Thursday, June 18, 2015

17th June (Thursday),2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Pakistan wheat surplus to cool imports this year - trader

A wheat surplus in Pakistan is likely to mean little appetite for imports this year, although it will purchase more oilseeds because of lower crop prospects, a leading local trader says.
By: Jonathan Saul, Reuters
view all offers | sign up for email offers | add your businessPakistan wheat surplus to cool importsLONDON — A wheat surplus in Pakistan is likely to mean little appetite for imports this year, although it will purchase more oilseeds because of lower crop prospects, a leading local trader says.In November last year, Pakistan imposed a 20 percent import duty on wheat to help protect local farmers from imports, leading to the cancellation of some of the import deals.Anis Majeed, chairman of Karachi-based food commodities firm Bombi’s Group, says Pakistan was estimated to produce 25 million metric tons of wheat this year versus about 24 million metric tons last year. Domestic wheat consumption was pegged at 22 million to 23 million metric tons, he says.“This year, Pakistan will not make big imports because we have the crop and there is a surplus,” Majeed says.The International Grains Council estimated Pakistan’s wheat production in the 2015 to ’16 crop year at 25 million metric tons, versus 25.5 million metric tons in 2014 to ’15.
In contrast, Pakistan was expected to import higher quantities of oilseeds including canola, says Majeed, who is also chairman of the wholesale grocers’ association of Karachi, which is Pakistan’s mercantile capital.“If you calculate (oilseeds) ... altogether this year, we are expecting to import about 1.5 to 1.6 million (metric) tons,” he says. “Last year was a little less — about 1.2 million (metric) tons and our crop was better than this year.”Majeed says Pakistan expected a good rice crop, although exports were likely to be tempered by slower demand.“Pakistan’s production is around 6.5 million (metric) tons annually — out of which 3.5 million (metric) tons we export,” he says. “Prices have come down as the international market has come down. Therefore, there could be a little less (exports) this year.”Majeed says rice exporters were looking to boost sales to Iran, a major consumer of Basmati grade rice.
Iran and six world powers are seeking to overcome remaining differences with a looming self-imposed June 30 deadline to reach a deal over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. The timing of sanctions relief for Iran are among the disputes holding up a nuclear accord.Majeed says there was already a border trade between Pakistan and Iran for rice — with the business handled by local merchants along the border. A nuclear deal could enable other exporters in Pakistani cities such as Karachi and Lahore expanding business.“Iran can be good partner of Pakistani rice and trade can be increased. But there are few difficulties of the embargoes,” he says.Majeed says a proposed wheat barter deal between Pakistan and Iran was still being discussed.The deal, initially agreed in 2012, was to involve Iran exporting fertilizer and iron ore to Pakistan in exchange for wheat.“The swapping ... has not been decided as yet,” he says. “They are working on it.”

http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/26804/

 

Canada Requests Retaliation in COOL Case

 

Rice in the WTO crosshairs

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND -- Canada today reportedly asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) for permission to retaliate against the United States because of the U.S. country-of-origin labeling regulation (COOL) on certain muscle cuts of meat. Press reports indicate that Canada's request to impose almost $2.5 billion in additional tariffs on imports from the United States was immediately challenged by the U.S. representative at a meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). This objection moved the dispute to an arbitration panel, which has up to 60 days to decide on the level of retaliation that Canada can apply. 

 

"Today's action underscores the need for the U.S. Congress to reform the COOL regulation," said Betsy Ward, USA Rice President and CEO. "The U.S. has lost multiple WTO challenges to COOL by Canada and Mexico, and Canada has taken the long-expected next step towards retaliation." Canada is targeting a cross section of imports from the United States for retaliatory duties, including a duty of 100 percent on U.S. rice. The duty is currently zero. Mexico is also threatening retaliation, but has not published a list of imports subject to increased duties.  Mexico was reportedly not able to request retaliation today because the country only late last week revised upward its retaliation request to $713 million. The next meeting of the DSB is June 29.

USA Rice is an active participant in the COOL Reform Coalition whose goal is to bring the United States into compliance with WTO decisions on COOL. "Canada and Mexico are in the driver's seat, and it's critical that the Senate follow the House lead and reform COOL," said Ward. The House voted 300-131 on June 10 to repeal portions of the COOL regulation successfully challenged by Canada and Mexico.

 

Contact:  Bob Cummings (703) 236-1473

Rice Leadership Development Session II, First Stop:  CBOT and John Deere


From left: Hudgens Jeter, Paul Johnson, Nat McKnight, Nicole Creason, Collin Holzhauer, 
Greg Van Dyke, Dutin Harrell, and Kevin Ripple with John Deere.
 
MOLINE, ILLINOIS -- The 2015/17 Rice Leadership Development Program class began the week in Chicago at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), where the class met with Fred Seamon, Senior Director, Commodity Research & Product Development.  Seamon provided an overview on using the CBOT as a tool to reduce risk.

"CBOT really opened my eyes to what is happening after the rice leaves my farm," said class member Paul Johnson, a rice farmer from Welsh, Louisiana. "Because farmers tend to concentrate on producing a safe and abundant crop while focused on water and environmental stewardship, we forget there are market forces beyond our immediate control that can help a farmer who is paying attention, or hurt a farmer who doesn't know what to consider."

The class also visited the world headquarters here of program sponsor John Deere where they met with company executives and toured the combine factory.This is the second of four week-long sessions in the two-year leadership program.  It includes personal development workshops on presentation skills, media training and business etiquette. The class will now travel to Arkansas and Mississippi to study those state's rice farming practices and processing industries.The seven class members are rice producers Johnson; Nicole Creason, Jonesboro, AR; Greg Van Dyke, Pleasant Grove, CA; Nat McKnight, Cleveland, MS; and Hudgens Jeter, Stuttgart, AR; and rice industry representatives Dr. Dustin Harrell, Rayne, LA with LSU AgCenter, and Collin Holzhauer, Harrisburg, AR with Southern Rice & Cotton.The Rice Leadership Development Program is sponsored by John Deere Company, RiceTec Inc., and American Commodity Company through The Rice Foundation and is managed by the USA Rice Federation.

CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices 
WASHINGTON, DC --The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporationtoday announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop, which will become effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Prices are unchanged from the previous announcement.

World Price
MLG/LDP Rate

Milled Value ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Long-Grain
14.93
9.67 
0.00
Medium-/Short-Grain
14.55
9.80 
0.00
Brokens
  9.01
----
----

This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates:

U.S. Milling Yields
Whole/Broken
(lbs/cwt)
Loan Rate
($/cwt)
Long-Grain
57.21/12.55
6.64
Medium-/Short-Grain
61.89/8.83
6.51

The next program announcement is scheduled for
 June 24, 2015.    

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for June 17
Month
Price
Net Change

July 2015
$9.730
 - $0.070
September 2015
$9.975
- $0.085
November 2015
$10.250
- $0.095
January 2016
$10.515
- $0.090
March 2016
$10.705
- $0.085
May 2016
$10.705
- $0.085
July 2016
$10.705
- $0.085

 

LSU Rice Station Field Day set for July 1

Jun 16, 2015Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter | Delta Farm Press
Rice Research Station Annual Field Day will be held July 1, with a host of rice experts and speakers discussing the latest in rice farming technology.“Anyone connected to the rice industry will learn from the subjects covered in the field day,” said Steve Linscombe, director of the Rice Research Station, Crowley, La.Field tours start at 7:15 a.m., and the last tour will leave the rice dryer warehouse no later than 9 a.m.On the field tour, speakers will cover topics that include rice breeding, hybrid development, agronomy, and control of weeds, diseases and insects.
A poster session will be held from 7:15 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., followed by the program in the rice dryer building.Speakers will include Clarence Berken, vice chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board; Mike Salassi, LSU AgCenter economist giving an update on the rice market and the farm bill; Bob Cummings of the USA Rice Federation talking about the global competitiveness of American rice; Mike Strain, Louisiana commissioner of Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture; and Rogers Leonard, LSU AgCenter associate vice chancellor.

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/lsu-rice-station-field-day-set-july-1

 

INDIA: TACKLING POLLUTION BY TURNING RICE WASTE INTO A BOON

Plumes of smoke arising from the fields is a common sight in Punjab and northern Haryana (India) during rice harvesting season. In the months of October-November it almost asphyxiates anyone who ventures out of house, be it a village or city. The reason is burning of paddy stubble. Burning of rice straw remains emits trace gases like carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and large amount of particulate matters, which adversely affect human health as well as the environment.
 In 2013, the magnitude of stubble burning was so high that it received international attention. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released a satellite image showing large numbers of fires across millions of hectares of agriculture fields in Punjab and Haryana.Farmers in the state complain that rice straw is a huge problem for them because they follow mechanised agriculture.
When rice is harvested by a combine harvester, it leaves a significant length of straw on the field. So crop residues in combine-harvested fields are burnt. Besides, both wheat and rice are long-duration crops. With a short period available between rice harvesting and wheat plantation, burning is the easiest and quickest way to get rid of rice straw. A Jat farmer adds that increasing labour cost is another reason farmers prefer setting fire to their vast swathes of paddy fields after they have harvested the crop.After China, India is the world’s largest producer of paddy. India produces 98 million tonnes of paddy with roughly 130 million tonnes of straw. Of this, about half is used as animal fodder. The rest is mostly burned in the fields, though a small amount is also consumed by brick kilns and the paper and packaging industry. Despite such huge amounts of rice straw generated, farmers in the country are yet to realise the potential of this agricultural waste as a form of manure and as a profitable raw material for various industries.
Where’s the profit?
According to the local farmers, on average one gets about two tonnes of rice straw per acre (0.4 hectare). ‘The combine owner or operator charges an additional Rs. 850 per acre for harvesting that leftover portion which is of no use to us’, says a farmer. It cannot even be fed to the cattle. Blades of fodder cutter easily get blunt by the thick and sharp straw.Moreover, in the area only brick kilns buy rice straw, but they are limited. Besides, selling rice straw to kilns is not profitable. ‘They pay the farmers Rs. 600-700 a tonne, which means farmers get Rs. 1,200-1,400 per acre. Now, subtract Rs 850 [forming] the rental cost of the combine harvester and the transportation cost [coming to] Rs. 300, which is borne by the farmer, from the amount. All the farmers get is between Rs. 50 and Rs. 250. Where is the profit?’
Another farmer says: ‘Of late, power companies are approaching us to buy rice straw. They are offering between Rs. 500 and Rs. 700 a tonne. Last year, the paper and packaging industry had bought straw for Rs. 1,400-1,700 a tonne’. That was a one-off deal though. In the absence of assured returns, farmers find stubble burning an economic way of managing the agro-waste.
Back in the soil …
Every year about 12 million tonnes of rice straw is burned in the state of Punjab only. According to agricultural specialists, this leads to nutrient loss from the soil which is equivalent to $18 million worth of urea. Scientists from Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), India, have developed a simple and rapid composting technique to convert huge piles of rice straw into organically rich soil.
It takes about 45 days to prepare this rice straw compost which helps conserve nitrogen and other nutrients contained in the straw, they say. The compost contains 1.7 to 2.1 per cent of nitrogen, 1.5 per cent of phosphorous and 1.4 to 1.6 per cent of potassium. It helps improve crop yield by 4 to 9 per cent.However, the problem is that farmers find it labour-intensive. The problem with the farmers is that they want quick solutions. That is why the rice straw compost technique is unsuccessful in India.Another scientist offers another use of rice straw – mulching. In this method, straw is spread across the soil surface and allowed to decompose naturally into the soil by the activity of worms and other organisms. A few farmers in Haryana have adopted it. Farmers in Andhra Pradesh, another rice-growing state of India, have also resorted to this method as it helps maintain soil fertility. Moreover, crops like pigeon pea, soybean and maize can also be easily grown with mulch on the surface.
But environment-friendly agriculture asks for extra effort and time. With farming becoming less remunerative, farmers are looking for easy and quick solutions. This is perhaps the reason why burning of rice straw continues unabated across Punjab and Haryana despite advisories by agricultural universities and the district administration as well as FIRs by agriculture officers against erring farmers.
Power industry offers a way out …
For the past two years, the people of Haryana and Punjab are witnessing relief from choking air during harvesting seasons. Complaints of respiratory problems have also reduced. This is attributed to hundreds of farmers who decided to sell their rice straw to a power company, Punjab Biomass Power Ltd (PBPL), in Ghanaour village.
The company’s agents approached the farmers to harvest the straw for a dividend in cash. The proposal was luring enough, but the farmers had strict time constraints. The company offered its own machinery to harvest and collect straw on time so that farmers would not experience delays for the next crop. The farmers agreed.
Last year PBPL generated 12 MW while helping farmers reduce the pollution levels considerably. According to statistics, ‘A 12 MW rice-straw power plant typically needs 120,000 tonnes of stubble, which can be collected from about 15,000 farmers’.
Power sector pundits say that energy demand may increase by 50 per cent by 2030 and, as sources say, power production from rice straw is a promising way to meet the demand. If enough biomass power plants are set up, it will provide a new source of income to farmers.
But the power industry pays less to farmers than the packaging industry. The paper and packaging industries need straw in small amounts and hence are spoiling the market. The requirement of power units is 350 to 400 tonnes a day and they pay about Rs. 800 a tonne for non-basmati rice straw and Rs. 1,500 for basmati straw as it has high calorific value. These prices may increase in the future as the market becomes competitive. Though PBPL is currently incurring losses it is hoped that it will be able to make profits in the coming two to three years.
With several applications, increasing demand and competitive prices, it seems farmers have no dearth of options for managing the agro-waste in a profitable way. However, convincing them of the economic viability of the options could be a challenge.
Farmers will give up burning rice straw only if they receive a lucrative incentive. For this there is a suggestion: policy makers can devise a plan to offer incentives to farmers to stop the polluting stubble burning and later credit the incentives through international carbon trading.
http://www.shoutoutuk.org/2015/06/17/india-tackling-pollution-turning-rice-waste-boon/?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+June+17%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email


Louisiana still has potential for a good rice crop

Posted: Jun 17, 2015 2:55 PM PDTUpdated: Jun 17, 2015 2:55 PM PDT
 
Ben McKnight, LSU AgCenter research associate and doctoral student, talks about research with an aquatic weed herbicide, benzobicyclon, made by Gowan. (Photo by Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter)
CROWLEY, La. – Unusually excessive rainfall and cloudy days have been a challenge for growing rice, but it's too early to become pessimistic about this year's crop, according to the director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.“We've still got the potential for a good crop,” said Steve Linscombe, also a rice breeder, talking at the Acadia Parish rice field day held Tuesday (June 16).Linscombe said the silver lining to the cloudy weather has been mild night temperatures that foster good rice development. He said the long-term forecast calls for moderate night temperatures.He said blast disease is a concern with the wet weather, especially for Jupiter and CL151 varieties that will require fungicides.Linscombe also said he is optimistic that an agreement to sell rice to China is close to being finalized, and that could boost rice prices. “They want U.S. rice,” he said.Water and soil contamination issues in China have caused some consumers there to look to U.S. rice as a safer alternative to the domestically produced product, he said.
LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry said just talk of a big corn purchase by China has driven prices up by 30 cents to 50 cents a bushel.Guidry said the long-term forecast for rice is not encouraging, but a possible acreage reduction in Arkansas could help reduce rice stockpiles.Prices are low because of low demand and high supply, he said.Exports of long-grain rice are up by 9 percent from last year, Guidry said. “They just haven't been good enough to support a price increase.” Exports of medium-grain rice have dropped by a fourth to a third from last year, and the medium-grain prices have fallen, Guidry said.
The low prices could mean that rice farmers enrolled in the Price Loss Coverage program in the current farm bill could receive as much as $93 to $103 per acre, he said.Rice farmers got the chance to hear from Adam Famoso, the new rice breeder at the Rice Research Station. He was a rice researcher for Dupont Pioneer in Iowa before joining the LSU AgCenter.“I think Adam is going to be a very valuable addition to our team,” Linscombe said.Linscombe said he has a medium-grain Clearfield line in development that could be accepted by Kellogg's. He also has 18 lines of the Provisia rice that probably will result in one or two candidates that could become a variety.He also has a Clearfield long-grain line with the yield potential of CL151 and better resistance to blast and lodging with improved grain quality. The line, LA2134, could be a release for 2016, and a 20-acre seed increase is being grown now at the Rice Research Station.AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster said this year's wet weather has caused problems with the use of the herbicide Prowl in rice that has been broadcast seeded.
The seeding method doesn't result in uniform seed-to-soil contact and remains in the wet conditions and it develops a root system slowly.Webster said the rice weed program has 70 trials at the Rice Research Station and at the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station near St. Joseph.
Ben McKnight, Webster's research associate and a doctoral student, talked about the use of benzobicyclon for aquatic weeds. He said the Gowan product is probably the best material available for ducksalad.AgCenter soybean specialist Ron Levy said the rainy weather has caused problems for many farmers. But in northeast Louisiana, some fields have required irrigation, while some soybeans in northwest Louisiana along the Red River have been flooded.Elsewhere, rainy weather has prevented many farmers from planting soybeans. “In southwest Louisiana we probably have the worst conditions,” Levy said.More herbicide-resistant soybeans are becoming available, he said. “They are going to be the future of soybean production.”Guidry said soybean prices have fallen because of a large supply, but demand in China remains high.
http://www.ktbs.com/story/29346132/louisiana-still-has-potential-for-a-good-rice-crop

 Farmers use SMS to learn new agri technology

 (The Philippine Star) | 

Dr. Ronan Zagado, development coordinator of the PhilRice central experiment station in Nueva Ecija, said aside from being a tool for communication, SMS or texting is now also being used extensively in agriculture. File photo
SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – The Philippines, known for being the texting capital of the world, is now gaining strides in agriculture with Filipino farmers learning new agricultural technologies through short message service (SMS), according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).Dr. Ronan Zagado, development coordinator of the PhilRice central experiment station in this city, said aside from being a tool for communication, SMS or texting is now also being used extensively in agriculture.Farmers have graduated from being traditional techno-phobic farm hands and have now become tech-savvy agricultural workers by gaining access to information through texting, Zagado said.
Farmers may send their queries via SMS to the PhilRice Text Center (PTC) at 0920-911-1398.Among information being sent to them are farm advisories, technology updates, market information, how-to’s and other farm insights.Zagado said the most frequently asked question pertained to which rice variety should be grown during a particular season. He said farmers also consult the PTC during cropping season and fallow period, which refers to a farming system where lands were plowed and harrowed but left unsown to restore their fertility or to avoid surplus production.“Back in 2006, what we got were only 11 text messages but this swelled to 100,000 SMS queries in 2010.
Now, we have almost lost count of the text queries,” Zagado said.Information from the PTC helps farmers realize additional income, he added.Based on a study conducted by PhilRice development communicator Haze l Antonio, the use of SMS in getting agricultural information yielded an average of P39,730 additional income to farmers in 2011.Queries received during workdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. get speedy response, Zagado said.He added that SMS content should also be brief, concise and direct to the point.Zagado’s study “Human Agency, Power and Discourse: Accomplishing Farm Work through Short Messaging Service (SMS) in the Philippines” received the Thesis Excellence Award at the University of Adelaide.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/06/18/1467162/farmers-use-sms-learn-new-agri-technology

 

 Soil Microbe Mobilizes 'Iron Shield' to Block Arsenic Uptake in Rice

Clumps of bacteria (soil microbe EA106) and iron plaque begin forming on the roots of a rice plant. This "iron shield" blunts the uptake of arsenic. Image: University of Delaware
Environmental Issues June 17, 2015
Newark, DE (Scicasts) — University of Delaware researchers have discovered a soil microbe that mobilizes an "iron shield" to block the uptake of toxic arsenic in rice.Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks and soils, air and water, plants and animals. It's used in a variety of industrial products and practices, from wood preservatives, pesticides and fertilizers, to copper smelting. Chronic exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.The UD finding gives hope that a natural, low-cost solution -- a probiotic for rice plants -- may be in sight to protect this global food source from accumulating harmful levels of one of the deadliest poisons on the planet. Rice currently is a staple in the diet of more than half the world's population.
Harsh Bais, associate professor of plant and soil sciences, led the UD team that conducted the study, which is reported in the international journal Planta. The work was supported by the National Science Foundation. His co-authors include professors Angelia Seyfferth and Janine Sherrier and postdoctoral researchers Venkatachalam Lakshmanan, Gang Li and Deepak Shantharaj, all in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.The soil microbe the team identified is named "EA106" for UD alumna Emily Alff, who isolated the strain when she was a graduate student in Bais' lab.
The microbe was found among the roots of a North American variety of rice grown commercially in California. It belongs to a group of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria called the Pantoea, which form yellowish mucus-like colonies.Because rice is grown underwater -- often in water contaminated with arsenic in such hot spots as Bangladesh, India and China -- it takes in 10 times more arsenic than do other cereal grains, such as wheat and oats.As rice plants absorb phosphate, a nutrient needed for growth, they also take up arsenic, which has a similar chemical structure."This particular microbe, EA106, is good at mobilizing iron, which competes with the arsenic, effectively blocking arsenic's pathway," Bais explains. "An iron plaque forms on the surface of the roots that does not allow arsenic to go up into the rice plant."The researchers conducted the study with hundreds of rice plants -- some grown in soil, others grown hydroponically -- in UD's Fischer Greenhouse. Inoculations with EA106 improved the uptake of iron at the plant roots, while reducing the accumulation of toxic arsenic in the plant shoots.
While the results are promising, Bais says the next steps in the research will determine if a natural solution to this serious issue is at hand."We're not all the way to the grain level yet. We are working on that now, to see if EA106 prevents arsenic accumulation in the grain. That is the ultimate test," Bais says.If the next phase of the research shows success, Bais says inexpensive technologies (think even a cement mixer) exist for coating rice seeds with beneficial bacteria.He also sees an added plus -- fortifying rice plants with iron would not only reduce arsenic, but also increase the grain's iron content as a nutritional benefit."I grew up very near to a rice field in India, so I have a different interest in this problem," Bais says. "Basically, these small farmers don't have much to feed their families.
They grow rice on small plots of land with soil and water contaminated with arsenic, a poison. The work we are doing is important for them, and to the global security of rice."In related research, Bais wants to assess the performance of plants inoculated with EA106 when they face multiple stresses, from both arsenic and from rice blast, a fungus that kills an estimated 30 percent of the world's rice crop each year.Bais' group previously isolated a natural bacterium from rice paddy soil that blunts the rice blast fungus. His group is evaluating how a natural alliance between benign microbes and rice can strengthen the plant's disease resistance.Both plant threats face rice farmers near his parents' home in India. Bais plans to start field tests there when he visits with family this summer."The whole world is waking up to biologicals," Bais says. "It's an exciting time for researchers in this area."Article adapted from a University of Delaware news release.
Publication:  A natural rice rhizospheric bacterium abates arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Venkatachalam Lakshmanan, Deepak Shantharaj, Gang Li, Angelia L. Seyfferth, D. Janine Sherrier, Harsh P. Bais. Planta (2015): http://scicasts.com/green-biology/1866-environmental-issues/9544-soil-microbe-mobilizes-iron-shield-to-block-arsenic-uptake-in-rice/

 Low rice prices may force millers to shutdown operations

Thursday, 18 June 2015By  NNT

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015, Thai Rice Mill Association President Manus Kitprasert has expressed concern that the prolonged low rice price in Thailand could force many rice mill operators to exit the market.Mr. Manus also predicted that the 3rd round of government rice auctions, which would be held soon, is unlikely to attract the attention of entrepreneurs. He attributed the low demand for rice as the main reason behind the low price, despite a 30-50 percent reduced harvest caused by drought.Of more than 100 rice mill operators affected by the low rice price issue, several have been forced to shut down operations.Currently, the price of 15 percent water content rice is in the range of 7,500 - 7,700 baht per ton, down from the previous 8,000 - 8,500 baht per ton. Farmers' average selling price is around 6,700 - 7,000 baht per ton.

http://www.pattayamail.com/business/low-rice-prices-may-force-millers-to-shutdown-operations-48137#sthash.BoFHJIly.dpuf

 

State Millers to Fail CMR Target Again


By Express News Service
Published: 17th June 2015 06:00 AM
Last Updated: 17th June 2015 04:12 AM
BHUBANESWAR:  Even as the Centre has set June 30 as the deadline for delivery of custom milled rice (CMR) to the Central pool, the rice millers of the State are likely to fail once again to meet the target due to their low milling capacity.Registered rice millers of the State have delivered 62 per cent of the CMR by June 8 to Food Corporation of India (FCI). The millers have delivered 1,60,55,885 quintals of CMR rice as on June 8 against the last year kharif due of 9,80,07,483 quintals leaving a balance of 98,07,483 quintals.“With only two weeks left, the pace of delivery of CMR rice by the millers is not very encouraging. Steps should be taken for expeditious delivery of outstanding CMR due before the date line fixed,” Managing Director of Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Niranjan Nayak   wrote to district managers.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution had instructed the regional office of FCI in February to delete the rice stocks received from the State Government after the extended cut-off date of December 31, 2014.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had to seek intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revise the Central Government order of deleting rice stocks received by FCI after the cut-off date as the State Government could not bear the cost.In case of rice stock deletion from the Central pool, the State Government will have to bear the entire cost of CMR delivered under public distribution system.The State Government has been consistently failing to deliver the CMR quota fixed for the State since 2010-11 due to low milling and godown capacity for rice storage, official sources said.The FCI has been extending the cut-off date for receiving CMR from the State to December 31 in each of the kharif marketing season (KMS) from 2011-12 onwards.The State Government has asked district managers of State Civil Supplies Corporation to take necessary steps for expeditious delivery of CMR to FCI.As per procurement guidelines for KMS 2014-15, the State Government had debarred millers from paddy procurement who have failed to deliver 100 per cent CMR of previous KMS. Besides, the Government has filed FIRs against erring millers.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/State-Millers-to-Fail-CMR-Target-Again/2015/06/17/article2871114.ece

 

Soil microbe prevents arsenic accumulation in rice plants


Published on June 17, 2015 at 3:49 AM 


University of Delaware researchers have discovered a soil microbe that mobilizes an "iron shield" to block the uptake of toxic arsenic in rice.Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks and soils, air and water, plants and animals. It's used in a variety of industrial products and practices, from wood preservatives, pesticides and fertilizers, to copper smelting. Chronic exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.The UD finding gives hope that a natural, low-cost solution -- a probiotic for rice plants -- may be in sight to protect this global food source from accumulating harmful levels of one of the deadliest poisons on the planet. Rice currently is a staple in the diet of more than half the world's population.

Harsh Bais, associate professor of plant and soil sciences, led the UD team that conducted the study, which is reported in the international journal Planta. The work was supported by the National Science Foundation. His co-authors include professors Angelia Seyfferth and Janine Sherrier and postdoctoral researchers Venkatachalam Lakshmanan, Gang Li and Deepak Shantharaj, all in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.The soil microbe the team identified is named "EA106" for UD alumna Emily Alff, who isolated the strain when she was a graduate student in Bais' lab. The microbe was found among the roots of a North American variety of rice grown commercially in California. It belongs to a group of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria called the Pantoea, which form yellowish mucus-like colonies.Because rice is grown underwater -- often in water contaminated with arsenic in such hot spots as Bangladesh, India and China -- it takes in 10 times more arsenic than do other cereal grains, such as wheat and oats.As rice plants absorb phosphate, a nutrient needed for growth, they also take up arsenic, which has a similar chemical structure.
"This particular microbe, EA106, is good at mobilizing iron, which competes with the arsenic, effectively blocking arsenic's pathway," Bais explains. "An iron plaque forms on the surface of the roots that does not allow arsenic to go up into the rice plant."The researchers conducted the study with hundreds of rice plants -- some grown in soil, others grown hydroponically -- in UD's Fischer Greenhouse. Inoculations with EA106 improved the uptake of iron at the plant roots, while reducing the accumulation of toxic arsenic in the plant shoots.While the results are promising, Bais says the next steps in the research will determine if a natural solution to this serious issue is at hand.
"We're not all the way to the grain level yet. We are working on that now, to see if EA106 prevents arsenic accumulation in the grain. That is the ultimate test," Bais says.If the next phase of the research shows success, Bais says inexpensive technologies (think even a cement mixer) exist for coating rice seeds with beneficial bacteria.He also sees an added plus -- fortifying rice plants with iron would not only reduce arsenic, but also increase the grain's iron content as a nutritional benefit."I grew up very near to a rice field in India, so I have a different interest in this problem," Bais says. "Basically, these small farmers don't have much to feed their families. They grow rice on small plots of land with soil and water contaminated with arsenic, a poison. The work we are doing is important for them, and to the global security of rice."

In related research, Bais wants to assess the performance of plants inoculated with EA106 when they face multiple stresses, from both arsenic and from rice blast, a fungus that kills an estimated 30 percent of the world's rice crop each year.Bais' group previously isolated a natural bacterium from rice paddy soil that blunts the rice blast fungus. His group is evaluating how a natural alliance between benign microbes and rice can strengthen the plant's disease resistance.Both plant threats face rice farmers near his parents' home in India. Bais plans to start field tests there when he visits with family this summer."The whole world is waking up to biologicals," Bais says. "It's an exciting time for researchers in this area."

Source:
University of Delawarehttp://www.news-medical.net/news/20150617/Soil-microbe-prevents-arsenic-accumulation-in-rice-plants.aspx

Low Thai rice price may force rice millers to shutdown operations 

BY EDITOR ON       2015-06-17 THAILAND
Low rice price may force rice millers to shutdown operations

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015, (NNT) – Thai Rice Mill Association President Manus Kitprasert has expressed concern that the prolonged low rice price in Thailand could force many rice mill operators to exit the market.Mr. Manus also predicted that the 3rd round of government rice auctions, which would be held soon, is unlikely to attract the attention of entrepreneurs. He attributed the low demand for rice as the main reason behind the low price, despite a 30-50 percent reduced harvest caused by drought.Of more than 100 rice mill operators affected by the low rice price issue, several have been forced to shut down operations.

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/low-thai-rice-price-may-force-rice-millers-to-shutdown-operations/98622/

Currently, the price of 15 percent water content rice is in the range of 7,500 – 7,700 baht per ton, down from the previous 8,000 – 8,500 baht per ton. Farmers’ average selling price is around 6,700 – 7,000 baht per ton.

 

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 17

Jun 17, 2015 09:02 GMT

© Reuters. Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 17

Nagpur, June 17 (Reuters) - Gram and tuar prices reported strong in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on increased buying support from local millers amid tight supply from producing regions because of pre-monsoon rains in parts of Vidarbha. Healthy rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and reported demand from South-based millers also boosted prices, according to sources.
*
*
*
*
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram mill quality reported down in open market on poor demand from local traders.
Government move to import pulses also affected sentiment.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here matching the demand and supply
position.
* Major rice varieties zoomed up in open market on increased seasonal demand from
local traders amid tight supply from producing regions like Chhattisgarh and Madhya
Pradesh.
* 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 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
3,600-4,410
3,500-4,410
Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
6,500-7,190
6,200-7,120
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
5,800-6,000
5,800-6,000
Gram Super Best
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
5,500-5,600
5,500-5,600
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Mill Quality
5,100-5,300
5,200-5,400
Desi gram Raw
4,400-4,450
4,400-4,450
Gram Filter new
5,600-5,800
5,600-5,800
Gram Kabuli
5,500-7,000
5,500-5,700
Gram Pink
6,400-6,600
6,400-6,600
Tuar Fataka Best
10,500-10,800
10,500-10,800
Tuar Fataka Medium
9,900-10,300
9,900-10,300
Tuar Dal Best Phod
9,500-9,700
9,500-9,700
Tuar Dal Medium phod
8,800-9,300
8,800-9,300
Tuar Gavarani New
7,300-7,400
7,300-7,400
Tuar Karnataka
7,900-8,000
7,900-8,000
Tuar Black
11,000-11,300
11,000-11,300
Masoor dal best
8,000-8,200
8,000-8,200
Masoor dal medium
7,500-7,900
7,500-7,900
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
10,500-10,800
10,500-10,800
Moong Mogar Medium best
9,800-10,300
9,800-10,300
Moong dal Chilka
9,200-9,600
9,200-9,600
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)
11,500-11,750
11,500-11,750
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)
10,600-10,800
10,600-10,800
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
8,900-9,200
8,900-9,200
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)
3,300-3,400
3,300-3,400
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,000-3,100
3,000-3,100
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)
3,600-4,500
3,600-4,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG)
1,550-1,650
1,550-1,650
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)
2,200-2,400
2,200-2,400
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,100
1,900-2,100
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)
n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)
3,100-3,600
3,100-3,600
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)
2,700-2,900
2,700-2,900
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,500
1,400-1,500
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,100
1,900-2,100
Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)
2,600-3,000
2,600-2,800
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)
3,200-3,400
2,900-3,100
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,500-1,750
1,500-1,750
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,150-2,450
2,100-2,300
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)
2,600-2,800
2,400-2,700
Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)
3,100-3,600
3,000-3,600
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)
3,600-4,000
3,600-3,900
Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG)
4,000-4,500
4,000-4,400
Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG)
4,500-5,200
4,400-4,900
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)
4,400-4,800
4,700-4,900
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,200-5,600
5,200-5,600
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
2,200-2,450
2,200-2,450
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
2,500-2,600
2,500-2,600 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 36.6 degree Celsius (97.9 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp. 24.1 degree Celsius (75.4 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a. Rainfall : 47.2 mm FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 35 and 24 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

http://in.investing.com/news/commodities-news/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open--jun-17-20024

 

MOC: 840,000 tons of rice sold in the 3rd/2015 rice auction



Date : 17 มิถุนายน 2558

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce reported that 840,000 tons of rice out of the 1.06 million tons worth 7.8 billion baht in the government stockpile, were sold in the 3rd auction. Miss Banjongjit Angsusingh, Deputy Director-General of the Department Foreign Trade, said 40 out of the 43 qualified business operators made offers this time. She said 107 out of 153 silos of rice had been sold, netting 7.8 billion baht in a 840,000-ton rice deal.
The Deputy Director-General said her department would forward the auction result to the National Rice Policy Committee before officially announcing it to the public and the bid winner in due course.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNECO5806170010004#sthash.x3381zK9.dpuf





2.73m tonnes of rice released

The Nation June 17, 2015 6:27 pm

Thailand has released 2.73 million tonnes of rice from its stockpiles during August 2014 and June, according to the Commerce Minister.Until June 16, the rice has generated Bt30 billion through seven bidding rounds. The latest bidding round took place on June 16, attracting bids for 840,000 tonnes or 79 per cent of the rice put on auction. Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya said Wednesday that the ministry has maintained the target to export 10 million tonnes of rice this year. Until June 15, the export volume reached 3.9 million tonnes at the average price of US$507 a tonne, which dropped by 2 per cent from the same period last year.He expected the situation to improve in the later months of the year, thanks to persistently high demand against lower output as drought hits many rice-exporting countries.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/2-73m-tonnes-of-rice-released-30262529.html



Water very low in 9 major dams


THE NATION June 18, 2015 1:00 am
Ubolrat Dam

Arrow PrevArrow THE disposable-water level at nine dams has already dropped below 10 per cent of their capacity, reflecting the severity of the drought Thailand is now facing.These dams are Bhumibol, Sirikit, Mae Kuang Udom Thara, Ubolrat, Sirindhorn, Vajiralongkorn, Pasak Jolasid, Khundan Prakarnchon and Klong See Yad. In the wake of imminent water shortage, authorities have now asked farmers in the Chao Phraya Basin to postpone growing rice. "Please postpone it till late next month," Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Phungbun na Ayutthaya said yesterday.He was speaking after emerging from a meeting with Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda and many high-level executives. The governors of 22 provinces in the basin also joined in via a video-conferencing system. Water level is now running low at several dams. Located in Tak province, the Bhumibol Dam for example had just 363 million cubic metres of disposal water on Tuesday - or about three per cent of its capacity. Lying in Uttaradit province, the Sirikit Dam had just 697 million cubic metres of disposal water - or about seven per cent of its capacity. Both are major dams in Thailand.

Pairoj Thiangjan, a farmer in Uttaradit, said he had already received warnings about water shortage from the Royal Irrigation Department."So, I think I will wait till next month. By July, nature should bring rain for my paddy fields," he said. As of yesterday, drought had already hit 23 provinces. In Nakhon Ratchasima province as many as 24 districts including Phimai are declared drought-hit zones. "In the face of the drought crisis, we would like to encourage locals to use water economically during the next two months," Praiwan Klamsuk said yesterday in his capacity as manager of Phimai Waterworks Office. Somwang Parasuksarn, director of the Phitsanulok-based Kwai Noi Bamrungdan, said major dams had little disposable water left because rain had come late this year. "We may need to ask for rainmaking operations," he said. Living in Phitsanulok province, Thongdaeng Noirung said he needed to work in his paddy fields because he had to feed his family. "I must take a risk now," he said.


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Water-very-low-in-9-major-dams-30262560.html


Thai Agriculture Min only allows rice to be grown on 3.4 million rai for now

 

BY EDITORON 2015-06-17THAILAND
BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has advised farmers that the irrigated water supply to over 3.4 million rai of rice paddies won’t be affected by the decision to reduce the amount of water released from four major dams.
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Puengboon Na Ayutthaya said many farmers who have not yet begun to grow rice have been asked to postpone their rice planting until the end of July.The Royal Irrigation Department had decided to lower the amount of water released into the irrigation system by half two days earlier. There is a total of 7.4 million rai of farmland in 22 provinces which receive an irrigated water supply from the Chao Praya River. Around four million rai will have to wait until there is enough rain at the end of next month to grow rice. The Minister said the remaining farmers need to be aware of the current situation and follow the advice being given.The Department of Royal Artificial Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation has been advised to monitor the weather conditions. It will then be ready to launch a rain making operation to increase the water levels in the dams whenever needed.

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thai-agriculture-min-only-allows-rice-to-be-grown-on-3-4-million-rai-for-now/98716/

Water very low in 9 major dams

THE NATION June 18, 2015 1:00 am THE disposable-water level at nine dams has already dropped below 10 per cent of their capacity, reflecting the severity of the drought Thailand is now facing.These dams are Bhumibol, Sirikit, Mae Kuang Udom Thara, Ubolrat, Sirindhorn, Vajiralongkorn, Pasak Jolasid, Khundan Prakarnchon and Klong See Yad. In the wake of imminent water shortage, authorities have now asked farmers in the Chao Phraya Basin to postpone growing rice. "Please postpone it till late next month," Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Phungbun na Ayutthaya said yesterday.

He was speaking after emerging from a meeting with Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda and many high-level executives. The governors of 22 provinces in the basin also joined in via a video-conferencing system. Water level is now running low at several dams. Located in Tak province, the Bhumibol Dam for example had just 363 million cubic metres of disposal water on Tuesday - or about three per cent of its capacity. Lying in Uttaradit province, the Sirikit Dam had just 697 million cubic metres of disposal water - or about seven per cent of its capacity. Both are major dams in Thailand. Pairoj Thiangjan, a farmer in Uttaradit, said he had already received warnings about water shortage from the Royal Irrigation Department.

"So, I think I will wait till next month. By July, nature should bring rain for my paddy fields," he said. As of yesterday, drought had already hit 23 provinces. In Nakhon Ratchasima province as many as 24 districts including Phimai are declared drought-hit zones. "In the face of the drought crisis, we would like to encourage locals to use water economically during the next two months," Praiwan Klamsuk said yesterday in his capacity as manager of Phimai Waterworks Office. Somwang Parasuksarn, director of the Phitsanulok-based Kwai Noi Bamrungdan, said major dams had little disposable water left because rain had come late this year. "We may need to ask for rainmaking operations," he said. Living in Phitsanulok province, Thongdaeng Noirung said he needed to work in his paddy fields because he had to feed his family. "I must take a risk now," he said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Water-very-low-in-9-major-dams-30262560.html

APEDA News (India)
Price on: 15-06-2015
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)
4680  
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2100
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
3200
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 16-06-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Maize
1
Dhing (Assam)
Other
1350
1500
2
Amreli (Gujarat)
Other
1350
2325
3
Khanna (Punjab)
Other
925
1130
Barley (Jau)
1
Dahod (Gujarat)
Other
1200
1300
2
Kota (Rajasthan)
Other
1100
1102
3
Satna (Madhya Pradesh)
Other
1101
1180
Grapes
1
Bariwala (Punjab)
Other
2000
2200
2
Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Other
2800
3800
3
Uklana (Haryana)
Other
1200
1200
Cauliflower
1
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
3400
3600
2
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
3000
4000
3
Sirhind (Punjab)
Other
1200
1500
Source:agra-net
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 16-06-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Ahmedabad
402
2
Mysore
434
3
Nagapur
405
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 15-06-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado
Russet
20
24
2
Baltimore
Idaho
Russet
16
18
3
Detroit
Wisconsin
Russet
19
19.50
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
7
8.50
2
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
12.50
13
3
Detroit
Canada
Long Seedless
5
8
Grapes
Package: 18 lb containers bagged
1
Atlanta
Mexico
Black Seedless
29
29
2
Chicago
California
Black Seedless
22
26
3
Detroit
Mexico
Black Seedless
26
28.50
Source:USDA

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 17


Wed Jun 17, 2015 2:32pm IST
Nagpur, June 17 Gram and tuar prices reported strong in Nagpur Agriculture Produce
and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on increased buying support from local millers amid tightsupply from producing regions because of pre-monsoon rains in parts of Vidarbha. Healthy rise inMadhya Pradesh pulses and reported demand from South-based millers also boosted prices,according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Gram mill quality reported down in open market on poor demand from local traders. 
     Government move to import pulses also affected sentiment. 
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here matching the demand and supply 
     position.      
 
   * Major rice varieties zoomed up in open market on increased seasonal demand from 
     local traders amid tight supply from producing regions like Chhattisgarh and Madhya 
     Pradesh.
                                                                                             
   * 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 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                   3,600-4,410         3,500-4,410
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                6,500-7,190         6,200-7,120
     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            5,800-6,000        5,800-6,000
     Gram Super Best            n.a.                
     Gram Medium Best            5,500-5,600        5,500-5,600
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Mill Quality            5,100-5,300        5,200-5,400
     Desi gram Raw                4,400-4,450         4,400-4,450
     Gram Filter new            5,600-5,800        5,600-5,800
     Gram Kabuli                5,500-7,000        5,500-5,700
     Gram Pink                6,400-6,600        6,400-6,600
     Tuar Fataka Best             10,500-10,800        10,500-10,800
     Tuar Fataka Medium             9,900-10,300        9,900-10,300
     Tuar Dal Best Phod            9,500-9,700        9,500-9,700
     Tuar Dal Medium phod            8,800-9,300        8,800-9,300
     Tuar Gavarani New             7,300-7,400        7,300-7,400
     Tuar Karnataka             7,900-8,000        7,900-8,000
     Tuar Black                 11,000-11,300           11,000-11,300 
     Masoor dal best            8,000-8,200        8,000-8,200
     Masoor dal medium            7,500-7,900        7,500-7,900
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold               10,500-10,800       10,500-10,800
     Moong Mogar Medium best        9,800-10,300        9,800-10,300
     Moong dal Chilka            9,200-9,600        9,200-9,600
     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)    11,500-11,750       11,500-11,750
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    10,600-10,800        10,600-10,800
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        8,900-9,200        8,900-9,200
     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)        3,300-3,400        3,300-3,400
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)        3,000-3,100         3,000-3,100
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,600-4,500        3,600-4,500
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,600        1,400-1,600
     Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG)    1,550-1,650        1,550-1,650
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,600           1,400-1,600
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,200-2,400        2,200-2,400
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)    1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,100-3,600        3,100-3,600
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,700-2,900        2,700-2,900
     Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,500        1,400-1,500
     Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100     
     Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)        2,600-3,000        2,600-2,800
     Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)               3,200-3,400        2,900-3,100
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)        1,500-1,750        1,500-1,750
     Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)      2,150-2,450        2,100-2,300
     Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)      2,600-2,800        2,400-2,700
     Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)        3,100-3,600        3,000-3,600
     Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)               3,600-4,000        3,600-3,900
     Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG)    4,000-4,500        4,000-4,400
     Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG)    4,500-5,200        4,400-4,900     
     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)    4,400-4,800        4,700-4,900
     Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)        5,200-5,600        5,200-5,600
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,200-2,450        2,200-2,450
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)        2,500-2,600        2,500-2,600
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 36.6 degree Celsius (97.9 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
24.1 degree Celsius (75.4 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : 47.2 mm
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night. Maximumand minimum temperature would be around and 35 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.
 
Note: n.a.--not available
 
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.)


India’s rural distress set to worsen

The ministry of agriculture projected that foodgrain production of cereal and pulses was likely to decline by 5.3% in 2014-15

A deficit monsoon in 2014 that affected production of Kharif crops and unseasonal showers in March and April that damaged the winter (Rabi) crop just ahead of harvest is expected to cause a dip in production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses. Photo: HT

New Delhi: There seems to be no end rural India’s worries.Last year’s drought together with unseasonal weather earlier this year is threatening a substantial decline in foodgrain output—the first in five years of such magnitude.On Wednesday, the ministry of agriculture projected that foodgrain production—at 251 million tonnes (mt) of cereal and pulses was likely to decline by 5.3% in 2014-15.A deficit monsoon in 2014 that affected production of Kharif crops and unseasonal showers in March and April that damaged the winter (Rabi) crop just ahead of harvest is expected to cause a dip in production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses, the farm ministry said.
Worryingly, the adverse weather events of 2014-15 are set to have an impact on the growth rate of the agriculture sector.

 In February this year the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated that agriculture is likely to grow at a rate of 1.1%, down from previous year’s growth rate of 3.7%.But this was before unseasonal showers damaged crops in 19 million hectares, nearly a third of the winter crop area, spread across 15 states.“The February growth forecast did not factor in the loss to the winter crop due to unseasonal rains. Growth rate of agriculture sector will definitely be below 1% and likely to be between 0.6% to 0.8%,” said Ramesh Chand, director of the National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, Delhi, and a member of the newly constituted national task force on agriculture under Niti Aayog.
A closer scrutiny of adverse weather years in the past 15 years suggests that CSO’s projection of agricultural growth may be optimistic.In 2002-03, a severe drought year, foodgrain production dipped by nearly 18% and agriculture sector (including forestry and fishing) registered a negative growth rate of 6.6%. In 2004-05, also a drought year, production of foodgrains dipped by 7% and agriculture registered a near zero growth rate at 0.2%.The impact of the last drought year in 2009-10 was similar: production of foodgrains declined by 7% and the agriculture sector grew at 0.8%.

However, a 5% dip in production may not be cause for worry about food availability as India has ample stocks, over 51 mt of rice and wheat (as on 1 May). But for farmers who spend more to save the Kharif crop from a drought and suffered crop loss due to unseasonal rains, the weather events have severely stressed farm incomes.More so, as prices of key crops like rice, wheat and cotton were lower this year. Prices of cash crops like basmati rice and potatoes too crashed, impacting farm incomes.A series published recently in Mint, Fractured Farms, revealed that farming in the country had undergone a structural shift with farmers increasingly opting for commercial crops. However, there was no corresponding growth in institutional support to underwrite the new class of risks they have been exposed to.
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