Wednesday, January 27, 2016

27th january,2016 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Japan Plans to Integrate Agriculture and Industry to Protect Farmers, Businesses under TPP

Jan 26, 2016

The government of Japan is planning to integrate agriculture and industry as part of its efforts to protect farmers and businesses following the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, according to local sources.
Under the proposed plan, the government will encourage farmers to industrialize their farming activities and turn their farms into businesses, according to the Economy Minister. “They will need to introduce marketing, branding and IT, and operate their farming activities as businesses,” he said.
The Minister also noted that the businesses need to put more emphasis on data and information technology. He also noted that the government would support the farmers in implementing the new measures. “We will be targeting the autumn of next year for finalizing the concrete substance of our policy,” he added.
Under the TCPP deal, the government is reportedly planning to shift its agricultural policy from defensively setting tariffs and introducing construction projects into rural areas to aggressively promoting exports.  It is also considering other measures such as buying the same amount of domestic rice as foreign rice imported under new quotas to be set up under the free trade agreement, to protect the rice farmers from the likely impact of the TPP.

Proper Method of Cooking Reduces Health Risks Associated with Rice Consumption, Say Experts

Jan 26, 2016

Several studies found that rice contains residues of arsenic and when consumed, these arsenic residues could cause gastrointestinal problems, muscle cramping and lesions on the hands and feet.
Andy Meharg, a professor of plant and soil sciences at Britain's Queen's University in Belfast found that cooking rice in a coffee percolator could reduce the effects of arsenic on human health. He noted that cooking rice in a percolator with 12:1 ratio of water and rice could reduce the effects of arsenic by about 57%. Sometimes, the arsenic effects could be reduced by up to 85%, he said.
"Cooking rice, essentially boiling it in a pan until it soaks up all the liquid, binds into place any arsenic contained in the rice and the cooking water," he said.
He also suggested some methods of cooking, which can remove the toxins present in rice, especially white rice. “Firstly when you cook rice, rinse properly when it is warm before full boiling, and drain out the fluid. This will get rid of some of the toxins,” he says.
The Telegraph earlier reported that increased consumption of organic rice, reducing rice intake and eating a balanced diet, however, can minimize health issues associated with long-term arsenic consumption.

Government of Cameroon Reinstates Customs Duty on Rice Imports

Jan 26, 2016

The government of Cameroon has reinstated the 5% customs duty on rice imports under the 2016 Finance Act, according to local sources.
Amid concerns of increasing rice prices following the reinstating of the customs tax, the Trade Minister reportedly urged traders and distributors of production chains to maintain prices.
The move is designed to increase local rice production in the country. The government is also keen on increasing local rice production to avoid unnecessary price hikes and re-export of imported rice.
The Cameroonian Parliament removed the tax in March 2008 after prices increased considerably following a hunger strike in February 2008. However, the move is said to have resulted in rice smuggling between Cameroon and Nigeria.
Cameroon produces less than half of the rice needed for annual consumption of around 450,000 tons, according to the local sources.
However, the USDA estimates Cameroon to produce about 128,000 tons of rice and import about 530,000 tons to meet an annual demand of around 658,000 tons.
Global Rice Quotes
January 26th, 2016
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade          370-380           ↔
Vietnam 5% broken    345-355           ↔
India 5% broken         355-365           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken    340-350           ↔
Myanmar 5% broken   415-425           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken             425-435           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           465-475           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    475-485           ↔
Argentina 5% broken 470-480           ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 350-360           ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 340-350           ↔
Pakistan 25% broken 305-315           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken           405-415           ↔
India 25% broken       325-335           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         445-455           ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            370-380           ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    405-415           ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd         345-355           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       500-510           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken    520-530           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken            NQ      ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%          680-690           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         425-435           ↔
India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails             750-760           ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super      320-330           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken            320-330           ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd    290-300           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super   345-355           ↔
India 100% broken stxd         260-270           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔
U.S. pet food 280-290           ↔
Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔










All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com




Brazil Paddy Rice Index Increases About 1% From Previous Week

Jan 26, 2016
The Brazilian paddy rice index maintained by the Center for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (CEPEA) reached around 41.94 real per 50 kilograms as of January 25, 2016, up about 1.11% from around 41.48 real per 50 kilograms recorded on January 18, 2016.
In terms of USD per ton, the index reached around $205.03 per ton on January 25, 2016, up about 0.24% from around $204.53 per ton recorded a week ago.
Month-on-month, the index has increased about 2.39% from around 40.96 real per 50 kilograms recorded month ago. In terms of USD, the index declined about 3.34% during the month.

Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today

Jan 26, 2016

Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged today.                                
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $345 - $355 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $340 - $350 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $10 per ton premium o Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $340- $350 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $325 - $335 per ton, about $20 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.
Parboiled Rice           
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, about $60 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $320 - $330 per ton, on par with Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $320 - $330 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $260 - $270 per ton, about $30 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $290 - $300 per ton

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Firm Slightly as Farmers Continue to Hold Out

Jan 27, 2016

The U.S. cash market was slightly firmer today with offers from resellers increasing with the board while most farmers remain on the sidelines hoping for prices to rally.
Analysts note there was some rice trading domestically today around $11.67 per cwt fob farm (about $258 per ton) however exporters were attempting to pay around that number CIF NOLA with zero luck today.

Thailand Exports 9.8 Million Tons of Rice in 2015, Down 10.7% from Previous Year

Jan 26, 2016

Thailand has exported around 9.8 million tons of rice in 2015, down about 10.7% from around 10.97 million tons exported in 2014, Bloomberg quoted a statement from the Thai Commerce Ministry.
In terms of value, Thai rice exports declined about 15.2% y/y to around $4.61 billion.
In December 2015, Thailand exported around 1.22 million tons of rice. In terms of value, Thai rice exports during the month declined about 22.5% y/y to around $536 million.

Oryza CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Remain above $11.000/cwt and Add to Yesterday's Gains

Jan 27, 2016

Chicago rough rice futures for Mar delivery settled 6.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per ton) higher at $11.075 per cwt (about $244 per ton). The other grains finished the day mostly lower; Soybeans closed about 0.5% lower at $8.7650 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.7% higher at $4.8475 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.1% lower at $3.6925 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded higher Tuesday, helped by a bounce in oil and some earnings beats, ahead of the release of the Fed meeting statement Wednesday. U.S. crude rose about 6 percent to above $32 a barrel in afternoon trade after plunging 5.75% Monday. Brent briefly climbed 7% to top $32.50 a barrel. The gains came amid news OPEC is making renewed calls for rival producers to cut supply alongside its members. The Federal Open Market Committee kicks off its two-day meeting Tuesday and releases its statement Wednesday afternoon. No change in rates is expected but investors will be scrutinizing the statement for insight into policymakers' views on the economic environment and the future path of tightening. In economic news, the flash Markit Services PMI for January came in at 53.7, versus the final 54.3 December print. Consumer confidence was 98.1, up from a slightly downwardly revised December read of 96.3. In Europe, stocks closed higher as oil bounced. Asian stocks closed sharply lower, with the Shanghai Composite plunging 6.4% to its lowest since late 2014. The Nikkei 225 lost 2.35%. The Shanghai index had its worst day since the suspension of the circuit breaker rule in early January. Traders noted a variety of factors behind the sharp decline in Chinese equities, including renewed concerns about capital outflows and disappointment with central bank action thus far. In afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 275 points, or 1.73%, to 16,160. The S&P 500 added 27 points, or 1.43%, to 1,903, with energy leading all 10 sectors higher. The Nasdaq composite added 59 points, or 1.32%, to 4,578. Gold is seen trading about 1.4% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 5.4% higher, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.2% lower at about  1:00pm Chicago time.
Monday, there were 423 contracts traded, the same number of contracts traded on Friday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Monday increased by 3 contracts to 13,300. 

Italy to Conduct Meeting on Competitive and Sustainable Rice Cultivation


Italy's Ente Nazionale Risi (ENR), the National Agency for Rice, will organize a technical meeting on February 4, 2016, with an aim to help rice farmers and breeders with latest developments in the rice value chain.  
The meeting will be conducted together with the University of Milan, University of Turin, CRA-SCS (Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of the Agrarian Economy), Assosementi (National Association of Seed Breeders) and Asseme (Association of Mediterranean Seed Breeders).
It will begin at 9.30 A.M. at ENR's Research Center in Castello d'Agogna, in Pavia province and is open to all rice growers.
The morning session will consist of the presentation of the latest results of experimental tests to improve the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization. The researchers of the Research Center and the University of Milan and Turin will show the opportunity for a more competitive and sustainable cultivation in the Italian rice growing area. They will also show the farmers the data of the official seed certification by the CREA-SCS (former ENSE, National Chosen Seed Agency). The session will close with the awarding ceremony of the National Competition for rice seed growers.
The afternoon session will focus on studying issues related to the capital formation and the variety of seed production. The participants will also be presented reports relating to the "sensitive" ones by the presence of the plant pathogenic nematode 'Aphelenchoides besseyi,' the results of the seed dressing process, as well as the spread of illegal practices of using non-certified seed.

Cambodia Hopes to Supply Rice to Philippines in 2016, Says Prime Minister

Jan 26, 2016

The Prime Minister of Cambodia has expressed optimism that the country will succeed in supplying rice to the Philippines this year by competing with Thailand and Vietnam, according to Khmer Times.
The Philippines has import agreements with Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Last year, Cambodia failed in the bid as its prices were high compared to Thailand and Vietnam. Exporters have been expressing concern that they cannot lower prices significantly as their production costs are high.
Speaking at the annual rice forum, the Prime Minister noted that the government missed the one million ton export target last year due to the lack of warehouses and drying facilities. He assured the stakeholders that the government is in talks with the Chinese government to support the development of milling and storage infrastructure.
He also urged rice producers and exporters to produce rice in accordance with the tastes of the different markets. Currently, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar also produce rice similar to the Cambodian rice. He insisted on the differentiating Cambodian rice with others to boost exports.
The President of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) also agreed with the Prime Minister that price was the barrier to supplying milled rice to the Philippines. He told reporters that the country's rice sector should focus on prices as well as quality. He noted that currently, traders and exporters are unable to buy all the paddy from farmers due to lack of storage and milling facilities. Consequently, several tons of paddy are being sold unofficially to Thailand and Vietnam. Once the infrastructure is ready, traders can collect all the paddy farmers, and thus ensure more stocks for exports.
Cambodia's rice exports increased significantly in 2015 though the government could not reach the one million ton target. Cambodia exported around 538,396 tons of milled rice in 2015 up about 39% from around 387,061 tons exported during the same period last year.


Tuesday, January 26, 2016

25th January 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Today Rice News Headlines...
·         Ripples in global rice market
·         Drop in ’16 palay output seen
·         VN exporters express mixed outlook
·         Cooked in Indonesia: phoney rice data threatens food supply
·         Farmers in Thailand need far more water than what is available'
·         Fertiliser shortage affects several paddy fields; Minister reveals more at Dambulla event
·         RPT-Cooked in Indonesia: phoney rice data threatens food supply
·         01/25/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
·         Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Jan 25
·         2016 Crop Insurance Decision Aid Tool  Now Available
·         Cambodian PM calls for more investment in rice storage facilities, drying machines
·         Climate change and GMOs: Can non transgenic varieties address global challenges?
·         Quality rice for memorable dishes
·         Rice is king in west and central Africa
·         U.S. Reaches Deal on Rice Exports to China, Trade Group Says
·         For a royal dining experience, visit The Moghul’s

Ripples in global rice market

Farmers plant rice in paddy fields near Bangli, central Bali, on Jan 19. Indonesia’s ministry of agriculture says there had been high crop losses during the recent dry season in Java and southern Sulawesi.—AFP

PAKISTAN’S four-year rice deal with Indonesia of 1m tonnes, worth $400m, has all the potential of lifting the flagging morale of the country’s rice exporters.The agreement, executed by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) of Indonesia, is the first that Jakarta has signed with a non-Southeast Asian country. USAID Rice Outlook, issued on January 14, raises Pakistan’s 2016 rice exports by 0.1m tonnes to a record 4.6m tonnes based on larger sales to Indonesia.The increase, on the whole, may be 15pc over 2015 exports. In 2016, increased exports from Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam are expected to offset weaker shipments from Australia, Cambodia, India and the United States.The TCP has been quick to finalise first export tender for 15,000 tonnes which includes 5,000 tonnes of basmati and 10,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice, although officials of Bulog are studying technical details of rice stocks in Pakistan. The development has started stabilising domestic rice prices.

India’s move to sell basmati at lower prices had taken a toll on Pakistan’s exports but our exporters remained unwilling to bring down their prices


Another ray of hope comes from neighbouring Iran, which, after the formal end of sanctions against it, has entered the global mainstream. Iran had recently indicated its intention to restart import of rice from Pakistan.According to the chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), Pakistan can sell as much as 1.2m tonnes to Iran but lack of payment mechanism between the two countries was the major hurdle in meeting this objective.


In recent months, India’s move to sell basmati at lower prices had taken a toll on Pakistan’s exports but our exporters remained unwilling to bring down prices as well (for reasons of higher production cost). The low-price strategy has helped India capture a bigger share of the global market, according to the Reap chairman.Pakistan’s basmati and other varieties of rice were recently quoted at $950 to 1,100/tonne while those of India were priced at $720-850/tonne. As a result, our basmati experienced a drop of 30pc fetching $185m in July-November period as compared to $264m a year ago. But exports of non-basmati rice fared well and earned $503m compared to $474m earlier.

Indonesia’s Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, while explaining the need for importing rice from Pakistan, said recently that the imports are aimed at curbing poverty rate in Indonesia. “Rice price is the deciding factor. If it is not stable, the poverty rate will go up. So the imports prevent the price and poverty rate from rising.”Indonesia’s ministry of agriculture says there had been higher crop losses during the recent dry season in Java and southern Sulawesi. The drop was also due to an additional 70,000 hectares fall in sowing area to 11.83m ha. Last year’s prolonged El Niño had caused postponement of the rice planting causing reduction in rice stocks for the first quarter of 2016.While officials expect domestic production to rise again by April, the government preferred the import option to meet the current shortfall and to forestall price hikes.

Trade Minister Thomas Lembong says the country plans to import rice from India as well. An agreement to this effect will be signed when he visits India on January 28.The USAID, which carries out forecasts and their revisions, says there were four major 2016 export revisions in January, all upward. First, Thailand’s export projection was raised by 0.3m tonnes to 10.3m tonnes based on stronger demand from major buyers. Second, Vietnam’s export was raised by 0.2m tonnes to 7.3m tonnes based on continued strong demand from top importers in Southeast Asia.

Third, Pakistan’s export forecast was raised by 0.1m tonnes in the wake of a deal with Indonesia. Fourth, US rice exports were projected at 3.33m tonnes, up 75,000 tonnes from the previous forecast but still 5pc below a year earlier.India also complains of a decline in rice exports despite forcing Pakistan to suffer a major setback by reducing prices to increase its exports. According to Indian daily, The Hindu, New Delhi’s rice exports for the current financial year are headed for a decline over the previous year because of reduced purchases by large buyers, such as Iran and Nigeria, and drop in sale proceeds.
Latest export trends suggest that total rice shipments, both basmati and non-basmati, have declined by 7.3pc in volumes and 18pc in value terms for the April-November period over the corresponding period last year. Basmati shipments to Iran, the largest buyer of the Indian aromatic rice variety in recent years, dropped by 25pc to 0.39m tonnes during the April-October period.
Published in Dawn, Business & Finance weekly, January 25th, 2016

Drop in ’16 palay output seen

 

By: Ronnel W. Domingo

Philippine Daily Inquirer


12:40 AM January 26th, 2016
Palay output is expected to be cut by 1.5 percent or 20,000 tons in the first half to 8.2 million tons due partly to the damage caused by typhoons last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).The PSA said in its latest production outlook the volume may decrease as rising yield could fail to offset shrinkage in the area harvested.The contraction in harvest area, in turn, may result from the lingering effects of Typhoon “Nona,” which ravaged farms in the northern part of the country last December, as well as insufficient water in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
 PSA projections show that, for the six months to June, a total of 2.06 million hectares is expected to produce palay.This is 40,000 hectares or 1.9 percent less than the year-ago figure.
On the other hand, an improvement in yield is anticipated at 10 kilograms per hectare or 0.44 percent to reach 4.05 tons per hectare.“Based on standing crop, probable production in (the first quarter may reach) 4.15 million tons, 5 percent below the 4.37 million tons output” in the same quarter of 2015, the PSA said.The agency said that in the main rice growing region of Central Luzon, farmers may hold off planting because of insufficient water supply and damaged areas caused by Typhoon Nona—resulting in a smaller harvest area.
Similar scenarios are expected in Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa and Ilocandia.In Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula, early closure of irrigation systems and insufficient rainfall may stop farmers from planting altogether or wait a few months before going back to their fields.As for the second quarter, farmers’ planting intentions suggest a possible 2.4-percent rise in output, which may reach 4.05 million tons.The expected increase in output is mainly due to the belated availability of irrigation water, the PSA said
http://business.inquirer.net/206159/drop-in-16-palay-output-seen

VN exporters express mixed outlook

Viet Nam News
HOME  AEC  BUSINESS  MON, 25 JAN, 2016 12:45 PM

HANOI - Vietnamese export firms have mixed feelings, both happy and worried, about business prospects for this year.

The Hoang Son I Limited Company in the southern province of Binh Phuoc signed a cashew export contract until May this year, according to Ta Quang Huyen, director of the company.

"The world market is consuming Vietnamese cashews with export prices rising from US$3.25 per kilogramme to $3.50 per kilogramme," Huyen told the Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (HCM City Law) newspaper.The output of Vietnamese cashews has been getting better, even in choosy markets such as Japan and the US, the director added.However, large export contracts also make enterprises worried."The company does not dare to sign contracts with large volume because we are worried that there will be not enough raw cashews to meet the signed orders," Huyen said.Huyen said the domestic raw cashews could supply only 30 per cent of the demand for export processing.
Responding to this issue, Nguyen Duc Thanh, chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas), said Vietnam could process about 1.3 million tonnes of cashews each year, however, the country could supply only 500,000 tonnes, with the rest imported from Africa and Cambodia.
Meanwhile, the export of dragon fruit in the beginning months of this year has also been smooth, according to Tran Ngoc Hiep, director of the Hoang Hau Dragon Fruit Farm Co, Ltd.Besides the key market of China, the company expanded its exports to the US, Japan, Europe and Southeast Asia.Export prices to China are around $1 per kilogramme, said Hiep.

"However, the difficulty of the sector is the unhealthy competitiveness among traders, which leads exporters to not have stable goods to meet the orders of foreign partners," he added.Huynh The Nang, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), said that the rice sector was expecting to export 1.2 million tonnes of rice in the first quarter of this year, 300,000 tonnes higher than that of last year.He said the two contracts signed with the Philippines and Indonesia helped free a large volume of rice inventory.However, according to rice exporters, this year is forecast to be difficult due to fierce competition with Thailand and India.In addition, the Chinese market is reducing imports from Vietnam while increasing imports from Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand, a rice exporter told the newspaper.Many textile businesses also signed export orders until the end of the first quarter.
However, representatives of many garment and textile businesses said firms need to actively connect with each other to form a close chain from raw material supply to finished products and exports, while shifting from an outsourcing country to a directly exporting one.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/VN-exporters-express-mixed-outlook-30277678.html

Cooked in Indonesia: phoney rice data threatens food supply

 JAKARTA, (Reuters) – Indonesian agriculture officials routinely inflate rice harvest data to present a rosy picture to the government and keep farm subsidies flowing, but their latest phoney numbers could lead to a severe shortage of the staple in coming months, officials say.If the data had been correct, Indonesia would be awash with rice supplies and the country’s president would have less to worry about. The number rigging, critics say, flies in the face of food self-sufficiency targets that Joko Widodo has been aggressively pursuing since taking office in 2014.
“These numbers are so exaggerated,” said a senior government official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.
“We’re scrambling right now to build stocks in case there’s a failed harvest in February and March.”Another government official, who works on agriculture issues, confirmed that the numbers are rigged.Only last month, supply shortages forced the government to hurriedly import rice from Thailand and Vietnam to avoid a surge in prices, which in the past has sparked civil unrest and contributed to the downfall of autocratic leader Suharto.
Warehouses should be bulging with tens of millions of tonnes of rice, if harvest data is to be believed, but every January officials reset the numbers to zero and the stock just evaporates from the books, the senior official said.“There’s actually some very real vested interests behind some of these distortions,” he said, referring to Indonesia’s endemic corruption but giving no details.
Dwi Andreas Santosa, a professor at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, said his research showed the government’s figures for rice output in 2015 were 17-19 percent higher than estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA numbers are considered to be the global benchmark for crop forecasts.
The government estimated a 7 percent year-on-year rise in production last year, shrugging off a crop-damaging dryness linked to the El Nino weather pattern that prompted the region’s leading exporter, Thailand, to slash its rice output forecast. Indonesia is the world’s third-largest producer.Santosa said he interviewed farmers in 61 Indonesian regions and found that output had actually fallen: in 67 percent of the area surveyed, he found an average drop of 20 percent from 2014.“Production data can’t be trusted,” he said. “Our food policies are in disarray because of disarray in the data.”The USDA estimated Indonesia’s 2014/15 rice harvest at 35.56 million tonnes, down 2 percent from the previous year.

Farmers in Thailand need far more water than what is available'


WATER EXPERTS have warned of an upcoming conflict over distribution. They say the number of farmers keen to grow rice exceeds the limited amount of water available for distribution by 85 per cent - so it must be used wisely to ease the crisis.With the currently drought continuing for almost three months, 71 districts in 14 provinces in the North, Northeast, East and Central regions have already been declared natural disaster zones by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.However, the Royal Irrigation Department has assured that there is enough water for domestic consumption until July.Chaowalit Chantararat, managing director of the TEAM Group, said he also believed there would be sufficient water for domestic consumption - if the water distribution plan was strictly followed. But he feared there would be the conflict over the scarce supply of water in the next few months.

"Currently, we have enough water for planting rice for only around 300,000 rai. But according to our information from satellite images around two million rai of rice fields have been planted in this dry season," Chaowalit said."Therefore, we definitely cannot provide water for the remaining 1.7 million rai of rice fields when the water is most needed in April, when the rice starts to develop its grains."Water distribution plans this dry season for the Chao Phraya basin, the country's agricultural heartland and the major populated area, began in November last year.They concentrated mostly on irrigation for domestic consumption, with 1,100 cubic metres of water prepared for this objective. Only 400 cubic metres was allocated for farming - and planting rice also banned.

Since then, Royal Irrigation Department has revealed that consumers have already used 44 per cent of available water under the distribution plan - 1,278 cubic metres of water, as of Thursday.
Nevertheless, Suthep Noipairoj, the Royal Irrigation Department director, insisted we would have sufficient water supply for the rest of the dry season."According to available water resources and the water discharge level - at 15.8 to 18.8 million cubic metres of water per day - there will be enough water for consumption in the Chao Phraya River Basin until the mid-rainy season in July, for sure," Suthep said.

"As we have seen on the news, farmers are struggling very hard to find water for their plants, even using all the water remaining in the near-dry waterways," Chaowalit said.
"I don't know whether the government will be strict enough in managing water distribution according to the plans, but I'm sure that if the government helps farmers by allocating more water share for them, the water supply will not be enough."He encouraged everyone in the community to save as much water as they can, especially city residents. He gave the example that Bangkok alone uses around five million cubic metres of water a day.Suthep said the government could not force farmers to stop secretly pumping water to their fields. Officers were trying to get people to understand the situation and appealing for them to not pump water.
"The drought situation will be relieved soon, as the severe El Nino becomes milder and this year we will get more precipitation. Therefore, I ask farmers to wait for the new rain in order to grow their crops," he said.
http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/farmers-thailand-need-far-more-water-what-available

Fertiliser shortage affects several paddy fields; Minister reveals more at Dambulla event


Paddy fields in major rice-growing districts have reportedly wilted away due to a shortage of fertiliser. It has been reported that although the Agriculture Ministry has ordered that fertiliser stocks be issued to the market, these stocks are yet to reach the market place.News1st cameras captured footage of thousands of acres of paddy fields which have wilted away due to the lack of fertiliser. Farmers state that fertiliser not being available on time could be cited as the reason for this.Attending an event in Dambulla, State Minister of Agriculture Wasantha Aluvihare stated that the issue has arisen as a result of a circular that was issued by the Fertiliser Secretariat.

http://newsfirst.lk/english/2016/01/fertiliser-shortage-affects-several-paddy-fields-minister-reveals-more-at-dambulla-event/126106

RPT-Cooked in Indonesia: phoney rice data threatens food supply


JAKARTA, Jan 22 Indonesian agriculture officials routinely inflate rice harvest data to present a rosy picture to the government and keep farm subsidies flowing, but their latest phoney numbers could lead to a severe shortage of the staple in coming months, officials say.If the data had been correct, Indonesia would be awash with rice supplies and the country's president would have less to worry about. The number rigging, critics say, flies in the face of food self-sufficiency targets that Joko Widodo has been aggressively pursuing since taking office in 2014."These numbers are so exaggerated," said a senior government official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. "We're scrambling right now to build stocks in case there's a failed harvest in February and March."

Another government official, who works on agriculture issues, confirmed that the numbers are rigged.Only last month, supply shortages forced the government to hurriedly import rice from Thailand and Vietnam to avoid a surge in prices, which in the past has sparked civil unrest and contributed to the downfall of autocratic leader Suharto.Warehouses should be bulging with tens of millions of tonnes of rice, if harvest data is to be believed, but every January officials reset the numbers to zero and the stock just evaporates from the books, the senior official said."There's actually some very real vested interests behind some of these distortions," he said, referring to Indonesia's endemic corruption but giving no details.

BAD DATA, BAD POLICY

Dwi Andreas Santosa, a professor at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, said his research showed the government's figures for rice output in 2015 were 17-19 percent higher than estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA numbers are considered to be the global benchmark for crop forecasts.The government estimated a 7 percent year-on-year rise in production last year, shrugging off a crop-damaging dryness linked to the El Nino weather pattern that prompted the region's leading exporter, Thailand, to slash its rice output forecast. Indonesia is the world's third-largest producer.Santosa said he interviewed farmers in 61 Indonesian regions and found that output had actually fallen: in 67 percent of the area surveyed, he found an average drop of 20 percent from 2014.

"Production data can't be trusted," he said. "Our food policies are in disarray because of disarray in the data."The USDA estimated Indonesia's 2014/15 rice harvest at 35.56 million tonnes, down 2 percent from the previous year.It forecasts output of milled rice at 36.3 million tonnes this year. The agriculture ministry's estimate for this year is 75.13 million tonnes of unhusked rice, which after milling would come to about 47.2 million tonnes, said Santosa.
Indonesia's agriculture ministry and statistics bureau are responsible for compiling rice production data, which is used to decide whether state-owned food procurement body Bulog should import or focus on domestic buying.Last June, Bulog's chief was removed after just five months in the role, a reflection of Widodo's frustration with missed targets.

A DARK UNDERSIDE
Domestic prices of rice shot up in 2015 as supplies dwindled and the government dithered on imports. It ultimately imported 848,000 tonnes from the fourth quarter until mid-January, an additional 600,000 tonnes is on its way and Indonesia is now in talks with sellers in Pakistan and India for more.The agriculture ministry denied that it manipulates the rice data, which is compiled through a wide network of contributors that include regional and central government agencies."This is the best way we have," said Hasil Sembiring, director general for food crops at the ministry."We are very open to critics. Please show us if there is any other way. If people are saying that the agriculture ministry is setting up the data ... it's not true."

Industry officials said the numbers are often exaggerated to reassure the president that his self-sufficiency policies are working, but other motives are to attract central government funding and fertiliser subsidies that are based on production.The agriculture ministry was allocated 30.1 trillion rupiah ($2.17 billion) for fertiliser subsidies in the 2016 budget, up from 18.8 trillion rupiah ($1.35 billion) in 2011."The darker underside of this is like this: larger numbers lead to larger budgets," said the senior government official."So if you say we have tens of millions of farmers, that gives more budget allocation to the agriculture ministry. Or if we say we're going to push for X million tonnes of production, that argues for more fertiliser subsidies."(Additional reporting by Nicholas Owen, John Chalmers and Gayatri Suroyo in Jakarta, Ho Binh Minh in Hanoi and Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok,; Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe and Michael Taylor; Editing by Randy Fabi and Himani Sarkar)
http://www.reuters.com/article/indonesia-rice-data-idUSL3N15701Q
01/25/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Mar '16
1103.0
1081.5
1101.0
+5.0
May '16
1129.0
1109.5
1129.0
+5.0
Jul '16
1156.5
+5.0
Sep '16
1160.0
-2.0
Nov '16
1183.0
-0.5
Jan '17
1183.5
-0.5
Mar '17
1183.5
-0.5
   

Rice Comment

Rice futures were mixed, with nearby contracts higher. The market is currently trading at seven month lows. March is attempting to build on support at the recent low of $10.65. Disappointing exports of 42,200 metric tons didn't help build any momentum. Tightening world stocks have provided support in recent months.

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Jan 25


Nagpur, Jan 25 Gram and tuar prices moved down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor buying support from local millers amid high moisture content arrival. Reports increased supply in Madhya Pradesh pulses also affected sentiment in restricted trading activity, according to sources. 
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Gram varieties reported a sharp fall in open market here in absence of buyers amid 
     good supply from producing regions.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar varieties moved down in open market here on poor demand from local traders 
     because of government move to import tuar.
 
   * Moong varieties quoted weak in open market on lack of buying support from local 
     traders amid ample stock in ready position.
        
   * In Akola, Tuar New - 8,300-8,500, Tuar dal New - 13,600-14,200, Udid - 
     12,200-13,000, Udid Mogar (clean) - 14,500-16,300, Moong - 
     8,400-8,600, Moong Mogar (clean) 9,800-9,900, Gram - 4,300-4,500, 
     Gram Super best bold - 5,600-6,000 for 100 kg.
 
   * Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals, 
     settled at last levels. 
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                3,600-4,340         3,710-4,400
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                7,100-8,000         7,100-8,200
     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,400-6,600
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,100-6,200        6,100-6,400
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            5,700-5,900        5,800-6,000
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            4,500-4,800        4,800-5,100
     Desi gram Raw                4,700-5,500         4,850-5,700
     Gram Filter new            4,900-5,200        5,200-5,400
     Gram Kabuli                5,800-7,800        5,800-7,800
     Gram Pink                        6,300-7,200        6,300-7,300
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             14,400-14,600        14,500-14,700
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        13,600-13,900        13,700-14,000
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        12,400-12,500        12,500-12,600
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        11,800-12,200        11,900-12,300
     Tuar Gavarani New             8,700-9,100        8,900-9,300
     Tuar Karnataka             8,800-9,000        9,000-9,100
     Tuar Black                 13,800-14,600        14,100-14,900 
     Masoor dal best            6,500-6,800        6,500-6,800
     Masoor dal medium            6,100-6,300        6,100-6,300
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold (New)        9,400-10,200        9,600-10,500
     Moong Mogar Med            8,800-9,400        9,000-9,700
     Moong dal Chilka            8,400-9,300        8,400-9,400
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            8,500-8,700        8,500-8,700
     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 14,000-16,500       14,000-16,500 
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    13,000-13,500        13,000-13,500    
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,200-9,700        9,200-9,700     
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,700-6,100        5,700-6,100
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          4,200-4,700         4,200-4,700
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            3,250-3,400        3,250-3,400
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,000-3,200           3,000-3,200
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,100-3,600        3,100-3,600   
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,700-1,800        1,700-1,800
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    1,675-1,750        1,675-1,750   
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         1,650-1,850        1,650-1,850
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,100-2,500        2,100-2,500    
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   1,950-2,250        1,950-2,250
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,600-3,900        3,600-3,900    
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    3,000-3,200        3,000-3,200           
     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    2,800-2,900        2,800-2,900    
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,100-2,300        2,100-2,300    
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)         1,800-2,000        1,800-2,000
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,400-2,600        2,400-2,600   
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      2,000-2,300        2,000-2,300   
     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,450        3,200-3,450    
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,600-2,900        2,600-2,900    
     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    4,100-4,500        4,100-4,500    
     Rice HMT medium New(100 INR/KG)    3,800-4,000        3,800-4,000    
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,800-11,700        9,800-11,700     
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,800-8,000        7,800-8,000    
     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    4,800-4,900        4,800-4,900    
     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    4,200-4,500        4,200-4,500    
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        1,800-2,200        1,800-2,200    
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,700-1,800        1,700-1,800
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 29.2 degree Celsius (84.6 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
08.6 degree Celsius (47.5 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : n.a.
FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 30 and 10 degree Celsius respectively.
 
Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but
included in market prices.)
 
ATTN : Soybean mandi, wholesale foodgrain market of Nagpur APMC and oil market in Vidarbha will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, on the occasion of Republic Day.

2016 Crop Insurance Decision Aid Tool  Now Available 
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS -- Last week, Texas A&M Agricultural & Food Policy Center (AFPC) announced the launch of their 2016 Crop Insurance Decision Aid Tool. Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president of government affairs, said, "This free service is designed to help growers select a crop insurance policy that's best for their particular operation."The new version of the decision aid tool asks for the producer's USDA Risk Management Agency tract details and incorporates updated yields to provide yield exclusion analysis, risk-reward comparison, and a streamlined interface to help find an optimal choice among the thousands of crop insurance combinations that they analyze for users.  Data is able to be saved from year to year to allow for ease of use but may be deleted if preferred. 
Mosely continued, "USA Rice is pleased that Texas A&M provides this unbiased assistance for rice farmers each year as they consider safety net programs to help manage their risk.  We look forward to working with the AFPC to incorporate the new Margin Protection policy for rice into the 2017 version of the tool."You may access the 2016 Crop Insurance Decision Aid Tool here.  Users are able to log into an existing account or create a new account.  Once information is entered or updated, select "2016 Insurance" from the top right of the home page to run an analysis. 
USA Rice Daily, Monday, January 25, 2016
2016 Crop Insurance Decision Aid Tool  Now Available 
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS -- Last week, Texas A&M Agricultural & Food Policy Center (AFPC) announced the launch of their 2016 Crop Insurance Decision Aid Tool. Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president of government affairs, said, "This free service is designed to help growers select a crop insurance policy that's best for their particular operation."The new version of the decision aid tool asks for the producer's USDA Risk Management Agency tract details and incorporates updated yields to provide yield exclusion analysis, risk-reward comparison, and a streamlined interface to help find an optimal choice among the thousands of crop insurance combinations that they analyze for users.  Data is able to be saved from year to year to allow for ease of use but may be deleted if preferred. 
Mosely continued, "USA Rice is pleased that Texas A&M provides this unbiased assistance for rice farmers each year as they consider safety net programs to help manage their risk.  We look forward to working with the AFPC to incorporate the new Margin Protection policy for rice into the 2017 version of the tool."You may access the 2016 Crop Insurance Decision Aid Tool here.  Users are able to log into an existing account or create a new account.  Once information is entered or updated, select "2016 Insurance" from the top right of the home page to run an analysis. 
USA Rice Daily, Monday, January 25, 2016

Cambodian PM calls for more investment in rice storage facilities, drying machines

Jan 25,2016
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday called for more investment in rice storage facilities and drying machines in order to increase the country's rice export capacity.Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 5th Cambodia Rice Forum here, Hun Sen said the lack of rice storage facilities and drying machines is a key challenge for the country in buying a large amount of paddy rice from farmers and more investment in these sectors is needed."The government of Cambodia has been negotiating with China for loans to construct storage facilities and drying machines across the country," he told the forum, which took part by some 700 people who are policy makers, rice millers, exporters, farmer-representatives, and transport company representatives.

The prime minister said China is the largest importer of milled rice from Cambodia and expressed his confidence that the world's second largest economy would continue to support Cambodia in rice industry development.Meanwhile, Hun Sen said the government would continue to invest in irrigation system, rice species production, and transportation infrastructure in order to facilitate the development of rice industry.Cambodia exported a total of 538,396 tons of milled rice to over 50 countries and regions last year, up 39 percent year-on-year, according to the government's figures.The Southeast Asian country made over 9.2 million tons of paddy rice last year. With this amount, the country will have over 3 million tons of milled rice left over for exports this year.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=317735

Climate change and GMOs: Can non transgenic varieties address global challenges?


The talk over rice production and genetics has been dominated by “Golden Rice,” the bioengineered rice variety that was enhanced to produce Vitamin A. While this rice variety has the promise to cure up to 500,000 annual worldwide cases of blindness due to Vitamin A-deficient diets, it has yet to make it to the marketplace.Meanwhile, two other genetically engineered herbicide-resistant varieties of riceremain approved for use in the United States but have not been adopted commercially. Mexico, Canada, Australia, Colombia, and China also have approved varieties of genetically modified rice but the strains have not been embraced by farmers or consumers. Why?

There are several reasons for this lack of adoption, but one (particularly in the Golden Rice case) has been insistence from anti-GMO activist groups that genetically engineered rice is harmful. On its website, Greenpeace Internationalstates its opposition to the technology:

But behind the hype, GE ‘Golden’ rice is environmentally irresponsible, poses risks to human health, and could compromise food, nutrition and financial security. GE ‘Golden’ rice has been in development for over 20 years. The tens of millions of dollars invested in GE ‘Golden’ rice would have been better spent on VAD solutions that are already available and working, such as food supplements, food fortification and home gardening.

But what alternatives do breeders and farmers have? Are there other ways to make a rice kernel that is better adapted for a changing environment?

It turns out that there are alternatives — using traditional breeding techniques and even other non-transgenic, but nonetheless modern genetic techniques that (so far at least) are met with approval from anti-GMO activists. These methods are arguably slower and less precise than transgenic approaches however, which makes the future of rice breeding a good example to illustrate a broader, technological challenge for future generations of rice and other crops.

More than one way to breed a paddy

First, the alternative breeding methods.The International Rice Research Institute, based in Los Baños, Philippines, conducts a great deal of experiments on rice breeding and growing, and about 95 percent of those tests do not use transgenic technology. Arvind Kumar, a senior scientist who leads rain-fed lowland South Asian breeding projects at IRRI, explained that they are collaborating with other researchers and governments to conduct work on improving yield, tolerating drought and submergence, and handling higher salinity levels. Some of their experiments include:
·         Submergence tolerance: The SUB1 variety of rice, which can thrive even if submerged underwater. The SUB1 gene was bred into varieties of high-yielding rice to produce offspring that could maintain high yields during longer periods of submergence. This variety has been released commercially and has been growing on two million hectares (4.9 million acres), mainly in Southern and Southeast Asian regions where flooding is a growing problem.
·         Drought tolerance: Researchers have identified genes using an identification process with QTL genes. IRRI and the Indian Council and Agricultural Research recently released nine drought-tolerance strains of rice to Indian farmers.
·         Combining traits: IRRI is combining submergence, salinity tolerance, and drought tolerance through marker assisted breeding. “There are many portfolios where people are trying to double up varieties which combine tolerance to various stresses. We’re using marker assisted breeding, in areas where drought, temperature and other stresses,” Kumar said.
·         Identifying genes: IRRI and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences recently completed the sequencing of 3,000 rice genomes, which are now housed in gene banks run by IRRI and CAAS. Currently, IRRI holds a collection of 121,000 types of rice and breeders have used only five percent of the germplasm available for breeding efforts.
Over in the United States, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is also funding (and conducting) work on improving rice quality, yields, and other traits.
·         The ARS will genotype several varieties of rice that have historically been grown in the American south. The group will then compare traits that may improve yields in spite of the environmental pressures brought about by climate change.
·         The ARS is working with researchers to find a molecular marker for Pi9, the gene for rice blast resistance. Knowing the DNA sequence of the various polymorphisms of this gene would be valuable so rice breeders could quickly identify which varieties of rice carry the trait for blast resistance, a harmful fungal infection.
·         In October, ARS funded $1 million to Texas A&M University and others to help boost yields of organic rice. Organic rice poses particular challenges because it “can mean providing a feast for insects, diseases and weeds,” the university stated in a release.
Like IRRI, the ARS isn’t doing much research on transgenic crops. There are several reasons for this. According to IRRI’s Kumar:
We have to follow rules and regulations of those countries. We’re working with those legal frameworks. We try to take a balanced solution. We don’t think there is just one method. We need more convincing argument that in those cases that a transgenic is only viable solution. We’ve never said “no” to transgenics, but for the work we put into a project, we look to see how the project will be approved. (Emphasis added).
And according to ARS’ Anna McClung, director of the USDA’s Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center:
Essentially all of the rice breeding or genetic improvement for the purpose of producing varieties that is done in the public sector in the USA is done through traditional or marker-assisted breeding methods(i.e. no transgenics). Breeders focus on the traditional traits — yield, grain cooking, milling, and processing quality, disease resistance, and lodging resistance.
Marker assisted breeding Source: Monsanto, Syngenta, via Washington Post.

Experiencing technical difficulties

There’s another technical and structural problem with transgenic rice breeding and research. According to McClung, the new generation of transgenics are more challenging:
A new effort being put towards (human) nutritional improvement, tolerance to extremes in temperatures, production under reduced water availability, salinity, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. These latter “abiotic stress” traits are complexly inherited, less is known about them, and they can be difficult to measure accurately — thus progress is expected to be slower than for some other traits. (Emphasis added).

In fact, scientists at the University of Guelph proposed that a new type of research structure is needed to further these new crops. Since academic researchers and even government-run labs don’t have the financial capacity, time or physical space (sometimes) to conduct what are often 20-year studies with non-transgenic techniques on complex traits, they recommended that a public-private partnership network be established, which combines the resources of agribusiness and the public sector.

Andrew Porterfield is a writer, editor and communications consultant for academic institutions, companies and non-profits in the life sciences. He is based in Camarillo.
Quality rice for memorable dishes

January 26, 2016 | Last updated on January 26, 2016 at 07.35 am


House of Lal Qilla brings the finest Basmati grains that add delectable flavour and aroma to any cuisine
BASMATI rice is authentic, Indian long-grained white rice with a unique nutty flavour and is popular all over the world. With the global rice market growing and becoming more competitive, there is increasing emphasis on the quality of the grains.Amar Singh Chawal Wala (ASCW), also known as the 'House of Lal Qilla,' aims to make the world aware of the actual taste and aroma of pure basmati rice. "Our beliefs are our greatest strengths and have contributed immensely in helping us emerge as one of the world's best basmati rice millers and exporters," says a company spokesperson. "Taking forward the legacy of basmati rice in India, our beliefs have re-enforced us through the last century and more.
"The company was established in 1963 and since then has created a new paradigm in the rice business the world over. Under the guidance of its Managing Directors, S. Kartar Singh, Pritam Singh and Arvinderpal Singh, the company has blossomed into a large enterprise."Our quality essentially results from the procurement of quality Basmati followed by proper management of husking and processing of rice," says the spokesperson. "Being millers and exporters, we provide our highest quality products directly through the efforts of our international market division and stand committed to quality, timely shipments and trust, creating quality relationships with our clients."The company uses world-class technology to attain market leadership. It has been granted ISO 22000, HACCP, BSI, FSSAI and Apeda Mill certifications.
ASCW has won many prestigious export awards, both at the state and national levels.The company, which has witnessed unprecedented growth and enjoys a formidable share in the rice market, is all set to acquire new ventures in the domestic as well as international markets.Lal Qilla basmati rice is marketed in North America, Europe, the Gulf, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
ASCW's Lal Qilla traditional basmati rice is the finest among all varieties of rice that it offers. The rice is aged for two years, ensuring the best aroma, taste and cooking results.Following the range of premium quality basmati rice, ASCW introduced Lal Qilla Prestige, an elongated class of basmati rice. It embodies all the attributes of basmati like pearl white, maximum grain length, smooth texture and firmness.Lal Qilla Majestic basmati rice is nourished and watered by snow-fed rivers of the Himalayas. It is distinguished by extra-long grain with smooth texture and firmness.Lal Qilla Supreme Sella is parboiled rice of the world's longest 1121 basmati rice. This class of rice is also distinguished by the extra-long grain with smooth texture and firmness. This is the best choice for Middle Eastern cuisines.
The Lal Qilla range also includes Qilla Excel, Qilla Gold and Qilla Premium. Another superior range of rice is the 507 Gold Basmati, sourced from the fertile foothills of the Himalayas.The company has also introduced Lal Qilla crispy fried onions available in the standard size of 8-20 mm. The frying of fresh onion red and white slices takes place in an auto-controlled continuous fryer, especially for uniformity to maintain its colour, taste, aroma, texture, crispiness and to ensure controlled stable fat contents in the final product.Also under the Lal Qilla brand, the company offers Soyaking soya chunks and granules. They have the unique ability of mixing with any cuisine, adding necessary proteins and natural minerals, as well as a distinctive taste and flavour. The company also markets Lal Qilla Green Tea.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/retail/quality-rice-for-memorable-dishes

Rice is king in west and central Africa

1/25/2016 - by World Grain Staff
Search for similar articles by keyword: [Rice]
Editors Note: This is the second article of a two-part survey of the rice industry in sub-Saharan Africa. The first part appeared in World Grain’s December 2015 edition.... [read more]

http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/Features/2016/01/Rice_is_king_in_west_and_centr.aspx?ID=%7B644CFE73-DA23-4E1B-A810-88E7C2430195%7D

U.S. Reaches Deal on Rice Exports to China, Trade Group Says

American rice farmers to get foothold in world’s largest market for grain

By JESSE NEWMAN
Jan. 22, 2016 10:05 p.m. ET
The U.S. reached an agreement that would enable rice exports to China, according to a trade group, a development that would give U.S. rice farmers their first foothold in the world’s largest market for the grain.USA Rice, which represents growers, millers and exporters, said late Friday that officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture had informed 

For a royal dining experience, visit The Moghul’s

The owner of The Moghul’s has a passion for great food and opened the Indian restaurant with the goal of providing satisfying, aromatic Moghulai food to diners, while also treating them like royalty.The restaurant's name is a nod to the Moghul Empire, known for beautiful architecture, exceptional art and delicious Indian cuisine.oghulai dishes feature nuts such as almonds, cashews and walnuts, as well as butter-based curries and bread prepared in a tandoor clay oven. While the taste alone makes the food so enjoyable, in true Moghulai tradition, the food is beautifully presented with exceptional hospitality.

The royal dining experience begins with an elaborate buffet that includes an extensive salad bar. Enjoy the lunch buffet seven days a week from noon to 3:30 p.m.   The dinner buffet is open Monday Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.The Moghul’s also has an amazing à la carte menu, where you can choose from delectable options such as Moghul’s Tandoori Platter, featuring an assortment of tikkas, kebabs and fish, or a dish like Chicken Korma, made with tender morsels of chicken prepared in a special saffron sauce with cashews.While many prefer to dine in to enjoy the refined atmosphere at The Moghul’s, takeout is perfect for evenings when you're in a rush but still want to dine well. Their takeout dinner for two includes an appetizer, choice of two meat dishes, a vegetable dish, two naans and fragrant basmati rice, all at a great price.For more information, call 289-389-3777 or email themoghuls@yahoo.ca.

The Moghul’s is located at 288 Mud Street West in Stoney Creek. With easy access from the Red Hill Valley Parkway, The Moghul’s is convenient for those who live in Ancaster, Grimsby, Burlington and the Greater Hamilton Area.  They are fully licensed, and offer a warm and friendly ambiance with a capacity for up to 80 guests.


http://www.thespec.com/shopping-story/6153482-for-a-royal-dining-experience-visit-the-moghul-s/

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