25th February ,2017 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter

Rice News Headlines...

·       Senegalese government implements policies to curb rice imports

·       Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-February 24,2017

·       Trukai expanding investment in local rice production in PNG

·       Rice worth $876.914mn exported in last 7 months

·       USDA Outlook Forum Projects Lower Rice Plantings, Higher PLC Payments in 2017

·       WMP Subcommittee Closes Out Government Affairs Conference

·       Arkansas Seed Growers Association celebrates 100-year anniversary

·       Rice price rise fuels wheat import

News Detail...

Senegalese government implements policies to curb rice imports

By Sam

February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017

Rice is a staple dish in West Africa, and there are several local varieties of it.

People however tend to prefer imported rice. Particularly in Senegal. That country’s government is now implementing policies to boost local rice production and consumption.Maria Galang reports.

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-February 24,2017

Reuters | Updated: Feb 24, 2017, 01.25 PM IST

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-February 24 Nagpur, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Gram and tuar prices suffered heavily in Nagpur Agriculture Producing and Marketing Committee (APMC) auctions on lack of demand from local millers amid good supply from producing belts. High moisture content arrival and downward trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses also affected sentiment in weak trading activity, according to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Desi gram raw declined further in open market on poor demand from local traders amid good supply from producing belts. TUAR * Tuar gavarani moved down in open market here in absence of buyers amid increased arrival from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar New - 3,900-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) - 7,000-7,300, Udid Mogar (clean) - 8,500-9,000, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,500-6,800, Gram - 4,700-4,800, Gram Super best bold - 7,500-7,700 for 100 kg. * Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals, settled at last levels. Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 4,050-4,650 4,100-4,730 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,800-4,260 4,000-4,300 Moong Auction n.a. 6,400-6,600 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Gram Super Best Bold 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 5,900-6,200 5,900-6,200 Desi gram Raw 5,100-5,300 5,150-5,350 Gram Yellow 8,000-8,500 8,000-8,500 Gram Kabuli 11,600-12,800 11,600-12,800 Tuar Fataka Best-New 7,000-7,200 7,000-7,200 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 6,400-6,800 6,400-6,800 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Tuar Gavarani New 3,800-4,000 4,000-4,200 Tuar Karnataka 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,500 Masoor dal best 5,600-6,000 5,600-6,000 Masoor dal medium 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold (New) 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,000-6,500 6,000-6,500 Moong dal Chilka 5,500-6,300 5,500-6,300 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 6,200-6,500 6,200-6,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,500-9,500 8,500-9,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,300-7,900 7,300-7,900 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,300 5,000-5,300 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,600 5,200-5,600 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,650-3,850 3,650-3,850 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,100 3,000-3,100 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,400 3,200-3,400 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,300 3,800-4,300 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,100-2,300 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,500 2,200-2,500 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,200 3,600-4,200 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,200 2,700-3,200 Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,200 2,700-3,200 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400 2,200-2,400 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,500 2,200-2,500 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,100 2,900-3,100 Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800 Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,400 4,200-4,400 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,200-13,300 9,200-13,300 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-6,200 5,000-6,200 Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,100 4,800-5,100 Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,300 2,000-2,300 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 35.9 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 15.5 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 35 and 16 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices) ATTN : Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain auctions of Nagpur APMC and oil market in Vidarbha will be closed tomorrow, Saturday, on the occasion of Mahashivratri Parna.

Trukai expanding investment in local rice production in PNG

 

This week Trukai Industries Limited is purchasing agricultural equipment for the establishment of the largest rice crop in PNG’s recent history. With the cooperation of the Chingwam Rice Growers Cooperative, Trukai will be establishing a 500-hectare rice plantation near Rangiampum initially for a rain fed crop to be established in 2017.This is in addition to the existing 80-hectare site already producing rice for the cooperative, under the management of Trukai’s rice development team. This site will be progressively expanded possibly up to 1,500-2,000 hectares over a number of seasons, although this will be subject to relevant agreements and climatic and soil evaluations.

This exciting step forward in domestic rice production comes ahead of further developments Trukai management are hoping to discuss with government, following submissions for large scale irrigated rice growing in a number of areas across PNG.

Proposals have been submitted to the Departments of Agriculture and Livestock, and the Department of Trade, Commerce and Investment, although responses from government have yet to be forthcoming.

Trukai Industries Limited’s CEO, Greg Worthington-Eyre said in a statement, “Trukai stands ready to assist the government of PNG in its domestic rice development, and this project with the Chingwam Cooperative is a major step forward in laying the groundwork for other projects. Whilst we wait for the government to respond to our proposals, we are simply getting on with it, and are very excited about building a strong local rice industry.”

Mr. Worthington-Eyre went on to add, “The establishment of the large scale site at Rangiampum will be supplemented with a further 100-hectare site closer to our Erap facility, where our rice seed generation plantation is being redeveloped.”

In April and May this year, Trukai will be installing a hulling mill in Lae to facilitate the processing of locally grown rice, and this represents a significant investment and commitment for Trukai. The first rice to be processed at this mill will be the rice from the Chingwam Cooperative.Mr. Worthington-Eyre concluded, “The rice growing at Rangiampum is expected to be harvested in April this year, and will be transported to Lae for milling and blending. Our rice, PNG’s favourite brand since 1970 (before federation) will contain rice grown in PNG.This is great news as not only will we be including locally grown rice in our products, food security gets a major boost as well and, more importantly, this puts money into the rural sector for use of land that would normally remain idle. The income provided will assist the growers in many ways and this is of great benefit to the local economy.”

Photo caption 2: Mr David Tima Trukai senior operator (left) and Mr Michael Maran (CHINGWAM Cooperative chairman)

 

Rice worth $876.914mn exported in last 7 months

PARVEZ JABRI

 FEB 23RD, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The country earned $876.914 million by exporting about 2.078 million metric tons of rice in first seven months of current financial year as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.

During the period from July-January, 2016-17 rice exports reduced by 14.62 percent as compared to the same period of last year.About 2.307 million tons of rice valuing $1027.52 million during seven months of last financial year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.During the period under review, about 234,337 metric tons of basmati rice worth $208.177 million exported as compared to exports of 283,495 metric tons valuing $281.911 million of same period last year.

Meanwhile, in last seven months about 1,844,048 metric tons of rice other then basmati rice exported and earned $670.737 million as compared to 2,023,778 metric tons valuing $785.141 million of same period of last year.

On month on month basis, rice exports grew by 3.85 percent in month of January, 2017 as compared to exports of same period of last year.

About 390,690 metric tons of rice worth $163.925 million exported in last month as against the exports of 346,691 metric tons valuing $157.855 million of the corresponding month of last year.

In month of January, 2017 about 44,831 metric tons of basmati rice valuing $35.531 million as compared to exports of 41,538 valuing $33.215 million, which was up by 6.97 percent of same month of last year.

The export of rice other then basmati also grew by 3.1 percent in last month of current financial year as 345,859 metric tons of others rice worth $128.394 million exported as compared the exports of 305,155 metric tons valuing $124.640 million of same month of last year.

It may be recalled that food group exports during last 7 months reduce 9.28 percent and recorded at $2.23 billion as compared to exports of 2.230 billion of same period of last year.

On the other hand food group imports into the country increased by 11.69 percent and reached at $3.444 billion as compared to imports of $3.83 billion of corresponding period of last year.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/02/24/government-continues-to-buy-paddy-grain-from-farmers-to-stabilize-prices.html

USDA Outlook Forum Projects Lower Rice Plantings, Higher PLC Payments in 2017

By Peter Bachmann ARLINGTON, VA -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) kicked off their two-day annual Agricultural Outlook Forum here yesterday with highlights from industry experts and keynotes from House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Iowa's Governor, Terry Branstad.  One of the largest draws of the Forum are the economic projections for the U.S. agriculture industry provided by USDA's Chief Economist Robert Johansson. Johansson shared that soybean acreage is expected to grow by about 5 million acres this year while corn drops about 4 million acres.  Prices are sharply favorable to soybeans right now, likely causing the shift in production.  Wheat production is expected to drop by 8.3 percent and cotton is expected to grow by 14.2 percent.  Rice projections by USDA take one of the most significant cuts at 17.4 percent, down to 2.6 million acres.  The overall farm economy is expected to stay rather stagnant, the debt-to-asset ratio for farmers is projected to average 13.9 percent.  This ratio hit its historic high at 22.2 percent in 1985, "To reach that point today would still take a dramatic increase in debt payments or a loss in farmland value of more than 50 percent," Johansson said. There was some lightness in Johansson's remarks.  "Farm programs are working as designed. Given the rapid decline in agricultural sector profitability since 2013, we have seen farm programs providing a safety net to many producers.  Those programs have helped farmers adjust to lower commodity prices," he said.  "PLC payments have totaled $1.9 billion for crop year 2015, with the largest shares going to rice, peanuts, and wheat base." "We're obviously not in a good place with regard to low rice prices and the corresponding lower plantings as projected by USDA," said USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely.  "But overall, PLC has been working well for long grain rice growers and USDA agrees." The U.S. Congressional Budget Office projections anticipate PLC's 2016 crop year payments, to be made in November, to total $3.5 billion.  WMP Subcommittee Closes Out Government Affairs Conference

Keith Glover By Bob Cummings WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice's World Market Price Subcommittee met on February 16, marking the unofficial last meeting of the 2017 Government Affairs Conference.  "We meet in Washington, DC three times a year, and our February session benefits from several previous days of meetings with congressional and administration officials," said Subcommittee Chairman Keith Glover of Producers' Rice Mill in Stuttgart, Arkansas.  "We also welcome the newly graduated Leadership Class so they can see first-hand the work of the Subcommittee and all segments of USA Rice's membership." Members discussed estimates for the 2017 rice crop in anticipation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Prospective Plantings Report to be issued at the end of March.  Area this year could fall as much as 15 percent from 2016's 3.15 million acres given current prices of rice and competing crops.  The Subcommittee focused discussions with USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service on reporting of monthly rough rice prices.  "Reporting of average cash prices by NASS is very important to our industry, and we continue to work with the agency and our members to get this right," said Glover.  Representatives from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported on favorable developments in USA Rice's long-running efforts to have fortified rice included in U.S. food aid programs and to have private food aid organizations request fortified rice in U.S. donations. "We met earlier this week with administration officials and representatives of the World Food Programme and we're getting very close to the door opening wide for U.S. fortified rice in food aid," reported USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. FAS officials also noted the discrepancy in figures for rice exports to Mexico as reported by the Bureau of the Census, the U.S. government's official source for trade data, and figures as reported in USDA's weekly Export Sales report.  Export numbers to Mexico as carried in Export Sales consistently lag those reported by Census, and all industry participants were encouraged to improve exporting reporting to USDA in line with regulatory requirements. The Subcommittee will next meet in May in Washington, DC.

Arkansas Seed Growers Association celebrates 100-year anniversary

Scooter Hodges, president of the Arkansas Seed Growers Association, talks about major anniversary milestone

David Bennett | Feb 24, 2017

Rice price rise fuels wheat import

Soaring rice prices and lesser official stock of the main staple are forcing the country to raise dependence on wheat imports, which in turn is heightening pressures on its foreign-currency coffers, sources said.

People familiar with food-grain imports told the FE that the import of wheat is set to hit a record high this year, while the volume had stood over 4.0 million tonnes in seven months to last January.

The import costs were worth US$ 784 million for July-December 2016--up by $138 million from a year before.Bangladesh earlier usually had to import on average 3.0 million tonnes of wheat alongside a small amount of rice annually until the fiscal year 2014, but over the past two years it ranged around 5.0 million tonnes on average.    Importers hinted that private sector would import much higher this year as the demand for wheat is on the rise in the country.

Growing change of food habit is also believed to be one of the key reasons for such higher demand for wheat. Besides, fast urbanisation and some 300,000 people, on average, joining the population each year are pushing up its demand.

Officials at the directorate-general of food told the FE that importers are cashing in on lowest-ever prices on the international market while catering a growing demand for wheat in the country.They also expressed the fear that the prices of wheat may rise on the back of rising trend in fuel prices.

Fuel prices impact the production of wheat globally and many then opt for biofuels. Biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary biological processes, such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion, rather than a fuel produced by geological processes such as those involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum.

Acting director-general of food Md Badrul Hasan told the FE that the fear of price-hike of the cereal is one of the key reasons fuelling such a surge in import.

He said importers also stored low-priced wheat bought in from the international market.The price of wheat is believed to be the lowest in a decade with low-grade rate standing around $185 a tonne. And the rate of high-quality wheat, which comes from North American countries, stood over $250 a tonne. Earlier, super-quality wheat used to sell at around $500 and low-grade around $300 a tonne.The import price of wheat now is around Tk 17 a kilogram (kg). On the other hand, rice import costs more than Tk 36 a kg.

People familiar with the developments on the food front told the FE that more than 5.0 million tonnes of wheat was imported in 2016 and this year the volume is expected to cross the mark. Abul Bashar, chairman at Masud and Brothers trading house at Khatoonganj in the port city of Chittagong, said: "We believe that rice and wheat are close substitutes, and if the prices of rice remain high, then the demand for wheat will surge."

"The demand was once around 10 per cent and now it's almost double at 20 per cent on a year-on-year basis," he told the FE.The businessman said the total imports are meant for consumption, excepting a meagre amount that goes for making poultry feed.On the other hand, local production of wheat remained static for long at 1.2 million tonnes as wheat farming relies heavily on sufficient low temperatures that the country lacks.

Wheat stocks are also falling. In order to protect food security and sustain the price-support programme, the government-owned DG Food buys and stores a lot of country's wheat crops and rice. But the total amount held by the directorate has fallen in recent times.

And the official stock was 0.94 million as against 1.55 million in July-January period.Of the stock, there are only 200,000 tonnes of wheat and the remainder is rice.People at the DG Food told the FE that the stock should stand at 1.0million tonnes.

    jasimharoon@yahoo.com

24th February,2017 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine

Oman’s Bank Muscat raising $500 mln syndicated loan –sources

Feb 23, 2017, 04.24 PM IST

DUBAI, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Bank Muscat, Oman's largest bank by assets, is raising $500 million through a syndicated loan, banking sources familiar with the situation said on Thursday.

The three-year loan refinances a $600 million facility maturing in March that the Omani lender raised in 2014.

Bank Muscat's refinancing facility offers an all-in pricing of 170 basis points over the London Interbank Offered Rate. The pricing comprises a 1.55 percent interest margin plus 45 basis points in banks' upfront fees, said one of the sources.

Bank ABC and National Bank of Abu Dhabi are coordinating the facility, a second banking source said.

Telephone calls seeking comment to two top executives of Bank Muscat and an email to the bank's investor relations office were not answered.

Earlier this year pricing talks between the Omani lender and international banks were in the region of 185 basis points all-in, sources told Reuters at that time.

Bank Muscat raised a $315 million, three-year facility in May last year. That loan offered an all-in pricing of 200 basis points.

Bank ABC, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Citigroup, Commerzbank, HSBC, Mizuho, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and Wells Fargo were involved in the 2014 loan.

The loan raised in 2016 was led by Bank ABC, Citigroup, Credit Agricole, HSBC, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Standard Chartered as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners, joined by Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg as mandated lead arranger.

Bank Muscat is rated Baa1 by Moody's, BBB- by Standard & Poor's and BBB by Fitch. (Reporting by Davide Barbuscia; editing by Jason Neely)

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/omans-bank-muscat-raising-500-mln-syndicated-loan-sources/articleshow/57312177.cms

Commodity Intelligence Report

	February 15, 2017 PHILIPPINES:  Recent Typhoons Result in Limited Rice Losses Three powerful typhoons ploughed across the northern Philippines in October and December 2016, striking at the heart of the most important agricultural region of the country. Typhoon Sarika struck prime rice growing areas in mid-October 2016, causing widespread flooding and wind-related crop damage.  It was followed several days later by Super Typhoon Haima, which stuck further north.  Finally, Super Typhoon Nock-Ten ravaged the minor producing region of Bicol southeast of the capital, Manila, on Christmas day. These storms collectively impacted over 350,000 hectares of rice fields during the most important producing period of the year (October to December). Preliminary post-typhoon assessments by Philippine government agencies indicate that much of the acreage damaged in the October storms will recover through replanting efforts. USDA, however, conservatively estimates that at least 150,000 hectares or 43 percent of total storm-affected rice acreage from the three storms will be unable to fully recover. As a result, USDA reduced estimated milled rice production by 500,000 metric tons in December to a total of 11.5 million metric tons for 2016/17. Hardest hit were the rice crops in Bicol province, which were in advanced growth stages at the end of December and will be permanently lost. The Philippines Department of Agriculture estimates that nearly 50,000 hectares were severely damaged by sustained 155 mile-per-hour winds as Typhoon Nock-ten scoured the lowlands surrounding Mt. Isarog in the Bicol provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay. Though the Bicol region is frequently shrouded in cloud cover, satellite-derived evidence of crop losses on agricultural lands is widely apparent. MODIS NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) illustrates the sharp contrast in crop conditions before and after Typhoon Nock-ten. In the December 9 image, it is apparent that crop conditions in Liago, Oas, and Polanqui were above average during the early grainfill growth stage. After the storm NDVI plummeted as shown by the February 1 image, indicating substantial crop damage. The region has limited irrigation and enters a 5-month dry season in February. It is unlikely that farmers will be able to replant and recoup their losses. Approximately 40 percent of the Philippine's annual rice production occurs during the October to December period, which marks the end of the first half of the USDA 2016/17 marketing year. USDA estimates total 2016/17 Philippine rice production at 11.5 million metric tons (milled basis), up 1 percent from last year’s El Nino drought-reduced crop. Harvested area is estimated at 4.6 million hectares, marginally lower than last year owing to typhoon-related damage. Yield is estimated above-average at 3.97 tons per hectare as increased rainfall in 2016 has benefited crops in most regions. This report has been published by the Office of Global Analysis (OGA), International Production Assessment Division (IPAD).  Current USDA area and production estimates for grains and other agricultural commodities are available on IPAD's Agricultural Production page or at PSD Online. Visit Crop Explorer http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer/ For more information contact Michael Shean | michael.shean@fas.usda.gov | (202) 720-7366 USDA-FAS, Office of Global Analysis
Top

https://pecad.fas.usda.gov/highlights/2017/02/philippines/index.htm

Government to improve rice varieties via precision breeding

By  Jasper Y. Arcalas

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said it is banking on an advanced and more efficient breeding process to produce climate-resilient rice seeds.

PhilRice scientist Roel Suralta said precision breeding enables plant breeders to target traits that can be quantitatively associated with specific genes, which enhance plant performance.

“Precision breeding has been practiced in the Philippines for years. A classic example of PhilRice-released variety that is also a product of precision breeding is the NSIC Rc194, or Submarino 1, which has a submergence-tolerant trait,” Suralta said.

“Other PhilRice varieties with improved disease-resistance are also a product of precision breeding,” he said.PhilRice said precision breeding involves the transfer of specific desired traits—such as those that can tolerate drought conditions or resist certain diseases—into existing outstanding cultivars.

“It improves speed and precision, as desirable traits within the entire map of genetic material of related plants are identified and targeted,” Suralta said.

These genes can be “tagged” using genetic markers uniquely associated with the desired traits.

Rather than crossing the parents’ genes and growing the offspring to maturity to check if the trait is present, breeders can search for these discrete markers or “tags” at the early seedling stage, significantly shortening the breeding program, according to PhilRice.

“Conventional breeding takes more time, as it entails backcrossing of generations, then selecting and field-testing them to get the desired result or cultivar,” said PhilRice, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.

PhilRice said it is currently conducting studies using precision breeding to map and identify genes that promote root  plasticity, tolerant to anaerobic conditions, resistant to pests and diseases, and quantitative trait loci/genes that help increase rice yield under drought condition.

Dr. Rosalyn B. Angeles-Shim, assistant professor from Nagoya University in Japan, said precision breeding could increase the yield of rice and enhance its tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress.

“The use of the technology had resulted in the identification of Gn1a and the Wealthy Farmer’s Panicle [WFP] as two potential genes that can increase rice production in Africa.  Transferring Gn1a to existing rice cultivars increases grain number in rice, while WFP promotes primary branching,” Angeles-Shim said in a conference held at PhilRice.

Through the breeding program, the Wonder Rice Initiative for Food Security and Health (WISH) of the International Rice Research Institute and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the existing rice cultivars in which these genes were transferred are now being tested.

“The WISH project aims to increase rice production in Africa. Instead of introducing new varieties to farmers, we focused on improving the ones that are known and widely used and adopted in the area by breeding them with the identified genes. This promotes faster acceptance by the rice farmers in the area,” Angeles-Shim said.

Image Credits: PhilRice

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/government-to-improve-rice-varieties-via-precision-breeding/

USDA Commodity Intelligence Report - THAILAND: Rice Production Rebounds Following El Nino

from Government of the United States of America

Thailand recovered in 2016 from a severe two-year El Niño-related drought, which had substantially reduced irrigation supplies and rice acreage in the country. Bountiful rainfall during the recent wet season replenished important reservoirs which supply the agricultural sector and enabled the government to lift restrictions on irrigated rice acreage during the 2016-17 dry season (November through May). Farmers responded by increasing rice acreage by an estimated 975,000 hectares compared to last year. Thailand’s 2016/17 harvested rice area is estimated at 10.1 million hectares, unchanged from last month but up 7 percent from last year. Production is currently forecast by USDA at 18.6 million metric tons (milled basis), up 18 percent from last year. Rough rice yield is estimated slightly above average at 2.80 tons per hectare.

Thailand has two annual rice-growing periods, the wet-season and the dry-season. The wet- season rice harvest is the larger of two annual crops, normally accounting for roughly 70 percent of total annual production. Wet-season rice acreage has averaged about 8.8 million hectares since 2007. Wet-season rice is heavily dependent on monsoonal weather systems, with 70 percent of the crop being totally rainfed. The remaining 30 percent lies primarily in the western Chao Phraya river basin and is irrigated from water stored in mountain reservoirs.

Dry-season rice area averages 2.0 million hectares, is approximately 80 percent irrigated, and accounts for roughly 30 percent of total annual rice production. Dry-season rice yield is nearly double the yields of the primarily rainfed wet-season crop. Dry-season rice cultivation is heavily focused on irrigated farmland in the Lower North and Central Plains regions. With the majority of the irrigation infrastructure and agricultural mechanization, these areas are essentially the nation’s rice heartland. The country’s annual exportable rice surplus is produced here, typically flowing from the dry season harvest itself. There are two major reservoirs which account for 80 to 90 percent of the irrigation supply for rice cultivation, Bhumipol and Sirikit, which are located in the northern headwaters of the Chao Phraya river basin. According to a report from the U.S. agricultural counselor in Bangkok, total reservoir supplies in the country were nearly 150 percent above those recorded this same time last year.

The key driver for the rebound in Thailand’s 2016/17 rice production was above-normal rainfall during the 2016 wet season (May through October). As can be seen in the maps above, abundant rainfall blanketed the core northern and northeast watersheds which feed the mountain reservoirs important to rice cultivation. The regional rainfall pattern significantly improved relative to 2015 all across Southeast Asia as the strong El Niño event waned in the Pacific. Given the replenishment of key reservoirs and irrigation supply in northern Thailand, the Thai government lifted restrictions on winter dry-season rice cultivation in October 2016 and allowed the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) to supply farmers with all the water they required. The RID reported in early February that farmers had more than doubled rice acreage compared to last year and that plantings would continue through February.

Recent MODIS satellite imagery data confirmed the government projection, showing a remarkable recovery in crop acreage and vegetative vigor compared to last year in the heart of the primary dry-season growing regions (Lower North and Central Plains). The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) shows that current crop development in February 2017 is better than average in most dry-season rice producing regions. By comparison, in February 2016 rice acreage had shrunk to a 20-year low, with NDVI data clearly indicating extremely low crop vegetation relative to the long-term norm for that time of year. The lack of irrigation supply had reduced dry-season rice acreage in February 2016 to an estimated 735,000 hectares. Given the substantial improvement in irrigation supply, 2016/17 dry-season rice acreage will likely increase approximately 133 percent compared to last year. As a result, dry-season rice production is forecast near the 5-year average.

This report has been published by the Office of Global Analysis (OGA), International Production Assessment Division (IPAD).  Current USDA area and production estimates for grains and other agricultural commodities are available on IPAD's Agricultural Production page or at PSD Online.

Visit Crop Explorer http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer/

For more information contact Michael Shean | michael.shean@fas.usda.gov | (202) 720-7366 USDA-FAS, Office of Global Analysis

http://reliefweb.int/report/thailand/usda-commodity-intelligence-report-thailand-rice-production-rebounds-following-el

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-February 24,2017

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-February 24

Nagpur, Feb 24 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices suffered heavily in Nagpur Agriculture Producing and Marketing Committee (APMC) auctions on lack of demand from local millers amid good supply from producing belts. High moisture content arrival and downward trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses also affected sentiment in weak trading activity, according to sources.

    FOODGRAINS & PULSES

   GRAM

   * Desi gram raw declined further in open market on poor demand from local traders amid 

     good supply from producing belts.  

   TUAR

   * Tuar gavarani moved down in open market here in absence of buyers amid increased 

     arrival from producing regions.       

   * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) – 7,000-7,300, Udid Mogar (clean)

    – 8,500-9,000, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,500-6,800, Gram – 4,700-4,800, Gram Super best 

     bold – 7,500-7,700 for 100 kg.

   * Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in 

     scattered deals, settled at last levels. 

 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   

     Gram Auction                     4,050-4,650         4,100-4,730

     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600

     Tuar Auction                3,800-4,260         4,000-4,300

     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,400-6,600

     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500

     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800

     Gram Super Best Bold            7,500-8,000        7,500-8,000

     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.

     Gram Medium Best            6,500-7,000        6,500-7,000

     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a

     Gram Mill Quality            5,900-6,200        5,900-6,200

     Desi gram Raw                5,100-5,300         5,150-5,350

     Gram Yellow                 8,000-8,500        8,000-8,500

     Gram Kabuli                11,600-12,800        11,600-12,800

     Tuar Fataka Best-New             7,000-7,200        7,000-7,200

     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        6,400-6,800        6,400-6,800

     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        6,000-6,200        6,000-6,200

     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        5,500-5,800        5,500-5,800

     Tuar Gavarani New             3,800-4,000        4,000-4,200

     Tuar Karnataka             4,300-4,500        4,300-4,500

     Masoor dal best            5,600-6,000        5,600-6,000

     Masoor dal medium            5,500-5,700        5,500-5,700

     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.

     Moong Mogar bold (New)        6,800-7,000         6,800-7,000

     Moong Mogar Medium            6,000-6,500        6,000-6,500

     Moong dal Chilka            5,500-6,300        5,500-6,300

     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.

     Moong Chamki best            6,200-6,500        6,200-6,500

     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,500-9,500       8,500-9,500 

     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,300-7,900        7,300-7,900    

     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        5,000-5,300        5,000-5,300     

     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,200-5,600        5,200-5,600

     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          3,650-3,850         3,650-3,850

     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            3,000-3,100        3,000-3,100

     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,200-3,400           3,200-3,400

     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,800-4,300        3,800-4,300   

     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        2,000-2,100        2,000-2,100

     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    2,000-2,100        2,000-2,100   

     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         2,100-2,300           2,100-2,300         

     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,500-2,700        2,500-2,700    

     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,200-2,500        2,200-2,500

     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.

     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,600-4,200        3,600-4,200    

     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,700-3,200        2,700-3,200           

     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    2,700-3,200        2,700-3,200    

     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,200-2,400        2,200-2,400    

     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,200-2,500        2,200-2,500

     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,600-2,800        2,600-2,800   

     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      2,400-2,500        2,400-2,500   

     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,500-4,000        3,500-4,000    

     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,900-3,100        2,900-3,100    

     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    4,600-4,800        4,600-4,800 

     Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG)    4,200-4,400        4,200-4,400   

     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,200-13,300        9,200-13,300     

     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    5,000-6,200        5,000-6,200    

     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    4,800-5,100        4,800-5,100    

     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    4,500-4,700        4,500-4,700   

     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,000-2,300        2,000-2,300    

     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,900-2,000        1,900-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR)  

Maximum temp. 35.9 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 15.5 degree Celsius 

Rainfall : Nil

FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 35 and 16 degree

Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but

included in market prices)

ATTN : Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain auctions of Nagpur APMC and oil market in Vidarbha

will be closed tomorrow, Saturday, on the occasion of Mahashivratri Parna

Pakistan Rice exports decline in FY 2016-17

February 23, 2017

ISLAMABAD (APP): The country earned $876.914 million by exporting about 2.078 million metric tons of rice in first seven months of current financial year as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.During the period from July-January, 2016-17 rice exports reduced by 14.62 percent as compared to the same period of last year.

About 2.307 million tons of rice valuing $1027.52 million during seven months of last financial year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

  Pakistani Rupee falls against dollar

During the period under review, about 234,337 metric tons of basmati rice worth $208.177 million exported as compared to exports of 283,495 metric tons valuing $281.911 million of same period last year.Meanwhile, in last seven months about 1,844,048 metric tons of rice other then basmati rice exported and earned $670.737 million as compared to 2,023,778 metric tons valuing $785.141 million of same period of last year.

On month on month basis, rice exports grew by 3.85 percent in month of January, 2017 as compared to exports of same period of last year.  US Journal lauds economic reforms in Pakistan

About 390,690 metric tons of rice worth $163.925 million exported in last month as against the exports of 346,691 metric tons valuing $157.855 million of the corresponding month of last year.

In month of January, 2017 about 44,831 metric tons of basmati rice valuing $35.531 million as compared to exports of 41,538 valuing $33.215 million, which was up by 6.97 percent of same month of last year.  Pakistan to surpass Canada's economy in three decades: PWC report

The export of rice other then basmati also grew by 3.1 percent in last month of current financial year as 345,859 metric tons of others rice worth $128.394 million exported as compared the exports of 305,155 metric tons valuing $124.640 million of same month of last year.It may be recalled that food group exports during last 7 months reduce 9.28 percent and recorded at $2.23 billion as compared to exports of 2.230 billion of same period of last year

https://timesofislamabad.com/pakistan-rice-exports-decline-fy-2016-17-2/2017/02/23/

Nigeria Targets Seven Million Tonnes of Rice By 2018

Tagged:

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, says the Federal Government is targeting the production of seven million tonnes of rice by 2018.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr. Ogbeh said that the target, which would be achieved by the second quarter of 2018, was to meet the national consumption rate.

"I think we have attained the level of being one of the largest producers of rice, even though many people are still in doubt about that.

"So, for those who say it is not true, I think they need to take another look.

"I have been in Vietnam, the same kind of rice plantation you see there is what you see in Nigeria.

"The only thing we need to add is the milling capacity, which we are increasing," he said.

The minister, however, attributed the current hike in price of rice to the increase in the people's demand for the produce.Mr. Ogbeh said that the country was feeding more than 193 million citizens as well as 100 million others in West and North Africa.

"Nobody argues the fact that trucks come in from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, Chad, Mali, to Funtua in Katsina to load our grains," he said. On rice milling, the minister said that the Federal Government recently advertised no fewer than 100 rice mills for sale and distribution to farmers.

Mr. Ogbeh said that this would assist rice farmers to boost their production, while reducing the price of the produce and boosting the food security of the country.

"Our milling capacity is still not up to speed but we want to improve.

"Some of the mills, which will mainly go to cooperatives, will do 10 tonnes a day, some 20 tonnes, some 50 tonnes and some 100 tonnes.

"The terms of sale and distribution of the mills to communities and farmers will be very generous," he said.

Mr. Ogbeh said that the states that were currently producing rice included Adamawa, Kebbi, Kano, Ebonyi, Katsina, Jigawa, Taraba, Anambra, Enugu and Benue.

(NAN)

http://allafrica.com/stories/201702230018.html

World Baby Rice Flour Market Research Report 2021(Covering USA, EU, China, South East Asia, India, Japan and etc)

Press release from: ReportBazzar

Summary

ICRWorld’s Baby Rice Flour market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.

The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.

The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.

Global Baby Rice Flour Market: Application Segment Analysis

Global Baby Rice Flour Market: Regional Segment Analysis

USA

Europe

Japan

China

India

South East Asia

The Players mentioned in our report

Heinz

Gerber

Nestle

BEINGMATE

Engnice

Eastwes

Weicky

FangGuang

Hipp

Get Sample Report @ www.reportbazzar.com/request-sample/?pid=757024&ptitle=Wo...

Table Of Contents:

Chapter 1 About the Baby Rice Flour Industry

1.1 Industry Definition

1.1.1 Types of Baby Rice Flour industry

1.2 Main Market Activities

1.3 Similar Industries

1.4 Industry at a Glance

Chapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape

2.1 Baby Rice Flour Markets by Regions

2.1.1 USA

Market Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021

Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021

Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 2015

2.1.2 Europe

Market Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021

Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021

Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 2015

2.1.3 China

Market Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021

Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021

Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 2015

Buy Complete Report Visit @ www.reportbazzar.com/product/world-baby-rice-flour-market...

About Us:

Reportbazzar.com is your trusted source for the most inclusive and informative assortment of market research reports designed to empower you with the latest in industry information that translates to time and cost savings for your business. We not only help you give wing to your latent business ideas but also facilitate you in taking the best informed and strategic decisions that guarantee success in your most promising business endeavors.

Contact Us:

ReportBazzar

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New York, NY 10005.United States.

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This release was published on openPR.

http://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/255731/baby-rice-flour-global-market-2017-analysis-and-forecast-to-2021#.WLA1L9J956o

Rice plants could be genetically tweaked to tame arsenic found in soil, reducing risk for humans

Laurel Hamers | February 23, 2017 | Science News

Rooted in place, plants can’t run away from arsenic-tainted soil — but they’re far from helpless. Scientists have identified enzymes that help rice plant roots tame arsenic, converting it into a form that can be pushed back into the soil. That leaves less of the toxic element to spread into the plants’ grains, where it can pose a health risk to humans….

Since arsenic occurs naturally in soil, understanding the genetic basis for plants’ natural defense mechanisms might help researchers engineer plants that take in less arsenic, said Mary Lou Guerinot, a biologist at Dartmouth College.

[Biologist David] Salt’s team [at the University of Nottingham in England] found that rice plants without working genes for enzymes called HAC1;1 and HAC1;2 couldn’t turn arsenate into arsenite. So more arsenate accumulated in the plants’ shoots. When the scientists made HAC1;1 and HAC1;2 genes in other rice plants produce more of the enzymes than usual, grains from those plants had lower concentrations of any form of arsenic.

…

Converting one form of toxic element to another limits health dangers.

Plants make HAC1 enzymes in the outer cells of their roots, where the enzymes help the root cells rid themselves of arsenic.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Enzymes aid rice plants’ arsenic defenses

USA Rice and Redner's Markets:  Healthcents

By Katie Maher

ARLINGTON, VA -- USA Rice is participating in the HealthCents program at Redner's Markets, a supermarket chain with 64 stores throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, to promote U.S.-grown rice during March's National Nutrition Month.

During the first promotion, from February 5 through March 19, shoppers will be introduced to the many uses and nutritional benefits of U.S.-grown rice through the dietitian's in-store and digital magazine, an advertisement in the weekly circular reaching 1.2 million shoppers, social media, in-store recipe sampling events, and end-cap displays highlighting U.S.-grown rice.

The promotion kicked off this month with a USA Rice feature in Redner's HealthCents Magazine, a publication written by Redner's dietitian, which reaches 10,000 shoppers in-store and is available online.  A two-page spread highlights U.S.-grown rice varieties and nutrition information, tips for cooking and preparing rice, as well as USA Rice's Spicy Thai Chicken Bowl recipe, which will be highlighted in the circular and demoed in-store.

"We are excited to be working with USA Rice to educate our shoppers on the benefits of locally grown rice," says Meredith McGrath, corporate dietitian for Redner's Markets.  "As we saw during our last partnership, our shoppers are very receptive to these messages.  Being able to provide shoppers with delicious recipes that they can also feel good about feeding their families is the goal of our program, and USA Rice is the perfect partner to help us achieve that."

USA Rice

Rice worth $876.914mn exported in last 7 months

 PARVEZ JABRI

FEB 23RD, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The country earned $876.914 million by exporting about 2.078 million metric tons of rice in first seven months of current financial year as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.

During the period from July-January, 2016-17 rice exports reduced by 14.62 percent as compared to the same period of last year.

About 2.307 million tons of rice valuing $1027.52 million during seven months of last financial year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

During the period under review, about 234,337 metric tons of basmati rice worth $208.177 million exported as compared to exports of 283,495 metric tons valuing $281.911 million of same period last year.

Meanwhile, in last seven months about 1,844,048 metric tons of rice other then basmati rice exported and earned $670.737 million as compared to 2,023,778 metric tons valuing $785.141 million of same period of last year.

On month on month basis, rice exports grew by 3.85 percent in month of January, 2017 as compared to exports of same period of last year.

About 390,690 metric tons of rice worth $163.925 million exported in last month as against the exports of 346,691 metric tons valuing $157.855 million of the corresponding month of last year.

In month of January, 2017 about 44,831 metric tons of basmati rice valuing $35.531 million as compared to exports of 41,538 valuing $33.215 million, which was up by 6.97 percent of same month of last year.

The export of rice other then basmati also grew by 3.1 percent in last month of current financial year as 345,859 metric tons of others rice worth $128.394 million exported as compared the exports of 305,155 metric tons valuing $124.640 million of same month of last year.

It may be recalled that food group exports during last 7 months reduce 9.28 percent and recorded at $2.23 billion as compared to exports of 2.230 billion of same period of last year.

On the other hand food group imports into the country increased by 11.69 percent and reached at $3.444 billion as compared to imports of $3.83 billion of corresponding period of last year.