India, Pakistan
Xinhua News Agency |
Fri,2017-01-06 Colombo, Jan. 6
(Xinhua) -- Ahead of expected crop failure, Sri Lanka will complete the tender
process within the next couple of weeks to import rice from India or Pakistan,
an official said on Friday.Rice is the staple of food of the island nation. The
country has been self-sufficient in rice cultivation over the years. However,
insufficient rainfall in the latest season has resulted in reduced cultivation.
Rural Industries Minister P. Harrison told Xinhua Friday the available stocks would be sufficient till April, this year, and therefore the government would import rice from India to replenish stocks.
"We will remove restriction on rice imports by the private sector. We will regulate the prices of imported rice. Otherwise, local mill operators will try to monopolize the market," said. Enditem
Rural Industries Minister P. Harrison told Xinhua Friday the available stocks would be sufficient till April, this year, and therefore the government would import rice from India to replenish stocks.
"We will remove restriction on rice imports by the private sector. We will regulate the prices of imported rice. Otherwise, local mill operators will try to monopolize the market," said. Enditem
http://en.apdnews.com/xin-hua/564529.html
Sri Lanka reduces import taxes on rice as prices escalate
Fri, Jan 6, 2017, 11:05 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Fri, Jan 6, 2017, 11:05 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
The concession will apply for the imports of Samba, Naadu and
Red rice. The tax concession will not apply for the imports of Basmati rice.The
government recently instructed the Cooperatives Wholesale Establishment (CWE)
under Ministry of Industry and Commerce to buy 20,000 metric tons of paddy
(both White rice and Nadu) from the Paddy Marketing Board immediately and
release the paddy to millers. The government also has decided to import 10,000
Metric tons of rice.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_17A/Jan06_1483724113CH.php
Procurement of paddy begins in Hailakandi
From A Correspondent
Hailakandi, Jan.6: For the first time ever the
procurement of paddy by Food Corporation of India (FCI) from farmers of
Hailakandi district began ceremonially on Thursday.The ceremonial procurement
kicked off at the Deputy Commissioner’s office following a meeting by Deputy
Commissioner Moloy Bora with officials of FCI, Food and Civil Supplies and
Consumer Affairs, Agriculture, farmers and rice millers.
FCI officials said the Government policy of
procurement of foodgrains is to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers
and also to ensure effective market intervention thereby keeping the prices
under check and adding to the overall food security.The FCI officials said the
procurement by ensuring price support is taken up mainly to ensure reasonable
price to the farmers for their produce which acts as an incentive for achieving
better production.
The FCI officials further pointed out that the
MSP for procurement apart from other factors takes into consideration the cost
of various agricultural inputs and to ensure reasonable margin for the farmers
for their produce. Deputy Commissioner Bora said procurement of rice by FCI
will help to stop distress selling by farmers and ensure sufficient rice stocks
in the Central pool. The rice procured from farmers of the district will be
stored at the FCI depot at Lala. The procurement process will continue till
March 31, 2017.
Earlier in June, the Government had hiked the
MSP of paddy by Rs 60 to Rs 1470 per quintal for the 2016-2017 season. Deputy
Commissioner Bora felicitated two farmers namely Nizamuddin Mazumdar of
Kanchanpur 1 and Bikash Dey of Rajeswarpur 1 from whom FCI procured paddy.
Reduction in rice imports through better
irrigation systems
pushed Friday, January 06, 2017 By
ERWIN P. NICAVERA BAGO CITY
National Irrigation Administration
(NIA) head Peter Laviña on Thursday said improving the irrigation systems along
with other agricultural support will hugely contribute to the reduction of the
country's rice importation. Laviña, who was in this city on Thursday for the Regional
Conference Meeting at the NIA-Negros Island Region (NIR) Office, said the
country's current average rice production wastage is about 15 percent. He added
that with better irrigation systems and efficient delivery of various
support-projects like postharvest, milling and storage facilities, the rice
sector can save at least five percent of the total wastage.
The five percent savings will
translate to about 600, 000 metric tons of rice. It is already half of about
one million metric tons importation of the country, the NIA administrator said.
"These can be attained by just improving the irrigation systems plus
efficiency in the delivery of other services by the Department of Agriculture
and its attached agencies," Laviña said, adding that improving does not
include yet the expansion of production areas. Aside from its free irrigation
program, NIA is also banking on its three other point agenda, including the
increase of the country's irrigated land areas. Its records showed that of the
total land area in the Philippines, only 57 percent is irrigated. Laviña said
that increasing the irrigated areas will help rice farmers improve their
production, which will then result to an increase in the country's 97 percent
rice self-sufficiency rating.
"If we are able to fully achieve the rice
self-sufficiency target, hopefully we can also achieve zero importation during
the term of President Rodrigo Duterte," he added. Reduction in rice
importation is also seen to benefit the country through savings. The NIA chief
said that the P370-billion fund needed for the 10-year master plan of the
agency can be taken from the P400-billion savings from rice import reduction.
The NIA is also pushing for corporate rice farming due to its "economy of
scale" advantage, he added. "By gathering small land holdings, under
one management we can actually develop about 200 hectares in cheaper cost of
production," Laviña further said
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/business/2017/01/06/reduction-rice-imports-through-better-irrigation-systems-pushed-518616
DA, IRRI join
forces to boost rice output
The
Department of Agriculture is strengthening a joint program with the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to increase productivity in rice
farms.Agriculture Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste said in a joint
statement the partnership with IRRI was crucial in developing a national strategy
for rice farming and uplifting the lives of Filipino farmers.
Laciste, who
is also deputy director of the DA’s national rice program, said local farmers
needed to produce palay at a minimum of seven tons a hectare at P7 a kilogram,
in order to be competitive.Currently, the productivity of rice farms nationwide
is pegged at an average of 3.9 tons per hectare at a cost of about P12 per
kilo.
Farmers in
neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam—both among the world’s largest
exporters of rice —produce at an equivalent of just about P6 a kilo, thanks
partly to government subsidies.
Economists,
both in the academe and at state-run think tank Philippine Institute for
Development Studies, have raised the alarm about farmers losing out to lower-priced
imports when import curbs are removed by the middle of this year.
The DA is
pushing for the implementation of such curbs —through quantitative
restrictions, a special mechanism approved by the World Trade Organization that
will expire on June 30—by at least two more years to help the local industry be
better-prepared for competition.
“We have
plenty of work to do pertaining to rice,” Laciste said.Collaboration between
the DA and IRRI include projects that use the latest technology and scientific
knowledge in rice production such as the web-based decision support tool for
precision farming called Rice Crop Manager, and satellite-based rice
forecasting and monitoring system called Philippine Rice Information System.
There are
also the Green Super Rice program that promotes climate-smart varieties;
Heirloom Rice Project; the irrigation management tool called WateRice;
mechanized seeding and improved postharvest storage systems such as the solar
bubble dryer; as well as Project IPaD and IRRI Education that build a new base
of community extension officers
https://business.inquirer.net/222534/da-irri-join-forces-boost-rice-output
Ministry abolishes rice export control
regulations
Rice bags are loaded aboard for export (Photo:
SGGP)
The plan limits the number of rice export
companies at 150 and provinces and cities permitted to build warehouses and
rice milling plants at 20 and regulate targets on rice export achievements.
The abolishment aims to irradiate regulations
unsuitable with the Investment Law 2014, contributing to business environment
transparence and facilitating businesses’ investment in the field to increase
rice consumption for farmers.
By Thu Trung – Translated by Hai Mi
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2017/1/122516/
No Rice Imports Needed for 2017:
Jokowii
Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said Indonesia will not
import medium quality rice this year citing production and stocks of rice in
the country as sufficient.
Latest government estimates put
rice production at 44.3 million tons and consumption at 33.3 million tons in
2016, leaving the country with a surplus.Data from national procurement agency
Bulog earlier this year showed Indonesia's rice stock at 1.73 million tons,
more than double last year's reserve of 800,000 tons."I am grateful and
glad that rice ... is stable. If our stock is large, [speculators] would
restrain from raising prices," Jokowi said on Thursday (05/01).
The president said rice import
permits this year would only be given to premium quality or specialty rice.
Last year, the country imported 1.2 million tons of premium and medium quality
rice to honor contracts made in the previous years.
In 2017 however, the government
has declined offers from four world rice producers — Pakistan, India,
Myanmar and Cambodia — to supply rice for Indonesia."I told them that we do
not need to import rice because we have enough reserve," said Trade
Minister Enggartiasto Lukita.Jokowi also projected Indonesia would not need to
import corn this year. The country's corn import drop to 900,000 tons last
year, compared to annual average of 3.2 million in the previous years.
"If local corn production
continue to increase, I am confident that we no longer need to import
corn," Jokowi said.Indonesian rice consumption is among the highest in the
world, with each person consuming 114 kilogram every year. That compares to
Vietnamese, who consumes 191 kilogram, Thais (147 kilogram), India (78
kilogram) and China (75 kilogram), according to data compiled
by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
http://jakartaglobe.id/business/not-rice-imports-needed-2017-jokowi/
Iran booster shot likely to raise
realisation to $800 per tonne from basmati exports this fiscal
After a
sluggish beginning in the first half of the current fiscal, realisation from
India’s basmati rice exports is likely to rise in the next couple of months,
with Iran likely to resume rice imports shortly.
|
|
|
Official sources told FE that the realisation from the exports of
aromatic and long-grain rice rose to 0 a tonne last month from 0 a tonne
prevailing in the last couple of months. (Source: IE)
After a sluggish beginning in the first half of the current
fiscal, realisation from India’s basmati rice exports is likely to rise in the
next couple of months, with Iran likely to resume rice imports shortly.Official
sources told FE that the realisation from the exports of aromatic and
long-grain rice rose to $800 a tonne last month from $750 a tonne prevailing in
the last couple of months. A commerce ministry official said that exports
realisation could reach $900 a tonne in the next couple of months because of
lesser supplies because of lower production and firming up global demands.
Besides, Iran, the biggest exports destination for India’s
basmati rice, is likely to resume imports of rice shortly. The government is
sending a trade delegation to Iran later this month for working out modalities
for rice exports. According to official data, in the current fiscal, the volume
of basmati rice exports to Iran has been around 4.6 lakh tonne, which was
essentially from contracts agreed upon in the previous fiscal. The volume of
basmati rice exports to Iran had crossed a million tonne (mt) in in FY15.
“Iran is expected to take a call on resuming rice imports from
India shortly,” a commerce ministry official said. The official also said that
due to lower output of basmati rice this year, the prices have started to
appreciate in the last couple of weeks. The sowing of basmati across the key
growing areas of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand had
seen a sharp fall of 25% to 1.57 million hectares in the last kharif season,
from close to 2 million hectares reported in 2015, thanks to a fall in
realisation from exports.But exports of aromatic and long-grained basmati rice
fell more than 13% during April–October this fiscal.
http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/iran-booster-shot-likely-to-raise-realisation-to-800-per-tonne-from-basmati-exports-this-fiscal/497148/
Ministry relaxes rice export
regulations
HÀ NỘI — Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh on Wednesday decided to repeal regulations on rice exports and traders as they have become hurdles in the expansion of the sector.Three years ago, the ministry had issued Decision 6139/QĐ-BCT that stipulated conditions for becoming a rice export firm and set the maximum rice export licence limit to 150 traders.
Under the decision, firms that applied for licences to export rice had to have at least one warehouse with a minimum capacity to store 5,000 tonnes of rice and one rice husking factory with a minimum capacity of 10 tonnes of paddy per hour. The facilities had to be located in planned areas.According to experts, because of these stipulations, many companies that had developed their own rice brands and had close relationships with farmers could not actively and directly export their products. Instead, they had to rely on intermediaries.
In addition, once a company has a rice export certificate, it must export at least 10,000 tonnes of rice per year or 20,000 tonnes of rice in two years, if the quota for the first year is not reached.Because of this clause, exporters would achieve the target by purchasing sufficient volumes of rice, regardless of its quality, experts said.The regulations on the number of rice exporters and rice export quotas were detrimental to the growth of the rice export sector and should be repealed, experts suggested.
The abrogation of Decision 6139 is one of the steps taken by the ministry to streamline administrative procedures, in accordance with the Law on Investment 2014.The ministry is expected to create a healthy market for enterprises investing in rice production and trade and to ease farmers’ difficulties, thereby helping boost high-quality rice exports.
In 2017, the ministry has pledged to abolish 15 legal documents and simplify 108 administrative procedures. The reforms will echo the Government’s determination to support enterprises, improve the investment environment and raise national competitiveness
http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/349237/ministry-relaxes-rice-export-regulations.html#JwwRolvGmlPV8x1A.99
Rabi acreage up 7%; rice, coarse
cereals take a hit
Pulses, wheat, oilseeds gain area
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 6:
Sowing in the on-going rabi
season maintained its pace of low growth in the new year with rice and coarse
cereals posting a decline and oilseeds remaining stagnant compared with the
average of the last five years.Total sowing till January 6 increased 2.76 per
cent to 602.75 lakh hectares (lh) compared with the previous five year’s
average (normal of corresponding week) of 586.55 lh in the comparable period,
according to figures released by the Agriculture Ministry on Friday.
Wheat area
Sowing of wheat increased to
303.16 lh in the current rabi season (which starts in October) as compared to
294.14 lh sowed in the normal of corresponding week. Higher sowing was reported
by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and UP.
Rice sowing in the period up to
January 6 declined to 12.74 lh (17.28 lh). Chhattisgarh was the only State to
report a jump in acreage, while all other rice growing States including Tamil
Nadu reported a fall in sowing.
Coverage of pulses increased to
152.63 lh (139.01 lh). Maharashtra reported the sharpest increase in sowing
followed by MP, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. Lower coverage was reported from
Karnataka, Haryana, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
Acreage under coarse cereals
declined to 53.60 lh (55.81 lh). Higher acreage has been reported from MP,
Gujarat, Bihar and Tamil Nadu, while Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana reported a dip in their acreage.
Oilseeds static
Sowing of oilseeds remained
stagnant at 80.63 lh. The States where acreage reportedly increased include Arunachal
Pradesh, MP, Assam and Telangana, while lower sowing was reported by Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
(This article was published on January 6, 2017)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rabi-acreage-up-7-rice-coarse-cereals-take-a-hit/article9464451.ece
Madhya Pradesh aims to raise pulse output to
help India reach self-sufficiency goal
Source : Last Updated: Fri, Jan 06, 2017 21:23
hrs
By Mayank Bhardwaj and Manoj Kumar NEW DELHI
(Reuters) - Madhya Pradesh aims to raise production of pulses by 60 percent in
the next three years to help Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieve his goal of
making the country self-sufficient in the staple, the state's chief minister
said. India, the world's biggest consumer of pulses, faces an acute shortage of
the protein-rich food, forcing the country to fork out about $2.65 billion a
year to import the scarce commodity from Canada, Austria, and Ethiopia among
others. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked me to help achieve his
objective of making India self-reliant in pulses by raising production in
Madhya Pradesh," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told Reuters in an
interview.
Madhya Pradesh, a top producer of pulses, could
raise its output of crops such as chickpeas, pigeon peas and black gram to 8 or
8.5 million tonnes in the next three years from about 5 million tonnes now,
Chouhan said. Stung by spiralling prices for pulses, New Delhi last year signed
a long-term deal with Mozambique to import the commodities and has also been
looking to import pulses from Myanmar. Pulses, mostly consumed in curries, are
the primary source for protein, especially for the poor. Any spike in pulses
prices stokes anger against the government. "We have started encouraging
farmers to grow more pulses by giving them a lot of help and support and expect
the trend to continue until we obviate our import requirements," Chouhan,
who flew to New Delhi from the state capital Bhopal, said. In the 2015/16
fiscal year, India imported a record 5.8 million tonnes of pulses after
domestic prices more than doubled. Pulses production totalled 16.47 million
tonnes, lower than annual demand of 22 million tonnes, which is steadily rising
due to robust economic growth. Modi aims to make India self-reliant in pulses
by 2020.
"The target of the state government is
definitely plausible. But it depends a lot on the amount of rainfall the state
is going to receive over the next few years," said Pukaraj Chopra, a
leading trader of pulses. Under Chouhan's watch, wheat output in Madhya Pradesh
raced ahead of Punjab and Haryana, India's traditional grain basket.
"Wheat production has reached the optimum level, so we're not that keen to
raise it further. Other than pulses, we also aim to raise basmati rice
production by doubling the area under the crop," he said. Currently Madhya
Pradesh produces about 500,000 tonnes of basmati rice. India and Pakistan
exclusively grow the premium long-grain, aromatic basmati, largely in the
foothills of the Himalayas. New wells and a focus on micro-irrigation have
helped raise farm output in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan said. Madhya Pradesh has
clocked an annual 18 percent farm growth against a rather modest 4 percent at
the national level. (Additional reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by
Adrian Croft)
http://www.sify.com/finance/madhya-pradesh-aims-to-raise-pulse-output-to-help-india-reach-self-sufficiency-goal-news-international-rbgvxvcgabjeg.html
Trump Administration Watch: Trade Team
|
Trump nominated earlier this week
Robert Lighthizer as the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). This
nomination completes a triumvirate of officials who are seen as key power
centers in the new administration's emerging trade policy.
Two other Trump appointees - Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary and Peter Navarro as Chair of a new National Trade Council in the White House - are expected to play key roles in formulating U.S. trade policy. Press reports and statements from the transition team don't answer the question of "Who's on first?" so there will likely be some uncertainty as the new administration takes over. Additionally, the 2014 Farm Bill directed USDA to establish an Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs. That position has yet to be established, but could be in the Trump Administration and would obviously be an important one for U.S. rice. USA Rice will continue to press with the new trade officials the importance of exports to rice and stepped-up U.S. action against illegal foreign subsidies as well as highlighting the critical need to make progress in key markets like China, Cuba, and Iraq. |
|
USA Rice Joins Coalition
Sharing Ag Priorities with President-Elect
WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice joined
15 other agricultural organizations, including the American Farm Bureau
Federation and American Soybean Association, to congratulate President-Elect
Trump and Vice President-Elect Pence and remind them of the importance of
U.S. agriculture to the economy.
"The economic vitality of America's heartland is inextricably linked to the continuing productivity of U.S. agriculture, which is an unparalleled American success story," the letter reads. "Agriculture and agriculture-related industries contributed $835 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2014." The letter also points out that enforcing existing trade agreements and expanding market access is a priority for the sector. "Exports account for over 70 percent of U.S. production of tree nuts and cotton, over 60 percent of soybeans, and over 50 percent of rice and wheat," reads the letter. "Positive farm income throughout America would not be possible without access to foreign markets, trade promotion, and trade agreements." "As the Trump Administration settles in, this is a good time to get in front of them with some reminders about who ag is, what ag does, and what ag brings to the table - literally," said Betsy Ward, USA Rice President & CEO, who represented rice on the coalition. "Like everyone in the coalition, we look forward to working with the new Administration to identify opportunities that will benefit U.S. food and agriculture and American consumers. |
Sebree, Wells to be in Hall of Fame
Friday,Posted
Jan 6, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Sebree began farming 53 years ago with his father and says that
farming has really never been a job to him. That is not to say it doesn't take
hard work, but it is work he enjoys.
By Dawn Teer / Stuttgart Daily Leader
Gary Sebree, a third generation
Arkansas County farmer, and Bobby R. Wells, a former Stuttgart-area scientist,
are set to be inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in March.
Sebree began farming 53 years ago
with his father and says that farming has really never been a job to him. That
is not to say it doesn't take hard work, but it is work he enjoys.
Over the years, Sebree has served
the rice industry by being the chairman of several committees and boards
including the Arkansas Rice Farmers, Producers Rice Mill Board of Directors,
Arkansas Rice Federation and the USA Rice Federation. He was also a member of
the USA Rice Producers Group (USRPG) Conservation committee. Sebree spent 43
years as a farmer representative on the Producers Rice Mill board of directors,
24 of those as chairman (1990-2014), a time of growth for Producers and the
Arkansas rice industry.
Producers Rice Mill, a
farmer-owned cooperative, grew from 956 members in 1971 when Sebree first
joined the board, to a high of 2,637 members in 2013. During that span, member
receipts increased more than tenfold from 6.2 million bushels in 1971 to 65.5
million bushels in 2011, while sales grew from $17.5 million in 1971 to a high
of $568.5 million. He was on the first Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion
Board (1979-86), chairman of the USA Rice Producers Group (2000-2002) and
chairman of the USA Rice Federation (2002-2004). He also was named Arkansas
Rice Farmer of the Year in 1998.
Sebree was recently awarded the
2016 Lifetime Achievement award at the USA Rice Outlook Conference held in
Memphis. 
Wells was a world-renowned expert on rice production, with
special emphasis on rice nutrition and soil fertility. He was active in
cooperative interdisciplinary research in rice production and worked closely
with others in the rice cultivar improvement program in Arkansas and adjoining
states.
After receiving his Ph.D. from
the University of Arkansas in 1964, he worked for two years as an assistant
professor at Murray State University in Kentucky. Wells then came to the
University of Arkansas Rice Research Station in Stuttgart, where he spent 16
years before moving to the Fayetteville campus in 1982.
Wells received the outstanding
faculty award for the University of Arkansas Department of Agronomy in 1981,
the Distinguished Rice Research and Education Award from the Rice Technical
Working Group in 1988 and the Outstanding Research Award from the Arkansas
Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists in 1992. Wells passed away on
Dec. 22, 1996.
In addition to Sebree and Wells,
Allen Beedle, of Hot Springs; former state senator Neely Cassidy, of Nashville;
and poultry company executive Mark Simmons, of Siloam Springs will be inducted
at the 29th annual luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. on March 3 in Little
Rock at the Embassy Suites Hotel."What a great cross-section of Arkansas
agriculture to be selected for the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame,"
Butch Calhoun, of Des Arc, chairman of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame
committee and former Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture, said. "The
collective impact of these five are felt in every part of our state."Other
locals who have been inducted recently include Arkansas County Rep. David
Hillman and former United States Rep. Marion Berry.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/20170106/sebree-wells-to-be-in-hall-of-fame
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/20170106/sebree-wells-to-be-in-hall-of-fame
Jigawa:Price of local rice up by
20%
By Rabiu Saniali
A measure of the commodity now sells for between N700 and N900,
depending on its quality, as against its old price of N600 and N750,
respectively.Price of beans has also shown similar hike as a measure is sold at
N600 as against N500 before.However, prices of imported rice had indicated a
slight decrease, as a 50-kilogramme bag of the commodity now sells at N17, 500
and a measure for N1, 020 as against its old price of N18, 000 and N1, 100,
respectively.Similarly, prices of tomatoes have crashed following improved
supply of the commodity, as a basket is sold at N3, 200 as against N18, 000 in
the past.
Traders at the market attributed the hikes in prices of rice to
growing demand for the stuff.Alhaji Baba Shehu, a grain dealer, said that
prices were moving up on daily basis in view of the growing demand for the
commodity.
Shehu attributed the situation to a drastic drop in the
importation of rice into the country, adding that the trend had encouraged
local production.“We are witnessing price increase on daily basis due increase
in the demand for the local variety of rice,” he said.Also commenting, Malam
Danladi Yusuf, a resident, described the situation as worrisome, adding that
rice was beyond the reach of the ordinary man.Yusuf noted that he preferred
local rice but that its high price was a source of concern to the consumers.Another
resident, Malam Isa Gabi, urged the government to adopt practical measures to
control inflation and regulate prices in the country.
http://www.nan.ng/news/jigawa-local-rice-price-up-by-20/
DA, IRRI join
forces to boost rice output
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:16 AM January 07, 2017
The Department of Agriculture is
strengthening a joint program with the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) to increase productivity in rice farms.Agriculture Assistant Secretary
Federico Laciste said in a joint statement the partnership with IRRI was
crucial in developing a national strategy for rice farming and uplifting the
lives of Filipino farmers.Laciste, who is also deputy director of the DA’s
national rice program, said local farmers needed to produce palay at a minimum
of seven tons a hectare at P7 a kilogram, in order to be competitive.
Currently, the productivity of rice farms
nationwide is pegged at an average of 3.9 tons per hectare at a cost of about
P12 per kilo.Farmers in neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam—both
among the world’s largest exporters of rice —produce at an equivalent of just
about P6 a kilo, thanks partly to government subsidies.Economists, both in the
academe and at state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development
Studies, have raised the alarm about farmers losing out to lower-priced imports
when import curbs are removed by the middle of this year.
The DA is pushing for the implementation of
such curbs —through quantitative restrictions, a special mechanism approved by
the World Trade Organization that will expire on June 30—by at least two more
years to help the local industry be better-prepared for competition.“We have
plenty of work to do pertaining to rice,” Laciste said.Collaboration between
the DA and IRRI include projects that use the latest technology and scientific
knowledge in rice production such as the web-based decision support tool for
precision farming called Rice Crop Manager, and satellite-based rice
forecasting and monitoring system called Philippine Rice Information System.
There are also the Green Super Rice program
that promotes climate-smart varieties; Heirloom Rice Project; the
irrigation management tool called WateRice; mechanized seeding and improved
postharvest storage systems such as the solar bubble dryer; as well as Project
IPaD and IRRI Education that build a new base of community extension officers.
Rice imports at $40m
Luke Rawalai
Saturday, January 07, 2017
Saturday, January 07, 2017
Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu addresses rice farmers
during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Rewa Rice Mill at Dreketi.
Picture: LUKE RAWALAI
"To this end the ministry is focused in its efforts to
increase land area under rice cultivation and increased productivity in terms
of yield per hectare through extension of improved rice cultivation
technologies," he said."The ministry has established a National Rice
Task Force comprising a wide range of stakeholders to co-ordinate the Fiji rice
revitalisation program."I congratulate the Rewa Rice board for the
foresight on their part to develop a new and modern rice mill which will
supplement the current mill and accommodate the notable increase in rice production
around Vanua Levu."Mr Seruiratu said the mill coupled with large-scale
rice planting projects would contribute enormously to government efforts
increasing economic activity in the Northern Division and guarantee improved
livelihoods for more rural Fijians."Government through the agriculture
ministry has embarked on a program of modernising the agriculture sector,"
he said."The focus is on a holistic approach to agriculture development
through the timely interventions in critical areas along the whole value
chain."
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=384582
Rising rice imports hit mills, farmers in
eastern Tarai
1/6/2017
EKantipur.com
EKantipur.com
Nepal, Jan. 6 -- The country's leading rice exporting districts of eastern Tarai are on the verge of
becoming importers as production has been unable to meet local
demand
There were a large number of rice mills until few
years ago, but most of them have now closed down and the remaining have
transformed themselves into packaging plants. The packaging industries import rice from India and sell them here under
different brand names.
According to industrialists, customs charge for imported paddy is 8 percent, while that for rice is 5
percent. Due to the difference in customs charge, they import rice rather than paddy."Some of the popular
rice mills have converged into packaging industries," said Pawan Kumar
Sharda, President of Morang Merchant Association. "Not just local rice
mills, farmers too have been impacted by growing imports of rice."
Similar is the situation for wheat. Rising flour imports have put local mills on the verge of collapse.
The customs charge for wheat and flour is same.According to industrialists,
there should be at least 15 percentage points difference between customs
charges. "If this is done, local mills will survive," said Shrawan
Agrawal, a member of the association.There are more than 100 rice mills in
Mechi and Koshi zones. Most of them are involved in importing and packaging rice under different brands. There
are seven big flour mills in Koshi.Laxman Tapadia, a rice mill operator, said
rising rice imports have hit local mill operators.
Krishna Prasad Upreti, another rice mill operator
of Kakarvitta, Jhapa, said they used to export rice to bordering Indian towns until a few years
ago. "However, due to weak government policy to promote Nepali produce,
almost all local mills are on the verge of extinction."According to the
Mechi Customs Office, rice imports amounted to Rs463.36 million last fiscal year,
while imports of paddy amounted to Rs105.77 million. In the
first five months of the current fiscal year, imports of rice through Mechi customs have been recorded
at Rs463.32 million.
Production of paddy has increased significantly
in the eastern region this year. The output in 16 Tarai districts in the
eastern region is expected to grow by an additional 300,000 tonnes this year.
Last year, these districts had produced 1.38 million tonnes.
Published: 06-01-2017 09:15
Published by HT Syndication with permission from
EKantipur.com. For any query with respect to this article or any other content
requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2702035917
Govt. reduces tariffs on imported rice
2017-01-06 22:30:00
The government decided to reduce
the tariffs on imported rice with effect from midnight today (6) in a bid to
ease difficulties faced by the people due to the severe drought condition
prevailing in many parts of the country, .After serious discussions held at the
Finance Ministry yesterday, the Cabinet subcommittee on cost of living
comprising Ministers Ravi Karunanayake, Sarath Amunugama, Mahinda Amaraweera,
and Rishad Bathiudeen had arrived at this decision.
Accordingly, only the Special
Commodity Levy (SCL) of Rs. 15 a kilogramme would be imposed on imported rice
instead of the Customs Import Duty of Rs. 50 a kilo , 15 per cent Value Added
Tax (VAT), 7.5 per cent Port and Airport Development Levy (PAL) and 2 percent
Nation Building Tax (NBT) that had been levied so far.
However, these concessions would
not be granted for Basmati rice importers. The new decision would be effect
only for Samba, Nadu and Red Kekulu rice varieties.A statement issued by the
Department of Trade and Investment Policy said the Government had taken these
measures to bring relief to the people who had already been affected by rice
price hike in the market due to the prevailing dry weather condition.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Govt-reduces-tariffs-on-imported-rice-121824.html
Rice balance
conference focus
by ZOE MCMAUGH
JANUARY 07, 2017
The sixth annual International Temperate
Rice Conference will showcase the latest advancements in temperate rice
research, technology and innovation.It will be held in Griffith in March, and
organising committee head Russell Ford — also manager of Rice Research
Australia Pty Ltd (RRAPL) in Jerilderie — said it would offer a diverse
program.
‘‘We’re pleased to offer such a
comprehensive program,’’ he said.‘‘Coupled with an enticing line-up of
speakers, we have no doubt delegates will gain invaluable knowledge from this
year’s conference.‘‘The conference is a rare opportunity not only to recognise
and celebrate the achievements of our ricegrowers, but to learn and network
with growers and industry professionals alike from around the world.’’
Under the conference theme ‘Tradition,
Technology, Productivity — A Balancing Act’, rice industry experts will explore
topics including breeding, agronomy, biotic stress and crop protection as well
as precision agriculture and quality and processing.One keynote speaker will be
Dr Steve Linscombe, who is senior rice breeder of Louisiana State University’s
Agricultural Centre.It will be his second appearance at the conference,
previously speaking at the 1994 event in Yanco.
Other keynote speakers include Professor
Melissa Fitzgerald from School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the
University of Queensland and Dr Russell Reinke who is senior scientist on rice
breeding and bio-fortification with the International Rice Research Institute.
The extensive conference program will run
over four days, from Monday, March 6 to Thursday, March 9.It will also include
farm tours, regional tours for delegates’ partners and a trip to to RRAPL to
participate in its annual rice field day.The ITR Conference program and prices
are available at www.itrconference.com/conference/program.aspx
Arkansas Annual Meeting
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http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1112062459441&ca=12faf2ed-4384-4a43-a148-47b4895e1cbd
Annual grower meetings upcoming for rice farmers
Published: January 5, 2017 • By:
Lloyd Green Jr, Editor
The latest news on issues affecting California rice farmers will
be
presented during the upcoming Annual Grower Meetings held by the
California Rice
Commission (CRC), scheduled for Jan. 19.Those attending will
receive an update on farm policy from Tyson Redpath of The Russell Group. Louie
Brown of Kahn, Soares and Conway will relay information on new developments at
the State Capitol. Richard Neves of Gig 7 Crop Insurance Services will provide
a crop insurance overview. Northern California Water Association President
David Guy will review major water issues in our region. Tim Kelleher of Rice
Lawyers will outline the upcoming PLC and ARC implementation.
The morning session begins at 8:30 AM at the Bonanza Inn
Magnuson Grand Hotel in Yuba City, while the afternoon meeting will begin at 1
PM at Colusa Casino Resort Conference Center. Registration will be held 30
minutes prior to each meeting.
All members of the rice industry are encouraged to attend.
Refreshments will be served and there will be raffle prizes at each meeting.The
meetings are sponsored by Dow AgroSciences.For more information about the CRC’s
Annual Grower Meetings, please contact Jim
Morris at 916/387-2264 or jmorris@calrice.org.
About Lloyd Green Jr, Editor
Is the Owner, Publisher, Editor, and Reporter of the Williams
Pioneer Review. Committed to publishing the news of our Community, Lloyd has
been the owner of the Williams Pioneer Review since 2010. To contact Lloyd
about this article or future articles, please email him at
lloyd@colusacountynews.net
http://williamspioneer.com/article/80655
Cambodia’s rice exports fall sharply
- 6
Jan 2017 at 15:11 WRITER: KHMER TIMES
Cambodia’s milled rice exports only grew by a dismal 0.7%
last year compared with 2015 and this was the lowest since 2014, according to
government figures released Thursday.“Last year Cambodia only exported 542,144
tonnes of milled rice and the lowest exports were in the first quarter of the
year and December,” said Hean Vanhan, director-general of the agriculture
department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.“The fall in
rice exports in those months really affected our overall performance,” said Mr
Vanhan.
In the first quarter of last year, a severe drought affected rice production
and through the year rice millers had been complaining of the flow of low-grade
cheaper rice into the country from Vietnam, according to a report in Khmer Times.Last March, rice millers and exporters wrote to the government urging intervention due to stiff competition in export markets as well as domestic ones. In the letter, they said they were facing a cash crunch due to a flood of low-grade rice from Vietnam while stressing that bankruptcy was widespread among farmers, millers and exporters alike.In late September, the government responded by making out a $27-million loan to rice millers to purchase paddy rice from farmers, in a bid to prevent rice prices from falling further.“It’s not only Cambodian rice millers that are facing a fall in income due to low prices. Millers in neighbouring countries are also facing the same predicament,” said Mr Vanhan.
Hun Lak, vice-president of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), said that the fall in milled rice exports was expected.“We already predicted that rice exports would fall sharply in 2016. There were external factors beyond our control,” he said.Mr Lak said Cambodia’s rice production costs were still very high compared with Thailand and Vietnam and that made the kingdom’s rice exports very uncompetitive in regional markets.
“When the price of rice is cheaper in neighbouring countries, it is obvious that buyers will import rice from those countries,” he said.
Song Saron, president of Amru Rice (Cambodia), said the lack of warehouses made it difficult for rice millers to store paddy rice when prices are low and export them when prices climb.“If there are big rice storage warehouses and paddy drying facilities, it will help both farmers and rice millers and rice exporters,” said Mr Saron.
According to the CRF’s Mr Lak, the outlook for this year seems more positive.“China has formally agreed to purchase 200,000 tonnes of rice annually from Cambodia to help the country’s rice farmers and millers,” he said.Mr Lak said CRF was working with the Ministry of Commerce to seek more markets for Cambodian rice.“We are negotiating with Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Recently, we have had orders from Malaysia
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1175497/cambodias-rice-exports-fall-sharply
