Monday, April 04, 2016

4th April,2016 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magaizne

Today Rice News Headlines...
·         Profitability of basmati rice exporters to remain under pressure in H1FY17
·         DA-PhilRice and IRRI offer drought-tolerant rice varieties to farmers
·         http://news.irri.org/2016/04/da-philrice-and-irri-offer-drought.html
·         Thai Rice Department and IRRI intensify joint R&D program
·         Basmati rice industry may revive in next harvest 2016-17: Icra
·         Food Security Cards Only for Ration Supplies
·         Wheat eases on increased supply, reduced offtake
·         Dollar scarcity: Buyers turn to locally-grown rice
·         Looking towards Iran
·         Davaoeños lead donation drive for protesting Kidapawan farmers
·         Dollar scarcity: Buyers turn to locally-grown rice
·         Farida ji is a brilliant actress: Kulbhushan Kharbanda
·         Mutton biryani with sour plums and dried pomegranate
·         The Grim Reaper
·         APEDA RICE COMMODITY NEWS
·         Rain, floods kill 45 in northwest Pakistan
·         VN's rice supply may decrease due to drought and saline intrusion
News Detail...

Profitability of basmati rice exporters to remain under pressure in H1FY17

 

Price situation to improve on short supply to elevate exporters' realisation in the second half

 

Dilip Kumar Jha  |  Mumbai April 1, 2016 Last Updated at 20:06 IST
Basmati rice exports to US might be hitExporters expect Iran to issue fresh Basmati rice permits by DecRice exporting companies rally as Iran opens up market for IndiaBasmati rice and sugar stocks up on favourable fundamentalsBasmati
rice exports to Iran via Dubai soar.India’s basmati rice exports are likely to remain under pressure till the first half of the financial year 2016-17 on excess supply in destination markets. Improvement, if any, would be seen only in the second half with gradual receding in inventory resulting into price increase, said a recent Icra report.Importing countries led by Saudi Arabia, Iran and United Arab Emirates (contributing nearly half of India’s exports) stepped up their inventory building on sharp fall in the prices of the aromatic rice. Consequently, India’s basmati rice exports shot up by 20% to 3.07 million tonnes between April–December 2015 as compared to 2.57 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year, data compiled by Apeda showed.
Interestingly, falling prices have lowered exporters’ realisation from overseas sales. While the realisation has declined by 14% to Rs 17,588 crore, the same tanked further in dollar to $2,717 million resulting into per unit realisation declining to $885 a tonne between Apr–Dec 2015 as compared to $1,312 a tonne in the comparable period last year.
“Supply of basmati paddy is expected to witness some moderation as farmers are likely to shift away from basmati, given the non-remunerative prices in the last two crop cycles. Moreover, since Iran has removed the ban on import of rice, demand is also expected to witness some improvement, going forward,” said the report.
Meanwhile, the current scenario of excess supply (weak demand) is expected to continue in the near term and exporters are likely to continue facing financial stress in the near term. Weak sales growth and decline in profitability, along with inventory losses, are expected to be the key trends in the financials (to be reported) of basmati rice players in 2015-16. This is expected to further weaken the leverage profile of industry players. Any improvement in the situation is likely only from the next basmati paddy harvest season, that is, the second half of 2016-17.
The industry has reported steady growth in its revenues till 2013-14 given the rising demand in the market leading to high volume of sales and high realisations. However in FY15, the industry witnessed a decline in demand following the ban imposed by Iran on import of rice. Consequently, Indian basmati rice industry reported decline in value of sales in 2014-15.
The industry remains vulnerable to inventory price risk given sizeable stock levels of the players. As witnessed in FY15, weakness in demand led to correction in prices which impacted the inventory positions of the players and hence their profitability. The decline in profitability and industry’s inability to liquidate its sizeable stocks resulted in increased working capital borrowings. Thus, the industry reported increase in leverage and weakness in coverage metrics in FY15.
The significant impact was witnessed in quarter ending March 2015 when the sales did not grow (unlike same quarters in previous years) and profitability and hence interest coverage declined significantly. This was largely driven by decline in realisations in the aftermath of ban imposed by Iran on import of rice. Further, as reflected in the first three quarters of 2015-16, the pressure on revenue and profitability is expected to continue in the near term.
DA-PhilRice and IRRI offer drought-tolerant rice varieties to farmers
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have been working together to breed and disseminate seeds of drought-tolerant rice varieties that can better survive the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.
“It is the poor farmers who suffer the most from the effects of climate change,” said Dr. Bruce Tolentino, IRRI’s deputy director general for communication and partnerships. “This is why IRRI has been working hard to develop climate change-ready rice varieties that can withstand extreme climatic conditions such as droughts, floods, heat, and cold, and soil problems such as high salt and iron content.”
Rice farmers who are currently struggling with the effects of El Niño are particularly interested in drought-tolerant rice varieties. The ongoing El Niño is expected to cause much lower rainfall in the first half of 2016 throughout South and Southeast Asia, which includes the major rice-growing countries.
“El Niño conditions will worsen livelihoods and may also lead to insufficient food supply for vulnerable farm households,” said Dr. Reiner Wassmann, climate change expert at IRRI.
Scientists at IRRI have developed and released drought-tolerant varieties--those that can produce up to 1.2 tons more per hectare than varieties that perform poorly under drought conditions--in several countries, including Sahbhagi dhan in India and the Sookha dhan varieties in Nepal.
In the Philippines, the drought-tolerant rice varieties available to farmers in rainfed lowland farms include Rio Grande, Sacobia, and 12 varieties of Sahod Ulan. Drought-tolerant rice varieties for upland farms include Pasig, Apo, and Katihan 1.
“We have provided PhilRice with the foundation germplasm for climate change-ready rice,” Tolentino said. “DA-PhilRice is multiplying these seeds for distribution to farmers who need them the most.”
In addition to climate change-ready rice varieties, IRRI has also developed water-saving technologies such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD). AWD is regarded as one of the more important rice cultivation methods that can dramatically save freshwater irrigation.
Learn more about IRRI (www.irri.org) or follow us on social media and networks (all links down the right column).
Thai Rice Department and IRRI intensify joint R&D program

4 April 2016
info@irri.org

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Royal Government of Thailand is set to strengthen research and development ties with the International Rice Research Institute. The director general and senior officers of the Thai Rice Department are at IRRI headquarters today to further flesh out the collaboration with scientists.

Leading the Thai group is Anan Suwannarat, director general of the Rice Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The visit is part of a series of meetings between the two parties in which implementation of a fresh set of collaborative research programs for Thailand, with 
funding support provided by the Thai government, is discussed.

“Thailand is a top exporter of rice globally and the government is intent on sustaining the competitiveness of Thai rice in the global market, particularly in the face of climate change and growing competition from other major rice producers such as India, Vietnam, and Myanmar,” said Matthew Morell, IRRI director general.

Basmati rice industry may revive in next harvest 2016-17: Icra

By volume, the share of basmati rice is around 6% in 2014-15, even as by value, basmati rice exports account for 57% in 2014-15, of India's total rice exports

Press Trust of India  |  Mumbai April 3, 2016 Last Updated at 13:48 IST
Profitability of basmati rice exporters to remain under pressure in H1FY17Exporters expect Iran to issue fresh Basmati rice permits by DecBasmati exporters eye better realisations as Iran opens upRice exporting companies rally as Iran opens up market for IndiaBasmati rice exports to Iran via Dubai soar.The domestic basmati rice industry, which is witnessing excess supply and weak demand, may revive in the next harvest season in the second half of 2016-17, a report said."The basmati rice industry faced headwinds - weakdemand and oversupply in FY16. The current scenario of excess supply and weak demand is expected to continue in the near term and exporters are likely to continue facing financial stress in the near term.
"Any improvement in the situation is likely only from the next basmati paddy harvest season in the second half of 2016-17 due to improvement in demand," rating agencyIcra said in its report in Mumbai.
The supply of basmati paddy is expected to witness some moderation as farmers are likely to shift away from basmati, given the non-remunerative prices in the last two crop cycles.Moreover, since Iran has removed the ban on import of rice, demand is also expected to witness some improvement, it said.Rice is one of the most crucial food crops in the world and a staple diet for nearly half the global population. Over 90% of the global rice output and consumption is centred in Asia, wherein the world's largest rice producers, China and India, are also the world's largest rice consumers.
India accounts for over 70% of the world's basmati rice production. Basmati rice constitutes a small portion of the total rice produced in India.By volume, the share of basmati rice is around 6% in 2014-15, even as by value, basmati rice exports account for 57% in 2014-15, of India's total rice exports.Basmati rice exports have increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% from Rs 28.24 billion in 2004-05 to Rs 275.98 billion in 2014-15.The proportion of basmati rice exports in India's total exports has increased from around 0.6% to around 1.3% during the last one decade.
While basmati rice is consumed across the globe, West Asian countries account for 75% of Indian basmati rice exports in 2014-15.Within West Asia, Iran and Saudi Arabia are the two largest buyers, together accounting for over 50% of basmati rice exports from India.However, even as Iran emerged as one of the largest importers of basmati rice in recent years, the country imposed a ban on basmati rice imports from India in 2014-15, citing its own healthy rice crop and large basmati inventory.Commenting on pricing scenario, Icra said basmati paddy is also vulnerable to cyclical price fluctuations. Higher prices in the market encourage higher basmati paddy cultivation, which increases supply in the next season.
This depresses the price, thereby erasing gains and shifting farmers away from basmati paddy cultivation.During the procurement season of 2012-13 and 2013-14, there was a steep rise in paddy prices from around Rs 18,000 per tonne (MT) in 2011-12 to around Rs 37,000 MT in 2013-14, due to strong demand in the international market.
Food Security Cards Only for Ration Supplies
By Express News Service
Published: 03rd April 2016 05:27 AM
Last Updated: 03rd April 2016 05:27 AM
HYDERABAD:  Food security cards will be used primarily to draw ration and not to be taken as a criteria for selection of beneficiaries for government schemes like double bedroom homes, Shaadi Mubarak, fee reimbursement, Aasara pensions, among others.Civil supplies minister Etela Rajender directed the  officials to make sure that food security cards are used only for the purpose of ration.He held a review meeting with civil supplies officials here on Friday.The computerisation of food security cards has been completed and Point Of Sale (POS) machines were installed in all fair price shops in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Limits.
Thirty percent savings were witnessed in Public Distribution Scheme commodities issued through POS machines. A clear action plan is also being prepared by the civil supplies officials to supply super fine rice  to all university hostels.
“Preferred varieties of super fine rice (Sanna Biyyam) used for mid-day meals and hostels supplied by rice millers should invariably bear the details of name and address of the rice millers, variety, date of supply, season (Khariff and Rabi), year, truck no, among other details on the tag to enure quality,” said Rajat Kumar, commissioner of civil supplies.

Wheat eases on increased supply, reduced offtake


PTI | Apr 1, 2016, 02.40 PM IST
New Delhi, Apr 1 () Wheat prices eased by Rs 5 per quintal in an otherwise steady wholesale grains market today following increased supplies from producing regions against reduced offtake by flour mills.Elsewhere, other grains including rice basmati traded in a tight range on little doing and settled around previous levels. Traders said besides reduced offtake by flour mills, adequate stocks position on higher supplies from producing belts kept pressure on wheat prices.In the national capital,wheat dara (for mills) and wheat MP (desi) fell by Rs 5 each to Rs 1,645-1,650 and Rs 2,010- 2,615 per quintal respectively. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by a similar margin to Rs 1,650-1,655 per 90 kg.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,010-2,615, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,645-1,650, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,650-1,655, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 230, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 230, Roller flour mill Rs 855-865 (50 kg), Maida Rs 940-950 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,010-1,025 (50 kg).Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati common new Rs 5,500-5,600, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,250-5,200, Permal raw Rs 1,850-1,900, Permal wand Rs 2,050-2,100, Sela Rs 2,200-2,300 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,600-1,620, Bajra Rs 1,590-1,595, Jowar yellow Rs 1,800-1,900, white Rs 3,400-3,500, Maize Rs 1,700-1,710, Barley Rs 1,300-1,310. SUN KPS ABI

(This story has not been edited by timesofindia.com and is auto–generated from a syndicated feed we subscribe to.)

Dollar scarcity: Buyers turn to locally-grown rice
April 3, 2016

The scarcity of United States dollars in the country has forced rice traders to look inwards and patronise local growers and processing mills.
It was gathered that distributors in Kano, Ondo and Lagos states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, among others, have been bombarding the milling factories with orders beyond their processing capacity.

A source in one of the rice milling companies, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the millers were having difficulties meeting orders as major distributors who depended on imported rice before now, had started showing interest in Nigerian brands.

The Public relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island, Mr. Chris Osunkwo, confirmed that the volume of rice imports and other items restricted by the Central Bank of Nigeria from accessing foreign exchange from the official window had declined.

According to him, this has drastically affected revenue generation in form of tariff and levies at the Tin Can Island port.

Osunkwo explained, “The dollar scarcity has taken a toll on our revenue generation. In February, we made about N16.4bn; some of the items the government restricted foreign exchange from fall within the regular and highest revenue generating imports for us like rice and other items. Because of the restriction of access to foreign exchange, they are no longer coming in.

“We make a lot of revenue from them for the government. All the revenue that would have accrued to the government is not there again. We are only scraping to meet up. It has impacted negatively on revenue generation. We pray it doesn’t get worse.”

The Personnel Manager, UMZA International Farms Limited, an indigenous rice mill, Mr. Ali Aliyu, said that the limited number of mills in the country posed a hindrance to the supply of the produce to meet existing demand.

He added that insufficient power supply as well as taxes and levies by regulatory agencies had increased the cost of production, making indigenous rice to be unable to compete with the imported brands.

Aliyu said, “Power supply is not available and that is key as far as all manufacturing companies are concerned. For example, our company spends not less than N4.5m to N5m on electricity every month on diesel because we do not have sufficient supply of power. It means that the cost of production is high and the price will be high as well, and we have to make a profit. We do not have a good company that provides paddy rice from the farmers.

“Another thing is the tax from the local government, state and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. The foreign ones are selling at lower prices than ours. You find out that you can hardly sell your rice below the price of the foreign ones. If you are not careful, the company will fold up. If the importation of rice is stopped, some of the challenges I highlighted will go.”

Contact: editor@punchng.com

How you can start earning N250,000 every mon

http://www.punchng.com/dollar-scarcity-buyers-turn-to-locally-grown-rice/

Looking towards Iran

To be able to take their mutual trade to $5 billion in five years, Iran and Pakistan should be able to realise the huge trade potential that exists between the two countries
The lifting of international economic sanctions on Iran is no ordinary development for the country. Many countries in the region that could be natural trading partners of Iran were unable to benefit from mutual trade while the sanctions were in place. In case they even tried, they would face the challenge of how to make payments or open letters of credit through banks. There were certain ways to circumvent these sanctions but such measures were temporary and not sustainable.

The situation has changed after the lifting of sanctions. Iran, that remained isolated for long, is now looking forward to doing trade with the rest of the world. Rich in natural resources, such as crude oil and natural gas, it has a lot to offer to its trading partners that can, in return, fulfil its import needs.
Pakistan that shares a long border and historical and cultural ties with Iran is among countries that can increase their trade volume with this country manifold. Though both countries have signed a preferential trade agreement, their mutual trade volume has remained far below expectations, mainly due to sanctions, non-tariff barriers, and smuggling through a porous border.The recent visit of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan has led to realisation of the fact that both the countries can take their mutual trade to $5 billion in five years. Analysts believe this target is quite realistic, keeping in view the size of Iranian economy and its proximity to Pakistan.At the moment, Iran is the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region after Saudi Arabia. Though lower than in previous years, the country has a per capita income of $5,315, and its economy has seen a positive growth of 1.46 per cent in 2014. It is expected that the real GDP of Iran could rise by as much as 5.8 per cent and 6.7 per cent in 2016 and 2017, respectively, as oil production reaches the expected target between 3.6 and 4.2 million barrels per day.

According to figures released by Iran, Pakistan is currently 21st in the list of its import partners, with imports from the country amounting to $261 million in 2014. At the same time, with exports of $837 million, Pakistan is the 9th highest export partner of Iran, holding a 1.1 per cent share in Iran’s exports to the world. The figures shared by Pakistan are quite different, which say that in 2014, the overall trade between Pakistan and Iran was $217 million, out of which $53 million were exports from Pakistan.An important point to note is that substantial discrepancy in official trade figures is seen when comparing Pakistan and Iran’s reported trade figures. This is compounded by the erratic reporting trade figures by Iran, with a number of years in the last ten years, when Iran has not reported its trade figures. Regardless of which figures are correct, there is a general agreement that the existing potential of mutual trade is far from exploited.

The situation has changed after the lifting of sanctions on Iran. The country, that has remained isolated for quite long, is now back into the arena and looking forward to doing trade with the rest of the world. Rich in natural resources, it has a lot to offer to its trading partners.
Historically, major items imported by Pakistan from Iran have been minerals, oils, distillation products, iron and steel, raw hides and skins (other than fur skins) and leather, electrical, electronic equipment, salt, sulphur, plaster, lime and cement, edible fruit, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons, plastics and articles thereof and coffee, tea mate and spices.On the other hand, the items exported from Pakistan have included paper and paperboard, articles of pulp, cereals, meat and edible meat offal, rice, plastics and articles, medical and surgical apparatus, sugars and sugar confectionery, ships, boats and other floating structures, cotton, vegetables, fruit, food preparations, etc.Mian Arshad, President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) tells TNS that their delegation recently visited Iran to explore avenues of mutual trade in the post-sanctions scenario. “Immense potential exists in the fields of food, crude oil, textiles, bakery products and even construction.” Representatives of three Pakistani banks accompanied them to explore the potential of opening their branches there and facilitating transactions between trading partners. Meezan Bank is most likely to start operations this month which will be a great breakthrough.

Amir Allahwala, former chairman, Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) tells TNS that a huge potential exists for export of automotive parts from Pakistan to Iran which is the biggest car producer in the Middle East. “Before the economic sanctions were imposed, Iran was the 11th biggest car producer in the world. Pakistani automotive parts manufacturers have excelled over time and there is no reason that they cannot penetrate into the Iranian market.”The issue of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) is also a matter of concern which some exporters believe can be used to support one exporting country against the other. Muhammad Shafique, Chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) says that Pakistani rice exports are not picking up as exporters are waiting for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification from Iran.
Shafique says they have requested the ministry of commerce to take up the issue with the Iranian health ministry and get the issue of GMP certification as early as possible. “Once this happens, there are hopes that export volume will fast increase.”Anis ul Haq, Secretary, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Punjab, tells TNS that they are eyeing the Iranian market and plan to export cotton products and textile made-ups like bed wear. He says the traditional clothing varieties like linen, lawn, etc, will be welcomed there.“The proximity of Iran to Pakistan gives a competitive edge to businessmen from both the countries to explore trade potential. Persian, Pashto and English are commonly used and understood languages there,” he adds.Haq says Iranian foreign officials have ensured them that Pakistani businessmen will get Iranian visas within a week and they would go to any extent to facilitate them. “The establishment of safe land and train routes between the two neighbouring countries is a key to enhanced trade. If efforts can be made to make CPEC route safe, the same can be done in this case,” he adds.
Iranian Consul General in Lahore, Mohammad Hossain Bani Asadi, says they are determined to help out Pakistani businessmen willing to do trade with Iran. “Ours is the only country that has consulates in all the four provinces in Pakistan — something that hints at our commitment to promote healthy mutual relations.”
Asadi clarifies that Iran does not give preferential treatment to India, saying, “the Chahbahar free industrial zone is open for all who want to invest here. Indian investors have come here only for business. Pakistani investors can also establish their presence here and they would welcome them from the core of their heart.”
He says Pakistani rice is of good quality and its volume in the Iranian market can increase considerably if Pakistani exporters focus on this area. “We facilitated a trip of Pakistani businessmen, including rice exporters to Iran. It is quite likely that there is a breakthrough.”

Shahzada Irfan Ahmed

The author is a staff reporter and can be reached at shahzada.irfan@gmail.com

Davaoeños lead donation drive for protesting Kidapawan farmers

(UPDATED) The spirit of volunteerism starts with an April 1 post on Facebook that says 5 kilos of rice would be donated to the farmers of Kidapawan
Rappler.com
Published 10:58 PM, April 02, 2016
Updated 5:05 PM, April 03, 2016
HELPING HAND. Residents of Davao donate sacks of rice to farmers from Kidapawan. Photo by Editha Caduaya/Rappler

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – For the nth time Davaoeños again showed their spirit of solidarity with the protesting farmers in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato by donating rice from their own homes.On Saturday, April 2, while North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza was holding a press conference in Kidapawan City and training her guns on helpless protesters and militant leaders, residents of Davao were already hauling sacks of rice for the farmers who were violently dispersed the day before.At least two people were reported killed and hundreds were wounded on Friday, April 1.Police said about 3,000 protesters blocked the Davao-Cotabato Highway starting Wednesday, March 30, to demand government assistance in the wake of the effects of drought in the area.Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the farmers demanded that Taliño-Mendoza release 15,000 sacks of rice to them, but she reportedly refused to talk to them.The Philippine National Police said the permit to rally lapsed Friday morning. The highway protest that began 6 am on March 30 brought together farmers, members of indigenous groups, and other cause-oriented groups.

Like wildfire
In Davao, the spirit of volunteerism started with a social media post at about 2 am on Friday, April 1, when a certain Fritz Freire posted on his Facebook page that he would donate 5 kilos of rice and deliver them to City Hall. He tagged his friends and it spread like wildfire.As of 4 pm, Saturday, the contributions totaled 65 sacks of rice which were transported to Kidapawan City past 5 pm, Saturday, April 2.Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday told reporters in Bukidnon that the city government of Davao would extend help and provide food for the farmers on humanitarian grounds as it cannot intervene in issues outside its territory.

Duterte said that for Davao City to officially help the farmers, the city council needs to pass a resolution allowing the office of the mayor to give food assistance.Many business operators in Davao City have pledged to donate rice for the farmers.Duterte campaign spokesperson Peter Tiu Laviña, in a post on his personal Facebook page, said that they are also looking for rice dealers in Kidapawan City or in neighboring Makilala, where donors can directly order rice for donation to the farmers.Laviña said that donors also came from Tagum City, Samal City, from San Carlos City in Pangasinan, Cebu City, and even from overseas Filipinos.

Playing politics?
During the press conference, Taliño-Mendoza criticized a politician for promising to give rice to the farmers and took it as an insult. She said her province is able to provide for the needs of its farmers.Without naming names but addressing politicians, she said, "Nang-iinsulto ba kayo o namumulitika kayo?...Sa lahat ng kandidato sinuman magpunta dito. Huwag niyong gawing staging ground ang North Cotabato sa propaganda..."

(Are you insulting us or playing politics?...To all candidates, whoever
(Are you insulting us or playing politics?...To all candidates, whoever comes here. Don't use North Cotabato as staging ground for propaganda...)
The people of Davao are used to supporting other local government experiencing calamities. They, too, helped residents of Tacloban, Leyte after Super Typhoon Yolanda struck and killed thousands in November 2013. – Editha Z. Caduaya/Rappler.com

Dollar scarcity: Buyers turn to locally-grown rice

April 3, 2016
The scarcity of United States dollars in the country has forced rice traders to look inwards and patronise local growers and processing mills.It was gathered that distributors in Kano, Ondo and Lagos states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, among others, have been bombarding the milling factories with orders beyond their processing capacity.A source in one of the rice milling companies, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the millers were having difficulties meeting orders as major distributors who depended on imported rice before now, had started showing interest in Nigerian brands.
The Public relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island, Mr. Chris Osunkwo, confirmed that the volume of rice imports and other items restricted by the Central Bank of Nigeria from accessing foreign exchange from the official window had declined.According to him, this has drastically affected revenue generation in form of tariff and levies at the Tin Can Island port.Osunkwo explained, “The dollar scarcity has taken a toll on our revenue generation. In February, we made about N16.4bn; some of the items the government restricted foreign exchange from fall within the regular and highest revenue generating imports for us like rice and other items. Because of the restriction of access to foreign exchange, they are no longer coming in.
“We make a lot of revenue from them for the government. All the revenue that would have accrued to the government is not there again. We are only scraping to meet up. It has impacted negatively on revenue generation. We pray it doesn’t get worse.”The Personnel Manager, UMZA International Farms Limited, an indigenous rice mill, Mr. Ali Aliyu, said that the limited number of mills in the country posed a hindrance to the supply of the produce to meet existing demand.He added that insufficient power supply as well as taxes and levies by regulatory agencies had increased the cost of production, making indigenous rice to be unable to compete with the imported brands.
Aliyu said, “Power supply is not available and that is key as far as all manufacturing companies are concerned. For example, our company spends not less than N4.5m to N5m on electricity every month on diesel because we do not have sufficient supply of power. It means that the cost of production is high and the price will be high as well, and we have to make a profit. We do not have a good company that provides paddy rice from the farmers.“Another thing is the tax from the local government, state and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. The foreign ones are selling at lower prices than ours. You find out that you can hardly sell your rice below the price of the foreign ones. If you are not careful, the company will fold up. If the importation of rice is stopped, some of the challenges I highlighted will go.”
http://www.punchng.com/dollar-scarcity-buyers-turn-to-locally-grown-rice/

Farida ji is a brilliant actress: Kulbhushan Kharbanda

PTI | Apr 1, 2016, 02.35 PM IST
New Delhi, Apr 1 () Veteran actor Kulbhushan Kharbanda, who has teamed with Farida Jalal after a long time for YRF's short movie "Scandal Point", says she is a brilliant actress.The actors have collaborated for the Ankur Tewari directed love story, which narrates the story of a senior couple reliving their romantic college days when they used to drive up to a lover's point."Farida ji is a brilliant actress. We have worked together many times. She is still the same. There is not an iota of change in her appearance in last 25 years. She is also a thorough professional," Kulbhushan told .Kharbanda, 71, and the 67-year-old actress have worked together in "Pukar", "Pinjar", "Garv", "Soldier" among others.The "Earth" actor said he enjoyed being the part of the short film.

"It just took a day to shoot. I had no idea about digital short films. I am technologically challenged. I don't even know how does a link open in a mobile phone. I agreed to be a part of the film because it was coming out of Yash Raj and people associated with it are my old friends."
"Scandal Point", a part of Y-Films' anthology "Love Shots", sees a sweet and efforless chemistry between Kulbhushan and Farida."We often come across such sweet old people in real life. It's not that they argue always. There are many light moments between them. The script of the short was lovely," he said.

Besides his outing in a short film, Kulbhushan is busy with Padatik Theatre's production "Atmakatha". The play marks the noted actor's return to the stage after a gap of two decades."I get film offers. But they are not the prominent ones and I have no issues with it. I am devoting my time to the play 'Atmakatha'. We are touring across the country with the play and the response we are receiving is phenomenal." NDS BK

Mutton biryani with sour plums and dried pomegranate
A richly aromatic dish from Pakistan, perfect for a celebratory meal CREDIT: JOANNA YEE
2 APRIL 2016 • 6:00AM
This is by far the most aromatic and spicy biryani in my book, though the addition of potatoes, sour dried plums and dried pomegranate takes the edge off. Great for a special occasion.
SERVES
8–10
INGREDIENTS
·         3-4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into thick chunks
·         350g basmati rice
·         2 large pinches of saffron threads
·         hot milk, for soaking
·         50ml vegetable oil
·         6 green cardamom pods
·         2 black cardamom pods
·         1 cinnamon stick
·         2 bay leaves
·         2 tsp each of coriander seeds and black cumin (or cumin) seeds
·         1 tsp aniseed or fennel seeds
·         2 star anise
·         1 piece of mace
·         4 medium red onions, finely chopped
·         2 tsp each of grated ginger and crushed garlic
·         1kg mutton leg, cut into chunks, with bone
·         5 tomatoes, roughly chopped
·         1 tsp ground turmeric
·         1 tbsp ground anardana (dried pomegranate)
·         10–15 dried plums (aloo bukhara, £3.95 for 300g from spicesofindia.co.uk)
·         2 green chillies, chopped
·         200g Greek yogurt
·         1 tbsp kewra (screw-pine water, 95p  for 200ml from spicesofindia.co.uk) or rose water
·         1 tbsp ghee
·         1 lemon, cut into slices
·         a few mint leaves

METHOD
Parboil the potatoes in a large saucepan then drain. Set aside. Wash the rice, rinse and soak it in a bowl of water for one hour, then drain. Parboil it for 3–4 minutes and drain.
Soak the saffron threads in  a bowl of hot milk for  15 minutes. Heat the oil in a saucepan with a lid over a medium heat. Add the whole spices and allow to splutter. Add the onion and cook for 8-10 minutes until light brown. Add the ginger and garlic and cook until the raw smell disappears.
Add the mutton and fry until it is sealed all over. Add the tomatoes, turmeric, anardana, dried plums, chilli and salt to taste, and cook over a medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes, or until the oil rises to the top and the tomatoes are soft.
Add the yogurt and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly, until the oil rises again to the surface. Cover with a lid and cook for a further 10 minutes.
You should be left with a thick curry with oil rising to the top. If it gets too thick then add a few splashes of water and reduce the heat to low until the oil rises back to the top.
Add the parboiled potatoes; at this point the meat should also be cooked through. Layer the parboiled rice on top of the meat in the pan then sprinkle the kewra, saffron threads and ghee over the top. Add lemon slices and mint.
Cover the pan with foil firmly around the edges, cover tightly with the lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook in its own steam for about 10-15 minutes. If you have a heat diffuser it will help the rice steam evenly.
The key is that when you remove the foil, steam should rise to the top and the rice should be standing on end. Anything further and the rice will be overcooked. When ready, stir the rice into the layers carefully so as not to break the rice. Serve hot with a simple raita.

The Grim Reaper

By: Joel Ruiz Butuyan

@inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer

12:23 AM April 4th, 2016

In the blink of an eye three months whizzed by, and summer has again arrived. Despite the heat, summer is traditionally a time of merriment in the provinces because it is the fiesta season.Fiestas in our country were originally held in celebration of the feast days of the patron saints of the towns. Eventually, however, many towns organized their fiestas to coincide with the harvest season, because it is when the townsfolk—with their pockets filled with the blessings of harvest—are in the mood for parties and amusement.Agriculture is the main livelihood in our provinces and rice is the major crop of choice. For our rice-producing provinces, there is one cropping season for purely rain-fed farms, two cropping seasons for irrigated farms, and three cropping seasons for farms with abundant water supply.

Of the regular two cropping seasons, farmers usually derive a more bountiful harvest during the typhoon-free first cropping season that culminates in summer. Harvest time is much welcomed by sari-sari store owners who see surges in the sales of gin, coffee, junk food, and other modest luxuries.Rice production is a source of livelihood that traditionally demands much manual labor. There is a usual increase in demand for farm workers during the planting and harvesting phases of the crop season because these two chores are done manually.Thus, even landless farm workers customarily enjoy modest fortunes during the town fiesta because there is plentiful work available for them during the summer harvest. Until recently, that is.An invasion of reaper machines that started in 2014 has quickly deprived farm laborers of work during the harvest season. These reaper machines cut the rice stalks, winnow the grain from the stalks, and then bag the grain in cavans, completely replacing manual labor during the harvest season.
As a result, unemployment and hunger have worsened among farm workers.Even market vendors who thrive on the daily purchases of farm workers are complaining of the significant decrease in sales ever since the reaper machines started to displace farm laborers.“For every 100 cavans of palay harvested by reaper machines, a farm owner pays eight cavans to the machine operator,” said Isabela farm owner Ferdinand Ferrer. In contrast, if manual labor is employed for the same harvest, 15 cavans are paid to laborers for their manual work of cutting the rice stalks, and an additional eight cavans are paid to the owner of the mechanical thresher that winnows the grain from the stalks. Farm owners, therefore, save 15 cavans by availing themselves of reaper machines.A farm owner is fortunate if he or she harvests 100-120 cavans per hectare in one crop, according to another farm owner, Priscilla Obrero.
This quantity of harvest brings a net income of P30,000-P35,000 per hectare. The 15 additional cavans earned by the shift to a reaper machine brings in an additional income of P11,000. With an average agricultural landholding of 1.29 hectares for Filipino farm owners, we are provided a glimpse of the subsistence level of life in our countryside.The invasion of reaper machines was made possible in 2013, when Congress passed the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law that gives incentives to farm owners to abandon their reliance on manual labor and resort to “cost-effective” machinery.
The law’s supposed goal is to “achieve food security” for the country.How tragic that while Congress has embarked on a program that intends to replace farm workers with machines, it has, and outrageously, failed to provide a counterpart program to assist farm workers in getting new jobs or alternate livelihoods.Of all the possible sources of income—labor, capital, skills and land—farm workers have only the labor of their hands. If the government embarks on a program that deprives 12 million farm workers of their labor, there should be a massive program to teach them livelihood skills, give them access to capital for small businesses, or provide them land. Nothing of the sort was done.

The new law only talks about fast-tracking the replacement of human workers with machines.Criminality is on the rise in rural communities that are severely affected by the replacement of farm workers with reaper machines. There is a growing number of incidents involving unemployed farm laborers stoning reaper machines.If we need proof that poverty is growing or is stagnant even in the midst of a growing economy, we only have to look at farm communities affected by reaper machines.

“At a price of P1.6 million, a reaper machine is affordable only to rich business people,” farm owner Anarose Ferrer points out. Hence, we have a government that helps the rich get richer, and the poor, landless, and uneducated farmers are shooed out of the way.The tragic dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City last Friday, which resulted in the death of two of them and the wounding of at least 13 others, illustrates the farmers’ desperation to survive. Numbering 6,000, the farmers claim that the dry spell has left them and their families starving for food. They had barricaded a major road in protest of the government’s inaction on their plight, their demand for relief and subsidies, and their plea for rice rations

.Impoverished farm workers have only the labor of their hands as their source of income. Deprive them of labor, and their sole means to survive is taken away. And that is precisely what Congress has done to farm workers: Congress has dispatched the Grim Reaper to the countryside.
* * *
Comments to fleamarketofideas@gmail.com

APEDA RICE COMMODITY NEWS
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 31-03-2016
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Honey
1
Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2145
2
Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2200
3
Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2225
White Sugar
1
CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)
838
2
Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)
691
3
Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)
583
Peanuts
1
South Africa, HPS 70/80 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t)
1875
2
South African, HPS 40/50 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t)
1000
3
Argentinean 38/42 runners, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
1485
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 02-04-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
2700
3700
2
Umared (Maharashtra)
Other
2000
3500
3
Sainthia (West Bengal)
Common
1760
1790
Wheat
1
Dehgam (Gujarat)
Other
1435
1635
2
Shajapur (Madhya Pradesh)
Other
1525
1651
3
Sangli (Maharashtra)
Other
1950
2700
Grapes
1
Thodupuzha (Kerala)
Other
2600
2800
2
Bharuch (Gujarat)
Other
2000
3500
3
Kurali (Punjab)
Other
3500
3897
Brinjal
1
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
1300
1500
2
Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Other
1200
1600
3
Khatra (West Bengal)
Other
1200
1500
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 02-04-2016
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
345
2
Hyderabad
320
3
Namakkal
350
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 31-03-2016
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado
Russet
16.50
17.50
2
Chicago
California
Russet
21
21
2
Detroit
Idaho
Russet
12.50
13.50
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Mexico
Long Seedless
11
13
2
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
14.50
15
3
Chicago
Canada
Long Seedless
10
11
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Atlanta
Virginia
Red Delicious   
25.50
26
2
Chicago
Washington
Red Delicious   
21
22.50
3
Miami
Virginia
Red Delicious   
18
22
Source:USDA

Rain, floods kill 45 in northwest Pakistan