Ancient Rice Varieties in India Before and After Green Revolution
Sep 28, 2015
Efforts are on
to blend the unique qualities of some ancient rice varieties through genetic engineering
into some popular rice varieties to obtain tasty, healthy, high yielding and
low duration varieties, according to local sources.
A number of ancient
rice varieties, which were known for their health benefits and taste, have lost
their importance after the green revolution. A lot of importance is being given
to increasing production to feed millions of people. Thus hybrid varieties have
replaced ancient rice varieties.
In order to revive
these older rice varieties, a NGO called Devamirtham has decided to work
closely with farmers to bring put these varieties to use. As part of these
efforts, the NGO arranged an exhibition in Chennai, where nearly 25 ancient
rice varieties were put up for sale.
Researchers are now
planning to release these varieties for commercial use after testing their
nutritional properties. Experts say since ancient varieties yield very less,
they need to be genetically modified with popular varieties to produce rice
varieties with nutritional qualities as well other qualities such as
high-yielding and low duration.
Changes to EU CAP Possible through Mid-Term Review, Says Former Italian
Minister
Sep 28, 2015
Most of the
stakeholders are unhappy with the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the
European Union (EU) since it recommends a cut in the EU agricultural budget.
While the European Commission (EC) is planning to simplify the CAP at the end
of this year, the EU Parliament fears that a complete CAP reform would further
cut down the EU agricultural budget.
However, Italy's
former Minister of Agriculture noted that changes to the current CAP can are
possible in the mid-term review. Speaking at a workshop titled "Can the
(new) CAP deliver on sustainability?" in Milan, he noted that the new CAP
is a hybrid policy that runs the risk of displeasing all parties. He is also
the former chairman of the Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural
Development and current coordinator of the S&D group in the committee.
He noted that the EC
is underestimating problems and is finding temporary solutions for structural
problems. For instance, he said an aid package worth €500 million for
supporting milk and meat sectors, though positive, does not solve the problem
completely. While the new CAP recommends direct cash payments per hectare to
farmers, the former Minister says there is a need for more risk management
instruments.
Other participants in
the workshop noted that the mid-term review should also focus on including
certain measures to support younger farmers. They noted that due to the absence
of proper access to land and credit, young people are showing interest to enter
the farming sector.
Responding to the
speakers’ views, the Press Officer of the EC noted that the Commission has
approved the aid package after considering the price volatility. He also noted
that the new CAP focuses on benefits to the younger generation. The Commission
is further evaluating new measures related to addressing the ageing sector,
including loans whose repayment would depend on price performance, he added.
The new CAP accounts for only
37.8% of the EU's 2014-2020 budget compared to nearly 71% in 1984. It
reportedly places a greater emphasis on environmental measures, with up to 30%
of the funding granted to farmers who diversify production, rotate their land
or maintain permanent pastures
Indian Farmers Urge Government to Revise MSP of Basmati Paddy to Cope with
Falling Prices
Sep 28, 2015
Farmers who had sown
basmati 1509 variety are expressing concern that falling prices and lack of
buyers in the market are making their situation worse, according to local
sources.
As the harvest is
almost nearing completion, farmers are even more concerned about the storage of
their output. This year, the government directed the procurement agencies to
buy basmati 1509 variety 'Grade A' at Rs.1,450 per quintal (around $218 per
ton). However, most of the traders are understood to be procuring the variety
at much lower prices compared to the MSP. Export demand for this variety is
said to be falling due to higher moisture and breakage content.
Most of the farmers
are forced to sell their output at around Rs.900-1,200 per quintal (around
$136-$181 per ton) fearing a lack of demand. The amount is inadequate to cover
their input costs, according to local sources. Last year, the variety fetched around
Rs.1,800-2,200 per quintal (around $271-$331 per ton).
Meanwhile, basmati
rice exporters are blaming the state governments of Punjab and Haryana (where
most of the basmati is grown) and the Central government for not discouraging
farmers from sowing this variety. The exporters have reportedly requested
farmers to sow basmati 1509 paddy after July 15 to lower the breakage content.
But most of the paddy was sown before that they said.
The 1509 variety was
promoted among the farmers as a high yielding and short-duration variety. It
provides a yield of 6.25 tons per hectare compared to 5 tons per hectare
provided by basmati 1121 variety. In 2013, farmers received about Rs.4,000 per
quintal (around $603 per ton) for the 1509 variety.
However, exporters could
not sell the variety to the overseas buyers due to high broken content.
Therefore this year, exporters and millers are unwilling to buy the variety and
prices are tumbling, say local sources.
Now, farmers are
demanding a hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of the basmati paddy. They
are also warning to stage protests if the MSP is not increased. They say
planting basmati 1509 has cost them about Rs.16,000 per acre (around $602 per
hectare) on an average. "We farmers expect at least Rs. 2,000 profit to
survive and sustain our family. Otherwise, we will be doomed," one farmer
was quoted.
Thailand, Vietnam Rice Sellers Increase Some of Their Quotes Today; Other
Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged
Sep 28, 2015
Thailand rice sellers
increased their quotes for 5% broken rice, parboiled rice and Hommali rice by
about $5 per ton each to around $345-$355 per ton, $345-$355 per ton and
$810-$820 per ton respectively today. Vietnam rice sellers increased their
quotes for 5% broken rice and Jasmine rice by about $5 per ton each to around
$335-$345 per ton and $455-$465 per ton respectively. India rice sellers kept
their quotes mostly unchanged. Pakistan rice sellers are out today due to a
national holiday.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is
indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, up about $5 per ton from Friday
and about $10 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $335 - $345
per ton, up about $5 per ton from Friday. India 5% rice is indicated at
around $355 - $365 per ton, about $45 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice last
shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
25% Broken
Rice
Thailand 25% rice
shown at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $10 per ton premium on Vietnam 25%
rice shown at around $320- $330 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around
$315 - $325 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice last shown
at around $290 - $300 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled
rice is indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, up about $5 per ton from
Friday. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $340- $350 per ton, about
$75 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $415 -
$425 per ton.
100% Broken
Rice
Thailand broken rice,
A1 Super, indicated at around $305 - $315 per ton, at par with Vietnam 100%
broken rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is
shown at around $300 - $310 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan
broken sortexed rice was last shown at around $275 - $285 per ton.
FAO Estimates Cambodia Rice Exports to Increase Sharply in 2015
Sep 28, 2015
The UN's Food and
Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates Cambodia's total rice exports
(including official and unofficial exports to Thailand and Vietnam) to reach
about 1.2 million tons in 2015, up about 6% from last year.
The FAO says the
government's strategy to boost official exports through targeting new markets
is being reflected in the high pace of shipments so far this year. Direct
milled rice exports between January and August 2015 have reached about 342,136
tonnes, up about 50% from the same period in the previous year.
The UN agency estimates
2015 total paddy rice production at around 9.18 million tons, down about 1.5%
from around 9.324 million tons in 2014. Planting of the main (wet) season paddy
crop began in June and will continue till October. Below-average rains between
May and July reportedly delayed planting operations. Around 189,122 hectares
have been damaged due to dry weather conditions. However, normal rains from
August helped planting operations to pick up. The FAO estimates output from the
main season crop to decline about 3% y/y to 7 million tons in 2015 and output
from the dry season crop to compensate for the losses from main season crop.
Wholesale rice prices
increased in most of the markets in August due to increased export demand.
Concerns about damage to the 2015 main season crops due to prolonged dry
weather also pushed prices during the month. However, prices were below their
year-ago levels, according to the FAO.
Italian Paddy Rice Acreage Increases About 3.5% in 2015-16 Crop Year
The Italian paddy rice
acreage in 2015-16 (September - August) reached around 227,329 hectares, up
about 3.5% from around 219,532 hectares in the previous crop year, according to
data provided by Ente Nazionale Risi, the National Agency for Rice.
The Ente Nazionale
Risi data shows that the paddy rice growing area in Pavia, Vercelli and Novara
reached around 80,127 hectares, 69,709 hectares and 33,001 hectares
respectively.
The 2015-16 acreage
for round varieties increased about 8.1% y/y to around 56,946 hectares; the
acreage for medium varieties increased about 56.4% y/y to around 1,183
hectares; and acreage for Long A varieties increased about 20.4% y/y to around
125,832 hectares. However, the acreage for Long B varieties declined by about
36.5% y/y to around 35,080 hectares.
Harvesting is
continuing in most of the fields, according to local sources. "Regularity
and consistency of water availability exercised undoubtedly a crucial impact on
production," noted an agronomist. However, he stated that results are not
so good in areas where there were no adequate irrigation facilities during the
important phases of plant growth. The final impact will be known after the
completion of harvests, he said.
Japan May Allow Access to Over 100,000 Tons of U.S. Rice Under Deal
Sep 28, 2015
Japan may provide
access to more than 100,000 tons of U.S. rice under a rice deal, but that would
be divided between a new country-specific tariff-rate quota (TRQ) and an
additional informal allocation of Tokyo's existing WTO TRQ, Inside U.S. Trade
quoted the congressional sources.
Under the TPP deal,
Japan is planning to allow 50,000 tons of duty-free rice imports from the U.S.
and gradually increase up to 70,000 tons. Japan will reportedly increase
imports from the U.S. by 2,000 tons from the fourth year of the agreement.
In addition to the
above, Japan may agree to informally allocate between 45,000 - 50,000 tons of
its annual WTO TRQ, which is currently 682,000 tons (on a milled basis).
However, these imports have to pass through the Japan's Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) rather than being sold directly to
end users. It is understood that the new quota will be administered through the
simultaneous buy-sell (SBS) system, under which the MAFF buys rice, stores and
sells it for low-value uses like feed or flour.
The U.S. producers
are, however, seeking improvements to the quality of access to the Japan rice
market rather than just elimination of tariffs or increase in quotas.
Indonesian President Rules Out Rice Imports
Sep 28, 2015
The Indonesian
President has ruled out rice imports this year citing adequate stocks to fulfil
the local consumption demand, according to local sources. The President's
statement is contradicting the Vice-President's statement that the country is
importing around 1.5 million tons of rice from Thailand and Vietnam to ensure
adequate stocks in the country.
The President who
visited rice fields in Karawang told local sourced that Indonesia's rice stocks
currently stand at 1.7 million tons and another 200,000 - 300,000 tons would be
added during the harvest period in October and November. He noted that
"the rice reserve is quite safe" though El Nino is likely to continue
till the end of this year.
He noted that the
government will again calculate the impact of the extending drought conditions
on potential harvest failures across the country to arrive at the exact
reserves. “Our priority is to ensure adequate supply, smooth distribution and
affordable prices of rice. We will conduct widespread market operations this
week to help push down the prices,” he was quoted as saying.
The state logistics
agency Bulog reportedly did not comment on the President's statement on
imports. Earlier, it anticipated a need to import rice in March/April next
year.
The country's
statistics agency BPS, which estimated Indonesia to produce around 75.5 million
tons or paddy rice, is also in the process of re-evaluating the estimates
taking into effect the impact of drought.
The President is keen
on achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and avoid imports.
Global Rice Quotes
September 29th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 355-365
↔
Vietnam 5% broken 330-340
↓
India 5% broken 355-355
↔
Pakistan 5% broken 305-315
↓
Myanmar 5% broken 410-420
↓
Cambodia 5% broken 415-425
↔
U.S. 4% broken 530-540
↔
Uruguay 5% broken 535-545
↔
Argentina 5% broken 530-540
↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 330-340
↔
Vietnam 25% broken 315-325
↓
Pakistan 25% broken 285-295
↓
Cambodia 25% broken 400-410
↔
India 25% broken 315-325
↔
U.S. 15% broken 500-510
↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 345-355 ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd 415-425 ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 340-350 ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 570-580
↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 545-555
↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ
↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 805-815
↓
Vietnam Jasmine 450-460
↓
India basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 830-840
↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 305-315
↔
Vietnam 100% broken 305-315
↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 275-285
↔
Cambodia A1 Super 355-365
↔
India 100% broken stxd 300-310
↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ
↔
U.S. pet food 335-345 ↔
Brazil half grain NQ
↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Continue to Firm amid a Lack of Farmer
Selling; Harvest 69% Complete
Sep 29, 2015
The U.S. cash market
was slightly firmer today rallying in tandem with a stronger futures market.
Analysts note that farmers are not very interested in marketing their rice at
the current price as most expect prices to continue to increase as the market
looks to ration smaller domestic supplies.
In the meantime, the
USDA estimates that as of September 27, 69% of the crop had been harvested
which was 12% ahead of this time last year and 6% ahead of the previous 5-year
average. As of now, the USDA estimates that 72% of the rice crop in Arkansas
had been harvested compared to 35% in California, 98% in Louisiana, 76% in
Mississippi, 48% in Missouri, and 98% in Texas.
Thailand, Vietnam Rice Sellers Increase Some of Their Quotes Today; Other
Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged
Sep 28, 2015
Thailand rice sellers
increased their quotes for 5% broken rice, parboiled rice and Hommali rice by
about $5 per ton each to around $345-$355 per ton, $345-$355 per ton and
$810-$820 per ton respectively today. Vietnam rice sellers increased their
quotes for 5% broken rice and Jasmine rice by about $5 per ton each to around
$335-$345 per ton and $455-$465 per ton respectively. India rice sellers kept
their quotes mostly unchanged. Pakistan rice sellers are out today due to a
national holiday.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is
indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, up about $5 per ton from Friday
and about $10 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $335 - $345
per ton, up about $5 per ton from Friday. India 5% rice is indicated at
around $355 - $365 per ton, about $45 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice last
shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
25% Broken
Rice
Thailand 25% rice
shown at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $10 per ton premium on Vietnam 25%
rice shown at around $320- $330 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around
$315 - $325 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice last shown
at around $290 - $300 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled
rice is indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, up about $5 per ton from
Friday. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $340- $350 per ton, about
$75 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $415 -
$425 per ton.
100% Broken
Rice
Thailand broken rice,
A1 Super, indicated at around $305 - $315 per ton, at par with Vietnam 100%
broken rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is
shown at around $300 - $310 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan
broken sortexed rice was last shown at around $275 - $285 per ton.
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