Tuesday, November 07, 2017

febuar 2017 rice news

Rice Headlines News...

·       Iran Limits Rice Imports From India© Wikipedia/ International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)Kisu

·       mu rice farmers to get sh 150m tractors from government

·       Pakistan sends rice to drought-stricken Sri Lankan brethren

·       India hampering regional peace, envoys told

·       Africa: Rice farmers lose $200m to parasitic weeds yearly

·       USA Rice and Ag Groups:  Don't Forget About Asia

·       By Bob Cummings

·       WASDE Report Released

·       Read the full report here.

·       Future of Louisiana Rice: DC reps attend LARGA, LARC joint meeting

·       S. Korea to strike balance of rice supply, demand by 2019

·       Indonesia plans to export rice

·       Bad news for India’s basmati rice exports as Iran imposes caps on imports, prices

·       Rice exports of Vietnam face tough year ahead

·       BUA upgrades rice mill to meet one million tonnes processing target

·       Jigawa: Rice farmers get N375m loans from Govt.

·       Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- February 09, 2017

·       AP inks MoU with IRRI
Iran Limits Rice Imports From India© Wikipedia/ International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
14:41 09.02.2017

Indian government had sent a 20 member trade delegation to Tehran in last week of January to dispel health & safety concerns of Indian Rice arising out of Negative Publicity.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Iran has imposed various restrictions to curb imports of aromatic rice from India. Sources from Indian industries told Sputnik that Tehran has put upper limits for import and retail price of aromatic rice which is expected to hit Indian exporters in coming months.
New rule will not allow Indian exporters to sell their rice in Iran beyond $850 a ton which is far below the landed cost of $950 a ton of rice. Iran is major export destination for Indian rice traders. To supplement domestic production of about 2 million Metric Ton(MT), Iran imports about one million MT of rice every year out of which about 700000 MT is exported from India, government data
Last year, Tehran had rejected India’s rice consignment because of presence of pesticide residue. Last month, India had sent a 20 member delegation led by Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to Iran for agri-products export promotions.
“Film of about 3.5 minutes duration was screened depicting different aspects of Basmati cultivation, processing, issue of health certificate and assurance of Indian rice being GMO free,” India’s Ministry of Commerce said.
Indian government and traders were expecting a notification from Tehran that would have allow resumption of issuance of permits for import of rice.  
“The deliberations helped to dispel the negative publicity which appeared in some part of Iran media causing doubts about the health and safety of rice from India,” exporters told after three day visit to Tehran in January.
Rice exports to Iran had witnessed a substantial jump during western sanctions on Tehran when India approved rupee settlement mechanism from April 2012
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201702091050503152-iran-india-rice-import/
Kisumu rice farmers to get sh 150m tractors from government
 By Dalton Nyabundi | Updated Thu, February 9th 2017 at 14:54 GMT +3 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Share on Facebook Share on Twitter KISUMU, KENYA: Rice farming in Kisumu is set for a major boost after national government handed farmers Sh150 million worth of equipment to help commercialise the crop. Agriculture cabinet secretary Willy Bett is expected to officially hand over 25 tractors to the Ahero and West Kano irrigation schemes on Wednesday, marking the end of a two-year payment stalemate that saw the ministry threaten to withdraw. For the rice farmers, the 25 tractors, rotavators, ridgers, levelers, trailers and disc ploughs, are the much needed turning point since some were already abandoning the crop due to high production costs. Less than half of the 2, 500 acres of the scheme is under use due to high cost hiring private machinery. Kisumu County's Executive for Agriculture Henry Obade said the handover was the culmination of protracted talks between the ministry and National Treasury. "We asked the Treasury to intervene and we have finally reached an agreement with the ministry.
The farmers will lease the equipment through their cooperative as soon as they are launched and pay a maximum of Sh5 million monthly towards paying off the debt," he said. He said the amount will paid by the farmers to an account controlled by the Treasury but it will be upon the county to ensure the money is paid.
 The machines were given to the schemes by the national government at a subsidised cost of Sh63 million in June 2015. They were part of Japanese grant to Kenya and were sent to various irrigation schemes across the country. The Japan Government loaned the machinery to the Kenya Government, which expected to recover the money from farmers to service the loan. In the Kisumu, West Kano was to contribute Sh32 million and their Ahero counterparts paying off rest. According to the pay pact between the farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture, the farmers were to pay six months after delivery of the machinery before putting them into use.
The county government, however, came in and pledged to pay the Sh63 million on behalf of the farmers, with the aim of recovering the money from the farmers later. The Government threatened to repossess and give them to deserving farmers in other schemes after Kisumu flouted the pay deal
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001228820/kisumu-rice-farmers-to-get-sh-150m-tractors

Pakistan sends rice to drought-stricken Sri Lankan brethren


 08-Feb-17
TOP NEWS
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed to provide all necessary assistance to the government and the drought affected people of Sri Lanka.
Consequently, an aircraft carrying 25 MT rice has left for Colombo on Wednesday. The government and the people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need and will continue to provide all possible support to them
http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/08-Feb-17/pakistan-sends-rice-to-drought-stricken-sri-lankan-brethren
February 8, 2017 | UPDATED 19:15 IST
From Sajjad Hussain
Islamabad, Feb 8 (PTI) Pakistan today said it airlifted 25 metric tonnes of rice for the people hit by a severe drought in Sri Lanka.The Foreign Office said in a statement that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed authorities to provide all necessary assistance to the government and the people affected by severe drought in Sri Lanka.

"Consequently, an aircraft carrying 25 MT rice has left for Colombo today," the statement said.
The Foreign Office said the government and the people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need.It said Pakistan will continue to provide all possible support to the drought hit people of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka is suffering its worst drought in four decades, according to officials, with more than a million people experiencing acute water shortages.The lack of rain last year has lowered water levels in rivers in parts of the country. PTI SH UZM
India hampering regional peace, envoys told
February 09, 2017
SHAFQAT ALI
ISLAMABAD -  Pakistan on Wednesday told foreign envoys that India was hampering regional peace and prosperity by refusing to resolve the longstanding Kashmir issue.Additional Secretary (UN and EC) Tasneem Aslam briefed ambassadors of foreign missions here on the “continuously aggravating human rights situation in held Kashmir” in the backdrop of Kashmir Solidarity Day, a foreign ministry statement said.“India has deprived more than 1.5 billion people of this region, of peace and prosperity by refusing to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and its own promises,” Aslam said.
The additional secretary highlighted that Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed every year on February 5 to express Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, moral and political support to the oppressed people of held Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for the realisation of the right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. She stressed that Kashmir dispute was one of the oldest items on the agenda of the UNSC.
“Indian brutalities in Kashmir have increased significantly after the extra-judicial killing of Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016. Gross violation of human rights of the people of Kashmir perpetrated by Indian forces had resulted in 150 civilian deaths and injuries to more than 20,000,” Aslam said.
She added: “The inhumane use of pellet guns has caused serious injuries to thousands of innocent people, including young girls and children, and blinded hundreds —- completely or partially.”
 Aslam urged the international community to take up with India its “gross human rights violations perpetrated in held Kashmir” at all levels to ensure the “misery and suffering of the innocent people of occupied Kashmir is alleviated, and to play its role in the resolution of Kashmir dispute in line with the UNSC resolutions.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Pakistan summoned Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh to lodge protest against the firing across the Line of Control (LoC) that killed a civilian, a separate foreign ministry statement said.Director-General (South Asia and the SAARC) Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned the Indian envoy “to condemn the unprovoked ceasefire violation committed by Indian forces on February 7, 2017 in Khui Ratta Sector, resulting in the death of a civilian, Ashfaq, 25, who was working as a labourer for the construction of a house.”
The director-general deplored the “deliberate targeting of civilians, which is a crime as well as violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws,” the statement adds.
He urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, stop targeting the villages and civilians and maintain peace on the LoC.
Tension between Pakistan and India reached dangerous levels last year after India blamed Pakistan for backing an attack on an Indian army base that killed 19 soldiers in Uri.
Pakistan denied the allegation.India resorted to firing across the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) after the attack.On Tuesday, the federal cabinet meeting decided that 50 bunkers would be built along the WB with India, to provide refuge to villagers living in the area during incidents of cross-border firing.
The latest Pakistan-India tensions started in July, when Indian forces killed freedom fighter Burhan Wani leading to massive protests.Indian forces killed scores of protesters to quell the agitation that followed.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Pakistan strongly condemned the suicide attack outside the Supreme Court of Afghanistan on February 7 that has led to loss of 20 lives and left more than 40 injured.
“The people and the government of Pakistan extend their heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the government and people of Afghanistan and to the bereaved families. We pray for early recovery of the injured. We firmly stand with our Afghan brothers in this hour of grief and anguish,” said an official statement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan sent rice for drought victims in Sri Lanka on Wednesday.   Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed to provide all necessary assistance to the govt and the people of Sri Lanka.
“Consequently, an aircraft carrying 25 MT rice has left for Colombo. The government and the people of Pakistan stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need and will continue to provide all possible support to them,” a statement issued by the foreign ministry said.
http://nation.com.pk/national/09-Feb-2017/india-hampering-regional-peace-envoys-told

Africa: Rice farmers lose $200m to parasitic weeds yearly

Workers on a rice farm which could be at risk of parasitic weeds
A team of researchers, representing the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Wageningen University, has raised the alarm over the enormous economic impact of parasitic weeds on rice production in Africa, threatening the food security and livelihoods of millions of resource-poor rice farmers and consumers in the region. The weeds threaten rice production in at least 28 countries on the continent that have rain-fed rice systems.
The most affected countries are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone Tanzania and Uganda.
The team  said smallholder farmers are losing every year half a million tonnes of rice worth about $200 million because of the weeds. Parasitic weeds are among the most destructive and problematic weeds to control. “When these plants invade food crops, they turn into ferocious weeds,” said Agronomist at AfricaRice, Dr Jonne Rodenburg. The most important parasitic weed species in rice are Striga asiatica, S. aspera, S. hermonthica and Rhamphicarpa fistulosa.
They are all endemic to Africa and can also parasitise other cereal crops like maize, sorghum and millet. The team of researchers reveal that these parasitic weeds, which survive by siphoning off water and nutrients from host crops, have invaded 1.34 million hectares of rain-fed rice in Africa, affecting an estimated 950,000 rural households. They are increasingly becoming severe due to an intensification of agricultural production and climate changes.
The areas affected by parasitic weeds are home to some of the world’s poorest farmers. Studies by AfricaRice and partners have shown that parasitic weeds seem to predominantly affect women farmers in Africa as they are often forced to grow rice on the most marginal and parasitic weed-infested plots. The researchers warn that these parasites are spreading fast in the rainfed rice area and if nothing is done to stop them in their tracks, the damage will increase by about US $30 million a year. Rice is the second most important source of calories in Africa.
It is also critical for smallholder incomes. Demand for rice is growing at a rate of more than 6% per year – faster than for any other food staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), because of changes in consumer preferences and urbanisation. Rice production is increasing across SSA, but the continent still imports some 40 per cent  of its rice.
AfricaRice and its partners have been investigating and developing efficient parasitic weed management strategies that are affordable and feasible for resource-poor rice farmers
http://thenationonlineng.net/africa-rice-farmers-lose-200m-parasitic-weeds-yearly/

USA Rice, CEO Ag Council Ask Trump to Value Ag Appropriately
By Michael Klein
 WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice joined 15 other agriculture industry organizations to send a strong letter to President Trump to remind him and his team of both the challenges the sector faces and the value it offers.
"Many experts emphasize that producers must grow as much food in the next 50 years as was produced over all of previous history to meet the demands of our expanding global population. A firm commitment by the U.S. government to aggressively support agricultural innovation and science-based regulatory decisions will be necessary to ensure farmers have the tools they need to produce a safe and abundant supply of nutritious food," the letter reads.
USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward explained the timing of the letter that will reach the President before his agriculture team is in place.
"The policy and regulatory environment this Administration establishes can ensure agriculture flourishes and we wanted the new administration to know that we are ready to help," she explained.  "The next Farm Bill will be here before we know it and the President's ag team, presumably led by former Governor Sonny Perdue, needs to hit the ground running and set us on a sound course."
 The diverse group of the CEO's of major ag commodity groups that signed the letter offered their expertise and experience to the White House.
"We are ready to provide the White House and the Executive Branch Departments and Agencies, as well as Congress, with policy concepts that foster stability in the U.S. agriculture economy with a strong and predictable farm safety net and promote American competitiveness through research; marketability and trade of agricultural commodities; rural economic growth; and plant, animal, and environmental health, among many other things," the letter concludes.
USA Rice and Ag Groups:  Don't Forget About Asia
By Bob Cummings
 Michael Rue
WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice joined scores of farm organizations and agricultural companies earlier this week in a letter to President Trump encouraging the administration to seek deeper economic ties with countries of the Asia Pacific region.  The letter follows the withdrawal in January, at the President's direction, of the United States from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.  "Reducing and eliminating tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in this region will help American workers in our sector compete, creating an opportunity to supply Asia markets with high-quality food and agricultural goods," wrote the groups.

"Access to markets in Asia is absolutely critical to the economic health of the U.S. rice industry," said Michael Rue, vice chair of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee and a California producer.  "The TPP was not ambitious for rice, and we support the administration's efforts to negotiate bilateral trade agreements in this region.  Japan is obviously first on our list, and we stand ready to assist the U.S. government if the two countries enter into negotiations." 

U.S. rice exports to Japan totaled 347,000 metric tons in 2016, valued at $236 million.  U.S. sales represent about half of Japan's total rice purchases.
The Japanese government tightly controls rice imports, and USA Rice has long sought improved access in terms of tonnage and the ability to sell directly to Japan's consumers.  "We look forward to another opportunity to strengthen our position in this vital market," concluded Rue.

WASDE Report Released 

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. 2016/17 rice exports are lowered 2 million cwt to 110 million.  Long-grain milled exports account for the entire reduction and reflect the sales and shipment pace to date.  U.S. ending stocks are raised by an equal amount and are the highest since 1985/86.  The 2016/17 all rice season-average farm price range is raised $0.10 per cwt at the midpoint to $10.50. The long-grain, and the Other States medium- and short-grain season-average prices are both increased.

Global rice supplies for 2016/17 are raised fractionally this month.  World exports are raised 500,000 tons led by increases for Thailand and India.  Global use is raised 800,000 tons resulting in an 800,000 ton reduction in the world ending stocks forecast.  Global ending stocks are projected to be the largest since 2001/02.

Read the full report
 here.
Future of Louisiana Rice: DC reps attend LARGA, LARC joint meeting

The La. Rice Growers Association and La. Rice Council welcomed Washington, D.C. representatives to their annual joint meeting to discuss how administration changes will affect agriculture in Louisiana, and the United States.
“There are a lot of changes going on in our country and at the heart of these changes is the new president,” said Betsy Ward, President and CEO of USA Rice in Washington. “From a Washington perspective, he’s a total outsider, and that’s part of what got him in the White House. There are a lot of pros and cons to being an outsider. On one hand, he didn’t spend his life in politics, so he’s not beholden to anyone.”Ward shared some voter facts regarding the 2016 election that revealed the support the president received from rural America.“Seventy-six percent of counties with Cracker Barrels in them, and 22 percent of counties with Whole Foods, voted for Trump,” explained Ward. “To me, that shows he’s beholden to someone – and that’s rural America. We need to remind him of that as often as we can.”

For the complete story and more local news, please subscribe to Jennings Daily News by clicking subscribe or by calling 337-824-3011.
Short URL: http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=41512
http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2017/02/future-of-louisiana-rice-dc-reps-attend-larga-larc-joint-meeting/

S. Korea to strike balance of rice supply, demand by 2019

2017/02/09 11:36
SEJONG, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Thursday that it will strike a balance between rice supply and demand by 2019 through efforts to reduce rice cultivation and boost consumption.The country has been suffering from a chronic oversupply of the staple grain for years due to a sharp drop in rice consumption. Some 300,000 tons of rice remained in excess last year, as the 4.2 million ton supply outnumbers the 3.9 million tons consumed, and the glut will likely stay at 200,000 tons in 2017.
Meanwhile, a change in people's diet and tastes has dragged down rice consumption by a large extent for years, with per capita rice consumption nearly halving to 62.9 kilograms per year in 2015 from the 128.1 kg tallied in 1985."We will reduce the supply glut of rice year by year and reach a balance by 2019," said the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
As a first step, the government will reduce the country's rice paddies to 711,000 hectares in 2019 from 779,000 hectares in 2016, while the public rice stockpile will be raised to 1.44 million tons in 2017 from 1.13 million tons in 2016.In the first half of this year, it will donate some 1,000 tons of rice to the international community through the emergency rice reserve framework launched by Southeast Asian countries and three East Asian countries including South Korea.Also, it will improve the nationwide network of rice distribution in a bid to lower the consumer prices of the staple grain and introduce a rating system to satisfy diversified consumers' tastes.
In a way to meet growing demand for ready-to-eat dishes, the government will support food businesses to develop rice-based desserts and light meals.
(END
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2017/02/09/19/0501000000AEN20170209006300320F.html

Indonesia plans to export rice

1.005 Views
Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Indonesia plans to export rice, after national production reached 79.17 million tons in 2016, which is above the target set at 72 million tons.
"We already have a rice surplus and so we plan to export it. We are still studying it, and destination countries are already available for export. We will inform about it later," agriculture minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said here on Thursday.

He said Indonesia has already exported organic rice to five countries, including Belgium.

"So, there will be exports of common rice. We have to just wait," he added.He noted that Indonesia actually gained Rp10 trillion in 2016 by not importing rice during the period.

He stated that with national production increasing to 79.17 million tons and selling price of unhulled rice at around Rp4 thousand per kilogram, farmers income could rise to Rp51.36 trillion.(*

http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/bad-news-for-indias-basmati-rice-exports-as-iran-imposes-caps-on-imports-prices/543457/

Bad news for India’s basmati rice exports as Iran imposes caps on imports, prices

 

India’s basmati rice exports to Iran, a major destination for the long-grained aromatic rice from the country, is expected to take a big hit after Tehran put upper limits for import and consumer prices of the cereal.


By: Sandip Das | New Delhi | Published: February 9, 2017 6:14 AM
Iran had been the largest importer of PUSA 1121 variety of basmati rice from India; however, in fiscal 2015-16, India’s exports to Iran almost halved (see chart).India’s basmati rice exports to Iran, a major destination for the long-grained aromatic rice from the country, is expected to take a big hit after Tehran put upper limits for import and consumer prices of the cereal. While India’s recent exports of the rice to the West Asian country cost the importer around $950 per tonne (landed price), the ceiling price imposed is $850 a tonne and the maximum consumer price set is $ 1.15 a kg. Clearly, realisations of Indian exporters will diminish under the price caps.
This is unilateral imposition of a virtual import tariff. Iran government must realise that prices are decided by demand and supply… It is unfair to impose such restrictions,” a leading rice exporter told FE on condition of anonymity.
Iran had been the largest importer of PUSA 1121 variety of basmati rice from India; however, in fiscal 2015-16, India’s exports to Iran almost halved (see chart).Sources said Iran is saddled with excess stocks of basmati rice as FY14 imports of 1.4 million tonnes from India was not exhausted while merchants continued to contract more imports in subsequent years. The high carry-forward stock resulted in shipment to Iran falling to around 900,000 tonnes in the FY15 and further to 700,000 tonnes last fiscal.Plites Left Unchanged, You Can Expect EMIs To Come Down Further
 Some exporters FE spoke to say that with the ceiling prices, it would not be economically viable to export rice to Iran. Iran consume more than 3 million tonnes of rice annually and a third of this demand is met by imports.A 20-member Indian trade delegation comprising exporters and commerce ministry officials visited Iran between January 28 and 30 with a view to promoting exports. The delegation visited various Iranian departments including Food and Drug Organization, Government Trading Corporation and Trade Promotion Organization, Iran Chamber of Commerce and Rice Importers Association.
Iran had imposed a ban on rice imports during harvest season between July and November last year. “Domestic supply does not suffice to meet demand. We need imports, but imports that are limited and controlled,” Iran’s agriculture minister Mahmoud Hojjati had stated in November last year.Rice shipments to Iran had got a boost when India launched a rupee settlement mechanism from April 2012 with Iran to avoid sanctions from the US and EU. As part of the initiative, state-owned UCO Bank tied up with Iranian lenders — Parsian, Pasargad, Saman and EN Banks — for settlements of dues. Iran and India also had agreed to have referral labs in India for testing rice consignments rejected by Tehran because of presence of pesticide residue

http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/bad-news-for-indias-basmati-rice-exports-as-iran-imposes-caps-on-imports-prices/543457/
Vietnam farmers face another difficult year as confidence falters with industry analysts particularly pessimistic the country will reach overseas sales of more than five million metric tons in 2017, the Vietnam Food Association has said.


Speaking at a recent industry forum in Ho Chi Minh City, Huynh Minh Hue, secretary of the Association, noted that in 2016 rice exports dropped 25.5% in volume and 20.57% in value year-on-year— tallying in at 4.89 million metric tons to fetch US$2.12 billion.There was an oversupply in the global market for 2016, compounded by the fact that major importing countries are increasingly relying on domestic production to supplant imports, which contributed to weak global demand, he noted.

Rice exports of Vietnam, he said, would most likely face another lacklustre year as supply outstrips demand and global competition gathers steam.He noted the US Department of Agriculture has reported that the global rice output in 2016/17 is estimated to increase by 1.6% from last year to 480 million metric tons due to an expansion of the area under cultivation in several countries including Australia, Myanmar, Brazil, India, Indonesia, North Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, and the US.Global rice exports, he added, are expected to jump by one million metric tons or 2.6% to 40.6 million metric tons.

In addition, he said global rice stockpiles have been steadily inching upwards over the past three years and are expected to reach their highest levels since the 2001/02 crop in the coming year.
Huynh The Nang, chair of the Association, in turn pointed out that despite the obstacles Vietnam exports face, rice farmers and other actors in the industry have set targets exceeding the volumes achieved last year.However, he acknowledged the lofty targets are unlikely to be achieved.
He suggested the Plant Protection Department and other pertinent governmental agencies implement measures to improve the food safety of Vietnamese rice to ensure it satisfies the requirements of the stricter markets.Mr Hue subsequently called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to invest in an international standard laboratory in Can Tho aimed at improving the country’s rice quality, with emphasis on reducing chemical residues.

Mr Nang said it is imperative that authorities in rice growing regions do more to ensure farmers comply with food safety standards as well as implement measures to encourage them to use more certified rice seedlings.
Do Ha Nam, chair of the Intimex Group JSC – one of the country’s 10 largest rice exporters – commented that while exports of most types of rice were lower in 2016, exports of Japonica and sticky rice increased by 136.95% and 96.59%, respectively.He recommended government officials work with China to bolster these types of rice exports.Most importantly, he noted that Vietnam rice faces tough competition in terms of price from Pakistan and India. He suggested more farmers cultivate varieties like fragrant and sticky rice, to increase overseas sales in the US and EU markets.Lastly, Le Thanh Tung of the Crop Production Department postulated that Vietnam farmers and exporters have the greatest potential in 2017 to boost exports of sticky, fragrant, Japonica and other high-quality rice varieties

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/172358/rice-exports-of-vietnam-face-tough-year-ahead.html

BUA upgrades rice mill to meet one million tonnes processing target

February 9, 2017
Mill to include parboiling plant as firm partners farmers in Kano, Jigawa.In line with government’s backward integration agenda in the rice industry, BUA Rice Ltd, a subsidiary of BUA Group, has initiated plans to increase the firm’s milling capacity from 200,000tonnes to one million tones within the next four years.According to the firm, the increase in its milling capacity and partnership with farmers will aid the realization of local rice production agenda. During a stakeholder session with Kano Rice Farmers Associations to develop an efficient outgrowers scheme that will involve the provision of improved seeds, technical expertise as well as BUA’s milling and processing infrastructure in a programme that is expected to drive BUA current processing capacity, the firm expressed commitment to the agenda.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Group Executive Director, BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu, said BUA remained genuinely committed to government’s resolve to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported rice by boosting local capacity to produce, process and package rice.He added that the private-led partnership will also support the rice farmers to take advantage of the CBN Anchor Borrowers Scheme while BUA will provide end-to-end support to the value chain in ensuring that its milling facilities are being utilized optimally.Furthermore, Rabiu noted that BUA Group is also seeking – as part of the partnership, to support the government in establishing another 200,000 tonnes rice processing plant on the banks of the Hadejia River Basin in Auyo, Jigawa State
https://naija247news.com/2017/02/09/bua-upgrades-rice-mill-to-meet-one-million-tonnes-processing-target/

Jigawa: Rice farmers get N375m loans from Govt.

The Jigawa Government on Thursday said it had disbursed N375 million loan to farmers to accelerate paddy rice production.The Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Kabir Ali, said this at the inauguration of the pilot rice trading Centre project in Auyo, Jigawa.Ali said the loans were disbursed to registered farmers under the Farm Cluster scheme during the last cropping season.He explained that fertiliser, seeds, chemicals and farm inputs were given to the farmers under a soft loan revolving scheme designed to enhance agricultural financing.“We disbursed over N375 million loans to the farmers. We have so far recovered about 73 per cent of the loans,” he said. “The state government had also distributed fertiliser, seeds and inputs to rice and wheat growers for the current dry season activity.
“Government initiated various programmes to expose farmers to modern farming and processing techniques, enhance their enterprising skills and add value to their produce,’’ he said.Ali commended the farmers over the prompt settlement of the loans, adding that the gesture indicated farmers’ support to government programmes.The commissioner called on farmers to off-set the remaining balance of the loan to facilitate its sustainability and mobilise participation in the programme.
Statistics from the state’s Ministry of Agriculture showed that 36, 250 farmer clusters were registered and incorporated into the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrower scheme in the state
http://thenationonlineng.net/jigawa-rice-farmers-get-n375m-loans-govt/
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- February 09, 2017
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-February 9

Nagpur, Feb 9 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices recovered strongly in Nagpur Agriculture
Producing and Marketing Committee (APMC) auctions on increased buying support from local millers
amid thin supply from producing belts. Healthy rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and reported demand
from South-based millers also helped to push up prices, according to sources.

    FOODGRAINS & PULSES

   GRAM
   * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor. 
  
   TUAR
   * Tuar gavarani and tuar Karnataka reported down in open market in absence of buyers
     amid good supply from producing regions.
  
   * Rice varieties showed weak tendency in open market on lack of demand from local
     traders amid good arrival from producing belts like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.   
                                           
   * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,100-4,300, Tuar dal (clean) – 7,000-7,300, Udid -
     6,400-6,800, Udid Mogar (clean) – 8,200-8,800, Moong –
     5,600-5,900, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,400-6,700, Gram – 5,000-5,400,
     Gram Super best bold – 8,500-8,700 for 100 kg.

   * Wheat and other commodities moved in a narrow range in
     scattered deals, settled at last levels in thin trading activity.
      
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
   
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close  
     Gram Auction                     4,800-5,050         4,600-5,000
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                3,800-5,040         3,800-4,900
     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            8,500-9,000        8,500-9,000
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            8,000-8,200        8,000-8,200
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            6,200-6,700        6,200-6,700
     Desi gram Raw                5,550-5,850         5,550-5,850
     Gram Yellow                 9,000-9,500        9,000-9,500
     Gram Kabuli                11,600-12,800        11,600-12,800
     Gram Pink                        9,000-9,400        9,000-9,400   
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             7,300-7,600        7,300-7,600
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        6,500-7,000        6,500-7,000
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        6,000-6,300        6,000-6,300
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        5,500-5,900        5,500-5,900
     Tuar Gavarani New             4,450-4,650        4,500-4,700
     Tuar Karnataka             4,650-4,900        4,700-5,000
     Masoor dal best            5,600-5,800        5,600-5,800
     Masoor dal medium            5,400-5,500        5,400-5,500
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold (New)        6,600-7,000         6,600-7,000
     Moong Mogar Medium            6,100-6,300        6,100-6,300
     Moong dal Chilka            5,600-6,200        5,600-6,300
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            6,100-6,500        6,100-6,700
     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,500-9,000       8,500-9,000
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,800-8,200        7,800-8,200   
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        4,900-5,200        4,900-5,200    
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,500-6,000        5,500-6,000
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          3,800-4,000         3,800-4,000
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            3,000-3,100        3,000-3,100
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,200-3,400           3,200-3,400
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,800-4,300        3,800-4,300  
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,000        1,900-2,000
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    2,050-2,200        2,050-2,200  
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         1,900-2,100           1,900-2,100        
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,500-2,600        2,500-2,600   
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,200-2,400        2,200-2,400
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,600-4,000        3,600-4,000   
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,700-3,000        2,700-3,000          
     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    3,000-3,500        3,200-3,700   
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,600-2,700        2,800-2,900   
     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,400-2,800        2,400-2,800
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,500-2,700        2,600-2,800  
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      2,300-2,400        2,400-2,500  
     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,800-4,300        4,000-4,500   
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        3,200-3,500        3,300-3,700   
     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    5,200-5,600        5,200-5,700
     Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG)    4,600-5,000        4,700-5,100  
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,200-13,500        9,400-13,500    
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    4,800-6,500        5,000-6,800   
     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    5,800-6,000        5,800-6,200   
     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    5,200-5,500        5,400-5,600   
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,000-2,300        2,000-2,300   
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,900-2,000        1,900-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR) 
Maximum temp. 33.1 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 13.9 degree Celsius
Rainfall : Nil
FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 33 and 15 degree
Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but
included in market prices
The Reuters

AP inks MoU with IRRI

 

By Express News Service  |   Published: 10th February 2017 06:05 AM  |  
Last Updated: 10th February 2017 06:05 AM  

VIJAYAWADA:  The State government entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on Thursday.
As per the agreement, IRRI will take up the required research, surveys the paddy cultivation area, focus on developing advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought and other harmful effects of climate change and will also extend technical support.
IRRI will map the paddy cultivated area through satellites and will also have access to get weather forecast using the technology.
Speaking to mediapersons at the Interim Government Complex at Velagapudi, Agriculture minister P Pulla Rao said that the technology being used by IRRI will ensure better results in estimating crop loss in case of natural calamities. It will also benefit the affected farmers to get their crop insurance amount properly, the minister observed.
The agreement will stand for a period of three years and the government will pay one dollar for each hectare. Stating that black gram crop was damaged in an extent of over 30,000 hectares due to the `Bud Necrosis Virus’, Pulla Rao assured the farmers that the government will come to their rescue and will also take measures for protecting the standing crops

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2017/feb/10/ap-inks-mou-with-irri-1569095.html