Wednesday, September 13, 2017

13th September,2017 daily global,regional and local rice -newsletter by rice news

Govt to promote pulses in rice fallow areas under NFSM


Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi Last Updated at September 12, 2017 20:07 IST
Secy-level reshuffle: Sanjay Mitra new defence secretaryTop BJP leaders to camp in BengalTMC MP Sultan Ahmed diesTeesta pact unlikely to be signed during Hasina's visitRaman Singh on tour of West Bengal
The government today allocated additional funds to promote pulses cultivation in rice fallow areas of eastern states and for tackling wheat-blast disease in West Bengal under a central scheme NFSM. A decision in this regard was taken at the 13th General Council meeting of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), chaired by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
The Council decided to extend all projects approved under the NFSM till 2016-17, an official statement said. That apart, it also decided to allocate funds by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes for front-line demonstration of rice, wheat, pulses and coarse cereals through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
That apart, it approved distribution of seeds mini-kits and assistance to the central agencies for the production of certified seeds of pulses. It gave nod for experimenting 'TL seeds' developed by the ICAR under seed-hub program during 2016-17 and its implementation during frontline demonstration in 2017-18.
Under the NFSM pulse programme, it decided to promote beekeeping with arhar dal during frontline demonstration and approved additional fund allocation for production of breeder-seeds of pulses and creation of seed hubs.
Three junior agriculture ministers -- Parshottam Rupala, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Krishna Raj -- were also present in the meeting.(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)




Harvey’s wind, rain leave large footprints in Delta rice, corn, soybeans


By Mary Hightower/ UA System Division of Agriculture
  
The tropical depression that was Hurricane Harvey left its footprints on Arkansas, flattening acres of harvest-ready rice, corn and soybeans, and perhaps setting the stage for a mosquito boom.
The tropical depression that was Hurricane Harvey left its footprints on Arkansas, flattening acres of harvest-ready rice, corn and soybeans, and perhaps setting the stage for a mosquito boom.
Late season storms with driving wind and rain aren’t beneficial this time of year,” Matthew Davis, Jackson County extension agent with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said on Friday.
Jason McGee, a crop consultant and farmer in Cross County, said in looking at the forecasts before Harvey’s arrival, “we went to bed that night expecting a half-inch of rain and ended up with the most rainfall – 11 inches. That’s a lot of water and it’s going to be here for longer than we need it to be.”
Southern Poinsett and northern Cross County “caught most of it and they didn’t need to,” he said. “It’s pretty tough for a lot of people here. We’re already on thin margins and already got a lot of money spent on this crop.”
McGee and others were particularly worried about soybeans.
Soybean threats
Jeremy Ross, extension soybean agronomist for the Division of Agriculture said that most of Arkansas’ soybeans are either in the filling pod or maturing stage, which means they have the maximum number of leaves and pods. With Harvey’s arrival, his phone has been blowing up with calls about lodging – where wind and rain cause the plants to lean or fall flat to the ground – and flooding.
There is a tremendous amount of weight and surface area supported by the soybean stem,” he said. ” With the exceptional weather conditions we have had so far this year, many of the soybean plants in our fields are taller than normal. With the combination of a heavy soybean canopy along with tall plants, any significant wind can cause lodging of the plants.”
In the last two days those calls and text messages about lodged soybean plants have increased,” Ross said. “Depending on the severity of the lodging, some plants will regain their upright posture, but many will continue to lean at some negative angle from erect.”
He said that with lodged plants, “seed sprouting and pod decay is increased due to excessive moisture within the canopy due to restricted air movement.
Also, insecticides and fungicides are less effective in lodged field because they will not penetrate as deep into the crop canopy as they would with standing plants,” Ross said.
Then there’s the flooding.
Ideally, if fields are only flooded for 12-24 hours, no significant yield loss should occur as long as the soybean plants are not flattened with the receding water,” he said. With more than 24 hours and depending on the water depth, growers could see “significant yield losses due to seed sprouting and pod and seed rot.”
Davis said that harvest-ready crops will have to wait in his county, he said. “So far biggest impact looks like delayed draining. There isn’t anywhere for field water to go because ditches are full.”
There are “going to be a lot of mudded fields when they go back to cutting because the heavier soil won’t be dry enough when the fields get ready to cut again,” ’he said.
In some areas, roads were closed by water.
We have several county roads that are flooded in areas, with one report of a washout passable only by tractor,” said Rick Wimberley, Cross County extension staff chair for the Division of Agriculture. “About a quarter mile of state highway 364 is under water west of Brushy Creek. Thankfully it is not a heavily traveled corridor.”
Lodging and harvest
Since harvesters are built to catch plants that are standing upright, crops at the wrong angle or flattened will be missed.
Wind will cause rice to lodge by leaning it over,” said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture. “Rain will cause rice to lodge by weighing it down. The two together do unbelievable damage.”
Photos taken by extension agents through the Arkansas Delta on Thursday and Friday showed many acres of flattened rice, though in many cases it was in field corners where seeding and fertilizing runs tend to overlap from different directions. Robert Goodson, Phillips County extension agent for the Division of Agriculture, estimated 1,000-2,000 acres of mature rice were knocked over near Marvell. He also said there was some lint loss in cotton in his county and in some cases, wind on the heavy bolls caused the plants to twist. That, Goodson said, could slow harvest.
Bill Robertson, extension cotton agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said Harvey would be tougher on early cotton. As a whole, “we just need sunshine,” he said.
There are several corn fields in the Barton area that have approximately 60-70 percent laying on the ground,” Goodson said. “Corn fields in other parts of the county are not damaged as much, but for the Barton area, there will be yield loss.”
Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the Division of Agriculture said that “this was not what corn farmers needed. We were making good progress on harvest before Harvey arrived.
An estimated 50 percent of the state’s corn has been harvested and yields have been above early-season expectations,” he said. “The biggest issue we will face now is lodged corn from the winds and rain. Most of the corn has been ready to harvest for some time, but previous rains delayed harvest.
The longer corn stands in the field waiting on harvest, the greater the chance of lodging. We were already seeing some lodging issues before Harvey, so assessment is still ongoing, but some areas will likely see significant lodging,” he said.
Grain sorghum is in the same boat, he said, with about half or more being harvested. He expected some lodging in sorghum, but also sprouting grain, thanks to the rain and warm temperatures.
Bumper crop of buzz
The high moisture could also encourage disease development in maturing crops.
This weather will also delay planting of strawberries and may pose issue for the pumpkins we have planted in the county. A lot of water standing in beds where large pumpkins are sitting can lead to some damage or rot if it doesn’t soak down,” Davis said. “We also already have had disease issues this year, especially downy and powdery mildew.”
The 2.5 inches that fell in Calhoun County was just right for fall gardens since it fell over 48 hours and wasn’t a torrential downpour, said Jaret Rushing, county extension staff chair.
Folks were smart enough not to cut and lay hay out to dry, so it’s just a matter of letting the ground dry a little,” he said.
The rain might also produce a bumper crop of buzzing bloodsuckers, he said.
What we have to be wary of now is the mosquito boom,” Rushing said. “Populations were already starting to replenish and with this stagnant water, deer hunters will not be all too pleased in three weeks when the season opens.

Arkansas: Milled Rice Is Having A Good Year


By Scott Stiles, Economist, University of ArkansasSeptember 9, 2017
The Port of Rosedale - Rosedale, Mississippi - Mississippi River ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography
In the latest weekly USDA Crop Progress report, the U.S. rice crop was 29% harvested compared to the 5-year average of 30% for the week ending September 3. Arkansas was estimated at 18% harvested. With dry weather conditions this week Monday’s updated Crop Progress may indicate Arkansas’ harvest is now closer to the historical average pace of 34% for the week ending September 10.
Harvest is coming to a close in Louisiana and Texas with harvest now estimated to be over 90% complete.

Long-Grain Export Sales:

Export activity for the week ending August 31 was mixed. Sales recovered for both rough and milled rice to the 2nd highest weekly totals for the marketing year. Haiti was in for 22,250 metric tons of milled rice. As expected, rice shipments were very low last week due to recent weather events and dipped to marketing year lows for both classes.

·         All ports in the Houston region are now open. The USDA-AMS reported this week that some ports are open with draft restrictions still in place. Comments from Union Pacific this week indicated that railroads have made significant progress to restore service. Reroutes are in place around areas still flooded or sections that require extended time to repair.
·         By class, cumulative long-grain rough rice sales are down 22% from a year ago. However, milled rice sales are up 119%. Due to stronger milled rice sales to date, total long-grain exports are running 14% ahead of last year’s pace as of August 31.

Rough Rice Futures:

·         With a week of dry weather in the Midsouth and Hurricane Irma staying out of the Gulf of Mexico, the rice market found it hard to sustain its’ upward momentum this week. November rice futures have erased all of last week’s gains and look poised to finish the week near $12.71—basically where prices were the day Hurricane Harvey made landfall.
·         As of Friday morning (9/8), Hurricane Irma’s path has been shifted slightly westward, with the Florida peninsula now in the crosshairs. Beyond this weekend, the remnants of the storm are likely impact Georgia and South Carolina with high wind and heavy rain.
·         By Tuesday night, northeast Arkansas may get some rain from Irma as the storm remnants move in a north westerly direction. Bottom line for the rice market, the Gulf will be spared from tropical activity through the latter part of September.
·         Plus, temperatures are expected to warm noticeably toward the end of next week. This is certainly the outlook needed to move harvest along. The potential downside could come in the form of softer prices as price support from weather concerns starts to fade.
·         As trading resumes Sunday night, the grain markets will be waiting for USDA’s revised yield and production figures next week. The USDA will release its September WASDE report on Tuesday the 12th. Traders will generally keep to the sidelines ahead of key monthly USDA reports.


Hybrid rice scientists from China arrive to train local scientists
ISLAMABAD (APP): A group of Chinese agriculture experts, comprising 12 hybrid rice scientists, arrived here Tuesday to train local scientists and farmers on hybrid rice cultivation technologies to improve per acre crop productivity. The Chinese scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agriculture scientists, selected from all the four provinces. Besides, they will also impart training to the members of the provincial field extension departments on hybrid rice cultivation. They would also organize road-shows and field visits across the rice-growing areas to address the issues and challenges in promotion of hybrid rice seed. In this regard, a ceremony was held at National Agriculture Research Center, which was attended by the Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Nasir Iqbal Bosal, Agriculture and Economic Councilor of Chinese Embassy Dr Wang and Chief Executive Officer of Yaun Longping Hi-tech Company limited China.
The Ministry of Commerce Peoples Republic of China is the main sponsor of the initiative, where as Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and Agriculture Innovation Programme are also collaborating in promoting the hybrid seed technologies.
Addressing the event, Chinese Agriculture and Economic Councilor said that it was the first bilateral initiative, aiming to enhance per acre rice yield by promoting hybrid rice techniques in Pakistan.
Under the programme, he said that private sector companies of both the countries would cooperate to promote the hybrid rice production that would almost double the per acre crop yield.
He further said that hybrid rice technologies would help to enhance per acre crop output, besides increasing farm income and reduce the poverty.
The hybrid rice technology would also bring revolution in Pakistani Basmati rice production, which was famous all over the world for it taste and aroma.
Addressing the event CEO of Yaun longping High-Tech Agriculture Company Limited China said that the training course was designed in accordance with the requirements of local farmers. She said that the training course would include lectures and field visits for active participation of local farming community for the better results.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Food Security said that government was determined to promote agri sector of the country. He informed that rice crop was cultivated over 2.7 million hectares and was the second major staple food crop of the country, adding that the Chinese expertise would help to enhance the local crop output significantly.
He hoped that the bilateral cooperation in agri-sector would bring the positive results and further enhance the crop output by minimizing the inputs.
Chairman PARC stressed the need for bringing innovation and introducing mechanized farming to make the local produces more competitive in international markets.
Meanwhile, Member Plant Sciences Dr Anjum Ali informed that the aim of the training course on hybrid rice was to educate the local farming community about the hybrid technology and seed selection for achieving maximum per acre yield
http://nation.com.pk/business/13-Sep-2017/news-brief 


Pakistan’s looming water crisis

In 1947 Pakistan was affluent in water. It had 5,000 cubic meters per capita renewable water that is now down to 1,000 cubic meters per capita Population boom, is a major contributing factor. But there are others. Out dated irrigation system being one. In a country where 90pc of water in used in irrigation of crops using maximum water are two other reasons. Sugar cane, rice and wheat all use extensive water.
Many water scarce countries have opted for better water management systems like sprinkler systems and drip irrigation system. Whereas we use the method of flooding the crops. Water leading to areas of irrigation from rivers lack lining, this in turn reportedly causes a loss of 40pc of water en route. Pakistan has also over decades worked at increasing her water reservoirs.
Pakistan is dependent for water from a single source: the Indus River basin. Indian building of hydroelectric power project at Sawalkot can only cause further water stress to Pakistan. The project of Sawalkot is on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The article III of the Indus Water treaty, binds the Government of India not to hinder the flow of the western rivers, i.e. Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, to Pakistan, and India cannot store any water or construct any storage works, on the above cited rivers, having been given total rights since march 1973,of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, we get flood surplus of these rivers which is released in case of excessive rains, which helps in recharging our ground waters levels, but that too will cease after the second Ravi-Beas Link is made.
Today while we slumber, India has started works on, the following projects; Pakal Dul 1000MW, Kiru 600MW,Karwar 520 MW, Baglihar (eventual 900MW),Sawalkot 1200MW (two 600mw units), Salal 390 MW, Sewa-II 120 MW, and finally the Bursur project on the Marusudar river, which, is a major tributary of Chenab river, here the Foxland intends to build a massive water storage dam, which will control and regulate the flow to maintain levels of Pakal dul, Dul Hasti, Rattle, Baglihar, Sawalkot and Salal Hydro-projects, on the Chenab.” (Naveed Tajammal, March 6, 2012)
Climate change is another factor contributing to decline of water provision as glaciers of the Hindu Kush-Karakorum-Himalaya mountains are lost and do not flow into the Indus Water basin. This decline has to be balanced against an increase in water demand owing to hotter season. Water will evaporate quicker leading to increasing water demand by irrigation sector. This will be coupled with decreased levels of soil moisture.
Pakistan’s thermal sector is responsible for roughly 60 to 65pc of energy provision. Thermal energy depends largely on steams and their cooling. “As higher air temperatures decrease the efficiency of the thermal conversion process (Makky & Kalash, 2013), greater volumes of water will be required by this sector to maintain production levels.” (IISD Blog)
Diminished water levels can lead to greater difficulty in clean drinking water to the populace in quantity.
Water quality is yet another issue. According to a recent research more than 50m people across Pakistan are in danger of poisoning from contaminated water containing high levels of arsenic. The study was conducted on samples from 12,000 wells across the country.
The flow of water varies widely in summers and winters. 84pc in summer with a mere 16pc in winter. “According to the report, with a Kharif to Rabi ratio of two to one, the seasonal needs were about 66pc in summer and 34pc in winter, showing surpluses of 18pc in summer and shortages of 18pc in winter.” Local newspaper Feb, 6, 2017)
Also, due of a high degree of groundwater mining a high risk exists of the wells running dry.
The flow of surplus water in summers cause floods causing damage to our crops and as a result thereof to the economy.
Water is back bone of our economy. “The role of regional politics too cannot be denied in aggravating Pakistan’s water woes as the relationship dynamic with India determines the flow in the western rivers since the source lies in disputed territory Kashmir and as a corollary, has implications for internal politics vis-à-vis distribution of water within the provinces. With the once mighty Indus delta now reduced to a mere canal, there is more cause to worry as the inland flow of sea water can render cultivable land unfit for cultivation and hence, completely useless.” (Spearhead Research Special Report)
Unfortunately our policy makers have not focused on this looming disaster. Water scarcity can have severe economic and social backlash. We need immediately multifaceted water based policies dealing with a) conservation and storage of excess water in summers b) a smart updated irrigation policy for water carriage, new methods and lining the path from the river to area of use c) new dams, many small ones and d) a vigorous presence to deflect India’s steps at violation of Indus Treaty d) Upgrading the old and dated irrigation system that causes water wastage owing to seepage.
One hopes the policy makers’ wake up to the need of the hour!

Yasmeen Aftab Ali

The writer is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at: yasmeenali62@gmail.comand tweets at @yasmeen_9.

Govt considers importing two million tons of rice

11.09.2017 | UkrAgroConsult
Up to eight million tons of Boro paddy had been destroyed by the latest bout of monsoon floods that inundated several districts
The government is thinking of importing two million tons of rice, to compensate for the shortage caused by the recent rain and flood in various parts of the country.Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal announced it during a meeting at the National Economic Council conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka on Sunday.He further mentioned that up to eight million tons of Boro paddy had been destroyed by the latest bout of monsoon floods that inundated several districts.
He estimated that a total of 12-14 million tons of rice had been damaged as well, causing a rather significant deficiency.As the flood has dispersed many families out of their homes, the demand for food and shelter has increased.
The government is aware of this situation and hopes to make up for the shortage of food, sources in the Ministry of Planning said.


Government moves to crash price of local rice

By Joke Falaju, Abuja   |   11 September 2017   |   4:13 am

PHOTO: KEMI FILANI
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has hinted of plans to reduce the price of 50kg bag of local rice from N18,000 to N13,000.In this respect, he said talks were ongoing with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria to crash the N150,000 per ton price tag of paddy rice to N120,000 to enable millers sell the commodity at N13,000 per bag.Ogbeh, who was speaking at the weekend in Abuja on the upcoming national conference on the transformation of the country’s livestock industry, lamented that local rice were becoming costlier thatn imported ones.
http://guardian.ng/news/government-moves-to-crash-price-of-local-rice/


Hybrid rice scientists from China arrives to train 30 local scientists

ISLAMABAD: A group of Chinese agriculture experts, comprising 12 hybrid rice scientists, arrived here Tuesday to train local scientist and farmers on hybrid rice cultivation technologies to improve per acre crop productivity.
The Chinese scientists are scheduled to train 30 Pakistani agriculture scientists, selected from all the four provinces.
Besides, they will also impart training to the members of the provincial field extension departments on hybrid rice cultivation.
They would also organize road-shows and field visits across the rice-growing areas to address the issues and challenges in promotion of hybrid rice seed.
In this regard an inaugural ceremony was held at National Agriculture Research Center, which was attended by the Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Nasir Iqbal Bosal, Agriculture and Economic Councilor of Chinese Embassy Dr Wang and Chief Executive Officer of Yaun Longping Hi-tech Company limited China.
The Ministry of Commerce Peoples Republic of China is the main sponsor of the initiative, where as Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and Agriculture Innovation Programme are also collaborating in promoting the hybrid seed technologies.
Addressing the event, Chinese Agriculture and Economic Councilor said that it was the first bilateral initiative, aiming to enhance per acre rice yield by promoting hybrid rice techniques in Pakistan.
Under the programme, he said that private sector companies of both the countries would cooperate to promote the hybrid rice production that would almost double the per acre crop yield.
He further said that hybrid rice technologies would help to enhance per acre crop output, besides increasing farm income and reduce the poverty.
The hybrid rice technology would also bring revolution in Pakistani Basmati rice production, which was famous all over the world for its taste and aroma.
Addressing the event, CEO of Yaun longping High-Tech Agriculture Company said that the training course was designed in accordance with the requirements of local farmers.
She said that the training course would include lectures and field visits for active participation of local farming community for the better results.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Food Security said that government was determined to promote agri-sector of the country.
He informed that rice crop was cultivated over 2.7 million hectares and was the second major staple food crop of the country, adding that the Chinese expertise would help to enhance the local crop output significantly.
He hoped that the bilateral cooperation in agri-sector would bring the positive results and further enhance the crop output by minimizing the inputs.
Speaking on the occasion Chairman PARC stressed the need for bringing innovation and introducing mechanized farming to make the local produces more competitive in international markets.
He said currently Pakistan was surplus wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize and potato, adding that these products were comparatively costly due to use of conventional agri-technologies.
Meanwhile, Member Plant Sciences Dr Anjum Ali informed that the aim of the training course on hybrid rice was to educate the local farming community about the hybrid technology and seed selection for achieving maximum per acre yield.

Rice storage loans call renewed

 
Chea Vannak / Khmer Times 

The Rural Development Bank (RDB) has called for the second round of rice millers’ applications for loans from the bank to build 50,000-tonne rice warehouses and 1,500-tonne silos in a bid to give mills a high capacity to store rice in the harvest season.

The deadline of the second call will be on September 22 before screening and evaluating the applications, according to the RDB.
The second call came after only four rice millers applied in the first call which had a deadline on Friday last week.
RDB CEO Kao Thach hoped the last call would push other mills to apply for loans. He was not sure why only four rice millers sought financial support from the RDB, because the bank had tried to broadcast the announcement via the mass media.
“We decided to make a second round of calls to rice millers to apply for loans because we were afraid that in the first call, they might have missed or not received any information about the announcement,” he said.
Hun Lak, vice-president of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), said the loan announcement had reached the targeted rice millers, but he said the low price in the markets meant there was not a high demand among rice millers for storage.
“Some mills are waiting for a big amount of rice orders. When there is a surge in the international price, they would need capital to expand their capacity,” Mr Lak said.
Song Saran, CEO of AMRU Rice Cambodia, one of the four companies which applied to RDB in the first round, said that the bank reciprocated to the demand of his company, which had specific plans.
RDB’s criteria were in line with plans to develop the Cambodian Agriculture Cooperative Cooperation in Kampong Thom province, which would store, process and export rice, Mr Saran said.
“We need funds to build the agriculture centre in Kampong Thom,” he said.
“Products from Preah Vihear and Siem Reap will benefit from the centre. So we see the criteria from RDB are well suited with our plans,” Mr Saran said, adding that building a huge storage capacity was costly.
“It is to expand the project over the existing one. The government’s plans have the same direction, so we can walk on the same path,” Mr Saran said.
The government through RDB has approved $30 million for loans to build rice warehouses and silos at five percent interest and repayments over ten years.
The first $15 million was disbursed in April to the Rice Bank to build a storage facility and silo in Battambang province.
Another $15 million is for building warehouses and silos in Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, and Takeo provinces. Two of these are in Kampong Thom, one is in Prey Veng, and the last is in Takeo.
The limited amount of money for building warehouses and silos has made mills seek financial support from foreign investors, according to Mr Lak



Rice prices go up again

Rajib Ahmed | Update: 


The government import of rice, cutting import duty by two per cent and easing letter of credit (L/C) procedures, have failed to check the soaring prices of different varieties of rice in the market.
The price of rice, which happens to be the staple food of Bangladeshis, has increased by Tk3-Tk6 per kilogram over the past month.
Fine rice was sold for over Tk 60 a kg while the price of coarse rice went up by Tk 3 to Tk 4 a kg.
Medium quality rice such as BR-28 is sold in the retail market at Tk46-Tk48 a kg.
The price of medium quality rice has increased by Tk 10 a kg and the price of coarse rice has risen by more than Tk 13 a kg as compared to the price last year.
A mobile court meanwhile conducted a drive at a rice mill in Kushtia last Monday where it fined the rice mill Tk 50,000 for hoarding and selling rice at a higher price. The mill belongs to Abdur Rashid, the central president of the Rice Mills Owners' Association.
A family with limited income has to spend an extra Tk 500 to Tk 650 to buy a 50-kg sack of rice, making it difficult for the family budget. The price of flour, another major staple, also witnessed a rise by Tk 2 a kg this week.
Moyna Begum runs a rickshaw garage named Golden Estate in Shyamoli. A total of 50 rickshaw drivers eat three meals there at Tk 100 a day. Recently Moyna Begum increased the charge by Tk 20, so they have to pay Tk 120 a day. Moyna Begum said, “What to do if the price of rice keeps rising like this?”
The food department operates an open market sales (OMS) programme when food prices rise abnormally. However, the programme remains suspended now.
According to 6 September official data, the government has warehoused 325,000 tonnes of rice. Last year, it had 823,000 tonnes of rice.
Asked whether the OMS will resume soon, food secretary M Kaikobad Hossain told Prothom Alo, “It’s a matter of government policy. We’ll start it if the government so decides.”
A total of 30 million tonnes of rice is produced every year in the country, of which 55 per cent comes in the boro season alone.
The food ministry has however estimated that rice production in the last boro seasons was 2 million tonnes less than expected due to loss of boro in the haor areas and the floods. Rice production in the last boro season was 19 million tonnes.
Rice prices started increasing since April due to decline in production.
A 50-kg sack of miniket rice at Mohammadpur Krishi Market was Tk 2,650 last month. Traders are presently asking for Tk 300 more. That means the price per kg of Miniket has gone up by Tk 6.
Mohiuddin Raja, manager of retailer Barisal Rice Agency there, said the rice price is high due to supply shortfall.
India is a major source of imported rice in the city markets. The price per kg of coarse rice at the Benapole land port stands at Tk 44, which is Tk 5 or Tk 6 higher than two weeks earlier.
Owner of India-based rice importer Khulna Rice Agency at Mohammadpur, Shariful Islam said rice price had also increased in India due to higher demand there. The truck fare on the Indian side has also increased due to gridlock at the Benapole port. Currently, it takes 20 days to clear a truck from Benapole port.
According to Bangladesh Bank, a total of 363,000 tonnes of rice has been imported in the last two months till 26 August. Earlier a total of 188,000 tonnes of rice was imported in a year alone.
*This article, originally published in Prothom Alo Bangla print edition, has been rewritten in English by Saimul Huda. Our Kushtia Correspondent helped prepare this report.
http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/159233/Rice-price-spirals-further




Commemorating National Rice Month, Arkansas Rice Industry Donates More Than One Million Servings of Rice to Local Food Bank  
LITTLE ROCK - ARKANSAS - The Arkansas rice industry donated 152,600 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank in honor of National Rice Month today. The donation from six mills will provide more than one million servings of rice to help feed families, children, and seniors all across the state.
 
Participating rice mills are Cormier Rice Mill of DeWitt; Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro; Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart; Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart; Riviana Foods of Carlisle; and Specialty Rice, Inc. of Brinkley. 
 "The Arkansas rice industry is committed to being good stewards of our resources and helping to alleviate hunger in our state," Arkansas Rice Council President Jeff Rutledge said. "We take great pride in our partnership with the Arkansas Foodbank and appreciate their efforts to feed our hungry neighbors."
 In addition to National Rice Month, September is also Hunger Action Month. More than 549,000 Arkansans struggle with hunger and may not know where they'll find their next meal. That number includes one in four children who may not have enough to eat. This rice donation will go in to weekend backpacks for children, food boxes for home-bound seniors and will fill the shelves at food pantries for families in need.The rice will be distributed across the state to five Feeding America food banks.
 "During National Rice Month, not only do we recognize the amazing work the rice industry does for our state's economy but also the pivotal role Arkansas rice farmers play in the fight against hunger," said Rhonda Sanders, Arkansas Foodbank CEO.  "We are so pleased to continue to have this great partnership to give nutritious rice grown right here in Arkansas."Earlier in the day, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson visited with rice industry representatives about the crop, floods, and officially proclaimed September "Rice Month." USA RICE Daily

WASDE Report Released 










WASHINGTON, DC -- Total U.S. rice supplies are reduced 6.6 million cwt from last month due to a lower production forecast. In the September Crop Production report, NASS reduced the 2017/18 U.S. crop size by 6.7 million cwt to 179.7 million, primarily on lower area. NASS incorporated FSA certified acreage data this month in adjusting forecast acreage lower. The average all rice yield also declined by 9 pounds to 7,504 pounds per acre. Long-grain production is reduced by 5.3 million cwt and combined medium-short is decreased by 1.4 million. The reduction in 2017/18 supplies results in both lower projected domestic use and residual and exports. All rice ending stocks are reduced 1.1 million cwt to 29.0 million, the lowest level since 2007/08. The 2017/18 all rice season-average farm price is raised $0.50 per cwt at the midpoint to a range of $12.70 to $13.70. Prices for all rice classes are increased this month. 
Global 2017/18 rice supplies are increased to 603.7 million tons, primarily on higher production and beginning stocks for India. Production increases are partly offset by reductions in China and Bangladesh. World 2017/18 consumption is increased by 1.1 million tons to 480.2 million. Global 2017/18 trade is raised to a record 44.2 million tons on higher exports from Burma and India.

Read the full report here.

USA RICE Daily

China donates another 1,200 tonnes of rice to South Sudan    
  Source: Xinhua | 2017-09-12 19:42:06 | Editor: huaxia



Zhang Yi (L), Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, hands over some of the emergency food aid to Martha Nyamal (2nd R), Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRS), in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Sept. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Gale Julius)
JUBA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in South Sudan on Monday handed over 1,250 tonnes of rice as emergency food aid to the hunger-stricken East African country.
The donation is part of 8,800 tonnes of rice pledged by China in April to help war-torn South Sudan nation fight severe food shortage.
Zhang Yi, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, while delivering the rice said a total of 2,750 tonnes have already been handed over to the South Sudanese government and another consignment of 1,500 tonnes have already reached neighboring Kenya, with the remaining batches expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Zhang said China will continue, within its capacity to provide strong support to South Sudan in humanitarian aid, state building and social-economic development.
Martha Nyamal, Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRS), thanked the Chinese government for extending a helping hand to the vulnerable people of South Sudan.
She pledged that the RRC would make efficient and effective distribution of the Rice in all the 32 states to benefit the most vulnerable people.
"A friend in need is a friend indeed because in the past four years, the Chinese government and people have been standing with the people of South Sudan. In fact they are our brothers from another mother. So we appreciate the level of cooperation between our two countries," Nyawal said.
South Sudan has been embroiled in more than three years of conflict that has have taken a devastating toll on the people.
A peace deal signed in August 2015 between the rival leaders under UN pressure led to the establishment of a transitional unity government in April, but was shattered by renewed fighting in July 2016.
The UN estimates that 4 million people have been displaced internally and externally and another 6 million people across the country are severely food insecure

After clarity from GST Council, food brands likely to reappear on shelves







BV Shiva Shankar | TNN | Sep 12, 2017, 08:56 IST

 
BENGALURU: Food brands which had disappeared from markets after the Goods and Services Tax rollout are likely to make a comeback, with the GST Council deciding to tax unregistered brands too.
According to the GST law that came into force on July 1, packaged food items with a registered trademark on the packet attracted a 5% levy. As the law didn't specify anything about unregistered products, hundreds of brands applied for deregistration and many replaced registered logos with unregistered ones.

However, the GST Council that met on Saturday issued a clarification, saying even unregistered food brands are to be taxed at 5%.
"Since it's clear that all packaged food products, irrespective of the logos, will attract tax, there's no point in printing an unregistered trademark on the packet. Authentic logos of brands will add to the product's credibility, forcing brands which had vanished to return," said Rameshchandra Lahoti, president, Bengaluru Foodgrains and Pulses Merchants Association. Lahoti, a wholesale dealer himself, said 25 of the 35 registered brands sold at his outlet had changed their logos.

While a few brands, including Bul let rice, Kesarkali rice, Lal Qilla basmati rice, Double Horse urad dal and Shivling tur dal re Shivling tur dal retained their registered trademarks as they didn't want to lose the reputation earned over the years, many had applied for deregistration. Trade bodies said manufacturers were thinking of withdrawing deregistration applications.

"Not just GST, even food regula tions bring manufacturers under the tax net if they sell packaged products. Hence, we will get to see more authentic brands in the market in the coming days," said J R Bangera, former president, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI).

According to the Food Safety and Security Act, it is mandatory to print details, including name of the manufacturer (refining mill) and date of manufacturing on the pack. The GST Council has made it clear that food packets with anything printed on them will attract tax.

Food merchants, however, are not happy with the Centre's move to tax packaged food, which was exempted under the Value Added Tax (VAT) regimen. "We are demanding that food items be exempted from tax. Another option is to put them under a special slab of 1%. When it can be done in the case of gold (2%), why not for food, which is more essential," said Lahoti.

Chutney won't be dear anymore

The GST Council has reduced tax on fried gram and dried tamarind from 12% to 5%. This is expected to pacify hoteliers who had threatened to charge tax on chutney separately. Their grouse -the input cost of chutney had gone up with the imposition of 2% GST on fried gram.

Fix GSTN portal, say traders

While the trader community has welcomed the Centre's move to extend the deadline for filing of tax returns to t October 10, they urged the government to rectify glitches in the GSTN portal. "The government should focus on d encouraging timely compliance by providing proper infrastructure rather than extending deadlines. They must ensure the portal is d working properly," said B T Manohar, chairman, taxation committee, FKCCI. The Centre has appointed a group of n ministers to look into the technical snag.

Handmade, khadi products exempted from tax

The tax denial satyagraha observed by artisans has yielded partial results. The council had agreed to exempt handicrafts and khadi garments from GST.But handloom products continue to attract tax. While fabrics and garments priced less than Rs 1,000 are taxed at 5%, those priced more than Rs 1,000 attact a levy of 12%.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/after-clarity-from-gst-council-food-brands-likely-to-reappear-on-shelves/articleshow/60472819.cms