Saturday, March 10, 2018

Domoguen: Rethinking indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices in the Cordillera






Domoguen:

Rethinking indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices in the Cordillera

Monday, February 12, 2018 By ROBERT DOMOGUEN MOUNTAIN LIGHT "He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination." – Jose Rizal I READ the book, “The End of Nature,” written by Bill McKibben, in the early 1990s. At that time, it got me glued to its unsettling message on global warming. The book expanded my outlook on nature as an independent force that we have altered or influenced with our actions throughout the centuries. We have not done well. Nature’s current destructive force reflects on us
 - what we have done to “Mother Nature” to abuse and wantonly exploit her. "If the waves crash up against the beach, eroding dunes and destroying homes, it is not the awesome power of Mother Nature. It is the awesome power of Mother Nature as altered by the awesome power of man, who has overpowered in a century the processes that have been slowly evolving and changing of their own accord since the earth was born. I highlight that snippet from McKibben’s book which also sums up for me, the author’s propositions, arguments, and conclusions. The book came at a time when I was equally disturbed reading about the arrogance of science and its defiance throughout the decades against nature and humankind itself. At its worst, it continues to sustain that Nazi Program, Lebensborn, or the Eugenics of breeding the Master Race.
“Let this defective world end, science can create a “Utopian World,” populated by a super breed of men and women.” To be honest, there is so much to be grateful for with the accomplishments of good science and industrial society in shaping today’s civilization. But Charles Darwin’s faith on the “survival of the fittest,” has infected science pursuits “to terminate the undesirables and tame nature.” That view soon evolved to the pursuit and development of a new world, populated by super beings and creatures. We have all kinds of arrogant scientists and their propositions obsessed with the pursuit of making gods out of men and as masters of the universe. What happens when bad scientists, big and crooked business, and corrupt politicians conspire, rule, and control the human enterprise? We can be certain about scientists employed by tobacco companies who would not find a link between smoking and lung cancer. When the price is right, vaccines to control epidemics can destroy the targeted population instead.
 In the quest to control the food supply system, pesticides are mass produced to destroy not only the vectors of diseases but all insects, especially pollinators of crops that are indigenous to a place. That brings us back to Rizal and the topic of this article, “Agricultural indigenous knowledge and practices in the Cordillera.” As a fresh graduate of an agricultural university, I believed that local indigenous knowledge and practices of superstitious men and women. We studied Rizal then, but I should have listened to his advice: "He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination." To look back would have directed us to study and understand how our old folks cooperated with nature to produce food. The title of this article just says what an agricultural indigenous knowledge and practice is in the Cordillera. It is done along with the proper management of natural resources towards sustainability.
 The rice terraces are a good example of how agriculture is undertaken in a manner that respects and conserves nature. Where the rice terraces are, the watersheds and forests from where irrigation is tapped are protected and conserved by the local folks. As a living food machine in our mountains, these magnificent structures were an epitome of biodiversity. In a cluster of rice terraces, the old folks grow from 7-15 varieties of rice. This contributed to the vigor and quality of the rice varieties grown in these structures all these years. The old folks did not only harvest rice from the rice terraces but they also gathered different kinds of indigenous shells, fishes, frogs, water fern vegetables, and edible insects during the different stages of the rice crop. There were different kinds of birds that visited the rice terraces in the old days. Indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices can only be associated to a tribe. With rice terraces farming, observed similarities and peculiarities in how practices are done depend on the domain, location, and tribe. As distinctive, pieces of indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices are carried out by each and every member of the tribe if these are to succeed. Even if individuals are responsible in improving and making an idea, knowledge or practice that were passed on to them work, they do it not as independent or private pursuits. Their experiences and lessons learned in the pursuit and practice of the tribe’s knowledge and practices will always be shared to the community and village.
 So much is dependent on the rice terraces for us to simply give up on them. The culture and traditions of a people are associated to rice terraces farming. Without culture and tradition, there is no identity that binds us to our indigenous roots. There are many reasons cited by farmers why they are abandoning the rice terraces. This is because modern strategies and approaches in farming encourage them to farm the rice terraces as an individual enterprise. Under the difficulties of cultivating rice in the rugged steep slopes of the mountains, this is otherwise best done just like the way our ancestors did it as a community enterprise where many of the work are carried out as joint labor with a team. Without an understanding of indigenous agriculture knowledge and practices; and improving them with the best of the old and new strategies –
necessarily not those from arrogant minds – the Cordilleras agriculture can yet soar to its highest potential while its natural resources can be sustained for a long time to come. Suddenly, in this age of climate change, the best knowledge and practices of the ancient g-stringed men who populated these mountains, worshiped a Supreme God (Kabunian), respected and co-existed with all creation and spirits will return to stay.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/opinion/2018/02/12/domoguen-rethinking-indigenous-agricultural-knowledge-and-practices
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Palace wants punishment for rice hoarders
Published February 12, 2018 3:41pm 
By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News
MalacaƱang on Monday warned charges of economic sabotage against traders hoarding rice in order to justify price increases.
Emerging from a meeting with the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, the agency's top policymaking body, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio "Jun" Evasco Jr. instructed the NFA to monitor and inspect warehouses of traders and called for the prosecution of those found hoarding stocks of the staple.
"Can you sleep at night when a lot of people don't have anything to buy and yet you're hoarding, you are keeping so much?" he said in a press conference, adding such act was not only criminal but also "immoral."
He said it has always been the "perception" that traders hoard supplies so they can sell them at a higher price.
The Palace official, however, insisted that there is no rice shortage, especially in the stock of government-subsidized rice.
"[W]e assure the public that there is no rice shortage and this importation is only as to NFA’s buffer stock. In this manner, the NFA Council has issued a directive on the reassessment of the inventory of the NFA, including its procurement and distribution strategies," Evasco said.
"Again, we would like to assure the public that the NFA Council is on top of this situation. We will ensure the continued supply of affordable rice and continue to champion for the best interest of the Filipino people," he added.
The NFA earlier secured the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte to import 250,000 metric tons of rice to replenish the buffer stock, which is currently good for two days.
The agency is required to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any given time and 30-day buffer stock during lean season, which usually starts in July until September.
Evasco said the importation will be done after the harvest season when the government projects production of 4.9 million metric tons of palay or equivalent to 3.6 million MT of milled rice.
He said the harvest season among local farmers has already started, and it would be at its peak in March this year.
A Senate inquiry on the NFA's low buffer stock has been set for February 27. — RSJ, GMA News
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Our Mission Will Support Pak Business Initiatives: Iranian Envoy

  

Consulate General of Islamic Republic of Iran here will welcome and support any initiative and cooperation from Pakistani business community, especially of Sindh, and will play an active role in exchange of information on trade and investment avenues on both ends

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Feb, 2018 ):Consulate General of Islamic Republic of Iran here will welcome and support any initiative and cooperation from Pakistani businesscommunity, especially of Sindh, and will play an active role in exchange of information on trade and investment avenues on both ends.
"One of my key duties here, is to facilitate and develop political, economic, trade, academic and cultural relations and cooperation between Iran and Pakistan, specially development of trade relations with province of Sindh.
Therefore, all the efforts of my colleagues are dedicated to facilitate access to each other's markets," said Consul General of Iran in Karachi, Ahmad Mohammadi. Iranian Consul General was speaking at a reception hosted by him to celebrate 39th anniversary of victory of Islamic Revolution of Iran, here at the Consulate.
Many business, political and social personalities, besides media and diplomats from different countries attended the function, said press release here on Monday.
Being the Consul General of Islamic Republic of Iran, he offered his best compliments, on the occasion of 39th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution, to Hazrat Ayatollah Khamenei, who brought revolution, and Iranian President Dr.
Hasan Rouhani, and all Iranians particularly those living in Pakistan. As a diplomat in Karachi for last one year, Ahmad Mohammadi recalled, he enjoyed a very good stay: having very friendly relations with SindhGovernment functionaries specially with Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani, great Ulema, intellectual, business community, Local Government authorities, Federal Government organisations and media besides diplomatic missions here.
"I extend my thanks to the government of Pakistan and Sindh provincial bodies for their cooperation," he said. He said in pursuance of the desire of the high-ranking authorities of Iran and Pakistan, last year as well, the embassy and consulates general of Iran in Pakistan made their best efforts for further strengthening the long historical relations between these brotherly Islamic countries.
The recent visits to Pakistan by the President of Iran, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, Foreign Minister and many other Iranian authorities and the reciprocal visits by Pakistani authorities to Iran were the examples of the deep relations and positively directed mutual cooperation between them, he said.
The Consul General said that for promoting bilateral trade, Iranian and Pakistani companies had an active presence in the exhibitions of the two countries and had signed many agreements with each other.
This showed huge economic and trade potential existing on both sides, which must be utilized fully to the benefit of the two nations. He said the trade between the two countries showed 33 percent growth as compared to the previous year.
Over last nine months, as a result of the facilities provided by the Iranian side to Pakistani rice exporters, the volume of Pakistani rice export to Iran had jumped up by 42 percent. Besides, he added, in view of the cultural wealth and tourism potential of the two countries, the Iranian Embassy and the Consulates made efforts for promoting pilgrimage and tourism travels between the two countries.
Iranian envoy was confident that during the current year also, Iran-Pakistan friendly relations and cooperation would develop further. Iranian Consul General also recalled and appreciated that Pakistan was being the first country recognizing the Islamic Revolution of Iran.


Making export recovery sustainable

Muhammad AshrafFebruary 12, 2018
0
PAKISTAN’S exports, after touching a seven-year low of $20.4 billion in FY2017, are back on the recovery path. During the first half of the current financial year FY2018, exports grew by 11.24 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year.
At this rate, the exports are likely to rise to $22.7bn in FY 2018. In order to maintain the growth momentum, it is important to identify the drivers of growth to ensure that the endogenous factors contributing to the recovery are sustained.
The exports recovery can be attributed to three major factors. Firstly, the Prime Minister’s Export Package of Rs. 180bn provided a much-needed respite in the face of waning export competitiveness due to an overvalued currency, high energy tariff, increasing labour costs and rising tariffs on imported inputs.
The export package has delivered precisely what it aimed to deliver — increasing export volumes by quoting competitive prices. During the first half of FY2018, quantities of 73pc of the exports covered under the package have increased; 90pc of this increase was linked to a simultaneous decrease in average unit price.
Secondly, the addition of new electricity generation capacity to the network, import of liquefied natural gas, and the policy of zero electricity load-shedding for the industrial sector have improved access to energy for the export sector.
Thirdly, global commodity prices showed a significant recovery in 2017. The prices of cotton, basmati and non-basmati rice- which cumulatively constitute 68pc of Pakistan’s exports- had declined by 19pc, 39pc and 12pc, respectively in 2015-16 compared with 2013-14.
However, they recovered by 13pc, 38pc and 9pc in 2017. Consequently, the global market after contracting by 16pc to $15.9trillion in 2016, recovered by 9pc in the first three quarters of 2017.
Though short-term export enhancement measures, aided by the improvement of global commodity prices, have put exports back on a growth trajectory, recovery remains fragile due to the long-term structural frailties of the export sector.
Since 2003, Pakistan’s share in global exports has declined by 19pc due to structural problems rather than short-term exogenous shocks or endogenous constraints.
Pakistan’s product and market mix is highly concentrated — few low value-added products are exported to few markets. Furthermore, due to low product sophistication, Pakistan targets the low-end market segment and fetches low prices.
For instance, Pakistan’s average unit price of top 30 export products, of an export value of $14.6bn in 2017, was 40pc less than the average price achieved by China, India, Turkey and South Korea. The overall ecosystem here is unfavourable to exports — Pakistan’s ranking in the critical global indices ie Global Competitiveness Index (115 out of 137), Ease of Doing Business (147 out of 190) and Enabling Trade Index (122 out of 136), is dismally low.
In a global environment of hyper competitiveness, our exporting concerns are characterised less by production and management efficiencies and more by rent-seeking and policy capture, impeding the growth of sunrise sectors.
The foreign direct investment in export-oriented manufacturing has been low due to a challenging security environment and low competitiveness caused by high input and labour costs and low labour productivity. The domestic investment in manufacturing has been cannibalised by lucrative alternatives like real estate, stock market and power generation.
Moreover, the overvalued currency makes exports expensive and imports cheaper; import tariffs are employed as a revenue tool rather than a trade policy instrument.
The recovery in exports during the current financial year is a welcome relief. The export recovery during the last six months has demonstrated that enhancing competitiveness can help recover the loss of $4.13bn in export volumes since 2013-14.
Though short-term export enhancement measures, aided by the improvement of global commodity prices, have put exports back on a growth trajectory, recovery remains fragile due to long-term structural frailties of the export sector
The challenge to the export sector, however, requires a comprehensive plan — a short-term strategy for consolidating the recent gains, a mid-term roadmap for competitiveness and efficiency enhancement, and a long-term vision for structural reforms.
In the short term, the incentive package, aimed at increasing competitiveness, needs to be extended till 2018-19 and broadened to cover additional non-textile sectors. Simultaneously, competitiveness enhancement measures — rationalisation of energy and import tariffs, moratorium on minimum wages, and enhancement of labour productivity — may be taken to sustain export competitiveness.
The medium-term strategy needs to focus on: leveraging the incumbent export sectors to bridge the price deficit of 40pc with the competitors through product sophistication (with an annual potential of $10.5bn by 2023); attracting investment into export-oriented manufacturing by diverting domestic investment from the non-manufacturing sectors and relocation of industry, especially from China; and creation of an export ecosystem through policy reform, tariff liberalisation, institutional strengthening and improving Pakistan’s ranking in the crucial global indices.
The long-term strategy for export enhancement hinges on transformation of the export product mix from labour-intensive sectors to innovation-based high-value sectors e.g. pharmaceuticals, engineering and ICT.
The growth strategy for the sunrise sectors should capitalise on the domestic market as the driver of growth and competitiveness through economies of scale.
Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, February 12th, 2018


A single gene's mutation makes rice hybrid possible
Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 13:35:09|Editor: Shi Yinglun
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japanese scientists have identified the gene that causes hybrid sterility in rice, a major reproductive barrier between species.
The findings, published on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are important not only for understanding the evolutionary biology of speciation, but also for improving crops for food production.
There are only two cultured rice species in the world: an Asian one and an African one. The African species is tolerant of various abiotic and biotic stresses such as high temperature, providing a valuable source of genes that could be useful in rice production.
However, the interspecific reproductive barrier stands in the way of using the African species in breeding programs with the Asian species. Plants obtained from hybridizing the two species yield almost no seeds when they are cultivated. This is known as hybrid sterility.
A Japanese team found that a peptidase-coding gene called SSP causes the hybrid sterility.
The team then studied the evolutionary pathways of SSP and found that the gene is present only in the African species and some other wild species, not in the Asian one, hence leading to the interspecific boundaries.
"Our study shows the interspecific reproductive barrier can be overcome by a disruption of a single gene. Further research could help improve breeding programs and enhance rice yields to address food shortages in growing populations," said Yohei Koide, assistant professor of Hokkaido University and the paper's lead autho


Mutation in single rice gene cancels interspecific hybrid sterility

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
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IMAGE: ASIAN SPECIES (ORYZA SATIVA, TOP), AFRICAN SPECIES (O. GLABERRIMA, BOTTOM), AND THEIR HYBRID (MIDDLE). THE HYBRID HAS HUSKS BUT DOES NOT YIELD SEEDS. view more 
CREDIT: KOIDE Y., ET AL. PROCEEDINGS OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FEBRUARY 12, 2018.
Scientists successfully employed mutagenesis to identify the gene that causes hybrid sterility in rice, which is a major reproductive barrier between species.
Their success is expected to help elucidate the genetic basis of interspecific hybrid sterility, which is important not only for understanding the evolutionary biology of speciation, but also for improving crops for food production.
There are only two cultured rice species: an Asian one (Oryza sativa) and an African one (O. glaberrima). The African species is tolerant to various abiotic and biotic stresses such as high temperature, providing a valuable source of genes that could be useful in rice production. However, the interspecific reproductive barrier stands in the way of using the African species in breeding programs with the Asian species. Plants obtained from hybridizing the two species yield almost no seeds when they are cultivated. This is known as hybrid sterility.
To identify the cause of this infertility, Assistant Professor Yohei Koide and Associate Professor Akira Kanazawa of Hokkaido University along with their collaborators Senior Researcher Yoshimichi Fukuta from JIRCAS and Professor Yutaka Okumoto from Kyoto University focused on the S1 gene locus, which is known to be involved in hybrid sterility. The team created numerous hybrid seeds heterozygous for the S1 locus, which were then subjected to heavy-ion beam irradiation to induce mutations. The irradiation experiments were conducted at RIKEN.
While screening for mutants, they found plants that yielded seeds, thus fertile, despite being heterozygous for the S1 locus. Subsequent gene analysis of the S1 locus found a deletion in the peptidase-coding gene called SSP. When the team brought the intact SSP into the Asian species by transformation experiments and crossed the transformant with the mutant, it regained hybrid sterility, showing SSP is causative. Interestingly, the transformation alone did not show sterility, suggesting that SSP is indispensable but not sufficient for hybrid sterility.
The team then researched the evolutionary pathways of SSP and found that the gene is present only in the African species and some other wild species, not in the Asian one. This signifies the gene was acquired or lost in certain evolutionary pathways and maintained interspecific boundaries.
"Our study shows the interspecific reproductive barrier can be overcome by a disruption of a single gene. Further research could help improve breeding programs and enhance rice yields to address food shortages in growing populations," says Yohei Koide.


Govt okays rice imports after harvest season

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT ON FEBRUARY 13, 2018TOP STORIES
TRADERS may have to open their warehouses for inspection and face charges of economic sabotage if they are found hoarding rice, Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco Jr. said on Monday, as he announced the National Food Authority (NFA) Council’s approval of the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.
In a news conference in MalacaƱang, Evasco, chairman of the NFA Council, instructed the NFA to “proactively monitor” and inspect warehouses of “private traders” and called for the prosecution of those found hoarding stocks of the staple.
“Criminal offense talaga `yan pag mag-hoarding ka (Hoarding is really a criminal offense). That’s economic sabotage. Can you sleep at night when a lot people don’t have anything to buy and yet you’re hoarding and keeping so much?” Evasco said.
“There is really a need to be very, very proactive on the part of NFA to look into the bodegas, warehouses managed and run by private traders, kasi tinatago (because they might be hoarding [rice])…(The NFA) should monitor kasi part iyan ng trabaho nila (because that’s part of their job). If they (rice traders) are found to be hoarding, [we will]prosecute, arrest [them],” he added.

Evasco issued the warning amid reports of a looming rice shortage because of the dwindling supply of government-subsidized rice in the country.
Evasco said the NFA Council, in a meeting held earlier Monday, agreed to approve the standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons.
This, he said, after President Rodrigo Duterte gave him a “verbal” instruction to activate the standby authority subject to the NFA Council’s “assessment on timing and mode of procurement.”
Evasco said the importation would be done after the harvest season. The government projects production of 4.9 million metric tons of palay, equivalent to 3.6 million metric tons of milled rice.
“The standby authority to import 250,000 MT is approved and considering the timing of the harvest season, the importation should arrive after the said harvest season, first week of June,” he said.
To ensure that importation is “inclusive, open and transparent,” he said the NFA Council chose the method of government-to-private (G2P) importation or open tender based on the same terms of reference in the 2017 G2P procurement.
G2P importation is when the government buys imported rice from private importers who use permits under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme to import rice. The NFA Council last year introduced guidelines to the scheme to ensure it is not abused.
But Evasco was quick to clarify that there was no rice shortage, especially in the stock of government-subsidized rice.
“We assure the public that there is no rice shortage and this importation is only as to NFA’s buffer stock. In this manner, the NFA Council has issued a directive on the reassessment of the inventory of the NFA, including its procurement and distribution strategies,” Evasco said.


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Cameroon plans to step-up rice production

Published on 13.02.2018 Ć  08h17 by Journal du Cameroun
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Reports say Cameroon is planning to produce 1.2 million tonnes of rice annually in the next ten years, in line with the rice production targets of the Rice Sector Development Programme.

Going by the reports, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Local Development, which steers the programme, has selected five regions of the country (Center, Far North, North, North-West and West) to host the different rice plantations.
The reports sates that the programme will receive financial support and technical expertise from development partners, such as China, South Korea and Japan.
Observers hold that, achieving such an objective will surely reduce the production deficit and limit rice imports, which cost 150 billion CFA francs on average. Rice is one of the most consumed products in Cameroon. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, annual national rice production is estimated at 100,000 tonnes, for an estimated annual demand of more than 300,000 tonnes.
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250,000 MT rice importation okayed
By JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
February 13, 2018
THE National Food Authority (NFA) Council yesterday approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice, which is expected to arrive in June to augment the country’ buffer stock for the rainy season and in anticipation of calamities that would strike the country.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. said the NFA Council had a special session following the recent concerns about the availability of NFA rice and the current supply of rice in the market.

Evasco said there is no rice shortage, as the nationwide rice supply stands at 121 days or about 3.8 million metric tons, covering both NFA and commercial rice.

He said the current supply is expected to increase with the arrival of 507,017.60 metric tons under the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) Rice Importation Program, before the end of February and before the end of August.

He said government needs to augment the current buffer stock which is down to two days. He said the NFA should have a buffer stock of up to 15 days during the peak or harvest season and up to 30 days during the off season.

Evasco said to ensure the importation is open, transparent and inclusive, the NFA Council adopted the government-to-private importation or open tender based on the same terms of reference in the 2017 government-to-private (G2P) procurement.

G2P importation is when government buys imported rice from private importers who use permits under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme to import rice.

Evasco said government is looking at Vietnam and Thailand, among others, as potential sources of the additional rice imports.

He said he would have preferred to buy from local farmers instead of importing rice but the NFA buys palay locally at a low P17 per kilo.

Evasco said the buying price of palay cannot be raised as it may open the “floodgates for inflation for all commodities.”

He said this was the warning of the economic team.

Evasco also warned of possible charges of economic sabotage against those engaged in hoarding.

He said government officials who fail to do their job, especially in the light of the rice supply and price issues, may also face charges for dereliction of duty.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said studies showed that about 3.8 metric tons of rice are lost yearly to poor postharvest facilities, enough to feed 14 million Filipinos.

He said a 2010 government study showed that 4.3 percent of palay is wasted during harvest, 5.5 percent during milling, 5.9 percent during drying, and 0.8 percent while in storage.

Government reported a palay harvest of 19.28 million metric tons in 2017, up by 9.4 percent from the previous year. When milled, a kilo of palay yields about 650 grams of rice.




Domoguen: Rethinking indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices in the Cordillera Monday, February 12, 2018 By ROBERT DOMOGUEN MOUNTAIN LIGHT "He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination." – Jose Rizal I READ the book, “The End of Nature,” written by Bill McKibben, in the early 1990s. At that time, it got me glued to its unsettling message on global warming. The book expanded my outlook on nature as an independent force that we have altered or influenced with our actions throughout the centuries. We have not done well. Nature’s current destructive force reflects on us - what we have done to “Mother Nature” to abuse and wantonly exploit her. "If the waves crash up against the beach, eroding dunes and destroying homes, it is not the awesome power of Mother Nature. It is the awesome power of Mother Nature as altered by the awesome power of man, who has overpowered in a century the processes that have been slowly evolving and changing of their own accord since the earth was born. I highlight that snippet from McKibben’s book which also sums up for me, the author’s propositions, arguments, and conclusions. The book came at a time when I was equally disturbed reading about the arrogance of science and its defiance throughout the decades against nature and humankind itself. At its worst, it continues to sustain that Nazi Program, Lebensborn, or the Eugenics of breeding the Master Race. “Let this defective world end, science can create a “Utopian World,” populated by a super breed of men and women.” To be honest, there is so much to be grateful for with the accomplishments of good science and industrial society in shaping today’s civilization. But Charles Darwin’s faith on the “survival of the fittest,” has infected science pursuits “to terminate the undesirables and tame nature.” That view soon evolved to the pursuit and development of a new world, populated by super beings and creatures. We have all kinds of arrogant scientists and their propositions obsessed with the pursuit of making gods out of men and as masters of the universe. What happens when bad scientists, big and crooked business, and corrupt politicians conspire, rule, and control the human enterprise? We can be certain about scientists employed by tobacco companies who would not find a link between smoking and lung cancer. When the price is right, vaccines to control epidemics can destroy the targeted population instead. In the quest to control the food supply system, pesticides are mass produced to destroy not only the vectors of diseases but all insects, especially pollinators of crops that are indigenous to a place. That brings us back to Rizal and the topic of this article, “Agricultural indigenous knowledge and practices in the Cordillera.” As a fresh graduate of an agricultural university, I believed that local indigenous knowledge and practices of superstitious men and women. We studied Rizal then, but I should have listened to his advice: "He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination." To look back would have directed us to study and understand how our old folks cooperated with nature to produce food. The title of this article just says what an agricultural indigenous knowledge and practice is in the Cordillera. It is done along with the proper management of natural resources towards sustainability. The rice terraces are a good example of how agriculture is undertaken in a manner that respects and conserves nature. Where the rice terraces are, the watersheds and forests from where irrigation is tapped are protected and conserved by the local folks. As a living food machine in our mountains, these magnificent structures were an epitome of biodiversity. In a cluster of rice terraces, the old folks grow from 7-15 varieties of rice. This contributed to the vigor and quality of the rice varieties grown in these structures all these years. The old folks did not only harvest rice from the rice terraces but they also gathered different kinds of indigenous shells, fishes, frogs, water fern vegetables, and edible insects during the different stages of the rice crop. There were different kinds of birds that visited the rice terraces in the old days. Indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices can only be associated to a tribe. With rice terraces farming, observed similarities and peculiarities in how practices are done depend on the domain, location, and tribe. As distinctive, pieces of indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices are carried out by each and every member of the tribe if these are to succeed. Even if individuals are responsible in improving and making an idea, knowledge or practice that were passed on to them work, they do it not as independent or private pursuits. Their experiences and lessons learned in the pursuit and practice of the tribe’s knowledge and practices will always be shared to the community and village. So much is dependent on the rice terraces for us to simply give up on them. The culture and traditions of a people are associated to rice terraces farming. Without culture and tradition, there is no identity that binds us to our indigenous roots. There are many reasons cited by farmers why they are abandoning the rice terraces. This is because modern strategies and approaches in farming encourage them to farm the rice terraces as an individual enterprise. Under the difficulties of cultivating rice in the rugged steep slopes of the mountains, this is otherwise best done just like the way our ancestors did it as a community enterprise where many of the work are carried out as joint labor with a team. Without an understanding of indigenous agriculture knowledge and practices; and improving them with the best of the old and new strategies – necessarily not those from arrogant minds – the Cordilleras agriculture can yet soar to its highest potential while its natural resources can be sustained for a long time to come. Suddenly, in this age of climate change, the best knowledge and practices of the ancient g-stringed men who populated these mountains, worshiped a Supreme God (Kabunian), respected and co-existed with all creation and spirits will return to stay.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/opinion/2018/02/12/domoguen-rethinking-indigenous-agricultural-knowledge-and-practices
Follow us: @sunstaronline on Twitter | SunStar Philippines on Facebook


NFA set to import 250,000 MT of rice

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:50 AM February 13, 2018
The National Food Authority (NFA) Council yesterday approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to replenish the NFA buffer stock that is used in part to help stabilize rice prices, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr said.
Evasco, chair of the NFA Council, said the council met yesterday morning and approved the rice importation, mainly from Vietnam and Thailand.
“The standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons is approved considering the importation should arrive after the harvest or the first week of June,” Evasco said in a press conference.
“We assure the public there is no rice shortage. This importation is for the NFA’s buffer stock,” he added.
The NFA Council, with representatives from agencies like Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the National Economic Development Authority and the Department of Finance, must approve all plans to import rice.
Evasco also noted that President Duterte had given a verbal order approving the importation of the 250,000 metric tons of rice.
To ensure that the importation process will be “more inclusive and transparent,” Evasco said the mode of importation would be “government to private importation or open tender procurement.”
NFA management earlier asked that it be allowed to use its standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons of rice as its buffer stock of rice was down to only 64,000 metric tons, or good only for two days, when the agency is required to maintain 15 days worth of rice supply at any given time.
“We’ll be expecting El NiƱo. We’ll be expecting typhoons to come but the stock is down when the Ledac (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) issued a resolution that the buffer stock should be 15 days during harvest and 30 days during low season,” he said.
Evasco said the country had no rice shortage, as 3.8 million metrics ton of rice or equivalent to 121 days of rice supply were available.
He added that the NFA council also discussed hiking the NFA’s buying price of P17 per kilo for clean and dry palay but the BSP, NEDA Board, and the DOF objected as this would be inflationary, or would cause prices of basic commodities to increase.


USA Rice Talks Crop Insurance for Organic Rice Farmers, Trade, Conservation, and More at Northeast Louisiana Rice Forum 

RAYVILLE, LA -- Rayville rice producer and Vice President of the NELA Rice Growers Association Scott Franklin kicked off the Northeast Louisiana Rice Forum here last week by thanking the crowd for coming out to hear research reports from LSU AgCenter personnel and an industry update from USA Rice's Michael Klein, vice president of communications and domestic promotion.

LSU Rice Breeder Dr. Adam Famosa discussed rice varieties available, including the pending release of a promising new jasmine variety; agronomist Dr. Dustin Harrell shared trend data with a detailed discussion of The Provisia System; weed scientist Dr. Eric Webster and plant pathologist Dr. Don Groth discussed pressures Louisiana rice is feeling and what steps growers can take to best position themselves for the 2018 growing season; and Dr. Sebe Brown, area entomologist, discussed the best strategies to reduce pest pressure while simultaneously protecting crawfish populations.

Klein shared an update on trade issues of particular interest to Louisiana including the latest on Mexico and the North American Free Trade Agreement, trade with Iraq, Haiti, and rice in food aid.  He also talked about the conservation efforts of USA Rice, who in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and other partners has brought more than $60 million in conservation funding to the rice industry - $11 million of which is specifically available for Louisiana rice farmers.

He also screened a video about the state's Yellow Rails & Rice Festival that showcases the unique relationship between rice, birds, and conservation that was produced in part with a grant from the NRCS, and a video from a local high school student who won Honorable Mention in last years' National Rice Month Scholarship Video Contest. 

Klein wrapped up by discussing a USA Rice program produced in part with a grant from USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) designed to help farmers of organic and traditional rice evaluate crop insurance options and choose the most appropriate product.

"We launched our crop insurance education program at the 2017 Outlook Conference and we are continuing our grower outreach through 2018," Klein said.  "Our program is designed to help growers mitigate their financial risk, so we are encouraging everyone to take advantage of the information no matter what rice crop they grow."

The Way A Rice Husk Pellet Making Machine Can Make A Problem Right Into A Profit

  • Published on February 13, 2018
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Pellet Machine

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Beston Machinery, a professional pellet making machine manufacturer.

This has been said many times over that an excessive amount of anything, even natural products, in one location is hazardous waste. The issue with many different farms and their processing plants is that there is certainly usually some kind of waste remaining. Wheat provides the straw, corn has stalks and husks, rice has husks, peaches have pits, and olives have pits as well. While you possibly will not think about tiny olive pits being a problem, once you have 100 a lot of them, that’s a huge pile. You can choose a rice husk pellet making machine.
In recent times farmers have already been paying higher and better fees to have these agricultural wastes hauled away, many times on the local landfills. The landfills are reaching capacities and want to slice back, increase prices, and reduce costs in whatever way they could. Now, thanks to modern technology, there are actually strategies to handling a lot of these different waste products, safely, economically, and eco friendly.
Nowadays There Are Pellet Mills For Almost Anything Manufactured From Cellulose
As you may often hear, one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure so it complements cellulose waste these days. You will find stoves and furnaces which can be intended to run on nearly just about any pelletized cellulose waste. These stoves may be used to heat barns, factories, homes, or utilized in other manufacturing processes. The pellets burn neat and leave hardly any ash and because they are produced from biomass, their CO2, or carbon dioxide, is part of any renewable cycle. This means that it doesn’t add or subtract from the normal levels of co2 from the atmosphere.
What a rice husk pellet making machine are capable of doing for the rice farmer is require a huge problem, one which costs many thousands in hauling and dump fees, and turn it into a profitable business. The pellets works extremely well in the farm, in your home, or sold wholesale into a pellet stove company for heating homes. A sizable expense continues to be turned into a profit for that farmer.
The Rice Husk Pellet Making Machines Can Be Found In Several Sizes
You are able to tailor the dimensions of your machine on the tonnage of rice husks you want to process on your farm. Checking merely one maker online reveals that machines can easily be bought that will process husks from 250 lbs. hourly completely upto 1,000 lbs. an hour. Although that may seem like a good deal, you can find rice fields that have so much waste and more. If your raw materials are straw, you can choose a straw pellet mill for sale.
Before deciding on a particular machine, it’s advisable to invest some time researching to ascertain if the device provides the right specifications you will need. You’ll want to make sure that parts are available quickly from the local supplier. There shouldn’t be any disadvantages inside the design and you could check online customer reviews to find out what other buyers have experienced using the machine you’d love to buy.
It ought to come with the excellent warranty and possess great customer service too. This is an excellent instance of how technology has found an issue with excess waste and turned it right into a profitable venture that earns money which is eco friendly too. If your project is small, you can choose a small pellet making machine, learn more here: http://bestonpelletmachine.com/small-pellet-mill/.
A single gene's mutation makes rice hybrid possible
Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 13:35:09|Editor: Shi Yinglun
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japanese scientists have identified the gene that causes hybrid sterility in rice, a major reproductive barrier between species.
The findings, published on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are important not only for understanding the evolutionary biology of speciation, but also for improving crops for food production.
There are only two cultured rice species in the world: an Asian one and an African one. The African species is tolerant of various abiotic and biotic stresses such as high temperature, providing a valuable source of genes that could be useful in rice production.
However, the interspecific reproductive barrier stands in the way of using the African species in breeding programs with the Asian species. Plants obtained from hybridizing the two species yield almost no seeds when they are cultivated. This is known as hybrid sterility.
A Japanese team found that a peptidase-coding gene called SSP causes the hybrid sterility.
The team then studied the evolutionary pathways of SSP and found that the gene is present only in the African species and some other wild species, not in the Asian one, hence leading to the interspecific boundaries.
"Our study shows the interspecific reproductive barrier can be overcome by a disruption of a single gene. Further research could help improve breeding programs and enhance rice yields to address food shortages in growing populations," said Yohei Koide, assistant professor of Hokkaido University and the paper's lead author.
A single gene's mutation makes rice hybrid possible
Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 13:35:09|Editor: Shi Yinglun
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japanese scientists have identified the gene that causes hybrid sterility in rice, a major reproductive barrier between species.
The findings, published on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are important not only for understanding the evolutionary biology of speciation, but also for improving crops for food production.
There are only two cultured rice species in the world: an Asian one and an African one. The African species is tolerant of various abiotic and biotic stresses such as high temperature, providing a valuable source of genes that could be useful in rice production.
However, the interspecific reproductive barrier stands in the way of using the African species in breeding programs with the Asian species. Plants obtained from hybridizing the two species yield almost no seeds when they are cultivated. This is known as hybrid sterility.
A Japanese team found that a peptidase-coding gene called SSP causes the hybrid sterility.
The team then studied the evolutionary pathways of SSP and found that the gene is present only in the African species and some other wild species, not in the Asian one, hence leading to the interspecific boundaries.
"Our study shows the interspecific reproductive barrier can be overcome by a disruption of a single gene. Further research could help improve breeding programs and enhance rice yields to address food shortages in growing populations," said Yohei Koide, assistant professor of Hokkaido University and the paper's lead author.


State moving in right direction to be self-sufficient in rice’

 February 13, 2018, Tuesday Rintos Mail, reporters@theborneopost.com

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Sagah (fourth left) and Nogeh (second left) listen to a briefing by a Mardi officer on the MRQ 98 rice.
KUCHING: The state government is moving in the right direction by emphasising large-scale rice production to achieve self-sufficiency.
In stating this, Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the government is now vigorously putting in money to develop all areas in Sarawak which are suitable for paddy planting.
He noted that to date there are 66 irrigation schemes in the state, which include Skuduk Chupak (236 hectares), Tg Bijat (1,060 hectares), Daro in Mukah (1,575 hectares) and Asajaya in Samarahan (850 hectares).
He said there were also small irrigation schemes for wet paddy planting, which include the ones at Tanjung Purun (90 hectares), Sebubok Engkala (114 hectares) and Tanjung Seduru (58 hectares).
Sagah said all these irrigation schemes were implemented to increase paddy production and the income of farmers in the state.
“Now, we don’t have enough rice for local consumption yet, but we are hoping that we have enough. That is why we have a programme to get all the identified areas fully planted with paddy so that we can achieve at least a self-sufficiency level.
“Of course our target is to achieve export level, which is much better,” he told a press conference after the declaration of MRQ 98 or Mardi Warna 98 as a new paddy variety by the Malaysian Agriculture Research Development Institute (Mardi) at Kampung Plaman Payang, Serian yesterday.
Sagah said Sarawak needs to increase its self-sufficiency of rice and eventually, for export.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Datuk Anthony Nogeh, who accompanied Sagah, urged Mardi to do more research and produce more new varieties especially those that mature very fast so farmers in Sarawak can go for at least two-cycle cultivation per year.
“I want Mardi to produce more varieties that can increase the quantity. If the yield is high, we are also helping to increase the income of our farmers. That is important,” he said.


Rice Flour Market By Key Players, Growth Factors, Regions And Applications, Industry Forecast By 2022

February 12, 2018
3 Min Read
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Global Rice Flour Market report provide emerging opportunities in the market and the future impact of major drivers and challenges and, support decision makers in making cost-effective business decisions. The Rice Flour industry report assesses key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth.
Description:  Rice flour (also rice powder) is a form of flour made from finely milled rice. It is distinct from rice starch, which is usually produced by steeping rice in lye. Rice flour is a particularly good substitute for wheat flour, which causes irritation in the digestive systems of those who are gluten-intolerant. Rice flour is also used as a thickening agent in recipes that are refrigerated or frozen since it inhibits liquid separation.
Rice Flour Market Segment by Type, covers:   Rice Flour, Brown Rice Flour, Glutinous Rice Flour, Other
Rice Flour Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into: Rice Noodle and Rice Pasta, Sweets and Desserts, Snacks, Bread, Thickening Agent
Scope of the Rice Flour Market Report: This report focuses on the Rice Flour in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.
Rice Flour Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers: Burapa Prosper, Thai Flour Industry, Rose Brand, CHO HENG, Koda Farms, BIF, Lieng Tong, BobĆ¢€™s Red Mill Natural Foods, Pornkamon Rice Flour Mills, HUANGGUO     and many others. In this introductory section, the research report incorporates analysis of definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure
Rice Flour Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers
North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia),
South America, Middle East and Africa
Purchase Rice Flour Market Report at @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/10493032
The Rice Flour market analysis report speaks about the growth rate of Rice Flour market in 2022 manufacturing process, key factors driving the Global Rice Flour market, sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Rice Flour Market, distributors, traders and dealers of Rice Flour Market.
Some key points of Rice Flour Market research report: –
-Rice Flour Market Effect Factor Analysis.
-Technology Process/Risk Considering Substitute Threat and Technology Progress In Rice Flour Industry.
-Consumer Needs or What Change Is Observed in Preference of Customer.
-Who Are Rice Flour Market Key Manufacturers? Along with this survey you also get their Product Information (Type, Application and Specification).
-What Overview Rice Flour Market Says? This Overview Includes Diligent Analysis of Scope, Types, Application, Sales by region, manufacturers, types and applications.
-What Is Rice Flour Market Competition considering Manufacturers, Types and Application? Based on Thorough Research of Key Factors
-Rice Flour Market Manufacturing Cost Analysis –This Analysis is done by considering prime elements like Key RAW Materials, Price Trends, Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials, Proportion of Raw Materials and Labour Cost in Manufacturing Cost Structure.
-Political/Economical Change.
-What is Rice Flour Market forecast (2017-2022) Considering Sales, Revenue for Regions, Types and Applications?
Browse Detailed TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts and Companies Mentioned in Rice Flour Market Research Report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/10493032   
Next part of Rice Flour Market Research Report contains additional information like key vendors in Rice Flour Market space, Rice Flour Market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Rice Flour Market , opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Rice Flour Market . The process is analysed thoroughly with respect three points, viz. raw material and equipment suppliers, various manufacturing associated costs (material cost, labour cost, etc.) and the actual process.
The next part also sheds light on the gap between supply and consumption. Apart from the mentioned information, growth rate of Rice Flour market in 2022 is also explained. Additionally, type wise and application wise consumption tables and figures of Rice Flour market are also given.
SOURCE Opinion Investor https://opinioninvestor.com

https://opinioninvestor.com/rice-flour-market-by-key-players-growth-factors-regions-and-applications-industry-forecast-by-2022/2595/United States Rice Seed Market Snapshot 2018-2022|(Key Players, Types, Applications and Regions)

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United States Rice Seed Market Research Report begins with detailing the current situation of the Rice Seed industry. Thereby giving a prognosis of the future Rice Seed market tendencies and analyzes market figures till 2017. Later gives a confident prediction, threats, and Rice Seed opportunities for a forecast period from 2018 to 2022. The report chiefly evaluates the scope of the product, Rice Seed market size, sales volume. Then provides market share figures to estimate an accurate growth of the Rice Seed industry. It explains Rice Seed industry regulative guidelines and emerging technologies in detail.
Various terminologies, notations, and conventions mentioned in Rice Seed report have made it readable. So, the first time reader gains a better understanding of the Rice Seed market. United States Rice Seed market specifically targets statistical analysis of production capacity, value, and production size. Continuing further the Rice Seed report gives essential insights into the various business strategies. It also describes criterions influencing profit margin, and Rice Seed market share of each leader in the industry.
The United States Rice Seed industry report contains an oceanic as well as systematic data. Thus existing Rice Seed players and emerging ones will get a solution to every industrial problem. The report represents all the Rice Seed statistical numbers in the form of tables, graphs and pie charts. To explain in-depth Rice Seed market analysis divides into a number of chapters or sections. The study outlook will help a new competitor to enter into Rice Seed industry efficiently.

Core segmentation of the United States Rice Seed market:

Additionally, the Rice Seed report considers product portfolios, competitive vendor landscape. It simplifies current/future Rice Seed market advancements together with growth opportunities for Rice Seed industry in the US. Basically, the entire Rice Seed report is segmented on the principal component of product types, applications, Rice Seed manufacturers and major geographical regions.
Furthermore, it focuses on some of the leading players who have dominated the Rice Seed industry such as HefeiFengle, GansuDunhuangSeed, Guangxi Hengmao Agricultural Technology, RasiSeeds, Nuziveedu Seeds, JKseeds, Syngenta, Grand Agriseeds, RiceTec, SaprotanUtama, WIN-ALLHI-TECHSEED, Krishidhan, Opulent Technology, China National Seed, DongyaSeedIndustry, Zhongnongfa, Mahyco, Dupont Pioneer, Kaveri, LongpingHigh-tech, Anhui Nongken, Bayer, KeeplongSeeds and Dabei Nong GroupLong-grainrice, Short-grainrice and Medium-grainrice are the different categories/type of the products are included in the Rice Seed industry. The end-user applications of the Rice Seed industry includeScientificResearch and AgriculturalProduction. Moreover, the Rice Seed report focuses on different regions in the United States.

United States Rice Seed Market Report provides the following key frameworks of the industry:

1. Supply chain analysis and Rice Seed Market overview.
2. Competitive landscape of the Rice Seed market followed by market share, sales, and revenue by key major players.
3. Top 5 leading players in the Rice Seed industry along with revenue, sales and price.
4. Rice Seed forecast for 2018-2022.
5. Cost analysis of Rice Seed product manufacturing.
6. Rice Seed Upstream and Downstream buyers, industrial chain, import/export details, and supply to demand ratio.
7. Trade and worldwide integration of Rice Seed market in United States.
8. Rice Seed Distributor, dealers, and Traders followed by beneficial research findings, results, conclusion, and appendix
In short, United States Rice Seed market research report gives fundamental and necessary idea of major key players, in detail company profiles of the leaders, past and the current market scenario which would help emerging markets to make a credited position in the market.
For More Related Research Reports Visit : http://importantevents24.com/category/business/

http://importantevents24.com/2018/02/13/united-states-rice-seed-market-snapshot-2018/Rice Flour Market By Key Players, Growth Factors, Regions And Applications, Industry Forecast By 2022

February 12, 2018
3 Min Read
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Global Rice Flour Market report provide emerging opportunities in the market and the future impact of major drivers and challenges and, support decision makers in making cost-effective business decisions. The Rice Flour industry report assesses key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth.
Description:  Rice flour (also rice powder) is a form of flour made from finely milled rice. It is distinct from rice starch, which is usually produced by steeping rice in lye. Rice flour is a particularly good substitute for wheat flour, which causes irritation in the digestive systems of those who are gluten-intolerant. Rice flour is also used as a thickening agent in recipes that are refrigerated or frozen since it inhibits liquid separation.
Rice Flour Market Segment by Type, covers:   Rice Flour, Brown Rice Flour, Glutinous Rice Flour, Other
Rice Flour Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into: Rice Noodle and Rice Pasta, Sweets and Desserts, Snacks, Bread, Thickening Agent
Scope of the Rice Flour Market Report: This report focuses on the Rice Flour in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.
Rice Flour Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers: Burapa Prosper, Thai Flour Industry, Rose Brand, CHO HENG, Koda Farms, BIF, Lieng Tong, BobĆ¢€™s Red Mill Natural Foods, Pornkamon Rice Flour Mills, HUANGGUO     and many others. In this introductory section, the research report incorporates analysis of definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure
Rice Flour Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers
North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia),
South America, Middle East and Africa
Purchase Rice Flour Market Report at @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/10493032
The Rice Flour market analysis report speaks about the growth rate of Rice Flour market in 2022 manufacturing process, key factors driving the Global Rice Flour market, sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Rice Flour Market, distributors, traders and dealers of Rice Flour Market.
Some key points of Rice Flour Market research report: –
-Rice Flour Market Effect Factor Analysis.
-Technology Process/Risk Considering Substitute Threat and Technology Progress In Rice Flour Industry.
-Consumer Needs or What Change Is Observed in Preference of Customer.
-Who Are Rice Flour Market Key Manufacturers? Along with this survey you also get their Product Information (Type, Application and Specification).
-What Overview Rice Flour Market Says? This Overview Includes Diligent Analysis of Scope, Types, Application, Sales by region, manufacturers, types and applications.
-What Is Rice Flour Market Competition considering Manufacturers, Types and Application? Based on Thorough Research of Key Factors
-Rice Flour Market Manufacturing Cost Analysis –This Analysis is done by considering prime elements like Key RAW Materials, Price Trends, Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials, Proportion of Raw Materials and Labour Cost in Manufacturing Cost Structure.
-Political/Economical Change.
-What is Rice Flour Market forecast (2017-2022) Considering Sales, Revenue for Regions, Types and Applications?
Browse Detailed TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts and Companies Mentioned in Rice Flour Market Research Report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/10493032   
Next part of Rice Flour Market Research Report contains additional information like key vendors in Rice Flour Market space, Rice Flour Market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Rice Flour Market , opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Rice Flour Market . The process is analysed thoroughly with respect three points, viz. raw material and equipment suppliers, various manufacturing associated costs (material cost, labour cost, etc.) and the actual process.
The next part also sheds light on the gap between supply and consumption. Apart from the mentioned information, growth rate of Rice Flour market in 2022 is also explained. Additionally, type wise and application wise consumption tables and figures of Rice Flour market are also given.
SOURCE Opinion Investor https://opinioninvestor.com/

https://opinioninvestor.com/rice-flour-market-by-key-players-growth-factors-regions-and-applications-industry-forecast-by-2022/2595/Refined Rice Bran Oil Market by Key Players, Suppliers, Distributors, Traders, Customers, Investors Report 2017-2022

“Refined Rice Bran Oil Market examines the performance of the Refined Rice Bran Oil market 2022. It encloses a complete Research of the Refined Rice Bran Oil market state and the competitive landscape ly. This report analyzes the potential of market in the present and the future prospects from various viewpoints in detail. “
Description
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Research Report provides an in-depth analysis of the major Refined Rice Bran Oil industry leading players along with the company profiles and strategies adopted by them. This enables the buyer of the report to gain a telescopic view of the competitive landscape and plan the strategies accordingly. A separate section with Refined Rice Bran Oil industry key players is included in the report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of price, cost, gross, revenue, product picture, specifications, company profile, and contact information.
The Market Research, besides estimating the Refined Rice Bran Oil’ market potential till 2022, analyzes on who can be the market leaders and what partnerships would help them to capture the market share. The Refined Rice Bran Oil Industry report gives an overview about the dynamics of the market, by discussing various aspects such as drivers, restraints, Porter’s 5 forces, value chain, customer acceptance and investment scenario
Get a Sample of Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Research Report @: https://www.marketreportsworld.com/enquiry/request-sample/10531333    
The following Companies as the Key Players in the Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Research Report 2017:
 Ricela
BCL
SVROil
Vaighai agro products
A.P. Refinery
3F Industries
Sethia Oils
BIRBHUM OILS INDUSTRIES
Jain Group of Industries
Tsuno Rice Fine Chemicals
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market by Type and Application (2012-2017)
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Size by Type (2012-2017)
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Size by Application (2012-2017)
Potential Application of  Refined Rice Bran Oil in Future
Top Consumer/End Users of  Refined Rice Bran Oil
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Forecast 2017-2022
The Refined Rice Bran Oil industry research report analyses the supply, sales, production, and market status comprehensively. Production market shares and sales market shares are analysed along with the study of capacity, production, sales, and revenue. Several other factors such as import, export, gross margin, price, cost, and consumption are also analysed under the section Analysis of Refined Rice Bran Oil production, supply, sales and market status.
Key Points Covered in TOC:
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Research Report 2017
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Competition by Manufacturers
Refined Rice Bran Oil Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)
Refined Rice Bran Oil Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)
Refined Rice Bran Oil Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type
Refined Rice Bran Oil Market Analysis by Application
Refined Rice Bran Oil Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis
Refined Rice Bran Oil Manufacturing Cost Analysis
Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers
Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders
Market Effect Factors Analysis
Place a Purchase Order For $ 3500 (Single User License) at: https://www.marketreportsworld.com/purchase/10531333
The Refined Rice Bran Oil Market report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years, the Report also brief deals with the product life cycle, comparing it to the relevant products from across industries that had already been commercialized details the potential for various applications, discussing about recent product innovations and gives an overview on potential regional market shares.
SOURCE The Financial Consulting https://thefinancialconsulting.com/

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https://thefinancialconsulting.com/refined-rice-bran-oil-market-by-key-players-suppliers-distributors-traders-customers-investors-report-2017-2022/56313/Rice Bran Wax Market Report 2022 Focuses on Top Companies, Research Methodology, Drivers and Opportunities

February 12, 2018
4 Min Read
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Rice Bran Wax Market

Outlook of the global Rice Bran Wax Market:
The research article entitled Worldwide Rice Bran Wax Market offers very useful reviews into the generic market trends and also the features that propel this Universal market place. This sector analyse deeply covers the main features of the Global Rice Bran Wax Market about the Industry structure including landscaping plan, the issues, require opportunities, including the anticipated industry success.
This Writeup presents in detail analysis of Rice Bran Wax Market especially market drivers , challenges , vital trends , standardization , deployment models , opportunities , future roadmap , manufacturer’s case studies , value chain , organization profiles , Sales Price and Sales Revenue , Sales Market Comparison and strategies.
The research covers the current market size of the Global Rice Bran Wax market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as Strahl & Pitsch, Koster Keunen, Frank B. Ross, Starlight Products, Poth Hille, Modi Naturals, Huzhou Shuanglin Shengtao Vegetable Fat Factory, Likang Weiye, Shengtao Biotech, Qinghe Youzhi. The in-depth information by segments of Rice Bran Wax market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The Rice Bran Wax report will the intensive investigation of the key business players to get a handle on their business routes in which, yearly income, organization profile and their commitment to the Global Rice Bran Wax piece of the overall industry. Shifted elements of the Rice Bran Wax systematic the accessibility chain situation, business principles, import/export out points of interest region unit said in Global Rice Bran Wax Market report.
Get 15 minutes of free Consultation When you request a Sample Report! Download a sample copy @ http://garnerinsights.com/Global-Rice-Bran-Wax-Market-Professional-Survey-Report-2018#request-sample
The Rice Bran Wax Market, presents critical information and factual data about the Global Rice Bran Wax Market, providing an overall statistical study of this market on the basis of market drivers, market limitations, and its future prospects. The widespread Global Rice Bran Wax opportunities and trends are also taken into consideration in Rice Bran Wax industry.
Rice Bran Wax Market On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Refined Rice Bran Wax, Crude Rice Bran Wax.
Rice Bran Wax market On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, including Medicines, Chemicals, Cosmetics, Other.
All aspects of the Rice Bran Wax industry report are quantitatively as well as qualitatively assessed to study the Global as well as regional market comparatively. The basic information such as the definition, prevalent chain and the government regulations pertaining to the Rice Bran Wax market are also discussed in the report.
There are Major Chapters to display the Global Rice Bran Wax market research report:
Chapter 1, Definition, Specifications and Classification of Rice Bran Wax , Applications of Rice Bran Wax , Market Segment by Regions;
Chapter 2, Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;
Chapter 3, Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Rice Bran Wax , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;
Chapter 4, Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Continued…
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vGlobal Organic Rice Flour market research report with growth, latest trends & forecasts till 2022

  00
Questale released a detailed assessment of trends in Global Organic Rice Flour market. The research report includes diverse topics like total market size, key market drivers, challenges, growth opportunities, key players etc. We have also covered key market updates, the impact of regulations and technological updates in ,, . New startups entering the space of Global Organic Rice Flour need to carefully pick their niches and genres so that they can compete on an equal footing with global companies who have an end to end development studios, production capabilities and global skills and experience backing them.
The research will provide a forecast for Global Organic Rice Flour market till 2022. The report is vital for anyone involved in the Global Organic Rice Flour industry. The study gives a very comprehensive outlook of the entire ,, markets.
You can get free access to samples from the report here: https://questale.com/report/global-organic-rice-flour-market-research-report-2018/225375
A well-thought community management and growth marketing plan for Global Organic Rice Flour , working with right publishers to craft a go-to-market strategy for competitive genres, and tactful use of digital marketing is the need of the hour for companies aiming to capture the mindshare of their audience post-launch.
That’s not all; you will even get to look at customized market segments according to geographical regions, country or even different combinations of manufacturers or players in the market. Talk to us to get a customized report segmented according to the data that you need.

Global Organic Rice Flour will grow by 20-45% per year

While it is usually 20-45% per cent or more in developed economies, this Global Organic Rice Flour category will continue to rise at a significantly higher rate than overall ,, Global Organic Rice Flour growth in the coming years, the report added.
You will get details about the production of Global Organic Rice Flour materials in a million USD, along with their consumption and revenue figures. Also get details about the growth rate of composite materials in the ,, and the market share of different segments thereof.
The report covers some major players in the industry including Burapa Prosper , Thai Flour Industry , Rose Brand .
The report contains company profiling along with Global Organic Rice Flour market share, sales figures, product specifications and pictures of the products offered by top companies. It also includes the contact information of all local, regional and international vendors for the composite materials market in the ,,.
With growing competition in the market, both local and regional competitors have come head to head with each other. They are engaging in M&A activities and technological innovation to gain an edge over their competition for finding the largest share of end-users.
New vendors in the market are facing tough competition from established international vendors as they struggle with technological innovations, reliability and quality issues. The report will answer questions about the current market developments and the scope of competition, opportunity cost and more.

Key questions answered in Global Organic Rice Flour market research report:

The report answers several questions about the composite materials market. These questions include:
·       What will be the market size of composite materials market in 2022?
·       What will be the composite materials growth rate in 2022?
·       Which key factors drive the composite materials market in the EMEA?
·       Who are the key market players for composite materials in the EMEA?
·       Which strategies are used by top players in the composite materials market?
·       What are the key market trends in composite materials in the EMEA>
·       Which trends and challenges will influence the growth or composite materials market?
·       Which barriers do the composite materials markets face?
·       What are the market opportunities for vendors in the EMEA and what are the threats faced by them?
·       What are the most important outcomes of the five forces analysis of the composite materials market in the EMEA?
The report also contains new project investment feasibility analysis for users. 
Thank you for reading the report. You can find the more detailed report here or request us for customization by contacting us.
Feel free to get in touch for discounts and customized details @ https://questale.com/report/global-organic-rice-flour-market-research-report-2018/225375
(Photo by Dustin Harrell/LSU AgCenter)
An apple snail from a crawfish pond near Rayne.

Apple snail creating problems for Louisiana and Texas crawfish and rice

Exotic snail causing problems for crawfish and rice farmers in Louisiana and Texas.
Ron Smith | Feb 12, 2018
The apple snail, an exotic pest causing problems for Louisiana and Texas rice and crawfish operations, likely became established as a result of aquarium owners dumping the large snails.
The pests pose a double threat — they have a big appetite for vegetation, according to specialists at Louisiana State University. They also clog crawfish trap openings and tunnel through rice levees.
A population of the snail has forced a farmer in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, to shut down his crawfish harvest on a 220-acre field. And Cliff Mock, an Alvin, Texas, rice farmer and crop consultant, says the snail “is becoming a problem. They bore through the levees,” he said during the recent National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference in Memphis.
Mock says the snails have not caused crop damage but have torn up levees.
Bruce Schultz, in a release from the LSU AgCenter, reports that the snail may feed on rice plants. He cites AgCenter fisheries agent Mark Shirley, who says the snails have been found in Bayou Vermilion for the past two to three years.
“We’ve been seeing more and more of them in the past few years,” Shirley said.
He says the snails eat the vegetation that crawfish use for food, and they could also eat rice plants.
LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell says populations increase rapidly. He suspects that the snails entered the Acadia Parish field when it was flooded with water from a bayou that flows into the Mermentau River. Flooding in 2016 probably pushed water out of the Mermentau where the snail has been found for several years. “Ever since then, they moved and multiplied quickly,” he said.
They have also been detected in St. Mary Parish, where they seemed to be controlling salvinia, an invasive plant species.
The Acadia Parish farmer was collecting six to 12 crates full of the snails each day of harvest, specialists say. The snails were blocking the crawfish traps and complicating harvest so much that the farmer chose to pull his traps out of the field in late January.
Control Options Limited
Control is complicated. No chemical is labeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to kill the pest in Louisiana. But Harrell plans to bring up the problem when he visits federal officials in Washington, D.C.
Jacoby Carter, a research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Lafayette, has been studying the snails and says a pesticide that would kill the snail would likely kill crawfish too.
Drowning egg masses, a pink cluster found a few inches out of the water, may be an option. Eggs hatch in 11 to 21 days.
Mock says he has no control plans in place.
Texas A&M AgriLife entomologist Mo Way, at  the AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Beaumont, says the snails can be quite large, “the size of a tennis ball. They have created problems in Asia and South America.”
“They are not hurting us so far except on the levees, where they are beginning to be trouble,” says Mock.
Harrell says the snail may pose a threat to small rice plants, although drill-seeded rice with a delayed flood may not be as susceptible to damage.
Two birds that feed on apple snails, the limpkin and the snail kite, move as the snail’s range expands, Carter says.
He also says the snails can carry a fatal disease, rat lungworm, but it has only been found in snails near New Orleans.
The apple snail is an invasive species, so it is illegal to collect, sell or transport them.
http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/apple-snail-creating-problems-louisiana-and-texas-crawfish-and-rice


NFA set to import 250,000 MT of rice
The National Food Authority (NFA) Council yesterday approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to replenish the NFA buffer stock that is used in part to help stabilize rice prices, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr said. Evasco, chair of the NFA Council, said the council met yesterday morning and approved the rice importation, mainly from Vietnam and Thailand.
“The standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons is approved considering the importation should arrive after the harvest or the first week of June,” Evasco said in a press conference.
Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/245888/nfa-set-import-250000-mt-rice#ixzz56yG1Mbwk  Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Date: 13-Feb-2018



Cotton market "grinding" upward.

Global equity market correction weighing heavy on commodity market

Market outlook considerations for the week beginning February 12, 2018
Bobby Coats | Feb 12, 2018
Aggressively accommodative global governments and central banks have an agenda to extend the business cycle and to maintain global economic momentum at all costs. These actions likely will create market bubbles or excessive movements in financial asset classes like equities or stocks, fixed income or bonds, cash equivalents or money market instruments, real estate, commodities, and fine arts.
Also likely are currency market distortions, expanding debt burdens and deficits through borrowing or simply money printing.
From 2016 into 2017 global governments and central banks, through financial engineering, met with success in extending the business cycle or maintaining economic momentum, but met with very limited success in overcoming chronic slow global growth, low to negative interest rates globally, and stubbornly low inflation rates. Why? The debt burden in all countries was, and is, a huge burdensome drag on economies. 
Globally, governments and central banks in 2017 found their fiscal, monetary, trade and regulatory policies at a crossroads, simplistically stated as:
·       Option Not Chosen: They could allow markets globally to correct with hopes of managing a U.S. and global recession. Managing a U.S. and global recession even today would likely have a low probability of success for an array of social, economic and political reasons. So not choosing this option, as far as the near term is concerned, is very appropriate, but longer term, that is another issue.
·        Chosen Option: They could globally financially engineer an extended country-by- country growth cycle through accommodative government and central bank intervention policy activities.
 Tidal Wave of Global Stimulus
Interestingly in 2017, speaking in broad terms, global social and political stability was maintained and stimulus-driven economic growth achieved through an array of fiscal, monetary, trade and regulatory policies. The price of which was expanding asset bubbles and currency distortions, which is near term better than the alternative.
Just realize that as stimulative asset bubbles appear they will need a period of contraction or correction before moving higher, just like the present period, if the objective is a multiple year period of sustained growth, stable to higher interest and inflation rates.   
Reality is, orderly asset growth is presently mandatory to avoid massive recessionary challenges both domestically and globally.
The problem for grain prices is that they are at decade low prices in real dollars, and with the decline of markets globally this past week, even rice, grains and soft commodities saw momentum and/or price weakness. 
 Multiple year stimulative growth now in play
 Globally governments and central banks in 2017 met their objective of “Enhanced Stimulus Driven Growth,” and appear to have a high probability of success in 2018 and potentially into 2019. Is it possible beyond? By success I mean stable to slightly rising interest rates and achievement of individual country growth and inflation objectives. What could derail U.S. and global orchestrated stimulus driven growth? Social and political instability, unchecked military aggression by a number of countries, and certainly unmanaged “market bubbles.”
 Managing Market Bubbles
Certainly market bubbles have emerged in most global equity or stock markets and in some building bubble concerns in commodity markets with oil being a primary concern. My assumption is global governments and central banks have a multiple year growth objective similar to 2017 for 2018 and 2019 and possibly longer.  
 What to expect from the markets this week, February 12, 2018
 Market “near term” snap shot
·       Rice: September futures likely have more weakness than strength as market participants digest the potential of a significant expansion of 2018 U.S. long grain rice planted acres (Charts 38 and 39).
·        Cotton: It will be interesting to see how the global equity correction affects cotton prices this week. Cotton prices still appear to be in a slow grind to the upside (Chart 40 to 42).   
·        Soybeans: 2018 is likely a good year for grain prices, but given the current global equity correction near term, it is still not obvious that this market has either fully corrected or found a bottom (Charts 32 to 34).
·       Corn: Slowly losing momentum as global markets correct, this market needs to move and hold above $3.63; patience is all important (Charts 35 to 37).
·        Wheat: Slowly losing momentum; this market needs to close the week above $4.70 to regain bullish momentum (Charts 43 to 45).
·       10-year Treasury Yield: Closing above 3.00 starts the process of considering a 36 year trend reversal, difficult presently to see the 10-year above 3.30 this year, but that certainly can change (Charts 1 to 3).
·       U.S. Dollar: Correcting downside move before moving lower to possibly 78; consider the possibility of an extended correction (Charts 4 to 6).
·        Oil $WTIC: A corrective period underway; this is a market that likely needs to redefine its near term bottom and define a 2018 trading range, given both global growth optimism and uncertainties; one still has to be concerned more about the upside than the downside in prices (Charts 29 to 31).
·        $CRB Commodity Index: A dangerous potential retest of support is now underway; extreme caution is advised near term, an additional 10 percent global equity correction over the next 3 to 6 weeks would likely be very bearish for this index (Charts 26 and 28). 
·        S&P 500: Correction underway; allow price action to provide guidance (Chart 14).
·        Global Equities Excluding U.S. and Canada: Correction underway; allow price action to provide guidance (Chart 16).
·        Feeder Cattle: Sideways to up.    

In addition to the following “Expanded near Term Market Outlook Considerations for Week Beginning February 12, 2018”
This Week’s Select Summary Considerations:
•        10-Year US Treasury Yield:
•        Closing above 3.00 starts the process of considering a 36 year trend reversal, difficult presently to see the 10-year above 3.30 this year.
•        Higher yields have been in part a function of U.S. and Global market intervention activities designed to extend domestic and global growth and the business cycles.
•        Lower yields would be a function of: demand, economic weakness, event risk concerns, or other market concerns/factors could take the yield lower.
•        U.S. Dollar Index:
•        Correcting downside move before moving lower to possibly 78; consider the possibly of an extended correction.
•        After correction, given global macro considerations, coupled with no significant global anomaly event moving forward, this index may have some serious weakness.
•        Unless Middle East, North Korean, European, Venezuelan or other anomaly events start to dominate market participant decisions, we are still in search of a major low for the dollar.
•        CRB Index:
•        A dangerous retest of support is now underway; extreme caution is advised near term; an additional 10 percent global equity correction over the next 3 to 6 weeks would likely be very bearish for this index.
•        On-going policy intervention will be supportive of general commodity sector, but near term support may not be visible in positive chart activity.
•        Global government and central bank actual and anticipated intervention indicate a building fruit-bearing process will emerge.
•        $WTIC Light Crude Oil:
•        A corrective period underway; this is a market that likely needs to redefine its near term bottom and define a 2018 trading range, given both global growth optimism and uncertainties.
•        A complex and volatile market focused on global uncertainties like Saudi Arabian and Iranian building friction; other Middle East challenges, North Korea, market structure, geopolitical considerations and building possibilities of a Venezuelan civil war are just some additional considerations, and all  deserve heightened respect in a world with building economic, social, political and homeland security uncertainties.
•        Expanding global demand — Saudi Arabia, Russia, OPEC, other oil producers, and other factors have a major role in limiting price downside.
•        Soybeans:  2018 is likely a good year for grain prices, but given the current global equity correction near term it is still not obvious that this market has either fully corrected or found a bottom. A world awash in liquidity, building economic momentum and many hard assets seemingly overvalued, be careful not to overlook the possible attractiveness of this asset to speculators, investors and end-users.
•        Corn: .Slowly losing momentum as global markets correct, this market needs to move and hold above $3.63, patience is all important.
•        Long Grain Rice: September futures likely have more weakness than strength as market participants digest the potential of a significant expansion of 2018 U.S. long grain rice planted acres.  Remain aware of potential near term uncertain global economic crosscurrents related to currencies, bonds, equities and commodities as they go through a rebalancing process.
•        Cotton: It will be interesting to see how the global equity correction affects cotton prices this week. Cotton prices still appear to be in a slow grind to the upside.
•        Wheat: Slowly losing momentum, this market needs to close the week above $4.70 to regain bullish momentum.
•        SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF: Correction underway. Allow price action to provide guidance.
•        $COMPQ Nasdaq Composite: Correction underway.Allow price action to provide guidance.
•        EFA iShares ETF - Global Equities Excluding U.S. and Canada: Correction underway.Allow price action to provide guidance.
•        EEM iShares ETF, Emerging Market Equities: Correction underway. Allow price action to provide guidance.
  Download Slide Show for charts and expanded details, Click Download Link
 DISCLAIMER-FOR-EDUCATIONAL-PURPOSES

http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/global-equity-market-correction-weighing-heavy-commodity-marketCustomers worry over cash shortage in banks

THE HANS INDIA |    Feb 12,2018 , 10:25 PM IST
      


ATM card holders in queue at SBI Kannavarithota in Guntur on Monday

Guntur: ATM card holders are facing lot of problems due to non-availability of cash in  the ATMs in the district, due to  shortage of  cash  supply by  the Reserve  Bank of India.

When the farmers sell paddy, rice millers will transfer amount to their Savings Bank account. When they are drawing cash, banks are paying cash in equal installments in the rural branches due to shortage of cash.  The farmers are investing the same on the second crop. 

When the depositors are withdrawing their deposits, the banks have been giving priority to pay cash to them. Due to non-availability of cash, the district administration is facing difficulty to pay social security pensions to the people.  The problem is expected to continue another two months. 

The Lead Bank manager, M Sudharsan Rao said, “The RBI is not giving sufficient cash though we are requesting. The Central government is introducing a Financial Resolution Insurance Deposit Insurance Bill-2017, which will give insurance up to Rs 10 lakh deposits. Taking this into consideration, the depositors are withdrawing deposits.  Deposits in the banks are falling.”
 


Global Rice Husk Ash Market Witnessed to Gain Momentum Until 2025 Due to Growing Use from Building & Construction Sector

The global market for Rice Husk Ash stood at US$ 1.06 Bn and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% in terms of value to reach US$ 1.64 Bn by 2025.
This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/12/2018 -- Market Research Hub (MRH) has recently publicized a new study to its wide repository, with the title of "Rice Husk Ash Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017-2025". This 160-page report shows a clear overview of the market, including the drivers that are helping the growth of the market, restraints that are limiting the market and new trends that are following the global rice husk ash market. This in-depth analysis of the market includes market forecast for the year 2017-2025 while considering 2016 as the base year. In terms of geography, the report analyzes current and forecast demand for Rice Husk Ash in the Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa regions.
Market Overview
Rice husk is mainly a product obtained from burning rice husk, which is the outer covering of rice harvested from a paddy field. This rice husk is generally used as a fuel in the reservoirs for processing of paddy. Currently, Rice husk is an ideal source for electricity generation which is used in different industries. Among various applications, Building & construction accounts for the maximum market share followed by steel, ceramic & refractories, silica manufacturing and others.
The researchers found that the global market for RHA stood at US$ 1.06 Bn and it is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% in terms of value to reach US$ 1.64 Bn by 2025. On the other hand, among the key regional segments mentioned in the study, Asia Pacific held lead in the global rice husk ash market. The region is the largest producer of paddy and generates rice husk ash in significant account. In addition, the demand for rice husk ash is likely to remain considerably high among developed regions.
Major Insights from the Study
At present, global husk ash market shows how the growth in the market is encouraging new businesses to enter the industry and how is it affecting the existing businesses in the market. The report includes brief profiling of the major players in the market that shows their strategies and potential. At present, key players involved in the market include Agro Ltd, Agrisil Holding., Energy Limited Partnership, Wadham Yihai Kerry Investments Co. Ltd., Agrilectric Power, Refratechnik Italia S.r.L and Jasoriya Rice Mill Pvt. Ltd.
It has been analyzed that RHA is used in several applications due to its unique properties. Though, not all the RHA is used at a commercial scale due to lack of awareness. Major applications of rice husk ash include steel, silica manufacturing, ceramics & refractories, building & construction and others. Silica is present in rice husk ash in large content, which makes silica extraction relatively economical.
The global market has been further analyzed on the basis of nodules, powder and granules. Amongst, Nodule form of RHA occupies the major market share with more than 40% share globally.
About Market Research Hub
Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRH's expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.
MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining inhttp://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3655493dustry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.


HARVEY

Survey: Residents want improvements post-Harvey, but not a tax increase

UH and Rice researchers polled 2,002 people by telephone in Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Montgomery counties in November and December 2017. In Harris County alone, more than 80 percent of respondents told poll-takers they wanted tougher development standards and new flood control projects.
Author: Adam Bennett
Published: 7:42 PM CST February 12, 2018
Most Harris County residents want to see changes in flood-prone areas, but they don’t want higher taxes to pay for it, according to a survey released Monday by the University of Houston.
Nearly six months after the storm that submerged her Denver Harbor neighborhood for the second time, a new car and repaired home are helping Dulce Martinez feel normal again.
“It feels good going back to your home, sleep in your own bed,” said Martinez, who moved back into her mother-in-law’s Harvey-damaged home in January.
Martinez’s current fear: if and when the area will see another storm like Harvey.
She’s not alone: UH and Rice researchers polled 2,002 people by telephone in Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Montgomery counties in November and December 2017.
In Harris County alone, more than 80 percent of respondents told poll-takers they wanted tougher development standards and new flood control projects. Nearly two-thirds said they wanted buyouts in areas that have suffered repeated flooding, and more than three-quarters want the government to pay for flood damage resulting from reservoir releases.
However, only 46 and 45 percent said they were willing to pay more property tax or sales tax, respectively. Researchers say political party and ethnicity factored into those responses.
“We’ve never had this kind of early support, and we’re talking 12, 25, 50 dollar a year increases in property taxes,” said Bob Stein, KHOU 11 Political Analyst.
Stein, one of the Rice professors that helped UH with the survey, said given the state’s conservative nature, he’s surprised at how many people were willing to stomach higher taxes.
“If you take the long perspective here and you look at the people that vote, this is an unusual change,” said Stein. “I’ve done polling in this city for 35, 40 years.”
Stein says differing opinions among Republican party leaders will present challenges going forward. He points to Governor Greg Abbott, who wants to lower property taxes, and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who wants a bond proposal for flood control projects that could potentially raise taxes.
“I just hope it doesn’t increase our taxes,” said Martinez, speaking generally about future flood control projects.
However, George Pesina, who lives near Martinez and suffered similar flooding during Harvey, told KHOU he wouldn’t mind some tax increase if it means potentially preventing another flood like the one his family experienced in August.
Joe Stinebaker, Director of Communications for Judge Emmett, called the survey “enormously vague”.
“One major flaw in the survey is that unlike a county bond issue, it does not present to voters specific amounts and specific projects,” said Stinebaker, who said comparing the two scenarios was “completely apples and oranges”.
Stinebaker said Judge Emmett would answer questions regarding the survey and a potential bond election on Tuesday after the Harris County Commissioners’ regular meeting.



FEBRUARY 12, 2018 / 1:14 PM / A DAY AGO
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- February 12, 2018
Reuters Staff

7 MIN READ

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-February 12, 2018

Nagpur, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Gram and Tuar reported higher in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing
Committee (APMC) on increased seasonal demand from local millers amid weak supply from producing
belts because of rains in parts of Vidarbha. Fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and repeated
enquiries from South-based millers also helped to push up prices.
About 1,100 bags of gram and 1,700 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according
to sources. 

    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    
   GRAM
   * Gram mill quality reported higher in open market on renewed buying support from
     local traders.
  
   TUAR
     
   * Tuar varieties recovered in open market here on good festival season demand from
     local traders.

   * Moong dal Chilka and Udid dal reported strong in open market here on good demand
     from local traders. 
                                                                  
   * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,200-4,400, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,500-6,700, Udid Mogar (clean)
    – 7,600-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,300-7,600, Gram – 3,500-3,700, Gram Super best
    – 5,400-5,800

   * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in
     scattered deals and 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                  3,300-3,820         3,300-3,720
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                4,100-4,480         4,100-4,400
     Moong Auction                n.a.                3,900-4,200
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Wheat Mill quality Auction        1,650-1,770        1,650-1,750
     Gram Super Best Bold            5,500-6,000        5,500-6,000
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            5,000-5,200        5,000-5,200
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            3,900-4,000        3,800-3,900
     Desi gram Raw                3,850-3,950         3,850-3,950
     Gram Kabuli                12,500-13,100        12,500-13,100
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             6,800-7,000        6,400-6,600
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        6,400-6,600        6,100-6,300
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        6,000-6,400        5,600-5,800
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        5,800-6,000        5,500-5,700
     Tuar Gavarani New             4,500-4,700        4,400-4,600
     Tuar Karnataka             4,550-4,750        4,450-4,650
     Masoor dal best            4,800-5,000        4,800-5,000
     Masoor dal medium            4,500-4,700        4,500-4,700
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold (New)        7,500-8,000         7,500-8,000
     Moong Mogar Medium            6,500-7,000        6,500-7,000
     Moong dal Chilka            5,800-6,800        5,700-6,500
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            7,400-8,000        7,400-8,000
     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,500       7,800-8,300
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    5,800-7,000        5,600-7,000   
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        5,900-6,300        5,800-6,200    
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        4,600-5,000        4,600-5,000
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          2,500-2,600         2,550-2,650
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            3,100-3,200        3,100-3,200
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    4,200-4,300        4,200-4,300  
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,000        1,900-2,000
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    1,775-1,900        1,775-1,900  
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         2,150-2,350           2,150-2,350        
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,300-2,400        2,200-2,400   
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,000-2,200        2,000-2,200
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,700        3,200-3,700   
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,400-2,700        2,400-2,700          
     Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)        3,500-4,000        3,500-4,000   
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        3,000-3,200        3,000-3,200
     Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG)        3,300-3,500        3,300-3,500  
     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,500-2,700        2,500-2,700     
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,600-2,800        2,600-2,800  
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      2,400-2,500        2,400-2,500
     Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)      2,400-2,500        2,400-2,500  
     Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)        4,500-4,800        4,500-4,800    
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        3,900-4,300        3,900-4,300
     Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG)        4,000-4,400        4,000-4,400   
     Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)      5,200-5,600        5,200-5,600
     Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)    4,700-4,900        4,700-4,900
     Rice Shriram new (100 INR/KG)    4,800-5,200        4,800-5,200  
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,500-14,000        9,500-13,500    
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    5,000-7,500        5,000-7,500   
     Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)    6,100-6,300        6,100-6,300   
     Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)    5,500-5,700        5,500-5,700
     Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG)    5,600-5,800        5,600-5,800  
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,000-2,200        2,000-2,100   
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,800-2,000        1,700-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR) 
Maximum temp. 26.0 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 16.5 degree Celsius
Rainfall : Nil
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells or rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and
minimum temperature would be around and 28 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)

ATTN : Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain market of Nagpur APMC and oil market in Vidarbha will
be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, on the occasion of Mahashivratri.






Ghana rice imports to slow in 2017-18
12.02.2018 | UkrAgroConsult
Stepped-up domestic production of rice in Ghana has led to lower expected imports of the commodity during the 2017-18 crop season, according to a Feb. 2 Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Domestic rice production in Ghana is forecast at 450,000 tonnes in 2017-18, up from 390,000 tonnes in 2016-17, the USDA noted in its report. The agency said the higher production reflects favorable conditions, government of Ghana commitments to increase rice production through the introduction of improved high yielding and disease resistant varieties, and the adoption of low cost water management practices. But there are still challenges to growth, the USDA noted, including availability and cost of rice seeds and fertilizer. Lack of farm mechanization and proper processing facilities also are factors that have contributed to poor quality domestic crop, the USDA said.

Imports of rice are forecast at 550,000 tonnes in 2017-18, down from 580,000 tonnes in 2016-17. The main suppliers of rice to Ghana are Thailand, Vietnam and India. The United States provides only 1% of the market share.

“Traders perceive the United States as a reliable supplier of premium quality rice but they have increasingly turned to Asian rice, particularly Thai jasmine rice, whose quality image has improved substantially and is highly prized by consumers,” the USDA noted in the report. “Although the United States introduced two fragrant jasmine rice brands in the last few years to counteract the growing market share of Thai jasmine rice, it suffered a severe decline in 2014, as a result of the increased price sensitivity of the market. There is also increased promotional activity of Thai origin brands of rice on radio, TV and billboards. Thai aromatic rice is becoming the preferred rice of those shopping in the ‘quality’ segment of the market, chosen for its special taste (60% of consumers buy aromatic rice because of its taste). High-end restaurants and eateries rely heavily on Thai aromatic rice to deliver quality and taste to their customers.”

According to the USDA, about 70% of rice sold through retail outlets in Ghana is importedhttp://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/ghana-rice-imports-to-slow-in-2017-18

Group seeks total ban on rice import

OUR REPORTER On: February 11, 2018 In: BusinessSunday magazine
0   
Renascent Group, a non-partisan, non-political pressure group has impressed on the federal government, the need to enforce total ban on the importation of rice into the country.
In a statement issued on behalf of the group by Mr. Abdulrasaq Lawal, the group stated observed that “The rice industry today is ensnared by lots of hypocrisy, there is so much uncertainty and cloudiness that has made investors wary of forging ahead because the government has failed to come out out-rightly to declare a total ban on foreign rice, thereby giving room to the smuggling of rice into the country through the borders, which of course discourages full participation of investors to invest in the backward integration scheme of the government in producing our own local rice.”
The government, the group maintained, “Should declare a total ban on foreign rice, that way, anywhere it is seen, not only the custom, even the Nigeria Police should be empowered to seize it and the carrier arrested and prosecuted for economic sabotage.”
According to the group “Investigations show that the current smuggling of rice is with the active connivance of some corrupt men of the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) where the NCS at the borders would allow these cargoes to be smuggled into Lagos unabated, the men of the NCS along the roads existing Lagos would then proceed to detain and in some instances seize the cargo if a settlement arrangement is not quickly reached.”
The group also suggested that the government could raise needed fund and revenue from seized goods rather than allowing them to waste and rot away “Our investigation and visit to several outposts of NCS revealed huge wastage, the number of seized goods especially cars and food items that are allowed to rot away are enormous, the rationale behind such waste is unfathomable, since the government is crying of no funds, which is better?” http://thenationonlineng.net/group-seeks-total-ban-rice-import/



Rice prices down by 15% in Maiduguri ON FEBRUARY 11, 20183:31 PMIN NEWSCOMMENTS Prices of local variety of rice dropped by about 15 per cent in Maiduguri on Sunday. A check at Zabarmari and Gombori markets showed a decrease in the past three months following bumper harvest recorded by farmers this cropping season. A 50 kilogramme bag of local variety of rice was sold for N13, 000; as against its previous price of N15,000, while a measure of the produce was sold at N650. Refined rice had also indicated similar decrease in prices, as a 50 kilogramme bag sold between N15,000 and N15,500; as against its old price of N17,000, depending on its quality. Prices of other produce had dropped significantly in the past months; as a measure of maize sold at N280 and millet N350, as against its previous prices of N350 and N500 respectively. A measure of cooking oil was sold at N380 as against its old price of N500; while perishable produce such as tomatoes and onions showed similar decrease in prices. A measure of tomatoes was sold at N200 and onions N120. Traders at the markets attributed the drop in prices to improvement in the supply of food items to the market. Malam Musa Isa, a rice dealer, said that rice prices were going down on a daily basis because of the fresh supplies from the farms. Isa also attributed the situation to improvement in the supply of local produce to the market, adding that the market condition was encouraging. “There is significant increase in the number of farmers who cultivated rice and other produce this cropping season. “Prices will further go down as the supply improved,” he said. Malam Hassan Muhammad, the Chairman Rice Sellers and Processors Association, added that a great number of farmers in liberated communities cultivated their farmlands and recorded high yields. Muhammad added that the trend encouraged production and forced down prices of grains. Also, Alhaji Shehu Aminu, a resident, expressed joy over the development and urged traders to further reduce prices. The Federal Government in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) distributed fertilisers, seeds and inputs to over 1.1 million farmers in the northeast this cropping season. More than 18,000 rice farmers were also supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme in the state. (NAN)



February 11, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:38 AM, February 11, 2018
Price untamed despite record rice import
States report of United States Department of Agriculture
Unb, Dhaka
Average retail price of coarse rice continues to remain high in the country despite a record high import of the staple in the current financial year (2017-18).

"A record high amount of rice imports did not contribute significantly to retail rice price reductions in the local market," stated a recently released market report of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The report -- Bangladesh: Grain and Feed Update -- quoted Bangladesh Bank estimates to note that rice is being imported at Tk 37.89 a kg from India, but retail prices in the local market are 19 percent higher than the actual cost.

Though government silos have 29 percent higher stocks (8.24 lakh MT) as of end-January comparing to the corresponding period of the last year, the USDA noted, the average retail price for coarse rice remained as high as Tk 45 per kg, 24 percent higher than the last year.

Recently Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has said that rice price would not drop below Tk 40.

The government is currently buying Aman rice from farmers at Tk 39 a kg and public sector rice purchase is expected to be doubled from already declared three lakh MT to six lakh MT, USDA stated.

As of February 6, in the current fiscal (2017-18), public and private sectors together imported a record 28.50 lakh MT of rice, which is 21 times more than what the country imported in the entire 2016-17 fiscal.

In the last fiscal, the government needed not to import a single grain of rice while private traders also imported just 1.33 lakh MT.

In the first seven months of current fiscal, the government imported 7.47 lakh MT with more imports in the pipeline. Around same time, private sector imported over 21 lakh MT of rice.

USDA report stated that the food ministry has a plan to import 15 lakh MT of rice in FY 2017-18 to boost public stocks, and has imported less than half the amount till end-January, 2018.

"Following the current pace of rice imports for public stocks, it will be a challenge for the government to realise its intended target," observed USDA report also noting that the government-to-government (G2G) agreement of 1.5 lakh MT rice import from Thailand has been terminated due to on-time supply failures, and the authorities have not yet decided how to fill the gap.

On the other hand, private sector rice imports have continued rapidly due to higher prices in the local market, and in order to lessen the panic of possible lower production in the next Boro season due to flood risk, the report added.

The private importers are aggressively taking the maximum benefit of a two percent tariff rate, said USDA. http://www.thedailystar.net/city/price-largely-untamed-despite-record-rice-import-1532887


Higher palay-buying price eyed to steady rice market

By
 -
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. PiƱol are in agreement that the best way to stabilize the supply and cost of rice in the market—instead of importing—is to increase the government’s buying price for palay despite its impact on inflation.
With this, Evasco called on his fellow Cabinet officials at the policy-making the National Food Authority Council (NFAC) to reconsider the proposal of the National Food Authority (NFA) to increase the government palay-buying price, from the current P17 per  kilogram (kg).
Economic managers—particularly the heads of National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Department of Finance and Central Bank—within thet NFAC earlier thumbed down the proposal to increase the NFA’s buying price of palay, as it would result in faster inflation, Evasco revealed. The NFAC is the highest policymaking body of the NFA.
“The moment you increase the buying price of palay, it opens the floodgate for inflation on all commodities. That was the contention of the economic team within the council, who would go against the advice of the economic [team]?” he told reporters in a news briefing in Manila on Monday.
“At any rate, We ask Neda to again review, the meat, the substance, of the study of the research done before so that we can come up with adjustments if there is really a need to adjust the buying price of palay from the local farmers,” Evasco added.
The NFA said it was unable to meet its paddy procurement target last year as traders bought rice from local farmers at P18 to P20 per kg, higher than its buying price of P17 per kg. The food agency had earlier asked the NFAC to increase it to P22 per kg. The food agency gives an additional incentive of P0.20 to 0.50 per kg for delivery, P0.20 per kg for drying and P0.30 for cooperative development incentive fund for farmers’ organizations.
“If the palay that is produced by farmers are good enough to meet the needs of the Filipino people, why don’t we buy it here? I would go for it, no doubt about it,” Evasco said. “But unfortunately, the hands of NFA management is tied by a very low buying  price set by the Council in previous years. It is only P17 per kg.”
PiƱol told the BusinessMirror that hiking the government’s buying price would enable the food agency to buy more paddy from farmers. “It [higher buying price] would stabilize farm-gate prices and ensure that the NFA would have sufficient buffer stock sourced locally.”
Last year the chief of the Department of Agriculture pushed for an increase of P3 per kg in the support price of the NFA so more farmers would be encouraged to sell their crop to the government.
Grains Retailers’ Confederation of the Philippines Inc. (Grecon) National President Jaime O. Magbanua agreed with PiƱol that the government’s buying price for palay should go up to at least P20 per kg so the NFA could “maintain its market intervention powers.”
“The famers have been clamoring for [an increase in buying price] for so long. I hope they can act on that as soon as possible,” Magbanua told the BusinessMirror. “We support the increase in the NFA’s buying price. I think the reasonable price level would be around P20 to P22 for clean and dry paddy.”
Given its current buying price, Magbanua said the NFA may not be able to beef up its buffer stock through local palay procurement, as the average farm-gate price remains higher than P17 per kg.
“Today the buying price of traders for fresh palay from the farm is around P19 to P19.50 per kg. And if it is clean and dry, it is more than P20, around P20 to P24 per kg,” he added.
Southern Leyte Rep. Roger G. Mercado also threw his support behind the increase in the buying price of palay.
Mercado said NFA should be allowed to buy paddy at P20 to P25 per kg. He added the NFA should also increase its rice incentives, so local farmers “would immediately and directly benefit” in the form of higher earnings.
“Instead of importing rice, the NFA should buy its buffer stocks from Mindanao or the Visayas to augment NFA inventories in its warehouses in Mindanao and the Visayas,” Mercado added.
The NFA, an agency attached to the Office of the President, is mandated to ensure national food security and stabilize supply and prices of staple cereals both in the farm and consumer levels.  The food agency buys paddy from farmers not only to stabilize farm-gate prices but also to boost its stockpile. The NFA also imports rice if local procurement fails to augment its buffer stock.
Imports
Evasco announced on Monday that the NFAC has green lighted the NFA’s purchase of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of imported rice via the “government-to-private” (G2P) scheme.
The government’s purchase of rice through the G2P scheme is covered by Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, which provides that the lowest bidder would be named as supplier.  The volume is expected to arrive in the country by June, to avoid coinciding with the harvest of rice as this could cause farm-gate prices to fall drastically.
Magbanua said his group hopes that the imports could arrive sooner than June. “Filipino consumers are already looking for government-subsidized rice. We wish that there is already an available supply of [NFA] rice, particularly in urban areas.”
Economist Pablito M. Villegas said the decision of the NFAC to opt for the G2P procurement scheme could hurt millions of Filipinos who depend on government-subsidized rice.
“The [NFAC] should have opted for a govern-ment-to-government scheme. The government is employing a regular procurement scheme for an emergency situation,” Villegas said.
Evasco, however, said there is no urgent need for the government to buy imported rice as the national inventory is currently at 3.8 million metric tons (MMT), which could last for 121 days.
“Again, we would like to assure the public that the NFAC is on top of this situation. We will ensure the continued supply of affordable rice and continue to champion for the best interest of the Filipino people,” he said.
Evasco called on the NFA to inspect all the warehouses of private rice traders to prevent them from hoarding and creating an artificial shortage of the staple. “NFA should be proactive in monitoring the warehouses of private traders, because you know private traders will always go for high prices at the expense of the buying public. So the NFA should be proactive in monitoring these warehouses,” he said.
“Part of the NFA’s job is to inspect rice warehouses. And if traders are found to be hoarding rice, then they should prosecute and arrest them,” Evasco added.
With Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

https://businessmirror.com.ph/higher-palay-buying-price-eyed-to-steady-rice-market/Govt okays rice imports after harvest season

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT ON FEBRUARY 13, 2018TOP STORIES
TRADERS may have to open their warehouses for inspection and face charges of economic sabotage if they are found hoarding rice, Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco Jr. said on Monday, as he announced the National Food Authority (NFA) Council’s approval of the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.
In a news conference in MalacaƱang, Evasco, chairman of the NFA Council, instructed the NFA to “proactively monitor” and inspect warehouses of “private traders” and called for the prosecution of those found hoarding stocks of the staple.
“Criminal offense talaga `yan pag mag-hoarding ka (Hoarding is really a criminal offense). That’s economic sabotage. Can you sleep at night when a lot people don’t have anything to buy and yet you’re hoarding and keeping so much?” Evasco said.
“There is really a need to be very, very proactive on the part of NFA to look into the bodegas, warehouses managed and run by private traders, kasi tinatago (because they might be hoarding [rice])…(The NFA) should monitor kasi part iyan ng trabaho nila (because that’s part of their job). If they (rice traders) are found to be hoarding, [we will]prosecute, arrest [them],” he added.

Evasco issued the warning amid reports of a looming rice shortage because of the dwindling supply of government-subsidized rice in the country.
Evasco said the NFA Council, in a meeting held earlier Monday, agreed to approve the standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons.
This, he said, after President Rodrigo Duterte gave him a “verbal” instruction to activate the standby authority subject to the NFA Council’s “assessment on timing and mode of procurement.”
Evasco said the importation would be done after the harvest season. The government projects production of 4.9 million metric tons of palay, equivalent to 3.6 million metric tons of milled rice.
“The standby authority to import 250,000 MT is approved and considering the timing of the harvest season, the importation should arrive after the said harvest season, first week of June,” he said.
To ensure that importation is “inclusive, open and transparent,” he said the NFA Council chose the method of government-to-private (G2P) importation or open tender based on the same terms of reference in the 2017 G2P procurement.
G2P importation is when the government buys imported rice from private importers who use permits under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme to import rice. The NFA Council last year introduced guidelines to the scheme to ensure it is not abused.
But Evasco was quick to clarify that there was no rice shortage, especially in the stock of government-subsidized rice.
“We assure the public that there is no rice shortage and this importation is only as to NFA’s buffer stock. In this manner, the NFA Council has issued a directive on the reassessment of the inventory of the NFA, including its procurement and distribution strategies,” Evasco said.

http://www.manilatimes.net/govt-okays-rice-imports-harvest-season/379790/NFA Council activates authority to import 250,000 MT of rice

The importation, to be done through government-to-private method, will be used to replenish the National Food Authority's rice buffer stock for calamities or other emergencies

Pia Ranada
Published 3:20 PM, February 12, 2018
Updated 3:35 PM, February 12, 2018
RICE IMPORTATION. Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr expects rice prices to stabilize 'soon.'
MANILA, Philippines – The National Food Authority (NFA) Council approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to arrive in June, or after the harvest season, to increase the government's buffer stock in case of calamity or other emergencies.
"Standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons is approved and considering the timing of the harvest season, the importation should arrive after the said harvest season, first week of June," said Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr on Monday, February 12.
To ensure the importation is "transparent," Evasco said the NFA Council chose the method of government-to-private importation or open tender based on the same terms of reference in the 2017 government-to-private (G2P) procurement.
G2P importation is when the government buys imported rice from private importers who use permits under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme to import rice. The NFA Council last year introduced guidelines to the scheme to ensure it is not abused.
The rice to come in June will be used to replenish the NFA buffer stock, which would ensure rice supply during times when calamity or natural disaster destroys sources of local rice.
"We'll be expecting El NiƱo, typhoons to come so there is always a need for buffer stock. Our buffer stock has decreased to only two days," said Evasco in a press conference.
The NFA management, led by Administrator Jason Aquino, had wanted the council to approve importation back in January but this was not approved because the council considered that there had been good harvest by local rice farmers at the time.
But on February 7, President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Evasco, gave him a "verbal" instruction to activate the NFA's standby authority to import the 250,000 metric tons subject to the NFA Council's "assessment on timing and mode of procurement."
Evasco, on Monday, also admitted that he would have preferred to buy from local farmers instead of importing rice. However, the NFA cannot buy palay from local farmers now, with its current high price, because the agency is bound to purchase palay at only P17 per kilogram.
"If the palay produced by the farmers are good enough to meet the needs of the Filipino people, I would go for that. But unfortunately, the hands of NFA management [are] tied to a very low buying price set by the council in the previous years," said Evasco.
The council was advised by the Department of Finance, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and National Economic and Development Authority against increasing the NFA's buying price for palay from local farmers.
"Because the moment you increase the buying price of palay, it opens [the] floodgates for inflation for all commodities," said Evasco, relaying the advice from the economists in the NFA Council.
He wants the economic team to review the need to increase the buying price for local palay.
In the meantime, said Evasco, the NFA management must be "very, very resourceful and very active in getting the right timing to buy" local palay.
Rice prices
As for prices of rice in the market, Evasco said these would not be affected by any increase in the government's buffer stock.
But he expects the prices of rice to stabilize "soon" because of the continued importation by private rice importers under the MAV scheme.
Of the 728,475 metric tons of rice in the MAV rice importation program, 221,457 metric tons have already arrived while 507,017.60 metric tons are expected to arrive this year, he said.
"The next two tranches will arrive before the end of February 28, 2018 and not later than August 31, 2018," said Evasco.
As of February, the country has 121 days of rice supply, equivalent to 3.8 million metric tons.
Rice production by local farmers has also started and "shall be at its peak [in] March of this year." Evasco said local farmers are expected to produce 3.6 million metric tons of rice.
The MAV imports and boost in local rice production should lead to the lowering of prices of rice in the market, he said.
Asked about recent talks of rice shortage driving up prices of rice, Evasco said this is likely the work of private traders "hoarding" rice, thereby committing the crime of "economic sabotage."
He called on NFA management to be "more proactive" in checking warehouses of rice traders to ensure there is no hoarding.
"If found to be hoarding, prosecute, arrest," said Evasco.
Asked if he found NFA management lacking in its efforts to stop rice cartels and hoarding, he said he did not want to make any "definite conclusion" but wants an "evaluation of strategies done by the NFA."
The rift between Evasco and NFA Administrator Aquino is well-known. Evasco had even called for Aquino's dismissalafter the administrator refused to comply with the NFA Council's order to extend the MAV importation program. – Rappler.com
https://www.rappler.com/nation/195850-nfa-importation-250000-metric-tons-rice