Wednesday, June 03, 2015

2nd June (Wednesday),2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

DA seeks P11-B budget for rice program
By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) | Updated June 2, 2015 - 12:00am
Description: http://media.philstar.com/images/the-philippine-star/business/business-main/20150602/Rice-production-3.jpg
The DA rice program is the banner program of the government  for increasing the production of the staple to self-sufficiency level. File photo
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking a significant increase in its budget for its rice program to sustain growth in production and step up climate change and disaster preparedness in the sector.The DA is asking the National Government for around P11 billion next year from the program’s budget of P6.6 billion this year.“We are asking for an increase because this will address the issue of climate change, (production) competitiveness and seed requirement,” said Edilberto de Luna, assistant secretary for field operations and head of the National Rice Program.The DA rice program is the banner program of the government  for increasing the production of the staple to self-sufficiency level.
De Luna said the budgetary increase would be used to expand the scope of the Tier 1 of the national rice program which is focused on maintaining and sustaining the 2015 target output levels of 20.09 million metric tons (MT) and average yield of 4.09 metric tons per hectare.Tier 1 also supports strategic longer-term investments for continued growth through research and development, small-scale irrigation and extension capability building.
Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Under the proposed program expansion dubbed as Tier 2, the National Rice Program would provide more interventions to “attain substantial improvement on global competitiveness factors and for raising farmers’ income.”Under Tier 2, the National Rice Program aims to increase the resilience of the rice sector to climate change. As such, services and benefits would be extended to more rural groups and individuals.Proposed programs under Tier 2 includes the provision of enhanced production support services through the use  of high-yielding hybrid seeds, high quality seeds and improved disaster risk reduction and management.Through its extension programs, the National Rice Program will also promote the use of yield and production enhancement technologies that promises increased yield of around 4.15 metric tons per hectare.
The department will likewise maintain support for irrigation and procurement of farm machineries and equipment through counterpart funding.“The Tier 2 proposal is primarily directed in addressing the low competitiveness of the local rice industry and the generally marginal income of farmers,” said de Luna.“Addressing these macro issue has become urgent relative to food security and poverty alleviation in the context of the Asean integration this 2015,” he added.
http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/06/02/1461134/da-seeks-p11-b-budget-rice-program

PAGASA: Despite rains El Niño still possible in June

WEDNESDAY, 04 JUNE 2014 20:48
The rains have come but the city might still experience the onset of the El Nino phenomenon or dry spell this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. PAGASA based its prediction on its monitoring of the rising temperatures of the Pacific Ocean. It its website PAGASA said the warming of waters in the tropical part of the Pacific could develop into an El Niño which may last for nine months. Department of Agriculture (DA) XI Assistant Regional Director Maria Febe Orbe said in an interview last week that they are still preparing for the worst. If El Niño strikes this month, it would affect the whole of Davao del Sur, while Davao Oriental and the upland regions of Davao City would be “moderately vulnerable”.
Hagonoy, Magsaysay and Matanao towns in Davao del Sur are considered “areas of concern”. Acting City Agriculturist Recelio Tabay said 90,000 hectares of rice, corn, fruit and industrial lands, particularly in Paquibato and Marilog districts, will be affected if the dry spell hit the city. But Orbe said the DA-Regional Field Office XI, in close coordination with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, are gearing up for cloud seeding operations if the hot weather persists this month.  The agency will pinpoint areas likely to be hit hard by the El Niño as priorities for said operations A month-long cloud seeding operation would cost the DA P2 million for the lease of Philippine Air Force aircraft and procurement of salt, DA-RFO 11 OIC Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter said in a press conference Friday at Royal Mandaya Hotel.
 Recoter recommended the planting of drought-tolerant varieties of corn and palay. Corn could last up to three months without water, she added. The DA-XI assured there would be no rice shortage in the region as 51,000 hectares or rice lands are due for the May to August cropping season. Regional Director Fatma Idris of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) also expressed concern over the possibility of an El Niño. She said her agency has already advised fish cage or punong owners to reduce their fish stock density by 50 percent. This is to avoid fish kill, as high volume of fish in a cage would lead to higher stress levels and greater risk for fish kills, she said. PAGASA, meanwhile, still warned the public that tropical cyclones may still occur even during an El Niño. The state weather bureau advised agencies such as the DA and BFAR to take preventive actions to mitigate the impact of the dry spell. [Lorie Ann Cascaro/MindaNews]
http://edgedavao.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15706:2014-06-04-12-50-46&catid=68:the-big-news&Itemid=96

Author: Yeshi Wamishe, Extension Rice Plant Pathologist
Rain, cloudy skies and overcast conditions that continued to hold up the planting of rice, did not hold up the rice blast pathogen from reproducing and infecting rice at an early growth stage in Southwest Louisiana. Rice leaf blast has been reported in Southwest Louisiana on the medium grain variety Jupiter to a large extent and to a lesser extent on the long grain CL151, particularly on lighter sandy soils. Although the rice crop in Arkansas is behind that of Louisiana, blast can start infecting the plant as early as tillering stage. If conditions are favorable, it can appear early and prevail again at heading.
Field conditions that favor blast
1.      Fields with heavy tree lines, especially on the east side – which prolongs night-time dew period – are more likely to develop blast if planted with susceptible varieties.
2.      Soil types where a deep flood cannot be maintained are more prone for blast disease.
3.      High nitrogen in fields with blast history makes susceptible varieties prone to the disease.
4.      Fields with history likely get the disease if planted with susceptible varieties.
5.      Fields at river bottoms with longer dew periods are prone for the disease.
6.      Fields low in potash and low irrigation capacity favor disease development.
7.      Low cut fields when leveling get low in fertility particularly potash and are prone to blast disease.
Weather conditions that favor blast
1.      Frequent light rains that allow extended leaf wetness
2.      Extended cloudy days that allow slower leaf drying
3.      Slow wind that transport spores and slow leaf dryness
4.      Warmer days and cooler nights that allow long dew periods
5.      Combinations of rain, cloudy skies and overcast
Note that spores of the blast pathogen are windborne and can travel long distances so we have to be watchful and scout the fields. What happened in Louisiana may happen here, too, particularly if we go from extreme wet to extreme dry. Damage from leaf blast can be substantially suppressed if detected earlydiagnosed correctly (Figure 1) and managed timely. Late detection, incorrect diagnosis and poor management could be costly with increasing the frequency of fungicide application and yield reduction. Maintaining a consistent > 4 inch flood at all times until the field is drained for harvest is essential to suppress further leaf blast disease development. However, in severe conditions (Figure 2) fungicide application may be required to suppress blast disease development. Once the leaf blast is under control, you still need to be prepared to apply preventative fungicides at late boot stage to 10% heading followed by a second application at 50-75% heading. Blast is a devastating disease of rice.
The blast fungus infects several parts of the rice plant:
1.      It infects leaves causing “Leaf Blast
2.      It infects leaf collars causing “Collar Blast”
3.      It infects panicles causing “Panicle Blast”
4.      It infects panicle node and/ or neck causing “Neck blast (Neck rot)”
The blast pathogen is the most effective organism in promoting its survival. It is versatile to adapt to different environmental conditions and infect rice varieties. Get ahead of this notorious disease.
Scout fields for leaf blast symptoms on susceptible varieties grown in blast prone fields. Scouting fields historically prone to blast is always warranted. Varieties known to be resistant are not totally immune from blast infection. New races of the pathogen may change historyWhen scouting for leaf blast looking for the typical spindle-shaped lesions on older and lower leaves (Figure 1) is advisable. Early blast lesions may be confused with brown spot or spots formed due to herbicide damage such as Gramoxone (Paraquat).
Description: Fig.1. leaf blast is distinctive when lesions form spindle shape. Sporulated lesions have ashy centers. Non-sporulated early lesions can be confusing.
Fig.1. Rice leaf blast is distinctive when lesions form spindle shape. Sporulated lesions have ashy centers. Non-sporulated early lesions can be confusing.
Description: Fig. 2. Rice leaf blast disease can cause severe leaf burn down.  Field of CL 151 in Clay County in 2014.
Fig. 2. Rice leaf blast disease can cause severe leaf burn down. Field of CL 151 in Clay County in 2014.
http://www.arkansas-crops.com/2015/06/02/reported-louisiana-arkansas/#sthash.VefXBWki.dpuf

USA Rice Updates Congress on Rural Economy    
Paul Combs (left) and Dow Brantley (far right) deliver the message on the rural economy.
WASHINGTON, DC -- This morning the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a public hearing on the financial health of farm country. Dow Brantley, chairman of the USA Rice Federation, and Paul T. Combs, a past chairman of the USA Rice Producers' Group, were two of the five witnesses offering testimony.As a farmer and equipment dealer and former Federal Reserve Board member from Kennett, Missouri, Combs was able to offer a unique perspective on the current economic situation: "When farmers take steps to minimize their exposure to risk, resulting in a pullback in investments for their farm, this pullback starts first with inputs, including equipment, grain storage facilities, and fertilizer, and then begins to impact the majority of businesses in rural America."Combs continued, "We've seen this cycle play out over and over and I hope we will not repeat the mistakes of the past by taking for granted how important a dependable safety net is, not just to producers, but to all businesses and families that depend on agriculture."Brantley, a third generation farmer from England, Arkansas, talked about the importance of reducing trade barriers and the unfair competition U.S. producers face due to foreign government intervention in global rice markets. "Rice is the most government-interfered with crop in the world, and the U.S. has difficulty competing with foreign governments who illegally subsidize their crops and employ unfair trading practices," said Brantley. "Unfortunately, these bad actors are the very folks that set the world price. Without the farm bill, U.S. rice farmers would be in more trouble economically than they are currently. It is critical that the U.S. government continues to go after the bad actors that put our nation's rice producers at an unfair disadvantage."In closing remarks, all of the panelists appearing before the Subcommittee agreed that the level of financial stress in rural America will increase, and they recognized and thanked the Subcommittee members for their support of the 2014 Farm Bill which will provide growers modest support in these tough times.
 Contact:  Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475
US Rice Industry Weighs In on Impact of Trade with Cuba   
Riceland Foods'
 Terry Harris (center)
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) held a public hearing for their section 332 study entitled "Overview of Cuban Imports of Goods and Services and Effects of U.S. Restrictions." Terry Harris of Riceland Foods represented USA Rice on the first panel.
 
Following prepared testimony, Commissioners questioned panelists, including Harris, representatives from the U.S. Grains Council, the Dairy Farmers of America, and the chairwoman of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC), about working with Alimport, the sole agency responsible for imports into Cuba. The Commissioners were interested in panelists' knowledge of financial transactions between Cuba and its current trading partners, and also how relationships between Cuba and its trading partners may be affected by imports from the United States.The USITC also asked about the impact of trade with Cuba on individual states.
"Rice from Arkansas and Louisiana could account for approximately three quarters of sales to Cuba in the years immediately following the establishment of normal commercial relations with Cuba," said Harris. "This could be new demand of up to 100,000 metric tons for just these two states, with an estimated value of $46 million at today's prices. We would expect these states to be the dominant suppliers to Cuba for the foreseeable future, but all producing states in the Mid-South will benefit."The USITC investigation came at the request of the Senate Committee on Finance in response to the Obama Administration's recent shift on relations with Cuba. "We expect the report will support the overwhelming majority of U.S. agriculture, including USA Rice, seeking a return to normal commercial relations with Cuba," said USA Rice COO Bob Cummings.The complete section 332 report is scheduled for publication on October 15.

Contact:  Kristen Dayton (703) 236-1464
ME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for June 2
Month
Price
Net Change

July 2015
$9.775
+ $0.125
September 2015
$10.050
+ $0.125
November 2015
$10.325
+ $0.125
January 2016
$10.580
+ $0.125
March 2016
$10.760
+ $0.125
May 2016
$10.760
+ $0.125
July 2016
$10.760
+ $0.125

New round of rice bidding planned for middle of month
The Nation June 2, 2015 5:47 pm
The Commerce Ministry is set to reopen bidding for about one million tonnes of rice by the middle of this month, having suspended auctions for more than two months since the end of the harvest season, Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya said Tuesday.The ministry has decided to reopen bidding in light of expected lower rice supply in the market, while the auction should not affect the market price, thus safeguarding the interests of farmers, he said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/New-round-of-rice-bidding-planned-for-middle-of-mo-30261429.html
Worries on El Niño winds 
BY GEORGE ON         2015-06-02 UNCATEGORIZED
Ethan Harfenist
With the weather pattern known as El Niño currently stirring up the Pacific Ocean, experts are expressing concern that parts of Cambodia may soon face drought conditions that could rival the devastating effects the weather system brought nearly 20 years ago.A cyclical changing of ocean temperatures that typically brings dry weather in the Western Pacific, El Niño was initially predicted to occur in 2014, but the weather pattern has only officially taken shape this year, with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology upgrading its El Niño-Southern Oscillation tracker on May 12.Droughts caused by El Niño in 1997 and 1998 caused mass food shortages in Cambodia, prompting officials to call for donations to help meet a 250,000-tonne rice shortfall. While experts say it’s still too early to determine the system’s impact this year, the outlook appears troubling.
“When an El Niño occurs, they call it a coupling between the ocean and the atmosphere,” said Ian Thomas, a technical adviser with the Mekong River Commission. “Last year, it didn’t occur, [but]this year it’s happening very strongly.”Climate forecast models by the US’s Climate Prediction Center suggest dry conditions for this part of the world during the months of May, June and July.“At the same time, the current drought conditions as monitored by satellite in parts of Cambodia are already pretty darn bad and close to record-breaking,” Thomas said. “A very large water deficit has already built up. This really is a very bad time to start going into an even harsher drought event.”The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in its food security country brief for Cambodia, made no mention of El Niño or prospective drought conditions for the country or its neighbours, despite it being published on the same day the Australian BOM officially announced the event.
Rather, 2015 is forecast to yield a near “record level” for rice production in Cambodia, even though planting season for rice begins in June, just as El Niño-driven drought conditions are predicted to take effect.“Assuming favourable weather conditions, FAO forecasts this season’s rice output at 7.2 million tonnes, up one percent from last year’s good level,” the report states. Similar forecasts were made for neighbouring countries Thailand and Laos. In Thailand, for example, the FAO noted that the “main season” rice crop, planted from May to August, was being planted under “favourable weather conditions”, suggesting good harvests in the face of a mounting El Niño.

The reality on the ground, however, is a different story. Lertwiroj Kowattana, director general of Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department, told Reuters that water levels are “the worst in 15 years” this year, with many provinces already facing drought conditions.Furthermore, in Vietnam, coffee farmers are reportedly facing extreme drought, threatening that country’s output for one of its most valuable crops.The FAO in Cambodia did not respond to inquiries for a response by press time.But without preparation, some experts warn, a similar fate could be in store for Cambodia.“This year we are not sure what will happen . . . [But] we have already told farmers to be prepared for a drought,” said Yang Saing Koma, president of the Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture.Koma said the situation is already “very serious” in Kampong Speu, while there are some drought-like conditions in Takeo as well.
His organisation is encouraging farmers to take water-saving measures in the event of an intense dry spell. Using water vats to collect rainwater and digging small ponds are among the methods employed by small-scale farmers to help secure water supplies. “[This is] to minimise risk and to help farmers adapt to produce food. Water is most important,” he said.Thomas warned that this year’s El Niño could potentially be worse than the one that struck Cambodia in 1997 and 1998, when late rains, combined with insects, devastated crops and left thousands short of food.“None of it looks good. It looks very much like a classic type of El Niño, the kind we had in 1997 and 1998,” he said. “It looks like it may even be stronger than that. We’re going into it at the wrong time.”
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 02
Nagpur, June 2 Gram and tuar prices reported strong in Nagpur Agriculture Produce
and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on good seasonal demand from local millers amid tight supply
from producing regions. Continuous rise on NCDEX in gram, healthy hike in Madhya Pradesh pulses
and reported demand from South-based millers also jacked up prices, according to sources.

               *            *              *              *

    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Desi gram raw recovered in open market here on increased buying support 
     from local traders amid weak arrival from producing belts.

     TUAR
   * Tuar black firmed up again in open market on good demand from local traders weak
     supply from producing regions. Reports about weak overseas arrival also boosted
     prices.  
  
   * Masoor varieties reported down in open market on lack of demand from local traders
     amid ample stock in ready position.

   * Jowar varieties shot up in open market here on increased demand from local traders
     amid thin arrival from producing regions.
                                                                                            
   * In Akola, Tuar - 7,300-7,700, Tuar dal - 10,100-10,500, Udid at 9,100-9,600,
     Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,700-11,100, Moong - 9,000-9,200, Moong Mogar
    (clean) 10,700-11,100, Gram - 4,200-4,500, Gram Super best bold - 6,100-6,300
     for 100 kg.

   * Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market
     in poor trading activity, according to sources.
      
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close  
     Gram Auction                   3,600-4,660         3,600-4,520
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                6,000-7,500         6,000-7,340
     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,000-6,300
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,200-6,500        6,200-6,500
     Gram Super Best            n.a.               
     Gram Medium Best            5,900-6,200        5,900-6,200
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Mill Quality            5,600-5,750        5,600-5,750
     Desi gram Raw                4,650-4,700         4,600-4,650
     Gram Filter new            6,100-6,200        6,100-6,200
     Gram Kabuli                5,200-6,900        5,200-6,900
     Gram Pink                6,400-6,600        6,400-6,600
     Tuar Fataka Best             10,600-10,900        10,600-10,900
     Tuar Fataka Medium             10,000-10,400        10,000-10,400
     Tuar Dal Best Phod            9,600-9,800        9,600-9,800
     Tuar Dal Medium phod            8,900-9,400        8,900-9,400
     Tuar Gavarani New             7,500-7,600        7,500-7,600
     Tuar Karnataka             8,000-8,100        8,000-8,100
     Tuar Black                 10,900-11,200           10,800-11,100
     Masoor dal best            8,000-8,200        8,100-8,300
     Masoor dal medium            7,500-7,900        7,500-8,000
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold               10,800-11,000       10,800-11,000
     Moong Mogar Medium best        10,000-10,500        10,000-10,500
     Moong dal Chilka            9,500-9,800        9,500-9,800
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            9,600-9,900        9,600-9,900
     Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG)    11,100-11,500       11,100-11,500
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    9,800-10,500        9,800-10,500
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        8,400-8,800        8,400-8,800
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        4,200-4,400        4,200-4,400
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)           3,200-3,350         3,200-3,350
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)        3,200-3,450        3,200-3,450
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)        2,450-2,625         2,450-2,625
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,700-4,900        3,700-4,900
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,600        1,400-1,600
     Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG)    1,550-1,750        1,550-1,750
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,600           1,400-1,600
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,200-2,450        2,200-2,450
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)    1,800-1,950        1,800-1,950
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,100-3,700        3,100-3,700
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,800-3,000        2,800-3,000
     Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,500        1,400-1,500
     Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)        2,000-2,200        2,000-2,200    
     Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)        2,600-2,850        2,600-2,850
     Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)               3,200-3,400        3,200-3,400
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)        1,600-1,800        1,600-1,800
     Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)      2,100-2,450        2,100-2,450
     Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)      2,500-2,750        2,500-2,750
     Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)        3,200-3,650        3,200-3,650
     Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)               3,900-4,300        3,900-4,300
     Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG)    4,000-4,500        4,000-4,500
     Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG)    4,500-5,000        4,500-5,000    
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    8,200-10,200        8,200-10,200
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    6,000-7,200        6,000-7,200
     Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG)    4,650-4,900        4,650-4,900
     Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)        5,500-6,000        5,500-6,000
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,200-2,450        2,100-2,300
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)        2,500-2,600        2,300-2,500

WEATHER (NAGPUR) 
Maximum temp. 39.4 degree Celsius (102.9 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
25.2 degree Celsius (77.4 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night.
Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 42 and 26 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

PhilRice Special News
PhilRice pushes climate change-ready technologies
Science City of Muñoz – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has produced an information kit to equip farmers with information on how they can better adapt to the impacts of climate change.  Said info kit is a “ready-to-print” material that contains a list of climate change-ready technologies the farmers can use for rice and rice-based farming systems. It includes the recommended varieties that can withstand different climate-related stresses such as drought, salinity, and flood.For water-saving technologies, PhilRice recommends the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and low-cost drip irrigation system (LDIS) technologies.AWD guides farmers when to irrigate (or not) the rice field.  Hence, this prevents wasteful use of water.  PhilRice studies show that use of AWD also minimizes greenhouse gas emissions in paddy fields.
LDIS is also for efficient use of water and is recommended for irrigating rice-based crops.Meanwhile, fossil fuel-free technologies such as the rice hull gasifier-pump system, windmill- pump system, rice hull stove, and carbonizer are also featured.The rice hull gasifier-pump system uses rice hull instead of gasoline or diesel in pumping water from the ground.  It is recommended for rainfed areas where fuel expenses are high.The wind mill-pump system is applicable in areas where wind energy is abundant.A device called rice hull carbonizer is for processing the rice hull into biochar (charcoal). Aside from being used as soil conditioner, biochar is also popularly used as main ingredient in producing organic fertilizers thus reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.Additionally, the kit also features Palayamanan Plus, an integrated and diversified farming system, and some harvest and postharvest technologies.Farmers, extension workers, or anyone interested may download the kit from the institute’s website or contact the PhilRice Text Center (0920-911-1398) should they want to know more about the climate change-ready technologies for rice and rice-based farming.
Manila youth to work in agri
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – Most of the participants in the Rice Science and Art Summer Camp, conducted on May 19-22 at PhilRice in Nueva Ecija had resolved to consider working in the agriculture sector after completing their studies. “As city dwellers, we are unaware of the processes that the rice undergoes before it reaches our plates. This camp made me realized the intricacies of rice production and the importance of not wasting a rice grain,” Rica Paula Dianne Capistrano of Manila Science High School said.“As agriculture is indispensable in maintaining our own food supply, I am thinking of taking a career in this field as a researcher,” she added.
Organized by the Rice Science Museum, the camp aimed to engage the urban youth in agriculture through lectures on rice and health, its journey, and culture; field exposure; and the arts.Using impressionism, Capistrano drew the Rice Planters based on camp activities such as tour in the gene bank, where more than 10,000 rice accessions are stored; Future Rice, an ideal farm set-up that can be replicated by farmers; and the gene pool of the Philippine Carabao Center.Her artwork shows the colorful struggles that farmers experience to sustain the connection among the tillers, rice, and the consumers.“Farmers are good inspiration, because they are not whiners and do not easily give up on their work no matter what,” the 16-year-old who represented other participants from the F. Ma. Guerrero Elementary School and Margarita Roxas de Ayala said.
Charisma Love B. Gado, senior science research specialist, said that youth commitment in agriculture is crucial for development.“The future of food security depends on the anticipated participation of youth in agriculture, not necessarily as farmers, but as investors, agri professionals, or advocates. However, a disinterest and indifference in agriculture could be observed among them; so, we explored the arts as a more interesting way to educate them on rice science,” the activity organizer said.The participants’ appreciation of rice and understanding of its science were expressed in about 20 artworks, which will be launched in July. Some of these works are titled, Play of Nature, Moonlight, Abundance, Capture, Field, and Ignorance.Career opportunities in agriculture were also presented to the students. According to Gado, agriculture is a diverse field of research and development, business, and instruction.
 Travel and career growth opportunities are also available through national and international scholarships.“Agriculture has been the main driver of progress in societies and if we may recall, its discovery led to the organization of peoples and to the structuring of communities. We hope that the value on how agriculture had changed us will remain important to the modern youth and their generations,” she said.

PhilRice goes entrep to help farmers
To help rice tillers become entrepreneurs, PhilRice development workers were recently updated on agripreneurship.
Training facilitator Dr. Rene Resurreccion, a licensed trainer of the Competency-based Economies through Formation of Enterprise approach, said that “economic development for all” can be achieved by producing more local entrepreneurs.
“Without entrepreneurs, there can be no development,” Resurreccion said.
Resurreccion developed the Entrefarm Game,designed to teach basic entrepreneurship to farmers. It includes modules on basic entrepreneurial farming, negotiation and building cooperatives, processing, and exporting farm products.
The participants learned about the application of business cycle to farming and simulated a farm business operation. During the simulation, they learned about proper record-keeping, fund allocation, and cash flow.
The training also focused on strategic planning, negotiation, and the importance of forming a farmers’ cooperative. Processing products into finished goods as an option aside from regular farming was also explored. It enabled the participants to run a livestock production business and explore the possibility of exporting products.
Topics on business mapping, maximizing resources, and marketing were also elaborated as important technical management skills needed in establishing an enterprise.
Meanwhile, investment in research, strategic planning, and wise financial management were highlighted as essential factors in building enterprises for farmers.
Resurreccion is the founder and the director of Passion for Perfection Inc., a company that develops achievement-oriented business and development games and training programs.
The training was organized by Project IPaD or Improving Technology Promotion and Delivery through Capability Enhancement of Next-Gen Rice Extension Professionals and Other Intermediaries and PhilRice’s Rural Transformation Movement.

Phil Rice News


Rice research benefits farmers, deserves long-term support – DA chief

2 June 2015
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Filipino rice farmers are poised to gain even more from government efforts to help increase rice productivity as Philippine Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala acknowledged promising results from the field and pledged continued support to rice research. In a briefing on 1 June 2015 with project implementers of the rice research component of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), Secretary Alcala lauded progress covering various aspects of the country's rice industry and vowed to make sure technologies and interventions will benefit farmers.The rice research component of the FSSP is jointly implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
“I am optimistic of the collaboration’s impact at the farmers’ level,” Alcala said. “Efforts like these deserve long-term support, and I intend to present these to the country's economic managers to make sure that support is sustained.” IRRI Deputy Director General 
Bruce Tolentino assured the secretary of IRRI’s continued support to DA’s goals of helping the country’s rice farmers become globally competitive.
Not only does Alcala want to see farmers make use of research-informed interventions, he intends to make use of documented results to help advise the government on sustainable expansion of agricultural areas, not only for rice but for other crops. He cited encouraging results from the accelerated development and deployment of improved varieties and from promoting the use of a suite of associated technologies to help increase yield in rainfed rice environments. The secretary instructed his technical advisory group (TAG) to apply lessons learned from the Philippine Rice Information System project to create information systems for other crops. He proposed intensified inter-agency collaboration to improve the capacity of agriculture extensionists, and encouraged visits to Heirloom Rice Project sites in the Cordillera region.The FSSP’s rice research efforts are funded by the DA Rice Program through the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research. Implementing partners are the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), DA-Agriculture Training Institute, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, and regional field offices. 
Alcala and the TAG was joined by Undersecretary for Field Operations Emerson Palad, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations and PhilRice Officer-In-Charge Edilberto de Luna, Director and Special Technical Adviser for the National Rice Program Edmund Sana, and DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar. Also present were implementers from IRRI and DA attached bureaus and agencies.
Irri news

Rice research benefits farmers, deserves long-term support – DA chief


Description: Description: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsQyEA29KVw/VW1OHaJcN0I/AAAAAAAAAxk/t-waCfRYI-0/s400/DAbriefing.jpgQUEZON CITY, Philippines – Filipino rice farmers are poised to gain even more from government efforts to help increase rice productivity as Philippine Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala acknowledged promising results from the field and pledged continued support to rice research.In a briefing on 1 June 2015 with project implementers of the rice research component of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), Secretary Alcala lauded progress covering various aspects of the country's rice industry and vowed to make sure technologies and interventions will benefit farmers.

The rice research component of the FSSP is jointly implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).“I am optimistic of the collaboration’s impact at the farmers’ level,” Alcala said. “Efforts like these deserve long-term support, and I intend to present these to the country's economic managers to make sure that support is sustained.” IRRI Deputy Director General Bruce Tolentino assured the secretary of IRRI’s continued support to DA’s goals of helping the country’s rice farmers become globally competitive.Not only does Alcala want to see farmers make use of research-informed interventions, he intends to make use of documented results to help advise the government on sustainable expansion of agricultural areas, not only for rice but for other crops. He cited encouraging results from the accelerated development and deployment of improved varieties and from promoting the use of a suite of associated technologies to help increase yield in rainfed rice environments.
The secretary instructed his technical advisory group (TAG) to apply lessons learned from the Philippine Rice Information System project to create information systems for other crops. He proposed intensified inter-agency collaboration to improve the capacity of agriculture extensionists, and encouraged visits to Heirloom Rice Project sites in the Cordillera region.The FSSP’s rice research efforts are funded by the DA Rice Program through the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research. Implementing partners are the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), DA-Agriculture Training Institute, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, and regional field offices.Alcala and the TAG were joined by Undersecretary for Field Operations Emerson Palad, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations and PhilRice Officer-In-Charge Edilberto de Luna, Director and Special Technical Adviser for the National Rice Program Edmund Sana, and DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar. Also present were implementers from IRRI and DA attached bureaus and agencies.
Learn more about IRRI (www.irri.org) or follow us on the social media and networks (all links down the right column).
http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/06/rice-research-benefits-farmers-deserves.html
APEDA India  News
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 01-06-2015
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Garlic
1
Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
2100
2
Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
2000
3
Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
1800
Ginger
1
Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
4600
2
Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
5100
3
Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
3000
Guar Gum Powder
1
Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
4675
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2095
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
3195
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 01-06-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Jowar(Sorgham)
1
Amreli (Gujarat)
Other
1355
2865
2
Solapur (Maharashtra)
Other
1750
2025
3
Theni (Tamil Nadu)
Other
1300
1380
Maize
1
Dhing (Assam)
Other
1320
1500
2
Amreli (Gujarat)
Other
1550
1800
3
Bellary(Karnataka)
Local
1211
1267
Mousambi
1
Sirhind (Punjab)
Other
3000
4500
2
Haldwani(Uttrakhand)
Other
2500
2500
3
Mechua(West Bengal)
Other
2600
3100
Carrot
1
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
2000
3000
2
Shillong (Meghalaya)
Other
3000
3800
3
Haldwani(Uttrakhand)
Other
1500
1600
Source:agra-net
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 01-06-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Ahmedabad
333
2
Nagapur
327
3
Namakkal
349
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 29-05-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Onions Dry
Package: 50 lb sacks
1
Baltimore
Arizona
Yellow
21
22
2
Dallas
Mexico
Yellow
16.75
18.50
3
Detroit
California
Yellow
15.50
17
Carrots
Package: 30 1-lb film bags
1
Baltimore
California
 Baby Peeled
24
25
2
Chicago
California
 Baby Peeled
22
23.50
3
New York
Arizona
 Baby Peeled
22
22
Grapefruit
Package: 7/10 bushel cartons
1
Baltimore
California
Red
28
28
2
New York
Texas
Red
16
16
3
Philadelphia
California
Red
17.50
18
Source:USDA


Author: Jarrod Hardke, Rice Extension Agronomist
South Arkansas: Three fields Chicot, Desha and Arkansas Counties have received N-STaR fertilizer applications and are being flooded. The Jefferson County field is cracking and all other fields are from 4 leaves to tillering stage. A low uneven hybrid stand (1 leaf – tillering) in Chicot County made it difficult for management decisions. Pre-emergence herbicides residuals in some fields lasted 4-6 weeks and weeds are now breaking. Post-emergence herbicide ecommendations are going out.
North Arkansas: Growth stages in the eight verification fields range from early spiking to 4 leaf. Although seedling disease occurred in Cross and Mississippi Counties, stand counts remain well within numbers needed for maximum yield potential and seedling rice across the area has a much healthier appearance this week. Pre-emergence herbicides are breaking in some of the fields making post-emergence treatments necessary.
South Arkansas
County
Variety
Seeding:
Date
Method
Rate
Treatment
Emergence
Density
Stage
General Information & Application
(Rates listed per acre)
Arkansas
CL XL745
3/30/15
Early-Tiller
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P-K-Zn
22 lbs/acre
0-30-90-10
CruiserMaxx Rice
4/13/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
6.4 plants ft2
11 oz. Command + 3.2 oz. League
Ashley
CL XL745
4/8/15
4-leaf
Herbicides applied at planting:
Drill
1 pt. Command
CruiserMaxx Rice
26 lbs/acre
Post-emergence herbicide recommendation:
4/19/15
4 oz. Newpath + 1 oz. Aim
7.6 plants ft2
Chicot
CL XL745
4/3/15
1 leaf -Tillering
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P-K-Zn
33 lbs/acre
0-60-0-0
CruiserMaxx Rice
4/18/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
2.5 plants ft2
1.5 pt. Glyphosate + 24 oz. Command
Desha
Jupiter
3/31/15
Tillering
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P-K-Zn
70 lbs/acre
0-0-90-10
CruiserMaxx Rice
4/14/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
18 plants ft2
11 oz. Command + 3.2 oz. League
Jefferson
Roy J
5/6/15
Cracking
Herbicides applied at planting:
Drill
32 oz. Touchdown.
65 lbs/acre
CruiserMaxx + Zinc
Pre-emergence herbicides:
Lee
LaKast
4/8/15
Early-tillering
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Broadcast
N - P- K- S- Zn
75 lbs/acre
12-40-75-10-1
CruiserMaxx Rice +Zinc
4/28/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
17 plants ft2
2 pt. Glyphosate + 11 oz. Command
+ 2 oz. Sharpen
Lonoke
CL151
4/11/15
4 leaf
Herbicides applied at planting:
Drill
16 oz. Command + 3.2 oz. League
65 lbs/acre
+ 1 qt. Glyphosate
CruiserMaxx + Zinc
4/25/15
16 plants ft2
Phillips
LaKast
4/17/15
4-leaf
Herbicides applied at planting:
Drill
1 qt. Glyphosate + 11 oz. Command +
72 lbs/acre
3.2 oz. League
CruizerMaxx + Zinc
4/24/15
Post-emergence herbicides:
16 plants ft2
4 qt. RiceBeaux + 32 oz. Facet L
Monroe
Jupiter
4/6/15
Tillering
Herbicides applied at planting:
Drill
11 oz. Command + 3.2 oz. League
70 lbs/acre
Apron Maxx
Post-emergence herbicides:
4/28/15
4 qt. RiceBeaux + 32 oz. Facet L
21 plants ft2
North Arkansas
County
Variety
Seeding:
Date
Method
Rate
Treatment
Emergence
Density
Stage
General Information & Application
(Rates listed per acre)
CL271
4/29/15
1-2 leaf
Herbicides applied at planting:
Clay
Drill
12.8 oz. Command + 32 oz. Glyphosate
65 lbs/acre
CruiserMaxx Rice
Post-emergence herbicides:
5/12/15
0.5 lb. Clearpath
Cross
Roy J
4/8/15
3-4 leaf
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Broadcast
N-P- K-Zn
86 lbs/acre
0-40-60-2
CruiserMaxx Rice
4/16/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
21 plants ft2
12.8 oz. Command
Independence
Jupiter
4/8/15
3-4 leaf
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P-K
70 lbs/acre
0-46-96
CruiserMaxx Rice + Release
4/21/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
20 plants ft2
11 oz. Command
Lawrence
Mermentau
4/28/15
Sprouting (bottom 1/3) to 2-leaf (upper 2/3)
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P- K-S-Zn
80 lbs/acre
0-21-24-2-4
5/9/15
Mississippi
Jupiter
4/2/15
4-leaf
Herbicides applied delayed pre-emerge:
Drill
2 pt. Prowl H20 + 32 oz. Facet L
90 lbs/acre
+ 22 oz. RoundupWeatherMax
4/15/15
16 plants ft2
Randolph
XL753
5/6/15
Emerged
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P- K
22 lbs/acre
0-46-120
CruiserMaxx Rice
5/15/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
St Francis
LaKast
4/6/15
4-leaf
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P- K
70 lbs/acre
0-47-77
Apron Maxx
4/15/15
Herbicides applied at planting:
26 plants ft2
12.8 oz. Command + 3.2 oz. League
White
XL753
5/7/15
Emerged
Pre-plant fertilizer applied:
Drill
N-P- K-S-Zn
22 lbs/acre
0-30-90-0-10
RiceTec Standard
5/15/15
Herbicides applied delayed pre-emerge


http://www.arkansas-crops.com/2015/05/18/rice-research-verification-program-update-2015/#sthash.44afKdX0.dpuf



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2nd June (Wednesday),2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine