News Headlines...
§ Basmati in free fall, farmers lose sleep
§ Farmers hail govt agriculture package
§ No relief for rice exporters in PM relief package: Reap
§ Farmers divided over ‘agricultural relief’
§ PM announces Rs 341 billion agriculture package
§ http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/16-Sep-2015/pm-announces-rs-341-billion-agriculture-package
§ Pakistan to award $3.2 billion to farmers to bolster agriculture
§ Kharif foodgrain output seen lower at 124.05 million tonnes
§ Submerged flood tolerant rice plants survive inundation
§ Fresh depression scales up monsoon over East, Central India
§ Gloomy path ahead for Vietnam’s rice brands
§ Top Rice Exporter Sees Crop at Two-Decade Low on Water Shortage
§ India's 2015/16 summer rice output to drop on poor rainfall: Government
§ PH to buy more rice on top of planned 750,000 T imports
§ Falling rice prices land UAE traders in soup
§ Commercial Bank empowers southern rice millers with awareness programme
§ DOST: Hallmark of a scientist is innovation
§ Still Importing Rice: Firm Clarifies Denies Beef With Partners
§ GM crops can address food security challenge
§ Policy reforms needed to ‘climate-proof’ agriculture sector–expert
§ News shared byUSA Rice Daily
§ Rice farmers get unexpected support from NASA study
§ U.S. Rice Industry Rejects Emerging TPP Deal With Japan; Presses For
Changes
§ Syngeta launches fast acting pesticide, tomato hybrids, rice seed
varieties
§ Oasis brings authentic Yemeni cuisine to Tempe
§ Light option with grains offers departure
§
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News Detail...
Basmati in free fall, farmers lose sleep
State govt mulls
withdrawal of 7 per cent tax, exporters seek bailout package
This year, PUSA 1121 is getting Rs 2,000 per quintal for farmers and
the recently introduced basmati variety PUSA 1509 is fetching the growers just
Rs 950 to Rs 1,200 per quintal The price of non-basmati paddy is fetching
growers Rs 1,450 per quintalThe reason for low basmati prices in India is that
prices in the export market have fallen drastically — from $1,800 three years
ago to $650-$700 nowThis is because exporters have been selling their basmati
on direct advance to West Asian buyers and now their payments are stuck, mostly
in IranIn the wake of this and fall in basmati exports, the prices in local
markets have taken a beating
Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 16
Prices of new varieties of basmati — PUSA 1121 and PUSA 1509 — have
had a free fall, sending the farmers and state Agriculture Department in a
tizzy.With the price falling much below the price of non-basmati varieties, the
state government is likely to enter the market to salvage the basmati growers
by offering to withdraw certain taxes.This year, PUSA 1121 is getting Rs2,000
per quintal for farmers and the recently introduced basmati variety PUSA 1509
is fetching the growers just Rs950 to Rs1,200 per quintal.Comparatively, the
price of non-basmati paddy —which is procured on a minimum support price — is
fetching growers Rs 1,450 per quintal.The reason for low basmati prices in
India is that prices in the export market have fallen drastically - from $1,800
three years ago to $650 to $700 now. This is because exporters have been
selling their basmati on direct advance to West Asian buyers and now their
payments have been stuck, mostly in Iran.
In the wake of
this and fall in basmati exports, the prices in local markets have taken a
beating.Sources in the state Agriculture Department have told The Tribune that
considering the seriousness of the issue, a meeting was held between Chief
Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Agriculture Minister Tota Singh yesterday,
wherein the poor price fetched by basmati and its impact on the already
stretched rural economy because of successive poor returns fetched by farmers
on almost all crops — wheat, cotton, sugarcane and now basmati — since last
year was discussed.Agriculture Minister Tota Singh said the government was
apprised of the grave situation and necessary steps were being initiated to
salvage the situation. “We have also called a meeting with the arhitiya
association (commission agents) and rice industry tomorrow to discuss the way
forward,” he said.
Sources in the state Agriculture Department say the state government
is mulling withdrawing at least 7 per cent tax on basmati (two per cent each of
market fee and rural development fee and three per cent Punjab infrastructure
development fund) if the arhtiyas (commission agents) were to buy basmati. It
is learnt that since the private basmati rice millers did not clear the dues of
commission agents for 2014, the government could offer them tax rebate so as to
encourage them to buy basmati from the growers and then export it.
In Punjab, the total area under paddy this year is 28 lakh
hectares, with the area under basmati varieties pegged at 7.63 lakh hectares
and the remaining area being sown under non-basmati varieties like PR 124 and
PUSA 44.This is the second successive year when the prices of basmati varieties
have fallen, mainly due to shortfall in exports to West Asia.Till 2013, basmati
varieties were getting Rs4,000 to Rs5,500 per quintal, which has now fallen to
just Rs2,000 for 1121 and Rs900 to Rs1,200 for 1509.Vijay Setia, former
president of the All India Rice Exporters Association and a leading rice
exporter, says the Government of India should immediately impose an export tax
of $200 per tonne and plough this tax to help farmers. There is need to watch
the farmers’ interest, he said.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association too
said it was facing a huge crisis because of declining exports.Ashok Sethi,
director of the association, said, “Besides plummeting prices, they also have
to deal with frequent search and seizure operations launched on them by the
Income Tax sleuths.” They have sought a special bailout package, including
interest subvention on bank loans and export advances.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/basmati-in-free-fall-farmers-lose-sleep/134119.html
Farmers hail govt
agriculture package
Staff
Reporter
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 - Islamabad—Small farmers hailed on Tuesday the mega agriculture package worth Rs 341 billion announced by Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif for farmers and said, the package would help boost agriculture production in the country. “During last several years farmers of the
country were facing difficulties due to the flash floods, decreasing trend of agriculture commodities’ prices and
increasing prices of agriculture inputs, so the announcement of the package
would act like a catalyst for the farmers across the country”, said Muhammad
Nasir, President of Kissan Welfare Association talking to APP by phone.
He said small farmers of rice and cotton would get Rs 5000
per acre as cash support which is really an encouraging move by the government.
Moreover, he said announcement of subsidy on urea, interest free loans for installing solar tube wells and exemption of taxes would encourage the farmers to put maximum
efforts in growing their agriculture produce ultimately resulting in bumper
production of the commodity. He however urged the government to implement the
announcement in letter and spirit so the benefit could reach all the deserving
farmers.
Secretary General Kissan Bachao Tehreek, Ahmad Noor Dhudi also appreciated the
mega package of the government saying that it would help revive the agriculture industry which is backbone of the country’s economy. He also urged
the government for devising easy mechanism for disbursement of the benefit to all farmers without discrimination.
A small farmer from South Punjab, Amir Abbas appreciated the announcement of
the package and said he would now get a cash support of Rs 5000 per acre for
cultivating cotton on his land besides getting subsidy on agriculture inputs.
Meanwhile in a statement issued by the Kissan Board Pakistan, Chairman of the
Board, Arsalan Khakwani urged to implement the provision of Rs 5000 per acre
cash support.
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=273259
No relief for rice exporters
in PM relief package: Reap
September
16, 2015 ARACHI - Rafique Suleman, Chairman Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan (REAP) has shown concerns over the announcement of Relief Package by
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for farmers in which no relief announcement was
made for Rice Export Sector. He questioned that whether the announced subsidy
of Rs.5,000 per acre will solve the problems of rice crisis, as this cash
support for farmers is not sufficient for Basmati rice farmers. He added that
the so-called support price of Rs.1600 for Super Basmati Paddy is not
realistic, as the prevailing market rates for Super Basmati Paddy is Rs.800 and
still there is a huge difference of Rs.800 which have to be considered by
government.
He
shared some of the important suggestions, which REAP has given to the
government but the same were not considered.The suggestions included rollover
of all bank limits without penalties should be allowed under Running Finance as
well as Export Refinance where settlement should be extended from current 180
days to 360 days. State Bank of Pakistan related cost of funds for all 100pc
markup paid/payable on ERF/ FE/ Running Finance should be refunded without
penalty and the borrowers may pay only the bank’s spread as per documented realities
available with all banks for their respective clients who are rice millers or
rice exporters for the period July 2014 to September 2015.
He recommended that refund of 100pc
Withholding Tax paid by rice exporters from the period July 2014 to June 2015
and refund of 10pc invoice value to all rice exporters for shipments from July
2014 to June 2015 and withdrawal of 3.5pc withholding tax on local purchase of
rice.One of the most important issues, he said, is the lack of Research &
Development in rice as the Rice Research Institutes were failed to provide any
new and good quality seed of Basmati rice since last 15 to 20 years. He added
that rice exporters were facing severe problems with shipping companies due to
the sudden increase in their charges on arrival of new rice crop.
He
demanded Sales Tax Refund claims of rice exporters must have been refunded on
fast track basis, adding that TDAP has no sufficient funds to undertake the
activities for marketing and promotion of Pakistani rice. The REAP urged the
government to allocate additional budget for TDAP to increase the exports from
Pakistan.He said that if rice exporters concerns were not addressed and their
proposals were not considered, then rice export trade will have to see alarming
crisis and rice exporters will have to struggle very hard to survive, as the
circumstances are not in favour of rice exporters. http://nation.com.pk/business/16-Sep-2015/no-relief-for-rice-exporters-in-pm-relief-package-reap
Published: September 16, 2015
Drastic
slump in commodity prices has proven to be a major blow to growers, especially
cotton farmers. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
LAHORE: While
the government quarters seemed pleased with announcing a relief package for
farmers, in lieu of the slump in commodity prices, different farmer groups were
still displeased.
Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a Rs341-billion bailout, to be implemented in
different phases, that would focus on direct cash transfers, subsidies, loans
and reducing input costs.However, farmers’ associations said parts of the
package were disclosed in the budget announcement in June, but the ‘relief’ was
yet to reach the sector.“The announcement of Rs5,000 per acre support for
cotton and rice growers will open new doors of corruption,” said Pakistan
Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Khokhar. “Our main demand was to announce the
support price for these two commodities, but we failed to convince the premier
as the support price announcement, especially for cotton, was not in favour of
textile lobbies.”
As per
the farmers, cotton and rice growers are facing a per-acre loss of between
Rs30,000 to Rs35,000. They say Rs5,000 as subsidy is insufficient.Talking about
fertiliser support, farmer lobbies claimed that the price of urea has already
been increased by Rs200 per bag, and this subsidy was announced by Ishaq Dar in
the budget due to farmers’ protests.“There is a high possibility that support price
announced for farmers would be masticated,” said Pakistan Rice Mills
Association Chairman Faisal Cheema. “This might give some relief to the
growers. But who will buy the paddy from farmers when the godowns are
overloaded with existing stocks? The announcement of a support price, on the
other hand, will help the entire supply chain as there is a liquidity crunch in
the commodity market.”
Some
still positive
However,
some farmers were optimistic at the package announcement. “The per acre subsidy
will help around 65% of the farmers. In current circumstances, when government
is facing budgetary constraints, this is a good omen,” said Farmers Associates
Pakistan Director Hamid Malhi.However, he added that the move could help
farmers but would not help to lift the entire market due to the liquidity
crunch. “The current situation is likely to remain for a few more years as the
World Bank has predicted that commodity prices are likely to remain stagnant,”
he added.
Rice
exporters feel left out
Rice
Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Rafique Suleman has said that
the rice export sector is not going to get any help from the relief package.In
a press release on Tuesday, he said the announced subsidy of Rs5,000 per acre
is not sufficient for basmati rice farmers. He said that one of the most
important issues is the lack of research and development in rice sector.
“Our
rice research institutes have failed to introduce new and high quality seed of
basmati rice since the last 15 to 20 years,” said Suleman. “Exporters are
facing severe problems with shipping companies due to the sudden increase in
their charges.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th,
2015
PM announces Rs 341
billion agriculture package
September 16, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a Rs 341 billion relief package for
small farmers, which includes direct cash support and provision of soft
agriculture loans.
Addressing
the Farmers Convention at Jinnah Convention Centre, the prime minister said the
package was aimed at introducing progressive agriculture on scientific lines,
reducing production cost of crops and making the small farmers prosperous. The
prime minister said the country’s development was directly related to the
uplift of its agriculture sector, particularly farmers. He said that under the
package, small farmers would get Rs 147 billion as direct benefit, while Rs 194
billion had been allocated for agriculture loans.
He said the farmers cultivating rice and cotton
at up to 12.5 acres of land would be given cash support of Rs 5,000 per acre.
The government on this facility will bear the cost of Rs 20 billion each for
rice and cotton crops. Nawaz said the global cost reduction of agriculture
commodities had affected the income of farmers beside increase in prices of
seeds, fertiliser and pesticides, which had resultantly enhanced the cost
production. The prime minister announced setting up a Rs 20 billion fund to
reduce prices of fertilisers which will lessen Rs 500 per bag of Potassium and
Nitrate fertilisers.
Also, the government was negotiating with local
fertiliser manufacturers and gas companies to revert the increase in prices of
fertilisers, which had gone up by Rs 200 per bag. He said it had been decide to
provide Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to fertiliser companies to overcome the
shortage of gas supply. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government would
bear the Rs 2.5 billion premium on the agricultural insurance, which will
benefit 0.7 million small farmers. He said solar tubewells would be provided on
mark-up free loans to the farmers who own up to 12.5 acre of land.
The
mark-up of seven years would be paid by the federal government with a cost of
Rs 14.5 billion. He said this would ensure a saving of Rs 1,600 and Rs 500 per
day for the farmers running tubewells on diesel for five hours daily and on
petrol for same duration, respectively. He stated that the electricity price
for running tubewells at peak hours had been fixed at Rs 10.35 per unit and Rs
8.85 at off-peak hours. He said the sales tax on these bills, amounting to Rs 7
billion, would be borne by the federal government. The prime minister said the
customs duty, sales tax and withholding tax on the agriculture machinery had
been reduced from 45 percent to nine percent.
He said
rice millers had been given full exemption on the turnover tax for year
2015-16. He said the traders of agriculture commodities, fruits, vegetables and
fish would get an exemption of three years on income tax while the sales tax on
cold chain machinery had been reduced from 17 to seven percent. Nawaz said the
installation of production unit of halal meat that will be registered before
December 31, 2016 will be given a four-year exemption on income tax. Banks in
general show reluctance in giving loans to small farmers due to risks involved
which, he said, could be overcome through provision of guarantees.
Prime
Minister Nawaz said the government would provide Rs 30 billion as fifty percent
guarantee to banks on loans. This will benefit around 0.3 million farming
households through Rs 0.1 million each with collateral loans. He said that the
time-limit to pay back Rs 34 billion outstanding loan on the rice traders had
been extended up to June 30, 2016. The State Bank of Pakistan is working to
reduce the mark-up rate on agriculture loans by two percent which would give a
benefit of Rs 11 billion per anum to farmers, Nawaz said.
He said the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited and
commercial banks would provide one-window facility to the farmers seeking
loans. The value of production unit had been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs
4,000, which would help farmers get double the amount of loan against their
land value. The prime minister said a committee has set up under the
supervision of Federal Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan
which would work out ways to increase per-acre yield and reduce cost of
agriculture inputs.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/16-Sep-2015/pm-announces-rs-341-billion-agriculture-package
Pakistan to award $3.2
billion to farmers to bolster agriculture
ISLAMABAD,
Pakistan - Pakistani farmers will receive $3.2 billion in grants, subsidies and
loan advances from the government, says Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a bid
to spur sluggish growth in one of the country's main economic sectors.The new
schemes represent the government's largest economic development programme for
the agricultural sector since it was voted into office in 2013.The funds will
be provided through immediate cash grants and subsidies on agricultural inputs
worth $1.4 billion, while loan advances worth $1.85 billion will also be made
and disbursements begin this year, he says."
The
conditions of the agricultural sector do not inspire confidence," Sharif
said as he announced the new package at a farmers' convention in Islamabad.The
reforms and grants will primarily target small farmers, classified as those
with holdings of 12.5 acres or fewer.The package includes immediate cash grants
for rice and cotton farmers, cuts in fertiliser prices, and a government scheme
to pay insurance premiums for farmers who cannot afford them.It also includes
collateral guarantees for loans, and tax breaks for the dairy, poultry and fish
farming sectors.Agriculture accounts for roughly 23.8 percent of Pakistan's
gross domestic product, according to the country's central bank. Wheat, cotton,
rice, sugar cane and corn being its main crops.
http://www.agweek.com/news/nation-and-world/3839291-pakistan-award-32-billion-farmers-bolster-agriculture
Kharif foodgrain
output seen lower at 124.05 million tonnes
Our Bureau
Poor rains to drag production of rice, pulses,
coarse cereals
New Delhi, September 16:
A consecutive deficient monsoon is likely to
take its toll on Kharif crop production, according to the first advance
estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry here on Wednesday. While almost
all the crop segments – foodgrain, coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds – are
likely to miss their targets, output estimates for most major crops appear to
be marginally different from the first advance estimates for the Kharif season
of the 2014-15 crop year (July-June) that was also hit by a poor monsoon. Total
foodgrain production, including rice, coarse cereals and pulses, is likely to
touch 124.05 million tonnes (mt) this Kharif, 1.78 per cent lower than last
year’s final estimate of 126.31 mt.
However,
the early estimate this kharif is higher than last year’s early estimate of
120.27 mt – a 3.14 per cent increase. Rice production is pegged at 90.61 mt
compared to 88.02 mt last year but lower than the target of 106.1 mt. Total
production of coarse cereals such as jowar, bajra and ragi is expected at 27.88
mt, slightly higher than the first estimate of 27.05 mt in 2014-15. Kharif
maize production is expected to be 3.2 per cent lower at 15.51 mt. Output of
kharif pulses such as arhar, moong and urad are seen at 2.61 mt, 0.86 mt and
1.37 mt. While the estimates for urad and moong are expected to be slightly
higher than the previous year’s early estimates of 1.15 mt and 0.71 mt, it is
lower for arhar that was expected at 2.74 mt last year.
Oilseeds
buck the trend
Total output for the oilseeds complex is pegged at 198.90 lakh tonnes (lt),
about 1.1 per cent higher than the 1st estimate in 2014-15 of 196.64 lt.
Soyabean production is expected at 118.32 lt, slightly higher than last year,
while output of groundnut – despite 3 per cent lower acreage compared to last
year – is estimated at 51.07 lt, higher than the 50.24 lt expected last year.
Cash
crops wilt
Cotton production is likely to slide by 3.2 per cent to 335.07 lakh bales (of
170 kg each) in 2015-16, compared to the early estimate of 346.23 lakh bales
last year. Cotton acreage is lower by 8.4 per cent this Kharif as of September
11.
Jute and mesta output is also expected to
decline by nearly 5 per cent in 2015-16 to 108 lakh bales (of 180 kg each).
Yields impacted
“This is the second consecutive year of a poor monsoon and irrigation coverage
needs to be increased. The rural population will always be at risk from
droughts in rain-fed areas. So while rice output may remain steady, for others
yields will be impacted by less rainfall and moisture in the soil,” said DK
Joshi, Senior Director and Chief Economist, Crisil. Around 96 per cent of
sowing has been completed even as the country recorded a 16 per cent rainfall
deficit between June 1 and September 16. Severely stressed mainly rain-fed
areas include Marathwada, central Maharashtra, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat. A monsoon resurgence this month in the southern
peninsula has brought some relief in regions like north interior and coastal
Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
(This article was published on September 16, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kharif-foodgrain-output-seen-lower-at-12405-million-tonnes/article7659894.ece
Submerged flood tolerant rice plants
survive inundation
posted : 15 Sep, 2015 00:00:00
RANGPUR, Sept 14 (BSS): The
submerged plants of flood tolerant rice varieties survived inundation for up to
two weeks and resumed normal growth after recession of the floodwater in the country's
flood-prone areas this season.The inundated plants of flood tolerant BRRI
dhan51, BRRI dhan52, BINA dhan11 and BINA dhan12 Aman rice plants sustained
submergence for 15 days in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Jamalpur,
Sirajganj, Mymensingh and other districts.
According to beneficiary farmers of the Stress Tolerant Rice for
Poor Farmers in Africa and South Asia (STRASA) Project, their submerged and
'apparently' rotten flood tolerant variety Aman rice plants are growing now
normally after recession of floodwater.The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
through the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is funding the
STRASA-IRRI Project to expand cultivation of stress tolerant rice by
implementing the Seed Multiplication Programme with GO-NGO collaboration.
Farmers Ariful Haque Batul, Shahjada Mian and Salek of village
Najirdigar in Rangpur said their growing plants of BRRI dhan51, BRRI dhan52 and
BINA dhan12 remained submerged for 13 to 14 days at a stretch during the recent
floods.Farmer Rafikul Islam of village Farshkura under Nageswari upazila in
Kurigram said that growing plants of BINA dhan11 successfully sustained
submergence for 10 days at a stretch at the end of last month.
Farmers Nadalal of village Dakshin Rajpur and Mohammad Shamim of
village Katapara in Lalmonirhat said their submerged plants of BRRI dhan52 and
BINA dhan11 sustained submergence for 15 days in two phases respectively this
season.
After a few days of recession of floodwater, the 'rotten' remains
of the 'damaged' tender plants of these flood-tolerant rice varieties started
growing again and their crop fields turned green within the next two weeks,
they said."The apparently damaged rice plants of flood-tolerant rice
varieties resumed normal growth despite inundation for two weeks after
recession of floodwater while traditional variety submerged Aman rice plants
were completely damaged," they said.
Farmers Shaheron Begum, Asadul and Ojifa Begum of village Char
Najirdaho under Kawnia upazila in Rangpur said the growing plants of BINA
dhan11 rice were submerged in their fields on August 21 last and the floodwater
water was yet to recede.Farmer Janab Ali of village Dorsha in Mymensingh said
floodwater submerged his BRRI dhan51 rice plants on 1.05 acres of land for two weeks
in the first phase and still remain under water since September 9 in the second
phase.
Fresh depression
scales up monsoon over East, Central India
Vinson Kurian
Thiruvananthapuram, September 16:
A monsoon depression has formed over South
Odisha on Wednesday as the previous day’s well-marked ‘low’ crossed the coast
and intensified over land. The rare depression late in the season promises a
sustained spell of heavy to very showers for East India, North Peninsular
India, Central India and West India over the rest of the week.
May
intensify
In fact, model predictions, including by the India Met Department, sees the
depression largely keeping its strength as it marches over east Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, west Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The odd prediction goes on to
suggest it might undergo another round intensification over land as it
approaches the Arabian Sea. This is likely to happen over western Maharashtra.
Forecasters are not ruling out potential for further ‘mischief’ since the
projected path would take the system for a run-in with a cyclonic circulation
each over north-west Madhya Pradesh and the Kutch area.
If this
were to happen, this would lead to a flare-up over the Kutch from the combine,
following which it would split yet again into two and head off tangent from
each other. While the bigger of the two is seen ploughing into the deserts of
west Rajasthan, the smaller remnant would slip out into north-east Arabian Sea
and push away.
Heavy
rain forecast
In this manner, Wednesday’s depression might be able to deliver moderate to
heavy rainfall from to East India, Central India, West India, and North-West
India, in that order. The US Climate Prediction Centre more or less agrees with
this outlook. In fact, it sees the wet spell being sustained for a second week
that ends September 28, thanks to latent activity in the Bay of Bengal. Though
late in the season to be of any significant gains to the kharif cop, the rains
through the week will help improve water levels in the reservoirs over the
North Peninsula, Central India and West India.
The overall rain deficit for the country as
whole is unchanged from Tuesday at 16 per cent. North-West India and Central
India, the worst hit, share 20 per cent each. The deficit is 15 per cent over
South Peninsula and seven per cent over East and North-East India. The ongoing
rains may not bring about a drastic change in the deficit scenario during this
last month of the monsoon.
(This article was published on September 16, 2015)
Gloomy path ahead for Vietnam’s rice
brands
|
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam's rice prices are
much lower than the brand-name rice from Thailand and Pakistan. New policies
need to be developed to help farmers increase income.
|
|
|
According
to data from the World Food Organization (FAO) in 2015, the export prices of
Pakistan’s Basmati rice and Thailand’s jasmine rice were above $1,000 per ton
in 2012-2015. At the same time, 5% broken rice of Vietnam has never
reached the price of $500/ton.In the period from 2004 to 2012, the average
price of imported rice in Vietnam was always higher than the average export
price.In 2008 and 2012, the average price of imported rice in Vietnam was over
$1,000 per ton, while the average export price was less than $600 per ton. We
can understand that due to diverse tastes, we still import rice with a small
volume. But it is unfortunate that we have to import high-quality rice at high
prices, but have only low-quality rice for export.
Therefore,
the problem of building a Vietnamese rice brand is more urgent than ever.
Recently, the Prime Minister signed Decision 706/QD-TTg on building a brand for
Vietnamese rice until 2020, with the vision to 2030.Currently, some local
companies are trying to develop a brand of rice, for example, the organic rice
brand "Hoa Sua" of Vien Phu Viet Nam Company, exported to the UK, or
"Hat Ngoc Troi" brand of An Giang Plant Protection Company for the
domestic market and for export.
These
firms have their own rice fields or have close connections to high-quality rice
areas.Looking to Thailand or Cambodia, all rice brands are directly managed by
enterprises. Obviously, to form a rice product of high quality, the rice
production process should be linked in a chain, in which the enterprise is the
most important link. This link helps connect farmers and output markets,
controls the process of growing high quality rice, and builds brands and
markets the brand to consumers. In building rice brands, enterprises play the
key role.
Enterprises needs to be “untied”
Looking
back on the process of innovation in the last 30 years, the turning point in
terms of policy for the rice sector is the policy "Contract 10". In
essence, "Contract 10" motivated farmers to cultivate and increase
production because they were the main beneficiaries of their rice fields.
The current question is: who has enough
motivation to create branded and high quality rice?
"The
historical role" of farmers is to produce enough rice to supply sufficient
output for the domestic market. They have successfully completed that role for
30 years. But farmers do not have much incentive to produce better rice without
influence from the state, entrepreneurs and researchers because rice traders
only purchase fresh rice without needing to know about the quality.The state
and researchers are motivated but they do not directly produce and benefit from
rice. That leaves only entrepreneurs, who seek long-term profits in the market,
and have real motivation for the production and sale of high quality rice. When
they have a profit, their partners, farmers, will also benefit. Therefore, only
businesses and farmers can decide whether we can produce high quality and
branded rice.
Therefore,
the most important thing in terms of policy right now is to offer support
towards market forces, namely businesses and farmers, making them feel that
they can benefit from the creation of the brand, from the production of high
quality rice. With such policies, both farmers and businesses will create a
sustainable and lasting link.The absence of rice brands of Vietnam at recent
international food fairs shows that the impetus for the parties is not
sufficient, and the policy barriers to this issue are still large. Businesses
are still tied somewhere and they need to be untied. That is the basis for
Vietnam to create another "Contract 10" policy, oriented to rice
enterprises.While the State-owned Vietnam Food Corporations (Vinafood) is still
struggling to find ways to create brands of rice for export, some private
companies have actively set up links with farmers to produce special rice. Dr.
Nguyen Duc Thanh, director of the Vietnam Economic Policy and Research
Institute (VEPR), said private enterprises are the "gladiators"
bringing Vietnam rice brands to the world arena. However, the will to fight of
these gladiators is being eroded by policies and mechanisms. The next article
will address the limited policy that should be removed so that rice enterprises
can be "unleashed".
Nguyen Quang Thai - Nguyen Khac Giang
(Vietnam Institute for Economic Policy
Research)
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/special-reports/141325/gloomy-path-ahead-for-vietnam-s-rice-brands.html
Top Rice Exporter Sees Crop at Two-Decade Low on Water Shortage
September 16, 2015 — 3:26 AM PDT
Rice
production in Thailand may plunge to the lowest level in 19 years as dry
weather may prompt the world’s largest shipper to further restrict plantings to
preserve water supply.Output of rough rice may decline to as low as 22.98
million metric tons in 2015-16, the least since 1996-97, assuming there is no
planting during the dry season starting in November, Thailand’s Office of
Agricultural Economics said in an e-mailed reply to Bloomberg questions on
Tuesday. That’s down 30 percent from 32.62 million tons a year earlier.A
smaller crop from the Southeast Asian nation, which accounts for about a
quarter of the global trade, may tighten supply just as El Nino threatens to
parch fields in Asia and disrupt harvests worldwide.
Global
production will fall for the first time since 2009-10 as flooding and drought
in major growers damage crops, while consumption expands for a sixth year, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. Futures in Chicago have risen 10
percent this year, reaching a one-year high on Sept. 14.“A potential fall in
output could gradually boost prices by up to $20 a ton by the end of this
year,” said Kiattisak Kanlayasirivat, a Bangkok-based director at Ascend
Commodities SA, referring to export prices of 5-percent broken white rice, an
Asian benchmark. Domestic prices may climb to 9,000 to 10,000 baht ($278) a ton
from around 8,000 now, he said.Production may total 24.69 million tons if 20
percent of rice is planted in the dry season, according to the Thai office.
Annual output averaged 36.39 million tons in the past five years, it said.
Water Supply
Farmers
won’t be allowed to plant crop from Nov. 1 to April 30 as lower-than-average
rainfall causes insufficient water supply, Farm Minister Chatchai Sarikulya
told reporters on Sept. 11. Cabinet is yet to make an official announcement on
prohibiting plantings.Growers need to reduce plantings or switch to other crops
that consume less water as rainfall this year is about 25 percent below a
historical average, resulting in declining water reserves, Sansern Kaewkamnerd,
a government spokesman, told reporters Wednesday. State agencies are working on
measures to support farmers, he added.World rice production for 2015-16 is
forecast at 475.76 million tons, down from 478.65 million projected in August,
the USDA said in a report last week. Consumption was estimated at 487.42
million tons for the same year.Futures on the Chicago Board of Trade traded at
$12.920 per 100 pounds at 4:52 p.m. in Bangkok. Prices rose to $13.080 this
week, the highest since July 2014.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-16/top-rice-exporter-sees-crop-at-two-decade-low-on-water-shortage
India's 2015/16 summer
rice output to drop on poor rainfall: Government
The country's food grain production from summer-sown crops is
likely to drop 1.8 % from a year ago to 124.05 million tonnes. NEW DELHI:
Kharif foodgrain production is expected at 124.05 million tonnes this season,
1.79% less than last year, as per the first advance estimate of the agriculture ministry. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry
attributed the likely fall in production to deficit rains in some states.
However, with the area under kharif planting seen an increase of over 1.76%
year on year at 101.2 million hectare, the production figures could increase as
harvest progresses.
"These
are preliminary estimates and would undergo revision based on further feedback
from the states," the ministry release said. The cumulative rainfall
during the current monsoon season has been deficient by 15%, which is higher
than rainfall deficit of 12% last year. The agriculture ministry said that on
account of timely onset of monsoon as well as government multiple interventions
with contingency plans, timely advisories and regular monitoring of seed and
fertiliser availability, estimated production of most of the crops during the
current kharif season is higher than the first advance estimate of 2014-15. In
2014-15, as per the fourth advance estimate, the country saw kharif production
touched 126.31 million tonnes.
In 2013-14, the country saw a record kharif
foodgrain production of 129.24 million tonnes. Rice production in kharif
2015-16, is estimated to be 90.61million tonnes, 0.27% less than the previous
year. The crop has been planted on 36.84 million hectares against 36.65 million
hectares a year ago. Grain analyst Tejinder Narang said the estimate would not
have any impact on grain prices. "Rabi planting of paddy has yet to take
place and it is likely to make up. Rice exports are expected to fall this year,
so we should have ample supplies in the country," he said. Production of
coarse cereal has been estimated at 27.88 million tonnes with a significant
decline in maize. Maize crop production is pegged at 15.5 million tonnes
against 16.4 million tonnes last year. Kharif pulses (tur and urad) production
in 2015-16 has been pegged at 5.56 million tonnes against 5.60 million tonnes a
year ago.
Pravin
Dongre, chairman of India Pulses and Grain Association, said the planting was
higher than the previous year and that the farmers are hoping that rains are
well distributed in the last phase. Area under pulses till last week had
increased by 11% over the previous year at 11 million hectares. Production of
oilseeds such as groundnut, soyabean and castorseed has been estimated to
increase to 19.89 million tonnes this year against 18.3 million tonnes last
year. An official from an edible oil company, however, expressed strong doubts
about the estimates. "The ministry says soyabean production will be 11.83
million tonnes compared to 10.53 million tonnes in the previous year. We expect
it to be lesser than that," the person said. Cotton production is expected
to be 33.5 million bales of 170 kg each, lower by 2 million bales over the
previous year, while sugarcane production has been estimated at 341.43million
tonne, lower by 7.93 million tonnes than the last year.
The Economic Times
PH to buy more rice on
top of planned 750,000 T imports
Reuters
Posted at 09/16/2015 12:37 PM
MANILA -
The Philippines plans to buy more rice on top of its planned 750,000 ton of
imports via a tender that will close on Thursday, the country's economic
planning chief said."We will," Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio
Balisacan told foreign correspondents in a forum, when asked if the government
will import additional volumes.The country's state grains procurement agency,
National Food Authority, has sought 750,000 tons for delivery from November to
March next year amid falling stocks and a crop-damaging El Nino dry weather
pattern that is forecast to be among the strongest in 65 years.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/09/16/15/ph-buy-more-rice-top-planned-750000-t-imports
Falling rice prices land UAE traders in soup
Haseeb Haider/Abu Dhabi
Filed on September 16, 2015 | Last updated on September 16, 2015 at
08.03 am
Between 40-50 commodity traders, dealing in
rice, sugar, edible oil, and frozen chicken legs, have defaulted in the last
three-four months on their banking obligations, traders and bankers said. In a
new episode of the defaulting saga, a large number of commodity traders at
Dubai's Al Ras wholesale market have gone bust, creating a crisis at over a
dozen local and foreign banks and financial institutions, sources said.Between
40-50 commodity traders, dealing in rice, sugar, edible oil, and frozen chicken
legs, have defaulted in the last three-four months on their banking
obligations, traders and bankers said.
The defaulting traders, at least 25 of whom are
reportedly missing, also owe millions to the market, said Mian Sajjad Ahmed,
managing director of Batala General Trading at the Al Ras wholesale market.The
sources attribute the trouble to a glut in the market caused by a bumper basmati
crop in India and Pakistan and an Iranian ban on imports from India. Prices of
Indian basmati rice plummeted from $610 per metric tonne to $305-443 in
2014-15.In Pakistan, basmati prices plunged 40 per cent to $730-750 in 2014-15
from $1,000. India's premium long grain rice 1121 is sold at $750 per metric
tonnes, Sella basmati traded at $720-730 and Pakistan's IRRI- 386 is sold at
$750, all down from $1,200-1,300 at the start of the year.
According to a retailer in Dubai, prices of
Pakistani rice brands Falak and Mehran sustained a downward trend, with Falak
available in market at as low as Dh28 on offer for a 5kg bag, compared to the
Dh45 normal price."Indian brands - Dawat, Pride of India and India Gate
among others - also fluctuated in rates depending on hypermarket and grocery
stores, but overall these brands sustained stable trend in the market, ranging
from Dh9 to Dh14 per kilogram," he said.
Sajjad told Khaleej Times that out of 50
traders, only four companies were operating out of the Al Ras wholesale market,
and the rest were having offices elsewhere in the Jabel Ali Free Zone, Sharjah
and Ajman."On the average, these small and medium enterprises had borrowed
Dh20-25 million," a source at a multinational bank said. However, one
firm's exposure is as big as Dh150 million, while several borrowed between Dh50
and Dh100 million, he said.The bankers fear they may have to write off Dh2
billion-Dh2.5 billion this financial year due to the crisis.
A banker said in most cases the default was not
"wilful", a view also echoed by Sajjad. One company owner fled with
not only his bank loan, but his own Dh1.5 million and another Dh20 million from
the market, Sajjad said, while another trader paid all his creditors before he
left.According to him, it all started with the plunge in prices. Sajjad said
some genuine traders could not pay on time following which banks suddenly
stopped their credit line and demand to pay their dues.This panicked the
traders, said Sajjad, who blamed nervous bankers for creating a crisis out of
nothing.
However,
Sajjad said most of the companies, whose names were revealed to him by Khaleej
Times, were never heard before. They were not at all involved in foodstuff
business but may have built their books to con the banks."The whole
situation developed in just two months, as everything was fine until Eid Al
Fitr," he said.One banker said at least 20-25 defaulted traders have
already left the country to avoid legal action, including immediate arrest and
litigation for recovery.He said at least four rice traders sold a total of
40,000 metric tonnes of rice in the market at 40-50 per cent discount. At least
a dozen of traders have not defaulted, but they are in a dire straits and
unable to meet their commitments with the banks and market.Traders dealing in
Indian rice were largely affected when Iran put a temporary ban on imports from
India in November 2014 on the grounds of having adequate stocks and for
political reasons.
haseeb@khaleejtimes.com
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/local/falling-rice-prices-land-uae-traders-in-soup
Commercial Bank empowers southern rice millers with
awareness programme
The
Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently conducted a programme to enhance the
proficiency in rice milling of rice millers in the deep South under the Bank's
initiative to assist micro businesses and SMEs countrywide by providing them
with essential knowledge.The programme, organised by the Bank's Tissamaharama
Agriculture and Micro Finance Unit (AMFU) with the assistance of the Bank's
Ambalantota, Hambantota and Tissamaharama branches, benefitted 40 rice millers
with knowledge on developing their rice mills and optimising their resources.
It was
conducted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Inland
Revenue Department and the Institute of Post-Harvest Technologies.Officials of
the Central Bank conducted a session on financial literacy development covering
fund management, the difference between formal and informal sector borrowings,
how to identify legal tender notes, the Central Bank's loan schemes and
characteristics of Pyramid systems.
Representatives
of Institute of Post Harvest Technologies covered key aspects of effective
paddy storing by explaining some of the techniques of modern paddy storing
methods, how to reduce post-harvest losses, how to enhance profitability and
new machinery.Among the senior representatives of the organisations involved in
conducting the programme were Sirimevan Bandara Wasala, Commercial Bank's
Regional Manager, Southern, Upali Hettiarachchi - Regional Manager of the
Central Bank of Sri Lanka Matara Branch, H M K BRathnayake, Senior Engineer of
the Institute of Post-Harvest Technologies, A.Gamage Somapala, Assistant
Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department and Kapila Danasiri, a lecturer
on positive thinking.
The
Commercial Bank has conducted similar programmes for SMEs and micro
entrepreneurs in areas such as Narammala, Galle, Monaragala, Wellawaya,
Badulla, Passara, Bandarawela, Welimada, Weligama, Koggala, Karapitiya, Matara,
Batticaloa,Ampara, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Hingurakgoda and Kandy in the
recent past.The Bank's Agriculture and Micro Finance Units are located in
Ratnapura, Narammala, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Kilinochchi, Bandarawela, Wellawaya,
Hingurakgoda, Galewela, Atchuvely, Vavuniya and Tissamaharama. They identify
and support people who need financial assistance for Agri/Micro businesses,
provide guidance on how to improve their businesses and help resolve
difficulties.
http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/commercial-bank-empowers-southern-rice-millers-awareness-programme#sthash.oYyMmIJZ.dpuf
DOST: Hallmark of a scientist is innovation
September 16, 2015
Lilibeth A. French
ILOILO
CITY, Sept. 16 (PIA6) - - Innovation can revolutionize and enrich way of
life.This was the gist of the message of Assistant Secretary Dr. Urdujah Tejada
of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) during the opening of the
2015 Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits (RICE) which will run until
September 17 at SM City Iloilo.Tejada also said that innovation is one of the
most important attributes of a scientist aside from knowledge and skills.
She
cited in her message how innovation saved Apple, a multi-billion dollar
company, when it was in bad shape and close to bankruptcy. She said founder
Steve Jobs, instead of laying off some employees and cutting cost resorted to
innovate its way out from its predicament.
Innovations
after innovations, the company has revolutionized computers, entertainment,
music, retail, mobile and telecommunications.“More than saving a company from
bankruptcy, it can maintain or better yet create jobs that can support thousand
of families,” said Tejada. She added that innovation can also save the
Philippines from pits of poverty.To spark the interest of Filipinos in
innovating, DOST encourages and engages Filipinos to participate in RICE, a
strategy that supports the vision of “Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating
for Global Competitiveness”.RICE also pushes active involvement of the youth in
Research and Development with the aim to increase the critical mass of
researchers who will become future scientists.This year, a total of 61 entries
from student researchers both in the secondary and college levels from the
different schools in the region is presented in the RICE at SM City Iloilo.
This is aside from the 25 entries coming from local inventors and
professionals.Tejada said through activities like RICE it will be possible for
the country to not only keep up with other countries’ technologies, but will be
able to set technological standards which other countries must keep up with.
The Philippines ranked 79th, in terms of
innovation or the ability to produce brand new technologies while Singapore
ranks 11th, Malaysia 21st, Indonesia 41st and Cambodia 103rd.
On the
other hand, in terms of technological readiness and the ability to adopt
technologies, the Philippines ranked 69th with Singapore occupying the 2nd
rank, Malaysia as top 30, Thailand ranked 42, Indonesia 75th and Vietnam
86th.“We have gone far enough in terms of conducting researches which are
resource-based and we are ready to face the challenges as we integrate with the
other ASEAN countries,” said Tejada. (JCM/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)
Written by Edwin Genoway, Jr (231886458910),
edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.com
Published: 16 September 2015
“UCI is still doing business with our partner DRUM. The reports that the stocks
of one supplier were depleted, and UCI moved to another supplier was not true.
As you see, there sits an agent of DRUM- our relationship still exists”- Anwar
Ezzedine, Chief Executive Officer, United Commodities Incorporated
Monrovia - The
United Commodities Incorporated (UCI) an importer of the nation’s staple –rice
has clarified that it is still importing rice on the Liberian market, dispelling
reports that the UCI and its international contracting company DRUM are no
longer working together as it has been in the past. Citing a report from a
local daily, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UCI, Anwar Ezzedine, said he
was accused in the report of conniving with DRUM agents to withdraw larger
quantities of rice than his company had paid for.
It was also reported by the local daily that in a classic 'sell-pay' scheme,
UCI allegedly paid for a certain amount of rice, but convinced with the DRUM agents
to allow the importer to withdraw a larger consignment than was paid for, with
the assurance that the extra rice would be paid for once sold. The paper
reported that when the stocks of one supplier were depleted, UCI moved to
another supplier.Speaking at a news conference in the presence of a
representative of DRUM, Ezzedine said the contract between the UCI and DRUM
still exists, contrary to the report in the local daily. “UCI still doing
business with our partner DRUM and the story by Daily Observer that the stocks
of one supplier were depleted, and UCI moved to another supplier was not true.
As you see, there sits an agent of DRUM--our relationship still exists,” he
said while pointing at the DRUM Representative at the press conference.
He disclosed that there has never been a shortage of rice within the UCI
supply, adding that even during the Ebola crisis, the UCI did not experience
rice shortage. He described the information as a mere jealousy blaming his
competitors whom he said want to get into the rice importation business in
Liberia, though he did not mention who are those competitors.“I know there are
hands behind it but I will not mention any name now, the rice importation in
Liberia is very sensitive and it needs to be handled with care,” he said.
"We heard there are lots of people who want to come into the business and
as such they will do all they can to bring us down.” Ezzedine said the
publication by the local daily has injured the reputation of his company and as
such, the paper has been sued at the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court
for actions of damages for wrong.
The UCI CEO revealed that about 33,000 metric tons of long grain rice was
brought into Liberia on the vessel MV AL MUKHTAR on September 11, 2015. The
delivery order, a copy of which is in the possession of this paper shows that
currently there is 1,319,793 bags of rice at the Freeport of Monrovia imported
by the UCI.
http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/business-tech/6288-still-importing-rice-firm-clarifies-denies-beef-with-partners
GM crops can address food security challenge
Farria Naeem
Food is an emotional topic for us
all - we care about not only what we eat, but also how it's grown. But is our
stance a balanced one? Are the safeguards we put into place sufficient to
protect us while still allowing to us to benefit from technological innovation?
Today, innovations involving
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are at the frontier of agriculture,
science, and engineering. GMOs include crops, fruits and vegetables which are
developed by combining desirable genes from various species to create new
genetically-altered species that offer enhanced nutritional, productive, and
ecological value. A better understanding of the science behind genetic
modification may improve adoption rates and offer sustainable solutions to
ending extreme poverty and hunger in low-income Bangladeshi households.
Stakeholders in the agriculture sector, particularly those at the fringe like
marginal farmers, are often swayed by popular sentiments and anecdotes. This
has regrettably led to a policy framework in many countries which is at best
ambivalent towards GM agriculture technologies.
As with all new technologies, the
potential risks and benefits must be identified and quantified. Over the years,
considerable independent research has been undertaken, around the globe, to
evaluate the risks and benefits to animal or public health and the environment
from GMOs. A recent EU report, based on more than 130 research projects,
covering a period of more than 25 years of research, and involving more than
500 independent research groups, concluded that biotechnology, and in
particular GMOs, are not significantly riskier than conventional plant breeding
technologies.
The
growing scientific consensus that Genetically Modified (GM) crops are as safe
to human health as traditional ones, may have led to a steady rise in the
cultivation of GM crops both in developed and developing countries in the past
few years. The acreage of GM crop cultivation has grown from 2.0 million
hectares in 1996 (the first year of commercial planting) to about 175 million
hectares in 2013. In 2013, more than 18 million farmers in 27 countries across
the world made independent choices to grow biotech crops.However, adoption
rates of GM crops are still far from satisfactory, particularly, if one takes
into account of GM crops' potential to contribute towards the problem of food
security as well as nutritional and ecological welfare.
Recent
research experiments demonstrated how GM seeds can guarantee higher yields and
hazard-resistant crops in countries prone to climate hazards as drought and
floods. A study by the African Development Bank and the International Food
Policy Research Institute in 2012 concluded that under ideal conditions, the
use of GM crops grown by smallholder farmers could improve gross margins by 114
per cent, reduce pesticide costs between 60-90 per cent, and improve yields by
18 to 29 per cent.
Researchers
in Mozambique and Philippines have successfully experimented with GM varieties
of rice and potatoes that can withstand submersion under water for extended
periods. GM fortified crop variety can also address crucial lack of essential
nutrients. In the Philippines research trials on Golden Rice (developed by the
International Rice Research Institute) shows potential for addressing vitamin A
deficiency which could protect millions of children and pregnant women globally
from blindness, growth and immunity impairments.
The writer is Country Economist, Bangladesh International Growth
Centre (IGC). farria.naeem@theigc.org
Policy reforms needed to ‘climate-proof’ agriculture
sector–expert
Agri-Commodities
The
government must institute various reforms to boost the productivity of the
local farm sector and make it resilient against climate change, an expert
said.Dennis de la Torre from the University of the Philippines National College
of Public Administration and Governance and the House of Representatives
Special Committee on Climate Change said during the opening of the 28th
National Rice Research and Development Conference at the Philippine Rice
Research Institute (PhilRice) that there are many “challenges” that hinder the
agriculture sector to become a key development investment area.Policy reforms
should be rolled out to direct the focus of government institutions, the
private sector and foreign investors to agriculture, he said.De la Torre said
there is a need to review the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of
1997 and the Agri-Agra Act of 2009, which both have provisions on finance
mobilization.
The
Agri-Agra law authorizes the bank sector to devote 25 percent of their loanable
money to agriculture. However, de la Torre said studies show that banks do not
comply with the law and are just willing to pay fines.“We should look at our
farmers as potential targets for investment in human capital,” de la Torre said
in a statement.
He also
said the Department of Social Welfare and Development should consider skills in
agriculture as a condition for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a
Conditional Cash-Transfer Program by the government that aims to address
poverty.Meanwhile, de la Torre said the Philippine government should
“carefully” plan how it can mitigate the adverse effects of climate
change.Citing data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration, de la Torre said the annual mean
temperature in the Philippines projects that there would be a widespread
warming in most parts of the country by 2020 and 2050.He said the government
should consider the historical and projected data in its efforts against
climate change.
“That’s
what climate change is forcing us to do—to think better, to design, and plan
better,” he said.According to him, there have recently been growing concerns on
saline intrusion and the projected rise in the sea level that can affect
coastal integrity. This serves as a threat to agricultural production near the
coastlines, he said.De la Torre said research institutions like PhilRice must
continuously develop saline-tolerant crop varieties to address these
concerns.The PhilRice said it has developed saline-tolerant varieties, such as
the NSIC Rc184, which has a maximum yield of 6.3 tons per hectare; NSIC Rc186,
with a maximum yield of 4.2 tons per hectare; NSIC Rc186, with 3.8 tons per
hectare maximum yield; NSIC Rc190 which has 5.1 tons per hectare maximum yield;
and NSIC Rc290, with a maximum yield of 5.7 tons per hectare.
De la
Torre, who is the former chief on research and policy development of the
Climate Change Commission, also said the quality irrigation infrastructure
could be compromised if they fail to resist environmental threats. He
said implementing agencies would then need to reinstitute innovations, which
would lead to a “pain point” in funding.The 28th National Rice Research and
Development Conference is annually hosted by the PhilRice and gathers around
500 researchers, academicians, students, farmers and extension workers from all
over the country.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/policy-reforms-needed-to-climate-proof-agriculture-sector-expert/
USA Rice Daily
In
Memory: Pamela Steele
USA
Rice is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Pamela Steele on Tuesday,
September 15, 2015. native of Hayti, Missouri, Sara Pamela Avis
Steele, is survived by her husband, Gibb Steele, an active leader in the rice
industry, her son, Gibson, his wife, Elisabeth, and their two
daughters."Pam was a strong woman who cared deeply for her family and the
land she and Gibb worked for so many years," said USA Rice President &
CEO Betsy Ward. "She was a true friend to many of us in the rice
industry and we will greatly miss her and her wonderful spirit."
Visitation will be at Avon Methodist Church from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist
Church, 407 Main Street, in Greenville. USA Rice extends heartfelt condolences
to Gibb, his family, and the friends of Pamela Steele.
Japan
Academics Meet with USA Rice to Discuss Crop Insurance, Farm Programs
USA Rice regularly hosts visiting agricultural
specialists from Japan to discuss farm policy issues.
ARLINGTON, VA -- Farm policy academics from Ibaraki University and
Okayama University met with USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben
Mosely and COO Bob Cummings today to discuss current U.S. rice support
policies, especially crop insurance. Japan's
Prime Minister Abe is seeking to reform Japan's rice sector in a bid to reduce
costs and bring supply more in line with demand. Current policies based
on direct payments tied to area-restriction programs are not working, and
Japan's government is looking to implement a new insurance-based regime by
2018. Mosely reviewed the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss
Coverage (PLC) programs provided under the 2014 Farm Bill, and explained new
and existing crop insurance policies utilized by rice farmers.
"It's clear Japan intends to move away from direct
payments, and their farm policy experts were interested in knowing about the
U.S. experience following the elimination of direct payments," said
Mosely. "We had a very informed exchange of views on the pros and
cons of the various crop insurance options available to U.S. rice farmers and
possible applications to Japan."
|
CCC Announces
Prevailing World Market Prices
|
WASHINGTON, DC -- The
Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market
prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and
location, and the resulting marketing loan gain (MLG) and loan deficiency
payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2015 crop, which will become effective
today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices
decreased $0.10 per cwt for long grain and $0.11 per cwt for medium/short grain.
|
|
World Price
|
MLG/LDP Rate
|
|
|
Milled Value ($/cwt)
|
Rough ($/cwt)
|
Rough ($/cwt)
|
|
Long Grain
|
14.65
|
9.25
|
0.00
|
|
Medium/Short Grain
|
14.16
|
9.50
|
0.00
|
|
Brokens
|
8.84
|
----
|
----
|
This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the
following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates:
|
|
U.S. Milling Yields
Whole/Broken
(lbs/cwt)
|
Loan Rate
($/cwt)
|
|
Long Grain
|
55.01/13.46
|
6.50
|
|
Medium/Short Grain
|
61.81/8.43
|
6.50
|
The next program announcement is scheduled for September 23, 2015.
|
|
CME
Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
|
CME Group
(Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 16
|
November 2015
|
$12.865
|
- $0.105
|
|
January 2016
|
$13.150
|
- $0.100
|
|
March 2016
|
$13.360
|
- $0.100
|
|
May 2016
|
$13.545
|
- $0.085
|
|
July 2016
|
$13.700
|
- $0.040
|
|
September 2016
|
$12.870
|
- $0.015
|
|
November 2016
|
$12.870
|
- $0.015
|
|
Rice farmers get
unexpected support from NASA study
LCRA
disregards needs of farmers and wildlife in water restrictions.When the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) caved into pressure brought about by
Central Texas water users, state lawmakers and local government officials in
communities including Austin and others around the Highland Lakes area, rice
farmers and community leaders downstream in the Lower Colorado River Basin knew
the deck was stacked against them.In July, as expected, TCEQ ruled in favor of
upholding an emergency order to withhold water releases from the Highland Lakes
reservoirs that would have aided rice farmers and communities, although the
current amount of water in lakes Travis and Buchanan at the time equaled a
number above the 1.4 million acre feet of combined storage—the level considered
adequate to release water downstream.
Lower
basin water customers say it's just the latest chapter in an ongoing story of
how washing cars, watering lawns and filling swimming pools in urban centers
take precedence over agriculture and the environment.The plight of rice farmers
and communities who rely on water in the Lower Basin has been escalating since
the drought years of the new millennium. Multiple dry years prompted the Lower
Colorado River Authority's (LCRA) Board of Directors to take an unprecedented
initiative to curtail irrigation water from rice farmers beginning in 2011.For
four years running a water war has pitted farmers, rural community leaders and
marine and wildlife ecologists against densely populated, better financed
and more influential municipalities and recreational communities surrounding
the Highland Lakes, one of the fastest growing regions in the state.
More on rice
Farmers,
ranchers and rural leaders, longtime stewards and champions of the lands of
Texas, say they understand the need to conserve water during the ebb and flow
periods of climate change—which can bring about flood, famine, and drought—all
in a short period of time. And they bilaterally agree that curtailing river
water from widespread use for agriculture was a required step to help meet the
challenges of a long-running and severe drought. They also argue that
responsibility and sacrifice required by emergency drought measures should be
shared by all stakeholders.With abundant rainfall this year and good rains last
fall, the issue of irrigation water from the Colorado River for Texas' largest
rice growing region may not be as critical as it was for the previous three
years. But rice producers in Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda Counties, an area
that produces the bulk of Texas' rice crop, point out that deep cuts in rice production
in recent years resulted from LCRA's recommendation to curtail use of Colorado
River water for irrigating their fields.
http://southwestfarmpress.com/grains/rice-farmers-get-unexpected-support-nasa-study?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+September+16%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
(Daily News)
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
The U.S. rice industry does not support the
agreement it says the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has reached with
Japan on market access for rice and is unlikely to back a final TPP agreement
unless it is renegotiated, according to an official with the USA Rice
Federation.
Syngeta launches fast
acting pesticide, tomato hybrids, rice seed varieties
Wed, Sep
16th, 2015
To help
the Federal Government’s agricultural diversification drive, Syngeta Nigeria
has launched Ambligo, a new, fast acting pesticide that could be used at any
time, against many crop insects, ‘Tuta absoluta,’ a deadly pest, which if not
controlled could destroy up to 100 percent of the tomatoes in a field.Syngeta
also launched two new tomato hybrids, Chibli and Kilele, and as well as
introduced two local rice seed varieties in Nigeria at an event held on Tuesday
in Abuja.There are records that thousands of hectares of tomato cropping are
lost in a matter of hours due to the ‘tuta absoluta’ infestation, and
investments worth hundreds of millions on naira lost as a result of this
tomato-consuming pest that ravages products, mainly in the Northern part of the
country.At the event, experts who spoke with BusinessDay, affirmed Ambligo’s
potency to work against a wide variety of sucking and biting pests in
vegetables, potatoes and field crops.
According
to them, the product could give up to 21 days protection, meaning that farmers
could reduce the frequency that they need to spray their fields, saving time,
energy and money.In addition to Ampligo, Syngetta also launched Chibili and
Kilele hybrid tomato variety for farmers who grow for both the fresh and for
the tomatoes processing market.Kilele, a second hybrid tomato variety could be
harvested over a 10-week period compared to local varieties that could take
four weeks, whereas Chibili boasts of high improved yields and nematodes
resistance.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s current 2.9 million tons of rice import is set
to be averted with improved seed variety of faro 44 and Faro 52 rice seeds, an
improved local variety also launched by Syngetta. As a result, farmers across
Nigeria now have access to high quality seedlings with assurance of improved
germination and yield.
Shachi
Sharma, director, Syngetta Nigeria Limited, said they were working with the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on best ways of boosting
agricultural produce in Nigeria. “We are also working with the seed council,
quarantine services, research institutes, root research crop institute in
Plateau State, Institute for Agricultural Research in Zaria and other research
institutes,” he stated.He disclosed that a value chain study including seed
crops that they carried out in Nigeria found that the country lost about 40
percent of the raw material that was produced internally, due largely to poor
transportation and storage infrastructure. “The long shelf life of this variety
would assist the country a lot,” Sharma said further.
http://businessdayonline.com/2015/09/syngeta-launches-fast-acting-pesticide-tomato-hybrids-rice-seed-varieties/
Oasis brings authentic
Yemeni cuisine to Tempe
The new restaurant sports homestyle food including
a bakery.
The Oasis, a Yemeni restaurant and bakery, is
pictured on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tempe.
Down
Apache Boulevard lies row after row of strip malls, each carrying many shops or
restaurants of different cuisine for the students close to the east side
of the Tempe campus to visit. Pizza, sandwich and Asian joints all line the
street divided in two by the light rail, so there’s plenty of choices for the
discerning foodie.Look a little closer though, and you’ll see a small
smattering of Middle Eastern restaurants within these malls. Move further up
the street and you’ll come across a tall building dubbed Oasis, a new
restaurant featuring dishes and pastries from the country of Yemen.
ounded
only five months ago, Oasis marks the desire of owner Hussein Alhajjaji to
bring food from his native Yemen to the busy streets of Tempe. According to
manager Pamela Garcia, Alhajjaji had owned other businesses in the past, but
was having his first go in the restaurant business here.
"He
wants to bring the home (Yemen) experience to here in Arizona," Garcia
said. "We have such a big Arab population, and so far
it's working." Around the spacious dining area, posters hang on
the walls with images of the country. Across the way, a big screen TV showcased
some quirky Middle Eastern music videos to set the mood. Hidden from plain
sight was a seating area where guests would remove their shoes to hang out as
they ate.It was quiet for a Friday afternoon, at least when I walked in prior
to a late lunch rush. I’m remiss in taking away the popularity of the place, as
it currently boasts a four out of five star rating on
Yelp as of
this writing. Take-out orders were consistently in and out, and it was hard to
find anyone without a smile on their face.This was immediately apparent when I
spoke with Garcia, who had been a part of Oasis since its inception. She didn’t
mask her infectious enthusiasm about the wide spread of food the restaurant had
on hand, and was quick to make recommendations – particularly for those that
have never tried the cuisine before.
"We
have baked chicken, which is baked for two hours and is half a chicken served
over mundi, which is white rice and basmati rice mixed and seasoned
with onion soup and Arabic seasonings," Garcia said. Garcia went
on to list choices that seemed endless including kabsa, a meat cooked with a
tomato paste, then fahsa and salta, a pair of items that she was keen to
point out."Fahsa is the local Yemeni dish," said Garcia. "It's
braised lamb served in a skillet, as a lamb soup." Salta, on the other
hand, is made with all vegetables. The wide variances on Oasis' menu
seemed to reflect Garcia's take on the local cuisine."I feel like
everything in Arizona is very generic," she said. "When it comes
down to Middle Eastern or anything like that, it's because they don't
focus enough on it. And that is what we're trying to do."
On
Garcia’s recommendation, I asked for the biryani with lamb, which was made with
basmati rice and came with a salad sporting dressings of salsa and yogurt,
which is less Dannon’s and more of a cream with herbs and spices.It wasn’t more
than 10 minutes later that I was able to dig into the big plate of rice and
lamb. Garcia explained that the lamb was buried underneath the rice so it could
absorb any flavors that seeped through, and it worked. Supported by the flavors
of the rice, the lamb was juicy and fell off the bone easily, which inspired
further digging for more.
The
basmati rice coupled with the lamb well, with spices on each bite presenting a
whole lot of flavors as I ate. I couldn’t get enough of it, which worked out
well — there was enough left over for me to take home as I felt myself getting
full from the dish. Too full, in fact, to try one of the baklavas from the
bakery — those would wait until next time.
If you're hesitant to try the cuisine of the
Middle East, or if you're looking for something new, Oasis is definitely a
place to visit. A sprawling menu and friendly staff are the main draws, and if
you need a suggestion — talk to Garcia, or just pick
the Biryani. You might not regret it.
Reach the reporter at damionjrohman@gmail.com
or on Twitter
@legendpenguin
Light option with
grains offers departure
By Susan Selasky Detroit Free Press • Wednesday September 16, 2015 1:20 AM
Planning
a gathering and hoping to skip the pasta and potato salads you have served all
summer? Think rice.A rice salad promises an easy time in the kitchen: Cook the
rice, chop a few vegetables and make a vinaigrette.Why a vinaigrette? You don’t
want to drown the grains in a creamy dressing.A rice salad should taste light,
with the grains separated — not clumped.White or brown rice, or any exotic
version, might be used.These days, grocery stores offer a wide range —
including some aromatic choices.Jasmine rice is fragrant and floral, while
basmati rice — popular in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes — is nuttily
nuanced.As long-grain varieties, both jasmine and basmati are prepared the same
as white rice. And, with their slender grains, both are well-suited to salads.
RICE SALAD WITH AVOCADO AND GRAPE TOMATOES
Makes 5 cups
For the salad:
3 cups
cooked white, basmati or jasmine rice
2 cups
grape tomatoes, halved
1/2
green bell pepper, diced
4 green
onions, thinly sliced
1 cup
chopped cilantro leaves
1 large
ripe avocado, halved, pitted, diced large
Salt and
pepper to taste
For the dressing:
2
tablespoons rice vinegar
6
tablespoons olive oil
1
tablespoon lemon juice
1
teaspoon smoked paprika
2
teaspoons chili powder
1
teaspoon cumin
2 1/2
teaspoons sugar
1 clove
garlic, peeled
In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, grape
tomatoes, bell pepper, green onions and cilantro leaves. Add the avocado chunks
and toss gently, taking care not to break them up. Season with salt and pepper.
In a blender or food processor, combine all
dressing ingredients and process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as
necessary. Pour over the salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately or
refrigerate.The salad will keep in the refrigerator about 2 days, without the
avocados turning dark, if covered tightly, with plastic wrap directly on it.
PER SERVING (1/2 cup): 153
calories, 2 g protein, 16 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 9 g fat (1 g saturated),
0 mg cholesterol, 68 mg sodium
Coromandel In
Southport: Elegant Contemporary Indian In Southport
Somosas ($6.50), a standing pyramid of spiced potatoes and peas, is
given an elegant presentation, with salad and sauces to drizzle over the crust.
(Elizabeth Keyser / Special To The Courant)
By ELIZABETH KEYSER Special To The Courant
Indian food, in all its glory, at Coromandel
Indian
food condenses a vast subcontinent and many cultures into take-out shorthand.
Coromandel in Fairfield's Southport section offers an elegant, contemporary
setting in which to enjoy India's regional cuisine. The regional chainlet, at
the forefront of popularizing Indian food in these parts, has five restaurants
(Orange, Newtown, Southport, Stamford and New Rochelle, N.Y.). Their
all-you-can-eat lunch buffets are famous.Sometimes you want to focus on just a
few dishes, so we go for dinner. The Southport location, just off I-95 and near
the Boston Post Road, is in an awkward, one-story 1950s building that has
defied other restaurateur's design skills. Coromandel has done a terrific job
with the design, blending modern white plastic and metal chairs with white
table cloths over blue clothes, and deep yellow napkins. White paper covers the
tabletops, and the layers of cloth give a luxurious, padded feeling. (Tables
are small and close together, and if you order several dishes, your waiter
might struggle to fit everything on the table.)
India is
a land of mountains, rivers, foothills, plains, deserts, rain forests and
oceans and bays. Spice brings the food of the land and people together. At
Coromandel in Southport, dishes aren't burn-your-mouth spicy; the spice blends
are tempered and aromatic.One appetizer is Badam Jhinga, shrimp in red chili
sauce crunched with slivered toasted almonds, fresh scallions and cilantro. The
sauce is bright and lively with sweet, rich butterflied shrimp. The menu calls
them called prawns in the Anglo-Indian style, which sounds so much more
interesting, and larger, than shrimp.
Achari
Murgh, chicken in mango sauce, chunks of chicken breast in a bowl of
amber-colored sauce created from an ineffable blend of spices, bloomed in the
mouth. Beneath the coating of sauce, the chicken is white and tender; among the
spices is amchoor, a powder made from unripe green mangoes that adds an Asian
sour fruit flavor note and tenderizes the meat. Figuring that chicken breast
would not be the sole cut if this dish were made in India, we ask our courteous
waiter what cut of the chicken would be used in India. The whole chicken, he
says, cut into pieces.
Scented,
long-grain white basmati rice is topped with caramelized onions and green peas.
We scoop up meat, sauce and rice with aloo paratha, wheat bread layered with
spiced potatoes, dashed in warm buttery ghee.Coromandel has many choices for
vegetarians. Somosas ($6.50), easy-to-carry street food, the deep-fried crust
folded into standing pyramid of spiced potatoes and peas, is given an elegant
presentation, with salad and sauces to drizzle over the crust.
Lamb, too, is a glory of India cooking, and
regional choices abound. You can't go wrong with any of them at Coromandel.
Coromandel, 17 Pease Ave., Southport, is open
Monday through Friday, 12 to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.;
dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday 5 to
10:30 p.m. 203-259-1213 and coromandelcuisine.com/southport
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