Sunday, September 06, 2020

4th September 2020 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

 

How Kenya can meet local demand for rice

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 2:45Description: Rice farmersRice farmers. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

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Rice is the third most consumed staple in the country, yet we are not self-sufficient to meet our demand. With a growing population and increase in per capita rice consumption, the government and other policymakers have been left with only a few options to meet future demand for rice; through increased imports and increased productivity.

Our national rice consumption is estimated at 500,000 metric tonnes a year. Despite this being a clear indication of Kenyans uptake of rice as a principal food, our annual production of 100,000 metric tonnes pales in comparison.

According to the National Rice Development Strategy-2, 2019-2030, the annual consumption of rice in Kenya is increasing at a rate of over 12 percent owing to the progressive change in eating habits of Kenyans, especially in urban areas.

This, together with a annual projected population growth rate of 2.7 percent, will mean that the estimated annual national need for rice is expected to reach up to 1,290,000 tonnes by 2030.

Given that Food Security and Nutrition is one of the pillars of the Big Four Agenda which our President is steadfast to implement, increasing the productivity of rice shall form an important component in this pillar. In addition to enhancing food security, it should also alleviate poverty by raising farmer incomes and increase the prospects of creating new jobs in the whole value chain from farm to fork. Investment in the rice sector should therefore become a key priority in the agriculture sector. WACHIRA: How to make garbage power plan a success

The largest rice irrigation scheme in the country is the Mwea Rice Scheme which was started in 1956 during the colonial times when a seed variety from India called the Basmati was planted in the scheme and hence the birth of what is famously known as the Kenya Pishori rice.

Over the years, the scheme has expanded to 30,000 acres. The other rice schemes across the country are the West Kano and Ahero (in Nyanza) and Bunyala. The much anticipated rice scheme in the Tana river under Tarda was a failure from its onset.

So the key question is what has been ailing this sector to scale up production?

The rice sector has always been overseen by the National Irrigation Board (NIB) which falls under the Ministry of Water. This is because of the provision of water under irrigation.

However, in essence the mandate of seed production, varietal development, good farming practice and market linkage should technically be the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture.

This could possibly be one of the primary reasons why we lost focus on prioritising rice as a strategic food crop. The constant squabbles between the farmers and NIB in the late 1990s due to the political interference of rice marketing in the scheme also created a lethargy in the development of the sector.

To revive this sector, we need to take a multipronged approach which revolves around agronomy and infrastructure development, farmer financing and market linkages. Let us explore each one separately.

Research into new seed development shall remain crucial to ensure farmers get optimal productivity and quality.

The choice of variety is based on its agronomical performance and not economic reasons since varieties like the Pishori when grown in the West Kano and Ahero have proven to be failures due to its microclimate.

In addition, to ensure efficiency, farmers should work in co-operatives and find ways of aggregating their smaller pieces of land to farm commercially as large tracts which can enable mechanisation.

Provision of farm extension services to educate farmers on best farming practices including the appropriate use of farm inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides shall also play a crucial role in productivity.

Finally, there should be a security of source of water for this irrigated crop to perform well. This means that there should be adequate water source from dams and one should not rely on just the river source which frequently get affected by rainfall patterns.

A case in point is how the delay in building the Thiba dam which would serve the Mwea Rice Scheme has greatly affected the growth of this scheme.

Provision of affordable finance is very crucial for the security of the farmer income. Due to the lack of access to this finance, farmers have the tendency of borrowing from shylocks whose exorbitant finance costs makes it prohibitive for farmers to earn anything for their hard work.

Abject poverty

Many farmers also find it more attractive to lease out their pieces of land rather than farm for the same low income expectation.

In addition to finance, well-structured crop insurance can also protect the farmer from the vagaries of weather and disease leading to crop failures which wipes out the farmer’s income and sets them back into abject poverty.

There’s need to work in co-operatives which will also improve the bargaining of farmers to purchase farm inputs as well as obtaining finance from banks.

The adoption of the warehouse receipting programme also ensures farmers obtain finance for their produce once harvested in a formalised structure and have the flexibility of trading in their produce at their free will when the timing and pricing is right.

The third component is market linkages. Without a market for their produce at the right price, it is an exercise in futility for the farmer.

Except for a portion of the crop which the farmer can keep for their subsistence use, there has to be a surety of market for the remainder of their produce.

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/analysis/ideas/How-Kenya-can-meet-local-demand-for-rice/4259414-5617126-nn2ur2/index.html

 

Bagudu: Comforting flood-hit Kebbi farmers

 

Description: https://www.blueprint.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/FB_IMG_1594910900827.jpg

YAHAYA SARKI writes on the damaging effects of the recent flood that hit Kebbi state and the succour fast coming their way.

Kebbi state is synonymous with food production, largely due to the formidable revolutionary approaches of the state chief executive,  Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in food production, particularly rice production. Kebbi has the potency to produce myriad of agricultural products, amongst which is rice. Indisputably, the state is fast becoming the food basket of the nation.

 Certainly, happy development has indeed attracted the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, prompting him to kick-start the ‘Anchor Borrowers loan Program’ in the state in 2015, to provide loans and agricultural inputs such as cheap fertilizers, improved seeds, chemicals and water pumping machines, among others. No fewer than 100,000 rice farmers in the state had benefitted from this invaluable gesture. 

The programme, a tripartite arrangement among the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has the rice millers as the up takers and farmers on the other side as the producers. 

Luckily, the president chose the state to launch his diversification agenda to improve the nation’s economy  through agriculture in order to reduce over dependence on oil, bolster its food security, by achieving self-sufficiency in rice production, curb importation of rice and create more employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

It is interesting to note that, the federal government’s scheme in the land of equity has largely been successful due to the political sagacity, unwavering commitment and ceaseless support of  Governor Bagudu. Obviously, the governor had successfully and patriotically triggered rice revolution, not only in his state, but across Nigeria as a whole .

 Today, many people who were not hitherto rice farmers but  voracious  consumers have happily and willingly  gone back to the farms, thus resulting in the  massive increase of rice production, stoppage of importation of rice and the establishment of small and large scale rice mills.  

Interestingly, Kebbi state has now become the darling of many states and the investors ‘ destination,  not only in Nigeria, but across Africa and entire world.

Flood

But sadly enough, the  state’s massive rice production was hampered by the recent devastating floods. Although the state had hitherto witnessed flood disasters, but none was  as devastating as the 2020 floods. This is because it came when the diligent farmers of the state were expecting bumper harvests and more people have embraced farming. The floods came with a bang and regrettably dashed the hopes of many of the farmers.

Yes, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had forecasted that Kebbi would be among the states to be hit by flood this year,  but not many, including the authorities envisaged such  colossal losses.

The floods that came were as a result of continuous rainfall, making the dams to be filled to capacity and the subsequent release of the water to farmlands. So, the disaster was caused by a  culmination of reasons that include  the intensive rainfall and release of water from the dams. 

Colossal losses

The losses incurred by the farmers, especially rice farmers in the state  were colossal and immeasurable, they run into billions of naira . Thousands of hectares of fadama rice farms in the state  were affected by the flood. Rice farms , other agricultural crops, livestock and even communities were not spared by the raging floods.

The flood even caused the loss of eight lives in Tungar Gehuru village of Jega local government area. The colossal damage to physical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges across the state was also legendary and it  runs into billions of naira also. Many major roads and bridges were washed away by the floods, with a host of communities completely cut off from the remaining parts of the state. Preliminary reports revealed that over six bridges had  collapsed as a result of the floods.

More worrisome is that major rice producing local government areas in the state were affected by the floods, including their farming communities. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu had to cut off his official engagement in Abuja and rushed back to Kebbi on Saturday.

The visibly agitated and disturbed governor, right from the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Airport, Ambursa, embarked on  assessment visits to flood affected communities and farmlands across the state.

On Saturday , precisely, on 30th of August, 2020 , the governor started his visit to flood ravaged local government areas areas in the state, to assess the situation. The governor who was accompanied by officials of the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA), led by its Chairman, Alhaji Sani Dododo, visited Augie, Argungu and Arewa local government areas to assess rice farmlands, roads and bridges affected by the flood.

Governor’s response

 Bagudu, who defied the difficult terrains of the hinterlands, took time to personally interact with the victims, commiserated with them, diligently and patiently listened to their needs, with a view to assisting them.

Speaking at Bakin Gada, in Argungu local government shortly after inspecting rice farmlands submerged by the floods, Bagudu flanked by the National President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) , Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, expressed utmost shock over the incident, describing it as regrettable.

“Things like this happen, we are not unique in the world , it is regrettable. We have seen in the hurricane laura and other hurricanes similar and other worst problems. We are responding to disasters and supporting each other, and i believe the FGN, the CBN and other associations will respond to this effectively and timely too,” he assured.

While thanking the CBN and RIFAN for their concern over the flood situation, the governor appreciated the Buhari administration’s derive to making Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

At Kwakkwashe village where the state’s relief agency distributed relief materials to the displaced victims, the governor expressed his administration’s worry over their plight.

Bagudu further charged them to cooperate with the authorities, as they should temporarily relocate to a safe haven.

He urged them to continue to enrol their children in schools, maintain clean environment and use facemasks to guard against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor also advised the community to organise their youths, to form vigilante services, to boost security in the area.

Other places visited by the governor include  Birnin Tudu, Tiggi, Shaharma and Agoda communities in Augie local government, as well as  Matan Fada, Bakin Gada, Zanginawa and Yeldu in Argungu local government area.

RIFAN boss

Commiserating with his fellow farmers, RIFAN national president,  Alhaji  Goronyo, said he led the North-west state chapters to Kebbi state for a self-assessment.

“I can say that the devastating effect of the flood to farms is beyond comment.  I don’t  think in the most recent time, this kind of flood has happened to this level, the only thing I can say is that, the Almighty God is in control.

“Everything that we have seen is from God and we must thank Him and I know He can replace whatever we lost, with what we can even imagine,” Goronyo said.   

Our losses –Farmers

At Sabon Gari community, Birnin Tudu, Magaji Amadu, the village head, narrated their ordeals to the visiting governor.

He said  the flood was a culmination of both the continuous intensive rains being witnessed now, as well as the water released from the dam.

Also, an elderly farmer, Alhaji Aliyu Soda, while appealing for assistance from the government, said  for over 11 years, they had never seen a flood disaster as devastating as this.

He appealed to the government to assist them with farming inputs such as assorted seeds and fertilizers, among others.

Succour to the people

 Earlier, SEMA chair, Alhaji Dododo, had told the governor that apart from the agency’s efforts at  relocating  the victims and relief materials were donated to them.

They included 20 bags of rice,10 bags millet, 10 bags of guinea corn, 5 bags of salt,  30 cartons of macaroni,5 cartons of tomatoes,50 bundles of Shadda(guinea brocade), 50 bundles of atampa and 7 jerricans of groundnut oil. Others were  5 cooking pots, 100 plastic kettles,100 plastic buckets,100 plastic cups, 100 plastic plates, 100 mosquitoes  nets, 5 cartons of bathing soaps, 100 plastic mats,100 blankets and  truckload of  firewood.

Appreciation

Appreciating the gesture, the district head of the area, Alhaji Suleman Mera (Sarkin Gobir Lailaba), thanked the governor for the quick response, and described the Bagudu administration as people-oriented .

In continuation of the visit, the governor  was on Sunday at Suru, Bunza, Kalgo and Birnin Kebbi local government areas as well as Bunza local government to see the devastation caused by the floods.

In all the places visited, he assured that succour would come the people’s way to mitigate the effect of the losses they suffered.

Buhari’s comforting words 

Comforting the victims, President  Buhari said: “I am particularly sad over this incident because it’s a setback to our efforts to boost local rice production as part of measures to stop food importation.

“Kebbi State is the focal point of our policy to produce rice locally as part of this administration’s commitment to agricultural revival which suffered relative neglect in favour of food importation.

“With the loss of six lives and still counting, thousands of hectares flooded and estimated economic losses of more than one billion naira by rice farmers, we face a major setback in our efforts to boost local food production.

”This bad news couldn’t have come at a worse time for our farmers and other Nigerians who looked forward to a bumper harvest this year

 

 

, in order to reduce the current astronomical rise in the costs of food items.”

While sympathising with the bereaved families and farmers affected, the president added, “we are going to work closely with the Kebbi State Government in order to bring relief to the victims.”, he averred.

With the president’s words of succour, Kebbi farmers can rest be assured that their losses would soon be mitigated in the fullness of time.

https://www.blueprint.ng/bagudu-comforting-flood-hit-kebbi-farmers/

 

 

 

Chouhan orders probe by EOW into supply of poor-quality rice

 

 

03 September 2020  Last Updated at 6:49 Pm | Source: PTI

Bhopal, Sep 3 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday termed supply of poor- quality rice to consumers as a "serious" matter, and said the state''s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) will probe it, an official said.

The state government on Wednesday had terminated the services of two quality controllers (of Food and Civil Supplies Corporation FCI) in Balaghat and Mandla districts and ordered filing of an FIR against millers involved in the supply of poor quality rice at PDS shops.

"The previous government has not taken any action on the issue of supply of inferior-quality rice by millers in Balaghat district. It is a serious matter. It smacks of collusion at different levels and its probe will reveal many facts," the official quoted Chouhan as saying in a high-level meeting.

In the meeting, the chief minister directed that the EOW will initiate a probe in the matter, he said.

After inspection of godowns in Mandla and Balaghat districts, the distribution and transportation of rice has been stopped.

"As per the milling policy, in place of inferior quality rice, standard high-grade food grain will be procured and corruption will not be tolerated at any level in the matter," Chouhan had said in the meeting.

Meanwhile, a senior official said as directed by Chouhan, inspections were carried out at three godowns in Balaghat district, where 3,186 MT rice was found of poor standards.

Similarly, 1,686 MT rice was not found of standard quality in Mandla district, he said, adding that supply has been stopped from both the districts.

Apart from this, 51 teams have collected more than 1,000 samples of rice from several districts and testing of 284 samples has already begun, the official said.

According to the FCI''s local office, 72 samples are not worth distribution, while 57 are not as per the set standards, he said.

Services of some quality controllers will also be terminated and a FIR was also registered against a miller for not supplying quality rice, the official added. PTI MAS ARU ARU

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/chouhan-orders-probe-by-eow-into-supply-of-poorquality-rice/1928720

 

 

 

THAI RATES EASE ON BAHT SLIDE, LOW SUPPLY LIFTS VIETNAM RATES

* Demand for Thai rice still flat * India prices unchanged after 3-week long rally * Weak demand likely to cap Vietnamese rates - traders * Bangladesh decision on imports pending- official By Arundhati Sarkar Sept 3 (Reuters) - Rice export prices in Thailand eased this week, snapping a three-week-long rally as the baht slid following the exit of the country's finance minister, while rates for the Vietnamese grain rose on waning supply. Prices of second-biggest exporter Thailand's 5% broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> slipped to $500-$513 per tonne on Thursday from $500-$520 last week. The baht was hit by the sudden resignation of recently appointed finance minister, Predee Daochai, on Tuesday, raising uncertainty in an economy already reeling from the coronavirus.

 

"The day the finance minister resigned, the rice price suddenly dropped by 0.20 baht, so it did have a psychological effect on rice trade," a Bangkok-based trader said. Fresh supplies also contributed to the lower prices. But another trader said the volume of Thailand's off-season crop harvested this month has been underwhelming. Rates for Vietnam's 5% broken rice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> rose to $490 a tonne on Thursday from $480-$490 last week on thin supplies, but traders said weak demand should prevent a further rise in coming weeks. Supplies aren't likely to build until the autumn-winter harvest starting November, a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.

 

Preliminary government data showed Vietnam's rice shipments in the first eight months likely fell 1.7% to 4.5 million tonnes from last year. Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled rice rates <RI-INBKN5-P1> were unchanged at $384-$390 per tonne. "Exporters haven't made any changes in prices, but they have to raise prices if rupee rises further," said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The rupee has appreciated about 3% over the past two weeks. Neighbouring Bangladesh continued to grapple with floods, which have destroyed rice crop worth $4.29 billion and led to a fresh price rise. "The decision on importing rice is pending. There's no shortage at the moment," said Sarwar Mahmud, head of the Directorate General of Food. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai and Ruma Paul in Dhaka; editing by Arpan Varghese and Ramakrishnan M.)

 

Author Name: https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/rpt-asia-rice-thai-rates-ease-on-baht-slide-low-supply-lifts-vietnam-rates

 

Rice millers asked to deliver processed rice to FCI by September

30 Hans News Service   |

 3 Sep 2020 11:22 PM IST x District Collector Sruthi Ojha during a review meeting with rice millers, civil supplies officials and FCI authorities at her chamber in Gadwal on Thursday HIGHLIGHTS The rice millers in Gadwal district have been warned of severe action if they failed to deliver the processed rice to Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Civil Supplies department before September 30. Gadwal: The rice millers in Gadwal district have been warned of severe action if they failed to deliver the processed rice to Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Civil Supplies department before September 30. While taking part in a review meeting with rice millers, civil supplies department officials at the Collector's chamber here on Thursday, District Collector Sruthi Ojha directed the rice millers to take immediate measures to process the paddy, which was purchased by the government during Rabi and handed over to them in July, and to deliver to FCI and Civil supplies godowns by end of September. The Collector instructed the civil supplies officials to issue notices to all those rice millers, who are not meeting the deadline of the government to supply the processed rice in the said time period. She said that about 27,218 metric tons of paddy was given to rice millers in the district, of which they have to deliver 18,508 metric tons of boiled rice to the civil supplies department at FCI gowdowns. However, only 4,640 metric tons of boiled rice has been handed over, while the remaining 13,868 metric tons is yet to be received. She ordered the rice millers to handover the remaining paddy by September 30, else action will be taken against all the defaulting rice millers.

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/gadwal-rice-millers-asked-to-deliver-processed-rice-to-fci-by-september-30-643577

 

 

 

 

 

Before arrival of Basmati in mandis, farmers, exporters demand waiver of market fee, rural development cess

They argued that the move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the exporters.

Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba | Jalandhar | September 3, 2020 9:38:09 am

Description: https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/06/basmati-1.jpg

Basmati would hit the state’s mandis this month.

Ahead of the arrival of early varieties of Basmati in mandi, Punjab farmers and exporters are demanding a waiver of market fee and rural development fund (RDF) cess charged from exporters when they purchase Basmati from the farmers at Punjab Mandi Board (PMB) premises.

They argue that this move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the exporters.

Basmati would hit the state’s mandis this month.

Exporters said they pay 6.5 per cent tax in total on purchase of Basmati which includes market committee fee and RDF at the rate of 3 per cent each.

A leading exporter said: “As per the norms, Basmati exporters are not supposed to pay any tax and the RDF and market fee charged from them is also refundable. But for the past 2-3 years, no refund was given to the exporters by the Mandi Board and over Rs 200 crore of such funds are lying pending with the government.”

“We have written to the Punjab government to issue directions to the Mandi Board to release our long pending Market Fee and RDF dues on priority basis,” said Ashok Sethi, Director Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association, adding that if exporters will not get this refund and they are asked to pay both RDF and market fee then it would affect the farmers ultimately.

Another leading exporter said that when exporter will be required to pay these heavy taxes, he will certainly keep the price low at the time of purchase.

Other exporters that spoke to The Indian Express also Centre’s recent ordinances have raised many important issues which require immediate intervention of the state government.

“While Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution against this ordinance, other Basmati growing states like UP, Haryana, Himachal etc. have accepted the new ordinance and issued new advisories like waiving off market fee and RDF while levying ‘user charges’ (To use the yard of state Mandis) at very low percentage like Haryana would charge 1% use charges,” said Sethi, adding that taxes and levies are much higher in Punjab at over 6.5 per cent and this huge disparity in taxes and levies would affect the purchase from farmers.

“In such a condition, exporters will purchase more from those states where user charges are minimum and will pay less to the farmers here when they will have to spend more on the taxes,” said an exporter.

They demanded that the situation should be cleared before Basmati varieties like 1509 hit markets by the first week of September.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda General Secretary Jagmohan Singh said that Basmati is one of the best alternative against Paddy (Parmal rice). “We support that taxes should not be levied on the traders or exporters when they purchase it from the farmers in the mandis but certainly when traders sell it further and make profits, a portion of the profit share must be charged by the government to utilise that amount for the development of our rural area from where farmers come to the mandis to sell their produce to the exporters,” he said.

“When exporters are free from such charges, government should not charge from them because they assume that they will not get the refund of these taxes and pay less to farmers and made big profits from farmers’ produce by exporting the premium crop,” said a Basmati grower Devinder Singh of Tarn Taran, who grows Basmati on 50 to 70 acres every year.

Nearly 2.5 Million Tonnes Basmati is brought to the markets of PMB every year by the farmers.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/basmati-mandis-farmers-exporters-demand-waiver-market-fee-rural-development-cess-6581143/

 

 

 

With Laura past, Arkansas growers still bogged by week of rain

 

September 3, 2020

 

Although Arkansas growers by and large escaped the worst of Tropical Storm Laura’s destruction, the days of rain that followed have halted the burgeoning 2020 harvest in its tracks. (Image courtesy National Weather Service.)

LITTLE ROCK — Although Arkansas growers by and large escaped the worst of Tropical Storm Laura’s destruction, the days of rain that followed have halted the burgeoning 2020 harvest in its tracks. 

The storm, which was briefly upgraded by the National Weather Service to a Category 4 hurricane as it came ashore in Louisiana on Aug. 27, then downgraded later the same day, brought as much as 10 inches of rain to some areas of Arkansas, and winds as high as 50 mph.  

Waves of storms since Laura have set rainfall records for the month of August in southwestern Arkansas, including new state record at Big Fork in Polk County which saw 19.70 inches of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.  

While some counties in the southwestern part of the state saw limited structural damage, growers in most areas of the state reported some degree of crop damage. The most common complaint was saturated fields and scattered instances of lodging in corn, rice and soybeans. 

The days that have followed, however, have allowed little to no sunshine to dry those areas and several inches of rain have continued to saturate most of the state. According to a weekly crop progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 14 percent of the state’s corn crop had been harvested as of Aug. 30 — less than half of the five-year average for this point in the season. 

Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said most operations had come to a halt as of this week. 

“There’s not too much happening,” Kelley said. “We’re waiting for some sunshine and dry weather. Heard one combine was running in south Arkansas yesterday, but it doesn’t look like any harvest today for the north half of the state and likely not much in the south, either. We need some dry weather!” 

Rice harvest has also stalled, with 5 percent of the state’s crop harvested as of Aug. 30 — about a third of the five-year average, according to USDA. 

Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said that while Laura did direct damage to a relatively small percentage of Arkansas rice acreage, greater economic impact is likely to stem from the ongoing delays. 

“The issue is larger than just the 5 percent of acreage that was actually damaged in the storm, as subsequent rain and wind in the days since have only increased lodging in the fields,” Hardke said.  

“The longer it takes for the ground to dry out, the longer harvest will take,” he said. “The thing to remember is that the crops that were ready for harvest a week ago are now a week overdue. The longer a crop that’s ready for harvest sits in a field, the higher potential you have for loss of quality, and declining yield potential.” 

As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service was forecasting heavy rains throughout the entire state through Friday. 

https://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/with-laura-past-arkansas-growers-still-bogged-by-week-of-rain/

 

 

 

 


Wanbao Rice Farm leads the way in taking Chinese rice-growing to Mozambique

By Valerie Boje  Sep 3, 2020

China’s interest in investing in Africa is well documented; however the practical implications and benefits to local people may be less appreciated. This is where a video, produced by the People’s Daily about the Wanbao Rice Farm project in the southern Mozambique province of Gaza, is insightful.

Chinese infrastructure development and knowledge transfer in Mozambique is mainly directed to the agricultural sector, and the video takes viewers to the fertile Lower Limpopo River Valley, where a rice production project is changing the fortunes of local farmers.

In 2011, Chinese company Wanbao Africa Agriculture Development Limited (WAADL) received a concession of 20 000 hectares for a period of 50 years, the most significant example of Chinese investment in Mozambique to date. Wanbao's increase of the production of quality rice is based on its successful experience in Hubei province, China’s traditional rice-farming area.

In the video - produced by Zhao Dantong and He Jieqiong (Lily He) - reporter Lily He explains how it works. Investment covers the agrifood chain—from production to processing and distribution—and adopts two models, both of which offer training to local farmers in modern Chinese rice-growing techniques.

In the out-grower scheme, the company has a contract with local smallholder farmers, providing technical and other assistance, and it guarantees the purchase of output from the farmers after harvest, deducting costs from income. In the second model, Wanbao subcontracts land to Chinese-owned agribusiness companies which work with local farmers, increasing productivity, and passing on their knowledge and best practices.

He interviews the Minister of Agriculture in Mozambique, Higino de Marrule, who applauds the Wanbao project as having raised productivity in rice production seven-fold, and lowering the level of rice imports significantly.

Celso Tamele, a program director at TechnoServe, an NGO which provides assistance to the agricultural sector, says that the project has had an impact on small farmers of the Xai-Xai region, and he believes the model can be replicated in other regions of Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries.

https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/wanbao-rice-farm-leads-the-way-in-taking-chinese-rice-growing-to-mozambique--15e27b8c-7a70-4afb-a34b-6c1ce4c878bd

 

 

 

Ghana to stop importing rice by 2022-2023 crop season – Deputy Agric Minister



Description: Deputy Minister of Agriculture, George Boahen Oduro 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, George Boahen

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, George Boahen Oduro, has promised that Government of Ghana will stop the importation of rice into the country by the end of the 2022/2023 crop season.

“Since the lockdown, we have not imported any rice, we are only consuming our local rice and the ones that were locked up in the system…the government bought the 600,000 metric tonnes of Ghana rice, we are now giving a seed of 11000 tonnes to our farmers…,” he said.

Speaking on Angel 102.9FM’s Morning Show, Mr Oduro was confident the country will achieve this because of the huge investments that the Nana Akufo-Addo government has made in that sector.

“I can assure you that by 2022/2023 crop year, Ghana will not be importing rice into the country again…,” he said on the show hosted by Captain Smart.

He said the government under the Planting for Food and Jobs Porgramme (PFJ) has initiated several policies that are helping rice farmers a lot.

The policies he added, include helping with the packaging of Ghana rice to make it more attractive.

“The country from now till then will still be importing rice but at a reduced number…,” he said.

He said that the government as part of measures to achieve this aim has increased the number of seeds that it gives to farmers in the sector.

 

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Ghana-to-stop-importing-rice-by-2022-2023-crop-season-Deputy-Agric-Minister-1049605

 

 

Demand for Non-basmati Exports from India Increases as Price Increases in Thailand and Vietnam

NEWSTHE WORLD

Demand for Non-basmati Exports from India Increases as Price Increases in Thailand and Vietnam

September 3, 2020

Gurneel Kaur

Indian non-basmati traders expect robust exports this year. Demand for non-basmati exports from India increases owing to the price rise in Thailand and Vietnam.

Increase in Demand for Non-basmati Rice

India benefits from a price difference of about $90 per tonne in non-basmati rice from Vietnam and Thailand variety. BV Krishna Rao, president of Rice Exporters Association, said that Indian rice had seen a demand increase despite a 3-5% jump in price due to rupee depreciation. He added that the rice exports rose by 35% in the first four months of FY21 as compared to the exports in the same period last year. Indian non-basmati variety is available at $400 per tonne while the price for Thailand and Vietnam rice ranges between $490 to $500 per tonne.

High Demand for Indian Non-basmati Rice Exports Due to Price Rise in Vietnam and Thailand

COVID Uncertainty Results in Rice Price in Vietnam

The increasing cases of COVID and uncertainty over the pandemic have encouraged hoarding in Vietnam, which led to price rise. Also, the increase in purchases by local traders at the end of harvest season has contributed to the increased price. Experts say the costs will remain high at least until the arrival of new harvest in October.

The majority of the world’s rice demand is met by Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. India supplies its rice to almost 170 countries in the world and accounts for 11 million tonnes out of 40-45 million tonnes of rice traded globally.

Non-basmati Exports to Touch FY18 Export Levels

September and October will witness a surge in demand for non-basmati rice from India. Exporters expect the exports to touch FY18 levels of 8.64 million tonnes. The quantity came down to 5.04 million tonnes in FY20 as farmers lacked interest in exporting because of high MSP.

Shortage of Containers

The exporters are facing a shortage of export containers. Rao said that the supply of containers has slowed down on Kakinada (the biggest non-basmati port ) after a decrease in imports from China

In all, the demand for non-basmati rice has increased. However, the container shortage will remain a problem for the exporters.

https://www.grainmart.in/news/demand-for-non-basmati-exports-from-india-increases-as-price-increases-in-thailand-and-vietnam/

Punjab rice traders ask for clarity on Centre’s agriculture ordinance

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHANDIGARH:, SEPTEMBER 03, 2020 17:21 IST

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 03, 2020 17:22 IST

Description: Image for representational purpose only.

Image for representational purpose only.   | Photo Credit: AFP

Fresh basmati rice crop is expected in market by mid-September

With Punjab opposing the Centre’s agriculture-related ordinance, rice exporters in Punjab are in quandary as fresh rice crop is about to arrive in the market but there is no clarity on issues surrounding the market fee and rural development fund (RDF), according to a trade body.

The Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association has asked the State government to clarify its stand on the issue of levying fees as neighbouring States, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, have already accepted the new ordinance.

“We are in a total state of confusion. The Central government’s ordinance [Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance] has created a parallel system, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to exporters, while the Punjab government has opposed the ordinance. The basmati (rice) growing States including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Jammu-Kashmir (UT) have notified that they would be levying only 1% user charges on the produce brought to their mandi yards while adhering to the new norms under the ordinance. On the other hand, Punjab, which had been levying 2% market fees and 2% RDF, needs to immediately take a decision on the issue,” said Mr. Ashok Sethi, director, Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association.

Mr. Sethi said that they had written to the State government for a quick decision on the issue since the new basmati rice crop will start arriving in the mandis by the second week of September. “If Punjab continues to levy 4% fees, these taxes will leave our trade uneconomical and render our rice export unviable as we would not be able compete with exporters based in other States given the disparity in taxes,” said Mr. Sethi.

“We appeal to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to kindly exempt basmati rice from market fee and RDF. The State government needs to work out modalities on fees, etc., in tune with the prevailing situation,” he added.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punjab-rice-traders-ask-for-clarity-on-centres-agriculture-ordinance/article32514301.ece

 

 

World food price index rises for third month running in August: FAO

 

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 / 1:21 PM / 2 DAYS AGO

 

ROME (Reuters) - World food prices rose for a third month running in August, led by coarse grains, vegetable oils and sugar, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.

FILE PHOTO: People shop at a vegetable market in Sirte, Libya August 18, 2020. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

The Food and Agriculture Organization’s food price index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 96.1 points last month versus 94.3 in July.

The Rome-based FAO also said in a statement that worldwide cereal harvests remained on course to hit an annual record in 2020.

The agency’s cereal price index rose 1.9% in August from the month before and 7% above its value a year earlier.

Among the major cereals, sorghum, barley and rice prices rose the most, FAO said. Maize also climbed strongly, pushed up by concerns over U.S. production prospects following recent crop damage in Iowa.

The vegetable oil price index climbed 5.9% month-on-month, returning to around the levels registered when the coronavirus crisis hit the world at the start of the year.

Palm oil was buoyed by expected output slowdowns in major producing countries, which, combined with firm global import demand, were expected to result in lower inventory levels.

Average sugar prices rose 6.7% from July, reflecting forecasts of a reduction in production due to unfavourable weather conditions in the European Union and Thailand. Strong import demand in China also helped push prices higher.

By contrast, the dairy index was little changed on the month, with falls in cheese and whole milk powder offset by stronger butter and skim milk quotations.

The meat index was also largely steady, with bovine and poultry prices in retreat while pig meat prices rose after four consecutive months of declines, as Chinese imports jumped.

FAO revised down its forecast for the 2020 cereal season by 25 million tonnes, largely due to expectations of a lower maize production in the United States.

However, despite this reduction, the agency still expected a record harvest this year of almost 2.765 billion tonnes, up 3% on 2019 levels.

“Record maize harvests are forecast for Argentina and Brazil, while global sorghum production is expected to grow by 6% from the previous year. Worldwide rice production in 2020 is also expected to reach a new record of 509 million tonnes,” FAO said.

The forecast for world cereal utilisation in 2020/21 hit 2.746 billion tonnes, up 2% on the 2019/20 level. The estimate for world cereal stocks by the close of seasons in 2021 was 895.5 million tonnes, down 33.4 million tonnes since July.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-economy-food/world-food-price-index-rises-for-third-month-running-in-august-fao-idUSKBN25U150#:~:text=World%20food%20price%20index%20rises%20for%20third%20month%20running%20in%20August%3A%20FAO,-3%20Min%20Read&text=ROME%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20World%20food,food%20agency%20said%20on%20Thursday.

 

 

 

S. Korea mulls redeeming money given to WFP for stalled NK rice provision project

By Yonhap

Published : Sept 3, 2020 - 13:51       Updated : Sept 3, 2020 - 13:51

·          

(Yonhap)


Description: (Yonhap)The unification ministry said Thursday that it is considering redeeming the money it sent to the World Food Programme (WFP) for a plan to provide rice assistance to North Korea if there is no progress in the stalled project by the end of this year.

In June last year, the ministry announced the plan to provide 50,000 tons of rice to North Korea through the WFP and sent the organization 13.8 billion won ($11.6 million) to cover transportation, equipment and monitoring costs.

The plan, however, has since been stalled as the North rejected the assistance offer in protest over joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

"We are making efforts to get the project off the ground with a plan to seek cooperation with North Korea through the WFP until the end of this year," a ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

"In case the project is terminated without any progress this year, we will have consultations with the WFP in a way to redeem the money sent to the organization," he added.

Observers said that it is unlikely for North Korea to respond to Seoul's assistance offer given that inter-Korean relations chilled further recently since the North blew up a liaison office in its border town of Kaesong in June in anger over the sending of anti-Pyongyang leaflets by activists in the South.

North Korea is presumed to face chronic food shortage problems caused by extreme weather conditions and global sanctions. Last week's typhoon and recent heavy downpours are feared to make things worse as they hit hard the southwestern province of Hwanghae know as its key rice-producing zone. (Yonhap)

 

 

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200903000720

 

 

 

Rice Prices

as on : 04-09-2020 01:38:07 PM

Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals

Price

Current

%
change

Season
cumulative

Modal

Prev.
Modal

Prev.Yr
%change

Rice

Sultanpur(UP)

200.00

-20

8837.00

2350

2300

-13.76

Gondal(UP)

115.50

10

9825.50

2400

2400

-3.23

Dadri(UP)

100.00

17.65

3005.00

5950

5950

-

Barhaj(UP)

90.00

-18.18

11985.00

2520

2570

4.13

Kalipur(WB)

84.00

16.67

3823.00

2400

2400

2.13

Mandya(Kar)

74.00

-71.76

8099.00

2500

2400

-

Kopaganj(UP)

62.00

NC

2120.00

2550

2575

3.87

Choubepur(UP)

45.00

16.88

2778.95

2400

2450

-10.11

Aligarh(UP)

40.00

14.29

5007.00

2550

2540

NC

Raibareilly(UP)

39.50

618.18

1798.00

2300

2300

-2.13

Jhargram(WB)

37.00

2.78

1052.00

2900

3000

NC

Lalitpur(UP)

36.00

-5.26

1931.50

2475

2460

-5.89

Mainpuri(UP)

36.00

2.86

4463.50

2500

2650

-3.47

Allahabad(UP)

35.00

NC

2902.50

2550

2500

NC

Bharwari(UP)

35.00

-12.5

310.50

1700

1700

-

Saharanpur(UP)

34.00

36

3179.50

2820

2800

-1.40

Lakhimpur(UP)

30.00

-14.29

3333.00

2440

2430

1.67

Beldanga(WB)

30.00

NC

1835.00

2700

2700

3.85

Firozabad(UP)

28.50

14

2094.60

2600

2590

-

Muradabad(UP)

28.00

-6.67

2180.00

2610

2600

1.95

Madhoganj(UP)

27.00

28.57

3904.00

2430

2425

5.19

Balrampur(UP)

26.00

4

1355.00

2400

2400

4.35

Sahiyapur(UP)

21.50

7.5

2855.50

2530

2530

3.48

Vilaspur(UP)

21.00

NC

1957.20

2585

2580

2.99

Paliakala(UP)

20.00

NC

941.00

2420

2400

4.09

Champadanga(WB)

18.00

28.57

892.00

3250

3250

10.17

Sirsaganj(UP)

16.00

-3.03

1381.50

2610

2600

-1.88

Rasda(UP)

16.00

6.67

714.50

2550

2560

1059.09

Medinipur(West)(WB)

16.00

-11.11

241.00

2900

2900

1.75

Gazipur(UP)

15.50

3.33

2321.50

3260

3260

0.93

Islampur(WB)

15.00

NC

799.80

3400

3400

-5.56

Raiganj(WB)

15.00

NC

700.50

3300

3300

-5.71

Unnao(UP)

14.00

211.11

335.50

2450

2450

-7.55

Soharatgarh(UP)

13.50

-15.62

1774.70

2520

2510

3.28

Sindhanur(Kar)

13.00

-

13.00

2800

-

-

Farukhabad(UP)

13.00

4

1383.50

2450

2460

-7.55

Utraula(UP)

12.50

-34.21

799.70

2400

2420

-

Mawana(UP)

11.00

57.14

464.20

2800

2850

-

Vishalpur(UP)

10.00

-37.5

548.20

2650

2550

0.57

Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB)

10.00

-16.67

1279.00

2800

2800

1.82

Badayoun(UP)

8.00

100

1195.50

2600

2620

1.56

Etah(UP)

8.00

33.33

557.00

2600

2610

1.56

Mahoba(UP)

7.80

-13.33

509.60

2430

2460

7.28

Mohamadabad(UP)

6.80

13.33

963.10

2450

2470

-

Fatehpur(UP)

6.50

16.07

2433.10

2510

2500

5.46

Devariya(UP)

6.50

8.33

1189.50

2535

2530

3.47

Amroha(UP)

5.50

22.22

142.50

2590

2570

-0.38

Kasganj(UP)

5.00

25

571.50

2610

2620

1.95

Mirzapur(UP)

5.00

25

358.50

2665

2675

10.12

Kayamganj(UP)

5.00

-28.57

2149.00

2470

2480

-6.79

Nadia(WB)

5.00

66.67

303.00

3200

3350

-15.79

Lucknow(UP)

4.30

19.44

5013.20

2410

2400

-13.93

Jhijhank(UP)

4.00

-20

515.50

2500

2475

-

Jahangirabad(UP)

3.50

-12.5

344.50

2640

2640

2.52

Chitwadagaon(UP)

3.50

-22.22

508.30

2620

2640

24.76

Kalyani(WB)

3.50

NC

113.00

3400

3400

NC

Fatehpur Sikri(UP)

3.40

6.25

182.70

2590

2585

-0.96

Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP)

3.40

3.03

667.70

2460

2450

-7.52

Buland Shahr(UP)

2.50

108.33

166.60

2665

2650

0.57

Chandoli(UP)

2.20

10

112.60

2590

2580

11.16

Khurja(UP)

2.20

83.33

217.00

2666

2650

-0.34

Charra(UP)

1.70

-5.56

145.70

2560

2560

0.79

Jhansi(UP)

1.60

-20

171.00

2505

2490

5.47

Melaghar(Tri)

1.50

87.5

81.70

2800

2800

3.70

Lalganj(UP)

1.50

50

293.00

2300

2300

31.43

Pilibhit(UP)

1.50

-94.64

46986.00

2585

2605

-1.71

Muskara(UP)

1.50

NC

100.50

2400

2360

0.84

Wazirganj(UP)

1.50

-25

56.00

2590

2590

-

Alibagh(Mah)

1.00

NC

111.00

2200

2200

NC

Murud(Mah)

1.00

NC

109.00

2200

2200

NC

Anandnagar(UP)

1.00

-28.57

237.90

2515

2510

4.79

Bangarmau(UP)

0.80

-77.14

223.00

2450

2450

3.16

Atrauli(UP)

0.60

NC

17.10

2555

2560

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:50eojMZDURQJ:https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article32521812.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

 

Japan's appetite for rice takes biggest plunge in 7 years

Besides tax hike and economic downturn, Tokyo's farm policy also blamed for drop

Description: https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fs3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com%2Fpsh-ex-ftnikkei-3937bb4%2Fimages%2F6%2F5%2F3%2F9%2F29159356-5-eng-GB%2FCropped-1599065153photo.JPG?source=nar-cms

Children scoop rice into their bowls during lunch time at a Japanese nursery school.   © Reuters

HARUKI KITAGAWA, Nikkei staff writerSeptember 3, 2020 06:56 JST

TOKYO -- Demand for Japan's signature crop, rice, has wilted under the triple whammy of the consumption tax hike, the pandemic-induced economic downturn, and high prices due to government policies that have restrained production.

The country's demand for domestically produced rice has plunged by 220,000 tons during the agricultural year that ended in June, according to government statistics, a far steeper decrease than previously estimated.

The sharpest drop in seven years comes as Japan raised its consumption tax last fall and consumers tighten spending during an economic downturn brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Rising prices for rice also seem to have depressed demand.

"The fact that [rice] prices have been relatively high for about three years could have impacted consumer behavior," an official at the agriculture ministry reluctantly admitted during a ministry meeting in July.

Demand for rice stood at 7.13 million tons in the 12 months through June, down 220,000 tons. The industry had anticipated demand sinking by 100,000 tons per year.

For the year ended June, the average wholesale price for rice was 15,725 yen ($148) for a 60 kg sack, rising for five straight years to its second-highest point in the past decade, industry data indicates.

The higher prices were mainly driven by generous government subsidies to farmers to diversify production implemented after the policy to reduce the amount of land under cultivation was scrapped. As a result, farmers enjoyed more income, but because they produced less rice, retail prices rose and there were shortages of cheap rice for commercial use.

The agriculture ministry has rarely considered the relationship between rice price and demand. But the steep drop in demand -- which undershot last fall's projections by 140,000 tons -- forced it to take a look, and now says demand does fall when prices rise.

A consumption tax hike and a coronavirus-hit economy hurt Japan's demand for rice. (Photo by Keita Takano)

The Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives, also known as JA-Zenchu, was quick to object to the findings. A representative of the group told the agriculture ministry that the drop in demand can be explained by several factors, such as the graying population or the shift in eating habits to meat.

The assumption that rice consumption would drop by 100,000 tons a year is based on the shrinking population and changing eating habits. Low-carb diets have also been cited as a factor.

However, "the rise in rice prices and the consumption tax increase last fall have dampened consumer sentiment, and the novel coronavirus added further downward pressure," said Mitsuo Fujio, president of Shinmei, Japan's largest rice wholesaler.

That the consumption tax was raised to 10% from 8% in October, during peak selling season of new rice, also dealt a blow, said an industry source.

Rice purchases by volume decreased 11% in October 2019 compared with a year earlier, according to an official household survey. At the same time, purchases of bread and noodles climbed 2%. Consumers tend to feel that purchasing rice is more expensive than buying other foods.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, people are eating more meals at home. But fewer people eat out.

Agriculture ministry data shows that between March and June, purchases of rice for household use jumped 77,000 tons on the year, but sales of rice for commercial use dropped 86,000 tons during the same period.

The types of rice that have become strong sellers have also shifted, said Fujio. Blended rice, which costs 20% to 30% less than single-variety rice, have grown in sales. Because of the rise in costs, some operators that cook rice for commercial establishments have closed up shop.

Japan has upheld a policy of acreage reduction in one form or another until 2018. But both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the farm lobby remain wary of falling rice prices. Farmers continue to collect subsidies to plant other crops, and financial support is set to increase in fiscal 2020.

The restraints placed on farming staple rice will lead to an increase in prices, producing a vicious cycle of decreased demand.

Demand for rice this growing year "could fall below 7 million tons," said Fujio. The subsidy program is poised to make the situation worse.

"Forcibly maintaining rice prices through crop diversification subsidies is no longer feasible," said Shoichi Fukuhara, president of agribusiness Fukuhara Farm. The company's main product is rice for commercial use.

"If the government is going to think about farmers, they should seriously think about who wants what type of rice," Fukuhara said. "Large farmers will be the ones who will take the biggest brunt from the shift away from rice."

 

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Commodities/Japan-s-appetite-for-rice-takes-biggest-plunge-in-7-years#:~:text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20Demand%20for%20Japan's,policies%20that%20have%20restrained%20production.

 

 

Wind Rain deal below harvested rice

 

 

bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu(link sends e-mail)

THORNWELL —

 

A worker from the Supreme Rice Mill uses a lift to inspect a set of bins owned by Sweet Lake Land Co. of Calcasieu Parish. (Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter)

WIND, RAIN DEAL BLOW TO HARVESTED RICE

Wed, 09/02/2020 - 2:32pm

BRUCE SCHULTZ

Rice farmers without electricity across southwest Louisiana are struggling to save their rice crop in storage.
Farmer Paul Johnson, of Bell City, had a good rice crop harvested long before Hurricane Laura hit the Louisiana coast on Aug. 27.
He stored his grain at a dryer facility in Thornwell, but the storm blew parts of the roof away, exposing his rice to rain. Without electricity, he was not able to dry the grain.
“This old dryer has withstood a lot of storms, but not this one,” Johnson said.
Like many farmers, he had one of his best crops in several years.
But the Supreme Rice Mill, of Crowley, was prepared for this catastrophe, renting generators for farmers in anticipation of the disaster and providing workers to help farmers make repairs on their bins and get the generators connected to their electrical system.
“You’re talking a class operation there,” Johnson said. “I don’t know what I’d do without Supreme. The first call I made was to them, and they handled it from there.”
Johnson said Supreme has sent trucks to get his rice, and company representative John Morgan was onsite helping set up the generator.
LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said Johnson is not alone in the hard-hit area around Lake Charles in the struggle to save the harvested rice. “They’re all trying to get that rice dried and moved,” he said.
Jeremy Hebert, AgCenter agent in Acadia Parish, said rice with high moisture will generate heat and ruin. “The farmers finally had a good crop, and now they’re faced with this,” he said.
Farmer Jordan Aguillard, of Grand Lake, finished harvesting his rice crop the day before storm hit.
But his challenges were not over. Not only was his house damaged by Hurricane Laura; the tops of three bins full of rice were blown off by the storm. And the grain needed to be dried to prevent it from spoiling.
Aguillard had stored some of his rice in bins owned by Rick Hoffpauir, and the tops of three of the bins were blown off, exposing the rice to the weather. As Aguillard was waiting on an insurance adjuster and electrician to blow air into the rice, storm clouds threatened overhead. Aguillard said one option may be to move the rice to other storage facilities.
Hoffpauir said Aguillard eventually got his generator connected, and he was able to move the exposed rice to the bins that were intact.
Aguillard said his house is badly damaged. “It’s still standing. The shingles are all gone, and I think the ceiling is going to fall in,” he said. Many other houses in the Grand Lake area where he lives are in similar condition.
Aguillard also has cattle, but he said they survived the storm, although fencing will need to be replaced. “I’ve got a lot of fence down, and it’s mostly from debris from houses,” he said.
Hoffpauir said it appears the wind damage is much worse than from Hurricane Rita in 2005. Hoffpauir said his house is badly damaged as well as his son’s next door, along with a shed full of farm equipment. “I haven’t even seen my lawnmower yet,” he said.
Proof of the wind’s power is obvious just a quarter mile away from Hoffpauir’s place. A train of dozens of empty rail cars is laying on its side.
Neighboring farmer Johnny Hensgens had a bin destroyed. Talking from Ft. Worth, Texas, where he had evacuated, Hensgens said his house was also badly damaged. “The roof split open. My son’s house’s roof is off, and it’s getting wet when it’s raining,” he said.
David Bertrand, of Elton, who buys and sells rice, was picking up a generator in Lake Charles to supply power for his rice bins. He said many farmers are dealing with the same problems of drying their rice.
“It’s a fight. It’s disastrous,” Bertrand said. “Several farms’ bins are missing roofs, or they have collapsed roofs. I don’t see how some of these guys are going to survive.”
To the east, the impact on rice farmers was minimal. Farmer Jeffrey Sylvester, of Whiteville in St. Landry Parish, had about half of his rice harvested, and he borrowed a generator from another farm to run his dryer system. The rice remaining in the field went through the storm in good shape with some downed areas, but Sylvester was relieved that much of the crop survived intact, along with his soybeans.
Adam Habetz, who farms west of Lake Charles, has one generator that he has to rotate between two sets of bins. He’s also trying to fix his leaking roof and tend to cattle. “It’s all got to be done. You just have to pick your battles,” he said.
Habetz said he finished harvesting his rice crop Sunday night, but its moisture level was high, at 22% to 23%, and it required drying.
His electric provider told him it will be at least six weeks before power is restored. In the meantime, Habetz is paying $200 a day for generator rental in addition to the fuel cost. “That’s better than losing your whole crop,” he said.
All but six of his cattle have been located, but fencing is inadequate now. “The fences are a mess. There’s no patching it. It’s got to be replaced,” he said.
Todd Fontenot, AgCenter agent for rice in Evangeline and Allen parishes, said power was restored in Evangeline Parish, but Allen Parish farmers remain without power unless they have generators.
A thunderstorm came through Evangeline Parish du

https://www.eunicetoday.com/news/wind-rain-deal-blow-harvested-rice

 

 

Laura deals below harvested lousiaiana rice

 

 

 

Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter

Rice is exposed in one of three bins holding the rice crop of farmer Jordan Aguillard of Calcasieu Parish, La. In the distance is a train of rail cars knocked over by Hurricane Laura.

Laura deals blow to harvested Louisiana rice

Without electricity, Louisiana farmers struggle to save rice crop in storage.

Bruce Schultz | Sep 01, 2020

Rice farmers without electricity across southwest Louisiana are struggling to save their rice crop in storage.

Farmer Paul Johnson of Bell City, La., had a good rice crop harvested long before Hurricane Laura hit the Louisiana coast on Aug. 27. 

He stored his grain at a dryer facility in Thornwell, La., but the storm blew parts of the roof away, exposing his rice to rain. Without electricity, he was not able to dry the grain.

“This old dryer has withstood a lot of storms, but not this one,” Johnson said.

Like many farmers, he had one of his best crops in several years.

But the Supreme Rice Mill of Crowley, La., was prepared for the catastrophe, renting generators for farmers in anticipation of the disaster and providing workers to help farmers make repairs on their bins and get the generators connected to their electrical system.

“You’re talking a class operation there,” Johnson said. “I don’t know what I’d do without Supreme. The first call I made was to them, and they handled it from there.”

Setting up generator

Johnson said Supreme has sent trucks to get his rice, and company representative John Morgan was onsite helping set up the generator.

LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said Johnson is not alone in the hard-hit area around Lake Charles, La., in the struggle to save the harvested rice. “They’re all trying to get that rice dried and moved,” he said.

Jeremy Hebert, AgCenter agent in Acadia Parish, said rice with high moisture will generate heat and ruin. “The farmers finally had a good crop, and now they’re faced with this,” he said.

Farmer Jordan Aguillard of Grand Lake, La. finished harvesting his rice crop the day before storm hit.

Photos: Laura hits stored Louisiana rice

But his challenges were not over. Not only was his house damaged by Hurricane Laura; the tops of three bins full of rice were blown off by the storm. And the grain needed to be dried to prevent it from spoiling.

Aguillard had stored some of his rice in bins owned by Rick Hoffpauir, and the tops of three of the bins were blown off, exposing the rice to the weather. As Aguillard was waiting on an insurance adjuster and electrician to blow air into the rice, storm clouds threatened overhead. Aguillard said one option may be to move the rice to other storage facilities.

Hoffpauir said Aguillard eventually got his generator connected, and he was able to move the exposed rice to the bins that were intact.

House badly damaged

Aguillard said his house is badly damaged. “It’s still standing. The shingles are all gone, and I think the ceiling is going to fall in,” he said. Many other houses in the Grand Lake area where he lives are in similar condition.

Aguillard also has cattle, but he said they survived the storm, although fencing will need to be replaced. “I’ve got a lot of fence down, and it’s mostly from debris from houses,” he said.

Hoffpauir said it appears the wind damage is much worse than from Hurricane Rita in 2005. Hoffpauir said his house is badly damaged as well as his son’s next door, along with a shed full of farm equipment. “I haven’t even seen my lawnmower yet,” he said.

Proof of the wind’s power is obvious just a quarter mile away from Hoffpauir’s place. A train of dozens of empty rail cars is laying on its side.

Neighboring farmer Johnny Hensgens had a bin destroyed. Talking from Ft. Worth, Texas, where he had evacuated, Hensgens said his house was also badly damaged. “The roof split open. My son’s house’s roof is off, and it’s getting wet when it’s raining,” he said.

David Bertrand of Elton, La., who buys and sells rice, was picking up a generator in Lake Charles to supply power for his rice bins. He said many farmers are dealing with the same problems of drying their rice.

“It’s a fight. It’s disastrous,” Bertrand said. “Several farms’ bins are missing roofs, or they have collapsed roofs. I don’t see how some of these guys are going to survive.”

To the east

To the east, the impact on rice farmers was minimal. Farmer Jeffrey Sylvester of Whiteville in St. Landry Parish, La., had about half of his rice harvested, and he borrowed a generator from another farm to run his dryer system. The rice remaining in the field went through the storm in good shape with some downed areas, but Sylvester was relieved that much of the crop survived intact, along with his soybeans.

Adam Habetz, who farms west of Lake Charles, La., has one generator that he has to rotate between two sets of bins. He’s also trying to fix his leaking roof and tend to cattle. “It’s all got to be done. You just have to pick your battles,” he said.

Habetz said he finished harvesting his rice crop Sunday (Aug. 30) night, but its moisture level was high, at 22% to 23%, and it required drying.

His electric provider told him it will be at least six weeks before power is restored. In the meantime, Habetz is paying $200 a day for generator rental in addition to the fuel cost. “That’s better than losing your whole crop,” he said.

All but six of his cattle have been located, but fencing is inadequate now. “The fences are a mess. There’s no patching it. It’s got to be replaced,” he said.

Todd Fontenot, AgCenter agent for rice in Evangeline and Allen parishes, said power was restored in Evangeline Parish, but Allen Parish farmers remain without power unless they have generators.

A thunderstorm came through Evangeline Parish during the weekend and flattened some rice that had withstood Laura.

Source: LSU AgCenter, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

https://www.farmprogress.com/rice/laura-deals-blow-harvested-louisiana-rice

 

 

 

 

Natural pest control is saving billions

Researchers assess the impact in Asia and the Pacific.

Description: https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/180606-agriculture-full-1440x960-1.jpg

Chadchai Ra-ngubpai / Getty Images

Biological control, where natural enemies keep insect pests at bay, is saving farmers in Asia and the Pacific billions of dollars, according to research led by Australia’s University of Queensland.

Kris Wyckhuys and colleagues reviewed the use of 75 different biological control agents against 43 pest targets over the period 1918–2018 and found they promoted rural growth and prosperity even in marginal, poorly endowed, non-rice environments.

Scientists meticulously choose co-evolved beneficial insects that are the most effective and least likely to pose ecological upsets, Wyckhuys says.

“Biological control delivered durable pest control in myriad Asia-Pacific agriculture sectors, permitting yield-loss recoveries up to 73%, 81% and 100% in cassava, banana and coconut crops respectively,” the authors write in a paper in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

“The ensuing economic dividends are substantial, as pest-induced losses up to US$6.8 billion, US$4.3 billion and US$8.2 billion annually for the above crops were offset (at respective values of US$5.4-6.8 billion, US$1.4-2.2 billion and US$3.8-5.5 billion yr, for a conservative to high-impact scenario range).”

Nations such as Indonesia that prioritised biological control enjoyed productivity gains in pest-afflicted banana (1222%) and cassava (322%) far surpassing those of paddy rice (303%).

“That’s a phenomenal amount of money and benefit, particularly when compared to other innovations in the agricultural sector,” says Wyckhuys about the overall results.

“A good point of comparison is the Green Revolution in Asia during the late 1960s, which tripled the output of local rice production but also saw a rise of chemical fertilisers, agrochemicals and newer methods of cultivation.”

The researchers say their findings are consistent with a recent global synthesis that demonstrated the economic value of biological control for arthropod pest management on the basis of 44 published studies from across the globe.

However, values in the new study “dwarf those from this recent synthesis largely because they are founded on a much larger pest complex, more crops, an expansive geographic coverage and broader underlying assumptions”.

The new findings, they say, highlight that technological change and its associated productivity gains are “not exclusively due to improved genetics, mechanisation or synthesised chemicals, but also involve agro-ecological measures”.

And yet, they suggest, the discipline of biological control finds itself at a crossroads.

“As pest–natural enemy interactions are tied to global environmental change, habitat loss, agrochemical pollution and insect biodiversity decline are causing net negative impacts,” they write.

“Biological control equally suffers from declining institutional capacity, a lack of public recognition, fading attention by the [Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres] and increasingly stringent regulations.

“Yet, modern biological control explicitly balances ecological risks with multifaceted benefits, and its judicious use can safely reduce invasive species impacts, ease vector-borne disease burden and exert stabilising effects on commodity markets.”

Description: Nick Carne

Nick Carne

Nick Carne is the editor of Cosmos Online and editorial manager for The Royal Institution of Australia.

 

Read science facts, not fiction...

https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/agriculture/natural-pest-control-is-saving-billions/

 

 

 

Natural pest control saving billions

Date:

September 3, 2020

Source:

University of Queensland

Summary:

Biological control of insect pests - where 'natural enemies' keep pests at bay - is saving farmers in Asia and the Pacific billions of dollars, according to new research. Biological control involved the careful release of an exotic natural enemy from a pest's native habitat.

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FULL STORY


Biological control of insect pests -- where 'natural enemies' keep pests at bay -- is saving farmers in Asia and the Pacific billions of dollars, according to University of Queensland-led research.

Dr Kris Wyckhuys from UQ's School of Biological Sciences said biological control involved the careful release of an exotic natural enemy from a pest's native habitat.

"Scientists meticulously choose co-evolved beneficial insects that are the most effective and least likely to pose ecological upsets," Dr Wyckhuys said.

"We've reviewed how biological control introductions have effectively managed 43 insect pests in food, feed and fibre crops in the Asia-Pacific region over a century."

The team found that biological control has helped regulate invasive pest threats in multiple key food crops such as banana, breadfruit and coconut.

"Our work shows these techniques are saving farmers in Asia around $20.1 billion to $26.8 billion (US$14.6-19.5 billion) per year," Dr Wyckhuys said.

"That's a phenomenal amount of money and benefit, particularly when compared to other innovations in the agricultural sector.

"A good point of comparison is the Green Revolution in Asia during the late 1960s, which tripled the output of local rice production but also saw a rise of chemical fertilisers, agrochemicals and newer methods of cultivation.

"A large part of the Green Revolution impacts can be ascribed to double-yielding rice varieties, which generated $4.8 billion (US$4.3 billion) per year in Asia."

UQ's Associate Professor Michael Furlong said recognition of the success of biological control might lead to greater uptake and more resilient, prosperous farming globally.

"Biological control offers great opportunities for some of the world's poorest farmers," Dr Furlong said.

"It's promoted rural growth and prosperity even in marginal, poorly endowed, non-rice environments.

"A great example is the coconut scale (Aspidiotus destructor), which jeopardised the economic prosperity and food security of entire nations.

"This coconut scale posed a serious problem to crops like coconut, bananas and copra industries in Fiji at the start of the Twentieth Century.

"In 1928, lady beetles from Trinidad and millimetre-long parasitic wasps were introduced, and the results were almost immediate.

"Coconut scale ceased to be an economic issue on all of the main Fijian islands within nine months, and after 18 months, the scale was so rare it was difficult to find.

"These innovative approaches, with increasingly better science, are helping feed the world, safeguard on-farm biodiversity and increase farmers' quality of life.

"We're hoping this research provides lessons for future efforts to mitigate invasive species, restore ecological resilience, and sustainably increase the output of our global food system."


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of QueenslandNote: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

1.       Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Yanhui Lu, Wenwu Zhou, Matthew J. W. Cock, Steven E. Naranjo, Atumurirava Fereti, Frances E. Williams, Michael J. Furlong. Ecological pest control fortifies agricultural growth in Asia–Pacific economiesNature Ecology & Evolution, 2020; DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01294-y


Cite This Page:

University of Queensland. "Natural pest control saving billions." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 September 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200903095607.htm>.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200903095607.htm

 

 

One Week Later, Laura's Damage Report Still Unfolding  

By Kane Webb

 

LOCATIONS IN LOUISIANA, TEXAS, ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, & MISSOURI -- It's been a week since Hurricane Laura made landfall in the rice country of southwest Louisiana, carving a path of destruction with winds and rain that then moved on through neighboring states to the north.  Effects on the 2020 rice crop are still being assessed to determine the extent of damage.

"Things are slowly improving, but we've got a long way to go before we get back to a place we feel comfortable," said Paul Johnson, who grows rice near Thornwell, in Jeff Davis Parish.  "We will probably feel the effects of this storm for years to come on a crop that was shaping up to be one of the best we'd seen in several years."

By the time Laura hit last Thursday, a majority of the crop in the southern Louisiana parishes had been harvested.  Post-storm, growers are dealing with damage to bins plus extended power outages that preclude the operation of drying facilities.  Power is being restored in some areas, allowing growers to switch from generators and aeration to full drying functions, but many dryers may be on backup power for some time.  

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Rice farmer Paul Johnson surveys storm damage

(photo by Bruce Schultz)

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Johnson added, "Rice farmers are resilient, and for those familiar with this industry, you know we're in it together.  Communication and assistance between fellow growers, millers, and merchants have been coordinated for access to generators, available storage, and equipment for repairs to those with resources and those in need."  

If there are any positive aspects from the storm in this region, it is that the storm surge was less than initially expected, sparing southern parishes from complete destruction of the ratoon crop, and rainfall amounts have stayed at manageable levels.

Further north, in central and northeast Louisiana, harvest was just getting underway last week.  Damage reports of down rice across those regions is common.  "We feared that the storm would lodge virtually all of the rice in northeast Louisiana," said Scott Franklin in Holly Ridge.  "It was a pleasant surprise to find that only about a third of the rice blew over, though we still feel horrible for our friends in the Acadiana rice region."

Some of the north Louisiana rice crop was just heading when the storm swept through there and Laura's high winds caused severe damage to rice in this region.

Following Hurricane Laura's path across Arkansas, additional thunderstorms have hit the state every day through Wednesday.  East Arkansas, in particular, has no shortage of water due to rain.

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Aerial view of crop damage

at Brantley operation

in England, AR

In central Arkansas, the Brantley operation has received a total of 8 to 9 inches of rain in the past week.  "We harvested two fields of rice before the storms hit and as soon as the sun comes out for a few days and dries out our turnrows, we'll be back in the fields harvesting," said Dow Brantley.  "We were lucky to have less than 5 percent downed rice in our community."

Jeremy Jones and his crew in England were able to harvest 30 percent of their crop a week before Laura hit.  "Most of our rice is still standing so we're pumping water off a few fields and just waiting for the fields to dry out.  I expect that once we get back in the fields, we'll harvest straight through.  We were hoping for a short break between harvesting the early and later planted rice but with this week-long delay, by the time we harvest all of our early rice, the later planted fields will be ready."

Dr. Jarrod Hardke, state rice specialist at the Rice Extension Research Station in Stuttgart, said, "The biggest concerns of producers right now are one, a delay in harvesting rice that is mature and pushing back overall harvest; two, reduced grain quality from harvest delays; and three, reduced yield and quality from lodged rice that continues to fall down worse with additional rains this week.  Rutting of fields is also a concern, more so if we fall into a wet winter again that prohibits early field work to prepare for next season.  Some of the later maturing rice that was just heading when the hurricane arrived are seeing varying degrees of blanking due to wind damage, with some experiencing substantial loss."
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The Texas crop was spared, although there was temporary loss of power to some rice drying facilities.  "I have only seen a very small percentage of main crop rice "down" and honestly most of that was just squatted and not completely flat," said Dorsey Jones, branch manager of the Helena facility in Raywood.  "Our second crop rice took no damage either.  Farm buildings and grain bins were all still in good shape with only one farmer south of Beaumont reporting power outages at his on-farm grain bins.  We are currently overall about 85-90 percent harvested in Liberty, Chambers, and Jefferson Counties."

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Laura's aftermath

continuesin Arkansas

(photo by Harrison Jones)

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Mississippi and Missouri rice farmers also report minimal damage due to Hurricane Laura.  Austin Davis, who farms near Cleveland had a little rice go down, but it was a small enough amount to be considered negligible.  Zach Tanner, from the Missouri Bootheel, said, "We were thankful not to have large lodged rice areas, just small spots.  However, it has rained here every day since Thursday last week."

Steve Linscombe, Josh Hankins, and Emily Woodall contributed to 

 

 

Before arrival of Basmati in mandis, farmers, exporters demand waiver of market fee, rural development cess

They argued that the move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the exporters.

Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba | Jalandhar | September 3, 2020 9:38:09 am

Description: https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/06/basmati-1.jpg

Basmati would hit the state’s mandis this month.

Ahead of the arrival of early varieties of Basmati in mandi, Punjab farmers and exporters are demanding a waiver of market fee and rural development fund (RDF) cess charged from exporters when they purchase Basmati from the farmers at Punjab Mandi Board (PMB) premises.

They argue that this move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the exporters.

Basmati would hit the state’s mandis this month.

Exporters said they pay 6.5 per cent tax in total on purchase of Basmati which includes market committee fee and RDF at the rate of 3 per cent each.

A leading exporter said: “As per the norms, Basmati exporters are not supposed to pay any tax and the RDF and market fee charged from them is also refundable. But for the past 2-3 years, no refund was given to the exporters by the Mandi Board and over Rs 200 crore of such funds are lying pending with the government.”

“We have written to the Punjab government to issue directions to the Mandi Board to release our long pending Market Fee and RDF dues on priority basis,” said Ashok Sethi, Director Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association, adding that if exporters will not get this refund and they are asked to pay both RDF and market fee then it would affect the farmers ultimately.

Another leading exporter said that when exporter will be required to pay these heavy taxes, he will certainly keep the price low at the time of purchase.

Other exporters that spoke to The Indian Express also Centre’s recent ordinances have raised many important issues which require immediate intervention of the state government.

“While Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution against this ordinance, other Basmati growing states like UP, Haryana, Himachal etc. have accepted the new ordinance and issued new advisories like waiving off market fee and RDF while levying ‘user charges’ (To use the yard of state Mandis) at very low percentage like Haryana would charge 1% use charges,” said Sethi, adding that taxes and levies are much higher in Punjab at over 6.5 per cent and this huge disparity in taxes and levies would affect the purchase from farmers.

“In such a condition, exporters will purchase more from those states where user charges are minimum and will pay less to the farmers here when they will have to spend more on the taxes,” said an exporter.

They demanded that the situation should be cleared before Basmati varieties like 1509 hit markets by the first week of September.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda General Secretary Jagmohan Singh said that Basmati is one of the best alternative against Paddy (Parmal rice). “We support that taxes should not be levied on the traders or exporters when they purchase it from the farmers in the mandis but certainly when traders sell it further and make profits, a portion of the profit share must be charged by the government to utilise that amount for the development of our rural area from where farmers come to the mandis to sell their produce to the exporters,” he said.

“When exporters are free from such charges, government should not charge from them because they assume that they will not get the refund of these taxes and pay less to farmers and made big profits from farmers’ produce by exporting the premium crop,” said a Basmati grower Devinder Singh of Tarn Taran, who grows Basmati on 50 to 70 acres every year.

Nearly 2.5 Million Tonnes Basmati is brought to the markets of PMB every year by the farmers.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/basmati-mandis-farmers-exporters-demand-waiver-market-fee-rural-development-cess-6581143/

MP CM orders EOW probe into low-grade rice

Bhopal, Sep 3 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday directed an Economic Offences Wing inquiry into supply of sub-standard rice to consumers, it was officially learnt.
“No action was initiated by the predecessor dispensation in the context of rice procured from millers in Balaghat under the Public Distribution System in February. Connivance at various levels is suspected. Subsequent to inspection of Balaghat and Mandla districts, transport from warehouses plus distribution have been discontinued. As per the milling policy, the second-rate rice will be replaced with that of satisfactory quality. Inconsistencies perpetrated in the past shall also be investigated. It is imperative to break the vicious cycle of black-marketeers,” he averred during a meeting.
http://www.uniindia.com/mp-cm-orders-eow-probe-into-low-grade-rice/north/news/2148355.html

 

Before arrival of Basmati in mandis, farmers, exporters demand

Before arrival of Basmati in mandis, farmers, exporters demand waiver of market fee, rural development cess

They argued that the move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the exporters.

Description: https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/06/basmati-1.jpg Ahead of the arrival of early varieties of Basmati in mandi, Punjab farmers and exporters are demanding a waiver of market fee and rural development fund (RDF) cess charged from exporters when they purchase Basmati from the farmers at Punjab Mandi Board (PMB) premises. They argue that this move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the exporters. Basmati would hit the state’s mandis this month. Exporters said they pay 6.5 per cent tax in total on purchase of Basmati which includes market committee fee and RDF at the rate of 3 per cent each.

 

A leading exporter said: “As per the norms, Basmati exporters are not supposed to pay any tax and the RDF and market fee charged from them is also refundable. But for the past 2-3 years, no refund was given to the exporters by the Mandi Board and over Rs 200 crore of such funds are lying pending with the government.” “We have written to the Punjab government to issue directions to the Mandi Board to release our long pending Market Fee and RDF dues on priority basis,” said Ashok Sethi, Director Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association, adding that if exporters will not get this refund and they are asked to pay both RDF and market fee then it would affect the farmers ultimately. Another leading exporter said that when exporter will be required to pay these heavy taxes, he will certainly keep the price low at the time of purchase. Other exporters that spoke to The Indian Express also Centre’s recent ordinances have raised many important issues which require immediate intervention of the state government. “While Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution against this ordinance, other Basmati growing states like UP, Haryana, Himachal etc. have accepted the new ordinance and issued new advisories like waiving off market fee and RDF while levying ‘user charges’ (To use the yard of state Mandis) at very low percentage like Haryana would charge 1% use charges,” said Sethi, adding that taxes and levies are much higher in Punjab at over 6.5 per cent and this huge disparity in taxes and levies would affect the purchase from farmers. “In such a condition, exporters will purchase more from those states where user charges are minimum and will pay less to the farmers here when they will have to spend more on the taxes,” said an exporter. They demanded that the situation should be cleared before Basmati varieties like 1509 hit markets by the first week of September. Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda General Secretary Jagmohan Singh said that Basmati is one of the best alternative against Paddy (Parmal rice). “We support that taxes should not be levied on the traders or exporters when they purchase it from the farmers in the mandis but certainly when traders sell it further and make profits, a portion of the profit share must be charged by the government to utilise that amount for the development of our rural area from where farmers come to the mandis to sell their produce to the exporters,” he said. “When exporters are free from such charges, government should not charge from them because they assume that they will not get the refund of these taxes and pay less to farmers and made big profits from farmers’ produce by exporting the premium crop,” said a Basmati grower Devinder Singh of Tarn Taran, who grows Basmati on 50 to 70 acres every year. Nearly 2.5 Million Tonnes Basmati is brought to the markets of PMB every year by the farmers.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/basmati-mandis-farmers-exporters-demand-waiver-market-fee-rural-development-cess-6581143/

 

Crop Monitor for Early Warning | No. 51 – July 2020

 

 

Crop Monitor for Early Warning | No. 51 – July 2020

Format

Analysis

 

Source

 

 

 

Posted

 

2 Jul 2020

 

Originally published

 

2 Jul 2020

Attachments

Overview:

In East Africa, planting continues for main season cereals in the north while in the south crops are in vegetative to reproductive stage and have benefitted from the record March to May rainfall, except in areas affected by floods or desert locusts. In West Africa, conditions are favourable for main season crop development in southern bimodal areas, and planting activities continued in the Sahel under favourable conditions. In North Africa, harvest of wheat and barley crops is nearly complete, and production prospects are below-average in Morocco and parts of Algeria and Tunisia as crops were unable to recover from seasonal drought and high temperatures. In the Middle East, harvest of wheat crops will finalize next month and final yield prospects are favourable except in areas affected by conflict. In Southern Africa, harvest of main season cereals is complete, and final yields were generally favourable except in drought-affected areas. Planting activities continued for winter wheat crops under favourable conditions. In Central and South Asia, conditions are favourable for the harvesting of winter wheat to be finalized in August and for the development of spring wheat to be harvested in October. In northern Southeast Asia, harvest is mostly complete for dry-season rice, and poor yields resulted in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Wet season rice is developing under generally favourable conditions and benefitted from recent rainfall. In Central America and the Caribbean, recent tropical storms resulted in flooding, landslides, and localized crop losses but were generally beneficial for the development of Primera season crops.

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/crop-monitor-early-warning-no-51-july-2020