Tuesday, October 04, 2016

4th October,2016 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus Magazine

Rice prices mark fresh rise


FE Report
Prices of rice, especially of the coarse varieties, have increased further in the city markets as elsewhere in the country, which traders attributed to a substantial rise in the paddy price at the growers' level.
However, market analysts have said there is no valid reason for the hike in rice prices as the country has adequate supply of the staple.They urged conducting strict market monitoring to combat any simulated shortage.According to them, importers and millers should be brought under strict monitoring to protect market from being volatile.  

Coarse varieties of rice like Swarna and BR-11 were selling between Tk36 and Tk40 a kg at the retail level on Sunday against Tk34-Tk 35 two days back.Prices of the medium quality rice like Brridhan-28, 29, Paijam, Kajol Lata, Parija and Ratna increased by Tk2-Tk3 to Tk40-Tk45 a kg in the city kitchen markets in the last seven days.

Fine varieties like Miniket, Najirshail and Kataribhog remained static maintaining higher rates.
Miniket of different qualities were traded at Tk46-Tk 54 a kg and Najirshail at Tk48-Tk 57 a kg in the city.

Monibur, a grocer at Mirpur Section-2 in the city, told the FE that prices of coarse varieties witnessed an upward trend for the last few days in the wholesale markets.

He said per 100 kg sack of good quality Swarna increased to Tk3700 on Saturday which was Tk3350-Tk3400 a few days back.  

Asadulla, joint secretary of Badamtoli O Babu Bazar Chaul Aratdar Malik Samity, an association of rice wholesalers in the city, said prices have been increasing gradually at the mill gates in Kushtia, Pabna, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari and Jessore.

He said the rate of Swarna was Tk37.5 to Tk38 in Rangpur and Dinajpur on Sunday morning.

Brridhan-28 sold at Tk42-Tk42.5 at the mill gates and the price might increase further in Dhaka, he said.

Secretary of Bangladesh Auto Major Husking Mill Owners Association KM Layek Ali said paddy prices increased by Tk150-Tk200 a sack (75 kg) in the last two weeks.

He said Brridhan-28 paddy was selling at Tk1750 a sack (75 kg) which means per kg milled rice will be available at Tk40.

Swarna paddy is selling at Tk1500-Tk1550 a sack while price of milled Swarna rice is at least Tk35 a kg.

He said production of Brridhan-28 declined notably in the last Boro season causing the recent hike in prices.

Production of rice seemed to have declined in the just ended Aus season as prices remained higher, he added.

He said prices will come down within a few weeks after the new Aman paddy harvest hits the market.

Md Hazrat Ali, a Nilphamari-based trader, said import of coarse rice has almost stopped following 25 per cent import duty.He said cost of Indian Swarna will be Tk36-Tk 37 a kg--- which is same as the local prices.Md Azizul Islam, a Rangpur-based rice miller, said many of the importers and their allied traders are now active to force the government for a duty cut in rice import.The government should be cautious about them as they are creating supply crunch of paddy in the market, he claimed.Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said the government should conduct strict monitoring to protect market from any artificial shortage.

Stores and godowns of big importers, millers and traders should be kept under watch to combat any simulated crisis, he said.

Agricultural Economist Prof Golam Hafiz Kennedy said the government should take policies which could benefit farmers, traders and consumers.

He pointed out that local production of rice declined to 34.57 million tonnes in the financial year 2015-16 from 34.7 million tonnes but it is still a surplus against an annual demand of 31.0 million tonnes.

He said there is no valid reason for such high-rated hike in rice prices which has directly been hurting poor consumers.

He said the millers should grow tendency to make less profit which could also help both farmers and consumers. 


http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/10/03/47984/Rice-prices-mark-fresh-rise


Paddy arrives in Haryana

While the government procurement agencies purchased 3,11,590 tonnes of paddy, millers and dealers have purchased 7,231 tonnes (MT) of paddy.

By: PTI | Chandigarh | Published:October 1, 2016 9:52 pm
A spokesman of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said that out of total arrival of 3,18,821 tonnes, 3,16,973 tonnes of paddy was leviable.

Over 3 lakh tonnes of paddy has arrived in various market yards of Haryana this year so far against 1.42 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. A spokesman of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said that out of total arrival of 3,18,821 tonnes, 3,16,973 tonnes of paddy was leviable. While the government procurement agencies purchased 3,11,590 tonnes of paddy, millers and dealers have purchased 7,231 tonnes (MT) of paddy.
Referring to arrival of Paddy in the mandis of different districts, he said that so far, 1,55,780 MT of paddy has arrived in Kurukshetra, 52,949 MT in Karnal, 52,894 MT in Kaithal, 40,371 MT in Ambala, 16,097 MT in Yamunanagar, 498 MT in Jind and 232 MT paddy has arrived in Panchkula. He said that out of the total arrival, 1,64,541 MT of paddy has been purchased by Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, 89,152 MT by HAFED, 39,639 MT by the Haryana Agro-industries Corporation and 18,258 MT has been purchased by the Haryana Warehousing Corporation.He said that farmers have been advised to clean and dry their produce properly before bringing it to the market so that they do not have to face any problem

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/paddy-arrives-in-haryana-3060273/

 

In Africa, Vietnam's rice exporters see a rising market

By Bui Hong Nhung   October 1, 2016 | 08:00 pm GMT+7
A man dries unhusked rice on a road in front of his home. Photo by REUTERS/Samrang Pring.

Shipments to African countries surged while the Chinese market became more and more challenging.

The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) is planning to increase rice exports to African countries to make up for a sharp decline in the Chinese market.China remains the biggest buyer of Vietnamese rice, accounting for a third of all shipments. However, exports to this market in the first eight months fell 21.4 percent year-on-year to 1.18 million tons, according to the agriculture ministry.Sales to some African markets, on the other hand, increased significantly.Exports to Ghana, now the second largest buyer of Vietnamese rice, surged nearly 37 percent to 343,000 tons during the period. Shipments to Angola, another potential market, rose 4.6 times in volume and 3.6 times in value.

According to VFA, Ghana’s demand for rice is around 1.6 million tons per year and the country depends on imports to cover more than half of that amount. Among its suppliers, Vietnam offers lower prices than Thailand and India.Hoang Lam, manager of Hung Lam Joint Stock Company, one of the first Vietnamese rice companies that sell to Ghana, said the West African nation as well as other African countries favor affordable, medium-quality varieties. This means Vietnamese companies have good chances to expand their market share in Africa over the next few years.VFA said it’s necessary to turn to Africa to ease the dependence on the Chinese market, where the management of border trade has been tightened and there’s a strong competition from a number of suppliers.

Preliminary data from the agriculture ministry showed that Vietnam’s rice exports fell 16.4 percent year-on-year to 3.76 million tons in the first nine months. The value also went down by 12.5 percent to $1.69 million.
For the first time in eight years, VFA has lowered its annual forecast for rice exports. Shipments of the whole year are now expected to be around 5.6 million tons, compared 6.6 million tons last year.





Sale of locally produced rice on increase – Nigerian Farmer

Photo Credit: Agro Nigeria

A large scale rice farmer in Asaba, Raymos Guanah, on Sunday observed that demand for locally-produced rice was on the increase.Mr. Guanah, the Chief Executive Officer of Raymond Guanah Farms, Illah, near Asaba, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Asaba that such a positive development was heart-warming.He said that local rice was now well processed and cheaper than imported one, hence the increase in demand.“Nigerians are beginning to be more aware that there is so much difference between the locally-produced rice and the imported rice. Local rice is very nutritious.“The rice we produced last year had been bought off and we have nothing left in stock,” he said.
Mr. Guanah, a former Commissioner for Lands in Delta, noted that one of the reasons for the increased patronage was because the rice processed in the farm contained no stone or sand.He said, “because of the increased patronage in 2015, we are expanding our farm this year and this will result in more harvest at the end of this farming season.“In 2014, we cultivated 100 hectares of land and we harvested about 300 tonnes of rice while in 2015, we cultivated 300 hectares and harvested about 900 tonnes.


“This year, we are expanding our cultivation to 600 hectares and the essence of this is to have more rice to sell.”
Mr. Guanah said that the multi-million Naira processing mill the State Government inaugurated in the farm in 2014 had the capacity to produce about 200 of 50 kg bags of rice per day.Residents of Asaba and environs now prefer local rice, which sells for N17,000 per 50 kg bag to the imported brands which is sold for between N21,500 and N23,000 per bag.

Fall in crop output may raise basmati rice prices further



By Madhvi Sally, ET Bureau | Updated: Oct 03, 2016, 09.02 AM IST


NEW DELHI: Rates may further firm up as Iran is likely to lift ban on imports of the aromatic rice from India; prices jump 30% in Punjab and Haryana markets. A shortfall in arrivals of basmati crop across the rice bowl of Punjab and Haryana has seen a 30% jump in prices quoted for the new crop signalling consumers of the aromatic long rice to prepare to pay more ahead of the festive season. Traders and exporters said prices can further firm up with Iran likely to lift a ban currently on imports of basmati rice from India. Iran has emerged as one of the largest importers of Indian basmati rice in recent years.

"By November, we can expect basmati prices to further increase as international buying will begin and production expected to be lower than the previous year," said Sabyasachi Majumdar, senior vice-president, Indian Credit Ratings Agency.

He said domestic consumers might see a slight increase in prices and current discounts ranging from 10-20% being offered by branded players might be reduced or withdrawn.

Basmati millers and retailers said it was too early for them to speak about prices as crop arrivals were expected to pick up in a fortnight. However, they felt that it was a good year for farmers. "The opening price for the basmati 1509 variety this season is higher than the previous year. It's a good year for farmers who suffe red a loss last year due to excess production," says Priyanka Mittal, director at KRBL, which owns India Gate basmati brand.

"Once Iran opens imports of Indian basmati by November 25, we can see a further increase in prices," she says, adding traders should exert caution and not jump the market in hope of making speculative gains. Vinod Goel, a trader in Karnal Mandi of Haryana, said the 1509 basmati variety was being sold by farmers at Rs 1,750-1,900 a quintal compared at Rs 1,400 a year ago. The popular basmati variety 1121 crop was less by over 2030% than last year as farmers had gone for parmal variety.

"Farmers should be the beneficiaries this year and see an increase of 20% over the previous year. For consumers, it might be a 5% increase in prices," adds Kuber Seth, director, DCP India, which sells basmati under the Asbah brand.

Seth said farmers will not be able to get the 2014 level prices, when basmati was quoted at Rs 10,000 a quintal. "The investors' sentiment is not to buy basmati for the entire year by OctoberNovember, as we currently do, but to buy as per their demand."

India is the leading exporter of basmati rice to the global market. The country exported 4.05 million tonnes of the aromatic long grain basmati rice worth Rs 22,718.44 crore in 2015-16. Vijay Setia, former president of All India Rice Exporters' Association also added that basmati prices will be in the range of Rs 2,200-2,700 per quintal. Due to the cash crunch with Indian exporters and banks not ready to restructure loans or lend money to non-performing units, the industry was looking for government support.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/211790-sale-locally-produced-rice-increase-nigerian-farmer.html




In Africa, Vietnam's rice exporters see a rising market

By Bui Hong Nhung   October 1, 2016 | 08:00 pm GMT+7
A man dries unhusked rice on a road in front of his home. Photo by REUTERS/Samrang Pring. Shipments to African countries surged while the Chinese market became more and more challenging. The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) is planning to increase rice exports to African countries to make up for a sharp decline in the Chinese market.
China remains the biggest buyer of Vietnamese rice, accounting for a third of all shipments. However, exports to this market in the first eight months fell 21.4 percent year-on-year to 1.18 million tons, according to the agriculture ministry.Sales to some African markets, on the other hand, increased significantly.Exports to Ghana, now the second largest buyer of Vietnamese rice, surged nearly 37 percent to 343,000 tons during the period. Shipments to Angola, another potential market, rose 4.6 times in volume and 3.6 times in value.
According to VFA, Ghana’s demand for rice is around 1.6 million tons per year and the country depends on imports to cover more than half of that amount. Among its suppliers, Vietnam offers lower prices than Thailand and India.

Hoang Lam, manager of Hung Lam Joint Stock Company, one of the first Vietnamese rice companies that sell to Ghana, said the West African nation as well as other African countries favor affordable, medium-quality varieties. This means Vietnamese companies have good chances to expand their market share in Africa over the next few years.VFA said it’s necessary to turn to Africa to ease the dependence on the Chinese market, where the management of border trade has been tightened and there’s a strong competition from a number of suppliers.
Preliminary data from the agriculture ministry showed that Vietnam’s rice exports fell 16.4 percent year-on-year to 3.76 million tons in the first nine months. The value also went down by 12.5 percent to $1.69 million.
For the first time in eight years, VFA has lowered its annual forecast for rice exports. Shipments of the whole year are now expected to be around 5.6 million tons, compared 6.6 million tons last year.





FG Launches CBN Rice Anchor Borrowers’ Programme In Imo

Channels Television.
Updated October 2, 2016
The Federal Government has flagged off the Rice Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Imo State, to provide farmers with credit facility made available by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The programme was launched on Sunday at the Imo State International Conference Centre in Owerri, the state’s capital in southeast Nigeria.Governor Rochas Okorocha explained that the aim was to provide food and guarantee food security in the country.He added that the development was also targeted at empowering the teeming unemployed youths and create the much needed dividends of democracy to the people.Governor Okorocha called on the people of the state, especially farmers to support the programme, which he described as a “laudable gesture by the CBN”.He stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace agriculture as Nigeria battles with recession, disclosing that the sum of nine billion Naira has been earmarked to support farmers in the state for the programme.



The Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources in the state, Udo Aguoha, also highlighted the benefits of the programme.The event was witness by the Kebbi State Governor, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu and representatives from the CBN led by the Head of Development Finance, Mrs Nkechi Osuji.Mrs Osuji revealed that Kebbi State government had already gotten access to 20 billion Naira credit facility on the programme.With the support, she expressed hope that the state government would harvest at least one million tonnes of locally made rice by the end of 2016.Governor Bagudu, on his part, corroborated Osuji’s disclosure.e commended the Federal Government for the intervention programme, saying it would help to cushion the effect of the economic recession in Nigeria.The Rice Anchor Borrowers’ programme is an initiative of the Federal Government through the CBN and its primary aim is to provide credit facilities to rice farmers.It is targeted at encouraging local production, reduce rice importation as well as providing food and job security for the citizenry


10/03/16 Farm Bureau Market Report


Soybeans
High
Low
Cash Bids
966
924
New Crop
993
928


Riceland Foods


Cash Bids
Stuttgart:
Pendleton:
New Crop
Stuttgart:
Pendleton:


Futures:
SOYBEANS
High
Low
Last
Change
Nov '16
975.00
946.50
973.00
+19.00
Jan '17
979.75
952.25
978.00
+18.75
Mar '17
986.00
958.50
984.50
+19.00
May '17
991.75
965.50
990.25
+18.50
Jul '17
996.75
971.00
995.00
+17.75
Aug '17
995.00
971.50
993.75
+17.75
Sep '17
978.00
959.00
981.25
+18.00
Nov '17
973.25
948.50
971.50
+18.25
Jan '18
975.00
960.00
974.25
+17.75
   


Soybean Comment

Soybeans closed sharply higher today as the market is again testing resistance near $9.76. If the market is able to break this resistance their next objective would be to test the September high near $9.90. There are various report that recent weakness has spurred new international buying, so the market will be looking for additional sales to help fuel the current rally.

While last week’s demand number for the fourth quarter of 2015/16 were an impressive 55% above the previous year, a production forecast of 4.2 billion bushels remains on the horizon and is weighing on prices. Soybeans need this strong demand as more saber rattling from China this weekend point towards more domestic support for their soybean industry. If these supports materialize they could have a significant impact on soybean imports longer terms as they would negatively impact China soybean imports.


Wheat
High
Low
Cash Bids
--
--
New Crop
425
395


Futures:
WHEAT
High
Low
Last
Change
Dec '16
401.75
391.50
395.50
-6.50
Mar '17
423.75
413.75
417.25
-7.50
May '17
436.75
426.75
430.50
-7.50
Jul '17
446.50
436.75
441.25
-6.25
Sep '17
458.25
452.75
455.75
-6.00
Dec '17
476.25
471.75
476.25
-4.25
Mar '18
491.50
491.50
492.00
-3.75
May '18
499.25
-3.50
Jul '18
503.00
503.00
499.75
+0.50
   


Wheat Comment

Wheat prices failed to follow corn and soybeans higher today. Wheat prices closed with sharp losses today as prices fell back below support at $4. Prices remain under pressure from negative fundamentals. While today’s export inspections beat expectations, exports were down almost 8.8 million bu from last week. After some strong export sales in September, the market appears less convinced the strength will continue in the near term as the dollar is beginning to trend higher. Wheat prices have support at $3.90, followed by support at contract lows near $3.86.


Grain Sorghum
High
Low
Cash Bids
302
277
New Crop
--
--





Corn
High
Low
Cash Bids
349
297
New Crop
368
335


Futures:
CORN
High
Low
Last
Change
Dec '16
347.75
335.25
346.00
+9.25
Mar '17
357.50
345.00
355.75
+9.25
May '17
364.25
351.75
362.75
+9.25
Jul '17
370.75
358.50
369.00
+8.75
Sep '17
377.00
365.25
375.50
+8.50
Dec '17
386.00
374.50
384.25
+7.75
Mar '18
394.50
385.25
393.75
+7.50
May '18
400.00
397.25
399.00
+7.25
Jul '18
403.00
393.50
402.75
+6.50
   

Corn Comment

Corn prices continue to move higher today as prices closed at their highest level since July 20. The market continues to be supported by strong demand in the fourth quarter of 2015/16, which was followed up with a bullish export inspection report today. This strong demand has temporarily changed the narrative of the market from large supplies to strong demand. While this has pulled December corn to its highest level in almost 11-weeks, the market got a reminder of how good this year crop looks in this afternoons crop progress report.


Cotton
Futures:
COTTON
High
Low
Last
Change
Dec '16
68.66
67.20
68.52
+0.44
Mar '17
69.14
67.74
69.01
+0.47
Dec '17
69.40
68.13
69.37
+0.48

Cotton Comment

Rice prices gapped higher to end the week on a positive note. 73% of the crop has been harvested nation-wide, and in Arkansas 84% of the crop was in the bins as of Sunday. Export sales were 46,800 tons for the week. November continues to have support at the low of $9.35, with resistance near $10, but is trending higher within those confines.


Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
Long Grain New Crop


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Nov '16
1036.5
983.5
1006.5
+18.0
Jan '17
1059.0
1006.5
1030.5
+18.0
Mar '17
1074.0
1062.5
1054.0
+18.0
May '17
1073.5
+17.5
Jul '17
1092.5
+18.0
Sep '17
1097.5
+23.0
Nov '17
1097.5
+23.0
   

Rice Comment

Rice futures posted solid gains today. 82% of the crop has been harvested nation-wide, well ahead of the 5 year average of 69%. In Arkansas, 91% of the crop was in the bins as of Sunday, compared with a 5 year average of 74%. Export sales were 46,800 tons for the week. November's close above $10 brings resistance around $10.50 back into play.



2016 Louisiana Rice Farmer of the Year Announced 


CROWLEY, LA -- The International Rice Festival named Donald A. Leonards the 2016 Farmer of the Year.  Leonards, a fourth generation farmer, was born and raised on a rice farm just north of Crowley and will be recognized during this year's festival here, October 20-23. Leonards started helping out his father by driving trucks and carts as soon as he was able to reach the clutch.  After teaching him the family's approach to farming his dad encouraged him to work with neighboring farmers to broaden his working knowledge, which Leonards did for several summers.In 1994, Leonards graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) with a degree in Agriculture Business.  While in college, he completed an internship with Pioneer Seed Company working with farmers and seed dealers throughout Louisiana.  Today he farms more than 1,400 acres split between crawfish and rice. 


"Just like with any job there are challenges," said Leonards.  "Farming is an occupation built on faith and hard work.  Every day is a new adventure.  If it's in your blood, it runs deep.  It's what I love.  It might sound crazy, but when rice is growing, there's a certain smell.  There's nothing like it." 


Leonards is a member the Acadia Parish Rice Growers Association, Louisiana Rice Growers Association, Acadia Parish Farm Bureau, Louisiana Farm Bureau, and the U.S. Rice Federation, and has served on the Acadia Parish Rice and Soybean Advisory Board.



ThinkRice Social Media ContestWraps Up 

ARLINGTON, VA -- During the month of September, rice growers and millers posted their best rice images on various social media channels with the hashtag #ThinkRice as part of a special National Rice Month contest hosted by USA Rice.  After reviewing the many captivating videos and pictures submitted by members across rice country, USA Rice has selected Michael Bosworth as the contest winner. 

Bosworth, a California grower and member of the 2015-2017 Rice Leadership Development Class, regularly posts engaging images and short videos of his rice farming operation on social media to directly communicate with consumers.  His posts help tell the story of U.S. rice from farm to table, and educate the public about how their food is grown and the sustainable practices Bosworth, and other U.S. rice farmers, employ to produce a top quality crop. 

"I think we are fortunate to have a consumer base that is interested in reconnecting with the farmers and ranchers who grow their food and we have a great tool in social media to help us communicate directly with them," said Bosworth.  "We have an incredible opportunity to engage and educate our customers and the general public about how we grow rice and the positive impact we make as an industry on the environment and local economy."

It was an eventful National Rice Month and USA Rice's #ThinkRice Social Media Contest received remarkable images that gave special insight into what life is like for rice farmers throughout the United States.  Entries ranged from sunsets on the farm, families gathering together during harvest, wildlife nestled between rows of rice, and more.  All of the images from the contest can be viewed on the USA Rice Facebook page. 

For winning the contest, Bosworth is receiving a complimentary registration to the 2016 USA Rice Outlook Conference that will be held December 7-9 in Memphis, Tennessee.  Registration for the event is now open! 


       Rice Prices


Share
as on : 03-10-2016 08:10:26 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals
Price
Current
%
change
Season
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Baxirhat(WB)
220.00
-2.22
1405.00
2400
2400
-
Mathabhanga(WB)
110.00
10
5890.00
2450
2450
25.64
Saharanpur(UP)
63.00
-7.35
4911.00
2260
2280
4.63
Beldanga(WB)
50.00
NC
2924.00
2450
2450
5.38
Kondotty(Ker)
25.00
NC
175.00
2500
2600
-10.71
Giridih(Jha)
12.58
NC
270.90
3500
3500
NC
Nilagiri(Ori)
10.00
NC
498.00
2300
2300
NC
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
9.80
-43.02
1716.50
1900
1900
NC
Muradabad(UP)
7.00
-50
480.70
2420
2380
11.01
Dibrugarh(ASM)
5.90
-16.9
1504.40
2450
2450
-
Jeypore(Ori)
5.50
-21.43
174.90
4100
4200
26.15
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
5.00
66.67
174.90
4100
4200
-3.53
Karimpur(WB)
3.00
NC
100.00
3150
3150
NC
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9179649.ece




          Want Cleaner Rice Paddies? Find a Flock of Ducks

Farmers in China, Japan, Iran, and France are beginning to return to ancient methods of rice farming using more birds and fewer pesticides.




RELATED STORIES
View Images 
Ducks patrol rice paddies in Nigata, Japan for bugs and weeds.
 
PHOTOGRAPH BY JTB MEDIA CREATION, INC./ALAMY
By Coco Liu

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 3, 2016
At 6 o’clock in a recent summer morning, Tang Zhengqing is already on his way out, with seven ducks waddling in front of him. They walk in pouring rain, cross bridges and streams, and slip on muddy roads for nearly 20 minutes. The destination? Rice paddies several kilometers away.
Rain or shine, Tang has followed this routine for three years. “In the past, I didn’t care where my ducks would be; But now I want to make sure they all go to my rice paddies,” the 60-year-old says, while leading the ducks to the right track with a bamboo stick.
Tang’s ducks carry a special mission—They guard crops from insect attacks and are responsible for weeding. With ducks tearing up weeds, preying on pests and leaving their manure behind as organic plant food, rice growers like Tang can eliminate the need for artificial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.
This technique—known as integrated rice-duck farming—is not entirely new. Growing ducks and rice together in irrigated paddy fields was documented in China some 600 years ago, and Chinese farmers practiced it for centuries until they were lured away by quick fixes like synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and chemical pesticides. But as the use of industrial technologies has posed a growing threat to the environment in recent years, some farmers have turned to ancient wisdom to feed the world’s hungry.
Takao Furuno, a Japanese farmer, wrote a step-by-step guidebookteaching how to steer away from chemical-dependent rice production by embracing the power of ducks in modern times. Across Asia, tens of thousands of rice growers follow suit, so do villagers in France and Iran. Such practice has also inspired professionals in other fields: Winemakers in South Africa, for instance, have hired an army of 800 Indian runner ducks to patrol their vineyards.
And in the small southern Chinese village of Xiangyang, the journey to revive integrated rice-duck farming began with a man’s burning desire for high-quality food.
Liu Shangwen, a 37-year-old environmentalist-turned-entrepreneur, came up with the idea of producing high-quality food in 2012, shortly after his initial business approach—building a platform to sell such food—failed because of a lack of supply. A fan of China’s ancient farming history, he began searching for clues from the past that might help.
“Rice is a staple food in China, and I’ve heard of enlisting ducks to produce organic rice from my previous work,” explains Liu. To bring the practice back to life, Liu and his team researched ancient literature and reached out to university professors for advice. It turned out the best teachers for such technique are actually the people they wanted to teach—farmers themselves.
“Back in the 1970s, there were no chemical pesticides and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in the village,” says Tang, one of the first participants in Liu’s rice-duck farming program. Tang said his family used to enrich the soil with composts and make pesticides out of herbs. “Ducks also helped a lot, by eating or crushing snails. At that time, insect attacks were barely a concern,” he recalled.
For Tang and other villagers who lived through that period, the introduction of the integrated rice-duck farming simply means going back to the tradition. Weeks-old chicks are let loose as the farmers begin to plant rice. They swim and waddle on the waterlogged arena, bumping and tweaking the plants. All the rocking and rolling help produce healthy grains, Tang says. And when the crops begin bearing fruit, it’s time to keep ducks away, for the reason that the once loyal guards of rice paddies will soon become thieves.
Although the villagers have inherited most of the technical know-hows from their ancestors, there were many learning moments, too. Some farmers reported ducklings damaging the young crops. Others lost ducks to weasels and street dogs.
Still, the use of the integrated rice-duck farming has grown in popularity. Liu said when he rolled the program out in 2012, only seven farmers took part. Now, the number of participants has climbed to more than 50, with many more on the waiting list.
Most farmers have chosen this technique because the produced rice can be sold at higher prices. Liu’s company, Guangzhou-based Rice Harmony, brands the rice as eco-conscious and targets families and restaurants in the Pearl River Delta in southern China where the emerging middle class has stronger purchasing power and more awareness of environmental concerns and the food supply. It is not yet available out of China.
Integrating ducks into rice farming has also helped farmers cope with the impacts of climate change. Temperatures in the hilly region of Xiangyang have increased in recent years, and so have the number of insect attacks. In 2013, a rice grower not far from Tang’s field lost two-thirds of yields to pests, despite the intensive use of chemical pesticides. In contrast, “insect attacks did not bother me at all,” Tang said, adding that his ducks did a really good job in spotting and killing the pests, with little help from biopesticides.
This year, Tang launched a fledgling movement that aims to change farmers’ attachment to pesticides. By completely stopping pesticide use in his own rice paddies, Tang wants to demonstrate how capable ducks are. While it is too early to know if the approach will work, he says the reduction in using pesticides have already made a difference.
“We didn’t see egrets in the village for more than ten years, but now some are coming back,” Tang says, pointing out an egret nearby. “The use of toxic chemicals has scared them away,” he continues. “But as we spray less pesticides, more birds return. I recently even saw pheasants in my rice paddies.”
Tang believes other wildlife will also return eventually. “The environment will change as people change, and people in this village are changing,” Tang says, his words echoed by “Quack-quack-quack” from ducks in his field.
Coco Liu is an award-winning journalist writing most often about energy and climate change. She is based in Hong Kong and has reported widely from across Asia. Coco loves changemakers and solution-oriented stories
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/09/want-cleaner-rice-paddies--consider-ducks/




Direct market available for Ilonggo rice farmers

 Monday, October 03, 2016
 By 
TWO famers’ groups in Iloilo will surely get a fair market value of their palay produce after signing an agreement with local millers and traders in ensuring long-term marketing agreement.
The memorandum of agreement signing was held September 29 after the province of Iloilo was identified as a site in the country for the implementation of Better Rice Initiatives Asia-Fostering Agriculture and Rice Marketing by Improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (Bria-Farmers) project supported by the agriculture department, Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit.
The parties agreed on setting quality control standards of palay with 28 percent moisture content during wet cropping season, and 25 percent moisture content during the dry season, guaranteed price of at least P0.50 per kilogram higher than the prevailing market price, and among other matters which are beneficial to the members of the farmers’ associations and the rice millers and traders.
The first component of the project known as Better Rice Production has concluded in October last year.
Other Bria sites are in Southern Leyte and Aurora, Quezon. Six towns in Iloilo are included in the project implementation namely: Leganes, Mina, Oton, Pototan, Sta. Barbara and Zarraga.
During the project launching, farmer Lupo Señolay, chairman of the Lapayon Farmers’ Association, signed the MOA with Glicerio Gallos Jr., rice miller and trader based in Guihaman, Leganes, while Inocencio Sta. Cruz, chairman of Bangga Dawis Farmers’ Association inked the same deal with Department of Agriculture Regional Technical Director Manuel Olanday as the Chairman of the Iloilo Rice Processing Complex Management Board.
As the next one, the Better Market Linkage component aims to discover options for direct marketing channels for rice and by-products and facilitate the formation of farmer organizations and access to market price information for the farmers




Pinoy farmers not ready for lifting of WTO rice import limits — Agri Chief

Published October 4, 2016 11:59am
By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News
The Philippines is not ready to have the rice importation quota lifted, considering that Filipino farmers must be prepared for such an eventuality, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said Tuesday.

"I disagree with the view that will lift the QR (quantitative restriction) at this point in time, because the Filipino farmer is not prepared," Piñol told a Senate hearing on the department's proposed budget for 2017.

The government plans to lift the QR on rice importation, which is supposedly good for the economy. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/580359/money/economy/removing-rice-importation-quota-good-for-economy-neda-official

The QR has been in place since the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, capping the amount of Philippine rice imports.

The country has a minimum access volume (MAV) of 805,000 metric tons (MT). The MAV is "the volume of a specific agricultural product that is allowed to be imported with a lower tariff as committed by the Philippines to the WTO under the Uruguay Round Final Act.

Of the total volume, 755,000MT is country-specific with Vietnam and Thailand accounting for the bulk while 50,000 MT is omnibus volume which may be imported from other sources.

The MAV carries a 40 percent tax, while imported rice exceeding the quote is taxed at 50 percent.

These were the conditions approved by the WTO in 2014, when the Philippines able to extend its QR to July 2017.

Removing the QR at this point would have a negative impact on the livelihood of rice farmers, Piñol noted. "Ang problema, pag nasaktaan ang mga Filipino farmers at umayaw sa farming, there will come a time when the country will be vulnerable to the manipulations of top rice-importing countries."

The Cabinet official said he need to prepare the rice farmers until 2019. "Hindi naman ako nagmamadali pero bigyan niyo naman ako ng dalawang taon. Give me two years before you lift the QR."

For her part, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Cynthia Villar said Piñol must renegotiate the terms with the WTO, considering that the QR is set to expire July next year
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/583693/money/economy/pinoy-farmers-not-ready-for-lifting-of-wto-rice-import-limits-agri-chief#sthash.S80fEgi2.dpuf







Commodity Report Oct. 3

Published October 3, 2016

Today’s commodity report: National Weekly Rice Summary, California Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report and other commodity end of the day market numbers.

National Weekly Rice Summary

In California, medium grain milled rice prices steady. Second head and Brewers prices steady. Rice by-products: Rice Bran prices steady to firm as supplies are limited; rice hulls prices steady to weak due to competing commodities in same market.
CME Rough Rice settlements for Friday 30th, Nov 16 closed .115 higher at 9.885; Jan 17 closed .115 higher at 10.125; Mar 17 closed .115 higher at 10.36. US dollar index on Friday settled at 95.42.

California Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report

Benchmark prices are 14 cents lower for Jumbo, 6 cents lower for Extra Large and Large and 2 cents higher for Medium and Small. Trade sentiment is steady to lower. Offerings and supplies are moderate. Demand is light to moderate. Market activity is slow. Small benchmark price 66 cents.
Shell egg marketer’s benchmark price for negotiated egg sales of USDA Grade AA and Grade AA in cartons, cents per dozen. This price does not reflect discounts or other contract terms.
RANGE
JUMBO
126
EXTRA LARGE
110
LARGE
115
MEDIUM
86

Shell Eggs: Daily National Egg Market

***No Report Available***
Check the September USDA Commodity Report Calendar for today’s commodity reports released by USDA.

Today’s Commodity Market ending market numbers:

Corn
December Corn ended at $3.46 gaining 9 1/4 cents, March ended at $3.55 3/4 up 9 1/4 cents.
Soybeans
November Soybeans ended at 9.73 increasing 19 cents, January ended at 9.78 gaining 18 3/4 cents.
Wheat
December Wheat ended at $3.95 1/2 down 6 1/2 cents, March ended at $4.17 1/4, decreasing 7 1/2 cents.
Rough Rice
November Rough Rice ended at 10.065 gaining 0.18, January ended at 10.305 up 0.18.
Live Cattle
October Feeder Cattle ended at $98.925 gaining $0.025 and December ended at $99.975 losing $0.15 and February ended at $100.375 decreasing $0.225.
Feeder Cattle
October Feeder Cattle ended at $124.325 gaining $1.175 and November ended at $119.425 decreasing $0.225 and January ended at $116.025 down $0.80.
Lean Hogs
October Lean Hogs ended at $48.925 down $0.10, December ended at $44.175 gaining $0.20.
Class III Milk
October Class III Milk ended at $15.16 losing $0.05, November ended at $15.45 down $0.18, December ended at $15.37 decreasing $0.13.
#2 Cotton
December #2 Cotton ended at 68.52 up 0.44, March ending at 69.01 gaining 0.47.
Sugar #11
March sugar #11 ended at 22.67 decreasing $0.33, May ended at 21.95 down $0.21.
Orange Juice
November Orange Juice ending at 196.90 down $8.10, January ended at 195.10 losing $8.05.
http://agnetwest.com/2016/10/03/commodity-report-oct-3/



Rice Seed Market in United State research report and Design Guidelines Overview

Tuesday, October 4th, 2016 - 360 Market Updates
The Rice Seed Market research report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Rice Seed industry.
The Rice Seed market report provides a basic overview of the Rice Seed market including definitions, classifications, applications and chain structure. The Rice Seed industry analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.
Browse Detailed TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts and Companies Mentioned in Rice Seed Market Research Report@http://www.360marketupdates.com/10303922
Next part of the Rice Seed market analysis report speaks about the manufacturing process. The process is analysed thoroughly with respect to three points, viz. raw material and suppliers, various manufacturing associated costs (material cost, labour cost, etc.) and the actual process.
After the basic information, the Rice Seed market report sheds light on the production. Production plants, their capacities, production and revenue are studied. Also, the Rice Seed market growth in various regions and R&D status are also covered.
Top Key players of Rice Seed Market:
·         Dupont
·         Bayer
·         NUZIVEEDU
·         Kaveri
·         Mahyco
·         RiceTec
·         Krishidhan
·         Rasi Seeds
·         JK seeds
·         Syngenta
Get Sample PDF of Rice Seed Market Research Report@ http://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/request-sample/10303922
Further in the report, the Rice Seed market is examined for price, cost and gross. These three points are analysed for types, companies and regions. In continuation with this data sale price is for various types, applications and region is also included. The Rice Seed Industry for major regions is given. Additionally, type wise and application wise figures are also given.
Import and Export Data of Rice Seed Market Report by Countries:
·         North America
·         China
·         Europe
·         Japan
·         Southeast Asia
·         India
Development policies and plans are also discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Rice Seed market report also states import/export, supply and figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.
Then, Rice Seed market report focuses on major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, and downstream consumer’s analysis is also carried out. What’s more, the Rice Seed industry development trends and marketing channels are analysed.
For each player, product details, capacity, price, cost, gross and revenue numbers are given. Their contact information is provided for better understanding.
Purchase Rice Seed Market Report@ http://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/10303922
Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.
In this Rice Seed market research report traders and distributors analysis is given along with contact details. For material and suppliers also, contact details are given. New investment feasibility analysis is included in the report.
No. of Report pages:132
Price of Report: $3800
For Pre-Order Enquiry on Rice Seed market, Ask@ http://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/10303922
About 360 market Updates:
360 market Updates is the credible source for gaining the market research reports that will exponentially accelerate your business. We are among the leading report resellers in the business world committed towards optimizing your business. The reports we provide are based on a research that covers a magnitude of factors such as technological evolution, economic shifts and a detailed study of market segments.
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http://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/122312/rice-seed-market-in-united-state-research-report-and-design-guidelines-overview





Swiss group opens rice machinery plant

HOME  ASEAN&BEYON  AEC  TUE, 4 OCT, 2016 1:00 AM
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Switzerland’s Buhler Group opened a factory to manufacture rice-processing machinery at the Long Hau-Hoa Binh Industrial Park in Long An province, Vietnam, last week.

The 10,000-square-metre factory employs more than 200 workers.

Vietnamese milled-rice production is expected to hit 50 million tonnes this year, with more than 5,000 processors operating in the country, making it the fourth-largest rice-producing country in the world, according to Buhler's figures.

The new factory is expected to help rice processors make products of higher quality that meet export standards, strengthening Vietnam's position in the international market and enabling it to face competition from Thai and Cambodian rice producers, Buhler said in a press release.

Demand for rice-processing solutions that enable processors to improve their rice quality to meet export requirements while enhancing food safety and quality standards for domestic consumption has never been greater, said Rustom Mistry, chairman and managing director of Buhler Vietnam. -Viet Nam News

Developer set to install 

railway corridor posts

Giant Rail Company on Friday signed a contract with a Laotian company to install railway-route corridor posts for a planned line linking the country's central province of Savannakhet to the Vietnamese border.

The move is one step closer to the start of construction of the 220-kilometre railway to be built by Malaysian investor Giant Consolidated Ltd, which is |expected to cost US$5.5 billion |to $6 billion.

The installation of corridor posts along the proposed railway, which includes 11 mixed-development zones on 4,100 hectares |of land along the route in Savannakhet, is expected to |be completed within three |months from the beginning |of October.

Speaking during the signing |ceremony, Malaysian Ambassador Than Tai Hing, who is to |complete his mission in Laos in coming months, said this |project had the full support of the government of Malaysia. 

He said he hoped to see physical construction of the project begin soon. - Vientiane Times

Borgward delivers

car for sale in Laos 

German automaker Borgward Group on Friday launched the Borgward BX7 at the "Vientiane International Motor Expo", with Laos the first Asean country to have the new vehicle. 

The company plans to expand sales of the sport-utility vehicle throughout Laos in 2018, with a focus on the main provinces, and is targeting the middle- and upper-income group of customers. 

The company is offering the SUV at a special price during the promotion period and many |customers have already |made bookings, it says. |- Vientiane Times
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/asean&beyon/Swiss-group-opens-rice-machinery-plant-30296785.html




Direct market available for Ilonggo rice farmers

 Monday, October 03, 2016
 By 
TWO famers’ groups in Iloilo will surely get a fair market value of their palay produce after signing an agreement with local millers and traders in ensuring long-term marketing agreement.
The memorandum of agreement signing was held September 29 after the province of Iloilo was identified as a site in the country for the implementation of Better Rice Initiatives Asia-Fostering Agriculture and Rice Marketing by Improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (Bria-Farmers) project supported by the agriculture department, Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit.
The parties agreed on setting quality control standards of palay with 28 percent moisture content during wet cropping season, and 25 percent moisture content during the dry season, guaranteed price of at least P0.50 per kilogram higher than the prevailing market price, and among other matters which are beneficial to the members of the farmers’ associations and the rice millers and traders.
The first component of the project known as Better Rice Production has concluded in October last year.
Other Bria sites are in Southern Leyte and Aurora, Quezon. Six towns in Iloilo are included in the project implementation namely: Leganes, Mina, Oton, Pototan, Sta. Barbara and Zarraga.
During the project launching, farmer Lupo Señolay, chairman of the Lapayon Farmers’ Association, signed the MOA with Glicerio Gallos Jr., rice miller and trader based in Guihaman, Leganes, while Inocencio Sta. Cruz, chairman of Bangga Dawis Farmers’ Association inked the same deal with Department of Agriculture Regional Technical Director Manuel Olanday as the Chairman of the Iloilo Rice Processing Complex Management Board.
As the next one, the Better Market Linkage component aims to discover options for direct marketing channels for rice and by-products and facilitate the formation of farmer organizations and access to market price information for the farmers









Sha studies rice breeding in Stuttgart

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Xueyan Sha is a rice breeder at Stuttgart's University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center. 
Photo Submitted

Monday

Posted Oct 3, 2016 at 3:11 PM

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By Dawn Teer / Stuttgart Daily Leader
Editor's Note: This is the third Q&A article featuring local scientists and research from Stuttgart's University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center.
Name: Xueyan Sha
Education: Ph.D. Louisiana State University (LSU)
Field of study or expertise: Rice breeding
Hometown: Sha says Crowley, Louisiana is his adopted hometown while Suzhou, China is his original hometown

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September 21, 2016
Family: Wife, Xue Jin; daughter, Rebecca and; son, Devin
When did you become interested in rice research?
Childhood, because my home was surrounded by rice paddy fields.
What courses did you take that steered you into the field that became your career?
Back then, agricultural science was among the least competitive majors to get accepted in college admission. However, I fell in love with the plant genetics and breeding during college and did well in coursework. After I obtained my masters degree in plant genetics and breeding in 1987, I was offered a lecturer job at the same Chinese university doing both teaching and research. After seven years, I felt that I needed to shape my skills in plant pathology in order to attack the devastating rice diseases through breeding. That landed me at LSU for a Ph.D. degree in plant health, which I finished in 1999. After spending 18 years in Louisiana, including 12 years as a rice breeder at LSU, I joined the University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center (UARREC) in 2012.
What do you do at UARREC?
I am a rice breeder, breeding for new rice cultivars.
What are you currently working on or developing? And why?
New and improved medium-grain, semi dwarf, long-grain and hybrid rice varieties with good yield potential, superior quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress.
What research that you have done has been able to help the average rice farmer?
The medium-grain variety Jupiter, which I released at LSU has been widely grown by Arkansas rice growers in last five years. Aromatic variety Jazzman-2 and Della-2 are also grown in Arkansas on limited acreage.
What are some of the research differences between what you do and the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center?
While Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center focused on germplasm preservation and characterization, we are working on the new varieties to help Arkansas rice growers to improve their bottom line — increased productivity and profitability.
What are some of the collaborations with DBNRRC?
Maintain and improve the standard cooking quality of United States rice and incorporate the novel resistance genes from world collection into Arkansas rice.
What would people be surprised to learn about your job and what you do?
The Kellogg’s rice cereal bars and snacks are processed by using the medium-grain rice created by my research program.
Do you have a support staff that assists you in your research? Who are they and what do they do?
I am fortunate to have a professional, dedicated and hard-working team, which includes research associate Tony Beaty, Jill Bulloch and Jared Williams along with part-time research assistants Emily Carr and Jennifer Clemons. They conduct the daily operation of my program including planting, research field management, harvesting, crossing, seed cleaning/inventory/package, sample milling, greenhouse management, winter nursery selection/harvesting and equipment maintenance/modification. It is a year-round job to keep the program running effectively and efficiently