Monday, September 07, 2015

7th September (Monday0,2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine


Gov’t has settled all payments to rice millers – Housty

 

Chairman of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Claude Housty says that government has settled all of its financial obligations with rice millers.The statement came in the wake of continuing complaints by rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast that they have not been paid by millers.GINA today said that the GRDB Chairman joined the Acting General Manager of the GRDB Nizam Hassan and GRDB executive and miller Dr. Peter deGroot for an in-depth examination of the local rice sector with the state information agency recently. According to Hassan “All the millers have been paid moneys that were owed to them by the Government of Guyana”.GINA said that it was explained that some millers may still owe rice farmers but this is due to private contracts for other markets that they have exported rice to.

Hassan said the GRDB “didn’t have those contracts”. The ongoing problem has been compounded by the fact that supplies were purchased, with prices based on the demand and prices obtained via the Venezuelan markets, deGroot added. GINA said that he further explained, “When the Venezuelan market came to a sudden stop, millers were caught with stock on their hand. This was purchased at a high price, higher than the millers could make money on…Millers are caught with stock on hand that they have difficulty in exporting and they will not be able to export it and make a profit”. This, he said, has contributed to the difficulties some millers face in paying the farmers.GINA said that it was also revealed that there is an equal number of millers who are owed moneys by farmers. de Groot said, “Some of them finance the farmers in order to go back into the crop”. Essequibo millers are often the least indebted, he noted, but with regards those in Region 5 and 6, “the reverse is probably true”.

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/09/06/govt-has-settled-all-payments-to-rice-millers-housty/


ASEAN ministers tackle food security

September 5, 2015 10:13 pm
Sixteen ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on September 12 to strengthen agricultural cooperation and ensure food security across the region.The visit is part of the 37th meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) hosted by the Philippines this year.“It is high time for ASEAN member countries, which are in the largest rice-growing regions of the world to support the scientific research necessary for the sustainability of their rice sectors,” said Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general for communication and partnerships of IRRI.Tolentino said IRRI is fulfilling its crucial role in providing the scientific foundation, technical support, and capacity-building to each of the ASEAN member-countries “in pursuing their own national rice and food security programs.”

Each ASEAN member-nation has its own strategy and approach in meeting targets in this area.Some Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, export rice, while the Philippines and Indonesia, among others, are rice importers.Myanmar is on its way to regaining its agricultural competitiveness. In the 1950s, Myanmar led the ASEAN countries in rice exports.Brunei and Singapore, on the other hand, do import rice, and only the best quality rice. Moreover, Singapore is making investments to become the ASEAN cen¬ter for biotechnology.
“So, each of these countries has differing approaches to achieving their food security goals. But all of these countries are bound together because there is a common ASEAN-wide framework for food security,” Tolentino explained.That framework, according to him, which also includes a strategic action plan on food security, does not simply focus on strengthening the national capacity of each of the ASEAN member countries to produce any agricultural commodity, but also facilitation of trade.The strategic action plan was conceptualized as part of the ASEAN member states’ need for a long-term agricultural development plan that focuses on sustainable food production and trade, especially in the context of problems brought about by the food crisis in 2007 to 2008.
The ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework, along with the Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN Region, enables sharing of any agricultural commodity.A close inspection of various countries reveals variation in natural resources for rice production. This is also the case for other crops and agricultural commodities.“In effect, there will be a country agenda and there will be a regional agenda, tied together by trade. ASEAN countries could look at exporting high-quality rice to, say, Europe, for example. And Africa is a major growth area because of its rising demand for rice. All these topics, including IRRI’s support to the Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Food Staples Sufficiency Program will be part of the discussions during the ASEAN event next week,” he noted.Aside from the 37th AMAF, the Philippines is also hosting the 15th AMAF Plus Three Meetings with China, Japan, and South Korea this year.
http://www.manilatimes.net/asean-ministers-tackle-food-security/216471/

El Niño to spur rice importation

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales | Sep. 07, 2015 at 12:01am

The government is considering additional rice imports to beef up rice stocks due to the possible effect of El Niño on the country’s rice production.National Food Authority Administrator Renan Dalisay said in a text message that the Food Security Council is already discussing the possible effects of El Niño on rice production.“The FSC is already looking at the possible worst-case scenario of a drop in harvest this year and next year [so we need to] prepare our supply early,” Dalisay said.“We are not yet sure if there will be an arrival this year or next year because the supply this year is adequate until December.
But given the severity of El Niño, they will give recommendations if there is a need to beef up the industry inventory until the end of the year,” Dalisay added.Dalisay said no volume has been mentioned but the FSC will probably recommend the utilization of a 250,000-metric ton import standby authority.The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier said that rice harvest is expected to drop this year because of the impact of the El Niño dry spell that delayed planting and reduced effective farm areas.
Palay (unmilled rice) production in the first quarter reached 4.37 million metric tons, higher by 1.41 percent than the 4.30-million MT output in 2014.But production in the second quarter contracted 2.9 percent in the second quarter to 4 million MT from 4.07 million MT a year ago.PSA said palay production in 2015 could decline 0.6 percent to 18.86 million metric tons from 18.97 million MT in 2014.It said the prolonged dry spell would likely reduce the harvest area to 4.68 million hectares this year from last year’s 4.74 million hectares.Palay production in the third quarter, based on standing crop, would likely decrease 14.5 percent from 3.03 million MT last year to 2.59 million MT this year.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Rice Research Institute encouraged farmers to plant drought-tolerant varieties to help them cope with the extreme impacts of El Niño.Government weather forecasters recently reported that the ongoing El Niño condition is likely to continue until early 2016 with chances of strengthening toward the end of the year.“These varieties are also known for their drought-tolerant properties [and are] preferable in areas where El Niño is expected to hit worst,” Philrice said.“Farmers can also use water-saving technologies such as controlled irrigation or alternate wetting and drying (AWD), aerobic rice, drip irrigation and reduced tillage technology,” Philrice said.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/09/07/el-ni-o-to-spur-rice-importation/



APEDA Commodity News from India

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 04-09-2015
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Apricots
1
Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
5125
2
Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
4625
3
Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)
3625
Peanuts
1
South Africa, HPS 70/80 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t)
1200
2
South African, HPS 40/50 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t)
1592
3
US 38/42 Runners, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
1300
Sultanas
1
Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t)
2934
2
Iranian natural sultanas (Gouchan), CIF UK (USD/t)
2076
3
Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t)
2450
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 05-09-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Maize
1
Challakere (Karnataka)
Yellow
1515
1573
2
Bichhiya (Madhya Pradesh)
Other
1325
1325
3
Bowenpally (Telangana)
Other
400
400
Wheat
1
Bangalore (Karnataka)
Local
2600
3200
2
Jatara (Madhya Pradesh)
Lokwan MP No. 1
1320
1400
3
Sangriya (Rajasthan)
Other
1451
1457
Grapes
1
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
4800
5000
2
Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Other
2000
2000
Cauliflower
1
Barnala (Punjab)
Other
1400
2600
2
Bowenpally (Telangana)
Cauliflower
400
1000
3
Sangamner (Maharashtra)
Other
500
700
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 31-08-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
305
2
Nagapur
270
3
Hyderabad
295
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 04-09-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Onions Dry
Package: 40 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Georgia
Yellow
27
30
2
Baltimore
Peru
Yellow
28
28
3
Detroit
California
Yellow
28
28.50
Carrots
Package: 20 1-lb film bags
1
Atlanta
California
Baby Peeled
19
20.75
2
Dallas
Arizona
Baby Peeled
16.75
17
3
Detroit
California
Baby Peeled
17
17.50
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Atlanta
Washington
Red Delicious
18
20
2
Dallas
Washington 
Red Delicious
22
22
3
Chicago
Washington
Red Delicious
13.50
14.50
Source:USDA


Download/View On-Line the above News in pdf format,just click the following link



Saturday, September 05, 2015

4th September (Friday),2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Declining prices: governments weigh up option to protect agriculture sector

September 03, 2015

The federal government and provinces on Wednesday weighed various options to protect the agriculture sector from declining prices of agriculture products in the international market. An official said that a consultative meeting on agriculture products and Basmati rice was held on Wednesday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the chair and various options were discussed during the meeting. The official said the issue of high costs of agricultural inputs was discussed. He said the Prime Minister directed to devise proposals to bring down the cost of inputs to improve per acre yield and profitability after he was given a detailed presentation on the present situation as well as on future scenarios. Secretary Food Department of Sindh government told Business Recorder that the meeting was a follow-up of a meeting held in August. He said the meeting has not taken any decision and decided to hold another meeting in this regard to further discuss the proposals.

 He said the decline in agriculture products prices in the international market has created problems of exports. He said that farmers are suffering due to high input prices at home and low output prices. Secretary Agriculture Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said a committee was constituted by the Prime Minister to suggest as to how to support small farmers. The meeting discussed implications of the government interventions to manage the price fluctuations while keeping in view the interests of both producers and consumers. A statement issued by the Prime Minister''s office after the meeting says that the surplus stocks of agricultural products in international and domestic markets have put pressure on the support price mechanism and profitability of the agricultural production has been affected. 

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed the meeting that in Pakistan agriculture is mainly a small farmers'' business, living in rural areas and any price shock has damaging effects on millions of small farmers earning their livelihood from agriculture sector. The meeting agreed that the Pakistani agriculture is suffering from global phenomenon and a strategy is required to come out of this economic situation. The Planning Commission organised a forum on agriculture pricing trends and its possible implications on rural economy in August 2015. The forum presented a set of recommendations for consideration by the government on Wednesday''s meeting. The meeting deliberated in detail on the recommendations of the forum regarding problems faced by the producers of major crops like rice, sugarcane, cotton, wheat and vegetables.

The Prime Minister directed that the Ministry of National Food Security may initiate measures to attract investment in high-tech seed industry and asked if any legislation is required to do that. The Prime Minister also directed to develop standards for use of agricultural machinery to improve its efficiency. Provincial governments were directed to initiate a process for implementation of the recommendations for the agriculture forum. The meeting was attended by Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Minister of Commerce, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister for IPC; Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for National Food Security; Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the PM, federal secretary National Food security, Secretary agriculture from Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan. 

 Business Recorder

Senate Summons CBN, NCS over Abuse of Import Waivers

05 Sep 2015
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Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki 


Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Senate ad-hoc Committee on Waivers has summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), over alleged sharp practices on the application of waivers' policy on rice and other food items.The summons followed the upper legislative chamber's mandate to the committee in July to thoroughly review federal government's policy on waivers with the intention to determine federal government's losses to indiscriminate granting of waivers to unscrupulous importers.In another development, the Senate  yesterday appealed to the international community to throw its weight behind Nigeria's efforts to reposition and grow the economy.

This appeal was made by a Senate delegation led by the senate president, Bukola Saraki, to separate bilateral meetings with German and French delegates at the just concluded Fourth United Nations (UN) International Conference for Heads of Parliaments in New York.After its meeting in Abuja yesterday, the committee said it found that the policy was being used by importers and relevant government agencies to defraud the country of billions of naira.
According to the committee chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), details of rots uncovered by the committee would be made public during forthcoming public hearing and in the final report of the committee.

"We have sent letters of invitation to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) like the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria and of course, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to give us relevant information that will help us to carry out the assignment given us very effectively and in fact, unearth the rots waivers have caused in the system.
"We are very happy with the responses we have gotten so far from the MDAs. What we are doing now is to start compiling the reports and make our recommendations before which a public hearing will be held where the abuse of the policy either by importers or relevant government agencies will be made open to Nigerians," he said
He also said the decision of the committee on public hearing would be taken at its meeting next Tuesday.
The Senate had in July asked the committee to investigate the allegation of abuse of waiver's policy  on rice importation and other food items which it said had robbed the nation of whopping N585 billion between 2011 and 2014.According to the motion entitled: "Indiscriminate Use and Abuse of Waivers for Rice Importation and Others," abuse of waiver's scheme has had adverse effects  on federal government's policy on rice production, resulting in the  importation of large quantities of rice in excess of the policy's requirement.

The CBN had recently also revealed that importers had overshot their quota on rice importation and consequently owing the federal government import duties amounting to billions of naira.
It also revealed that importers, under the guise of the policy, have defrauded the federal government of 70 per cent duties and levies adding that instead of punishing defaulting importers, the immediate past administration opted to grant them fresh waivers
to import more in its twilight.The senators also alleged that the federal government had lost as much as N71 billion to duty waivers to importers of rice, palm oil, energy equipment, steel and vegetable oil annually adding that the federal government gave import duty waivers to rice and palm oil importers amounting to N150 billion in 2011.


APEDA Commodty News from India

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 03-09-2015
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)
4280
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
1700
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2800
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 03-09-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Maize
1
Himatnagar (Gujarat)
Other
1250
1450
2
Kishanganj (Bihar)
Other
1350
1550
3
Senjeri (Tamil Nadu)
Other
1500
1700
Paddy(Dhan)
1
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1410
1410
2
Pulpally (Kerala)
Other
1500
1700
3
Manapparai (Tamil  Nadu)
Other
1450
1550
Mousambi
1
Malout (Punjab)
Other
1500
2500
Brinjal
1
Surat (Gujarat)
Other
1000
2250
2
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
2000
2000
3
Malout (Punjab)
Other
1000
1200
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 31-08-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
305
2
Nagapur
270
3
Hyderabad
295
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 03-09-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado
Russet
21
23.50
2
Baltimore
Canada
Russet
14
14
3
Detroit
Idaho
Russet
16
19.50
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
9
10
2
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
12
14
3
Miami
Honduras
Long Seedless
10
10
Grapefruit
Package: 7/10 bushel cartons
1
Atlanta
California
Red
26
27.50
2
Dallas
California 
Red
24
24
3
Chicago
California
Red
20
21
Source:USDA



Fisher Delta Center Field Day Attracts a Crowd 
     
PORTAGEVILLE, MO - USA Rice was a sponsor of the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center's 54th annual field day held here Wednesday.  More than 500 people, including producers, agribusiness representatives, and local, state, and national elected officials attended an appreciation breakfast before the field day tours.

Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) were keynote speakers at the event.  Each addressed the growing importance of agricultural research with today's growing global population and highlighted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overreach, which they said is hurting American farmers.

USA Rice's Chuck Wilson and Kristen Dayton participated in the event and also met with Missouri rice producers from around the region, including Cape Girardeau's Blake Gerard, the newly elected chairman of USA Rice Farmers.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 4 
Month
Price
Net Change

September 2015
$11.850
+ $0.055
November 2015
$12.110
+ $0.050
January 2016
$12.400
+ $0.050
March 2016
$12.650
+ $0.060
May 2016
$12.880
+ $0.065
July 2016
$13.045
+ $0.065
September 2016
$12.220
+ $0.125


Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains


By G Krishna Prasad
Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM
Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month.

The traders in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased the prices on the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice. The millers deny the charge however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But the fact remains that this is the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last four months in the region. The minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished) which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs 28 now. The fine quality rice ‘Old Sona Masuri’ which was Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48. There are reports that the government’s subsidised Rs 1 a kg rice is purchased by middlemen and sold to the millers.

The millers polish the same rice and sell it in the open market as ‘Sannalu’. The prices of all the Masuri varieties have increased in all markets, including hyper and super markets.The price of a 25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July, now sells at Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs 1,200. What is worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G Venkatramudu, opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon. The millers expect low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in paddy.Though essential commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the officials concerned are least bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about the price rise.

Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and millers. “Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification to sell rice at a high price,” Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control the prices of rice.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-Poor-Rains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece

Gov’t urges millers to pay paddy farmers


The Guyana Government yesterday said that it empathises with the frustrations of rice farmers and hopes that the rice millers can make arrangements to have outstanding amounts to rice farmers remitted to them at the earliest possible time.
A release from GINA said that consultations with the …to continue
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/09/04/govt-urges-millers-to-pay-paddy-farmers/


Govt advisor cautions against irrational resistance to GM crops

R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 3:  
A senior Government advisor on Thursday pitched for “no irrational resistance” to genetically-modified (GM) crops and believed that nanotechnology could help Indian agriculture overcome problems of declining landholdings, increasing numbers of marginal cultivators and land degradation.
“There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops once careful research has been done, field trials have been completed and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approval has been obtained,” said R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Centre, at the ‘4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit’ hosted Assocham here on Thursday.Chidambaram had been talking about the need for climate-resilient agriculture and mitigation and adaptation strategies had to include development of new crop varieties, including GM crops, alongside soil health restoration.“Agriculture contributes less than 20 per cent of India’s GDP (gross domestic product), accounts for over 10 per cent of India’s exports and employs over half of our workforce, the latter number is three per cent for the US,” he said.He highlighted the need for more techniques to improve domestic irrigation facilities to save water with farmers consuming “about 80 per cent of State water supply” and also suggested the need for a grid for basmati rice research and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles such as indigenously-built NETRA in agriculture.Chidambaram also pushed for technologies to prevent food wastage and pest attacks on crops. “While ensuring food and nutritional security, we have to provide mechanism for ensuring increased farm incomes,” he said.
(This article was published on September 3, 2015)
BUSINESS LINE
There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops: Principal Scientific Advisor


Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Dr R. Chidambaram, while speaking at an event organised by industry body, Assocham in New Delhi said that there should be no irrational resistance to GM crops, after the completion of careful research, field trials and approval of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).Whilestressing on the need for climate resilient agriculture he said that mitigation and adaptation strategies must include soil health restoration and development of new crop varieties including genetically modified (GM) crops.
In Focus
Hestressed on the need for more widespread techniques to improve irrigation facilities in India. While saying highlighting that farmers in India consume about 80 per cent of state water supply, he said there was a need to make a saving there.On the need for developing high-yielding basmati rice varieties, R. Chidambaram said that he would love to have a Grid for basmati rice research.While inaugurating the '4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit' the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government, according to a press release by the Assocham,also pitched for using 'agricultural drone with appropriate sensors' while citing an example of NETRA, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that was used to track damage and marooned people.
He said that nanoscience based viable advanced technologies (that are both economic and scientific) must be developed to counter negative effects of declining landholdings, increasing number of marginal farmers and land degradation."Agriculture contributes less than 20 per cent of India's GDP, accounts for over 10 per cent of India's exports and employs over half of our workforce, the latter number is three per cent for the USA," said R. Chidambaram.
http://www.merinews.com/article/there-should-be-no-irrational-resistance-to-gm-crops-principal-scientific-advisor/15909323.shtml#sthash.GTPlo67N.dpuf

Corruption in the distribution of bardana will not be tolerated:Bilal Yasin

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has said that Punjab government has fixed wheat procurement target of 40 lakh metric ton in the province. He said that district administration and Food Department will extend complete cooperation to the farmers for transparent purchase of wheat. He said that corruption and irregularities in the distribution of bardana will not be tolerated. He said that strict disciplinary action will be taken against government machinery if found negligent in this regard.

He was addressing a high level meeting held in connection with wheat procurement arrangements at Conference Hall, in the office of Commissioner Sargodha Division. Secretary Food Punjab Dr. Pervaiz Ahmed Khan, Commissioner Sargodha Division Capt. (R) Muhammad Asif, Director Food Asif Bilal besides DCOs of four districts, Deputy Directors Food, DFCs and representatives of farmers all over the division attended the meeting. Bilal Yasin stressed upon the Food Department to pay attention to the labour arrangements for loading and unloading of wheat. He said that Punjab province is the biggest stockist of Asia with regard to wheat procurement.

He said that the aim of wheat procurement is not to fill the godowns of wheat but the real objective is to give due return to the farmers to their hard work so that we should remain self-sufficient in food. The Provincial Minister said that the administration and Food Department should take vigorous steps for providing facilities to the farmers including tent for sitting, cold water for drinking, chairs and keeping the revenue matters transparent.

Earlier, Secretary Food Pervaiz Ahmed Khan stressed upon Food Department and district administration to hold meetings with farmers for knowing their problems and proposals. He said that the record of distribution of bardana is available in Punjab Information Technology Board and Chief Minister Punjab is personally monitoring it. He said that Chief Minister can get information about any procurement center by contacting the farmers on telephone at any time. He said that the wheat procurement target is a big target for which administration and Food Department will utilize all their resources.

The meeting was told that government has fixed the price of wheat 1300 rupees per maund, 10 percent moisture ratio whereas weight 101.100 kg. Delivery charges will be Rs. 7.5 per 100 kg bag. It was told that control rooms and committees have been constituted for monitoring of procurement and redressal of complaints of farmers.

http://lahoreworld.com/2015/04/20/corruption-in-the-distribution-of-bardana-will-not-be-toleratedbilal-yasin/




Global agricultural research network is overhauled again

3 September 2015 5:16 am
A key guardian of global food security is looking shaky. Funding for the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world's premier group of agricultural research centers, is sagging in the global economic downturn. Its flagship backer—the World Bank—threatened to pull the plug on its contributions. And now CGIAR is about to undergo internal convulsions: It's reorganizing for the second time in just 5 years. Backers say the move will give CGIAR a more coherent strategy and make the most of available funding. Critics argue that greater effort should go into securing stable funding and prioritizing research.
Read the Full Text. (Login may be required.)
http://news.sciencemag.org/environment/2015/09/global-agricultural-research-network-overhauled-again


NFA rice imports slammed


PNASep. 05, 2015 at 12:01am

THE announced importation of 2.1-million metric tons of rice by the National Food Authority may pose serious repercussions to local farmers, a non-government organization said on Friday.“[This over importation of rice] is caused by the incoherent direction in addressing the rice problem with two different agencies running the rice commodity,” said Au Regalado, lead convenor of Rice Watch and Action Network (R1).According to R1, the Department of Agriculture is focused more on raising productivity and incomes of farmers, whereas the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agriculture Modernization currently linked to NFA is just looking at the market side of the equation.“We raised in the Food Staples Committee in the Department of Agriculture our concern for the very high target for importation set by the NFA,” Regalado said.R1 noted that such rice importation is alarming, considering the increase in rice output in the last season as reported by Philippine Statistics Authority.

Their alarm is doubled by the fact that the NFA’s target importation does not even include the target for Minimum Access Volume for the year.“This over importation of rice would set major drawbacks to local farmers,” Regalado said.“We all know that oversupply of imported rice will spell the death of livelihood for our local rice farmers. The traders will exploit this situation to drive the farm gate prices of palay (unmilled rice) at its lowest possible rate,” he said.Regalado further justified R1’s claims by citing reports that “traders cornered the procurement of palay in the last season because NFA focused on rice importation.”Aside from farmers, the consuming public would also suffer from possible price hikes of rice and other related commodities.Despite the overstock, prices of rice in the market remain at P37 to P45 a kilo. Hence, R1 poses a challenge to the NFA to flood the market to press the prices down so that the consumers will benefit from the oversupply during the lean season.

“A major leap in rice production is [still] possible especially if the government will seriously implement its programs designed to achieve rice self-sufficiency,” said Regalado.Recently, the NFA was also under scrutiny by lawmakers for excessive rice importation, arguing that it was “highly irregular and doubtful” given the rice self-sufficiency figures.Last June 1, 2015, DA officials claimed that the country has attained a self-sufficient total rice stock inventory of 3.02-million MT; hence, the need for imported rice this year was questionable, the lawmakers said.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representatives Neri J. Colmenares, Carlos and Isagani T. Zarate have already sought a congressional investigation through House Resolution 2231.Zarate said officials of NFA, the Bureau of Customs, and the Food Security Council should be summoned to clarify issues relative to the importation and the country’s rice self-sufficiency.“Overstocking [of rice] results not only in expiration of these stocks but in potential abuse and supply manipulation as well,” Colmenares said.Rice Watch and Action Network is a  non-government organization that focuses on the welfare of small farmers and the improvement of their living conditions. It also promotes a sustainable agriculture aimed at fostering an economically and environmentally viable rice industry.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/mobile/2015/09/05/nfa-rice-imports-slammed/



Rice Fields at Risk in Western Cambodia With Lack of Rainfall

2015-09-03
The drought has dried up a reservoir in central Cambodia's Kampong Thom province, June 14, 2015.
RFA
Rice crops in western Cambodia will die from drought if the region does not receive rain within the next month, officials said Thursday, as a development organization urged the government to do more to assist farmers with irrigation.A delay to the beginning of the rainy season, which typically lasts from the end of May through the first half of October, has devastated provinces that are home to the country’s largest area of rice fields and plantations, vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management Nhim Vanda told RFA’s Khmer Service.“In my experience, if there is no rain in September, the rice in Pursat and Battambang provinces will be destroyed,” he said.

According to Nhim Vanda, several thousand hectares (one hectare = 2.5 acres) of rice fields across Pursat and Battambang—as well as in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Takeo, Kampot, Kampong Speu and Siem Reap—are at risk of failure if the rains do not come.The government can only assist certain areas suffering from reduced seasonal rainfall with crop mitigation, he said, but can do little to help in regions where there is no rain.
Chhun Chhorn, governor of central Cambodia’s Kampong Thom province, told RFA that the little rain his region had received was insufficient to sustain farmers’ rice crops.He said provincial authorities were devising a plan to help pump water into farmers’ fields in order to save their seasonal harvest.“

There is not enough rain—we only receive rain every once in a while,” he said.But Yang Saing, president of the Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), said the government must do more to help farmers prepare for problems such as the current drought—one of the country’s worst in years.He called on authorities to dig more reservoirs and irrigation systems that would help counteract a lack of rainfall ahead of the rainy season.“And if the authorities don’t have any plans to dig more reservoirs, they should provide other methods to reserve water at the end of the rainy season,” he said. Yang Saing also suggested farmers seek crops that don’t rely on much water to grow.

Ongoing drought


In July, Sivann Botum, secretary of state for Cambodia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs and a member of the National Committee for Disaster Management, told RFA that the severe drought would deepen poverty in the developing country.At the time, Heng Kim Sreang, the agriculture director of Kampong Chhnang province, told RFA it was beyond her department to help farmers obtain enough water to plant rice.


Because many fields lie on higher land, they are difficult to get water to, she said, and no other farmers had volunteered to allow their plantations to be used as a reservoir.The rainy season provides about three-quarters of Cambodia’s annual rainfall, and daily rain is common during its peak between July and September.Parts of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand also are experiencing a severe lack of rain and higher-than-normal temperatures that have resulted in lower rice production than usual because of the El Niño effect, in which changes in weather patterns can produce droughts and floods in the Mekong region.

Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/rice-09032015171451.html



CAMBODIA PRESS-Rice millers request exemption from VAT - Phnom Penh Post

By REUTERS
As Cambodia continues to struggle with its cost competitiveness in the rice sector, rice millers and exporters met the General Department of Taxation on Wednesday asking for an exemption from paying the 10 percent value added tax (VAT), the Phnom Penh Post reported.The exemption will help ease prices in the sector, the newspaper reported, citing Kim Savuth, vice president of the Cambodia Rice Federation. (http://bit.ly/1OfjiJf)
----
NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouch for its accuracy. (Phnom Penh Newsroom; Editing by Anand Basu)

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sept 04


Fri Sep 4, 2015 2:41pm IST
Nagpur, Sept 4 Gram prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor demand from local millers amid high moisture content
arrival. Downward trend in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and release of stock from stockists also
pulled down prices, according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Desi gram raw firmed up in open market here on good festival season demand from 
     local traders amid tight supply from producing belts.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar Karnataka reported strong in open market here on good seasonal buying support 
     from local traders amid thin arrival from producing regions. 
 
   * Wheat Mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid 
     weak supply from Punjab and Haryana. 
                                                                                       
   * In Akola, Tuar - 9,700-10,100, Tuar dal - 13,800-14,100, Udid at 9,100-9,300, 
     Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,400, Moong - 7,600-7,800, Moong Mogar 
    (clean) 9,200-9,800, Gram - 4,600-4,900, Gram Super best bold - 6,100-6,300 
     for 100 kg.
 
   * Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market 
     in thin trading activity, according to sources.
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                   4,000-4,840         4,000-4,930
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                n.a.                8,000-9,200
     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,000-6,400
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,500-6,800        6,500-6,800
     Gram Super Best            n.a.                
     Gram Medium Best            5,900-6,100        5,900-6,100
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Mill Quality            5,800-5,900        5,800-5,900
     Desi gram Raw                5,100-5,180         5,000-5,100
     Gram Filter new            6,200-6,400        6,200-6,400
     Gram Kabuli                6,400-7,500        6,400-7,500
     Gram Pink                6,800-7,000        6,800-7,000
     Tuar Fataka Best             14,000-14,500        14,000-14,500
     Tuar Fataka Medium             13,500-13,800        13,500-13,800
     Tuar Dal Best Phod            12,500-13,000        12,500-13,000
     Tuar Dal Medium phod            12,000-12,300        12,000-12,300
     Tuar Gavarani New             10,100-10,300        10,100-10,300
     Tuar Karnataka             10,400-10,700        10,300-10,600
     Tuar Black                 12,100-12,400           12,200-12,400 
     Masoor dal best            8,200-8,700        8,200-8,700
     Masoor dal medium            7,900-8,300        7,900-8,300
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold               9,600-9,900         9,600-9,900
     Moong Mogar Medium best        8,200-8,800        8,200-8,800
     Moong dal Chilka            8,700-8,900        8,700-8,900
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            8,400-9,200        8,400-9,200
     Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG)    11,200-11,800       11,200-11,800
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    10,400-10,800        10,400-10,800
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,100-9,600        9,100-9,600
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,200-5,600        5,200-5,600
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)           4,000-4,200         4,000-4,200
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)        3,250-3,500        3,250-3,500
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)        3,100-3,300         3,100-3,300
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,600        3,200-3,600
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,500        1,400-1,500
     Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG)    1,650-1,750        1,600-1,700
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)        1,350-1,550           1,350-1,550
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,400        2,250-2,400
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)    1,950-2,100        1,950-2,100
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,400-3,700        3,400-3,700
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,750-2,900        2,750-2,900        
     Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)        2,800-3,000        2,800-3,000
     Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)               2,900-3,100        2,900-3,100
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)        1,700-1,900        1,700-1,900
     Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)      2,300-2,450        2,300-2,450
     Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)      2,700-2,800        2,700-2,800
     Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)        3,400-3,800        3,400-3,800
     Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)               3,900-4,300        3,900-4,300
     Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG)    4,200-4,500        4,200-4,500
     Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG)    4,600-5,100        4,600-5,100     
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    8,000-10,000        8,000-10,000
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,000-7,500        7,000-7,500
     Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG)    4,500-4,900        4,500-4,900
     Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)        5,400-5,700        5,400-5,700
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,100-2,350        2,100-2,350
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)        2,400-2,500        2,400-2,500
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 34.0 degree Celsius (93.2 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
23.2 degree Celsius (73.7 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely. Maximum and minimum temperature
would be around and 34 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.)
 
ATTN : Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain market of Nagpur APMC and oil market in Vidarbha willbe closed tomorrow, Saturday, on the occasion of Janmashthami
 

Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains


By G Krishna Prasad
Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM
Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month. The traders in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased the prices on the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice.

 The millers deny the charge however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But the fact remains that this is the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last four months in the region. The minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished) which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs 28 now. The fine quality rice ‘Old Sona Masuri’ which was Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48. There are reports that the government’s subsidised Rs 1 a kg rice is purchased by middlemen and sold to the millers. The millers polish the same rice and sell it in the open market as ‘Sannalu’. The prices of all the Masuri varieties have increased in all markets, including hyper and super markets.

The price of a 25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July, now sells at Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs 1,200. What is worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G Venkatramudu, opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon. The millers expect low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in paddy.Though essential commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the officials concerned are least bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about the price rise.

Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and millers. “Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification to sell rice at a high price,” Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control the prices of rice.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-Poor-Rains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece


Rice-pledging: Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process


BY EDITORON THAILAND
RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process

The Nation

BANGKOK: — The fact-finding process of the rice-pledging scheme’s legal process will be completed by the beginning of next year at the latest, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

The process will determine if a civil case is mounted. Wissanu explained that the case was divided into three parts.The first part, the impeachment process, has already been completed by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Legislative Assembly.The second part is the criminal case, which has been submitted to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Officer Holders.The third part is the civil trial.Wissanu said that the authorities placed great emphasis on treating the case with fairness in accordance with the rule of law.He said that ministerial regulations contained in the Act covering offences by state officials would be applied.

Everyone would be afforded a proper defence, he said.Wissanu said that two fact-finding committees had been established.This first committee is investigating former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra – the chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee – and the second committee is probing six Ministry of Commerce officials.The investigation process would be completed by the end of September, Wissanu said, adding that the investigation report would be submitted to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.He said the case file would be submitted to the committee on civil liability and compensation, which had until February 2017 to work on it before the statute of limitations on the case expired.He believed, however, that the entire process would be completed early next year.He added that those found guilty would have to pay compensation, but would not face prosecution.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Wissanu-breaks-down-scheme-legal-process-30268103.html


Focus on Iran


9/1/2005 - by Melissa Alexander
Agricultural production increase fueled by country’s motivation to achieve self-sufficiency and diversification
by Mario Sequeira

In the 25 years since the Iranian revolution, agricultural production has increased significantly. This has been primarily due to strong government support of agriculture as part of its policy to achieve self-sufficiency and, more recently, diversification in an economy heavily reliant on oil.Iran’s economy is essentially centrally controlled. Government measures that support agriculture have resulted in production largely maintaining a growth of 4 to 6% annually through the past 25 years.Action directly affecting farmers includes guaranteed purchase prices, access to foreign currency to buy imported machinery, low-interest loans and subsidies for inputs. The government has also improved the economic environment by phasing in liberalization and encouraging privatization.

In 2004-05, the country declared self-sufficiency in wheat. In March, the government announced a one-year, 15 billion Iranian rials (U.S.$1.5 million) pilot plan called the "rice production development scheme," aimed at achieving rice self-sufficiency.Wheat and rice are two staples that are considered strategic commodities and are targeted for self-sufficiency. Iran’s diverse terrain and climatic conditions enables production of tropical and cool climate commodities, from grains such as wheat, rice, barley, maize, pulses and oilseeds to fruits, nuts and vegetables, including dates, pistachios, sugarcane, rice, apples, cherries and walnuts. Iran is the world’s largest pistachio producer.The country’s terrain and climate are diverse. Much of it is arid to semi-arid. About 20% of Iran’s land area of 165 million hectares, or about 32 million hectares, is arable. Only about 15 million hectares are farmed, with more than half depending on irrigation and the rest on rainfall.

In fact, one of the biggest constraints to agricultural expansion is not a lack of available land but rather a lack of irrigation. Most dryland farming is carried out in the west and northwest. In central and southern Iran, farming survives on irrigation.Agriculture remains a strategic sector in Iran’s economy because of the desire to achieve self-sufficiency. The other major sectors — industry and services — have grown at a much faster pace than agriculture.Today, agriculture accounts for 19% of Iran’s gross domestic product, while industry and services account for 26% and 55% respectively. Agriculture employs 30% of the workforce, while industry employs 25% and services 45%.Since 1990, Iran’s economy has been managed under five-year plans that have aimed for a gradual move towards a market-orientated economy and development of the private sector.

One of the plans involved the formation of rural production cooperatives to enable farmers to avail themselves of economies of scale. Progress has been slow, but one international report estimated that by 2022 nearly all of Iran’s farms would be part of a cooperative.The third plan (2000-05) committed the government to an ambitious program of liberalization, diversification and privatization. Major third-plan goals for agriculture included the allocation of 25% of bank loans to water and other agricultural projects, building new water pumps using new technology and upgrading farm machinery. Current mechanization rates in the farm sector are very low.

The latest plan (2005-2010) sets goals of creating 700,000 new jobs and increasing oil output and exports through foreign direct investment.Some of Iranian agriculture’s most important hurdles are the shortage of water and inefficient irrigation.Because the water cost to farmers is so heavily subsidized, it is debated that there is not the incentive for farmers to be efficient. According to one newspaper report, only half of irrigated farms run efficient irrigation systems with full or partial control.Other issues debated in the country’s newspapers include obsolescence of farm machinery, the lack of raw materials, the practice of subsistence farming, waste in the production and distribution cycle, inadequate scientific and technical support to farmers, inadequate capital formation and infrastructure, and degradation of natural resources due to inefficient cropping patterns.

WHEAT AND FLOUR MILLING 

Wheat is the dominant crop in the grains sector, owing to strong government support in the form of input subsidies and guaranteed purchase prices.Wheat accounted for 6.4 million hectares of land in the 2004-05 crop year. Of this, 2.5 million hectares are under irrigated farming. The cost of production is high, but the government has opted to promote and protect the industry at all costs in the drive to reach self-sufficiency.Production has increased by 75% in the past 15 years, more through productivity gains than increased planted area.

For 62 years, Iran imported wheat. But this year, with a harvest of 14 million tonnes, the government declared self-sufficiency and has even approved exports of a small parcel of 200,000 tonnes to Iraq.Production has increased to meet high consumption, as wheat bread is a staple in the Iranian diet. Per capita wheat consumption was 170 kilograms per year in 2001. Bread is heavily subsidized by the government, second only to fuel.Demand is expected to increase as the economy grows and gives Iran’s population, 68% of which is between 15 and 64 years of age, higher disposable income.

The milling sector comprises a mix of modern and traditional stone mills and continues to become more sophisticated. According to a 2003 report, the milling industry has a (collective) daily capacity of 50,000 tonnes. Four types of flour are produced in the 284 mills in Iran. The most popular type is used to make Sangak bread, a mild sourdough type of bread. Sangak flour accounts for 45% of production.The next most common use of flour is for European style breads and other manufactured products, accounting for 25 to 30% of production. The other two flour types are used in the baking of confectioneries and pasta and the traditional flat bread, which is ground at stone mills at close to whole wheat extraction rates.The industry’s apex body, the Federation of Iranian Associations of Flour Milling, was formed in November 1999 to communicate industry issues.Iran has two other milling organizations. Research and Engineering Services Inc. is charged with importing wheat and milling machinery and exporting flour. The Self-Sufficiency and Research Center carries out research on milling and baking, production technology and equipment, marketing and flour quality.
LIVESTOCK AND FEED 

The livestock industry accounts for about 25% of total agricultural production. The main commodities are chicken, red meat and dairy products.Generally, migratory tribes run large herds of sheep and goats, but demand has pushed the growth of large commercial farms. The number of animals (sheep, goats and cattle) in Iran has been reported at about 120 million, of which 8 million cattle and 81 million sheep and goats are grazed on Iran’s 90 million hectares of rangelands by nomadic tribes.Production has increased significantly in the past 25 years. In 1979, chicken production was 195,000 tonnes annually and per capita consumption was 5.1 kg a year. By March 2005, the figures were 1.1 million tonnes and 17.3 kg, respectively.Red meat production has increased to 784,000 tonnes annually this year from 375,000 tonnes in 1980. Per capita consumption has increased to 11.6 kg a year from 9.8 kg in 1980.

Milk production has jumped to 6.7 million tonnes this year, a tenfold increase from the 1980 production of 620,000 tonnes. Annual per capita consumption has increased from 69 kg to 99.6 kgPer capita consumption of animal protein in the country is 22 grams daily. The fourth five-year plan (2005-10) has set a target of increasing that figure to 29 grams daily by the end of the plan. The plan notes that to reach that goal, livestock production would have to increase by an average 6.5% annually over the next five years.

The plan has set production growth targets of 6.5% for chicken meat, 3% for red meat and 7% for dairy production. Barley and maize are the two major components of the feed industry. Feed wheat use has averaged about 300,000 tonnes annually in the past five years. Barley and maize production has not been enough to meet domestic consumption, so the country has been importing these coarse grains. Feed barley demand has been averaging slightly above 2 million tonnes in the past five years while production has been slightly under that, forcing imports. The production of maize, which is the major feed for the poultry industry, has been targeted for expansion by the government. The 2004-05 harvest came in at 1.95 million tonnes, compared to 25,000 tonnes in 1979.

http://www.world-grain.com/departments/country%20focus/iran/focus%20on%20iran.aspx?cck=1


Monsoon begins withdrawal process, confirms Met Office

VINSON KURIAN
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPTEMBER 4:  

The India Met Department has confirmed on Friday that the South-West monsoon has started withdrawing from the western parts of Rajasthan in what is a month-long process.This came on a day when the all-India rain deficit shot up for the first time beyond the 12 per cent forecast by the Met for the entire season this year.

Deficit worsens
The gradual drying of the North-West and adjoining Central India is expected to worsen the overall deficit figure over the next three to four days, according to indications.An anti-cyclonic circulation that heralds the dry weather was present at the lower levels of the atmosphere over north-west India on Friday.The anti-cyclone has clock-wise winds around it, has high-pressure, and sits heavy over the ground, suppressing the formation of clouds and precipitation.This is the exact anti-thesis of the monsoon feature of lower pressure, ascending motion of air into higher levels of atmosphere where it cools, and condenses the vapour mopped up by winds from the ocean. This is what precipitates as rain.
Bay humming?
Wind profile projections that a western disturbance (low-pressure system) coming in from across the border will dig south into North Arabian Sea and emerge with moisture to be rained down over Gujarat/Rajasthan.This may unsettle the anti-cyclone during the next week but it will come back into shape by the weekend, according to these projections.Meanwhile, global models also suggest the possibility of the East Bay of Bengal springing a surprise by hosting a likely low-pressure area by middle of the month.A couple of cyclonic circulations trackers featured by the US Climate Prediction Centre suggested that the ‘low’ may pick up in strength and hit the East Coast.But they seemed to differ as to which part of the coast might take the hit.One model suggested the southern tip of peninsula and adjoining Sri Lanka while another pointed to the Andhra Pradesh-

Odisha coast.

(This article was published on September 4, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-begins-withdrawal-process-confirms-met-office/article7616244.ece


Productivity worries plague Kharif crop prospects on rainfall deficit


TOMOJIT BASU
 NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 4:  

With the start of withdrawal of the South-West monsoon from parts of western Rajasthan, doubts are being raised with regard to crop productivity and the possible impact on the Rabi season even if Kharif acreage is just about two per cent higher vis-à-vis last year.The four-month long South-West monsoon, which provides 75 per cent of India’s annual rainfall and waters more than half of India’s crop land, has recorded a 13 per cent shortfall between June 1 and September 4, according to the data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

“Various areas in central, southern and western India are currently facing water stress. Rain is required and needs to be well distributed if sown crops are to be saved,” said a senior Agricultural Ministry official.The amount of rainfall recorded during the period is 645.7 millimetres (mm) against a normal of 742.5 mm due to a strong El Nino. The peninsula has registered a 22 per cent shortfall, while central and north-west India has had deficiencies of 17 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.

Driest year
The IMD had predicted precipitation at 88 per cent of the Long Period Average of 89 cm this year. However, a 16 per cent and 22 per cent deficit in July and August, which account for a bulk of monsoon rainfall, threaten to make this the driest year since 2009 and a second straight drought year.Out of 36 sub-divisions, 18 have received deficient rainfall this year and only two have recorded an excess. The situation is most dire in Marathwada and central Maharashtra, north interior Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and the Konkan coast, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

“An early withdrawal is not an issue since the monsoon arrived 15 days early, particularly in north-west India. That’s why there is no adverse effect on area. But this long dry spell and overall deficiency is a matter of serious concern and will impact productivity,” said Ramesh Chand, Director, National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research.
Rain-fed crops such as pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds were particularly at risk, said Chand, adding that rice was not likely to be hit due to cultivation in areas which either received sufficient rain or were well irrigated.

Water storage levels
Importantly, water levels across 91 major reservoirs have also dipped by 16 per cent below the normal and a poor monsoon will affect replenishment – particularly across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, among others.“September rains crucial since moisture levels in the soil need to be higher not just for good yield with regard to the Kharif crop but also for the Rabi season which accounts for a bulk of pulses production,” said Pravin Dongre, Chairman, Indian Pulses and Grains Association.

(This article was published on September 4, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/productivity-worries-plague-kharif-crop-prospects-on-rainfall-deficit/article7616247.ece

Rice exports resumed with annual 1m tonne limit

FEI says rice exports generate $600m for Egypt every year
 September 3, 2015  
The Egyptian government has resumed rice exports of 1m tonnes per year, the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) announced on Thursday.
In an statement to thank the government for responding to their demand, the FEI explained that Egypt produces 4m tonnes of rice per year, with the market consuming 3m tonnes.However, Ministry of Agriculture figures said that Egypt’s rice production this year was 2.7m tonnes, with rice consumption at 3.6m tonnes.Last Thursday, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour issued a decision to stop exporting rice beginning in September. He explained in a statement that the decision came to meet the domestic requirements for rice.

The FEI pointed out that exporting rice generates $600m for Egypt every year, adding that it will help reduce the budget deficit by EGP 2bn.In 2013, the decision to export rice was a cause of disagreement. On the one hand, A
bdel Nour had issued a decision in November 2013, announcing that the government planned to export 100,000 tonnes of rice between mid-November 2013 and January 2014.Meanwhile, former minister of supply Mohamed Abu Shady made a contradictory announcement to Abdel Nour’s, saying that rice exports would be halted “until all ration needs of the grain are met”.The Rice Division at the (FEI) had at that time wanted to export rice to make profits.

http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/09/03/rice-exports-resumed-with-annual-1m-tonne-limit-%E2%80%A8/

Myanmar rice exports to resume

4 Sep 2015 at 15:59 

A Myanmar woman walks pass through the paddy field at outskirt area of Yangon on Friday. (EPA photo)

The Myanmar Commerce Ministry plans to lift a temporary ban on rice exports, which was imposed due to shortages and inflation during last month’s flood disaster across the country, a senior official said.Permanent secretary to the ministry Toe Aung Myint said the government was moving ahead with the measure following a proposal by the Myanmar Rice Federation. The ban on rice exports was originally set until Sept 15.“The ban was introduced due to the nationwide flood disaster. However, the government also wishes to maintain its strength in the export market, so we are weighing these factors and coordinating procedures with the concerned departments and organisations,” theDemocratic Voice of Burma on Friday quoted him as saying.
“More importantly, we do not want to disrupt our existing market, especially in Europe, and to capitalise on the rising popularity of parboiled rice, which is actually in low demand domestically.

will prioritise the types of rice that are in low demand domestically, and then gradually lift the ban on each variety.”The Myanmar government imposed the ban on rice exports on Aug 7 as monsoonal floods devastated much of the country, including Myanmar’s major “rice bowl” regions of Sagaing and the Irrawaddy delta. Landslides destroyed many roads and bridges and made transportation impossible. A subsequent hike in the price of commodities sent the market price of a sack of rice in remote areas, such as Chin state, from around 20,000 kyat (558 baht) to as much as 80,000 kyat.The federation set Sept 15 as the anticipated time that the ban could be lifted, due to expectations that harvested rice would reach markets by mid-September. According to local media, the government was also mulling the possibility of importing rice to make up for the shortfall.

The ministry, however, raised the possibility of the ban being extended to November, after it announced that some 1 million acres (about 4,000 square kilometres) of paddy fields, accounting for 10-15% of the total rice fields in the country, were damaged by the floods. It added that Myanmar needs around 34.8 million tonnes of paddy rice for domestic consumption yearly.Myanmar’s rice exports have been rising consistently for the past few years. The country sent abroad around 1.8 million tonnes of rice in 2014. The federation said it expects a paddy output of around 14 million tonnes in 2015.The government has been targeting exports of around 2 million tonnes of rice this year.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/681384/myanmar-rice-exports-to-resume

Declining prices: governments weigh up option to protect agriculture sector

September 03, 2015

The federal government and provinces on Wednesday weighed various options to protect the agriculture sector from declining prices of agriculture products in the international market. An official said that a consultative meeting on agriculture products and Basmati rice was held on Wednesday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the chair and various options were discussed during the meeting. The official said the issue of high costs of agricultural inputs was discussed. He said the Prime Minister directed to devise proposals to bring down the cost of inputs to improve per acre yield and profitability after he was given a detailed presentation on the present situation as well as on future scenarios. Secretary Food Department of Sindh government told Business Recorder that the meeting was a follow-up of a meeting held in August. He said the meeting has not taken any decision and decided to hold another meeting in this regard to further discuss the proposals.

 He said the decline in agriculture products prices in the international market has created problems of exports. He said that farmers are suffering due to high input prices at home and low output prices. Secretary Agriculture Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said a committee was constituted by the Prime Minister to suggest as to how to support small farmers. The meeting discussed implications of the government interventions to manage the price fluctuations while keeping in view the interests of both producers and consumers. A statement issued by the Prime Minister''s office after the meeting says that the surplus stocks of agricultural products in international and domestic markets have put pressure on the support price mechanism and profitability of the agricultural production has been affected. 

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed the meeting that in Pakistan agriculture is mainly a small farmers'' business, living in rural areas and any price shock has damaging effects on millions of small farmers earning their livelihood from agriculture sector. The meeting agreed that the Pakistani agriculture is suffering from global phenomenon and a strategy is required to come out of this economic situation. The Planning Commission organised a forum on agriculture pricing trends and its possible implications on rural economy in August 2015. The forum presented a set of recommendations for consideration by the government on Wednesday''s meeting. The meeting deliberated in detail on the recommendations of the forum regarding problems faced by the producers of major crops like rice, sugarcane, cotton, wheat and vegetables.

The Prime Minister directed that the Ministry of National Food Security may initiate measures to attract investment in high-tech seed industry and asked if any legislation is required to do that. The Prime Minister also directed to develop standards for use of agricultural machinery to improve its efficiency. Provincial governments were directed to initiate a process for implementation of the recommendations for the agriculture forum. The meeting was attended by Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Minister of Commerce, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister for IPC; Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for National Food Security; Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the PM, federal secretary National Food security, Secretary agriculture from Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan. 

 Business Recorder

Senate Summons CBN, NCS over Abuse of Import Waivers

05 Sep 2015
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Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki 


Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Senate ad-hoc Committee on Waivers has summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), over alleged sharp practices on the application of waivers' policy on rice and other food items.The summons followed the upper legislative chamber's mandate to the committee in July to thoroughly review federal government's policy on waivers with the intention to determine federal government's losses to indiscriminate granting of waivers to unscrupulous importers.In another development, the Senate  yesterday appealed to the international community to throw its weight behind Nigeria's efforts to reposition and grow the economy.

This appeal was made by a Senate delegation led by the senate president, Bukola Saraki, to separate bilateral meetings with German and French delegates at the just concluded Fourth United Nations (UN) International Conference for Heads of Parliaments in New York.After its meeting in Abuja yesterday, the committee said it found that the policy was being used by importers and relevant government agencies to defraud the country of billions of naira.
According to the committee chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), details of rots uncovered by the committee would be made public during forthcoming public hearing and in the final report of the committee.

"We have sent letters of invitation to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) like the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria and of course, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to give us relevant information that will help us to carry out the assignment given us very effectively and in fact, unearth the rots waivers have caused in the system.
"We are very happy with the responses we have gotten so far from the MDAs. What we are doing now is to start compiling the reports and make our recommendations before which a public hearing will be held where the abuse of the policy either by importers or relevant government agencies will be made open to Nigerians," he said
He also said the decision of the committee on public hearing would be taken at its meeting next Tuesday.
The Senate had in July asked the committee to investigate the allegation of abuse of waiver's policy  on rice importation and other food items which it said had robbed the nation of whopping N585 billion between 2011 and 2014.According to the motion entitled: "Indiscriminate Use and Abuse of Waivers for Rice Importation and Others," abuse of waiver's scheme has had adverse effects  on federal government's policy on rice production, resulting in the  importation of large quantities of rice in excess of the policy's requirement.

The CBN had recently also revealed that importers had overshot their quota on rice importation and consequently owing the federal government import duties amounting to billions of naira.
It also revealed that importers, under the guise of the policy, have defrauded the federal government of 70 per cent duties and levies adding that instead of punishing defaulting importers, the immediate past administration opted to grant them fresh waivers
to import more in its twilight.The senators also alleged that the federal government had lost as much as N71 billion to duty waivers to importers of rice, palm oil, energy equipment, steel and vegetable oil annually adding that the federal government gave import duty waivers to rice and palm oil importers amounting to N150 billion in 2011.


APEDA Commodty News from India

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 03-09-2015
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)
4280
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
1700
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2800
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 03-09-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Maize
1
Himatnagar (Gujarat)
Other
1250
1450
2
Kishanganj (Bihar)
Other
1350
1550
3
Senjeri (Tamil Nadu)
Other
1500
1700
Paddy(Dhan)
1
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1410
1410
2
Pulpally (Kerala)
Other
1500
1700
3
Manapparai (Tamil  Nadu)
Other
1450
1550
Mousambi
1
Malout (Punjab)
Other
1500
2500
Brinjal
1
Surat (Gujarat)
Other
1000
2250
2
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
2000
2000
3
Malout (Punjab)
Other
1000
1200
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 31-08-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
305
2
Nagapur
270
3
Hyderabad
295
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 03-09-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado
Russet
21
23.50
2
Baltimore
Canada
Russet
14
14
3
Detroit
Idaho
Russet
16
19.50
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
9
10
2
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
12
14
3
Miami
Honduras
Long Seedless
10
10
Grapefruit
Package: 7/10 bushel cartons
1
Atlanta
California
Red
26
27.50
2
Dallas
California 
Red
24
24
3
Chicago
California
Red
20
21
Source:USDA



Fisher Delta Center Field Day Attracts a Crowd 
     
PORTAGEVILLE, MO - USA Rice was a sponsor of the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center's 54th annual field day held here Wednesday.  More than 500 people, including producers, agribusiness representatives, and local, state, and national elected officials attended an appreciation breakfast before the field day tours.

Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) were keynote speakers at the event.  Each addressed the growing importance of agricultural research with today's growing global population and highlighted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overreach, which they said is hurting American farmers.

USA Rice's Chuck Wilson and Kristen Dayton participated in the event and also met with Missouri rice producers from around the region, including Cape Girardeau's Blake Gerard, the newly elected chairman of USA Rice Farmers.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 4 
Month
Price
Net Change

September 2015
$11.850
+ $0.055
November 2015
$12.110
+ $0.050
January 2016
$12.400
+ $0.050
March 2016
$12.650
+ $0.060
May 2016
$12.880
+ $0.065
July 2016
$13.045
+ $0.065
September 2016
$12.220
+ $0.125


Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains


By G Krishna Prasad
Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM
Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month.

The traders in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased the prices on the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice. The millers deny the charge however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But the fact remains that this is the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last four months in the region. The minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished) which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs 28 now. The fine quality rice ‘Old Sona Masuri’ which was Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48. There are reports that the government’s subsidised Rs 1 a kg rice is purchased by middlemen and sold to the millers.

The millers polish the same rice and sell it in the open market as ‘Sannalu’. The prices of all the Masuri varieties have increased in all markets, including hyper and super markets.The price of a 25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July, now sells at Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs 1,200. What is worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G Venkatramudu, opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon. The millers expect low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in paddy.Though essential commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the officials concerned are least bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about the price rise.

Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and millers. “Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification to sell rice at a high price,” Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control the prices of rice.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-Poor-Rains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece

Gov’t urges millers to pay paddy farmers


The Guyana Government yesterday said that it empathises with the frustrations of rice farmers and hopes that the rice millers can make arrangements to have outstanding amounts to rice farmers remitted to them at the earliest possible time.
A release from GINA said that consultations with the …to continue
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/09/04/govt-urges-millers-to-pay-paddy-farmers/


Govt advisor cautions against irrational resistance to GM crops

R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 3:  
A senior Government advisor on Thursday pitched for “no irrational resistance” to genetically-modified (GM) crops and believed that nanotechnology could help Indian agriculture overcome problems of declining landholdings, increasing numbers of marginal cultivators and land degradation.
“There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops once careful research has been done, field trials have been completed and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approval has been obtained,” said R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Centre, at the ‘4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit’ hosted Assocham here on Thursday.Chidambaram had been talking about the need for climate-resilient agriculture and mitigation and adaptation strategies had to include development of new crop varieties, including GM crops, alongside soil health restoration.“Agriculture contributes less than 20 per cent of India’s GDP (gross domestic product), accounts for over 10 per cent of India’s exports and employs over half of our workforce, the latter number is three per cent for the US,” he said.He highlighted the need for more techniques to improve domestic irrigation facilities to save water with farmers consuming “about 80 per cent of State water supply” and also suggested the need for a grid for basmati rice research and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles such as indigenously-built NETRA in agriculture.Chidambaram also pushed for technologies to prevent food wastage and pest attacks on crops. “While ensuring food and nutritional security, we have to provide mechanism for ensuring increased farm incomes,” he said.
(This article was published on September 3, 2015)
BUSINESS LINE
There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops: Principal Scientific Advisor


Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Dr R. Chidambaram, while speaking at an event organised by industry body, Assocham in New Delhi said that there should be no irrational resistance to GM crops, after the completion of careful research, field trials and approval of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).Whilestressing on the need for climate resilient agriculture he said that mitigation and adaptation strategies must include soil health restoration and development of new crop varieties including genetically modified (GM) crops.
In Focus
Hestressed on the need for more widespread techniques to improve irrigation facilities in India. While saying highlighting that farmers in India consume about 80 per cent of state water supply, he said there was a need to make a saving there.On the need for developing high-yielding basmati rice varieties, R. Chidambaram said that he would love to have a Grid for basmati rice research.While inaugurating the '4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit' the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government, according to a press release by the Assocham,also pitched for using 'agricultural drone with appropriate sensors' while citing an example of NETRA, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that was used to track damage and marooned people.
He said that nanoscience based viable advanced technologies (that are both economic and scientific) must be developed to counter negative effects of declining landholdings, increasing number of marginal farmers and land degradation."Agriculture contributes less than 20 per cent of India's GDP, accounts for over 10 per cent of India's exports and employs over half of our workforce, the latter number is three per cent for the USA," said R. Chidambaram.
http://www.merinews.com/article/there-should-be-no-irrational-resistance-to-gm-crops-principal-scientific-advisor/15909323.shtml#sthash.GTPlo67N.dpuf

Corruption in the distribution of bardana will not be tolerated:Bilal Yasin

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has said that Punjab government has fixed wheat procurement target of 40 lakh metric ton in the province. He said that district administration and Food Department will extend complete cooperation to the farmers for transparent purchase of wheat. He said that corruption and irregularities in the distribution of bardana will not be tolerated. He said that strict disciplinary action will be taken against government machinery if found negligent in this regard.

He was addressing a high level meeting held in connection with wheat procurement arrangements at Conference Hall, in the office of Commissioner Sargodha Division. Secretary Food Punjab Dr. Pervaiz Ahmed Khan, Commissioner Sargodha Division Capt. (R) Muhammad Asif, Director Food Asif Bilal besides DCOs of four districts, Deputy Directors Food, DFCs and representatives of farmers all over the division attended the meeting. Bilal Yasin stressed upon the Food Department to pay attention to the labour arrangements for loading and unloading of wheat. He said that Punjab province is the biggest stockist of Asia with regard to wheat procurement.

He said that the aim of wheat procurement is not to fill the godowns of wheat but the real objective is to give due return to the farmers to their hard work so that we should remain self-sufficient in food. The Provincial Minister said that the administration and Food Department should take vigorous steps for providing facilities to the farmers including tent for sitting, cold water for drinking, chairs and keeping the revenue matters transparent.

Earlier, Secretary Food Pervaiz Ahmed Khan stressed upon Food Department and district administration to hold meetings with farmers for knowing their problems and proposals. He said that the record of distribution of bardana is available in Punjab Information Technology Board and Chief Minister Punjab is personally monitoring it. He said that Chief Minister can get information about any procurement center by contacting the farmers on telephone at any time. He said that the wheat procurement target is a big target for which administration and Food Department will utilize all their resources.

The meeting was told that government has fixed the price of wheat 1300 rupees per maund, 10 percent moisture ratio whereas weight 101.100 kg. Delivery charges will be Rs. 7.5 per 100 kg bag. It was told that control rooms and committees have been constituted for monitoring of procurement and redressal of complaints of farmers.

http://lahoreworld.com/2015/04/20/corruption-in-the-distribution-of-bardana-will-not-be-toleratedbilal-yasin/




Global agricultural research network is overhauled again

3 September 2015 5:16 am
A key guardian of global food security is looking shaky. Funding for the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world's premier group of agricultural research centers, is sagging in the global economic downturn. Its flagship backer—the World Bank—threatened to pull the plug on its contributions. And now CGIAR is about to undergo internal convulsions: It's reorganizing for the second time in just 5 years. Backers say the move will give CGIAR a more coherent strategy and make the most of available funding. Critics argue that greater effort should go into securing stable funding and prioritizing research.
Read the Full Text. (Login may be required.)
http://news.sciencemag.org/environment/2015/09/global-agricultural-research-network-overhauled-again


NFA rice imports slammed


PNASep. 05, 2015 at 12:01am

THE announced importation of 2.1-million metric tons of rice by the National Food Authority may pose serious repercussions to local farmers, a non-government organization said on Friday.“[This over importation of rice] is caused by the incoherent direction in addressing the rice problem with two different agencies running the rice commodity,” said Au Regalado, lead convenor of Rice Watch and Action Network (R1).According to R1, the Department of Agriculture is focused more on raising productivity and incomes of farmers, whereas the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agriculture Modernization currently linked to NFA is just looking at the market side of the equation.“We raised in the Food Staples Committee in the Department of Agriculture our concern for the very high target for importation set by the NFA,” Regalado said.R1 noted that such rice importation is alarming, considering the increase in rice output in the last season as reported by Philippine Statistics Authority.

Their alarm is doubled by the fact that the NFA’s target importation does not even include the target for Minimum Access Volume for the year.“This over importation of rice would set major drawbacks to local farmers,” Regalado said.“We all know that oversupply of imported rice will spell the death of livelihood for our local rice farmers. The traders will exploit this situation to drive the farm gate prices of palay (unmilled rice) at its lowest possible rate,” he said.Regalado further justified R1’s claims by citing reports that “traders cornered the procurement of palay in the last season because NFA focused on rice importation.”Aside from farmers, the consuming public would also suffer from possible price hikes of rice and other related commodities.Despite the overstock, prices of rice in the market remain at P37 to P45 a kilo. Hence, R1 poses a challenge to the NFA to flood the market to press the prices down so that the consumers will benefit from the oversupply during the lean season.

“A major leap in rice production is [still] possible especially if the government will seriously implement its programs designed to achieve rice self-sufficiency,” said Regalado.Recently, the NFA was also under scrutiny by lawmakers for excessive rice importation, arguing that it was “highly irregular and doubtful” given the rice self-sufficiency figures.Last June 1, 2015, DA officials claimed that the country has attained a self-sufficient total rice stock inventory of 3.02-million MT; hence, the need for imported rice this year was questionable, the lawmakers said.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representatives Neri J. Colmenares, Carlos and Isagani T. Zarate have already sought a congressional investigation through House Resolution 2231.Zarate said officials of NFA, the Bureau of Customs, and the Food Security Council should be summoned to clarify issues relative to the importation and the country’s rice self-sufficiency.“Overstocking [of rice] results not only in expiration of these stocks but in potential abuse and supply manipulation as well,” Colmenares said.Rice Watch and Action Network is a  non-government organization that focuses on the welfare of small farmers and the improvement of their living conditions. It also promotes a sustainable agriculture aimed at fostering an economically and environmentally viable rice industry.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/mobile/2015/09/05/nfa-rice-imports-slammed/



Rice Fields at Risk in Western Cambodia With Lack of Rainfall

2015-09-03
The drought has dried up a reservoir in central Cambodia's Kampong Thom province, June 14, 2015.
RFA
Rice crops in western Cambodia will die from drought if the region does not receive rain within the next month, officials said Thursday, as a development organization urged the government to do more to assist farmers with irrigation.A delay to the beginning of the rainy season, which typically lasts from the end of May through the first half of October, has devastated provinces that are home to the country’s largest area of rice fields and plantations, vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management Nhim Vanda told RFA’s Khmer Service.“In my experience, if there is no rain in September, the rice in Pursat and Battambang provinces will be destroyed,” he said.

According to Nhim Vanda, several thousand hectares (one hectare = 2.5 acres) of rice fields across Pursat and Battambang—as well as in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Takeo, Kampot, Kampong Speu and Siem Reap—are at risk of failure if the rains do not come.The government can only assist certain areas suffering from reduced seasonal rainfall with crop mitigation, he said, but can do little to help in regions where there is no rain.
Chhun Chhorn, governor of central Cambodia’s Kampong Thom province, told RFA that the little rain his region had received was insufficient to sustain farmers’ rice crops.He said provincial authorities were devising a plan to help pump water into farmers’ fields in order to save their seasonal harvest.“

There is not enough rain—we only receive rain every once in a while,” he said.But Yang Saing, president of the Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), said the government must do more to help farmers prepare for problems such as the current drought—one of the country’s worst in years.He called on authorities to dig more reservoirs and irrigation systems that would help counteract a lack of rainfall ahead of the rainy season.“And if the authorities don’t have any plans to dig more reservoirs, they should provide other methods to reserve water at the end of the rainy season,” he said. Yang Saing also suggested farmers seek crops that don’t rely on much water to grow.

Ongoing drought


In July, Sivann Botum, secretary of state for Cambodia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs and a member of the National Committee for Disaster Management, told RFA that the severe drought would deepen poverty in the developing country.At the time, Heng Kim Sreang, the agriculture director of Kampong Chhnang province, told RFA it was beyond her department to help farmers obtain enough water to plant rice.


Because many fields lie on higher land, they are difficult to get water to, she said, and no other farmers had volunteered to allow their plantations to be used as a reservoir.The rainy season provides about three-quarters of Cambodia’s annual rainfall, and daily rain is common during its peak between July and September.Parts of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand also are experiencing a severe lack of rain and higher-than-normal temperatures that have resulted in lower rice production than usual because of the El Niño effect, in which changes in weather patterns can produce droughts and floods in the Mekong region.

Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/rice-09032015171451.html



CAMBODIA PRESS-Rice millers request exemption from VAT - Phnom Penh Post

By REUTERS
As Cambodia continues to struggle with its cost competitiveness in the rice sector, rice millers and exporters met the General Department of Taxation on Wednesday asking for an exemption from paying the 10 percent value added tax (VAT), the Phnom Penh Post reported.The exemption will help ease prices in the sector, the newspaper reported, citing Kim Savuth, vice president of the Cambodia Rice Federation. (http://bit.ly/1OfjiJf)
----
NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouch for its accuracy. (Phnom Penh Newsroom; Editing by Anand Basu)

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sept 04


Fri Sep 4, 2015 2:41pm IST
Nagpur, Sept 4 Gram prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor demand from local millers amid high moisture content
arrival. Downward trend in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and release of stock from stockists also
pulled down prices, according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Desi gram raw firmed up in open market here on good festival season demand from 
     local traders amid tight supply from producing belts.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar Karnataka reported strong in open market here on good seasonal buying support 
     from local traders amid thin arrival from producing regions. 
 
   * Wheat Mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid 
     weak supply from Punjab and Haryana. 
                                                                                       
   * In Akola, Tuar - 9,700-10,100, Tuar dal - 13,800-14,100, Udid at 9,100-9,300, 
     Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,400, Moong - 7,600-7,800, Moong Mogar 
    (clean) 9,200-9,800, Gram - 4,600-4,900, Gram Super best bold - 6,100-6,300 
     for 100 kg.
 
   * Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market 
     in thin trading activity, according to sources.
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                   4,000-4,840         4,000-4,930
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                n.a.                8,000-9,200
     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,000-6,400
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,500-6,800        6,500-6,800
     Gram Super Best            n.a.                
     Gram Medium Best            5,900-6,100        5,900-6,100
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Mill Quality            5,800-5,900        5,800-5,900
     Desi gram Raw                5,100-5,180         5,000-5,100
     Gram Filter new            6,200-6,400        6,200-6,400
     Gram Kabuli                6,400-7,500        6,400-7,500
     Gram Pink                6,800-7,000        6,800-7,000
     Tuar Fataka Best             14,000-14,500        14,000-14,500
     Tuar Fataka Medium             13,500-13,800        13,500-13,800
     Tuar Dal Best Phod            12,500-13,000        12,500-13,000
     Tuar Dal Medium phod            12,000-12,300        12,000-12,300
     Tuar Gavarani New             10,100-10,300        10,100-10,300
     Tuar Karnataka             10,400-10,700        10,300-10,600
     Tuar Black                 12,100-12,400           12,200-12,400 
     Masoor dal best            8,200-8,700        8,200-8,700
     Masoor dal medium            7,900-8,300        7,900-8,300
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold               9,600-9,900         9,600-9,900
     Moong Mogar Medium best        8,200-8,800        8,200-8,800
     Moong dal Chilka            8,700-8,900        8,700-8,900
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            8,400-9,200        8,400-9,200
     Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG)    11,200-11,800       11,200-11,800
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    10,400-10,800        10,400-10,800
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,100-9,600        9,100-9,600
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,200-5,600        5,200-5,600
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)           4,000-4,200         4,000-4,200
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)        3,250-3,500        3,250-3,500
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)        3,100-3,300         3,100-3,300
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,600        3,200-3,600
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,500        1,400-1,500
     Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG)    1,650-1,750        1,600-1,700
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)        1,350-1,550           1,350-1,550
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,400        2,250-2,400
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)    1,950-2,100        1,950-2,100
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,400-3,700        3,400-3,700
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,750-2,900        2,750-2,900        
     Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)        2,800-3,000        2,800-3,000
     Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)               2,900-3,100        2,900-3,100
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)        1,700-1,900        1,700-1,900
     Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)      2,300-2,450        2,300-2,450
     Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)      2,700-2,800        2,700-2,800
     Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)        3,400-3,800        3,400-3,800
     Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)               3,900-4,300        3,900-4,300
     Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG)    4,200-4,500        4,200-4,500
     Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG)    4,600-5,100        4,600-5,100     
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    8,000-10,000        8,000-10,000
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,000-7,500        7,000-7,500
     Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG)    4,500-4,900        4,500-4,900
     Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)        5,400-5,700        5,400-5,700
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,100-2,350        2,100-2,350
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)        2,400-2,500        2,400-2,500
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 34.0 degree Celsius (93.2 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
23.2 degree Celsius (73.7 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely. Maximum and minimum temperature
would be around and 34 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.)
 
ATTN : Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain market of Nagpur APMC and oil market in Vidarbha willbe closed tomorrow, Saturday, on the occasion of Janmashthami
 

Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains


By G Krishna Prasad
Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM
Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month. The traders in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased the prices on the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice.

 The millers deny the charge however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But the fact remains that this is the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last four months in the region. The minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished) which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs 28 now. The fine quality rice ‘Old Sona Masuri’ which was Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48. There are reports that the government’s subsidised Rs 1 a kg rice is purchased by middlemen and sold to the millers. The millers polish the same rice and sell it in the open market as ‘Sannalu’. The prices of all the Masuri varieties have increased in all markets, including hyper and super markets.

The price of a 25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July, now sells at Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs 1,200. What is worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G Venkatramudu, opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon. The millers expect low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in paddy.Though essential commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the officials concerned are least bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about the price rise.

Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and millers. “Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification to sell rice at a high price,” Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control the prices of rice.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-Poor-Rains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece


Rice-pledging: Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process


BY EDITORON THAILAND
RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process

The Nation

BANGKOK: — The fact-finding process of the rice-pledging scheme’s legal process will be completed by the beginning of next year at the latest, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

The process will determine if a civil case is mounted. Wissanu explained that the case was divided into three parts.The first part, the impeachment process, has already been completed by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Legislative Assembly.The second part is the criminal case, which has been submitted to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Officer Holders.The third part is the civil trial.Wissanu said that the authorities placed great emphasis on treating the case with fairness in accordance with the rule of law.He said that ministerial regulations contained in the Act covering offences by state officials would be applied.

Everyone would be afforded a proper defence, he said.Wissanu said that two fact-finding committees had been established.This first committee is investigating former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra – the chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee – and the second committee is probing six Ministry of Commerce officials.The investigation process would be completed by the end of September, Wissanu said, adding that the investigation report would be submitted to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.He said the case file would be submitted to the committee on civil liability and compensation, which had until February 2017 to work on it before the statute of limitations on the case expired.He believed, however, that the entire process would be completed early next year.He added that those found guilty would have to pay compensation, but would not face prosecution.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Wissanu-breaks-down-scheme-legal-process-30268103.html

Focus on Iran


9/1/2005 - by Melissa Alexander
Agricultural production increase fueled by country’s motivation to achieve self-sufficiency and diversification
by Mario Sequeira

In the 25 years since the Iranian revolution, agricultural production has increased significantly. This has been primarily due to strong government support of agriculture as part of its policy to achieve self-sufficiency and, more recently, diversification in an economy heavily reliant on oil.Iran’s economy is essentially centrally controlled. Government measures that support agriculture have resulted in production largely maintaining a growth of 4 to 6% annually through the past 25 years.Action directly affecting farmers includes guaranteed purchase prices, access to foreign currency to buy imported machinery, low-interest loans and subsidies for inputs. The government has also improved the economic environment by phasing in liberalization and encouraging privatization.

In 2004-05, the country declared self-sufficiency in wheat. In March, the government announced a one-year, 15 billion Iranian rials (U.S.$1.5 million) pilot plan called the "rice production development scheme," aimed at achieving rice self-sufficiency.Wheat and rice are two staples that are considered strategic commodities and are targeted for self-sufficiency. Iran’s diverse terrain and climatic conditions enables production of tropical and cool climate commodities, from grains such as wheat, rice, barley, maize, pulses and oilseeds to fruits, nuts and vegetables, including dates, pistachios, sugarcane, rice, apples, cherries and walnuts. Iran is the world’s largest pistachio producer.The country’s terrain and climate are diverse. Much of it is arid to semi-arid. About 20% of Iran’s land area of 165 million hectares, or about 32 million hectares, is arable. Only about 15 million hectares are farmed, with more than half depending on irrigation and the rest on rainfall.

In fact, one of the biggest constraints to agricultural expansion is not a lack of available land but rather a lack of irrigation. Most dryland farming is carried out in the west and northwest. In central and southern Iran, farming survives on irrigation.Agriculture remains a strategic sector in Iran’s economy because of the desire to achieve self-sufficiency. The other major sectors — industry and services — have grown at a much faster pace than agriculture.Today, agriculture accounts for 19% of Iran’s gross domestic product, while industry and services account for 26% and 55% respectively. Agriculture employs 30% of the workforce, while industry employs 25% and services 45%.Since 1990, Iran’s economy has been managed under five-year plans that have aimed for a gradual move towards a market-orientated economy and development of the private sector.

One of the plans involved the formation of rural production cooperatives to enable farmers to avail themselves of economies of scale. Progress has been slow, but one international report estimated that by 2022 nearly all of Iran’s farms would be part of a cooperative.The third plan (2000-05) committed the government to an ambitious program of liberalization, diversification and privatization. Major third-plan goals for agriculture included the allocation of 25% of bank loans to water and other agricultural projects, building new water pumps using new technology and upgrading farm machinery. Current mechanization rates in the farm sector are very low.

The latest plan (2005-2010) sets goals of creating 700,000 new jobs and increasing oil output and exports through foreign direct investment.Some of Iranian agriculture’s most important hurdles are the shortage of water and inefficient irrigation.Because the water cost to farmers is so heavily subsidized, it is debated that there is not the incentive for farmers to be efficient. According to one newspaper report, only half of irrigated farms run efficient irrigation systems with full or partial control.Other issues debated in the country’s newspapers include obsolescence of farm machinery, the lack of raw materials, the practice of subsistence farming, waste in the production and distribution cycle, inadequate scientific and technical support to farmers, inadequate capital formation and infrastructure, and degradation of natural resources due to inefficient cropping patterns.

WHEAT AND FLOUR MILLING 

Wheat is the dominant crop in the grains sector, owing to strong government support in the form of input subsidies and guaranteed purchase prices.Wheat accounted for 6.4 million hectares of land in the 2004-05 crop year. Of this, 2.5 million hectares are under irrigated farming. The cost of production is high, but the government has opted to promote and protect the industry at all costs in the drive to reach self-sufficiency.Production has increased by 75% in the past 15 years, more through productivity gains than increased planted area.

For 62 years, Iran imported wheat. But this year, with a harvest of 14 million tonnes, the government declared self-sufficiency and has even approved exports of a small parcel of 200,000 tonnes to Iraq.Production has increased to meet high consumption, as wheat bread is a staple in the Iranian diet. Per capita wheat consumption was 170 kilograms per year in 2001. Bread is heavily subsidized by the government, second only to fuel.Demand is expected to increase as the economy grows and gives Iran’s population, 68% of which is between 15 and 64 years of age, higher disposable income.

The milling sector comprises a mix of modern and traditional stone mills and continues to become more sophisticated. According to a 2003 report, the milling industry has a (collective) daily capacity of 50,000 tonnes. Four types of flour are produced in the 284 mills in Iran. The most popular type is used to make Sangak bread, a mild sourdough type of bread. Sangak flour accounts for 45% of production.The next most common use of flour is for European style breads and other manufactured products, accounting for 25 to 30% of production. The other two flour types are used in the baking of confectioneries and pasta and the traditional flat bread, which is ground at stone mills at close to whole wheat extraction rates.The industry’s apex body, the Federation of Iranian Associations of Flour Milling, was formed in November 1999 to communicate industry issues.Iran has two other milling organizations. Research and Engineering Services Inc. is charged with importing wheat and milling machinery and exporting flour. The Self-Sufficiency and Research Center carries out research on milling and baking, production technology and equipment, marketing and flour quality.
LIVESTOCK AND FEED 

The livestock industry accounts for about 25% of total agricultural production. The main commodities are chicken, red meat and dairy products.Generally, migratory tribes run large herds of sheep and goats, but demand has pushed the growth of large commercial farms. The number of animals (sheep, goats and cattle) in Iran has been reported at about 120 million, of which 8 million cattle and 81 million sheep and goats are grazed on Iran’s 90 million hectares of rangelands by nomadic tribes.Production has increased significantly in the past 25 years. In 1979, chicken production was 195,000 tonnes annually and per capita consumption was 5.1 kg a year. By March 2005, the figures were 1.1 million tonnes and 17.3 kg, respectively.Red meat production has increased to 784,000 tonnes annually this year from 375,000 tonnes in 1980. Per capita consumption has increased to 11.6 kg a year from 9.8 kg in 1980.

Milk production has jumped to 6.7 million tonnes this year, a tenfold increase from the 1980 production of 620,000 tonnes. Annual per capita consumption has increased from 69 kg to 99.6 kgPer capita consumption of animal protein in the country is 22 grams daily. The fourth five-year plan (2005-10) has set a target of increasing that figure to 29 grams daily by the end of the plan. The plan notes that to reach that goal, livestock production would have to increase by an average 6.5% annually over the next five years.

The plan has set production growth targets of 6.5% for chicken meat, 3% for red meat and 7% for dairy production. Barley and maize are the two major components of the feed industry. Feed wheat use has averaged about 300,000 tonnes annually in the past five years. Barley and maize production has not been enough to meet domestic consumption, so the country has been importing these coarse grains. Feed barley demand has been averaging slightly above 2 million tonnes in the past five years while production has been slightly under that, forcing imports. The production of maize, which is the major feed for the poultry industry, has been targeted for expansion by the government. The 2004-05 harvest came in at 1.95 million tonnes, compared to 25,000 tonnes in 1979.

http://www.world-grain.com/departments/country%20focus/iran/focus%20on%20iran.aspx?cck=1


Monsoon begins withdrawal process, confirms Met Office

VINSON KURIAN
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPTEMBER 4:  

The India Met Department has confirmed on Friday that the South-West monsoon has started withdrawing from the western parts of Rajasthan in what is a month-long process.This came on a day when the all-India rain deficit shot up for the first time beyond the 12 per cent forecast by the Met for the entire season this year.

Deficit worsens
The gradual drying of the North-West and adjoining Central India is expected to worsen the overall deficit figure over the next three to four days, according to indications.An anti-cyclonic circulation that heralds the dry weather was present at the lower levels of the atmosphere over north-west India on Friday.The anti-cyclone has clock-wise winds around it, has high-pressure, and sits heavy over the ground, suppressing the formation of clouds and precipitation.This is the exact anti-thesis of the monsoon feature of lower pressure, ascending motion of air into higher levels of atmosphere where it cools, and condenses the vapour mopped up by winds from the ocean. This is what precipitates as rain.
Bay humming?
Wind profile projections that a western disturbance (low-pressure system) coming in from across the border will dig south into North Arabian Sea and emerge with moisture to be rained down over Gujarat/Rajasthan.This may unsettle the anti-cyclone during the next week but it will come back into shape by the weekend, according to these projections.Meanwhile, global models also suggest the possibility of the East Bay of Bengal springing a surprise by hosting a likely low-pressure area by middle of the month.A couple of cyclonic circulations trackers featured by the US Climate Prediction Centre suggested that the ‘low’ may pick up in strength and hit the East Coast.But they seemed to differ as to which part of the coast might take the hit.One model suggested the southern tip of peninsula and adjoining Sri Lanka while another pointed to the Andhra Pradesh-

Odisha coast.

(This article was published on September 4, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-begins-withdrawal-process-confirms-met-office/article7616244.ece


Productivity worries plague Kharif crop prospects on rainfall deficit


TOMOJIT BASU
 NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 4:  

With the start of withdrawal of the South-West monsoon from parts of western Rajasthan, doubts are being raised with regard to crop productivity and the possible impact on the Rabi season even if Kharif acreage is just about two per cent higher vis-à-vis last year.The four-month long South-West monsoon, which provides 75 per cent of India’s annual rainfall and waters more than half of India’s crop land, has recorded a 13 per cent shortfall between June 1 and September 4, according to the data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

“Various areas in central, southern and western India are currently facing water stress. Rain is required and needs to be well distributed if sown crops are to be saved,” said a senior Agricultural Ministry official.The amount of rainfall recorded during the period is 645.7 millimetres (mm) against a normal of 742.5 mm due to a strong El Nino. The peninsula has registered a 22 per cent shortfall, while central and north-west India has had deficiencies of 17 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.

Driest year
The IMD had predicted precipitation at 88 per cent of the Long Period Average of 89 cm this year. However, a 16 per cent and 22 per cent deficit in July and August, which account for a bulk of monsoon rainfall, threaten to make this the driest year since 2009 and a second straight drought year.Out of 36 sub-divisions, 18 have received deficient rainfall this year and only two have recorded an excess. The situation is most dire in Marathwada and central Maharashtra, north interior Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and the Konkan coast, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

“An early withdrawal is not an issue since the monsoon arrived 15 days early, particularly in north-west India. That’s why there is no adverse effect on area. But this long dry spell and overall deficiency is a matter of serious concern and will impact productivity,” said Ramesh Chand, Director, National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research.
Rain-fed crops such as pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds were particularly at risk, said Chand, adding that rice was not likely to be hit due to cultivation in areas which either received sufficient rain or were well irrigated.

Water storage levels
Importantly, water levels across 91 major reservoirs have also dipped by 16 per cent below the normal and a poor monsoon will affect replenishment – particularly across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, among others.“September rains crucial since moisture levels in the soil need to be higher not just for good yield with regard to the Kharif crop but also for the Rabi season which accounts for a bulk of pulses production,” said Pravin Dongre, Chairman, Indian Pulses and Grains Association.

(This article was published on September 4, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/productivity-worries-plague-kharif-crop-prospects-on-rainfall-deficit/article7616247.ece

Rice exports resumed with annual 1m tonne limit

FEI says rice exports generate $600m for Egypt every year
 September 3, 2015  
The Egyptian government has resumed rice exports of 1m tonnes per year, the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) announced on Thursday.
In an statement to thank the government for responding to their demand, the FEI explained that Egypt produces 4m tonnes of rice per year, with the market consuming 3m tonnes.However, Ministry of Agriculture figures said that Egypt’s rice production this year was 2.7m tonnes, with rice consumption at 3.6m tonnes.Last Thursday, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour issued a decision to stop exporting rice beginning in September. He explained in a statement that the decision came to meet the domestic requirements for rice.

The FEI pointed out that exporting rice generates $600m for Egypt every year, adding that it will help reduce the budget deficit by EGP 2bn.In 2013, the decision to export rice was a cause of disagreement. On the one hand, A
bdel Nour had issued a decision in November 2013, announcing that the government planned to export 100,000 tonnes of rice between mid-November 2013 and January 2014.Meanwhile, former minister of supply Mohamed Abu Shady made a contradictory announcement to Abdel Nour’s, saying that rice exports would be halted “until all ration needs of the grain are met”.The Rice Division at the (FEI) had at that time wanted to export rice to make profits.

http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/09/03/rice-exports-resumed-with-annual-1m-tonne-limit-%E2%80%A8/

Myanmar rice exports to resume

 

A Myanmar woman walks pass through the paddy field at outskirt area of Yangon on Friday. (EPA photo)
 Download/View On-Line the above News in pdf format,just click the following link


The Myanmar Commerce Ministry plans to lift a temporary ban on rice exports, which was imposed due to shortages and inflation during last month’s flood disaster across the country, a senior official said.Permanent secretary to the ministry Toe Aung Myint said the government was moving ahead with the measure following a proposal by the Myanmar Rice Federation. The ban on rice exports was originally set until Sept 15.“The ban was introduced due to the nationwide flood disaster. However, the government also wishes to maintain its strength in the export market, so we are weighing these factors and coordinating procedures with the concerned departments and organisations,” theDemocratic Voice of Burma on Friday quoted him as saying.
“More importantly, we do not want to disrupt our existing market, especially in Europe, and to capitalise on the rising popularity of parboiled rice, which is actually in low demand domestically.

will prioritise the types of rice that are in low demand domestically, and then gradually lift the ban on each variety.”The Myanmar government imposed the ban on rice exports on Aug 7 as monsoonal floods devastated much of the country, including Myanmar’s major “rice bowl” regions of Sagaing and the Irrawaddy delta. Landslides destroyed many roads and bridges and made transportation impossible. A subsequent hike in the price of commodities sent the market price of a sack of rice in remote areas, such as Chin state, from around 20,000 kyat (558 baht) to as much as 80,000 kyat.The federation set Sept 15 as the anticipated time that the ban could be lifted, due to expectations that harvested rice would reach markets by mid-September. According to local media, the government was also mulling the possibility of importing rice to make up for the shortfall.

The ministry, however, raised the possibility of the ban being extended to November, after it announced that some 1 million acres (about 4,000 square kilometres) of paddy fields, accounting for 10-15% of the total rice fields in the country, were damaged by the floods. It added that Myanmar needs around 34.8 million tonnes of paddy rice for domestic consumption yearly.Myanmar’s rice exports have been rising consistently for the past few years. The country sent abroad around 1.8 million tonnes of rice in 2014. The federation said it expects a paddy output of around 14 million tonnes in 2015.The government has been targeting exports of around 2 million tonnes of rice this year.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/681384/myanmar-rice-exports-to-resume

The Myanmar Commerce Ministry plans to lift a temporary ban on rice exports, which was imposed due to shortages and inflation during last month’s flood disaster across the country, a senior official said.Permanent secretary to the ministry Toe Aung Myint said the government was moving ahead with the measure following a proposal by the Myanmar Rice Federation. The ban on rice exports was originally set until Sept 15.“The ban was introduced due to the nationwide flood disaster. However, the government also wishes to maintain its strength in the export market, so we are weighing these factors and coordinating procedures with the concerned departments and organisations,” theDemocratic Voice of Burma on Friday quoted him as saying.
“More importantly, we do not want to disrupt our existing market, especially in Europe, and to capitalise on the rising popularity of parboiled rice, which is actually in low demand domestically.

will prioritise the types of rice that are in low demand domestically, and then gradually lift the ban on each variety.”The Myanmar government imposed the ban on rice exports on Aug 7 as monsoonal floods devastated much of the country, including Myanmar’s major “rice bowl” regions of Sagaing and the Irrawaddy delta. Landslides destroyed many roads and bridges and made transportation impossible. A subsequent hike in the price of commodities sent the market price of a sack of rice in remote areas, such as Chin state, from around 20,000 kyat (558 baht) to as much as 80,000 kyat.The federation set Sept 15 as the anticipated time that the ban could be lifted, due to expectations that harvested rice would reach markets by mid-September. According to local media, the government was also mulling the possibility of importing rice to make up for the shortfall.

The ministry, however, raised the possibility of the ban being extended to November, after it announced that some 1 million acres (about 4,000 square kilometres) of paddy fields, accounting for 10-15% of the total rice fields in the country, were damaged by the floods. It added that Myanmar needs around 34.8 million tonnes of paddy rice for domestic consumption yearly.Myanmar’s rice exports have been rising consistently for the past few years. The country sent abroad around 1.8 million tonnes of rice in 2014. The federation said it expects a paddy output of around 14 million tonnes in 2015.The government has been targeting exports of around 2 million tonnes of rice this year.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/681384/myanmar-rice-exports-to-resume