Thursday, March 17, 2016

16 march 2016 daily global rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine

Rs1,329 crore still pending with rice millers


Pranav Chaudhary | TNN | Mar 16, 2016, 10.39 PM IST

Patna: The state government on Wednesday admitted in the legislative council that Rs1,329 crore had been pending with the rice millers since 2011. Replying to a question of K K Singh of the BJP, food and consumer protection department minister Madan Sahni said FIRs were lodged against 1,197 mill owners and 207 of them were arrested, 817 surrendered and properties of 28 defaulters had been attached. The defaulters took paddy from the State Food Corporation but failed to return it after milling, he said."We are in the process to recovering the arrears from 105 rice millers," Sahni said and added that arrest warrants had been issued against 330 millers.

Replying to a question of Rajnish Kumar of BJP, the minister said ration cards were issued to 2.5 crore families as against the BPL population of 8.57 crore people covered under the Food Security Act launched in 2014. He said the government sought applications from those left out of the beneficiaries' list. "Total 102 crore people have submitted their applications and 96 lakh were found genuine. They were given cards," the minister said, adding that additional counters would be opened at block level to include those who were left out.

Leader of opposition in the council Sushil Kumar Modi sought to know how many ration cards were printed and distributed during the last one year. Modi also sought the number of food coupons distributed among the beneficiaries. But the minister kept insisting on the point that the government had distributed 2.50 crore cards, including 25 lakh to Antyodaya families.

Latest Comment

Why the Govt is making delay in collection.Capt mithilesh Kumar

Replying to a question of Mangal Pandey of BJP, revenue and land reforms minister Madan Mohan Jha admitted that the state government had failed to continue 'chakbandi' (land consolidation) programme in 1992. As a result, all the related employees were accommodated in some other government departments. Only 6% employees remained in the same department, the minister said.

The chakbandi programme was revived in March, 2004 on the Patna high court directive. Aerial photography is being done and it will continue for another five years to complete the survey work. After that, chakbandi programme would be implemented in all the districts.

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Rs1329-crore-still-pending-with-rice-millers/articleshow/51431538.cms


 

Thailand to sell stockpiled rice in second auction of the year


Source: Reuters - Wed, 16 Mar 2016 09:36 GMT
Author: Reuters

BANGKOK, March 16 (Reuters) - Thailand will sell 641,000 tonnes of rice from government stockpiles this month in its second auction from the inventories this year, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.Thailand, the world's second-biggest rice exporter after India, has stocks of about 12 million tonnes that it is struggling to offload following the end of a rice-buying scheme under the previous government.Bidding for 418,000 tonnes of rice fit for human consumption will take place on March 30 and bidding for 223,000 tonnes unfit for human consumption will occur on March 31, Duangporn Rodphaya, chief of the foreign trade department at the commerce ministry, told reporters.

"The government will open bidding for rice in government stocks as it sees that the market needs rice including rice for industrial use," said Duangporn. "This is a good time to offload rice from government stockpiles."Thailand has about 12 million tonnes of rice in state warehouses around half of which is no longer fit for human consumption, according to the commerce ministry. The stockpiling scheme, which bought rice at above-market prices, distorted global prices and caused Thailand to lose its crown as the world's number one exporter of the grain.The government began selling rice deemed not fit for human consumption for industrial use, including animal feed, last year.Thai 5 percent broken grade rice was at $365 to $371 a tonne on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day.

On Feb. 16, the government said it sold 152,377 tonnes of rice from state stockpiles in its first auction of the year, lower than its 204,000 tonnes target.The commerce ministry has said it plans to offload around 5 million tonnes of rice from state warehouses this year.(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

http://news.trust.org/item/20160316093914-8l7b4


VN rice exports jump as more of last year's orders filled


Viet Nam News
HOME AEC AEC NEWS WED, 16 MAR, 2016 2:17 PM

HCM CITY - Rice exports have surged in the first two months as many of last year's contracts are being executed this year, according to the Vietnam Food Association.


The country exported more than 856,219 tonnes for US$347.8 million, a year-on-year increase of 101.89 per cent and 81.73 per cent, and Huynh Minh Hue, VFA general secretary, indicated there had been too many orders to handle last year, including some large government contracts with Indonesia and the Philippines.


At a regular meeting of the association last week, he said exports of common white rice accounted for 32.68 per cent of exports, up almost five times from the same period last year, and exports of glutinous rice also surged due to high demand from China.Exports of fragrant rice continued to grow steadily thanks to increased exports to China and Africa, he said.

VFA anticipates exports to reach 1.3 million tonnes in the first quarter, 56 per cent up from the same period last year.Hue said the number of contracts to be executed remains high at around 1.4 million tonnes.But with inventories at export firms 81,140 tonnes lower than at the same time last year - at one million tonnes - they have to buy rice, he said.
Prices are currently high in the domestic market despite this being the peak harvest season and the association announcing no plans to stockpile the grain.


High demand from exporters coupled with a forecast of falling output in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta due to drought and saltwater intrusion has pushed up the prices.The Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development reported that by March 5 around 139,000ha of the winter-spring rice crop in nine provinces had been damaged by drought and saltwater, with the loss estimated at one million tonnes.

In previous years the VFA proposed purchasing one million tonne of rice for temporary storage at the beginning of March to support domestic prices, but this time farmers can earn reasonable profits at current prices.According to rice traders in the Mekong Delta, a kilogramme of IR 50404 paddy in the field costs VND4,600-4,650, VND300 higher than a year earlier, and high-grade paddies are priced much higher.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/new/2016/03/16/aec/images/30281727-01_big.jpg

Bali farmers insure rice fields in defense against El Nino



A tractor drives past at a rice drying yard at an export rice plant in the central Chainat province in Thailand, December 16, 2015.
Reuters/Jorge Silva
NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Tourist taxi driver Nur-ul Aslam watches in hopeful silence as drops of rain begin to cloud his windscreen.Last year at this time he was farming rice on his two-hectare farm 40 kilometers northeast of Bali’s airport. But a long spell of dry weather, which has lasted since last July, dried up irrigation channels in his village of Tegal Mengkeb.To survive, the 33-year-old walked away from his farm last December and began driving a taxi in Nusa Dua, a tourist hub with dozens of luxury resorts. He dreams of returning home.

"We need regular good showers, but there is mostly drizzle. Unless the subaks (water channels) are full again, I can’t plant any crop,” he said.Aslam may have found a way to stay on the farm next year, however. He recently signed up for new government-backed crop insurance, one of 100 farmers to do so in Bali, where rice is grown on about 80,000 hectares of land.The Bali insurance program, launched last October, promises to pay farmers up to six million rupiah ($480) for a crop failure caused by disasters such as drought, flooding or pest attacks.The premium is 180,000 rupiah ($13) per hectare, but the state has agreed to pay 80 percent of the cost. That means a farmer like Aslam only has to come up with 36,000 rupiah, or about $2, per hectare.The program is part of a larger Indonesian crop insurance scheme introduced in 2012-2013 with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In the first season of the program, 470 hectares of rice fields were insured in East Java and Sumatra. This year, the government has moved to include Bali and a few other provinces, though delays in the expansion have limited the number of farmers signed up."Our previous target this year was 11,000 hectares of rice fields (insured), but only 4,000 hectares can be insured due to limited time," said Ida Bagus Wisnuardhana, head of the Bali provincial Agriculture and Foodstuffs Affairs office.Currently, the scheme targets only small-scale farmers growing rice, but the federal government hopes to bring in all 27 million farmers in Indonesia’s 33 provinces by 2019, according to a paper published by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.

EL NINO AND DROUGHT
In Indonesia, the dry season runs from May to August. But Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi dan Geofisika (BKMG) - the local official weather mapping organization – says the island of Bali has seen “extreme” weather since the end of August.The agency attributes the unusually hot weather to the El Nino phenomenon.In November, the temperature in the area around Denpasar, Bali’s provincial capital, rose as high as 37 degrees Celsius above the average daily temperature of 31.4 degrees Celsius, said Nyoman Gede Wiryajaya of BKMG.Bali's provincial agricultural department says nearly a thousand hectares of farmland are suffering some degree of drought, which threatens the coming harvest. With crops drying, local media have already reported food shortages in several villages.

Buleleng, a north Bali district which has recorded crop failure on 160 hectares, has been declared under "severe drought".With no rice available, "we have been living off dried cassava for several weeks," said Palembang Kaka, a small-scale farmer from Buleleng who now works as a porter in Pasar Badung, Denpasar’s largest community market.Although globally El Nino is expected to start weakening soon, meteorological service officials in Bali are advising farmers to brace for more dry weather.Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, of the National Disaster Management Agency, predicted that "rainfall will be extremely low until the end of this year"
.For Aslam, the prediction could mean another missed crop and another season at the wheel – unless his new insurance policy works."We will see how the insurance (money) is paid. I hope it is enough to recover my losses,” he said.(Reporting by Stella Paul; editing by Laurie Goering :; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, women's rights, trafficking and property rights.


PH milled rice stock drops due to El Niño

 

By: Ronnel W. Domingo

@inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer

01:51 AM March 16th, 2016


The Philippines’ stock of milled rice decreased further to 2.94 million tons as of Feb. 1 as crop damage due to El Niño ballooned during the phenomenon’s peak months.The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in an update that the country’s stockpile went down from 3.2 million tons a month ago.According to the PSA, the national inventory—which shrank by 7 percent or 260,000 tons over the January level—was good for 87 days’ consumption or six days less than the previous month’s stock.Even the, data from the PSA show that the National Food Authority’s stock increased further by 11 percent or 100,000 tons to reach one million tons.The NFA’s reserve was 86 percent imported, about the same as the ratio a month earlier.As of Feb. 1, the NFA’s stock was good for 29 days’ consumption, still well above the agency’s mandated minimum volume of 15 days’ supply.Stocks held in commercial warehouses dipped further by 3 percent or 30,000 tons to 940,000 tons, equivalent to 28 days of nationwide consumption.

Household stocks lost 25 percent or 330,000 tons to settle at one million tons, which can last for 30 days.In late January, the NFA Council said it “may not need to import (milled) rice” for the first quarter this year, citing data the Food Security Committee that show “sufficient rice supply until the end of June.”“Total rice importation contracted for this year is conservative at 500,000 (tons) through a government-to-government procurement with Vietnam and Thailand,” the NFA Council said in a statement.“It was contracted last year, with arrivals scheduled this year, to get the lowest possible price,” the council said.

http://business.inquirer.net/208615/ph-milled-rice-stock-drops-due-to-el-nino

Mali forecasts 2016/17 rice output of 2.7 mln T, up nearly 11 pct


Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:21am GMT

BAMAKO, March 16 (Reuters) - Mali, West Africa's second-biggest rice producer behind Nigeria, forecasts output of 2.712 million tonnes of unprocessed paddy rice in the 2016/17 season, up nearly 11 percent from last season, a government document showed on Wednesday.The landlocked nation produced 2.451 million tonnes of rice last year, falling short of an initial target of 2.6 million tonnes because of the late arrival of seasonal rains.A government planning document for the new season seen by Reuters showed that Mali plans to invest about 51 billion CFA francs ($86.23 million) to boost production. More than 37 billion CFA francs will go towards purchasing fertiliser.


 Improvements in irrigation are also planned.The cost will be divided between the state, which will finance 35 percent of the project via subsidies, with the rest to be paid for by producers.If the target is reached, Mali should produce a rice surplus of 484,617 tonnes."The sale of this rice surplus could generate gross revenue of around 145.385 billion CFA francs in favour of the producers," the document said.Mali's rice season includes a production phase from May/June to September/October followed by a marketing phase from October/November to the end of March. ($1 = 591.4300 CFA francs) (Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Joe Bavier;

Rice Prices

as on : 16-03-2016 08:10:37 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals
Price
Current
%
change
Season 
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Gadarpur(Utr)
4343.00
198.08
86311.00
2099
2125
-4.07
Hardoi(UP)
244.00
-7.22
1869.00
2150
2120
-1.38
Agra(UP)
172.00
4.24
4528.00
2040
2070
4.08
Sitapur(UP)
135.00
-0.74
5877.00
2160
2150
2.86
Pilibhit(UP)
120.00
20
17428.00
2190
2185
-6.41
Basti(UP)
110.00
-2.65
4018.50
2075
2065
5.87
Kalipur(WB)
97.00
2.11
3962.00
2050
2050
NC
Bindki(UP)
90.00
87.5
2121.00
2265
2250
9.42
Dhing(ASM)
85.00
7.59
2612.20
1800
1800
-16.28
Aligarh(UP)
75.00
-6.25
2370.00
2100
2120
9.09
Barasat(WB)
65.00
NC
1930.00
2300
2300
2.22
Mainpuri(UP)
64.00
33.33
908.00
2020
2020
4.94
Jorhat(ASM)
55.00
22.22
1125.00
2700
2700
-
Beldanga(WB)
52.00
-7.14
1309.50
2275
2275
-10.78
Shahjahanpur(UP)
47.00
-27.47
39946.10
2220
2210
8.29
Haathras(UP)
45.00
28.57
360.00
2145
2170
10.00
Kasimbazar(WB)
44.00
NC
1320.50
2320
2320
-9.02
Gazipur(UP)
40.00
14.29
1257.00
1940
1940
-4.90
Gauripur(ASM)
34.50
-5.48
2232.50
4500
4500
-
Lanka(ASM)
30.00
-25
1990.00
1750
1750
-
Gondal(UP)
29.00
-86.76
10821.10
2065
2065
2.74
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
28.40
123.62
1089.90
1900
1900
-
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
25.00
-16.67
1200.00
3100
3100
-
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
24.00
NC
447.00
1850
1850
-17.78
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
22.30
-4.29
860.10
2300
2300
-11.54
Yusufpur(UP)
18.00
-28
510.00
1890
1900
-0.53
Naugarh(UP)
17.00
17.24
520.00
2065
2050
9.26
Wansi(UP)
17.00
-
44.00
2065
-
9.84
Firozabad(UP)
16.00
6.67
453.00
2080
2110
6.67
Jeypore(Ori)
15.50
933.33
39.40
3250
3250
-12.16
Raiganj(WB)
14.00
16.67
655.00
2850
2860
16.33
Champadanga(WB)
14.00
40
612.00
2350
2350
-11.32
Mirzapur(UP)
12.50
8.7
1113.00
1945
1935
0.78
Saharanpur(UP)
12.00
-85
3818.00
6870
2120
227.14
Dibrugarh(ASM)
10.00
-47.37
862.80
2400
2400
-
Bampada(Ori)
10.00
NC
150.00
2500
2500
NC
Barikpur(Ori)
10.00
NC
100.00
2500
2500
4.17
Etah(UP)
10.00
-16.67
71.00
1850
1880
-9.31
Kaliaganj(WB)
10.00
NC
456.00
2550
2550
6.25
Sheoraphuly(WB)
9.50
5.56
326.00
2675
2650
-0.93
Nilagiri(Ori)
9.00
12.5
320.00
2300
2200
NC
Kasganj(UP)
9.00
-35.71
492.00
1960
1910
-3.92
Chengannur(Ker)
8.00
14.29
404.50
2300
2600
-17.86
Chandoli(UP)
8.00
-
31.00
1870
-
0.81
Buland Shahr(UP)
8.00
14.29
314.00
2020
2040
-0.74
Khairagarh(UP)
7.00
-12.5
274.50
2130
2120
3.90
Karanjia(Ori)
5.00
11.11
201.30
2600
2600
4.00
Muradabad(UP)
5.00
25
384.50
2280
2275
12.59
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
3.50
-12.5
167.70
3250
4200
NC
Darjeeling(WB)
3.50
94.44
65.40
2800
1800
3.70
Imphal(Man)
3.40
-2.86
148.00
2900
2900
NC
Islampur(WB)
3.20
NC
211.80
2150
2150
-
Alibagh(Mah)
3.00
NC
87.00
4000
4000
150.00
Gulavati(UP)
3.00
20
28.00
2080
2080
1.96
Khatauli(UP)
3.00
50
19.00
2165
2160
8.25
Orai(UP)
2.50
-66.67
22.50
2100
2050
-
Balarampur(WB)
2.30
-11.54
43.60
2140
2140
-10.08
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
2.00
NC
77.10
2000
2000
-9.09
Lamlong Bazaar(Man)
1.60
60
47.80
2800
2800
-3.45
Shillong(Meh)
1.20
100
40.90
3500
3500
NC
Kalimpong(WB)
1.20
50
24.50
2400
2350
-11.11
Thoubal(Man)
1.10
-8.33
65.90
2800
2800
180.00


Govt launches Aman rice procurement drive

The three-month-long Aman rice procurement drive ended on Tuesday bagging 0.19 million (1.94 lakh) tonnes against the target of 0.2 million tonnes, reports BSS. The government launched the procurement drive for the fiscal year 2015-16 on December 15. It concluded on March 15. "We hoped the procurement target would be achieved within the timeframe as the procurement price fixed was a 'good incentive' for the farmers", said Ilahi Dad Khan, director (procurement division) of the Department of Food. The official also expressed hope that the good incentive would encourage the farmers to produce more in future.


 Under the drive, around 45,422 tonnes, out of the targeted 45,702 tonnes, was procured from Dhaka division, 61,000 tonnes out of 63,065 tonnes from Rangpur division, 58,000 tonnes out of 61,052 tonnes from Rajshahi division, 18,000 tonnes out of 19,382 from Khulna, 8,000 tonnes out of 8,701 from Chittagong, 900 tonnes out of 1127 from Sylhet and 900 tonnes out of 971 was procured from Barisal division. Under the programme, the government's target was to procure at least 0.2 million tonnes of Aman offering a price of Tk 31 per kilogram.

APEDA RICE COMMODITY NEWS

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 14-03-2016
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Apricots
1
Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
4625
2
Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
4125
3
Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)
3625
White Sugar
1
CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)
817
2
Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)
691
3
Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)
574
Sultanas
1
Iranian natural sultanas (Gouchan), CIF UK (USD/t)
1851
2
South African Orange River, CIF UK (USD/t)
2781
3
Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t)
1700
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 16-03-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Jowar(Sorghum)
1
Amreli (Gujarat)
Other
1375
2495
2
Vaduj (Maharashtra)
Other
2100
2300
3
Manvi (Karnataka)
Other
950
950
Maize
1
Bellary (Karnataka)
Local
1332
1404
2
Sangli (Maharashtra)
Other
1420
1430
3
Bayad (Gujarat)
Other
1350
1525
Papaya
1
Barnala (Punjab)
Other
1200
1500
2
Solan (Himachal Pradesh)
Other
1800
2000
3
Jalore (Rajasthan)
Other
1800
2200
Brinjal
1
Chala (Kerala)
Other
2800
2853
2
Batala (Punjab)
Other
1200
1800
3
Sainthia (West Bengal)
Other
700
800
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 16-03-2016
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Ahmedabad
320
2
Mysore
325
3
Nagapur
280
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 14-03-2016
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Onions Dry
Package: 50 lb sacks
1
Atlanta
Idaho
Russet
15.50
16
2
Chicago
Wisconsin
Russet
8.50
8.50
3
Miami
Washington
Russet
15
16.50
Cauliflower
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Mexico
White
12
12.50
2
Dallas
California
White
15
16.50
3
Detroit
California
White
19.50
20
Grapefruit
Package: 4/5 bushel cartons
1
Atlanta
Florida
Red
21
21.50
2
Chicago
Florida
Red
18
18
3
Miami
Florida
Red
17
20
Source:USDA

           
The New Normal:  Cuba Travel Restrictions Lifted
By Deborah Willenborg

WASHINGTON, DC -- Ahead of President Barack Obama's trip to Cuba next week, the Administration yesterday significantly expanded the ability for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba and reduced financial and trade barriers which will improve the commercial environment between the two countries.These actions, announced jointly by the Departments of the Treasury and Commerce, removed the last meaningful restrictions on travel and will allow U.S. citizens greater access to Cuba; opened up Cuban access to the international banking system; permitted Cuban citizens to open U.S. bank accounts and use them to send remittances back home; and relaxed licensing rules for authorized cargo shipments from the U.S. to Cuba.

"This latest move by the President is definitely another step in the right direction toward normal commercial relations with Cuba," said Texas rice farmer Daniel Berglund.  "We understand Congress still has to act to totally lift the embargo but anything we can do to strengthen economic ties gets us closer to opening up that market to U.S. rice."

Proximity to the market coupled with shipping capacity is a big advantage for the U.S. rice industry when it comes to trade with Cuba.  It is estimated that the U.S. could regain 20-30 percent of the Cuban rice business within two years, or an estimated 90,000 to 135,000 MT of new demand for U.S. rice based on current estimates of Cuba's annual import demand.

"American rice farmers would love to get more of their product on Cubans' plates," said Joe Mencer, an Arkansas producer and vice chairman of the USA Rice Farmers. "Per-capita rice consumption in Cuba is significantly higher than that in the United States.  We know they like American rice and with our abundant crop and ability to transport it, we're ready to ship."

USA Rice continues to take a leadership role in pressing U.S. regulatory changes and necessary congressional action to open the Cuban market to U.S. rice.  "We need a regulatory and legal environment that lets our exporters ship, and Cuba needs the resources necessary to trade with the United States," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.  "Yesterday's actions bring us closer to that spot, and we will continue to work until the job is finished."

By Peter Wamboga-Mugirya
New rice varieties that will enable growing of the crop with less pesticides, less fertilizers and less water have showed yields of 20-30 times more than traditional ones under trials on farmers' fields.

Farmers in eastern and northern Uganda received Green Super Rice (GSR) seed for the research trials.

Jackson Atwii, a retired rice agronomist at Kibimba Rice Irrigation Scheme in Bugiri district, and other farmers in Olweny Rice Irrigation Scheme in Lira District, confirmed the excellent field performance.

"This project began in 2012, with a target of an expected yield-advantage of 20 per cent. During 2015, country-specific objectives in Uganda included testing and release of new GSR varieties in different stress conditions in atleast four locations (Doho in Butaleja District, Agoro in Amuru District, Olweny in Lira District and Oyam District," said Dr Jimmy Lamo, who heads rice research at National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI).

Bigger grains

Semmy Opio and her husband, Dr. Patrick Opio, a medical practitioner in Lira Municipality, received four kilos of GSR seed last year, and harvested 10 bags (1,000 kgs) of the 1189 rice variety alone.

The couple and several other farmers have bulked harvested seed from the 2015 planting. "My wife used to grow rice on subsistence basis to harvest a little for food, but when Mr Atwii interested us in growing GSR varieties for seed, we agreed and it has been a pleasant surprise," said Dr Opio.

They grow seed rice on 2.5 acres in Olweny Rice Irrigation Scheme, where they planted three GSR seed varieties: Namulonge muchele (NamChe)-3, TXD306 and 1189.



Semmy says the four kilos of NamChe-3 seed alone yielded 10 sacks at harvest equaling to a tonne. "Namche-3 grains are bigger than TXD306 and 1189 varieties, and we believe we would grow it two to three times a year," she says.

Farmer-leader, Atwii says a number of farmers whom he guides on growing, weeding, and post-harvest management, have registered substantial success.

"We have learnt that to make any meaningful sense from this project, yields must be high. And that's what every body sees," he says.

Howard Ogwang, is another farmer in Itek-kile Outgrowers' Community in Lira District, guided by Mzee Atwii.

He received two kilos of a different rice seed variety: 1191, planted it in nursery beds, transferred into fields and harvested 130 kgs of seed alone.

In neighbouring Oyam District, the lead farmer Paul Peter Okullu, the managing director, Adagni Company Ltd, received 75 kgs of NamChe-1 and 3 seed from NaCRRI in 2014.

He distributed it through a technology-dissemination arrangement, to 50 seed farmers.

"They collectively harvested five tonnes of NamChe-1 and 3 seed varieties that year. In 2015, we expanded to seven acres, from which we harvested 12 tonnes," he adds.

"Seed production is more lucrative than grain or food growing/trading. In 2015's first season, we gave back five tonnes of seed to NaCRRI."

In Doho Scheme, farmers and farmer groups were trained about GSR seed and provided with one to 10 kilogrammes of seed.

The scheme was the first to get the training and seed distribution. It was planned that there would be field seed exchange among farmers, in addition to linking them to NaCRRI's partners from which farmers and farmer groups would buy seed.

Wonderful performance

Those with the best field performance and with best-inspected seed would be encouraged to exchange seed with other farmers.

During the last quarter of the 2015 planting and harvest seasons (August-September-October), Doho outgrower farmers received GSR seed rice varieties: Okile, Wita-9, Komboka, Agaro and Nerica. There were good results from their findings.

A model rice farmer in Butaleja District located near Doho Scheme, Robert Sagula, refers to the Wita-9 purple variety as the most outstanding. It is currently the most widely-adopted by farmers, for its versatile performance.

He describes it as a wonderful performer in marginal soils even where fertility and water factors are low.

"It's a highly sought-after variety by farmers, because it also registers the highest yield or productivity per unit area. We have recorded 2,150 kg of milled rice from an acre planted--very high compared to traditional varieties," says Sagula.


He has grown it next to the road, as a public display to teach farmers and attract a market for its positive attributes.

"We also prefer it for its short height as birds cannot notice it easily, in addition for its long grain and being an early-maturing variety in 145 days after planting," he explains.

Sagula reveals that Okile variety ranks second to Wita-9 in popularity in Butaleja, because of its high yields and good grain quality-attributes. It is close to Kaiso, a popular traditional variety, as far as the Butaleja farmers are concerned.

About the project

The GSR project is based at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge.

It is being coordinated by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in collaboration with AfricaRice, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Agricultural Research Systems in Africa and Asia.

The main goal is to develop and deploy new sets of rice cultivars that give high yields under less input environments (that is, water, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and pesticides) in an environment-friendly manner.

It is supported by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

NaCRRI's Dr. Jimmy Lamo, who heads Uganda's rice research, says in addition to Uganda, other participating countries in the GSR project, are China through CAAS, Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi and The Philippines.

Scientists help Vietnam’s rice farmers adapt to climate change, amid major drought



Asia Editor
PHNOM PENH, 16 March 2016
Scientists are developing more resistant varieties of rice to help farmers in Vietnam adapt to climate change, amid the country’s worst drought in 90 years. The drought, as well as the related flow of saltwater upriver, has destroyed 159,000 hectares of rice paddies and left almost one million people lacking drinking water, according to a new UN report. Another half million hectares are expected to be damaged by mid-year.

In line with its work in other Asian countries, the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute has been breeding high quality “climate-smart rice varieties” that mature quickly, can tolerate salt, and are designed specifically for Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Reiner Wassmann, the project leader, told IRIN.

The delta region, one of the worst-hit by the drought, accounted for half the country’s rice production and 90 percent of its exports last year.  
IRRI
Nguyen Thi Lang of the Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute displays rice seedlings engineered to withstand drought, floods and saltwater

The drought is linked to El Nino, which is disrupting weather patterns around the world, while saltwater intrusion occurs annually. But the drought has made it worse: the saltwater arrived about two months earlier than usual and has extended around 25 kilometers further inland than average because river levels were lower than any year since record-keeping began one century ago. In the midst of a drought in 2014, the government urged farmers in the northern and central regions to shift from rice to more drought-resistant crops.

Scientists say that this year’s emergency is only a taste of what’s to come, as climate change leads to more frequent and intense droughts and rising sea levels. That’s bad news for rice farmers, as well as Vietnam’s economy and its 90 million people. 

Rice is a staple at dinner tables throughout the country and an important export. Only India and Thailand exported more rice than Vietnam last year, according to the IRRI. 

 Wassmann’s team have also developed water management techniques to allow farmers to reduce the risk of losing their crops, which can be destroyed if they are inundated with salt water right before and right after flowering. In addition, to mitigate the risk from drought, IRRI developed a cycle of draining and re-flooding paddies, which can save water use by as much as 25 percent while cutting the cost to farmers of pumping water for irrigation. 

IRRI
A rice researcher tests a technique of draining and flooding paddies

Wassmann said he hopes to secure funding to continue working in the delta and recommended that authorities "fast-track the development and delivery of short duration, good quality rice with enhanced salt tolerance".

Such strains and strategies will become more important as Vietnam plans to increase rice production just as the effects of climate change become more severe. 
Vietnam doubled rice production over the past two decades after being a net importer. In 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced a national strategy to further increase production. 

Research conducted in Vietnam also feeds into a larger IRRI programme aimed at adapting rice farming to various aspects of climate change in different countries. For example, IRRI has developed drought-tolerant varieties of rice being farmed in India, Nepal, the Philippines and Bangladesh. 

Similar work is aimed at protecting against flooding: one variety of rice is infused with a “scuba” gene to allow it to be submerged for two weeks. It is being grown in flood-prone areas of countries like Myanmar, Laos and Indonesia. Scientists are also transferring the gene into varieties of rice in Africa.
https://www.irinnews.org/news/2016/03/16/scientists-help-vietnam%E2%80%99s-rice-farmers-adapt-climate-change-amid-major-drought

03/16/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report



Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
May '16
1051.5
1021.0
1048.5
+11.5
Jul '16
1070.0
1054.0
1075.0
+11.0
Sep '16
1073.5
1073.5
1091.5
+11.5
Nov '16
1106.0
+10.5
Jan '17
1121.5
+11.5
Mar '17
1122.0
+12.0
May '17
1122.0
+12.0
   

Rice Comment

Rice futures charted a bullish key reversal in today’s trade. The market held support at recent contract lows: $10.20 for May and $10.50 for July, before turning around and closing higher. Export sales last week were 145,800 metric tons, with Japan and Venezuela the top buyers, which is a marketing year high. However, the current WASDE report lowered US exports by another 2 million cwt, bringing the estimate to an even 100 million cwt. That left carry out up 2 million cwt at 43.9 million cwt. Global rice supplies for 15/16 were raised 1.8 million tons due to increased production.




Honduras Approves Rice from Paraguay


by Lee Brinckley | Mar 14, 2016 

ARLINGTON, VA -- Last month, Honduras approved the phytosanitary protocol to allow milled rice imports from Paraguay.  They are the first country in the northern tier of Central America to permit Paraguayan milled rice. Over the past five years, Paraguay has nearly doubled their rice production to 780,000 MT and their exports have nearly tripled during that same timeframe.  Last year, Paraguay exported about 400,000 MT of rice, with the overwhelming majority destined for Brazil.  More than 90 percent of Paraguay's exports typically have gone to South America but as they have increased production, they are looking for additional markets.  Paraguay is currently in discussions with El Salvador and Mexico to open up those markets as well.


Paraguay is known for having a good quality crop, similar to Uruguayan, at competitive pricing.  Colombia's tender for an additional 200,000 MT (see USA Rice Daily, February 9, 2016) has been allocated and while sources indicate the lion's share will be coming from Uruguay, Paraguay did capture some of this business."U.S. rice has a very strong food safety image, favorable logistics for the Western Hemisphere, and a solid preference by customers that have consumed U.S. rice for years, but as more players come onto the export market scene, it's extremely important that U.S. rice protect that high quality image and those markets," said Carl Brothers, chairman of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee. 
https://usarice.com/blogs






The Hindu: "El Nino declining slowly and steadily: Australian Met"
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North-West India is bracing to receive the next western disturbance and another bout of heavy rain, snow, thunderstorms and hail from Thursday onwards.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 15:  
The 2015-16 El Nino, one of the most intense ever, is continuing to decline slowly and steadily, according to the latest update by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
The tropical Pacific Ocean has cooled further over the past fortnight. International climate models indicate that cooling in the tropical Pacific will continue, with a likely return to ‘neutral’ levels by mid-2016.
Summer status

For the rest of the year and into the summer, they favour the likelihood of the ‘neutral’ status persisting, slightly ahead of La Nina. This is the exact reverse of El Nino, and is considered good for the Indian monsoon.
During a La Nina, the equatorial and eastern basin of the Pacific cools below the critical threshold; the western stretches of the vast ocean (closer to Asia) becomes comparably warmer.
Warmth brings convection (cloud-building), storms and precipitation to this region, and when coinciding with the Indian monsoon, it brings good rains into the subcontinent as well.
But there is no clear signal as to when a La Nina, if at all, would become established in the Pacific, the Australian Met said.
It warned that accuracy of forecasts made at this time of year is lower than those at other times, and therefore some caution should be exercised.
Rain, snow to return

Back home, North-West India is bracing to receive the next western disturbance and another bout of heavy rain, snow, thunderstorms and hail from Thursday onwards.
The prevailing western disturbance, which has already triggered some disturbed weather over the region, is in the process of signing off.
The incoming system has reached the eastern parts of Iran and adjoining Afghanistan on Tuesday, an India Met Department update said.
It would now have to traverse through Afghanistan and Pakistan before it reaches North-West India by Wednesday night.
It will set off heavy rain and snow over Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday and Friday.
Thunderstorms accompanied by squall/hail are likely over Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
Thunderstorms in east

Meanwhile, a remnant cyclonic circulation from the previous western disturbance and parked over East Rajasthan has thrown down a trough towards South to Rayalaseema.
It cuts through West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Interior Karnataka, likely triggering thunderstorms along the way.
Preparing to exit from the country, this western disturbance is also influencing weather in the North-Eastern States where thunderstorms have been forecast on Wednesday and Thursday.
Areas likely to get affected are Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, the India Met Department said.
(This article was published on March 15, 2016)
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http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/el-nino-declining-slowly-and-steadily-australian-met/article8357281.ece





This Spring, Embrace Vegetables, but Don't Overpower Them

  • By meera sodha, associated press
Mar 16, 2016, 11:27 AM ET
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Spring is nature's fashion week. After winter's endless parade of root vegetables, it feels as though nature has pressed the big green button, refreshing the new season's offerings. Being showcased right now is a new look for your fridge, in a variety of greens.
At my local Sunday market in London, on display are big leafy bunches of spinach, pointed sweetheart cabbages, fennel with thrusting green tops and spring's favorite darling, the slender asparagus.
Even in the village where I grew up, the fields have gone from empty to busy overnight. Workers lob about with big wooden crates of cut leeks, lettuces and a renewed sense of purpose. It is catching: All I want to cook and eat is green, something fresh, light and colorful.
A favorite green supper of mine is this beautiful spring pilau. Buttery rice packed with spiced fennel, onions and garlic cooked slowly until soft and finished with a last-minute addition of still-crisp asparagus and fava beans or peas. A handful of fresh mint and a squeeze of lemon juice is stirred in just before serving to lift and unify all the flavors.
It's a gentle dish. The key to spring cooking is never to overpower the flavor of the new vegetables. They've spent a long time getting to the point where they're ready. So don't hijack them with bigger, bolder flavors or spices. A little cumin, green chili and garam masala are all they need to help them sing.
This dish can be eaten by itself, though adding a little yoghurt and mango pickle won't hurt. But for something a bit more special, some spring lamb cutlets, flash fried with salt, cumin and chili would make wonderful sidekicks.
———
SPRING VEGETABLE PILAU WITH FENNEL AND ASPARAGUS
Use whichever spring vegetables you have available. Green beans and spring cabbage or leeks make for a wonderful pilau, too.
Start to finish: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
3 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 green finger chilies, very thinly sliced
2 medium bulbs fennel, trimmed and thinly sliced

Popeye Pulao and spiced aromatic spinach rice by Indian cook Mallika Basu

Try this delicious Indian recipe for an easy, midweek meal idea
1
Pulao is moreish, fluffy aromatic rice spiked with subtle whole spices. This version with chopped spinach is versatile enough to add interest as part of an extravagant feast or a meal-in-one served with not much more than a dollop of yoghurt and spoon of pickle.
I came up with this recipe as a sneaky way to feed my kids spinach, alongside retro cartoons, and hence its apt christening and the optional use of a green chilli. My quick tip is to use cubes of frozen chopped or leafy spinach, bags of which are always in my freezer in abundance. If you prefer fresh spinach, by all means go ahead and use it but don’t hold the washing and chopping against me.  

Ingredients

Serves 2
•    1 cup uncooked Basmati rice
•    3 cubes/75gm frozen spinach (125gm fresh spinach)
•    1 small green chilli
•    1 fat clove garlic
•    Whole spices: 1 star anise, 1 bay leaf, 1 inch stick cinnamon, 1 black cardamom
•    1 tbsp oil
•    Warm water
•    1 tsp salt
•    Mint leaves to garnish (optional)

2016 cookbooks


Method

First place the rice in a sieve and wash it thoroughly under a cold tap until the water runs clear. Next, peel and finely mince the garlic and the chilli. If you’re using fresh spinach, remove the hard stalks and chop it finely now.
Now, bring the oil to heat on high in a medium sized saucepan. When it starts sizzling around a wooden spoon, gently drop in the whole spices. As they sizzle up, stir in the garlic and the chilli and immediately after, the frozen spinach or the chopped spinach.
Stir the spinach until it softens. Then mix in the washed rice with the salt. As the rice turns translucent, add just less than two cups of warm water, say one and seven/eighths of a cup (not trying to be difficult, promise!). Stir through once, and bring back to a rapid boil.
When the rice starts bubbling, lower the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes. When the time is up, move the pan over to a cold hob without taking the lid off. Leave the rice to keep cooking in the steam trapped in the pan for another 10 minutes. If you touch it now, it will break, as there is still a fair bit of moisture in the pan. 
Finally, tip it into a serving dish, or your bowls, and fluff up with a fork before eating.
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Is DSW (NYSE:DSW) Worth Your Time After Placed Johnson Rice’s Downgrade?


MARCH 16, 2016  STAFF WRITER IN STOCK NEWS ·

In a note released on Wednesday, 16 March, expert analysts at Johnson Rice’s research division downgraded DSW (NYSE:DSW)’s stock rating from Buy to Accumulate.Out of 14 analysts covering DSW Inc (NYSE:DSW), 6 rate it “Buy”, 2 “Sell”, while 12 “Hold”. This means 30% are positive. $39 is the highest target while $19 is the lowest. The $26.93 average target is -3.47% below today’s ($26.82) stock price.

DSW Inc was the topic in 28 analyst reports since August 4, 2015 according to StockzIntelligence Inc. M Partners maintained the stock on November 25 with “Neutral” rating. eutsche Bank initiated it with “Hold” rating and $27 target price in an October 30 report. Telsey Advisory Group maintained the shares of DSW in a report on November 25 with “Market Perform” rating. Finally, Buckingham Research maintained the stock with “Buy” rating in a November 4 report.The stock decreased 5.36% or $1.52 during the last trading session, hitting $26.82. About 3.54 million shares traded hands or 107.02% up from the average. DSW Inc. (NYSE:DSW) has declined 14.51% since August 10, 2015 and is downtrending. It has underperformed by 10.32% the S&P500.

http://www.riversidegazette.com/is-dsw-nysedsw-worth-your-time-after-placed-johnson-rices-downgrade/

17 march 2016 daily exclusive oryza rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine

Brunei Developing High-Yielding Varieties to Achieve Rice Self-Sufficiency

Mar 16, 2016

The government of Brunei is working on the development of high-yielding rice varieties that can produce about 12 tons per hectare to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, according to Brunei Times.
The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism reportedly told in the 12th Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting that research will be conducted to identify and develop such varieties. The government is planning to introduce them to farmers by 2019.
Responding to a member's question on the  government’s assistance to farmers in the country's main rice growing areas, the Minister noted that the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood (DAA) has helped farmers get fertilisers, pesticides and machinery to plant Pusu, Bario, Adan and Laila rice varieties. He noted that DAA also conducted research on the viability of planting a hybrid rice variety BDR5 (Brunei Darussalam Rice 5), which is a high-yielding, low maturity variety.
The Minister noted that the government has been encouraging farmers to use modern machinery but soil in many rice growing areas is not suitable to use such machinery.
The government has been aiming for 60% self-sufficiency in rice production by 2015. Last year, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) apprised the Parliament that the government is far from achieving the target due to poor irrigation infrastructure. However, the government has intensified efforts to increase rice production, including incentive schemes such as the buy-back programme, infrastructure development and the adoption of advanced production technologies to boost yields and overall productivity, according to the official.
Brunei produces only 2% of the nation’s domestic annual rice consumption of around 40,000 tons. Brunei’s rice production has remained at around 1,000 tons since 2002, according to the USDA. The U.S. agency estimates Brunei to produce 1,000 tons of milled rice and import around 40,000 tons in 2016, to meet a consumption demand of around 41,000 tons.

 

 

Global Rice Quotes

March 17th, 2016

Long grain white rice - high quality

Thailand 100% B grade          380-390           ↑

Vietnam 5% broken    375-385           ↔

India 5% broken         365-375           ↔

Pakistan 5% broken    335-345           ↔

Myanmar 5% broken   420-430           ↔

Cambodia 5% broken             410-420           ↔

U.S. 4% broken           440-450           ↔

Uruguay 5% broken    445-455           ↔

Argentina 5% broken 435-445           ↔

Long grain white rice - low quality

Thailand 25% broken 355-365           ↔

Vietnam 25% broken 355-365           ↔

Pakistan 25% broken 305-315           ↔

Cambodia 25% broken           395-405           ↔

India 25% broken       335-345           ↑

U.S. 15% broken (sacked)      460-470           ↔

Long grain parboiled rice

Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            375-385           ↑

Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    NQ      ↔

India parboiled 5% broken stxd         350-360           ↔

U.S. parboiled 4% broken       480-490           ↔

Brazil parboiled 5% broken    520-530           ↔

Uruguay parboiled 5% broken            NQ      ↔

Long grain fragrant rice

Thailand Hommali 92%          670-680           ↑

Vietnam Jasmine         460-470           ↔

India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔

Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔

Cambodia Phka Mails             755-765           ↔

Brokens

Thailand A1 Super      335-345           ↑

Vietnam 100% broken            345-355           ↔

Pakistan 100% broken stxd    285-295           ↔

Cambodia A1 Super   335-345           ↔

India 100% broken stxd         265-275           ↔

Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔

U.S. pet food 280-290           ↔

Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔

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

 Bangladesh Misses 2015-16 Aman Rice Procurement Target by 6,000 Tons

Mar 16, 2016

The government of Bangladesh procured only 194,000 tons of 2015-16 Aman (July - December) rice against the targeted 200,000 tons, reports the Financial Express citing the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
The Bangladesh government targeted to procure 200,000 tons of 2015-16 Aman rice from millers between December 15, 2015 and March 15, 2016 at Tk 31 per kilogram (around $388.5 per ton). The decline in procurement can be attributed to a temporary increase in milled rice in most of the country's markets in early March following a hike in prices at the mill-gates. Coarse rice prices were in the range of Tk 30 - 33 per kilogram (around $392 - $430 per ton). Therefore, traders noted that millers found it more profitable to sell in markets rather than to the government.
The Director (procurement division) of the Department of Food noted that the government hoped to achieve the target within the slated timeframe given the higher procurement price. He also noted that they also hoped the higher procurement price would encourage farmers plant more rice in the next season.
Earlier, the Food Minister noted that the production cost of 2015 Aman paddy is estimated at around Tk 18.5 per kilogram (around $232 per ton) and that of milled rice is estimated at around Tk 28.5 per kilogram (around $357 per ton).
The government procured 320,000 tons of 2014-15 Aman rice from millers at around Tk 32 per kilogram (around $401), according to data from the Food Ministry. Aman rice crop accounts for about 38% of the total rice production in Bangladesh.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates paddy rice output from the 2015 Aman rice crop at about 19.6 million tons, down about 1% from last year due to a decline of about 2% in acreage reflecting low domestic prices at sowing time. USDA forecasts Bangladesh’s MY 2015-16 (July 2015 – June 2016) milled rice production at around 34.6 million tons, slightly up from an estimated 34.5 million tons in MY 2014-15. It forecasts Bangladesh to import around 600,000 tons of rice in MY 2015-16 from an estimated 1.2 million tons in MY 2014-15.

 

Vietnam Rice Quotes Mixed Today; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged

Mar 16, 2016

Vietnam rice sellers lowered their quotes for 25% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $355-$365 per ton and increased their quotes for Jasmine rice by about $15 per ton to around $460-$470 per ton today . Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged today.                      
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton, about $10 per ton discount to Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $375 - $385 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton, about $30 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $335 - $345 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton, on par with Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $355- $365 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330- $340 per ton, about $25 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 $350 - $360 per ton, about $55 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 $330 - $340 per ton, about $15 per ton discount to Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $345 - $355 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $265 - $275 per ton, about $20 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton.

USDA Post Forecasts Egypt MY 2015-16 Rice Exports at 250,000 Tons, Unchanged from Previous Year



The USDA Post forecasts Egypt's MY 2015-16 (October - September) rice exports at around 250,000 tons, unchanged from the previous year, but down from the USDA's official estimates of around 400,000 tons. Egypt’s rice is not internationally competitive under the current government policy, which requires rice exporters to pay export tax of about LE 2,000 (around $256) per ton of rice.
The Post reports that shortages in foreign currency and a parallel market charging an exchange rate of 20% above the official rate, has proved too onerous for the rice millers and exporters. The Post also reports that the government may extend the export window to August 2016 and may ease its requirements due to increasing stocks. However, this may happen only after the government ensures that it has sufficient supply for its smart card subsidy program.
The USDA Post forecasts Egypt's MY 2015-16 milled rice production at 4 million tons, down from last year's 4.53 million tons, but unchanged from USDA's official estimates. However, the Post has lowered its forecasts for Egypt's MY 2015-16 rice area below the USDA's official estimates.
The Post forecasts Egypt's MY 2015-16 rice consumption at around 3.5 million tons, down from around 4 million tons last year and down from USDA's official estimates of around 4 million tons due to shortages of rice supplies in the government’s subsidy program.
The USDA Post forecasts rice stocks to increase about 31% y/y to around 1.2 million tons during the year as many traders are hoarding stocks in expectation of high prices.

Indonesian Rice Farmers Hope to Benefit from Crop Insurance Scheme Amid Drought

Mar 16, 2016

Rice farmers in Indonesia's main rice growing area Bali are hoping to benefit from the province's crop insurance program, which was launched in October 2015, to protect farmers from crop failures caused by disasters such as drought, flooding or pest attacks, according to Reuters.
The program is part of the larger Indonesian crop insurance scheme launched in 2012-13 with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It promises to pay farmers up to six million rupiah (around $480) for a crop failure. Under the program, the government will pay 80% of the premium of 180,000 rupiah (around $13) per hectare.
The Indonesian crop insurance scheme  already covers 470 hectares of rice fields in  East Java and Sumatra. This year, it has included Bali and few other provinces. The Head of the Bali Provincial Agriculture and Foodstuffs Affairs Office noted that the program aims to cover 4,000 hectares this year.
Though the scheme currently targets only small-scale farmers, it aims to bring in all 27 million farmers in Indonesia's 33 provinces by 2019.
Around 1,000 hectares of farm land in Bali is suffering severe drought conditions induced by the El Nino weather phenomenon, which threaten the upcoming harvest. However, farmers are sceptical about the claims settlement under the scheme.


Vietnam Prime Minister Seeks Neighboring Nations' Help to Combat Drought


The Vietnam Prime Minister is seeking help from the neighboring nations, especially those which are part of the Mekong River Commission, to help Vietnam in combating water shortfalls due to the on-going drought conditions, according to Vietnam Net.
He reportedly asked the Ministry of Natural Resources & the Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnam Mekong River Commission to send diplomatic notes to the countries in Mekong upriver asking them to share information about water resources and the operation of their hydropower reservoirs on Mekong River. He reportedly plans to ask them to provide water to the lower course of Mekong, so that Vietnam's provinces in the Mekong Delta can benefit.
The Prime Minister’s instruction shows the state’s strong concern about water resources and the difficulties Mekong Delta’s people are facing," said the former Deputy Secretary of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission.
He also noted that the  International Mekong River Commission, which comprises the members from four countries in Mekong’s lower course, has so fat not taken any action amid the on-going drought conditions. “In principle, the commission’s member countries have to have meetings and discuss existing problems to come to consensus on the solutions to the problems. If so, countries can voice their protests against the actions which affect the water sources,” he added.
Other leading rice experts also praised the Prime Minister's action. China has reportedly agreed to release water from its Jinghong Hydropower Station reservoir into the lower Mekong River to help Vietnam deal with drought and salinity in a number of provinces in Mekong Delta.
About Nearly 140,000 hectares of rice area in Mekong Delta has been reportedly damaged by drought and salt water intrusion as of March 7, 2016.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap – Prices Firm Amid Limited Trade Activity

Mar 17, 2016

The U.S. cash market was slightly firmer today although trading was limited as most buyers and sellers remain at odd on prices.
Some market participants are hopeful that more demand from Iraq and Colombia will show up and shore up U.S. prices however the U.S. still remains uncompetitive compared to some South American countries.

National Agencies Show Interest to Invest in Thai Rice Research

Mar 16, 2016
A number of research institutes in Thailand are keen on investing the country's rice research activities to help the government increase the competitiveness of Thai rice and rice products in the global market, according to ThaiVisa.com.
The Director-General of the Thai Rice Department, which takes care of rice research in the country, told reporters that the investments by the agencies will be used to develop premium rice species, improve nutritional value, and help farmers raise productivity while lowering costs. He also noted that the Department's current rice research activities are primarily focussed on the development of a new strain that thrives in dry weather conditions. He added that the Department is working on the development of a variety called 'Kor Khor 61.'
"Researchers are trying to introduce rice as ingredients in dietary supplements and cosmetics. Fifteen studies have so far yielded promising results. They will soon be introduced to the rice industry," he said.
In a latest development, the Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA) has shown interest to invest in the country's rice research. "ARDA would recommend technologies to the farming sector to help increase the quality of grains," said the Deputy Director of the ARDA.

Thailand Plans to Sell 641,000 Tons of Stockpiled Rice in March 2016

Mar 16, 2016

The government of Thailand is planning to sell about 641,000 tons of stockpiled rice on March 30 and 31, 2016, Reuters quoted the Thai Commerce Ministry.
This will be the second auction of this year. The Chief of the Foreign Trade Department told reporters that bidding for 418,000 tons of rice fit for human consumption will take place on March 30 and bidding for 223,000 tons unfit for human consumption will take place on March 31, 2016.
"The government will open bidding for rice in government stocks as it sees that the market needs rice including rice for industrial use. This is a good time to offload rice from government stockpiles," she said.
The government reportedly sold 152,377 tons of rice worth 1.78 billion baht (around $50 million) in the first auction on February 16 for human consumption, lower than the targeted 204,000 tons. It sold around 245,262 tons of stockpiled rice worth 1.53 billion baht (around $43 million) for industrial use on February 17, as part of the first auction.
The government still holds about 12 million tons of rice in its stockpiles and is keen on selling about 5 million tons this year.

Oryza CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Capture Late Session Rally as U.S. Dollar Tumbles and Oil Surges in Wake of FOMC Announcement

Mar 17, 2016

Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery settled 11.5 cents were cwt (about $3 per ton) higher at $10.485 per cwt (about $231 per ton). The other grains finished the day mostly lower; Soybeans closed about 0.3% higher at $8.9450 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.4% lower at $4.7075 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.1% lower at $3.6825 per bushel.
U.S. stocks struggled to hold gains Wednesday ahead of the scheduled afternoon conclusion of the Fed meeting. The Federal Open Market Committee is due to conclude its two-day meeting on Wednesday with the 2 p.m. ET release of its statement and economic projections. Those include the highly scrutinized "dot plot," which shows the targets for appropriate federal funds rates by FOMC participants. Fed Chair Janet Yellen is also scheduled to give a news conference at 2:30 p.m. U.S. crude oil futures traded near $37.84 a barrel in midday trade, a touch off session highs. Earlier, WTI briefly traded more than 4% higher after weekly crude oil inventories showed a smaller-than-expected build of 1.3 million barrels and following news producers will meet next month in Qatar to discuss a proposal to freeze output. In other economic news, housing starts rose 5.2% in February.
 Industrial production declined 0.5% in February, with capacity utilization at 76.7%.In afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average traded down 29 points, or 0.17%, at 17,237. The S&P 500 traded down 3 points, or 0.17%, at 2,012, with health care leading five sectors lower and energy the greatest advancer. The Nasdaq composite dipped 1 point, or 0.03%, to 4,727. Gold is seen trading about 0.1% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 4% higher, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.2% higher at about  1:00pm Chicago time.

Tuesday, there were 288 contracts traded, down from 352 contracts traded on Monday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Tuesday increased by 38 contracts to 12,495.